B2 Flashcards
promise (pr)
advice
apologise/ze
reccomend
refuse
recently
promis
@dvais
@pol@dgaiz
rek@mend
rifiuz
risntli
che c’è?, cosa c’è?, che succede?, qual è il problema?
what’s the matter = what’s wrong ?
matter = mett@
tenersi/avere luogo
to take place
prefer
recognise
suppose
prife(r)
rekenaiz
suppouz
recognise/ze
rek@naiz
prendere una decisione/decidersi
make up one’s mind
“he made up his mind to attend the meeting”
I haven’t made up my mind where to go yet.
“Which one do you like best?” “I don’t know – I can’t make up my mind.”
hold = meaning
a) grasp = tenere/stringere
b) cointain = This container holds four litres of liquid.
c) embrace = abbracciare/stringere a sé
d) on phone: wait = Can you hold for a minute ?
mean = meaning
a) signify = significare/voler dire
b) mean to do st = avere intenzione di fare qualcosa/ volere
I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.
Did I just step on your foot? Sorry. I didn’t mean to.
c) mean st = say sincerely
I really mean it when I say you’re beautiful.
perceive (pr)
p@siv
sickle
scythe
falce (sikol) = one hand, short
falce (saith(f)) = two hands, big / to scythe = falciare
superare/surclassare/ fare meglio
to outdo
overcome difficulties = superare/farcela
withstand situation = resistere/reagire
to cope (koup)
You are going through a difficult emotional time, but you will cope.
implorare/supplicare
to plead
vincere/dominare/prevalere
superare/risolvere
to overcome (@uv@kam)
We can overcome the forces against us!
Possiamo vincere le forze contrarie!
urgente
insistente/pressante
urgent (@@j@nt)
grembo
giro/tappa
lap
gesso per la gamba
cerotto
intonaco/malta
plaster cast
plaster
un posto dove vivere
a place to live
per lungo tempo/per anni etc.
Non gioco a scacchi da una vita
Non ci vediamo da tanto tempo
= for a long time/for ages
I haven’t played chess for ages/for a long time
We haven’t seen each other for a long time
This is the best holiday I’ve had for a long time
negli ultimi giorni/ in questi ultimi giorni
in the last few days
a) liking, interested in, or wanting (to do) something very much
b) very interested in someone, especially romantically
keen on something:
She’s keen on playing tennis.
He doesn’t seem all that keen on being here, honestly.
keen on someone:
He’s rather keen on a girl in his school.
prendere fuoco
to catch fire (fai@)
antipasto
principiante
starter (stat@)
carry out
a) carry st out = effettuare/eseguire/portare a termine
b) mettere in pratica
The executor of a will carries out the wishes of the deceased.
binario
track
girare/viaggiare per (termine specifico)
to tour (tu@)
fare spese/fare shopping
to shop
riporre nel bagaglio/borsa
accumulare/ammassare
to pack st away
a) guardarsi intorno
b) ispezionare controllare
c) guardare in giro/esplorare
d) cercare in giro qualcuno/qualcosa
look round/around (somewhere/something)
a) ‘ve been looking around everywhere, but I can’t find my reading glasses.
Mi sono guardato attorno dappertutto, ma non riesco a trovare i miei occhiali da lettura.
b ) Safety inspectors will be looking around the factory today.
Oggi gli ispettori della sicurezza daranno un’occhiata in giro per la fabbrica.
d) look round for/about s/st
I've been looking around everywhere, but I can't find my reading glasses. I misplaced my keys, so I'll have to look around for them. Ho perso le chiavi, dovrò cercarle.
fare male/essere dolorante
figurative (bramare/desiderare)
to ache (eik)
Audrey’s legs ached after the long hike.
b) After many years abroad, Bob ached for his homeland.
wait vs wait for vs wait to vs can’t wait for/to
a) time –> wait = wait for
have you been waiting long ? = have you been waiting for long ?
wait 5 minutes = wait for 5 minutes
b) direct object = whom/what –> always for
wait for us outside the cinema
c) wait + to infinitive = verbs
I’ll wait to hear from you
d) When we are very excited about something that is going to happen, we use the phrase can’t wait for + noun phrase or can’t wait + to-infinitive:
I can’t wait for tonight. I’m having a party! (I’m really looking forward to tonight.)
We can’t wait to go to Barcelona in June. (We’re really looking forward to going.)
fare produrre un suono ad una campana
to make a bell produce a sound
comunicare/trasmettere
to convey
to set (m+c)
a) mettere/collocare
He set the glass on the edge of the table.
b) solidificarsi/indurirsi
This jelly will set in four hours.
c) to put into a specific state or condition
The new director has set a lot of changes in motion in our department.
d) If a story, film, etc. is set in a particular time or place, the action in it happens in that time or place:
e) sun = tramontare
f) to establish or decide something:
The school has been criticized for failing to set high standards for its students.
g) to get something ready so that it comes into operation or can be used:
[ + to infinitive ] The heating is set to come on at 5 p.m.
Have you set up the DVD player?
set/set/set
spasmodico/convulso (a strappi, a singhiozzi)
jerky
to shed
a) fare la muta
b) to get rid of something you do not need or want:
900 jobs will be shed over the next few months.
c) to allow tears or blood to flow:
She shed a few tears at her daughter’s wedding.
d) to release a virus or bacterium from a cell or body into the environment where it can infect other people:
(diffondere)
erratic
a) moving or behaving in a way that is not regular, certain, or expected:(irregolare/imprevedibile)
b) person = unreliable (inaffidabile)
c) results = incosistent (vago, incostante)
Irratik
to regularly spend large amounts of money
to spend money like water
temporary job during vacation
holiday job (hol@dei)
play (about/around) with sth
a) to think about or try different ways of doing something:
We’ve been playing around with ideas for a new TV show.
b) to keep touching or moving something, often when you are bored or nervous:
Stop playing with your hair!
lamentarsi/brontolare
The workers grumbled when they were told to work overtime this week.
to grumble
sistemare i capelli/andare dal parrucchiere
tagliarsi i capelli
to have/get someone’s hair done
I’m leaving at 4 to have my hair done.
to have/get someone’s hair cut
Right. I’m going to get my hair cut for my event, whatever it may be.
dice vs chop vs slice
Dice means cutting something into squares
Chop means to cut (in big or small pieces)
slice means to cut (in thin strands).
mio nonno è morto prima che io fossi nato. non l’ho mai incontrato
my grandfather died before I was born. I never met him
(perché non è più possibile incontrarlo nella mia vita)
to plan, prepare for, or organize something:
to arrange (@reindj)
a) arrange something for something
The meeting has been arranged for Wednesday.
b) arrange for + noun
She’s arranged for her son to have swimming lessons.
c) arrange to + verb
They arranged to have dinner the following month.
d) arrange that
I’d deliberately arranged that they should arrive at the same time.
a quattro zampe
on someone’s hands and knees
Lui era a quattro zampe sul pavimento
He was on his hands and knees on the floor
sweeping
a) vasto/ampio
b) indiscriminate
to go fast
to exceed speed limits
to speed = andare di fretta/correre
The dog sped down the hill.
superare i limiti di velocità/guidare troppo veloce
Don’t speed, or the police will take away your license.
finire/esaurire/consumare
(consume completely, exhaust)
to use st up
I used up nearly everything in the
refrigerator for this meal.
Mary used up all my gas and didn’t refill the tank.
to pay out
a) (yield a financial reward) = rendere/fruttare
It will take five years for your investment to pay out.
b) pay st out = yield a sum of money
This slot machine will pay out a fortune if you hit the jackpot. My pension fund will pay out enough to live on.
c) spend a sum of money = sborsare
I paid out a lot of money for this expensive computer.
to spoil
rovinare/guastare
viziare
food: go bad = andare a male/guastarsi
sono alto un metro e 80
I’m one metre eighty (tall)
circle
s@kl
gironzolare + ?
walk around/about
I didn’t have a place to go. I was just walking around.
b) walk around st = girare attorno a qualcosa
You’ll have to walk around the mountain to get to the other side.
essere disposto/propenso
to be willing to
I’m willing to finish the report myself, but you’ll have to give me more time
negli ultimi dieci anni
for the past 10 years
nel giornale
nel sito
in the newspaper
on the website
passare/andare oltre
passare davanti a/ superare
go/move past - pass by
The crowd watched as the parade went past.
La folla osservava il corteo che passava.
pass by
Amy went past Joe’s house on her way to the church.
Mentre andava in chiesa Amy è passata davanti a casa di Joe.
It's hard to pass by a mirror without looking at your reflection.
tappetino/zerbino
mat (mat)
clerical
klerik@l
impiegatizio/d’ufficio
pure (pr)
pju@
suoceri
in-laws
divertirsi/passare un buon momento
to enjoy yourself/herself etc.
to have a good/nice time
avere difficoltà a fare qualcosa
have trouble/have trouble doing st
I have trouble remembering passwords
these days
synonym ?
oggigiorno/al giorno d’oggi
No one can afford to go to the movies these days. Times are tough these days.
ultimamente
= nowdays(z)/ currently (karrently)
non leggevo molto in passato, ma ora lo faccio
I didn’t use to read a lot/much, but I do now
work on/at/in
work on:
a) Work on” is appropriate for something you’re physically on top of.
“I work on a boat. I work on an oil rig. I work on a roof.”
It’s also appropriate for job “locations” that are plots of land rather than buildings.
“I work on a farm. I work on a construction site.”
b) “Work on” is also a phrasal verb used when talking another an ongoing project.
work at:
“At” and “in” can sometimes be used interchangeably. “I work at/in a hospital.”
But generally, “at” is used for abstract job locations. When the physical location is not specified.
“I work at a game development company. I work at a publisher. I work at a law firm.”
work in:
a) “Work in” is used for places you can go inside of.
“I work in an office. I work in a submarine. I work in a kitchen. I work in someone’s house.”
b) You can also say you work IN an abstract/general field or profession.
“I work in sales.” “I work in construction.” “I work in education.”
to have more than enough time available
to have plenty of time
Don’t rush into marriage. You’re young; you have plenty of time.
how long is the play on for ? (give me also the expressions to use)
spettacolo teatrale = play
1> “How long does the play last?”
The answer could be something like “Two hours with an interval after the first hour.”
2> “How long is the run?”
(a “run” when we are talking about plays is how many nights the play is being performed for)
The answer could be something like “It’s on until the 18th of September.”
quanto a lungo starai in un posto/vacanza etc. ? (di solito per viaggi in posti lontani, o che richiedono più giorni)
How long are you going for ?
to walk into s/st
a) enter: on foot
b) (bump against: [sb] or [sth])
A woman walked into me in the street and didn’t even apologise.
c) (encounter unexpectedly)
I just happened to walk into your brother at the store. He looks great!
champion (pr)
champi@n
pantaloni a zampa d’elefante + ?
narici ?
narici dilatate/allargate?
flared (fle@d) trousers
dilatato/allargato (narici) = open wide
narici = nostrils (nostrls)
hour vs hours
dollar vs dollars
etc.
When using a number to describe the duration of something (like a flight), you typically use the singular form of “hour” in the compound adjective.
for ex. a 2-hour flight
When using a number to describe the price of something, you typically use the singular form of “dollar” in this context.
ex. “I bought a 10-dollar bag of groceries.”
quanto spesso hai visitato i tuoi cugini quando eri negli States l’anno scorso ?
How often did you visit your cousins when you were in the States last year?
Il lavoro di Sharon è terribile in questi giorni. Non so cosa le sia successo. Ha perso interesse in tutto di recente.
Sharon’s work is tettible these days. I don’t know what has happened to her. She has lost interest in everything recently.
to sort out
a) organize, plan
Julia intended to go home early in order to sort out the dinner arrangements.
b) arrange/put in order = riordinare
c) problem/difficulty: resolve (rizolv)
Non le permettevano di ascoltare la radio o andare alle feste nel villaggio
they didn’t allow her to listen to
the radio or go to parties in the village.
to get a job = ?
to find work
pungere/bucare (not sting)
to prick
to collect
a) to get and keep things of one type such as stamps or coins as a hobby:
She collects dolls.
b) to go to a place and bring someone or something away from it:
Your shoes will be repaired and ready for you to collect on Thursday.
collect someone/something from: somewhere I’ll collect you from the station.
c) to bring something together from different places or over a period of time:
collect something up:
After the party I collected (up) bottles from various parts of the house.
dall’altra parte/sull’altra estremità
on the other end
fellow
a) collega/pari
b) socio/membro
c) assegnista/borsista
ahead
a) in front
b) in a race: in testa/avanti
c)making more progress than someone else:
way ahead All the children in the class are doing well, but Sophie is way (= far) ahead.
