001 Flashcards
(300 cards)
1
Q
fabulous
A
1) very good; excellent:
She looked absolutely fabulous in her dress.
They’ve got a fabulous apartment in the centre of Paris
We had a fabulous time at the party.
2) extremely large
Much of his fabulous wealth was acquird dishonestly.
2
Q
Leak
A
Water was leaking from the pipe.
Oil leaked out of the car.
Make sure the bucket doesn’t leak.
He leaked the names to the press.
3
Q
beside
A
Come and sit here beside me.
Our school was built right beside a river.
4
Q
sore
A
painful and uncomfortable because of injury, infection, or too much use:
All the dust has made my eyes sore.
I’ve got a sore back.
My feet were sore with all the walking.
5
Q
commotion
A
a sudden, short period of noise, confusion, or excitd movement:
His arrival caused quite a commotion.
I noticed a commotion in the middle of the plane with all of the flight attendants.
6
Q
apparently
A
1) used to say that smth seems to be true, although it is not certain:
Apparently it’s going to rain today.
I heard a rumour that she’s leaving, but apparently it’s not true.
The train is delayed apparently due to leaves on the line.
2) usd when the real situation is different from what you thought it was:
She looks about ten, but apparently she’s 14.
7
Q
whammy
A
a magical spell or power that causes someone to have difficult or unpleasant time; curse:
He put the whammy on me.
They have suffered the double whammy of national insurance and council tax hikes.
8
Q
shady
A
1) dark due to lack of sunlight:
We sat on the shady grass for our picnic.
2) dishonest or illegal:
He was involved in shady deals in the past.
9
Q
by accident
A
without intending to, or without being intended:
I deleted the file by accident.
I found her letter by accident as I was looking through my files.
10
Q
on the contrary
A
I didn’t mean to imply that the city was an ugly or dangerous place. On the contrary, I think it is extremely pleasant.
The crime problem has not disappeared. On the contrary, it seems to be becoming worse again.
11
Q
from the front vs. from the rear
A
from the front - спереди
from the rear - сзади
12
Q
comply
A
to obey an order, rule or request:
The state’s mining law requires mine operators to comply with local land use regulations.
There are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.
The builders have not complied with the architect’s instructions.
13
Q
barely
A
They have barely enough (= no more than what is needed) to pay the rent this month.
She was barely 15 (= only just 15) when she won her first championship.
The dark line of the mountains was barely visible against the night sky.
14
Q
attest
A
to show, say, or prove that smth exists or is true:
As his career attests, he is a world-class tnnis player.
The will needs to be attested by three witnesses.
15
Q
spectacular
A
very exciting to look at:
a spectacular view
He scored a spectacular goal in the second half.
There was a spectacular sunset last night.
16
Q
fancy
A
1) to want to have or do smth:
● Do you fancy a drink this evening?
● I didn’t fancy swimming in that water.
2) to be sexually attracted to someone:
● She knew he fancied her, but preferred to keep their relationship platonic.
3) If you fancy that something is the case, you think or suppose that it is so:
● He fancies himself as a bit of a singer.
17
Q
praise
A
to express admiration for or approval of a person smth done:
He should be praised for his honesty.
My parents always praised me when I did well at school.
18
Q
chores
A
a housework: cleaning, washing dishes, taking out trash, wiping down tables and surfaces, etc.
19
Q
affair
A
As a leader, he’s been criticized for his inexperience in foreign affairs.
He’s always interfering in (= trying to influence) other people’s affairs.
What I do in my spare time is my affair (= only involves me).
20
Q
strive
A
to try very hard to do something or to make something happen, especially for a long time or against difficulties:
♦ We must strive to narrow the gap between rich and poor.
♦ We are constantly striving to improve our service.
♦ We strive for perfection but sometimes have to accept something less.
21
Q
seek
A
1) to try to find or get smth, especially smth that is not a physical object:
Are you actively seeking jobs?
He had actively sought a pardon from the president.
Legal advice should be sought before you take any further action.
22
Q
admirable
A
deserving respect or approval:
The police did an admirable job in keeping the fans calm.
23
Q
budge
A
to move or cause someone or something to move:
The demonstrators would not budge from the governor’s office.
I’ve tried moving the desk but it won’t budge.
24
Q
abolish
A
to put an end to something, such as an organization, rule, or custom:
♦ I think bullfighting should be abolished.
♦ The government is planning to abolish subsidies to farmers.
♦ In Britain, national service was abolished in 1962.
25
hang out
to spend a lot of time in a place or with someone:
♦ Who is he hanging out with these days?
♦ They spent the whole day hanging out by the pool.
♦ Haven't you got anything better to do than hang out at the shopping centre?
26
insular
interested only in your own country or group and not willing to accept different or foreign ideas or people:
Isolation produces a large number of strong insular variants, which in some cases develop into separate serotypes.
27
carry over
to use or do something at a later time than planned:
The performance has had to be carried over to/till next week because the repairs to the theatre aren't finished yet.
28
tender
1) gentle, loving, or kind:
a tender look/smile
What you need is some tender loving care.
2) (of meat or vegetables) easy to cut or chew:
tender steak
29
exceed
to be greater than a number or amount:
♦ The final cost should not exceed $5,000.
♦ The success of our campaign has exceeded our expectations.
♦ Drivers who exceed the speed limit can expect to be fined heavily.
30
bland
not having a strong taste or character or not showing any interest or energy:
The soup is very bland, it could use more herbs and spices.
A complex sensation may seem bland or boring if listened to carelessly.
31
diverse
1) including many different types of people or things:
New York is a very culturally diverse city.
There is a diverse range of opinion on the issue.
2) very different from each other:
We hold very diverse views on the topic.
32
dreadful
1) of very low quality or very unpleasant:
The food was bad and the service was dreadful.
I'm sorry, the house is a dreadful mess.
2) causing fear, shock, or suffering:
The news report was so dreadful that I just had to switch it off.
We lost our beloved father to this dreadful disease.
33
hangover
a feeling of illness after drinking too much alcohol:
I had a terrible hangover the next morning.
34
fatigue
extreme tiredness:
The doctor said he was suffering from fatigue and work-related stress.
Driver fatigue is the main cause of impairment other than that caused by substances taken by the driver.
35
itinerary
a detailed plan or route of a journey:
The tour operator will arrange transport and plan your itinerary.
36
ashamed
feeling guilty or embarrassed about something you have done or about a quality in your character:
♦ She ought to be thoroughly ashamed of herself - talking to her mother like that!
♦ I was ashamed that I'd made so little effort.
♦ He was ashamed to admit to his mistake.
37
grocery store
a shop that sells food and small things that are often needed in the home:
The bread was just from a local grocery store and nothing special.
Grocery stores and gas stations all used to be closed on Sundays.
38
frown on/upon something
to disapprove of something:
Smoking is frowned upon in many societies.
39
ramification
the possible results of an action:
Have you considered all the ramifications of your suggestion?
40
stand out
1) to be very noticeable:
The black lettering really stands out on that orange background.
2) to be much better than other similar things or people:
We had lots of good applicants for the job, but one stood out from the rest.
41
urgency
the quality of being very important and needing attention immediately:
It now is a matter of urgency that aid reaches the famine area.
She didn't understand the urgency of the situation.
42
odd
strange or unexpected:
♦ The skirt and jacket looked a little odd together.
♦ It's odd that no one's seen him.
Something in the cupboard smells odd.
♦ I find him really odd - I can't figure him out at all.
43
distinct
1) clearly noticeable; that certainly exists:
There's a distinct smell of cigarettes in here.
There’s a distinct possibility of rain today.
2) clearly separate and different:
The two languages are quite distinct from each other.
The dogs are of distinct breeds.
44
decipher
to discover the meaning of something written badly or in a difficult or hidden way:
♦ Can you decipher the writing on this envelope?
♦ The symbolic messages encoded in the distribution of these items are difficult to decipher.
♦ The question then was how to decipher the creative mathematical genius in the brain.
45
narrow
having a small distance from one side to the other, especially in comparison with the length:
♦ a narrow bridge/passage/gap
♦ a narrow face
♦ They had a narrow escape when their car crashed.
♦ The boats all have to pass through this narrow channel.
46
relive
to remember clearly an experience that happened in the past:
♦ Whenever I smell burning, I relive the final moments of the crash.
♦ She and I like to reminisce and relive the good-old days.
47
reject
1) to refuse to accept, use, or believe something or someone:
♦ The appeal was rejected by the court.
♦ Coin-operated machines in England reject euros.
♦ I applied for a job as a mechanic in a local garage, but I was rejected (= I was not offered the job).
♦ Modernism seeks to find new forms of expression and rejects traditional or accepted ideas.
2) to not give someone the love and attention they want and are expecting from you:
When she was sent to boarding school, she felt as though her parents had rejected her.
48
aware
knowing that something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing:
● I wasn't even aware that he was ill.
● Were you aware of the risks at the time?
● I suddenly became aware of (= started to notice) him looking at me.
49
read out
to read something and say the words aloud so that other people can hear:
He read her letter out to the rest of the family.
It's sometimes helpful to read out what you've written.
50
cherish
1) to love, protect, and care for someone or something that is important to you:
Although I cherish my children, I do allow them their independence.
Freedom of speech is a cherished (= carefully protected) right in this country.
2) to keep hopes, memories, or ideas in your mind because they are important to you and bring you pleasure:
I cherish the memories of the time we spent together.
51
decent
socially acceptable or good:
It was very decent (= kind) of you to help.
All I need is a roof over my head and a decent meal.
The law obliges companies to pay decent wages to their employees.
acceptable, satisfactory, or reasonable:
The makers of the film will want to see a decent return on their investment.
We get good benefits, and the pay is decent.
52
harbor
an area of water next to the coast, often protected from the sea by a thick wall, where ships and boats can shelter:
He has a house down by the harbor.
Our hotel room overlooked a pretty little fishing harbor.
53
behind
at the back (of):
● The police officer was hidden out of sight behind a tree.
● The guard dog was snarling and snapping behind the fence.
● After the third lap, she was way behind the other runners.
54
rebel
a person who is opposed to the political system in their country and tries to change it using force:
The rebels took over the capital and set up a new government.
55
toil
hard work, especially work that makes you feel physically tired:
Lindi has achieved her comfortable life only after years of hard toil.
Well, after a day's toil in the office I like to relax a little.
56
defect
1) to leave a country, political party, etc., especially in order to join an opposing one:
When the national hockey team visited the US, half the players defected.
