Vocab Flashcards
incentivize /ɪnˈsen.t̬ə.vaɪz/
to make someone want to do something:
We need to incentivize our sales managers to achieve these targets.
incentivize Uk/ɪnˈsentɪvaɪz/
to make someone want to do something, such as to buy something or to do work, especially by offering prizes or rewards:
incentivize sb to do sth -
They incentivized workers to adopt the less expensive health care plan by giving more paid vacation.
-Headquarters has incentivized employees
with free offers of tickets to sporting events.
one-two punch /ˌwʌnˈtuː ˌpʌntʃ/
two unpleasant things that happen together:
The weather delivered a one-two punch to farmers with unseasonal freezing temperatures and strong winds.
straight-A /ˌstreɪtˈeɪ/
getting the best results in all examinations:
She had always been a straight-A student until she met him.
splendor /ˈsplen.dɚ/
( noun US (UK splendour) )
great beauty that attracts admiration and attention:
1. They bought a decaying 16th-century manor house and restored it to its original splendor.
discombobulate /ˌdɪs.kəmˈbɑː.bjə.leɪt/
(informal mainly humorous)
to confuse someone or make someone feel uncomfortable
silver-tongued /ˌsɪl.vɚˈtʌŋd/
(adjective literary)
If you are silver-tongued, you are good at persuading people to do things.
cus·to·di·an | \ ˌkə-ˈstō-dē-ən \
one that guards and protects or maintains
especially : one entrusted with guarding and keeping property or records or with custody or guardianship of prisoners or inmates
//the custodian made his usual rounds of the building to make sure that everything was OK
//served as custodian of the prisoner until he could be turned over to federal authorities
Space-age \ ˈspās-ˈāj \
: of, relating to, or befitting the age of space exploration
especially : MODERN
//space-age technology
Disheartening /dɪsˈhɑːr.tən.ɪŋ/
causing you to lose confidence, hope, and energy:
This was very disheartening news.
It was disheartening to see how few people turned up.
rags-to-riches /ˌræɡz.təˈrɪtʃɪz/
(Adjective [before noun])
used to describe what happens to a person who was poor but becomes rich:
a rags-to-riches story
bread-and-butter/ˌbred ən ˈbʌt̬.ɚ/
(Adjective)
basic and relating directly to most people’s needs and interests:
bread-and-butter issue Health and - employment are the kind of bread-and-butter issues that people vote on.
- Most people are focused on ordinary, bread-and-butter concerns.
albeit /ɑːlˈbiː.ɪt/
although:
1. The evening was very pleasant, albeit a little quiet.
2. He tried, albeit without success.
atherosclerosis US /ˌæθ.ə.roʊ.skləˈroʊ.sɪs/
(Specialized medical term)
a form of arteriosclerosis (= hardening of the arteries, the thick tubes carrying blood from the heart) that is caused by a fatty substance building up inside the arteries
Freighter US /ˈfreɪ.t̬ɚ/
a large ship for carrying goods ~ Cargo
a person whose job is loading goods onto ships or vehicles or transporting goods by ship or on a vehicle
Withstand US /wɪðˈstænd/
(C2)
to be strong enough, or not be changed by something, or to oppose a person or thing successfully:
- a bridge designed to withstand earthquakes
- Our toys are designed to withstand the rough treatment of the average five-year-old.
- The aircraft base is protected with specially designed shelters which are built to withstand ground and air attacks.
- She is an artist whose work will undoubtedly withstand the test of time (= it will still be popular in the future).
drop-dead US /ˈdrɑːp.ded/
(Adjective, adverb)
used to emphasize that someone or something is extremely attractive and impressive:
- drop-dead gorgeous He’s drop-dead gorgeous!
- Some go to Greece for the antiquities, others for the drop-dead beauty of the islands.
- She is wearing a drop-dead black evening dress.
Brainteaser US /ˈbreɪnˌtiː.zɚ/
(noun(C))
a problem for which it is hard to find the answer, especially one which people enjoy trying to solve as a game:
- The paper publishes two brainteasers every Saturday.
Bottleneck US /ˈbɑː.t̬əl.nek/
(Noun(C))
a place where a road becomes narrow, or a place where there is often a lot of traffic, causing the traffic to slow down or stop:
- The construction work is causing bottlenecks in the city centre.
** a problem that delays progress**
- Is there any way of getting around this bureaucratic bottleneck?
one-upmanship US /ˌwʌnˈʌp.mən.ʃɪp/
(noun [ U ] disapproving)
a situation in which someone does or says something in order to prove that they are better than someone else:
• Officials complain of his habit of one-upmanship when arranging events with other ministers.
• The researchers discovered that moving among certain social groups involves participating in constant one-upmanship .
edutainment/ˌedjʊˈteɪnmənt/
(Noun)
the process of entertaining people at the same time as you are teaching them something, and the products, such as television programmes or software, that do this:
The market for edutainment software is growing at about 30% a year.
grandiose US /ˈɡræn.di.oʊs/
(Adjectives, disapproving)
larger and containing more detail than necessary, or intended to seem important or great:
grandiose schemes/designs/ideas for making money
threnody US /ˈθren.ə.di/
(Noun, MUSIC,LITERATURE,SPECIALIZED)
a sad song or poem, especially remembering someone who has died:
- The composer’s threnody for the victims of the war was his most famous work.
- The final movement’s threnody is extremely moving.
Well-to-do US /ˌwel.təˈduː/
(Adjectives)
rich:
well-to-do families
reenactment US /ˌriː.ɪˈnækt.mənt/
(Noun)
an occasion on which people re-enact an event:
a re-enactment of the battle of Gettysburg
media-savvy /ˌmiːdiə ˈsævi/
(Adjective)
having a good understanding of the influence of the internet, newspapers, television, etc. and how to use it effectively
- These people are media-savvy and they are not going to say anything on camera that makes them look stupid.
- The company is targeting the social-media-savvy market of young women.
fumigation /ˌfjuːmɪˈɡeɪʃn/
(Uncountable, countable, noun)
the use of special chemicals, smoke or gas to destroy the harmful insects or bacteria in a place
Scaredy-cat /ˈskerdi kæt/
(North american English also fraidy cat)
(Informal, disapproving)
a children’s word for a person who is easily frightened
Imperceptibly /ˌɪmpərˈseptəbli/
(Adverb)
in a very small way that cannot be seen or felt
- The daylight faded almost imperceptibly into night.
attitudinal US /æt̬.ɪ.ˈtuː.dən.əl/
(Formal)
relating to people’s attitude towards something:
- Recruitment personnel agreed that there was a need for an attitudinal change in this area of business.
[ Adverb attitudinally]
Leaderless /ˈliːdərləs/
(Adjective)
without a leader
- Her sudden death left the party leaderless.
Eyeful
(Noun, countable)
an amount of something, usually dust or dirt, that has entered the eye:
- eyeful of As the lorry went past, I got an eyeful of grit.
[ S ] informal
a very noticeable or attractive sight, often a sexually attractive person:
- She’s quite an eyeful.
ulterior US /ʌlˈtɪr.i.ɚ/
(Adjective)
ulterior motive, reason, purpose, etc.
a secret purpose or reason for doing something:
- He claims he just wants to help Lisa but I suspect he has an ulterior motive.
Virtuoso US /ˌvɝː.tʃuˈoʊ.soʊ/
(Noun, plural noun can be virtuosos or virtuosi)
a person who is extremely skilled at something, especially at playing an instrument or performing:
- virtuoso on Famous mainly for his wonderful voice, Cole Porter was also a virtuoso on the piano.
sort-out
(British, noun)
an activity in which someone makes a room, closet, etc., neat and organized
Let’s have a sort-out of the attic.
ever-loving US /ˈev.ɚˌlʌv.ɪŋ/
(Adjective)
always loving someone, even if they behave badly:
- He plays Edna’s ever-loving husband, Wilbur.
(Informal)
used to emphasize something, especially instead of using an offensive word when you are annoyed:
- Are you out of your ever-loving mind?
subsequently US /ˈsʌb.sɪ.kwənt.li/
(Adverb, C1)
after something else:
- In 1982 he was arrested and subsequently convicted on drug trafficking charges.
