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Krzysztof Cichy's SuperMemo collection sample
© Tomasz P. Szynalski, Antimoon.com
The following is a sample set of items from
Krzysztof
Cichy's SuperMemo collection for learning English.
| Q |
to stop people having an idea or feeling
= banish
|
| A |
to dispel (idea/feeling)
[di'spel]
The President is attempting to dispel the notion that he has
neglected the economy.
|
| Q |
(activities or situations) that are secret or hidden = ...
activities
(FORMAL)
|
| A |
covert ['k^v..t]
They have been supplying covert military aid to the rebels.
The depth of covert racism in my own profession frightens me.
|
| Q |
underhand
The Prime Minister himself had been involved in underhand
financial deals.
|
| A |
If an action is underhand or if it is done in an underhand way,
it is done secretly and dishonestly.
['^nd..,h@nd]
|
| Q |
rascal
If you call a man or child a rascal, what do you mean?
|
| A |
If you call a man or child a rascal, you mean that they behave
badly and are rude or dishonest. (OLD-FASHIONED)
['ra:sk..l]
What's that old rascal been telling you?
= rogue
|
| Q |
recourse
If you achieve something without recourse to a particular
course of action, how do you achieve it?
|
| A |
If you achieve something without recourse to a particular
course of action, you succeed without carrying out that action.
To have recourse to a particular course of action means to have
to do that action in order to achieve something.
[ri'ko:s]
|
| Q |
behaviour that is bold, rude, or disrespectful (FORMAL)
|
| A |
effrontery
[i'fr^nt..ri]
One could only gasp at the sheer effrontery of the man.
|
| Q |
What do you mean if you say that sth is abominable?
|
| A |
Something that is abominable is very unpleasant or bad.
[..'bomin..b..l]
The President described the killings as an abominable crime.
English food can be wonderful but the normal English diet is
abominable.
|
| Q |
What word can be used to describe a quick movement of a large
group of people? (N, V)
|
| A |
swarm
[swo:m]
People swarmed to the shops, buying up everything in sight.
When bees or other insects swarm, they move or fly in a large
group.
|
| Q |
to bear/take the brunt of sth unpleasant
|
| A |
To bear the brunt or take the brunt of something unpleasant
means to suffer the main part or force of it.
[br^nt]
Young people are bearing the brunt of unemployment.
A child's head tends to take the brunt of any fall
|
| Q |
to feel or show contempt for sb/sth
{1/2}
|
| A |
to scorn [sko:n]
to despise [di 'spaiz]
Several leading officers have quite openly scorned the peace
talks.
People scorn me as a single parent.
|
| Q |
an adjective used to emphasize that a person or action is
extremely nasty, cruel, or evil
|
| A |
despicable ['de spi k.. b.l]
The Minister, who visited the scene a few hours after the
explosion, said it was a despicable crime.
(also: atrocious)
|
| Q |
to agree to do sth or to allow it to be done
{1/2}
|
| A |
to consent [k..n'sent]
to assent [..'sent]
He finally consented to go.
He asked Ginny if she would consent to a small celebration
after the christening.
|
| Q |
food which you put on a hook or in a trap in order to catch
fish or animals
|
| A |
bait [beit]
|
| Q |
What do you mean if you say that an action or situation is
prejudicial to someone or something?
|
| A |
If an action or situation is prejudicial to someone or
something, it is harmful to them. (FORMAL)
[,predZu'diS..l]
You could face up to eight years in jail for spreading rumours
considered prejudicial to security.
|
| Q |
If you say that someone or something purports to do or be a
particular thing, what do you mean?
|
| A |
If you say that someone or something purports to do or be a
particular thing, you mean that they claim to do or be that
thing, although you may not always believe that claim. (FORMAL)
[pe:'po:t]
=claim
|
| Q |
a state of worry and tension caused by a difficult situation
=stress
|
| A |
strain [strein]
She was tired and under great strain.
...the stresses and strains of a busy and demanding career.
|
| Q |
to try and reach for sth or hold sth in a clumsy way.
|
| A |
to fumble for/with sth
[f^mb.l]
She crept from the bed and fumbled for her dressing gown.
|
| Q |
a small, sheltered place
|
| A |
a nook [nuk]
|
| Q |
to push or move sth/sb swh quickly with a lot of force
|
| A |
to thrust [thr^st]
They thrust him into the back of a jeep.
She grabs a stack of baby photos and thrusts them into my hands.
