Question

Using the passage as a guide, which is the best interpretation of the idiom, "cut off your nose to spite your face," as used in the passage?

• A. calling something bad that is not
• B. trying to teach something too difficult
• C. loving a person less for what he has done
• D. pursuing revenge and hurting yourself in the process

Answer 1

The correct option is D pursuing revenge and hurting yourself in the process

In given paragraph, Elaine’s father wonders why she would kick such a good boy out of the house. He says, “You will miss him so much. Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, Elaine. Come pick this young man up.” Elaine has forced Justin out of the house even though it will hurt her. We can infer from this that the idiom cut off your nose to spite your face means pursuing revenge and hurting yourself in the process. Therefore (D) is correct. The story does not provide information to support answer choices (A), (B), or (C). Therefore they are incorrect.