In English idioms and phrases, the expression "good Samaritan" refers to whom?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of the English idiom "good Samaritan". Idioms are expressions whose meanings cannot always be guessed from the literal definitions of the individual words. They are often drawn from literature, religion, or history. Knowing common idioms is important for comprehension and usage in both spoken and written English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: "good Samaritan".
• We must identify the meaning in modern English usage.
• Options describe different types of people, including charitable persons and those with selfish motives.
• We assume general, non technical use of the idiom, as found in newspapers and everyday speech.

Concept / Approach:
The phrase "good Samaritan" originates from a well known story in the Christian Bible, where a Samaritan man helps an injured stranger when others pass by. Over time, this story has given rise to the idiom. In modern English, regardless of religious background, a "good Samaritan" simply means a person who generously helps someone in trouble, especially strangers, often without expecting any reward in return. Therefore, we look for an option that captures the idea of kindness and helpfulness without selfish motives.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the common modern meaning of "good Samaritan": a person who goes out of the way to help someone in need. Step 2: Examine option "a very rich but humble person". Wealth and humility are not central to the idiom. A good Samaritan can be rich or poor. Step 3: Examine option "a person who helps others but with a hidden cause". This implies selfish or manipulative motives, which conflicts with the spirit of the idiom. Step 4: Examine option "a charitable or helpful person". This matches the widespread use of the term, focusing on kindness and helpfulness. Step 5: Examine option "a person who accepts defeat sportingly". This describes sportsmanship, not specifically charitable action toward people in need. Step 6: Examine option "a person who only helps friends and relatives". The idiom especially highlights helping strangers, so this option contradicts its core idea. Step 7: Conclude that "a charitable or helpful person" is the correct explanation of the idiom.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider typical usage: "A good Samaritan came to my rescue when my car broke down in the rain." Here, the phrase clearly refers to a kind stranger who helped without selfish motives. Newspapers also use headlines like "Good Samaritan saves child from accident". In all such contexts, the focus is on helpfulness, not wealth, secret motives, or sporting defeat, confirming that the correct answer is the one that mentions a charitable or helpful person.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The option about a very rich but humble person shifts attention to wealth and character, which are not defining features of a good Samaritan. The option about hidden motives contradicts the selfless nature of the idiom. The option about accepting defeat sportingly belongs to a different idiomatic field related to games and competitions. The option about helping only friends and relatives misses the essential element of helping strangers; in fact, the story behind the idiom emphasises kindness to someone outside one's own group.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners assume that any positive sounding phrase can describe a "good Samaritan", but idioms usually have a specific focus. Another common pitfall is to mix up "good Samaritan" with "good sportsman" or general qualities like humility. To avoid such confusion, always recall at least one typical sentence in which you have seen the idiom correctly used. This habit strengthens your long term memory of idiomatic meanings.

Final Answer:
In modern English, a "good Samaritan" is a charitable or helpful person, especially someone who helps others in difficulty without expecting reward.