Advanced English Vocabulary Set 6 Flashcards
It began to ____ that something was wrong.
you have it for the first time
dawn
What is your _______ on environmental issues?
an opinion that is stated publicly
stance
We can _________ the power of the wind to generate electricity.
to control and use the natural force or power of something
harness
water which contains a lot of salt and is used for preserving food
brine
long and thin in a way that looks weak
spindly
But his assertion was later ________ by Robinson and Reich， who said those markings were irrelevant.
to prove that a statement or a charge made against you is false
rebutted
The murders made prime ______ for newspapers.
something or someone that is useful only for a particular purpose
fodder
Katy answered the phone. There was an ________ silence.
making you feel that something bad is going to happen
ominous
The two countries signed a treaty to ________ their alliance.
to make an agreement， plan， attitude etc more definite and less likely to change
solidify
the ________ market for digital cameras
to grow or develop quickly
burgeoning
Don’t worry. He still has a few ______ __ his sleeve.
to have a secret plan or idea that you are going to use later
tricks up
John has several new ideas for the show， but nothing is ______ in _______ yet.
used to say an idea or plan could change
etched in stone
I don’t want to ____ you on the ____， but I’m really curious about how you know Tim.
to deliberately ask someone a question that is difficult or embarrassing to answer
put you on the spot
Now that France and Germany have signed up， other countries will soon ____ into ______.
to start to do what someone else wants you to do， or to make someone do this
fall into line
Pensions will be increased __ ______ with inflation.
in the same way and at the same rate as sth
in line
Anybody who steps ___ __ ______ will be in deep trouble.
to not obey someone， or to do something that you should not do
out of line
Acting’s not really ___ my ______， I’m afraid.
to be the type of thing that someone is interested in or good at
in my line
There may be more costs further _____ the _______.
later， after an activity or situation has been continuing for a period of time
down the line
_____ the ______， please， and I’ll put you through to our sales department.
wait on the phone
Hold the line
She’s keen to do something in the fashion ______.
the type of work someone does
line
The idea that there is life on other planets is the central ________ of the novel.
a statement or idea that you accept as true and use as a base for developing other ideas
premise
It was no longer financially __________ to keep the community centre open.
possible and likely to work
feasible
She gave a ____ smile.
looking pale， weak， or tired
wan
I find their behaviour morally __________.
very bad and deserves criticism
reprehensible
Without iridescent blue eye shadow， an ________ outfit or a hair-sprayed coif， she looks normal.
beautiful and bright
effulgent
She was startled out of her _______ by a loud crash.
a state of imagining or thinking about pleasant things， that is like dreaming
reverie
Too many children seem _______ in society.
confused about what to do in their life
adrift
I heard John’s voice ________ in the other room.
to make a rough unpleasant sound
rasping
In the cold dawn light， the castle looked _____ and forbidding.
very plain in appearance， with little or no colour or decoration
stark
She was a fine ________ middle-aged lady with sharp eyes and a lucid tongue.
honest and responsible
upstanding
Right， let’s take it _____ the ___ once more.
from the beginning， used especially in the theatre
from the top
The whole house needs cleaning from ____ to _________.
thoroughly
from top to bottom
They were covered in mud from _____ to ____.
completely
from top to toe
Things are starting to get on ____ of ____.
begin to make you feel unhappy and upset
top of him
The truck was almost on ___ ___ us.
very near
on top of us
She had absolutely no _________ of what was going on.
slight idea
inkling
Harry’s going to get into trouble if he keeps ________ off on Friday afternoons.
to avoid work or school by staying away or leaving without permission
skiving
John and I used to ______ ___ school.
to stay away from somewhere such as school or to leave somewhere early without permission
bunk off
These figures _________ Smith’s argument.
to show that something is wrong or not true
disproved
She carried her car keys on an ___________ gold key ring.
designed to make people think that its owner must be very rich
ostentatious
He was taking an ________ delight in humiliating Sarah.
