IDIOMS — Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the underlined phrase. Sentence: 'How long will the people put up with the increasing economic hardships?'

Introduction / Context:
The phrasal verb “put up with” is a staple of everyday English. It means to endure or tolerate something unpleasant without protest, at least for a time. The sentence pairs it with “increasing economic hardships,” which fits the idea of reluctant endurance.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Phrasal verb: put up with = tolerate/endure.
• Object: economic hardships (an unpleasant situation).
• Pragmatics: the speaker questions the public’s patience.

Concept / Approach:
To decode phrasal verbs, consider both verb and particle. “Put up with” cannot be read literally; its idiomatic sense is fixed as “tolerate.” Options that imply welcoming, complacency, or ease miss the resistance embedded in the phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify the verb–particle unit: put up with.2) Recall fixed meaning: tolerate or endure.3) Choose the precise synonym: “tolerate.”4) Reject distractors that imply positive acceptance.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute: “How long will the people tolerate the increasing economic hardships?” The sentence remains idiomatic and clear.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
A) “welcome” — the opposite sentiment.B) “take easily” — suggests minimal discomfort, not reluctant endurance.C) “remain satisfied with” — implies contentment, which contradicts “hardships.”

Common Pitfalls:
Translating phrasal verbs word-by-word. Their meaning is often non-compositional and must be learned as a unit.

Final Answer:
tolerate