Advanced English Vocabulary & Expressions – Lecture Compilation

Vocabulary flashcards covering advanced words, phrases, and idiomatic expressions extracted from the lecture notes to aid exam preparation.

magnitude

The large size or importance of something.

commence with

To begin with; to start by.

with all due respect

Polite phrase used to introduce disagreement.

indeed

Used to emphasize a statement or confirm it is true.

sophisticated (problem)

Complicated or complex problem.

put less emphasis on

Give something reduced importance.

paramount importance

Supreme or greatest importance.

utmost importance

Highest or most extreme importance.

root cause

The fundamental reason for something.

primary cause

Main or chief reason something happens.

contributing factor

Something that helps to cause a result.

deciding factor

The element that determines the final outcome.

prominent

Important; standing out so as to be easily seen.

underlying cause

Hidden or less obvious source of a problem.

crux

The critical or central point of an issue.

desired effect

The result one hopes to achieve.

knock-on effect

An indirect, secondary impact caused by an event.

ill effects

Negative consequences.

subjected to

Affected by; exposed to something unpleasant.

it dawned on (sb)

Someone understood something after a period of not understanding.

start off by

Begin an activity or speech with.

result from

To be caused by something.

result in

To cause a particular situation to happen.

provoke an outcry

Cause widespread public anger.

put forward (solutions)

Propose or suggest ideas for consideration.

put (sth) across

Communicate an idea clearly.

prompt reply

Immediate response.

renowned

Well-known; famous for something.

premise

An assumption or starting point for reasoning.

follow-up action

Subsequent steps taken after an initial act.

shed light on

Explain or clarify something.

illuminate

to explain 解釋

(e.g.an article which illuminates the issue at stake)Make something clearer or easier to understand.

elucidate

Explain something clearly; clarify.

in the light of

Because of; considering.

ascribe (sth) to

Regard something as being caused by.

dawn of (sth)

The beginning of a new period or idea.

spark (that set off)

A small event causing a much larger situation.

give rise to

導致/ 引起

emerge

Come into existence or become apparent.

exacerbate

Make a bad situation even worse.

give voice to

Express thoughts or opinions aloud.

opine

State an opinion.

convey

Communicate ideas or feelings.

grave (problem)

Serious; very bad.

in marked contrast

Very different in an obvious way.

yawning gap

A very large difference between two groups.

stark contrast

A clear and absolute difference.

bridge the gap

Reduce differences between groups.

pale in comparison

Seem unimportant next to something else.

acute problem

Extremely serious and urgent problem.

pressing need

Urgent requirement.

subtle

Not obvious; delicate or precise.

tremendous

Very great in amount or intensity.

immense

Extremely large or great.

insist

Demand something forcefully.

for the sake of

For the purpose or benefit of.

in the limelight

Receiving public attention.

come into the spotlight

Suddenly receive public attention.

pursue excellence

Strive to be outstanding in one’s field.

endeavour (to)

Try hard to achieve something.

stipulate

Specify or require as a condition.

spiralling into catastrophe

Rapidly getting worse toward disaster.

catastrophic

Extremely harmful or disastrous.

devastating

Causing severe shock or damage.

hunger for

Have a strong desire for something.

grasp every chance

Take advantage of all opportunities.

trump card

王牌

ace up your sleeve

Secret advantage for future use.

facade

An outward appearance that hides the true nature.

embark on

Begin a new journey or project.

break the ceiling

Overcome a limiting barrier.

set the wheels in motion

Start a process or series of events.

get off the ground

Start or launch successfully.

underway

Already happening or in progress.

compelling (reason)

Convincing; hard to resist.

dire

Extremely serious or urgent.

deprived of

Lacking something that is needed or wanted.

in the face of

Despite; when confronted with. 面對

relentless

Continuing in a severe or extreme way.

constructive criticism

Helpful feedback intended to improve something.

condemn

to criticize sth or sb strongly, usually for moral reasons  (sth was condemned for xxx sth was condemned as xxx)

pass judgement on

Criticize or decide about someone’s actions.

treacherous

Dangerous or deceptive.

ferocious

Savage; violent or intense.

vicious cycle

A negative situation that is self-perpetuating.

waver

Become uncertain or indecisive.

at one’s discretion

According to one’s own judgement.

cloud your judgement

Negatively affect decision-making.

cover every eventuality

Consider all possible situations.

outright (opposition)

Complete; immediate; undisguised.

intricate

Very complicated or detailed.

bask in (one’s) glory

Enjoy the praise or success achieved.

never fear

Do not worry.

grim

Worrying; without hope.

derive (from)

Obtain something from a source.

elicit

Draw out a reaction, answer, or fact.

expedient

Convenient but possibly improper solution.

不得已的

tentative

Not certain or fixed; provisional.暫定的

remedy

A solution or treatment for a problem.

entitled to

Having a right or claim to something.