pleasure etc that you get from someone else’s suffering
unholy
Anyway， in each ______ the name of the country was used to finish a rhyme.
a short simple poem or song - used humorously
ditty
Economics practised with that in mind could become the _______ science.
making you feel happier and more hopeful
uplifting
Their ________ errand completed， the men resumed their jobs.
difficult and worrying or makes you tired
onerous
Most people think taking a package holiday in Bognor is really ____.
silly， especially because it is unfashionable or shows a lack of good taste
naff
This car ____ the ____ perfectly. It’s cheap and gets good mileage.
to be exactly what you need
fits the bill
Beauty， intelligence， wealth - my mother had all of them in ______.
in large amounts
spades
The administration seems to have done a complete ______-______ on gun-control.
a complete change in the way someone thinks or behaves
about-face
The negotiators made a _____-______ effort to reach an agreement.
a final attempt to achieve something before it is too late
last-ditch
Many workers will ____ _____ if their employers try to limit their bonus.
to leave an organization that you are working for， especially in order to join another
jump ship
While in hospital， Jeremy took ______ of his life.
to think carefully about the things that have happened in a situation in order to decide what to do next
stock
His new laptop is ______-___-___-_____.
using the most modern and recently developed methods， materials， or knowledge
state-of-the-art
It’s a good recording; the sound is as clear as a ___.
bell
But utility developers shouldn’t ____ in the _______ just yet.
to admit that you have been defeated
throw in the towel
And he knew I was a _____ ______， that I did most of the housework so he could be free.
you can easily persuade them to do what you want
soft touch
Dale spun around the dance floor in a ______ blue suit.
bright， fashionable， and attractive
snazzy
An ______ article about her appeared on the front page of the tabloids.
making someone look or seem bad or unattractive
unflattering
Belloni started her bakery business by _______ her homemade bread to local stores
to try to sell things to people， especially by going from place to place
peddling
Ella _______ her short freedom during the summer.
to enjoy an experience or the thought of something that is going to happen
relished
Now， as on other occasions， David had ______ at her fears.
to laugh at a person or idea， and talk about them in a way that shows you think they are stupid
scoffed
Is football a good _____ for men’s aggression?
a way of expressing or getting rid of strong feelings
outlet
The organization will be _________ in maintaining the highest moral standards.
very careful to be completely honest and fair
scrupulous
We’ll have to have a _____ on the house before your parents arrive.
a period of great effort in order to deal with something quickly and completely
blitz
A salesman started giving us a ____ about life insurance.
a quick speech that the speaker has used many times before， especially one that is intended to persuade people to buy something
spiel
a place where babies are looked after while their parents are at work
crèche
These ideas lead us into a philosophical ____-___-___.
an unhelpful situation in which you cannot make any more progress
cul-de-sac
She was _______ with happiness.
full of
suffused
He threw a stick into the river and the dog went after it in a flying _____.
big jump
leap
She was ________ that they should all meet for dinner.
demanding firmly and repeatedly that something should happen
insistent
a ________ of hostilities
when the fighting stops in a war
cessation
All that Mrs Browning required of her， surely， was that she should be docile and ____-________.
who does not seem to need other people or show their feelings
self-contained
She exercises every day to keep herself ______.
who bends and moves easily and gracefully
supple
He was a _______ little boy， with curly dark hair.
strong and healthy
robust
They seemed so different， yet he sensed an _________ between them.
a close relationship
affinity
The child was taken away from her parents by a _______ social worker.
false
bogus
What a _____-_____， dirty trick.
dishonest and unkind
low-down
Construction of the theme park never got ___ the _______.
to start to be successful
off the ground
The men threatened him， but he ____ his _____ and they fled.
to stay where you are when someone threatens you， in order to show them that you are not afraid
stood his ground
Lester claims to have several women on a _______.
to be able to make someone do whatever you want
string
And the reward for dismissal is a ________ _______ of several years’ pay.
a large amount of money given to someone when they leave their job
golden handshake
Nor is it the first time that Rupert’s good name has been ________.
