C1-C2 Flashcards
(1027 cards)
1
Q
assess
A
evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of
2
Q
assume
A
3
Q
baffled
A
totally bewildered (desconcentrado) or perplex
e.g. Her behavior baffled (v.) her parents.
4
Q
biased
A
5
Q
concentrate
A
6
Q
consider
A
7
Q
contemplate
A
8
Q
cynical
A
9
Q
deduce
A
10
Q
deliberate
A
11
Q
dilemma
A
12
Q
discriminate
A
13
Q
dubious
A
14
Q
estimate
A
15
Q
faith
A
16
Q
gather
A
17
Q
grasp
A
- verb - seize and hold firmly.
e.g. She grasped the bottle. - a firm hold or grip.
e.g. The child slipped from her grasp.
18
Q
guesswork
A
'’conjeturas’’
19
Q
hunch
A
an idea that is based on feeling and for which there is no proof
e.g. I had a hunch that you’d be there.
20
Q
naïve
A
21
Q
ponder
A
to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time
22
Q
query
A
to ask or consult
23
Q
elapse
A
(of time) to go past
e.g. Four years had elapsed since he left college and still he hasn’t found a job.
24
Q
span
A
a span of time
25
spell
carefully planed operation
26
stint
supply a very dangerous or inadequate amount of something
27
sack
dismiss from employment
28
headhunt
cazar talentos (headhunter - cazatalentos)
29
change out of
take off the clothes or a piece of clothing you are wearing and put on different ones
30
do way with
get rid of
31
do up
repair, paint and improve an old building, car, boat, etc; fasten (an item of clothing)
32
key in
put information into a computer or other electronic machine using keys or a keyboard
33
use up
use all of a supply of something
34
wear out
use something a lot so that it no longer works, or can no longer be used
35
crop out
appear or happen suddenly or unexpected
36
dive in
e.g. Let's dive in!
37
kick off with
begin with
38
knock off
stop working
39
knuckle down
start working hard, especially when you should have done this earlier
40
lay off
end someone's employment, especially temporarily, because there is not enough work for them
e.g. The most recent lay-off saw staff fall to 175 from 250
41
lie ahead
if something lies ahead, it is going to happen to you in the future
42
make up
work at different times from usual because you have not worked enough at the normal times
43
press ahead/on (with)
continue doing something in a determined way, despite difficulties, opposition or interruptions
44
set out
start doing or working on something in order to achieve an aim outset
45
snow under
if you are snowed under, you have too much of something to deal with
46
take on
start to employ someone; accept some work or responsibility
47
tide over
help someone to get to the end of a difficult period of time, especially by
giving them money until they can get some more
48
while away
spend time in a relaxed way when you have nothing else to do
49
wind down
end or finish something gradually; gradually reduce work before stopping completely; relax after a period of excitement or worry
50
brush up on
improve one's existing knowledge or skill in a particular area
51
come (a)round (to)
change your opinion or decision because someone has persuaded you agree with them
52
come up with
think of something such an idea or plan
53
mull over
think carefully about something over a period of time
54
a leopard can't change its spots
55
all mod cons
the modern facilities in a house that make it easy and pleasant to live in
56
break the mould/mold
change a situation by doing something that is very different from what most people would do
57
change your tune
express a very different opinion or behave in a very different way
e.g. He'd soon change his tune if he thought she'd lost interest
58
have a change of heart
change your opinion about something or decide not to do something you were planning to do
59
know something inside out
be familiar with
60
stick to your guns
refuse to change what you are doing or saying despite the opposition or criticism of other people
61
the stools of the trade
something you need to use to do your job
62
turn over a new leaf
63
clamber
climb or move in an awkward and laborious way, typically using both hands and feet.
e.g. I cambered out of the trench
64
clench
(with reference to the fingers or hands) close into a tight ball, especially in a manifestation of extreme anger
65
clutch
to take or to try to take hold of something tightly, usually in fear, worry or pain
e.g. 1 ''She clutched her mother's hand.''
e.g. 2 ''Clutching the money in his chest, he hurried to the bank.
66
drift
to move slowly, especially as a result of outside forces, with no control over direction
67
fumble
to do something awkwardly, especially when using your hands
e.g. 1 ''He fumbled in his pockets for some change.''
e.g. 2 She fumbled around/about in her handbag, looking for her key.
68
glide
to move easily without stopping and without effort or noise
e.g. ''I love my new pen, - it just glides across over the paper.''
69
grasp
to quickly take something in your hands and hold it firmly
70
hop
1. to move on one foot or to move about in this way
2. to go somewhere quickly or to get into or out of a vehicle quickly
3. if a small animal hops, it moves by jumping on all or two of its feet at the same time
71
roam
to move around or travel or wander, especially without a clear idea of what you are going to do
e.g. ''After the bars close, gangs of youth roam the city streets.''
72
skid
(especially of a vehicle) to slide along a surface so that you have no control
e.g. ''Tony’s car skidded on some ice and hit a tree.''
73
stride
to move or as if with long steps
74
wander
75
creep
76
allege
(alegar) claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof
e.g. ''He alleged that he had been assaulted.''
77
assert
state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully
e.g. ''The company asserts that the cuts will not affect development.''
78
blunt (adj.)
saying what you think without trying to be polite or considering other people's feelings
e.g. ''I'll be blunt - the last piece of work you did was terrible.''
*a blunt pencil, knife, etc. is not sharp and therefore not able to write, cut, etc. properly.
79
boast (v., n.)
to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you own
80
confide (v.)
e.g. 1 ''He confided (to her) that his hair was not his own.''
e.g. 2 "My husband doesn't know yet, but I'm going to leave him," she confided.
81
convey (v.)
to express a thought, feeling or idea so that it is understood by other people
e.g. ''His poetry conveys a great sense of religious devotion.''
82
disclose (v.)
to make something known publicly, or to show something that was hidden
e.g. ''The company has disclosed profits for over 300$ million.''
83
exaggerate (v.)
84
flatter (v.)
85
gist
the main subject, without details, of a piece of information
e.g. ''The gist of what she said is that I didn’t know what she was talking about.''
86
hint (n., v.)
87
inkling (n.)
a feeling that something is true or likely to happen, although you are not certain.
e.g. ''He must have had some inkling about what was happening.''
88
jargon (n.)
89
placard (n.)
a large piece of card, paper, etc. with a message printed on it, often carried in public places by people who are complaining about doing something
90
quibble (v.)
to argue about, or say or disapprove of, something that is not important
e.g. ''There’s no point about quibbling about/over a couple of dollars.''
91
rant (v., n.)
to speak, write or shout in a loud, uncontrolled and angry way
e.g. ''He’s always ranting/raving (on) the government.''
92
rave (v.)
to speak in an uncontrolled way, usually because you are upset or angry, or because you're ill
e.g. ''He’s always ranting/raving (on) the government.''
93
scribble (v., n.)
to write or draw something quickly or carelessly
94
tip (n)
to (cause to move) so that one side is higher than another side
e.g. 1 ''The table tipped, and all our drinks fell on the floor.''
e.g. 2 ''If you put to many books on one end of the shelf, it’ll tip it up.''
e.g. 3 ''Don’t tip your chair back like that, you’ll fall.''
95
utter (v.)
to say something or to make a sound with your voice
e.g. ''She sat through the whole meeting without uttering a word.''
