Unit 5

admit (to sth) (v) /ədˈmɪt/

to agree, often unwillingly, that something is true.
Don't be afraid to admit to your mistakes.

approve (of sd/sth) (v)/əˈpruːv/

to think that somebody/something is good, acceptable or suitable

She didn't quite approve of the way he was running things.

absolute (adj) /ˈæbsəluːt

total and complete.
Ex:‘You’re wrong,’ she said with absolute certainty.

accelerate (v) /əkˈseləreɪt/

to start to go faster.
Ex: The car accelerated to overtake me.

advance (v) /ədˈvɑːns/

to move forward towards sb/sth, often in order to attack or threaten them or it

Ex: They had advanced twenty miles by nightfall.

alternate (adj) /ɔːlˈtɜːnət/

happening or following one after the other regularly

Ex: Stretch up thirty times with alternate arms as a warm-up exercise.

alternative (adj) /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv

that can be used instead of sth else.

Ex: Do you have an alternative solution?

the Antipodes (n) /ði ænˈtɪpədiːz/

a way of referring to Australia and New Zealand Ex: She was heading across the southern Indian Ocean towards the Antipodes.

backdrop (n) /ˈbækdrɒp/

the general conditions in which an event takes place, which sometimes help to explain that event It was against this backdrop of racial tension that the civil war began.

chief /tʃiːf/ (adj)

most important.

Her chief rival for the gold medal is Jones of the USA.

chug (v) /tʃʌg/

to move making the sound of an engine running slowly

The train chugged steadily along the West Highland Line.

collide (with) (v) /kəˈlaɪd

to crash into another person or vehicle, etc. As he fell, his head collided with the table.

come a long way (idiom) /ˌkʌm ə lɒŋ ˈweɪ/

to have made a lot of progress We’ve come a long way since the early days of the project.

complete with (adj) /kəmˈpliːt wɪð/

including sth as an extra part or feature

The book, complete with CD, costs £35.

compulsive (adj) /kəmˈpʌlsɪv/

that makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting The programme made compulsive viewing.

compulsory (adj) /kəmˈpʌlsəri/

that must be done because of a law or a rule. English is a compulsory subject at this level.

crackdown (n) /ˈkrækdaʊn/

severe action taken to restrict the activities of criminals or of people opposed to the government or sb in authority

The government has ordered a crackdown on truancy.

crash into (v) /ˌkræʃ ˈɪntuː

to hit an object or another vehicle, causing damage

A truck went out of control and crashed into the back of a bus.

creep (v) /kriːp/

to move slowly, quietly and carefully, because you do not want to be seen or heard.

I crept up the stairs, trying not to wake my parents.

definite (adj) /ˈdefɪnət/

sure or certain; unlikely to change

Can you give me a definite answer by tomorrow?

definitive (adj) /dɪˈfɪnətɪv/

considered to be the best of its kind and almost impossible to improve

This is the definitive biography of Einstein.

downfall (n) /ˈdaʊnfɔːl/

the loss of sb’s money, power, social position, etc. The thing that caused this loss Greed was her downfall.

downpour (n) /ˈdaʊnpɔ:(r)/

a heavy fall of rain that often starts suddenly

We got caught in a torrential downpour.

economic (adj) /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk, ˌekəˈ-/

connected with the trade, industry and development of wealth of a country, an area or a society

Economic growth was fastest in Japan.

economical (adj) /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪklˌ ˌekəˈ-/

providing good service or value in relation to the amount of time or money spent It would be more economical to buy the bigger size.

equator (n) /ɪˈkweɪtə(r)/

an imaginary line around the earth at an equal distance from the North and South Poles

The island is twenty degrees south of the equator.

entire (adj) /ɪnˈtaɪə(r)/

including everything, everyone or every part

The entire village was destroyed.

exact (adj) /ɪgˈzækt/

correct in every detail

She gave an exact description of the attacker.

extreme (adj) /ɪkˈstriːm/

not ordinary or usual; serious or severe Children will be removed from their parents only in extreme circumstances.

foremost (adj) /ˈfɔːməʊst/

the most important or famous; in a position at the front

This question has been foremost in our minds recently.

further down the road (idiom) /ˈfɜːðə daʊn ðə ˌrəʊd/

at some time in the future

There are certain to be more job losses further down the road.

