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envisage

to imagine or expect something in the future, especially something good/When do you envisage finishing the project?(also imagine)

devoid

be devoid of sth to lack or be without something that is necessary or usual: Their apartment is devoid of all comforts. He seems to be devoid of compassion.

inheritance

money or objects that someone gives you when they die: The large inheritance from his aunt meant that he could buy his own boat. At 21 she came into her inheritance (= it was given to her).

abrasion

the process of rubbing away the surface of something: There seems to have been some abrasion of the surface./She had a small abrasion on her knee.

chafe

to make or become damaged or sore by rubbing: The bracelet was so tight that it started to chafe (my wrist).

concur

to agree or have the same opinion: The new report concurs with previous findings./"I think you're absolutely right," concurred Chris.

claim to fame

a reason why someone or something is famous: This little town’s claim to fame is that a president was born here.

rear

care for: He describes how these birds rear their young/at the back of something: There's a sticker on the rear door/window.

tenants

a person who pays rent for the use of land or a building

investiture

a ceremony in which someone is given an official rank, authority, power, etc.: The investiture of the new president will take place this evening.

cradle

to hold something or someone gently, especially by supporting with the arms: She cradled him tenderly in her arms.

bulge

to stick out in a round shape: Her bags were bulging with shopping

aver

to say that something is certainly true: The lawyer averred her client's innocence./"He's guilty, I tell you," she averred.

respectively

in a way that relates or belongs to each of the separate people or things you have just mentioned:/Steven and James are aged 10 and 13 respectively.

(every) now and then

sometimes but not very often: We still meet for lunch now and then, but not as often as we used to.

be of two minds

to be unable to decide about something: I was of two minds whether or not to come this morning.

counterfeit

made to look like the original of something, usually for dishonest or illegal purposes: counterfeit jewelry/passports/coins

strut

to walk in a proud way trying to look important: The boys strutted around trying to get the attention of a group of girls who were nearby.

scamper

When small children and animals scamper, they run with small quick steps: The children scampered off into the garden.

slink

to walk away from somewhere quietly so that you are not noticed: I tried to slink out of the room so that nobody would see me go.

dwindle

to become less in number or smaller: The community had dwindled to a tenth of its former size.

elicit

to get or produce something, especially information or a reaction: Have you managed to elicit a response from them yet?

paramount

more important than anything else: There are many priorities, but reducing the budget deficit is paramount/is of paramount importance.

advent

the fact of an event happening, an invention being made, or a person arriving: Life was transformed by the advent of the steam engine.

petulant

easily annoyed and complaining in a rude way like a child

make a killing

to earn a lot of money in a short time and with little effort: They made a killing with the sale of their London house.

bring sb/sth to their knees

to destroy or defeat someone or something: The strikes had brought the economy to its knees.

pull sb's leg

to try to persuade someone to believe something that is not true, as a joke: Is it really your car or are you pulling my leg?

turn over a new leaf

to start behaving in a better way: Apparently he's turned over a new leaf and he's not smoking any more.

on the level

being honest or speaking truthfully: I know he’s lied to you before, but I really think he’s on the level this time.

drop sb a line

to write someone a letter/email, especially a short informal one: Just drop me a line when you decide on a date.

go to any/great lengths

to try very hard to achieve something: He'll go to any lengths to get what he wants.

shed light on sth

Tracking technologies have shed light on the birds' social nature.

make light of sth

to act as if something is not serious, esp. when it is serious: They've both had knee injuries, but the two friends make light of their weaknesses.

bury/have your head in the sand

to refuse to think about unpleasant facts, although they will have an influence on your situation: You have to face facts here - you can't just bury your head in the sand.

come to a head

comes to a head or someone brings something to a head, a situation reaches a point where something must be done about it

meet sb halfway

to do some of the things that someone wants you to do, in order to show that you want to reach an agreement or improve your relationship with them

come/go under the hammer

to be sold at an auction

lose/make money hand over fist

to make or lose a lot of money very quickly: Like many Internet companies, they lost money hand over fist at first.

