Shared Flashcard Set

Details

english
vocubalary
283
English
Undergraduate 1
03/22/2011

Additional English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
adjective
Definition
a word whose main role is to modify a noun or pronoun (bijvoeglijk naamwoord)
Term
salinity
Definition
the level of salt in a liquid
Term
down under
Definition
an informal expression to refer to Australia
Term
to forage (for something)
Definition
to search for food over a wide area
Term
infatuation
Definition
intense but temporary feelings of love
Term
good night, Vienna
Definition
IT'S ALL OVER NOW
Term
have a kip
Definition
to sleep
Term
to pimp up
Definition
to change something to make it more showy
Term
topsy turvy
Definition
confused, disorganised
Term
unanimous
Definition
complete agreement
Term
venison
Definition
deer meat
Term
I'm fed up
Definition
I'm irritated and want to stop
Term
hit the bullseye
Definition
to be exactly right or precise
Term
mothballed
Definition
delayed indefinitely
Term
he's nice and angry
Definition
he's extremely angry
Term
to nosh
Definition
to eat a snack
Term
in my neck of the woods
Definition
the area where one lives now or where one comes from
Term
to coerce
Definition
to persuade someone into doing something
Term
competition is cutthroat
Definition
there is very tough competition between companies
Term
to slump
Definition
to drop dramatically
Term
to wind down
Definition
to relax
Term
to cope (with something)
Definition
to be able to manage a problem
Term
routine maintenance
Definition
small tasks that have to be done regularly to keep something working properly
Term
a sand-pit
Definition
a special area filed with sand for children to play in
Term
an ordeal
Definition
a difficult or painful experience
Term
to boost
Definition
to improve something and make it more successful
Term
harmless
Definition
not dangerous
Term
defective
Definition
faulty, imperfect
Term
Blue-sky thinking
Definition
thinking about an issue, with total freedom from practical limitations
Term
species
Definition
a group of living things, such as plants, animals and insects that share the same general features.
Term
creepy-crawlies
Definition
an informal expression for insects and spiders
Term
a bug
Definition
informal word for an insect
Term
blockbusters
Definition
films which are very popular and commercially successful
Term
the silver screen
Definition
the cinema
Term
aspirations
Definition
hopes that people have to make their lives better and more fulfilling
Term
an archer
Definition
someone who fires arrows with a bow
Term
(a pair of) tights
Definition
women's clothing which tightly covers the feet and legs up to the waist.
Term
a ladder
Definition
a tear in a pair of tights
Term
to romp (around)
Definition
to move and act in an energetic and lively way
Term
proximity
Definition
how close things are to each other
Term
picture a scene
Definition
imagine a moment in a film
Term
the basic premise
Definition
the starting principle or idea from which something builds and develops
Term
hyped-up
Definition
exaggerated to a level that is beyond realistic
Term
to exaggerate
Definition
to make something seem larger, more important, better or worse than it really is
Term
roughly
Definition
about, approximately
Term
a gimmick
Definition
something that is not really useful but is intended to get attention and make people interested in something
Term
consumption
Definition
the use of and using up of something
Term
renewable energy
Definition
energy which is generated from unlimited natural sources such as the sun, waves and wind rather than limited resources such as fossil fuels
Term
a charmer
Definition
someone who uses their charm to influence people and perhaps persuade them to do things
Term
a spiel
Definition
a negative word for a talk or presentation designed to sell something
Term
a spieler
Definition
someone who is good at making salesman-like speeche
Term
articulate
Definition
someone who is articulate has a good command of language, he or she can express themselves clearly and effectively
Term
serene
Definition
calm, tranquil or steady
Term
common ground
Definition
an area of shared understanding
Term
retirement
Definition
the time of your life when you stop working completely
Term
pension
Definition
a sum of money paid by the state or a private company during retirement
Term
compulsory
Definition
when you're forced to do something or you don't have a choice
Term
to kick your heels
Definition
to wait impatiently
Term
to scrap something
Definition
to get rid of or cancel something
Term
convenient
Definition
easy or suitable
Term
debt
Definition
hen you owe money to someone else
Term
to catch on
r
Definition
to become popula
Term
cash machine
Definition
a machine where you can take out money (ATM)
Term
crucial
Definition
vital or important
Term
pollution
Definition
harmful waste which has been put into the environment
Term
biodegradable
Definition
something that decays naturally
Term
garbage (USA)
Definition
