Choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the underlined idiom:-
He nailed his colours to the mast by writing a newspaper article attacking government policy.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → firmly committed himself to his opinion
To nail one's colours to the mast is to declare one's opinion openly and firmly, refusing to change it. (A warship that nailed its flag to the mast could not lower it to surrender.) By writing a newspaper article attacking government policy, he publicly committed himself to his opinion.
Example: The coach nailed his colours to the mast and said he would pick young players only.