4. Reading C1 Flashcards
stream
/striːm/
1. Water that flows naturally along a fixed route formed by a channel cut into rock or ground, usually at ground level:
a mountain stream
underground streams
There’s a bubbling stream that flows through their property.
whimsically
/ˈwɪm.zɪ.kəl.i/
In a whimsical way (= unusual and strange in a way that might be funny or annoying):
He was whimsically charming and especially warm with children.
It is a refreshingly quirky adult fairy tale set in a whimsically surreal world.
whim
/wɪm/
1. Sudden wish or idea, especially one that cannot be reasonably explained:
We booked the trip on a whim.
You can add what you want to this mixture - brandy, whisky, or nothing at all - as the whim takes you.
nook
/nʊk/
A small space that is hidden or partly sheltered:
a cosy/sheltered/quiet nook
blinds (object)
/blaɪnd/
( for WINDOW)
1. A cover for a window made of a single piece or strips of cloth, paper, or plastic that is pulled up or down by a string:
a Venetian blind (persianas)
entice
/ɪnˈtaɪs/
To persuade someone to do something by offering them something pleasant:
The adverts entice the customer into buying things they don’t really want.
People are being enticed away from the profession by higher salaries elsewhere.
tap into sth
/tæp/
To manage to use something in a way that brings good results:
If only we could tap into all that energy and creativity.
This hotel has hit upon a very interesting market that I don’t think has been tapped into yet.
dapper
/ˈdæp.ər/
A dapper man is dressed in a fashionable and tidy way:
Hercule Poirot is the dapper detective of the Agatha Christie novels.
bounty hunter
/ˈbaʊn.ti ˌhʌn.tər/
Someone who searches for criminals or hunts animals in exchange for a reward (caza-recompensas)
mayhem
/ˈmeɪ.hem/
A situation in which there is little or no order or control:
With 20 kids running around and only two adults to supervise, it was complete mayhem.
bigoted
/ˈbɪɡ.ə.tɪd/
Having strong, unreasonable beliefs and disliking other people who have different beliefs or a different way of life:
She’s so bigoted that she refuses to accept anyone who doesn’t think like her.
bolster
/ˈbəʊl.stər/
To support or improve something or make it stronger:
More money is needed to bolster the industry.
She tried to bolster my confidence/morale (= encourage me and make me feel stronger) by telling me that I had a special talent.
They need to do something to bolster their image.
quandary
/ˈkwɒn.dri/
(=dilemma)
A state of not being able to decide what to do about a situation in which you are involved:
I’ve had two job offers, and I’m in a real quandary about/over which one to accept.
farce
/fɑːs/
1. A humorous play or film where the characters become involved in unlikely situations
[ U ] the style of writing or acting in this type of play:
The play suddenly changes from farce to tragedy.
squabble
/ˈskwɒb.əl/
To argue over something that is not important:
When small children are tired they are more likely to squabble with each other.
They are still squabbling over who will get the big office.
latter
/ˈlæt.ər/ US /ˈlæt̬.ɚ/
Near or towards the end of something:
Building of the new library should begin in the latter part of next year.
In the latter stages of the fight he began to tire.
retaliation
/rɪˌtæl.iˈeɪ.ʃən/
The act of hurting someone or doing something harmful to someone because they have done or said something harmful to you:
The bomb attack was in retaliation for the recent arrest of two well-known terrorists.
She suffered severe retaliation for writing articles for the newspapers.
downtrodden
/ˈdaʊnˌtrɒd.ən/
Treated badly and unfairly:
the downtrodden masses
assured
/əˈʃɔːd/
(CONFIDENT)
Showing skill and confidence:
an assured performance
qualm
/kwɑːm/
An uncomfortable feeling when you doubt if you are doing the right thing:
She had no qualms about lying to the police.
seedy
/ˈsiː.di/
looking dirty or in bad condition and likely to be involved in dishonest or illegal activities:
a seedy hotel
He didn’t like the look of the seedy characters who were hanging around outside the bar.
maim
/meɪm/
To injure a person so severely that a part of their body will no longer work as it should:
Many children have been maimed for life by these bombs.
infamous
/ˈɪn.fə.məs/
Famous for something considered bad:
The list included the infamous George Drake, a double murderer.
He’s infamous for his bigoted sense of humour.
upstage
/ʌpˈsteɪdʒ/
To take people’s attention away from someone and make them listen to or look at you instead:
Most supporting bands tend to be youngsters, and rarely upstage the star.
impudent
/ˈɪm.pjə.dənt/
Rude and not showing respect, especially towards someone who is older or in a more important position:
an impudent remark/child
Synonyms: disrespectful
wholly
/ˈhəʊl.li/
Completely:
I wasn’t wholly convinced by her explanation.
That’s a wholly different issue.
a machine that is wholly British-made
telltale
/ˈtel.teɪl/
Allowing a secret to become known:
She found lipstick on his shirts - the telltale sign that he was having an affair.
glaringly
/ˈɡleə.rɪŋ.li/
In a way that is very obvious:
glaringly obvious
cringe
/krɪndʒ/
1. To suddenly move away from someone or something because you are frightened
2. To feel very embarrassed:
I cringed at the sight of my dad dancing.
wart
/wɔːt/
A small, hard lump (= a raised area) that grows on the skin, often on the face and hands
instil
/ɪnˈstɪl/
To put a feeling, idea, or principle gradually into someone’s mind, so that it has a strong influence on the way that person thinks or behaves:
It is part of a teacher’s job to instil confidence in/into his or her students.
