English Flashcards
dribble
e.g. Football-mad Flo dribbled past the cat.
[v] to move the ball along with several short kicks, hits or bounces
swerve
e.g.
The ball swerved into the net.
Football-mad Flo swerved round the swing.
[v] to change direction suddenly, especially in order to avoid hitting somebody/something
racket
e.g.
Stop that racket and come inside.
Stop making that terrible racket!
[n] a loud unpleasant noise
short
e.g. We’re one player short.
[adj] lack of
kick-off
e.g. Kick-off is in five minutes.
[n] start
pinch one’s feet
e.g. The football boots pinched her feet.
[v] if something such as a shoe pinches part of your body, it hurts you because it is too tight
trip over
e.g. When Pippa ran, she kept tripping over her laces.
[v] to catch your foot on something and fall or almost fall
referee
e.g. They lined up for kick-off and the referee blew his whistle to start the game.
[n] the official who controls the game in some sports
pale
e.g. ‘Jumping? Me?’ Flo turned pale.
[adj] having skin that has less colour than usual because of illness, a strong emotion
slap
e.g. Mr Trotter slapped Thunder (the horse) on the back. Thunder galloped off with Flo holding on tight.
[v] to hit somebody/something with the flat part of your hand
crowd
e.g. The crowd clapped.
[n] a large number of people gathered together in a public place, for example in the streets or at a sports game
thud
e.g. Thunder and Flo came to the last fence, a high brick wall. Thunder took off and they landed with a thud.
[adj] a sound like the one that is made when a heavy object hits something else
rosette
e.g. Mr Trotter pinned a rosette on Thunder and gave Flo a silver cup.
[n] a round decoration made of ribbon that is worn by supporters of a political party or sports team, or to show that somebody has won a prize
mighty
e.g. ‘Go away!’ she shouted crossly and gave the ball a mighty kick.
[adj] very strong and powerful
ornament
e.g. Gran gave Mum and Dad an ornament as a present.
[n] an object that is used as decoration in a room, garden, etc. rather than for a particular purpose
golf club
e.g. Kipper had some litter golf clubs.
[n] a long metal stick with a piece of metal or wood at one end, used for hitting the ball in golf
whizz
e.g. Gran threw a boomerang and it whizzed through the air.
[v] to move very quickly, making a high, continuous sound
smash
e.g. Gran hit the ball too hard and it smashed a window.
[v] to break something
[v] to hit something/somebody very hard
get around
e.g. Taking the tube is the best way to get around.
rush
e.g. When the train came in, everyone rushed to get on.
pigeon
[n] a bird like dove
waxworks
e.g. Gran took the children to the waxworks.
[n] wax museum, a place which displays waxworks
fierce
e.g. Queen Victoria looks very fierce.
[adj] angry and aggressive in a way that is frightening
scene
e.g. They looked at a street scene at the waxworks.
[n] a part of a film, play or book in which the action happens in one place or is of one particular type
or
[n] the place where something happens, especially something unpleasant
e.g. the scene of the accident/crime/crash
soot
e.g. That boy carrying brushes is a sweep. His job was to climb up chimneys and brush soot down.
[n, uncountable] black powder that is produced when wood, coal, etc. is burnt
behead
e.g. We can tell Mum some of our adventures, but not all of them … and not the one about beheading the Queen.
[v] to cut off somebody’s head, especially as a punishment
I let you out of my sight for a second , and this happens.
quest
e.g. So will someone go on a quest to try to get the bell back?
[n] a long search for something, especially for some quality such as happiness
e.g. quest for truth/happiness/knowledge
bear
e.g. Grimlock could not bear the noise any longer.
[v] to be able to accept and deal with something unpleasant
frost
e.g. Flowers grew in the winter and were killed by the frost.
[n] a weather condition in which the temperature drops below 0° Celsius (= freezing point) so that a thin white layer of ice forms on the ground and other surfaces, especially at night
bare
e.g. The land was cold and bare.
[adj] not covered with leaves; without plants or trees
swamp
e.g. Suddenly she sank into a muddy swamp.
