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GMAT - Verbal SC > Idioms > Flashcards

Idioms Flashcards

1
Q

able to

A

Example: John was able to see the fireworks from his rooftop.

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2
Q

ability to

A

Example: Ants have the ability to lift anywhere from 20 to 100 times their weight.

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3
Q

accompanied by

A

Example: Children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent at R-rated movies.

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4
Q

afraid of

A

Example: The little boy was afraid of the dark.

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5
Q

aid in

A

Construction: aid in + noun/gerund; aid X in Y

Note: You give aid to or for a person, country, etc., but you aid in an activity

Correct: The tutor aided the student in preparing for the test.

Incorrect:

  • The tutor aided the student to prepare for the test.
  • The tutor aided the student at preparing for the test.
  • The tutor aided the student of preparing for the test.
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6
Q

appear to

A

Construction: appear to + base verb

Note: Other verbs that can take this construction are claim, decide, seem.

Example: Sam appeared to have it all together, but secretly he was panicked.

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7
Q

as X as Y

A

Note: Used for comparisons

Example: The band hopes to one day be as popular as The Beatles.

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8
Q

attribute X to Y

A

Construction: attribute X to Y; attribute to + noun/gerund

Example: I attribute my success to years of hard work.

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9
Q

averse to

A

Construction: averse to + noun/gerund

Example: The school board is averse to radical changes to the curriculum.

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10
Q

based on

A

Construction: based on + noun

Example: The updated recommendations are based on a meta-analysis of more than 100 studies.

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11
Q

belief/believe in

A

Example: Her belief in ghosts made spending the night in such an old house a scary prospect for her, but the other guests did not believe in ghosts.

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12
Q

believe that

A

Example: Some conspiracy theorists believe that the moon landing was staged.

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13
Q

believe to be

believe X to be Y

A

Example: The butler is believed to be the culprit.
Example: Fire department officials believed faulty wiring to be the cause of the explosion.

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14
Q

better than

A

Example: There is nothing better than a glass of iced tea on a hot summer day.

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15
Q

between X and Y

A

Example: The couple couldn’t decide between a DJ and a band for their wedding.

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16
Q

both X and Y

A

Correct:

  • Material from both the textbook and the class discussion will be covered on the test.
  • She was interested both in plants and in animals.
  • She was interested in both plants and animals.

Incorrect:

  • She was interested both in plants and animals.
  • She was interested both in plants as well as animals.
  • She was interested both in plants but also in animals.
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17
Q

capable of

A

Example: Studies show that humans are not capable of multitasking in an efficient way.

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18
Q

center on

A

Example: The discussion centered on fracking’s environmental impact.

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19
Q

choose from

A

Example: You can choose from dozens of toppings at the ice cream shop.

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20
Q

choose to

A

Example: This is your mission, should you choose to accept it.

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21
Q

collide with

A

Example: Hopefully, the asteroid will not collide with Earth!

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22
Q

combine with

combine X with Y

A

Example: Olive oil combined with balsamic vinegar and fresh lemon makes a delicious salad dressing.

Example: For the salad dressing, simply combine olive oil with balsamic vinegar.

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23
Q

comment on

A

Example: The police commissioner refused to comment on an active investigation.

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24
Q

common to (meaning “shared by”)

A

Example: The desire for happiness is common to all people.

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25
Q

in common with

A

Example: Natasha has nothing in common with her coworkers.

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26
Q

compare to

A

Used for dissimilar things

Example: The young artist is already being compared to Dali.

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27
Q

compare with

A

Used for similar things

Example: Comparing the new safety features with the old ones really highlights how far the technology has advanced.

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28
Q

composed of

A

The city council was composed of residents of all ages and backgrounds.

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29
Q

consider X Y

A

Correct:

  • I consider it a huge honor to officiate your wedding.
  • I consider her a friend.
  • I consider her intelligent.
  • I consider illegal the law passed last week by the new regime. (Note: you can switch the order of the 2 objects; if one is long, place it second, as in the next example)
  • The law is considered illegal.

Incorrect:

  • The judge considers the law as illegal (or as being illegal).
  • The judge considers the law should be illegal.
  • The judge considers the law as if it were illegal.
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30
Q

consist of

A

Example: The reading list consists of both novels and biographies.

