Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Have one's hands tied”?
A. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
B. to attract a lot of attention or make a strong impression
C. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
D. to be unable to act freely because of rules or circumstances
Correct Answer: D
“Have one's hands tied” means to be unable to act freely because of rules or circumstances. Example: The officer wanted to help but had his hands tied by policy. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to depend on or base one's hopes or argument on something”?
A. Hang one's hat on
B. Keep under wraps
C. Walk in the park
D. On top of things
Correct Answer: A
“Hang one's hat on” means to depend on or base one's hopes or argument on something. Example: The defense cannot hang its hat on a single weak witness. 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 “Half the battle”?
A. said to express hope that good luck will continue
B. a major part of the effort needed for success
C. to end in a very exciting or impressive way
D. to act aggressively and uncompromisingly to get what one wants
Correct Answer: B
“Half the battle” means a major part of the effort needed for success. Example: Understanding the syllabus is half the battle. 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 under”?
A. a very remote or isolated place
B. pleasant or attractive to look at
C. to fail financially or cease operating
D. to organize everything properly before acting
Correct Answer: C
“Go under” means to fail financially or cease operating. Example: Several businesses went under during the recession. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The customer was given the runaround for weeks.”, what is the meaning of “Give someone the runaround”?
A. to manage to speak when someone else is talking continuously
B. to gain control over most of the supply of a product or service
C. in a very quiet voice so others can barely hear
D. to avoid helping someone by sending them from place to place or giving excuses
Correct Answer: D
“Give someone the runaround” means to avoid helping someone by sending them from place to place or giving excuses. Example: The customer was given the runaround for weeks. 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 “From scratch”?
A. from the very beginning without using previous work
B. not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed
C. every possible method, including clever or questionable ones
D. as good as or better than all others
Correct Answer: A
“From scratch” means from the very beginning without using previous work. Example: They built the database from scratch. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “the most important matters should be dealt with before others”?
A. Make light of
B. First things first
C. Pay dirt
D. Yellow streak
Correct Answer: B
“First things first” means the most important matters should be dealt with before others. Example: First things first: verify the data before writing the report. 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 “Few and far between”?
A. to examine detailed conditions carefully
B. still active, healthy, or successful
C. rare and not often found
D. to know something from memory
Correct Answer: C
“Few and far between” means rare and not often found. Example: Qualified specialists are few and far between in remote areas. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to begin working out successfully or becoming organized”?
A. Worth a shot
B. Stick out like a sore thumb
C. Do a double take
D. Fall into place
Correct Answer: D
“Fall into place” means to begin working out successfully or becoming organized. Example: Once funding was approved, everything fell into place. 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 “Fair shake”?
A. a fair opportunity or fair treatment
B. in another person's situation or position
C. to greatly impress or surprise someone
D. traditional in style, methods, or attitudes
Correct Answer: A
“Fair shake” means a fair opportunity or fair treatment. Example: Every candidate deserves a fair shake. 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 “Face an uphill battle”?
A. an unrealistic promise, hope, or plan
B. to face a very difficult struggle
C. in another person's situation or position
D. more advanced or progressive than others
Correct Answer: B
“Face an uphill battle” means to face a very difficult struggle. Example: The reformers face an uphill battle in changing old practices. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The new interface is simple and easy on the eyes.”, what is the meaning of “Easy on the eyes”?
A. to have a very enjoyable time
B. to pursue unrealistic or impossible goals
C. pleasant or attractive to look at
D. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
Correct Answer: C
“Easy on the eyes” means pleasant or attractive to look at. Example: The new interface is simple and easy on the eyes. 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 “Drop the ball”?
A. to punish someone as severely as the rules allow
B. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
C. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
D. to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility
Correct Answer: D
“Drop the ball” means to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility. Example: The department dropped the ball by missing the deadline. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “continuing until the last possible moment”?
A. Down to the wire
B. Buy time
C. Sit tight
D. Off limits
Correct Answer: A
“Down to the wire” means continuing until the last possible moment. Example: The contest went down to the wire. 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 “Cut one's teeth on”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. to gain one's first practical experience in a particular activity
C. to act before someone else can do the same thing
D. almost remembered but not quite able to be said
Correct Answer: B
“Cut one's teeth on” means to gain one's first practical experience in a particular activity. Example: She cut her teeth on local reporting before joining national media. 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 “Cross one's mind”?
A. to discuss a matter seriously and directly
B. to greatly impress or surprise someone
C. to occur briefly as a thought
D. more advanced or progressive than others
Correct Answer: C
“Cross one's mind” means to occur briefly as a thought. Example: It never crossed my mind that he might resign. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Both sides found common ground on education reform.”, what is the meaning of “Common ground”?
A. to be patient with someone
B. to occur briefly as a thought
C. in agreement or accordance with
D. shared opinions, interests, or beliefs
Correct Answer: D
“Common ground” means shared opinions, interests, or beliefs. Example: Both sides found common ground on education reform. 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 “Change horses in midstream”?
A. to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity
B. a person whose thoughts or life are easy to understand
C. to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort
D. to talk to someone at length, often about a problem
Correct Answer: A
“Change horses in midstream” means to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity. Example: Changing the project manager now would be changing horses in midstream. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “surprised and unprepared”?
A. In over one's head
B. Caught off guard
C. Beat someone to the punch
D. In someone's shoes
Correct Answer: B
“Caught off guard” means surprised and unprepared. Example: The unexpected question caught him off guard. 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 “By all means”?
A. in another person's situation or position
B. to face a difficult amount of work
C. certainly; with permission or without hesitation
D. to have a very enjoyable time
Correct Answer: C
“By all means” means certainly; with permission or without hesitation. Example: By all means, use the reference books. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.