Ready for C2 Wordlist - Unit 10

box office hit

a film that is very successful and earns a lot of money because of the number of tickets that are sold

critically acclaimed

admired by people whose job is to give their opinion of things such as new books, plays, or films

cult classic

a book, film, television programme etc. that is very good and has been popular and had a lot of influence for a long time

far-fetched

difficult to believe because it is very unlikely

hard-hitting

making criticisms in a very strong, honest, and direct way; this word usually shows that you approve of this type of criticism.

heart-wrenching

making you feel very sad or emotional

long-awaited

a long-awaited event has been expected for a long time

page-turner

a book that is very interesting or exciting

spellbinding

so interesting that it holds your attention completely

spine-tingling

very exciting or frightening in a way that you enjoy

star-studded

including a lot of famous people

tearjerker

a sad film or story that makes you cry

as clear as mud

very difficult to understand

as dull as ditchwater

very boring

as mad as a box of frogs

if someone is as ____ as ____ ____ ____ ____, they are extremely silly or strange

as sly as a fox

if someone is as ____ as ____ ____, they are very clever and sometimes dishonest

as tough as old boots

very strong and able to deal with difficult situations or pain easily

fight like cat and dog

to fight or argue often or with a lot of anger

get on like a house on fire

to become good friends very quickly and have a lot to talk to each other about

sleep like a log

to sleep very well

stick out like a sore thumb

to be very noticeable because of being different

watch like a hawk

to watch someone very carefully, especially in order to make sure that they do not do something bad

a sight for sore eyes

someone or something that you are very pleased to see

Achilles heel

a weak feature of someone or something that is otherwise strong, which makes them open to attack or failure

as dead as a doornail

completely dead or not working

Catch 22 situation

a set of problems that is impossible to escape from because each problem must be solved first before you can solve any of the others

cliff-hanger

an exciting end to part of a book or television programme that makes you want to read or watch the next part

down the rabbit hole

used for referring to a situation in which you become so interested in something that you cannot stop trying to find out about it or doing it

freelance

freelance work is done by a person who is not permanently employed by a particular company but who sells their services to more than one company

give the creeps

to make someone feel nervous or frightened

love is blind

used for saying that when you love someone, it is difficult to see their faults

the pot calling the kettle black

used for saying that someone is criticizing another person for a fault that they also have

the world is your oyster

used for emphasising that you can go anywhere or do anything that you want to

wild goose chase

an attempt to find something that does not exist or that you are very unlikely to discover