Unit 8 - Gold Experience B2

admiration

Meaning: a feeling of respect and approval for someone or something

Example 1: I have a lot of admiration for people who build their own businesses.

Example 2: She looked at her coach with admiration.

Pattern / Usage: noun; admiration for + person/thing

Spanish: admiración

anti-social

Meaning: not wanting to spend time with other people, or behaving in a way that harms society

Example 1: He isn't rude; he's just a bit anti-social after a long day.

Example 2: Anti-social behaviour can make public spaces feel unsafe.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; note two meanings

Spanish: antisocial

arrogant

Meaning: behaving as if you are better or more important than other people

Example 1: He sounded arrogant in the interview.

Example 2: Confidence is good, but try not to come across as arrogant.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: arrogante

be good fun

Meaning: to be enjoyable and pleasant to spend time with

Example 1: She's good fun to be around.

Example 2: The trip was hard work, but it was good fun.

Pattern / Usage: British phrase; be good fun / be fun to be around

Spanish: ser divertido/a; ser buena compañía

cheerful

Meaning: happy, positive, and pleasant

Example 1: She's always cheerful in the morning.

Example 2: A cheerful attitude can improve the mood of the whole team.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: alegre

cooperative

Meaning: willing to work with other people and do what is needed

Example 1: The staff were friendly and cooperative.

Example 2: He became more cooperative once we explained the reason for the change.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; cooperate → cooperative

Spanish: cooperativo/a

courageous

Meaning: very brave, especially in a difficult or dangerous situation

Example 1: It was courageous of her to admit the mistake publicly.

Example 2: The firefighters made a courageous rescue.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; courage → courageous

Spanish: valiente

courteous

Meaning: polite and respectful

Example 1: The receptionist was courteous and helpful.

Example 2: Please remain courteous even if you disagree.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; formal

Spanish: cortés

defensive

Meaning: quick to protect yourself from criticism or attack

Example 1: He became defensive when I asked about the delay.

Example 2: Try not to sound defensive when receiving feedback.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; defensive about + noun

Spanish: a la defensiva

demanding

Meaning: needing a lot of time, effort, skill, or attention

Example 1: It's a demanding job, but I enjoy it.

Example 2: The course is academically demanding.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; person/job/task can be demanding

Spanish: exigente

discipline

Meaning: the ability to control your behaviour and work consistently, or rules that control behaviour

Example 1: Learning a language requires discipline.

Example 2: The school has strict rules on discipline.

Pattern / Usage: noun; self-discipline is common

Spanish: disciplina

eccentric

Meaning: unusual and slightly strange in an interesting way

Example 1: The professor is brilliant but rather eccentric.

Example 2: He became famous for his eccentric clothes and ideas.

Pattern / Usage: adjective/noun

Spanish: excéntrico/a

flamboyant

Meaning: very confident, colourful, and noticeable in style or behaviour

Example 1: He has a flamboyant personality.

Example 2: The singer is known for her flamboyant outfits.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: extravagante; llamativo/a

flexibility

Meaning: the ability to change or adapt easily, or to bend physically

Example 1: Remote work gives me more flexibility.

Example 2: The role requires flexibility because priorities change quickly.

Pattern / Usage: noun; flexible → flexibility

Spanish: flexibilidad

honesty

Meaning: the quality of telling the truth and behaving sincerely

Example 1: I appreciate your honesty.

Example 2: Honesty is important when something has gone wrong.

Pattern / Usage: noun; honest → honesty

Spanish: honestidad

immature

Meaning: not behaving in a sensible or adult way

Example 1: His reaction was immature.

Example 2: She was too immature to handle the responsibility at the time.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; mature → immature

Spanish: inmaduro/a

irresponsible

Meaning: not showing enough care for the consequences of your actions

Example 1: It would be irresponsible to ignore the warning signs.

Example 2: The company was criticised for irresponsible behaviour.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; responsible → irresponsible

Spanish: irresponsable

loyalty

Meaning: the quality of continuing to support a person, group, or organisation

Example 1: Customer loyalty is valuable for any business.

Example 2: He showed great loyalty to his team.

Pattern / Usage: noun; loyal → loyalty; loyalty to + noun

Spanish: lealtad

pampered

Meaning: given so much attention or comfort that you become used to getting what you want

Example 1: The dog is completely pampered.

Example 2: He grew up in a wealthy family and was a little pampered.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; pamper → pampered

Spanish: mimado/a

possessive

Meaning: wanting to control someone or unwilling to share them or something you consider yours

Example 1: He can be very possessive in relationships.

Example 2: The child became possessive about her toys.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; possessive about/of + noun

Spanish: posesivo/a

spoiled

Meaning: given too much of what you want, making you behave badly or expect special treatment

Example 1: The child was spoiled by his grandparents.

