u3 Flashcards
What does it mean to not have a leg to stand on?
To be in a situation where you cannot prove or legally support what you say
Example: If you didn’t sign a contract, you won’t have a leg to stand on.
Define ‘drop out’.
To no longer do an activity or belong to a group
Example: The group gets smaller as members move away or drop out.
What is the meaning of ‘hostile’?
Angry and deliberately unfriendly towards someone, and ready to argue with them
Example: Southampton fans gave their former coach a hostile reception.
What does ‘cram’ mean in an educational context?
To prepare yourself for an examination by learning a lot of information quickly
Example: Zara crammed for six hours the night before the exam, but still couldn’t remember anything.
Explain the phrase ‘figure out’.
To think about a problem or situation until you find the answer or understand what has happened
Example: I can’t figure out how to use this app – can you help me?
What does ‘desperate’ mean?
Willing to do anything to change a very bad situation, and not caring about danger
Example: I had no money left and was desperate.
What does it mean to ‘turn someone round’?
If a person turns around, he/she changes and starts to develop in a positive way
Example: The love of his new adoptive parents really turned his life around.
Define ‘expel’.
To officially force someone to leave a school or organization
Example: Two girls were expelled from school for taking drugs.
What does ‘mutual’ refer to?
Feelings such as respect, trust, or hatred that two or more people have for each other
Example: Mutual respect is necessary for any partnership to work.
What does ‘nurture’ mean?
To help a plan, idea, feeling etc to develop
Example: European union is an ideal that has been nurtured since the post-war years.
What does it mean to ‘pull yourself together’?
To force yourself to stop behaving in a nervous, frightened, or uncontrolled way
Example: With an effort Mary pulled herself together.
Define ‘shame’.
The feeling you have when you feel guilty and embarrassed because you, or someone close to you, have done something wrong
Example: When Toby made fun of my new haircut I went red with shame.
What is ‘rage’?
A strong feeling of uncontrollable anger
Example: When I told him I had crashed his car, he flew into a rage.
What does ‘rough and ready’ imply?
Not perfect, but good enough for a particular purpose
Example: The tests are only a rough and ready guide to a pupil’s future development.
Define ‘scheme’.
An official plan that is intended to help people in some way, for example by providing education or training
Example: The money will be used for teacher training schemes.
What does it mean to ‘shift’?
To move from one place or position to another, or make something do this
Example: Joe listened, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another.
What does ‘skive off’ mean?
To avoid work or school by staying away or leaving without permission
Example: Rachel got a detention for skiving off maths.
Define ‘substantial’.
Large in amount or number
Example: We have the support of a substantial number of parents.
What does ‘trigger’ mean?
To make something happen very quickly, especially a series of events
Example: The assassination triggered off a wave of rioting.
What does ‘instinctive’ mean?
Based on instinct and not involving thought
Example: Her musical skill is completely instinctive.
Define ‘aggressive’.
Behaving in an angry threatening way, as if you want to fight or attack someone
Example: Jim’s voice became aggressive.
What does ‘scornful’ mean?
Feeling or showing scorn
Example: Patrick was scornful of his younger brother’s attempts to ride a bike.
What does ‘distressed’ refer to?
Very upset
Example: Hannah was deeply distressed by the news.
Define ‘indifferent’.
Not at all interested in someone or something
Example: Sarah was absolutely indifferent to him, and it hurt.
What does ‘disaffected’ mean?
Not satisfied with your government, leader etc, and therefore no longer loyal to them
Example: With huge student loans to pay and few jobs, many young people feel disaffected.
What does ‘resistant’ mean?
Not damaged or affected by something
Example: An infection that’s resistant to antibiotics.
What does ‘see eye to eye’ mean?
If two people see eye to eye, they agree with each other
Example: We didn’t exactly see eye to eye.
What does it mean to ‘do as you are told’?
Behave in the way someone has asked you to
Example: Why can’t you children just do as you are told?
What does ‘get your own way’ mean?
Achieve the result you want
Example: Bella is dad’s favourite and he always lets her get her own way.
Define ‘keep yourself to yourself’.
To live a very quiet private life and not do many things that involve other people
Example: I don’t like to get involved in office politics; I prefer to keep myself to myself.
What does ‘rub people up the wrong way’ mean?
To annoy someone by the things you say or do, usually without intending to
Example: Robbie always rubs people up the wrong way – it’s no wonder he has so few friends.
What does ‘on a whim’ mean?
A sudden feeling that you would like to do or have something, especially when there is no important or good reason
Example: I bought these shoes on a whim, and now I’ve decided I don’t like them.
What does ‘look up to’ mean?
Admire and respect
Example: I’ve always looked up to my cousin because she’s so cool and funny.
What does ‘become close to someone’ imply?
Develop a strong relationship with someone
Example: I became very close to my aunt after my uncle died.
What does ‘come across as’ mean?
Appear to have a particular quality, when this may or may not be true
Example: Mr Potts can come across as rude, but really he’s a very kind man.
What does ‘good fun’ mean?
Enjoyable to be with because they are happy and amusing
Example: Leah is funny and popular – she’s really good fun.
Define ‘dry sense of humour’.
Someone who says funny and clever things while seeming to be serious
Example: You’ve got such a dry sense of humour; sometimes I can’t tell if you’re joking.
What does ‘take after someone’ mean?
To look or behave like an older relative
Example: I take after my mum – we both worry a lot.
What does ‘have your heart set on’ mean?
To want very much to have or achieve something, or to be determined to do something
Example: I’ve got my heart set on getting a new car once I get a job.
What does ‘run in the family’ imply?
If something such as a quality, disease, or skill runs in the family, many people in that family have it
Example: Diabetes appears to run in families.
Define ‘high expectations’.
A feeling or belief that something or someone should be a success
Example: Paula felt under a lot of pressure to go to university – everyone in the family had high expectations of her.
What does ‘alternately’ mean?
Two things happening one after the other in a regular pattern
Example: It’s alternately sunny and rainy outside – I don’t know what to wear.
What does ‘on the brink of’ mean?
A situation when you are almost in a new situation
Example: I was on the brink of asking Penny to go for a coffee when her phone rang and she walked away.
Define ‘indulgence’.
The habit of allowing yourself to do or have whatever you want
Example: An occasional glass of wine was his only indulgence.
What does ‘stability’ refer to?
The condition of being steady and not changing
Example: Stability within the family is very important for childhood development.
What does ‘inwardly’ mean?
Felt or experienced in your own mind but not expressed to other people
Example: I managed to smile, but inwardly I was furious.
Define ‘associate’.
To make a connection in your mind between one thing or person and another
Example: I don’t associate him with energetic sports.
What does ‘consistent’ mean?
Always behaving in the same way or having the same attitudes, standards etc – usually used to show approval
Example: She’s the team’s most consistent player.
What does ‘misbehave’ mean?
To behave badly, and cause trouble or annoy people
Example: George has been misbehaving at school.
What does ‘chaotic’ refer to?
A situation in which everything is happening in a confused way
Example: A chaotic mixture of images.
Define ‘spiral’.
A process, usually a harmful one, in which something gradually but continuously gets worse or better
Example: Unemployment rose and the city went into a spiral of decline.
What is a ‘bond’?
Something that unites two or more people or groups, such as love, or a shared interest or idea
Example: I have a really strong bond with my pet dog.
What does ‘underachieving’ mean?
Not doing as well at school or at work as they could do if they worked harder
Example: Any underachieving police officers will have to take further training.
What does it mean to ‘lump together’?
To put two or more different people or things together and consider them as a single group, sometimes wrongly
Example: You can’t just lump us all together – we’re individuals with different needs.
Define ‘group dynamic’.
The way in which people in a group behave, react, and affect each other
Example: There is a very tense group dynamic in this classroom.
What does ‘despise’ mean?
To dislike and have a low opinion of someone or something
Example: She despised her neighbours.
What does ‘lurk’ mean?
To wait somewhere quietly and secretly, usually because you are going to do something wrong
Example: She didn’t see the figure lurking behind the bushes.
What is an ‘aspect’?
One part of a situation, idea, plan etc that has many parts
Example: Dealing with people is the most important aspect of my work.
What does ‘awkward’ refer to?
Making you feel embarrassed so that you are not sure what to do or say
Example: I hoped he would stop asking awkward questions.
What does it mean to ‘catch unawares’?
If something catches you unawares, it happens when you are not expecting it and are not prepared
Example: Tom caught me totally unawares when he asked me out on a date.
What does ‘cotton on’ mean?
To begin to understand something
Example: It took me a while to cotton on.
What does ‘turn down’ mean?
Refuse
Example: Thank you, I never turn down the offer of a cup of tea.
Define ‘obsessive’.
Thinking or worrying about something all the time, so that you do not think about other things enough
Example: Please stop being so obsessive about your food – just eat it!
What does ‘implication’ refer to?
A possible future effect or result of an action, event, decision etc
Example: What are the implications of these proposals?
What does it mean if something ‘wears off’?
If pain or the effect of something wears off, it gradually stops
Example: The effects of the anaesthetic were starting to wear off.
