UNITS 5&6 • PAT

Question 1

crop up

uk |krɒp| us |krɑːp|

verb

Answer 1

1. to happen or appear, often unexpectedly
* “New problems often crop up.”
* “The issue that crops up most often is safety.”
* “If anything that we haven’t thought of crops up, give me a call.”
* “[crop up in] Her name keeps cropping up in conversation.”
* “Certain words crop up so often in his writing that it must be deliberate.”

Question 2

dive in

‎

collocation

Answer 2

1. to jump into water, especially with your head and arms going in first
* “They ran to the pool, dived in, and swam to the other side.”
* “He stood on the edge of the cliff, too nervous to dive in.”

Question 3

end up

uk |end| us |end|

verb

Answer 3

1. to finally be in a particular place or situation
* “[end up in] They’re travelling across Europe by train and are planning to end up in Moscow.”
* “[end up as] Much of this meat will probably end up as dog food.”
* “[L] She’ll end up penniless if she continues to spend like that.”
* ”[+ -ing verb] After working her way around the world, she ended up teaching English as a foreign language.”

Question 4

kick off

uk |kɪk| us |kɪk|

verb

Answer 4

1. If a game of football kicks off, it starts
* “What time does the game kick off?”

Question 5

kick (something) off

uk |kɪk| us |kɪk|

verb

Answer 5

1. If you kick off a discussion or an activity, you start it
* “I’d like to kick off the discussion with a few statistics.”
* “Right, any suggestions? Jim, you kick off.”

Question 6

kick-off

uk |ˈkɪk.ɒf| us |ˈkɪk.ɑːf|

noun

Answer 6

1. the time when a game of football starts, or when it begins again after it has stopped because of a goal, etc.

2. the time when an activity starts [informal]

Question 7

knockoff

uk |ˈnɒk.ɒf| us |ˈnɑːk.ɑːf|

noun

Answer 7

1. a cheap or less good copy of a popular or high-quality product, etc.
* “Is that the real thing or a knockoff?”
* “[knockoff of] Would you buy a fake designer bag or a knockoff of an expensive dress?”
* “These all sound like knock-offs of Abba songs to me.”

Question 8

knockoff

uk |ˈnɒk.ɒf| us |ˈnɑːk.ɑːf|

adjective

Answer 8

1. A knockoff product, etc. is a cheaply made or less good copy of a popular or high-quality one
* “His jeans were held up with a knockoff designer belt.”
* “Beware of knock-off Olympic memorabilia.”

Question 9

knuckle down

uk |ˈnʌk.əl| us |ˈnʌk.əl|

verb

Answer 9

1. to start working or studying hard
* “You’re going to have to really knuckle down (to your work) if you want to pass your final exams.”

Question 10

layoff

uk |ˈleɪ.ɒf| us |ˈleɪ.ɑːf|

noun

Answer 10

1. an occasion when a company stops employing someone, sometimes temporarily, because the company does not have enough money or enough work [C often plural]
* “The recent economic crisis has led to massive layoffs.”

2. a period when someone is not working or playing sport [C usually singular]
* “Foster is playing again after a six-week layoff due to injury.”

3. in football, a short gentle pass into a space that another player from your team can run forward into, then move forward with the ball or shoot towards the goal without slowing down or stopping

Question 11

lie ahead (of someone)

us |lɑɪ|

verb

Answer 11

1. to be in the future
* “We don’t know what lies ahead.”
* “You graduate today, and an exciting future lies ahead of you.”

Question 12

make something up

uk |meɪk| us |meɪk|

verb

Answer 12

1. to invent something, such as an excuse or a story, often in order to deceive
* “[make up an excuse] I made up an excuse about having to look after the kids.”
* “[make up stories] My dad was always really good at making up stories.”

2. to prepare or arrange something by putting different things together
* “Could you make up a list of all the things that need to be done?”
* “He asked the man behind the counter to make up a box with a selection of chocolates.”
* “The maid will make up your room later.”

3. to produce or prepare something from cloth [fabrics & fashion specialized]
* “We could use the rest of the material to make up some curtains.”

4. If you make up a page, book, or newspaper, you arrange the text and pictures in the form in which they will be printed. [publishing specialized]

5. If you make up a bed for someone, you put sheets and covers on a bed so that they have a place to sleep in your home.

6. If you make up a fire, you prepare it or put more wood or coal on it when it is burning. [UK]

7. to make an amount of something complete or correct
* “[make up the difference] I have £20,000 and I need £25,000 but my parents have promised to make up the difference.”
* “[UK] [make up numbers] I suspect we were only invited to make up numbers (= to provide enough people).”