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31
Q

consistent with

A

Example: The shattered window is consistent with evidence of a break-in.

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32
Q

contrast X with Y

A

Example: If you contrast his findings with those of previous studies, you will see that further research is necessary.

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33
Q

in contrast to

A

Example: The executive order stands in stark contrast to the president’s campaign promise.

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34
Q

date at

A

Meaning “determine the date to be”

Example: Archaeologists dated the vase at about 3,000 years old.

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35
Q

date from

A

Meaning “originate from the time of”

Example: Laboratory analysis showed that the artifact dated from the 5th century.

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36
Q

defend against

A

Example: His publicist defended him against the media onslaught

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37
Q

defend against

A

Example: His publicist defended him against the media onslaught

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38
Q

define as

A

Example: The law is not always clear about what it defines as self-defense.

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39
Q

delighted by

A

Example: Lena was delighted by her sister’s suggestion that they split the lottery winnings.

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40
Q

depict as

A

Example: The film depicted the soldiers as heroes.

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41
Q

depend on (whether)

A

Example: The success of the company depends on whether there is a demand for the product.

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42
Q

descend from

A

Example: All domesticated dogs descended from wolves.

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43
Q

descendant of

A

Example: My dog acts like a descendant of royalty.

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44
Q

different/differ from

A

Example: IQ tests are very different from other types of exams.

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45
Q

discourage from

A

Example: Sheila tried to discourage her son from watching TV all afternoon.

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46
Q

distinguish between X and Y

A

Example: From a very young age, children can distinguish between lying and telling the truth.

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47
Q

distinguish X from Y

A

Example: Are you able to distinguish fantasy from reality?

48
Q

due to

A

Meaning “caused by”

Example: The traffic was due to an accident on the highway.

49
Q

either X or Y

neither X nor Y

A

Example: You can either eat your vegetables or go to your room.

Example: Neither the search dogs nor the psychic could find the buried treasure.

50
Q

embarrassed by

A

Example: Craig was embarrassed by his parents’ public displays of affection.

51
Q

estimate to be

A

Example: The family fortune was estimated to be nearly a billion dollars.

52
Q

exchange X for Y

A

Example: He exchanged the shoes for a more comfortable pair.

53
Q

familiar with

A

Example: Before he took the course in classical music, he wasn’t even familiar with Beethoven’s Fifth.

54
Q

fascinated by

A

Example: Frannie is particularly fascinated by string theory.

55
Q

fascination with

A

Example: Her fascination with physics isn’t limited to controversial theories.

56
Q

focus on

A

Example: You will be more productive if you focus on the task at hand and ignore any distractions.

57
Q

for every X, Y

A

Example: For every ten dollars in sales, the company will donate one dollar to charity.

58
Q

forbid/forbidden to

A

Example: The hunters were forbidden to enter private lands.

59
Q

from X to Y

A

Correct:

  • The drive from New York to New Jersey is a quick one.
  • The price fell from 10 euros to 3 euros.
  • The price fell to 3 euros from 10 euros.

Wrong:

  • The price fell from 10 euros down to 3 euros.
  • The price rose from 3 euros up to 10 euros.
60
Q

independent from

A

Example: The three branches of the U.S. government are independent from one another.

61
Q

independent of

A

Example: The Supreme Court is supposed to uphold the Constitution, independent of personal politics.

62
Q

indifferent/indifference towards

A

Example: His indifference towards the homeless makes his displays of wealth seem all the more tasteless.

63
Q

just as X, so (too) Y

A

Example: Just as the President leads the United States, so the Prime Minister leads Canada.

64
Q

known as

A

Example: The serial killer known as Jack the Ripper was never identified or captured.

65
Q

mistake X for Y

A

Example: Jane realized when she tried to open the car door that she had mistaken Randall’s keys for her own.

66
Q

modeled after

model X after Y

A

Example: The solar-powered concept car is modeled after the American muscle cars of the 1960s.

Example: The little boy models his behavior after his father’s.

67
Q

move away from

A

Example: The new party leaders are moving away from the more regressive policy proposals of the past.

