Words I come across daily Flashcards

Question

Pain on the side of the abdomen when running/ walking

Answer 1

Stitch (n) Pain on the side of the abdomen when running/ walking

Answer 2

landfall noun [ C or U ] UK /ˈlænd.fɔːl/ US /ˈlænd.fɑːl/ the first land that is reached or seen at the end of a journey across the sea or through the air, or the fact of arriving there: Shannon Airport in Ireland was the first European landfall for planes flying from North America. After a long and gruelling flight, they finally made landfall in Florida. The typhoon is expected to MAKE LANDFALL early on Wednesday.

Answer 3

1. nepotism noun [ U ] formal disapproving UK /ˈnep.ə.tɪ.zəm/ US /ˈnep.ə.tɪ.zəm/ the act of using your power or influence to get good jobs or unfair advantages for members of your own family: He was guilty of nepotism and corruption. 2. nepotistic adjective formal disapproving UK /ˌnep.əˈtɪs.tɪk/ US /ˌnep.əˈtɪs.tɪk/ using your power or influence to get good jobs or unfair advantages for members of your own family: Senior executives at the company are highly nepotistic. She has a nepotistic connection to the president.

Answer 4

blitz /blɪts/ 1. verb [T] (MAKE EFFORT) UK informal to make a great effort to improve something or do something that needs to be done: I decided to blitz the housework in one afternoon. We blitz the house every weekend to keep it clean & tidy. 2. a lot of energetic activity: The car was launched with a massive media/advertising blitz, involving newspapers, magazines, television and radio. I demanded that my sister had a blitz on her messy room.

Answer 5

shore sth up — phrasal verb with shore verb UK /ʃɔːr/ US /ʃɔːr/ to stop a wall or a building from falling down by supporting it with building materials such as wood or metal: Boundary walls have had to be shored up. to support or improve an organization, agreement, or system that is not working effectively or that is likely to fail: The new public relations manager has the difficult task of shoring up the company's troubled image. She used hard evidence to shore up her argument. The gov promised they would shore up unemployment benefits during t' COVID-19 crisis. Trump & Biden race to shore up votes in final hours before Election Day. The gov is calling for action to help shore up the failing business.

Answer 6

final sprint last big effort in a campaign - The negotiations enter a final sprint before the deadline tonight. - The marathon runner pushed himself for the final sprint. - I'm entering a final sprint before the final exam tomorrow.

Answer 7

MOAT noun a deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle, fort, or town, typically filled with water and intended as a defence against attack.

Answer 8

froth /frɒθ/ noun 1. a mass of small bubbles in liquid caused by agitation, fermentation, or salivating. "leave the yeast until there is a good head of froth"

Answer 9

Blind man's buff

Answer 10

Snow angel (Can google to see image)

Answer 11

Nativity E.g. Around Christmas,. Churches often place Nativity scene decorations outside.

Answer 12

rigorous adjective UK /ˈrɪɡərəs/ US detailed and careful: I want rigorous financial analysis of the options. The selection process is extremely rigorous. strict or severe: A rigorous monetary and fiscal policy should encourage efficiency. Refrigeration of food, improved hygiene and rigorous standards in the food industry prevent gastro-intestinal infections.

Answer 13

pins and needles noun [ plural ] UK /ˌpɪnz ən ˈniː.dəlz/ US /ˌpɪnz ən ˈniː.dəlz/ If you have pins and needles in a part of your body, you feel slight sharp pains in it, usually just after you have moved from being in one position for a long time. e.g. pins and needles in my feet (tê chân) I’ll have to move because I’m starting to get pins and needles in my foot.

Answer 14

profound (adj) showing a clear and deep understanding of serious matters (thâm thúy, sâu sắc): profound truths/wisdom The review that I read said that it was "a thoughtful and profound film". "Dying is easy - it's living that's the problem." "That was very profound of you, Steven."

Answer 15

vanity noun UK /ˈvæn.ə.ti/ US /ˈvæn.ə.t̬i/ 1. vanity noun (SELFISH) C2 [ U ] disapproving the fact that you are too interested in your appearance or achievements: He wants the job purely for reasons of vanity and ambition. 2. vanity noun (FURNITURE) [ C ] US (UK dressing table) a piece of bedroom furniture like a table with a mirror and drawers [ C ] US (UK vanity unit) a small cupboard that stands on the floor in a bathroom and has a washbasin (= a fixed bowl-shaped container for water) in the top

Answer 16

muse noun [ C ] literary UK /mjuːz/ US /mjuːz/ a person, or an imaginary being or force that gives someone ideas and helps them to write, paint, or make music: The muse has left me - I haven't written any poetry for months! Juliet was not only the painter's best model but also his muse.

Answer 17

UNDER WAY having started and in progress; being done or carried out. "recruitment is well under way"

Answer 18

ON THE WAY 1. in the course of a journey. "I'll tell you on the way home" 2. about to arrive or happen. "there's more snow on the way" INFORMAL (of a child) conceived but not yet born. "soon there was another baby on the way"

Answer 19

A self-fulfilling prophecy is the sociopsychological phenomenon of someone "predicting" or expecting something, and this "prediction" or expectation coming true simply because the person believes it will and the person's resulting behaviors align to fulfill the belief.

Answer 20

scrumptious adjective UK /ˈskrʌmp.ʃəs/ US /ˈskrʌmp.ʃəs/ (UK informal scrummy) tasting extremely good: scrumptious cakes

Answer 21

mayhem noun [ U ] UK /ˈmeɪ.hem/ US /ˈmeɪ.hem/ a situation in which there is little or no order or control: With 20 kids running around and only two adults to supervise, it was complete mayhem. Synonym havoc

Answer 22

poised adjective US /pɔɪzd/ poised adjective (READY) [ not gradable ] ready to move, or prepared and waiting for something to happen: The lion was poised to strike. poised adjective (CONFIDENT) calm and confident (đĩnh đạc): Angela is a polite, poised young woman. She remained poised throughout the difficult presentation.

Answer 23

posit /ˈpɒzɪt/ verb 1. put forward as fact or as a basis for argument. "the Confucian view posits a perfectible human nature" [ + that ] If we posit that wage rises cause inflation, it follows that we should try to minimize them. 2. put in position; place. "the Professor posits Cohen in his second category of poets"

Answer 24

benevolent adjective UK /bəˈnev.əl.ənt/ US /bəˈnev.əl.ənt/ kind and helpful: He was a benevolent old man and wouldn't hurt a fly.

Answer 25

hypocrisy noun [ U ] disapproving UK /hɪˈpɒk.rɪ.si/ US /hɪˈpɑː.krə.si/ C2 a situation in which someone pretends to believe something that they do not really believe, or that is the opposite of what they do or say at another time: There's one rule for her and another rule for everyone else and it's sheer hypocrisy.

Answer 26

double standard noun [ C ] UK /ˌdʌb.əl ˈstæn.dəd/ US /ˌdʌb.əl ˈstæn.dɚd/ a rule or standard of good behaviour that, unfairly, some people are expected to follow or achieve but other people are not: Society has a double standard when it comes to teen sex: it is seen as natural for boys but forbidden for girls. The governor is being accused of (having) double standards in being tough on law and order yet allowing his own cabinet members to escape prosecution for fraud.

Answer 27

misogyny noun [ U ] UK /mɪˈsɒdʒ.ən.i/ US /mɪˈsɑː.dʒən.i/ feelings of hating women, or the belief that men are much better than women

Answer 28

go the extra mile - make a greater effort than is expected If you go the extra mile with your studies, you’ll probably pass the exam. Health workers have gone the extra mile during the pandemic.

Answer 29

stockpile - gather a large amount of something for future use Some people started stockpiling toilet paper during the first wave of coronavirus. If too many people stockpile essential goods, there won’t be enough for everybody.

Answer 30

crash out: 1. (LOSE) UK to lose in a (sports) competition when you were expected to win: He crashed out of the French Open in the second round. Everyone thought the finance minister would become the next party leader but he crashed out in the first round of voting. Manchester United crashed out of the Champions’ League in the early stages. 2. informal (SLEEP) to go to sleep very quickly because you are very tired: I just want to go home and crash out.

Answer 31

one last push: one final effort With one last push, the company is confident it can reach a deal. I know you’re tired, but after this last push your exams will all be finished.

Answer 32

hang in the balance remain in an uncertain state The president’s political survival hangs in the balance. The prospect of reaching a deal is hanging in the balance. His health is hanging in the balance.

Answer 33

on a knife edge in an important situation, with two different results possible The race to be president is on a knife edge right now! The doctor told the family that their father’s survival was on a knife edge after the surgery.

Answer 34

negligence failure to take enough care The building company was found guilty of negligence after workers were injured on site. Don’t neglect your duties! You’re paid well and should take your job seriously.

Answer 35

raid action by police in which they suddenly enter a building After a series of raids, the army captured the terrorist. The police raided the house after being told it was used for drug dealing.

Answer 36

sliver noun [ C ] formal UK /ˈslɪv.ər/ US /ˈslɪv.ɚ/ a very small, thin piece of something, usually broken off something larger: a sliver of glass Just a sliver of cake for me, please - I shouldn't really be having any.

Answer 37

coddle /ˈkɒd(ə)l/ 1. treat (someone) in an indulgent or overprotective way. "I was coddled and cosseted" Similar: pamper cosset cater to someone's every whim 2. cook (an egg) in water below boiling point. "you may have your eggs scrambled, poached, coddled, or boiled"

Answer 38

catch noun UK /kætʃ/ US /kætʃ/ catch noun (PROBLEM) [ S ] a hidden problem or disadvantage: Free food? It sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?

Answer 39

decoy noun [ C ] UK /ˈdiː.kɔɪ/ US /ˈdiː.kɔɪ/ something or someone used to trick or confuse people, especially something or someone that is not what they appear to be: Air Force One flew ahead as a decoy, with the President in another plane behind. These attacks could be a decoy, a manoeuvre to throw everyone off guard. a bird or animal, or something that looks like one, used when hunting to attract other birds or animals: They use electrically powered duck decoys known as "robo ducks".

Answer 40

parched /pɑːtʃt/ adjective extremely thirsty

Answer 41

faithless adjective (NOT RELIGIOUS) with no religious faith => atheist (n)

Answer 42

irreligious # religious adjective formal disapproving UK /ˌɪr.ɪˈlɪdʒ.əs/ US /ˌɪr.əˈlɪdʒ.əs/ having no interest in religion, or generally opposed to religion

Answer 43

war‧y /ˈweəri $ ˈweri/ ●○○ adjective someone who is wary is careful because they think something might be dangerous or harmful be wary of (doing) something I’m a bit wary of driving in this fog. wary of We must teach children to be wary of strangers. Keep a wary eye on the weather before you set sail. She had a wary expression on her face. —wariness noun [singular, uncountable] a wariness in her voice —warily adverb She eyed him warily.

Answer 44

weary /ˈwɪəri/ adjective 1. feeling or showing extreme tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion (= TIRED). "he gave a long, weary sigh" calling for a great amount of energy or endurance; TIRING and tedious. "the weary journey began again" 2. reluctant to see or experience any more of; tired of. "she was weary of their constant arguments" ------------ VERB 1. cause to become tired (= tire) "she was wearied by her persistent cough" 2. grow tired or bored with "she wearied of the sameness of her life"

Answer 45

communion /kəˈmjuːnjən/ noun 1. the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially on a mental or spiritual level. "in this churchyard communion with the dead was almost palpable" 2. the service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared. "Communion was celebrated once a month"

Answer 46

fathom (v) /ˈfæðəm/ understand

Answer 47

Knickers A British nursery rhyme: What time is it? Half past nine, hang your knickers on the line" When they're dry, bring them in, put them in the biscuit tin.

Answer 48

malignant adjective UK /məˈlɪɡ.nənt/ US /məˈlɪɡ.nənt/ malignant adjective (DISEASE) A malignant disease or growth is cancer or is related to cancer, and is likely to be harmful: The process by which malignant cancer cells multiply isn't fully understood. Is the tumour malignant or benign? opposite: benign

Answer 49

benign adjective (DISEASE) /bɪˈnaɪn/ A benign growth is not cancer and is not likely to be harmful: a benign tumour

Answer 50

RIDE-HAILING adjective [ before noun ] (also ridehailing) UK /ˈraɪd.heɪ.lɪŋ/ US /ˈraɪd.heɪ.lɪŋ/ used for or involved in the activity of asking for a car and driver to come immediately and take you somewhere: Do you use a ride-hailing app? The city announced new regulations on internet-based ride-hailing businesses. Grab and Uber are ride-hailing apps.

Answer 51

buzzkill noun [ C usually singular ] informal UK /ˈbʌz.kɪl/ US /ˈbʌz.kɪl/ something or someone that spoils people's feelings of excitement, enjoyment, or pleasure: Hearing how fattening this delicious food is would be a total buzzkill. She reminded us we had to get up early - she's such a buzzkill.

Answer 52

shudder verb [ I ] UK /ˈʃʌd.ər/ US /ˈʃʌd.ɚ/ C2 to shake suddenly with very small movements because of a very unpleasant thought or feeling: The sight of so much blood made him shudder. She shuddered at the thought of kissing him. When something shudders, it shakes violently and quickly: I heard a massive explosion and the ground shuddered beneath me. There was a screech of brakes and the bus shuddered to a halt (= shook violently and stopped).

Answer 53

capricious adjective literary UK /kəˈprɪʃ.əs/ US /kəˈprɪʃ.əs/ changing mood or behaviour suddenly and unexpectedly: a capricious child He was a cruel and capricious tyrant. Synonyms impulsive whimsical

Answer 54

agnostic noun [ C ] UK /æɡˈnɒs.tɪk/ US /æɡˈnɑː.stɪk/ someone who does not know, or believes that it is impossible to know, if a god exists: Although I was raised a Buddhist, I was an agnostic for most of hmy life.

Answer 55

adamant adjective UK /ˈæd.ə.mənt/ US /ˈæd.ə.mənt/ kiên quyết impossible to persuade, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision: [ + that ] I've told her she should stay at home and rest but she's adamant that she's coming.

Answer 56

oppress verb UK /əˈpres/ US /əˈpres/ oppress verb (RULE) [ T often passive ] to govern people in an unfair and cruel way and prevent them from having opportunities and freedom: For years now, the people have been oppressed by a ruthless dictator. oppress verb (MAKE UNCOMFORTABLE) [ T ] to make a person feel uncomfortable or worried, and sometimes ill: Strange dreams and nightmares oppressed him.

Answer 57

suppress verb [ T ] UK /səˈpres/ US /səˈpres/ suppress verb [T] (END BY FORCE) C2 to prevent something from being seen or expressed or from operating: She couldn't suppress her anger/annoyance/delight. His feelings of resentment have been suppressed for years. The British government tried to suppress the book because of the information it contained about the security services. The virus suppresses the body's immune system. C2 to end something by force: The Hungarian uprising in 1956 was suppressed by the Soviet Union.

Answer 58

hedonist (=> hedonism) noun [ C ] UK /ˈhed.ən.ɪst/ US /ˈhed.ən.ɪst/ someone who tries to have as much pleasure as possible, according to the belief that the most important thing in life is to enjoy yourself (người theo chủ nghĩa khoái lạc): The Marquis de Sade was a hedonist who believed there should be no limits on human behaviour. Wilson, a bachelor, is a heavy drinker and a womanizer, but he's not a simple hedonist.

Answer 59

after fasting, people break fast with breakfast => breakfast = break-fast

Answer 60

"for want of a better word" If you want to maintain your good mood, then don't talk to Kristina. She is, for want of a better word, a sourpuss.

Answer 61

broody adjective (OF MOOD) always thinking about things that make you unhappy Stefan is really broody

Answer 62

Play it by ear perform music without having to read from a score. "she could play both by ear and by reading" INFORMAL proceed instinctively according to results and circumstances rather than according to rules or a plan. = improvise "we'll just have to play it by ear until we can get something definite sorted out"

Answer 63

a look-alike = a double = a Doppelgänger

Answer 64

throttle attack or kill (someone) by choking or strangling them. "she was sorely tempted to throttle him"

Answer 65

ordeal a very unpleasant and prolonged experience. a terrible or painful experience that continues for a period of time ordeal of She then had to go through the ordeal of giving evidence. She was forced to face the ordeal of withdrawal symptoms. He was beginning to wonder if he would survive the ordeal. Teresa had a transplant in 1989 and was just recovering from that ordeal when she suffered a brain hemorrhage. Soon the whole terrifying ordeal would be over.

Answer 66

epiphany /ɪˈpɪf(ə)ni,ɛˈpɪf(ə)ni/ Learn to pronounce noun noun: Epiphany 1. the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi (Matthew 2:1–12). the festival commemorating the Epiphany on 6 January. noun: epiphany; plural noun: epiphanies a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being. noun: epiphany; plural noun: epiphanies 2. a moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.

Answer 67

vain adjective C2 too interested in your own appearance or achievements: He was very vain about his hair and his clothes.

Answer 68

and whatnot (informal) (also and what have you) and other similar things: You can buy snacks and whatnot at the bar. That'll give you enough time to get the table set and whatnot.

Answer 69

clicks and mortar (also clicks and bricks); (or bricks and clicks) used for talking about businesses that involve selling things in stores as well as on the internet: Retailing is set to be very much clicks and mortar. the development of a clicks-and-mortar strategy

Answer 70

bricks and mortar noun [ U ] UK US PROPERTY a way of referring to buildings, for example when you are thinking about how much they are worth: They've invested most of their money in bricks and mortar. property in the form of buildings usually when considered as an investment: I was nearly 40 when I finally invested in bricks and mortar.

