Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom.

He was beaming from ear to ear

Smiling broadly

The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom is smiling broadly.

The idiom "beaming from ear to ear" means to smile very widely, showing all of one's teeth. It is often used to describe someone who is very happy or excited.

In the sentence, the man is beaming from ear to ear, which means that he is smiling very broadly. This is because he is happy or excited about something.

The other options are not correct.

• Playing: This is not the same as beaming from ear to ear. Beaming from ear to ear is a facial expression, while playing is an activity.
• Criticizing bitterly: This is not the same as beaming from ear to ear. Beaming from ear to ear is a positive expression, while criticizing bitterly is a negative expression.
• Working: This is not the same as beaming from ear to ear. Beaming from ear to ear is an expression of happiness or excitement, while working is an activity that can be done in a variety of moods.