Match each phrasal or prepositional verb on the left with its appropriate contextual meaning on the right.
- Iron outTo resolve, settle, or eliminate minor problems or differences.
- Hinge onTo depend entirely on a specific condition, event, or factor.
- Rein inTo exercise control over or limit excessive spending, growth, or behavior.
- Cotton on toTo begin to comprehend or understand a fact, trick, or situation.
Answer
'Iron out' pairs with 'To resolve, settle, or eliminate minor problems or differences'; 'Hinge on' pairs with 'To depend entirely on a specific condition, event, or factor'; 'Rein in' pairs with 'To exercise control over or limit excessive spending, growth, or behavior'; and 'Cotton on to' pairs with 'To begin to comprehend or understand a fact, trick, or situation'.
Each item is correctly matched based on standard idiomatic phrasal and prepositional verb definitions: 'Iron out' corresponds to resolving difficulties, 'Hinge on' corresponds to conditional dependency, 'Rein in' corresponds to curbing excesses, and 'Cotton on to' corresponds to catching on or understanding.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Understanding precise figurative and contextual meanings of English phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs.