CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Above one's pay grade”?
A. to ruin someone's plans, chances, or position
B. to begin working out successfully or becoming organized
C. beyond one's authority, responsibility, or level of expertise
D. used to emphasize that something is certainly true
Correct Answer: C
“Above one's pay grade” means beyond one's authority, responsibility, or level of expertise. Example: That policy decision is above my pay grade. 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 focus closely on a particular target or issue”?
A. Tip of one's tongue
B. The penny drops
C. Walk in the park
D. Zero in on
Correct Answer: D
“Zero in on” means to focus closely on a particular target or issue. Example: The investigation zeroed in on the missing records. 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 “You name it”?
A. used to indicate that many or all possible things are included
B. to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood
C. to stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something
D. to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity
Correct Answer: A
“You name it” means used to indicate that many or all possible things are included. Example: Books, notes, videos—you name it, the library has it. 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 “Worth a shot”?
A. a dangerously or extremely fast speed
B. worth trying despite uncertain success
C. more successful or advanced than competitors
D. in control of a situation
Correct Answer: B
“Worth a shot” means worth trying despite uncertain success. Example: The scholarship is competitive, but it is worth a shot. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “When push comes to shove, she always supports her team.”, what is the meaning of “When push comes to shove”?
A. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
B. used to give someone permission to do something
C. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
D. a fair situation in which everyone has equal opportunity
Correct Answer: C
“When push comes to shove” means when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary. Example: When push comes to shove, she always supports her team. 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 “Wear out one's welcome”?
A. to act without a plan, relying on instinct and experience
B. to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood
C. to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility
D. to stay so long that others become tired of one's presence
Correct Answer: D
“Wear out one's welcome” means to stay so long that others become tired of one's presence. Example: Guests should leave before they wear out their welcome. 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 “something very easy to do”?
A. Walk in the park
B. Under one's skin
C. Hot under the collar
D. Straight from the shoulder
Correct Answer: A
“Walk in the park” means something very easy to do. Example: For an experienced coder, this task is a walk in the park. 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 “Walk the talk”?
A. despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success
B. to act in a way that matches one's words or promises
C. the honest and morally acceptable way of living or behaving
D. at a point where an important decision must be made
Correct Answer: B
“Walk the talk” means to act in a way that matches one's words or promises. Example: Leaders must walk the talk on transparency. 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 “Up for grabs”?
A. a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice
B. to respond to someone with sudden anger or criticism
C. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
D. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
Correct Answer: C
“Up for grabs” means available to anyone who can obtain or win it. Example: Three scholarships are up for grabs this year. 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 muttered a complaint under his breath.”, what is the meaning of “Under one's breath”?
A. physically present rather than seen in a picture or online
B. used to indicate that many or all possible things are included
C. a situation in which contradictory rules make a solution impossible
D. in a very quiet voice so others can barely hear
Correct Answer: D
“Under one's breath” means in a very quiet voice so others can barely hear. Example: He muttered a complaint under his breath. 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 “Top dog”?
A. the most powerful or important person in a group
B. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
C. things have gone well up to the present point
D. at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability
Correct Answer: A
“Top dog” means the most powerful or important person in a group. Example: He quickly became the top dog in the department. 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 “time is valuable and should not be wasted”?
A. Have one's work cut out
B. Time is money
C. Chew someone out
D. Under one's breath
Correct Answer: B
“Time is money” means time is valuable and should not be wasted. Example: Finish the task efficiently because time is money. 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 “Tie the knot”?
A. extremely old
B. temporarily given low priority
C. to get married
D. to feel extremely happy
Correct Answer: C
“Tie the knot” means to get married. Example: They plan to tie the knot next spring. 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 punish someone as severely as the rules allow”?
A. Last laugh
B. Close call
C. Whole ball of wax
D. Throw the book at someone
Correct Answer: D
“Throw the book at someone” means to punish someone as severely as the rules allow. Example: The judge threw the book at the repeat offender. 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 “The penny drops”?
A. someone finally understands something
B. a particular area or neighborhood
C. to make progress
D. to take a short rest
Correct Answer: A
“The penny drops” means someone finally understands something. Example: After the example, the penny finally dropped. 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 “The coast is clear”?
A. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
B. there is no danger or obstacle present
C. to suffer humiliation or loss of respect
D. to strongly annoy or emotionally affect someone
Correct Answer: B
“The coast is clear” means there is no danger or obstacle present. Example: Once the guard left, they thought the coast was clear. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Let us stop arguing and talk turkey about the budget.”, what is the meaning of “Talk turkey”?
A. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
B. almost certain to be achieved or won
C. to discuss a matter seriously and directly
D. to begin doubting a decision already made
Correct Answer: C
“Talk turkey” means to discuss a matter seriously and directly. Example: Let us stop arguing and talk turkey about the budget. 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 “Take someone under one's wing”?
A. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
B. to have a very enjoyable time
C. used to express very strong refusal
D. to guide, protect, or mentor someone
Correct Answer: D
“Take someone under one's wing” means to guide, protect, or mentor someone. Example: The senior officer took the new recruit under her wing. 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 admire or respect someone for an achievement”?
A. Take one's hat off to
B. Bare one's soul
C. In at the deep end
D. Walk all over someone
Correct Answer: A
“Take one's hat off to” means to admire or respect someone for an achievement. Example: I take my hat off to anyone who completes that difficult course. 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 “Take it easy”?
A. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
B. to relax or avoid excessive effort or worry
C. within the period remembered by people still alive
D. while acting under strong emotion without enough thought
Correct Answer: B
“Take it easy” means to relax or avoid excessive effort or worry. Example: You have worked all day; take it easy tonight. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.