8. to reduce or replace something, usually an amount of time or work, that has been lost
* “[make up time] We’re hoping to make up time on the return journey by not stopping at night.”
* “You’ll have to make up the work you missed while you were away.”

Question 13

make someone/something up

uk |meɪk| us |meɪk|

verb

Answer 13

1. to put make-up on someone’s face, to improve or change its appearance
* “I found her making herself up in front of the mirror.”
* “He had made himself up to look like a vampire from a horror film, with a pale face and bright red lips.”
* “I don’t know why the make-up artist always makes her up in such unflattering colours.”

Question 14

make up something

uk |meɪk| us |meɪk|

verb

Answer 14

1. to form a particular thing, amount, or number as a whole
* “Car accident victims make up almost a quarter of the hospital’s patients.”
* “The book is made up of a number of different articles.”

Question 15

make up

uk |meɪk| us |meɪk|

verb

Answer 15

1. to forgive someone and be friendly with them again after an argument or disagreement
* “[kiss and make up] They kissed and made up, as usual.”
* “[UK] We often quarrel but we always make it up soon after.”

Question 16

make-up

uk |ˈmeɪk.ʌp| us |ˈmeɪk.ʌp|

noun

Answer 16

1. coloured substances used on your face to improve or change your appearance
* “I put on a little eye make-up.”
* “She wears a lot of make-up.”

Question 17

press ahead/on

uk |pres|

verb

Answer 17

1. to start or continue doing something in a determined way, although it is difficult
* “[press ahead/on with sth] Most of the delegates said they wanted to press ahead with the talks.”
* “The phone company intends to press on with the arrangement.”

Question 18

set out

uk |set| us |set|

verb

Answer 18

1. to start an activity with a particular aim
* “She set out with the aim of becoming the youngest ever winner of the championship.”
* ”[+ to infinitive] They set out to discover a cure for cancer.”

2. to start a journey

Question 19

set something out

uk |set| us |set|

verb

Answer 19

1. to give the details of something or to explain it, especially in writing, in a clear, organized way (formal set something forth)
* “The board has set out its goals/plans/proposals for the coming year.”
* “Your contract will set out the terms and conditions of your employment.”

2. to arrange something, usually a number of things, in an attractive or organized way
* “The farmers’ market was full of brightly coloured vegetables set out on stalls.”
* “Every evening Michael sets out the breakfast dishes on the table, ready for the morning.”

Question 20

snowed under

‎

idiom

Answer 20

1. having too much to do
* “I am totally snowed under at school”

Question 21

take something on

uk |teɪk| us |teɪk|

verb

Answer 21

1. to accept a particular job or responsibility
* “She took too much on and made herself ill.”

Question 22

take on something

uk |teɪk| us |teɪk|

verb

Answer 22

1. to begin to have a particular quality
* “Her voice took on a troubled tone.”

Question 23

take someone on

uk |teɪk| us |teɪk|

verb

Answer 23

1. to employ someone
* “[take someone on as a something] She was taken on as a laboratory assistant.”

2. to compete against or fight someone
* “The government took on the unions and won.”

Question 24

take on something

‎

phrase

Answer 24

1. an opinion about something
* “We’d love to hear your take on this issue.”
* “Most people would be upset at this sort of criticism, but Louis has a different take on it.”
* “He was eager to share his take on the outcome of the recent elections.”
* “She had a really weird take on what happened.”
* “My take on this is that Jenkyns didn’t really want the job.”

Question 25

take on something

‎

phrase

Answer 25

1. a version of something that shows someone’s attitude towards it
* “The restaurant offers a new take on traditional French cooking.”
* “Her novels offer an unusual take on the traditional vampire story.”
* “The game is a new take on Monopoly.”
* “The dessert is a more modern take on sherry trifle.”
* “His jacket was a stylish take on the sort of tweed his father would have worn.”

Question 26

tide someone over (something)

uk |taɪd| us |taɪd|

verb

Answer 26

1. to help someone to work or operate normally through a difficult period, usually by lending them money
* “Can you lend me some money to tide me over till the weekend?”
* “Have another piece of cake. It’ll tide you over till supper.”

Question 27

while something away

uk |waɪl| us |waɪl|

verb

Answer 27

1. to spend time in a relaxed way because you have nothing to do or you are waiting for something else to happen
* “We whiled away the afternoon playing cards in front of the fire.”
* “That’s the spot where Sara and I used to while away the hours between lectures.”

Question 28

wind (something) down

uk |waɪnd| us |waɪnd|

verb

Answer 28

1. to end gradually or in stages, or to cause something to do this
* “The government intends to wind the scheme down in the spring.”
* “Unfortunately, the party was just winding down as we got there.”

