Question

Choose the word which can be substituted for the given words/sentences:
“To take (one) to task”
A) Disgrace
B) Handle
C) Entreat
D) Rebuke

Answer 1

Hint: Substitution is basically based on the synonyms and synonyms are the words that have same or similar meaning. Substitution is a word or phrase that can be replaced by a different word or phrase in such a way that it’s literal meaning is not distorted.

Complete answer:
Here, in this question we have to find the substitution of the given words/sentence “To take (one) to task” in such a way that can be used in place of each other.

The meaning of the phrase ‘`To take (one) to task” is ‘to scold or reprimand or hold one accountable for wrongdoing’. So, out of the options given in the question, we have to find the correct fit or correct substitution that can be used in place of each other.

Option A. Disgrace – the meaning of disgrace is ‘to bring about dishonesty or disbelief’. For example: "You disgraced the reputation of the family". Synonyms - Shame, Dishonour and antonyms - In favour, glory. However, disgrace cannot be used as a substitution because the meaning of the given phrase “To take (one) to task”
and the meaning of disgrace is completely different. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Option B. Handle – the meaning of handle is ‘to tackle a problem or to manage or control’. For example: "She was able to handle the dispute between her parents". Synonyms - Manage, Control and the antonyms - Foozle, Bungle. However, this word cannot be used as a substitution of the given phrase because the meaning of both is different and cannot be used in place of each other. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Option C. Entreat – the meaning of entreat is ‘to request someone to do something earnestly or eagerly’. For example: "He was entreated to not pass his friends". Synonyms - Beg, Implore and the antonyms - Command, Insist. However, this word cannot be used as a substitution of the given phrase because the meaning of both is different and cannot be used in place of each other. Therefore, this is an incorrect answer.

Option D. Rebuke – The meaning of rebuke is ‘to show strong opposition or critique of (someone) their behaviour or action’. For example: "She rebuked him so much for drinking". Synonyms - Scold, Censure and the antonyms - citation, commendation. However, this word is a perfect substitution of the given phrase because their meaning is the same and can be used in place of each other. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

Here the idiom “Take (one) to task” is related to the word “rebuke”. Therefore the correct answer is option (D) Rebuke.

Note: Substitution is replacement of long phrases. They are used to make sentences short. A phrase is "a small group of words standing together as a logical unit," while an idiom is "a group of words which have a meaning that's different from the particular words used. "The distinction is, however, that an idiom as a particular meaning isn't immediately associated. However, Option D is the best replacement of the phrase and the other options are wrong as they do not provide the same meaning.