Some proverbs/idioms are given below together with their meanings. Choose the…

2024

Some proverbs/idioms are given below together with their meanings. Choose the correct meaning of proverb/idiom, If there is no correct meaning given, E (i.e.) 'None of these' will be the answer.

To play second fiddle

  1. A.

    To be happy, cheerful and healthy

  2. B.

    To reduce importance of one's senior

  3. C.

    To support the role and view of another person

  4. D.

    To do back seat driving

Attempted by 5 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Idiom-meaning questions test the fixed figurative sense an idiom carries by established usage, not a literal word-for-word reading. Many English idioms describe interpersonal roles or hierarchy — one person taking a subordinate, supporting, or secondary position relative to another.

'To play second fiddle' literally refers to the second-violin part in an orchestra, which follows and supports the first violin's lead. Figuratively, it means to accept a supporting or subordinate role and defer to another person's lead or view — precisely the sense captured by 'To support the role and view of another person.'

Contrasting the other options by their own meaning:

  • 'To be happy, cheerful and healthy' describes a state of well-being or contentment — unrelated to any hierarchy or subordination.

  • 'To reduce importance of one's senior' describes actively undermining a senior — the opposite dynamic, since the idiom is about deferring TO someone, not diminishing them.

  • 'To do back seat driving' describes interfering with or directing someone else's actions from a secondary position — a different idiom (backseat driving = giving unwanted directions), not about accepting a subordinate role.

So the idiom's established meaning matches accepting a supporting role and deferring to another person's lead or view.

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