C1 unit 1

associated with

to be related to a particular subject, activity etc.

back down

to agree not to do something, or to admit that you are wrong

catch on

if a product or an idea catches on, it becomes popular

come out with

say something suddenly, especially something that is not expected

devote (yourself) to

to use all or most of your time, effort etc. in order to do something

fall for (nonsense)

to be tricked into believing something that is not true

follow through on

to complete (an activity or process that has been started)

move on (with)

to develop, improve, or become more modern

pay someone back for

to do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something unpleasant to you

put (yourself) forward for

to officially suggest that someone should be considered for a particular job or position

put forward

to state an idea or opinion, or to suggest a plan, for other people to consider

read up on

to read a lot about something because you will need to know about it

spring up

to suddenly appear or start to exist

take (someone) in

to completely deceive someone by lying to them

throw (yourself) into

to do something actively and enthusiastically

bravado

a show of courage, especially when unnecessary and dangerous to make people admire you

camouflage

the way that the colour or shape of an animal protects it by making it difficult to see in the area in which it live

fingerprint

a mark made by the pattern of lines at the end of a person's finger, which is used by the police to find out who has committed a crime

leap

a big jump or increase

outlet

a way of expressing or getting rid of strong feelings

practical joke

a joke that makes someone seem silly and involves a physical action rather than words

primate

a member of the group of animals that includes humans and monkeys

ridge

a raised line on a surface

segment

a short piece of a film that forms part of a television or radio programme, or tha is broadcast on the internet

stigma

a strong feeling in society that being in a particular situation or having a particualar illness is something to be ashamed of

(someone\`s) take on (something)

what someone thinks about a particular subject

apprehensive

worried or nervous about something that you are going to do, or about the future

credible

deserving or able to be believed or trusted

daunting

frightening in a way that makes you feel less confident

empowering

something that is empowering makes you more confident and makes you feel that you are in control of your life

makeshift

made to be used for a short time only when nothing better is available

misleading

likely to make someone believe something that is not true

scepitcal

doubting whether something is true or right

unscrupulous

behaving in a way that is dishonest or unfair in order to get what you want

incapable of

not able to do something

regardless of

without being affected or influenced by something

suited to

right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation

boost your determination

to increase the desire to continue trying to do something even when it is difficult

dismiss a theory

to negate the possibility that a theory is valid or true

exceed (your) expectations

to go beyond expectations

play a joke on

trick someone to make people laugh

pose a threat to

to present a possible danger to something or someone

realise an ambition

to achieve something that you were hoping to achieve

release tension

to get rid of a nervous or worried feeling that makes it impossible for you to relax

seasoned traveller

with a lot of experience of travelling

a step too far

something that is too extreme

all things considered

taking everything into account

at the forefront

to be in a leading position in an important activity that is trying to achieve something or develop new ideas

be inclined to think

to hold a particular opinion, but not very strongly

capture the public's attention

to make someone feel very interested in something

come to blows about

if two people come to blows, they start fighting

get cold feet

to suddenly feel that you are not brave enough to do something you planned to do

get stuck for words

to be unable to think of anything to say

get stung by

to be charged a surprisingly large amount of money for something

in retrospect

thinking back to a time in the past, especially with the advantage of knowing more now than you did then

in the same breath

if you say two things in the same breath, you say two things that are so different that if one is true, the other must be false

let alone

used to say that one thing is not true or does not happen, so another thing cannot possibly be true or happen

out of your comfort zone

if a situation or activity is out of your comfort zone, it does not make you feel secure, comfortable, or in control

play on ignorance

to use someone's lack of knowledge about something to get what you want, often in an unfair way

roll off the tongue

to be easy to say or pronounce

while I\`m on the subject

used to introduce a new point relevant to a subject that has already been raised

damp

slightly wet

underfoot

under your feet where you are walking

hurtle

if something, especially something big or heavy, hurtles somewhere, it moves or falls very fast

hand-me-down

a piece of clothing which has been used by someone and then given to another person

torrential (rain)

very heavy (rain)

a matter of course

part of the normal process or system

in any event

whatever happens or may have happened

in light of

taking (something) into consideration

be a question of

used to say what the most important fact, part, or feature of something is

any minute (now)

very soon

(put the) finishing touches (to)

final details or actions completing and enhancing a piece of work

there are times when

used to say that there are occasions when something is true or when something happens

I suppose

used to say you think something is true, although you are uncertain about it

having said that

used when you are adding a different opinion to the one you have just expressed

given the opportunity

if I were allowed to do something

nutrition value

an indication of the contribution of a food to the nutrient content of the diet

at other times

on other occasions

be lost for words

to be so shocked, imperessed etc. that you cannot think what to say

common ground

facts, features, or beliefs that are shared by people or things that are very different

(come) out of your shell

becoming less shy and more confident and willing to talk to people

break the ice

to make people feel more friendly and willing to talk to each other

fall flat

if a joke, remark, or performance falls flat, it fails to interest or amuse people

steer clear of

to try to avoid someone or something

fair game

if someone or something is fair game, it is acceptable, reasonable, or right to criticise them

cold call

to telephone or visit someone you have never met before and try to sell them something

hot desking

when people working in an office do not each have their own desk, but work where there is one available

(be) part and parcel of

to be a part of an activity, job etc. that cannot be avoided

object to

to say that you do not like or approve of something

hint at

to suggest something to someone without saying it directly

abstain from

to not do something that you would normally enjoy doing

consent to

give your permission for something, or to agree to something

pride (yourself) on

to be very proud of something that you can do well

impose (a ban) on

if someone in authority imposes a rule, punishment, tax etc., they force people to accept it

infer (something) from

to form an opinion that something is probably true because of information that you have

peer at

to look very carefully, especially because it is difficult for you to see something clearly