2. If a business or organization winds down, or if someone winds it down, the amount of work it does is gradually reduced until it closes completely
* “They’re winding down their operations abroad because they’re losing money.”

Question 29

wind down

uk |waɪnd| us |waɪnd|

verb

Answer 29

1. to gradually relax after doing something that has made you tired or worried
* “When he goes on holiday, it takes him the first couple of days just to wind down.”

Question 30

act your age!

‎

phrase

Answer 30

1. said to someone to tell them to stop behaving like someone who is much younger
* “Boys, act your age, please!”
* “You need to grow up and act your age!”
* “You’re too old for silly pranks like this. I really wish you would just act your age.”
* “Come on, act your age! That food is for eating not for playing with!”
* “Just act your age and apologize to her!”

Question 31

ages

‎

phrase

Answer 31

1. a very long time
* “[take ages] It takes ages to cook.”
* “[for ages] I’ve been waiting for ages.”
* “It’s been ages/an age since we last spoke.”
* “My sister always spends ages in the bathroom getting ready for the day.”

Question 32

in due course

‎

phrase

Answer 32

1. at a suitable time in the future
* “You will receive notification of the results in due course.”
* “The palace has indicated that an official announcement will be made in due course.”
* “We will consider the proposal and respond in due course.”
* “We will decide in due course who the next leader will be.”
* “They have said they will review the case and respond in due course.”
* “In due course she will set out her ideas on a range of issues.”

Question 33

run its course

‎

idiom

Answer 33

1. to develop and finish naturally
* “The doctor’s advice is to let the fever run its course.”
* “I had to accept that the relationship had run its course.”

Question 34

any day now

‎

phrase

Answer 34

1. very soon, especially within the next few days
* “The baby’s due any day now.”
* "”When is the baby due?” “Any day now!””
* “The ruling is expected any day now.”
* “They’re due to make the announcement any day now.”
* “It could happen any day now.”

Question 35

in this day and age

‎

idiom

Answer 35

1. at the present time
* “You can’t afford to run businesses inefficiently in this day and age.”

Question 36

put an end to something

‎

idiom

Answer 36

1. to make something stop happening or existing
* “How can we put an end to the fighting?”

Question 37

bring something to an end

‎

phrase

Answer 37

1. to make something finish
* “He ran out of time and brought the interview to an end.”
* “We will have to use economic and military pressure to bring this situation to an end.”
* “With these allegations of abuse his career was brought abruptly to an end.”
* “The judge brought proceedings to an end after only nine minutes.”
* “We must bring this gridlock to an end by reducing traffic coming into the city.”

Question 38

after hours

‎

idiom

Answer 38

1. after the usual hours of work
* “I often do some of my own work after hours.”

2. If you drink in a bar after hours, you drink alcohol at a time when it is not allowed by law
* “The police are trying to stop after-hours drinking.”

Question 39

make the best of

‎

phrase

Answer 39

1. to make an unsatisfactory situation as pleasant as possible
* “We’ll have to spend the night here, so we might as well make the best of it.”
* “We’ll just have to make the best of a bad situation.”
* “It was in her nature to make the best of whatever came along.”
* “He had to do the worst jobs, but he made the best of it.”
* “It was a matter of pooling our resources and making the best of it.”

Question 40

every now and then

‎

idiom

Answer 40

1. sometimes, but not regularly
* “We still get together for lunch every now and then.”

Question 41

(every) now and then

‎

idiom

Answer 41

1. sometimes but not very often
* “We still meet for lunch now and then, but not as often as we used to.”

Question 42

nowadays

uk |ˈnaʊ.ə.deɪz| us |ˈnaʊ.ə.deɪz|

adverb

Answer 42

1. at the present time, in comparison to the past
* “Who remembers those movies nowadays?”
* “Nowadays, I bake my own bread rather than buy it.”

Question 43

take up office

‎

phrase

Answer 43

1. to start an official job
* “The minister took up office in December.”
* “The new committee is due to take up office next month.”
* “A year after taking up office, she has widespread support from her staff.”
* “This is an issue for the new regulator when he or she takes up office next year.”
* “[US] She had been elected but had not yet taken office.”

Question 44

run for office, election, president, etc.

‎

phrase

Answer 44

1. to compete as a candidate in an election for a position of authority and responsibility in a government or other organization
* “She is considering running for office.”
* “After leaving the firm, he decided to run for a seat on the council.”
* “She declared today her intention to run for president in the next national election.”
* “Our organization’s goal is to inspire more young people to run for election to local offices.”
* “The two people running for sheriff in this year’s election will have to answer difficult questions regarding funding and police presence in town.”

