Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Turn the scale”?
A. to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance
B. an incompetent person often blames equipment or circumstances for failure
C. to decide the result or give one side the advantage
D. to go out and celebrate in a lively way
Correct Answer: C
“Turn the scale” means to decide the result or give one side the advantage. Example: The final witness turned the scale in favor of the prosecution. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reach the lowest or worst point”?
A. Not one's scene
B. Touch bottom
C. Zero hour
D. Under the gun
Correct Answer: B
“Touch bottom” means to reach the lowest or worst point. Example: The economy appears to have touched bottom and begun recovering. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Tighten one's belt”?
A. to reduce spending because money is scarce
B. according to one's own wishes without considering others
C. to earn a very large profit quickly
D. in a straight line between two places
Correct Answer: A
“Tighten one's belt” means to reduce spending because money is scarce. Example: The family had to tighten its belt after prices rose. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to issue a challenge”?
A. Bend over backwards
B. Let one's hair down
C. Save face
D. Throw down the gauntlet
Correct Answer: D
“Throw down the gauntlet” means to issue a challenge. Example: The opposition threw down the gauntlet by demanding a public debate. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Throw a spanner in the works”?
A. a person who never settles may not accumulate responsibilities or wealth
B. a person with good qualities that are not yet polished or obvious
C. to cause a problem that prevents a plan from proceeding smoothly
D. to be the first to accuse or condemn another person
Correct Answer: C
“Throw a spanner in the works” means to cause a problem that prevents a plan from proceeding smoothly. Example: The sudden ban threw a spanner in the works. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Take the plunge”?
A. to pretend to be confident despite fear or difficulty
B. to make a bold or important decision after hesitation
C. to buy or accept something without examining it properly
D. to lose a skill or ability one once had
Correct Answer: B
“Take the plunge” means to make a bold or important decision after hesitation. Example: After months of planning, he took the plunge and started the business. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She took pains to verify every fact.”, what is the meaning of “Take pains”?
A. to make a careful and serious effort
B. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
C. to cause trouble or bring significant change
D. money saved is as valuable as money earned
Correct Answer: A
“Take pains” means to make a careful and serious effort. Example: She took pains to verify every fact. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Take centre stage”?
A. to think deeply and leisurely about something
B. to relax and behave freely after restraint
C. to suddenly begin discussing a different subject
D. to become the main focus of attention
Correct Answer: D
“Take centre stage” means to become the main focus of attention. Example: Economic reform took centre stage in the debate. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to disapprove of something”?
A. First and foremost
B. Bite the dust
C. Take a dim view of
D. Cross the Rubicon
Correct Answer: C
“Take a dim view of” means to disapprove of something. Example: The court takes a dim view of deliberate delay. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Stand tall”?
A. to avoid humiliation or loss of respect
B. to remain proud and confident in difficulty
C. to make something seem very attractive, especially food
D. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
Correct Answer: B
“Stand tall” means to remain proud and confident in difficulty. Example: She stood tall despite unfair criticism. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Spill one's guts”?
A. to reveal private information or secrets
B. regardless of any difficulty or obstacle
C. to regard someone or something as inferior
D. to cause trouble or bring significant change
Correct Answer: A
“Spill one's guts” means to reveal private information or secrets. Example: Under questioning, he spilled his guts. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The impressive figures were mostly smoke and mirrors.”, what is the meaning of “Smoke and mirrors”?
A. to leave someone responsible for a problem or blame
B. to deal with a difficult situation requiring careful balance
C. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
D. deceptive or misleading presentation intended to hide the truth
Correct Answer: D
“Smoke and mirrors” means deceptive or misleading presentation intended to hide the truth. Example: The impressive figures were mostly smoke and mirrors. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Sleep on it”?
A. to begin a serious task and commit oneself to it
B. a clumsy person who causes damage or trouble in a delicate situation
C. to delay a decision until one has had time to think
D. a person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television
Correct Answer: C
“Sleep on it” means to delay a decision until one has had time to think. Example: Do not decide tonight; sleep on it. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to reveal one's plans or intentions”?
A. Fish in troubled waters
B. Show one's hand
C. Take centre stage
D. Run rings around
Correct Answer: B
“Show one's hand” means to reveal one's plans or intentions. Example: The negotiator refused to show his hand too early. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Shake a leg”?
A. to hurry up
B. to work extremely hard
C. more importantly than anything else
D. to ask for something impossible
Correct Answer: A
“Shake a leg” means to hurry up. Example: Shake a leg or we will miss the bus. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to sell very quickly and in large quantities”?
A. Take pains
B. Hang up one's boots
C. Out of line
D. Sell like hot cakes
Correct Answer: D
“Sell like hot cakes” means to sell very quickly and in large quantities. Example: The new guidebook sold like hot cakes. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “See which way the cat jumps”?
A. too many people controlling a task can ruin it
B. to stop an unsuccessful activity before losing even more
C. to wait and observe how a situation develops before acting
D. to gain an initial opportunity that may lead to greater success
Correct Answer: C
“See which way the cat jumps” means to wait and observe how a situation develops before acting. Example: He will see which way the cat jumps before announcing support. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Save face”?
A. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
B. to avoid humiliation or loss of respect
C. a near success is still a failure
D. to make something seem very attractive, especially food
Correct Answer: B
“Save face” means to avoid humiliation or loss of respect. Example: The compromise allowed both sides to save face. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The experienced debater ran rings around his opponent.”, what is the meaning of “Run rings around”?
A. to perform much better than someone
B. to reach the lowest or worst point
C. to gain honor or distinction
D. to waste time by delaying action
Correct Answer: A
“Run rings around” means to perform much better than someone. Example: The experienced debater ran rings around his opponent. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Run amok”?
A. by a very small margin
B. to stop or suppress something
C. being apart can increase affection
D. to behave wildly and uncontrollably
Correct Answer: D
“Run amok” means to behave wildly and uncontrollably. Example: False rumors ran amok on social media. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.