To Prep 1 - Words Flashcards
cocktail noun
BrE /ˈkɒkteɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈkɑːkteɪl/
3) [countable] a mixture of different substances, usually ones that do not mix together well
ex) You’ve had your anti-nausea cocktail.
make-up noun
BrE /ˈmeɪk ʌp/ ; NAmE /ˈmeɪk ʌp/
3) [singular] make-up (of something) the different things, people, etc. that combine to form something; the way in which they combine
ex) Because women have different genetic make-up than men, they have different degrees of susceptibility to cancer-causing substances.
diagnose verb
BrE /ˈdaɪəɡnəʊz/ , /ˌdaɪəɡˈnəʊz/ ; NAmE /ˌdaɪəɡˈnoʊs/ [transitive, intransitive]
to say exactly what an illness or the cause of a problem is
ex) 80,000 women will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year.
biopsy noun
BrE /ˈbaɪɒpsi/ ; NAmE /ˈbaɪɑːpsi/ (pl. biopsies)
the removal and examination of tissue from the body of somebody who is ill/sick, in order to find out more about their disease
ex) I had a biopsy and the biopsy showed that I had lung cancer.
carcinogen noun
BrE /kɑːˈsɪnədʒən/ ; NAmE /kɑːrˈsɪnədʒən/
a substance that can cause cancer
ex) They want to determine whether women metabolize carcinogens differently, are less able to repair DNA damage, are more at risk due to hormones, especially estrogen.
targeted adjective
BrE /ˈtɑːɡɪtɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪd/
aimed at a particular place or group of people
ex) Researchers hope this study will help them better understand how genes, hormones, and tumors interact, possibly leading to more targeted treatments for women and men.
outlive verb
BrE /ˌaʊtˈlɪv/ ; NAmE /ˌaʊtˈlɪv/
outlive somebody to live longer than somebody
ex) For Karefive treatment has allowed her to outlive doctors’ predictions and see her children grow into teenagers.
fetal adjective
(British English also foetal) BrE /ˈfiːtl/ ; NAmE /ˈfiːtl/
- fetus noun
(British English also foetus) BrE /ˈfiːtəs/ ; NAmE /ˈfiːtəs/
[only before noun] connected with a fetus; typical of a fetus
- a young human or animal before it is born, especially a human more than eight weeks after fertilization
ex) Fetal Health: Planning for the Future
preconception noun
BrE /ˌpriːkənˈsepʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌpriːkənˈsepʃn/ [countable, usually plural, uncountable]
an idea or opinion that is formed before you have enough information or experience
synonym assumption
- Preconception health refers to the health of women and men during their reproductive years, which are the years they can have a child. It focuses on taking steps now to protect the health of a baby they might have sometime in the future.
ex) Schedule a preconception visit with your physician to discuss vitamins, immunizations and any medications you take.
contemplate verb
BrE /ˈkɒntəmpleɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/
1) [transitive] to think about whether you should do something, or how you should do something
synonym consider, think about/of
ex) If you’re contemplating pregnancy, be sure to shed your illusions before making a decision.
folic acid noun
BrE /ˌfɒlɪk ˈæsɪd/ , /ˌfəʊlɪk ˈæsɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌfoʊlɪk ˈæsɪd/ [uncountable]
a vitamin found in green vegetables, liver and kidney, needed by the body for the production of red blood cells
ex) Before and during pregnancy, eat a variety of healthy foods, and get at least 400 to 800mcg of folic acid every day.
prenatal adjective
BrE /ˌpriːˈneɪtl/ ; NAmE /ˌpriːˈneɪtl/ (especially North American English)
(British English also antenatal)
relating to the medical care given to pregnant women
ex) Ask your clinician for a prenatal vitamin to take daily for three months before conception, during the pregnancy and between pregnancies.
double up phrasal verb
double up | double up on something somebody | double up on with somebody
(informal) to form a pair in order to do something or to share something
ex) Do not double up on your usual multivitamins.
illicit adjective
BrE /ɪˈlɪsɪt/ ; NAmE /ɪˈlɪsɪt/
1) not allowed by the law
synonym illegal
ex) If you’re pregnant or likely to become so, don’t smoke, drink alcohol or use illicit drugs (they can cause early births and brain damage).
acne noun
BrE /ˈækni/ ; NAmE /ˈækni/ [uncountable]
a skin condition, common among young people, that produces many pimples (= spots), especially on the face and neck
ex) Drugs used to treat acne or seizures can harm a developing fetus.
parasitic adjective
BrE /ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌpærəˈsɪtɪk/
(less frequent parasitical BrE /ˌpærəˈsɪtɪkl/ ; NAmE /ˌpærəˈsɪtɪkl/
- parasite noun
BrE /ˈpærəsaɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈpærəsaɪt/
1) caused by a parasite
* a small animal or plant that lives on or inside another animal or plant and gets its food from it
ex) To avoid toxoplasmosis (a parasitic infection that passes from hand to mouth), have someone else empty the cat-litter box, wear gloves when you garden and wash your hands after handling raw meat.
rich adjective
BrE /rɪtʃ/ ; NAmE /rɪtʃ/ (richer, richest)
5) rich (in something) (often in compounds) containing or providing a large supply of something
opposite poor
ex) You should also avoid mercury-rich fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.
* mercury-rich fish = fish high in rich
swordfish noun
BrE /ˈsɔːdfɪʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈsɔːrdfɪʃ/ countable, uncountable
a large sea fish with a very long thin pointed upper jaw 황새치
ex) You should also avoid mercury-rich fish, such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.
anomaly noun
BrE /əˈnɒməli/ ; NAmE /əˈnɑːməli/ (pl. anomalies)
anomaly (in something) a thing, situation, etc. that is different from what is normal or expected
ex) Ultrasound images can reveal anomalies in time to plan further testing or care.
amniocentesis noun
BrE /ˌæmniəʊsenˈtiːsɪs/ ; NAmE /ˌæmnioʊsenˈtiːsɪs/ [uncountable, singular]
a medical test that involves taking some liquid from a pregnant woman’s womb in order to find out if the baby has particular illnesses or health problems 양수천자
ex) Other tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, involve drawing fetal cells from amniotic fluid or preplacental tissue and checking them for chromosomal defects.
chorionic villi \ˌkȯr-ē-ˈä-nik\
- villus noun
BrE /ˈvɪləs/ ; NAmE /ˈvɪləs/ (pl. villi BrE /ˈvɪlaɪ/ ; NAmE /ˈvɪlaɪ/ ; BrE /ˈvɪliː/ ; NAmE /ˈvɪliː/ ) (biology)
Chorionic villi are villi that sprout from the chorion to provide maximum contact area with maternal blood. They are an essential element in pregnancy from a histomorphologic perspective, and are, by definition, a product of conception. Branches of the umbilical arteries carry embryonic blood to the villi. After circulating through the capillaries of the villi, blood returns to the embryo through the umbilical veins. Thus, villi are part of the border between maternal and fetal blood during pregnancy. 융모막 융모
ex) Other tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, involve drawing fetal cells from amniotic fluid or preplacental tissue and checking them for chromosomal defects.
amniotic fluid noun
BrE /ˌæmniɒtɪk ˈfluːɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌæmniɑːtɪk ˈfluːɪd/ [uncountable]
the liquid that surrounds a baby inside the mother’s womb 양수
ex) Other tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, involve drawing fetal cells from amniotic fluid or preplacental tissue and checking them for chromosomal defects.
preplacental adjective
/prē′plă-sen′tăl/
before formation of a placenta (태반)
ex) Other tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, involve drawing fetal cells from amniotic fluid or preplacental tissue and checking them for chromosomal defects.
chromosomal adjective
BrE /ˌkrəʊməˈsəʊməl/ ; NAmE /ˌkroʊməˈsoʊməl/
(biology) connected with one or more chromosomes
ex) Other tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, involve drawing fetal cells from amniotic fluid or preplacental tissue and checking them for chromosomal defects.
assisted suicide
The term is often used interchangeably with physician-assisted suicide (PAS), which involves a doctor “knowingly and intentionally providing a person with the knowledge or means or both required to commit suicide, including counselling about lethal doses of drugs, prescribing such lethal doses or supplying the drugs.”
ex) Oregon’s law permitting doctor-assisted suicide is the only one of its kind in any American state.
come/enter into force
(of a law, rule, etc.) to start being used
ex) Since the “Death with Dignity Act” came into force seven years ago, close to 200 terminally ill patients are known to have chosen to end their lives with a cocktail of drugs.
overturn verb
BrE /ˌəʊvəˈtɜːn/ ; NAmE /ˌoʊvərˈtɜːrn/
2) [transitive] overturn something to officially decide that a legal decision, etc. is not correct, and to make it no longer valid
ex) Conservatives, many of whom regard the issue with as much passion as they do abortion, have long sought to overturn the law.
uphold verb
BrE /ʌpˈhəʊld/ ; NAmE /ʌpˈhoʊld/
2) uphold something (especially of a court of law) to agree that a previous decision was correct or that a request is reasonable
ex) In 1997, the Supreme Court upheld a ban on assisted suicide in the state of Washington, but left decisions on the issue to the individual states.
cervical adjective
BrE /ˈsɜːvɪkl/ , /səˈvaɪkl/ ; NAmE /ˈsɜːrvɪkl/ only before noun
1) connected with the cervix
ex) It is the deadliest form of cancer for women, responsible for more deaths than breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer combined.
tantrum noun
BrE /ˈtæntrəm/ ; NAmE /ˈtæntrəm/
a sudden short period of angry, unreasonable behaviour, especially in a child
ex) Parenthood involves sacrificing sleep, enduring tantrums and changing plans when your child gets sick.
seizure noun
BrE /ˈsiːʒə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈsiːʒər/
3) (old-fashioned) [countable] a sudden attack of an illness, especially one that affects the brain
ex) Drugs used to treat acne or seizures can harm a developing fetus.
litter bin noun
BrE ; NAmE (British English) (North American English trash can)
*cat-litter box
a container for people to put rubbish/garbage in, in the street or in a public building
ex) To avoid toxoplasmosis (a parasitic infection that passes from hand to mouth), have someone else empty the cat-litter box, wear gloves when you garden and wash your hands after handling raw meat.
indefinitely adverb
BrE /ɪnˈdefɪnətli/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈdefɪnətli/
for a period of time with no fixed limit
ex) Tonight, some doctors are predicting that many Americans will be using weight loss drugs indefinitely.
sea change noun
BrE ; NAmE [usually singular]
a strong and noticeable change in a situation
ex) I actually do think it’s a sea change. I think that technology has allowed us to get a look at the molecular portrait of these cancers and get a sense of how they’re biologically distinct.
portrait noun
BrE /ˈpɔːtreɪt/ , /ˈpɔːtrət/ ; NAmE /ˈpɔːrtrət/
2) a detailed description of somebody/something
synonym depiction
ex) I actually do think it’s a sea change. I think that technology has allowed us to get a look at the molecular portrait of these cancers and get a sense of how they’re biologically distinct.
pay, earn, charge, etc. top dollar
(informal) pay, earn, charge, etc. a lot of money
ex) That’s true. They do charge top dollar.
give somebody the creeps
(informal) to make somebody feel nervous and slightly frightened, especially because somebody/something is unpleasant or strange
ex) And their salespeople are very strange. They really give me the creeps!
go belly up
(informal) to fail completely
ex) Well, they must be doing something right over there. Meanwhile, we’re about to go belly-up.
save the day/situation
to prevent failure or defeat, when this seems certain to happen
ex) I thought my new advertising campaign would save the day.
(go) back to the drawing board
to start thinking about a new way of doing something after a previous plan or idea has failed
ex) Well, then I’ll go back to the drawing board.
They rejected our proposal, so it’s back to the drawing board.
give someone the ax
1) to dismiss someone from employment
ex) What? You’re giving me the ax?
(as) sharp as a tack
very intelligent; extremely clever or astute
ex) Yes. I’ve already found a new manager. She’s as sharp as a tack.
right-hand man noun
BrE ; NAmE [singular]
a person who helps somebody a lot and who they rely on, especially in an important job
ex) But Bob, you were Peter’s right-hand man!
(keep your) chin up
(informal) used to tell somebody to try to stay cheerful even though they are in a difficult or unpleasant situation
ex) Keep your chin up. Maybe he’ll change his mind and take you back.
pigs might fly(British English)
when pigs fly (North American English)
(ironic, saying) used to show that you do not believe something will ever happen
ex) A: Maybe he’ll change his mind and take you back.
B: When pigs fly! Once he makes up his mind, he never changes it.
clap/lay/set eyes on somebody/something
(informal) (usually used in negative sentences) to see somebody/something
ex) Look on the bright side: you won’t have to set eyes on Peter ever again.
out-of-work adjective
BrE ; NAmE [only before noun]
unemployed
ex) Hang in there. I’m sure you won’t be out of work for long.
live (from) hand to mouth
to spend all the money you earn on basic needs such as food without being able to save any money
ex) In the meantime, we’ll have to live from hand to mouth.
make (both) ends meet
to earn just enough money to be able to buy the things you need
ex) Don’t get too stressed out, Bob. We’ll make ends meet.
if the worst comes to the worst
if worse/worst comes to worst
if the situation becomes too difficult or dangerous
ex) If worse comes to worst, we can sell our home and move into a tent.
be easier said than done
(saying) to be much more difficult to do than to talk about
ex) A: Let’s think big! Maybe you can start your own business.
