Idiomatic Meaning in Another Form
About this practice test
Practise C2 Use of English through constrained sentence rewrites. Build accuracy with idiomatic reformulation and retained scope and connotation.
What you’ll practice
Grammar and vocabulary
Choose forms and words that work together.
Meaning in context
Follow meaning across sentences and texts.
Accurate expression
Use natural phrases and sentence patterns.
What to expect:
10 questions with explanations to review after submission.
Study the questions and tasks
Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.
- Practice level
- C2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.
- Question formats
- Sentence transformation
How to approach this practice
Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.
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Question 1 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word lie without changing it. The evidence shows that the allegation is false. The evidence gives ___ the allegation.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- the lie to
Give the lie to means show a claim to be false.
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Question 2 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word scrutiny without changing it. The explanation fails under close examination. The explanation does not ___ .
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- stand up to scrutiny
Stand up to scrutiny means withstand careful examination.
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Question 3 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word reserved without changing it. The committee postponed stating its judgement. The committee ___ .
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- reserved judgement / reserved judgment
Reserve judgement means withhold an evaluation for the time being.
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Question 4 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word desired without changing it. The response has significant shortcomings. The response leaves ___ .
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- much to be desired
Leave much to be desired means be substantially unsatisfactory.
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Question 5 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word goalposts without changing it. The parties changed the agreed requirements mid-process. The parties ___ .
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- moved the goalposts
Move the goalposts means change requirements after the process has begun.
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Question 6 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word powder without changing it. The committee retained its ability to act later. The committee kept ___ .
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- its powder dry
Keep one's powder dry means hold resources or action in reserve.
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Question 7 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word line without changing it. The director treated the dispute as finished. The director drew ___ the dispute.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- a line under
Draw a line under means close a past issue.
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Question 8 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word lip without changing it. The institution expressed support for scrutiny but did not act on it. The institution paid ___ scrutiny.
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- lip service to
Pay lip service to means express support without corresponding action.
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Question 9 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word thread without changing it. The agreement is very close to collapse. The agreement is hanging ___ .
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- by a thread
Hang by a thread means be highly precarious, rather than already collapsed.
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Question 10 · Sentence transformation
Rewrite or complete the second sentence as instructed, keeping the same meaning unless the task asks you to change it.
Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. Use the word punches without changing it. The report criticises directly without softening its judgement. The report pulls ___ .
Check answers and explanations
- Accepted answers
- no punches
Pull no punches means express criticism forcefully and directly.
What to review next
Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.
A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.