(migliore/più bravo di = ahead of)
d) having more points, votes, etc. than someone else in a competition, election, etc.:
Barcelona was ahead after ten minutes.
e) ahead of st = prior to/earlier than
Thank goodness we finished that project ahead of the deadline.
to lurk
lu(r)k
a) (wait hidden)
The cat lurked in the bushes, waiting for potential prey.
b) figurative (danger, etc.: be present) = annidarsi/nascondersi
When you become a parent, you start to notice danger lurking everywhere
upheaval
aphivl
a) disordini/scontri = violent unrest
b) (difficult change) = sconvolgimento/cambiamento radicale
unrest (n)
a) social: agitation = agitazione/malcontento
b) (personal: restlessness, unease) = irrequietezza/inquietudine
to see/observe =?
to behold (hould)
to suit
suut
a) stare bene addosso
Yes, that dress suits you well.
b) be OK with st = andare bene a
What time would suit you? We can go out to eat Friday night. How does that suit you?
c) to adapt
We can suit the training to fit your needs.
to refrain
a) (choose not to) = astenersi/trattenersi
b) refrain from st/from doing st = (avoid, abstain from/avoid doing)
to be sound
a) essere valido/logico/sensato (un argomento/ipotesi etc.)
This line of reasoning seems to be sound, but it falls short on two important counts.
b) valido/solido
we believe the report to be sound.
come to be
a) venire al mondo/in esistenza
The scientists discussed theories of how the solar system came to be.
b) (arise, happen) = avvenire/verificarsi
How did it come to be that British and American English spell ‘colour’ differently?
don’t bother
non disturbarti/non serve che ti disturbi
straight away = informal ?
right away
inviare/spedire via posta
to send out
volantino/brochure (pr?)
leaflet (liflet) (anche fogliolina)
brosci@
ho l’aria condizionata, il riscaldamento centralizzato e un balcone
I have air conditioning, central heating and a balcony (balk@ni)
to be short of st
(shoot)
lacking (a corto di/senza)
I need to go shopping: we’re short of bread and milk.
keen
A) (eager, diligent)
Alice is a keen student and never misses a class
B) (enthusiastic)
Do you like romantic comedies? Personally, I’m not keen.
C) keen + noun = appassionato /patito
My mother's a keen chess player.
D) keen on st = appassionato di/patito di
She’s really keen on cycling, so let’s get her a new bike.
E) keen on doing st = desideroso di fare qualcosa/ non vedere l’ora di fare qualcosa
I'm keen on going to a rock festival sometime during the summer.
eager
ig@
a) avido, insaziabile, entusiasta (avid)
He is an eager reader of mystery novels.
b) eager to do st = impaziente di/bramoso di/zelante (keen, desirous)
I am eager to show you my new house.
c) eager for st = essere impaziente/non vedere l’ora
I am eager for spring after being cooped up in the house all winter.
dread
dr@@d
a) fear (n)
A feeling of dread settled over Robert when he heard noises in the empty house.
b) dread st/ dread doing st = temere
I’m dreading tonight’s party. I won’t know anybody there.
I always dread giving speeches.
speak someone’s mind
to say what you think about something very directly:
He’s certainly not afraid to speak his mind.
avere il tempo di fare qualcosa
comprare i biglietti per la partita
to have time to do st
to buy tickets for the match
NOT the
footpath
a) pavement/sidewalk
b) percorso/sentiero per camminata
manutenzione/revisione dell’auto
avere l’auto revisionato
car service
to have/get the car serviced
punctually (pr)
pangchu@ly
spot
brufolo/foruncolo (pimple)
macchia/chiazza (stain)
insects (markings):
The most common ladybird in Britain has seven spots.
coltivare
cultivate (kaltiveit)
grow
undercut (conjugation + meaning)
a) (sell at a cheaper price than) = battere sul prezzo
Large supermarkets can undercut small family-run shops.
b) figurative (undermine, weaken)
Smith’s argument is undercut by the lack of supporting evidence.
c) (cut away underneath) = tagliare via la parte inferiore/ erodere
undercut/undercut/undercut
undo (conjugation + meaning)
a) reverse = tornare indietro/annullare/cancellare
b) open/unwrap
c) garment:buttons = unfasten
undo/undid/undone
upset (conjugation + meaning)
a) disturb (emotionally/the health of) = turbare/ sconvolgere/ scombussolare
b) defeat unexpectedly:
The team from the small town upset the favourites, 2-1.
upset/upset/upset
uphold (conjugation + meaning)
a) sostenere (figurative)
b) sostenere fisicamente o psicologicamente
uphold/upheld/upheld
thrust (m + c)
a) push/force = spingere
Robert thrust the door with his shoulder and finally succeeded in getting it open.
b) push s/st into st forcefully = infilare in
Rose wrote down the phone number and thrust the piece of paper into her bag.
c) thrust st on/upon s = figurative (impose)
Imogen’s parents thrust a career in law on her from a young age.
thrust/thrust/thrust
tread (conjugation + meaning)
a) walk/walk somewhere
b) tread on/upon st = trample/squash (calpestare/pestare)
tread/trod/trodden
sotto
al di sotto
underneath/beneath/below
and@niith/biniith/bil@u
Few people had ever explored the tunnels underneath the city.
The pumpkin had gone mouldy underneath.
waylay (c + m)
a) tendere un agguato/imboscata a
b) abbordare qualcuno
waylay/waylaid/waylaid
to wind (c + m)
a) to wrap or twist something around itself or around something else = avvolgere
wind/wound/wound
wring (c+m)
to twist and squeeze something forcibly
a) torcere (twist)
b) hand: stringere (grasp)
wring/wrung/wrung
weave (c+m)
a) intrecciare = make st by interlacing
b) tessere = make by weaving
weave/wove/woven
ambush
a) (surprise attack)
b) (concealed position) = postazione/appostamento
c) to ambush s/st = (launch a surprise attack)
The jaguar ambushed the sleeping hunter.
to rouse
rauz
a) provoke/incite/stimulate
His references to mine closures roused anger in the crowd.
b) to wake/wake up
See if you can rouse your sister - it’s almost nine.
to cling (c + m)
a) cling to st/s= to hold tightly (also figurative)
b) (belief: be faithful) = restare ancorato/fedele
c) (clothing, etc.: stick, be tight)
I don't like how my new dress clings.
cling/clung/clung
to forsake (c+m)
a) abandon = to leave someone, especially when they need you
forsake/forsook/forsaken
to hew (m+c)
a) to strike forcibly with an ax, sword, or other cutting instrument; chop; hack (tagliare con l’accetta/fare a pezzi con l’accetta/abbattere)
b) carve (intagliare)
hew/hewed/hewn (hjuu/hjuud/hjuun)
to misgive (c + m)
a) to feel doubt, or suspicion (to misgive of/about s/st)
b) to cause doubt or suspicion in (misgive s/st)
far venire il dubbio/rendere dubbioso
misgive/misgave/misgiven
Her mind misgave her about her friend.
I read the letter with a sense of misgiving
to mislay (c + m)
a) to put something somewhere, then forget where you put it = non riuscire a trovare/smarrire
mislay/mislaid/mislaid
to overdraw (c + m)
a) to withdraw or spend more money from your account than is available
overdraw/overdrew/overdrawn
prelevare denaro
to withdraw money
to sling (c + m)
to throw, cast, or hurl something with a forceful sweeping motion (informal) = throw/catapultare/fiondare
sling/slung/slung
obliged (pr)
@blaijd
salire le scale
to climb the stairs
closure
kl@ush@
a) addio/estremo saluto
Since he was not able to go to the funeral, David visited his father’s grave later for closure.
b) chiusura (closing)
The closure of the coffee shop disappointed many people.
demand(pr)
suggest
propose
important
natural
surprised
are
dimaand
s@jest
pr@p@uz
impoot@nt
nach@rl
s@praizd
aa
by + time
A) We use by meaning ‘not later than’ to refer to arrangements and deadlines (entro):
They said that the plumber would be here by Monday.
The postman is always here by 11 am.
B) We use by the time, meaning ‘when’, to connect an action that has happened or will have happened before a second action. The action that happened second comes after by the time:
By the time you wake up [action 2],
I’ll have finished work! [action 1]
Unfortunately the man had died by the time the ambulance arrived. (When the ambulance arrived, the man had already died.)
by now
ormai/oramai = before this moment
My guests should have arrived by now – dinner's getting cold. Ormai i miei ospiti avrebbero dovuto essere già qui. La cena si fredda.
Come and see
go and see
a) vieni a vedere qualcosa/qualcuno = come and see s/st
b) vieni a trovare/visitare qualcuno = come and see (her/me/Michael etc.)
You have to come and see us as soon as we get back.
2) vai a vedere qualcosa/qualcuno
go and see what’s happened
l’autobus di ritorno
a/the bus back
to change residence =?
to move house
to hand st in
presentare/consegnare (to submit)
to give something to someone in a position of authority:
Have you handed in your history essay yet?
I’ve decided to hand in my resignation (= tell my employer I am leaving my job).
essere invitato a venire
to be asked to come
perdersi
lose your way/get lost
verbs/expressions where you can use should/bare infinitive/present/past
verbs:
insist
demand
recommend
suggest (also -ing form, ex what do you suggest doing?)
propose
Expressions:
It’s important/vital/necessary/essential that…
ex.
a) I insisted that he should apologise/ apologise/ apologised
b) It’s essential that everyone should be here on time/ be here on time/ were here on time
cauto/attento (careful)
cautious (koosh@s)
ripe
raip
a) maturo (ready to eat: fruit)
b) stagionato (ready to eat: ex. cheese)
c) figurative (time: perfect/)
The time seemed ripe to tell his parents about his plans.
d) ripe for st (maturo per qualcosa) (figurative: ready)
The tax system is ripe for reform.
raggiungere un posto
to get to a place
to exihibit
a) esporre (display: art works)
b) esibirsi/mettersi in mostra (to expose)
c) manifestare (to manifest)
igzibit
to sew (c+m)
a) cucire (hobby)
b) fabric: stitch
c) sew st on st
Will you sew a button on my shirt?
sew/sewed/sewn (s@u/s@ud/s@un)
to sow (c+m)
a) spread: seeds = seminare
b) figurative: implant/introduce = disseminare
Oliver sowed doubt in Rachel's mind. The troublemakers sowed discontent among the villagers.
sow/sowed/sown (s@u/s@ud/s@un)
racist/racism
reisist/ˈreɪsɪz@m
manager
manij@
cavarsela/cavarsela da soli (formal and informal)
formal = manage on your own
informal = handle yourself
stupire
essere stupito
autografo
to amaze/astonish/shock
@meiz
to be amazed
autograph (oot@graaf)
che danno (al cinema) ?
what’s on?
mi puoi fare un favore?
Dipende cosa vuoi che faccia
Can you do me a favour?
It depends on what you want me to do
Posso darti una mano?
No, va tutto bene. Posso farcela, grazie
Can I give you a hand?
No, It’s all right. I can manage, thanks
fling (m+c)
a) to throw something using a lot of force (scagliare/lanciare)
b) to move your body (or a part of it) in a brusque manner (tuffarsi/lanciarsi/scaraventarsi)
fling/flung/flung
lay (m+c)
a) to put someone or something down carefully into a flat position (stendere/distendere/spiegare)
b) lay st on s = (blame, stress: assign)
He would usually lay the blame on his sister.
lay/laid/laid
lie (m+c)
a) essere sdraiato, essere disteso = to be in a flat position on a surface
b) (be situated) = essere/stare/trovarsi
lie/lay/lain
mislead (m+c)
a) ingannare (deceive)
b) to bring in the wrong direction or give the wrong idea
mislead/misled/misled
rid (m+c)
a) to free of/clear of = liberare da
rid s/st from s/st
We haven’t managed to rid all the children of their head lice yet.
b) to get rid of st (informal) = to remove or throw away something unwanted:
I used weedkiller to get rid of the weeds in the garden.
to sell an old or unwanted possession:
Have you managed to get rid of your old Volvo yet?
c) to get rid of s (informal) = to send away someone annoying or to persuade (p@sweid) them to leave:
We got rid of our unwelcome guests by saying we had to go to bed.
rid/rid/rid
seek (m+c)
a) to try to achieve or get something = essere alla ricerca di/essere in cerca di
She seeks fame and fortune
b) look for st = cercare
The detective is seeking some clues to the crime.
seek/sought/sought
shear (m+c)
a) to cut off the hair or wool = tosare
shear/sheared/sheared
shed (m+c)
a) perdere (pelo, foglie, peso etc.)
b) light: cast st on s/st = illuminare/diffondere su qualcosa
The sun shed its rays on the small courtyard.
c) cambiare la pelle/fare la muta
shed/shed/shed
to sink (c)
sink/sank/sunk
to slay (m+c)
a) to kill violently = slay/slew/slain
b) figurative: to impress strongly or to make a strong impression with something = to slay s: slay/slayed/slayed
Her captivating performance on stage truly slayed the audience, leaving them in awe of her talent.
to sling (m+c)
o throw, cast, or hurl something with a forceful sweeping motion = lanciare/catapultare/fiondare (like fling)
sling/slung/slung
to smite (m+c)
a) Biblical, archaic: kill/strike down = distruggere/sgominare
b) archaic = strike/hit = colpire, percuotere
Zeus smote the young soldier with a bolt of lightning.
smite/smote/smitten
to sting (c)
sting/stung/stung
to spit (c)
spit/spat/spat (or spit/spit/spit: US)
to split (c)
split/split/split
to strike (c)
strike/struck/struck
to sting (c)
sting/stung/stung
to string (m+c)
a) incordare (musical instrument, racket, etc.)
b) (thread onto string)
Yvonne strung the beads to make a necklace. Yvonne infilò le perline per fare una collana.
string/strung/strung
to swell (c)
swell/swelled/swollen
to wed (m+c)
a) get married/ get married to =
Steve wed his childhood sweetheart.
