Basic Details
Word: Maltreat
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To treat someone badly or cruelly.
Synonyms: Mistreat, abuse, ill-treat
Antonyms: Treat well, care for, respect
Idioms and Phrases
- Spare the rod and spoil the child: This phrase implies that without discipline or proper treatment, children can become unruly. Example: "He believes in discipline; he says, spare the rod and spoil the child."
- Throw someone to the wolves: This means to abandon someone to a difficult or dangerous situation. Example: "When the team was in trouble, they couldn't just throw him to the wolves and leave him to face the critics alone."
Usage Examples
Example 1: It is never right to maltreat animals; they deserve kindness and care.
Example 2: The story covered how the student felt maltreated by the unfair treatment of his teacher.
Example 3: Organisations work hard to prevent cases of maltreatment in workplaces.
Fun Fact
The word "maltreat" comes from the prefix "mal-" meaning "bad" and "treat," which means to deal with or behave towards someone. So, "maltreat" literally means to treat badly!
Famous Quote
"It is the worst part of us that maltreats others." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "maltreat" mean?
a) To treat someone kindly
b) To treat someone badly
c) To avoid someone
d) To feed someone well
Answer: b) To treat someone badly
2. Which of these is a synonym of "maltreat"?
a) Cherish
b) Mistreat
c) Please
d) Nurture
Answer: b) Mistreat
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "maltreat"?
a) Abuse
b) Disrespect
c) Care for
d) Harm
Answer: c) Care for
4. Which sentence uses "maltreat" correctly?
a) The dog was maltreated by its owner and needed rescuing.
b) The children maltreated their homework.
c) She maltreated the garden with water and sunlight.
d) He maltreated a piano beautifully.
Answer: a) The dog was maltreated by its owner and needed rescuing.
5. Which idiom relates to the concept of "maltreat"?
a) Spare the rod and spoil the child
b) Hitting the jackpot
c) Marking your territory
d) Chasing your tail
Answer: a) Spare the rod and spoil the child
