CAE Exam Preparation Flashcards
Two pears in a pod
Used to describe a good relationship between a couple
Verbs used with “speech”
Give/Deliver
Verbs used with “information”
Gather/Get/Collect
Verbs used with “research”
Do/Undertake/Conduct/Carry out
To turn something ______ something else
Into
To wax one`s leg
To remove the hair from the leg by using wax
To move up the ladder
The process of moving up (getting promoted) in a company
To go the extra mile
When you do more work than is expected of you, usually to impress someone
To do something at your own expense
When you do something and pay for it yourself
To pop (down) to somewhere
Quick trip to do one job, and then return
To be hooked on something
To be addicted to something (*addicted can express a more negative idea than hooked)
Something slips your mind
Something you always forget
To look a million dollars
When someone looks amazing/beautiful
To patronise someone (or be patronised)
When you treat them like a child (*it express a negative idea)
Pay off (v)
If something you have done pays off, it is successful
Fall behind
To fail to do something fast enough or on time
Bitterly
Cold, disappointed, opposed
Completely
Different, incomprehensible, new, sure
Deeply
Ashamed, attached, divided, unhappy
Entirely
Beneficial, different, satisfactory, unexpected
Heavily
Armed, dependent, polluted
Highly
Contagious, critical, intelligent, likely, sensitive
Painfully
Aware, obvious, sensitive, slow
Perfectly
Balanced, normal, safe, serious
Seriously
Damaged, hurt, rich, wealthy
Totally
Harmless, inadequate, unbelievable
Utterly
Different, disastrous, impossible, useless, amazed
Widely
Available, held, publicised, used
To make sb`s hair stand on end
To make someone feel frightened
(Book name) is a page-turner
It`s a really interesting book
Something is (a bit) out of the ordinary
It`s unusual
Paramount
More important than anything else
To commission sb to do sth
To ask sb to do sth (and pay for it)
To be proficient _____ sth
In
Bungalow
A house that usually has only one storey (= level), sometimes with a smaller upper storey set in the roof and windows that come out from the roof
To give sb a helping hand
To help sb
To indulge in sth
To spend time doing sth you love, but often don’t have the time to do it
To indulge sb with sth / To indulge sb by doing sth
To conceal sth from someone
To prevent sth from being seen or known about
To tear yourself away from sth
It`s hard to you to leave sth (tear: pull apart)
To take over your life
Sth take the control of your life
To do sth for the sake of it
Buy sth even though you don’t need it
To tell yourself sth
Try to make yourself believe in sth
To fool yourself
Say sth that you know is not true
E.g.: She pretended that she was in control of he situation, but she was fooling herself.
To not be short of sth
To not have shortage of sth
To get the bug or be bitten by the bug of sth
To be hooked on sth
To be a bit of a (sth) freak
To be addicted to sth.
E.g.: Gus is a bit of fitness freak and goes to the gym at least four times a week.
To collapse doing sth
To do it for a long period.
E.g.: After a hard day at work, I like to come home and collapse in front of the TV.
One thing leads to another
One thing “causes” other
To get sucked in sth
End up doing sth without planning.
I didn’t intend to join the drama society, I just seemed to get sucked in.
Given a choice between sth and sth
Having two options, Id ...
E.g.: Given the choice between going away for a weeks holiday and spending a week at home decorating the spare room, I`d much rather do the latter.
Solicitor
A type of lawyer in Britain and Australia who is trained to prepare cases and give advice on legal subjects and can represent people in lower courts.
Break the habit
To change sth you do routinely
Get sth up and running
To start business
Set foot in somewhere
To enter/arrive somewhere
Come up with sth
To have an unexpected idea
Take up an offer
To accept sth
The odds are stacked against someone
Someone is very unlikely to succeed
Give someone a push
To encourage/motivate someone
Point someone in the direction of
To make a useful suggestion about how to get sth
Have all the eggs in one basket
To depend totally on one thing
Wish/If Only + Past
When we want a present situation to be different
Wish + Would
To express a wish for sth to change in the present or future, usually to complain about sth. This structure cannot be used to refer to oneself. We cannot use “would” for an impossible change.
Wish/If only + Past Perfect
To express regret about a past situation.
Suppose/supposing, imagine, what if
Used to ask about about an imaginary situation in the present or future, and its possible consequences.
Walled (adj)
Surrounded by a wall. E.g.: White-walled conference centre.
Sumptuous (adj)
Luxurious and showing that you are rich
The rat race (n)
A way of life in modern society, in which people compete with each other for power and money.
E.g.: He decided to get out of the rat race, and went to work on a farm.
Hit it off (informal)
To like someone and become friendly immediately.
E.g.: We hit it off with the locals in no time.
Cottage (n)
A small house, usually in the countryside
Hamper
A large, rectangular container with a lid.
Derelict
Derelict buildings or places are not cared for and are in bad condition.
Take sth on
To accept a particular job or responsibility
Bed and breakfast
A room to sleep in for the night and a morning meal, or a private house or small hotel offering this.
Prolific (adj)
Producing a great number or amount of something
Potent (adj)
Very powerful, forceful, or effective. Potently (adv)
Bidder (n)
Sb who offers to pay a particular amount of money for sth.
E.g.: In an auction, goods or property are sold to the highest bidder (= the person who offers the most money).
Astounding (adj)
Very surprising or shocking. Astoundingly (adv)
Word-of-mouth (adj)
Given or done by people talking about sth or telling people about sth.
In short
Used before describing sth or sb in as few words and as directly as possible.
Expressions used for generalising
Generally speaking All things considered On the whole By and large As a rule In the main
Turn out (v)
To happen in a particular way or to have a particular result, especially an unexpected one.
To be known or discovered finally and surprisingly.
If people turn out for an event, they go to be there or to watch.
Nose to tail
One closely behind the other.
E.g.: The cars were parked nose to tail down the street.
Put/set pen to paper
To start to write.
Hold sb/sth back
To stop sb or sth developing or doing as well as they should.
If you hold sb or sth back, you stop him, her, or it from coming or moving forward. E.g.: To be held up in traffic.
Miss out
To fail to use an opportunity to enjoy or get an advantage from sth.
Affair (n)
A situation or subject that is being dealt with or considered:
E.g.: She organizes her financial affairs very efficiently.
He’s always meddling in (= trying to influence) other people’s affairs.
What I do in my spare time is my affair (= only involves me).
Jogging (n)
The activity of running at a slow, regular speed, especially as a form of exercise. E.g.: He usually goes jogging for half an hour before breakfast.
Dash (v)
To go to somewhere quickly.
Keep tabs on sth/sb
To watch something or someone carefully.
E.g.: I like to keep tabs on my bank account so that I don’t overdraw. To keep tabs on your friends while youre held up on traffic.
Bail sb out (v)
To pay money to a court so that someone can be released from prison until their trial.
(***It has a less formal meaning. E.g.: when my mobile bill came, my father bailed me out)
Joyriding (n)
Driving fast and dangerously for pleasure, especially in a stolen vehicle.
Joyrider (n) / Joyride (n)
Drunk driving (n)
The act of driving a vehicle after drinking too much alcohol
Drug dealing
Collocation
Armed robbery
Collocation
Computer hacking
Collocation
Shoplifting (n)
The illegal act of taking goods from a shop without paying for them. Shoplift (v) / Shoplifter (n)
Slander (n)
A false spoken statement about someone that damages their reputation, or the making of such a statement
Mug (v)
To attack a person in a public place and steal their money
Mugging (n) / Mugger (n,p)
Word family - Crimes
Burgle (v) / Burglary (n) / Burglar (n,p)
Murder (v) / Murder (n) / Murderer (n,p)
Arson (n) / Arsonist (n,p)
Steal (v) / Stealing-Theft / Thief (n,p)
Forge (v) / Forgery (n) / Forger (n,p)
Rob (v) / Robbery (n) / Robber (n,p)
Joyride (v) / Joyriding (n) / Joyrider (n,p)
Slander (v) / Slander (n) / Slanderer (n,p) / Slanderous (adj) / Slanderously (adv)
Liaise (v)
To speak to people in other organizations, etc. in order to work with them or exchange information with them.
E.g.: Our head office will liaise with the suppliers to ensure delivery.
To be the link between two or more people, organizations, etc. E.g.: Her department liaises between the development team and the regional offices.
Amnesty (n)
A decision by a government that allows political prisoners to go free.
A fixed period of time during which people are not punished for committing a particular crime.
Anonymity (n)
The situation in which someone’s name is not given or known.
Come forward (v)
To offer to give help or information. E.g.: No witnesses to the accident have come forward yet, despite the police appeal.
Clamp down on sth (v)
To take strong action to stop or limit a harmful or unwanted activity. E.g.: The government is clamping down on teenage drinking.
Loathe (v)
To hate
Innovative (adj)
With new ideas
Detained (v passive)
Held as a prisoner
Constructive (adj)
With a positive outcome
Sceptical (adj)
Not convinced that sth is true
Concealed (adj)
Hidden
Tailor-made (adj)
Designed for someone particular
Knee-jerk rection, response… (adj)
A quick reaction that does not allow you time to consider something carefully
Lad (n)
A boy or young man
Therefore (adv)
For that reason
e.g.: We were unable to get funding and therefore had to abandon the project.
Nonetheless (adv) - Also nevertheless
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.
Close companions
Collocation
To run to a total/to run around
Expression
Particularly impressive
Collocation
Comment + on
Collocation
High hopes
Collocation
Utterance (n)
Formal - something that someone says
Toddler (n)
A young child, especially one who is learning or has recently learned to walk
Communicative abilities
Collocation
Pester (v)
To behave in an annoying manner towards someone by doing or asking for something repeatedly.
At the frontier, there were people pestering tourists for cigarettes, food or alcohol.
[+ to infinitive] John has been pestering her to go out with him all month.
Weigh sth up
To think carefully about the advantages or disadvantages of a situation before making a decision.
I’m weighing up my options before I decide to apply for the job.
Reporting verbs + ing form
Admit, deny, mention, propose, recommend, regret, report, suggest.
Reporting verbs + object + preposition + object/genitive + ing form
Accuse sb of, apologise (to sb) about, apologise for, blame sb for, complain (to sb) about, comment on, confess to , insist on, object to.
He confessed to stealing the money.
They insisted on me/my going with him.
They accused me of telling a lie.
Butter someone up
Say nice things to someone, so that they will do what you want.
Take something with a pinch of salt
Be careful because sth might not be true
To go pear-shaped
Used to describe situation where everything goes completely wrong.
ps.: pear-shaped is also used to describe unfit people.
Reassure (v)
To comfort someone and stop them from worrying.
Attract attention
Catch imagination
e.g.: When I was child, modelling didn’t catch my imagination.
Her clothes always attract a lot of attention.
Make ends meet
(Indian English make both ends meet) to have just enough money to pay for the things that you need.
Thrilled (adj)
Extremely pleased.
e.g.: [+ that] I was thrilled that so many people turned up to the party.
Thrilled to bits
Extremely pleased (informal). e.g.: She was thrilled to bits with her present.
Catwalk (n)
> The long, narrow stage that models walk along in a fashion show
A narrow path, raised above the ground, often built for workers to walk on outside a building that is being built or repaired
Outrageous (adj)
> Shocking and morally unacceptable
> Used to describe something or someone that is shocking because they are unusual or strange
Outfit (n)
A set of clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity.
Praise (n)
Things that you say that express your admiration and approval for someone or something.
Conducive (adj)
Providing the right conditions for something good to happen or exist.
e.g.: Such a noisy environment was not conducive to a good night’s sleep.
This is a more conducive atmosphere for studying.
Giggle (v)
To laugh repeatedly in a quiet but uncontrolled way, often at something silly or rude or when you are nervous.
To be giggled about sth.
To breath down sb`s neck
Jessica said she wants her daughters to be independent; she won’t breath down their necks.
Gimmick (n) - mainly disapprovement
Something that is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people’s attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something.
e.g.: a publicity gimmick
They give away free gifts with children’s meals as a sales/marketing gimmick.
Gimmicky (adj)
e.g.: gimmicky foods/fashions
Bandwagon (n)
An activity, group, movement, etc. that has become successful or fashionable and so attracts many new people.
e.g.: a bandwagon effect.
Jump/climb/get on the bandwagon
To become involved in an activity that is successful so that you can get the advantages of it yourself.
e.g.: The success of the product led many firms to try to jump on the bandwagon.
Crave (v)
To have a strong feeling of wanting something.
e.g.: Many young children crave attention.
Turn out (ph. verb)
> To happen in a particular way or to have a particular result, especially an unexpected one.
To be known or discovered finally and surprisingly
Daylight robbery (n - informal)
A situation in which you have to pay far too much money for something.
Flared (adj)
Becoming wider at one end.
e.g.: Flared trousers
Casualty (n)
> A person injured or killed in a serious accident or war.
A person or thing that suffers as a result of something else happening.
UK ( US emergency room) the part of a hospital where people who are hurt in accidents or suddenly become ill are taken for urgent treatment.
Have a go at sb (UK)
To criticize someone.
e.g.: My Dad’s always having a go at me about getting a proper job.
Go noun (OPPORTUNITY)
(US usually turn) an opportunity to play in a game, or to do or use something.
e.g.: Hey, it’s Ken’s go now! You’ve just had your go.
Please can I have a go (= can I ride) on your bike?
I’ll have a go at driving for a while if you’re tired.
More holes than Swiss cheese
To have a lot of problems. e.g.: I have read the proposal, it has more holes than Swiss cheese.
Chalk and cheese
It is used to describe two things that are completely different. e.g.: They are brother and sister, but they are like chalk and cheese.
Big cheese
It refers to the boss, or the person in charge of something. e.g.: Let’s make sure the office is clean, the big cheese will be there on the weekend.
To see red
To suddenly become very angry. e.g.: When he laughed in my face I saw red and hit him.
To catch someone red-handed
To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong (private or illegal). e.g.: I caught my sister red-handed reading my diary.
In the red (informal)
In debt, owing money. “in the red” can refer to a person or the person’s bank account. e.g.: I don’t understand why he’s always in the red as he has a very good job.
Once in a blue moon
Very rarely, hardly ever. e.g.: When I was younger I used to go the cinema about once a month but now I go once in a blue moon.
Sleep on sth (phrasal verb)
To delay making a decision about something important until the next day so that you have time to consider it carefully.
Weigh sth up
Think carefully about advantages and disadvantages of a decision
Run sth by sb (phrasal v. informal)
To tell someone about something so that person can give their opinion about it:
Would you run your idea by me one more time?
Think ahead (phrasal verb)
Think carefully about the future and what might happen.
Allow for sth
To consider something when you are planning something:
We allowed for living expenses of £20 a day.
[+ -ing verb] You should allow for the plane being delayed.
We have to allow for the possibility that we might not finish on schedule.
Stand out (phrasal verb)
-To be very noticeable
The black lettering really stands out on that orange background.
-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.
Bring sb/sth along (phrasal verb)
To take someone or something with you
Can I bring a friend along to the party?
Desire word family
Noun [C/U] = Desire
Verb = Desire
Adjective (describing sth worth having) = Desirable
Negative adjective = Undesirable
Adverb (from adjective) = Desirably
Noun [U] (from adjective) = Desirability
Negative noun [C] (somebody/sth that isn’t wanted) = Undesirable
Adjective (from past participle) = Desired
Origin word family
Noun [C] = Origin Plural noun = Origins Adjective = Original Negative adjective = Unoriginal Adverb = Originally Verb = Originate Noun [C] (thing or person) = Original Noun [U] (from adjective) = Originality
Secure word family
Adjective = Secure Negative adjective = Insecure Adverb = Securely Negative Adverb = Insecurely Noun [U] = Security Negative noun [C, U] = Insecurity Verb = Secure
Popular word family
Adjective = Popular Negative Adjective = Unpopular Noun [U] = Popularity Negative Noun [U] = Unpopularity Adverb = Popularly Verb = Popularise Noun [U] (from verb) = Popularisation
Advertising campaign
Advertisements and other activities to persuade people to buy sth
Crunching numbers
Doing a lot of calculations
Financial adviser
Someone who advises people about how to save and invest money
Insurance broker
Someone who sells insurance to people
Pecking order
An informal social system in which some people or groups know they are more or less important than others:
There’s a clearly established pecking order in this office.
He started as a clerk but gradually rose in the pecking order.
Product endorsement
A personal assurance that a product is good
Appetite for variety
Collocation.
People have an appetite for variety.
Unquantifiable
Not able to be measured.
Unquantifiable benefits/liabilities/risks Finance people can’t value employee attitudes, working environment, or other indirect variables with unquantifiable benefits.
Innate
An innate quality or ability is one that you were born with, not one you have learned.
Apt (adj)
Suitable or right for a particular situation.
Aptly (adv)
Aptness (n)
Forage (v)
To go from place to place searching, especially for food.
The mankind lived in foraging bands in the past.
Intrigue (v)
To interest someone a lot, especially by being strange, unusual, or mysterious.
Formulaic (adj)
Containing or consisting of fixed and repeated groups of words or ideas.
The text was dull and formulaic.
Shrewd (adj)
Having or based on a clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, resulting in an advantage.
He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later.
She is a shrewd politician who wants to avoid offending the electorate unnecessarily.
It was a shrewd move to buy your house just before property prices started to rise.
Shrewdly (adv)
Shrewdness (n)
Laughter (n)
The act or sound of laughing:
She roared with laughter (= laughed very loudly).
As we approached the hall we could hear the sound of laughter.
Give away (phrasal verb)
To give something to someone without asking for payment
Conductor (n)
A person who stands in front of a group of musicians or singers and directs their playing or singing.
Duet (n)
A piece of music for two singers or players.
Symphony (n)
A long piece of classical music, usually in four parts, written for an orchestra.
Aria (n)
A song that is sung by only one person in an opera.
Backing singer
The people who sing with someone in a pop group to accompany the lead singer
Cover (version)
A new recording of a song, piece of music, etc, that was originally recorded by a different artist.
The charts
The lists produced each week of the records with the highest sales.
A record, group, etc. that has sold the most records in a particular week is said to be at the top of the charts.
Gig (n)
Inf -> A single performance by a musician or group of musicians, especially playing modern or pop music
This week the band did the last gig of their world tour.
Impending (adj)
Used to refer to an event, usually something unpleasant or unwanted, that is going to happen soon.
Impending disaster/doom
The player announced his impending retirement from international football.
Call sth off (Phrasal verb)
To decide that a planned event, especially a sports event, will not happen, or to end an activity because it is no longer useful or possible.
Tomorrow’s match has been called off because of the icy weather.
The police have called off the search for the missing child until dawn tomorrow.
Crammed
Very full of people or things.
A crammed train/room
The platform was crammed with/crammed full of people trying to board the train.
The subway is always crammed with people during rush hour.
Swerve (v)
› To change direction, especially suddenly.
The bus driver swerved to avoid hitting the cyclists.
› If you do not swerve from a principle or certain actions, you continue to think or act as you did in the beginning.
She is one of those rare politicians whom one can trust not to swerve from policy and principle.
MULTItasking
A person’s ability to do more than one thing at a time:
Women are often very good at multitasking.
Rehearsal (n)
A time when all the people involved in a play, dance, etc. practise in order to prepare for a performance:
They didn’t have time for (a) rehearsal before the performance.
He’s a producer with three plays in rehearsal.
Engage (v)
[T] mainly UK formal to employ someone:
[+ to infinitive] I have engaged a secretary to deal with all my paperwork.
We’re engaging the services of a professional administrator.
[T] formal to interest someone in something and keep them thinking about it:
The debate about food safety has engaged the whole nation.
If a book doesn’t engage my interest in the first few pages, I don’t usually continue reading it.
Backing (n)
Support
Especially money, that someone gives to a person or plan.
If I go ahead with the plan, can I count on your backing?
Thousands of government supporters across Brazil have been taking part in marches to show their backing for President Dilma Rousseff.
Bribe (n)
To try to make someone do something for you by giving them money, presents, or something else that they want
State-owned (adj)
Owned by the government:
A state-owned airline/bank/industry/company
Landless movement
Collocation
Coup (n)
A sudden illegal, often violent, taking of government power, especially by part of an army:
a military coup
Kickback (n)
An amount of money that is paid to someone illegally in exchange for secret help or work. Kickback scheme.
Run-off (n)
An extra competition or election to decide the winner, because the leading competitors have finished equal.
A run-off race/election
Dilma Rousseff was re-elected by a narrow margin in a run-off vote in October.
Siphon sth off (also syphon sth off)
To dishonestly take money from an organization or other supply, and use it for a purpose for which it was not intended:
He lost his job when it was discovered that he had been siphoning off money from the company for his own use.
Ecstatic (adj)
Extremely happy.
The new president was greeted by an ecstatic crowd.
Bow (v)
To bend your head or body forward, especially as a way of showing someone respect or expressing thanks to people who have watched you perform:
They bowed to the Queen.
We bowed our heads in prayer.
He bowed down (= very low) before (= in front of) the king and begged for mercy.
Amateur (adj)
Taking part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job:
an amateur astronomer/boxer/historian
He was an amateur singer until the age of 40, when he turned professional.
Relating to an activity, especially a sport, where the people taking part do not receive money:
amateur athletics
Wanting (adj)
Not having something; lacking:
I think she’s perhaps a little wanting in charm.
Wanting (n)
Desire.
There is something strange about his wanting to play villains.
Forthcoming (adj)
[before noun] happening soon:
We have just received the information about the forthcoming conference.
Friendly and helpful, willing to give information or to talk:
I had difficulty getting any details. He wasn’t very forthcoming.
Ageing (adj)
› Relating to getting older:
the ageing process
› Used to describe a person or thing that is getting old:
an ageing Hollywood actor
ageing computers/machinery
Chant (v)
› To repeat or sing a word or phrase continuously:
The crowd were chanting the team’s name.
Demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans in the square.
› To sing a religious prayer or song to a simple tune:
We could hear the monks chanting.
Clap (v)
To clap your hands repeatedly to show that you like or admire someone or have enjoyed a performance:
The audience clapped and cheered when she stood up to speak.
We all clapped his performance enthusiastically.
Encore (v)
An extra song or piece of music that is performed at the end of a show because the audience shouts for it:
We were shouting for an encore.
They did a few old hits as/for an encore.
Purist (n)
Someone who believes in and follows very traditional rules or ideas in a subject:
Although purists may object to split infinitives, like “to boldly go”, the fact is, they are commonly used.
Purists eat smoked salmon with nothing more than lemon and black pepper.
Purism (n)
Get into sb
If you do not know what has got into someone, you do not understand why they are behaving strangely:
I can’t think what’s got into him. He doesn’t usually make such a fuss.
Get going/moving (informal)
To start to go or move:
We’d better get moving or we’ll be late.
