Advanced English Vocabulary Set 10 Flashcards
Facing funding cuts and a lawsuit challenging the school’s admissions policy， the university’s new president has a _____ _____.
a lot of work or problems
full plate
His ______ was in his ______ as he waited for news of the accident.
to feel sad or worried
heart was in his boots
The economy is rapidly going ____ the ________ and the country is in a mess.
in a bad condition
in the toilet
Her latest film _____ the _______ at last night’s cinema awards.
to win all the prizes or votes in a competition or an election
swept the boards
Mr. Smith often _______ ________ of my friendship and leaves the unpleasant tasks for me to do.
to use sb’s weakness to improve your own situation
takes advantage
I’d like to ________ _______ now and talk about a personal concern.
to suddenly change what you are doing
shift gears
She was trouble ____ __ ______， an unpredictable child you’d have to watch all the time.
a great deal more than sth
and a half
With the national government ____ of the __________， local leaders will have to work out a solution.
no not be involved in a situation
out of the picture
The company is proposing to cut spending right ________ the ______.
in every part or area
across the board
I’ve always thought ____ _______ _______ a cowardly way of ending a relationship.
a letter that you send to a man telling him you want to end a romantic relationship with him
Dear John letters
The owners gave the chef ______ ______ to create a new menu.
to allow sb complete freedom
free reign
We had an early flight so we were up ___ the _______ of ________.
very early in the morning
at the crack of dawn
By the time the princess appeared on the balcony， excitement among the crowd was at _____ _______.
when people’s emotions have become so strong that they can only just control themselves
fever pitch
________ new ______ into a tired old bathroom with a coat of brightly coloured paint in this season’s exciting colours.
to make sth seem interesting again
Breathe new life
A number of black youths have complained of being ___________ by the police.
to make sb’s life unpleasant， for example by frequently saying offensive things to them or threatening them
harassed
a crisis which will test the prime minister’s _________
courage and determination to do sth even when it is very difficult
mettle
a house ________ on a cliff above the town
to be in a position on top of sth or on the edge of sth
perched
He managed to escape from his __________.
sb who is keeping another person prisoner
captors
He thought of Hob dying in his _________， his wife frightened of the future.
a small dirty place where sb lives， especially a very poor person
hovel
It’s a common ___________ that a neutered dog will become fat and lazy.
a false idea or belief， especially one that a lot of people believe is true
fallacy
It’s wise to have an extra video player as a _________.
sth that can be used if a supply fails
fallback
She had ____________ me into taking messages to her lover.
to persuade sb to do what you want， especially in a dishonest way
inveigled
The police may have used ___________ tactics to get confessions.
using threats or orders to make sb do sth they do not want to do
coercive
Truth is a _________ commodity， even among its purveyors.
able or likely to change
mutable
The rebels ___________ the villagers into hiding them from the army.
to force sb to do sth they do not want to do by threatening them
coerced
Let’s look at the questions from an economic _________.
point of view
standpoint
His philosophical writings are _________ with religious belief.
to make sb have a quality， idea， or emotion very strongly
imbued
I don’t understand. You’ll have to __________.
to explain or make clear
elucidate
an ________ climb
difficult， tiring
arduous
The police were not guilty of the violence _________ to them.
to say， often unfairly， that sb is responsible for sth bad
imputed
Katzen offered little evidence to __________ his claims.
to prove the truth of sth that sb has said， claimed etc
substantiate
An _______ piano-stool， went for £125 while two bedroom mirrors made £140.
that has little pieces of another material set into its surface for decoration
inlaid
The problems of crime and unemployment are closely ____________.
closely related to each other
intertwined
The boy was ____________ after the death of his dog.
so sad that it is impossible for anyone to comfort you
inconsolable
Losing money in this way taught young Jones a _________ lesson.
which is unpleasant but teaches you something
salutary
He was the _________ in last Saturday’s game.
much better than the rest
standout
Police at the barriers ___________ the crowd into the arena.
