Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to delay something in order to gain more time”?
A. Down in the mouth
B. Open book
C. Tie the knot
D. Buy time
Correct Answer: D
“Buy time” means to delay something in order to gain more time. Example: The lawyer requested an adjournment to buy time. 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 “Bring something to the table”?
A. to contribute a useful skill, idea, or resource
B. to begin to like someone or something quickly
C. a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice
D. unlimited authority or freedom to spend or act
Correct Answer: A
“Bring something to the table” means to contribute a useful skill, idea, or resource. Example: Each team member brings something different to the table. 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 “Break a sweat”?
A. to lose an opportunity that was almost secured
B. to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious
C. other situations often seem better than one's own
D. fully informed or performing at the required level
Correct Answer: B
“Break a sweat” means to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious. Example: She finished the easy test without breaking a sweat. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Finishing the project by tomorrow is a big ask.”, what is the meaning of “Big ask”?
A. beyond one's ability, status, or level
B. following a correct or promising course
C. something difficult to request or achieve
D. more advanced or progressive than others
Correct Answer: C
“Big ask” means something difficult to request or achieve. Example: Finishing the project by tomorrow is a big ask. 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 “Bend someone's ear”?
A. to force someone to answer or decide in a difficult situation
B. to speak or act very directly without softening criticism
C. to understand the mood and reactions of people present
D. to talk to someone at length, often about a problem
Correct Answer: D
“Bend someone's ear” means to talk to someone at length, often about a problem. Example: He bent my ear for an hour about office politics. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “old-fashioned and not up to date”?
A. Behind the times
B. Shoot from the hip
C. Go under
D. Sweat blood
Correct Answer: A
“Behind the times” means old-fashioned and not up to date. Example: The manual filing system is behind the times. 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 “Bear with someone”?
A. experiencing a series of successes
B. to be patient with someone
C. to set a higher standard
D. a fair opportunity or fair treatment
Correct Answer: B
“Bear with someone” means to be patient with someone. Example: Please bear with me while I check the record. 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 “At a premium”?
A. an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience
B. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
C. difficult to obtain and therefore especially valuable
D. to reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings
Correct Answer: C
“At a premium” means difficult to obtain and therefore especially valuable. Example: Clean water was at a premium after the flood. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Her preparation kept her ahead of the pack.”, what is the meaning of “Ahead of the pack”?
A. to begin serious work or discussion
B. put into a difficult situation without preparation
C. to stop oneself from saying something
D. more successful or advanced than competitors
Correct Answer: D
“Ahead of the pack” means more successful or advanced than competitors. Example: Her preparation kept her ahead of the pack. 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 “Ahead of the curve”?
A. more advanced or progressive than others
B. beyond one's ability, status, or level
C. to wait patiently without taking action
D. to greatly impress or surprise someone
Correct Answer: A
“Ahead of the curve” means more advanced or progressive than others. Example: The institution stayed ahead of the curve by adopting digital records early. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “affecting everyone or everything in a group”?
A. Bring something to the table
B. Across the board
C. Set in stone
D. Jump the gun
Correct Answer: B
“Across the board” means affecting everyone or everything in a group. Example: The company announced an across-the-board salary increase. 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 “Above one's pay grade”?
A. to ruin someone's plans, chances, or position
B. to begin working out successfully or becoming organized
C. beyond one's authority, responsibility, or level of expertise
D. used to emphasize that something is certainly true
Correct Answer: C
“Above one's pay grade” means beyond one's authority, responsibility, or level of expertise. Example: That policy decision is above my pay grade. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to focus closely on a particular target or issue”?
A. Tip of one's tongue
B. The penny drops
C. Walk in the park
D. Zero in on
Correct Answer: D
“Zero in on” means to focus closely on a particular target or issue. Example: The investigation zeroed in on the missing records. 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 “You name it”?
A. used to indicate that many or all possible things are included
B. to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood
C. to stop knowing the current position, number, or progress of something
D. to change plans or leaders in the middle of an activity
Correct Answer: A
“You name it” means used to indicate that many or all possible things are included. Example: Books, notes, videos—you name it, the library has it. 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 “Worth a shot”?
A. a dangerously or extremely fast speed
B. worth trying despite uncertain success
C. more successful or advanced than competitors
D. in control of a situation
Correct Answer: B
“Worth a shot” means worth trying despite uncertain success. Example: The scholarship is competitive, but it is worth a shot. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “When push comes to shove, she always supports her team.”, what is the meaning of “When push comes to shove”?
A. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
B. used to give someone permission to do something
C. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
D. a fair situation in which everyone has equal opportunity
Correct Answer: C
“When push comes to shove” means when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary. Example: When push comes to shove, she always supports her team. 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 “Wear out one's welcome”?
A. to act without a plan, relying on instinct and experience
B. to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood
C. to make a careless mistake or fail in a responsibility
D. to stay so long that others become tired of one's presence
Correct Answer: D
“Wear out one's welcome” means to stay so long that others become tired of one's presence. Example: Guests should leave before they wear out their welcome. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “something very easy to do”?
A. Walk in the park
B. Under one's skin
C. Hot under the collar
D. Straight from the shoulder
Correct Answer: A
“Walk in the park” means something very easy to do. Example: For an experienced coder, this task is a walk in the park. 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 “Walk the talk”?
A. despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success
B. to act in a way that matches one's words or promises
C. the honest and morally acceptable way of living or behaving
D. at a point where an important decision must be made
Correct Answer: B
“Walk the talk” means to act in a way that matches one's words or promises. Example: Leaders must walk the talk on transparency. 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 “Up for grabs”?
A. a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice
B. to respond to someone with sudden anger or criticism
C. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
D. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
Correct Answer: C
“Up for grabs” means available to anyone who can obtain or win it. Example: Three scholarships are up for grabs this year. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.