Vocab.docx

Honest

Sincere: (of a person) saying what they genuinely feel or believe For example: I’m sure he is a sincere person Frank: Open, honest, direct in speech or writing For example: to be frank, I don’t know Blunt: Uncompromisingly forthright For example: I have to be blunt. I don’t like your wedding dress Forthright: Direct and outspoken For example: You’re right, it would be nice if she’d be forthright

Admit:

Confess: Admit that one has committed a crime or done something wrong For example: She confessed that she had damaged the car. Reveal: make (previously unknown or secret information) known to others. For example: Mary’s husband was forced to reveal Mary’s whereabouts Avow: Assert or confess openly For example: He avowed his change of faith.

Cry

Weep: To shed tears For example: he wept bitter tears at her cruelty Sob: Cry noisily, making loud convulsive gasps For example: she broke down and sobbed like a child Bawl: Weep or cry nosily For example: I bawled my eyes out when I heard the bad news.

Fat

Plump: Rather fat For example: A rather plump girl began to walk towards them. Overweight: Above a weight considered normal or desirable For example: It’s time to admit she’s overweight. Flabby: Soft, loose, and fleshy For example: This exercise helps to flatten a flabby stomach. Chubby: plump and rounded.

Boring

Tedious: Too long, slow, or dull For example: It really was a tedious journey. Dull: Lacking interest or excitement For example: “your laerning doesn’t have to be dull and boring” Uninteresting: Not arousing curiosity or interest For example: The scenery was uninteresting. Tiresome: Causing one to feel bored or annoyed For example: His speech was quite tiresome.

Rude

Impolite: Not having or showing good manners For example: It would’ve been impolite to refuse the invitation. Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect For example: She hated the insolent tone of his voice. Impudent: Not showing due respect for another person For example: His thoughts are impudent to say the least. Cheeky: showing a lack of respect or politeness in a way that is amusing or appealing. For example: His thoughts are impudent to say the least.

Begin

Start: Begin from a particular point in time or space For example: The season starts in September. Initiate: Cause (a process or action) to begin For example: The project was initiated by me. Launch: Start or set in motion For example: He’s begun by launching an emotive advertising campaign. Commence: Begin For example: His design team commenced work. Embark: Begin (a course of action) For example: She embarked on a new career.

Exactly

Precisely: In exact terms; without vagueness For example: The guidelines were precisely defined. Completely: Totally; utterly… not lacking anything For example: That story is completely true. Absolutely with no qualification, restriction, or limitation; totally. For example: He absolutely adores his car.

Laugh

Chuckle: Laugh quietly or inwardly For example: I chucked at the surprise on her face

Giggle: Laugh lightly and repeatedly in a silly way For example: they giggled at some private joke

Cackle: Laugh in a rough, harsh way

For example: the witch cackled at the end of the story

Snigger: Laugh in a scornful way They kept sniggering at her

a tough break when something unfortunate happens back to the drawing board to start something over and go back to the planning stage. 24/7 “24/7” means 24 hours a day, seven days a week. behind the scenes Something that happens in secret or not in front of the general public change of pace something different from a normal routine or schedule. come up short to try to achieve something but fail. big picture Everything that is involved with a particular situation is called “the big picture.” fifty-fifty “Fifty-fifty” means something is divided equally ahead of the curve to be more advanced than the competition. by the book to do things according to company policy or the law. It means to follow the rules 100%. back to square one to start something over again. ahead of the pack to be better or more successful than the competition. call it a day to decide to stop working for the day. ASAP an acronym for “as soon as possible.” from the ground up when you start a business, project, or something else from zero go broke to go bankrupt or to lose all the money a person or business had. go down the drain When someone wastes or loses something go the extra mile to do more than what people expect. go through the roof rapidly increasing. gray area something that is undefined and not easily categorized.

at stake “At stake” means at risk. catch someone off guard to surprise someone by doing something that he or she was not expecting. cave (or cave in) to give in or agree to something that someone previously did not want to accept. cut corners to take shortcuts and find an easier or cheaper way to do something. cut one’s losses to stop doing something that is unproductive and won’t ever generate results. A blue collar worker someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). A white-collar worker someone who works in an office (customer service, management, sales, etc.). think big to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future. think outside the box to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones. uphill battle Something that is difficult to achieve because of obstacles and difficulties

Phrasal Verbs related to Problems

to talk something over if you talk something over with somebody, you discuss something, especially in order to agree upon something or decide something For example: I need to talk things over with you. The boss talked over the proposal with his partners and decided to approve the merge. You and I need to talk our problems over right now to deal with something if you deal with something, you solve a problem For example:

Have you dealt with your problems yet? My sister is very good at dealing with pressure. We need to deal with the problems in our relationship right now. to face up to something if you face up to something, you accept and deal with something unpleasant or difficult For example: I have to face up to the fact that we’re never getting back together again. You need to face up to your responsibilities. Just face up the fact that everything has changed to come up with something if you come up with an idea, you think of something that could solve a problem For example: She came up with a new idea for her shop. I can’t come up with anything that would make sense. to narrow something down also: narrow sth down to sth if you narrow something down, you reduce the number of possibilities For example: We have narrowed down the list to four options. You need to narrow down the possibilities. They narrowed down the options

Phrasal Verbs related to driving

to drop off somebody drop off somebody if you drop off somebody, you stop so that they can get out of a car Can you drop me to school? I will drop you near the bank on the way to work. to drop off something if you drop off something, you deliver it on the way to somewhere else I will drop it off later. You left your phone at my house, but I can drop it off on my way to work tomorrow. to pull up if a vehicle or its driver pulls up, it stops For example: I pulled up at the traffic lights. He pulled up at the station.

