Unit 2

Word

Definition

Example

bring long-term benefits

bring benefits that will continue for a long period of time

Having a new power station built has brought many long-term benefits to the local community

do more harm than good

to make something worse when you are trying to improve it

Offering free parking has done more harm than good

end up stuck with

to find yourself in a situation that you hadn't planned/wanted

He ended up stuck with 200 pairs of shoes he couldn't sell

facilitate cultural development

to make it easier for cultural development to take place

If we win this position, we will facilitate cultural development in the local area

give the cultural life of that city a boost

to increase or improve the cultural life of the city

The new theatre and cinema will give the cultural life of that city a tremendous boost

have a detrimental effect

to cause harm or damage

Smoking has a detrimental effect on your health

raise the cultural profile

if an organisation raises its cultural profile, its cultural life gets more attention from the public

This is an opportunity to raise the cultural profile of our city

showcase the best

to show the best qualities of a person, organisation, product etc

At the sales conference, they showcased their best products

tangible benefit

benefits that are clear enough or definite enough to be easily seen or noticed

The scheme must have tangible benefits for the unemployed

by and large

used when making a general statement

By and large, the new arrangements have worked well

cut and dried

a situation, decision, result etc that is cut and dried cannot now be changed

I don't think the plan is as cut and dried as people think

give or take

used to say that the amount or figure that you have just mentioned is nearly correct, but not exactly

It'll be a £1,000, give or take £50 or so

hustle and bustle

busy and noisy activity

I like the hustle and bustle of the marketplace

live and learn

used to say that you have just learned something that you did not know before

I had no idea he used to live here. Oh well, you live and learn

make or break

to cause something or someone either to be very successful or to fail completely

Critics can make or break a young performer

out and about

to go to different places

I don't like staying at home. I prefer to be out and about

peace and quiet

free from stress and interruptions

The baby is asleep, and I can enjoy some peace and quiet

pick and choose

to choose only the best people or things, or only the ones that you really like

Come on, you haven't got time to pick and choose

short and sweet

brief but pleasant/interesting

His explanations were always short and sweet

slowly but surely

used to emphasise that a change is happening, although it is happening slowly

We are slowly but surely gaining the support of the public

sooner or later

used to say that something is certain to happen at some time in the future, though you cannot be sure exactly when

His wife's bound to find out sooner or later

accept

to decide that there is nothing you can do to change a difficult and unpleasant situation or fact and continue with your normal life

We have to accept that this is not an ideal world

acknowledge

to admit or accept that something is true or that a situation exists

The family acknowledge the need for change

call for

to ask publicly for something to happen

He called for Europe to work towards economic integration

cite

to mention something as an example, especially one that supports, proves, or explains an idea or situation

Several factors have been cited as the cause of the unrest

echo

to repeat what someone else has just said

'You bet', she said, echoing his words

illustrate

to make the meaning of something clearer by giving examples

Let me give an example to illustrate the point

maintain

to strongly express your belief that something is true

Critics maintain that these reforms will lead to a decline in educational standards

ponder

to spend time thinking carefully and seriously about a problem, a difficult question, or something that has happened

He continued to ponder the problem as he walked home

question

to have or express doubts about whether something is true, good, necessary etc

No one dared to question his decisions

raise

to begin to talk or write about a subject that you want to be considered or a question that you think should be answered

I'd like to raise the issue of publicity

voice

to tell people your opinions or feelings about a particular subject

She angrily voiced her objections

back someone up

to say or show that what someone is saying is true

Jane would back me up if she were here

fill someone in

to tell someone about recent events, especially because they have been away from a place

I think you'd better fill me in on what's been happening

reel off

to repeat a lot of information quickly and easily

Jack reeled off a list of names

talk someone into

to persuade someone to do something

My husband talked me into going skiing

tip someone off

to give someone such as the police a secret warning or piece of information, especially about illegal activities

His contact had tipped him off that drugs were on the premises

commonplace

happening or existing in many places, and therefore not special or unusual

Car thefts are commonplace in this part of town

deeply rooted

a deeply rooted habit, idea, belief etc is so strong in a person or society that it is very difficult to change or destroy it

Collins has had to deal with deeply rooted prejudice against him

frown upon

to disapprove of someone or something, especially someone's behaviour

Even though divorce is legal, it is still frowned upon

irrespective of

used when saying that a particular fact has no effect on a situation and is not important

The course is open to anyone, irrespective of age

long-standing

having continued or existed for a long time

I have a long-standing arrangement with the bank

be peculiar to

if something is peculiar to a particular person, place, or situation, it is a feature that only belongs to that person or only exists in that place or situation

The problem of racism is not peculiar to this country

stereotypical

having a belief or idea of what a particular type of person or thing is like

The stereotypical Californian is tall, fit, and tanned

assault on the senses

if a feeling, sound, smell etc assaults you, it affects you in a way that makes you uncomfortable or upset

The noises and smells of the market assaulted her senses

favourite topping

favourite thing you put on top of food to make it look nicer or taste better

I want vanilla ice cream with my favourite chocolate topping

fuse interesting flavours

to combine interesting flavours

In this dish, they have fused interesting flavours from several different cuisines

intriguing smells

smells that are interesting because they are unexpected

There were some intriguing smells coming from the kitchen

traditional dish

a dish that is part of the traditions of a people or place

What is a traditional dish from your country?

unique cuisine

a unique/original style of cooking

That region has a unique cuisine