- to tiptoe around 

sth/sb: /ˈtɪp.təʊ/ (informal): to avoid dealing with

a difficult subject,problem, or person:

Jonathan keeps tiptoeing  around the problem, instead of confronting it.

No longer wanting to tiptoe around the topic, his boss came right out and fired him.

- to thrive (C1):  to grow, develop, or be successful.

His business thrived in the years before the war / She seems to thrive on stress /

To thrive on stress/ under pressure.

- stride: /straɪd/: (noun) a development. an important positive development

The group has made strides to expand internationally.
- to stride: (verb): to walk somewhere quickly with long steps. AVANZAR
- To stride for perfection: avanzar.

- To dump (C2): To put down or drop something in a careless way. Tirar, cargar a

alguien con el muerto.
He came in with four shopping bags and dumped them on the table.
Try not to dump your problems on other people.

- To sneak (sb) in (C2): move secretly / to go somewhere secretly, or to take

someone or something somewhere secretly:

I managed to sneak  in through the back door while she wasn't looking.

Jan doesn't have a ticket but I thought we might sneak her  in.
I thought I'd sneak  up on  him (= move close to him without him seeing) and give him
a surprise.

- To be bold: (=brave) ser atrevido, intrépido, audaz.

Of the three organizations criticized, only one was bold enough to face the press.

- To be/ feel queasy /ˈkwiː.zi/ : feeling sick, mareado, con ganas de vomitar.
I started to feel queasy as soon as the boat left the harbour.

- To live [sth] down:  (embarrassment: get over) superar la vergüenza.

His friends ensured that he could never live down the day he accidentally wore his sister's
pants.
- To leave things lying around: dejar las cosas por ahí tiradas.

- To be a smart-pants: ser un listillo

- to be cocky: used to describe a young person who is confident in a way that is

unpleasant and sometimes rude.
He's a bit cocky for my liking (Él es un poco engreído/ gallito para mi gusto).

- You could hear a pin drop: Be able to hear even the smallest noise because of the
quiet.
After the teacher's outburst, the classroom was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

- To crack on: to start or continue doing something, especially more quickly or with
more energy after a pause:. PONERSE LAS PILAS.
The meeting needs to finish by 5, so we'd better crack on.
Stop messing around and crack on with work!

- To turn bright red: ponerse rojo.

- To make a fool of yourself: ponerse en ridículo / evidencia.

I don’t mind being wrong, but I hate making a fool of myself (No me molesta equivocarme
pero odio ponerme en evidencia).
The teacher said: You are making a fool of yourself!

- To have the cheek to….: uk behaviour or talk that is rude and shows no respect.
TENER LA CARA DE….
He told me off for being late when he arrived half an hour after me. What a cheek!
She's always getting into trouble for cheeking her teachers (= being rude to them).
He had the cheek to accuse me of being disorganized.

- Tener agujetas: to have stiffness / to have stiff muscles.

I have a lot of stiffness from painting the whole house.
Painting the whole house has left me stiff.
After swimming for 2 hours, I got stiff muscles.

- That’s swell!: Es fantástico!

- To be hard-up: ESTAR A DOS VELAS /ESTAR SIN UN DURO.

I’m not exactly hard-up but I still don’t like to waste money.
Going on a date with John? No thanks, I’m not that hard-up!

- To stare (off) into space: to stare vacantly or absentmindedly at nothing in

particular, usually while one is preoccupied with or distracted by thoughts of
something else.
I sat at the back of class, staring off into space, when suddenly the solution came to me.
He just stared into space as his parents lectured him on the importance of paying attention
during class.
Stop staring into space and get on with work!

- To get into the swing of (sth): to start to understand, enjoy, and be active in
something.
I had never worked as a teacher in England, so it took me a while to get into the swing of it.

- Just for the crack: To do something for heck of it / To perform a pointless action
just for the sake of one's own entertainment. PARA HACER LA COÑA.
I threw olives at my brother just for the crack.

- Daunting: /ˈdɔːn.tɪŋ/ (=intimidating). ABRUMADOR.

Attending a job interview can be daunting.

- To be obliging /əˈblaɪ.dʒɪŋ/: willing or eager to help. SERVICIAL,

COMPLACIENTE, ATENTO.
He found an obliging doctor who gave him the drugs he needed.
 - to be/feel bloated /ˈbləʊ.tɪd/: swollen and rounded because of containing too much
air, liquid, or food / a bloated stomach.
When I get my period, I feel very bloated.

