Week 2 Day 3 Flashcards
coin (v)
to invent a new phrase or expression, especially the one that many people start to use (Many english words and expressions are coined.)
foremost
the best or most important, leading, top (He was long considered the world’s foremost guitarist.)
an abstract (adj) painting
abstract paintings or designs consist of shape and patterns that don’t look like real people or things
(It’s difficult to say exactly what it’s a picture of. There’s a lot of colour but there’s no clear image. It’s an abstract painting.)
merchant (BE old-fashioned)
someone who buys and sells goods in large quantities (He is the son of a wealthy merchant.)
commission (v)
to officially ask someone to write an official report, produce a work of are for you (Three painters were considered but, in the end, Beth was the one who was commissioned to paint a picture of the multi-national company’s president.)
under a cloud (of suspicion)
When someone is under a cloud (of suspicion), people think they have done something wrong or have been involved with something illegal. (After 20 years at the company, Sean left suddenly under a cloud.) (Money was stolen from Jane’s desk and now everyone is under a cloud of suspicion.)
on cloud nine
If you are on cloud nine you are very happy and excited about something that has happened. (The team were on cloud nine after they won the match and the tournament.)
Come out in the wash
The first meaning of the phrase is ‘everything will be OK’, when talking about a problem. (A: I’m really worried about the problem with my neighbour.
B: Don’t worry. It will all come out in the wash. Just relax.
A: I’m so stressed! I’m really worried about my exam… and I’m moving house this weekend! Too much to do.
B: It’s OK, it will all come out in the wash. Just focus on one thing at a time.)
Second meaning:The phrase it will all come out in the wash can also be used to mean ‘the truth about something will become clear over time’. (A: No one knows why Martin left his job so suddenly. What happened?
B: I don’t know either. But I’m sure it will all come out in the wash!)
in a spin
If you are in a spin it means you are worried or confused about something because lots of things are happening at once - or you have too many choices. (The whole team was in a spin when their best player got a red card and was sent off.) (My head’s in a spin - I’ve got so much to do, I don’t know where to start.)
put a spin on something
If you put a spin on something it means you exaggerate or change what you are saying to put you at an advantage or make you look good. (The finance minister tried to put a spin on the story about rising inflation rates by suggesting it wasn’t his fault.)
wander
to walk slowly across or around an area, usually without any particular direction or purpose (Polar bears spend most of their lives wandering over vast tracts of frozen ice.)
tract
a large area of land
shore
the land along a large area of of water such as an ocean or lake (Polar bears have been spotted over 60 miles from shore.)
refresh someone’s memory
This phrase means to remind someone of something that they used to know. You “refresh” someone’s memory by giving them more information or reviewing things that they should already know. (Can you refresh my memory as to what paper stock we were using?)
select (something from a list)
The word “select” means “choose”: Which option have you selected? “Select” is a little more formal than “choose”. It also suggests choosing something from a list or a group of options, like a menu. “Choose” can be used in the same way as “select”. But you can talk use “choose” to talk about yes-or-no choices:
I chose not to go.
It’s less common to use “select” in this kind of situation.
