expressions Flashcards
0
Q
Descend/sink to somebody’s level
A
To behave as badly as someone
1
Q
Bottle something up
A
To deliberately not allow yourself to show a strong feeling or emotion
2
Q
To keep up with somebody
A
To manage to do as much or as well as other people
3
Q
Mutual respect
A
When two people respect each other
4
Q
Pull the somebody’s string
A
To control something or someone, especially when you are not the person who is supposed to be controlling them
Control the situation from behind the scenes
5
Q
Present company excepted
A
Used when you are criticizing a group of people and you want to tell the people you are with, that they are not included in the criticism
6
Q
Go dutch( with somebody)
A
To share the cost of a meal in a restaurant
7
Q
Dutch treat
A
An occasion when you share the cost of something such as a meal in a restaurant
8
Q
Pull the plug ( on something )
A
To prevent a plan, business etc from being continue especially by deciding not to give it any more money
9
Q
Typical of
It is typical of somebody to do something
A
Happening in a usual way
10
Q
Look down on somebody
A
To think that you are better than someone else, for example because you are more successful, or of a higher social class than they are
11
Q
Coed
Coeducational
A
Using a system in which students of both sexes are educated together
12
Q
Pull somebody’s leg
A
To tell someone something that is not true, as a joke
13
Q
As a matter of fact
A
Used when adding more details about what you have just said
14
Q
Get on somebody’s nerves
A
If someone gets on your nerves, they annoy you especially by doing something all the time
15
Q
Let/ get somebody off the hook
A
To allow someone or help someone to get out of a difficult situation
Free someone from danger or blame or obligation
16
Q
Actions speak louder than words
A
Used to say that you are judged by what you do, and not by what you say
17
Q
Be/get tarred with the same brush
A
If someone is tarred with the same brush as someone else, people think they have the same faults or have committed the same crimes even if they have not
18
Q
First degree murder
A
Murder of the most serious type, in which someone deliberately kills someone else
19
Q
Pet peeve
A
Something that you strongly dislike because it always annoys you
20
Q
Fall out with
A
To have a quarrel and end a friendship
21
Q
Economical with the truth
A
Used humorously to say that someone is not telling the truth
22
Q
Lie through your teeth
A
Say something that is completely untrue ,
To lie a lot and easily
23
Q
From somebody’s perspective
A
Example: the novel is written from a child’s perspective
24
Ditch (spoken)
To not go to school, a class etc when you should
Or
To leave someone you are with in a place without telling them you are going
25
Be on the same/ a different wavelength
To have the same or different opinion and feelings as someone else
26
Haste makes waste
Used to say that it is better to do something slowly, because if you do it too quickly you will make mistakes
27
Immediate family
People who are very closely related to you, such as your parents, children, brothers, and sisters
28
Extended family
A family group that consists not only of parents and children but also of grandparents, aunts etc
29
Wear somebody out
To make someone feel extremely tired
30
Keep/ stay/ steer clear of somebody/ something
To avoid someone or something because of possible danger or trouble.
Example: you need to steer clear of him. He is not a good guy.
Steer clear of writing before recording
31
Sugar- coated
Used to describe something that is made to seem better than it really is
32
Be out of breath
Have difficulty breathing after running, hurrying etc
33
Bump into somebody or run into somebody
To meet someone who you know, when you were not expecting to
34
Square one
The situation from which you started to do something
35
Get away with something
To not be caught or punished when you have done something wrong
36
Tremble with anger/ fear etc
To shake slightly in a way that you can not control , especially because you are angry or frightened
37
Be in (too) deep
To be very involved in a situation, especially so that it causes your problems
38
Be/get used to (doing) something
To have experienced something so that it no longer seems surprising, difficult, strange etc
Example: I can't get used to the idea that you're grown up now
39
The other day
A few days ago
40
In the meantime
In the period of time between now and a future event, or between two events in the past.
Example: the doctor will be here soon. In the meantime, try and relax
41
In the meanwhile
While something else is happening
42
Live off somebody/something
To get your income or food from a supply of money or from another person
Example: dad lost his job and we had to live off welfare
Example2: i am living off my parents
43
Rat on or grass on
If someone rats on you, they tell someone in authority about something wrong that you have done
44
Sell somebody down the river
To do something that harms a group of people who trusted you in order to gain money or power for yourself
45
Blow the whistle on somebody
To tell someone in authority about something wrong that someone is doing
46
Tongue-tied
Unable to talk in a relaxed way because you feel nervous or embarrassed
47
Inhibition
A feeling of shyness or embarrassment that stops you doing or saying what you really want
Example: people tend to lose their inhibition when they've drunk a lot of alcohol.
48
Big time (adverb)
To a very large degree
| Example: you owe your parents bigtime
49
Pick on somebody/ something
To behave in an unfair way to someone, for example by blaming them unfairly
Example: why don't you pick on someone else for a change?
50
Settle in
To begin to feel happy and relaxed in a new situation, home, job, or school
51
White lie
A lie that you tell someone in order to protect them or ovoid hurting their feelings
52
Come or go down with a cold
To catch cold
| Example: a lot of people go down with colds at this time of year
53
Call/ phone/ ring in sick
Phone to say you are not coming to work because you are ill
54
Stretch the truth/fact
To say or write something that is not completely true
| Example: we stretch the truth to make someone feel good.
55
Make ends meet:
To have only just enough money to buy the things you need.
| Example: when Mike lost his job, we could barely make ends meet.
56
a recipe for disaster
(= a situation that is very likely to end badly)
| If you get married too young, it’s a recipe for disaster.
57
get back at sb
to do something to hurt or harm someone who has hurt or harmed you:
He’ll probably go out with her just to get back at me.
58
Bad hair day
a day when you are unhappy and easily upset, especially because your hair does not look the way you want it to look
59
Far-fetched
extremely unlikely to be true or to happen:
| Example: All this may sound a bit far-fetched, but companies are already developing ‘intelligent’ homes.
60
Henpecked
a man who is henpecked is always being told what to do by his wife, and is afraid to disagree with her:
Example: a henpecked husband
61
Shit happens
used to say that sometimes bad things happen, and people cannot always prevent them from happening
62
Fail somebody
to not do what s/o has trusted you to do
SYN: let sb down
Example: I feel I’ve failed my children by not spending more time with them.
63
vibes
the good or bad feelings that a particular person, place, or situation seems to produce and that you react to:
good/ bad etc vibes
I have good vibes about this contract.
64
liven up
To become more exciting, or to make an event become more exciting:
The party really livened up when Mattie arrived.
65
Third party
someone who is not one of the two main people involved in an agreement or legal case, but who is affected by it or involved in it in some way
66
third party insurance
insurance that pays money to someone who is hurt or whose property is damaged by something that you have done:
Does third party insurance cover (=pay for) this type of damage?
67
Rich in
containing a lot of something, full of sth.
| Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.
68
grab/ seize a chance
quickly use an opportunity
| As soon as she stopped speaking, I grabbed the chance to leave.
69
Cross somebody’s mind[usually in negatives, like it didn't cross my mind]
if you say that an idea, thought etc never crossed your mind, you mean that you did not think of it
It didn’t cross her mind that she might be doing something illegal.
70
Womanizer
a man who has sexual relationships with many different women – used to show disapproval
71
Man-eater
a woman who people think is frightening because she has many sexual partners – used humorously
72
The bottom line
used to tell someone what the most important part of a situation is, or what the most important thing to consider is:
In radio, you have to keep the listener listening. That’s the bottom line.
73
In the blink of an eye
very quickly
74
in a jiffy (spoken)
very soon:
| I’ll be with you in a jiffy.
75
(Be/feel) like a fish out of water
to feel uncomfortable because you feel you do not belong in a place or situation:
I felt like a fish out of water in my new school.
76
Room and board
a room to sleep in, with food provided:
| You’ll receive free room and board with the job.
77
Brain drain
a movement of highly skilled or professional people from their own country to a country where they can earn more money
78
⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️
| the language barrier:
the problem of understanding people who do not speak the same language.)
Example: Living in China was hard for me at first because of the language barrier.
