CPE idioms and fixed phrases

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act on
commencer à apprendre
do whatever is advised/suggested
act up
commencer à apprendre
behave awkwardly or badly
answer (sb) back
commencer à apprendre
speak rudely to sb
answer back
commencer à apprendre
defend oneself
answer for
commencer à apprendre
be responsible for sth/pay for sth/vouch for
answer to
commencer à apprendre
be under the command of sb/have the characteristics described
back down
commencer à apprendre
cease to oppose
back out of
commencer à apprendre
withdraw from
back up
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support
be beneath sb
commencer à apprendre
be demeaning
be down on
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be hostile to sb
be down with
commencer à apprendre
be ill (with disease)
be in for it
commencer à apprendre
be about to receive punishment/trouble
be in with
commencer à apprendre
be in favour with
be into
commencer à apprendre
(informal) take an interest in sth
be off
commencer à apprendre
(1) cease to want or be interested in sth, (2) have come loose, detached from sth, (3) stay away from work/school, (4) cancel, (5) be bad, unhealthy (usu food)
be on
commencer à apprendre
be shown on television, at the cinema etc
be out
commencer à apprendre
(1) be in bloom, (2) be extinguished, (3) be removed, (4) be absent (from home or work), (5) be wrong in calculation, (6) be unfashionable
be up to
commencer à apprendre
(1) do, (2) depend on
bear on
commencer à apprendre
be relevant to
bear with
commencer à apprendre
be patient
balance against
commencer à apprendre
assess in relation to
bank on
commencer à apprendre
depend on
bear out
commencer à apprendre
support the truth of
become of
commencer à apprendre
happen to
blink at
commencer à apprendre
show surprise
blow over
commencer à apprendre
stop and be forgotten
blow up
commencer à apprendre
explode
book up
commencer à apprendre
reserve
break away
commencer à apprendre
escape from captivity
break down
commencer à apprendre
(1) fail to function, (2) lose control of feelings break in = (1) interrupt, (2) enter a building by force
break into
commencer à apprendre
suddenly start doing sth
break off
commencer à apprendre
end sth suddenly
break out
commencer à apprendre
(1) start suddenly (of violent events), (2) escape from a place
break through
commencer à apprendre
(1) make a discovery, (2) become visible (3) achieve success despite obstacles or difficulties
break up
commencer à apprendre
(1) end a relationship, (2) disperse
break with
commencer à apprendre
give up sth
brush up
commencer à apprendre
improve (by study)
build up
commencer à apprendre
acquire gradually/accumulate
bring about
commencer à apprendre
cause
bring in
commencer à apprendre
introduce (law, idea)
bring off
commencer à apprendre
succeed in (sth difficult)
bring on
commencer à apprendre
cause an illness
bring out
commencer à apprendre
publish/release
bring round/to
commencer à apprendre
cause sb to regain consciousness
bring up
commencer à apprendre
(1) stop, (2) mention a subject, (3) vomit, (4) raise a child
call at
commencer à apprendre
visit briefly c
all back
commencer à apprendre
ask to return
call for
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require
call in
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consult
call out
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cause one to go on strike
call up
commencer à apprendre
conscript
carry off
commencer à apprendre
succeed in doing sth difficult
carry on
commencer à apprendre
(1) continue, (2) behave wildly
carry out
commencer à apprendre
fulfil or perform sth
carry over
commencer à apprendre
last from another time
carry through
commencer à apprendre
complete sth in spite of difficulties
catch on
commencer à apprendre
become popular
catch up
commencer à apprendre
reach sb who is ahead
chip in
commencer à apprendre
add one's share of money
clear of
commencer à apprendre
find innocent
clear off
commencer à apprendre
run away
clear out
commencer à apprendre
get rid of unwanted things
clear up
commencer à apprendre
(of the weather) brighten up
charge to
commencer à apprendre
bill sb
charge with
commencer à apprendre
publicly accuse sb of committing a wrong deed
be done for
commencer à apprendre
be ruined
come about
commencer à apprendre
happen
come across
commencer à apprendre
find sth or meet sb by chance
come by
commencer à apprendre
obtain sth
come down to
commencer à apprendre
be passed to sb
come forward
commencer à apprendre
step forward
come in
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become fashionable
come into
commencer à apprendre
inherit
come on
commencer à apprendre
progress
come out
commencer à apprendre
(1) become known, (2) be published
come out in
commencer à apprendre
develop
come over
commencer à apprendre
happen; have a result or effect on sb
come round to
commencer à apprendre
change one's opinion to another point of view; be persuaded
come round/to
commencer à apprendre
regain consciousness
come through
commencer à apprendre
continue to live after (sth bad)
come to
commencer à apprendre
amount to a total
come up
commencer à apprendre
grow
come up to
commencer à apprendre
reach, equal sth
come up with
commencer à apprendre
have an idea about a way to solve a problem
deal in
commencer à apprendre
trade in sth
deal with
commencer à apprendre
tackle a problem; cope with
do away with
commencer à apprendre
abolish
do down
commencer à apprendre
criticise
do out of
commencer à apprendre
deprive of
do up
commencer à apprendre
fasten (a coat etc)
do with
commencer à apprendre
need/would like
do without
commencer à apprendre
manage in spite of lack
drive at
commencer à apprendre
imply, suggest
go off
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happen
cheat out of
commencer à apprendre
prevent sb from having sth usu in an unfair way
check in
commencer à apprendre
register as a guest at a hotel
check out
commencer à apprendre
pay one's bill and leave a hotel
check up on
commencer à apprendre
investigate sb's behaviour etc
cut back
commencer à apprendre
reduce (outgoings)
cut down on
commencer à apprendre
reduce (consumption)
cut in
commencer à apprendre
interrupt sth
cut off
commencer à apprendre
(1) isolate, (2) disconnect
cut out
commencer à apprendre
omit
draw in
commencer à apprendre
shorten (of days)
draw on
commencer à apprendre
use part of a reserve
draw out
commencer à apprendre
extend
draw up
commencer à apprendre
come to a stop (of vehicles)
drop in
commencer à apprendre
visit unexpectedly
drop off
commencer à apprendre
decrease
drop out of
commencer à apprendre
withdraw from
eat into
commencer à apprendre
consume a part of sth
fall back
commencer à apprendre
retreat
fall back on
commencer à apprendre
turn to sth/sb for help when all else has failed
fall for
commencer à apprendre
fall in love with sb
fall in
commencer à apprendre
collapse
fall in with
commencer à apprendre
agree to
fall off
commencer à apprendre
decline
fall on
commencer à apprendre
attack
fall out with
commencer à apprendre
quarrel
fall through
commencer à apprendre
fail to take place
feel for
commencer à apprendre
sympathise
fit in
commencer à apprendre
mix well with others
fit up/out
commencer à apprendre
furnish/equip
fly at
commencer à apprendre
attack (with blows or words)
fold up
commencer à apprendre
collapse or fail
head off
commencer à apprendre
prevent
join up
commencer à apprendre
become a member of the military
get along/on
commencer à apprendre
be on friendly terms with
get at
commencer à apprendre
mean
get at sb
commencer à apprendre
criticise, tease in an unkind way
get away with
commencer à apprendre
escape punishment
get by
commencer à apprendre
manage despite difficulties
get about
commencer à apprendre
(1) move about, (2) spread (of news, gossip etc)
get across
commencer à apprendre
make understood
get ahead
commencer à apprendre
succeed
get sb down
commencer à apprendre
depress sb
get off
commencer à apprendre
send
get off with
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nearly escape punishment
get on
commencer à apprendre
make progress
get on with
commencer à apprendre
continue doing sth
get out of
commencer à apprendre
avoid
get over
commencer à apprendre
recover from
get round
commencer à apprendre
persuade
get round to
commencer à apprendre
find time
get through
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contact by phone
get up to
commencer à apprendre
be busy with sth surprising or undesirable
give (oneself) up
commencer à apprendre
surrender
give away
commencer à apprendre
(1) reveal, (2) give freely as a present
give in
commencer à apprendre
(1) deliver, yield
give off
commencer à apprendre
send out/emit
give out
commencer à apprendre
(1) come to an end, (2) announce, (3) distribute
give up
commencer à apprendre
(1) stop doing sth, (2) admit defeat
give oneself up
commencer à apprendre
surrender
hype up
commencer à apprendre
exaggerate the value of sth
go down
commencer à apprendre
(of remarks, proposals etc) be received in a specified way
go down with
commencer à apprendre
become ill
go for
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be sold
go in for
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take part in
go into
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describe, examine in detail
go off
commencer à apprendre
make a sudden loud noise
go on
commencer à apprendre
happen
go on with
commencer à apprendre
