Unit 8

Palabra

Definición

Ejemplo

reminiscence

A memory or recollection of past events or experiences

His reminiscences about the war were painful to hear

mere

Used to emphasize that something is small, insignificant, or of little importance

It cost a mere 20 dollars

sniff

To inhale audibly through the nose, often to detect a scent or show disapproval

Hardly could I get a word from her, she was only sniffing and sighing

dig in

To begin eating eagerly or enthusiastically

The food's getting cold - dig in!

eat up

To consume all of something, often with enthusiasm or enjoyment

Come on, eat up

polish off

To finish or consume completely, especially with gusto

To celebrate, let's polish off this box of wine

put away

To store or place something in its designated location

Could you put away your clothes?

toy with

To consider or play with something casually or without seriousness

I'm not going to let her toy with me

wolf down

To eat something quickly or voraciously

Don't wolf down your food. You should eat more slowly

my cup of tea

Something that one finds enjoyable or suited to one's taste

Not quite my cup of tea, but, you know, it's nice

spill the beans

To reveal or disclose secret or confidential information

I must talk to him personally or I'll spill the beans

pie in the sky

An unrealistic or unattainable dream or hope

It's nothing more than a pie in the sky

a lot on my plate

To have a significant amount of work, tasks, or responsibilities to deal with

Just, I've got a lot on my plate right now

in a nutshell

Summarized or described briefly and concisely

In a nutshell, it's time to change strategy before it's too late

icing on the cake

Something additional or extra that makes a good situation even better

Getting paid for it's icing on the cake

sour grapes

Disparaging or belittling something that one cannot have or achieve

It's just sour grapes because I was elected instead of him!

sequester

To isolate or separate someone or something

Did you inform him of this plan to sequester him?

gawp

To stare openly in a rude or ignorant manner

I've brought in the Earl to gawp at my triumph

gaze

To look steadily and intently at something or someone

'How can they watch us?' I asked, gazing into the dark

glance

To look briefly or quickly at something or someone

He cast a glance at the door

glare

To stare fiercely or angrily

Don't glare – it makes people feel uncomfortable

glimpse

To see or perceive something briefly or partially

Her glimpse was desperate enough for me to get worried

peek

To take a quick, secretive, or furtive look

I peeked out the window to see who was there

peer

To look closely or carefully, often with curiosity or interest

American children did less well in math than their peers in Japan

stare

To gaze fixedly and intently, often with a wide-opened gaze

Don't stare at people - it's rude