Choose the most appropriate idiom out of the given options to complete the following sentence:
The popularity of yesteryears' heroes is ________
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → on the wane
On the wane means becoming gradually smaller, weaker or less important. The phrase comes from the moon, which is said to wane as it shrinks after the full moon. The sentence says the popularity of past heroes is slowly declining.
Example: His fame as a singer is on the wane.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: in want — Incorrect. In want means lacking the basic things of life, such as food or money; it does not describe popularity.
Example: Many families were left in want after the floods.
Option 2: in black and white — Incorrect. In black and white means in writing, or in very clear terms.
Example: Get the agreement in black and white before you pay.
Option 3: in cold shelf — Incorrect. This is not an English idiom; the real idioms are "on the shelf" (put aside, not used) and "in cold storage" (kept aside for later).
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in black and white | – | – | – | 24-05 S3 | – |
| on the wane | – | – | – | 22-05 S2 | – |