DESTINATION C1C2 UNIT 2 (REVISED)

baffle /ˈbæfl/

to confuse somebody completely; to be too difficult or strange for somebody to understand or explain

• His behaviour _s me.

• (as to) why, how, where, etc… I'm _ as to why she hasn't called.

~ làm trở ngại

biased /ˈbaɪəst/

​tending to show favour towards or against one group of people or one opinion for personal reasons; making unfair judgements

• _ information/sources/press reports

• The article was heavily _ against the current regime.

• They admit that they're _ towards the Republican Party.

~ thiên vị (adj)

contemplate

1. [transitive] to think about whether you should do something, or how you should do something

   synonym consider, think about/of

   • You're too young to be _ retirement.

   • He continued while she _ how to answer.

2. ​[transitive] to think carefully about and accept the possibility of something happening

   • The thought of war is too awful to _.

   • How could you even _ such an idea?

~ suy ngẫm (về cái gì) suy tính; dự tính

cynical

1. believing that people only do things to help themselves rather than for good or honest reasons

   • a _ view/smile

   • Do you have to be so _ about everything?

2. ​(about something) not believing that something good will happen or that something is important

   • I'm a bit _ about the benefits of the plan.

   • Her experiences with men have made her thoroughly _ about love.

~ Hoài nghi, yếm thế (Adj)

deliberate

​to consider something very carefully, usually before making a decision

• The jury _ for five days before finding him guilty.

• They _ (on) whether to continue with the talks.

• Customers sometimes _ over a purchase for weeks.

dubious

1. (about something)/(about doing something) (of a person) not certain about something and suspecting that something may be wrong; not knowing whether something is good or bad

   synonym doubtful

   • I was rather _ about the whole idea.

   • Kate looked _, but did as she was asked.

2. ​(disapproving) probably not honest

   synonym suspicious

   • The man who sold it to him was known to be of _ character.

~ Lờ mờ, mơ hồ, minh bạch, không rõ ràng · Đáng ngờ, không đáng tin cậy

ideology /ˌaɪdiˈɑːlədʒi/

1. a set of ideas that an economic or political system is based on

   • Marxist/capitalist _

2. ​a set of beliefs, especially one held by a particular group, that influences the way people behave

   • the _ of gender roles

   • alternative _

~ Ý thức hệ, hệ tư tưởng (của một giai cấp...)

intuition

​[uncountable] the ability to know something by using your feelings rather than considering the facts

• _ told her that he had spoken the truth.

• He was guided by _ and personal judgement.

~ Trực giác, sự hiểu biết qua trực giác; khả năng trực giác

hunch

a feeling that something is true even though you do not have any evidence to prove it

• It seemed that the doctor's _ had been right.

• My _ is that the burglars are still in the area.

• (that)… I had a _ (that) you’d be back.

~ linh cảm

paradox

​[countable] a person, thing or situation that has two opposite features and therefore seems strange

• He was a _—a loner who loved to chat to strangers.

• It is a curious _ that professional comedians often have unhappy personal lives.

~ Ý kiến ngược đời, sự ngược đời

ponder

​to think about something carefully for a period of time

synonym consider

• She _ over his words.

• They were left to _ on the implications of the announcement.

presume

[intransitive, transitive] to suppose that something is true, although you do not have actual proof

synonym assume

• They are very expensive, I _?

• ‘Is he still abroad?’ ‘I _ so.’

• (that)… I _ (that) he understood the rules.

skeptical

(about/of something) having doubts that a claim or statement is true or that something will happen

• I am _ about his chances of winning.

• The public remain _ of these claims.

inattentive

(disapproving)

1. ​not paying attention to something/somebody

   • an _ pupil

   • _ to the needs of others

come around (to something)

to change your mood or your opinion

• He'll never _ my way of thinking.

mull over

to spend time thinking carefully about a plan or proposal

synonym consider

• I need some time to _ it _ before making a decision.

read up on

to read a lot about a subject

• I'll need to _ the case before the meeting.

swot up on

(British English, informal) to study a particular subject very hard, especially in order to prepare for an exam

• Make sure you _ the company before the interview.

think over

​to consider something carefully, especially before reaching a decision

• He'd like more time to _ things _.

• I've been _ what you said.

think through

​to consider a problem or a possible course of action fully

think up

​(informal) to create something in your mind

synonym devise, invent

• Can't you _ a better excuse than that?

have/keep your wits about you

1. ​to be aware of what is happening around you and ready to think and act quickly

   • They do tough interviews so you'll need to _.

