Question:medium

Choose the exact meaning of the idiom/phrase italicized in the sentence below: She has proved to be a snake in the grass.

Show Hint

A “snake in the grass” means a hidden or secret enemy.
  • Very poisonous snake
  • a secret agent
  • an unrecognizable enemy
  • not a religious person
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the meaning of the idiom "a snake in the grass". We need to find the correct figurative meaning among the given options.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:

The idiom "a snake in the grass" refers to a treacherous or deceitful person who pretends to be a friend. The imagery is of a hidden danger (a snake) that cannot be easily seen (it's in the grass).

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

The sentence states, "She has proved to be a snake in the grass." - (A) Very poisonous snake: This is a literal interpretation. Idioms are figurative. - (B) a secret agent: While a secret agent might be deceitful, the idiom is more general and refers to a hidden enemy in any context, usually a personal one, not necessarily espionage. - (C) an unrecognizable enemy: This captures the essence of the idiom. It refers to someone who appears to be friendly but is secretly an enemy; their treacherous nature is hidden or "unrecognizable" at first. - (D) not a religious person: This is completely unrelated to the meaning of the idiom. The best description of a "snake in the grass" is a hidden or secret enemy, someone you can't recognize as a foe.

Step 4: Final Answer:

The meaning of 'a snake in the grass' is an unrecognizable enemy. This corresponds to option (C).
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