Unit 2

Palabra

Definición

Ejemplo

be keen on something

to like somethinɡ

We're all very keen on sports

train

to prepare for a sports event or tell (someone) how to prepare for it, especially by exercising

Kate spends two hours a day training for the marathon

technique

the special way in which you move your body when you are playing music, doing a sport, etc., which is difficult to learn and needs a lot of skill

He's a great player, with brilliant technique

have a long way to go

to need to develop or improve a lot

The team has a long way to go before it can match that performance

download

to move information or programs from a computer network to a small computer

This game can be downloaded free from the internet

interest

to make (someone) want to pay attention to something and find out more about it

Here's an article which might interest you

skilled

someone who is skilled has the training and experience that is needed to do something well

Skilled craftsmen, such as carpenters, are in great demand

expert

someone who has a special skill or special knowledge of a subject, gained as a result of training or experience

He's a world expert on marine mammals

make progress

to get better at doing something, or to get closer to finishing or achieving something

The country has made significant economic progress

challenge

something that tests strength, skill or ability, especially in a way that is interesting

The new headteacher has taken on the challenge of improving the school

improve

to make (something) better, or to become better

This course is designed for students wishing to improve their English

be useless at something

to be very bad at doing something

Emily is useless at cooking: this omelette is burnt but also raw in the middle!

have a go

to attempt to do something

On the tour, everyone can have a go at making a pot

try out

to practise (a skill) in order to improve it

She enjoyed trying her French out on Jean- Pierre

go over

to repeat (something) in order to explain it or make sure it is correct

Once again I went over exactly what I needed to say

do an exam

to do a spoken or written test of knowledge, especially an important one

We have to do exams at the end of each year

earn good money

to make a lot of money

Preston earns good money as a lawyer

do the laundry

to wash the clothes, sheets, etc

She did the laundry and hung it out to dry

do a lot of damage

to cause physical harm to something or to a part of someone's body, so that it is broken or injured

Too much sun can do severe damage to your skin

make a mess

if you make a mess somewhere, things there are dirty or not neatly arranged

You can make pancakes if you promise not to make a mess in the kitchen

make a speech

to give a talk to a group of people, especially a formal one about a particular subject

She made a speech at the party conference

make a suggestion

to mention an idea, plan or possibility

Can I make a suggestion about the menu?

union member

someone who belongs to an organisation formed by workers to protect their rights

Union members are entitled to health insurance discounts

first aid course

a series of lessons that teach simple medical treatment that is given as soon as possible to someone who is injured or who suddenly becomes ill

Tom knew what to do because he had attended a first aid course at school

health and safety rules

official instructions that say how things must be done to comply with an area of government and law concerned with people's health and safety, especially at work

The health and safety rules state that all electrical appliances must be checked every year

take time off

to be absent from work when you are officially allowed not to be at work or studying

Have you ever had to take time off for health reasons?

flexible working hours

used to describe a system where the time that people spend doing their job can change or be changed easily to suit any new situation

Many parents of young children prefer flexible working hours

building site

a place where a house, factory, etc. is being built

We warned the children not to play near the building site

night shift

a period of time at night when people regularly work, especially in a factory

I haven't seen much of Jessica because she's on the night shift this week

union representative

someone who speaks or acts on behalf of other workers, in an organisation formed by workers to protect their rights

If you have a complaint, you should speak to your union representative first

strict policy

a policy is a way of doing something that has been officially agreed and chosen by an organisation; if a policy is strict, you must follow its rules

The company has adopted a strict no- smoking policy

casual dress

clothes which are not formal

You can wear casual dress at the conference, so I'm not packing a suit or tie

fire drill

an occasion when people pretend that a building is burning and practise leaving it, so that they learn what to do if there is a real fire

The school carries out a fire drill once a term

department store

a large shop that is divided into separate departments, each selling a different type of goods

Several department stores have closed because online shopping is becoming more popular

pay rise

an increase in the amount of money you are paid for doing your job

Some company directors have awarded themselves huge pay rises

work experience

the experience you have had of working in a particular type of job

She's well qualified but has no relevant work experience

job security

how permanent your job is likely to be

As an actor, he has very little job security

sales targets

the total number of sales that a company, a department or an individual is trying to achieve

The European branch has had to lower its sales targets because of the disruption to air travel

health insurance

an arrangement with a company in which you pay them money, especially regularly, and they pay the costs if you become ill or have an accident

Now that he's a father, Callum has decided to take out health insurance

pension scheme

a system in which an employer, insurance company etc provides workers with a pension after they have made regular payments into the scheme over many years

She pays a quarter of her salary into a pension scheme

fashion industry

the business or study of making and selling clothes, shoes, etc. in new and changing styles

London is the centre of the British fashion industry

job market

the people looking for work, and the number of jobs that are available

The job market has been badly hit by the recession

watch over someone

to protect someone so that they are not harmed

There must have been an angel watching over me that day

good manners

polite ways of behaving in social situations

It's good manners to open the door for someone who is carrying something

let

to allow (someone to do something)

I can't come out tonight – my dad won't let me

in authority

if someone is in authority, they have a position of power

The whole area is at risk of flooding: I need to speak to someone in authority

get into trouble

if someone gets into trouble, they get into a situation with a lot of problems

Oliver's fallen in the river again! That boy is always getting into trouble

control

to make (someone or something) do what you want, or make something happen in the way that you want

Police had to be called in to control the crowds

feel free

used to tell someone that they can do something if they want to

Feel free to ask questions

force

to make (someone) do something they do not want to do

The drought forced millions of farmers to sell their cattle

experience difficulties

if you experience a difficulty, a problem happens to you or affects you

Many elderly people will experience difficulties as the result of retirement

make arrangements

to plan and prepare so that something can happen

They have been making arrangements for their wedding for over two years

entertain yourself

to amuse or interest yourself in a way that gives you pleasure

I need to go to work for a couple of hours. Are you happy to entertain yourself?

complicated

difficult to understand or deal with, because many parts or details are involved

For young children, getting dressed is a complicated business