2) to leave a company, stop buying from a business, etc., especially in order to start working for or buying from one of their competitors:
The company is paying out millions in incentive bonuses to stop its best people from defecting.
Internet providers struggled to prevent angry customers defecting.
57
come off
to give a particular impression:
● He was competitive without coming off as aggressive.
● Ultimately, the film comes off as a little pretentious.
● I didn't want to come off like I was feeling sorry for myself.
58
appreciative
showing that you understand how good something is, or are grateful for something:
I'm very appreciative of all the support you've given me.
An appreciative audience wildly applauded the performance.
59
resemble
to look like or be like someone or something:
You resemble your mother very closely.
After the earthquake, the city resembled a battlefield.
That actor really resembles my brother-in-law.
60
antecedent
1) (noun) someone or something existing or happening before, especially as the cause or origin of something existing or happening later:
Charles Babbage's mechanical calculating engines were the antecedents of the modern computer.
Many people feel a great curiosity to find out about their antecedents.
2) (adjective) previous:
When the college was established in 1546, it inherited a hall from each of three antecedent institutions.
61
reimburse
to pay back money to someone who has spent it for you or lost it because of you:
The airline reimbursed me for the amount they had overcharged me.
She was reimbursed by the gas company for the damage to her house.
62
distinguish
1) to notice or understand the difference between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another:
He's colour-blind and can't distinguish (the difference) between red and green easily.
I sometimes have difficulty distinguishing Spanish from Portuguese.
It's not the beauty so much as the range of his voice that distinguishes him from other tenors.
The male bird displays several characteristics which distinguish him from the female.
It can be difficult to distinguish between poisonous and edible mushrooms.
2) to see, hear, or experience something, esp. with difficulty:
In the dark, I could barely distinguish the shape of a person.
3) distinguish yourself - to do something so well that you are admired and praised for it:
He distinguished himself as a writer at a very early age.
At school, she distinguished herself as an outstanding debater.
63
thoughtful
1) carefully considering things:
He has a thoughtful approach to his work.
2) kind and always thinking about how you can help other people:
☺ Thank you for calling when I was ill - it was very thoughtful of you.
☺ She's a very thoughtful person.
☺ It was very thoughtful of her to bring a cake.
64
reside
to live, have your home, or stay in a place:
The family now resides in southern France.
Some people who work in the city reside in neighbouring towns.
65
butcher
1) (noun) a person who sells meat in a shop:
The butcher prepared a rack of pork.
2) (verb) to kill or cut up an animal for meat:
He raises pigs and butchers his own meat.
The truck was transporting freshly butchered chickens.
3) to kill people in a very violent way or in large numbers:
He butchered a few people.
66
wrap
to cover or surround something with paper, cloth, or other material:
- She wrapped the present and tied it with ribbon.
- Wrap the chicken in foil and cook it for two hours.
- She came downstairs after her shower, wrapped in a towel.
- He wrapped a towel around his shoulders.
67
delight
1) (noun) a feeling of great pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness:
- Her face had a look of pure delight.
- The children squealed in delight when they saw all the presents under the Christmas tree.
- I read your letter with great delight.
- His delight at seeing her again was obvious.
- He seems to take great delight in (= enjoys) teasing his sister.
2) (verb) to give someone great pleasure or satisfaction:
The songs of countrypeople and of sailors delight me.
68
parcel
an object or collection of objects wrapped in paper, especially so that it can be sent by post:
- The parcel was wrapped in plain brown paper.
- The parcel was clearly labelled 'Fragile'.
- There were several parcels waiting for her in the post room.
69
disciple
a person who believes in the ideas and principles of someone famous and tries to live the way that person does or did:
In that model a master trained his disciples according to his own criteria.
an ardent disciple of Gandhi
70
carve
to make something by cutting into a hard material, especially wood or stone, or to cut into a hard material in order to make something:
- Some of the tunnels in the cliff are natural, some were carved out (= cut into the rock).
- The statue is carved out of olive wood.
- This totem pole is carved from a single tree trunk.
- He carved her name on a tree.
- He carved the wood to resemble a small bird.
71
notable
important and deserving attention, because of being very good or interesting:
- This attractive building is particularly notable for its woodland setting.
- The renaissance was notable for the spread of learning outside the university.
72
patrimony
the valuable objects, buildings, ideas, etc. that a society gets from the people who have lived in the past:
The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the Embassy works in coordination with Peruvian institutions to protect and promote Peru's cultural patrimony.
73
slump
1) (of prices, values, or sales) to fall suddenly:
- The value of property has slumped.
- Car sales have slumped dramatically over the past year.
2) to sit or fall heavily and suddenly:
- She slumped into the chair, exhausted.
- He slumped to the floor in a faint.
74
bunk
one of two beds attached together, one on top of the other:
- I had the lower bunk, and my older brother had the upper bunk.
- Can I sleep in the top bunk?
- The twins sleep in bunk beds.
75
grip
1) (verb) to hold very tightly:
- The baby gripped my finger with her tiny hand.
- I was terrified when he suddenly gripped my throat in his hands.
2) (noun) control over something or someone:
- Rebels have tightened their grip on the city.
- The Mafia has relaxed its grip on local businesses.
76
crave
if you crave something, or crave for it, you want to have it very much:
Many young children crave attention.
We welcome and crave your involvement, participation and views.
77
kettle
a container for boiling water, that has a lid, handle, and spout and is made from plastic or metal.
78
consistent
1) someone who is consistent always behaves in the same way over time, has the same attitudes towards people or things, or achieves the same level of success in something:
- Her work is sometimes good, but the problem is she's not consistent.
- There has been a consistent improvement in her attitude.
2) in agreement or harmony:
- This result is consistent with the findings of Garnett & Tobin.
- New goals are not always consistent with the existing policies.
79
disruption
the action of preventing something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected:
- The strike is expected to cause delays and disruption to flights from Britain.
- The accident brought widespread disruption on the roads.
- It would cause a tremendous disruption to our work schedule to install a different computer system.
80
dread
1) (verb) if you dread something which may happen, you feel very anxious and unhappy about it because you think it will be unpleasant or upsetting:
- He's dreading the exam - he's sure he's going to fail.
- I dread to think what they say about me behind my back.
- Although I was absolutely dreading telling Dad, he was actually very understanding when I told him.
2) (noun) a feeling of great anxiety and fear about something that may happen:
- The prospect of working full-time fills me with dread.
- A feeling of dread crept over me as I approached the door.
81
controversial
causing disagreement or discussion:
- Immigration is a controversial issue in many countries.
- Her controversial speech was punctuated with noisy interjections from the audience.
- The book was very controversial.
82
sentiment
a thought, opinion, or idea based on a feeling about a situation, or a way of thinking about something:
- I don't think she shares my sentiments.
- I must agree with the sentiments expressed by the previous speaker.
- That sentiment is echoed north of the border.
- The area has become a hotbed of anti-government sentiment.
83
roast
1) (verb) to cook food in an oven or over a fire:
- Just roast the chicken in the oven and baste it in oil and lemon.
- I roasted the vegetables with some olive oil.
2) (adjective) Roast meat or vegetables have been cooked in an oven or over a fire:
- roast beef/chicken/potatoes
84
intend
1) if you intend to do something, you have decided or planned to do it:
- We intend to go to Australia next year.
- Somehow I offended him, which wasn't what I'd intended.
2) if something is intended for a particular purpose, it has been planned to fulfil that purpose:
- The course is intended for intermediate-level students.
- It was intended as a compliment, honestly!
- Columns are usually intended in architecture to add grandeur and status.
85
nonetheless
despite what has just been said or done:
- There are serious problems in our country. Nonetheless, we feel this is a good time to return.
- There was still a long way to go. Nonetheless, some progress had been made.
86
persuade
to make someone do or believe something by giving them a good reason to do it or by talking to that person and making them believe it:
- If she doesn't want to go, nothing you can say will persuade her.
- My partner persuaded me to come.
- He is trying to persuade local and foreign businesses to invest in the project.
- Using a bunch of bananas, the zoo-keeper persuaded the monkey back into its cage.
- It was the lack of privacy that eventually persuaded us to move after Ben was born.
- We had managed to persuade them that it was worth working with us.
- Clever salesmanship can persuade you to buy things you don't really want.
- We only need one more player for this game - can you persuade your sister to join in?
87
fraud
is the crime of gaining money or financial benefits by a trick or by lying:
- credit card fraud
- Convicted of tax fraud, he was sentenced to two years in prison.
88
bulk
(noun) something or someone that is very large:
- It was a document of surprising bulk.
- Despite his bulk, he moved lightly on his feet.
- We buy a lot of our groceries in bulk (= in large quantities) to save money.
in bulk = in very large amounts:
- Wholesalers who order in bulk will receive an additional 15% discount.
- She'd buy clothes in bulk from Dhaka and sell them at a profit of 50 cents each.
89
sum (something/someone) up
if you sum something or someone up, you describe it/him as briefly as possible:
- The best way of summing up the situation in our office is to say that it is "absolute chaos".
- Obree summed his weekend up in one word: 'Disastrous'.
- He's a small man with a big ego - that about sums him up.
- The oral report should sum up the main points of the written essay.
- When the judge summed up, it was clear he wanted a guilty verdict.
90
throughout
in every part, or during the whole period of time:
- People throughout the country are out of work.
- The school has been repainted throughout.
- Movie music can be made memorable because its themes are repeated throughout the film.
- He stayed by her side throughout her long illness.
- She's been leading throughout the race, but it now looks as if she's tiring.
- The foundation now runs projects throughout Africa, the Caribbean and South East Asia.
- (as adverb) The route is well sign-posted throughout.
91
discontent
is the feeling that you have when you are not satisfied with your situation:
- Discontent among junior ranks was rapidly spreading.
- Surveys showed widespread discontent among the populace with regards to the economy.
- Mexican-American leaders expressed discontent with the administration.
- She voiced her discontent about the plan.
92
whatsoever
is used after a negative phrase in order to emphasize a negative statement:
- He has no respect for authority whatsoever.
- My school did nothing whatsoever in the way of athletics.
- She had no interest whatsoever in photographing me.
93
aloud
in a voice loud enough to be heard:
- He read her letter aloud to the rest of the family.
- It would be a useful exercise for you to say the speech aloud several times.
- I wondered aloud whether it would be worth the wait.
94
acclamation
public approval and praise:
- The news was greeted with considerable popular acclamation.
- I am certain that the whole of my constituency greets this project with acclamation.
95
dash
to go somewhere quickly:
- The dog ran off, and she dashed after him.
