Question

Choose the exact meaning of the idiom/phrase.
To scale up
a) To make bigger
b) To discuss
c) To divide
d) To deliver

Answer 1

Hint: A phrase refers to an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up. For example- ‘be up’ refers to being out of bed.

Complete answer:
In the given question, the phrase ‘to scale up’ refers to ‘increase proportionally’.
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'to make bigger', refers to ‘causing something to be large or big relative to something else’.
Therefore, option (a.) is correct as it is similar to what the definition of ‘to scale up’ says.
Option (b.), ‘to discuss', refers to ‘to consider or examine in speech or writing’.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as it is not similar to the meaning of ‘to scale up’.
Option (c.), ‘to divide’, refers to ‘separate into parts or portions.’ Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as it is not synonymous with that of ‘to scale up’s definition.
Option (d.), ‘to deliver’, refers to ‘deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)’ Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as it is not similar to what ‘to scale up’ means.

Note: In this type of question, the student must always recall that phrases should not be taken literally, as they seldom mean what the words in the phrase collectively portray to mean. However, in this question, the words are very indicative of the meaning of the phrase.