He was badly injured in the crash and subsequently died.
delirious US /dɪˈlɪr.i.əs/
(Adjective)
unable to think or speak clearly because of fever or mental confusion:
- She had a high temperature and was delirious.
extremely happy or excited:
- The team arrived home to a delirious reception from its fans.
monoculture/ˈmɑː.noʊˌkʌl.tʃɚ/
(Noun, Uncountable)
(ENVIRONMENT, specialized)
the practice of growing only one crop or keeping only one type of animal on an area of farm land:
- Extensive irrigation for corn monoculture depletes water resources.
an area of farm land on which only one crop is grown or one type of animal is kept, or the crops grown or animals kept there:
- These vast monocultures have replaced important ecosystems.
pharmaceutical US /ˌfɑːr.məˈsuː.t̬ɪ.kəl/
(Adjective)
relating to the production of medicines:
- the pharmaceutical industry
- a pharmaceutical company/product/journal
anti-capitalism US /ˌæn.taɪˈkæp.ə.t̬əl.ɪ.zəm/
(Noun, also anticapitalism)
beliefs and activities that are opposed to capitalism (= an economic and political system in which property, business, and industry are controlled by private owners rather than by the state, with the purpose of making a profit):
anti-communism US /ˌæn.taɪˈkɑː.mjə.nɪ.zəm/
(Also anti-Communism, anticommunism)
opposition to political systems based on communism (= the belief in a society without different social classes in which the methods of production are owned and controlled by all its members and everyone works as much as they can and receives what they need):
anti-fascism US /ˌæn.t̬iˈfæʃ.ɪ.zəm/
(noun [ U ] (also anti-Fascism, antifascism))
opposition to fascism (= a political system based on a very powerful leader, state control with no political opposition allowed, and being extremely proud of your country and race):
anti-liberal US /ˌæn.t̬iˈlɪb.ər.əl/
(Adjective)
( antiliberal)
opposed to personal, political, or economic freedom :
hieroglyphics US /ˌhɑɪ·ər·əˈɡlɪf·ɪks, ˌhɑɪ·rə-/
(Plural nouns)
pictures or symbols that represent words, used in the writing system of ancient Egypt
archetype US /ˈɑːr.kə.taɪp/
(Noun)
a typical example of something, or the original model of something from which others are copied:
archetypal US/ˌɑːr.kəˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl/)
(Adjective, archetypical in Uk)
typical of an original thing from which others are copied:
doomscrolling US /ˈduːm.skroʊ.lɪŋ/
(Noun, uncountable, humorous)
the activity of spending a lot of time looking at your phone or computer and reading bad or negative news stories:
Porta Potti US /ˈpɔːr.t̬ə ˌpɑː.t̬i/
(Noun [ C ] US trademark (also porta potti, porta-potti, porta potty, porta-potty, port-a-potty)
a brand name for a type of toilet that can be moved and put wherever it is needed, for example when camping :
Portaloo
(UK version of porta potty)
a brand name for a cubicle (= a small space with walls around it and a roof) with a toilet inside, that can be moved and put wherever it is needed, for example at an outside event, or on a building site
- There was no bathroom, so the builders brought their own Porta Potti.
- She prefers the term “portable restroom” to “portapotty”.
Fashionista US /fæʃ.ənˈiː.stə/
(Countable noun)
someone who works in or writes about the fashion industry
practitioner US /prækˈtɪʃ.ən.ɚ/
(Formal, C2 countable noun)
someone involved in a skilled job or activity:
akimbo US /əˈkɪm.boʊ/
(adjective [ after noun ])
of arms or legs stretched out fully:
- A man with arms akimbo is balancing an enormous metal dish on his head.
The dancers balance on their behinds, arms and legs akimbo.
(of arms) bent at the elbows (= the middle part of the arms where they bend) with the hands on the hips:
- arms akimbo He stood, **arms akimbo, **refusing to move.
(of legs) far apart or bent outwards in an awkward way:
- legs akimbo The child sits with her legs akimbo under a tree.
high-octane US /ˌhaɪˈɑːk.teɪn/
(adjective [ before noun ])
High-octane fuel is of very good quality:
- high-octane fuel
- high-octane petrol
full of energy or very powerful:
- a high-octane performance
melodramatic US /ˌmel.ə.drəˈmæt̬.ɪk/
(Adjective)
showing much stronger emotions than are necessary or usual for a situation:
up-and-coming US /ˌʌp.ənˈkʌm.ɪŋ/
(adjective [ usually before noun ])
likely to achieve success soon or in the near future:
niggardly US /ˈnɪɡ.ɚd.l/
(Adjective, disapproving)
slight in amount, quality, or effort:
brick wall US/ˈbrɪk ˈwɔl/
(noun [ C usually sing ] )
something that prevents you from doing something:
multiproblem US /ˌmʌl.tiˈprɑːb.ləm/
(adjective (also multi-problem))
experiencing several problems, especially social or emotional problems:
antiknocking US /ˌæn.t̬iˈnɑː.kɪŋ/
(adjective [ before noun ])
having a chemical that makes fuel in a car engine burn more effectively, so that the engine does not make a knocking sound:
preposterous US /prɪˈpɑs·tər·əs/
(Adjective)
completely unreasonable and ridiculous; not to be believed:
juxtaposition~ Comparison US /ˌdʒʌk.stə.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
(Uncountable noun)
the fact of putting things that are not similar next to each other:
toe-curling US /ˈtoʊˌkɝː.lɪŋ/
(adjective UK informal)
making you feel extremely embarrassed and ashamed for someone else:
enunciate US /ɪˈnʌn.si.eɪt/
(verb formal)
to pronounce words or parts of words clearly:
decaffeinated US /dɪˈkæf.ə.neɪ.t̬ɪd/
(C2, adjective)
Decaffeinated coffee or tea from has had the caffeine (= a chemical substance) removed
half measures US /ˌhæf ˈmeʒ.ɚz/
(Plural noun, disapproving)
actions that only achieve part of what they are intended to achieve:
virtuosic US /ˌvər-chü-ˈä-sik /
(Adjective and to describe someone who play skillfully virtuosically)
being, relating to, or characteristic of a virtuoso
methodological US /ˌmeθ.ə.dəlˈɑː.dʒɪ.kəl/
(Adjective, with it’s noun being methodology)
relating to the method used for doing, teaching, or studying something:
- The research uses many _________ approaches.
brick-and-mortar
(Adjective and before it was noun)
used to describe a traditional business that operates in a building, when compared to one that operates over the internet:
- brick-and-mortar stores/retailers
- Online retailers try to lure customers away from their brick-and-mortar competitors.
enumerate US /ɪˈnuː.mɚ.eɪt/
(Verb [T], formal)
to name things separately, one by one:~list
tantamount US /ˈtæn.t̬ə.maʊnt/
(Adjective, formal)
being almost the same or having the same effect as something, usually something bad:
- Her refusal to answer was tantamount to an admission of guilt.
