Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

My English > Deck 30 > Flashcards

Deck 30 Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Proverbs and Idioms flashcards
1
Q

revulsion

A

a strong, often sudden, feeling that something is extremely unpleasant

  • ‘I turned away in revulsion when they showed a close-up of the operation.’
  • ‘She looked at him with revulsion.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

to thwart

A

to stop something from happening or someone from doing something

  • ‘Our holiday plans were thwarted by the airline pilots’ strike.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

derogatory

A

showing strong disapproval and not showing respect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

ethereal

A

light and delicate, especially in an unnatural way

  • ‘ethereal beauty’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

intricate

A

having a lot of small parts or details that are arranged in a complicated way and are therefore sometimes difficult to understand, solve, or produce

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

unflappable

A

not likely to get worried, nervous, or angry even in difficult situations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

a luminary

A

a person who is famous and important in a particular area of activity

  • ‘Luminaries of stage and screen (= famous actors) assembled for last night’s awards ceremony.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

to have an edge on someone

A

to have an advantage; to enjoy a superior or winning position

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

a veneer [S]

A

something that hides something unpleasant or unwanted

  • ‘She managed to hide her corrupt dealings under a veneer of respectability.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

s2g

A

the acronym for “swear to God”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

pos

A

Piece Of Shit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

deliverance

A

the action of being rescued or set free

  • ‘Prayers for deliverance.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

an aficionado [uh-fish-yuh-nah-doh]

A

someone who is very interested in and enthusiastic about a particular subject

  • ‘an aficionado of French cinema’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

manure

A

solid waste from animals, especially horses, that is spread on the land in order to make plants grow well

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

a woofter

A

an effeminate or homosexual man

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

as per ushe

A

slang term that means ‘as per usual’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

exuberance

A

Use exuberance to describe joyful enthusiasm and liveliness. You appreciate the natural exuberance of small children, but you prefer to enjoy it from a distance.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

the ball’s in someone’s court

A

it is time for someone to deal with a problem or make a decision because other people have already done as much as they can

  • ‘I’ve helped him in every way I can – the ball’s in his court now.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

worth its weight in gold

A

very valuable, important, or useful

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

to bedevil

A

to confuse, annoy, or cause problems or difficulties for someone or something

  • ‘Ever since I started playing tennis, I’ve been bedevilled by back pains.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

amicable

A

relating to behaviour between people that is pleasant and friendly, often despite a difficult situation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

an aftermath [S]

A

the period that follows an unpleasant event or accident, and the effects that it causes

  • ‘Much more people died in the aftermath of the explosion.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

a maggot

A

a creature like a very small worm that is found in decaying meat and other foods and later develops into a fly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

a sheen [S]

A

a soft lustre on a surface

  • ‘Black crushed velvet with a slight sheen.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

spurious

A

false and not what it appears to be, or (of reasons and judgments) based on something that has not been correctly understood and therefore false

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

a fib

A

a small lie that does not cause any harm

  • ‘Don’t believe him - he’s telling fibs again.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

boilerplate [U]

A

a way of writing or thinking that is not special and does not show any imagination

  • ‘The lyrics are boilerplate and uninspiring.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

ornery

A

bad-tempered or difficult to deal with

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

hackneyed

A

A hackneyed phrase or idea has been said or used so often that it has become boring and has no meaning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

flagging

A

becoming weaker

  • ‘flagging energy/enthusiasm’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

a doormat

A

a person who accepts being treated badly and does not complain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

flared

A

becoming wider at one end

  • ‘flared trousers’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

to be privy to sth

A

to be told information that is not told to many people

  • ‘I was never privy to conversations between top management.’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

nascent

A

only recently formed or started, but likely to grow larger quickly

  • ‘a nascent problem’
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

a shell game

A

If someone is playing a shell game, they are deliberately deceiving people, usually by changing things or pretending to change things, in order to gain an advantage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

caustic

A

A caustic remark or way of speaking is hurtful, critical, or intentionally unkind

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

a cobweb

A

a structure like a net of sticky silk threads made by a spider for catching insects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

a predicament

A

an unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

to know the drill

A

to be familiar with what happens or what needs to be done, without having to be told

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

a denotation

A

the main meaning of a word, not including the feelings or ideas that people may connect with the word
=/= connotation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

imagery

A

the use of words or pictures in books, films, paintings, etc. to describe ideas or situations

  • ‘The imagery in the poem mostly relates to death.’
42
Q

to get/have your ducks in a row

A

to be well prepared or well organized for something that is going to happen

43
Q

a standpoint

A

a set of beliefs and ideas from which opinions and decisions are formed

  • ‘I have to put aside my emotions and consider it from a professional standpoint.’
44
Q

once in a blue moon

A

not very often

45
Q

adultery

A

sex between a married man or woman and someone he or she is not married to

46
Q

out (of) the (starting) gate

A

immediately; at or from the very starting position

  • ‘Out the gate, the company’s latest video game console has proven wildly popular.’
47
Q

to jolt

A

to (cause something or someone to) move suddenly and violently

  • ‘The train stopped unexpectedly and we were jolted forwards.’
48
Q

coyly

A

in an outwardly shy or modest way intended to be alluring (seductive)

49
Q

to decussate

A

to cross in the form of an “X,” as certain nerve fibres from the retina cross at the optic chiasm
* decussation

50
Q

a warlord

A

a military leader who controls a country or, more often, an area within a country

