Expressions & Idioms

Question 0

deliver on

Answer 0

Disney’s promise is bigger and better than their competition. Their promise is worth getting excited for. The fact that they over deliver on that promise is a bonus.

Maria has not delivered on the promises given to her mother and still is grabbing the spotlight in a very crude way by shocking people.

Delivering on your promises is doing what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it.

Her second album failed to deliver on the promise of her first.
Here are some specific examples of how delivering on your promises matters in the global marketplace.

A major difference between me and him is that he never delivers on what he promises, but I do.

Question 1

come what may

Answer 1

هر چه پيش آيد خوش آيد

Question 2

get cracking

Answer 2

to get to work. If you want to finish that quilt by Labor Day, you best get cracking. Sit down to your homework and get cracking!

get cracking
to begin working without delay If you plan on growing these flowers from seed, you better get cracking now.; To get started; to get busy.

Question 3

have a certain knack that others lack

Answer 3

We admire and often envy creative problem-solver’s ability and we tend to think of them as being special people, as having a certain knack that others lack.

I don’t know how she can get through all the problems so easily. It seem as if she has a knack that others lack.

Question 4

in a nut shell

Answer 4

In a few words; concisely: Just give me the facts in a nutshell.

Question 5

it figures

Answer 5

It makes sense.; It confirms what one might have guessed.; I’m not surprised. Bob: Tom was the one who broke the window. Bill: It figures. He’s very careless. Ann: Mary was the last one to arrive. Sally: It figures. She’s always late.

Question 6

rushing impulsively ahead into unfamiliar territory

Answer 6

A major difference between novices and experienced travelers is that old-timers expect the unexpected and ready themselves to meet it; whereas, newcomers are rarely prepared as they “rush impulsively ahead into unfamiliar territory”.
Tomorrow he will come back, and he will be very irritated when he finds out you have changed the color of the walls. Ready yourself to meet his irritation.

In order to become successful in marketplace, one has to be able to expect the unexpected.

An example of rushing impulsively ahead into unfamiliar territory is …

Question 7

till my life is through

Answer 7

till I’m alive

Question 8

◻️Dated at 90 milllion years old, the fossils are the earliest evidence of a flying dinosaur.

◻️Dated from 90 milllion years old, the fossils are the earliest evidence of a flying dinosaur.

Answer 8

☑️Dated at 90 milllion years old, the fossils are the earliest evidence of a flying dinosaur.

◻️Dated from 90 milllion years old, the fossils are the earliest evidence of a flying dinosaur.

The participle “dated” idiomatically takes the preposition “at.” The structure dated at [time] gives the age or time of occurrence of something.

Question 9

◻️The teacher provided milk and cookies with the students.

◻️The teacher provided milk and cookies for the students.

Answer 9

◻️The teacher provided milk and cookies with the students.

☑️The teacher provided milk and cookies for the students.

When direct object of the verb “provide” is the things provided, we use the preposition “for” to indicate the recipients. When direct object of the verb “provide” is the recipients, we use the preposition “with” to indicate the provisions. We provide [things] for [people], but we supply [people] with [things].

Question 10

◻️Many doctors have “attributed” miraculous abilities “to” the new medicine.

◻️Many doctors have “attributed” the new medicine “with” miraculous abilities.

Answer 10

☑️Many doctors have attributed miraculous abilities to the new medicine.

◻️Many doctors have attributed the new medicine with miraculous abilities.

The verb “attribute” always has the qualities as its direct object, and the object which has the qualities is the object of the preposition “to.” The preposition “with” is always incorrect with this verb.

Question 11

◻️The media constantly “contrasts” the CEO’s success in business “for” his utter failure in personal life.

◻️The media constantly “contrasts” the CEO’s success in business “with” his utter failure in personal life.

Answer 11

◻️The media constantly “contrasts” the CEO’s success in business “for” his utter failure in personal life.

☑️The media constantly “contrasts” the CEO’s success in business “with” his utter failure in personal life.

The verb “contrast” idiomatically takes the preposition “with”—”to contrast P with Q.” All other prepositions are incorrect.

Question 12

◻️Fascination by the utter simplicity of Relativity’s assumptions strongly informed Einstein’s search for a Unified Field Theory.

◻️Fascination with the utter simplicity of Relativity’s assumptions strongly informed Einstein’s search for a Unified Field Theory.

