Daily English Flashcards
Ways to say “Hello”
Afternoon! Alright? Hey! Hi there. How's it going? Nice to meet you What's up?
Resemble (verb)
Meaning: Have a similar appearance to or qualities in common with (someone or something); look or seem like
Synonyms: Look like, be similar to
Examples:
They resembled each other closely
He resembles the description of a man seen getting out of victim’s car
In x On x At
In - General/Bigger - Time: Centuries, Decades, Years, Months, Weeks Place: Country, City/Town, Neighbourhood Examples: Let's meet in April / I live in Toronto
On - More Specific/Smaller Time: Days, Weekend Place: Street, Avenue Examples: Let's meet on Saturday / I live on Davisville Avenue
At - Very Specific/Smallest Time: Hours Place: Address, Specific Location Examples: Let's meet at 12 o'clock / I live at 141 Davisville Avenue
Hurdles
Meaning:
A problem or difficulty that must be overcome.
Examples:
Many would like to emigrate to the United States, but face formidable hurdles.
The first hurdle to be overcome was to avoid major civilian casualties.
Rip Up
Meaning: Tear something violently into small pieces so as to destroy it.
Example:
he ripped up her pile of old letters
Humble
Meaning:
Having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance.
Of low social, administrative, or political rank
Example:
I felt very humble when meeting her
He is humble and a true gentleman who makes his choices based on honesty and integrity.
She came from a humble, unprivileged background
Bereft
Meaning:
Deprived of or lacking (something);
Sad and lonely, especially through someone’s death or departure.
Example:
Her room was stark and bereft of colour.
His death in 1990 left her bereft.
Bias
Meaning:
Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair.
Example:
There was evidence of bias against foreign applicants
Clergy
Meaning:
The body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church.
Example:
All marriages were to be solemnized by the clergy.
He wondered what any of his teachers would do if he had done that to a member of the clergy.
Sought
Meaning:
Past of “Seek” - Attempt to find, Attempt to achieve/obtain, ask for sth from someone.
Examples:
he sought help from the police
the new regime sought his extradition
Shred
Meaning:
A strip of material, such as paper, cloth, or food, that has been torn, cut, or scraped from something larger.
A very small amount.
Examples:
her dress was torn to shreds
we have not a shred of evidence to go on
Stir
Meaning:
Move a spoon or other implement round in (a liquid or other substance) in order to mix it thoroughly.
Move or cause to move slightly.
Examples:
I was stirring my tea, and the spoon got hot in my hand
A gentle breeze stirred the leaves.
Pull someone’s leg
Meaning:
to kid, fool, or trick someone.
Examples:
Don’t believe him. He’s just pulling your leg.
Under the weather
Meaning:
Slightly unwell or in low spirits.
Examples:
Consequently, today I am a bit tired and under the weather.
I didn’t go to the gym yesterday because I was a little under the weather.
Miscarriage
Meaning:
The spontaneous or unplanned expulsion of a fetus from the womb before it is able to survive independently.
An unsuccessful outcome of something planned.
Examples:
However, most miscarriages occur when a pregnancy is not developing normally.
Wendy miscarried after five weeks
the miscarriage of the project
Something went south
Meaning:
Things went bad.
Example:
He had a comfortable lead in the polls until things went south.
Loathe
Meaning:
Feel intense dislike or disgust for.
Examples:
She loathed him on sight
Truly, they are now loathed and despised in newspapers across the world.
Stop by
Meaning:
To visit someone for a short time, usually on the way to another place.
Examples:
I was passing your house, so I thought I’d stop by for a chat.
Keep in touch
Meaning:
To maintain contact with another person, especially at intervals so as to remain up to date with each other’s lives.
Examples:
My old high school friends and I tried keeping in touch once we graduated, but we all started drifting apart once college got underway.
It was so good to see you again, cousin Jeb—keep in touch!
Inherent
Meaning:
Existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute.
Examples:
This demonstrates the inherent uncertainty within certain areas of the criminal law.
There are many things in life which have inherent dangers.
On hold
Meaning:
Of a telephone call, temporarily suspended without being disconnected.
Paused, postponed, or suspended.
Examples:
Thank you for your query. I’ll have to put you on hold while I ask my supervisor about this issue.