[n] an area of ground that is very wet or covered with water and in which plants, trees, etc. are growing
gnome
e.g. Wilma untied the gnome.
[n] a creature like a small man with a pointed hat, who lives under the ground and guards gold and treasure
tremble
e.g. Suddenly, the gnome began to tremble.
[v] to shake in a way that you cannot control, especially because you are very nervous, excited, frightened, etc.
squeak
e.g. “Oh no!” he squeaked.
[v] to make a short high sound that is not very loud
basilisk
e.g. The eyes of a basilisk can kill you.
[n] a creature like a snake, which can kill people by looking at them or breathing on them
saucer
e.g. The bell rang so loudly through the castle that cups and saucers broke, and the glass in the windows cracked.
[n] a small shallow round dish that a cup stands on; an object that is like this in shape
stand
e.g. I can’t stand it. The sound of the bell will kill me.
[v] used especially with can/could or will to say that somebody/something can survive something or can tolerate something without being hurt or damaged
skinny
e.g. She got skinny legs and arms.
[adj] very thin, especially in a way that you find unpleasant or ugly
bony
e.g. He is a tall bony man.
[adj] very thin so that the bones can be seen under the skin
bumptious
e.g. Hairy Maclary felt bumptious and bustly, bossy and bouncy and frisky and hustly.
[adj] showing that you think that you are very important; often giving your opinions in a loud, confident and annoying way
If you say that someone is bumptious, you are criticizing them because they are very pleased with themselves and their opinions.
bustly
e.g. Hairy Maclary felt bumptious and bustly, bossy and bouncy, and frisky and hustly.
[adj] Full of bustle; tending to bustle around.
bustle: to move around in a busy way or to hurry somebody in a particular direction
e.g. She bustled around in the kitchen.
frisky
e.g. Hairy Maclary flet bumptious and bustly, bossy and bouncy, and frisky and hustly.
e.g. a frisky puppy
[adj] full of energy; wanting to play
hustly
e.g. Hairy Maclary felt bumptious and bustly, bossy and bouncy, and frisky and hustly.
[adj] Tending to hustle somebody around.
hustle: to make somebody move quickly by pushing them in a rough aggressive way
e.g. I was hustled into a waiting car.
e.g. She was hustled away by some police officers.
sycamore tree
e.g. Hairy Maclary chased her up high in the sycamore tree.
[n] European tree of the maple family, with leaves that have five points and seeds that are like pairs of wings
rickety
e.g. Hairy Maclary bustled him under a rickety door.
[adj] not strong or well made; likely to break
reeds
e.g. A cat was down in the reeds.
[n] a tall plant like grass with a hollow stem that grows in or near water
weeds
e.g. Hairy Maclary hustled him into a drum full of weeds.
[n] a wild plant growing where it is not wanted, especially among crops or garden plants
drum
e.g. an oil drum
[n] a large container for oil or chemicals that is like a cylinder in shape
ledge
e.g. A cat was asleep on a ledge.
[n] a narrow flat shelf fixed to a wall, especially one below a window
hedge
e.g. Hairy Maclary chased a cat away throu a hole in the hedge.
[n] a row of bushes or small trees planted close together, usually along the edge of a field, garden or road
twitch
e.g. Down on the path by an old wooden rail, twitching a bit, was the tip of a tail.
e.g. Her fingers twitched nervously.
e.g. His shoulders twitched with suppressed laughter.
[v] if a part of your body twitches, or if you twitch it, it makes a sudden, quick movement, sometimes one that you cannot control
bellicose
e.g. With a bellicose bark and a boisterous bounce, Hairy Maclary was ready to pounce.
e.g. The general made some bellicose statements about his country’s military strength.
[adj] having or showing a desire to argue or fight, aggressive, warlike
boisterous
e.g. With a bellicose bark and a boisterous bounce, Hairy Maclary was ready to pounce.
e.g. It was a challenge, keeping ten boisterous seven-year-olds amused.
e.g. The children and the dogs raced out of the house to give me a boisterous welcome.
