Idioms and Expressions: Civil Service Exam Guide

Idioms and expressions are a regular feature of the Civil Service Exam (CSE), especially in the English grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension sections. Many examinees struggle with this part not because the questions are difficult, but because idioms cannot be understood literally. This guide is designed to help you clearly understand what idioms are, why they matter in the exam, and how to master them effectively.

This article is written in exam-focused English, using explanations, examples, and strategies that match the actual difficulty and style of the Civil Service Exam.

What Are Idioms and Expressions?

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words.
An expression is a commonly used phrase that conveys a specific idea, emotion, or situation, often used in daily or professional communication.

Examples:

• Call it a day → to stop working

• Hit the nail on the head → to be exactly right

• Cut corners → to do something cheaply or carelessly

In the Civil Service Exam, you are tested on whether you understand the intended meaning, not the literal definition.

Why Idioms Matter in the Civil Service Exam

Idioms and expressions appear in multiple sections of the exam:

• Vocabulary questions

• Sentence completion

• Error identification

• Reading comprehension passages

Many CSE questions are designed to test whether you:

• Recognize common idioms

• Understand context

• Avoid literal interpretation

Because idioms are often used in workplace, government, and everyday situations, they are considered essential English skills for civil servants.

Common Types of Idiom Questions in the CSE

Understanding how idioms are tested is just as important as memorizing them.

1. Meaning Identification

You are asked to choose the correct meaning of an idiom used in a sentence.

Example:
The manager decided to call it a day.

Question: What does “call it a day” mean?

2. Sentence Completion

You must select the correct idiom to complete a sentence logically.

Example:
Instead of discussing the issue directly, he kept ________.

Correct answer: beating around the bush

3. Correct Usage

You choose the sentence where the idiom is used correctly.

Example:
Correct: She hit the sack after studying late.

4. Contextual Understanding

Idioms are embedded in reading passages, and you must infer their meaning from context.

High-Frequency Idioms for the Civil Service Exam

Below are idioms that frequently appear in exams and practice materials.

Work and Responsibility Idioms

• Call it a day – stop working

• Go the extra mile – do more than required

• Burn the midnight oil – work or study late at night

• Cut corners – do something cheaply or carelessly

• Pull your weight – do your fair share of work

Example:
Employees are expected to pull their weight in team projects.

Decision-Making and Action Idioms

• Jump the gun – act too soon

• Miss the boat – lose an opportunity

• Take the bull by the horns – face a problem directly

• Go with the flow – accept things as they happen

Example:
He missed the boat by applying after the deadline.

Communication and Understanding Idioms

• Beat around the bush – avoid the main topic

• Hit the nail on the head – say something exactly right

• Read between the lines – understand hidden meaning

• Clear as day – very obvious

Example:
Her explanation was clear as day.

Emotion and Reaction Idioms

• At a loss for words – unable to speak

• Lose one’s temper – become angry

• Keep one’s cool – stay calm

• Take it with a grain of salt – not believe something completely

Example:
I took his promise with a grain of salt.

Money and Value Idioms

• Cost an arm and a leg – very expensive

• Make ends meet – manage financially

• On a tight budget – limited money

Example:
The new equipment cost an arm and a leg.

Idioms Commonly Used in Government and Office Settings

The Civil Service Exam often uses professional contexts. These idioms are especially important:

• By the book – following rules strictly

• Above board – legal and honest

• In the long run – over a long period

• Under the table – illegal or dishonest

Example:
All transactions must be above board.

Common Mistakes Examinees Make

1. Interpreting Idioms Literally

Many wrong answers look logical if you read the words individually.

Example:
Hit the sack does not mean hitting anything.

2. Confusing Similar Idioms

Some idioms look similar but have different meanings.

• Call it a day vs hit the sack

• Cut corners vs go the extra mile

3. Ignoring Context

The same idiom may change meaning depending on the sentence.

Always read the entire sentence before answering.

How to Study Idioms Effectively for the CSE

Study by Theme

Group idioms by category:

• Work

• Money

• Emotions

• Decisions

This helps long-term memory.

Use Example Sentences

Never memorize definitions alone. Always learn idioms in sentences.

Practice Elimination

In multiple-choice questions:

• Remove literal meanings first

• Look for context clues

• Choose the most natural expression

Review Frequently

Short daily reviews are more effective than long study sessions.

Sample Exam-Style Sentences

Understanding comes from exposure. Review sentences like these:

• The supervisor warned us not to jump the gun.

• She went the extra mile to finish the report.

• He was at a loss for words after hearing the decision.

Ask yourself:
“What is happening in the situation?”

Idioms vs Phrasal Verbs in the Exam

Many examinees confuse idioms with phrasal verbs.

• Idioms: meaning cannot be guessed

  • Spill the beans

• Phrasal verbs: meaning often related

  • Give up, carry on

Both appear in the Civil Service Exam, but idioms are more likely to test interpretation.

