GATE EE 2015 Set 1 — Question 6

MCQ+2 / -0.67EasyVocabulary (Words, Idioms, Phrases in Context)Verbal AptitudeGeneral Aptitude

General Aptitude → Verbal Aptitude → Vocabulary (Words, Idioms, Phrases in Context)

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

Select the alternative meaning of the underlined part of the sentence. The chain snatchers took to their heels when the police party arrived.

Correct answer (C) took to flight Solution The idiom "took to their heels" means to run away or flee, typically in a hurry or to escape from something. Let's analyze the given options: (A) "took shelter in a thick jungle" implies hiding, not necessarily running away. (B) "open indiscriminate fire" means to start shooting randomly, which is not related to the idiom. (C) "took to flight" means to flee or run away, which perfectly matches the meaning of "took to their heels". (D) "unconditionally surrendered" means to give up without any demands, which is the opposite of running away. Therefore, the closest meaning to "took to their heels" is "took to flight". The correct option is (C). Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (C) took to flight Solution The idiom "took to their heels" means to run away or flee, typically in a hurry or to escape from something. Let's analyze the given options: (A) "took shelter in a thick jungle" implies hiding, not necessarily running away. (B) "open indiscriminate fire" means to start shooting randomly, which is not related to the idiom. (C) "took to flight" means to flee or run away, which perfectly matches the meaning of "took to their heels". (D) "unconditionally surrendered" means to give up without any demands, which is the opposite of running away. Therefore, the closest meaning to "took to their heels" is "took to flight". The correct option is (C).

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