B2_08_Valeria

Question 1

1. I bit my nails, eating some of the red nail varnish.
2. My tone became a little more tense, while I endeavoured to keep myself occupied. [vb = 1. to make an effort. 2. what is an alt vb (new)?]
3. I turned my back on him
4. And, while we’re at it, let’s see if with a full mouth you’ll shut up a bit. [loc exp = while we’re talking, ie when taking adv of the opportunity)

Answer 1

1. mordí las uñas, comiéndome parte del esmalte rojo
2. Mi tono se volvió un poco más tenso, mientras me afanaba EN mantenerme ocupada [1. afanarse 2. esmerarse]
3. Me giré dándole la espalda
4. Y, de paso, a ver si con la boca llena te callas un poquito

Question 2

1. You _really_ haven’t had sex for almost half a year? - Do you want me to be _completely_ honest with you? [CLUE: spanish time struct]
2. Treat yourself** and **make up with Victor. [1. loc vb = to treat oneself**] [2. loc. vb - **to make up, clue: think make peace + what other Val vb]
3. What happened to the demure Valeria? [1.Clue: think what became of …][2. Explain N → vb = to behave with discretion]
4. But that in actuality it’s a mirage [loc exp - in actuality, ie in fact]

Answer 2

1. ¿Llevas _de verdad_ casi medio año sin sexo? - ¿Quieres que te sea _todo_ sincero?
2. Date un capricho** y **haz las paces con Víctor. [1. darse un capricho**] [2. **hacer las paces con = resarcirse]
3. ¿Qué ha sido de la Valeria recatada? [2. recatado, also = cautious, prudent → recatarse, literally = act with caution
4. Pero que en realidad es un espejismo

Question 3

1. But it was enough of a gesture on my part to call him on my own accord.
2. You know I wouldn’t leave you high and dry** (or **bail on you) if it weren’t for this*** (or ***otherwise). [loc vb = means to desert or abandon]
3. because I’m not much of a + football fan**. [1. **I’m not much of a X struct 2. Normal colq N = fan? 3. what diff in use?]
4. Together we strolled towards one of the sides of the stadium.

Answer 3

1. pero ya era suficiente gesto por mi parte hacerle una llamada motu proprio
2. Sabes que no te dejaría tirada si no fuera así. [dejar tirado]
3. porque no es que sea muy** + **forofa** del fútbol. [1. **no es que sea muy + N 2. hincho (sport only) = aficionado 3. forofo → wider use, eg movie]
4. juntos paseamos hasta uno de los laterales del estadio

Question 4

1. some fish tanks had been placed against the wall (vb = to place against or next to)
2. but in my opinion it spoils the atmosphere (vb - to spoil, to ruin)
3. And no, it wasn’t an idle boast. (N → vb = to boast or to brag)[Clue: THINK fanfare]
4. I’m giving you a compliment. (Clue: 1. NOT dar 2. compliment as in flattering)
5. I took off my blouse, skirt and garters… (ie sexy stockings + Explain N)

Answer 4

1. unas peceras habían adosadas en la pared (adosar hence adosado = semi detached house)
2. pero en mi opinión afea el ambiente (afear)
3. Y no, no fue una fanfarronada** (N → **fanfarronear)
4. Te estoy echando un piropo.
5. Me quité la blusa, la falda y las medias de liga … (medias = stockings + liga = elastic band)

Question 5

1. Lola always says that running is for cowards.
2. And its not like I would have gone to much trouble… I was wearing a bun [1. CLUE: Think 1 of 3 vbs to make an effort 2. bun, as is hair pulled back & swirl it around into a bun]
3. when I arrived, flushed** and **at a hundred miles an hour** (or **in a hurry) …
4. I made like I** (or **I looked like I) was used to such things. [Clue re exp - are giving the appearance of … THEREFORE put on a face of…]

Answer 5

1. Lola siempre dice que correr es de cobardes.
2. Y tampoco es que me hubiera esmerado demasiado … Llevaba un moño de bailarina
3. cuando llegué, acalorada** y **a toda prisa
4. Puse cara de _estar habituad_a a esas cosas.

Question 6

1. In my work I design projects that I love, some that I detest (vb = to detest or to loathe)[Cluse: abhor]
2. I didn’t want to write a tear-jerker (Exp - how get N + adj)
3. That we didn’t make it work doesn’t mean we didn’t try hard**. (vb - **to put a lot of effort into)
4. It left me confused.
5. I didn’t turn around.

Answer 6

1. En mi trabajo diseño proyectos que me enamoran, algunos que aborrezco (aborrecer)
2. No quería escribir una historia lacrimógena (adj, lacrimógeno = weepy)
3. Que no lográbamos que funcionara no significa que no pusiésemos empeño** (**poner empeño en)
4. Me dejó confuso.
5. No me giré.