Question 45

office-bearer

‎

noun

Question 46

office hours

uk |ˌɒf.ɪs ˈaʊəz| us |ˌɑː.fɪs ˈaʊrz|

noun

Answer 46

1. the hours during the day when people who work in offices are usually at work
* “I’ll have to do it outside/out of (= before or after) office hours.”
* “Their phone lines are only open during office hours.”

2. the times during the day when you can go to see a doctor, dentist, professor, etc. at his or her office [US]
* “Many doctors have evening office hours.”

Question 47

on and on

us |ˈɔn ən ˈɔn, ˈɑn ən ˈɑn|

adverb

Answer 47

1. continuing for a long time
* “The noise just went on and on.”

Question 48

on end

‎

idiom

Answer 48

1. continuously
* “She practices the violin for hours on end.”

Question 49

within preposition,

uk |wɪˈðɪn| us |wɪˈðɪn|

adverb

Answer 49

1. inside or not further than an area or period of time
* “Two thirds of Californians live within 15 miles of the coast.”
* “In 1992 cross-border controls within the EU were dismantled.”
* “For orders within the UK, please enclose £2.50 for post and packing.”
* “[within easy reach] The resort lies within easy reach of (= not far from) the ski slopes.”
* “We recommend that this wine should be consumed within six months.”
* “Within hours of the tragedy happening, an emergency rescue team had been assembled.”
* “The tickets should reach you within the week (= before the end of this week).”
* “He’s very highly regarded within his profession.”
* “The target was now within range and so she took aim and fired.”
* “[within reach] He could sense that his goal was within reach (= it could be reached).”
* “The cathedral spire was now within sight (= it could be seen).”
* “We came within five points of beating them (= we would have beaten them if we had had five more points).”

2. inside the limits of something, for example the law or a set of rules, and allowed by it
* “[within the law] I was acting within the law (= legally).”
* “She managed to complete her last film well within budget.”
* “[within someone’s rights] I am within my rights to refuse their request.”

Question 50

split second

uk |ˌsplɪt ˈsek.ənd| us |ˌsplɪt ˈsek.ənd|

noun

Answer 50

1. a very short moment of time
* “They brought out guns and for a split second nobody moved.”
* “We had to make a split-second (= very quick) decision.”

Question 51

get off to a good start

‎

phrase

Answer 51

1. to begin an activity successfully
* “I didn’t get off to a very good start this morning - I’d been at work five minutes and my computer stopped working!”
* “United got off to a good start with a goal in the fifth minute of the game.”
* “The idea is to help preschoolers get off to a good start.”
* “The French team got off to a good start in the relay but trailed behind Spain later in the race.”
* “The day didn’t get off to a very good start with one child sick and the other refusing to go to school.”

Question 52

for a start

‎

phrase

Answer 52

1. first, or as the first in a set of things
* “We’ll take names and phone numbers for a start, then later on we can get more details.”
* “For a start, let’s see if we can persuade her to go to school every day.”
* “Today we’re cooking chilli. Let’s all wash our hands for a start.”
* “For a start, we can contact all the residents in the street and find out what they think about the closure.”
* “I’m thinking of training as a youth worker, but I’m just volunteering at a youth club for a start.”
* “This book is better than her last one. For a start, it’s shorter.”
* “Things have certainly changed. For a start, there are more women involved.”
* “Lots of people are against the project. John Edwards, for a start.”
* “There are ways to make washing clothes more environmentally friendly. For a start, you can lower the temperature you wash at.”
* “We are concerned for several reasons. For a start, nobody has ever tried anything like this before.”

Question 53

in the long/medium/short term

‎

phrase

Answer 53

1. for a long, medium, or short period of time in the future
* “This decision will cost us more in the short term, but will be beneficial in the long term.”
* “In the long term, it’s probably a better bet.”
* “They are evidently willing to sacrifice profits in the short term to make more money in the long term.”
* “Of course no one really knows what the effect of this will be in the long term.”
* “It is hoped that this will bring inflation back to target in the medium term.”

Question 54

fixed-term

uk |ˈfɪkstˌtɜːm| us |ˈfɪkstˌtɜ˞ːm|

adjective

Answer 54

1. lasting only for a fixed period of time
* “He is employed under a fixed-term contract.”

Question 55

make time

‎

idiom

Answer 55

1. to make certain you have some time when you are not busy in order to do something you think you should do
* “[make time to] It’s important to make time to read to your children.”
* “[make time for] In a relationship you have to make time for each other.”