B: Easier said than done.
dementia noun
BrE /dɪˈmenʃə/ ; NAmE /dɪˈmenʃə/ uncountable
a serious mental disorder caused by brain disease or injury, that affects the ability to think, remember and behave normally
ex) One out of every ten Americans over the age of 65 has some form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
battery noun
BrE /ˈbætri/ ; NAmE /ˈbætri/ ; BrE /ˈbætəri/ ; NAmE /ˈbætəri/ (pl. batteries)
2) [countable] battery (of something) a large number of things or people of the same type
ex) In this study, volunteers were subjected to a battery of memory tests, and questioned about their weekly exercise habits.
malignancy noun
BrE /məˈlɪɡnənsi/ ; NAmE /məˈlɪɡnənsi/ (pl. malignancies) (formal)
1) [countable] a malignant mass of tissue in the body
synonym tumour
ex) People have long suspected that diet plays a role in malignancies, but they lacked definitive proof that changing one’s diet could reduce the risk of cancer.
stringent adjective
BrE /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ ; NAmE /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ (formal)
1) (of a law, rule, regulation, etc.) very strict and that must be obeyed
ex) Now, for the first time, a large study has shown that breast cancer patients may be able to reduce the chances that their tumors will return by following a stringent low-fat diet.
robust adjective
BrE /rəʊˈbʌst/ ; NAmE /roʊˈbʌst/
3) (of a system or an organization) strong and not likely to fail or become weak
ex) Although some scientists doubt that the findings are robust enough to warrant great confidence, any breast cancer patient who can forgo the pleasures of fatty foods would probably be wise to do so.
spare verb
BrE /speə(r)/ ; NAmE /sper/
2) to save somebody/yourself from having to go through an unpleasant experience
ex) Not only is she surviving breast cancer, but she’s been spared unnecessary toxic treatments.
warrant verb
BrE /ˈwɒrənt/ ; NAmE /ˈwɔːrənt/ , /ˈwɑːrənt/
1) to make an action seem reasonable or necessary
ex) Although some scientists doubt that the findings are robust enough to warrant great confidence, any breast cancer patient who can forgo the pleasures of fatty foods would probably be wise to do so.
forgo verb
(also forego)
BrE /fɔːˈɡəʊ/ ; NAmE /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/
forgo something (formal) to decide not to have or do something that you would like to have or do
ex) Although some scientists doubt that the findings are robust enough to warrant great confidence, any breast cancer patient who can forgo the pleasures of fatty foods would probably be wise to do so.
menopause noun BrE /ˈmenəpɔːz/ ; NAmE /ˈmenəpɔːz/ (informal the change (of life)) [uncountable] (also the menopause) [singular]
the time during which a woman gradually stops menstruating, usually at around the age of 50
ex) The researchers studied some 2,400 postmenopausal women who were healthy after receiving standard treatments for early breast cancer, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.
exult verb
BrE /ɪɡˈzʌlt/ ; NAmE /ɪɡˈzʌlt/ intransitive, transitive
to feel and show that you are very excited and happy because of something that has happened
ex) That was a statistically significant difference but barely so, causing some scientists to exult that diet had finally been proved beneficial and others to lament that the proof seemed mighty slim.
mighty adverb
BrE /ˈmaɪti/ ; NAmE /ˈmaɪti/
(informal, especially North American English) (with adjectives and adverbs) very
synonym really
ex) That was a statistically significant difference but barely so, causing some scientists to exult that diet had finally been proved beneficial and others to lament that the proof seemed mighty slim.
motor adjective
BrE /ˈməʊtə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈmoʊtər/ [only before noun]
*motor capacity
3) (specialist) connected with movement of the body that is produced by muscles; connected with the nerves that control movement
* 체력
ex) Now scientists are peering into the brains of alcoholics for clues about the price of excess on thinking, balance, and motor capacity.
irreversible adjective
BrE /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːsəbl/ ; NAmE /ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl/
that cannot be changed back to what it was before
opposite reversible
ex) What are they learning? That women do not handle alcohol as well as men and face greater risks of potentially irreversible brain damage, as well as other serious health problems, including liver damage, heart disease and cancer.
deficiency noun
BrE /dɪˈfɪʃnsi/ ; NAmE /dɪˈfɪʃnsi/ (pl. deficiencies)(formal)
1) [uncountable, countable] deficiency (in/of something) the state of not having, or not having enough of, something that is essential
synonym shortage
ex) Two new studies detected deficiencies in the gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid of alcoholic subjects.
cerebrospinal adjective
\sə-ˌrē-brō-ˈspī-nəl, ˌser-ə-brō-\
of or relating to the brain and spinal cord or to these together with the cranial and spinal nerves that innervate voluntary muscles 뇌척수의, 중추 신경계의
ex) Two new studies detected deficiencies in the gray and white matter and cerebrospinal fluid of alcoholic subjects.
detrimental adjective
BrE /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ ; NAmE /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/
detrimental (to somebody/something) (formal) harmful
synonym damaging
ex) What’s more, according to NIH researcher Daniel Hommer, the detrimental effects of chronic alcohol abuse are causing organic damage at younger ages than once thought.
cerebral cortex noun
BrE /ˈserəbrəl/ ; NAmE /səˈriːbrəl/
BrE /ˈkɔːteks/ ; NAmE /ˈkɔːrteks/
the extensive outer layer of gray matter of the cerebral hemispheres, largely responsible for higher brain functions, including sensation, voluntary muscle movement, thought, reasoning, and memory 대뇌피질 대뇌겉질
binge noun
BrE /bɪndʒ/ ; NAmE /bɪndʒ/
(informal) a short period of time when somebody does too much of a particular activity, especially eating or drinking alcohol
ex) Hopefully, this will make people aware that heavy drinking in the 20s is dangerous - and that includes binge drinking.
to go on a binge
I had a shopping binge with my credit card.
abstinence noun
BrE /ˈæbstɪnəns/ ; NAmE /ˈæbstɪnəns/
[uncountable] abstinence (from something) (formal) the practice of not allowing yourself something, especially food, alcoholic drinks or sex, for moral, religious or health reasons
ex) The 36 alcohol dependent women enrolled in the Hommer study were recruited from an inpatient treatment program in Bethesda, Md., and compared after a minimum of three weeks of abstinence with men and other with no history of alcohol or other drug problems.
withdrawal noun
BrE /wɪðˈdrɔːəl/ ; NAmE /wɪðˈdrɔːəl/ ; BrE /wɪθˈdrɔːəl/ ; NAmE /wɪθˈdrɔːəl/
4) [uncountable] the period of time when somebody is getting used to not taking a drug that they have become addicted to, and the unpleasant effects of doing this
ex) Each were either binge drinkers or consumed the equivalent of 11-12 drinks a day - enough to experience withdrawal symptoms and blackouts.
inebriated adjective
BrE /ɪˈniːbrieɪtɪd/ ; NAmE /ɪˈniːbrieɪtɪd/ (formal or humorous)
drunk
ex) As a result, they become inebriated more easily.
fluctuation noun
BrE /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/ [countable, uncountable]fluctuation (in/of something)
one of several frequent changes in size, amount, quality, etc, especially from one extreme to another; the act of changing frequently like this
ex) Monthly hormone fluctuations also affect alcohol metabolism and can make blood alcohol content levels jump faster than in men.
reversible adjective
BrE /rɪˈvɜːsəbl/ ; NAmE /rɪˈvɜːrsəbl/
2) (of a process, an action or a disease) that can be changed so that something returns to its original state or situation
opposite irreversible
ex) Scientists believe that more studies on alcoholic women are needed after short and long periods of sobriety to determine the effects of alcohol on thinking ability, motor skills, and balance - and whether the effects are reversible.
track record noun
all the past achievements, successes or failures of a person or an organization
ex) “Women alcoholics do not have a good track record of recovery,” he says.
He has a proven track record in marketing.
wreak havoc (on)
to cause a lot of trouble or damage
ex) Alcohol can wreak havoc on the brain: everything from self-control to loss of inhibitions.
inhibition noun
BrE /ˌɪnhɪˈbɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnhɪˈbɪʃn/ ; BrE /ˌɪnɪˈbɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnɪˈbɪʃn/
2) [uncountable] (formal) the act of restricting or preventing a process or an action
ex) Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, lowers inhibitions, and impairs judgment.
telltale adjective
BrE /ˈtelteɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈtelteɪl/
[only before noun] showing that something exists or has happened
ex) Exercise not only increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, it may also reduce the telltale plaque in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s.
physiological adjective
BrE /ˌfɪziəˈlɒdʒɪkl/ ; NAmE /ˌfɪziəˈlɑːdʒɪkl/
1) connected with the scientific study of the normal functions of living things
ex) This lends some actual physiological support that there might be a direct mechanism between exercise an d the development of plaques.
cardiovascular adjective
BrE /ˌkɑːdiəʊˈvæskjələ(r)/ ; NAmE /ˌkɑːrdioʊˈvæskjələr/ (medical)
connected with the heart and the blood vessels (= the tubes that carry blood around the body)
ex) After eight years, it turns out consuming less fat did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
colon noun
BrE /ˈkəʊlən/ ; NAmE /ˈkoʊlən/
- co·lo·rec·tal adjective
/kō′lə-rĕk′təl/
** rectum noun
BrE /ˈrektəm/ ; NAmE /ˈrektəm/ (pl. rectums, recta BrE /ˈrektə/ ; NAmE /ˈrektə/ )(anatomy)
2) (anatomy) the main part of the large intestine (= part of the bowels) 결장
* relating to or involving both the colon and the rectum: colorectal cancer.
** the end section of the tube where food waste collects before leaving the body through the anus 직장
ex) We went into the study thinking that a diet, a diet low in total fat would reduce the risk definitively for breast cancer, colon cancer, and heart disease.
take noun
BrE /teɪk/ ; NAmE /teɪk/
3) take on something (informal) the particular opinion or idea that somebody has about something
ex) I think if that’s the take on this, then that would be an erroneous one.
erroneous adjective
BrE /ɪˈrəʊniəs/ ; NAmE /ɪˈroʊniəs/ (formal)
not correct; based on wrong information
ex) I think if that’s the take on this, then that would be an erroneous one.
chock-full adjective
BrE /ˌtʃɒk ˈfʊl/ ; NAmE /ˌtʃɑːk ˈfʊl/
[not before noun] chock-full (of something/somebody) (informal) completely full
ex) In the basement, the woman had several copies of the Physician’s Desk Reference, scales for weighing pills, and a cupboard chock-full of both prescription and over-the counter medications.
all in all
used for showing that you are considering every aspect of something
ex) All in all, doctors told the family later, she had 11 types of prescription medications, including at least 400 Valium pills.
fetch verb
BrE /fetʃ/ ; NAmE /fetʃ/
2) fetch something to be sold for a particular price
synonym sell
ex) Her medications, doctors said, would probably fetch about $15,000 on the street.
unbeknown adjective
BrE /ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊn/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊn/
(less frequent unbeknownst BrE /ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊnst/ ; NAmE /ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊnst/ )
unbeknown to somebody (formal) without the person mentioned knowing
ex) To get pills, Anne’s grandmother would go from doctor to doctor complaining of anxiety, asking each for a prescription so that, unbeknownst to the doctors, she racked up a huge stockpile of drugs.
rack up phrasal verb
rack up something
(especially North American English) to collect something, such as profits or losses in a business, or points in a competition
ex) To get pills, Anne’s grandmother would go from doctor to doctor complaining of anxiety, asking each for a prescription so that, unbeknownst to the doctors, she racked up a huge stockpile of drugs.
potent adjective
BrE /ˈpəʊtnt/ ; NAmE /ˈpoʊtnt/
1) having a strong effect on your body or mind
ex) One in 10 high school seniors has tried the painkiller Vicodin without a prescription, and 1 in 20 has taken the potent pill OxyContin.
gear up phrasal verb
gear up | gear up for something | gear up to something | gear up somebody | gear up somebody for something | gear up somebody to something | gear up something | gear up something for something | gear up something to something | gear somebody up | gear somebody up for something | gear somebody up to something | gear something up | gear something up for something | gear something up to something
to prepare yourself/somebody/something to do something; to step up to the challenge, get motivated, work harder to get the job done
ex) As these efforts gear up, experts at all levels are realizing that fighting the war on prescription drugs may be unlike anything they’ve done before.
dope noun
BrE /dəʊp/ ; NAmE /doʊp/
1) [uncountable] (informal) a drug that is taken illegally for pleasure, especially cannabis or, in the US, heroin
ex) Kiddie dope.
