Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom.

To plough the sands

  1. to work hard to achieve one's aim

  2. to afford hope or ground for expecting a good result

  3. to busy oneself in a way that cannot lead to any profitable result

  4. to advance one's position in life

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'To plough the sands' means to engage in futile work that cannot produce any useful result, similar to 'til at windmills'. Option C correctly captures this sense of wasted effort on something that cannot succeed. The image is of farming work done on sand where nothing can grow.

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