vocab

Question 1

invocation

Answer 1

Spiritual or Religious Context:

Invocation refers to the act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or higher power for help, protection, or inspiration, often in a prayer or ritual.
Example: “The priest began the ceremony with an invocation to the gods.”
General Use:

It can mean the act of calling for help or support from someone or something.
Example: “The lawyer’s invocation of a specific law helped win the case.”

Question 2

live on

Answer 2

Survive or Endure:

To continue to exist or be remembered after something has ended or someone has passed away.
Example: “Her legacy will live on for generations.”
Sustain Oneself:

To manage to survive or meet basic needs with the help of something, often related to money or resources.
Example: “They had to live on a small income after retirement.”
Subsist on a Diet:

To survive by eating or consuming a specific type of food or drink.
Example: “He can live on just bread and water.”
Metaphorical Use:

To continue to inspire or influence others even after an event or a person’s life.
Example: “The memory of their kindness lives on in our hearts.”

Question 3

nothing to live on

Answer 3

The phrase “nothing to live on” means having no resources, such as money, food, or other essentials, to sustain oneself. It implies a state of financial or material hardship where a person lacks the means to support their basic needs.

Question 4

bumping

Answer 4

“Bumping” and “bumping up” have different meanings, depending on the context:

Bumping
Physical Contact:

Refers to lightly hitting or colliding with something or someone.
Example: “She accidentally bumped into him while walking.”
Unplanned Encounter:

To meet someone unexpectedly.
Example: “I bumped into an old friend at the mall.”
Disruption:

In informal contexts, it can mean causing a disturbance or a change in a situation.
Example: “The loud noise kept bumping me out of my focus.

Question 5

bumping up

Answer 5

Increasing Something:

Refers to raising the level, quantity, or value of something.
Example: “The company is bumping up salaries by 10% next year.”
Improving or Promoting:

Can mean moving something or someone to a higher level or rank.
Example: “The player’s performance bumped him up to the starting lineup.”

Question 6

bumping VS bumping up against

Answer 6

Bumping
Physical Contact:

Lightly hitting or colliding with something.
Example: “She bumped into the table.”
This is straightforward and literal.
Unexpected Encounters:

Meeting someone or something by chance.
Example: “I bumped into an old friend at the park.”
Bumping Up Against
Physical Contact:

Can refer to touching or pressing against something.
Example: “The car was bumping up against the curb.”
Figurative Meaning:

Often used to describe encountering a problem, limit, or challenge.
Example: “We’re bumping up against a deadline.”
This suggests more of an obstacle or resistance, beyond mere physical contact.
Key Difference:
“Bumping” is often neutral or incidental, focusing on casual physical or situational contact.
“Bumping up against” suggests a more deliberate or significant interaction, often with resistance or difficulty.