He has admitted smoking dope as a teenager.
tsar noun
(also tzar, czar)
BrE /zɑː(r)/ ; NAmE /zɑːr/
- drug czar - definition and synonyms
1) [COUNTABLE] a government official who is responsible for dealing with a specific problem, especially one that causes a lot of public worry
* an official employed by a national government to try to stop the trade in illegal drugs
ex) “We are faced here with a different kind of threat,” says John Walters, the U.S. drug czar.
diversion noun
BrE /daɪˈvɜːʃn/ ; NAmE /daɪˈvɜːrʒn/
2) [COUNTABLE/UNCOUNTABLE] a change in the use or purpose of something
ex) In this case, this is a diversion from a legitimate source.
finesse noun
BrE /fɪˈnes/ ; NAmE /fɪˈnes/
[uncountable] great skill in dealing with people or situations, especially in a delicate way
ex) In contrast to other types of illicit drugs, fighting this threat takes more finesse than force.
round up somebody | round up something | round somebody up | round something up
2) if police or soldiers round up a group of people, they find them and arrest or capture them
ex) Federal agents and others refer to prescription pills as “kiddie dope” and don’t regard rounding up those who sell it illegally as a top priority, he says.
fall into somebody’s hands/the hands of somebody
(formal) to become controlled by somebody
ex) The word balance is often used to describe the complex task of keeping these groups happy while preventing the drugs from falling into the hands of illicit users and criminals.
see/think fit (to do something)
(formal) to consider it right or acceptable to do something; to decide or choose to do something
ex) The most delicate relationship right now is between law enforcement and doctors, who want to be able to prescribe medication as they see fit without evoking suspicion of drug trafficking - a fact not lost on the Drug Enforcement Administration.
opiate noun
BrE /ˈəʊpiət/ ; NAmE /ˈoʊpiət/ (formal)
a drug derived from opium. Opiates are used in medicine to reduce severe pain.
ex) Painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin, derived from opiates, technically known as narcotic analgesics, are the biggest concern among policymakers and experts because they can be very addictive.
narcotic adjective
BrE /nɑːˈkɒtɪk/ ; NAmE /nɑːrˈkɑːtɪk/
1) (of a drug) that affects your mind in a harmful way
2) (of a substance) making you sleep
ex) Painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin, derived from opiates, technically known as narcotic analgesics, are the biggest concern among policymakers and experts because they can be very addictive.
analgesic adjective
BrE /ˌænəlˈdʒiːzɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌænəlˈdʒiːzɪk/ (medical)
that reduces pain
ex) Painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin, derived from opiates, technically known as narcotic analgesics, are the biggest concern among policymakers and experts because they can be very addictive.
analgesic noun
BrE /ˌænəlˈdʒiːzɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌænəlˈdʒiːzɪk/ (medical)
a substance that reduces pain
synonym painkiller
ex) Painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin, derived from opiates, technically known as narcotic analgesics, are the biggest concern among policymakers and experts because they can be very addictive.
euphoria noun
BrE /juːˈfɔːriə/ ; NAmE /juːˈfɔːriə/ [uncountable]
an extremely strong feeling of happiness and excitement that usually lasts only a short time
ex) People take the drugs because they produce a sense of euphoria, similar to the high from heroin.
high-profile adjective
BrE ; NAmE [usually before noun]
receiving or involving a lot of attention and discussion on television, in newspapers, etc.
ex) But the heavy focus on abuse of painkillers, along with several high-profile court cases involving doctors, has had a chilling effect on pain medicine, doctors contend.
contend verb
BrE /kənˈtend/ ; NAmE /kənˈtend/
1) [transitive] contend that… (formal) to say that something is true, especially in an argument
synonym maintain
ex) But the heavy focus on abuse of painkillers, along with several high-profile court cases involving doctors, has had a chilling effect on pain medicine, doctors contend.
repercussion noun
BrE /ˌriːpəˈkʌʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌriːpərˈkʌʃn/ [usually plural]
- reverberation noun
BrE /rɪˌvɜːbəˈreɪʃn/ ; NAmE /rɪˌvɜːrbəˈreɪʃn/
** ripple effect noun
BrE ; NAmE
*** fallout noun
BrE /ˈfɔːlaʊt/ ; NAmE /ˈfɔːlaʊt/ [uncountable]
an indirect and usually bad result of an action or event that may happen some time afterwards
synonym consequence
- reverberations [plural] the effects of something that happens, especially unpleasant ones that spread among a large number of people
synonym repercussion
** a situation in which an event or action has an effect on something, which then has an effect on something else
*** the bad results of a situation or an action
ex) “I can’t even begin to explain the severity of the repercussions on their lives.”
evoke verb
BrE /ɪˈvəʊk/ ; NAmE /ɪˈvoʊk/
evoke something (formal) to bring a feeling, a memory or an image into your mind
ex) The most delicate relationship right now is between law enforcement and doctors, who want to be able to prescribe medication as they see fit without evoking suspicion of drug trafficking - a fact not lost on the Drug Enforcement Administration.
laud verb
BrE /lɔːd/ ; NAmE /lɔːd/
laud somebody/something (formal) to praise somebody/something
ex) The 32-page document was released in August 2004 and lauded in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
unilaterally adverb
BrE /ˌjuːnɪˈlætrəli/ ; NAmE /ˌjuːnɪˈlætrəli/
by one member of a group or an organization without the agreement of the other members
ex) “It was just amazing to have that collaboration unilaterally ended,” he says, “without explanation.”
rift noun
BrE /rɪft/ ; NAmE /rɪft/
1) a serious disagreement between people that stops their relationship from continuing
synonym breach, division
2) a large crack or opening in the ground, rocks or clouds
ex) If that rift is not mended, it could impede the war on prescription drugs, which depends on cooperation between the medical community and law enforcement.
impede verb
BrE /ɪmˈpiːd/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈpiːd/
[often passive] impede something (formal) to delay or stop the progress of something
synonym hinder, hamper
ex) If that rift is not mended, it could impede the war on prescription drugs, which depends on cooperation between the medical community and law enforcement.
slack off (on something)
to do something more slowly or with less energy than before
ex) That’s right, son. Stop slacking off and start hitting the books!
lost cause noun
something that has failed or that cannot succeed
ex) But I can’t stand chemistry class. Besides, it’s a lost cause. That class is way over my head.
buckle down (to something)
(informal) to start to do something seriously
ex) You need to buckle down.
I’d better buckle down to those reports.
not care/give a hoot, not care/give two hoots
(informal) not to care at all
ex) When I’m a famous musician, people won’t give a hoot about my knowledge of atoms and molecules.
be beside the point
to not be important or closely related to the main thing you are talking about
ex) Yes, I know it was an accident, but that’s beside the point.
They took my words out of context, but that’s beside the point.
set your heart on something, have your heart set on something
to want something very much
ex) We know you have your heart set on going to New York University.
stand a chance (of doing something)
to have the possibility of succeeding or achieving something
ex) And you don’t stand a chance of getting in there with such poor grades!
The driver didn’t stand a chance of stopping in time.
showdown noun
BrE /ˈʃəʊdaʊn/ ; NAmE /ˈʃoʊdaʊn/ [usually singular]
an argument, a fight or a test that will settle a disagreement that has lasted for a long time
ex) Overseas now to the looming showdown with Iran over its nuclear program.
curtail verb
BrE /kɜːˈteɪl/ ; NAmE /kɜːrˈteɪl/
curtail something (formal) to limit something or make it last for a shorter time
ex) Today was the deadline the United Nations Security Council gave Iran to curtail its nuclear program.
move ahead/forward with something
to advance with something; to make progress with something
ex) The UN report concludes Iran is moving ahead with its nuclear program, continuing to make fuel that could be used in nuclear bombs, continuing to defy the UN.
set the stage for something
to make it possible for something to happen; to make something likely to happen
ex) The stage is now set for a showdown in the UN Security Council over a resolution to punish Iran.
like-minded adjective
having similar ideas and interests
ex) We’re forming a strong coalition of like-minded countries that believe that the Iranians should not have a nuclear weapon.
wield verb
BrE /wiːld/ ; NAmE /wiːld/
1) wield something to have and use power, authority, etc.
ex) Both wield a veto at the UN Security Council and both have repeatedly said they do not want to impose sanctions on Iran.
veto noun
BrE /ˈviːtəʊ/ ; NAmE /ˈviːtoʊ/ (pl. vetoes)
1) [countable, uncountable] the right to refuse to allow something to be done, especially the right to stop a law from being passed or a decision from being taken
ex) Both wield a veto at the UN Security Council and both have repeatedly said they do not want to impose sanctions on Iran.
haggle verb
BrE /ˈhæɡl/ ; NAmE /ˈhæɡl/
[intransitive] haggle (with somebody) (over something) to argue with somebody in order to reach an agreement, especially about the price of something
ex) A little-noticed bill that will expand and strengthen the nation’s drug laws appears to have survived the legislative haggling that takes place before parliament is dissolved for the general election.
dissolve verb
BrE /dɪˈzɒlv/ ; NAmE /dɪˈzɑːlv/
3) [transitive] dissolve something to officially end a marriage, business agreement or parliament
ex) A little-noticed bill that will expand and strengthen the nation’s drug laws appears to have survived the legislative haggling that takes place before parliament is dissolved for the general election.
wean verb
BrE /wiːn/ ; NAmE /wiːn/
wean somebody/something (off/from something) to gradually stop feeding a baby or young animal with its mother’s milk and start feeding it with solid food
ex) The aim is to wean Britons off their favourite highs.
end noun
BrE /end/ ; NAmE /end/
4) an aim or a purpose
ex) To that end (=in order to achieve that), the bill criminalises magic mushrooms (at the moment, unprepared ones are legal).
erratic adjective
BrE /ɪˈrætɪk/ ; NAmE /ɪˈrætɪk/
(often disapproving) not happening at regular times; not following any plan or regular pattern; that you cannot rely on
synonym unpredictable
ex) Opponents say that prohibition has little effect on supply or demand. That’s wrong: as well as raising prices, it makes quality more erratic.
outfit noun
BrE /ˈaʊtfɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈaʊtfɪt/
2) [countable + singular or plural verb] (informal) a group of people working together as an organization, business, team, etc.
ex) Danny Kushlick of Transform, a pro-legalisation outfit, points out that pipe tobacco is easy to obtain, though few use it these days.
niche noun
BrE /niːʃ/ ; NAmE /niːʃ/ ; BrE /nɪtʃ/ ; NAmE /nɪtʃ/
2) (business) an opportunity to sell a particular product to a particular group of people
ex) It all tobacco were outlawed, dealers would ignore the niche market and pipe-smokers would turn to cigars and cigarettes.
tumble verb
BrE /ˈtʌmbl/ ; NAmE /ˈtʌmbl/
3) [intransitive] to fall rapidly in value or amount
ex) Ecstasy tablets tumbled from $11 to $4.
lenient adjective
BrE /ˈliːniənt/ ; NAmE /ˈliːniənt/
not as strict as expected when punishing somebody or when making sure that rules are obeyed
ex) Both drugs have lured users away from speed (amphetamines) even though as a Class-B drug it attracts more lenient sentences.
aura noun
BrE /ˈɔːrə/ ; NAmE /ˈɔːrə/
aura (of something) a feeling or particular quality that is very noticeable and seems to surround a person or place
ex) Though cocaine’s price has fallen, it retains an aura of celebrity that helps sales.
sedate adjective
BrE /sɪˈdeɪt/ ; NAmE /sɪˈdeɪt/ [usually before noun]
2) quiet, especially in a way that lacks excitement
ex) But the current trend is for late-night pubs and bars, which suit cocaine users but are too sedate for pill poppers.
reclusive adjective
BrE /rɪˈkluːsɪv/ ; NAmE /rɪˈkluːsɪv/
living alone and avoiding other people
ex) Whether or not the reclusive Kim Jong Il shows up in person for his national shindig on February 16th, the fireworks have begun.
shindig noun
BrE /ˈʃɪndɪɡ/ ; NAmE /ˈʃɪndɪɡ/ (informal)
a big noisy party
ex) Whether or not the reclusive Kim Jong Il shows up in person for his national shindig on February 16th, the fireworks have begun.
shady adjective
BrE /ˈʃeɪdi/ ; NAmE /ˈʃeɪdi/ (shadier, shadiest)
3) [usually before noun] (informal) seeming to be dishonest or illegal
ex) North Korea’s announcement, not just that it has built nuclear weapons (it has said that before), but that it is suspending indefinitely its participation in six-party talks that America, China and others had been hoping would end its shady nuclear dealings, is an attempt to put the blame on the Bush administration for the nuclear impasse.
impasse noun
BrE /ˈæmpɑːs/ ; NAmE /ˈɪmpæs/ [usually singular]
a difficult situation in which no progress can be made because the people involved cannot agree what to do
synonym deadlock stand-off
ex) North Korea’s announcement, not just that it has built nuclear weapons (it has said that before), but that it is suspending indefinitely its participation in six-party talks that America, China and others had been hoping would end its shady nuclear dealings, is an attempt to put the bla
cajole verb
BrE /kəˈdʒəʊl/ ; NAmE /kəˈdʒoʊl/ [transitive, intransitive]
to make somebody do something by talking to them and being very nice to them
synonym coax
ex) But it is also a poser for China, which had been expecting to cajole, bribe and drag North Korea into more talks within weeks.
bribe verb
BrE /braɪb/ ; NAmE /braɪb/
to give somebody money or something valuable in order to persuade them to help you, especially by doing something dishonest
ex) But it is also a poser for China, which had been expecting to cajole, bribe and drag North Korea into more talks within weeks.
drag somebody into something | drag something into something | drag in somebody | drag in something | drag somebody in | drag something in
1) to start to talk about something/somebody that has nothing to do with what is being discussed
2) to try to get somebody who is not connected with a situation involved in it
ex) But it is also a poser for China, which had been expecting to cajole, bribe and drag North Korea into more talks within weeks.
poser noun
BrE /ˈpəʊzə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈpoʊzər/
1) (informal) a difficult question or problem
synonym puzzler
ex) But it is also a poser for China, which had been expecting to cajole, bribe and drag North Korea into more talks within weeks.
