Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.
The anxious duke was found strolling in the garden to and fro.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom "to and fro" in the given sentence is forward and backward.
The idiom is used to describe someone who is moving back and forth in a restless or agitated manner. It is often used to describe someone who is feeling anxious or worried.
In the given sentence, the speaker is saying that the duke is pacing back and forth in the garden because he is anxious. Therefore, the idiom "to and fro" is the most appropriate choice.
Here are some other examples of how the idiom "to and fro" can be used in a sentence:
- "The nervous student paced to and fro in the hallway before the exam."
- "The worried mother walked to and fro in the kitchen, waiting for her son to come home."
- "The angry mob surged to and fro, chanting slogans."