Chapter 3 Flashcards
Get going
Meaning: 1. to get someone excited; to get someone talking excitedly. 2. To start taking some action or start moving.
Examples: The whole business really makes me mad. Don’t get me going.
We need to get going if we want to get this house cleaned up before your mother gets here.
Let’s get going! We can’t stand here all day.
Drop out of
Meaning: To leave an activity or program without finishing it.
Examples: I’m going back to school because I always regretted dropping out of college.
She dropped out of her business course and has now taken up a fine arts degree. She’s really in her element now.
He dropped out of the race after two laps.
Set aside
Meaning: 1. to save for a particular purpose. 2. to not let a particular feeling, opinion, or belief influence you, in order to achieve something more important. 3. to put something to the side or out of the way.
Examples: They agreed to set aside their differences and work together for peace.
Have you set aside some money for your child’s education?
He sets aside some time every day to read to his children.
Would you mind setting those books aside so I can clean the desk?
Please set your phone aside while I’m talking to you!
Single out
Meaning: to choose and focus on a single person or thing out of a group of others.
Examples: They singled out her project from all the other applicants for its creative and ingenious design.
For some reason, the bullies keep singling me out to pick on each day.
Unable to determine who had committed the offense, the teacher singled out the most mischievous student for punishment.
Sort out
Meaning: 1. to understand or resolve a problem or conflict. 2. to arrange according to class or category.
Examples: My job is to sort out the recyclables so that all the paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass goes to the right part of the facility.
They brought in the head of human resources to sort the issue out.
I sorted out the blue socks and washed them separately. It took me an hour to sort out the problem with my reservation.
Deep down
Meaning: at bottom, basically. In your most private thoughts; in reality rather than in appearance
Examples: I tried to put on a brave face after the breakup, but deep down I was in agony.
He acts like a jerk most of the time, but deep down I think Nate is a good guy.
Deep down I knew that Caroline was right.
Off the cuff
Meaning: casually and spontaneously; without planning or preparation.
Examples: I didn’t have time to organize my thoughts, so I just spoke off the cuff.
The senator has become known for making off-the-cuff remarks that create controversy.
I’m not very good at making speeches off-the-cuff.
Have a lot on one’s plate.
Meaning: have a great deal (or too much) to cope with. To have a lot to do.
Examples: I just have a lot on my plate right now while I’m finishing up my degree and doing this huge project for work.
With the new baby and the new house, they have a lot on their plate, The aid agencies have (more than) enough on their plate without having unnecessary visitors to take care of.
Draw out
Meaning: 1. To pull something out of some other thing. 2. To make something longer than usual or necessary; prolong something. 3. To extract information from someone.
Examples: The burglar drew out a knife.
The speaker drew the lecture out so that it would last the entire class.
The police drew out the truth from the suspect. The doctor drew a tongue depressor out of the jar and told me to open my mouth.
I swore my sister to secrecy, but dad will be able to draw the story out of her.
Work up
Meaning: 1. to develop a particular feeling. 2. To excite or arouse one’s emotions.
Examples: I just can’t work up any enthusiasm for this trip.
Try not to work up Mom too much. We just want to have a nice relaxing afternoon.
The kids had worked themselves up to a fever pitch of excitement.
Keep a low profile
Meaning: stay out of public notice, avoid attracting attention to oneself.
Examples: Until his appointment becomes official, Ted is keeping a low profile .
He’s been in a little trouble recently so he’s trying to keep a low profile.
A: “I haven’t seen you in a while—how are you?” B: “Oh, I’m fine, just keeping a low profile so I can finish my research by the deadline.”
High-maintenance
Meaning: needing a lot of work to keep in good condition. (of a person) demanding a lot of attention.
Examples: He’s sort of a high-maintenance guy. He requires lots of reassurance. Second hand cars can be high-maintenance.
If you’re high maintenance and believe you’re the best girl, every man would be awed by your confidence and would try to woo you and win your fancy.
She acts like she needs constant entertainment from me or she’ll get bored, she’s such high maintenance girl.
Forgone Conclusion
Meaning: a result that is obvious to everyone even before it happens.
Examples: The result of the election seems to be a foregone conclusion.
After how poorly the team has played so far this season, it’s a foregone conclusion that they won’t make it to the championship.
It’s a foregone conclusion that Spain will win tonight’s match.
Comply with
Meaning: to follow or adhere to a particular rule or regulation.
Examples: There are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations. Please be advised that your construction project needs to comply with all building codes.
She had very set views about the funeral, and everyone was happy to comply with her wishes.
Stumbling block
Meaning: something that prevents action or agreement.
Examples: One potential stumbling block could be the difficulty of accessing the data.
Lack of willingness to compromise on both sides is the main/major stumbling block to reaching a settlement.
We’re trying to sell the house, but its undesirable location has proved to be a real stumbling block.
