03/09 Flashcards
patsy
a weak person who is easily cheated or tricked, or who is forced to take the blame for something that somebody else has done wrong
I thought you respected me—now I find out that I’m just another one of your patsies.
rascals
a person, especially a child or man, who shows a lack of respect for other people and enjoys playing tricks on them
Come here, you little rascal!
I hear the old rascal’s been causing trouble again.
What have the little rascals been up to now?
midget
an offensive word for a person who is very short because of the medical condition dwarfism
People who have this condition usually prefer the term little person or person of short stature.
ripple
1) small wave on the surface of a liquid, especially water in a lake, etc.
The air was so still that there was hardly a ripple on the pond’s surface.
2)a thing that looks or moves like a small wave
ripples of sand
3)ripple of something a sound that gradually becomes louder and then quieter again
a ripple of applause/laughter
His remarks sent a ripple of laughter through the audience.
gritty
1)containing or like grit
a layer of gritty dust
2)howing the courage and strength of mind to continue doing something difficult or unpleasant
gritty determination
a gritty performance from the British player
Tottenham’s gritty fightback was rewarded by a goal in the closing minutes.
3)showing something unpleasant as it really is; having a lot of unpleasant features
a gritty description of urban violence
gritty realism
(especially North American English) a gritty neighborhood of flophouses and bars
faith
1) trust in somebody’s ability or knowledge; trust that somebody/something will do what has been promised
If the company can retain its customers’ faith, it could become the market leader.
faith in somebody/something I have faith in you—I know you’ll do well.
2)trong religious belief
to have faith
to lose your faith
3)a particular religion
the Christian/Catholic/Islamic/Muslim/Jewish faith
The children are learning to understand people of different faiths.
4) good/bad faith the intention to do something right/wrong
They handed over the weapons as a gesture of good faith.
The judge did not find any bad faith on the part of the defendants.
gratitude
the feeling of being grateful and wanting to express your thanks
with gratitude He smiled at them with gratitude.
gratitude (to somebody) (for something) I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for their hard work.
I feel a deep sense of gratitude to her.
disgruntled
annoyed or disappointed because something has happened to upset you
disgruntled employees
disgruntled at/with somebody/something I left feeling disgruntled at the way I’d been treated.
liability
1) the state of being legally responsible for something
liability (for something) The company cannot accept liability for any damage caused by natural disasters.
liability to somebody The company has liabilities to its employees.
liability to do something The defendant admitted liability to compensate the claimant.
2) a person or thing that causes you a lot of problems
Since his injury, Jones has become more of a liability than an asset to the team.
3)the amount of money that a person or company owes
The company is reported to have liabilities of nearly $90 000.
Our financial advisers will concentrate on minimizing your tax liabilities and maximizing
mend
mend something (British English) to repair something that has been damaged or broken so that it can be used again
Could you mend my bike for me?
susceptible
1) susceptible (to something) very likely to be influenced, harmed or affected by something
He’s highly susceptible to flattery.
Some of these plants are more susceptible to frost damage than others.
Salt intake may lead to raised blood pressure in susceptible adults.
2) easily influenced by feelings and emotions
3) (formal) allowing something; capable of something
Is this situation not susceptible of improvement by legislation?
substantial
1)large in amount, value or importance
SYNONYM considerable
substantial sums of money
a substantial change
Substantial numbers of people support the reforms.
2)arge and solid; strongly built
a substantial house
a street of substantial Victorian villas
hobos
1)a person who travels from place to place looking for work, especially on farms
2) a person with no home or job who travels from place to place, usually asking people in the street for food or money
utterly
(used for emphasis)
completely
We’re so utterly different from each other.
She utterly failed to convince them.
prodding
the act of encouraging somebody to do something
He needed no prodding.
shambles
a situation in which there is a great lack of order or understanding
SYNONYM mess
The press conference was a complete shambles.
What a shambles!
He’s made an absolute shambles of his career.
asset
a person or thing that is valuable or useful to somebody/something
In his job, patience is an invaluable asset.
Being able to speak a foreign language is a major asset.
I’m not sure if his forcefulness is an asset or a liability.
delusion
a false belief or opinion about yourself or your situation
Don’t go getting delusions of grandeur (= a belief that you are more important than you actually are).
He was suffering from paranoid delusions and hallucinations.
the act of believing or making yourself believe something that is not true
He seems to have retreated into a world of fear and delusion.
emerge
1) to move out of or away from something and become possible to see
The crabs emerge at low tide to look for food.
2) (of facts, ideas, etc.) to become known
SYNONYM transpire
No new evidence emerged during the investigation.
3) to start to exist; to appear or become known
After the elections opposition groups began to emerge.
4) emerge (from something) to survive a difficult situation or experience
She emerged from the scandal with her reputation intact.
superfluos
unnecessary or more than you need or want
She gave him a look that made words superfluous.
futile
having no purpose because there is no chance of success
SYNONYM pointless
a futile attempt/exercise/gesture
Their efforts to revive him were futile.
potent
having a strong effect on your body or mind
a potent drug
a very potent alcoholic brew
a potent argument
That chilli sauce is pretty potent stuff.
suppress
1)(of a government, ruler, etc.) to put an end, often by force, to a group or an activity that is believed to threaten authority
2)to prevent something from being published or made known
The police were accused of suppressing vital evidence.
3)suppress something to prevent yourself from having or expressing a feeling or an emotion
to suppress a smile
4)suppress something to prevent something from growing, developing or continuing
drugs that suppress the appetite
nail
1)to fasten something to something with a nail or nails
I nailed the sign to a tree.
2)to catch somebody and prove they are guilty of a crime or of doing something bad
The police haven’t been able to nail the killer.
3)nail a lie, myth, etc. (informal) to prove that something is not true
We must nail this lie.
4)nail something (informal) to achieve something or do something right, especially in sport
He nailed a victory in the semi-finals.
