Lexico Practice Tests: Advanced English Vocabulary & Idioms

A collection of vocabulary terms, idioms, and advanced English phrases derived from Lexico practice tests, complete with definitions grounded in the provided lecture notes and keys.

sporting chance

A situation where it is possible that something good will happen.

bubble over

To be so filled with an emotion or idea that it is very apparent.

clean someone out

To use or take all of somebody’s money.

cotton on

To begin to understand or realize something without being told directly.

clip off

To reduce the time it takes to do something by a particular length of time.

halfway house

Something that combines features of two other things, often as a compromise to please different people.

commuter belt

The area surrounding a large city where many people who work in that city reside.

the fine print

The small text in a formal agreement that often contains important details or restrictions.

grimace

To make an ugly expression with the face to show pain, dislike, or disgust.

cleanse

To take away somebody’s guilty feelings or sins.

dead on arrival

A term used for an accident victim or patient who is already deceased when arriving at the hospital.

power

To move very quickly and with great force in a particular direction.

immerse yourself in

To become or make somebody completely involved in something.

cliffhanger

A situation in a story or competition that is exciting because the outcome is unknown until the end.

unassuming

Not wanting to be noticed; modest.

twitterpated

To be swept off your feet or highly infatuated by someone you fancy.

steer

To take control of a situation and influence the way in which it develops.

wilt

To become weaker and tired, often due to heat or exhaustion.

belligerent

Hostile and ready to fight.

clink

To make a sharp ringing sound, like that of glasses being hit against each other.

chop chop

An informal expression used to tell someone to hurry up.

good/bad mixer

A person who finds it easy or difficult to talk to people they do not know at social gatherings.

blood sport

A sport in which animals or birds are killed.

the dead hand of

An influence that controls or limits current progress or initiative.

creep up on

To begin to affect someone, especially before they realize it is happening.

eat out of someone's hand

To be easily manipulated or dominated by somebody.

hook up to

To connect someone or something to a piece of electronic equipment, power supply, or the internet.

conceptualise

To form an idea or theory about something in one's mind.

unpretentious

Not trying to appear more special, intelligent, or important than one really is.

injudicious

Not sensible or wise; inappropriate for a particular situation.

foreword

A short introduction found at the beginning of a book.

fig leaf

Something used to hide something else, especially something dishonest or embarrassing.

figment

Something that has been imagined and does not really exist.

laid-back

Relaxed in manner and character; not usually worried about things.

have the courage of your convictions

To have the courage to say or do what you believe is right.

a brick short of load

A slang expression used to describe someone who is perceived as stupid or crazy.

on a tear

Engaged in a continuous, fast-paced procession of events, usually with favorable results.

ostensibly

Appearing to be one thing on the surface, though the reality may be different.

fly a kite

To test out public opinion on a subject before taking further action.

prudish

Easily shocked by rude things, especially anything relating to sex.

stoical

Able to suffer pain or trouble without complaining or showing emotions.

cynic

A person who believes that people only do things to help themselves rather than for sincere reasons.

bigoted

Showing strong, unreasonable beliefs and refusing to change them.

headstrong

Determined to do things one's own way and refusing to listen to advice.

disinherit

To prevent a family member from receiving money or property after one's death.

maternity leave

A period of time when a woman is allowed to be away from work before and after having a baby.

with a vengeance

To a greater degree than is expected or usual.

the well-heeled

A term used to describe rich or wealthy people.

problem page

The section of a magazine or newspaper where readers' personal problems are answered with advice.

lethargy

A feeling of having little energy or being unwilling to do anything.

good wine needs no bush

A proverb meaning there is no need to advertise something of good quality, as its merits will be discovered.

empirical

Based on experiment, observation, or experience rather than theories.

queen bee

A woman who behaves as though she is the most important person in a group.

wage

To begin and continue a fight, war, or campaign.

weasel out of

To avoid doing something you agreed to do, often by being dishonest.

distaff

Relating to women or the female branch of a family.

apace

Happening quickly.

apartheid

The former political system in South Africa in which only white people had full political and other rights.

war grave

A burial place for members of the armed forces or civilians who died during military operations.

toe the party line

To say or do what those in authority tell you, even if you do not share their opinions.

chip off the old block

A person who is very similar to their mother or father in appearance or behavior.

sop

Something of little importance offered to stop complaints or unhappiness.

endorsement

A public statement or action showing support for somebody or something.

inflection

A change in the quality or tone of the voice, often showing emotion.

layperson

A person who does not have expert knowledge of a particular subject.

behindhand

Late in doing something or in paying money that is owed.

steal someone's thunder

To get the attention or success that somebody else was expecting by doing what they intended to do first.

acumen

Skill in making correct decisions and judgments in a particular subject.

extra

A person in a film who does not have a speaking part and is usually part of a crowd scene.

amicable

Relating to an agreement or decision achieved without unpleasantness or arguing.

well-appointed

Having a good supply of comfortable furniture and attractive decorations.

over-egg the pudding

To do more than is necessary or add unnecessary details to make something seem better or worse than it is.

adduce

To cite or present evidence from reliable sources to support an argument.

the bee's knees

An informal term for an excellent person or thing.

paper over the cracks

To hide problems or arguments in order to make a situation seem better than it really is.

upbraid

To forcefully or angrily criticize someone for their actions.

practitioner

Someone who works in a job that involves long training and high levels of skill.

concession

Something allowed or given up in order to end an argument or make a situation less difficult.

in the wilderness

A situation where someone, like a politician, no longer has a position of authority or fame.

matriculate

To be formally admitted to study at a university or college.

recuperate

To become well again after an illness or to get back one's strength.

expatiate on

To write or speak in great detail about a particular subject.

posterity

All the people who will live in the future.

transpire

When something that was previously secret becomes known.

confirmed bachelor

A man who has never married and is considered unlikely to ever marry.

preen

To spend time making oneself look attractive.

above board

Legal and honest; done in a legal and honest way.

preach to the choir

To speak in support of views to people who already hold those same views.

slippage

The failure to complete a task on time.

momentous

Very important or serious, especially because of the potential results.

tautological

Saying the same thing twice in different words in a way that is unnecessary.

simmer down

To become calm after a period of anger, excitement, or tension.

keep up with the Joneses

To strive to match the material possessions and lifestyle of one's neighbors or associates.

dispel

To make a feeling or belief go away or disappear.

ingratiate oneself with

To do things to make somebody like you, especially someone who can be useful to you.

indisposition

A slight illness.

angst

Strong feelings of anxiety and unhappiness about one's life or future.

apprehension

The act of capturing or arresting someone, usually by the police.

ensemble

A small group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together regularly.

dead in the water

A plan or project that fails or has little chance of succeeding.