- I've been dashing around all day.
- We dashed for the train, but it was already pulling away from the platform.
- I'm sorry, but I've got to dash or I'll be late collecting the children from school.
the act of running somewhere very quickly:
- a 160-mile dash to hospital
- As soon as the rain dies down I'm going to make a dash for it (= run somewhere very fast).
- We made a mad dash for the train.
a small amount of something added to or mixed with something else:
- Add some butter and a dash of salt.
96
neither...nor
● I can neither speak Spanish nor understand it.
● He likes neither apples nor oranges.
● You neither know how to sing nor how to dance.
97
errand
An errand is a short trip that you make in order to do a job for someone, for example when you go to a shop to buy something for them:
∙ He would clean, do errands, and babysit for their 7-year-old daughter.
∙ She used to spend a lot of time running errands for elderly and disabled people in the neighbourhood.
98
amend
If you amend something that has been written such as a law, or something that is said, you change it in order to improve it or make it more accurate:
∙ MPs were urged to amend the law to prevent another oil tanker disaster.
∙ In line 20, the word "men" should be amended (= changed) to "people".
∙ Until the constitution is amended, the power to appoint ministers will remain with the president.
99
accuse
If you accuse someone of doing something wrong or dishonest, you say or tell them that you believe that they did it:
∙ He was accusing my mum of having an affair with another man.
∙ "It wasn't my fault." "Don't worry, I'm not accusing you."
∙ Are you accusing me of lying?
∙ He was accused of statutory rape.
100
intention
An intention is an idea or plan of what you are going to do:
∙ It wasn't my intention to exclude her from the list - I just forgot her.
∙ It has always been my declared intention to sail round the world.
∙ Unfortunately, his good intentions never seemed to last long.
∙ I have no intention of selling this house.
101
condemn
1) to criticize something or someone strongly:
☼ The terrorist action has been condemned as an act of barbarism and cowardice.
☼ The film was condemned for its sexism.
☼ She was the only politician to condemn the proposed law on moral grounds.
☼ The Opposition has condemned the government's proposed tax increases.
2) to severely punish someone who has committed a crime, or to force someone to suffer:
● He was condemned to life imprisonment.
● Illness condemned her to spend her remaining days in a home.
● Mark was condemned to do most of the work.
● He felt condemned to being alone.
102
imprisonment
Imprisonment is the state of being imprisoned:
● She was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
● 15 months of his imprisonment was spent in the King County jail.
103
snap
1) If something snaps or if you snap it, it breaks suddenly, usually with a sharp cracking noise:
● You'll snap that ruler if you bend it too far.
● He put too much pressure on the door handle and it snapped.
● The brake pedal had just snapped off.
● She gripped the pipe with both hands, trying to snap it in half.
● (as a noun) He shut the book with a snap and stood up.
2) If you snap something into a particular position, or if it snaps into that position, it moves quickly into that position, with a sharp sound:
▪ He snapped the notebook shut.
▪ She snapped her book shut and got up to leave.
3) If an animal snaps, it tries to bite someone:
The guard dog was snarling and snapping behind the fence.
104
thereupon
Thereupon means happening immediately after something else has happened and usually as a result of it:
◌ Immediately thereupon, he ate his first American hamburger.
◌ Ursula had refused to marry Attila the Hun, who thereupon ordered one of his archers to shoot her.
105
contrive
to arrange a situation or event, or arrange for something to happen, using clever planning:
◌ Couldn't you contrive a meeting between them? I think they'd really like each other.
◌ Somehow she contrived to get tickets for the concert.
106
spare
1) (adjective) You use spare to describe something that is the same as things that you are already using, but that you do not need yet and are keeping ready in case another one is needed:
◌ If possible keep a spare pair of glasses accessible in case your main pair is broken or lost.
◌ Don't forget to take a few spare batteries.
◌ He could have taken a spare key.
◌ (as a noun) Give me the trunk key and I'll get the spare.
spare time - time when you are not working:
I like to paint in my spare time.
2) (verb) If you have something such as time, money, or space to spare, you have some extra time, money, or space that you have not used or that you do not need:
◦ Could you spare me £20?
◦ You got here with ninety seconds to spare.
◦ Miranda has drive and energy to spare and has now taken on an even bigger challenge.
107
commute
1) to make the same journey regularly between work and home:
It's exhausting commuting from Brighton to London every day.
2) to change a punishment to one that is less severe:
Her sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment.
108
hapless
A hapless person is unlucky:
◊ Many children are hapless victims of this war.
◊ hapless victims of the earthquake
109
superficial
1) If you describe someone as superficial, you disapprove of them because they do not think deeply, and have little understanding of anything serious or important:
► He's fun to be with, but he's very superficial.
► This guy is a superficial yuppie with no intellect whatsoever.
not complete and involving only the most obvious things:
► That article was written at a very superficial level.
► The documentary's treatment/analysis of the issues was very superficial.
appearing to be true or real until examind more closely:
There are superficial similarities between the two cars, but really they're very different in terms of performance.
2) Superficial injuries are not very serious, and affect only the surface of the body. You can also describe damage to an object as superficial:
The explosion caused superficial damage to the fortified house.
110
subsequent
happening after something else:
● The mistakes were corrected in a subsequent edition of the book.
● In subsequent years he said he regretted his actions.
111
eventually
in the end, especially after a long time or a lot of effort, problems, etc.:
● Although she had been ill for a long time, it still came as a shock when she eventually died.
● The flight eventually got away six hours late.
● After a long search, they eventually found the missing papers.
● Keep trying and you'll find a job eventually.
● Her parents eventually relented and let her go to the party.
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familiar
If someone or something is familiar to you, you recognize them or know them well:
● The house looked strangely familiar, though she knew she'd never been there before.
● The street was familiar to me.
● He talked of other cultures as if they were more familiar to him than his own.
If you are familiar with something, you know or understand it well:
● Nick is quite familiar with Central Television. He worked there for 25 years.
● I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with your poetry.
2) If someone you do not know well behaves in a familiar way towards you, they treat you very informally in a way that you might find offensive:
● The driver of that taxi-cab seemed to me familiar to the point of impertinence.
● He doesn't like to be too familiar with his staff.
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shaggy
Shaggy hair or fur is long, untidy and unkempt:
His gray hair was shaggy.
114
garret
a very small, uncomfortable room at the top of a house:
The first two storeys were built in the 1890s, while the second two were added in 1949-50, including some garret rooms.
115
wretched
1) unpleasant or of low quality:
The people live in wretched conditions, with no running water.
You describe someone as wretched when you feel sorry for them because they are in an unpleasant situation or have suffered unpleasant experiences:
These wretched people had seen their homes going up in flames.
You use wretched to describe someone or something that you dislike or feel angry with:
- Of course this wretched woman was unforgivably irresponsible.
- Reality started to hit about four months after we had bought the wretched place.
2) feeling very ill or very unhappy:
I think I must be coming down with flu - I've been feeling wretched all day.
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invariably
= always, constantly:
● Ranch meals are invariably big and healthy.
● There’s no point in rushing – she’s invariably late.
● Invariably, he keeps the refrigerator well stocked.
● High blood pressure is almost invariably accompanied by high blood cholesterol.
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scowl
When someone scowls, an angry or hostile expression appears on their face:
● When I asked the boss for a day off, he just scowled and told me to get back to work.
● He scowled, and slammed the door behind him.
● The boy scowled at her and reluctantly followed her back into school.
Scowl is also a noun:
● She was clearly annoyed, as you could tell from the scowl on her face.
● He had a bald head, a huge belly, and a menacing scowl.
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cowardly
(as an adjective) (of a person) not at all brave and too eager to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain :
● He was too cowardly to give the order.
● These are not cowardly people, but they are cautious.
(of an action) showing that someone is not at all brave and is too eager to avoid danger, difficulty, or pain:
● They are guilty of a cowardly failure to address the problem.
● Their failure to ask tough questions and hold their leaders to account is cowardly in the extreme.
119
cowardice
the behaviour of someone who is not at all brave and tries to avoid danger (covardly behaviour):
● Cowardice prevented me from doing what I knew I should do.
● You can accuse me of cowardice, but I still wouldn't fight in a war.
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abject
showing no pride or respect for yourself:
● He is almost abject in his respect for his boss.
● He sounded abject and eager to please.
extreme and without hope:
● They live in abject poverty.
● My experiment was an abject failure.
121
irritable
If you are irritable, you are easily annoyed:
● He had been waiting for over an hour and was beginning to feel irritable.
● Be careful what you say - he's rather irritable today.
● "Don't disturb me again," she said in an irritable (= angry) voice.
122
self-absorbed
Self-absorbed person is only interested in himself and his own activities; he doesn't notice other people or the things around them.
123
cease
to stop something:
● At one o'clock the rain had ceased.
● The company has decided to cease all UK operations after this year.
● He never ceases to amaze me.
124
weigh on someone/something
If a problem or responsibility weighs on you, it makes you worried or unhappy:
He's under huge pressure at work and it's really weighing on him.
to cause problems for something such as a market or share, usually causing it to fall:
Worries about a weak dollar weighed heavily on Wall Street, which suffered further losses yesterday.
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acutely
completely or extremely:
▪ Management is acutely aware of the resentment that their decision may cause.
▪ Another scandal would be acutely embarrassing for the government.
▪ It was an acutely uncomfortable journey back to London.
126
trifle
a matter or object of little value or importance:
I brought a few trifles back from India - pieces of jewellery and fabric mainly.
a trifle = slightly:
▪ I'm a trifle confused about the arrangements for tonight.
▪ He was a trifle smug, I thought, on hearing the news.
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slip
1) If you slip, you accidentally slide and lose your balance:
▪ She slipped on the ice.
▪ Careful you don't slip - there's water on the floor.
2) If you slip somewhere, you go there quickly and quietly:
▪ Amy slipped downstairs and out of the house.
▪ Just slip out of the room while nobody's looking.
▪ She slipped between the cool cotton sheets and was soon asleep.
▪ He slipped a piece of paper into my hand with his address on it (=he secretly put it into the hand).
3) If something slips to a lower level or standard, it falls to that level or standard:
In June, producer prices slipped 0.1% from May.
4) A slip is also a small or unimportant mistake.
5) A slip of paper is a small piece of paper.
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utter
1) to say something or to make a sound with your voice:
◊ She sat through the whole meeting without uttering a word.
◊ He uttered a snorting laugh.
2) complete or extreme:
◊ This, of course, is utter nonsense.