b) formal or dialect (officiate at marriage of) = unire in matrimonio
The registrar wed the young couple. Il funzionario comunale unì la coppia in matrimonio.
wed/wed/wed
really vs very
really –> used with verb, adjectives, adverbs
Ex. with verb: I really love him (not I very love him) –> informal
very –> used with adjectives, adverbs –> formal
Negative sentences –> very (I don’t, I wasn’t etc.) more common, but you can also use really
Positive sentences –> both
bad vs poor
bad –> not good in general, strong negative connotation or st that is morally wrong or harmful. Informal
poor –> st that is inferior in quality or value (doesn’t always imply a moral judgment). Formal
less vs fewer (fjuu@)
fewer –> countable nouns: it refers to a number among things that can be counted (fewer options)
less –> uncountable nouns: It refers to quantity or amount among things that are measured (less time)
there are exceptions to the rule
rendendo più conveniente comprare un biglietto di ritorno con andata
making it more convenient to buy a return ticket
incustodito
sporgersi
unattended (an@t@@ndid)
to lean out
durante una settimana (over…)
over the course of a week
tra i 5 ed i 6 anni
between the ages of 5 and 6
mi piacerebbe che mi sentissi meglio
I wish I was feeling better
luxury (pr)
woman
pastor
laksh@ri
wum@n
paast@
to sell out
a) all be sold = vendere tutto/esaurire
It’s always annoying
b) figurative, slang (betray) = tradire
c) sell st out = svendere
to live in your car (synonym)
to live out of someone’s car
I’ve been living out of my car ever since I was evicted from my apartment.
eliminate (pr)
improbabile
ghiacciato/gelato
ilimineit
improbable (improb@b@l)
icy (aisi)
throw off
a) If you throw off your clothes, you take them off quickly and carelessly:
They threw off their clothes and jumped in the sea.
b) throw something/someone off = to escape from something or someone following you:
They threw the police off the scent by travelling on false passports.
c) throw off something/someone = to cause an amount to be wrong or a person to be confused:
They left very rich people out of the study so their spending would not throw off the results.
aim at vs to vs for
aim at: –> puntare/mirare o have as a goal
a) aim at st/s –> “I saw a man holding a gun, the gun was aimed at me
b) aim at doing st –> Our policies are aimed at encouraging economic growth.
aim to:
a) aim to do st –> I aim to study medicine
aim for:
a) (try to hit: a target)/more specific than the others –> Aim for the center of the target;
After graduating from university I aimed for a position as an actuary
to show support for someone who is doing something difficult –> tifare per qualcuno
to root for someone
I’m rooting for you!
could vs was/were able to
Could:
a) general ability or possibility in the past, present, or future. It implies that someone had the capability to do something.
Examples
Past Ability: “When I was a child, I could climb trees.”
Future Possibility: “If I study hard, I could pass the exam.”
b) “Could” is often used in conditional sentences or when discussing hypothetical situations. It can also indicate permission in the past:
“When I was younger, I could stay out late.”
was able to:
a) Specific Instance of Ability: “Was able to” is used to indicate that someone successfully accomplished something in the past. It emphasizes the achievement rather than just the ability. “Was able to” is typically used when referring to a specific event or situation where success was achieved.
Examples
Specific Achievement: “Despite the rain, I was able to finish the marathon.”
Single Event: “After studying hard, she was able to solve the problem.”
sacked
dismissed (dismis)
sack = UK, informal (dismissed from job)
dismiss:
a) licenziare
b) dismiss s from st = rimuovere qualcuno da qualcosa
The board of governors dismissed Ellen from her job as school secretary because of her poor timekeeping.
c) (release, allow to leave) = congedare
d) (reject: idea) = scartare/rigettare
split up
a) (share out) = dividere/suddividere
The thieves decided to split up the money equally among themselves.
b) informal(couple: separate) = break up
bleak
a) If a place is bleak, it is empty, and not welcoming or attractive:
The house stands on a bleak, windswept hilltop.
b) If a situation is bleak, there is little or no hope for the future (cupo/tetro):
The economic outlook is bleak.
thoroughly
thar@li
exhaustively (igzoostiv)/meticolosamente/a fondo
attento alla testa!
concorrente
mind your head!
contestant (k@ntest@nt)
demise
a) the death of a person: Much has been written about the circumstances surrounding her demise.
b) demise of = the end of something that was previously considered to be powerful, such as a business, industry, or system
The demise of the company was sudden and unexpected.
sight
a) eyesight = vista
b) view = vista/panorama
c) (spectacle, [sth] to see) = spettacolo (anche ironico)
Then he came out with his shirt unbuttoned. What a sight that was!
d) mirino = sight/gunsight
to go round
a) to rotate = girare/roteare/girare intorno
The baby watched the top go round and laughed. Each of the beautifully painted horses became visible as the carousel went around
b) (be in a state habitually) = andarsene in giro
He goes around looking filthy.
c) bastare per tutti
Do you think there’ll be enough loaves and fishes to go around?
d) (illness: be transmitted) = propagarsi/diffondersi
There’s a nasty strain of flu going around.
fauna selvatica
to do exercise (@@ks@saiz) (synonym)
anguilla
wildlife
to take exercise
eel (iil)
salpare
galleggiare
toward vs towards
set sail
float (fl@ut)
towards is way more common (t@woodz)
wipe out
yacht
exhaustive
eradicate (iradikeit), eliminate (ilimineit)
With this new weapon we’ll be able to wipe out our enemies.
jot
igzoostiv
draw together = raccoglieri/stringersi
draw limbs close to body = rannicchiarsi
huddle up (had@l)
limb (lim) = arto (arm, leg)
deed
welcoming/welcome/to welcome
atto/azione
Adam’s deeds that day saved his brother’s life.
atto di proprietà
w@@lk@ming:
a) (gestures, actions, etc: receptive) = accogliente/caloroso
Tom opened the door and gave his guests a welcoming smile
b) (person: friendly)
c) (place, feature: comfortable, cozy) = accogliente/gradevole
welcome = benvenuto! Benarrivato!
to welcome = greet (accogliere/ricevere) gladly (willingly or happily:)–> dare il benveuto/accogliere
rage on
a) infuriare
b) continuare ad infuriare/imperversare
Despite the efforts to mediate, the
conflict seemed to rage on without a
break.
glad
pleased and happy:
glad about = We were glad about her success.
glad (that) = I’m glad (that) you came.
glad to = I’m glad to know the parcel arrived safely.
(only too) glad to = I’d be (only too) glad to help you.
glad of = We’d be glad of the chance to meet her.
bello/di bell’aspetto/attraente
ugly (synonym)
più bello/attraente etc.
good-looking
bad-looking
better-looking
you’re much better-looking than ben
rapport (m + pr)
foremost
fluke
1) repoo
(good relationship)
Steve and Harry get on well; they have a rapport.
2) foom@ust
leading = primo
most important = principale/maggiore
3) fluuk
colpo di fortuna
coincidenza
elicit
ilisit:
a) (prompt interest, reaction, a smile) = provocare/suscitare
Jack asked Eliza dozens of questions, but none of them elicited a response
b) (get information, answers) = carpire/ottenere
c) elicit st from s = carpire qualcosa da qualcuno
behind someone’s back
If you do something behind someone’s back, you do it without them knowing, in a way that is unfair:
I dread to think what they say about me behind my back.
onward/onwards
onw@d
a) (continuing forward) = avanti/ in avanti
b) (forward in time) = avanti/in avanti/poi
c) (journey: continuing) = continuo/costante - che procede
Nicole is flying to London then taking the train for her onward journey to Liverpool.
fraut
froot
a) (tense)
he situation became fraught when the man pulled out a gun.
b) fraught with delays/difficulties etc. =
full of unpleasant things such as problems or dangers
fumble
a) fumble for st (rummage (ramij) = frugare/rovistare
I fumbled in my bag for my car keys.
b) fumble to do st (rummage) = frugare/rovistare
She fumbled to find a pen among all the junk in her handbag.
c) figurative (struggle to say [sth]) = non trovare le parole/farfugliare
She asked if I needed anything else and I fumbled for the right words.
inchoate
ink@ueit
(not yet completely formed) = in fieri/nascente/incipiente
quite (synonyms)
fairly (fe@li) - pretty - rather (raath@) - reasonably (riiz@n@bli) - relatively (rel@tivli) - somewhat (samwot)
several
physically (pr)
to rescue
sev@r@l –> (a few) = alcuni/diversi (countable)
fizik@li
a) save —> salvare/mettere in salvo
b) save s from st = save someone from danger or difficulty
Tim rescued the man from drowning.
knock s off st
= push [sb/sth] off [sb/sth] forcefully –> buttare giù qualcuno da qualcosa (informal)
she was knocked off her bike
finish st quickly –> slang (informal) = buttare giù
I knocked off a politics essay while I was waiting for her to get ready.
come è fatto il vetro?
quando è stata inventato la televisione?
quando è stato scoperto il DNA?
hanno cancellato tutti i voli a causa della nebbia
How is glass made?
When was television invented?
When was DNA discovered?
All flights were cancelled because of fog
We are talking about a concept in general so we don’t use “the”
what are their names? (synonyms)
quanti bambino nascono ogni giorno?
a) what are they called?
b) what do you call them?
how many babies are born every day?
essere in ritardo/ritardare
avere offerto qualcosa
to be delayed
The hampering weather conditions caused many flights to be delayed or canceled.
to be offered st:
I didn’t expect to be offered a job
durare
to last:
The speech lasted thirty minutes.
il primo è equivalente ad un Master’s negli UK, mentre il secondo è lo stesso di un Phd
The first one is equivalent to a Master’s in the UK, while the latter is the same as a PhD
fond
a) attaccato/affezionato/legato ( (expressing affection)
Kelsey gave her friend a fond smile
b) fond of s/st = affezionato/legato a qualcuno qualcosa
I'm fond of my dogs
c) fond of doing st = (activity: enjoy)
Simon’s kids are fond of visiting the zoo.
cassaforte
gunpoint
inefficient (pr)
safe
gunpoint = arma puntata
at gunpoint:
a) (threatening [sb] with a gun) = sotto tiro/sotto minaccia di un’arma
The masked men held the victim at gunpoint and demanded his money.
b) figurative (under threat) = minacciato
inifish@nt
neat
niit
a) (room, etc.: tidy) = ordinato/in ordine/curato
b) (person: well groomed) = same
c) (handwriting: precise)
d) (person: fastidious) = preciso/meticoloso
e) (alcohol: undiluted) = liscio/puro
puncture
pangktch@
hole in a surface = foro/puntura
to puncture st = forare/bucare qualcosa
The nail punctured the bike tyre.
overhear
a) (hear st/s unintentionally) = sentire di sfuggita
I overheard rumors that Martha is selling her car.
b) overhear s say/saying st = sentire di sfuggita/per caso qualcuno dire qualcosa
Robert overheard Tina say she is getting a divorce.
collassare/crollare
crollo/collasso
to educate
to enlighten
collapse (k@laps)
ejukeit
a) educate s = istruire/educare
b) educate s in st
Who will educate the children in the proper care of their textbooks?
c) educate s about st = (inform, enlighten)
The doctor educated us about the dangers of antibiotics.
enlait@n
a) enlighten s = figurative (explain or clarify to)
The student didn’t fully understand the homework task, until his teacher enlightened him.
b) enlighten s about st = same
Would somebody please enlighten me about whatever is going on here!
c) enlighten s as to st = same
The manager asked his staff to enlighten him as to what exactly was involved in the project.
d) enlighten s = figurative (inform)
If you are interested in this subject, this book should enlighten you.
Greeting
To greet
A) spoken welcome
Logan welcomed the visitor with a polite greeting
B) message on special occasion
Anna’s mother always sent a greeting at Christmas
C) to greet s = (welcome guests, customers) –> accogliere/ricevere
While Mary goes to greet the guests, Fred finishes setting the table for dinner.
Effect (pr)
If@@kt
catch-all
a) noun = a very general description that is intended to include everything or many different things = omnicomprensivo
“Graffiti” is used as a catch-all for a lot of things, from incredible street art to annoying scribbles.
b) adj = general and intended to include everything:
South London” is a catch-all term for anywhere south of the river.
omit
@umit
a) omit s/st –> (leave [sth] out) = omettere/tralasciare
Alex omitted part of the story that wasn't suitable for children.
b) omit to do st –> (fail to do [sth]) = trascurare/tralasciare
Angela omitted to send David an invitation to the party.
innamorarsi
innamorarsi di qualcuno
fall in love –> The couple fell in love when they were in college
fall in love with s –> innamorarsi di qualcosa/qualcuno
I think I fell in love with him the very first time we met.
to fall for
a) to be deceived by (something)
I made up a story to explain why I had not been at work and he fell for it.
b) to fall in love with (someone)
He has fallen for your sister
be indipendent –> camminare con le proprie gambe
captain (pr)
obvious (pr)
stand on your own (two) feet
She’ll have to get a job and learn to stand on her own two feet sooner or later
stand
kaptin
obvi@s
weird
git
hypothetical
wi@d
INFORMAL = a person, especially a man, who is stupid or unpleasant –> cretino/idiota
haɪ.pəthet.ɪ.kəl
hypothesis (plural?)
basis (pr)
otherwise
hypotheses (haipoth@siiz)
hypothesis (pr)–> haipoth@sis
beisis
ath@waiz
diverse centinaia
several hundred
There were several hundred people at the event
purebred horse/ well bred person (well-bred?)
well-bred:
a) coming from a family that has a high social position
b) speaking or behaving in a way that is generally considered correct and polite
thoroughbred (thar@br@@d)
la polizia lo sta cercando
the police are looking for him
compound words (when attached and when divided)
sometime, anytime, anymore, everyday
vs some time, any time, any more, every day
exceptions
1)
a) sometime (adv) = it refers to an unspecified point in time
Give me a call sometime , and we’ll have coffee.
b) sometime(adj) = former
Albert, a sometime cab driver, now flies airplanes for a living.
c ) some time = When some time is two words, it refers to a span of time
It will take some time to finish the project today.
