Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Out of hand”?
A. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
B. to buy or accept something without examining it properly
C. immediately and without consideration; also uncontrolled depending on context
D. full of talk but lacking action or courage
Correct Answer: C
“Out of hand” means immediately and without consideration; also uncontrolled depending on context. Example: The committee rejected the proposal out of hand. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “On one's toes”?
A. without special conditions or obligations
B. alert and ready to act
C. to be extremely happy
D. to make sense or appear reasonable
Correct Answer: B
“On one's toes” means alert and ready to act. Example: Unexpected questions kept the candidates on their toes. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The damaged aircraft landed on a wing and a prayer.”, what is the meaning of “On a wing and a prayer”?
A. with very little chance of success and relying mainly on hope
B. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
C. a person who gives unwanted advice to someone doing a task
D. something certain is better than something more valuable but uncertain
Correct Answer: A
“On a wing and a prayer” means with very little chance of success and relying mainly on hope. Example: The damaged aircraft landed on a wing and a prayer. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Off colour”?
A. to make useless or ineffective efforts
B. to cause great fear or horror
C. to cause surprise, shock, or disapproval
D. slightly ill or not feeling well
Correct Answer: D
“Off colour” means slightly ill or not feeling well. Example: He looks a little off colour today. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to cause great fear or horror”?
A. Catch someone's eye
B. Keep one's powder dry
C. Make one's blood run cold
D. Get one's act together
Correct Answer: C
“Make one's blood run cold” means to cause great fear or horror. Example: The scream in the dark made his blood run cold. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Make a name for oneself”?
A. to greatly surprise or impress someone
B. to become well known or respected
C. to be defeated, fail, or die
D. to defend or support someone strongly
Correct Answer: B
“Make a name for oneself” means to become well known or respected. Example: She made a name for herself in public administration. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Leave someone holding the bag”?
A. to leave someone responsible for a problem or blame
B. a day when many things seem to go wrong
C. to solve a very difficult problem by decisive action
D. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
Correct Answer: A
“Leave someone holding the bag” means to leave someone responsible for a problem or blame. Example: The partners disappeared and left him holding the bag. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Keep your shirt on; the results will be posted soon.”, what is the meaning of “Keep one's shirt on”?
A. used to introduce something confidential
B. to drive away very fast
C. without special conditions or obligations
D. to remain calm and patient
Correct Answer: D
“Keep one's shirt on” means to remain calm and patient. Example: Keep your shirt on; the results will be posted soon. 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 ear to the ground”?
A. to make something seem very attractive, especially food
B. the apparent or stated value without deeper examination
C. to stay alert for new information or changes
D. to seek approval by flattering or pleasing someone
Correct Answer: C
“Keep one's ear to the ground” means to stay alert for new information or changes. Example: Good journalists keep their ears to the ground. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent”?
A. Know the score
B. Hold the fort
C. Lend an ear
D. Throw someone a lifeline
Correct Answer: B
“Hold the fort” means to take responsibility temporarily while others are absent. Example: Please hold the fort while I attend the meeting. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Hit the ground running”?
A. to begin a task energetically and effectively
B. to reach the lowest or worst point
C. in serious difficulty and likely to fail
D. to accept a difficult or unpleasant reality
Correct Answer: A
“Hit the ground running” means to begin a task energetically and effectively. Example: The new officer hit the ground running on his first day. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reach a point where progress becomes impossible”?
A. Pull the plug
B. Throw a spanner in the works
C. Take a shot in the dark
D. Hit a brick wall
Correct Answer: D
“Hit a brick wall” means to reach a point where progress becomes impossible. Example: The investigation hit a brick wall. 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 lot on one's plate”?
A. to organize oneself and start behaving effectively
B. to reduce spending because money is scarce
C. to have many responsibilities or tasks
D. to wait anxiously for something to happen
Correct Answer: C
“Have a lot on one's plate” means to have many responsibilities or tasks. Example: She has a lot on her plate this week. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Go the whole hog”?
A. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
B. to do something as fully or completely as possible
C. to pursue an independent course without support from others
D. the apparent or stated value without deeper examination
Correct Answer: B
“Go the whole hog” means to do something as fully or completely as possible. Example: If we renovate the office, we may as well go the whole hog. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “A responsible leader should not go back on his word.”, what is the meaning of “Go back on one's word”?
A. to break a promise
B. more importantly than anything else
C. to experience financial difficulty
D. exactly at the stated time
Correct Answer: A
“Go back on one's word” means to break a promise. Example: A responsible leader should not go back on his word. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Give it one's best shot”?
A. to be defeated, fail, or die
B. to be wasted or lost completely
C. to be nervous, tense, or irritable
D. to make one's strongest possible effort
Correct Answer: D
“Give it one's best shot” means to make one's strongest possible effort. Example: Even if the paper is difficult, give it your best shot. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to misunderstand someone because of confused communication”?
A. Put a bold face on
B. Open-and-shut case
C. Get one's wires crossed
D. Let the grass grow under one's feet
Correct Answer: C
“Get one's wires crossed” means to misunderstand someone because of confused communication. Example: We got our wires crossed about the meeting time. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Get off on the wrong foot”?
A. to misunderstand someone because of confused communication
B. to begin a relationship or activity badly
C. to reach the lowest or worst point
D. to behave loudly or dramatically in public
Correct Answer: B
“Get off on the wrong foot” means to begin a relationship or activity badly. Example: The two officers got off on the wrong foot. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Get a move on”?
A. to hurry
B. money earned very easily
C. an important person in a limited or unimportant setting
D. a true friend proves loyalty during difficulty
Correct Answer: A
“Get a move on” means to hurry. Example: Get a move on or you will be late for the test. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After the holiday, she felt like a million dollars.”, what is the meaning of “Feel like a million dollars”?
A. more importantly than anything else
B. to relax and behave freely after restraint
C. to reveal one's plans or intentions
D. to feel extremely well and confident
Correct Answer: D
“Feel like a million dollars” means to feel extremely well and confident. Example: After the holiday, she felt like a million dollars. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.