[adj] noisy and full of life and energy
pounce
e.g. With a bellicose bark and a boisterous bounce, Hairy Maclary was ready to pounce.
e.g. The lion crouched ready to pounce.
e.g. The cat crouched down as if about to pounce.
[v] to move suddenly forwards in order to attack or catch somebody/something
rustle
e.g. The wind rustled in the bushes.
e.g. Her silk dress rustled as she moved.
[v] if something dry and light rustles or you rustle it, it makes a sound like paper, leaves, etc. moving or rubbing together
scowl
e.g. I scowled at the coat. The coat scowled back at me with its rows of little metal teeth.
[v] to look at somebody/something in an angry or annoyed way
e.g. ‘I want a word with you,’ he said, scowling.
glint
e.g. The flaps on the front were wicked green eyes glinting at me.
[v] to produce small bright flashes of light
e.g. The sun glinted on the windows.
rail
e.g. The coat scowled at me from a rail in the second-hand shop.
[n] a bar fixed to the wall for hanging things on
e.g. a picture/curtain/towel rail
bargain
e.g. It’s a bargain.
[n] a thing bought for less than the usual price
e.g. I picked up a few good bargains in the sale.
flaps
e.g. The flaps on the front were wicked green eyes glinting at me.
[n] a flat piece of paper, cloth, metal, etc. that is attached to something along one side and that hangs down or covers an opening
e.g. the flap of an envelope
e.g. I zipped the tent flaps shut.
snarl
e.g. The zips were icon teeth snarling at me.
[v] to show the teeth and make a deep angry noise in the throat
e.g. The dog snarled at us.
cram
e.g. The coat crammed my mouth with red shiny stuff so nobody could hear.
[v] to push or force somebody/something into a small space
e.g. Supporters crammed the streets.
e.g. We all managed to cram into his car.
cling
e.g. The coat clung round my face like an octopus.
[v] to hold on tightly to somebody/something
cautiously
e.g. I put my hand cautiously through the metal teeth and into the black hole beyond.
[adv] carefully, especially in order to avoid danger, mistakes or risks
snatch
e.g. Quickly I snatched my hand back.
[v] to take something quickly and often rudely or roughly, synonym grab
e.g. She almost snatched the letter from my hand.
swell up
e.g. The coat carried on getting bigger and bigger. It swelled up, bugling like a muscle man.
[v] to become bigger or rounder
e.g. Her arm was beginning to swell up where the bee had stung her.
e.g. Bacteria can cause gums to swell and bleed.
bulging
e.g. It swelled up, bulging like a muscle man.
[adj] that sticks out from something in a round shape
e.g. bulging eyes
gnaw
e.g. What if it gnawed my fingers down to the bone?
[v] to keep biting something
e.g. The dog was gnawing a bone.
lining
e.g. They’ve probably fallen into the lining. Put your hand in and see.
[n] a layer of material used to cover the inside surface of something
belch
e.g. When it had finished, it gave a great belch and let my hand go, and all that was left was a skeleton claw, waggling on the end of my arm?
[n] the action of letting air come up noisily from your stomach and out through your mouth, the action of burp
e.g. He sat back and gave a loud belch.
waggle
e.g. When it had finished, it gave a great belch and let my hand go, and all that was left was a skeleton claw, waggling on the end of my arm?
[v] to make something move with short movements from side to side or up and down
e.g. The ball waggled slowly to a stop.
e.g. The leaves of the tree waggled in the wind.
curl up
e.g. My toes curled up in fright.
[v] to lie or sit with your back curved and your arms and legs bent close to your body
e.g. She was lying curled up on her bed..
humpback
e.g. It was humpy, like a humpback troll.
[adj] an offensive word for a person who has a round part that sticks out on their back, caused by an unusual curve in the spine
hump [v] : a large curved part on the back of some animals, especially camels
slither
e.g. A snake slither across the floor.
[v] to move smoothly over a surface, like a snake
dangle
e.g. The red tongue was dangling down its back.
