Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I had seen him on television but never in the flesh.”, what is the meaning of “In the flesh”?
A. to take a firm position and refuse to allow something
B. to end in a very exciting or impressive way
C. to depend on or base one's hopes or argument on something
D. physically present rather than seen in a picture or online
Correct Answer: D
“In the flesh” means physically present rather than seen in a picture or online. Example: I had seen him on television but never in the flesh. 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 “In the clear”?
A. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
B. the lowest possible level or point
C. to examine detailed conditions carefully
D. to occur briefly as a thought
Correct Answer: A
“In the clear” means free from blame, danger, or suspicion. Example: The audit showed that she was in the clear. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability”?
A. Laughing stock
B. In one's prime
C. Whole new ball game
D. Grass is always greener on the other side
Correct Answer: B
“In one's prime” means at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability. Example: The athlete retired while still in his prime. 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 “In living memory”?
A. a quiet period before serious activity or trouble
B. at the appropriate time after a normal period
C. within the period remembered by people still alive
D. to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks
Correct Answer: C
“In living memory” means within the period remembered by people still alive. Example: It was the worst flood in living memory. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “in agreement or accordance with”?
A. For crying out loud
B. Work wonders
C. Spare no expense
D. In line with
Correct Answer: D
“In line with” means in agreement or accordance with. Example: The new policy is in line with national standards. 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 “In limbo”?
A. in an uncertain state while awaiting a decision
B. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
C. to watch or pressure someone very closely
D. to give one's opinion, even if not requested
Correct Answer: A
“In limbo” means in an uncertain state while awaiting a decision. Example: The project remained in limbo for months. 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 “In hindsight”?
A. as good as or better than all others
B. with understanding gained after an event has happened
C. to cause damage, suffering, or exhaustion over time
D. good value or benefit for the money spent
Correct Answer: B
“In hindsight” means with understanding gained after an event has happened. Example: In hindsight, delaying the launch was the right decision. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Both sides entered the negotiations in good faith.”, what is the meaning of “In good faith”?
A. very well behaved or completely reliable
B. to avoid trouble and behave properly
C. honestly and with sincere intentions
D. to accept criticism, pressure, or blame
Correct Answer: C
“In good faith” means honestly and with sincere intentions. Example: Both sides entered the negotiations in good faith. 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 “In at the deep end”?
A. disorganized, inconsistent, or covering many unrelated topics
B. a situation suddenly becomes extremely chaotic or violent
C. affecting everyone or everything in a group
D. put into a difficult situation without preparation
Correct Answer: D
“In at the deep end” means put into a difficult situation without preparation. Example: On her first day, she was thrown in at the deep end. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “immediately and without hesitation”?
A. In a heartbeat
B. Out of practice
C. Lay down the law
D. Read the room
Correct Answer: A
“In a heartbeat” means immediately and without hesitation. Example: I would accept that opportunity in a heartbeat. 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 “Hot potato”?
A. from the very beginning without using previous work
B. a controversial issue that is difficult to handle
C. to hide or ignore an embarrassing problem
D. a different activity or speed that provides variety
Correct Answer: B
“Hot potato” means a controversial issue that is difficult to handle. Example: The land dispute became a political hot potato. 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 “Hold one's fire”?
A. to greatly impress or surprise someone
B. to watch very carefully for something
C. to delay criticism, action, or attack
D. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
Correct Answer: C
“Hold one's fire” means to delay criticism, action, or attack. Example: The committee held its fire until all evidence was reviewed. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He has his head in the clouds if he thinks success requires no study.”, what is the meaning of “Head in the clouds”?
A. old-fashioned and not up to date
B. to hide or ignore an embarrassing problem
C. to occur briefly as a thought
D. unrealistic or unaware of practical realities
Correct Answer: D
“Head in the clouds” means unrealistic or unaware of practical realities. Example: He has his head in the clouds if he thinks success requires no study. 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 “Have one's work cut out”?
A. to face a difficult amount of work
B. forced to choose between two difficult options
C. provided free of charge by a business
D. to suffer humiliation or loss of respect
Correct Answer: A
“Have one's work cut out” means to face a difficult amount of work. Example: The new director has her work cut out for her. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to have a very enjoyable time”?
A. Hit one's stride
B. Have a blast
C. Change of pace
D. Under one's breath
Correct Answer: B
“Have a blast” means to have a very enjoyable time. Example: We had a blast at the reunion. 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 “Hang tough”?
A. to have both positive and negative effects
B. not permitted or beyond an allowed area
C. to remain determined and not give in
D. to begin to like someone or something quickly
Correct Answer: C
“Hang tough” means to remain determined and not give in. Example: Hang tough; the final stage is difficult but manageable. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to end in a very exciting or impressive way”?
A. Top dog
B. Dead ringer
C. Throw the book at someone
D. Go out with a bang
Correct Answer: D
“Go out with a bang” means to end in a very exciting or impressive way. Example: The festival went out with a bang. 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 “Go down fighting”?
A. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
B. to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation
C. a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice
D. to be grateful for the good things one has
Correct Answer: A
“Go down fighting” means to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely. Example: The team lost but went down fighting. 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 “Get one's ducks in a row”?
A. to complete many difficult or unnecessary requirements
B. to organize everything properly before acting
C. fixed and not open to change
D. to monitor or watch something closely
Correct Answer: B
“Get one's ducks in a row” means to organize everything properly before acting. Example: Get your ducks in a row before submitting the application. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “They rebuilt the system from the ground up.”, what is the meaning of “From the ground up”?
A. a quiet period before serious activity or trouble
B. to control one's emotions or understand a situation properly
C. starting from the most basic level and building completely
D. to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system
Correct Answer: C
“From the ground up” means starting from the most basic level and building completely. Example: They rebuilt the system from the ground up. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.