ALCPT Idiomatic and Phrasal Expressions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the expression 'burn the midnight oil' mean? (A) To destroy classified documents (B) To work or study late into the night (C) To waste fuel carelessly (D) To signal distress with a flare
- To destroy classified documents
- To work or study late into the night (Correct answer)
- To waste fuel carelessly
- To signal distress with a flare
Correct answer: To work or study late into the night
'Burn the midnight oil' is an idiom meaning to work or study very late at night. It originates from the era when people used oil lamps and burned oil to work after dark.
The idiom 'burn the midnight oil' dates from the time when oil lamps were used for lighting. Working late into the night required burning oil in the lamp. Today it means to stay up very late working or studying. Example: 'The analyst burned the midnight oil to finish the intelligence report before the morning briefing.' This is a common English idiom tested on the ALCPT to assess familiarity with American English expressions.
Question 2: Choose the best meaning for 'get the ball rolling.' (A) To play a sport during free time (B) To begin an activity or process (C) To lose control of a situation (D) To pass responsibility to someone else
- To play a sport during free time
- To begin an activity or process (Correct answer)
- To lose control of a situation
- To pass responsibility to someone else
Correct answer: To begin an activity or process
'Get the ball rolling' means to start or initiate something. It is used when encouraging someone to begin a task or project.
The idiom 'get the ball rolling' means to initiate or start something, setting it in motion. It comes from the idea of getting a ball rolling so that others can continue. Example: 'The colonel told his staff to get the ball rolling on the new training initiative.' On the ALCPT, idiomatic expressions like this test whether military English learners understand natural American English phrases used in professional settings.
Question 3: What is the meaning of 'hit the nail on the head'? (A) To injure someone accidentally (B) To damage equipment during construction (C) To say or do something exactly right (D) To strike first in a conflict
- To injure someone accidentally
- To damage equipment during construction
- To say or do something exactly right (Correct answer)
- To strike first in a conflict
Correct answer: To say or do something exactly right
'Hit the nail on the head' means to describe something exactly or to identify the precise cause of a problem. It comes from the literal act of striking a nail accurately.
The idiom 'hit the nail on the head' means to be exactly correct about something — to describe a situation, identify a problem, or make a point with perfect accuracy. Example: 'When the sergeant said the platoon's main issue was communication, he really hit the nail on the head.' This type of idiomatic expression appears frequently on the ALCPT, which assesses English proficiency of non-native English speakers in the US military context.
Question 4: The captain said, 'Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.' This means: (A) We should plan the route carefully before moving (B) We should not worry about a problem until it actually occurs (C) We need to repair the bridge before continuing the mission (D) We should avoid dangerous crossings at all costs
- We should plan the route carefully before moving
- We should not worry about a problem until it actually occurs (Correct answer)
- We need to repair the bridge before continuing the mission
- We should avoid dangerous crossings at all costs
Correct answer: We should not worry about a problem until it actually occurs
'Cross that bridge when we come to it' means to deal with a problem only when it actually arises, rather than worrying about it in advance.
The idiom 'cross that bridge when you come to it' advises against worrying prematurely about potential future problems. It suggests handling difficulties as they arise rather than anticipating them with anxiety. Example: 'We don't know yet if the supply route will be blocked — let's cross that bridge when we come to it.' This phrase reflects a practical, action-oriented mindset common in military culture and is tested on the ALCPT for English language proficiency.
Question 5: What does 'pull someone's leg' mean? (A) To physically assist someone who has fallen (B) To joke with or tease someone (C) To drag someone from a dangerous situation (D) To request extra effort from a team member
- To physically assist someone who has fallen
- To joke with or tease someone (Correct answer)
- To drag someone from a dangerous situation
- To request extra effort from a team member
Correct answer: To joke with or tease someone
'Pull someone's leg' is an idiom meaning to tease or joke with someone, often by telling them something untrue in a light-hearted way.
The idiom 'pull someone's leg' means to tease, joke with, or deceive someone in a playful, harmless way. Example: 'Are you serious about that new regulation, or are you pulling my leg?' It often implies that someone is saying something outrageous or hard to believe as a prank. Understanding this expression helps non-native English speakers navigate casual conversations in English-speaking military environments, which is part of the ALCPT's assessment focus.
Question 6: Choose the correct meaning of 'once in a blue moon.' (A) During night operations (B) At a specific scheduled time (C) Very rarely (D) Under special atmospheric conditions
- During night operations
- At a specific scheduled time
- Very rarely (Correct answer)
- Under special atmospheric conditions
Correct answer: Very rarely
'Once in a blue moon' means something that happens very rarely. A 'blue moon' is the second full moon in a calendar month, which is an infrequent astronomical event.
The phrase 'once in a blue moon' refers to an event that happens very rarely or almost never. A 'blue moon' (the second full moon in a single calendar month) is an uncommon occurrence, giving rise to this expression. Example: 'We only get liberty passes once in a blue moon during intensive training.' This and similar time-frequency idioms are regularly tested on the ALCPT to assess the English vocabulary range of military language students.
ALCPT Idiomatic and Phrasal Expressions 2
What does the expression 'burn the midnight oil' mean?
(A) To destroy classified documents
(B) To work or study late into the night
(C) To waste fuel carelessly
(D) To signal distress with a flare