Question

Choose the correct meaning of the italicized idiom/phrase.
The cooperation and esprit de corps between the soldiers and the officers was directly responsible for their victory.
A. bravery
B. loyalty
C. subordination
D. unity

Answer 1

Hint: Idioms are a series of words or phrases with a commonly well-established and understood figurative meaning. So, in their literal meanings, these words can't be taken because they would sound farcical. In tales, poetry, and even in spoken words, idioms are sometimes used.

Complete answer:
'Esprit de corps' implies a sense of pride and collective allegiance felt by a group's members, so the correct interpretation of this word is solidarity, as the whole group shares this feeling together, so Choice D is the right response.

Option A is wrong because 'bravery' means being courageous and not afraid, and that's not what esprit de corps means.
Option B is wrong because it is not only loyalty, but also pride and power, so it is solidarity.
Option C is incorrect since 'subordination' implies a low, unrelated rank.

Additional information:
A phrase is "a small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit," while an idiom is "a group of words generated through use as having a meaning that is not deductible from those of the individual words." This is the distinction between an idiom and a phrase. "A herd of cats" is an idiom but not an expression.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘D’.

Note:An employer or boss might say the idiom shape up or ship out, which is like saying change your conduct or quit if you don't, to an employee, but not to other people. Idioms are not similar to slang. Idioms are made up of ordinary words familiar to almost all with a special meaning.