79
Somebody's bark is worse than their bite:
used to say that someone who seems unpleasant or difficult to deal with is not really too bad
80
Tarnish somebody's reputation
make it worse
| His reputation was tarnished by allegations(اتهامات ) that he had taken bribes.
81
Cut it/ that out
used to tell someone to stop doing sth because it is annoying you:
Hey, you guys, cut it out – Mom’s trying to get some sleep.
82
Blow your/ somebody's brains out
to kill yourself, or someone else, with a shot to the head
83
Spit it out
used to ask someone to tell you something that they seem too frightened or embarrassed to say:
Come on, Jean. Spit it out!
84
snitch: noun
[countable]
(informal)
someone who is not liked because they tell people in authority when other people do things that are wrong or against the rules
SYN sneak
He didn’t want to be a snitch, and besides, Kevin was his friend.
85
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
| talk somebody out of (doing) something:
to persuade someone not to do something
Can’t you talk them out of selling the house?
86
Go with the flow:
to agree that you will do the thing that most people want to do:
I don’t mind, I’ll just go with the flow.
87
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
shrug: [intransitive and transitive]
(shrugged, shrugging)
to raise and then lower your shoulders in order to show that you do not know something or do not care about something:
I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored him.
Melanie shrugged and walked away.
88
Be about to do sth
if someone is about to do something, or if something is about to happen, they will do it or it will happen very soon:
We were just about to leave when Jerry arrived.
89
Somebody or something is to blame ( for something)
used to say that someone or something is responsible for something bad:
Officials believe that more than one person may be to blame for the fire.
90
Money talks
used to say that people with money have power and can get what they want
91
Take notice
(=pay attention to something)
| I began to take notice when the subject of money came up.
92
Bring somebody / something up
To mention a subject or start to talk about it
= raise
Why did you have to bring up the subject of money?
93
Drop a hin
to suggest or ask for something in an indirect way, hoping that the person you are talking to will understand what you mean:
He dropped some big hints about what he wanted for his birthday.
94
Never/ don't look a gift horse in the mouth
used to tell someone to be grateful for something that has been given to them, instead of asking questions about it or finding something wrong with it
95
For good
For good:
if someone leaves, comes back etc for good, they leave or come back
permanently
The injury may keep him out of football for good.
96
Cost an arm and a leg
(=have a price that is much too high)
| A skiing holiday needn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
97
limp [intransitive]
```
To walk slowly and with difficulty because one leg is hurt or injured:
Farzan limped off the class with a foot injury.
```
98
toss:[transitive]
to throw something, especially something light, with a quick gentle movement of your hand:
toss something into/onto etc something
She crumpled the letter and tossed it into the fire.
99
have somebody do something (especially AmE)
to order someone to do something because it is their job or duty or responsibility :
I’ll have Hudson show you to your room.
100
Get somebody to do sth:
to persuade someone to do something:
I’ll get Terry to check the wiring for me.
We couldn’t get him to sign the agreement.
101
What goes around comes around
used to say that if someone does bad things now, bad things will happen to them in the future
102
Nationwide
adjective[usually before noun]
happening or existing in every part of the country
= countrywide
1.a nationwide search for a missing British tourist
2.nationwide television
103
touched
adjective[not before noun]
Feeling happy and grateful because of what someone has done:
touched by
We were deeply touched by their present.
104
Over the counter
drugs, medicines etc that are bought over the counter are ones that you can buy in a shop without a prescription from a doctor
105
Brace
to mentally or physically prepare yourself or someone else for something unpleasant that is going to happen:
```
brace yourself (for something)
Nancy braced herself for the inevitable arguments.
```
106
Draw (somebody's) attention
to make someone notice something
I have been asked to draw your attention to the following points.
107
```
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Speak volumes (about/ for something):
```
if something speaks volumes, it clearly shows the nature of something or the feelings of a person:
What you wear speaks volumes about you
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
108
cut something down
to reduce the amount of something
Installing double-glazing will cut down the noise from traffic.
109
adopt a policy
(=use one)
| He adopted a policy of radical reform.
110
raise a question
bring it to people’s attention
| This study raises several important questions.
111
the dawn of civilization
(=the beginning of civilization)
112
toss something/ somebody out
To get rid of something that you do not want
| = throw out
113
Throw away
discard
114
Purchasing power
| [uncountable]
The amount of money that a person or group has available to spend:
increases in purchasing power
The amount that a unit of money can buy:
The purchasing power of the local currency has halved.
115
Skyrocket:
| verb[intransitive] (informal)
if a price or an amount skyrockets, it greatly increases very quickly:
The trade deficit has skyrocketed.
skyrocketing inflation
116
a trade deficit
(=the difference between the amount of goods a country imports and the amount it exports)
Last year the country had its largest trade deficit in recent history.
)
117
succeed in doing something
Scientists claim they have succeeded in finding a cure for cancer.
Very few people succeed in losing weight and keeping it off.
⚠ Do not say ‘succeed to do something’. Say succeed in doing something.
118
Police state
noun
[countable]
a country where the government strictly controls people’s freedom to meet, write, or speak about politics, travel etc
119
run a story
(=print it or broadcast it)
| There wasn't enough definite information to run the story.
120
Unrest:
| noun[uncountable]
a political situation in which people protest or behave violently:
There is growing unrest throughout the country.
121
CEO
| noun[countable]
(Chief Executive Officer)
the person with the most authority in a large company
122
Double dealer:
noun
[countable]
informal
someone who deceives other people
123
Dos and don’ts (also do’s and don’ts):
things that you should and should not do in a particular situation:
The booklet lists the dos and don’ts of caring for dogs.
124
Out of the frying pan and into the fire
to go from a bad situation to one that is even worse
Many kids who run away from unhappy homes discover they've jumped out of the frying pan into the fire when they try to live on their own.
Usage notes: often used with jump, as in the example
125
Sit-in:
noun
[countable]
a type of protest in which people refuse to leave the place where they work or study until their demands are considered or agreed to.
126
sign a petition
Five hundred villagers have signed the petition.
127
Tipping point:
noun
[countable]
the moment when one particular result of a process becomes the most likely one, after a period when the result is not sure
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
128
Accountable
adjective[not before noun]
responsible for the effects of your actions and willing to explain or be criticized for them
-accountable to:
The government should be accountable to all the people of the country.
-accountable for
Managers must be accountable for their decisions.
129
for some reason (or other) (also for some unknown reason) :
for a reason that you do not know
For some reason she felt like crying.
130
for no apparent reason
for no obvious reason
| He tried to kill me for no apparent reason.
131
learn a skill:
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
(also acquire a skill [formal])
People can acquire new skills while they are unemployed.
132
Strike somebody as (being) something:
to seem to have a particular quality or feature:
His jokes didn’t strike Jack as being very funny.
You struck me as a sociable person the first time I saw you.
133
keep a low profile
to not go to places or be careful not to do anything that will attract attention to yourself or your actions
OPP high profile
He’s not the sort of politician to keep a low profile for long.
134
make yourself understood:
make what you say clear to other people, especially when speaking a foreign language.
I’m not very good at German, but I can make myself understood.
135
Learn (something) the hard way:
to understand a situation or develop a skill by learning from your mistakes and bad experiences
136
Character assassination:
an unfair attack on someone’s character
The campaign was accused of character assassination because of its negative ads.
137
In terms of something
if you explain or describe something in terms of a particular fact or event, you are explaining or describing it only in relation to that fact or event.
describe/ measure/ evaluate etc sth in terms of sth: Femininity is still defined in terms of beauty.
It’s a mistake to think of Florida only in terms of its tourist attractions.
138
get by:
| phrasal verb
to have enough money to buy the things you need, but no more.
I don’t earn a huge salary, but we get by.
get by on
Sometimes they had to get by on very little.
139
Fall flat
if a joke, remark, or performance falls flat, it fails to interest or amuse people:
Marlow’s attempts at jokes fell flat.
140
social status:
Position in a social hierarchy.
| I lied about my family’s social status.
141
Broken English/French etc
if you speak in broken English, French etc, you speak slowly and make a lot of mistakes because you know only a little of the language
142
Strike a balance (between something)
to give the correct amount of importance or attention to two separate things:
He was finding it difficult to strike a balance between his family and his work.
