Advanced English Vocabulary Set 9 Flashcards
He had developed a vaccine using _________ forms of polio.
very dangerous and affects people very quickly
virulent
It is _____-_______ that childhood experiences influence our adult behaviour.
clearly true and needing no more proof
self-evident
I had to listen to Michael ___________ against the government.
to criticize strongly
fulminating
We hope that the military regime will _______ from its acts of violence.
to stop doing something
desist
He ___________ cruelty of all kinds.
to hate something very much
abominates
A ____________ child， she went to university at the age of 15.
showing unusually early mental development or achievement
precocious
I try to ___________ a sense of responsibility in my children.
to fix ideas， principles etc in sb’s mind
inculcate
The British government __________ by breaking off diplomatic relations.
to do sth bad to sb because they have done something bad to you
retaliated
I’m so tired， my poor ___________ brain can’t absorb any more.
confused
befuddled
His speeches tend to be rather ____-______.
continuing to talk for too long or using too many words in a way that is boring
long-winded
Strong winds and loose rocks made climbing ___________.
particularly dangerous because you cannot see the dangers very easily
treacherous
He raised the water bottle to his ________ lips.
very dry
parched
Morishita leads an ________ lifestyle.
very rich， spending a lot of money
opulent
The media was criticized for its thoughtless ____________ into the domestic grief of the family.
the sudden arrival of sth into where they aren’t welcome
incursion
She’s been making _________ attempts to learn the trumpet.
not impressive， ridiculous
risible
____ ________ the country began to question the decisions their leaders were making.
in small stages
By degrees
The doctor said only his legs are paralysed， not his whole body， but I think that will be ______ __________ to him.
won’t make him feel better
cold comfort
He was ______ on the ________ answering the reporter’s questions.
able to react quickly to a situation
quick on the draw
I was afraid my daughter would never find a husband， that she’d be _____ on the ________.
not married and people believe they are too old to get married
left on the shelf
Jay made the trip north to be with his mother when she ______ her ____.
to die
breathed her last
I advised her to take the job offer， but she has a ______ of her ____， so I don’t know what she’ll decide.
the ability to act or think independently
mind of her own
I managed to brake just in time but it was a _____ _________.
when an accident or unpleasant situation almost happened and was only just avoided
near miss
Court rulings often have a ______ _______， spreading into areas of law that weren’t part of the original cases.
to affect something else， which then affects other things
ripple effect
The judge found himself on the ______ ____ from women for remarks he made about discrimination in the workplace.
in a situation that attracts criticism
firing line
We were quickly running out of money but managed to ____ ______ by getting a small loan.
to obtain a longer period before something happens
buy time
I saw this happen， and you can’t just call me crazy and ______ me _______.
to not give sth serious consideration
brush me aside
A movie was shot ___ _______.
away from the studio
on location
In under two years， it was transformed from a state-owned ______ __________ into a successful company.
sb that is in trouble and needs help
lame duck
I had a two hour _____ _____ and nearly fell asleep at my desk in the afternoon.
when you drink alcohol instead of having a meal
liquid lunch
I’m not ___ the ________ for a car at the moment.
interested in buying sth
in the market
Stephen King ____ _________ by electronically distributing his novella.
to become an important news story
made headlines
My boss has been ____ ________ lately， but I keep wondering why!
very happy
all smiles
I really enjoy a good mystery story that ______ me _________ the whole time.
to cause you to be uncertain
keeps me guessing
Americans don’t ________ ______ to being told what to say.
to not like sth that sb says or does
take kindly
The abortion issue is a political ____ _______ in the United States.
sth difficult or dangerous to deal with
hot potato
Football players can’t be _______ the ______ just because they are so valuable to team owners.
not having to obey rules
above the law
He may be old in years， but he’s still ____ _______ as a ______ and knows what he’s talking about.
intelligent
as sharp as a tack
He was ___ ________ to admit he had made a mistake.
brave enough to do sth
man enough
Most characters in his films are somewhat ________ than ______.
more exciting or interesting than ordinary people
larger than life
At the end of the second day’s play， Ballasteros is _________ the ______.
to be likely to win
leading the field
My daughter is the _____ of my ______.
sb you love most
light of my life
He’s probably got enough money to buy a little ranch somewhere and still have a _____ of ________ left over.
a large amount of money
chunk of change
The kid next door threw a rock at him， but Ted _____ the ________ and the rock didn’t hit him.
to fall to the ground suddenly to avoid danger
hit the dirt
The mayor wants to ____ a _____ on spending.
stop sth from increasing
put a lid
Gone are the days when a university degree was a ____ _________ for life.
sth you use to get regular amounts of money for the rest of your life
meal ticket
the rural _________
an area of land that is far from the coast， large rivers， or the places where people live
hinterland
It was a decision which _________ him to political obscurity.
to make sb be in a particular situation， especially a bad one
consigned
Both stand for precisely the same ____________ things.
not important
inconsequential
But what if everything was burned on a _____ sixty years ago?
a high pile of wood on which a dead body is placed to be burned in a funeral ceremony
pyre
From her point of view， failure to act would be a ________ of governmental duty.
when someone fails to do what they should do as part of their job
dereliction
Bill sat in ________ silence and refused to eat his lunch.
angry and silent， especially because you feel life has been unfair to you
sullen
There’s no room for _________ if we want to stay in this competition!
a feeling of calm satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder
complacency
How could a ____-______ poet be so oblivious to taste?
having given yourself a title or position without having a right to it
self-styled
Two suspects have been __________ by the police for questioning.
to officially prevent someone from leaving a place
detained
Sarah with her numerous _______.
offspring
progeny
They viewed their achievements as an ________ of progress.
sth that is considered to be so good that it should be copied or imitated
exemplar
Her husband was a quiet， _____-_______ man who spent much of his time in his study.
not wanting to attract attention to yourself or your achievements
self-effacing
Once at the airport， we were herded to the gate and __________ into a small room.
to keep people in a particular area， especially in order to control them
corralled
When she told her family she was gay， they reacted with a mixture of shock and ____________.
disbelief
incredulity
Unions described the pay offer as ________.
so small that it not worth considering seriously
derisory
a ____-_______ politician
doing things only because they will give you an advantage
self-seeking
The term cyber-culture is _________ and seems to mean many different things to many different people.
vague and difficult to define
nebulous
You shouldn’t ________ their efforts.
to make remarks or jokes that show you think sth is silly or useless
deride
It feels _____-_______ spending so much on a pair of shoes.
allowing yourself to have or do things that you enjoy but do not need
self-indulgent
Hot liquid and ________ spilled over him， and he scrambled out from under the thing.
the inside parts of an animal or person’s body， especially their intestines
entrails
If the insurance company won’t pay for the damage， I’ll be ____ a _____.
in a difficult situation
up a tree
We get regular pay raises that are supposed to ___ ____ _____ inflation.
to stay at the same level
keep pace with
We have been told the Social Security trust fund will _____ _____ in a few more years.
to be all used up
run dry
My mother and sister are always yelling at each other， and I find myself caught ___ ____ ______.
to experience the influence of opposing groups in a disagreement
in the middle
Someone had to stay at home and ____ the _______ while my mother was out.
to be left in charge of sth when sb is away
hold the fort
the _________ summer sun
extremely hot
sweltering
Victims of the disease found themselves __________ by society.
to deliberately avoid someone or something
shunned
A former student has donated a __________ sum of money to the college.
very generous
munificent
The new law removed the last __________ of royal power.
a small part or amount of sth that remains when most of it no longer exists
vestiges
Terrorist groups and the government have been engaged in a costly war of _____________ since 1968.
the gradual weakening and destroying of sth
attrition
The storm continued __________ throughout the night.
without becoming any weaker
unabated
She was granted _________ after killing her violent husband.
forgiveness and less severe punishment for a crime
clemency
Peter， you are an __________ flirt!
bad in a way that cannot be changed or improved
incorrigible
Fenton’s remark drew ________ laughs.
showing that you think someone or something is stupid or silly
derisive
The business will soon become _____-_________.
able to earn enough money to support yourself
self-supporting
More vaccines are needed to __________ our stocks.
to put new supplies into something， or to fill something again
replenish
We have to be vaguely ___________， but no real sacrifices are demanded.
careful and sensible in the way you plan things， especially by saving money for the future
provident
Blackwell’s arrival at that moment was __________.
lucky
providential
We always _____________ to please our customers.
to try very hard
endeavor
the ________ feeling of silk on her skin
pleasing to your senses
sensuous
Everyone turned to look at Gordon and his ________ mistress as they entered the room.
that has large breasts and a soft curved body
voluptuous
He told me in _______ detail what would happen to me.
explicit
lurid
A speech ___________ did nothing to stop him from preaching.
a physical problem that makes sth difficult
impediment
We’re cutting out __________ layers of managers.
more than needed
superfluous
There was no _________ way of phrasing what he wanted to say.
not likely to upset or embarrass other people
tactful
She took a long __________.
a period when sb， esp. someone in a university job， stops doing their usual work in order to study or travel
sabbatical
For a relatively small ________， you can start a home hairdressing business.
the amount of money that you have to spend
outlay
Jamie is a friendly， __________ woman.
that likes to meet and talk to new people
outgoing
The 1970s saw the first __________ against the emerging women’s movement.
a strong negative reaction by a number of people against recent events
backlash
His name has become a _______ for honesty in the community.
to be so well known for a particular quality that your name is used to represent that quality
byword
The sea made a splendid _________ to the garden.
the scenery behind sth
backdrop
By 1411 Hus had become so influential that Prague was laid under papal ________.
an official order from a court telling someone not to do something
interdict
The organisation has been _________ to end all restrictions.
to order or try to persuade sb to do sth
enjoined
How do educators determine if a child is an ______________?
sb who does not do as well at school or at work as they could do if they worked harder
underachiever
As he pushed the nose down for the final approach， he extended down the _________.
the wheels of a vehicle and the structure that holds them
undercarriage
Ducks are _________ on land.
awkward
ungainly
The city is grossly __________ companies to use the land.
to charge less than the correct amount of money for something
undercharging
He worked ___________ in Germany and Northern Ireland.
secretly in order to catch criminals or find out information
undercover
He sensed an __________ of resentment among the crowd.
a feeling， especially of anger or dissatisfaction， that people do not express openly
undercurrent
Online bookstores can _________ retailers by up to 30%.
to sell goods or a service at a lower price than another company
undercut
Without a pinstripe， you’d be ___________.
wearing clothes that are too informal for a particular occasion
underdressed
Its wealth was largely non-industrial and it contained an enormous pool of __________ and unemployed people.
working in a job where you cannot use all your skills
underemployed
The servants were overworked and ________.
not given enough food to eat
underfed
He’s been involved in some __________ dealings.
dishonest， done secretely
underhand
Losing the witness will seriously __________ the government’s case against Jones.
to gradually make sth less strong or effective
undermine
She felt _____________ in her smart suit.
dressed in clothes that are too formal for the occasion
overdressed
He was fined £40， with 28 days’ imprisonment if the money was not produced _________.
immediately
forthwith
A mechanic is coming to _________ the engine.
to repair or change the necessary parts in a machine， system etc
overhaul
_________ buses
filled with too many people or things
overladen
More television coverage of the election would be ___________.
more than is necessary or desirable
overkill
Foreign firms have made little ________ in the U.S. market.
to make progress towards achieving sth
headway
See the diagram _________.
on the other side of the page
overleaf
All food ___________ should be properly trained.
sb who touches， carries or moves sth as their job
handlers
Clay __________ chalk in the southern mountains.
to lie over sth
overlies
Be careful not to _________ the washing machine.
to put too many things or people on or into something
overload
Nobody could __________ the fact that box office sales were down.
fail to notice
overlook
A train was going by on the ________.
a structure like a bridge that allows one road go over another
overpass
At his age， he didn’t care _________ about impressing people.
too much
overmuch
His role in the group’s success has been ____________.