=stove
|
| Q |
What phrase can you use to say that you pause to think about
all the aspects of a situation or event before deciding what to
do next?
|
| A |
to take stock of sth
It was time to take stock of the situation.
I was forty, the age when people take stock and change their
lives.
|
| Q |
fascinated so much that one can't think about anything else
enchanted
|
| A |
spellbound ['spel ,baund]
His audience had listened like children, spellbound by his words.
|
| Q |
What idiom can you use to say that sth doesn't happen or isn't
done continuously, but regularly stops and then starts again
|
| A |
in fits and stars
|
| Q |
small animals or birds that destroy crops, spoil food etc, and
are difficult to control
|
| A |
vermin ['ve:min]
a barn infested with vermin
|
| Q |
to try to make sth happen by mental effort rather than physical
one
|
| A |
to will [wil]
|
| Q |
What is a scimitar?
|
| A |
It's a sword with a curved blade
['simit..]
|
| Q |
facts or details about sth/sb that are kept as a record
|
| A |
particulars [p..'tikjul..z]
|
| Q |
clever or amusing use of words with 2 meanings or with the same
sound but different meanings
|
| A |
pun [p^n]
|
| Q |
to annoy someone repeatedly, especially by asking them to do
something
|
| A |
pester sb for sth: Beggars kept pestering us for money.
pester sb to do sth: The kids have been pestering me to buy
them new trainers.
['pest..]
|
| Q |
a statement which is considered meaningless and boring, because
it's been made many times before in similar situations
|
| A |
platitude ['pl@titju:d]
|
| Q |
What can you say about lips that are unpleasantly dry?
|
| A |
That they're parched. ['pa: tSd]
|
| Q |
a high, sad-sounding sound
|
| A |
plaintive sound
['plein tiv]
|
| Q |
looking pale, weak, or tired
|
| A |
wan [won]
She gave a wan smile.
|
| Q |
What do you mean if you describe sb/sth as noisome?
|
| A |
noisome ['nois..m]
=extremely unpleasant
The workers lived in noisome slums.
|
| Q |
a heavy gun that fires bombs or shells in a high curve or,
a hard bowl in which substances are crushed into powder with a
pestle (=tool with a heavy round end) into very small pieces or
powder
|
| A |
mortar ['mo:t..]
Pound the garlic with a mortar and pestle.
|
| Q |
to gather people/things together and arrange them for a
particular purpose
|
| A |
to marshal ['ma:S.l]
Richard was marshalling the doctors and nurses, showing them
where to go.
|
| Q |
What do you mean if you describe sb as languid?
|
| A |
You mean that they show little energy or interest and are very
slow and casual in their movements.
['l@Ngwid]
|
| Q |
to have an effect on someone or something; influence
to affect sth/sb
|
| A |
to impinge on/upon sth/sb
[im 'pindZ]
|
| Q |
to quickly write sth on a piece of paper so that you can
remember it or use it later (PhV)
|
| A |
to jot down [dZot]
|
| Q |
behaving as if you want to keep something secret
|
| A |
furtive ['fe:tiv]
There was something furtive about his appearance.
|
| Q |
to loathe
to hate
|
| A |
to detest [di'test]
|
| Q |
What do you mean if you say that sb deigns to do sth?
|
| A |
You mean that they do it unwillingly because they think they're
too important to do it. (DISAPPROVAL)
[dein]
|
| Q |
to agree to do sth but in a way that shows that one thinks
they're better than other people and shouldn't have to do it
|
| A |
to condescend [,kondi'send]
The managing director condescended to have lunch with us in the
canteen.
|
| Q |
to think carefully and seriously about something (FORMAL)
|
| A |
to cogitate ['kodZiteit]
|
| Q |
to shock someone by being very bad or unpleasant
|
| A |
to appal [.. 'po:l]
The whole idea of killing animals for fur appals me.
|
| Q |
to look at or consider something in a way that shows you do not
believe it or approve of it
|
| A |
look askance (at) [..'sk@ns]
|
| Q |
How can you describe a smell or taste, which is strong and
unpleasant and stings your nose or throat
|
| A |
acrid (smell/taste) ['@krid]
a cloud of acrid smoke
|
| Q |
to leave your home secretly in order to get married
|
| A |
to elope [i'loup]
|
| Q |
to cause sb to become involved in problems, from which it's
hard to escape
|
| A |
to entangle [in't@Ng.l]
|
| Q |
How can you describe sb who is deliberately vague in what they
say, because they want to avoid speaking the truth or making a
decision
|
| A |
equivocal [i 'kwi v..k.l]
|
| Q |
You are ordered to desist from such behaviour.