When I called them, they had just pulled up at the traffic lights to draw up if a vehicle draws up, it arrives to its destination and stops For example: They drew up outside our house. The cab drew up outside my apartment. I drew up outside your house. to knock down somebody also: knock over sb, knock sb down, knock sb over if you knock down somebody, you hit them so they fall to the ground For example: He got knocked down by a bus. My friend was little when he was knocked down by a truck. My grandma was knocked down by a car. to run over somebody also: run over sth, run sb over, run sth over if you run over somebody, you knock them down and drive over them For example: Two children were run over and died in the hospital. Hurry up! A child has just been run over. He ran over a dog

Phrasal Verbs related to Information

to come under something if something comes under something, it means that it is included or may be found in a particular group For example: What heading does this information come under? This information comes under the paragraph about e-learning. You can find this in the dictionary. It comes under the section about pronunciation to point our something/that if you point out something, you mention it in order to inform somebody about it For example: She pointed out the incongruity in the documents. Jack pointed out the dangers of travelling alone. I should point out that I’m not interested in selling my house to turn to something/somebody if you turn to somebody, you ask them for help or advice For example: Unfortunately, I have nobody to turn to in case of emergency. You can always turn to me if you need to.

My boss always turns to his secretary when he has troubles. to latch on to something if you latch on to something, you understand an idea or what somebody is saying For example: It was difficult for him to understand the question, but he soon latched on. It was about time that he latched on to the truth. I can’t seem to latch on to this problem. to take something in if you take something in, you understand something that you hear or read For example: I’ve just realized that I haven’t taken anything in. I just can’t take what you said in.It was hard for her to take the news in

Phrasal Verbs related to Emotions

to brighten up also: brighten sb up if you brighten up, you become happier For example: Her eyes brightened up when she saw him. A smile brightened his face .I brightened up at his words of encouragement. to cheer up also: cheer up sb, cheer up sth, cheer sb up, cheer sth up if you cheer up, you become more cheerful For example: Come on, cheer up! Don’t be so sad. Bright curtains will cheer up this dull room. My sister needs cheering up. She had an argument with her boyfriend. to be hung up also: hung up on sth, hung up on sb, hung up about sth, hung up about sb if you are hung upon something, you are thinking about it too much For example: Is your brother still hung up on that girl? He’s too hung up about tennis. My sister is still hung up on her ex-boyfriend. to break down if you break down, you lose control of your feelings and start crying For example:

I broke down and cried when I heard the news. My sister broke down when she heard that her friend died. My mother broke down when my father passed away to cool down also: cool off if you cool down, you become calm or less enthusiastic For example: You need to cool down. Don’t be so excited. I think you should wait until he’s cooled down a little. I need to cool down. I’m too enthusiastic about this whole thing

Phrasal Verbs related to persuading

to put forward something or put something forward also: put sth forward if you put forward something, you suggest that something should be discussed For example: My boss has put forward the suggestion of merging companies. I have to put forward the question of money. We have to put forward the question of our budget to put something to somebody if you put something to somebody, you suggest something to somebody so that they can decide whether they will accept or reject it For example: My proposal will be put to the board of directors. Your idea will be put to discussion at the next meeting The merge will be put to the boss so that he can decide about it. to talk somebody around/round also: talk sb round to sth if you talk somebody around, you persuade them to accept something or agree to something For example: We finally managed to talk them around to our idea of merging the two companies I talked him around and we finally agreed on buying a bigger house. My sister talked me around and guess what, we’re getting a dog to talk somebody into something also: talk sb into doing sth, talk sb out of sth if you talk somebody into something, you persuade them either to do or not to do something For example:

I didn’t want to get a bigger house but my husband talked me into it. She tried to talk him out of moving to London. I tried to talk my sister out of going to Brazil. to talk somebody out of something/doing something also: talk sb out of doing sth if you talk somebody out of something, you persuade them not to do what they wanted to do For example: Luckily, I talked him out of quitting his job. He tried to talk me out of moving to London. I talked him out of breaking up with his girlfriend

Phrasal Verbs related to Work

to get ahead also: get ahead of sb if you get ahead, you make progress For example: My sister wants to get ahead in her career. My son got ahead of the others in his class. I need to get ahead in my job, I’m lagging behind. to take on somebody/something also: take sth on, take sb on if you take on something, you decide to do it For example: I just can’t take on any extra work. I’m already too busy.My office is not taking on any new clients at the moment. My husband is so busy. He has just taken on some extra work. to take somebody on if you take somebody on, you hire them For example: Our company is taking on new staff. My sister was taken on as a trainee. Now, she’s the head of department. I need to take on a new trainee. to fill somebody in also: fill sb in on sth if you fill somebody in, you tell them about something that has happened For example: Wait a second, I’ll fill you in on the meeting. I need to fill you in on the latest gossip. Do you happen to know the latest rumour? I’ll fill you in!

