In the following question, select the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: Make a scene.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Make a public disturbance or excited emotional display.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

Idioms like make a scene are widely used in everyday spoken English, especially to describe embarrassing social situations. Understanding such phrases helps you follow conversations, films, and stories more easily. The expression does not literally mean to create a picture or stage set; instead, it refers to dramatic behaviour in public.


Given Data / Assumptions:

- Idiom: Make a scene.

- Options: perform beautifully in front of an audience; make a public disturbance or excited emotional display; narrate an elaborate false story; describe a scene in so much detail that it comes vivid.

- We assume the usual informal usage, as when someone is criticised for making a scene in a restaurant or at a family event.


Concept / Approach:

To make a scene means to behave in a loud, emotional, or dramatic way in public, drawing unwanted attention and often causing embarrassment for others. It usually involves shouting, crying, or arguing openly. Among the given options, make a public disturbance or excited emotional display precisely captures this idea. The other options focus on performance, storytelling, or description, none of which match the emotional outburst element of the idiom.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Recall typical contexts: She made a scene at the party when she started shouting at everyone, or He always makes a scene in shops when he is unhappy with service. Step 2: From these examples, identify the core meaning: dramatic, disruptive behaviour in public. Step 3: Examine option make a public disturbance or excited emotional display. This describes exactly the kind of loud, emotional behaviour implied by the idiom. Step 4: Examine option perform beautifully in front of an audience. This refers to a good artistic performance and has a positive tone, unlike the negative or embarrassing tone of make a scene. Step 5: Examine option narrate an elaborate false story. This relates more to telling lies or fantasies than to public emotional outbursts. Step 6: Examine option describe a scene in so much detail that it comes vivid. This deals with descriptive writing or speaking, not with disruptive social behaviour. Step 7: Conclude that only the second option expresses the correct meaning of the idiom.


Verification / Alternative check:

Insert the explanation into a sample sentence: She made a public disturbance or excited emotional display at the restaurant when her order was delayed. This accurately reflects what we mean by She made a scene at the restaurant. If we replace it with perform beautifully in front of an audience, the meaning changes completely and no longer matches the common usage of the idiom.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Perform beautifully in front of an audience is wrong because make a scene is usually negative or embarrassing, not a compliment about performance. Narrate an elaborate false story is wrong because it describes lying or inventing, which would be captured by expressions like make up a story, not make a scene. Describe a scene in so much detail that it comes vivid is wrong because it is about descriptive skill, again unrelated to emotional disturbance in public.


Common Pitfalls:

Students sometimes interpret idioms literally and associate make a scene with painting or writing. Another pitfall is confusing it with make a story or make a show, which can have different connotations. The best way to master idioms is to remember them as fixed units with clear example sentences, not to analyse individual words inside them too strictly.


Final Answer:

The idiom make a scene means make a public disturbance or excited emotional display.

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