After each of the following sentences, a list of possible interpretations of the sentence is given. Choose the interpretation that you consider most appropriate for each sentence.
The man's decision to withdraw his daughter from school because of her misbehaviour really amounts to cutting off his own nose and face. This means that
A
the decision will not affect the daughter
B
it will cause the man much pain to his nose and face
C
the decision does the man no good at all
D
the decision will make the daughter sober
Verified Correct Answer: C.
Grammar & Contextual Explanation
The expression “to cut off one's nose to spite one's face” is an idiom that means to take an action intended to punish someone else but which ultimately harms oneself or works against one's own interests.
In this context, withdrawing his daughter from school because of her misbehaviour may damage her educational prospects and, consequently, harm the father's own interests.
Source: Myschool Past Questions Archive (Record #24146)