ENG

A bigger fish to fry

more important things to do

a cloud hanging over someone or something

make one have a feeling of distrust, pessimism or uncertainty (e.g A cloud hangs over the people as there are no signs of a cure for covid-19 in sight.

a cloud on the horizon

problem likely to happen in the future

a place in the sun

a very good, lucky or successful position

abate

to lessen

aberration

something that differs from the norm

Abhorred

regard with disgust and hatred

Abide

to put up with, to tolerate

Abyss

a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm

acclimatised

adapted

accord

give or grant someone/agreement

acquiesce

to give in

Acutely

intensely

Admonished

warn or reprimand someone firmly

adulating

flattering

adulation

praise or flattery that is excessive

adverse

(adj) unfavorable, negative; working against, hostile

affinity

fondness; liking; similarity

affliction

something that causes pain or suffering / suffering

aggrieved

distressed, wronged, injured

akin to

similar to

Alias

a fake name or identity

all sizzle and no steak

(label, en, idiomatic) A thing or person which fails to measure up to its description or advanced promotion.

all the tea in China

a hyperbole meant to exaggerate an extreme amount.

allay

to lessen; ease; soothe

allocate

(v.) to distribute, set aside (The Mayor allocated 3

Aloft

upward; high up in the air

Amass

(v.) to bring together, collect, gather, especially for oneself; to come together, assemble

ambiguous

unclear or doubtful in meaning

Ambivalent

Having mixed feelings

ameliorate

make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.

ameliorate

to improve

Amenable

open to or willing to follow advice or suggestion, tractable, malleable

Amended

corrected, modified for the better

amenity

something that increases comfort

Amicable

friendly

Ammunition

Arguments

Ammunition

1. a supply of bullets, etc. to be fired from guns2. information that can be used against another person in an argument

an ace up to one's (he/her) sleeve

a powerful and secret skill, weapon, knowledge, or advantage that can be used when it is needed(e.g. gave...for)

an acquired taste

something that you dislike at first, but that you start to like after you have tried it a few times

anachronism

something out of the proper time

Anguish

agonizing physical or mental pain

antagonism

hostility

antithesis

Direct opposite

Apparently

as far as one knows or can see

Appease

to calm; to make satisfied (often only temporarily)

apt

(adj.) suitable, fitting, likely; quick to learn

Arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

ardor

enthusiasm or passion

Arduous

difficult; requiring much effort

arresting

attracting attention; striking

articulate

able to speak clearly and expressively

eg articulated their emotions

assail

attack

Assail

attack

assidous

hard-working

assimilate

to absorb fully; to adopt as one's own; to adapt fully

attenuate

to weaken

Augment

increase

augury

prophecy; prediction of events (n)

Austere

(adj.) severe or stern in manner; without adornment or luxury, simple, plain; harsh or sour in flavor

autonomy

freedom

avail (someone) nothing

be of no help

avail

to be of use to; to help

averse

opposed

Balk

hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking

bane

burden

barren

not productive, bare/fruitless/lacking/boring

Basking

relaxing

Beckon

to signal or summon, as by nodding or waving

Beckoned

signaled in some way, often with a gesture

Bedraggled

dirty and disheveled

beguile

To deceive; to charm; to enchant

Beholden

obligated; indebted

Beleaguered

troubled with many problems

benign

(adj.) favorable, not threatening, mild (We were all relieved to hear that the medical tests determined her tumor to be benign.)

bequeath

to give or pass on as an inheritance

Beseeching

begging; asking earnestly

bestowed upon

to present as a gift

Bigoted

prejudiced

bigwigs

an important person

bilk

cheat; defraud

Blanch

to whiten; to make pale

blithe

carefree (e.g was blithe)/uncaring

Bravado

false bravery

breach

violation

Broach

raise (a sensitive or difficult subject) for discussion.

Buoy

keep afloat; raise the spirits of; encourage

Bureaucratic

Insisting on strict rules and routine, often to the point of hindering effectiveness

By-end

a secret, selfish purpose; a hidden purpose for gaining private advantage

Cadence

Rhythmic rise and fall

callous

unfeeling, insensitive

Canard

to lie

candescent

glowing

candor

honesty, frankness

capacious

spacious

Capitulating

surrendering, giving in

Cascading

falling or tumbling

castigate

to criticize or punish severely

Channeling

direct toward a particular end or object.