- Nothing to write home about: nada del otro mundo / no es para tirar cohetes.
Their performance was nothing to write home about.

- to limp: to walk slowly and with difficulty because of having an injured or painful leg
or foot. COJEAR.
I´m limping because of my right leg / María limped to her car after rolling her ankle while
walking down the stairs.
OTHERS: MY LEG HURTS / I INJURED MY KNEE YESTERDAY.

- Back in the day: used for talking about a time in the past, usually when you are
remembering nice things about that time. EN AQUELLOS TIEMPOS.
Back in the day, we had an apartment with a swimming pool.

- to swot (up) /swɒt/: EMPOLLAR

- to be a swot: UN EMPOLLÓN/A
María spent the weekend swotting for the exam.
Peter is a boring swot who only cares about schoolwork.

- to stand up for: to support or defend. APOYAR.

She stood up for him when the others bullied him.

- precious: valioso.

- to nip (off): informal, UK, go quickly. IR CORRIENDO / IR DE UNA ESCAPADA.

Can you nip to the shops and pick up a newspaper? / We`ve run out of milk, I’ll just nip off
and get us some more.

- to sleep over (at) /ˈsliːp.əʊ.vər/: QUEDARSE A DORMIR

- to have a sleepover (at): TENER UNA FIESTA DE PIJAMAS.
The girls are on a sleepover at Sarah’s house.

- sing-song tone of voice / song songy voice:

- to shortlist (v) / to be shortlisted: SELECCIONAR (normalmente se usa en

pasiva).
The author was surprised when her debut novel was shortlisted for a literature award.
- shortlist (n): LISTA DE SELECCIONADOS.
The book was on the shortlist for the Booker Prize last year.

- be on cloud nine: informal. C2 to be extremely happy and excited:

"Was Helen pleased about getting that job?" "Pleased? She was on cloud nine!".

- to be busted /ˈbʌs.tɪd/: caught or arrested by the police for doing something

illegal. PILLADO/A, ARRESTADO/A.
He was busted for marijuana possession ten years ago.

- to be jaded /ˈdʒeɪ.dɪd/: not having interest or losing interest because you have
experienced something too many times. HARTO, SATURADO, CANSADO.

Flying is exciting the first time you do it, but you soon become jaded.

- shredded /ˈʃred.ɪd/: CORTADO EN TIRAS, DESTROZADO, TRITURADO.

Mary found the shredded letter in the bin.

- Impassioned: Impassioned speech or writing is full of strongly felt and strongly

expressed emotion = passionate. APASIONADO.

Relatives of the dead made an impassioned plea for the bodies to be flown back to this
country.

- Endeavour: C1 to try to do something. INTENTAR, ESFUERZO.

Engineers are endeavouring to locate the source of the problem / Science is one of
humanity’s greatest endeavours.

- rave (about)
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained: quien no arriesga no gana.
- To be at a loose end: estar aburrido
- To go down a treat: va de lujo
- to seize C2: take by force
- to be a prick: ser un idiota/ imbécil.
- Chill (n) C2¨: a sudden, unpleasant feeling, especially of fear.

I suddenly realized, with a chill of apprehension, the danger ahead.

- to trespass: (break law). to go onto someone’s land or building without permission.

I hope this is a public footpath and we’re not trespassing on someone’s land.
 - to fall short: COJEAR, SER DEFICIENTE.
My CV falls short in the area of experience.

- Rampant (C1): (of something bad) getting worse quickly and in an uncontrolled way
DESENFRENADO
Disease is rampant in the overcrowded city / rampant corruption

- Lifespan (C2): the length of time for which a person, animal, or thing exists.
ESPERANZA DE VIDA
The average human lifespan in the developed countries has increased over the last
hundred years

- Sceptical (C2): doubting that something is true or useful.

Many people remain sceptical about/of the dangers of climate change.

- Glowing (C2) /ˈɡləʊ.ɪŋ/: praising with enthusiasm. EXCELLENTE

His latest book has received glowing reviews.
- To glow (C2) /to look attractive because you are happy or healthy, especially with
eyes that are shining (IRRADIAR)
The children's faces were glowing with excitement.
They came back from their week at the beach, glowing with health.

- Upkeep (C2): the cost or process of keeping something, such as a building, in good
condition. MANTENIMIENTO
The upkeep of old buildings is pricey.

