ESL 961, 962 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
a phrase used to describe the tendency for people to spend money very quickly and easily, especially when they’re holding cash (paper and coin money)
burning a hole in (one’s) pocket
an oval-shaped path used by runners, horses, or cars for racing
track
secret or privileged information that provides some advantage, especially for solving a mystery or making money
tip
something that will definitely happen; something that is guaranteed to happen and does not involve any risk
sure thing
an organized event where people, cars, horses, or other things compete to see which one can go the fastest and be the first to travel a certain distance, especially when observers are making bets to win
race
a temporary pause or reversal of one’s progress or good luck; a challenging situation that delays or slows one’s progress, but that is not expected to last forever
setback
a serious problem that lasts a long time and is difficult to resolve
monkey on (one’s) back
a change in luck, especially to good luck after a period of bad luck
reversal of fortune
a period of time when a team or a better has many wins and no losses; an uninterrupted series of wins
winning streak
an omen; a signal; the idea that what has just happened provides insight into what will happen in the future
sign of things to come
to bring bad luck to someone; to do or say something that creates problems for another person
to jinx (someone)
pessimism; a tendency to think that things are bad and that more bad things will happen
negativity
with full effort; trying as much as possible
with all you’ve got
to spend a lot of money on something
to plunk down
to return to doing something well after a period of not doing something well; to resume one’s progress or success
to get back in (one’s) stride