Rubbish , Litter
Term
to discard
Definition
to throw something away
Term
packaging
Definition
the materials in which objects are wrapped before being sold
Term
sentence
Definition
a punishment given out by the courts for a crime
Term
gloomy
Definition
dark, depressing or unhappy
Term
inmate
Definition
another word for prisoner
Term
to resettle
Definition
to move to another place or relocate
Term
to default
Definition
to fail to do something, such as pay a debt, that you legally have to do
Term
to be into something
Definition
to be interested in something
Term
to scamper
Definition
to run with quick short steps
Term
bark
Definition
the hard outer covering of a tree
Term
cones
Definition
the hard woody fruits of a pine tree
Term
cones
Definition
the hard woody fruits of a pine tree
Term
astonishing
Definition
surprising and amazing
Term
astonishing
Definition
surprising and amazing
Term
canopy
Definition
a cover fixed over a seat or bed, etc. for shelter or decoration
Term
hammock
Definition
a swinging bed made of cloth or rope
Term
deception
Definition
something that is misleading, dishonest or untruthful
Term
grounding
Definition
basis or foundation
Term
nutrition
Definition
nutrition
diet or food you eat and the benefits you get from it
Term
nutritious
Definition
food or drink that is beneficial for your body and your health
Term
to hydrate
Definition
to add water to something
Term
dehydrated
Definition
in need of water or ill from not having enough water
Term
blisters
Definition
painful pockets of fluid on your skin
Term
bite-sized pieces
Definition
small pieces that are easy to manage or understand
Term
bite-sized pieces
Definition
small pieces that are easy to manage or understand
Term
philanthropy
Definition
the effort to improve something by giving time, money or attention
Term
a notable part of
Definition
Term
a handful of
Definition
very few of
Term
abbreviation
Definition
shortening of a phrase
Term
mayhem
Definition
chaos, confusion
Term
to reverse
Definition
to move backwards
Term
common sense
Definition
natural ability to think clearly and make sensible decisions
Term
navigator
Definition
something or someone which tells you which way to go during a journey
Term
navigator
Definition
something or someone which tells you which way to go during a journey
Term
an academic
Definition
someone who works in education and research
Term
MBA
Definition
Master of Business Administration, a masters degree in Business
Term
overcrowding
Definition
a situation where there is not enough room for all the people in a specific place
Term
pressing
Definition
something which needs immediate or urgent attention
Term
anti-retrovirals
drugs which are used to treat and prevent infections, particularly in people with HIV and AIDs
Definition
Term
hardy beings
Definition
people who are strong and tough and can survive difficult experiences and circumstances
Term
resilience
Definition
the strength and ability to get better after unpleasant experiences without being easily hurt or damaged
Term
to cope
Definition
to manage, to deal with a problem successfully
Term
to resort to
Definition
to turn to something as a solution to a problem when other ways seem impossible
Term
resonance
Definition
a feeling that something is special and important
Term
stubborn
Definition
someone who is determined to continue with an action or view, refusing to change their mind even if they are wrong
Term
listings
Definition
a collection of dates, times, names and other information about events
Term
promoters
Definition
people who help organize public events using their own money, but also making money from those events
Term
like-minded people
Definition
people who think like us and have views and even interests which are similar to our own
Term
fostering
Definition
the process of looking after a child for a period of time but without becoming the child's legal parents
Term
tried to get or obtain
Definition
Term
a care order
Definition
legal permission from the court to take a child away from the people or person they are living with
Term
to assess
Definition
to measure and find out about
Term
global brand
Definition
a product made by a particular company which sells all over the world
Term
role model
Definition
a person or figure who is admired
Term
stereotype
Definition
a fixed idea
Term
image
Definition
an idea or mental picture
Term
to portray
Definition
to represent or show
Term
skinny
Definition
to have a very thin body
Term
a strategy
Definition
a detailed plan of action
Term
material wealth
Definition
money and property owned
Term
a correlation between
Definition
a link, or a close connection, between
Term
crucial transitions
Definition
changes or alterations which could prove important in the future
Term
consequences
Definition
the results of earlier decisions or actions
Term
to seize
Definition
to take hold of quickly and firmly
Term
conversation: Asking for information:
Definition
I’d like to know …
 Could you tell me …?