to make sth seem more important than it is
overplayed
Entering the measurements is quite straight forward， except when it comes to the __________ measurement for set-in sleeves.
a hole in a shirt， dress， jacket etc that you put your arm through
armhole
She was determined to _________ everyone into believing her.
to try to make sb do sth， especially in a threatening way
browbeat
The company ___________ itself financially.
to try to do more than you have the power， ability， or money to do
overreached
The EU commission exercised its power to ___________ British policy.
change someone else’s decision
override
A team leader was appointed to __________ the project.
supervise
oversee
The zigzag of harbour walls and ___________ below the cliff were deserted.
a wall built out into the sea to protect the shore from the force of the waves
breakwaters
He really ____ a ______ on her， telling her how much he loved her and then leaving her.
to hurt or damage
did a job
_______ _____， look at all this food! Are you feeding an army?
I’m very surprised
Good grief
He ______ off the ______ in his twenties and started living on the streets.
to start behaving strangely or in a way that is not acceptable to society
went off the rails
As soon as they saw the soldiers coming， they ______ to their ______.
to run away quickly
took to their heels
She’ll do any kind of redecorating you need， ___ a _____.
for a lot of money
for a price
Her recent conduct is _______ the ______.
unacceptable
beyond the pale
The family ________ _____ to a smaller house， cutting their mortgage payments in half.
to exchange sth expensive for sth that costs less
traded down
Do you mind if I _____ _______? I’d like to see the show at the museum too.
to follow or go with sb when you were not invited
tag along
After playing so badly for the entire game， the team walked off ____ their _______ between ____ _______.
ashamed and embarrassed
with their tails between their legs
The principle of free health care for everyone is likely to _____ a ______ in the next ten years.
to fail and end
die a death
The president’s message seemed to ____ ______ with most people who watched him on TV.
to be understood completely and have a strong effect
hit home
He filled the jug to the _____.
the very top edge of a container
brim
________ of glass have been cemented into the top of the wall to stop people climbing over.
a piece of a broken glass， cup， container or similar object
Shards
Nobody spoke for at least five minutes and Rachel _________ in her chair with embarrassment.
to move from side to side in an awkward way because of nervousness， embarrassment or pain
squirmed
a ___________ cottage
old， beginning to fall down
tumbledown
Their teacher was away， so they had a day’s __________ before their essays were due.
a pause or rest from something difficult or unpleasant
respite
At one point Truitte realized that he had been __________ Alvin by a large amount.
to pay someone too little for their work
underpaying
Her conduct throughout was _____________.
without fault and therefore impossible to criticize
irreproachable
I was carried out on a stretcher， with everyone __________ at me.
to look at sth for a long time， especially with your mouth open because you are surprised
gawping
Businesses were offered ____________ to move to the area.
a reason for doing something， especially sth that you will get as a result
inducements
Equal pay for equal work is a _________ principle.
deserving praise， even if not completely successful
laudable
Harley wasn’t prepared for the fame and _________ that came with being a star athlete.
praise and admiration for sb that is more than they really deserve
adulation
Small plants were growing in the _________ of the rock.
a small space or crack in something or between things
interstices
She spoke in a rather _______ manner.
very formal and correct in your behaviour
starchy
Oil is Nigeria’s _______ export.
forming the greatest or most important part of something
staple
Strikers brought production to a __________.
a situation in which there is no movement or activity at all
standstill
A person who is constipated may also be __________ of faeces because there is leaking around the hard mass.
unable to control the passing of liquid or solid waste from your body
incontinent
She was cold and _____-______.
unfriendly and formal
stand-offish
She was as ____________ as her mother had been.
likely to change your mind suddenly or behave in an unexpected way
capricious
Board games are a good _________ to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.
sth which is always ready for use， especially if a regular one fails
standby
And now I could feel my face getting hot， like I was working around a ______.
a special oven for baking clay pots， bricks etc
kiln
If so， you are taking your own first _________ steps into fiction.
shaking slightly， especially because you are nervous
tremulous
Mix the two solutions together and _________ the bottle.
to shake or mix a liquid quickly
agitate
His family are __________ to get him freed.