- To uphold (C2): to defend or keep a principle or law, or to say that a decision that
has already been made, especially a legal one, is correct. DEFENDER
Many people still uphold the idea of marriage.

- To come to grips with (C2): to make an effort to understand and deal with a
problem or situation. ENTENDER, ACEPTAR
The president has failed to come to grips with the two most important social issues of our
time.

- Hardship (C1): (something that causes) difficult or unpleasant conditions of life, or

an example of this. DIFICULTAD
economic hardship

- APPALLING (C2):shocking and very bad. TERRIBLE, ESPANTOSO

appalling injuries.
Prisoners were kept in the most appalling conditions

- To extol (C2): /ɪkˈstəʊl : to praise something or someone very much ENSALZAR,

ELOGIAR
She is forever extolling the virtues of her children
He likes to extol the virtues of following a vegetarian diet.
 - To forsake (C2): to leave someone for ever, especially when they need you / to
stop doing or having something. DEJAR, ABANDONAR
The soldier decided to forsake his responsibilities to his country and deserted.

- Blip = Glitch : INCIDENTE BREVE, IRREGULARIDAD, CONTRATIEMPO

Encountering a blip that ruins her routine can easily infuriates her.

- Poignant : moving, causing or having a very sharp feeling of sadness.

CONMOVEDOR, EMOTIVO / DESGARRADOR.
The photograph awakens poignant memories of happier days.
A poignant ending (film) / poignant sadness.

- Nonchalant : behaving in a calm manner, often in a way that suggests you are not
interested or do not care. DESPREOCUPADO, INDIFERENTE. A nonchalant
manner/shrug

- To shrug (C2) /ʃrʌɡ/: ENCOGERSE DE HOMBROS

He shrugged his shoulders as if to say that there was nothing he could do about it.
Thousands of people are starving to death while the world shrugs its shoulders.

- To flounder: (around/ about) ENCONTRARSE EN APUROS

He lost the next page of his speech and floundered around/about for a few seconds.
Although his business was a success, his marriage was floundering.

- To resonate with = strike a chord : to provoke an appealing feeling of familiarity in

someone. SER RECIBIDO / ENTENDIDO / TOCAR LA FIBRA SENSIBLE / CALAR
HONDO
His speech struck a chord /resonated with unemployed voters.

- To be incensed about: ESTAR ENFURECIDO, INDIGNADO

Homelessness was an issue people were incensed about.

- to cut (sb) off: REPUDIAR A ALGUIEN, DISTANCIARSE/ APARTARSE DE

ALGUIEN
The parents cut their alcoholic son off and he wasn’t even mentioned in their will.

- Will: TESTAMENTO

- To be devoid of (sth): FALTO, DESPROVISTO DE

Their apartment is devoid of all comforts.
He seems to be devoid of compassion.

- To summon (C2): to order someone to come to or be present at a particular place,

or to officially arrange a meeting of people / to increase your courage or strength,
especially with an effort. CITAR/ CONVOCAR A LA CORTE, ARMARSE DE
VALOR/ REUNIR EL COURAGE
It took me six months to summon up the courage to ask her out for a drink.

- Uncanny: bizarre, abnormal, aberrant. SOBRENATURAL, ASOMBROSO,

EXTRAÑO, SORPRENDENTE.
He has an uncanny ability to pick a winner.
Barb’s uncanny resemblance to Tia is scary.
 - Perilous /ˈper.əl.əs/: PELIGROSO, ARRIESGADO
The country roads are quite perilous.

- To ostracize /ˈɒs.trə.saɪz/: to exclude someone socially. EXCLUIR A, AISLAR

Because of this conformist behaviour they were more or less ostracized socially by their
classmates.

- Scrape: APURO, APRIETO

Paul got himself into a scrape when he went to Italy without taking enough money with him.
- To scrape into = succeed. To succeed in getting or achieving something, but with
difficulty or by a very small amount:
Her grades weren't great, but she scraped into university.
- To scrape out a living: (idiom) to only just earn enough money to provide yourself
with food, clothing, and a place to live. IR TIRANDO, MALVIVIR, SALIR
ADELANTE.
He settled in Paris, where he scraped a living writing short stories and magazine articles.

- Ordeal /ɔːˈdɪəl/ (C2): a very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience.

CALVARIO, EXPERIENCIA DURA
The hostages' ordeal came to an end when soldiers stormed the building.

