Question

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom-
A fair weather friend.
a) A friend who is fair to us at all the times
b) A friend who deserts us in difficulties
c) A friend whom we love the most
d) A friend who loves us the most

Answer 1

Hint: An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words. For example: over the moon, see the light.

Complete answer:
The given idiom is 'a fair-weather friend'. This idiom means - a person whose friendship cannot be relied on in times of difficulty. For example: Don't rely on her, she is a fair-weather friend. We have to find out the correct meaning of this idiom from among the four given options.
Now, let us examine all the given options to find out the correct option :
Option 'a' - it is not the correct answer as it conveys the wrong meaning of the given idiom. It is a positive idiom towards the friend whereas the given idiom is a negative idiom towards the friend.
Option 'b' - it is the correct meaning of the given phrase as the word 'desert' means to 'abandon'. This phrase means abandoning the friend in difficult times, the same as the given option.
Option 'c' - it is an incorrect option as it doesn't convey the meaning of the given idiom, so we will eliminate this option.
Option 'd' - it is also an incorrect option as this is not related to the given idiom at all. So, we will eliminate this option as well. Hence, option 'b' is the correct option.

Note:
The idioms may have a literal meaning, as well as a metaphoric meaning. You must know basic idioms to find out the correct answer.