continue sth esp after a pause
go round
commencer à apprendre
be enough for everyone to have a share
go through
commencer à apprendre
(1) examine sth closely or systematically, (2) consume
go up
commencer à apprendre
be built
go with
commencer à apprendre
be included in the price
hold back
commencer à apprendre
(1) prevent development, (2) delay, (3) withhold
hold in
commencer à apprendre
control (feelings, oneself)
hold off
commencer à apprendre
(1) keep at a distance, (2) delay
hold on
commencer à apprendre
wait
hold out
commencer à apprendre
(1) last, (2) resist
hold out for
commencer à apprendre
wait to get sth desired
hold out on
commencer à apprendre
keep a secret from sb
be kept in
commencer à apprendre
be detained after normal hours as a punishment
keep at
commencer à apprendre
continue working at
keep back
commencer à apprendre
hide
keep down
commencer à apprendre
repress
keep in with
commencer à apprendre
continue to be friendly
keep on
commencer à apprendre
continue doing sth
keep on at
commencer à apprendre
continue talking in an irritating way
keep to
commencer à apprendre
follow
keep up (with)
commencer à apprendre
progress at the same rate
keep up with
commencer à apprendre
(1) stay at an equal level with, (2) be informed about
land in
commencer à apprendre
get into trouble, difficulties etc l
and up
commencer à apprendre
end (usu in difficulties)
lay aside
commencer à apprendre
put aside
lay into
commencer à apprendre
attack (with blows or words)
lay off
commencer à apprendre
stop doing sth irritating
lay out
commencer à apprendre
spend
letdown
commencer à apprendre
(1) disappoint, (2) lower sth
let in for
commencer à apprendre
involve in trouble etc
let in on
commencer à apprendre
allow sb to share a plan, secret, etc
let on
commencer à apprendre
reveal a secret
let out
commencer à apprendre
(1) make (a garment etc) looser or larger (opp: take in), (2) utter a cry
let sb off
commencer à apprendre
not punish severely
let sb through
commencer à apprendre
allow sb to pass an exam or a test
let up
commencer à apprendre
become less in degree
let up on
commencer à apprendre
treat sb less severely
be made up
commencer à apprendre
consist
lead on
commencer à apprendre
persuade sb to believe or do sth by making false promises
look after
commencer à apprendre
take care of
look ahead
commencer à apprendre
think about the future
look at
commencer à apprendre
read
look back
commencer à apprendre
think about one's past
look down on
commencer à apprendre
despise
look for
commencer à apprendre
search for
look in
commencer à apprendre
pay a short visit
look into
commencer à apprendre
investigate/examine the facts relating to sth
look on
commencer à apprendre
watch sth without taking part
look onto
commencer à apprendre
have a view
look out
commencer à apprendre
watch out; be careful
look out for
commencer à apprendre
(1) search in order to find sth, (2) be alert in order to see/find sb
look over
commencer à apprendre
examine (a place)
look to
commencer à apprendre
rely on sb
look up
commencer à apprendre
search for (a word) in a reference book
look up
commencer à apprendre
visit esp after a long time
look up to
commencer à apprendre
respect
make for
commencer à apprendre
head for
make off with
commencer à apprendre
steal sth and hurry away with it
make out
commencer à apprendre
(1) complete sth, (2) claim to be, (3) discern, (4) understand
make over
commencer à apprendre
transfer the ownership of sth
make sth into
commencer à apprendre
convert
make up
commencer à apprendre
(1) invent (a story), (2) end a quarrel, compensate for sth, (4) put cosmetics on sb's face (5) form
make up for
commencer à apprendre
compensate sb for the trouble one has caused them
rise up
commencer à apprendre
rebel
rule out
commencer à apprendre
exclude
call off
commencer à apprendre
cancel
live on sb/sth
commencer à apprendre
get the money needed from
live through
commencer à apprendre
experience over time
live up to
commencer à apprendre
reach the standard that may be expected
live with
commencer à apprendre
tolerate/accept sth and endure it
meet with
commencer à apprendre
have as a reaction
miss out
commencer à apprendre
forget to include
move on to
commencer à apprendre
pass to another subject
narrow down
commencer à apprendre
reduce
note down
commencer à apprendre
record
pass over
commencer à apprendre
ignore, overlook
hand over
commencer à apprendre
give
phase out
commencer à apprendre
gradually stop using
piece together
commencer à apprendre
discover gradually
put about
commencer à apprendre
spread (false) reports, rumours
put across
commencer à apprendre
communicate
put aside/by
commencer à apprendre
save for later use
put away
commencer à apprendre
put into confinement
put back
commencer à apprendre
delay
put down
commencer à apprendre
write in a particular place
put down to
commencer à apprendre
attribute to
put forward
commencer à apprendre
suggest, propose
put in (a request)
commencer à apprendre
make an official request
put in for
commencer à apprendre
(1) apply for, (2) make an official request
put off
commencer à apprendre
discourage
put off
commencer à apprendre
postpone
put on
commencer à apprendre
(1) gain weight, (2) pretend to have, (3) advance, clothe oneself with, (5) present
put out
commencer à apprendre
extinguish
put sb up
commencer à apprendre
give accommodation to
put sth behind one
commencer à apprendre
deliberately forget
run across
commencer à apprendre
find by chance
run after
commencer à apprendre
pursue
run away
commencer à apprendre
leave (school, home etc)
run away with an idea
commencer à apprendre
accept it without careful thinking even though it is wrong
run behind
commencer à apprendre
be delayed
run down
commencer à apprendre
(1) criticise, (2) gradually stop functioning, (3) run sb down (with a vehicle)
run in
commencer à apprendre
use a new vehicle carefully
run into
commencer à apprendre
(1) meet by chance, (2) collide with
run off
commencer à apprendre
produce quickly
run out of
commencer à apprendre
exhaust the supply of sth
run through
commencer à apprendre
(1) rehearse (2) use up
run up
commencer à apprendre
accumulate (bills etc)
run up against
commencer à apprendre
encounter difficulties
see about
commencer à apprendre
make arrangements for
see off
commencer à apprendre
accompany a traveller to his/her train etc
see out
commencer à apprendre
accompany sb to an exit
see over
commencer à apprendre
inspect properly
see through
commencer à apprendre
(1) not be deceived, (2) support sb through a difficult time
see to
commencer à apprendre
take care of
settle down
commencer à apprendre
live a more permanent life-style
settle for
commencer à apprendre
accept sth (less than expected)
settle in
commencer à apprendre
become used to a new house or job
settle on
commencer à apprendre
decide on
settle up
commencer à apprendre
pay (a debt, a bill etc)
set about
commencer à apprendre
begin
set aside
commencer à apprendre
save for a special purpose
set back
commencer à apprendre
hinder
set sb back
commencer à apprendre
cost sb a lot of money
set in
commencer à apprendre
begin (of a period, usu bad)
setoff
commencer à apprendre
(1) start a reaction, (2) begin a journey (=set out)
set an animal on sb
commencer à apprendre
cause an animal to attack sb
set out
commencer à apprendre
begin a task/job with a specific intention
setup
commencer à apprendre
(1) establish (a record), (2) start a business (3) erect
stand by
commencer à apprendre
(1) remain loyal to sb, (2) do nothing to stop a bad situation, (3) be ready for action
stand down
commencer à apprendre
resign from a position
stand for
commencer à apprendre
(1) support sth, (2) mean, symbolise, (3) tolerate, enter oneself for election
stand in for
commencer à apprendre
replace temporarily
stand out
commencer à apprendre
be conspicuous/obvious
stand up for
commencer à apprendre
defend; support
stand up to
commencer à apprendre
defend oneself against
take aback
commencer à apprendre
surprise
take after
commencer à apprendre
look like a relative
take against
commencer à apprendre
dislike sb
take away
commencer à apprendre
remove
take back
commencer à apprendre
withdraw a statement or comment
take down
commencer à apprendre
(1) write down, (2) remove sth from a high place
take in
commencer à apprendre
(1) deceive, (2) allow sb to stay in one's home, understand, (4) make clothes smaller
take off
commencer à apprendre
(1) remove (clothing), (2) leave the ground (of aeroplanes etc), (3) imitate sb in a comic way, (4) begin to succeed (of plans, ideas etc)
take on
commencer à apprendre
(1) undertake sth, (2) employ staff, (3) accept sb as an opponent
take out
commencer à apprendre
(1) extract, remove, (2) accompany sb to a theatre etc
take over
commencer à apprendre
take control of sth esp in place of sb else
take sb for
commencer à apprendre
mistake sb/sth for sb/sth else
take to
commencer à apprendre
(1) find agreeable; like, (2) begin a habit, (3) escape to; hide in
take up
commencer à apprendre
(1) begin a hobby, sport etc, (2) occupy space
take up with
commencer à apprendre
become involved in (usu derog)
talk about
commencer à apprendre
(1) gossip about sb, (2) consider
talk at
commencer à apprendre
speak to sb without listening to their replies
talk back
commencer à apprendre
reply rudely
talk down to
commencer à apprendre
speak to sb as if they were less clever than oneself
talk into
commencer à apprendre
persuade sb to do sth
talk out
