Words and expressions Flashcards
Recall words and expressions learned
fortnight
quinzena.
I am writing about the possibility of taking a fortnight off work.
Fortnight off = some time off
annual leave
férias anuais
All my annual leave has been used up
sever the bonds
cortar os laços
I am not ready to sever the bonds with my current employer
enjoy
keen on / muito interessado / gostar de… [phrasal verb]
I am very keen on reading…
drawing near
se aproximando
My departure date is drawing near…
befriend
to help; look after / to make friends with
The police officer befriended the woman who was attacked
As the history tells, Pocahontas, a Native American Princess, befriended Captain John Smith and save his life from being executed.
[grammar] could have (done) = to talk about the past
We could have enjoyed more our stay in Paris
She was so tired last night, she could have slept forever.
The situation was bad, but it could have been worse.
[grammar] could have happened = it was possible but did not happen
You could have hurt yourself there
If the police had not arrived there in time, things could have gone crazy bad.
If I had played, the team could have won.
[grammar] couldn’t = something would not be possible
Present: The government’s decision couldn’t be better.
Past: I couldn’t have gone anyway; I was ill.
The activists’ actions couldn’t have been worse/more unfortunate.
cross
(v) atravessar: cross the road
(adj) annoyed/irritated: She was very cross
reckon
(v) to believe, consider / to calculate
I reckon I could have been more patient with her.
After the fire, his losses were reckoned at $3,000,000 give or take.
pick up [phrasal verb]
to learn something new
I would love to pick up some French. I reckon it as one of the most beautiful languages in the world.
brush up on [phrasal verb]
to review something that you have learned
After ages without speaking English, I had to brush up on the language before I took the exam.
If you have the skill already, but it’s been a while since you last use it, it might be a good idea to brush up on it to refresh your memory.
come across [phrasal verb]
to find something unexpectedly
While surfing the web, I came across this food recipe channel on youtube. Needless to say, I became addicted to it. Since then, I’m very keen on cooking.
past = came across
be used to something [phrasal verb]
habit
Although I don’t like to do the dishes, I am used to it.
My city has its perks. That being said, the index of criminal activity, including the most violent ones, has been rising rapidly in the last few years. Unfortunately, I’m used to it.
to catch up on something [phrasal verb]
to do something that you have not been able to do recently
I suppose the highlight of any holiday for me would have to be catching up on my reading. Wherever I travel, I bring along loads of books.
Usually, on weekends, I enjoy spending time with my wife, taking her out to dinner, and I also like to catch up on the things that I have left behind for any reason, such as my reading or the movies I wanted to watch.
it’s a piece of cake [idiom]
it’s really easy
It is gonna be a piece of cake
all talk and no trousers / be all mouth [idiom]
to talk a lot about doing something but never do it:
She keeps saying that she’s going to quit her job. But she is all talk and no trousers/ she is all mouth.
as cool as a cucumber [idiom]
very calm, especially when this is surprising
He faced the crowd as cool as a cucumber, as though nothing could stress him
a storm in a teacup [idiom]
a big fuzz made by a matter that is not important
It was nothing serious. Just a storm in a teacup.
when pigs fly [idiom]
something that will never happen
The mayor will fix the road when pigs fly.
a fish out of water [idiom]
someone who is very uncomfortable in a specific situation
I felt like a fish out of water on the first day of my work.
once in a blue moon [idiom]
seldom, rarely
I reckon I work out once in a blue moon, but my business schedule does not help
give it a go [idiom]
try
I’ve given it a go, but I couldn’t stand it.
from time to time [idiom]
sometimes
from time to time, I am very keen on learning something new. I feel good stepping away from my comfort zone.
quite a few [idiom]
a lot
I have quite a few things to accomplish during the week. So, time is something that I do not have to spare.
spare time
tempo livre
In my spare time, I like reading and practicing sports.
cup of tea [idiom]
something that you like or care about (can be used in a negative form)
Running on the treadmill is not my cup of tea. I’d rather go outside to do my workouts.
tons of [idiom]
a lot of
I came across this little Italian restaurant near my house last month. It is fantastic. I have already been tons of times.