[v] to hang or move freely; to hold something so that it hangs or moves freely
e.g. A single light bulb dangled from the ceiling.
e.g. He sat on the edge with his legs dangling over the side.
beneath
e.g. My friends could see Ratty, trapped beneath the shiny red material.
[prepostion] in or to a lower position than somebody/something; under
wobble
e.g. My coat was moving, wobbling like a giant strawberry jelly.
[v] to move from side to side in an unsteady way; to make something do this
plop
e.g. There are bulges plopping out all over it.
[v] a short sound like that of a small object dropping into water
e.g. The stone fell with a plop into the river.
gobble up
e.g. Ratty had been gobbled up, like all those other things.
[v] to eat something very fast, in a way that people consider rude or greedy
e.g. He gobbled up the last of the chocolates.
zeppelin
e.g. It puffed up like a shiny red zeppelin.
[n] a German type of large airship
tame
e.g. I dreamed I tamed it like a lion-tamer.
[v] to make an animal, bird, etc. not afraid of people and used to living with them
growl
e.g. The lion growled and roared and showed its teeth.
[v] (of animals, especially dogs) to make a low sound in the throat, usually as a sign of anger
e.g. The dog growled at them.
whip
e.g. I cracked my lion-tamer’s whip and made it afraid of me.
[n] a long, thin piece of rope or leather, attached to a handle, used for hitting animals or people, to make them move, or move faster, or as a punishment
whimper
e.g. It whimpered with fear.
[v] to make low, weak crying noises; to speak in this way
piles of books
thump
e.g. I thumped it, but it wouldn’t let me go.
[v] to hit somebody/something hard, especially with your closed hand
e.g. She thumped the desk with her fist.
scoop
e.g. It would chase after people, scooping them up with its big red tongue the size of a football field.
[v] to move or lift something with a scoop or something like a scoop
e.g. She scooped ice cream into their bowls.
e.g. First, scoop a hole in the soil.
e.g. Scoop out the melon flesh.
stomp
e.g. It would stomp across the countryside.
[v] to walk, dance, or move with heavy steps
e.g. She stomped angrily out of the office.
e.g. The children were stomping around noisily.
nibble
e.g. It would swim the oceans, munching whales, nibbling sharks for snacks.
[v] to bite something with small bites, especially food
e.g. We sat drinking wine and nibbling olives.
squirm
e.g. The killer coat began to squirm and thrash about.
[v] to move around a lot making small twisting movements, because you are nervous, uncomfortable, etc.
e.g. I squirmed in my seat, not knowing what to do.
e.g. The children were squirming restlessly in their seats.
thrash
e.g. The killer coat began to squirm and thrash about.
[v] to hit a person or an animal many times with a stick, etc. as a punishment
fierce
e.g. Its eyes were not a fierce and glowing green.
[adj] angry and aggressive in a way that is frightening
shrivel
e.g. Not swollen up with shiny red muscles, but shrivelled, like a pink balloon gone up.
[v] to become or make something dry and wrinkled as a result of heat, cold or being old
e.g. The leaves on the plant had shrivelled up from lack of water.
e.g. The hot weather had shrivelled the grapes in every vineyard.
wrinkly
e.g. For when my mum pulled out the killer coat, all pink and wrinkly.
[adj] (of skin, clothing, etc.) having wrinkles
battle
e.g. In a land of dragons and battles, there lived a famous warrior.
[n] a fight between armies, ships or planes, especially during a war
e.g. battle of Hastings
warrior
e.g. In a land of dragons and battles, there lived a famous warrior.
[n] a person who fights in a battle or war
loom
e.g. Mulan was at her loom weaving.
[n] a machine for making cloth by crossing threads over and under other threads that go in a different direction
weave
e.g. Mulan was at her loom weaving.
[v] to make cloth, a carpet, a basket, etc. by crossing threads or narrow pieces of material across, over and under each other by hand or on a machine called a loom
e.g. The baskets are woven from strips of willow.
e.g. The strips of willow are woven into baskets.
toss
e.g. Mulan’s father, tired and ill, was tossing and turning in his bed.
