Choose the correct option to replace the underlined word:
After standing for two hours in the May heat, an elderly man in the ration queue suddenly collapsed.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → keeled over
A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a small word such as up, out or together. The two words together have a new meaning.
Collapse means to fall down suddenly because you are ill or weak. Its closest meaning is keeled over. Example: The runner collapsed just before the finish line.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) flared up | became angry, or became worse, all of a sudden | Dadi’s knee pain flared up again in the cold. |
| (2) keeled over (answer) | to fall over suddenly, often after feeling faint (same as collapse) | One cadet keeled over during the long Republic Day practice. |
| (3) gave in | agreed to something after refusing for a time | After an hour of arguing, Papa gave in and bought Riya the new cycle. |
| (4) dropped off | fell asleep | Little Aarav dropped off in the car on the way back from the fair. |