- Hostage [ˈhɒstɪdʒ]: REHÉN

- To be taken hostage: SER TOMADO COMO REHÉN.

- Lashing: AZOTE / MONTÓN (a lot).

Lashing of violence / lashing and fierce rain.
- To lash out: ATACAR VERBALMENTE.
Jack has a tendency to lash out if he thinks that he is being personally criticized.
Why's Tina in such a bad mood? She really lashed out at me when I was late for work.

- To resort to (sth) / doing (sht) (C2): to do or use something because it is the only
thing available. RECURRIR A .
There’s hope the countries will reach a settlement without resorting to armed conflict.

- A buff: FAN, AFICIONADO. Computer /films / Opera buff

- Eerie [ˈɪəri] = spooky (sound/ noise/ feeling). INQUIETANTE, ESCALOFRIANTE

I saw an eerie blue glow in the window of the abandoned house.
- To live up to sth: to achieve what is expected, esp. high standards:
We expected a lot of her, and her performance lived up to our expectations.
- To live up to your billing (idiom): ESTAR A LA ALTURA, DAR LA TALLA
Let’s hope their new player lives up to his billing and scores a few goals!

- To come/enter into force: ENTRAR EN VIGOR

The new law does not come into force until February
- A force to be reckoned with (C2): UNA FUERZA CON PESO/A TENER EN
CUENTA
The United Nations is now a force to be reckoned with.
- A force of habit (C2): COSTUMBRE, HÁBITO
Unconsciously, by force of habit, she plugged the coffee pot in.

- Stark: ESCUETO, CRUDO, INHÓSPITO

The stark landscape did not fill Helen with Hope for her new life in this place.

- Derision: BURLA, MOFA : With hoots/ howls of derision

Her speech was met with hoots of derision.

- Quixotic: having or showing ideas that are different and unusual but not practical or
likely to succeed. SOÑADOR, idealístico
This is a vast, exciting and some say quixotic project.

- Bias for: PREFERENCIA: His bias for attractive women was obvious.
- Bias against: PREJUICIO CONTRA: His bias against black people was obvious.

- Dazed / in a daze / to go into a daze (C2): groggy. ATURDIDO

He woke up suddenly and went out the tent in a daze.
The dazzed man staggered away from the accident.
Harry went into a daze when they told him the news.

- Strain (NOUN): a force or influence that stretches, pulls, or puts pressure on

something, sometimes causing damage. ESFUERZO, ESTRÉS, PRESIÓN
As you get older, excess weight puts a lot of strain on the heart.
Their constant arguments were putting a strain on their marriage.
- To strain (sth): LLEVAR AL LÍMITE, DETERIORAR
Lavish spending strained his finances to the limit.
They way they acted, it was obvious that their relationship was strained.

- To thaw: derretirse, descongelarse

- Faint sound (sonido distante), Faint idea / memory (vaga idea)

- Faint-hearted: cobarde

- Quarry: cantera

- Platitude: TÓPICO, CLICHÉ

The politician’s speech was filled with platitudes and offered nothing unique.

- Gridlock: ATASCO, PUNTO MUERTO

Citizens are getting tired of the continuing gridlock in the Spanish government.

- Dogged [ˈdɒgɪd]: stubborn. TENAZ, PERSISTENTE

The detective’s dogged pursuit of the suspect finally paid off.

- To pervade: IMPREGNAR
His gloomy pessimism pervades his last novel.

- Marcher: manifestante.

- To inveigh against (sth) [ɪnˈveɪ]: IR EN CONTRA DE

The priest inveighed against premarital sex.

- Naysayer: person who is negative about something. DETRACTOR.

- Ignominious [ˌɪgnəˈmɪniəs]: VERGONZOSO

 Ignominious defeat/ failure

ə
- Eviction [ɪˈvɪkʃ n]: DESHAUCIO
Richard had one eviction in his rental history.

- On the wane: EN DECLIVE

His career was on the wane.

- Whimsy: RAREZA, EXTRAVAGANCIA

The film combines whimsy and tragedy in equal measure.
- Whimsical: bizarre. EXTRAVAGANTE, CAPRICHOSO
Despite his kindly, sometimes whimsical air, he was a shrewd observer of people.

- Far-fetched [ˌfɑːrˈfɛtʃt]: DESCABELLADO, INVEROSÍMIL: Far-fetched idea/ story

- Unassuming [ˌʌnəˈsjuːmɪŋ]: MODESTO

He was a shy and unassuming actor.

