Vocabulary 1 Flashcards
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A … interest.
To have a strong interest in something.
A KEEN interest.
A … forest.
A forest where the trees grow close together.
A DENSE forest.
Lynn spent the afternoon … the new girl … . (To explain or demonstrate to one how to do or perform a job, task, or activity.)
(idiom)
Show (someone) the ropes.
DESTELLO, LUZ TENUE.
We saw the … of a distant torch. (Faintly with a wavering light.)
Glimmer (v.) [ˈglɪmər]
A … smile.
An ironic smile.
A WRY smile. [ˈraɪ]
Her performance has … the critics … . (To be suddenly extremely successful in a place or popular with someone.)
(idiom)
To take something by storm.
EXTRAÑO, INSÓLITO.
I had an … feeling I was being watched. (Strange or mysterious; difficult or impossible to explain.)
Uncanny (adj.) /ʌnˈkæni/
I like to … my ex-employer, you never know when you might need a reference. (To continue to try to be friendly with someone, especially because they can help you.)
(phrasal verb)
Keep in with.
She was unable to … her tears, and wept freely. (Not to tell s.o. something or not to show how you feel.)
(phrasal verb)
Keep back.
I think we should … our original plan. (Do what you have promised or planned to do.)
(phrasal verb)
Keep to.
I read the papers to … with what’s happening in the outside world. (Mantain, continue.)
(phrasal verb)
Keep up.
… everything will go to plan. (Very probably.)
expression
In all likelihood.
DESARROLLARSE, PROSPERAR.
Children … on fresh air and good food. (Prosper, develop.)
Thrive (v.) [ˈθraɪv]
ACOSAR, ASEDIAR
The superstar was … by reporters. (Overwhelm, as with requests or queries.)
Besiege (v.) /bɪˈsiːdʒ/
To be of the … importance (for s.o.) to …
collocation
Utmost (adj.) [ˈʌtməʊst]
DESPILFARRAR, DERROCHAR.
They’ll quite happily … a whole year’s savings on two weeks in the sun. (To spend or use wastefully or foolishly.)
Squander (v.) [ˈskwɒndər]
Try not to clutter your head with … . (Matters or things that are unimportant.)
Trivia (n.) [ˈtrɪviə]
IMPLACABLE, INCESANTE.
The island is being destroyed by the … march of tourism. (Continuing in a determined way without any interruption.)
Relentless (adj.) [rɪˈlɛntləs]
ESPOLEAR
… (on) by her early success, she went on to write four more novels in rapid succession. (Lead to action.)
Spur (v.) [ˈsp3ːr]
BENDICIÓN, AYUDA
Guide dogs are a great … to the partially sighted. (Something that is very helpful and makes life easier for you.)
Boon (n.) [ˈbuːn]
SENTARSE, ENCARAMARSE
We … on a couple of high stools at the bar. (Sit precariously, often on an elevated position).
Perch /ˈpɜːrtʃ/
HÁBILMENTE
Sabrina jumped … out of the van. (In an agile way.)
Nimbly (adv.) [ˈnɪmbli]
SOFOCANTE, ASFIXIANTE, OPRESIVO
The … heat of the little room was beginning to make me nauseous. (Suffocating, oppressively close.)
Stifling (adj.) [ˈstaɪflɪŋ]
He could tell … what is wrong with a bike. (Immediatelly upon looking.) -expression-
At a glance.
… she is still living there. (As far as I know.) -expression-
To the best of my knowledge.
I’ve always been … with my neighbours. (Having a friendly or pleasant relationship with someone).
-expression-
On good terms.
The weather is so good that … wearing our raincoats. (Not likely to happen or impossible.) -expression-
There is no question of …
LAPSO, PERÍODO
I’ve done my … in the kitchen for today. (A period of time spent doing something.)
Stint (n.) /stɪnt/
ENTRECERRAR, ENTORNAR
The bad light caused the guests to … their eyes. (Look at someone or something with one or both eyes partly closed in an attempt to see more clearly or as a reaction to strong light.)
Squint (v.) /skwɪnt/
ANHELAR, ANSIAR
Most little kids … attention. (To have a very strong feeling of wanting something.)
Crave (v.) /kreɪv/
ÁGRIO, CÁUSTICO
Their marriage ended eight years ago in an … divorce. (Unpleasant because people feel angry towards each other.)
Acrimonious (adj.) /ˌækrɪˈməʊniəs/
A piece of paper.
A SCRAP of paper.
This new injury will … him … of action for several weeks. (Cause someone trouble or inconvenience.) -phrasal verb-
Put (someone) out.
Used to say that a decision, action, etc. is sudden and done without any planning.
