Verbal Ability/Word-usage Practice

Verbal Ability/Word-usage 30 / 50

Choose the option in which the usage of the word is incorrect or inappropriate: back

A. The committee decided to go back to basics, re-evaluating the foundational principles of their policy.
B. Despite the public outcry, the council leader firmly refused to back down on the controversial urban development plan.
C. Regular data backups are crucial to prevent catastrophic information loss, especially in high-stakes research environments.
D. She suspected that some of her subordinates were discussing her performance at her back, rather than directly.

The incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word "back" is in the fourth option: "She suspected that some of her subordinates were discussing her performance at her back, rather than directly."
Why it's wrong:
The standard idiomatic expression for discussing someone secretively or negatively in their absence is "behind one's back." The preposition "at" is not used in this specific idiom to convey this meaning.
Correct usage: "She suspected that some of her subordinates were discussing her performance behind her back, rather than directly."

← →

Keep Learning?