Unit 5-criticism

Question 1

shortcoming

Answer 1

n

1. a failing, defect, or deficiency

Question 2

Be sold on

Answer 2

To accept an idea.
have been convinced of the merits of something (frequently that you’ve decided it’s worth its cost, or is otherwise a worthwhile endeavor).

Some examples:

After losing five pounds this week, I’m sold on this new diet.

After seeing him play Hamlet, I’m sold on Bob as a dramatic actor.

Question 3

cracked up to be something

Answer 3

usually negative, typically related to a negative modifier)

(idiomatic) As good as claims or reputation would suggest.
This expensive software is not all it’s cracked up to be. It still has a lot of problems.

Question 4

Room for improvement

Answer 4

a ​possibility or ​hope that someone or something will ​improve:
Her writing is ​better but there is still room for ​improvement.

Question 5

To what extend

Answer 5

› how much:
To what extent will the ​budget have to be ​modified?
To what extent do you ​think he’s ​aware of the ​problem?

Question 6

Surely not

Answer 6

Surely not is used to express difficulty in believing something.

Surely you are not quitting that job? (= I can’t believe that you are quitting that job.)
Surely you are not going out in that coat? (= I can’t believe that you are going out in that coat.)

Question 7

On earth

Answer 7

how, what, why, etc. on earth...
informal
-used when you are ​extremely ​surprised, ​confused, or ​angry about something:
How on earth did this ​happen?
Why on earth didn't you ​tell me before?

Question 8

Fail to see

Answer 8

/understand
used when you do not ​accept something:
I fail to ​see why you can’t ​work on a ​Saturday.

Question 9

Off the cuff

Answer 9

off the cuff
› If you ​speak off the cuff, you say something without having ​prepared or ​thought about ​your words first:
I hadn’t ​prepared a ​speech so I just said a few words off the cuff.
[before noun] an off-the-cuff ​remark

Question 10

kick the can down the road

Answer 10

(idiomatic) To postpone a decision or action.

Empurrar com a barriga

Question 11

walk on eggshells

Answer 11

1. Fig. to walk very carefully; to take steps gingerly. Since he stumbled and fell against the china cabinet, Bill has been walking on eggshells.
2. Fig. to be very diplomatic and inoffensive. I was walking on eggshells trying to explain the remark to her without offending her further.