CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "a snake in the grass".
A. hurt someone's feelings deeply
B. by any possible means
C. a secretly treacherous person
D. in a risky or delicate situation
Correct Answer: C
"a snake in the grass" is an idiomatic expression meaning a secretly treacherous person.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "a man of letters".
A. regardless of circumstances
B. a scholar or literary person
C. remain silent
D. occasionally or intermittently
Correct Answer: B
"a man of letters" is an idiomatic expression meaning a scholar or literary person.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "a hard nut to crack".
A. a difficult problem or person to deal with
B. make someone realize clearly
C. end a quarrel and make peace
D. make every possible effort
Correct Answer: A
"a hard nut to crack" is an idiomatic expression meaning a difficult problem or person to deal with.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "a close shave".
A. enter into an argument or contest with
B. boast about one's own achievements
C. make a compromise
D. a narrow escape from danger
Correct Answer: D
"a close shave" is an idiomatic expression meaning a narrow escape from danger.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "worth one's salt".
A. aristocratic birth
B. people of similar character or interests
C. competent and deserving of one's position
D. confess fully
Correct Answer: C
"worth one's salt" is an idiomatic expression meaning competent and deserving of one's position.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "whole nine yards".
A. a disreputable member of a family or group
B. everything possible or available
C. irrelevant to the matter being discussed
D. the largest part
Correct Answer: B
"whole nine yards" is an idiomatic expression meaning everything possible or available.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "white elephant".
A. a costly possession that is difficult or useless to maintain
B. unfair or improper
C. an easy and pleasant situation
D. understand the procedures or details of a task
Correct Answer: A
"white elephant" is an idiomatic expression meaning a costly possession that is difficult or useless to maintain.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "weather the storm".
A. misunderstanding each other's intentions
B. suffer the main force or impact of something
C. achieve two aims with one action
D. survive a difficult period
Correct Answer: D
"weather the storm" is an idiomatic expression meaning survive a difficult period.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "water under the bridge".
A. at a distance, especially to avoid close involvement
B. with all one's belongings
C. a past matter that is no longer important
D. have enough money to avoid hunger or serious poverty
Correct Answer: C
"water under the bridge" is an idiomatic expression meaning a past matter that is no longer important.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "wash one's dirty linen in public".
A. confused and uncertain
B. discuss private disputes publicly
C. completely puzzled or distressed about what to do
D. in the same difficult situation
Correct Answer: B
"wash one's dirty linen in public" is an idiomatic expression meaning discuss private disputes publicly.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "turn the tables".
A. reverse a situation to gain advantage
B. honest and open
C. in a state of bitter hostility
D. very cheerful
Correct Answer: A
"turn the tables" is an idiomatic expression meaning reverse a situation to gain advantage.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "tooth and nail".
A. a secretly treacherous person
B. unable to know what to do or say
C. deliberately and without emotion
D. with all possible effort and determination
Correct Answer: D
"tooth and nail" is an idiomatic expression meaning with all possible effort and determination.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "throw in the towel".
A. a scholar or literary person
B. a person who is especially loved or valued
C. admit defeat and stop trying
D. in a few words
Correct Answer: C
"throw in the towel" is an idiomatic expression meaning admit defeat and stop trying.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "throw cold water on".
A. a difficult problem or person to deal with
B. discourage enthusiasm
C. a private reason or selfish motive for involvement
D. remain silent
Correct Answer: B
"throw cold water on" is an idiomatic expression meaning discourage enthusiasm.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "the pros and cons".
A. the advantages and disadvantages
B. a narrow escape from danger
C. make a bad situation worse
D. be extremely busy
Correct Answer: A
"the pros and cons" is an idiomatic expression meaning the advantages and disadvantages.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "take to one's heels".
A. competent and deserving of one's position
B. avoid or keep well away from
C. be involved in many activities, often interfering
D. run away
Correct Answer: D
"take to one's heels" is an idiomatic expression meaning run away.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "take French leave".
A. everything possible or available
B. hurt someone's feelings deeply
C. leave without permission
D. deteriorate badly
Correct Answer: C
"take French leave" is an idiomatic expression meaning leave without permission.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "steal someone's thunder".
A. a costly possession that is difficult or useless to maintain
B. take attention or credit away from someone
C. regardless of circumstances
D. speak angrily and frankly to someone
Correct Answer: B
"steal someone's thunder" is an idiomatic expression meaning take attention or credit away from someone.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "stand on ceremony".
A. insist on formal behavior
B. survive a difficult period
C. make someone realize clearly
D. from one place or person to another without success
Correct Answer: A
"stand on ceremony" is an idiomatic expression meaning insist on formal behavior.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "sour grapes".
A. a past matter that is no longer important
B. enter into an argument or contest with
C. an achievement to be proud of
D. pretended dislike of something one cannot obtain
Correct Answer: D
"sour grapes" is an idiomatic expression meaning pretended dislike of something one cannot obtain.