CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Every inch”?
A. a very long time
B. as much as one wants
C. completely or in every respect
D. to lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum
Correct Answer: C
“Every inch” means completely or in every respect. Example: He looked every inch a professional.
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Idioms
In the sentence “Their ambitious scheme ended in smoke.”, what does the idiom “End in smoke” mean?
A. to ignore an unpleasant fact or problem
B. forced to choose between two difficult alternatives
C. to state one's intentions or facts openly
D. to come to nothing or fail completely
Correct Answer: D
“End in smoke” means to come to nothing or fail completely. Example: Their ambitious scheme ended in smoke.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Eat one's words”?
A. to admit that what one said was wrong
B. to get into trouble or a difficult situation
C. to speak foolishly or without knowing the facts
D. caught between two equally difficult or unpleasant choices
Correct Answer: A
“Eat one's words” means to admit that what one said was wrong. Example: He said the team would lose, but later had to eat his words.
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Idioms
Which idiom means “to admit one's error and apologize”?
A. In cold blood
B. Eat humble pie
C. Go against the grain
D. Drop a bombshell
Correct Answer: B
“Eat humble pie” means to admit one's error and apologize. Example: After accusing him wrongly, she had to eat humble pie.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The constant noise is driving me up the wall.”, what does the idiom “Drive someone up the wall” mean?
A. in a difficult situation without help
B. to want something very much
C. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
D. to save money for future difficulties
Correct Answer: C
“Drive someone up the wall” means to annoy or irritate someone greatly. Example: The constant noise is driving me up the wall.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Draw a blank”?
A. trouble or conflict appears likely to happen soon
B. to cause trouble or disturb a stable situation
C. at risk or in danger of being lost
D. to fail to remember or find an answer
Correct Answer: D
“Draw a blank” means to fail to remember or find an answer. Example: When asked his password, he drew a blank.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Down in the dumps”?
A. sad or depressed
B. to become discouraged
C. for now; temporarily
D. with all one's belongings
Correct Answer: A
“Down in the dumps” means sad or depressed. Example: She has been down in the dumps since the exam result.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I have not seen him for donkey's years.”, what does the idiom “Donkey's years” mean?
A. to become independent and self-reliant
B. a very long time
C. wealthy or financially comfortable
D. finally and permanently
Correct Answer: B
“Donkey's years” means a very long time. Example: I have not seen him for donkey's years.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Dog in the manger”?
A. to make a bad situation worse by adding humiliation or further harm
B. to suffer the main force or worst part of something unpleasant
C. someone who prevents others from using something they do not need
D. to discuss private family or organizational problems openly in public
Correct Answer: C
“Dog in the manger” means someone who prevents others from using something they do not need. Example: Do not be a dog in the manger; let someone else use the empty office.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “completely dead or no longer active”?
A. Keep body and soul together
B. Go against the grain
C. Die in harness
D. Dead as a doornail
Correct Answer: D
“Dead as a doornail” means completely dead or no longer active. Example: The old battery is dead as a doornail.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Cut a sorry figure”?
A. to make a poor or embarrassing impression
B. to identify the exact cause or problem
C. good enough or meeting the required standard
D. to fail to have the intended effect
Correct Answer: A
“Cut a sorry figure” means to make a poor or embarrassing impression. Example: He cut a sorry figure during the debate.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He refused to follow a crooked path to success.”, what does the idiom “Crooked path” mean?
A. to abandon someone in a difficult situation
B. a dishonest or improper way of acting
C. to learn through difficult or unpleasant experience
D. to be suitable for a particular purpose
Correct Answer: B
“Crooked path” means a dishonest or improper way of acting. Example: He refused to follow a crooked path to success.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Crack a joke”?
A. completely well or healthy again
B. to understand something at all
C. to make a humorous remark
D. to admit one's error and apologize
Correct Answer: C
“Crack a joke” means to make a humorous remark. Example: He cracked a joke to lighten the mood.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to dishonestly alter financial records”?
A. Off one's rocker
B. Birds of a feather
C. Pull strings
D. Cook the books
Correct Answer: D
“Cook the books” means to dishonestly alter financial records. Example: The accountant was accused of cooking the books.
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Idioms
In the sentence “The city must come to grips with traffic congestion.”, what does the idiom “Come to grips with” mean?
A. to begin dealing seriously with a difficult problem
B. to become less active or less important
C. to come to nothing or fail completely
D. to create a complicated set of new problems
Correct Answer: A
“Come to grips with” means to begin dealing seriously with a difficult problem. Example: The city must come to grips with traffic congestion.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Close ranks”?
A. to take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts
B. to unite in support or defense against criticism or attack
C. a fresh start without past problems or mistakes counting
D. to complete the most difficult part of a task
Correct Answer: B
“Close ranks” means to unite in support or defense against criticism or attack. Example: The team closed ranks after the controversy.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Clean slate”?
A. in a state of low spirits, inactivity, or poor performance
B. criticizing someone for a fault that one also has
C. a fresh start without past problems or mistakes counting
D. a difficult person or problem to understand or solve
Correct Answer: C
“Clean slate” means a fresh start without past problems or mistakes counting. Example: The new year gave him a clean slate.
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Idioms
In the sentence “He has a chip on his shoulder about not being promoted.”, what does the idiom “Chip on one's shoulder” mean?
A. to make a bad situation worse by adding humiliation or further harm
B. to tell someone angrily what one thinks of their behavior
C. slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self
D. a tendency to feel resentful because of a perceived disadvantage or grievance
Correct Answer: D
“Chip on one's shoulder” means a tendency to feel resentful because of a perceived disadvantage or grievance. Example: He has a chip on his shoulder about not being promoted.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Chew the fat”?
A. to have a long, informal conversation
B. something officially secret but widely known
C. to do something innovative or pioneering
D. people with similar interests or characteristics
Correct Answer: A
“Chew the fat” means to have a long, informal conversation. Example: We sat after dinner chewing the fat.
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Idioms
Which idiom means “to pass from one owner to another”?
A. Learn the hard way
B. Change hands
C. By and large
D. Keep the ball rolling
Correct Answer: B
“Change hands” means to pass from one owner to another. Example: The old house changed hands last month.