commencer à apprendre
settle a problem by talking
talk out of
commencer à apprendre
persuade sb not to do sth
talk round
commencer à apprendre
persuade sb to agree to sth
tell against
commencer à apprendre
spoil chances of success
tell apart
commencer à apprendre
distinguish
tell off
commencer à apprendre
scold/reprimand
think of
commencer à apprendre
take sth into account
think out
commencer à apprendre
prepare plans carefully
think over
commencer à apprendre
reflect upon sth before making a decision
think up
commencer à apprendre
invent or devise sth
turn away
commencer à apprendre
refuse admittance to sb
turn down
commencer à apprendre
(1) reject an offer, (2) reduce heat etc
turn in
commencer à apprendre
go to bed
turn sb in
commencer à apprendre
report to the authorities
turn into
commencer à apprendre
convert, change
turn off
commencer à apprendre
switch off
turn on
commencer à apprendre
switch on
turn out
commencer à apprendre
(1) assemble as a crowd, (2) produce, (3) prove to be turn over = fall on one side
turn sth over (in one's mind)
commencer à apprendre
think carefully about sth
throw about/around
commencer à apprendre
scatter sth throw away = discard sth as useless
throw sth back at sb
commencer à apprendre
remind sb of sth bad they did in the past
throw off
commencer à apprendre
escape from, get free of
throw oneself into
commencer à apprendre
begin to do sth energetically and enthusiastically
throw oneself on sb/sth
commencer à apprendre
rely on sb/sth
throw sb out
commencer à apprendre
force sb to leave
throw sth out
commencer à apprendre
get rid of unwanted items
throw sb together
commencer à apprendre
bring people into contact with each other
throw up
commencer à apprendre
(1) give up (a job etc), (2) vomit
try on
commencer à apprendre
check the fit (of clothes)
try out
commencer à apprendre
test
wear away
commencer à apprendre
become thin, damaged, weak, etc by constant use
wear off
commencer à apprendre
disappear gradually (effect of sth)
wear out
commencer à apprendre
use until useless (of clothes etc)
work off
commencer à apprendre
(1) overcome the effects of sth (energy, stress, anger), (2) repay by working (a debt)
Work on
commencer à apprendre
be occupied with
clear the air
commencer à apprendre
remove suspicion/bad feeling
all along
commencer à apprendre
from the beginning until now
all but
commencer à apprendre
nearly, almost all in = exhausted
all in all
commencer à apprendre
when everything is considered
all the same
commencer à apprendre
yet, however
all told
commencer à apprendre
altogether, in total
be the apple of sb's eye
commencer à apprendre
be very precious to sb; be sb's favourite
be up in arms
commencer à apprendre
be very angry
for all
commencer à apprendre
in spite of
for all I care
commencer à apprendre
I don't care
for all I know
commencer à apprendre
as far as I know
in the act of
commencer à apprendre
while performing the act
in the air
commencer à apprendre
uncertain
make allowances for
commencer à apprendre
take special circumstances into consideration
make amends for
commencer à apprendre
try to compensate for a past action
of all people
commencer à apprendre
used to express annoyance/surprise
on account of
commencer à apprendre
because of
on no account
commencer à apprendre
under/in no circumstances
on the air
commencer à apprendre
broadcasting (opp: off the air)
on the alert
commencer à apprendre
watchful and prepared/on the lookout/expecting sth
lake sth into account
commencer à apprendre
consider sth
on this/that account
commencer à apprendre
for this/that reason
whet sb's appetite
commencer à apprendre
make sb eager to have/experience more
up in the air
commencer à apprendre
existing, but not talked about
above board
commencer à apprendre
honest
bark up the wrong tree
commencer à apprendre
have a false idea about sth
be broke
commencer à apprendre
have no/very little money
be full of beans
commencer à apprendre
be very lively
be in sb's black books
commencer à apprendre
out of favour
beat about/around the bush
commencer à apprendre
avoid saying what one means directly
behind bars
commencer à apprendre
in prison
big-headed
commencer à apprendre
conceited; boastful
black and blue all over
commencer à apprendre
covered with bruises
blessing in disguise
commencer à apprendre
sth which appears bad at first but then turns out favourably
blue-eyed boy/golden boy
commencer à apprendre
a favoured person
bolt from the blue
commencer à apprendre
suddenly
brainwave
commencer à apprendre
sudden clear idea/thought
break even
commencer à apprendre
show neither loss nor profit
browned off
commencer à apprendre
fed up; bored
butter sb up
commencer à apprendre
flatter sb
by and large
commencer à apprendre
generally speaking
catch sb red-handed
commencer à apprendre
be caught while committing a crime
chip off the old block
commencer à apprendre
sb who is very like one of his parents
cost a bomb
commencer à apprendre
very expensive
deal a blow to
commencer à apprendre
damage one's hopes
don't hold your breath
commencer à apprendre
don't wait for sb/sth anxiously
drive a hard bargain
commencer à apprendre
be a tough businessman
drop a brick
commencer à apprendre
say sth tactlessly
feel in one's bones
commencer à apprendre
feeling sth instinctively
get your own back
commencer à apprendre
take/get revenge
have a bee in one's bonnet
commencer à apprendre
have an obsession about sth
have butterflies in one's stomach
commencer à apprendre
be very nervous about sth
in black and white
commencer à apprendre
in writing
in the balance
commencer à apprendre
uncertain
kick the bucket
commencer à apprendre
die
lay bare
commencer à apprendre
make public
make a clean breast of
commencer à apprendre
confess
make one's blood boil
commencer à apprendre
cause sb to become very angry
on the spur of the moment
commencer à apprendre
without thinking about sth
out of the blue
commencer à apprendre
suddenly and unexpectedly
ring a bell
commencer à apprendre
remind sb of sth
see the back of
commencer à apprendre
be glad to see sb leave
take the bull by the horns
commencer à apprendre
deal with sth boldly and directly
wet blanket
commencer à apprendre
dull person who spoils people's happiness
a piece of cake
commencer à apprendre
sth very easy to do
a red-letter day
commencer à apprendre
a very important day
a wild-goose chase
commencer à apprendre
a hopeless search
be caught red-handed
commencer à apprendre
be caught while committing a crime
be on the cards
commencer à apprendre
be likely to happen
be over the moon
commencer à apprendre
be elated
call sb names
commencer à apprendre
insult sb
chair a meeting
commencer à apprendre
preside over a meeting
crocodile tears
commencer à apprendre
false tears
cross one's mind
commencer à apprendre
think of sth
cut sb dead
commencer à apprendre
ignore sb
different as chalk and cheese
commencer à apprendre
totally different
down in the dumps
commencer à apprendre
depressed/miserable
down the drain
commencer à apprendre
wasted; lost
get a bit hot under the collar
commencer à apprendre
get angry, upset or embarrassed
get a problem off one's chest
commencer à apprendre
tell sb else about your problem
go to the dogs
commencer à apprendre
worsen
have the cheek
commencer à apprendre
dare to do sth
keep one's chin up
commencer à apprendre
not be discouraged
let sleeping dogs lie
commencer à apprendre
avoid mentioning a subject which could cause trouble
lost cause
commencer à apprendre
hopeless situation or case off colour = look/be slightly unwell
on the dole
commencer à apprendre
receiving unemployment benefit/social security play one's cards right = act cleverly
show one's true colours
commencer à apprendre
reveal one's real character
with flying colours
commencer à apprendre
with great success
not count one's chickens before they're hatched
commencer à apprendre
not assume sth before it happens
be dying for sth
commencer à apprendre
really want sth
be fit for
commencer à apprendre
be good enough for
be worn out
commencer à apprendre
be very tired
be green
commencer à apprendre
be inexperienced
cook one's goose
commencer à apprendre
end one's plans abruptly
fair and square
commencer à apprendre
within the rules
fall head over heels
commencer à apprendre
fall in love quickly
feel one's ears burning
commencer à apprendre
have a feeling that sb is talking about you
gatecrasher
commencer à apprendre
sb attending a party, event etc without an invitation
get off on the wrong foot
commencer à apprendre
argue or disagree at the beginning of a relationship
give and fake
commencer à apprendre
compromise
have a frog in one's throat
commencer à apprendre
inability to speak due to nervousness
have the gift of the gab
commencer à apprendre
be able to talk well, persuasively
hear it through/on the grapevine
commencer à apprendre
find out information indirectly
in a flash
commencer à apprendre
very quickly
it's all Greek to me
commencer à apprendre
sth new or foreign; not easily understood keep a straight face = manage to look serious under difficult circumstances
keep an eye on sth
commencer à apprendre
guard/protect sth
meet behind closed doors
commencer à apprendre
meet secretly
one's flesh and blood
commencer à apprendre
family member
plenty more fish in the sea
commencer à apprendre
many more opportunities in life for love
put one's foot down
commencer à apprendre
insist on sth
put one's foot in it
commencer à apprendre
make a tactless comment
take it easy
commencer à apprendre
