DirectionsIn the following questions four alternatives are given for t...
Meaning: To support or choose the wrong person, cause, or idea.
Explanation:
The idiom "to back the wrong horse" is a figurative expression that is derived from horse racing. In horse racing, bettors place their bets on the horse they believe will win the race. However, if someone chooses to back the wrong horse, it means that they have made an incorrect prediction or decision, usually by supporting a person or idea that turns out to be unsuccessful or wrong.
Example:
Let's consider an example to understand the meaning of the idiom more clearly. Suppose there are two candidates running for a political office, Candidate A and Candidate B. Candidate A is widely believed to be the frontrunner and has a lot of support from influential people. However, you decide to support Candidate B, who is considered an underdog and has fewer chances of winning. In this scenario, if Candidate A eventually wins the election, it can be said that you "backed the wrong horse" because you supported the person who did not succeed.
Alternative Explanation:
Another way to understand the meaning of "to back the wrong horse" is to think of it as investing your time, energy, or resources into someone or something that proves to be unsuccessful or fails to meet expectations.
Alternative Example:
Suppose you are a manager in a company and you have two employees, Employee X and Employee Y, who are competing for a promotion. Employee X is hardworking, dedicated, and consistently produces high-quality work. On the other hand, Employee Y is known for being lazy, unreliable, and often makes mistakes. However, you choose to support and advocate for Employee Y, believing that they have the potential to improve. Unfortunately, when the promotion decision is made, Employee X gets the promotion because their track record and performance were superior. In this situation, you can say that you "backed the wrong horse" by supporting Employee Y instead of Employee X.
Inference:
In both examples, the idiom "to back the wrong horse" signifies the act of supporting or choosing the wrong person or idea, which ultimately leads to disappointment, failure, or unfavorable outcomes. It is important to carefully evaluate and consider the options before making a decision or offering support to avoid backing the wrong horse.