Advanced English Vocabulary Set 8 Flashcards
He is a millionaire ________ who refuses to give interviews.
a person who lives alone and avoids going outside or talking to other people
recluse
I have to say that last question ________ me.
to confuse someone so much that they do not know what to do
flummoxed
Did I hurt you? - I thought I saw you ______.
to show pain briefly and suddenly in the face， often moving the head back at the same time
wince
I’m the first to admit that I’m an _________ cider drinker—I drink four pints a day.
stubbornly established by habit
inveterate
Tom made a strong case for an extension of his curfew， but his mother __________ it with a few biting words.
to reject， refuse to accept
repudiated
The governor was _________ for using state funds improperly.
to be formally charged with a serious crime in a special government court
impeached
We are not just an ________ of chemicals or a mindless machine.
a group of things collected together
assemblage
Nationalist ________ has increased in the area since the bombing.
a thought， opinion or idea based on a feeling about a situation， or a way of thinking about something
sentiment
He tends to ______ at people when he’s got a headache.
to speak quickly， usually in an annoyed way
snap
I wanted to speak to her， but she gave me the _____-____.
a clear refusal to be friendly or to listen; rude dismissal
brush-off
He _________ between accepting and refusing.
to be uncertain or unsteady in movement or decision
wavered
Even seeming _________ words can be offensive if used in the wrong context.
not at all harmful or controversial
innocuous
I enjoy listening to their witty ________.
quick， amusing answers in conversation
repartee
His _________ personality makes him difficult to work with.
frequently trying to tell other people what to do without regard for their ideas or feelings
overbearing
We had a good _________ over a bottle of wine.
a long and pleasant conversation between friends
chinwag
According to witnesses， the _________ between the two men started inside the restaurant.
a loud argument or disagreement
altercation
My mother is always _________ over something.
to be continually worried or dissatisfied about small or unnecessary things
fretting
How much __________ does he pay to his children and ex-wife?
money that a person has been ordered by a court to pay regularly to their former partner
maintenance
They can’t manufacture the device till they’ve ironed out all the production ________.
a small fault in the operation
glitches
His _______ research resulted in him failing his PhD.
of poor quality
shoddy
A hospital chief executive has ________ rumours that people will lose their jobs.
to say or do something to stop something from continuing
quashed
There is a _________ of opinion on the benefits of technology.
a difference between two or more things
divergence
Her parents finally __________ and allowed her to go.
to change your attitude and become less strict or cruel
relented
Billionaire Howard Hughes’s reclusive behavior during his final years can easily be called ________.
odd， eccentric
erratic
He’s a very kind and _________ young man.
willing to consider new ideas or listen to someone else’s opinions
receptive
She was tired of his cheap ______.
an unkind remark intended to make someone seem silly
jibes
During the communist regime government had __________ produced that cast a positive light on often unfair government policy.
a short cinema film of recent event
newsreels
___-__-___-______-_____ is provided by 24 hour channels like Sky News or CNN.
news having or including the most recent information possible
Up-to-the-minute-news
The author of a very famous article published in the New York Times was paid high ________.
a payment made to a writer
royalty
For John books are a form of ________.
an activity， a form of entertainment， etc. that helps you avoid or forget unpleasant or boring things
escapism
The firm is threatened with ________.
the permanent closing， e.g. of a business
closure
People are convicted that all criminals should get a ___________ for their deeds.
severe punishment that is deserved
retribution
The room was painted in ________ colours.
dark and dull
sombre
Yesterday all the petty criminals were _________!
to decide officially that someone is not guilty of a crime
acquitted
People say that a famous and dangerous _________ rules this part of our city.
member of an organised criminal group
mobster
Certain scenes in action films are too violent and __________.
unnecessary
gratuitous
At the party， Carl tried to talk to Suzanne， but she gave him ___ ______ ______.
to ignore someone deliberately
the cold shoulder
In many countries you can’t get anything done without _______ the ______ of officials.
to bribe somebody
greasing the palms
The drunk kept on _______ ______ at her.
to try insistently to pick sb up
making passes
Knowing that song ______ you. It was popular in the 1950s.
tells your age; when you were born
dates
I knew you and Mike would ____ it _____ straight away.
