To Prep 2 - Words Flashcards
puberty noun
BrE /ˈpjuːbəti/ ; NAmE /ˈpjuːbərti/ [uncountable]
the period of a person’s life during which their sexual organs develop and they become capable of having children
ex) Puberty might be a very important time for development of breast cancer.
progesterone noun
BrE /prəˈdʒestərəʊn/ ; NAmE /prəˈdʒestəroʊn/ [uncountable]
a hormone produced in the bodies of women and female animals which prepares the body to become pregnant and is also used in contraception
ex) In one study, girls who reduced the amount of fat they ate by 6%, lowered their estrogen and progesterone levels by at least 30%.
eventual adjective
BrE /ɪˈventʃuəl/ ; NAmE /ɪˈventʃuəl/ [only before noun]
happening at the end of a period of time or of a process
ex) The evidence linking a girl’s diet and exercise habits to a lower risk of eventual breast cancer is still evolving, and far from proven.
tantalizing adjective
(British English also -ising)
BrE /ˈtæntəlaɪzɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈtæntəlaɪzɪŋ/
making you want something that you cannot have or do
ex) Some researchers say it’s nothing more than a tantalizing theory.
drive/strike a hard bargain
to argue in an aggressive way and force somebody to agree on the best possible price or arrangement
ex) You drive a hard bargain, Bob.
can’t complain
Used as a response meaning fairly good or well, to questions such as “How are you?” or “How is business?” For example, How’ve you been?-Can’t complain. This term means that nothing serious is wrong.
- 1) a person whose job involves working with numbers, such as an accountant
2) a computer or computer program that works with numbers and calculates data
ex) ‘Fine thanks, Carol. How are you?’ ‘Can’t complain. Bob, I’ve had a chance to crunch some numbers. I can pay you 50 cents per cookie.’
crunch verb
BrE /krʌntʃ/ ; NAmE /krʌntʃ/
- number cruncher noun
(also number-cruncher) (informal)
4) [transitive] crunch something (computing) to deal with large amounts of data very quickly
ex) ‘Fine thanks, Carol. How are you?’ ‘Can’t complain. Bob, I’ve had a chance to crunch some numbers. I can pay you 50 cents per cookie.’
out of the question
impossible or not allowed and therefore not worth discussing
ex) That’s out of the question. At that price, it’s not worth our while.
worth somebody’s while
interesting or useful for somebody to do
ex) That’s out of the question. At that price, it’s not worth our while. The ingredients alone cost us 30 cents per cookie.
sweeten verb
BrE /ˈswiːtn/ ; NAmE /ˈswiːtn/
3) sweeten something to make something more pleasant or acceptable
ex) Okay, let me sweeten the deal - 60 cents per cookie?
The fall in inflation did little to sweeten news of massive job losses.
twist somebody’s arm
(informal) to persuade or force somebody to do something
ex) Okay, okay, you’ve twisted my arm. I’ll pay you 75 cents per cookie. Take it or leave it!
now you’re talking
(informal) used when you like what somebody has suggested very much
ex) ‘Okay, okay, you’ve twisted my arm. I’ll pay you 75 cents per cookie. Take it or leave it!’ ‘Now you’re talking! We’ll take it.’
get/set/start/keep the ball rolling
to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen
ex) Let’s get the ball rolling. Bring me 2,000 cookies on Monday morning by 9 a.m.
Surgeon General noun
BrE ; NAmE (pl. Surgeons General)
(in the US) the head of a public health service or of a medical service in the armed forces
ex) That is the message from the Surgeon General, who, for the first time in 20 years, has issued a new report on secondhand smoke.
deleterious adjective
BrE /ˌdeləˈtɪəriəs/ ; NAmE /ˌdeləˈtɪriəs/ (formal)
harmful and damaging
ex) The bottom line is, is that secondhand smoke, in any dose, for any time period, is deleterious for your health.
SIDS noun
BrE /ˌes aɪ diː ˈes/ ; NAmE /ˌes aɪ diː ˈes/ ; BrE /sɪdz/ ; NAmE /sɪdz/ [uncountable]
- cot death noun
BrE ; NAmE (British English)
(North American English crib death)
[uncountable, countable]
the abbreviation for ‘sudden infant death syndrome’ (the sudden death while sleeping of a baby which appears to be healthy)
- synonym cot death
the sudden death while sleeping of a baby that appears to be healthy
ex) In children, it does increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome and severe asthma attacks.
the final nail in the coffin
an event that causes the failure of something that had already started to fail
ex) It’s really the final nail in the coffin for anybody who doubts that secondhand smoke is harmful.
ordinance noun
BrE /ˈɔːdɪnəns/ ; NAmE /ˈɔːrdɪnəns/ countable, uncountable
an order or a rule made by a government or somebody in a position of authority 법령, 조례
ex) Just 14 states and Washington, DC have passed strict laws, though there are thousands of local ordinances.
dupe verb
BrE /djuːp/ ; NAmE /duːp/
to trick or cheat somebody
ex) The decades-long campaign by the tobacco industry to dupe smokers into thinking that “low tar,” “light” and “ultra light” cigarettes are a safe haven has been astonishingly effective.
safe haven noun
- tax haven noun
a place where somebody can go to be safe from danger or attack
- a place where taxes are low and where people choose to live or officially register their companies because taxes are higher in their own countries
ex) The decades-long campaign by the tobacco industry to dupe smokers into thinking that “low tar,” “light” and “ultra light” cigarettes are a safe haven has been astonishingly effective.
crave verb
BrE /kreɪv/ ; NAmE /kreɪv/
1) [transitive, intransitive] crave (for) something | crave to do something to have a very strong desire for something
synonym long for
ex) Most smokers are hooked on nicotine and crave a certain daily dose.
puff noun
BrE /pʌf/ ; NAmE /pʌf/
1) [countable] an act of breathing in something such as smoke from a cigarette, or drugs
ex) If a light cigarette gives them too small a dose in each puff, they will make up the difference, often unconsciously, by taking more puffs, inhaling more deeply, covering cigarette ventilation holes or simply smoking more cigarettes.
