Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He accepted the offer while still on the rebound from his previous setback.”, what is the meaning of “On the rebound”?
A. to continue having romantic feelings for someone
B. as good as or better than all others
C. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
D. recovering after disappointment or failure, often emotionally
Correct Answer: D
“On the rebound” means recovering after disappointment or failure, often emotionally. Example: He accepted the offer while still on the rebound from his previous setback. 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 go”?
A. very busy and active
B. without knowledge or information
C. crazy or behaving irrationally
D. to set a higher standard
Correct Answer: A
“On the go” means very busy and active. Example: She has been on the go since early morning. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “temporarily given low priority”?
A. Take the heat
B. On the back burner
C. Hang one's hat on
D. For crying out loud
Correct Answer: B
“On the back burner” means temporarily given low priority. Example: The expansion plan has been put on the back burner. 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 good terms”?
A. to experience complete silence
B. to know something from memory
C. having a friendly relationship
D. honestly and with sincere intentions
Correct Answer: C
“On good terms” means having a friendly relationship. Example: The departments are now on good terms. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “without preparation or planning”?
A. Up for grabs
B. Come full circle
C. Count one's blessings
D. Off the cuff
Correct Answer: D
“Off the cuff” means without preparation or planning. Example: He gave an impressive off-the-cuff speech. 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 “Off limits”?
A. not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed
B. a quiet period before serious activity or trouble
C. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
D. fully informed or performing at the required level
Correct Answer: A
“Off limits” means not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed. Example: The records room is off limits to visitors. 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 in the same league”?
A. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
B. not comparable because one is much better or worse
C. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
D. to flatter someone in order to gain a favor
Correct Answer: B
“Not in the same league” means not comparable because one is much better or worse. Example: The amateur team is not in the same league as the champions. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “There is no love lost between the two rivals.”, what is the meaning of “No love lost”?
A. honestly and with sincere intentions
B. rare and not often found
C. strong dislike between people
D. having a friendly relationship
Correct Answer: C
“No love lost” means strong dislike between people. Example: There is no love lost between the two rivals. 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 “Leave the door open”?
A. an obvious major problem that people avoid discussing
B. to be very noticeable because of being different
C. to speak or act very directly without softening criticism
D. to allow the possibility of future action or agreement
Correct Answer: D
“Leave the door open” means to allow the possibility of future action or agreement. Example: The statement left the door open for further negotiations. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to state rules firmly and demand obedience”?
A. Lay down the law
B. Ballpark figure
C. Fed up to the back teeth
D. Baker's dozen
Correct Answer: A
“Lay down the law” means to state rules firmly and demand obedience. Example: The new principal laid down the law on attendance. 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 resort”?
A. directly from personal experience or the original source
B. the final option when all others have failed
C. to become deeply involved in an interesting task
D. a difficult responsibility or problem one must endure
Correct Answer: B
“Last resort” means the final option when all others have failed. Example: Legal action should be a last resort. 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 “Knock on wood”?
A. to control one's emotions or understand a situation properly
B. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
C. said to express hope that good luck will continue
D. to look again in surprise because something is unexpected
Correct Answer: C
“Knock on wood” means said to express hope that good luck will continue. Example: I have never missed a deadline, knock on wood. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She applied to several universities to keep her options open.”, what is the meaning of “Keep one's options open”?
A. to talk to someone at length, often about a problem
B. to look again in surprise because something is unexpected
C. to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system
D. to avoid committing so that several choices remain possible
Correct Answer: D
“Keep one's options open” means to avoid committing so that several choices remain possible. Example: She applied to several universities to keep her options open. 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 one's nose clean”?
A. to avoid trouble and behave properly
B. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
C. very well behaved or completely reliable
D. the lowest possible level or point
Correct Answer: A
“Keep one's nose clean” means to avoid trouble and behave properly. Example: Keep your nose clean during probation. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to complete many difficult or unnecessary requirements”?
A. On the back burner
B. Jump through hoops
C. A dog's life
D. On a roll
Correct Answer: B
“Jump through hoops” means to complete many difficult or unnecessary requirements. Example: Applicants had to jump through hoops to obtain approval. 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 works”?
A. exactly correct or precise
B. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
C. being prepared, developed, or planned
D. to know something from memory
Correct Answer: C
“In the works” means being prepared, developed, or planned. Example: A revised policy is already in the works. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “in another person's situation or position”?
A. Put one's foot down
B. Last but not least
C. Another string to one's bow
D. In someone's shoes
Correct Answer: D
“In someone's shoes” means in another person's situation or position. Example: Try to imagine yourself in the applicant's shoes. 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 a rut”?
A. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
B. at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability
C. to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation
D. not comparable because one is much better or worse
Correct Answer: A
“In a rut” means stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress. Example: His career felt in a rut until he learned new skills. 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 a bind”?
A. to take a short rest
B. in a difficult situation
C. a tendency toward cowardice
D. shared opinions, interests, or beliefs
Correct Answer: B
“In a bind” means in a difficult situation. Example: I am in a bind because two deadlines fall on the same day. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After a slow start, she hit her stride in the second section.”, what is the meaning of “Hit one's stride”?
A. to have a very enjoyable time
B. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
C. to begin performing confidently and effectively
D. something worth thinking about carefully
Correct Answer: C
“Hit one's stride” means to begin performing confidently and effectively. Example: After a slow start, she hit her stride in the second section. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.