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Difficulty: MediumPhrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

Select the option that best completes the sentence.

To ensure the smooth implementation of the new national healthcare policy, the committee must ________ any unexpected administrative bottlenecks before the end of the quarter. Which of the following options correctly completes the sentence?

  1. iron outAnswer
  2. B
    iron over
  3. C
    flatten out
  4. D
    smooth up

Answer

The correct option is 'iron out', which idiomatically means to resolve or eliminate difficulties or obstacles.
The phrasal verb 'iron out' is the standard idiomatic expression meaning to resolve or settle difficulties, obstacles, or minor details. In this sentence context, clearing 'administrative bottlenecks' requires 'iron out'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context of the sentence stem.
The sentence discusses a committee dealing with 'administrative bottlenecks' to ensure 'smooth implementation'.
Understanding the context helps identify that a phrasal verb meaning 'to resolve' or 'to eliminate problems' is required.
2
Evaluate the idiom candidate 'iron out'.
In Standard British English, 'iron out' specifically means to settle or remove minor difficulties or obstacles.
This matches both the syntactic requirements and the contextual intent of clearing bottlenecks.

Key Concept

Phrasal Verbs with Idiomatic Particle Meanings
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Topics

Phrasal Verbs and Prepositional Verbs

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