spoiled
besmirched
The idea of doing our duty is deeply ________ in most people.
firmly established and therefore difficult to change
ingrained
Suddenly the engine __________ and stopped.
make short soft uneven noises like very small explosions
sputtered
Burns’ body was _________ at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
to bury or trap someone in something or under the ground
entombed
Against her will， hot __________ tears burst from her eyes and down her cheeks.
extremely hot
scalding
I was very ______ of him after I found out he had lied to Jennifer.
careful in the way that you deal with something or someone because you do not trust them
leery
a family with _____ earnings of just £75 per week
the total amount before any tax or costs have been taken away
gross
Most ________ scripts and script proposals get summarily returned to sender.
not asked for and often not wanted
unsolicited
The Communists were finally _______ from power.
to force someone out of a position of power， especially so that you can take their place
ousted
a ___________ from military to civilian government
a change from one activity， system， or way of working to another
changeover
She’s been _____ lately， waiting for the test results.
nervous and worried
edgy
She was _________ lost for words.
for a very short time
momentarily
She ________ about in the shallow water.
to jump or dance around in a playful or sexual way
cavorted
I got an affectionate send-off from my colleagues， along with much ________ and leg-pulling.
friendly joking about someone
raillery
These birds are considered to be _________ of doom.
a sign that something is going to happen soon
harbingers
Ranulf came in with a series of _______ questions but Corbett dismissed him with a look.
high， like someone crying， and sounds sad
plaintive
A sudden ______ of wind blew the door shut.
a sudden strong movement of wind， air， rain etc
gust
She ________ from his touch as if she had been slapped.
to move back suddenly and quickly from something you do not like or are afraid of
recoiled
For all the trouble she’s been through， Anna is remarkably _______.
positive and making you feel that good things will happen
upbeat
At the turn of a switch， an emotional tirade could become _______ chit-chat.
joking or humorous
jocular
If you have a burglar alarm fitted， make sure it is done by a ________ company.
respected for being honest or for doing good work
reputable
CCTV provided ___________ evidence that he was at the scene of the crime.
definitely true and impossible to be proved false
incontrovertible
He was ________ by the way Sylvia kept staring at him.
to upset or frighten someone so that they lose their confidence or their ability to think clearly
unnerved
a bizarre _________
a piece of equipment or machinery that looks funny， strange， and unlikely to work well
contraption
He is _______ to appear at the Cambridge Jazz Festival next year.
planned to happen in the future
slated
We ________ at what Graham had written.
to laugh loudly
guffawed
The whole street was ________ with potholes.
to put small marks or holes in the surface of something
pitted
He demolished the Opposition’s ________ arguments.
not based on facts or good thinking and is likely to be incorrect
spurious
a politician _______ by corruption
not influenced
untainted
The fish swam all around her and _______ at her legs.
to bite someone or something lightly
nipped
The project is already well ________.
happening now
underway
In loud， ________ tones， this vision warned James to give up war and consorting with wanton women.
sad， serious， and slightly frightening
sepulchral
People are afraid to change jobs in today’s ________ economy.
which is likely to change suddenly and without warning
volatile
Armstrong was a musician of world _______
the degree to which someone is admired or regarded as important
stature
Detectives are still trying to __________ the mystery surrounding his death.
to understand or explain something that is mysterious or complicated
unravel
Pubs are good places for a drink and some ________ conversation.
friendly and pleasantly cheerful
convivial
________ rage
unreasonable and crazy
insensate
They ________ over the slippery rocks.
to climb or move slowly somewhere， using your hands and feet because it is difficult or steep
clambered
Profits _________ from £49 million to £11 million.
to suddenly and quickly decrease in value or amount
plummeted
For some _________ reason， he felt depressed.
too unusual or strange to be explained or understood
inexplicable
The other children ________ him about his weight.
to try to make someone angry or upset by saying unkind things to them
taunted
an _______ carved chair
covered with a lot of decoration
ornately
‘I’m sorry，’ she _________ helplessly .
to not know what to say or do because you feel confused or upset
floundered
I’d have asked more questions， but I didn’t want to seem _________.
asking too many questions and trying to find out too many details about something or someone
inquisitive
Consumers are being ______ into buying faulty electronic goods.
to trick or deceive someone
duped
Her interest in politics began to _________ her desire to be a poet.
to make someone or something else seem less important
overshadow
a novel about a family’s struggle on the American ________
an area where people have never lived before， that not much is known about
frontier
It provided the ____ to further research.
a fact or event that makes you try harder to do something
spur
Many of Lewis’s activities ________ on the illegal.
to be very close to a harmful or extreme state
verged
In the small towns racial prejudice was deeply __________.
strongly established and not likely to change - often used to show disapproval
entrenched
Today its message seemed less equivocal， and the accompanying note no more than one of Cameron’s _____-__-__-______ enthusiasms.
made or done suddenly without planning
spur-of-the-moment
I was _______ to know how he had got on in New York.
to want to do or find out something very much
burning
Take things slowly this time - you don’t want to get ________ again.
to be emotionally hurt by someone or something
burned
I tried a dating agency once， but got my _______ badly _____ - I’ll never do it again.
to suffer the unpleasant results of something that you have done
got my fingers badly burnt
Don’t wait until the money’s ______ a ______ in your ________， plan ahead.
you want to spend it as soon as you can
burning a hole in your pocket
I’m really tempted to take up that job offer in Washington， but I don’t want to ______ my ______ with this company.
to do something with the result that you will not be able to return to a previous situation again
burn my boats
Back in the twenties， the Millay sisters were known in New York society for _________ the candle at ____ _______.
to get very tired by doing things until very late at night and getting up early in the mornings
burning the candle at both ends
Lawmakers were _________ the midnight ____ last night， as the debate continued.
to work or study until late at night
burning the midnight oil
Proceed with caution and， at the risk of sounding like a tabloid astrologer， ____ before you ______.
it is sensible to think about possible dangers or difficulties of something before doing it
look before you leap
When Mike lost his job， we could barely make ____ _____.
to have only just enough money to buy the things you need
ends meet
Our marriage had reached the ____ of the _____.
the end of a process， activity， or state
end of the line
My salary doesn’t ___ very ____ these days.
you cannot buy very much with it
go far
The coffee won’t ___ ___ if everyone wants a cup.
be enough
go far
His fame spread ___ and ______.
over a large area
far and wide
It’s clean and well-located， but ____ of ___， it’s affordable.
even better than the other good things
best of all
Rather than go ___ to _____ with their main rivals， they decided to try a more subtle approach.
to deal with or oppose someone in a very direct and determined way
head to head
In business， start small and don’t get ___ over your _______.
to be or get involved in something that is too difficult for you to deal with
in over your head
Another basic political problem here is that the Dole message turns history ____ its _____.
to make people think about something in the opposite way to the way it was originally intended
on its head
I offered to help her， but she just ____ my ______ ___.
to talk to someone very angrily with no good reason
bit my head off
But the surgery has given him confidence to stand _____ and _______ above the rest.
to be much better than other people
head and shoulders
For years they struggled to _____ their ____ above ______.
to manage to live on your income when this is difficult because of financial problems
keep their heads above water
They were seated by one of the windows， and Paige was glad she had a ______ for _______.
the ability to look down from high places without feeling ill or nervous
head for heights
The explanation went completely _____ my ______.
to be too difficult for someone to understand
over my head
The next morning， we all _____ our ______ together to decide what should be done.
to discuss a difficult problem together
put our heads together
Dave really let his promotion ____ to his ______.
make them feel more important than they really are
go to his head
Do what you’re told and ______ your ____ down.
to try to avoid being noticed or getting involved in something
keep your head down
It’s time you got your _____ ____ and did some revision
to start working in a quiet determined way
got your head down
Small companies cannot ____ their _____ to taking on many trainees
to be able and willing to do something
see their way
The thought of Pierre with Nicole had made her see ___.