96
anchor / anchorman or anchorwoman
presentador / a
97
spine
the part of a book’s jacket or cover that encloses the inner edges of the pages, facing outwards when a book is on a shelf and typically bearing the title and the authors name
98
blurt out
say something suddenly and without thinking about the effect it will have, usually because you are nervous and excited
99
catch on
become popular or fashionable; understand
100
come out
101
come out with
say something suddenly, usually something that surprises or shocks people
102
dry up
stop talking because you have forgotten what you were going to say
103
get across
make people understand something
104
get around
if news gets around, a lot of people hear it
105
get through (to)
be connected to a place by telephone; make someone understand what you are trying to say
106
let on
talk about something that is intended to be a secret
107
pass on
give someone something
108
put across / over
explain an idea, belief, etc. in a way that is easy to understand
set down: write something on a piece of paper so it will not be forgotten and can be looked at later; state officially how something should be done
109
speak out
state your opinion firmly and publicly about something, especially in order to protest against or defend something
110
talk over
discuss a problem or a plan
111
talk around
succeed in persuading someone to agree something; discuss something in a general way and without dealing with the most important issues
112
big mouth
an indiscreet or boastful person
113
come clean (about something)
114
get the wrong end of the stick
115
give sb your word
116
(hear sth) on/through the grapevine
117
keep sb posted
regularly give someone information about someone that you are interested in, for example how a situation is changing or developing
118
keep something under the hat
to not tell anyone about (something)
e.g. ''I'll tell you what happened, but you have to keep it under your hat.''
119
lay / put the cards on the table
to be honest about your feelings and intentions
120
tell tales
tell someone in authority about the bad things someone else has done, because you want them to be punished
121
bening (adj.)
1. Pleasant and kind, not harmful or severe (a benign smile, a benign old lady).
2. medical (of a disease or tissue growing because of a disease) not likely to result in death. (a benign tumor).
122
alleviate (v.)
to make pain or problems less severe.
(Still, this second effect would be expected to subside if and when local labor scarcity is alleviated.)
123
scarcity
a situation where something is not easy to find or get
124
deterrent (adj., n.)
(adj.) making someone less likely to do something by making it difficult for them to do it or by making them realize that it will have bad results.
(n): something that deters people from doing something
125
prosecute (v.)
to accuse someone of committing a crime in a law court or (of a lawyer) to try to prove that the person accused of committing a crime is guilty of that crime.
e.g. ''He was prosecuted for fraud.''
126
hearsay (n.)
the report of another person’s words by a witness, which is usually disallowed as evidence in a court of law
127
bury your head in the sand
ignore a problem or an unpleasant situation and hope that it will disappear
128
gain/get/have/take the upper hand
gain/get/take/have control or advantage over a person or situation
129
get/have your way
be allowed to have or do what you want
130
live and let live
131
red tape
documents, rules or processes that cause delays
132
take the law into your own hands
133
the powers that be
the people who control a situation
134
throw the book at somebody
punish someone very severely
135
under somebody's thumb
completely controlled by someone else
136
back down
stop asking for something or stop saying that you will do something, because a lot of people oppose you
137
blend in
138
bring about
make something happen, especially to cause changes in a situation.
e.g. 1 ''Social changes have been brought about by new technology.''
e.g. 2 ''Major spending is required to bring about substantial improvements in housing.''
139
crack down (on)
start dealing with someone or something much more strictly
e.g.'' The school is cracking down on smoking.''
crackdown (n)
140
get in
be elected for a political job
141
get off
not be punished severely or at all for something you have been accused of in court; have a particular period of time as a holiday; send something, for example in the post
142
give in
143
hit back
criticize someone that has criticized you; deliberately hurt someone who has hurt you
144
lock up
1. put someone in prison
2.lock all the doors and windows of a building so that no one can get in
145
opt out of
decide not to take part in something or stop taking part in it
146
phase out
gradually stop using something
147
punch around
keep telling someone what to do in an unfair or unpleasant way
148
single out
choose one person from a group for special attention
149
stand up to
not allow yourself to be treated badly, especially by someone in authority
150
take over
take control of something, begin to do something that someone else was doing
151
talk down to
talk to someone as if you think they are less clever or important as you are
152
ascribe
1. ascribe something to something: to believe that something is the cause of something else.
e.g. ''Their defeat was ascribed to a poor defense.''
2. ascribe something to someone/something: to believe that something is a typical quality of someone or something
e.g. ''He ascribes melodramatic behavior to teenagers in general.''
3. (ascribe something to someone) to believe that a particular person wrote a book or a piece of music, painted a picture etc so that people generally accept this to be true
e.g. ''The Odyssey is a work ascribed to Homer.''
153
blow
1 a hard hit from someone’s hand or an object
2 an event that spoils your chances of success or that makes you feel sad disappointed or shocked
3 an act of blowing air from your own mouth or nose
154
foresee
to see or know something that will happen in the future
e.g. ''Who could have foreseen such problems?''
155
pot luck
a situation in which you don’t know what to expect, but you hope that it will be good
156
haphazard (adj.)
done in a way that doesn't seem to be carefully planned or organized
157
startle (v.)
to make a person or animal feel suddenly frightened or surprised by doing something that they do not expect
e.g. ''Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.''
158
transpire
to happen
e.g. 1 What transpired next was a scene worthy of the sitcoms we were watching.
e.g. 2 ''Just over two weeks ago a series of unfortunate events transpired.''
159
wobble (v.)
to rock slightly from side to side, or to make something do this
e.g. 1 ''I wouldn’t sit on that chair - it wobbles.''
e.g. 2 ''The statue wobbled and then fell over.''
160
jinxed (adj.), jinx (n.)
something or someone that is jinxed has a lot of bad luck
161
a stray bullet
(una bala perdida)
162
inadvertent (adj.)
163
crop (n.)
a plant grown for food, usually on a farm
e.g. ''Coffee is an important crop in Colombia.''
164
famine
165
flood -
drought
166
''Burning fossil fuels gives off carbon dioxide.''
167
scarce
(escaso)
168
meander (v.)
(of a river or a road) follow a winding course
169
chance upon
find or see someone or something when you did not expect to
170
come across
171
cool down - heat up
172
cut back (on)
reduce the amount of something, especially money that you spend
173
die out
become weaker or less common and then disappear completely
174
dry up
175
get through
176
kill off
destroy living things so that most or all of them are dead
177
put down to
if you put something down to a particular reason, you think it has happened for that reason
178
slip up
179
spring up
appear or be produced suddenly and quickly
180
store up
keep a lot of something so that you can use it later; do something that will cause problems in the future
181
throw out
force someone to leave a place or group; if someone in authority throws out a plan, proposal, etc. they refuse to accept it
182
throw up
produce something new or unexpected; cause something such as dust or water to rise into the air
183
an act of God
an event as a flood, lighting or earthquake that is produced by natural forces, and that people have no control over
184
come rain or shine
185
down on your luck
186
draw the short straw
be chosen to do something unpleasat
187
have green fingers
be good at growing plants
188
let nature take its course
189
no rhyme no reason
used to emphasize that there is no reason or explanation to something
190
out of the blue
191
the luck of the draw
used for saying that people have limited control over what life brings them
192
touch wood
used when you have said that you have good luck in order to prevent bad luck from happening to you
193
ample (adj)
1. plentiful, enough an ample supply of water ample time to finish
2. Of sufficient or abundant measure; liberal; copious an ample reward
3. Large, spacious, roomy ample storage space
194
batch (v, n)
v. arrange (things) in sets or groups I had nothing to do but batch the reports.
n. a quantity or consignment of goods produced at one time a batch of bread
195
bulk (n)
196
heap
1. An untidy collection of objects placed haphazardly on top of each other
A heap of cardboard boxes.
