Unit 8

Word

Definition

Example

be in good shape

to be in a good state of health or condition

She's in good shape for her age

get to grips with

to understand or deal with something difficult

I've never really got to grips with this new technology

have a natural aptitude

to have natural ability or skill, especially in learning

He has a natural aptitude for teaching

have a particular knack for

to have a natural skill or ability

Some people seem to have a particular knack for making money

have a rare gift for

to have an unusual ability or talent

He had a rare gift for languages

overcome setbacks

to deal successfully with problems that had caused difficulty

He overcame many setbacks in order to qualify as a doctor

show drive and determination

to demonstrate that you have the qualities of determination and the ability to do something even when it is difficult

Fran has always shown drive and determination to complete all assignments

step outside your comfort zone

to move beyond the range of activities or situations that you feel happy and confident in

Most people, when stepping outside their comfort zone, will get nervous and panic

clear-cut

easy to understand or be certain about

There is not always a clear-cut distinction between right and wrong

far-fetched

extremely unlikely to be true or to happen

All this may sound a bit far-fetched, but companies are already developing 'intelligent' homes

far-reaching

having a great influence or effect

The country carried out far-reaching reforms to modernise its economy

hard-wired

if an attitude, way of behaving etc is hard-wired, it is a natural part of a person's character that they are born with and cannot

The desire to communicate seems to be hard-wired into our brains

life-long

lasting through your life

Theirs was a life-long friendship

long-held

for a long time

It is a long-held tradition in the family

time-honoured

a time-honoured method or custom is one that has existed for a long time

Sharon became involved with music in the time-honoured fashion – through her family

upcoming

happening soon

Call 882-4488 for a calendar of upcoming events

widely-held

believed by a lot of people

It is a widely-held view

comforting

making you feel less worried, unhappy, or upset

It's comforting to know I can call my parents any time

distressing

making you feel very upset

The front page news was shocking and distressing

hypnotic

making you feel tired or unable to pay attention to anything else, especially because of a regularly repeated sound or movement

His voice had a smooth hypnotic effect

involuntary

happening to you, although you do not want it to

He suffered from involuntary twitches

nostalgic

if you feel nostalgic about a time in the past, you feel happy when you remember it, and in some ways you wish that things had not changed

Seeing those old school photographs has made me feel quite nostalgic

shrill

a shrill sound is very high and unpleasant

Fran uttered a shrill scream

soothing

making you feel calmer and less anxious

He said a few soothing words and the baby stopped crying

tingling

a slight stinging feeling, especially on your skin

Graham felt a tingling sensation in his hand

unsettling

making you feel nervous or worried

It was an unsettling experience

clutch

to hold something tightly because you do not want to lose it

Joanne clutched her mother's hand

flinch

to move your face or body away from someone or something because you are in pain, frightened, or upset

She flinched at the touch of his hand

gasp

to breathe in suddenly in a way that can be heard, especially because you are surprised or in pain

The crowd gasped as the plane burst into flames

grimace

to twist your face in an ugly way because you do not like something, because you are feeling pain, or because you are trying to be funny

She grimaced at her reflection in the mirror

make you squirm

to make you feel ashamed or embarrassed

He made me squirm with embarrassment

set your teeth on edge

if a sound or taste sets your teeth on edge, it gives you an uncomfortable feeling in your mouth

His high-pitched squeaky voice set my teeth on edge

start at

to move your body suddenly, especially because you are surprised or afraid

She started at the sound of loud knocking at the door

wince

to suddenly change the expression on your face as a reaction to something painful or upsetting

Sandra winced as the dentist started to drill

activate symptoms of stress

to create signs of stress

Long periods of tension can activate symptoms of stress, such as difficulty with sleeping

foster a positive outlook

to develop a positive attitude to life or the world in general

Encouraging friendships in children helps to foster a positive outlook

keep our spirits up

to keep yourself feeling happy

He had a strong sense of humour, and kept his spirits up

kick-start our brains

to do something to help us to think or learn better

I kick-start my brain in the morning by doing a crossword puzzle

loosen muscles

to relax muscles

She does 10 minutes of yoga every morning to loosen her muscles

offset food indulgences

to do something that will lessen the effects of eating food that has a lot of calories

He goes for a run at the weekend to offset the food indulgences of a night out

open up to others

to stop being shy and say what you really think to other people

Last night was the first time that Ken had opened up to us about his feelings

take time to unwind

to take time to relax and stop feeling anxious

Can you take some time each day to unwind or to commune with nature?

crop up

if a problem crops up, it happens or appears suddenly and in an unexpected way

You have to learn to deal with difficult situations when they crop up

mess with

to get involved with someone or something that may cause problems or be dangerous

Don't mess with fireworks

pass something on to

to give someone a piece of information that someone else has given to you

She said she'd pass the message on to the other students

push you into a way of thinking

to influence you or force you to think in a certain way

So much exposure to these messages pushes you into a different way of thinking

put

to make a suggestion, especially to get someone's opinion or agreement

He put the idea to his wife