Answer 71

vacillate verb [ I ] disapproving UK /ˈvæs.ɪ.leɪt/ US /ˈvæs.ə.leɪt/ to be uncertain what to do, or to change often between two opinions: Her mood vacillated between hope and despair. I've been vacillating between teaching and finance jobs.

Answer 72

kith and kin noun [ plural ] old-fashioned UK /ˌkɪθ ən ˈkɪn/ US /ˌkɪθ ən ˈkɪn/ people you are connected with, especially by family relationships

Answer 73

remunerative adjective formal UK /rɪˈmjuː.nər.ə.tɪv/ US /rɪˈmjuː.nə.reɪ.t̬ɪv/ providing payment for work: = lucrative a highly remunerative (= well paid) job Charity work is not very remunerative.

Answer 74

backbite /ˈbakbʌɪt/ Learn to pronounce verb gerund or present participle: back-biting talk maliciously about someone who is not present. "they backbite about their colleagues" backbiting /ˈbakbʌɪtɪŋ/ Learn to pronounce noun noun: back-biting malicious talk about someone who is not present. "members have grown tired of the backbiting in the group"

Answer 75

Spoilsport a person who behaves in a way that spoils others' pleasure, especially by not joining in an activity. "‘Don't be a spoilsport, Sidney.’"

Answer 76

Love-sick Tương tư lovesick /ˈlʌvsɪk/ Learn to pronounce adjective adjective: lovesick; adjective: love-sick in love, or missing the person one loves, so much that one is unable to act normally. "you're mooning around like some lovesick teenager" moon about/around phrasal verb British English informal to spend your time lazily, moving around with no real purpose I wish you’d stop mooning about and do something useful!

Answer 77

parrot-fashion adverbBRITISH adverb: parrot-fashion without thought or understanding; mechanically. "she repeated the phrase parrot-fashion"

Answer 78

call someone's bluff challenge someone to carry out a stated intention, in the expectation of being able to expose it as a pretence. "she was tempted to call his bluff, hardly believing he'd carry out his threat"

Answer 79

take/ have a leak To urinate. Could you pull over? I need to take a leak.

Answer 80

push back (on) sth delay/ postpone sth The target date for construction has been pushed back at least until fall. I’ve had to push back on the party. We’ve got to push back on the deadline for the project. There’s still lots of work to be done. I pushed back on answering his marriage proposal - I’m still not sure if he’s the right man for me! I’ve got such a busy day today; can we push back the meeting until next week please?

Answer 81

jones verb US informal UK /dʒəʊnz/ US /dʒoʊnz/ be jonesing for sth to want something very much: I'm jonesing for a coffee - can we take a break?

Answer 82

get over yourself! informal something you say to tell someone to stop thinking that they are more important than other people, especially when they are complaining about something

Answer 83

strewn /struːn/ Untidily scattered I miss the star-strewn sky in Cu Lao Cham Star-strewn = star-scattered = star-studded (universe, darkness, sky...) a book-strewn office

Answer 84

Mortify = embarrass

Answer 85

didactic /dɪˈdaktɪk,dʌɪˈdaktɪk/ adjective intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive. "a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice" in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to appear patronizing. "his tone ranged from didactic to backslapping"

Answer 86

desolate adjective /ˈdɛs(ə)lət/ 1. (of a place) uninhabited and giving an impression of bleak emptiness. "a desolate Pennine moor" 2.feeling or showing great unhappiness or loneliness. "I suddenly felt desolate and bereft" = Miserable Desolate VERB ˈdɛsəleɪt/ 1. make (a place) appear bleakly empty. "the droughts that desolated the dry plains" make (someone) feel utterly wretched and unhappy. "he was desolated by the deaths of his treasured friends"

Answer 87

prism /ˈprɪz(ə)m/ lăng kính (cả nghĩa đen lẫn nghĩa bóng) nghĩa bóng through the prism of...: thông qua lăng kính của.... "they were forced to imagine the disaster through the prism of television" It features four retired people who look back on their lives through the prism of their dancing. Ideology isn't the ideal prism to evaluate the Obama presidency.

Answer 88

delve into sth — phrasal verb with delve verb [ I ] UK /delv/ US /delv/ to examine something carefully in order to discover more information about someone or something: It's not always a good idea to delve too deeply into someone's past. ... Finally, I will delve into the individual topics that we covered each week

Answer 89

fix verb (PREPARE) B2 [ T ] mainly US informal to cook or prepare food or drink: Whose turn is it to fix dinner? [ + two objects ] Can I fix you a drink?/Can I fix a drink for you?

Answer 90

slay verb UK /sleɪ/ US /sleɪ/ slew | slain 1. kill He slays vampire at night. He's a vampire slayer. 2. slay verb (IMPRESS) [ I or T ] informal to impress someone very much or to be very good or impressive/ be impressive. The actors slay me with the quality of their acting. I came here to slay. That dish slays! (=delicious) You slay in this dress .

Answer 91

gobble verb UK /ˈɡɒb.əl/ US /ˈɡɑː.bəl/ gobble verb (EAT) [ I or T ] informal to eat food too fast: She gobbled her dinner (down/up).

Answer 92

precarious adjective UK /prɪˈkeə.ri.əs/ US /prɪˈker.i.əs/ in a dangerous state because of not being safe or not being held in place firmly: The lorry was lodged in a very precarious way, with its front wheels hanging over the cliff. A precarious situation is likely to get worse: Many borrowers now find themselves caught in a precarious financial position. Her health remained precarious, despite the treatment. —precariously adverb a cup of tea balanced precariously on her knee

Answer 93

critter noun [ C ] infml US /ˈkrɪt̬·ər/ a creature/ an animal: That dog’s a mean old critter.

Answer 94

fork noun [C] (DIVISION) a place where a road, river, etc. divides into two parts, or either of those two parts: When you reach a fork in the road/tunnel turn right. Take the left-hand fork.

Answer 95

dribble verb [I or T] (FROM MOUTH) UK to have liquid slowly coming out of your mouth (chảy nước miếng): Babies dribble constantly. I dribble sometimes when I'm napping.

Answer 96

drool verb [ I ] UK /druːl/ US /druːl/ to allow saliva (= liquid in the mouth) to flow out of your mouth (rớt nước miếng) The dog lay drooling on the mat. I drooled all over my pillow.

Answer 97

fuse box / relay box hộp cầu chì

Answer 98

paragon noun [ C ] UK /ˈpær.ə.ɡən/ US /ˈper.ə.ɡɑːn/ a person or thing that is perfect or has an extremely large amount of a particular good characteristic: In the novel, Constanza is a paragon of virtue. Jesus is a paragon of love.

Answer 99

Do/Work wonders (for/with...) to have a very good effect on someone or something do/work wonders for: Fresh air and exercise do wonders for your health. do/work wonders with: They have worked wonders with kids that other schools had rejected. A little flattery can work wonders.

Answer 100

Ponzi scheme UK /ˈpɒn.zi ˌskiːm/ US /ˈpɑːn.zi ˌskiːm/ A Ponzi scheme is a form of fraud that lures investors and pays profits to earlier investors with funds from more recent investors.

Answer 101

Pyramid schemes are businesses that recruit people whose job is to enrol others into the scheme, rather than selling a product or service. Some multi-level marketing plans have been classified as pyramid schemes.

Answer 102

Multi-level marketing is a similar structure to a pyramid scheme, but there is a product involved. Multi-level marketing (MLM), also called network marketing or pyramid selling, is a controversial marketing strategy for the sale of products or services where the revenue of the MLM company is derived from a non-salaried workforce selling the company's products or services, while the earnings of the participants are derived from a pyramid-shaped or binary compensation commission system. An MLM strategy may be an illegal pyramid scheme.

Answer 103

susceptible adjective UK /səˈsep.tə.bəl/ US /səˈsep.tə.bəl/ susceptible adjective (INFLUENCED) easily influenced or harmed by something: She isn't very susceptible to flattery. These plants are particularly susceptible to frost. Among particularly susceptible children, the disease can develop very fast. used to describe someone who is easily emotionally influenced: They persuade susceptible teenagers to part with their money. susceptible adjective (POSSIBLE) [ after verb ] formal (especially of an idea or statement) able to be understood, proved, explained, etc. in a particular way: Shakespeare's plays are susceptible to various interpretations. UK The facts are susceptible of other explanations.

Answer 104

pontificate verb [ I ] disapproving UK /pɒnˈtɪf.ɪ.keɪt/ US /pɑːnˈtɪf.ə.keɪt/ to speak or write and give your opinion about something as if you knew everything about it and as if only your opinion was correct: I think it should be illegal for non-parents to pontificate on/about parenting.

Answer 105

pitch in — phrasal verb with pitch verb UK /pɪtʃ/ US /pɪtʃ/ informal to start to do something as part of a group, especially something helpful: If we all pitch in together, it shouldn't take too long. [ + to infinitive ] When I bought this house, all my friends pitched in to help fix it up. My brother pitched in with an offer of help. After we had seen the video everyone started pitching in with comments on its faults.

Answer 106

throw sth/sb off — phrasal verb with throw verb UK /θrəʊ/ US /θroʊ/ threw | thrown to escape from something or someone following you: They threw the police off the scent by travelling on false passports.

Answer 107

Ruminate (v) => Rumination (n) Rumination is when people cannot stop fixating on a particular thought. Cognitively absorbing activities, such as completing a puzzle or holding a yoga pose, can help break the cycle of rumination.

Answer 108

Dadbod: dad's big tummy google for image!

Answer 109

cynical adjective disapproving UK /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/ US /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/ C2 believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere: She has a pretty cynical view of men. I've always been deeply cynical about politicians. used to say that someone's feelings or emotions are used to your own advantage: She works in that most cynical of industries - advertising. He praises my cooking but it's just a cynical ploy to get me to make him dinner. not trusting or respecting the goodness of other people and their actions, but believing that people are interested only in themselves: Listening to politicians for too long can make you cynical. She’s become cynical about men.

Answer 110

haggle /ˈhaɡ(ə)l/ Learn to pronounce verb dispute or bargain persistently, especially over the cost of something.= bargain It's traditional that you haggle over/about the price of things in the market.

Answer 111

cootie catcher (n) = paper fortune teller Google for image

Answer 112

anorexia (n)/ ˌanəˈrɛksɪə/ noun: anorexia lack or loss of appetite for food (as a medical condition). an emotional disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight by refusing to eat. noun: anorexia nervosa; plural noun: anorexia nervosas => anorexic (adj, n for people) /anəˈrɛksɪk/ adjective relating to, characterized by, or suffering from anorexia. noun 1. a person suffering from anorexia. 2. a medicine which produces a loss of appetite.

Answer 113

heinous /ˈheɪnəs,ˈhiːnəs/ Learn to pronounce adjective adjective: heinous (of a person or wrongful act, especially a crime) utterly odious or wicked. "a battery of heinous crimes"

Answer 114

fib (n,v) = lie => tell a fib

Answer 115

There are 366 days in a LEAP year.

Answer 116

prime time noun [ U ] UK /ˈpraɪm ˌtaɪm/ US /ˈpraɪm ˌtaɪm/ in television and radio broadcasting, the time when the largest number of people are watching or listening: The interview will be broadcast during prime time. prime-time TV

Answer 117

mezzanine noun [ C ] UK /ˈmez.ə.niːn/ /ˈmet.sə.niːn/ US /ˈmet.sə.niːn/ /ˈmez.ə.niːn/ a small extra floor between one floor of a building and the next floor up: You can look down from the mezzanine onto the ground floor lobby. The shoe department is on the mezzanine floor.

Answer 118

candor noun [ U ] US (UK candour) US /ˈkæn.dɚ/ UK /ˈkæn.dər/ the quality of being honest and telling the truth, especially about a difficult or embarrassing subject: "We really don't know what to do about it," she said with surprising candor. candid adjective approving UK /ˈkæn.dɪd/ US /ˈkæn.dɪd/ honest and telling the truth, especially about something difficult or painful: The two presidents have had candid talks about the current crisis. To be candid with you, I think you're making a dreadful mistake.

Answer 119

scaffolding noun [ U ] UK /ˈskæf.əl.dɪŋ/ US /ˈskæf.əl.dɪŋ/ a structure of metal poles and wooden boards put against a building for workers to stand on when they want to reach the higher parts of the building: (gg for image) Scaffolding has been erected around the tower and repair work will start next week.

Answer 120

paternalistic adjective POLITICS usually disapproving UK /pəˌtɜː.nəˈlɪs.tɪk/ US /pəˌtɝː.nəˈlɪs.tɪk/ (of people in authority) making decisions for other people rather than letting them take responsibility for their own lives (gia trưởng): The country has a paternalistic culture. He had a paternalistic attitude toward his peers.

Answer 121

be at your wits' end to be so worried, confused, or annoyed that you do not know what to do next: I'm at my wits' end. I don't know how to help him.

Answer 122

skint (=broke) adjective [ after verb ] UK slang UK /skɪnt/ US /skɪnt/ having no money: I get paid each Friday, and by Tuesday I'm always skint.

Answer 123

merry-go-round noun [ C ] UK /ˈmer.i.ɡəʊˌraʊnd/ US /ˈmer.i.ɡoʊˌraʊnd/ đu ngựa/ đu quay (google for image)

Answer 124

knee-jerk adjective disapproving UK /ˈniː.dʒɜːk/ US /ˈniː.dʒɝːk/ knee-jerk reaction, response, person, etc. a quick reaction that does not allow you time to consider something carefully A victim’s knee-jerk reaction to the crime is often revenge.

Answer 125

pull sb's leg informal to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke (= tease): Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?

Answer 126

hoof it informal to walk somewhere, or to walk somewhere quickly: We missed the bus and had to hoof it.

Answer 127

shag UK /ʃæɡ/ US /ʃæɡ/ verb (used with or without object) to have sexual intercourse (with): He was caught shagging his friend’s sister. Sorry, but I don’t shag with just anyone. noun an act or instance of sexual intercourse: It’s been a while since I’ve had a shag. a sexual partner, or a person considered as a sexual object: I bet she’d be a good shag.

Answer 128

egghead noun [ C ] humorous disapproving UK /ˈeɡ.hed/ US /ˈeɡ.hed/ a person, especially a man, who is very clever and interested only in studying and other mental activities

Answer 129

ostracize verb [ T ] US /ˈɑs·trəˌsɑɪz/ to prevent someone from being part of a group because you dislike the person or disapprove of something the person has done: She was ostracized by fellow officers after bringing charges against her partner. ostracism noun [ U ] US /ˈɑs·trəˌsɪz·əm/ Those who refused to conform risked ostracism. # boycott verb [ T ] UK /ˈbɔɪ.kɒt/ US /ˈbɔɪ.kɑːt/ to refuse to buy a product or take part in an activity as a way of expressing strong disapproval: People were urged to boycott the country's products. The union called on its members to boycott the meeting. boycott noun [ C ] UK US A boycott of/against goods from the EU began in June.

Answer 130

A lucid dream is a type of dream where the dreamer becomes aware that they are dreaming.

Answer 131

wherewithal /ˈwɛːwɪðɔːl/ noun the money or other means needed for a particular purpose. "they lacked the wherewithal to pay"

Answer 132

be barking up the wrong tree phrase of bark INFORMAL be pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action. "his wife thinks he's under suspicion, but I'm sure she's barking up the wrong tree"

Answer 133

platonic /pləˈtɒnɪk/ adjective (of love or friendship) intimate and affectionate but not sexual. "their relationship is purely platonic"

Answer 134

prude /pruːd/ noun: prude; plural noun: prudes a person who is or claims to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity. "the sex was so ambiguous and romantic that none but a prude could find it objectionable"

Answer 135

lewd /l(j)uːd/ adjective: lewd; comparative adjective: lewder; superlative adjective: lewdest crude and offensive in a sexual way (=vulgar). "she began to gyrate to the music and sing a lewd song"

Answer 136

mirth /məːθ/ Learn to pronounce noun noun: mirth amusement, especially as expressed in laughter. "his six-foot frame shook with mirth"

Answer 137

have a few, several, etc. irons in the fire to be involved with many activities or jobs at the same time or to make certain that there are always several possibilities available: If that job application doesn't work out I've got a couple more irons in the fire.

Answer 138

virile /ˈvɪraɪl $ ˈvɪrəl/ adjective having strength, energy, and a strong sex drive (typically used of a man). "he was a powerful, virile man"

Answer 139

panacea /ˌpanəˈsiːə/ noun a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases. "the panacea for all corporate ills" To d e t ox i f y t h e b o d y w h i l e simultaneously adding in all necessary nutrients is the ultimate panacea!

Answer 140

spitball verb [ I or T ] mainly US informal UK /ˈspɪt.bɔːl/ US /ˈspɪt.bɑːl/ to quickly suggest ideas to be discussed without thinking about them carefully: I'm just spitballing here. The writers sat around for an hour, spitballing ideas for a character.

Answer 141

proctor verb [ I or T ] US UK /ˈprɒk.tər/ US /ˈprɑːk.tɚ/ (UK invigilate) to watch people taking an exam in order to check that they do not cheat: Miss Jekyll will be proctoring today. He proctored our final. proctor noun [ C ] US UK /ˈprɒk.tər/ US /ˈprɑːk.tɚ/ (UK invigilator) a person whose job is to watch people taking an exam in order to check that they do not cheat: If you need more paper, please ask the proctor. Students must be supervised by one proctor for every 25 test takers.

