Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Money for old rope”?
A. to ask for something impossible
B. impossible or not allowed
C. money earned very easily
D. to spend or contribute money
Correct Answer: C
“Money for old rope” means money earned very easily. Example: For an expert, the simple assignment was money for old rope. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Meet one's Waterloo”?
A. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
B. to suffer a final and decisive defeat
C. to reach the lowest or worst point
D. to cause great excitement or enthusiastic applause
Correct Answer: B
“Meet one's Waterloo” means to suffer a final and decisive defeat. Example: The unbeaten champion finally met his Waterloo. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The young officer began making waves with bold reforms.”, what is the meaning of “Make waves”?
A. to cause trouble or bring significant change
B. to earn a very large profit quickly
C. to make a careful and serious effort
D. to avoid humiliation or loss of respect
Correct Answer: A
“Make waves” means to cause trouble or bring significant change. Example: The young officer began making waves with bold reforms. 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 killing”?
A. to be too difficult for someone to understand
B. regardless of any difficulty or obstacle
C. to organize oneself and start behaving effectively
D. to earn a very large profit quickly
Correct Answer: D
“Make a killing” means to earn a very large profit quickly. Example: Some investors made a killing during the market boom. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to behave loudly or dramatically in public”?
A. Pull a fast one
B. Give someone short shrift
C. Make a scene
D. Don't count your chickens before they hatch
Correct Answer: C
“Make a scene” means to behave loudly or dramatically in public. Example: He made a scene at the counter over a minor delay. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Lose one's touch”?
A. deceptive or misleading presentation intended to hide the truth
B. to lose a skill or ability one once had
C. to become less convincing, acceptable, or effective through repetition
D. to solve a very difficult problem by decisive action
Correct Answer: B
“Lose one's touch” means to lose a skill or ability one once had. Example: After years away from teaching, he feared he had lost his touch. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Look down one's nose at”?
A. to regard someone or something as inferior
B. to begin a relationship or activity badly
C. to behave loudly or dramatically in public
D. to misunderstand someone because of confused communication
Correct Answer: A
“Look down one's nose at” means to regard someone or something as inferior. Example: No one should look down his nose at manual work. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Do not let the grass grow under your feet if applications close today.”, what is the meaning of “Let the grass grow under one's feet”?
A. to become well known or respected
B. natural skill in growing plants
C. to deceive or trick someone
D. to waste time by delaying action
Correct Answer: D
“Let the grass grow under one's feet” means to waste time by delaying action. Example: Do not let the grass grow under your feet if applications close today. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Let bygones be bygones”?
A. continuing longer than expected before an inevitable end
B. to stop supporting or conforming to one's group
C. to forget past disagreements and forgive one another
D. a normal part of one's job or routine
Correct Answer: C
“Let bygones be bygones” means to forget past disagreements and forgive one another. Example: They agreed to let bygones be bygones and work together. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to listen sympathetically”?
A. Below one's dignity
B. Lend an ear
C. Live on air
D. Bring home the truth
Correct Answer: B
“Lend an ear” means to listen sympathetically. Example: A good friend will lend an ear when you need advice. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Know the score”?
A. to understand the true facts of a situation
B. to sell very quickly and in large quantities
C. to stop supporting or conforming to one's group
D. to reveal someone's hidden identity or secret role
Correct Answer: A
“Know the score” means to understand the true facts of a situation. Example: Experienced officers know the score and are not easily misled. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to prevent something unpleasant from coming closer or becoming worse”?
A. Rub shoulders with
B. Have a field day
C. Take pains
D. Keep something at bay
Correct Answer: D
“Keep something at bay” means to prevent something unpleasant from coming closer or becoming worse. Example: Regular exercise can help keep illness at bay. 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 fingers crossed”?
A. careful about small amounts but wasteful about large ones
B. appearance does not reliably show true quality or character
C. to hope for good luck or a favorable result
D. to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way
Correct Answer: C
“Keep one's fingers crossed” means to hope for good luck or a favorable result. Example: Keep your fingers crossed for tomorrow's interview. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Hold one's breath”?
A. to try any unlikely method when desperate
B. to wait anxiously for something to happen
C. to reveal one's plans or intentions
D. to receive an unfair or disadvantageous outcome
Correct Answer: B
“Hold one's breath” means to wait anxiously for something to happen. Example: We held our breath while the final result was announced. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “With strong evidence, the prosecution held all the aces.”, what is the meaning of “Hold all the aces”?
A. to have all the advantages in a situation
B. to fail badly or suffer an unexpected fall
C. to escape from someone following or watching you
D. to give someone little attention, sympathy, or consideration
Correct Answer: A
“Hold all the aces” means to have all the advantages in a situation. Example: With strong evidence, the prosecution held all the aces. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Have many irons in the fire”?
A. to delay a decision until one has had time to think
B. to prevent something unpleasant from coming closer or becoming worse
C. to bear the cost or consequences of an action
D. to be involved in many activities or plans at the same time
Correct Answer: D
“Have many irons in the fire” means to be involved in many activities or plans at the same time. Example: She has many irons in the fire and manages several projects. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to have more important matters to deal with”?
A. Cry for the moon
B. Chew something over
C. Have bigger fish to fry
D. An eye for an eye
Correct Answer: C
“Have bigger fish to fry” means to have more important matters to deal with. Example: The director has bigger fish to fry than this minor complaint. 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 field day”?
A. to try deliberately to attract or win a particular person
B. to have an opportunity to enjoy oneself or exploit a situation greatly
C. to be the first to accuse or condemn another person
D. to begin a serious task and commit oneself to it
Correct Answer: B
“Have a field day” means to have an opportunity to enjoy oneself or exploit a situation greatly. Example: Critics had a field day after the report was released. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Hang up one's boots”?
A. to retire from a profession or activity
B. to reach the lowest or worst point
C. to cause trouble or bring significant change
D. to survive with very little food
Correct Answer: A
“Hang up one's boots” means to retire from a profession or activity. Example: The veteran player finally hung up his boots. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The fate of the agreement hangs in the balance.”, what is the meaning of “Hang in the balance”?
A. to manage to survive financially or cope with difficulties
B. to want two incompatible advantages at the same time
C. a past event that is no longer important
D. to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way
Correct Answer: D
“Hang in the balance” means to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way. Example: The fate of the agreement hangs in the balance. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.