lexico bae Flashcards
to breathe loudly and with difficulty, trying to get more air
gasp /ɡɑːsp/
He pulled her aboard the boat and she sprawled on the deck, coughing and gasping for breath.
to do an activity, esp. one that others can watch
put on sth
The second graders want to put a play on.
a political party or an idea or belief becomes more popular or accepted
gain ground
For busy people in today’s society, lifestyle management is gaining ground.
to reduce or be reduced in size or importance
diminish
We’ve seen our house diminish greatly in value over the last six months.
These memories will not be diminished by time.
a bank account that has money in it
in the black
Until your finances are in the black, it’s not a good idea to take out the loan.
to do something that might be dangerous
run/take a risk
people who are overweight run a risk of a heart attack or stroke.
the quality of being famous, especially for being a singer, actor, etc.
stardom
From childhood, Britney Spears seemed destined for stardom. (she intended to be famous)
attracting public approval and praise from critic
critically acclaimed (collo)
They produced a string of popular and critically acclaimed albums.
completely serious
in deadly earnest (phr)
He told me, in deadly earnest, that he knew he was the man for the job.
to explain something in a very clear way with details
spell sth out
The government has so far refused to spell out its plans
to never do something because you think it is wrong
draw the line (idiom)
I swear a lot, but even I draw the line at saying certain words.
fat that a child sometimes has that disappears as the child grows older
puppy fat
David still had puppy fat on his cheeks as he entered adolescence.
to sometimes like or be interested in something or someone and sometimes not, so people are confused about how you feel
blow hot and cold (idiom)
He’s been blowing hot and cold about the trip to Brazil.
a group of people who are involved in an activity together, especially a visit
party
a party of tourists
to have more money or a better social position than you had before
go/come up in the world (idiom)
Roger and Ann have gone up in the world - these days they only ever travel first-class.
an event or period that is important because it represents a big change in how people do or think about something
watershed
The year 1969 was a watershed in her life - she changed her career and remarried.
Unsalted butter is best for this recipe, but _____, margarine will do
failing that
( without that )
to make someone unable to work or do things normally, or unable to do what they intended to do
incapacitate /ˌɪn.kəˈpæs.ɪ.teɪt/
Poor health has incapacitated him from working all his life.
using a situation to get power or an advantage
opportunistic
He made an opportunistic grab for power, which resulted in a civil war.
a situation or event that makes it possible for the best features of something to be seen
showcase
The Venice Film Festival has always been the showcase of Italian cinema.
brave in a silly way, taking unnecessary risks
foolhardy /ˈfuːlˌhɑː.di/
< it is foolhardy to >
It would be foolhardy to try and predict the outcome of the talks at this stage.
to keep or intend something for a particular purpose
be earmarked for
Five billion dollars of this year’s budget is already earmarked for hospital improvements.
so great in amount or level that it can not be measured or expressed in words
untold
The demise of the country has caused untold misery to thousands of hardworking tradesmen.
an activity or product that stops or reduces stress
stressbuster
Reading a book can be a great stress buster.
The man known as Bonnie Prince Charlie claimed that he was the _____ heir to the throne
/eər/
rightful/ legitimate
shocking and morally unacceptable
Outrageous
It is outrageous that these buildings remain empty while thousands of people have no homes.
not able to exist or work with another person or thing because of basic differences
incompatible (with sb/sth)
When we started living together we realized how incompatible we were - our interests were so different.
people go to an event or to watch
Thousands of people turned out to welcome the team home.
to make someone like you by praising or trying to please them
ingratiate yourself with someone
He’s always trying to ingratiate himself with his boss.
official permission not to do something or pay something that you would normally have to do or pay
exemption /ɪɡˈzempʃn/
exemption (from something)
He applied for an exemption from military service.
the practice of obeying rules or requests made by people in authority
compliance
in compliance with something
Safety measures were carried out in compliance with paragraph 6 of the building regulations.
to become known to people
come to light
New evidence has recently come to light.
