compliance /kəmˈplaɪəns/ [uncountable] compliance (with something) the
practice of obeying rules or requests made by people in authority procedures
that must be followed to ensure full compliance with the law Safety measures
were carried out in compliance with paragraph 6 of the building
regulations.
dawdle: /ˈdɔːdl/ to take a long time to do something or go somewhere
Stop dawdling! We're going to be late! + adv./prep. They dawdled along by the
river, laughing and talking.
grifter: a person who tricks people into giving them
money, etc. Sp. estafador.
accrue something /əˈkruː/ to allow a sum of money or debts to
grow over a period of time. Accumulate. E.g. The firm had accrued debts of over
$6m.
insidious: spreading gradually or without being noticed,
but causing serious harm. E.g. the insidious effects of polluted water
supplies. High blood pressure is an insidious condition which has few symptoms.
star-studded: including many famous performers. E.g. a star-studded
cast.
drawback: ~ to Bad weather was the main
drawback to camping in the far north. | ~ with The one big
drawback with the planned scheme was its high cost.
Grateful suggests the idea of showing thanks.
Thankful suggests the idea of feeling relieved that something good has
happened.
Take this sentence: the patient was grateful to the surgeon for having done the
operation and thankful that it was over and that it had been successful.
We were thankful for the chance to rest
absence: ~ from absence from work
peal: the loud ringing sound of a bell. E.g. a peal of bells rang
out
at the stroke of
midnight.
12 grapes (one for each of the twelve chimes)
one for each stroke of midnight
gratitude: ~ for, ~ to/towards I would like to express my deep
sense of gratitude to the staff for their patience. She was
presented with the gift in gratitude for her long service.
responsible: for Who was responsible for the mistake?
black spot: a place, a situation or an
event that is a problem or that causes a lot of problemsan environmental
black spotThat corner is a notorious accident black spot (= a lot
of accidents happen there).The one black spot on the horizon is that the
team’s sponsorship will be reduced next year.
pinnacle of something the most important or
successful part of something. E.g. the pinnacle of her career. He spent more
than twenty years at the pinnacle of his profession. Formula One is the
pinnacle of motor racing. She is at the pinnacle of her profession.
off the top of your head
(informal) just guessing or using your memory, without taking time to think
carefully or check the facts. E.g. I can't remember the name off the top
of my head, but I can look it up for you.
the back of beyond
(informal) a place that is a long way from other houses, towns, etc. E.g.
We stayed in some farmhouse in the back of beyond.
risk-averse: not willing to do something if it is possible that
something bad could happen as a result. E.g. We live in a risk-averse culture.
In business you cannot be innovative and risk-averse at the same time.
when it comes to something/to doing something when it is a question of
something. E.g. When it comes to getting things done, he's useless.
medic: a medical student or doctor. E.g. Somebody call a medic!
ad hoc: (adv) in a way that is arranged or happens when necessary and is not
planned in advance. E.g. The tribunals operated ad hoc and were dissolved when
the work was concluded.
ad hoc: (adj) arranged or happening when necessary and not planned in
advance. Created or done for a particular purpose as necessary. E.g. an ad hoc
meeting to deal with the problem. The meetings will be held on an ad hoc
basis.
myriad: an extremely large number of something. E.g. Designs are
available in a myriad of colours.
Overall: generally; when you consider everything. E.g. Overall, this is
a very useful book.
potter: + adv./prep. to do things or move without hurrying, especially
when you are doing something that you enjoy and that is not important. Sp.
entretenerse, distraerse. E.g. I spent the day pottering around the house.
Shoehorn:
/ˈʃuːhɔːn/
a curved piece of plastic or metal, used to
help your heel slide into a shoe
rumple something to make something untidy or
not smooth and neat. E.g. She rumpled his hair playfully. The bed was rumpled
where he had slept. A rumpled linen suit
allegiance /əˈliːdʒəns/ a person’s continued support
for a political party, religion, ruler, etc. E.g. to switch/transfer/change
allegiance.
An oath/a vow/a statement of allegiance. People of various party
allegiances joined the campaign. Allegiance (to somebody/something). To pledge/swear
allegiance.
He
affirmed his allegiance to the president.
Cajole: /kəˈdʒəʊl/ to make somebody do something by talking
to them and being very nice to them. Sp. engatusar, persuadir. E.g. cajole somebody (into something/into doing
something) He cajoled me into agreeing to do the work. Cajole something out of somebody I managed to cajole his address out of them. (+ speech) ‘Please say yes,’ she cajoled. Her voice was soft and cajoling.
non-existent: not existing; not real. E.g. a non-existent problem. ‘How's your social life?’ ‘Non-existent, I'm
afraid.’ Hospital beds were scarce and medicines were
practically
non-existent.
concede: /kənˈsiːd/ to admit that something is true, logical,
etc. + speech ‘Not bad,’ she conceded grudgingly. concede (that)… He was forced to concede (that) there might
be difficulties. concede something I had to concede the logic of this. concede something to somebody He reluctantly conceded the point to me. concede somebody something He reluctantly conceded me the point. it is conceded that… It must be conceded that different judges have different approaches
to these cases.
spam: to send the same
message to large numbers of Internet users who have not requested the
information. E.g. The criminal gang were spamming phishing
emails. Some idiot has been spamming my blog with
comments. I’ve been spammed.
be out of your depth
(British English) to be in water
that is too deep to stand in with your head above water. E.g. If you can't
swim, don't go out of your depth.
to be unable to understand
something because it is too difficult; to be in a situation that you cannot
control. E.g. He felt totally out of his depth in his new job
small-time: (often of criminals) not very important or
successful. E.g. a small-time crook.
ram: male sheep.
ram something (of a vehicle, a ship, etc.) to drive into or hit another
vehicle, ship, etc. with force, sometimes deliberately. E.g. Two passengers
were injured when their taxi was rammed from behind by a bus.
ewe: /juː/ a female sheep.
blot something out
1.
to cover or hide something
completely. E.g. Clouds blotted out the sun.