sit down and do something
to give something time and attention in order to try to solve a problem or achieve something
ex) Pressure had been building for him to sit down again, along with South Korea, Japan and Russia, and this time negotiate seriously.
stand-off noun
stand-off (between A and B) a situation in which no agreement can be reached
synonym deadlock impasse
ex) North Korea had yet to respond to an American proposal last June that would offer economic assistance and security guarantees, as North Korea has demanded, but only if Mr. Kim agrees to the verifiable dismantling of both his nuclear programmes: the plutonium programme that had been frozen until two years ago under a 1994 deal with America, and the uranium-enrichment activity that America accuses him of carrying on in secret, and that led to the latest stand-off.
slap down somebody | slap down something | slap somebody down | slap something down
(informal) to criticize somebody in an unfair way, often in public, so that they feel embarrassed or less confident
ex) Instead of slapping down a counter-proposal of his own, Mr. Kim has used a string of excuses - America’s presidential election (in which he rooted for George Bush’s opponent), waiting to see whether Mr. Bush sounded “hostile” in his State of the Union address earlier this month (he didn’t).
root for somebody
[no passive] (usually used in the progressive tenses) (informal) to support or encourage somebody in a sports competition or when they are in a difficult situation
ex) Instead of slapping down a counter-proposal of his own, Mr. Kim has used a string of excuses - America’s presidential election (in which he rooted for George Bush’s opponent), waiting to see whether Mr. Bush sounded “hostile” in his State of the Union address earlier this month (he didn’t).
huff noun
BrE /hʌf/ ; NAmE /hʌf/
an angry and offended mood
ex) He blames his latest huff on Ms. Rice, who recently lumped North Korea among the “outposts of tyranny.”
lump verb
BrE /lʌmp/ ; NAmE /lʌmp/
(lump A and B together | lump A (in) with B) to put or consider different things together in the same group
ex) He blames his latest huff on Ms. Rice, who recently lumped North Korea among the “outposts of tyranny.”
outpost noun
BrE /ˈaʊtpəʊst/ ; NAmE /ˈaʊtpoʊst/
1) a small military camp away from the main army, used for watching an enemy’s movements, etc. 교두보
ex) He blames his latest huff on Ms. Rice, who recently lumped North Korea among the “outposts of tyranny.” 악의 교두보
prop something↔up
2) (often disapproving) to help something that is having difficulties
ex) Until now, China, South Korea and Japan have all been happy to prop up Mr. Kim with dollops of aid, so long as he refrained from doing rash things: testing a bomb, for example, or another of his far-flying missiles.
dollop noun
BrE /ˈdɒləp/ ; NAmE /ˈdɑːləp/ (informal)
2) an amount of something
ex) Until now, China, South Korea and Japan have all been happy to prop up Mr. Kim with dollops of aid, so long as he refrained from doing rash things: testing a bomb, for example, or another of his far-flying missiles.
rash adjective
BrE /ræʃ/ ; NAmE /ræʃ/
(of people or their actions) doing something that may not be sensible without first thinking about the possible results; done in this way
synonym reckless
ex) Until now, China, South Korea and Japan have all been happy to prop up Mr. Kim with dollops of aid, so long as he refrained from doing rash things: testing a bomb, for example, or another of his far-flying missiles.
forge ahead (with something)
to move forward quickly; to make a lot of progress quickly
ex) South Korea has forged ahead with economic co-operation, including links across the otherwise heavily fortified border.
centrifuge noun
BrE /ˈsentrɪfjuːdʒ/ ; NAmE /ˈsentrɪfjuːdʒ/
a machine with a part that spins around to separate substances, for example liquids from solids, by forcing the heavier substance to the outer edge
ex) Tests by America’s Department of Energy have convinced American officials that North Korea may well have supplied the uranium hexafluoride gas - partly-processed uranium which can be spun in centrifuge machines to make enriched uranium for either civilian or military uses - that Libya turned over to inspectors a year ago when it abandoned its once secret nuclear-weapons programme.
irrefutable adjective
BrE /ˌɪrɪˈfjuːtəbl/ ; NAmE /ˌɪrɪˈfjuːtəbl/ ; BrE /ɪˈrefjətəbl/ ; NAmE /ɪˈrefjətəbl/ (formal)
that cannot be proved wrong and that must therefore be accepted
ex) The evidence is not irrefutable, but the conclusion is also based on traces of plutonium found on the canisters concerned, as well as a third piece of evidence not so far made public.
fuel rod noun
BrE ; NAmE (specialist)
a long thin piece of fuel used in a nuclear power station 연료봉
ex) America accepts that North Korea has probably finished extracting the plutonium (enough or half a dozen bombs) from spent fuel-rods preciously stored under the 1994 deal near its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon; it will soon be able to unload more rods from the reactor for reprocessing.
reactor noun
BrE /riˈæktə(r)/ ; NAmE /riˈæktər/
(also nuclear reactor)
a large structure used for the controlled production of nuclear energy
ex) America accepts that North Korea has probably finished extracting the plutonium (enough or half a dozen bombs) from spent fuel-rods preciously stored under the 1994 deal near its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon; it will soon be able to unload more rods from the reactor for reprocessing.
bipartisan adjective
BrE /ˌbaɪpɑːtɪˈzæn/ ; NAmE /ˌbaɪˈpɑːrtɪzn/
involving two political parties
ex) But the idea that America should set aside its uranium concerns is given a bipartisan rebuttal in the current issue of Foreign Affairs by Robert Gallucci, who negotiated the 1994 plutonium deal with North Korea under the Clinton administration, and Mitchell Reiss, the just departed head of policy planning in the Bush administration’s State Department.
rebuttal noun
BrE /rɪˈbʌtl/ ; NAmE /rɪˈbʌtl/ countable, uncountable
the act of saying or proving that a statement or criticism is false
synonym refutation
ex) But the idea that America should set aside its uranium concerns is given a bipartisan rebuttal in the current issue of Foreign Affairs by Robert Gallucci, who negotiated the 1994 plutonium deal with North Korea under the Clinton administration, and Mitchell Reiss, the just departed head of policy planning in the Bush administration’s State Department.
turn a blind eye (to something)
to pretend not to notice something bad that is happening, so you do not have to do anything about it
ex) Turning a blind eye to evidence of North Korea’s enrichment work would, they argue, leave Mr. Kim with a covert supply of fissile material, whether for bomb making or for export, including to terrorist groups.
covert adjective
BrE /ˈkʌvət/ , /ˈkəʊvɜːt/ ; NAmE /ˈkoʊvɜːrt/ (formal)
secret or hidden, making it difficult to notice
ex) Turning a blind eye to evidence of North Korea’s enrichment work would, they argue, leave Mr. Kim with a covert supply of fissile material, whether for bomb making or for export, including to terrorist groups.
fissile adjective
BrE /ˈfɪsaɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈfɪsl/ (physics)
capable of nuclear fission 핵분열성의
ex) Turning a blind eye to evidence of North Korea’s enrichment work would, they argue, leave Mr. Kim with a covert supply of fissile material, whether for bomb making or for export, including to terrorist groups.
acquiesce verb
BrE /ˌækwiˈes/ ; NAmE /ˌækwiˈes/
[intransitive] acquiesce (in/to something) (formal) to accept something without arguing, even if you do not really agree with it
ex) So far, despite its tough line, says Gary Samore, of the London-based IISS, America has in effect acquiesced in North Korea’s becoming a covert nuclear power.
intrigue noun
BrE /ˈɪntriːɡ/ ; NAmE /ˈɪntriːɡ/ ; BrE /ɪnˈtriːɡ/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈtriːɡ/
2) [countable] a secret plan or relationship, especially one which involves somebody else being tricked
ex) Meanwhile, there have been reports of political intrigues and even some limited anti-regime protests.
quell verb
BrE /kwel/ ; NAmE /kwel/ (formal)
1) quell something/somebody to stop something such as violent behaviour or protests
ex) Mr. Kim may soon pick one of his sons as the next dynasty-designate, in part to quell rumours that he is losing his grip.
lose your grip (on something)
to become unable to understand or control a situation
ex) Mr. Kim may soon pick one of his sons as the next dynasty-designate, in part to quell rumours that he is losing his grip.
lash out | lash out at somebody | lash out at something
2) to criticize somebody in an angry way
ex) Lashing out under pressure is a Kim trademark.
canister noun
BrE /ˈkænɪstə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈkænɪstər/
2) a strong metal container containing gas or a chemical substance, especially one that bursts when it is fired from a gun or thrown
ex) The evidence is not irrefutable, but the conclusion is also based on traces of plutonium found on the canisters concerned, as well as a third piece of evidence not so far made public.
sworn adjective
BrE /swɔːn/ ; NAmE /swɔːrn/ [only before noun]
2) (sworn/bitter enemies) people, countries, etc. that have a strong hatred for each other
ex) It has some time since the two nations were bitter enemies.
set in
(of rain, bad weather, infection, etc.) to begin and seem likely to continue
ex) But a speech by President Putin, today, left little doubt that a new chill has set in.
comrade noun
BrE /ˈkɒmreɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈkɑːmræd/
1) a person who is a member of the same communist or socialist political party as the person speaking
ex) “Comrade wolf knows whom to eat. It eats without listening. And it’s clearly not going to listen to anyone.”
exert verb
BrE /ɪɡˈzɜːt/ ; NAmE /ɪɡˈzɜːrt/
1) exert something to use power or influence to affect somebody/something
ex) “The stronger our military is,” he said, “the less the temptation to exert such pressure on us.”
stymie verb
BrE /ˈstaɪmi/ ; NAmE /ˈstaɪmi/
stymie somebody/something (informal) to prevent somebody from doing something that they have planned or want to do; to prevent something from happening
synonym foil
ex) With its veto power at the UN Security Council, Elizabeth, Russia can stymie US diplomatic efforts to punish Iran for its nuclear program.
be/stand head and shoulders above somebody/something
to be much better than other people or things
ex) She said my presentation was head and shoulders above the others.
way to go!
(North American English, informal) used to tell somebody that you are pleased about something they have done
ex) A: She said my presentation was head and shoulders above the others.
B: Way to go!
go into something
3) to join an organization, especially in order to have a career in it
ex) She also said I should go into politics, just like Hillary.
to go into teaching
to go into the Army/the Church/Parliament
gung-ho adjective
BrE /ˌɡʌŋ ˈhəʊ/ ; NAmE /ˌɡʌŋ ˈhoʊ/ (informal, disapproving)
too enthusiastic about something, without thinking seriously about it, especially about fighting and war
ex) You’re so gung-ho about school. It drives me crazy.
butt in | butt in on somebody | butt in on something
1) to interrupt a conversation rudely
2) (informal) to become involved in a situation that does not concern you
synonym interfere
ex) Ted, don’t butt in! You’re just jealous.
hit the nail on the head
to say something that is exactly right
ex) A: Ted, don’t butt in! You’re just jealous.
B: Right. You hit the nail on the head. I’m green with envy.
be green with envy
to be very unhappy because someone has something that you want
ex) Right. You hit the nail on the head. I’m green with envy.
on thin ice
2) at risk of upsetting or annoying someone; in a risky situation
ex) Would you just shut up? You’re on thin ice with me right now.
shake in your shoes
(informal) to be very frightened or nervous
ex) Oh no! Look at me. I’m shaking in my shoes.
reckoning noun
BrE /ˈrekənɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈrekənɪŋ/
- a day of reckoning
the time when somebody will have to deal with the result of 2) [countable, usually singular, uncountable] a time when somebody’s actions will be judged to be right or wrong and they may be punished
- something that they have done wrong, or be punished for something bad that they have done
ex) We turn now to a financial reckoning facing so many homeowners.
breaking point noun
BrE ; NAmE
(also break point)
[uncountable]
the time when problems become so great that a person, an organization or a system can no longer deal with them
ex) Tonight, ABC’s Betsy Stark on the homeowners squeezed to the breaking point.
get in on something
to take part in an activity
ex) Heidi is one of millions of Americans who got in on the great American housing boom by buying a house with an adjustable-rate mortgage.
kick in (informal)
1) to begin to take effect
Once that adjustable rate kicked in, it just got from bad to worse. Very bad.
come up for something [no passive]
2) to be reaching the time when something must be done
ex) Economists estimate that nearly a quarter of all mortgage loans will come up for interest rate resets in the next two years, bringing monthly mortgage payments as much as 50% higher.
His contract is coming up for renewal.
fob somebody↔off (with something)
1) to try to stop somebody asking questions or complaining by telling them something that is not true
ex) If Iran is allowed to fob off nuclear inspectors, so will North Korea.
Don’t let him fob you off with any more excuses.
She wouldn’t be fobbed off this time.
dispiriting adjective
BrE /dɪˈspɪrɪtɪŋ/ ; NAmE /dɪˈspɪrɪtɪŋ/
making somebody lose their hope or enthusiasm
ex) Good news is dispiritingly rare in the global effort to curb the spread of nuclear weapons.
dabble verb
BrE /ˈdæbl/ ; NAmE /ˈdæbl/
1) [intransitive] dabble (in/with something) to take part in a sport, an activity, etc. but not very seriously
ex) North Korea seemed to surprise itself this week by agreeing to a set of principles with America, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia to give up its weapons and end its nuclear dabbling - so much so, that a day later it was already bad-temperedly backtracking.
bad-tempered adjective
BrE /ˌbæd ˈtempəd/ ; NAmE /ˌbæd ˈtempərd/
often angry; in an angry mood
ex) North Korea seemed to surprise itself this week by agreeing to a set of principles with America, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia to give up its weapons and end its nuclear dabbling - so much so, that a day later it was already bad-temperedly backtracking.
so much so
to such a great degree
ex) North Korea seemed to surprise itself this week by agreeing to a set of principles with America, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia to give up its weapons and end its nuclear dabbling - so much so, that a day later it was already bad-temperedly backtracking.