It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance.
143
balance out:
| phrasal verb
if two or more things balance out, the final result is that they are equal in amount, importance, or effect:
Sometimes I look after the kids and sometimes John does – it all balances out.
144
Open to something
Likely to suffer from something or be affected by something:
The magazine’s editor is open to criticism in allowing the article to be printed.
The regulations are open to abuse by companies.
He has left himself open to accusations of dishonesty.
Willing to consider something new or to accept something new:
Teachers need to be open to children’s ideas.
The committee is open to suggestions.
The owners of the building want to sell and are open to offers.
145
put something into action
start doing something you have planned to do
She was looking forward to putting her plans into action.
The committee uses the expertise of local organisations to put these ideas into action.
146
State the obvious
to say something that is already obvious so it is not necessary to say it.
It is stating the obvious, but regular measurement of blood pressure is essential in older people.
147
Out of the picture:
if someone is out of the picture, they are no longer involved in a situation:
Injury has effectively put Woods out of the picture as far as international matches are concerned.
148
big/ bigger/ wider picture:
We were so caught up with the details, we lost sight of the big picture (=the situation considered as a whole).
149
Identify with somebody/ something:
to feel sympathy with someone or be able to share their feelings:
Humans can easily identify with the emotional expressions of chimpanzees.
He identified with our distress.
150
Relate to:
to feel that you understand someone’s problem, situation etc:
Laurie finds it difficult to relate to children.
I know he feels upset, and I can relate to that.
151
eclectic
liking a wide variety of different things,
including a mixture of many different things or people, especially so that you can use the best of all of them
SYN diverse
galleries with an eclectic range of styles and artists
My tastes are very eclectic.
152
Suppress
To stop yourself from showing your feelings:
Harry could scarcely suppress a smile.
suppressed anger
153
soundtrack
the recorded music from a film
soundtrack to
the soundtrack to ‘Top Gun’
154
Empty words/ gestures/ promises etc
words etc that are not sincere, or have no effect:
| His repeated promises to pay them back were just empty words.
155
Be/ get caught up in something:
to be or get involved in something, especially something bad:
I didn’t want to get caught up in endless petty arguments.
156
Read between the lines:
to guess someone’s real feelings from something they say or write, when they do not tell you directly:
Reading between the lines, I’d say Robert’s not very happy.
157
For the better:
in a way that improves the situation:
a definite change for the better
The president’s fortunes seem, at last, to have taken a turn for the better (=started to improve).
158
tackle/ address a problem
(=deal with it)
| There is more than one way to tackle this problem.
159
fundraising
| noun[uncountable]
the activity of collecting money for a specific purpose, especially in order to help people who are ill, old etc
charity/ fundraising etc event
The school raises money by organizing fundraising events.
160
fertile
| adjective
land or soil is able to produce good crops:
800 acres of fertile cropland
Able to produce babies, young animals, or new plants
OPP infertile
Most men remain fertile into old age.
161
Peer pressure
noun
[uncountable]
a strong feeling that you must do the same things as other people of your age if you want them to like you:
Teenagers often start smoking because of peer pressure.
162
mow the grass
(=cut it with a special machine)
| I usually mow the grass once a week.
163
Out of this world
Extremely good, enjoyable etc
164
Let alone
Used after a negetive statement to say that the next thing you mention is even more unlikely
Example: they didn't have a telephone, let alone a cell phone
165
Leap of faith
Sth you do even though it involves a risk, hoping that it will have a good result
166
On the verge of sth
To be at the point where sth is about to happen
I am very sensetive and i am always on the verge of crying
167
Tell sb off
If sb in authority tells you off, they speak to you angrily about sth wrong that you have done
168
catch up on:
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
To do what needs to be done because you have not been able to do it until now:
I have some work to catch up on.
I need to catch up on some sleep (=after a period without enough sleep).
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
169
ajar
adjective[not before noun]
| a door that is ajar is slightly open
170
Wetland
noun[countable often plural, uncountable]
| an area of land that is partly covered with water, or is wet most of the time
171
Inferior
adjective
1not good, or not as good as someone or something else
OPP superior
172
Smell a rat
informal
| to guess that something wrong or dishonest is happening
173
cut corners
to save time, money, or energy by doing things quickly and not as carefully as you should:
Don’t try to cut corners when you’re decorating.
174
Get off the track
| spoken
to begin to deal with a new subject rather than the main one which was being discussed
Don’t get off the track, we’re looking at this year’s figures not last year’s.
175
be expecting a baby
(=be pregnant)
| My wife’s expecting a baby.
176
Fishy:
Informal
seeming bad or dishonest
SYN suspicious
There’s something very fishy about him.
177
put up with somebody/ something
phrasal verb
to accept an unpleasant situation or person without complaining:
She put up with his violent temper.
178
The odds
how likely it is that something will or will not happen:
| The odds are (=it is likely) that he will commit the same crime again.
179
odds of
You can narrow the odds of a nasty accident happening in your home by being more safety-conscious.
180
odds against
The odds against a plane crash are around a million to one.
I’m afraid that the odds are heavily against her winning (=it is not likely).
What are the odds (=how likely is it) that they will mess up?
a new company that has beaten the odds and succeeded (=it was not likely to succeed, but it did)
181
Bite your tongue:
to stop yourself from saying what you really think, even though this is difficult because you know it would not be sensible to say it:
I wanted to argue, but I had to bite my tongue.
She should have bitten her tongue.
182
matchmaker
noun[countable]
someone who tries to find a suitable partner for someone else to marry
—matchmaking noun[uncountable]:
Perhaps we should do a little bit of matchmaking and introduce them.
183
break/ kick a habit
(=stop doing something that is bad for you)
| I’ve smoked for years, but I really want to kick the habit.
184
compulsion
noun
1[countable] a strong and unreasonable desire to do something➔ compel:
The desire to laugh became a compulsion.
compulsion to do something
Leith felt an overwhelming compulsion to tell him the truth.
the compulsion to smoke or eat too much
2[singular, uncountable] the act of forcing or influencing someone to do something they do not want to do➔ compel:
185
ˈdebit card
noun
[countable]
BANKINGBANKING
a plastic card with your signature on that you can use to pay for things. The money is taken directly from your bank account
186
Somebody is only human:
used to say that someone should not be blamed for what they have done
187
Have two left feet
| informal
to be very clumsy
188
Objectively
if you consider something objectively, you try to think about the facts, and not be influenced by your own feelings or opinions:
Look at your skills objectively when deciding on a career change.
189
Biased
adjective
Unfairly preferring one person or group over another:
Of course I’m biased, but I thought my daughter’s paintings were the best.
racially biased attitudes
biased against/ towards/ in favour of
news reporting that was heavily biased towards the government
190
Impartial
adjective
not involved in a particular situation, and therefore able to give a fair opinion or piece of advice
SYN fair
OPP biased
We offer impartial advice on tax and insurance.
an impartial inquiry into the deaths
an impartial observer
191
Top priority:
the thing that you think is most important:
| Education is this government’s top priority.
192
Blind spot:
noun
[countable]
Something that you are unable or unwilling to understand:
I have a blind spot where computers are concerned.
193
think something through:
| phrasal verb
to think carefully about the possible results of something:
The policy has not been thought through properly.
It’s my fault. I didn’t think it through.
I need time to think things through.
194
Fly off the handle:
informal
to suddenly get very angry:
Calm down – there’s no need to fly off the handle.
195
Let go:
a)to stop holding something or someone:
Let go! You’re hurting me.
let go of
The guard let go of the lead, and the dog lunged forward.
b)to accept that you cannot change something and stop thinking or worrying about it:
Sometimes you just have to learn to let go.
196
fad:
noun[countable]
something that people like or do for a short time, or that is fashionable for a short time:
Interest in organic food is not a fad, it’s here to stay.
—faddish adjective
197
craze
noun[countable]
a fashion, game, type of music etc that becomes very popular for a short time
SYN fad
craze for
She started a craze for this type of jewellery.
At that time, scooters were the latest craze.
