Choose the word that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrasal verb:
When the coach asked who would bowl the last over, the senior players hung back, and young Ishaan raised his hand.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → hesitated
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.
Hang back means to stay back and not come forward because one is unsure or unwilling. Its closest meaning is hesitated. Example: The shy new girl hung back when the others ran to join the game.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) objected | to say that one does not agree with or does not like something | The parents objected to the sudden rise in bus fees. |
| (2) loitered | to stand or wait somewhere with no clear purpose | A few boys loitered outside the sweet shop after school. |
| (3) complained | to say that one is unhappy about something | Dadi complained that the tea was too sweet. |
| (4) hesitated (answer) | to pause before doing something because one is unsure (same as hang back) | Aman hesitated for a moment before he answered the question. |