Select the most suitable option to replace the underlined phrase in the sentence:-
Sudhir's mother warned him of his friends who come to him only to enjoy themselves.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → fair-weather friends
Fair-weather friends are people who are friendly only when things are pleasant or when they can gain something, and who disappear in times of trouble. Friends who come to Sudhir only to enjoy themselves are just such friends.
Example: When he lost his job, his fair-weather friends stopped calling.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: party friends — Incorrect. Party friends are people one meets mainly at parties; the phrase does not carry the idea of selfish friends who leave in hard times.
Example: They were only party friends and rarely met otherwise.
Option 3: bad boys who claim to be friends — Incorrect. This is not a set expression, and the sentence does not call the friends bad, only selfish.
Option 4: good natured friends — Incorrect. Good-natured means kind and friendly; a mother would not warn her son about such friends.
Example: Our good-natured neighbour always helps us.