Question

Difficulty: MediumPhrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

Match each phrasal verb on the left with its corresponding contextual meaning on the right.

  • bank onto rely on or depend with confidence
  • fall throughto fail to happen or be completed
  • gloss overto treat or describe something as less important to avoid dealing with it
  • iron outto resolve difficulties or settle minor details

Answer

The correct pairings are: 'Bank on' matches 'to rely on or depend with confidence'; 'Fall through' matches 'to fail to happen or be completed'; 'Gloss over' matches 'to treat or describe something as less important to avoid dealing with it'; 'Iron out' matches 'to resolve difficulties or settle minor details'.
Each verb is paired with its precise meaning: 'bank on' means to rely on with confidence; 'fall through' means to fail to materialize; 'gloss over' means to minimize or downplay flaws; and 'iron out' means to settle minor difficulties.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the contextual meaning of 'bank on'.
'Bank on' means to place complete trust or reliance in an expected outcome or person.
The particle 'on' combined with 'bank' functions idiomatically as a verb of dependency.
2
Determine the contextual meaning of 'fall through'.
'Fall through' indicates that a plan or arrangement has collapsed or failed to happen.
The combination of 'fall' and 'through' signifies non-realization of an intended plan.
3
Determine the contextual meaning of 'gloss over'.
'Gloss over' means to handle a problem superficially to conceal its severity.
The preposed particle 'over' with 'gloss' implies applying a thin surface layer to hide flaws.
4
Determine the contextual meaning of 'iron out'.
'Iron out' means to clear up residual issues or smooth over complications.
The metaphorical extension of flattening wrinkles signifies resolving minor obstacles.

Key Concept

Understanding idiomatic meanings of phrasal verbs and their particles
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