CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Knock on wood”?
A. to control one's emotions or understand a situation properly
B. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
C. said to express hope that good luck will continue
D. to look again in surprise because something is unexpected
Correct Answer: C
“Knock on wood” means said to express hope that good luck will continue. Example: I have never missed a deadline, knock on wood. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She applied to several universities to keep her options open.”, what is the meaning of “Keep one's options open”?
A. to talk to someone at length, often about a problem
B. to look again in surprise because something is unexpected
C. to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system
D. to avoid committing so that several choices remain possible
Correct Answer: D
“Keep one's options open” means to avoid committing so that several choices remain possible. Example: She applied to several universities to keep her options open. 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 “Keep one's nose clean”?
A. to avoid trouble and behave properly
B. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
C. very well behaved or completely reliable
D. the lowest possible level or point
Correct Answer: A
“Keep one's nose clean” means to avoid trouble and behave properly. Example: Keep your nose clean during probation. 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 complete many difficult or unnecessary requirements”?
A. On the back burner
B. Jump through hoops
C. A dog's life
D. On a roll
Correct Answer: B
“Jump through hoops” means to complete many difficult or unnecessary requirements. Example: Applicants had to jump through hoops to obtain approval. 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 “In the works”?
A. exactly correct or precise
B. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
C. being prepared, developed, or planned
D. to know something from memory
Correct Answer: C
“In the works” means being prepared, developed, or planned. Example: A revised policy is already in the works. 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 “in another person's situation or position”?
A. Put one's foot down
B. Last but not least
C. Another string to one's bow
D. In someone's shoes
Correct Answer: D
“In someone's shoes” means in another person's situation or position. Example: Try to imagine yourself in the applicant's shoes. 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 “In a rut”?
A. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
B. at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability
C. to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation
D. not comparable because one is much better or worse
Correct Answer: A
“In a rut” means stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress. Example: His career felt in a rut until he learned new skills. 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 “In a bind”?
A. to take a short rest
B. in a difficult situation
C. a tendency toward cowardice
D. shared opinions, interests, or beliefs
Correct Answer: B
“In a bind” means in a difficult situation. Example: I am in a bind because two deadlines fall on the same day. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After a slow start, she hit her stride in the second section.”, what is the meaning of “Hit one's stride”?
A. to have a very enjoyable time
B. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
C. to begin performing confidently and effectively
D. something worth thinking about carefully
Correct Answer: C
“Hit one's stride” means to begin performing confidently and effectively. Example: After a slow start, she hit her stride in the second section. 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 “Have one's hands tied”?
A. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
B. to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression
C. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
D. to be unable to act freely because of rules or circumstances
Correct Answer: D
“Have one's hands tied” means to be unable to act freely because of rules or circumstances. Example: The officer wanted to help but had his hands tied by policy. 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 depend on or base one's hopes or argument on something”?
A. Hang one's hat on
B. Keep under wraps
C. Walk in the park
D. On top of things
Correct Answer: A
“Hang one's hat on” means to depend on or base one's hopes or argument on something. Example: The defense cannot hang its hat on a single weak witness. 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 “Half the battle”?
A. said to express hope that good luck will continue
B. a major part of the effort needed for success
C. to end in a very exciting or impressive way
D. to act aggressively and uncompromisingly to get what one wants
Correct Answer: B
“Half the battle” means a major part of the effort needed for success. Example: Understanding the syllabus is half the battle. 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 “Go under”?
A. a very remote or isolated place
B. pleasant or attractive to look at
C. to fail financially or cease operating
D. to organize everything properly before acting
Correct Answer: C
“Go under” means to fail financially or cease operating. Example: Several businesses went under during the recession. 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 customer was given the runaround for weeks.”, what is the meaning of “Give someone the runaround”?
A. to manage to speak when someone else is talking continuously
B. to gain control over most of the supply of a product or service
C. in a very quiet voice so others can barely hear
D. to avoid helping someone by sending them from place to place or giving excuses
Correct Answer: D
“Give someone the runaround” means to avoid helping someone by sending them from place to place or giving excuses. Example: The customer was given the runaround for weeks. 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 “From scratch”?
A. from the very beginning without using previous work
B. not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed
C. every possible method, including clever or questionable ones
D. as good as or better than all others
Correct Answer: A
“From scratch” means from the very beginning without using previous work. Example: They built the database from scratch. 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 “the most important matters should be dealt with before others”?
A. Make light of
B. First things first
C. Pay dirt
D. Yellow streak
Correct Answer: B
“First things first” means the most important matters should be dealt with before others. Example: First things first: verify the data before writing the report. 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 “Few and far between”?
A. to examine detailed conditions carefully
B. still active, healthy, or successful
C. rare and not often found
D. to know something from memory
Correct Answer: C
“Few and far between” means rare and not often found. Example: Qualified specialists are few and far between in remote areas. 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 begin working out successfully or becoming organized”?
A. Worth a shot
B. Stick out like a sore thumb
C. Do a double take
D. Fall into place
Correct Answer: D
“Fall into place” means to begin working out successfully or becoming organized. Example: Once funding was approved, everything fell into place. 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 “Fair shake”?
A. a fair opportunity or fair treatment
B. in another person's situation or position
C. to greatly impress or surprise someone
D. traditional in style, methods, or attitudes
Correct Answer: A
“Fair shake” means a fair opportunity or fair treatment. Example: Every candidate deserves a fair shake. 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 “Face an uphill battle”?
A. an unrealistic promise, hope, or plan
B. to face a very difficult struggle
C. in another person's situation or position
D. more advanced or progressive than others
Correct Answer: B
“Face an uphill battle” means to face a very difficult struggle. Example: The reformers face an uphill battle in changing old practices. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.