Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Be my guest”?
A. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
B. not allowed to be entered, used, or discussed
C. a person who behaves extremely well and seeks approval
D. used to give someone permission to do something
Correct Answer: D
“Be my guest” means used to give someone permission to do something. Example: If you want to use my notes, be my guest. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings”?
A. Bare one's soul
B. Bring someone to their knees
C. Go down fighting
D. In two shakes
Correct Answer: A
“Bare one's soul” means to reveal one's deepest thoughts and feelings. Example: He bared his soul to his closest friend. 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 “Bang for one's buck”?
A. the final option when all others have failed
B. good value or benefit for the money spent
C. to interpret or apply rules less strictly
D. a different activity or speed that provides variety
Correct Answer: B
“Bang for one's buck” means good value or benefit for the money spent. Example: This course gives students excellent bang for their buck. 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 “Ballpark figure”?
A. to examine detailed conditions carefully
B. someone finally understands something
C. a rough numerical estimate
D. ordinary and not special
Correct Answer: C
“Ballpark figure” means a rough numerical estimate. Example: Can you give me a ballpark figure for the total cost? Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The unfair decision left a bad taste in everyone's mouth.”, what is the meaning of “Bad taste in one's mouth”?
A. to strongly annoy or emotionally affect someone
B. in very good health and physical condition
C. involved in something too difficult to manage
D. an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience
Correct Answer: D
“Bad taste in one's mouth” means an unpleasant feeling after a bad experience. Example: The unfair decision left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. 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 “Back of beyond”?
A. a very remote or isolated place
B. to monitor or watch something closely
C. to greatly impress or surprise someone
D. not permitted or beyond an allowed area
Correct Answer: A
“Back of beyond” means a very remote or isolated place. Example: They were posted to a village in the back of beyond. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “directly from personal experience or the original source”?
A. Cut one's teeth on
B. At first hand
C. Face up to
D. As good as gold
Correct Answer: B
“At first hand” means directly from personal experience or the original source. Example: She learned at first hand how difficult the job can be. 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 “At a crossroads”?
A. to act before someone else can do the same thing
B. to spend whatever is necessary to achieve the best result
C. at a point where an important decision must be made
D. small details can cause serious problems in an otherwise good plan
Correct Answer: C
“At a crossroads” means at a point where an important decision must be made. Example: The organization is at a crossroads and must choose a new strategy. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “extremely old”?
A. Have a blast
B. Walk the talk
C. Get a second wind
D. As old as the hills
Correct Answer: D
“As old as the hills” means extremely old. Example: That story is as old as the hills. 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 “As good as gold”?
A. very well behaved or completely reliable
B. to pursue unrealistic or impossible goals
C. to criticize or scold someone severely
D. a very unhappy or difficult life
Correct Answer: A
“As good as gold” means very well behaved or completely reliable. Example: The children were as good as gold during the ceremony. 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 “As fit as a fiddle”?
A. extremely irritated or close to losing patience
B. in very good health and physical condition
C. to hide or ignore an embarrassing problem
D. to remain determined and not give in
Correct Answer: B
“As fit as a fiddle” means in very good health and physical condition. Example: Despite his age, he is as fit as a fiddle. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She has been as busy as a bee preparing for the examination.”, what is the meaning of “As busy as a bee”?
A. temporarily given low priority
B. in a difficult situation
C. very busy and active
D. sad or discouraged
Correct Answer: C
“As busy as a bee” means very busy and active. Example: She has been as busy as a bee preparing for the examination. 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 “As blind as a bat”?
A. beyond one's authority, responsibility, or level of expertise
B. to be unintentionally neglected or missed by a system
C. an experience that reveals surprising facts or changes understanding
D. unable to see well or notice what is obvious
Correct Answer: D
“As blind as a bat” means unable to see well or notice what is obvious. Example: Without his glasses he is as blind as a bat. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “an additional skill or resource that may be useful”?
A. Another string to one's bow
B. Cut someone down to size
C. Breakneck speed
D. Crack the whip
Correct Answer: A
“Another string to one's bow” means an additional skill or resource that may be useful. Example: Learning data analysis gives her another string to her bow. 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 “All over the map”?
A. final success after being doubted or mocked
B. disorganized, inconsistent, or covering many unrelated topics
C. to think creatively in an unconventional way
D. to continue smoothly without hesitation or interruption
Correct Answer: B
“All over the map” means disorganized, inconsistent, or covering many unrelated topics. Example: His answer was all over the map and lacked a clear argument. 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 “All hell breaks loose”?
A. within the period remembered by people still alive
B. despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success
C. a situation suddenly becomes extremely chaotic or violent
D. a person who looks almost exactly like another
Correct Answer: C
“All hell breaks loose” means a situation suddenly becomes extremely chaotic or violent. Example: All hell broke loose after the final decision was announced. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The supervisor seems frightening, but he is all bark and no bite.”, what is the meaning of “All bark and no bite”?
A. to take an unnecessary risk after already being fortunate
B. to continue feeling anger or resentment toward someone
C. to punish someone as severely as the rules allow
D. someone who sounds threatening but is unlikely to act
Correct Answer: D
“All bark and no bite” means someone who sounds threatening but is unlikely to act. Example: The supervisor seems frightening, but he is all bark and no bite. 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 “Alive and kicking”?
A. still active, healthy, or successful
B. to reach a decision
C. improve one's performance or leave
D. old-fashioned and not up to date
Correct Answer: A
“Alive and kicking” means still active, healthy, or successful. Example: The old business is still alive and kicking. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success”?
A. Beside the point
B. Against all odds
C. Jump down someone's throat
D. Hot potato
Correct Answer: B
“Against all odds” means despite very difficult circumstances or little chance of success. Example: Against all odds, the small team won the championship. Exam tip: Identify the figurative sense of the whole expression instead of translating each word literally.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The small office produced excellent work; you cannot judge a book by its cover.”, what is the meaning of “You can't judge a book by its cover”?
A. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
B. to do something as fully or completely as possible
C. to make a bold or important decision after hesitation
D. appearance does not reliably show true quality or character
Correct Answer: D
“You can't judge a book by its cover” means appearance does not reliably show true quality or character. Example: The small office produced excellent work; you cannot judge a book by its cover. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.