In English idioms, the phrase "cheek by jowl" is used to describe people, buildings, or things that are positioned how in relation to each other?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of English idiomatic expressions, specifically the phrase "cheek by jowl". Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be guessed directly from the individual words. Understanding idioms is important for reading comprehension, listening, and natural communication. Here, you must identify what spatial or relational idea is conveyed when two people or things are described as being "cheek by jowl".

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The idiom under test is "cheek by jowl".- The options describe different kinds of relationships or positions: being close together, arguing, teasing, or avoiding.- The phrase is often used about people, buildings, or objects in crowded conditions.- You must select the option that best captures the established meaning of the idiom.

Concept / Approach:
The idiom "cheek by jowl" originates from the image of two cheeks being pressed closely side by side. Historically, "jowl" refers to the jaw or cheek area. By extension, the expression describes entities that are packed closely together, often in cramped or crowded surroundings. The idiom does not carry an automatic meaning of arguing, teasing, or avoiding; it is primarily about physical or metaphorical closeness. Therefore, the correct paraphrase focuses on very close proximity.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall what "cheek" and "jowl" refer to in everyday language: parts of the face that can be side by side.Step 2: Understand the mental picture created by "cheek by jowl" as two faces pressed very closely together.Step 3: Consider typical sentences such as "The shops stood cheek by jowl in the busy market street" or "People were living cheek by jowl in the slums".Step 4: From such examples, recognize that the idiom refers to things or people being crowded or very close together.Step 5: Compare this idea with each option, checking which one focuses on closeness rather than conflict or avoidance.Step 6: Conclude that "Very close together" is the accurate explanation of the idiom.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can consult general usage: writers often say that houses, shops, or stalls in old cities stand "cheek by jowl", suggesting narrow streets where buildings nearly touch each other. The idiom is also used metaphorically, for example, "different cultures live cheek by jowl in this neighborhood", meaning they live side by side in close proximity. None of these examples suggest arguing or teasing; instead, they emphasise nearness. This confirms that the correct interpretation is physical or figurative closeness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option "Arguing": This relates to conflict in communication and has nothing to do with the spatial image in the idiom.Option "Teasing one another": Teasing is playful or irritating behaviour, but the idiom does not imply any emotional interaction, only closeness.Option "Avoiding one another": This is the opposite of closeness; avoiding would mean keeping distance, which contradicts the core idea of the idiom.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners try to interpret idioms literally and imagine people touching cheeks, which may mislead them into thinking the idiom is about affection or teasing. Others guess that unfamiliar idioms have negative meanings such as conflict or avoidance. The key is to remember that idioms must be learned as fixed units with established meanings. For "cheek by jowl", always associate it with the concept of things being packed or located very close together, often in crowded or slightly uncomfortable conditions.

Final Answer:
The idiom "cheek by jowl" means very close together, referring to people or things that are situated side by side in close proximity.