not work too hard/relax
take sb for granted
commencer à apprendre
not appreciate sb
a bit of a dark horse
commencer à apprendre
person with hidden abilities
be for the high jump
commencer à apprendre
about to be reprimanded/punished
be in two minds about sth
commencer à apprendre
not be able to decide what to do
be sound asleep
commencer à apprendre
sleep deeply
be the perfect image of sb
commencer à apprendre
look exactly like sb
before one can say Jack Robinson
commencer à apprendre
extremely quickly
break the ice
commencer à apprendre
ease the tension when one first meets people
eat one's heart out
commencer à apprendre
feel jealous/sad about sth
flog a dead horse
commencer à apprendre
waste time doing sth useless
fly off the handle
commencer à apprendre
quickly become very angry
get out of hand
commencer à apprendre
become out of control
get the hang of it
commencer à apprendre
get in the habit of doing sth
go to one's head
commencer à apprendre
make conceited
grey matter
commencer à apprendre
brains; intelligence
hand in glove with sb
commencer à apprendre
be in very close contact with sb
have a job to do sth
commencer à apprendre
find sth difficult to do
have many irons in the fire
commencer à apprendre
have lots of plans/possibilities in progress at the same time
have one's heart in one's mouth
commencer à apprendre
be extremely anxious about sth
have time on one's hands
commencer à apprendre
have free time
hold one's horses
commencer à apprendre
wait, be patient
ill at ease
commencer à apprendre
embarrassed; uncomfortable
keep sth under one's hat
commencer à apprendre
keep sth secret
keep up with the Joneses
commencer à apprendre
compete with others in status/material goods
lend sb a hand
commencer à apprendre
give help to sb
like the back of one's hand
commencer à apprendre
be very familiar with sth
lose heart
commencer à apprendre
become discouraged
make head nor tail of
commencer à apprendre
understand sth
off the cuff
commencer à apprendre
without preparation
stew in one's own juice
commencer à apprendre
suffer the consequences of one's own actions
straight from the horse's mouth
commencer à apprendre
from the most direct source
have sb's hands full
commencer à apprendre
be very busy with sth
sth comes in handy
commencer à apprendre
be very useful/practical
strike gold
commencer à apprendre
come across sth useful
take sth to heart
commencer à apprendre
take personally/be influenced by
take to one's heels
commencer à apprendre
run away
the ins and outs
commencer à apprendre
the details of an activity
the tip of the iceberg
commencer à apprendre
small evident part of a much larger, concealed situation
at large
commencer à apprendre
free, not caught
be in the know
commencer à apprendre
be well-informed
bring to one's knees
commencer à apprendre
destroy, humble
bury one's head in the sand
commencer à apprendre
avoid or ignore reality/ responsibility
come to a head
commencer à apprendre
reach a critical point
drop sb a line
commencer à apprendre
send sb a letter
fine kettle of fish
commencer à apprendre
confused state of affairs
get rid of sth
commencer à apprendre
give sth unwanted away
go to any lengths
commencer à apprendre
do anything necessary to get sth you want
have kittens
commencer à apprendre
be nervous/anxious about sth
keep one's fingers crossed
commencer à apprendre
hope that sth will turn out well
keep oneself to oneself
commencer à apprendre
live quietly, privately
make a killing
commencer à apprendre
have a sudden, great success/profit
make light of
commencer à apprendre
treat sth as unimportant
make/earn a/one's living
commencer à apprendre
earn money
on the level
commencer à apprendre
honest/sincere
pull one's leg
commencer à apprendre
tease or trick sb
shed light upon
commencer à apprendre
give new/further information
sleep like a log
commencer à apprendre
be sound asleep
the life and soul of sth
commencer à apprendre
the most lively and amusing person present somewhere
the lion's share
commencer à apprendre
the biggest part/portion
turn over a new leaf
commencer à apprendre
make a new start
with a view to doing sth
commencer à apprendre
with the intention or hope of doing sth
a night owl
commencer à apprendre
person who enjoys staying up late
be second to none
commencer à apprendre
be the best
cross one's mind
commencer à apprendre
occur to one, have a sudden idea, recall sth
cry over spilt milk
commencer à apprendre
grieve over sth that can't be put right
every nook and cranny
commencer à apprendre
everywhere
feel/be down in the mouth
commencer à apprendre
feel discouraged/depressed
get a move on
commencer à apprendre
hurry up
get on one's nerves
commencer à apprendre
irritate/annoy sb
have an early night
commencer à apprendre
go to bed early
hit the nail on the head
commencer à apprendre
say exactly the right thing
in a nutshell
commencer à apprendre
briefly; in a few words
lose one's nerve
commencer à apprendre
lose courage
make a name for oneself
commencer à apprendre
become famous/respected for sth
make hay while the sun shines
commencer à apprendre
take advantage of favourable circumstances
make money hand over fist
commencer à apprendre
make a lot of money quickly and easily
make one's getaway
commencer à apprendre
escape
moon around
commencer à apprendre
look miserable
null and void
commencer à apprendre
invalid; not legally binding
once in a blue moon
commencer à apprendre
very rarely
put sb's name forward
commencer à apprendre
nominate sb
put words into one's mouth
commencer à apprendre
pretend that sb has said sth that they haven't actually said
slip one's mind
commencer à apprendre
forget about sth
work a miracle
commencer à apprendre
make sth almost impossible happen
give the green light to sth
commencer à apprendre
give permission to proceed with sth
a bitter pill to swallow
commencer à apprendre
a difficult fact to accept
against all odds
commencer à apprendre
despite the difficulties
be out of practice
commencer à apprendre
lacking practice
come to the point
commencer à apprendre
reach the main point in a discussion
fall into place
commencer à apprendre
become clear
get the sack
commencer à apprendre
be dismissed from one's job
get the wrong end of the stick
commencer à apprendre
misunderstand completely what has been said
golden opportunity
commencer à apprendre
the best chance to gain sth grease sb's palm = bribe sb
grow out of sth
commencer à apprendre
become too big for sth
have no option but
commencer à apprendre
must; have no choice
in public
commencer à apprendre
in the presence of other people
in the offing
commencer à apprendre
likely to happen
off the point
commencer à apprendre
irrelevant
once and for all
commencer à apprendre
for the last time
out-and-out
commencer à apprendre
complete, total
out in the open
commencer à apprendre
(of secrets) revealed, known
out of print
commencer à apprendre
(of books) not available anymore
out of the frying pan into the fire
commencer à apprendre
from a situation to a worse/similar one
part and parcel of
commencer à apprendre
basic part of
past one's prime
commencer à apprendre
growing old/not at one's best
pop the question
commencer à apprendre
make a proposal of marriage
short and sweet
commencer à apprendre
brief but pleasant (usu ironic)
status symbol
commencer à apprendre
property/possession that shows sb's high social rank wealth etc
take things to pieces
commencer à apprendre
dismantle things
throw a party
commencer à apprendre
have/hold a party
white elephant
commencer à apprendre
useless/unwanted possession
an unknown quantity
commencer à apprendre
person or thing that one has no experience of
as a last resort
commencer à apprendre
when all else has failed
at close quarters
commencer à apprendre
from a short distance
be in a quandary
commencer à apprendre
be confused; undecided
beg the question
commencer à apprendre
makes people want to ask a particular question
call it quits
commencer à apprendre
give up/stop
cut sb to the quick
commencer à apprendre
deeply hurt sb's feelings
hit the roof
commencer à apprendre
get very angry
in a rut
commencer à apprendre
be stuck in a monotonous routine
in the long run
commencer à apprendre
after a long period of time
it stands to reason
commencer à apprendre
it is logical
keep sth quiet
commencer à apprendre
keep sth secret
know the ropes
commencer à apprendre
know all the details of sth
off the record
commencer à apprendre
unofficial(ly)
on the quiet
commencer à apprendre
secretly
open to debate
commencer à apprendre
not decided/settled
out of the question
commencer à apprendre
impossible
put down roots
commencer à apprendre
settle down
work to rule
commencer à apprendre
adhere strictly to the rules as a form of protest
rack sb's brains
commencer à apprendre
think very hard about sth
a long shot
commencer à apprendre
a wild guess/a risk
a memory like a sieve
commencer à apprendre
a poor memory
be all at sea
commencer à apprendre
be in a state of confusion
be in sb's shoes
commencer à apprendre
be in sb's position
be in the same boat
commencer à apprendre
be in the same (usu bad) situation
be the spitting image of sb
commencer à apprendre
look exactly like sb
be/get soaked to the skin
commencer à apprendre
be/get very wet
be/have a close shave
commencer à apprendre
barely avoid an accident/a bad situation
behind the scenes
commencer à apprendre
in secret
come out of one's shell
commencer à apprendre
gain personal confidence
does it show?
commencer à apprendre
is it obvious?