2.
to deliberately try to forget
an unpleasant memory or thought. E.g. He tried to blot out the image of Helen's
sad face. She just wanted to sleep and blot out the terrifying events of the
day.
blot your copybook: to do something to
spoil the opinion that other people have of you. E.g. I really blotted my
copybook by missing the meeting.
a piece of cake: something that is easy to do. E.g. For him, taking
tests is a piece of cake.
detrimental (to somebody/something) (formal)
harmful. E.g. the sun’s detrimental effect on skin. The policy will be
detrimental to the peace process. This move could be seriously detrimental to
the economy. Emissions from the factory are widely suspected of having a
detrimental effect on health.
be/stand head and shoulders above somebody/something: to be much
better than other people or things. E.g. His performance stood head and
shoulders above the rest.
the long and (the) short of it: used when you are telling
somebody the essential facts about something or what effect it will have,
without explaining all the details. E.g. The long and the short of it is that
they are willing to start the work in January.
ill at ease: feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed. E.g. I felt
ill at ease in such formal clothes.
surly: bad-tempered and rude. E.g. a surly youth. We were served by a very surly
waiter.He gave me a surly look.
Ofcom: (the
Office of Communications) an
independent organization in the UK that is responsible to Parliament. It was
started in 2004 to control standards in radio and television broadcasting and
the telecommunications industry, to see that customers are treated fairly and
to encourage new communications networks. Since 2011 it has also been
responsible for controlling standards in the postal services industry.
specifically: /spəˈsɪfɪkli/ 1. in a detailed and exact way.
E.g. I specifically told you not to go near the water! 2. connected with or
intended for one particular thing. E.g. only liquid vitamins specifically
designed for children. A magazine aimed specifically at working women. 3. used
when you want to add more detailed and exact information. Sp. Concretamente.
E.g. The newspaper, or more specifically, the editor, was taken to court for
publishing the photographs.
convenience /kənˈviːniəns/ 1. the quality of being useful, easy or
suitable for somebody. E.g. We have provided seats for the convenience
of our customers. For (the sake of) convenience, the two groups have
been treated as one in this report. The position of the house combines
quietness and convenience. In this resort you can enjoy all the comfort and
convenience of modern tourism. 2. something that is useful and can make
things easier or quicker to do, or more comfortable. Sp. ventaja. E.g. It was a
great convenience to have the school so near. The house had all the modern
conveniences (= central heating, etc.) that were unusual at that time.
setting: set of surroundings; the place at which
something happens. E.g. a rural/an ideal/a beautiful/an idyllic, etc.
setting It was the perfect setting for a wonderful Christmas. People
tend to behave differently in different social settings. Flip flops are worn in
casual settings.
reportedly: according to what some people say. E.g. The
band have reportedly decided to split up. The move, reportedly the President’s
idea, has come in for a lot of criticism. Older people reportedly feel wearing
flip flops is a sign of laziness.
fancy: 1. unusually complicated, often in an unnecessary way; intended to
impress other people. E.g. a kitchen full of fancy gadgets. They added a lot of
fancy footwork to the dance. He's always using fancy legal words. 2.
(especially of small things) with a lot of decorations or bright colours. E.g.
fancy goods (= things sold as gifts or for decoration) He was the fanciest
dresser in the room. 3. expensive or connected with an expensive way of life.
E.g. fancy restaurants with fancy prices. Don't come back with any fancy
ideas. Fancy events.
overpronation of the foot: it rolls inwards. Wearing
flip flops can cause foot-related problems, such as overpronation and
tendonitis.
noticeable: easy to see or notice; clear or definite. E.g. a noticeable
improvement. Her scars are hardly noticeable now. The smell stayed noticeable during
my ride to work. Noticeable in somebody/something This effect is
particularly noticeable in younger patients. noticeable that… It was
noticeable that none of the family were present.
odour: /ˈəʊdə(r)/ a smell, especially one that is unpleasant. E.g. a foul/musty/pungent,
etc. odour. The stale odour of cigarette smoke. The offensive odour: It was
now three in the afternoon, and the offensive odour had been plaguing
the neighbours since 10.30 in the morning. The offending odour: Tight clothing
and humidity slow down evaporation and sweat mixes with the bacteria thriving
on the skin resulting in an offending odour. (Figurative) The odour of
suspicion.
to date: until now. E.g. To date, we have received over 200 replies. The
exhibition contains some of his best work to date.
jellyfish (sg=pl) E.g. Jellyfish are swept around the oceans. They come
in the summer.
marauding: (of people or animals) going around a place in search of
things to steal or people to attack. E.g. marauding wolves. Gangs of marauding
youths filled the streets.
mauve: /məʊv/ a pale purple colour. Sp. malva. E.g. The use of mauve in
this painting is very striking. The room had hideous mauve curtains.
scar:
1. scar somebody/something (of a wound, etc.) to leave a mark on the
skin after it has healed. E.g. His face was badly scarred. This jellyfish can
cause severe burns, in some cases scarring their victims.
2. scar somebody (of an unpleasant experience) to leave somebody with a
feeling of sadness or mental pain. E.g. The experience left her scarred for
life.
3. scar something to spoil the appearance of something. E.g. The hills
are scarred by quarries. Battle-scarred buildings.
boom: a floating barrier that is placed across a river or the entrance
to a harbour to prevent ships or other objects from coming in or going out.
E.g. Cannes has installed booms and nets to stop jellyfish.
Demise:
/dɪˈmaɪz/
1. the end or failure of an
institution, an idea, a company, etc. 2. death his imminent/sudden/sad
demis
hiatus: /haɪˈeɪtəs/ 1. a pause in activity when
nothing happens. E.g.
After
a five-month hiatus, the talks resumed. The company expects to resume
production of the vehicle again after a two-month hiatus. 2. a space, especially in a
piece of writing or in a speech, where something is missing.
bamboozle somebody (informal) to confuse
somebody, especially by tricking them. E.g. Karpov bamboozled his opponent with
a series of brilliant unexpected moves. We all wondered how he had managed to
bamboozle his way into such a cushy job.
dabble (in/with something) to take part in a sport, an activity, etc.
but not very seriously. E.g. She is a talented musician but is content to just
dabble. He dabbles in local politics.
dawdle /ˈdɔːdl/ to take a long time to do something or go somewhere.
E.g. Stop dawdling! We're going to be late! + adv./prep. They dawdled along by
the river, laughing and talking.
doodle: /ˈduːdl/ to draw lines, shapes, etc., especially when you are
bored or thinking about something else I often doodle when I'm on the phone.
She had doodled all over her class notes.
make a pig’s ear (out) of something (British
English, informal) to do something badly; to make a mess of something. E.g.
He's made a real pig's ear of that bookcase he was supposed to be making.
a dog’s breakfast/dinner (British English, informal) a
thing that has been done badly. E.g. He's made a real dog's breakfast of these
accounts.
rub it in/ rub something in
[no passive] to keep reminding somebody of something they feel embarrassed
about and want to forget. To make someone feel worse about something the person
already feels embarrassed about. E.g. I know I was stupid; you don't have to rub
it in. I know I shouldn’t have paid that much for the poster – don’t rub it
in, OK?
lame duck:
1.
a person or an organization
that is not very successful and that needs help. E.g. The government should not
spend money on helping lame ducks.
