Question

Choose the meaning of the given idiom.
To make clean breast of

a) To tell the truth about something
b) To gain prominence
c) To destroy before it blooms
d) To praise oneself

Answer 1

Hint: The given phrase is an idiom that does not mean the same as it seems to. It gives a figurative meaning of being honest.

Complete answer:

Idioms are phrases that give a non-literal, figurative meaning to a sentence. An idiom is often used in a sentence to provide it a meaning not deducible at a glance.
Example: ‘Break a leg’ is an idiom that we use to wish good luck to someone.
The given idiom ‘to make clean breast of’ something refers to telling truth about someone or something. It also indicates to speak honestly about something that was previously lied about.
Example: The culprit made clean breast of the case at the court.
That being the case, option a gives us the right explanation of the given idiom and hence, the right answer.
Option b is wrong because the given idiom does not mean ‘to gain prominence.’
Option c is wrong because ‘to nip in the bud’ is the idiom that we often use to indicate the destruction of something before its bloom.
Similarly, option d is also wrong as ‘pat my back’ is the expression that means to praise.

Note: More than one idiom can have the same meaning. Also, do not confuse an idiom with a phrasal verb, as both can have non-literal meanings.