CDS 2026 (I) English, question 49

Topic: Idioms and phrases

Answers by SolvedPaper. UPSC has not released the official answer key for this paper yet. We will update it when they do.

Directions · Q41 to Q50

Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings to each. Select the most appropriate response from the options provided and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

Q49

To close ranks

  1. (a) To engage in fierce competition
  2. (b) To stop communicating with one’s colleagues
  3. (c) To stop hiring people for new jobs
  4. (d) To unite in order to defend a common interestCorrect answer

Solution.

Answer: (d) To unite in order to defend a common interest

  1. To close ranks is to unite and support one another against criticism or an outside threat.
  2. The defining idea is collective defence of a shared interest.