Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.

Even when the child accused the relative of inappropriate behaviour, the parents continued to play perfect hosts at the party instead of addressing the elephant in the room.

A big problem everyone is ignoring or afraid to talk about

The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom is a big problem everyone is ignoring or afraid to talk about.

The idiom "elephant in the room" is a metaphor for a big problem that everyone is aware of but no one wants to talk about. It is often used to describe a difficult or uncomfortable topic that people would rather avoid.

In the sentence, the parents are ignoring the child's accusation of inappropriate behavior. This is because they are afraid to deal with the problem or because they do not believe the child. The elephant in the room is the accusation of inappropriate behavior, and the parents are choosing to ignore it.

The other options are not correct.

• Ignoring someone who seeks attention through false stories: This is not the same as the elephant in the room. The elephant in the room is a big problem that everyone is ignoring, not someone who is seeking attention.
• Punishing someone for inappropriate behavior: This is not the same as the elephant in the room. The elephant in the room is a problem that everyone is ignoring, not something that is being punished.
• Revealing the secrets: This is not the same as the elephant in the room. The elephant in the room is a problem that everyone is ignoring, not a secret that is being revealed.