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.
Idle
Meaning:
(of a person) avoiding work; lazy.
(of a person) not working; unemployed.
(especially of a machine or factory) not active or in use.
Examples:
I was starting to get sick of being under-motivated, lazy, and idle.
10.3 per cent of the workforce is now idle
The mill has been standing idle for eight years
Whereabouts
Meaning:
Where or approximately where.
The place where someone or something is.
Examples:
Whereabouts do you come from?
However, Percy decided to fly off early on Saturday morning, and his whereabouts are currently unknown.
Borrow vs Lend vs Rent
Borrow:
When you borrow something, you take it for a short amount of time. You can borrow something from someone. When you need something, you can borrow it. Borrow means take.
Examples: Can I borrow your pen? // I borrowed a book from the library
Lend:
When you lend something, you give it to someone for a short amount of time. You can lend something to someone. When you have something, you can lend it. Lend means give.
Examples: Can you lend me your pen? // I lent my garden tools to my neighbor. // I lent my car. This means I allowed someone to use my car.
Rent: When you rent something, you pay money to use that thing for a short amount of time. Examples: I rent a car whenever I travel. I rent a 1 bedroom apartment in Toronto.
Outnumber
Meaning:
Be more numerous than.
Examples:
Women outnumbered men by three to one.
The private sector now outnumbers the public for the first time in decades.
Glean
Meaning:
Obtain (information) from various sources, often with difficulty.
Examples:
The information is gleaned from press cuttings.
I use junk to fix things and glean new ideas and inspiration.
Ought
Meaning:
Used to indicate duty or correctness, typically when criticizing someone’s actions.
Used to indicate a desirable or expected state.
Used to give or ask for advice.
Used to indicate something that is probable.
Examples:
Thanks for your letter which I ought to have answered sooner.
He ought to be able to take the initiative.
You ought to go.
Five minutes ought to be enough time
Hinders
Meaning:
Make it difficult for (someone) to do something or for (something) to happen.
Examples:
Language barriers hindered communication between scientists.
You need not be apprehensive about delays hindering professional growth!
Cumbersome
Meaning:
Large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy.
Example:
This is super heavy, real cumbersome, and not very conducive for what they want to do.
Stacy was the first to point out how cumbersome all that money was to carry.
Rather
Meaning:
Used to indicate one’s preference in a particular matter.
To a certain or significant extent or degree.
Used to suggest that the opposite of a previous statement is the case; on the contrary.
Examples:
She’d rather die than cause a scene.
She’s been behaving rather strangely.
There is no shortage of basic skills in the workplace. Rather, the problem is poor management.
Neat
Meaning:
Arranged in a tidy way; in good order.
Examples:
The books had been stacked up in neat piles
“Wow, your room is so neat, “ Hannah said.
Toss
Meaning:
Throw (something) somewhere lightly or casually.
Examples:
Suzy tossed her bag on to the sofa.
I reached home and casually tossed the baggie onto a table.
Tackle
Meaning:
Make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task).
(In Hockey/Soccer) Try to take the ball from (an opponent) by intercepting them.
Examples:
Police have launched an initiative to tackle rising crime.
The first scoring chance came when Orrell tackled Webb
Lurking
Meaning:
Remaining hidden so as to wait in ambush.
(of an unpleasant quality) present in a latent or barely discernible state, although still presenting a threat.
Examples:
The trumpet fish is a lurking predator.
He lives with a lurking fear of exposure as a fraud
Errand
Meaning:
A short journey undertaken in order to deliver or collect something, especially on someone else’s behalf.
Examples:
She asked Tim to run an errand for her.
Later that afternoon, after he’d run all his errands, Clay walked back to the boarding house.
Turn out
Meaning:
Prove to be the case.
Go somewhere in order to attend a meeting, vote, play in a game, etc.
Examples:
The job turned out to be beyond his rather limited abilities.
It turns out the pub is closed at the weekend.
Beg your Pardon
Meaning:
Used to express polite apology.
Used to indicate that one has not heard or understood something.