2.
(US English, informal) a
politician or government whose period of office will soon end and who will not
be elected again. E.g. a lame-duck president/administration
3.
truculent:
/ˈtrʌkjələnt/ tending to argue or be bad-tempered; slightly aggressive. E.g.
‘What do you want?’ he asked, sounding slightly truculent.
helicopter parent: a parent who pays extremely close attention to their
child’s education, problems, etc. and often makes decisions for the child. E.g.
Teachers see all this as the behaviour of an overindulged generation, raised
by helicopter parents and lacking in resilience.
overindulge: 1. overindulge (in something) to have too
much of something nice, especially food or drink. E.g. I wish I hadn’t
overindulged so much (= had so much to eat and drink) last night. 2.
[transitive] overindulge somebody to give somebody more than is good for
them. E.g. His mother overindulged him. It’s not good for children to be
overindulged (= always given what they want).
resilience: /rɪˈzɪliəns/ 1. the ability of people or things to feel
better quickly after something unpleasant, such as shock, injury, etc. Sp.
resistencia. E.g. He showed great courage and resilience in fighting back from
a losing position to win the game. She’s a resilient girl – she won’t be
unhappy for long. 2. the ability of a substance to return to its original shape
after it has been bent, stretched or pressed. Sp. elasticidad. E.g. the natural
beauty and resilience of wool.
grifter: a person who tricks people into giving them
money, etc. Sp. estafador.
accrue something /əˈkruː/ to allow a sum of money or debts to
grow over a period of time. Accumulate. E.g. The firm had accrued debts of over
$6m.
insidious: spreading gradually or without being noticed,
but causing serious harm. E.g. the insidious effects of polluted water
supplies. High blood pressure is an insidious condition which has few symptoms.
star-studded: including many famous performers. E.g. a star-studded
cast.
drawback: ~ to Bad weather was the main
drawback to camping in the far north. | ~ with The one big
drawback with the planned scheme was its high cost.
Grateful suggests the idea of showing thanks.
Thankful suggests the idea of feeling relieved that something good has
happened.
Take this sentence: the patient was grateful to the surgeon for having done the
operation and thankful that it was over and that it had been successful.
We were thankful for the chance to rest
absence: ~ from absence from work
peal: the loud ringing sound of a bell. E.g. a peal of bells rang
out
at the stroke of
midnight.
12 grapes (one for each of the twelve chimes)
one for each stroke of midnight
gratitude: ~ for, ~ to/towards I would like to express my deep
sense of gratitude to the staff for their patience. She was
presented with the gift in gratitude for her long service.
responsible: for Who was responsible for the mistake?
black spot: a place, a situation or an
event that is a problem or that causes a lot of problemsan environmental
black spotThat corner is a notorious accident black spot (= a lot
of accidents happen there).The one black spot on the horizon is that the
team’s sponsorship will be reduced next year.
pinnacle of something the most important or
successful part of something. E.g. the pinnacle of her career. He spent more
than twenty years at the pinnacle of his profession. Formula One is the
pinnacle of motor racing. She is at the pinnacle of her profession.
off the top of your head
(informal) just guessing or using your memory, without taking time to think
carefully or check the facts. E.g. I can't remember the name off the top
of my head, but I can look it up for you.
the back of beyond
(informal) a place that is a long way from other houses, towns, etc. E.g.
We stayed in some farmhouse in the back of beyond.
risk-averse: not willing to do something if it is possible that
something bad could happen as a result. E.g. We live in a risk-averse culture.
In business you cannot be innovative and risk-averse at the same time.
when it comes to something/to doing something when it is a question of
something. E.g. When it comes to getting things done, he's useless.
medic: a medical student or doctor. E.g. Somebody call a medic!
ad hoc: (adv) in a way that is arranged or happens when necessary and is not
planned in advance. E.g. The tribunals operated ad hoc and were dissolved when
the work was concluded.
ad hoc: (adj) arranged or happening when necessary and not planned in
advance. Created or done for a particular purpose as necessary. E.g. an ad hoc
meeting to deal with the problem. The meetings will be held on an ad hoc
basis.
myriad: an extremely large number of something. E.g. Designs are
available in a myriad of colours.
Overall: generally; when you consider everything. E.g. Overall, this is
a very useful book.
potter: + adv./prep. to do things or move without hurrying, especially
when you are doing something that you enjoy and that is not important. Sp.
entretenerse, distraerse. E.g. I spent the day pottering around the house.
twofer: /ˈtuːfə/ An item or offer that comprises two items but is sold for the
price of one. E.g. They are offering a twofer today.
complicit (in/with somebody/something) involved with other people in
something wrong or illegal. E.g. Several officers were complicit in the
cover-up.
fig leaf: 1. a leaf of a fig tree, traditionally used for
covering the sex organs of naked bodies in paintings and on statues. 2. a thing
that is used to hide an embarrassing or dishonest fact or situation. E.g. The
spokesperson said the information campaign was a fig leaf to hide the most
regressive tax in history.
fallout: 1. the radioactive dust in the air after a nuclear explosion. E.g. cancer
deaths caused by fallout from weapons testing. 2. the bad results of a
situation or an action. Sp. efectos colaterales. E.g. the political fallout of
the current crisis. The political fallout of the revelations has been
immense.
disarray: a state of confusion and lack of organization
in a situation or a place. E.g. The peace talks broke up in disarray.
Our plans were thrown into disarray by her arrival. We’re
decorating, so everything’s in complete disarray at home.
plangent: /ˈplændʒənt/ 1. (of sounds) loud, with a
strong beat. Sp. resonante. 2.
(of sounds or images) low, deep and expressing sadness. E.g. the plangent tones
of the baritone sax.
yay: /jeɪ/ used to show that you are very pleased about something. E.g. I won!
Yay!
callback: (N) 1. a
telephone call which you make to somebody who has just called you. E.g.
Callers often forget to leave contact information for a callback. 2. an
occasion when you are asked to return somewhere, for example for a second
interview when you are trying to get a job. E.g. he was one of only twelve
applicants to receive a callback.
call back: (V) 1. to telephone somebody again or to
telephone somebody who telephoned you earlier E.g. She said she'd call back.
I'm waiting for someone to call me back with a price.
take a dim view of somebody/something: to
disapprove of somebody/something; to not have a good opinion of
somebody/something. E.g. She took a dim view of my suggestion.
choral: /ˈkɔːrəl/ connected with, written for or sung
by a choir (= a group of singers). E.g. choral music.
in-depth: /ˌɪn ˈdepθ/ very thorough and detailed.
