Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom "to keep in abeyance".

Introduction / Context:
This idiom based question checks your knowledge of formal English expressions used in legal, administrative, and official contexts. The phrase "to keep in abeyance" is often used in documents, announcements, and reports to indicate that some decision, rule, or action is temporarily not being put into effect. You must choose the explanation that most accurately captures this idea.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Idiom: "to keep in abeyance". - Options: "In a state of permanence", "In a state of emergency", "In a state of suspension", "In a state of revision". - Common collocations: "The matter was kept in abeyance", "The rule remains in abeyance". - We are looking for the meaning that matches temporary suspension.

Concept / Approach:
"Abeyance" refers to a situation in which something is temporarily not being used, enforced, or decided. When a plan, law, or project is "in abeyance", it has not been cancelled permanently, but it is not active at the moment. Therefore, the best paraphrase is "in a state of suspension". The options about permanence, emergency, or revision describe very different situations and do not capture the essential idea of temporary inactivity.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the typical usage: "The decision was kept in abeyance until further notice" or "The new policy remains in abeyance". Step 2: Notice that in such examples, the policy or decision has neither been fully implemented nor completely cancelled; it is simply not active for the time being. Step 3: Compare this with "in a state of suspension", which means temporarily stopped or withheld, matching the sense of abeyance closely. Step 4: Consider "in a state of permanence". This suggests something permanent, which is the opposite of a temporary pause, so it cannot be correct. Step 5: Check "in a state of emergency". This describes a crisis or urgent situation and does not relate to putting something on hold. Step 6: Evaluate "in a state of revision". This would mean something is being edited or changed, not simply suspended. Therefore, "in a state of suspension" is the only accurate match.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute the idiom with each option in a sample sentence: "The project has been kept in abeyance" becomes "The project has been kept in a state of suspension", which makes sense. Replacing with "a state of permanence" or "a state of emergency" produces nonsense. Likewise, "a state of revision" changes the meaning entirely, suggesting that the project is being reworked, not paused. This confirms that "in a state of suspension" correctly represents the idiom.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"In a state of permanence" implies ongoing, unchanging existence, which is opposite to the idea of a temporary pause. "In a state of emergency" indicates a sudden, serious condition that requires urgent action, not a suspension of action. "In a state of revision" suggests that something is actively being modified or corrected, whereas abeyance means no active work is being done at all.

Common Pitfalls:
Because "abeyance" is not a common everyday word, many learners rely on guessing from the sound of the word. They may confuse it with "obedience" or other similar sounding terms. To avoid such confusion, it is helpful to connect "abeyance" with real life examples, such as a court case kept in abeyance or a hiring process kept in abeyance during a financial crisis. Visualising a pause or suspension will lead you to the correct answer more reliably.

Final Answer:
In a state of suspension is the correct meaning of the idiom "to keep in abeyance".