68
Q

native of

A

Construction:
[person] is a native of [place]

Example: Monica is a native of France.

69
Q

native to

A

Construction:
[thing] is native to [place]

Example: The Arnica plant is native to Siberia.

70
Q

necessary to

A

Example: Although you need to work hard, it is still necessary to prioritize your health.

71
Q

not X but Y

A

Correct:

  • The loan came not from his parents but from his best friend.
  • She did not eat mangoes but ate other kinds of fruit.
  • She did not eat mangoes but liked other kinds of fruit and later began to like kiwis, too.
  • A tomato is not a vegetable but a fruit.
  • A tomato is not a vegetable but rather a fruit.

Incorrect:
- She did not eat mangoes but other kinds of fruit.

72
Q

not only X, but also Y

A

Example: Clint Eastwood is not only an actor but also a director.

73
Q

not so much X as Y

A

Example: Al Gore is now famous not so much for serving as vice president as for raising awareness about climate change.

74
Q

originate in

A

Meaning “start in”

Example: The Christian celebration known as All Hallows Eve originated in eighth century Europe.

75
Q

originate from

A

Meaning “arise from”

Example: Halloween originated from an ancient pagan festival.

76
Q

originate with

A

Meaning “begin with”

The ancient pagan festival that became Halloween originated with the Celts.

77
Q

perceive as

A

Example: The strategy, while profitable, is perceived as unethical.

78
Q

potential to

A

Example: Advancements in artificial intelligence have the potential to change the way humans view consciousness.

79
Q

prefer X to Y

A

Example: I prefer reading books to watching television.

80
Q

prevent/prohibit from

A

Example: The sign prohibited the group from hunting on the wildlife preserve

81
Q

protect against

A

Example: Regular exercise helps protect against heart disease.

82
Q

provide X with Y

A

Example: The venture capital provided the company with sufficient funding to expand operations.

83
Q

range from X to Y

A

Example: Topics in the media literacy course ranged from source evaluation to the influence of corporate advertisers.

84
Q

range of

A

Example: The latest SUV model offers a range of pricey optional features.

85
Q

rather than

rather X than Y

A

Correct:

  • Why don’t you run outdoors rather than use a treadmill?
  • I would rather run outdoors than use a treadmill.

Incorrect:
- He wrote with pencils instead of with pens. (Of with is incorrect)

86
Q

regard as

A

Example: She is regarded as one of the top surgeons in the country.

87
Q

replace X with Y

A

Example: The baker replaced chocolate chips with carob chips in the vegan version of the cookies.

88
Q

same to X as to Y

A

Example: Scientists have yet to figure out whether dreams look the same to infants as to adults.

89
Q

save for

A

Meaning “except for”

Example: Save for her best friend, Tina didn’t know anyone who attended her gallery exhibition.

90
Q

separate from

A

Example: You must separate the wheat from the chaff.

91
Q

similar to

A

Example: Research suggests that the intelligence of pigs is similar to that of dogs.

92
Q

so X as to Y

A

Correct:
- Her victory was so decisive as to arouse suspicions that she was using performance-enhancing drugs.

Incorrect:

  • The sauce had such heat as to burn my mouth.
  • The sauce had so much heat as to burn my mouth.
93
Q

so X that Y

A

Correct:

  • The earthquake was so powerful that the windows shattered.
  • She gave money so that the school could offer scholarships.

Incorrect:
- She gave money so the school could offer scholarships.

94
Q

substitute X for Y

A

Example: You cannot substitute charm for good manners.

95
Q

suffer from

A

Example: After Jackson claimed to suffer from numerous rare illnesses, the doctor diagnosed him as a hypochondriac.

96
Q

target at

A

Example: The early morning advertisements are targeted at senior citizens.

97
Q

think of X as Y

A

Example; If you think of mistakes as learning opportunities, you are more likely to succeed.

98
Q

thought to be

thought X

A

Example: The painting was thought to be one of Picasso’s early works but turned out to be a forgery.

Example: Everyone thought him a fool, but he was actually a genius.

