Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.
All eyes turned to him because he was the only person who could stave off the impending war.
- Aprevent
- Binvoke
- Cdraw
- Dprovoke
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
The phrasal verb/idiom "stave off" means to avert, ward off, or delay something bad or dangerous from happening.
Prevent: To stop something from happening or someone from doing something. (Correct meaning)
Invoke: To cite or appeal to someone or something as an authority for an action.
Draw: To pull or direct attention/resources towards oneself.
Provoke: To stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion (typically a strong or unwelcome one).
Therefore, prevent is the most appropriate meaning.
Prevent: To stop something from happening or someone from doing something. (Correct meaning)
Invoke: To cite or appeal to someone or something as an authority for an action.
Draw: To pull or direct attention/resources towards oneself.
Provoke: To stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion (typically a strong or unwelcome one).
Therefore, prevent is the most appropriate meaning.