Unit 1&2 Flashcards
to ring the changes
to make changes to something in order to make it more interesting
e.g.: Ring the changes on packed lunches using different types of bread and spicy fillings.
to get in with
to begin to be involved with a particular person or group
e.g.: I hope he doesn’t get in with the wrong crowd
to jump at sth
to accept something eagerly
to track sb/sth down
to find something or someone after looking for them in a lot of different places
to busk
perform music in the street
kinship
blood relationship
rough it
to live without the modern comforts and conveniences of one’s home or daily life
e.g.: We roughed it until our house was repaired.
shoestring budget
extremely limited budget
culture vulture
a person who is extremely interested in arts
to be in the lap of luxury
living in very comfortable conditions because you have a lot of money
liable
likely
to embody
express, represent
despair
helplessness
dreary
boring
to pore over sth
to look at and study something, usually a book or document, carefully:
e.g.: She spends her evenings poring over textbooks
peril
danger
to have a row with someone
to have a fight with someone
recurrent
happening again many times:
seasoned
experienced
discerning
tasteful, sophisticated
intrepid
fearless
armchair traveller
someone who speaks authoritatively about traveling despite not traveling often.
tout
B.E.: a person who buys up tickets for an event to resell them at a profit
N.A.: a person who offers racing tips for a share of any resulting winnings
in the region of
approximately, roughly
e.g.: We caught somewhere in the region of 80 fish.
on the brink of something
almost to the point of doing something
e.g.: I was on the brink of selling my car to make ends meet when the tax refund came in the mail.
in conjunction with something
in combination with. together with sth
e.g.: The worksheets are designed to be used in conjunction with the new coursebooks.
on behalf of someone
done for another person’s benefit or support, or because you are representing the interests of that person
e.g.: I’d like to say on behalf of the whole group that we wish you well in your new job.
in vain
without success
the verge of something
you are very close to experiencing sth
e.g.: Her husband’s violent and abusive behaviour drove her to the verge of despair.
on the grounds (of)/ (that)
because
e.g.: Many critics have objected to the proposal on the grounds that it would be too costly.
something get my goat
irritate me
to be/get carried away
lose self-control
to fork out sth
to pay an amount of money
hefty
heavy, large
to be dead set on sth
to be intent on doing or obtaining something
e.g.: I am dead set on going out today, so a little rain isn’t going to stop me.
to be in line with sth or someone
to be in agreement with sth or someone
to face the music
to accept criticism or punishment for something you have done
to foot the bill
to pay for sth expensive
to shoulder the burden
to take on a responsibility
to stomach the idea
to be able to accept an unpleasant idea or watch sth unpleasant
to toe the line
to obey the rules