Unseemly (adj)
Not seemly (= socially suitable and polite)
Unseemliness (n)
Innovative (adj)
New and exciting
Cross-cultural (adj)
Involving aspects from different cultures
Top-notch (adj)
Of very good quality
Groundbreaking (adj)
Trying sth new that no one has tried before
Disparate (adj)
Very different from each other
Indefinable (adj)
Also undefinable
Difficult to explain or define
Sublime (adj)
Very beautiful
Team up (phrasal verb)
To join another person, or form a group with other people, in order to do something together:
They teamed up for a charity performance.
He teamed up with a group of English musicians.
Forte (n)
A strong ability, something that a person can do well:
I’m afraid sewing isn’t one of my fortes.
Entity (n)
Something that exists apart from other things, having its own independent existence:
The museums work closely together, but are separate legal entities.
He regarded the north of the country as a separate cultural entity.
Vicinity (n)
The immediately surrounding area:
There are several hotels in the immediate vicinity of the station.
Whereabouts (n)
The place where a person or thing is:
Trupin is thought to be in the Caribbean, although his exact whereabouts are/is a mystery.
Whereabouts (adv)
In what part or area:
Whereabouts in Madrid do you live?
Whereabouts is your office, then?
Precinct (n)
> UK A part of a city or a town in which vehicles are not allowed, used for a special purpose, such as shopping:
a shopping precinct
a pedestrian precinct
> The area that surrounds a building or place, especially one with a wall around it:
A tunnel entrance was found within the precincts of the prison camp.
> US A division of a city or a town, especially an area protected by a particular unit of the police or a division used for voting purposes:
The voter turnout in most precincts is expected to be high.
Man (v)
To man something such as a machine or vehicle is to be present in order to operate it:
The phones are manned 24 hours a day.
Barricades were erected against the advancing government troops and they were manned throughout the night.
Man the pumps!
Mislay (v) [mislaid, mislaid]
To lose something temporarily by forgetting where you have put it:
Could I borrow a pen? I seem to have mislaid mine.
Floodlight (n) [usually plural]
A large, powerful electric light used for lighting outside areas, such as sports fields or buildings, in the dark:
This evening’s match will be played under floodlights.
Blaze (n)
A large, strong fire:
Firefighters took two hours to control the blaze.
So-called (adj)
Used to show that you think a word that is used to describe someone or something is not suitable or not correct:
It was one of his so-called friends who supplied him with the drugs that killed him.
Used to introduce a new word or phrase that is not yet known by many people:
It isn’t yet clear how dangerous these so-called “super-rats” are.
Distance learning (n)
A way of studying, especially for a degree, where you study mostly at home, receiving and sending off work by post or over the Internet.
Recall (v)
> To bring the memory of a past event into your mind, and often to give a description of what you remember:
The old man recalled the city as it had been before the war.
“As I recall,” he said with some irritation, “you still owe me €150.”
[+ (that)] He recalled (that) he had sent the letter over a month ago.
[+ question word] Can you recall what happened last night?
[+ -ing verb] She recalled seeing him outside the shop on the night of the robbery.
› To cause you to think of a particular event, situation, or style:
His paintings recall the style of Picasso.
In broad daylight
If a crime is committed in broad daylight, it happens during the day, when it could have been seen and prevented:
Thieves had broken into the house in broad daylight.
Threefold (adj)
› Three times as big or as much:
A threefold increase
› Having three parts:
A threefold classification
Threefold (adv)
By three times:
Prices have risen threefold.
Alongside (preposition, adverb)
Next to, or together with:
A car pulled up alongside (ours).
The new pill will be used alongside existing medicines.
Most of the staff refused to work alongside the new team.
The UK fought alongside France, Turkey, and Sardinia during the Crimean War.
Textile (n) /ˈtek.staɪl
A cloth made by hand or machine:
the textile industry
Foresight (n)
The ability to judge correctly what is going to happen in the future and plan your actions based on this knowledge:
She’d had the foresight to sell her apartment just before the housing market collapsed.
On the wane
Becoming less strong, powerful, popular, etc.:
There are signs that support for the party is on the wane.
Depletion (n)
A reduction in something:
the depletion of the ozone layer
Increased expenditure has caused a depletion in our capital/funds.
Hype (n)
A situation in which something is advertised and discussed in newspapers, on television, etc. a lot in order to attract everyone’s interest:
media hype
There’s been a lot of hype around/surrounding his latest film.
I’ve been put off reading the book by all the hype.
Entourage (n) /ˈɒn.tʊ.rɑːʒ/
The group of people who travel with and work for an important or famous person:
The star arrived in London with her usual entourage of dancers and backing singers.
Begrudge (v)
› To feel unhappy because someone has something that you think they do not deserve:
[+ two objects] I don’t begrudge him his freedom.
› To feel unhappy about spending money on something or spending time doing something:
They begrudged every day they had to stay with their father.
[+ -ing verb] She begrudged paying so much for an ice cream cone.
Hats off to sb (OF)
Said to praise and thank someone for doing something helpful:
Hats off to Connie for finding such a splendid venue for a party!
Mod cons [pl. inf.]
The machines and devices, such as washing machines and fridges, that make the ordinary jobs in a home easier:
The kitchen is fully equipped with all mod cons including a dishwasher.
Spring to mind
To come quickly into your mind:
Say the word “Australia” and a vision of beaches and blue seas immediately springs to mind.
Newcomer (n)
Someone who has recently arrived in a place or recently become involved in an activity:
We’re relative newcomers to the town.
The newcomer on the radio scene is a commercial station devoted to classical music.
Shortcoming (n)
A fault or a failure to reach a particular standard:
Whatever his shortcomings as a husband, he was a good father to his children.
Like any political system, it has its shortcomings.
Collocations and set phrases
Rapid advance in: collocation Composition of a population Attractive option: collocation In the vicinity of: set phrase To fit in with To grow in popularity To be deprived of To become evident that Readily accessible: collocation A wide audience: collocation To be provided with
Tie the knot
To get married (Inf)
Cut sb short
To stop someone from talking before they have finished what they were saying:
He started to explain, but she cut him short.
Ratty (adj)
Feeling annoyed:
She was a bit ratty with me this morning.
Lorry (n)
A truck noun:
An articulated lorry
A long-distance lorry driver
Lasting (adj)
continuing to exist for a long time or for ever:
Few observers believe that the treaty will bring a lasting peace to the region.
Did any of your teachers make a lasting impression on you?
The tablets make you feel better for a while but the effect isn’t (long-)lasting.
Captivate (v)
To hold the attention of someone by being extremely interesting, exciting, pleasant, or attractive:
With her beauty and charm, she captivated film audiences everywhere.
Captivating (adj)
A captivating performance
Let sb down
To disappoint someone by failing to do what you agreed to do or were expected to do:
You will be there tomorrow - you won’t let me down, will you?
When I was sent to prison, I really felt I had let my parents down.
Maternity leave (n)
A period in which a woman is legally allowed to be absent from work in the weeks before and after she gives birth
Box office (n)
A measure of how popular and financially successful a film or actor is:
Her last movie was a surprise box-office hit.
Rueful (adj)
Feeling sorry and wishing that something had not happened:
He turned away with a rueful laugh. Rueful grin
Ruefully (adv)
Tantrum (n)
A sudden period of uncontrolled anger like a young child’s:
Johnny had/threw a tantrum in the shop because I wouldn’t buy him any sweets.
If she doesn’t get her own way she has temper tantrums.
Bounce sth off sb
If you bounce something off someone, you tell someone about an idea or plan in order to find out what they think of it:
Can I bounce a couple of ideas off you?
Keep your/an eye on sth/sb
To watch or take care of something or someone:
Will you keep your eye on my suitcase while I go to get the tickets?
Pull in the same direction
Collocation
Life-long dream
Collocation
Animatedly (adv)
Full of interest and energy
Ill-timed (adj)
Done or made at a wrong or unsuitable time:
an ill-timed comment
Big time (adv)
If you do something big time, you do it to a great degree:
“How was the interview?” “Terrible, I messed up big time.”
Chrissy’s into skiing big time (= likes skiing a lot).
Big time (n) [Informal]
The big time
The state of being famous or successful:
She finally hit the big time (= became famous or successful) with her latest novel.
You’ve really made the big time now (= become famous or successful).
Big time (adj)
Highest or most successful:
Steve Largent was regarded as Seattle’s first big-time football star.
Experience different cultures
Collocation
Turn to (informal)
Rely on (formal)
Get so much out of
Benefit greatly from
With the best of intentions
Set phrase
Take into consideration
Collocation
Give/lend me a hand
[=help] Collocation
It does not make any/much difference to me…
Set phrase
It does not make any/much difference to me…
Set phrase
Outer (adj)
At a greater distance from the centre:
Outer London
The outer lane of the motorway
Outer branches
For the time being
For a limited period:
Leave the ironing for the time being - I’ll do it later.
Conjurer (n) [also conjuror]
A person who performs magic to entertain people
Conjurer (n) [also conjuror]
A person who performs magic to entertain people
Wedding rings
Collocation
Fist (n)
A hand with the fingers and thumb held tightly in:
She clenched her fists.
Protestors were shaking their fists at the soldiers.
Deceive yourself
To refuse to accept the truth:
She thinks he’ll come back, but she’s deceiving herself.
Deceit (n)
(an act of) keeping the truth hidden, especially to get an advantage:
The story is about theft, fraud, and deceit on an incredible scale.
When the newspapers published the full story, all his earlier deceits were revealed.
Deceitful (adj)
Deceitfully (adv)
Deceitfulness (n)
Long since
Collocation
Bump into sb
To meet someone you know when you have not planned to meet them:
We bumped into Amy when we were in town last week.
Jackpot (n)
The largest prize in a competition or game:
The jackpot was over $1 million.
Hit the jackpot
› to win the largest prize in a competition or game
› to have a big success or make a big profit, usually through luck:
He seems to have hit the jackpot with his new invention.
Jackpot (n)
The largest prize in a competition or game:
The jackpot was over $1 million.
Hit the jackpot
› to win the largest prize in a competition or game
› to have a big success or make a big profit, usually through luck:
He seems to have hit the jackpot with his new invention.
Strike a chord
If something strikes a chord, it causes people to approve of it or agree with it:
The party’s policy on childcare facilities has struck a responsive chord with women voters.
Her speech struck a sympathetic chord among business leaders.
› If something strikes a chord, it causes people to remember something else because it is similar to it.
Strike a chord
If something strikes a chord, it causes people to approve of it or agree with it:
The party’s policy on childcare facilities has struck a responsive chord with women voters.
Her speech struck a sympathetic chord among business leaders.
› If something strikes a chord, it causes people to remember something else because it is similar to it.
On hand
( UK also to hand)
Near to someone or something, and ready to help or be used if necessary:
A 1,200-strong military force will be on hand to monitor the ceasefire.
For those of you who don’t have an atlas to hand, Newcastle is a city in the northeast of England.
Mislead (misled)
To cause someone to believe something that is not true:
He has admitted misleading the police about his movements on the night of the murder.
People should not be misled by behaviour such as ….
Win sb’s trust
Collocation
Have one foot in the grave [Humorous]
To be very old and near death
Have/keep your feet on the ground
also have both feet on the ground
To be very practical and see things as they really are
Preposition used with the verb “replace”
With. e.g.: The factory replaced most of its workers with robots.
Get a/your foot in the door
To enter a business or organization at a low level, but with a chance of being more successful in the future:
Making contacts can help you get a foot in the door when it comes to getting a job.
