Understanding the Phrase 'Cope With' in Context

The question asks for the phrase that best matches the meaning of the underlined phrase 'cope with' in the sentence: "Nobody knows how the Indian cricket team is going to cope with the difficult and seamer-friendly wickets in Australia." In this context, 'cope with' refers to the ability to deal effectively with a challenging or unpleasant situation, specifically the tough playing conditions in Australia.

Analyzing the Options for Closest Meaning

Let's examine the meaning of each provided option:

• put up with: This idiom means to tolerate or endure something, especially something unpleasant or difficult. It implies facing a situation and managing to bear it, even if it's challenging.
• put in with: This phrase means to associate oneself with or join a group or cause. It doesn't relate to dealing with difficult circumstances.
• put down to: This idiom means to attribute the cause of something to a particular reason. For example, "He put down his poor performance to the bad weather." This is about assigning blame or reason, not dealing with a situation.
• put up against: This phrase means to confront or oppose something or someone. While it involves facing a challenge, it often implies resistance or conflict rather than simply enduring or managing.

Determining the Closest Synonym

Comparing the meanings:

• 'Cope with' means to successfully manage or deal with a difficult problem or situation.
• 'Put up with' means to tolerate or endure a difficult or unpleasant situation.

Both phrases relate to managing or enduring difficult circumstances. Given the context of the Indian cricket team facing 'difficult and seamer-friendly wickets', they need to find a way to manage or endure these conditions. 'Put up with' captures this sense of dealing with adversity and tolerating the difficulty inherent in the situation.

The other options, 'put in with' (associate with) and 'put down to' (attribute cause), do not fit the context at all. 'Put up against' (confront) implies more direct opposition, whereas 'cope with' suggests adaptation and management, making 'put up with' the closest synonym in this scenario.