my vocabulary 4
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- alleviate
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to make sth less severe
(ease): to alleviate suffering A number of measures were taken to alleviate the problem.
- inherent (in sb/sth)
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that is a basic or permanent part of sb/sth and that cannot be removed: the difficulties inherent in a study of this type Violence is inherent in our society. an inherent weakness in the design of the machine
- rancor
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feelings of hatred and a desire to hurt other people, especially because you think that sb has done sth unfair to you: There was rancor in his voice. They divorced with remarkably little rancor. She learned to accept criticism without rancor.
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pry (into sth)
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to try to find out information about other people's private lives in a way that is annoying or rude: I'm sick of you prying into my personal life! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. She tried to keep the children away from the prying eyes of the world's media.
- quirk
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1 an aspect of sb's personality or behavior that is a little strange: Everyone has their own little quirks and mannerisms. his quirks of humour / taste
- giddy
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1 feeling that everything is moving and that you are going to fall (dizzy): When I looked down from the top floor, I felt giddy.
2 making you feel as if you were about to fall: The kids were pushing the roundabout at a giddy speed. (figurative) the giddy heights of success - shell out (for sth)
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to pay a lot of money for sth
- padding
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1 soft material that is placed inside sth to make it more comfortable or to change its shape: The shoes have thick padding at the ankle to offer greater support. The actor's were made rounder for the part using cotton wool padding.
2 words that are used to make a speech, piece of writing, etc. longer, but that do not contain any interesting information: Some of the quotations are useful, others are little more than padding. - contingency
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an event that may or may not happen (possibility): We must consider all possible contingencies. to make contingency plans (= plans for what to do if a particular event happens or does not happen) a contingency fund (= to pay for sth that might happen in the future)
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hold sth back
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1 to not tell sb sth they want or need to know: to hold back information I think he's holding something back. I'm sure he knows more than he admits.
2 to stop yourself from expressing how you really feel: She just managed to hold back her anger. He bravely held back his tears.
- awry
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1 if sth goes awry, it does not happen in the way that was planned: All my plans for the party had gone awry.
2 not in the right position (untidy): She rushed out, her hair awry.
- savor
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1 to enjoy the full taste or flavor of sth, especially by eating or drinking it slowly: He ate his meal slowly, savoring every mouthful. She took a sip of wine, savoring the fine vintage.
2 to enjoy a feeling or an experience thoroughly(relish): I wanted to savour every moment. He sat for a few moments, savoring the memory to the full.
- scathing (about sb/sth)
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criticizing sb or sth very severely: a scathing attack on the new management He was scathing about the government's performance. Her father gave her a scathing look.
- hold sb/sth back
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1 to prevent sb/sth from moving forward or crossing sth: The police were unable to hold back the crowd. The dam was not strong enough to hold back the flood waters.
2 to prevent the progress or development of sb/sth: Do you think that mixed ability classes hold back the better students? We are determined that nothing should hold back the peace talks.
- ostentatious
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1 expensive or noticeable in a way that is intended to impress people: ostentatious gold jewellery
2 behaving in a way that is meant to impress people by showing how rich, important, etc. you are
3 (of an action) done in a very obvious way so that people will notice it: He gave an ostentatious yawn.
- appalled (at sth)
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feeling or showing horror or disgust at sth unpleasant or wrong: an appalled expression / silence We watched appalled as the child ran in front of the car. They were appalled at the waste of recyclable material.
- fudge (on) sth
- to avoid giving clear and accurate information, or a clear answer: I asked how long he was staying, but he fudged the answer. Politicians are often very clever at fudging the issue.
- appall
- to shock sb very much: The brutality of the crime has appalled the public. The idea of sharing a room appalled her. The thought of having to do it all again appals me. It appalled me that they could simply ignore the problem.
- whim
- a sudden wish to do or have sth, especially when it is sth unusual or unnecessary: He was forced to pander to her every whim. My duties seem to change daily at the whim of the boss.
- tentative
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1 (of an arrangement, agreement, etc.) not definite or certain because you may want to change it later: We made a tentative arrangement to meet again next Friday. He reached some tentative conclusions about the possible cause of the accident.
2 not behaving or done with confidence (hesitant): a tentative smile / nod / greeting Her English is correct but tentative. I'm taking the first tentative steps towards fitness.
- innocuous
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1 not intended to offend or upset anyone: It seemed a perfectly innocuous remark.
2 not harmful or dangerous: an innocuous substance
- docket
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a list of cases to be dealt with in a particular court of law
- elation
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a feeling of great happiness and excitement: She felt a great sense of elation as she started on the journey.
- grievance (against sb)
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something that you think is unfair and that you complain or protest about: Parents were invited to air their grievances (= express them) at the meeting. He had been nursing a grievance against his boss for months. Does the company have a formal grievance procedure (= a way of telling sb your complaints at work)? These interviews aim to deal with individual grievances.
- resort
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resort to sth to make use of sth, especially sth bad, as a means of achieving sth, often because there is no other possible solution: They felt obliged to resort to violence. We may have to resort to using untrained staff. There are hopes that the conflict can be resolved without resort to violence.
2 the first / last / final ~ the first or last course of action that you should or can take in a particular situation: Strike action should be regarded as a last resort, when all attempts to negotiate have failed. In the last resort (= at the most basic level) what really moves us is our personal convictions.
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hold back (from doing sth),
hold sb back (from doing sth) -
to hesitate or to make sb hesitate to act or speak: She held back, not knowing how to break the terrible news. I wanted to tell him the truth, but something held me back.
- pointer
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a piece of advice: Here are some pointers on how to go about the writing task.
(pick up a few pointers) - construe sth (as sth)
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to understand the meaning of a word, a sentence, or an action in a particular way: He considered how the remark was to be construed. Her words could hardly be construed as an apology.
- string sb along
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to allow sb to believe sth that is not true, for example that you love them, intend to help them, etc: She has no intention of giving you a divorce; she's just stringing you along.
- abut (-tt-) ~ (on / onto sth)
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(of land or a building) to be next to sth or to have one side touching the side of sth: His land abuts onto a road.
- predicament
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a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially one where it is difficult to know what to do: the club's financial predicament I'm in a terrible predicament.