Question

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase:
To get into a row
A. To arrange in a line
B. To present neatly
C. To get into a boat
D. To quarrel

Answer 1

Hint: The phrase ‘to get into a row’ means to get into a fight or a dispute. If two people are having a row, they are having a serious and noisy disagreement or argument.

Complete step-by-step answer:

 ‘To get into a row’ is an idiom. Idioms are phrases that have a metaphorical meaning. Their true meaning does not lie in their face value, but in a metaphor that represents the sum of their parts. We can guess the meaning of this phrase from the word ‘row’ which is part of this idiom. The word row implies a fight. Thus, when you get into a row, you are a part of a squabble that is noisy and intense in scope.
Let us look at an example.
The two boys got into a row over who would eat the last piece of cake.
Here, we can see that a commotion is in progress; the bone of contention is a piece of cake. Rows are noisy affairs that grab the attention of everyone in the vicinity and they are likely to accrue undue interest.
Now, let us look at the question. We have been asked to choose an alternative which means the same as ‘to get into a row’. This phrase is best described by the meaning to quarrel as we have seen above. Therefore, option ‘d’ is the correct answer.

Note: This phrase ‘to get into a row’ is generally followed by the word ‘over’ or ‘because’ depending on the context of the sentence.