Unit 21: Social status

Toffee-nosed

thinks he is of a high social class and looks down on people of lower class (negative)

Ex: He's very nice and friendly, but his brother is very toffee-nosed.

Put on/give one's self airs and graces

acting as if you were someone of a high social class than you really are

Ex: Don't try putting on/giving yourself airs and graces. Remember, I know that you come from a very ordinary family.

A pillar of society

a solid, respectable and respected member of society

Ex: Everyone was shocked to hear he was involved in crime. He was such a pillar of society.

A rough diamond

a person who seems impolite / of low education at first, but who is usually of good character

Ex: Her new boyfriend's a bit of a rough diamond, but he's very nice really.

Down-and-outs

people who have no home, no money and no job, who live on the streets Ex: She's always giving money to down-and-outs and anyone who begs in the street.

Keep up appearances

continue to live at the same social standard we have lived at, even though we have money problems

Ex: We can't really afford new furniture, but we have to keep up appearances, so we'll buy some.

A high-flyer

someone who has a lot of ability and a strong wish to be successful and is therefore expected to achieve a lot (người thành đạt, người viển vông, người nhiều tham vọng)

Ex: He was a high-flyer in the world of computers in the 1990s, and went on to become a dot.com millionaire.

Make a name for one’s self

become well-known

Ex: He first made a name for himself in the world of classical music.

On one’s way up

rise to better and better positions

Ex: Edward Briggs is definitely on his way up in the financial world.

Up-and-coming

becoming more and more popular/famous

Ex: She's one of several up-and-coming actresses who have appeared in the new TV drama.

New blood

A new person from outside the company

Ex; The company needed a new blood and she provided it. Within months, sales had risen dramatically.

Keep a low profile

to avoid attracting attention to yourself

Ex: I prefer to keep a low profile at work. I’m not interested in promotion.

Anybody who is anybody

Important people

Ex: Oh, you must come to the party! Anybody who is anybody will be there.

The odd one out

different from anyone else

Ex: Harriet always seems to be the odd one out. She never seems to fit in socially.

Politically correct

A politically correct word or expression is used instead of another one to avoid being offensive, usually in a slightly negative way to suggest that it is slightly ridiculous to be so careful about choosing words that do not offend anyone.

Ex: You can’t call someone “unemployed” anymore. The politically correct name is “unwaged”.