In the following question, select the option that best expresses the meaning of the English idiom the wheels have come off.

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your understanding of the idiom the wheels have come off. Idioms often arise from physical or mechanical images and then develop metaphorical meanings. Here, the picture is of a vehicle whose wheels come off, making it impossible to move forward. In figurative use, the expression is commonly applied to projects, careers, sports teams, or plans that were working well but have suddenly started to fail.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Idiom: the wheels have come off.• Options describe different possible interpretations of failure or avoidance.• The task is to identify the explanation that matches standard idiomatic English.• No specific sentence is given, so we rely on general usage.

Concept / Approach:
When wheels come off a vehicle, it stops functioning and crashes or collapses. Metaphorically, if the wheels come off a plan, campaign, or team performance, it means that things are no longer functioning smoothly and problems have started to appear, often after a promising beginning. The correct option must capture this idea of breakdown after earlier success, not just any kind of failure or poor work and not avoidance of work.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualize the literal image of wheels coming off a moving vehicle.Step 2: Translate that image into abstract terms: a previously moving and successful system suddenly stops working.Step 3: Evaluate option B, which states that things start to fail or go wrong, especially after a period of success. This captures the metaphor exactly.Step 4: Compare with option A, which focuses on using something until it wears out; this is related to damage but not to sudden collapse after success.Step 5: Option C talks about doing a shoddy job from the start, which is different from a plan that initially worked well and then broke down.Step 6: Option D, making an excuse to avoid doing a task, has no connection with the metaphor of wheels and failure.

Verification / Alternative check:
Consider sample sentences such as The team had been winning all season, but in the last few games the wheels have really come off. Here the phrase clearly refers to the sudden decline after consistent good performance. Similar examples in news reports and articles confirm that the idiom is used when a project, organisation, or effort that appeared stable begins to fall apart through mistakes, crises, or mismanagement.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
To use something so much that it wears out describes gradual physical damage due to overuse, not an abrupt loss of control in an ongoing effort. To do a shoddy job which is destined to fail suggests poor quality from the beginning rather than breakdown after earlier success. Make an excuse to avoid doing a task is about laziness or avoidance and does not resonate with the image of a moving system suddenly losing its wheels.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may confuse this idiom with general ideas of failure or poor quality and may select options that mention shoddy work or overuse. Another common mistake is to ignore the phrase after a period of success, which is central to the idiom. To avoid these errors, always picture the literal scenario first and then map it to the figurative use in real contexts such as sports, politics, or business reporting.

Final Answer:
The idiom the wheels have come off means Things start to fail or go wrong, especially after a period of success.