198
be an asset to somebody/something
something or someone that is useful because they help you succeed or deal with problems
A sense of humor is a great asset in this business.
I think Rachel would be an asset to the department.
199
wisecrack
noun[countable]
a clever and funny remark or reply, sarcastic remark
SYN joke
200
slacker:
noun[countable] informal
someone who is lazy and does not do all the work they should – used to show disapproval
201
downgrade verb[transitive]
1⃣to make a job less important, or to move someone to a less important job
OPP upgrade
2⃣to make something seem less important or valuable than it is:
Police often downgrade the seriousness of violence against women in the home.
3⃣to state that something is not as serious as it was:
Hurricane Bob has been downgraded to a tropical storm.
202
Baloney:
noun[uncountable]
informal
something that is silly or not true
SYN nonsense
Don’t give me that baloney.
203
on the off-chance
if you do something on the off-chance that something will happen, you do it hoping that it will happen although it is unlikely:
I just came to see you on the off-chance that Pippa might be here.
204
How about that!/ how do you like that!
used when you think something is surprising, rude, impressive etc:
He scored two goals! How about that!
205
size somebody/ something ↔ up
phrasal verb
to look at or consider a person or situation and make a judgment about them
SYN assess
It only took a few seconds for her to size up the situation.
206
Burn out:
To work so hard over a period of time that you become unable to continue working because you are tired, ill, or unable to think of any new ideas:
It’s a high-pressure job and you could burn out young.
be/get burnt out
He was almost burnt out by the time he was 21.
burn yourself out
She’s in danger of burning herself out.
207
My bad!
AmE , spoken informal
used to say that you have made a mistake or that something is your fault
208
pacifist:
noun[countable]
someone who believes that wars are wrong and who refuses to use violence
—pacifist adjective[only before noun]:
the pacifist movement
209
Go mental:
spoken informal
a)ANGRY
to get very angry
b)CRAZY
to start behaving in an uncontrolled or excited way
210
shrink from something:
phrasal verb
to avoid doing something difficult or unpleasant:
The leadership too often shrinks from hard decisions.
shrink from doing something
We will not shrink from making the necessary changes in policy.
211
shirk responsibility
(=not accept a duty you should accept)
He doesn't shirk responsibility.
212
shrug something off:
phrasal verb
to treat something as unimportant and not worry about it:
We can’t just shrug these objections off.
213
outlet
noun[countable]
A way of expressing or getting rid of strong feelings.
outlet for
Is football a good outlet for men’s aggression?
an outlet for creativity
214
in mourning
(=feeling great sadness)
| It was the custom to visit those in mourning and sit quietly with them.
215
from that moment on
(=after that time)
From that moment on I saw very little of Dean.
216
In the dark:
informal
knowing nothing about something important, because you have not been told about it:
We’re in the dark just as much as you are.
College officials were kept in the dark about the investigation.
217
halfway:
adjective, adverb
At a middle point in space or time between two things
SYN partway
halfway through/ up/ down/ between etc
He chased Kevin halfway up the stairs.
It was a terrible film – I left halfway through.
218
Take a liking to somebody/ something:
to begin to like someone or something:
He immediately took a liking to Steve.
219
angelic:
adjective
Looking good, kind, and gentle or behaving in this way.
She had an angelic smile, but a dreadful temper.
220
wear off:
phrasal verb
If pain or the effect of something wears off, it gradually stops.
The effects of the anaesthetic were starting to wear off.
221
anew:
adverb written
1⃣Start/ begin anew:
to begin a different job, start to live in a different place etc, especially after a difficult period in your life:
I was ready to leave everything behind and start anew in California.
2⃣if you do
something anew, you start doing it again:
The committee is going to examine the whole situation anew.
222
be consumed with something:
If a feeling or idea consumes you, it affects you very strongly, so that you cannot think about anything else:
She was scared by the depression which threatened to consume her.
He was consumed with guilt after the accident.
223
Suit yourself:
spoken
used to tell someone they can do whatever they want to, even though it annoys you or you think they are not doing the right thing:
‘Mind if I sit here?’ he said gently. ‘Suit yourself.’
224
Distressed:
Very upset
deeply/ visibly distressed
Hannah was deeply distressed by the news.
distressed at/ by
My client is very distressed at the treatment she received from your officers.
distressed to find/hear/see/learn etc something
She was distressed to see he was crying.
225
cast a spell (on somebody)
1⃣to use magic words or acts to change someone or something:
She’s a witch, and she’ll cast a spell on you if she catches you.
Suddenly everyone froze, as if a wizard had cast a spell on them.
2⃣to attract someone very strongly and to keep their attention completely:
Hong Kong casts a spell over the visitor almost as soon as the aircraft touches down.
226
imbecile:
noun[countable]
someone who is very stupid or behaves very stupidly
SYN idiot
He looked at me as if I was a total imbecile.
—imbecilic ◂adjective
—imbecility [uncountable and countable]
227
have a go at
informal
To continue to criticize someone or ask them to do something in a way that annoys them,to criticize someone:
Will you stop having a go at me!
have a go at somebody for/about something
Mum had a go at me for not doing my homework.
228
revoke
verb[transitive]
to officially state that a law, decision, or agreement is no longer effective➔ revocation:
Their work permits have been revoked.
229
enchantment:
noun
[uncountable]
1⃣the quality of being very pleasant or attractive:
the enchantment of poetry
2⃣[uncountable and countable]
a change caused by magic, or the state of being changed by magic
230
ill will:
noun
[uncountable]
unfriendly or unkind feelings towards someone:
He said the accusation had been made from hatred and ill will.
231
Revenge:
Something you do in order to punish someone who has harmed or offended you
revenge for
She wanted revenge for the insult.
revenge against/ on
At his wife’s funeral, he vowed revenge against her killer.
232
call on/ upon somebody/ something:
1⃣to formally ask someone to do something.
call on somebody to do something
The UN has called on both sides to observe the ceasefire.
"Maleficent: I call on those who live in the shadows. Fight with me now!"
2⃣to visit someone for a short time:
Why don’t you call on my sister when you’re in Brighton?
233
find something/ somebody easy/ useful/ interesting etc
Think/feel to have a particular feeling or opinion, or to have a particular feeling or opinion about someone or something
Will Gary and Gail find happiness together?
She found the work very dull.
Lots of women I know find him attractive.
I found them quite easy to use.
find it hard/ easy/ difficult etc (to do something)
Hyperactive children find it difficult to concentrate.
234
Touch base (with somebody)
to talk to someone in order to find out how they are or what is happening about something
I just wanted to touch base and make sure you hadn’t changed your mind about seeing me.
235
Apply yourself:
to work hard at something, especially with a lot of attention for a long time:
Stephen would do well if only he applied himself.
apply to
Over the next months, he applied himself to improving the technique.
236
flat out:
in a direct and complete way
SYN straight out.
ask/ tell somebody flat out
She asked him flat out if he was seeing another woman.
237
undergo a change:
be affected by a change
The body undergoes a number of changes during this time.
238
Think outside the box:
to think of new, different, or unusual ways of doing something, especially in business
239
For what it’s worth:
spoken
used when you are giving someone information, to say that you are not sure how useful it is:
Here’s the list of names, for what it’s worth.
240
Right on
AmE
someone is right on when they say something that is correct or that you completely agree with:
Parker’s column on teenage sexuality is right on.
spoken old-fashioned used to emphasize that you agree with what someone says or does:
‘Power to the people!’ ‘Yeah, right on.’
241
Fast track
a way of achieving something more quickly than is normally done:
on the fast track
a young actress on the fast track to fame and success
a fast-track procedure for adoption
242
Don't get me wrong:
spoken
used when you think someone may understand your remarks wrongly, or be offended by them:
Don’t get me wrong – I like Jenny.
243
Relieve:
to reduce someone’s pain or unpleasant feelings
Drugs helped to relieve the pain.
relieve tension/ pressure/ stress etc
Some people eat for comfort, to relieve their anxieties.
244
Blow somebody’s mind:
spoken
to make you feel very surprised and excited by something
Seeing her again really blew my mind.
245
prone to:
Likely to do something or suffer from something, especially something bad or harmful.
