CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to suspect that something is wrong or dishonest”?
A. All ears
B. Hit the nail on the head
C. Sit on the fence
D. Smell a rat
Correct Answer: D
“Smell a rat” means to suspect that something is wrong or dishonest. Example: I smell a rat; the figures do not match.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Red-letter day”?
A. to have no influence or effect
B. in a risky or dangerous situation
C. a very important or memorable day
D. to admit defeat or give up
Correct Answer: C
“Red-letter day” means a very important or memorable day. Example: Graduation day was a red-letter day in her life.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Buying furniture before renting a house is putting the cart before the horse.”, what does the idiom “Put the cart before the horse” mean?
A. to join a popular trend or activity
B. to do things in the wrong order
C. to avoid becoming too close or friendly
D. to avoid saying what one really means
Correct Answer: B
“Put the cart before the horse” means to do things in the wrong order. Example: Buying furniture before renting a house is putting the cart before the horse.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “On tenterhooks”?
A. in a state of nervous suspense
B. to raise a false alarm repeatedly
C. to earn money for a household
D. to have no influence or effect
Correct Answer: A
“On tenterhooks” means in a state of nervous suspense. Example: We were on tenterhooks waiting for the result.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Not my cup of tea”?
A. to take attention or credit away from someone
B. to set a limit on what is acceptable
C. alert, competent, and quick to understand or act
D. not something one likes or is interested in
Correct Answer: D
“Not my cup of tea” means not something one likes or is interested in. Example: Horror movies are not my cup of tea.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “It was a minor error; do not make a mountain out of a molehill.”, what does the idiom “Make a mountain out of a molehill” mean?
A. to remain persistent despite difficulty
B. to make every possible effort
C. to exaggerate a small problem
D. very common and not special
Correct Answer: C
“Make a mountain out of a molehill” means to exaggerate a small problem. Example: It was a minor error; do not make a mountain out of a molehill.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Keep the wolf from the door”?
A. what people do matters more than what they say
B. to earn enough to avoid hunger or serious financial hardship
C. to risk everything on a single plan or opportunity
D. to return to the starting point after a failed attempt
Correct Answer: B
“Keep the wolf from the door” means to earn enough to avoid hunger or serious financial hardship. Example: He took temporary work to keep the wolf from the door.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “just before it is too late”?
A. In the nick of time
B. Throw in the towel
C. Easy does it
D. On tenterhooks
Correct Answer: A
“In the nick of time” means just before it is too late. Example: The firefighters arrived in the nick of time.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “In a nutshell”?
A. very common and not special
B. to reveal a secret accidentally
C. in trouble or facing criticism
D. in a few words; briefly
Correct Answer: D
“In a nutshell” means in a few words; briefly. Example: In a nutshell, the project needs more time and money.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Have an axe to grind”?
A. to argue the opposite side in order to test an idea
B. the advantages of two different situations at the same time
C. to have a selfish reason or hidden personal interest in an issue
D. to return to the starting point after a failed attempt
Correct Answer: C
“Have an axe to grind” means to have a selfish reason or hidden personal interest in an issue. Example: His criticism is not neutral; he has an axe to grind.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Give the cold shoulder”?
A. to leave without permission or without saying goodbye
B. to deliberately ignore or treat someone unfriendly
C. to make more effort than is expected
D. to end a quarrel and make peace
Correct Answer: B
“Give the cold shoulder” means to deliberately ignore or treat someone unfriendly. Example: She gave him the cold shoulder after their argument.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After losing his job, he lived from hand to mouth.”, what does the idiom “From hand to mouth” mean?
A. living with only enough money or food for immediate needs
B. to risk everything on a single plan or opportunity
C. a person who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation
D. to deal with a difficult situation directly and decisively
Correct Answer: A
“From hand to mouth” means living with only enough money or food for immediate needs. Example: After losing his job, he lived from hand to mouth.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Fish out of water”?
A. in a hurry to finish before a deadline
B. to leave without permission or without saying goodbye
C. someone dependent on others cannot be overly selective
D. a person who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation
Correct Answer: D
“Fish out of water” means a person who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation. Example: At the formal dinner, he felt like a fish out of water.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “an achievement to be proud of”?
A. Break a leg
B. Break even
C. Feather in one's cap
D. In the same boat
Correct Answer: C
“Feather in one's cap” means an achievement to be proud of. Example: Winning the national award was a feather in her cap.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Cut no ice”?
A. to admit defeat or give up
B. to have no influence or effect
C. in a state of nervous suspense
D. an achievement to be proud of
Correct Answer: B
“Cut no ice” means to have no influence or effect. Example: His excuses cut no ice with the principal.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Nobody believed his cock and bull story about the missing files.”, what does the idiom “Cock and bull story” mean?
A. an unbelievable or absurd story
B. to show your emotions openly
C. to wait and be patient
D. regardless of difficulties or circumstances
Correct Answer: A
“Cock and bull story” means an unbelievable or absurd story. Example: Nobody believed his cock and bull story about the missing files.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Caught between two stools”?
A. to be upset about something that cannot be changed
B. to earn enough to avoid hunger or serious financial hardship
C. a lot of anger or excitement about a trivial matter
D. unable to choose between two alternatives and losing both advantages
Correct Answer: D
“Caught between two stools” means unable to choose between two alternatives and losing both advantages. Example: By trying to satisfy both sides, he was caught between two stools.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Bury the hatchet”?
A. to get directly to the main point
B. to deliberately ignore something wrong or unpleasant
C. to end a quarrel and make peace
D. to achieve two objectives with one action
Correct Answer: C
“Bury the hatchet” means to end a quarrel and make peace. Example: The two rivals finally buried the hatchet.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The agreement was signed at the eleventh hour.”, what does the idiom “At the eleventh hour” mean?
A. a pointless or hopeless search
B. at the last possible moment
C. caught while committing a wrongdoing
D. to show your emotions openly
Correct Answer: B
“At the eleventh hour” means at the last possible moment. Example: The agreement was signed at the eleventh hour.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “A leopard can't change its spots”?
A. a person's basic nature is unlikely to change
B. to face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely
C. to have a less important or subordinate role
D. to criticize or scold someone for a fault
Correct Answer: A
“A leopard can't change its spots” means a person's basic nature is unlikely to change. Example: He promised to change, but some say a leopard cannot change its spots.