What does it mean to desist from sth?
|
| A |
to stop doing something
[di 'zist]
|
| Q |
very bad, and deserving to be criticized or hated (man)
despicable
{1/2}
|
| A |
detestable [di'test..b.l]
odious ['oudi..s]
a detestable little man
|
| Q |
showing that you do not respect someone or something and think
that they are unimportant (e.g. a look)
|
| A |
disdainful [dis'deinful]
a long disdainful look
|
| Q |
to hang or to lean downwards with no strength
|
| A |
to droop [dru:p]
|
| Q |
What idiom can you use if you want to say that two people are
very similar?
|
| A |
They're birds of a feather.
|
| Q |
What idiom can you use if you want sb to say sth directly and
clearly?
|
| A |
Don't beat about the bush!
|
| Q |
What does copious mean?
|
| A |
abundant
['koupi..s]
|
| Q |
to succeed in doing something in spite of difficulties, often
by tricking sb
|
| A |
to contrive [k..n'traiv]
|
| Q |
behaving in an immoral way without being embarrassed or ashamed
|
| A |
brazen ['breiz.n]
|
| Q |
a young person who works for sb in order to learn their skill
|
| A |
apprentice [..'prentis]
|
| Q |
What is an altercation?
|
| A |
a noisy argument
|
| Q |
What idiom can you use if you want to say sth/sb is put among a
group of things/people because of one quality, often
superficial, that links them
|
| A |
to tar sth/sb with the same brush
I am a football supporter and I often have to explain that I'm
not one of the hooligan sort, because we all get tarred with
the same brush.
|
| Q |
a legal process to find out the cause of someone's death
|
| A |
inquest ['inkwest]
|
| Q |
a dress worn on formal occassions
|
| A |
a gown [gaun]
|
| Q |
to pay attention to sb's warning and do what they suggest
|
| A |
to heed [hi:d]
If she had only heeded my warnings, none of this would have
happened.
|
| Q |
Demonstrators were hurling bricks through the windows.
What does it mean to hurl sth?
|
| A |
to throw sth violently
[he:l]
|
| Q |
What do you mean if you say that sth is mundane?
|
| A |
You mean it's ordinary, usual and uninteresting
[,m^n'dein]
|
| Q |
They watched the nobs in their satin and feathers.
Who are the nobs?
|
| A |
rich people, from a higher social class
[nobz]
|
| Q |
How would you describe e.g. a look of sb thinking deeply about
something and seeming a little sad
|
| A |
pensive ['pensiv]
a pensive look
|
| Q |
ideas that are ... are already formed before you have enough
info or experience
|
| A |
preconceived ['pri:k..nsi:vd]
preconceived notions about art
|
| Q |
someone that you choose to represent you, especially to vote
for you
|
| A |
proxy ['proksi]
by proxy: if you do something by proxy, you arrange for someone
else to do it for you
|
| Q |
to reply angrily to sb
|
| A |
to retort [ri:'to:t]
“It's all your fault !” he retorted.
|
| Q |
someone in former times who lived and worked on land that they
did not own and who had to obey the owner of this land
|
| A |
serf [se:f]
|
| Q |
What can you call a smile, look etc that shows that you are
hiding something you know from other people?
|
| A |
sly [slai]
She gave me a sly look.
|
| Q |
a feeling of emotional comfort at a time of great sadness or
disappointment (FORMAL)
|
| A |
solace ['solis]
After the death of her son, Val found solace in the church.
|
| Q |
What is a soliloquy?
|
| A |
a speech in a play in which a character talks to himself or
herself so that the audience knows their thoughts
[s..'lil..kwi]
|
| Q |
Who is a squire?
|
| A |
the man who in the past owned most of the land around a country
village in England
[skwai..]
|
| Q |
What formal word can you use to express: more than is needed or
wanted; unnecessary?
|
| A |
superfluous [su:'pe:flu..s]
We could all see what was going on, so the commentary was
superfluous.
|
| Q |
showing very strong feelings or opinions (person/action)
|
| A |
vehement ['vi:..m..nt]
a vehement attack on the President's budget proposals
Dan vehemently denies the charges.
|
| Q |
Who is a wench?
|
| A |
It's a girl who worked as a servant or served people food or
drink in former times (also a humorous use)
[wentS]
|
| Q |
Another word for: to trick or deceive someone?
|
| A |
dupe sb into doing sth [dju:p]
Consumers are being duped into buying faulty electronic goods.
|
| Q |
What adjective can you use to disapprove of sb spending too
much time on physical pleasures such as drinking alcohol, in a
way that is harmful to their health?
|
| A |
dissipated ['disipeitid]
|
| Q |
a false spoken statement about someone that is intended to
damage the good opinion that people have
|
| A |
slander ['sla:nd..]
defamation [,def..'meiS.n]
|
| Q |
What does it mean to be a stickler for sth, e.g.
rules/punctuality?
|
| A |
It means that you always demand or require it.
