Correct answer: (D) To lose a sustained share/position.
Explanation:
The idiom “to lose ground” (often followed by “to somebody/something”) means to fall behind in a competition, struggle, or area of influence; to lose an advantage, popularity, or acceptance. It implies a decline in one’s position or standing relative to others or over time. For example, a company might be losing ground to its competitors in terms of market share or a political party might lose ground in popularity among voters. The idiom is believed to have originated from a military context, referring to an army retreating and giving up territory.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) An skeptical person: This refers to a person who is doubtful or questioning, which is the meaning of “a doubting Thomas,” not “to lose ground.”
• (B) To keep people at a distance: This means to avoid close contact or involvement with others, which is unrelated to losing position or advantage.
• (C) To interfere in someone’s affairs: This means to meddle or become involved in someone else’s business, which is unrelated to losing position or advantage.
• (D) To lose a sustained share/position: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it implies a decline in one’s standing, influence, or competitive advantage.
Therefore, to lose a sustained share/position best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to lose ground to somebody/something”.

Correct answer: (A) Perplexed.
Explanation:
The idiom “at one’s wit’s end” means being worried, confused, or frustrated by a problem or situation. Someone at their wit’s end doesn’t know what to do next or how to solve the problem. It means being at the limit of one’s ability to cope or find a solution due to mental exhaustion or despair [Link: Merriam-Webster]. “Wit” refers to one’s mental abilities or intelligence. For example, “I’m at my wit’s end trying to understand this complicated math problem,” means the person is utterly perplexed and doesn’t know how to proceed.
• (A) Perplexed: This accurately describes the meaning of the idiom, as being perplexed means to be completely baffled or confused.
• (B) Clear Up: This means to become understandable or resolved, which is the opposite of being at one’s wit’s end.
• (C) Explain: This means to make something clear or understandable, which is also the opposite of being at one’s wit’s end.
• (D) Enlighten: This means to give someone greater knowledge or understanding about a subject or situation, which is contrary to being at one’s wit’s end.
Therefore, perplexed best expresses the meaning of the idiom “at one’s wit’s end”

Correct answer: (C) Complete knowledge.
Explanation:
The idiom “at one’s fingertips” means to have information, facts, or resources readily available and easily accessible; to have complete and thorough knowledge or mastery of something, allowing one to recall or use it effortlessly. For example, “The experienced surgeon had every detail of the patient’s anatomy at their fingertips.” The phrase suggests immediate and effortless access to information or skills.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) To take revenge: This means to inflict harm on someone in return for an injury or wrongdoing, which is unrelated to having knowledge or resources available.
• (B) Matter of shame: This refers to a situation that causes embarrassment or disgrace, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
• (D) None of above: Since option (C) accurately describes the meaning, this option is incorrect.
Therefore, complete knowledge best expresses the meaning of the idiom “at one’s fingertips”.

Correct answer: (B) Without Delay.
Explanation:
The idiom “at the spur of the moment” means suddenly, impulsively, or without prior planning or premeditation; acting instantly without taking time to consider the consequences. It implies a spontaneous action taken without hesitation or forethought. The phrase comes from the idea of literally spurring a horse (using spurs to make it move quickly) without taking time to plan or prepare. For example, they decided to go on a road trip at the spur of the moment.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) Difficult Moment: This describes a challenging time, which is unrelated to the meaning of acting spontaneously.
• (B) Without Delay: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, emphasizing immediate action or a sudden decision.
• (C) Great Moment: This refers to an important or significant time, which is unrelated to the spontaneity of the idiom.
• (D) Very Slow: This is the opposite of the meaning of “at the spur of the moment,” which implies quick action.
Therefore, without delay best expresses the meaning

Correct answer: (A) close examinations.
Explanation:
The idiom “at close quarters” means in a close or confined space, or in a very detailed or thorough manner, particularly when it comes to observing, examining, or interacting with someone or something. It implies a detailed or intimate scrutiny. For example, “The detective examined the crime scene at close quarters” means he conducted a very detailed and thorough examination. Another example might be, “You get to know people better at close quarters when you travel together”, suggesting a more intimate understanding gained through proximity.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (B) live near to each other: While this involves being physically close, the idiom “at close quarters” more strongly implies a detailed observation or interaction, not just proximity in living arrangements.
• (C) live far from each other: This is the opposite of living near each other and is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (D) in love: This describes a romantic relationship and is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning of detailed examination or interaction in a confined space.
Therefore, close examinations best expresses one of the key meanings of the idiom “at close quarters”, especially in contexts involving scrutiny or detailed observation.

