21 advanced phrases EWL Flashcards
at face value
accepting something as it appears to be, without questioning its true nature or authenticity
to have a crack at sth
to attempt or try something, often for the first time or with great enthusiasm
to burn the midnight oil
to work or study late into the night, often to complete a task or prepare for something
to strike a balance
to find a compromise or middle ground between two competing factors
to let off steam
to do or say something that helps you release some anger or frustration that you feel
to count one´s blessings
to make an effort to be grateful for the good things in your life
to bloom
to become healthy, happy and confident; to flourish
to stick one´s neck out
to take a risk or expose yourself to possible criticism or danger by doing or saying something
a knee-jerk reaction
an immediate, automatic response to a situation, often without careful consideration or thought
to split hairs
to argue or worry about very small details or differences that are unimportant
pecking order
a social hierarchy in which individuals in a group are all aware of how important everyone is
shrewd
someone who is good at understanding and making judgements about situations and makes decisions that will give them an advantage (chytrý, mazaný, vychytralý)
obstinate
refusing to change your opinion or actions desite people trying to make you do so (zatvrzelý, tvrdošíjný)
placid
someone who is very calm and isn´t easily excited or annoyed (klidný, tichý, poklidný)
to pull some strings
to use one´s influence or connections, often secretly or unofficially, to achieve a desired outcome
to have a field day
to take advantage of situation, typically for personal benefit, often at the expense of others
to be privy to
to have access to or knowledge of secret or confidential information
on the back burner
refers to something that is low priority and is not being dealt with at the present moment
cushy
very easy, requiring little effort (pohodový, nenáročný)
to get one´s foot in the door
to enter a company or organisation at a low level with a chance of being promoted or being more successful in the future
to go belly up
often referring to business that fail completely and have to close
to take a risk or expose yourself to possible criticism or danger by doing or saying something
to stick one´s neck out
an immediate, automatic response to a situation, often without careful consideration or thought
a knee-jerk reaction
to argue or worry about very small details or differences that are unimportant
to split hairs
a social hierarchy in which individuals in a group are all aware of how important everyone is
pecking order
