English booster Real

wart

a small, hard lump that grows on the skin and is caused by a virus

bubbly

adj. (especially of a woman or girl) attractively full of energy and enthusiasm

slur

an act of speaking indistinctly so that sounds or words run into one another or a tendency to speak in such a way

famine

an extreme shortage of food

chipper

cheerful, lively, very happy Ex. You seem mighty ________ this morning - what's up?

dainty

delicately small and pretty

fizzled

end or fail in a weak or disappointing way

tirade

long, harsh speech or verbal attack Example: Observers were shocked at the manager's _________ over such a minor mistake.

snazzy

modern and stylish in a way that attracts attention

no point in

no reason to; it's not worth (doing something)

crooked

not forming a straight line, or having many bends Example: His front teeth are __________.

to let sleeping dogs lie

said to warn someone that they should not talk about a bad situation that most people have forgotten about

doddle

something that is very easy to do Ex. The exam was _____

outlook

the likely future situation Example: The ______________ for today is cloudy and dry at first with showers late

to plunge

to (cause someone or something to) move or fall suddenly and often a long way forward, down, or into something Ex. We ran down to the beach and ________ into the sea

to fudge

to avoid making a decision or giving a clear answer about something Ex. The government continues to _______ the issue by refusing to give exact figures

to be in a pickle

to be in a difficult position, or have a problem to which no easy answer can be found.

to cost an arm and a leg

to be very expensive

to lose one's temper

to become very angry

to upset the apple cart

to cause trouble, especially by spoiling someone's plans Example: I often thought about confronting my own mother about certain things, but in the end it wasn't worth it to me____________.

to give one the creeps

to create a feeling of disgust or horror

on the sly

to do something secretly because you should not be doing it Example: He drives his mother's car _________ while she's at work.

to give someone the ax

to fire someone

bulldoze

to force someone to do something, although they might not want to. Ex. She _________ her daughter into buying a new dress

to lay off

to give up or stop doing something. Example:They ain't getting my friend. They can _______ that.

to be snowed under

to have so much work that you have problems dealing with it all

to ward off

to keep someone or something away or prevent something from happening or harming you Example: In the winter I take vitamin C "____________" colds.

to gaze

to look at something or someone for a long time, esp. in surprise, admiration, or because you are thinking about something else

to flinch

to make a sudden, small movement because of pain or fear. Ex. He didn't even __________ when the nurse cleaned the wound.

to break the news

to make something known

to stifle

to prevent something from happening, being expressed, or continuing Ex. She _______ a cough/yawn/scream/sneeze. / I don't know how I managed to _________ my anger

to loosen up

to relax

to hit a snag

to run into an unexpected problem

to pry

to try to find out private facts about a person

to pin one's hopes on something

to want that thing or person to bring success Example: They __________________ on the new technology.

gloomy

unhappy and without hope Example: - a _______person/expression. - A cemetery is a _________ place.

whimsical

unusual and strange in a way that might be funny or annoying

skeezy

used to describe someone, especially a man, who is strange and unpleasant

gnarly

used to describe something extreme, especially something that is very dangerous and exciting Ex. The waves were what surfers would call "pretty ______".

sharp as a tack

very intelligent

boisterous

(adj.) rough and noisy in a cheerful way; high-spirited

to twitch

(to cause) to make a sudden small movement with a part of the body, usually without intending to

to belittle

(v.) to make something appear smaller than it is; to refer to in a way that suggests lack of importance or value Examples: Though she had spent hours fixing the computer, he _____________ her efforts. Stop ________________ yourself - your work is highly valued.

to frisk

1 - move about playfully; ADJ. frisky: playful 2 - to use your hands to search someone's clothes and body for hidden objects or weapons

to grope

1 - to feel with your hands, especially in order to find or move towards something when you cannot see easily 2 - to touch someone's body in order to get sexual pleasure, usually when the person does not like it:

mighty

1 - very 2 - strong, big, impressive

rock solid

Def. 1 - totally secure and reliable Def. 2 - unlikely to change, fail or collapse.

to slurp

To eat or drink (something) noisily or with a sucking sound

dead-end job

a job that won't lead to anything else

swampy

a land is soft and very wet

mound

a large pile of something

potluck

a meal or party to which each of the guests contributes a dish. Example: We're having a __________ on Saturday.

to scourge

a person or thing that causes great trouble or misfortune The country has been ___________ by (= has suffered very much because of) famine in recent years.