Words Flashcards
1
Q
Soars
- Whenever in this place, your confidence soars and all seems right with the world…
- the bird spread its wings and soared into the air
A
- Fly or rise high in the air
2. Maintain height in the air without flapping wings or using engine power.
2
Q
Wither
- the grass had withered to an unappealing brown
- it is not true that old myths either die or wither away
A
- (of a plant) become dry and shrivelled.
2. fall into decay or decline.
3
Q
Gripe
- it’s no use griping about your boss or your pay
- spasmodic griping pains
- a minor complaint
A
- complain about something in a persistent, irritating way.
- affect with gastric or intestinal pain.
- grasp tightly; clutch
4
Q
Shred
- her dress was torn to shreds
- we have not a shred of evidence to go on
- we want to hear everything from country and western to blisteringly fast guitar shredding
A
- a strip of material, such as paper, cloth, or food, that has been torn, cut, or scraped from something larger
- a very small amount
- play a very fast, intricate style of rock lead guitar
5
Q
Strew
- a small room with newspapers strewn all over the floor
- the table was strewn with books and papers
- leaves strewed the path
A
- scatter or spread (things) untidily over a surface or area
- cover (a surface or area) with untidily scattered things
- be scattered or spread untidily over (a surface or area)
6
Q
Prey
- A hawk hovered in the air before swooping on its prey.
A
- An animal that is hunted or killed by another for food
7
Q
Hover
- I heard the noise of a helicopter hovering overhead.
- A waiter hovered at the table, ready to take our order.
- Inflation is hovering at three percent.
A
- to stay in one place in the air, usually by moving the wings quickly
- to stand somewhere, especially near another person, eagerly or nervously waiting for their attention
- to stay at or near a particular level
8
Q
Swoop
- The eagle swooped down to snatch a young rabbit.
- Undercover police swooped on three houses in the city at 5.00 this morning.
A
- to move very quickly and easily through the air, especially down from a height in order to attack
- to make a sudden attack on a place or group of people in order to surround and catch them
9
Q
Snatch
- He snatched the photos out of my hand before I had a chance to look at them.
- She had her purse snatched (= stolen) while she was shopping.
- Maybe you’ll be able to snatch a couple of hours’ sleep before dinner.
A
- to take hold of something suddenly and roughly
- to take something or someone away by force
- to do or get something quickly because you only have a short amount of time
10
Q
Toil
- Lindi has achieved her comfortable life only after years of hard toil
A
- hard work, especially work that makes you feel physically tired
11
Q
Endowment
- The school has received an endowment of $50,000 to buy new books for the library.
- There are tests that can establish a baby’s genetic endowment.
A
- money that is given to a college, hospital, etc. in order to provide it with an income, or the giving of this money
- something that you have from birth, often a quality
12
Q
Tacky
- The shop sold tacky souvenirs and ornaments.
- The pain was still tacky
A
- of cheap quality or in bad style
2. (especially of paint or glue) not completely dry
13
Q
Scum
- The lake near the factory was covered with grey, foul-smelling scum.
- People who organize dog fights are scum in my opinion!
A
- a layer of unpleasant or unwanted material that has formed on the top of a liquid
- a very bad or immoral person or group of people
14
Q
Gobsmacked
- He was completely gobsmacked when he won the award.
A
- so surprised that you cannot speak
15
Q
Nuance
- The painter has managed to capture every nuance of the woman’s expression.
A
- a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound, etc
16
Q
Haggard
- He’d been drinking the night before and was looking a bit haggard.
A
- looking ill or tired, often with dark skin under the eyes
17
Q
Chuck sth away/out
- I’ve chucked out all my old clothes.
A
- to throw something away
18
Q
Eerie
- She heard the eerie noise of the wind howling through the trees
A
- strange in a frightening and mysterious way
19
Q
Twitch
- He tried to suppress a smile but felt the corner of his mouth twitch
A
- to make a sudden small movement with a part of the body, usually without intending to
20
Q
Dwindle
- The community has dwindled to a tenth of its former size in the last two years.
A
- to become smaller in size or amount, or fewer in number
21
Q
Spooky
- It was a spooky coincidence.
A
- strange and frightening
22
Q
Garrison
- The 100-strong garrison had received no supplies for a week.
A
- a group of soldiers living in or defending a town or building, or the buildings that the soldiers live in
23
Q
Hermit
- he was living in the countryside for such a long time that looked like a hermit
A
- a person who lives alone and apart from the rest of society, especially for religious reasons
24
Q
Wrath
- The people feared the wrath of God.
A
- extreme anger
25
Q
Contrived
- I enjoyed the film but felt the ending was a bit contrived.
A
- artificial and difficult to believe
26
Q
Sloppy
- Spelling mistakes always look sloppy in a formal letter
- The batter was a bit sloppy so I added some more flour.
- A sloppy love song
A
- not taking care or making an effort
- (of a substance) more liquid than it should be, often in a way that is unpleasant
- expressing feelings of love in a way that is silly or embarrassing
27
Q
Hasty
- He warned against making hasty decisions.
A
- Hasty actions are done in a hurry, sometimes without the necessary care or thought
28
Q
Scab
- I would just have scars once the scabs healed over, Mal would have serious problems for the rest of her life
A
- A dry, rough protective crust that forms over a cut or wound during healing.
29
Q
Rejoice
- We spent the evening rejoicing at our victory.
A
- Feel or show great joy or delight
30
Q
Thrifty
- Through the years we were very thrifty and spent and invested wisely,’ she says.
A
- Using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully.
31
Q
Acquaint
- New staff should be acquainted with fire exit routes
A
- Make someone aware of or familiar with
32
Q
Pique
- a white cotton piqué shirt
- he left in a fit of pique
A
- Stiff fabric, typically cotton, woven in a strongly ribbed or raised pattern.
- A feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one’s pride.
33
Q
Bewildered
- He sat up in bed, bewildered, unsure of where he was.
A
- confused and uncertain
