Question

Select the correct meaning of the italicized idiom/phrase out of the four choices given.
Mr Gupta, who is one of the trustees of a big charity, is suspected of feathering his own nest.
A) Being lazy in doing his work
B) Being too generous
C) Neglecting his job
D) Making money unfairly

Answer 1

Hint: Idioms are phrases or groups of words that literally do not mean the same as the meaning intended by its user. For e.g. Piece of cake. It refers to a very easy task. It can be used in a sentence in the following manner; “Learning Mathematics is a piece of cake, as long as you have a good teacher.”

Complete answer:
The italicized phrase in the question is an idiom (phrase whose literal meaning does not match with its intended meaning). The idiom ‘feathering one’s own nest’ means to ‘make money for oneself in a selfish manner or by unfair or opportunistic means.’

Now let us look into the given options:
Option A) Being lazy in doing his work – The correct idiom for someone who is being lazy in doing his/her work is called ‘to slack off’. For e.g., Mr Gupta is known to be slacking off at work. It means that Mr Gupta is known to be lazy in doing his work. This option is incorrect.
Option B) Being too generous – A person being too generous is said to be unstinting, unsparing, lavish etc. This phrase or their synonyms do not mean the same as ‘feathering one’s own nest’. This option is therefore incorrect.
Option C) Neglecting his job – The correct idiom which means the same as this option is ‘to shirk one’s duty’. For e.g. Don’t expect to shirk your duties without me noticing it. This sentence means, “Don’t expect to neglect your jobs without me noticing it.” Thus, this option is incorrect.
Option D) Making money unfairly – This is the correct meaning of the phrase ‘feather one’s own nest’. Now the sentence in the given question can be written as “Mr Gupta, who is one of the trustees of a big charity, is suspected of making money unfairly. Thus, this is the correct option.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (D) Making money unfairly.

Note: Some other similar idioms are ‘to take for a ride’ which means, to trick someone. For e.g. I realized I had been taken for a ride when my order did not get delivered in the stipulated time. Another example is ‘to catch someone red-handed. It means to catch someone while doing something wrong or illegal. For e.g. He was caught red-handed at the site of the robbery.