2)
a) anytime (adv) = It means “whenever” or “at any time”. you can’t use it with a preposition.
ex: Call me anytime!
You can also use any time.
b) As a conjunction: either any time or anytime:
Anytime the sun went down, we’d go for a night-swim.
c ) With a preposition: use any time
at any time
You can call me at any time of the day, even at night.
d) When discussing an amount of time: use any time
Do you have any time to speak to us today?
3)
a) Any more =Anymore = When spelled as one word, anymore is an adverb that refers to time. It means “at present,” “still,” or “any longer.”
Why doesn’t Mom bake cookies anymore ?
b) Any more = refers to quantities
Would you like any more tea?
4)
a) Everyday = it’s an adjective we use to describe something that’s seen or used every day. It means “ordinary” or “typical.”
For most Brazilians, everyday crime is a much more imminent threat than terrorism.
b) every day means “each day,” just like “every word” means “each word.”
exceptions:
You need to think and act like you are selling your business, every day.
1) anywhere –> for both noun and adv =
in/to any place. The place is not specific
You can sit anywhere you choose.
2) everybody/anybody –> are pronouns
3) evergreen and thoroughbred = for both noun and adj
to have permission to
noise (pr)
hourly (pr)
be allowed to do st (essere permesso/consentito)
If you do not have your passport, you will not be allowed to enter the country.
noiz
au@li
to be asked
a) to be asked somewhere
b) to be asked to do st
c) to be asked for
Refers to someone being invited, considered, or requested to do something.
to relax, especially after working
credible (pr + synonyms)
to cherish
to unwind (anwaind)
kred@bl - syn: believable (biliiv@bl) - plausible (ploozibl)
a) to protect and love (a person) = prendersi cura di
She cherishes that child.
b) to keep (a hope, idea etc) in the mind = nutrire
She cherishes the hope that he will return.
è stato affermato che l’atleta avesse barato (2 ways)
è riportato che il primo ministro si stia dimettendo (2 wasy)
si crede che i bambini siano stati nascosti per due settimane (2 ways)
1)
a) It was alleged that the athlete had cheated
b) The athlete was alleged to have cheated
2)
a) It is reported that the prime minister is resigning
b) The prime minister is reported being resigning
3)
a) It is believed that the children had been hiding for 2 weeks
b) The children are believed to have been hiding for 2 weeks
atleta
to say that someone has done something illegal or wrong without giving proof:
passare l’aspirapolvere = to clean something using a vacuum cleaner
athlete (athliit)
to allege (@lej)
The two men allege that the police forced them to make false confessions.
to vacuum (vakiuum)
to second-guess
word (pr)
world (pr)
refund (pr)
source (pr)
to guess what someone will do in the future:
She’s always trying to second-guess the boss.
w@@d
w@@ld
riifand
soos
entitle
a) entitle to st:
to give someone the right to do or have something = dare diritto a
Being unemployed entitles you to free medical treatment.
b) be entitled to do something:
to have the right to do something = avere il diritto di fare qualcosa
Children are not entitled to vote.
intaitl
non c’è un salario minimo nazionale unico (2 ways)
negoziare/contrattare
a) There is no single national minimum wage (best option)
b) There is not a single national minimum wage
a) to negotiate/to bargain = nig@ushieit/baagin
b) to haggle = hagl (more informal)
set up or set-up (and counterparts)?
month (pr)
beard
Verb = set up (no hyphen/dash)
Noun/Adjective = set-up
counterpart = simile (noun)
manth
bi@d
apprezzerei che mi venissero offerti dei nuovi corsi di addestramento per aiutarmi a migliorare le mie abilità
I would appreciate it if new training courses were offered to help me improve my skills
rental
a) an arrangement to rent something, or the amount of money that you pay to rent something = affitto, noleggio
The price includes flights and car rental.
b) money paid as rent = noleggio
car rental
c) canone d’affitto
The rental in this area is high.
Rental Car = This term typically refers to the vehicle itself that is being rented
Car Rental = This phrase refers to the service or process of renting a car. It encompasses the entire experience, including the booking, terms of use, and any associated services
rent@l
omen
a clever trick or plan
vite/avvitare ( altro significato?)
a sign of a future event
auspicio, presagio
@um@n
ruse (ruuz) = stratagemma
screw/to screw (skruu) (to fasten something with a screw)
have a loose screw = avere una rotella fuori posto, essere svitato
to not be the right type of person for something
sembrare fuori di testa
insane person (slang)
not be cut out for st:
I’m not cut out for an office job.
to seem off
nut/nutcase
someone who lends money at a very high rate of interest
to make a continuous sound like a bee (ronzare) / to be filled with or make a similar noise(fare un brusio; bisbigliare)
dispute
loan (l@un) shark
buzz:
The bees buzzed angrily.
My ears are buzzing
dispjuut:
a) a disagreement, especially one that lasts a long time
A man stabbed his neighbour in a dispute over noise.
b) to disagree with something someone says (contestare)
I’m not disputing that the drug has benefits.
someone with a more important position than you in an organization (syn: superior)
to brood
riassunto
higher-up
They’re still waiting for a decision about the extra money from the higher-ups.
a) to think for a long time about things that make you sad or angry (rimuginare):
I wish he’d stop brooding about the past
b) (of birds) to sit on eggs = covare
bruud
recap/summary (sam@ri)
plot
a) the story of a book, film, play, etc.:
The movie has a very simple plot.
b) a plan to do something bad (complotto)
There was a plot to blow up the embassy.
c) a piece of land (lotto (di terreno))
a building plot
d) to plan to do something bad
(complottare, congiurare)
They plotted to bring down the government.
whatsoever
awesome
bait
at all (affatto)
That’s nothing whatsoever to do with me.
very big or special and making you feel respect, admiration, or fear (impressionante, imponente)
an awesome responsibility (oos@m)
food that is used to attract and catch animals or fish (esca) - also figurative
munire di esca
bunk
casa di riposo
to put bait on or in (a hook, trap etc)
He baited the mousetrap with cheese.
bangk
a) a narrow bed that is attached to a wall, especially in a boat or a train
(cuccetta)
b) one of two beds attached together, one on top of the other: (letto a castello)
The twins sleep in bunk beds.
rest home/old age home/nursing home
ominous
giving a suggestion about something bad that is going to happen (di malaugurio)
an ominous cloud
omin@s
io ed i miei amici leggiamo molto
hanno chiamato me ed i miei amici
indispensabile
my friends and I read a lot (subject)
they called me and my friends (object)
indispensable (indispens@b@l)
defy
a) to refuse to obey someone or something = sfidare
b) to dare (someone to act); to challenge = sfidare
I defy you to try and stop me!
c) to resist boldly or openly = sfidare
Are you defying my authority?
difai
sheer
a) used to say that a feeling or quality is very strong = puro, assoluto
sheer determination
b) very steep = a picco
a sheer drop to the sea.
c) (of cloth) very thin = sottile/trasparente
shi@
weary
vetrina
a) adj = tired
He looks weary
b) to weary (verb) = to (cause to) become tired (stancare, stancarsi)
The patient wearies easily
wi@ri
a) vetrina di negozio = shop window
b) teca per oggetti = showcase/ display cabinet
c) figurato (evento che mostra qs o qn) = showcase
This trade show is a great showcase for the Made in Italy brand.
defiance
a) open disobedience = atteggiamento di sfida
He acted in defiance of my orders.
b) challenging or opposition = ribellione/sprezzo
Nigel’s defiance of the smoking ban earned him a hefty fine.
difai@ns
large in amount, size, force, etc. (object: heavy, amount: large, person: robusto, grosso)
possessions = averi/effetti personali (other meaning ?)
hefty:
a hefty bill/fine
Her salary will go up by a hefty 13 percent.
belongings
other meaning = a feeling of being happy or comfortable as part of a particular group and having a good relationship with the other members of the group because they welcome you and accept you = senso di appartenenza
A sense of belonging is one of humanity’s most basic needs.
It’s a book about humanity, loyalty, and belonging
grezzo
let alone
a) non lavorato = rough/unrefined - crude (oil)
A rough diamond must be processed before being sold
b) figurato (grossolano, rozzo) = unpolished/coarse (koos)
not to mention; without taking into consideration = per non parlare di
There’s no room for all the adults, let alone the children.
da chi?
a road built to take traffic around the outside of a city (circonvallazione/ raccordo anulare)
brooch
ward
who by (who = subject)/whom by? (whom = object)
ring road
(jewellery: decorative pin) = spilla/fermaglio
br@uch
a room in a hospital = reparto, corsia
wood
a meal that you eat in the evening = cena light
spare
supper (sap@)
a) If something is spare, it is extra and not being used = in più, di ricambio, di riserva
a spare bedroom
b) spare time = tempo libero
I enjoy gardening in my spare time
c) spare s st = to give time or money to someone = money: dare, prestare
time: concedere/dedicare
I have to go soon, but I can spare a few minutes.
due
a) due to = dovuto a/a causa di
The game was delayed due to bad weather.
b) (needs to be paid, submitted, etc.) = dovere/bisognare
This electric bill is due by the end of the month
c) (scheduled to happen) = fissare/scadere
The gas safety check is due next Monday.
far sentire qualcuno amato/benvenuto etc.
straighten
inn
quayside
to make someone feel loved/welcomed etc.
streit@n
a) to make straight = raddrizzare
b) to become straight = raddrizzarsi
a) UK (tavern, pub)
b) locanda/pensione
a) (area beside a quay) –> quay (kii) = molo/banchina
b) (situated beside a quay) = adj
I have to make one last delivery to a quayside warehouse before I'm done for the day.
arcade (place) –> in the arcade
aakeid
a) a covered area or passage in which there are shops = galleria
a shopping arcade
b) an area where there are many electronic or other coin-operated games for the public
fetch
exiciting (pr)
chaos (pr)
finale (pr)
f@@ch
a) fetch s/st = (go and get, collect) = andare a prendere
b) (dog: retrieve [sth]) = portare/riportare
Tim trained the dog to fetch a ball.
iksaiting
keios
finaali
less vs fewer
audio (pr)
fewer = countable nouns (ex. fewer options)
less = uncountable nouns (less time)
oodi@u
sway
swei
a) to rock = ondeggiare/oscillare
b) sway s/st = (rock [sth] from side to side) (cullare/fra oscillare)
A gentle wind swayed the palm trees.
c) opinion, beliefs: influence
Jessica was sure she was right, but in the end, Dawn’s arguments swayed her and she changed her mind.
to surprise someone by doing something that they are not expecting or ready for
remainder
to catch someone off guard
rimeind@
a) invariable (what is left) = rimanente/avanzo/resto/rimanenza
Sarah went through her wardrobe, decided which clothes she wanted to keep, and took the remainder to a charity shop
b) (division: number left over) = resto
c) often plural (unsold book) = rimanenza/giacenza
tasta o croce
to wolf st
lock-in
heads or tails
(eat rapidly) = divorare
a) figurative (commercial monopoly) = accordo in esclusiva
b) lock st in/lock in st –> figurative (interest, price: fix) = fissare (un prezzo/cifra)
We have locked in our mortgage rate for five years.
c) lock s/st in = (prevent from leaving) (rinchiudere)
se non puoi batterli, unisciti a loro
gruesome
to succeed in understanding something difficult or strange
if you can’t beat them, join them
gruus@m
(repellent) = orribile/raccapricciante
get your mind around sth:
I find it hard to get my mind around such complex issues.
twitch
a) (jerk suddenly) = contrarsi/contorcersi
Harry twitches every time you go near him
b) (cause to jerk) = agitare/fremere/far fremere
The mouse twitched its whiskers.
c) noun: (jerking movement) = scossone/strattone
The engine came to life with jerks and twitches.
Il motore si avviò con colpi e scossoni.
d) noun: (facial or bodily tic) = tic
nido d’ape (beeswax structure)
giggle
rapa
honeycomb = hanik@um
a) to giggle (laugh) = ridacchiare
b) giggle = risatina
turnip (t@@nip)
waterlogged
woot@logd
a) (flooded with water) = invaso d’acqua
The waterlogged ship was lying very low in the water.
b) (soggy with water) = impregnato d’acqua/fradicio/zuppo
The football game could not take place because of the waterlogged pitch.
on point (informal)
spark
as good as it could be; perfect:
My hair was on point.
a) scintilla
b) figurative (hint, trace) = traccia/barlume
c) a first small event or problem that causes a much worse situation to develop:
That small incident was the spark that set off the street riots.
d) a feeling or quality that causes excitement:
The music is mediocre because there’s no spark, no thrill, no unpredictability.
e) to spark = to cause the start of something, especially an argument or fighting:
This proposal will almost certainly spark another countrywide debate about immigration.
