Question

What does ‘bring over’ mean in this context?
In spite of their adamant stance over the topic, it was relatively easy to bring them over to our side.
A) Support
B) Promote
C) Convince
D) Convert
E) Protect

Answer 1

Hint: The phrase ‘bring over’ in the given context has a meaning that is different from its literal meaning. This is an example of ‘euphemism’, where certain phrases are used to change the tone of a rather strong statement.

Complete answer:
The literal meaning of the phrase ‘bring over’ means ‘to take something from one place to another’.
Option A) Support – The word ‘support’ means ‘to give assistance’ or to ‘bear the weight’ of something. It is not the correct meaning of ‘bring over’ in this context. Thus, this option is incorrect.
Option B) Promote – The word ‘promote’ means ‘to support or encourage actively’. With reference to the given sentence, ‘promote’ does not seem to be the appropriate meaning of the phrase ‘bring over’. Thus, this option is also incorrect.
Option C) Convince – The word ‘convince’ means ‘to persuade someone to do something’. In the given sentence we can use the word ‘convince’ instead of the phrase ‘bring over’. The sentence would then be ‘In spite of their adamant stance over the topic, it was relatively easy to convince them to be on our side.’ Therefore, this is the correct option.
Option D) Convert – The word ‘convert’ means ‘to change form, shape, character, etc. of something or someone’. In the given sentence, we are not trying to convert the people but rather convince them to be on our side. Thus, this option is incorrect.
Option E) Protect – The word ‘protect’ means ‘to aim to preserve or shield or restrict access to something’. This meaning does not make sense with respect to the context of the sentence given in the question. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (C) Convince

Note: Since this question dealt with the use of euphemism, let us look at other commonly used euphemisms:-
- to let go of someone instead of firing from a job
- passed away instead of died
- well fed instead of fat or overweight