Question 56

time after time

‎

phrase

Answer 56

1. again and again
* “Time after time she gets involved in relationships with the wrong men.”
* “Time after time he turned down requests for interviews.”
* “People would ridicule his claims and time after time he was proven right.”
* “Time after time, I would come down here in the middle of the night and find him fast asleep on the sofa.”
* “Time after time she would apply for jobs and be rejected.”
* “These people have proven time after time to be resilient and adaptable.”

Question 57

time frame

uk |ˈtaɪm ˌfreɪm| us |ˈtaɪm ˌfreɪm|

noun

Answer 57

1. a period of days, weeks, months, etc. within which an activity is intended to happen
* “Have you set a time frame for completing the job?”
* “The new law introduces these changes in/within a fairly long/short time frame.”

Question 58

work like a charm

‎

idiom

Answer 58

1. to be very effective, possibly in a surprising way
* “Flattery usually works like a charm on him.”

Question 59

swing both ways

‎

idiom

Answer 59

1. to be sexually attracted to both men and women
* “I’ve seen her out with men as well. She swings both ways, you know.”

Question 60

work a treat

‎

idiom

Answer 60

1. to operate very well
* “This new drill works a treat on hard metals.”

Question 61

work wonders

‎

idiom

Answer 61

1. to cause improvements or have a very good effect
* “A little flattery can work wonders.”

Question 62

work your way up

‎

idiom

Answer 62

1. to achieve a better position within the organization you work for
* “She quickly worked her way up to vice president.”

Question 63

a piece of work

‎

idiom

Answer 63

1. a very unkind or unpleasant person
* “It soon becomes clear that Minty is rather a piece of work.”
* “He is obviously a nasty piece of work but, like many bullies, not without charm.”

Question 64

year-on-year

‎

adjective

Question 65

leap year

uk |ˈliːp ˌjɪər| us |ˈliːp ˌjɪr|

noun

Answer 65

1. a year that happens every four years and has an extra day on 29 February

Question 66

a stitch in time (saves nine)

‎

idiom

Answer 66

1. said to mean that it is better to act or deal with problems immediately, because if you wait and deal with them later, things will get worse and the problems will take longer to deal with

Question 67

all in good time

‎

idiom

Answer 67

1. used to tell someone to be patient because the thing they are eager for will happen when the time is right
* “Be patient, you’ll hear the result all in good time.”

Question 68

at the drop of a hat

‎

idiom

Answer 68

1. If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately without stopping to think about it
* “People will file lawsuits at the drop of a hat these days.”

Question 69

for good

‎

phrase

Answer 69

1. for ever
* “She’s gone and this time it’s for good.”
* “I’m going to kick the habit for good.”
* “I’m done with cigarettes for good.”
* “He had thought his cancer was gone for good but, sadly, this was not the case.”
* “When I got married, I thought it was for good.”

Question 70

for the time being

‎

phrase

Answer 70

1. for a limited period
* “Leave the ironing for the time being - I’ll do it later.”
* “She’s put her career on hold for the time being.”
* “We’ll think about buying a bigger car next year but for the time being we’ll carry on with this one.”
* “For the time being, we can manage with this arrangement.”
* “The plan has been shelved for the time being.”
* “At least for the time being, we’ll probably stay here.”

Question 71

from time to time

‎

phrase

Answer 71

1. sometimes, but not often
* “From time to time I still think of her.”
* “We would have a meal there from time to time.”
* “I think about going back to school from time to time.”
* “I still feel a little low from time to time, as we all do.”
* “My former students get back in touch with me from time to time and it’s really nice.”
* “From time to time I see one of them in town.”

Question 72

in the nick of time

‎

idiom

Answer 72

1. at the last possible moment
* “We got there just in the nick of time.”

Question 73

once in a blue moon

‎

idiom

Answer 73

1. not very often
* “My sister lives in Alaska, so I only see her once in a blue moon.”
* “Once in a blue moon, there’s an issue I can’t resolve.”

Question 74

on the spur of the moment

‎

idiom

Answer 74

1. used to say that a decision, action, etc. is sudden and done without any planning
* “We hadn’t planned to go away - it was one of those spur-of-the-moment decisions.”
* “We just jumped in a car on the spur of the moment and drove to the seaside.”

Question 75

the other day

‎

phrase

Answer 75

1. a few days ago
* “Didn’t I see you in the post office the other day?”
* “I saw her in town the other day.”
* “We met up for breakfast the other day.”
* “I was out walking with my brother the other day when I spotted her.”
* “Funny you should say that! Just the other day, someone else told me I reminded them of their grandmother.”
* “Jim called in the other day on his way to his mother’s.”