['stikl..]
I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy.
|
| Q |
to suddenly feel that you love someone or like something very
much
|
| A |
to be smitten (with sb/sth)
['smit.n]
The young man was smitten with Miranda and her charms.
|
| Q |
How can you describe a person that is likely to betray you and
cannot be trusted?
|
| A |
treacherous ['tretS..r..s]
|
| Q |
to prove that someone or something is right or true; justify
to prove that someone who was blamed for something is in fact
not guilty
|
| A |
to vindicate ['vindikeit]
The outcome of the trial vindicates Howells completely.
Your decision not to resign has been fully vindicated.
|
| Q |
a plight of homeless children
What is a plight?
|
| A |
a bad, serious, or sad condition or situation
[plait]
|
| Q |
showing disrespect as a result of being too confident and doing
what they have no right to do
|
| A |
presumptuous [pri'z^mptSu..s]
She found Conrad charming but rather presumptuous.
|
| Q |
just before it is too late or just before something bad happens
at the last possible moment (IDIOM)
|
| A |
in the nick of time
Luckily, help arrived in the nick of time.
|
| Q |
What word can you use to describe people who are difficult to
control or influence or to describe problems that are difficult
to deal with?
|
| A |
intractable [in'tr@kt..b.l]
They found the islanders intractable, resisting their offers of
gifts.
the seemingly intractable problem of human greed
|
| Q |
one that continues without stopping
|
| A |
incessant [in'ses.nt]
|
| Q |
What is a garret?
|
| A |
a small uncomfortable room at the top of a house
['g@rit]
|
| Q |
a serious and very polite request in which you ask someone to
do something for you
|
| A |
entreaty [in'tri:ti]
|
| Q |
to speak to sb angrily or to punish them for sth wrong that
they've done
to criticize sb severely (FORMAL)
pronounce the word!
|
| A |
to chastise [tS@'staiz]
He should be chastised for his insolence.
|
| Q |
Another word for: to agree to sth/with sth
|
| A |
to assent (to) [..'sent]
|
| Q |
to make someone less angry or stop them from attacking you by
giving them what they want
|
| A |
to appease [..'pi:z]
|
| Q |
What idiom can you use if you want to say that sb expresses
their feelings forcefully?
|
| A |
to give vent to sth
She gave vent to her anger and jealousy.
|
| Q |
What does "whither" mean in a literary style?
|
| A |
to where
[hwiTH..]
|
| Q |
What formal plural word can you use to talk about unusual or
unexpected events, changes, ideas etc, that have an effect on
your life?
|
| A |
vagaries ['veig..riz]
the vagaries of the English weather
|
| Q |
a clear liquid that is painted onto things, especially things
made of wood, to protect them and give them a hard shiny surface
|
| A |
varnish ['va:niS]
|
| Q |
someone who lives in a house, room etc and pays rent to the
person who owns it
|
| A |
tenant ['ten..nt]
|
| Q |
to hold your hands together and twist and turn them, usually
because you are very worried or upset about sth
|
| A |
to wring your hands
[riN]
|
| Q |
speaking very little, so that you seem unfriendly
|
| A |
taciturn ['t@site:n]
|
| Q |
to cry in a noisy way
to say sth while crying
|
| A |
to sob [sob]
|
| Q |
to move back suddenly and quickly from something you dislike or
are frightened of
|
| A |
to recoil [ri'koil]
She recoiled from his touch as if she had been slapped.
|
| Q |
the buildings and land that a shop, restaurant, company etc uses
|
| A |
premises ['premis..z]
We hope to be moving to new premises shortly.
business premises
|
| Q |
What is mirth in literary English?
|
| A |
happiness and laughter
[me:th]
Stifled laughter and cries of suppressed mirth issued from the
next room.
|
| Q |
What 2 meanings the word "quagmire" has?
|
| A |
1 an area of soft wet muddy ground: In the rainy season the
roads become a quagmire.