Example 2: She isn't spoiled despite growing up with a lot of money.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; also British spelling 'spoilt'

Spanish: malcriado/a

stubborn

Meaning: unwilling to change your opinion or decision even when there are good reasons

Example 1: He's too stubborn to admit he was wrong.

Example 2: Her stubborn determination helped her finish the race.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; stubborn about + noun

Spanish: terco/a

sympathy

Meaning: a feeling of care and understanding for someone who has a problem or is suffering

Example 1: I have a lot of sympathy for people in that situation.

Example 2: She expressed sympathy after hearing the news.

Pattern / Usage: noun; sympathy for + person

Spanish: simpatía; compasión

talkative

Meaning: liking to talk a lot

Example 1: He's very talkative once he feels comfortable.

Example 2: The new student is friendly and talkative.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: hablador/a

thoughtful

Meaning: kind and considerate because you think about other people's needs

Example 1: It was thoughtful of you to call.

Example 2: She gave me a very thoughtful gift.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; thoughtful of + person + to + verb

Spanish: considerado/a; atento/a

willingness

Meaning: the quality of being ready and prepared to do something

Example 1: Her willingness to learn impressed the team.

Example 2: Success often depends on a willingness to change.

Pattern / Usage: noun; willingness to + verb

Spanish: disposición; voluntad

have a chat

Meaning: to have an informal conversation

Example 1: Can we have a quick chat after the meeting?

Example 2: I had a chat with my manager about the new role.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have a chat with + person / about + topic

Spanish: tener una charla

have a lot in common with

Meaning: to share many interests, experiences, or qualities with someone

Example 1: I have a lot in common with my cousin.

Example 2: They realised they had a lot in common despite coming from different countries.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have a lot/something/nothing in common with + person

Spanish: tener mucho en común con

have a word with (sb)

Meaning: to speak briefly to someone, often about something serious

Example 1: Can I have a word with you after class?

Example 2: The manager had a word with him about being late.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase; have a word with + person about + topic

Spanish: hablar brevemente/con seriedad con alguien

have difficulty with

Meaning: to find something hard to do or understand

Example 1: I have difficulty with very fast accents.

Example 2: She had difficulty understanding the instructions.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: have difficulty with + noun / have difficulty + -ing

Spanish: tener dificultad con

have nothing to do with

Meaning: to have no connection or involvement with something

Example 1: That decision has nothing to do with me.

Example 2: His resignation had nothing to do with the rumours.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase: have nothing/something to do with + noun

Spanish: no tener nada que ver con

have serious doubts about

Meaning: to be very unsure that something is true, good, or likely to work

Example 1: I have serious doubts about the timeline.

Example 2: She had serious doubts about accepting the offer.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have doubts about + noun/-ing

Spanish: tener serias dudas sobre

keep a secret

Meaning: to not tell other people information that is private

Example 1: Can you keep a secret?

Example 2: He promised to keep the plan a secret until Friday.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: keep a secret

Spanish: guardar un secreto

keep in touch

Meaning: to continue communicating with someone

Example 1: Let's keep in touch after the course.

Example 2: I still keep in touch with friends from university.

Pattern / Usage: phrase: keep in touch with + person

Spanish: mantenerse en contacto

keep (sb) waiting

Meaning: to make someone wait

Example 1: Sorry to keep you waiting.

Example 2: They kept us waiting for nearly an hour.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: keep + person + waiting

Spanish: hacer esperar a alguien

keep (sth) in mind

Meaning: to remember and consider something when making a decision

Example 1: Keep the budget in mind when choosing a supplier.

Example 2: I'll keep your suggestion in mind.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: keep/bear + something + in mind

Spanish: tener algo en cuenta

keep (sth) tidy

Meaning: to keep something clean and organised

Example 1: Try to keep your desk tidy.

Example 2: We need to keep the shared kitchen tidy.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: keep + object + adjective

Spanish: mantener algo ordenado

keep your mouth shut

Meaning: to not tell anyone something, especially a secret

Example 1: Keep your mouth shut about the surprise party.

Example 2: He knew the plan but kept his mouth shut.

Pattern / Usage: informal idiom; can sound rude

Spanish: mantener la boca cerrada; no decir nada

carry on (doing sth)

Meaning: to continue doing something

Example 1: Carry on working while I answer the phone.

Example 2: She carried on studying even though she was tired.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; carry on + -ing

Spanish: seguir haciendo algo

clear (sth) up

Meaning: to explain or solve something confusing, or make a place tidy

Example 1: Let's clear up the misunderstanding before the meeting.

