Unit 3

Word

Definition

Example

car crash

An accident involving two or more cars

I broke my leg in a car crash last month

coach

A large bus used for long-distance travel

We went on a coach to France

cycle lane

A designated lane for bicycles on the road

It's safer to use a cycle lane when you're on your bike

end up

To eventually be in a particular situation or place

Check if you know the address or you will end up going to the wrong place

ferry

A boat or ship used to transport people and vehicles across water

Get the ferry across the river. It has a nice view

lorry

A large truck used for transporting goods

You need extra training to drive a lorry

motorbike

A two-wheeled vehicle with an engine, also known as a motorcycle

Do you like my new motorbike? It's really fast

motorway

A high-speed road designed for fast-moving traffic, also known as a highway

The speed limit is 70 miles per hour on the motorway in the UK

parking fine

A penalty or fee imposed for illegal or improper parking

Will I get a parking fine if I stay here too long?

pedestrian zone

An area designated for pedestrians only, no vehicles allowed

This is a pedestrian zone. You can't drive here

petrol station

A place where vehicles can refuel with gasoline/petrol

I stopped at a petrol station to fill up the car

pick up

To collect or retrieve someone or something

Can you pick me up from the station, please?

roadworks

Construction or repairs happening on the road

Roadworks are starting on this road next week so traffic will be bad

run out

To use up or deplete the supply of something

What will we do if we run out of petrol?

rush hour

The busy period with heavy traffic, typically during commuting times

The traffic is always bad in rush hour

scooter

A small, motorized vehicle with two wheels

My daughter uses her scooter to get to work

seat belt

A safety belt worn in a vehicle to protect occupants during a crash

You must wear a seat belt in cars in this country

set off

To begin a journey or trip

We set off early to avoid the traffic

speed camera

A device used to detect and record speeding vehicles

There's a speed camera over there so don't drive too fast

speed limit

The maximum allowable speed for vehicles on a particular road

What's the speed limit on this road?

taxi rank

A designated area where taxis wait for passengers

There's a taxi rank outside the station

traffic jam

A situation where vehicles are heavily congested and unable to move

Sorry I'm late – there was a terrible traffic jam

traffic lights

A set of colored signals controlling the flow of traffic at intersections

Turn right after the traffic lights

tram

A vehicle that runs on tracks and is used for public transportation in cities

I go to work by tram

underground

The subway or metro system in some cities

I use the London Underground every day

van

A small or medium-sized vehicle used for transporting goods

My uncle is a builder and he has his own van

watch / look out!

An exclamation used to warn someone to be cautious or attentive

Look out! You're going to crash!

zebra crossing

A marked pedestrian crossing on a road with black-and-white stripes

It's safest to cross the road at the zebra crossing

afraid of

Feeling fear or anxiety about something

I'm afraid of spiders

angry with

Feeling displeasure or resentment towards someone

Are you still angry with me?

apologize to

To express regret and say sorry to someone

You should apologize to your sister for breaking her hairdryer

argue with

To engage in a verbal disagreement or debate with someone

I always argue with my parents about when I have to be home

arrive at

To reach a destination or location

We arrive at Heathrow at 10.30 a.m

arrive in

To reach a particular city or country

What time do you arrive in London?

ask for

To request or seek something from someone

I want to ask for some help with my homework

believe in

To have faith or trust in something or someone

Do you believe in ghosts?

belong to

To be the property or possession of someone

Who does this jacket belong to?

choose between

To make a decision between two options

You have to choose between these two dresses

close to

Near in proximity or location

I'm very close to my mum and we speak on the phone every day

depend on

To rely on or be influenced by something or someone

I might go to university – it will depend on my exam results

different from

Not the same as; having distinct characteristics

This house is very different from your last one

dream about

To have thoughts, images, or desires while sleeping

Do you often dream about work?

excited about

Feeling enthusiastic or eager about something

Are you excited about your holiday?

famous for

Well-known or celebrated for a particular reason

What's your hometown famous for?

fed up with

Feeling annoyed or frustrated with something

I'm fed up with tidying away your clothes all the time

fond of

Having a strong liking or affection for someone or something

I'm fond of my niece – she's so sweet

frightened of

Feeling fear or terror towards something

Are you frightened of heights?