(know) what’s what

1. ​(informal) (know) what things are useful, important, etc.

   • She certainly _.

not see the wood for the trees

1. ​to not see or understand the main point about something, because you are paying too much attention to small details

be quick/slow on the uptake

1. ​(informal) to be quick/slow to understand something

   • Is he always this _?

take stock (of something)

1. ​to stop and think carefully about the way in which a particular situation is developing in order to decide what to do next

   • It was time to stand back and _ his career.

unassuming

(approving)

1. ​not wanting to draw attention to yourself or to your abilities or status

   synonym modest

   • He did some wonderful work in a quiet and _ way.

   • He has won public affection for his _ style.

assuming

(that) used to suppose that something is true so that you can talk about what the results might be

• _ (that) he’s still alive, how old would he be now?

• I hope to go to college next year, always _ I pass my exams.

assumed

[only before noun]

1. ​that you suppose to be true or to exist

   • the _ differences between the two states

~ Cho rằng (là đúng); giả sử (là đúng), thừa nhận

disbelieve

to not believe that something is true or that somebody is telling the truth

• Why should I _ her story?

• He had come to _ his own assertions.

disbelieving

showing that you do not believe that something is true or that somebody is telling the truth

• a _ look/smile/laugh

• At first he was _.

brilliance

[uncountable]

1. ​the quality of being extremely impressive, intelligent or skilful

   • There were flashes of _ from the soloists, but generally the playing and singing lacked sparkle.

   • the technical _ of his later films

conceptualize

​to form an idea of something in your mind

• These people do not _ hunting as a violent act.

• Try to _ thought processes as a series of circles.

~ hình thành hoặc phát triển một khái niệm hoặc ý tưởng trong tâm trí

conceptual

​related to or based on ideas

• a _ framework within which children’s needs are assessed

• a _ model

conceivable

that you can imagine or believe

synonym possible

• It is _ that I'll see her tomorrow.

• a beautiful city with buildings of every _ age and style

inconceivable

impossible to imagine or believe

synonym unthinkable

• It is _ that the minister was not aware of the problem.

• Then the _ happened—I lost my job.

(in)conceivably

(không) có thể hình dung được (adv)

definitive(ly)

1. ​final; not able to be changed

   • a _ agreement/answer/statement

   • The _ version of the text is ready to be published.

2. ​[usually before noun] considered to be the best of its kind and almost impossible to improve

   • the _ biography of Einstein

   • the _ guide to the golf courses of Europe

(in)definite(ly)

sure or certain; unlikely to change

• Can you give me a _ answer by tomorrow?

• Is it _ that he's leaving?

• I'm not sure—I can find out for _ if you like.

doubtful(ly)

1. (of a person) not sure; uncertain and feeling doubt

   synonym dubious

   • (about something) Rose was _ about the whole idea.

   • (about doing something) He was _ about accepting extra work.

   2. ​unlikely; not probable

   • (if…) It's _ if this painting is a Picasso.

   • (that…) With her injuries it's _ that she'll ever walk again.

undoubted(ly)

[usually before noun]

1. ​used to emphasize that something exists or is definitely true

   synonym indubitable

   • She has an _ talent as an organizer.

   • The event was an _ success.

explanatory

giving the reasons for something; intended to describe how something works or to make something easier to understand

• There are _ notes at the back of the book.

self-explanatory

​easy to understand and not needing any more explanation

• I think the title is _.

unexplained

​for which the reason or cause is not known; that has not been explained

• an _ mystery

• He died in _ circumstances.

(in)explicable

that can be explained or understood

• His behaviour is only _ in terms of (= because of) his recent illness.

inexplicably

​in a way that cannot be understood or explained

• _ delayed/absent

• She _ withdrew the offer.

imaginings

[plural]

1. ​things that you imagine, that exist only in your mind

imaginative

(approving)

1. ​having or showing new and exciting ideas

   synonym inventive

   • an _ approach/idea/child

   • recipes that make _ use of seasonal vegetables

judiciary

​the judges of a country or a state, when they are considered as a group

• an independent _

• The _ is/are independent of the other branches of government.

~ Bộ máy tư pháp · Các quan toà của một nước

judiciousness

sự đúng đắn

judicious

(formal, approving)

1. ​careful and sensible; showing good judgement

   • It is curable with _ use of antibiotics.