Example 2: I need to clear the kitchen up after dinner.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; separable: clear + object + up

Spanish: aclarar/resolver algo

come across (as)

Meaning: to seem or give a particular impression to other people

Example 1: He comes across as confident, not arrogant.

Example 2: She came across as very professional in the interview.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: come across as + adjective/noun

Spanish: dar la impresión de ser

fill sb in on sth

Meaning: to give someone the information they have missed

Example 1: Can you fill me in on what happened at the meeting?

Example 2: I'll fill Sarah in on the changes later.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: fill + person + in on + topic

Spanish: poner a alguien al tanto de algo

get along (with)

Meaning: to have a friendly relationship with someone

Example 1: I get along well with my colleagues.

Example 2: Do you get along with your siblings?

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: get along with + person; AmE; BrE 'get on with'

Spanish: llevarse bien con

get over (sth)

Meaning: to recover from an illness, disappointment, or difficult experience

Example 1: It took him weeks to get over the flu.

Example 2: She eventually got over the disappointment.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: get over + illness/problem/person

Spanish: superar algo

hang out (with)

Meaning: to spend relaxed, informal time with someone

Example 1: I usually hang out with friends on Friday nights.

Example 2: We hung out at the park after class.

Pattern / Usage: informal phrasal verb: hang out with + person / at + place

Spanish: pasar el rato con

look up to (sb)

Meaning: to admire and respect someone

Example 1: I've always looked up to my older brother.

Example 2: Young players look up to successful professionals.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: look up to + person

Spanish: admirar a alguien

put sb off (doing sth)

Meaning: to make someone lose interest in or not want to do something

Example 1: The long commute put me off taking the job.

Example 2: Don't let the cold weather put you off going outside.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: put + person + off + -ing

Spanish: quitarle a alguien las ganas de hacer algo

put up with

Meaning: to tolerate something unpleasant

Example 1: I can't put up with the noise any longer.

Example 2: She put up with a difficult commute for years.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: put up with + noun/-ing

Spanish: aguantar/tolerar

reach out to

Meaning: to contact someone in order to communicate, offer help, or ask for help

Example 1: I reached out to an old colleague for advice.

Example 2: The charity reaches out to families who need support.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: reach out to + person/group

Spanish: acercarse/contactar para ofrecer ayuda

speak up

Meaning: to speak more loudly, or to express your opinion openly

Example 1: Could you speak up? I can't hear you.

Example 2: Employees should feel able to speak up when something is wrong.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; intransitive

Spanish: hablar más fuerte; hacerse oír

stand up for (sth/sb)

Meaning: to defend or support someone or something

Example 1: You should stand up for yourself.

Example 2: She stood up for a colleague who was being treated unfairly.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: stand up for + person/idea

Spanish: defender algo/a alguien

take up with (sb)

Meaning: to begin spending time with or forming a relationship with someone

Example 1: He took up with a new group of friends.

Example 2: Her parents worried when she took up with people they didn't trust.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb; somewhat old-fashioned/informal

Spanish: relacionarse/empezar a juntarse con alguien

bear (sth) in mind

Meaning: to remember and consider something

Example 1: Bear in mind that prices may change.

Example 2: We should bear the deadline in mind when planning the work.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: bear + something + in mind; more formal than 'keep in mind'

Spanish: tener algo en cuenta

build up your strength

Meaning: to gradually become physically stronger

Example 1: After the injury, she had to build up her strength slowly.

Example 2: Walking every day can help you build up your strength.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: build up + strength/confidence

Spanish: aumentar/recuperar tu fuerza

have a negative effect (on)

Meaning: to cause something to become worse

Example 1: Lack of sleep can have a negative effect on concentration.

Example 2: The new tax could have a negative effect on investment.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have an effect on + noun

Spanish: tener un efecto negativo en

have nothing to lose

Meaning: to be in a situation where trying something cannot make things worse

Example 1: Apply for the job—you have nothing to lose.

Example 2: We had nothing to lose, so we decided to take the risk.

Pattern / Usage: idiom

Spanish: no tener nada que perder

pay attention to

Meaning: to actively notice, listen to, or think about something

Example 1: Pay attention to how native speakers use the phrase.

Example 2: You need to pay attention to the details.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: pay attention to + noun/-ing

Spanish: prestar atención a

pick yourself up off the floor

Meaning: to get back up after falling, literally or figuratively

Example 1: He picked himself up off the floor and kept running.

Example 2: After the failure, she picked herself up and tried again.

Pattern / Usage: idiom/literal phrase; reflexive pronoun changes

Spanish: levantarte del suelo

set yourself a goal

Meaning: to choose a specific objective for yourself

Example 1: Set yourself a realistic goal for this month.

