Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Set in stone”?
A. to produce successful or useful results
B. to say openly what one really thinks
C. more advanced or progressive than others
D. fixed and not open to change
Correct Answer: D
“Set in stone” means fixed and not open to change. Example: The schedule is not set in stone yet. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “as good as or better than all others”?
A. Second to none
B. By all means
C. When push comes to shove
D. Play hardball
Correct Answer: A
“Second to none” means as good as or better than all others. Example: Her command of English is second to none. 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 “Save one's breath”?
A. to leave a difficult situation suddenly instead of dealing with it
B. to stop arguing or explaining because it will have no effect
C. said or revealed in order to feel relief from worry or guilt
D. to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort
Correct Answer: B
“Save one's breath” means to stop arguing or explaining because it will have no effect. Example: Save your breath; he has already made his decision. 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 “Roll with the punches”?
A. with understanding gained after an event has happened
B. unlimited authority or freedom to spend or act
C. to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks
D. to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice
Correct Answer: C
“Roll with the punches” means to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks. Example: Successful candidates learn to roll with the punches. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Public confidence had reached rock bottom.”, what is the meaning of “Rock bottom”?
A. to fail financially or cease operating
B. traditional in style, methods, or attitudes
C. unrealistic or unaware of practical realities
D. the lowest possible level or point
Correct Answer: D
“Rock bottom” means the lowest possible level or point. Example: Public confidence had reached rock bottom. 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 “Read the room”?
A. to understand the mood and reactions of people present
B. a major part of the effort needed for success
C. to avoid committing so that several choices remain possible
D. to punish someone as severely as the rules allow
Correct Answer: A
“Read the room” means to understand the mood and reactions of people present. Example: A good speaker knows how to read the room. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to take a firm position and refuse to allow something”?
A. A dog's life
B. Put one's foot down
C. Not miss a beat
D. Food for thought
Correct Answer: B
“Put one's foot down” means to take a firm position and refuse to allow something. Example: The principal put his foot down and banned cheating. 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 someone on the spot”?
A. people tend to forget things that are no longer visible or present
B. to gain one's first practical experience in a particular activity
C. to force someone to answer or decide in a difficult situation
D. said or revealed in order to feel relief from worry or guilt
Correct Answer: C
“Put someone on the spot” means to force someone to answer or decide in a difficult situation. Example: The unexpected question put the minister on the spot. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to think seriously about a problem”?
A. Make a splash
B. Zero in on
C. Ballpark figure
D. Put on one's thinking cap
Correct Answer: D
“Put on one's thinking cap” means to think seriously about a problem. Example: Put on your thinking cap and find another solution. 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 “Push one's luck”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. almost remembered but not quite able to be said
C. to begin to like someone or something quickly
D. to allow the possibility of future action or agreement
Correct Answer: A
“Push one's luck” means to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate. Example: You passed without studying; do not push your luck next 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 “Pull no punches”?
A. to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem
B. to speak or act very directly without softening criticism
C. to understand the mood and reactions of people present
D. to admire or respect someone for an achievement
Correct Answer: B
“Pull no punches” means to speak or act very directly without softening criticism. Example: The report pulled no punches about the failures. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Without funding, the proposal is just pie in the sky.”, what is the meaning of “Pie in the sky”?
A. very well behaved or completely reliable
B. to fail financially or cease operating
C. an unrealistic promise, hope, or plan
D. to begin performing confidently and effectively
Correct Answer: C
“Pie in the sky” means an unrealistic promise, hope, or plan. Example: Without funding, the proposal is just pie in the sky. 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 “Pick someone's brain”?
A. the final option when all others have failed
B. to cause damage, suffering, or exhaustion over time
C. to speak or act quickly without careful thought
D. to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice
Correct Answer: D
“Pick someone's brain” means to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice. Example: I would like to pick your brain about the interview process. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort”?
A. Pay dirt
B. Blank cheque
C. Lose track
D. Wet behind the ears
Correct Answer: A
“Pay dirt” means to achieve a successful or profitable result after searching or effort. Example: After months of research, the investigators finally hit pay dirt. 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 “Over the moon”?
A. to finish or complete something
B. extremely happy
C. to fall deeply in love
D. still active, healthy, or successful
Correct Answer: B
“Over the moon” means extremely happy. Example: She was over the moon after passing the exam. 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 practice”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. stuck in a dull routine or unable to make progress
C. less skilled because of not doing something for some time
D. a situation in which contradictory rules make a solution impossible
Correct Answer: C
“Out of practice” means less skilled because of not doing something for some time. Example: I am out of practice at mental arithmetic. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The advanced course was initially out of his league.”, what is the meaning of “Out of one's league”?
A. very hard physical or emotional effort
B. to have a very enjoyable time
C. to begin serious work or discussion
D. beyond one's ability, status, or level
Correct Answer: D
“Out of one's league” means beyond one's ability, status, or level. Example: The advanced course was initially out of his league. 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 top of things”?
A. fully informed, organized, and in control
B. a fair opportunity or fair treatment
C. very well behaved or completely reliable
D. to guide, protect, or mentor someone
Correct Answer: A
“On top of things” means fully informed, organized, and in control. Example: A good manager stays on top of things. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “following a correct or promising course”?
A. In line with
B. On the right track
C. Leave the door open
D. Kill time
Correct Answer: B
“On the right track” means following a correct or promising course. Example: Your revised study plan is on the right track. 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 nose”?
A. irrelevant to the main issue
B. angry or embarrassed
C. exactly correct or precise
D. to be patient with someone
Correct Answer: C
“On the nose” means exactly correct or precise. Example: His estimate was right on the nose. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.