Survival English Level 32 Vocabulary

Vocabulary list including idiomatic expressions, phrasal verbs, and common terms from the Survival English level 32 lecture notes.

To punish severely

To discipline someone in a very strict or harsh way.

As a punishment

An action or consequence given to someone for breaking a rule or law.

To escape punishment

To avoid being penalized for a wrong action.

To receive an oral reprimand

To get a verbal warning or official expression of disapproval.

To split up into two groups

To divide a single group into two separate sections.

To draw a lesson from

To learn something meaningful or gain knowledge from an experience.

To dig (slang)

To like, enjoy, or appreciate something, such as a particular type of music.

To dig something up (metaphorical)

To find or discover information or a physical object.

To have a word with somebody

To speak with someone briefly, usually in private.

A cushy job

An easy and comfortable job that often pays well for little effort.

To make every effort

To try as hard as possible to achieve something.

To get something done on one's own

To complete a task by oneself without help from others.

A brand new car

A car that is completely new and has never been used.

Vain efforts

Attempts that are useless or unsuccessful in achieving a goal.

To maintain one's health

To take actions to keep the body in good condition.

To maintain a car

To perform regular servicing and care to keep a vehicle in good working order.

Maintenance

The process of keeping something in good condition through regular care and repair.

To be on a diet

To follow a specific plan of eating, often to lose weight or for health reasons.

Free access

The ability to enter a place or use something without restrictions.

To have access to

To have the means or right to use or enter something.

To be done up

To be extremely tired or exhausted.

To do up

To fasten or tie something, such as a coat or shoelaces.

To obtain

To get, acquire, or be given something.

To be reprimanded

To be officially and formally criticized for one's actions.

To fall apart

To break into pieces or, in the case of a group like a band, to cease working together.

To get the best out of

To derive the maximum benefit or performance from someone or something.

To dig deep

To look for something or investigate a matter very thoroughly.

Dig up interesting facts

To discover or reveal specific pieces of information through investigation.

To think over

To consider something carefully before making a decision.

To pull the strings

To use secret influence or connections to control a situation or get what one wants.

Minimal efforts

The smallest possible amount of physical or mental energy used to do something.

It cost him much effort

A phrase used to indicate that completing a task was very difficult for a person.

To scrape up some cash

To manage to collect a small amount of money, often with difficulty.

Wait in vain

To wait for something that never happens or arrives.

To maintain one's composure

To remain calm and in control of one's emotions during a difficult situation.

Old acquaintance

Someone that you know but who is not a close friend, often from the past.

To figure something out

To understand something or find a solution to a problem through thinking.

To go on a diet

To start a restricted or specific eating plan.

To cut down on something

To reduce the amount or frequency of something one consumes, such as coffee.

To deny access to

To prevent someone from entering a place or using a resource.

To undo buttons

To unfasten the buttons on a piece of clothing.