The game was tough but our team lost by a whisker. This means that our team lost by

1. Analyze the question The sentence uses an idiom: "lost by a whisker." You are asked what it means that the team lost by.

2. Explain the concept A whisker is a very thin hair, like a cat's whisker. In English idioms, "by a whisker" means by a very small amount or margin. It's similar to "by a hair's breadth" or "by a close shave." So if a team wins or loses "by a whisker," the result was extremely close.

3. Step-by-step solution

• A. default: This means failing to show up or failing to fulfil an obligation. The sentence says the game was tough, so the team played. Not correct.
• B. a wide margin: This is the opposite of "a whisker," which is tiny. Not correct.
• C. not preparing well: The sentence gives no information about preparation. Not correct.
• D. a narrow margin: This matches "by a whisker," meaning a very small difference in score. Correct.

The phrase "The game was tough" also supports this. A tough, closely fought game is likely to end with a tiny difference in score.

4. Answer The correct option is D. a narrow margin.

5. Exam tip For idiom questions, picture the literal image. A whisker is tiny, so "by a whisker" means a tiny margin. Related idioms to learn:

• by a hair's breadth: very narrowly
• a close shave: a narrow escape
• neck and neck: very close in a race or contest