Correct answer: (B) To encourage someone in his bad times.
Explanation:
The idiom “keep your chin up” is an encouraging phrase that means to stay cheerful and courageous, especially during difficult or challenging times; to remain optimistic and hopeful despite adversity. It suggests maintaining a positive attitude and resilience when facing hardships. The phrase implies literally holding one’s chin up, a posture associated with confidence and determination rather than defeat or despair. For example, “Even after losing the competition, the coach told the team to keep their chins up.”
Let’s examine the other options:
(A) To tell people about someone’s secrets: This describes revealing confidential information, which is unrelated to encouraging someone.
(B) To encourage someone in his bad times: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it is used to offer support and motivate someone to remain positive during difficulties.
(C) Everyone gets a chance eventually: This implies fairness and opportunity over time, which is unrelated to encouragement during bad times.
(D) Once in a lifetime: This refers to a rare or unique occurrence, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
Therefore, to encourage someone in his bad times best expresses the meaning of the idiom “keep your chin up”.

Correct answer: (A) To make to bear the sins for others.
Explanation:
The idiom “to make someone the scapegoat for something” means to unfairly place blame or responsibility for mistakes, failures, or wrongdoing on an innocent person or group, allowing the real culprit to escape accountability. It implies that someone is singled out to take the fall for others’ transgressions. The origin of the term comes from an ancient Jewish ritual described in the Bible, where a goat was symbolically laden with the sins of the community and then driven into the wilderness to “bear away” those sins. For example, when the project failed, the manager tried to make a junior employee the scapegoat, even though the senior team was responsible for the strategic decisions.
• (A) To make to bear the sins for others: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, directly referencing the origin and meaning of being blamed unfairly for the faults of others.
• (B) Enjoy different opportunities at a single time: This describes multitasking or having multiple options, which is unrelated to being blamed unfairly.
• (C) Take a subordinate position: This implies accepting a less important role, which is unrelated to being singled out for blame.
• (D) Worried for frivolous things: This describes being anxious about unimportant matters, which is unrelated to being made a scapegoat.
Therefore, to make to bear the sins for others best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to make someone the scapegoat for something”.

Correct answer: (A) To pass away.
Explanation:
The idiom “to kick the bucket” is an informal and somewhat vulgar or jocular expression meaning to die or pass away. It is often used to avoid using the word “die” directly, but it can also be considered disrespectful in formal settings. The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but one theory suggests it comes from the practice of animals being slaughtered, where they were hung from beams by their feet, and “kicking the bucket” referred to the spasms that occurred before death. Another theory relates it to suicide by standing on a bucket with a noose around one’s neck and kicking the bucket away.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) To pass away: This is a euphemism for dying and accurately captures the meaning of the idiom.
• (B) To keep people at a distance: This means to avoid close contact or involvement with others, which is unrelated to the meaning of “to kick the bucket”.
• (C) To interfere in someone’s affairs: This means to meddle or become involved in someone else’s business, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
• (D) To lose a sustained share/position: This means to decline in one’s standing or competitive advantage, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
Therefore, to pass away best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to kick the bucket”.

Correct answer: (B) Hard to change a character.
Explanation:
The idiom “a leopard can’t/doesn’t change its spots” means that a person’s fundamental character, nature, or basic personality traits are unlikely to change, even if they try to appear different or claim to have changed. It implies that deep-seated habits or inherent qualities, especially negative ones, are resistant to alteration. The idiom draws a parallel with a leopard’s spots, which are an unchangeable part of its physical appearance. For example, if someone has a history of being unreliable, the idiom might be used to suggest they won’t suddenly become dependable. notes that the phrase is used to explain the idea that no one can change their innate nature.
Let’s examine the other options:
• (A) Hard to live alone: This describes difficulty with solitude and is unrelated to changing one’s fundamental character.
• (B) Hard to change a character: This accurately captures the meaning of the idiom, as it emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of changing a person’s inherent nature or ingrained personality traits.
• (C) Impossible to get success: This refers to the inability to achieve goals, which is unrelated to the meaning of the idiom.
• (D) A situation of lawlessness: This describes a state of disorder or anarchy, which is unrelated to changing character.
Therefore, hard to change a character best expresses the meaning of the idiom “a leopard can’t/doesn’t change its spots”.

Correct answer: (D) Worried about frivolous things.
Explanation:
The idiom “a storm in a tea-cup” (or “a tempest in a teapot” in American English) refers to a lot of anger, excitement, or fuss about something that is not important or trivial. It describes a situation where people are reacting in an exaggerated or disproportionate way to a minor issue, making it seem much more significant than it actually is. The image of a storm inside a small teacup illustrates the idea of a lot of commotion or emotional intensity over a very small, confined, and ultimately insignificant matter.
• (A) To see signs of a plague epidemic: This refers to observing indications of a severe disease outbreak and is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning of overreacting to a trivial matter.
• (B) To get back to the previous state without results: This describes returning to a former condition without achieving any progress, which is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (C) To hide oneself: This means to conceal oneself from others, which is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.
• (D) Worried about frivolous things: While “frivolous things” are unimportant, “a storm in a tea-cup” specifically describes the reaction to these unimportant things, which is characterized by excessive worry, anger, or excitement.
Therefore, worried about frivolous things best expresses the meaning of the idiom “a storm in a tea-cup”, as it highlights the focus on trivialities that generate excessive concern.