Select the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom: 'Bad blood'
- (a)Feelings of hatred between people
- (b)A situation which goes from bad to worse
- (c)A fatal accident
- (d)To accept the unpleasant situation
Answer
A
Why
Correct — A, feelings of hatred between people. 'Bad blood' is the long-standing ill feeling, hostility or resentment that exists between people or groups, usually after a past quarrel or grievance — as in 'There has been bad blood between the two families for years.' It names mutual animosity, not an accident, a worsening situation, or acceptance.
Why the others are wrong
- (b)A situation which goes from bad to worse — That describes deterioration; 'bad blood' names hostility between people, not a declining situation.
- (c)A fatal accident — Despite the word 'blood', the idiom has nothing to do with injury or death.
- (d)To accept the unpleasant situation — That is resignation or acceptance; 'bad blood' is active hostility, the opposite of calmly accepting things.
Concept
Idiom: 'bad blood' = long-standing hostility, resentment or hatred between people or groups.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.
Practice
- practice — not a real PYQ
Choose the meaning of the idiom 'to bury the hatchet':
- (a)to hide a weapon
- (b)to make peace after a quarrel
- (c)to dig a garden
- (d)to start a fight
Answer(b) to make peace after a quarrel.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The idiom 'at loggerheads' means:
- (a)in complete agreement
- (b)in strong disagreement
- (c)feeling sleepy
- (d)working together
Answer(b) in strong disagreement.