good at

Skilled or proficient in doing something

I'm good at maths but I'm useless at history

good for

Beneficial or advantageous for someone or something

Doing some exercise every day is good for you

interested in

Having curiosity or attraction towards something

I'm interested in history

keen on

Having a strong interest or desire for something

I'm keen on football so I watch it most weekends

kind to

Showing kindness or consideration towards someone

Please be kind to your little brother

laugh at

To find something humorous and react with laughter

Don't laugh at me if I make a mistake

look forward to

To anticipate or be excited about a future event

I look forward to seeing you next week

married to

Being in a legal union as a spouse to someone

How long have you been married to your wife?

pay for

To provide payment in exchange for something

How much did you pay for that car?

pleased with

Feeling satisfaction or contentment with something

I'm very pleased with your work

proud of

Feeling a sense of pride or satisfaction about something

I'm really proud of my nephew as he's now a doctor

remind (sb) of

To bring back memories or thoughts about something

This song reminds me of my holiday

rude to

Displaying impolite or disrespectful behavior towards someone

Don't be rude to your father!

scared of

Feeling fear or terror towards something

I'm scared of the dark

spend money on

To use money to buy or invest in something

I like to spend money on good quality food

talk about

To discuss or mention a particular topic

I must talk to you about our project

talk to

To engage in conversation with someone

Can you talk to your brother about borrowing his car?

tired of

Feeling weary or fed up with something

I'm tired of working – I need to have a rest

worried about

Feeling anxious or concerned about something

I'm worried about Jody – she seems really depressed

Don't you agree?

An invitation to seek agreement or consensus from others

I think New Yorkers are friendly. Don't you agree?

I agree

Expressing consent or approval with someone's opinion

I agree that it's an amazing city

I don't think that's right.

Expressing disagreement or objection to a statement

I don't think that's right. I can't agree with you.

If you ask me, …

An expression signaling the speaker's opinion or advice

If you ask me, the best view in London is by Big Ben

in my opinion

A statement indicating the speaker's personal viewpoint

In my opinion, you should go on the London Eye first

Oh, sure, …

An affirmative response to a suggestion or proposal

Oh, sure, people think it's big, but it's not the biggest city

Personally

Introducing one's individual perspective or belief

Personally, I like visiting it. We go here on holiday a lot

To be honest

To provide a candid or sincere opinion

To be honest, I don't know the city very well

What do you think?

A question to solicit someone else's viewpoint or thoughts

What do you think? Which is your favourite city?

come back

An invitation or request for someone to return

Our taxi's come back to return your phone!

Did you mean

A question to clarify or confirm someone's statement

Did you mean what you said about living in New York?

It's just that

An explanation or reason for a particular action or thought

It's just that you seemed a bit tired of the city

Oh, hang on a minute.

An expression used to request a moment to think or consider

Oh, hang on a minute. I didn't say that.

ahead of

In front of or before something in position or time

She stayed ahead of the other runner for the whole race

argue

To engage in a verbal disagreement or debate

Scientists argue that our sense of humour has a purpose

crash into

To collide with something or someone suddenly and forcefully

Be careful not to crash into that car in front!

discover

To find or learn about something for the first time

Scientists discovered a gene that helps us communicate

find

To come across or locate something or someone

An academic study found some interesting differences

generally

Mostly, usually, or commonly; in a general manner

I generally drink tea in the mornings

get stuck

To become trapped or unable to move

Do you often get stuck in traffic in the morning?

get worse

To deteriorate or become more severe or unpleasant

The traffic's getting worse ! We're going to be late

in general

As a whole or overall

In general, the traffic is bad between 8 and 9 a.m

likely

Probable or expected to happen

That makes it more likely you will lose control of the car

on the whole

Generally, taking everything into consideration

On the whole, I think the speed limits are sensible

prove

To demonstrate the truth or validity of something

A new study proves that their argument is correct

show

To display or present something for observation

The research shows that multitasking doesn't always work

tend

To have a tendency or inclination to do something

People tend to get distracted when they drive and talk

turn around

To reverse direction or change course

We're going the wrong way. We have to turn around

turn out

To result or happen in a certain way

It turns out that the cliche is true

turn red

To change color to red, often due to embarrassment or anger

The traffic lights will turn red very soon. Please stop

usually

Typically or most commonly; in most cases

I usually get to work by 8.30 a.m