Examples:
I beg your pardon for intruding.
I beg your pardon—I’m afraid I didn’t catch that.
Yet vs Already
Yet
Have you cleaned your room yet? - Did you cleaned or not?
Have you taken your medicine? I haven’t taken it yet - when you have not take the action.
Already
Has Dana already finished her homework? - expressing surprise
Have you taken your medicine? I have already taken it - when you have take the action.
To bite off more than you can chew
Meaning:
To take on more responsibility that you can handle
Example:
I think he’s bitten off more than he can chew.
Figure something Out
Meaning:
Solve or discover the cause of a problem.
Example:
He was trying to figure out why the camera wasn’t working
Fill in
Meaning:
Act as a substitute for someone when they are unable to do their job.
Example:
I found someone to fill in for Ellen, and she’s doing a great job!
Get the ball rolling
Meaning:
Set an activity in motion; make a start.
Example:
I wanted to get the ball rolling before something happened to change his mind.
Bear in mind
Meaning:
Remember a fact or circumstance and take it into account.
Example:
Bear in mind that the figures vary from place to place
People also need to bear the same warnings in mind if they use mobile phones and email
Plethora
Meaning:
A large or excessive amount of something.
Example:
A plethora of committees and subcommittees.
He faces a plethora of charges ranging from aggravated assault to indecent exposure and corruption of a minor.
Wallop
Meaning:
Strike or hit very hard
Heavily Defeat
Example:
They walloped the back of his head with a stick
We were walloped by Milan
Furnace
Meaning:
Used to describe a very hot place.
Example:
Her car was a furnace
Swelter
Meaning:
Be uncomfortably hot.
An uncomfortably hot atmosphere.
Example:
Barney sweltered in his doorman’s uniform
The swelter of the afternoon had cooled
Canopy
Meaning:
A projection or shelter that resembles a roof.
Example:
They mounted the station steps under the concrete canopy.
On each side, the bridges are sheltered by flat roofed canopies
Distraught
Meaning:
Very worried and upset
Example:
Distraught parents looking for a runaway teenager
He is terribly distraught
Busboy
Meaning:
A young man who clears tables in a restaurant or cafe.
Example:
As a busboy I tried to keep their tables free of used plates but soon there were leaning towers of plates on every table that I couldn’t keep up with.
Comb the Area
Meaning:
Search carefully and systematically.
Example:
Police combed the area for the murder weapon
Pesky
Meaning:
Causing trouble; annoying
Example:
A pesky younger brother
Spewing
Meaning:
Expel large quantities of (something) rapidly and forcibly.
Vomit.
Example:
Buses were spewing out black clouds of exhaust
He felt faint and nauseous—he had to get out before he spewed
Nod
Meaning:
Lower and raise one’s head slightly and briefly, especially in greeting, assent, or understanding, or to give someone a signal.
Approve something by general agreement, without discussion.
(Soccer) Head (the ball) without great force.
Example:
He looked around for support and everyone nodded
The DTI nodded through the bid from Airtours
Henry nodded the ball over the line
Gaze
Meaning:
Look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought.
A steady intent look
Example:
He could only gaze at her in astonishment
He turned, following her gaze
Holster
Meaning:
A holder for carrying a handgun or other firearm, typically made of leather and worn on a belt or under the arm.
Example:
Instinctively, his hand went to his own gun, tucked away in the leather holster by his belt.
Unhitch
Meaning:
Unhook or unfasten (something tethered to or caught on something else)
Example:
She paused to unhitch her skirt which had caught on the wire railing’
Misdemeanour/Misdemeanor
Meaning:
A minor wrongdoing.
Example:
The player can expect a suspension for his latest misdemeanour.
Battery (Law/Crime)
Meaning:
The infliction of unlawful personal violence on another person, even where the contact does no physical harm.
Example:
In most cases of battery or actual bodily harm the causal connection will be plain, but cases involving drugs have presented difficulties.
Wince
Meaning:
Make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress.
