Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined phrase in the given sentence.
Despite the failure, the startup managed to keep their heads above water.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The correct answer is option 1 i.e. avoid trouble.
Error Concept: The underlined phrase is an idiom. The task is to find a suitable substitution with the same meaning.
What is wrong: The literal meaning of “keep their heads above water” does not match options 2, 3, or 4.
Grammar Concept: Idiomatic expressions convey figurative meaning, so substitution must match contextual sense.
Incorrectness in context: “Give up,” “fail miserably,” and “succeed completely” do not accurately reflect the idiomatic meaning of managing to survive or avoid trouble.
Correction/Substitution: Avoid trouble correctly captures the idiomatic sense.
Final Sentence: Despite the failure, the startup managed to avoid trouble.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.