◊ A look of utter confusion swept across his handsome face.
◊ I made a complete and utter mess of it!
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chatter
1) to talk for a long time about things that are not important:
◊ She spent the morning chattering away to her friends.
◊ (as a noun) I can't concentrate with Ann's constant chatter.
2) If objects chatter, they make short repeated sounds:
The printer was chattering away on the desk.
3) When birds or animals chatter, they make high-pitched noises:
◊ The gun shot made the monkeys chatter in alarm.
◊ (as a noun) He could hear the chatter of birds in the trees overhead.
4) If your teeth chatter, they knock together repeatedly because you are very cold or frightened:
I could hardly talk, my teeth were chattering so much.
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den
1) A den is the home of certain types of wild animals such as lions or foxes.
2) Your den is a quiet room in your house where you can go to study, work, or carry on a hobby without being disturbed.
3) A den is a secret place where people meet, usually for a dishonest or illegal purposes.
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amuse
If something amuses you, it makes you want to laugh or smile:
◊ I've brought an article from yesterday's paper that I thought might amuse you.
◊ I think it amuses him to see people make fools of themselves.
◊ Shall I put on a film to amuse the kids?
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bustle
(verb) to do things in a hurried and busy way:
My mother bustled around the kitchen.
(noun) Bustle is busy, noisy activity:
- the hustle and bustle of modern life
- the bustle of the downtown business district
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scaffolding
A temporary structure on the outside of a building, made of wooden planks and metal poles, wsed by workman while building, repairing or cleaning the building
(стоительные леса)
134
stench
a strong, unpleasant smell:
∙ the stench of rotting fish/burning rubber/cigarette smoke
135
insufferable
when somebody or something is very annoying, unpleasant, or uncomfortable, and therefore extremely difficult to bear:
∙ The underground is insufferable in this heat.
∙ He found most of them insufferably arrogant.
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revolting
when somebody or something is extremely unpleasant, horrible or disgusting:
∙ The smell in the cell was revolting.
∙ It was the most revolting thing I have ever tasted.
∙ They say revolting things about them.
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gleam
1) to produce or reflect a small, bright light:
∙ He polished the table until it gleamed.
∙ His black hair gleamed in the sun.
∙ (as a noun) In the light from the hall, her hair had a golden gleam.
2) If your eyes gleam, they look bright and show that you are excited or happy:
∙ His eyes gleamed with triumph.
∙ (as a noun) There was a gleam in her eye when she looked at me.
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blank
1) Something that is blank has nothing on it; empty or clear:
∙ a blank sheet of paper
∙ a blank computer screen
∙ Sign your name in the blank space at the bottom of the form.
2) If you look blank, your face shows no feeling, understanding, or interest.
3) To blank as a verb means to ignore someone or pretend that you have not seen them or do not know them:
∙ When I saw him out at a club the next night, he blanked me.
4) Also to blank means to forget something that you know:
∙ Sorry, what were we talking about? I completely blanked on that part.
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mutter
If you mutter, you speak very quietly so that you cannot easily be heard, often because you are complaining about something:
∙ Laurence muttered something about his wife and left.
∙ 'I didn't know it would be this expensive,' he muttered.
∙ He sat there shaking his head, muttering to himself.
∙ (as a noun) They make no more than a mutter of protest.
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audible
A sound that is audible is loud enough to be heard:
∙ The Colonel's voice was barely audible.
∙ The lecturer spoke so quietly that he was scarcely audible at the back of the hall.
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conscious
/ˈkɑːn.ʃəs/
1) If you are conscious of something, you notice it or realize that it is happening:
∙ Conscious that he was becoming light-headed again, he went over to the window.
2) Someone who is conscious is awake rather than asleep or unconscious:
∙ He's still conscious but he's very badly injured.
3) If you are conscious of something, you think about it a lot, especially because you are unhappy about it or because you think it is important:
∙ I'm very conscious of my weight.
He's never been especially politically conscious.
4) A conscious decision or action is made or done deliberately with you giving your full attention to it.
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rag
1) A rag is a piece of old cloth which you can use to clean or wipe things.
2) Rags are old torn clothes.
3) To rag someone means to make fun of them in an unkind way:
∙ She was about thirty, ten years older than the youngsters ragging her.
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scarcely
1) only just or almost not:
∙ I could scarcely move my arm after the accident.
∙ She seemed scarcely aware of him.
∙ She was scarcely 18 when she made her debut.
2) You can use scarcely to say that something is not true or is not the case, in a humorous or critical way:
∙ He's only two - you can scarcely blame him for behaving badly.
∙ It was scarcely in their interest to let too many people know.
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stretch
1) to (cause a material to) become longer or wider than usual as a result of pulling at the edges:
∙ I tripped on a piece of wire that someone had stretched across the path.
∙ This substance stretches to any shape you want.
2) to spread over a large area or distance:
∙ The Andes stretch for 7,250 km along the west coast of South America.
∙ The road stretched into the distance as far as the eye could see.
∙ The procession stretched for several miles.
3) to spread over a long period of time:
∙ Although we were supposed to finish this month, it looks like the work will stretch well into next year.
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fetch
to go to another place to get something or someone and bring it, him, or her back:
∙ Could you fetch me my glasses from the other room, please?
∙ I have to fetch my mother from the station.
∙ She fetched another chair from the dining room.
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flimsy
1) very thin, or easily broken or destroyed:
∙ You won't be warm enough in that flimsy dress.
a flimsy wooden door
2) A flimsy argument, excuse, etc. is weak and difficult to believe:
∙ The charges were based on very flimsy evidence.
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commence
to begin something:
∙ Shall we let the meeting commence?
∙ The academic year commences at the beginning of October.
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loose
1) not firmly held or fastened in place:
∙ Sometimes rock climbers need to remove loose rocks that could be dangerous.
∙ There were some loose wires hanging out of the wall.
2) Loose things are not held together or attached to anything else:
∙ A few loose sheets of paper were lying around.
3) (of clothes) not fitting closely to the body.
4) If people or animals break loose or are set loose, they are no longer held, tied, or kept somewhere and can move around freely.
5) If you loose something, you hold it less tightly or untie it slightly or completely:
∙ The guards loosed his arms.
6) to speak or express emotions very freely, especially in an uncontrolled way:
∙ The coach loosed an angry tirade against his team.
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tuck
If you tuck something somewhere, you put it there so that it is safe, comfortable, or neat:
∙ He tried to tuck his flapping shirt inside his trousers.
∙ She found a rose tucked under the windscreen wiper of her car one morning.
∙ Tuck your gloves in your pocket so that you don't lose them.
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mean (adjective)
1) not willing to give or share things, especially money; not generous:
∙ He's too mean to buy her a ring.
2) unkind or unpleasant:
∙ The little girls had locked themselves in upstairs because Mack had been mean to them.
∙ And she didn't invite him? That was a bit mean!
3) If you describe a place as mean, you think that it looks poor and dirty:
∙ He was raised on the mean streets of the central market district of Panama City.
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wicked
1) morally wrong and bad, deliberately harmful to people:
∙ Rapunzel was trapped inside a tower by a wicked witch.
2) slightly immoral or bad for you, but in an attractive way:
∙ She has a wicked sense of humor.
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make up your mind
to decide:
I haven't made up my mind where to go yet.
153
reckon
to think or believe:
∙ I reckon it's going to rain.
∙ He reckoned he was still fond of her.
154
peck
When a bird pecks, it bites, hits, or picks up something small with its beak:
Geese were pecking around for food.
It was winter and the sparrows were pecking at whatever they could find.
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tiresome
If you describe someone or something as tiresome, you mean that you find them annoying, irritating or boring:
∙ I find it very tiresome doing the same job day after day.
∙ He has the tiresome habit of finishing your sentences for you.
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lonesome
1) Someone who is lonesome is unhappy because they do not have any friends or do not have anyone to talk to:
∙ He is depressed and lonesome; none of his friends are around.
∙ An additional guitar melody and drums enter shortly after with lonesome singing.
2) A lonesome place is one which very few people come to and which is a long way from places where people live.
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rustle
When something thin and dry rustles or when you rustle it, it makes soft sounds as it moves:
∙ The leaves rustled in the wind.
∙ She rustled her papers impatiently.
∙ A snake rustled through the dry grass.
∙ (as a noun) She sat perfectly still, without even a rustle of her frilled petticoats.
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mourn
If you mourn someone who has died or mourn for them, you are very sad that they have died and show your sorrow in the way that you behave:
∙ Joan still mourns her father.
∙ The whole nation had mourned the death of their great leader.
Grieve or mourn?
While grief refers to the internal experiences of loss, mourning is best defined as acts or outward expressions of grief. Grief relates to the thoughts and feelings that accompany a loss; from sadness to anger to longing to be with the person. On the other hand, mourning is how feelings of grief are shown to the public.
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mournful
very sad:
∙ a mournful expression
∙ mournful music
160
make out
1) If you make something out, you manage with difficulty to see or hear it:
∙ The numbers are too small - I can't make them out at all.
I can't make out your writing.
She thought she heard a name. She couldn't make it out, though.
2) If you try to make something out, you try to understand it or decide whether or not it is true:
∙ It is hard to make out what criteria are used.
3) If you make out that something is the case or make something out to be the case, you try to cause people to believe that it is the case:
∙ They were trying to make out that I'd actually done it.
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shiver
When people or animals shiver, their body shakes slightly because they are cold or frightened:
∙ He shivered with cold in his thin cotton shirt.
∙ The poor dog - it's shivering!
∙ I was sitting on the floor shivering with fear.
∙ (as a noun) Alice gave a shiver of delight.
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tiptoe
If you tiptoe somewhere, you walk there very quietly without putting your heels on the floor when you walk:
∙ He waited until his daughter was asleep, then tiptoed quietly out of the room.
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grieve
1) If you grieve over something, especially someone's death, you feel very sad about it:
∙ He's grieving over his dead wife and son.
2) If you are grieved by something, it makes you unhappy or upset:
∙ It grieved me to see the poor man in such distress.
Grieve or mourn?
While grief refers to the internal experiences of loss, mourning is best defined as acts or outward expressions of grief. Grief relates to the thoughts and feelings that accompany a loss; from sadness to anger to longing to be with the person. On the other hand, mourning is how feelings of grief are shown to the public.
164
scrape
1) to remove an unwanted covering or a top layer from something, especially using a sharp edge or something rough:
∙ We'll have to scrape the snow off the car before we go out in it.
