Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given phrase.
“Knuckle under”
a) Submit
b) Scorn
c) Deal blows on all sides
d) Apply blows with force
e) Disable one’s opponent

Answer 1

Hint: A phrase refers to an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up. For example- ‘be up’ refers to being out of bed.

Complete answer:
In the given question, the phrase ‘knuckle under’ refers to ‘consent reluctantly’.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question-
Option (a.), 'submit', refers to ‘yield to the control of another’.Therefore, option (a.) is correct as it is similar to what the definition of ‘knuckle under’ says.
Option (b.), ‘scorn', refers to ‘open disrespect for a person or thing’.Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as it is not similar to the meaning of ‘knuckle under’.
Option (c.), ‘deal blows on all sides', refers to delivering powerful strokes with the fist or a weapon from every side. Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as it is not synonymous with that of ‘knuckle under” definition.
Option (d.), ‘apply blows with force', refers to delivering powerful strokes with the fist or a weapon. Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as it is not similar to what ‘knuckle under’ means.
Option (e.), ‘disable one’s opponent’, refers to injuring a contestant that you are matched against permanently. Therefore, option (e.) is incorrect as it is not similar to what ‘knuckle under’ means.

Note: In this type of question, the student must always recall that phrases should not be taken literally, as they seldom mean what the words in the phrase collectively portray to mean. Let’s now look at an example where the given phrase ‘knuckle under’ is used- It is arguable whether the rebels will knuckle under.