In the following English idiom question, the expression "Rip up old sores" is used. Out of the four alternatives given, select the one that best conveys the idiomatic meaning of this phrase in the context of human relationships and past conflicts.

Introduction / Context:
The idiom "rip up old sores" is used in English to describe the act of bringing back painful memories or quarrels that had been forgotten or healed. It is a powerful metaphor drawn from the image of opening an old wound that had already started to heal. Questions about this idiom test whether candidates can recognise figurative language related to emotions and relationships, rather than interpreting the phrase literally.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The idiom provided is "Rip up old sores".
- The options are: to be defeated, to punish, to revive forgotten quarrel, and to deal with a person strictly.
- Only one option captures the idea of reopening past hurts or disputes.
- We assume contexts where people discuss sensitive issues, family arguments, or long standing grievances.

Concept / Approach:
Literally, a "sore" is a wound or injury, and to "rip it up" is to tear it open again, causing fresh pain. Idiomatically, "old sores" represent earlier conflicts or emotional hurts. When someone "rips up old sores", they bring up past grievances that everyone had tried to forget, thereby reviving the quarrel or hurt feelings. Therefore, the correct option must describe the act of reopening an old quarrel, not simply punishing, defeating, or enforcing discipline.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Think of example sentences like "By mentioning that incident, you are just ripping up old sores" or "He did not want to rip up old sores by talking about the dispute". Step 2: Interpret these examples. The speaker is warning against bringing back painful memories or arguments that had been set aside. Step 3: Examine option C, "To revive forgotten quarrel". This exactly matches the idea of reopening a dispute that had faded from active memory. Step 4: Evaluate option A, "To be defeated". This talks about losing and has no relation to reopening past quarrels. Step 5: Evaluate option B, "To punish". While punishment can cause pain, the idiom is not chiefly about punishment but about returning to old issues. Step 6: Evaluate option D, "To deal with a person strictly". This again refers to strict behaviour or discipline, which is not the central meaning of the idiom. Step 7: Therefore, option C is the only choice that properly expresses the idiomatic meaning.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reference definitions describe "rip up old sores" as "to return to discussions of past grievances or quarrels, causing renewed anger or pain". If we substitute "revive forgotten quarrel" into typical sentences, they remain meaningful: "By mentioning the incident, you are reviving a forgotten quarrel". None of the other options can be substituted without changing the sentence into something unnatural or unrelated.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- "To be defeated" is about losing in a competition or conflict and does not reflect the idea of reopening an old issue.
- "To punish" focuses on imposing a penalty, which may be based on past wrongs but is not the same as reviving an old quarrel.
- "To deal with a person strictly" is about strictness in behaviour or rules, again unrelated to dragging past disputes back into the present.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may interpret the word "rip" as suggesting violence or punishment and choose options involving defeat or strictness. Others may fail to connect "old sores" with past emotional pain and instead think of physical injuries only. To avoid such errors, learners need to think in terms of metaphor: old sores equal old hurts, and ripping them up equals reopening them. Recognising this metaphor helps in quickly associating the idiom with reviving old quarrels.

Final Answer:
The idiom "Rip up old sores" means to revive a forgotten quarrel or reopen old grievances.