clairvoyant
noun [ C ]
UK /ˌkleəˈvɔɪ.ənt/ US /ˌklerˈvɔɪ.ənt/
a person who says they have powers to see the future or see things that other people cannot see:
binge-watch
verb [ I or T ] informal
UK /ˈbɪndʒˌwɒtʃ/ US /ˈbɪndʒˌwɑːtʃ/
to watch several episodes (= separate parts) of a television series or programme, one after another:
comeuppance
noun [ S ] iinformal humorous*
UK /kʌmˈʌp.əns/ US /kʌmˈʌp.əns/
a person’s bad luck that is considered to be a fair and deserved punishment for something bad that they have done:
encroach
verb [ I ]
US /ɪnˈkroʊtʃ/
to take control or possession of something in a gradual way and often without being noticed:
hardship
noun [ C or U ]
UK /ˈhɑːd.ʃɪp/ US /ˈhɑːrd.ʃɪp/
(C2)
(something that causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or an example of this:
commodity
noun [ C ]
UK /kəˈmɒd.ə.ti/ US /kəˈmɑː.də.t̬i/
(C2)
a substance or product that can be traded, bought, or sold:
redundancy UK /rɪˈdʌn.dən.si/ US /rɪˈdʌn.dən.si/
(C2, specialized, LANGAUGE, noun [ Countable or uncountable ] )
- a situation in which someone loses their job because their employer does not need them:
- the unnecessary use of more than one word or phrase meaning the same thing:
fictitious
(adjective UK /fɪkˈtɪʃ.əs/ US /fɪkˈtɪʃ.əs/)
invented and not true or not existing:
bonehead US /ˈboʊn.hed/
(Noun [ C ] , slang)
a stupid person
Synonym:
blockhead (old-fashioned informal)
dunce (disapproving)
dunderhead (old-fashioned informal)
knucklehead (US informal)
numskull (informal)
antisemitic US /ˌæn.t̬i.səˈmɪ.tɪk/
(adjective (also anti-Semitic, anti-semitic) )
showing hatred for Jewish people, or unfair or cruel towards people because they are Jewish:
brutalist US /ˈbruː.t̬əl.ɪst/
(adjective • ARCHITECTURE • specialized)
relating to a style of building in which buildings are large and heavy-looking and often made of concrete:
Furthermore:
animosity US /ˌæn.əˈmɑː.sə.t̬i/
(Noun [ C or U ])
strong dislike, opposition, or anger:
• Of course we’re competitive, but there’s no personal __________ between us.
• In spite of his injuries, he bears no ________ towards his attackers.
• The European Community helped France and Germany forget the old _________ between them.
condescending US /ˌkɑːn.dəˈsen.dɪŋ/
(Adjective, disapproving)
treating someone as if you are more important or more intelligent than them:
- I hate the way he’s so ___________ to his staff!
Acute US /əˈkjuːt/
(Adjective)
If a bad situation is acute, it causes severe problems or damage:
- She felt _________________ embarrassment/anxiety/concern at his behaviour.
- The problem of poverty is particularly __________________ in rural areas.
sociolinguistics US /ˌsoʊ.si.oʊ.lɪŋˈɡwɪs.tɪks/
(Noun [ U ] )
the study of how language is used by different groups in society
verbatim US /vɝːˈbeɪ.t̬əm/
(Adverb)
in a way that uses exactly the same words as were originally used:
• I don’t think I will read the whole thing ___________ to you.
• She had an amazing memory and could recall ___________ quite complex conversations
House-proud US /ˈhaʊs.praʊd/
(Adjective, mainly UK)
very worried about your house being completely clean and tidy, and spending a lot of time making it so
demure US /dɪˈmjʊr/
(Adjective)
(especially of women) quiet and well behaved:
• She gave him a ________ smile
refrigerant US /rɪˈfrɪdʒ.ə.rənt/
(noun [ C or U ] )
a chemical substance that can be used to make or keep things cold:
• Chlorofluorocarbons have been used widely in the production of _____________ like Freon.
penniless US /ˈpen.i.ləs/
(Adjective)
having no money:
• She fell in love with a ___________ artist.
overproduction US /ˌoʊ.vɚ.prəˈdʌk.ʃən/
(** noun** [ C or U ] )
the action of producing more of something than is needed, or producing too much:
• The company is in a bad financial position because of ________________.
• Many of these subsidies encourage ________________..
determinant US /dɪˈtɝː.mɪ.nənt/
(** noun** [ C ], formal)
something that controls or affects what happens in a particular situation:
• Soil and climate are the main _____________ of how land is used.
Disreputable US /dɪsˈrep.jə.t̬ə.bəl/
(Adjective)
not trusted or respected; thought to have a bad character:
• Some of the more _____________ newspapers made false claims about her private life.
• a _____________ young man
Enfranchisement US /ɪnˈfræn.tʃaɪz.mənt/
(noun [ U ])
the fact of giving a person or group of people the right to vote in elections:
• New models of democratic ________________ are needed.
• Redrawing voting districts addresses the issue of voter ________________.
Awestruck US /ˈɑː.strʌk/
(also awestricken, UK/ˈɔː.strɪk.ən/ US/ˈɑː.strɪk.ən/)
filled with feelings of admiration or respect:
• an ____________ admirer/fan/visitor/tourist
• I could tell she was impressed from the ____________ expression on her face.
Photogenic US /ˌfoʊ.t̬oʊˈdʒen.ɪk/
(Adjective)
having a face that looks attractive in photographs
preclude US /prəˈkluːd/
(verb [ T ] formal)
to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing something:
• His contract ____________ him from discussing his work with anyone outside the company.
• The fact that your application was not successful this time does not ____________ the possibility of you applying again next time.
Brass neck US /ˌbræs ˈnek/
(noun [ S or U ] UK informal disapproving)
a type of behaviour where someone is extremely confident about their own actions but does not understand that their behaviour is unacceptable to others:
• She’s got a ___________ to ask for a day off when we’re so busy.
Blasphemy US /ˈblæs.fə.mi/
(noun [ C or U ])
something that you say or do that shows you do not respect God or a religion:
Overzealous US /ˌoʊ.vɚˈzel.əs/
(adjective disapproving)
too enthusiastic and eager:
• He had to be protected from ___________ fans.
• They were a little ___________ in eliminating risk.
indiscernible US /ˌɪn.dɪˈsɝː.nə.bəl/
(Adjective)
impossible to see, see clearly, or understand:
steadfast US /ˈsted.fæst/
(adjective approving)
staying the same for a long time and not changing quickly or unexpectedly:
• a steadfast friend/ally
• steadfast loyalty
• The group remained steadfast in its support for the new system, even when it was criticized in the newspapers.
Synonym:
loyal
staunch
unfaltering
subservient US /səbˈsɝː.vi.ənt/
(adjective disapproving)
willing to do what other people want, or considering your wishes as less important than those of other people:
• Women were expected to adopt a subservient role/position.
• His other interests were subservient to his compelling passion for art.
Placate US /ˈpleɪ.keɪt/
(verb [ T ])
to stop someone from feeling angry:
Hyperactive US /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈæk.tɪv/
(Adjective, (informal hyper) )
Someone who is hyperactive has more energy than is normal, gets excited easily, and cannot stay still or think about work:
Dogpile /ˈdȯg-ˌpī(-ə)/
(variants or dog pile or dog-pile
plural dogpiles or dog piles or dog-piles)
a mass of people who have piled on top of one another (as in celebrating a sports victory or while fighting)
egregious US /ɪˈɡriː.dʒəs/
(adjective formal disapproving)
extremely bad in a way that is very noticeable:
• egregious error It was an egregious error for a statesman to show such ignorance.
Scapegoat US /ˈskeɪp.ɡoʊt/
(noun [ C ])
a person who is blamed for something that someone else has done:
• The captain was made a scapegoat for the team’s failure.
Synonym:
whipping boy
antiseptic US /ˌæn.t̬iˈsep.tɪk/
(noun [ C or U ])
a chemical used for preventing infection in an injury, especially by killing bacteria:
quintessential /ˌkwɪntɪˈsɛnʃl /
(Adjective)
representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class:
▸he was the quintessential tough guy—strong, silent, and self-contained.
sub-zero US /sʌbˈzɪroʊ/
(adjective)
are temperatures below zero degrees.
editorial/ˌed.əˈtɔːr.i.əl/
(Adjective)
relating to the editor (= the person in charge) or editors of a newspaper, magazine, television programme, etc. and to the power to decide what is published or shown in it:
• editorial independence The newspaper’s staff insisted on complete editorial independence from its owners.
• editorial decision Editorial decisions on the show are made by senior news editors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
relating to someone who writes, corrects, or changes pieces of text to be published, or their work:
• editorial content There are more ads on the page than editorial content.
• editorial staff They increased the budget so they could hire more editorial staff.