The visit of the G20 leaders sparked off (= caused the start of) mass demonstrations.
woozy
toll
disprezzabile/spregevole
wuuzi
feeling weak or ill and unable to think clearly (frastornato/confuso)
t@ul
a) (road fee)
b) figurative (extent of damage)
The authorities are still calculating the toll of the floods (flad).
c) to toll = bell: ring slowly (rintoccare/suonare)
despicable (d@@spik@b@l)
ooze
exude
crazed/insane (folle/squilibrata)
uuz
a) (flow slowly) = colare/filtrare
b) (exude slowly) = trasudare/grondare
c) figurative (exude, project) = emanare/irradiare
igzuud
a) figurative: emanare/proiettare
Try to exude confidence, even if you don’t feel it.
b) (liquid: ooze out) = trasudare
deranged (direinjd)
to snowball
formal (luminous)
savory
If a problem, idea, or situation snowballs, it quickly grows bigger or more important =
aumentare vertiginosamente
The whole business idea snowballed from one phone call.
lucent (luus@nt)
seiv@ri
a) salty, not sweet
b) (taste, smell: pleasant) = saporito/gustoso
hollow
hol@u
a) empty inside = vuoto/cavo
b) facial features: sunken) = incavato
c) figurative (victory, argument: meaningless) = vano/vacuo
With more work as the only prize it seemed like a hollow victory.
d) (dip, depression) = avvallamento/buca
e) small valley
The town was nestled in the hollow between two mountains.
non organizzo eventi di solito, né uso la fotocopiatrice
soggy
disregard
I don’t usually organize events, nor (neither) do I use a photocopier
soghi
a) (of things that can absorb water, especially food) unpleasantly wet and soft = inzuppato/fradicio
Take off your soggy clothes before you come in.
b) figurative (substance) = molliccio
I hate it when cereal goes soggy.
disrigaad
a) the fact of showing no care or respect for something: = inosservanza/disprezzo
disregard for = What amazes me is her complete disregard for anyone else’s opinion.
b) to ignore something = trascurare/ignorare
He told us to disregard everything we’d learned so far and start again
litter
oak
wood vs wooden
lit@
a) uncountable (trash in street)
The streets were filled with litter
b) (throw trash) = gettare i rifiuti/lasciare in giro rifiuti
People who litter the pavement really make me angry.
@uk
a) quercia
b) adj = made of oak wood
Wooden (wud@n) = It is primarily an adjective meaning “made of wood.” It can also convey figurative meanings like stiffness or lack of emotion (e.g., a wooden performance)
Wood (wud) = while primarily a noun (uncountable), can be used as an adjective (attributive noun) to describe something made from wood. However, it does not carry the same figurative meanings as “wooden”
stiffness
stifn@s
a) the quality of being very formal and not relaxed = impassibilità, freddezza
b) the quality of being firm, hard, or unable to bend = rigidità/durezza/inflessibilità
c) the quality of being very severe, strong, or difficult = durezza/severità
Everyone was surprised at the stiffness of the sentence/punishment/penalty/sanctions
d) the condition of being unable to bend or move easily = rigidezza/rigidità (body)
I had some muscle stiffness after the bike ride.
stiff
a) (rigid, not flexible) = rigido
b) (punishment: severe) = rigoroso/severo
c) (firm) = duro/teso
d) (competition/opposition/resistance: tough):
Both companies are worried about losing business in the face of stiff competition.
e) If you are stiff or part of your body is stiff, your muscles hurt when they are moved = indolenzito
f) behaving in a way that is formal and not relaxed:
stiff manner = The general is a tall man with steel spectacles and a stiff, pompous manner.
g) stiff price = very expensive
h) adverb = very much, or to a great degree:
I got frozen stiff (= very cold) waiting at the bus stop
delay
deferral
dilei
a) cause to be late = ritardare
Sorry, I was delayed by the traffic
I didn’t want to delay Ann, so I said to her, “Don’t wait for me if I’m late”.
b) ritardo
dif@@r@l –> verb: to defer (dif@@)
postponement (p@ustp@unm@nt) (formal) = differimento/rinvio
The board requested a deferral of debt repayment.
inmate
inmeit
a) prisoner = detenuto/prigioniero
b) resident of institution = ricoverato/ospite
they met when they were inmates at a psychiatric hospital
spectacle
argument
spekt@k@l
a) figurative ([sth] remarkable to see)
Everyone came out to see the spectacle of the comet.
b) (show, performance)
There’s going to be a big spectacle at the lake to celebrate New Year’s
aagj@ment
a) quarrel = discussione/litigio
b) debate = discussione/dibattito
c) reasoning = argomento/ragionamento
His argument against going to war was a solid one.
locally
per chi lavori?
all but…
l@uk@li
a) (nearby, in the area) =nei paraggi/in zona
do you live locally?
b) (within a particular area) = localmente/in zona/ a livello locale
This is a city train; it only runs locally.
who do you work for?
a) (everyone except) = tutto/tutti tranne
All but one of her students passed the exam.
b) (with verb: almost completely) = quasi completamente/quasi del tutto
You've all but polished off (=spazzolati) that cake.
c) (with adjective: nearly) = quasi
the rain is all but finished now
la tua versione
andare a cavallo
having no cost/at no cost
tra qualche giorno
your side of the story
go horse-riding
free of charge (gratis/gratuitamente)
Breakfast is provided free of charge.
in a few days
troppo magro (2ways)
(arrive, be present) = venire/arrivare/comparire
flatter
too thin/much too thin
to turn up
I didn’t expect him to turn up at my party as he wasn’t invited
flat@
a) to compliment = lusingare/adulare
Tim tried to flatter his boss.
I’m flattered
b) flatter s/st = make attractive (star bene a/ donare a)
Black clothes flatter all body types.
outback
sei appena arrivato in un hotel per una vacanza. Non è come il tuo agente di viaggio ti aveva detto sarebbe stato
essere a corto di (soldi/tempo etc.)
Io sono un suo (femminile) amico/fan/ammiratore etc.
figurative (any remote, rural region) = entroterra
It takes a long time to drive to Rita's house because it is in the middle of the outback
You’ve just arrived at a hotel for a holiday. It’s not the same as your travel agent told you it would be
to be short of (money/time etc.)
I’m a friend of hers/ I’m her friend/fan etc.
get through
a) informal (ordeal: survive) = superare/sopravvivere/farcela
The global recession has been tough on everyone, but we will get through it.
b) (work, task: complete) = completare/terminare/portare a termine
I have so much work to get through this week
c) (reach [sb]: on phone) = raggiungere/farsi passare
After several attempts to call Yolanda, I eventually managed to get through.
d) (light: pass through curtain, screen) = passare/trapelare
The curtain is made of thin material, so some light still gets through.
apex
gaslighting
gaslight
alias (pr)
eip@@ks
a) summit = vertice/cima/apice
b) figurative (career: high point) = culmine/apice
When Brian was named vice-president, he knew he was at the apex of his career.
c) (anatomy: tip, point) = estremità/sommità/punta
The burn is on the apex of the patient’s tongue.
manipulating [sb] to doubt reality = manipolazione/mistificazione
light emitted (imitid) by a gas lamp = luce a gas
eili@s
argue
aagju
a) to quarrel = discutere/litigare
Even newlyweds sometimes argue.
b) argue about [sth]/ argue about [sth] with [sb] = litigare di/discutere con qualcuno per qualcosa
My friend always argues about money with her husband.
c) to reason, debate = discutere
d) argue for st = give reasons in favour ( schierarsi a favore di)
The school principal argued for more teachers at the last board meeting.
e) argue that = assert/mantain (sostenere che/affermare che)
Many physicists argue that black holes exist.
f) argue st = with direct speech: assert (obiettare/controbattere)
“That’s simply not true,” she argued.
discharge (n)
dischaag
a) bodily emission = fuoriuscita
b) firing of a gun = scarica
Senior officers are investigating the discharge of the police officer's weapon.
c) release from military service = congedo
d) (termination of employment) = licenziamento
Robert found it difficult explaining the reasons for his discharge to potential new employers.
e) (patient: release from hospital) = dimissioni
f) ([sth] being released) = scarico/versamento
Campaigners are protesting against the discharge that is flowing into the river.
g) (release of electricity) = scarica
discharge (verb)
dischaag
a) to allow someone officially to leave somewhere, especially a hospital or a law court (congedare/scarcerare/dimettere/licenziare etc.)
Patients were discharged from the hospital because the beds were needed by other people.
b) to send out a substance, especially waste liquid or gas:
Large amounts of dangerous waste are discharged daily by the factory.
discharge into The oil that discharged into the sea seriously harmed a lot of birds and animals.
c) to perform a task, especially an official one = svolgere/adempiere
discharge a duty = The city must discharge its legal duty to house the homeless.
d) to fire a gun, or to fire a shot from a gun:
The police stated that some 50 rounds had been discharged.
e) (release: electricity) = scaricare
preside
a) headmaster (UK)
b) (school) principal (US)
c) dean (all the university)/department head (university)
rappresentare (stesso significato, anche legale, che in italiano)
ordeal
characteristic
assert
represent (reprizent)
oodi@l
difficult experience = ordalia/disavventura/calvario
kar@kt@ristik
a) (distinguishing feature) = caratteristica
b) (typical) = tipico/caratteristico
@s@@t
a) (with clause: say as true) = affermare/asserire
Vivian asserted her dog was not to blame for the mess
b) (insist on: rights, etc.) = affermare/riaffermare
Seth asserted his right to a fair trial.
cliff
singhiozzo
(geography: steep rock face) = scogliera/rupe/dirupo
a) (attack of hiccoughing) = hiccups/hiccoughs
b) to hiccup (have hiccoughs) = avere il singhiozzo/singhiozzare (figurative)
He'd been hiccupping for a few minutes so I brought him some water.
c) figurative (hitch, snag) = intoppo/intralcio
There’s been a hiccup in our plan.
serve
s@@v
a) (help, work for) = servire/essere al servizio di
People join the police force in order to serve their community.
b) serve st to s = (food: give, bring) servire qualcosa a qualcuno
She served the children their food.
c) (attend to: a customer) = servire
The salesperson is serving another customer right now.
d) (be a servant to) = (essere al servizio di)
Alfred served Bruce Wayne loyally.
e) (spend time: in prison) = scontare
He is serving a 10-year sentence for the crime.
talk down to someone
talk someone down from st
to talk to someone as if they are less intelligent than you or not important = parlare con superiorità/parlare con sufficienza
I wish politicians wouldn’t talk down to us as if we were idiots.
figurative (dissuade from) = dissuadere qualcuno da qualcosa
The King’s advisors tried to talk him down from his anger.
stingy
trasmettitore
vendor
increase/decrease (pr)
stinji
(miserly with money) = avaro/taccagno
transmitter (tranzmit@)
vend@
s who sells = venditore/fornitore (industria/commercio etc.)
inkriis/dikriis
sinergia/sinergetico
lo faccio per tenermi in forma
endurance vs resistance
disposable
synergy/synergistic
I do It to keep myself fit
indu@r@ns / rizist@ns
a) (ability to last) = endurance is about sustaining activity
An institution’s endurance is not necessarily proof that it is good.
in sport = stamina
b) resistance is about opposing force
in sport = A form of physical activity that improves muscular fitness by exercising a muscle against external resistance
disp@uz@b@l
a) (temporary) = monouso/ usa e getta
We always use disposable plates and cups when we have a party to make cleaning up afterwards a bit easier.
b) (available for use) = disponibile
The company was experiencing some financial difficulties so it sold some of its disposable assets.
large numbers
Large numbers
a) We normally say a hundred, a thousand, a million. We only say one hundred, one thousand and one million when we want to emphasise the number:
What would you do if you won a million euros? (preferred to one million euros)
The city is about a hundred kilometres from the capital.
b) Numbers such as 100, 200, 1,000, etc. do not take a plural -s when we use them as determiners:
There were about two hundred people at the meeting.
c) However, we use the plural forms hundreds, thousands, millions + of + noun to refer to large, non-specific numbers:
It’s happened hundreds of times.
Millions of people live in poverty.
d) We often use commas in writing to separate long numbers of a thousand or more into each thousand part:
The repairs cost £1,250.
A total of $5,000,000 was spent on the project.
electricity (pr)
a chi appartiene questo libro? (2 ways)
I’ve been to London vs in
London
eliktris@ti
a) who does this book belong to?
b) To whom does this book belong? (formal)
In general it works for all the situations where you have: preposition + whom
“I’ve been to London” = It means you have visited London at some point in your life but are no longer there. It’s a statement of whether you have ever set foot in London.
