CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In deep water”?
A. in serious trouble or difficulty
B. to annoy or irritate someone
C. to dishonestly alter financial records
D. something extremely difficult to find
Correct Answer: A
“In deep water” means in serious trouble or difficulty. Example: The company is in deep water because of its debts.
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Idioms
In the sentence “The crime was committed in cold blood.”, what does the idiom “In cold blood” mean?
A. to be logical, reasonable, or valid
B. deliberately and without emotion or mercy
C. to be extremely frightened or anxious
D. to save money for future difficulties
Correct Answer: B
“In cold blood” means deliberately and without emotion or mercy. Example: The crime was committed in cold blood.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In a tight corner”?
A. to reveal one's real character or intentions
B. to reduce someone's confidence, enthusiasm, or advantage
C. in a difficult situation with few choices
D. to come to nothing or fail completely
Correct Answer: C
“In a tight corner” means in a difficult situation with few choices. Example: The sudden expenses put the family in a tight corner.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “in a difficult or awkward situation”?
A. Carry weight
B. Leave in the lurch
C. A fishy story
D. In a fix
Correct Answer: D
“In a fix” means in a difficult or awkward situation. Example: I am in a fix because I lost my keys.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “His explanation does not hold water.”, what does the idiom “Hold water” mean?
A. to be logical, reasonable, or valid
B. to be regarded favorably by someone
C. something officially secret but widely known
D. to do something innovative or pioneering
Correct Answer: A
“Hold water” means to be logical, reasonable, or valid. Example: His explanation does not hold water.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Hit below the belt”?
A. to continue working until one's death
B. to act unfairly or cruelly
C. to become independent and self-reliant
D. to take a dangerous risk
Correct Answer: B
“Hit below the belt” means to act unfairly or cruelly. Example: Bringing up his family problems was hitting below the belt.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Have one's hands full”?
A. to deteriorate badly
B. to hurt someone's feelings deeply
C. to be extremely busy
D. very calm and composed
Correct Answer: C
“Have one's hands full” means to be extremely busy. Example: With three deadlines this week, I have my hands full.
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Idioms
In the sentence “She seems to have a finger in every pie at the office.”, what does the idiom “Have a finger in every pie” mean?
A. trouble or conflict appears likely to happen soon
B. to speak foolishly or without knowing the facts
C. hostility or ill feeling between people or groups
D. to be involved in many activities or matters
Correct Answer: D
“Have a finger in every pie” means to be involved in many activities or matters. Example: She seems to have a finger in every pie at the office.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Hard and fast rule”?
A. a strict rule that cannot easily be changed
B. to use influence or connections to achieve something
C. slightly unwell, annoyed, or not feeling one's usual self
D. to obey rules or conform to expected standards
Correct Answer: A
“Hard and fast rule” means a strict rule that cannot easily be changed. Example: There is no hard and fast rule about the order of these sections.
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Idioms
Which idiom means “working very closely together, often secretly or dishonestly”?
A. Be on the mend
B. Hand in glove
C. Cast pearls before swine
D. In low spirits
Correct Answer: B
“Hand in glove” means working very closely together, often secretly or dishonestly. Example: The smugglers were working hand in glove with corrupt officials.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Green with envy”?
A. to have influence or importance
B. in strong disagreement
C. extremely jealous
D. honest, open, and legitimate
Correct Answer: C
“Green with envy” means extremely jealous. Example: He was green with envy when his colleague was promoted.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He tried to grease the official's palm.”, what does the idiom “Grease someone's palm” mean?
A. very cheerful and lively
B. to deteriorate badly
C. to argue or disagree strongly
D. to bribe someone
Correct Answer: D
“Grease someone's palm” means to bribe someone. Example: He tried to grease the official's palm.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Golden opportunity”?
A. an excellent chance to achieve something
B. over a long period of time; eventually
C. to pay an excessively high price
D. something officially secret but widely known
Correct Answer: A
“Golden opportunity” means an excellent chance to achieve something. Example: The scholarship is a golden opportunity for her.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to deteriorate badly”?
A. An open secret
B. Go to the dogs
C. Talk through one's hat
D. In low spirits
Correct Answer: B
“Go to the dogs” means to deteriorate badly. Example: The neglected neighborhood has gone to the dogs.
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Idioms
In the sentence “The weather went from bad to worse.”, what does the idiom “Go from bad to worse” mean?
A. to be extremely busy
B. think carefully before taking action
C. to become increasingly worse
D. honest, open, and legitimate
Correct Answer: C
“Go from bad to worse” means to become increasingly worse. Example: The weather went from bad to worse.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Go against the grain”?
A. to tell someone angrily what one thinks of their behavior
B. a person unsuited to a particular role or environment
C. at the same time or in immediate succession, often inconsistently
D. to be contrary to one's natural inclination or accepted practice
Correct Answer: D
“Go against the grain” means to be contrary to one's natural inclination or accepted practice. Example: Lying goes against the grain for her.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Give someone a hand”?
A. to help someone
B. think carefully before taking action
C. very calm and composed
D. unharmed and secure
Correct Answer: A
“Give someone a hand” means to help someone. Example: Can you give me a hand with these boxes?
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Idioms
In the sentence “A good partnership requires give and take.”, what does the idiom “Give and take” mean?
A. to bribe someone
B. mutual compromise or exchange
C. to annoy or irritate someone
D. unharmed and secure
Correct Answer: B
“Give and take” means mutual compromise or exchange. Example: A good partnership requires give and take.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Get the hang of”?
A. to work hard and make a determined effort
B. to survive a difficult period or crisis
C. to learn how to do or use something
D. to punish or hold someone accountable for wrongdoing
Correct Answer: C
“Get the hang of” means to learn how to do or use something. Example: It took a week to get the hang of the new software.
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Idioms
Which idiom means “to get into trouble or a difficult situation”?
A. Have one's heart in one's mouth
B. A close shave
C. A square peg in a round hole
D. Get into a scrape
Correct Answer: D
“Get into a scrape” means to get into trouble or a difficult situation. Example: He got into a scrape after ignoring the regulations.