Answer 142

saucy adjective old-fashioned UK /ˈsɔː.si/ US /ˈsɑː.si/ rude and showing no respect, or referring to sex, especially in a humorous way: a saucy remark/manner/look a saucy postcard/magazine

Answer 143

grouch verb [ I ] informal UK /ɡraʊtʃ/ US /ɡraʊtʃ/ to complain in an angry way: Oh, stop grouching! grouch noun [ C ] informal UK /ɡraʊtʃ/ US /ɡraʊtʃ/ a person who often complains

Answer 144

When playing game, Scarlett's grandma used to remind her not to say "my go" (American English), but "my turn" (British), but this is more relaxed nowadays, especially since Scarlett's generation.

Answer 145

peddler noun [ C ] UK /ˈped.lər/ US /ˈped.lɚ/ (UK also pedlar) especially in the past, a person who travelled to different places to sell small goods, usually by going from house to house disapproving someone who gives ideas to other people: a peddler of New Age philosophies

Answer 146

nostrum /ˈnɒstrəm/ Learn to pronounce noun a medicine prepared by an unqualified person, especially one that is not considered effective. "a charlatan (lang băm) /ˈʃɑːlətən/ who sells nostrums" an idea that someone thinks will solve a problem easily, but will probably not help at all an economic nostrum

Answer 147

homeopathy /ˌhəʊmɪˈɒpəθi,hɒmɪˈɒpəθi/ noun a system of complementary medicine in which ailments are treated by minute doses of natural substances that in larger amounts would produce symptoms of the ailment. A basic belief behind homeopathy is “like cures like" (lấy độc trị độc?) homeopathic /ˌhəʊmɪəˈpaθɪk,ˌhɒmɪəˈpaθɪk/ adjective relating to or using homeopathy. "homeopathic medicine/remedies"

Answer 148

To pepper is also to add to something in many places: He peppered his speech with jokes.

Answer 149

cronyism noun [ U ] disapproving UK /ˈkrəʊ.ni.ɪzm/ US /ˈkroʊ.ni.ɪzm/ the situation in which someone important gives jobs to friends rather than to independent people who have the necessary skills and experience cronyism vs nepotism: = give jobs to FRIENDS vs FAMILY MEMBERS

Answer 150

brush off someone/something — phrasal verb with brush verb US /brʌʃ/ (NOT CONSIDER) to refuse to consider what someone says, or to not admit that something may be true or important: The committee chairman brushed her off when she tried to raise the issue. Ehrlich brushes off suggestions that he's spending taxpayer dollars for campaign ads. => Brushoff (noun, informal): a rejection or dismissal of someone by treating them as unimportant. "he's given her the brush-off" =>> give sb the brush-off / get the brush-off

Answer 151

spat noun UK /spæt/ US /spæt/ spat noun (ARGUMENT) [ C ] informal a short argument, usually about something that is not important: She was having a spat with her brother about who should do the washing up.

Answer 152

on the nose exactly right, often an exact amount of money or time: Her description of the play was right on the nose. => hit it on the nose informal : to be very accurate about something You hit it on the nose when you said she has a controlling personality.

Answer 153

foible noun [ C usually plural ] UK /ˈfɔɪ.bəl/ US /ˈfɔɪ.bəl/ a strange habit or characteristic that is seen as not important and not harming anyone: We all have our little foibles.

Answer 154

yen noun/ verb (infomal) (a) desire, longing for sth => (have a) yen for sth I have a yen for affordable education/ travelling.

Answer 155

assimilate (verb) = learn /əˈsɪm.ɪ.leɪt/ Learners cannot assimilate a lot of information at once.

Answer 156

render (verb) (formal) = make => render sb/sth adj His cuteness renders me shy. Our foibles render us all the more deserving of love.

Answer 157

loathe = hate verb [ T ] UK /ləʊð/ US /loʊð/ C2 to hate someone or something: From an early age the brothers have loathed each other. "Do you like fish?" "No, I loathe it." [ + -ing verb ] I loathe doing housework.

Answer 158

plethora = a lot of (too much/ many) sth noun [ S ] formal UK /ˈpleθ.ər.ə/ US /ˈpleθ.ɚ.ə/ C2 a very large amount of something, especially a larger amount than you need, want, or can deal with: There's a plethora of books about the royal family. The plethora of regulations is both contradictory and confusing.

Answer 159

endeavo(u)r verb endeavor to do sth = try to do sth I endeavor to read 10 books in one year. noun (C or U) = an attempt to do sth This is the result of my recent endeavor to improve teaching quality.

Answer 160

draught (n) a current of cool air in a room e.g. I'm a bit cold because of the draught coming from the windows. => draughty (adj)

Answer 161

scapegoat noun [ C ] UK /ˈskeɪp.ɡəʊt/ US /ˈskeɪp.ɡoʊt/ a person who is blamed for something that someone else has done: The captain was made a scapegoat for the team's failure.

Answer 162

surefire adjective [ before noun ] informal UK /ˈʃɔː.faɪər/ US /ˈʃʊr.faɪr/ certain or likely, especially to succeed: The film looks a surefire Oscar winner. Running into the street like that is a surefire way to get hurt.

Answer 163

hoarse adjective UK /hɔːs/ US /hɔːrs/ (of a voice or a person) having a rough voice, often because of a sore throat or a cold: a hoarse voice She sounded a bit hoarse. You'll make yourself hoarse if you keep shouting like that!

Answer 164

put on airs = give oneself airs: behave in a way that makes you more superior to other people I hate those who often put on airs. I am trying not to give anyone unsolicited advice, just because I want to give myself airs.

Answer 165

bespectacled adjective formal UK /bɪˈspek.tə.kəld/ US /bɪˈspek.tə.kəld/ wearing glasses: a small, bespectacled man in a drab suit

Answer 166

formidable adjective UK /fɔːˈmɪd.ə.bəl/ US /fɔːrˈmɪd.ə.bəl/ C2 causing you to have fear or respect for something or someone because that thing or person is large, powerful, or difficult: a formidable obstacle/task a formidable adversary/enemy/opponent a formidable intellect (disapproving) the director and his formidable wife

Answer 167

twiddle your thumbs rotate one's thumbs round each other with the fingers linked together. be bored or idle because one has nothing to do. "I have been sitting here for goodness knows how long twiddling my thumbs"

Answer 168

hearty adjective UK /ˈhɑː.ti/ US /ˈhɑːr.t̬i/ hearty adjective (ENTHUSIASTIC) enthusiastic, energetic, and often loudly expressed: a hearty welcome a hearty laugh hearty adjective (LARGE) large or (especially of food) in large amounts: We ate a hearty breakfast before we set off. She's got a hearty appetite (= she eats a lot). Hearty is also used to mean satisfying to the taste: a hearty vegetable soup

Answer 169

hysterical adjective UK /hɪˈster.ɪ.kəl/ US /hɪˈster.ɪ.kəl/ C1 unable to control your feelings or behaviour because you are extremely frightened, angry, excited, etc.: Calm down, you're getting hysterical. The police were accused of hysterical over-reaction. hysterical laughter (= uncontrolled laughter) informal extremely funny: His last film was hysterical.

Answer 170

titter verb [ I ] mainly UK UK /ˈtɪt.ər/ US /ˈtɪt̬.ɚ/ to laugh nervously, often at something that you feel you should not be laughing at: A couple of the younger teachers tittered at his dirty jokes. Their performance left the audience tittering with embarrassed laughter.

Answer 171

cosmopolitan adjective usually approving UK /ˌkɒz.məˈpɒl.ɪ.tən/ US /ˌkɑːz.məˈpɑː.lɪ.t̬ən/ C1 containing or having experience of people and things from many different parts of the world: New York is a highly cosmopolitan city.

Answer 172

stud INFORMAL a young man thought to be very active sexually or regarded as a good sexual partner. "a rugged, hairy-chested stud"

Answer 173

me‧an‧der /miˈændə $ -ər/ verb [intransitive] 1 if a river, stream, road etc meanders, it has a lot of bends rather than going in a straight line meander along/across/down etc The river meandered gently along the valley floor. 2 [always + adverb/preposition] to walk somewhere in a slow relaxed way rather than take the most direct way possible meander along/through etc Ari and I meandered around the shops in Innsbruck. A handsome man, clean-shaven and thoughtful, in a Barbour jacket meandered along after them. • Many miles of paths meander through beautiful woodland, parkland and alongside lochs and rivers. Cows still meander through these villages. 3 (also meander on) if a conversation or piece of writing meanders on, it is too long and has no purpose or structure —meanderings noun [plural] his aimless meanderings through Europe —meander noun [countable] meandering adjective UK /miˈæn.dər.ɪŋ/ US /miˈæn.dɚ.ɪŋ/ moving slowly in no particular direction or with no clear purpose: a meandering river a long meandering speech * (my example) Making progress in learning is a meandering process.

Answer 174

grotty /ˈɡrɒti/ adjective INFORMAL•BRITISH 1. unpleasant and of poor quality. "a grotty little hotel" 2. unwell. "I felt grotty and had to leave early"

Answer 175

sharp adjective (FASHIONABLE) = smart informal fashionable: Tony is a very sharp dresser. a sharp-suited (=sharp-dressed) business executive Tod looked really sharp in his tux. a sharp suit

Answer 176

leotard noun [ C ] UK /ˈliː.ə.tɑːd/ US /ˈliː.ə.tɑːrd/ a tight piece of clothing that covers the body but not the legs, usually worn by female dancers or women doing physical exercise Taylor Swift often wears a glittery leotard while performing.

Answer 177

elated adjective UK /iˈleɪ.tɪd/ US /iˈleɪ.t̬ɪd/ C2 extremely happy and excited, often because something has happened or been achieved: The prince was reported to be elated at/by the birth of his daughter. I am elated to be here with you today.

Answer 178

bazillion = bajillion noun [ C ] informal humorous UK /bəˈzɪl.jən/ US /bəˈzɪl.jən/ an extremely large, but not an exact, number: We have a bazillion cable channels and we don't want to watch any of them. Young children often ask a bazillion questions.

Answer 179

jump in at the deep end (also throw sb in at the deep end) C2 If you jump or are thrown in at the deep end, you start doing something new and difficult without help or preparation

Answer 180

muck sb/sth about/around — phrasal verb with muck verb UK /mʌk/ US /mʌk/ mainly UK informal to behave in a silly way, or to treat someone or something in a careless way: Stop mucking about with those ornaments, you'll break something! I'm fed up with them mucking me about and cancelling our arrangements.

Answer 181

crack on — phrasal verb with crack verb UK /kræk/ US /kræk/ UK informal to start or continue doing something, especially more quickly or with more energy after a pause: The meeting needs to finish by 5, so we'd better crack on. Now we've prepared the walls we can crack on with the painting.

Answer 182

ingenuity noun [ U ] UK /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ə.ti/ US /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ə.t̬i/ someone's ability to think of clever new ways of doing something: I was impressed by the ingenuity and energy of the contestants. It took some time and a little ingenuity, but we were able to rescue the animals.

Answer 183

wind sb up — phrasal verb with wind verb UK /waɪnd/ US /waɪnd/ wound | wound /waʊnd/ UK informal (ANNOY) to annoy or upset someone: It really winds me up when he goes on about teachers having an easy life. She just knows how to wind me up.

Answer 184

pull/get your finger out UK informal to start working hard, especially after a period of low activity: She's really going to have to pull her finger out if she wants to finish before Friday.

Answer 185

myr‧i‧ad1 /ˈmɪriəd/ adjective [usually before noun] written (=> I can use in IELTS writing) very many the myriad causes of homelessness a myriad + plural nouns We were plagued by a myriad tiny flies. - a myriad of sth / myriads of sth: a very large number of sth

Answer 186

pro‧lif‧e‧ra‧tion /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ noun (=> I can use in IELTS writing) [singular, uncountable] a sudden increase in the amount or number of something proliferation of the proliferation of global media networks

Answer 187

dove‧tail /ˈdʌvteɪl/ verb (=> I can use in IELTS writing) [intransitive, transitive] to fit together perfectly or to make two plans, ideas etc fit together perfectly dovetail with Dì Anh's vacation plans dovetail nicely with dì Hiền's.

Answer 188

sa‧li‧ent /ˈseɪliənt/ adjective formal (=> I can use in IELTS writing) the salient points or features of something are the most important or most noticeable parts of it the salient points of the report => salience (n)

Answer 189

sol‧ace /ˈsɒlɪs $ ˈsɑː-/ noun formal [uncountable] a feeling of emotional comfort at a time of great sadness or disappointment seek/find solace in something After the death of her son, Val found solace in the church. 2 → be a solace to somebody

Answer 190

ma‧laise /məˈleɪz, mæ-/ noun [singular, uncountable] formal 1 a general problem that is difficult to describe in an exact way a general malaise within society 2 a general feeling that you are slightly ill or not happy in your life Many wanted to share their strange feelings of malaise.

Answer 191

cei‧ling /ˈsiːlɪŋ/ ●●● S3 W3 noun [countable] 1 → roof 2 the largest number or amount of something that is officially allowed ceiling of a public spending ceiling of £240 billion impose/set/put a ceiling (on something) The government imposed a ceiling on imports of foreign cars. raise/lower the ceiling (on something) => glass ˈceiling noun [singular] the attitudes and practices that prevent women or particular groups from getting high-level jobs, even though there are no actual laws or rules to stop them Goodhue shattered the glass ceiling as the first female publisher at Time Inc.

Answer 192

affluent = prosperous = opulent (often used with things) (e.g. opulent lifestyle/ hotel/ fabrics) /ˈɒpjələnt/ [formal] = wealthy = rich (adj) = loaded [informal]

Answer 193

di‧screp‧an‧cy /dɪˈskrepənsi/ ●○○ noun (plural discrepancies) [countable, uncountable] (=disparity in/between) a difference between two amounts, details, reports etc that should be the same. discrepancy in Police found discrepancies in the two men’s reports. discrepancy between There is a large discrepancy between the ideal image of motherhood and the reality. - income/earning/knowledge discrepancy

Answer 194

off‧hand1 /ˌɒfˈhænd◂ $ ˌɒːf-/ adjective 1 British English not very friendly towards someone when you are talking to them She said you were a bit offhand with her this afternoon. an offhand tone of voice 2 said or done without thinking or planning an offhand remark/ comment

Answer 195

rum‧mage1 /ˈrʌmɪdʒ/ verb [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] (also rummage around/about) to search for something by moving things around in a careless or hurried way rummage in/through etc Looks like someone’s been rummaging around in my desk. You can rummage through the pantry looking for snacks.

Answer 196

do a double take to look at someone or something again because you are very surprised by what you saw or heard Colleagues and friends often walked past me in the hallway, then stopped and did a double take.

Answer 197

so‧ror‧i‧ty /səˈrɒrəti $ səˈrɔː-/ [or fraternity /frəˈtɜːnəti $ -ɜːr-/] [C] noun a club for women [or men] students at some American colleges and universities

Answer 198

ti‧tan/ˈtaɪtn/ noun [countable] a very strong or important person Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are two titans of the tech industry. => titanic (adj)

Answer 199

a slew of something informal a large number of things a whole slew of cheap motels

Answer 200

in‧ci‧sive /ɪnˈsaɪsɪv/ adjective showing intelligence and a clear understanding of something incisive remarks/criticism etc Her questions were well-formulated and incisive. => incisively (adj) => incisiveness (n)

Answer 201

bounteous (adj) = very generous

Answer 202

emolument /ɪˈmɒljəmənt/ Bounteous emolument is quid pro quo (= exchange) for the hard work and assiduous (=meticulous) efforts that the employees put in their work.

Answer 203

burgeon (v)

Answer 204

aggravate (v) # (OPP) improve

Answer 205

the brain drain (situation)

Answer 206

LEVY a tax/ fine/ charge/... (on sth)

Answer 207

ex‧or‧bi‧tant /ɪɡˈzɔːbətənt $ -ɔːr-/ ●○○ adjective an exorbitant price, amount of money etc is much higher than it should be SYN astronomical exorbitant rent/prices etc exorbitant rates of interest

Answer 208

make ends meet to have only just enough money to buy the things you need When Mike lost his job, we could barely make ends meet.

Answer 209

(spending, earning, salaries,...) is CAPPED (=limited) Some state colleges have capped enrollment for budgetary reasons. the only county to have its spending capped by the government

Answer 210

STIFLE (# OPP encourage) innovation/debate/people's desires

Answer 211

be up in arms to be very angry and ready to argue or fight Residents are up in arms about plans for a new road along the beach. "teachers are up in arms about new school tests"

Answer 212

nuzzle verb [ I + adv/prep, T ] UK /ˈnʌz.əl/ US /ˈnʌz.əl/ to touch, rub, or press something or someone gently and/or in a way that shows your love, especially with the head or nose, usually with small repeated movements: My dog came and nuzzled my foot to try and cheer me up. The kittens like to nuzzle up against/up to their mother.

Answer 213

tranquil adjective UK /ˈtræŋ.kwɪl/ US /ˈtræŋ.kwəl/ C1 calm and peaceful and without noise, violence, worry, etc.: She stared at the tranquil surface of the water. The hotel is in a tranquil rural setting. A spasm of pain crossed his normally tranquil features.

Answer 214

clove noun UK /kləʊv/ US /kloʊv/ clove noun (PLANT PART) [ C ] a small separate part of a bulb of garlic (= a plant used in cooking): This recipe takes four cloves of garlic. a type of spice (google for image)

Answer 215

Chink (Chinky UK) /tʃɪŋk/ noun [countable] taboo a very offensive word for someone from China. Do not use this word.

Answer 216

coax /kəʊks $ koʊks/ verb [transitive] 1 to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do by talking to them in a kind, gentle, and patient way ‘Please, Vic, come with us, ’ Nancy coaxed. coax somebody into/out of (doing) something We had to coax Alan into going to school. coax somebody to do something We watched the bear coax its cubs to enter the water. coax somebody down/out/back etc Firefighters managed to coax the man down from the roof.

