Ready for C2 WB U1 voc extra - emotions and feelings

see through

To detect/recognize deception; not be fooled by something/someone

Register: Neutral; both spoken and written

I could s__ t__ his lies immediately – he's a terrible actor.
She s__ t__ the scam and reported it to the police.
Most voters s__ t__ the politician's empty promises.

s__ t__ someone/something
s__ t__ someone's lies/deception/disguise/pretense
s__ right t__ (emphasizes clarity of perception)

in no time

Very quickly; very soon; almost immediately
Register: Informal to neutral; both spoken and written (more common in spoken English)

Don't worry, the train will be here i__ n__ t__.
With everyone helping, we finished the job i__ n__ t__.
She adapted to her new role i__ n__ t__ at all.
The doctor said the pain would disappear i__ n__ t__.

i__ n__ t__ (at all) - "at all" adds emphasis
be done/finished/ready i__ n__ t__
happen/arrive/come i__ n__ t__

Synonyms:
in a flash
in the blink of an eye
before you know it

Note: Slightly informal but perfectly acceptable in most contexts. In very formal academic writing, prefer "quickly" or "rapidly."

spring into action

To suddenly start doing something energetically and quickly; to begin acting immediately (often in response to an emergency or urgent situation)
Register: Neutral; both spoken and written; often used in journalism/narrative writing

When the alarm sounded, the firefighters s__ i__ a__.
The medical team s__ i__ a__ as soon as the patient arrived.
We need to s__ i__ a__ if we're going to meet the deadline.
The moment she heard the news, she s__ i__ a__, making phone calls and organizing meetings.

Common patterns:
immediately/quickly s__ i__ a__
s__ i__ a__ to do something

Related expressions:

leap into action
swing into action (similar but suggests coordinated group effort)
jump into action

Note: Implies swift, decisive, energetic response. The word "spring" suggests a rapid, elastic movement – like a coiled spring releasing.
Grammatical note:spring-sprang-sprung

to twig

To suddenly understand or realize something; to figure something out (British English)
Register: Informal/colloquial; primarily British English; more spoken than written

It took me ages to t__ what she was hinting at.
I didn't t__ that they were a couple until someone told me.
He's so naive – he still hasn't t__ that everyone's laughing at him.
Suddenly I t__ why she'd been acting so strangely.

Common patterns:

t__ that + clause
t__ what/why/who + clause
not t__ (often used in negative)
finally/suddenly/eventually t__

Similar expressions:

cotton on (British, informal)
catch on
rumble (British, informal - specifically means to discover someone's deception)
the penny drops (British idiom for sudden realization)

American equivalent: "figure out," "catch on," "get it"
CPE Note: Recognize this as distinctly British informal English. In CPE Writing tasks, it's appropriate for informal letters/emails or dialogue but avoid in essays or formal reports. Useful to recognize in Reading passages set in British contexts.
Etymology note: Possibly from Irish/Scots Gaelic "tuig" meaning "understand" – interesting cultural/linguistic note for C2 learners!

to backfire

When a plan, action, or scheme produces the opposite result from what was intended; to have an unexpected negative effect
Register: Neutral; both spoken and written

His attempt to make her jealous completely b__ – she started dating someone else.
The marketing campaign b__ when customers complained about the offensive advertisement.
Their plan to save money b__ and ended up costing them more.
If you're not careful, your strategy could b__ spectacularly.

Common patterns:

b__ on someone (the plan backfired on them)
b__ badly/spectacularly/completely

plan/strategy/scheme/tactic b__
attempt/effort b__
policy/decision b__

badly/completely/spectacularly backfire/inevitably b__

Note: Originally referred to an engine misfiring (burning fuel at the wrong time), causing a small explosion. The metaphorical meaning is now far more common.
Collocations:

CPE Writing tip: Excellent for discussing unintended consequences in essays:

"However, such policies often b__ when…"
"This approach risks b__ing if…"
"History shows that censorship typically b__ on.