Language in use

Question 1

stand on ceremony ( BrE )

IDM

Answer 1

to behave formally

- Please don’t stand on ceremony (= Please be natural and relaxed) with me.

Question 2

ball

Answer 2

a large formal party with dancing

Question 3

respect

Answer 3

a particular aspect or detail of sth

- in this respect we are very fortunate.

Question 4

depart
BrE / dɪpɑt /
NAmE / dɪpɑrt /
verb

Answer 4

( rather formal )
1 [ intransitive ,  transitive ] to leave a place, especially to start a trip
opp: arrive
- ~ (for…) (from…) Flights for Rome depart from Terminal

Question 5

ultimatum
BrE / ʌltɪmeɪtəm /
NAmE / ʌltɪmeɪtəm /
noun

Answer 5

( plural ultimatums or ultimata )
a final warning to a person or country that if they do not do what you ask, you will use force or take action against them
- to issue an ultimatum

Question 6

DJ

Answer 6

dinner jacket

Question 7

chap 
BrE   / tʃæp / 
NAmE   / tʃæp / 
  noun 
 ( BrE ,  informal ,  becoming  old-fashioned )

Answer 7

used to talk about a man in a friendly way

• He isn’t such a bad chap really.
• Come on, chaps, let’s go for a drink!

Question 8

mind you (informal)
IDM

Answer 8

used to add sth to what you have just said,especially sth that makes it less strong
- I’ve heard they’re getting divorced.Mind you, I’m not surprised –they were always arguing.

Question 9

fray verb, noun
BrE / freɪ /
NAmE / freɪ /

Answer 9

verb
1 [ intransitive ,  transitive ] if cloth frays or sth frays it, the threads in it start to come apart
- The cuffs of his shirt were fraying.
- ~ sth It was fashionable to fray the bottoms of your jeans.
frayed adjective
- frayed denim shorts
-Tempers were getting very frayed.

Question 10

have two left hands

IDM

Answer 10

you have no good hands,and are incredibly clumsy as a result.

Question 11

flourish sth

Answer 11

to wave sth around in a way that makes people look at it

Question 12

at stake

IDM

Answer 12

that can be won or lost, depending on the success of a particular action

• We cannot afford to take risks when people’s lives are at stake.
  
  • The prize at stake is a place in the final.

Question 13

reluctant
BrE / rɪlʌktənt /
NAmE / rɪlʌktənt /
adjective

Answer 13

hesitating before doing sth because you do not want to do it or because you are not sure that it is the right thing to do
- reluctant agreement
-~ (to do sth) She was reluctant to admit she was wrong.
- He finally gave a reluctant smile.
- a reluctant hero (= a person who does not want to be called a hero)
reluctantly / BrE rɪlʌktəntli ; NAmE rɪlʌktəntli / adverb
- We reluctantly agreed to go with her.

Question 14

embark 
BrE   / ɪmbɑk / 
NAmE   / ɪmbɑrk / 
PHR V
  embark on/upon sth  ( formal )

Answer 14

to start to do sth new or difficult

- She is about to embark on a diplomatic career.

Question 15

infuriating
BrE / ɪnfjʊərieɪtɪŋ /
NAmE / ɪnfjʊrieɪtɪŋ /
adjective

Answer 15

making you extremely angry

• an infuriating child/delay
• It is infuriating to talk to someone who just looks out of the window.

Question 16

ordeal 
BrE   / ɔdil / 
BrE   / ɔdil / 
NAmE   / ɔrdil / 
  noun

Answer 16

[ usually singular ] ~ (of sth/of doing sth)
a difficult or unpleasant experience
They are to be spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

Question 17

rest on sth

Answer 17

to be based on sth

Question 18

read between the lines

Answer 18

to look for or discover a meaning in sth that is not openly stated
- Reading between the lines,I think Clare needs money.

Question 19

do sb/sth justice

Answer 19

to deal with sb/sth correctly and completely

Question 20

fray verb, noun
BrE / freɪ /
NAmE / freɪ /

Answer 20

verb
1 [ intransitive ,  transitive ] if cloth frays or sth frays it, the threads in it start to come apart
- This material frays easily.
-~ sth It was fashionable to fray the bottoms of your jeans.
2 [ intransitive ,  transitive ] ~ (sth) if sb’s nerves or temper frays or sth frays them, the person starts to get irritated or annoyed
- As the debate went on, tempers began to fray.
frayed / BrE ; NAmE / adjective
- frayed denim shorts
- Tempers were getting very frayed.

Question 21

fray at/around the edges/seams

Answer 21

to start to come apart or to fail

- Support for the leader was fraying at the edges.

Question 22

abrasion
BrE / əbreɪʒn /
NAmE / əbreɪʒn /
noun

Answer 22

[ uncountable ]
2 damage to a surface caused by rubbing sth very hard against it
- Diamonds have extreme resistance to abrasion.

Question 23

flourish verb, noun
BrE / flʌrɪʃ /
NAmE / flɜrɪʃ /

Answer 23

verb
1 [ intransitive ] to develop quickly and be successful or common
syn: thrive
- Few businesses are flourishing in the present economic climate.
2 [ intransitive ] to grow well; to be healthy and happy
syn: thrive
- These plants flourish in a damp climate.
- ( especially BrE ) I’m glad to hear you’re all flourishing.
3 [ transitive ] ~ sth to wave sth around in a way that makes people look at it
- He rushed into the room flourishing the newspaper.

Question 24

mend verb, noun
BrE / mend /
NAmE / mend /

Answer 24

verb
1 [ transitive ] ~ sth ( BrE ) to repair sth that has been damaged or broken so that it can be used again
- Could you mend my bike for me?
2 [ transitive ] ~ sth to repair a hole in a piece of clothing, etc
- He mended shoes for a living.
3 [ transitive ] ~ sth to find a solution to a problem or disagreement
- They tried to mend their differences.