CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions”?
A. Wrap your head around
B. See eye to eye
C. Nip in the bud
D. Face the music
Correct Answer: D
“Face the music” means to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions. Example: He must face the music after breaking the rules.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Drop in the bucket”?
A. living with only enough money or food for immediate needs
B. I do not know any more than you do
C. a very small amount compared with what is needed
D. a person who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation
Correct Answer: C
“Drop in the bucket” means a very small amount compared with what is needed. Example: The donation was a drop in the bucket compared with the total cost.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I can tolerate mistakes, but I draw the line at dishonesty.”, what does the idiom “Draw the line” mean?
A. to become nervous and back out of something
B. to set a limit on what is acceptable
C. to take attention or credit away from someone
D. to describe or identify something exactly correctly
Correct Answer: B
“Draw the line” means to set a limit on what is acceptable. Example: I can tolerate mistakes, but I draw the line at dishonesty.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Down to earth”?
A. practical, realistic, and unpretentious
B. in private or secretly
C. the largest part of something
D. feeling slightly ill
Correct Answer: A
“Down to earth” means practical, realistic, and unpretentious. Example: Despite his success, he remains down to earth.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Come rain or shine”?
A. do something slowly and carefully
B. very common and not special
C. caught while committing a wrongdoing
D. regardless of difficulties or circumstances
Correct Answer: D
“Come rain or shine” means regardless of difficulties or circumstances. Example: Come rain or shine, he goes for a morning walk.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “The thief was caught red-handed.”, what does the idiom “Caught red-handed” mean?
A. do something slowly and carefully
B. very common and not special
C. caught while committing a wrongdoing
D. the largest part of something
Correct Answer: C
“Caught red-handed” means caught while committing a wrongdoing. Example: The thief was caught red-handed.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Bring home the bacon”?
A. in a state of nervous suspense
B. to earn money for a household
C. to do something extraordinary or remarkable
D. remain cheerful and confident during difficulty
Correct Answer: B
“Bring home the bacon” means to earn money for a household. Example: She works two jobs to bring home the bacon.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to have neither profit nor loss”?
A. Break even
B. Hit the road
C. Actions speak louder than words
D. In the blink of an eye
Correct Answer: A
“Break even” means to have neither profit nor loss. Example: The shop only managed to break even this month.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Blow off steam”?
A. to understand something difficult or complicated
B. remain cheerful and confident during difficulty
C. free from responsibility, blame, or difficulty
D. to release strong emotions or stress
Correct Answer: D
“Blow off steam” means to release strong emotions or stress. Example: He went for a run to blow off steam.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Behind closed doors”?
A. suddenly and unexpectedly
B. to agree fully
C. in private or secretly
D. uncertain or not yet decided
Correct Answer: C
“Behind closed doors” means in private or secretly. Example: The negotiations took place behind closed doors.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Beggars can't be choosers”?
A. to work or study late into the night
B. someone dependent on others cannot be overly selective
C. a person's basic nature is unlikely to change
D. to suffer because of involvement in something risky
Correct Answer: B
“Beggars can't be choosers” means someone dependent on others cannot be overly selective. Example: The room is small, but beggars cannot be choosers.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “After the sudden transfer, the office was at sixes and sevens.”, what does the idiom “At sixes and sevens” mean?
A. in a state of confusion or disorder
B. a subject that causes disagreement or argument
C. to avoid saying what one really means
D. to manage expenses with the available income
Correct Answer: A
“At sixes and sevens” means in a state of confusion or disorder. Example: After the sudden transfer, the office was at sixes and sevens.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “All ears”?
A. to say something embarrassing or inappropriate
B. during both good and bad times
C. to do something extraordinary or remarkable
D. fully attentive and ready to listen
Correct Answer: D
“All ears” means fully attentive and ready to listen. Example: Tell me what happened; I am all ears.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “in a hurry to finish before a deadline”?
A. Put your foot in your mouth
B. From hand to mouth
C. Against the clock
D. Go down in flames
Correct Answer: C
“Against the clock” means in a hurry to finish before a deadline. Example: The team worked against the clock to submit the report.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Actions speak louder than words”?
A. to risk everything on a single plan or opportunity
B. what people do matters more than what they say
C. to deal with a difficult situation directly and decisively
D. a person who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation
Correct Answer: B
“Actions speak louder than words” means what people do matters more than what they say. Example: He promised to help, but actions speak louder than words.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “You look worried—a penny for your thoughts?”, what does the idiom “A penny for your thoughts” mean?
A. a request to know what someone is thinking
B. someone dependent on others cannot be overly selective
C. the final problem that makes a situation unbearable
D. to become nervous and back out of something
Correct Answer: A
“A penny for your thoughts” means a request to know what someone is thinking. Example: You look worried—a penny for your thoughts?
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Whole nine yards”?
A. to avoid choosing between two sides
B. to summarize and omit unnecessary details
C. to behave cowardly or show fear
D. everything possible or the full extent
Correct Answer: D
“Whole nine yards” means everything possible or the full extent. Example: They gave us the whole nine yards: food, transport, and accommodation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “The tip of the iceberg”?
A. to risk everything on a single plan or opportunity
B. the advantages of two different situations at the same time
C. a small visible part of a much larger problem or situation
D. unable to choose between two alternatives and losing both advantages
Correct Answer: C
“The tip of the iceberg” means a small visible part of a much larger problem or situation. Example: These complaints are only the tip of the iceberg.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “I cannot join tonight; can I take a rain check?”, what does the idiom “Take a rain check” mean?
A. to work or study late into the night
B. to postpone an invitation or plan until another time
C. I do not know any more than you do
D. a person who feels uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation
Correct Answer: B
“Take a rain check” means to postpone an invitation or plan until another time. Example: I cannot join tonight; can I take a rain check?
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Speak of the devil”?
A. said when the person being discussed unexpectedly appears
B. to set a limit on what is acceptable
C. to stop working on something for the day
D. to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions
Correct Answer: A
“Speak of the devil” means said when the person being discussed unexpectedly appears. Example: Speak of the devil—there is Ahmed now.