Sales of ABC records continue to rise and now at the highest level for 25 years.
The figure shows a 25% increase on the previous year.
to censor
to remove parts of books, films, letters etc. thought to be offensive or inappropriate
a censor
a person whose job is to remove parts of books, films, letters etc. thought to be offensive or inappropriate
censorship
the process of removing parts of books, films, letters etc. thought to be offensive or inappropriate
to ridicule
to make jokes about something in an unkind way
mockery
comments intended to make something look stupid
make a mockery (of something)
make something seem useless or stupid
red alert
a warning that something dangerous will probably happen
toxic
poisonous
engulf
surround something completely
portmanteau word
a single word made from two words. eg. smog雾霾(smoke + fog)
no way! an expression which shows disbelief
photoshopped used software to change an image
plant
(here) type of factory which generates electricity
broke new ground
did something nobody has ever done before
to renovate
to improve its condition
fleet
group of vehicles brought together for a particular purpose
Japan whaling fleet/Japanese whaling fleet/Japan’s whaling fleet
three different ways to describe nationality in news headlines
in the pursuit of
tells us the reason why we are doing something
confront
deal with a difficult situation
reinforces
confirms
stepping down
resigning from his position
incandescent
producing light from a heated part
comeback
when someone or something that was once successful becomes successful again
revamp
change something in order to improve it
significantly
by a large or noticeable amount
prototype
the first example of a new product
vowed
promised (to do something)
partisan
supporting the political views of just one party
bold ambition
big or difficult aim, requiring lots of effort
census
official count and collection of information about a population
iconic
famous person or object which is thought to represent an idea or style from a particular time
pace
the speed at which something moves or happens
growth
the process of getting bigger
slump
a significant fall or reduction in something
shrinking
getting smaller
depreciation
process in which something becomes less valuable
evenly
in equal amounts
condition
illness or disease
boycott
refuse to take part as a protest
published
made officially available for everyone to read, for example in a book or newspaper
double life
separate life that other people don’t know about
archive
collection of historical documents, books or objects
unseen
not seen or known about
rediscovered
found again after being forgotten or lost
in a spin
worried and confused
crossing
moving from one side to the other
sporadic
happening at irregular intervals
spot
notice something that is difficult to find or see
the spread of
the growing area affected by something
constitutes
considered to be
endangered
in a situation which could cause harm
outbreak
the sudden start of something, such as an illness or disease
break out
爆发
declared
officially or formally announced or stated
declaration
声明 n.
nightmare
(here) very frightening or difficult situation
nightmare scenario
hailed
announced publicly how good or important something is
hampering
making it difficult to do something
backlog
a number of things that should have been done before now
prediction
what you think will happen in the future
batons
heavy sticks used as weapons by police
clashes
fights or battles between groups of people
street vendors
people who sell things in the street rather than in a shop
warning shots
shot fired by police or army which are not intended to harm people but to show force
crackdown 镇压
strong action taken to stop illegal or bad activity
crack down 打击（什么活动）
outsider
(here) a competitor with little chance of winning
refurbishing
making changes to a building to improve it
adapting
changing behaviour to suit a new situation
album
several pieces of music sold together usually in a digital file or CD
lavish
expensive and impressive
artist
(here) musician, actor or performer
sweep
(here) to win a number of things easily
diss
to say something rude or disrespectful about someone
all over the place
badly planned, organised or executed
restoring
bringing back as it was before
seized
took away forcibly (usually describes police action)
went under the knife
had surgery, was operated on by a doctor
restored
made to function again
cut off
unable to access something
canal
artificial river made to transport water or boats
vulnerable
if something is vulnerable, it’s easy to damage or attack
grapple
to fight (a challenge or problem)
unrest
angry or violent behaviour by groups of people during protests or disagreements
have come out
have stated publicly, have declared
recalling
(here) asking consumers to return a faulty product in exchange for a refund
caesarean
operation in which a baby is born by cutting open the mother’s womb
demolition
destruction of a building
dismantle
take something apart so it no longer functions
makeshift
temporary and of poor quality
evict
to force someone to leave a place
braced for
ready for (something bad)
bulldozer
a heavy vehicle with a large, curved piece of metal at the front for pushing earth and stones
dominated
been the most successful
warning
making people aware of danger
manned
(of a machine) operated by people who are carried inside it
outcome
final result
tested positive
had banned drugs found in her body following a medical test
let her fans down
made her supporters disappointed by not reaching the standard they expected
suspend
stop something for a period of time
let down
made people disappointed by not reaching the standard they expected
tarnishing
making people have a lower opinion of something or someone
violate
act against; break
solar eclipse
moment when the view of the sun is blocked by the moon
influential
affecting people’s behaviour, opinions or decisions
