English Idioms — Meaning in Context Choose the option that BEST explains the underlined phrase. Sentence: “The authorities took him to task for his negligence.”

Introduction / Context:In administrative and workplace English, “to take someone to task” is a common idiom meaning to scold, criticize, or reprimand a person for an error or lapse. The sentence explicitly links the action to “his negligence,” which confirms that the response from authorities is disciplinary speech, not necessarily a structural penalty like suspension or termination.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Trigger: a person’s negligence.
• Actor: authorities or superiors with oversight power.
• Outcome: verbal or formal reprimand, not automatically job loss.

Concept / Approach:

Idioms often compress both meaning and tone. Here, the phrase signals censure. It does not inherently include demotion, suspension, or dismissal; those are possible consequences but would be stated separately. Therefore, the most accurate single-phrase paraphrase is “reprimanded him,” which matches both the tone and typical HR/administrative usage.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Identify the cause: negligence demands corrective feedback.2) Decode the idiom: take to task = scold/criticize formally.3) Assess options for fidelity to meaning and scope.4) Choose “reprimanded him” as the precise, non-exaggerated match.5) Validate with common HR phrasing (“issued a reprimand”).

Verification / Alternative check:

Replace the idiom: “The authorities reprimanded him for his negligence.” Meaning and register remain consistent, confirming correctness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

gave him additional work: Not punishment; unrelated to negligence.suspended his assignment: A specific sanction, not implied by the idiom.forced him to resign: Far stronger outcome; would need explicit mention.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing a reprimand with punitive employment actions. The idiom highlights censure; penalties may follow, but they are not built into the phrase itself.

Final Answer:

reprimanded him