Unit 8

Word

Definition

Example

as fit as a fiddle

very healthy and full of energy.

Grandad is 85, but he's as fit as a fiddle and still goes jogging!

blow (your, his, etc.) own trumpet

to proudly talk about your own achievements.

Max is always blowing his own trumpet and saying how good he is at everything.

change (your, her, etc.) tune

to change your opinion or attitude completely.

You've changed your tune – yesterday you said you hated fast food and now you're eating a burger!

drum up support

to try to get more people to help or agree with you.

My friends and I are trying to drum up support for our local animal charity.

face the music

to accept the results or punishment for something you did.

I know Mum will be cross, but let's tell her what's happened and face the music.

make a song and dance about

to complain or talk too much about something unimportant.

When I told Dad I'd lost his mobile phone, he made a huge song and dance about it.

play it by ear

to decide what to do as a situation happens, not by planning.

I'm not sure what we're doing on Saturday, but we can play it by ear depending on the weather.

ring a bell

to sound familiar, but you can't remember why.

I think you've told me about Lucia before because the name rings a bell.

come up

to happen or be mentioned unexpectedly.

Your birthday's coming up, isn't it?

drop out (of)

to stop doing something, especially a course or competition.

Charlotte started at a local college, but she didn't like it and dropped out after a couple of months.

give away

to donate or let someone have something for free.

It's a fantastic film, but I don't want to give away the ending.

go in for

to take part in a competition or activity.

I'm thinking of going in for the school music competition.

go on to

to do something after finishing another activity.

He started by welcoming everyone, and then went on to introduce the new members of staff.

knock out (of)

to eliminate someone from a competition.

I took part last year, but got knocked out in the semi-final.

put on

to organize or perform something, like a show or event.

Why don't we put on an end-of-term concert?

take on

to accept a responsibility, task, or challenge.

Have you got time to take on another small project, Caleb?

account

an arrangement in which a bank keeps your money safe so that you can pay more in or take money out

I opened a new account at the bank last week.

apply

to make a formal request, usually for a job or school.

You need to apply online if you want to get the job.

assist

to help or support someone in doing something.

The guide assisted the tourists during the mountain hike.

attend

to be present at an event, class, or meeting.

I can't attend the meeting because I have a doctor's appointment.

consult

to ask someone for advice or information.

You should consult your teacher before making changes to the project.

contest

(v) to take part in a competition; (n) an event where people compete.

She decided to contest the national spelling competition.

cycle

(v) to ride a bicycle; (n) a bicycle ride or a repeating process.

We cycled through the park on Sunday.

guitar

a musical instrument with strings, usually played with the fingers.

He's learning to play the guitar in his free time.

journal

a diary or a regular written record of experiences or studies.

She writes about her daily life in a personal journal.

optimise

to make something work as well or effectively as possible.

The company is trying to optimise its website for faster loading.

participate

to take part in an event or activity.

Many students participated in the sports day events.

perfect

(v) to make something completely right or good; (adj) without any mistakes.

She's trying to perfect her English pronunciation.

piano

a large musical instrument with black and white keys.

My sister can play both the piano and the violin.

serve

to give or provide food, help, or a service.

The restaurant serves delicious Italian food.

special

different from others in a good or important way.

This necklace is special because my best friend gave it to me.

violin

a small string instrument played with a bow.

The violin sounds beautiful when played by a professional.