99
Q

unlike X, Y

A

Correct:

  • Unlike many butterflies, moths are generally not brightly colored.
  • Unlike the spiny anteater, the aardvark is docile.

Incorrect:
- Unlike with the spiny anteater, the aardvark is docile.

100
Q

view as

A

Example: Viewing your setbacks as stepping stones is a very healthy attitude.

101
Q

worry about

A

Example: The study found that students who worried excessively about fitting in with their peers performed worse in class.

102
Q

allow to

A

Meaning “permits an action”

Example: The holiday allows Maria to watch the movie today.

103
Q

allow for

A

Meaning “permits the existence of”

Example: The demolition of the old building allows for new construction.

104
Q

because

A

Example:

  • Because the sun shines, plants grow.
  • Because of the sun, plants grow.
  • By shining, the sun makes plants grow.
  • Plants grow, for the sun shines.
105
Q

being

A

Example:

  • Being infected does not make you sick.
  • The judges saw the horses being led to the stables.
106
Q

but

A

Correct:

  • I study hard but take breaks.
  • I study hard, but I take breaks.
  • Although I take frequent naps, I study effectively.
  • Despite taking frequent naps, I study effectively.
  • I take frequent naps, yet I study effectively.

Wrong:

  • I study effectively although taking frequent naps.
  • Although I take frequent naps, yet I study effectively.
  • Although I take frequent naps, and I study effectively.
  • Despite taking frequent naps, yet I study effectively.
107
Q

can

A

Correct:

  • The manager can run the plant.
  • The plant can cause damage.
  • The manager is capable of running the plant.

Incorrect:

  • The manager has the capability of running the plant.
  • The manager has the ability of running the plant.
  • The plant has the possibility of causing damage.
108
Q

expect

A

Correct:

  • We expect the price to fall.
  • The price is expected to fall.
  • We expect that the price will fall.
  • It is expected that the price will fall.
  • Inflation rose more than we expected.
  • There is an expectation that the price will fall.

Incorrect:

  • The price is expected for it to fall.
  • It is expected that the price should fall.
109
Q

in order to

A

Correct:

  • She drank coffee in order to stay awake.
  • She drank coffee to stay awake.

Incorrect:

  • She drank coffee for staying awake.
  • Coffee was drunk by her to stay awake (or in order to stay awake). (The subject coffee is not trying to stay awake.)
110
Q

indicate

A

Correct:
- A report indicates that unique bacteria live on our skin.

Incorrect:

  • A report indicates unique bacteria live on our skin. (That is needed)
  • A report is indicative that unique bacteria live on our skin.
  • A report indicates unique bacteria as present on our skin.
  • A report indicates unique bacteria to live on our skin.
111
Q

like

A

Correct:

  • Like his sister, Matt drives fast cars. (Both drive fast cars.)
  • Matt drives fast cars like his sister’s. (Both drive similar cars; or, less optimally, one of the cars he drives is his sister’s.)

Incorrect:

  • Matt drives fast cars like his sister does.
  • Like his sister, so matt drives fast cars.
112
Q

such as

A

Correct:

  • Matt drives fast cars, such as Ferraris. (introducing examples)
  • Matt enjoys driving such cars as Ferraris.
  • Matt enjoys intense activities, such as driving fast cars.

Incorrect:

  • Matt drives Ferraris and the like.
  • Matt drives Ferraris and other cars such as these.
  • Matt trains in many ways such as by driving on racetracks.
  • Matt enjoys intense activities, such as to drive fast cars.
113
Q

than

A

Correct:

  • His books are more impressive than those of other writers.
  • This paper is less impressive than that one.
  • This paper is no less impressive than that one.
  • This newspaper cost 50 cents more than that one.
  • More than 250 newspapers are published here.
  • Sales are higher this year than last year.
114
Q

whether

A

Correct: I do not know whether I will go.

Incorrect: I do not know if I will go (IF requires a consequence)

115
Q

whether… or

A

Correct:

  • I decided to eat the food, whether it was tasty or not.
  • Whether trash or treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.

Incorrect:

  • Whether trash or also treasure, the recyclables must be picked up.
  • Whether they be trash or treasure, the recyclables must go.

GMAT - Verbal SC (2 decks)

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