CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "keep body and soul together"?
A. unexpectedly
B. refuse to listen
C. earn enough to survive
D. in trouble
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "keep body and soul together" means earn enough to survive. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "keep an eye on"?
A. suddenly and without planning
B. watch or monitor carefully
C. during both good and bad times
D. accidentally reveal a secret or plan
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "keep an eye on" means watch or monitor carefully. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "in the long run"?
A. over a long period of time
B. very rarely
C. the final problem that makes a situation unbearable
D. deal with a problem when it actually arises
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "in the long run" means over a long period of time. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "in black and white"?
A. stop something at an early stage
B. treat something with skepticism
C. reveal or make known
D. in written or printed form
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "in black and white" means in written or printed form. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "hit the nail on the head"?
A. exaggerate a small problem
B. reveal a secret
C. describe or identify something exactly
D. do something innovative or pioneering
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "hit the nail on the head" means describe or identify something exactly. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "go the extra mile"?
A. manage expenses within one's income
B. make more effort than is normally expected
C. avoid choosing between alternatives
D. take on more responsibility than one can handle
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "go the extra mile" means make more effort than is normally expected. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "give someone the benefit of the doubt"?
A. choose to believe someone despite uncertainty
B. make every possible effort
C. agree completely
D. pursue the wrong course or blame the wrong person
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "give someone the benefit of the doubt" means choose to believe someone despite uncertainty. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "get cold feet"?
A. earn enough to survive
B. a very important or memorable day
C. in strong disagreement
D. become nervous and lose courage
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "get cold feet" means become nervous and lose courage. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "fair and square"?
A. watch or monitor carefully
B. understand an implied meaning
C. honestly and according to the rules
D. very successfully
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "fair and square" means honestly and according to the rules. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "face the music"?
A. over a long period of time
B. accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions
C. do things in the wrong order
D. show emotions openly
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "face the music" means accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "draw the line"?
A. set a limit beyond which one will not go
B. in written or printed form
C. take a dangerous risk
D. very angry and protesting
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "draw the line" means set a limit beyond which one will not go. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cut corners"?
A. describe or identify something exactly
B. an essential or integral part
C. slightly ill
D. do something cheaply or carelessly by avoiding proper procedures
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "cut corners" means do something cheaply or carelessly by avoiding proper procedures. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cut a sorry figure"?
A. make more effort than is normally expected
B. unexpectedly
C. make a poor or embarrassing impression
D. refuse to listen
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "cut a sorry figure" means make a poor or embarrassing impression. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "cry over spilt milk"?
A. choose to believe someone despite uncertainty
B. regret something that cannot be changed
C. suddenly and without planning
D. during both good and bad times
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "cry over spilt milk" means regret something that cannot be changed. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "castles in the air"?
A. unrealistic dreams or plans
B. become nervous and lose courage
C. very rarely
D. the final problem that makes a situation unbearable
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "castles in the air" means unrealistic dreams or plans. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "carry the day"?
A. honestly and according to the rules
B. stop something at an early stage
C. treat something with skepticism
D. win or succeed
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "carry the day" means win or succeed. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "call a spade a spade"?
A. accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions
B. exaggerate a small problem
C. speak plainly and directly
D. reveal a secret
Correct Answer: C
The idiomatic phrase "call a spade a spade" means speak plainly and directly. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "by leaps and bounds"?
A. set a limit beyond which one will not go
B. very rapidly
C. manage expenses within one's income
D. avoid choosing between alternatives
Correct Answer: B
The idiomatic phrase "by leaps and bounds" means very rapidly. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "by and large"?
A. generally or on the whole
B. do something cheaply or carelessly by avoiding proper procedures
C. make every possible effort
D. agree completely
Correct Answer: A
The idiomatic phrase "by and large" means generally or on the whole. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the meaning of the idiomatic phrase "burn the midnight oil"?
A. make a poor or embarrassing impression
B. earn enough to survive
C. a very important or memorable day
D. work or study late into the night
Correct Answer: D
The idiomatic phrase "burn the midnight oil" means work or study late into the night. It should be understood figuratively rather than literally.