Olympic 30/4 K10 2026
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81 Terms
wear thin
We have been waiting here for three hours straight. My patience is beginning to wear thin.
These excuses are wearing a little thin (= because we've heard them so many times before).
My patience is beginning to wear very thin.
to begin to become weaker or less acceptable
sound (adj)
Meaning 1:
He's a person of very sound judgement.
He gave me some very sound advice.
We arrived home safe and sound.
to be of sound mind (= not mentally ill)
Their policies are environmentally sound.
Meaning 2 [only before noun]:
a sound knowledge/understanding of something
He has a sound grasp of the issues.
Do you think the evidence is sound?
Meaning 3:
We arrived home safe and sound.
to be of sound mind (= not mentally ill)
The house needs attention, but the roof is sound.
The roof is in reasonably sound condition.
With long-term investment, the young company is now on a sound financial footing.
sensible; that you can rely on and that will probably give good results (opp.: unsound)
good, detailed and complete
in good condition; not damaged, hurt, etc.
footing (n) [singular]
Meaning 1:
The company is now on a sound financial footing.
The country has been on a war footing (= prepared for war) since March.
Meaning 2:
The two groups must meet on an equal footing.
They were demanding to be treated on the same footing as the rest of the teachers.
the basis on which sth is established or organized - bước đệm, nền tảng
the position or status of sb/sth in relation to others; the relationship between two or more people or groups
see sb right
You needn't worry about money—I'll see you right.
(informal) to make sure that sb has all they need or want
see/think fit (to do sth)
We saw fit to ignore all of the criticisms as they are ill-founded.
You must do as you think fit (= but I don't agree with your decision).
The newspaper did not see fit to publish my letter (= and I criticize it for that).
(formal) to consider it right or acceptable to do sth; to decide or choose to do sth
strike a note
When asked to deliver a speech, the Deputy Manager struck the right note of diplomacy.
At the end of her speech, she struck a note of warning about the risks involved in the project.
to express and communicate a particular opinion or feeling about sth - lên tiếng, trình bày, bày tỏ
the year one (NrAE) | the year dot (BrE)
As far as I can remember, we have been going there every summer since the year dot.
I've been going there every summer since the year one.
flog a dead horse (NrAE also beat a dead horse)
He keeps trying to get it published but I think he's flogging a dead horse.
Management continued to invest in the failing subsidiary, but most industry experts felt they were simply beating a dead horse.
(informal) to waste your effort by trying to do sth that is no longer possible - làm điều vô ích
look a gift horse in the mouth (usually with negatives)
I’m never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Fiona’s offered to help you. Don’t ask why - never look a gift horse in the mouth.
(inf) to refuse or criticize sth that is given to you for nothing
prophet of doom | doom merchant
It is hard to know whether to believe such prophets of doom, possibly because what they are saying seems to terrible to be true.
The doom merchants who said television would kill off the book were wrong.
a person who predicts that things will go very badly
doom (n) [UNC]
to meet your doom
She had a sense of impending doom (= felt that something very bad was going to happen).
death or destruction; any terrible event that you cannot avoid
doom (v) [T] [usually passive]
The plan was doomed to failure.
The plan was doomed to fail.
The marriage was doomed from the start.
to make sb/sth certain to fail, suffer, die, etc.
oracle (n) [usually singular]
My sister's the oracle on investment matters.
(often humorous) a person or book that gives valuable advice or information
finger-pointing (n) [UNC]
There was a lot of finger-pointing over who was to blame for the mistake.
There's the usual finger-pointing when mistakes are made.
the act of accusing sb of doing sth
back-order sth (v) [T]
The phone is back-ordered with a nine-day wait for shipping.
to place an order for a product that is not currently available
make headway (with/against/towards sth)
We are making little headway with the negotiations.
The boat was unable to make much headway against the tide.
Some headway has been made towards restoring the balance of power.
Their government is making little headway in its fight to beat inflation.
to make progress, especially when this is slow or difficult
go-ahead (n) - the go-ahead (n) [singular]
The council has given the go-ahead to start building.
Union leaders have now got the go-ahead for new talks with management.
permission for sb to start doing sth
procession (n)
Meaning 1 [C, UNC]:
a torchlight procession
The procession made its way down the hill.
