CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Be up in arms”?
A. to pass from one owner to another
B. kept secretly in reserve for possible use
C. to be very angry and strongly protesting
D. forced to choose between two difficult alternatives
Correct Answer: C
“Be up in arms” means to be very angry and strongly protesting. Example: Residents were up in arms about the proposed tax.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She is on the mend after the operation.”, what does the idiom “Be on the mend” mean?
A. to create a complicated set of new problems
B. to discuss private family or organizational problems openly in public
C. to unite in support or defense against criticism or attack
D. to be recovering from an illness or difficult situation
Correct Answer: D
“Be on the mend” means to be recovering from an illness or difficult situation. Example: She is on the mend after the operation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Be all thumbs”?
A. to be clumsy with one's hands
B. to be logical, reasonable, or valid
C. to be regarded favorably by someone
D. to tolerate an insult without reacting
Correct Answer: A
“Be all thumbs” means to be clumsy with one's hands. Example: I am all thumbs when it comes to repairing watches.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “in a state of bitter hostility”?
A. Lay one's cards on the table
B. At daggers drawn
C. Hand in glove
D. Give someone a hand
Correct Answer: B
“At daggers drawn” means in a state of bitter hostility. Example: The two political rivals are at daggers drawn.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After a day's rest, he felt as right as rain.”, what does the idiom “As right as rain” mean?
A. to work hard and continuously
B. to take a dangerous risk
C. completely well or healthy again
D. to dishonestly alter financial records
Correct Answer: C
“As right as rain” means completely well or healthy again. Example: After a day's rest, he felt as right as rain.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “An old hand”?
A. to be the person who makes the important decisions
B. a disreputable or troublesome member of a group or family
C. to be common among members of the same family
D. a person with a lot of experience in a particular activity
Correct Answer: D
“An old hand” means a person with a lot of experience in a particular activity. Example: Ask Sana; she is an old hand at organizing conferences.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “A square peg in a round hole”?
A. a person unsuited to a particular role or environment
B. to work hard and make a determined effort
C. to begin dealing seriously with a difficult problem
D. in a difficult situation with very few options
Correct Answer: A
“A square peg in a round hole” means a person unsuited to a particular role or environment. Example: He felt like a square peg in a round hole in the sales department.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The only fly in the ointment was the high maintenance cost.”, what does the idiom “A fly in the ointment” mean?
A. to use influence or connections to achieve something
B. a small problem that spoils an otherwise good situation
C. in a difficult situation with very few options
D. in a situation too difficult for one's knowledge or ability
Correct Answer: B
“A fly in the ointment” means a small problem that spoils an otherwise good situation. Example: The only fly in the ointment was the high maintenance cost.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “A drop in the ocean”?
A. to discuss private family or organizational problems openly in public
B. to speak foolishly or without knowing the facts
C. a very small amount compared with what is needed
D. criticizing someone for a fault that one also has
Correct Answer: C
“A drop in the ocean” means a very small amount compared with what is needed. Example: The aid was only a drop in the ocean compared with the losses.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “competent and deserving of one's position or pay”?
A. Strike while the iron is hot
B. In a fix
C. As cool as a cucumber
D. Worth one's salt
Correct Answer: D
“Worth one's salt” means competent and deserving of one's position or pay. Example: Any manager worth his salt would prepare for such risks.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Work like a dog”?
A. to work extremely hard
B. to compromise with someone
C. to annoy or irritate someone
D. for now; temporarily
Correct Answer: A
“Work like a dog” means to work extremely hard. Example: He worked like a dog to meet the deadline.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The villagers welcomed the visitors with open arms.”, what does the idiom “With open arms” mean?
A. very calm and composed
B. warmly and enthusiastically
C. very cheerful and lively
D. suddenly and without advance planning
Correct Answer: B
“With open arms” means warmly and enthusiastically. Example: The villagers welcomed the visitors with open arms.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Wet blanket”?
A. to identify the exact cause or problem
B. to pass from one owner to another
C. a person who spoils other people's enjoyment
D. to fail to have the intended effect
Correct Answer: C
“Wet blanket” means a person who spoils other people's enjoyment. Example: Do not be a wet blanket; join the celebration.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “wealthy or financially comfortable”?
A. Go to the dogs
B. A needle in a haystack
C. Eat one's words
D. Well off
Correct Answer: D
“Well off” means wealthy or financially comfortable. Example: Her family is quite well off.
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Idioms
In the sentence “The company managed to weather the storm.”, what does the idiom “Weather the storm” mean?
A. to survive a difficult period or crisis
B. to ignore an unpleasant fact or problem
C. to enrich oneself, especially dishonestly or selfishly
D. to survive with only the basic necessities
Correct Answer: A
“Weather the storm” means to survive a difficult period or crisis. Example: The company managed to weather the storm.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Wash dirty linen in public”?
A. slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self
B. to discuss private family or organizational problems openly in public
C. a person with a lot of experience in a particular activity
D. to be contrary to one's natural inclination or accepted practice
Correct Answer: B
“Wash dirty linen in public” means to discuss private family or organizational problems openly in public. Example: They should solve the dispute privately instead of washing dirty linen in public.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Up to the mark”?
A. a dishonest or improper way of acting
B. to make a poor or embarrassing impression
C. good enough or meeting the required standard
D. over a long period of time; eventually
Correct Answer: C
“Up to the mark” means good enough or meeting the required standard. Example: His latest work is not up to the mark.
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Idioms
In the sentence “The keys were right under my nose.”, what does the idiom “Under one's nose” mean?
A. to work hard and make a determined effort
B. to get into trouble or a difficult situation
C. to begin dealing seriously with a difficult problem
D. in an obvious place or very close by
Correct Answer: D
“Under one's nose” means in an obvious place or very close by. Example: The keys were right under my nose.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Turn a deaf ear”?
A. to refuse to listen or pay attention
B. to pass from one owner to another
C. in a difficult situation with few choices
D. to abandon someone in a difficult situation
Correct Answer: A
“Turn a deaf ear” means to refuse to listen or pay attention. Example: The authorities turned a deaf ear to the complaints.
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Idioms
Which idiom means “uncertain and risky, with the outcome in doubt”?
A. Put one's finger on
B. Touch and go
C. Leave well enough alone
D. Go haywire
Correct Answer: B
“Touch and go” means uncertain and risky, with the outcome in doubt. Example: For a while, the patient's condition was touch and go.