Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom. Sentence:…
2019
Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.
Sentence:
Recently, he has been giving airs to himself. I don’t know why.
- A.
feeling very happy
- B.
behaving arrogantly
- C.
not feeling well
- D.
needing change of climate
Attempted by 67 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct meaning: behaving arrogantly or acting superior to others.
Explanation: "Give(s) airs to oneself" means to behave in a proud, haughty, or pretentious way, often to impress or look down on others. The sentence notes a recent change in his behaviour, which matches this meaning.
Clue from the sentence: The phrase describes how he has been behaving recently, so the meaning should describe a kind of behaviour, not a health or mood state.
Synonyms: act snobbishly, act self-important, put on airs.
Why the other choices are wrong: The choices referring to feeling happy, not feeling well, or needing a change of climate relate to mood or health and do not describe boastful or superior behaviour.
Example: After his promotion, he started giving airs to himself, refusing to talk to former colleagues as before.
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