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Difficulty: HardFigurative Use of Language and Connotations

During the parliamentary inquiry, the defense spokesperson stated that the committee's final report was nothing more than 'a Pyrrhic victory for the opposition, written in disappearing ink.' Which of the following best captures the combined figurative meaning and connotation of the expression 'a Pyrrhic victory... written in disappearing ink' as used in this context?

  1. A triumph achieved at such devastating cost that it yields no lasting or meaningful advantage.Answer
  2. B
    A military conquest where secret chemical messages are used to communicate tactical decisions.
  3. C
    A complete defeat caused by the physical destruction of official parliamentary paperwork.
  4. D
    An illegal conspiracy by the committee members to falsify public records and commit treason.

Answer

A triumph achieved at such devastating cost that it yields no lasting or meaningful advantage.
The term 'Pyrrhic victory' originates from King Pyrrhus, whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties in defeating the Romans, thus signifying a costly victory that leaves the winner severely weakened. Coupled with 'written in disappearing ink', which metaphorically highlights transience and lack of enduring substance, the expression connotes an empty triumph achieved at immense cost with no permanent benefit.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the classical allusion 'Pyrrhic victory'
Recognize that a Pyrrhic victory refers to a victory offset by staggering losses, rendering the win virtually hollow.
Understanding classical literary allusions is essential for decoding figurative language in formal registers.
2
Analyze the metaphorical expression 'written in disappearing ink'
Identify that disappearing ink connotes impermanence, lack of binding legal force, and quick fading into obscurity.
The metaphor reinforces the temporary and fragile nature of the committee's report.
3
Synthesize the combined figurative meaning in context
Combine 'costly/hollow victory' with 'impermanent/unenforceable result' to select the interpretation describing a triumph achieved at devastating cost that yields no lasting advantage.
The spokesperson uses both figures of speech to portray the opposition's success as completely futile.

Key Concept

Figurative Expressions, Literary Allusions, and Contextual Connotations
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Topics

Figurative Use of Language and Connotations

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