to argue strongly in public for sth you want， especially a political or social change
agitating
New elements are being __________ onto our traditional form of government.
to add smh very different to sth， so that it becomes part of it
grafted
The grand jury ____________ local authorities for their handling of the riots.
to prove that sb is not guilty of sth
exculpated
an __________ fortress
so strong that it cannot be entered by force
impregnable
All of those _______ egotistical talk show hosts annoy me.
speaking easily but without thinking carefully
glib
a ____________ demand for silence
that is not polite or friendly and shows that the person speaking expects to be obeyed immediately
peremptory
Martha had to have several skin _________.
a piece of healthy skin or bone taken from sb’s body and put in or on another part of their body that has been damaged
grafts
a young man with a naturally __________ temperament
that remains calm and happy and does not often get annoyed
equable
Louise was so tired that she went to bed _______ a _________ for once.
without complaining
without a murmur
You interrupted my _______ of ________ - Now I can’t remember what I was going to say.
a series of connected thoughts
train of thought
Officials in Washington say the peace process is in ______ _______.
in extreme danger or difficulty
dire straits
You ______ your ________ there are a lot of politicians who are more interested in getting elected than they are in solving problems.
to be certain that sth will happen or be true
bet your life
For women， a natural look in hairstyles _____ the ______ this spring.
to be the most popular
led the way
A district attorney has an awful burden ____ his _________.
as a personal responsibility
on his shoulders
Rumours still abound about Saling’s next project but the actress has so far refused to ____ her _____.
to let other people know what you are planning to do
tip her hand
I listen to the Sunday morning show when they play all the ________ _______.
a record that was very popular in the past and that people still know and like today
golden oldies
If the accident was caused by company negligence， then _______ will _______.
when people will lose their jobs as punishment for making serious mistakes
heads will roll
Shops in this part of the city shut at 5.30pm ___ the ____.
exactly on that time
on the dot
There’s been so much ______ and ________ here， I think we should try to provide a smile.
the feeling that a situation is bad and is not likely to improve
gloom and doom
His victory in the French Open proved to be a _______ ______ after he failed to win another title for the next five years.
sth which seems to show that a situation is improving when it is not
false dawn
Share options are offered to top executives as _________ _________.
financial arrangements given by a company to an important employee in order to influence them to stay with the company
golden handcuffs
Henman is the ______ ____ of British tennis this season.
sb who is succesful and admired
golden boy
He likes a drop of the ____ _______.
alcoholic drink
hard stuff
Her achievements ___ great ________ to her parents.
to bring praise and respect to sb for sth they have done
do great credit
His wife left him in May and during the following months he _______ the _______ of despair.
to experience extreme sadness
plumbed the depths
What does the _______ _________ expect from a new Labour government?
the large numbers of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly
silent majority
The Decameron is widely regarded as Boccaccio’s _____ ______.
an artist’s or writer’s best piece of work
chef d’oeuvre
When the missing money was noticed， he chose to disappear rather than _______ the ________.
to accept criticism or punishment for sth that you have done
face the music
When he sent me flowers and a note， I was ______ the ______.
extremely happy
over the moon
The corruption scandal is being kept ____ the ______ by a series of new revelations.
very strong or active
on the boil
He spends all day stretched out on the sofa and never ______ a ________ to help.
to not help sb because you’re lazy
lifts a finger
Job listings are updated continuously on our website， so you can ____ a ______ on your competition.
to get an advantage by doing sth before sb else
get a jump
Here lies Henry Stanford， who _________ this _________ January 13th 1867.
to die
departed this life
She has tried to resist attempts by the ______ ______ to halt the reform process.
a group of people who have worked in an organization for a long time and do not want it to change
old guard
If you feel you’ve had a ____ ______， you can always sue me.
unfair treatment
raw deal
Government officials say there was a __________ of _______ between the two leaders during the six-hour talks in Pretoria.
when two people find that they have the same ideas and opinions and find it easy to agree with each other
meeting of minds
He _____ the _______ when they found out that he’d lied about his qualifications.
to lose your job
got the sack
