English Vocabulary All

Front 1

adjourn

Back 1

close a meeting; suspend the business of a meeting; desband; recess

Front 2

rant

He's always ranting (on) about the government.
I get fed up with my mother ranting and raving (about my clothes) all the time.

Back 2

to speak or shout in a loud, uncontrolled or angry way, often saying confused or silly things

Front 3

hands-on


She's very much a hands-on manager.

Back 3

Someone with a hands-on way of doing things becomes closely involved in managing and organizing things and in making decisions

Front 4

There was a break out at the local prison last night

Back 4

break out: Escape

Front 5

....forbidden (collocation)

Back 5

strictly

Front 6

NB

Back 6

Note well
from nota bene

Front 7

Pass the buck
Government ministers always pass the bulk if they are challenged with poverty

Back 7

blame somebody else/ refuse to accept responsibility

Front 8

astute

Back 8

shrewd; wise, perpicacious; sagacious, crafty, cunning, sly

Front 9

amputee

Back 9

a person who has had an arm or leg cut off

Front 10

hit it off informal

I didn't really hit it off with his friends.
Jake and Sue hit it off immediately.

Back 10

to like someone and become friendly immediately

Front 11

outspoken
She always speaks out and gives her opinion
She is very outspoken

Back 11

outspoken:
1.uttered or expressed with frankness or without reserve: outspoken criticism.
2.free or unreserved in speech.

Front 12

...cold

Back 12

bitterly

Front 13

i.e.

Back 13

that is
from id est

Front 14

acting the fool/goat
Stop acting the goat

Back 14

acting stupidly

Front 15

censure

Back 15

act of blaming; hostile criticism; rebuke; reprimand

Front 16

fornicate

Back 16

to have sex with someone who you are not married to

Front 17

be snowed under


She wants me to take some time off but I'm snowed under with work at the moment. [often + with]

Back 17

to have so much work that you have problems dealing with it all

Front 18

The school took in some outstanding students last year

Back 18

take in: admit

Front 19

... cars

Back 19

fast

Front 20

AD

Back 20

years since Christ birth
from Anno Domini

Front 21

kill two birds with one stone
I killed two birds with one stone and saw some old friends while I was in Leeds visiting my parents.

Back 21

to manage to do two things at the same time instead of just one, because it is convenient to do both

Front 22

demolish

Back 22

tear down; destroy; raze; smash; wreck

Front 23

feud

a family feud
a 10-year-old feud between the two countries
a bitter feud over land

Back 23

an argument which has existed for a long time between two people or groups, causing a lot of anger or violence

Front 24

red tape


My passport application has been held up by red tape.

Back 24

official rules which do not seem necessary and make things happen very slowly

Front 25

It was an experience that put everyone off

Back 25

put off: Confuse

Front 26

.... meal

Back 26

quick

Front 27

bedsit

Back 27

one room which is a bedroom and a sitting room

Front 28

in the blink of an eye
In the blink of an eye the handsome prince was transformed into an ugly frog

Back 28

extremely quickly

Front 29

a bone of contention
The main bone of contention was deciding who would take care of the children after the divorce.

Back 29

something that people argue about for a long time

Front 30

discharge

Back 30

unload, dismiss;fire

Front 31

sniveling

That sniveling creep/coward!

Back 31

used to describe someone you do not like because they are weak and unpleasant

Front 32

breathe down sb's neck


It's awful having to work with a boss who's breathing down your neck the whole time.

Back 32

to pay very close attention to what someone does in a way that annoys or worries them

Front 33

A lorry which had broken down was blocking the road
A broken down lorry was blocking the road

Back 33

1.shattered or collapsed, as with age; infirm.
2.having given way with use or age; out of working order: a broken-down chair

Front 34

.... glance

Back 34

quick

Front 35

PTO

Back 35

Please turn over

Front 36

be as dry as a bone
I don't think he's been watering these plants - the soil's as dry as a bone.

Back 36

to be extremely dry

Front 37

dissent

Back 37

differ in opinion; desagree; object

Front 38

.... to the rules
= not violate

Back 38

keep/stick

Front 39

rabbi

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
[as form of address] Good morning, Rabbi.

Back 39

a religious leader and teacher in the Jewish religion

Front 40

well-being

People doing yoga benefit from an increased feeling of well-being.

Back 40

the state of feeling healthy and happy

Front 41

Shake-up
Big shake-up expected in education

Back 41

a thorough change in a business, department, or the like, as by dismissals, demotions, etc.

Front 42

pcm

Back 42

per calender month

Front 43

rough and ready
I've done a rough and ready translation of the instructions. I hope it's clear enough.

Back 43

if you do something in a rough and ready way, you do it quickly and without preparing it carefully

Front 44

equitable

Back 44

fair to all concerned; just; impartial; objective; unbiased

Front 45

.... engine

Back 45

powerful

Front 46

bogus

On investigation, his claim was found to be bogus.
She produced some bogus documents to support her application.

Back 46

false, not real or not legal

Front 47

Cover-up
Minister denies cover-up

Back 47

1.any action, stratagem, or other means of concealing or preventing investigation or exposure.
2.Also, cov·er·up . any of various women's garments, as loose blouses, jump suits, caftans, or sarongs, worn over a swimsuit, exercise clothing, or the like.

Front 48

pw

Back 48

per week

Front 49

Cool, calm and collected

Back 49

relaxed ,in control and not nervous

Front 50

exonerate

Back 50

free from blam; clear from accusation; acquit; absolve

Front 51

..... monument

Back 51

ancient

Front 52

gash

Back 52

a long deep cut, especially in the skin

Front 53

Lockout
Lockout continues at aviation plant

Back 53

the temporary closing of a business or the refusal by an employer to allow employees to come to work until they accept the employer's terms.

Front 54

inc excl

Back 54

including excluding facilities

Front 55

to cut a long story short British & Australian, American to make a long story short
Anyway, to cut a long story short, we left at midnight and James left somewhat later.

Back 55

something that you say when you are about to stop telling someone all the details of something that happened and tell them only the main facts

Front 56

extemporaneous

Back 56

composed or spoken without preparation; offhand; impromptu; improvised

Front 57

.... an effort

Back 57

make

Front 58

stride

The West made impressive strides in improving energy efficiency after the huge rises in oil prices during the seventies.
The group has made strides to expand internationally.

Back 58

an important positive development

Front 59

Shutdown
Power plant shutdown leaves 5000 home in darkness

Back 59

a shutting down; a closing of a factory or the like for a time.

Front 60

n/s

Back 60

non smoking

Front 61

by hook or by crook
I decided that I was going to get that job by hook or by crook.

Back 61

if you intend to do something by hook or by crook, you are determined not to let anything stop you doing it and are ready to use any methods

Front 62

extricate

Back 62

free from difficulties; disentangle; desencumber; release

Front 63

.... dark

Back 63

pitch

Front 64

pariah

Back 64

a person who is not accepted by a social group, especially because he or she is not liked, respected or trusted

Front 65

Knock down
They are knocking down the old hotel

Back 65

to sell at auction by a blow of the hammer or to a bidder.

Front 66

ch

Back 66

central heating

Front 67

be at loggerheads
They're constantly at loggerheads with the farmers' union. [often + with]
The Senate and the House are still at loggerheads over the most crucial parts of the bill. [sometimes + over]

Back 67

if two people or groups are at loggerheads, they disagree strongly about something

Front 68

forfeit

Back 68

lose or have to give up as a penalty for some error, neglect, or fault; sacrifice

Front 69

poverty .... crime
= causes

Back 69

breeds

Front 70

stub your toe

Back 70

to hurt your toe by hitting it against a hard object by accident

Front 71

branch off
The path branched off to the river

Back 71

If a road or path branches off, it goes in another direction

Front 72

overshadow
Our garden is overshadowed by the block of apartments next door
She always felt overshadowed by her older more successful sister

Back 72

1.
to be more important or significant by comparison: For years he overshadowed his brother.
2.
to cast a shadow over; cover with shadows, clouds, darkness, etc.; darken or obscure: clouds overshadowing the moon.
3.
to make sad or hang heavily over; cast a pall on: a disappointment that overshadowed their last years.

Front 73

pay through the nose informal
If you want a decent wine in a restaurant, you have to pay through the nose for it. [usually + for]

Back 73

to pay too much for something

Front 74

illegible

Back 74

not able to be read; very hard to read; not legible; undecipherable

Front 75

a ... meal
=big

Back 75

substantial

Front 76

flinch

He didn't even flinch when the nurse cleaned the wound.

Back 76

to make a sudden small movement because of pain or fear

Front 77

Sort out
The plumber soon sorted out the shower problem

Back 77

to put in order; clarify

Front 78

Overstep
He overstepped the mark when he said that

Back 78

to go beyond; exceed: to overstep one's authority.

Front 79

have second thoughts
You're not having second thoughts about coming to Brighton with me, are you? [often + about]

Back 79

if you have second thoughts about something, you change your opinion or start to have doubts about it

Front 80

inadvertently

Back 80

not done on purpose; unintentionally; thoughtlessly; accidentally; carelessly

Front 81

... disappointed

Back 81

bitterly

Front 82

pony up sth or pony sth up American, informal, old-fashioned


It's about time the US ponied up its share of the UN's operating budget.

Back 82

to pay an amount of money for something

Front 83

The noise of the train died away

Back 83

die away, (of a sound) to become weaker or fainter and then cease: The hoofbeats gradually died away.

Front 84

understaffed
The company is really understaffed

Back 84

having an insufficient number of personnel: The hospital is understaffed.

