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What does it mean to 'rankle' someone?

  1. To amuse them

  2. To irk, annoy

  3. To enlighten

  4. To surprise

The correct answer is: To irk, annoy

To 'rankle' someone means to irk or annoy them, often in a way that causes lingering irritation. The term is commonly used to describe situations where a comment, action, or event continues to evoke negative feelings, such as resentment or displeasure. This can occur when someone feels wronged or embarrassed by a situation that they cannot easily dismiss. The other choices reflect different meanings that do not align with the definition of 'rankle.' To amuse involves making someone laugh or providing entertainment, while to enlighten means to provide insight or knowledge about something. To surprise denotes causing a sudden feeling of astonishment or wonder, which does not capture the essence of annoyance or irritation associated with 'rankle.' Thus, the focus on irritation and annoyance makes the definition of 'rankle' clear and relevant.