ESL #8 Flashcards
to agree to accept a challenge; to start to do something that is very difficult
to take on
to underestimate one’s abilities; to believe that one cannot do something when one actually can
to sell (oneself) short
to be a very bad dancer; to be unable to use one’s body gracefully or elegantly
to have two left feet
not able to control the movements of one’s body in a graceful, purposeful way; not able to move one’s arms and legs as one would like to, especially not at the same time
uncoordinated
one’s ability to feel the beats (regular strong points) of a song and move one’s body or play an instrument in accordance with them
sense of rhythm
prepared and qualified to do something; with the qualifications or characteristics needed to do something well
cut out for
to make plans or worry about what will happen in the future before one has dealt with what needs to be done right now; to focus on the future more than the present, especially when completing a task
to get ahead of (oneself)
to relax and become less tense or stiff, especially in one’s muscles
to loosen up
to gently and slowly move back and forth
to sway
to purposefully move one’s hips (the side of one’s body above the leg and below one’s waist), usually while dancing
to swing (one’s) hips
individual movements with one’s feet while dancing; how one is supposed to move one’s feet and body while dancing
dance step
a memorized series of dance steps used to dance to a particular piece of music as part of a performance; choreography
dance routine
later; in the future; eventually
down the line
a plan or dream that is impossible and cannot be achieved
pipe dream
a word used to show that one does not believe what another person has said, and that it has no meaning or logic
nonsense
easy; without trying
effortless
hippopotamus; a large, hairless animal with a big belly, very short legs, and a big head that spends most of its time in the water, often used to describe people who are not graceful or elegant
hippo
an organized effort to respond to unplanned events where people or property are in danger
emergency response
a person whose job is to put out large fires
firefighter
a person who is respected and admired because he or she helps others
hero
a person who has no value or use; a person who does not make contributions to society; a loser
zero
to imprison; to force someone to stay in a jail or prison as a punishment
to incarcerate
an event that causes great, widespread destruction
catastrophe
notable disaster that causes extensive damage and distress
calamity
an occurrence that causes a major widespread damage and destruction
disaster
in order that; to the extent that
so that
a sudden feeling of extra energy in response to some emergency, with the adrenaline hormone giving one extra energy to either fight an enemy or to run away from some danger
adrenaline rush
to try to make a large fire stop burning; to put out a large fire
to fight fires
an area of land with many rocks or stones
rocky terrain
an area of land covered with sand, like a beach
sandy terrain
approximately; within the range of
anywhere between
equipment; tools and other items needed to perform a certain type of task
gear
a phenomenon when there is more water than usual in rivers, so they overflow, and water covers streets and gets into homes and buildings that normally remain dry
flood
an organized attempt to find and help someone who is lost and/or in danger
search-and-rescue operation
to apply; to submit papers to ask for a job
to put in an application
to agree to give someone a job; to agree to make someone one’s employee
to hire
the name and contact information for a person who can provide additional information, especially about someone’s qualifications or experience
reference
to say good things about someone or something; to indicate that someone is a good person or that something will be a good choice
to vouch for
reliable, trustworthy, and good
solid
to say something good about a person or to recommend someone for an opportunity in an informal way
to put in a good word
words or actions that make one feel more certain that something will happen in a particular way
assurance
personality; the personal characteristics that seem to be a permanent characteristic of a person, not learned over time, especially how one shows one’s emotions
temperament
one’s commitment to working hard and finishing what one has started; one’s commitment to a job or project
work ethic
at work; through experience in a particular position, not by reading about something or listening to others talk about it
on the job
a person who learns things very quickly and does not need a lot of instruction or guidance
quick study
to rationalize; to provide a logical reason for something; to be able to explain what has happened in a way that makes sense to oneself and others
to justify
to choose not to have or do something because one is having or doing something else
to pass up
with the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge for a position or opportunity; meeting all the qualifications of something
qualified
very strong praise for a person or thing; full support and recommendation for someone or something
ringing endorsement