• Many jobs in publishing are marketing jobs rather than editorial.
non-aggression US /ˌnɑːn.əˈɡreʃ.ən/
(noun [ U ] • formal)
a situation in which countries or groups avoid fighting each other:
• Non-aggression pact.
non-aggression US /ˌnɑːn.əˈɡreʃ.ən/
(noun [ U ] • formal)
a situation in which countries or groups avoid fighting each other:
• Non-aggression pact.
Undoing US /ʌnˈduː.ɪŋ/
(noun [ S ] formal)
the cause of someone’s failure, or of someone’s loss of power or money:
• Greed has been the undoing of many a businessman.
megalomaniac US /ˌmeɡ.əl.əˈmeɪ.ni.æk/
(noun [ C ])
someone who has an unnaturally strong wish for power and control, or thinks that they are much more important and powerful than they really are:
• He has been accused of being a megalomaniac.
emancipation US /iˌmæn.səˈpeɪ.ʃən/
noun [ U ]
the process of giving people social or political freedom and rights:
1. women’s/female emancipation
2. black emancipation
____________________________________________________________________________
the act of freeing a person from another person’s control:
1. emancipation from slavery
____________________________________________________________________________
US HISTORY
The Emancipation Proclamation, made by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, freed slaves in the southern American states during the US Civil War.
Proclaimation US /ˌprɑː.kləˈmeɪ.ʃən/
noun [ C or U ]
an official announcement:
1. to issue a proclamation
2. A bloody civil war followed the proclamation of an independent state.
word salad US /ˈwɜ˞ːd ˌsæl.əd/
noun [ C or U ]
a mixture of words or phrases that is confused and difficult to understand:
1. Your explanation is a pompous word salad, with absolutely no meaning.
2. Speech disorganization can involve words blended together into incomprehensible statements, also known as word salad.
inclination US /ˌɪn.kləˈneɪ.ʃən/
noun
a feeling that you want to do a particular thing, or the fact that you prefer or are more likely to do a particular thing:
[ + to infinitive ] 1. My own inclination would be to look for another job.
2. We should be basing our decisions on solid facts, not inclinations and hunches.
Synonyms:
desire (WANT)
persuasion (BELIEFS)
tendency
willingness
wish (WANT)
disconcerting US /ˌdɪs.kənˈsɝː.t̬ɪŋ/
adjective
making someone feel uncertain and uncomfortable or worried:
1. There was a disconcerting silence.
2. His message is deeply disconcerting for anyone who values democracy.
See:
Disconcert
discordant US /dɪˈskɔːr.dənt/
Adjective
producing an unpleasant sound
Synonyms:
cacophonous
dissonant formal or specialized
grating
harsh (TOO STRONG)shrill
strident (LOUD)
tuneless
cacophonous US /kəˈkɑː.fə.nəs/
adjective
having an unpleasant mixture of sounds:
1. We woke up to the cacophonous sound of birds.
2. The restaurant is a cacophonous, high-ceilinged room.
Acronyms:
euphonious formal
harmonious (MUSIC)
melodious formal
tuneful
euphonious US /juːˈfoʊ.ni.əs/
adjective formal
having a pleasant sound
discontented US /ˌdɪs.kənˈten.t̬ɪd/
adjective and C1
feeling unhappy because you want better treatment or an improved situation:
1. He had to cope with large numbers of discontented passengers.
discontented with Nurses are increasingly discontented with changes in their workplace.
2. After being married for a few years she grew discontented.
Furthermore:
discontent
quarrelsome US /ˈkwɔːr.əl.səm/
adjective disapproving
A quarrelsome person repeatedly argues with other people.
wet blanket US /ˌwet ˈblæŋ.kɪt/
noun [ C usually singular ] disapproving
a person who says or does something that stops other people enjoying themselves
Synonyms:
killjoy disapproving
party pooper humorous
spoilsport informal disapproving
stick-in-the-mud informal disapproving
stick-in-the-mudUS /ˈstɪk.ɪn.ðəˌmʌd/
noun [ C ] informal disapproving
someone who is old-fashioned and too serious and avoids enjoyable activities:
1. My dad’s a real stick-in-the-mud.
spendthrift US /ˈspend.θrɪft/
noun [ C ]
someone who spends a lot of money in a way that wastes it:
1. Max was a spendthrift and a heavy gambler.
2. I’m not a spendthrift, although sometimes if I see something on sale, I’ll get three because it’s a good deal.
Comparision:
spender
Breathalyzer US /ˈbreθ.əl.aɪz.ɚ/
noun [ C ] US trademark (UK breathalyser)
a brand name for a device like a small bag, with a tube at one end, that the police can ask a driver to blow into to see how much alcohol the driver has drunk
altruistic US /ˌæl.truˈɪs.tɪk/
adjective
showing a wish to help or bring advantages to others, even if it results in disadvantage for yourself:
sophomore US /ˈsɑː.fə.mɔːr/
noun [ C ] US
a student studying in the second year of a course at a US college or high school (= a school for students aged 15 to 18)
frenemy US /ˈfren.ə.mi/
noun [ C ] informal
person who pretends to be your friend but is in fact an enemy:
1. Her only friends are a trio of catty frenemies she hasn’t seen in months.
frenetically US /frəˈnet̬.ɪ.kəl.i/
adverb
in a way that involves a lot of excited movement or activity:
1. Both sides worked frenetically to gather support.
2. He plays the main character in this frenetically enjoyable action comedy.
See
frenetic
intraventricular US /ˌɪn.trə.venˈtrɪk.jə.lɚ/
adjective MEDICAL specialized (also intra-ventricular)
inside or into a ventricle (= either of two small, hollow spaces, one in each side of the heart):
1. The therapy has also been shown to reduce the risk of intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm neonates.
Intraventricular administration of the drug carries its own risks.
20 patients affected by intra-ventricular haemorrhage were observed.
Intramural /ˌɪntrəˈmjʊərəl/
Occurring within the walls or limits of an institution or organization. Example: An intramural sports league within a university.
Intramuscular /ˌɪntrəˈmʌskjʊlər/
Situated or occurring within a muscle. Example: An intramuscular injection of a vaccine.
Intranet /ˈɪntrənet/
A private network contained within an enterprise, accessible only to employees or authorized users. Example: A company intranet for internal communication.
Intrastate /ˌɪntrəˈsteɪt/
Occurring or existing within a particular state or country. Example: Intrastate commerce within California.
Intravenous /ˌɪntrəˈviːnəs/
Situated or occurring within a vein. Example: Intravenous administration of fluids during surgery.
Intrauterine /ˌɪntrəˈjuːtəraɪn/
Situated or occurring within the uterus. Example: An intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control.
Intracellular /ˌɪntrəsɛˈljuːlər/
Occurring or situated within a cell. Example: Intracellular parasites like viruses.
Intracranial /ˌɪntrəˈkreɪniəl/
Situated or occurring within the cranium (skull). Example: Intracranial pressure due to a head injury.
Intradermal /ˌɪntrəˈdɜːrməl/
Situated or occurring within the dermis (skin). Example: An intradermal injection for a tuberculin skin test.
Intraductal /ˌɪntrəˈdʌktəl/
Situated or occurring within a duct. Example: Intraductal papilloma in the breast.
Intraepithelial /ˌɪntrəˌɛpɪˈθiːliəl/
Situated or occurring within the epithelium. Example: Intraepithelial neoplasia in the cervix.
Intrahepatic /ˌɪntrəhɪˈpætɪk/
Situated or occurring within the liver. Example: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Intraluminal /ˌɪntrəˈluːmɪnəl/
Situated or occurring within the lumen (cavity) of a tubular organ. Example: Intraluminal stent placement in a blood vessel.
Intramembranous /ˌɪntrəˈmembrənəs/
Situated or occurring within a membrane. Example: Intramembranous ossification in bone formation.
Intranasal /ˌɪntrəˈneɪzəl/
Situated or occurring within the nose. Example: Intranasal administration of a flu vaccine.
Intraneural /ˌɪntrəˈnjʊərəl/
Situated or occurring within a nerve. Example: Intraneural injection for local anesthesia.
Intranuclear /ˌɪntrəˈnjuːkliər/
Situated or occurring within the nucleus of a cell. Example: Intranuclear inclusions in viral infections.