E.g. an in-depth discussion/study.
somebody’s pet peeve (North American English)
(British English somebody’s pet hate)
something that you particularly dislike. E.g. Weak coffee is one of my pet
peeves.
flicker:
[intransitive] (of a light or a
flame) to keep going on and off as it shines or burns. E.g. The lights
flickered and went out. The flickering screen of the television
[intransitive] + adv./prep. (of an
emotion, a thought, etc.) to be expressed or appear somewhere for a short time.
E.g. Anger flickered in his eyes. A smile flickered across her face.
[intransitive] to move with small
quick movements. E.g. Her eyelids flickered as she slep
outlandish: strange or
extremely unusual. E.g. outlandish costumes/ideas. As the show progressed, it
got ever more outlandish.
chit-chat:
conversation about things that are not important. E.g. We spent the afternoon
in idle chit-chat.
hubby: /ˈhʌbi/
husband. E.g. She and her hubby are both doctors. She went out, leaving hubby
to put the kids to bed.
swivel (something) (+ adv./prep.) to turn or
make something turn around a fixed central point. E.g.
She swivelled the chair around to face them.
mammoth: /ˈmæməθ/
(N) an animal like a large elephant covered with hair, that lived thousands
of years ago and is now extinct.
(Adj) [usually before noun] extremely large. Huge. E.g. a mammoth task. A
financial crisis of mammoth proportions. The actress recalls her mammoth
journey across Russia.
reminisce (about something/somebody) /ˌremɪˈnɪs/ to think, talk or write
about a happy time in your past. E.g. We spent a happy evening reminiscing
about the past.
animosity: /ˌænɪˈmɒsəti/ a strong feeling of opposition,
anger or hatred. Hostility. E.g. animosity (toward(s) somebody/something) He
felt no animosity towards his critics. Animosity (between A and B) personal
animosities between members of the two groups.
wilt (something) 1. if
a plant or flower wilts, or something wilts it, it bends towards the ground because of
the heat or a lack of water. 2. to become weak or tired or less confident. E.g.
The spectators were wilting
visibly in the hot sun. He was wilting under the pressure of work.
landslide:1. (also landfall) a mass of earth,
rock, etc. that falls down the slope of a mountain or a cliff. E.g. The house
was buried beneath a landslide. 2. an election in which one person or party
gets very many more votes than the other people or parties. E.g. She was
expected to win by a landslide. A landslide victory.
erratic: /ɪˈrætɪk/ not happening at regular times; not
following any plan or regular pattern; that you cannot rely on. E.g. The
electricity supply here is quite erratic. She had learnt to live with his
sudden changes of mood and erratic behaviour. Mary is a gifted but erratic
player (= she does not always play well). Irrigation measures will be necessary
in areas of erratic rainfall. Their increasingly erratic policy decisions.
"Erratic weather" means weather that is strange for the season and
that changes a lot from day to day. Erratic weather patterns. Erratic
weather patterns challenge both developed and developing countries.
snap: (adj)made or done quickly and without careful thought or
preparation. E.g. It was a snap decision. They held a snap election.
spin, spun, spun: 1. to turn round and round
quickly; to make something do this. E.g. The plane was spinning out of control.
The dancers spun round and round. We placed our bets and the croupier spun the
roulette wheel. 2. to make thread from wool, cotton, silk, etc. by twisting it.
E.g. She sat by the window spinning.
croupier /ˈkruːpieɪ/ a person whose job is to be in charge of a gambling
table and collect and pay out money, give out cards, etc.
underestimate: 1. underestimate
something | underestimate what, how, etc… to think or guess that the
amount, cost or size of something is smaller than it really is. E.g. to
underestimate the cost of the project. We underestimated the time it would take
to get there. The statistics seriously underestimate the number of people
affected. 2. underestimate somebody/something to not realize how good, strong,
determined, etc. somebody really is Never underestimate your opponent. Their
ability should not be underestimated.
overestimate something to estimate something to be larger, better, more
important, etc. than it really is. E.g. They overestimated his ability when
they promoted him. The importance of these findings cannot be overestimated
(= is very great).
undermine something to make something, especially somebody’s confidence
or authority, gradually weaker or less effective. E.g. Our confidence in the
team has been seriously undermined by their recent defeats. This crisis has
undermined his position. Recent changes have undermined teachers’ morale.
backfire (on somebody) to have the opposite effect to the one intended,
with bad or dangerous results. E.g. Unfortunately the plan backfired. Her plans
to make him jealous backfired on her when he started dating her best friend.
hung parliament: In a parliamentary system of
government, a hung parliament is an expression used to describe a state of a
parliament when no single political party (or bloc of allied /ˈælaɪd/ parties)
has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament (legislature).
thunderbolt: a flash of lightning that comes at the same time as the
noise of thunder and that hits something. E.g. The news hit them like a
thunderbolt (= was very shocking).
vibrant: full of life and energy. E.g. a vibrant city.
Thailand is at its most vibrant during the New Year celebrations.
unseeded: not chosen as a seed in a sports competition, especially in
tennis. E.g. unseeded players.
seeded: (especially of a tennis player) given a number showing that they
are one of the best players in a particular competition. E.g. a seeded player.
seed: (especially in tennis) one of the best players in a competition. The
seeds are given a position in a list to try and make sure that they do not play
each other in the early parts of the competition. Sp. cabeza de serie. E.g. The
top seed won comfortably. the number one seed. she's the number one seed (Sp.es
cabeza de serie número uno) she's the first seed (Sp. es la primera cabeza de
serie)
exert:
1. exert something to use power or influence to affect
somebody/something. E.g He exerted all his authority to make them accept the
plan. The moon exerts a force on the earth that causes the tides.
2. exert yourself to make a big physical or mental effort. E.g. In order to be
successful he would have to exert himself.
mollycoddle: /ˈmɒlikɒdl/
mollycoddle somebody to protect somebody too much and make their life
too comfortable and safe. E.g. She was mollycoddled as a child. You’re not
helping the children by mollycoddling them – they have to grow up sometime.
neighbouring: located or living near or next to a place or person. E.g.
a neighbouring house. Neighbouring towns. A neighbouring farmer.
smell a rat:
(informal) to suspect that something is wrong about a situation. To have a
feeling that something is not as it should be; to have suspicions. Sp. haber
gato encerrado. E.g. I smell a rat. This deal is too good to be true.
wake up and smell the coffee
(informal) (usually in orders)
used to tell somebody to become aware of what is really happening in a
situation, especially when this is something unpleasant. Used to tell someone
that they are wrong about a particular situation and must realize what is
really happening. Become aware of the realities of a situation, however
unpleasant. E.g. ‘keep an eye on your friends, who may be using you—wake up
and smell the coffee!’
