CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The new interface is simple and easy on the eyes.”, what is the meaning of “Easy on the eyes”?
A. to have a very enjoyable time
B. to pursue unrealistic or impossible goals
C. pleasant or attractive to look at
D. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
Correct Answer: C
“Easy on the eyes” means pleasant or attractive to look at. Example: The new interface is simple and easy on the eyes. 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 “Drop the ball”?
A. to punish someone as severely as the rules allow
B. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
C. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
D. to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility
Correct Answer: D
“Drop the ball” means to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility. Example: The department dropped the ball by missing the deadline. 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 “continuing until the last possible moment”?
A. Down to the wire
B. Buy time
C. Sit tight
D. Off limits
Correct Answer: A
“Down to the wire” means continuing until the last possible moment. Example: The contest went down to the wire. 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 “Cut one's teeth on”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. to gain one's first practical experience in a particular activity
C. to act before someone else can do the same thing
D. almost remembered but not quite able to be said
Correct Answer: B
“Cut one's teeth on” means to gain one's first practical experience in a particular activity. Example: She cut her teeth on local reporting before joining national media. 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 “Cross one's mind”?
A. to discuss a matter seriously and directly
B. to greatly impress or surprise someone
C. to occur briefly as a thought
D. more advanced or progressive than others
Correct Answer: C
“Cross one's mind” means to occur briefly as a thought. Example: It never crossed my mind that he might resign. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Both sides found common ground on education reform.”, what is the meaning of “Common ground”?
A. to be patient with someone
B. to occur briefly as a thought
C. in agreement or accordance with
D. shared opinions, interests, or beliefs
Correct Answer: D
“Common ground” means shared opinions, interests, or beliefs. Example: Both sides found common ground on education reform. 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 “Change horses in midstream”?
A. to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity
B. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
C. to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort
D. to talk to someone at length, often about a problem
Correct Answer: A
“Change horses in midstream” means to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity. Example: Changing the project manager now would be changing horses in midstream. 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 “surprised and unprepared”?
A. In over one's head
B. Caught off guard
C. Beat someone to the punch
D. In someone's shoes
Correct Answer: B
“Caught off guard” means surprised and unprepared. Example: The unexpected question caught him off guard. 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 “By all means”?
A. in another person's situation or position
B. to face a difficult amount of work
C. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
D. to have a very enjoyable time
Correct Answer: C
“By all means” means certainly; with permission or without hesitation. Example: By all means, use the reference books. 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 delay something in order to gain more time”?
A. Down in the mouth
B. Open book
C. Tie the knot
D. Buy time
Correct Answer: D
“Buy time” means to delay something in order to gain more time. Example: The lawyer requested an adjournment to buy time. 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 “Bring something to the table”?
A. to contribute a useful skill, idea, or resource
B. to begin to like someone or something quickly
C. a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice
D. unlimited authority or freedom to spend or act
Correct Answer: A
“Bring something to the table” means to contribute a useful skill, idea, or resource. Example: Each team member brings something different to the table. 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 “Break a sweat”?
A. to lose an opportunity that was almost secured
B. to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious
C. other situations often seem better than one's own
D. fully informed or performing at the required level
Correct Answer: B
“Break a sweat” means to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious. Example: She finished the easy test without breaking a sweat. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Finishing the project by tomorrow is a big ask.”, what is the meaning of “Big ask”?
A. beyond one's ability, status, or level
B. following a correct or promising course
C. something difficult to request or achieve
D. more advanced or progressive than others
Correct Answer: C
“Big ask” means something difficult to request or achieve. Example: Finishing the project by tomorrow is a big ask. 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 “Bend someone's ear”?
A. to force someone to answer or decide in a difficult situation
B. to speak or act very directly without softening criticism
C. to understand the mood and reactions of people present
D. to talk to someone at length, often about a problem
Correct Answer: D
“Bend someone's ear” means to talk to someone at length, often about a problem. Example: He bent my ear for an hour about office politics. 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 “old-fashioned and not up to date”?
A. Behind the times
B. Shoot from the hip
C. Go under
D. Sweat blood
Correct Answer: A
“Behind the times” means old-fashioned and not up to date. Example: The manual filing system is behind the times. 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 “Bear with someone”?
A. experiencing a series of successes
B. to be patient with someone
C. to set a higher standard
D. a fair opportunity or fair treatment
Correct Answer: B
“Bear with someone” means to be patient with someone. Example: Please bear with me while I check the record. 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 “At a premium”?
A. an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience
B. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
C. difficult to obtain and therefore especially valuable
D. to reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings
Correct Answer: C
“At a premium” means difficult to obtain and therefore especially valuable. Example: Clean water was at a premium after the flood. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Her preparation kept her ahead of the pack.”, what is the meaning of “Ahead of the pack”?
A. to begin serious work or discussion
B. put into a difficult situation without preparation
C. to stop oneself from saying something
D. more successful or advanced than competitors
Correct Answer: D
“Ahead of the pack” means more successful or advanced than competitors. Example: Her preparation kept her ahead of the pack. 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 “Ahead of the curve”?
A. more advanced or progressive than others
B. beyond one's ability, status, or level
C. to wait patiently without taking action
D. to greatly impress or surprise someone
Correct Answer: A
“Ahead of the curve” means more advanced or progressive than others. Example: The institution stayed ahead of the curve by adopting digital records early. 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 “affecting everyone or everything in a group”?
A. Bring something to the table
B. Across the board
C. Set in stone
D. Jump the gun
Correct Answer: B
“Across the board” means affecting everyone or everything in a group. Example: The company announced an across-the-board salary increase. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.