- Forbearance [fɔːrˈbɛərəns]: PACIENCIA

He thanked his employees for the forbearance (that) they had shown during the
company's difficult times.

- Qualm [ˈkwɑːm]: feeling of consciences. APRENSIÓN, ESCRÚPULO

She had no qualms about lying to the police.

- Hitherto [ˌhɪðərˈtuː]: until now

She revealed hitherto unsuspected talents on the floor.

- Gimmick: something that is not serious or of real value that is used to attract
people's attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something.
ARTILUGIO, TRUCO.
A publicity gimmick
They give away free gifts with children's meals as a sales/marketing gimmick.

- Encroachment: infringement of rights. TRANSGRESIÓN, VIOLACIÓN (DE LA LEY)

- Indictment: acusación legal

The business faced an indictment from several farmer coworkers regarding its unethical
practices.

- Obnoxious: unpleasant, rude

- To steer clear of (C2): of drugs, conflicts. MANTENERSE ALEJADO

His speech steered clear of controversial issues.

- Shrewd (C2): PERSPICAZ

He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting
better ones a few months later.

- To hold water (C2): TENER SENTIDO

I’m afraid that argument doesn’t hold water.
Her alibi just didn't hold water.
 - Alibi [ˈælɪbaɪ]: COARTADA

- To ripe for sth (C2): ready or in a good condition for something to happen. LISTO
PARA.
The time is ripe for change (Es el momento oportuno).

- To hold off (C2): POSPONER HACER ALGO, AGUANTAR, FRENAR

The soldiers managed to hold off the attacking forces for three days.
Please, hold off playing the drums until after I’ve gone!.

- To toll (C1): PEAJE, DAÑO, PÉRDIDA

- Death toll (C2): NÚMEROS DE MUERTOS / TOTAL DE VÍCTIMAS
- Exact a toll: COBRARSE UN PRECIO, PASAR FACTURA
Three years of working long hours in poor conditions have exacted a toll; John health has
really suffered.
- Psychological toll (C2): DAÑO PSICOLÓGICO.
- To take its/ a toll (C2): pasar factura
The problems of the past few months have taken their toll on her health.
The deepening recession has also taken its toll in the south of the country, where
unemployment is rife.

- To be rife: ESTAR EXTENDIDO, PLAGADO, SER ABUNDANTE.

Poverty is rife in this part of the country.
The streets here are rife with crime.

- To punch above your weight: ESTAR EN OTRA LIGA / POR ENCIMA DE TUS
POSIBILIDADES.
Have you seen Jim’s new girlfriend? She’s gorgeous and smart. I reckon he’s punching
above his weight here! xD

- Spite (C2) : a feeling of anger towards another person that makes someone want to
annoy, upset, or hurt them, especially in a small way. RENCOR, RESENTIMIENTO
He's the sort of man who would let down the tyres on your car just out of/from spite.

- Cause stir/ stir up trouble: CAUSAR REVUELO, ALTERAR EL ORDEN

The new of his disciplinary dismissal caused stir in the meeting.

- To be on the rack: to be suffering great physical or mental pain, to cause physical or

mental pain, or trouble, to someone or something. RETORCERSE DE DOLOR.
Even at the end, when cancer racked his body, he was calm and cheerful.
He was racked by/with doubts/guilt.

- Felonious homicide: homicidio premeditado, Felonious assault: asalto criminal

- Outlook: (C1): the likely future situation. ACTITUD, PRONÓSTICO

The outlook for the economy is bleak / uncertain / gloomy (PRONÓSTICO)
He has a fairly positive outlook on life. (ACTITUD)

- Abiding /əˈbaɪ.dɪŋ/ : An abiding feeling or memory is one that you have had for a
long time. DURADERO
My abiding memory is of him in the garden.
 - To hanker after / for: to have a strong wish for something, especially if you cannot
or should not have it. ANHELAR, ANSIAR, TENER GANAS DE.
What did you hanker after most when you were in prison?
Even after all these years, I still hanker for a motorbike.

- To capitalise on: to make the most of sth, to use a situation to your own advantage.
SACAR EL MÁXIMO RENDIMIENTO, SACAR PARTIDO, EXPRIMIR
She capitalized on her knowledge and experience to get a better job.

- Hoax [ˈhəʊks]: fraude, engaño / tomar el pelo (v).

He'd made a hoax call claiming to be the president.