to immediately have a good relationship with sb when you meet them for the first time
hit it off
They created a _____ ____ to bribe influential officials.
a fund of money used for illegal purposes
slush fund
He’s ____ ______ that Ming is the man who talked to him.
very certain
dead certain
At 77 he is ______ and _____， getting up at six every morning to walk three miles.
healthy and strong
hale and hearty
I don’t have very much patience with all this legal ____-_______.
to argue about whether details that are not important are correct
hair-splitting
I don’t care how much skill he has. If he can’t play under pressure he’s a ____ _____.
not competitive， not viable
dead duck
The form must be signed by your ____ of _____.
your closest living relative
next of kin
Enemy forces are within a ______ ______ of the city.
a very small distance or amount
a hair’s breadth
Tom was 54 and not married which meant he was a ________ ________.
a man who is not likely to get married
confirmed bachelor
He adores the girl - he wouldn’t _____ a _____ on her ______.
to hurt someone
harm a hair on her head
He was expecting her to be furious but she didn’t ______ a _______.
to not show any emotion when you are told something bad or when something bad happens
turn a hair
She was immaculate as ever， ___ a ____ out of ______.
with a very tidy appearance
not a hair out of place
Harry usually keeps the kids occupied so they don’t ____ in my _____ while I’m cooking.
to annoy sb， esp. by being near them for a long period
get in my hair
The thought of jumping out of an aeroplane makes my _____ _____ on _____.
to make someone feel very frightened
hair stand on end
The last scheme you came up with was really ___ the ______.
worthless
for the birds
The backup quarterback was called into the game， but he got _____ _____ and refused to go in.
to be too fearful to undertake or complete an action
cold feet
After the trial McVeigh was _________ and sentenced to death.
to prove or announce that someone is guilty of a crime
convicted
Many people think that censorship __________ on their freedom.
to limit
infringes
Stronger legal _________ are needed to protect the consumer.
sth that is designed to protect people from harm， risk or danger
safeguards
I can’t stand him - he’s such an old ______.
a person who complains a lot
grouch
In many countries ______-____ wives have the same rights as official ones.
person living with his/her partner for a long time but not married to him/her
common-law
The landlord tried to cover his losses by _________ high rents from tenants.
to illegally force sb to give you money by threatening them
extorting
Stop ________ and tell me what you really think.
to try to avoid giving an answer or taking any action
hedging
He denied __________ with his wife’s best friend.
to have a sexual intercourse with sb you’re not married to
fornicating
They are __________ the town square.
to make an area into one where vehicles are not allowed to go
pedestrianizing
I told him he should stop building _____ in ___ _______ and train for a sensible profession.
extravagant hopes and plans that will never be carried out
castles in the air
_____ ___ _____ ____， she walked to work. I saw her every morning.
every day
Day in， day out
The poor frequently lack the _______ ______ the rest of us take for granted.
the basic physical things that make life pleasant — good food， warm clothing， etc
creature comforts
The broker said， It was a ____-____ ______. Stocks remain low.
very little recovery after a loss， not coming up again
dead-cat bounce
My father is convinced that this venture will fail， but then he’s always been a _______ of ______.
sb who always expects bad things to happen
prophet of doom
People of various party _________ joined the campaign.
a continued support for a political party， religion， ruler， etc
allegiance
Betsy ________ at him as she spoke.
to smile in a silly annoying way
simpered
How can we best _________ ‘King Lear’ and understand it?
to explain an idea or a work of literature in a lot of detail
explicate
Mrs. Hutchins __________ at length on the ignorance of the frontier people.
to make a long formal speech about sth
discoursed
When he said he didn’t agree with her she _________ at him and left the room.
to look at someone in an angry way
scowled
He _________ an apology and left quickly.
to say sth with a lot of pauses and repeated sounds
stammered
She’s been __________ on about the wedding for weeks.
to talk continuously about unimportant things
nattering
The refugees slept in __________ tents at the side of the road.
made to be used for a short time only when nothing better is available
makeshift
The new treatment ________ the need for surgery.
eliminate
obviates
Brook now faces probable jail after an indictment for ________.
the act or crime of stealing
larceny
The newspaper has become the official __________ of the opposition party.
a person， newspaper， etc. that informs the public about the opinions of a group of people or political organization
mouthpiece
She _________ $10，000 by falsifying the accounts.
to steal money from the place where you work
embezzled
She seems to have ________ energy.
that will always continue
inexhaustible
He was found innocent of ________ his small child.
the criminal act of treating sb violently or threatening them
battering
Rupert Murdoch was an newspaper ________.
person who is successful in business or industry and has become rich and powerful
tycoon
Two of my employees were convicted for ________ as they lied to judge to protect me.
the action of telling a lie in a lawcourt
perjury
__________ has completely changed his attitude towards life.
the state of being married
Matrimony
He was a __________ of Freud and may have known him.
a person alive at the same time
contemporary
Political __________ are very common these days.
a great or complete change involving disturbance， confusion， trouble
upheavals
Technical jargon is all to often ________.
difficult to understand
opaque
This article is a _________ of an honest politician.
a lie about sb that damages one’s reputation
defamation
He was unable to give a ________ explanation for his behaviour.
deserving or able to be believed or trusted
credible
The fact that these children cannot read is a damning _________ of our education system.
a very clear sign that sth is very bad
indictment
___________ the quest for revenge has given him release.
to stop having or doing something
Relinquishing
You can see __________ of light in action by placing a drinking straw in a glass of water.
bending of light rays when they pass from one transparent material to another
refraction
A manufacturer _________ made and marketed a car with defective brakes.
without realizing ones responsibilities
negligently
Some waste should be recycled rather than kept at _________.
a place where waste can be buried
landfills
Caroline believed that Jack would be less upset about her lateness after he had heard the ___________ circumstances.
to lessen or seem to lessen in seriousness by excuses
extenuating
The land was _________ and people couldn’t grow any plants there.
infertile
barren
Science is ____________ to the debate on the sanctity of human life.
not very important compared with other activities or issues
peripheral
Military police leapt out of the car， their weapons ___ the ______.
ready for use
at the ready
Working in a library， I have all this information ___ _____.
available and ready to use
on tap
He arrived at 7 every evening， _____ _______.
at regular times
like clockwork
Jones _______ _____ in October that he planned to leave at the end of the school year.
to warn your employer that you will stop working
gave notice
Of course， your father， old _______ _____， wanted to come home after half an hour because he was bored.
sb who complains all the time and is never happy
misery guts
Do you think it’s worth sending my manuscript to other publishers or I am just _______ a _____ ______?
to waste time doing something that has already been attempted
beating a dead horse
I really don’t feel like cooking for all these people tonight but ______ ____.
you will do sth only because it is necessary
needs must
He was a _____ ________ in developing a new style of customer-friendly bookshops in the UK.
sb who has a lot of influence in starting sth important
prime mover
If this trend continues， the government could start _______ _____ the national debt.
to reduce the amount of money owed
paying down
They ______ it _______ with their second album which became an immediate best-seller.
to suddenly have good luck
struck it lucky
Two doctors arrived ____ the _______ to treat the victims of the accident.
very quickly
on the double
Many young people _______ because their parents wouldn’t let them get married.
to run away with somebody in order to marry him secretly
elope
Washing machine for sale - only two months old and in ________ condition.
in its original condition
pristine
The professor had been __________ and irritable.
very eager to argue or fight with people
pugnacious
And now for something completely different: cheap and cheerful ______.
red wine from the Bordeaux area of France
claret
He had no _________ about selling faulty goods to people.
a belief about what is right and wrong that prevents you from doing bad things
scruples
Be prepared to question this if you want to， and do not retreat from any _________ looks.
that makes someone feel stupid， embarrassed， or lose confidence
withering
And it’s only the _______ owl who goes tu-whit-tu-whoo.
brownish-yellow in colour
tawny
A mineral like _________， for example， has a number of varieties.
a dark red stone used as a jewel
garnet
Richard was anxious to ______ for his thoughtlessness.
to do something to show that you are sorry for having done something wrong
atone
He’s been _______ a ____ _______ at work ever since his argument with Jane.
to avoid attracting attention to yourself
keeping a low profile
The man’s ________ through his ______. He never said anything of the sort.
to tell someone something that you know is completely false
lying through his teeth
This sponge cake just _____ in your ______.
to be soft and taste very pleasant
melts in your mouth
I had to explain to Sam that it was only _____ _______ and that they weren’t real monsters.
imaginary or invented
make believe
The school governors are completely in the head teacher’s ______.
to do everything that sb wants you to do
To challenge the Mafia would be a ____ _____.
saying you want to die， inviting death
death wish
I’ve decided to _____ the ______ and start up my own business.
to do sth that you’ve been thinking about doing for a long time
take the plunge
Abernathy couldn’t stick to one project and was always dashing from _______ to _____.
from one place or thing to another in rapid succession
from pillar to post
When Corey found out someone had stolen his CD player， he really ____ the ________.
to become extremely angry
hit the ceiling
Sharp resigned after allegations that he had been ________ his ________ during his time as company director.
to make a lot of money in a way that is not fair or honest
lining his pockets
A few badly behaved football fans give all football supporters a ____ _____.
to cause people to lose respect for something or someone
bad name
The roads were busy as we drove out of town but after that it was _____ _______ all the way to the coast.
very easy
plain sailing
Not everyone was happy with the plan， but most of us _____ the ______.
to do what you are ordered or expected to do
toed the line
When I asked him about his trip to Korea， he ____ ____ like a ____.
to suddenly stop talking and to refuse to say any more
shut up like a clam
Once I discovered that the woman I had seen him with was his daughter， everything ____ into ______.
to make sense
fell into place
She was awful. Good ________ to her， I say!
a rude way of saying you are glad someone has left
riddance
Turkey has promised not to use its control of the rivers for political ________.
influence that you can use to make people do what you want
leverage
Reusable software is ___________ across many applications.
to spread or use resources again in several different ways or in different parts of a company， system etc
leveraged
Drunken troops ____ _____ in the town.
to suddenly behave in a very violent and uncontrolled way
ran amok
A food _______ could also be called a gourmet.
someone who knows a lot about a particular subject
maven
a ______ TV announcer
lacking intelligence， interest， or imagination
vapid
Neil was _______， witty， direct， and honest.
behaving in a relaxed and confident way in social situations
urbane
Economic _______ obliged the government to act.
the difficulties of a situation， especially one which causes urgent demands
exigency
His political views were _________ to me.
something that is completely the opposite of what you believe in
anathema
Third， his anxieties about homosexuality were \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ with class antagonism. to join together， or to make things or people do this
conjoined
I don’t think it’s healthy the way those two ______ in ____ ______ ______.
to spend too much time together
live in each other’s pockets
The water bombers arrived at the _______ _____ — just in time to prevent the forest fire from engulfing the town.
the last minute
eleventh hour
I was afraid Janet wouldn’t like my brother， but she _______ ___ him immediately.
to take a liking to someone or something
cottoned to
He walked into the office on his first day as if he _______ the _______.
to behave in an unpleasantly confident way
owned the place
At first I was persuaded by the politician’s speech， but upon reflection， I decided her arguments didn’t _____ ______.
to seem logical and consistent
hold water
Their failure， though __________， shocked everybody.
impossible to avoid
ineluctable
A woman’s voice came on the line， firm and _____-_______.
calm and confident about what you are doing
self-assured
In the ________ fighting， two students were killed.
happening after a particular action or event， especially as a result of it
ensuing
Our security system is absolutely _________.
not capable of going wrong or being wrongly used
foolproof
What seems to motivate Congress is ____-________ - a desire to get re-elected.
protection of yourself and your own life in a threatening or dangerous situation
self-preservation
Eva and Paul kept a constant ______ by their daughter’s hospital bedside.
a period of time， especially during the night， when you stay awake
vigil
The chairman must avoid any appearance of ________.
unfair support of one person or one group against another
partiality
Our aim is to teach our son to become an independent， ______-________ adult.
able to do or decide things by yourself， without depending on the help or advice of other people
self-reliant
The _____ is on the prosecution to provide proof of guilt.
the responsibility for something
onus
Although they’re full of ______ talk and amusing mannerisms， they are still necromancers.
amusing in an unusual way
droll
People are complaining ______ and _________ about the new parking regulations.
everywhere， without any plan or pattern
left and right
Their staff seems to be really ____ the _______， able to get projects done on time.
active and aware of things
on the ball
If you want to get a job as a fashion buyer， it helps if you ______ the _______.
to appear to be suited to a particular type of work
look the part
Politicians used the press conference as an opportunity to ______ their _______ on reporters.
to express anger
vent their spleen
-I’m so ashamed. I let him take advantage of me. -Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just ____ it down ___ ________.
when instead of being upset about something bad， you will learn from it
put it down to experience
Small and thin， Terri was dressed， as usual， in the manner of a _________ Victorian governess.
that behaves in a crazy or dangerous way， usually because they are mentally ill
deranged
The child showed no _________ towards aggression.
a tendency to behave in a particular way
proclivity
By these standards， the monks’ ____-______ seems tame.
when you do not do or have the things you enjoy for moral or religious reasons
self-denial
I don’t give any ________ to these rumors.
the acceptance of something as true
credence
Medically， we will _______ great benefit from this technique.
to get something， especially an advantage or a pleasant feeling
derive
His __________ had come to America from Ireland.
a person in your family who lived long ago
forebears
They were accused of _________ rebellion.
to cause trouble and make people start fighting each other or opposing the government
fomenting
His speech was greeted with _________ by opposition leaders.
when you show that you think sth is stupid or silly
derision
A _____-_______ alcoholic， equally at home on stage and screen， he is starring in two top box office films.
admitting that you have a particular quality， especially one that is bad
self-confessed
Giving blood makes me feel really _____.
feeling weak and unsteady
woozy
The old gentleman obviously felt ____ at _______ while he waited to have his hair cut.
worried and uncomfortable
ill at ease
I thought I’d take my lunch outside and _____ a few _______.
to lie or sit outside in the sun
catch a few rays
Some workers felt it was not the time to ____ _______ by organizing a union.
to change an existing situation in a way which causes problems or upsets people
make waves
Thank you for that ______ of ________， Jerry. Now do you think you could suggest something more useful?
an important piece of advice
pearl of wisdom
It’s an easy job — just bring out the shoe the customer chooses， and then _____ the _______ with a thank you.
to succeed in selling sth to sb
close the sale
The doctor ordered her to ____ on the __________， and she hasn’t touched a drop since.
abstain from alcohol
go on the wagon
Both candidates ______ out __________ in the televised debate Sunday night.
to strongly defend yourself or something you believe in
came out swinging
Engineering and science graduates are ___ great _______ this year.
needed or wanted
in great demand
He says the team will be just as good without Groncki as they were with him， but we’ll have to see if the team can _____ the _______.
to show that sth is true through your actions
walk the walk
He had published two novels， both of which ______ like a ______.
to fail completely
sank like a stone
The statue was ________ with light from a stained-glass window.
to mark sth with spots of colour， light， or shade
dappled
He had often dreamed of his grieving family visiting his grave， ________ as only the relatives of martyrs may.
to cry out with a long high sound， especially because you are very sad or in pain
ululating
Don’t sit at home ________ all day.
to keep thinking about sth that you are worried or upset about
brooding
He wanted to _______ his brother’s death.
to do sth to hurt or punish sb because they have harmed or offended you
avenge
I don’t believe in all that ________ about fate.
nonsense
twaddle
He promised to _______ vengeance on those who had betrayed him.
to do sth unpleasant to sb to punish them for sth they have done to you
wreak
Children were __________ around the stage.
to move in a noisy， heavy， and awkward way
galumphing
The comment immediately drew a sharp __________ from a friend.
an answer or reply
rejoinder
18 new junior ministers were _________ into the government.
to officially give someone a job or position of authority， especially at a special ceremony
inducted
She gave him a _________ smile.
done quickly， only because people expect it
perfunctory
a ____ comment
showing that you find a bad or difficult situation slightly amusing
wry
a wild and _____-______ child
very determined to do what you want， whatever other people think
self-willed
The UN appealed for both sides to exercise _____-_______.
the ability to stop yourself doing or saying something， even though you want to
self-restraint
Grandfather was deeply indifferent to the future and __________ of the successes of his forgotten sons.
showing that you do not respect sb， because you think that they are not important or good enough
disdainful
It was suspected that the police had __________ with the witnesses.
to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat sb
colluded