to become very angry
red
This decision will ensure that the Pentagon Papers never ____ the ____ of ____.
to be brought out so that people can see it
see the light of day
She finally ____ the _____ and ended the relationship.
to realize that something is true
saw the light
It was a relief to ____ the _____ of them.
to not see someone or something again， especially someone or something you do not like
see the last of them
He refused to answer questions for fear he might ________ himself.
to make someone seem guilty of a crime
incriminate
The invasion left a ______ of hatred and fear.
something that happens or exists as a result of things that happened at an earlier time
legacy
The company accused him of ________ his contract.
to break a law， rule， or agreement
breaching
I’ve _______ the parts I want to comment on.
to make a mark against some information to show that it is important
flagged
A manager’s job is to _______ determination into his players.
to teach someone to think， behave， or feel in a particular way over a period of time
instil
A stack of plates swayed， and began to ______ over.
to become unsteady and then fall over， or to make something do this
topple
Businesses are focused on survival - everyone’s ________ down the hatches.
to prepare yourself for a period of difficulty or trouble
battening
They need to _______ exactly what skills are necessary.
to discover or explain exactly the real facts about something or the cause of a problem
pinpoint
a written statement that you swear is true， for use as proof in a court of law
affidavit
Rumours ________ as to the reasons for his resignation.
to exist in very large numbers
abound
She refused to be treated by an ______ and demanded to see a qualified doctor.
someone who has nearly finished training as a doctor and is working in a hospital
intern
He is energetic and ________.
happy and full of energy and excitement
exuberant
a _______ American accent
false or not real， and intended to deceive someone
phoney
Alleged _________ would be referred to the County Attorney for prosecution.
an act of breaking a rule or law
infractions
Extreme right-wing parties gained a ________ in the latest European elections.
a position from which you can start to make progress and achieve your aims
foothold
The danger of ________ is very small.
a situation in which a disease is spread by people touching each other
contagion
Baker argues that his trial was ________ by negative publicity.
it makes the person or situation seem bad
tainted
She’ll race if she gets medical _______ from her doctor.
the process of getting official permission or approval for something
clearance
The sporting opportunities here should suit the most ____-___ of tourists.
very eager to do something dangerous or violent
gung-ho
________ family members are demanding more information about the plane crash.
having lost a close friend or relative because they have recently died
Bereaved
It’s been _______ down all day.
to rain very heavily
teeming
The initial conflict was a mere _________ compared with the World War that followed.
an event that is much less important or serious than another one
sideshow
The studio manager will _____ you when it’s your turn to come on.
to give someone a sign that it is the right moment for them to speak
cue
Coleman _________ the board for not taking action sooner.
to criticize someone severely
chastised
________ events are taking place in the US.
very important because it will have a great influence on the future
Momentous
The conversation _______ into banter about the Cup Final.
to move smoothly from one song， idea， activity， condition etc to another
segued
She brushed her long hair into a shining _____ and arranged it carefully around her shoulders.
a person’s long thick hair
mane
Keep to the _______ side of the path.
facing towards the sea
seaward
My hair was dripping and my shoes _________ as I walked.
to make a sucking sound by walking or moving in something soft and wet
squelched
She was absolutely ______ that he had lied.
furious
livid
There was a ____ of sadness in her voice.
a very small amount
tinge
The district chairman was fully _______ of all the details.
to tell or give someone information about something
apprised
Police have warned stores to look out for ________ $50 bills.
made to look exactly like something else， in order to deceive people
counterfeit
The exhibition reflected _________ developments abroad.
existing or happening at the same time
concurrent
He was _________ after his divorce.
extremely sad and hopeless
disconsolate
Rostropovich was long considered the world’s _________ cellist.
the best or most important
foremost
Pipes may need ________ against the cold.
to cover or protect something with a material that stops electricity， sound， heat etc from getting in or out
insulating
Clara knew from ____-_____ experience that living in a foreign country would be difficult.
experience etc that has been learned or gained by doing something yourself
first-hand