2. INFORMAL a large amount or number of We have heaps of room.
3. Put objects in a heap. She heaped logs on the fire.
197
meager (adj)
(of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality
(of a person or an animal) lean; thin a tall meager man
198
add up to
199
break down
separate something such a total amount into separate parts breakdown (n)
200
build up
increase or make something increase; gradually develop; talk about someone or something in a very positive way so that people are impressed with them; make someone bigger, healthier or stronger, especially by making them eat more build-up (n)
201
buy off
give someone money so they don’t act against you
202
buy up
buy large amounts of something or all of it that is available
203
carry over
take something that you earn or are given in one year or period of time into the next one carry-over (n) His money was carried over to his children.
204
clock up
reach certain number or amount
205
club together
if people club together, each of them gives a certain amount of money so all the money collected can be used to buy something
206
drum up
try to make people support you or buy something from you
207
mount up
make something larger
208
pay back
give someone the same amount of money that you borrowed from them
209
pay out
spend or pay money, especially a lot of money; provide money from an amount invested over a period of time
210
size up
think carefully and form an opinion about a person or situation
211
take away
remove one number or quantity from another number or quantity
212
weight down
make someone heavy and unable to move easily; cause problems for someone or something or make someone worried
213
a drop of water
a small amount that will not have much effect
214
beak even
if a person or business breaks even, they neither make a profit nor lose money
215
fall short
216
go halves
217
It's as broad as it's long
used for saying that you cannot choose between two things or actions because they are equal
218
Keep up with the Joneses
try to be as rich, successful, etc as your neighbours
219
Knee-high to a grasshopper
very small, because you were very young
220
Line your pocket(s)
obtain money, especially by acting dishonestly
221
Lock, stock and barrel
including every part of a particular thing, situation, place, etc
222
Six of one (and) half a dozen of of the other
idiom. US, informal. used to say that one does not see any real difference between two possible choices.
223
brittle (adj)
fragile
224
crumb (v)
1. a small fragment of cake, bread or biscuit She brushed some cake crumbs off her dress 2. A very small amount of something The project provided few crumbs of comfort
225
hollow
having a hole or empty space inside a hollow metal tube
226
lump (v)
to put people or things into the same group, although they do not really belong together You can’t just lump all disabled people together like that
227
lump (v)
a solid piece of something that does not have a regular shape I tripped over a lump of concrete
228
pat (n, v)
n. the action of gently touching someone or something several times with a flat hand to show that you care about them or want to make them feel better I felt a pat on my back and turned around
v.to touch someone gently several times with a flat hand to show that you care about them or want to make them feel better
229
scrub (v, n)
v. to wash or clean something by rubbing it hard, especially with a brush I’ve been scrubbing the floor all day.
n. a thorough wash or clean What your fingernails need is a good scrub.
230
speck
a very small spot or mark There isn’t a speck of dust in the house.
231
stiff (adj)
firm and difficult to bend Take a stiff piece of card and cut a hole in it.
232
dwell (v)
to live somewhere The little old man dwelt in a rundown cottage.
233
bypass (v, n)
v. to avoid the center of a town or city by using a road that goes around it If we take the other road, we can bypass Reading altogether.
n. a road that goes round a town or city so that you can avoid going through its center. I don’t think they’ll ever finish the new bypass.
234
high-rise (adj)
a high-rise building is very tall with many floors or levels. I couldn’t live in a high-rise block.
235
board up
cover a window or door with wooden boards
236
close up
lock the doors of a building or business
237
come out
be removed from something such as clothing or cloth by washing or rubbing; have a particular result or end in a particular end
238
cut out
239
fix up
240
knock/pull/tear down
241
pile up
242
prop up
stop something from falling behind by putting something under it or against it; help a government, system, organization, etc continue to exist, especially by providing financial or military support
243
put in
fix something such an equipment in the place where it will be used and make it ready to use; make and official request, claim, offer, etc
244
put together
choose people or things to form a team or group
245
set up
build a structure in a particular place; make a piece of equipment ready for use
246
spread out
if people in a group spread out, they move away from one another so they cover a large area
247
take down
separate a large structure into pieces; write down information or a statement
248
water down
make something such an statement or newspaper article less offensive, powerful or detailed
249
wear down
make something gradually disappear or become thinner by using or rubbing it; make someone gradually lose their energy or confidence
250
a home from home
a place where you feel as relaxed as you do in your own home
251
blot on the landscape
something that makes a place look less attractive, for example and ugly building
252
commuter belt
area surrounding a large city where there many people who work in that city live
253
concrete jungle
unpleasant part of a city where there are a lot of ugly buildings close together
254
home sweet home
255
in the sticks
in an area far from the town or city
256
make yourself at home
257
on the street
with no place to live
258
on the town
spending the evening enjoying yourself in bars, clubs, theaters, etc.
259
black out
suddenly become unconscious; make a place dark by turning off the lights, blackout (n)
260
come out in
become covered in sports because you are ill or because your body reacts to a food or medicine She can’t eat shellfish without coming out in sports.
261
come around
become conscious again after being unconscious; happen again; go to a place where someone is, to visit them; be persuaded to change your opinion or decision
262
cotton on
begin to realize or understand something
263
get down
make someone feel sad or lose hope
264
get over
start to feel happy or well again after something bad has happened; solve or deal with a problem
265
go down (well/badly) (with sb)
produce a particular reaction
266
lash out
try to hit or attack someone suddenly and violently; speak angrily to or against someone
267
pass away/on
die
268
play up
cause difficulties or pain for someone; behave badly
269
pull through
manage to stay alive after you have been very ill or very badly injured; succeed in a very difficult situation, or help someone to do this
270
shrivel up
become smaller and thinner and not look fresh and healthy; become weaker or smaller
271
summon up
manage to produce a quality or a reaction that helps you deal with a difficult situation
272
ward off
do something to prevent someone or something from harming you
273
cry over spilt milk
waste time feeling upset about something bad that has happened and cannot be changed
274
fly off the handle
suddenly become extremely angry without a good reason
Give sb a taste/dose of their own medicine
275
give sth a miss
decide not to do something you usually do
276
grin and bear it
accept a difficult situation without complaining or showing how you feel
277
keep a straight face
remain serious and not laugh
278
keep your hair on
used for telling someone not to get angry or upset
279
kick yourself
be very annoyed because you have made a mistake, missed an opportunity, etc.
280
let off steam
shout or do something that allows you to get rid of anger
281
let sleeping dogs die
leave a person or situation alone if they might cause you trouble
282
never/don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
if you are given something good, you should not complain about it or try to find things that are wrong with it
283
up in arms about
angry and complaining about something
284
contenment (n)
the happiness you feel when you have everything you want and enjoy life He has found contentment and satisfaction in his work.
285
glance
286
glimpse
an occasion when you see someone or something for a moment only He glimpsed a short white-haired figure heading for the back gate.
287
gloat (v)
to show that you are happy and proud at your own success or at someone else’s failure He was there to gloat over their defeat.
288
cross
angry
The neighbors got cross every time we put our music on.
289
glum (adj)
looking sad, as if you expected something bad to happen
e.g.You look a bit glum.
290
grimace (n)
a ugly expression that you make by twisting your face, for example because you are in pain or do not like something
e.g. She grimaced as she swallowed the medicine.
291
grin (n)
a big smile that shows your teeth
292
peep (n)
a quick look at something
e.g. I'll just take a peep inside
293
peep (v)
to look at someone quickly and secretly, usually from a place where you think you cannot be seen e.g. She tried to peep through the gates to see the garden.
294
rejoice
295
smirk
an unpleasant smile
e.g. Wipe that smirk off your face!
296
He snapped angrily
297
prognosis (n)
a doctor's opinion about the way in which a disease or illness is likely to develop
e.g. What's the prognosis, doctor?