(with) arms akimbo
with your hands on your hips and your elbows pointing away from your body.
E.g. He stood, arms akimbo, refusing to move.
not give somebody the time of day
to refuse to speak to somebody because you do not like or respect them.
E.g. Since the success of her novel, people shake her hand who once wouldn't
have given her the time of day.
insouciant: /ɪnˈsuːsiənt/
not worrying or caring about anything. Nonchalant. Not worrying about or paying
attention to possible problems. E.g. his insouciant manner
insouciance: /ɪnˈsuːsiəns/ a relaxed and happy way of behaving without
feeling worried or guilty. E.g. I admired his youthful insouciance.
Nonchalant: /ˈnɒnʃələnt/
behaving in a calm and relaxed way; giving the impression that you are not
feeling any anxiety. E.g. to appear/look/sound nonchalant. ‘It'll be
fine,’ she replied, with a nonchalant shrug.
sideline: 1. sideline somebody to prevent
somebody from playing in a team, especially because of an injury. E.g.
The player has been sidelined by a knee injury. 2. sideline somebody to
prevent somebody from having an important part in something that other people
are doing. E.g. The vice-president is increasingly being sidelined.
sidestep:
1. sidestep something to avoid answering a question or dealing with a
problem. E.g. Did you notice how she neatly sidestepped the question? He
sidestepped the issue by saying it was not his responsibility.
2. sidestep (something) to avoid something, for example being hit, by
stepping to one side. E.g. He cleverly sidestepped the tackle.
go to the dogs: to get into a very bad state. E.g. This firm's gone to
the dogs since the new management took over.
telltale: showing that something exists or has happened. Sp revelador.
E.g. telltale clues/marks/signs/sounds. The telltale smell of cigarettes
told her that he had been in the room.
reclamar: complain about
upset: (in a competition) a situation in which a person or team beats
the person or team that was expected to win. E.g. We had our first major upset
when Rogers was taken off with a leg injury. The war veteran came close to
pulling a stunning political upset in Ohio this summer.
dexterity: /dekˈsterəti/ skill in using your hands or your mind. E.g.
You need manual dexterity to be good at video games. mental/verbal
dexterity. She showed her dexterity with a needle and thread.
dexterous: (also dextrous) /ˈdekstrəs/ skilful with your hands; skilfully
done. E.g. He is a very dexterous surgeon.
pinprick: /ˈpɪnprɪk/ 1. a very small area of something, especially light.
E.g. His eyes narrowed to two small pinpricks. A pinprick in a vast
ocean. The darkness was broken by the odd pinprick of light. 2. a very small
hole in something, especially one that has been made by a pin The only mark on
her was a pinprick left by the injection. 3. something that annoys you even
though it is small and unimportant. E.g. Nausea and tiredness were mere
pinpricks compared to the emotional pain she was feeling. You have to ignore
the pinpricks and just get on with the job.
apex /ˈeɪpeks/ (pl. apexes) the top or highest part of something.
Sp. cumbre, cima, vértice. E.g. the apex of the roof/triangle. (figurative) At
37, she'd reached the apex of her career.
honeycomb: a structure of cells with six sides, made by bees for holding
their honey and their eggs. Sp. panal. E.g. (fig) The hotel complex was a
honeycomb of rooms and courtyards (= there were many small rooms and passages
Sp. laberinto).
cow somebody to frighten somebody in order to make them obey you.
Intimidate. E.g. She was easily cowed by people in authority. We won't be cowed by terrorists.
uncowed: showing courage or boldness : not
fearful or repressed. E.g. We're young, confident and uncowed
cladding: a covering of a hard material, used as
protection. Material that covers the surface of something and protects it. E.g.
The pipes froze because the cladding had fallen off. The plastic cladding is
coming off.
combustible: /kəmˈbʌstəbl/ able to begin burning easily.
Flammable. E.g. combustible material/gases.
flammable: (also inflammable)
that can burn easily. E.g. highly flammable liquids. These materials
are highly flammable.
non-flammable: not likely to burn easily. E.g. non-flammable nightwear.
nightwear: a word used by shops/stores for clothes that are worn in bed.
E.g.
Our men's nightwear and pyjama range has everything you need for bedtime
or lounging, from cotton pyjama sets to dressing gowns, slippers and onesies.
lounge: /laʊndʒ/ to stand, sit or lie in a lazy way. E.g. Several students were
lounging around, reading newspapers.
vindicate: /ˈvɪndɪkeɪt/
1. vindicate something to prove that something is true or that you were
right to do something, especially when other people had a different opinion.
Justify. E.g. I have every confidence that this decision will be fully
vindicated. 2. vindicate somebody to prove that somebody is not guilty
when they have been accused of doing something wrong or illegal. E.g. New
evidence emerged, vindicating him completely.
scathing: /ˈskeɪðɪŋ/ criticizing somebody or something very severely in a way that
shows no respect. Sp. mordaz. E.g. a scathing attack on the new
management. Her father gave her a scathing look. Scathing about
somebody/something He was scathing about the government's performance.
malaise: /məˈleɪz/ [uncountable, singular] Sp. malestar.
1. the problems affecting a particular situation or group of people that are
difficult to explain or identify. An uncomfortable feeling that something is
wrong, especially with society, and that you cannot change the situation. E.g.
economic/ financial/ social malaise. The latest crime figures are merely
symptomatic of a wider malaise in society. They claim it is a symptom of a
deeper and more general malaise in society. We were discussing the roots of the
current economic malaise. 2. a general feeling of being ill/sick, unhappy or
not satisfied, without signs of any particular problem. Unease. E.g. a serious malaise among the staff.
at variance (with somebody/something)
(formal) disagreeing with or opposing somebody/something. E.g. These
conclusions are totally at variance with the evidence. He uttered a string of
oaths, so oddly at variance with his usual smooth and civilized manner. A view
that is at variance with your own.
bristle with something: to contain
a large number of something. E.g. The whole subject bristles with problems. The
newspapers bristled with tributes to the general. The airport is bristling with
security.
eavesdrop (on somebody/something) to listen
secretly to what other people are saying. E.g. We caught him eavesdropping
outside the window. They will have the power to eavesdrop more on us.
odd-job man: a man who
is paid to do different types of jobs, especially in the house or garden. E.g.