Stampede (n) [stæmˈpiːd]
An occasion when many large animals or many people suddenly all move quickly and in an uncontrolled way, usually in the same direction at the same time, especially because of fear:
Two shoppers were injured in the stampede as shop doors opened on the first day of the sale.
Wave of optimism
Collocation
Vocabulary - Review
Epic: a film that tells a long story about brave actions and exciting events.
Scene: a single piece of action that happens in one place
Location: a place away from a film studio where scenes are filmed
Plot: the events that form the main story of a film
Score: music written specially for the film
Soundtrack: the recorded music from a film
Screenplay: the words that are written down for actors to say in a film, and the instructions that tell them what they should do
Adaptation: a film that is based on a book or play
Background: the situation or events that explain why something happens in the way that is does
Close-up: a shot in which the camera seems to be very near
Womb /wuːm/ [synonym: uterus]
The organ in the body of a woman or other female mammal in which a baby develops before birth:
Researchers are looking at how a mother’s health can affect the baby in the womb.
Making uncountable nouns countable
A shred of evidence A pinch of salt A drop of rain A piece of information A slice of toast A bit of support A hint of anger A heap of clothes
Be ill at ease
To be worried and not relaxed:
He seemed ill at ease and not his usual self.
Make sth/sb of sth/sb
To have an impression or an understanding about something:
Can you make anything of this information?
What do you make of the new boss? (= What is your impression of her?)
I don’t know what to make of it.
What did you make of the film? I was bored to tears
To receive a standing ovation
Set phrase
Scrutiny (n)
The careful and detailed examination of something in order to get information about it:
The government’s record will be subjected to/come under (close) scrutiny in the weeks before the election.
Scrutinise (v)
Eye shadow
A coloured cream or powder that is put around the eyes to make them look larger or more attractive
Religious convictions
Political beliefs
Collocation
Untrue (adj)
Not true; false
Stand up for sth/sb (also stick up for sth/sb)
To defend or support a particular idea or a person who is being criticized or attacked:
It’s high time we all stood up for our rights around here.
Don’t be bullied, learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe in.
Sometimes you have to stand up for your principles.
Draw (v)
> To attract attention or interest:
He’s an excellent speaker who always draws a crowd.
Could I draw your attention to item number three on the agenda?
UK Does he wear those ridiculous clothes to draw attention to himself?
> Draw sb’s eye(s)
To attract someone’s attention:
Her eyes were immediately drawn to the tall blond man standing at the bar.
Expressions:
- To play a joke on someone
- To get the wrong side of someone
- To take someone/thing at face value (is to accept it as it is, without looking for hidden meaning)
- To feel sorry for someone
- To have power over someone
- To take someone far (is to help them to be successful)
Different forms of protest:
- Signing a petition
- Handing out leaflets
- Holding a meeting
- Taking part in a march
- Writing in to a newspaper
To have an influence ____ somebody/sth
On
To have a say ____ somebody/sth
In
Staff should have a say in a company is run.
To change people’s mind ___ somebody/sth
About
To put forward/suggest your views ___ somebody/sth
On
To express your opinion ___ somebody/sth
On
To generate publicity ___ somebody/sth
For
To put pressure ___ somebody/sth
On
Rail workers are trying to put pressure on the government by going on strike
To (make someone) back ___ on sth
Down
To force people to come ___ a compromise ___ sth
To; about
To contribute ___ sth
To
Burden (n)
A heavy load that you carry:
The little donkey struggled under its heavy burden.
Something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about:
the burden of responsibility
My elderly mother worries that she’s a burden to me.
Buying a house often places a large financial burden on young couples.
Rub shoulders (with) (US also rub elbows (with)) informal
To meet and spend time with someone:
She claims that she rubs shoulders with royalty all the time.
Bear sb/sth out
To support the truth of something:
His version of events just isn’t borne out by the facts.
If you tell them what happened I will bear you out (on it).
Fob sb off
To persuade someone to accept something that is of a low quality or different from what they really wanted:
Well, he wants the report ready by tomorrow but I can always fob him off with some excuse.
Thin-skinned (adj)
Easily hurt by criticism or easily made unhappy
Opposite: thick-skinned
Wear sb down
To make someone feel tired and less able to deal successfully with a situation:
Both sides are trying to wear the other down by being obstinate in the negotiations.
All the stress and extra travel is beginning to wear him down.
Let/blow off steam
To do or say something that helps you to get rid of strong feelings or energy:
He lifts weights after work to let off steam.
Boil down to sth
If a situation or problem boils down to something, that is the main reason for it:
The problem boils down to one thing - lack of money.
Literal meaning:
Spinach tends to boil down a lot
Knuckle down
To start working or studying hard:
You’re going to have to really knuckle down (to your work) if you want to pass your final exams.
Drift off
To gradually start to sleep:
I couldn’t help drifting off in the middle of that lecture - it was so boring!
Get sth across
To manage to make someone understand or believe something:
We tried to get our point across, but he just wouldn’t listen.
This is the message that we want to get across to the public.
Hear sb out
To listen to someone until said everything they want to say:
At least hear me out before making up your mind.
Splash out (sth)
To spend a lot of money on buying things, especially things that are pleasant to have but that you do not need:
They splashed out £3,000 on a holiday.
Put your thinking cap on
To think seriously about sth
Teacher’s pet
A student who is favoured by the tutor
Bookworm
A person who reads a lot
Mindless (adj)
› Stupid and meaning nothing:
The film is full of mindless violence.
pop songs with mindless lyrics
› Not needing much mental effort:
It’s fairly mindless work - opening mail and keying data into a computer.
Mindlessly (adv)
Mindlessness (n)
Straightforward (adj)
> Easy to understand or simple:
Just follow the signs to Bradford - it’s very straightforward.
> (of a person) Honest and not likely to hide their opinions:
Roz is straightforward and lets you know what she’s thinking.
Straightforwardly (adv)
Put sb through
To connect a person using a phone to the person they want to speak to:
Could you put me through to customer services, please?
Get around to sth
To do something that you have intended to do for a long time:
I still haven’t got around to fixing that tap.
We need to get around to closing those windows.
Get along with
Means that you have a good relationship with someone. For example:
I get along with my sister very well.
I didn’t use to get along with Jack but now he’s my best friend.
Spelling changes
Thief -> theft Deep -> depth Broad -> breadth Choose -> choice Die -> death Fly -> flight Long -> length Prove -> proof Strong -> strength Succeed -> success
Responsible ____
For
Inseparable ____
From
Protective ____
Towards
Enthralled/to be engrossed ___
By
Furious ___
With
Devoted ___
To
Resentful ___
Towards
To harbour resentment ___ sb
Towards
To bear resentment ___ sb
Against
Tenderness (n)
“Ternura”
Closeness (n)
The quality of knowing someone very well, liking them a lot, and wanting to spend a lot of time together:
A special closeness is supposed to exist between twins.
Scruffy (adj)
Untidy and dirty:
They live in a rather scruffy part of town.
a small, scruffy-looking man
Scruffily (adv)
Join up
If you join up, you become a member of one of the armed forces:
“Have you been in the army for a long time?” “I joined up as soon as I’d left school.”
Appraise (v)
To examine someone or something in order to judge their qualities, success, or needs:
At the end of each teaching practice, trainee teachers are asked to appraise their own performance.
In cooperation with other professionals, social workers will appraise the individual’s needs.
He coolly appraised the situation, deciding which person would be most likely to succeed.
› US ( Uk value) to give a judgment about how much money something might be sold for:
The ring was appraised at $40,000.
Appraisee (n, p)
Appraisal (n, u)
Single sb/sth out
To choose one person or thing from a group for special attention, especially criticism or praise:
It’s not fair the way my sister is always singled out for special treatment.
Jamie was thrilled when the teacher singled out his poem and asked him to read it out.
Foolhardy (adj)
Brave in a silly way, taking unnecessary risks:
a foolhardy decision
Sailing the Atlantic in such a tiny boat wasn’t so much brave as foolhardy.
It would be foolhardy to try and predict the outcome of the talks at this stage.
Disruptive (adj)
Causing trouble and therefore stopping something from continuing as usual:
His teacher described him as a noisy, disruptive influence in class.
Disruptively (adv)
Assert (v)
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.
Do away with sth
To get rid of something or stop using something:
These ridiculous rules and regulations should have been done away with years ago.
Computerization has enabled us to do away with a lot of paperwork.
How could they do away with a beautiful old building like that and put a car park there instead?
Come away
If something comes away from something else, it becomes separated from it:
I just opened the drawer as usual and the handle came away in my hand.
The paper has started to come away from the walls.
Laid-back (adj)
Relaxed in manner and character; not usually worried about other people’s behaviour or things that need to be done:
I’ve never seen her worried or anxious in any way - she’s so laid-back.
A laid-back attitude
Have two left feet (humorous)
To move in a very awkward way when dancing:
When we danced together, I discovered he had two left feet.
Stand on your own (two) feet - Informal
To be able to provide all of the things you need for living without help from anyone else:
She’ll have to get a job and learn to stand on her own two feet sooner or later.
To ____ conclusions (collocation)
Draw
To consider the facts of a situation and make a decision about what is true, correct, likely to happen, etc.:
I’d seen them together so often, I drew the logical conclusion that they were husband and wife.
What conclusions do you draw from the fact that sales have fallen over the past 4 months?
Out of pocket
If you are ‘out of pocket’ you have experienced a financial loss.
I sold the bike for almost as much as I paid for it so I’m not out of pocket.
Money’s worth
If you ‘get your money’s worth’ you get good value for your money.
I think I got my money’s worth by buying the camera online. You’d pay much more in the high street.
Come clean
To tell the truth about something that you have been keeping secret:
I thought it was time to come clean (with everybody) about what I’d been doing.
Whoever stole my body wash better come clean!
Come clean about/on/over: It is time for the Republicans to come clean on their plans for new taxes.
Come clean with: It was time to come clean with my mother.
Cast verb (THROW)
Literary to throw something:
The knight cast the sword far out into the lake.
To cast a spell.
In the story ‘Sleeping Beauty’ the witch casts a spell on the princess and sends her to sleep for a hundred years.
Spell noun [C] (MAGIC)
Spoken words that are thought to have magical power, or (the condition of being under) the influence or control of such words:
The witch cast/put a spell on the prince and he turned into a frog.
A beautiful girl would have to kiss him to break (= stop) the spell.
Sleeping Beauty lay under the wicked fairy’s spell until the prince woke her with a kiss.
Whereby (adv, conj)
> By which way or method:
They’ve set up a plan whereby you can spread the cost over a period.
We need to devise some sort of system whereby people can liaise with each other.
›Not standard in which, or with which:
It’s put me in a position whereby I can’t afford to take a job.
Glance (n)
> A quick short look:
She took/cast a glance at her watch.
> At a glance
Immediately:
He could tell at a glance that something was wrong.
> At first glance
When first looking:
At first glance I thought it was a dog (but I was mistaken).
People faced ___ change respond…
By/With
This is one of the many problems faced by working mothers.
Passengers could face long delays.
You’re faced with a very difficult choice there.
Dissimilar (=different) ___ sth/sb
To
Turn (sth) over
To change to a different television station:
This programme’s boring - can I turn over to BBC2?
In the light of sth
UK (US in light of sth)
Because of:
In the light of recent incidents, we are asking our customers to take particular care of their personal belongings.
Amok (adv)
Run amok
To be out of control and act in a wild or dangerous manner:
The soldiers ran amok after one of their senior officers was killed.