298
sick live (noun phrase)
baja
299
preven(ta)tive medicine
300
syringe, vaccine
301
ward (n)
a large room in a hospital with beds for people to stay in
e.g. Jo is a staff nurse working on the maternity ward.
302
aggravate (v)
to make something bad become worse, especially a situation or a medical condition
e.g. His headache was aggravated by all the noise.
303
better (v)
to achieve a better result than someone doing something
e.g. Badman's score of 96 has never been bettered.
304
Industrial sewage continues to contaminate out beaches.
305
defective
306
detrimental (adj)
harmful or damaging
e.g. Overexposure to sunlight can have a detrimental effect on the skin.
307
enhance
308
exacerbate (v)
to make a problem become worse
e.g. Complaining will only exacerbate an already difficult situation.
309
invaluable (adj)
extremely useful
e.g. The Internet is an invaluable resource for students.
310
optimum (adj)
best or most suitable within a range of possibilities
e.g. The optimum conditions for breeding are provided by the warm weather.
311
optimum (n)
the best or most suitable situation, level or amount
e.g. The optimum we should be producing is 100 units per hour.
312
outclass (v)
313
redeeming feature (noun phrase)
a positive quality that improves something that is not very good by including something that is good. Smith’s only redeeming feature is that he knows his job.
314
refurbish
They're planning to refurbish the teacher's room.
315
rusty (adj)
316
shambles (n)
something that is very badly organized and does not operate
317
effectively
Government corruption has left the economy in a shambles.s
318
shoddy (adj)
shoddy work, services or products are of a very low standard
e.g. The work they did on the road was very shoddy in places.
319
sound (adj)
a high degree of knowledge or an in-depth awareness of something
e.g. You'll need a sound understanding of basic teaching skills before you enter the classroom.
320
stale (adj)
stale food such as bread is old and no longer fresh
e.g. Wrap the bread well or it'll go stale.
321
streamline (v)
to improve a business, organization, process, etc. by making it more modern or simple.
e.g. We need to streamline the whole process.
322
strengthen
323
wreck (n, adj)
324
period (adj)
typical of a particular historical time.
e.g. Will you be wearing period costumes in the play?
325
score (n)
the music written for a film, play, etc.
Who wrote the musical store for Star Wars?
326
brighten up
1. start to have more color or light; give something more color or light; start looking or feeling happier.
2. if the weather brightens up, it becomes sunnier
327
brush up (on)
practice and improve your skill of something
328
check out
1. examine someone or something in order to be certain that everything is correct, true or satisfactory
2. if information checks out, you feel that it is true after examining it
329
liven up
make something more interesting or exciting, or become more interesting or exciting; give something a more interesting appearance, taste or other quality
330
make over
change or improve the appearance of something or someone
331
makeover (n)
332
mess up
1. make a mistake
2. make something dirty or untidy
3. be the cause of someone's physical, emotional and mental problems
333
paper over
hide a problem in disagreement rather than finding a satisfactory solution to it
334
patch up
1. repair something, often quickly and not very well
2. become friends with someone again after a disagreement
3. give basic medical treatment to someone who is injured
335
pick up
improve
336
run down
if an organization or area is run down, its size, importance ad activity is reduced (run-down, adj)
337
scrape though
succeed in doing something, but not in a very impressive way
338
smarten up
improve the appearance of something, for example, by cleaning or painting it; if you smarten up or smarten yourself up, you make yourself look tidy and clean
339
stand out
be much more impressive or important than others; be easy to see or notice because of being different or outstanding
340
touch up
make a surface look better with small improvements
341
waste away
gradually become thinner and weaker over a period of time, usually because of an illness
342
write off
1. damage a vehicle so badly that its not worth repairing
2. decide that someone or something will not succeed and stop giving them your attention
write-off (n)
343
a sight for sore eyes
someone or something that you are very pleased to see
344
Achille's heel
345
add fuel to the fire
make a bad situation worse
346
below/under par
below the usual or expected standard
347
clean as a whistle
1. completely honest and legal
2. extremely clean
348
draw the line (at)
349
last word in
the newest and best type of something
350
over the top
more than what is considered normal or suitable
351
steal the show
352
the edge over
and advantage that makes someone or something more successful than other people or things
353
liken
Mary linked herself to Bill Gates.
354
merge (v)
if two organizations merge, or you merge them, they combine to form one organization.
e.g. I might lose my job when the two businesses merge.
355
answer back
356
ask out
357
break up
break something to make smaller pieces; if a meeting or other event breaks up, or you break it up, it ends and people leave
358
bring out
make someone or something show a quality that they have; produce a new product and start to sell it
359
bring together
create a situation in which people meet and do something together, especially when they would not usually do so
360
cancel out
stop something from having any effect
361
come between
cause a disagreement or argument between people
362
crowd around
363
go together
364
meet up
365
pick on
come together with someone, either unexpectedly or as planned
366
pick on
keep treating someone badly or unfairly, especially by criticizing them
367
take after
368
take to
begin to like someone or something; start doing something as a habit
369
be born with a silver spoon in your mouth
have advantages because you come from a rich family
370
be on the same wavelength
understand the way another person thinks because you often have the same ideas and opinions they do
371
get on like a house on fire
become good friends very quickly and have a lot to talk to each other about
372
in sb's bad/good books
used for saying that someone is annoyed/pleased with you
373
like two peas in a pod
used for saying that two people look, behave or think the same way
374
on good terms (with)
375
put sth in perspective
provide a sensible way of judging how good, bad, important, etc something is in comparison with other things
376
sb is only human
377
see eye to eye (with sb)
378
your flesh and blood
your relative
379
mundane
380
idle (of a person)
1. avoiding work; lazy
e.g. idle students
2. without purpose or effect; pointless
e.g. idle chatter
381
respite (n)
a short period of time of relief from something difficult or unpleasant
e.g. The refugee encampments will provide some respite from the suffering.
382
unwind (v)
undo or be undone after winding or being wound
e.g. Ella unwound the long woolen/woollen scarf from her neck.
relax after a period of work or tension The Grand Hotel is a superb place to unwind.
383
center around
384
get into
start enjoying something or become enthusiastic about it; if a train, plane etc gets into a place, it arrives there; become involved in a bad situation
385
go in for
enjoy a particular thing or activity; choose something as a subject of study or as your career
386
go off
stop liking someone or something; explode or be fired; leave a place, especially for a particular purpose; if food or drink goes off, it is no longer fresh
387
grow on
if something or someone grows on you, you start to like them more
388
hang out (phrasal verb)
hang-out (n)
389
keep up
continue to do something; continue at the same speed as someone or somethhing
390
laze around
relax and enjoy yourself doing no work
391
mess around/about
spend time doing things in a relaxed way; behave in a silly way
392
pick up
learn a new skill or start a habit without intending to; go and meet someone or something that you have arranged to take somewhere in a vehicle
393
seek out
find someone or something by looking for them in a determined way
393
put in
put in the work
input (n)
394
take in
include something
395
take off
have a particular time away from work; become successful or popular very fast
take-off (n)
396
take out
take someone to a place like a cinema or a restaurant and usually pay for them
397
warm up (phrasal verb)
warm-up
398
bight
a bend in a coast forming an open bay
399
bombastic
400
comeliness (n)
condition of being pleasant in appearance
401
digress (v)
to turn aside from the main subject in an argument We have digressed a lot from our first plan.
402
fastidious
difficult to please
403
fringe (n)
additional or marginal to some activity Recycling is a fringe activity. (‘’actividad marginal’’)
404
interdict (n)
a prohibitory decree
405
meet (fitting)
You should meet/fit thsese requirements in order to acquire this position.
