Question

Choose the correct meaning of the phrase.
“A stalking horse”
A) A lame horse
B) Mask to hide a secret project
C) Horse for a race
D) Horse for marriage parties
E) A sportsman

Answer 1

Hint: Phrase often carries a special idiomatic meaning i.e. synonymous with expression Here, we have to choose the correct meaning or the synonym of the phrase or Same meaning of the phrase.
The meaning of the phrase “A stalking horse” is ‘being used to obtain a temporary advantage so that someone can get what they really want’. For example: a stalking horse is someone who stands against a leader in order to see how strong the opposition is.

Complete answer:
Option A) A lame horse - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of ‘A lame horse’ is ‘something that is very kame and dysfunctional’ and this is not the synonym of “A stalking horse” because their meanings are not the same. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option B) Mask to hide a secret project - is the correct answer because the meaning of ‘Mask to hide a secret project’ is ‘camouflage true feelings or top secret’ and this is the synonym of the phrase “A stalking horse” and they can be used in place of each other because they have similar meaning. Thus, this is the correct answer.

Option C) Horse for a race - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of ‘Horse for a race’ is ‘any formidable contest or competition’ and this is not the synonym of “A stalking horse” because their meanings are not same. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option D) Horse for marriage parties - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of ‘Horse for marriage parties’ is ‘basically the horse is used to transport groom to the wedding as a part of tradition’ and this is not the synonym of “A stalking horse” because their meanings are not same. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Option E) A sportsman - is an incorrect answer because the meaning of ‘A sportsman’ is ‘a man who does a lot of sport or who is good at sport’ and this is not the synonym of “A stalking horse” because their meanings are not same. Thus, this is an incorrect answer.

Hence the correct answer is option ‘B’.

Note:Synonyms are the words that have the same or similar meaning i.e. synonyms of “A stalking horse” is a mask to hide a secret project. Thus, Option B is the correct answer as the question is all about telling the same or similar meaning of the phrase and other options are wrong as they fail to give the correct meaning.