Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Grammar: Idioms

Question:

From the given options, choose the one which gives the correct meaning / explanation for the expression

To beat the air

Options:

To make vain efforts

To brag and boast

To submit to a stronger force

To acknowledge defeat

Correct Answer:

To make vain efforts

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 1: To make vain efforts

To beat the air means to waste effort on something useless or ineffective, similar to fighting a battle that cannot be won. It is often used to describe someone who is trying to achieve something that is impossible or very difficult. The idiom comes from the image of someone flailing their arms about in the air, but not actually making any progress.