Introduction / Context:
“For a song” is a fixed idiom indicating an extremely low price—so low it is almost as if the payment was only a song. Real estate, vehicles, and collectibles are typical contexts where this idiom appears to underscore a bargain sale by the seller or a windfall for the buyer.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Object: a house (high-value item).
- Idiom: “for a song” → bargain-level cheapness.
- We need the option that captures the extremity of the low price.
Concept / Approach:
Among choices, “very cheaply” is the strongest, clearest match. “At a discount” can be modest and is too vague; “at a reasonable price” suggests fairness, not a steal; “at a premium” is the opposite; “after much negotiation” describes process, not price level.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Recall idiom: “for a song” = extremely cheap.2) Select “very cheaply.”3) Reject weaker or opposite price descriptions.
Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “He sold his house very cheaply.” This exactly preserves the idiomatic meaning.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
reasonable price: Neutral, not especially cheap.discount: Could be small; not necessarily “song-level.”at a premium: Means more than usual; opposite.after much negotiation: Irrelevant to price level.
Common Pitfalls:
Equating any discount with “for a song.” The idiom emphasizes an unusually low, almost symbolic price.
Final Answer:
very cheaply
Discussion & Comments