In the following idiom and phrase question, you must choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the expression "Give somebody a ring". In modern English usage, what does it usually mean if you say that you will "give someone a ring"?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of common English idioms. Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be guessed from the individual words. The phrase Give somebody a ring is widely used in everyday conversation, especially in British English, and the exam expects you to know its figurative meaning. Recognising such idioms helps you understand dialogues, texts and listening passages more accurately.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The idiom is Give somebody a ring.
• The options include ideas of marriage, bad news, a telephone call and trapping someone in a relationship.
• In actual usage, the phrase is often heard as I will give you a ring later.
• You must choose the option that matches this everyday meaning.

Concept / Approach:
Although the word ring can literally mean a circular piece of jewellery, especially used in engagements and weddings, in this idiom ring refers to the ringing sound of a telephone. Therefore, Give somebody a ring means to make a telephone call to that person. When solving idiom questions, you must resist the temptation to take words literally and instead recall their established figurative use. Context helps as well, because people commonly say I will give you a ring when they talk about contacting someone later.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall common conversational examples, such as Do not worry, I will give you a ring when I reach home. In such sentences, no actual jewellery is involved. Step 2: Understand that here ring refers to the ringing sound of a phone and the action of calling someone. Step 3: Compare this with option C, Call someone on the telephone, which precisely matches that meaning. Step 4: Option A, Propose marriage, may look plausible because rings are used in engagements, but the idiom for marriage proposal is more like pop the question, not give a ring in this sense. Step 5: Options B and D connect ring with negative events or trapping, which are not part of the established idiom. Therefore, Call someone on the telephone is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substituting each option into a sentence such as I will give you a ring tomorrow. If you interpret it as I will call you on the telephone tomorrow, the sentence is natural and matches how native speakers use it. If you interpret it as I will propose marriage to you tomorrow, it becomes strange and much too specific for casual conversation. Interpreting it as I will inform you about the death of a loved one tomorrow is morbid and does not match everyday friendly tone. Similarly, trapping someone in a difficult relationship is not part of normal usage. This substitution method confirms that the idiom means to call someone on the phone.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Propose marriage involves giving a ring in a literal sense, but the idiom Give somebody a ring does not usually refer to that; instead, one simply says propose or get engaged. Inform about the death of a loved one is associated with terrible news; there is no fixed idiom that uses ring in that way. Trap somebody in a difficult relationship is a creative but incorrect interpretation that ignores actual usage. None of these match the real idiom used in daily speech and therefore must be rejected.

Common Pitfalls:
A typical error is to over interpret the word ring and think only of jewellery and weddings. Exams often include tempting options that look logical if you take the words literally, but idioms require you to recall their conventional meaning in language communities. Another pitfall is to assume that any emotional or dramatic meaning is correct, whereas many idioms are simple and neutral in tone. Building a habit of reading or listening to authentic English content will help you internalise such phrases and recognise them instantly in exams.

Final Answer:
The idiom Give somebody a ring means to Call someone on the telephone.