2) If something scrapes against something else or if someone or something scrapes something else, they rub against it, making a noise or causing slight damage:
∙ The only sound is that of knives and forks scraping against china.
∙ Jackie fell over and scraped her knee (on the pavement).
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neglect
If you neglect someone or something, you fail to look after them properly or to give them the amount of attention that they deserve:
∙ to neglect your appearance/the house
∙ He neglects that poor dog - he never takes him for walks or gives him any attention.
∙ He'd given too much to his career, worked long hours, neglected her.
∙ (as a noun) Niwano's business began to suffer from neglect.
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itch
When a part of your body itches, you have an unpleasant feeling on your skin that makes you want to scratch:
∙ What's that big red lump on your arm? Does it itch?
∙ There's a mosquito bite on my ankle that is itching like crazy!
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debris (a singular noun)
broken or torn pieces of something larger:
∙ Debris from the aircraft was scattered over a large area.
∙ After the tornado, debris from damaged trees and houses littered the town.
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deny
to say that something is not true:
He will not confirm or deny the allegations.
The ambassador denied that any missiles had been fired across the border.
169
storey
A storey of a building is one of its different levels, which is situated above or below other levels:
∙ a three-storey house
∙ My bedroom is on the third storey.
170
porter
a person whose job is to carry things, especially travellers' bags at railway stations, airports, hotels etc.:
There aren't any porters, so we'll have to find a trolley for the luggage.
171
urge
1) If you urge someone to do something, you try hard to persuade them to do it:
∙ Firemen urged them to go to the shelter.
2) If you have an urge to do or have something, you have a strong wish to do or have it:
∙ He had an urge to open a shop of his own.
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jinx
1) You can call something or someone that is considered to be unlucky or to bring bad luck a jinx:
∙ She threatened to put a jinx on him.
∙ That guy is a jinx.
2) to bring bad luck to:
∙ I thought they were going to win but I didn't say so because I didn't want to jinx them.
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premature
Something that is premature happens earlier than usual or earlier than people expect:
∙ His career was brought to a premature end by a succession of knee injuries.
∙ Too much exposure to the sun can cause the premature aging of skin.
∙ According to Mayo Clinic, most premature babies are born in late preterm during 34 to 36 weeks of pregnancy.
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speck
1) A speck is a very small stain, mark, or shape:
∙ Soon the balloon was only a speck in the sky.
2) A speck is a very small piece of a powdery substance:
∙ There was not a speck of dust anywhere.
3) To speck is to mark (something or someone) with or as if with specks:
∙ Dirt had specked the windows of the factory for ages.
175
spiteful
Someone who is spiteful does cruel things to hurt people they dislike:
∙ He could be spiteful.
∙ That was a spiteful thing to say!
176
severe
1) You use severe to indicate that something bad or undesirable is great or intense:
∙ a business with severe cash flow problems
∙ I suffered from severe bouts of depression.
∙ Steve passed out on the floor and woke up blinded and in severe pain.
2) Severe punishments or criticisms are very strong or harsh:
∙ This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.
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borrow
1) If you borrow something that belongs to someone else, you take it or use it for a period of time, usually with their permission:
∙ Can I borrow a pen please?
∙ He wouldn't let me borrow his clothes.
2) If you borrow money from someone or from a bank, they give it to you and you agree to pay it back at some time in the future:
∙ It's so expensive to borrow from finance companies.
3) If you borrow a book from a library, you take it away for a fixed period of time.
4) To borrow also is to take and use a word or idea from another language or piece of work:
∙ English has borrowed many words from French.
∙ I borrowed his words for my book's title.
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pawn
If you pawn something that you own, you leave it with a pawnbroker, who gives you money for it and who can sell it if you do not pay back the money before a certain time.
179
pivotal
A pivotal role, point, or figure in something is one that is very important and affects the success of that thing:
∙ The Court of Appeal has a pivotal role in the English legal system.
∙ She played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement.
180
opt
If you opt for something, or opt to do something, you choose it or decide to do it in preference to anything else:
∙ Instead of a soft drink, she opted for water.
∙ Mike opted for early retirement.
∙ Most people opt to have the operation.
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gibberish
/ˈdʒɪb·ə·rɪʃ/
If you describe someone's words or ideas as gibberish, you mean that they do not make any sense or that they are confusing or meaningless:
∙ I was so nervous, I just started talking gibberish.
∙ See if you can make out what he’s saying – it sounds like gibberish to me.
182
time's up!
there are no more minutes, hours, etc. available:
∙ That's it, everyone - time's up! Let the next group have a turn.
∙ I get so nervous watching the contestants try to finish making their cakes before time is up.
∙ OK, everyone, time’s up – hand in your tests.
183
pledge
1) When someone makes a pledge, they make a serious promise that they will do something:
∙ The meeting ended with a pledge to step up cooperation between the six states of the region.
2) When someone pledges to do something, they promise in a serious way to do it. When they pledge something, they promise to give it:
∙ Mr Dudley has pledged to give any award to charity.
∙ The government has pledged to reduce the amount of chemicals used in food production.
∙ The French President is pledging $150 million in French aid next year.
184
redeem
1) If you redeem yourself or your reputation, you do something that makes people have a good opinion of you again after you have behaved or performed badly:
∙ He had realized the mistake he had made and wanted to redeem himself.
2) When something redeems an unpleasant thing or situation, it prevents it from being completely bad:
∙ A poor game was redeemed in the second half by a superb performance from Anthony Edwards.
3) If you redeem an object that belongs to you, you get it back from someone by repaying them money that you borrowed from them, after using the object as a guarantee:
∙ She managed to save enough money to redeem her jewellery from the pawn shop.
185
please (a verb)
1) If someone or something pleases you, they make you feel happy and satisfied:
∙ Much of the food pleases rather than excites.
∙ I only got married to please my parents.
2) to want, like, or choose, when used with words such as "whatever", "whoever", and "anywhere":
∙ She thinks she can just do whatever/as she pleases.
∙ I shall go out with whoever I please.
186
inquisitive
An inquisitive person likes finding out about things, especially secret things:
∙ Barrow had an inquisitive nature.
187
inquisitively
in a way that shows that you want to discover as much as you can about something, or want to know something:
∙ The mouse looked around the room inquisitively.
188
loathsome
extremely unpleasant, disgusting:
∙ He's a loathsome man.
∙ I found their behaviour loathsome and offensive.
∙ a loathsome past
∙ Living conditions both at sea and ashore used to be loathsome.
189
pitch
1) If you pitch something somewhere, you throw it with quite a lot of force, usually aiming it carefully:
∙ Simon pitched the empty bottle into the lake.
2) To pitch somewhere means to fall forwards suddenly and with a lot of force:
∙ He pitched forward.
∙ I was pitched into the water and swam ashore.
3) If someone is pitched into a new situation, they are suddenly forced into it:
∙ They were being pitched into a new adventure.
4) The pitch of a sound is how high or low it is:
∙ He raised his voice to an even higher pitch.
∙ (as a verb) The tune was pitched too high for me.
5) If something rises to a high pitch, it rises to a high level:
∙ The hysteria reached such a pitch that police were deployed to reassure parents at the school gates.
∙ (as a verb) A teacher's got to pitch a lesson at the right level for the students.
6) A pitch is an area of ground that is marked out and used for playing a game such as football, cricket, or hockey.
7) If a boat pitches, it moves violently up and down with the movement of the waves when the sea is rough.
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wretchedness
the feeling of being ill or very unhappy:
∙ He does deserve some good luck after so much wretchedness.
∙ She woke early in a state of wretchedness.
the state of being unpleasant or of low quality:
∙ The own goal summed up the wretchedness of his game.
191
jostle
If people jostle you, they bump against you or push you in a way that annoys you, usually because you are in a crowd and they are trying to get past you:
∙ You get 2,000 people jostling each other and bumping into furniture.
192
eager
(adjective) If you are eager to do or have something, you want to do or have it very much:
∙ Robert was eager to talk about life in the Army.
∙ She sounded very eager to meet you.
∙ I'm eager to see the results.
If you are eager, you have or show desire or interest:
∙ Lots of eager volunteers responded to the appeal for help.
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exclaim
Writers sometimes use exclaim to show that someone is speaking suddenly, loudly, or emphatically, often because they are excited, shocked, or angry:
◦ "You can't leave now!" she exclaimed.
194
grease
1) Grease is a thick, oily substance which is put on the moving parts of cars and other machines in order to make them work smoothly:
◦ You'll have to put some grease on those ball bearings.
◦ To grease is also a verb: I greased front and rear hubs and adjusted the brakes.
2) Grease is animal fat that is produced by cooking meat. You can use grease for cooking:
◦ He could smell the bacon grease.
Also grease is an oily substance that is produced by your skin:
◦ His hair is thick with grease.
3) If you grease a dish, you put a small amount of fat or oil around the inside of it in order to prevent food sticking to it during cooking:
◦ Grease two sturdy baking sheets and heat the oven to 400 degrees.
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smear
1) If you smear a surface with an oily or sticky substance or smear the substance onto the surface, you spread a layer of the substance over the surface:
◦ My sister smeared herself with suntan oil and slept by the swimming pool.
◦ The children had smeared peanut butter all over the sofa.
2) A smear is a dirty or oily mark:
◦ You'd look very stylish if it wasn't for that smear of ketchup on your shirt.
3) To smear someone means to spread unpleasant and untrue rumours or accusations about them in order to damage their reputation:
◦ She claims she was the victim of a smear campaign.
◦ As a noun: He puts all the accusations down to a smear campaign by his political opponents.
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stick out
If you stick out part of your body, you extend it away from your body:
◦ She made a face and stuck out her tongue at him.
◦ Jack opened his door and stuck his head out.
If something sticks out, it is very noticeable because it is unusual:
◦ There was a handkerchief sticking out of his jacket pocket.
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protrude
If something protrudes from somewhere, it sticks out:
A rotting branch protruded from the swamp like a ghostly arm.
The tip of her tongue was protruding slightly.
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restless
If you are restless, you are bored, impatient, or dissatisfied, and you want to do something else:
◦ The opposition parties provide no clear alternative for restless voters.
If somebody is restless, he is not going or unable to stay still or to be quiet and calm, because he are worried or bored:
◦ He's a restless type - he never stays in one country for long.
If you have a restless night, you do not sleep properly and when you wake up you feel tired and uncomfortable.
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venture
A venture is a project or activity which is new, exciting, and difficult because it involves the risk of failure:
◦ She advised us to look abroad for more lucrative business ventures.