give sb the slip
commencer à apprendre
escape from sb
go for a song
commencer à apprendre
be sold very cheaply
go without saying
commencer à apprendre
be a foregone conclusion
hit the sack
commencer à apprendre
go to bed
live out of a suitcase
commencer à apprendre
travel often/not have a permanent home
make quite a scene
commencer à apprendre
become angry in a dramatic way
on a shoe string
commencer à apprendre
on a very small budget
pull a few strings
commencer à apprendre
use influential contacts in order to obtain an advantage
pull one's socks up
commencer à apprendre
make a greater effort
sleep on it
commencer à apprendre
think about sth
smell a rat
commencer à apprendre
suspect that sth is wrong
spill the beans
commencer à apprendre
reveal a secret/the facts
stand in sb's way
commencer à apprendre
prevent sb from doing sth
take ... with a pinch of salt
commencer à apprendre
not believe sth completely
the last straw
commencer à apprendre
the last and worst episode in a chain of bad experiences
thick-skinned
commencer à apprendre
insensitive
(by) trial and error
commencer à apprendre
learning from one's mistakes
be ahead of one's time
commencer à apprendre
have modern ideas
be (as) thick (as a brick)
commencer à apprendre
be stupid
be tickled pink
commencer à apprendre
be really pleased
come to a standstill
commencer à apprendre
not progress/stop
come to terms with
commencer à apprendre
accept a difficult situation
for the time being
commencer à apprendre
temporarily
in a tick
commencer à apprendre
shortly, soon
in the nick of time
commencer à apprendre
just in time
kill time
commencer à apprendre
pass time while waiting for sb/sth
lay the table
commencer à apprendre
prepare/set the table for a meal
not be one's cup of tea
commencer à apprendre
not suit one's taste
on second thoughts
commencer à apprendre
having changed one's mind
out of turn
commencer à apprendre
not in the correct order/time
paint the town red
commencer à apprendre
have a great time
play truant
commencer à apprendre
stay away from school without permission
put two and two together
commencer à apprendre
arrive at the truth by looking at facts
red tape
commencer à apprendre
unnecessary bureaucracy take one's time = not to hurry through thick and thin = whatever happens
touch and go
commencer à apprendre
with uncertain result
be all very well
commencer à apprendre
appear satisfactory but in fact not be
be on the up and up
commencer à apprendre
improve steadily
be up and about
commencer à apprendre
have recovered from an illness
drive (sb) up the wall
commencer à apprendre
make sb angry/annoy sb
frosty welcome
commencer à apprendre
unfriendly reception
get out of bed on the wrong side
commencer à apprendre
be in a bad mood
get wind of
commencer à apprendre
receive information about sth indirectly
give vent to
commencer à apprendre
express sth freely
give way to
commencer à apprendre
give in/yield
not hold water
commencer à apprendre
not seem reasonable or in accordance with the facts
make a flying visit
commencer à apprendre
make a quick trip
make waves
commencer à apprendre
cause trouble
no/little wonder
commencer à apprendre
not surprising
quick/slow on the uptake
commencer à apprendre
quick/slow to understand
set in one's ways
commencer à apprendre
fixed in one's habits/routines
speak volumes
commencer à apprendre
be strong evidence of sb's feelings, merits etc under the weather = depressed/unwell
up and coming
commencer à apprendre
likely to be successful
ups and downs
commencer à apprendre
good things alternating with bad ones
wet behind the ears
commencer à apprendre
inexperienced
an old wives' tale
commencer à apprendre
false belief (usually about health)
be born yesterday
commencer à apprendre
be easily deceived/naive
beat sb black and blue
commencer à apprendre
hit sb repeatedly until bruised
go back on one's word
commencer à apprendre
not fulfil a promise (opp: keep one's word)
have a yellow streak
commencer à apprendre
be a coward
not have it both ways
commencer à apprendre
refuse to make a decision between two pleasant things (usu in expression "You can't have it both ways!")
in the red
commencer à apprendre
owe money to a bank (opp: in the black)
see red
commencer à apprendre
suddenly become very angry
green belt
commencer à apprendre
the area on the outskirts of a town adjoining the country
pitch black
commencer à apprendre
very dark
black tie
commencer à apprendre
formal clothing
green with envy
commencer à apprendre
very jealous
green (matter/issue)
commencer à apprendre
concerned with ecology
have words with sb
commencer à apprendre
have an argument
have/keep one's wits about one
commencer à apprendre
be alert and able to deal with difficulties
in deep water
commencer à apprendre
in trouble/difficulty
make sb's day
commencer à apprendre
make sb very happy
see/look at sth through rose-coloured spectacles
commencer à apprendre
see sth from an unrealistically positive point of view
the black sheep of the family
commencer à apprendre
a disgraced family member
the pot calling the kettle black
commencer à apprendre
accusing sb of a fault one has oneself
the year dot
commencer à apprendre
a long time ago
until one is blue in the face
commencer à apprendre
as hard/long as one possibly can (usu without success)
red herring
commencer à apprendre
sth which distracts you from sth important
(fight) like cat and dog
commencer à apprendre
(disagree) violently
(like) a bull in a china shop
commencer à apprendre
behave in a clumsy/awkward way
make a dog's dinner (of sth)
commencer à apprendre
(make) a mess (of sth)
a bear with a sore head
commencer à apprendre
irritated/in a bad mood
a different kettle of fish
commencer à apprendre
a totally different situation etc from the one just mentioned
a dog's life
commencer à apprendre
a difficult, hard life
a fish out of water
commencer à apprendre
sb who feels uncomfortable/in unfamiliar surroundings
a red rag to a bull
commencer à apprendre
action, comment etc liable to provoke sb
a sitting duck
commencer à apprendre
an easy target
as busy as a bee/a busy bee
commencer à apprendre
(sb) very busy
as the crow flies
commencer à apprendre
in a direct line/by a direct route
be in the doghouse
commencer à apprendre
be out of favour, in trouble
dog eat dog
commencer à apprendre
ruthless competition, rivalry
dog-eared
commencer à apprendre
(of books) with the corners bent and turned down through use
donkey work
commencer à apprendre
boring, monotonous work
donkey's years
commencer à apprendre
a long time
kill two birds with one stone
commencer à apprendre
achieve two things with one action
let the cat out of the bag
commencer à apprendre
reveal a secret
like water off a duck's back
commencer à apprendre
having no effect
make a fool of oneself
commencer à apprendre
make oneself look stupid/ embarrassed/ridiculous
make a mountain out of a molehill
commencer à apprendre
cause a fuss about a trivial matter
no room to swing a cat
commencer à apprendre
no room at all
play cat and mouse with sb
commencer à apprendre
keep sb in a state of uncertain expectation treating them alternatively cruelly and kindly
put the cat among the pigeons
commencer à apprendre
cause trouble/controversy
rain cats and dogs
commencer à apprendre
rain heavily
swim like a fish
commencer à apprendre
swim very well
talk the hind legs off a donkey
commencer à apprendre
talk for a long time, uninterrupted
the rat race
commencer à apprendre
the competitive nature of modern urban life
until the cows come home
commencer à apprendre
for a long time
mutton dressed as lamb
commencer à apprendre
dress in a style younger than/inappropriate to your age
sour grapes
commencer à apprendre
say unpleasant comments because of jealousy
sweet tooth
commencer à apprendre
enjoy eating sweet things
get nowhere fast
commencer à apprendre
make no/little progress
pay sb's way
commencer à apprendre
contribute your share of a bill/budget
white-collar job
commencer à apprendre
office/clerical work
fly on the wall
commencer à apprendre
see/hear sth in a situation which does not involve you
Achilles heel
commencer à apprendre
weakest point of sb's character
wash sb's hands of sb
commencer à apprendre
refuse to be involved with sb
a pain in the neck
commencer à apprendre
annoying person/thing
be all fingers and thumbs
commencer à apprendre
be awkward, clumsy
get cold feet
commencer à apprendre
lose courage to do sth
give sb the cold shoulder
commencer à apprendre
ignore/shun sb
have a cheek/nerve
commencer à apprendre
act/speak boldly or impudently
have a sharp tongue
commencer à apprendre
tend to say unkind or hurtful things
have an eye for
commencer à apprendre
be a good judge of sth
look down one's nose at sth/sb
commencer à apprendre
feel/act superior to sb
lose one's head
commencer à apprendre
lose self-control
put one's heart and soul into sth
commencer à apprendre
be devoted to sth
tongue in cheek
commencer à apprendre
not serious, ironic
tooth and nail
commencer à apprendre
fiercely
turn a blind eye to sth
commencer à apprendre
ignore
not lose any sleep over sth
commencer à apprendre
not worry about sth
jack of all trades
commencer à apprendre
sb who is able to do a variety of jobs
a storm in a teacup
commencer à apprendre
a lot of fuss about sth that is not important
bring sth home to sb
commencer à apprendre
make sb understand how important/ serious sth is
bite off more than sb can chew
commencer à apprendre
try to do sth which is too difficult
in clover
commencer à apprendre
living a luxurious/comfortable life
face the music
commencer à apprendre
be criticised/punished for
evade
commencer à apprendre
to avoid doing sth one is supposed to do or to avoid answering a question, often by deception
shirk
commencer à apprendre
to avoid work because of laziness
duck
commencer à apprendre
to avoid an object by a quick downwards movement
dodge
commencer à apprendre
to avoid an object by a quick sideways movement
sway
commencer à apprendre
to influence others' opinions so they turn from a given course
Don't try to sway me. I'm determined to take the job.
impress
commencer à apprendre
to produce a lasting, positive effect
influence
commencer à apprendre
to cause sb to think/act in a particular way
affect
commencer à apprendre
to produce a reaction usu negative
The nuclear leak has affected all the farmers' crops.
