Choose the appropriate option to complete the following sentence:
“Did you notice how the students ________ at the last moment ? That really riled me up.”
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → backed out
A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a small word such as up, out or together. The two words together have a new meaning.
Students withdrawing at the last moment is what annoyed ("riled") the speaker.
Complete sentence: “Did you notice how the students backed out at the last moment? That really riled me up.”
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) worked up | to make someone excited or upset, or to develop something gradually. It needs an object here and does not mean withdrawing. | The speaker worked up the crowd. |
| (2) backed out (answer) | to withdraw from something one had agreed or promised to do | He backed out of the trip a day before we left. |
| (3) laid off | to stop employing workers, usually because there is not enough work. It is done by an employer, and students are not laid off. | The factory laid off fifty workers. |
| (4) kept up | to continue at the same level. Students continuing their work would not annoy the speaker. | She kept up her practice every day. |
| Also asked in CUET (UG): work up – 12-05-2026 Slot 2, 12-05-2026 Slot 1 lay off – 18-05-2026 Slot 1, 11-05-2026 Slot 1, 30-05-2023 Slot 3 |