Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the most appropriate…

The correct answer is Option (2) → saddled with

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 speaker was reluctant, but now has the burden of keeping peace between the opposing parties.
Complete sentence: I was so reluctant, but now I am saddled with the responsibility to maintain an amicable relationship between the opposing parties.

Phrasal verb	Meaning	Example
(1) letting down	to disappoint someone who depends on you. "Letting down the responsibility" is not English.	Please do not let your team down.
(2) saddled with (answer)	to be given a burden or an unwelcome duty, like a load placed on a horse's back	She was saddled with her brother's debts.
(3) trickling down	to flow slowly in drops, or (of money and benefits) to pass slowly to poorer people. It has no link with taking on a duty.	Water trickled down the wall.
(4) cracking down	to take strict action against something wrong. It needs "on" and does not mean accepting a duty.	The police are cracking down on speeding.