2 a difficult or complicated situation: Public housing
regulations are a legislative quagmire.
['kw@gmai..]
|
| Q |
the most basic part of sth
|
| A |
mainstay ['meinstei]
|
| Q |
What does it mean: to be loath to do sth (formal)?
|
| A |
to be unwilling to do something
[louth]
Sarah was loath to tell her mother all that had happened.
|
| Q |
feelings of anger and surprise because you feel insulted or
unfairly treated
|
| A |
indignation [,indig'neiS.n]
Chamberlain found, to his great indignation, that he was not to
be included in the team.
|
| Q |
a situation or event that makes it difficult or impossible for
someone or something to succeed or make progress
a physical or nervous problem that makes it difficult for
someone to speak or move normally
|
| A |
impediment [im'pedim..nt]
The main impediment to development is the country's huge
foreign debt.
a speech impediment
|
| Q |
someone who uses very strong, direct selling methods, sometimes
dishonestly
|
| A |
huckster ['h^kst..]
|
| Q |
What phrase can you use to say that you do sth because you want
to?
|
| A |
to do sth of your own accord
[..ko:d]
It's better that she comes of her own accord.
|
| Q |
What's an accord?
|
| A |
a formal agreement between countries or groups
[..ko:d]
the Helsinki accord on human rights
|
| Q |
What are alms?
|
| A |
old-fashioned: money, food, clothes etc that are given to poor
people
[a:mz]
|
| Q |
friendly and easy to talk to, sociable (person)
|
| A |
affable ['@f..b.l]
an affable guy
|
| Q |
a sudden attack by people who have been waiting and hiding, or
the place where this happens
|
| A |
ambush ['@mbuS]
wait/lie in ambush (=wait to ambush someone): Armed police lay
in ambush behind the hedge.
|
| Q |
someone who helps a criminal, especially by helping them hide
from the police, accomplice
|
| A |
accessory to a crime [@k'ses..ri]
an accessory to murder
|
| Q |
extremely bad or showing no ability to do something at all
of a very bad quality
|
| A |
atrocious [..'trouS..s]
atrocious weather
Her singing was atrocious.
atrocious housing conditions
|
| Q |
an extremely cruel and violent action, especially during a war
|
| A |
atrocity [..'trositi]
one of the worst atrocities of the Vietnam War
|
| Q |
to tease sb or joke with sb in an amusing, friendly way
|
| A |
to banter ['b@nt..]
|
| Q |
a bitter green-brown liquid formed in the liver, which helps
you to digest fats
literary: anger and hatred
|
| A |
bile [bail]
|
| Q |
What are callisthenics?
|
| A |
a set of physical exercises that are intended to make you thin
and healthy
['k@li'stheniks]
|
| Q |
Another word for frankness?
|
| A |
candour ['k@nd..]
I appreciate your candour in this matter.
|
| Q |
(liquid) to become very thick and sticky and almost solid
|
| A |
to congeal [k..n'dZi:l]
|
| Q |
sth hidden or kept secret, often because it's illegal
underhand
|
| A |
clandestine [kl@n'destin]
a clandestine affair
|
| Q |
What person could you describe as consumptive in former times?
|
| A |
someone who had the lung disease tuberculosis
[k..n's^mptiv]
|
| Q |
next to something, or near something in time or order
bordering, neighbouring
|
| A |
contiguous [k..n'tigju..s]
Canada is contiguous with the US along much of its border.
|
| Q |
What word can you use to describe sb who is immoral because
they drink a lot of alcohol, take drugs, or have an immoral
attitude to sex
=dissipated
|
| A |
debauched [di'bo:tSt]
|
| Q |
showing that you think someone or something is stupid or silly
remarking contempt (noise, expression, remark)
|
| A |
derisive [di'raisiv]
a derisive laughter
|
| Q |
so interested in something that you do not notice anything else
|
| A |
engrossed [in'groust]
I tried to attract her attention but she was engrossed in
conversation with Stephen.
|
| Q |
to persuade someone to do something by offering them something
if they will do it
|
| A |
to entice sb to do sth
to entice sb away/across/down etc
[in'tais]
Banks are offering low interest rates in an attempt to entice
new customers.
|
| Q |
a clever and effective way of dealing with a problem, even
though it may be morally wrong
How can you use this word?
|
| A |
expedient [iks'pi:di..nt]
by the expedient of: Moore escaped by the simple expedient of
lying down in a clump of grass.
|
| Q |
(formal) to show that you are very happy and proud, especially
because you have succeeded in doing something
|
| A |
to exult in/at/over sth [i'gz^lt]
They exulted at their victory.
