Basic Details
Word: Mayhem
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Complete chaos or disorder; a situation where things are very confused and out of control.
Synonyms: Chaos, disorder, turmoil
Antonyms: Order, calm, peace
Idioms and Phrases
- In the middle of the mayhem: Refers to being caught in a chaotic or disordered situation. Example: "She found herself in the middle of the mayhem when the fire alarm went off during the concert."
- Mayhem and madness: Describes an extremely chaotic situation full of confusion. Example: "The shopping mall was full of mayhem and madness during the holiday sales."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The storm caused mayhem in the streets, with cars swerving and people running for shelter.
Example 2: The surprise party turned into mayhem when the birthday girl arrived early and caught everyone off guard.
Example 3: In the playground, a game of tag quickly escalated into mayhem as children ran everywhere laughing and shouting.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "mayhem" originally came from a legal term in the Middle Ages, meaning the crippling of a person? It has since evolved to describe any kind of chaos or disorder.
Famous Quote
"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity." Sun Tzu
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "mayhem" mean?
a) Complete order
b) Complete chaos
c) Calm peacefulness
d) A type of dance
Answer: b) Complete chaos
2. Which of these is a synonym of "mayhem"?
a) Calm
b) Chaos
c) Harmony
d) Organisation
Answer: b) Chaos
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "mayhem"?
a) Disorder
b) Turmoil
c) Peace
d) Confusion
Answer: c) Peace
4. Which sentence uses "mayhem" correctly?
a) The mayhem of the library made it hard to study.
b) The mayhem tree grows in tropical climates.
c) Mayhem is my favourite colour.
d) She loves mayhem for breakfast.
Answer: a) The mayhem of the library made it hard to study.
5. Which idiom relates to "mayhem"?
a) In the middle of the mayhem
b) As quiet as a mouse
c) The early bird catches the worm
d) All's well that ends well
Answer: a) In the middle of the mayhem
