CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "smell a rat".
A. discuss private disputes publicly
B. aristocratic birth
C. suspect that something is wrong
D. admit that something one said was wrong
Correct Answer: C
"smell a rat" is an idiomatic expression meaning suspect that something is wrong.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "show the white feather".
A. reverse a situation to gain advantage
B. show cowardice
C. a disreputable member of a family or group
D. a person who prevents others using something they do not use themselves
Correct Answer: B
"show the white feather" is an idiomatic expression meaning show cowardice.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "save one's skin".
A. escape from danger or punishment
B. with all possible effort and determination
C. unfair or improper
D. a rule or law that exists formally but is no longer enforced
Correct Answer: A
"save one's skin" is an idiomatic expression meaning escape from danger or punishment.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rub salt into the wound".
A. admit defeat and stop trying
B. misunderstanding each other's intentions
C. insincere expressions of sorrow
D. make someone's distress worse
Correct Answer: D
"rub salt into the wound" is an idiomatic expression meaning make someone's distress worse.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rise to the occasion".
A. discourage enthusiasm
B. at a distance, especially to avoid close involvement
C. perform well when facing a difficult challenge
D. meet with disaster or failure
Correct Answer: C
"rise to the occasion" is an idiomatic expression meaning perform well when facing a difficult challenge.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rank and file".
A. the advantages and disadvantages
B. ordinary members of an organization
C. confused and uncertain
D. offer something valuable to people unable to appreciate it
Correct Answer: B
"rank and file" is an idiomatic expression meaning ordinary members of an organization.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "rain cats and dogs".
A. rain very heavily
B. run away
C. honest and open
D. by any possible means
Correct Answer: A
"rain cats and dogs" is an idiomatic expression meaning rain very heavily.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "put one's foot down".
A. leave without permission
B. a secretly treacherous person
C. remain silent
D. take a firm stand
Correct Answer: D
"put one's foot down" is an idiomatic expression meaning take a firm stand.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "pour oil on troubled waters".
A. take attention or credit away from someone
B. a scholar or literary person
C. calm a difficult or tense situation
D. end a quarrel and make peace
Correct Answer: C
"pour oil on troubled waters" is an idiomatic expression meaning calm a difficult or tense situation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "penny wise and pound foolish".
A. insist on formal behavior
B. careful about small amounts but wasteful about larger ones
C. a difficult problem or person to deal with
D. boast about one's own achievements
Correct Answer: B
"penny wise and pound foolish" is an idiomatic expression meaning careful about small amounts but wasteful about larger ones.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "pay through the nose".
A. pay an excessively high price
B. pretended dislike of something one cannot obtain
C. a narrow escape from danger
D. people of similar character or interests
Correct Answer: A
"pay through the nose" is an idiomatic expression meaning pay an excessively high price.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "open secret".
A. suspect that something is wrong
B. competent and deserving of one's position
C. irrelevant to the matter being discussed
D. something supposedly secret but widely known
Correct Answer: D
"open secret" is an idiomatic expression meaning something supposedly secret but widely known.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "on thin ice".
A. show cowardice
B. everything possible or available
C. in a risky or delicate situation
D. an easy and pleasant situation
Correct Answer: C
"on thin ice" is an idiomatic expression meaning in a risky or delicate situation.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "off and on".
A. escape from danger or punishment
B. occasionally or intermittently
C. a costly possession that is difficult or useless to maintain
D. suffer the main force or impact of something
Correct Answer: B
"off and on" is an idiomatic expression meaning occasionally or intermittently.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "move heaven and earth".
A. make every possible effort
B. make someone's distress worse
C. survive a difficult period
D. with all one's belongings
Correct Answer: A
"move heaven and earth" is an idiomatic expression meaning make every possible effort.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "meet someone halfway".
A. perform well when facing a difficult challenge
B. a past matter that is no longer important
C. completely puzzled or distressed about what to do
D. make a compromise
Correct Answer: D
"meet someone halfway" is an idiomatic expression meaning make a compromise.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "make a clean breast of".
A. ordinary members of an organization
B. discuss private disputes publicly
C. confess fully
D. in a state of bitter hostility
Correct Answer: C
"make a clean breast of" is an idiomatic expression meaning confess fully.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "lion's share".
A. rain very heavily
B. the largest part
C. reverse a situation to gain advantage
D. unable to know what to do or say
Correct Answer: B
"lion's share" is an idiomatic expression meaning the largest part.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "know the ropes".
A. understand the procedures or details of a task
B. take a firm stand
C. with all possible effort and determination
D. a person who is especially loved or valued
Correct Answer: A
"know the ropes" is an idiomatic expression meaning understand the procedures or details of a task.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct meaning of the idiomatic phrase "kill two birds with one stone".
A. calm a difficult or tense situation
B. admit defeat and stop trying
C. a private reason or selfish motive for involvement
D. achieve two aims with one action
Correct Answer: D
"kill two birds with one stone" is an idiomatic expression meaning achieve two aims with one action.