If you venture somewhere, you go somewhere that might be dangerous:
◦ She rarely ventured outside, except when she went to stock up on groceries.
◦ We ventured into the local town.
If you venture a question or statement, you say it in an uncertain way because you are afraid it might be stupid or wrong:
◦ She ventured the opinion that they should be more polite.
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admonish
If you admonish someone, you tell them very seriously that they have done something wrong:
◦ They admonished me for taking risks with my health.
◦ His mother admonished him for eating too quickly.
Also if you admonish someone, you advise someone to do something:
◦ Her teacher admonished her to work harder for her exams.
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conjunction
A conjunction of two or more things is the occurrence of them at the same time or place:
◦ the conjunction of two events
in conjunction = with each other:
◦ There is a team of writers working in conjunction (with each other) on the book.
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pounce
1) When an animal or bird pounces on something, it jumps on it and holds it, in order to kill it:
◦ The cat sat in the tree ready to pounce on the ducks below.
2) If someone pounces on you, they come up towards you suddenly and take hold of you:
◦ He pounced on the photographer, beat him up and smashed his camera.
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retain
1) To retain something means to continue to have that thing:
The interior of the shop still retains a nineteenth-century atmosphere.
He managed to retain his dignity throughout the performance.
Francis retained control of the company.
2) If a substance retains something, such as heat or water, it continues to hold or contain it:
The sea retains the sun's warmth longer than the land.
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vice
/vaɪs/
1) A vice is a habit which is regarded as a weakness in someone's character, but not usually as a serious fault:
◦ His only vice is to get drunk on champagne after concluding a successful piece of business.
◦ My one real vice (= bad habit) is chocolate.
2) Vice refers to criminal activities, especially those connected with pornography or prostitution:
◦ The chief of police said that he was committed to wiping out vice in the city.
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acquire
1) If you acquire something, you buy or obtain it for yourself, or someone gives it to you:
◦ I was wearing a newly acquired jacket.
◦ The museum will put the recently acquired Picasso on display this spring.
◦ I recently acquired some wood from a holly tree.
2) If you acquire something such as a skill or a habit, you learn it, or develop it through your daily life or experience:
◦ We want to understand more about how children acquire language.
◦ With practice, students can acquire better study habits.
◦ I soon acquired a taste for the local cuisine.
3) If someone or something acquires a certain reputation, they start to have that reputation:
◦ He has acquired a reputation for being difficult to work with.
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justify
To justify a decision, action, or idea means to show or prove that it is reasonable or necessary:
◦ No argument can justify a war.
◦ Are you sure that these measures are justified?
If you justify yourself, you give a good reason for what you have done:
◦ It was the only thing that I could do - I don't have to justify myself to anyone.
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assert
1) to behave in a way that expresses your confidence, importance, or power and earns you respect from others:
◦ I really must assert myself more in meetings.
◦ She very quickly asserted her authority over the class.
2) to say that something is certainly true:
◦ He made a special appearance on television asserting that the allegations against him were false.
◦ He asserts that she stole money from him.
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humility
Someone who has humility is not proud and does not believe they are better than other people:
◦ He doesn't have the humility to admit when he's wrong.
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dignity
If someone behaves or moves with dignity, they are calm, serious, controlled, and admirable that makes people respect them:
◦ He is a man of dignity and calm determination.
◦ He managed to retain his dignity throughout the performance.
If you talk about the dignity of people or their lives or activities, you mean that they are valuable and worthy of respect.
◦ How could you wear something so indecent? Have you no dignity?
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stolid
1) If you describe someone as stolid, you mean that they do not show much emotion or are not very excited:
◦ He glanced furtively at the stolid faces of the two detectives.
◦ He's a very stolid, serious man.
2) If something is stolid, it is not interesting or attractive:
◦ The college is a stolid-looking building with no lawn.
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unjust
not fair:
◦ The attack on Charles was deeply unjust.
◦ They should repeal this unjust law.
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shawl
A shawl is a large piece of woollen cloth which a woman wears over her shoulders or head, or which is wrapped around a baby to keep it warm:
◦ He was wrapped in a shawl that hid his hair.
(шаль, платок)
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indeed
really or certainly, often used to emphasize something:
◦ Many people are very poor indeed.
◦ Isn't it a gorgeous day, Father?'—'Yes, indeed!'
◦ The engine began to sound very loud indeed.
used to add some extra information that develops or supports something you have just said:
◦ We have nothing against diversity; indeed, we want more of it.
◦ I am happy, indeed proud, to be associated with this project.
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distinguish
1) If you can distinguish one thing (person) from another or distinguish between two things (people), you can see or understand the difference between them:
◦ He's colour-blind and can't distinguish (the difference) between red and green easily.
◦ Could he distinguish right from wrong?
◦ The male bird displays several characteristics which distinguish him from the female.
2) If you can distinguish something, you can see, hear, or taste it although it is very difficult to detect:
◦ There were cries, calls. He could distinguish voices.
3) If you distinguish yourself, you do something that you are admired and praised for it:
◦ He distinguished himself as a writer at a very early age.
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distinguished
If you describe a person or their work as distinguished, you mean that they have been very successful in their career and have a good reputation:
◦ a distinguished writer/director/politician
◦ a distinguished career
If you describe someone as distinguished, you mean that they look very stylish, wise or respectable:
◦ He looked very distinguished.
◦ a distinguished gentleman
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consent
1) If you give your consent to something, you give someone permission to do it:
◦ Pollard finally gave his consent to the search.
◦ Can my child be medically examined without my consent?
2) If you consent to something, you agree to do it or to allow it to be done:
◦ He finally consented to go.
◦ The patient must consent to the surgery.
3) In law a consent is an agreement to sexual activity, given by someone who is free to choose and able to choose (because of being old enough, being able to think or communicate clearly, etc.):
◦ Consent cannot be given by a person who is underage, intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious.
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horrendous
Something that is horrendous is very unpleasant or shocking:
◦ a horrendous accident/tragedy/crime
◦ horrendous suffering/damage
◦ Conditions in the refugee camps were horrendous.
Some people use horrendous to describe something that is so big or great that they find it extremely unpleasant:
◦ The firm made horrendous losses last year.
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twitch
If something, especially a part of your body, twitches, it makes a sudden small movement, usually without intending to:
◦ When I stood up to her, her right cheek would begin to twitch.
If you say that curtains twitch, you mean that someone is very interested in what their neighbours are doing:
◦ As they turned to leave, they saw the curtains twitch in the house next door.
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bewilder
If something bewilders you, it confuses you so that you cannot understand:
◦ The instructions completely bewildered me.
◦ The silence from Alex had hurt and bewildered her
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hay
Hay is grass which has been cut and dried so that it can be used to feed animals:
◦ a bale of hay
221
vex
If someone or something vexes you, they make you feel annoyed, puzzled, frustrated or upset:
◦ It vexed me to think of others gossiping behind my back.
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vexed
A vexed problem or question is very difficult and causes people a lot of trouble:
◦ Ministers have begun work on the vexed issue of economic union.
◦ Economists argue over the vexed question of how to reduce spending.
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weep
1) If someone weeps, they cry:
◦ She wanted to laugh and weep all at once.
◦ She wept tears of joy.
◦ She wept bitterly at the news.
◦ (as a noun) There are times when I sit down and have a good weep.
2) If a wound weeps, liquid or blood comes from it because it is not healing properly:
◦ The sore is still weeping a lot so you'll have to change the dressing once a day.
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cautious
Someone who is cautious acts very carefully in order to avoid possible danger:
◦ The scientists are cautious about using enzyme therapy on humans.
◦ He is a very cautious man.
If you describe someone's attitude or reaction as cautious, you mean that it is limited or careful:
◦ a cautious approach
◦ cautious criticism
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evasive
If you describe someone as evasive, you mean that they deliberately avoid giving clear direct answers to questions:
◦ Direct questions would almost certainly result in evasive answers.
done in order to avoid something:
◦ The pilot had to take evasive action to avoid the other plane.
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pillow
A pillow is a rectangular cushion which you rest your head on when you are in bed.
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ponder
If you ponder something, you think about it carefully:
◦ I found myself constantly pondering the question: 'How could anyone do these things?'
◦ He laid his head down on his threadbare dirty pillow and pondered, pondered a long time.
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turmoil
Turmoil is a state of confusion, disorder, uncertainty, or great anxiety:
◦ The whole region is in turmoil.
◦ His heart was beating violently, and his brain was in a turmoil.
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cramped
A cramped room or building is not big enough for the people or things in it:
◦ At last he felt cramped and stifled in the little yellow room that was like a cupboard or a box.
◦ There are hundreds of families living in cramped conditions on the floor of the airport lounge.
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torture
If someone is tortured, another person deliberately causes them great pain over a period of time, in order to punish them or to make them reveal information:
◦ Three members of the group had been tortured to death.
◦ As a child, he liked to torture insects.
Torture is also a noun:
◦ Many prisoners died under torture.
◦ He revealed the secret under torture.
◦ The museum has many examples of instruments of torture.
If you say that something is torture or a torture, you mean that it causes you great mental or physical suffering:
◦ She was tortured by the memory of their last argument.
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deceive
to persuade someone that something false is the truth, or to keep the truth hidden from someone for your own advantage:
◦ He has deceived and disillusioned us all.
◦ The company deceived customers by selling old computers as new ones.
◦ The sound of the door closing deceived me into thinking they had gone out.
deceive yourself = to refuse to accept the truth:
◦ She thinks he'll come back, but she's deceiving herself.
◦ People deceive themselves with their own version of events.
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blossom
1) Blossom is the flowers that appear on a tree before the fruit:
◦ The cherry blossom came out early in Washington this year.
2) When a tree blossoms, it produces blossom:
◦ Rain begins to fall and peach trees blossom.
3) When people blossom, they become more attractive, successful, or confident, and when good feelings or relationships blossom, they develop and become stronger:
◦ She has really blossomed recently.
◦ They are all blossoming into attractive, confident adults.
◦ the blossoming of British art, pop and fashion
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bride
A bride is a woman who is getting married or who has just got married.
234
mutual
You use mutual to describe a situation, feeling, or action that is experienced, felt, or done by two or more people:
◦ Theirs was a partnership based on mutual respect, trust and understanding.
◦ The East and the West can work together for their mutual benefit and progress.
◦ The agreement was terminated by mutual consent.
A mutual friend is someone who is a friend of each of two or more other people.
