Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given phrase.
"To blow one's own trumpet"
a) To flatter
b) To praise others
c) To admonish others
d) To praise oneself
e) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The given phrase is an idiom that has a non-literal meaning. The statement indicates on boasting about oneself.

Complete answer:
An idiom is a phrase that expresses a figurative and non-literal meaning to a context.
Example: Unable to make a decision, she found herself between the devil and the deep sea.
The given idiom 'to blow one's own trumpet' means to talk loud about one’s own achievements in a way that shows how one is proud of their self.
It, therefore, indicates a way of praising one’s self. That being the case, option d gives the right meaning to the idiom.
Option a is wrong as ‘flatter’ means to praise or compliment someone insincerely in order to fake the happiness and proud one has on their achievements.
Similarly, ‘to praise others’ in option b is also wrong as the given idiom indicates self-praising and boasting rather than commenting on other’s achievements.
Option c is wrong. To admonish means to warn or reprimand someone firmly and does not have any relation to the given idiom and hence the wrong option.

Note: Do not confuse idioms over phrasal verbs. Although both have non-literal meanings, phrasal verbs are a combination of the main verb with a preposition or an adverb. Example: take over.