Intraocular /ˌɪntrəˈɒkjʊlər/
Situated or occurring within the eye. Example: Intraocular pressure measurement for glaucoma.
Intraoperative /ˌɪntrəˌɒpəˈreɪtɪv/
Occurring or performed during a surgical operation. Example: Intraoperative monitoring of vital signs.
Intraoral /ˌɪntrəˈɔːrəl/
Situated or occurring within the mouth. Example: Intraoral camera for dental examinations.
Intraparenchymal /ˌɪntrəpærˈɛnkɪməl/
Situated or occurring within the parenchyma (functional tissue) of an organ. Example: Intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the brain.
Intrapartum /ˌɪntrəˈpɑːrtəm/
Occurring during childbirth. Example: Intrapartum fetal monitoring.
Intraperitoneal /ˌɪntrəpɛrɪtəˈniːəl/
Situated or occurring within the peritoneal cavity (abdominal cavity). Example: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.
Intrapleural /ˌɪntrəˈplʊərəl/
Situated or occurring within the pleural cavity (space around the lungs). Example: Intrapleural administration of medication for pleural effusion.
Intrapulmonary /ˌɪntrəˈpʌlmənəri/
Situated or occurring within the lungs. Example: Intrapulmonary shunting in respiratory failure.
Intrarenal /ˌɪntrəˈriːnəl/
Situated or occurring within the kidney. Example: Intrarenal calculi (kidney stones).
Intraspecific /ˌɪntrəspɪˈsɪfɪk/
Occurring within a single species. Example: Intraspecific competition among members of a wolf pack.
Intrathoracic /ˌɪntrəθɔːˈræsɪk/
Situated or occurring within the thorax (chest). Example: Intrathoracic goiter (enlarged thyroid gland within the chest).
Intrathecal /ˌɪntrəˈθiːkəl/
Situated or occurring within the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord. Example: Intrathecal administration of anesthesia for spinal block.
Intratubular /ˌɪntrəˈtjuːbjʊlər/
Situated or occurring within a tubule. Example: Intratubular germ cell neoplasia in the testes.
Intratumoral /ˌɪntrətjuːˈmɔːrəl/
Situated or occurring within a tumor. Example: Intratumoral injection of a drug for cancer treatment.
Intravascular /ˌɪntrəvæsˈkjʊlər/
Situated or occurring within a blood vessel. Example: Intravascular ultrasound for imaging blood vessels.
Intravesical /ˌɪntrəˈvɛsɪkəl/
Situated or occurring within the urinary bladder. Example: Intravesical therapy for bladder cancer.
Intravitreal /ˌɪntrəˈvɪtriəl/
Situated or occurring within the vitreous body of the eye. Example: Intravitreal injection of medication for macular degeneration.
Intravital /ˌɪntrəˈvaɪtəl/
Occurring or situated within living tissue or a living organism. Example: Intravital microscopy for studying blood flow in living animals.
extravehicular US/ˌek-strə-vē-ˈhi-kyə-lər /
adjective
taking place outside a vehicle (such as a spacecraft)
• extravehicular activity.
remediate US /rɪˈmiː.di.eɪt/
verb [ T ] formal
to correct something that is wrong or damaged or to improve a bad situation:
1. It’s a problem that we will need to continue to monitor and remediate.
Synonyms
rectify
remedy formal
repair
robust US /roʊˈbʌst/
adjective
(of a person or animal) strong and healthy, or (of an object or system) strong and unlikely to break or fail:
1. He looks robust and healthy enough.
2. a robust pair of walking boots
3. a robust economy
Related word:
Robustness (Noun)
at-risk US /ətˈrɪsk/
adjective [ before noun ]
in danger of being harmed or damaged, or of dying:
• at-risk children/patients
• Many residents in at-risk areas move their cars to higher ground when floods threaten.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in a dangerous situation:
• at risk of All houses within 100 metres of the seas are at risk of flooding.
The research shows that people who are exposed to very loud noise in the course of their work are at risk of hearing loss.
• Unless food reaches them soon, these people are at risk of starvation.
• The alarming truth is that a quarter of the world’s wild mammal species are now at risk of extinction.
• Health officials have been accused of unnecessarily putting lives at risk.
• They failed to deal with the radioactive waste and, in so doing, put people’s lives at risk.
• The recession has put many jobs at risk.
See also
• risk noun ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
at-risk | BUSINESS ENGLISH
at-risk
adjective [ before noun ]
UK US
used to describe a part of some employees’ pay that they only get if they do their job well:
• at-risk pay/compensation No at-risk pay is awarded for performance that does not meet expectations.
• Under the agreement, the term “annual base pay rate” will be redefined to exclude all at-risk compensation.
Compare
performance-related
sales commission
variable pay
superstition US /ˌsuː.pɚˈstɪʃ.ən/
noun [ C or U ]
belief that is not based on human reason or scientific knowledge, but is connected with old ideas about magic, etc.:
• According to superstition, if you walk under a ladder it brings you bad luck.
• I don’t believe in the old superstition that the number 13 is unlucky.
homestead US /ˈhoʊm.sted/
noun [ C ]
a house and the surrounding area of land, usually used as a farm
________________________________________________________
Or in the past the land given by the government for farming
Mainly use for US or US in the past
immunosuppression US /ˌɪm.jə.noʊ.səˈpreʃ.ən/
noun [ U ] -MEDICAL -specialized
a situation in which the body’s immune system is intentionally stopped from working, or is made less effective, usually by drugs, especially in order to help the body accept an organ that has been taken from another person’s body:
- High levels of immunosuppression are needed to prevent rejection of transplanted tissue or organs.
mentee US /menˈtiː/
noun [ C ]
a person who is helped by a mentor (= a person who gives a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time, especially at work or school):
- Discussions between the mentor and mentee are not shared with the school administration.
- A senior manager takes a personal interest in the development of a more junior employee, with a view to helping the mentee prepare for a more senior post.
earworm US /ˈɪr.wɝːm/
noun [ C ]
a song that you keep hearing in your head
Informal
requiem US /ˈrek.wi.əm/
noun [ C ]
a mass (= a Christian ceremony) at which people honour and pray for a dead person:
- a requiem mass
____________________________________________________________________________
a piece of music written for this ceremony:
- Mozart’s/Verdi’s Requiem
catcall US /ˈkæt.kɑːl/
noun [ C ] (also cat-call)
a loud shout or whistle (= a high sound made by blowing) expressing disapproval, especially made by people in a crowd:
- He walked out of the meeting to jeers and catcalls.
- The film had an angry accompaniment of shouts and catcalls from sections of the audience.
____________________________________________________________________________
a loud insulting remark or whistle (= a high sound made by blowing), usually expressing unwanted sexual interest:
- Catcalls and ribald suggestions followed us down the street.
- There were catcalls and obscene remarks as she tried to pass the men blocking the pavement
con artist US /ˈkɑːn ˌɑːr.t̬ɪst/
noun [ C ] (also con man, con woman); (UK also confidence trickster)
a person who deceives other people by making them believe something false or making them give money away
countryman US /ˈkʌn.tri.mən/
noun [ C ] plural -men
a man or person from your own country:
- fellow countryman Didn’t he feel guilty about betraying his fellow countrymen and women?
technophile UK /ˈteknəfaɪl/
noun [ C ]
a person who is interested in modern technology and enjoys using it:
- These are the top-ten gadget gifts under $50 for the technophile.
countenance US /ˈkaʊn.t̬ən.əns/
noun formal
the appearance or expression of someone’s face:
- He was of noble countenance.
[ U or C ]
contraindication US /ˌkɑːn.trəˌɪn.dəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
noun [ C ] MEDICAL specialized
a sign that someone should not continue with a particular medicine or treatment because it is or might be harmful
multiracial US /ˌmʌl.tiˈreɪ.ʃəl/
adjective
involving people of several different races:
- The international school’s student population was both multiracial and multilingual.
- It was the first film in the franchise which had a multiracial cast.
- Regional census forms allow people with multiracial ancestry to tick more than one box for race or ethnicity.
