CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "water under the bridge".
A. at a distance, especially to avoid close involvement
B. with all one's belongings
C. a past matter that is no longer important
D. have enough money to avoid hunger or serious poverty
Correct Answer: C
"water under the bridge" is an idiomatic expression meaning a past matter that is no longer important.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "wash one's dirty linen in public".
A. confused and uncertain
B. discuss private disputes publicly
C. completely puzzled or distressed about what to do
D. in the same difficult situation
Correct Answer: B
"wash one's dirty linen in public" is an idiomatic expression meaning discuss private disputes publicly.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "turn the tables".
A. reverse a situation to gain advantage
B. honest and open
C. in a state of bitter hostility
D. very cheerful
Correct Answer: A
"turn the tables" is an idiomatic expression meaning reverse a situation to gain advantage.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "tooth and nail".
A. a secretly treacherous person
B. unable to know what to do or say
C. deliberately and without emotion
D. with all possible effort and determination
Correct Answer: D
"tooth and nail" is an idiomatic expression meaning with all possible effort and determination.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "throw in the towel".
A. a scholar or literary person
B. a person who is especially loved or valued
C. admit defeat and stop trying
D. in a few words
Correct Answer: C
"throw in the towel" is an idiomatic expression meaning admit defeat and stop trying.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "throw cold water on".
A. a difficult problem or person to deal with
B. discourage enthusiasm
C. a private reason or selfish motive for involvement
D. remain silent
Correct Answer: B
"throw cold water on" is an idiomatic expression meaning discourage enthusiasm.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "the pros and cons".
A. the advantages and disadvantages
B. a narrow escape from danger
C. make a bad situation worse
D. be extremely busy
Correct Answer: A
"the pros and cons" is an idiomatic expression meaning the advantages and disadvantages.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "take to one's heels".
A. competent and deserving of one's position
B. avoid or keep well away from
C. be involved in many activities, often interfering
D. run away
Correct Answer: D
"take to one's heels" is an idiomatic expression meaning run away.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "take French leave".
A. everything possible or available
B. hurt someone's feelings deeply
C. leave without permission
D. deteriorate badly
Correct Answer: C
"take French leave" is an idiomatic expression meaning leave without permission.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "steal someone's thunder".
A. a costly possession that is difficult or useless to maintain
B. take attention or credit away from someone
C. regardless of circumstances
D. speak angrily and frankly to someone
Correct Answer: B
"steal someone's thunder" is an idiomatic expression meaning take attention or credit away from someone.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "stand on ceremony".
A. insist on formal behavior
B. survive a difficult period
C. make someone realize clearly
D. from one place or person to another without success
Correct Answer: A
"stand on ceremony" is an idiomatic expression meaning insist on formal behavior.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "sour grapes".
A. a past matter that is no longer important
B. enter into an argument or contest with
C. an achievement to be proud of
D. pretended dislike of something one cannot obtain
Correct Answer: D
"sour grapes" is an idiomatic expression meaning pretended dislike of something one cannot obtain.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "smell a rat".
A. discuss private disputes publicly
B. aristocratic birth
C. suspect that something is wrong
D. admit that something one said was wrong
Correct Answer: C
"smell a rat" is an idiomatic expression meaning suspect that something is wrong.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "show the white feather".
A. reverse a situation to gain advantage
B. show cowardice
C. a disreputable member of a family or group
D. a person who prevents others using something they do not use themselves
Correct Answer: B
"show the white feather" is an idiomatic expression meaning show cowardice.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "save one's skin".
A. escape from danger or punishment
B. with all possible effort and determination
C. unfair or improper
D. a rule or law that exists formally but is no longer enforced
Correct Answer: A
"save one's skin" is an idiomatic expression meaning escape from danger or punishment.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rub salt into the wound".
A. admit defeat and stop trying
B. misunderstanding each other's intentions
C. insincere expressions of sorrow
D. make someone's distress worse
Correct Answer: D
"rub salt into the wound" is an idiomatic expression meaning make someone's distress worse.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rise to the occasion".
A. discourage enthusiasm
B. at a distance, especially to avoid close involvement
C. perform well when facing a difficult challenge
D. meet with disaster or failure
Correct Answer: C
"rise to the occasion" is an idiomatic expression meaning perform well when facing a difficult challenge.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rank and file".
A. the advantages and disadvantages
B. ordinary members of an organization
C. confused and uncertain
D. offer something valuable to people unable to appreciate it
Correct Answer: B
"rank and file" is an idiomatic expression meaning ordinary members of an organization.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rain cats and dogs".
A. rain very heavily
B. run away
C. honest and open
D. by any possible means
Correct Answer: A
"rain cats and dogs" is an idiomatic expression meaning rain very heavily.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "put one's foot down".
A. leave without permission
B. a secretly treacherous person
C. remain silent
D. take a firm stand
Correct Answer: D
"put one's foot down" is an idiomatic expression meaning take a firm stand.