Deck 5

Question 1

have a good head on one’s shoulders

Answer 1

be sensible and down to earth

Question 2

precocious

Answer 2

shows intelligence or skill at a very young age, or behaves in an adult way – sometimes used to show disapproval (when they don’t have modesty)

Question 3

quick-witted

Answer 3

able to think and understand things quickly

Question 4

slow on the uptake

Answer 4

not quick to understand something new

Question 5

mind like a sieve

Answer 5

to forget things easily

sieve = cedník

Question 6

nail down

Answer 6

to reach a final and definite agreement or decision about something

Question 7

insistence

Answer 7

when you demand that something should happen and refuse to let anyone say no

Question 8

race track

Answer 8

a circular course around which runners, cars etc race, which often has a specially prepared surface

Question 9

unflappable

Answer 9

having the ability to stay calm and not become upset, even in difficult situations

I prided myself on being unflappable even in the most chaotic circumstances.

Question 10

rationalise

Answer 10

if you rationalize behaviour that is wrong, you invent an explanation for it so that it does not seem as bad

Question 11

awash in

Answer 11

if someone or some place is awash in something that is not a liquid, there is a large amount of it

The country is awash in money.

Question 12

stall

Answer 12

to stop making progress or developing

Question 13

invariably

Answer 13

if something invariably happens or is invariably true, it always happens or is true

Question 14

exacting

Answer 14

demanding a lot of effort, careful work, or skill

The exacting standards laid down by the organic food industry.

Question 15

skate around

Answer 15

to avoid mentioning a problem or subject, or not give it enough attention

Question 16

sail through

Answer 16

to succeed very easily in a test, examination etc

Question 17

rein in

Answer 17

to start to control a situation more strictly

Question 18

on the ball

Answer 18

able to think or act quickly and intelligently

Question 19

move the goalposts

Answer 19

to change the rules, limits etc for something while someone is trying to do something, making it more difficult for them - used to show disapproval

Question 20

thereabouts

Answer 20

approximately; near a particular time, place, number etc, but not exactly

The land is dry in places thereabouts.
(near that place)

Question 21

typecast

Answer 21

to always give an actor the same type of character to play

Question 22

sole

Answer 22

the sole person, thing etc is the only one

Question 23

glamorous

Answer 23

attractive, exciting, and related to wealth and success

Question 24

feel part of the scenery

Answer 24

feel that you are in the background and unimportant

Question 25

efficiency saving

Answer 25

improve the quality of doing something, without wasting time, money, or energy

Question 26

operating theatre

Answer 26

a room in a hospital where operations are done

Question 27

handover

Answer 27

the act of giving someone else control of a place or business

Question 28

streamline

Answer 28

make an organization/system more efficient and effective by employing faster or simpler working methods

The company streamlined its operations.

Question 29

throughput

Answer 29

the amount of work, goods, or people that are dealt with in a particular period of time

Question 30

briefing

Answer 30

information or instructions that you get before you have to do something

Question 31

be taken aback

Answer 31

to be very surprised about something