actuarial adjective
BrE /ˌæktʃuˈeəriəl/ ; NAmE /ˌæktʃuˈeriəl/
- actuary noun
BrE /ˈæktʃuəri/ ; NAmE /ˈæktʃueri/ (pl. actuaries)
connected with the work of an actuary
- a person whose job involves calculating insurance risks and payments for insurance companies by studying how frequently accidents, fires, deaths, etc. happen
ex) You may escape all the actuarial fates there are, and yet the body has its own term limits, a point at which the warranty expires and something furls up inside you.
furl verb
BrE /fɜːl/ ; NAmE /fɜːrl/
furl something to roll and fasten something such as a sail, a flag or an umbrella
ex) You may escape all the actuarial fates there are, and yet the body has its own term limits, a point at which the warranty expires and something furls up inside you.
in retrospect
thinking about a past event or situation, often with a different opinion of it from the one you had at the time
ex) In retrospect, the life of such a very old person becomes a kind of historical timeline, in which personal milestones are laid against the impersonal events of history (Ms. Capovilla was born the same year as Charlie Chaplin and was married the year the United States entered World War I).
impersonal adjective
BrE /ɪmˈpɜːsənl/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈpɜːrsənl/
2) not referring to any particular person
ex) In retrospect, the life of such a very old person becomes a kind of historical timeline, in which personal milestones are laid against the impersonal events of history (Ms. Capovilla was born the same year as Charlie Chaplin and was married the year the United States entered World War I).
lurk verb
BrE /lɜːk/ ; NAmE /lɜːrk/
[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to wait somewhere secretly, especially because you are going to do something bad or illegal
synonym skulk
ex) But then there’s always a question lurking in the obituary of a supercentenarian. How did she do it?
obituary noun
BrE /əˈbɪtʃuəri/ ; NAmE /oʊˈbɪtʃueri/ (pl. obituaries)
an article about somebody’s life and achievements, that is printed in a newspaper soon after they have died 부고
ex) But then there’s always a question lurking in the obituary of a supercentenarian. How did she do it?
centenarian noun
BrE /ˌsentɪˈneəriən/ ; NAmE /ˌsentɪˈneriən/
a person who is 100 years old or more
ex) But then there’s always a question lurking in the obituary of a supercentenarian. How did she do it?
poignant adjective
BrE /ˈpɔɪnjənt/ ; NAmE /ˈpɔɪnjənt/
having a strong effect on your feelings, especially in a way that makes you feel sad
synonym moving
ex) There is always something a little poignant about the news that the oldest person has died.
eclipse verb
BrE /ɪˈklɪps/ ; NAmE /ɪˈklɪps/
2) eclipse somebody/something to make somebody/something seem dull or unimportant by comparison
synonym outshine, overshadow
ex) No matter what kind of life she has lived, it is always eclipsed by the strangely passive fact of having lived so long.
set out
2) to begin a job, task, etc. with a particular aim or goal
ex) No one sets out to be the oldest person alive.
He set out to betray Mr. Kim. But over time, he’s become a fan of his.
head something↔off
to take action in order to prevent something from happening
ex) He told Congress to head off a strike.
ADHD abbreviation
BrE /ˌeɪ diː eɪtʃ ˈdiː/ ; NAmE /ˌeɪ diː eɪtʃ ˈdiː/
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 주의력결핍/과잉행동장애
ex) There is a surprising new study that finds many girls are at serious risk from a disorder much more commonly associated with boys. It’s ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
disorganized adjective
(British English also -ised)
BrE /dɪsˈɔːɡənaɪzd/ ; NAmE /dɪsˈɔːrɡənaɪzd/
(less frequent unorganized, -ised)
badly planned; not able to plan or organize well
ex) Chloe was often distracted and disorganized, which led to frustration and family feuds.
feud noun
BrE /fjuːd/ ; NAmE /fjuːd/
an angry and bitter argument between two people or groups of people that continues over a long period of time
ex) Chloe was often distracted and disorganized, which led to frustration and family feuds.
perpetually adverb
BrE /pəˈpetʃuəli/ ; NAmE /pərˈpetʃuəli/
1) in a way that continues for a long time without interruption
synonym continuously (1)
ex) Chloe was often distracted and disorganized, which led to frustration and family feuds. But she was not perpetually restless.
hallmark noun
BrE /ˈhɔːlmɑːk/ ; NAmE /ˈhɔːlmɑːrk/
1) a feature or quality that is typical of somebody/something
ex) Girls have ADHD just as often as boys. But it looks very different, so it’s harder to diagnose. They are no usually hyperactive. So, the hallmarks of ADHD tend not to be seen at all.
cascade verb
BrE /kæˈskeɪd/ ; NAmE /kæˈskeɪd/
to flow down or hang down in large amounts
ex) Professor Stephen Hinshaw’s pioneering research reveals the cascading effects when girls go undiagnosed.
dull verb
BrE /dʌl/ ; NAmE /dʌl/
1) [transitive, intransitive] dull (something) (of pain or an emotion) to become or be made weaker or less severe
ex) She’s gonna be tempted, either to self-medicate or to dull some of the pain, to try alcohol and drugs.
look up
(informal) (of business, somebody’s situation, etc.) to become better
synonym improve
ex) I know I’ve been down in the bumps since I got fired, but things are looking up now.
like crazy/mad
(informal) very fast, hard, much, etc.
ex) We’re going to have to bake like crazy over the weekend. They wend 2,000 cookies by Monday.
bite off more than you can chew
to try to do too much, or something that is too difficult
ex) Two thousand cookies in three day? Don’t you think you’ve bitten off more than you can chew?
run around like a headless chicken/run around like a chicken with its head cut off
to be very busy and active trying to do something, but not very organized, with the result that you do not succeed
ex) Yeah, you’re going to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off!
pitch in | pitch in with somebody | pitch in with something
(informal) to join in and help with an activity, by doing some of the work or by giving money, advice, etc.
ex) Fortunately, there are four of us here. You kids will have to pitch in too.
get going
to get started on something; to set off for a destination; to leave
ex) Sorry, but I can’t. I have to finish Ted’s chemistry homework and then I’ve got to get going on my election speech.
for Christ’s, God’s, goodness’, heaven’s, pity’s, etc. sake
used to emphasize that it is important to do something or when you are annoyed about something
ex) For heaven’s sake, Nicole! It’s like pulling teeth getting you to do any work around here.
Do be careful, for goodness’ sake.
For pity’s sake, help me!
like pulling teeth
If you say that making someone do something was like pulling teeth, you mean it was very difficult and they did not want to do it:
ex) For heaven’s sake, Nicole! It’s like pulling teeth getting you to do any work around here.
