Basic Details
Word: Confound
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To confuse or surprise someone, often by not following expectations.
Synonyms: Bewilder, baffle, perplex
Antonyms: Clarify, explain, elucidate
Idioms and Phrases
- Confound the odds: To succeed against the expectations or difficulties. Example: "He confounded the odds and won the race despite injuring his leg."
- Confound me: An expression used when something unexpected surprises you. Example: "Confound me! I can’t believe you managed to finish the project early!â€
Usage Examples
Example 1: The magician's trick was so clever it completely confounded the audience.
Example 2: The puzzle was designed to confound even the brightest minds in the group.
Example 3: I was confounded by the complicated instructions for the new game.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "confound" comes from the Latin word "confundere," which means "to pour together"? It reflects the mixing or confusion of different expectations and outcomes!
Famous Quote
"To confound the wise is as easy as to belabour the underdog." Charles Dickens
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "confound" mean?
a) To encourage someone
b) To confuse or surprise
c) To teach clearly
d) To ignore someone's opinion
Answer: b) To confuse or surprise
2. Which of these is a synonym of "confound"?
a) Enlighten
b) Bewilder
c) Explain
d) Clarify
Answer: b) Bewilder
3. Which word is an antonym of "confound"?
a) Confuse
b) Clarify
c) Delight
d) Astonish
Answer: b) Clarify
4. Which sentence uses "confound" correctly?
a) The teacher's explanation helped to confound the students.
b) The sudden change in plans confounded everyone involved.
c) She confounded the apples in the basket.
d) He confounded the rules to win the game.
Answer: b) The sudden change in plans confounded everyone involved.
5. What does the idiom "confound me" mean?
a) To make someone happy
b) To surprise or confuse
c) To give someone directions
d) To get lost in thought
Answer: b) To surprise or confuse
