Insight Advanced Unit 6

(be) at sb’s beck and call

always ready to obey somebody’s orders

besiege

to surround a building, city, etc. with soldiers until the people inside are forced to let you in

clear-cut

definite and easy to see or identify

contract

an official written agreement

crush

a strong but temporary feeling of liking somebody

deposit

a sum of money that is given as the first part of a larger payment

devotion

great love, care and support for somebody or something

distress

a feeling of extreme worry, sadness or pain

drive a wedge between people

to make people start disliking each other

drum up support

to try hard to get support or business

estate agent

a person whose job is to sell houses and land for people

euphoria

an extremely strong feeling of happiness and excitement that usually lasts only a short time

eye-catching

immediately likely to attract attention because it is particularly interesting, bright or attractive

feel-good (movie/story/factor)

making you feel happy and pleased about life

get on each other’s nerves

to annoy each other

get on like a house on fire

to become friends quickly and have a very friendly relationship

have a change of heart

to have a change of attitude towards something or someone, usually making you feel more friendly or helpful

have a soft spot for sb

to like somebody

have an old head on young shoulders

used to describe a young person who thinks and acts in a more sensible way than expected for their age

have somebody to lean on

to have someone you can depend on for help and support

infatuation

very strong feelings of love or attraction for someone or something, especially when these are unreasonable and do not last long

invade

to enter a country or town using military force to take control of it

keep your head

to remain calm in a difficult situation

landlord

a person or company from whom you rent a room, house, or office

lease

a legal agreement that allows you to use a building, equipment, or land for a period of time in return for rent

letting agent

a person whose job is to manage your property when someone pays to live in it for a period of time

level-headed

calm and sensible; able to make good decisions even in difficult situations

live in each other’s pockets

used to refer to two people who are too close or spend too much time together

long-lasting (battery/effect/relationship)

that can or does last for a long time

long-term (objective/prognosis/employment)

that will last or have an effect over a long period of time

love-struck

unable to think clearly or behave sensibly because you are in love, especially if the other person is not

loyalty

the quality of being faithful in your support of someone or something

mania

an extremely strong desire or enthusiasm for something, often shared by many people at the same time

mass-produced

produced in large quantities, often using machines

mortgage

a legal agreement by which a bank lends money to buy a house, to be repaid over years; or the borrowed amount itself

much-copied

copied many times

not have the heart to

to be unable to do something because it will make someone sad or upset

notice

a formal letter or statement saying that you will or must leave your job or house at the end of a particular period of time

pledge allegiance

to formally promise continued support for a political party, religion, or ruler

rally the troops

to bring people together to help or support someone or something

rent

an amount of money regularly paid to use a house or property

rout (the enemy)

to defeat your opponents completely in a competition or battle

subdue

to bring someone or something under control, especially by using force

take sth to heart

to be very upset by something that someone says or does

tenant

a person who pays rent to use a room, building, or land

use your head

used to tell someone to think, especially when they’ve said or done something silly

wage war

to begin and continue a war or battle

wear your heart on your sleeve

to allow your feelings to be clearly seen by others

widely-held

believed by a lot of people

wrap sb round your little finger

to persuade someone to do anything you want