   • Some dishes would be very bland without the _ use of spices and other seasonings.

~ Sáng suốt, có suy xét; đúng đắn, chí lý

injudicious

(formal)

1. ​not sensible or wise; not appropriate in a particular situation

   synonym unwise

   • an _ remark

~ Thiếu cân nhắc, thiếu suy nghĩ; dại dột

judicial

[usually before noun]

1. ​connected with a court, a judge or legal judgement

   • _ powers

   • the _ process/system

   • Greenpeace applied for a _ review to challenge the court’s decision.

~ (thuộc) toà án; (thuộc) quan toà; (thuộc) pháp luật

judgemental

(disapproving) judging people and criticizing them too quickly

• Stop always being so _!

opinionated

An ~ person is certain about their beliefs, and expresses their ideas strongly and often:

He was _ and selfish, but undeniably clever.

self-opinionated

believing that your own opinions are always right and refusing to listen to those of other people

~ Bảo thủ; cố chấp

rationalize

1. to find or try to find a logical reason to explain why somebody thinks, behaves, etc. in a way that is difficult to understand

   • an attempt to _ his violent behaviour

2. ​[transitive, intransitive] (British English) to make changes to a business, system, etc. in order to make it more efficient, especially by spending less money

   • Twenty workers lost their jobs when the department was _.

~ Hợp lý hoá (một ngành sản xuất)

rationalization

(British English also rationalisation)

[uncountable, countable]

1. ​the act of finding or trying to find a logical reason to explain why somebody thinks, behaves, etc. in a way that is difficult to understand

   • No amount of _ could justify his actions.

2. ​(British English) the act of making changes to a business, system, etc. in order to make it more efficient, especially by spending less money

   • a need for _ of the industry

~ Sự hợp lý hoá

rationalist

​a person who believes in rationalism

rationalism

[uncountable] (philosophy)

1. ​the belief that all behaviour, opinions, etc. should be based on reason rather than on emotions or religious beliefs

irrationality

[uncountable, countable, usually singular]

1. ​the fact of not being based on, or not using, clear logical thought

   • the _ of prejudice

~ Tính không hợp lý, tính phi lý

rationality

[uncountable]

1. ​the fact of being based on reason rather than emotions

   synonym reasonableness

   • the _ of his argument

2. ​the ability to think clearly and make decisions based on reason rather than emotions

   synonym reasonableness

   • She prides herself on her _.

sensibility

1. ​[uncountable, countable] the ability to experience and understand deep feelings, especially in art and literature

   • a man of impeccable manners, charm and _

   • They are accomplished linguists but have no literary _.

2. [plural] a person’s feelings, especially when the person is easily offended or influenced by something

   • The play gave no thought to the _ of the audience.

~ Tri giác, cảm giác · Tính đa cảm, tính dễ cảm

(give) an account of

thuật lại, diễn tả lại, báo cáo

by/from all accounts

according to what other people say

• I've never been there, but it's a lovely place, _.

on sb’s account

1. ​because of what you think somebody wants

   • Please don't change your plans _.

~ vì lí do gì, hay vì ai đó (thể hiện ý muốn vì người đó mà phải làm chuyện gì)

put/turn something to good account

(formal) to use something in a good or helpful way

• He _ his artistic talents _ by becoming a sculptor.

settle a score/accounts (with somebody) | settle an old score

1. ​to hurt or punish somebody who has harmed or cheated you in the past

   • ‘Who would do such a thing?’ ‘Maybe someone with _.’

   • An embittered Charlotte is determined to _ with Elizabeth.

be brought/called to account

yêu cầu giải thích (nhằm chịu trách nhiệm vì hành động của mình

of no/little account

1. ​(formal) not important

   • Emotional matters were _ to them during the war.

redress the balance

to make a situation equal or fair again

• For years poorer children have had to put up with a lower quality education, and now is the time to _.

strike a balance (between A and B)

1. ​to manage to find a way of being fair to two things that are opposed to each other; to find an acceptable position that is between two things

   • We need to _ between these conflicting interests.

~ đáp ứng yêu cầu giữa hai bên, chấp nhận thỏa thuận đôi bên

on balance

1. ​after considering all the information

   • _, the company has had a successful year.

(catch/throw somebody) off balance

1. to make somebody unsteady and in danger of falling

   • I was _ by the sudden gust of wind.

   • The sudden movement _.

