Unit 1.1 Flashcards
a change for the better/worse
(ya know it)
a change of heart
If you have a change of heart, you change your opinion or the way you feel about something:
She was going to sell her house but had a change of heart at the last minute.
Ring the changes
to do something in a different way in order to make it more interesting (UK!!!)
out of the blue
If something happens out of the blue, it is unexpected
fall into place
When things fall into place, events happen to produce the situation you want.
go downhill
If something goes downhill, it gradually becomes worse
on the cards
If something is on the cards, it is likely to happen
the rest is history
When you are talking about a change in your life and you say the rest is history, you mean that you are sure that people know what happened next
life-changing
having an effect that is strong enough to change someone’s life
redundant
(especially of a word, phrase, etc.) unnecessary because it is more than is needed:
In the sentence “She is a single unmarried woman”, the word “unmarried” is redundant.
step in
to become involved in a difficult situation or argument in order to help find a solution:
[ + to infinitive ] An outside buyer has stepped in to save the company from going out of business.
cut back
to spend less, do less, or use less of something:
The government has announced plans to cut back on defence spending by 10 percent next year.
If exercise is causing you pain, you should cut back.
get in with
to be or become popular or friendly with someone:
He’s trying to get in with the teachers.
hang around
to move or do things slowly:
Go and pack but don’t hang around - we have to go in an hour.
jump at
to accept something eagerly:
She jumped at the chance of a trip to Paris.
settle in
to become familiar with somewhere new, such as a new house, job, or school, and to feel comfortable and happy there:
Once we’ve settled in, we’ll have you over for dinner.
take sb on
to employ someone:
She was taken on as a laboratory assistant.
to compete against or fight someone:
The government took on the unions and won.
take sth on
to accept a particular job or responsibility:
She took too much on and made herself ill.
sustain
to cause or allow something to continue for a period of time:
The economy looks set to sustain its growth into next year.
to keep alive:
The soil in this part of the world is not rich enough to sustain a large population.
keeper
a person who takes care of animals or is in charge of valuable objects, a building, etc.:
a zoo keeper
promoter
someone who tries to encourage something to happen or develop:
a promoter of peace/sexual equality
outlook
the likely future situation:
The outlook for the economy is bleak.
a person’s way of understanding and thinking about something:
He has a fairly positive outlook on life.
the background
If someone or something is in the background, they are not the main point of attention:
Her worries about her job have faded into the background since she learned about her father’s illness.
subtle
not loud, bright, noticeable, or obvious in any way:
The room was painted a subtle shade of pink.
stimulus
something that causes growth or activity:
Foreign investment has been a stimulus to the industry.
vigour
strength, energy, or enthusiasm:
They set about their work with youthful vigour and enthusiasm.
build up sth
to cause something to increase or become greater:
She does exercises daily to build up her strength.
lay sb up
to force someone to stay in bed:
She’s been laid up with the flu for over a week.
put sth up
to build something:
They’re planning to put a hotel up where the museum used to be.
We’re going to put up a new fence around our garden.
feat
something difficult needing a lot of skill, strength, courage, etc. to achieve it:
The Eiffel Tower is a remarkable feat of engineering.
be no mean feat
to be a great achievement:
Getting the job finished in under a week was no mean feat.
to suspect
to not trust; to doubt:
I have no reason to suspect her honesty/loyalty.
realize
to achieve something you were hoping for:
Lots of money, a luxury house, a fast car - Danny had realized all his ambitions by the age of 25.
sense of fun
the ability to enjoy life and not be too serious:
Don’t be angry - it was just a joke - where’s your sense of fun?