Front 85

as free as a bird
She'd been traveling alone round the Greek islands for a year - free as a bird.

Back 85

completely free to do what you want and without any worries

Front 86

inappropriate

Back 86

not fitting; unsuitable; unbecoming; not appropriate; improper

Front 87

... snow

Back 87

heavy

Front 88

affable

He struck me as an affable sort of a man.
She was quite affable at the meeting.

Back 88

friendly and easy to talk to

Front 89

Move up
Tina was so clever that teacher moved her up to a higher class

Back 89

to advance to a higher level.

Front 90

underfoot
It is quite wet underfoot. Didi it rain last night?

Back 90

1.
under the foot or feet; on the ground; underneath or below: The climb was difficult because there were so many rocks underfoot.
2.
so as to form an obstruction, as in walking; in the way: the ends of her sash falling constantly underfoot.

Front 91

give sb a free hand
His manager had given him a free hand to make whatever changes he felt necessary. [often + to do sth]

Back 91

to allow someone to do whatever they think is necessary in a particular situation

Front 92

lucrative

Back 92

moneymaking; profitable; advantageous; remunerative

Front 93

... jealous of sb.

Back 93

desperately

Front 94

coop

Back 94

a cage (= small space surrounded by bars, wire, etc.) where small animals are kept, especially chickens

Front 95

Move up
Tina moved up to a higher class

Back 95

to advance to a higher level.

Front 96

underhand
He did it in a very underhand way

Back 96

1.
not open and aboveboard; secret and crafty or dishonorable: an underhand deal with the chief of police.
2.
executed with the hand below the level of the shoulder and the palm turned upward and forward: an underhand delivery of a ball.

Front 97

well-to-do
In Johannesburg's well-to-do suburbs, residents are hiring security guards to protect their homes.

Back 97

rich

Front 98

permanent

Back 98

lasting; enduring; intended to last; stable

Front 99

nads

Back 99

testicles

Front 100

Drop off
I can drop you off at the station

Back 100

drive you somewhere and leave you ther

Front 101

give sb a .... to somewhere
= ride

Back 101

lift

Front 102

upturn

There has been an upturn in the economy

Back 102

sudden change for the better

Front 103

out of the blue British, American & Australian, American & Australian out of a clear (blue) sky
Then one day, completely out of the blue, I had a letter from her.
The invasion came out of a clear blue sky and caught everyone off guard.

Back 103

if something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly and you are not expecting it

Front 104

prohibit

Back 104

forbid; ban; enjoin; interdict

Front 105

mirage

Back 105

an image, produced by very hot air, of something which seems to be far away but does not really exist
•
literary a hope or wish that has no chance of being achieved
Electoral victory is just a distant mirage.

Front 106

Drop off
I was sitting in the armchair and I dropped off

Back 106

Fall asleep

Front 107

to ... demands on sb

Back 107

make

Front 108

commiserate

Back 108

to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for; empathize with; pity.

Front 109

put your foot down

When Anna came home drunk one afternoon I decided it was time to put my foot down.

Back 109

to tell someone in a strong way that they must do something or that they must stop doing something
You can't just let him do what he wants, you'll have to put your foot down.

Front 110

punctual

Back 110

on time; prompt; timely

Front 111

Siamese twins

Back 111

conjoined twins (= two people with the same mother who were born at the same time, with some part of their bodies joined together)

Front 112

associate with
I always associate that song with our holiday in Vegas

Back 112

to connect or bring into relation, as thought, feeling, memory, etc

Front 113

to ... divorced

Back 113

get

Front 114

congeal

Back 114

1.
to change from a soft or fluid state to a rigid or solid state, as by cooling or freezing: The fat congealed on the top of the soup.
2.
to curdle; coagulate, as a fluid.
3.
to make or become fixed, as ideas, sentiments, or principles: Some philosophic systems lost their vitality and congealed.
.

Front 115

put/set the cat among the pigeons British & Australian

Tell them all they've got to work on Saturday. That should set the cat among the pigeons.

Back 115

to do or say something that causes trouble and makes a lot of people angry or worried

Front 116

rebuke

Back 116

express disapproval of; criticize sharply; censure severely; remprimand; reprove

Front 117

frivolous

I think he sees her as a frivolous young woman.

Back 117

behaving in a silly and thoughtless way when you should be serious

Front 118

mark down
The teacher marked two students down/marked down two students

Back 118

to reduce the price or grade of: These towels have been marked down.

Front 119

..... ones time

Back 119

spend

Front 120

overleaf
A detailed list of awards is given overleaf

Back 120

on the other side of the page or sheet.

Front 121

safe and sound

It was a difficult drive but we all arrived safe and sound.

Back 121

if you are safe and sound, you are not harmed in any way, although you were in a dangerous situation

Front 122

frivolous

I feel like doing something completely frivolous today.

Back 122

describes an activity or object which is silly or not important rather than useful or serious

Front 123

cut off
The accident cut of domestic and industrial water and electricity supply

Back 123

to interrupt.

Front 124

to ... a (exciting) life

Back 124

lead

Front 125

overbearing

He has a very overbearing personality

Back 125

1.
domineering; dictatorial; haughtily or rudely arrogant.
2.
of overwhelming or critical importance.

Front 126

lie through your teeth


The man's lying through his teeth. He never said anything of the sort.

Back 126

to tell someone something that you know is completely false

Front 127

molest

The girl had been molested frequently by her stepfather from the age of eight.
The man had previously been arrested several times for molesting young boys.

Back 127

to touch or attack someone in a sexual way against their wishes

Front 128

contend with
We've had to contend with a lot of problems lately

Back 128

deal with a difficult or unpleasant situation

Front 129

to ... a call
= to call

Back 129

give

Front 130

abdicate

The aging founder of the firm decided to abdicate.

Back 130

to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner

Front 131

drive/send sb round the bend informal


You're driving me round the bend with your constant complaining.

Back 131

to make someone very angry, especially by continuing to do something annoying

Front 132

eerie

She heard the eerie noise of the wind howling through the trees.
He had the eerie feeling that he had met this stranger before.

Back 132

strange in a frightening and mysterious way

Front 133

put up with
I will not put up with such a bad behavior

Back 133

tolerate

Front 134

to ... oneself a bath

Back 134

run

Front 135

abscond

The cashier absconded with the money.

Back 135

to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution

Front 136

pick up the bill/tab informal


When we go out for dinner it's always Jack who picks up the bill.
It's the taxpayer who picks up the tab for all these crazy government

Back 136

to pay for something, often something that is not your responsibility

Front 137

patsy

Back 137

a person who it is easy to cheat or make suffer

Front 138

look down on/upon
They look down on all foreigners.

Back 138

to regard with scorn or disdain

Front 139

a ... pain

Back 139

sharp

Front 140

ablaze

They set the logs ablaze

Back 140

1.
burning; on fire: They set the logs ablaze.
2.
gleaming with bright lights, bold colors, etc.
3.
excited; eager; zealous; ardent.

Front 141

come (back) down to earth (with a bang/bump/jolt)

We came down to earth with a bump when we got back from our holidays to find we had a burst pipe.

Back 141

to have to start dealing with the unpleasant or boring things that happen every day after a period of excitement and enjoyment

Front 142

flex

First, straighten your legs, then flex your feet.
He tried to impress me by flexing his huge muscles.

Back 142

to bend an arm, leg, etc. or tighten a muscle

Front 143

get on with
My boss and I get on very well" [syn: get along with]

Back 143

have smooth relations

Front 144

to ... the pain
= make it better

Back 144

ease

Front 145

afloat
The ship was set afloat.
cargo afloat and ashore.
The main deck was afloat.

Back 145

1.
floating or borne on the water; in a floating condition: The ship was set afloat.
2.
on board a ship, boat, raft, etc.; at sea: cargo afloat and ashore.
3.
covered with water; flooded; awash: The main deck was afloat.

Front 146

hold/stand your ground


The union stood its ground in negotiations despite pressure by management to accept a pay cut.

Back 146

to refuse to change your opinions or behaviour, even if other people try to force you to do this

Front 147

stride across/down/into, etc


She strode across the stage.

Back 147

› to walk somewhere with long steps:

Front 148

face up to
to face up to the facts.
He refused to face up to his problems.

Back 148

a.to acknowledge; admit: to face up to the facts.
b.to meet courageously; confront: He refused to face up to his problems.

Front 149

a ... bend/turn

Back 149

sharp

Front 150

adrift

The survivors were adrift in the rowboat for three days.

Back 150

floating without control; drifting; not anchored or moored: The survivors were adrift in the rowboat for three days.
2.
lacking aim, direction, or stability.

Front 151

put/stick the knife in British & Australian, informal


'No one in the office likes you, you know, Tim', she said, putting the knife in.
The reviewer from The Times really stuck the knife in, calling it the worst play he'd seen in years.

Back 151

to do or say something unpleasant to someone in an unkind way

Front 152

gourmet

Back 152

someone who enjoys good food and drink and knows a lot about it

Front 153

freeze over
The lake freezes over for several months each year.

Back 153

to coat or become coated with ice

Front 154

a .... contrast/difference/ distinction

Back 154

sharp

Front 155

terrestrial

Back 155

1.
pertaining to, consisting of, or representing the earth as distinct from other planets.
2.
of or pertaining to land as distinct from water.
3.
Botany .
a.
growing on land; not aquatic.
b.
growing in the ground; not epiphytic or aeria

Front 156

be banging/hitting your head against a brick wall


I've been trying to get the rules changed for years now but I'm hitting my head against a brick wall.
He never listens to me - sometimes I feel like I'm banging my head against a brick wall.