Answer 12

◻️Fascination by the utter simplicity of Relativity’s assumptions strongly informed Einstein’s search for a Unified Field Theory.

☑️Fascination with the utter simplicity of Relativity’s assumptions strongly informed Einstein’s search for a Unified Field Theory.

The noun “fascination” idiomatically take the preposition “with.”

Question 13

◽️The declining standards in modern journalism “are exemplified by” newscaster Bedford’s disregard for facts.

◽️The declining standards in modern journalism “exemplify” newscaster Bedford’s disregard for facts.

Answer 13

☑️The declining standards in modern journalism are exemplified by newscaster Bedford’s disregard for facts.

◻️The declining standards in modern journalism exemplify newscaster Bedford’s disregard for facts.

When the verb “exemplify” is used in the active form, the example, the single case, is the subject, and the general category is the direct object. When it is used in the passive form, the general case is the subject, and the example is the object of the preposition “by.” In this sentence, “The declining standards ….” form the the general case, not the specific example, so we need the passive form, “is exemplified …” with the specific example, “Bedford’s disregard for facts,” in the “by” prepositional phrase.

Question 14

◻️On account of her constant tardiness, the firm finally decided to let her go.

◻️On account from her constant tardiness, the firm finally decided to let her go.

Answer 14

☑️On account of her constant tardiness, the firm finally decided to let her go.

◻️On account from her constant tardiness, the firm finally decided to let her go.

The correct idiom is “on account of.” No other preposition works in the place of the “of.”

Question 15

◻️Plato praised the ideal of the philosopher-king, exemplifying a ruler such as Solon.

◻️Plato praised the ideal of the philosopher-king, as exemplified by a ruler such as Solon.

Answer 15

◻️Plato praised the ideal of the philosopher-king, exemplifying a ruler such as Solon.

☑️Plato praised the ideal of the philosopher-king, as exemplified by a ruler such as Solon.

When the verb “exemplify” is used in the active participle form, “exemplifying”, the example, the single case, is the noun modified, and the general category is the object of the participle. When it is used in the passive participial form, “exemplified”, the general case is the noun modified, and the example is the object of the preposition “by.” In this sentence, “the philosopher-king” is the the general case, not the specific example, so we need the passive form, “is exemplified …” with the specific example, Solon, in the “by” prepositional phrase.

Question 16

◻️If you “choose leaving” now, don’t expect a warm welcoming when you return.

◻️If you “choose to leave” now, don’t expect a warm welcoming when you return.

Answer 16

◻️If you “choose leaving” now, don’t expect a warm welcoming when you return.

☑️If you “choose to leave” now, don’t expect a warm welcoming when you return.

The verb “choose” idiomatically takes the infinitive, never the gerund.

Question 17

◻️Seven of the eight institutions “composing” the Ivy League are older than the United States of America.

◻️Seven of the eight institutions “composed of” the Ivy League are older than the United States of America.

Answer 17

☑️Seven of the eight institutions “composing” the Ivy League are older than the United States of America.

◻️Seven of the eight institutions “composed of” the Ivy League are older than the United States of America.

The verb “compose” relates parts to whole. If the parts are the subject, the verb must be active: [parts] compose the [whole]. Here, the individual institutions are the “parts”, and the Ivy League is the “whole.”

Question 18

◻️Almost 30% of white blood cells are lymphocytes, such as B-cells which release antigens, but far “less” are basophils, which release histamine.

◻️Almost 30% of white blood cells are lymphocytes, such as B-cells which release antigens, but far “fewer” are basophils, which release histamine.

Answer 18

◻️Almost 30% of white blood cells are lymphocytes, such as B-cells which release antigens, but far “less” are basophils, which release histamine.

☑️Almost 30% of white blood cells are lymphocytes, such as B-cells which release antigens, but far “fewer” are basophils, which release histamine.

For percents of something we can count, something for which we would ask “how many?” instead of “how much?”, then we need to use “fewer.”

Question 19

◻️The CEO “argued” the Asian markets “not to be” open to Vendacraft’s products until at least 2017.

◻️The CEO “argued that” the Asian markets “would not be” open to Vendacraft’s products until at least 2017.

Answer 19

◻️The CEO “argued” the Asian markets “not to be” open to Vendacraft’s products until at least 2017.

☑️The CEO “argued that” the Asian markets “would not be” open to Vendacraft’s products until at least 2017.

