New vocabulary (2) Flashcards
1000 words
let through
(phr v) allow sb to pass sth
I was let through to the front of the queue.
let up
(phr v) (unpleasant, continuous process, weather) stops or becomes less intense
The traffic in this city never lets up, even at night.
The rain had let up.
let up on sb/sth
(phr v) treat sb less severely, be less harsh or strict about sth
The students might respond better if the teacher let up on them a little.
There were some moves to let up on this curfew a little bit.
out in the open
(idiom) (secrets) revealed, known
The medical service had advised us to keep it a secret, but we wanted it in the open.
out-and-out
(idiom) (unpleasant quality, person or thing) complete, total
The whole project was an out-and-out disaster.
out of print
(idiom) (books) no longer available
Most of her books went out of print years ago.
out of a frying pan into the fire
(idiom) from a bad situation to a worse
Many kids who try to run away from unhappy homes discover that they’ve jumped out of the frying pan into the fire when they try to live on their own.
past sb’s prime
in sb’s prime
(idiom) hết thời
He can still play, but he’s past his prime.
(idiom) đang strong thời hoàng kim
As a champion swimmer, there is no doubt that she is in her prime.
pop the question
(idiom) propose sb
So did he pop the question, then?
short and sweet
(idiom) surprisingly short in a way that is pleasing
This morning’s meeting was short and sweet.
status symbol
(idiom) property or possession that shows sb’s social status
Among young people, this brand of designer clothing is the ultimate status symbol.
take sth to pieces
(idiom) seperate sth into smaller parts
If you take the bookcase to pieces, it will fit in the back of your car.
white elephant
(idiom) sth that is expensive to maintain but is useless, unwanted possession
The Olympic committee discourages host cities from building sports venues that turn into costly white elephants.
Please donate all your white elephants for us to sell in our charity shop.
larger than life
(idiom) (sb/sth) behaving in a way that is exaggerated and more importan than others
Throughout his career he’s always been a larger than life character.
on its last legs
(idiom) in such a bad condition and need to be replaced soon
I’ve had this laptop for five years now, and it’s really on its last legs.
lay it on a bit thick
(idiom) praise sb too much
She went on and on about how she admired his work - laid it on a bit thick, if you ask me.
by/in leaps and bounds
(idiom) improve quickly
Her Spanish has come on in leaps and bounds this year.
leave sb in the lurch
(idiom) leave sb when they need you the most
He said he would help with the rent, but he left me in the lurch.
not for love nor money
(idiom) impossible to achieve
You can’t get hold of those tickets for love nor money these days.
lost on sb
(idiom) be not understood or noticed by sb
His jokes were completely lost on most of the students.
put sth on the line
(idiom) risk sth
Firefighters put their lives on the line every working day.
draw the line
(idiom) never do sth as you think it is wrong
I swear a lot, but even I draw the line at saying certain words.
bring sb/sth into line (with sb/sth)
(idiom) behave or make sb/sth behave in the same way as other people or how they should behave
The actions of investors do not always fall into line with financial theory.
follow (instructions, rules) to the letter
(idiom) carefully do exactly what you have been told to do
I followed the instructions for the letter and it still went wrong.
let sth out
(phr v) give out a shout, cry, etc.; make a shirt, coat, etc. looser or larger
Everyone let out a huge sigh of relief.
Your skirt needs letting out; it’s too small.
incivility
(n) rudeness
Mark’s incivility to customers led to his finally being dismissed.
permutation
(n) ways in which a set of things can be ordered, one of several different forms
There are 120 permutations of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5: for example, 1, 3, 2, 4, 5 or 5, 1, 4, 2, 3.
The company has had five different names in its various permutations over the last few years.
wear on
(phr v) (period of time) pass slowly
She felt less confident about finishing the work as the week wore on.
bear a resemblance to
(idiom) very similar to sb/sth
She bore a resemblance to her aunt.
droves
(n) a group of people going to a place
Every summer droves of sightseers crowd the city.
across the board
(idiom) affecting everyone or everything within an organization, system, or society
The improvement has been across the board, with all divisions either increasing profits or reducing losses.
swarm
(v) If a place is swarming with people or things, there are large numbers of them moving around it
Sth must be going on - the streets are swarming with police.
on hand
in hand
(close/near) at hand
(idiom) available to help
The emergency services were on hand with medical advice.
(idiom) (time or money) left and available to be used
We managed to redecorate the house and still have some savings in hand.
(idiom) close to you in time or distance
Help was at hand.
