Choose the idiom meaning to exert a decisive influence that changes the outcome:
The endorsement of the veteran senator was enough to ________ in favor of the contentious environmental infrastructure bill.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. tip the scales
Answer: tip the scales. Why not the others: 'turn the tables' means to completely reverse a disadvantageous position against an opponent; 'clear the air' means to defuse tension by open discussion; 'read between the lines' means to infer unstated meanings.
- Step 1: Contextualize the effect: the endorsement provided the decisive advantage that tipped a balanced contest into an affirmative vote.
- Step 2: 'Tip the scales' (or 'tip the balance') means to give a decisive advantage or determine an otherwise evenly matched outcome.
Practise more Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs in Formal Register.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed MUET Malaysia (Malaysian University English Test) mock tests.
More Idiomatic Expressions and Phrasal Verbs in Formal Register questions
- Choose the phrasal verb that best means 'to explain' or 'to constitute a proportion of':
Renewable energy sources now ________ nearly thirt… - Select the phrasal verb meaning to originate or derive from:
Environmental economists argue that chronic urban flash flooding ________ inad… - Choose the phrasal verb meaning to depend entirely on a single critical factor:
The commercial viability of the proposed deep-sea mining ve… - Select the idiom that means to remain logically sound and stand up to rigorous scrutiny:
Under cross-examination by econometricians, the mi… - Choose the phrase that expresses direct contradiction or persistent disagreement:
The executive's optimistic public projections were sharpl… - Select the formal prepositional phrase meaning 'in place of' or 'as a substitute for':
The contractual agreement specified that the soverei…