Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the most appropriate option:
The team needs to ________ this bottleneck for now and complete the project before the deadline.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → work around
A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a small word such as up, out or together. The two words together have a new meaning.
The words "for now" show that the team only needs a temporary way past the bottleneck so that the project is finished before the deadline.
Complete sentence: The team needs to work around this bottleneck for now and complete the project before the deadline.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) work up | to develop gradually (work up an appetite) or to get excited or upset. It does not mean handling a problem. | The long walk worked up my appetite. |
| (2) work around (answer) | to find a way of dealing with a problem without removing it | Until the software is updated, we will have to work around the error. |
| (3) work out | to solve a problem fully or to exercise. "For now" asks for a temporary way round, not a final solution. | We finally worked out the answer. |
| (4) work over | to examine or revise thoroughly, or informally to beat someone up | The editor worked over the draft before it went to print. |
| Also asked in CUET (UG): work up – 18-05-2026 Slot 2, 12-05-2026 Slot 2 |