Ricardo is an odd-job man.
pad: the place where somebody lives, especially a flat/apartment. E.g.
He moved back into his old bachelor pad. Because his 'man-pad' is in a
constant state of disorder, Andrew spends most of his time at Diana's place.
bachelor apartment: a small flat/apartment suitable for a person living
alone. An apartment consisting of a single large room serving as bedroom and
living room, with a separate bathroom.
man cave: A room or
other part of a home regarded as a refuge for the man or men of a household.
E.g. a man cave equipped with a pool table and pinball machine. His man
cave contained a pool table and a karaoke machine.
A manspace is a location in the home dedicated to traditionally
masculine interests, such as sports entertainment, electronic gaming, high-tech
audiovisual systems and wet bars.
wet bar: a counter
with a sink that is used for serving alcoholic drinks at home or in a hotel
room.
mindful drinking noun
[U]/ˈmaɪnd.fᵊl.drɪŋ.kɪŋ/ the activity of consuming little or no alcohol at social
events. E.g. Forget pub crawls – increasing numbers of young people are
replacing beer and wine with “mindful drinking” – where abstinence, not
alcohol, is all the rage.
small talk: polite
conversation about ordinary or unimportant subjects, especially at social
occasions. E.g. They made small talk for half an hour. He has no small
talk (= is not good at talking politely about unimportant subjects). She was
good at making small talk to put guests at their ease.
carrier: /ˈkæriə(r)/
a company that provides a telephone or Internet service. E.g. mobile-phone
carriers.
streak: a series
of successes or failures, especially in a sport or in gambling. E.g. a streak
of good luck. To hit (= have) a winning streak. To be on a winning/losing
streak. A lucky/unlucky streak. Three disasters in two weeks! We
seem to be going through an unlucky streak.
hapless: not lucky;
unfortunate. The hapless victims of exploitation. Often the hapless victims
have no warning that the flood is on its way.
last chance saloon: a
situation considered to be the last opportunity for success. E.g. This is his
last chance saloon as he is not getting any younger.
unsavoury: /ʌnˈseɪvəri/
unpleasant or offensive; not considered morally acceptable. E.g. an unsavoury
incident. Her friends are all pretty unsavoury characters.
frolic: /ˈfrɒlɪk/
(frolicking, frolicked) to play and move around in a lively, happy way.
E.g. children frolicking on the beach.
life story: the story
that somebody tells you about their whole life. E.g. The guy I was sitting next
to on the plane insisted on telling me his life story. Newspapers have offered
big money to publish her life story.
belter: an exceptional
or outstanding example of something. E.g.‘Owen made the goal with a belter
of a pass’
be well up in something to know a
lot about something. E.g. He's well up in all the latest developments.
raise the roof to produce
or make somebody produce a lot of noise in a building, for example by shouting
or cheering. E.g. Their cheers raised the roof.
lose the plot (British
English, informal) to lose your ability to understand or deal with what is
happening. Sp. irse de la olla. E.g. I’m sorry, I’m losing the plot – can you
explain again? Tony’s put everything in the wrong place – he’s losing the plot.
I can't believe Stuart did that - he must be losing the plot.
high as a kite (informal)
behaving in a very excited way, especially because of being strongly affected
by alcohol or drugs. E.g. I tried to talk to her after the party, but she was
as high as a kite. I was as high as a kite when I heard I'd got the job.
dapper: (of a man)
small with a neat appearance and nice clothes. A man who is dapper is small and
wears attractive clothes that give him a tidy appearance. E.g. Hercule Poirot
is the dapper detective of the Agatha Christie novels.
free-for-all: 1.
situation in which there are no rules or controls and everyone acts for their
own advantage. E.g. The lowering of trade barriers has led to a free-for-all
among exporters. a price-cutting free-for-all. 2. a noisy fight or argument in
which a lot of people take part. E.g. Prompt action by prison staff prevented a
violent free-for-all. The fight on the basketball court turned into a
free-for-all.
it's every man for himself something
that you say that means that everyone in a particular situation is trying to do
what is best for themselves and no one is trying to help anyone else. E.g. It
might be a civilized place to shop at other times, but come the January sales,
it's every man for himself.
hold your own (against somebody/something) (in
something) to remain in a strong position when somebody is attacking you,
competing with you, etc. E.g. Business isn't good but we're managing to hold
our own. She can hold her own against anybody in an argument. The patient is
holding her own although she is still very sick. Suzanne may be young, but she
can hold her own in debates with more experienced council members.
spine-tingling: (also spine-chilling)
(of an event, a piece of music, etc.) enjoyable because it is very exciting or
frightening. Sp. escalofriante. E.g.He told them a spine-chilling ghost story.
show-stopper: a
performance that is very impressive and receives a lot of applause from the
audience. A performance that is so good that the audience interrupts the show
with applause. Anything that is very impressive. E.g. he wants every scene
to be a showstopper. The brilliant orange flowers against the bronze-green
foliage were a showstopper.
showstopping: E.g. a
showstopping performance.
high-flyer (also high-flier)
person who has the desire and the ability to be very successful in their job or
their studies. E.g. academic high-flyers. She's a high-flyer.
you could hear a pin drop: it was extremely quiet. E.g.
The audience was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. You can hear a pin
drop when she sings.
make your hair stand on end also make your hair stand up on the back
of your neck to shock or to cause you to be very frightened. E.g. Massey's
detailed account of the battle made my hair stand on end. I could feel the hair
stand up on the back of my neck at the thought of crossing that old bridge. A
chilling tale that will make your hair stand on end.
on board: giving your support to an idea or a project. E.g. We must get
more sponsors on board. You need to bring the whole staff on board. It’s good
to have you on board (= working with us) for this project.
unconscionable: /ʌnˈkɒnʃənəbl/
1. (of an
action, etc.) so
bad, immoral, etc. that it should make you feel ashamed. Sp. Inadmissible. E.g.
