NDA (I) 2022 General Ability Test · Question 13 of 150

Correct — D, 'timely action that prevents a negative outcome.' The proverb 'a stitch in time saves nine' means dealing with a small problem promptly stops it from growing into a far bigger one — timely action that heads off worse trouble — option (d).

• (a)tailoring one's efforts efficiently — A literal 'stitch/sewing' reading; the proverb is about acting in time, not tailoring.
• (b)making an effort to succeed — Too general — it misses the core idea of acting early to prevent bigger trouble.
• (c)inability to take timely decision — This is the opposite; the proverb praises prompt action, not delay.

'A stitch in time' is from 'a stitch in time saves nine' — attending to a small problem promptly prevents it from becoming a much bigger one.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Complete and give the meaning: 'A stitch in time saves ___.'

  • (a)five
  • (b)nine
  • (c)ten
  • (d)one

  Answer(b) nine — the proverb means prompt action prevents much bigger trouble later.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Choose the meaning of the idiom 'to nip it in the bud'.

  • (a)to stop something early before it grows
  • (b)to pick a flower
  • (c)to encourage growth
  • (d)to delay a decision

  Answer(a) to stop something early before it grows — like a stitch in time, it stresses early action.