Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

GMAT > Idioms > Flashcards

Idioms Flashcards

1
Q 
ABILITY
I value my ABILITY OF SINGING
I value my ABILITY TO SING
I value my ABILITY FOR SINGING
I value my ABILITY FOR me TO SING
A

Right - I value my ability to sing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

ALLOW
What’s the difference:
1. The holiday ALLOWS Maria TO WATCH the movie today
2. The demolition of the old building ALLOWS FOR new construction

A
  1. permits

2. permits the EXISTENCE of

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

ALLOW
The holiday allowed Maria the watching of the movie
The holiday allowed for Maria to watch the movie
The holiday allows Maria to watch the movie today

A

Correct - The holiday allows Maria to watch the movie today

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

AS
WHILE BEING a child, I delivered newspapers
AS BEING a child, I delivered newspapers
WHILE IN childhood, I delivered newspapers
AS a child, I delivered newspapers

A

Correct - AS a child, I delivered newspapers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q 
BECAUSE
BECAUSE OF the sun, plants grow
BECAUSE the sun SHINES, plants grow.
Plants grow BECAUSE the sun SHINES
Plants grow BECAUSE OF the sun SHINING

-pick the wrong one.

A

Wrong - Plants grow BECAUSE OF the sun SHINING

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

The manager has the capability of running the plant.

Right/Wrong?

A

WRONG

The manager can run the plant.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The plant has the possibility of causing damage.

Right/Wrong?

A

WRONG

The plant can cause damage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The judge considers the law as illegal
The judge considers the law should be illegal
The judge considers the law as if it were illegal

Right/Wrong

A

WRONG

The judge considers the law illegal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

It is EXPECTED that the price will fall
It is EXPECTED that the price should fall

which one is correct?

A

first one.

It is expected that the price will fall.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Is it OK to say..

The price rose FROM 10 EU UP TO 12 EU
The price fell FROM 10 EU DOWN TO 5 EU

A

NO

  1. The price rose from 10 EU to 12 EU
  2. The price fell from 10 EU to 5 EU
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

She drank coffee TO STAYawake
She drank coffee FOR STAYING awake

Which one?

A

She drank coffee to stay awake.

Infinitive “to stay” indicates purpose.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

He wrote with pencils rather than with pens
He wrote with pencils instead of with pens

Which one?

A

Correct - He wrote with pencils rather than with pens

..instead of with pens - “of with” is incorrect.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

She REQUIRES THAT her friend does work

right/wrong?

A

WRONG

Right - She REQUIRES her friend TO DO work.

Or

Right - She requires that her friend do work (subjunctive)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

She gave money SO THAT the school could offer scholarships
She gave money so the school could offer scholarships

Which one?

A

Right - She gave money SO THAT the school could offer scholarships. ( = purpose)

Also consider - She gave money, SO the school was grateful (=result)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

I do not know WHETHER I will go
I do not know WHETHER OR NOT I will go
I do not know IF I will go

which one?

A

Right - I do not know WHETHER I will go

IF requires a consequence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Although I have the ability of doing gymnastic well, this time I fell off the balance beam.

What’s wrong?

A

ability of doing… use “can” instead

Although I can do gymnastic well, this time I fell off the balance team
Although I have the ability to do (am able to do ) gymnastic well, this time I fell off the balance team

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

She is expected to be appointed as chairperson

What’s wrong?

A

Appointed as…

She is expected to be appointed chairperson

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

The study indicates more men are working in education, traditionally considered as a “female” profession

What’s wrong?

A

indicates -> indicates that
considered as a… -> considered a…

The study indicates that more men are working in education, traditionally considered a “female” profession

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

FORBIDS - which one is the correct form?

Forbid X to do Y
Forbid X from doing Y

A

Correct - Forbid X to do Y.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

INSTEAD

INSTEAD of A, B - B has to be a ________

A

B has to be a subject.

Instead of doing his homework, Arthur watched TV.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

REGARD - choose the correct one

Regard X as Y
Regard X to be Y

A

Regard X as Y

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what’s the difference between “due to” and “because of”?

A

“Due to” is used to modify a noun (e.g., His failure was due to his laziness).
“Because of” is used to modify a verb or verb phrase (e.g., He failed because of his laziness).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

FAILED - choose the right one

Failed to control
Failed in controlling

A

Failed to control

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

list examples - choose the right idiom

such variables as social class and family size
such variables like social class and family size
A

such variable as social class and family size

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

ATTRIBUTE - choose the right form

attributed Europe’s social and political ills to be the result of
attributed Europe’s social and political ills to result from
attributed Europe’s social and political ills to

A

Correct - Attributed Europe’s social and political ills to

attribute X to Y

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

FOR HELP - choose the right form

Many people are turning to stockbrokers for help to buy stocks
Many people are turning to stockbrokers for help in buying stocks

A

Correct - For help in buying stocks

For help in (doing something)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Choose the correct idiom

…books are to democratic capitalism what Marx’s book is to communism
…books are to democratic capitalism similar to what Marx’s book is to communism

A

Correct - books are to democractice capitalism what Marx’s book is to communism

X is to Y what A is to B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

REQUIRE - choose the right form

The new regulations require that prospective employees be subjected to rigorous screening.