Could I ask …?
Term
conversation: Telling a story
Definition
First of all,
To begin with,
Then,
Next,
After that,
So,
So then,
At the end,
Finally,
Term
coversation: The main thing / problem
Definition
The main thing is…
The most important thing is …
The point is …
The problem is …
Term
conversation: A surprising fact
Definition
Do you realize that…?
It may sound strange, but …
Surprisingly,
Believe it or not,
Term
convesation: Changing the subject
Definition
Talking of …
That reminds me …
By the way,
Oh, before I forget, …
Term
conversation: Guessing
Definition
I’d say …
Could it be …
It looks like …
Perhaps it’s …
Term
Conversation: Personal opinions
Definition
In my opinion,
I personally think / believe / feel …
To my mind, …
From my point of view …
Well, personally, …
In my case …
Term
conversation: Right or wrong
Definition
That’s right.
Yes. Exactly!
No, I’m afraid not.
Not quite.
I’m not sure.
Term
Conversation: Agreeing
Definition
You’re absolutely right.
Absolutely!
I agree.
That´s a good point.
I agree with you there.
That’s very true.
That doesn’t surprise me.
That makes sense.
Just what I’ve always thought.
Term
conversation: disagreeing
Definition
That’s just not true.
Oh, come on!
I don’t believe it!
Yes, but don’t you think …
Yes, but on the other hand …
I can see your point but …
I don’t see it quite like that.
You’re / You must be joking / kidding.
No, definitely not.
Term
Conversation: I haven’t a clue
Definition
I’m afraid I don’t know.
I haven’t a clue.
I couldn’t tell you.
It’s no good, I can’t remember.
Oh, it’s slipped my mind.
Term
Conversation: Surprise
Definition
Really!
Are you joking?
Oh?
Goodness!
What?
Term
Conversation: Showing interest
Definition
Right.
OK.
Yes?
And?
Really?
That´s interesting.
Term
Copnversation: Being sympathetic
Definition
Oh no!
What a pity.
What a shame.
How awful.
How terrible.
Term
Conversation: Are you following me?
Definition
Would you mind repeating that?
Would you mind saying that again?
Sorry, you´ve lost me.
I didn´t get the bit about …
What was that again?
Are you with me?
Is that clear?
Term
Conversation: Hesitation
Definition
Uh …
Well, um …
Let´s see
Let me think.
How should I put it?
Term
Conversation: Clarification
Definition
Sorry, but I don´t see what you mean.
What do you mean by…?
If I understand you correctly …
What you´re saying is …
Term
Conversation: Clarification (self)
Definition
What I mean is …
Let me put it another way.
What I´m trying to say is …
In other words …
Term
Conversation: Illustrating your point
Definition
For instance …
For one thing …
To give you an idea …
Term
Conversation: Adding things
Definition
What´s more
In addition
And besides
Not to mention the fact that…
Term
Conversation Hedging
Definition
It seems that …
It appears that …
Apparently, …
According to …
From what I heard, it would seem that …
The speaker seems to suggest …
Term
Conversation Reporting
Definition
He says that …
She claims that …
They demonstrate that …
He makes the point that …
She uses the example of …
He presents arguments for / against …
Term
a surge
Definition
a sudden and great increase in the amount of something
Term
a compound
Definition
in chemistry, a substance which consists of two or more elements or other substances
Term
an antidote
Definition
usually a drug or chemical that is used to stop something bad from happening or to lessen the effects of something.
