CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “in trouble or facing criticism”?
A. It takes two to tango
B. A white elephant
C. Leave no stone unturned
D. In hot water
Correct Answer: D
“In hot water” means in trouble or facing criticism. Example: He is in hot water for missing the deadline.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Go the extra mile”?
A. a subject that causes disagreement or argument
B. to manage expenses with the available income
C. to make more effort than is expected
D. to avoid saying what one really means
Correct Answer: C
“Go the extra mile” means to make more effort than is expected. Example: The teacher went the extra mile to help weak students.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “He got cold feet before the interview.”, what does the idiom “Get cold feet” mean?
A. to criticize or scold someone for a fault
B. to become nervous and back out of something
C. to take attention or credit away from someone
D. alert, competent, and quick to understand or act
Correct Answer: B
“Get cold feet” means to become nervous and back out of something. Example: He got cold feet before the interview.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Cut corners”?
A. to do something cheaply or carelessly by skipping proper steps
B. to have just enough money to cover basic expenses
C. to take on more work or responsibility than one can handle
D. a costly possession or project that is useless or burdensome
Correct Answer: A
“Cut corners” means to do something cheaply or carelessly by skipping proper steps. Example: The contractor cut corners and used poor materials.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “By the skin of your teeth”?
A. to get directly to the main point
B. to join a popular trend or activity
C. to make more effort than is expected
D. only just; by a very narrow margin
Correct Answer: D
“By the skin of your teeth” means only just; by a very narrow margin. Example: He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Do not burn bridges when leaving your old job.”, what does the idiom “Burn bridges” mean?
A. a very small amount compared with what is needed
B. the advantages of two different situations at the same time
C. to destroy relationships or options in a way that makes return difficult
D. a costly possession or project that is useless or burdensome
Correct Answer: C
“Burn bridges” means to destroy relationships or options in a way that makes return difficult. Example: Do not burn bridges when leaving your old job.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Back to square one”?
A. both sides are responsible for a situation or conflict
B. to return to the starting point after a failed attempt
C. to begin behaving in a better or more responsible way
D. a friend who is loyal only when things are going well
Correct Answer: B
“Back to square one” means to return to the starting point after a failed attempt. Example: The plan failed, so we are back to square one.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “a lot of anger or excitement about a trivial matter”?
A. A storm in a teacup
B. Cost an arm and a leg
C. Show the white feather
D. Leave no stone unturned
Correct Answer: A
“A storm in a teacup” means a lot of anger or excitement about a trivial matter. Example: The argument over seating was just a storm in a teacup.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Barking up the wrong tree”?
A. someone dependent on others cannot be overly selective
B. what people do matters more than what they say
C. to postpone an invitation or plan until another time
D. pursuing the wrong course or blaming the wrong person
Correct Answer: D
“Barking up the wrong tree” means pursuing the wrong course or blaming the wrong person. Example: If you think I broke the window, you are barking up the wrong tree.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Add fuel to the fire”?
A. to spoil someone's enjoyment or enthusiasm
B. to begin a journey or leave
C. to make a bad situation worse
D. free from responsibility, blame, or difficulty
Correct Answer: C
“Add fuel to the fire” means to make a bad situation worse. Example: His rude remarks added fuel to the fire.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “The ball is in your court”?
A. pursuing the wrong course or blaming the wrong person
B. it is your turn or responsibility to take action
C. someone dependent on others cannot be overly selective
D. to be upset about something that cannot be changed
Correct Answer: B
“The ball is in your court” means it is your turn or responsibility to take action. Example: I have made my offer; now the ball is in your court.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “Do not worry; I was only pulling your leg.”, what does the idiom “Pull someone's leg” mean?
A. to joke with or tease someone
B. to say something embarrassing or inappropriate
C. to behave cowardly or show fear
D. remain cheerful and confident during difficulty
Correct Answer: A
“Pull someone's leg” means to joke with or tease someone. Example: Do not worry; I was only pulling your leg.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “On cloud nine”?
A. good luck
B. very rarely
C. immediately and without hesitation
D. extremely happy
Correct Answer: D
“On cloud nine” means extremely happy. Example: She was on cloud nine after winning the scholarship.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
Which idiom means “to achieve two objectives with one action”?
A. Bring home the bacon
B. Bite the bullet
C. Kill two birds with one stone
D. Give someone the benefit of the doubt
Correct Answer: C
“Kill two birds with one stone” means to achieve two objectives with one action. Example: By cycling to work, he saves money and exercises, killing two birds with one stone.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Cry over spilt milk”?
A. a person who is greatly loved or cherished
B. to be upset about something that cannot be changed
C. to believe someone may be telling the truth despite uncertainty
D. to have just enough money to cover basic expenses
Correct Answer: B
“Cry over spilt milk” means to be upset about something that cannot be changed. Example: There is no use crying over spilt milk.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “She burned the midnight oil before the final exam.”, what does the idiom “Burn the midnight oil” mean?
A. to work or study late into the night
B. in a hurry to finish before a deadline
C. there is something positive in every difficult situation
D. to make more effort than is expected
Correct Answer: A
“Burn the midnight oil” means to work or study late into the night. Example: She burned the midnight oil before the final exam.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Bite the bullet”?
A. to become nervous and back out of something
B. to stop working on something for the day
C. to work or study late into the night
D. to face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely
Correct Answer: D
“Bite the bullet” means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely. Example: He decided to bite the bullet and undergo the surgery.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Let the cat out of the bag”?
A. to make every possible effort
B. in trouble or facing criticism
C. to reveal a secret accidentally
D. something very easy to do
Correct Answer: C
“Let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret accidentally. Example: Sara let the cat out of the bag about the gift.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Idioms
In the sentence “We have done enough work; let us call it a day.”, what does the idiom “Call it a day” mean?
A. said when the person being discussed unexpectedly appears
B. to stop working on something for the day
C. to face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely
D. to take attention or credit away from someone
Correct Answer: B
“Call it a day” means to stop working on something for the day. Example: We have done enough work; let us call it a day.
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Idioms
What is the meaning of the idiom “Beat around the bush”?
A. to avoid saying what one really means
B. there is something positive in every difficult situation
C. a person who is greatly loved or cherished
D. to become nervous and back out of something
Correct Answer: A
“Beat around the bush” means to avoid saying what one really means. Example: Stop beating around the bush and answer the question.