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    Question

    In each question below, a sentence is given with a part of it printed in bold type. That part contains an idiom/phrasal verb that may be correct or erroneous. Each sentence is followed by phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D). Find out which is the correct idiom that should replace the error in bold, if there is any, and which makes the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and ‘No improvement required’, mark (E) as the answer.

    The creation of a single European market in financial

    services was a hard row to crack , but it has been a resounding success.
    A big row to crack Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B hard break to crack Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C hard nest to crack Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D hard nut to crack Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E No improvement required Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The idiom ‘hard/tough nut to crack’ means ‘a problem that is very difficult to solve or a person who is very difficult to understand’. It is correct. There is another idiom ‘a hard/tough row to hoe’ means ‘a difficult situation to deal with’. The creation of a single European market in financial services was a hard nut to crack , but it has been a resounding success.

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