Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
 A bird in the hand_____________.
A. is worth two in the bush
B . Makes even a cat laugh
C . has brought forth a mouse
D. speaks louder than words
E . Changes his spots

Answer 1

Hint: An idiom is a word or term that usually has a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase, but although maintaining the literal meaning of the phrase, certain phrases become figurative idioms. The figurative sense of an idiom, categorised as formulaic language, is distinct from the literal meaning.

Complete answer:
Option A is the correct answer since the maxim 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' suggests that by trying to get more, it's easier to be satisfied with what you have than risk losing all.
Options B , C, D and E are wrong since none of these will correctly complete the proverb.

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 ‘A’

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.