Back 156

to keep asking someone to do something which they never do

Front 157

freewheeling

There is an independence and freewheeling spirit in Alaska.

Back 157

willing to experiment and take risks by going beyond the usual rules or accepted ways of doing things:

Front 158

standby
My wife's a pilot and she's on standby over the weekend
We're keeping the old equipment as a standby, in case of emergencies

Back 158

ready to be used if necessary

Front 159

a ... increase/rise/drop

Back 159

sharp

Front 160

extraterrestrial

Back 160

outside, or originating outside, the limits of the earth.

Front 161

frighten/scare the (living) daylights out of sb

Don't come up behind me like that. You scared the living daylights out of me!

Back 161

to frighten someone very much

Front 162

spur

The huge new factory spurred economic growth in the entire region.

Back 162

to encourage an activity or development, or to cause something to develop faster:

Front 163

letdown
I had been looking forward to the concert for weeks but it turned out to be a terrible letdown

Back 163

disappointment

Front 164

try every possible way

Back 164

I've tried every possible way to help him

Front 165

extraneous
extraneous substances in our water.
an extraneous remark; extraneous decoration.

Back 165

1.
introduced or coming from without; not belonging or proper to a thing; external; foreign: extraneous substances in our water.
2.
not pertinent; irrelevant: an extraneous remark; extraneous decoration.

Front 166

against (all) the odds, against all odds


Against all the odds, she conceived her first child at the age of 56.
He struggled against the odds to keep his business going during the recession.

Back 166

if you do or achieve something against all the odds, you do or achieve it although there were a lot of problems and you were not likely to succeed

Front 167

proprietary

This is proprietary software, and you have no right to copy it without a license from the owner.

Back 167

owned and legally controlled by a particular company:

Front 168

back-up
Neil can provide technical back-up if needed

Back 168

support

Front 169

find a way

Back 169

I must find a way to help him

Front 170

-ridden
guilt-ridden
crime-ridden
bedridden

Back 170

a combining form meaning “obsessed with,” “overwhelmed by” ( torment-ridden ) or “full of,” “burdened with” ( debt-ridden ).

Front 171

hit sb where it hurts (most)


She hit him where it hurt most - in his bank account.
If you want to hit her where it really hurts, tell her she's putting on weight again.

Back 171

to do something which will upset someone as much as possible

Front 172

vintage

Back 172

the wine made in a particular year, or a particular year in which wine was made

Front 173

onset
The match was canceled because of the onset of rain

Back 173

start( of sth unpleasant)

Front 174

find ones way

Back 174

Can you find your way back to my house?

Front 175

leisurely
a leisurely conversation

Back 175

1.
acting, proceeding, or done without haste; unhurried; deliberate: a leisurely conversation.
2.
showing or suggesting ample leisure; unhurried: a leisurely manner.

Front 176

not look a gift horse in the mouth


Okay, it's not the job of your dreams but it pays good money. I'd be inclined not to look a gift horse in the mouth if I were you.

Back 176

if someone tells you not to look a gift horse in the mouth, they mean that you should not criticize or feel doubt about something good that has been offered to you

Front 177

indulgence

[U] Heavy indulgence in fatty foods should be avoided.

[C] I do not much like self-quotation, but I shall ask your indulgence.

Back 177

the attitude of allowing yourself or someone else to have something enjoyable, or the act of having something enjoyable:

Front 178

input
try to come to the meeting. We would value your input

Back 178

contribution

Front 179

give way

Back 179

You must give way to traffic from the right

Front 180

miserly

a miserly man

Back 180

of, like, or befitting a miser; penurious; stingy; niggardly.

Front 181

be pushing up (the) daisies humorous


It won't affect me anyway. I'll be pushing up the daisies long before it happens.

Back 181

to be dead

Front 182

trepidation

With some trepidation, I set out to find my first job.

Back 182

worry or anxiety about something that is going to happen:

Front 183

Overkill
Shall I add more decorations to the cake or would that be overkill?

Back 183

more of sth that is needed

Front 184

.... worried

Back 184

desperately

Front 185

continual

I've had continual problems with this car ever since I bought it.
I'm sorry - I can't work with these continual interruptions.

Back 185

happening repeatedly, usually in an annoying or not convenient way

Front 186

Definition

on the brink of sth


The country is on the brink of civil war.
We are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.
She is on the brink of international stardom.

Back 186

if someone or something is on the brink of a situation, that situation is likely to happen soon

Front 187

incumbent

The incumbent president faces problems which began many years before he took office

Back 187

officially having the named position

Front 188

Stowaway
Stowaway found on plane

Back 188

a person who hides on a ship, aircraft or other vehicle

Front 189

give sb a ...
= to give sb a call

Back 189

ring

Front 190

opposite number
Philip is my opposite number in the company's New York office

Back 190

a person who has a very similar job or rank to you but in a different organization

Front 191

rapport
We'd worked together for years and developed a close/good rapport.
She has an excellent rapport with her staff.

Back 191

a good understanding of someone and an ability to communicate well with them

Front 192

tie yourself (up) in knots


They tied themselves in knots over the seating arrangements. [often + over]

Back 192

to become very confused or worried when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem

Front 193

irrevocable

irrevocable decisions

Back 193

impossible to change or stop:

Front 194

standoff
noun
MAINLY AMERICAN & AUSTRALIAN

Many people feared the standoff between demonstrators and the police could turn violent.
The two countries have been locked in a diplomatic standoff.
Stand-off in trade talks

Back 194

an argument or fight in which no agreement is reached or in which neither side can get an advantage

Front 195

to ... the requirements

Back 195

meet

Front 196

workmate
I went out for a drink with a few workmates.

Back 196

a person who works in the same place as you, especially one who you are friendly with

Front 197

be man enough to do sth

He was man enough to admit he had made a mistake.

Back 197

to be brave enough to do something

Front 198

nimble

nimble fingers

Back 198

able to move quickly and easily:

Front 199

Walkout
Senior union workers staged (= had) a walkout this afternoon at the annual conference over the proposed changes in funding.

Back 199

the act of leaving an official meeting as a group in order to show disapproval, or of leaving a place of work to start a strike

Front 200

to ... a course in sth.

Back 200

do

Front 201

talk shop

Even at a party they have to talk shop!

Back 201

to talk about your job with those you work with when not at work

Front 202

a slime ball informal

I don't know what she sees in him - he's such a slime ball!

Back 202

an unpleasant man who is friendly in a way which is not sincere

Front 203

spiel

a sales spiel
They gave us a long spiel about why we needed to install double glazing in our house.

Back 203

a speech, especially one which is long and spoken quickly and is intended to persuade the listener about something

Front 204

to .... pain
(the experience of being in pain)

Back 204

to suffer pain
to be racked with pain
to complain of pain
to feel pain
to experience pain

Front 205

Breakdown

I had a breakdown (= my car stopped working) in the middle of the road.
Both sides blamed each other for the breakdown of talks.

Back 205

a failure to work or be successful

Front 206

jobshare

The city council is encouraging jobsharing to make it easier for parents of young children to work.

Back 206

to divide the duties and the pay of one job between two people who work at different times during the day or week

Front 207

There's no peace/rest for the wicked! humorous


I can't talk - I've got to finish this essay. There's no rest for the wicked.

Back 207

something that you say which means you must continue an activity although you might like to stop

Front 208

condone

His comments appeared to condone drug abuse.

Back 208

to accept or allow behavior that is wrong:

Front 209

to ... pain
(making pain go away)

Back 209

to alleviate pain
to ease pain
to relieve pain
to soothe pain
to lessen pain

Front 210

ongoing
We've had an ongoing problem with the computers

Back 210

one that continues

Front 211

clock in

What time did you clock in this morning?
Clocking-in time is 9.00 a.m.

Back 211

to record the time you arrive at work on a special machine

Front 212

from/since time immemorial literary


Her family had farmed that land from time immemorial.

Back 212

for longer than anyone can remember

Front 213

reap

Sometimes, this approach can reap tremendous rewards.

Back 213

to get something good by working hard for it:

Front 214

inflict
The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.

Back 214

to impose as something that must be borne or suffered: to inflict punishment.
2.to impose (anything unwelcome): The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.
3.to deal or deliver, as a blow.

Front 215

worn-out
She was wearing old, worn-out shoes

Back 215

weak, damaged through much use

Front 216

clock out

Back 216

to leave work, especially by recording the time you leave on a special machine

Front 217

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. old-fashioned


If 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away,' then why have I got this terrible cold?

Back 217

something that you say which means eating an apple every day will keep you healthy

Front 218

entrench


to establish something, especially
[R] The government's main task was to prevent inflation from entrenching itself.

Back 218

an idea or a problem, firmly so that it cannot be changed

Front 219

to .. pain
( to make others experience pain)

Back 219

to cause pain
to inflict pain

Front 220

Broken-down
In our garage we've got a broken-down fridge

Back 220

one that stopped working

Front 221

nine to five

a nine-to-five routine
She's tired of working nine to five.

Back 221

describing or relating to work that begins at nine o'clock in the morning and finishes at five, which are the hours worked in many offices from Monday to Friday

Front 222

stuff your face very informal


We've been stuffing our faces with Susannah's delicious chocolate cake. [usually in continuous tenses]

Back 222

to eat a lot of food

Front 223

alleviate
to alleviate sorrow; to alleviate pain.

Back 223

to make easier to endure; lessen; mitigate: to alleviate sorrow; to alleviate pain.

Front 224

off-putting

He's slightly aggressive, which a lot of people find a bit off-putting when they first meet him.
What I found off-putting was the amount of work that you were expected to do.

Back 224

slightly unpleasant or worrying so that you do not want to get involved in any way

Front 225

flextime

Back 225

a system of working in which people work a set number of hours within a fixed period of time, but can change the time they start or finish work

Front 226

.... color
(not dark)

Back 226

bright

Front 227

give sb pause (for thought) formal

something
It was a tragedy which gave us all pause for thought.

Back 227

if something gives you pause, it is surprising or worrying and it makes you think more carefully about

Front 228

watered down
I would never accept any watered down proposals

Back 228

made less strong in order to make more people agree with them

Front 229

teleworking

Back 229

the activity of working at home, while communicating with your office by telephone, fax or computer

Front 230

... chat
(short)

Back 230

brief

Front 231

Under the weather
Mark has been feeling under the weather for weeks

Back 231

not very well

Front 232

tire sb out

Let the kids run around in the garden and that'll soon tire them out.

We were all really tired out after our long journey.

Back 232

to make someone very tired
tired out adjective

very much in need of rest or sleep

Front 233

mechanical

The garbageman worked in a slow, mechanical way.

Back 233

without thinking about what you are doing, esp. because you do it often

Front 234

... problem
(big)

Back 234

major

Front 235

like death (warmed over)
The poor guy looked like death warmed over.

Back 235

if you feel or look like death warmed up, you feel or look very ill

Front 236

downcast

I thought you were looking a little downcast this morning.

Back 236

sad and without hope

Front 237

knock off

I don't knock off until six.
What time do you knock off work?

Back 237

to stop working, usually at the end of the day

Front 238

... issue
(important)

Back 238

key

Front 239

recharge your batteries

A week away would give you time to rest and recharge your batteries.

Back 239

to rest in order to get back your strength and energy

Front 240

forthcoming

We have just received the information about the forthcoming conference.

Back 240

happening soon

Front 241

monotonous


a monotonous job
a monotonous voice
The music became monotonous after a while.

Back 241

staying the same and not changing and therefore boring

Front 242

The economy ..... in 1990s
(It was strong)

Back 242

boomed

Front 243

be off-color


He had flu a couple of months ago and he's been a bit off-color ever since.

Back 243

to not be feeling as well as usual

Front 244

live-in
a live-in lover
live-in nanny needed for 3-year-old

Back 244

describes someone's sexual partner who lives in their home but is not married to them

Front 245

glamorous

a glamorous woman/outfit
a glamorous job
She was looking very glam.

Back 245

attractive in an exciting and special way

Front 246

be on the mend


He's still a bit tired but he's definitely on the mend.

Back 246

if you are on the mend, your health is improving after an illness

Front 247

The company has ... and now has 50 employees

Back 247

grown

Front 248

fold-up
fold-up picnic chair. As new

Back 248

something that folds up

Front 249

anti-social

anti-social behaviour
Increasingly, smoking is regarded as an anti-social habit.
•

Back 249

harmful to society

Front 250

By the end of the week he returned to work as fit as a fiddle

My Dad's nearly eighty now but he's as fit as a fiddle.

Back 250

to be very healthy

Front 251

The company has .... and now has branches in most major cities

Back 251

expanded

Front 252

fallback

Do we have a fallback position for these negotiations?

Back 252

describes a plan or position which can be used if other plans do not succeed or other things are not available

Front 253

anti-social

I hope they won't think I'm anti-social if I don't join them in the bar.

Back 253

often avoiding spending time with other people

Front 254

be as right as rain


I'll be as right as rain as soon as I take my pills.
He's been as right as rain ever since

Back 254

to feel well

Front 255

The price increase .... a problem for us
(is a problem)

Back 255

poses

Front 256

leave sb/sth out

You can leave the butter out of this recipe if you're on a low-fat diet.
I've made a list of names - I hope I haven't left anyone out.
None of the other children play with her, and I think she feels rather left out (= feels that no one wants to be her friend).

Back 256

to not include someone or something

Front 257

be (stuck) in a rut


At forty my life was in a rut, so I gave up work and travelled to India.
It's clear the economy is still stuck in a rut.

Back 257

to do the same things all the time so that you become bored, or to be in a situation where it is impossible to make progress

Front 258

not be all there informal

Some of the things she said made me think she's not quite all there.
She is not all there

Back 258

to be slightly crazy

Front 259

.... opportunities
(bring new opportunities)

Back 259

create

Front 260

worked out

It's easy to get worked up when you're tired and everything seems to be against you.
He was very worked up about seeing his family again after so many years.

Back 260

upset or very excited about something

Front 261

dead-end job

Back 261

a job in which there is no chance of being raised to a better, more important job

Front 262

be off your trolley humorous


What are you doing eating chocolate and cheese again? You're off your trolley!

She's off her trolley

Back 262

to be crazy

Front 263

As Sam read the lies about him he felt a ... of ....
(literary: sudden angry feeling)

Back 263

a surge of anger

Front 264

outstretched

He ran up to her, his arms outstretched.
She put some pesos into the little girl's outstretched hand.

Back 264

reaching out as far as possible

Front 265

perk

A company car and a mobile phone are some of the perks that come with the job.

Back 265

informal an advantage or extra thing, such as money or goods, which you are given because of your job

Front 266

not be right in the head informal


His aunt's not right in the head, poor soul - you sometimes see her wandering up the street in her nightie.
He's not right in the head

Back 266

to be mentally ill

Front 267

pore over sth

She spends her evenings poring over textbooks.
He pored over the letter searching for clues about the writer.

Back 267

to look at and study something, usually a book or document, carefully

Front 268

Every parent feels a ...... when their child wins something
[feels proud)

Back 268

a sense of pride

Front 269

perk

Having such easy access to some of the best cinema and theater is one of the perks of living in Sydney.

Back 269

an advantage

Front 270

have a screw loose informal


I think that woman has a screw loose - she goes out in her slippers.
She's got a screw loose

Back 270

to be crazy

Front 271

riddled
riddled with holes

He wore an old jacket riddled with holes.
The plan was riddled with problems

Back 271

full of holes

Front 272

I felt a ... of nostalgia when I saw the old photos of the village where I grew up

Back 272

a pang of nostalgia

Front 273

a glass ceiling

in broadcasting is the glass ceiling. Women rise but not to the top.

Back 273

the opinions of people in a company which prevent women from getting such important positions as men
The problem for women

Front 274

a basket case

INFORMAL

She'll never get a job. She's a basket case.
She's a basket case


Twenty years ago the country was an economic basket case.

Back 274

someone who is crazy and unable to organize their life

a very poor country which needs economic help from other countries, or a business that is in a very bad financial situation

Front 275

keep in with sb

I like to keep in with my ex-employer, you never know when you might need a reference.

Back 275

to continue to try to be friendly with someone, especially because they can help you

Front 276

As Jack went on stage to receive his gold medal his parents were ....
[looking extremely proud]

Back 276

swelling with proud

Front 277

overworked

an overworked civil servant
I'm overworked and underpaid.

Back 277

having to work too much

Front 278

be off your rocker informal


Spending that much on a car! He must be off his rocker!
He's off his rocker

Back 278

to be crazy

Front 279

dash off

I'm going to have to dash off - I've got a doctor's appointment at four.
You dashed off after the show and I didn't get a chance to speak to you.

Back 279

to leave a place quickly

Front 280

I was .... with horror when I read the newspaper report of explosion

Back 280

filled

Front 281

be one sandwich short of a picnic humorous, humorous be a couple of sandwiches short of a picnic


After talking to him for about 10 minutes I decided he was definitely one sandwich short of a picnic.
She's one sandwich short of a picnic

Back 281

if someone is one sandwich short of a picnic, they are stupid or crazy

Front 282

sail through (sth)


Rachel sailed through all her exams with top marks.

Back 282

to succeed very easily, especially in a test, examination etc.

Front 283

When she spilled juice on her new skirts the little girl ... into tears

Back 283

burst

Front 284

pop your clogs British, humorous


This place hasn't been the same since poor old Harry popped his clogs.
She's popped her clogs

Back 284

to die

Front 285

hanker after/for sth


Even after all these years I still hanker after a motorbike.

Back 285

to want something very much, especially something that you know you should not want

Front 286

She pulled .... on the rope and helped him to safety
[firmly and evenly]

Back 286

steadily

Front 287

give up the ghost


She'd been trying to break into acting for ten years without success and was just about to give up the ghost.


We've had the same television for fifteen years and I think it's finally about to give up the ghost.She's given up the ghost

Back 287

to die
to stop trying to do something because you know that you will not succeed
(humorous) if a machine gives up the ghost, it stops working

Front 288

put forward sth or put sth forward


A number of theories have been put forward about the possible causes of cancer.
The US has put forward a five-point plan for peace in the Middle East. [sometimes + for]

Back 288

to state an idea or opinion, or to suggest a plan, so that it can be considered or discussed

Front 289

He placed the vase ... on the window edge

Back 289

gently

Front 290

bite the dust

INFORMAL

Three hundred more people lost their jobs in the same region when another firm bit the dust.
She can't make it on Saturday? Oh, well, another good idea bites the dust!


Two Hollywood stars of the thirties have recently bitten the dust.He's bitten the dust

Back 290

to fail or to stop existing
(humorous) to die

Front 291

be gunning for sb informal


He's been gunning for me ever since I got the promotion he wanted.

Back 291

to try to harm someone or cause trouble for someone

Front 292

'I love you' Derek whispered ... to Marsha

Back 292

softly

Front 293

Definition

fall off your perch British, old-fashioned, humorous


By the time I fall off my perch, Britain may well be a republic.

he's fallen off his perch

Back 293

to die

Front 294

gang up informal


She says the other kids in her class have been ganging up on her. [often + on]
I think I felt sorry for him because the rest of the family were ganging up against him. [often + against]

Back 294

to form a group in order to attack or oppose someone, often unfairly

Front 295

She smiled .... when she looked at her new grandson's photos

Back 295

proudly

Front 296

a sore point/spot


I tried not to make any reference to Mike's drinking habits - I know it's a sore point with Kay at the moment. [often + with]
Try not to mention baldness while he's here. It's his sore point

Back 296

a subject which someone would prefer not to talk about because it makes them angry or embarrassed

Front 297

hang about/around/round together informal


There were ten of us who used to hang around together.

Back 297

if people hang around together, they spend time together

Front 298

They are .... married

Back 298

happily

Front 299

give sb a dose/taste of their own medicine


She's always turning up late for me so I thought I'd give her a taste of her own medicine and see how she likes it.
Refusing to lend him money now would give him a taste of his own medicine he never lent you any

Back 299

to do the same bad thing to someone that they have often done to you, in order to show them how unpleasant it is

Front 300

I am ... aware that there are serious problems
[know well]

Back 300

fully

Front 301

shoot down sb/sth or shoot sb/sth down


They shot down two enemy planes during the raid.
He was shot down over enemy territory.


Any suggestions that I made in the meeting were shot down.

Back 301

to destroy an aircraft or make it fall to the ground by firing bullets or weapons at it
(informal) to criticize someone's ideas or suggestions and refuse to consider them

Front 302

a bitter pill (to swallow), bitter medicine


Losing the championship to a younger player was a bitter pill to swallow.
Cuts in salaries are a dose of bitter medicine that may help the company to survive
Losing my job was initially a bitter pill to swallow

Back 302

a situation that is unpleasant but must be accepted

Front 303

Harry was ... unaware that he was in danger
[Harry had no idea at all, often used about something unpleasant]

Back 303

blissfully

Front 304

be asking for sth informal


Drinking and driving is just asking for trouble.
Coming into work late almost every morning - he was really asking for it!

Back 304

to behave stupidly in a way that is likely to cause problems for you

Front 305

sugar/sweeten the pill British, American & Australian, American sugar-coat the pill


The government have cut income tax to sweeten the pill of a tough budget.
The boss has sugared the overtime pill by offering a large extra payment

Back 305

to make something bad seem less unpleasant

Front 306

blissful
blissfully happy
blissfully unaware

Back 306

1. serenely joyful or glad
2. blissful ignorance unawareness or inexperience of something unpleasant

Front 307

couldn't ask for sb/sth


She's great to work for - I really couldn't ask for a better boss.

Back 307

if you say that you couldn't ask for someone or something better, you mean that that person or thing is the best of their kind

Front 308

I can't stay in one place for more than a year without getting itchy feet
have itchy feet British & Australian, informal


Why've you got all these travel brochures? Do you have itchy feet?

Back 308

to want to travel or to do something different

Front 309

tread
to tread on a person's foot.
to tread .... [adverb]

Back 309

1.
to set down the foot or feet in walking; step; walk.
2.
to step, walk, or trample so as to press, crush, or injure something (usually followed by on or upon ): to tread on a person's foot.
3.(of a male bird) to copulate.

tread carefully

Carefully

Front 310

accede to sth formal


The government finally acceded to the nationalists' demand for independence.

Back 310

to agree to something that someone has asked for [e.g. request, demand], often after disagreeing with it

Front 311

be on cloud nine informal


For a few days after I heard I'd got the job, I was on cloud nine.

I'm on cloud nine

Back 311

to be very happy

Front 312

a ... of emotion

Back 312

surge

Front 313

attend to sb/sth

FORMAL

I've got to go into the office. I have one or two matters to attend to.

Back 313

to deal with a situation or problem

Front 314

be over the moon informal


Marie got the job. She's over the moon.
I'm over the moon

Back 314

to be extremely pleased about something

Front 315

Feel-good return of Williams sisters could be ......embarrassing for women's tennis

Back 315

acutely

Front 316

ascribe sth to sth formal


If this had been the first time such a disaster had occurred, it could have been ascribed to misfortune.
He ascribes his phenomenal success to being in the right place at the right time.

Back 316

to believe or say that something is caused by something else

Front 317

be thrilled to bits British, American & Australian, informal, American, informal be thrilled to pieces


'So what did your parents say when they heard you were pregnant?' 'Oh, they were thrilled to bits.'
I'm thrilled to bits

Back 317

to be extremely pleased

Front 318

.... with laughter

Back 318

roar

Front 319

predispose sb to/towards sth formal


They've now discovered a gene that seems to predispose people to colon cancer.

Back 319

to make someone likely to behave or think in a particular way or to suffer from a particular illness

Front 320

be on top of the world


She'd just discovered she was pregnant and she felt on top of the world.
I am/feel on top of the world

Back 320

to feel very happy

Front 321

a ... factor
[important]

Back 321

key

Front 322

preside over sth

FORMAL

He presided over some of the most far-reaching reforms his country has ever seen.
Judge Langdale is to preside over the official inquiry into the case.

Back 322

to be in charge of an event or situation and have official responsibility for it

Front 323

be in seventh heaven humorous


Since they got married they've been in seventh heaven.
I'm in seventh heaven

Back 323

to be extremely happy

Front 324

Much to my surprise Ben suddenly ....into song.

Back 324

burst
to suddenly begin to sing/cry/laugh

Front 325

preside over sth

She presides over a business which has thrived even in the recession.

Back 325

(formal) to be in charge of a company or other organization

Front 326

get a kick out of sth/doing sth informal


Anyone who gets a kick out of horror movies will love this show.
I get a real kick out of shopping for new shoes.
I get a (real) kick out of going for a run first thing before everyone is up

Back 326

to enjoy doing something very much

Front 327

bear on/upon sth formal


A number of court cases that bear on women's rights will be coming up soon.

Back 327

to be directly connected to something, or to influence something

Front 328

I'm bored ... in this lesson
[extremely bored]

Back 328

stiff

Front 329

for kicks informal


Local kids steal cars and race them up and down the street, just for kicks.
Sandra is keen to have a go on bungee jumping- just for kicks

Back 329

if you do something for kicks, especially something dangerous, you do it because you think it is exciting

Front 330

call on/upon sth formal

She would have to call on all her strength if she was to survive the next few months.

Back 330

to use something, especially a quality that you have, in order to achieve something

Front 331

I'll have .... about it
[I'll think about it]

Back 331

a think

Front 332

jump for joy


Tina jumped for joy when she found out she'd be in the team.
Rowena jumped for joy when she heard she had won the first prize

Back 332

to be very happy about something good that has happened

Front 333

want for formal


As a child, I wanted for nothing.
I made sure that they should never want for anything.

Back 333

if someone does not want for anything, they have everything they need in order to have a satisfactory life

Front 334

Passengers must not .... the bus whilst in motion (formal)
[get off]

Back 334

alight from

Front 335

be floating/walking on air


When the doctor told me I was going to have a baby, I was walking on air.
I've been walking on air ever since Chris and I started going out together

Back 335

to be very happy and excited because something very pleasant has happened to you

Front 336

live up to sth

Did the trip live up to your expectations?
He's striving to live up to his reputation as a world-class athlete.

Back 336

if someone or something lives up to people's expectations or a particular standard, they are as good as they were expected to be

Front 337

Cyclists must ... here
[get off their bicycle]

Back 337

dismount

Front 338

make sb's day


Go on, tell him you like his jacket. It'll make his day!
I was so pleased to hear
from Peter. It really made my day.It's great to hear from you. it made my day

Back 338

to make someone very happy

Front 339

go on at sb


She'd been going on at him for ages to have his hair cut. [often + to do sth]
I wish you wouldn't go on at me about my clothes. [often + about]

Back 339

to criticize someone continuously

Front 340

..... will be prosecuted
[People who go to someone's land or enter their building]

Back 340

trespassers

Front 341

be out of sorts


I'd been feeling tired and headachy and generally out of sorts for some time.

Back 341

to feel slightly ill or slightly unhappy

Front 342

look into sth


Police are reported to be looking into the case.
We're looking into the possibility of merging the two departments.

Back 342

to discover and examine the facts about a problem or situation

Front 343

Axe jobs
Computer factories to axe jobs

Back 343

make staff redundant

Front 344

be down in the dumps informal


Things hadn't been going so well for her at work and she was feeling a bit down in the dumps.
Will is down in the dumps because he doesn't like his teacher this year

Back 344

to be unhappy

Front 345

get back to sb


I'll get back to you later this afternoon with more details.
He said he'd get back to me in a couple of days.

Back 345

if you get back to someone, you talk to them, usually on the telephone, in order to give them some information that they have asked you for, or because you were not able to speak to them before

Front 346

receptacle
a receptacle for trash.

Back 346

a container, device, etc., that receives or holds something:

Front 347

not be the end of the world

If I don't get the job, it won't be the end of the world.
I've told him that it's not the end of the world

Back 347

if you say that if something happens it won't be the end of the world, you mean it will not cause very serious problems

Front 348

go for sth


When you're buying a computer, go for one with a lot of memory.

Back 348

to choose something

Front 349

slash prices
Airline slashes prices

Back 349

cut prices drastically

Front 350

crack down
police crack down on speeding

Back 350

start dealing with it in a more severe way

Front 351

grin and bear it

I don't want to spend the whole weekend working but I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it.

Back 351

to accept an unpleasant or difficult situation because there is nothing you can do to improve it

Front 352

go for sth

One-bedroom apartments go for about $80,000 in this part of town.
I found this silver tray in a local junk shop where it was going for a song. (= being sold very cheaply)

Back 352

if something goes for a particular amount of money, it is sold for that amount

Front 353

submit a tender
Builders will be asked to submit a tender for the work.

Back 353

present a document offering to do a job and stating the price

Front 354

a misery guts informal


Of course, your father, old misery guts, wanted to come home after half an hour because he was bored.

Back 354

someone who complains all the time and is never happy

Front 355

go for sth
As he was going for the ball, he tripped and fell.
I've decided to go for that job in the sales department.
INFORMAL 'Do you think I should apply for that job?' 'Yeah, go for it!'

Back 355

to try to get or achieve something

Front 356

sour grapes


I don't think it's such a great job - and that's not just sour grapes because I didn't get it.

Back 356

if you say that something someone says is sour grapes, you mean that they said it because they are jealous

Front 357

... likely/unlikely
[intensifying]

Back 357

highly

Front 358

fall through


The company had agreed to finance the project, but the deal is now in danger of falling through.
Our plans to go on holiday together fell through when John became ill.

Back 358

if a plan or agreement falls through, it fails to happen

Front 359

put a damper/dampener on sth


Steve lost his wallet so that rather put a damper on the evening.
We were both ill while we were in Boston, which put a bit of a dampener on things.

Back 359

to stop an occasion from being enjoyable
A damper is a device used on piano strings to make the sound less loud.

Front 360

...unusual
[intensifying]

Back 360

highly

Front 361

put out sth or put sth out

The sort of books that they put out are never likely to be best-sellers.

Back 361

to produce or publish something for the public to buy or use

Front 362

be fed up/sick to the back teeth British & Australian, informal


He's been treating me badly for two years and, basically, I'm fed up to the back teeth with it. [often + with]
You're probably sick to the back teeth of hearing about my problems! [often + of]

Back 362

to be bored or angry because a bad situation has continued for too long or a subject has been discussed too much

Front 363

successful
[intensifying]

Back 363

highly

Front 364

go over to

Some key party members have already gone over to the opposition.
She has a few enemies ever since she went over to the other side. (= joined an opposing group)

Back 364

to leave one group or organization and join a group or organization that is competing against them

Front 365

be at your wits' end


I've tried everything I can think of to make her eat and she flatly refuses. I'm really at my wits' end.

Back 365

to be very worried or upset because you have tried every possible way to solve a problem but cannot do it

Front 366

.... competitive
[intensifying]

Back 366

highly

Front 367

ask out sb or ask sb out


There's some girl in the office he fancies but he's too scared to ask her out.
She phoned him to ask him out for a drink. [sometimes + for]

Back 367

to invite someone to come with you to a place such as the cinema or a restaurant, especially as a way of starting a romantic relationship

Front 368

have had it (up to here) informal


I've had it! From now on they can clear up their own mess.
I've had it up to here with lawyers! [often + with]

Back 368

to be so angry about something that you do not want to continue with it or even think about it any more

Front 369

....profitable
[intensifying]

Back 369

highly

Front 370

get by


I don't know how he gets by on so little money. [often + on]

Back 370

to have just enough money to pay for the things that you need, but nothing more

Front 371

have/throw a fit


My mother threw a fit when she saw the mess we'd made.

Back 371

to be very angry

Front 372

...effective
[intensifying]

Back 372

highly

Front 373

get by

We can just about get by with four computers but ideally we'd have another. [often + with]
I can get by in Italian but I'm by no means fluent.

Back 373

to have or know just enough of something to be able to deal with a particular situation but not have or know as much as you would like

Front 374

go off the deep end informal


One minute we were having a perfectly reasonable discussion and the next minute you just went off the deep end!

Back 374

to suddenly become very angry or upset and start shouting at someone

Front 375

....controversial
[intensifying]

Back 375

highly

Front 376

gloss over sth


The company's profits dropped dramatically last year, a fact which the director was keen to gloss over.

Back 376

to avoid discussing something, or to discuss something without talking about the details in order to make it seem unimportant

Front 377

go spare British & Australian, informal


She'd go spare if she found out he was spending all that money.

Back 377

to become very angry

Front 378

.... recommend
[intensifying]

Back 378

highly

Front 379

carry forward sth or carry sth forward


Some businesses tried to avoid tax by carrying forward losses from earlier years.

Back 379

to include an amount of money in a later set of calculations

Front 380

do your nut British & Australian, informal


If she has to walk from the station again she'll do her nut.

Back 380

to become extremely angry

Front 381

...ridiculous
[intensifying]

Back 381

absolutely, utterly

Front 382

square up


Do you want to square up now?
If you pay for the meal, I'll square up with you later. [often + with]

Back 382

(informal) to pay someone the money you owe them

Front 383

blow a fuse/gasket informal


Jim'll blow a fuse if he finds you here.
When her husband realized how much she'd spent he blew a gasket.

Back 383

to become very angry and shout or behave in a violent way

Front 384

....stupid
[intensifying]

Back 384

absolutely, utterly

Front 385

run over
I ran over a rabbit as I was driving home

Back 385

hit sb/sth with a moving vehicle and injure or kill them

Front 386

sb's blood is up


Now Tom's blood was up - he ran at Bob waving his fists.

Back 386

if someone's blood is up, they are very angry or excited about something and may act in a violent way

Front 387

...impossible
[intensifying]

Back 387

absolutely, utterly

Front 388

run over
The meeting run over so I missed my train

Back 388

go on after its expected time

Front 389

be after sb's blood


He'd cheated them and now they were after his blood.

Back 389

to want to catch someone in order to hurt them or punish them

Front 390

....wrong
[intensifying]

Back 390

absolutely, utterly

Front 391

run over
Could we just run over the schedule again to make sure it's all working well

Back 391

read quickly to make sure it is correct

Front 392

be out for blood


These people are out for blood and if they find out you're involved you're in serious trouble.

Back 392

if you are out for blood, you are determined to find someone to attack or blame for something

Front 393

....alone
[intensifying]

Back 393

absolutely, utterly

Front 394

brush off
I brushed off the dust from my shoes

Back 394

use a brush or hand to remove sth

Front 395

drive sb up the wall informal


I was being driven up the wall by their silly chatter.
Working in a factory would have driven me up the wall.

Back 395

to make someone very angry or very bored

Front 396

....appalled
[intensifying]

Back 396

absolutely, utterly

Front 397

brush off
The boss just brushed him off and told him to get back to work

Back 397

refuse to listen to what someone says or refuse to think about sth seriosly

Front 398

rub sb up the wrong way British & Australian, American rub sb the wrong way


It's not her fault - she just rubs me up the wrong way.
Whenever they meet, they always manage to rub each other the wrong way.

Back 398

to annoy someone without intending to

Front 399

.....convinced
[intensifying]

Back 399

absolutely, utterly

Front 400

shoot up
The price of gas has shot up this year

Back 400

gone up sharply and rapidly

Front 401

get/put sb's back up informal


When a cat feels angry it raises its back.
She put my back up immediately by interrupting everything I said.

Back 401

to do or say something which annoys someone

Front 402

....devastated
[intensifying]

Back 402

absolutely, utterly

Front 403

dive into
I don't wanna dive into a new job without carefully considering it

Back 403

start doing sth suddenly and energetically without thinking about it

Front 404

ruffle sb's feathers


He wasn't asked to speak at the conference, and I know that ruffled his feathers a bit.

Back 404

to make someone annoyed

Front 405

.... miserable
[intensifying]

Back 405

absolutely, utterly

Front 406

hit out
The leader of the opposition party has hit out at the government new proposals on taxes

Back 406

strongly criticized, typical of journalism

Front 407

not be on speaking terms


She's not on speaking terms with her ex-husband. [often + with]
Jeanette and her mother haven't been on speaking terms since the wedding.

Back 407

to be refusing to talk to someone because you have had an argument and are still angry with them

Front 408

spur on
My success in the exam spurred me on to study harder

Back 408

encourage
spurs are worn on the ankle and are used to make horses go faster

Front 409

... disappointing/disappointed

Back 409

bitterly

Front 410

give sb an earful informal


You can just imagine the earful he gave her when they got home.

Back 410

to tell someone how angry you are with them

Front 411

fish out
She searched in her handbag and fished out an old photo

Back 411

found

Front 412

....resent

Back 412

bitterly

Front 413

give sb a piece of your mind informal


I've had enough of him coming home late. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind when he gets in tonight.

Back 413

to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong

Front 414

let off steam British, American & Australian, American & Australian blow off steam


Meetings give people the chance to let off steam if something has been bothering them for a long time.
After a long journey, the kids need to run around a bit and let off steam.
I've told her she can call me and talk any time she wants to blow off steam.

Back 414

to do or say something that helps you to get rid of strong feelings or energy

Front 415

....criticized

Back 415

bitterly

Front 416

know sth inside out informal


Why don't you ask Mike? He knows the system inside out.

Back 416

to know everything about a subject

Front 417

take the sting out of sth


Humor, of course, can take the sting out of almost any unpleasant situation.

Back 417

to make something that is unpleasant a little less unpleasant

Front 418

....regret

Back 418

bitterly

Front 419

know your stuff informal


When it comes to restoring grand pianos, Mr Morley really knows his stuff.