Question 7

1. Do the maths. [exp]
2. I asked him what was that all about*** (or ***what was going on)
3. It’s [an] open day (or open house). eg at a uni, or when sellign a house
4. Demands all over the place (ie everywhere)
5. I imagined you falling off the treadmill** and **crashing into the mirrors. Are you up for it?** (or **Do you wanna try?) [Explain origin crash into vb]

Answer 7

1. Saca cuentas.
2. Le pregunté a qué venía aquello
3. Es la jornada de puertas abiertas.
4. Exigencias por todas partes.
5. Te imaginé cayéndote de la cinta de correr** y **estampándote contra los espejos. _¿Te animas? [_estampar = to stamp → colq = to smash, eg a vase → estamparse contra = smash or crash into]

Question 8

1. He’s not the silent type [STRUCT: he’s not one of those that + X]
2. To give the matter any more thought would be like saying …
3. It’s not love. It’s… attachment.
4. Stop mediating and putting words in his mouth. [Reason - grammar point, clue is vb 4 to stop]
5. Please, help me, don’t hinder** (or **hamper) me.[1.Expl loc vb 2. Explain N in loc vb]

Answer 8

1. No es de los que se callan las cosas. [no es de los que + X phrase]
2. Darle más vueltas al asunto sería como decir …
3. No es amor. Es … apego.
4. Deja de mediar y de poner palabras en su boca.
5. Por favor, ayúdame, no me pongas trabas. (1. poner trabas ← traba = obstacle or hindrance 2. ←trabarSE con = to get tangled in ← trabar, to initiate or start up eg conversation (know)]

Question 9

1. He was headed towards the changing rooms and that wasn’t an assumption (as in, hypothesis ,← vb) [CONTEXT, in a gym)
2. a couple holding hands
3. I sat down on the white feather bedspread. [N ← how remember]
4. No way!… I’m more one who writes in fits and starts. Like [in] bucket loads of vomit. [Clue: like indicates manner][Nb - no way NOT anda ya]
5. I whispered sweat nothings, hugging the cushion. [explain vb + CF to cuddle, a couple]

Answer 9

1. él iba hacia los vestuarios y eso no era un supuesto. (N ← suponer = to assume]
2. una pareja cogidos de las manos** (or **con las manos cogidos)
3. Me senté sobre la colcha de plumas de color blanco. [la colcha spread over el colchón, the mattress]
4. ¡Qué va! … Yo soy más de escribir a trompicones. Como en vomitonas.
5. Me arrullé, abrazando el cojín. [arrullar = to lull** (or **sing**) **to sleep → arrullarse = to whisper sweet nothings CF acurrucarse]

Question 10

1. Could Victor and I _really be_ friends? [Nb the placement of really]
2. You can screw her even in the gym… I said suddenly with an expression much more bitter than I had intended. [1. even, as in an extreme case][vb - to have it off** **with, to screw]
3. Possibly that would put you in the mood [loc vb - to put (me) in the mood, ie for for sex]
4. That’s premeditation and malice aforethought. [N as in an aggravating factor (leg) 1. N normal mean → adj meaning]

Answer 10

1. ¿Podíamos _ser de verdad_ amigos Víctor y yo? [struct: vb + de verdad]
2. Puedes tirártela hasta en el gimnasio … dije de pronto con una expresión mucho más amarga de lo que pretendía [tirarse a alguien]
3. Posiblemente eso te pusiera a tono [me pone[r] a tono]
4. Eso es premeditación y alevosía. [alevosía = treachery (N)→ alevoso (adj) = treacherous]

Question 11

1. He’s got a package that reaches + halfway [down] his thigh. [NB context here → adj = halfway down. Normally just = half (adj)]
2. I thought you were kidding re that about your boss! [CLUE: thought ← believe, think]
3. If I have to, I’ll lie on your lap and let you spank me. [vb - spank, as in a punishment → what else mean?]
4. Getting drunk here is going to cost us a fortune**. [1. loc vb = **to cost a fortune 2. What is context irony re N = fortune]

Answer 11

1. Tiene un paquete que le llega a + medio + muslo
2. ¡Creía que estabas de coña con lo de tu jefe!
3. Si es necesario me tumbo en tu regazo y dejo que me azotes. [azotar → also to whip or to flog, punishment idea]
4. emborracharnos aquí nos va a costar un pico**. [**costar un pico] [y pico re time = a little bit after eg llegue a casa a las 11 _y pico_]

Question 12

1. Please, stop trying to be a matchmaker, because you’re really shithouse at it. [loc vb = to play a matchmaker** or **to play at being cupid]
2. Lolita sidestepped** **the [our] issue** [colq exp = **to side-step an issue** or **question]
3. She went stumbling off** with a chair trying **to touch up her lipstick. [1. vb - to stumble, as in trip 2. What alt vb know][3. vb - to touch up]
4. Even though I was a bit tipsy. [1. When use this vb = to be? 2. tipsy (adj) ← to get [sb] tipsy (vb)]
5. I guess its happened to us all at one time or another**. [Exp also means **at a given time]

Answer 12

1. Por favor, deja de tratar de hacer de Celestina, porque se te da de culo.
2. Lolita nos salió por peteneras [salir por peteneras + petenera = a flamenco song]
3. se fue trastabillando con una silla tratando de retocarse el pintalabios [1. trastabillar** = 2. **tropezar] [3. retocarse]
4. A pesar de que yo andaba un poco achispada. [1. andar = to be, when communicate “to feel X” 2. achispado ←achispar]
5. Supongo que nos ha pasado todos en un momento dado.