406
opprobium
407
at a loose end
with nothing particular to do
408
couch potato
409
do something on a whym
have time on your hands
410
let your hair down
relax and enjoy yourself because you are in a comfortable environment
411
life and soul of the party
412
put your feet up
sit down and relaxed, especially with your feet raised off the ground
413
recharge your batteries
414
set your heart on
decide that you want something very much
415
variety is the spice of life
used for saying that different experiences and situations make life enjoyable or interesting
416
bereft
deprived of
417
disparage
'despotricar' - criticize
418
relentlessly
in an unceasingly intense or harsh way
e.g. John worked relentlessly.
419
dour
relentlessly severe, dour, stern or gloomy in manner or appearance
420
fortitude
courage in pain or adversity
421
ostensible
related to motives or facts apparently true
422
pliable
easily bent or influenced
423
proscribe
command against
424
reiterate
425
remittance (payment)
426
sophistry
elaborate and eloquent but logically invalid arguments
427
stolid
not easily moved mentally or emotionally
428
tentative (adj.)
uncertain
429
blight
affliction
430
blithe
joyful
431
ephemeral
432
fervid
433
flag (v)
to decline in vigor, strength or interest
434
florid
excessively decorated or embellished
435
glower (v)
to stare angrily at
436
gullible (adj)
easily deceived
437
irascible
438
ignominy
public shame or disgrace
e.g. The ignominy of being imprisoned.
439
nominal
existing in name only; negliglible
440
nuance
a subtle expression of meaning or quality
441
pathology
442
specious
443
tawdry
cheap, showy
444
belfry
''campanario''
445
chauvinist
446
corroborate
447
expurgate
censor
448
grovel
to humble oneself in a demeaning way
449
guile
sly or cunning intelligence
e.g. He used all his guile and guts to free himself from the muddle he was in
450
cunning
having or showing skill in achieving one's ends
451
sly
having or showing skill in achieving one's ends
452
sly
having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature
453
nascent
(especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential
e.g.The nascent beauty industry.
454
parley
parlamentar
455
sanguine
456
assuage (v)
to reduce severity
457
dessicate
458
diatribe
condemnatory speech
459
droll
amusing in a wry, subtle way
460
fallow
unused
461
furtive (adj)
secretive or stealthy
462
lampoon
ridicule, often with satire
463
malinger
to evade responsibility
464
orotund
pompous
465
reticent
466
sardonic
cynical
467
sully
to varnish or taint
468
surfeit
excess
469
verdant
green with vegetation
470
vernal
related to spring or youth
471
effectual
''eficaz''
472
belabor/belabour
1. attack someone physically or verbally
e.g. Bernard was belaboring Jed with his fists.
2. argue or discuss (a subject) in excessive detail
e.g. There is no need to belabor the point.
473
filibuster (v)
to use tactics in order to delay or prevent action, specially in a legislative assembly
474
galvanized (v)
subjected to electric current for the purpose of stimulating physiologically
475
minutiae
476
ostracism
477
peccadillo
478
impropriety
479
solace
to comfort in grief or misfortune
480
tare
1. a weed of grain in fields
2. an undesirable element
481
torpid
lacking in energy or vigor
482
undermined
weakened insidiously or secretly
483
confer
to compare views or take counsel
484
dispatch
to send off or away with promptness or speed
485
edifice
486
flippant
lacking respect or seriousness
487
gerontocracy
488
idyll
489
quixotic
foolishly impractical, especially when pursuing ideas
490
unfrock (=defrock)
remove from a position of honor or privilege
491
unscathed
not injured
492
vicarious
experienced through something or someone else in an indirect way
493
whet
to make keen or more acute
494
whittle
to reduce, remove or destroy gradually
495
wizen
to become dry, shrunken and wrinkled as a result of aging or failing vitality
496
coddle
to treat with extreme care
497
effuse
flow out
498
gaunt
excessively thin and angular
499
effuse
disseminate
500
imprecate
to involve evil on
501
lag
to stay or fall behind
502
paean
a work that praises or honors its subjects
503
prattle
to say in an unaffected or childish manner
504
refute
505
seminal
containing the seeds of later development
506
sinewy
tough, strikingly
507
stinting
sparing or frugal
508
synapse
509
usurp
510
xenophobe
511
accession (n)
increase by something added
512
comity (n)
a friendly social atmosphere
513
kindle
1. set (something) on fire
2. arouse or inspire emotion or feeling
e.g. A love of art was kindled in me.
514
to stir up
1. cause or provoke trouble or bad feeling
2. disturb particles in water or air
515
libel (n)
a written or oral statement that unjustly attacks a person’s character or reputation
516
licentious (adj)
lacking legal or moral restraints
517
limpid (adj)
marked by transparency
518
marsupial
519
milieu (n)
the physical or social setting in which something occurs
520
pommel (n)
the knob on a sword or a saddle
521
prolixity (n)
1. the state or quality of being unnecessarily tedious or wordy
2. verbosity
522
quail
to recoil in dread or terror
523
runic
having some secret or mysterious meaning
524
salvo (n)
a means of alleviating someone's consciousness
525
stoke (v)
1. add coal or another solid fluid to (a fire, furnace, boiler)
2. stir up
526
tremulous (adj)
1. exceedingly sensitive
2. easily shaken or disordered
527
disconsolate (adj)
dejected, downcast, unhappy
528
estuary
a passage of water where a river current meets the tide
529
exceptionable
1. something that is likely to cause objection
2. may mean offense
530
hankering (n)
a strong persistent desire
531
gradgrind (n)
someone obsessed with formalities
532
liege (n)
someone who is faithful and loyal
533
penchant (n)
a strong or habitual liking for someone or tendency to do something
534
ravage (v)
to have a violent destructive effect
535
trinket
a small ornament or thing of little value
536
vituperate (v)
to blame or insult someone in strong language
537
accolade (n)
1. mark of acknowledgement
2. reward
538
apothecary
''boticario''
539
askance
with disapproval or disgust
540
blunderbuss
(a blundering -clumsy- person)
541
burnish (v)
to polish
542
coterie (n)
an intimate or exclusive group
543
hinder (n)
to make a process slow or difficult
544
pariah
545
probate (n)
judicial determination of the validity of a will
546
recumbent (adj)
suggestive of response
547
stifle (v)
to withhold from circulation or expression
548
withhold
refuse to give something that is due or desired by another
549
tendentious
biased
550
brine (n)
water saturated by salt
551
cauterize (v)
burn the skin to prevent infection or bleeding
552
chattel
an item of propierty
553
decoy
someone or something used to draw attention away from another
554
desecration (n)
an act of treating disrespectfully
555
dilapidated
556
feasible (adj)
capable of being done
557
sage (adj)
wise through reflection and experience
558
sere
dry and withered or decayed
559
stevedore (n)
one responsible for loading and unloading ships in ports
560
torrid
561
upbraid (v)
to reproach or criticize severely
562
whelp (n)
puppy
563
the apple doesn't fall far from the tree
like father, like son
564
a bad apple
565
to beat around to bush
''stop beating around the bush'' - ''dar rodeos''
566
the best of both worlds
567
to bite the bullet
to force yourself to do something unpleasant
568
a blessing in disguise
something bad that ends up being positive
569
Break a leg!
570
to burn one's bridges
to do irreparable damage
571
by the skin of one's teeth
por los pelos
572
to cost an arm and a leg
573
a couch potato
574
to cut corners
spend less money
575
Don't count your chickens before they hatch!