Answer 217

vedge (informal) To relax or enjoy inactivity (but sometimes can have negative connotations) Let's see...do homework or vedge this weekend... https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=vedge

Answer 218

de‧funct /dɪˈfʌŋkt/ adjective formal not existing anymore, or not useful anymore the now-defunct nuclear reactor By adding these tiles, I have created a defunct line (while playing Qwirkle).

Answer 219

scrub up well idiom UK informal approving said about someone when they have made an effort to look nice: Mary scrubs up well.

Answer 220

can’t get enough of something PHRASE 1 to like something very much and want a lot of it Fans of horror movies just can’t get enough of this sort of stuff.

Answer 221

pen‧u‧ry /ˈpenjəri/ noun [uncountable] formal the state of being very poor SYN poverty He died in penury in 1644. —penurious /pəˈnjʊəriəs $ -ˈnʊr-/ adjective

Answer 222

wir‧y /ˈwaɪəri $ ˈwaɪri/ adjective 1 somone who is wiry is thin but has strong muscles

Answer 223

shrewd /ʃruːd/ ●○○ adjective 1 good at judging what people or situations are really like Malcolm is a shrewd businessman. She was shrewd enough to guess who was responsible. Capra looked at her with shrewd eyes. 2 well judged and likely to be right a shrewd decision Bridget has a shrewd idea of what will sell. —shrewdly adverb ‘Something tells me you’ve already decided, ’ he said shrewdly. —shrewdness noun [uncountable]

Answer 224

di‧min‧u‧tive1 /dəˈmɪnjətɪv/ adjective small a shy diminutive man Queen Elizabeth II is a diminutive and graceful woman.

Answer 225

re‧gal /ˈriːɡəl/ adjective formal typical of a king or queen, suitable for a king or queen, or similar to a king or queen in behaviour, looks etc a ceremony of regal splendour James watched with regal detachment. re‧gal /ˈriːɡəl/ adjective formal typical of a king or queen, suitable for a king or queen, or similar to a king or queen in behaviour, looks etc a ceremony of regal splendour James watched with regal detachment.

Answer 226

un‧couth /ʌnˈkuːθ/ adjective behaving and speaking in a way that is rude or socially unacceptable • If she knew it, green and uncouth as she was, Pertwee would know it also. • The stamp of the uncouth barbarian was on me. • The city's elite viewed her as an uncouth farm girl. • This led them to conclude that they were uncouth, filthy creatures who barely knew how to look after themselves. • Even as she sank, she would know the woman was still leaning forward, great uncouth lump, writing. • Despite his uncouth manner and four-letter language, no editor is more courted by senior Conservative politicians. • Before visiting the remote north, I had rather expected the folk there to be rough, uncouth, possibly even hostile. • He had seemed puzzled but intrigued by the clogged, uncouth sketches of peasants. —uncouthly adverb —uncouthness noun [uncountable] # couth /kuːθ/ Learn to pronounce HUMOROUS adjective cultured, refined, and well mannered. "it is more couth to hold your shrimp genteelly by the tail when eating" noun good manners; refinement. "he has no couth, no brains and doesn't know the meaning of the word diplomacy"

Answer 227

rat‧tle1 /ˈrætl/ ●○○ verb [transitive] informal to make someone lose confidence or become nervous His mocking smile rattled her more than his anger. It was hard not to get rattled when the work piled up. His confidence was rattled by the accident. I tried not to let the criticism rattle me (Michelle Obama).

Answer 228

staid /steɪd/ adjective serious, old-fashioned, and boring a staid old bachelor Michelle Obama could escape the stage-managed multilateral (involving several different countries or groups) meetings and sit-downs with leaders and find new ways to bring a little extra warmth to those otherwise staid visits.

Answer 229

lec‧tern /ˈlektən $ -ərn/ noun [countable] an object with a sloping surface that you put an open book or notes on while you are speaking to people in public. At church, = pulpit.

Answer 230

non‧de‧script /ˈnɒndəˌskrɪpt $ ˌnɑːndəˈskrɪpt/ adjective someone or something that is nondescript looks very ordinary and is not at all interesting or unusual a rather nondescript suburban house nondescript = characterless

Answer 231

canned laughter noun [ U ] UK /ˌkænd ˈlɑːf.tər/ US /ˌkænd ˈlæf.tɚ/ recordings of laughter that have been added to a humorous radio or television programme when something funny has been said or done

Answer 232

debacle noun [ C ] UK /deɪˈbɑː.kəl/ US /dɪˈbɑː.kəl/ a complete failure, especially because of bad planning and organization: The collapse of the company was described as the greatest financial debacle in US history. = fiasco

Answer 233

fiasco noun [ C ] UK /fiˈæs.kəʊ/ US /fiˈæs.koʊ/ plural fiascos or mainly US fiascoes something planned that goes wrong and is a complete failure, usually in an embarrassing way: The show was a fiasco - one actor forgot his lines and another fell off the stage. = debacle

Answer 234

ditto adverb UK /ˈdɪt.əʊ/ US /ˈdɪt̬.oʊ/ used to agree with something that has just been said, or to avoid repeating something that has been said: "I hate reality TV shows" "Ditto." Local residents are opposed to the proposal. Ditto many members of the city council (= they are also opposed).

Answer 235

through and through idiom completely: My mother is Irish through and through. I am a teacher through and through.

Answer 236

flab noun [ U ] informal disapproving UK /flæb/ US /flæb/ soft, loose flesh on someone's body: I need to lose this flab on my belly!

Answer 237

shrewd adjective approving UK /ʃruːd/ US /ʃruːd/ C2 having or based on a clear understanding and good judgment of a situation, resulting in an advantage: [ + to infinitive ] He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later. She is a shrewd politician who wants to avoid offending the electorate unnecessarily. It was a shrewd move to buy your house just before property prices started to rise.

Answer 238

dex‧ter‧i‧ty /dekˈsterəti/ noun [uncountable] 1 skill and speed in doing something with your hands Computer games can improve children’s manual dexterity. 2 skill in using words or your mind his charm and verbal dexterity ===== dex‧ter‧ous /ˈdekstərəs/ (also dextrous) adjective 1 skilful and quick when using your hands dextrous use of the needle 2 skilful in using words or your mind his dexterous accounting abilities —dexterously adverb

Answer 239

dit‧to1 /ˈdɪtəʊ $ -toʊ/ ●○○ adverb spoken informal 1 used to say that you have exactly the same opinion as someone else ‘I hated school.’ ‘Ditto.’ 2 used to say that what is true of one thing is also true of another Where should she go? Mississippi? Too hot. Ditto Alabama.

Answer 240

in‧scru‧ta‧ble /ɪnˈskruːtəbəl/ adjective someone who is inscrutable shows no emotion or reaction in the expression on their face so that it is impossible to know what they are feeling or thinking = enigmatic /ˌenəɡˈmadik/ He stood silent and inscrutable. —inscrutably adverb —inscrutability /ɪnˌskruːtəˈbɪləti/ noun [uncountable]

Answer 241

chag‧rin1 /ˈʃæɡrɪn $ ʃəˈɡrɪn/ noun [uncountable] annoyance and disappointment because something has not happened the way you hoped to somebody’s chagrin Much to her chagrin, I got the job.

Answer 242

cede /siːd/ verb [transitive] formal to give something such as an area of land or a right to a country or person, especially when you are forced to - cede something to somebody Hong Kong was ceded to Britain in 1842. - cede control/ power/ responsibility He has been forced to cede control of the company. The airline plans to cede majority ownership to creditors. => ces‧sion /ˈseʃən/ noun [countable, uncountable] (đồng âm với session) the act of giving up land, property, or rights, especially to another country after a war, or something that is given up in this way → cede Spanish cession of the territory in 1818

Answer 243

sal‧vage1 /ˈsælvɪdʒ/ verb [transitive] 1 to save something from an accident or bad situation in which other things have already been damaged, destroyed, or lost Divers hope to salvage some of the ship’s cargo. salvage something from something They managed to salvage only a few of their belongings from the fire. 2 to make sure that you do not lose something completely, or to make sure that something does not fail completely SYN save He fought to salvage the company’s reputation. => sal‧va‧tion /sælˈveɪʃən/ noun [uncountable] 1 something that prevents or saves someone or something from danger, loss, or failure be somebody’s/something’s salvation A drug treatment program was Ron’s salvation. salvation of The Internet turned out to be the salvation of the company. 2 in the Christian religion, the state of being saved from evil

Answer 244

a dust-up (informal) (n) = a fight = an argument = a spat

Answer 245

spurn /spɜːn $ spɜːrn/ verb [transitive] literary/ formal to refuse to accept something or someone, especially because you are too proud SYN reject She spurned all offers of help. a spurned lover

Answer 246

sombre adjective UK (US somber) UK /ˈsɒm.bər/ US /ˈsɑːm.bɚ/ serious, sad, and without humour or entertainment: a sombre atmosphere/voice/face The funeral was a sombre occasion. I left them in a sombre mood. dark and plain: He wore a sombre black suit. => —sombrely adverb —sombreness noun [uncountable]

Answer 247

smug adjective disapproving UK /smʌɡ/ US /smʌɡ/ smugger | smuggest too pleased or satisfied about something you have achieved or something you know: a smug grin She deserved her promotion, but I wish she wasn't so smug about it. There was a hint of smug self-satisfaction in her voice. He's been unbearably smug since he gave up smoking.

Answer 248

'c' + /e/ (centre), /ai/ (nice), /i:/ (cease, cede), /i/ (city) => 'c' pronounced as /s/. 'c' + other sounds (cap, cup, crap,...) => pronounced as /k/

Answer 249

u‧surp /juːˈzɜːp $ -ˈsɜːrp/ verb [transitive] formal to take someone else’s power, position, job etc when you do not have the right to There were a couple of attempts to usurp the young king. Streets, created by pedestrians, were usurped by motorists. —usurper noun [countable] —usurpation /ˌjuːzɜːˈpeɪʃən $ -sɜːr-/ noun [uncountable]

Answer 250

di‧spar‧age /dɪˈspærɪdʒ/ verb [transitive] formal to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you do not think they are very good or important Matcham’s theatres were widely disparaged by architects. —disparagement noun [countable, uncountable]

Answer 251

rap‧tu‧rous /ˈræptʃərəs/ adjective [usually before noun] expressing great happiness or admiration – used especially in news reports She was greeted with rapturous applause. The actor got a long, rapturous standing ovation rapturous reception/welcome He was given a rapturous welcome. —rapturously adverb

Answer 252

leer‧y /ˈlɪəri $ ˈlɪri/ adjective informal careful in the way that you deal with something or someone because you do not trust them SYN wary leery of I was very leery of him after I found out he had lied to Jennifer.

Answer 253

ten‧et /ˈtenɪt/ noun [countable] a principle or belief, especially one that is part of a larger system of beliefs central/basic/fundamental etc tenet one of the basic tenets of democracy tenet of the main tenet of his philosophy

Answer 254

a bev‧y /ˈbevi/ of a large group of people of the same kind, especially girls or young women a bevy of beauties/ lovely women/ movie stars/ media

Answer 255

green‧gro‧cer /ˈɡriːnˌɡrəʊsə $ -ˌɡroʊsər/ noun [countable] especially British English 1 someone who owns or works in a shop selling fruit and vegetables 2 → greengrocer’s = a greengrocer's shop

Answer 256

marshal /ˈmɑːʃəl $ ˈmɑːr-/ verb (marshalled, marshalling British English, marshaled, marshaling American English) [transitive] 1 to organize your thoughts, ideas etc so that they are clear, effective, or easy to understand marshal your thoughts/arguments etc He paused for a moment as if to marshal his thoughts. 2 to organize all the people or things that you need in order to be ready for a battle, election etc The general marshalled his forces for a major offensive. Senator Bryant attempted to marshal support for the measure. 3 to control or organize a large group The teacher marshalled the children into one group. ====== mar‧shal /ˈmɑːʃəl $ ˈmɑːr-/ noun [countable] 1 an officer of the highest rank in the army or air force of some countries Marshal Zhukov the Marshal of the Royal Air Force 2 an official in charge of an important public event or ceremony Heston has been named grand marshal of the parade. 3 a person who controls crowds, traffic etc at a sports event or other public event I could see a marshal on the finish line waving a yellow flag.

Answer 257

quad‧ri‧ple‧gic /ˌkwɒdrəˈpliːdʒɪk◂ $ ˌkwɑː-/ noun [countable] someone who is permanently unable to move any part of their body below their neck → paraplegic A car accident left him a quadriplegic. —quadriplegia noun [uncountable] —quadriplegic adjective

Answer 258

for‧ti‧tude /ˈfɔːtɪtjuːd $ ˈfɔːrtɪtuːd/ noun [uncountable] formal courage shown when you are in great pain or experiencing a lot of trouble SYN strength Winnie is a woman of quiet fortitude who has endured a lot of suffering. He showed great fortitude and tenacity in carrying on his professional work in spite of adversity resulting from enemy action.

Answer 259

by far = far and away : by a great amount Watching sport was by far the most popular activity on Saturday afternoons. Spring is far and away the best time to visit the islands.

Answer 260

brash /bræʃ/ adjective 1 behaving too confidently and speaking too loudly – used to show disapproval brash journalists Steve Job used to be a brash young man. 2 a brash building, place, or object attracts attention by being very colourful, large, exciting etc The painting was bold, brash, and modern. —brashly adverb —brashness noun [uncountable]

Answer 261

gaunt /ɡɔːnt $ ɡɒːnt/ adjective 1 very thin and pale, especially because of illness or continued worry SYN drawn the old man’s gaunt face Steve Jobs was gaunt and frail in the last months of his life. 2 literary a building, mountain etc that is gaunt looks very plain and unpleasant a gaunt cathedral —gauntness noun [uncountable]

Answer 262

fatalistic adjective UK /ˌfeɪ.təlˈɪs.tɪk/ US /ˌfeɪ.t̬əlˈɪs.tɪk/ believing that people cannot change the way events will happen and that events, especially bad ones, cannot be avoided: She was fatalistic about the future. He had a fatalistic acceptance of his bad luck in life. CEO of Disney said to the creator of Star Wars: "I don't wanna be fatalistic, George, and please stop me if you would rather not have this conversation, but I think it's worth putting this on the table."

Answer 263

stick to one's guns phrase of gun INFORMAL refuse to compromise or change, despite criticism.

Answer 264

deft /dɛft/ adjective neatly skilful and quick in one's movements. "a deft piece of footwork" demonstrating skill and cleverness. "the script was both deft and literate"

Answer 265

chafe tʃeɪf/ verb 1. (with reference to a part of the body) make or become sore by rubbing against something. "the collar chafed his neck" 2. rub (a part of the body) to restore warmth or sensation. "I chafed her feet and wrapped the blanket round her" noun 1. wear or damage caused by rubbing. "to prevent chafe the ropes should lie flat"

Answer 266

swindle /ˈswɪnd(ə)l/ verb use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions. => swindle sb OUT OF sth "a businessman swindled investors out of millions of pounds" noun a fraudulent scheme or action. "he is mixed up in a £10 million insurance swindle"

Answer 267

hoax /həʊks $ hoʊks/ noun [countable] 1 a false warning about something dangerous a bomb hoax hoax calls (=telephone calls giving false information) to the police 2 an attempt to make people believe something that is not true an elaborate hoax

Answer 268

big‧ot‧ry /ˈbɪɡətri/ noun [uncountable] bigoted behaviour or beliefs SYN prejudice sensational news stories that just encourage bigotry

Answer 269

xen‧o‧pho‧bi‧a /ˌzenəˈfəʊbiə $ -ˈfoʊ-/ noun [uncountable] strong fear or dislike of people from other countries► see thesaurus at prejudice —xenophobic adjective

Answer 270

kook /kuːk/ noun [countable] American English informal someone who is silly or crazy => kooky (adj)

Answer 271

in‧nu‧en‧do /ˌɪnjuˈendəʊ $ -doʊ/ noun (plural innuendoes or innuendos) [countable, uncountable] a remark that suggests something sexual or unpleasant without saying it directly, or these remarks in general → double entendre His writing is full of sexual innuendoes. a campaign based on rumour, innuendo, and gossip

Answer 272

vest verb [ T ] fml US /vest/ vest verb [T] (GIVE POWER TO) to give someone or something the power to do something: Political power is now vested in an elected parliament. if an employee's shares, payments to a pension plan, etc. vest or are vested, there is an agreed period that an employee must work for the company before they can use or sell them: When an employee has worked for the company for five years, their benefits shall be fully vested. Even before restricted shares vest, the employee receives ongoing dividends.

Answer 273

vault verb UK /vɒlt/ US /vɑːlt/ [ T ] formal to move someone or something suddenly to a much more important position: Last week's changes vaulted the general to the top, over the heads of several of his seniors. His impressive fundraising vaulted him into the top tier of candidates. vault to sth: In June, gasoline vaulted 3.01 cents to 66.04 cents a gallon. vault into sth: Can these small firms vault into the big league?

Answer 274

hyperbole noun [ U ] formal UK /haɪˈpɜː.bəl.i/ US /haɪˈpɝː.bəl.i/ a way of speaking or writing that makes someone or something sound bigger, better, more, etc. than they are: The blurb on the back of the book was full of the usual hyperbole - "enthralling", "fascinating", and so on. Synonym exaggeration => hyperbolic adjective UK /ˌhaɪ.pəˈbɒl.ɪk/ US /ˌhaɪ.pɚˈbɑː.lɪk/ hyperbolic adjective (SPEECH) formal relating to a way of speaking or writing that makes someone or something sound bigger, better, more, etc., than they are: hyperbolic rhetoric He wrote in very hyperbolic terms.