The property is ideally located with all local amenities close at hand.
amenity
(n) sth that makes life more pleasant or comfortable for people living or staying there
The council has some spare cash, which it proposes to spend on public amenities.
yearn (for sb/sth)
(v) want sth very much, especially when it is very difficult to get
The people yearned for peace.
rendition
(n) a way of performing a song, piece of music, poem, etc.
They ended the concert with a powerful rendition of “I lay my love on you”.
a slip of the tongue
(idiom) sth you said by accident when you intended to say sth else
I called her new boyfriend by her previous boyfriend’s name - it was just a slip of the tongue.
chilly
(adj) (weather, condition in the room, body parts) cold, unfriendly
I felt a bit chilly so I put on a jacket.
I went to see the sales manager but got a rather chilly reception.
pristine
(adj) original and pure, not spoiled or worn
The car seemed to be in pristine condition.
siege
(n) the surrounding of a place by an armed force in order to defeat those defending it
The castle was under siege for months.
at a glance
(idiom) immediately
She knew, at a glance, that her mother was upset with her
turbulence
(n) a state of confusion without any order, strong sudden movements within air or water
The era was characterized by political and cultural turbulence.
We might be experiencing some turbulence on this flight due to an approaching electrical storm.
curator
(n) the person in charge of a museum, library, etc.
dismay
(n) a feeling of unhappiness and disappointment
She discovered, to her dismay, that her exam was a whole month earlier than she’d expected.
stand for sth
(phr v) tolerate, support ideas, represents sth (country, organisation, words, etc.)
I wouldn’t stand for that sort of behaviour from him, if I were you.
This party stands for low taxes and individual freedom.
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time.
stand by sb
(phr v) continue to help or support sb
He stood by her through the difficult times.
glimmer
(v, n) shine with a weak or noncontinuous light; a light that glimmers weakly, a slight sign of sth positive
The lights of the village were glimmering in the distance.
We saw a glimmer of light in the distance.
This month’s sales figures offer a glimmer of hope for the depressed economy.
frown on/upon sth
(phr v) disapprove of
Smoking is frowned upon in many societies.
glow
(v, n) produce a continuous light or heat, look happy and healthy; continuous light or heat that is produced by sth, the fact of feeling or appearing healthy and happy, a positive feeling
This substance is so radioactive that it glows in the dark.
The children’s faces were glowing with excitement.
the glow of the fire
Like all the staff at the health club she had the healthy glow of the young and fit.
They felt a glow of pride as they watched their daughter collect the award.
wet blanket
(n) sb who spoil other people’s joy
immunity
(n) a situation when you’re protected from disease or legal action
The vaccination gives you immunity against the disease for up to six months.
He was granted immunity from prosecution because he confessed the names of the other spies.
remnant
(n) a small piece or amount of sth left from a larger original piece or amount
the remnants of last night’s meal
pinnacle
(n) the most successful or admired part of a system or achievement, a small pointed tower on top of a building, the top part of a mountain
By the age of 32 she had reached the pinnacle of her career.
The pinnacles of the Himalayas were visible above the clouds.
loiter
(v) move slowly around or stand in a public place without an obvious reason
A gang of youths were loitering outside the cinema.
manslaughter
(n) the crime of killing a person unintentionally
She was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for manslaughter.
pressure group
(n) a group of people who work together to try to influence the activities of governments, companies, etc.
The environmental pressure group will today call for more regulation to protect the interests of local communities.
lay sth down
(phr v) store wine for future use, put down weapons and stop fighting, officially establish a rule
They laid down their weapons and surrendered.
This is in line with the policy laid down by the management.
articulate
(adj) able to express thoughts and feelings clearly, showing this quality
an intelligent and highly articulate young woman
She gave a witty, entertaining, and articulate speech.
against your better judgement
(idiom) even though you feel you are not making the best decision
Against his better judgment, he gave John the job.
credibility
(n) the fact that sb can be trusted
A mistake like that will do his credibility a lot of harm.
discharge (from somewhere)
(v) allow sb officially to leave somewhere (hospital or a law court)
Patients were discharged from the hospital because the beds were needed by other people.
spare (v)
(v) not hurt or destroy sb/sth; stop sb from experiencing sth unpleasant; give time, money, or space to sb, especially when it is difficult for you
They asked him to spare the women and children.
Luckily, I was spared the embarrassment of having to sing in front of everyone.