Groups of unemployed people from all over the country marched in procession to the capital.
Meaning 2 [C]:
A procession of waiters appeared bearing trays of food.
We've had an endless procession of new secretaries through the office since Amy left.
a line of people or vehicles that move along slowly, especially as part of a ceremony; the act of moving in this way
a number of people who come one after the other
red herring (n) [C]
He deliberately threw a red herring into the conversation.
The politician's scandalous affair was a red herring, distracting the public from the real issues at hand.
an unimportant fact, idea, event, etc. that takes people’s attention away from the important ones - mồi nhử
jump the shark
Has the show finally jumped the shark? That episode’s concept is absurd!
(used especially about a television series, etc.) to include sth that is very hard to believe as an attempt to keep people watching, usually a sign that the show is not as good as it used to be
workmanlike (adj)
They’ve done a workmanlike job.
It was a workmanlike performance from the local team.
The writing is workmanlike, if sometimes too casual.
done, made, etc. in a way that is careful and complete and shows skill but is not usually very original or exciting
wayfarer (n) [C] (old-fashioned/literary)
Then the wayfarer hastens home.
The wayfarer embarked on a long journey, walking from town to town, exploring new landscapes.
a person who travels from one place to another, usually on foot - người lữ hành
pedestrian (adj)
That novelist’s books, with few exceptions, are workmanlike but pedestrian.
Her latest play is more pedestrian and less ambitious than her earlier work.
without any imagination or excitement; boring (syn.: unimaginative)
wishy-washy (adj) (inf, disapproving)
Meaning 1: a wishy-washy liberal
Meaning 2: a wishy-washy blue
not having clear or definite ideas or beliefs
not bright in colour
willy-nilly (adv)
Meaning 1:
She was forced willy-nilly to accept the company's proposals.
Tim tried to remain impartial, but he found himself drawn, willy-nilly, into the argument.
Meaning 2: Don't use your credit card willy-nilly.
whether you want to or not
in a careless way without planning
throw sb/sth off (phr.v)
The murder suspect managed to throw the police off the scent with a brilliant alibi.
They threw the police off the scent by travelling on false passports.
to escape from sth or sb following you
be in with a chance (of doing sth)
Both the favourite and then the second favourite pulled out. Naturally, we thought we were in with a chance.
‘Do you think we'll win?’ ‘I think we're in with a chance.’
He's in with a good chance of passing the exam.
After a poor start, they are now in with a chance of winning the league.
(BrE, inf) to have the possibility of succeeding or achieving sth
rub along (with sb/together) (phr.v)
We manage to rub along together fairly well.
Despite their differences, the roommates managed to rub along and maintain a peaceful living environment.
(BrE, inf) (of two people) to live or work together in a friendly enough way
mull sth ←→ over (phr.v)
I need some time to mull it over before making a decision.
Mulling over your job offer all weekend, I’ve decided to accept the position.
to spend time thinking carefully about a plan or proposal (syn.: consider)
roll up (phr.v)
Bill finally rolled up two hours late.
Roll up! Roll up! (= used to invite people who are passing to form an audience)
(informal) to arrive
gloss over sth (phr.v)
to gloss over a problem
He glossed over any splits in the party.
to avoid talking about sth unpleasant or embarrassing by not dealing with it in detail
hammer sth ←→ home (phr.v)
The school tries to hammer home the importance of homework.
The teacher used visual aids and repetition to hammer home the importance of proper hygiene.
to emphasize a point, an idea, etc. so that people fully understand it
hammer sth into sb (phr.v)
The teacher hammered into us the importance of practicing regularly for better results.
My mom always hammered into me the value of saving money for the future.
to make somebody learn or remember something by repeating it many times
hammer out sth (phr.v)
After three hours of heated negotiations, the two lawyers finally managed to hammer out a settlement.
to hammer out a compromise
to discuss a plan, an idea, etc. until everyone agrees or a decision is made
sift (v) [T, I]
We will sift every scrap of evidence.
Computers are being used to sift the information.
Crash investigators have been sifting through the wreckage of the aircraft.