Final Exam Tips for Idioms and Expressions

• Focus on meaning, not translation

• Learn idioms commonly used in formal and workplace English

• Practice with exam-style questions

• Avoid overthinking—choose the most natural meaning

Mastering idioms can significantly improve your English vocabulary score and overall confidence in the Civil Service Exam.

Problem Sets with Answer Keys

Below are exam-style problem sets designed specifically for the Civil Service Exam (CSE).
The focus is on common English idioms and expressions, testing meaning, context, and correct usage—all frequent question types in the exam.

Problem Set 1: Choose the Correct Meaning

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct meaning of the underlined idiom.

1. The manager decided to call it a day after the long meeting.
   A. Cancel the project
   B. Take a break forever
   C. Stop working for the day
   D. Celebrate success

2. Maria always goes the extra mile to help her coworkers.
   A. Travels far for work
   B. Makes unnecessary efforts
   C. Does more than what is required
   D. Complains about tasks

3. The instructions were clear as day, so everyone understood them.
   A. Very confusing
   B. Extremely obvious
   C. Written during daytime
   D. Poorly explained

4. After hearing the bad news, he was at a loss for words.
   A. Angry
   B. Talkative
   C. Unable to speak
   D. Confident

5. The politician tried to save face after making a mistake.
   A. Hide
   B. Apologize publicly
   C. Maintain dignity
   D. Leave the position

Answer Key – Problem Set 1

1. C

2. C

3. B

4. C

5. C

Problem Set 2: Complete the Sentence

Directions: Choose the idiom that best completes the sentence.

6. We should finish the report now instead of ________.
   A. beating around the bush
   B. breaking the ice
   C. hitting the sack
   D. cutting corners

7. The employee was fired because he tried to ________ during the audit.
   A. pull someone’s leg
   B. cut corners
   C. read between the lines
   D. go with the flow

8. She finally ________ and admitted the truth.
   A. spilled the beans
   B. hit the books
   C. missed the boat
   D. bit the dust

9. Don’t worry—everything will be fine. Just ________.
   A. cost an arm and a leg
   B. go with the flow
   C. add fuel to the fire
   D. jump the gun

10. He didn’t invest early and ________ on the opportunity.
    A. broke the ice
    B. missed the boat
    C. took it with a grain of salt
    D. burned the midnight oil

Answer Key – Problem Set 2

6. A

7. B

8. A

9. B

10. B

Problem Set 3: Identify the Correct Usage

Directions: Choose the sentence where the idiom is used correctly.

A. She hit the sack by arguing loudly in the meeting.
B. He hit the sack after studying late at night.
C. They hit the sack to start a new project.
D. I hit the sack during the conference presentation.

A. The budget cost an arm and a leg because it was cheap.
B. The new phone cost an arm and a leg, so I didn’t buy it.
C. He cost an arm and a leg at the restaurant.
D. She cost an arm and a leg by saving money.

A. He added fuel to the fire by calming everyone down.
B. She added fuel to the fire by spreading rumors.
C. They added fuel to the fire by solving the issue.
D. We added fuel to the fire by apologizing.

Answer Key – Problem Set 3

11. B

12. B

13. B

Problem Set 4: Choose the Best Idiom

Directions: Choose the idiom that best matches the situation.

14. Talking indirectly instead of addressing the issue
    A. Break the ice
    B. Beat around the bush
    C. Hit the nail on the head
    D. Take it easy

15. Studying late into the night
    A. Burn the midnight oil
    B. Hit the sack
    C. Call it a day
    D. Miss the boat

16. Understanding the hidden meaning
    A. Spill the beans
    B. Read between the lines
    C. Cut corners
    D. Jump the gun

Answer Key – Problem Set 4

14. B

15. A

16. B

Problem Set 5: Civil Service Exam–Style Mixed Questions

17. The supervisor told us not to jump the gun, meaning we should not _____.
    A. Celebrate early
    B. Act too soon
    C. Ask questions
    D. Stop working

18. When she said the plan was perfect, I took it with a grain of salt.
    A. Believed it completely
    B. Ignored it
    C. Considered it cautiously
    D. Shared it with others

19. He finally hit the nail on the head with his explanation.
    A. Made a mistake
    B. Spoke too long
    C. Was exactly right
    D. Changed the topic

20. The staff decided to call it a day after finishing the tasks.
    A. Take a vacation
    B. Stop working
    C. Start over
    D. Complain

Answer Key – Problem Set 5

17. B

18. C

19. C

20. B

Final Tip for the Civil Service Exam

When answering idiom questions:

• Focus on context, not literal meaning

• Eliminate choices that use the idiom word-for-word incorrectly

• Remember that CSE idioms often test common workplace and daily expressions

Civil Service Exam Philippines: Complete Preparation and Passing Guide