The two dogs ran amok in a school playground.
Gusto (n)
Great energy, enthusiasm, and enjoyment that is experienced by someone taking part in an activity, especially a performance:
Everyone joined in the singing with great gusto.
Wretched (adj)
Wretched adjective (BAD QUALITY)
Unpleasant or of low quality:
a wretched childhood
The house was in a wretched state.
Wretched adjective (FEELING BAD) Very ill or very unhappy: I think I must be coming down with flu - I've been feeling wretched all day.
Wretched adjective (ANNOYING)
Used to express anger when something annoying happens:
My wretched car’s broken down again.
wretchedness (n)
Pull through (sth)
To become well again after a serious illness, especially when you might have died:
They said the operation had been successful and they expected his wife to pull through.
Unrepeatable (adj)
Rude or
Cannot happen again
The author ____ the book to her parents. The message is printed on the inside cover.
Dedicate
In bulk
In large amounts.
The office buys paper in bulk to keep down costs.
Down-to-earth (adj)
Practical, reasonable, and friendly:
She’s a down-to-earth woman with no pretensions.
Neighbourly (adj)
Friendly or helpful to your neighbours:
It was very neighbourly of you to do her shopping for her.
Neighbourliness (n)
Aesthetic (adj)
› Relating to the enjoyment or study of beauty:
The new building has little aesthetic value/appeal.
› An aesthetic object or a work of art is one that shows great beauty:
furniture that is both aesthetic and functional
Aesthetically (adv)
Bit by bit
Gradually:
I saved up the money bit by bit.
Frenzy (n)
(an example of) uncontrolled and excited behaviour or emotion that is sometimes violent:
In a frenzy of rage she hit him.
the media frenzy over the royal wedding
The audience worked/whipped themselves up into a frenzy as they waited for her to come on stage.
There was a frenzy of activity on the financial markets yesterday.
In a moment of jealous frenzy, she cut the sleeves off all his shirts.
It’s hard to ____ the balance between work and life.
Strike
To ____ healthy lifestyle
Promote
They have ____ to reduce the number of smoking-related illness within ten years.
Pledged
To _____ a policy
Implement
To _____ people’s right
Preserve
Everything government does to ___smoking reduce the income they receive from tax on cigarettes.
Curb (to control or limit something that is not wanted)
The government should act to curb tax evasion.
Expressions related to love
Got it really bad: to be very much in love [estar super apaixonado]
Smitten: having suddenly started to like or love something or someone very much [apaixonado]
Loved up: feeling full of romantic love for someone [perdidamente apaixonado]
Two-time: If you two-time your partner, you secretly have a romantic relationship with someone else.[enganar, trair]
Munch (v)
To eat something, especially noisily:
He was munching on an apple.
We watched her munch her way through two packets of peanuts.
Nibble (away) at sth
To slowly reduce something:
Even when inflation is low, it nibbles away at people’s savings, reducing their value considerably over several years.
Ordeal (n)
A very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience:
The hostages’ ordeal came to an end when soldiers stormed the building.
Goddess (n)
A female god.
Turn your nose up
To not accept something because you do not think it is good enough for you:
They turned their noses up at the only hotel that was available.
Word family (Hesitate)
Hesitantly (adv) Nonhesitant (adj) Non hesitantly (adv) Unhesitant (adj) Unhesitantly (adv) Hesitation (n, pause) Hesitancy (n) Hesitant (adj)
Indigenous people have been displaced to ____ way for hotels and golf courses.
Make
Come in
To receive criticism or blame for something
She came in for a lot of criticism for not turning up for the meeting last week.
You’ll be _____ the law if you try to take that much money out of the country
Breaking
Mouthpiece (n)
The part of the phone that you speak into
Somebody from the audience shouted out, and the speaker was forced to stop in ____ (in the middle of).
Mid-sentence
Lengthy
Continuing for a long time:
A lengthy discussion/process
Many airline passengers face lengthy delays because of the strike.
Wide
High
Strength
Width
Height
Strengthen/Strengthening
Be plain sailing
UK ( US also be smooth sailing)
To be easy and without problems:
The roads were busy as we drove out of town, but after that it was plain sailing.
Dead air
A period of silence during a radio or television broadcast that is not intended
Nod (v)
To move your head down and then up, sometimes several times, especially to show agreement, approval, or greeting, or to show something by doing this:
Many people in the audience nodded in agreement.
When I suggested a walk, Elena nodded enthusiastically.
She looked up and nodded for me to come in.
In excess of
More than:
Last year he earned in excess of $3 million.
The Fund will not borrow money in excess of one-third of the value of its net assets.
Ingenious (adj)
(of a person) very intelligent and skilful, or (of a thing) skilfully made or planned and involving new ideas and methods:
an ingenious idea/method/solution
Johnny is so ingenious - he can make the most remarkable sculptures from the most ordinary materials.
Ingeniously (adv)
Fall through
To fail to happen:
We found a buyer for our house, but then the sale fell through.
Hint (n)
Something that you say or do that shows, but not directly, what you think or want:
[+ that] He’s dropped (= given) several hints to the boss that he’ll quit if he doesn’t get a promotion.
Did she give you any hints about where she was going?
You can’t take (= understand) a hint, can you? Just go away and leave me alone!
Hobbyist (n)
Someone who does something as a hobby:
A computer hobbyist
Give sth off
To produce heat, light, a smell, or a gas:
That tiny radiator doesn’t give off much heat.
Stretch out (v)
To make a process or task continue for a longer period of time than was originally planned:
I’d like to stretch my mortgage payments out over a longer period if possible.
Withstand (v)
To bear or not be changed by something, or to oppose a person or thing successfully:
a bridge designed to withstand earthquakes
Our toys are designed to withstand the rough treatment of the average five-year-old.
The aircraft base is protected with specially designed shelters which are built to withstand ground and air attacks.
She is an artist whose work will undoubtedly withstand the test of time (= it will still be popular in the future).
Take sb/sth to task (over sth)
To criticize a person, group of people, or an organization for doing something that you think is very wrong:
Farmers took the large supermarket chains to task over their ruthless pricing.
Scare sb away/off
To make someone so worried about doing something that they decide not to do it:
If you charge as much as that, you’ll scare customers off.
Put sb away
› Informal - To move someone into a place where people live and are cared for together, such as a mental hospital or old people’s home:
In the past, people who suffered from schizophrenia were often put away.
› Slang - To send someone to prison:
After what he did, he deserves to be put away for life.
Withhold (v)
To refuse to give something or to keep back something:
to withhold information/support
During the trial, the prosecution was accused of withholding crucial evidence from the defence.
Police are withholding the dead woman’s name until her relatives have been informed.
She withheld her rent until the landlord agreed to have the repairs done.
The government is planning to withhold benefit payments from single mothers who refuse to name the father of their child.
Cotton on
To begin to understand a situation or fact:
I’d only just cottoned on to the fact that they were having a relationship.
Stand out
> To be very noticeable:
The black lettering really stands out on that orange background.
> 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.
Newsworthy (adj)
Interesting enough to be described in a news report:
Nothing newsworthy ever happens around here. It’s so boring.
Stride (v)
To walk somewhere quickly with long steps:
She strode purposefully up to the desk and demanded to speak to the manager.
He strode across/into/out of the room.
Trudge
To walk slowly with a lot of effort, especially over a difficult surface or while carrying something heavy:
We trudged back up the hill.
I’d had to trudge through the snow.
Trudge through sth [humorous]
To do work or a particular task slowly and with effort or difficulty:
I spent the whole weekend trudging through this report, and I still haven’t finished reading it.
Apply yourself
If you apply yourself to something, you work hard at it, directing your abilities and efforts in a determined way so that you succeed:
You can solve any problem if you apply yourself.
…he realised he’d have to apply himself to learning long lists of characters.
Archaeological (adj)
Involving or relating to archaeology:
an archaeological dig/excavation
an area/site of archaeological interest
Archaeologically (adv)
Go against the grain
If something goes against the grain, you would not usually do it because it would be unusual or morally wrong:
These days it goes against the grain to show respect for authority.
Deceive (v)
Followed by “into”
To persuade someone that something false is the truth, or to keep the truth hidden from someone for your own advantage:
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.
Shop around
To compare the price and quality of the same or a similar object in different shops before you decide which one to buy:
When you’re buying a flight, you should always shop around for the best deal.
Crash course (n)
A course that teaches you a lot of basic facts in a very short time:
I did/took a crash course in French before my trip to Paris.
Follow-up (n)
A further action connected with something that happened before:
This meeting is a follow-up to the one we had last month.
Be on the lookout for sth/sb
To search for something or someone:
I’m always on the lookout for interesting new recipes.
Don’t forget to wrap ____ warm when you go out. It’s freezing this morning. (put warm clothes on)
Up
Troublesome (adj)
Causing a lot of problems for someone:
Her hip has been troublesome for quite a while, and she’ll probably need surgery on it.
The negotiations have proven more troublesome than any of us expected.
Trouble-free
Troublemaker
Troublemaker (n)
Someone who intentionally causes problems for other people, especially people who are in a position of power or authority:
I was worried that I would be regarded as a troublemaker if I complained about the safety standards.
You always look so shy and uncomfortable at parties. Why don’t you just relax and ____ yourself go?
Let
At that time or at the time?
‘At that time’ refers back to a time that has been previously described:
‘He was born in 1825. At that time there were no cars.’
‘At the time’ refers directly to a specific time:
‘At the time he was born there were no cars.’
‘At the time’ is often used to describe a specific time with the past continuous.
‘She was watching TV at the time.’
…incorporated sth ___ the national diet
Into
Prior to sth
Before a particular time or event:
the weeks prior to her death
Taken all ___, these influences from abroad have made Thai cooking a strongly regional set of cuisines.
Over
Playful (adj)
Funny and not serious:
A playful exchange of insults
He was in a playful mood.
Playfully (adv)
Hold-up noun (CRIME)
An occasion when someone steals from someone else using violence or the threat of violence:
In the hold-up, a masked youth threatened the bank staff with a gun.
Phrasal verbs:
- Put off
- Call off
- Pulled apart
- Put in (We’ve had a second bathroom ____ for our guests to use)
- Be told off (tell sb off)
- Own up
- Be beaten up
- Tired out
- postpone
- Cancel
- Severely criticised
- Installed
- Reprimand
- Confess
- Assaulted
- Exhausted
Up for grabs
Available and ready to be won or taken:
There are hundreds of prizes up for grabs.
Straight face
A serious expression on your face that you use when you do not want someone to know that you think something is funny:
Blake looked ridiculous in leather trousers, and I was desperately trying to keep a straight face.
Lay sb off
To stop employing someone, usually because there is no work for them to do:
Because of falling orders, the company has been forced to lay off several hundred workers.
Make up your mind (also make your mind up)
To decide:
I haven’t made up my mind where to go yet.
Irrespective (adj)
Without considering; not needing to allow for:
The legislation must be applied irrespective of someone’s ethnic origins.
Comply (v)
To act according to an order, set of rules, or request:
He’s been ordered to have the dog destroyed because it’s dangerous, but he refuses to comply.
There are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.
They want us to book ___, which is fair enough
In advance
Beforehand
Before going
Keep your/an eye on sth/sb
To watch or take care of something or someone:
Will you keep your eye on my suitcase while I go to get the tickets?
Go according to plan
To happen in the way you intend:
Events of this type rarely go according to plan.
Iron sth out
To remove problems or find solutions:
We’re still trying to iron out some problems with the computer system.
We hope they can iron out their differences and get on with working together.
