Choose the most appropriate phrase for the underlined word.
He is in difficulty and needs help.

The correct answer is Option C (in a jam).

Key Points:
• This question evaluates the candidate's understanding of Idiomatic Phrase Substitution, a crucial vocabulary skill frequently tested in MPSC exams. Grasping the exact equivalents of common situations is essential.
• Option 3 is the correct answer according to the official MPSC answer key. The phrase 'in a jam' is an informal idiom that precisely means being in a difficult situation or in trouble, which perfectly substitutes 'in difficulty'.
• Let us analyze why the other options are incorrect. Option 1 ('in a huff') means to be in an angry or annoyed mood. Option 2 ('in a jiffy') means very quickly or in a short amount of time. Option 4 ('on a roll') means experiencing a prolonged spell of success or good luck. None of these align with needing help due to difficulties.
• A common MPSC trap is offering phonetically catchy phrases that have entirely different semantic meanings.
• Familiarity with conversational idioms is necessary for solving substitution questions accurately.
• Key Takeaway: Remember: 'In a jam' means being in a difficult situation; 'in a huff' means angry; 'in a jiffy' means quickly.