Term
a pre-disposition to something
Definition
a leaning towards
Term
a matching-making agency
Definition
Term
to take something with a pinch of salt
to believe something to not be entirely accurate or true
Definition
to believe something to not be entirely accurate or true
Term
to endure
Definition
to continue to exist despite overcoming difficulty
Term
a formula
Definition
Term
sceptical
Definition
to have trouble believing that something is true
Term
trivialise
Definition
Term
a sham wedding
Definition
a wedding which is false or not real, perhaps arranged to gain money
Term
phoney
Definition
fake or false
Term
bogus
Definition
not genuine
Term
genuine
Definition
If something is genuine, it is real and exactly what it appears to be
Term
scrutiny
Definition
careful observation or examination of something
Term
a loophole
Definition
a way of avoiding a rule or law
Term
conjure up
Definition
to create a picture in one's mind
Term
conjure up
Definition
to create a picture in one's mind
Term
to conjure up
Definition
to create a picture in one's mind
Term
trigger
Definition
cause something to start
Term
fragrance, scent and aroma
Definition
all words which refer to pleasant smells
Term
odour
Definition
a bad smell
Term
stink
Definition
a very bad smell (can also be used as a verb - 'to stink')
Term
diverse society
Definition
a place where people from many different cultures and nationalities live
Term
multiple identities
Definition
people from lots of different backgrounds
Term
hybrids
Definition
a mixture of two different things
Term
melting pot
Definition
a society with people from lots of different backgrounds
Term
staycation
Definition
to spend a holiday at home
Term
a contradiction in terms
Definition
a combination of things which don't make sense together
Term
same old, same old
Definition
doing the same thing repeatedly
Term
to underpin
Definition
to give strength and support to something, an argument for example
Term
peace of mind
Definition
the ability to relax because there is nothing to worry about
Term
negates
Definition
to cancel out the effect of something, therefore making it useless
Term
Groundhog Day
Definition
the same things happening every day
Term
anticipation
Definition
a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen in the near future
Term
in anticipation
Definition
in preparation for something happening
Term
take stock
Definition
to look at something and assess it
Term
contentment
Definition
the feeling of being pleased with your situation and not hoping for change or improvement
Term
practical joke
Definition
a type of joke which is played at someone else's expense
Term
hoax
Definition
a trick which deceives people into believing something that's not true, usually on a larger scale
Term
spoof story
Definition
a story that's not true, presented as though it were real
Term
taken in by
Definition
to believe something that isn't true
Term
gullible
Definition
describes someone who believes things easily
Term
a prank
Definition
a trick that is intended to be funny but not to cause harm or damage
Term
tempers are very frayed
Definition
get easily angry
Term
tetchy
Definition
to be irritable, easily angered or upset
Term
vigilance
Definition
to pay attention and to notice things, especially possible danger
Term
hostile
Definition
to be unfriendly and likely to be disagreeable
Term
obesity
Definition
the condition of being very overweight or fat
Term
tactile
Definition
nice or pleasant to touch
Term
long-standing
Definition
something we have been doing for a long time
Term
link up
Definition
to connect with
Term
extinct
Definition
to be no longer in existence, or you can use the phrasal verb 'to die out'
Term
predictor
Definition
something which can help us predict what will happen in the future
Term
an economic slowdown
Definition
a slump in the economy
Term
to expand
Definition
to get bigger
Term
to expand
Definition
to get bigger
Term
currency
Definition
the money used in a particular country at a particular time
Term
to counterfeit
Definition
to make illegal banknotes that look like real ones
Term
hinterland
Definition
land just beyond the coastal areas
Term
to whimper
Definition
(especially of an animal) to make a series of small, weak sounds, expressing pain or unhappiness
Term
council house
Definition
a house/flat owned by the council (= local government) and rented to people
Term
sought-after
Definition
wanted by many people and usually of high quality or rare
Term
riot
Definition
a noisy, violent, and uncontrolled public meeting
Term
zealous
Definition
enthusiastic and eager
a zealous supporter of the government's policies
Term
impetus
Definition
something which encourages a particular activity or makes that activity more energetic or effective
Term
fag end
Definition
the last, and often worst, part of something
Term
realm
Definition
an area of interest or activity
Her interests are in the realm of practical politics.
Term
carnage
Definition
the violent killing of large numbers of people, especially in war
The Battle of the Somme was a scene of dreadful carnage.
Term
tenement
Definition
a large building divided into apartments, usually in a poor area of a city
Term
to underpin
Definition
to give support, strength or a basic structure to something
Term
to entice
Definition
to persuade someone to do something by offering them something pleasant
Term
parlour
Definition
a shop which provides a stated type of personal service or sells a stated product
a beauty parlour
an ice-cream/pizza parlour
Term
scullery
Definition
especially in a large old house, a room next to the kitchen where pans are washed and vegetables are prepared for cooking
Term
strident
Definition
describes a sound which is loud, unpleasant and rough
Term
pernicious
Definition
having a very harmful effect or influence
Term
affluent
Definition
having a lot of money or owning a lot of things; rich
Term
goshawk
Definition
nl: havik
Term
to thrive
Definition
to grow, develop or be successful
Term
epitomise
Definition
to be a perfect example of a quality or type of thing
Term
subsistence
Definition
the state of having what you need in order to stay alive, but no more
The money is intended to provide a basic subsistence and should not be paid to someone who receives other income.