If anything goes wrong with the watch while it’s ____ guarantee I can get my money back.
Under
Interest/affect strongly
Grip (sb)
To keep someone’s attention completely:
This trial has gripped the whole nation.
I was gripped throughout the entire two hours of the film
Highly motivated
Driven (by/to -ing)
Strong desire/urge (to + inf.)
Compulsion (for/to + inf.)
Search (for)
Quest (for) [formal]
Collocations:
...because of the security risk To risk life and limb doing sth There is an element of risk in sth Risky business At your own risk Without a vaccination, you run the risk of catching measles.
Lose your head [informal]
To lose control and not act in a calm way:
He usually stays quite calm in meetings but this time he just lost his head.
Down-to-earth (adj)
Practical, reasonable, and friendly:
She’s a down-to-earth woman with no pretensions.
Break-in (n)
An occasion when a building is entered illegally by a criminal or criminals, usually by damaging a window or door, especially in order to steal something
Up-to-the-minute
Most recent; containing the most recent information:
Now we’re going live to our reporter in Washington for up-to-the-minute news on the crisis.
Homage (n)
Deep respect and often praise shown for a person or god:
On this occasion we pay homage to him for his achievements.
Come together
To start working successfully with each other:
I remember how the community came together and were so supportive of each other.
To ___ an ambition/a dream
Fulfil
To ___ an expectation
Meet
To ___ a goal
Achieve
Deceit (n)
(an act of) keeping the truth hidden, especially to get an advantage:
The story is about theft, fraud, and deceit on an incredible scale.
When the newspapers published the full story, all his earlier deceits were revealed.
Deceitful (adj) - e.g.: deceitful behaviour
Deceitfully (adv)
Deceitfulness (n)
Desert (v)
desert verb (LEAVE BEHIND)
› To leave someone without help or in a difficult situation and not come back:
He deserted his wife and family for another woman.
› If a quality deserts you, you suddenly and temporarily lose it:
All my confidence/courage deserted me when I walked into the exam.
Prey on sb’s mind
If a problem preys on your mind, you think about it and worry about it a lot:
I lost my temper with her the other day and it’s been preying on my mind ever since.
A load/weight off your mind
An occasion when a problem that has been worrying you stops or is dealt with:
I’m so relieved that I don’t have to make a speech - it’s such a weight off my mind!
Elated (adj)
Extremely happy and excited, often because something has happened or been achieved:
The prince was reported to be elated at/by the birth of his daughter.
Speaks for itself
If something speaks for itself, it is clear and needs no further explanation:
The school’s excellent record speaks for itself.
Spare a thought for sb
To think about someone who is in a difficult or unpleasant situation:
Spare a thought for me tomorrow, when you’re lying on a beach, because I’ll still be here in the office!
Make up for sth
To take the place of something lost or damaged or to compensate for something bad with something good:
No amount of money can make up for the death of a child.
This year’s good harvest will make up for last year’s bad one.
[+ -ing verb] He bought me dinner to make up for being so late the day before.
Come down to sth
If a situation or decision comes down to something, that is the thing that influences it most:
What it all comes down to is your incredible insecurity.
It all comes down to money in the end.
[+ question word] Eventually our choice of hotel will come down to how much we can afford.
› If a situation or problem comes down to something, it can be described or explained most simply in that way:
What the problem comes down to is whether the consumer will be willing to pay more for a higher quality product.
Go in for sth
› To do something regularly, or to enjoy something:
I’ve never really gone in for classical music, but I love jazz.
› To take part in a competition:
Are you planning to go in for the 100 metres race?
Club together
If a group of people club together, they share the cost of something between them:
If we club together, we’ll be able to get her the complete dinner set.
Beside the point
Not important or not related to the subject being discussed:
The fact that he doesn’t want to come is beside the point - he should have been invited.
Complementary (adj)
Useful or attractive together:
Complementary colours/flavours/skills
My family and my job both play an important part in my life, fulfilling separate but complementary needs.
Complimentary (adj)
Praising or expressing admiration for someone:
The reviews of his latest film have been highly complimentary.
She wasn’t very complimentary about your performance, was she?
Our guests said some very complimentary things about the meal I’d cooked.
Stationary (adj)
Not moving, or not changing:
A stationary car/train
The traffic got slower and slower until it was stationary.
The rate of inflation has been stationary for several months.
Stationery (adj)
› The things needed for writing, such as paper, pens, pencils, and envelopes
› Good quality paper for writing letters on and matching envelopes
Idle (adj)
› Not working or being used:
Half these factories now stand idle.
It’s crazy to have £7,000 sitting idle in the bank.
› 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.
› Without work:
Almost half of the workforce are now idle.
Miner (n)
A person who works in a mine:
A coal miner
Thorough (adj)
› Detailed and careful:
a thorough revision of the manuscript
They did a thorough search of the area but found nothing.
› Complete, very great, or very much:
It was a thorough waste of time.
thoroughness
Grant (v)
› To give or allow someone something, usually in an official way:
They granted her an entry visa.
He was granted asylum.
formal She granted their request/wish.
› Take sth for granted
To believe something to be the truth without even thinking about it:
I didn’t realize that Melanie hadn’t been to college - I suppose I just took it for granted.
› Take sth or sb for granted
If you take situations or people for granted, you do not realize or show that you are grateful for how much you get from them:
One of the problems with relationships is that after a while you just take each other for granted.
To ___ your duties
Fulfil
Up to speed
If you are up to speed with a subject or activity, you have all the latest information about it and are able to do it well:
We arranged for some home tutoring to get him up to speed with the other children in his class.
Before we start the meeting I’m going to bring you up to speed with the latest developments.
Set foot in somewhere
To go to a place:
He refuses to set foot in an art gallery.
Fit sth out
To supply someone or something with all of the things that will be needed:
The ship will be in dock for eight months to be fitted out for its new duties.
Likeable (adj)
A likeable person is pleasant and easy to like:
He’s a very likeable sort of bloke.
Be dying for/to do sth
To be extremely eager to have or do something:
I’m dying to hear your news.
I’m dying for something to eat.
Grudging (adj)
A grudging action or feeling is one that you do or have unwillingly:
She won the grudging respect of her boss.
Grudgingly (adv)
Synonym of “expensive”
Pricey/pricy
Costly
Dear
Synonym of “important”
Necessary
Required
Essential
Synonym of “unusual”
Bizarre
Weird
Strange
Synonym of “boring”
- Dull
- Tedious
- Dreary (boring and making you feel unhappy: a dreary little town. She had spent another dreary day in the office.)
Synonym of “ordinary”
Standard
Run-of-the-mill
Typical
Synonym of “solution”
Answer
Remedy
Way out
Synonym of “problem”
Hiccup
Difficulty
Hassle
Synonym of “effect”
Consequence
Implication
End result
Synonym of “plan”
Timetable
Schedule
Programme
Synonym of “reason”
Explanation
Motive
Justification
Synonym of “employ”
Hire
Take on
Contract
Synonym of “find out”
Check out
Investigate
Ascertain
Synonym of “repay”
Reimburse
Refund
Pay back
Synonym of “prevent”
Impede
Thwart
Obstruct
Synonym of “solve”
Put right
Remedy
Sort out
Well-off (adj)
Rich
Be made of money
To be rich
No, you can’t have another bike - I’m not made of money!
Be no laughing matter
To be very serious and not a situation that people should joke about:
Being arrested by the police is no laughing matter.
Be a matter of confidence, luck, waiting, etc.
If something is a matter of confidence, luck, waiting, etc. that is all you need for it to happen:
Baking a cake isn’t difficult - it’s just a matter of following the recipe.
To make matters worse
Used to say that something has made a bad or difficult situation worse:
Three of our players were ill, and to make matters worse, our main scorer had broken his ankle.
Turn sth around
UK also turn sth round
To change an unsuccessful business, plan, or system so that it becomes successful:
The new management team turned the ailing company around in under six months.
Sorry, but you’ll have to speak up. I’m rather ___ of hearing.
Hard
Tie sb down [informal]
(LIMIT)
› To limit someone’s freedom:
He’s tied down by having to work every Saturday.
We’d like to travel more, but having children at school really ties us down.
(GET DECISION)
› To make someone give you a clear decision:
I’ll try to tie her down on her plans.
Bite off more than you can chew [informal]
To try to do something that is too difficult for you:
We bit off more than we could chew in our original reform proposals.
Absorbing (adj)
Something that is absorbing is very interesting and keeps your attention:
I read her last novel and found it very absorbing.
Bog down someone/something
To prevent someone or something from moving on or progressing:
He’s a big-picture leader and doesn’t get bogged down in the details.
Put sth down to sth
To think that a problem or situation is caused by a particular thing:
I put the children’s bad behaviour down to the fact that they were tired.
Belittle (v)
To make a person or an action seem as if he, she or it is not important:
Though she had spent hours fixing the computer, he belittled her efforts.
Stop belittling yourself - your work is highly valued.
Inadvisable (adj)
Unwise and likely to have unwanted results and therefore worth avoiding:
Skiing is inadvisable if you have a weak heart.
It is inadvisable to generalize from the results of a single experiment.
The likes of sb/sth
A person, thing, or group similar in character or quality to the one mentioned:
Boxing hasn’t seen the likes of Muhammad Ali since he retired.
He was a very great actor - we won’t see his like again.
He described a superlative meal, the like of which he’d never eaten before.
They’re competing with the likes of Microsoft.
In preference to sth
› If you choose one thing in preference to another thing, you choose it because you like or want it more than the other thing:
He studied chemistry in preference to physics at university.
Flood noun (LARGE AMOUNT)
A large amount or number of something:
A flood of cheap imports has come into the country.
Put sth on (PRODUCE)
[Mainly UK] To produce or provide something, especially for the good of other people or for a special purpose:
She put on a wonderful meal for us.
They’ve put on a late-night bus service for students.
Backing noun (SUPPORT)
Support, especially money, that someone gives to a person or plan:
If I go ahead with the plan, can I count on your backing?
Outwit (v)
To get an advantage over someone by acting more cleverly and often by using a trick:
In the story, the cunning fox outwits the hunters.
Storm in a teacup
UK ( US tempest in a teapot)
A lot of unnecessary anger and worry about a matter that is not important
Basis noun [C] (METHOD)
A way or method of doing something:
Most of our staff work for us on a voluntary basis (= they work without being paid).
Better off
› To have more money than you had in the past or more money than most other people:
Obviously we’re better off now that we’re both working.
When his parents died, he found himself $100,000 better off (= he had $100,000 more than before).
› To be in a better situation, if or after something happens:
He’d be better off working for a bigger company.
Reversal (n)
› The act of changing or making something change to its opposite:
He demanded a reversal of the previous decision/policy.
› A problem or failure:
We have suffered a couple of minor/temporary reversals.
Unstoppable (adj)
Unable to be stopped or prevented from developing:
The band has enjoyed a seemingly unstoppable rise in popularity.
The back of beyond [UK informal]
A place far away from any big town:
They live in some village in the back of beyond.
Befriend (v)
› To be friendly towards someone:
He was befriended by an old lady.
› Internet & telecoms to make someone your friend on a social networking website:
It is not advisable to befriend your boss, or your teacher.
Acquaint sb/yourself with sth [formal]
To make someone or yourself familiar with something:
Take time to acquaint yourself with the rules.
The Broadcasting Museum offers workshops to acquaint children with the world of radio.
Scholar (n)
A person who studies a subject in great detail, especially at a university:
a classics/history scholar
Dr Miles was a distinguished scholar of Russian history.
