CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "red-letter day"?
A. refuse to listen
B. in trouble
C. a very important or memorable day
D. great excitement about a trivial matter
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "red-letter day" means a very important or memorable day. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "read between the lines"?
A. during both good and bad times
B. understand an implied meaning
C. accidentally reveal a secret or plan
D. a person who feels uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "read between the lines" means understand an implied meaning. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "put the cart before the horse"?
A. do things in the wrong order
B. the final problem that makes a situation unbearable
C. deal with a problem when it actually arises
D. very different from
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "put the cart before the horse" means do things in the wrong order. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "play with fire"?
A. treat something with skepticism
B. reveal or make known
C. a subject or issue causing disagreement
D. take a dangerous risk
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "play with fire" means take a dangerous risk. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "part and parcel"?
A. reveal a secret
B. do something innovative or pioneering
C. an essential or integral part
D. something that seems bad at first but turns out beneficial
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "part and parcel" means an essential or integral part. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "out of the blue"?
A. avoid choosing between alternatives
B. unexpectedly
C. take on more responsibility than one can handle
D. a futile search or pursuit
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "out of the blue" means unexpectedly. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "on the spur of the moment"?
A. suddenly and without planning
B. agree completely
C. pursue the wrong course or blame the wrong person
D. begin behaving in a better way
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "on the spur of the moment" means suddenly and without planning. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "once in a blue moon"?
A. a very important or memorable day
B. in strong disagreement
C. deal with a difficult situation directly
D. very rarely
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "once in a blue moon" means very rarely. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "nip in the bud"?
A. understand an implied meaning
B. very successfully
C. stop something at an early stage
D. joke with or tease someone
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "nip in the bud" means stop something at an early stage. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "make a mountain out of a molehill"?
A. do things in the wrong order
B. exaggerate a small problem
C. show emotions openly
D. extremely happy
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "make a mountain out of a molehill" means exaggerate a small problem. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "make both ends meet"?
A. manage expenses within one's income
B. take a dangerous risk
C. very angry and protesting
D. understand something
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "make both ends meet" means manage expenses within one's income. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "leave no stone unturned"?
A. an essential or integral part
B. slightly ill
C. hope for a favorable outcome
D. make every possible effort
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "leave no stone unturned" means make every possible effort. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "keep body and soul together"?
A. unexpectedly
B. refuse to listen
C. earn enough to survive
D. in trouble
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "keep body and soul together" means earn enough to survive. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "keep an eye on"?
A. suddenly and without planning
B. watch or monitor carefully
C. during both good and bad times
D. accidentally reveal a secret or plan
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "keep an eye on" means watch or monitor carefully. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "in the long run"?
A. over a long period of time
B. very rarely
C. the final problem that makes a situation unbearable
D. deal with a problem when it actually arises
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "in the long run" means over a long period of time. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "in black and white"?
A. stop something at an early stage
B. treat something with skepticism
C. reveal or make known
D. in written or printed form
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "in black and white" means in written or printed form. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "hit the nail on the head"?
A. exaggerate a small problem
B. reveal a secret
C. describe or identify something exactly
D. do something innovative or pioneering
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "hit the nail on the head" means describe or identify something exactly. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "go the extra mile"?
A. manage expenses within one's income
B. make more effort than is normally expected
C. avoid choosing between alternatives
D. take on more responsibility than one can handle
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "go the extra mile" means make more effort than is normally expected. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "give someone the benefit of the doubt"?
A. choose to believe someone despite uncertainty
B. make every possible effort
C. agree completely
D. pursue the wrong course or blame the wrong person
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "give someone the benefit of the doubt" means choose to believe someone despite uncertainty. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "get cold feet"?
A. earn enough to survive
B. a very important or memorable day
C. in strong disagreement
D. become nervous and lose courage
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "get cold feet" means become nervous and lose courage. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.