Some plants are very prone to disease.
prone to do something
Kids are all prone to eat junk food.
246
Off limits:
if a subject is off limits, you are not allowed to talk about it:
Unlike most group discussions, nothing was off limits.
247
globetrotter
noun[countable]
informal
someone who spends a lot of their time travelling to many different countries
—globe-trotting (adjective)
—globe-trotting (noun)[uncountable]
248
breakthrough:
noun[countable]
an important new discovery in something you are studying, especially one made after trying for a long time.
breakthrough in
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.
249
zone out:
phrasal verb
informal
to stop paying attention because you are bored or tired, or because you have taken drugs.
What? Oh, sorry – I was just zoning out there for a minute.
250
Telecommuter:
noun[countable]
someone who works at home using a computer connected to a company’s main office
—telecommuting noun[uncountable]
251
So far so good:
| spoken
used to say that things have been happening successfully until now:
We’ve reached the semi-finals. So far so good.
252
multi-storey :
adjective
[only before noun]
a multi-storey building has many levels or floors
Example: multistorey car park
253
Steal somebody’s thunder:
to get the success and praise someone else should have got, by doing what they had intended to do
254
Around the corner:
About to happen or nearby
255
Mingle:
verb (mingled, mingling)
[intransitive and transitive]
1⃣if two feelings, sounds, smells etc mingle, they mix together with each other:
Add the mint and allow the flavours to mingle.
mingle with
Her perfume mingled with the smell of wood smoke from the fire.
be mingled with something
Her excitement was mingled with a slight feeling of fear.
2⃣[intransitive] if you mingle at a party, you move around the room and talk to lots of different people.
mingle with
She was eager to mingle with the other guests.
256
blend in:
phrasal verb
if someone or something blends in with people or objects, they match them or are similar, and you do not notice them.
blend in with
The old house blends in perfectly with the countryside.
Somebody who blends in easily.
257
patriot
noun[countable]
someone who loves their country and is willing to defend it – used to show approval
258
Culture shock
noun
[singular, uncountable]
the feeling of being confused or anxious that you get when you visit a foreign country or a place that is very different from the one you are used to.
India is where I first experienced real culture shock.
Moving to London was a bit of a culture shock after ten years of living in the country.
259
State-of-the-art:
adjective
using the most modern and recently developed methods, materials, or knowledge:
state-of-the-art technology
His new laptop is state-of-the-art.
260
lay into somebody/ something:
phrasal verb
to attack or criticize someone or something:
Outside the club, two men were laying into each other.
261
Infamous
notorious
262
bouncer:
noun[countable]
someone whose job is to stand at the door of a club, bar etc and stop unwanted people coming in, or make people leave if they are behaving badly
263
Perky
=confident, happy, and active and energetic
| a perky salesgirl
264
Price-wise/ time-wise etc:
informal
used for saying which feature of a situation you are referring to:
Time-wise we’re not doing too badly.
Economic-wise the idea of replacing papers with computers is not a very good idea
265
per capita:
adjective, adverb formal
used to describe the average amount of something in a particular place, calculated according to the number of people who live there:
the country’s per capita income
the number of crimes that occur per capita
266
that’s about the size of it
spoken
| used to agree that someone’s description of a situation is correct
267
Imperil:
verb[transitive] formal
(imperilled, imperillingBrE, imperiled, imperiling AmE)
to put something or someone in danger
= endanger
Tax increases now might imperil economic recovery.
268
lame excuse/ explanation:
A lame excuse or explanation is weak and difficult to believe:
She gave some lame excuse about missing the bus.
269
Be a waste of time/ money/ effort etc:
to be not worth the time, money etc that you use because there is little or no result:
We should never have gone – it was a total waste of time.
270
revolve around somebody/ something:
1⃣ to have something as a main subject or purpose:
Jane’s life revolves around her children.
The argument revolved around costs.
She seems to think that the world revolves around her (=that she is the only important person).
2⃣to move in circles around something:
The moon revolves around the Earth.
271
capitalize on something:
to use a situation or something good that you have, in order to get an advantage for yourself:
Ecuador has capitalized on its natural beauty to attract tourism.
272
build something around something:
to base something on an idea or thing and develop it from there:
Successful businesses are built around good personal relationships.
273
at the centre of something:
if a person or thing is at the centre of something that is happening, they are involved in it more than other people or things:
He always seems to be at the centre of things.
274
gourmet
adjective[only before noun]
producing or relating to very good food and drink:
a gourmet cook
gourmet dinners
275
concoct:
verb[transitive]
1⃣to invent a clever story, excuse, or plan, especially in order to deceive someone:
John concocted an elaborate excuse for being late.
2⃣to make something, especially food or drink, by mixing different things, especially things that are not usually combined:
Jean concocted a great meal from the leftovers.
276
Stick your neck out:
informal
to risk giving your opinion about something, even though you may be wrong or other people may disagree with you:
I’m going to stick my neck out with some predictions for the next two years.
277
put somebody/ something on the line:
to risk losing your life, your job etc, especially in order to help someone:
I’ve put myself on the line for him once already.
278
take a risk
(=do something that might have bad results)
| Isn’t he taking a bit of a risk in coming here?
279
Leave of absence:
a period of time that you are allowed to spend away from work for a particular purpose:
She’s been given leave of absence to attend a computer course.
Maternity leave, sick leave, paid or unpaid leave ..
280
On the tip of your tongue:
1⃣if something is on the tip of your tongue, you really want to say it, but then you decide not to:
It was on the tip of my tongue to say, ‘I’d rather have dinner with a snake.’
2⃣if a word, name etc is on the tip of your tongue, you know it but cannot remember it:
What is her name? It’s on the tip of my tongue. Joan. Joan Simpson. That’s it!
281
If the worst comes to the worst: ( BrE) ,
| if worst comes to worst (AmE):
if the situation develops in the worst possible way:
| If the worst comes to the worst, we’ll sell the car.
282
Absence makes the heart grow fonder:
used to say that being away from someone makes you like them more
283
Out of sight, out of mind
used to say that people soon stop thinking about something or someone if they do not see them for a while
284
drop dead
(=die suddenly)
He dropped dead at the age of 52.
b)spoken informal
an impolite expression which you say to someone when you are extremely angry with them
Drop dead! spoken
used to rudely and angrily tell someone to go away and leave you alone
285
Very
adjective[only before noun]
used to emphasize that you are talking exactly about one particular thing or person:
He died in this very room.
I’ll start at the very beginning.
Those were his very words.
You’d better start doing some work this very minute (=now, not later).
That might provoke a riot, the very thing he was trying to avoid.
The very fact that you are reading this book suggests you want to improve your fitness.
By its very nature , capitalism involves exploitation of the worker.
His life’s work was being destroyed before his very eyes (=directly in front of him).
286
Out of the blue
informal
if something happens out of the blue, it is very unexpected
➔ a bolt from/out of the blueat bolt1(3)
287
cease to do something
to stop doing something or stop happening:
He ceased to be a member of the association.
The things people will do for charity never cease to amaze me (=I am always surprised by them).
288
worst-case/ nightmare scenario
(=the worst possible situation)
| The worst-case scenario was that he would have to have an operation.
289
make a job/ position etc redundant:
if you are redundant, your employer no longer has a job for you:
Seventy factory workers were made redundant in the resulting cuts.
As the economy weakens, more and more jobs will be made redundant.
290
no harm done:
spoken (=used to tell someone not to worry about something they have done)
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push you.’ ‘Don’t worry, no harm done.’
291
Imagine
[not in progressive] to think that something is true or may happen, but without being sure or having proof:
‘A very complicated subject, I imagine,’ said Edwin.
imagine (that)
You are obviously tired and I imagine that nothing would make you admit it.
292
Take account of something
| also take something into account
to consider or include particular facts or details when making a decision or judgment about something:
These figures do not take account of changes in the rate of inflation.
293
get something to do something
[transitive not in passive] to make something do a particular thing:
I couldn’t get the engine to start.
I can not get it to close properly
294
Wait a minute/ just a minute/ hold on a minute/ hang on a minute
a)WAIT
used to tell someone you want them to wait for a short time while you do or say something else:
Just a minute, Margaret, I want to introduce you to Betty.