I’ve been on hold for over an hour trying to talk to someone from the bank.
The project is on hold while we figure out why the website keeps crashing.
Come into play
Meaning:
Becoming active, operative, or effective.
To become a factor in a particular situation.
Examples:
All variety of perceptual illusion comes into play to cover up the flaws in the technology.
Once personal insults come into play, it’s very hard to resolve a situation calmly.
Eloquent
Meaning:
Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
Examples:
Their three books together make a powerful and eloquent case for the abolition of the death penalty.
The member who spoke before me gave us a very interesting and eloquent speech.
Bounce Back
Meaning:
Of an object, to return to its starting point by bouncing.
Of a person, to recover from a setback.
Examples:
I threw the rubber ball against the wall and caught it when it bounced back to me.
The doctors expect her to bounce back and make a full recovery.
I’m sure your daughter will bounce back from that scary incident.
Underway
Meaning:
Having started and in progress; being done or carried out.
Examples:
The final phase in the development of the historic Gravesend town pier is underway.
An FBI investigation into the security breach is underway, but has yet to result in any arrests.
Undermine
Meaning:
Erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation)
Lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of, especially gradually or insidiously.
Examples:
The flow of water had undermined pillars supporting the roof
This could undermine years of hard work.
It undermines their ability to do their job and sets a bad example to the rest of the company.
Right away
Meaning:
Immediately; at once; without delay.
Examples:
Right away, I could tell that the plan had no chance of success.
The clerk recognized her right away
Turn up
Meaning:
Be found, especially by chance, after being lost.
Put in an appearance; arrive.
Examples:
All the missing documents had turned up.
Half the guests failed to turn up
Turn down
Meaning:
A rejection or refusal.
A decline in something; a downturn.
Examples:
I asked her out on a date, but she turned me down.
The bosses turned me down for a promotion.
Turn Around
Meaning:
Move so as to face in the opposite direction.
Examples:
Alice turned around and walked down the corridor
The company is hiring a new financial consultant to turn around the sales trends of the last two years.
Turn Back
Meaning:
Reversing direction; to cause someone or something to stop and go back; to cause someone or something to retreat.
Examples:
The border guards turned us back because we had no passports.
They turned back the bus because the bridge was down.
Turn Over
Meaning:
To flip something so that what was on top is now on the bottom.
To change the physical orientation or position of oneself, someone, or something.
Examples:
You need to turn over those burgers so that they cook evenly on both sides.
Turn it over to see if there’s anything written on the other side.
I turned over in bed so that the sun wasn’t shining directly into my eyes anymore.
Burden
Meaning:
A load, typically a heavy one.
A duty or misfortune that causes worry, hardship, or distress.
A responsibility or duty.
Examples:
My shoulders have been so wore with carrying burdens that the skin has come off them and grew full of boils.
They offer us a shoulder to cry on and place a comforting arm around our shoulders to lighten the burden of sorrow and misfortune.
Accommodation charges are deemed to be the heaviest burden on students finances, and are most often cited as a major factor in choice of university.
The burden of organizing the campaign fell to me.
Sleep on it
Meaning:
Delay making a decision until the following day.
Examples:
Although she said she would sleep on it, she was virtually certain to resign.
He said he’s sleeping on it and is going to make a decision tomorrow.
Handful
Meaning:
A quantity that fills the hand; A small number or amount.
A person or group that is very difficult to deal with or control.
Examples:
A small handful of fresh oregano.
Only a handful of people were in the pub.
The kids could be such a handful.
He was learning she could be quite a handful, challenging him in ways he did not expect.
Handy
Meaning:
Convenient to handle or use; useful.
Ready to hand.
Examples:
The brush is handy for vacuuming stubborn dust and dirt
Keep credit cards handy.
Keep a portable vacuum handy to sweep up loose fibers as you work.
Hands off
Meaning:
Used as a warning not to touch or interfere with something.
Not involving or requiring direct control or intervention.
Examples:
Hands off that cake tin!
A hands-off management style
Hands-on
Meaning:
Involving or offering active participation rather than theory.
Examples:
In all, participants get hands-on training in eight skill areas of hunting and taking game.
Patients were able to participate and gain hands-on experience.