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.

    Some analysts clutch the numbers and say corn production will be hard-pressed to keep up with the overall demand.

    A catch the numbers Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B climb the numbers Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C crunch the numbers Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D crank the numbers Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E No improvement required Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The idiom ‘crunch the numbers’ means ‘to do mathematical work involving large amounts of information or numbers’. This is the correct idiom. Some analysts crunch the numbers and say corn production will be hard-pressed to keep up with the overall demand.

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