COMMUNICATION AND PERSONALITY + READING

to stamp one’s mark on something

to influence or change something in a way that clearly shows one’s contribution. Example: She stamped her mark on the film industry

a clash of personalities

a disagreement caused by very different personalities. Example: There was a clash of personalities between the two managers

to have a superiority complex

to believe that one is better than other people. Example: He has a superiority complex and often looks down on his colleagues

to act one’s age

to behave in a way suitable for someone of one’s age. Example: Some critics told the celebrity to act her age

the downfall of communication

the decline of effective communication. Example: Social media may contribute to the downfall of face-to-face communication

a breakdown in communication

a misunderstanding caused by people failing to discuss or resolve something. Example: The dispute resulted from a breakdown in communication

to live in harmony with one another

to live peacefully without conflict. Example: Students from different backgrounds can live in harmony with one another

to keep abreast of something

to stay informed about the latest developments. Example: Doctors need to keep abreast of new treatments

to accelerate the flow of information

to make information spread faster. Example: New software can accelerate the flow of information between researchers

behind the times

(idiomn)

old-fashioned and not modern. Example: His working methods are behind the times

set in one’s ways

unwilling to change one’s habits or opinions. Example: Older people are sometimes set in their ways

a social butterfly

an outgoing person who enjoys socialising. Example: She is a social butterfly and makes friends easily

a stickler for something

a person who insists strongly on a rule or standard. Example: My supervisor is a stickler for detail

to be user-friendly

to be easy to use. Example: Modern apps should be user-friendly

social networking sites

websites or apps used to communicate and share information with others. Example: Young people spend a lot of time on social networking sites

to break off a relationship/negotiations

to end something suddenly. Example: The two countries broke off negotiations

to reach deadlock

to reach a situation where no agreement is possible. Example: The talks reached deadlock over trade rules

to have social skills

to have the personal skills needed for successful communication. Example: Customer service jobs require good social skills

to have a laid-back attitude

to be relaxed and not easily worried. Example: Her laid-back attitude makes her popular with students

to be a workaholic/shopaholic

to spend too much time working or shopping. Example: He is a workaholic and rarely takes holidays

to see the big picture

to understand the most important aspects of a situation. Example: Good leaders can see the big picture

to be generous to a fault

(idiom) to be so generous or helpful that it may cause problems. Example: My parents are generous to a fault

to make small talk

to talk politely about unimportant things. Example: I dislike making small talk at formal events

beyond comprehension

impossible to understand or believe. Example: The scale of the disaster was beyond comprehension

critical thinking

the process of analysing information objectively in order to make a judgement. Example: Critical thinking helps students evaluate evidence

to broaden one’s literary horizons

(idiom) to increase one’s knowledge or interest in literature by reading widely. Example: Schools should help pupils broaden their literary horizons

a turn of phrase

a particular way of expressing something. Example: A good turn of phrase can make writing more memorable

to read something into something

to think that something has more meaning than it really does. Example: Do not read too much into campaign promises

a period of readjustment

a time needed to get used to a new situation. Example: Migrants often experience a period of readjustment

to read on

to continue reading. Example: Readers should read on to understand the facts behind the headline

to break with precedent

to do something in a different way from what was done before. Example: Universities should break with precedent and admit more women to engineering courses

to read over

to read something carefully to check details or mistakes. Example: Students should read over their essays before submitting them

to come to one’s knowledge

(collocation) to become known by somebody. Example: If your hard work comes to your manager’s knowledge, your promotion prospects may improve

safe in the knowledge that

(collocation) confident because you know something is true. Example: Consumers buy organic food safe in the knowledge that it contains no artificial chemicals

to dig deep into

to search thoroughly for information. Example: Journalists must dig deep into public records

to do something to the letter

(idiom) to follow instructions or rules exactly. Example: The law should be applied to the letter

to stick in your mind

to be remembered for a long time. Example: Childhood stories often stick in your mind

to sharpen something up

to improve a skill, idea, or piece of knowledge. Example: Internships help students sharpen up their practical skills

to write off somebody/something

(phrasal verb)

to decide that someone or something is a failure and not worth attention. Example: Space projects should not be written off as expensive failures

to be engrossed in

to be completely focused on something. Example: People who are engrossed in work may neglect family life

to understand somebody/something to be/have something

to believe something is true because you have been told it. Example: The president is understood to favour more public spending

secure in the knowledge that

not worried because you are sure something is true. Example: Hard-working students feel confident in exams, secure in the knowledge that they are well-prepared

a success story

a person or thing that has become very successful. Example: Behind every success story there is hard work

to read between the lines

to understand a meaning that is not directly stated. Example: Reading between the lines, the report is not optimistic

to read up on something

(phrasal verb) to study or find information about something. Example: Students should read up on a subject before choosing a university course

to come highly recommended

to be praised by many people. Example: This novel comes highly recommended

literary appreciation

the ability to recognise and enjoy the qualities of good writing. Example: Children develop literary appreciation through regular readin