to direct sth through a narrow opening
funnelled
Everyone was _______ at the verdict.
feeling or looking shocked by sth you have seen or just found out
aghast
The author ______ every script for the new TV series.
to check a report， speech etc carefully to make sure it is acceptable
vets
All those slogans we used to chant sound so __________ now.
boring and without much meaning because it has been used so often
hackneyed
We can’t afford to become __________ about any of our products.
feeling so satisfied with your own abilities or situation that you feel you do not need to try any harder
complacent
Sir Keith Joseph， the right’s _______-________， blew it with an injudicious speech about the underclass.
an important leader in a moral argument or political group
standard-bearer
A cat is a ____________ animal that washes itself frequently.
very careful about small details in your appearance， work etc
fastidious
She’s strangely __________ about her son.
unwilling to talk about what you feel or what you know
reticent
_________ buildings
very large or wonderful
grandiose
Petitions to the Admiralty for ___________ for his discovery brought nothing.
the pay you give sb for sth they have done for you
remuneration
Love is a force _________ in the world.
present everywhere
immanent
The broken limb must be ___________ immediately.
to prevent sth from moving
immobilized
Bureaucratic __________ were conspicuous at every level.
a long and complicated argument
wrangles
Changes at this point may actually _________ the entire system.
to make sth less effective
vitiate
He gave a moving __________ of Lennon’s Imagine.
sb’s performance， interpretation
rendition
He smiled in anticipation of her ________ arrival.
which will happen soon
imminent
A suicide squad was formed of women ready to __________ themselves if the pageant went ahead.
to kill sb by burning them
immolate
The two themes are inextricably ___________ in the book.
closely related or combined in a complicated way
interwoven
Parents came to see their children in the annual Christmas _________.
an organized public show， often performed outdoors
pageant
This program can be used as a __________ application or from within Microsoft Frontpage.
not being part of sth else
standalone
The new theatre looks utterly ___________ in its setting.
strange， unexpected， or unsuitable
incongruous
The weather forecast is for sun， with ____________ showers.
sporadic
intermittent
She stared at him with ___________ curiosity.
not ashamed or embarrassed
unabashed
He lacked the moral __________ for marriage.
sth needed for a particular purpose
requisites
The tribesmen were forcibly ___________ by the government.
to go to live in a new country or area， or to help people do this
resettled
Elizabeth watched with fascinated horror the ____________ feeding practised on the poor children.
done using physical force
forcible
the ______ of perfection
the best and highest level
acme
The local weather was always ________.
sad， slow， and suitable for a funeral
funereal
She gulped it down， paid the __________ dispensing fee， and left the premises.
very small in amount
exiguous
Some portions of the bill may __________ state law.
violate
contravene
Sending the troops was a __________ of the treaty.
violation
contravention
It is an illness which __________ women more than men.
to make people suffer
afflicts
Malnutrition is one of the common ___________ of the poor.
sth that makes you suffer
afflictions
Details of the accident are still ________.
not thorough， without enough details
sketchy
She ____________ her dog with the finest steak and salmon.
to treat sb in a special way by making them as comfortable as possible and giving them whatever they want
pampers
questions about the ____________ of the document
the quality of being true or real
verisimilitude
If it came to a ____-____ fight， I wouldn’t have a chance.
one in which people shout loudly at each other or are violent
stand-up
the ____________ connection between language and culture
about things that are closely related and affect each other
inextricable
_________ jokes
childish
infantile
Clarissa was extremely ________ on the subject of good manners.
talking a lot or talking quickly
voluble
She was shocked that a renowned humanitarian could give such as a ________ keynote address.
speaking pompously， with inflated self-importance
bombastic
He would be setting out his plans for the party in a _______ speech.
the main theme
keynote
Comedians often ________ politicians as part of their comedic routines.
to speak in a derogatory way
disparage
Petra would ___________ all accusations made against her.
to deny， contradict
gainsay
One can no longer walk the streets without seeing beggars _________ passers-by.
