Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “almost remembered but not quite able to be said”?
A. In the works
B. Blank cheque
C. Take it easy
D. Tip of one's tongue
Correct Answer: D
“Tip of one's tongue” means almost remembered but not quite able to be said. Example: Her name is on the tip of my tongue. 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 “Talk shop”?
A. to discuss one's work or profession socially
B. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
C. extra attractive features that are not essential
D. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
Correct Answer: A
“Talk shop” means to discuss one's work or profession socially. Example: Even at dinner the engineers kept talking shop. 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 “Take stock”?
A. a fair situation in which everyone has equal opportunity
B. to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do
C. to act cleverly so as to achieve a desired result
D. to act in a way that matches one's words or promises
Correct Answer: B
“Take stock” means to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do. Example: After the setback, the team paused to take stock. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The manager took the heat for the team's failure.”, what is the meaning of “Take the heat”?
A. following a correct or promising course
B. to organize everything properly before acting
C. to accept criticism, pressure, or blame
D. fixed and not open to change
Correct Answer: C
“Take the heat” means to accept criticism, pressure, or blame. Example: The manager took the heat for the team's failure. 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 “Straight and narrow”?
A. at a point where an important decision must be made
B. to stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something
C. to be grateful for the good things one has
D. the honest and morally acceptable way of living or behaving
Correct Answer: D
“Straight and narrow” means the honest and morally acceptable way of living or behaving. Example: The warning helped him return to the straight and narrow. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation”?
A. Speak volumes
B. Drop the ball
C. At first hand
D. In good faith
Correct Answer: A
“Speak volumes” means to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation. Example: His silence spoke volumes about his disappointment. 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 “Sit tight”?
A. heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
B. to wait patiently without taking action
C. a dangerously or extremely fast speed
D. to begin serious work or discussion
Correct Answer: B
“Sit tight” means to wait patiently without taking action. Example: Sit tight until the official notice is released. 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 “Shoot from the hip”?
A. to remove tension or misunderstanding through honest discussion
B. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
C. to speak or act quickly without careful thought
D. to make something active, successful, or interesting again
Correct Answer: C
“Shoot from the hip” means to speak or act quickly without careful thought. Example: Good negotiators avoid shooting from the hip. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The department issued a statement to set the record straight.”, what is the meaning of “Set the record straight”?
A. things have gone well up to the present point
B. to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression
C. used to indicate that many or all possible things are included
D. to correct a false impression by giving the true facts
Correct Answer: D
“Set the record straight” means to correct a false impression by giving the true facts. Example: The department issued a statement to set the record straight. 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 “Run-of-the-mill”?
A. ordinary and not special
B. a tendency toward cowardice
C. crazy or behaving irrationally
D. exactly correct or precise
Correct Answer: A
“Run-of-the-mill” means ordinary and not special. Example: The article was a run-of-the-mill summary with no new insight. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “immediately from the beginning”?
A. Put one's foot down
B. Right off the bat
C. Cut someone down to size
D. Go down fighting
Correct Answer: B
“Right off the bat” means immediately from the beginning. Example: Right off the bat, the interviewer asked a difficult question. 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 “Red-carpet treatment”?
A. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
B. the most important matters should be dealt with before others
C. special and impressive treatment given to an important guest
D. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
Correct Answer: C
“Red-carpet treatment” means special and impressive treatment given to an important guest. Example: The delegation received red-carpet treatment. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to examine detailed conditions carefully”?
A. Not in the same league
B. Touch base
C. Bend the rules
D. Read the fine print
Correct Answer: D
“Read the fine print” means to examine detailed conditions carefully. Example: Always read the fine print before signing a contract. 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 “Put one's two cents in”?
A. to give one's opinion, even if not requested
B. a controversial issue that is difficult to handle
C. with understanding gained after an event has happened
D. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
Correct Answer: A
“Put one's two cents in” means to give one's opinion, even if not requested. Example: Let me put my two cents in before the decision is final. 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 “Put a sock in it”?
A. to leave a difficult situation suddenly instead of dealing with it
B. an impolite way of telling someone to stop talking or making noise
C. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
D. to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity
Correct Answer: B
“Put a sock in it” means an impolite way of telling someone to stop talking or making noise. Example: The annoyed student told his noisy friend to put a sock in it. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The officer pulled rank to enter without waiting.”, what is the meaning of “Pull rank”?
A. to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility
B. to stay so long that others become tired of one's presence
C. to use one's higher position or status to get special treatment
D. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
Correct Answer: C
“Pull rank” means to use one's higher position or status to get special treatment. Example: The officer pulled rank to enter without waiting. 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 one's cards right”?
A. a son often resembles his father in behavior or character
B. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
C. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
D. to act cleverly so as to achieve a desired result
Correct Answer: D
“Play one's cards right” means to act cleverly so as to achieve a desired result. Example: If you play your cards right, the internship may lead to a permanent job. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “used to express very strong refusal”?
A. Over one's dead body
B. Elephant in the room
C. Up for grabs
D. Not in the same league
Correct Answer: A
“Over one's dead body” means used to express very strong refusal. Example: He said the land would be sold over his dead body. 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 bounds”?
A. a completely different situation with new conditions
B. not permitted or beyond an allowed area
C. final success after being doubted or mocked
D. in serious trouble without an easy solution
Correct Answer: B
“Out of bounds” means not permitted or beyond an allowed area. Example: The restricted zone is out of bounds to the public. 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 “Open book”?
A. at a point where an important decision must be made
B. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
C. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
D. to act before someone else can do the same thing
Correct Answer: C
“Open book” means a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand. Example: She is an open book and rarely hides her feelings. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.