glide (v) /glaɪd/

to move smoothly and quietly, especially as though it takes no effort

The skaters were gliding over the ice.

gross (adj) /grəʊs/

very obvious and unacceptable

It was a gross miscarriage of justice.

hemisphere (n) /ˈhemɪsfɪə(r)/

one half of the earth, especially the half above or below the equator

In the northern hemisphere, December is a winter month.

historic (adj) /hɪˈstɒrɪk/

important in history; likely to be thought of as important at some time in the future

The party has won a historic victory at the polls.

historical (adj) /hɪˈstɒrɪkl/

connected with the past

You must place these events in their historical context.

hit head-on (idiom) /hɪt ˌhed ˈɒn/

to collide in such a way that the front part of one vehicle goes into the front part of another vehicle or thing

The cars hit head-on.

hit the road (idiom) /ˌhɪt ðə ˈrəʊd/

to start a journey/trip

Our flight leaves just before midday – we should hit the road.

hold-up (n) /ˈhəʊld ʌp/

a situation in which sth is prevented from happening for a short time

We should finish by tonight, barring hold-ups.

hurtle (v) /ˈhɜːtl/

to move very fast in a particular direction

A runaway car came hurtling towards us.

jackknife (v) /ˈdʒæk naɪf/

(of an articulated vehicle) bend into a V-shape in an uncontrolled skidding movement

The motorway was closed for several hours after a huge lorry jackknifed across all three lanes.

latitude (n) /ˈlætɪtjuːd/

the distance of a place north or south of the equator, measured in degrees

The sun is directly overhead at noon at this latitude.

let-down (n) /ˈlet daʊn/

sth that is disappointing because it is not as good as you expected it to be

The London exhibition was a bit of a let-down.

longitude (n) /ˈlɒŋgɪtjuːd/

the distance of a place east or west of the Greenwich meridian, measured in degrees

The town is at longitude twenty-eight degrees west.

lose track of (idiom) /luːz ˈtræk əv/

to not have information about what is happening or where sb/sth is

I lost all track of time.

main (adj) /meɪn/

being the largest or most important of its kind

Be careful crossing the main road.

major (adj) /ˈmeɪdʒə(r)/

very large or important

We have encountered major problems.

make your way (into) (idiom) /ˈmeɪk jɔː(r) weɪ/

to move or get somewhere; to make progress

The blues eventually made its way into different kinds of music.

notable (adj) /ˈnəʊtəbl/

deserving to be noticed or to receive attention; important

His eyes are his most notable feature.

noticeable (adj) /ˈnəʊtɪsəbl/

easy to see or notice; clear or definite

Her scars are hardly noticeable now.

(be) on the right track (idiom) /ɒn ðə ˌraɪt ˈtræk/

to think or behave in the right way

We haven’t found a cure yet – but we are on the right track.

(be) on the road (idiom) /ɒn ðə ˈrəʊd/

travelling, especially for long distances or periods of time

The band has been on the road for six months.

only (adj) /ˈəʊnli/

used to say that no other or others of the same group exist or are there

She’s their only daughter.

outbreak (n) /ˈaʊtbreɪk/

the sudden start of sth unpleasant, especially violence or a disease

Outbreaks of rain are expected in the afternoon.

outcome (n) /ˈaʊtkʌm/

the result or effect of an action or event

We are waiting to hear the final outcome of the negotiations.

outlook (n) /ˈaʊtlʊk/

the probable future for sb/sth; what is likely to happen

The outlook for jobs is bleak.

overshoot (v) /əʊvəˈʃʊːt/

to go further than the place you intended to stop or turn

The aircraft overshot the runway.

the Pacific Rim (n) /ðə pəˌsɪfɪk ˈrɪm/

the countries around the Pacific Ocean, especially the countries of eastern Asia, considered as an economic group

He was promoted to Regional Sales Director for the Pacific Rim.

parallel (n) /ˈpærəlel/

an imaginary line around the earth that is always the same distance from the equator; this line on a map

The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are the parallels which form the boundaries of the hottest part of the world.

