AN OLD CHARACTER (Practice test 4 - Ms.Q)

low-pressure (adj.)

Meaning: Relaxed and not involving much stress or urgency.
Example: "The team enjoyed the low-pressure atmosphere of the creative workshop."

laid-back (adj.)

Meaning: Having a relaxed and easygoing style or character.
Example: "He has a very laid-back attitude toward deadlines."

offhand (adj./adv.)

Meaning: Done without prior thought or preparation; casual.
Example: "I didn't mean to offend you; it was just an offhand remark."

outburst (noun)

Meaning: A sudden release of strong emotion, such as anger or laughter.
Example: "She regretted her sudden outburst of anger during the meeting."

outbreak (noun)

Meaning: A sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as a disease or war.
Example: "The school closed early to prevent an outbreak of the flu."

breakout (noun)

Meaning: A sudden escape or the start of something; often used for products or people becoming famous.
Example: "The breakout of several inmates sparked a city-wide search."

blow-ups (noun)

Meaning: Sudden outbursts of anger or intense arguments.
Example: "There were several blow-ups in the locker room after the team lost the game."

bleak (adj.)

Meaning: Cold, miserable, or lacking in hope.
Example: "The future looked bleak after the factory closed down."

clashing (adj.)

Meaning: Conflicting or mismatched, especially regarding colors or opinions.
Example: "The clashing patterns on her shirt and skirt were quite distracting."

petty (adj.)

Meaning: Of little importance; trivial or small-minded.
Example: "They wasted hours arguing over petty details that didn't matter."

babyish (adj.)

Meaning: Immature or typical of a baby; childish.
Example: "His babyish behavior made it hard for others to take him seriously."

at rest (phrase)

Meaning: Not moving; in a state of sleep, relaxation, or death.
Example: "Objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless acted upon by a force."

homely (adj.)

Meaning: Simple, cozy, and plain; in British English, it means comfortable, while in American English, it can mean unattractive.
Example: "The cottage had a homely feel with its warm fire and soft rugs."

in comfort (phrase)

Meaning: In a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.
Example: "They lived in comfort in their retirement home."

tag along (verb)

Meaning: To follow or go with someone else, especially when uninvited.
Example: "Mind if I tag along with you to the grocery store?"

confined (adj.)

Meaning: Restricted in area or volume; cramped.
Example: "He felt uncomfortable in the confined space of the elevator."

cramped (adj.)

Meaning: Uncomfortably small or tight; lacking enough space.
Example: "The apartment was too cramped for a family of five."

hassle (noun/verb)

Meaning: An irritating inconvenience or to annoy someone repeatedly.
Example: "Applying for a visa can be a real hassle."

rumble (noun/verb)

Meaning: A continuous deep, heavy sound, or a street fight.
Example: "We could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance."

on the spur of the moment (phrase)

Meaning: Suddenly and without prior planning or thought.
Example: "We decided to go to the movies on the spur of the moment."

switch up (verb)

Meaning: To change or vary something; to try a different approach.
Example: "The coach decided to switch up the strategy for the second half."

trigger on (verb)

Meaning: To cause a particular reaction or process to begin.
Example: "Certain smells can trigger on memories from childhood."

start on (verb)

Meaning: To begin doing something or start criticizing/discussing a topic.
Example: "Don't get her started on the problems with the local government."

stir up (verb)

Meaning: To provoke or cause trouble, emotions, or controversy.
Example: "His comments were intended to stir up trouble among the staff."

have an air (about) (phrase)

Meaning: To have a certain quality, appearance, or aura.
Example: "The old mansion had an air of mystery about it."

tinker with (verb)

Meaning: To make small changes to something in an attempt to repair or improve it.
Example: "He spent all Sunday tinkering with the radio in the garage."

day-to-day life (noun phrase)

Meaning: The routine activities and habits that make up one's daily existence.
Example: "Smartphones have become an essential part of day-to-day life."

frequent (adj./verb)

Meaning: Happening often (adj) or to visit a place often (verb).
Example: "They were frequent visitors to the local library."

outbid (verb)

Meaning: To offer a higher price than someone else at an auction.
Example: "We tried to buy the painting but were outbid by a private collector."

outbreak (noun)

Meaning: A sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as a disease or war.
Example: "The school closed early to prevent an outbreak of the flu."

breakout (noun)

Meaning: A sudden escape or the start of something; often used for products or people becoming famous.
Example: "The breakout of several inmates sparked a city-wide search."

blow-ups (noun)

Meaning: Sudden outbursts of anger or intense arguments.
Example: "There were several blow-ups in the locker room after the team lost the game."

bleak (adj.)

Meaning: Cold, miserable, or lacking in hope.
Example: "The future looked bleak after the factory closed down."

clashing (adj.)

Meaning: Conflicting or mismatched, especially regarding colors or opinions.
Example: "The clashing patterns on her shirt and skirt were quite distracting."

petty (adj.)

Meaning: Of little importance; trivial or small-minded.
Example: "They wasted hours arguing over petty details that didn't matter."

babyish (adj.)

Meaning: Immature or typical of a baby; childish.
Example: "His babyish behavior made it hard for others to take him seriously."

at rest (phrase)

Meaning: Not moving; in a state of sleep, relaxation, or death.
Example: "Objects at rest tend to stay at rest unless acted upon by a force."

homely (adj.)

Meaning: Simple, cozy, and plain; in British English, it means comfortable, while in American English, it can mean unattractive.
Example: "The cottage had a homely feel with its warm fire and soft rugs."

in comfort (phrase)

Meaning: In a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint.
Example: "They lived in comfort in their retirement home."

tag along (verb)

Meaning: To follow or go with someone else, especially when uninvited.
Example: "Mind if I tag along with you to the grocery store?"

confined (adj.)

Meaning: Restricted in area or volume; cramped.
Example: "He felt uncomfortable in the confined space of the elevator."

cramped (adj.)

Meaning: Uncomfortably small or tight; lacking enough space.
Example: "The apartment was too cramped for a family of five."

hassle (noun/verb)

Meaning: An irritating inconvenience or to annoy someone repeatedly.
Example: "Applying for a visa can be a real hassle."

rumble (noun/verb)

Meaning: A continuous deep, heavy sound, or a street fight.
Example: "We could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance."

on the spur of the moment (phrase)

Meaning: Suddenly and without prior planning or thought.
Example: "We decided to go to the movies on the spur of the moment."

switch up (verb)

Meaning: To change or vary something; to try a different approach.
Example: "The coach decided to switch up the strategy for the second half."

trigger on (verb)

Meaning: To cause a particular reaction or process to begin.
Example: "Certain smells can trigger on memories from childhood."

start on (verb)

Meaning: To begin doing something or start criticizing/discussing a topic.
Example: "Don't get her started on the problems with the local government."

stir up (verb)

Meaning: To provoke or cause trouble, emotions, or controversy.
Example: "His comments were intended to stir up trouble among the staff."

have an air (about) (phrase)

Meaning: To have a certain quality, appearance, or aura.
Example: "The old mansion had an air of mystery about it."

tinker with (verb)

Meaning: To make small changes to something in an attempt to repair or improve it.
Example: "He spent all Sunday tinkering with the radio in the garage."

day-to-day life (noun phrase)

Meaning: The routine activities and habits that make up one's daily existence.
Example: "Smartphones have become an essential part of day-to-day life."

frequent (adj./verb)

Meaning: Happening often (adj) or to visit a place often (verb).
Example: "They were frequent visitors to the local library."

outbid (verb)

Meaning: To offer a higher price than someone else at an auction.
Example: "We tried to buy the painting but were outbid by a private collector."