CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "bring back"?
A. become ill with
B. escape punishment for
C. return something or cause a memory to return
D. say goodbye to someone departing
Correct Answer: C
The phrasal verb "bring back" commonly means return something or cause a memory to return.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "break up"?
A. leave a hotel or examine
B. end a relationship or disperse
C. make progress or become successful
D. connect by telephone or cause to undergo
Correct Answer: B
The phrasal verb "break up" commonly means end a relationship or disperse.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "break into"?
A. enter a building illegally
B. register on arrival
C. communicate successfully
D. propose
Correct Answer: A
The phrasal verb "break into" commonly means enter a building illegally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "break in"?
A. reach the same level or position as
B. fail to happen
C. save or reserve for later
D. enter by force or interrupt
Correct Answer: D
The phrasal verb "break in" commonly means enter by force or interrupt.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "blow up"?
A. visit or formally request someone to act
B. be deceived by or become attracted to
C. explode or enlarge
D. communicate effectively
Correct Answer: C
The phrasal verb "blow up" commonly means explode or enlarge.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "back up"?
A. require or demand
B. support or make a copy for security
C. fail to keep pace
D. recover from illness or difficulty
Correct Answer: B
The phrasal verb "back up" commonly means support or make a copy for security.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "ask for"?
A. request
B. improve one's knowledge of something already learned
C. wear formal or special clothes
D. demolish or lower
Correct Answer: A
The phrasal verb "ask for" commonly means request.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "ask after"?
A. move to an earlier date or present for consideration
B. become gradually less intense
C. repay
D. inquire about someone's health or well-being
Correct Answer: D
The phrasal verb "ask after" commonly means inquire about someone's health or well-being.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "give a wide berth".
A. people of similar character or interests
B. be extremely busy
C. avoid or keep well away from
D. suspect that something is wrong
Correct Answer: C
"give a wide berth" is an idiomatic expression meaning avoid or keep well away from.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cut to the quick".
A. irrelevant to the matter being discussed
B. hurt someone's feelings deeply
C. be involved in many activities, often interfering
D. show cowardice
Correct Answer: B
"cut to the quick" is an idiomatic expression meaning hurt someone's feelings deeply.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "come rain or shine".
A. regardless of circumstances
B. an easy and pleasant situation
C. deteriorate badly
D. escape from danger or punishment
Correct Answer: A
"come rain or shine" is an idiomatic expression meaning regardless of circumstances.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "bring home to".
A. suffer the main force or impact of something
B. speak angrily and frankly to someone
C. make someone's distress worse
D. make someone realize clearly
Correct Answer: D
"bring home to" is an idiomatic expression meaning make someone realize clearly.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "break a lance with".
A. with all one's belongings
B. from one place or person to another without success
C. enter into an argument or contest with
D. perform well when facing a difficult challenge
Correct Answer: C
"break a lance with" is an idiomatic expression meaning enter into an argument or contest with.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "blue blood".
A. completely puzzled or distressed about what to do
B. aristocratic birth
C. an achievement to be proud of
D. ordinary members of an organization
Correct Answer: B
"blue blood" is an idiomatic expression meaning aristocratic birth.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "black sheep".
A. a disreputable member of a family or group
B. in a state of bitter hostility
C. admit that something one said was wrong
D. rain very heavily
Correct Answer: A
"black sheep" is an idiomatic expression meaning a disreputable member of a family or group.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "below the belt".
A. unable to know what to do or say
B. a person who prevents others using something they do not use themselves
C. take a firm stand
D. unfair or improper
Correct Answer: D
"below the belt" is an idiomatic expression meaning unfair or improper.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "at cross purposes".
A. a person who is especially loved or valued
B. a rule or law that exists formally but is no longer enforced
C. misunderstanding each other's intentions
D. calm a difficult or tense situation
Correct Answer: C
"at cross purposes" is an idiomatic expression meaning misunderstanding each other's intentions.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "at arm's length".
A. a private reason or selfish motive for involvement
B. at a distance, especially to avoid close involvement
C. insincere expressions of sorrow
D. careful about small amounts but wasteful about larger ones
Correct Answer: B
"at arm's length" is an idiomatic expression meaning at a distance, especially to avoid close involvement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "all at sea".
A. confused and uncertain
B. make a bad situation worse
C. meet with disaster or failure
D. pay an excessively high price
Correct Answer: A
"all at sea" is an idiomatic expression meaning confused and uncertain.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "above board".
A. avoid or keep well away from
B. offer something valuable to people unable to appreciate it
C. something supposedly secret but widely known
D. honest and open
Correct Answer: D
"above board" is an idiomatic expression meaning honest and open.