Wait a minute, let me see if I understand this correctly.
295
pull off
phrasal verb
1pull something ↔ off informal
to succeed in doing something difficult:
The goalkeeper pulled off six terrific saves.
296
No sweat
spoken
used to say that you can do something easily:
‘Are you sure you can do it on time?’ ‘Yeah, no sweat!’
297
educate somebody about/in/on something:
To give someone information about a particular subject, or to show them a better way to do something➔ teach:
a campaign to educate teenagers about HIV
298
get the facts straight: also have the facts straight
to have an understanding of the real facts.
Ask a lot of questions and get all of your facts straight.
Please be sure you have the facts straight before you make a decision.
299
Public housing:
noun
[uncountable]
in the US, houses or apartments built by the government for poor people
300
political/ military financial practical etc ends:
[usually plural] an aim or purpose, or the result you hope to achieve
The government exploited the situation for political ends.
40% of all research is undertaken for military ends.
301
To tell (you) the truth
used to emphasize that you are being very honest:
I don’t really want to go out, to tell the truth.
spoken
used when giving your personal opinion or admitting something:
To tell the truth, I was frightened to death.
302
To get (something) right
to perform or execute (something) properly or accurately.
Example: I got my calculations right (I executed them accurately).
I imagine it takes a while to get your accent right
303
To get (something) right
to perform or execute (something) properly or accurately.
Example: I got my calculations right (I executed them accurately).
I imagine it takes a while to get your accent right
304
... or so
used when you cannot be exact about a number, amount, or period of time and you think it may be a little more than the figure you are mentioning:
We have to leave in five minutes or so.
I stopped reading after thirty or so pages.
305
(all) by myself
```
a)
alone:
I’d like to be by myself for a while.
b)
without help from anyone else:
I painted the house all by myself.
```
306
ˈice cap
noun
[countable]
NATUREGEOGRAPHY
an area of thick ice that permanently covers the North and South Poles
307
beg your pardon:
spoken
1⃣used to ask someone to repeat what they have just said:
‘The meeting’s on Wednesday.’ ‘I beg your pardon?’ ‘I said the meeting’s on Wednesday.’
2⃣used to say sorry when you have made a mistake, or said something wrong or embarrassing:
Oh, I beg your pardon. I thought you said 15 pence, not 50.
3⃣used to show that you strongly disagree with something that someone has said, or think it is unacceptable:
‘Chicago’s an awful place.’ ‘I beg your pardon, that’s where I’m from!’
308
Five o'clock shadow:
noun
[singular]
the dark colour on a man’s chin where the hair has grown during the day
309
Enlighten:
verb[transitive]
formal
to explain something to someone:
enlighten somebody as to/on/about something
Baldwin enlightened her as to the nature of the experiment.
Would you enlighten me on the current state of things?
310
Goody-goody:
noun
[countable]
(plural goody-goodies)
(also goody-two-shoes AmE)p
someone who tries hard to be very good and helpful in order to please their parents, teachers etc – used especially by children to show disapproval
311
figure somebody/ something out:
phrasal verb
1⃣to think about a problem or situation until you find the answer or understand what has happened
SYN work out
figure out how/what/why etc
Can you figure out how to do it?
If I have a map, I can figure it out.
Don’t worry, we’ll figure something out (=find a way to solve the problem).
312
stand up for somebody/ something:
phrasal verb
to support or defend a person or idea when they are being attacked:
It’s time we stood up for our rights.
Silvia is capable of standing up for herself.
313
Aggravate:
verb[transitive]
1⃣to make a bad situation, an illness, or an injury worse
OPP improve
Their money problems were further aggravated by a rise in interest rates.
Building the new road will only aggravate the situation.
2⃣to make someone angry or annoyed
SYN irritate
What really aggravates me is the way she won’t listen.
314
Aggravated:
adjective[only before noun]
an aggravated offence is one in which a criminal does something that makes their original crime more serious.
He was charged with aggravated assault.
315
Exasperated:
| adjective
very annoyed and upset.
exasperated with
He was becoming exasperated with the child.
an exasperated look.
316
Work/ play etc your butt off!
AmE
spoken
to work, play etc very hard:
| I worked my butt off in college.
317
none taken:
It is used after anyone says ''no offense''
the recipient of the original comment says ''none taken'' to signal that he is not offended.
A: No offense, but you suck at math.
B: None taken, who doesn't?
318
Push your luck/ push it:
informal
to do something or ask for something, especially something you have done or asked for before, when this is likely to annoy someone or involves a risk:
If she doesn’t want to go, don’t push it.
It’s 26 miles, so you’re pushing your luck if you try to hike it in a day.
319
Enlighten:
verb[transitive]
formal
to explain something to someone:
enlighten somebody as to/on/about something
Baldwin enlightened her as to the nature of the experiment.
Would you enlighten me on the current state of things?
320
Five o'clock shadow:
noun
[singular]
the dark colour on a man’s chin where the hair has grown during the day
321
Draw (somebody’s) attention:
to make someone notice something.
draw to
I have been asked to draw your attention to the following points.
A dark house can draw attention to the fact that the house is empty.
322
clueless:
adjective
informal
having no understanding or knowledge of something – used to show disapproval.
clueless about
Many teachers are clueless about the needs of immigrant students.
323
fade:
verb
[intransitive]
(also fade away)
to gradually disappear.
Hopes of a peace settlement are beginning to fade away.
Over the years her beauty had faded a little.
324
a term of endearment:
a word that expresses your love for someone.
terms of endearment like ‘love’, ‘dear’, and ‘honey’
325
chalk something up
به حساب چيزي گذاشتن
I hope u chalk it up to the fact that i was a bit under the weather
phrasal verb
1to succeed in getting something, especially points in a game:
Seattle chalked up another win last night over Denver.
2to record what someone has done, what someone should pay etc:
chalk to
You can chalk the drinks up to my account.
3chalk it up to experience informal
to accept a failure or disappointment calmly and regard it as an experience that you can learn something from
326
pull over:
phrasal verb
to drive to the side of the road and stop your car, or to make someone else do this.
The policeman signalled to him to pull over.
327
adore:
verb
[transitive not in progressive]
1⃣To love someone very much and feel very proud of them.
Betty adores her grandchildren.
2⃣informal
to like something very much:
I simply adore chocolate.
328
kick somebody out:
phrasal verb
to make someone leave a place, job etc
SYN throw out
Bernard’s wife kicked him out.
[+ of]
He was kicked out of the golf club.
329
watch out:
phrasal verb
informal
used to tell someone to be careful:
You’ll become an alcoholic if you don’t watch out.
330
Take something back:
to admit that you were wrong to say something.
You’d better take back that remark!
331
Sweet dreams!
said to someone who is going to bed
Good night, Sam! Sweet dreams!
332
Hooked:
[not before noun]
informal
if you are hooked on something, you enjoy it very much and you want to do it as often as possible:
hooked on
I got hooked on TV when I was sick.
333
Cross my heart (and hope to die):
spoken
informal
used to say that you promise that you will do something, or that what you are saying is true
334
mission accomplished:
used when you have successfully achieved something that you were trying to do
335
hand somebody something
verb[transitive]
To give something to someone else with your hand:
hand somebody something
He handed the teacher a slip of paper.
hand something to somebody
He lit a cigarette and handed it to her.
This form must be handed to all employees.
336
expert on/ in/ at
The police are expert at handling situations like this in strict confidence.
He cast his expert eye on the gardener’s work.
an expert in statistics
337
Tie up loose ends
to do the things that are necessary in order to finish a piece of work:
I need to tie up a few loose ends before I go on vacation.
338
What/ why/ how etc on earth...?
spoken
used to ask a question when you are very surprised or angry:
What on earth did you do that for?
339
Rite of passage:
a special ceremony or action that is a sign of a new stage in someone’s life, especially when a boy starts to become a man
➔ coming of age
340
Coming of age:
noun
[singular]
the point in a young person’s life, usually the age of 18 or 21, at which their society considers them to be an adult
341
Turning point:
noun
[countable]
the time when an important change starts, especially one that improves the situation.
turning point in
Meeting her was the turning point in my life.
