Vocabulary Unit 7

pursuit

the act of trying to achieve something

plight

a difficult or unpleasant situation

secluded

quiet, private and sheltered from the presence of other people

thump out

to produce a loud, heavy sound repeatedly

spew

to pour out large quantities of somethig rapidly

backpacker grapevines

informal networks through which backpackers share information and advice

pristine

completely clean and untouched

seethe

to be extremely angry

begrudge

to envy someone because they have something you think they do not deserve

commendable

deserving praise or approval

roam

to move about aimlessly or wander over a large area

lax

not strict or careful enough

turn a blind eye to something

to deliberately ignore something wrong

crackpot

a foolish person with wild ideas

make a dent

to reduce an amount of money

haggle over

to argue about the price of something

measly

very small or disappointing in amount

tangible

capable of being touched

shady

seeming dishonest od suspicious

deciding factor

the key element that determines the outcome of a decision

desired effect

the intended or wished-for result

dim memory

a vague memory of something

educated guess

a guess based on knowledge or evidence

narrow escape

a situation where a disaster of danger was barely avoided

sharp contrast

a striking difference between two things

influx

the arrival of large number of people or things

injection (economy)

an insertion of capital or funds into an economy to boost growth

spell disaster

to lead to catastrophic results

long-lasting

continuing for a long time

to be a drain on

to continuously consume someone’s resources

short-sighted

failing to consider the long-term consequences

a thirst for adventure

a strong desire to have exciting experiences

to go off the beaten path

to visit places that are less travelled

sense of adventure

a strong desire to have exciting experiences

to satisfy one’s curiosity

to find out something you wanted to know

intrepid

willing to face danger or difficulties

sparsley populated areas

areas where very few people live

sustainable

capable of being maintained long-term without damaging the environment

on a whim

because of a sudden idea or desire

play something by ear

to deal with a situation as it develops rather than planning ahead

tip of the iceberg

a small, visible part of a much larger hidden problem

on the spur of the moment

suddenly and withount planning

a riot of color

a bright and impressive mixture of many colours

at a stone’s throw

a short distance away

peculiar to

specific to a particular person/thing

particular

special rather than general

to boast/ to brag

to talk proudly about something you have

to embark

to begin a journey or a new activity

to embody

to represent or express an idea or quality

inquisitive

curious and eager to learn or discover things