Identify the sentence in which the idiom 'a white elephant' is correctly used. a. He bought a white elephant. b. The Government's plan to build a new dam has been criticised as a white elephant. c. A journey by air is a white elephant for the ordinary. d. A white elephant is one of the rarest species today.
अचूक उत्तर: पर्याय (2) Both b and c
सविस्तर स्पष्टीकरण:
'A white elephant' या वाक्प्रचाराचा लाक्षणिक अर्थ अशी गोष्ट जी सांभाळायला अत्यंत खर्चिक असते, पण तिचा काहीही उपयोग नसतो (a costly but useless or burdensome possession) असा होतो.
त्यामुळे पर्याय (2) Both b and c हे अचूक उत्तर आहे.
📌 MPSC परीक्षा टीप: वाक्प्रचाराचा (Idiom) वापर नेहमी लाक्षणिक (figurative) अर्थाने होतो. प्राणी म्हणून 'white elephant' चा उल्लेख असणारी वाक्ये (a आणि d) वाक्प्रचाराचा योग्य वापर दर्शवत नाहीत.
Correct Answer: Option (2) Both b and c
Detailed Explanation:
The idiom 'a white elephant' figuratively signifies a burdensome, costly possession or undertaking that yields little or no practical utility relative to its expense.
Therefore, option (2) Both b and c is the correct answer.
📌 MPSC Exam Tip: Idiomatic usage must be figurative, not literal biological references. Sentences b and c accurately deploy 'white elephant' as a costly burden.