accomplishments
achievements or successes as a result of hard work
central bank
a national bank which has control of a country’s money
audacious
carried out with confidence despite high risk
breached
(here) broke into
heist
an organised robbery – usually involving large amounts of money or valuable objects
cyber
prefix used to refer to computers or the internet
hush up
prevent people from discovering the truth
triggered
caused something to happen
remarkable
unexpected and therefore surprising
outrage
very strong reaction of anger
unlock
(here) enter the correct password to open a mobile phone
postponement
decision to delay something
manufacturer
company that makes products in large quantities
row
an argument or disagreement, often noisy
hack
to break into a computer system illegally
back down
stop saying or threatening that you will do something, usually because people disagree with you
mourning
a time when people show sadness after a death or deaths
odious
very unpleasant
abnormally
unusually; not as expected
unrealistic
something that cannot be achieved
reef
a line of rock near or above the surface of the sea
episodes
single events related to but separate from others
coral bleaching
damage to coral caused by warm water
devastate
seriously damage; destroy
aerial
from the air
in the grip of
experiencing something very unpleasant you can’t escape from
driverless
not controlled by a person
choking
not able to breathe
toxic
poisonous; harmful
abundance
in large quantities
predominantly
mainly or mostly
at the heart of
at the centre of
leak
(here) sharing of secret information with the public
blacklisted
put on a blacklist: a list of people, countries, organisations etc who are not approved of and blocked from doing certain things
sanctions
(here) official orders to stop a country or organisation from trading or communication
links
connections
bombshell
(here) piece of unexpected and shocking news
prominent
important, well known
prompted
brought about, caused
honoured
publicly praised for doing something good
impeachment
a formal accusation that a public official has committed a serious crime while in power
stormy
loud, involving strong emotions
coup
sudden seizing of political power, often by an army
back
support
hurdle
obstacle, challenge, difficulty
ambitious
(here) difficult to achieve
exceptional
extreme; greater than normal
triumph
great achievement
the height of
a time when a situation is most active
winning hearts
getting the affection of people
replica
an exact copy of something
behind
responsible for
recreate
made or created again
unveil
(of a venue or exhibit) officially opened in a ceremony where a covering is removed
on display
being put in a place where people can see it
to date
up to now
precious
valuable
released
(here) made public
heads
the side of a coin with a head or face on it
tails
the other side of a coin
lands on tails/heads
contamination
the process of making something less pure or poisonous
meltdown
a situation when fuel in a nuclear power station becomes very hot and melts through its container
The tube’s in meltdown
reactor
(short for nuclear reactor) a machine which produces nuclear energy
radioactive
containing harmful energy produced during nuclear reactions
swathe
large area of land
vigils
acts of staying awake at night in order to pray, protest or give support to something
fallout
dangerous, radioactive dust in the air after a nuclear explosion
meltdown
a situation when fuel in a nuclear power station becomes very hot and melts through its container
on
(here) later, after
catastrophically disastrously; dangerously
fall silent
stop making any sound
scaffolding
metal poles and wooden planks erected outside of a building for people to stand on when they are working on the building
glimpse
brief view or look
delivery
(here) process of giving birth
squad
larger group of sports players from which a smaller team is chosen
outsiders
(here) players or team thought unlikely to win a competition
bookmakers
people whose job it is to take and pay money from betting
fairytale
(here) unreal or incredible
nuts/bonkers
crazy
a one-off
describes something which will only happen once
presumptive
likely to be
inappropriately
in the wrong way
long-standing
existing for a long time
species
a group of animals or plants that are similar and can together produce young animals or plants
sprawling
reaching over a large area
habitats
the places where plants and animals live naturally
at risk of
in a situation where something bad or dangerous could happen
kill off
destroy something totally
highly symbolic
showing or representing something that is extremely important
obliterated
completely destroyed
inflicted
something unpleasant or harmful forced on someone or something
exoplanets
planets outside the Earth’s solar system
abundant/an abundance of
a large amount of; more than enough
boom
major increase
biofuels
fuel made from living things
decline/on the decline
a reduction in the amount of something
dwindle
get smaller over time
missing
unaccounted for
submerged
completely below the surface of the water
rapturous
joyful, enthusiastic
declared an emergency
officially announced a dangerous situation exists
besieged
surrounded by
relocate
move to a different place
state of emergency
temporary set of rules an authority uses to deal with a dangerous situation
plague
an unusually large number of unpleasant things
bat’s insane
example of a pun – play on words - typical in tabloid headlines
bailout funds
money offered by governments to save a failing economy or business
samples
small parts of something to be studied by scientists
collaborative
involving people working together
comeuppance
deserved punishment for doing something bad
all mouth and no trousers
talking a lot about doing something without actually doing it
a man or a mouse
be brave even if you are frightened
what are you made of?
prove how brave you are
my knight in shining armour!
someone very brave who is going to help me
we need to keep an eye out for him
我们需要留意他
apartheid
种族隔离
resistant
not affected or harmed by something
antibiotics
a drug that is used to kill harmful bacteria and to cure infections
strain
(here) a group of closely related plants or animals
superbug
a type of bacteria that cannot be treated using antibiotics
nightmare
terrible
drug-proof
resistant to drugs
bulletproof
防弹
waterproof
防水的
bitter stand-off
angry or unhappy situation where two groups of people cannot agree
the heart of
the middle or centre of
thriving
very successful
heavyweight
a weight in boxing, typically the heaviest category
nomination
(here) the act of choosing someone as a candidate to receive an award
pallbearers
people who help to carry the coffin at a funeral
memorial
an event to honour or remember a person who has died
also an object
a biopic
film about the life of a real person
an autobiography
a book about a person’s life, written by that person
contest
[here] attempt to win
victimised
deliberately treated unfairly
swells
up and down movement of the waves
vigils
periods of time – usually at night - during which people stay in a place to show support for something
to honour
to praise someone in public
tributes
public acts which show respect to someone
gather
to come together in a group
a gathering
a group of people / an informal occasion
moving
causing strong emotions / feelings of sadness or sympathy
on high alert
prepared for a likely bad event
paddling
walking or playing in shallow water
range
a group of things which are similar
arsenal
collection of weapons (统称)武器;兵工厂;武器库;军火库
upgrade
improve the quality of something
deterrent
something that prevents people doing something 威慑因素
phase out
stop doing something gradually 逐步淘汰
nukes
slang word for nuclear weapons 核武器
ancient
very old (humorous)
cracks down
starts to deal with a situation in a more severe way
merciless
unforgiving / very hard
infrastructure
system that enables something to run smoothly
think tank
group of experts who together develop ideas on a certain subject
face
(here) deal with
triggers
starts a process
mechanism
(here) way of doing something; process
rule out
to say something is not possible
divorce
legal ending of a marriage – here used to mean end of a relationship/legal arrangement
unleash
release strong, negative forces
propaganda
information, often false, designed to promote a particular point of view
urged
strongly advised
distinguished
respected, admired and successful
probe
(here) a device for gathering information
orbit
the circular path one object takes around another in space
spacecraft
vehicle used in space
hostile
(here) difficult or dangerous
Jupiter is an incredibly hostile world
core
(here) the centre
on such a scale
(here) of a large size
judgement
ability to make good decisions
on record
officially measured
loggers
people who cut down trees
orbiting
moving around a planet or star
set to
ready to / likely to
to become
is going to become
follow in someone’s footsteps
to do something (normally a job) which someone has done before you
take the reins
to take control of something
pressing
needs quick action
scene
(here) place where an incident happened
malnutrition
bad health caused by a poor diet
so-called
(adjective) named informally by many people
plagiarise
use the words or ideas of someone else and pretend they are your own
rip off
steal something or copy something
a rip-off
something that is not worth the price OR something which is a copy of something else
bear a striking similarity
to have a very strong similarity
Republican National Convention
共和党全国代表大会
candidate
person who applies for a job or a post
damning
very critical
trend
general development in a situation
repel
keep something away (for example: insects/water)
insect repellent spray 防虫喷雾
something/someone repels you
something/someone you find disgusting or unpleasant and want to stay away from
deter
prevent/discourage someone from doing something by making it difficult or unpleasant for them to do it
a pun
a funny way of using a word so that more than one meaning is suggested
steer clear of
to avoid someone or something
breaking through
forcefully opening the way through (a barrier)
eluded
failed to be achieved
blazes
very large fires
prematurely
before its expected time
alarmingly
worringly
filthy
very dirty
sewage
waste material from homes and other buildings
teeming with
containing a large number of
unfazed
not surprised or worried
favela
poor and crowded area of a city in Brazil
questioned
(here) expressed doubts about
remotely
from a distance
insight
understanding
activist
person with a strong belief in a certain cause who takes action to achieve their aims
hunger strike
time during which someone refuses to eat as a protest
fast
period of time when a person chooses not to eat
breakfast fast不吃，打破不吃，吃早餐
‘iron’
Here used as an adjective used to describe a person who is mentally and emotionally strong
wondering
asking oneself
to log
to make an official record
stylish
elegant and fashionable
unveiled
made public in a ceremony
an upset
when someone beats the team or player that was expected to win
pull something off
to succeed in doing something that is difficult
egg somebody on
encourage someone or urge someone to do something (especially something they shouldn’t do)
pandemonium
