Thẻ ghi nhớ: IDIOMS - 21: SOCIAL STATUS | Quizlet

toffee-nosed

thinks he is of a high social class and looks down on people of lower class (negative). Example: He's very nice and friendly, but his brother is very toffee-nosed.

putting on / giving yourself airs and graces

acting as if you were someone of a higher social class than you really are. Example: Don't try putting on / giving yourself airs and graces. Remember, I know that you come from a very ordinary family.

a pillar of society

a solid, respectable and respected member of society. Example: Everyone was shocked to hear he was involved in crime. He was such a pillar of society.

a rough diamond

a person who seems impolite / of low education at first, but who is usually of good character. Example: Her new boyfriend's a bit of a rough diamond, but he's very nice really.

down-and-outs

people who have no home, no money and no job, who live on the streets. Example: She's always giving money to down-and-outs and anyone who begs in the street.

keep up appearances

continue to live at the same social standard we have lived at, even though we have money problems. Example: We can't really afford new furniture, but we have to keep up appearances, so we'll buy some.

high-flyer

rose very quickly to a successful position. Example: He was a high-flyer in the world of computers in the 1990s, and went on to become a dot.com millionaire.

made a name for himself

became well-known. Example: He first made a name for himself in the world of classical music.

on his way up

rising to better and better positions. Example: Edward Briggs is definitely on his way up in the financial world.

up-and-coming

becoming more and more popular/famous. Example: She is one of several up-and-coming actresses who have appeared in the new TV drama.

new blood

a new person from outside the company. Example: The company needed new blood and she provided it. Within six months, sales had risen dramatically.

keep a low profile

not draw attention to myself; be unnoticed. Example: I prefer to keep a low profile at work. I'm not interested in promotion.

Anybody who is anybody

all the important people. Example: Oh, you must come to the party! Anybody who is anybody will be there.

the odd one out

different from everyone else. Example: Harriet always seems to be the odd one out. She never seems to fit in socially.

politically correct

acceptable and non-offensive way of talking about particular social groups; usually used in a slightly negative way to suggest that it is slightly ridiculous to be so careful about choosing words that do not offend anyone. Example: You can't call someone 'unemployed' any more. The politically correct name is 'unwaged'.