Communication

to go through the motions

definition: to do something mechanically or only because it is expected, without genuine interest or effort.

перевод: делать что-то на автомате; выполнять чисто формально; делать для галочки

1. he was nodding at the right moments, but it felt like he was just go___ t_____ t__ m____rather than actually listening.

2. our weekly check-ins have become pointless because everyone simply go___ t_____ t__ m____ instead of saying what they really think.

to get aggravated

definition: to become increasingly annoyed, frustrated, or angry.

перевод: начать раздражаться; всё сильнее злиться

1. i g__ a_________ when someone keeps interrupting before i have finished making my point.

2. she could tell he was g______ a_________, so she stopped defending herself and gave him space to speak.

to use a patronising tone

definition: to speak to someone in a way that suggests you believe they are less intelligent or capable than you.

перевод: говорить снисходительным или покровительственным тоном

1. he kept saying “yes, i understand” in such a pa_______ t___ that she felt even more dismissed.

2. you can disagree with someone without using a p_______ t___ or treating their opinion as childish.

patronizing is the american spelling; patronising is british.

to be gratifyingly heard

it is gratifying to be heard

definition: to experience satisfaction or relief because someone has genuinely listened to and acknowledged you.

перевод: почувствовать, что тебя действительно услышали; испытать удовлетворение от того, что к тебе прислушались

1. after raising the issue several times, it was g_______ to finally be heard.

to condescend to someone

definition: to treat someone as if they are less intelligent, experienced, or important than you.

перевод: относиться к кому-либо свысока; говорить с кем-либо снисходительно

1. please don’t co________ to me just because i’m younger than everyone else on the team.

2. the therapist challenged his assumptions without ever co__________ to him.

to put on an act

definition: to pretend to feel or behave in a certain way instead of being genuine.

перевод: притворяться; разыгрывать спектакль; изображать что-либо

1. he p__ o_ an a__of being interested, but his eyes kept drifting towards his phone.

2. you don’t have to p__ o_ an a__ and pretend everything is fine when something is clearly bothering you.

to babble

definition: to talk quickly and continuously in a confused, nervous, or overexcited way.

перевод: тараторить; болтать без остановки; говорить сбивчиво

1. whenever i feel nervous, i start ba______ and giving far more detail than anyone needs.

2. she ba_____ for several minutes before realising that nobody else had had a chance to speak.

to overshare

definition: to reveal more personal information than is appropriate or comfortable in a particular situation.

перевод: делиться слишком личной информацией; рассказывать лишнее

1. i tend to o_____ when someone makes me feel unusually comfortable.

2. there is a fine line between being vulnerable and o______ with someone you have only just met.

to trail off

definition: to gradually become quieter and stop speaking before finishing a sentence or thought.

перевод: постепенно замолчать; не договорить; оборвать фразу

1. “i just thought that maybe we could…” she t_____ off, unsure how he would react.

2. he noticed her voice t______ off and gently encouraged her to continue.

to clam up

definition: to suddenly become silent or refuse to talk, usually because you feel nervous, embarrassed, or upset.

перевод: внезапно замолчать; замкнуться; перестать отвечать

1. whenever the conversation turns to his family, he completely c___ up.

2. pushing her to explain herself only made her c____ up even more.

trail off = stop speaking gradually, often in the middle of a sentence.
clam up = become completely silent and unwilling to talk.

to fidget

definition: to make small, restless movements because you are nervous, bored, or uncomfortable.

перевод: ёрзать; беспокойно двигаться; теребить что-либо

1. she kept f______ with her ring while trying to explain what had happened.

2. constant f_______ does not necessarily mean someone is not listening; it can also be a sign of anxiety.

taxing

definition: requiring a lot of mental or emotional effort and leaving you tired.

перевод: утомительный; эмоционально или умственно тяжёлый

1. listening to someone describe the same problem for hours can be emotionally t_____.

2. the conversation was t_____, but avoiding it would only have created more tension.

someone’s eyes keep roaming around the room

definition: someone keeps looking in different directions instead of focusing on the person speaking.

перевод: взгляд блуждает по комнате; человек постоянно смотрит по сторонам

1. as i was speaking, his eyes kept r______ a____ the room, which made me feel completely ignored.

2. if your eyes are r_____ a____ during a sensitive conversation, the other person may assume you have checked out.

to be hardwired to do something

definition: to be naturally or deeply programmed to behave or react in a particular way.

перевод: быть от природы склонным к чему-либо; быть словно запрограммированным

1. humans seem to be h_______ to fill uncomfortable silences instead of simply sitting with them.

2. we may be h________ to notice subtle changes in someone’s tone of voice.

snap (adjective)

definition: done or decided extremely quickly, often without enough thought or information.

перевод: мгновенный; поспешный; сделанный сгоряча

common combinations: a snap decision, a snap judgement, a snap reaction

1. we often make s___ judgements about how trustworthy someone is based on their voice or accent.

2. instead of giving a s___ response, take a moment to work out what the speaker actually needs.

to patronise someone (verb)

относиться к кому-либо снисходительно, разговаривать как с менее умным человеком

• she kept patronising me by explaining things i already understood.

• don’t patronise him just because he has less experience.

condescending

высокомерно-снисходительный

• his condescending tone immediately put everyone on edge.

• the interviewer came across as slightly condescending.