Unit 1 Flashcards
conform
to behave and think in the same way as most other people in a group or society
There is considerable pressure on teenagers to conform.
vent your anger/spleen
to express feelings, especially anger, strongly
He vented his anger on the referee.
She vented her spleen (= shouted in an angry way) on the assembled crowd.
bear (a grudge)
to have a feeling, especially a negative feeling
He’s borne a grudge against me ever since that day.
(familiarity) breeds contempt
when you have a lot of knowledge about a subject you tend to lose respect for that subject
Ignorance and lack of understanding can breed contempt towards individuals from different cultural backgrounds, hindering social integration.
swallow your pride
to ignore one’s ego in order to do something that one finds humiliating or below one’s standards.
I don’t have any other job offers, so I guess I just have to swallow my pride and accept this entry-level position.
exert pressure/authority
to make a concerted effort to do something
He exerted all his authority to make them accept the plan.
assert independence/authority
assert something to make other people recognize your right or authority to do something, by behaving in a determined and confident way
I was determined to assert my authority from the beginning.
adamant
determined not to change your mind or to be persuaded about something
Eva was adamant that she would not come.
The government remained adamant that there was no more money available.
obstinate
{disapproving} refusing to change your opinions, way of behaving, etc. when other people try to persuade you to; showing this
He can be very obstinate when he wants to be!
her obstinate refusal to comply with their request
elated (at/by something)
very happy and excited because of something good that has happened, or will happen
They were elated at the result.
I was elated by the prospect of the new job ahead.
jubilant
feeling or showing great happiness because of a success
The fans were in jubilant mood after the victory
meticulous (in doing something/about something)
paying careful attention to every detail
SYN: thorough, fastidious
apathetic
showing no interest or enthusiasm
The illness made her apathetic and unwilling to meet people.
withdrawn
not wanting to talk to other people; extremely quiet and shy
He was not the self-absorbed, withdrawn person he was sometimes portrayed as.
obnoxious
extremely unpleasant, especially in a way that offends people
SYN: offensive
amiable /ˈeɪmiəbl/
pleasant; friendly and easy to like
SYN: agreeable (as in We spent a most agreebale day together)
poised /pɔɪzd/
having a calm and confident manner and in control of your feelings and behaviour
SYN: assured
eloquent /ˈeləkwənt/
able to use language and express your opinions well, especially when you are speaking in public
When required, he could be an eloquent speaker, but preferred talking to small groups.
scrupulous /ˈskruː.pjə.ləs/
extremely honest
A scrupulous politician would not lie about her business interests.
upright
honest, responsible, and moral
She behaved as any upright citizen would have under the circumstances.
gullible
easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say
There are any number of miracle cures on the market for people gullible enough to buy them.
companionable
friendly and pleasant to be with
drift apart
to become less friendly or close to somebody
As children we were very close, but as we grew up we just drifted apart.
fall out
to have an argument with somebody so that you are no longer friendly with them
He left home after falling out with his parents.
She’d fallen out with her boyfriend over his ex-girlfriend.