Getting her to tell me about her childhood was like pulling teeth.
complication noun
BrE /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌkɑːmplɪˈkeɪʃn/
2) [countable, usually plural] (medical) a new problem or illness that makes treatment of a previous one more complicated or difficult
ex) Preventing diabetes is so important, because it will then prevent all the pain and suffering that come along with a late diagnosis and the complications.
elevate verb
BrE /ˈelɪveɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈelɪveɪt/
3) elevate something (specialist) to make the level of something increase
ex) An estimated 40 million Americans have slightly elevated levels of sugar in their blood, putting them at high risk of developing diabetes.
make up for something
to do something that corrects a bad situation
synonym compensate
ex) The company fired four employees to make up for the loss.
Nothing can make up for the loss of a child.
After all the delays, we were anxious to make up for lost time
Her enthusiasm makes up for her lack of experience.
A warm and sunny September made up for a miserable wet August.
tuberculosis noun
BrE /tjuːˌbɜːkjuˈləʊsɪs/ ; NAmE /tuːˌbɜːrkjəˈloʊsɪs/ [uncountable]
(abbreviation TB)
a serious infectious disease in which swellings appear on the lungs and other parts of the body 폐결핵, 결핵
ex) Throughout much of Africa, the shortage of trained medical personnel is hurting the effort to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, not to mention other diseases, including malaria and tuberculosis, that are endemic in parts of the continent.
go beyond something
to be more than something
synonym exceed
ex) But a comprehensive solution to this problem would go beyond funds for training and better pay for medical personnel in Africa to include commitments by industrialized nations to educate more of their own doctors and nurses and to curb recruitment in underserved areas.
pandemic adjective
BrE /pænˈdemɪk/ ; NAmE /pænˈdemɪk/
(of a disease) that spreads over a whole country or the whole world
ex) Providing AIDS drugs is a great step forward, but the industrialized countries will fail in addressing the full dimensions of the AIDS pandemic if they do not help Africa build a stronger corps of trained health workers.
corps noun
BrE /kɔː(r)/ ; NAmE /kɔːr/ (pl. corps BrE /kɔːz/ ; NAmE /kɔːrz/ )[countable + singular or plural verb]
1) a large unit of an army, consisting of two or more divisions
2) one of the groups of an army with a special responsibility
3) a group of people involved in a particular job or activity
ex) Providing AIDS drugs is a great step forward, but the industrialized countries will fail in addressing the full dimensions of the AIDS pandemic if they do not help Africa build a stronger corps of trained health workers.
reinvigorate verb
BrE /ˌriːɪnˈvɪɡəreɪt/ ; NAmE /ˌriːɪnˈvɪɡəreɪt/
reinvigorate something/somebody to give new energy or strength to something/somebody
reinvigoration noun
ex) These would include additional cigarette taxes of up to $2 a pack to discourage purchases, reinvigoration of state tobacco control programs that are jeopardized by budget cuts, more vigilant enforcement of laws that bar young people from buying cigarettes and stronger programs to help people quit.
vigilant adjective
BrE /ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/ ; NAmE /ˈvɪdʒɪlənt/ (formal)
very careful to notice any signs of danger or trouble
synonym alert, watchful
ex) These would include additional cigarette taxes of up to $2 a pack to discourage purchases, reinvigoration of state tobacco control programs that are jeopardized by budget cuts, more vigilant enforcement of laws that bar young people from buying cigarettes and stronger programs to help people quit.
strike at somebody | strike at something
2) to cause damage or have a serious effect on somebody/something
ex) The only real hope of breaking smokers’ addiction is to strike at the addictive properties of cigarettes and at the machinations of manufacturers who work hard to hook customers.
machination noun
BrE /ˌmæʃɪˈneɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˌmæʃɪˈneɪʃn/ usually plural
a secret and complicated plan
synonym plot, intrigue
ex) The only real hope of breaking smokers’ addiction is to strike at the addictive properties of cigarettes and at the machinations of manufacturers who work hard to hook customers.
constituent noun
BrE /kənˈstɪtjuənt/ ; NAmE /kənˈstɪtʃuənt/
1) a person who lives, and can vote in a constituency
2) one of the parts of something that combine to form the whole
ex) The panel recommends that Congress grant the Food and Drug Administration or some other agency the authority to regulate tobacco products, including the amount of nicotine and other harmful constituent.
magnitude noun
BrE /ˈmæɡnɪtjuːd/ ; NAmE /ˈmæɡnɪtuːd/ magnitude (of something)
1) [uncountable] (formal) the great size or importance of something; the degree to which something is large or important
ex) I was actually surprised by the magnitude of the result. They were better than expected.
the first line of defense (=defence)
The first line of defence (or outside defence system) includes physical and chemical barriers that are always ready and prepared to defend the body from infection. These include your skin, tears, mucus, cilia, stomach acid, urine flow, ‘friendly’ bacteria and white blood cells called neutrophils.
ex) But doctors say basic lifestyle changes remain the first line of defense.
stakes are high
a) if the stakes are high when you are trying to do something, you risk losing a lot or it will be dangerous if you fail
ex) The stakes, says Clinton, are high.
Climbing is a dangerous sport and the stakes are high.
silver bullet noun
1) a simple solution to a complicated problem
synonym magic bullet
ex) There is no silver bullet. What there is… is really sandbags.
the tide turned, turn the tide
used to say that there is a change in somebody’s luck or in how successful they are being
ex) And if we have stacked enough sandbags we can turn the tide and stop the flood of obesity-causing factors.
proliferate verb
BrE /prəˈlɪfəreɪt/ ; NAmE /prəˈlɪfəreɪt/ [intransitive]
to increase rapidly in number or amount
synonym multiply
ex) School-based programs are proliferating. The state of Arkansas, for example, now says its law requiring schools to report students’ weight and body size to their parents has stopped the rise of childhood obesity.
Books and articles on the subject have proliferated over the last year.
Time passed and animal life proliferated.
in good hands
also in safe hands
managed or cared for with great attention
ex) Don’t worry, Mom. Your business is in good hands with Amber. She really knows her stuff.