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lavish
If you say that someone is lavish in the way they behave, you mean that they give, spend, or use a lot of something:
◦ The critics were lavish in their praise for the paintings.
large in quantity and expensive or impressive:
◦ Critics attack his lavish spending and flamboyant style.
◦ The book drew lavish praise from literary critics.
◦ lavish banquets
◦ (as a verb) Prince Sadruddin lavished praise on Britain's contributions to world diplomacy.
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furious
Someone who is furious is extremely angry:
◦ I was late and he was furious with me.
◦ He is furious at the way his wife has been treated.
Furious is also used to describe something that is done with great energy, effort, speed, or violence:
◦ There is a furious struggle going on between the two presidential candidates.
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furiously
with an extreme anger:
◦ He stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door furiously behind him.
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halt
When a person or a vehicle halts or when something halts them, they stop moving in the direction they were going and stand still:
◦ He then walked slowly another ten paces away and again halted.
◦ "Halt!" called the guard. "You can't go any further without a permit."
When something such as growth, development, or activity halts or when you halt it, it stops completely:
◦ The government must take measures, he said, to halt the country's slide into recession.
◦ Filming was halted after the lead actor became ill.
Halt is also a noun:
◦ Severe flooding has brought trains to a halt (= prevented them from moving) on several lines in Scotland.
◦ The bus came to a halt (= stopped) just in time to avoid hitting the wall.
◦ The car screeched to a halt (= stopped suddenly and noisily) just as the lights turned red.
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bend
1) When you bend, you move the top part of your body downwards and forwards. Plants and trees also bend:
◦ "Missy, hey, missy!" he bent over her once more.
◦ She bent and picked up a plastic bucket.
◦ She was bent over the sink washing the dishes.
2) When you bend a part of your body such as your arm or leg, or when it bends, you change its position so that it is no longer straight:
◦ Make sure you bend your knees when you're picking up heavy objects.
◦ After her fall she complained that she couldn't bend her leg properly.
3) If you bend something that is flat or straight, you use force to make it curved or to put an angle in it:
◦ Bend the bar into a horseshoe.
4) When a road, beam of light, or other long thin thing bends, or when something bends it, it changes direction to form a curve or angle:
◦ The road bent slightly to the right.
5) A bend in a road, pipe, or other long thin object is a curve or angle in it:
◦ There's a bend in the pipe so you can't see from one end to the other.
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altogether
in total:
◦ That'll be $52.50 altogether, please.
◦ Altogether seven inmates escaped by scaling a wall and climbing down scaffolding.
completely:
◦ The government ought to abolish the tax altogether.
◦ When Artie stopped calling altogether, Julie found a new man.
◦ Rebuilding the team is an altogether bigger challenge.
◦ We were not altogether sure that the comet would miss the Earth.
◦ 'I'm not altogether a fool,' she said gruffly.
◦ I'm not altogether sure I want that.
◦ Talking about the world's problems is one thing, but solving them is another matter altogether.
◦ The train slowed down and then stopped altogether.
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on the sly
To do something on the sly means to do it secretly, often because it is wrong or bad:
◦ He drives his mother's car on the sly while she's at work.
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remarkable
Someone or something that is remarkable is unusual or special in a way that makes people notice them and be surprised or impressed:
◦ Nelson Mandela was a truly remarkable man.
◦ It was a remarkable achievement.
◦ The 20th century was remarkable for its inventions.
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remarkably
in a way that makes people notice them and be surprised or impressed:
◦ The food industry has been remarkably successful in satisfying customer demands.
◦ It is a remarkably noisy and crowded city.
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haughty
/ˈhɑː.t̬i/
unfriendly and seeming to consider yourself better than other people:
She has a rather haughty manner.
He spoke in a haughty tone.
245
haughtily
/ˈhɑː.t̬əl.i/
in a way that is unfriendly and seeming to consider yourself better than other people:
Toni looked at him rather haughtily.
246
carjacking
A carjacking is an attack on a person who is driving their own car during which things may be stolen or they may be harmed physically
247
plug in
If you plug a piece of electrical equipment into an electricity supply or if you plug it in, you connect it to an electricity supply using a plug:
◦ My phone is dead, I need a charger to plug my phone in.
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outlet for an electrical device
An outlet is a place, usually in a wall, where you can connect electrical devices to the electricity supply.
◦ An outlet is here, now I can charge my phone.
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sprout
1) When plants, vegetables, or seeds sprout, they produce new shoots or leaves:
◦ It only takes a few days for beans to sprout.
2) If something such as hair sprouts from a person or animal, or if they sprout it, it grows on them.
◦ Your hair is sticking up - it looks like you're sprouting horns!
3) If a large number of things sprout (up), they suddenly appear or begin to exist:
◦ New factories have sprouted up everywhere.
250
nauseous
/ˈnɑː.ʃəs/
If you feel nauseous, you feel as if you want to vomit:
◦ Roller coasters make me feel nauseous.
251
trot
1) If you trot somewhere, you move fairly fast at a speed between walking and running, taking small quick step:
◦ I trotted down the steps and out to the shed.
◦ She came trotting down the street after me.
◦ (as a noun) He walked briskly, but without breaking into a trot.
2) When an animal such as a horse trots, it moves fairly fast, taking quick small steps. You can also say that the rider of the animal is trotting:
◦ Alan took the reins and the small horse started trotting.
◦ (as a noun) As they started up again, the horse broke into a brisk trot.
252
composed
If someone is composed, they are calm and able to control their feelings:
◦ Laura was very calm and composed.
◦ She looked remarkably composed throughout the funeral.
253
compose yourself
If you compose yourself or if you compose your features, you succeed in becoming calm after you have been angry, excited, or upset:
◦ She finally stopped crying and composed herself.
◦ I was overcome emotionally and it took me some time to compose myself.
◦ Take a moment to compose yourself, then answer the questions truthfully.
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adjust
1) If you adjust something, you change it so that it is more effective or appropriate; or you correct or alter its position or setting:
◦ Can you adjust the bike wheel?
◦ If the chair is too high you can adjust it to suit you.
◦ With this drill it's possible to adjust the speed of rotation.
◦ As a teacher you have to adjust your methods to suit the needs of slower children.
◦ You don't need to adjust the setting every time you take a photo.
◦ My hat was askew so I adjusted it in the mirror.
2) When you adjust to a new situation, you get used to it by changing your behaviour or your ideas:
◦ I can't adjust to living on my own.
◦ The lifestyle is so very different - it takes a while to adjust.
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askew
not straight or level:
◦ Isn't that picture slightly askew?
◦ My hat was askew so I adjusted it in the mirror.
Askew is also adverb:
◦ He held his helmet askew to conceal his injuries.
◦ One column on the exterior dome was knocked askew by the earthquake.
◦ Traffic wardens look for anything out of order - a truck parked askew or a car that hasn't moved in a while.
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haunted
1) A haunted building or other place is one where a ghost regularly appears:
◦ a haunted house/hotel
2) Someone who has a haunted expression looks very worried or troubled:
◦ She looked so haunted, I almost didn't recognize her.
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under the weather
If you say that you are under the weather, you mean that you feel slightly ill:
◦ I was still feeling a bit under the weather.
258
mist
1) Mist consists of a large number of tiny drops of water in the air, which make it difficult to see very far:
◦ Thick mist made flying impossible.
2) If a piece of glass mists or is misted, it becomes covered with tiny drops of moisture, so that you cannot see through it easily.
◦ The windows misted, blurring the stark streetlight.
3) When you mist a plant, you spray the leaves of (a house plant) with water from a mister.
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moisture
Moisture is tiny drops of water in the air, on a surface, or in the ground:
◦ When the soil is dry, more moisture is lost from the plant.
◦ Rainfall affects the moisture content of the atmosphere.
260
dizzy
1) If you feel dizzy, you feel that you are losing your balance and are about to fall:
◦ Her head still hurt, and she felt slightly dizzy and disoriented.
2) You can use dizzy to describe someone who is careless and forgets things, but is easy to like:
◦ a charmingly dizzy great-grandmother
3) If something dizzies you, it causes you to feel unsteady or confused:
◦ The sudden height dizzied her and she clung tightly.
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sensible
1) Sensible actions or decisions are good because they are based on reasons rather than emotions:
◦ I think the sensible thing to do is call and ask for directions.
◦ It would be sensible to take an umbrella.
2) Sensible people behave in a sensible way:
◦ She was a sensible girl and did not panic.
◦ I'm sure Jenny can be relied on - she seems eminently sensible.
3) Sensible shoes or clothes are practical and strong rather than fashionable and attractive:
◦ It could be cold and wet so pack some sensible clothes.
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golf course
A golf course is a large area of grass which is specially designed for people to play golf on:
◦ He looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but a golf course.
263
broke (about person)
(informal) If you are broke, you have no money:
◦ What do you mean, I've got enough money? I'm as broke as you are.
264
colander
/ˈkɑː.lən.dɚ/
A colander is a container in the shape of a bowl with holes in it which you wash or drain food in:
◦ Drain and leave to cool in a colander.
265
lid
A lid is the top of a box or other container which can be removed or raised when you want to open the container.
266
fortnight
A fortnight is a period of two weeks:
◦ I hope to be back in a fortnight.
267
decade
A decade is a period of ten years, especially one that begins with a year ending in 0, for example 1980 to 1989.
268
beneath
Something that is beneath another thing is under the other thing:
◦ Jaime hid the letter beneath a pile of papers.
◦ She could see the muscles of his shoulders beneath his T-shirt.
◦ After weeks at sea, it was wonderful to feel firm ground beneath our feet once more.
◦ She found pleasure in sitting beneath the trees.
◦ Four storeys of parking beneath the theatre was not enough.
◦ (figurative) Beneath the festive mood there is an underlying apprehension.
269
youth
1) the period of your life when you are young, or the state of being young:
◦ I was a fairly good football player in my youth.
◦ You may not have played tennis as often as him, but at least you've got youth on your side (= you are young).
2) a boy or a young man:
◦ Gangs of youths were throwing stones and bottles at the police.
3) young people, both male and female, considered as a group:
◦ It’s quite a job, training the youth of the country to be mature, responsible citizens.
◦ the youth of today
270
candid
When you are candid about something or with someone, you speak honestly:
◦ I haven't been completely candid with him.
◦ To be candid with you, I think you're making a dreadful mistake.
271
mellow
1)Mellow is used to describe things that have a pleasant, soft, rich colour, usually red, orange, yellow, or brown:
◦ a classic Queen Anne house of mellow red brick with a white portico
2) A mellow sound or flavour is pleasant, smooth, and rich:
◦ His voice was deep and mellow.