real
commencer à apprendre
true as opposed to false
genuine
commencer à apprendre
(object) what it seems to be, (person) sincere and honest
natural
commencer à apprendre
not man-made
authentic
commencer à apprendre
with known and proved origins
valid
commencer à apprendre
sth which can be used and will be accepted by people in authority (a valid document, ticket)
wealthy
commencer à apprendre
having a lot of material possessions and money
affluent
commencer à apprendre
wealthy and able to spend a lot of money
Well-off
commencer à apprendre
(informal) fairly wealthy
rich
commencer à apprendre
(of food) full of ingredients which may be difficult to digest
extravagant
commencer à apprendre
(object) sth that costs more money than you can afford or sth which is beyond what is reasonable (an extravagant lifestyle, gift)
lavish
commencer à apprendre
(object) sth ‘that is very elaborate and impressive and a lot of money has been spent on it (lavish party, costumes)
merchandise
commencer à apprendre
(formal) things for sale
ware
commencer à apprendre
manufactured goods of a particular type (silverware)
commodity
commencer à apprendre
sth which is sold for profit, an article of trade
stock
commencer à apprendre
the total amount of goods a shop has available to sell
cure
commencer à apprendre
(tr) to successfully treat, to restore to health
heal
commencer à apprendre
(tr/intr) to cure; to get better, improve
treat
commencer à apprendre
(tr) to give medical attention to
imitate
commencer à apprendre
to behave in exactly the same way as sb else
copy
commencer à apprendre
to produce sth that looks like the original thing
slim
commencer à apprendre
(complimentary) not fat (NB slim chance: slight possibility)
lean
commencer à apprendre
(complimentary) healthily thin, without fat (also of meat)
skinny
commencer à apprendre
(uncomplimentary) very thin
slender
commencer à apprendre
(complimentary) attractively thin, esp of women
moulder
commencer à apprendre
to decay slowly
rot
commencer à apprendre
(intr/tr) to (cause to) decay because of bacteria etc, esp of vegetation
waste
commencer à apprendre
(intr/tr) to grow weak and small; to use badly decompose = (intr/tr) to (cause to) go bad, esp of flesh
snarl
commencer à apprendre
to make an angry noise while showing the teeth, esp of dogs etc
howl
commencer à apprendre
to cry, esp of dogs; to cry with pain
bleat
commencer à apprendre
to cry, esp of sheep, goats etc
twitter
commencer à apprendre
to make a sound like a bird
reference
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(in the expression in/with reference to) = used to indicate what sth relates to/in connection with
affinity
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relationship, similarity or connection
relation
commencer à apprendre
(object) connection; (person) a member of one's family
connection
commencer à apprendre
relationship between two things, people or groups
sliver
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a small thin piece or amount of sth
chip
commencer à apprendre
a small piece of sth
crumb
commencer à apprendre
small part of a larger object, esp bread, cake etc
cube
commencer à apprendre
square-shaped piece of sth (wood, sugar, meat)
chop
commencer à apprendre
to cut sth into pieces with strong downward movements of a knife or an axe
shred
commencer à apprendre
to cut into thin strips
mince
commencer à apprendre
to cut with a machine into small pieces (meat)
grate
commencer à apprendre
to shred small pieces off sth (cheese, carrots) by rubbing against a rough surface
fade
commencer à apprendre
to become less clear (with time)
vanish
commencer à apprendre
to disappear suddenly disappear = to be lost, to no longer be seen
pale
commencer à apprendre
to become lighter in colour
toss
commencer à apprendre
to throw into the air, esp of coins, pancakes etc
throw
commencer à apprendre
to launch through the air, esp using the hand and arm
cast
commencer à apprendre
to throw, let fall (stones, shadow)
fling
commencer à apprendre
to throw sth using a lot of force
practise
commencer à apprendre
to do an action repeatedly or do exercises regularly in order to gain skill (a musical instrument)
learn
commencer à apprendre
to obtain knowledge or a skill through studying or training
teach
commencer à apprendre
to give knowledge of a particular subject to someone Mrs Jones teaches French at a secondary school.
coach
commencer à apprendre
to train/teach esp for a specific purpose, examination or sport
instruct
commencer à apprendre
to give knowledge or information to sb in a methodical manner
present (information)
commencer à apprendre
to give it to people in a formal way
familiarise (yourself with sth)
commencer à apprendre
to learn about sth and start to understand it
show (sb how to do sth)
commencer à apprendre
to do sth yourself so that they can watch you and learn how to do it
entrust
commencer à apprendre
put sth/sb in the care of sb else confide = to tell sb sth in secret
consign
commencer à apprendre
to hand over/give up or send sth esp in trade
resign
commencer à apprendre
to give up a job
punch
commencer à apprendre
to hit with a clenched fist
slap
commencer à apprendre
to hit with the palm of one's hand
smack
commencer à apprendre
to hit with the palm of one's hand, esp a child as a punishment
whack
commencer à apprendre
to hit with a blow making a loud noise
strike
commencer à apprendre
to hit; used esp for emphasis and added emotion smash = to break sth into many pieces by hitting or dropping it
enhance
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to make sth better; to add to the beauty of sth The sunshine enhanced the golden colour of her hair.
aggravate
commencer à apprendre
to make sth worse
heighten
commencer à apprendre
to become greater, more acute esp emotions Tension between the police and local residents heightened last night.
intensify
commencer à apprendre
to become stronger, more intense
profit
commencer à apprendre
to gain, esp money
gain
commencer à apprendre
to obtain
earn (money, praise)
commencer à apprendre
receive sth in return for work that you do; get sth because you deserve it
exploit (sb/sth)
commencer à apprendre
treat sb unfairly; use sth in order to gain an advantage from it
commence
commencer à apprendre
(formal) to begin The Prime Minister will commence his tour on 11 April.
instigate
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to start by urging or inciting
launch
commencer à apprendre
to cause sth to begin, esp an activity, campaign etc
provoke (a reaction)
commencer à apprendre
to cause a reaction
hinder
commencer à apprendre
to delay or prevent the progress of sth She was hindered from her work by John's incessant questioning.
block
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to be in the way of sth/sb; to obstruct The road was blocked by an overturned lorry and we couldn't pass.
bar
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to obstruct esp intentionally
impede
commencer à apprendre
to make sth difficult to do
obstruct
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to be in the way of sb/sth
intervene (of events)
commencer à apprendre
to happen suddenly in a way that stops, delays, or prevents sth from happening
exude (a quality or feeling)
commencer à apprendre
to show that sb has it to a great extent
exclude
commencer à apprendre
to keep sb out from somewhere; to leave sb out from among the rest; decide/prove that sth is not worth considering
expunge
commencer à apprendre
to get rid of sth completely because it causes problems or bad feelings His divorce was an experience he had tried to expunge from his memory.
extricate
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to free yourself or another person from a difficult, serious situation This is the last attempt by the country to extricate itself from its economic crisis.
goods
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things for sale
wares
commencer à apprendre
(old- fashioned) things for sale usu of a travelling salesman
commodities
commencer à apprendre
products exchanged in trade usu on an international basis
supplies
commencer à apprendre
food equipment and other essential things that people need, especially when these are provided in large quantities »
rear
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to look after one's young until fully-grown
bring up
commencer à apprendre
to look after and educate until fully-grown
breed
commencer à apprendre
to keep animals for the purpose of producing young
grow
commencer à apprendre
to become or cause to become bigger
nurture (a young child, or young plant)
commencer à apprendre
care for it while it is growing and developing »
pinch
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(informal) steal an object
pilfer
commencer à apprendre
steal small amounts usu from your place of work
rip off
commencer à apprendre
(informal) steal from a person
swipe
commencer à apprendre
steal sth very quickly while sb is not looking
acquire
commencer à apprendre
(formal) to obtain for oneself; (a skill, habit etc) develop/learn He acquired a profound knowledge of the language by careful study.
abduct
commencer à apprendre
to take away (a person) unlawfully, often by force
> gather (information, evidence)
commencer à apprendre
to collect it especially over a period of time and after a lot of hard work
collect
commencer à apprendre
gather; get a large number of things because they interest you
derive
commencer à apprendre
to get sth such as pleasure or benefit from a person or from an activity/situation
deduce
commencer à apprendre
to reach a conclusion because of other things that you know to be true
inhabit
commencer à apprendre
to live in a place or region
inhabitant
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person who lives (permanently) in a region or town
dwell
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(formal) to live in a place He is concerned for the fate of the tribes who dwell in the forest.
dweller
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person or animal that lives in an environment
settle
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to start living in a place permanently
settler
commencer à apprendre
person who has come to live in a (previously uninhabited or developing) country or area
reside
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to have one's home at in a place Ruth resides with her mother in a London suburb.
resident
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person who lives in a house, block of flats, area or country
take legal aid
commencer à apprendre
to take money given by the government or another organisation to people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer
take legal action
commencer à apprendre
an expression used to indicate that a person or company is willing to start, or has started, general legal proceedings over a matter; often used as a form of threat
try
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(usu passive) to examine in a court of law
bring to trial
commencer à apprendre
to take a criminal case to a court of law to be examined
take sb to court
commencer à apprendre
used in a similar way to "take legal action" but as a more specific and direct legal threat
charge with
commencer à apprendre
to accuse of a criminal act, esp by the police
summon
commencer à apprendre
to order officially sb to appear in court
restrain
commencer à apprendre
stop sb from doing what they intended or wanted to do; prevent yourself from showing an emotion
curb
commencer à apprendre
control/keep sth within limits Inflation needs to be curbed otherwise we are in for an economic crisis.
check
commencer à apprendre
to make sure that sth is correct or satisfactory
inhibit
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to prevent or slow down; Thirst inhibited the desire to eat. to render sb unable to express what they really feel or do what they really want The newcomers were too inhibited to laugh freely.
continually
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repeatedly, regularly, frequently continuously = without stopping She has worked with us continuously since 1990.