ask for sth in an annoying way
importuning
The politician’s ____________ may make us laugh， but they will not win our votes.
a comical misuse of words
malapropism
Please don’t ________ your words - just tell me what you want to say.
say sth more delicately or indirectly for the sake of politeness
mince
It was inappropriate to make such ___________ remarks in front of everybody.
expressing contempt
opprobrious
Matthew offered me several ___________ but no real advice.
a trite or banal statement
platitudes
She ___________ with him but he would not listen.
to tell sb that you strongly dissaprove of sth they have said
remonstrated
He wasn’t expecting such a sharp __________ from someone who was normally so quiet.
a quick， witty reply
repartee
I was hurt by his __________ reply.
sarcastic
sardonic
I was looking for your honest opinion， not a __________ reply.
full of maxims and proverbs offered in a self-righteous manner
sententious
Frank’s ___________ caused his debate team much embarrassment.
violation of good manners or etiquette
solecism
Many members were ____________ about the process.
not sure whether you want sth or not
ambivalent
During the _____________ stage of fetal growth， it’s difficult to distinguish between a cow， a frog and a human.
not yet fully formed， just begun
inchoate
Teenagers are continually ____________ by their parents.
to annoy， vex
irked
Sarah is still _______________， so if you talk to her， you might help her make up her mind.
feeling or showing uncertainty
irresolute
The ___________ woman sitting next to me talked the entire time.
talkative， garrulous
loquacious
The governor tried to _____________ his malfeasance.
to make sth less severe
palliate
The governor tried to palliate his _____________.
illegal activity， especially by a government official
malfeasance
This _____________ establishment should be shut down immediately.
morally degraded
sordid
Eva is a very ___________ person， so it’s difficult to tell how she feels.
not feeling or showing emotion， impassive
stolid
The _____________ man could not stop talking about himself or looking in the mirror.
arrogant， conceited
bumptious
Alice’s ___________ remarks made everyone at the table uncomfortable and ill at ease.
ill-mannered， boorish， rude
churlish
The captain was __________ as he guided the boat through the fog.
cautious， wary
circumspect
Alan’s __________ nature is often misinterpreted as arrogance.
lacking self-confidence， shy and timid
diffident
John was a ________________ fellow who always had fun at social events.
tending to form a group with others of the same kind
gregarious
Her ___________ temperament caused many problems with the staff at the office.
irritable
irascible
I quit because I couldn’t stand to work for such an _____________ boss.
too proud and confident
overweening
The ____________ knight betrayed the king.
treacherous， dishonest
perfidious
Sandra is ____________ and well-liked by her peers.
pleasing in appearance or manner
personable
The pouting and sulking child could only be described as ______________.
peevish， unreasonably irritated or annoyed
petulant
Andrew is a remarkably successful businessman for someone so __________.
childish
puerile
Kira is as _____________ in her personal affairs as she is in the workplace.
very conscientious and precise
punctilious
My ___________ uncle always gives me good， sound advice.
having or showing good judgement
sagacious
Emily received a _______ greeting from the normally cheerful receptionist.
bad-tempered， gruff
surly
They still don’t know what caused the ___________ that destroyed half of the trees in the orchard.
sth that impairs or destroys
blight
It was hard for Tessa to ___________ the subject of her mother’s weight again.
to bring up， introduce in order to begin a discussion of
broach
Their dog would _______ at my feet， hoping I would throw him some table scraps.
to beg
cadge
The lightning did little to ______ local golfers.
to make sb feel afraid or less confident
daunt
Shelly finally __________ to join us for lunch.
to agree to sth that you think you are too important to do
deigned
Work crews immediately began the task of cleaning the _______ at the abandoned plastics factory.
waste product
dross
Working two jobs enabled Tom to _____ ___ a living wage for his family.
to succeed in getting the things one needs to live
eke out
Walter _________ illness to avoid attending the meeting.
to pretend
feigned
I was filled with ____ when Walter tried to take credit for my work.