The research team had to sift through thousands of archived documents to find the original blueprints for the city’s underground tunnels.
to examine sth very carefully in order to decide what is important or useful or to find something important - sàng lọc, lựa chọn
pan out (phr.v)
I'm happy with the way things have panned out.
I hope my job interview pans out and I get the promotion I've been working for.
(informal) (of events or a situation) to develop in a particular way
phase sth ←→ out (phr.v) [usually passive]
The company decided to phase out its older software models over the next eighteen months to encourage users to upgrade to the new cloud-based system.
Subsidies to farmers will be phased out by next year.
to stop using sth in stages over a period of time
subsidy (n) [C, UNC]
agricultural subsidies
to reduce the level of subsidy
Subsidies to farmers will be phased out by next year.
money that is paid by a government or an organization to reduce the costs of services or of producing goods so that their prices can be kept low - trợ cấp, trợ giá
wade through sth (phr.v) [no passive]
She spent the entire weekend trying to wade through the dense legal terminology in the merger agreement before the final signing on Monday.
I spent the whole day wading through the paperwork on my desk.
to deal with or read sth that is boring and takes a lot of time
cut through sth (phr.v)
I cut through the building site to the river.
to go through sth in order to make your route shorter
shore sth ←→ up (phr.v)
The measures were aimed at shoring up the economy.
to help to support sth that is weak or going to fail - vực dậy, cứu rỗi
sit in on sth (phr.v)
I was allowed to sit in on an executive meeting.
Although I was only a branch manager, I was allowed to sit in on an executive meeting.
to attend a meeting, class, etc. in order to listen to or learn from it rather than to take an active part
boil down to sth (phr.v) (not used in the progressive tenses)
Her success in the field largely boils down to her ability to adapt quickly to change.
In the end, what it all boils down to is money, or the lack of it.
The argument/question/issue boils down to this:…
(of a situation, problem, etc.) to have sth as a main or basic part
be quick/slow on the uptake
There were truly astonishing achievements, particularly for someone who was considered slow on the uptake as a child and who had dropped out of secondary school, graduated from a mere technical college with a teaching diploma, and, of all his classmates, had been passed over for a teaching position and postdoctoral appointment.
Is he always this slow on the uptake?
(informal) to be quick/slow to understand sth
legion (adj) [not before noun]
The medical uses of herbs are legion.
Stories about his forgetfulness are legion, but one is delightfully succinct.
very many (syn.: numerous)
succinct (adj)
Keep your answers as succinct as possible.
a succinct explanation
Stories about his forgetfulness are legion, but one is delightfully succinct.
expressed clearly and in a few words (syn.: concise, unequivocal)
oblivious (adj) [not usually before noun] - obliviousness (n)
It may well be, however, that he was inattentive more out of rebelliousness than obliviousness.
You eventually become oblivious to the noise.
The couple seemed oblivious to what was going on around them.
He drove off, oblivious of the damage he had caused.
not aware of sth
profuse (adj)
profuse apologies/thanks
profuse bleeding
produced in large amounts
defy (v) [T]
Meaning 1 - sb/sth:
All his life he resented orthodoxy and resisted authority, and he used his reputation for forgetfulness to defy social decorum.
I wouldn't have dared to defy my teachers.
Hundreds of people today defied the ban on political gatherings.
Meaning 2 - defy belief, explanation, description, etc.:
a political move that defies explanation
The beauty of the scene defies description.
His face was so odd that it defies description.
Meaning 3 - sth: The baby boy defied all the odds and survived (= stayed alive when it seemed certain that he would die).
to refuse to obey or show respect for sb in authority, a law, a rule, etc.
to be impossible or almost impossible to believe, explain, describe, etc.
to successfully resist sth to a very unusual degree
orthodoxy (n) [C, UNC]
an economist arguing against the current financial orthodoxy
a speech that challenges prevailing economic orthodoxy
(formal) an idea or view that is generally accepted
decorum (n) [UNC]
He is not known for his sense of decorum.
The celebrations were carried off with style and decorum.
All his life he resented orthodoxy and resisted authority, and he used his reputation for forgetfulness to defy social decorum.
polite behaviour that is appropriate in a social situation (syn.: propriety) - chuẩn mực
revamp sth (v) [T] (inf.)
