retake_PNJA: Reading and Writing_test 1

a blessing in disguise

something which appears bad at first but then turns out favourably

a bolt from the blue

suddenly

a brainwave

sudden clever idea/thought

a clatter of sounds

a series of loud, chaotic noises

a man of few words

a person who speaks very little, often conveying more with actions

abandon

leave behind or give up

abrupt manners

rude or curt behaviour, often without regard for others' feelings

accustomed to something

to become familiar with or used to something

acquaint somebody with something

make someone familiar with something

acquainted with somebody/something

to be familiar or knowledgeable about someone or something

acronym

an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of words

act on something

take action based on information or advice

act one’s age

behave in a manner appropriate for one’s age

act out

express emotions through behaviour, often in an exaggerated way

act up

behave badly or malfunction

agree to differ/disagree

stop arguing because there is no chance of agreement

all along

from the beginning

all but

nearly, almost/except

all in

exhausted

all in all

when everything is considered

all the same

yet, however

all told

altogether

alternative

a different option or choice

ample evidence

a large amount of proof

animated discussion

a lively and engaging conversation

applicant

a person who applies for a job, position, or opportunity

apprentice

a person who learns a trade or skill through hands-on experience, often under the guidance of an expert

argue about something

disagree or debate something with others

assess student’s progress

to evaluate how well a student is doing in their studies or learning

assessor

a person who evaluates or judges something, often in an academic or professional setting

at all costs

no matter what the effort or sacrifice required

at one’s request

because someone asked for it

at the crack of dawn

very early in the morning

attain

succeed in reaching or achieving something

attend a lesson

to be present for a class or educational session

auditory

related to hearing

backbone

(1) the spine, the central support structure, (2) strength of character or resolve

bad news travels fast

negative information spreads quickly

bandy about

to talk about something casually or often, especially rumours or ideas

bark up the wrong tree

have a false idea about something

basic

simple or essential

be a fool to do something

act unwisely or carelessly

be amplified

to become stronger, louder, or more intense

be averse to something

strongly dislike or oppose

be baffled by

be confused or puzzled by something

be beside oneself with anger/excitement

to be extremely angry/excited

be broke

have no/very little money

be cruel to

treat someone or something harshly or unkindly

be duped by

to be deceived or tricked by something or someone

be excited about something

feel enthusiastic or eager about something

be full of beans

be very lively

be in somebody’s black books

be in disfavour or out of favour with others

be intent on something

be determined or focused on achieving something

be of/have no fixed abode

be homeless

be postponed

be delayed to a later time

be revived by

be brought back to life or activity by something

be the apple of somebody’s eye

be very precious to somebody; be somebody’s favourite

be the odd one out

be different or not conform to the group

be thrown off balance

be surprised/confused

be unversed in

to be inexperienced or not knowledgeable about something

be up in the arms

be very angry

be used routinely

be regularly used

beam

smile broadly or radiate happiness

bear with somebody

to be patient with someone, especially during a challenging or frustrating situation

beat about/around the bush

avoid saying what one means directly

beginner’s course

a course designed for beginners in a particular subject or activity

behind bars

in prison

below the belt

cruel and unfair

bide one’s time

wait for a good opportunity

big cheese

person with important job/position

bite off more than one can chew

to take on more tasks or responsibilities than one can handle

black and blue all over

covered with bruises

blaze a trail

discover/explore something new

blow a hole in

to damage or disprove something significantly, usually an argument or theory

blow one’s top

lose one's temper suddenly

blue-eyed boy/golden boy

a favoured person

boarding school

a school where students live during the term, as well as attend classes

boast about something

talk proudly about one's achievements or possessions

break away

escape or detach from something

break down

(1) stop working, (2) lose emotional control

break even

show neither profit nor loss

break in on

interrupt something or someone

break off

end suddenly or abruptly

break out

(1) escape from confinement, (2) sudden appearance, often of something negative

break the ice

to initiate conversation or activities in a social setting, making people feel more comfortable

break the news

announce or reveal important or surprising information

break up

(1) end a relationship, (2) split into smaller parts

browned off

fed up; bored

bursaries scheme

a program that provides financial assistance or grants to students to help with their education costs

butter somebody up

flatter somebody

buttress one’s explanation

to support or strengthen an explanation or argument with additional evidence or reasoning

by and large

on the whole, generally speaking

by luck

as a result of chance or fortune

by means of

using a particular method or tool to achieve something

by popular request

due to strong demand or suggestion from many people

by virtue of

because of, or due to, a particular factor

by word of mouth

spread through spoken communication, often informally

call for

to require or demand something

call into question

to doubt or challenge something

call off

to cancel something