5 Flashcards
Lie
(V.)
past tense lay/past participle lain
present participle lying/third person singular lies
To be in a position in which your body is flat on the floor, on a bed etc
lie on/in etc
lie there
lie still/awake etc
(also lie down) To put yourself in a position in which your body is flat on the floor or on a bed
lie on
lie back
To be in a flat position on a surface
lie on/in etc
Lay
(V.)
past tense and past participle laid
To put someone or something down carefully into a flat positionSYN place
Lay bricks/carpet/concrete/cables etc: to put or fasten bricks, a carpet etc in the correct place, especially on the ground or floor
If a bird, insect etc lays eggs, it produces them from its body
(formal) To make a statement, give information etc in an official or public way
SYN put
Bump into somebody
Phrasal verb
To meet someone who you know, when you were not expecting to
SYN run into
Proposed
(Adj.)
A proposed change, plan, development etc is one that has been formally suggested to an official person or group
Principal
(Adj.)
Most important
SYN main
Regard
(N.)
Respect and admiration for someone or something
regard for
(formal) Attention or consideration that is shown towards someone or something
regard for
pay/show regard
little/no/scant regard (for somebody/something)
Housing
(N.)
The houses or conditions that people live in
The work of providing houses for people to live in
A protective cover for a machine
Accompany
(V.)
To go somewhere with someone
To play a musical instrument while someone sings a song or plays the main tune
To happen or exist at the same time as something else
If a book, document etc accompanies something, it comes with it
Pedestrianisation
(N.)
The simplest meaning of it is the removal of vehicular traffic from city streets. For example in Hong Kong, pedestrianisation is defined by the transport department as “to restrict vehicle access to a street or area for exclusive use of pedestrians”.
Dual
(Adj.)
Having two of something or two parts
>single
dual role/purpose/function
dual citizenship/nationality
duality noun
Carriageway
(N.) (BrE)
One of the two sides of a motorway or main road, for vehicles travelling in the same direction
Demolish
(V.)
To completely destroy a building
To prove that an idea or opinion is completely wrong
To end or ruin something completely
To defeat someone very easily
demolition noun
South
(N.) The direction that is at the bottom of a map of the world, below the Equator. It is on the right if you are facing the rising sun from/towards the south to the south (of something) the south: the southern part of a country or area in the south south of
Conjunction
(N.)
In conjunction with somebody/something: working, happening, or being used with someone or something else
A combination of different things that have come together by chance
conjunction of
(technical)
A word such as ‘and’, ‘but’, or ‘because’ which joins parts of a sentence
Undergo
(V.)
past tense underwent / past participle undergone
If you undergo a change, an unpleasant experience etc, it happens to you or is done to you
Sum
(N.) An amount of money sum of large/substantial/considerable etc sum small/modest/trifling etc sum
The sum of something: The total produced when you add two or more numbers or amounts together
Greater/more/better etc than the sum of its parts: Having a quality or effectiveness as a group that you would not expect from the quality of each member
A simple calculation by adding, multiplying, dividing etc, especially one done by children at school
in favour of (BrE)
in favor of (AmE)
Used when something is not chosen or used, because something else seems much better
Homeschool
(V.)
To teach children at home instead of sending them to school
homeschooling noun
homeschool adjective
Abroad
Adverb
In or to a foreign country
(formal) If a feeling, piece of news etc is abroad, a lot of people feel it or know about it
Sneakers (AmE)
Trainers (BrE)
(N.)
(especially AmE)
A type of light soft shoe with a rubber sole (=bottom), used for sport
>splimsoll
(BrE) A type of strong shoe that you wear for sport
SYN tennis shoe (AmE)
Trunk (AmE)
Boot (Eng)
(N.)
(AmE)
The part at the back of a car where you can put bags, tools etc
SYN boot (BrE)
(BrE)
An enclosed space at the back of a car, used for carrying bags etc
SYN trunk (AmE)
Pitcher (AmE)
Jug (BrE)
(N.)