› informal someone who is clever or good at learning by studying:
David’s never been much of a scholar.
Scholarly (adj)
› Containing a serious, detailed study of a subject:
a scholarly article/book/work/journal
› A scholarly person studies a lot and knows a lot about what they study:
a scholarly young woman
Historian (n)
Someone who writes about or studies history
Hasty (adj)
› Hasty actions are done in a hurry, sometimes without the necessary care or thought:
He warned against making hasty decisions.
Now let’s not leap to any hasty conclusions.
We saw the rain and made a hasty retreat into the bar.
I think perhaps we were a little hasty in judging him.
Hastily (adv)
› “He looks good for his age. Not that 55 is old,” she hastily added.
Hastiness (n)
In a row
One after another without a break:
She’s been voted Best Actress three years in a row.
Remains (n) [plural]
› Pieces or parts of something that continue to exist when most of it has been used, destroyed, or taken away:
The remains of lunch were still on the table.
We visited the remains of a twelfth-century monastery.
human/sb’s remains formal
› Someone’s dead body or the remaining parts of it:
50 years after he died, his remains were returned to his homeland.
Human remains were found in the woods.
Stick to sth
› To limit yourself to doing or using one particular thing and not change to anything else:
Could you stick to the point, please?
We’d better stick to the main road, because the other roads are blocked with snow.
› If you stick to a law, rule, or promise, you obey it or do what it states:
If you make a promise, you should stick to it.
› US ( UK stick at sth) to continue trying hard to do something difficult:
You’ll never learn to play the piano if you’re not prepared to stick to it.
Fete (v)
To praise or welcome someone publicly because of their achievements:
She was feted by audiences both in her own country and abroad.
Of little/no consequence (also not of any/much consequence)
Not important:
The money was of little consequence to Tony.
Of little/no consequence (also not of any/much consequence)
Not important:
The money was of little consequence to Tony.
Develop (v)
To (cause something to) grow or change into a more advanced, larger, or stronger form:
It became clear that he wasn’t developing like all the other little boys.
The fear is that these minor clashes may develop into all-out confrontation.
Over time, their acquaintance developed into a lasting friendship.
This exercise is designed to develop the shoulder and back muscles.
I’m looking for a job which will enable me to develop my skills/talents.
Clutter (n)
(a lot of objects in) a state of being untidy:
Sorry about the clutter in the kitchen.
My desk is covered in/full of clutter.
Cluttered (adj) - a cluttered desk/room
Haul (v)
› To pull something heavy slowly and with difficulty:
They hauled the boat out of the water.
She hauled herself up into the tree.
› To take something or someone somewhere, especially by force:
FBI agents hauled away boxes of records.
The police hauled him off to jail in front of his whole family.
Plunge (v)
To (cause someone or something to) move or fall suddenly and often a long way forward, down, or into something:
We ran down to the beach and plunged into the sea.
The car went out of control and plunged over the cliff.
Cook the peas by plunging them into boiling water.
Niagara Falls plunges 55.5 metres.
Be/get in with sb
To be or become popular or friendly with someone:
He’s trying to get in with the teachers.
Be/get in with sb
To be or become popular or friendly with someone:
He’s trying to get in with the teachers.
Fulfil (word family)
I get a real sense of fulfilment about a job that is well
done.
It was a very fulfilling experience and one that I would certainly recommend.
He felt very unfulfilled in his job and wanted to leave.
Fulfil (word family)
I get a real sense of fulfilment about a job that is well
done.
It was a very fulfilling experience and one that I would certainly recommend.
He felt very unfulfilled in his job and wanted to leave.
Give in
(AGREE)
To finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a period of time:
He nagged me so much for a new bike that eventually I gave in.
The government cannot be seen to give in to terrorists’ demands.
(ADMIT DEFEAT)
To accept that you have been defeated and agree to stop competing or fighting:
You’ll never guess the answer - do you give in?
She wouldn’t give in until she received a full apology.
Give in
(AGREE)
To finally agree to what someone wants, after refusing for a period of time:
He nagged me so much for a new bike that eventually I gave in.
The government cannot be seen to give in to terrorists’ demands.
(ADMIT DEFEAT)
To accept that you have been defeated and agree to stop competing or fighting:
You’ll never guess the answer - do you give in?
She wouldn’t give in until she received a full apology.
Common sense
The basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way:
Windsurfing is perfectly safe as long as you have/use some common sense.
a matter of common sense
Commonsensical (adj)
Marianne seemed to take ___ at my comments on her work.
Ofence
Marianne seemed to take ___ at my comments on her work.
Offence
The judge said that those prepared to ___ in crime must be ready to suffer the consequences.
Engage
The judge said that those prepared to ___ in crime must be ready to suffer the consequences.
Engage
That old saucepan will come in ___ when we go camping.
Handy
That old saucepan will come in ___ when we go camping.
Handy
I really enjoy stories that are ___ in the distant future.
Set
___ you get your father’s permission, I’ll take you skiing next weekend.
Provided
She is now taking a more positive ___ to her studies and should do well.
Attitude
She is now taking a more positive ___ to her studies and should do well.
Attitude
Spin sth off
verb UK — phrasal verb with spin /spɪn/ ( present participle spinning, past tense spun, past participle UK also span)
To produce a useful and unexpected result in addition to the intended result:
The American space program has spun off new commercial technologies.
Every new job that is created spins off three or four more in related fields.
Spin sth off
verb UK — phrasal verb with spin /spɪn/ ( present participle spinning, past tense spun, past participle UK also span)
› To produce a useful and unexpected result in addition to the intended result:
The American space program has spun off new commercial technologies.
Every new job that is created spins off three or four more in related fields.
› (Mainly US) To form a separate company from part of an existing company:
The company is trying to spin off part of its business.
Spin sth off
verb UK — phrasal verb with spin /spɪn/ ( present participle spinning, past tense spun, past participle UK also span)
› To produce a useful and unexpected result in addition to the intended result:
The American space program has spun off new commercial technologies.
Every new job that is created spins off three or four more in related fields.
› (Mainly US) To form a separate company from part of an existing company:
The company is trying to spin off part of its business.
Unrivalled (adj)
Having no equal; better than any other of the same type:
The museum boasts an unrivalled collection of French porcelain.
Unrivalled (adj)
Having no equal; better than any other of the same type:
The museum boasts an unrivalled collection of French porcelain.
Verbs related to walking
STROLL: in a relaxed way for pleasure [passear, andar (por prazer) sem rumo certo
WANDER: with no aim or direction [vaguear, perambular, andar sem rumo]
STRIDE: in a confident or angry way [andar com passos largos e vigorosos]
MARCH: soldiers [marchar]
HIKE: for long distances in the countryside or the mountains [longa caminhada pelo campo]
TIPTOE: very quietly [andar na ponta dos pés]
WADE: through water [caminhar com dificuldade pela água, lama, neve]
STAGGER: in an unsteady way because you are drunk or injured [cambalear]
LIMP: with difficulty because one leg is painful or injured walk [mancar]
Verbs related to walking
STROLL: in a relaxed way for pleasure [passear, andar (por prazer) sem rumo certo
WANDER: with no aim or direction [vaguear, perambular, andar sem rumo]
STRIDE: in a confident or angry way [andar com passos largos e vigorosos]
MARCH: soldiers [marchar]
HIKE: for long distances in the countryside or the mountains [longa caminhada pelo campo]
TIPTOE: very quietly [andar na ponta dos pés]
WADE: through water [caminhar com dificuldade pela água, lama, neve]
STAGGER: in an unsteady way because you are drunk or injured [cambalear]
LIMP: with difficulty because one leg is painful or injured walk [mancar]
Quarterly (adj, adv)
› Done or produced four times a year:
a quarterly magazine
The magazine will be published quarterly.
Quarterly (n)
› a magazine that is published four times a year
Make allowance for
To prepare for the possibility of:
We should make allowance for bad weather and have plenty of umbrellas available.
Make allowance for
To prepare for the possibility of:
We should make allowance for bad weather and have plenty of umbrellas available.
Landmark (n)
Landmark noun [C] (OBJECT)
A building or place that is easily recognized, especially one that you can use to judge where you are:
The Rock of Gibraltar is one of Europe’s most famous landmarks.
Landmark noun [C] (STAGE)
An important stage in something’s development:
The invention of the silicon chip was a landmark in the history of the computer.
In a landmark case/decision, the governor pardoned a woman convicted of killing her husband, who had physically abused her.
Hamper (v)
To prevent someone doing something easily:
Fierce storms have been hampering rescue efforts and there is now little chance of finding more survivors.
Hamper (v)
To prevent someone doing something easily:
Fierce storms have been hampering rescue efforts and there is now little chance of finding more survivors.
Hampered/Unhampered
Amendment (n)
A change or changes made to the words of a text:
He insisted that the book did not need amendment.
I’ve made a few last-minute amendments to the article.
Presidential power was reduced by a constitutional amendment in 1991.
› A change to a law that is not yet in operation and is still being discussed:
An amendment to the bill was agreed without a vote.
Amendment (n)
A change or changes made to the words of a text:
He insisted that the book did not need amendment.
I’ve made a few last-minute amendments to the article.
Presidential power was reduced by a constitutional amendment in 1991.
› A change to a law that is not yet in operation and is still being discussed:
An amendment to the bill was agreed without a vote.
Amplifier (n)
An electrical device that makes sounds louder
Amplifier (n)
An electrical device that makes sounds louder
Bathe verb (SWIM)
To swim, especially in the sea, a river, or a lake:
Children suffering from the illness had bathed in sea water contaminated by sewage.
Bathe verb (SWIM)
To swim, especially in the sea, a river, or a lake:
Children suffering from the illness had bathed in sea water contaminated by sewage.
Discomfort (n)
A feeling of being uncomfortable physically or mentally, or something that causes this:
You may feel a little discomfort for a few days after the operation.
Discomfort (n)
A feeling of being uncomfortable physically or mentally, or something that causes this:
You may feel a little discomfort for a few days after the operation.
Start (sth) off
To begin by doing something, or to make something begin by doing something:
She started off the meeting with the monthly sales report.
I’d like to start off by thanking you all for coming today.
Start (sth) off
To begin by doing something, or to make something begin by doing something:
She started off the meeting with the monthly sales report.
I’d like to start off by thanking you all for coming today.
Start/set/get the ball rolling
To do something that starts an activity, or to start doing something in order to encourage other people to do the same:
I decided to set the ball rolling and got up to dance.
I need to sit down and get the ball rolling with my school project.
Overdue (adj)
Not done or happening when expected or when needed; late:
My library books are a week overdue.
The baby is two weeks overdue (= the baby was expected to be born two weeks ago).
Changes to the tax system are long overdue.
She feels she’s overdue for promotion.
Overdue (adj)
Not done or happening when expected or when needed; late:
My library books are a week overdue.
The baby is two weeks overdue (= the baby was expected to be born two weeks ago).
Changes to the tax system are long overdue.
She feels she’s overdue for promotion.
Ascribe sth to sth [formal]
To believe or say that something is caused by something else:
To what do you ascribe your phenomenal success?
Ascribe sth to sth [formal]
To believe or say that something is caused by something else:
To what do you ascribe your phenomenal success?
Unknowing (adj)
Not conscious of a particular situation or problem:
He took secret pictures of his unknowing victims.
Unknowingly (adv)
Unknowing (adj)
Not conscious of a particular situation or problem:
He took secret pictures of his unknowing victims.