The people exulted over their fallen enemies.
|
| Q |
to make it easier for a process or activity to happen
to help, to further
|
| A |
to facilitate [f..'siliteit]
Computers can be used to facilitate language learning.
|
| Q |
to pretend to have a particular feeling or to be ill, asleep etc.
|
| A |
to feign [fein]
I didn't want to go to school so I decided to feign illness.
Feigning a headache, I went upstairs to my room.
Mattie watched him approach with feigned indifference.
|
| Q |
to prevent something bad that someone is planning to do
to succeed in stopping sb from doing what they want
|
| A |
to foil one's plan [foil]
A massive arms-smuggling plan has been foiled by the CIA.
|
| Q |
a large common black and white sea bird that lives near the sea
=mewa
|
| A |
gull [g^l]
seagull ['si:g^l]
|
| Q |
to make it difficult for sb to do what they're trying to do
|
| A |
to hamper sb ['h@mp..]
Women's progress in the workplace is still hampered by male
attitudes.
|
| Q |
easily becoming angry
|
| A |
irascible [i'r@sib.l]
He was an irascible, energetic little man.
|
| Q |
to make someone feel calm or sleepy
|
| A |
to lull [l^l]
The movement of the train gradually lulled me to sleep.
|
| Q |
What formal word can you use instead of: lying, rather than
telling the truth? (noun)
|
| A |
mendacity [men'd@siti]
|
| Q |
Who is a myrmydion?
|
| A |
a follower, subordinate
[me:mid.n]
|
| Q |
to try to find out details about someone else's private life in
an impolite way
|
| A |
to pry [prai]
to pry into
I don't wish to pry, but is it true that you're having problems
at home?
We don't want people prying into our affairs.
|
| Q |
to get something good as a result of what you have done
to cut and gather a crop of grain
|
| A |
to reap the benefit/reward/profit (of)
to reap [ri:p]
Don't let others reap the benefits of your research.
|
| Q |
How can you describe sb who is able to understand and judge a
situation quickly and use the understanding to their own
advantage? (especially in business, politics etc.)
|
| A |
shrewd [Sru:d]
|
| Q |
What is a sinciput?
|
| A |
the forward upper part of the skull
the forehead
['sinsi,p^t]
|
| Q |
the watery liquid produced in your mouth
|
| A |
spittle ['spi t.l]
saliva [s.. 'laiv..]
|
| Q |
to move your fingers over a sensitive part of sb's body making
them laugh
|
| A |
to tickle [tik.l]
if a situation, remark etc tickles you, it amuses or pleases
you: I was tickled by her description of the wedding.
|
| Q |
What word can you use to describe sb watchful who gives careful
attention to a particular problem or situation and concentrates
on noticing any danger or trouble that there might be?
|
| A |
vigilant ['vidZil..nt]
Please remain vigilant at all times and report anything
suspicious.
|
| Q |
to make a bad situation worse
(informal) to make someone angry or annoyed
|
| A |
to aggravate ['@gr..veit]
Their debt problem was aggravated by a rise in interest rates.
Stop aggravating the cat!
|
| Q |
What word can you use to say that sb refuses to change their
mind or come to an agreement?
|
| A |
to not budge on sth [b^dZ]
Both sides say they'll not budge.
It's no good, Dad won't budge.
|
| Q |
What idiom can you use to say: to choose the good and useful
things or people and get rid of the others?
|
| A |
to separate the wheat from the chaff
[tS@f] [tSa:f]
|
| Q |
a medical condition in which you cannot control your movements
so that your body becomes stiff like a dead body or remains in
whatever position it is placed
|
| A |
catalepsy ['k@t..lepsi]
|
| Q |
(especially sport) a movement or an attack that is intended to
deceive an opponent
=zwód
|
| A |
feint [feint]
|
| Q |
a person who makes or sells clothes from fur
|
| A |
furrier ['f^ri..] AM['fe:ri..]
|
| Q |
What phrase can you use to say: to listen carefully because you
have heard something interesting?
|
| A |
to prick up one's ears [prik]
Jay pricked up his ears when I mentioned vacation.
|
| Q |
How can you describe sth/sb that never stops or never becomes
less intense?
