Select the most appropriate idiomatic expression that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence.

He wanted to be a professional basketball player but given his height, luck was against him.

The correct answer is: the cards were stacked against him.

Key Points

• The phrase "luck was against him" means that the circumstances were not favourable for him. (भाग्य उसके खिलाफ था)
  • Example: Despite his hard work, luck was against him, and he couldn't secure the job.
• "the cards were stacked against him" is an idiomatic expression that means the odds were not in his favour or the situation was biased against him. (स्थिति उसके खिलाफ थी)
  • Example: No matter how much he prepared, it seemed the cards were stacked against him in the final match.
• Hence, the phrase "the cards were stacked against him" is the most appropriate idiomatic expression to substitute the underlined segment.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 1.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• his health was not in his favour (उसका स्वास्थ्य उसके पक्ष में नहीं था): This means that his physical condition was not supportive.
  • Example: He trained hard, but his health was not in his favour during the tournament.
• his principles were against him (उसके सिद्धांत उसके खिलाफ थे): This means his own beliefs or values were not supportive of the situation.
  • Example: His principles were against him when he had to make a morally tough decision.
• the ball was against him (गेंद उसके खिलाफ थी): This is not a commonly used idiom and does not fit well in the context.
  • Example: This phrase is not typically used in standard English.