Test 2 Flashcards
(164 cards)
1
Q
to table an amendment
A
to present a small change or improvement to a discussion
2
Q
to buttonhole someone
A
to make somebody stop and listen to you, especially when they do not want to
He buttonholed me just as I was going home.
3
Q
to bed down
A
to sleep in a place where you do not usually sleep
You have my room and I’ll bed down in the living room
4
Q
to mirror public opinion
A
to represent public opinion
5
Q
mouth one’s words
A
to move your lips as if you were seeing something but without making a sound
6
Q
ferret something out
A
to discover information or to find somebody/something by searching thoroughly, asking a lot of questions etc
7
Q
toe the line
A
to say or do what somebody in authority tells you to say or do, even if you do not share the same opinions etc
8
Q
to skewer a fish
A
to push a skewer or other thin pointed object through a fish
9
Q
pot a plant
A
to put a plant into a flowerpot filled with soil
10
Q
elbow one’s way
A
to force one’s way through a crowded place by pushing other people with one’s elbow
11
Q
inch one’s way along something
A
to creep slowly on or along something
Sharon inched herself along the side of the bridge.
12
Q
to corner someone
A
to get a person or an animal into a place or situation from which they cannot escape
The man was finally cornered by police in a garage.
13
Q
foot the bill
A
to be responsible for paying the cost of something
Who will be footing the bill for the party?
14
Q
prey on somebody’s mind
A
to make somebody think and worry about it all the time
The thought that he could have helped more preyed on his mind.
15
Q
fork out
A
to spend a lot of money on something, especially unwillingly
Why fork out for taxi when there’s a perfectly good bus service?
16
Q
to line a coat
A
to cover the inside of something with a layer of another material to keep it clean
17
Q
to Fox somebody
A
to be too difficult for somebody to understand or solve; to trick or confuse somebody
The last question foxed even our panel of experts
18
Q
to lace something with something
A
to add a small amount of alcohol, a drug, poison, etc. to a drink
19
Q
to floor somebody
A
to surprise or confuse somebody so that they are not sure what to say or do
His reply completely floored me.
20
Q
to corner the market
A
to sell or produce something so successfully as to overshadow all others in the same field
That company is so popular right now that they’ve really cornered the market on video games.
21
Q
thumb/hitch a lift
A
stand by the side of the road with your thumb out because you want a driver to stop and take you somewhere
We tried to thumb a lift but nobody stopped to pick us up.
22
Q
to shoulder responsibility
A
to accept the responsibility for something
23
Q
to tiptoe in
A
to walk using the front parts of your feet only so that other people cannot hear you
24
Q
to man a ship
A
to be in charge of a ship
25
to board up a window
to cover a window with wooden boards
26
to sponge on somebody
to get money, food etc. regularly from other people without doing anything for them or offering to pay
27
to house somebody
to provide a place for somebody to live
The government is committed to housing the refugees.
28
to referee a match
to act as the referee in a game
Who refereed the final?
29
to vacuum the carpet
to clean a carpet using a vacuum cleaner
30
to coat something with varnish
to cover something(a car) with varnish
31
to ship goods abroad
to transport good by ship or by another means of transport
32
to outline
to give a description of the main facts or points involved in something
33
cotton on (to something)
to begin to understand or realize something without being told
I suddenly cottoned on to what he was doing
34
to head for
to be likely to experience something bad
35
to dwarf something
to make something seem small or unimportant compared with something else
The old houses were dwarfed by the huge new tower blocks
36
dog somebody’s footsteps
to follow somebody closely
She had the impression that someone was dogging her steps
37
to peter out
to gradually become smaller, quieter and then end
The campaign petered out for lack of support.
38
map out a holiday
to plan or arrange a holiday in a careful or detailed way
39
to egg somebody on
to encourage somebody to do something, especially something that they should not do
He hit the other boy again and again as his friends egged him on.
40
to loaf about
to spend your time not doing anything, especially when you should be working
41
to beard the lion in his den
to go to see an important or power person to tell them that you disagree with them, that you want something, etc
42
to cash in on something
to gain an advantage for yourself from a situation, especially in a way that other people think is wrong or immoral
The film studio is being accused of cashing in on the singer’s death.
43
prerequisite
that must exist or happen before something else can happen or be done
44
counsel
advice, especially given by older people or experts; a piece of advice
Listen to the counsel of your elders.
45
to counsel
to listen to and give support or professional advice to somebody who needs help
Therapists were brought in to counsel the survivors.
46
chancel
the part of the church near the altar (a holy table) where the priests and the choir sit during services
47
council
a group of people who are elected to govern an area such as a city or country
She’s on the local council
a council member/meeting
48
diligent
showing care and effort in your work or duties
a diligent student/worker
49
indigent
very poor
50
indignant
feeling or showing anger and surprise because you think that you have been treated unfairly
She was indignant that she hadn’t been invited.
