Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He muttered a complaint under his breath.”, what is the meaning of “Under one's breath”?
A. physically present rather than seen in a picture or online
B. used to indicate that many or all possible things are included
C. a situation in which contradictory rules make a solution impossible
D. in a very quiet voice so others can barely hear
Correct Answer: D
“Under one's breath” means in a very quiet voice so others can barely hear. Example: He muttered a complaint under his breath. 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 “Top dog”?
A. the most powerful or important person in a group
B. available to anyone who can obtain or win it
C. things have gone well up to the present point
D. at the age or stage of greatest strength and ability
Correct Answer: A
“Top dog” means the most powerful or important person in a group. Example: He quickly became the top dog in the department. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “time is valuable and should not be wasted”?
A. Have one's work cut out
B. Time is money
C. Chew someone out
D. Under one's breath
Correct Answer: B
“Time is money” means time is valuable and should not be wasted. Example: Finish the task efficiently because time is money. 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 “Tie the knot”?
A. extremely old
B. temporarily given low priority
C. to get married
D. to feel extremely happy
Correct Answer: C
“Tie the knot” means to get married. Example: They plan to tie the knot next spring. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to punish someone as severely as the rules allow”?
A. Last laugh
B. Close call
C. Whole ball of wax
D. Throw the book at someone
Correct Answer: D
“Throw the book at someone” means to punish someone as severely as the rules allow. Example: The judge threw the book at the repeat offender. 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 “The penny drops”?
A. someone finally understands something
B. a particular area or neighborhood
C. to make progress
D. to take a short rest
Correct Answer: A
“The penny drops” means someone finally understands something. Example: After the example, the penny finally dropped. 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 “The coast is clear”?
A. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
B. there is no danger or obstacle present
C. to suffer humiliation or loss of respect
D. to strongly annoy or emotionally affect someone
Correct Answer: B
“The coast is clear” means there is no danger or obstacle present. Example: Once the guard left, they thought the coast was clear. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Let us stop arguing and talk turkey about the budget.”, what is the meaning of “Talk turkey”?
A. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
B. almost certain to be achieved or won
C. to discuss a matter seriously and directly
D. to begin doubting a decision already made
Correct Answer: C
“Talk turkey” means to discuss a matter seriously and directly. Example: Let us stop arguing and talk turkey about the budget. 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 someone under one's wing”?
A. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
B. to have a very enjoyable time
C. used to express very strong refusal
D. to guide, protect, or mentor someone
Correct Answer: D
“Take someone under one's wing” means to guide, protect, or mentor someone. Example: The senior officer took the new recruit under her wing. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to admire or respect someone for an achievement”?
A. Take one's hat off to
B. Bare one's soul
C. In at the deep end
D. Walk all over someone
Correct Answer: A
“Take one's hat off to” means to admire or respect someone for an achievement. Example: I take my hat off to anyone who completes that difficult course. 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 it easy”?
A. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
B. to relax or avoid excessive effort or worry
C. within the period remembered by people still alive
D. while acting under strong emotion without enough thought
Correct Answer: B
“Take it easy” means to relax or avoid excessive effort or worry. Example: You have worked all day; take it easy tonight. 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 a shine to”?
A. in an uncertain state while awaiting a decision
B. to suffer humiliation or loss of respect
C. to begin to like someone or something quickly
D. a major part of the effort needed for success
Correct Answer: C
“Take a shine to” means to begin to like someone or something quickly. Example: The child immediately took a shine to the new teacher. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After two hours of revision, take a breather.”, what is the meaning of “Take a breather”?
A. very hard physical or emotional effort
B. fixed and not open to change
C. heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
D. to take a short rest
Correct Answer: D
“Take a breather” means to take a short rest. Example: After two hours of revision, take a breather. 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 “Sweat blood”?
A. to work extremely hard
B. still active, healthy, or successful
C. a tendency toward cowardice
D. completely and beyond doubt
Correct Answer: A
“Sweat blood” means to work extremely hard. Example: The students sweated blood to prepare for the final paper. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “frankly and directly”?
A. Bring something to the table
B. Straight from the shoulder
C. Make a splash
D. First things first
Correct Answer: B
“Straight from the shoulder” means frankly and directly. Example: The officer spoke straight from the shoulder about corruption. 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 “Stick out like a sore thumb”?
A. final success after being doubted or mocked
B. to contribute a useful skill, idea, or resource
C. to be very noticeable because of being different
D. an inexperienced person guiding another inexperienced person
Correct Answer: C
“Stick out like a sore thumb” means to be very noticeable because of being different. Example: The bright red building sticks out like a sore thumb. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to say openly what one really thinks”?
A. Have a blast
B. Blood, sweat and tears
C. Off limits
D. Speak one's mind
Correct Answer: D
“Speak one's mind” means to say openly what one really thinks. Example: She is never afraid to speak her mind. 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 “Spare no expense”?
A. to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result
B. to take a firm position and refuse to allow something
C. to be unable to act freely because of rules or circumstances
D. physically present rather than seen in a picture or online
Correct Answer: A
“Spare no expense” means to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result. Example: The organizers spared no expense on safety arrangements. 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 “So far, so good”?
A. the most powerful or important person in a group
B. things have gone well up to the present point
C. to look again in surprise because something is unexpected
D. to defeat or weaken someone or something severely
Correct Answer: B
“So far, so good” means things have gone well up to the present point. Example: The project is halfway complete and, so far, so good. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After the illness, he was little more than skin and bones.”, what is the meaning of “Skin and bones”?
A. a rough numerical estimate
B. young and inexperienced
C. extremely thin
D. in control of a situation
Correct Answer: C
“Skin and bones” means extremely thin. Example: After the illness, he was little more than skin and bones. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.