576
the elephant in the room
a fact that no one talks about
577
fit as a fiddle
578
food for thought
579
to give the benefit of the doubt
580
to give someone the cold shoulder
to intentionally ignore someone or treat someone in an unfriendly way
581
to go cold turkey
stop something suddenly and completely
582
to go with the flow
583
to grin and bear it
accept something unpleasant without complaining
584
to have a sweet tooth
585
to have one's head in the clouds
586
to hit the books
587
to hit the head on the nail
''dar en el clavo''
588
in hot water
in trouble
589
to keep one's chin up
590
to kill two birds with one stone
591
the last/final straw
''la gota que colma el vaso''
592
to let the cat out of the bag
to unintentionally reveal a secret
593
to be like riding a bike
unforgettable
594
be like two peas in a pot
595
to make ends meet
596
to be on the ball
alert and quickly, competitively
597
once in a blue moon
very rarely
598
to play the devil's advocate
599
to pull somebody's leg
to tell something untrue as a joke
600
come rain or shine
601
to sit tight
not to do anything until the right time
602
to spill the beans
603
to take a rain check
say that you now refuse to take an offer, but not in the future
604
through thick and thin
605
under the table
secretly and illegally, usually with money
606
under the weather
sick
607
up in the air
''en el aire''
608
your guess is as good as mine
609
fastidious
610
opprobium
611
bight (n)
1. starter, entrant
2. concave bend or curvature in a coastline, river or other geographical feature, such as a cliff, or it may refer to an open bay formed by such a feature
612
bombastic (adj)
613
comeliness (n)
condition of being pleasant in appearance
614
digress (v)
to turn aside from the main subject in an argument
615
fringe (n)
additional or marginal regarding an activity
616
interdict (n)
a prohibitory decree
617
meet - fitting
You better meet/fit the achievements required for that job!
618
peripatetic (n)
pedestrian, itinerant
619
ramble (v)
to move aimlessly from place to place
620
Stygian
relating to the river Styx; dark, gloomy forbidden
621
unbidden (adj)
unwelcome, prohibited
622
umbrage
623
vexation
624
adamant (adj)
insistent on maintaining a certain position
625
contiguous
626
contagious
627
dally
1. to waste time, dawdle, procrastinate I dallied at the desk and didn’t finish my homework.
2. To act playfully Boys and girls dallied at the dance.
3. linger sense
628
debauchery
a life of debauchery, meaning a perverted sexual behavior, drinking and drug use
629
deign (v)
to condescend reluctantly and with a strong sense of the affront to one’s superiority; do something unwillingly and pretentiously)
630
deliquesce (v)
to dissolve or melt away
631
dolorous
632
dubious
633
epithet
634
improbity (n)
lack of honesty and moral scruples
635
permeate (v)
to diffuse through or penetrate something
636
prudish (adj)
marked by excessive or piggish attention to detail to property or decorum
637
sally (v)
to attack an enemy all of a sudden
638
sinistral
related to the left; left-handed
639
stomach (v)
put up with
640
strut (v)
to walk with a proud gait or a pompous ad affected air
641
taunt (n)
sarcastic challenge or insult
642
astringent (adj)
causing the contraction of body tissues
643
wary
feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems.
"dogs which have been mistreated often remain very wary of strangers"
644
begrudge (v)
to give reluctantly or with displease
645
braggadocio (n)
boastful ('jactancioso') or arrogant behavior
645
646
daguerreotype (n)
first publicly available photographic process
647
emollient (adj)
making soft, less intense or harsh
648
gavel
a mallet used for commanding attention or confirming an action
649
luscious (adj)
having a delicious taste or smell; richly luxurious or appealing to the senses
650
notoriety
651
pique (n)
a transient feeling of wounded vanity
652
remonstrance
a complaint to something giving reasons
653
vendible
capable of being sold
654
vertigo
655
wile (n)
a tick or stratagem intended to ensnare ('atrapar') or deceive
656
acrid
unpleasantly bitter or pungent
657
anathema (n)
denunciation of something accursed
658
clairvoyance
659
dirge (n)
a song or hymn of grief
660
discountenance (v)
to look with disfavor on
661
eradicate
662
inviolable
663
marred (adj)
having been affected deeply
664
myriad (adj)
having innumerable aspects
665
obdurate
666
redoubtable (adj)
causing fear or alarm; illustrious or imminent
667
sluggard (adj.)
habitually lazy person
668
abraded (v)
to rub or wear away especially by friction
669
aberration
670
din (n)
a loud or continued noise
671
execrable (adj)
very bad or wretched
672
hangar (n)
shelter or shed; a large building in which aircraft are kept
673
harangue (n)
a speech addressed to a public assembly
674
inveigh (v)
to protest or complain vehemently
675
merge
676
pundit (n)
a person who gives opinions
677
wreak (v)
to bring about; cause
678
abstain
679
abstemious
680
balm (n)
a soothing restorative agency
681
conciliate
682
exorbitant
683
headstrong
684
invidious
685
irksome (adj)
irritating; annoying
686
mettle
687
quack (n)
charlatan; a pretender to medical skill
688
quagmire (n)
a difficult, precarious or entrapping position
689
stipple (v)
to mark a surface with numerous small dots or specks
690
vitiate (v)
to spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of something
691
abrasive (adj)
causing irritation
692
abscission
693
avarice
694
aver (v)
to allege or assert in pleading
695
concatenate (adj)
link (things) together in a chain or series
696
stricture (n)
a restriction on a person or activity
697
disapprobation
698
exhilarate (v)
to make cheerful and excited
699
haughtiness (n)
the condition of being blatantly and disdainfully proud
700
intransigence
701
ire
''ira''
702
millinery (n)
a woman's apparel for the head
703
mince (v)
to utter or pronounce with affectation
704
pecuniary
705
pedant
706
purist
707
semantic
708
titter (v)
to laugh in a nervous manner
709
virtuosity
710
abysmal
711
avocation
pastime, hobby
712
banal
713
concur (v)
to express in agreement; to act together to a common end
714
concurrent (adj)
operating or concurring at the same time
715
disburse (v)
to make a payment i settlement of
716
discordance
717
exigency
718
hawser (n)
a large rope for towing, mooring or securing a ship
719
internecine (adj)
involving conflict within a group
720
iridescence (n)
a lustrous or attractive quality or effect
721
misconstrue (v)
misinterpret
722
pedantic
723
pejorative
724
toady (n)
one that flatters to gain favor
725
virtuoso
726
achromatic (adj)
being without accidentals or modulation
727
bane (n)
a source of harm or ruin
728
befuddle
confound
729
consecrate
730
expatiate
to speak or write at length or detail
'esplaiar-se'
731
heresy (n)
an opinion or belief contrary to church teaching
732
hiatus (n)
an interruption on time or continuity
733
percipient (adj)
having a good understanding, perceptive
734
quay (n)
a structure built along the bank of a waterway that is used as a landing space
735
vehemence
736
vitriolic (adj)
a harsh or corrosive tone
737
zany
amusingly unconventional
738
go cold turkey
stop taking something you are completely to addicted, without replacement or medication
739
start from scratch
740
a fresh start
741
kick the habit
stop doing a bad habit
742
out with the old, in with the new
743
hit the ground running
change the way you behave for the better
744
turn over a new leaf
745
get the bat rolling
start something happening
746
accouterment
and identifying and often superficial characteristic or device.
e.g. The accoutrement of religious rituals.
747
accretion
the process of growth or enlargement by a gradual buildup
748
barrage
a vigorous or rapid outpouring or projection of many things at once
749
congeal
to change from a fluid to a liquid state
750
conscript
to enroll in service by compulsion
e.g. He was conscripted into the army at the age of 18.
751
discursiveness
752
disenfranchise
1. deprive (someone) of the right to vote.
2. deprive (someone) of a right or privilege.
753
expediency
the quality of being convenient and practical despite possibly being improper or immoral; convenience.
e.g. an act of political expediency
754
expiate
make amends or reparation for (guilt or wrongdoing).
e.g. their sins must be expiated by sacrifice.