51
indulgent
tending to allow somebody to have or do whatever they want
indulgent parents
Mothers tend to be less indulgent towards daughters.
52
to twinkle
to shine with a light that keeps changing from bright to faint to bright again
Starts twinkled in the sky
53
to tinkle
to make a series of light high ringing sounds; to make something produce this sound
A bel tinkled as the door opened
54
to tickle
to move your fingers on a sensitive part of somebody’s body in a way that makes them laugh
Stop tickling me!
55
to trickle
to flow or to make something flow, slowly in a thin steam
Tears were trickling down her cheeks.
56
credible
that can be believed or trusted
It is just not credible that she would cheat.
57
credulous
too ready to believe things and therefore easy to trick
58
feast
a large or special meal, especially for a lot of people and to celebrate something
a wedding feast
59
fist
a hand when it is tightly closed with the fingers bent into the palm
He punched me with his fist
60
fear
an action or a piece of work that needs skill, strength or courage
The tunnel is a brilliant feat of engineering
61
fit
a sudden attack of an illness
62
a tail
the part that sticks out and can be moved at the back of the body of a bird, an animal or a fish
63
hind legs
those at the back
The horse rested up on its hind legs
64
stripes
a long narrow lines of colour
a zebra’s black and white stripes
65
spots
small round areas that has a different colour
Which has spots, the leopard or the tiger?
66
udders
organs shaped like a bag that produce milk and hang underneath the body of a cow, goat etc
67
horns
hard pointed parts that grow usually in pairs on the head of some animals such as sheep and cows. Horns are often curved
68
tusks
long curved teeth that stick out of the mouth of elephants and some other animals
69
a mane
the long hair on the neck of a horse or a lion
70
wings
parts of the body of a bird that it uses for flying
71
claws
the sharp curved nails on the end of an animals foot
The cat lashed out with its claws
72
paws
the foot of an animal that has claws or nails
73
tentacle
a long thin part of the body of some creatures such as squid used for feeling or holding things, for moving or for getting food
Tentacles of fear closed around her body
74
hoof, hooves
the hard part of the foot of some animals for example horses
He dived to the ground to avoid the pony’s flailing hooves
75
a trunk
the long nose of an elephant
76
fin
a thin flat part that sticks out from the body of a fish, used for swimming and keeping balance
77
scales
thin plates of hard material that cover the skin of many fish and reptiles
The beast was a dragon with great purple and green scales
78
whiskers
long stuff hairs that grow near the mouth of a cat, mouse etc
79
a pouch
a pocket on the stomach of some female marsupial animals such as kangaroos in which they carry their offspring
80
shell
the hard outer part of a snail
81
webbed feet
pieces of skin between the toes
| a frog
82
feeler or antennae
either of the two long thin parts on the heads of some insects and of some animals that live in shells that they use to feel and touch things with
83
beak
the heard pointed or curved outer part of a bird’s mouth
The full held the fish in its beak
84
fur
the soft thick mass of hair that grows on the body of some animals
The cat carefully licked its fur
85
hump
a large lump on the back of some animals especially camels
86
dump
get rid of something you do not want
The dead body was just dumped by the roadside.
Too much toxic waste is being dumped at the sea.
87
teething problems
small problems that a company has at the beginning
88
scramble over something
to move with difficulty
89
solidarity
support by one person or group of people for another because they share feelings, opinions, aims etc
To express solidarity with mothers
90
tweak
to pull or twist something suddenly
She tweaked his ear playfully
91
sneaky
behaving in a secret and sometimes dishonest or unpleasant way
I took a sneaky glance at my watch
92
fret
to be worried or unhappy and not able to relax
Fretting about it won’t help
93
ravage
to damage something badly
A country ravaged by civil war
94
clamour
to demand something loudly
People began to clamour for his resignation
95
tributary
a river or stream that flows into a larger river or a lake
96
resurgent
becoming stronger or more popular again
resurgent nationalism
97
enmeshed
to involve somebody in a bad situation that is not easy to escape from
98
circumscribe
to limit somebody/something’s freedom, rights, power etc
The power of the monarchy was circumscribed by the new law
99
slaughter
the killing of animals for their meat
Cows taken for slaughter
100
logger
= lumberjack
a person whose job is cutting down trees
101
dredge up
to mention something that has been forgotten, especially something unpleasant or embarrassing
102
incursion into something
a sudden attack on a place by foreign armies
103
acrimony
angry bitter feeling or words
The dispute was settled without acrimony
104
in the wake of
coming after or following somebody/something
There have been demonstrations on the streets in the wake of the recent bomb attack
105
actuality
the state of something existing in reality
The building looked as impressive in actuality as it did in photographs
106
intimidating
frightening in a way which makes a person feel less confident
The atmosphere was less intimidating that I had imagined
107
buy into
to buy shares in a company especially in order to gain some control over it
108
knock-on
causing other events to happen one after another in series
The increase in the price of oil had a knock-on effect on the cost of many other goods
109
grumpiness
readiness to show Annoyance or impatience
