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.