- South Africa’s first multiracial elections took place in 1994.
a multiracial school
having parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents of different races:
memorabilia US /ˌmem.ər.əˈbɪl.i.ə/
noun [ plural ]
objects that are collected because they are connected with a person or event that is thought to be very interesting:
- an auction of pop memorabilia
- Beatles memorabilia
backhanded compliment US /ˌbæk.hæn.dɪd ˈkɑːm.plə.mənt/
noun [ C ] (also back-handed compliment) or (US also left-handed compliment)
a remark that seems to say something pleasant about a person but could also be an insult:
- I say this unironically, and not as a backhanded compliment.
behaviour or an action that seems to suggest something good about someone or something but could also be an insult:
- It was a backhanded compliment that the worst criminals sought him out to represent them.
coddle US /ˈkɑː.dəl/
verb [ T ]
to cook food, especially eggs, in water just below boiling temperature:
- coddled eggs
scatterbrained US /ˈskæt̬.ɚ.breɪnd/
adjective informal
often forgetting or losing things, or not thinking seriously about things:
- My husband is scatterbrained and I have always run the house financially.
More:
scatterbrain
womanizer US /ˈwʊm.naɪ.zɚ/
noun [ C ] (UK usually womaniser)
a man who often has temporary sexual relationships with women or tries to get women to have sex with him:
- He was a gambler, a womanizer, and a drunk.
- He had a reputation as a family man, but was actually a serial womanizer.
Related:
womanize
concupiscence US /kɑːnˈkjuː.pə.səns/
noun [ U ] formal
sexual desire
mystify US /ˈmɪs.tə.faɪ/
verb [ T often passive ]
to confuse someone by being or doing something very strange or impossible to explain:
- I was mystified by her decision.
- Most Americans are totally mystified by the English game of cricket.
Các từ đồng nghĩa
baffle
bemuse
bewilder
flummox informal
perplex
puzzle
Đối lập
demystify
normality US /nɔːrˈmæl.ə.t̬i/
noun [ U ] also (US also normalcy)
the state of being normal:
- Now that the civil war is over, relative normality has returned to the south of the country.
reconcile US /ˈrek.ən.saɪl/
verb [ T ]
to find a way in which two situations or beliefs that are opposed to each other can agree and exist together:
- It is sometimes difficult to reconcile science and religion.
- It’s difficult to reconcile such different points of view.
heuristic US /hjuːˈrɪs.tɪk/
adjective specialized
(of a method of teaching) allowing students to learn by discovering things themselves and learning from their own experiences rather than by telling them things
arriving at a solution by trying different actions to see if they produce the result that is wanted, rather than using strict rules:
- A genetic algorithm is a heuristic search that simulates the natural environment of biological and genetic evolution.
EDUCATION AND COMPUTING
perturb US /pɚˈtɝːb/
verb [ T ] formal
to worry someone:
- News of the arrest perturbed her greatly.
practicum US/ˈpræk.tɪ.kəm/
noun [ C ]
a period of time during which a student works for a company or organization in order to get experience of a particular type of work:
- The course includes a practicum in a hospital or clinic.
- As a primary teacher on a practicum, I’m keen to get as much experience as possible.
amass US /əˈmæs/
verb [ T ]
to get a large amount of something, especially money or information, by collecting it over a long period:
- She has amassed a huge fortune from her novels.
- Some of his colleagues envy the enormous wealth that he has amassed.
figurehead US /ˈfɪɡ.jɚ.hed/
noun [ C ]
someone who has the position of leader in an organization but who has no real power:
- The president of this company is just a figurehead - the Chief Executive has day-to-day control.
gut-wrenching US /ˈɡʌtˌrentʃ.ɪŋ/
adjective informal
making you feel very upset or worried:
- gut-wrenching scenes of bloodshed
fanatic US /fəˈnæt̬.ɪk/
noun [ C ], C2 and informal or disapproving
a person who is extremely interested in something, to a degree that some people find unreasonable:
- a fitness/film fanatic
____________________________________________________________________________
a person who has very extreme beliefs that may lead them to behave in unreasonable or violent ways:
- religious fanatics
foolproof US /ˈfuːl.pruːf/
adjective
(of a plan or machine) so simple and easy to understand that it is unable to go wrong or be used wrongly:
- I don’t believe there’s any such thing as a foolproof system for making money.
- This new recipe is supposed to be foolproof.
spot on US /ˌspɑːt ˈɑːn/
adjective [ after verb ] UK informal
exactly right:
- “How old do I reckon she is? I’d say 38.” “Spot on.”
long shot US /ˈlɑːŋ ˌʃɑːt/
noun [ C usually singular ]
something you try although it is unlikely to be successful:
- It’s a long shot, but you could try phoning him at home.
second class US /ˌsek.ənd ˈklæs/
adjective (also second-class)
less important than other people:
- second class citizen Women are still treated as second class citizens.
histrionic US /ˌhɪs.triˈɑː.nɪk/
adjective disapproving
very emotional and energetic, but not sincere or without real meaning:
- a histrionic outburst
- She put on a histrionic display of grief at the funeral.
Snynonym:
melodramatic
self-absorbed US /ˌself.əbˈzɔːrbd/
adjective usually disapproving
only interested in yourself and your own activities
Related:
Self-centered
Egocentric
stupendously US /stuːˈpen.dəs.li/
adverb
in a way that is very surprising, especially by being large in amount, size, or degree:
- Our charity appeal has been stupendously successful.
- The crew is stupendously ill-trained.
____________________________________________________________________________
extremely well:
- You are working stupendously!
- The Lion King did stupendously because it was a good movie.
Related:
Stupendous
grandiose US /ˈɡræn.di.oʊs/
adjective disapproving
larger and containing more detail than necessary, or intended to seem important or great:
- grandiose schemes/designs/ideas for making money
weaponize US /ˈwep.ən.aɪz/
verb [ T ] (UK usually weaponise)
to turn bacteria, poisonous chemicals, etc. into weapons that could kill or injure many people
___________________________________________________________________________
to make it possible to use something to attack a person or group:
- They claimed that the security agency had weaponized the internet.
- He hoped to weaponize the issue of healthcare as part of his election campaign.
Related:
weaponization
prevalent US /ˈprev.əl.ənt/
adjective
existing very commonly or happening often:
- These diseases are more prevalent among young children.
- Trees are dying in areas where acid rain is most prevalent.
Snynonyms:
predominant
rife formal
condiment US /ˈkɑːn.də.mənt/
noun [ C ] formal
a substance, such as salt, that you add to food to improve its taste
neurodivergent US /ˌnʊr.oʊ.dɪˈvɝː.dʒənt/
adjective
having or related to a type of brain that is often considered as different from what is usual, for example that of someone who has autism:
- The report claimed that around 20% of high school students in America are neurodivergent.
- There are many different types of developmental neurodivergent conditions.
Opposite:
Neurotypical
Compare:
Neurodiverse
bravado US /brəˈvɑː.doʊ/
noun [ U ]
courage that you show, especially by doing something unnecessary and dangerous, to make people admire you:
- act of bravado It was an act of bravado to tell his boss to resign.
- These are young men full of bravado.
(Sĩ diện, ngông)
quintessential US /ˌkwɪn.tɪˈsen.ʃəl/
Adjective formal
being the most typical example or most important part of something:
- Sheep’s milk cheese is the quintessential Corsican cheese.
sweatshop US /ˈswet.ʃɑːp/
noun [ C ] disapproving
a small factory where workers are paid very little and work many hours in very bad conditions:
- sweatshop conditions
heroize US/ˈher-ə-ˌwīz/
to make sth heroic
overboard US /ˈoʊ.vɚ.bɔːrd/
adverb
over the side of a boat or ship and into the water:
- Someone had fallen overboard.
deus ex machina US /ˌdeɪ.əs eks ˈmɑː.kɪ.nə/
noun [ S ] formal
an unnatural or very unlikely end to a story or event, that solves or removes any problems too easily
ingenuity US /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ə.t̬i/
noun [ U ]
someone’s ability to think of clever new ways of doing something:
- I was impressed by the ingenuity and energy of the contestants.