Answer 275

gush verb US /ɡʌʃ/ gush verb (FLOW) [ I ] to flow or pour out suddenly in large amounts: Water gushed out of the broken pipe. gush verb (EXPRESS) gush noun + verb to express admiration, praise, or pleasure, in such a strong and enthusiastic way that it does not seem sincere: "This is the best party I’ve ever had," Taylor gushed. [ I ] Mom gushed over the baby.

Answer 276

inoculate verb UK /ɪˈnɒk.jə.leɪt/ US /ɪˈnɑː.kjə.leɪt/ [ I or T ] to protect someone from being badly affected by something, usually by giving them some experience of it: Psychologists recognize that stressful life events may inoculate an individal against trauma. Unfortunately, age does not inoculate against a broken heart.

Answer 277

plain‧spo‧ken /ˌpleɪnˈspəʊkən◂ $ -ˈspoʊ-/ adjective saying exactly what you think, especially in a way that people think is honest rather than rude a straightforward, plainspoken man

Answer 278

undergird verb [ T ] formal UK /ˌʌn.dəˈɡɜːd/ US /ˌʌn.dɚˈɡɜ˞ːd/ to support something by forming a strong base for it: These are the four major theories that undergird criminal law.

Answer 279

buttress verb [ T ] UK /ˈbʌt.rəs/ US /ˈbʌt.rəs/ to make support for an idea or argument stronger by providing a good reason for it: The arguments for change are buttressed by events elsewhere.

Answer 280

ripflation noun [U] = ripoff inflation /rɪpˈfleɪ.ʃᵊn/ the situation when companies use inflation as an excuse to increase their prices more than necessary in a way that rips off (= cheats) their customers

Answer 281

slight noun [ C ] UK /slaɪt/ US /slaɪt/ an action that insults a person because someone fails to pay attention to them or to treat them with the respect that they deserve: I regarded her failure to acknowledge my greeting as a slight. Synonym insult

Answer 282

staunch adjective UK /stɔːntʃ/ US /stɑːntʃ/ always loyal in supporting a person, organization, or set of beliefs or opinions: a staunch friend and ally He gained a reputation as being a staunch defender/supporter of civil rights.

Answer 283

languish verb [ I ] UK /ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ US /ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ to exist in an unpleasant or unwanted situation, often for a long time: After languishing in obscurity for many years, her early novels have recently been rediscovered. He has been languishing in jail for the past 20 years. The ruling party is languishing in third place in the opinion polls.

Answer 284

dreary adjective disapproving UK /ˈdrɪə.ri/ US /ˈdrɪr.i/ boring and making you feel unhappy: a dreary little town She had spent another dreary day in the office.

Answer 285

munch verb [ I or T ] UK /mʌntʃ/ US /mʌntʃ/ to eat something, especially noisily: He was munching on an apple. We watched her munch her way through a bag of peanuts. Synonyms champ chomp informal

Answer 286

premonition noun [ C ] UK /ˌprem.əˈnɪʃ.ən/ /ˌpriː.məˈnɪʃ.ən/ US /ˌprem.əˈnɪʃ.ən/ /ˌpriː.məˈnɪʃ.ən/ a feeling that something, especially something unpleasant, is going to happen: [ + that ] He had a premonition that his plane would crash, so he took the train. She had a sudden premonition of what the future might bring.

Answer 287

dignitary noun [ C ] UK /ˈdɪɡ.nɪ.tər.i/ US /ˈdɪɡ.nə.ter.i/ a person who has an important position in a society: Several foreign dignitaries attended the ceremony. Synonyms VIP bigwig informal

Answer 288

state visit noun [ C ] UK /ˌsteɪt ˈvɪz.ɪt/ US /ˌsteɪt ˈvɪz.ɪt/ an official formal visit by the leader of one country to another

Answer 289

pomp noun UK /pɒmp/ US /pɑːmp/ pomp noun (CEREMONY) [ U ] impressive and colourful ceremonies, especially traditional ceremonies on public occasions: The prime minister was received with all the traditional pomp and ceremony that is laid on for visiting heads of government. Despite all the pomp of his office/position, he has only limited powers. in sb's pomp informal at a time when someone was most successful or popular: Today his game was reminiscent of that of Pele in his pomp. pomp and circumstance formal ceremonies: After two hours of pomp and circumstance, the diplomas were awarded and the audience went wild.

Answer 290

relish verb [ T ] formal UK /ˈrel.ɪʃ/ US /ˈrel.ɪʃ/ C2 to like or enjoy something: I always relish a challenge. [ + -ing verb ] I don't relish telling her that her son has been arrested.

Answer 291

recital noun [ C ] US /rɪˈsɑɪ·t̬əl/ a performance of music or dance, usually given by one person or a small group of people: a piano recital

Answer 292

diatribe noun [ C ] formal UK /ˈdaɪ.ə.traɪb/ US /ˈdaɪ.ə.traɪb/ an angry speech or piece of writing that severely criticizes something or someone: He launched into a long diatribe against the lack of action in Congress.

Answer 293

steer clear of someone/something idiom C2 to avoid someone or something that seems unpleasant, dangerous, or likely to cause problems: Her speech steered clear of controversial issues. They warned their children to steer clear of drugs.

Answer 294

juxtapose verb [ T ] UK /ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpəʊz/ US /ˌdʒʌk.stəˈpoʊz/ to put things that are not similar next to each other: The exhibition juxtaposes Picasso's early drawings with some of his later works. => juxtaposition noun [ U ] UK /ˌdʒʌk.stə.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ US /ˌdʒʌk.stə.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/ the fact of putting things that are not similar next to each other: the juxtaposition of two very different cultures An odd juxtaposition of talents worked exceedingly well on the project.

Answer 295

bat mitzvah noun [ C usually singular ] UK /ˌbæt ˈmɪts.və/ US /ˌbæt ˈmɪts.və/ a Jewish ceremony held to celebrate a girl reaching the age of twelve, in which she is given the religious responsibilities and duties of an adult woman

Answer 296

loaf verb [ I ] informal UK /ləʊf/ US /loʊf/ to avoid activity, especially work: Stop loafing (about/around) and get on with cleaning the windows!

Answer 297

the minutiae noun [ plural ] /maɪˈnjuːʃiaɪ, mə- $ məˈnuː-/ small and often not important details: The committee studied the minutiae of the report for hours. Comedy is so often based on the minutiae of everyday life. - tick through the minutiae of a shopping list

Answer 298

conspicuous adjective UK /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ US /kənˈspɪk.ju.əs/ very noticeable or attracting attention, often in a way that is not wanted: In China, her blonde hair was conspicuous. He tried not to look conspicuous and moved slowly along the back of the room. Opposite inconspicuous

Answer 299

apt adjective US /æpt/ apt adjective (CORRECT) correct or right for a particular situation: Chris’s apt comments summed up our opinions. apt adjective (LIKELY) [ + to infinitive ] likely: This old roof is apt to leak when it rains.

Answer 300

don verb [ T ] formal UK /dɒn/ US /dɑːn/ -nn- to put on a piece of clothing: He donned his finest coat and hat. don helmets

Answer 301

blithe adjective UK /blaɪð/ US /blaɪð/ happy and without worry: She shows a blithe disregard for danger. Synonym light-hearted

Answer 302

pitch verb UK /pɪtʃ/ US /pɪtʃ/ pitch verb (MOVE) [ I or T, usually + adv/prep ] to move or be moved suddenly, especially by throwing or being thrown: She pitched the stone into the river. The ball pitched (= landed) short. The bike hit a rut and I was pitched (forward) onto the road. The ship pitched up and down/from side to side in the rough seas. The small child blithely pitch food from her high chair.

Answer 303

hop a plane/bus/train etc American English informal to get on a plane, bus, train etc, especially after suddenly deciding to do so So we hopped a bus to Phoenix that night.

Answer 304

ballast noun [ U ] UK /ˈbæl.əst/ US /ˈbæl.əst/ something that helps someone or something to succeed, especially by keeping them or it under control, or making them or it more serious: He needed his platoon mates around him. They were his ballast. The team is struggling because of a shortage of the ballast that senior players provide. My friends gave me emotional ballast.

Answer 305

homophobic adjective UK /ˌhəʊ.məˈfəʊ.bɪk/ US /ˌhoʊ.məˈfoʊ.bɪk/ involving a fear or dislike of gay people: a homophobic attitude His critics say he is racist and homophobic. => homophobia (n)

Answer 306

jam1 /dʒæm/ ●●● S3 noun 1 Image of jamFOOD [countable, uncountable] a thick sweet substance made from boiled fruit and sugar, eaten especially on bread → jelly strawberry jam a jam sandwich jam jars 2 CARS/PEOPLE [countable] a situation in which it is difficult or impossible to move because there are so many cars or people Sorry we’re late. We got stuck in a traffic jam. 3 MACHINE [countable] a situation in which a machine does not work because something is stopping a part from moving It caused a jam in the printer. 4 DIFFICULT SITUATION [countable usually singular] informal a difficult situation (be/get) in/out of/into a jam We became friends after he helped me out of a jam. 5 MUSIC [countable] a) a jam session b) a song or piece of music, especially one by a rap or rock group 6 → kick out the jams 7 → jam tomorrow jam2 ●●○ verb (jammed, jamming) 1 PUSH HARD [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to push something somewhere using a lot of force, until it can move no further He jammed his foot on the accelerator and the car sped off. A chair had been jammed up against the door. 2 MACHINE [intransitive, transitive] (also jam up) if a moving part of something jams, or if you jam it, it no longer works properly because something is preventing it from moving The front roller has jammed on the photocopier. 3 BLOCK [intransitive, transitive] (also jam up) if a lot of people or vehicles jam a place, they fill it so that it is difficult to move SYN cram Crowds jammed the entrance to the stadium. jam into They all jammed into the car. → jammed(2) 4 MUSIC [intransitive] (also jam out) to play music in an informal way with other people → jam session 5 → jam on the brakes 6 → jam somebody’s/the switchboard 7 RADIO [transitive] to deliberately prevent broadcasts or other electronic signals from being received, by broadcasting signals on the same wavelength 8 → somebody is jamming

Answer 307

punk verb [ T ] US informal UK /pʌŋk/ US /pʌŋk/ punk verb [T] (TRICK) to trick or make fun of someone: Then they realized they'd been punked.

Answer 308

lenient adjective UK /ˈliː.ni.ənt/ US /ˈliː.ni.ənt/ C2 not as severe or strong in punishment or judgment as would be expected: They believe that judges are too lenient with terrorist suspects. In view of the quantity of drugs involved, 16 years was the most lenient sentence (= punishment) the judge could impose.

Answer 309

cougar /ˈkuːɡə/ INFORMAL an older woman seeking a sexual relationship with a younger man. "And with the greater power and freedom that today's women enjoy, cougars are becoming an increasingly common phenomenon."

Answer 310

fraught /frɔːt/ causing or affected by anxiety or stress. "there was a fraught silence"

Answer 311

dalliance /ˈdalɪəns/ Learn to pronounce noun a casual romantic or sexual relationship. "Jack was not averse to an occasional dalliance with a pretty girl" a period of brief or casual involvement with something. "Berkeley was my last dalliance with the education system"

Answer 312

vigil noun [ C or U ] UK /ˈvɪdʒ.əl/ US /ˈvɪdʒ.əl/ an act of staying awake, especially at night, in order to be with a person who is very ill or dying, or to make a protest, or to pray: His parents kept vigil beside his bed for weeks before he died. Supporters of the peace movement held an all-night candlelit vigil outside the cathedral.

Answer 313

highbrow adjective mainly disapproving UK /ˈhaɪ.braʊ/ US /ˈhaɪ.braʊ/ (of books, plays, etc.) involving serious and complicated or artistic ideas, or (of people) interested in serious and complicated subjects highbrow noun [ C ] mainly disapproving UK /ˈhaɪ.braʊ/ US /ˈhaɪ.braʊ/ a person who is only interested in serious art or complicated subjects: This is a film for highbrows. lowbrow adjective mainly disapproving UK /ˈləʊ.braʊ/ US /ˈloʊ.braʊ/ (of entertainment) not complicated or demanding much intelligence to be understood: He regards the sort of books I read as very lowbrow. I like a lowbrow action movie once in a while. middlebrow adjective mainly disapproving UK /ˈmɪd.əl.braʊ/ US /ˈmɪd.əl.braʊ/ Middlebrow music, literature, art, and films are of good quality, interesting, and often popular, but can be understood quite easily.

Answer 314

be in over your head idiom informal to be involved in a difficult situation that you cannot get out of: Sean tried to pay his gambling debts, but he was in over his head. He realized that he was in over his head, and that only his family could help him. Whether I sink, whether I swim, it makes no difference when I'm beautifully in over my head.

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noun a stupid or careless mistake. "she stopped, finally aware of the terrible blunder she had made" Vulgar slang:fuck-up verb make a stupid or careless mistake; act or speak clumsily.

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Pied Piper [paɪd ˈpaɪpər] noun the hero of a German folk legend, popularized in The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1842) by Robert Browning. (sometimes lowercase) a person who induces others to follow or imitate him or her, especially by means of false or extravagant promises.

Answer 317

rac‧y /ˈreɪsi/ adjective racy writing is exciting and entertaining and often about sex a racy novel

Answer 318

scribble verb [ I or T ] UK /ˈskrɪb.əl/ US /ˈskrɪb.əl/ to write or draw something quickly or carelessly: The baby's just scribbled all over my new dictionary! He took the clipboard and scribbled something illegible. [ + two objects ] I'll just scribble Dad a note/scribble a note to Dad to say we're going out.

Answer 319

le‧gi‧ble /ˈledʒəbəl/ adjective written or printed clearly enough for you to read OPP illegible Her handwriting was so tiny it was barely legible. —legibly adverb —legibility /ˌledʒəˈbɪləti/ noun [uncountable] # illegible /ɪˈlɛdʒɪb(ə)l/ adjective not clear enough to be read. "his handwriting is totally illegible" —illegibly adverb —illegibility /ɪˌledʒəˈbɪləti/ noun [uncountable]

Answer 320

dog-eared adjective UK /ˈdɒɡ.ɪəd/ US /ˈdɑːɡ.ɪrd/ A book or paper that is dog-eared has the pages turned down at the corners as a result of a lot of use. My review copy is already looking rather dog-eared! We have, and we notice the dog-eared books that they are bringing home, the lack of books and the shared books. ////crease the corner(s) of a book

Answer 321

well thumbed adjective UK /ˌwel ˈθʌmd/ US /ˌwel ˈθʌmd/ A well thumbed book, magazine, etc. is one whose slightly damaged appearance shows that it has been used many times. It is dog-eared and well thumbed, and not all the thumb marks are my own. The dictionary owned by a dyslexic person is always, like mine, very well thumbed. My copy is already well thumbed.

Answer 322

forthcoming adjective UK /ˈfɔːθˌkʌm.ɪŋ/ US /ˈfɔːrθˌkʌm.ɪŋ/ forthcoming adjective (SOON) B2 [ before noun ] happening soon: We have just received the information about the forthcoming conference. friendly and helpful, willing to give information or to talk: I had difficulty getting any details. He wasn't very forthcoming. The queen was very forthcoming in giving me advice. He has not been forthcoming about the details of his contract. C1 [ after verb ] produced, supplied, or given: No explanation for his absence was forthcoming. Will financial support for the theatre project be forthcoming?

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aura /ˈɔːrə/ noun 1. the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place. "the ceremony retains an aura of mystery" The woods have an aura of mystery. There's an aura of sadness about him.

Answer 324

pho·ny /ˈfōnē/ INFORMAL adjective not genuine; fraudulent. "I thought your accent was a bit phony" noun a fraudulent person or thing.

Answer 325

prickly adjective UK /ˈprɪk.əl.i/ /ˈprɪk.li/ US /ˈprɪk.əl.i/ /ˈprɪk.li/ prickly adjective (SHARP) 1. covered with prickles: Chestnuts had burst out of their prickly green husks. I find this sweater slightly prickly (= it makes the skin sore). 2. informal unfriendly and easily offended or annoyed: She was asked a couple of questions about her private life and got a little prickly.

Answer 326

down-and-out adjective UK /ˌdaʊn.əˈnaʊt/ US /ˌdaʊn.əˈnaʊt/ C2 having no luck, no money, and no opportunities: a down-and-out loser Nobody loves you when you're down and out. a person who has no money and no home: I was never a down-and-out, but it did start to look that way. Down-and-outs warmed themselves at bonfires on the lorry park.

Answer 327

bug noun (DEVICE) [ C ] a very small device fixed on to a phone or hidden in a room, that allows you to listen to what people are saying without them knowing bug verb [T] (HIDE DEVICE) to place or hide a listening device inside something: often passive She suspected that her phone had been bugged.

Answer 328

steal a march on someone idiom If you steal a march on someone, you get an advantage over that person by acting before they do: Our rival company managed to steal a march on us by bringing out their software ahead of ours.

Answer 329

neb‧u‧lous /ˈnebjələs/ adjective formal 1 an idea that is nebulous is not at all clear or exact SYN vague ‘Normality’ is a rather nebulous concept. 2 a shape that is nebulous is unclear and has no definite edges a nebulous ghostly figure

Answer 330

thick-ˈheaded adjective informal extremely stupid He’s so thick-headed he can’t understand simple instructions.