It was a great project, so much so that it won first prize.
She is pretty, so much so if you get to see her once, you’ll fall in love with here on the spot.
backtrack verb
BrE /ˈbæktræk/ ; NAmE /ˈbæktræk/
2) [intransitive] to change an earlier statement, opinion or promise because of pressure from somebody/something
ex) North Korea seemed to surprise itself this week by agreeing to a set of principles with America, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia to give up its weapons and end its nuclear dabbling - so much so, that a day later it was already bad-temperedly backtracking.
temerity noun
BrE /təˈmerəti/ ; NAmE /təˈmerəti/ uncountable
extremely confident behaviour that people are likely to consider rude
ex) It also threatens to enrich the uranium (just for reactor fuel, it says, though others suspect for bomb-making) and to end all co-operation with international inspectors if the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), meeting this week, has the temerity to report its past nuclear rule-breaking to the UN Security Council.
flounce verb
BrE /flaʊns/ ; NAmE /flaʊns/
[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to move somewhere in a way that draws attention to yourself, for example because you are angry or upset
ex) North Korea flounced out of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2003 and claims loudly to have the bomb; Iran, still officially in, claims not to want or need one.
in the dock
on trial in court, especially in a criminal case; under intense scrutiny; being tried in a court, especially a criminal court; on trial
ex) So why are the Europeans and America, along with Australia, Canada, Japan and others, pressing to put Iran in the dock at the UN?
cascade noun
BrE /kæˈskeɪd/ ; NAmE /kæˈskeɪd/
4) (formal) a large number of things falling or coming quickly at the same time
ex) The answers can be found in a cascade of IAEA inspectors’ reports describing two decades of cheating: covering up experiments to enrich uranium and make plutonium, and lying repeatedly about how much nuclear equipment and materials was bought from the same black-market middlemen that sold Libya a flat-pack bomb-making kit, and that helped supply North Korea too.
flat-pack noun
BrE ; NAmE (British English)
a piece of furniture that is sold in pieces in a flat box and that you have to build yourself
ex) The answers can be found in a cascade of IAEA inspectors’ reports describing two decades of cheating: covering up experiments to enrich uranium and make plutonium, and lying repeatedly about how much nuclear equipment and materials was bought from the same black-market middlemen that sold Libya a flat-pack bomb-making kit, and that helped supply North Korea too.
warhead noun
BrE /ˈwɔːhed/ ; NAmE /ˈwɔːrhed/
the explosive part of a missile 탄두
ex) Yet there are other indications - including possible design work on a nuclear warhead - that its intentions are far from peaceful.
fret verb
BrE /fret/ ; NAmE /fret/
[intransitive, transitive] fret (about/over something) | fret (that…) (especially British English) to be worried or unhappy and not able to relax
ex) Some fret at measures to curb its “right” to such technologies under the NPT.
peep noun
BrE /piːp/ ; NAmE /piːp/ peep noun
BrE /piːp/ ; NAmE /piːp/
2) [singular] (informal) something that somebody says or a sound that somebody makes
ex) China did not let it utter a peep over North Korea, preferring those six-party talks.
accord verb
BrE /əˈkɔːd/ ; NAmE /əˈkɔːrd/ (formal)
[transitive] to give somebody/something authority, status or a particular type of treatment
ex) In fact, the NPT accords Iran only a right to the “benefits of civilian nuclear power,” and only then if it is keeping its non-nuclear promises.
defiance noun
BrE /dɪˈfaɪəns/ ; NAmE /dɪˈfaɪəns/ [uncountable]
open refusal to obey somebody/something
ex) Meanwhile, letting its defiance stand carries big risks.
duck verb
BrE /dʌk/ ; NAmE /dʌk/
4) [intransitive, transitive] (rather informal) to avoid a difficult or unpleasant duty or responsibility
ex) The IAEA’s board has a legal obligation to report safeguards breaches to the Security Council. Ducking it undermines the inspectors’ authority.
undermine verb
BrE /ˌʌndəˈmaɪn/ ; NAmE /ˌʌndərˈmaɪn/
1) undermine something to make something, especially somebody’s confidence or authority, gradually weaker or less effective
ex) The IAEA’s board has a legal obligation to report safeguards breaches to the Security Council. Ducking it undermines the inspectors’ authority.
in good standing
1) in favor or on good terms with someone
ex) Iran claims to be in good standing with the NPT.
The companies wanted to stay in good standing with the government.
drag your feet/heels
to be deliberately slow in doing something or in making a decision
ex) Russia has been dragging its feet over supplying fuel for Iran’s one soon-to-be-operating reactor at Bushehr, but the IAEA is still providing technical assistance and others are involved too.
dig your heels/toes in
to refuse to do something or to change your mind about something
ex) If Iran still digs its heel in, the council could suspend the work of other UN agencies in Iran, and its right to vote in the UN General Assembly.
run rings around/round somebody
(informal) to be much better at doing something than somebody else
ex) For if Iran is left to run rings round inspectors, what chance that North Korea will pay them heed?
refinance verb
BrE /ˌriːˈfaɪnæns/ ; NAmE /ˌriːˈfaɪnæns/
[transitive, intransitive] refinance (something) (finance) to borrow money in order to pay a debt 차환/대환하다
ex) They should talk to their lender, Elizabeth, because they may be able to renegotiate or refinance at better terms.
year-on-year (year-over-year) adjective
- over the same period
(of figures, prices, etc.) as compared with the corresponding ones from a year earlier
ex) The sales of Samsung Electronics are up 20% year on year.
the monthly year-on-year growth rates
add insult to injury
to make a bad relationship with somebody worse by offending them even more
ex) And then, adding insult to injury, tonight, “Consumer Reports” issued its annual list of best vehicles and left US cars on the curb.
fit and finish
The attention to detail of a finished product, most often referring to a manufactured products (cars, handguns, etc) but also applicable to almost any human production (tv shows, websites, etc). Fit refers to how well the component parts come together, and finish refers to the completeness or perfection of the work.
ex) In general, we have seen that domestic vehicles lack the fit and finish and the fuel economy and reliability, often, of the better Japanese models.
reliability noun
BrE /rɪˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/ ; NAmE /rɪˌlaɪəˈbɪləti/ [uncountable]
3) the quality of being able to work or operate for long periods without breaking down or needing attention
ex) In general, we have seen that domestic vehicles lack the fit and finish and the fuel economy and reliability, often, of the better Japanese models.
interstate noun
BrE /ˈɪntəsteɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈɪntərsteɪt/
(also interstate highway) (in the US) a wide road, with at least two lanes in each direction, where traffic can travel fast for long distances across many states. You can only enter and leave interstates at special ramps.
ex) You can drive from San Francisco to Paterson, New Jersey, on Interstate 80 without paying a cent (save for petrol and the occasional meal).
save preposition
BrE /seɪv/ ; NAmE /seɪv/
(also save for) (old use or formal) except something
ex) You can drive from San Francisco to Paterson, New Jersey, on Interstate 80 without paying a cent (save for petrol and the occasional meal).
float verb
BrE /fləʊt/ ; NAmE /floʊt/
5) [transitive] float something to suggest an idea or a plan for other people to consider
ex) The Senate originally floated a $318 billion bill; that has since been combined with a House bill and reduced to a more acceptable $292 billion until 2009.
put sth in perspective
cf. put sth in proportion
to look at something in relation to other things and compare the situations.
ex) To put these numbers in proportion, the original 1956 act that created the federal highway system spent only $219 billion (in current dollars) over 13 years.
You can put your worries into perspective when you realize how many people in the world are so much worse off than you.
Just to put that into perspective, that’s zero marketing and faster growth than when Facebook first launched.
John just paid £100,000 for a painting but, to put that in perspective, he has £7,000,000 in the bank!
stratospheric adjective
BrE /ˌstrætəˈsferɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌstrætəˈsferɪk/ , also /ˌstrætəˈsfɪrɪk/
1) (specialist) in the layer of the earth’s atmosphere between about 10 and 50 kilometres above the surface of the earth 성층권의
2) (informal) extremely high
ex) What, then, is pushing costs to these stratospheric levels?
wear and tear
the damage to objects, furniture, property, etc. that is the result of normal use
ex) Thicker surfaces would be able to stand the wear and tear, but construction standards have not been updated since the 1950s.
lorry noun
BrE /ˈlɒri/ ; NAmE /ˈlɔːri/ , /ˈlɑːri/ (British English)(pl. lorries)
(also truck North American English, British English)
a large vehicle for carrying heavy loads by road
ex) Oregon is the only state to tax lorries by the amount of weight carried per axle: more axles carry the truck’s weight more evenly, easing the pressure on the road below.
friction noun
BrE /ˈfrɪkʃn/ ; NAmE /ˈfrɪkʃn/
2) [uncountable] (physics) the resistance (= the force that stops something moving) of one surface to another surface or substance moving over or through it
ex) every other state charges trucks by fuel consumption, and more axles mean more friction and weight, reducing fuel efficiency.
earmark verb
BrE /ˈɪəmɑːk/ ; NAmE /ˈɪrmɑːrk/
[usually passive] to decide that something will be used for a particular purpose, or to state that something will happen to somebody/something in the future
ex) Since 1982, when legislators were allowed to earmark transport funds for specific highway bills, this has been a convenient way of dishing out congressional pork.
dish something↔out
1) (informal) to give something, often to a lot of people or in large amounts
ex) Since 1982, when legislators were allowed to earmark transport funds for specific highway bills, this has been a convenient way of dishing out congressional pork.
pork barrel noun
BrE ; NAmE [uncountable] (North American English, slang)
local projects that are given a lot of government money in order to win votes; the money that is used
ex) Since 1982, when legislators were allowed to earmark transport funds for specific highway bills, this has been a convenient way of dishing out congressional pork.
constituent noun
BrE /kənˈstɪtjuənt/ ; NAmE /kənˈstɪtʃuənt/
1) a person who lives, and can vote in a constituency
ex) I-99 is also known as “Bud Shuster Byway” after the long-serving Republican congressman who secured the money for his grateful constituents.
tussle noun
BrE /ˈtʌsl/ ; NAmE /ˈtʌsl/
tussle (for/over something) a short struggle, fight or argument especially in order to get something
ex) Highway money is also an important part of the tussles between Washington, DC, and the states.
cut off somebody | cut off something | cut somebody off | cut something off
2) [often passive] to stop the supply of something to somebody
ex) Highway money is also an important part of the tussles between Washington, DC, and the states. The latter, eager to point to highway construction as a sign of growth, love getting federal funds; the federal government, in turn, has found that threatening to cut off highway money is a good way to get states or municipalities to do something else.
municipality noun
BrE /mjuːˌnɪsɪˈpæləti/ ; NAmE /mjuːˌnɪsɪˈpæləti/ (pl. municipalities)(formal)
a town, city or district with its own local government; the group of officials who govern it
ex) The federal government, in turn, has found that threatening to cut off highway money is a good way to get states or municipalities to do something else.
bring somebody/something, come, get, fall, etc. into line (with somebody/something)
to behave or make somebody/something behave in the same way as other people or how they should behave
ex) Then a law was passed to allow the government to withhold highway funds from the rest; by 1988, all the states had fallen into line.
politick verb
pol·i·tick \ˈpä-lə-ˌtik\ [intransitive]
to engage in often partisan political discussion or activity
ex) Politicking about the main source of highway funds, a tax on gasoline, could also end up increasing road spending.
privatize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /ˈpraɪvətaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˈpraɪvətaɪz/
privatize something to sell a business or an industry so that it is no longer owned by the government 민영화하다
ex) Mr. Winston suggests charging variable tolls for road space: toll lanes already exist on busy routes such as I-15 near San Diego and I-10 near Houston. Or roads could be privatised.
afoot adjective
BrE /əˈfʊt/ ; NAmE /əˈfʊt/ [not before noun]
being planned; happening
ex) A $175 billion plan is afoot to build a Trans-Texas Corridor - an enormous project including 4,000 miles of private toll roads as well as a railway packed into a quarter-mile-wide swathe of land that would go past, rather than through, the state’s big towns.
swathe noun
BrE /sweɪð/ ; NAmE /sweɪð/
(also swath BrE /swɒθ/ ; NAmE /swɑːθ/ )
(formal)
2) a large strip or area of something
ex) A $175 billion plan is afoot to build a Trans-Texas Corridor - an enormous project including 4,000 miles of private toll roads as well as a railway packed into a quarter-mile-wide swathe of land that would go past, rather than through, the state’s big towns.
warm to something | warm towards something
to become more interested in or enthusiastic about something
ex) Whether Americans will warm to the idea of paying to drive on many more roads remains to be seen; if they don’t, they will simply pay the tab through higher taxes.
it remains to be seen
(idiomatic) to have not yet happened; to be as yet unknown; it is not yet certain
ex) Whether Americans will warm to the idea of paying to drive on many more roads remains to be seen; if they don’t, they will simply pay the tab through higher taxes.
