Question

They postponed the meeting due to an unexpected delay in processing the documents. (Pick a phrasal verb that can substitute the underlined word.)

• A. move out
• B. took off
• C. take out
• D. put off

Answer 1

Answer:

D. put off

Phrasal Verbs: 'Put off'

• The phrasal verb 'put off' means to postpone or delay something. It is a common substitute for the verb 'postpone' in everyday English and is frequently tested in competitive exams.
• Examples:
  • We had to put off the picnic because of the heavy rain.
  • The management decided to put off the decision until the next quarter.

Other Phrasal Verbs with Similar Meanings:

• 'Call off': This means to cancel something. While related to postponement, it implies a complete cancellation rather than a delay. Example: The match was called off due to bad weather.
• 'Hold over': This means to postpone something to a later time or date, often beyond the scheduled end. Example: The debate was held over until the following week.

Exam Relevance:

• Understanding the nuances of phrasal verbs like 'put off', 'call off', and 'hold over' is crucial for improving vocabulary and comprehension in English sections of competitive exams like Kerala PSC.
• Questions often require substituting a given verb with an appropriate phrasal verb or vice versa.
• Pay attention to the context to select the most fitting phrasal verb.