Answer 331

fall on deaf ears if advice or a warning falls on deaf ears, everyone ignores it

Answer 332

go/turn crimson if someone goes or turns crimson, their face becomes red because they are embarrassed or angry crimson = a dark, deep red color

Answer 333

opportune adjective formal UK /ˈɒp.ə.tʃuːn/ US /ˌɑː.pɚˈtuːn/ happening at a time that is likely to produce success or is convenient: This seems to be an opportune moment for reviving our development plan. Would it be opportune to discuss the contract now? Opposite inopportune

Answer 334

wind·bag /ˈwin(d)baɡ/ nounDEROGATORY•INFORMAL a person who talks at length but says little of value. "I think he's a pompous old windbag"

Answer 335

a jackass = a blockhead

Answer 336

objectify verb [ T ] UK /əbˈdʒek.tɪ.faɪ/ US /əbˈdʒek.tɪ.faɪ/ to treat a person like a tool or toy, as if they had no feelings, opinions, or rights of their own: She denied that the magazine objectified women. Synonym depersonalize => Objectification (n) Pornography is often an example of the objectification of women by men.

Answer 337

blinker = indicator

Answer 338

san‧guine /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/ adjective formal happy and hopeful about the future SYN optimistic sanguine about Other economists are more sanguine about the possibility of inflation. a sanguine view

Answer 339

be beside yourself to be feeling so angry, excited etc that you find it difficult to control yourself The poor girl was almost beside herself. be beside yourself with anger/excitement/rage etc Mom and Dad will be beside themselves with worry.

Answer 340

fancy2 ●○○ noun (plural fancies) 1 LIKING/WISH [singular] especially British English a) a feeling, especially one that is not particularly strong or urgent, that you like someone or want to have something take a fancy to somebody/something (=decide that you like someone or want to have something) Mr Hill took a real fancy to Clara. Wanting to go to Mexico was just a passing fancy (=the feeling did not last long). Because of its high cost, a carpet is not an item that you change as the fancy takes you (=whenever you want). b) take/catch your fancy if something takes or catches your fancy, you like it or want to have it Did you see anything that took your fancy? 2 → tickle somebody’s fancy: informal to seem attractive or amusing to someone The idea of playing a joke on her tickled his fancy. If I see something that tickles my fancy, I’m going to buy it.

Answer 341

come to terms with something to accept an unpleasant or sad situation and no longer feel upset or angry about it George and Elizabeth have come to terms with the fact that they will never have children. Counselling helped her come to terms with her grief. Although everyone in my family was against my relationship with An at the very beginning, they all seem to have come to terms with it.

Answer 342

bul‧lish /ˈbʊlɪʃ/ adjective 1 [not before noun] feeling confident about the future He’s very bullish about the company’s prospects. 2 technical in a business market that is bullish, the prices of shares are rising or seem likely to rise → bearish —bullishly adverb —bullishness noun [uncountable]

Answer 343

mo‧not‧o‧nous /məˈnɒtənəs $ məˈnɑː-/ adjective boring because of always being the same a monotonous diet a little boy who wet his bed with monotonous regularity After coming home from the UK, my life has become quite monotonous recently. —monotonously adverb The rain poured monotonously out of the grey sky.

Answer 344

hum‧drum /ˈhʌmdrʌm/ adjective boring and ordinary, and having no variety or interest SYN tedious humdrum existence/job/life etc the prisoners’ humdrum routine

Answer 345

mansplain verb [ I or T ] informal UK /ˈmæn.spleɪn/ US /ˈmæn.spleɪn/ to explain something to someone in a way that suggests that they are stupid; used especially when a man explains something to a woman that she already understands: I've just had a guy mansplain my own job to me.

Answer 346

have more than one string to your bow British English to have more than one skill, idea, plan etc that you can use if you need to [said to Taylor swift] Directing must be another string to your bow.

Answer 347

rave verb [ I ] UK /reɪv/ US /reɪv/ rave verb [I] (SPEAK FOOLISHLY) to speak in an uncontrolled way, usually because you are upset or angry, or because you are ill: He's always raving (on) about the government. She was ranting and raving about some imagined insult. informal to praise something very much: She raved about/over the clothes she had seen at the Paris fashion shows. adjective [ before noun ] informal UK /reɪv/ US /reɪv/ admiring and giving a lot of praise: The show has received rave reviews/notices in all the papers. noun [ C ] mainly UK informal UK /reɪv/ US /reɪv/ an event where young people dance to modern electronic music and sometimes take illegal drugs: an all-night/open-air rave rave music

Answer 348

dote on someone phrasal verb with dote verb UK /dəʊt/ US /doʊt/ to love someone completely and believe they are perfect: He dotes on the new baby.

Answer 349

vis‧ce‧ral /ˈvɪsərəl/ adjective 1 literary visceral beliefs and attitudes are the result of strong feelings rather than careful thought his visceral hatred of the ruling class

Answer 350

scrape2 noun 1 [countable] a mark or slight injury caused by rubbing against a rough surface SYN graze I came away from the accident with only cuts and scrapes. 2 [countable] informal a situation in which you are in trouble or have difficulties He got into all sorts of scrapes as a boy. 3 [singular] the noise made when one surface rubs roughly against another scrape of He heard the scrape of chairs being dragged across the floor.

Answer 351

nin‧com‧poop /ˈnɪŋkəmpuːp/ noun [countable] old-fashioned a stupid person [Enola Holmes says] You're such a nincompoop.

Answer 352

im‧pec‧ca‧ble /ɪmˈpekəbəl/ adjective without any faults and impossible to criticize SYN perfect She has taught her children impeccable manners. a bar with impeccable service —impeccably adverb impeccably dressed

Answer 353

take someone for a ride idiom informal to deceive or cheat someone: I think we've been taken for a ride.

Answer 354

be firing on all cylinders idiom to be operating as powerfully and effectively as possible: Dawson will be firing on all cylinders after two months of fitness training. Everything can be firing on all cylinders and you perform better than usual.

Answer 355

Being well-calibrated means you are usually right when you predict something will happen or say something is true. # OPP poorly-calibrated or miscalibrated calibrate (v): to check a measuring instrument to see if it is accurate

Answer 356

carry a torch for somebody to love someone romantically who does not love you He’s been carrying a torch for your sister for years.

Answer 357

be on the ball idiom C1 to be quick to understand and react to things: I didn't sleep well last night and I'm not really on the ball today.

Answer 358

smit‧ten2 adjective [not before noun] 1 suddenly feeling that you love someone very much As soon as he saw her, he was smitten. smitten by/with The Queen was totally smitten with Philip. The Queen was smitten by Philip's zest for adventure.

Answer 359

mag‧nan‧i‧mous /mæɡˈnænɪməs/ adjective kind and generous, especially to someone that you have defeated a magnanimous gesture —magnanimously adverb —magnanimity /ˌmæɡnəˈnɪməti/ noun [uncountable]

Answer 360

wretch‧ed /ˈretʃɪd/ adjective 1 someone who is wretched is very unhappy or ill, and you feel sorry for them the poor, wretched girl 2 if you feel wretched, you feel guilty and unhappy because of something bad that you have done Guy felt wretched about it now. 3 [only before noun] making you feel annoyed or angry Where is that wretched boy? 4 literary extremely bad or unpleasant SYN miserable I was shocked to see their wretched living conditions. —wretchedly adverb —wretchedness noun [uncountable]

Answer 361

the world is someone's oyster idiom If the world is your oyster, you can do what you want or go where you want: You're young and healthy and you have no commitments - the world is your oyster.

Answer 362

hem and haw idiom US (UK hum and haw) to be uncertain and take a long time deciding something: We hemmed and hawed for months before actually deciding to buy the house.

Answer 363

teem with something/sb phrasal verb with teem verb [ I ] UK UK /tiːm/ US /tiːm/ (also teem down) to contain large numbers of animals or people: There are acres of rolling grassland, teeming with elk and antelope. The shopping centre was teeming with shoppers that Saturday. He can remember the days when his neighbourhood was teeming with life. Britain and Ireland's waters are teeming with life, from little sea anemones to mighty sharks.

Answer 364

ominous adjective UK /ˈɒm.ɪ.nəs/ US /ˈɑː.mə.nəs/ suggesting that something unpleasant is likely to happen: There was an ominous silence when I asked whether my contract was going to be renewed. The engine had been making an ominous sound all the way from my parents' house. ominous dark clouds Synonym menacing UK /ˈmen.ɪ.sɪŋ/ US /ˈmen.ə.sɪŋ/ Opposite auspicious formal UK /ɔːˈspɪʃ.əs/ US /ɑːˈspɪʃ.əs/

Answer 365

depot noun [ C ] UK /ˈdep.əʊ/ US /ˈdiː.poʊ/ a building where supplies or vehicles, especially buses, are kept: an arms/weapons depot a fuel/storage depot a bus depot US old-fashioned a bus station or train station

Answer 366

bouncer noun [ C ] UK /ˈbaʊn.sər/ US /ˈbaʊn.sɚ/ someone whose job is to stand outside a bar, party, etc. and either stop people who cause trouble from coming in or force them to leave

Answer 367

trav·el·a·tor /ˈtravəlādər/ noun a moving walkway, typically at an airport.

Answer 368

sweet nothings things that lovers say to each other a couple whispering sweet nothings to each other

Answer 369

imbecile noun [ C ] UK /ˈɪm.bə.siːl/ US /ˈɪm.bə.sɪl/ a person who behaves in an extremely stupid way: What an imbecile that boy is! Synonyms half-wit disapproving idiot moron informal

Answer 370

trot something ↔ out phrasal verb informal to give opinions, excuses, reasons etc that you have used too many times and that do not seem sincere Steve trotted out the same old excuses. • It always annoys me so much the way you girls trot it out like you're saying something so astute and revealing. • When you first trot these out, you may find that to your ears they sound artificial and contrived.

Answer 371

tyranny noun [ U ] UK /ˈtɪr.ən.i/ US /ˈtɪr.ən.i/ government by a ruler or small group of people who have unlimited power over the people in their country or state and use it unfairly and cruelly: This, the president promised us, was a war against tyranny. a situation in which someone or something controls how you are able to live, in an unfair way: Women, the play seems to suggest, must resist the tyranny of domesticity.

Answer 372

enigma noun [ C ] UK /ɪˈnɪɡ.mə/ US /əˈnɪɡ.mə/ something that is mysterious and seems impossible to understand completely: She is something of an enigma. The newspapers were full of stories about the enigma of the plane's disappearance. Synonyms closed book informal mystery (STRANGE/UNKNOWN THING) riddle (QUESTION) => enigmatic adjective US /ˌen·ɪɡˈmæt̬·ɪk/ an enigmatic smile

Answer 373

procure verb formal UK /prəˈkjʊər/ US /prəˈkjʊr/ [ T ] to get something, especially after an effort: She's managed somehow to procure his phone number. [ + two objects ] He'd procured us seats in the front row. [ I or T ] to get a prostitute for someone else to have sex with => procurement noun [ U ] US /prəˈkjʊr·mənt, proʊ-/ the city’s procurement process

Answer 374

procure verb formal UK /prəˈkjʊər/ US /prəˈkjʊr/ [ T ] to get something, especially after an effort: She's managed somehow to procure his phone number. [ + two objects ] He'd procured us seats in the front row. [ I or T ] to get a prostitute for someone else to have sex with => procurement noun [ U ] US /prəˈkjʊr·mənt, proʊ-/ the city’s procurement process

Answer 375

perversion noun [ C or U ] disapproving UK /pəˈvɜː.ʒən/ US /pɚˈvɝː.ʒən/ sexual behaviour that is considered strange and unpleasant by most people: The novels of the Marquis de Sade deal with sexual perversion. the changing of something so that it is not what it was or should be: His testimony was clearly a perversion of the truth.

Answer 376

promiscuous adjective disapproving UK /prəˈmɪs.kju.əs/ US /prəˈmɪs.kju.əs/ (of a person) having a lot of different sexual partners or sexual relationships, or (of sexual habits) involving a lot of different partners: I suppose I was quite promiscuous in my youth. It's a fallacy that gay men are more promiscuous than heterosexuals. => promiscuity noun [ U ] UK /ˌprɒm.ɪˈskjuː.ə.ti/ US /ˌprɑː.mɪˈskjuː.ə.t̬i/

Answer 377

de‧praved /dɪˈpreɪvd/ adjective completely evil or morally unacceptable a killer’s depraved mind depravity noun [ U or C ] UK /dɪˈpræv.ə.ti/ US /dɪˈpræv.ə.t̬i/ the state of being morally bad, or an action that is morally bad Synonym turpitude formal UK /ˈtɜː.pɪ.tʃuːd/ US /ˈtɝː.pə.tuːd/ evil: acts/crimes of moral turpitude

Answer 378

lechery noun [ U ] formal disapproving UK /ˈletʃ.ər.i/ US /ˈletʃ.ɚ.i/ behaviour, especially by men, that shows a strong sexual interest in someone: He has a reputation for lechery. He was soon back to his old pursuits - drinking and lechery. => lecherous adjective disapproving UK /ˈletʃ.ər.əs/ US /ˈletʃ.ɚ.əs/ (especially of men) showing a strong sexual interest in someone: He gave her a lecherous look.

Answer 379

saunter verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] UK /ˈsɔːn.tər/ US /ˈsɑːn.t̬ɚ/ to walk in a slow and relaxed way, often in no particular direction: He sauntered by, looking very pleased with himself. Synonyms: = amble UK /ˈæm.bəl/ US /ˈæm.bəl/ to walk in a slow and relaxed way: He was ambling along the beach. She ambled down the street, stopping occasionally to look in the shop windows. = mosey verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] informal UK /ˈməʊ.zi/ US /ˈmoʊ.zi/ to walk or go slowly, usually without a special purpose: I'll just mosey on down to the beach for a while. = stroll => saunter noun [ S ] UK /ˈsɔːn.tər/ US /ˈsɑːn.t̬ɚ/ a slow and relaxed walk, often in no particular direction: I took a little saunter through the town. It was just an idle saunter in a lovely English lane. Synonyms amble stroll walk

Answer 380

forlorn adjective UK /fəˈlɔːn/ US /fɚˈlɔːrn/ forlorn adjective (SAD) literary alone and unhappy; left alone and not cared for: She looked a forlorn figure standing at the bus stop. A forlorn place feels empty and sad: This forlorn industrial town has very high unemployment. forlorn adjective (UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED) [ before noun ] very unlikely to be achieved or to succeed: Their only hope now is that the outside world will intervene but it is an increasingly forlorn hope. She appeared on daytime TV in a forlorn attempt to persuade the public of her innocence.

Answer 381

overbearing adjective disapproving UK /ˌəʊ.vəˈbeə.rɪŋ/ US /ˌoʊ.vɚˈber.ɪŋ/ too confident and too determined to tell other people what to do, in a way that is unpleasant: Milligan had a pompous, overbearing father. Synonyms domineering disapproving /ˌdɒm.ɪˈnɪə.rɪŋ/ haughty disapproving UK /ˈhɔː.ti/ US /ˈhɑː.t̬i/ unfriendly and seeming to consider yourself better than other people: She has a rather haughty manner. imperious UK /ɪmˈpɪə.ri.əs/ US /ɪmˈpɪr.i.əs/ unpleasantly proud and expecting to be obeyed: an imperious manner/voice She sent them away with an imperious wave of the hand.

Answer 382

ruffle (someone's) feathers idiom to upset or annoy someone: She knows how to ruffle his feathers. David ruffled a few feathers when he suggested cutting the teachers' salaries.

Answer 383

strenuous adjective UK /ˈstren.ju.əs/ US /ˈstren.ju.əs/ C2 needing or using a lot of physical or mental effort or energy: He rarely does anything more strenuous than changing the channels on the television. His doctor advised him not to do any strenuous exercise. Strenuous efforts were made throughout the war to disguise the scale of civilian casualties.

Answer 384

verbosity noun [ U ] UK /vɜːˈbɒs.ə.ti/ US /vɚˈbɑː.sə.t̬i/ verbosity noun [U] (WORDS) formal disapproving the quality of being verbose (= using too many words): Knowing they wouldn't welcome too much verbosity, he simplified his talk. The message is clear and concise and displays no verbosity.

Answer 385

motormouth noun [ C ] informal disapproving UK /ˈməʊ.tə.maʊθ/ US /ˈmoʊ.t̬ə.maʊθ/ a person who talks quickly and continuously, often without considering what they are saying

Answer 386

verbal diarrhoea noun [ U ] informal humorous UK /ˌvɜː.bəl daɪ.əˈriː.ə/ US /ˌvɝː.bəl daɪ.əˈriː.ə/ have verbal diarrhoea to talk continuously or too much

Answer 387

trifle noun [ C ] US /ˈtrɑɪ·fəl/ a sweet dish (gg for image) a matter or item of little value or importance a trifle 'A trifle' means slightly or to a small degree: He admits to being a trifle nervous before every show. trifling adjective US /ˈtrɑɪ·flɪŋ/ It was such a trifling sum of money to argue about.

Answer 388

She's a born optimist (= someone who has always been optimistic).

Answer 389

earth mother noun [ C ] informal UK /ˈɜːθ ˌmʌð.ər/ US /ˈɝːθ ˌmʌð.ɚ/ a woman who seems full of emotional and spiritual understanding, and seems suited to having and loving children

Answer 390

culture vulture noun [ C ] informal UK /ˈkʌl.tʃə ˌvʌl.tʃər/ US /ˈkʌl.tʃɚ ˌvʌl.tʃɚ/ someone who is very interested in music, art, theatre, etc.: If you're a culture vulture, New York has everything you could want - opera, theatre, museums, and more.

Answer 391

eager beaver noun [ C ] informal UK /ˌiː.ɡər ˈbiː.vər/ US /ˌiː.ɡɚ ˈbiː.vɚ/ a person who is willing to work very hard

Answer 392

get wind of something idiom to hear a piece of information that someone else was trying to keep secret: I don't want my colleagues to get wind of the fact that I'm leaving.