I don’t want your customary grumpiness to spoil the evening
110
downward spiral
a situation in which something continuously decreases or gets worse
Her life was a downward spiral as she battled depression and addiction
111
dispel
to make something especially a feeling or belief go away or disappear
His perch dispelled any fears about his health
112
reticence
a dislike of telling people about things
That night she had overcome her natural reticence and talked about their married life
113
real benefits
satisfying results
114
raise the consciousness
to increase one’s awareness or understanding of one’s own needs or the needs of others
Traveling abroad really raised my consciousness about the plight of the poor around the world
115
pass on
to give something to somebody else, especially after receiving it or using it yourself
Pass the book on to me when you’ve finished with it
116
captive animals
kept in zoo, unable to escape
captive breeding - the breeding of animals in zoos
117
affiliate with
to link a group, a company or an organization very closely with another, larger one
The hospital is affiliated with the local university
118
dismay
a worried, sad feeling after you have received an unpleasant surprise
To her dismay, her name was not on the list
119
comprehensive
including all or almost all, the items, details, facts, informafion that may be concerned
Comprehensive list of addresses
120
immediate
being near at hand
121
in situ
in the natural or original position or place
An in situ cancer confined to the breast duct
122
assertion
a statement saying that you strongly believe something to be true
He was correct in his assertion that the minister had been lying
123
catch the eye of
to attract the attention or interest of someone
We were waiting to be served for nearly 15 minutes before I was able to catch the eye of one of the waiters.
124
stir the imagination
to make active
125
be someone’s lifeblood
the most important thing
126
glee
a feeling of happiness usually because something good has happened to you or something bad has happened to somebody else
He rubbed his hands in glee as he thought of all the money he would make
127
unquantifiable
impossible to express or measure in terms of quantity
128
think outside the box
to think about something in a way that is new, different or shows imagination
129
constraint
a thing that limits or restricts something or your freedom to do something
constraints of money/space
130
tinkerer
a person who travels from place to place and sells/repairs things
131
stifle
to prevent something from happening
They hope the new rules will not stifle creativity
132
diehard
a person who strongly opposes change and new ideas
A few diehards are trying to stop the reforms
133
crouch
to put your body close to the ground by bending your legs under you
134
permeate
to spread to every part of an object or a place
The smell of leather permeated the room
135
reinforcement
extra soldiers or police officers who are sent to a place because more are needed
To send in reinforcements
136
erode
to gradually destroy the surface of something through the action of wind, rain etc
The cliff has been steadily eroded by the sea
137
mundane
not interesting or exciting
A mundane task
I lead a pretty mundane existence
138
precedence
the condition of being more important than somebody else and therefore coming or being dealt with first
She had to learn that her wishes did not take precedence over other people’s needs
139
seizure
the use of legal authority to take something from somebody; an amount of something that is taken in this way
A court ordered the seizure of two ships for non-payment of the debt
140
sadist
a person who gets pleasure, especially sexual pleasure from hurting other people
141
agnostic
a person who believes that it is not possible to know whether God exists or not
142
racist
a person who believes that some races of people are better than others
143
patriot
a person who loves their country and who is ready to defend it against an enemy
144
cynic
a person who believes that people only do things to help themselves, rather than for good or sincere reasons
145
idealist
a person who believes that a perfect life, situation etc can be achieved
146
fatalist
a person who believes that events are decided by fate and cannot be controlled
147
romantic
having an attitude to life when imagination and feelings are especially important
148
optimist
a person who always expect good things to happen or things to be successful
149
nationalist
wanting your country to become independent, having a great love for and pride in your country
150
activist
a person who works to achieve political or social charge, member of an organization
151
atheist
a person who believes that God doesn’t exist
152
pessimist
a person who always expect bad things to happen
153
masochist
a person who enjoys something that most people would find unpleasant or painful
154
anarchist
a person that believes laws and governments are not necessary
155
perfectionist
a person who likes things to be done perfectly
156
disciplinarian
a person who believes in using punishments for controlling people
157
philanthropist
a rich person who helps the poor and those in need
158
fanatic
a person who is extremely enthusiastic about something
159
realist
a person who accepts and deals with a situation
160
nonconformist
not following normal ways of thinking
161
appaling
shocking, extremely bad
162
obedient
doing or willing to do what you have been told to do by someone in authority
163
livid
feeling or showing anger
164
deterrent
making somebody less likely to do something.
a thing that makes somebody less likely to do something
Hopefully his punishment will act as a deterrent to others.