(our) paths cross (idiom) /pɑːðz ˈkrɒs/

meet by chance

Our paths were to cross again many years later.

prime meridian (n) /praɪm məˈrɪdiən/

a line of longitude at which longitude is defined as zero degrees

The Royal Observatory is the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the prime meridian of the world.

principal (adj) /ˈprɪnsəpl/

most important; main

The principal reason for this omission is lack of time.

prowl (v) /praʊl/

to move quietly and carefully around an area, especially with the intention of committing a crime A man was seen prowling around outside the factory just before the fire started.

pull up (v) /pʊl ˈʌp/

to stop

He pulled up at the traffic lights.

real (adj) /rɪəl/

actually existing or happening and not imagined or pretended

It wasn’t a ghost; it was a real person.

run-up (n) /ˈrʌn ʌp/

a period of time leading up to an important event; the preparation for this

The shops are fully stocked for the Christmas run-up.

setback (n) /ˈsetbæk/

a difficulty or problem that delays or prevents sth, or makes a situation worse

The team suffered a major setback when their best player was injured.

shatter (v) /ˈʃætə(r)/

to make sth suddenly break into small pieces Windows were shattered in the blast.

shed its load (v) /ˌʃed ɪts ˈləʊd/

(of a vehicle) to lose or drop what it is carrying

The traffic jam was caused by a lorry shedding its load.

sheer /ʃiə(r)/

used to emphasize the size, degree or amount of sth

The area is under threat from the sheer number of tourists using it.

skid (v) /skɪd/

to slide sideways or forwards in an uncontrolled way

The car skidded on the ice and went straight into the wall.

smash into (v) /ˈsmæʃ ˌɪntə, ˌɪntuː/

to move with a lot of force against sth solid

The car smashed into a tree.

smooth the path (for) (idiom) /smuːð ðə ˈpɑːθ/

to make it easier for sb/sth to develop or make progress

These negotiations are intended to smooth the path for the emergence of a peace treaty.

sole (adj) /səʊl/

only; single

My sole reason for coming here was to see you.

specific (adj) /spəˈsɪfɪk/

detailed and exact

I gave you specific instructions.

stop dead in your tracks (idiom) /stɒp ˌded ɪn jɔː(r) ˈtræks/

to suddenly stop because sth has frightened or surprised you

The sight made him stop dead in his tracks.

stride (v) /straɪd/

to walk with long steps in a particular direction She came striding along to meet me.

stroll (v) /strəʊl/

to walk somewhere in a slow relaxed way

People were strolling along the beach.

the Subcontinent (n) /ðə ˌsʌbˈkɒntɪnənt/

a large land mass that forms part of a continent, especially the part of Asia that includes India, Pakistan and Bangladesh

Large areas of the Subcontinent have been badly affected by recent flooding.

swerve (v) /swɜːv/

to change direction suddenly, especially in order to avoid hitting sb/sth

He swerved sharply to avoid a cyclist.

technical (adj) /ˈteknɪkl/

connected with the practical use of machinery, methods, etc. in science and industry

We offer free technical support for those buying our software.

technological (adj) /ˌteknəˈlɒdʒɪkl/

connected with technology Wireless computing was a major technological breakthrough.

(reach) the end of the road (idiom) /ði ˌend əv ðə ˈrəʊd/

the point at which sth can no longer continue in the same way

Last year’s champions reached the end of the road with a defeat in the second round.

total (adj) /ˈtəʊtl/

including everything

The evening was a total disaster.

tropic (n) /ˈtrɒpɪk/

one of the two imaginary lines drawn around the world 23° 26’ north or south of the equator

The temperature is high between the tropics because the sun is high in the sky, causing intense convection of rising air.

upbringing (n) /ˈʌpbrɪŋɪŋ/

the way in which a child is cared for and taught how to behave while it is growing up

Her upbringing had given her the social skills to cope with such situations.

uprising (n) /ˈʌpraɪzɪŋ/

a situation in which a group of people join together in order to fight against the people who are in power

He led an armed uprising against the government.

utter (adj) /ˈʌtə(r)/

used to emphasize how complete sth is

To my utter amazement, she agreed.

veer (v) /vɪə(r)/

to change direction suddenly

It is still not clear why the missile veered off course.

washout (n) /ˈwɒʃaʊt/

an event, etc. that is a complete failure, especially because of rain

They feared that the wedding was going to be a washout after torrential rain.

write off (v) /ˌraɪt ˈɒf/

to damage sth, especially a vehicle, so badly that it cannot be repaired

He’s written off two cars this year.