The new regulations require prospective employees to be subjected to rigorous screening.

A

Correct - The new regulations require that prospective employees be subjected to rigorous screening

Require that X be Y

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

ESTIMATE - choose the right form

The fossils are estimated at more than 50 million years old
The fossils are estimated to be more than 50 million years old

A

Correct - The fossils are estimated to be more than 50 million years old

Estimate X to be

30
Q

PROHIBIT - choose the right form

The ban will prohibit those without adequate identification to buy guns
The ban will prohibit those without adequate identification from buying guns
The ban will prohibit those without adequate identification in buying guns

A

Correct - The ban will prohibit those without adequate identification from buying guns

Prohibit X from Y

31
Q

BELIEVE - choose the right form

Astrophysicists believe the recent disturbances in radio transmissions to be a result of solar flares.

Astrophysicists believe that the recent disturbances in radio transmissions to be a result of solar flares.

A

Astrophysicists believe the recent disturbances in radio transmissions to be a result of solar flares.

Believe X to be Y

32
Q

CONSIDER - choose the right form

Most musicologists consider Joseph Haydn the father of the sonata.

Most musicologists consider Joseph Haydn to be the father of the sonata.

Most musicologists consider Joseph Haydn as the father of the sonata.

A

Most musicologists consider Joseph Haydn the father of sonata

CONSIDER XY (no ‘to be’)

33
Q

EXPECTED - choose the right form

Tax rates are expected to be increasing next year.
Tax rates are expected to increase next year.

A

Tax rates are expected to increase next year

X expected to Y

34
Q

Choose the right form

Idioms are NOT ONLY difficult to memorize BUT are ALSO easy to mix up.
Idioms are NOT ONLY difficult to memorize BUT are easy to mix up.

A

Idioms are NOT ONLY difficult to memorize BUT are ALSO easy to mix up.

Not only, but also

35
Q

Choose the right form

Just as caffeine can boost arousal so too can vigorous walking.
Just as caffeine can boost arousal vigorous walking can also

A

Just as caffeine can boost arousal so too can vigorous walking.

JUST AS…. SO TOO…

36
Q

Choose the right form

The blue macaw prefers lush tropical habitats to the dry climate found in the southeastern part of Brazil.

The blue macaw prefers lush tropical habitats over the dry climate found in the southeastern part of Brazil.

A

The blue macaw prefers lush tropical habitats to the dry climate found in the southeastern part of Brazil.

PREFERS X TO Y

37
Q

What’s the difference between “Rather Than” and “Instead Of”?

A

“Rather than” is a conjunction and so can be followed by basically anything, whereas “instead of” is a (complex) preposition – and a preposition should be followed only by a noun

I went in to the cellar rather than in to the attic - correct
I went in to the cellar instead of in to the attic - wrong.

38
Q

Recent research has indicated that sustainable weight loss is generally a result not of [self-deprivation or adopting an extreme diet, but] a healthy lifestyle that integrates a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a long-term approach.

A. self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but of

B. self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but

A

A.

NOT OF…. BUT OF…

39
Q

SUSPECT - choose the correct idiom form(s)

He is suspected to have committed the crime
He is suspected of committing the crime
It is suspected that he committed the crime

A

He is suspected of committing the crime
It is suspected that he committed the crime

SUSPECT THAT….
SUSPECT X of VERBing

40
Q

CORRELATE - choose the correct idiom form

the incidence of reported neck and back pain correlates positively to the amount of time spent in sitting positions.

the incidence of reported neck and back pain correlates positively with the amount of time spent in sitting positions.

A

Correct - the incidence of reported neck and back pain correlates positively with the amount of time spent in sitting positions.

CORRELATE…WITH

41
Q

Though Frank Lloyd Wright is best remembered today [because of bold designs like the Guggenheim Museum] in New York City, most of his buildings were intended to blend into their surroundings.