“I’ve been in London” = It usually implies you stayed or lived there for a period. It is typically accompanied by a duration of time, such as “I’ve been in London for three weeks”. Without a time frame, it can sound awkward.
nono
dodicesimo
ventesimo/trentesimo etc.
ventunesimo
ventottesimo
centesimo/millesimo/milionesimo etc.
ninth
twelfth
twentieth/thirtieth etc.
twenty-first
twenty-eighth
one hundredth/one thousandth /one millionth etc.
cambiare casa
traslocare
trasloco
to move/change house
a) (cambiare abitazione) = move/relocate (riil@ukeit)
b) (trasferire in altra sede) = transfer (transf@@)/move/relocate
The managers decided to move the company abroad to reduce costs.
move/relocation (riil@ukeish@n)
roll back
brand (synonym)
contachilometri
r@ul
a) roll st back = figurative (reduce: prices)
They're not rolling back prices; they are still too high.
b) roll st back = figurative (return to previous state)
c) figurative (postpone)
make
odometer (@udomit@)
mettere piede
attuale (adj)
take advantage
set foot
Liam has never set foot in England.
present (prez@nt)/current
At the present moment, we don't need anything.
a) take advantage of st - (make the most of) = approfittare di
b) take advantage of s - (exploit) = sfruttare qualcuno
c) take advantage - exploit s = approfittarsene
I know she's very generous, but you shouldn't take advantage!
do you happen to (have st, etc.) ?
I happen to (have a pen, etc.)
l’auto non va/non funziona
gli anziani
Do you happen to have a pen?:
t’s a more deferential way of asking “Do you have X?”. Saying “do you happen to have” adds a level of uncertainty about it, suggesting that the person you’re asking isn’t actually expected to have X, but there’s a chance they may. It’s quite common in everyday speech, although really never necessary.
I happen to have a pen:
I have a pen, and it’s somewhat coincidental or unexpected. The word “happen” implies a degree of chance or fortuity. It suggests that you might not normally have a pen on you, or that the circumstances leading to you having a pen are a bit surprising.
The core meaning is “by chance”.
the car has stopped/ the car won’t go (informal)
a) the elderly (eld@li) = old people
Do we do enough for the elderly in our society?
b) adj = (old) anziano
Gareth visits his elderly grandmother every weekend.
lean (m + c)
liin
a) adj (meat: having little fat) = magro
b) (body: thin and strong) = slanciato
c) (person: thin) = sottile/snello
Her lean figure was silhouetted by the sun.
d) (angle of slant) = inclinazione
he tower has a 10-degree lean.
e) to lean = (slant, not be vertical) –> pendere
The Leaning Tower of Pisa leans away from the sea.
lean - leaned/leant (lent) - leaned/leant
pivotal
sideline
sciare
pista di sci
pilota di corsa automobilistica
piv@t@l
figurative (crucial) = decisivo/cruciale
figurative (push to one side) = escludere/emarginare
noun:
a) (side limit of sports field) = linea laterale/bordocampo
b) figurative (secondary business) = secondo lavoro/attività extra
He makes cash loans and has a sideline in selling used cars.
to ski
ski slope
racing driver
daunting
attrarre (not attract)
essere attratto
doonting
(intimidating) = spaventoso/intimorente
draw s/st:
Fights usually draw large crowds.
to be drawn to:
We all tend to be drawn to those that have similar traits and backgrounds.
to sell out
a) (all be sold) = esaurire/finire
It’s always annoying to get to the ticket booth and be told they’ve sold out.
b) sell st out = (stock: discount) –> svendere/vendere fino ad esaurimento
c) figurative, slang (betray values) = vendersi/svendersi
fai come vuoi/preferisci
entrust
do as you want/as you please
intrast
a) entrust st to s = commit –> affidare/dare in custodia qualcosa a qualcuno
Rachel entrusted the tickets to Brian, as she knew she would only lose them.
b) entrust s with st = put trust in –> affidare/in caricare qualcuno di fare qualcosa
The boss has entrusted me with this task, so I need to make sure I get it right.
informal (talkative person) = chiacchierone
to kidnap (synonym) = rapire/sequestrare
chatterbox (tchat@box)
to abduct (abdakt)
fuss
fas
a) uncountable (concern, attention) (informal) = attenzione/clamore
I didn’t like that film at all; I can’t see what all the fuss was about.
b) a show of anger, worry, or excitement that is unnecessary or greater than the situation deserves:
Dan didn’t like it when people create a big fuss about his birthday.
make such a fuss = She made such a fuss when Richard spilled a drop of wine on her blouse!
fuss about nothing = It’s all a fuss about nothing.
what the fuss is about = I don’t see what the fuss is about - he seems like a fairly ordinary-looking guy to me.
We tried to arrange a ceremony with as little fuss as possible.
whereabouts
curd
we@r@bauts
a) the place where a person or thing is = posizione
The police are appealing for information as to his whereabouts.
b) (approximately where) = dove/ da che parte
Whereabouts did you say you were staying?
k@@d
a) (coagulated milk) = latte cagliato
b) ([sth] resembling milk curd) = grumo
pantafola
salvagente
decoy
(too confident) = imprudente/impertinente
slipper
life jacket/life vest
diikoi
a) figurative (hunting) = esca
b) (diversion) (daiv@@sh@n) = diversivo
The robbers set up a decoy to send the police in the wrong direction
cocky
…dopo aver letto delle recensioni
1) formal:
after having read some reviews (formal)
2) less formal:
a) after I have read some reviews
b) after reading some reviews
(person: sympathetic) = compassionevole/caritatevole
glove (pr)
applause (pr)
downpour
compassionate (k@mpash@n@t)
glav
@plooz
daunpoo
a lot of rain in a short time = acquazzone
soak
immersion
s@uk
a) soak s/st (to immerse in liquid) = mettere a mollo/immergere
Robert soaked his stained shirt in a bowl of water.
b) soak s/st (by rain) = bagnarsi/infradiciarsi
The sudden downpour soaked the spectators.
c) leave st to soak = (be left in liquid) = lasciare in ammollo
The casserole dish was hard to clean, so Ian left it to soak.
d) (period of immersion) = ammollo/immersione
That pan needs a soak before you try to wash it up.
im@@sh@n
a) (physical: submersion)
b) figurative (mental: absorption)
My immersion in my studies has taken away my social life.
pod
contenitore porta cibo
ermetico
breakfast (pr)
a) (vegetable casing: pea, etc.) = baccello
b) (detachable object, capsule = capsula
food storage (stooridj) containers (k@ntein@)
airtight (e@tait)
brekf@st
finale
semifinale
quarti di finale
final (fain@l)
semifinal/ semi-final (semifain@l)
quarter finals
lame
monk (pr)
a) figurative (excuse: feeble) = debole/poco
convincente
Tina offered a lame excuse about her dog and went home early.
b) (crippled) = zoppo/claudicante
The horse had to be put down because it was lame.
c) figurative, informal (boring) = noioso/palloso
d) to lame st –> (make lame) = azzoppare
Peter rode his horse too hard on the track and lamed him.
mangk
(entirely) = synonym
in Southeast Asia, a Buddhist temple (= a place of worship) or monastery (= a building in which monks live and worship)
handbasket
turn out to be
wholly (h@uli)
wat (wat) - monastery pr: mon@stri
small basket (cestino)
a) turn out to be s/st = be discovered to be (rivelarsi essere)
The man convicted of the crime turned out to be innocent.
b) (become) = diventare
Your son has turned out to be a hardworking young man; you must be proud of him.
Il mio inglese sembra stare migliorando
Quell’auto pare essersi rotta
A Rachel sembra stare piacendo il suo lavoro
Dicono di aver risolto il problema
My English seems to be getting better
That car appears to have broken down
Rachel seems to be enjoying her job
They claim to have solved the problem
Possible structures (admit/deny/suggest/recommend)
a) loro hanno negato di aver fatto qualcosa di sbagliato
b) Chris ha suggerito di andare al cinema
c) Ti ho raccomandato di viaggiare con il treno
a) The denied having done/doing anything wrong
b) They denied (that) they had done anything wrong
a) Chris suggested going to the cinema
b) Chris suggested (that) we go to the cinema
a) I recommended travelling by train
b) I recommend (that) you travel by train
antenato
scettro
liberare
territory (pr)
forefather (foofaath@)/ ancestor (ansest@)
sceptre (sept@)
free/release (riliis) / to set s/st free
teritri
number more than
multiple(pr)
lapdog/ lap dog
haze
outnumber
China’s population outnumbers ours by a significant amount.
maltip@l
a) (small dog)
b) figurative, disparaging (person: controlled by another
a) weather:fog = foschia
b) figurative (confusion) = annebbiamento/confusione mentale
collective names (ex. group) - verb: plural or singular?
condimento
In British English, collective nouns like “group” can be treated as either singular or plural, depending on the context and the intended meaning. This is due to two types of verb agreement: formal agreement and notional agreement.
Formal Agreement: When the group is considered as a single entity, a singular verb is used. For example:
“The group is meeting at 5 PM.”
Notional Agreement: When the emphasis is on the individual members of the group, a plural verb is used. For example:
“The group are arguing among themselves.”
The choice between “is” and “are” often depends on whether the group is acting as a unit or if the focus is on the actions of its individual members
condiment/seasoning/spice/topping
You will only be able to lose weight if you cut down on the condiments you use in your dishes.
bombast
bombastic
zigzag
al suo meglio/nella sua massima forma
overblown
noun: a forceful and confident style that is intended to be very powerful and impressive, but may not have much real meaning or effect = ampollosità/pomposità
She expressed loathing for the dictator’s propaganda and bombast.
(overblown, pretentious) = ampolloso/pomposo
a) movimento a zigzag
The boat was sailing in a zigzag across the bay.
b) linea frastagliata
The child drew a zigzag to represent the shark’s teeth.
c) to zigzag = zigzagare
at its finest
(overdone, exaggerated) = esagerato/eccessivo
sostituto
deputy
io sono un uomo di parola
a) vice = stand-in / replacement (ripleism@nt)
b) (supplente, vicario) = substitute (sabstichuut)
c) assistant (@sist@nt), deputy
d) riserve (sports) = reserve (riz@@v)/sub
depi@ti
a) vice/secondo
b) political representative (reprizent@tiv) = deputato/rappresentante
I’m a man of my word
to hand st over
a) to give something to someone else
We were ordered to hand over our passports.
b) hand something/someone over to someone =
to give another person control of someone or something, or responsibility for dealing with him, her, or it:
be handed over to = The hijacker was handed over to the French police.
If you hold on a moment I’ll hand you over to someone who might be able to help.
c) to give someone else control of or responsibility for something:
to hand over control/power/responsibility
hand sth over to sb = The founder handed the company over to his sons.
d) to give something to someone:
hand over money/documents = Insist on a legally binding contract before handing over a deposit.
to set off
figure
a) to start a journey = partire, mettersi in viaggio
What time are you setting off tomorrow morning?
b) to cause to start doing something =
provocare, (dare il via)
She had almost stopped crying, but his harsh words set her off again.
c) to explode or ignite = fare partire, lanciare
You should let your father set off all the fireworks
a) number= cifra
b) amount of money = cifra/importo
c) (bodily shape) = aspetto fisico/linea
The actress had a beautiful figure.
d) shape = forma/sagome/figura
e) (person seen as a shape) = sagoma/figura
f) (personality, person with standing)
g) (drawing, sculpture) = figura
+ tutti i significati di “figura” in italiano
dress up
a) to dress up = to put on formal clothes for a special occasion:
You don’t need to dress up to go to the mall - jeans and a T-shirt are fine.
b) dress st up = If you dress something up, you add something to it in order to make it seem more interesting or pleasing than it really is = agghindare/abbellire
The film director dressed up the story to make the characters more appealing to the audience.
b.1) dress something up WITH something = I thought I’d dress up the frozen pizza with a few extra tomatoes and olives.
dress something up AS something =
Politicians tried to dress up the bill as a bold new strategy for combating poverty.
c) to dress up/dress up as = (in costume) travestirsi /travestirsi da
My son likes to dress up as a pirate.
pay off
a) If something you have done pays off, it is successful = rendere/fruttare
All her hard work paid off in the end, and she finally passed the exam.
b) pay st off = to pay back money that you owe:
We should be able to pay off the debt within two years.
c) pay someone off = If your employer pays you off, they pay you for the last time and then end your job, because you are not needed or there is not enough money to pay you in the future = liquidare
d) pay someone off (informal) –> to give someone money so that they will not do or say something, or so that they will go away: (corrompere)
There were rumours that key witnesses had been paid off to keep quiet.
modo di dire
contrastare
tirare su col naso (inhale to clear nose)
make it/that make sense
at stake
super (pr)
a) common saying (kom@n)
b) expression (ikspresh@n)
a) to oppose (@p@uz) / hinder/ resist
to sniff
informal expression used to highlight confusion or incredulity about a situation
at risk = in gioco/a rischio/in ballo
You need to make sure you do the job correctly because your professional reputation is at stake!
suup@
outgoing
autg@uing
a) (of a person) friendly and energetic and finding it easy and enjoyable to be with others = socievole/estroverso
b) leaving a place, or leaving a job = in partenza/in uscita
Outgoing flights are booked until 15 January.
c) an outgoing phone call or email is made or sent by one person to another, rather than being received = in uscita (email/phone call)
d) outgoings = (costs, expenses) = spese/uscite
own vs owe
as (pr)
@un
a) to own st = avere/possedere qualcosa
b) (belonging to self) = personale/proprio
My own car is not nearly as nice as yours.
c) (intensifier) = proprio/stesso
I saw it with my own eyes!