Example:
He winced at the disgust in her voice.
She winced in pain from the stitches in her shoulder when she reached down to the floor.
Flickering
Meaning:
(of a flame or light) burning or shining unsteadily; wavering.
Example:
The flickering flames cast long shadows.
Fudge
Meaning:
Present or deal with (something) in a vague or inadequate way, especially so as to conceal the truth or mislead.
Example:
The authorities have fudged the issue.
Flinch
Meaning:
Make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear, pain, or surprise.
Example:
She flinched at the acidity in his voice
He had faced death without flinching
Shrug
Meaning:
Raise (one’s shoulders) slightly and momentarily to express doubt, ignorance, or indifference.
Example:
Jimmy looked enquiringly at Pete, who shrugged his shoulders
He just shrugged and didn’t look interested
Flamboyant
Meaning:
(of a person or their behaviour) tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness.
Example:
The band’s flamboyant lead singer.
He was this wonderful flamboyant person, very funny, and he had lots of energy.
Startling
Meaning:
Very surprising, astonishing, or remarkable.
Example:
She had startling blue eyes
The results, always impertinent and delightful, can be both startling and surprising.
Mutter
Meaning:
Say something in a low or barely audible voice, especially in dissatisfaction or irritation.
Example:
He muttered something under his breath’
‘I knew she was a troublemaker,’ Rebecca muttered’
Grin
Meaning:
Smile broadly.
Example:
Dennis appeared, grinning cheerfully.
Dom grinned at my joke and at his idea.
Weigh (Decision, Action)
Meaning:
Assess the nature or importance of, especially with a view to a decision or action.
Example:
The consequences of the move would need to be very carefully weighed’
They need to weigh benefit against risk’
The evidence weighed against him
Weigh (Weight)
Meaning:
Find out how heavy (someone or something) is, typically using scales.
Example:
Weigh yourself on the day you begin the diet’
The vendor weighed the vegetables’
When the twins were born they weighed ten pounds’
Seldom
Meaning:
Not often; rarely.
Example:
Islay is seldom visited by tourists
He was seldom absent
Court
Meaning: To try to attract something or someone, seduce, tempt; To invite (into one’s life); Try to achieve something
Example:
College teams often send scouts to high schools all over the country to court the top players.
Anyone who opens a business without researching the market, the location, and the competition is courting failure.
Sway
Meaning:
Influence, power, rule (have/hold sway over someone); to influence, bend to one’s will
Example:
The voting public does hold sway over politicians.
Experienced politicians know how to sway his electorate with the help of the media and the generosity of the donors
Gauge
Meaning:
Measure, get a sense;
A tool used to measure.
Example:
A good teacher will somehow gauge his students comprehension of the class material.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a tool that uses a basket of daily consumer goods and services to gauge the rise in prices, and inflation, over a span of time.
Flock
Meaning: come together/go somewhere in great numbers;
A group of a type.
Example:
Canadians are well-known in Florida as Snowbirds, since so many of them flock to the warm beach towns during the cold Canadian winters.
Many stores hire extra security guards during the sales season to try to control the greedy flocks of shoppers looking for bargains.
Cite
Meaning: refer to (studies, experts, research, precedent, text) as support or evidence; quote someone or a written passage.
Example:
People often cite the constitution when making political arguments.
A university can expel a student who does not properly cite data taken from published sources.
Rein
Meaning:
Control, limit something or someone, restrain;
Rein something/someone in; Controls
Example:
It is up to the parents to rein their children when the latter spend too much time on social media.
If governments do not rein in the amount of waste produced in their own countries, they certainly cannot criticize others for their use of fossil fuels.
Most governments are weak because no one has the courage to take the reins and effect real change.
Tweak
Meaning:
Make small changes to sth in order to improve it; adjust
Example:
If you find that job interviewers are not calling you back for second meetings, try tweaking your presentation a little to stand out from the others.
By making just a few tweaks to a car’s engine, a person can gain an extra 10 miles per gallon out a tank of gas and help reduce carbon emissions.
