Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “At death's door”?
A. to ask for something impossible
B. to provide useful material, advantage, or profit
C. very ill and close to death
D. to learn something through informal rumors
Correct Answer: C
“At death's door” means very ill and close to death. Example: The patient was at death's door before treatment began. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “As the crow flies”?
A. a great deal of fuss over something unimportant
B. in a straight line between two places
C. to be ignored or not listened to
D. to accept a difficult or unpleasant reality
Correct Answer: B
“As the crow flies” means in a straight line between two places. Example: The village is ten kilometres away as the crow flies. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The old law followed the idea of an eye for an eye.”, what is the meaning of “An eye for an eye”?
A. the principle of equal retaliation
B. more importantly than anything else
C. to amaze someone greatly
D. to feel extremely well and confident
Correct Answer: A
“An eye for an eye” means the principle of equal retaliation. Example: The old law followed the idea of an eye for an eye. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “All mouth and no trousers”?
A. the crucial moment when an important action begins
B. to have more important matters to deal with
C. money saved is as valuable as money earned
D. full of talk but lacking action or courage
Correct Answer: D
“All mouth and no trousers” means full of talk but lacking action or courage. Example: He keeps boasting about reform but is all mouth and no trousers. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a normal part of one's job or routine”?
A. A diamond in the rough
B. Put the lid on
C. All in a day's work
D. Keep one's shirt on
Correct Answer: C
“All in a day's work” means a normal part of one's job or routine. Example: Handling difficult clients is all in a day's work for her. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “All Greek to me”?
A. alert and ready to act
B. completely difficult to understand
C. appearances can be deceptive
D. to admit the truth about something
Correct Answer: B
“All Greek to me” means completely difficult to understand. Example: The legal terminology was all Greek to me. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A sight for sore eyes”?
A. a person or thing one is very pleased or relieved to see
B. a person who gives unwanted advice to someone doing a task
C. to claim that someone said something they did not say
D. to remain uncertain and capable of turning either way
Correct Answer: A
“A sight for sore eyes” means a person or thing one is very pleased or relieved to see. Example: After hours in the desert, the rescue vehicle was a sight for sore eyes. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “A little bird told me that the results may be announced tomorrow.”, what is the meaning of “A little bird told me”?
A. to delay a decision until one has had time to think
B. to make an exceptional effort to help or please someone
C. with very little chance of success and relying mainly on hope
D. used to say that one knows something but will not reveal the source
Correct Answer: D
“A little bird told me” means used to say that one knows something but will not reveal the source. Example: A little bird told me that the results may be announced tomorrow. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A bird in the hand”?
A. to begin a serious task and commit oneself to it
B. to be pleased that someone or something unwanted has gone
C. something certain is better than something more valuable but uncertain
D. to go out and celebrate in a lively way
Correct Answer: C
“A bird in the hand” means something certain is better than something more valuable but uncertain. Example: He accepted the secure job because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “an important or influential person”?
A. Bend over backwards
B. A big cheese
C. Let bygones be bygones
D. Burn the midnight candle
Correct Answer: B
“A big cheese” means an important or influential person. Example: Everyone became attentive when the big cheese entered the meeting. Exam tip: Focus on the figurative meaning rather than the literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The supposed scandal proved to be a mare's nest.”, what is the meaning of “A mare's nest”?
A. away from the usual or commonly chosen route or method
B. a discovery or situation that turns out to be false or worthless
C. a situation in which success may fail at the last moment
D. a small action likely to lead to larger undesirable consequences
Correct Answer: B
“A mare's nest” means a discovery or situation that turns out to be false or worthless. Example: The supposed scandal proved to be a mare's nest. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A feather in the cap”?
A. friendly enough to speak to each other
B. damage caused by ordinary use over time
C. an achievement that brings pride or credit
D. to show no surprise, fear, or emotion
Correct Answer: C
“A feather in the cap” means an achievement that brings pride or credit. Example: Winning the award was a feather in her cap. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “a person who refuses to believe something without proof”?
A. Dutch courage
B. Make a virtue of necessity
C. The thin end of the wedge
D. A doubting Thomas
Correct Answer: D
“A doubting Thomas” means a person who refuses to believe something without proof. Example: Do not be a doubting Thomas; the evidence is clear. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A close-fisted person”?
A. a person unwilling to spend or give money
B. to succeed or fail entirely by one's own efforts
C. a very narrow escape from danger or failure
D. to act in a way that helps an opponent
Correct Answer: A
“A close-fisted person” means a person unwilling to spend or give money. Example: Everyone knew him as a close-fisted person. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “A chapter of accidents”?
A. an embarrassing or shameful secret
B. a series of unfortunate events
C. to find faults in something
D. to copy someone's good example
Correct Answer: B
“A chapter of accidents” means a series of unfortunate events. Example: The expedition became a chapter of accidents. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She is up to her ears in paperwork.”, what is the meaning of “Up to one's ears in”?
A. to barely avoid danger or failure
B. false or insincere expressions of sorrow
C. deeply involved or overwhelmed by something
D. to bring something to an end
Correct Answer: C
“Up to one's ears in” means deeply involved or overwhelmed by something. Example: She is up to her ears in paperwork. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Turn the corner”?
A. having lost or spent money because of something
B. to protect oneself from danger, blame, or punishment
C. an unpleasant fact or situation that must be accepted
D. to pass the worst point and begin improving
Correct Answer: D
“Turn the corner” means to pass the worst point and begin improving. Example: The company appears to have turned the corner. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom/phrase means “to run away”?
A. Take to one's heels
B. Take the law into one's own hands
C. Draw the wool over someone's eyes
D. A close-fisted person
Correct Answer: A
“Take to one's heels” means to run away. Example: The thief took to his heels when the guard appeared. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Strike a bargain”?
A. to deliberately ignore someone
B. to reach an agreement
C. to make something completely certain
D. unrealistic dreams or plans
Correct Answer: B
“Strike a bargain” means to reach an agreement. Example: The two parties finally struck a bargain. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.
Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom/phrase “Set one's teeth on edge”?
A. an obstacle that prevents progress
B. honest and just treatment or conduct
C. to irritate or annoy greatly
D. to eat a great deal
Correct Answer: C
“Set one's teeth on edge” means to irritate or annoy greatly. Example: The screeching sound set my teeth on edge. Exam tip: Remember the core sense of the expression rather than its literal words.