(expression)
On the spur of the moment.
He … your best interests …, you know. (To be influenced in your actions by something that you really care about.) -expression-
Have something at heart.
The neighbours were having a party and we didn’t … all night. (To not sleep at all.) -expression-
Not get a wink of sleep.
His donations to charity … for his generosity. (Convey a great deal without using words.) -idiom-
Speak volumes.
FACTURACIÓN
The illicit drugs industry has an annual … of some ￡200. (The amount of business that a company does in a period of time.)
Turnover.
Incriminate falsely.
phrasal verb
Set up.
To make someone or something look more attractive by being clearly different from them.
(phrasal verb)
Set off.
From the moment he … her he knew that he wanted to marry her. (To see someone or something for the first time.) -idiom-
Set eyes on.
He refuses to … an art gallery. (To go to a place.) -idiom-
Set foot in.
She had … her … a trip to Japan. (To resolutely determine to do or acquire something.) -idiom-
Set (someone’s) heart on.
As people get older, they often become … their … . (Inflexible, unwilling to change.) -idiom-
Set in (someone’s) ways.
She’s … a lot of … this job interview - I only hope she gets it. (To value highly.) -idiom-
Set great/little/a lot of store by.
PONER PATAS ARRIBA
The kids always … the hall (up) with school bags and coats and stuff. (To fill something in an untidy or badly organized way.)
Clutter (UP) (v.)
METICULOSO, CONCIENZUDO
The work had been done with … attention to detail. (Very careful and thorough.)
Painstaking (adj.)
ATAR, UNIR
The things which … them together are greater than their differences. (Hold together as a united group.)
Bind (v.)
GRUPO, RACIMO, CÚMULO
Have a look at the … of galaxies in this photograph. (A group of similar things.)
Cluster (n.)
CONCEBIR, PREVER
Nobody can … the consequences of total nuclear war. (Think of something as a possible or desirable future event.)
Envisage (v.)
Kate’s already agreed, but it’s going to be harder persuading Mike to … it. (To support an idea or to agree with someone´s opinion.) [phrasal verb]
Go along with
International support has … a new optimism in the company. (To cause something) [idiom]
Give rise to
ESTREMECERSE
Charlie … at the sound of his mother’s angry voice. (To feel or show fear; to want to be able to move away from something because you fear it.)
Quail /kweɪl/ (v.)
ENMARAÑADO, ENREDADO
Naomi stood in front of them, her face flushed, her hair … . (Having hair that looks untidy, as if it has been rubbed.)
Tousled /ˈtaʊzəld/ (adj.)
… conclusion. (A result that is obvious to everyone even before it happens).
FOREGONE conclusion
ALEGAR
She is … to have been at the centre of an international drug ring. (To say that someone has done something illegal or wrong without giving proof.)
Allege /əˈledʒ/ (v.)
Guidelines have been … for dealing with emergencies. (To prepare something in writing, especially a plan or formal document.) [phrasal verb]
Draw up [drawn]
Calm down! Don´t … yourself … , simply because you think you may lose your job! (To bring oneself into an extreme emotional state.) [idiom]
Work yourself into a frenzy/a state/a panic.
RESTOS, ESCOMBROS
… from the aircraft was scattered over a large area. (Broken or torn pieces left from the destruction of something larger.)
Debris /ˈdeɪ.briː/ (unc.n.)
A lack of formal education is … to becoming rich. (Something that prevents a particular event or development from happening).
No bar
EQUIVOCADO, MAL INFORMADO
He was shot as he made a … attempt to stop the robbers single-handed. (Unreasonable or unsuitable because of being based on bad judgment or on wrong information or beliefs).
Misguided
SIN AYUDA DE NADIE
He turned the business around virtually … . (Without help from anyone else).
Single-handed
NÍTIDO, FRESCO
I prefer Channel 1’s … presentation of the news. ((Of speech or writing) quick and direct).
Crisp
CASI
She must have written … 50 books. (Nearly but not quite).
Nigh on
CONFUNDIR, DESCONCERTAR
I think my brain’s been … by the heat! (To make someone feel confused and unable to think clearly).
Addle
BAGATELA, FRUSLERÍA
He has a shelf devoted to … . (A little ornament or piece of jewelry, which are cheap and don’t have any purpose besides decoration).
Gewgaw /ˈgjuˌgɔ/
MONTÓN, ESCUPITAJO
There’s a … of gum on my chair. (A small piece or lump of something).
Gob
INCITAR, IMPULSAR
I wonder what it is that … him to exercise all the time. (To force someone to do something).
Impel
ARTILUGIO, TRUCO
They give away free gifts with children’s meals as a sales/marketing … . (Something that is not serious or of real value, which is used to attract people’s attention or interest).