Answer 393

contempt noun [ U ] UK /kənˈtempt/ US /kənˈtempt/ contempt noun [U] (NO RESPECT) C2 a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something: At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers. You should treat those remarks with the contempt that they deserve. She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her)! ==> hold someone/something in contempt phrase to feel contempt for someone or something: I would never hold someone in contempt for making a few mistakes in English. I think history will hold us in contempt for what we are doing to the planet. He had always held sport in contempt, preferring intellectual pursuits. The party has now become tolerable to people who previously held it in contempt. I hated spending time with them, as it was clear they held me in contempt. => contemptible adjective UK /kənˈtemp.tə.bəl/ US /kənˈtemp.tə.bəl/ deserving contempt: Her behaviour was contemptible. Opposites = estimable formal adjective formal UK /ˈes.tɪ.mə.bəl/ US /ˈes.tə.mə.bəl/ of a person or their behaviour , considered to be very good or deserving praise: He writes estimable poetry under a pseudonym. Her performance under such stressful conditions was estimable. = respectable

Answer 394

pigheaded adjective disapproving UK /ˌpɪɡˈhed.ɪd/ US /ˌpɪɡˈhed.ɪd/ showing unreasonable support for an opinion or plan of action and refusing to change or listen to different opinions Synonyms bullheaded disapproving cussed old-fashioned disapproving obdurate formal disapproving obstinate usually disapproving stubborn disapproving

Answer 395

the outset noun [ S ] UK /ˈaʊt.set/ US /ˈaʊt.set/ C2 the beginning: I told him at/from the outset I wasn't interested.

Answer 396

gullible adjective UK /ˈɡʌl.ə.bəl/ US /ˈɡʌl.ə.bəl/ easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say: There are any number of miracle cures on the market for people gullible enough to buy them. => gullibility noun [ U ] UK /ˌɡʌl.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ US /ˌɡʌl.əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/ the quality of being easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say: His arguments are aimed at the public's gullibility rather than their intelligence. The couple asked not to be named because they were embarrassed at their gullibility.

Answer 397

gullible adjective UK /ˈɡʌl.ə.bəl/ US /ˈɡʌl.ə.bəl/ easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say: There are any number of miracle cures on the market for people gullible enough to buy them. => gullibility noun [ U ] UK /ˌɡʌl.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ US /ˌɡʌl.əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/ the quality of being easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say: His arguments are aimed at the public's gullibility rather than their intelligence. The couple asked not to be named because they were embarrassed at their gullibility.

Answer 398

evasive adjective UK /ɪˈveɪ.sɪv/ US /ɪˈveɪ.sɪv/ answering questions in a way that is not direct or clear, especially because you do not want to give an honest answer: The Minister was her usual evasive self, skilfully dodging reporters' questions about her possible resignation. done to avoid something bad happening: By the time the pilot realized how close the plane was to the building, it was too late to take evasive action. Drivers had to make sudden evasive manoeuvres.

Answer 399

fastidious adjective UK /fæsˈtɪd.i.əs/ US /fæsˈtɪd.i.əs/ giving too much attention to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect: He is very fastidious about how a suitcase should be packed. having a strong dislike of anything dirty or unpleasant: They were too fastidious to eat in a fast-food restaurant. having high standards and giving a lot of attention to details: The restaurant offers elaborate food and fastidious service at high prices.

Answer 400

aloof adjective UK /əˈluːf/ US /əˈluːf/ not friendly or willing to take part in things: She seemed rather aloof when in fact she was just shy. Synonyms detached (WITHOUT EMOTION) distant (NOT FRIENDLY) forbidding offhand offish UK remote (NOT FRIENDLY) standoffish informal disapproving unapproachable

Answer 401

cold-hearted adjective disapproving UK /ˌkəʊldˈhɑː.tɪd/ US /ˌkoʊldˈhɑːr.t̬ɪd/ showing no understanding for or not feeling sorry about another person's suffering: a cold-hearted killer

Answer 402

bastion noun [ C ] UK /ˈbæs.ti.ən/ US /ˈbæs.ti.ən/ something that keeps or defends a belief or a way of life that is disappearing or threatened: British public schools are regarded as one of the last bastions of upper-class privilege. • In colonial times, Western missionaries would dash off to bastions of other faiths to preach the Gospel. bastion of • The region is a bastion of right-wing Republicanism. 2. pháo đài a part of the wall of a castle that sticks out from it in order to protect it

Answer 403

on the ball idiom aware of any changes or developments and quick to react to them: We need someone who’s really on the ball to answer questions from the press.

Answer 404

touch noun UK /tʌtʃ/ US /tʌtʃ/ touch noun (SMALL AMOUNT) C2 [ S ] a small amount: "Would you like milk?" "Just a touch." There was a touch of irony/humour in her voice. [ S ] informal To show that an illness is not too serious, you can say you have had a touch of it: I had a touch of flu/hay fever. C2 [ C ] a small addition or detail that makes something better: The speech had several comic touches. Using a sailing ship as the company logo was a touch of genius (= a good/clever idea or action). The flowers on the table provided the finishing touch. a touch a touch = slightly: The weather has turned a touch too cold for my liking.

Answer 405

measly adjective informal UK /ˈmiːz.li/ US /ˈmiːz.li/ too small in size or amount, or not enough: a measly amount of money a measly little present Synonyms meagre UK miserable paltry stingy informal disapproving

Answer 406

in stitches idiom informal If a joke or funny story has you in stitches, it makes you laugh a lot.

Answer 407

pet verb UK /pet/ US /pet/ -tt- [ T ] If you pet an animal, child, etc., you touch it, him, or her gently and kindly with your hands: Our dog loves to be petted and tickled behind the ears. [ I ] informal If two people are petting, they are kissing and touching each other in a sexual way. heavy petting noun [ U ] UK /ˌhev.i ˈpet.ɪŋ/ US /ˌhev.i ˈpet̬.ɪŋ/ an occasion when two people kiss, hold, and touch each other in a sexual way, but do not have sex

Answer 408

pet theory, subject, hate, etc. a theory, subject, hate, etc. that is special and important to you: Football is one of her pet hates. US My pet peeve (= pet hate) is cleaning the bathroom.

Answer 409

bungalow noun [ C ] UK /ˈbʌŋ.ɡəl.əʊ/ US /ˈbʌŋ.ɡəl.oʊ/ a house that usually has only one storey (= level), sometimes with a smaller upper storey set in the roof and windows that come out from the roof: There were small, white bungalows dotted over the hillside.

Answer 410

resigned adjective [ not gradable ] US /rɪˈzɑɪnd/ willing to accept something unpleasant: They are resigned and a little depressed at the thought of losing money for at least the first year. be resigned to (doing) something to calmly accept a situation that is bad, but cannot be changed She’s resigned to spending Christmas on her own. Sam was resigned to the fact that he would never be promoted.

Answer 411

unburden yourself (to somebody) to tell someone your problems, secrets etc so that you feel better

Answer 412

select2 ●○○ AWL adjective formal 1 a select group of people or things is a small special group that has been chosen carefully The party was small and select. Honorary degrees are handed out to a select few. 2 only lived in, visited, or used by a small number of rich people SYN exclusive a select block of flats

Answer 413

ush‧er1 /ˈʌʃə $ -ər/ ●○○ verb [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to help someone to get from one place to another, especially by showing them the way usher somebody into/to something He ushered her into the room. usher somebody in She stood back and ushered him in.

Answer 414

sol‧emn /ˈsɒləm $ ˈsɑː-/ ●○○ adjective 1 very serious and not happy, for example because something bad has happened or because you are at an important occasion a solemn expression Their faces suddenly grew solemn. a solemn procession of mourners ► see thesaurus at serious 2 a solemn promise is one that is made very seriously and with no intention of breaking it a solemn vow I’ll never be unfaithful again. I give you my solemn word. 3 performed in a very serious way solemn ritual/ceremony

Answer 415

im‧pe‧tus /ˈɪmpɪtəs/ ●○○ noun [uncountable] 1 an influence that makes something happen or makes it happen more quickly impetus for The report may provide further impetus for reform. The discovery gave fresh impetus to the research.

Answer 416

sup‧ple /ˈsʌpəl/ adjective 1 someone who is supple bends and moves easily and gracefully OPP stiff She exercises every day to keep herself supple. 2 leather, skin, wood etc that is supple is soft and bends easily —suppleness noun [uncountable]

Answer 417

trim1 /trɪm/ ●●○ verb (trimmed, trimming) [transitive] 1 CUT to make something look neater by cutting small pieces off it Pete was trimming the lawn around the roses. I have my hair trimmed every six weeks. trim something away/off Trim away any excess glue with a knife. ► see thesaurus at cut 2 REDUCE to reduce a number, amount, or the size of something We need to trim costs by £500m. The bill would trim the number of immigrants to the US. trim something from/off something The company trimmed £46,000 from its advertising budget. 3 DECORATE to decorate something, especially clothes, by adding things that look pretty be trimmed with something a dress trimmed with lace At Christmas, the whole family helps trim the tree.

Answer 418

trim1 /trɪm/ ●●○ verb (trimmed, trimming) [transitive] 1 CUT to make something look neater by cutting small pieces off it Pete was trimming the lawn around the roses. I have my hair trimmed every six weeks. trim something away/off Trim away any excess glue with a knife. 2 REDUCE to reduce a number, amount, or the size of something We need to trim costs by £500m. The bill would trim the number of immigrants to the US. trim something from/off something The company trimmed £46,000 from its advertising budget. 3 DECORATE to decorate something, especially clothes, by adding things that look pretty be trimmed with something a dress trimmed with lace At Christmas, the whole family helps trim the tree.

Answer 419

muff /mʌf/ noun [countable] a short tube of thick cloth or fur that you can put your hands into to keep them warm in cold weather → earmuffs /ˈɪəmʌfs $ ˈɪr-/ noun [plural] two pieces of material joined by a band over the top of your head, which you wear to keep your ears warm

Answer 420

be a piece of cake (spoken) to be very easy ‘How do you do that?’ ‘It’s a piece of cake! Watch!’

Answer 421

be a piece of cake (spoken) to be very easy ‘How do you do that?’ ‘It’s a piece of cake! Watch!’

Answer 422

egg somebody ↔ on phrasal verb to encourage someone to do something, especially something that they do not want to do or should not do Bob didn’t want to jump, but his friends kept egging him on.

Answer 423

eat humble pie (also eat crow American English) to admit that you were wrong and say that you are sorry • Taylor's victory in the semi-final has forced many of her critics to eat humble pie. • The Midlanders have been eating humble pie this season, though they deserve better fare. • Come and take potluck eat humble pie whatever.

Answer 424

tough/smart cookie informal someone who is clever and successful, and knows how to get what they want

Answer 425

per‧ish‧a‧ble /ˈperɪʃəbəl/ adjective food that is perishable is likely to decay quickly "A language is a perishable commodity. There are no shortcuts." => perishable goods goods such as food products that must be used within a short period of time Customs delays — particularly for perishable goods — have been costly to foreign companies. perishable goods such as butter, milk, fruit and fish —perishables noun [plural]

Answer 426

dunce /dəns/ noun a person who is slow at learning; a stupid person. "he was baffled by arithmetic and they called him a dunce at school"

Answer 427

off-color adjective US (UK off-colour) US /ˌɑːfˈkʌl.ɚ/ UK /ˌɒfˈkʌl.ər/ off-color adjective (SEXUAL) Off-color remarks or jokes are about sex and are slightly shocking. [ after verb ] informal slightly sick: I'm feeling a little off-color today.

Answer 428

flair noun UK /fleər/ US /fler/ C1 [ S ] natural ability to do something well: He has a flair for languages. Synonyms aptitude gift (ABILITY) talent (NATURAL ABILITY) C2 [ U ] a situation in which something is done in an exciting and interesting way: He played with great imagination and flair. It's a competent enough piece of writing but it lacks flair.

Answer 429

tactile adjective UK /ˈtæk.taɪl/ US /ˈtæk.təl/ related to the sense of touch If something is tactile, it has a surface that is pleasant or attractive to touch: Her paintings have a very tactile quality. A tactile person touches other people a lot.

Answer 430

jocular adjective formal UK /ˈdʒɒk.jə.lər/ US /ˈdʒɑː.kjə.lɚ/ funny or intended to make someone laugh: a jocular comment used to describe someone who is happy and likes to make jokes: Michael was in a very jocular mood at the party.

Answer 431

recoil verb [ I ] UK /rɪˈkɔɪl/ US /rɪˈkɔɪl/ to move back because of fear or disgust (= dislike or disapproval): He leaned forward to kiss her and she recoiled in horror. I recoiled from the smell and the filth. to refuse to accept an idea or principle, feeling strong dislike or disapproval: She wondered how it would be to touch him and recoiled at the thought.

Answer 432

trying adjective UK /ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ/ US /ˈtraɪ.ɪŋ/ annoying and difficult: I had a very trying day at work. He can be trying at times.

Answer 433

vigor noun [ U ] US (UK vigour) US /ˈvɪɡ.ɚ/ UK /ˈvɪɡ.ər/ strength, energy, or enthusiasm: They went to work with youthful vigor and enthusiasm. strength of thought, opinion, expression, etc.: He gave his side of the story with vigor.

Answer 434

surmise verb [ T ] formal UK /səˈmaɪz/ US /sɚˈmaɪz/ to guess something, without having much or any proof: [ + (that) ] The police surmise (that) the robbers have fled the country. Synonyms conjecture formal hypothesize formal speculate (GUESS) theorize

Answer 435

methodical adjective UK /məˈθɒd.ɪ.kəl/ US /məˈθɑː.dɪ.kəl/ Methodical people do things in a very ordered, careful way: Tom is a very methodical person and writes lists for everything. done in a very ordered, careful way: methodical work a methodical approach

Answer 436

tip off someone phrasal verb with tip verb [ I/T ] US /tɪp/ -pp- to give secret information to someone, or to give someone information without intending to: Apparently the mob leaders were tipped off that police were watching them. Moving strike aircraft within range could have tipped off the bad guys. tip-off noun [ C ] infml US /ˈtɪp ˌɔf/ a warning or information that something may happen: He began cutting classes – a tip-off that he was in trouble.

Answer 437

banal adjective UK /bəˈnɑːl/ US /bəˈnɑːl/ boring, ordinary, and not original: He just sat there making banal remarks all evening. banal pop songs Synonyms commonplace trite disapproving => banality (noun)

Answer 438

exude verb [ T ] UK /ɪɡˈzjuːd/ US /ɪɡˈzuːd/ exude verb [T] (FEELING) If you exude love, confidence, pain, etc., you show that you have a lot of that feeling: She just exudes confidence.

Answer 439

impetuous adjective UK /ɪmˈpetʃ.u.əs/ US /ɪmˈpetʃ.u.əs/ (nóng nảy) likely to do something suddenly, without considering the results of your actions: He's so impetuous - why can't he think things over before he rushes into them? said or done suddenly, without considering the likely results: The governor may now be regretting her impetuous promise to reduce unemployment by half.

Answer 440

flamboyant adjective UK /flæmˈbɔɪ.ənt/ US /flæmˈbɔɪ.ənt/ flamboyant adjective (PEOPLE) very confident in your behaviour, and liking to be noticed by other people, for example because of the way you dress, talk, etc.: a flamboyant gesture The writer's flamboyant lifestyle was well known. brightly coloured and easily noticed: His clothes were rather flamboyant for such a serious occasion.

Answer 441

take the plunge idiom C2 to make a decision to do something, especially after thinking about it for a long time: They're finally taking the plunge and getting married.

Answer 442

exuberant adjective US /ɪɡˈzu·bər·ənt/ (esp. of people and their behavior) very energetic, and showing the happiness of being alive: He is an exuberant dancer. exuberance noun [ U ] US /ɪɡˈzu·bər·əns/ His exuberance is contagious.

Answer 443

exuberant adjective US /ɪɡˈzu·bər·ənt/ (esp. of people and their behavior) very energetic, and showing the happiness of being alive: He is an exuberant dancer. exuberance noun [ U ] US /ɪɡˈzu·bər·əns/ His exuberance is contagious.

Answer 444

exuberant adjective US /ɪɡˈzu·bər·ənt/ (esp. of people and their behavior) very energetic, and showing the happiness of being alive: He is an exuberant dancer. exuberance noun [ U ] US /ɪɡˈzu·bər·əns/ His exuberance is contagious.