know sth off-hand

know sth without asking or looking it up

(keep) out of harm's way

in a position that is safe from harm or from which harm cannot be done: The children will be here soon - you'd better put that plate out of harm's way.

have to hand(give) it to sb

admire sb and think they deserve praise

fly off the handle

to react in a very angry way to something that someone says or does: He's extremely irritable - he flies off the handle at the slightest thing.

make headway

to begin to succeed: Has the city made any headway in attracting new businesses?

take heart

to feel encouraged: Take heart. You'll be done soon, and you won't have to think about this paper ever again.

strike/hit home

to hit the intended place or have the intended effect: The laser guidance system dramatically increases the likelihood that the missile will strike home.

after hours

after the usual hours of work: I often do some of my own work after hours.

curb

to control or limit something that is not wanted: The government should act to curb tax evasion.

perpetually

always or very often: She's perpetually asking me for money.

incessant

never stopping, especially in an annoying or unpleasant way: incessant rain/noise/complaints

eminent

famous, respected, or important: an eminent historian

sprawl

to spread out esp. awkwardly over a large area: Jamie came home from school and sprawled on the couch.

terse

using few words, sometimes in a way that seems rude or unfriendly: "Are you feeling any better?" "No!" was the terse reply.

be down in the mouth

to be sad

get a move on

to hurry: Come on, you two, get a move on! We need to get a move on if we're going to catch that train.

perform/work a miracle

to be extremely effective in improving a situation: You've performed a miracle in this kitchen - I've never seen it so clean!

slip your mind

forget

make hay while the sun shines

to make good use of an opportunity while it lasts

be second to none

as good as or better than all others: The conditions that these prisoners are kept in are second to none.

hit the nail on the head

to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem

null and void

having no legal force: The change in the law makes the previous agreement null and void. The election was declared null and void.

on tenterhooks

worried or nervous about something that is going to happen: We were on tenterhooks all morning waiting for the phone to ring.

add insult to injury

make things even worse: They told me I was too old for the job, and then to add insult to injury, they refused to pay my expenses!

make inroads into

to start to have a direct and noticeable effect (on something): The policy changes are definitely making inroads into the problem of unemployment.

to/for all intents and purposes

in all the most important ways: For all intents and purposes, the project is completed.

in the intertrim

in the time between two particular periods or events: The new secretary starts in June, but in the interim we're having to type our own letters.

take issue with ab

to disagree strongly: I took issue with him over his interpretation of the instructions.

get itchy feet

to start to want to travel or do something different: After three years in the job she began to get itchy feet.

be in jeopardy

in danger of being damaged or destroyed: The lives of thousands of birds are in jeopardy as a result of the oil spill.

jog your memory

to cause you to remember something: Seeing her again jogged my memory, and I recalled my life as a child on a farm in Minnesota. g your memory

do justice to sth/sb

to treat someone or something in a way that is fair and shows their or its true qualities: This postcard doesn't do justice to the wonderful scenery.

rough justice/luck

something that happens to you that is severe or unfair: It seems like rough justice that he should lose his house as well as his wife.

on a knife-edge

in a difficult or worrying situation of which the result is very uncertain: At the moment the election seems balanced on a knife edge.

knock'em dead

used to tell someone to perform or play as well as possible

efficacious

able to produce the intended result

grudge

a strong feeling of anger and dislike for a person who you feel has treated you badly, especially one that lasts for a long time: I don't bear any grudge against you.

perogative

something that certain people are able or allowed to do or have, but is not possible or allowed for everyone: Alex makes all the big decisions - that's his prerogative as company director.

exemption

special permission not to do or pay something: Applicants with a degree in chemistry have exemption from this class.

