Choose the correct meaning of the idiom:
"Leave someone in the lurch."
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
To abandon someone in trouble or difficulty
Explanation
Meaning: The idiom "Leave someone in the lurch" means to desert or walk away from someone precisely when they are facing a difficult situation, helpless predicament, or crisis where they expected your assistance. To solve this quickly for an exam, look at the historical origin of the phrase. The word "lurch" comes from an old French board game called lourche, where being left in the lurch meant being placed in a position of complete disadvantage or severe loss. Evaluating the incorrect choices: "To support someone in a crisis" is the exact opposite of this phrase, while giving a gift or misleading someone does not reflect the element of sudden abandonment. Therefore, Option 2 is the correct choice.
Key Points
Definition: Interpreting idioms requires translating a figurative phrase into its established real-world social meaning, focusing on the core concept of desertion during a time of need.
Grammatical Role: Selecting an infinitive phrase that accurately describes a negative behavioral action toward another person.