Ready for C2 Wordlist - Unit 9

by any means necessary

using any method that is needed to do or achieve something

by any standard

compared to any level of quality or achievement used for judging someone or something

by invitation only

available only to people who have been formally invited

in good taste

appropriate and not at all rude

in its infancy

something that is ____ ____ ____ has only just started to develop

in your mind's eye

if you can see someone or something ____ ____ ____ ____, you can imagine or remember what they look like

out of place

if something looks ____ ____ ____, it is in a position where it does not belong or look good

out of the ordinary

unusual or different

out of the question

used for saying that something is definitely not a possibility

flamboyant

designed to attract a lot of attention, often by being brightly coloured or decorated

garish

very bright and colourful in an ugly way

imposing

large and impressive

minimalistic

using a style of design in architecture or interior decorating that is extremely simple and avoids using decoration or crowding an area with unnecessary objects

ostentatious

intended to impress people or attract their admiration, in a way that you think is extreme and unnecessary

renowned

famous and admired for a special skill or achievement

swanky

fashionable and expensive

unassuming

not wanting to attract attention or appear better or more important than others

understated

not trying to impress people or to attract their attention, and therefore attractive or effective

utilitarian

designed to be useful rather than attractive

vulgar

showing a lack of ability to judge what is attractive, suitable, etc.

whimsical

made or done for fun, not seriously

a blank canvas

something that can be developed or changed in many different ways

a breath of fresh air

someone or something that is new, interesting, and exciting

a slow burner

a thing that slowly develops into something interesting or powerful

bear no resemblance to

to look completely different to someone or something

break the mould

to change a situation completely, or to do something in a completely new way

catch your eye

if something ____ your ____, you suddenly notice it

collector's item

a rare or valuable object that collectors want to own

get something down to a fine art

to become very good at doing something, especially something difficult

go back to the drawing board

to try to think of a completely new idea because the one that you tried before was not successful

go down a storm

to be very popular

leave your mark

to have a very strong and noticeable effect on someone or something, usually a bad one that lasts for a long time

reinvent the wheel

to waste time and effort trying to do something that someone else has already done well