Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “family relationships are often stronger than other relationships”?
A. Back to basics
B. Give a dog a bad name
C. Blood is thicker than water
D. Put one's hand to the plough
Correct Answer: C
“Blood is thicker than water” means family relationships are often stronger than other relationships. Example: In the dispute he sided with his brother because blood is thicker than water. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Bite the hand that feeds you”?
A. everyone gets a chance for success at some time
B. to harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you
C. to change one's opinion or manner, especially under pressure
D. to be strongly and repeatedly preoccupied with an idea
Correct Answer: B
“Bite the hand that feeds you” means to harm or criticize someone who helps or supports you. Example: Do not bite the hand that feeds you by insulting your supporters. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “All that glitters is not gold”?
A. appearances can be deceptive
B. to spend or contribute money
C. to deceive or trick someone
D. to admit the truth about something
Correct Answer: A
“All that glitters is not gold” means appearances can be deceptive. Example: The offer looked attractive, but all that glitters is not gold. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After months away, they found that absence makes the heart grow fonder.”, what is the meaning of “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”?
A. exactly at the stated time
B. to admit the truth about something
C. very ill and close to death
D. being apart can increase affection
Correct Answer: D
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder” means being apart can increase affection. Example: After months away, they found that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A rolling stone gathers no moss”?
A. to make an exceptional effort to help or please someone
B. a clumsy person who causes damage or trouble in a delicate situation
C. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
D. to hide one's real difficulties and maintain an outward image
Correct Answer: C
“A rolling stone gathers no moss” means a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth. Example: He changes jobs every few months; a rolling stone gathers no moss. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a near success is still a failure”?
A. Keep up appearances
B. A miss is as good as a mile
C. Not see the wood for the trees
D. Zero hour
Correct Answer: B
“A miss is as good as a mile” means a near success is still a failure. Example: Missing the qualifying mark by one point still means failure; a miss is as good as a mile. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A friend in need is a friend indeed”?
A. a true friend proves loyalty during difficulty
B. to begin a task energetically and effectively
C. to make a careful and serious effort
D. people who act early gain an advantage
Correct Answer: A
“A friend in need is a friend indeed” means a true friend proves loyalty during difficulty. Example: He helped me during the crisis; a friend in need is a friend indeed. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a group is limited by its weakest member or part”?
A. Raise eyebrows
B. Play it by ear
C. Hit a brick wall
D. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link
Correct Answer: D
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link” means a group is limited by its weakest member or part. Example: Teamwork matters because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A bad workman blames his tools”?
A. everyone gets a chance for success at some time
B. to prevent something unpleasant from coming closer or becoming worse
C. an incompetent person often blames equipment or circumstances for failure
D. immediately and without consideration; also uncontrolled depending on context
Correct Answer: C
“A bad workman blames his tools” means an incompetent person often blames equipment or circumstances for failure. Example: Do not blame the software; a bad workman blames his tools. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Wear the trousers”?
A. to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent
B. to be the dominant decision-maker in a relationship
C. under strong pressure to act quickly or perform
D. to reduce the intensity or unpleasantness of something
Correct Answer: B
“Wear the trousers” means to be the dominant decision-maker in a relationship. Example: Everyone knew who wore the trousers in that partnership. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The negotiator had to walk a tightrope between both sides.”, what is the meaning of “Walk a tightrope”?
A. to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance
B. to accept an insult or bad treatment without resistance
C. to stop or destroy a plan, hope, or activity
D. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
Correct Answer: A
“Walk a tightrope” means to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance. Example: The negotiator had to walk a tightrope between both sides. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Turn one's back on”?
A. to become confident and comfortable in a new situation
B. to delay a decision until one has had time to think
C. everyone gets a chance for success at some time
D. to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something
Correct Answer: D
“Turn one's back on” means to reject, abandon, or refuse to help someone or something. Example: A true friend does not turn his back on you in trouble. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to provide help to someone in serious difficulty”?
A. Hold one's breath
B. Have bigger fish to fry
C. Throw someone a lifeline
D. Cross the Rubicon
Correct Answer: C
“Throw someone a lifeline” means to provide help to someone in serious difficulty. Example: The emergency loan threw the company a lifeline. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “The best of a bad bargain”?
A. to reveal a secret or true intention unintentionally
B. the least undesirable option in an unfavorable situation
C. to sell very quickly and in large quantities
D. a normal part of one's job or routine
Correct Answer: B
“The best of a bad bargain” means the least undesirable option in an unfavorable situation. Example: He accepted the transfer as the best of a bad bargain. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Take one's breath away”?
A. to amaze someone greatly
B. natural skill in growing plants
C. money earned very easily
D. to reveal one's plans or intentions
Correct Answer: A
“Take one's breath away” means to amaze someone greatly. Example: The mountain scenery took our breath away. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Without the data, any estimate would be a shot in the dark.”, what is the meaning of “Take a shot in the dark”?
A. a near success is still a failure
B. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
C. to fail badly or suffer an unexpected fall
D. to make a guess without enough information
Correct Answer: D
“Take a shot in the dark” means to make a guess without enough information. Example: Without the data, any estimate would be a shot in the dark. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “See the back of”?
A. to obtain something from someone when it is extremely difficult
B. to become confident and comfortable in a new situation
C. to be pleased that someone or something unwanted has gone
D. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
Correct Answer: C
“See the back of” means to be pleased that someone or something unwanted has gone. Example: Residents were glad to see the back of the prolonged construction work. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to operate smoothly and exactly as planned”?
A. Bring home the truth
B. Run like clockwork
C. Keep one's head above water
D. Wear the trousers
Correct Answer: B
“Run like clockwork” means to operate smoothly and exactly as planned. Example: The examination arrangements ran like clockwork. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Put the lid on”?
A. to stop or suppress something
B. to waste time by delaying action
C. to try any unlikely method when desperate
D. to work extremely hard
Correct Answer: A
“Put the lid on” means to stop or suppress something. Example: The new order put the lid on unauthorized spending. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to deceive or trick someone”?
A. Beat the air
B. You can't judge a book by its cover
C. A rolling stone gathers no moss
D. Pull a fast one
Correct Answer: D
“Pull a fast one” means to deceive or trick someone. Example: The seller tried to pull a fast one on the customer. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.