Common metaphorical expressions.

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words. For example, "a piece of cake" has nothing to do with cake: it means something very easy. Idiom questions test whether you know the figurative meaning and can use it correctly.

Common question types

• Meaning of an idiom: choose what the expression means.
• Idiom from a meaning: choose the expression that matches a given meaning.
• Idiom in context: choose the idiom that best completes a sentence, or the meaning of one used in a sentence.

Strategies

• Do not read literally: the literal meaning is usually a distractor in the options.
• Use the sentence: the surrounding words often hint at whether the idiom is positive, negative, or neutral.
• Group idioms by theme: many idioms use animals, body parts, colours, weather, or money, which makes them easier to remember.
• Learn them whole:changing a word, such as saying "a slice of cake", usually destroys the meaning.

How to solve questions

1. Read the idiom and the sentence, if one is given.
2. Recall the figurative meaning rather than the literal one.
3. Eliminate options that describe the literal picture.
4. Check that the remaining meaning fits the tone and context of the sentence.