It remains to be seen who will win.
pick up the tab/check (pay the tab/check)
to pay the bill
ex) Whether Americans will warm to the idea of paying to drive on many more roads remains to be seen; if they don’t, they will simply pay the tab through higher taxes.
Whenever we go out, my father picks up the tab.
Order whatever you want. The company is picking up the check.
groan under the weight of something
(formal) used to say that there is too much of something
ex) Companies like Ford and General Motors groan under the weight of their history,k manifested in the legacy costs that are a result of decades of promises to support workers and provide them with health care in their old age.
manifest verb
BrE /ˈmænɪfest/ ; NAmE /ˈmænɪfest/ (formal)
1) manifest something (in something) to show something clearly, especially a feeling, an attitude or a quality
synonym demonstrate
ex) Companies like Ford and General Motors groan under the weight of their history, manifested in the legacy costs that are a result of decades of promises to support workers and provide them with health care in their old age.
legacy cost
The costs involved with a company paying increased healthcare fees and other benefit-related costs for its current employees and retired pensioners. It is believed that escalating legacy costs can be a very large contributing factor towards limiting a company’s competitiveness.
Typically, it is the larger, older and more established companies that have problems with spiraling legacy costs, because they have the most pension and healthcare liabilities. In the face of these costs, many companies are taking measures to lower legacy costs as much as possible. One example of this can be seen by the trend of companies changing their employee retirement plans from defined-benefit plans to defined-contribution plans.
ex) Companies like Ford and General Motors groan under the weight of their history, manifested in the legacy costs that are a result of decades of promises to support workers and provide them with health care in their old age.
payroll noun
BrE /ˈpeɪrəʊl/ ; NAmE /ˈpeɪroʊl/
1) a list of people employed by a company showing the amount of money to be paid to each of them
2) [usually singular] the total amount paid in wages by a company
ex) GM, Ford and the parts maker Delphi have all offered thousands of buyouts as part of efforts to restructure their inefficient manufacturing businesses, trimming payrolls to become more competitive.
not unlike
similar to
ex) But that means fewer workers supporting armies of retirees, a demographic challenge not unlike the one facing the Social Security system.
hammer out something
1) to discuss a plan, an idea, etc. until everyone agrees or a decision is made
ex) In an ideal world, America would join the overwhelming majority of developed countries and hammer out some kinds of national health care system.
onset noun
BrE /ˈɒnset/ ; NAmE /ˈɑːnset/ , /ˈɔːnset/ [singular]
the beginning of something, especially something unpleasant
ex) Failing such a sudden and unlikely onset of sanity, creative solutions are needed.
strike a bargain/deal
to make an agreement with somebody in which both sides have an advantage
ex) Senator Barack Obama has proposed striking a bargain with American automakers to help them with retiree health care costs in exchange for higher fuel efficiency standards.
stride noun
BrE /straɪd/ ; NAmE /straɪd/
- make great/big strides
3) an improvement in the way something is developing
* to progress well
ex) Today, GM, Ford and Chrysler all insisted they are making big strides.
up in the air
not yet decided
ex) Maybe go to the movies or to a party. Our plans are still up in the air.
down in the dumps
(informal) feeling unhappy
synonym depressed
ex) I don’t want to hang around here. Dad is really down in the dumps.
there’s no accounting for taste
(saying) used to say how difficult it is to understand why somebody likes somebody/something that you do not like at all
ex) A: Take it easy, Mom. We’re not about to get married. We just enjoy hanging out together.
B: I guess there’s no accounting for taste. Have a good time.
have a blast
(informal) to have a great time; to have a lot of fun; to enjoy doing something very much
ex) A: I guess there’s no accounting for taste. Have a good time.
B: Don’t worry. We’ll have a blast!
scare noun
BrE /skeə(r)/ ; NAmE /sker/
1) [countable] (used especially in newspapers) a situation in which a lot of people are anxious or frightened about something
ex) Why, the mobile phone of course, which is simutaneously the most successful digital device on the planet (1.7 billion users and counting) and the origin of all sorts of myths and scare stories.
what of
- what about
1) formal how does that affect (someone or something)
2) why does (something) matter
ex) Their use in the air is banned because it would interfere with mobile networks on the ground, though this has now been solved, and in-flight calling will be possible next year.
take on a life of its own
to no longer be controlled by anyone
ex) With the industry unwilling to withdraw its warning signs, the myth of phone-related explosions has taken on a life of its own.
Once an earthquake starts, it takes on a life of its own.
Someone imagined it, and the idea took on a life of its own.
on the face of it
(informal) used to say that something seems to be good, true, etc. but that this opinion may need to be changed when you know more about it
ex) On the face of it, there is a contradiction here: mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable, yet they have also given rise to a curious bundle of safety fears.
On the face of it, it seems like a great deal.
What may, on the face of it, seem obvious often turns out to be far more complicated.
contradiction noun
BrE /ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪkʃn/
1) [countable, uncountable] contradiction (between A and B) a lack of agreement between facts, opinions, actions, etc.
ex) On the face of it, there is a contradiction here: mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable, yet they have also given rise to a curious bundle of safety fears.
indispensable adjective
BrE /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/ ; NAmE /ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl/
too important to be without
synonym essential
ex) On the face of it, there is a contradiction here: mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable, yet they have also given rise to a curious bundle of safety fears.
give rise to something
(formal) to cause something to happen or exist
ex) On the face of it, there is a contradiction here: mobile phones are ubiquitous and indispensable, yet they have also given rise to a curious bundle of safety fears.
The novel’s success gave rise to a number of sequels.
wary adjective
BrE /ˈweəri/ ; NAmE /ˈweri/ (warier, wariest)
careful when dealing with somebody/something because you think that there may be a danger or problem
synonym cautious
ex) Britain has taken an unusually cautious position, but that is because the British government is particularly wary in the wake of the mad-cow fiasco of the 1980s and 1990s.
fiasco noun
BrE /fiˈæskəʊ/ ; NAmE /fiˈæskoʊ/ (pl. fiascos, (North American English also)fiascoes)(informal)
something that does not succeed, often in a way that causes embarrassment
synonym disaster
ex) Britain has taken an unusually cautious position, but that is because the British government is particularly wary in the wake of the mad-cow fiasco of the 1980s and 1990s.
The party was a complete fiasco.
What a fiasco!
After the fiasco over the brochures, I decided to take charge of the marketing.
detonate verb
BrE /ˈdetəneɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈdetəneɪt/
[intransitive, transitive] detonate (something) to explode, or to make a bomb or other device explode
ex) There is currently a debate about whether it is safe to install mobile antennas in underground stations, for examples, for fear that terrorists will use mobile phones to detonate bombs.
ransom noun
BrE /ˈrænsəm/ ; NAmE /ˈrænsəm/
[countable, uncountable] money that is paid to somebody so that they will set free a person who is being kept as a prisoner by them
ex) Nobody is suggesting that alarm clocks be outlawed, however; nor does anyone suggest banning telephones, even though kidnappers can use them to make ransom demands.
a ransom demand/note
They are refusing to pay ransom for her release.
They stole cattle for ransom.
weigh something against something
to ponder something by balancing it against something.
ex) Rather than demonising new technologies, their legitimate uses by good people must always be weighed against their illegitimate uses by bad ones.
When I weigh your suggestion against my own ideas, I realize that I must follow my own conscience.
spearhead verb
BrE /ˈspɪəhed/ ; NAmE /ˈspɪrhed/
spearhead something to begin an activity or lead an attack against somebody/something
ex) Wal-Mart spearheads push on radio-frequency tags, but some suppliers balk.
He is spearheading a campaign for a new stadium in the town.
baulk verb (British English)
(usually North American English balk)
BrE /bɔːk/ ; NAmE /bɔːk/
1) [intransitive] baulk (at something) to be unwilling to do something or become involved in something because it is difficult, dangerous, etc.
ex) Wal-Mart spearheads push on radio-frequency tags, but some suppliers balk.
Many parents may baulk at the idea of paying $100 for a pair of shoes.
He baulked for a moment. ‘I can’t afford it,’ he finally admitted.
big box
(also big-box store/big-box retailer BrE ; NAmE )
BrE ; NAmE (North American English, informal)
a very large shop/store, built on one level and located outside a town, which sells goods at low prices
ex) For big-box retailers with razor-thin margins - and that’s pretty much all of them - knowledge isn’t just power; it’s also profit.
razor-thin adjective
BrE ; NAmE (North American English)
- a razor-thin margin/majority
a razor-thin difference in amount is very small
- a very small difference between two amounts or results
ex) For big-box retailers with razor-thin margins - and that’s pretty much all of them - knowledge isn’t just power; it’s also profit.
The Republican Senator won a third term by a razor-thin edge over his Democratic challenger.
turnover noun
BrE /ˈtɜːnəʊvə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈtɜːrnoʊvər/
1) [countable, usually singular, uncountable] turnover (of something) the total amount of goods or services sold by a company during a particular period of time
3) [singular] turnover (of something) the rate at which goods are sold in a shop/store and replaced by others
ex) At Wal-Mart, Saturday afternoons are a peak period for high-turnover products like shampoo and toothpaste.
crucial adjective
BrE /ˈkruːʃl/ ; NAmE /ˈkruːʃl/
extremely important, because it will affect other things
synonym critical, essential
ex) While only a first step, Wal-Mart’s efforts are crucial to creating a pervasive RFID system throughout corporate America by decade’s end.
a crucial factor/issue/decision
Winning this contract is crucial to the success of the company.
It is crucial that we get this right.
pervasive adjective
BrE /pəˈveɪsɪv/ ; NAmE /pərˈveɪsɪv/
existing in all parts of a place or thing; spreading gradually to affect all parts of a place or thing
ex) While only a first step, Wal-Mart’s efforts are crucial to creating a pervasive RFID system throughout corporate America by decade’s end.
tweak verb
BrE /twiːk/ ; NAmE /twiːk/
2) tweak something to make slight changes to a machine, system, etc. to improve it
ex) Find that out with RFID, and advertising and marketing strategies could be tweaked in response.
line of sight noun
BrE ; NAmE
(also line of vision, sight-line)
an imaginary line that goes from somebody’s eye to something that they are looking at
ex) RFID tags have lots of advantages over bar codes, which are line-of-sight devices that must be seen directly by a laser to be read.
There was a column directly in my line of sight, so I could only see half the stage.
across the board
involving everyone or everything in a company, an industry, etc.
ex) The industry needs more investment across the board.
an across-the-board wage increase
for one thing
used to introduce one of two or more reasons for doing something
ex) No doubt there are plenty of hurdles to overcome - for one thing, the tags don’t stick too well to frozen foods like Sara Lee cheesecakes - with the biggest obstacle being figuring out how to integrate all this new information.
‘Why don’t you get a car?’ ‘Well, for one thing, I can’t drive!’
if not
3) used to suggest that something may be even larger, more important, etc. than was first stated
ex) For one thing, slapping radio tags on pallets at distribution centers is hardly a dream come true for suppliers forced by Wal-Mart to spend thousands if not millions of dollars on tags without any immediate benefit.
They cost thousands if not millions of pounds to build.
loath adjective
(less frequent loth)
BrE /ləʊθ/ ; NAmE /loʊθ/
loath to do something (formal) not willing to do something
ex) The suppliers themselves are loath to express such misgivings in public.
misgiving noun
BrE /ˌmɪsˈɡɪvɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˌmɪsˈɡɪvɪŋ/
[countable, usually plural, uncountable] (misgiving about something/about doing something) feelings of doubt or anxiety about what might happen, or about whether or not something is the right thing to do
ex) The suppliers themselves are loath to express such misgivings in public.
I had grave misgivings about making the trip.
mandate noun
BrE /ˈmændeɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈmændeɪt/
3) mandate (to do something) (formal) an official order given to somebody to perform a particular task
ex) According to consultancy Incucomm, Wal-Mart’s top suppliers have spent just under $500,000 each to comply with the mandate - far less than the widely cited analyst estimates of $1 millions and up.
phase something↔in
to introduce or start using something gradually in stages over a period of time
ex) A recent poll of 90 companies conducted by an RFID trade group found that fewer than 10 percent of retailers and 40 percent of manufacturers had target dates for phasing in RFID.
miss out (on)
to fail to use an opportunity to enjoy or get an advantage from something
ex) If you were to wait for Intel to come up with the definitive chip or Microsoft the definitive piece of software, you would be missing out on a lot of opportunities.
come back/down to earth (with a bang/bump), bring somebody (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump)
(informal) to return, or to make somebody return, to a normal way of thinking or behaving after a time when they have been very excited, not very practical, etc.
ex) Coming down to earth
You have a fit of enthusiasm, John, but you must come down to earth. We can’t possibly afford any of your suggestions.
bounce back
to become healthy, successful or confident again after being ill/sick or having difficulties
synonym recover
ex) Um, wasn’t the stock market supposed to bounce back after Wednesday’s big drop?
read something into something
to think that something means more than it really does
ex) We shouldn’t read too much into a couple of days’ movements in stock prices.
