SarkariPYQ

SSC CGL 2018 PYQ — Question 9

SSC CGL Tier II English - 20/02/2018 • English • Q9

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In the following question, out of the given four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Give oneself airs

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Pretend to be good.

The idiom "give oneself airs" means to behave in a way that makes others think you are more important, superior, or sophisticated than you actually are. It's a form of pretentious behaviour where someone tries to project an image of being better or more accomplished than they truly are.

Let's break down the provided options in the context of this idiom:

  1. "Be intelligent" doesn't convey the idea of pretending to be something one is not. It's more about possessing a quality (intelligence) rather than pretending.

  2. "Penniless" means having no money, which is unrelated to the idiom's meaning.

  3. "Prepare for a difficulty" is unrelated to the idiom's meaning. It's about getting ready for a challenge, not about pretending to be something one is not.

So, in the context of the idiom "give oneself airs," option 3, "Pretend to be good," is the most appropriate choice as it conveys the idea of pretending to have a positive quality or virtue that one may not truly possess.