anger， wrath
ire
The joyous wedding celebration filled the reception hall with _____ throughout the evening.
great merriment
mirth
The students continued to discuss the \_\_\_\_\_\_ point， even after class was over. debatable， undecided
moot
Mona \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ as soon as Richard， the class bully， entered the room. to draw back in fear
quailed
Wild swings in prices _________ the stock market.
to make sb feel nervous and annoyed
roiled
The city is __________ with tourists this summer.
to be full of
teeming
Coach Edmond’s speech ________ the team’s confidence.
to hearten， support
bolstered
The tulip bulbs beneath the soil would _________ in early spring.
to begin to grow and flourish
burgeon
When Kate began to _________ the old teapot， she realized that it was solid silver.
to polish， rub to a shine
burnish
The bus __________ off the road and plunged into a river.
to move forwards quickly， going from side to side
careened
Joe __________ drunkely into the room.
to move suddenly in a way that is not smooth or controlled
lurched
An extended period of neglect would eventually ____________ much of the housing in the inner cities.
to destroy a large portion of
decimate
The presence of two security guards ______________ the teenagers’ plans to get backstage.
to impede， restrict
fettered
The senator was prone to ____________ when other legislators questioned her ideology.
to speak angrily about sth
fulminate
The article really ________ my interest in wildlife preservation.
to arouse， provoke
piqued
The child was _________ for misbehaving during the ceremony.
to reprove， reproach sharply
upbraided
The jury granted Anna the ____________ she deserved.
a formal declaration of forgiveness
absolution
They are charged with __________ investors out of millions of dollars.
to get money from sth in a dishonest way
bilking
When she was caught stealing for the second time， Maya knew her mother would _____________ her.
to inflict a severe punishment on
castigate
He found no evidence of __________ between record companies and retailers.
the secret activities of people who work together to do something dishonest
collusion
The _________ of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes will never be forgotten.
excessive wickedness
enormity
The ___________ had eluded the police for months， but today he was finally captured.
a villain， criminal
miscreant
Don’t make such a big deal out of a little ___________.
a trivial offense
peccadillo
The thief ______________ a sculpture worth thousands of dollars.
to steal
purloined
The ____________ child was sent to the principal’s office for the third time in a week.
disobedient， unruly
recalcitrant
The report _________ the pilot from any blame for the crash.
to state officially that sb is free of any blame
absolves
Fourteen people， waiting to be hanged for the murder of a former prime minister， have been ____________.
to have the punishment delayed or cancelled
reprieved
He will be sentenced for his war crimes by an international ____________.
a court of justice
tribunal
The ____________ judge was removed and disbarred.
easily bribed or corrupted
venal
Estrada was fired from his job and ____________.
to stop a lawyer from doing any legal work
disbarred
Seeing Chuck wiping his mouth with his sleeve， Maribel realized she was attending her prom with a classic ________.
a crude， ill-mannered person
boor
A house in the suburbs， two children， two cars and three TVs are key indicators of a _________ lifestyle.
typical of the middle class
bourgeois
Male ___________ believe that women are inferior to men.
a person who believes in the superiority of his own kind
chauvinist
The Chief was left speechless by this _______ remark.
complacently stupid， silly
fatuous
Jake’s ___________ performance led to his termination from the team.
incompetent， ineffective， careless
feckless
The _________ host made sure that each entrée was cooked to each guest’s specifications.
elegantly polite， well-bred， refined
genteel
Using words as weapons， the well-spoken ___________ challenged religious hypocrisy wherever she found it.
sb who opposes and destroys idols used in worship
iconoclast
Mark was an __________ successor to such a well-respected leader.
lacking nobility
ignoble
The ___________ waiter broke a dozen plates and spilled coffee on two customers.
clumsy， inept
maladroit
Richard thinks he is a cosmopolitan， but he’s really just a ____________.
a smug， ignorant person
philistine
They can’t sing. They’re just a bunch of ____________ with guitars.
