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Question

Select the options that best conveys the meaning of the underlined idiom in the sentence.

It is only your parents who would be by your side in the times of trouble. Believe me, others are mostly fair-weather friends.

This question was previously asked in
SSC-JHT Paper 1 2018 Question Paper (13-Jan-2019)
The correct answer is

people who desert in times of trouble

Understanding Fair-Weather Friends Idiom Meaning

The sentence highlights the difference between dependable support and conditional friendship. The key phrase here is the idiom "fair-weather friends". Let's break down its meaning and apply it to the context provided.

Contextual Analysis of the Sentence

The sentence contrasts parents' unwavering support during difficult times ("times of trouble") with the support offered by others. It states that these "others" are "mostly fair-weather friends". This implies that these friends are present and supportive only when conditions are good or easy, but disappear or offer no help when difficulties arise.

Meaning of Fair-Weather Friends

The idiom "fair-weather friends" refers to people who are loyal and friendly only when things are going well for you. They enjoy the good times but abandon you or are unhelpful when you face challenges or adversity. They are unreliable companions during difficult periods.

Evaluating the Options

Let's examine each option to see which one best defines "fair-weather friends" in this context:

  • Option 1: people who help all the time.

    This describes loyal and consistent friends, which is the opposite of fair-weather friends.

  • Option 2: people who desert in times of trouble

    This definition perfectly matches the meaning of fair-weather friends. They are friends only during good weather (easy times) and desert you when the weather turns bad (times of trouble).

  • Option 3: people who speak ill of others all the time

    This describes people who gossip or speak negatively about others, which is unrelated to the concept of friendship loyalty during difficult times.

  • Option 4: people who are of no use at any point of time

    This is too broad. Fair-weather friends can be useful during good times, but they are specifically characterized by their absence during bad times.

Conclusion on Fair-Weather Friends

Based on the analysis, the friends described as "fair-weather friends" are those who are present and supportive only during favorable conditions and abandon you when you face difficulties. Therefore, the option that best conveys this meaning is the one describing people who desert in times of trouble.

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