342
confirmation:
a religious ceremony in which someone is made a full member of the Christian church
343
Stepping-stone:
noun
[countable]
Something that helps you to progress towards achieving something:
[+ to/toward(s) ]
The course will be a stepping stone to another career.
344
Go off:
to leave a place, especially in order to do something:
John decided to go off on his own.
go off to
He went off to work as usual.
go off to do something
Geoff went off to play golf.
345
lose interest in something :
stop being interested
Tilda had lost interest in what was being said.
346
Instil (BrE) ,instill (AmE)
verb[transitive]
(instilled, instilling)
to teach someone to think, behave, or feel in a particular way over a period of time.
instil confidence/ fear/ discipline etc into somebody
A manager’s job is to instil determination into his players.
347
Stand on your own (two) feet:
to be able to do what you need to do, earn your own money, etc without help from others:
She’s never learned to stand on her own feet.
348
hold your horses!
used to tell someone to do something more slowly or carefully
349
have the edge over somebody/ something :
to be slightly better than someone or something else
We believe our products have the edge over the competition.
350
consent:
verb[intransitive]
to give your permission for something or agree to do something
OPP refuse
consent to
Her father reluctantly consented to the marriage.
consent to do something
He rarely consents to do interviews.
351
Set/ lay/ clap eyes on somebody/ something:
spoken
to see something or meet someone, especially for the first time:
I loved that house from the moment I clapped eyes on it.
352
wipe something off something
CLEANING
| to completely clean a surface using a wet cloth
353
As clear as mud:
spoken
| used humorously to say that something is very difficult to understand
354
ˌblack ˈsheep
noun
[countable usually singular]
someone who is regarded by other members of their family or group as a failure or embarrassment:
Amy’s always been the black sheep of the family.
355
Ripe old age
a)
if you live to a ripe old age, you are very old when you die:
Eat less and exercise more if you want to live to a ripe old age.
b)
used to show that you find it surprising or impressive that someone is doing something or has achieved something at a very young age – used humorously:
She was put in charge at the ripe old age of twenty-nine.
356
ˌsenior ˈcitizen
noun
[countable]
someone who is over 60 years old or who is retired
357
a retirement pension
Many workers lost their retirement pensions when the fund collapsed.
358
aren’t
```
a)NOT
the short form of ‘are not’:
They aren’t here.
b)
the short form of ‘am not’, used in questions:
I’m in big trouble, aren’t I?
```
359
poly·glot \ˈpɑ:liˌglɑ:t\
adjective
formal
1 : knowing or using several languages
=
multilingual
polyglot travelers
360
im‧pres‧sion‧a‧ble
adjective
someone who is impressionable is easily influenced, especially because they are young:
The kids are at an impressionable age.
361
Close-knit
| (also ˌclosely-ˈknit) adjective
a close-knit group of people is one in which everyone knows each other well and gives each other support when they need it:
a close-knit community
close/ close-knit family (=spending a lot of time together and supporting each other)
Laura's family are very close.
362
let your breath out (=breathe out)
Let your breath out slowly and relax.
363
ˌfed ˈup
adjective
informal annoyed or bored, and wanting something to change:
She felt tired and a bit fed up.
fed up with
I’m really fed up with this constant rain.
Anna got fed up with waiting.
364
Domino effect:
a situation in which one event or action causes several other things to happen one after the other
365
A blessing in disguise:
something that seems to be bad or unlucky at first, but which you later realize is good or lucky
366
Be familiar with something:
| Be familiar to:
Be familiar with something:
to have a good knowledge or understanding of something:
Are you familiar with this type of machine?
I’m not familiar with her poetry.
Be familiar to:
Someone or something that is familiar is well-known to you and easy to recognize:
The signs of drug addiction are familiar to most doctors.
367
be faced with something:
face verb[transitive]
if you face or are faced with a difficult situation, or if a difficult situation faces you, it is going to affect you and you must deal with it:
The President faces the difficult task of putting the economy back on its feet.
McManus is facing the biggest challenge of his career.
As the project comes to an end, many workers now face an uncertain future.
be faced with something:
I was faced with the awful job of breaking the news to the girl’s family.
368
Likewise:
spoken
used to return someone’s greeting or polite statement:
‘You’re always welcome at our house.’ ‘Likewise.’
369
let bygones be bygones:
to forget something bad that someone has done to you and forgive them
370
So to speak
used when you are saying something in words that do not have their usual meaning:
We have to pull down the barriers, so to speak, of poverty.
371
let bygones be bygones:
to forget something bad that someone has done to you and forgive them
372
So to speak
used when you are saying something in words that do not have their usual meaning:
We have to pull down the barriers, so to speak, of poverty.
373
let bygones be bygones:
to forget something bad that someone has done to you and forgive them
374
So to speak
used when you are saying something in words that do not have their usual meaning:
We have to pull down the barriers, so to speak, of poverty.
375
let bygones be bygones:
to forget something bad that someone has done to you and forgive them
376
So to speak
used when you are saying something in words that do not have their usual meaning:
We have to pull down the barriers, so to speak, of poverty.
377
let bygones be bygones:
to forget something bad that someone has done to you and forgive them
378
So to speak
used when you are saying something in words that do not have their usual meaning:
We have to pull down the barriers, so to speak, of poverty.
379
To name/ mention but a few:
used when you are mentioning only a small number of people or things as examples of a large group:
This is a feature of languages such as Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese, to name but a few.
380
be tough on somebody:
cause problems for someone or make their life difficult
Having to stay indoors all day is tough on a kid.
It was a tough call (=a difficult decision), but we had to cancel the game because of the weather.
381
when the going gets tough (the tough get going)
| informal
used to say that when a situation becomes difficult, strong people take the necessary action to deal with it.
382
Tough/ hard nut:
| informal
someone who is difficult to deal with
He may have softened a bit in his old age but he’s still a tough nut.
383
as tough as nails/ as tough as old boots:
very tough
He’s as tough as nails – a good man to have on the team.
384
Tough love:
a way of helping someone to change their behaviour by treating them in a kind but strict way
385
Tough luck! :
spoken
DON'T CARE
used when you do not have any sympathy for someone’s problems
Well, that’s just their tough luck! It was their mistake.
386
Con artist:
noun
[countable] informal
someone who tricks or deceives people in order to get money from them
387
scam
1⃣
noun[countable] informal
a clever but
dishonest way to get money:
He got involved in a credit card scam.
```
2⃣
verb
[transitive] informal
to deceive someone in order to get money from them
—scammer noun[countable]
```
388
irk
verb[transitive]
if something irks you, it makes you feel annoyed
SYN annoy
389
drive somebody up the wall/ out of their mind:
make someone feel very annoyed
390
Get somebody’s goat:
spoken
informal
to make someone extremely annoyed
391
pass something to somebody:
[transitive]
to hold something in your hand and give it to someone else:
Pass the salt, please.
pass somebody something
Can you pass me that bag by your feet?
She passed a cup of tea to the headmaster.
I passed the note back to her.
➔ pass around
392
overlook:
verb[transitive]
1⃣To not notice something, or not see how important it is
SYN miss
It is easy to overlook a small detail like that.
Nobody could overlook the fact that box office sales were down.
2⃣to forgive someone’s mistake, bad behaviour etc and take no action:
She found him entertaining enough to overlook his faults.
3⃣if a house, room etc overlooks something, it has a view of it, usually from above:
Our room overlooks the ocean.
393
catchy/ memorable tune:
one that is easy to remember
His songs have simple words and catchy tunes.
394
en·force
verb
[+ obj]
1 : to make (a law, rule, etc.) active or effective : to make sure that people do what is required by (a law, rule, etc.)
Police will be enforcing the parking ban.
395
ag·gra·vate \ˈægrəˌveɪt\
verb
[+ obj]
1 : to make (an injury, problem, etc.) more serious or severe
She aggravated an old knee injury.
396
To infuriate
=
To exasperate
=
| To make s.o very angry
397
abide by [phrasal verb]
abide by(something)
: to accept and be guided by (something)
=
obey
⚡️eg :We have to abide by the rules.