The company is attempting to revamp its image.
to make changes to the form of sth, usually to improve its appearance - cải thiện
claw sth ←→ back (phr.v)
Meaning 1:
The company is trying to claw back its share of the market.
Newcastle managed to claw a goal back.
Meaning 2:
The Chancellor is expected to claw back £2.8 billion in the budget.
The government plans to claw back the excessive bonuses given to executives through higher taxes.
to get sth back that you have lost, usually by using a lot of effort
(of a government) to get back money that has been paid to people, usually by taxing them - thu hồi, hoàn trả
lấy lại, giành lại
tune out | tune sb/sth ←→ out (phr.v)
At social gatherings, Einstein would often tune out, as if oblivious to those around him.
When she started talking about her job, he just tuned out.
to stop listening to sth
needle sb (v) [T]
Don't let her needle you.
He knew Jo was trying to needle him into losing his temper.
Thus he would appear at formal university functions wearing dress shoes but no socks, an oversight quite consciously designed to needle the pretensions of his hosts.
to deliberately annoy sb, especially by criticizing them continuously (syn.: antagonize)
elbow grease (n) [UNC] (inf.)
It took a lot of elbow grease to get the old car to look good again.
Using the right tool can save a lot of elbow grease.
the effort used in physical work, especially in cleaning or polishing sth (= rubbing it until it is smooth and shiny)
at sixes and sevens
I haven't had time to clear up, so I'm all at sixes and sevens.
Mary apologized to Peter for having been at sixes and sevens in the office that week.
(informal) in a confused state; not well organized
blow your own trumpet (especially BrE) | blow/toot your own horn (NrAE usually)
If only Nancy did not keep tooting her own horn.
I hate to blow my own trumpet, but I think I did pretty well there.
(informal) to praise your own abilities and achievements (syn.: boast)
eat humble pie (NrAE usually) | eat crow
It’s time you ate crow/humble pie and made up with her.
After boasting that his company could outperform the industry's best, he's been forced to eat humble pie.
to say and show that you are sorry for a mistake that you made
knock sb back (phr.v)
Due to my lack of strength, my application for the job was knocked back.
(British English) to prevent sb from achieving sth or making progress, especially by rejecting them or sth that they suggest or ask
put sb/sth on the map
That the purple flower puts the small town on the map sounds romantic to tourists.
This chicken dish put the chef firmly on the map.
The exhibition has helped put the city on the map.
to make sb/sth famous or important
take a back seat
Many managers take a back seat and leave recruitment to specialists.
Were the manager to trust his expertise, he wouldn’t have to take a back seat.
to allow sb else to play a more active and important role in a particular situation than you do
take the mickey/mick (out of sb)
They ought not to have taken the mickey out of the little boy.
Are you taking the mickey?
He’s always taking the mickey out of her.
(British English, informal) to make sb look or feel silly by copying the way they talk, behave, etc. or by making them believe sth that is not true, often in a way that is not intended to be unkind (syn.: tease, mock) - chọc gẹo
cutting edge (n) [singular]
Meaning 1 - the cutting edge (of sth):
By the turn of the century, humans will have bene living at the cutting edge of AI.
working at the cutting edge of computer technology
Meaning 2: We're relying on him to give the team a cutting edge.
the newest, most advanced stage in the development of sth
an aspect of sth that gives it an advantage
entry-level (adj) [usually before noun]
Although the salary was modest, the entry-level laboratory position gave Lily the hands-on experience she needed to begin a career in biomedical research.
The entry-level smartphone is perfect for beginners who want to learn the basics of mobile technology.
They have a good range of entry-level laptops for beginners.
(of a product) basic and suitable for new users who may later move on to a more advanced product - cấp đầu, cơ bản
prospectus (n) [C]
Before applying to the summer school, I downloaded the prospectus to compar the modules, accommodation options, and scholarship requirements.
The university's prospectus provided detailed information about its programs, faculty, and campus facilities.
a book, document or web page that gives information about a school, college, etc. in order to advertise it - tài liệu giới thiệu
virulent (adj)
Meaning 1:
a virulent form of influenza
a particularly virulent flu germ
Meaning 2:
virulent criticism
virulent nationalism
(of a disease or poison) extremely dangerous or harmful and quick to have an effect (opp.: avirulent)
(formal) showing strong negative and bitter feelings
word-perfect (BrE) | letter-perfect (NrAE)
Sarah's recitation of the poem was word-perfect, as she flawlessly repeated every line without any errors.
