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Difficulty: EasyFigurative Use of Language and Connotations

Read the sentence below carefully:
'After working non-stop for eighteen hours in the emergency room, the doctor was dead on his feet.'
What is the figurative meaning of the underlined expression in the sentence?

  1. A
    suffering from a severe foot injury
  2. extremely tired and exhaustedAnswer
  3. C
    unable to walk due to nerve paralysis
  4. D
    pronounced deceased while standing up

Answer

The figurative meaning of 'dead on his feet' is being extremely tired and exhausted.
The expression 'dead on one's feet' is a well-known English idiom used figuratively to describe extreme physical or mental fatigue resulting from continuous hard work or prolonged exertion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence.
The doctor has worked non-stop for eighteen hours.
Long working hours establish a context of fatigue and physical strain.
2
Interpret the underlined figurative expression.
The phrase 'dead on his feet' is an idiom conveying overwhelming tiredness.
Idiomatic expressions cannot be understood by taking their individual words literally.

Key Concept

Figurative Language and Idiomatic Connotations
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Topics

Figurative Use of Language and Connotations

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