C1/C2 all idioms/phvs/collos

outing

a short trip taken for pleasure, especially by a group

idle

not working, active, or being used

craze

a temporary enthusiasm or obsession

fad

an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something short-lived

up-and-coming

likely to become successful or popular in the near future

keep at it

to continue doing something with determination

set one's heart on

to be determined to achieve or get something

unwind

to relax after a period of work or tension

at a loose end

having nothing specific to do; free

get into

to become interested or involved in something

catch up on

to do something that you did not have time to do earlier

get round to

to finally find time to do something

cheer on

to shout encouragement to someone

grow on

to gradually become more appealing or liked by someone

in the spotlight

receiving a lot of public attention

let off steam

to release energy or relieve stress/anger

on a whim

spontaneously; based on a sudden impulse

excel oneself

to perform better than expected or better than usual

set one's sights on

to aim for or target achieving something

be that as it may

despite that; accepting that something is true

on account of

because of; due to

with a view to

with the intention or hope of doing something

tone down

to make something less forceful or extreme

lest

for fear that; in order to prevent something

gimmicky

intended to attract attention rather than provide real value

nonetheless

in spite of that; nevertheless

whereas

in contrast or comparison with the fact that

accordingly

in a way that is appropriate to particular circumstances

hence

for this reason; as a consequence

owing to

because of; on account of

niche

a specialized segment of the market or a specific area of interest

surge

a sudden powerful forward or upward movement

dwindle

to gradually diminish in size, amount, or strength

tactile

connected with or perceived by the sense of touch

dismiss

to decide that something is not important or worth considering

spoon-whittling

the act of carving wooden spoons by hand

curated

carefully selected and organized for presentation

usher in

to mark the start of something new

kink

a small problem or flaw in a system or plan

lucrative

producing a great deal of profit

dubious

hesitating, doubting, or suspect

dodgy

dishonest, unreliable, or risky

quirky

characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits

herald

to be a sign that something is about to happen

vogue

the prevailing fashion or style at a particular time

immortality

the ability to live forever or never be forgotten

consumed by boredom

overwhelmed or completely occupied by boredom

muse on

to think deeply and thoughtfully about something

underscore

to emphasize or bring attention to something

surpass

to exceed or be greater/better than expected

post-scarcity

an economic condition where most goods can be produced in abundance with minimal labor

materialise

to become real, actual, or visible

finite

having limits or bounds

positional goods

goods whose value is mainly derived from their exclusivity and social status

exclusivity

the state of being restricted to a specific person or group

persist

to continue firmly in a state or course of action despite difficulties

inherent

existing as a permanent and essential attribute

preoccupation

an idea or subject that completely occupies someone's mind

intrinsic

belonging naturally; essential and internal

post-instrumental

beyond being merely functional or done for practical gain

dread

great fear or apprehension about something

purposelessness

the state of lacking a clear aim, goal, or direction

inadvertently

without intention; accidentally

reinstate

to restore someone or something to a former position or condition

colonise

to settle in and establish control over an area

hollow

lacking real value, sincerity, or substance

insipid

lacking vigor, interest, or flavor

take as a dare

to treat a suggestion or challenge as a provocation to act

tolerance for hardship

the capacity to endure suffering or difficult conditions

cramped

uncomfortably small, restricted, or crowded

pitch

an area reserved for camping or playing sports

make for

to move or head towards a specific place

profess

to declare or claim an allegiance or belief openly

boast

to possess something with pride, or to speak with excessive pride

bring down the house

to receive enthusiastic applause from an audience

international acclaim

widespread public praise from around the world

debauchery

excessive indulgence in sensual or immoral pleasures

high drama

intense, exciting, or exaggerated conflict and excitement

sensuous

appealing to or affecting the physical senses

ludicrously

in an absurd, ridiculous, or laughable manner

burst into song/dance

to suddenly start singing or dancing

turn a tidy profit

to make a substantial or good amount of financial profit

buoyed by

encouraged, supported, or kept optimistic by something

branch out

to extend or expand one's activities or business

keep to a minimum

to maintain something at the lowest possible level

smidgen

a tiny amount or small piece

trifle

a matter or object of little value or importance

bring oneself to do something

to force oneself to do something difficult or unpleasant

part with

to give up or let go of something valuable

rack up

to accumulate or achieve a large amount of something

in the end

eventually; after everything has been considered

on the agenda

scheduled for discussion or action

by the book

strictly following official rules and procedures

under a cloud

under suspicion or out of favor

in collusion

working together secretly for an illegal or deceitful purpose

in confidence

as a secret or private matter

to date

up to the present time

in kind

in the form of goods or services rather than money

under oath

bound by a solemn promise to tell the truth in court

at random

without a definite pattern, plan, or system