sb who puts on airs to impress others
poseurs
The ___________ soldier decided to join the guerilla fighters.
a deserter， sb who rebels and becomes an outlaw
renegade
Yesterday， that ___________ hid all of my cooking utensils!
a mischievous person
rogue
The president is surrounded by ______________， so how will he really know if his ideas have merit?
a person who tries to win the favor of influential people through flattery
sycophants
Jackie Kennedy’s __________ dignity in the days following her husban’s assasination set a tone for the rest of the nation as it mourned.
majestic， venerable
august
The chamber orchestra’s ______________ tunes were a perfect ending to a great evening.
melodious， sweet-sounding
dulcet
With his ten-gallon hat， western shirt， and rugged jeans， Alex was the _____________ of the American cowboy.
a representative example
epitome
Her ____________ voice floated in through the windows and made everyone smile.
sounding sweet and flowing
mellifluous
The _____________ reason for the meeting is to discuss the candidates， but I believe they’ve already made their decision.
seeming， appearing as such， pretended
ostensible
Although the film received critical acclaim， its ______________ plot has been overused by screenwriters for decades.
commonplace， trite
pedestrian
The letter ______________ to express your opinion on the matter.
to be intended to seem
purports
Maura is the ___________ of kindness.
the perfect example or embodiment of sth
quintessence
After years of ___________ research， the researchers discovered a cure.
diligent， hardworking
sedulous
The volcano is ____________ at the moment， but who knows when it wil erupt again.
inactive， dormant
quiescent
He was a handsome， ____________， death-defying racing-driver.
confident， charming and well-dressed
debonair
He wore his hat at a ___________ angle.
making you look relaxed， confident and stylish
rakish
To promote better health， I’ve decided to move to a more _____________ climate.
producing a beneficial effect
salutary
It’s dangerous to drive fast on such a ________________ road.
winding， serpentine
sinuous
Caught in an unexpected rainstorm， I was _____________ by the time I reached the bus stop.
thoroughly soaked
sodden
The cultural and historical links between the many provinces were seen to be very __________.
unsubstantial， weak
tenuous
You should be able to convince Andrea quickly - she’s quite a ___________ person.
easily controlled or influenced
malleable
Without much _____， she completed her book report.
fuss， trouble， bother
ado
The __________ setting on a camera has to be set perfectly to ensure that pictures will have enough light.
an opening or gap， especially one that lets in light
aperture
Anne’s __________ often got her in trouble with other kids in the neighborhood.
false courage
bravado
The double agent had a ___________ with the spy he was supposed to be observing.
a private， secret meeting
conclave
Collins’ story was filmed with real intelligence and _______.
a style that is full of energy and determination
élan
The __________ of their group included a commitment to pacifism.
the spirit， attitude， characteristic beliefs
ethos
The negotiations with management reached an _____________.
a deadlock， stalemate
impasse
There was a very interesting ____________ of people at the party.
a mixture or assortment
mélange
The __________ between the lobbyists and the recent policy changes is clear.
a connection or series of connections within a particular situation or system
nexus
Marcus’s argument started off strong， but it degenerated into a series of ____ _______.
a conclusion that doesn’t logically follow from the evidence
non sequiturs
The journalist consulted several legal ____________ before drafting the article.
a learned person or scholar
pundits
The growth of personal computers and CD players was __________ during the twentieth century.
of the same period
coeval
You might expect politicians to smooth things out when civil servants are being __________.
slow and causing delay
dilatory
While on vacation at a posh resort hotel， Joan became a true ____________.
a person devoted to the pursuit of pleasure
epicurean
Teaching isn’t a very ___________ career.
profitable
lucrative
Stop ____________ and give me a hand with this job.
to pretend to be ill in order to avoid work
malingering
It was Clark’s idea， so the ___________ is on hime to show us that it will work.
duty or responsibility of doing sth
onus
I love the __________ taste of a good， strong curry.
having a strong， sharp taste or smell
pungent
