Select the most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence.

After several years of cheating on his PhD work, the candidate finally had to face the music and lose the opportunity.

To accept unpleasant consequences

The most appropriate meaning of the underlined idiom in the given sentence is to accept unpleasant consequences.

The idiom "face the music" means to accept the consequences of one's actions, even if they are unpleasant. It is often used to describe someone who has done something wrong and is now being punished for it.

In the given sentence, the candidate finally had to face the music for cheating on his PhD work. This means that he had to accept the consequences of his actions, which included losing the opportunity to complete his PhD.

The other options are incorrect:

• Accept ignorance: This is not the meaning of the idiom "face the music."
• Choose another alternative that is uninteresting: This is not the meaning of the idiom "face the music."
• Be exposed: This can be the meaning of the idiom "face the music," but it is not the most common meaning.