Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given phrase:
‘To throw cold water upon’
a) To play colors
b) To discourage
c) To unravel
d) To give up contest
e) To deceive

Answer 1

Hint:The given phrase is an idiom and we know that idioms usually do not have an exact literal meaning of what the terms suggest, the meaning given out is metaphorical in nature.

Complete answer:
The given idiom, ‘to throw cold water upon’ can be explained as 'to discourage or deter something.' An example of sentence usage of this idiom is: ‘Our boss never likes to throw cold water on our suggestions.’
Now that we know the meaning and usage of the given idiom, we can process with the individual analysis of the given four alternatives.
Option ‘a’, ‘to play colours’, is not an idiom, and hence has to be taken by its literal meaning of playing with colors.
Option b, ‘to discourage’, matches with the meaning of the idiom given to us in the question, hence it is the correct answer.
 Option c, ‘to unravel’ means ‘ to investigate and solve or explain something complicated or puzzling.’ This also does not corroborate with the definition of the idiom we have, hence it is the wrong answer.
Option d, as we can see, is incorrect because ‘to give up contest’ simply means to give up on something someone has been trying.
And lastly, option e is not the correct answer because ‘to deceive’ is not anywhere around in its meaning to ‘discourage’ Hence, option b is the correct alternative.

Note:
Even if you find the correct answer initially, make sure to at least go through all options for once and do make it a point to not get carried away by the word to word meaning of the idiom.