Unit 5

Word

Definition

Example

adopt mannerisms

to use a particular style of speaking or moving, especially one that you do not usually use

She has adopted her boss's mannerisms in meetings

establish an immediate rapport

to quickly create a friendly understanding with people

She is able to establish an immediate rapport with the patients

have a bearing on

to have an effect or influence on something

Exercise has a direct bearing on how healthy you are

have a lasting effect

to have an effect that will continue for a long time

The government's decision could have a lasting effect on investments

lead to problematic preconceptions

to result in problematic opinions that are formed without knowing the facts

The report led to problematic preconceptions about what life is really like on the estate

project a certain image

to try to make other people have a particular idea about you

He wanted to project a certain image of himself as a great leader

size up

to look at or consider a person or situation and make a judgment about them

It only took a few seconds for her to size up the situation

taint our impression of

if an image or idea is tainted by something, it damages them by making them seem bad

The impression of a perfect family life was tainted by the scandal

bereft

feeling very sad and lonely

His death in 1990 left her completely bereft

disconcerting

making you feel slightly confused, embarrassed, or worried

Waters asked a few disconcerting questions

dishevelled

if someone's appearance or their clothes, hair etc is dishevelled, they look very untidy

Pam arrived late, dishevelled and out of breath

distinctive

having a special quality, character, or appearance that is different and easy to recognise

Male birds have distinctive blue and yellow markings

gullible

too ready to believe what other people tell you, so that you are easily tricked

Plastic replicas of the Greek pottery are sold to gullible tourists

implausible

difficult to believe and therefore unlikely to be true

Margaret found his excuse somewhat implausible

industrious

someone who is industrious works hard

Most of the students I knew at college were serious and industrious

pompous

someone who is pompous thinks that they are important, and shows this by being very formal and using long words – used to show disapproval

She found him pompous and annoying

reassuring

making you feel less worried or frightened

It's reassuring to know that problems are rare

self-deprecating

trying to make your own abilities or achievements seem unimportant

Jones also has a very self-deprecating sense of humour

successive

coming or following one after the other

Successive governments have tried to deal with this issue

susceptible

likely to suffer from a particular illness or be affected by a particular problem

Older people are more susceptible to infections

unapproachable

seeming unfriendly and therefore difficult to talk to

He kept his arms crossed in front of him and seemed somewhat unapproachable

unfavourable

if someone's reaction or attitude to something is unfavourable, they do not like it

Careless spelling mistakes in a letter can create an unfavourable impression

unintelligible

impossible to understand

Eva muttered something unintelligible

unperturbed

not worried or annoyed by something that has happened

Emily sat with her hands in her lap, quite unperturbed

boost our own self-esteem

to increase or improve the feeling of being satisfied with your own abilities, and that you deserve to be liked or respected

The courses are designed to boost your self-esteem

distort information

to give information in a way that is not completely true or correct

The information about the public response was distorted

embellish the details

to make a story or statement more interesting by adding details that are not true

He embellished the details of his conversation with the politician

go viral

if a picture, video, joke etc goes viral, it spreads widely, especially on the Internet or mobile phones

His clip of the dog swimming in his pool went viral

sway public opinion

to influence the public so that they change their opinion

Public opinion is unlikely to be swayed by those arguments

the rumour has been quashed

an end has been put to the information being passed from one person to another and which may or may not be true

Rumours of another tax increase have been quashed by the minister

the story escalates

the story becomes better known/more important

Stories of his escape escalated

theories abound

ideas or explanations for something exist in large numbers

Theories abound about how the earth began

bolster their image

to improve their image

He needs to do something to bolster his image

bring someone round to your way of thinking

to persuade someone to have the same ideas/opinions as you

After some discussion, I brought him round to my way of thinking, and we agreed on a course of action

come across as

if someone comes across in a particular way, they seem to have particular qualities

He comes across as a very intelligent, sensitive man

convince people of your credibility

to convince people that you deserve to be believed or trusted

He convinced the local party of his credibility after many years of public service

gauge their reactions

to measure how people feel about something or the effect that something is likely to have on them

The company commissioned a report to gauge public reactions to the proposal

go to extraordinary lengths

to try very hard or to do whatever is necessary to achieve something that is important to you

Some people go to extraordinary lengths to make their homes attractive

own the room

getting the respect and attention of other people in a situation

When you give a presentation, you need to own the room

assured

confident about your own abilities

He has an assured manner

captivating

very attractive and interesting, in a way that holds your attention

She has a captivating smile

cogent

if a statement is cogent, it seems reasonable and correct

It is a cogent argument for banning the drug

inappropriate

not suitable or right for a particular purpose or in a particular situation

His comments were wholly inappropriate on such a solemn occasion

long-winded

continuing to talk for too long or using too many words in a way that is boring

His speeches tend to be rather long-winded

mediocre

not very good

I thought the book was pretty mediocre

muddled

confused

The situation today is very muddled

pertinent

directly relating to something that is being considered

He asked me a lot of very pertinent questions

self-effacing

not wanting to attract attention to yourself or your achievements

He is a quiet self-effacing man

stiff

formal or unfriendly

He has a very stiff manner

subtle

not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention

The pictures are similar, but there are subtle differences between them

aspire to be

to desire and work towards achieving something important

Franz never aspired to be a movie star

build them into your character

to work on certain qualities and make them part of your own character

I look at my mentor's strengths and I want to build them into my character

career-wise

relating to your career

What are you hoping to do career-wise?

handle yourself

to deal with the way you behave

You need to know how to handle yourself in this business

have an open house

if you have an open house, people are welcome to visit you at any time

He kept open house for a wide range of artists and writers

present yourself

to talk and behave in a particular way when you meet people

He presents himself well

work ethic you want to replicate

a belief in the moral value and importance of work that you want to copy

The people in that company have a work ethic that I would like to replicate here