Which of the following idioms means 'great effort'?

Appeared in: NVS Staff Nurse - 2022

Explanation

The idiom 'Bhagirath's effort' refers to a great, determined, or Herculean effort.
It originates from the mythological story of King Bhagiratha, who performed severe penance for thousands of years to bring the River Ganga to Earth.
The sheer scale and difficulty of this task have made the phrase synonymous with any massive and determined undertaking.

Option A: This idiom means to be victorious or to succeed in a competition. It refers to the outcome (winning) rather than the magnitude of the effort expended.
Option B: This is a literal phrase, not an idiom. It simply means getting ready for a physical or verbal conflict.
Option D: This idiom means to take on a dangerous task that everyone agrees is necessary but is too afraid to attempt. It emphasizes courage and risk, not necessarily the scale of the effort.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Meaning of Idioms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While not a clinical question, strong communication skills, including an understanding of cultural and idiomatic expressions, are vital for nurses to build rapport and communicate effectively with a diverse patient population.
Using language that is clear and easily understood by the patient is a key component of patient-centered care and safety.
What if? If a patient from a different cultural background uses an idiom you don't understand, the best nursing action is to politely ask for clarification. This prevents misunderstanding and ensures that important clinical information is not misinterpreted.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core meaning the question is asking for, which is 'great effort'.
Read each option and recall or deduce its meaning.
Analyze 'To win the field' – this relates to victory, not just effort.
Analyze 'To prepare for a fight' – this is a literal statement, not a figurative idiom in this context.
Analyze 'To bell the cat' – this relates to undertaking a dangerous task, focusing on risk more than effort.
Analyze 'Bhagirath's effort' – recall the story of King Bhagiratha's monumental task. This directly aligns with the concept of 'great effort'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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