Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the meaning of an idiom. An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not deducible from the literal meaning of its individual words.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The idiom is "black and blue". We need to know its established figurative meaning.
- Black and blue: This idiom refers to the appearance of bruises on the skin, which are dark (black or blue) marks caused by being hit. By extension, to be beaten 'black and blue' means to be beaten so severely that one is covered in bruises.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence says the chain snatcher was "beaten black and blue".
- (A) admired: This means respected or approved of, which is the opposite of being beaten.
- (B) thrashed severely: "Thrashed" means beaten violently. "Severely" means to a great degree. This matches the meaning of being beaten so much that one has many bruises.
- (C) painted in black and blue colours: This is a literal interpretation of the words, which is incorrect for an idiom.
- (D) arrested: This means taken into custody by the police. While this might happen after being beaten, it is not the meaning of the idiom itself.
The correct meaning of the idiom is to be beaten or thrashed severely.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The meaning of 'black and blue' in this context is thrashed severely. This corresponds to option (B).