Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.
If we want to promote national integrity in our country, then we must desist our tendency of taking up with others.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. looking down upon.
Error concept: Incorrect use of the phrasal verb.
What is wrong: The phrase “taking up with others” is wrongly used in the context. It means to become friendly with someone, not to treat others as inferior.
Grammatical concept: Phrasal verbs have specific meanings that cannot be guessed from the individual words. Choosing the wrong phrasal verb can completely change the intended meaning of a sentence.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: The sentence talks about promoting national integrity, which requires people to stop showing superiority or discrimination toward others. Hence, “taking up with” does not fit because it suggests friendliness, not arrogance.
How to correct: Replace “taking up with” with “looking down upon”, which means to consider others inferior or less important.
Correct phrase / correction: looking down upon
Final sentence: If we want to promote national integrity in our country, then we must desist our tendency of looking down upon others.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.