Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of idioms/phrases. A white elephant
A useless possession which is extremely expensive to keep
An idiom carries a fixed figurative meaning, so 'a white elephant' should not be read by the literal sense of the two words.
Figuratively, the phrase names something you own that is more of a burden than a benefit: it is useless or troublesome yet very costly to keep or maintain.
The origin explains the sense: kings of Siam (Thailand) were said to gift a rare white elephant to a courtier they disliked; the animal was sacred, could not be worked or sold, and its upkeep ruined the owner.
So the defining features are 'no real use' plus 'expensive to maintain', which points straight to option 2.
'An extinct species' and 'an endangered species' take the elephant literally as an animal and ignore the figurative meaning.
'Someone belonging to a royal family' wrongly links the phrase to the royal gift-giver rather than to the costly, useless possession.
Hence the phrase means A useless possession which is extremely expensive to keep.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate idiom:
His sudden resignation caught everyone _______.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom:
The icing on the cake
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: See eye to eye
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Sit on the fence
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of idioms/phrases.
To take the bull by the horns
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of idioms/phrases.
Look before you leap
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Out and about
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Every nook and cranny
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: Tread on your toes
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom: On the same wavelength
Directions: Choose the most appropriate answer from among the options (a), (b), (c) or (d).
The lion's share
Directions: Choose the most appropriate answer from among the options (a), (b), (c) or (d).
Spill the beans
Directions: Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings for each. Choose the most appropriate answer from among the options (a), (b), (c) or (d).
Disappear into thin air
Directions: Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings for each. Choose the most appropriate answer from among the options (a), (b), (c) or (d).
Put the screws on
Directions: Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings for each. Choose the most appropriate answer from among the options (a), (b), (c) or (d).
Sit on the fence