@u
a) owe s st/ owe st to s = be in debt to s -> dovere qualcosa qualcuno
Having arranged a loan to buy my house, I owe my bank a lot of money. I owe a fortune to my creditors.
b) owe st = (be in debt: by amount)
I've paid back most of the money but I still owe fifty euros.
c) figurative (need to give)
I owe you an apology.
d) figurative (have: thanks to [sb])
He owed his life to the medical skills of his surgeon.
az
patch
gerund (pr)
a) (fabric: mends, strengthens) = pezza/toppa
b) (area of land, grass) = appezzamento/lotto
c) (small piece of [sth]) = scheggia/frammento
Angela hit a patch of ice and skidded.
d) small area of st = angolino/pezzetto
A patch of blue sky appeared between the clouds.
e) (area of skin) = chiazza/macchia
Your patches of white skin are caused by vitiligo.
f) (fabric badge) = mostrina/stemma
jer@nd
retreat
jagged
sei veramente così ingenuo da pensare questo?
ritriit
a) uncountable (military) = ritirata
b) uncountable (seclusion) = ritiro/isolamento
Members of the convent seek retreat from the outside world.
c) (place for privacy) = rifugio/ricovero
d) (vacation for meditation, etc.) = ritiro
Erika is going on a retreat to get away from the stresses of modern life.
e) to retreat = (military) = ritirarsi/ripiegare
The troops retreated under heavy fire from the enemy.
jaghid
a) (edge, saw-like) = seghettato/dentellato
b) (geography, mountains) = frastagliato
Are you really so naive as to think that?
spegnere il fuoco/l’incendio
con largo anticipo
Mi dispiace che sono così nervoso. Non posso smettere (con can’t help)
devi trovarti un lavoro da solo
to put the fire out
in plenty of time
I got there in plenty of time
I’m sorry I’m so nervous. I can’t help it (= I can’t help being nervous)
a) You have to find a job yourself
(This phrase emphasizes that you are responsible for finding a job independently. It suggests that you should take the initiative and use your own resources and skills to find employment)
b) You have to find a job by yourself
This phrase also implies independence but adds a slight emphasis on the fact that you are doing it alone, without the help of others.
plenty
C’è molto spazio qui
È un problema difficile. Bisogna rifletterci attentamente
estremizzare
a) quantifier: a lot of something, more than you need = molto, in abbondanza
Don’t bring any food – we’ve got plenty.
There’s plenty of room here.
C’è molto spazio qui.
b.1) pronoun: a sufficient amount; enough =
abbastanza, tanto
We’ve got plenty of time to get there.
b.2) a large amount = molto
He’s got plenty of money.
c) adjective: abbastanza
That’s plenty, thank you!
There is plenty of room here
a) It’a s difficult problem. It needs thinking about carefully
b) It needs to be thought about carefully
a) to exaggerate (igzaj@reit)
b) to take something to the extremes
In this moment we are running the risk of taking certain rhetoric on sustainability to extremes.
mi sarebbe piaciuto vedere Anna prima che partisse (2 ways + informal)
trouble
a) to express a past wish or desire that was not fulfilled:
I would have liked to have seen Anna before she left
b) Informal:
I would have liked to see Anna before she left
c) to suggest a current desire to have seen Anna in the past:
I would like to have seen Anna before she left
trabl
a) (difficulty) = difficoltà/problema
We had trouble finding somewhere to park.
b) troubles = problems
Francesca was telling me about all her troubles.
c) a problem with a machine or part of your body = back trouble/car trouble
d) a situation in which you have done something wrong and will be punished = guai
They got into trouble with the police.
e) to trouble = to make someone worry
preoccupare
The situation has been troubling me for a while.
f) used to ask someone politely to help you
disturbare
I’m sorry to trouble you, but could you tell me how to get to the station?
equipped (pr)
subaffittare
locatario/affittuario
maialino
Ikwipt
sublet (sablet)
tenant (ten@nt)
piglet
gallo
decorum
to imagine (pr)
rooster (ruust@)
dikoor@m
behaviour that is controlled, calm, and polite:
act with decorum = As young ladies we were expected to act with proper decorum.
behave with decorum = Employees of this company should behave with decorum and respectability at all times.
imajin
neonato
palude/pantano
fogna
magnet (pr)
get something/someone out of your mind
newborn
swamp (swomp)
sewer (su@)
magn@t
to make yourself stop thinking about something/someone:
I can’t get that horrible moment/image out of my mind.
awake (pr)
wonderful (pr)
eliminate (pr)
being
@weik
wand@fl
ilimineit
a) creature = essere
Many people believe that the galaxy is full of intelligent beings.
b) existence = esistenza
Philosophers debate the meaning of being.
c) nature/self = io (essere)
Theresa hates liars with every fibre of her being
pr:
this/that
these/those
treacherous
stregoneria
this/that
thiiz/th@uz
trechr@us
a) person: disloyal = sleale/infido
b) figurative (memory, etc.: unreliable) = traditore/inaffidabile
Unable to separate fact from fiction, the woman cursed her treacherous memory.
c) figurative (conditions: dangerous) = pericoloso
Only a fool would go out in this treacherous weather.
witchcraft
workshop
sage
exactly (pr)
w@@kshop - work (w@@k)
a) (place with tools) = officina/bottega
b) (seminar, class) = seminario/workshop
seij
a) (herbal plant) = salvia
b) (wise person) = saggio/sapiente
The young man consulted the village sages about his path in life.
c) wise = saggio/assennato
igzaktli
echo
besiege
siege
ek@u
a) (reverberating sound) = eco
b) to echo = (sound: reverberate) –> echeggiare/risuonare
c) figurative (talking: repeat) (informal) = ripetere a pappagallo, ripetere a macchinetta
The student was just echoing what his teacher had told him
bisiij
a) besiege s/st = assediare
b) figurative, often passive (harass) = assediare
Reporters besieged him as he left the courtroom.
c) figurative, usually passive (trouble) = tormentare/perseguitare
Doubts besieged her.
siege = assedio (literally and figurative)
an expert on a particular subject whose ideas and opinions influence other people, especially in business
tenere qualcosa/qualcuno sotto controllo
morbillo
cur
thought leader (liid@)
a ) to keep s/st under control
b) to keep s/st in check
measles (miizlz)
k@@
(dog: mongrel) = cane bastardo/bastardo
shackle
to weigh someone/something down
shak@l
a) shackle someone = (put restraints on) = mettere qualcuno ai ferri/ ammanettare
Police shackled him and put him in the back of the van.
b) the shackles of [sth] = figurative ([sth] restrictive) –> freni/catene
We must shake off the shackles of capitalist thinking!
c) shackles = (fetters, restraints) = catene/ceppi
The man was brought into the court in shackles.
a) If someone or something is weighed down with something, they are carrying a lot of or too much of it = appesantire
(be) weighed with = Weighed down with supplies, they found the steep path difficult to climb.
b) weigh someone down = figurative: to make a person feel worried and unhappy because of problems, responsibilities, and duties = opprimere/gravare
All this debt weighs me down, and I can’t enjoy myself anymore.
weighed down by st = I thought she looked somehow older, weighed down by all her new responsibilities.
weigh down on s = Too much responsibility when too young can weigh down on a child.
all’età di sei anni
Io incoraggio sempre le persone a leggere libri che mi sono piaciuti da leggere
lessor
lessee
pet peeve
at the age of six
I always encourage people to read books which I have enjoyed reading myself
lesoo –> locatore
lesii –> locatario
informal (particular source of annoyance) = cosa che irrita, cosa che dà fastidio
UK, informal (toilet, bathroom)
ironclad
stance
loo
ai@nklad
a) iron-plated = corazzato
b) figurative (secure, invulnerable) = invulnerabile/inviolabile/ a prova di bomba
I don’t know what to tell you; unfortunately this is an ironclad contract.
staans
a) figurative (viewpoint) = atteggiamento/posizione
Daphne didn’t agree at all with Evelyn’s stance on the issue.
b) (posture, bearing) = postura/posa
Rick was waiting at the corner, his stance relaxed
coinvolgere qualcuno (in qualcosa)
coinvolgere (interessare/appassionare)
tenet
involve s in st /drag s into st
I don't want to be involved in their family arguments.
I don
’
t want to get dragged into their family arguments.
captivate (kaptiveit) /engage/interest
The theater course captivates me body and soul.
tenit
a) (principle) = principio/fondamento
b) tenets = (doctrine) –> dottrina/canone
The tenets of the church once allowed bigamy.
conviction
to convict
k@nviksh@n
a) (law: finding defendant guilty) = condanna
b) uncountable (sureness) = convinzione/sicurezza
"I'm sure!" he exclaimed with conviction.
c) often plural (belief) = convinzioni/credenze
Despite the hardships in her life, Rose held to her convictions.
k@nvikt
a) (of a crime) = dichiarare colpevole/condannare
b) (person in jail) = detenuto (anche prisoner/inmate/detainee)
Writing letters to convicts can be dangerous.
truce
word vs world (pr)
autograph (pr)
truus
a) stop in war = tregua
b) between people, groups = tregua
w@@d
w@@ld
oot@graaf
preoccupante
to displace
a) worrying/troubling/alarming (@laam)
b) preoccupante (grave) = serious/severe (sivi@)/dire (dai@)/grave (greiv)
displeis
a) to force something/someone out of its usual or original position: = dislocare
b) (person: exile) = rimuovere/destituire/deporre
c) (replace, supplant) = rimpiazzare/sostituire
Service industry jobs have displaced the old manufacturing ones.
durante i weekend
prima della partenza (aereo)
Nella maggior parte dei casi/delle volte
a) American way = during the weekends
b) British way = during weekends/at weekends
Before take-off
Most of the time
lounge
all through
launj
a) a room in a hotel, airport, theatre, etc. where people can relax or wait:
an airport lounge
a cocktail lounge
b) UK: the room in a house or apartment that is used for relaxing and entertaining guests in = salotto/salottino
c) to lounge = to stand or sit in a relaxed way:
She was lounging on the beach.
a) from beginning to end of = durante tutto
The baby cried all through the night.
b) in every part of = in tutto
Road conditions are bad all through the country.
jew vs jewish vs hebrew
oblivion
juu
jew (noun) = A Jewish person is anyone who believes in the religion of Judaism
jewish (adj) = ebreo (adj)
hebrew (hiibruu) = ebrei in genere (non necessariamente credenti)
@blivi@n
a) a situation in which someone or something is not remembered = oblio
to disappear into oblivion = sparire nell’oblio
b) a situation in which you are not aware of what is happening around you = oblio/incoscienza
He drank himself into oblivion = Si è ubriacato fino a dimenticare tutto.
enormous (pr)
gale
resurrect (pr)
over here/there
drown
inoom@s
gheil = strong wind/windstorm
rezrekt
in this vicinity = qui o lì/da queste/quelle parti
draun
a) affogare/annegare
b) to cause (a sound) not to be heard by making a louder sound = coprire
to escort (pr)
conscience (pr)
suolo, terreno
materiale che compone il suolo
b) noun: eskoot (scorta)
konshns
ground/terrain (t@rein)
dirt (d@@t)/soil
These are dirt roads but they will soon be asphalted (asfoolt)
ambientazione
head to vs head towards
to burn down
setting
head to = when the action is going to a specific place.
head towards = when the action is going in that general direction
a) (be destroyed by fire)
The factory burnt down in a fire that killed 11 workers.
b) burn st down = (destroy st by fire)
A fire burnt the hotel down.
alongside
to raze
excuse (pr)
armband
conquistare
@longsaid
next to someone or something = affianco
reiz
to completely destroy a city, building, etc.:
The town was razed to the ground in the bombing raid
ikskjuuz
aamband
a) a piece of material that a person wears around the arm as a sign of something, for example an official position
b) braccioli (water)
to conquer (kongk@)
better off
nostalgia (pr)
a) to have more money than you had in the past or more money than most other people:
Obviously we’re better off now that we’re both working.
b) to be in a better situation, if or after something happens:
He’d be better off working for a bigger company.
c) the better off (noun)
people who have more money than most others: (benestanti/agiati/ricchi)
The new tax will not have a serious impact on the better off.
nostalj@
a) Some people feel nostalgia for their schooldays.
b) Hearing that song again filled him with nostalgia.
c) a wave (= sudden strong feeling) of nostalgia
disdain
disdein
a) scorn (disprezzo/sdegno) or pride = disdegno/disprezzo
She gave Alan a look of disdain.
b) to be too proud (to do something) = disdegnare
c) to look down on (something) = disprezzare
She disdains our company.
to elope
whirlwind
leaflet (syn)
il@up
to leave home secretly in order to get married without the permission of your parents:
elope with = She eloped with an Army officer.
w@@lwind
a) (mini-tornado) = tromba d’aria
b) figurative (of activity) = turbinio/vortice
There was a whirlwind of activity in the office as everyone tried to meet the deadline.
c) (hasty, quick) = frenetico/travolgente
Dan made a whirlwind visit to Paris. It was a whirlwind romance
flier/flyer
fearful
irrefutable
ascella
fi@fl
a) frightened or worried = timoroso/impaurito
b) fearful of s/st = (afraid of [sth/sb])
c) fearful of doing st = afraid to do st
Many people are fearful of going to the dentist.
irifjuut@bl
(undeniable, indisputable) = irrefutabile/indiscutibile
armpit
se vuoi renderti la vita facile/più facile
sanguisuga
hasty
needlepoint
a) If you want to make life easy
b) if you want to make your life easy/easier
leech/bloodsucker
heisti
a) done very quickly = affrettato/precipitoso
I don’t want to make a hasty decision.
b) done etc in a hurry = affrettato/rapido
a hasty snack.
c) easily made angry = irritabable (irit@bl)/grumpy
a hasty temper.
a) the activity of making patterns or pictures that consist of stitches sewn very close together directly onto cloth = ricamo
Sarah does needlepoint while her 2-year-old watches TV.
b) a pattern of stitches sewn very close together directly onto cloth, or an object made or decorated like this = ricamo
I sat working on my needlepoint.
as long as
a) providing that = purché/a condizione che
I am happy, as long as the sun always comes back around.
b) while = finché/fintantoché
As long as you’re living under my roof, you’ll obey my rules, young lady!
c) equal in length to = lungo come
My garden is as long as a football pitch.
grembiule
nonostante (qualcosa):
a dispetto di/malgrado/benché
a) (indumento da lavoro) = apron (eipr@n)/pinny/pinafore (pin@foo)
b) (indumento di scuola) = smock
a) in spite of st/despite st/notwithstanding
-In spite of the rain, we decided to go to the park for a picnic.
