CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "fair and square"?
A. watch or monitor carefully
B. understand an implied meaning
C. honestly and according to the rules
D. very successfully
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "fair and square" means honestly and according to the rules. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "face the music"?
A. over a long period of time
B. accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions
C. do things in the wrong order
D. show emotions openly
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "face the music" means accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "draw the line"?
A. set a limit beyond which one will not go
B. in written or printed form
C. take a dangerous risk
D. very angry and protesting
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "draw the line" means set a limit beyond which one will not go. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cut corners"?
A. describe or identify something exactly
B. an essential or integral part
C. slightly ill
D. do something cheaply or carelessly by avoiding proper procedures
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "cut corners" means do something cheaply or carelessly by avoiding proper procedures. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cut a sorry figure"?
A. make more effort than is normally expected
B. unexpectedly
C. make a poor or embarrassing impression
D. refuse to listen
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "cut a sorry figure" means make a poor or embarrassing impression. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cry over spilt milk"?
A. choose to believe someone despite uncertainty
B. regret something that cannot be changed
C. suddenly and without planning
D. during both good and bad times
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "cry over spilt milk" means regret something that cannot be changed. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "castles in the air"?
A. unrealistic dreams or plans
B. become nervous and lose courage
C. very rarely
D. the final problem that makes a situation unbearable
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "castles in the air" means unrealistic dreams or plans. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "carry the day"?
A. honestly and according to the rules
B. stop something at an early stage
C. treat something with skepticism
D. win or succeed
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "carry the day" means win or succeed. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "call a spade a spade"?
A. accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions
B. exaggerate a small problem
C. speak plainly and directly
D. reveal a secret
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "call a spade a spade" means speak plainly and directly. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "by leaps and bounds"?
A. set a limit beyond which one will not go
B. very rapidly
C. manage expenses within one's income
D. avoid choosing between alternatives
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "by leaps and bounds" means very rapidly. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "by and large"?
A. generally or on the whole
B. do something cheaply or carelessly by avoiding proper procedures
C. make every possible effort
D. agree completely
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "by and large" means generally or on the whole. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "burn the midnight oil"?
A. make a poor or embarrassing impression
B. earn enough to survive
C. a very important or memorable day
D. work or study late into the night
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "burn the midnight oil" means work or study late into the night. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "break the ice"?
A. regret something that cannot be changed
B. watch or monitor carefully
C. make people feel more relaxed in a social situation
D. understand an implied meaning
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "break the ice" means make people feel more relaxed in a social situation. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "between the devil and the deep sea"?
A. unrealistic dreams or plans
B. caught between two difficult choices
C. over a long period of time
D. do things in the wrong order
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "between the devil and the deep sea" means caught between two difficult choices. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "beat about the bush"?
A. avoid coming directly to the point
B. win or succeed
C. in written or printed form
D. take a dangerous risk
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "beat about the bush" means avoid coming directly to the point. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "back to square one"?
A. speak plainly and directly
B. describe or identify something exactly
C. an essential or integral part
D. back to the starting point after failure
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "back to square one" means back to the starting point after failure. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "at the eleventh hour"?
A. very rapidly
B. make more effort than is normally expected
C. at the last possible moment
D. unexpectedly
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "at the eleventh hour" means at the last possible moment. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "at one's fingertips"?
A. generally or on the whole
B. readily available or easily accessible
C. choose to believe someone despite uncertainty
D. suddenly and without planning
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "at one's fingertips" means readily available or easily accessible. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "at sixes and sevens"?
A. in a state of confusion or disorder
B. work or study late into the night
C. become nervous and lose courage
D. very rarely
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "at sixes and sevens" means in a state of confusion or disorder. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "a storm in a teacup"?
A. make people feel more relaxed in a social situation
B. honestly and according to the rules
C. stop something at an early stage
D. great excitement about a trivial matter
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "a storm in a teacup" means great excitement about a trivial matter. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.