Gimmick /ˈɡɪm.ɪk/
ESCRÚPULO
She had no … about lying to the police. (An uncomfortable feeling when you doubt if you are doing the right thing).
Qualm /kwɑːm/
VADEAR, ANDAR POR EL AGUA
The river was full but we managed to … across. (To walk in water that is not very deep).
Wade
TRINAR
“I’ll be right down!” … Daphne. (To speak in a very high voice).
Trill
Some people believe that Communism has been relegated to the … of history. (An idea or person is … , people are no longer interested in them). (exp.)
Scrap heap
BRILLANTE, ELEGANTE
Who owns that … black car parked outside your house? (Shiny, and lying close to the body, and therefore looking well cared for).
Sleek
POMO, PICAPORTE
Turn the … on the left to start the washer. (A round handle or a small, round device for controlling a machine or electrical equipment).
Knob
GRABAR
He … his name on a piece of glass. (To cut a pattern, picture, etc. into a smooth surface, especially on metal or glass, using acid or a sharp instrument).
Etch
CRESTA
We walked along the narrow mountain … . (A long, narrow raised part of a surface, especially a high edge along a mountain).
Ridge
SIGUIENTE
He lost his job and in the … months became more and more depressed. (happening after something and because of it.)
Ensuing /ɪnˈsjuː.ɪŋ/
ARREMETIDA
With the nice weather, the beach towns are expecting an … of tourists. (A violent and forceful attack).
Onslaught /ˈɔn·slɔt/
DESGASTADO, RAÍDO
She spoke out about the … way the case had been handled. (Not honourable or fair; unacceptable).
Shabby /ˈʃæb.i/
The Egyptian government has pledged to … on the numbers of sightseers to protect the ancient site. (To take strong action to stop or limit a harmful or unwanted activity.) (ph.v.)
Clamp down
GATEAR, TREPAR
He … into his clothes (= put them on quickly) and raced to get help. (To move or climb quickly but with difficulty, often using your hands to help you.)
Scramble
The office manager … on the staff. (To watch and control someone or something diligently). (Idiom)
Keep a tight rein
Jim’s new car must have … him … £30,000. (To cost someone a particular amount of money, especially a large amount). (ph.v.)
Set back
ALTERAR, AFECTAR
Lack of sleep … her ability to think clearly. (To damage or weaken something so that it is less effective).
Impair /ɪmˈpeər/
AIREAR, DESAHOGARSE
Please don’t shout - there’s no need to … your frustration/anger/rage/spleen on me. (To express a negative emotion in a forceful and often unfair way).
Vent
Mary’s been late with three of her last four projects, and she’s always got some … or another ready to justify her tardiness. (A story detailing one’s personal problems or grievances, especially when used as an excuse for some failure.) (idiom)
Tale of woe
I won’t … any nonsense. (Refuse to endure or tolerate.) (ph.v.)
Stand for
Paula … for Jane, while Jane was on holiday. (To do the job that another person was going to do or usually does, or to take that person’s place at an event, because they cannot be there.) (ph.v.)
Stand in (for)
Which songs from the last year will … the test of time?
STAND the test of time
If 20 percent of the earth’s population has 80 percent of its resources, then it … that 80 percent of the population has only 20 percent of the resources. (Said when something is obvious or clear from the facts.) (Idiom)
Stand to reason
GRAVEMENTE, SERIAMENTE
He claims to be … ill and says he couldn’t travel. (Very seriously, or in a way that causes great pain.)
Grievously /ˈgriːvəsli/
CALVARIO
The hostages’ … came to an end when soldiers stormed the building. (A very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience).
Ordeal /ɔːrˈdiːl/
FIRME, INFLEXIBLE
I’ve told her she should stay at home and rest but she’s … that she’s coming. (Impossible to persuade, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision).
Adamant /ˈæd.ə.mənt/
REDUCIRSE, MERMAR
Her hopes of success in the race … last night as the weather became worse. (To become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number).
Dwindle /ˈdwɪn.dəl/
I just … anyone who applied for the course would have the necessary qualifications. (To accept that something is true without making sure that it is.) (idiom)
Take it as read (that)
I’ll … with you on a bottle of champagne. (To divide the cost of something with someone.) (Idiom)
To go halves (on)
HACER A UN LADO, EMPUJAR
You can’t just … your problems aside. (To move someone or something to the side or away)
Shunt (v.) /ʃʌnt/
CORAZONADA, INTUICIÓN
I had a … that you´d be here. (An idea that is based on feeling and for which there is no proof).
Hunch (n.) /hʌntʃ/