Answer 445

expectant adjective UK /ɪkˈspek.tənt/ US /ɪkˈspek.tənt/ expectant adjective (THINKING) thinking that something pleasant or exciting is going to happen: the children's expectant faces expectant adjective (PREGNANT) [ before noun ] used to refer to a woman who is pregnant or a man whose partner is pregnant: expectant mothers/fathers/couples

Answer 446

The language of how we spend Would you describe yourself as careful with money or are you a big spender? Let’s start with words for not spending a lot of money. Someone who is thrifty /ˈθrɪf.ti/ spends their money carefully and doesn’t waste it. The adjective frugal /ˈfruː.ɡəl/ is similar but more extreme, describing a person who only buys what is strictly necessary. It suggests that the person has a very simple way of living. My grandparents were thrifty and saved every penny. He was frugal in his habits, growing most of his food and mending his clothes until they fell to pieces. There are several negative adjectives for people who don’t spend enough money. For example, in UK English, someone who is unwilling to spend money, especially on others, is said to be mean and in US English, they are cheap. We also use the informal adjectives stingy /ˈstɪn.dʒi/ and tight and the formal adjective parsimonious /ˌpɑː.sɪˈməʊ.ni.əs/ with the same meaning: He was too mean to buy her a proper bed. I’m too cheap to pay the full price. He’s so stingy – he never buys anyone a drink. Come on, don’t be so tight – get yourself a taxi! She had a reputation for being rather parsimonious. The adjective miserly /ˈmaɪ.zəl.i/ means ‘extremely mean’. (It comes from the noun miser /ˈmaɪ.zər/ for a person who keeps all their money and hates spending it.): Her uncle, a miserly old man, refused to help her out. That old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. Two compounds that mean ‘unwilling to spend money’ are penny-pinching and (informal, disapproving) tight-fisted: The basic food ranges appeal to penny-pinching shoppers. He’s fabulously wealthy, but notoriously tight-fisted. Moving on to nouns, a person who doesn’t like to spend money may be called, informally, a skinflint /ˈskɪn.flɪnt/, a tightwad /ˈtaɪt.wɒd/ or a cheapskate /ˈtʃiːp.skeɪt/: Despite her wealth, she was a notorious skinflint. Buy her a present and don’t be such a tightwad! They’ll think I’m a terrible cheapskate if I turn up empty-handed. Now let’s look at the opposite – words for spending a lot of money. Someone who is generous is willing to spend a lot on other people. Meanwhile, the adjectives extravagant /ɪkˈstræv.ə.ɡənt/ and lavish /ˈlæv.ɪʃ/ mean spending or costing a lot of money (sometimes too much money): Sophie’s always so generous with her gifts. The money was used to fund his extravagant lifestyle. She loved to buy her nieces and nephews lavish presents. The formal adjective profligate /ˈprɒf.lɪ.ɡət/ means ‘using and wasting a lot of money or resources’: They were highly critical of the monarch’s profligate spending. Finally, a spendthrift /ˈspend.θrɪft/ is someone who spends a lot of money in a way that is not wise: He was frequently portrayed as a reckless spendthrift. I hope you learnt a few new words from this post. My next post will look at a related theme – the language of spending money. https://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2022/12/28/spendthrifts-and-skinflints-the-language-of-how-we-spend/

Answer 447

whip somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb 1 to try to make people feel strongly about something whip up interest/opposition/support etc They’ll do anything to whip up a bit of interest in a book. an attempt to whip up the masses 2 to quickly make something to eat Mother was in the kitchen whipping up a batch of cakes.

Answer 448

stone-ˈfaced (also stony-faced) adjective showing no emotion or friendliness

Answer 449

sub‧due /səbˈdjuː $ -ˈduː/ verb [transitive] 1 to defeat or control a person or group, especially using force Police managed to subdue the angry crowd. Napoleon subdued much of Europe. 2 formal to prevent your emotions from showing or being too strong SYN control an excitement she could not subdue

Answer 450

pen‧sive /ˈpensɪv/ adjective thinking a lot about something, especially because you are worried or sad → thoughtful Jan looked pensive. —pensively adverb

Answer 451

hold sway to have a lot of influence or power Among people here, traditional values still hold sway.

Answer 452

ad‧mo‧ni‧tion /ˌædməˈnɪʃən/ noun [countable, uncountable] formal a warning or expression of disapproval about someone’s behaviour • And when the rector took to the pulpit he delivered sermons brimming with moral admonition. • When adults believe in their children, they are not as likely to give reminders to do or admonitions for not doing. —admonitory /ədˈmɒnətəri $ -ˈmɑːnətɔːri/ adjective an admonitory glance

Answer 453

fuddy-duddy noun [ C ] disapproving UK /ˈfʌd.iˌdʌd.i/ US /ˈfʌd.iˌdʌd.i/ a person who has old-fashioned ideas and opinions: They think I'm an old fuddy-duddy because I don't approve of tattoos.

Answer 454

fallible adjective UK /ˈfæl.ə.bəl/ US /ˈfæl.ə.bəl/ able or likely to make mistakes: We place our trust in doctors, but they are fallible like everyone else. A fallible object or system is likely not to work in a satisfactory way: This method is more fallible than most because it depends on careful and accurate timing. Opposite infallible

Answer 455

turf noun (AREA) UK /tɜːf/ US /tɝːf/ 2 [ U ] informal a subject in which a person or group has a lot of knowledge or influence: Antiques are very much her turf. 3 [ U ] informal the area that a group considers its own: Judges feel that the courtroom is their private turf. The gymnastics team won the championship on their home turf.

Answer 456

foot the bill to pay for something, especially something expensive that you do not want to pay for He ordered drinks and then left me to foot the bill!

Answer 457

charter2 verb [transitive] 1 to pay a company for the use of their aircraft, boat etc We chartered a boat to take us to some of the smaller islands.

Answer 458

hum‧drum /ˈhʌmdrʌm/ adjective boring and ordinary, and having no variety or interest SYN tedious humdrum existence/job/life etc the prisoners’ humdrum routine

Answer 459

touch‧y /ˈtʌtʃi/ adjective 1 easily becoming offended or annoyed SYN sensitive touchy about She is very touchy about her past. 2 → touchy subject/question etc —touchiness noun [uncountable]

Answer 460

snaz‧zy /ˈsnæzi/ adjective informal bright, fashionable, and attractive a snazzy red jacket —snazzily adverb —snazziness noun [uncountable]

Answer 461

snaz‧zy /ˈsnæzi/ adjective informal bright, fashionable, and attractive a snazzy red jacket —snazzily adverb —snazziness noun [uncountable]

Answer 462

den‧i‧grate /ˈdenəˈɡreɪt/ verb [transitive] to say things to make someone or something seem less important or good people who denigrate their own country Rather than being denigrated and despised, he was admired for his courage, his steadfastness, his devotion to family. —denigration /ˌdenɪˈɡreɪʃən/ noun [uncountable]

Answer 463

ad‧u‧la‧tion /ˌædʒəˈleɪʃən/ noun [uncountable] formal praise and admiration for someone that is more than they really deserve • Harley wasn't prepared for the fame and adulation that came with being a star athlete. • Napoleon showed no reaction to his mens' adulation. —adulatory /ˌædʒəˈleɪtəri, ˈædʒəleɪtəri $ ˈædʒələtɔːri/ adjective

Answer 464

whim /wɪm/ noun [countable usually singular] (hứng) a sudden feeling that you would like to do or have something, especially when there is no important or good reason on a whim I didn’t leave just on a whim (=for no good reason). at the whim of somebody At work they are at the whim of the boss. somebody’s every whim Their father had always indulged her every whim. at whim He appeared and disappeared at whim.

Answer 465

em‧u‧late /ˈemjəleɪt/ ●○○ verb [transitive] to do something or behave in the same way as someone else, especially because you admire them SYN imitate He hoped to emulate the success of Wilder. —emulation /ˌemjəˈleɪʃən/ noun [uncountable]

Answer 466

in‧noc‧u‧ous /ɪˈnɒkjuəs $ ɪˈnɑːk-/ adjective not offensive, dangerous, or harmful SYN harmless an innocuous remark He’s a perfectly innocuous young man. • The producer dismissed the comment as quite innocuous. • innocuous chemicals • Someone stood up and asked the professor an apparently innocuous question about his laboratory work. —innocuously adverb

Answer 467

Word family (noun) punishment (adjective) punishable punishing unpunished punitive (verb) punish pu‧ni‧tive /ˈpjuːnətɪv/ ●○○ adjective [usually before noun] 1 intended to punish someone punitive action/measures etc The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action. The jury awarded punitive damages (=money paid to someone who is the victim of a crime). The government is expected to take punitive steps against offenders. 2 → punitive taxes/price increases etc taxes etc that are so high that it is difficult for people to pay them The US could impose punitive tariffs on exports.

Answer 468

stam‧mer1 /ˈstæmə $ -ər/ verb [intransitive, transitive] to speak with a lot of pauses and repeated sounds, either because you have a speech problem, or because you are nervous, excited etc SYN stutter Whenever he was angry, he would begin to stammer slightly. Ben stammered out an apology. —stammerer noun [countable]

Answer 469

hud‧dle1 /ˈhʌdl/ ●○○ verb 1 [intransitive, transitive] (also huddle together/up) if a group of people huddle together, they stay very close to each other, especially because they are cold or frightened We lay huddled together for warmth. huddle around People huddled around the radio, waiting for news. 2 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to lie or sit with your arms and legs close to your body because you are cold or frightened She huddled under the blankets. The snow blew against his huddled body. 3 [intransitive] American English to sit or stand with a small group of people in order to discuss something privately The executive board huddled to discuss the issue. 4 [intransitive] if American football players huddle, they gather around one player who tells them the plan for the next part of the game The Springboks team, led by Joost van der Westhuizen, huddled together and prayed.

Answer 470

hus‧ky1 /ˈhʌski/ adjective 1 a husky voice is deep, quiet, and attractive ‘Come quickly, ’ she said in a husky whisper. 2 especially American English a man or boy who is husky is big and strong —huskily adverb

Answer 471

ump‧teen /ˌʌmpˈtiːn◂/ det informal very many – used especially when you are annoyed there are so many There seemed to be umpteen rules and regulations to learn. She’d called the apartment umpteen times, but never got an answer. —umpteenth adjective They're screening "The Wizard of Oz" again for the umpteenth time.

Answer 472

jo‧vi‧al /ˈdʒəʊviəl $ ˈdʒoʊ-/ adjective friendly and happy He addressed me in a jovial manner. —jovially adverb —joviality /ˌdʒəʊviˈæləti $ ˌdʒoʊ-/ noun [uncountable]

Answer 473

under the influence (of alcohol/drink/drugs etc) drunk or feeling the effects of a drug

Answer 474

has‧ten /ˈheɪsən/ verb formal 1 [transitive] to make something happen faster or sooner Their departure was hastened by an abnormally cold winter. 2 [intransitive] to do or say something quickly or without delay SYN hurry hasten to do something I hastened to assure her that there was no danger. 3 → I hasten to add used when you realize that what you have said may not have been understood correctly an exhausting course, which, I hasten to add, was also great fun 4 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] literary to go somewhere quickly

Answer 475

dressing-ˈdown noun [singular] an occasion when you talk angrily to someone because they have done something wrong give somebody/get a dressing-down The tobacco companies got a severe dressing-down.

Answer 476

glow‧er /ˈɡlaʊə $ -ər/ verb [intransitive] to look at someone in an angry way SYN glare glower at She glowered at him disapprovingly. —glower noun [countable]

Answer 477

men‧ace1 /ˈmenɪs/ ●○○ noun 1 [countable] something or someone that is dangerous SYN threat menace of It’s the only way to deal with the menace of drug dealing. menace to That man’s a menace to society. He should be locked away. the growing menace of oil pollution at sea 2 [uncountable] a threatening quality, feeling, or way of behaving There was menace in his voice. air/sense of menace There was a sense of menace as the sky grew darker. 3 [countable] a person, especially a child, who is annoying or causes trouble SYN nuisance My little brother’s a real menace. menace2 verb [transitive] formal to threaten The elephants are still menaced by poachers.

Answer 478

in‧sol‧vent /ɪnˈsɒlvənt $ ɪnˈsɑːl-/ adjective not having enough money to pay what you owe SYN bankrupt The company was later declared insolvent (=officially said to be insolvent). • The company auditor has filed a warning that Eurotunnel is in danger of becoming insolvent. • Half of our projects were insolvent. • insolvent businesses OPP solvent adjective UK /ˈsɒl.vənt/ US /ˈsɑːl.vənt/ (especially of companies) having enough money to pay all the money that is owed to other people: Many insurance companies are under pressure to increase premiums to stay solvent. —insolvency noun [countable, uncountable]

Answer 479

put somebody through the mill to make someone answer a lot of difficult questions or do a lot of difficult things in order to test them It was a three-day course and they really put us through the mill.

Answer 480

hum‧bug /ˈhʌmbʌɡ/ noun 1 [uncountable] insincere or dishonest words or behaviour He dismissed the prime minister’s comments as ‘pure humbug’.

Answer 481

con‧ces‧sion /kənˈseʃən/ a small business that sells things in a place owned by someone else Joe runs a hamburger concession in the mall. concessions [plural] American English the things sold at a concession stand Snack concession sales per person at cinemas have increased.

Answer 482

di‧as‧po‧ra /daɪˈæspərə/ noun [countable] the spreading of people from a national group or culture to other areas the African diaspora Viet diaspora = Viêt Kiêù

Answer 483

disambiguate verb [ I or T ] UK /ˌdɪs.æmˈbɪɡ.ju.eɪt/ US /ˌdɪs.æmˈbɪɡ.ju.eɪt/ specialized remove uncertainty of meaning from (an ambiguous sentence, phrase, or other linguistic unit). "word senses can be disambiguated by examining the context" Good dictionary definitions disambiguate between similar meanings. => disambiguation (n)

Answer 484

an‧tag‧o‧nize (also antagonise British English) /ænˈtæɡənaɪz/ verb [transitive] to annoy someone very much by doing something that they do not like Do not antagonize your customers.

Answer 485

emeritus adjective [ before or after noun ] UK /ɪˈmer.ɪ.təs/ US /ɪˈmer.ə.t̬əs/ no longer having a position, especially in a college or university, but keeping the title of the position: She became Emeritus Professor of Linguistics when she retired. Murphy is professor emeritus of international relations at Wellesley College.

Answer 486

o‧paque /əʊˈpeɪk $ oʊ-/ ●○○ adjective [usually before noun] 1 opaque glass or liquid is difficult to see through and often thick OPP transparent a shower with an opaque glass door 2 formal difficult to understand SYN obscure an opaque style of writing —opaqueness noun [uncountable]

Answer 487

vir‧tu‧al‧ly /ˈvɜːtʃuəli $ ˈvɜːr-/ ●●● S2 W2 AWL adverb almost SYN practically Virtually all the children come to school by bus. He was virtually unknown before running for office. -> virtually the same/ impossible/certain

Answer 488

pe‧jo‧ra‧tive /pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv $ -ˈdʒɔː-, -ˈdʒɑː-/ adjective formal a word or expression that is pejorative is used to show disapproval or to insult someone For hard-line Republicans, the word ‘liberal’ had become a pejorative term. = de‧rog‧a‧to‧ry /dɪˈrɒɡətəri $ dɪˈrɑːɡətɔːri/ adjective derogatory remarks, attitudes etc are insulting and disapproving Their conversation contained a number of derogatory racial remarks. —pejoratively adverb

Answer 489

i‧ron‧y /ˈaɪərəni $ ˈaɪrə-/ ●○○ noun (plural ironies) 1 [countable, uncountable] a situation that is unusual or amusing because something strange happens, or the opposite of what is expected happens or is true Life is full of little ironies. tragic/cruel/bitter etc irony The tragic irony is that the drug was supposed to save lives. 2 [uncountable] when you use words that are the opposite of what you really mean, often in order to be amusing trace/hint/touch of irony Wagner calls his program ‘the worst talk show in America, ’ without a hint of irony. heavy irony British English (=a lot of irony) ‘Of course Michael won’t be late; you know how punctual he always is, ’ she said with heavy irony. => i‧ron‧ic /aɪˈrɒnɪk $ aɪˈrɑː-/ ●○○ (also ironical /-ɪkəl/) adjective 1 an ironic situation is one that is unusual or amusing because something strange happens, or the opposite of what is expected happens or is true Your car was stolen at the police station! How ironic! It’s ironic that her husband smoked for thirty years, and yet she’s the one who died of lung cancer. In an ironic twist, the most trustworthy character in the film turned out to be the thief. 2 using words that are the opposite of what you really mean, often in a joking way ironic comments /ˈkɒment $ ˈkɑː-/ When I told Lucy I loved her book, she thought I was being ironic.

Answer 490

sar‧cas‧m /ˈsɑːkæzəm $ ˈsɑːr-/ ●○○ noun [uncountable] a way of speaking or writing that involves saying the opposite of what you really mean in order to make an unkind joke or to show that you are annoyed ‘Good of you to arrive on time, ’ George said, with heavy sarcasm (=very clear sarcasm). hint/trace/edge/touch of sarcasm There was just a touch of sarcasm in her voice. => sar‧cas‧tic /sɑːˈkæstɪk $ sɑːr-/ ●○○ adjective saying things that are the opposite of what you mean, in order to make an unkind joke or to show that you are annoyed Was she being sarcastic? sarcastic remark/comment/question He can’t help making sarcastic comments. sarcastic manner/smile/laugh etc ‘I thought so, ’ she said with a sarcastic smile. —sarcastically /-kli/ adverb

Answer 491

fig‧u‧ra‧tive /ˈfɪɡjərətɪv, -ɡə-/ ●○○ adjective 1 a figurative word or phrase is used in a different way from its usual meaning, to give you a particular idea or picture in your mind → literal He’s my son, in the figurative sense of the word.

Answer 492

lit‧e‧ral /ˈlɪtərəl/ ●○○ adjective 1 the literal meaning of a word or expression is its basic or original meaning → figurative literal meaning/sense/interpretation etc A trade war is not a war in the literal sense. 2 → literal translation 3 → literal-minded : not showing much imagination

Answer 493

lit‧e‧ra‧ry /ˈlɪtərəri $ ˈlɪtəreri/ ●●○ W2 adjective [only before noun] 1 relating to literature a literary prize literary criticism (=the study of the methods used in writing literature) 2 typical of the style of writing used in literature rather than in ordinary writing and talking a literary style of writing 3 liking literature very much, and studying or producing it a literary woman Word family (noun) literature literacy ≠ illiteracy illiterate literati (adjective) literary literate ≠ illiterate (someone who is illiterate has not learned to read or write)

Answer 494

hall‧mark1 /ˈhɔːlmɑːk $ ˈhɒːlmɑːrk/ noun [countable] 1 an idea, method, or quality that is typical of a particular person or thing hallmark of These hotels still offer the sort of service which was the hallmark of the grand days of travel. The explosion had all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack. Their performance did not bear the hallmark of European champions.