Lexico 2 (DHDBB 24-25)

insatiable appetite for

📌an intense, never-ending desire or craving for something—so strong that it can't be fully satisfied

She has an == for knowledge.

The media has an == for celebrity gossip.

stay true to sth

STAY

📌remain loyal, faithful, or consistent with a belief, value, principle, or identity—even when it's difficult.

Examples:

She always stays == to her values, no matter the pressure.

Intersperse A with B

📌To scatter or distribute small amounts of one thing within or between another.

put B at intervals throughout A

spread A throughout B

She == her speech with jokes to keep the audience engaged.

The book is == with beautiful illustrations.

chunk of tiresome N

describing a boring or exhausting part of something.

I spent the morning tackling a == of == paperwork.

be contemptuous of sth

📌show or feel strong dislike, disrespect, or scorn toward something, as if you think it's worthless or beneath you.

He was openly == of the rules, breaking them without hesitation.

She spoke in a == tone, clearly contemptuous of his efforts.

send sb on an errand

SEND

📌ask or instruct someone to go somewhere to do a small task—usually something practical like buying, delivering, or collecting something.

She sent her son on an == to buy some eggs.

be held responsible for

📌someone is considered accountable for something that has happened—especially if it's a mistake, wrongdoing, or consequence.

The manager was held == the project's failure.

be open to sth

OPEN

📌willing to consider, accept, or explore an idea, suggestion, experience, or change.

She's == new experiences.

dire warning

WARNING

📌very serious and urgent warning about something bad or dangerous that is likely to happen if no action is taken.

Scientists issued a == about the effects of climate change.

weather a storm

WEATHER

📌Survive or endure a difficult situation—especially one filled with trouble, pressure, or danger—without giving up or being destroyed.

They == of financial hardship and came out stronger.

there being nothing to do

khong co gi de lam

There being nothing to do, we went home early.

push up the daisies

DAISY

📌"To be dead and buried"

Often used lightly or jokingly to soften the harshness of talking about death.

He's not around anymore—he's == daisies.

knock on wood

WOOD

📌superstitious expression people use to ward off bad luck after mentioning something good or hopeful.

You say it after expressing hope or good fortune, to avoid "jinxing" it.

It's based on an old belief that spirits in wood could protect you if you touched or knocked on it.

I've never had COVID, == wood

sheer madness

MADNESS

📌completely crazy, irrational, or wildly out of control. It emphasizes the intensity or extremity of the situation or behavior being described.

The traffic during the holiday season is ==.

keep on ice

ICE

📌To keep something on ice means to physically store it in cold conditions (such as in a cooler or fridge) to preserve it, especially food or drinks.

== the drinks on ice until the guests arrive.

📌delay or postpone something—often an idea, plan, or decision—until the right moment or until further notice.

I think we should == that idea == ice for now and revisit it next month.

📌temporarily distance or keep someone or something in a waiting state—usually in a situation where a decision or commitment is being delayed.

She's == her options on ice, not sure whether to accept the new job offer yet.

set a bad precedent

SET

📌to set a bad example

By accepting the bribe, the manager set a bad == for the whole company.

collapse peace talks

📌failure or breakdown of negotiations aimed at reaching a peaceful agreement, typically between two or more parties involved in a conflict or dispute

rally a great deal

DEAL

📌express the idea of gathering or accumulating a large amount of something, typically in a situation where there's a sense of effort, support, or momentum.

The organization was able to == a great deal of support for the charity event.

Word of mouth

📌information passed through personal communication rather than media or advertising.

The restaurant became popular through ==.

rule of thumb

THUMB

📌A simple, broad guideline that is applied in most situations, but may not work in every case.

A good == when traveling is to always keep your passport in a safe place.

juice up

UP

📌To enhance or improve something (usually by adding energy, excitement, or power)

We need to == the presentation with some graphics to make it more engaging.

since time immemorial

SINCE

📌a time so long ago that it is beyond memory or recorded history. It suggests something that has been in existence for an incredibly long period, often implying that it goes back to the earliest known times.

The village has been a place of pilgrimage since ==.

lose sb's bearing

LOSE

📌to become disoriented or confused about where you are or what you're doing, both literally and figuratively.

When the fog rolled in, I lost == and couldn't find the trail.

ring in sb's ear

RING

📌a persistent sound or noise that continues to bother someone, particularly a high-pitched ringing in the ear

💐OPP:

Stick in one's mind

Keep ringing in one's head

Echo in one's thoughts

Her words kept == my ear long after the argument was over.

keep sb's ear open

EAR

📌Stay alert or attentive to listen for important information, updates, or news

== your ear == for any updates about the meeting.

She kept == for gossip at the office.

a shred of evidence

EVIDENCE

📌a very small amount or trace of evidence that may be used to support a claim, accusation, or belief. It's often used to indicate that there is barely any proof, or the slightest indication of something.

There wasn't a == of evidence to prove his innocence.

feel it sb's duty

FEEL

📌someone believes it is their responsibility or obligation to do something. This feeling of duty often arises from personal conviction, moral principles, or societal expectations.

He felt == to help the elderly neighbor with her groceries.

sober affair

AFFAIR

📌an event or situation that is serious, restrained, or lacking in festivity or excitement. It doesn't necessarily relate to alcohol—it more often refers to the mood or tone of the situation.

