CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Pocket an insult”?
A. to wait for a long time
B. in a difficult or awkward situation
C. to tolerate an insult without reacting
D. something officially secret but widely known
Correct Answer: C
“Pocket an insult” means to tolerate an insult without reacting. Example: For the sake of peace, he pocketed the insult.
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Idioms
In the sentence “Ignoring repeated warnings is playing with fire.”, what does the idiom “Play with fire” mean?
A. to lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum
B. something extremely difficult to find
C. readily available or easily accessible
D. to take a dangerous risk
Correct Answer: D
“Play with fire” means to take a dangerous risk. Example: Ignoring repeated warnings is playing with fire.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Pay through the nose”?
A. to pay an excessively high price
B. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
C. to do something innovative or pioneering
D. completely dead or no longer active
Correct Answer: A
“Pay through the nose” means to pay an excessively high price. Example: We had to pay through the nose for last-minute tickets.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self”?
A. Bring to light
B. Out of sorts
C. Throw cold water on
D. Work like a dog
Correct Answer: B
“Out of sorts” means slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self. Example: She has been out of sorts all morning.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After months without work, he was out at elbows.”, what does the idiom “Out at elbows” mean?
A. completely or in every respect
B. to work hard and continuously
C. poorly dressed or lacking money
D. to make a humorous remark
Correct Answer: C
“Out at elbows” means poorly dressed or lacking money. Example: After months without work, he was out at elbows.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Open a can of worms”?
A. to learn how to do or use something
B. to stop working properly or become chaotic
C. a very small amount compared with what is needed
D. to create a complicated set of new problems
Correct Answer: D
“Open a can of worms” means to create a complicated set of new problems. Example: Changing the contract may open a can of worms.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Once and for all”?
A. finally and permanently
B. with all one's belongings
C. aristocratic or noble birth
D. by any possible means
Correct Answer: A
“Once and for all” means finally and permanently. Example: Let us settle this issue once and for all.
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Idioms
In the sentence “We decided to visit Murree on the spur of the moment.”, what does the idiom “On the spur of the moment” mean?
A. think carefully before taking action
B. suddenly and without advance planning
C. to make every possible effort
D. to suddenly become very angry
Correct Answer: B
“On the spur of the moment” means suddenly and without advance planning. Example: We decided to visit Murree on the spur of the moment.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “On the horns of a dilemma”?
A. to fail to have the intended effect
B. over a long period of time; eventually
C. forced to choose between two difficult alternatives
D. to discuss the most important practical details
Correct Answer: C
“On the horns of a dilemma” means forced to choose between two difficult alternatives. Example: She was on the horns of a dilemma about whether to resign or stay.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “very anxious or excited while waiting”?
A. Work like a dog
B. Dead as a doornail
C. Get on someone's nerves
D. On pins and needles
Correct Answer: D
“On pins and needles” means very anxious or excited while waiting. Example: We were on pins and needles waiting for the results.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Off one's rocker”?
A. crazy or behaving irrationally
B. to suddenly become very angry
C. generally or on the whole
D. in serious trouble or difficulty
Correct Answer: A
“Off one's rocker” means crazy or behaving irrationally. Example: You must be off your rocker to drive in that storm.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “It rained off and on all afternoon.”, what does the idiom “Off and on” mean?
A. to help someone
B. occasionally or intermittently
C. to compromise with someone
D. finally and permanently
Correct Answer: B
“Off and on” means occasionally or intermittently. Example: It rained off and on all afternoon.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Not hold a candle to”?
A. working very closely together, often secretly or dishonestly
B. to refuse to change one's position or opinion
C. to be much inferior to someone or something
D. to state one's intentions or facts openly
Correct Answer: C
“Not hold a candle to” means to be much inferior to someone or something. Example: This remake does not hold a candle to the original film.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “very close or equal in a competition”?
A. Be on the mend
B. Hit below the belt
C. Make a clean breast of
D. Neck and neck
Correct Answer: D
“Neck and neck” means very close or equal in a competition. Example: The two runners were neck and neck near the finish.
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Idioms
In the sentence “She moved heaven and earth to secure the documents.”, what does the idiom “Move heaven and earth” mean?
A. to make every possible effort
B. to confess fully and openly
C. to admit one's error and apologize
D. poorly dressed or lacking money
Correct Answer: A
“Move heaven and earth” means to make every possible effort. Example: She moved heaven and earth to secure the documents.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Meet halfway”?
A. poorly dressed or lacking money
B. to compromise with someone
C. in serious trouble or difficulty
D. a very long time
Correct Answer: B
“Meet halfway” means to compromise with someone. Example: Both sides agreed to meet halfway.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Make head or tail of”?
A. suddenly and without advance planning
B. to reveal or make known
C. to understand something at all
D. completely or in every respect
Correct Answer: C
“Make head or tail of” means to understand something at all. Example: I cannot make head or tail of these instructions.
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Idioms
In the sentence “He made a clean breast of the mistake.”, what does the idiom “Make a clean breast of” mean?
A. to argue or disagree strongly
B. something extremely difficult to find
C. honest, open, and legitimate
D. to confess fully and openly
Correct Answer: D
“Make a clean breast of” means to confess fully and openly. Example: He made a clean breast of the mistake.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Lose heart”?
A. to become discouraged
B. extremely jealous
C. with all one's belongings
D. wealthy or financially comfortable
Correct Answer: A
“Lose heart” means to become discouraged. Example: Do not lose heart after one failure.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “think carefully before taking action”?
A. Give someone a piece of one's mind
B. Look before you leap
C. Blow hot and cold
D. Get the hang of
Correct Answer: B
“Look before you leap” means think carefully before taking action. Example: Before investing, remember to look before you leap.