Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Too many cooks spoil the broth”?
A. to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something
B. to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way
C. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
D. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
Correct Answer: C
“Too many cooks spoil the broth” means too many people controlling a task can ruin it. Example: The project had five supervisors; too many cooks spoil the broth. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “the final event that causes failure or destruction”?
A. Put paid to
B. The last nail in the coffin
C. Put the lid on
D. A bull in a china shop
Correct Answer: B
“The last nail in the coffin” means the final event that causes failure or destruction. Example: Losing the main client was the last nail in the coffin for the firm. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “The early bird catches the worm”?
A. people who act early gain an advantage
B. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
C. to become the main focus of attention
D. to misunderstand someone because of confused communication
Correct Answer: A
“The early bird catches the worm” means people who act early gain an advantage. Example: Apply early because the early bird catches the worm. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to accept an insult or bad treatment without resistance”?
A. Touch bottom
B. Be on edge
C. Water under the bridge
D. Take something lying down
Correct Answer: D
“Take something lying down” means to accept an insult or bad treatment without resistance. Example: She refused to take the unfair accusation lying down. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Put words in someone's mouth”?
A. an important person in a limited or unimportant setting
B. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
C. to claim that someone said something they did not say
D. to take a risk by supporting an unpopular idea or person
Correct Answer: C
“Put words in someone's mouth” means to claim that someone said something they did not say. Example: Do not put words in my mouth; I never opposed the plan. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On top of the world”?
A. likely or expected to happen
B. extremely happy
C. to greatly surprise or impress someone
D. the principle of equal retaliation
Correct Answer: B
“On top of the world” means extremely happy. Example: She felt on top of the world after topping the exam. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He focused on minor errors and could not see the wood for the trees.”, what is the meaning of “Not see the wood for the trees”?
A. to miss the overall situation because of too much attention to details
B. a person with good qualities that are not yet polished or obvious
C. to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something
D. to be the person who controls a group or situation
Correct Answer: A
“Not see the wood for the trees” means to miss the overall situation because of too much attention to details. Example: He focused on minor errors and could not see the wood for the trees. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Make one's mouth water”?
A. full of talk but lacking action or courage
B. under strong pressure to act quickly or perform
C. the least undesirable option in an unfavorable situation
D. to make something seem very attractive, especially food
Correct Answer: D
“Make one's mouth water” means to make something seem very attractive, especially food. Example: The smell of fresh bread made my mouth water. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to criticize or question something received as a gift”?
A. Have a lot on one's plate
B. Come a cropper
C. Look a gift horse in the mouth
D. Come to terms with
Correct Answer: C
“Look a gift horse in the mouth” means to criticize or question something received as a gift. Example: Accept the free training and do not look a gift horse in the mouth. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Let one's hair down”?
A. to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent
B. to relax and behave freely after restraint
C. in a straight line between two places
D. to become the main focus of attention
Correct Answer: B
“Let one's hair down” means to relax and behave freely after restraint. Example: After the exams, the students finally let their hair down. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Keep one's head above water”?
A. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
B. to take advantage of a confused or difficult situation
C. to stop or destroy a plan, hope, or activity
D. to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent
Correct Answer: A
“Keep one's head above water” means to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties. Example: Small shops are struggling to keep their heads above water. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I heard on the grapevine that transfers are expected.”, what is the meaning of “Hear it on the grapevine”?
A. being apart can increase affection
B. to survive with very little food
C. slightly ill or not feeling well
D. to learn something through informal rumors
Correct Answer: D
“Hear it on the grapevine” means to learn something through informal rumors. Example: I heard on the grapevine that transfers are expected. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Have a bee in one's bonnet”?
A. to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance
B. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
C. to be strongly and repeatedly preoccupied with an idea
D. to flatter or support people who are gaining power
Correct Answer: C
“Have a bee in one's bonnet” means to be strongly and repeatedly preoccupied with an idea. Example: He has a bee in his bonnet about reorganizing the department. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to be wasted or lost completely”?
A. Hold the fort
B. Go down the drain
C. Keep one's ear to the ground
D. Burn the midnight candle
Correct Answer: B
“Go down the drain” means to be wasted or lost completely. Example: Months of preparation went down the drain after the file was corrupted. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Get blood from a stone”?
A. to obtain something from someone when it is extremely difficult
B. with very little chance of success and relying mainly on hope
C. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
D. to go out and celebrate in a lively way
Correct Answer: A
“Get blood from a stone” means to obtain something from someone when it is extremely difficult. Example: Getting information from the silent witness was like getting blood from a stone. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “every part of a place, including hidden areas”?
A. Let the grass grow under one's feet
B. Set one's cap at
C. Rub shoulders with
D. Every nook and cranny
Correct Answer: D
“Every nook and cranny” means every part of a place, including hidden areas. Example: The inspectors searched every nook and cranny. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Don't count your chickens before they hatch”?
A. improper, unreasonable, or not in accordance with rules
B. considered too low or unworthy for one's status
C. do not assume success before it actually happens
D. the crucial moment when an important action begins
Correct Answer: C
“Don't count your chickens before they hatch” means do not assume success before it actually happens. Example: Wait for the official result; do not count your chickens before they hatch. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Cut one's losses”?
A. to flatter or support people who are gaining power
B. to stop an unsuccessful activity before losing even more
C. to leave someone responsible for a problem or blame
D. to make the reality of something clear and forceful
Correct Answer: B
“Cut one's losses” means to stop an unsuccessful activity before losing even more. Example: The company closed the project to cut its losses. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “With little evidence left, the defense was clutching at straws.”, what is the meaning of “Clutch at straws”?
A. to try any unlikely method when desperate
B. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
C. to think carefully about something before deciding
D. the final event that causes failure or destruction
Correct Answer: A
“Clutch at straws” means to try any unlikely method when desperate. Example: With little evidence left, the defense was clutching at straws. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Burn the midnight candle”?
A. the final event that causes failure or destruction
B. to give someone little attention, sympathy, or consideration
C. to have all the advantages in a situation
D. to work or study late into the night
Correct Answer: D
“Burn the midnight candle” means to work or study late into the night. Example: Students burned the midnight candle before the examination. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.