The funeral was a == affair, marked by quiet reflection and solemn speeches

pin down to sb

PIN

📌Attribute responsibility, blame, or a specific action to a particular person, often with effort or difficulty.

We tried to == the mistake == John, but there wasn't enough evidence.

→ They tried to hold John responsible, but couldn't prove it.

suck up to sb

SUCK

📌To flatter or behave excessively nice toward someone in power, often to gain favor or advantages.

"He's always sucking == the boss, hoping for a promotion."→ He flatters the boss to try to get promoted.

be a congenital liar

📌They lie habitually and instinctively, as if it were part of their nature—almost like they were born that way.

as flat as a pancake

CAKE

📌describe something that is completely flat, often surprisingly or unnaturally so.

That part of the countryside is a== pancake—not a single hill in sight.

an unknown quantity

UNKNOWN

📌A person or thing whose nature, abilities, or potential is not yet known or understood, making them unpredictable or uncertain.

"The new player is an unknown ==—he might be brilliant, or a total flop."

A whirlwind romance

ROMANCE

📌A very passionate, intense, and fast-moving romantic relationship that develops in a short period of time, often leading quickly to commitment—sometimes marriage.

"They met in June and were married by August—a true == romance."

by the same token

SAME

📌For the same reason or in a similar way—used to introduce a parallel or related point.

"He didn't like the movie. == same ==, he's never enjoyed romantic comedies."

carve a niche for oneself

NICHE

📌To establish a unique position, role, or reputation for yourself—usually through effort, skill, or specialization, especially in a competitive field.

"She == a niche == in the fashion industry with her minimalist, sustainable designs."

shrink sb's duty

DUTY

📌avoid or neglect one's responsibilities or to minimize the importance of tasks or obligations.

It often has a negative connotation, implying a failure to fulfill one's duties, either due to fear, reluctance, or unwillingness.

"He tried to == his duty by passing the task to someone else."

→ He avoided doing his part by giving the responsibility to someone else.

each one of [sb]

📌every individual person in a specific group of people, often emphasizing their uniqueness or individuality within that group.

"== of them had a different perspective on the issue."

Ticket camping

CAMPING

📌act of waiting in line for an extended period of time—often overnight or for several days—in order to secure tickets to a highly sought-after event, such as a concert, sports game, or a special sale.

"Fans started == outside the stadium days before the concert tickets went on sale."

→ People waited outside for a long time to make sure they could buy tickets.

get a word in edgewise

EDGE

📌being able to speak or contribute to a conversation when it's difficult because others are speaking continuously or loudly.

"It's hard to == when he starts talking about his new project."→ It's difficult to interrupt or add anything to the conversation because he dominates it.

political wrangle

POLITICAL

📌disagreement, dispute, or argument in a political context. It usually involves competing interests or opposing viewpoints among politicians, political parties, or governments, and often leads to heated debates or complex negotiations.

"The country was caught in a political == over the new tax reforms."

riot police

POLICE

📌handle violent or unruly crowds, typically during protests, demonstrations, or civil unrest. Their primary goal is to maintain order and prevent the escalation of violence. Riot police are often equipped with protective gear and non-lethal weapons to manage large-scale disturbances.

"The government deployed == police to control the protesters who were marching through the streets."→ Riot police were sent in to prevent violence and restore order during the protest.

on academic credential

ACADEMY

📌something that is based on or related to educational qualifications, degrees, or certifications.

The job application was based ==s, so the focus was on degrees and certifications."

→ The decision was made primarily by considering formal education.

be in deadly earnest about

EARNEST

📌be completely serious, sincere, and determined about something—without any joking, exaggeration, or hesitation.

"She was == about changing the world through education."

→ She was completely sincere and committed to it.

fly into a rage

FLY

📌suddenly become extremely angry, often with little warning

"He flew == when he saw the broken vase."

→ He became furiously angry very suddenly.

a new lease of life

LIFE

📌A fresh start or renewed energy, health, or opportunity**, especially after difficulty, illness, or decline.

After the surgery, she was given a == life.

→ Her health and energy were restored.

be in haste

IN

📌be in hurry

"He was in == and forgot his wallet."

drift off

OFF

📌To slowly fall asleep 😴

"He == while watching the movie."

→ He slowly fell asleep.

📌To lose attention or concentration

"Her mind == during the long meeting."

→ She stopped focusing and mentally wandered.

pop off

OFF

📌To die suddenly (informal, slightly humorous or irreverent) 💀

"He just == in his sleep at 92."

→ He died quietly and unexpectedly.

📌 To leave suddenly or go somewhere quickly (British English, casual) 🏃‍♂️

"I'm just == to the shop—need anything?"

→ I'm going quickly and coming back soon.

📌To suddenly get very angry or start yelling (slang) 😡

"She == when she heard the news."

→ She lost her temper or exploded emotionally.

📌To shoot or fire something (military/slang) 🔫

"The soldier == a few rounds before retreating."→ He fired shots quickly.

as against

AS

📌To compare one thing with another, often to highlight a difference or opposition.

"Profits rose to $2 million == $1.2 million last year."