a situation in which there is a lot of noise or craziness because people are excited, angry, or frightened
medal tally
number of medals won
feeds on
eats, consumes (especially for animals)
cheating
breaking the rules of a competition
kick off
begin or cause something to begin
pass the baton
give responsibility for something important to another person or group
wrap up
finish something
peer
look carefully or closely
underestimated
thought something was lower than it really was
put (something) down to
(phrasal verb) gave something as a reason for something else
flee
to quickly leave a place, normally because it is dangerous or unpleasant
some
used here as an adverb before a number to mean ‘approximately’
hub
a place which is the the centre of a particular activity
sorties
short missions
rickety
not stable; likely to break
marine reserve
area of ocean protected by the law
orbiting
moving in a circular path around an object (especially for planets)
mourning
sadness because someone has died
underestimated
(here) thought to be lower than it really is
livelihoods
ways of earning money in order to live
soaring
rising quickly
plummeting
falling quickly and suddenly
staggering
very shocking and surprising
bear the brunt of
suffer the worst part or effect of something bad or harmful
outbreaks
sudden occurrences of disease or war
passed away
died
spotted
noticed after looking carefully
hold/keep/play your cards close to your chest
not share key information; be secretive
come clean
tell the truth about something you were keeping secret
big deal
something important
not that big a deal
important, but not very important
bout
short period when you are ill or unhappy; a short period of activity
bat away
(here) reject
address
formal speech
leaked
made secret information public
cracked
(here) understood something previously unexplained
giant / massive / gigantic
very big
extraterrestrial
coming from outside planet Earth
eavesdrop
secretly listen to a conversation
potential
possible
saddened
made unhappy
sensation
(here) something or somebody very popular
to clash
to have an angry argument
head-to-head
in direct competition
to lose your cool
to become angry/lose your temper
forging
creating (something) that lasts
injuries
occurrences of physical damage to a person
novel
(here as an adjective) original; not seen before
common ground
something people agree about, especially when they disagree about other things
pick yourself up
recover from a difficult situation
scramble(to)
try very hard to do something in a hurry, often when competing with other people
inability
lack of effort or skill needed to do something
deadline
final time when something should have been completed
stigma
shame
auctioned
sold to whoever pays the highest price
a burning issue
an important and urgent problem, often one that people have strong opinions about
burn a hole in (someone’s accounts)
cause them to spend lots of money
money burns a hole in my pocket
whenever I have money I have to spend it
something burnt a hole in my pocket
it cost a lot of money
come/be under fire
be criticised or held responsible
destabilise
make a political or economic system less safe or reliable
appetite
demand or interest
limiting the damage
reducing the negative effects
nudge
gently encourage
endangered species a type of animal or plant that might stop existing because there are only a few of that type alive
get to the bottom of
to discover the truth about something or find the cause of something
a turn of events
a change in a situation
pleas
serious and emotional requests for something
classified
accessible only to authorised people (for example: documents)
deficiency
lack or shortage of something
vessel
large boat
out-drinking
drinking more than another person
wine o’clock
(humorous) an appropriate time of day to start drinking wine
knocking back
drinking something quickly or in large amounts, particularly alcohol
boozer
person who drinks a lot of alcohol
given the green light
approved to proceed
severity
seriousness
charity
organisation that raises money for a particular purpose of public interest
strike back
attack someone who has attacked you
vow
make a strong promise to do something
malicious
(here) intended to harm or steal private information from a computer
cyber
relating to computers
shore up
make more secure
airlifted
transported by aircraft
side effects
additional unpleasant results of taking a drug
released
set free
polls
the mechanism of voting
ballot
system of secret voting
pitch
something you say to persuade people to support you or do something
storm
move with force
shattering the dreams
ending the hopes
makeshift
temporary; usually of poor quality
inspired
influenced positively
A new world record for the world(hot)
sweltering; sizzling; scorching
very, very hot
on course; on track; on pace
happening in the way we expect, based on what has happened until now
make tracks
leave a place (often quickly)
lose track
stop being aware of what someone is doing or what is happening
go off the beaten track
travel to places where not many people go
evade tax
not pay money you owe the government by law
traces
extremely small quantities
solving
finding a reason, explanation or answer to a question or problem
The end of a partnership
pull the plug on something
stop something from continuing or happening
scrap; ditch; dump
stop doing something or get rid of something that is no longer wanted or needed.