(AmE)
A container for holding and pouring a liquid, with a handle and a shaped part to help the liquid flow out
SYN jug (BrE)
(BrE)
A container with a wide curved opening at the top and a handle, used especially at meals for pouring liquids
SYN pitcher (AmE)
Flashlight (AmE)
Torch (BrE)
(N.)
(AmE)
A small electric light that you can carry in your hand
SYN torch (BrE)
(BrE)
a small electric lamp that you carry in your hand
SYN flashlight (AmE)
Sedan (AmE)
Saloon (BrE)
(N.)
(AmE) A car that has four doors, seats for at least four people, and a boot SYN saloon (BrE)
(also saloon car) (BrE)
A car that has a separate enclosed space for your bags etc
SYN sedan (AmE)
Shopping cart (AmE) Troll (BrE)
(N.)
(AmE)
A large metal basket on wheels that you push around when you are shopping in a supermarket
SYN cart (AmE), shopping trolley (BrE)
(BrE)
A large metal basket on wheels that you push around when you are shopping in a supermarket
SYN trolley (BrE), shopping cart (AmE)
Windshield (AmE)
Windscreen (BrE)
(N.)
(AmE) A windscreen
(BrE) The large window at the front of a car, bus etc SYN windshield (AmE)
Ask out
(V.)
Invite someone out on a date
Fix somebody/something up
Phrasal verb
To arrange a meeting, event etc
To decorate or repair a room or building
SYN do up
To provide someone with something they want
[+ with]
To find a suitable romantic partner for someone
[+ with]
Preposition
(N.)
A word that is used before a noun, pronoun, or gerund to show place, time, direction etc. In the phrase the trees in the park, in is a preposition.
prepositional adjective
Pronoun
(N.)
A word that is used instead of a noun or noun phrase, such as he instead of Peter or the man
Eve
(N.)
The night or day before an important day
eve of
(literary)
Evening
Bonfire
(N.)
A large fire in the open air, often built to celebrate something
Quote
(V.)
To repeat exactly what someone else has said or written
quote from
quote somebody on something
To give a piece of information that is written down somewhere
To give something as an example to support what you are saying
SYN cite
quote something as something
Pallor
(N.)
When someone’s skin is very pale in a way that makes them look weak or unhealthy
Ceremony
(N.) (plural ceremonies)
An important social or religious event, when a traditional set of actions is performed in a formal way
ceremonial
The special actions and formal words traditionally used on particular occasions
without ceremony= in a very informal way, without politeness
Disguise
(V.)
To change someone’s appearance so that people cannot recognize them
disguise yourself as somebody/something
To change the appearance, sound, taste etc of something so that people do not recognize it
disguise something as something
To hide a fact or feeling so that people will not notice it
disguise the fact that
Prosperous
(Adj.) (formal)
Rich and successful
Pour
(V.)
To make a liquid or other substance flow out of or into a container by holding it at an angle
pour something into/out/down etc (something)
pour something away =get rid of something
pour somebody something
If a lot of liquid or smoke pours out, it comes out from somewhere in very large amounts
(also pour down)
To rain heavily without stopping
If a lot of people or things pour into or out of a place, a lot of them arrive or leave at the same time
If light is pouring into or out of a place, a lot of light is coming in or out
Among
Amongst
Preposition
In or through the middle of a group of people or things
With a particular group of people
Used to say that many people in a group have the same feeling or opinion, or that something affects many people in a group
Used to talk about a particular person, thing, or group as belonging to a larger group
Among other things/places/factors etc= used to say that you are only mentioning one or two people or things out of a much larger group
If something is divided or shared among a group of people, each person is given a part of it
Among yourselves/ourselves/themselves= with each other
Superior to
(Adj.)
Better, more powerful, more effective etc than a similar person or thing, especially one that you are competing against
OPP inferior
superior to
Your computer is far superior to mine
Qualified for
(V.)
To have the right to have or do something, or to give someone this right
qualify for
You may qualify for unemployment benefit
Satisfied with
(Adj.)
Feeling that something is as good as it should be, or that something has happened in the way that you want
OPP dissatisfied
satisfied with
Im not satisfied with the way he cut my hair
Regardless of
(Adv.)