to hand over also: hand over to sb, hand sth over, hand sth over to sb if you hand something over, you give somebody else responsible for something For example: He resigned and handed over to his son. He handed over his responsibility to me. My dad handed over to my brother Watch the whole video lesson to fully understand the use of these common English phrasal verbs

seful email expression for email greetings • Dear Sir/Madam • To whom it may concern • Dear Mr/Ms Jones Informal expressions: • Hi Mary • Hello Mary • Dear Mary Useful email expression for email to explain the reason for writing your email • I am writing to ask for … • I am writing regarding • I am writing with regard to … • With reference to… Informal expressions: • Just a quick question about… • I was wondering if… • I wanted to let you know that…

Informal expressions: • I was just wondering if … • Would you mind ….? • Can/Could you ….? Useful email expressions for agreeing to a request someone has made: • I would be delighted to… Informal expression: • I will be happy to…

Useful email expressions for complaining • I am writing to complain about… • I am writing to express my dissatisfaction/disappointment • I regret to say that … Useful email expressions for apologizing • We would like to apologize for … • Please accept our apologies… • Please let us know what we can do to compensate for any damages caused… Useful email expressions for attaching files • I am attaching….. (my CV) • Attached you will find my CV • I am sending you ….. • Please see the ….. attached • Please find attached the file you requested Useful email expressions for closing an email: • I look forward to your reply…. • I look forward to seeing you…. • I look forward to hearing from you…. • I look forward to hearing from you soon…. • I look forward to meeting you …… (next Tuesday) • I look forward to seeing you …… (next Tuesday) Useful email expressions for ending an email • Kind regards • Best wishes • Sincere regards Informal phrases • Thanks • Take care • See you soon

Common phrases to ask how someone is: 

What’s up?



What’s new?



What have you been up to lately?

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How’s it going?



How are things?



How’s life?

Common phrases to say how you are: 

I’m fine, thanks. How about you?



Pretty good.



Same as always



Not so great.



Could be better



cant complain

Common phrases to say thank you: 

I really appreciate it.



I’m really grateful



That’s so kind of you.



I owe you one. (this means you want/need to do a favor for the other person in the future) Common phrases to respond to thank you:



No problem.



No worries



Don’t mention it.



My pleasure.



Anytime.

Common phrases to end a conversation politely: 

It was nice chatting with you.



Anyway, I should get going.

Common phrases to ask for information: 

Do you have any idea…?



Would you happen to know…? (when you’re not sure if the other person has the information.)



I don’t suppose you (would) know…? (when you’re not sure if the other person has the information.) Common phrases to say I don’t know:



I have no idea/clue.



I can’t help you there.



(informal) Beats me.



I’m not really sure.



I’ve been wondering that, too. Common phrases for not having an opinion:



I’ve never given it much thought.



I don’t have strong feelings either way.



It doesn’t make any difference to me.



I have no opinion on the matter. Common phrases for agreeing:



Exactly.



Absolutely.



That’s so true.



That’s for sure.



I agree 100%



I couldn’t agree with you more.



(informal) Tell me about it! / You’re telling me!



(informal) I’ll say!



I suppose so. (use this phrase for weak agreement – you agree, but reluctantly) Common phrases for disagreeing:



I’m not so sure about that.



That’s not how I see it.



Not necessarily

Common phrases to respond to great news: 

That’s great!



How wonderful!



Awesome! Common phrases to respond to bad news:



Oh no…



That’s terrible.



Poor you. (Use this to respond to bad situations that are not too serious)



I’m so sorry to hear that.

Common phrases to invite someone somewhere: 

Are you free… [Saturday night?]



Are you doing anything… [Saturday night?]



. (informal) Do you wanna… [see a movie?]



(formal)Would you like to… [join me for dinner?] Common phrases for food:



I’m starving! (= I’m very hungry)



Let’s grab a bite to eat.



How about eating out tonight? (eat out = eat at a restaurant)



I’ll have… (use this phrase for ordering in a restaurant) Common phrases for price:



It cost a fortune.



It cost an arm and a leg.

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That’s a rip-off. (= overpriced; far more expensive than it should be)

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That’s a bit pricey.

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That’s quite reasonable. (= it’s a good price)



That’s a good deal. (= a good value for the amount of money)



It was a real bargain.

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It was dirt cheap. (= extremely inexpensive) Common phrases for weather:



It’s a little chilly.



It’s freezing. (= extremely cold)



Make sure to bundle up. (bundle up = put on warm clothes for protection against the cold)

Common phrases for hot weather: 

It’s absolutely boiling! (boiling = extremely hot)



it scorching hot outside

Common phrases for being tired: 

I’m exhausted.



I’m dead tired.



I’m beat



I can hardly keep my eyes open



I’m gonna hit the sack. (hit the sack = go to bed)