In the following English idiom question, the phrase "No love lost" is given. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best conveys the true meaning of this expression as it is used to describe relationships between people.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Intense dislike

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The idiom "no love lost" is commonly used in English to describe a relationship in which two people strongly dislike each other. Idiomatic questions like this test awareness of how English expresses social attitudes and emotions by using fixed phrases. At first glance, the words "no love" might be misunderstood as neutral or indifferent feelings, but the established idiomatic meaning is much stronger and more negative.


Given Data / Assumptions:
- The idiom given is "No love lost".
- The alternatives provided are: complimentary, a seer's last creation, self satisfied, and intense dislike.
- Only one option correctly matches the idiomatic sense of the phrase.
- We assume contexts where people talk about personal conflicts, rivalries, or hostility.


Concept / Approach:
In idiomatic usage, when we say "There is no love lost between A and B", we mean that both parties actively dislike each other. The phrase does not describe mild disagreement or polite distance; it suggests strong mutual hostility. Therefore, our goal is to choose the option that expresses intense dislike, not compliments, spirituality, or self satisfaction.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall examples such as "There is no love lost between the two neighbours" or "No love was lost between the rival teams". Step 2: Interpret these sentences. They clearly indicate that both sides have negative feelings and often fight or quarrel. Step 3: Examine option D, "Intense dislike". This matches the idea of strong mutual hostility and fits the idiom perfectly. Step 4: Evaluate option A, "Complimentary". This word refers to giving praise or expressing admiration, which is almost the opposite of the idiom's meaning. Step 5: Evaluate option B, "A seer's last creation". This is unclear, unrelated to relationships, and has no connection with the phrase in common English usage. Step 6: Evaluate option C, "Self satisfied". This describes a person's attitude toward themselves, not mutual feelings between two people. Step 7: Consequently, option D is the only accurate representation of the idiom.


Verification / Alternative check:
Dictionaries typically define "there is no love lost between them" as "they dislike each other very much". To verify, we can substitute "intense dislike" into example sentences. For instance, "There is intense dislike between the two neighbours" preserves the meaning of constant hostility. On the other hand, replacing it with "complimentary", "self satisfied", or any spiritual phrase would break the sense of the sentence entirely.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- "Complimentary" suggests positive appreciation, which is completely opposite to hate or hostility.
- "A seer's last creation" is a confusing and irrelevant phrase that is not associated with this idiom at all.
- "Self satisfied" refers to a person being pleased with themselves and does not describe a relationship between two different people.


Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may misread the phrase and assume that "no love" means neutrality or lack of affection without hostility. However, idiomatic English often uses such phrases to intensify meaning. Another mistake is to focus on a single word like "love" and associate the idiom automatically with positive feelings. To avoid such errors, students should learn idioms in full sentence contexts and notice which emotional tone they convey, especially when describing relationships and conflicts.


Final Answer:
The idiom "No love lost" signifies intense dislike between two people or groups.

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