[v] to move or make somebody/something move from side to side or up and down
e.g. I couldn’t sleep but kept tossing and turning in bed all night.
e.g. She tossed about restlessly all night with a high fever.
tease
e.g. He was a cheeky boy and liked to tease his older sister.
[v] to laugh at somebody and make jokes about them, either in a friendly way or in order to annoy them or make them embarrassed
cheeky
e.g. He was a cheeky boy and liked to tease his older sister.
[adj] rude in a funny or annoying way
lose one’s footing
e.g. He whirled his toy sword so quickly that he lost his footing and fell down.
[v] To slip, stumble, and/or fall during an activity in which one is using one’s feet, such as walking, dancing, climbing, etc.
e.g. I sprained my ankle when I lost my footing on a hike.
clutch
e.g. He was still clutching his toy sword.
[v] to take or try to take hold of something tightly, usually in fear, worry, or pain
e.g. Silent and pale, she clutched (onto) her mother’s hand.
e.g. He collapsed, clutching his stomach.
soppy
e.g. You’re only a soppy girl.
[adj] showing or feeling too much of emotions such as love or sympathy, rather than being reasonable or practical:
e.g. a film with a soppy ending
fret
e.g. How Mulan’s mother fretted, “No, no, no. Girls are not allowed in the Emperor’s army.”
[v] to be worried or unhappy and not able to relax
e.g. She fretted that nobody would show up.
determined
e.g. Mulan was determined.
[adj] having made a definite decision to do something and not letting anyone prevent you
armour
e.g. I’ll wear padding and armour.
bank
e.g. Mulan travelled for three days along the banks of the Yellow River.
[n] the side of a river, canal, etc. and the land near it
dusk
e.g. At dusk on the third day, she arrived at the army camp at Black Mountain.
[n] the time of day when the light has almost gone, but it is not yet dark
shiver
e.g. Mulan shivered, but she said in a deep voice, “I am here to join the army as ordered.”
[v] to shake slightly because you are cold, frightened, excited, etc.
e.g. Don’t stand outside shivering—come inside and get warm!
harder than hard
e.g. The life was harder than hard.
spear
e.g. She learned how to use a spear.
dread
e.g. Mulan’s blood ran cold with dread and fear.
[n] a feeling of great fear about something that might or will happen in the future; a thing that causes this feeling
e.g. The prospect of growing old fills me with dread.
pound
e.g. Her heart pounded, but she clutched her sword tightly and went into battle.
[v] to beat quickly and loudly
outwit
e.g. She outwitted her enermies.
[v] to defeat somebody/something or gain an advantage over them by doing something clever
clumsy
e.g. She danced her way past clumsy attacks.
[adj] (of people and animals) moving or doing things in a way that is not smooth or steady or careful
e.g. I spilt your coffee. Sorry—that was clumsy of me.
e.g. His clumsy fingers couldn’t untie the knot.
troop
e.g. Mulan led her troops into many successful battles.
[n] connected with soldiers, especially in large groups
splendid
e.g. She looked so splendid.
[adj] very impressive; very beautiful
e.g. splendid scenery
e.g. The hotel stands in splendid isolation, surrounded by moorland.
comrade
e.g. Her comrades were all amazed.
[n] a friend or other person that you work with, especially as soldiers during a war
e.g. They were old army comrades.
microlight
e.g. “It is a microlight.” said Wilma’s dad. “I suppose it is a bit like a chair with wings.”
[n] a very small light aircraft for one or two people
yelp
e.g. Floppy ran in and out of the trees. Suddenly he yelped.
[v] to give a sudden short cry, usually of pain
for dog or fox only
limp
e.g. Floppy couldn’t walk properly. He started to limp.
[v] to walk slowly or with difficulty because one leg is injured
e.g. She had twisted her ankle and was limping.
calf
e.g. There are black and white cows and calves in the meadow.
