CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Small hours”?
A. the very early hours after midnight
B. in a difficult or awkward situation
C. to lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum
D. to admit one's error and apologize
Correct Answer: A
“Small hours” means the very early hours after midnight. Example: They worked into the small hours.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He showed his true colors when the pressure increased.”, what does the idiom “Show one's true colors” mean?
A. to be very angry and strongly protesting
B. to reveal one's real character or intentions
C. when a situation becomes difficult or critical
D. to fail to have the intended effect
Correct Answer: B
“Show one's true colors” means to reveal one's real character or intentions. Example: He showed his true colors when the pressure increased.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Set one's heart on”?
A. in serious trouble or difficulty
B. to make every possible effort
C. to want something very much
D. poorly dressed or lacking money
Correct Answer: C
“Set one's heart on” means to want something very much. Example: She has set her heart on studying medicine.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to understand or accept something after a period of confusion”?
A. Donkey's years
B. Come to grips with
C. Change hands
D. See the light
Correct Answer: D
“See the light” means to understand or accept something after a period of confusion. Example: He finally saw the light and changed his approach.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The hikers returned safe and sound.”, what does the idiom “Safe and sound” mean?
A. unharmed and secure
B. occasionally or intermittently
C. sad or discouraged
D. with all one's belongings
Correct Answer: A
“Safe and sound” means unharmed and secure. Example: The hikers returned safe and sound.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Run out of steam”?
A. in a difficult or awkward situation
B. to lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum
C. to shift responsibility to someone else
D. to be logical, reasonable, or valid
Correct Answer: B
“Run out of steam” means to lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum. Example: The campaign ran out of steam after a strong start.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Rub salt into the wound”?
A. to pass from one owner to another
B. to abandon someone in a difficult situation
C. to make someone's pain or embarrassment worse
D. to identify the exact cause or problem
Correct Answer: C
“Rub salt into the wound” means to make someone's pain or embarrassment worse. Example: Reminding him of the defeat rubbed salt into the wound.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After winning the award, she refused to rest on her laurels.”, what does the idiom “Rest on one's laurels” mean?
A. in a situation one enjoys and is naturally good at
B. a person with a lot of experience in a particular activity
C. something that is briefly successful but does not last
D. to rely on past achievements instead of continuing to work
Correct Answer: D
“Rest on one's laurels” means to rely on past achievements instead of continuing to work. Example: After winning the award, she refused to rest on her laurels.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Read the riot act”?
A. to give a severe warning or reprimand
B. forced to choose between two difficult alternatives
C. to reveal one's real character or intentions
D. to become less active or less important
Correct Answer: A
“Read the riot act” means to give a severe warning or reprimand. Example: The coach read the riot act to the team after their poor performance.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to work hard and make a determined effort”?
A. In deep water
B. Put one's shoulder to the wheel
C. Donkey's years
D. Cross swords
Correct Answer: B
“Put one's shoulder to the wheel” means to work hard and make a determined effort. Example: If everyone puts a shoulder to the wheel, we can finish today.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Pocket an insult”?
A. to wait for a long time
B. in a difficult or awkward situation
C. to tolerate an insult without reacting
D. something officially secret but widely known
Correct Answer: C
“Pocket an insult” means to tolerate an insult without reacting. Example: For the sake of peace, he pocketed the insult.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Ignoring repeated warnings is playing with fire.”, what does the idiom “Play with fire” mean?
A. to lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum
B. something extremely difficult to find
C. readily available or easily accessible
D. to take a dangerous risk
Correct Answer: D
“Play with fire” means to take a dangerous risk. Example: Ignoring repeated warnings is playing with fire.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Pay through the nose”?
A. to pay an excessively high price
B. to annoy or irritate someone greatly
C. to do something innovative or pioneering
D. completely dead or no longer active
Correct Answer: A
“Pay through the nose” means to pay an excessively high price. Example: We had to pay through the nose for last-minute tickets.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self”?
A. Bring to light
B. Out of sorts
C. Throw cold water on
D. Work like a dog
Correct Answer: B
“Out of sorts” means slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self. Example: She has been out of sorts all morning.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After months without work, he was out at elbows.”, what does the idiom “Out at elbows” mean?
A. completely or in every respect
B. to work hard and continuously
C. poorly dressed or lacking money
D. to make a humorous remark
Correct Answer: C
“Out at elbows” means poorly dressed or lacking money. Example: After months without work, he was out at elbows.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Open a can of worms”?
A. to learn how to do or use something
B. to stop working properly or become chaotic
C. a very small amount compared with what is needed
D. to create a complicated set of new problems
Correct Answer: D
“Open a can of worms” means to create a complicated set of new problems. Example: Changing the contract may open a can of worms.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Once and for all”?
A. finally and permanently
B. with all one's belongings
C. aristocratic or noble birth
D. by any possible means
Correct Answer: A
“Once and for all” means finally and permanently. Example: Let us settle this issue once and for all.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “We decided to visit Murree on the spur of the moment.”, what does the idiom “On the spur of the moment” mean?
A. think carefully before taking action
B. suddenly and without advance planning
C. to make every possible effort
D. to suddenly become very angry
Correct Answer: B
“On the spur of the moment” means suddenly and without advance planning. Example: We decided to visit Murree on the spur of the moment.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “On the horns of a dilemma”?
A. to fail to have the intended effect
B. over a long period of time; eventually
C. forced to choose between two difficult alternatives
D. to discuss the most important practical details
Correct Answer: C
“On the horns of a dilemma” means forced to choose between two difficult alternatives. Example: She was on the horns of a dilemma about whether to resign or stay.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “very anxious or excited while waiting”?
A. Work like a dog
B. Dead as a doornail
C. Get on someone's nerves
D. On pins and needles
Correct Answer: D
“On pins and needles” means very anxious or excited while waiting. Example: We were on pins and needles waiting for the results.