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Difficulty: MediumIdioms and Idiomatic Expressions

Read the sentence below carefully:

'When a heated argument broke out between the senior executives regarding the proposed corporate restructuring, the board chairperson stepped in to pour oil on troubled waters.'

Which of the following options best expresses the meaning of the bolded idiomatic expression?

  1. A
    literally clean up liquid spills caused by a physical altercation
  2. pacify the situation and restore harmony among the disputing partiesAnswer
  3. C
    escalate the conflict by taking a harsh and uncompromising stance
  4. D
    dismiss all executive staff responsible for initiating the disagreement

Answer

To pacify the situation and restore harmony among the disputing parties.
The idiomatic expression 'pour oil on troubled waters' means to say or do something that calms a tense situation, reduces anger, or settles a heated argument. In the sentence, the chairperson intervenes during a disagreement to bring peace and pacify the executives.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the sentence context and identify the bolded idiomatic expression.
The phrase 'pour oil on troubled waters' describes the action taken by the chairperson during a heated argument between senior executives.
Contextual clues indicate a conflict resolution role undertaken by a leader.
2
Deduce the figurative meaning of the idiom.
Just as pouring oil onto rough water calms the surface waves, 'pouring oil on troubled waters' means intervening to soothe anger, calm tempers, and resolve discord.
Idioms carry established non-literal meanings derived from metaphorical imagery.
3
Match the figurative definition with the provided options.
The option stating 'pacify the situation and restore harmony among the disputing parties' accurately conveys this meaning.
It captures the peaceful, resolving nature of the expression.

Key Concept

Interpretation of English idioms in context
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Topics

Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions

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