- To outweigh: (C1) to be greater or more important than something else. Outweigh

the risks/benefits/considerations. SOPESAR.
Medical experts maintain that the benefits of the new drug outweigh any risks.

- Circumspect [ˈs3ːrkəm!spɛkt]: careful not to take risks. CAUTELOSO,

PRUDENTE.
Officials were circumspect about saying what the talks had achieved.

- To be in the limelight: public attention and interest. SER EL FOCO DE ATENCIÓN.

He always tried to avoid the limelight.
- To be in the spotlight (C2): (of a person) receiving a lot of public attention:
The senator has been in the spotlight recently since the revelation of his tax frauds.

- To pluck up your courage / pluck up (the) courage to do sth (C2): to force

yourself to be brave enough to do something, although you are frightened or worried
about it. ARMARSE DE VALOR.
He finally plucked up courage to ask her to marry him.
I'd love to do a parachute jump, but I can't pluck up the/enough courage.

- To stick up for something/someone: to support or defend something or someone.

SACAR LA CARA POR, DEFENDER.
Her friends stuck up for her when other people said she was guilty / stick up for your friends.

- Be in the loop / Be out of the loop: to have or not have the special knowledge or
power that belongs to a particular group of people. ESTAR/ NO ESTAR AL TANTO
You can tell she's in the loop. She always knows about policy decisions before the rest of
us.
I've been out of the loop since I changed jobs. I didn't realize Wendy and Bob had got
engaged.

- Off-putting /ɒfˈpʊt.ɪŋ/ (C2): slightly unpleasant or worrying so that you do not want
to get involved in any way. QUE REPELE, POCO ATRACTIVO.
What I found off-putting was the amount of work that you were expected to do.

- Oblivious: /əˈblɪv.i.əs/: not conscious of something, especially what is happening

around you. AJENO, INCONSCIENTE.
Absorbed in her work, she was totally oblivious of her surroundings.
The mayor seems oblivious to the likely effects of the new legislation.

- Harrowing: /ˈhær.əʊ.ɪŋ/: extremely upsetting because connected with suffering, a

harrowing story.
For many women, the harrowing prospect of giving evidence in a rape case can be too
much to bear. DESGARRADOR, HORROROSO.

- Shattering: aplastante, demoledor, devastante.

The rejection was shattering to Lisa.
Losing the family business was a shattering blow.

- To quell: to stop something, especially by using force. SOFOCAR, APACIGUAR,

Police in riot gear were called in to quell the disturbances / unrest.
What can I say to quell your anxiety about this evening?

- Jolt (n): SACUDIDA, SOBRESALTO

- To jolt sb into/out of sth: to give someone a sudden shock that forces them to act.
IMPACTAR.
The news about Sam's illness jolted her into action.

- To eavesdrop /ˈiːvz.drɒp/: to listen to someone’s conversation without them

knowing. ESCUCHAR A ESCONDIDAS.
He was eavesdropping on our conversation.

- Surreptitious /sʌr.əpˈtɪʃ.əs/: done secretly, without anyone seeing or knowing.

SECRETO, A ESCONDIDAS.
She seemed to be listening to what I was saying, but I couldn't help noticing her surreptitious
glances at the clock.
Petulant: /ˈpetʃ.ə.lənt/: easily annoyed and complaining in a rude way like a child.
Peevish, Sulky, irritable. MALHUMORADO, IRRITABLE, QUISQUILLOSO.
On his first day of school, the child became petulant because he missed his mother.

- At stake (C2), (idiom): if something that is valuable is at stake, it is in a situation

where it might be lost. EN JUEGO.
Thousands of lives will be at stake if emergency aid does not arrive in the city soon.

- To be In jeopardy /ˈdʒep.ə.di/: in danger of being damaged or destroyed. EN

PELIGRO.
The lives of thousands of birds are in jeopardy as a result of the oil spill.
- To jeopardize /ˈdʒep.ə.daɪz/ = to imperil: to put something such as a plan or
system in danger of being harmed or damaged. PONER EN PELIGRO.
She knew that by failing her finals she could jeopardize her whole future.
- Hazard /ˈhæz.əd/ (C1): something that is dangerous and likely to cause damage,
health/fire hazard. PELIGRO, RIESGO
The busy traffic entrance was a hazard to pedestrians.
- Occupational hazard: gajes del oficio
An occasional slap in the face is an occupational hazard for men who insist on chasing the
ladies.