It would be unconscionable for her to keep
the money. 2. (often
humorous) too
great, large, long, etc. Excessive. E.g. You take
an unconscionable amount of time getting dressed!
account for somebody/ account
for something: to know where somebody/something is or what has
happened to them, especially after an accident. E.g. All passengers have now
been accounted for. Three files cannot be accounted for. Many people have not
been accounted for.
cast/run an
eye/your eyes over something: to look at or examine
something quickly. E.g. Could you just run your eyes over this report?
fingertip
search: 1. A search using one’s fingertips. 2. A
systematic and meticulous examination of a crime scene for evidence, conducted
by multiple police officers or other enlisted personnel. E.g. It requires
painstaking fingertip search.
painstaking:
needing a lot of care, effort and attention to detail. Thorough. E.g. painstaking
research. The event
had been planned with painstaking attention to detail.
engulf somebody/something
to surround or to cover somebody/something
completely. E.g. He
was engulfed by a crowd of reporters. The
vehicle was engulfed in flames.
inferno:
a very large dangerous fire that is out of control. E.g.
a blazing/raging
inferno. The flames
quickly turned the house into a raging inferno. Three
men managed to escape from the inferno.
destitute:
1. without money, food and the other things
necessary for life. E.g. When
he died, his family was left completely destitute. 2. the
destitute noun
[plural]
people who are destitute.
3. destitute of something
(formal)
lacking something. E.g.
They seem destitute of ordinary human
feelings.
smoulder:
/ˈsməʊldə(r)/ 1. to burn slowly without a flame.
E.g. The bonfire was still
smouldering the next day. A
smouldering cigarette. (figurative) The feud smouldered on for years. The smouldering carcass /ˈkɑːkəs/
burns. 2. (formal) to be filled with
a strong emotion that you do not fully express. E.g. smoulder (with something) His eyes smouldered with anger. smoulder (in something) Anger smouldered in his eyes.
sobering
/ˈsəʊbərɪŋ/
making you feel serious and think carefully. E.g.
a sobering
effect/experience/thought, etc.
It is sobering to realize that this is not a new problem.
stay put
(informal) if
somebody/something stays put, they continue to be in the place where they are
or where they have been put. E.g. He chose to stay put while the rest of us
toured the area.
tourniquet /ˈtʊənɪkeɪ/ a
piece of cloth, etc. that is tied tightly around an arm or a leg to stop the
loss of blood from a wound. E.g. Apply a tight tourniquet above the wound. I used a belt
as a tourniquet.
your heart
goes out to somebody
used to say that you feel a
lot of sympathy for somebody. E.g. Our hearts go out to the families of the
victims.
blaze: to burn brightly and strongly. E.g. A
huge fire was blazing in the fireplace.
Within minutes the whole
building was blazing. He rushed back into the blazing house.
fall on deaf
ears
to be ignored or not noticed
by other people. E.g. Her advice fell on deaf ears.
grit: the
courage and determination that makes it possible for somebody to continue doing
something difficult or unpleasant. E.g. He’s got a lot of grit.
ides /aɪdz/ (pl) the middle day of the month in the ancient Roman
system, from which other days were calculated. E.g. the
ides of March. She was born on the ides of
March. From Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, 1601.
'Beware the Ides of March' is the soothsayer's (/ˈsuːθseɪə(r)/ Sp. Adivino)
message to Julius Caesar, warning of his death.
lumbering /ˈlʌmbərɪŋ/ moving in a slow, heavy and awkward way. E.g. a
lumbering dinosaur. In the distance, we could see a herd of elephants lumbering
across the plain.
sitting
duck: (also sitting target) a person or thing that is easy to attack. E.g. Its
location makes the island a sitting duck for attackers. When
somebody's got a lot of money and the rest of the world knows about it, they're
sitting targets for scams. The children were like sitting ducks and had no way
to protect themselves.
abject:
terrible and without hope. The state of being extremely unhappy, poor,
unsuccessful, etc. Sp. Lamentable. E.g.
abject poverty/misery/failure. They live in abject poverty. This policy
has turned out to be an abject failure.
flounder: 1. (+ speech)
to struggle to know what to
say or do or how to continue with something. To feel confused and not know what
to say or do next. E.g. His abrupt change of subject left her floundering
helplessly. Maureen floundered, trying to think of a response. 2. to have a lot of problems and to be in danger of failing
completely. E.g. At that time the industry was floundering. The
new democracy there continues to flounder. The country’s economy is floundering and the future is
uncertain. 3. (+ adv./prep.)
to struggle to move or get
somewhere in water, mud, etc. E.g.
She was floundering around
in the deep end of the swimming pool.
A man came floundering
through the snow towards us.
profligate: /ˈprɒflɪɡət/ using
money, time, materials, etc. in a careless way. Sp. derrochador,
despilfarrador. E.g. profligate
spending the profligate use of resources The
opposition criticized the government’s profligate spending plans. The
report dismisses claims that the US is profligate in its use of energy. She is
well-known for her profligate spending habits.
unyielding /ʌnˈjiːldɪŋ/ 1. if
a person is unyielding, they are not easily influenced and they are unlikely to
change their mind. Inflexible. Completely unwilling to change a decision,
opinion, demand, etc. Very strict and severe. Sp. Que no cede. E.g. Korea is
unyielding in its demands for a new treaty. Her expression was hard and
unyielding. Her unyielding faith. He had an unyielding belief. The authorities
proved unyielding on one crucial opposition demand. His unyielding attitude on
this subject was that since he had done it, so could everyone. 2. unable to
bend or be penetrated under pressure; hard. E.g. trees so unyielding that they
broke in the harsh north winds. The troopers had to build roads through those
unyielding mountains. He sat on the edge of an unyielding armchair, a cup of
tea in his hand.
trooper: a soldier of low rank in the part of an army that uses
tanks or horses. E.g. He was a cavalry trooper before being injured at the
battle of Corunna.
cough /kɒf/
cough up/ cough something up (informal)
to give something, especially money, unwillingly. E.g. Steve finally coughed up
the money he owed us.
cough something (up)
to force something out of your throat or
lungs by coughing. E.g. Sometimes
she coughed (up) blood.
onanism
/ˈəʊnənɪzəm/
1. Masturbation. 2. coitus interruptus
(/ˌkɔɪtəs ɪntəˈrʌptəs/
an act of sexual
intercourse in which the man removes his penis
from the woman’s body before he ejaculates,
in order to prevent the woman from becoming pregnant).
succinctly: /səkˈsɪŋktli/
using only a few words that state something
clearly. Concisely. E.g. You put that very
succinctly.
providential: happening exactly when needed but without being planned. E.g. a
providential opportunity. A providential event.
providentially: /ˌprɒvɪˈdenʃəli/
in a way that is lucky because it happens at
the right time but without being planned. E.g. However,
her ordeal came to an end somewhat providentially.
redraw something
to make changes to something such as the
borders of a country or region, a plan, an arrangement, etc.
E.g. After the war the map of Europe was redrawn.
