CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Red-carpet treatment”?
A. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
B. the most important matters should be dealt with before others
C. special and impressive treatment given to an important guest
D. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
Correct Answer: C
“Red-carpet treatment” means special and impressive treatment given to an important guest. Example: The delegation received red-carpet treatment. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to examine detailed conditions carefully”?
A. Not in the same league
B. Touch base
C. Bend the rules
D. Read the fine print
Correct Answer: D
“Read the fine print” means to examine detailed conditions carefully. Example: Always read the fine print before signing a contract. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Put one's two cents in”?
A. to give one's opinion, even if not requested
B. a controversial issue that is difficult to handle
C. with understanding gained after an event has happened
D. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
Correct Answer: A
“Put one's two cents in” means to give one's opinion, even if not requested. Example: Let me put my two cents in before the decision is final. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Put a sock in it”?
A. to leave a difficult situation suddenly instead of dealing with it
B. an impolite way of telling someone to stop talking or making noise
C. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
D. to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity
Correct Answer: B
“Put a sock in it” means an impolite way of telling someone to stop talking or making noise. Example: The annoyed student told his noisy friend to put a sock in it. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The officer pulled rank to enter without waiting.”, what is the meaning of “Pull rank”?
A. to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility
B. to stay so long that others become tired of one's presence
C. to use one's higher position or status to get special treatment
D. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
Correct Answer: C
“Pull rank” means to use one's higher position or status to get special treatment. Example: The officer pulled rank to enter without waiting. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Play one's cards right”?
A. a son often resembles his father in behavior or character
B. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
C. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
D. to act cleverly so as to achieve a desired result
Correct Answer: D
“Play one's cards right” means to act cleverly so as to achieve a desired result. Example: If you play your cards right, the internship may lead to a permanent job. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “used to express very strong refusal”?
A. Over one's dead body
B. Elephant in the room
C. Up for grabs
D. Not in the same league
Correct Answer: A
“Over one's dead body” means used to express very strong refusal. Example: He said the land would be sold over his dead body. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Out of bounds”?
A. a completely different situation with new conditions
B. not permitted or beyond an allowed area
C. final success after being doubted or mocked
D. in serious trouble without an easy solution
Correct Answer: B
“Out of bounds” means not permitted or beyond an allowed area. Example: The restricted zone is out of bounds to the public. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Open book”?
A. at a point where an important decision must be made
B. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
C. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
D. to act before someone else can do the same thing
Correct Answer: C
“Open book” means a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand. Example: She is an open book and rarely hides her feelings. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He accepted the offer while still on the rebound from his previous setback.”, what is the meaning of “On the rebound”?
A. to continue having romantic feelings for someone
B. as good as or better than all others
C. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
D. recovering after disappointment or failure, often emotionally
Correct Answer: D
“On the rebound” means recovering after disappointment or failure, often emotionally. Example: He accepted the offer while still on the rebound from his previous setback. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On the go”?
A. very busy and active
B. without knowledge or information
C. crazy or behaving irrationally
D. to set a higher standard
Correct Answer: A
“On the go” means very busy and active. Example: She has been on the go since early morning. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “temporarily given low priority”?
A. Take the heat
B. On the back burner
C. Hang one's hat on
D. For crying out loud
Correct Answer: B
“On the back burner” means temporarily given low priority. Example: The expansion plan has been put on the back burner. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On good terms”?
A. to experience complete silence
B. to know something from memory
C. having a friendly relationship
D. honestly and with sincere intentions
Correct Answer: C
“On good terms” means having a friendly relationship. Example: The departments are now on good terms. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “without preparation or planning”?
A. Up for grabs
B. Come full circle
C. Count one's blessings
D. Off the cuff
Correct Answer: D
“Off the cuff” means without preparation or planning. Example: He gave an impressive off-the-cuff speech. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Off limits”?
A. not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed
B. a quiet period before serious activity or trouble
C. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
D. fully informed or performing at the required level
Correct Answer: A
“Off limits” means not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed. Example: The records room is off limits to visitors. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Not in the same league”?
A. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
B. not comparable because one is much better or worse
C. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
D. to flatter someone in order to gain a favor
Correct Answer: B
“Not in the same league” means not comparable because one is much better or worse. Example: The amateur team is not in the same league as the champions. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “There is no love lost between the two rivals.”, what is the meaning of “No love lost”?
A. honestly and with sincere intentions
B. rare and not often found
C. strong dislike between people
D. having a friendly relationship
Correct Answer: C
“No love lost” means strong dislike between people. Example: There is no love lost between the two rivals. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Leave the door open”?
A. an obvious major problem that people avoid discussing
B. to be very noticeable because of being different
C. to speak or act very directly without softening criticism
D. to allow the possibility of future action or agreement
Correct Answer: D
“Leave the door open” means to allow the possibility of future action or agreement. Example: The statement left the door open for further negotiations. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to state rules firmly and demand obedience”?
A. Lay down the law
B. Ballpark figure
C. Fed up to the back teeth
D. Baker's dozen
Correct Answer: A
“Lay down the law” means to state rules firmly and demand obedience. Example: The new principal laid down the law on attendance. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Last resort”?
A. directly from personal experience or the original source
B. the final option when all others have failed
C. to become deeply involved in an interesting task
D. a difficult responsibility or problem one must endure
Correct Answer: B
“Last resort” means the final option when all others have failed. Example: Legal action should be a last resort. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.