The family were living at subsistence level.
Term
vending machines
Definition
machines from which small items can be bought by inserting money. Because cash is inserted through a slot, slot machines, dispensers
Term
stocks and shares
Definition
part of the ownership of a company which people can buy as an investment
Term
to keep a close eye on
Definition
to watch very closely
Term
blueprint
Definition
a full and detailed plan of something
Term
extraterrestrial
Definition
coming from outer space, from planets other than Earth
Term
to evolve
Definition
to develop slowly
Term
it may well be
Definition
this common expression means 'it's quite possible'
Term
to decreed
Definition
to announce officially
Term
to be on the decline
Definition
to get smaller, to shrink, to dwindle
Term
the lack of habitat
Definition
when there is not enough land that provides natural conditions for a species to thrive, or sometimes even to survive
Term
to pollinate
Definition
to carry pollen grains and fertilise plants
Term
to fertilise
Definition
to make a plant grow or produce crops
Term
beehive
Definition
a box-like container in which bees are kept
Term
species
Definition
normally refers to a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar charactristics to each other
Term
fluffy
Definition
light and full of air
Term
crop
Definition
a plant such as a grain, fruit or vegetable grown in large amounts (gewas)
Term
to be under a cloud
Definition
an expression to describe someone who is sad or depressed
Term
to have a cloud hanging over him
Definition
when someone is feeling depressed or unhappy
Term
a cloud on the horizon
Definition
when there is trouble or bad things ahead
Term
indigenous
Definition
this word is used when we talk about people that have always naturally lived in a place, rather than arriving from elsewhere
Term
to worship
Definition
to have deep faith in someone or something, to be fully devoted to them and to treat them as divine
Term
a final stamp of approval
Definition
this phrase is used when it has been officially decided that something should definitely happen
Term
to be frowned upon
Definition
if something is frowned upon by someone, they discourage its use and generally consider it undesirable
Term
to collocate
Definition
if two words collocate, they sound right to native speakers of the language
Term
to collocate
Definition
if two words collocate, they sound right to native speakers of the language
Term
the wrong way round
Definition
opposite to how it should be, incorrectly
Term
surreal
Definition
very strange, weird, bizarre
Term
a raging debate
Definition
a very intense, heated public discussion
Term
to spark / to fuel
Definition
to encourage something
Term
digging your heels in
Definition
strongly resist something despite having a lot of pressure
Term
to win comfortably
Definition
to win easily
Term
encrypted
Definition
electronically changed into a secret code
Term
to get through
Definition
to reach, to get delivered
Term
metaphor
Definition
a figure of speech where you imply, or state a comparison between things that are not similar, e.g: The house is so neglected and dirty that all the cleaning she's done this week is just a drop in the ocean
Term
arachnophobia
Definition
a fear or phobia of spiders
(arachnophobe)
Term
mass influx
Definition
the arrival of something in large numbers
Term
temperate
Definition
neither too hot nor too cold
Term
going cold turkey
Definition
an expression to describe the action of stopping something suddenly and completely, for example smoking or drinking alcohol
Term
tightening our belts
Definition
spending less money than before
Term
debt culture
Definition
when people live off credit and spend money they do not actually have by using credit cards and borrowing from the bank
Term
self-esteem
Definition
belief and confidence in how we feel about ourselves
Term
leakage
Definition
something which disappears slowly
Term
pros and cons
Definition
both the good and the not so good sides
Term
pros and cons
Definition
both the good and the not so good sides
Term
traffic calming
Definition
taking steps to limit the number of cars in an area, as well as to prevent them from moving too fast
Term
to green up
Definition
to plant more trees, flowers and other types of vegetation
Term
binge drinking
Definition
drinking large quantities of alcohol in one go
Term
Words to describe intelligent people
Definition
bright (most often used with children)
smart
clever
sharp
quick
Term
abilities
Definition
to do something to the best of your ability
to do it as well as you can
skills
I want to develop my writing skills.
talents
He has a talent for painting.
gifts
She has a gift for singing.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!