municipal

of or belonging to a town or city: municipal authorities municipal tennis courts municipal elections

entail

to make something necessary, or to involve something: Such a large investment inevitably entails some risk. [+ -ing verb ] Repairing the roof will entail spending a lot of money.

milieu

the people, physical, and social conditions and events that provide the environment in which someone acts or lives: It is a study of the social and cultural milieu in which Michelangelo lived and worked.

in the offing

going to happen soon: With an election in the offing, the mayor is getting nervous.

status symbol

a thing that people want to have because they think other people will admire them if they have it: Among young people, this brand of designer clothing is the ultimate status symbol.

white elephant

something that has cost a lot of money but has no useful purpose

short and sweet

surprisingly short in a way that is pleasing: This morning's meeting was short and sweet.

out and out

complete or in every way; used to emphasize an unpleasant quality of a person or thing: That's an out-and-out lie! The whole project was an out-and-out disaster.

in public

in a place where people can see you: I'd never behave like that in public.

grease sb's palm

to secretly give someone money in order to persuade them to do something for you

take sth to pieces

to separate something into smaller parts: If you take the bookcase to pieces, it will fit in the back of your car.

out of print

books that are out of print are no longer available to buy because new copies are no longer being produced: be/go out of print Most of her books went out of print years ago.

past your/its prime

after the best, most successful, most productive stage: He can still play, but he's past his prime.

beside the point

not important: The exact cost is beside the point – what’s important is that we get the job done.

pop the question

to ask someone to marry you: So did he pop the question, then?

be part and parcel of

to be a feature of something, especially a feature that cannot be avoided: Being recognized in the street is part and parcel of being a celebrity.

out of the frying pan into the fire

said when you move from a bad or difficult situation to one that is worse

a bitter pill to swallow

something that is very unpleasant but must be accepted: Losing to a younger player was a bitter pill to swallow.

fall into place

understand/When things fall into place, they happen in a satisfactory way, without problems: If you plan the project well, then everything should fall into place.

pelt

run fast/to throw a number of things quickly at someone or something: We saw rioters pelting police with bricks and bottles.

by and large

when everything about a situation is considered together: There are a few small things that I don't like about my job, but by and large it's very enjoyable.

larger than life

person that attracts a lot of attention because they are more exciting or interesting than most people: Most characters in his movies are somewhat larger than life.

on its last legs

in such bad condition that it will soon be unable to work as it should: I've had this laptop for five years now, and it's really on its last legs.

lay it on a bit thick

to praise someone too much: She went on and on about how she admired his work - laid it on a bit thick, if you ask me.

lay sb low

to cause someone to be unable to do what they usually do: A kidney infection laid her low for a couple of months.

on the level

being honest or speaking truthfully: I know he’s lied to you before, but I really think he’s on the level this time.

make light of sth

to act as if something is not serious, esp. when it is serious: They've both had knee injuries, but the two friends make light of their weaknesses.

bring sth into line (with sth)

to make something the same as or similar to something else: He'd like to bring the pay of an Army private into line with that of a police constable.

draw the line

to never do something because you think it is wrong: I swear a lot, but even I draw the line at saying certain words.

put/lay sth on the line

to risk something: Firefighters put their lives on the line every working day.

be lost on sb

If a joke or remark is lost on someone, they do not understand it.

for love nor money

If you cannot get something, or if someone will not do something, for love nor money, it is impossible to get it or to persuade them to do it: You can't get hold of those tickets for love nor money these days.

like it or jump it

you mean that person must accept a situation they do not like, because it cannot be changed: Like it or lump it, romantic fiction is read regularly by thousands.

leave sb in the lurch

to leave someone at a time when they need you to stay and help

reel

to walk, moving from side to side, looking like you are going to fall/If the place where you are reels, what you are looking at seems to go around and around in front of you

totter

to walk with difficulty in a way that looks as if you are about to fall: She tottered unsteadily down the stairs in her high-heeled shoes.

