Choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank from the options given below:
His popularity as a political leader is now on the ______.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → wane
Complete sentence: His popularity as a political leader is now on the wane. "On the wane" means declining. The image is of the moon, which wanes after the full moon. Vane, vain, wane and vein sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) vane | a flat blade that turns in the wind to show its direction | The weather vane on the roof pointed north. |
| (2) vain | too proud of oneself, or useless (in vain) | They searched in vain for the lost key. |
| (3) wane (answer) | to become gradually smaller, weaker or less important | Interest in the old game is on the wane. |
| (4) vein | a blood vessel that carries blood to the heart | The nurse found a vein in his arm. |