CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "go to the dogs".
A. the largest part
B. show cowardice
C. deteriorate badly
D. unfair or improper
Correct Answer: C
"go to the dogs" is an idiomatic expression meaning deteriorate badly.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "give someone a piece of one's mind".
A. understand the procedures or details of a task
B. speak angrily and frankly to someone
C. escape from danger or punishment
D. misunderstanding each other's intentions
Correct Answer: B
"give someone a piece of one's mind" is an idiomatic expression meaning speak angrily and frankly to someone.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "from pillar to post".
A. from one place or person to another without success
B. achieve two aims with one action
C. make someone's distress worse
D. at a distance, especially to avoid close involvement
Correct Answer: A
"from pillar to post" is an idiomatic expression meaning from one place or person to another without success.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "feather in one's cap".
A. have enough money to avoid hunger or serious poverty
B. perform well when facing a difficult challenge
C. confused and uncertain
D. an achievement to be proud of
Correct Answer: D
"feather in one's cap" is an idiomatic expression meaning an achievement to be proud of.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "eat one's words".
A. in the same difficult situation
B. ordinary members of an organization
C. admit that something one said was wrong
D. honest and open
Correct Answer: C
"eat one's words" is an idiomatic expression meaning admit that something one said was wrong.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "dog in the manger".
A. very cheerful
B. a person who prevents others using something they do not use themselves
C. rain very heavily
D. a secretly treacherous person
Correct Answer: B
"dog in the manger" is an idiomatic expression meaning a person who prevents others using something they do not use themselves.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "dead letter".
A. a rule or law that exists formally but is no longer enforced
B. deliberately and without emotion
C. take a firm stand
D. a scholar or literary person
Correct Answer: A
"dead letter" is an idiomatic expression meaning a rule or law that exists formally but is no longer enforced.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "crocodile tears".
A. in a few words
B. calm a difficult or tense situation
C. a difficult problem or person to deal with
D. insincere expressions of sorrow
Correct Answer: D
"crocodile tears" is an idiomatic expression meaning insincere expressions of sorrow.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "come to grief".
A. remain silent
B. careful about small amounts but wasteful about larger ones
C. meet with disaster or failure
D. a narrow escape from danger
Correct Answer: C
"come to grief" is an idiomatic expression meaning meet with disaster or failure.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cast pearls before swine".
A. be extremely busy
B. offer something valuable to people unable to appreciate it
C. pay an excessively high price
D. competent and deserving of one's position
Correct Answer: B
"cast pearls before swine" is an idiomatic expression meaning offer something valuable to people unable to appreciate it.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "by hook or by crook".
A. by any possible means
B. be involved in many activities, often interfering
C. something supposedly secret but widely known
D. everything possible or available
Correct Answer: A
"by hook or by crook" is an idiomatic expression meaning by any possible means.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "button one's lip".
A. deteriorate badly
B. in a risky or delicate situation
C. a costly possession that is difficult or useless to maintain
D. remain silent
Correct Answer: D
"button one's lip" is an idiomatic expression meaning remain silent.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "bury the hatchet".
A. speak angrily and frankly to someone
B. occasionally or intermittently
C. end a quarrel and make peace
D. survive a difficult period
Correct Answer: C
"bury the hatchet" is an idiomatic expression meaning end a quarrel and make peace.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "blow one's own trumpet".
A. from one place or person to another without success
B. boast about one's own achievements
C. make every possible effort
D. a past matter that is no longer important
Correct Answer: B
"blow one's own trumpet" is an idiomatic expression meaning boast about one's own achievements.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "birds of a feather".
A. people of similar character or interests
B. an achievement to be proud of
C. make a compromise
D. discuss private disputes publicly
Correct Answer: A
"birds of a feather" is an idiomatic expression meaning people of similar character or interests.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "beside the point".
A. admit that something one said was wrong
B. confess fully
C. reverse a situation to gain advantage
D. irrelevant to the matter being discussed
Correct Answer: D
"beside the point" is an idiomatic expression meaning irrelevant to the matter being discussed.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "bed of roses".
A. a person who prevents others using something they do not use themselves
B. the largest part
C. an easy and pleasant situation
D. with all possible effort and determination
Correct Answer: C
"bed of roses" is an idiomatic expression meaning an easy and pleasant situation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "bear the brunt of".
A. a rule or law that exists formally but is no longer enforced
B. suffer the main force or impact of something
C. understand the procedures or details of a task
D. admit defeat and stop trying
Correct Answer: B
"bear the brunt of" is an idiomatic expression meaning suffer the main force or impact of something.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "bag and baggage".
A. with all one's belongings
B. insincere expressions of sorrow
C. achieve two aims with one action
D. discourage enthusiasm
Correct Answer: A
"bag and baggage" is an idiomatic expression meaning with all one's belongings.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "at one's wits' end".
A. meet with disaster or failure
B. have enough money to avoid hunger or serious poverty
C. the advantages and disadvantages
D. completely puzzled or distressed about what to do
Correct Answer: D
"at one's wits' end" is an idiomatic expression meaning completely puzzled or distressed about what to do.