nestle

to rest yourself or part of your body in a warm, comfortable, and protected position: She nestled (her head) against his shoulder./to be in, or put something in, a protected position, with bigger things around it

hit the roof/ceiling

to become extremely angry: Dad will hit the roof when he finds out I dented the car.

work to rule

a form of protest in which employees do exactly what is stated in their contracts, and nothing more, in order to slow down production

rack your brain

to think very hard: I've been racking my brain all day but I can't remember her name.

in a rut

to not have changed what you do or how you do it for a very long time so that it is not interesting any longer: I was in a rut and couldn’t get out of it.

in the long run

at a time that is far away in the future: It seems a lot of effort but I'm sure it's the best solution in the long run.

it stands to reason

said when something is obvious or clear from the facts

as a last resort

if all other methods fail: British police are supposed to use guns only as a last resort.

learnknow the ropes

to learn/know how to do a job or activity

keep sth quiet

to not tell people about something: They managed to keep the school's problems quiet for a while.

at close quarters /range

(from) a short distance away: When you see famous people at close quarters, they always appear much smaller than you imagined them.

cut sb to the quick

to hurt someone's feelings a lot: Her thoughtless remark cut him to the quick.

on the quiet

secretly: His wife found out he'd been seeing someone on the quiet.

call it quits

call it quitsto agree to stop what you are doing: Let’s call it quits for today and get together first thing tomorrow.

out of the question

out of the questionnot possible or not allowed: The class ends at 2, and leaving before then is out of the question.

beg the question

If a statement or situation begs the question, it causes you to ask a particular question: Spending the summer traveling around India is a great idea, but it does beg the question of how we can afford it.

unknown quantity

a person or a thing whose abilities, powers, or effects are not yet known: The third candidate for the seat is a relatively unknown quantity.

make do with sth

to use what is available although it is not enough or what you wanted: Can you make do with $5 for now and I’ll give you the rest tomorrow?

meet your match

to compete unsuccessfully with someone: He was a good player, but he met his match in Peter.

mean well

to do what you think will be helpful, although by doing it you might cause problems without intending to: I know he means well, but he just gets in the way.

live beyond your means

to spend more than you earn: To avoid slipping into debt, don't live beyond your means.

on the mend

becoming healthy after an illness: She's still in the hospital, but she's definitely on the mend.

mend your ways

to behave better: I was getting really bad grades, but I promised my parents I would mend my ways and work harder.

to put it mildly

used for saying that something is much more extreme than your words suggest: It has been a remarkable day, to put it mildly.

miles away

to not be conscious of what is happening around you because you are thinking about something else:

in mint condition

in mint conditionin excellent condition, as if new: Alex’s old Cadillac is in mint condition.

get your money's worth

to get good value: We were determined to get our money's worth from our day tickets and went to every museum in the city.

name names

to tell someone the names of people involved in something, especially an unpleasant, secret, or illegal activity: If people are going to accuse their colleagues of racist acts, they should name names.

name of the game

the most important part of an activity, or the quality that you most need for that activity: People say that in politics the name of the game is making the right friends.

nearest and dearest

your family, especially those that you live with or are very involved with

hit/touch a nerve

to upset someone: She touched a raw nerve when she mentioned that job he didn't get.

nest egg

nest eggan amount of money that has been saved or kept for a special purpose: Regular investment of small amounts of money is an excellent way of building a nest egg.

slip through the cracks

to escape a punishment or be missed by a system that should deal with or protect you:

none the wiser

to not understand something: I read the computer manual, but I’m still none the wiser.

stick your nose into sth

to try to discover things that are not really related to you: I wish he'd stop sticking his nose into my personal life!

hand in your notice

o tell your employer that you intend to leave your job after a particular period of time: I handed in my notice yesterday.

dilettante

dilettantea person who is or seems to be interested in a subject, but whose understanding of it is not very deep or serious: He's a bit of a dilettante as far as wine is concerned.