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.
