Question

Choose the exact meaning of the idioms/phrases.
Let us admit that we could not heap coals of fire on his head.
A. Burn him alive
B. Agitate him
C. Make him feel sorry by returning good for evil
D. Put him to shame

Answer 1

Hint: An idiom is a phrase, saying or a group of words that has a metaphorical i.e. non literal meaning, which has become accepted in common usage. An idiom’s symbolic sense is quite different from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. Idioms are a special type of phrase having symbolic meaning whereas the phrase bears literal meaning. Here “heap coals of fire on one’s head “is an idiom.

Complete step by step solution:
A. Burn him alive- Means give him a death by burning in fire. But the given phrase is an idiom and refers to some other concept. Hence this is not a correct answer.
B. Agitate him- Means make him disturbed. Hence this is not a correct answer.
C. Make him feel sorry by returning good for evil- Means to make him feel guilty or remorse by showing pity for his evil works. Hence this is the exact meaning of the idiom.
D. Put him to shame-Means make him shameful. Hence this is not a correct answer.

Hence, the option C is the correct answer.

Note: This idiom is Biblical in origin. It means that when instead of returning evil for evil i.e. revenge, you return good for evil, you will make him feel sorry for wrong deeds.