51
Q

tresses

A

a woman’s hair, especially long hair

  • ‘Her black tresses lay around her on the pillow.’
52
Q

subdued

A
  1. If a colour or light is subdued, it is not very bright

2. If a noise is subdued, it is not loud

53
Q

to wow

A

to make someone feel great excitement or admiration

  • ‘The movie wowed audiences with its amazing special effects.’
54
Q

a hiatus [S]

A

a short pause in which nothing happens or is said, or space where something is missing

  • ‘The company expects to resume production of the vehicle again after a two-month hiatus.’
55
Q

to concede

A

always loyal in supporting a person, organization, or set of beliefs or opinions

  • ‘a staunch friend and ally’
56
Q

dejected

A

unhappy, disappointed, or without hope

57
Q

to concede

A

to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true

  • ‘The government has conceded (that) the new tax policy has been a disaster.’
58
Q

docile

A

quiet and easy to influence, persuade, or control

  • ‘The once docile population has finally risen up against the ruthless regime.’
59
Q

onerous

A

difficult to do or needing a lot of effort

  • ‘the onerous task of finding a peaceful solution’
60
Q

whence

A

(from) where

- ‘It has been returned to the shop from whence it came.’

61
Q

a goober

A

(derogatory) an unsophisticated person

62
Q

a henchman

A

someone who does unpleasant or illegal things for a powerful person, a faithful follower or political supporter

63
Q

to squabble over sth

A

quarrel noisily over a trivial matter

  • ‘The boys were squabbling over a ball.’
64
Q

uproarious

A

extremely noisy and confused

  • ‘an uproarious debate’
65
Q

contortion

A

Contortion is a performance art in which performers, contortionists, showcase their skills of extreme physical flexibility.

66
Q

to attest

A

to show something or to say or prove that something is true

  1. Thousands of people came out onto the streets to attest their support for the democratic opposition party.
  2. The number of old German cars still on the road attests (to) the excellence of their manufacture.
67
Q

an incubus

A

An incubus is a scary mythological character that visits people in their sleep, a kind of nightmare demon.

68
Q

to interlace

A

to join different parts together to make a whole, especially by crossing one thing over another or fitting one part into another

69
Q

a spoke

A

A spoke is one of some number of rods radiating from the centre of a wheel

70
Q

to mingle

A

to mix or combine, or be mixed or combined:

71
Q

mimicry

A

the action or skill of imitating someone or something, especially in order to entertain or ridicule

72
Q

to purport

A

Use purport when you want to convince people about something that might not be true, like when you purport that the dog ate your homework.

  • ‘The study purports to show an increase in the incidence of the disease.’
73
Q

a diatribe

A

an angry speech or piece of writing that severely criticizes something or someone

74
Q

implausible

A

difficult to believe, or unlikely

  • ‘The whole plot of the film is ridiculously implausible.’
75
Q

prickly

A

unfriendly and easily offended or annoyed

  • ‘She was asked a couple of questions about her private life and got a little prickly.’
76
Q

to knee

A

to hit (someone) with one’s knee

  • ‘She kneed him in the groin.’
77
Q

to daub

A

to spread a thick or sticky liquid on something or to cover something with a thick or sticky liquid, often quickly or carelessly

  1. The walls had been daubed with graffiti.
  2. The baby had daubed butter all over his hair and face.
78
Q

frolicsome

A

lively and playful

79
Q

remunerative

A

providing payment for work

= ‘a highly remunerative (= well paid) job’
- ‘Charity work is not very remunerative’

80
Q

to pertain to sth

A

to relate to something

  • ‘Some important evidence pertaining to the case has been overlooked.’
81
Q

impunity [U]

A

exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action

82
Q

amenorrhea

A

the absence of menstrual periods

83
Q

to dilate

A

to stretch an opening or hollow structure beyond its normal dimensions (e.g. of blood vessels)

84
Q

a contraceptive

A

any of various devices or drugs intended to prevent pregnancy

85
Q

to impair

A

to make or cause to become worse

86
Q

slack

A

loose; not taut

87
Q

a decongestant

A

a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose (nasal congestion). They can help ease the symptoms of conditions such as cold, flu and hay fever.

88
Q

a diuretic

A

any substance that promotes diuresis, that is, the increased production of urine

89
Q

an antiemetic

A

a drug that is effective against vomiting and nausea

90
Q

an anticoagulant

A

a chemical substance that prevents or reduces coagulation of blood, prolonging the clotting time

91
Q

a tranquilizer

A

(a sedative) a drug which is designed for the treatment of anxiety, fear, tension, agitation, and disturbances of the mind

92
Q

a laxative

A

a substance that loosens stools and increases bowel movements

93
Q

much ado about nothing

A

If you describe a situation as much ado about nothing, you mean that people are making a lot of fuss about something which is not very important.

94
Q

to be a big fish in a small pond

A

​to have a lot of influence only over a small area

95
Q

a raffle

A

an activity in which people buy tickets with different numbers, some of which are later chosen to win prizes, that is organized in order to make money for a good social purpose

  • ‘I have never won anything in a raffle.’
96
Q

PSA

A

Public Service Announcement

97
Q

colder than a witch’s tit

A

very cold

98
Q

a fluke

A

an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck

  • ‘Their victory was a bit of a fluke.’
99
Q

half seven

A

7:30

100
Q

hardwired

A

If someone or something is hardwired to do a particular thing, they automatically do it and cannot change that behaviour

  • ‘Humans are hardwired to love fattening foods.’

My English (37 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions