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123 Cards in this Set
- Front
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Scarce |
Not enough to supply people; rare. Water and food is scarce in desert area. |
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Guava |
Noun A round yellow tropical fruit with pink or white flesh and hard seeds, or the small tropical tree on which it grows |
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Orthodontist |
Noun A person whose job is to correct the position of the teeth |
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Paediatrician |
Noun A doctor who has special training in medical care for children |
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Foe |
Noun An enemy: The two countries have united against their common foe. They were bitter foes for many years. |
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Vigorous |
Adjective Very forceful or energetic: The athlete competed in Olympic Games after years of vigorous training. There has been vigorous opposition to the proposals for a new road. |
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Boulevard |
Noun A wide road in a city, usually with trees on each side or along the centre: We strolled along the boulevard. |
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Monarch |
Noun A king or queen The Spanish monarchs last state visit to Austria was in 1978. |
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Starch |
Noun A white substance that exists in large amounts in potatoes and particular grains such as rice: Corn starch is used as a thickener in stews. |
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On the dot |
Exactly at the stated or expected time: The plane landed at two o'clock on the dot. She came promptly on the dot of eleven. |
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At a loss |
Not knowing what to do: I’m at a loss to explain what happened. I was so embarrassed that I was at a loss for words (= I didn’t know what to say). |
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A right one |
A set phrase used to humorously indicate that one has encountered someone or something they consider stupid or foolish. You think the moon is bigger than the Earth? We've got a right one here! |
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Fall on deaf ears |
If a suggestion or warning falls on deaf ears, no one listens to it; it was completely ignored.
Warning that over speed driving always causes serious injuries have largely fallen on deaf ears.
Their appeals to release the hostages fell on deaf ears. |
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Shoot the breeze |
To spend time talking about things that are not important: We sat out on the porch, just shooting the breeze. |
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Two sides of the same coin |
If you say that two things are two sides of the same coin, you mean that they are different ways of dealing with the same situation. Two ways of looking at the same thing.
Rewards and punishments are two sides of the same coin – both are used to control people and neither works very well. |
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Emigrate |
Verb Leave one's own country in order to settle permanently in another. "Rose's parents emigrated to Australia" |
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Blemish |
Noun A mark or fault that spoils the appearance of someone or something Makeup can cover up your skin blemishes. |
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Balaclava |
Noun
a closely fitting covering for the head and neck, usually made from wool |
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Fall prey to (idiom) |
To be influenced by someone or something: We worry that our children will fall prey to the influence of bad kids. |
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Give it to(idiom) |
To rebuke or scold one; to verbally or physically punish one. Our parents really gave it to us for coming home late last night. The headmaster gave it to the students for their disruption during class. |
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Rain on someone’s parade (idiom) |
To do something that spoils someone's plans: I'm sorry to rain on your parade but you're not allowed to have alcohol on the premises. |
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Put the blocks on something (idiom) |
To prevent something from happening or proceeding; to create or place an obstruction to something.
I wanted to go on holiday with Maria, but she put a block on that plan. |
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In a snap (idiom) |
At once; nearly immediately or very quickly or suddenly. Our storewide sale will only be available as supplies last, so be sure to hurry—these deals are going to be gone in a snap! |
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Out of the frying pan and into the fire (Proverb) |
To say when you move from a bad or difficult situation to one that is worse. Many kids who try to run away from unhappy homes discover that they've jumped out of the frying pan into the fire when they try to live on their own. |
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Jolt |
Verb to (cause something or someone to) move suddenly and violently: The train stopped unexpectedly and we were jolted forwards. |
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Chihuahua |
Noun A very small dog with large eyes and smooth hair |
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Caught between a rock and a hard place |
To be in a very difficult situation (both of the choices are undesirable) and have to make a hard decision.
He was caught between a rock and a hard place. If he accepted the offer, he would have to work long hours with low pay, if he didn’t, he would lose his livelihood. |
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Intimidate |
Verb To frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do: They were intimidated into accepting a pay cut by the threat of losing their jobs. |
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Fabricate |
Verb To invent or produce something false in order to deceive someone: He was late, so he fabricated an excuse to avoid trouble. He claims that the police fabricated evidence against him. |
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Cravat |
Noun A wide, straight piece of material worn loosely tied in the open neck of a shirt
The man fastened his cravat before entering the meeting. |
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Dismay **** |
Noun A feeling of unhappiness and disappointment:
The fans watched in/with dismay as their team lost 42–11. She discovered, to her dismay, that she had locked her keys inside her car. |
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To pop the question (idiom) |
To ask someone to marry you: So did he pop the question, then? |
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Exalt |
Verb To praise someone a lot, or to raise someone to a higher rank or more powerful position. The brave soldier was exalted by the King and become a knight. |
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Capable |
Adjective Able to do things effectively and skilfully, and to achieve results: She's a very capable woman. We need to get an assistant who's capable and efficient. |
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Incapable |
Adjective Unable to do something: He was fired from his job because he was incapable of completing the tasks that were assigned to him. |
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A close-knit family |
If a group of people are close-knit, they all help and support each other.
Your new friend comes from a close-knit family. |
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Trough |
Noun A long, narrow container without a lid that usually holds water or food for farm animals:
cows at the feeding trough |
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On the shelf |
Not used or wanted. A shoulder injury kept Jenkins on the shelf for four games. |
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Like shooting fish in a barrel |
Means something is easy to do. In other words, people use this saying to express how simple an activity is.
Playing this game is easy! it's like shooting fish in a barrel! |
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Change of pace |
A change of continuity by shifting to a different activity.
Reading a mystery novel has been a real change of pace for me. |
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To toe the line **** |
To do what you are expected to do without causing trouble for anyone: If you want to get ahead, you’d better learn to toe the line. |
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An Indian summer(idiom) **** |
A period of warm weather happening in Autumn when you expect cooler weather/Nowadays, ‘Indian summer’ refers to a happy successful period that occurs late in one’s life or career, often after a period of not being successful.
I know it's June, but don't get out your winter clothes just yet—this area often has an Indian summer.
Despite an unexpected Indian Summer, they never really lived up to their initial promise.
The professor is in the Indian summer of his brilliant career. |
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Exceed **** |
Verb Greater than...in numbers; did more than you need or ought to do.
The final cost should not exceed $5,000. |
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Sook |
Noun A shy or cowardly (= not brave) child or person. Don't be such a sook |
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Spool |
Verb
A cylinder that is wider at each end, around which esp. thread, wire, or film is wrapped:
I am unwinding the fishing line from the spool.
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Embellish |
Verb to make something more beautiful by adding decoration to it: The ceiling was embellished with flowers and leaves. |
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Sinister |
Adjective 邪恶的 Making you feel that something bad or evil might happen: The ruined house had a sinister appearance. A sinister-looking man sat in the corner of the room. |
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inane |
Adjective Extremely silly or with no real meaning or importance:
The silly boy kept interrupting the class with inane questions. He's always making inane remarks. |
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Havoc |
Noun Confusion and lack of order, especially causing damage or trouble: The animals escaping from the zoo caused great havoc in the city. |
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Melancholy |
Noun Sadness that lasts for a long period of time. At the funeral, there was a feeling of melancholy all around. |
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To play it safe |
To be careful and not take risks: To play safe, I'd allow an extra ten minutes, just in case. |
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Stick out a mile |
To be very obvious or easy to see: His lack of experience sticks out a mile. |
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Straight up **** |
Telling the truth. Being honest. He was straight-up when he said he doesn't like the way his boss treats him.
Come on, Bert, I won't hurt you—straight up.
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In the short term |
Short period of time
The policy served him well in the short term but later backfired. These measures may save money in the short term, but we’ll end up spending more later. |
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Save face |
Avoid humiliation
We said he left "to pursue other interests" to let him save face, but actually we fired him. |
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A bad workman always blames his tools. |
A proverb that suggests a poor workman tends to look for an excuse for his poor work. People tend to never blame themselves for what they do.
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Broad |
Adjective 1. Very wide We walked down a broad avenue lined with trees. 2. General, including many types of things but not very detailed. The magazine covers a broad range of subjects. He explained it in very broad terms. |
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Persist |
Adjective If an unpleasant feeling or situation persists, it continues to exist( it normally refers to something undesirable continue to exist) If the pain persists, consult a doctor. The cold weather is set to persist throughout the week. |
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Sacred |
Adjective Considered to be holy and deserving respect, especially because of a connection with a god: Mosque is a sacred place where Muslim people worships. Cows are considered to be sacred for many Indian people. |
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Holy |
Adjective Considered to be pure or good because of being related to God. Jerusalem is a holy city to Christians, Muslims, and Jews. |
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Relunctant |
Adjective Not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it: I was having such a good time I was reluctant to leave. She persuaded her reluctant husband to take a trip to Florida with her. |
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Reside(resident) |
Verb To live, have your home, or stay in a place. The family now resides in southern France. |
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Lessen |
Verb If something lessens or is lessened, it becomes less in number or less strong. A healthy diet can lessen the risk of heart disease. |
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Attractive |
Adjective Very pleasing in appearance or sound: A very attractive young woman I find him very attractive. |
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Enlarge |
Verb To become bigger or to make something bigger: They've enlarged the kitchen by building over part of the garden. |
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Infirm |
Adjective Sick and need care, physically or mentally weak, because of old age. She was too elderly and infirm to remain at home. The old and the infirm are the most susceptible to this disease. |
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Repulsive |
Adjective Extremely unpleasant or unacceptable, causing a feeling of strong dislike or disgust. What a repulsive old man! A Repulsive odour. |
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Fastidious |
Adjective Picky, giving too much attention to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect. The contestant of the competition had to work very hard to please the fastidious judges. He is very fastidious about how a suitcase should be packed. |
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Clique |
Noun A small group of people who spend their time together and do not welcome other people into that group: Our golf club is run by a very unfriendly clique (of people). There's a clique at work that never talks/who never talk to anyone else. |
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Congest |
Verb To make something blocked or crowded in a way that causes difficulties, or to become blocked or crowded: The road were so congested with cars that police were called in to control them. |
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Excruciating |
Adjective Extremely painful: An excruciating pain in the lower back. |
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Excruciating |
Adjective Extremely painful: An excruciating pain in the lower back. |
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Intense |
Adjective Extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong:
He suddenly felt an intense pain in his back. |
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Piercing |
Adjective Feeling or seeming very sharp or powerful: He had piercing blue eyes.(looking very carefully at someone or something, especially when they are trying to discover something, often making people feel uncomfortable) |
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Throw one’s hand in |
To give up; to quit or abandon something; to admit defeat or failure. I've been working on this book for over a year, and I'm getting nowhere with it. I think I'm ready to throw my hand in. |
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Left high and dry |
To leave one in a situation in which one has little chance of escaping or improving. You really left me high and dry when you forgot to pick me up last night. I had no way of calling or getting home! The departure of several key employees has left the business high and dry. |
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Rise and shine |
Wake up, get out of bed, and start your day! Rise and shine, sleepy head! You've got a busy morning, so you'd better get a move on. Come on, children! Rise and shine! We're going to the beach. Father always calls "Rise and shine!" in the morning when we want to go on sleeping. |
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The way the cookie crumbles |
This is how things turn out, There is nothing we can do about the way things have unfolded, especially bad ones, so there is no reason to be upset about it. I'm pretty gutted about not getting into the selective school that I wanted, but that's just the way the cookie crumbles. |
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On the crest of a wave |
Experiencing a particularly successful period. Right after I got married, I got a big promotion at work, so I'm really on the crest of a wave at the moment! |
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Soon learnt, soon forgotten |
Something that is easy to learn is easy to forget. |
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Damper |
Put a damper on sth
To stop an occasion from being enjoyable: Both the kids were sick while we were in Boston, so that put a damper on things. |
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On the double **** |
Very quickly and without any delay.
He disappeared on the double. You’d better get here on the double.
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Stroke someone the wrong way |
Annoy, bother, irritate someone
The way she smiles all the time really stroke me the wrong way. It seems so fake. He's always talking about how those commercials stroke him the wrong way, but I think they're cute. |
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Pamper **** |
Verb To treat with too much kindness and attention: Our children are pampered by their grandparents. Why not pamper yourself after a hard day with a hot bath scented with oils? |
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Blunder |
Noun A serious mistake, usually caused by not taking care or thinking: I made a blunder by getting his name wrong. |
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Plead |
Verb To make an urgent, emotional statement or request for something: He was on his knees, pleading for mercy/forgiveness. “Give us more time," they pleaded. |
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Sincere |
Adjective
Honest, not pretending or lying; He made a sincere apology on Television. He seems so sincere. |
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Postpone **** |
Verb To delay an event and plan. They decided to postpone their holiday until next year. We've had to postpone going to France because the children are ill.
to delay an event and plan |
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Sluggish |
Adjective Moving or operating more slowly than usual and with less energy or power: A heavy lunch makes me sluggish in the afternoon. Something is wrong with the car - the engine feels sluggish. |
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Prompt **** |
Adjective Fast A prompt reply!
Verb To make something happen: The bishop's speech has prompted an angry response from public. Recent worries over the president's health have prompted speculation over his political future. |
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Rapid |
Adjective Fast or sudden There’s been rapid change in China. |
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Prompt |
Verb To make something happen: The bishop's speech has prompted an angry response from public. Recent worries over the president's health have prompted speculation over his political future. |
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Desolate |
Adjective A desolate place is empty and not attractive, with no people or nothing pleasant in it: The house stood in a bleak and desolate landscape. |
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Wistful |
Adjective Sad and thinking about something that is impossible or past:渴望的 She cast a wistful glance at the bridal gowns in the window.
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overwhelm |
verb To defeat someone or something by using a lot of force: Government troops have overwhelmed the rebels and seized control of the capital. |
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luminous |
Adjective
producing or reflecting bright light, especially in the dark:
Luminous clothing. The library was lit by the luminous glow of laptops. |
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bashful **** |
Adjective often feeling uncomfortable with other people and easily embarrassed:(shy)
She gave a bashful smile as he complimented her on her work. |
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Grime |
Noun dirt ingrained on the surface of something.尘土 "the windows were thick with grime" |
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fulfil |
verb Achieve or realize (something desired, promised, or predicted).
At the age of 45, she finally fulfilled her ambition to run a marathon.
he wouldn't be able to fulfil his ambition to visit Naples. |
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Dawdle |
Verb to do something or go somewhere very slowly, taking more time than is necessary: Stop dawdling! You'll be late for school! |
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publicity |
the activity of making certain that someone or something attracts a lot of interest or attention from many people, or the attention received as a result of this activity: He attracted a lot of adverse/bad publicity with his speech about unmarried mothers. |
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Veal |
Noun The flesh of a young cattle, used as food. |
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Calf |
Noun Young cattle, or the young of various other large mammals such as elephants and whales. |
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Meek |
Adjective Quiet, gentle, and not willing to argue or express your opinions in a forceful way: She seemed so very meek and mild. |
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Docile **** |
Adjective
Quiet and easy to influence, persuade, or control: The once docile population has finally risen up against the ruthless government.
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Compliant **** |
Used to describe someone or something that obeys particular rules or laws: Compliant with sth Every company is expected to be fully compliant with the Australia consumer law. |
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Assertive |
Adjective Behaving confidently and able to say in a direct way what you want or believe: If you really want the promotion, you’ll have to be more assertive. |
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quality |
Noun
How good or bad something is.
The food was of such poor/low quality. Their products are of very high quality. |
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Maintain |
Verb to continue to have. Despite living in different states, the two families have maintained a close friendship. You have to maintain a minimum balance in your bank account. |
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Stereo |
Noun
A sound system with speakers that makes music seem to come from several directions at once—almost like it's all around you—is called a stereo.
Loud music was coming from the car stereo. |
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Conceal |
Verb To hide, to prevent something from being seen or known about:
I tried to conceal my surprise when she told me her age. It was said that the police concealed vital evidence. |
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Swift |
Adjective happening or moving quickly or within a short time, especially in a smooth and easy way: The police took swift action against the rioters. Thank you for your swift reply. |
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Harmony |
Noun A situation in which people are peaceful and agree with each other. He imagined a society in which all races lived together in harmony. |
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Tranquil |
Adjective Calm and peaceful and without noise, violence, worry, etc.:
She stared at the tranquil surface of the water. The hotel is in a tranquil rural setting. |
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Jubilant |
Adjective
Feeling or expressing great happiness, especially because of a success: The fans were jubilant over their team's victory. |
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Lavish |
Adjective large in quantity and expensive or impressive, more than enough.
At the feast, there were lavish amounts of food and drinks. |
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Blow someone's mind |
Strongly affect someone with surprise, wonder, delight, etc. : to amaze or overwhelm someone This music really blows my mind. |
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Take the Mickey out of |
If you take the mickey out of someone or something, you make fun of them, usually in an unkind way. He started taking the mickey out of this poor man just because he is bald. |
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Give it your all |
Try your best.
I just remember her calm voice telling me to just give it my all and she’d be proud of me either way. |
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Peas in the pod |
Very similar, especially in appearance: The twins are like two peas in a pod. |
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A king's ransom |
A large amount of money: That diamond necklace must have cost a king's ransom. |
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Absence makes the heart grow fonder |
This means that when people we love are not with us, we love them even more. |
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Fond |
Adjective Be fond of sb or sth To like someone or something very much; to like doing something:
She was very fond of horses. My brother is fond of pointing out my mistakes. |