You’ll be in good hands with her – she’s a terrific lawyer.
know your stuff
(informal) to know a lot about a particular subject or job
ex) Don’t worry, Mom. Your business is in good hands with Amber. She really knows her stuff.
lose your touch
if you lose your touch, you can no longer do something as well as you could before
ex) ‘Well, I’m sure you haven’t lost your touch.’ ‘I might be a bit out of practice.’
It’s good to see their goalkeeper’s not losing his touch.
be/get out of practice
to be/become less good at doing something than you were because you have not spent time doing it recently
ex) ‘Well, I’m sure you haven’t lost your touch.’ ‘I might be a bit out of practice.’
Don’t ask me to speak French! I’m out of practice.
the tricks of the trade
the clever ways of doing things, known and used by people who do a particular job or activity
ex) Mom, you can watch Amber bake if you want. You might pick up a few tricks of the trade.
too many cooks spoil the broth
(saying) if too many people are involved in doing something, it will not be done well
ex) Thanks, but I’m going to get out of the way. You know what they say: too many cooks spoil the broth!
work your arse/tail/buns/ass/butt off
(taboo, slang) to work very hard
ex) Mom, why don’t you just call it a night and go to bed. You’ve been working your tail off all day.
quick/easy fix noun
(informal) an easy remedy or solution, especially a temporary one which fails to address underlying problems
ex) Only in 2007 did he realize there was no quick fix for this problem.
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) It would be rash to make definitive judgments until the F.D.A. completes a detailed analysis.
It would be rash to assume that everyone will agree with you on this.
Think twice before doing anything rash.
This is what happens when you make rash decisions.
resemblance noun
BrE /rɪˈzembləns/ ; NAmE /rɪˈzembləns/ [countable, uncountable]
the fact of being or looking similar to somebody/something
synonym likeness
ex) But the handling of this case bears disturbing resemblances to the Vioxx debacle, in which early warning signs were ignored by its manufacturer until the evidence of serious harm became inescapable and the drug was pulled from the market.
She bears an uncanny resemblance to Dido.
The movie bears little resemblance to the original novel.
The resemblance between the two signatures was remarkable.
inescapable adjective
BrE /ˌɪnɪˈskeɪpəbl/ ; NAmE /ˌɪnɪˈskeɪpəbl/
(of a fact or a situation) that you cannot avoid or ignore
synonym unavoidable
ex) But the handling of this case bears disturbing resemblances to the Vioxx debacle, in which early warning signs were ignored by its manufacturer until the evidence of serious harm became inescapable and the drug was pulled from the market.
glucose noun
BrE /ˈɡluːkəʊs/ ; NAmE /ˈɡluːkoʊs/ ; BrE /ˈɡluːkəʊz/ ; NAmE /ˈɡluːkoʊz/ [uncountable]
a simple type of sugar that is an important energy source in living things and which is a part of many carbohydrates
ex) Avandia was approved for sale in 1999 based on studies showing that it could lower blood glucose levels in patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes.
heed verb
BrE /hiːd/ ; NAmE /hiːd/
heed somebody/something (formal) to pay careful attention to somebody’s advice or warning
synonym notice
ex) What’s most troubling is the possibility that early warning signs were not adequately heeded.
prod verb
BrE /prɒd/ ; NAmE /prɑːd/
2) [transitive] prod somebody (into something/into doing something) to try to make somebody do something, especially when they are unwilling
ex) Now, prodded by Dr. Nissen’s article, the agency has issued a safety alert, is completing its own safety analysis and will convene a panel of experts to review the data.
convene verb
BrE /kənˈviːn/ ; NAmE /kənˈviːn/ (formal)
1) [transitive] convene something to arrange for people to come together for a formal meeting
ex) Now, prodded by Dr. Nissen’s article, the agency has issued a safety alert, is completing its own safety analysis and will convene a panel of experts to review the data.
2) [intransitive] to come together for a formal meeting
ex) The committee will convene at 11.30 next Thursday.
mitigate verb
BrE /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/
mitigate something (formal) to make something less harmful, serious, etc.
synonym alleviate
ex) Congress will need to probe hard to determine what risks the agency and the manufacturer were aware of and what they did - or didn’t do - to mitigate them.
probe verb
BrE /prəʊb/ ; NAmE /proʊb/
1) [intransitive, transitive] to ask questions in order to find out secret or hidden information about somebody/something
synonym investigate
ex) Congress will need to probe hard to determine what risks the agency and the manufacturer were aware of and what they did - or didn’t do - to mitigate them.
misguided adjective
BrE /ˌmɪsˈɡaɪdɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌmɪsˈɡaɪdɪd/
- guided adjective
BrE /ˈɡaɪdɪd/ ; NAmE /ˈɡaɪdɪd/ [usually before noun]
wrong because you have understood or judged a situation badly
synonym inappropriate
ex) Misguided missile
The new proposals are, in our opinion, totally misguided.
She only did it in a misguided attempt to help.
- that is led by somebody who works as a guide
ex) a guided tour/walk
guided missile: a missile that can be controlled while in the air by electronic equipment
tone-deaf adjective
BrE ; NAmE
unable to hear the difference between musical notes
ex) But the Bush administration’s tone-deaf plan to station parts of a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic and Moscow’s snarling response shows that all sides could use a refresher course in diplomacy and civility.
snarl verb
BrE /snɑːl/ ; NAmE /snɑːrl/
1) [intransitive] snarl (at somebody/something) (of dogs, etc.) to show the teeth and make a deep angry noise in the throat
2) [transitive] to speak in an angry or bad-tempered way
ex) But the Bush administration’s tone-deaf plan to station parts of a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic and Moscow’s snarling response shows that all sides could use a refresher course in diplomacy and civility.
I, you, etc. could use something
(informal) used to say that you would like to have something very much
ex) But the Bush administration’s tone-deaf plan to station parts of a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic and Moscow’s snarling response shows that all sides could use a refresher course in diplomacy and civility.
I thinks we could all use a drink after that!
refresher course noun
BrE ; NAmE
(also refresher especially in North American English)
a short period of training to improve your skills or to teach you about new ideas and developments in your job
ex) But the Bush administration’s tone-deaf plan to station parts of a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic and Moscow’s snarling response shows that all sides could use a refresher course in diplomacy and civility.
civility noun
BrE /səˈvɪləti/ ; NAmE /səˈvɪləti/ (formal)
1) [uncountable] polite behaviour
ex) But the Bush administration’s tone-deaf plan to station parts of a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic and Moscow’s snarling response shows that all sides could use a refresher course in diplomacy and civility.
out of (all) proportion (to something)
larger, more serious, etc. in relation to something than is necessary or appropriate
ex) Russia’s furious reaction to the stationing of even weak missile defenses near its borders (and on the territory of its former satellites) was utterly out of proportion, if totally predictable.
