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5 high-impact words
2 powerful idioms
And test yourself like a topper via Fill in the blanks and Reading comprehension (Only for CAT aspirants)
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📘 Words of the Day
1️⃣ Drub
Meaning: To beat someone badly; to criticize harshly.
Explanation: “Drub” is often used in sports, debates, politics, or competitions when one side defeats another convincingly. It can also mean verbally attacking someone strongly.
Daily Use: The school team was drubbed 5-0 in the finals.
Office Use: The proposal was drubbed by senior management due to poor planning.
2️⃣ Galvanize
Meaning: To shock or inspire someone into taking action.
Explanation: When an event or speech motivates people strongly and pushes them to act immediately, it “galvanizes” them.
Daily Use: The coach’s speech galvanized the players before the match.
Office Use: The CEO’s announcement galvanized the entire team to work harder.
3️⃣ Embolden
Meaning: To make someone more confident or courageous.
Explanation: If success, support, or encouragement gives someone extra confidence to act boldly, it emboldens them.
Daily Use: Winning the first round emboldened her to aim higher.
Office Use: Positive feedback from the client emboldened the team to pitch bigger ideas.
4️⃣ Bittersweet
Meaning: Something that is both happy and sad at the same time.
Explanation: A bittersweet moment combines joy with sadness, like graduating from college or leaving a beloved workplace.
Daily Use: Saying goodbye to old friends was bittersweet.
Office Use: Her promotion abroad was a bittersweet moment for the team.
5️⃣ Subversion
Meaning: An attempt to weaken or overthrow a system secretly.
Explanation: “Subversion” usually refers to hidden actions meant to damage authority, systems, or traditions from within.
Daily Use: The movie explored themes of political subversion.
Office Use: The company took strict action against internal subversion of policies.
📘Idioms of the Day
1️⃣ On the ropes
Meaning: In a difficult situation; close to failure.
Explanation:
This idiom comes from boxing, where a boxer trapped against the ropes is usually struggling badly.
Daily Use: After multiple losses, the team was on the ropes.
Office Use: The startup was on the ropes after losing its biggest investor.
2️⃣ Take a stab
Meaning: To attempt something, especially without confidence.
Explanation:
If you “take a stab” at something, you try doing it even though you may not be fully sure.
Daily Use: I’ll take a stab at solving the puzzle.
Office Use: She took a stab at presenting the quarterly report.
📝Fill in the Blanks (MCQ)
The captain’s fiery speech managed to __________ the exhausted players.
A) Drub
B) Galvanize
C) Subvert
D) Conceal2. The company was __________ after months of declining profits.
A) On the ropes
B) In hot water
C) Under the weather
D) In black and white3. The teacher’s encouragement __________ the shy student to participate in debates.
A) Suppressed
B) Emboldened
C) Punished
D) Drubbed4. Watching his childhood home being demolished was a __________ experience.
A) Hostile
B) Chaotic
C) Bittersweet
D) Reckless5. The government investigated attempts of political __________ within the organization.
A) Celebration
B) Harmony
C) Subversion
D) Gratitude6. I’ll __________ at solving this coding problem before asking for help.
A) On the ropes
B) Take a stab
C) Galvanize
D) Drub
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📖 Reading Comprehension (RC)
In recent years, organizations have increasingly realized that employee motivation is not driven solely by salaries or promotions. Instead, workers seek a sense of purpose, autonomy, and recognition. Companies that successfully galvanize their employees often create environments where ideas are welcomed and innovation is rewarded. Such workplaces embolden individuals to take risks and contribute creatively without fear of constant criticism.
However, motivation is fragile. A toxic culture filled with favoritism or excessive pressure can leave employees on the ropes emotionally and mentally. Over time, productivity declines, collaboration weakens, and talented workers begin to leave. Ironically, some managers attempt to enforce discipline through fear, believing harsh criticism will improve performance. While such methods may produce temporary compliance, they rarely inspire long-term commitment.
The modern workforce also experiences many bittersweet realities. Remote work, for instance, offers flexibility and convenience, yet it can reduce personal interaction and create feelings of isolation. Similarly, rapid technological growth opens exciting opportunities while simultaneously making many workers anxious about job security.
Experts argue that organizations must move beyond outdated management practices and focus on building trust. Employees who feel respected are more likely to remain loyal and engaged. Ultimately, sustainable success depends less on rigid authority and more on a culture that encourages participation, resilience, and shared purpose.
Questions:
1. According to the passage, what primarily motivates employees today?
A) Fear of losing jobs
B) Strict supervision
C) Purpose and recognition
D) Higher salaries alone
2. What happens in toxic workplaces according to the passage?
A) Productivity increases rapidly
B) Employees become emotionally exhausted
C) Innovation becomes easier
D) Workers become more loyal
3. Why is remote work described as “bittersweet”?
A) It completely harms teamwork
B) It provides both advantages and disadvantages
C) It only benefits employers
D) It guarantees work-life balance
4. What is the central idea of the passage?
A) Employees should work under pressure
B) Salaries are the only motivators
C) Healthy workplace culture is essential for long-term success
D) Technology is replacing human workers entirely
✅ Answers & Explanations
Fill in the Blanks:
Galvanize
On the ropes
Emboldened
Bittersweet
Subversion
Take a stab
RC Answers:
1. C) Purpose and recognition
Explanation:
The passage clearly states that employees now seek “purpose, autonomy, and recognition” beyond just salary.
2. B) Employees become emotionally exhausted
Explanation:
The passage mentions that toxic workplaces leave employees “on the ropes emotionally and mentally.”
3. B) It provides both advantages and disadvantages
Explanation:
Remote work gives flexibility but also creates isolation, making it both positive and negative — hence bittersweet.
4. C) Healthy workplace culture is essential for long-term success
Explanation:
The passage repeatedly emphasizes trust, respect, and positive culture as keys to sustainable success.
Para Jumble
A. Consequently, many organizations now invest heavily in employee well-being initiatives.
B. Studies have repeatedly shown that chronic workplace stress reduces productivity and creativity.
C. These initiatives include mental health support, flexible schedules, and recreational activities.
D. In the past, employee burnout was often ignored as an unavoidable part of professional life.
Para Jumble Solution
D introduces the historical context about burnout being ignored.
B logically follows by explaining research findings about stress.
A begins with “Consequently,” showing the result of those findings.
C explains what “these initiatives” in A actually are.
Thus, the correct sequence is: D → B → A → C
🔁 Quick Recap
🔹 Drub – Defeat or criticize harshly
🔹 Galvanize – Inspire into action
🔹 Embolden – Make someone more confident
🔹 Bittersweet – Both happy and sad
🔹 Subversion – Secret weakening of authority
🔹 On the ropes – In serious difficulty
🔹 Take a stab – Attempt something
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