renounce
formally say that you no longer support or accept something
a (bath/sink) plug
a round piece of rubber or plastic that fits into the hole in a sink or a bath
a plug
part with two or three metal pins at the end of an electric cord to connect it electricity
a murky world
complicated and badly understood
fell into the hands of
went to the wrong person or people
falling well short
not achieving what is expected
boom
sudden economic increase
mourning
process of sadness after someone has died
cathartic release
letting out of strong feelings that had not been shown before
prognosis
statement about what is likely to happen in the future
advance
development; improvement
fingerprint
(here) to create a digital profile
team up
to get together with other people or organisations to achieve something
pledge
make a serious promise
in labour
in the last stage of pregnancy when the baby is pushed out
keeping up
progressing at the same rate as something else
up close
very near something
surge
sudden increase
undermining
making less effective
spiked(尖峰)
increased and decreased suddenly
Electricity use spiked during half time in the World Cup final when people put the kettle on.
a testament
evidence that something exists
lived rough
lived outside, often on the streets
sanctuaries
safe places
urban oasis
a quiet place in a built up area
standing guard
protecting something to make sure it stays safe or doesn’t escape
keeping watch
paying close attention to a situation so you can react to any problems
brainchild
someone’s plan or original idea
cabin feverish (to have cabin fever)
frustrating and boring because you have been indoors for too long
harness
control and make use of
holographic
three-dimensional and life-like, created by lasers
companion
a person you spend a lot of time with
tangible
something real, that you can touch
embraced
welcomed with enthusiasm
record high
highest amount reached
turning the tables
changing from the weaker position to the stronger
mock-up
a realistic model of something yet to be built
social isolation
lack of contact with other people
daredevils
people who like to do dangerous things
the bulk of
most of; the majority of
bulk buying 大量购买 大宗购买
facelift
a change that improves something
set to
organised so that something happens in the future
seedy
dirty, connected with illegal or morally wrong activity
urban areas
towns, cities or suburbs
cubs
young animals (bears, foxes, lions)
boycott
refuse to take part in something as a protest
legitimate
allowed by the law
swell
get bigger
predominantly
mainly; mostly
devastating
very harmful; damaging
cited
mentioned as evidence or proof
controversial
something people disagree about
right (B1)
exactly
in her own right (C2)
not relying on anything or anyone else
right (B1)
most suitable
right (B2)
morally acceptable
over______
Used as a prefix to mean ’too much’
potential
describes something possible in the right circumstances
browned off
annoyed
premature
before its due date
wholesome
benefit to someone’s well-being
obesity
state of being so fat that it is a risk to your health
sack / fire
remove from a job
be fired/get sacked
She was sacked because she was late everyday.
He fired the dirver for being drunk.
defying
refusing to obey
- Stop defying me or I’ll stop your pocket money.
- I was thrown out of the cafe for defying the smoking ban.
betrayal
act of not being loyal
outrageous
shockingly bad
looking into
examining
hermit
person who lives alone in a remote place
leak
the act of making private information known to the public
blackmail
get money from someone by threatening to reveal their secrets
fury
extreme anger
evacuate
leave a place because of danger
overflow
spill liquid because there’s too much
race against the clock
try to complete something urgent in a short space of time
evacuate
leave a place because of danger
overflow
spill liquid because there’s too much
race against the clock
try to complete something urgent in a short space of time
tit-for-tat
describes actions taken as revenge
boils
gets very angry
blasts
criticises strongly
rise of
growth of (a significant, powerful phenomenon)
held to ransom
made to do something by threats
targeting
directing something at someone
trigger
make something start
kicking off
starting
invoking
using a law to achieve something
privacy
right to keep personal information secret
encryption
action of putting information into a code to keep it secret
backdoor
secret route into a secure system
comeback
a return of something after a period of time
resurgence
the start of something again which used to happen
archaic
old; belonging to the past
outbreak
sudden start and spread of a disease
sweeping
moving and spreading quickly
shun
avoid deliberately
Explosions: means ‘sudden bursts of force, often from bombs’.
