Unit 1&2 Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Unit 1&2 Deck (41)
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1
Q

to ring the changes

A

to make changes to something in order to make it more interesting

e.g.: Ring the changes on packed lunches using different types of bread and spicy fillings.

2
Q

to get in with

A

to begin to be involved with a particular person or group

e.g.: I hope he doesn’t get in with the wrong crowd

3
Q

to jump at sth

A

to accept something eagerly

4
Q

to track sb/sth down

A

to find something or someone after looking for them in a lot of different places

5
Q

to busk

A

perform music in the street

6
Q

kinship

A

blood relationship

7
Q

rough it

A

to live without the modern comforts and conveniences of one’s home or daily life

e.g.: We roughed it until our house was repaired.

8
Q

shoestring budget

A

extremely limited budget

9
Q

culture vulture

A

a person who is extremely interested in arts

10
Q

to be in the lap of luxury

A

living in very comfortable conditions because you have a lot of money

11
Q

liable

A

likely

12
Q

to embody

A

express, represent

13
Q

despair

A

helplessness

14
Q

dreary

A

boring

15
Q

to pore over sth

A

to look at and study something, usually a book or document, carefully:

e.g.: She spends her evenings poring over textbooks

16
Q

peril

A

danger

17
Q

to have a row with someone

A

to have a fight with someone

18
Q

recurrent

A

happening again many times:

19
Q

seasoned

A

experienced

20
Q

discerning

A

tasteful, sophisticated

21
Q

intrepid

A

fearless

22
Q

armchair traveller

A

someone who speaks authoritatively about traveling despite not traveling often.

23
Q

tout

A

B.E.: a person who buys up tickets for an event to resell them at a profit
N.A.: a person who offers racing tips for a share of any resulting winnings

24
Q

in the region of

A

approximately, roughly

e.g.: We caught somewhere in the region of 80 fish.

25
Q

on the brink of something

A

almost to the point of doing something

e.g.: I was on the brink of selling my car to make ends meet when the tax refund came in the mail.

26
Q

in conjunction with something

A

in combination with. together with sth

e.g.: The worksheets are designed to be used in conjunction with the new coursebooks.

27
Q

on behalf of someone

A

done for another person’s benefit or support, or because you are representing the interests of that person

e.g.: I’d like to say on behalf of the whole group that we wish you well in your new job.

28
Q

in vain

A

without success

29
Q

the verge of something

A

you are very close to experiencing sth

e.g.: Her husband’s violent and abusive behaviour drove her to the verge of despair.

30
Q

on the grounds (of)/ (that)

A

because

e.g.: Many critics have objected to the proposal on the grounds that it would be too costly.

31
Q

something get my goat

A

irritate me

32
Q

to be/get carried away

A

lose self-control

33
Q

to fork out sth

A

to pay an amount of money

34
Q

hefty

A

heavy, large

35
Q

to be dead set on sth

A

to be intent on doing or obtaining something

e.g.: I am dead set on going out today, so a little rain isn’t going to stop me.

36
Q

to be in line with sth or someone

A

to be in agreement with sth or someone

37
Q

to face the music

A

to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done

38
Q

to foot the bill

A

to pay for sth expensive

39
Q

to shoulder the burden

A

to take on a responsibility

40
Q

to stomach the idea

A

to be able to accept an unpleasant idea or watch sth unpleasant

41
Q

to toe the line

A

to obey the rules