398
smoke like a chimney
to smoke a great deal of tobacco or other smokable substances.
My uncle smoked like a chimney when he was living. somebody who smokes like a chimney in a restaurant ought to be thrown out.
399
bore the pants off of someone
Fig. to be exceedingly dull and uninteresting to someone.
You bore the pants off of me! The lecture bored the pants off of everybody.
400
worn–out
adjective
[more worn–out; most worn–out]
1 of a thing : too old or damaged from use to be used any longer
My jeans were worn-out and I needed a new pair.
2 : very tired : exhausted
I'm worn-out after that hike.
401
Wander:
[intransitive and transitive]
to walk slowly across or around an area, usually without a clear direction or purpose:
wander in/ through/ around etc
I’ll wander around the mall for half an hour.
She wandered aimlessly about the house.
Ana wandered off to get a drink.
402
to (the best of) my recollection:
used when you are unsure if you remember correctly
To the best of my recollection, she drives a Mercedes.
Noone, to my recollection, gave a second thought to the risks involved.
403
Open fire (on something)
to start shooting at someone or something:
| Troops opened fire on the rioters.
404
claim the life of somebody
(=kill someone – used of a thing)
| The disease claimed the lives of up to a quarter of the population.
405
Add fuel to the fire/ flames:
to make an argument or disagreement worse:
| Rather than providing a solution, their statements merely added fuel to the fire.
406
ˈlaw-aˌbiding:
adjective
respectful of the law and obeying it:
a law-abiding citizen
407
Be in full swing:
if an event or process is in full swing, it has reached its highest level of activity:
By 8.30, the party was in full swing.
408
in jeopardy:
in danger of being lost or harmed.
Thousands of jobs are in jeopardy.
put/ place something in jeopardy
The killings could put the whole peace process in jeopardy.
409
feel suffocated:
to feel as if you are not free or do not have enough space:
He feels suffocated by London and longs to escape to the country.
(Long: to want something very much, especially when it seems unlikely to happen soon:
long to do something
He longed to see her again.)
410
add to something:
phrasal verb
to make a feeling or quality stronger and more noticeable:
This show will no doubt add to his growing reputation.
411
Third time lucky(BrE)
| ,(the) third time’s the charm (AmE)
spoken
| used when you have failed to do something twice and hope to be successful the third time
412
make sb's day:
SPOKEN
to make someone very happy
John was completely surprised when we threw him a birthday party - he said it just made his day.
It was the first time I'd cooked him a meal, and when he said he liked it, it made my day.
413
catch somebody red-handed:
CRIME
to catch someone at the moment when they are doing something wrong:
Earl was caught red-handed taking the money.
414
leave somebody/ something high and dry:
1⃣if someone is left high and dry, they are left without any help or without the things that they need
2⃣if a boat, area etc is left high and dry, it is left on land because the water that surrounded it has gone down:
415
Be second to none:
to be the best:
| The quality of Britain’s overseas aid programme is second to none.
416
get the hint
(=to understand a hint)
| I looked hopefully at the cake, but he didn't get the hint.
417
Good grief!
spoken
used when you are slightly surprised or annoyed:
Good grief! What a mess!
418
Hood
SYN bonnet BrE:
under the hood
Check under the hood and see what that noise is.
419
sound/ toot/ honk/ blow your horn
(=make a noise with your horn)
420
turn something around
At Rockwell International he had turned around a badly performing division.
➔ turnaround
2if a situation, game etc turns around, or if someone turns it around, it changes and starts to develop in the way you want:
After I met him, my whole life turned around.
421
re‧source‧ful
adjective
good at finding ways of dealing with practical problems:
a woman who is energetic and resourceful
422
tim‧id
```
adjective
not having courage or confidence
SYN shy
OPP confident
I was a timid child.
```
423
Bore/ scare etc the pants off somebody
informal spoken
to make someone feel very bored, very frightened etc:
She always bores the pants off me.
424
win somebody’s approval/ support/ trust etc
The proposal has won the approval of the city council.
| Kramer has certainly won the respect of his peers.
425
ˌclear-ˈcut
adjective
easy to understand or be certain about
SYN definite
There is not always a clear-cut distinction between right and wrong.
426
As it is:
already
| Just keep quiet – you’re in enough trouble as it is.
427
let’s say (that)/ just say (that)
used when suggesting or supposing that something might happen or be true:
Let’s say your plan fails, then what?
Just say you won the lottery – what would you do?
428
I’m afraid:
spoken
used to politely tell someone something that may annoy, upset, or disappoint them:
That’s the most we can offer you, I’m afraid.
I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong address.
‘Is she very ill?’ ‘I’m afraid so (=yes). ’
‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no). ’
429
First off:
informal
a)
before doing anything else:
First off I’d like you all to fill in an evaluation sheet.
b)
used before saying the first of several things you want to say, especially when you are annoyed:
First off I didn’t agree with the comments in your email.
430
miss out:
phrasal verb
To not have the chance to do something that you enjoy and that would be good for you.
Some children miss out because their parents can’t afford to pay for school trips.
miss out on
Prepare food in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on the fun!
431
Rush
[transitive always + adverb/preposition]
rush somebody/something to something
to take or send someone or something somewhere very quickly, especially because of an unexpected problem:
The Red Cross rushed medical supplies to the war zone.
Dan was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries.
432
in/out of style
the quality of being fashionable:
Long skirts are back in style.
433
long/ three-hour/ two-week etc wait:
There was an hour wait before the next train departed.
| They’ll have a long wait.
434
get around to something:
phrasal verb
to do something that you have been intending to do for some time:
I meant to phone her yesterday, but I never got around to it.
get around to doing something
We finally got around to clearing out the garage.
435
visually/ hearing/ mentally etc impaired
(=used to describe someone who cannot see, hear etc well)
436
same shit, different day
AmE
also SSDD
SLANG
a rude expression used in order to say that everything is the same as usual"What's happening, Joe?" "Nothing much - you know same shit, different day."I thought this place would be better than the old one, but it's just same shit, different day.
Note
same old, same old means the same as this idiom, but is not rude.
437
dit‧to
adverb spoken informal
1used to say that you have exactly the same opinion as someone else:
‘I hated school.’ ‘Ditto.’
2used to say that what is true of one thing is also true of another:
Where should she go? Mississippi? Too hot. Ditto Alabama.
12ditto2 (also ˈditto mark) noun[countable] written
(plural dittoes)
LETTERS & PUNCTUATION
a mark (〃) that you write immediately under a word in a list to show that the same word is repeated
438
nut‧shell
noun[countable]
1in a nutshell
used when you are stating the main facts about something in a short clear way:
Okay, that’s our proposal in a nutshell. Any questions?
439
nut‧shell
noun[countable]
1in a nutshell
used when you are stating the main facts about something in a short clear way:
Okay, that’s our proposal in a nutshell. Any questions?
440
nut‧shell
noun[countable]
1in a nutshell
used when you are stating the main facts about something in a short clear way:
Okay, that’s our proposal in a nutshell. Any questions?
441
ˈhands-on
adjective
[usually before noun]
doing something yourself rather than just talking about it or telling other people to do it:
a chance to get some hands-on experience of the job
He has a very hands-on approach to management.
442
dream on
phrasal verb
[only in imperative] spoken
used to tell someone that they are hoping for something that will not happen:
You think I’m going to help you move house? Dream on!
443
dream on
phrasal verb
[only in imperative] spoken
used to tell someone that they are hoping for something that will not happen:
You think I’m going to help you move house? Dream on!
444
dream on
phrasal verb
[only in imperative] spoken
used to tell someone that they are hoping for something that will not happen:
You think I’m going to help you move house? Dream on!
445
dream on
phrasal verb
[only in imperative] spoken
used to tell someone that they are hoping for something that will not happen:
You think I’m going to help you move house? Dream on!
446
dream on
phrasal verb
[only in imperative] spoken
used to tell someone that they are hoping for something that will not happen:
You think I’m going to help you move house? Dream on!
447
dream on
phrasal verb
[only in imperative] spoken
used to tell someone that they are hoping for something that will not happen:
You think I’m going to help you move house? Dream on!