I had a ton of work to do last weekend. That’s why I did not hang out with you guys.
that being said [idiom]
however
I really like my city. That being said, it is rather violent around here.
rapport
a close and harmonious relationship
she has the ability to establish a good rapport with people of all ages
job skills
detail-oriented ability to prioritize computer-literate competent typist bilingual team leader managerial skills motivated person
blunt
(adj) excessive straightforward; frank in an uncompromising way
He can be a bit blunt sometimes, but, in general, he is a good guy
judgemental
(adj) very critic
I do not want to sound judgemental, but I must say the dinner was a disaster
self-assured
(adj) a confident person
A self-assured 16-year-old.
affable
(adj) very kind and friendly; easy to talk to
My mother-in-law is an affable woman. It is always a pleasure spending some time talking to her.
pronunciation: Áfa-bou
cheerful
(adj) very happy and optimistic
A cheerful and agreeable companion
warm-hearted
(adj) kind and sympathetic
Canadians are well-known as very generous and warm-hearted people.
get on [phrasal verb]
= get along / to have a good relationship with someone
Despite the competition in my old department, I used to get on with all my co-workers.
look up to somebody [phrasal verb]
a great deal of respect for somebody
At that time, I needed a model, someone to look up to.
be in touch with [phrasal verb]
be in communication with somebody
We were in touch last year, but we lost our connection.
fall out with [phrasal verb]
argue and stop being friends with somebody
I left home when I was twelve because I’d fallen out with my parents (over my decision to become a musician).
grow apart from [phrasal verb]
gradually have a less close relationship with somebody
We no longer had the same interests and wanted the same things, so our relationship naturally grew apart.
I decided to put my music career on pause before my relationship with my father completely grows apart.
take after somebody [phrasal verb]
to be similar/resemble somebody in your family (in appearance or personality)
be close to [phrasal verb]
know sb well an talk to them often
My father and I used to be very close to. Unfortunately, after his death, I lost my model, someone to look up to.
set up [phrasal verb]
(informal)
I set up my own business about 4 years ago.
go from strength to strength [idiom]
to become increasingly successful
Since I set up my own business, it has gone from strength to strength
turmoil
a state of great disturbance / agitação, turbulência
With the world in such economic turmoil, it is difficult for the majority of us to manage our own money.
Constant episodes of anxiety and depression can lead oneself to undergo a profound state of inner turmoil.
sensible
(adj) sensato
Personally, I do not feel that high spending is a sensible act.
appreciate in value
increase / valorizar
They did not expect properties would appreciate in value.
buffer
protect / shield / amortecer (para-choque)
Saving money is a buffer against uncertainty.
Her advice acted as a buffer against his sadness.
youngster
child, young person
plural: youngsters
Some youngsters are not sporty and should be allowed to study instead.
wholesome
(adj) healthy (in terms of good health and physical well-being)
noun: wholesomeness
There are question marks over the wholesomeness of sport itself.
The movie was wholesome entertainment to the family.
wholesome: food influence talking option
excel
(verb) to be incredibly good in an activity or subject
Many successful business people excelled in sports at school.
likelihood
(noun) probability
There is no hope in this case because the likelihood of finding employment is too low.
compulsory
(adj) mandatory; obligatory
Sport should be compulsory for school children.
Pronunciation: cam - PAL -sory
embarrassment
(noun) constrangimento
(verb) embarrass = constrager
(adj) embarrassing = constragedor
She wouldn’t embarrass either of them by making a scene.
widespread
(adj) muito difundido
There was widespread support for the war.
Cybercrime is a widespread concern in the world today.
stem
(verb) originate in or be caused by
Many of the university’s problems stem from rapid expansion.
Perhaps the worst problem stemming from this is the financial impact.
subsidize
(verb) support financially
It was beyond the power of a state to subsidize a business.
A further problem is the way in which these stolen funds are used to subsidize other crimes.
fabric and cloth
tecido e pano (could be synonyms)
wrangling
(noun) have a long and complicated dispute (“briga” judicial, por exemplo)
It could be followed by months or years of legal wrangling.
Experts expect considerable political wrangling before members of the Republican party decide.
range from
(verb) vary or extend between specified limits
Probably the most effective measure is to improve personal security, ranging from passwords to shredding documents.
rip off [phrasal verb]
arrancar / rasgar / roubar / plagiar
Rip this band-aid off already.
They ripped off their clothes and entered the sea.
My car was ripped off last night.
