Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given phrase.
“To get rid of”
a. To be deprived of
b. To understand
c. To become free from
d. To prevail over
e. To become irritated

Answer 1

Hint: The phrase ‘to get rid of’ refers to ‘take action so as to be free of (a troublesome or unwanted person or thing)’.

Complete answer:
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase.

This is an example of a literal idiom, as it is used in the context of its meaning. It can be used in a sentence as follows:
For example, in the sentence ‘She got rid of the faulty machine’, the phrase refers to throwing something away, so that you are free from it.

Now, we know the meaning and usage of the given phrase. Let’s look at the given options:

to be deprived of - This phrase refers to ‘to not allow (someone or something) to have or keep (something)’. This has a completely different meaning to the given phrase. This is not the required meaning. So, this is an incorrect option.
to understand - This phrase refers to ‘perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker)’. This has a very different meaning to the given phrase. It is not the required meaning. So, this is an incorrect option.

to become free from - This phrase refers to ‘to have something unwanted removed’. This has the exact same meaning as the given phrase. This is the required meaning. So, this is the correct option.

to prevail over - This phrase refers to ‘to get control or influence in a particular situation'. This has an unrelated meaning to the given phrase. This is not the required meaning. So, this is an incorrect option.
to become irritated - This phrase refers to ‘to provoke impatience, anger, or displeasure in'. This has a different meaning to the given phrase, This is not the required meaning. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note: Use the given phrase in a sentence, in order to understand its meaning. Then, choose the option that most resembles its meaning.