CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Cast pearls before swine”?
A. a person unsuited to a particular role or environment
B. slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self
C. to offer something valuable to someone unable to appreciate it
D. to be contrary to one's natural inclination or accepted practice
Correct Answer: C
“Cast pearls before swine” means to offer something valuable to someone unable to appreciate it. Example: Explaining fine art to an uninterested crowd felt like casting pearls before swine.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Selling rice in that farming region would be like carrying coals to Newcastle.”, what does the idiom “Carry coals to Newcastle” mean?
A. to be recovering from an illness or difficult situation
B. a weak or unstable plan or organization likely to collapse
C. to suffer the main force or worst part of something unpleasant
D. to take something to a place where it is already plentiful
Correct Answer: D
“Carry coals to Newcastle” means to take something to a place where it is already plentiful. Example: Selling rice in that farming region would be like carrying coals to Newcastle.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Call a spade a spade”?
A. to speak plainly and directly, even if the truth is unpleasant
B. to take something to a place where it is already plentiful
C. a disreputable or troublesome member of a group or family
D. to be recovering from an illness or difficult situation
Correct Answer: A
“Call a spade a spade” means to speak plainly and directly, even if the truth is unpleasant. Example: She calls a spade a spade and never hides her opinion.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “by any possible means”?
A. Small hours
B. By hook or by crook
C. All in the same breath
D. Hit the ceiling
Correct Answer: B
“By hook or by crook” means by any possible means. Example: He was determined to win by hook or by crook.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “By and large, the new policy has worked well.”, what does the idiom “By and large” mean?
A. to act unfairly or cruelly
B. by any possible means
C. generally or on the whole
D. to work hard and continuously
Correct Answer: C
“By and large” means generally or on the whole. Example: By and large, the new policy has worked well.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Bury one's head in the sand”?
A. a dishonest or improper way of acting
B. to become less active or less important
C. good enough or meeting the required standard
D. to ignore an unpleasant fact or problem
Correct Answer: D
“Bury one's head in the sand” means to ignore an unpleasant fact or problem. Example: We cannot bury our heads in the sand about rising costs.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Burn the candle at both ends”?
A. to exhaust oneself by staying busy late at night and early in the morning
B. to take something to a place where it is already plentiful
C. to understand or accept something after a period of confusion
D. to be the person who makes the important decisions
Correct Answer: A
“Burn the candle at both ends” means to exhaust oneself by staying busy late at night and early in the morning. Example: Working two jobs and studying means she is burning the candle at both ends.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The inquiry brought several irregularities to light.”, what does the idiom “Bring to light” mean?
A. something extremely difficult to find
B. to reveal or make known
C. to dishonestly alter financial records
D. something officially secret but widely known
Correct Answer: B
“Bring to light” means to reveal or make known. Example: The inquiry brought several irregularities to light.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Break new ground”?
A. to shift responsibility to someone else
B. in a difficult or awkward situation
C. to do something innovative or pioneering
D. to announce shocking or surprising news
Correct Answer: C
“Break new ground” means to do something innovative or pioneering. Example: The research breaks new ground in cancer treatment.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “aristocratic or noble birth”?
A. A drop in the ocean
B. Not hold a candle to
C. Get down to brass tacks
D. Blue blood
Correct Answer: D
“Blue blood” means aristocratic or noble birth. Example: The family boasts of blue blood.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Blow hot and cold”?
A. to keep changing one's attitude or opinion
B. when a situation becomes difficult or critical
C. to survive a difficult period or crisis
D. to give a severe warning or reprimand
Correct Answer: A
“Blow hot and cold” means to keep changing one's attitude or opinion. Example: The manager keeps blowing hot and cold about the proposal.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He was regarded as the black sheep of the family.”, what does the idiom “Black sheep” mean?
A. a person with a lot of experience in a particular activity
B. a disreputable or troublesome member of a group or family
C. a difficult person or problem to understand or solve
D. in a situation one enjoys and is naturally good at
Correct Answer: B
“Black sheep” means a disreputable or troublesome member of a group or family. Example: He was regarded as the black sheep of the family.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Birds of a feather”?
A. to tolerate an insult without reacting
B. in a state of bitter hostility
C. people with similar interests or characteristics
D. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
Correct Answer: C
“Birds of a feather” means people with similar interests or characteristics. Example: The two friends are birds of a feather.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “overcome with strong emotion”?
A. See the light
B. Rub salt into the wound
C. Toe the line
D. Beside oneself
Correct Answer: D
“Beside oneself” means overcome with strong emotion. Example: She was beside herself with worry.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Running a business is not always a bed of roses.”, what does the idiom “Bed of roses” mean?
A. an easy, comfortable, or pleasant situation
B. to have a long, informal conversation
C. to continue working until one's death
D. to be suitable for a particular purpose
Correct Answer: A
“Bed of roses” means an easy, comfortable, or pleasant situation. Example: Running a business is not always a bed of roses.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Beat a retreat”?
A. to work hard and make a determined effort
B. to withdraw or leave quickly, especially after difficulty
C. to harm one's own interests through one's actions
D. to obey rules or conform to expected standards
Correct Answer: B
“Beat a retreat” means to withdraw or leave quickly, especially after difficulty. Example: When the crowd became angry, the protesters beat a retreat.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Be in someone's good books”?
A. to admit one's error and apologize
B. to identify the exact cause or problem
C. to be regarded favorably by someone
D. deliberately and without emotion or mercy
Correct Answer: C
“Be in someone's good books” means to be regarded favorably by someone. Example: He stayed late to finish the report and is now in the boss's good books.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Small businesses bore the brunt of the recession.”, what does the idiom “Bear the brunt” mean?
A. to speak plainly and directly, even if the truth is unpleasant
B. a tendency to feel resentful because of a perceived disadvantage or grievance
C. in a situation too difficult for one's knowledge or ability
D. to suffer the main force or worst part of something unpleasant
Correct Answer: D
“Bear the brunt” means to suffer the main force or worst part of something unpleasant. Example: Small businesses bore the brunt of the recession.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Bag and baggage”?
A. with all one's belongings
B. to make a humorous remark
C. very cheerful and lively
D. to work extremely hard
Correct Answer: A
“Bag and baggage” means with all one's belongings. Example: He left the city bag and baggage.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “hostility or ill feeling between people or groups”?
A. Cook the books
B. Bad blood
C. Hit below the belt
D. Get on someone's nerves
Correct Answer: B
“Bad blood” means hostility or ill feeling between people or groups. Example: There has been bad blood between the two families for years.