Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to lose an opportunity that was almost secured”?
A. Keep one's nose clean
B. Easy on the eyes
C. Cut one's teeth on
D. Slip through one's fingers
Correct Answer: D
“Slip through one's fingers” means to lose an opportunity that was almost secured. Example: The contract slipped through their fingers at the last moment. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Sink one's teeth into”?
A. to become deeply involved in an interesting task
B. to begin working out successfully or becoming organized
C. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
D. to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious
Correct Answer: A
“Sink one's teeth into” means to become deeply involved in an interesting task. Example: She was eager to sink her teeth into the research project. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Shape up or ship out”?
A. shared opinions, interests, or beliefs
B. improve one's performance or leave
C. rare and not often found
D. a very unhappy or difficult life
Correct Answer: B
“Shape up or ship out” means improve one's performance or leave. Example: The manager told the team to shape up or ship out. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After months of work, we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.”, what is the meaning of “See light at the end of the tunnel”?
A. to act without a plan, relying on instinct and experience
B. a son often resembles his father in behavior or character
C. to see signs that a difficult period is nearing its end
D. the honest and morally acceptable way of living or behaving
Correct Answer: C
“See light at the end of the tunnel” means to see signs that a difficult period is nearing its end. Example: After months of work, we can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Second nature”?
A. to treat someone badly because they do not resist
B. a son often resembles his father in behavior or character
C. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
D. a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice
Correct Answer: D
“Second nature” means a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice. Example: After months of practice, mental calculation became second nature. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to flee from danger or an unpleasant situation”?
A. Run for the hills
B. Take one's hat off to
C. Cut one's teeth on
D. Alive and kicking
Correct Answer: A
“Run for the hills” means to flee from danger or an unpleasant situation. Example: When the alarm sounded, everyone ran for the hills. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Raise the bar”?
A. in agreement or accordance with
B. to set a higher standard
C. fully informed, organized, and in control
D. irrelevant to the main issue
Correct Answer: B
“Raise the bar” means to set a higher standard. Example: The new syllabus raises the bar for candidates. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Play hardball”?
A. to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation
B. to treat something serious as if it were unimportant
C. to act aggressively and uncompromisingly to get what one wants
D. to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system
Correct Answer: C
“Play hardball” means to act aggressively and uncompromisingly to get what one wants. Example: The company decided to play hardball in negotiations. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She paid her dues before becoming department head.”, what is the meaning of “Pay one's dues”?
A. things have gone well up to the present point
B. to do something while waiting so that time passes
C. from the very beginning without using previous work
D. to earn a position through hard work and experience
Correct Answer: D
“Pay one's dues” means to earn a position through hard work and experience. Example: She paid her dues before becoming department head. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Out of sight, out of mind”?
A. people tend to forget things that are no longer visible or present
B. to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression
C. at a point where an important decision must be made
D. to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood
Correct Answer: A
“Out of sight, out of mind” means people tend to forget things that are no longer visible or present. Example: Keep your goals visible; out of sight, out of mind. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to allow a large number or amount of something to happen suddenly”?
A. All hell breaks loose
B. Open the floodgates
C. Ballpark figure
D. Walk on air
Correct Answer: B
“Open the floodgates” means to allow a large number or amount of something to happen suddenly. Example: The ruling could open the floodgates to similar claims. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On the house”?
A. to say openly what one really thinks
B. extremely irritated or close to losing patience
C. provided free of charge by a business
D. to discuss a matter seriously and directly
Correct Answer: C
“On the house” means provided free of charge by a business. Example: Dessert was on the house. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “experiencing a series of successes”?
A. Caught off guard
B. In living memory
C. In good faith
D. On a roll
Correct Answer: D
“On a roll” means experiencing a series of successes. Example: The team is on a roll after five straight wins. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Old school”?
A. traditional in style, methods, or attitudes
B. continuing until the last possible moment
C. to refuse stubbornly to change one's position
D. from poverty to wealth or success
Correct Answer: A
“Old school” means traditional in style, methods, or attitudes. Example: His teaching style is old school but effective. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Not miss a beat”?
A. to produce very good or surprising results
B. to continue smoothly without hesitation or interruption
C. fixed and not open to change
D. an expression of annoyance, surprise, or impatience
Correct Answer: B
“Not miss a beat” means to continue smoothly without hesitation or interruption. Example: Despite the unexpected question, she did not miss a beat. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “There are several colleges in this neck of the woods.”, what is the meaning of “Neck of the woods”?
A. improve one's performance or leave
B. to monitor or watch something closely
C. a particular area or neighborhood
D. in another person's situation or position
Correct Answer: C
“Neck of the woods” means a particular area or neighborhood. Example: There are several colleges in this neck of the woods. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Make a splash”?
A. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
B. to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem
C. a situation in which contradictory rules make a solution impossible
D. to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression
Correct Answer: D
“Make a splash” means to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression. Example: The new product made a splash at the exhibition. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something”?
A. Lose track
B. Work wonders
C. Skin and bones
D. Know something by heart
Correct Answer: A
“Lose track” means to stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something. Example: I lost track of time while studying. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Last laugh”?
A. to state rules firmly and demand obedience
B. final success after being doubted or mocked
C. to begin doubting a decision already made
D. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
Correct Answer: B
“Last laugh” means final success after being doubted or mocked. Example: Critics mocked the plan, but the team had the last laugh. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Keep tabs on”?
A. more advanced or progressive than others
B. more successful or advanced than competitors
C. to monitor or watch something closely
D. a particular area or neighborhood
Correct Answer: C
“Keep tabs on” means to monitor or watch something closely. Example: The admin keeps tabs on all pending applications. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.