perpetually
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lasting for a long indefinite time usu without interruption; continually
eternally
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endlessly; often used metaphorically for emphasis (eternally grateful)
constant
commencer à apprendre
repeated many times usu in a regular manner incessant = extending without interruption for an indefinite period of time; often used negatively to express irritation
steady
commencer à apprendre
continuing in a regular manner I have a steady job and am financially secure.
ongoing
commencer à apprendre
sth which began in the past and seems unlikely to stop in the near future (Ongoing problems)
critical
commencer à apprendre
of decisive importance This operation is critical; without it the patient might die.
crucial
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very important usu in determining sth or resolving a problem
essential
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extremely important; necessary
vital
commencer à apprendre
extremely necessary
significant
commencer à apprendre
of importance and meaning
grave
commencer à apprendre
important, pressing and usu worrying
I received some grave news about my brother's health and had to fly back home immediately.
fundamental
commencer à apprendre
absolutely necessary; important; essential
forbid
commencer à apprendre
to order sb not to do sth, not allow sth to be done The constitution forbids the military use of nuclear energy.
prohibit
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to forbid by law or rule Smoking in this area is prohibited.
disallow
commencer à apprendre
not allow or accept sth officially, because if has not been done correctly Our team scored again, but the whistle had gone and the goal was disallowed.
censor
commencer à apprendre
to examine officially letters or the media with the intention of removing any information regarded as secret or offensive
famous
commencer à apprendre
very well known
conspicuous
commencer à apprendre
easily seen; noticeable; attracting attention
remarkable
commencer à apprendre
worth speaking of; unusual
distinguished
commencer à apprendre
marked by excellent quality or deserved fame
eminent
commencer à apprendre
well-known and respected, especially for being good at one's profession
elevated
commencer à apprendre
very important or of very high rank elevated status.
The success of his latest novel has given him a certain.
prestigious
commencer à apprendre
respected and admired by people
noteworthy
commencer à apprendre
interesting; remarkable; worthy of attention
ruin
commencer à apprendre
to damage sth so that it is useless
impair
commencer à apprendre
to make sth weaker or imperfect Loud music impairs your hearing.
injure
commencer à apprendre
to cause harm to a person/animal (broken limbs, wounds)
damage
commencer à apprendre
to destroy something in part, causing loss of value My carpet was damaged in a flood.
harm
commencer à apprendre
to have a generally bad effect on sth, not necessarily a physical effect (harm a friendship)
scan
commencer à apprendre
to look at sth quickly, usu from top to bottom, looking for particular information
peer at
commencer à apprendre
to look at sth closely or with difficulty, due to poor eyesight or in darkness
scrutinise
commencer à apprendre
to look closely and carefully at sth
inspect
commencer à apprendre
to examine sth thoroughly
glimpse
commencer à apprendre
to have a passing view of sb or sth
harass
commencer à apprendre
(formal) to continually and unfairly annoy and cause trouble to sb
pester
commencer à apprendre
to annoy sb with repeated requests for sth
get on at
commencer à apprendre
(informal) to continually nag or tell sb to do sth
tease
commencer à apprendre
(usu of children) to laugh at or make fun of in an unkind way
He was teased at school for being fat.
chip
commencer à apprendre
(tr) to break a small wedge-shaped piece off the edge of an object
smash
commencer à apprendre
(tr/intr) to break violently and often deliberately into pieces
He smashed his jawbone in a crash.
snap
commencer à apprendre
(tr/intr) to break suddenly esp with a sharp cracking noise
She snapped the biscuit in half and we shared it.
shatter
commencer à apprendre
(tr/intr) to break (usu glass or china) into hundreds or thousands of pieces
break off
commencer à apprendre
to come off or remove by force
crack
commencer à apprendre
to (cause to) break without dividing into separate parts
Don't pour hot water into the glass or it will crack.
scatter
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(tr/intr) to throw many things in a random manner; (with groups of people) hurriedly and randomly disperse in all directions
The farmer scattered the seeds over the field. Suddenly the crowd scattered.
disperse
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(tr/intr) to break up (a group of people or a thing) and move its component parts away in various directions (used esp with the police) Many arrests were made as the police attempted to disperse the rioters.
strew
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(tr) to drop things over a surface, esp in an untidy or careless manner
sprinkle
commencer à apprendre
(tr) to drop sth in fine quantities She sprinkled sugar over the cake.
stagger
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walk very unsteadily, for example because you are ill
reel
commencer à apprendre
to move about in an unsteady way as if one is going to fall
totter
commencer à apprendre
to move in an unsteady way from side to side as if about to fall
stumble
commencer à apprendre
put your foot down awkwardly while you are walking or running and nearly fall over
slide
commencer à apprendre
to move smoothly but unintentionally over a surface
glide
commencer à apprendre
to move smoothly and easily over a surface
slip
commencer à apprendre
to slide suddenly without intention slipped on the wet pavement and fell over.
skid
commencer à apprendre
usu with vehicles on roads to mean to slide suddenly and uncontrollably while trying to stop
huddle
commencer à apprendre
to lie close to sb/sth in a confined space, usu for protection from adverse conditions The children huddled together in the corner of the room to keep warm.
nestle
commencer à apprendre
to settle comfortably in a secure place
snuggle
commencer à apprendre
(esp up) to lie in comfort close to sb/sth The baby snuggled up to its mother under the blankets.
cuddle
commencer à apprendre
to hold firmly and lovingly in one's arms
tend
commencer à apprendre
to take great care of sb/sth (a garden, a wound)
attend (to)
commencer à apprendre
to be with and take care of sb/sth, usu in a professional capacity. The patient was attended by several specialists.
grow (a plant)
commencer à apprendre
to put seeds or young plants in the ground and look after them as they develop
maintain
commencer à apprendre
(a building, a machine) to keep it in good condition by regularly checking it and repairing it when necessary
betray
commencer à apprendre
to be disloyal; to break a moral obligation (sb's trust, confidence etc)
divulge
commencer à apprendre
to give away secret information, esp personal (a secret, a source etc)
reveal
commencer à apprendre
to show sth, to make sth known He removed the cover and revealed his wife's portrait.
disclose
commencer à apprendre
similar meaning to reveal but generally used with more secrecy. To show sth that was previously concealed; to make sth known
shove
commencer à apprendre
to move (sth) forward with a strong, usu careless, motion
tote
commencer à apprendre
to carry
pile (things)
commencer à apprendre
to form a pile gradually He piled the boxes one on top of the other.
thrust (sth or sb)
commencer à apprendre
push sth or sb quickly with a lot of force
heave
commencer à apprendre
push, pull or lift sth using a lot of effort
stem from
commencer à apprendre
to have as origin Her interest in flowers stems from her childhood in the country.
beget
commencer à apprendre
to cause sth to happen or be created Economic tensions beget political ones.
generate
commencer à apprendre
to cause sth to begin and develop The scientist's talk generated further discussion of the issue.
commence
commencer à apprendre
(formal) to begin The academic year commences at the beginning of October.
chat
commencer à apprendre
to talk to each other in an informal and friendly way
chatter
commencer à apprendre
to talk quickly and continuously, usu about unimportant things
prattle
commencer à apprendre
to talk a great deal without saying anything important
babble
commencer à apprendre
to talk in a confused or excited way
gossip
commencer à apprendre
to talk about other people's private affairs
border
commencer à apprendre
dividing line between two countries
boundary
commencer à apprendre
dividing line between two private areas (between two farmers' fields, between two gardens)
verge
commencer à apprendre
point just before sth begins (the verge of war)
brim
commencer à apprendre
point at which sth is full (brim of a bowl)
rim
commencer à apprendre
edge of sth circular The rim of my spectacles is gold.
(out of) bounds
commencer à apprendre
(of) an area where you are not allowed to go
susceptible
commencer à apprendre
(to sth) likely to be affected by sth (negative) He's susceptible to fits of anger.
liable
commencer à apprendre
(to do sth) likely to do sth specific He's liable to be late tomorrow.
prone
commencer à apprendre
(to sth, often unexpected) likely to suffer from (prone to accidents)
apt
commencer à apprendre
(to do sth) likely to do sth, behave in some way (apt to be careless)
sensitive (to sth)
commencer à apprendre
likely to show understanding and awareness of other people's needs, problems or feelings
shore
commencer à apprendre
land right on the edge of the sea A boat comes into shore.
bank
commencer à apprendre
land on the edge of a river coast = area next to the sea
beach
commencer à apprendre
seashore area with sand or stones usu where people go to sunbathe
seize
commencer à apprendre
to take sth quickly, often with violence (seize the bank's takings)
grab
commencer à apprendre
take sth quickly, often with violence or for a selfish reason (children grab sweets)
grasp
commencer à apprendre
hold sth firmly (to grasp a child by the hand)
clutch
commencer à apprendre
hold sth tightly usu against one's body She clutched her bag nervously.