Even after months away from the stage, the actress remained word-perfect in the role that had brought her fame.
able to remember and repeat something exactly without making any mistakes
tellingly (adv)
She tellingly looked at her sister before answering.
The author writes a lot about her childhood, but her memoir tellingly makes very little mention of her parents.
The politician's nervous laughter when asked about his tax returns spoke tellingly of potential wrongdoing.
in a way that shows effectively what sb/sth is really like, but often without intending to - một cách rõ ràng
slack (v) [I]
During the slow afternoon shift, the manager caught two interns cyberslacking on social media instead of updating the customer database before the deadline.
to work less hard than you usually do or should do
level with sb (phr.v)
It's important to level with your partner about your feelings to maintain a healthy relationship.
I had to level with my friend and admit that I accidentally broke her favorite vase.
(inf) to tell sb the truth and not hide any unpleasant facts from them
gloss over (phr.v)
to gloss over a problem
He glossed over any splits in the party.
to avoid talking about sth unpleasant or embarrassing by not dealing with it in detail
roll up (phr.v)
Bill finally rolled up two hours late.
Roll up! Roll up! (= used to invite people who are passing to form an audience)
(informal) to arrive
hold out for (phr.v)
The union negotiators are holding out for a more generous pay settlement.
[no passive] to cause a delay in reaching an agreement because you hope you will gain sth
grate (v) [I]
Her voice really grates on me.
He kept staring at her and it began to grate on her nerves.
It grated with him when people implied he wasn't really British.
to annoy sb
recoil (v)
Meaning 1 [I]:
She recoiled from his touch.
He recoiled in horror at the sight of the corpse.
Meaning 2 [I]:
She recoiled from the idea of betraying her own brother.
Tell him the truth? I recoiled at the thought.
Do you recoil at oversharers on social media, or joke among your friends about “TMI” (Too much information)? I know I do.
to move your body quickly away from sb/sth because you find them or it frightening or unpleasant (syn.: flinch)
to react to an idea or a situation with strong dislike or fear (syn.: shrink)
brittle (adj)
Meaning 1:
brittle bones/nails
The paint was brittle with age.
She had thin, brittle, permed hair.
Meaning 2:
a brittle temperament
But while mocking public confession comes easy, it’s harder to appreciate the risks of normalising silence: withheld anxieties, unspoken family histories, and the little omissions that make workplaces and relationships brittle.
hard but easily broken - giòn
a _____ mood or state of mind is one that appears to be happy or strong but is actually nervous and easily damaged
dễ vỡ
pour/heap scorn on sb/sth
The instinct to pour scorn on “attention seekers” may be masking a deeper public-health problem: chronic concealment.
Opposition politicians heaped scorn on the proposals.
to speak about sb/sth in a way that shows that you do not respect them or have a good opinion of them
folly (n) [C, UNC]
It would be folly to turn the offer down.
the follies of youth
I lectured on digital hygiene, warned audiences about the ways social media amplifies folly, and played the role of the wary scientist.
a lack of good judgement; the fact of doing sth stupid; an activity or idea that shows a lack of judgement (syn.: stupidity) - sự thiếu khôn ngoan, sự ngu dại, sự dại dột
wary (adj)
Be wary of strangers who offer you a ride.
wary (of doing something) She was wary of getting involved with him.
I lectured on digital hygiene, warned audiences about the ways social media amplifies folly, and played the role of the wary scientist.
The police will need to keep a wary eye on this area of town (= watch it carefully, in case there is trouble).
careful when dealing with sb/sth because you think that there may be a danger or problem (syn.: careful, aware)
amplify (v) [T]
Meaning 1:
to amplify a guitar/an electric current/a signal
I lectured on digital hygiene, warned audiences about the ways social media amplifies folly, and played the role of the wary scientist.
Meaning 2:
She refused to amplify further.
You may need to amplify this point.
to increase sth in strength, especially sound
(formal) to add details to a story, statement, etc.