Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the most appropriate phrasal verb: I had not completed my project, so I thought I was (done with) when the manager asked me to hand it in.

Introduction / Context:
This sentence improvement question tests your understanding of phrasal verbs used in everyday English, especially common idiomatic expressions that describe being in trouble because of an unfinished task. Many learners confuse similar looking phrases such as "done for", "done in", and "done with", but each carries a different nuance. The exam expects you to choose the phrasal verb that correctly conveys the feeling that the speaker believed they were in serious trouble after failing to complete the project when the manager demanded it.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The speaker had not completed the project at the time the manager asked for it.
- The speaker expected a negative consequence because of this failure.
- The bracketed phrase "(done with)" is grammatically correct but does not match the intended meaning in context.
- You must replace the bracketed part with a more suitable phrasal verb from the options.

Concept / Approach:
The core idea is to match meaning, not just form. In English, "done for" usually means "ruined", "in serious trouble", or "facing bad consequences". "Done with" usually means "finished", "completed", or "no longer involved". "Done in" can mean "exhausted" or sometimes "killed". Therefore, in a workplace context where an incomplete project might anger a manager, the natural thought is "I am done for", meaning "I am in serious trouble now".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the situation. The project is not completed, yet the manager has asked for it to be handed in. Step 2: Infer the emotion. The speaker expects negative consequences and feels worried. Step 3: Evaluate "done with". This would mean "finished with something", which is opposite to the fact that the project is still incomplete. Step 4: Evaluate "done in". This mainly implies "physically exhausted" or "killed", which does not fit the idea of fearing disciplinary trouble. Step 5: Evaluate "done for". This correctly expresses the feeling that the speaker believes they are in serious trouble because of the incomplete work.

Verification / Alternative check:
Insert each option back into the sentence. "I thought I was done with" suggests the speaker believed the project was finished, which contradicts the earlier clause. "I thought I was done in" may sound like the speaker is physically exhausted, which does not match the context of a manager asking for a project. "I thought I was done for" is a common idiomatic expression meaning "I expected serious trouble", which perfectly matches the situation described.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- "done in": Mostly used to describe someone who is very tired or has been harmed, not simply in professional trouble because of missed work.
- "done on": This is not a standard phrasal verb in this sense and sounds grammatically odd in the sentence.
- "No improvement": The original phrase "done with" is misleading because it implies completion, not danger or trouble.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often pick "No improvement" because the grammar seems acceptable, ignoring the mismatch in meaning. Others may choose "done in" because it appears dramatic, but they do not check whether it truly matches the idea of facing professional consequences. Always focus on what the speaker feels and expects in the situation, not only on whether the phrase exists in English.

Final Answer:
The correct phrasal verb is done for, which accurately conveys the idea that the speaker believed they were in serious trouble for not completing the project in time.