English question from Jr. Assistant exam, 2026 by JKSSB
The committee's proposal, though ambitious, was dismissed as "a bridge too far" by senior officials.
In this context, "a bridge too far" suggests that the proposal was:
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option C —
Excessively ambitious beyond what was feasible or acceptable
Meaning and Origin
The idiom "a bridge too far" describes an act of overreaching. It suggests that while an initial goal might have been attainable, the final objective was too distant, too difficult, or too resource-intensive to be successful.
Feasibility: It implies that the plan has crossed the line from "challenging" to "impossible."
Acceptability: In a professional or political context, it often means the proposal demands more than what stakeholders are willing to give or risk.
Historical Context
The phrase originated from Operation Market Garden during World War II. The Allied plan involved capturing a series of bridges in the Netherlands to create an invasion route into Germany. The final bridge at Arnhem proved impossible to hold, leading British Lieutenant-General Frederick Browning to famously remark, "I think we may be going a bridge too far."
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
