Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Go with the flow”?
A. a controversial issue that is difficult to handle
B. used to emphasize that something is certainly true
C. to ask someone for ideas, knowledge, or advice
D. to accept a situation and adapt without resistance
Correct Answer: D
“Go with the flow” means to accept a situation and adapt without resistance. Example: When plans changed, she decided to go with the flow. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to compete strongly and make success difficult for an opponent”?
A. Give someone a run for their money
B. Work wonders
C. The penny drops
D. Second to none
Correct Answer: A
“Give someone a run for their money” means to compete strongly and make success difficult for an opponent. Example: The newcomer gave the champion a run for his 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 “Give the green light”?
A. to continue having romantic feelings for someone
B. to give permission for something to proceed
C. difficult to obtain and therefore especially valuable
D. recovering after disappointment or failure, often emotionally
Correct Answer: B
“Give the green light” means to give permission for something to proceed. Example: The authority gave the green light to the project. 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 “Get a second wind”?
A. fully informed, organized, and in control
B. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
C. to regain energy after becoming tired
D. something difficult to request or achieve
Correct Answer: C
“Get a second wind” means to regain energy after becoming tired. Example: After a short break, the team got a second wind. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His constant interruptions really get my goat.”, what is the meaning of “Get one's goat”?
A. to stop oneself from saying something
B. to say openly what one really thinks
C. free from blame, danger, or suspicion
D. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
Correct Answer: D
“Get one's goat” means to annoy or irritate someone greatly. Example: His constant interruptions really get my goat. 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 “Get even”?
A. to take revenge or balance a previous wrong
B. a quiet period before serious activity or trouble
C. to adapt to difficulties and continue despite setbacks
D. final success after being doubted or mocked
Correct Answer: A
“Get even” means to take revenge or balance a previous wrong. Example: He was more interested in getting even than solving the dispute. 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 serious work or discussion”?
A. Talk shop
B. Get down to business
C. Daylight robbery
D. Get one's ducks in a row
Correct Answer: B
“Get down to business” means to begin serious work or discussion. Example: After introductions, the committee got down to business. 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 “Get a word in edgeways”?
A. to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do
B. to compete strongly and make success difficult for an opponent
C. to manage to speak when someone else is talking continuously
D. to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result
Correct Answer: C
“Get a word in edgeways” means to manage to speak when someone else is talking continuously. Example: He talked so much that I could not get a word in edgeways. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to control one's emotions or understand a situation properly”?
A. Whole new ball game
B. Last but not least
C. Run-of-the-mill
D. Get a grip
Correct Answer: D
“Get a grip” means to control one's emotions or understand a situation properly. Example: You need to get a grip and focus on the next question. 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 rags to riches”?
A. from poverty to wealth or success
B. the whole of something; everything involved
C. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
D. to have a very enjoyable time
Correct Answer: A
“From rags to riches” means from poverty to wealth or success. Example: His story is a classic journey from rags to riches. 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 “For crying out loud”?
A. an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience
B. an expression of annoyance, surprise, or impatience
C. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
D. to watch or pressure someone very closely
Correct Answer: B
“For crying out loud” means an expression of annoyance, surprise, or impatience. Example: For crying out loud, read the instructions before submitting the form. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Without preparation, the speaker had to fly by the seat of his pants.”, what is the meaning of “Fly by the seat of one's pants”?
A. almost remembered but not quite able to be said
B. to control one's emotions or understand a situation properly
C. to act without a plan, relying on instinct and experience
D. to flatter someone in order to gain a favor
Correct Answer: C
“Fly by the seat of one's pants” means to act without a plan, relying on instinct and experience. Example: Without preparation, the speaker had to fly by the seat of his pants. 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 “Fight fire with fire”?
A. a situation with either too much or too little and nothing in between
B. to compete strongly and make success difficult for an opponent
C. to act aggressively and uncompromisingly to get what one wants
D. to use the same methods as an opponent in order to defeat them
Correct Answer: D
“Fight fire with fire” means to use the same methods as an opponent in order to defeat them. Example: The company fought fire with fire by launching its own discount campaign. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “extremely annoyed or tired of something”?
A. Fed up to the back teeth
B. Take stock
C. Wrap things up
D. In limbo
Correct Answer: A
“Fed up to the back teeth” means extremely annoyed or tired of something. Example: Residents were fed up to the back teeth with repeated power cuts. 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 “Fall through the cracks”?
A. to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious
B. to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system
C. to be very noticeable because of being different
D. to begin to like someone or something quickly
Correct Answer: B
“Fall through the cracks” means to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system. Example: Some deserving applicants fell through the cracks. 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 “Fall head over heels”?
A. to guide, protect, or mentor someone
B. in a difficult situation
C. to fall deeply in love
D. honestly and with sincere intentions
Correct Answer: C
“Fall head over heels” means to fall deeply in love. Example: He fell head over heels for her. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The department must face up to its staffing shortage.”, what is the meaning of “Face up to”?
A. said to express hope that good luck will continue
B. to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do
C. to see signs that a difficult period is nearing its end
D. to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem
Correct Answer: D
“Face up to” means to accept and deal with a difficult fact or problem. Example: The department must face up to its staffing shortage. 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 “Eye-opener”?
A. an experience that reveals surprising facts or changes understanding
B. to do something in a new and different way
C. an additional skill or resource that may be useful
D. to punish someone as severely as the rules allow
Correct Answer: A
“Eye-opener” means an experience that reveals surprising facts or changes understanding. Example: The field survey was a real eye-opener for the students. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “every possible method, including clever or questionable ones”?
A. Give the green light
B. Every trick in the book
C. At a premium
D. So far, so good
Correct Answer: B
“Every trick in the book” means every possible method, including clever or questionable ones. Example: The lawyer used every trick in the book to delay the hearing. 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 “Elephant in the room”?
A. with understanding gained after an event has happened
B. to make noticeable physical effort or become anxious
C. an obvious major problem that people avoid discussing
D. used to emphasize that something is certainly true
Correct Answer: C
“Elephant in the room” means an obvious major problem that people avoid discussing. Example: The budget deficit was the elephant in the room. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.