That movie was a shameless collection of ideas ripped off from other movies.
susceptible
(adj) likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing
The elderly and children are more susceptible to these types of crimes.
burden
(noun) heavy load / fardo
It might be a heavy burden for society to carry.
acquaintance / acquaint
(noun) acquaintance / a person one knows slightly but who is not a close friend
A wild circle of friends and acquaintances.
(verb) acquaint / make some aware or familiar with (familiarizado)
New staff should be acquainted with fire exit routes.
straightforward
(adj) uncomplicated and easy to do or understand
It has presented us a number of challenges and decisions, none of which are straightforward.
problems/solutions
(synonyms)
Problems : challenges obstacles issues complication
Solutions: answers a key step (one key step might be) an efficient measure remedy (plural: remedies)
remedy
(verb) set right an undesirable situation
to remedy / remedied / remedied / remedying
(noun) remedy (p: remedies)
By the time it becomes an obvious problem, it may be too late to remedy it.
fixer-uppers
(noun) a house in needs of repairs
Together, the Property Brothers help families find, buy, and transform fixer-uppers into dream homes on a strict timeline and budget.
caught up [phrasal verb]
immersed; involved at a deep level
I was so caught up in my work, that I did not realize you had been waiting for me.
entice
(verb) attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantages
It might entice professionals back to their own country.
be engrossed in
(p.v) to be completely focused on one thing
I really enjoy being engrossed in a good book.
I like nothing more than to be engrossed in a good book.
book genres
science fiction self-improvement / self-help adventure book romantic novel comic book
book - types of reading
skimming / skin reading = take a quick look to get a general idea
scanning / scan-reading = read to look for specific information = the name of the author, important dates…)
intensive reading / reading in detail = reading intensively with full comprehension
prospect
(noun) possibility / likelihood
They are tempted to move there by the prospect of a better lifestyle.
There was no prospect of a reconciliation.
devastating
(adj) highly destructive and damaging / devastador
The effects on the unfortunate victims can be quite devastating.
impersonate
(verb) pretend to be another person as entertainment or in order to deceive someone
Criminals use stolen personal information from victims to impersonate the target.
deceive
(verb) mislead (misled - past) / enganar
I didn’t intend to deceive people into thinking it was French champagne.
identity theft / financial crimes
fraud / fraudulent
old-fashioned crimes / data-based crimes / cybercrimes
apply for loans remotely / digitally
cause 1 = universal use of digital technology to store personal information and undertake financial transactions.
cause 2 = DNA profiling / CCTV / fingerprinting = more chances “traditional crimes” being detected
impact = devastating / damaging. 1 .Loss of money from bank accounts or by being connected to fraudulent loans - could take years to the victim solve the issues with banks and authorities.
- damage to their credit rating, thereby imposing them difficulties to arrange legitimate credit in the future.
- In extreme cases, people’s employment prospects can even be damaged as well, as they find
themselves profiled as a financial risk.
heartfelt
(adj) felt or believed deeply and sincerely
I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude.
selfless
(adj) altruistic; unselfish; concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own.
But you showed by your selfless action that you are an exception.
enclosed
(adj) annexed
(verb) enclose (d) = incluir
Enclosed with this letter is my resume, which further details of my previous experience and qualifications.
branch off
(p.v) diverge, subdivide
It’s the house on the left, just after the road branches off
sudden
(adj) abrupt, unforeseen, precipitated
Sudden legislations.
discretion
It should be up to teachers and students (and not to governments) to use their discretion in setting the changes needed in education
scissors
“tesoura”
Mow the lawn - cut down grass using a machine / aparar a grama com máquina
cutlery
(noun) cutting utensils or “talheres”
Silver cutlery
She went to town to buy new cutlery and kitchen utensils.
skeleton
esqueleto
pilgrim
a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons
bewilderment
astonishment / “perplexidade”
To top off her bewilderment, the lad was walking amid his parents, who did not seem to notice at all.
amid
in the middle of; in the midst / “entre” , “no meio de”
Our dream home, set amid magnificent rolling countryside
altogether
totally, completely
Do you think homework time should be banned altogether?
I stopped seeing her altogether.
wary
cautious / “desconfiado” or alert / “atento”
A further reason to be wary of tourism is the economic aspect.
Some people feel that with the advent of new technology teachers should be wary.
