Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.

The business is going from bad to worse and the owner is just hanging on by his fingernails.

  1. encouraging himself to persevere and not give up

  2. gripping something firmly so as not to fall

  3. waiting for some kind of assistance from someone

  4. just managing to avoid danger or failure

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

The phrase 'hanging on by his fingernails' refers to only just managing to avoid danger or failure. 

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