ic S/general/checkmark circled Thanks for subscribing! Be on the lookout for our next newsletter.
ic S/general/checkmark circled
Saved to My Favorites. View My Favorites
Articles / Preparing for College / Understanding Idioms on the SAT and ACT

Understanding Idioms on the SAT and ACT

Rob Franek
Written by Rob Franek | Sept. 30, 2020
Understanding Idioms on the SAT and ACT

Pexels

Whether you choose to take the ACT or the SAT, one of the trickier parts you'll run into on either Writing section has to do with idioms. The reason for the difficulty is that idioms are phrases that simply have to be memorized, much like the way you have to remember how to properly conjugate irregular, rule-breaking verbs. And on these tests, they're not even flashy phrases like "It's raining cats and dogs," or "I'm pulling your leg," which are used to indicate something different from their literal meaning. Instead, you'll have to remember the subtle differences between things like "arrive at" and "arrive to" or identify a correct answer as "in order to" and not "in order with."


These phrases are hard enough for native English speakers to keep straight, but whether you're a non-native speaker or not, you'll definitely want to make sure you've learned the right usages (and that you have time to unlearn any wrong ones). After all, while these idioms do follow consistent rules, those rules change for each phrase! With a little practice and some solid strategies, you'll be prepared to ace idioms on the SAT and ACT.

Know What the Test Is Saying

The easiest and best-case scenario is that you are already familiar with the idiom. Here's an example:

The fact that my friend has tried out for every school play even though she has never gotten a part is a testament _____ her persistence.

A. by

B. for

C. of

D. to

If you understand that the sentence is suggesting that her persistence is what has caused the friend to continue to try out for a part, you may be able to eliminate (A) and (B) because they don't quite suggest that idea. However, between (C) and (D), you have to know the idiom. The correct phrase is "testament to," so the answer here is (D).

Rule Things Out

If you're stuck between two choices that sound equally plausible, consider the definitions of your answer choices. Most idioms on the SAT and ACT involve prepositions, which are those little directional words such as of, with, by, from and on. Sometimes you can answer, or at least eliminate a couple of wrong answers, simply by considering the definition of each preposition. Here's an example sentence with answer choices:

Review the vocabulary words before your test so that the definitions are fresh ______ your mind.

A. on

B. with

C. in

D. from

Here, if you are not familiar with the idiom, you may be able to get the answer by thinking about what each preposition means in the context of the sentence. The word on generally involves something being on top of something else, and the definitions wouldn't be on top of your mind, so (A) doesn't work. The word with joins together two things, but the definitions and your mind aren't being put together, so eliminate (B). In works: the definitions should be fresh inside your mind. Keep (C). The word from indicates the source of something, like the definitions are coming out of your mind. This isn't the intended meaning of the sentence, so eliminate (D). Only (C) makes sense here.

Idiom Questions Aren't Raining Cats and Dogs

The good news is that on both the SAT and ACT, these types of questions are relatively rare, appearing once or twice on the SAT and slightly more than that on the ACT. The vast majority of questions on both the SAT Writing & Language and the ACT English follow consistent grammar and punctuation rules, so you should focus your efforts on those topics first. But after you've done that, idioms are a way to pick up some extra points, especially if you're aiming for the highest possible score.

The bad news is that you can't just memorize a list of idioms: there are too many to list, and the writers rarely test the same one twice. The best way to improve on this topic is to be an active reader. The more you immerse yourself in books, newspapers, articles and other sources, the likelier you are to encounter and absorb idioms. This exposure to common phrases will help you subconsciously identify which ones sound correct.

Check out our books Princeton Review ACT Prep and Princeton Review SAT Prep for more SAT and ACT test prep guidance, and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel for new and ongoing tips.

Share Your Thoughts

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Check out our forum to contribute to the conversation!

Written by

Rob Franek

Rob Franek

College Admissions and Test Prep Expert

More on Preparing for College

See all
Boston_University

Moving Away from Home for College: The Tales of an International Student in Boston

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, I was used to small-town living. I attended an international boarding school as a day …

pexels-andy-barbour-6683676

2023 AP Exam Score Distributions

This year’s AP Scores have been released and Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program has shared the details of this…

SummerApply_Article Headers

10 Summer Programs Still Open For Applications

Summer is here, marking one of the best times for motivated high schoolers to enroll in summer programs where they can diversify …

STEM-jeswin-thomas-unsplash

Summer STEM Prep: Start Strong and Avoid These Common Pitfalls

College-level STEM programs are notoriously rigorous, and getting off to a strong start can make a huge difference for students w…

pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668869

A Solid Résumé is Worth the Effort for More Reasons Than You Can Imagine

Building a strong personal résumé in your first years of high school is recommended by counselors, college & university admis…

Get a student loan that goes beyond tuition.

Ascent offers cosigned and non-cosigned student loans with exclusive benefits that set students up for success.

Explore Now!
Find Your Scholarship

Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!

Search for Scholarship