Idiom interpretation: choose the best meaning of the expression To pull a long face.

Introduction / Context:
To pull a long face is a common idiomatic expression in English. The literal words describe a facial expression, but the idiom carries a specific emotional meaning. In many competitive exams, idiom questions check whether you know this fixed figurative meaning, not just the literal picture of someone changing their face.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The idiom given is To pull a long face.
The options describe different emotional states such as happiness, surprise, sadness, calmness, or anger.
We must pick the emotion typically associated with a long face in everyday English usage.

Concept / Approach:
In English, a long face is visually associated with drooping features, such as a downturned mouth and slack cheeks, which people display when they are sad, disappointed, or upset. Therefore, to pull a long face means to assume a gloomy or dejected expression. The correct option will be the one that states looked sad or an equivalent phrase. Any option that suggests positive or neutral emotions will not match the idiom.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that a person with a long face is usually unhappy or disappointed. Step 2: Connect the verb pull with the idea of putting on or adopting a certain expression. Step 3: Combine the two ideas to interpret pull a long face as adopt a sad or gloomy expression. Step 4: Compare this understanding with the answer choices and look for one that matches sadness. Step 5: Pick looked sad as the correct paraphrase.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this meaning by reading example sentences such as He pulled a long face when he heard the bad news or Do not pull such a long face, things will improve soon. In all such examples, the context involves disappointment, worry, or sorrow, confirming that the idiom points to sadness rather than joy or calmness. Dictionaries also define pull a long face as look sad or gloomy.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A looked happy directly contradicts the negative emotion conveyed by a long face.
Option B looked surprised focuses on a short lived reaction of shock rather than a sustained gloomy expression.
Option D looked calm suggests emotional neutrality or peace rather than visible sadness.
Option E looked angry refers to irritation or rage, which is different from the drooping, dejected look implied by the idiom.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse idioms involving face, such as lose face, save face, and pull a long face. Each has its own meaning. Lose face refers to a loss of respect, save face refers to preserving dignity, and pull a long face refers to looking sad. To avoid confusion, always learn idioms as complete units and memorise at least one example sentence for each one.

Final Answer:
The expression To pull a long face means looked sad or had a gloomy expression.