Example 2: I set myself a goal of reading one article a day.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: set yourself a goal of + -ing

Spanish: ponerte un objetivo

take a deep breath

Meaning: to breathe in slowly and deeply, often to calm yourself

Example 1: Take a deep breath before you start speaking.

Example 2: She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: take a deep breath

Spanish: respirar hondo

there's no point in (doing sth)

Meaning: used to say that doing something is useless because it will not help

Example 1: There's no point in arguing about something we can't change.

Example 2: There's no point in leaving early if the road is closed.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: there's no point in + -ing

Spanish: no tiene sentido hacer algo

waste time (doing sth)

Meaning: to use time on something that is not useful or necessary

Example 1: Don't waste time worrying about small mistakes.

Example 2: I wasted an hour trying to fix the wrong file.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: waste time + -ing / waste time on + noun

Spanish: perder tiempo haciendo algo

appreciate

Meaning: to recognise the value of something or be grateful for it

Example 1: I really appreciate your help.

Example 2: You learn to appreciate free time when you're very busy.

Pattern / Usage: verb; appreciate + noun/-ing; NOT usually 'appreciate to'

Spanish: apreciar; valorar

belief

Meaning: an idea that you think is true or a strong opinion or faith

Example 1: His belief in the project never changed.

Example 2: The decision was based on the belief that demand would grow.

Pattern / Usage: noun; belief in + noun / belief that + clause

Spanish: creencia

compulsory

Meaning: required by a rule or law; not optional

Example 1: Attendance is compulsory.

Example 2: The course includes a compulsory internship.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; compulsory for + person

Spanish: obligatorio/a

crash course

Meaning: a short, intensive course that teaches the basics quickly

Example 1: I did a crash course in Excel before starting the job.

Example 2: She took a crash course in Italian before the trip.

Pattern / Usage: noun collocation: crash course in + subject

Spanish: curso intensivo

creepy

Meaning: strange or frightening in a way that makes you uncomfortable

Example 1: The empty house felt creepy at night.

Example 2: That message was a little creepy.

Pattern / Usage: informal adjective

Spanish: inquietante; que da mala espina

duo

Meaning: two people who perform or work together

Example 1: The musical duo released a new album.

Example 2: They make a strong presenting duo.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun; duo of + people

Spanish: dúo

exhilarating

Meaning: extremely exciting and enjoyable

Example 1: The bike ride down the mountain was exhilarating.

Example 2: Starting a company can be both stressful and exhilarating.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; exhilarate → exhilarating

Spanish: emocionante; estimulante

get rid of

Meaning: to remove, throw away, or stop having something unwanted

Example 1: I need to get rid of some old clothes.

Example 2: The new process got rid of several unnecessary steps.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase/phrasal verb: get rid of + noun

Spanish: deshacerse de

head (in a direction)

Meaning: to move or travel in a particular direction

Example 1: We headed north after breakfast.

Example 2: I'm heading home now.

Pattern / Usage: verb; head for/towards + place / head north/south

Spanish: dirigirse hacia

lunatic

Meaning: a person who behaves in an extremely foolish or wild way

Example 1: He drove like a lunatic.

Example 2: Only a lunatic would try that without training.

Pattern / Usage: informal noun; can be offensive in mental-health contexts, so use mainly figuratively

Spanish: lunático/a; loco/a

make allowances (for sb/sth)

Meaning: to be more understanding because of someone's situation or a difficulty

Example 1: We should make allowances for people who are new to the system.

Example 2: The schedule makes allowances for bad weather.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: make allowances for + person/thing

Spanish: ser comprensivo/a; tener en cuenta circunstancias

miracle

Meaning: an extraordinary event that seems impossible or very unlikely

Example 1: It's a miracle nobody was hurt.

Example 2: We need a small miracle to finish this by tomorrow.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun; it's a miracle that + clause

Spanish: milagro

mutter

Meaning: to speak quietly and unclearly, often because you are annoyed

Example 1: He muttered something under his breath.

Example 2: She muttered an apology and walked away.

Pattern / Usage: verb; mutter + words / mutter to yourself

Spanish: murmurar

slouch

Meaning: to sit, stand, or walk with your shoulders bent forward

Example 1: Don't slouch at your desk all day.

Example 2: He slouched in the chair during the meeting.

Pattern / Usage: verb/noun

Spanish: encorvarse; estar desgarbado/a

stream

Meaning: to watch or listen to media over the internet without downloading the whole file first

Example 1: We streamed the match live.

Example 2: I usually stream music while I work.

Pattern / Usage: verb; stream + film/music/game

Spanish: transmitir/reproducir por streaming

venue

Meaning: the place where an event happens

Example 1: The conference venue is close to the airport.

Example 2: We need a larger venue for the final.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun; venue for + event

Spanish: lugar/sede de