Question 13

1. I didn’t stifle a moan as his butter fingers fondled me from top to bottom and squeezed my breasts. [vb - to supress, as in to contain] [vb - to squeeze, NOT apretar]
2. Let me fuck you unprotected +** **for once**. [Nb, for once, exp of impatience = **for gods sake]
3. Struct: X + the fuck up!
4. Shut _the fuck up!_
5. Diff struct makes “for god’s sake” → 1. bloody hell!** → 2. **for fuck’s sake!** x 2 →3. **make exp personal

Answer 13

1. No reprimí un gemido cuando sus manazas me sobaron de arriba abajo y estrujaron mis pechos. [reprimir**][sobar][**estrujar]
2. Déjame follarte a pelo** + **de una** **vez. [a pelo = uncovered → sexo a pelo = unprotected sex)
3. Imp** + **de una puta vez!
4. C_á_llate _de una puta vez_
5. de una vez → me cago en + 1. diez** (euphemism for en díos) + 2. **la leche** or **la hostia** + 3. **la puta** + 4. **TU puta madre (when want to direct anger at someone specific)

Question 14

1. I sat on top of him and moaned while I rocked on [top of] his erection. [vb - to rock, as in alternate position]
2. I stealthily (or sneakily) picked up the phone, held it to my ear [Exp origin of stealthily
3. we’re really looking forwards to Shakira’s return [loc exp = t_o look forwards to_, ie with emotion]
4. pending eviction (N → 1. vb 2. the two meanings of the vb 3. its origin]

Answer 14

1. Me senté sobre él y gemí al mecerme sobre su erección. [mecerse]
2. cogí a hurtadillas el teléfono, lo coloqué a mi oreja [a hurtidillas ← hurtar = to pinch or nick, ie steal stealthily]
3. estamos muy pendientes de**l volver de Shakira (**estar pendiente de)
4. pendiente del desalojo (→ 1. desalojar = 2. to evict or to evacuate ← 3. alojar = to accommodate)

Question 15

1. I’m not the kind of person who comments* *on such craziness. [N ← nuts (adj) ← to drive s.o crazy/around the bend (vb)]
2. I couldn’t avoid a terrible unease [adj = anxiety][terrible = v. colq]
3. Gonzalo was _about to_ eat it up, chubby and bright [Nb - a prep = imminency] [bright, as in smart]
4. From time to time he’s still _a nuisance_ [Nb - vb tense = explanation] [colq exp = to be a nuisance/bother + what reg vb?]
5. he clarified as he sat down on the sofa [CLUE: NEW not a la vez]

Answer 15

1. Yo no soy la típica persona que comente tales chaladuras [← chalado (adj) ← chalar a alguien (vb)]
2. No pude evitar una desazón brutal
3. Gonzalo estaba para comérselo, rollizo y espabilado
4. De vez en cuando seguía dando por saco** [**dar por saco = molestar]
5. aclaró al tiempo que se sentaba en el sofá

Question 16

1. Shall I bring you up to date first…? [loc vb = to keep [sb] in the loop] [CLUE: shall ← NO extra vb, Eng]
2. I had got it into my head that it’s impossible to avoid …
3. What is your verdict?
4. It’ll get out of hand [for you][ (1. what vb = to get and Why?) (2. Alt vb to loc vb? 3. What loc vb mean if i_n singular_?)
5. holding my head, I curled up in a ball [loc vb = also 2. double over, as in pain → N → alt vb]

Answer 16

1. ¿Te pongo en antecedentes primero …? [poner en antecedentes]
2. me he metido en la cabeza que es imposible por evitar …
3. ¿Cuál es tu veredicto?
4. Se te volverá a ir de las manos (1. volverse, as in to become X) [2. desmadrarse 3. → singular = ir de la mano con = to go hand in hand with]
5. sujetándome la cabeza, me hice un ovillo [hacerse un ovillo → ovillo = foetal position, curled up un a ball → ovillarse]

Question 17

1. Carolina appeared with a sample book in her hand. (as in, a collection of samples or a pattern book)
2. Nerea’s mind went blank (Alt exp to quedarse en blanco → uses a latin expression)
3. He’s going to be happy
4. Might Jorge be two-timing [] them? [NB expessed in the negative] [loc vb = to be two-timing, as unfaithful + also to be two-faced**, as in **tener dos caras)
5. Carolina wasn’t her bosom buddy

Answer 17

1. Carolina apareció con un muestrario en la mano
2. Nerea se quedó en albi**s (quedarse en albis)[**en albis** = **without comprehension (lat)]
3. Se va a poner contento
4. ¿No estaría Jorge jugando a dos bandas con ellas? [jugar a dos bandas]
5. Carolina no era su amiga del alma [amigo del alma]