In this English vocabulary and idioms question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom "leave no stone unturned", which is commonly used when someone makes every possible effort to achieve a goal.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Try every possible way to achieve something

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of an English idiom, which is a fixed expression whose meaning is not always obvious from the individual words. The idiom given here is "leave no stone unturned". Such idiom based questions are common in competitive exams because they check not only your vocabulary but also whether you understand natural, everyday English usage.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • You are given the idiom "leave no stone unturned".
  • Four alternative meanings are offered as options.
  • You must choose the option that correctly expresses the sense in which this idiom is normally used.
  • You should rely on standard English usage as found in newspapers, books, and spoken communication.


Concept / Approach:
Idioms are set phrases whose meanings are often metaphorical. The literal picture here is of someone turning over every stone in an area while searching carefully for something. From this image, the figurative meaning has developed: to make every possible effort, to try all available methods, or to explore all options in order to achieve a result. In exams, the best option is usually the one that captures this full idea, not a partial or unrelated meaning.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the idiom carefully: "leave no stone unturned". Imagine the literal meaning of checking under every stone during a search.Step 2: Recall whether you have seen this idiom in articles, speeches, or textbooks, and what it meant in those contexts.Step 3: Compare each option with that remembered meaning. Focus on whether the option suggests making thorough, determined efforts.Step 4: Notice that "Try every possible way to achieve something" matches the idea of checking under every stone while searching.Step 5: Confirm that the other options do not express this full sense of effort and therefore can be rejected.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your choice by using the idiom in your own example sentence, such as "The police left no stone unturned in their search for the missing child". If you substitute the chosen meaning, the sentence would read "The police tried every possible way in their search", which still makes perfect sense. This confirms that the option correctly captures the idiom's meaning.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, "Behave smartly in front of others", talks about behaviour and appearance, not effort. Option C, "Start constructing something new", has no connection with searching or trying different ways. Option D, "Waste no time in daily activities", mentions time management rather than thorough effort. None of these reflect the idea of exploring all possible methods to reach a goal.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to guess from one or two words in the idiom without considering the whole phrase. Another pitfall is to choose an option that sounds positive or impressive, even if it does not match the true idiomatic meaning. Always think of common example sentences and replace the idiom with the option to see whether the meaning still fits smoothly.


Final Answer:
The correct answer is Try every possible way to achieve something, because the idiom "leave no stone unturned" means to make every possible effort and to explore all available options when trying to reach a goal.

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