Identify the improper idioms and correct them

A
  • remembered FOR.
  • designs FOR
  • like –> such as | for specific examples

for bold designs such as the one for the Guggenheim Museum

42
Q

BETWEEN - choose the correct form

You must choose between her or me
You must choose between her and me

A

Correct - You must choose between her and me

BETWEEN X AND Y

43
Q

CAPABLE - choose the correct form

He’s capable to do so
He’s capable of doing so

A

He’s capable of doing so

CAPABLE OF + -ing

44
Q

APPROACH - choose the correct form

Approach math as a creative activity
Approach math like a creative activity

A

Approach math as a creative activity

APPROACH X AS Y

45
Q

SICK - choose the correct form

He is sick with oxygen deprivation
He is sick from oxygen deprivation

A

He is sick from oxygen deprivation

SICK FROM X

46
Q

APPEAR - choose the correct form

Saturn’s main rings appear to be smooth and continuous
Saturn’s main rings appear smooth and continuous
Saturn’s main rings appear as if smooth and continuous

A

Saturn’s main rings appear smooth and continuous

X APPEARS Y

47
Q

COMPARED WITH or COMPARED TO?

A

BOTH ARE CORRECT!

48
Q

Proof of something
Proof that something is true
Proof for something

Choose the correct one(s)

A

Proof of something

Proof that something is true

49
Q

Because of X.

X has to be a _____ or ____ ______

A

Noun, Noun Phrase

50
Q

The idiomatic form for “research” depends on the word being used as a noun or a verb. What’s the correct version for each form?

A

Noun | He is conducting a research ON/ABOUT X

Verb | He wants to research X

51
Q

He wants to research on X

Correct/Incorrect

A

Incorrect

52
Q

Due to X modifies a _____

A

Noun.

Her high score was due to diligent study. “Due to diligent study” modifies “high score”

53
Q

Appear as X
Appear to Y
Appears Z

What PoS do X Y and Z have to be?

A

X | noun –> She appeared as a witch

Y | verb –> She appeared to be ready

Z | adj (verify) –> The Saturn’s surface appears smooth

54
Q

Both X as well as Y

Correct/Incorrect?

A

Incorrect!

Both X AND Y - correct

55
Q 
Not so much X but Y
Not so much X but instead Y
Not so much X as Y
Not X as Y
Not X but Y

Correct/Incorrect

A

Not X as Y - Incorrect

Rest is correct

56
Q

What’s the difference between Lay and Lie?

A

Lay something; Lie -self

  • I lay it down
  • I lie down
57
Q

What’s the idiomatic phrase for “conceive”?

A

Conceive X as Y

58
Q

What are the two idioms for “plans”, and when to use each of them?

A

Plans for NOUN | Plans for the house

Plans to do SOMETHING | Plans to take over the world

59
Q

What are the two idioms for “equipped”, and when to use each of them?

A

Equipped for NOUN | Equipped for the apocalypse

Equipped to VERB | Equipped to fight the zombies

60
Q

The four idiomatic forms related to “distinction/distinguish”

A

distinguish between A and B
distinction between A and B,
distinguish A from B
the distinction of A from B.

61
Q

Distinction X has from Y
Distinction of X to Y

Correct/Incorrect?

A

Both INCORRECT!

62
Q

As a means ______

What words can fill in the blank? What are the meanings respectively?

A

X as a means TO Y | X is used in order to reach Y or make Y happen

X as a means OF Y | X is a type of Y

63
Q

X as a means for Y

Correct/Incorrect? If wrong, what’s correct?

A

INCORRECT

X as a means to Y
X as a means of Y

64
Q

What are the three idiomatic phrases for “yield evidence”? When to use each of them?

A

Yield evidence FOR a NOUN | Her poor performance yielded damning evidence for her boss

Yield evidence OF a NOUN | Her poor performance yielded evidence of incompetence

Yield evidence THAT COMPLEX STRUCTURE | Her poor performance yielded evidence that she is not the right fit for the company.

65
Q

Simultaneously _________

Fill in the blank.

A

WITH

Simultaneously with sth..

66
Q

[can hardly be said that]

That [X is true] can hardly be said _____
It can hardly be said _____

A

That [X is true] can hardly be said TO BE Y

It can hardly be said THAT

67
Q

Idiomatic phrases for “confidence”. When to use what?

A

Confidence IN NOUN | I have confidence in the economy

Confidence THAT complex phrase | I have confidence that the economy will take off in the next few months.

68
Q

What’s the correct idiom phrase for “Fashionable”?

A

Fashionable to be X

It was fashionable to be X

69
Q

What’s the difference between “Explained as” and “Explained by”?

A

Explained as | used when you’re trying to connect or equate two things
- A yawn can be explained as a generally involuntary reflex consisting of an intake of air… (Explains what a yawn

Explained by | A result of some cause
- The doctor’s endless yawning can be explained by her lack of sleep (Explains WHY she’s yawning)

70
Q

What are the two idiomatic forms for [usher]?

A

I usher X in

I usher X into A

71
Q

to usher in a seasonably cool air mass into the region

Correct/Incorrect

A

INCORRECT

in… into… redundant.

72
Q

Choose the correct idiom form below

The goal of doing something

The goal to do something

A

The goal of doing something

He has the ultimate goal of creating a decentralized internet.

GMAT (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions