PNJA: Reading and Writing_test 1

out of the blue

unexpectedly; describing occurrences that arise without warning or prior indication

relatives

family members related by blood or marriage

by means of

utilizing a particular method or way to accomplish something

obstinately

stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or actions

hold/keep in check

to restrain or control something; to prevent it from becoming too powerful or out of control

claim to fame

a reason for someone or something to be well-known; often refers to a notable achievement or distinction

but apparently

suggesting a lack of certainty; introducing information that may not be definitive or might be speculative

lecture someone about something

to similarly discuss a topic in a structured manner, often with the intent to educate

jeering

to mock or make fun of someone

appreciably

noticeably or to a considerable extent

not all it’s cracked up to be

not as good as people claim; suggesting disappointment in something's perceived value

behind bars

in prison; used metaphorically to indicate incarceration and legal consequences for actions

irregular

not regular in form, arrangement, or occurrence; inconsistent

drop someone a line

to send someone a brief message or note; to get in touch with someone

ferocious

fierce, intense, or violent

inconspicuous

not easily seen or noticed; blending into the environment or lacking attention-drawing features

decoding

the process of interpreting or translating coded information into understandable language

falsehoods

statements or claims that are not true; often used to describe misinformation or lies

diminutive

small or tiny; can also refer to a shortened or affectionate form of a name

inconclusive

not leading to a firm conclusion; ambiguous or uncertain in its outcome or results

plead to someone

to make an emotional appeal to someone, often for help or understanding

break in on

to intercept or interrupt someone during conversation or action; to intrude into a conversation or situation

the ski instructor

a person who teaches or guides others in skiing

of all people

used to emphasize surprise or disbelief that a specific person is involved in a situation, especially when they are not the expected choice

marker

a person who grades or evaluates students' work

a brainwave

a sudden clever idea; often implies a burst of inspiration or a creative solution

reinforcements

additional support or strength provided to bolster efforts; often used in military or group contexts

impersonal

lacking personal connection; detached in nature or interaction

odd one out

something or someone that is different from others in a group; often standing apart in context or characteristics

experiment on something

to conduct a test or trial with the aim of discovering new information or outcomes

seething

in a state of intense agitation or turmoil; often implies concealed anger or unrest

eavesdrop

to secretly listen to a conversation without the knowledge of those involved; to spy on discussions

be intent on

to have a firm determination or purpose to act in a certain way or pursue a specific goal

pertinent information

information that is relevant or applicable to a particular matter

unequaled

having no equal; unmatched in quality or unparalleled in quality, performance, or significance

gaping at someone

to stare at someone with one's mouth open, often in surprise or shock

fad

a temporary trend or interest that captures public attention for a short duration

take the bull by the horns

to confront a difficult situation directly and decisively; often implies courage in decision-making

insist on something

to demand a specific action or outcome forcefully

on the spur of the moment

to do something impulsively or without planning; to make a quick decision in the heat of the moment

establishing and maintaining contact

creating and preserving communication or connection with someone

cost an arm and a leg

to be very expensive; indicating high financial cost associated with an item or service

blaze a trail

to create a new path; often suggests innovation or pioneering efforts in various domains

administrator

a person responsible for managing operations within an organization

prudence

the quality of being cautious and exercising good judgment

disreputable

not respectable; having a bad reputation

dial numbers

to enter a phone number using a keypad or rotary dial

retrieval

the process of getting back something or recovering something; can refer to accessing information from memory or storage

come forward

to offer help, information, or to volunteer oneself for something

command grid

a system for organizing and controlling operations or communications

uncompromising

refusing to make concessions; inflexible in positions or beliefs

fair grades

reasonable or satisfactory academic marks or scores

juggling

managing multiple tasks or responsibilities simultaneously

staring

to look fixedly at someone or something

tactile

relating to the sense of touch; often involving texture or physical sensations experienced through skin

come by

to obtain or acquire something, often with some difficulty

resort to something

to turn to something as a last option or solution

career adviser

a professional who helps individuals with career choices

expression

the way thoughts and feelings are communicated, often through facial gestures or words

informal conversation

conversation that is casual

by popular request

done because a significant number of people have asked for it; reflects widespread appeal or interest

indictment

a formal accusation or charge of a serious crime; also used to criticize or blame

fall into disuse

to become outdated or no longer used over time; to be abandoned in favour of newer practices

it never rains but it pours

misfortunes tend to occur in clusters; often suggesting challenges tend to come together

pull one’s socks up

to make an effort to improve one's work or performance

tutor

a person who provides individual instruction or support to students

overseer

a person responsible for supervising or monitoring the work of others

all the same

nevertheless; despite what has been mentioned before; indicating continued relevance

unapproachable

not easy to talk to; distant or aloof in demeanour

friendly to a cause

supportive or sympathetic toward a particular cause or movement

falsifiability

the capacity for a statement or hypothesis to be proven false

sullen

silent, morose, or gloomy; often used to describe someone who is sulking or showing a brooding mood

chop and change

to frequently change one's mind or opinions; often suggests inconsistency in decisions

blue-eyed boy/golden boy

a favoured person; often used to highlight preferential treatment or special status in a group

animated discussion

discussion that is lively and enthusiastic

there was a time

refers to a period in the past when something was true or common

in the name of

for the sake of or invoking the authority of someone; often used to justify actions or claims

agree to differ/disagree

to accept different opinions; recognizing that conflicting views exist without the need for resolution

act out

to express emotions through behavior rather than words

exert in

to apply effort in a situation; often suggests the use of influence

dying art

a skill or practice that is becoming less common or is at risk of disappearing due to lack of use

inspector

a person who examines something carefully for compliance or quality

supervisor

a person tasked with overseeing the work of others

splutter

to make a series of short, explosive sounds; to speak or spit out words quickly and confusedly

be baffled

to be confused or perplexed; often indicating a lack of understanding regarding a situation or concept

sharp

having a keen edge or point; can also pertain to a quick or incisive manner in communication or thought

dial

a face or surface on a device indicating information; often utilized for selecting or measuring

the early bird catches the worm

those who act quickly have the best chance of success; highlighting the advantages of promptness

entitled to something

having the right to access certain resources or benefits

engaged to/with someone

involved in a romantic relationship or commitment with another person

groping around

to search for something uncertainly or blindly without a clear direction or purpose

damaging report

a document causing harm or injury

a stitch in time saves nine

addressing small problems early can prevent bigger issues later; often emphasizes proactive management

be of fixed abode

to have a permanent residence; often indicating stability in living conditions

patient with someone

able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious

come across

to find or discover something by chance; can also refer to how someone is perceived

on this/that account

for this/that reason; providing justification for actions or decisions based on context

be broke

to have no money; indicating financial insolvency or lack of resources

pride upon

an older expression related to taking pride in something

break even

to reach a financial state where total revenues equal total costs, resulting in neither profit nor loss