At sixes and sevens
- (a)on top of the situation
- (b)state of denial
- (c)state of total confusion
- (d)well-planned and prepared
Answer
C
Why
Correct — C, 'state of total confusion.' To be 'at sixes and sevens' is to be in a state of confusion or disorder — things in disarray, or people unable to agree — which option (c) states.
Why the others are wrong
- (a)on top of the situation — This means being in control — the opposite of the confusion the idiom describes.
- (b)state of denial — Denial is refusing to accept facts; the idiom is about disorder and confusion, not denial.
- (d)well-planned and prepared — This is the opposite of being in disarray.
Concept
'At sixes and sevens' means in a state of confusion or disorder, or with people unable to agree.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the meaning of the idiom 'in a shambles'.
- (a)in complete disorder
- (b)neatly arranged
- (c)under repair
- (d)brand new
Answer(a) in complete disorder — the same sense of disarray as 'at sixes and sevens'.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the meaning of the idiom 'topsy-turvy'.
- (a)upside down and in confusion
- (b)perfectly organised
- (c)slow and steady
- (d)bright and colourful
Answer(a) upside down and in confusion — a close match to 'at sixes and sevens'.