In the question below choose the option nearest in meaning to the underlined:

In their desire to impress their friends and relatives, many young workers bite off more than they can chew in terms of financial obligations.

  • A have more money than sense
  • B eat more than they can digest properly
  • C spend too much money on food
  • D care too much for their relatives
  • E take on more responsibility than they can afford
jamb 1984english-language

The correct answer is E. take on more responsibility than they can afford

The phrase "bite off more than they can chew" is an idiomatic expression that means taking on more than one can handle or manage.

"take on more responsibility than they can afford," is the closest in meaning to "bite off more than they can chew. "

It conveys the idea of taking on more obligations or responsibilities than one can handle financially.

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