Instagram posts Flashcards
(informal)Someone is feeling or showing sadness
-> Basically sad ; unhappy
blue
Examples :
- He’s been a bit blue since she broke up with him
- Don’t feel blue. Life’s short, have some fun !
- Right after she told me the horrible news I started feeling a bit blue
(phrasal verb) it’s unacceptable and badly seen (by people)
Frown upon
Examples :
-Some jobs frown upon having visible tattoos and piercings.
- In society, selfishness and narcissism are frowned upon.
- Teachers frown upon using electronic devices in class
Right version of saying “How does he look like?”
What does he look like ?
To learn/know how to do a job or activity (idiom)
To learn the ropes
extremely important or urgent
imperative
The most important fact in a situation
The bottom line
Example: The bottom line is that you need to pass your Cambridge exam if you want that promotion
(idiom) To be very serious or important
Be a matter of life or death
Example : So, what happens if you don’t go to class tomorrow ? It’s not a matter of life or death.
main or important
Central
Example: Having a strategy for your Cambridge exam is central. There’s no debate on that.
(C2 formal) more important than anything else
paramount (adj)
example: Unemployment is one of the paramount issues here in Spain
More noticeable or important than others
predominant
Example : Students have a predominant role in this project.
(phrasal verb) If an idea or emotion …. …. in writing, film, music, or when someone is speaking, it is expressed clearly and people understand it.
To come across
Examples :
- He spoke for a long time but his meaning didn’t really come across
-I was listening to him throughout the whole lecture, but his message didn’t really come across (wasn’t expressed clearly)
- His sense of enthusiasm comes across (is expressed) very clearly
- What comes across (is expressed clearly) in the movie is that the main character is a hopeless romantic.
(phrasal verb) To discover something or to meet someone by chance
stumble across
Examples:
- I was returning home when I stumbled across her
- I’m happy to have stumbled across this restaurant
Difference between “attend to” and “ attend”
Attend to = look after (s’occuper de) / deal with
Attend = go to
Examples :
- I can’t attend to class today -> wrong - there is no “to”
(informal adjective) expensive
pricey
Example : To be honest, the restaurant is a bit pricey but the food is wonderful.
(informal adjective)
-> (especially of prices) too much, or more than is reaosnable
steep
Example : My new headphones are great, but they were pretty steep
(informal idiom) a lot of money
To cost an arm and a leg
-> It’s impossible to find reasonable prices in Paris. Everything costs an arm and a leg
To believe something to be the truth without even thinking about it
If you …. situations or people … …, you do not realise or show that you are grateful for how much you get from them
take something or someone for granted
(formal) to want something very much
To long for or to
Examples :
-I’m longing for Carla to come back from Lanzarote
- Now that I’ve been on vacation for 15 days, I’m longing to return home
- This was the TV I had secretly longed for
(verb) something that may be pending
To have yet
Examples :
- I have yet to do my English homework (I haven’t done it, it’s pending)
- I have yet to receive an explanation about last night (I haven’t received an explanation, it’s pending)
(abrupt,curt)
brusque
- (liquid : sparkling, fizzy)
- figurative (person: bubbly, lively)
-> (figuré: personne) pétillant, débordant de vie
effervescent (adj)
(phrasal verb) the thing that influences it most; it is the most important factor
To come down to
Examples :
- What it all comes down to is your incredible insecurity.
- It all comes down to money in the end
- Whether I pass my English exam or not will come down to the listening part.
Formal ( because of)
owing to
Example :
-We couldn’t hang out outside owing to the rain. The kids we disappointed”
(C2 formal phrase)
-> Because of ; as a result of.
By virtue of
Example : She managed to be the best in her class by virtue of her intelligence and consistency.
To have skill or talent; to be good at something
able (adjective)
Example :
- He turned out to be an able English teacher
- She’s one of the ablest cooks I know
(Verb : metaphorical use with a humorous tone)
-> One’s mouth is producing saliva
To water (always used with mouth)
Examples :
- The smell of that cake is making my mouth water
- Just thinking about Carla’s fajitas makes my mouth water
When talking about someone who is dead, especially someone who has died recently
-> Often used with reference to a specific relationship or status
late (adj)
Examples :
- This watch belonged to my late grandfather
- She gave her late husband’s clothes to charity.
- His late boyfriend was an architect.
To cancel an event
To call off
Example :
-The football match has been called off due to heavy rain.
To demand that something be done
To call for
Example : Protesters are calling for the government to do more to protect the environment.
To return a phonecall
To call back
Example : Sorry, Brian is not here at the moment. Can you call back later?
(formal)
-> To the degree that
-> To the extent that
-> To the amount that
-> As much as
Insofar as
Examples :
- I explained the book insofar as I understood it
- I will stay through the meeting insofar as I can.
To share the gossip
To spill the tea
Example :
- Did you hear about Maria’s new boyfriend?
- No! What’s he like? Spill the tea !
Very physically fit
Ripped
Example: Tom is ripped !
To make a mistake
Screw up
Example: Sorry I screwed up and forgot our plans
Adjective : Relaxed or calm
Laid back
Example: This weekend was very laid back.
Idiom: mean that you need it or would benefit from it
Could do with
Examples:
This place could do with a good cleaning
-> needs…
I’m exhausted I could do with a day off
-> would benefit from
Adjective: very sad or disappointed
(informal) Gutted
Example: I just failed my driving test for the fourth time! I’m gutted.
To have no money or very little money
Skint
Example: I can’t come out tonight, I’m skint.
Someone who is very rich
Loaded
Example: I just won the lottery - I’m loaded !
(Informal) adjective: really, really tired
Knackered
Example: I went to a party last night and now I’m knackered!
Idiom : In my opinion
In my eyes
C2 phrase : from a personal set of beliefs and ideas from which opinions and decisions are formed
From a personal standpoint
formal way of expressing your opinion in an argument
It is my contention that…
Informal idiom: used when giving your opinion about the appearance of something or someone
To my eye (,)
Example : The thing is, to my eye, Carla is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen
Verb : an opinion about something
take on something
Example: Even though it’s something somewhat polemical, I would love to hear your take on climate change.
Used to emphasise your opinion
Without a doubt
Example: Seinfeld is, without a doubt, my favourite TV show.
Idiom : In my opinion
To my mind