In a sentence that discusses the content of an argument, using the verb “to argue” as a synonym for “to assert”, the verb “argue” idiomatically takes a “that”-clause, never an infinitive.

Question 20

◻️While Ben does not call himself a Libertarian, he “agrees to” many Libertarian positions.

◻️While Ben does not call himself a Libertarian, he “agrees with” many Libertarian positions.

Answer 20

◻️While Ben does not call himself a Libertarian, he “agrees to” many Libertarian positions.

☑️While Ben does not call himself a Libertarian, he “agrees with” many Libertarian positions.

For simple agreement to a set of ideas, we use “agree with.” The idiom “agree to” is used only with actions for which one accepts personal responsibility.

Question 21

◻️The chariman of the committee said that he hoped to present a finished bill to the full Senate by the end of the week.

◻️The chariman of the committee said that he hoped for presenting a finished bill to the full Senate by the end of the week.

Answer 21

☑️The chariman of the committee said that he hoped to present a finished bill to the full Senate by the end of the week.

◻️The chariman of the committee said that he hoped for presenting a finished bill to the full Senate by the end of the week.

The correct idiom is “A hopes to do X.” The structure “hope for [gerund]” is never correct.

Question 22

◻️Israel “is to” Christianity “as” India “is to” Buddhism; in both cases, the religion did not thrive in the country of its origin.

◻️Israel “has the relation to” Christianity “that” India “has to” Buddhism; in both cases, the religion did not thrive in the country of its origin.

Answer 22

☑️Israel “is to” Christianity “as” India “is to” Buddhism; in both cases, the religion did not thrive in the country of its origin.

◻️Israel “has the relation to” Christianity “that” India “has to” Buddhism; in both cases, the religion did not thrive in the country of its origin.

This is a very tricky idiom for comparing two relationships. If two relationships are being compared, that of X & Y and that of A & B, and are essentially the same relationship, then the elegant way to say this is: “X is to Y as A is to B.” The phrasing involving the word “relation” or “relationship” is wordy and awkward. It would not be preferred or correct on the GMAT.

Question 23

◻️To assure the unions do not make a counter offer, the board has provided workers with outstanding benefits.

◻️To assure that the unions do not make a counter offer, the board has provided workers with outstanding benefits.

Answer 23

◻️To assure the unions do not make a counter offer, the board has provided workers with outstanding benefits.

☑️To assure that the unions do not make a counter offer, the board has provided workers with outstanding benefits.

The verb “assure” idiomatically takes a “that”-clause. The word “that” may be omitted in colloquial English, but in the formal environment of the GMAT, the word “that” always must be included.

Question 24

◻️You are in violation of our company’s code of ethics.

◻️You are in violation to our company’s code of ethics.

Answer 24

☑️You are in violation of our company’s code of ethics.

◻️You are in violation to our company’s code of ethics.

The correct idiomatic phrase is “in violation of” — any other prepositions are incorrect.

Question 25

◻️In contrast with his cold demeanor, he’s quite a friendly and warm person.

◻️In contrast of his cold demeanor, he’s quite a friendly and warm person.

Answer 25

☑️In contrast with his cold demeanor, he’s quite a friendly and warm person.

◻️In contrast of his cold demeanor, he’s quite a friendly and warm person.

The word “in contrast” can be followed by “to” or “with,” but the prepositions “for” and “of” are always incorrect after this phrase.

Question 26

◻️I “hold” Twain “to be” a much greater influence on Joyce than is generally appreciated.

◻️I “hold that” Twain “is” a much greater influence on Joyce than is generally appreciated.

Answer 26

◻️I “hold” Twain “to be” a much greater influence on Joyce than is generally appreciated.

☑️I “hold that” Twain “is” a much greater influence on Joyce than is generally appreciated.

The verb “hold”, as a cognitive verb (like “assert” or “maintain”), idiomatically takes a “that”-clause, never an infinitive.

Question 27

◻️”As of” the first of the month, both insurance and payroll will be handled by the same department.

◻️”By the time starting at” the first of the month, both insurance and payroll will be handled by the same department.

Answer 27

☑️”As of” the first of the month, both insurance and payroll will be handled by the same department.

◻️”By the time starting at” the first of the month, both insurance and payroll will be handled by the same department.

The idiom “as of” is appropriate for discussing a starting date for something. The structure “by the time starting at” is needlessly wordy and awkward, and would not be preferred by the GMAT.