Pole noun
BrE /pəʊl/ ; NAmE /poʊl/
- Polish adjective
BrE /ˈpəʊlɪʃ/ ; NAmE /ˈpoʊlɪʃ/
a person from Poland
- from or connected with Poland
ex) A top Russian general, who sounded like he’d slept through the last 15 years, warned the Poles and the Czechs that Russia’s missiles “ill be capable of targeting the facilities,” while President Vladimir Putin shed crocodile tears against the rise of “one center of authority.”
Czech noun,adjective
BrE /tʃek/ ; NAmE /tʃek/
(a person) from the Czech Republic
ex) ex) A top Russian general, who sounded like he’d slept through the last 15 years, warned the Poles and the Czechs that Russia’s missiles “ill be capable of targeting the facilities,” while President Vladimir Putin shed crocodile tears against the rise of “one center of authority.”
crocodile tears
if somebody sheds (= cries) crocodile tears, they pretend to be sad about something, but they are not really sad at all
ex) ex) A top Russian general, who sounded like he’d slept through the last 15 years, warned the Poles and the Czechs that Russia’s missiles “ill be capable of targeting the facilities,” while President Vladimir Putin shed crocodile tears against the rise of “one center of authority.”
cut your teeth on something
to do something that gives you your first experience of a particular type of work
ex) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who cut her teeth on Kremlinology, should have known how Moscow would react, and that provoking Moscow this way would be especially counterproductive in her efforts to get Russia to help put pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear efforts.
Kremlinology noun
/krɛmlɪnˈɒlədʒɪ/
(formerly) the study and analysis of the policies and practices of the Soviet government
ex) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who cut her teeth on Kremlinology, should have known how Moscow would react, and that provoking Moscow this way would be especially counterproductive in her efforts to get Russia to help put pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear efforts.
counterproductive adjective
BrE /ˌkaʊntəprəˈdʌktɪv/ ; NAmE /ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/
having the opposite effect to the one which was intended
ex) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who cut her teeth on Kremlinology, should have known how Moscow would react, and that provoking Moscow this way would be especially counterproductive in her efforts to get Russia to help put pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear efforts.
spat noun
BrE /spæt/ ; NAmE /spæt/
1) (informal) a short argument or disagreement about something unimportant
ex) This is a spat that should be quickly reined in.
vitriol noun
BrE /ˈvɪtriəl/ ; NAmE /ˈvɪtriəl/ uncountable
very cruel and bitter comments or criticism
synonym abuse
ex) Washington has wisely chosen to respond calmly to the Russoan vitriol, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has taken some welcome steps to moderate Moscow’s stance.
irk verb
BrE /ɜːk/ ; NAmE /ɜːrk/
- irksome adjective
BrE /ˈɜːksəm/ ; NAmE /ˈɜːrksəm/ (formal)
irk somebody (to do something) | it irks somebody that… (formal or literary) to annoy or irritate somebody
- annoying or irritating
synonym tiresome
ex) A few interceptors in Europe may or may not work against “rogue states,” but they’re counterproductive if all they do is (to) provoke Russia and irk NATO allies.
deadlock noun
BrE /ˈdedlɒk/ ; NAmE /ˈdedlɑːk/
1) [singular, uncountable] a complete failure to reach agreement or settle an argument
synonym stalemate/impasse/stand-off/stalemate
ex) There are some signs, tonight, the first signs really, that a deal to end the deadlock over Iran’s nuclear program might be possible. Might be.
integrity noun
BrE /ɪnˈteɡrəti/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈteɡrəti/ [uncountable]
2) (formal) the state of being whole and not divided
synonym unity
ex) The deal would also open the door to guarantees for Iran’s territorial integrity, words meant to assure Iran there would be no invasion by the US or Israel.
to respect the territorial integrity of the nation
fleet noun
BrE /fliːt/ ; NAmE /fliːt/
1) [countable] a group of military ships commanded by the same person
4) [countable] fleet (of something) a group of planes, buses, taxis, etc. travelling together or owned by the same organization
ex) Iran would be allowed to buy a new fleet of American and European aircraft, something which it is now forbidden to do.
embargo noun
BrE /ɪmˈbɑːɡəʊ/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈbɑːrɡoʊ/
(pl. embargoes) an official order that bans trade with another country
synonym boycott
ex) If Iran rejects the deal, the draft proposal threatens a long list of sanctions, including freezing Iranian assets abroad, a travel ban on high-ranking officials, an arms embargo, and reducing diplomatic relations.
an embargo on arms sales to certain countries
to impose/enforce/lift an embargo
a matter of hours, minutes, etc., a matter of inches, metres, etc.
only a few hours, minutes, etc.
ex) Secretary of State Rice says Iran has a matter of weeks to respond to this offer.
It was all over in a matter of minutes.
The bullet missed her by a matter of inches.
ominous adjective
BrE /ˈɒmɪnəs/ ; NAmE /ˈɑːmɪnəs/
suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future
synonym foreboding
ex) There is potentially ominous news from North Korea.
She picked up the phone but there was an ominous silence at the other end.
perilous adjective
BrE /ˈperələs/ ; NAmE /ˈperələs/ (formal or literary)
- peril noun
BrE /ˈperəl/ ; NAmE /ˈperəl/ (formal or literary)
very dangerous
synonym hazardous
- 1) [uncountable] serious danger
ex) China and Russia are helping make the world a much more perilous place.
a perilous adventure/journey
turning noun
BrE /ˈtɜːnɪŋ/ ; NAmE /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/ (British English)
(also turn North American English, British English)
a place where a road leads away from the one you are travelling on
ex) Every diplomatic road has its turnings.
I think we must have taken a wrong turning somewhere.
provocatively adverb
BrE /prəˈvɒkətɪvli/ ; NAmE /prəˈvɑːkətɪvli/
1) in a way that is intended to make people angry or upset; in a way that is intended to make people argue about something
ex) North Korea, which in October provocatively tested what it said was a nuclear bomb, has just rejoined the six-way talks with America, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia that is has been boycotting for more than a year.
strong-arm verb
[T] disapproving
to use force and threats to make people do what you want
ex) Strong-armed back to the table by China, North Korea’s boss, Kim Jong Il, still shows no sign of preparing to abandon his bombs.
We never strong-armed anybody. I told people about the website and they could take it or leave it.
fissile adjective
BrE /ˈfɪsaɪl/ ; NAmE /ˈfɪsl/ (physics)
- fission noun
BrE /ˈfɪʃn/ ; NAmE /ˈfɪʃn/ [uncountable]
** fusion noun
BrE /ˈfjuːʒn/ ; NAmE /ˈfjuːʒn/
capable of nuclear fission 핵분열성의
- (also nuclear fission) (physics) the act or process of splitting the nucleus (= central part) of an atom, when a large amount of energy is released 핵분열/분열
** (also nuclear fusion) [uncountable] (physics) the act or process of combining the nuclei (= central parts) of atoms to form a heavier nucleus, with energy being released 핵융합/융합/결합
ex) Despite an earlier agreement in principle to disarm, he may already have enough fissile material for up to a dozen bombs.
interim adjective
BrE /ˈɪntərɪm/ ; NAmE /ˈɪntərɪm/ [only before noun]
1) intended to last for only a short time until somebody/something more permanent is found
ex) He wants to be rewarded for his weapons test with a Western-designed nuclear reactor, interim energy supplies and the like, all of which he forfeited four years ago when he broke a 1994 agreement to end his illicit plutonium-making by messing about with uranium too.
forfeit verb
BrE /ˈfɔːfɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈfɔːrfət/
forfeit something to lose something or have something taken away from you because you have done something wrong
ex) He wants to be rewarded for his weapons test with a Western-designed nuclear reactor, interim energy supplies and the like, all of which he forfeited four years ago when he broke a 1994 agreement to end his illicit plutonium-making by messing about with uranium too.
If you cancel your flight, you will forfeit your deposit.
He has forfeited his right to be taken seriously.
renege verb
BrE /rɪˈniːɡ/ ; NAmE /rɪˈniːɡ/ ; BrE /rɪˈneɪɡ/ ; NAmE /rɪˈneɪɡ/
present simple I / you / we / they renege BrE /rɪˈniːɡ/ ; NAmE /rɪˈniːɡ/ ; BrE /rɪˈneɪɡ/ ; NAmE /rɪˈneɪɡ/
he / she / it reneges BrE /rɪˈniːɡz/ ; NAmE /rɪˈniːɡz/ ; BrE /rɪˈneɪɡz/ ; NAmE /rɪˈneɪɡz/
past simple reneged BrE /rɪˈniːɡd/ ; NAmE /rɪˈniːɡd/ ; BrE /rɪˈneɪɡd/ ; NAmE /rɪˈneɪɡd/
past participle reneged BrE /rɪˈniːɡd/ ; NAmE /rɪˈniːɡd/ ; BrE /rɪˈneɪɡd/ ; NAmE /rɪˈneɪɡd/
-ing form reneging BrE /rɪˈniːɡɪŋ/ ; NAmE /rɪˈniːɡɪŋ/ ; BrE /rɪˈneɪɡɪŋ/ ; NAmE /rɪˈneɪɡɪŋ/
[intransitive] renege (on something) (formal) to break a promise, an agreement, etc.
ex) Needless to say, lifting sanctions and paying bribes in the hope that Mr. Kim, who has reneged on every nuclear agreement he has made, will get around to disarming some fine day would have the opposite effect: to legitimise his bomb.
get round to something | get around to something
to find the time to do something
ex) Needless to say, lifting sanctions and paying bribes in the hope that Mr. Kim, who has reneged on every nuclear agreement he has made, will get around to disarming some fine day would have the opposite effect: to legitimise his bomb.
I meant to do the ironing but I didn’t get round to it.
I hope to get around to answering your letter next week.
legitimize verb
(British English also -ise)
BrE /lɪˈdʒɪtəmaɪz/ ; NAmE /lɪˈdʒɪtəmaɪz/ (formal)
1) legitimize something to make something that is wrong or unfair seem acceptable
ex) Needless to say, lifting sanctions and paying bribes in the hope that Mr. Kim, who has reneged on every nuclear agreement he has made, will get around to disarming some fine day would have the opposite effect: to legitimise his bomb.
cheeky adjective
BrE /ˈtʃiːki/ ; NAmE /ˈtʃiːki/ (cheekier, cheekiest)(informal)
rude in an amusing or an annoying way
ex) Needless to say, lifting sanctions and paying bribes in the hope that Mr. Kim, who has reneged on every nuclear agreement he has made, will get around to disarming some fine day would have the opposite effect: to legitimise his bomb. Just a cheeky opening gambit in a tough negotiation?
You cheeky monkey!
a cheeky grin
You’re getting far too cheeky!
gambit noun
BrE /ˈɡæmbɪt/ ; NAmE /ˈɡæmbɪt/
1) a thing that somebody does, or something that somebody says at the beginning of a situation or conversation, that is intended to give them some advantage
ex) Needless to say, lifting sanctions and paying bribes in the hope that Mr. Kim, who has reneged on every nuclear agreement he has made, will get around to disarming some fine day would have the opposite effect: to legitimise his bomb. Just a cheeky opening gambit in a tough negotiation?
an opening gambit (=the first thing you say)
The opposition have dismissed promises of tax cuts as a pre-election gambit.
His idea of a brilliant conversational gambit is ‘What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?’
sit something↔out
1) to stay in a place and wait for something unpleasant or boring to finish
ex) But the signs are that Mr. Kim has a different purpose than disarmament: to keep an angry China off his back while he sits out the Bush administration in the hope that the next American president, and the world, will learn to live with a nuclear North Korea.
live with something
to accept something unpleasant
ex) But the signs are that Mr. Kim has a different purpose than disarmament: to keep an angry China off his back while he sits out the Bush administration in the hope that the next American president, and the world, will learn to live with a nuclear North Korea.
pay off
(informal) (of a plan or an action, especially one that involves risk) to be successful and bring good results
ex) The strategy could pay off. Although it backed UN sanctions on North Korea after its bomb test, China has been dismayingly slow to see them enforced.
incremental adjective
BrE /ˌɪŋkrəˈmentl/ ; NAmE /ˌɪŋkrəˈmentl/
increasing in regular amounts
ex) Russia agreed with America, China and three European countries (Britain, France and Germany) leading the effort to get Iran to comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): incremental sanctions should follow unless Iran suspends its uranium and plutonium work.
whittle something↔away
- whittle verb
BrE /ˈwɪtl/ ; NAmE /ˈwɪtl/
to make something gradually decrease in value or amount
- to form a piece of wood, etc. into a particular shape by cutting small pieces from it
ex) Iran refuses. But Russia has spent the past months whittling away the proposed list.
ward off somebody | ward off something | ward somebody off | ward something off
to protect or defend yourself against danger, illness, attack, etc
ex) Its selfish aim has been to exempt from sanctions the Bushehr nuclear-reactor project it is completing for Iran, and to ward off a financial squeeze that might put at risk the profits Russia hopes to earn from providing nuclear fuel for the reactor, which is due to be commissioned in 2007.
airily adverb
BrE /ˈeərəli/ ; NAmE /ˈerəli/ (formal)
in a way that shows that you are not worried or that you are not treating something as serious
ex) More airily, President Vladimir Putin argues that Iran, unlike North Korea, has not expelled nuclear inspectors, flounced out of the NPT or set off a weapons test - and should be dealt with gently.,
delve into something
- delve verb
BrE /delv/ ; NAmE /delv/
to try hard to find out more information about something
- [intransitive] + adv./prep. to search for something inside a bag, container, etc.
synonym dig
ex) It has already blocked inspectors’ efforts to delve into some of its suspect nuclear past.
impunity noun
BrE /ɪmˈpjuːnəti/ ; NAmE /ɪmˈpjuːnəti/ uncountable
if a person does something bad with impunity, they do not get punished for what they have done
ex) There is no need for the regime to threaten to leave the NPT now, since it can apparently break the treaty’s rules with impunity.
at short notice, at a moment’s notic
not long in advance; without warning or time for preparation
ex) But if suspicions are correct that Iran has been secretly learning how to build and trigger a nuclear device, and shape a missile cone to carry such a warhead (as well as publicly developing nuclear-capable, far-flying missiles), then once it has fully mastered uranium enrichment it will soon be poised to break out at short notice, at a moment of its choosing.
poised adjective
BrE /pɔɪzd/ ; NAmE /pɔɪzd/
1) [not before noun] in a position that is completely still but is ready to move at any moment
3) [not before noun] completely ready for something or to do something
synonym set
ex) But if suspicions are correct that Iran has been secretly learning how to build and trigger a nuclear device, and shape a missile cone to carry such a warhead (as well as publicly developing nuclear-capable, far-flying missiles), then once it has fully mastered uranium enrichment it will soon be poised to break out at short notice, at a moment of its choosing.
follow suit
2) to act or behave in the way that somebody else has just done
ex) If neither North Korea nor Iran is shown to pay a heavy price for breaking the NPT and defying the Security Council, others nervously rethinking their nuclear ambitions will be tempted to follow suit.
enfeeble verb
BrE /ɪnˈfiːbl/ ; NAmE /ɪnˈfiːbl/
- feeble adjective
BrE /ˈfiːbl/ ; NAmE /ˈfiːbl/ (feebler BrE /ˈfiːblə(r)/ ; NAmE /ˈfiːblər/ , feeblest BrE /ˈfiːblɪst/ ; NAmE /ˈfiːblɪst/ )
enfeeble somebody/something (formal) to make somebody/something weak
- 1) very weak
ex) By enfeebling diplomacy, China and Russia are taking the world into more dangerous territory.
scapegoat verb
BrE /ˈskeɪpɡəʊt/ ; NAmE /ˈskeɪpɡoʊt/
to blame somebody/something for a failure or for something bad that another person has done
ex) Scapegoating immigrants
The community chose to ignore its own failings and to scapegoat her instead.
sentiment noun
BrE /ˈsentɪmənt/ ; NAmE /ˈsentɪmənt/
1) [countable, uncountable] (formal) a feeling or an opinion, especially one based on emotions
ex) By some accounts, the country is drowning in immigrants - including the estimated 12 million who are undocumented - taking jobs and driving down wages. Mix anti-immigrant sentiment and overinflated rhetoric about terrorists, and false images emerge of white America being overrun by brown-skinned criminals.
overinflated adjective
BrE /ˌəʊvərɪnˈfleɪtɪd/ ; NAmE /ˌoʊvərɪnˈfleɪtɪd/
1) (of a price or value) too high
2) made to seem better, worse, more important, etc. than it really is
synonym exaggerated
ex) By some accounts, the country is drowning in immigrants - including the estimated 12 million who are undocumented - taking jobs and driving down wages. Mix anti-immigrant sentiment and overinflated rhetoric about terrorists, and false images emerge of white America being overrun by brown-skinned criminals.
rhetoric noun
BrE /ˈretərɪk/ ; NAmE /ˈretərɪk/ [uncountable]
1) (formal, often disapproving) speech or writing that is intended to influence people, but that is not completely honest or sincere
2) (formal) the skill of using language in speech or writing in a special way that influences or entertains people
ex) By some accounts, the country is drowning in immigrants - including the estimated 12 million who are undocumented - taking jobs and driving down wages. Mix anti-immigrant sentiment and overinflated rhetoric about terrorists, and false images emerge of white America being overrun by brown-skinned criminals.
legitimate adjective
BrE /lɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/ ; NAmE /lɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/
1) for which there is a fair and acceptable reason
synonym valid, justifiable
ex) Contractors and carpenters do make a legitimate argument that they are undercut by competitors who can make low bids because they underpay undocumented workers.
overrun verb
BrE /ˌəʊvəˈrʌn/ ; NAmE /ˌoʊvəˈrʌn/
1) [transitive, often passive] overrun something (especially of something bad or not wanted) to fill or spread over an area quickly, especially in large numbers
ex) By some accounts, the country is drowning in immigrants - including the estimated 12 million who are undocumented - taking jobs and driving down wages. Mix anti-immigrant sentiment and overinflated rhetoric about terrorists, and false images emerge of white America being overrun by brown-skinned criminals.
The house was completely overrun with mice.
Enemy soldiers had overrun the island.
The tiny village was overrun by tourists.
tactical adjective
BrE /ˈtæktɪkl/ ; NAmE /ˈtæktɪkl/
1) [usually before noun] connected with the particular method you use to achieve something
synonym strategic
2) [usually before noun] carefully planned in order to achieve a particular aim
synonym strategic
ex) It’s a factual and tactical mistake to lump terrorism with unrelated issues of undocumented immigrants seeking work.
pile something↔on
1) to make something increase rapidly
ex) It’s a factual and tactical mistake to lump terrorism with unrelated issues of undocumented immigrants seeking work. Nonetheless, towns in Massachusetts and other states are piling on.
pinched adjective
BrE /pɪntʃt/ ; NAmE /pɪntʃt/
(of a person’s face) pale and thin, especially because of illness, cold or worry
ex) Anti-immigrant stances are shortsighted, but they suggest that many Americans themselves feel pinched, unfairly treated, and cut off from opportunities to get ahead.
quaint adjective
BrE /kweɪnt/ ; NAmE /kweɪnt/
attractive in an unusual or old-fashioned way
ex) In Massachusetts, for example, the notion of young couples moving into affordable starter homes seems increasingly quaint.
quaint old customs
a quaint seaside village
notion noun
BrE /ˈnəʊʃn/ ; NAmE /ˈnoʊʃn/
an idea, a belief or an understanding of something
ex) In Massachusetts, for example, the notion of young couples moving into affordable starter homes seems increasingly quaint.
a political system based on the notions of equality and liberty
She had only a vague notion of what might happen.
He has no notion of the difficulty of the problem.
I have to reject the notion that greed can be a good thing.
skewed adjective
BrE /skjuːd/ ; NAmE /skjuːd/
3) not straight or level
ex) Scapegoating immigrants is easy. But much of what ails ordinary Americans is a skewed economic playing field that makes it difficult to get ahead.
ail verb
BrE /eɪl/ ; NAmE /eɪl/
1) ail something (formal) to cause problems for somebody/something
ex) Scapegoating immigrants is easy. But much of what ails ordinary Americans is a skewed economic playing field that makes it difficult to get ahead.
nuts adjective
BrE /nʌts/ ; NAmE /nʌts/ not before noun
1) crazy
2) nuts about somebody/something very much in love with somebody; very enthusiastic about something
ex) I was nuts about you from the beginning too, Amber.
give me a break!
(informal) used when somebody wants somebody else to stop doing or saying something that is annoying, or to stop saying something that is not true
ex) ‘Come here and give me a kiss.’ ‘Give me a break, Amber! We don’t have time for that now. We need to crank out these cookies.’
crank something↔out
(informal) to produce a lot of something quickly, especially things of low quality
synonym turn somebody/something↔out | chrun something↔out
ex) ‘Come here and give me a kiss.’ ‘Give me a break, Amber! We don’t have time for that now. We need to crank out these cookies.’
crunch time noun
[uncountable] (informal)
an extremely important moment or period of time when you must make a decision or take action; a crucial time
ex) Amber, I’m head over heels in love with you. But it’s crunch time with these cookies.
one-track mind noun
BrE ; NAmE [usually singular]
if somebody has a one-track mind, they can only think about one subject (often used to refer to somebody thinking about sex)
ex) Cookies, cookies, cookies - you’ve got a one-track mind.
All he ever talks about is football. He’s got a one-track mind.
plug away (at something)
to continue working hard at something, especially something that you find difficult
ex) No, I’ll keep plugging away… I’m just your cookies slave. Go ahead, treat me like dirt.
treat somebody like dirt
(informal) to treat somebody with no respect at all
ex) No, I’ll keep plugging away… I’m just your cookies slave. Go ahead, treat me like dirt.
They treat their workers like dirt.
make out
2) make out (with somebody) (North American English, informal) to kiss and touch somebody in a sexual way; to have sex with somebody
ex) Hey, what’s going on in here? Are you two making cookies or making out?
approval rating noun
[əˈpruːvəl ˈreɪtɪŋ]
approval of a politician as shown by opinion polls
ex) The President’s approval rating on immigration is almost as low as his overall job approval.
take, claim, seize, etc. the moral high ground
to claim that your side of an argument is morally better than your opponents’ side; to argue in a way that makes your side seem morally better
ex) His Oval Office address last night was intended to seize the political high ground on immigration.
win over somebody | win over somebody to something | win round somebody | win round somebody to something | win around somebody | win around somebody to something | win somebody over | win somebody over to something | win somebody round | win somebody round to something | win somebody around | win somebody around to something
to get somebody’s support or approval by persuading them that you are right
ex) But it doesn’t look like he won over many critics.
She’s against the idea but I’m sure I can win her over.
nails on a chalkboard
(Expression) Idiom - referring to an extremely annoying, unpleasant uncomfortably loud sound or noise. Usually referring to someone’s voice.
ex) Some of that was finger nails on a chalkboard.
When she song the national anthem, she sounded like nails on a chalkboard.
amnesty noun
BrE /ˈæmnəsti/ ; NAmE /ˈæmnəsti/ (pl. amnesties)
1) [countable, usually singular, uncountable] an official statement that allows people who have been put in prison for crimes against the state to go free
ex) If you give a person who came here illegally every single benefit that you give to somebody who comes legally, all the way to citizenship and the benefits that come with that, then it’s hard to say that’s not an amnesty.
elicit verb
BrE /iˈlɪsɪt/ ; NAmE /iˈlɪsɪt/
elicit something (from somebody) (formal) to get information or a reaction from somebody, often with difficulty
ex) Even the war on terrorism, oftentimes discussed in town meeting doesn’t elicit as much passion as the debate over this subject.
compound verb
BrE /kəmˈpaʊnd/ ; NAmE /kəmˈpaʊnd/
1) [often passive] compound something to make something bad become even worse by causing further damage or problems
ex) Access, anonymity of Internet may compound addiction problems.
The problems were compounded by severe food shortages.
The Chancellor compounded the situation by ruling out an early cut in interest rates.
gruff adjective
BrE /ɡrʌf/ ; NAmE /ɡrʌf/
1) (of a voice) deep and rough, and often sounding unfriendly
2) (of a person’s behaviour) unfriendly and impatient
ex) Gambling has been around for centuries, from gruff Wild West saloons to glitzy Las Vegas casinos.