take
commencer à apprendre
to reach out for sth and hold it
sack
commencer à apprendre
(informal) to dismiss sb from their job due to their failure to carry out duties properly
make redundant
commencer à apprendre
to dismiss sb (usu large numbers) from their job(s) due to financial problems, or because one's job is no longer necessary
resign
commencer à apprendre
to give notice and leave a job
retire
commencer à apprendre
to leave a job at retirement age (usu 60 or 65 years) or due to constant illness
trouble
commencer à apprendre
difficulty, worry, anxiety, annoyance etc cause = sth which produces an effect; a person, thing or event that makes sth happen
problem
commencer à apprendre
a situation that is unsatisfactory and causes difficulties for people
disaster
commencer à apprendre
sth which has a negative effect (harm, loss, etc)
cataclysm
commencer à apprendre
violent disaster on a larger scale (war, volcanic eruption etc)
calamity
commencer à apprendre
misfortune or disaster usu on a smaller, more personal scale than a cataclysm
catastrophe
commencer à apprendre
sudden disaster or misfortune
sect
commencer à apprendre
closely bound religious group
breed
commencer à apprendre
type of animal which is of pure race usu dogs, cats or horses (Siamese cats, Alsatian dogs)
tribe
commencer à apprendre
group of people of the same race living as a community esp in nomadic or primitive cultures
caste
commencer à apprendre
group of people linked by rank, wealth, social position, usu in India (of a high/low social caste)
ally
commencer à apprendre
sb who supports/helps another esp in war
accomplice
commencer à apprendre
sb who helps another usu in crime or wrongdoing
acquaintance
commencer à apprendre
person who one knows but who is not a close friend
associate
commencer à apprendre
sb you are closely connected with, especially at work
fee
commencer à apprendre
charge asked by a professional for a service
stipend
commencer à apprendre
income (esp of clergymen)
salary
commencer à apprendre
fixed payment for work, made at regular intervals
wages
commencer à apprendre
weekly payment for regular work
unveil
commencer à apprendre
to officially uncover sth; usu a statue
unpack
commencer à apprendre
to take sth out of a box or parcel
unwrap
commencer à apprendre
to take the paper off the outside usu of a present
reveal
commencer à apprendre
to let out a secret or scandal
put up with
commencer à apprendre
to tolerate sb or sth I couldn't put up with the noise anymore.
afford
commencer à apprendre
to have enough money to buy sth
withstand
commencer à apprendre
to endure sth without being badly damaged or collapsing (withstand bad treatment)
support
commencer à apprendre
to have enough money to provide food, clothing etc for dependents (support a wife and children)
confirm
commencer à apprendre
to provide (usu written) evidence as to the correctness of sth An ID card can confirm your identity.
guarantee
commencer à apprendre
to promise something will definitely happen Our company guarantees to refund your money if you are not satisfied with the product.
assure
commencer à apprendre
to tell sb with confidence
reassure
commencer à apprendre
to put sb's mind at rest when they are worried about sth
adventurous
commencer à apprendre
(positive) enthusiastic about doing new things or exploring new places She'd always dreamt of an adventurous life in the tropics.
reckless
commencer à apprendre
(negative) liable to do dangerous things without considering the consequences (reckless driving, act)
impervious
commencer à apprendre
not being affected or influenced by someone's actions (impervious to criticism, suggestions)
foolhardy
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extremely risky It is foolhardy not to wear a helmet on a motorbike.
instinctive
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resulting from instinct (an instinctive act; but not an instinctive person)
grind
commencer à apprendre
tedious, physical work actory work is a grind. NB: used in expression "back to the grind" = return to work after a break
labour
commencer à apprendre
physical work usu used with the adjectives "physical" or "manual"
drudgery
commencer à apprendre
tedious, physical work usu unrewarding and of an unskilled nature (cleaning)
toil
commencer à apprendre
tiring physical work (usu used as a verb) He toiled in the fields all day.
control
commencer à apprendre
keep sth within limits by force (control children/public spending)
stunt
commencer à apprendre
keep sth/sb from growing properly (a stunted plant, stunted growth)
curb
commencer à apprendre
limit or control usu emotions (curb temper)
temper
commencer à apprendre
make sth less strong or extreme (temper your voice)
remember
commencer à apprendre
keep a fact/event in one's long-term memory (remember your childhood/to do sth)
recollect
commencer à apprendre
(no passive voice) bring sth to mind for a short period (recollect doing sth/sb's name/face)
reminisce
commencer à apprendre
to think with fondness about past events She was reminiscing about her wedding day.
remind
commencer à apprendre
tell sb to do sth so that they don't forget Remind me to pay you back the £ 10.
memorise
commencer à apprendre
commit sth (usu a poem, grammar rule, etc) to memory (memorise facts and figures)
hard-up
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(informal) short of money (hard-up students)
wealthy
commencer à apprendre
possessing a lot of money and material possessions
tight
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(i nformal derog) not willing to spend money comfortable = (informal) not poor but not wealthy
strut
commencer à apprendre
(often derog) to walk in a proud way, with even steps
scamper
commencer à apprendre
(esp children and animals) to run quickly, usu playfully
slink
commencer à apprendre
to move secretly and quietly esp when afraid or ashamed
slither
commencer à apprendre
to move in a sliding way like a snake
diminish (tr/intr)
commencer à apprendre
to (make sth or sb) smaller, quieter, less important etc
dwindle
commencer à apprendre
(intr) to gradually become smaller in number or amount Supplies are dwindling.
shrink
commencer à apprendre
(tr/intr) to become or make smaller in size due to water or heat Meat shrinks while being cooked.
reduce
commencer à apprendre
(tr/intr) to make or become less in number, size, degree (reduce the volume, reduce the price)
clothed
commencer à apprendre
wearing clothes She was warmly clothed.
to be clad (in)
commencer à apprendre
(archaic) to be dressed in
wearing
commencer à apprendre
dressed in (sth)
to be dressed
commencer à apprendre
to be wearing sth usu for a particular occasion
retract
commencer à apprendre
to take back officially a statement or announcement
The politician had to retract the statement to avoid a scandal.
extract
commencer à apprendre
to take or pull sth from a place/remove sth (extract a tooth); to obtain sth by using industrial or chemical processes (to extract coal); to select some information from a larger amount or source of information (a speech, a text, archives, a selection of poems)
pull out
commencer à apprendre
(of troops) to withdraw from an area; (informal) to extract (a tooth)
renounce
commencer à apprendre
to officially give up a claim, rank or title; refuse to associate with or acknowledge sth/sb
sting
commencer à apprendre
to cause pain to sb where a sharp part of an animal or insect, usu covered with poison, is pushed into one's skin (bees sting, jellyfish sting)
bite
commencer à apprendre
to wound with the teeth (a dog bites)
stab
commencer à apprendre
to wound by striking with a knife or dagger
prick
commencer à apprendre
to cause pain by piercing with a sharp point (a pinprick)
refuse
commencer à apprendre
not to agree to do sth
deny
commencer à apprendre
to say that one knows nothing about sth (deny all knowledge of sth)
reject
commencer à apprendre
to turn down an offer, invitation
revoke
commencer à apprendre
cancel or withdraw sth (revoke a license, a law, a document)
accomplish
commencer à apprendre
to do sth successfully (accomplish an aim)
attain
commencer à apprendre
to reach a particular level, usu with difficulty (attain a mark of 100%)
gain
commencer à apprendre
to obtain (gain power/weight)
reach
commencer à apprendre
to come to a particular point (reach London)
manage
commencer à apprendre
to succeed in doing usu sth difficult or demanding
decline
commencer à apprendre
(formal) refuse usu an invitation or offer (to decline an invitation to a banquet)
renounce
commencer à apprendre
to officially give up a claim, rank or title; refuse to associate with or acknowledge sth/sb He renounced his former business partners.
deny
commencer à apprendre
to say that sth is not true
reject
commencer à apprendre
to refuse sb's application or invitation
take (sb) aback
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(informal, usu passive) to surprise or mildly shock sb I was taken aback by his behaviour.
astound
commencer à apprendre
(usu passive) surprise or shock sb usu in a negative way, so they are unable to think She was astounded by the news of the crash.
amaze
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surprise sb (usu in a positive way) He was amazed by her intelligence.
surprise
commencer à apprendre
to create a feeling caused by sth unexpected
(be) flabbergasted
commencer à apprendre
(to be) extremely surprised by sth
grumble
commencer à apprendre
to find fault continually and in an ineffective, bad-tempered way over trivial things (old men grumbling about youth today); sound of thunder or a hungry stomach
pester
commencer à apprendre
to annoy sb esp with repeated requests for sth A colleague has been pestering her for money.
whine
commencer à apprendre
(usu of children) to complain in an annoying way and in a high-pitched voice
complain
commencer à apprendre
to find fault, to make one's grievances known officially or unofficially
object
commencer à apprendre
express your dislike or disapproval of sth
nag
commencer à apprendre
to keep asking sb to do sth they have not done yet or do not want to do
She never stops nagging him about staying out late.
scam
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an illegal trick usu aiming at getting money from people or avoiding paying tax (an insurance scam)
snare
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a trap intended usu to catch an animal (a rabbit- snare)
gimmick
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unusual thing used in advertising to attract publicity (sales gimmick)
plot
commencer à apprendre
a plan to do sth secretly (plot against the enemy)
remedy
commencer à apprendre
(tr) to put right, usu of situations
emulate
commencer à apprendre
(formal) to imitate sb because you admire them
fake
commencer à apprendre
to make sth seem genuine although actually false
criticise
commencer à apprendre
express one's disapproval of sb/sth and indicate what's wrong with them His employer criticised him for not being punctual.

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