Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Several new training programs are in the pipeline.”, what is the meaning of “In the pipeline”?
A. to give one's opinion, even if not requested
B. the final option when all others have failed
C. to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious
D. being planned or developed and likely to happen
Correct Answer: D
“In the pipeline” means being planned or developed and likely to happen. Example: Several new training programs are in the pipeline. 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 loop”?
A. informed and included in communication or decisions
B. final success after being doubted or mocked
C. to face a difficult amount of work
D. a completely different situation with new conditions
Correct Answer: A
“In the loop” means informed and included in communication or decisions. Example: Please keep me in the loop about any schedule changes. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “while acting under strong emotion without enough thought”?
A. In line with
B. In the heat of the moment
C. Get one's goat
D. Make a splash
Correct Answer: B
“In the heat of the moment” means while acting under strong emotion without enough thought. Example: He said something rude in the heat of the moment. 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 driver's seat”?
A. irrelevant to the main issue
B. the whole of something; everything involved
C. in control of a situation
D. still active, healthy, or successful
Correct Answer: C
“In the driver's seat” means in control of a situation. Example: Strong evidence put the prosecution in the driver's seat. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “without knowledge or information”?
A. Bad taste in one's mouth
B. Chew someone out
C. Have second thoughts
D. In the dark
Correct Answer: D
“In the dark” means without knowledge or information. Example: Employees were kept in the dark about the restructuring. 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 bag”?
A. almost certain to be achieved or won
B. to continue having romantic feelings for someone
C. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
D. to remain determined and not give in
Correct Answer: A
“In the bag” means almost certain to be achieved or won. Example: With a huge lead, victory seemed to be in the bag. 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 plain English”?
A. temporarily given low priority
B. in simple and clear language
C. a particular area or neighborhood
D. to greatly impress or surprise someone
Correct Answer: B
“In plain English” means in simple and clear language. Example: Please explain the rule in plain English. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He realized he was in over his head after accepting three major projects.”, what is the meaning of “In over one's head”?
A. put into a difficult situation without preparation
B. a completely different situation with new conditions
C. involved in something too difficult to manage
D. to watch or pressure someone very closely
Correct Answer: C
“In over one's head” means involved in something too difficult to manage. Example: He realized he was in over his head after accepting three major projects. 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 one ear and out the other”?
A. to guide, protect, or mentor someone
B. a dangerously or extremely fast speed
C. to monitor or watch something closely
D. heard but immediately forgotten or ignored
Correct Answer: D
“In one ear and out the other” means heard but immediately forgotten or ignored. Example: My advice seems to go in one ear and out the other. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “at the appropriate time after a normal period”?
A. In due course
B. At a premium
C. Zero in on
D. Break the mould
Correct Answer: A
“In due course” means at the appropriate time after a normal period. Example: Successful candidates will be informed in due 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 “In broad daylight”?
A. crazy or behaving irrationally
B. openly during the daytime
C. rare and not often found
D. to take a short rest
Correct Answer: B
“In broad daylight” means openly during the daytime. Example: The robbery occurred in broad daylight. 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 “Hot under the collar”?
A. very quickly
B. permanently or seriously
C. angry or embarrassed
D. young and inexperienced
Correct Answer: C
“Hot under the collar” means angry or embarrassed. Example: He became hot under the collar when questioned about the error. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “It is unhealthy to hold a grudge for years.”, what is the meaning of “Hold a grudge”?
A. to become deeply involved in an interesting task
B. to admire or respect someone for an achievement
C. every possible method, including clever or questionable ones
D. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
Correct Answer: D
“Hold a grudge” means to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone. Example: It is unhealthy to hold a grudge for years. 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 “Hit a rough patch”?
A. to experience a difficult period
B. fixed and not open to change
C. to fail financially or cease operating
D. to work extremely hard
Correct Answer: A
“Hit a rough patch” means to experience a difficult period. Example: The business hit a rough patch but later recovered. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood”?
A. Up for grabs
B. Hit home
C. Put someone on the spot
D. Put one's foot down
Correct Answer: B
“Hit home” means to have a strong emotional effect or make something fully understood. Example: The warning hit home when he saw the accident statistics. 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 “Hear a pin drop”?
A. to set a higher standard
B. permanently or seriously
C. to experience complete silence
D. exactly correct or precise
Correct Answer: C
“Hear a pin drop” means to experience complete silence. Example: You could hear a pin drop when the result was announced. 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 doubting a decision already made”?
A. For keeps
B. Fair shake
C. As blind as a bat
D. Have second thoughts
Correct Answer: D
“Have second thoughts” means to begin doubting a decision already made. Example: She had second thoughts about accepting the transfer. 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 “Grin and bear it”?
A. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
B. from the very beginning without using previous work
C. to state rules firmly and demand obedience
D. to think creatively in an unconventional way
Correct Answer: A
“Grin and bear it” means to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining. Example: The wait was long, but we had to grin and bear 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 “Grass is always greener on the other side”?
A. to take revenge or balance a previous wrong
B. other situations often seem better than one's own
C. an outrageously high price or obvious unfairness
D. to relax or avoid excessive effort or worry
Correct Answer: B
“Grass is always greener on the other side” means other situations often seem better than one's own. Example: Before changing careers, remember that the grass is always greener on the other side. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His classmates teased him for being a goody two-shoes.”, what is the meaning of “Goody two-shoes”?
A. an additional skill or resource that may be useful
B. to continue resisting strongly even when defeat seems likely
C. a person who behaves extremely well and seeks approval
D. said to express hope that good luck will continue
Correct Answer: C
“Goody two-shoes” means a person who behaves extremely well and seeks approval. Example: His classmates teased him for being a goody two-shoes. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.