regime that was _____ in its persecution of dissidents
|
| A |
relentless [ri'lentl..s]
regime that was relentless in its persecution of dissidents
|
| Q |
(old-fashioned) a violent man, involved in crime
|
| A |
ruffian ['r^fi..n]
a gang of ruffians
|
| Q |
to hide the unpleasant facts or truth about sth/sb in order to
make it acceptable or to avoid being punished
|
| A |
to whitewash ['hwaitwoS]
whitewash - also easy win in sport e.g. 6:0 6:0 in tennis
|
| Q |
to close and open one eye quickly, usually to communicate
amusement or a secret message
|
| A |
to wink (at sb) [wiNk]
Joel winked at me, and I realized he was joking.
|
| Q |
to give someone something of great value or importance (formal)
|
| A |
bestow sth on/upon [bi'stou]
honours bestowed on him by the Queen
|
| Q |
What expression can you use to say about sb that they are
unable to think clearly?
|
| A |
They are in a daze [deiz]
I've been wandering around in a daze all day.
|
| Q |
a feeling of great respect and admiration for someone or
something
|
| A |
awe [o:]
Kate gazed at the mountains with awe.
The sight of so many jewels in one place filled them with awe.
|
| Q |
to express formal support or approval for someone or something
to say publically that you support or approve of them
|
| A |
to endorse sth/sb [in'do:(r)s]
The committee has endorsed our proposals.
I can endorse their opinion wholeheartedly.
...policies agreed by the Labour Party and endorsed by the
electorate.
|
| Q |
to persuade somebody not to do something (FORMAL)
|
| A |
dissuade sb from doing sth [dis 'weid]
a campaign to dissuade young people from smoking
He considered emigrating, but his family managed to dissuade him.
|
| Q |
to make someone feel calmer and less anxious, upset, or angry
|
| A |
to soothe [su:TH]
Rocking often soothes a crying baby.
|
| Q |
What expression can you use to express that sb has been allowed
to know about sth secret?
|
| A |
They are privy to sth [pri vi]
Colby was privy to the committee's decisions.
Only 3 people will be privy to the facts.
|
| Q |
to invent a clever story, excuse, or plan, especially in order
to deceive someone
|
| A |
to concoct [k..n 'kokt] [k..n 'ka:kt]
John concocted an elaborate excuse for being late.
|
| Q |
to find out facts and information slowly and with difficulty,
sometimes indirectly
|
| A |
glean sth (from) [gli:n]
I've managed to glean a few details about him from his friends.
At present, we are gleaning information from all sources.
|
| Q |
expressed in a way that is clear and easy to understand
|
| A |
lucid ['lu: sid]
a lucid and accurate account of the day's events
a lucid account of the history of mankind
His prose as always lucid and compelling
|
| Q |
to prevent you from remembering an unpleasant experience
|
| A |
to efface sth [i 'feis]
Nothing could efface the indignity of being publicly criticized.
|
| Q |
If you are ________ by sth, it makes you feel afraid, worried,
or sad.
|
| A |
dismayed [,dis 'meid]
If you are dismayed by sth, it makes you feel afraid, worried,
or sad.
The committee was dismayed by what it had been told.
|
| Q |
You can describe sth as ________ if it happens, by chance, to
be very successful or pleasant.
|
| A |
fortuitous [fo:(r) 'tju: i t..s]
You can describe sth as fortuitous if it happens, by chance, to
be very successful or pleasant.
Their success is the result of a fortuitous combination of
circumstances.
|
| Q |
What do you mean if you say that sth is tantamount to sth?
Pronounce "tantamount".
|
| A |
tantamount ['t@n t.. maunt]
It is almost the same thing as it.
But that's tantamount to saying poor people are criminals!
|
| Q |
something that is _______ is present but hidden, and may
develop or become more noticeable in the future
|
| A |
latent ['lei t..nt]
something that is latent is present but hidden, and may develop
or become more noticeable in the future
The virus remains latent in the body for many years.
latent aggression
|
| Q |
completely lacking courage;
cowardly
|
| A |
craven ['krei v..n]
|
| Q |
an idea, method, or quality that is most typical of a
particular person or thing
|
| A |
hallmark ['ho:l ma:(r)k]
Non-violence and simplicity were the hallmarks of Gandhi's
philosophy.
have all the hallmarks of: The explosion had all the hallmarks
of a terrorist attack
|
| Q |
What is a pelf?
|
| A |
pelf [pelf]
money or wealth, esp. if dishonestly acquired;
|
| Q |
to look at someone in an angry or hostile way
|
| A |
to scowl [skaul]
She scowled at the two men as they entered the room.
|
| Q |
Something that is _________ indicates that the success is likely.
|
| A |
auspicious [o: 'spi S..s]
Something that is auspicious indicates that the success is
likely.
