CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Take a shine to”?
A. in an uncertain state while awaiting a decision
B. to suffer humiliation or loss of respect
C. to begin to like someone or something quickly
D. a major part of the effort needed for success
Correct Answer: C
“Take a shine to” means to begin to like someone or something quickly. Example: The child immediately took a shine to the new teacher. 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 two hours of revision, take a breather.”, what is the meaning of “Take a breather”?
A. very hard physical or emotional effort
B. fixed and not open to change
C. heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
D. to take a short rest
Correct Answer: D
“Take a breather” means to take a short rest. Example: After two hours of revision, take a breather. 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 “Sweat blood”?
A. to work extremely hard
B. still active, healthy, or successful
C. a tendency toward cowardice
D. completely and beyond doubt
Correct Answer: A
“Sweat blood” means to work extremely hard. Example: The students sweated blood to prepare for the final paper. 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 “frankly and directly”?
A. Bring something to the table
B. Straight from the shoulder
C. Make a splash
D. First things first
Correct Answer: B
“Straight from the shoulder” means frankly and directly. Example: The officer spoke straight from the shoulder about corruption. 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 “Stick out like a sore thumb”?
A. final success after being doubted or mocked
B. to contribute a useful skill, idea, or resource
C. to be very noticeable because of being different
D. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
Correct Answer: C
“Stick out like a sore thumb” means to be very noticeable because of being different. Example: The bright red building sticks out like a sore thumb. 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 say openly what one really thinks”?
A. Have a blast
B. Blood, sweat and tears
C. Off limits
D. Speak one's mind
Correct Answer: D
“Speak one's mind” means to say openly what one really thinks. Example: She is never afraid to speak her mind. 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 “Spare no expense”?
A. to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result
B. to take a firm position and refuse to allow something
C. to be unable to act freely because of rules or circumstances
D. physically present rather than seen in a picture or online
Correct Answer: A
“Spare no expense” means to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result. Example: The organizers spared no expense on safety arrangements. 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 “So far, so good”?
A. the most powerful or important person in a group
B. things have gone well up to the present point
C. to look again in surprise because something is unexpected
D. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
Correct Answer: B
“So far, so good” means things have gone well up to the present point. Example: The project is halfway complete and, so far, so good. 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 the illness, he was little more than skin and bones.”, what is the meaning of “Skin and bones”?
A. a rough numerical estimate
B. young and inexperienced
C. extremely thin
D. in control of a situation
Correct Answer: C
“Skin and bones” means extremely thin. Example: After the illness, he was little more than skin and bones. 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 “Set in stone”?
A. to produce successful or useful results
B. to say openly what one really thinks
C. more advanced or progressive than others
D. fixed and not open to change
Correct Answer: D
“Set in stone” means fixed and not open to change. Example: The schedule is not set in stone yet. 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 “as good as or better than all others”?
A. Second to none
B. By all means
C. When push comes to shove
D. Play hardball
Correct Answer: A
“Second to none” means as good as or better than all others. Example: Her command of English is second to none. 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 “Save one's breath”?
A. to leave a difficult situation suddenly instead of dealing with it
B. to stop arguing or explaining because it will have no effect
C. said or revealed in order to feel relief from worry or guilt
D. to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort
Correct Answer: B
“Save one's breath” means to stop arguing or explaining because it will have no effect. Example: Save your breath; he has already made his decision. 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 “Roll with the punches”?
A. with understanding gained after an event has happened
B. unlimited authority or freedom to spend or act
C. to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks
D. to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice
Correct Answer: C
“Roll with the punches” means to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks. Example: Successful candidates learn to roll with the punches. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Public confidence had reached rock bottom.”, what is the meaning of “Rock bottom”?
A. to fail financially or cease operating
B. traditional in style, methods, or attitudes
C. unrealistic or unaware of practical realities
D. the lowest possible level or point
Correct Answer: D
“Rock bottom” means the lowest possible level or point. Example: Public confidence had reached rock bottom. 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 “Read the room”?
A. to understand the mood and reactions of people present
B. a major part of the effort needed for success
C. to avoid committing so that several choices remain possible
D. to punish someone as severely as the rules allow
Correct Answer: A
“Read the room” means to understand the mood and reactions of people present. Example: A good speaker knows how to read the room. 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 take a firm position and refuse to allow something”?
A. A dog's life
B. Put one's foot down
C. Not miss a beat
D. Food for thought
Correct Answer: B
“Put one's foot down” means to take a firm position and refuse to allow something. Example: The principal put his foot down and banned cheating. 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 someone on the spot”?
A. people tend to forget things that are no longer visible or present
B. to gain one's first practical experience in a particular activity
C. to force someone to answer or decide in a difficult situation
D. said or revealed in order to feel relief from worry or guilt
Correct Answer: C
“Put someone on the spot” means to force someone to answer or decide in a difficult situation. Example: The unexpected question put the minister on the spot. 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 think seriously about a problem”?
A. Make a splash
B. Zero in on
C. Ballpark figure
D. Put on one's thinking cap
Correct Answer: D
“Put on one's thinking cap” means to think seriously about a problem. Example: Put on your thinking cap and find another solution. 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 “Push one's luck”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. almost remembered but not quite able to be said
C. to begin to like someone or something quickly
D. to allow the possibility of future action or agreement
Correct Answer: A
“Push one's luck” means to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate. Example: You passed without studying; do not push your luck next 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 “Pull no punches”?
A. to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem
B. to speak or act very directly without softening criticism
C. to understand the mood and reactions of people present
D. to admire or respect someone for an achievement
Correct Answer: B
“Pull no punches” means to speak or act very directly without softening criticism. Example: The report pulled no punches about the failures. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.