CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Leave well enough alone”?
A. in a difficult situation with very few options
B. unable to know what to do or say
C. to avoid changing something that is already satisfactory
D. to become less active or less important
Correct Answer: C
“Leave well enough alone” means to avoid changing something that is already satisfactory. Example: The system works; we should leave well enough alone.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His partners left him in the lurch when the business failed.”, what does the idiom “Leave in the lurch” mean?
A. good enough or meeting the required standard
B. very close or equal in a competition
C. to refuse to change one's position or opinion
D. to abandon someone in a difficult situation
Correct Answer: D
“Leave in the lurch” means to abandon someone in a difficult situation. Example: His partners left him in the lurch when the business failed.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Know something inside out”?
A. to know something extremely well
B. to take a dangerous risk
C. to annoy or irritate someone
D. poorly dressed or lacking money
Correct Answer: A
“Know something inside out” means to know something extremely well. Example: He knows the tax rules inside out.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to work hard and continuously”?
A. Pull strings
B. Keep one's nose to the grindstone
C. Keep the ball rolling
D. Out of one's depth
Correct Answer: B
“Keep one's nose to the grindstone” means to work hard and continuously. Example: She kept her nose to the grindstone until the project was finished.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He worked odd jobs to keep body and soul together.”, what does the idiom “Keep body and soul together” mean?
A. to give a severe warning or reprimand
B. to make a poor or embarrassing impression
C. to survive with only the basic necessities
D. to discuss the most important practical details
Correct Answer: C
“Keep body and soul together” means to survive with only the basic necessities. Example: He worked odd jobs to keep body and soul together.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In the lurch”?
A. completely dead or no longer active
B. to pay an excessively high price
C. to fail to have the intended effect
D. in a difficult situation without help
Correct Answer: D
“In the lurch” means in a difficult situation without help. Example: The supplier cancelled the order and left us in the lurch.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In the long run”?
A. over a long period of time; eventually
B. to come to nothing or fail completely
C. to fail to have the intended effect
D. to ignore an unpleasant fact or problem
Correct Answer: A
“In the long run” means over a long period of time; eventually. Example: Regular exercise will benefit you in the long run.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Sales have been in the doldrums for months.”, what does the idiom “In the doldrums” mean?
A. slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self
B. in a state of low spirits, inactivity, or poor performance
C. a weak or unstable plan or organization likely to collapse
D. to suffer the main force or worst part of something unpleasant
Correct Answer: B
“In the doldrums” means in a state of low spirits, inactivity, or poor performance. Example: Sales have been in the doldrums for months.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In low spirits”?
A. in serious trouble or difficulty
B. by any possible means
C. sad or discouraged
D. readily available or easily accessible
Correct Answer: C
“In low spirits” means sad or discouraged. Example: He was in low spirits after failing the interview.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “very cheerful and lively”?
A. Dog in the manger
B. Learn the hard way
C. Keep body and soul together
D. In high spirits
Correct Answer: D
“In high spirits” means very cheerful and lively. Example: The children were in high spirits after the victory.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In deep water”?
A. in serious trouble or difficulty
B. to annoy or irritate someone
C. to dishonestly alter financial records
D. something extremely difficult to find
Correct Answer: A
“In deep water” means in serious trouble or difficulty. Example: The company is in deep water because of its debts.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The crime was committed in cold blood.”, what does the idiom “In cold blood” mean?
A. to be logical, reasonable, or valid
B. deliberately and without emotion or mercy
C. to be extremely frightened or anxious
D. to save money for future difficulties
Correct Answer: B
“In cold blood” means deliberately and without emotion or mercy. Example: The crime was committed in cold blood.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In a tight corner”?
A. to reveal one's real character or intentions
B. to reduce someone's confidence, enthusiasm, or advantage
C. in a difficult situation with few choices
D. to come to nothing or fail completely
Correct Answer: C
“In a tight corner” means in a difficult situation with few choices. Example: The sudden expenses put the family in a tight corner.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “in a difficult or awkward situation”?
A. Carry weight
B. Leave in the lurch
C. A fishy story
D. In a fix
Correct Answer: D
“In a fix” means in a difficult or awkward situation. Example: I am in a fix because I lost my keys.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His explanation does not hold water.”, what does the idiom “Hold water” mean?
A. to be logical, reasonable, or valid
B. to be regarded favorably by someone
C. something officially secret but widely known
D. to do something innovative or pioneering
Correct Answer: A
“Hold water” means to be logical, reasonable, or valid. Example: His explanation does not hold water.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Hit below the belt”?
A. to continue working until one's death
B. to act unfairly or cruelly
C. to become independent and self-reliant
D. to take a dangerous risk
Correct Answer: B
“Hit below the belt” means to act unfairly or cruelly. Example: Bringing up his family problems was hitting below the belt.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Have one's hands full”?
A. to deteriorate badly
B. to hurt someone's feelings deeply
C. to be extremely busy
D. very calm and composed
Correct Answer: C
“Have one's hands full” means to be extremely busy. Example: With three deadlines this week, I have my hands full.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She seems to have a finger in every pie at the office.”, what does the idiom “Have a finger in every pie” mean?
A. trouble or conflict appears likely to happen soon
B. to speak foolishly or without knowing the facts
C. hostility or ill feeling between people or groups
D. to be involved in many activities or matters
Correct Answer: D
“Have a finger in every pie” means to be involved in many activities or matters. Example: She seems to have a finger in every pie at the office.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Hard and fast rule”?
A. a strict rule that cannot easily be changed
B. to use influence or connections to achieve something
C. slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self
D. to obey rules or conform to expected standards
Correct Answer: A
“Hard and fast rule” means a strict rule that cannot easily be changed. Example: There is no hard and fast rule about the order of these sections.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “working very closely together, often secretly or dishonestly”?
A. Be on the mend
B. Hand in glove
C. Cast pearls before swine
D. In low spirits
Correct Answer: B
“Hand in glove” means working very closely together, often secretly or dishonestly. Example: The smugglers were working hand in glove with corrupt officials.