In the following questions a statement has been given with highlighted text. Select the options that can replace the text with correct idiom or phrase.
Reginald betrayed his closest friend. It was big shock for all.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The idiom that best replaces the highlighted text is "stab someone in the back". It means to do something harmful to someone who trusts you, especially when they are not expecting it. This is what Reginald did to his closest friend, which came as a big shock to everyone.
The other idioms do not fit the context as well.
- Looking to your laurels means to be content with your past accomplishments and not to strive for further success. This does not apply to Reginald, who betrayed his friend in order to achieve his own goals.
- A black sheep is a member of a family or group who is considered to be different or undesirable. This does not apply to Reginald, who was considered to be a good friend by everyone before he betrayed them.
- Every cloud has a silver lining means that even bad situations can have some good aspects. This idiom does not apply to the situation described, as there is no silver lining to Reginald's betrayal of his friend.