Basic Details
Word: Onus
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A responsibility or duty that someone has to bear.
Synonyms: Burden, responsibility, obligation
Antonyms: Relief, freedom, exemption
Idioms and Phrases
- Pass the onus: To shift the responsibility to someone else. Example: "He tried to pass the onus onto his colleague, but everyone knew it was his project."
- The onus is on you: It is your responsibility to do something. Example: "If you want to succeed in this task, the onus is on you to put in the effort."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The onus of cleaning the classroom after the art project fell on the students.
Example 2: With the new rules, the onus is now on parents to ensure their children complete their homework.
Example 3: In a group project, each member must share the onus of contributing to the final presentation.
Fun Fact
The word "onus" comes from Latin, meaning "burden" or "load." It has been used in English since the early 19th century to refer to responsibilities and duties.
Famous Quote
"The onus of leadership is to see the future, make it meaningful, and work hard to create it." Unknown
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "onus" mean?
a) A type of bird
b) A responsibility or duty
c) A kind of fruit
d) A food item
Answer: b) A responsibility or duty
2. Which of these is a synonym of "onus"?
a) Freedom
b) Burden
c) Meal
d) Celebration
Answer: b) Burden
3. Which word is an antonym of "onus"?
a) Duty
b) Obligation
c) Exemption
d) Responsibility
Answer: c) Exemption
4. Which sentence uses "onus" correctly?
a) The onus of gathering information was solely on the teacher.
b) The onus danced at the festival.
c) The onus was a delicious cake at the party.
d) The onus flew high in the sky.
Answer: a) The onus of gathering information was solely on the teacher.
5. What does the phrase "the onus is on you" mean?
a) It is your responsibility to do something.
b) It is not your fault.
c) It is someone else's problem.
d) It is a fun game.
Answer: a) It is your responsibility to do something.
