Fill in the blank with the correct phrasal verb from the options given below:-

The manager asked the employees to _____ the new project as a challenge.

take on

The correct answer is Option (2) → take on

Complete sentence:
The manager asked the employees to take on the new project as a challenge.

Explanation:

• Take on means to accept responsibility or a challenge.

• Blow up means to explode or lose temper.

• Call out means to challenge or point out something.

• Put in means to contribute effort or time, but it doesn't fit as naturally here.