755
heterodox
756
hidebound
having an inflexible or ultraconservative character
757
irrefragable
impossible to refute, break or alter
758
irreproachable
blameless
759
perceptive
760
torpor
a state of mental and motor inactivity with partial or total insensibility
761
acolyte
an assistant to the clergy in a liturgical service who performs minor duties
762
acuity
keenness of perception
763
beget
to produce, especially as an effect of outgrowth
764
disingenuous
slightly dishonest, or not speaking the complete truth
765
disinterested
766
exploit
deed (an action that is performed intentionally or consciously) or act, especially a notable or heroic act
767
hoary
gray or white with or as if with age
768
adduce
to offer as an example, reason or proof
769
peremptory
to act in advance to exclusion of opposition
770
querulous
full of complaints/discontent
771
quibble
to evade the point of an argument by caviling about the words
772
admonitory
773
adulation
774
beleaguer
cause problems or difficulties for.
e.g. he attempts to answer several questions that beleaguer the industry.
775
belie
(of an appearance) fail to give a true impression of (something)
776
constellation
777
disparity
778
expostulate
779
spry (adj)
especially for older people; to move quicly and energetically
e.g. He was amazingly spry for a man of almost 80.
780
hone
to make more acute or intense
781
jaded
made dull, apathetic or cynical by experience or by surfeit
782
jargon
a confused or unintelligible language
783
modest
placing a moderate estimate on one's abilities or worth
784
onerous
involving, imposing or constituting a burden
785
peripheral
of relating to, or being the outer part
786
perjury
the voluntary violation of an oath or vow
787
postmodernism
788
quirk
a peculiar trait
789
admonish
to scold
790
adumbrate
1. represent in outline.
e.g. "Hobhouse had already adumbrated the idea of a welfare state"
2. foreshadow (a future event).
e.g. "tenors solemnly adumbrate the fate of the convicted sinner"
791
bellicose
792
belligerent
793
contingent
794
contrite
feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.
e.g. a contrite tone
795
disposition
796
extraneous
not forming an essential or vital part
797
extrapolate
to predict by projecting past experience or past data
798
hyperbole
799
jeopardize
put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure.
e.g. A devaluation of the dollar would jeopardize New York's position as a financial center.
800
mnemonics
801
mollify
to soothe in temper or disposition
802
perfunctory
characterized by routine or superficiality
803
perpetuate
to cause to last indefinitely
804
quintessential
805
arrogate
take or claim (something) without justification.
e.g. They arrogate to themselves the ability to divine the nation's true interests.
806
quotidian
807
sedulous
(of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence.
e.g. he watched himself with the most sedulous care.
808
shirk
to go stealthily; to evade the performance of an obligation
809
stealthily
in a cautious and surreptitious manner, so as not to be seen or heard.
e.g. I woke up and stealthily crept downstairs.
810
sycophant (n)
one who flatters for self-gain.
e.g. Some see the people in the cabinet as the president’s closest advisors, but others see them as sycophants.
811
blithe
carefree and unconcerned
e.g. She was blithe about failing grades.
812
apathy
813
malinger
to pretend to be ill or otherwise incapacitated in order to escape duty or work
814
compunction (n)
distress caused by feeling guilty
815
prosaic (adj)
plain, lacking aliveness
e.g. Heather’s prosaic recital of the poem bored the audience.
816
modicum
817
ebullient (adj)
extremely lively enthusiastic
818
vicissitude (n)
event that occurs by chance
819
acquiesce (v)
to agree without protesting
820
indefatigable
821
somnolent
822
hackneyed
e.g. A girl can say ‘I love you’ so many times before it begins to sound hackneyed and meaningless.
823
prurient
eliciting or possessing an extraordinary interest in sex
e.g. prurient reading material
824
placid
825
prattle
talking for a long period of time about an extraordinary amount of things
826
quixotic
idealistic, impractical
e.g. a quixotic desire
827
apocryphal (adj)
fictitious, false, wrong
828
evanescent (adj)
fleeting, momentary
829
auspicious
830
recapitulate
to sum up
e.g. The teacher recapitulated the semester's material
831
nettle
to annoy
832
perfunctory
showing little interest or enthusiasm
833
conciliatory
friendly
834
stoic
unaffected by passion or feeling
835
despondent
feeling depressed, discouraged, hopeless
836
sanguine
837
fervid
838
ruminate
839
impudent
rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone who is older or in a more important position
840
solipsistic, solipsism
841
neophyte
842
myopic
843
serendipity
the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or more beneficial way
844
insipid
845
pertinacious
very determined and refusing to be defeated by problems
846
obsequious
847
nadir
the worst movement
848
dither
to be indecisive
849
solecism
a socially awkward or tasteless act
850
adept
extremely skilled
e.g. Tarzan was adept at jumping.
851
enmity
ill will, hatred, hostility
e.g. The enmity between them is obvious.
852
apparent
clearly visible or understood
e.g. It became apparent that he was talented.
853
pernicious
extremely destructive or harmful
854
zephyr
a gentle breeze
e.g. If not for the zephyrs that were blowing and cooling us, our room would have been unbearably hot.
855
ethereal
856
knight
857
obstreperous
noisy, unruly
e.g. Billy's obstreperous behavior.
858
philistine
a person who is guided by materialism and is disdainful to intellectual or artistic values
e.g. Only a philistine would destroy such a precious portrait.
859
carp
to annoy, pester
e.g. The husband divorced his wife after hearing her carping voice for decades.
860
pester
trouble or annoy (someone) with frequent or persistent requests or interruptions.
e.g. She constantly pestered him with telephone calls.
861
antipathy
862
temerity/audacity/recklessness
863
nebulous
vaguely defined, cloudy
864
perfidious
disloyal, unfaithful
e.g. He was executed for his perfidious ways.
865
vex
to confuse or annoy
e.g. My little brother always vexes me.
866
curmudgeon
cranky person, usually old
867
irreverence
868
enervate
to weaken, exhaust
e.g. Writing these sentences enervates me so much that I will have to take a nap after I finish.
869
meretricious
tastelessly showy, apparent on the surface
870
convoluted
intricate, complicated
871
emote
to express emotion
872
consonant
in harmony
873
obdurate
unyielding to persuasion or moral influences ('testarudo')
874
obviate
875
chicanery
the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial or legal purpose
876
castigate
877
dwell
think moodily or anxiously about something
878
maverick
an independent, non conformist person
879
exigent
urgent, critical
The patient has an exigent need for medication.
880
conundrum
puzzle, problem
e.g. Interpreting her behavior was a constant conundrum.
881
preclude
to prevent
882
vapid
lacking aliveness, dull
883
dilettante
a person whose interest in art or in an area of knowledge is not very serious
884
brush up on
practice or improve your skills or knowledge of something
885
come (a)round to
to change your opinion or decision because someone has persuaded you to agree with them
886
come up with
887
figure out
888
hit upon
suddenly have an idea, discovering something by chance
889
make out
see, hear or understand someone
890
swot on
study something very hard, especially for an examination
891
take-in
understand and remember something that you heard or read; accept something to be real or true; tricking someone into believing something that is not true
892
think over
893
think through
894
think up
invent or imagine something, specially an excuse
895
opprobrium
896
idolatrous
897
orotund
marked by strength or clarity of the sound
898
disavow
to deny knowledge of responsibility for
e.g. Not wanting others to criticize her, she disavowed any involvement in the company's hiring standard.
899
encomium (n)
tribute
e.g. To write an encomium.
900
amorphous
901
fickle (adj)
shifting in character, inconstant
902
indomitable
903
diffident
shy, quiet, modest
e.g. The diffident youth.
