CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In one's element”?
A. to take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts
B. to understand or accept something after a period of confusion
C. in a situation one enjoys and is naturally good at
D. to speak plainly and directly, even if the truth is unpleasant
Correct Answer: C
“In one's element” means in a situation one enjoys and is naturally good at. Example: She was in her element while teaching the workshop.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The boss hit the ceiling when he saw the mistake.”, what does the idiom “Hit the ceiling” mean?
A. unharmed and secure
B. honest, open, and legitimate
C. very calm and composed
D. to become extremely angry
Correct Answer: D
“Hit the ceiling” means to become extremely angry. Example: The boss hit the ceiling when he saw the mistake.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Have one's heart in one's mouth”?
A. to be extremely frightened or anxious
B. to be regarded favorably by someone
C. to do something innovative or pioneering
D. to save money for future difficulties
Correct Answer: A
“Have one's heart in one's mouth” means to be extremely frightened or anxious. Example: I had my heart in my mouth as the car skidded.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to stop working properly or become chaotic”?
A. Blow hot and cold
B. Go haywire
C. In the doldrums
D. Birds of a feather
Correct Answer: B
“Go haywire” means to stop working properly or become chaotic. Example: The computer system went haywire after the update.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She gave the driver a piece of her mind.”, what does the idiom “Give someone a piece of one's mind” mean?
A. a very small amount compared with what is needed
B. to be common among members of the same family
C. to tell someone angrily what one thinks of their behavior
D. to unite in support or defense against criticism or attack
Correct Answer: C
“Give someone a piece of one's mind” means to tell someone angrily what one thinks of their behavior. Example: She gave the driver a piece of her mind.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Get on someone's nerves”?
A. completely well or healthy again
B. in serious trouble or difficulty
C. to be extremely busy
D. to annoy or irritate someone
Correct Answer: D
“Get on someone's nerves” means to annoy or irritate someone. Example: That constant tapping is getting on my nerves.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Fall foul of”?
A. to get into trouble with a person, rule, or authority
B. to be the person who makes the important decisions
C. to perform well in a difficult or important situation
D. to suffer the main force or worst part of something unpleasant
Correct Answer: A
“Fall foul of” means to get into trouble with a person, rule, or authority. Example: The company fell foul of environmental regulations.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The director dropped a bombshell by announcing his resignation.”, what does the idiom “Drop a bombshell” mean?
A. to boast about one's own achievements
B. to announce shocking or surprising news
C. to shift responsibility to someone else
D. to wait for a long time
Correct Answer: B
“Drop a bombshell” means to announce shocking or surprising news. Example: The director dropped a bombshell by announcing his resignation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Die in harness”?
A. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
B. to keep changing one's attitude or opinion
C. to continue working until one's death
D. the very early hours after midnight
Correct Answer: C
“Die in harness” means to continue working until one's death. Example: The dedicated teacher died in harness.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to attend to someone constantly in order to please them”?
A. Lay one's cards on the table
B. Go from bad to worse
C. Call the shots
D. Dance attendance on
Correct Answer: D
“Dance attendance on” means to attend to someone constantly in order to please them. Example: He refused to dance attendance on the visiting official.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Cut someone to the quick”?
A. to hurt someone's feelings deeply
B. readily available or easily accessible
C. to take a dangerous risk
D. aristocratic or noble birth
Correct Answer: A
“Cut someone to the quick” means to hurt someone's feelings deeply. Example: Her harsh criticism cut him to the quick.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The two lawyers crossed swords during the hearing.”, what does the idiom “Cross swords” mean?
A. to compromise with someone
B. to argue or disagree strongly
C. think carefully before taking action
D. suddenly and without advance planning
Correct Answer: B
“Cross swords” means to argue or disagree strongly. Example: The two lawyers crossed swords during the hearing.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Cool one's heels”?
A. an excellent chance to achieve something
B. to do something innovative or pioneering
C. to wait for a long time
D. in a difficult situation without help
Correct Answer: C
“Cool one's heels” means to wait for a long time. Example: We cooled our heels outside the office for two hours.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to have influence or importance”?
A. Go against the grain
B. Have one's heart in one's mouth
C. Once and for all
D. Carry weight
Correct Answer: D
“Carry weight” means to have influence or importance. Example: His opinion carries a lot of weight in the committee.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “As project head, she calls the shots.”, what does the idiom “Call the shots” mean?
A. to be the person who makes the important decisions
B. trouble or conflict appears likely to happen soon
C. a very small amount compared with what is needed
D. a small problem that spoils an otherwise good situation
Correct Answer: A
“Call the shots” means to be the person who makes the important decisions. Example: As project head, she calls the shots.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Burn a hole in one's pocket”?
A. to refuse to change one's position or opinion
B. to make someone eager to spend money they have
C. to be recovering from an illness or difficult situation
D. to create a complicated set of new problems
Correct Answer: B
“Burn a hole in one's pocket” means to make someone eager to spend money they have. Example: His bonus was burning a hole in his pocket.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Bring someone to book”?
A. to fail to remember or find an answer
B. to become less active or less important
C. to punish or hold someone accountable for wrongdoing
D. caught between two equally difficult or unpleasant choices
Correct Answer: C
“Bring someone to book” means to punish or hold someone accountable for wrongdoing. Example: The investigators promised to bring the culprits to book.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Finishing the research has broken the back of the project.”, what does the idiom “Break the back of” mean?
A. in a state of low spirits, inactivity, or poor performance
B. trouble or conflict appears likely to happen soon
C. a strict rule that cannot easily be changed
D. to complete the most difficult part of a task
Correct Answer: D
“Break the back of” means to complete the most difficult part of a task. Example: Finishing the research has broken the back of the project.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Blow one's own trumpet”?
A. to boast about one's own achievements
B. to continue working until one's death
C. to wait for a long time
D. to be logical, reasonable, or valid
Correct Answer: A
“Blow one's own trumpet” means to boast about one's own achievements. Example: He is always blowing his own trumpet.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “caught between two equally difficult or unpleasant choices”?
A. Give someone a piece of one's mind
B. Between the devil and the deep blue sea
C. Beside oneself
D. In cold blood
Correct Answer: B
“Between the devil and the deep blue sea” means caught between two equally difficult or unpleasant choices. Example: He was between the devil and the deep blue sea when both options involved heavy losses.