To redraw the boundaries
between male and female roles in the home.
slight:
small and thin in size. E.g.
a slight woman. He
was of slight build. She
was smaller and slighter than I had imagined.
earthy: concerned
with the body, sex , etc. in an open and direct way that some people find rude
or embarrassing. Sp. grosero. E.g. He has an earthy sense of
humour. 2 like or relating to earth. E.g. an earthy smell/taste.
despotism:
/ˈdespətɪzəm/ E.g. After years of despotism, the country is now moving
towards democracy.
despot: /ˈdespɒt/ a person, especially a ruler, who has unlimited
power over other people, and often uses it unfairly and cruelly. E.g. déspota.
E.g. an evil despot. The king was regarded as having been an enlightened despot
(= one who tries to use his/her power in a good way).
despotic /dɪˈspɒtɪk/ connected with or typical of a ruler
with great power, especially one who uses it in a cruel way. E.g. despotic
power/rule. A despotic government/regime.
communiqué: /kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪ/ an official statement or report,
especially to newspapers. E.g. The
leaders attending the conference have issued a joint communiqué.
bickering: the activity of arguing about things that are not important. Sp.
riñas, discusiones. E.g. I wish
they would stop their constant bickering.
bicker (about/over something) to argue about things
that are not important. E.g. The children are always bickering about something or other. Whenever the phone rings they bicker over who must answer it.
in and of itself considering it alone. Without considering anything else. E.g. The idea
in and of itself is not bad, but the side issues introduce many difficulties.
Her action, in and of itself, caused us no problem. Any step we can take to end
the conflict and save lives is important in and of itself. Usage notes:
sometimes used in the form in and of themselves: Lower interest rates in and of
themselves don't mean much for stock prices. In and of itself the plan might
work, but I doubt that it will be approved. It is also put simply as in itself: this account may be true in
itself.
jamboree:
/ˌdʒæmbəˈriː/ a large party or celebration. E.g. the movie industry’s annual
jamboree at Cannes.
Be Mr Late Better Than Late Mr: In this case, being "Mr. Late"
means that you are habitually late. In other words, you are late so often that
it may as well be your name. Being "late Mr." means that you are
dead. For example, someone might refer to "the late Mr. Smith" if
they were talking about someone named Smith who died recently.
turf: 1. short grass and the surface layer of soil that is held together by its
roots. 2. the place where somebody lives and/or works, especially when they
think of it as their own. Sp. territorio. He feels more confident on home
turf. Judges feel that the courtroom is their private turf. The gymnastics
team won the championship on their home turf.
up your game / raise your game: to make an effort to improve
the way that you do something. E.g. They're going to have to raise their game
if they want to stay in the Premiership this season.
anathema: /əˈnæθəmə/ a thing or an idea which you hate because it is the opposite of what
you believe. E.g. Racial prejudice is (an) anathema to me.
deadlocked: in a state of complete failure to reach agreement or settle
an argument. E.g. Despite months of discussion the negotiations remained
deadlocked. The jury is deadlocked.
mistrial: 1. a trial that is not considered valid
because of a mistake in the way it has been conducted. 2. a trial in which the
jury cannot reach a decision.
press: the type or amount of reports that newspapers write
about somebody/something E.g.The airline has had a bad press recently (=
journalists have written unpleasant things about it). The demonstration got
very little press. Get bad press.
rub your hands: To experience or display pleased anticipation, self-satisfaction,
or glee. They must be rubbing their hands in glee. Shareholders in the
massively profitable business must be rubbing their hands in glee. Their
political opponents will be rubbing their hands with glee.
unsung: not praised or famous but deserving to be. E.g. the unsung
heroes of the war
a flash in the pan
a sudden success that lasts only a short time and is not likely to be
repeated. Something that happened only once or for a short time and was not
repeated. E.g. He needed to prove that his success was not just a flash in the
pan. Sadly, their success was just a flash in the pan.
at the top of the agenda: E.g. For the government, education is
now at the top of the agenda (= most important).
run out of steam
(informal) to lose energy and enthusiasm
and stop doing something, or do it less well. E.g. The peace talks seem to have
run out of steam.
inadvertently: /ˌɪnədˈvɜːtəntli/ by accident; without
intending to. Unintentionally. E.g. We had inadvertently left
without paying the bill.
what is black and white and read all over?
Newspapers
mind over matter
the use of the power of your mind to deal with physical problems. E.g. He
said that keeping running in spite of the pain was just a question of mind over
matter. Do you believe that healing is a question of mind over matter? He
announced what he called "the ultimate test of mind over matter" - a
woman walking over hot coals.
obliterate: /əˈblɪtəreɪt/
obliterate something to remove all signs of something, either by
destroying or covering it completely. E.g. The building was completely
obliterated by the bomb. The snow had obliterated their footprints. Everything
that happened that night was obliterated from his memory.
early to bed and early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise):
said to emphasize that someone who gets enough sleep and starts work early in
the day will have a successful life.
disquieting: causing worry and unhappiness. E.g. Everything
about her seemed perfect apart form one disquieting fact. The disquieting
situation between these two neighbouring countries looks as if it will
continue. He found her letter disquieting.
poised: /pɔɪzd/ completely ready for something or to do something. E.g. poised
for something The economy is poised for recovery. Poised to do something
The British team is poised to win the title. Kate is poised to become the
highest-paid supermodel in the fashion world. The UK is poised to come out of
Europe.
beggar belief/description
to be too extreme, shocking, etc. to believe/describe. E.g. It beggars
belief how things could have got this bad.
spate of something a large number of things, which are usually unpleasant,
that happen suddenly within a short period of time. E.g. The bombing was the
latest in a spate of terrorist attacks. A recent spate of killings/thefts.
desensitize: /ˌdiːˈsensətaɪz/ (also -ise) 1. desensitize
somebody/something (to something) to make somebody/something less aware of
something, especially a problem or something bad, by making them become used to
it. E.g. People are increasingly becoming desensitized to violence on
television. Doctors and medical researchers have to become desensitised in
order to do their jobs. 2. desensitize somebody/something (specialist)
to treat somebody/something so that they will stop being sensitive to physical
or chemical changes, or to a particular substance. E.g. There is no effective
serum to desensitize people who are allergic to fleas.
cut your teeth on something
to do something that gives you your first experience of a particular type
of work. E.g. She cut her teeth on local radio. Actors who cut their teeth on
low-budget films. She cut her political teeth on student debates. She cut
her teeth on a local newspaper before landing a job on a national daily.
foray (into something) an attempt to become involved in a different activity
or profession. E.g. the company’s first foray into the computer market.
execrable: /ˈeksɪkrəbl/ very bad. E.g. execrable poetry. It was
execrable. An execrable performance.
