Choose the option which best expresses the meaning of the underlined…
2016
Choose the option which best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase in each sentence.
He knows which side his bread is buttered
- A.
knows where his advantage lies
- B.
knows the art of cooking
- C.
knows how to butter a slice
- D.
knows how to chatter
Attempted by 88 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct meaning: knows where his advantage lies
Explanation: The idiom 'knows which side his bread is buttered' means a person understands what benefits them or provides their support, and they act to protect or keep that advantage.
Why this fits: The image of bread being buttered suggests a source of benefit; someone who 'knows which side their bread is buttered' knows where their benefit comes from and behaves accordingly.
Why the other choices are wrong: Interpreting it as cooking skill or literally buttering bread misses the metaphorical meaning, and interpreting it as being talkative is unrelated to the idea of protecting one’s advantage.