Unknowingly (adv)
Toss sth out
To get rid of or remove something:
She tossed out my old chair.
When should you toss out food?
Toss sth out
To get rid of or remove something:
She tossed out my old chair.
When should you toss out food?
Standstill (n)
A condition in which all movement or activity has stopped:
The runaway bus eventually came to a standstill when it rolled into a muddy field.
Fighting and shortages have brought normal life to a virtual standstill in the city.
Standstill (n)
A condition in which all movement or activity has stopped:
The runaway bus eventually came to a standstill when it rolled into a muddy field.
Fighting and shortages have brought normal life to a virtual standstill in the city.
Likeness (n)
› The fact of being similar in appearance:
There’s a definite family likeness around the eyes.
A good, remarkable, etc. likeness
› A painting or other image of a person that looks very like them
Likeness (n)
› The fact of being similar in appearance:
There’s a definite family likeness around the eyes.
A good, remarkable, etc. likeness
› A painting or other image of a person that looks very like them
Stumble across/on/upon sth/sb
To discover something by chance, or to meet someone by chance:
Workmen stumbled upon the mosaic while digging foundations for a new building.
Stumble across/on/upon sth/sb
To discover something by chance, or to meet someone by chance:
Workmen stumbled upon the mosaic while digging foundations for a new building.
On the spot
› At the place where an event is happening or has recently happened:
The police were called and they were on the spot within three minutes.
I’d want/prefer to pay an on-the-spot fine rather than go to court.
On the spot
› At the place where an event is happening or has recently happened:
The police were called and they were on the spot within three minutes.
I’d want/prefer to pay an on-the-spot fine rather than go to court.
Collocations
TV commercial
Radio advertising
Print advertising
Go to town
To do something in a detailed and enthusiastic way, especially by spending a lot of money:
They’ve really gone to town on their wedding.
Go to town
To do something in a detailed and enthusiastic way, especially by spending a lot of money:
They’ve really gone to town on their wedding.
Go through the motions [informal/disapproving]
To do something without thinking it is very important or having much interest in it:
He says he’s been investigating my complaint, but I feel he’s just going through the motions.
Go through the motions [informal/disapproving]
To do something without thinking it is very important or having much interest in it:
He says he’s been investigating my complaint, but I feel he’s just going through the motions.
Send sb down
UK (US send sb up) informal to send someone to prison:
He was sent down for armed robbery.
She was sent down for three years.
Send sb down
UK (US send sb up) informal to send someone to prison:
He was sent down for armed robbery.
She was sent down for three years.
For some people certain foods are an ___ taste. They quite often dislike something at first but slowly get to like it.
Acquired
The multi-national used the press conference to publicise their recent ___ of the smaller company.
Acquisition
He’s very ___ . He’s forever spending his money on something new.
Acquisitive
He’s very ___ . He’s forever spending his money on something new.
Acquisitive.
Disapproving eager to own and collect things:
We live in an acquisitive society that views success primarily in terms of material possessions.
He’s very ___ . He’s forever spending his money on something new.
Acquisitive.
[Disapproving] Eager to own and collect things:
We live in an acquisitive society that views success primarily in terms of material possessions.
Why don’t you try ___ an advert for your car in the local newspaper?
Placing
Why don’t you try ___ an advert for your car in the local newspaper?
Placing
Take sth on
To accept a particular job or responsibility:
She took too much on and made herself ill.
Take sth on
To accept a particular job or responsibility:
She took too much on and made herself ill.
Stand accused of sth
If you stand accused of doing something wrong, people say that you have done it:
The government stands accused of eroding freedom of speech.
Reel sth off [informal]
To say a long list of things quickly and without stopping:
The old man reeled off the names of his 22 grandchildren.
Reel sth off [informal]
To say a long list of things quickly and without stopping:
The old man reeled off the names of his 22 grandchildren.
Think nothing of sth
To consider that an activity is easy and not unusual:
When I was younger, I thought nothing of cycling 50 miles in a day.
Think nothing of sth
To consider that an activity is easy and not unusual:
When I was younger, I thought nothing of cycling 50 miles in a day.
Bow to sb/sth
To do what someone else wants you to do, usually unwillingly:
Eventually they were forced to bow to public pressure and reform the tax.
Collocations
TV commercial
Radio advertising
Print advertising
Capture the market of sth
Bow to sb/sth
To do what someone else wants you to do, usually unwillingly:
Eventually they were forced to bow to public pressure and reform the tax.
Lift the ban on sth
Give in to sth
Lift the ban on sth
Give in to sth
Relent (v)
To act in a less severe way towards someone and allow something that you had refused to allow before:
Her parents eventually relented and let her go to the party.
The security guard relented and let them through.
Confide in sb
To share your feelings and secrets with someone because you trust them not to tell other people:
She’s nice, but I don’t feel I can confide in her.
Confide in sb /kənˈfaɪd/
To share your feelings and secrets with someone because you trust them not to tell other people:
She’s nice, but I don’t feel I can confide in her.
Confide in sb /kənˈfaɪd/
To share your feelings and secrets with someone because you trust them not to tell other people:
She’s nice, but I don’t feel I can confide in her.
Inhibit (v)
› To prevent someone from doing something by making them feel nervous or embarrassed :
Some workers were inhibited (from speaking) by the presence of their managers.
› To slow down a process or the growth of something:
This drug inhibits the growth of tumours.
Collocations
TV commercial Radio advertising Print advertising Capture the market of sth Initiate a debate
Relent (v)
To act in a less severe way towards someone and allow something that you had refused to allow before:
Her parents eventually relented and let her go to the party.
The security guard relented and let them through.
…get the government to relent on its safety laws.
Relent (v)
To act in a less severe way towards someone and allow something that you had refused to allow before:
Her parents eventually relented and let her go to the party.
The security guard relented and let them through.
…get the government to relent on its safety laws, such as the compulsory wearing of seatbelts and crash helmets.
Inhibit (v)
› To prevent someone from doing something by making them feel nervous or embarrassed :
Some workers were inhibited (from speaking) by the presence of their managers.
› To slow down a process or the growth of something:
This drug inhibits the growth of tumours.
Content (adj) - noun?
Contentment
Materialism (n) - adjective?
Materialistic
Preoccupation (n) - adjective?
Preoccupied /ˌpriːˈɒk.jʊ.paɪd/
Influence (n) - adjective?
Influential
Control (n) - adjective?
Controllable
Spiritual (adj) - noun?
Spirituality
Idyll (n) - adjective?
A very happy, peaceful, and simple situation or period of time, especially in the countryside, or a piece of music, literature, etc. that describes this:
Every year thousands of people flee the big cities in search of the pastoral/rural idyll.
Idyllic
Idyll (n) - adjective?
A very happy, peaceful, and simple situation or period of time, especially in the countryside, or a piece of music, literature, etc. that describes this:
Every year thousands of people flee the big cities in search of the pastoral/rural idyll.
Idyllic
Flee (v)
› To escape by running away, especially because of danger or fear:
She fled (from) the room in tears.
In order to escape capture, he fled to the mountains.
flee the country
› To quickly go to another country in order to escape from something or someone:
It is likely that the suspects have fled the country by now.
Flee (v)
› To escape by running away, especially because of danger or fear:
She fled (from) the room in tears.
In order to escape capture, he fled to the mountains.
flee the country
› To quickly go to another country in order to escape from something or someone:
It is likely that the suspects have fled the country by now.
Lowly (adj)
Low in position and importance, or not respected:
He took a lowly job in an insurance firm.
His first job in the hotel was as a lowly bellboy.
Lowly (adj)
Low in position and importance, or not respected:
He took a lowly job in an insurance firm.
His first job in the hotel was as a lowly bellboy.
Exhibitionism (n)
› Disapproving behaviour which tries to attract attention:
It’s exhibitionism to flaunt wealth so blatantly.
› [Formal] Someone’s enjoyment of showing their sexual organs in public
Exhibitionism (n)
› Disapproving behaviour which tries to attract attention:
It’s exhibitionism to flaunt wealth so blatantly.
› [Formal] Someone’s enjoyment of showing their sexual organs in public
Nail sb down [informal]
To make someone give you exact details or a firm decision about something:
They nailed him down to a specific time and place.
Nail sb down [informal]
To make someone give you exact details or a firm decision about something:
They nailed him down to a specific time and place.
Hideous (adj)
Extremely ugly or bad:
They’ve just built some hideous new apartment blocks on the seafront.
She wears the most hideous colour combinations you could ever imagine.
Hideousness (n)
Psych sb out [informal] /saɪk/
To behave in a very confident or forceful way in order to make a competitor, especially in a sports event, feel less confident:
Both athletes were trying to psych each other out before the race.
Psych sb out [informal] /saɪk/
To behave in a very confident or forceful way in order to make a competitor, especially in a sports event, feel less confident:
Both athletes were trying to psych each other out before the race.
Unbecoming (adj)
› [Formal] Unbecoming clothes do not look attractive on a particular person.
› Unbecoming behaviour is not correct or not acceptable:
Any officer who is convicted of conduct unbecoming (to) an officer shall be court-martialled.
Clerk (n)
› A person who works in an office, dealing with records or performing general office duties:
A filing clerk
A junior office clerk
› US ( also salesclerk) a person who serves customers in a shop:
Take your purchases to the clerk, and he will wrap them for you.
› US ( also desk clerk) a hotel employee who deals with guests when they arrive:
The clerk checked us in and gave us our key.
› US ( also law clerk) a person who works with a judge and helps the judge make decisions
Innately (adv)
I don’t believe that human beings are innately evil.
Play along
To do what someone asks you to do, for a limited period of time:
I know you don’t like Jack’s idea, but just play along with him for a while.
It was a crazy idea but I decided to play along with her plan just to keep her happy.
Surpass (v)
To do or be better than:
His time for the 100 metres surpassed the previous world record by one hundredth of a second.
The book’s success has surpassed everyone’s expectations.
The director has really surpassed himself (= done better than he has done before) with this new film.
Play along
To do what someone asks you to do, for a limited period of time.
To give the impression you agree with someone or something even though you may not:
I know you don’t like Jack’s idea, but just play along with him for a while.
It was a crazy idea but I decided to play along with her plan just to keep her happy.
Surpass (v)
To do or be better than:
His time for the 100 metres surpassed the previous world record by one hundredth of a second.
The book’s success has surpassed everyone’s expectations.
The director has really surpassed himself (= done better than he has done before) with this new film.
To lie (down), lay, lain
To be in a horizontal position
To lay, laid, laid
To put sth down
Different meanings of FLAT
- A flat speech (lacks interest)
- Music/note (sharp flat)
- To be level with the ground
Different meanings of LAY
- Lay in bed (past of lie)
- To lay (put sth down)
- To lay/set the table
- To lay with sb: have sex
Different meanings of TERM
- Word/expression
- Period of time (president’s period of office)
- Academic period of time
Different meanings of SERVE
- To give sb food
- To serve in the army
- To provide people with sth useful
Different meanings of GENTLE
- Kind
- Not extreme
- Not steep or sudden
*Gentleness (n)
Different meanings of GENTLE
- Kind
- Not extreme
- Not steep or sudden
*Gentleness (n)
Seal sth off
To prevent people from entering an area or building, often because it is dangerous:
Two more bombs have been discovered since the police sealed off the area.
Seal sth off
To prevent people from entering an area or building, often because it is dangerous:
Two more bombs have been discovered since the police sealed off the area.
To be accused ___ murder
Of
To be charged ___ murder
With
To be arraigned ___ murder
For
To be exempt ___ military services
From
