Exam 1

scrape through

to only just succeed in passing an examination or dealing with a difficult situation

pick a fight

to deliberately start a quarrel or fight with someone

master's degree

a university degree such as an MA, M.Sc., or M.S., that you can get by studying for one or two years after your first degree

work placement

a job, usually as part of a course of study, which gives you experience of a particular type of work

shadow

to follow someone closely in order to watch what they are doing

set one's heart on

to want very much to have or achieve something, or to be determined to do something

against the odds

overcome difficulties which make a good result seem very unlikely

take someone on

to start to employ someone

half-hearted

done without much effort and without much interest in the result

take something in your stride

to not allow something to annoy, embarrass, or upset you

competitive

determined or trying very hard to be more successful than other people or businesses

CV

a short written document that lists your education and previous jobs, which you send to employers when you are looking for a job

foresee

to think or know that something is going to happen in the future

networking

the practice of meeting other people involved in the same kind of work, to share information, support each other etc

portfolio

a large flat case used especially for carrying pictures, documents etc

vouch for

to say that you believe that someone will behave well and that you will be responsible for their behaviour, actions etc

close-knit

a close-knit group of people is one in which everyone knows each other well and gives each other support when they need it

take something personally

to get upset by the things other people say or do, because you think that their remarks or behaviour are directed at you in particular

make the best of something

to accept a situation that is not very good, and do whatever you can to make it better

take no for an answer

accept it when somebody refuses you

hand in your resignation

officially say that you want to resign

be taken aback by

to be very surprised or shocked by something

take no notice of

not pay attention to someone or something

take pity on

feel sorry for someone and treat them with sympathy

take advantage of

to treat someone unfairly in order to get what you want, especially someone who is generous or easily persuaded

high salary

a lot of money that you receive as payment from the organization you work for

main priority

the thing that you think is most important and that needs attention before anything else

tight deadlines

a date or time by which you have to do or complete something, which is not long away

heavy workload

a large amount of work that a person or organization has to do

have an impact

have an effect or influence an event, situation etc

stand someone in good stead

to be very useful to someone when needed

snap something up

to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap

from all walks of life

every position in society

part and parcel

to be a necessary feature of something

crop up

if a problem crops up, it happens or appears suddenly and in an unexpected way

deceptive

something that is deceptive seems to be one thing but is in fact very different

recruitment

to find new people to work in a company, join an organization, do a job etc

playfulness

very active, happy, and wanting to have fun

additional

more than what was agreed or expected

productive

producing or achieving a lot

competitor

a person, team, company etc that is competing with another

doubtless

used when saying that something is almost certain to happen or be true

trendy

influenced by the most fashionable styles and ideas

cutting edge

the newest and most exciting stage in the development of something

fumble around for

to try to hold, move, or find something with your hands in an awkward way

favourable

a favourable report, opinion, or reaction shows that you think that someone or something is good or that you agree with them

feasible

a plan, idea, or method that is feasible is possible and is likely to work

no-no

something that you must not do because it is considered to be unacceptable behaviour

butterflies in the stomach

to feel very nervous before doing something

link

if two things are linked, they are related in some way

slouch

to stand, sit, or walk with a slouch

fidget

to keep moving your hands or feet, especially because you are bored or nervous

long-winded

continuing to talk for too long or using too many words in a way that is boring

moderate

not very large or very small, very hot or very cold, very fast or very slow etc

mumble

to say something too quietly or not clearly enough, so that other people cannot understand you

pay off

to give someone all the money you owe them

ramble on

to talk or write for a long time in a way that other people find boring

safety margin

an additional amount of something such as time, money, or space that you include in order to make sure that you are successful in achieving something