Idioms – Choose the option that BEST explains the highlighted idiom in context. Sentence: “Do not imagine that Dharmendra is really sorry that his wife died. Those are only crocodile tears.”

Introduction / Context:“Crocodile tears” is a fixed idiom meaning insincere or feigned grief. The image comes from an old fable that crocodiles weep while devouring prey, symbolizing hypocritical displays of sadness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The speaker doubts the genuineness of grief.
• We need a concise paraphrase of the idiom.
• Only one option captures insincerity explicitly.

Concept / Approach:Translate the metaphor to its pragmatic meaning: a show of emotion that does not reflect real feeling. The idiom does not mean slight regret or anything about actual reptiles.

Step-by-Step Solution:Identify idiom: “crocodile tears” → feigned grief.Check options for insincerity: “Pretended sorrow” matches exactly.Eliminate literal or weak alternatives.

Verification / Alternative check:Substitute: “Those are only pretended sorrow.” With subject-verb adjustment, the sense is unchanged.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Tears a crocodile / A weeping crocodile: literal, not idiomatic.
• Mild regret: suggests small but genuine feeling; the idiom means false display.

Common Pitfalls:Thinking “crocodile tears” means “very big tears”; the core is hypocrisy, not intensity.

Final Answer:Pretended sorrow