-She went to the party despite feeling unwell that evening
.The company will proceed with the project notwithstanding the objections from some shareholders.
b) although/ even though
-Although she was tired, she managed to finish her project on time.
-He went to the concert even though he wasn’t a big fan of the band.
UK (wait in a line of people, vehicles) = stare in fila/stare in coda/fare la coda
withhold
to queue
People were queuing outside the shop at 5 am on the day of the sale.
withh@uld
a) to refuse to give = rifiutare/negare
The council withheld planning permission for the new factory.
b) (payment) = trattenere
The customer withheld her payment until the issues were resolved.
pastiglia
savage
a) (farmaco in pillola) = tablet/pill
b) caramella = pastille (pastl)/sweet/hard candy
c) pastiglie del freno = brake pad
savij
a) extremely violent = selvaggio/feroce
b) uncivilized = selvaggio
c) fierce and cruel = crudele/feroce
d) to savage = to attack violently
A sheep had been savaged by a dog.
to have a very difficult choice to make between (two things) = essere diviso tra
figurative (person: feel devastated) = essere a pezzi
to cease
exaclty (pr)
flaw
flawed
a) be torn between (one thing and another)
He was torn between obedience to his parents and loyalty to his friends.
b) be torn in two
I was torn in two when she left me.
siis
a) to stop = cessare/sospendere
He ordered his men to cease firing
b) bring to an end = cessare/smettere
This foolishness must cease!
igzaktli
floo
a fault; something which makes something not perfect = difetto/imperfezione
having a flaw = difettoso/imperfetto
John tried to teach his son that he should be tolerant, because all people are flawed.
cause
possa io trovare la pace!
kooz
a) to cause = to make something happen, especially something bad = causare/provocare
b) someone or something that makes something happen = causa
c) a reason to feel something (not plural) =
There is no cause for alarm.
d) a reason for doing something, especially one that involves helping other people = causa
The money will go to charity – it’s a good cause.
Let me find peace
banner
undress
not + adjective
ban@
a) a long piece of cloth, often stretched between poles, with a message written on it
= striscione
b) a military flag.
andres
a) to remove your clothes or someone else’s clothes = spogliarsi/svestirsi
I undressed and went to bed.
I got undressed and went to bed
b) to take the clothes off (a person) = spogliare/svestire
She undressed the child
non-adjective –> ex. non-negotiable, non-academic etc.
to extort
chestnut
ikstoot
a) to get something by force or threats = estorcere
extort something from someone = He was part of a plot to extort money from his brother.
a) (edible nut: sweet chestnut) = castagna
b) (tree: bears sweet chestnuts) = castagno
c) uncountable (wood of chestnut tree) = legno di castagno
command
k@maand
a) an order, especially one given by a soldier:
at someone’s command = You will run forward at (= when you hear) my command
.
give the command = When I give the command, fire!
obey a command = He hated being in the army because he had to obey commands.
b) control over someone or something and responsibility for him, her, or it:
have command over =
Colonel Sailing has command over the Guards Regiment.
in command of = Ronnie found himself in command of 250 men.
take command of = Lee took command of the Confederate Army in 1862.
under the command of = The soldiers were under the command of a tough sergeant major.
c) a great knowledge of a subject and an ability to use that knowledge:
have a command of = She has an impressive command of the English language.
d) an instruction to a computer to perform a particular action
puoi migliorare il tuo inglese leggendo di più
careless
buona educazione
è buona educazione
evidence vs proof
be more likely to do st
you can improve your English by reading more
a) not giving enough attention to what you are doing = imprudente/trascurato
b) not careful (enough) = disattento/sbadato
a careless worker
good manners
I was impressed by the children’s good manners at the dinner table.
it’s good manners
In many countries, it is not good manners to eat with your fingers.
evidence (evidns) (uncountable) = indizio
proof (uncountable) = prova
essere più propenso/più probabile
As a result, young women may also be more likely to hold student loan debt.
pieno
ripieno (cibo)
elemosinare
elemosina
dare l’elemosina
adj: stuffed/filled
a carafe filled with water
b) stuffing = a mixture containing eg breadcrumbs, spices, sausage-meat etc, used for stuffing chickens etc
c) filling = anything used to fill
a) mendicare = beg/panhandle
b) chiedere implorando = beg for st/ beg
a) charity/donation/handout - char@ti/d@uneish@n
b) offerta durante la massa = alms (aamz)
c) figurato, spregiativo (dono fatto sprezzantemente = handout/charity
I prefer to get by on my own rather than ask for handouts.
d) figurato, spregiativo (compenso irrisorio) = pittance (pitns)/drop in the bucket/chicken feed
These funds allocated to the Veneto region are a shameful pittance.
to give charity/alms/handouts
emorragia
feed
medical and figurative = hemorrhage (hemrij)/bleeding/drain
alimentare/nutrire
a) to give food to a person, group, or animal:
- feed someone/something on something = If you feed your dog on biscuits, it’s not surprising he’s so fat.
feed something to someone/something = The kids love feeding bread to the duck
feed yourself = Most babies can feed themselves by the time they’re a year old.
b) to produce or supply enough food for someone or something:
feed itself = If agriculture was more of a priority, the country would easily be able to feed itself.
c) to give a plant substances that will help it grow:
Don’t forget to feed the tomatoes.
d) to be enough food for a group of people or animals:
This amount of pasta won’t feed ten people.
e) to supply something to a person or thing, or put something into a machine or system, especially in a regular or continuous way:
feed st to s = to supply
be fed into = The vegetables are fed into the machine at this end.
be fed to =The images are fed over satellite networks to broadcasters throughout the world.
[ + two objects ] = A member of staff had been feeding the newspaper information/feeding information to the newspaper.
feed into = Several small streams feed into (= join) the river near here.
f) to put fuel on or inside something that burns, to keep it burning:
Remember to feed the fire while I’m out.
g) (food for animals) = foraggio
non stai prestando abbastanza attenzione nel fare qualcosa
trivial
You’re not paying enough attention to doing something
a) having little value or importance = irrilevante/di poco conto
Sexual harassment in the workplace is not a trivial matter.
b) A trivial problem is easy to solve = banale/frivolo/triviale
Getting computers to understand human language is not a trivial problem.
c) (interested in small matters) = superficiale/leggero
The village gossips were trivial people.
gossips = pettegole
antique
to flinch
antiik
a) an object that is old, and often rare or beautiful = oggetto antico/pezzo d’antiquariato
b) old and often rare or beautiful = antico
c) (of a shop etc) dealing in antiques
antique furniture = mobili d’antiquariato
antique shop
to make a sudden movement back or away in fear, pain etc = ritrarsi/sussultare/sobbalzare
cocoa (pr)
keypad vs keyboard
sabotare/sabotaggio
delicious (pr)
k@uk@u
kiibood
Keypads are small and focus on numbers, like on a phone or calculator.
sab@taaj
a) to sabotage = sabotare/compromettere (to undermine/to obstruct)
b) sabotage = sabotaggio (undermining/obstruction)
dilish@s
texture
tuxedo
spree
teksch@
a) (of surface) the way something feels when touched, eaten etc= consistenza/apparenza/trama
b) (of food) = consistenza
c) figurative (character) = struttura/aspetto
This book gives an idea of the texture of life in a remote village in the early twentieth century.
taksiid@u
smoking (l’intero completo)
sprii
a) a short period of doing a particular activity much more than is usual:
I went on a drinking/shopping/spending spree on Saturday.
20 people were shot dead in the city, making it the worst killing spree since the riots.
sturdy
alimentare
overt
st@@di
a) very strong and solid = robusto/solido
b) strong and healthy = rovbusto/vigoroso
A) feed/nourish (narish)
b) figurato (fomentare/istigare) = stoke (st@uk)/foment (f@ument)/foster (fost@)/feed
c) alimentarsi (nutrirsi) = eat/ nourish yourself/ feed yourself
c) adj (relativo agli alimenti) = food (ex. food industry)
d) alimentari (cibi) = food/groceries
@uv@@t
not concealed = aperto/manifesto/dichiarato
skull (pr)
difficult to do and causing a lot of worry or anxiety (angzai@ti)
serratura
to meet someone, especially by chance
passaparola
salivare
skal
nerve-racking/wracking
lock
- cross someone’s path/cross paths with someone
I hope I don’t cross his path/cross paths with him again.
word of mouth
In the end word of mouth distorted the boss’ words.
a) adj = salivary (saliv@ri)
b) verb = to salivate (saliveit)
briciola
a) di pane = crumb (kram)
b) estensione (pezzettino di [qc]) - scrap/morsel (moosl)
All I need is a morsel (or: scrap) of your fortune.
preparare
a) (disporre, allestire) = prepare/arrange/set up/organise
b) addrestrare = train/coach to do st
c) study = prepare for/study for
d) figurative (avere in serbo) = have in store
I have a surprise in store for her birthday.
e) cucinare = prepare/cook
f) predisporsi per = prepare/get ready
She’s busy getting her things ready (or getting ready)
each other (almost synonym?)
andando e tornando da lavoro
immersione subacquea (sport)
dare/lasciare il tempo
one another (more used for more than 2 people vs each other = usually 2 people)
going to and from work
scuba diving (skuub@)
allow time
Wait three to five minutes to allow time for the results to appear
foolish
iniziare/cominciare da
fallire nel fare qualcosa
fancy
a) unwise = stolto/sciocco
b) ridiculous = assurdo/insensato
begin by doing st
When learning a new recipe, it is best to begin by reading all the way through.
fail in doing st
She failed in giving him a daughter
a) (elaborately decorative)
b) (expensive, high quality)
c) imagination
He would paint whatever caught his fancy.
d) UK (whim) = capriccio
He was seized by a sudden fancy to go swimming, so he took the day off work.
e) informal = to fancy st/doing st (like, want)
Do you fancy a round of golf this afternoon?
I fancy going out for a meal this evening.
mark
to make it up
a) a dirty area on something = macchia
b) voto (school)
d) a stain = segno
c) to mark (to read a piece of written work and write on it how good or bad it is) = correggere
I marked essays last night.
d) to mark = to show where something is by drawing or putting something somewhere = segnare
I marked my street on the map for you.
a) to become friends again after a quarrel = riconciliarsi
It’s time you two made it up (with each other).
b) to give compensation or make amends for something = compensare
I’m sorry – I’ll make it up to you somehow.
let down
poor vs pour (pr)
data (pr)
a) to lower = abbassare
She let down the blind.
b) to disappoint = deludere
You must give a film show at the party – you can’t let the children down (noun let-down)
c) to make flat by allowing the air to escape = sgonfiare
When he got back to his car, he found that some children had let his tyres/tires down.
d) to make longer = allungare
She had to let down the child’s skirt
poo
deit@
wrongdoing
a) uncountable (criminal behaviour) = illecito/violazione
b) (morally wrong act) = misfatto/malefatta
settle
a) If you settle an argument, you stop the problem and stop arguing. = risolvere
b) to start living somewhere that you are going to live for a long time = stabilirsi/sistemarsi
Finally he settled in Vienna.
c) to decide or arrange something = decidere/stabilire
d) to relax into a comfortable position = sistemarsi
She settled herself into the chair.
e) settle a bill = to pay the money that you owe = saldare un conto
I’ve got some bills to settle.
to set
a) to arrange a time when something will happen = fissare/stabilire
Should we set a date for the next meeting?
The next meeting is set for 6 February.
b) If a book, play, or movie is set in a place or period of time, the story happens there or at that time. = ambientare
It’s a historical adventure set in India in the 1940s.
c) to make a piece of equipment ready to be used = mettere a punto/regolare
He set the alarm for 7 a.m.
d) set someone free = rilasciare qualcuno
e) set fire to something = appiccare il fuoco a qualcosa
f) set the table = apparecchiare
g) If a liquid substance sets, it becomes solid = solidificarsi/rassodarsi
h) UK
If you set work or an exam at a school or college, you ask the students to do it = assegnare
Mr Harley forgot to set us any science homework.