the act of saying or pronouncing words clearly
an act of expressing an idea clearly and exactly
enunciation
a clear enunciation of the company’s core values
(of the police, courts of law, etc.) to take something away from somebody, so that they cannot use it
impound
The car was impounded by the police after the accident.
full of something bad or unpleasant
rife (with something)
Los Angeles is rife with gossip about the stars’ private lives.
relate to sb/sth
regarding
Call me if you have any problems regarding your work.
relating to somebody/something
in/with regard to somebody/something
I am writing with regard to your recent order.
to remove a leader or a government from a position of power by force
overthrow somebody/something
The dynasty was overthrown and the country became a republic.
connected with the relationship between two things, where one causes the other to happen
causal
the causal relationship between poverty and disease
in a way that cannot be described in words, usually because it is so bad
unspeakably
The man was an unspeakably awful human being: a monster.
continuing to exist or develop
ongoing
The police investigation is ongoing.
a short, loud, high cry, especially one produced suddenly as an expression of a powerful emotion
shriek /ʃriːk/
He suddenly let out a piercing shriek.
(of a sound) high, loud, and unpleasant
different from what is usual or expected in behaviour, ideas, methods, etc.
unorthodox /ʌnˈɔː.θə.dɒks/
He has an unorthodox teaching style.
to do something with a very small amount of money
on a shoestring (idiom)
The film was made on a shoestring.
not very good
mediocre /ˌmiː.diˈəʊ.kər/
The film’s plot is predictable and the acting is mediocre.
to cut off a part of the body
amputate /ˈæm.pjə.teɪt/
Doctors had to amputate his leg below the knee.
to make someone or something physically weak
debilitate
The disease has debilitated him so badly that he scarcely has the energy to get out of bed
make a revenge
retaliate
The terrorists retaliated against the government with a bomb attack.
something that a particular group of people are familiar with and laugh about often, especially in an unkind way
standing joke
The fact that Debbie is always late has become a standing joke among her friends.
completely new and not previously described or experienced, and therefore possibly difficult to deal with
uncharted waters/territory/sea
She urged young people to be more daring, to take more risks and venture into uncharted seas.
to remove the bad feelings between people
clear the air (idiom)
I had a massive argument with Sue, but at least it has cleared the air
to ask for something that is very difficult or impossible to get
cry for the moon (idiom)
The striking workers say they just want to be paid what they’re worth. They’re not crying for the moon.
to look very funny or stupid, or very untidy or unpleasant
Be/look a sight (informal)
He was a real sight in his old clothes .
a situation in which something such as violence, pain, or anger suddenly starts or gets much worse
flare-up
flare-up of There was another flare-up of rioting later that day.
an occasion when a plan or an idea begins to happen, exist, or be successful
fruition /fruːˈɪʃ.ən/
come to fruition None of his grand plans for a TV series ever came to fruition.
unable to understand and use numbers in calculations
innumerate/ɪˈnjuː.mər.ət/
It is a crime to allow any child who has the mental ability to read or write to leave school illiterate or innumerate.
a small piece or amount of something that is left from a larger original piece
Remnant
the remnants of last night’s meal
Something bad that happens unexpectedly early or at a time that is not suitable
Untimely
It was this passion for fast cars that led to his untimely death at the age of 43.
someone who is a member of a group within a country and who believes that this group should be independent and have their own government
‘Separatist
___ blew up several bridges in the province sending a violent message to the capital.
a substance that makes part of your body sore or painful
Irritant
Pollen is an irritant, causing red and sore eyes in sensitive people.
a performance of music or poetry
Recital
I went to a violin recital today.
despite the fact or thing mentioned
Notwithstanding (preposition/adv)
Injuries notwithstanding, the team won the semifinal.
to force a lot of people or things into a small space
Be crammed into
Eight children were crammed into the back of the car.
to force a lot of people or things into a small space
Be crammed into
Eight children were crammed into the back of the car.
to accept the unpleasant parts of a situation as well as the pleasant parts
Take the rough with the smooth (idiom)
You have to take the rough with the smooth. I never promised there would be no risk.