His career as a playwright had an auspicious start.
|
| Q |
How can you express "unfortunately" in a formal way?
|
| A |
alas [.. 'l@s]
There is, alas, no short way to success.
Alas, it's not that simple.
|
| Q |
What are extenuating circumstances?
|
| A |
These are reasons or factors that partly excuse a crime or a
wrong action.
[iks 'te nju ei tiN]
|
| Q |
Who can you informally describe as "plucky"?
|
| A |
plucky ['pl^ ki]
Someone who is brave and determined and faces their
difficulties with courage.
The plucky schoolgirl amazed the doctors by hanging on to life
for nearly two months.
|
| Q |
What does it mean if sb frets at/about sth?
|
| A |
It means they feel worried about small or unimportant things
to fret [fret]
Don't you fret - everything will be all right.
Nicki was always fretting over something or other.
|
| Q |
"Porphyrius Petrovitch," said the young man, in curt and
hurried accents...
curt
|
| A |
replying with very few words in a way that does not seem polite
With a curt nod, he turned away and sat down.
|
| Q |
What formal word can you use to talk about sth that might
happen in the future?
=possibility, eventuality
|
| A |
contingency [k..n 'tin dZ.n si]
I need to examine all possible contingencies.
|
| Q |
What does it mean to lay siege to?
When the scandal broke, dozens of journalists laid siege to
Mellor's apartment.
|
| A |
It's a situation in which the police surround a building to try
and force the people inside to come out.
siege [si:dZ]
|
| Q |
someone or something that is _______ is so important or useful
that it is impossible to manage without them
|
| A |
indispensable [in di 'spen s.. b..l]
a piece of equipment that modern divers regard as indispensable
|
| Q |
He gingerly felt his way along the dark tunnel.
gingerly
|
| A |
if you move gingerly or touch something gingerly you do it in a
careful way because you are afraid it will be dangerous or
painful
gingerly ['dZin dZ..(r) li]
|
| Q |
someone who eats too much
|
| A |
glutton [gl^t.n]
|
| Q |
someone who has no importance, power, or ability, and who you
have no respect for
|
| A |
nonentity [no 'nen ti ti] [na: 'nen ti ti]
Chomsky was the only speaker of any importance - the rest were
nonentities.
She was writen off then as a political nonentity.
|
| Q |
a speech or piece of writing in which you praise someone or
something very much, especially at a funeral
|
| A |
eulogy ['ju: l.. dZi]
|
| Q |
If you are betrothed to sb, what does it mean?
|
| A |
That you have agreed to marry them.
betrothed [bi 'trouTHd]
|
| Q |
showing strong positive feelings about an activity and
determination to succeed at it
|
| A |
ardent ['a: d..nt]
an ardent supporter of free trade
|
| Q |
What phrasal verb can you use to express: to start to go
somewhere?
|
| A |
to set off
I wanted to set off early in order to avoid the traffic.
The old man set off down the path towards the river.
|
| Q |
"As for his fetters, he never felt them" (about Raskolnikoff)
fetters
|
| A |
fetters ['fe t..z]
a) (literary) the things that prevent someone from being free
breaking the fetters of convention
b) chains that were put around a prisoner's feet in former times
|
| Q |
"His family rejoiced at the news."
to rejoice
|
| A |
(literary) to feel or show that you are very happy
to rejoice [ri 'dZois]
|
| Q |
"She was endowed with both looks and brains."
|
| A |
to be endowed with = to naturally have a good feature or quality
endowed [in 'daud]
|
| Q |
"Violent crime is rife in our inner cities."
rife
|
| A |
rife [raif]
[not before noun] if something bad or unpleasant is rife, it is
very common
rife with = full of something bad or unpleasant: The streets
were rife with rumors of the President's resignation.
|
| Q |
"This nonsensical dream, so weird and horryfying, lingered so
strongly in his recollection"
to linger
|
| A |
to linger ['liN g..]
to stay somewhere a little longer, especially because you do
not want to leave
They lingered over coffee and missed the last bus.
|
| Q |
"The prison rules were stringent"
|
| A |
stringent ['strin dZ..nt]
very strict and must be obeyed
stringent anti-noise regulations
|
| Q |
to make something less attractive or enjoyable; spoil
|
| A |
to mar [ma:]
His appearance was marred by a scar on his left cheek.
|
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