Question

Choose the correct meaning for the idiom.
To smell a rat
A. To suspect a trick
B. To detect a foul smell
C. To behave like a rat
D. To trust blindly

Answer 1

Hint: In this question we need to look for the phrase which defines the correct meaning of the given idiom. Let’s first understand what idiom means – Idioms may be defined as expressions peculiar to a language or present in a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase.

Complete answer :
The idiom ‘to smell a rat’ means: suspicious, to suspect that something wrong is happening, doubtful, etc.
Now let’s examine and understand the given option above.
To detect a foul smell: It means unpleasant smell, stinky, fetid, etc. This phrase doesn’t make any sense nor define the correct meaning of the given question so it is inappropriate.
To behave like a rat: It means hateful, liar, filthy, having disease, etc. This phrase doesn’t make any sense nor define the correct meaning of the given question so it is inappropriate.
To trust blindly: It means believe on someone even if that person speaks lies, blind trust, faith in someone, etc. This phrase is absolutely opposite of the given question so it is inappropriate.
To suspect a trick: Here the phrase ‘to suspect a trick’ defines the same meaning “someone who is not trustworthy, suspicious, doubtful, to suspect that something wrong is happening, etc. As it is a related and appropriate answer for the given question, so the suitable phrase will be option [A] to suspect a trick.

Note: For choosing the correct option you should know the actual meaning of the given question because an idiom is a phrase or an expression that has a meaning which is in most cases cannot be deduced directly from the individual words or phrases.