- It took some time and a little ingenuity, but we were able to rescue the animals.
cynic US /ˈsɪn.ɪk/
noun [ C ] disapproving
a person who believes that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere:
- I’m too much of a cynic to believe that he’ll keep his promise.
- A cynic might say that the government has only taken this measure because it is concerned about its declining popularity.
Related:
cynical (adj)
cynically (adv)
cynicism (a belief)
Machiavellian US /ˌmæk.i.əˈvel.i.ən/
adjective
using clever but often dishonest methods that deceive people so that you can win power or control
cathartic US /kəˈθɑːr.tɪk/
adjective
involving the release of strong emotions through a particular activity or experience:
- a cathartic experience
- I find it very cathartic to dance.
well-earned US /ˌwel ˈɝːnd/
adjective
deserved because of what you have done or experienced:
- [ before noun ] Liz won’t be at work next week - she’s having a well-earned rest.
loose cannon US /ˌluːs ˈkæn.ən/
noun [ C ] disapproving
someone who behaves in an uncontrolled or unexpected way and is likely to cause problems for other people:
- He’s seen as something of a loose cannon by other team members.
- I don’t think we can take a risk on a loose cannon like him running our country.someone who behaves in an uncontrolled or unexpected way and is likely to cause problems for other people:
- He’s seen as something of a loose cannon by other team members.
- I don’t think we can take a risk on a loose cannon like him running our country.
Snynonym:
have a screw loose (idiom)
loose your marbles (idiom)
devalue US /ˌdiːˈvæl.juː/
verb
to reduce the rate at which money can be exchanged for foreign money:
- Last year Mexico was forced to devalue the peso.
libertine US /ˈlɪb.ɚ.tiːn/
noun [ C ] disapproving and old-fashioned or literary
a person, usually a man, who has few moral principles and has sexual relationships with many people:
- She considers him an arrogant, dandified libertine.
- The infamous libertine Casanova was more complex than the sexual braggart he is often depicted as.
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someone who forms their own opinions and beliefs about religion:
- Like many libertines, he defames the deity in the hope of provoking a reprisal, which will at least demonstrate whether God exists.
licentiously US /laɪˈsen.ʃəs.li/
adverb formal disapproving
sexually, in a way that is uncontrolled and socially unacceptable:
- Many women will behave as licentiously as any philandering male.
relating:
licentious
snowball US /ˈsnoʊ.bɑːl/
verb [ I ]
If a plan, problem, idea, etc. snowballs, it quickly grows bigger and more important:
- I suggested a few drinks after work, and the whole thing snowballed into a company party.
daredevil US /ˈderˌdev.əl/
noun [ C ] informal
a person who does dangerous things and takes risks
second nature US /ˌsek.ənd ˈneɪ.tʃɚ/
noun [ U ]
If something is second nature to you, you are so familiar with it that you can do it easily without needing to think very much about it:
- I used to hate computers, but using them is second nature to me now.
outcast US /ˈaʊt.kæst/
noun [ C ]
a person who has no place in their society or in a particular group, because the society or group refuses to accept them:
- She has spent her life trying to help the homeless and other social outcasts.
- She was a political outcast after the Party expelled her in 1982.
Snynonym and related:
pariah
black sheep
Comparision:
castaway
stressor US /ˈstres.ɚ/
noun [ C ] - PSYCHOLOGY, - BIOLOGY - specialized
something that causes great worry or emotional difficulty or a negative physical effect on the body:
- Constant noise can be a stressor.
- The number one stressor in life is feeling responsible for things we can’t control.
- Temperature fluctuations are a stressor of fish.
theatrics US /θiˈæt.rɪks/
noun [ plural ]
behaviour that is intended to get attention:
- He needs to cut out the unnecessary theatrics on the football pitch.
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plays and acting:
- Both boys are into theatrics and were in numerous school plays.
Related:
Theatrical
guinea pig US /ˈɡɪn.i ˌpɪɡ/
noun [ C ] (also guineapig)
a person used in a scientific test, for example to discover the effect of a drug on humans: also A small animal similar to a mouse:
- They’re asking for students to be guinea pigs in their research into the common cold.
grimdark US /ˈɡrɪm.dɑːrk/
noun [ U ]
a type of fantasy fiction (= stories that are not set in the real world) with characters who behave in ways that are morally bad and a subject matter that is sad, hopeless, or violent:
- They prefer grimdark to more uplifting genres of fiction.
- Is this going to be the end of the grimdark and gore that has so integrated itself into comics over the last decade?
- Warhammer 40k is a grimdark piece of literature.
ultimatum US /ˌʌl.təˈmeɪ.t̬əm/
noun [ C ] with plural ultimatums or ultimata
a threat in which a person or group of people are warned that if they do not do a particular thing, something unpleasant will happen to them. It is usually the last and most extreme in a series of actions taken to bring about a particular result:
- He gave her an ultimatum - she could either stop seeing Peter and come back to him or it was divorce.
- On Wednesday night the UN issued its toughest ultimatum to date, demanding that all troops withdraw from the city.
white-collar crime US /ˌwaɪt.kɑː.lɚ ˈkraɪm/
noun [ C or U ]
crime or a single crime that is committed by a person who works in an office or a similar place, usually by a professional person (= a person who has the type of job that involves a high level of education and training) in connection with their work:
- There have been continued increases in white-collar crime, violent crime, organized crime, and fraud.
snake oil US /ˈsneɪk ˌɔɪl/
noun [ C or U ] disapproving
something that is described or sold as being useful but that has no value and may be harmful:
- It is not true that all books of investment advice offer snake oil or pseudoscience.
- Schools are vulnerable to vendors selling educational snake oils if teachers lack the information to make good decisions about materials.
pseudoscience US /ˈsuː.doʊ.saɪ.əns/
noun [ C or U ] mainly US, and (also mainly UK pseudo-science)
a system of thought or a theory that is not formed in a scientific way:
- No lie was too big to tell, no bit of pseudoscience too ridiculous to pass off as legitimate.
- It has been dismissed as pseudoscience - sometimes downright dangerous.
debacle US /dɪˈbɑː.kəl/
noun [ C ]
a complete failure, especially because of bad planning and organization:
- The collapse of the company was described as the greatest financial debacle in US history.
Snynonym:
Fiasco
cold-shoulder US /ˌkoʊldˈʃoʊl.dɚ/
verb [ T ]
to deliberately ignore someone in an unfriendly way:
- He found himself being cold-shouldered by his former colleagues.
- To give sb the cold shoulder.
eye candy US /ˈaɪ ˌkæn.di/
noun [ U ] informal
someone or something that is attractive but not very interesting or useful:
- Most of the images on the website are not more than eye candy.
lethargy US /ˈleθ.ɚ.dʒi/
noun [ U ]
the feeling of having little energy or of being unable or unwilling to do anything:
- Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting.
extrapolate US /ɪkˈstræp.ə.leɪt/
verb [ I or T ]
to guess or think about what might happen using information that is already known:
- extrapolate from Extrapolating from the exit poll, this would amount to about 50,000 new votes.
- extrapolate something from something You can’t really extrapolate a trend from such a small sample.
rejuvenate US /rɪˈdʒuː.vən.eɪt/
verb [ T ]
to make someone look or feel young and energetic again:
- She felt rejuvenated by her fortnight in the Bahamas.
to make an organization or system more effective by introducing new methods, ideas, or people:
- He has decided to rejuvenate the team by bringing in a lot of new, young players.
Related:
Rejuvenated (adj)
Rejuvanation (n)
self-reflection US /ˌself.rɪˈflek.ʃən/
noun [ U ]
the activity of thinking about your own feelings and behaviour, and the reasons that may lie behind them:
- He seems to be incapable of self-reflection.
