Question

Difficulty: EasyFigurative Language and Figures of Speech in Context

Read the passage excerpt below:

'After consecutive years of poor leadership and financial mismanagement, the manufacturing firm was bleeding money every quarter, forcing the board of directors to intervene.'

In the passage excerpt above, what does the figurative expression 'bleeding money' mean?

  1. Experiencing rapid and continuous financial lossesAnswer
  2. B
    Sustaining physical injuries in factory operations
  3. C
    Allocating funds exclusively to health and medical services
  4. D
    Illegally hiding corporate profits from taxation authorities

Answer

The expression 'bleeding money' means experiencing rapid and continuous financial losses.
The correct answer accurately interprets the metaphor 'bleeding money'. In financial contexts, 'bleeding' figuratively describes a severe, steady, and uncontrolled loss of capital or revenue, which aligns with the passage's mention of poor leadership and financial mismanagement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the figurative expression in the passage excerpt.
The phrase 'bleeding money' is used metaphorically in relation to the firm's financial status.
Recognizing that 'bleeding' is used non-literally is essential for contextual interpretation.
2
Analyze the contextual clues provided in the excerpt.
Clues like 'poor leadership', 'financial mismanagement', and 'forcing the board... to intervene' indicate a negative financial drain.
Contextual clues clarify the specific meaning of the metaphor.
3
Deduce the metaphorical meaning of the phrase.
Just as bleeding causes a steady loss of vital blood, 'bleeding money' signifies a continuous and severe loss of funds.
Matching the metaphorical vehicle to its conceptual meaning yields the correct interpretation.

Key Concept

Understanding figurative language and metaphorical meaning in context
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