Chapter 5 Flashcards
Lay one’s hands on
Meaning: 1. to find or get something. 2. to touch or grasp someone, often with the threat of violence.
Examples: I need to go to the library and lay my hands on this book for my research paper.
It took years, but I’ve finally laid my hands on this very rare Beatles recording!
Oh, once I lay my hands on you, you’ll take back what you said!
Tom’s gone off with the keys again; just wait till I lay my hands on him.
Fluster
Meaning: to make/become agitated, excited, or confused.
Examples: Shouts from the protesters flustered the speaker.
I was flustered by my teacher’s comments and began to stumble over my words.
Don’t let that new tax form fluster you – it’s not as bad as it looks.
Act up
Meaning: 1. to misbehave. 2. to malfunction.
Examples: Sophie got bored and started acting up. My car always acts up in cold weather.
The little girl was acting up, so her mother took her out of the restaurant.
The engine began to act up when we were miles from anywhere.
Dwell on
Meaning: 1. to obsessively think or worry about something. 2. to inhabit a particular place or surface.
Examples: In his speech, he dwelt on the plight of the sick and the hungry.
I want to become a scientist and study the creatures that dwell upon other planets.
That type of animal dwells exclusively on land.
Go astray
Meaning: 1. to deviate from what is good or expected. 2. to become lost.
Examples: I’m afraid your son has gone astray and gotten into a bit of trouble.
A: “It seems my coat has gone astray.” B: “Hmm, maybe someone picked it up by mistake.”
My life goals just kind of went astray for a time in my twenties, but I’ve got back on track.
Mary’s book went astray or maybe it was stolen.
Work out
Meaning: 1. To do exercise. 2. to have a favorable or acceptable outcome. 3. to work to resolve something or reach an agreement, solution.
Examples: I work out in the mornings now before work, and I find that it really makes me have more energy during the day. (1)
I’m certain it’s a blessing in disguise. I forgot my phone that night, but it worked out for the better, because the woman whose phone I borrowed became my wife. (2)
I really hope Ron and Jenny can work out their issues. I can’t imagine them apart. (3)
If our staff can’t work out this problem, we’re going to have to hire a consultant. (3)
Don’t worry. I am sure that everything will work out all right. (2)
Make out
Meaning: 1. to be able to see, hear, read, or distinguish something despite difficulty. 2. to manage to do something with someone or something.
Examples: What did you say? I couldn’t quite make it out.
I think I can make out with this hammer.
If I can’t make out with a crew of four, I’ll have to ask for more help.
I can read most of this, but I can’t make out the last part. Can you?
Pass out
Meaning: 1. To distribute something to others. 2. To faint or lose consciousness.
Examples: Please pass these out to the rest of the class.
The restaurant is passing out free samples of their food to people walking by.
He passed out as soon as he saw the blood.
Some of the football players passed out from the heat.
Stranded
Meaning: left without the means to move from somewhere.
Examples: She offers a lift to a stranded commute.
He left me stranded in town with no car and no money for a bus.
If the tide comes in, we’ll be stranded on these rocks.
Lose track of
Meaning: to no longer know what is happening, or not to remember something.
Examples: She had lost all track of time and had fallen asleep.
What he was saying was so complicated that I lost track after the first couple of sentences.
I’ve lost track of the number of times he’s asked me to lend him money.
Unwittingly/Inadvertently
Meaning: without intention; accidentally. (antonym: deliberately)
Examples: His name had been inadvertently omitted from the list.
I’m afraid I inadvertently took your bag when I left.
Many parents unwittingly place their children in danger by not making sure they wear seat belts.
Reap the benefit, reward, etc.
Meaning: to get something good as a result of your own actions.
Examples: She studied every evening and reaped the benefit at exam time.
We sold them most of their modern weapons and now we are reaping the bitter harvest.
In his old age, Charlie is reaping the rewards of a life of exercise and healthy eating.
Skim the surface
Meaning: To do, engage with, or understand something to only a minimal or superficial degree.
Examples: Jack never felt satisfied devoting his time and attention to one thing, so instead he’s skimmed the surface of a number of hobbies and interests.
Does your technology go in-depth, or is it barely skimming the surface of this information, leaving you with minimal data points with which to win new business?
Thunderstruck/ Dumbstruck
Meaning: extremely surprised or shocked.
Examples: Ruth was thunderstruck when he presented her with an engagement ring.
I was thunderstruck to hear that in the great demonstration of fighting vehicles, tanks, troop carriers, and all the rest.
You might be dumbstruck with fear when you hear a scary noise upstairs.
Like chalk and cheese
Meaning: very different from one another; totally or nearly opposite in nature.
Examples: Good luck getting those two to talk to each other—they’re like chalk and cheese.
My daughters are like chalk and cheese —one loves baseball and the other loves ballet.
Marianne and Ellis are like chalk and cheese. She’s very serious and studious while he’s sporty and sociable.