904
recalcitrant
unapologetic, defiant
e.g. The recalcitrant young girl stomped her food when scolded.
905
surly
rude and bad tempered
906
elicit
to bring forth, draw out, evoke
e.g. Although I asked several times where the exit was, I elicited no response from the stone-faced policeman.
907
deft
skillful, capable
908
officious
offering one's services when they are neither wanted or needed
909
invective
an angry or verbal attack
910
emollient
soothing
911
defunct
no longer used or existing
912
yoke
to join in, link
913
cacophony
914
poignant
deeply affecting, moving
915
abhor
to hate, detest
916
saccharine (adj)
sickeningly sweet
917
mitigate
918
sinecure
a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit.
e.g. Political sinecures for the supporters of ministers.
919
multifarious (adj)
having a great diversity or variety
920
grandiloquence
921
sagacious
922
fastidious
923
vilify (v)
to lower in importance, defame
e.g. Almost every story about President Nixon sought to (had the intention) vilify him.
924
passage
the act of moving from one place or state to the next
925
burgeon
to grow and flourish
e.g. Expect sales to burgeon.
926
profuse
plentiful, abundant
927
slake
to quench or satisfy one's thirst
928
zealot
someone passionately devoted to a cause
e.g. This political zealot walked over a thousand miles to get people to sign his petition.
929
undertake
take on
e.g. A firm of builders undertook the construction work.
930
effulgent
radiant, splendorous
e.g. Effulgent holiday lights.
931
vestige
a mark of trace of something lost or vanished
e.g. Tortillas might be a vestige of Aztec corn-based flat bread.
932
exasperate
933
quotidian
934
ignoble
having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean
935
laudatory
936
fractious
1. (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome.
e.g. They fight and squabble like fractious children.
2. (of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly.
e.g. King Malcolm struggled to unite his fractious kingdom.
937
boor
crude, lacking in manners or taste
938
restrictive
imposing restrictions on someone's activities or freedom.
e.g. ''a web of restrictive regulations''
939
alacrity
eagerness, speed
940
antediluvian
941
tremulous
942
prowess
extraordinary ability
943
contrite
penitent, eager to be forgiven
e.g. Blake's contrite behavior made it impossible to stay angry at him.
944
accoutrement
an additional item of dress or equipment.
e.g. the accoutrements of religious ritual
945
accretion
growth or increase by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter.
e.g. the accretion of sediments in coastal mangroves
946
barrage
1. a concentrated artillery bombardment over a wide area.
e.g. His forces launched an artillery barrage on the city.
2. an artificial barrier across a river or estuary to prevent flooding, aid irrigation or navigation, or to generate electricity by tidal power.
e.g. They are considering a tidal barrage built across the Severn estuary.
947
bastion
1. a projecting part of a fortification built at an angle to the line of a wall, so as to allow defensive fire in several directions.
2. an institution, place, or person strongly maintaining particular principles, attitudes, or activities.
e.g. Cricket's last bastion of discrimination.
948
congeal
become semi-solid, especially on cooling.
e.g. The blood had congealed into blobs.
949
conscript
950
discursiveness
951
disenfranchise
1. deprive (someone) of the right to vote
2. deprive (someone) of a privilege
952
expediency
953
heterodox
954
hidebound
unwilling or unable to change because of tradition or convention.
e.g. They are working to change hidebound corporate cultures.
955
irrefragable
indisputable
956
irreproachable
957
perceptive
958
torpor
959
bickering
''dimes y diretes''
960
comprise
consist of; be made up of
961
to be the last word
962
the Achilles' heel
963
to be as clean as a whistle
964
to have the edge
e.g. This gallery clearly has the edge over the other modern galleries.
965
to be over the top
966
to draw the line
967
to add fuel
968
to take pride of place
969
to steal the show
970
to be a sight for sore eyes
e.g. You’re a sight for sore eyes, Claire. Thank God you’re here, we desperately need your input.
971
to be below par
to be worse than expected
972
answer back
reply rudely to someone that has more authority than you
973
ask out
invite someone to go with you to a cinema, restaurant, etc because you want to start a sexual or romantic relationship with them
974
break up
if two people break up, they end their relationship; break something to make smaller pieces; if a meeting or other event breaks up, or if you break it up, it ends and people leave
975
bring out
make someone or something show a quality that they have; produce a new product and start to sell it
976
bring together
create a situation in which people meet and do something together, especially when they would not usually do so
977
bump into
meet someone unexpectedly; accidentally hit against something
cancel out: stop something from having any effect
978
come between
cause a disagreement or argument between people
979
crowd around
move to a particular place at the same time as a lot of other people
980
go together
if two or more things go together, they frequently exist together; if two things go together, they seem good natural or more attractive in combination with each other
981
meet up
come together with someone, either unexpectedly or as planned
982
open up
talk more about your personal feelings and experiences; open a locked door, container or building; make it easier to travel or do business in a country
983
pick on
keep treating someone badly or unfairly, especially by criticizing them
984
sound out
try to find someone's opinions, ideas, feelings, by talking to them
985
take after
resemble a parent or ancestor
986
take to
begin to like someone or something; start doing something as a habit
987
be born with a silver spoon in your mouth
have advantages because you come from a rich family
988
be on the same wavelength
understand the way another person thinks because you often have the same ideas and opinions they do
989
get on like a house on fire
990
in somebody's bad/good books
used for saying that someone is annoyed/pleased with you
991
like two peas in a pot
used for saying that two people look, behave or think exactly the same way
992
on good terms (with)
have a good relationship with someone
993
put something in perspective
994
somebody's only human
995
see eye to eye (with somebody)
996
your flesh and blood
your relative
997
exhilarating
making one feel very happy, animated or elated; thrilling
998
elated
ecstatically happy
999
idle
1. (of a person) avoiding work, lazy
2. without purpose or effect; pointless
1000
warm up
prepare for a sport or activity by doing gentle exercises or practicing just before it starts warm-up
1001
center around
1002
get into
start enjoying doing something or become enthusiastic about it; if a train, plane, etc gets into a place, it arrives there; become involved in a bad situation
1003
go in for
enjoy a particular thing or activity; choose something as a subject of study or as your career
1004
go off
stop liking someone or something; explode or be fired; leave a place, especially for a particular purpose; if blood or drink goes off, it is no longer fresh
1005
grow on
if someone or something grows on you, you start to like them more
1006
hang out
1. lean outside of a window so the top part of your body is outside hang-out
2. (INFORMAL) spend time relaxing or socializing informally
1007
keep up
continue doing something; move at the same speed as someone or something
1008
laze around
relax and enjoy yourself doing no work
1009
mess about/around
spend time doing things in a relaxed way; behave in a silly way
1010
pick up
learn a new skill or start a habit without intending to; go and meet someone or something that you have arranged to take somewhere in a vehicle
1011
put in
spend a particular amount of time doing something, or make a particular amount of effort in order to do something (input)
1012
take in
include something
1013
seek out
find someone or something by looking for them in a determined way
1014
take off
have a particular amount of time away from work; become successful or popular very fast (take-off)
1015
take out
take someone to a place like a cinema or a restaurant and usually pay for them
1016
at a loose end
with nothing particular to do
1017
couch potato
1018
do something on a whim
1019
have time on your hands
1020
let your head down
relax and enjoy yourself because you are in a comfortable environment
1021
life and soul of the party
someone who is very lively at social events
1022
put your feet up
sit down and relax, especially with your feet raised off the ground
1023
recharge your batteries
rest after being very busy, so that you will be ready to start working again
1024
set your heart on
decide that you want something very much
1025
variety is the spice of life
