Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The context involves a "ledger" (an accounting book) containing "discrepancies" (errors, inconsistencies, or mismatches).
These need to be dealt with before an official review by "auditors."
In a professional setting, errors must be actively resolved, corrected, or "smoothed out" so that the books balance correctly.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let’s analyze the figurative meanings of the choices:
1. Iron out (Option A): This means to resolve, smooth over, eliminate, or find a solution for minor problems, errors, or discrepancies.
Just as an iron removes wrinkles from fabric to make it smooth, "ironing out discrepancies" means fixing accounting errors so the ledger is smooth and accurate. This is the correct idiom.
2. Clear off (Option B): This means to remove items from a surface (e.g., "clear off the table") or to pay off a debt.
It does not mean solving specific line-item discrepancies within a document.
3. Gloss over (Option C): This means to deliberately ignore, conceal, or treat an error lightly to avoid trouble.
While a dishonest person might do this before auditors arrive, "promising" to do so usually implies a constructive action (fixing the errors) rather than a deceptive one (hiding them).
4. Wipe out (Option D): This means to completely destroy or erase something.
You cannot simply "erase" portions of an official ledger without creating more auditing issues.
Thus, "iron out" is the most precise and idiomatic choice for resolving accounting problems.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct phrasal verb to fill the blank is "iron out."
Therefore, the correct option is (a).