Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “smiling very broadly”?
A. As good as gold
B. Cook someone's goose
C. So far, so good
D. Grin from ear to ear
Correct Answer: D
“Grin from ear to ear” means smiling very broadly. Example: She was grinning from ear to ear after receiving the award. 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 “Draw a line in the sand”?
A. to set a firm limit that one will not allow others to cross
B. the most important matters should be dealt with before others
C. in a very quiet voice so others can barely hear
D. to leave a difficult situation suddenly instead of dealing with it
Correct Answer: A
“Draw a line in the sand” means to set a firm limit that one will not allow others to cross. Example: The regulator drew a line in the sand over safety standards. 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 “Down in the mouth”?
A. without preparation or planning
B. sad or discouraged
C. to feel extremely happy
D. irrelevant to the main issue
Correct Answer: B
“Down in the mouth” means sad or discouraged. Example: He looked down in the mouth after the interview. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I did a double take when I saw the final score.”, what is the meaning of “Do a double take”?
A. a skill or habit that becomes automatic through practice
B. to be grateful for the good things one has
C. to look again in surprise because something is unexpected
D. to admire or respect someone for an achievement
Correct Answer: C
“Do a double take” means to look again in surprise because something is unexpected. Example: I did a double take when I saw the final score. 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 “Dig one's heels in”?
A. in very good health and physical condition
B. final success after being doubted or mocked
C. forced to choose between two difficult options
D. to refuse stubbornly to change one's position
Correct Answer: D
“Dig one's heels in” means to refuse stubbornly to change one's position. Example: The committee dug its heels in and rejected every compromise. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “small details can cause serious problems in an otherwise good plan”?
A. Devil is in the details
B. From scratch
C. Put someone on the spot
D. From the ground up
Correct Answer: A
“Devil is in the details” means small details can cause serious problems in an otherwise good plan. Example: The proposal sounds simple, but the devil is in the details. 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 “Daylight robbery”?
A. to accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
B. an outrageously high price or obvious unfairness
C. to have both positive and negative effects
D. to avoid trouble and behave properly
Correct Answer: B
“Daylight robbery” means an outrageously high price or obvious unfairness. Example: Charging that much for a short ride is daylight robbery. 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 “Cut someone down to size”?
A. small details can cause serious problems in an otherwise good plan
B. a son often resembles his father in behavior or character
C. to make an arrogant person realize they are not as important as they think
D. to take a firm position and refuse to allow something
Correct Answer: C
“Cut someone down to size” means to make an arrogant person realize they are not as important as they think. Example: The defeat cut the overconfident player down to size. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Strict rules can cut both ways: they improve discipline but reduce flexibility.”, what is the meaning of “Cut both ways”?
A. affecting everyone or everything in a group
B. an expression of annoyance, surprise, or impatience
C. informed and included in communication or decisions
D. to have both positive and negative effects
Correct Answer: D
“Cut both ways” means to have both positive and negative effects. Example: Strict rules can cut both ways: they improve discipline but reduce flexibility. 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 “Cut and run”?
A. to leave a difficult situation suddenly instead of dealing with it
B. to reveal a great deal without words or detailed explanation
C. said or revealed in order to feel relief from worry or guilt
D. small details can cause serious problems in an otherwise good plan
Correct Answer: A
“Cut and run” means to leave a difficult situation suddenly instead of dealing with it. Example: A responsible leader does not cut and run when problems arise. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to use authority to make people work harder or faster”?
A. Get a word in edgeways
B. Crack the whip
C. Get a second wind
D. Open book
Correct Answer: B
“Crack the whip” means to use authority to make people work harder or faster. Example: The supervisor cracked the whip as the deadline approached. 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 “Count one's blessings”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. starting from the most basic level and building completely
C. to be grateful for the good things one has
D. to assess a situation carefully before deciding what to do
Correct Answer: C
“Count one's blessings” means to be grateful for the good things one has. Example: After the crisis, he learned to count his blessings. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to gain control over most of the supply of a product or service”?
A. In a heartbeat
B. Second nature
C. Straight and narrow
D. Corner the market
Correct Answer: D
“Corner the market” means to gain control over most of the supply of a product or service. Example: The company tried to corner the market in specialized software. 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 “Cook someone's goose”?
A. to ruin someone's plans, chances, or position
B. put into a difficult situation without preparation
C. very gentle and unlikely to harm anyone
D. while acting under strong emotion without enough thought
Correct Answer: A
“Cook someone's goose” means to ruin someone's plans, chances, or position. Example: The leaked document cooked the minister's goose. 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 “Come to a standstill”?
A. to be patient with someone
B. to stop completely
C. improve one's performance or leave
D. very busy and active
Correct Answer: B
“Come to a standstill” means to stop completely. Example: Traffic came to a standstill after the accident. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After years abroad, her career came full circle when she returned to teach.”, what is the meaning of “Come full circle”?
A. when a situation becomes critical and action is necessary
B. to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result
C. to return to the original position or situation after changes
D. to allow the possibility of future action or agreement
Correct Answer: C
“Come full circle” means to return to the original position or situation after changes. Example: After years abroad, her career came full circle when she returned to teach. 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 “Close call”?
A. there is no danger or obstacle present
B. in serious trouble without an easy solution
C. in very good health and physical condition
D. a narrow escape from danger or failure
Correct Answer: D
“Close call” means a narrow escape from danger or failure. Example: Passing by one mark was a close call. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to remove tension or misunderstanding through honest discussion”?
A. Clear the air
B. Straight and narrow
C. Carry a torch for
D. So far, so good
Correct Answer: A
“Clear the air” means to remove tension or misunderstanding through honest discussion. Example: The two colleagues met to clear the air. 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 “Chase rainbows”?
A. to regain energy after becoming tired
B. to pursue unrealistic or impossible goals
C. an unrealistic promise, hope, or plan
D. to begin performing confidently and effectively
Correct Answer: B
“Chase rainbows” means to pursue unrealistic or impossible goals. Example: Without a plan, they were simply chasing rainbows. 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 “Change of pace”?
A. other situations often seem better than one's own
B. beyond one's authority, responsibility, or level of expertise
C. a different activity or speed that provides variety
D. to begin to like someone or something quickly
Correct Answer: C
“Change of pace” means a different activity or speed that provides variety. Example: The field visit was a welcome change of pace from office work. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.