English Idioms — Choose the closest meaning in context. Sentence (corrected): Vikram said that he had a problem to square up with the manager.

Introduction / Context:
This item tests comprehension of the idiomatic phrasal verb “square up with,” which is common in workplace English and everyday negotiation. In professional settings, employees often need to “square up with” a colleague or a manager after a dispute, delay, or outstanding account. Recognizing the precise meaning helps you interpret emails, HR notes, and spoken instructions accurately.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The sentence has been lightly corrected for tense: “Vikram said that he had a problem to square up with the manager.”
• Focus expression: “square up with (someone).”
• Answer choices: consider, discuss, settle, workout.
• Context suggests an unresolved issue between Vikram and his manager.

Concept / Approach:
“Square up with someone” means to settle a matter with that person. It can refer to clearing dues, resolving a disagreement, or concluding unfinished business so that both parties are “square” (even). While “discuss” or “consider” may occur during the process, they do not capture the core outcome of resolution. The verb “settle” precisely expresses closing the loop on a dispute or account.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Paraphrasing shows the same meaning: “Vikram said he needed to settle the matter with the manager.” Business English and accounting contexts also use “square up” for settling accounts, which supports choosing “settle.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• consider: Means think about; does not mean resolve.
• discuss: Means talk about; may precede a settlement but is not equivalent.
• workout: As written, this is a noun/spelling issue; even “work out” as a verb means find a solution, but the precise idiom here explicitly favors “settle.”

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes equate any conversation with resolution. However, “square up with” points to closing the matter, not merely debating it. Also note the tense correction: in reported speech, “said that he had …” is preferred over “has got.”

Final Answer:
settle