Back 419

to know a lot about a subject, or to be very good at doing something

Front 420

cut off your nose to spite your face


'The next time he treats me like that, I'm just going to quit my job.' 'Isn't that a bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face?'

Back 420

to do something because you are angry, even if it will cause trouble for you

Front 421

...complain

Back 421

bitterly

Front 422

have a familiar ring (to it)


I thought that name had a familiar ring. I went to school with that girl.

Back 422

if something has a familiar ring, you believe that you have heard it before

Front 423

run rings around/round sb


Why does he talk to Alison as if she's stupid, when we all know she could run rings around him?

Back 423

to have much more skill, ability, or intelligence than someone else

Front 424

....cry

Back 424

bitterly

Front 425

ring a bell, ring any bells


Does the name 'Fitzpatrick' ring a bell?
No, I'm sorry, that description doesn't ring any bells with me. [often + with]

Back 425

if a phrase or a word, especially a name, rings a bell, you think you have heard it before

Front 426

turn up the heat


Lorry drivers are discussing whether to turn up the heat on their bosses by holding a one-day strike. [often + on]
The United States has turned up the heat by threatening military action.

Back 426

to make a situation more serious by trying harder to force someone to do something

Front 427

...weep

Back 427

bitterly

Front 428

...ashamed

Back 428

deeply

Front 429

not have a clue informal


'How much do houses cost in Yorkshire?' 'I haven't got a clue.'
Internet researchers in the 1980s didn't have a clue about the exciting online landscapes of the future. [often + about]

Back 429

to have no knowledge of or no information about something

Front 430

get on like a house on fire informal


I was worried that they wouldn't like each other, but in fact they're getting on like a house on fire.

Back 430

if two people get on like a house on fire, they like each other very much and become friends very quickly

Front 431

...concerned

Back 431

deeply

Front 432

not have the faintest (idea)


'Do you know where Anna is? ' 'I haven't the faintest.'
I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. [often + question word]

Back 432

to have no knowledge of or no information about something

Front 433

put down roots


It would be hard to leave Brighton after eleven years - he's put down roots there.

Back 433

if you put down roots in a place, you do things which show that you want to stay there, for example making friends or buying a home

Front 434

...shocked

Back 434

deeply

Front 435

not have the foggiest (idea/notion) informal


'Do you know where Kate's gone?' 'I haven't the foggiest.'
The photocopier's broken down again, and nobody has the foggiest idea how to fix it. [often + question word]

Back 435

to not know the answer to a question

Front 436

make up your mind


I can't make up my mind whether to have the salmon or the chicken. [often + question word]


At a very early age she made up her mind to become an actress. [often + to do sth]
My mind's made up. I'm handing in my resignation tomorrow.

Back 436

to decide what to choose
to become very certain that you want to do something

Front 437

...committed

Back 437

deeply

Front 438

can't for the life of me


I know I filed it somewhere but I can't for the life of me remember where.

Back 438

if you say you can't for the life of you remember something, you mean that you cannot remember it at all

Front 439

get off/start off on the wrong foot


I don't really know why, but somehow Clare and I got off on the wrong foot. [usually in past tenses]

If I get off on the wrong foot with one of my paintings, I know it will never be right.

Back 439

if you get off on the wrong foot with someone you have just met, your relationship starts badly, often with an argument

to start an activity badly

Front 440

...moved

Back 440

deeply

Front 441

touch base


I had a really good time in Paris. I touched base with some old friends and made a few new ones. [usually + with]

Back 441

to talk to someone in order to find out how they are or what they think about something

Front 442

Definition

get your act together informal


If these people could ever get their act together, they could produce unbeatable wines.
You'd better get your act together and start looking for a job.

Back 442

to organize your activities so that you do things in an effective way

Front 443

...affected

Back 443

deeply

Front 444

be out of touch


Some of these judges are so out of touch, they've never even heard of Ecstasy.

Back 444

to not know much about modern life

Front 445

go around/round in circles


I need some more data to work on, otherwise I'm just going round in circles.
We can't go round in circles all day - someone will have to make a decision.

Back 445

if you go round in circles when you are discussing something or trying to achieve something, you do not make any progress because you keep going back to the same subjects or the same problems.

Front 446

...hurt

Back 446

deeply

Front 447

put two and two together


I didn't tell her my husband had left, but she'd noticed his car was missing and put two and two together.

Back 447

to guess the truth about a situation from pieces of information which you know about it

Front 448

dig your heels in


We suggested it would be quicker to fly, but she dug her heels in and insisted on taking the train.

Back 448

to refuse to do what other people are trying to persuade you to do, especially to refuse to change your opinions or plans

Front 449

...regret

Back 449

deeply

Front 450

get (hold of) the wrong end of the stick informal


Her friend saw us arrive at the party together and got hold of the wrong end of the stick.
I said how nice he was and Julie got the wrong end of the stick and thought I wanted to go out with him.

Back 450

to not understand a situation correctly

Front 451

put in a good word for sb informal


I'm applying for a job in your office. Could you put in a good word for me with your boss? [sometimes + with]

Back 451

to try to help someone achieve something by saying good things about them to someone with influence

Front 452

....care

Back 452

deeply

Front 453

clean up your act informal


There's a very strong anti-press feeling at the moment. A lot of people think it's time they cleaned up their act.

Back 453

to stop doing things that other people do not approve of and start to behave in a more acceptable way

Front 454

....religous

Back 454

deeply

Front 455

make up for lost time


I didn't travel much as a young adult but I'm certainly making up for lost time now.

Back 455

to spend a lot of time doing something because you did not have the opportunity to do it previously

Front 456

....cheap

Back 456

ridiculously

Front 457

come into your/its own


Cars are banned from the city center so a bicycle really comes into its own here.
Ferragamo came into his own in last Sunday's match, scoring three goals in the first half.

Back 457

to be very useful or successful in a particular situation

Front 458

....expensive

Back 458

ridiculously

Front 459

Wake up and smell the coffee!


It's time you woke up and smelled the coffee, Don. We're just not getting enough business any more.

Back 459

something that you say in order to tell someone that they should try to understand the true facts of a situation or that they should give more attention to what is happening around them

Front 460

....easy

Back 460

ridiculously

Front 461

pull out all the stops


They pulled out all the stops for their daughter's wedding. [often + to do sth]
The airline certainly pulled out all the stops to impress us.

Back 461

to do everything you can to make something successful
The stops are handles on an organ (= a large instrument used in churches), which you pull out when you want to play as loudly as possible.

Front 462

...low

Back 462

ridiculously

Front 463

...high

Back 463

ridiculously

Front 464

...long

Back 464

ridiculously

Front 465

...short

Back 465

ridiculously

Front 466

...small

Back 466

ridiculously

Front 467

...large

Back 467

ridiculously

Front 468

...early

Back 468

ridiculously

Front 469

...oppose

Back 469

strongly

Front 470

...believe

Back 470

strongly

Front 471

....influence

Back 471

strongly

Front 472

...deny

Back 472

strongly

Front 473

...recommend

Back 473

strongly

Front 474

...support

Back 474

strongly

Front 475

...condemn

Back 475

strongly

Front 476

...suggest

Back 476

strongly

Front 477

...feel

Back 477

strongly

Front 478

...argue

Back 478

strongly

Front 479

...object

Back 479

strongly

Front 480

The school can ... arrangements .. pupils with special needs

Back 480

make arrangements for

Front 481

The new manager is planning to ... some changes

Back 481

make

Front 482

Would anyone like to ... any comments on the talk?

Back 482

make

Front 483

She ... a useful contribution to the discussion

Back 483

made
make a contribution

Front 484

I'm glad it's you to ... the decision not me

Back 484

make the decision

Front 485

Joe is really ... effort with his math this term

Back 485

making an effort

Front 486

I'm too tired to go out tonight. Let's ... an excuse and stay at home.

Back 486

make an excuse

Front 487

Karen is really good at ... friends

Back 487

making friends

Front 488

Repainting the room has really ... an improvement

Back 488

made an improvement

Front 489

I've got to ... some phone calls before dinner

Back 489

make some phone calls

Front 490

Harriet is ... progress with all her schoolwork

Back 490

making progress

Front 491

The storm ... some damage to our roof

Back 491

did some damage

Front 492

We are ... an experiment to see how the metal reacts with water

Back 492

doing an experiment

Front 493

We'll ... some exercises to practice these collocations tomorrow

Back 493

do some exercises

Front 494

Scouts and guides are supposed to ... someone a good turn/favor every day

Back 494

do someone a good turn/ favor

Front 495

Changing the rules may ... more harm than good

Back 495

do
do harm

Front 496

No I'm not ready I haven't ... my hair yet

Back 496

done my hair

Front 497

I'll ... the washing if you ... the ironing

Back 497

do the washing
do the ironing

Front 498

We'll ... some work on our project then we'll go to the cinema

Back 498

do some work

Front 499

to .. mad

Back 499

to go mad

Front 500

to .. bald

Back 500

to go bald

Front 501

to ... grey

Back 501

to go grey
[appearance]

Front 502

to ... blind/deaf

Back 502

to go blind/deaf
[physical ability]

Front 503

he was very embarrassed and his face ... red

Back 503

went red
[sudden negative change]

Front 504

Suddenly the sky ... dark and it started to rain

Back 504

went dark
[sudden negative change]

Front 505

The pages of the book have .. yellow over the years

Back 505

have gone yellow
[slow color changes\

Front 506

The sky ... gold as the sun set

When the tomatoes ... red the farmer picks them up and sell them

Back 506

turned gold
[turn collocates with colors]

