Unit 6

Word

Example

cost an arm and a leg

Look, I know you guys like to have the newest, shiniest toys, but those things cost an arm and a leg

take somebody's breath away

The view from the top will take your breath away

be over the moon

She's over the moon about her new job

drive somebody up the wall

That noise is driving me up the wall

be out of this world

The graphics and sounds are out of this world

be a piece of cake

Creating graphs is a piece of cake on the computer

bond

Time must be given for the mother to bond with her baby

buid trust

The company recognizes that trust building in labor relations is a long process

conflict

A conflict between neighbouring countries over their common border isn't finished

criticise

A good friend never criticises you

praise

All of Charlie's teachers had always praised him for being so determined

cooperate

Even the shortest conversation before discussing a deal will make potential business partners six or seven times more likely to cooperate

fall out

Alan and Michael have fallen out. They aren't speaking to each other

interrupt

55% of all calls received by executives are less important than the work they interrupt

stay calm

He usually stays quite calm in meetings but this time he just lost his head

tension

A minor mistake may turn tension into conflict

pressure

Each baby we bring into the world puts extra pressure on the world's resources

issue

Body image is a big issue for many young people today

tense

He's so tense and irritable

refuse

She's a strict vegetarian and refuses to eat any poultry or fish

accuse

A government minister has been accused of having unfair office rules for her staff

admit

Customers who blind-tasted the ugly and standard fruit admitted they tasted the same

advise

Could you please advise me on the design?

agree

Do you agree with me?

deny

A spokesman for the company denied that it would close

insist

Greg still insists that he did nothing wrong

offer

Can I offer you something to drink?

persuade

Are you able to persuade other people to agree with you?

regret

Her biggest regret is not going to university

remind

Can you remind Matt that we've got a meeting this afternoon?

threaten

Chinese nuclear weapons were not meant to threaten others

apologise

Did she apologise for being late?

blame

A spokesman blamed the manufacturers for the mistake