[n] a young cow
Border collie sheepdog
e.g. a black and white Border collie sheepdog
stride
e.g. Grandad walked up the hill with great strides like a long-legged giant.
[n] one long step; the distance covered by a step
e.g. He crossed the room in two strides.
trot
e.g. A sheepdog trotted in front and I hurried behind as fast as I could.
[v] to move forward at a speed that is faster than a walk
e.g. She trotted her pony around the field.
ridge
e.g. We climbed right up to the top of a high, stony ridge so that we could see for miles.
[n] a narrow area of high land along the top of a line of hills; a high pointed area near the top of a mountain
out of breath
e.g. I got out of breath trying to keep up and my legs were aching.
having difficulty breathing after exercise
get soaked right through
e.g. It’s going to rain. You don’t want to be out on the hill getting soaked right through, do you?
[adj] very wet
barn
e.g. The others were all playing football in the field beside the barn.
[n] a large farm building for storing grain or keeping animals in
I’d rather
e.g. I’d rather stay with you.
thistle
e.g. I stomped down the hill and kicked the thistles.
[n] a wild plant with leaves with sharp points and purple, yellow or white flowers made up of a mass of narrow petals pointing upwards. The thistle is the national symbol of Scotland.
stub my toe
e.g. I kicked a rock and stubbed my toe.
[v] to hurt one’s toe by hitting it against something.
goalie
e.g. Emily can be out goalie.
[n] goalkeeper
referee
e.g. You can be the referee. That’s very important.
[n] the official who controls the game in some sports
speckled
e.g. I saw a rabbit running across the hill and speckled fish gliding under the water.
[adj] covered with small marks or spots
heave at
e.g. I heaved at the lamb as hard as I could.
[v] To make an effort at. To attack, to oppose.
cling
e.g. By that time, the lamb and I were both so soaked that we couldn’t get any wetter and my clothes get any wetter and my clothes were clinging to me.
[v] to stick to something
e.g.1 The wet shirt clung to his chest.
e.g.2 The smell of smoke still clung to her clothes.
e.g.3 Her hair clung to her hot damp skin.
shiver
e.g. I was shivering so much I could hardly get the words out.
[v] to shake slightly because you are cold, frightened, excited, etc.
soaked to the skin
e.g. I was shivering and soaked to the skin.
[adj] Drenched, extremely wet, as in What a downpour
mower
e.g. He cut the grass with a mower.
[n] a machine that cuts grass
clang
e.g. The mower ran over the magic key with a clang.
[n] a loud ringing sound like metal being hit
shrug
e.g. “What does X1 NASTI mean?” he asked, pointing to the front of the robot.
Max shrugged.
[v] to raise your shoulders and then drop them to show that you do not know or care about something
lurch
e.g. There was a humming noise and the robot’s eyes lit up. Then it lurched fowards…
[v] to make a sudden, unsteady movement forward or to one side
e.g.1 Suddenly the horse lurched to one side and the child fell off.
e.g.2 The man lurched drunkenly out of the pub.
hum
e.g. It hummed and buzzed and clicked and clacked its jaws.
[v] to make a low continuous sound
e.g. The computers were humming away.
[v] to sing a tune with your lips closed
e.g. She was humming softly to herself.
clack
e.g. It hummed and buzzed and clicked and clacked its jaws.
[v] if two hard objects clack, they make a short loud sound when they hit each other
groan
e.g. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?” groaned Ant.
[v] to make a long deep sound because you are annoyed, upset or in pain, or with pleasure
scuttle
e.g. The boys made for the door - but the robot scuttled across and cut them off.
[v] When you scuttle, you move with quick anxious steps, like a bug running for cover when a light is turned on.
make for
e.g. The boys made for the door - but the robot scuttled across and cut them off.
[v] to move towards a place
He picked up his umbrella and made for the door.
cut off
e.g. The boys made for the door - but the robot scuttled across and cut them off.
[v] prevent someone from having access to somewhere or someone.
hologram
[n] a special type of image that appears to be three-dimensional (= solid rather than flat), especially one created using lasers