What does ‘turn out (to be)’ mean?
To happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that you did not expect
Example: I can’t believe it – it turns out Sophia knew about the surprise party all along!
What does it mean to ‘put one’s foot down’?
To say very firmly that someone must do something or must stop doing something
Example: I must put my foot down – the dog is not sleeping in my bed.
What does it mean if a fact ‘dawns on’ you?
You realize it for the first time
Example: It dawned on me that I have a better relationship with my grandparents than with my parents.
Define ‘simplistic’.
Treating difficult subjects in a way that is too simple
Example: This is a very simplistic approach to the problem.
What does ‘tendency’ mean?
If someone or something has a tendency to do or become a particular thing, they are likely to do or become it
Example: Greg’s tendency to be critical made him unpopular with his co-workers.
What is ‘subtlety’?
The quality that something has when it has been done in a clever or skilful way, with careful attention to small details
Example: The play lacks subtlety.
What does ‘impact’ refer to?
The effect or influence that an event, situation etc has on someone or something
Example: We need to assess the impact on climate change.
What does it mean to be ‘glued to’ something?
To look at something with all your attention
Example: During the Olympics, I was glued to the television.
What does ‘split up with’ mean?
If people split up, they end a marriage or relationship with each other
Example: Danny and Kate had a massive argument and split up.
What does ‘can’t help oneself’ mean?
Used to say that someone is unable to change their behaviour or feelings
Example: When I see chocolate, I can’t help myself and just have to eat it.
What does ‘take in one’s stride’ mean?
To not allow something to annoy, embarrass, or upset you
Example: Lilian took the criticism in her stride and said she would try harder next time.
What does ‘go over old ground’ mean?
To talk about the same things
Example: We’ve had this same argument a thousand times – do we really have to go over the same old ground?
What does ‘liable’ mean?
Likely to do or say something or to behave in a particular way
Example: The car is liable to overheat on long trips.
What does ‘sneak’ mean?
To quickly and secretly steal something unimportant or of little value
Example: I managed to sneak another slice of cake when no one was looking.
What does ‘flatter’ mean?
To praise someone in order to please them or get something from them, even though you do not mean it
Example: Perry would always flatter Mrs. Mitchell by praising her cooking.
What does ‘astounded’ mean?
Very surprised or shocked
Example: She was astounded by his arrogance.
What does ‘accountable’ mean?
Responsible for the effects of your actions and willing to explain or be criticized for them
Example: The government should be accountable to all the people of the country.
What does ‘be woven into’ mean?
To put many different ideas, subjects, stories etc together and connect them smoothly
Example: Summers at the beach are woven into my childhood memories.
What does ‘a fair bit of’ mean?
A reasonable amount
Example: My brother plays a fair bit of sport but I prefer listening to music.
Define ‘constructive’.
Useful and helpful, or likely to produce good results
Example: The meeting was very constructive.
What does ‘impose limitations’ mean?
To force to accept rules
Example: You’re 18 now so I can’t impose limitations on you anymore.
What does ‘peer’ refer to?
Your peers are the people who are the same age as you, or who have the same type of job, social class etc
Example: American children did less well in maths than their peers in Japan.
What does ‘so much the better’ mean?
Used to say that something would be even better or bring even more advantages
Example: If they can do them both at the same time, then so much the better.
Define ‘radical’.
A radical change or difference is very big and important
Example: They are proposing radical changes to the way the company is run.
What does ‘rave notice’ mean?
Strong praise for a new play, book etc
Example: The local ballet company received rave notices for its production of Swan Lake.
What does ‘reluctant’ mean?
Slow and unwilling
Example: She gave a reluctant smile.
What does ‘intend’ mean?
To have something in your mind as a plan or purpose
Example: I intend to spend the night there.
What does ‘rigorous’ mean?
Careful, thorough, and exact
Example: A rigorous analysis of defence needs.
What does ‘soft option’ mean?
Easy choice
Example: Leaving school at 16 isn’t necessarily the soft option, because you’ll have to find a job.
What does ‘fire with’ mean?
Made to feel interested in something and excited about it
Example: After I read Dan Brown’s book, I was fired with determination to write a best-seller.
What does ‘come to terms with’ mean?
To accept an unpleasant or sad situation and no longer feel upset or angry about it
Example: I still haven’t come to terms with my best friend going out with my ex-boyfriend.
What does ‘demanding’ mean?
Needing a lot of ability, effort, or skill
Example: The course was so demanding that I almost gave up.
What does ‘transferable’ mean?
The quality of being able to move from one place, school, job etc to another
Example: I may only have a Saturday job in a café, but I’m learning transferable skills.
