The Director said, "He has worked hard and has been a good employee but success has turned his head." It means

Appeared in: GMCH - 2015

Explanation

The idiom 'to turn someone's head' means to cause them to become conceited, arrogant, or vain.
This change in attitude is typically a result of receiving success, praise, or flattery.
In the given sentence, the director observes that the employee's success has negatively impacted his personality, making him proud.
Therefore, the phrase directly implies that success has led to an increase in pride.

Option A: This option describes burnout or work-related stress. The idiom 'turned his head' relates to a change in attitude (pride), not mental state due to workload.
Option B: This is the direct opposite of the idiom's meaning. Success turning one's head leads to a loss of humility, not an increase in it.
Option C: While becoming proud might eventually lead to a decline in work ethic, the idiom itself refers to the change in attitude (pride), not the direct change in work performance. This option describes a potential consequence, not the primary meaning.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Understanding the meaning of English idioms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Effective Communication: Understanding common idioms is crucial for clear and effective communication in any professional setting, including healthcare, to avoid misunderstandings with colleagues, superiors, or patients.
Interpreting Feedback: Recognizing such phrases helps in accurately interpreting feedback. The director's comment is a subtle critique of the employee's change in attitude, a key aspect of professional development and self-awareness.
What if?: If the sentence was 'Success has kept him grounded,' the meaning would be the opposite. It would imply that despite his success, the employee has remained humble and realistic, making the option 'His success has made him humble' the correct answer.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question, which is the idiom 'turned his head'.
Analyze the context provided: The director acknowledges the employee's past good performance but points out a negative change ('but...') that occurred after success.
Consider the figurative, not literal, meaning of the idiom. 'Turning one's head' is a metaphor for a change in personality or attitude.
Evaluate each option against this figurative meaning. Does it align with the idea of a negative change brought on by success?
Eliminate options that are opposite in meaning ('made him humble'), unrelated ('mental stress'), or describe a secondary consequence rather than the primary meaning ('does not work hard').
Select the option that best defines the idiom's core meaning of becoming proud or conceited.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full GMCH - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.