Without being affected or influenced by something
regardless of
The law requires equal treatment for all, regardless of race, religion, or sex
Letdown
(N.)
informal
An event, performance etc that is not as good as you expected it to be
SYN disappointment
Let somebody/something down
Phrasal verb
To not do something that someone trusts or expects you to do
To make someone or something less successful or effective
To move something or someone to a lower position
Let your hair down (informal)= to relax and enjoy yourself, especially after working hard
Let your guard/defences down= to relax and stop worrying about what might happen or what someone might find out about you
Let somebody down lightly/gently= to give someone bad news in a way that will not upset them too much
(BrE) To allow the air to escape from something so that it loses its shape and becomes flat
To make a piece of clothing longer by unfolding a folded edge
Let on
Phrasal verb
(informal)
To tell someone something, especially something you have been keeping secret
let on that
let on who/why/how etc
Reveal
(V.)
To make known something that was previously secret or unknown
OPP conceal
reveal (that)
reveal yourself (as/to be something)
To show something that was previously hidden
OPP conceal
Unintentional
(Adj.)
Not done deliberately
OPP deliberate
unintentionally
Let somebody/something off
Phrasal verb
To not punish someone
[+ with]
let somebody off the hook =allow someone to escape punishment or criticism
let somebody off lightly/easily =give someone a less serious punishment than they deserve
Let somebody off (something)= if someone in authority lets you off something you should do, they give you permission not to do it
Let something ↔ off= to make something explode
Let up
Phrasal verb
To become less severe or harmful
To be less severe, unkind, or violent towards someone
To stop working as hard as you were
Vocabulary
(N.) (plural vocabularies)
All the words that someone knows or uses
All the words in a particular language
The words that are typically used when talking about a particular subject
vocabulary of
The range of possible features, effects, actions etc, especially in a type of music or art
(The word) failure/guilt/compromise etc is not in somebody’s vocabulary= used to say that someone never thinks of accepting failure etc
A list of words with explanations of their meanings, especially in a book for learning a foreign language
Mindset
(N.)
Someone’s general attitude, and the way in which they think about things and make decisions
SYN outlook
Impress
(V.)
To make someone feel admiration and respect
impress somebody with by something
To make the importance of something clear to someone
impress something on somebody
To press something into a soft surface so that a mark or pattern appears on it
Examiner
(N.)
Someone from a university, college, or professional institution who tests students knowledge or ability
Hinder
(V.)
To make it difficult for something to develop or succeed
SYN hamper
⚠ Do not confuse with prevent =to make it impossible for someone to do something His poor health prevented him from going to work NOT His poor health hindered him from going to work
RegisterIn everyday English, people often say something gets in the way of something rather than hinders it
This could get in the way of rescue attempts.
Poor English got in the way of his progress
Coherent
(Adj.)
If a piece of writing, set of ideas etc is coherent, it is easy to understand because it is clear and reasonable
If someone is coherent, they are talking in a way that is clear and easy to understand
If a group is coherent, its members are connected or united because they share common aims, qualities, or beliefs
coherently adv
Conditional
(N.)
A sentence or clause that is expressed in a conditional form
(Adj.)
In grammar, a conditional sentence is one that begins with ‘if’ or ‘unless’ and expresses something that must be true or happen before something else can be true or happen
If an offer, agreement etc is conditional, it will only be done if something else happens first
OPP unconditional
conditional on/upon
Cash cow
(N.)
Something that a company sells very successfully and that brings in a lot of money
Lengthly
(Adj.)
comparative lengthier, superlative lengthiest
Continuing for a long time, often too long
OPP brief
A speech, piece of writing etc that is lengthy is long and often contains too many details
Vague
(Adj.)
Unclear because someone does not give enough detailed information or does not say exactly what they mean
vague about
have a vague idea/feeling/recollection etc (that)= to think that something might be true or that you remember something, although you cannot be sure
Not having a clear shape or form
SYN indistinct
vagueness noun
Vaguely
(Adv.)