Don’t read too much into what she says.
uneasy adjective
BrE /ʌnˈiːzi/ ; NAmE /ʌnˈiːzi/
1) feeling worried or unhappy about a particular situation, especially because you think that something bad or unpleasant may happen or because you are not sure that what you are doing is right
synonym anxious
ex) But it seems that investors are suddenly feeling uneasy about the state of the economy.
deficit noun
BrE /ˈdefɪsɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈdefɪsɪt/
1) (economics) the amount by which money spent or owed is greater than money earned in a particular period of time
ex) In 2005, the trade deficit passed $700 billion, yet the dollar actually rose against the euro and the yen.
reassert verb
BrE /ˌriːəˈsɜːt/ ; NAmE /ˌriːəˈsɜːrt/
1) reassert something to make other people recognize again your right or authority to do something, after a period when this has been in doubt
2) (reassert itself) to start to have an effect again, after a period of not having any effect
ex) Over the last few weeks, however, gravity seems to have started reasserting itself.
a/the pecking order
(informal, often humorous) the order of importance in relation to one another among the members of a group
synonym hierarchy
ex) New Zealand is at the top of the pecking order of rugby nations.
to be first in the pecking order
hard-pressed adjective
1) having a lot of problems, especially too much work, and too little time or money
ex) Finally, there are preliminary indications that consumers, hard-pressed by high gasoline prices, may be reaching their limit.
assert verb
BrE /əˈsɜːt/ ; NAmE /əˈsɜːrt/
1) to state clearly and firmly that something is true
ex) The release attacked The Times for asserting that paychecks weren’t keeping up with fixed costs like medical care and gasoline.
flail verb
BrE /fleɪl/ ; NAmE /fleɪl/
1) [intransitive, transitive] flail (something) (about/around) to move around without control; to move your arms and legs around without control
ex) He asked whether the number was adjusted for inflation; after flailing about, Mr. Snow admitted, sheepishly, that it wasn’t.
The boys flailed around on the floor.
He was running along, his arms flailing wildly.
sheepishly adverb
BrE /ˈʃiːpɪʃli/ ; NAmE /ˈʃiːpɪʃli/
in a way that shows that you are embarrassed because you have done something silly or wrong
synonym shamefacedly
ex) He asked whether the number was adjusted for inflation; after flailing about, Mr. Snow admitted, sheepishly, that it wasn’t.
negate verb
BrE /nɪˈɡeɪt/ ; NAmE /nɪˈɡeɪt/ (formal)
1) negate something to stop something from having any effect
synonym nullify
ex) In fact, nearly all of the wage increase was negated by higher prices.
orderly adjective
BrE /ˈɔːdəli/ ; NAmE /ˈɔːrdərli/
2) behaving well; peaceful
ex) Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, contends that what’s happening in the housing market is “a very orderly and moderate kind of cooling.”
make inroads into/on something
to take or use a large part of something; make advances into; make forays into; make raids on; make encroachments into; encroach upon
ex) The success of Hyundai Motors’ Grandeur sedan in the U.S. means it now has confidence to make inroads into the European market.
All these repair bills are making huge inroads into my savings.
brace verb
BrE /breɪs/ ; NAmE /breɪs/
1) brace somebody/yourself (for something) | brace somebody/yourself (to do something) to prepare somebody/yourself for something difficult or unpleasant that is going to happen
ex) People have become keener on bracing for the worst in the wake of the disaster.
UN troops are braced for more violence.
They are bracing themselves for a long legal battle.
I, you, etc. could use something
(informal) used to say that you would like to have something very much
ex) In Chicago, financial analyst Peter Ziv could use some help.
I think we could all use a drink after that!
in the market for something
interested in buying something
ex) I’m very much in the market for a broker or brokers to join our firm.
I’m not in the market for a new car at the moment.
up a storm
with a lot of energy; [figurative] [doing or making] a great amount with fury or intensity. (*Typically: cook ~; gab ~; sing ~; kick ~; talk ~.)
ex) We are hiring up a storm in all areas of the business.
Her dog barks up a storm every time the phone rings.
They were sitting in a corner, talking up a storm.
We talked up a storm until past midnight.
Everyone was gabbing up a storm and didn’t hear the chairman come in.
take somebody↔on
1) (especially British English) to employ somebody
ex) Will I be able to have benefits at - on that new job that I take on?
She was taken on a as a trainee.
mainstay noun
BrE /ˈmeɪnsteɪ/ ; NAmE /ˈmeɪnsteɪ/
[usually singular] mainstay (of something) a person or thing that is the most important part of something and enables it to exist or be successful
ex) The anxiety is fueled in part by word that manufacturing, long a mainstay in the nation’s economy, lost 1,000 jobs last month.
word noun
BrE /wɜːd/ ; NAmE /wɜːrd/
4) [singular] a piece of information or news
ex) The anxiety is fueled in part by word that manufacturing, long a mainstay in the nation’s economy, lost 1,000 jobs last month.
There’s been no word from them since before Christmas.
She sent word that she would be late.
break the bank
to require more money than is available; Ruin one financially, exhaust one’s resources, as in I guess the price of a movie won’t break the bank. This term originated in gambling, where it means that a player has won more than the banker (the house) can pay. It also may be used ironically, as above. [c. 1600]; (figurative) to use up all one’s money. (Alludes to casino gambling, in the rare event when a gambler wins more money than the house has on hand.)
ex) Georgia is hardly the only state to break the bank getting a large assembly plant to move in.
shun verb
BrE /ʃʌn/ ; NAmE /ʃʌn/
present simple I / you / we / they shun BrE /ʃʌn/ ; NAmE /ʃʌn/
he / she / it shuns BrE /ʃʌnz/ ; NAmE /ʃʌnz/
past simple shunned BrE /ʃʌnd/ ; NAmE /ʃʌnd/
past participle shunned BrE /ʃʌnd/ ; NAmE /ʃʌnd/
-ing form shunning BrE /ˈʃʌnɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈʃʌnɪŋ/
shun somebody/something to avoid somebody/something
ex) They’re increasingly shunned by our welfare policies.
She was shunned by her family when she remarried.
if you ask me
(informal) in my personal opinion
ex) We once prided ourselves in being a country of good manners in the East. If you ask me, I don’t think we can force people to ‘respect’ the elderly.
pass the buck
to blame someone or make them responsible for a problem that you should deal with
ex) But then the government isn’t doing anything but trying to pass the buck.
ought to modal verb
BrE /ˈɔːt tə/ ; NAmE /ˈɔːt tə/ ; BrE before vowels and finally /ˈɔːt tu/ ; NAmE before vowels and finally /ˈɔːt tu/
1) used to say what is the right thing to do
ex) They ought to be investing their money in things like education, health care.
‘Ought I to write to say thank you?’ ‘Yes, I think you ought (to).’
They ought to have apologized (= but they didn’t).
He oughtn’t to have been driving so fast.
recoup verb
BrE /rɪˈkuːp/ ; NAmE /rɪˈkuːp/
recoup something (formal) to get back an amount of money that you have spent or lost
synonym recover
ex) He says states give these companies tax breaks that are so enormous, there’s no way the states can ever recoup the costs.
main street noun
1) (British English high street) [countable] (especially in names) the main street of a town, where most shops/stores, banks, etc. are
ex) On Main Street, a few miles from the plant site, they’re ecstatic.
2) Main Street
a. average businesses and households considered as a group
b. the inhabitants of small US towns considered as having a narrow-minded or materialistic worldview.
ex) Main Street won’t be happy with this new program.
outweigh verb
BrE /ˌaʊtˈweɪ/ ; NAmE /ˌaʊtˈweɪ/
outweigh something to be greater or more important than something
ex) They’re hoping the benefits outweigh the incredible cost.
The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
The advantages of this scheme more than outweigh the costs involved.
have a heart of gold
to be a very kind person
ex) That was so nice of you, dear. You’ve got a heart of gold!
pig out (on something)
(informal) to eat too much food
ex) Go ahead and pig out!
They pigged out on pizza.
be on edge
to be nervous, excited or bad-tempered
ex) I guess I have been a little on edge. But these cookies are just what the doctor ordered.
just what the doctor ordered
(humorous) exactly what somebody wants or needs
ex) I guess I have been a little on edge. But these cookies are just what the doctor ordered.
out of this world
(informal) used to emphasize how good, beautiful, etc. something is
ex) Yum-yum. These are out of this world.
scrumptious adjective
BrE /ˈskrʌmpʃəs/ ; NAmE /ˈskrʌmpʃəs/ (informal)
tasting very good
synonym delicious
ex) You could call them Susan’t Scrumptious Cookies. You’d make a bundle.
make a bundle (informal)
to earn a lot of money
ex) You could call them Susan’t Scrumptious Cookies. You’d make a bundle.
(to give) credit where credit’s due
an expression that means that you should praise someone who deserves it, although you might dislike some things about them
ex) You know I always give credit where credit is due.
I don’t especially like the woman but, credit where credit’s due, she’s very efficient.
blistering adjective
BrE /ˈblɪstərɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈblɪstərɪŋ/ [usually before noun]
1) (describing actions in sport) done very fast or with great energy
ex) The runners set off at a blistering pace.
2) extremely hot in a way that is uncomfortable
synonym baking
ex) a blistering July day
blistering heat
3) very critical
ex) We begin with a blistering day in the oil markets and on Wall Street.
all but
1) almost
ex) Bottom line, the combination of higher oil prices and higher short-term interest rates all but guarantee a slower growing economy in 2006.
mixed bag noun
BrE ; NAmE singular
a collection of things or people of very different types
ex) A very dramatically mixed bag of economic news today. Thanks, Betsy.
The competition entries were a very mixed bag.
been there, done that
(informal) used to show that you think a place or an activity is not very interesting or impressive because you have already experienced it
ex) I’m with you on that. For one thing, you’ve already been there, done that.
Not Spain again! Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.
window of opportunity noun
[countable]
an opportunity to do something that will only be available to you for a short time
ex) We now have a window of opportunity - but without urgent action, the window will close rapidly.
by any standard
by no matter what measure
- Standard = measure
means = method
By all standards means according to any measure that’s already established. Like your grades, according to how you stack up compared to the averages.
By all means or by any means refers to how it’s accomplished. Using any method that gets you there.
If you were to get “A” which is excellent by all standards, meaning you were at the top compared to anyone and everyone else.
You got this “A” because you were determined to excel by any means, whether it was studying hard or cheating, whatever it took.
ex) By any standard, serious epidemics are underway in many countries in this region.
-fold suffix
(in adjectives and adverbs) multiplied by; having the number of parts mentioned
ex) In less than 10 years, there has been a nine-fold increase in the total number of people infected with HIV.
to increase tenfold
recruit noun
BrE /rɪˈkruːt/ ; NAmE /rɪˈkruːt/
1) a person who has recently joined the armed forces or the police
ex) He spoke of us scornfully as raw recruits (= people without training or experience).
The death of young people in the uniformed services or amongst potential recruits is also a grave threat to the capacity of nations to maintain internal stability or international security.
2) a person who joins an organization, a company, etc.
attempts to attract new recruits to the nursing profession
imperative adjective
BrE /ɪmˈperətɪv/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈperətɪv/
1) [not usually before noun] (formal) very important and needing immediate attention or action
synonym vital
ex) These impacts together serve to make it increasingly difficult to get ahead of the epidemic - which is another imperative reason for acting early.
on a par with somebody/something
as good, bad, important, etc. as somebody/something else
ex) So we must fully recognize AIDS to be one of the most serious threats to our prospects for progress and stability - it is on a par with such extraordinary threats as nuclear weaponry or global climate change.
debacle noun
BrE /deɪˈbɑːkl/ ; NAmE /deɪˈbɑːkl/ ; BrE /dɪˈbɑːkl/ ; NAmE /dɪˈbɑːkl/
an event or a situation that is a complete failure and causes embarrassment
ex) D for Debacle
He should take responsibility for the debacle and resign.
array noun
BrE /əˈreɪ/ ; NAmE /əˈreɪ/
1) [usually singular] a group or collection of things or people, often one that is large or impressive
ex) It appears that millions of Americans, confused by the array of competing plans or simply unaware of the cutoff date, will miss the deadline.
cut-off noun
1) a point or limit when you stop something
ex) It appears that millions of Americans, confused by the array of competing plans or simply unaware of the cutoff date, will miss the deadline.
finality noun
BrE /faɪˈnæləti/ ; NAmE /faɪˈnæləti/ [uncountable]
the quality of being final and impossible to change
ex) “Deadlines,” he said last week, “help people understand there’s finality, and people need to get after it, you know?”
get after
1) get after someone/something to chase someone or something
ex) “Deadlines,” he said last week, “help people understand there’s finality, and people need to get after it, you know?”
implicit adjective
BrE /ɪmˈplɪsɪt/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈplɪsɪt/
1) implicit (in something) suggested without being directly expressed
ex) His real objection to extending the deadline is probably that this would be an implicit admission that his administration botched the program’s start-up.
object lesson noun
[usually singular] a practical example of what you should or should not do in a particular situation
ex) It’s also an object lesson in what happens when the government is run by people who aren’t interested in the business of governing.
Her calm handling of the emergency was an object lesson to us all.
middleman noun
BrE /ˈmɪdlmæn/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪdlmæn/ (pl. middlemen BrE /ˈmɪdlmen/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪdlmen/)
1) a person or a company that buys goods from the company that makes them and sells them to somebody else
ex) Adding drug coverage as part of ordinary Medicare would also have saved a lot of money, both by eliminating the cost of employing private insurance companies as middlemen and by allowing the government to negotiate lower drug prices.
so what we got
그래서 결국에는 (앞의 ~~의 결과물로 ~~가 생김)
ex) So what we got was a drug program set up to serve the administrations’s friends and its political agenda, not the alleged beneficiaries.
before we get there
그 문제를 논의하기 전에
ex) Before we get there, let’s talk for a moment about the problems older Americans have encountered over the past few months.