I’d love to come, but I can’t spare the time.
takings
(n) all the money that a business gets from sales
Our takings were down this week because the weather was so bad.
under fire
(idiom) being attacked with guns or severe criticism
The troops were under fire for weeks.
take/put sb into care = in care
(phr) not living with natural parents but instead with a national or local government organization or another family
Both children were taken into care when their parents died.
inadvertently
(adv) unintentionally
The text was edited in a way that inadvertently changed its meaning.
water down sth
(phr v) add water to an alcoholic drink to make it weaker, make idea/opinion/law less extreme
The law was watered down after it failed to pass the legislature the first time.
mob
(n) a large and angry crowd, an organization of criminal, a group of people who are friends or similar
50 people were killed in three days of mob violence.
a New York mob leader
The usual mob were hanging out at the bar.
throng
(v, n) go sw in large numbers, a large group of people
The narrow streets were thronged with summer visitors.
A huge throng had gathered around the speaker.
clique
(n) a small group of people who spend their time together and do not welcome other people into that group
There’s a clique at work that never talks/who never talk to anyone else.
pretext
(n) a pretended reason to do sth with a view to hiding the real reason
I called her on the pretext of needing more information.
omen
(n) a sign of a future event
The team’s final victory of the season is a good omen for the playoffs, which start next week.
enchanting
(adj) very pleasant
Belgium is an enchanting country.
suitably
(adv) in a way/degree/extent that is suitable or acceptable for a situation
There are rules about dressing suitably.
We were suitably impressed by his story.
lapse
(v, n) a temporary failure, an interval; (contract, agreement, etc.) no longer be legally recognized because the period of time that it lasts has come to an end
The management’s decision to ignore the safety warnings demonstrated a remarkable lapse of judgment.
He turned up again after a lapse of two years.
The booking will automatically lapse if the deposit is not paid within two weeks.
prerogative
(adj) the rights, privileges, or duties that sb has
Alex makes all the big decisions - that’s his prerogative as company director.
harm a hair on sb’s head
(idiom) hurt sb
“I wouldn’t harm a hair on her head,” he said.
shoal/school of fish
(phr) a large number of fish swimming as a group
We could see shoals of tiny fish darting around.
on the house
(idiom) given for free by a business
All the drinks were on the house.
cut your political, professional, etc. teeth
(idiom) get your first experience of the type mentioned
She cut her political teeth on student debates.
on a par (with sb/sth)
(idiom) equal to sb/sth
Property in this bustling city is valued even higher, almost on a par with London.
bend sb’s ear
(idiom) talk to sb for a long time about a problem or for seeking advice
He was fed up with people bending his ear about staying on at school.
fad
(idiom) a trend for a short period of time
The mini dress was a fad once thought to be finished, but now it is making a comeback
seize up
(adv) stop being able to work in a normal way
The washing machine totally seized up on Thursday.
seize a chance/opportunity
(phr) take advantage of an opportunity
Will he seize this chance to change his life?
wait sth out
(phr v) wait until sth unpleasant has ended
I’d rather wait out the storm than drive home immediately.
bowl sb over
(phr v) knock sb to the ground by running into them, surprise and please sb
She was almost bowled over by a huge dog.
She was bowled over when she heard she’d won the competition.
at liberty to do sth
(phr) be allowed to do sth
I’m not at liberty to reveal any names.
in full swing
(idiom) at a stage when the level of activity is at its highest
When we got there, the party was in full swing.
in relation to
(idiom) in connection with, compared with
The drug is being studied for possible beneficial effects in relation to migraine headaches.
She checked the map to see where Miami is in relation to Orlando.
take exception to sb/sth
(phr) be offended or made angry by sb/sth
He took exception to criticism about the lack of women on the board of his company.
conduct oneself
(phr) behave (in the public or a formal situation)
How should I conduct myself at these dinners? I know nothing about etiquette.
the best/better part of
(idiom) most of
We waited there for the better part of an hour.
margin (difference)
(n) the amount by which one thing is different from another
The election was won by the very narrow margin of only 185 votes.
in the face of sth
(idiom) despite having to deal with a difficult situation or problem
She left home in the face of strong opposition from her parents.
subscribe to sth
(phr v) agree with or support an idea, opinion, etc.
Frank subscribed firmly to the belief that human kindness would overcome evil.
farm out
(phr v) give work to other people to do
Magazines often farm out articles to freelance journalists.
call forth sth
(phr v) cause sth to exist
The proposed shopping centre has called forth an angry response from local residents.
on the threshold of sth
(n) at the start of a new and important time or development
We are on the threshold of a new era in global relations.
on request
(idiom) used to say that you have to ask for sth if you want it
A schedule of fees is available on request.
on demand
(idiom) at any time sb wants or needs
They believe that abortion should be available on demand.
through no fault of my own
(idiom) used to say that sth bad happened to sb was not caused by them
Through no fault of our own we are currently two players short.