Slightly
OPP clearly
I vaguely remember a woman in a red dress standing outside the door.
There was something vaguely familiar about him.
I was vaguely aware of another figure by the door.
Not clearly or exactly
His statement was very vaguely worded.
In a way that shows you are not thinking about what you are doing
He smiled vaguely at the ceiling.
Trivial
(Adj.)
Not serious, important, or valuable
trivial problem/matter/complaint etc
Launch
(V.)
To start something, usually something big or important
launch an attack/assault/offensive
To make a new product, book etc available for sale for the first time
To put a boat or ship into the water
To send a weapon or spacecraft into the sky or into space
To make a computer program start
SYN open
launch yourself forwards/up/from etc: to jump up and forwards into the air with a lot of energy
Top-notch
(Adj.) (informal)
Something that is top-notch is of the highest quality or standard
Timid
(Adj.)
Not having courage or confidence
SYN shy
OPP confident
timidly adverb
timidity noun
Register
In everyday English, people usually say that someone is shy rather than timid
Pressing
(Adj.)
Needing to be discussed or dealt with very soon
SYN urgent
pressing problem/matter/need etc
Intervention
(N.)
The act of becoming involved in an argument, fight, or other difficult situation in order to change what happens
Therapeutic
(Adj.)
Making you feel calm and relaxed
Relating to the treatment or cure of an illness
>therapy
therapeutically adverb
Overnight
(Adj.)
Happening during the night or for the night
Happening surprisingly quickly
(Adv.)
For or during the night
Suddenly or surprisingly quickly
happen/appear/change overnight
⚠ Do not talk about an overnight because overnight is never a noun. It is either an adverb or an adjective
Conflict
(N.) A state of disagreement or argument between people, groups, countries etc conflict over conflict between in conflict (with somebody) political/social/industrial conflict
Fighting or a war
armed/military/violent conflict
A situation in which you have to choose between two or more opposite needs, influences etc
conflict between
in conflict (with something)
A situation in which you have two opposite feelings about something
(AmE) Something that you have to do at the same time that someone wants you to do something else
conflict of interest/interests
a) a situation in which you cannot do your job fairly because you will be affected by the decision you make
b) a situation in which different people want different things
Pioneer
(N.)
Someone who is important in the early development of something, and whose work or ideas are later developed by other people
pioneer of
One of the first people to travel to a new country or area and begin living there, farming etc
Inventor
(N.)
Someone who has invented something, or whose job is to invent things
Vacant
(Adj.)
A vacant seat, building, room, or piece of land is empty and available for someone to use
Register
In everyday English, people usually say that a seat or room is free rather than vacant
Is this seat free
(formal) A job or position in an organization that is vacant is available for someone to start doing fall vacant (BrE)= become vacant situations vacant (BrE)= the part of a newspaper where jobs are advertised
vacant expression/look/stare etc (written)= an expression that shows that someone does not seem to be thinking about anything
vacantly adv
Mixed feelings/emotions
If you have mixed feelings or emotions about something, you are not sure whether you like, agree with, or feel happy about it
mixed about
Summarise (BrE)
Summarize (AmE)
(V.)
Make a short statement giving only the main information and not the details of a plan, event, report etc
SYN sum up
to summarize
Asset
(N.)
The things that a company owns, that can be sold to pay debts
in assets
Something or someone that is useful because they help you succeed or deal with problems
OPP liability
be an asset to somebody/something
Assert
(V.)
To state firmly that something is true
assert that
assert your rights/independence/superiority etc: to state very strongly your right to something
assert yourself: to behave in a determined way and say clearly what you think
assert itself: if an idea or belief asserts itself, it begins to influence something
Awful
(Adj.)
Very bad or unpleasant
SYN terrible
(spoken) Used to emphasize how much or how good, bad etc something is
look/feel awful: to look or feel ill
(literary) making you feel great respect or fear
awfulness noun
Unpleasant
(Adj.)
Not pleasant or enjoyable
Not kind or friendly
OPP nice
unpleasantly adverb
