Lesson 5 (✨English After Hours 9.0✨)

from Betty with love❤️

back-channel

noun: an informal or secret method of communication, often used in diplomacy or negotiations:

verb: to communicate secretly or unofficially, often in parallel with the main formal communication,

1) The diplomats used a _____ to negotiate the peace agreement discreetly.

2) During the crisis, the president's team maintained a _____ with the opposition to avoid public fallout.

3) The company reps _____ about the merger before the official announcement.

nebulous

lacking definite form, shape, or clarity; vague or ill-defined:

1) Her ideas about the project were so ____ that no one knew what she truly wanted.

2) The future of the company remains ______ amid the economic uncertainties.

3) His explanation was _____ and left everyone more confused than before.

pour one’s heart out

to openly and emotionally share one's feelings or thoughs:

1) She ____ her ___ ___ to her best friend about her recent breakup.

2) After a long day, he _____ his heart out in his journal.

3) During the therapy session, he _____ his heart ____ about his childhood struggles.

stave off

to prevent or delay something undesirable:

1) She took medicine to _____ the flu.

2) The company implemented new policies to _____bankruptcy.

3) He ate a big breakfast to ____ hunger until dinner.

glow with

to shine or radiate with a particular emotion or quality:

1) The children _____ pride after their performance.

2) Her face _____ happiness on her wedding day.

3) The sunset made the sky _____ vibrant colours.

masquerade as

to pretend to be something or someone else, often to deceive:

1) The thief ____ a delivery person to enter the house.

2) He ____ a tourist to explore the city without suspicion.

3) The spy _____ a government official to gather information.

devolve into

gradually change or deteriorate into a worse state; to pass on or delegate to others:

1) The meeting ______ chaos after hours of arguing.

2) Over time, their friendly conversation _____ into a heated debate.

3) The responsibilities ______ the junior staff when the manager left.

the minutiae

the small, often detailed, aspects of something:

1) He was focused on the _____ of the legal contract.

2) She loves studying the _____ of ancient history.

3) The report covered every _____ of the project’s development.

engulfed in

completely surrounded or covered by something, often in a way that is overwhelming:

1) The town was ______ flames after the wildfire spread.

2) She was ______ grief after hearing the news.

3) The ship was ____ a thick fog that made navigation difficult.