Front 507

to ... popular/unpopular

Back 507

to become

Front 508

to .. extinct

Back 508

to become extinct

Front 509

to ... homeless

Back 509

to become

Front 510

to ... famous

Back 510

to become

Front 511

to ... ill

Back 511

get/become/fall

Front 512

to .. silent

Back 512

get/become/fall

Front 513

A year ago he ... a heart attack

Back 513

had/suffered a heart attack

Front 514

Mr Grey .. an accident last night but he's OK now

Back 514

had an accident

Front 515

We .. an argument/ a row about how to fix the car

Back 515

had an argument/a row

Front 516

let's .. a break when you finish this exercise

Back 516

have a break

Front 517

I hope we'll have time to .. a conversation/chat after the meeting

Back 517

have a conversation/chat

Front 518

I .. a frightening experience the other day

Back 518

had an experience

Front 519

The class ... difficulty understanding what to do

Back 519

had difficulty

Front 520

I ... a nightmare last night

Back 520

had a nightmare

Front 521

I ... a feeling that something is wrong

Back 521

have a feeling

Front 522

Let's ... a party at the end of the term

Back 522

have a party

Front 523

I'll explain what to do and then you can ... a go/try

Back 523

have a go/try

Front 524

We're so glad we decided to ... a holiday here

Back 524

take a holiday

Front 525

Yesterday we ... a trip to the mountain

Back 525

took
take a trip

Front 526

First, we ... a train/bus to a little town

Back 526

took
take a train/bus

Front 527

We took a bus to various villages and got off when we saw on thing that ... a liking to

Back 527

took
take a liking

Front 528

Some kids ... an interest to us and showed some great places to us

Back 528

took
take an interest

Front 529

I'd ... a chance and leave if I were you

Back 529

take a chance

Front 530

No point in staying somewhere where the boss ... a disliking to you

Back 530

has taken
take a disliking

Front 531

... action. There's my advice

Back 531

tale action

Front 532

you must ... attention to the teacher

Back 532

pay attention

Front 533

I was trying to ... her a compliment but she misunderstood

Back 533

pay a compliment

Front 534

At a funeral people ... their last respect to the person who has died

Back 534

pay (last) respect

Front 535

When Jack retired his boss gave a speech ... tribute to all he had done for the company

Back 535

paying
pay tribute

Front 536

.... meetings/discussions/conferences
(to end)

Back 536

to close

Front 537

Before the universe .... time and space did not exist

Back 537

began

Front 538

It was cold this morning and I could not ... my car

Back 538

start

Front 539

It was a ... decision to make
There were some ... problems to solve
(important)

Back 539

big

Front 540

The film ... with the hero dying

Back 540

ended

Front 541

They ... their relationship a year ago
(decided to stop)

Back 541

ended

Front 542

I haven't ... my homework yet
(completed)

Back 542

finish

Front 543

He lives in a very lonely place/spot in the mountains

Back 543

lonely

Front 544

At first I felt desperately ... when I arrived in London
lonely or alone?

Back 544

lonely

Front 545

I live ... but i don't like to travel ... It's nice to be with someone

Back 545

alone

Front 546

There was just one .... on the otherwise deserted beach
[one person on their own]

Back 546

solitary figure

Front 547

She was the ... survivor of the crash
[only survivor]

Back 547

sole

Front 548

I am an ... child. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a brother or a sister

Back 548

only

Front 549

.... power
....control
.....access

Back 549

gain
often used with abstract nouns relating to political authority

Front 550

.... a reputation
.... publicity
.....recognition
..... an advantage
Her paintings ... recognition thanks to a major exhibition in NY

Back 550

gain
used with abstracts nouns that suggest benefit to the gainer

Front 551

... an award/ a medal/a prize/ a match
He ... a medal in 2004 Olympics

Back 551

win
used in contexts associated with competition

Front 552

... a battle / a war/ an election
The conservative party ... the 1994 general election

Back 552

win
used in contexts associated with fighting

Front 553

.... success/ goals/ aims
It's difficult to .... success in international sport

Back 553

achieve
used with abstract nouns

Front 554

... a team/ an opponent

He ... his opponent in tennis final

Back 554

beat/defeat

defeat is more formal

Front 555

You'll need to ... warm clothes when you go to Alaska

Back 555

take
(not carry)

Front 556

I always ... mu mobile phone when I go out

Back 556

carry

Front 557

He kindly offered to ... my suitcase for me

Back 557

carry

Front 558

a .... smile
(happy)

Back 558

sunny

Front 559

a ... face
(happy)

Back 559

sunny

Front 560

a face ... with pleasure

Back 560

shines

Front 561

his eyes ... with excitement

Back 561

shine

Front 562

if someone's face .... or his eyes .... they show that they suddenly feel happy

Back 562

light up

Front 563

if an atmosphere ... or a mood .... it becomes more relaxed than it was

Back 563

lightens

Front 564

.... thoughts are gloomy and sinister

Back 564

dark

Front 565

if someone's face ... or their eyes .... or their expression .... then we know that the person is unhappy

Back 565

darkens

Front 566

ideas...
conversations ....
It was a successful meeting ideas ...

Back 566

flow
flow suggests that things progress easily without effort

Front 567

a .... smile
(happy)

Back 567

sunny

Front 568

a ... face
(happy)

Back 568

sunny

Front 569

a face ... with pleasure

Back 569

shines

Front 570

his eyes ... with excitement

Back 570

shine

Front 571

if someone's face .... or his eyes .... they show that they suddenly feel happy

Back 571

light up

Front 572

if an atmosphere ... or a mood .... it becomes more relaxed than it was

Back 572

lightens

Front 573

.... thoughts are gloomy and sinister

Back 573

dark

Front 574

.... days or times are unpleasant times to live through

Back 574

dark

Front 575

if someone's face ... or their eyes .... or their expression .... then we know that the person is unhappy

Back 575

darkens

Front 576

ideas...
conversations ....
It was a successful meeting ideas ...

Back 576

flow
flow suggests that things progress easily without effort

Front 577

a ... of tears
The girl was .... of tears

Back 577

a flood of tears
floods of tears

Front 578

tears ... someone's face

Back 578

stream down

Front 579

people .... somewhere
people out of the hall

Back 579

stream/pour
pour and stream suggest people moving smoothly in large crowds

Front 580

people ...into the concert hall
[suggests a few people moving slowly]

Back 580

trickle

Front 581

a ... of visitors/traffic
[suggests continuous movement]
There was a ... of traffic outside our room all night

Back 581

stream

Front 582

a ... debate/discussion/conversation
[people disagree in an angry way]

Back 582

heated

Front 583

He has a ... temper
[He often suddenly get angry]

Back 583

fiery

Front 584

Tempers ...
[People become angry with each other]

Back 584

flare

Front 585

violence ..../ troubles ....
[problems that existed in the past suddenly become serious again]

Back 585

flare up

Front 586

if you feel very embarrassed your cheeks ... with embarrassment

Back 586

burn

Front 587

a ... of glory/publicity
[There is a lot of it and it is spectacular]

Back 587

blaze

Front 588

run over
I ran over a rabbit as I was driving home

Back 588

hit someone/sth with a moving vehicle and injure or kill them

Front 589

run over
The meeting ran over and I missed the train

Back 589

go on after its expected time

Front 590

run over
Could we just run over the schedule again to make sure it's all going well

Back 590

read quickly to make sure sth is correct

Front 591

brush off
I brushed off the dust from my shoes

Back 591

use a brush or hand to remove sth

Front 592

brush off
The boss just brushed him off and told him to get back to work

Back 592

refuse to listen to what someone says or refuse to think about sth seriously

Front 593

shot up
The prices of gas shot up this year

Back 593

go up sharply

Front 594

dive into
I don't wanna just dive into a new job without considering it

Back 594

start doing sth suddenly and energetically without thinking about it

Front 595

hit out at
The leader of the opposition party hit out at the government's new proposal

Back 595

strongly criticize

Front 596

spur on
My success in the exam purred me on to study even harder

Back 596

encourage

Front 597

fish out
She searched her bag and fished out an old photo
He put his hand in his pocket and fished out his car keys.

Back 597

o pull or take something out of a bag or pocket, especially after searching:

Front 598

drink sth in
We wandered round the market just drinking in the atmosphere

Back 598

to listen to, look at, or experience something with great interest and enjoyment
They drank in the words of their leader.

Front 599

be glued to sth
The kids were glued to the TV all morning.

Back 599

to be watching something, especially television:

Front 600

nose about/around (sth)
I caught him nosing around in my office.

Back 600

to look around a place, often in order to find something:

Front 601

flood
Light flooded the room.
Shoppers flooded into the store.

Back 601

to fill or enter a place in large numbers or amounts:

Front 602

Strike out
She struck out for the opposite bank.

Back 602

to start moving towards somewhere in a determined way:

Front 603

strike out
I really struck out with her - she wouldn't even let me kiss her goodbye.

Back 603

to fail at something:

Front 604

sweep aside
They swept his doubts and objections aside.

Back 604

to refuse to consider something or to treat it as important

Front 605

boil down to sth
The problem boils down to one thing - lack of money.

Back 605

If a situation or problem boils down to something, that is the main reason for it:

Front 606

eat into sth

Back 606

to use or take away a large part of something valuable, such as money or time

Front 607

soldier on
I admired the way she soldiered on when her business ran into trouble.

Back 607

to continue doing something although it is difficult