Idioms & Phrases – Choose the option that best explains the meaning. Sentence: He has built a big business empire by his “sharp practices.”

Introduction / Context:
“Sharp practice(s)” is a set phrase in business and law meaning unethical or dishonest methods—legally dubious tricks rather than straightforward hard work or genuine skill. The sentence criticizes how the empire was built, pointing to questionable conduct rather than merit.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target phrase: “sharp practices.”
• Domain: commerce and law.
• Evaluation: disapproving.

Concept / Approach:
“Sharp” here does not mean intelligent. It signals trickery, cheating, or exploiting loopholes. The correct answer must therefore be “dishonest dealings.” Options lauding hard work or intelligence contradict the negative moral judgment inherent in the idiom.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Paraphrase: “built … by dishonest dealings.” This fits the censure implied by the sentence and matches dictionary usage.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• extreme hard work: Positively valenced; contradicts idiom.
• keen business skills: Skill, not trickery.
• sharp intelligence: Ability, not unethical behavior.

Common Pitfalls:
Misreading “sharp” as “smart.” In this collocation, it means “unscrupulous.”

Final Answer:
dishonest dealings