◦ a delightfully mellow, soft and balanced wine
3) If someone mellows or if something mellows them, they become kinder or less extreme in their behaviour, especially as a result of growing older:
◦ The brickwork will mellow over the years so that it blends with the surroundings.
◦ When the children married and had children of their own, he mellowed a little.
◦ Marriage had not mellowed him.
272
bathroom amenities
Things for bathroom such as lotions, shavers, massage oil, shampoo, etc.
273
simplicity
The simplicity of something is the fact that it is not complicated and can be understood or done easily:
☻ The advantage of the plan is its simplicity.
☻ The old people led a life of great simplicity (= with few possessions and little money).
☻ Because of its simplicity, this test could be carried out easily by a family doctor.
274
striking
1) Something that is striking is very noticeable or unusual:
♦ She bears a striking resemblance to her mother.
♦ He was of striking appearence: tall, thin, blackhaired and always badly shaved.
♦ This is a striking example of architecture of the period.
2) Someone who is striking is very attractive, in a noticeable way:
♦ She was a striking woman with long blonde hair.
♦ He's good-looking, but he's not as striking as his brother.
275
tidy
1) Something that is tidy is neat and is arranged in an organized way; also someone who likes everything to be neat and arranged in an organized way:
♦ I'll do your garden, I'll keep that tidy for you.
♦ The house was clean and tidy.
♦ She likes everything neat and tidy.
♦ I like to keep my desk tidy.
♦ She's obsessively tidy, always hoovering and polishing.
2) When you tidy a place such as a room or cupboard, you make it neat by putting things in their proper places:
♦ Tidy (up) these papers before you leave, please.
♦ I'm tired of asking you to tidy your room (up).
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tidiness
the condition or quality of having everything ordered and arranged in the right place:
♦ Employees are expected to maintain a high standard of tidiness in their dress and appearance.
♦ She was a timid, well-spoken woman, obsessed with hygiene and tidiness.
♦ I'm very impressed by your tidiness and order.
♦ He was known for his obsessive tidiness, and glasses were washed as soon as guests left the house.
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resemblance
/rɪˈzem.bləns/
If there is a resemblance between two people or things, they are similar to each other:
♦ There was a clear family resemblance between all the brothers.
♦ There was a remarkable resemblance between him and Pete.
to bear a resemblance:
♦ Both children bear a very close resemblance to their father.
♦ He bears more than a passing resemblance to the young Marlon Brando.
♦ She bears a striking resemblance to her mother.
♦ These prices bear no resemblance to the ones I saw printed in the newspaper.
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significance
The significance of something is the importance that it has:
♦ The discovery of the new drug is of great significance for people suffering from heart problems.
♦ They were offered a few cosmetic improvements to their working conditions, but nothing of significance.
♦ And what might be the underlying significance of these supposedly random acts of violence?
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vivid
1) If you describe memories and descriptions as vivid, you mean that they are very clear and detailed:
♦ He gave a very vivid and often shocking description of his time in prison.
♦ People of my generation who lived through World War II have vivid memories of confusion and incompetence.
♦ She electrified her audience with her vivid stories.
2) Something that is vivid is very bright in colour:
♦ a vivid blue sky
♦ She was wearing a vivid pink shirt.
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vividly
1) in a way that is very clear, powerful, and detailed in your mind:
♦ I vividly remember my first day at school.
♦ Research suggested that people can vividly recall events that never happened.
♦ The music vividly portrays a thunderstorm at sea.
2) in a way that is very brightly coloured:
♦ vividly coloured birds
♦ fishermen in vividly painted boats
♦ My work is vividly coloured because that's how I see the world.
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willow
A willow or a willow tree is a tree that grows near water and has long, thin branches that hang down, or wood from this tree:
♦ Two children were sitting in the shade of a willow.
♦ willow furniture
♦ All of our cricket bats are made of the finest willow.
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copse
A copse is a small group of trees growing very close to each other.
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blur
1) A blur is a shape or area which you cannot see clearly because it has no distinct outline or because it is moving very fast:
♦ If I don't wear my glasses, everything is just a blur.
A blur is also something that you cannot remember clearly:
♦ It all happened so long ago that it’s just a blur to me now.
2) When a thing blurs or when something blurs it, you cannot see it clearly because its edges are no longer distinct:
♦ As she drifted into sleep, the doctor's face began to blur and fade.
♦ This film blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
♦ Her eyes, behind her glasses, began to blur.
♦ Sweat ran from his forehead into his eyes, blurring his vision.
♦ My childhood memories are already blurring.
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thrash
1) If you thrash someone, you hit them several times as a punishment:
♦ The school has dismissed the teacher, who is said to have thrashed pupils with sticks.
♦ He thrashed the horse with his whip.
2) If a person or thing thrashes something, or thrashes at something, they hit it continually in a violent or noisy way:
♦ Three shaggy-haired men thrash tunelessly at their guitars.
3) To thrash also means to defeat badly:
♦ Atlanta thrashed New York, 119-87.
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irrevocable
If a decision, action, or change is irrevocable, it cannot be changed or reversed:
♦ an irrevocable decision
♦ irrevocable steps
♦ The process had started, and the changes were irrevocable.
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submissive
If you are submissive, you obey someone without arguing:
♦ He was looking for a quiet, submissive wife who would obey his every word.
♦ In the presence of older birds, the younger eagles tend to be submissive.
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superstition
Superstition is belief in things that are not real or possible, for example magic:
♦ According to superstition, if you walk under a ladder it brings you bad luck.
♦ I don't believe in the old superstition that the number 13 is unlucky.
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trace
1) to find someone or something that was lost:
♦ The police are trying to trace the mother of a newborn baby found abandoned outside a hospital.
♦ Their missing daughter was finally traced to (= found in) Manchester.
♦ We are trying to trace everyone who spoke to her that day.
2) to find the origin of something:
♦ The phone company was unable to trace the call.
♦ No one has yet been able to trace the source of the rumour.
3) to discover the causes or origins of something by examining the way in which it has developed:
♦ The outbreak of food poisoning was traced to some contaminated shellfish.
♦ She has traced her family history back to the seventeenth century.
4) A trace is a sign that something has happened or existed:
♦ He attempted to cover up all the traces of his crime.
♦ When she moved out, she left no trace of having been there.
♦ My wallet has been missing for several days and I can't find any trace of it.
♦ He seems to have vanished without (a) trace (= no one knows where he is).
5) a very slight amount:
♦ Traces of drugs were found in his blood.
♦ She speaks English without any trace of an accent.
♦ There was a trace of a smile on his face.
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ineradicable
You use ineradicable to emphasize that a quality, fact, or situation is permanent and cannot be changed or removed:
♦ The emotional wounds of early childhood leave ineradicable scars.
♦ The traces of superstition remained in him long after, and were almost ineradicable.
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peculiar
1) If you describe someone or something as peculiar, you think that they are strange or unusual, sometimes in an unpleasant way:
♦ She has the most peculiar ideas.
What a peculiar smell!
♦ It's peculiar that they didn't tell us they were going away.
2) If something is peculiar to a particular thing, person, or situation, it belongs or relates only to that thing, person, or situation:
♦ He gets on with things in his own peculiar way.
♦ This type of building is peculiar to the south of the country.
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backfire
1) (of a plan) to have the opposite result from the one you intended:
♦ Her plans to make him jealous backfired on her when he started dating her best friend.
♦ Some hotel owners worry that the idea of attracting more visitors may backfire and make the place less attractive.
2) (of an engine) to make a loud noise as a result of fuel burning too early:
♦ I was woken by the sound of a truck backfiring.
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resentment
a feeling of anger because you have been forced to accept something that you do not like:
♦ Some residents expressed resentment of the intense police presence.
♦ She expressed resentment at being interviewed by a social worker.
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flaw
a fault, mistake, or weakness, especially one that happens while something is being planned or made, or that causes something not to be perfect:
♦ I returned the material because it had a flaw in it.
♦ Almost all of these studies have serious flaws.
♦ The only flaw in his character seems to be a short temper.
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dew
Dew is small drops of water that form on the ground and other surfaces outdoors during the night:
♦ It's better to mow in the morning when there is dew and the sun isn't burning.
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idle
1) not working or being used:
♦ Half these factories now stand idle.
♦ It's sensible to have £7,000 sitting idle in the bank.
2) An idle moment or period of time is one in which there is no work or activity:
♦ If you have an idle moment, call me.
3) unemployed, or not working on a job:
♦ More than 22,913 assembly workers remained idle because of continued shortages of imported parts.
4) lazy and not willing to work:
♦ He's an able student, just idle.
5) If an engine idles, it is operating but not doing any work:
♦ Let the engine idle for a minute before you put the car in gear.
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insurmountable
A problem that is insurmountable is so great that it cannot be dealt with successfully:
♦ insurmountable difficulties
♦ This small country is faced with an insurmountable debt.
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repulse
1) If something repulses you, or you are repulsed by something, you think that it is horrible and disgusting and you want to avoid it:
♦ The tourists were repulsed by the filthy conditions.
2) If an army or other group repulses a group of people, they drive it back using force:
♦ The enemy attack was quickly repulsed.
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settle in
to become familiar with somewhere new, such as a new house, job, or school, and to feel comfortable and happy there:
♦ I enjoyed King Edward's School enormously once I'd settled in.
to arrange yourself and the things you own so you feel more comfortable in a new place:
♦ Once we've settled in, we'll have you over for dinner.
At the hotel, settling in might be unpacking.
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settle down
to become calmer:
♦ Settle down! We are at a restaurant now, we have to be more calm.
♦ The children soon settled down and started their work.
to become familiar with a place and to feel happy and confident in it:
♦ Have you settled down in your new house yet?
♦ She quickly settled down in her new job.
to start living in a place where you intend to stay for a long time, usually with your partner:
♦ Eventually I'd like to settle down and have a family, but not yet.
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trim
1) Something that is trim is neat, tidy, and attractive. Also if you describe someone's figure as trim, you mean that it is attractive because there is no extra fat on their body:
♦ You're looking very trim - have you lost weight?
♦ trim lawns and neat flower beds
2) If you trim something, for example someone's hair, you cut off small amounts of it in order to make it look neater and tidier:
♦ My friend trims my hair every eight weeks.
♦ Grass shears are specially made to trim grass growing in awkward places.
♦ Trim off the leafy ends of the vegetable before cooking.
3) to slightly reduce the amount or size of something:
♦ They're trying to trim their costs, so staff who leave are not being replaced.