I don’t really want to go into that.
~percent of the time
(전체 중) ~퍼센트의 경우
cf) most of the time 대부분의 경우
ex) A survey by the Government Accountability Office found that when Medicare recipients asked for help in determining which plan would cover their medications at the lowest cost, they were given the right answer only 41 percent of the time.
arm noun
BrE /ɑːm/ ; NAmE /ɑːrm/
6) [usually singular] arm (of something) a section of a large organization that deals with one particular activity
synonym wing
ex) What you’ve got is everything - and I mean everything - being run by the political arm.
cronyism noun
BrE /ˈkrəʊniɪzəm/ ; NAmE /ˈkroʊniɪzəm/ [uncountable] (disapproving)
- crony noun
BrE /ˈkrəʊni/ ; NAmE /ˈkroʊni/ usually plural(often disapproving)
the situation in which people in power give jobs to their friends
- a person that somebody spends a lot of time with
ex) Ideology and cronyism take complete precedence over the business of governing.
precedence noun
BrE /ˈpresɪdəns/ ; NAmE /ˈpresɪdəns/
[uncountable] precedence (over somebody/something) the condition of being more important than somebody else and therefore coming or being dealt with first
synonym priority
ex) Ideology and cronyism take complete precedence over the business of governing.
She had to learn that her wishes did not take precedence over other people’s needs.
The speakers came on to the platform in order of precedence (= the most important one first).
Environmental concerns must be given precedence over commercial interest.
as opposed to
(formal) used to make a contrast between two things
ex) And that’s why when it comes to actual policy as opposed to politics, the Bush administration has turned out to have the reverse Midas touch.
200 attended, as opposed to 300 the previous year.
This exercise develops suppleness as opposed to (= rather than) strength.
crud noun
BrE /krʌd/ ; NAmE /krʌd/ uncountable
any dirty or unpleasant substance
ex) Everything it gets its hands on, from the reconstruction of Iraq to the rescue of New Orleans, from the drug benefit to the reform of the C.I.A., turns to crud.
prehistoric adjective
BrE /ˌpriːhɪˈstɒrɪk/ ; NAmE /ˌpriːhɪˈstɔːrɪk/
connected with the time in history before information was written down
ex) There are new details tonight about a prehistoric predator that roamed the earth a hundred million years ago.
predator noun
BrE /ˈpredətə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈpredətər/ [countable, uncountable]
1) an animal that kills and eats other animals
ex) There are new details tonight about a prehistoric predator that roamed the earth a hundred million years ago.
roam verb
BrE /rəʊm/ ; NAmE /roʊm/
[intransitive, transitive] to walk or travel around an area without any definite aim or direction
synonym wander
ex) There are new details tonight about a prehistoric predator that roamed the earth a hundred million years ago.
in itself
considered separately from other things; in its true nature
ex) That in itself is striking because the common wisdom about the great meat eaters was that they hunted alone.
In itself, it’s not a difficult problem to solve.
come at somebody
[no passive] to move towards somebody as though you are going to attack them
I think that if this guy came at you with all his friends, you wouldn’t feel you had much chance of getting away.
dig noun
BrE /dɪɡ/ ; NAmE /dɪɡ/
3) an occasion when an organized group of people dig in the ground to discover old buildings or objects, in order to find out more about their history
synonym excavation
ex) Philip Currie, a Canadian scientist who worked on the dig, says an adult Mapusaurus would have been something like 43 feet from head to tail.
to go on a dig
an archaeological dig
top dog noun
BrE ; NAmE usually singular
a person, group or country that is better than all the others, especially in a situation that involves competition
ex) Scientists are finding a whole new class of giant meat eaters who roamed the earth 100 million years ago. Top dogs, said one researcher, of an ancient world.
bright and early
very early in the morning
ex) You’re up bright and early this morning, Susan.
not get/have a wink of sleep, not sleep a wink
to not be able to sleep
ex) I didn’t sleep a wink. I was awake all night thinking about the new business.
work like a dog/trojan
to work very hard
ex) Running your own business is lots of work. Are you prepared to work like a dog?
(a) fat chance (of something/doing something)
(informal) used for saying that you do not believe something is likely to happen
ex) You want me to run a cookie business? Fat chance!
‘They might let us in without tickets.’ ‘Fat chance of that!’
crash adjective
BrE /kræʃ/ ; NAmE /kræʃ/
[only before noun] involving hard work or a lot of effort over a short period of time in order to achieve quick results
ex) I’ll give you a crash course.
a crash diet
happy camper noun
someone who is happy with their situation
ex) I’ll be nice. I promise you’ll be a happy camper.
adapt verb
BrE /əˈdæpt/ ; NAmE /əˈdæpt/
1) [transitive] to change something in order to make it suitable for a new use or situation
synonym modify
ex) They’re clearly adapted for slicing through flesh, like a pair of scissors.
baffling adjective
BrE /ˈbæflɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈbæflɪŋ/
baffling (to somebody) causing you to feel completely confused and unable to understand
ex) It has remained a baffling and often devastating disorder.
Some of the country’s customs are baffling to outsiders.
affectionate adjective
BrE /əˈfekʃənət/ ; NAmE /əˈfekʃənət/
showing caring feelings and love for somebody
synonym loving
ex) Children with autism do show affectionate behavior.
He is very affectionate towards his children.
all-or-nothing adjective
used to describe two extreme situations which are the only possible ones
ex) I mean, that social behavior is not a pervasive all-or-nothing thing.
an all-or-nothing decision (= one which could either be very good or very bad)
stall verb
BrE /stɔːl/ ; NAmE /stɔːl/
4) [transitive, intransitive] stall (something) to stop something from happening until a later date; to stop making progress
ex) Meanwhile, in Congress, a bill mandating half a billion dollars over five years for research and treatment has been stalled in committee for a year.
attempts to revive the stalled peace plan
Discussions have once again stalled.
against all odds
despite very low probability; in a most unlikely way
ex) People often talk of ‘against all odds.’ They say someone made it against all odds.
Against all odds, she managed to win the trophy.
guest worker noun
a person, usually from a poor country, who comes to another richer country in order to work there
ex) President Bush is punishing a guest worker program that would allow many immigrants to stay.
bring somebody/something to life
to make somebody/something more interesting or exciting
ex) It is a shadow economy, brought to life every morning as the sun comes up in cities and in towns across America.
Flowers can bring a dull room back to life.
staggering adjective
BrE /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/ (rather informal)
so great, shocking or surprising that it is difficult to believe
synonym astounding
ex) A staggering $970 billion worth.
hardened adjective
ˈhärdnd/
ex) From the trucks and busses carrying illegal immigrants to the fields of south Florida, to the farms of Duplin County, North Carolina, to the hardened street corners of Newark, New Jersey.
hooked adjective
BrE /hʊkt/ ; NAmE /hʊkt/
3) [not before noun] hooked (on something) (informal) enjoying something very much, so that you want to do it, see it, etc. as much as possible
ex) ‘Is America hooked on cheap labor, on illegal immigrants?’ ‘Of course. America is absolutely hooked on cheap labor.’
equivalent noun
BrE /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/ ; NAmE /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
- equivalent adjective
BrE /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/ ; NAmE /ɪˈkwɪvələnt/
a thing, amount, word, etc. that is equivalent to something else
ex) If we were to send back or deport all illegal workers tomorrow, it would be the equivalent of emptying New York state.
* equal in value, amount, meaning, importance, etc.
ex) Eight kilometers is roughly equivalent to five miles.
The new regulation was seen as equivalent to censorship.
deafening adjective
BrE /ˈdefnɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈdefnɪŋ/
very loud
ex) In fact, he says, if you were to remove every illegal worker, you’d create an almost deafening sound heard by just about every American family, because of a real dependency on undocumented workers.
just about(informal)
1) almost; very nearly
2) approximately
ex) In fact, he says, if you were to remove every illegal worker, you’d create an almost deafening sound heard by just about every American family, because of a real dependency on undocumented workers.
drywall (=plasterboard) noun
BrE /ˈdraɪwɔːl/ ; NAmE /ˈdraɪwɔːl/ uncountable
a building material made of sheets of cardboard with plaster between them, used for inside walls and ceilings
ex) One in four drywall installers and landscapers are undocumented.
landscaper noun
someone who arranges features of the landscape or garden attractively
ex) One in four drywall installers and landscapers are undocumented.
loan verb
BrE /ləʊn/ ; NAmE /loʊn/
1) (especially North American English) to lend something to somebody, especially money
ex) First he needs Susan to loan him money for a new guitar.
The bank is happy to loan money to small businesses.
in good spirits (in high spirits)
(figurative) happy and cheerful; positive and looking toward the future, despite unhappy circumstances
ex) You’re in good spirits today, Ted.
Tom wasn’t in very good spirits after he heard the bad news.
beat about the bush(British English)
North American English beat around the bush
to talk about something for a long time without coming to the main point
ex) Mom, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I need to borrow $1,000 for a new guitar.
shell out (for something) | shell somethingout (for something)
(informal) to pay a lot of money for something
synonym fork out (for something)
ex) Ted, your father and I can’t shell out that much.
take something/somebody by storm
1) to be extremely successful very quickly in a particular place or among particular people
ex) We’re going to take the music world by storm and make lots of money.
pipe dream noun
a hope or plan that is impossible to achieve or not practical
ex) That sounds like a pipe dream. Aren’t high school rock bands a dime a dozen?
a dime a dozen(North American English)
British English two/ten a penny
very common and therefore not valuable
ex) That sounds like a pipe dream. Aren’t high school rock bands a dime a dozen?
make, cause, etc. a splash
(informal) to do something in a way that attracts a lot of attention or causes a lot of excitement
ex) Yeah, but we’re different. With my guitar playing and Amber’s beautiful voice, we’re sure to make a splash!
those are the breaks (them’s the breaks/that’s the way the cookie crumbles)
(idiomatic) that is the way things happen; that’s life
ex) A: How?
B: You can bake cookies.
B: I bet Mrs. Clapton never made Eric bake cookies, but I guess those are the breaks.
soften somebody↔up (informal)
1) to try to persuade somebody to do something for you by being very nice to them before you ask them
ex) Britain is being softened up for a revival of nuclear power.
Potential customers are softened up with free gifts before the sales talk.
ugly sister (Ugly Sister)
a person or thing considered unattractive, inferior, or unpleasant compared to others of the same type or group; an unpleasant or undesirable counterpart
ex) Nuclear power has long been the ugly sister of the British electricity industry.
see no need for
~할 이유가 없는 것 같다 (개인적 의견).
ex) When Labour came to power in 1997, it claimed it saw no need for any more.
I see no need for a teacher in preparing for the exam.
lamentable adjective
BrE /ˈlæməntəbl/ ; NAmE /ˈlæməntəbl/ ; BrE /ləˈmentəbl/ ; NAmE /ləˈmentəbl/ (formal)
very disappointing; so bad that you feel disappointed or angry
synonym deplorable, regrettable
ex) Nuclear power has always been expensive, say the doubters, pointing to the industry’s lamentable record of cost overruns, public bailouts and bad management.
overrun noun
BrE /ˈəʊvərʌn/ ; NAmE /ˈoʊvərʌn/
the act of taking more time or money than was intended
ex) Nuclear power has always been expensive, say the doubters, pointing to the industry’s lamentable record of cost overruns, public bailouts and bad management.
carbon trading noun
BrE /ˈkɑːbən treɪdɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈkɑːrbən treɪdɪŋ/
(also emissions trading BrE ; NAmE )
[uncountable]
a system that gives countries and organizations the right to produce a particular amount of carbon dioxide and other gases that cause global warming, and allows them to sell this right
ex) And, says Mr. Grimston, the introduction of carbon-trading schemes should make fossil fuel generation more expensive, since companies will be forced to internalise the cost of their waste, something the nuclear industry already does - at least in theory.
internalize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /ɪnˈtɜːnəlaɪz/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈtɜːrnəlaɪz/
internalize something (specialist) to make a feeling, an attitude, or a belief part of the way you think and behave
ex)
liberalize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /ˈlɪbrəlaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˈlɪbrəlaɪz/
- privatize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /ˈpraɪvətaɪz/ ; NAmE /ˈpraɪvətaɪz/
liberalize something to make something such as a law or a political or religious system less strict
- privatize something to sell a business or an industry so that it is no longer owned by the government
ex) Liberalised energy markets have made firms reluctant to invest in expensive and risky nuclear plants, especially after the near-collapse of British Energy two years ago.
to boot
(old-fashioned or humorous) used to add a comment to something that you have said
ex) The latest reactors, it says, generate only a tenth as much waste as the old ones, are cheaper to build and run, and safer to boot.
He was a vegetarian, and a fussy one to boot.
decommission verb
BrE /ˌdiːkəˈmɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌdiːkəˈmɪʃn/
decommission something to officially stop using weapons, a nuclear power station, etc.
ex) The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) reckons that the new designs could generate energy for as little as 2.3p per kilowatt-hour (including construction and decommissioning costs), compared with 2.2-3.2p for fossil fuels and 3.7p for wind power.
stay put
(informal) if somebody/something stays put, they continue to be in the place where they are or where they have been put
ex) I was told to stay put.
He chose to stay put while the rest of us toured the area.
