S1 C1-C2 BITE ME (PLEASE): UNPACKING TWILIGHT-CORE & POP CULTURE’S VAMPIRE CRAZE

in the grips of a pop culture comeback

experiencing renewed popularity

backdrop

the setting or background against which actions take place

heartthrob

a male celebrity who is known for his good looks

to come out of the woodwork

to appear suddenly or unexpectedly

to berate sb

to scold or criticize sb angrily

to gain cult-classic status

to become highly admired by a small but devoted group of fans

to lambast sth

to severely criticize sth, often publicly

installment

one of several parts of a film, book, etc. released over time

unwavering commitment

strong and steady dedication without hesitation

to begrudge

to feel upset because sb has sth you think they don’t deserve

dogged

very determined to continue doing sth even when it’s difficult

tell-tale signs

clear indications or revealing clues of sth hidden

gory

involving or showing a lot of blood and violence

a barrage of sth

an overwhelming quantity of sth delivered rapidly

dog-eared copy

a book with folded or worn corners showing frequent use

subject matter

the main theme, topic, or content of a discussion or work

to buoy sth

to support sth and make it more successful

astounding success

a surprisingly impressive achievement

whopping

very large

second-hand embarrassment

discomfort felt when watching sb else’s awkward situation

unabashed fan

an openly enthusiastic supporter

hellbent on sth

determined to achieve sth at all costs

prefrontal cortex

parts of the brain responsible for decision-making, planning, and self-control

dad bod

a male physique that is not lean or toned

pre-marital sex

sexual activity that happens before marriage

delineated by flannel shirts

characterized or defined by flannel shirts

desaturated shades

muted or faded colors lacking brightness

low-maintenance wardrobe

clothing choices that require little care or effort

beacon of cool

a symbol or example of effortless style and trendiness

frumpy

unfashionable, dowdy, or lacking style

shabby

worn-out or untidy in appearance

angsty nature of adolescence

the emotional restlessness and worry experienced in teenage years

to pine after a forbidden lover

to long deeply for sb you cannot have

to slip on some trainers

to quickly put on casual sports shoes

subtle details

small but noticeable features

the epitome of elegance

the perfect example of grace and refined style

peacoat

a short, double-breasted wool coat with broad lapels

quaint

attractively old-fashioned or charmingly unusual

collective yearning for comfort

shared emotional desire for ease and coziness

dull

lacking brightness, excitement, or interest

eye candy

sth or sb visually attractive but with little deeper value

to nibble at a woman’s neck

to bite a woman’s neck gently and repeatedly

vampire frenzy

intense excitement or mania about vampires

inexorably intertwined

unable to be separated due to strong or inevitable connection

to take a nip (mostly UK)

to take a small sip of an alcoholic drink, especially spirits

to set the female heart aflutter

to cause excitement or romantic thrill in women

sly portrayal

a depiction that is clever, subtle, or cunning

fangs

long, pointed teeth used for biting

intrepid

extremely brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations

rabid vampire fan

an extremely passionate fan of vampire-related media

to act out the fantasy

to perform or physically play out an imagined scenario

impaled

pierced through with a pointed object

bottled up adolescent angst

unexpressed teenage emotional distress

tormented relationship

a relationship filled with pain and emotional suffering

to be hoodwinked into sth

tricked or misled into doing or thinking sth

ghastly lie

a shockingly unpleasant or horrifying lie

scorned

treated with contempt or disdain

infamous

well-known for a bad quality or deed

dazzling

impressively bright, beautiful, or skillful

detrimental to

harmful or damaging to sth

on the brink of sth

close to experiencing or doing sth

to succumb to sth

to give in or yield to sth

condescending

displaying a patronizing attitude toward sb

to wallow in self-pity

to indulge excessively in feeling sorry for oneself

consecutive novels

novels that follow one another in sequence

self-loathing

intense dislike of oneself

marred by

spoiled or damaged by sth

aversion / revulsion

strong dislike or disgust toward sth

to dissipate

to gradually disappear or become less apparent

to slaughter sb

to kill sb in a brutal or violent way

to draw a line at sth

to set a firm limit and refuse to go beyond sth

facet of the relationship

one aspect or side of a relationship

overexertion of power

excessive use of authority or control

to undermine sb’s confidence

to gradually weaken sb’s confidence

subjected to vitriol

exposed to harsh and cruel criticism

ploy

a clever trick or tactic to achieve sth

derision

contemptuous ridicule or mockery

exasperated

intensely irritated and frustrated

dire

extremely serious or urgent

to grow desensitized

to become less affected by sth over time

unrepentant

not feeling or showing regret for wrongdoing

valiant

courageous and determined, especially in the face of difficulty

age discrepancy

a significant age difference

to make a resurgence

to return and gain strength or popularity again

recession indicator

a measure that signals economic decline

suave

smoothly charming and sophisticated

in shambles

in a state of complete disorder or ruin

grotesque

extremely distorted, ugly, or unnatural

to crystallize social fears

to give clear, definite form to public fears

regal

resembling or suitable for royalty

explicit sexuality

openly depicted sexual content

transgression

the act or process of breaking a law or moral rule

lured into

attracted or tempted into doing sth, often deceptively

temptation

desire to do sth, especially wrong or unwise

to sink one’s teeth into sth

to get fully engaged or involved in sth

remorseless

without regret or pity

to strip sb of sth

to forcibly remove a possession or right from sb

a spin on the …

a unique interpretation or variation of sth

abstinence

deliberate avoidance of pleasurable activities, often sexual

sexually charged

filled with sexual tension or meaning