Why You Procrastinate Even When It Feels Bad

Question 1

Put … off

Answer 1

phrasal verb
To delay or postpone doing something until a later time
* She put off cleaning her apartment until guests were already on their way.
* He put off making a decision because he wasn’t sure what to do.

Question 2

Due

Answer 2

adjective
Something is expected, scheduled, or required to becompleted or ready by a specific time
* Her flight is due to arrive at 8 p.m.
* My assignment is due tomorrow, so I need to work on it tonight.

Question 3

Buckle down

Answer 3

phrasal verb
To start working hard and focusing on a task with determination
* She finally buckled down and started writing her thesis.
* After procrastinating for weeks, I had to buckle down and finish my project.

Question 4

Hanging over one’s head

Answer 4

idiom
A responsibility, worry, or threat is constantly on one’s mind, causing stress or pressure
* I can’t enjoy my weekend with this huge project hanging over my head.
* He couldn’t focus on anything else with the threat of layoffs hanging over his head.

Question 5

Threatening

Answer 5

adjective
Showing an intention to cause harm, danger, or damage
* She received a threatening message from an anonymous caller.
* The threatening noise in the distance made everyone nervous.

Question 6

In the midst of …

Answer 6

phrase
In the middle of something or during a particular situation or event
* She found herself in the midst of a difficult decision.
* We were in the midst of a heated debate when the power went out.

Question 7

Regulate one’s emotions

Answer 7

verbal phrase
To manage and control one’s emotional responses, especially in difficult situations
* It’s important to regulate your emotions when dealing with challenging customers.
* Learning to regulate your emotions can improve your relationships with others.

Question 8

Apathy

Answer 8

noun
A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern about something
* There was a sense of apathy in the crowd during the speech.
* The government’s apathy to the citizens’ concerns led to widespread frustration.

Question 9

Ailment

Answer 9

noun
A physical or mental condition that causes discomfort or illness
* He missed work due to a minor ailment that kept him in bed for a few days.
* The elderly woman suffers from a common ailment that affects her joints.

Question 10

Cultivate

Answer 10

verb
To develop, improve, or foster a skill, relationship, or quality over time
* He made an effort to a strong relationships with his colleagues.
* They worked together to cultivate a positive work environment.

Question 11

Hard on oneself

Answer 11

verbal phrase
To be overly critical towards oneself, often feeling guilty or dissatisfied with one’s actions or mistakes
* Don’t be so hard on yourself; everyone makes mistakes.
* It’s important not to be too hard on yourself when you’re learning something new.

Question 12

Short-circuit

Answer 12

verb
To interrupt or bypass a process to prevent it from continuing as usual
* He tried to short-circuit the approval process by going directly to the manager.
* Practicing mindfulness can help short-circuit negative thought patterns.

Question 13

Self-compassion

Answer 13

noun
Treating oneself with kindness and understanding during difficult times
* She learned that self-compassion was key to overcoming her challenges.
* By practicing self-compassion, he was able to recover from the setback more easily.

Question 14

Perpetuate

Answer 14

verb
To cause something to continue or last for a long time, often something negative or undesirable
* His actions only served to perpetuate the problem.
* The media often perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards.