English Learning

Front 1

to make a fuss [fʌs]

Back 1

to become angry or upset about something, often unnecessarily

Front 2

to make a scene

Back 2

to complain very loudly and lose your temper
e.g. Don't make a scene in the public

Front 3

to annoy

Back 3

to make someone angry with you

Front 4

to irritate

Back 4

to provoke anger or displeasure

Front 5

formal complaint

Back 5

official, sometimes written, statement or dissatisfaction, made to a person or organisation

Front 6

riled up

Back 6

made angry or dissatified
e.g. Don't get riled.
It riles me that he won't agree.

Front 7

nettle

Back 7

wild plant which stings you if you touch it

Front 8

grasp the nettle

Back 8

to deal with an unpleasant problem or situation in a bold, decisive way

Front 9

sting [stɪŋ]
stung [stʌŋ]

Back 9

to touch your skin or make a very small hole in it so that you feel a sharp pain
e.g. She was stung by a bee

Front 10

unattainable [ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbl]

Back 10

impossible to achieve or reach

Front 11

groom [ɡruːm]

Back 11

to prepare or train somebody for an important job or position
groom somebody (for/as something)
Our junior employees are being groomed for more senior roles.
groom somebody to do something
The eldest son is being groomed to take over when his father dies.

Front 12

literary [lɪtərəri]

Back 12

connected with literature

Front 13

instant classic

Back 13

phrase used when something is incredibly cool.
Referring to something being "extravagantly awesome".
e.g.
That book was an instant classic.
*your team scores a point*...wow, that was an instant classic!!

Front 14

Fantasy novels are just too much for me

Back 14

= dislike

Front 15

twist somebody's arm
(informal)
(idioms)

Back 15

to persuade or force somebody to do something
e.g.
He might help us with the painting if you twist his arm.
Can you help me, or do I have to twist your arm?

Front 16

let the cat out of the bag

Back 16

to tell a secret carelessly or by mistake
e.g.
I think I might have let the cat out of the bag when I mentioned the party this morning.
I wanted it to be a surprise, but my sister let the cat out of the bag.

Front 17

grapevine [ɡreɪpvaɪn]

Back 17

a climbing plant that produces grapes

Front 18

hear (sth) on/through the grapevine
[idioms]

Back 18

to hear news from someone who heard the news from someone else

e.g. I heard on the grapevine that he was leaving - is it true?
- How do you know about John's illness?

- Oh, I heard it on the grapevine.