stiff upper lip
quality of not showing feelings in a difficult situation
opens up
starts to talk about feelings
went off the rails
started to behave in a way that’s not socially acceptable
election 选举
sharp
mentally quick and intelligent
keep (something) at bay
prevent (something) from happening
stints
limited periods of time spent doing an activity
averted
stopped something bad from happening
tentative
not certain or definite
looms
causes worry
a landslide(滑坡) victory
winning an election by a very large majority
- Macron wins in a landslide victory
- The prime minister won the election by a landslide
an uphill battle
something that’s difficult to achieve
- It will be a uphill battle to get a pay rise.
a breath of fresh air
something or someone new, interesting and exciting
surge
a sudden increase
ransomware
a virus designed to stop a computer working unless money is paid
ransom + ware
stopped in its tracks
stop moving or doing something suddenly
oust
force someone out of a position of power
crumbles
becomes weaker in power or influence
glimmer of hope
small sign of something positive to come
hail
publicly praise
supercharge
make more powerful
packs a punch
has great effect or power
human error
a mistake made by a person
meltdown
the complete failure of a system
fiasco
a complete and embarrassing failure
indulgent
allowing you to do something when you shouldn’t
decadent
pleasant but immoral
jazzier
brighter, more colourful and more attractive
caves in
accepts an unwanted position after being put under pressure, 塌陷, 塌陷；坍塌；塌方, 同意, 讓步;屈服;妥協.
lock horns
begin a debate, argument or fight
rules out
decides against
blunder
a mistake often caused by carelessness
mislaid
temporarily lost due to forgetting where it was put
backlog
a number of tasks that should have been done by now
lobbies
tries to persuade people in authority to take a certain action
to OK
to agree or give approval for something to happen
woo
try to persuade someone to support you by being nice to them
watchdog
organisation responsible for making sure people maintain standards and follow the law
perpetuate
make continue
unveil
make known for the first time
chores
boring but necessary tasks
underrated
not given the high level of approval it deserves
outsourcing
paying someone else to do your tasks for you
circumvent
avoid a problem or issue
capitulation
agreement – often made unwillingly
scramble
move quickly to do something
slams
criticises strongly
contentious
causing argument or disagreement
hits a nerve
upsets someone
provocations
actions or speech causing an angry reaction
overshadowed
made to seem less important
mum
silent
trolls
people who intentionally send annoying or insulting online messages
corrosive
causing gradual damage to something
closes (the) net
restricts the movement or activities of
death toll
the number of dead people due to an incident
obliterate
completely destroy
havoc
chaos
history in the making
an event that will be remembered as really significant
- Sending astronauts to the Moon was history in the making.
- The election of the first female US president will be history in the making.
off the menu
not an option
- We haven’t got any bread at home, so sandwiches are off the menu.
- A holiday is off the menu this month because I’ve got too many work deadlines.
overjoyed
very happy
- She was overjoyed to receive the acceptance letter from her dream university.
- The parents were overjoyed to see their son taking his first steps.
topples
falls because it is unbalanced
- The tree toppled over in the storm.
- The corrupt president was toppled by the opposition.
go downhill
become worse
- My grandma’s health has gone downhill since her fall.
- The business is going downhill - it isn’t making a profit any more.
shattered
broken dramatically
- He shattered the record by finishing the marathon in under two hours.
- The number of university applications this year has shattered previous records.
from (the) horse’s mouth
directly from the source
- If you don’t believe me, talk to him and hear it straight from the horse’s mouth.
- Janice is pregnant. I heard it direct from the horse’s mouth.
flood
enter in large amounts
- My bedroom is flooded with sunlight every morning.
- Viewers flood TV channels with complaints when someone swears.
have (your) cake and eat it
try to gain two advantages from one thing
- I want to relax at home and go to the party. I guess I can’t have my cake and eat it!
- He said he wants better transport services but he won’t pay more tax. He can’t have his cake and eat it.
overcoming
dealing with a difficult problem
- I overcame my shyness by attending public speaking classes.
- The winning team only overcame their opponent in the final minutes of the match.
doom and gloom
used to describe a generally bad situation
- It’s really cold but at least the Sun is shining. It’s not all doom and gloom.
- My whole family is ill again. It’s all doom and gloom.
turbulent
not calm; unstable
- Conflicts in the country mean it has quite a turbulent history.
- 2022 was a turbulent year – there was lots of bad news.