Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Madly in love.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The idiom "Head over heels" is widely used in English, especially in romantic contexts. This question asks you to identify its correct meaning from the given choices. Idioms like this are common in spoken English, films, and literature, so recognising them is useful for both exams and everyday understanding of the language.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
"Head over heels" literally suggests someone flipping upside down, but idiomatically it means deeply and completely in love, often in a sudden or overwhelming way. When someone says "He is head over heels for her", they mean he is madly in love. The other options suggest foolishness, confusion, or trouble, but they do not match the well known romantic meaning of this phrase. The strategy is to recall common usage in love stories or songs and match the option that captures that emotional idea.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Put the idiom in a full sentence using each option. "After spending only a week together, he was head over heels in love with her" matches "madly in love" perfectly. If you try "he was head over heels to do stupid things" or "head over heels to dive into an unpleasant situation", the sentences sound unnatural and do not match common usage. Checking popular expressions confirms that the idiom is almost always followed by "in love", reinforcing the correct meaning.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Doing the opposite of what is expected, doing stupid things, or diving into unpleasant situations describe behaviour that might be unwise, but the idiom "head over heels" specifically refers to the emotional state of being deeply in love. Although one could argue that love sometimes causes unwise actions, exam questions look for the direct, dictionary style meaning. Being very confused also fails to capture the romantic element. Therefore, only "madly in love" accurately represents the idiom.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is overthinking the literal picture of someone flipping head over heels and connecting it with confusion or loss of balance. Idioms, however, must be remembered as fixed phrases with established meanings. Another pitfall is connecting the idiom with general recklessness instead of specifically romantic obsession. Reading and listening to authentic English material helps to reinforce the correct context for such expressions.
Final Answer:
The idiom "Head over heels" means "madly in love", so the correct answer is "Madly in love."
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