- It is only in quiet moments of self-reflection that we can really address such problems.
far-fetched US /ˌfɑːrˈfetʃt/
adjective
very unlikely to be true, and difficult to believe:
- a far-fetched idea/story
dim-witted US /ˌdɪmˈwɪt̬.ɪd/
adjective
Stupid
no-brainer US /ˌnoʊˈbreɪ.nɚ/
noun [ S ] informal
something such as a decision that is very easy or obvious:
- The decision was a complete no-brainer.
nut-job US /ˈnʌt ˌdʒɑːb/
noun [ C ] informal
someone who is crazy, silly, or strange:
Idiot-savant US /ˌɪ.di.ət sævˈɑːnt/
noun [ C ], plural idiots savants or or idiot savants
someone who has a mental disability but who is very good at doing a particular thing, for example remembering things
Nosedive US /ˈnoʊz.daɪv/
noun [ C usually singular ]
a fast and sudden fall to the ground with the front pointing down:
- The plane roared overhead and went into a nosedive.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a sudden fast fall in prices, value, etc.:
- There was alarm in the markets when the dollar took a nosedive.
band-aid solution US /ˌbænd.eɪd səˈluː.ʃən/
noun [ C ] mainly US
a temporary solution that does not deal with the cause of a problem:
- Tax credits given to students are merely a band-aid solution to the rising cost of getting an education.
across-the-board US /əˌkrɑːs.ðəˈbɔːrd/
Adjective before noun
affecting everyone or everything within an organization, system, or society:
- The proposed across-the-board cuts for all state agencies will total $84 million.
heart-to-heart US /ˌhɑːrt.təˈhɑːrt/
noun [ C usually singular ] (also heart to heart)
a serious conversation between two people, usually close friends, in which they talk honestly about their feelings:
- have a heart-to-heart We had a heart-to-heart over a bottle of wine.
- In heart-to-hearts with my best friend, I confessed that I hated the way I had behaved.
- He and I had a heart to heart and discussed the various problems at length.
- In this episode after Captain America takes Hulk under his wing, they have a heart-to-heart conversation.
devil’s advocate US /ˌdev.əlz ˈæd.və.kət/
Noun, C and usually singular
someone who pretends, in an argument or discussion, to be against an idea or plan that a lot of people support, in order to make people discuss and consider it in more detail:
- play devil’s advocate I don’t really believe all that - I was just playing devil’s advocate
devil-may-care US /ˌdev.əl.meɪˈker/
adjective
not considering or worrying about the results of your actions:
- devil-may-care attitude He has a devil-may-care attitude to life.
Synonym:
- happy-go-lucky
Happy-go-lucky US /ˌhæp.i.ɡoʊˈlʌk.i/
adjective
A happy-go-lucky person does not plan much and accepts what happens without becoming worried.
Synonyms:
carefree
devil-may-care
freewheeling informal
Homesick US /ˈhoʊm.sɪk/
Adjective
unhappy because of being away from home for a long period:
• feel homesick As I read my mother’s letter, I began to feel more and more homesick.
Sycophant US /ˈsɪk.ə.fænt/
noun [ C ] formal disapproving
someone who praises powerful or rich people in a way that is not sincere, usually in order to get some advantage from them:
• The prime minister is surrounded by sycophants.
See:
- sycophantic
run-of-the-mill US /ˌrʌn.əv.ðəˈmɪl/
Adjective
ordinary and not special or exciting in any way:
• He gave a fairly run-of-the-mill speech.
Synonyms
mediocre disapproving
ordinary
unexceptional
embellishment US /ɪmˈbel.ɪʃ.mənt/
noun [ C or U ]
something added to make another thing more beautiful or interesting, or the process of doing this:
• The architect was asked to add some sculptural embellishments to the building design.
• She’s a no-nonsense actress whose beauty needs no Hollywood embellishment.
trifecta US /traɪˈfek.tə/
noun [ C ] US
a bet (= an amount of money that you risk on the result of an event or a competition, such as a horse race) in which the horses, etc. that come first, second, and third must be picked in the right order
• So sánh
exacta
Also a combination of three things that is very successful
high and dry US /ˌhaɪ ən ˈdraɪ/
adjective informal
in a high position and away from water, especially as it comes closer:
• If the drought continues, environmentalists fear that the streams will evaporate and the eggs from the spawning salmon will be left high and dry.
• Even as the tide rolled in, the lifeguard sat high and dry in his chair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
in a very difficult situation without any help:
• Cuts to the educational budget have left many school arts departments high and dry.
• The residents of the earthquake-torn city found themselves high and dry because the governor did not approve a disaster relief package
superb US /suːˈpɝːb/
adjective
B2
of excellent quality; very great:
He is a superb dancer.
Taylor scored a superb goal at the end of the first half.
mixed up
Adjective
upset, worried, and confused, especially because of personal problems:
• [ before noun ] He’s just a mixed-up kid.
temporarily confused:
• I just got mixed up, and thought she wanted us to come early.
mixed up adjective (INVOLVED)
involved, esp. with someone or something bad or dangerous:
• He was a great athlete at school, but he got mixed up with the wrong crowd and stopped training.
mixed up adjective (DISORDERED)
(of names, information, files, etc.) put into the wrong place or order, esp. when put where similar things belong:
• They got his records mixed up (= confused information about him with someone else’s information).
Homeowner US /ˈhoʊmˌoʊ.nɚ/
noun [ C ]
a person who owns their house or apartment:
• The new law will benefit many homeowners.
Compare
householder
owner-occupier
Subculture US /ˈsʌbˌkʌl.tʃɚ/
noun [ C ]
the way of life, customs, and ideas of a particular group of people within a society that are different from the rest of that society:
• youth subcultures
• the gay subculture
rebalance US /ˌriːˈbæl.əns/
verb [ T ] (also re-balance)
to make things equal again, so that no part has too much importance, weight, or force:
• It is important to re-balance the relationship between the capital city and the provinces
Buzzkill US /ˈbʌz.kɪl/
noun [ C usually singular ] • informal
something or someone that spoils people’s feelings of excitement, enjoyment, or pleasure:
Synonym:
Wet-blanket
Stick-in-the-mud
Foosball US /ˈfuːz.bɑːl/
noun [ U ] US
a game played on a table using a small ball and model players attached to poles, based on football
Eagle-eyed US /ˌiː.ɡl̩ˈaɪd/
Adjective
noticing everything, even very small details:
• My eagle-eyed mother noticed that some biscuits were missing.
Egalitarian US /ɪˌɡæl.ɪˈter.i.ən/
adjective • formal
believing that all people are equally important and should have the same rights and opportunities in life:
• an egalitarian society
See:
Egalitarianism
Lengthen US /ˈleŋ.θən/
Verb [ I or T ]
C1
to make something longer, or to become longer:
• I’ll have to lengthen this skirt.
If you lengthen something, or it lengthens, it takes longer to happen:
• There is a plan to lengthen the three-year course to four years.
Opposite:
Shorten
Per se US /ˌpɝː ˈseɪ/
Adverb - Formal
by or of itself:
- Research shows that it is not divorce per se that harms children, but the continuing conflict between parents.
Hail Mary US /ˌheɪl ˈmer.i/
noun [ C ]
a Catholic prayer to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ
in American football, a very long pass, made in an attempt to score, that is not usually successful
contradistinguish ˌkän-trə-di-ˈstiŋ-gwish
Verb
**to distinguish by contrasting qualities*
tardy slip
US
Giấy vào lớp
agroforestry US /ˌæɡ.roʊˈfɔːr.ə.stri/
Noun,
agriculture (= farming) that involves growing and caring for trees:
- These Javanese communities have practised agroforestry in the forests since the tenth century.
diversification US /dɪˌvɝː.sə.fəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
** Footnote
Noun
The processed of including different types of sth or in business the process of making new products
- Diversification of your investments lowers risk.
- The policy may also offer improved energy security through diversification of energy sources.
garment US /ˈɡɑːr.mənt/
noun [ C ] formal. C1
a piece of clothing
buzzword US /ˈbʌz.wɝːd/
noun [ C ]
a word or expression from a particular subject area that has become fashionable by being used a lot, especially on television and in the newspapers:
- “Diversity” is the new buzzword in education.
a word or expression that is very often used, esp. in public discussions, because it represents opinions that are popular:
