He lost interest in it vs. he lost his interest

[Garmasch]

English Idioms and Expressions, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #3 "A piece of cake", question 3

When he heard that the necklace had been stolen, he dropped it like a hot potato.

(a) he let it fall from his hands
(b) he suddenly lost interest in it
(c) he gave it to somebody else
(d) he hid it in the fridge

English Idioms and Expressions, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #3 "A piece of cake", answer 3

When he heard that the necklace had been stolen, he suddenly lost interest in it.

Correct answer: (b) he suddenly lost interest in it

Your answer was: incorrect
When he heard that the necklace had been stolen, he let it fall from his hands.
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Hi,

I just have a question here. According to the dictionary, the term "hot potato" prefers to some problem which is difficult to deal with, so why here we have "lost his interest"?

Thank you
Garmasch

[Alan]

Hi,

Yes, you're right, a hot potato is a problem or difficult situation but the expression: