English Idiom in Context — Identify the intended meaning. Sentence (corrected): Although both the parents have been running the show for the last ten years, their business is now on its last legs.

Introduction / Context:
The phrase “on its last legs” is a well-known idiom describing something near failure or collapse. In business reporting and everyday speech, it signals that a company, project, or device is almost worn out or no longer viable. This question asks you to connect that idiomatic meaning with an option that best describes impending failure, not success.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence contrasts long-term effort (“have been running the show for the last ten years”) with current decline (“on its last legs”).
• We are selecting a paraphrase that captures near-death/near-collapse.
• Options contain both positive and negative outlooks.

Concept / Approach:
“On its last legs” means “about to die, fail, or give out.” In commercial narratives, it implies dwindling resources, loss of market share, or structural weakness. Therefore, the best paraphrase is “about to perish.” Options implying growth, results, or takeoff contradict the idiom’s pessimistic message.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “their business is now about to perish.” The narrative remains coherent and reflects the grim prognosis signaled by the idiom. Business journalism uses similar phrasing when firms face insolvency or terminal decline.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• About to fructify: Suggests bearing fruit; opposite sense.
• About to produce results: Implies success is imminent; contradicts the decline.
• About to take off: Suggests rapid growth; opposite of near collapse.

Common Pitfalls:
Misreading idioms by focusing on prior effort rather than current state. Regardless of past dedication, “on its last legs” always points to end-of-life condition for the subject.

Final Answer:
About to perish