Choose the most appropriate idiom to fill in the blank.
Angry at the noise, the principal walked into the hall and ________ to the students: one more complaint and the trip would be cancelled.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → read the riot act
Complete sentence: Angry at the noise, the principal walked into the hall and read the riot act to the students: one more complaint and the trip would be cancelled.
| Idiom | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Took a back seat | let others take charge and stayed less active | After retiring, Dadaji took a back seat in the family business. |
| (2) Read the riot act (answer) | warned someone very strictly that they would be punished if they did not behave (fits the principal’s warning about the trip) | Papa read the riot act to us after we broke the window. |
| (3) Toed the line | obeyed the rules | New players must toe the line or leave the team. |
| (4) Talked shop | talked about one’s work in a social setting | At the wedding, the two doctors talked shop all evening. |