In the following question, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom “to heave a sigh of relief”.

Introduction / Context:
Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be guessed from the individual words. “To heave a sigh of relief” is a very common idiom in spoken and written English. Competitive exams frequently test idioms because they reveal how well a candidate understands natural English usage rather than just literal dictionary definitions. Here, the focus is on recognising the emotional state expressed when a person heaves a sigh of relief.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Idiom: “To heave a sigh of relief”. - Options describe different emotional reactions. - We assume knowledge of the physical act of sighing and its connection with emotions. - The task is to choose the option that captures the overall idea of this idiom in natural English.

Concept / Approach:
A “sigh” is a long, deep breath that people often give when they are tired, sad, worried, or relieved. A “sigh of relief” specifically appears when someone has been anxious about a possible bad outcome, and then discovers that the danger has passed or the problem is solved. The verb “to heave” emphasises the physical effort of letting out this breath. So, the idiom refers to the sudden feeling of happiness and relaxation when something unpleasant does not happen or has finally ended.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify the key emotional word in the idiom: “relief”. It suggests the end of fear, tension, or worry. 2. Remember typical situations: a student who passes an exam after much worry, or a patient who hears that test results are normal. 3. Evaluate each option: - Option A: talks about becoming very tired with routine work; this is unrelated to relief. - Option B: mentions feeling very happy because something unpleasant has not happened or has ended, which matches relief exactly. - Option C: refers to extreme sadness over someone else's misfortune, which is sympathy, not relief. - Option D: refers to silent anger over injustice, which describes resentment, not relief. 4. Conclude that option B captures both the end of danger and the pleasant emotional release.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine a simple scenario: you think you have lost your wallet, but then you find it in your bag. You would heave a sigh of relief because your fear disappears. You are not tired, resentful, or sad about someone else; you are suddenly relaxed and happy that a bad event did not occur. This mental picture strongly supports option B as the correct interpretation of the idiom.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Option A: Describes boredom and fatigue, but relief is about a positive shift after anxiety, not about being tired. - Option C: Describes compassion or sorrow for others, which is unrelated to feeling relieved about your own situation. - Option D: Describes quiet anger or bitterness, which is the opposite emotional tone of relief.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may focus only on the word “sigh” and associate it with sadness, ignoring the crucial phrase “of relief.” Another common misunderstanding is thinking the idiom refers to physical tiredness, but in context it always involves the end of worry or fear. To avoid errors, always read the entire idiom and look for key emotional words like “relief,” “joy,” or “rage” that guide you toward the correct meaning.

Final Answer:
The idiom “to heave a sigh of relief” means to suddenly feel very happy because something unpleasant has not happened or has ended.