2. ​to make somebody surprised and no longer calm

   • The senator was clearly _ by the unexpected question.

tip the balance/scales

to affect the result of something in one way rather than another

• In an interview, smart presentation can _ in your favour.

• New evidence _ against the prosecution.

~ nghĩa là quyết định cách giải quyết vấn đề (theo hướng có lợi cho một bên nhất định)

beggar belief/description

1. ​to be too extreme, horrible, etc. to believe/describe

   • It _ how things could have got this bad.

(in) a fond belief/hope

trông chờ, có niềm tin mơ hồ là, dù đã biết trước kết quả nhưng vẫn mong chờ, chờ đợi dù biết chẳng có cơ hội

pick somebody’s brains

1. ​(informal) to ask somebody a lot of questions about something because they know more about the subject than you do

   • I need to_: what can you tell me about credit unions?

brain trust

a group of people who advise a leader:

The candidate's _ is gathering this weekend to plan strategy for the primary election.

~ chuyên gia cố vấn cho lãnh đạo

have something on the brain

1. ​(informal) to think about something all the time, especially in a way that is annoying

   • She's got football _.

no-brainer

(informal)

1. ​a decision or a problem that you do not need to think about much because it is obvious what you should do

   • The question of who to support in this election should be a _.

   • I said yes straight away. It was a _ for me.

~ quyết định, kết luận, giải pháp quá rõ ràng

for sb's consideration

Đưa ra điều gì để xem xét

I have submitted my proposal _.

out of consideration for someone/something

If you do something ~ someone or something, you behave in a particular way because you are considering their feelings:

A number of small changes were made to the film, _ international audiences.

She was furious, but hid her feelings _ the old man.

beyond (any) doubt

​in a way that shows that something is completely certain

• The research showed _ that smoking contributes to heart disease.

• (law) The prosecution was able to establish _ reasonable _ that the woman had been lying.

give somebody the benefit of the doubt

to accept that somebody has told the truth or behaved well because you cannot prove that they have not

• She may have been lying, but I felt I had to _.

beyond somebody’s wildest dreams

1. ​far more, better, etc. than you could ever have imagined or hoped for

in your dreams

1. ​(informal) used to tell somebody that something they are hoping for is not likely to happen

   • ‘I'll be a manager before I'm 30.’ ‘_.’

be (living) in a dream world

to have hopes and ideas that are not practical or possible:

If he thinks I'll forgive him, he's _.

~ mong ước hay quan điểm không thực tế

run away with something

1. to win something clearly or easily

2. ​to believe something that is not true

   • I don't want you to _ the impression that all I do is have meetings all day.

make a mental note of something

to make an effort to remember something:

I _ her address.

have a one-track mind

to think about one particular thing and nothing else:

And no, Bill, I wasn't talking about sex - you _!

take your mind off

1. ​to make you forget about something unpleasant for a short time

   synonym distract

   • Painting helped _ her troubles.

on your mind

​if somebody/something is ~, you are thinking and worrying about them/it a lot

• You've been _ all day.

• Don't bother your father tonight—he's got a lot _.

state of mind

a person's mood and the effect that mood has on the person’s thinking and behavior:

I was not in the right _ to laugh at his jokes.

~ Tình trạng cảm xúc hoặc tinh thần của một người

run through someone's head/mind

If something is ~, you cannot stop thinking about it or singing it silently:

I've had that tune _ all day.

prey on somebody’s mind

1. ​(of a thought, problem, etc.) to make somebody think and worry about it all the time

   • The thought that he could have helped more _.

   • It's been _ ever since it happened.

under the misapprehension that

​a wrong idea about something, or something you believe to be true that is not true

• I was _ the course was for complete beginners.

put something in(to) perspective

to compare something to other things so that it can be accurately and fairly judged:

• Total investments for this year reached $53 million, and, to _, investments this year were double those made in 2013.

• People were unset by the sudden rise in violent crime, so he tried to _ by explaining that crime rates were actually falling.

~ Làm sáng tỏ, đánh giá đúng giá trị thực và tầm quan trọng của điều gì.

in perspective

An object or person that is ~ has the correct size and position in comparison with other things in the picture:

• Make sure that the figures are _.

• At that time, artists were just beginning to learn how to draw _.

out of perspective

An object or person that is ~ does not have the correct size or position in comparison with other things in the picture, and therefore does not look real or natural:

• The painting had a naive, _ style.

• If you draw objects the wrong size, your painting will look _.

~ không theo đúng tỷ lệ hoặc bị méo mó, sai lệch