- Libel /ˈlaɪ.bəl/: DIFAMACIÓN

Oscar Wilde initiated a lawsuit for libel towards his lover’s father.
- Fussy (C2): not easily satisfied, or having very high standards about particular
things. EXIGENTE
All my children were fussy eaters.
He's so fussy about the house - everything has to be absolutely perfect.

- To jump on the bandwagon /ˈbændˌwæɡ.ən/: to join an activity that has become

very popular or to change your opinion to one that has become very popular so that
you can share in its success. SUBIRSE AL CARRO, SEGUIR AL REBAÑO.
After a couple of politicians won elections by promising to cut taxes, most of the others
jumped on the bandwagon.

- Staggered /ˈstæɡ.əd/: very shocked or surprised. ESTUPEFACTO, PASMADO.

I was staggered at the prices.

- Dumbfounded /ˌdʌmˈfaʊn.dɪd/: so shocked that you cannot speak.

ESTUPEFACTO, PATIDIFUSO, BOQUIABIERTO.
He was dumbfounded by the allegations.

- To smuggle (C2): to take things or people to or from a place secretly and often
illegally. TRAFICAR, CONTRABANDEAR
She was caught trying to smuggle 26 kilos of heroin out of/into the country.
They managed to smuggle a video of the captive journalists out of the prison.
- Smuggling: CONTRABANDO

- Hunch: an idea that is based on feeling and for which there is no proof.
CORAZONADA.
I had a hunch that you'd be here / Sometimes you have to be prepared to act on/follow a
hunch.

- Foreboding: a feeling that something very bad is going to happen soon.

PRESENTIMIENTO, CORAZONADA
There's a sense of foreboding in the capital, as if fighting might at any minute break out.
Her forebodings about the future were to prove justified.
He had a strange foreboding (that) something would go wrong.

- Inkling: a feeling that something is true or likely to happen, although you are not
certain. NOCIÓN, PÁLPITO, NI IDEA (en negativo), INDICIO.
I didn't have the slightest inkling that she was unhappy.
He must have had some inkling of what was happening.

- To dread /dred/ (C2): to feel extremely worried or frightened about something that is
going to happen or that might happen. TENER MIEDO DE, SENTIRSE INTIMIDADO
POR, TENERLE MIEDO A
He's dreading the exam - he's sure he's going to fail.
I'm dreading having to meet his parents.
- To dread to think (C2): used to say that you do not want to think about something
because it is too worrying. NO QUERER NI PENSAR/ IMAGINAR
I dread to think what would happen if he was left to cope on his own.
- Dread (noun): a strong feeling of fear or worry. TEMOR, PAVOR.
The prospect of working full-time fills me with dread.
I live in dread of bumping into her in the street.

- To loiter: to move slowly around or stand in a public place without an obvious

reason; to go slowly, stopping often. HOLGAZANEAR, DEAMBULAR, PERDER EL
TIEMPO
A gang of youths were loitering outside the cinema.
Come straight home and don't loiter, Alan.

- Outwardly /ˈaʊt.wəd.li/: APARENTEMENTE, EXTERNAMENTE

Outwardly, he seemed happy enough.
The men led outwardly normal lives as fathers and husbands.

- Scarred: CICATRIZADO, CON CICATRIZ

The scarred man hated to be stared at.

- To haul /hɔːl/ (C2): to pull something heavy slowly and with difficulty. ARRASTRAR,
TIRAR
They hauled the boat out of the water.

- Emotional baggage: carga emocional

- To shriek= scream. CHILLAR

- Huddled: standing or sitting close together. ACURRUCADO.

We stood huddled together for warmth.

- To rub off on someone: to become part of someone because that person has been
in a place where it was present. PEGAR, CONTAGIAR
I like to think that our love of reading will rub off on our children.

- Ravished: to give great pleasure to someone. ENCANTADO, EMBELESADO,

CAUTIVADO.
I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.

- To flout /flaʊt/ : to intentionally not obey a rule, law, or custom: DESOBEDECER

Many motorcyclists flout the law by not wearing helmets.
The orchestra decided to flout convention/tradition, and wear their everyday clothes for the
concert.

- To make it crystal clear: DEJAR ALGO CLARO COMO EL AGUA.

- To toe the line: OBEDECER LAS REGLAS.

The boss told the new employee that he would do well as long as he toed the line.
- Reef adventure
- Don’t base it on your gripes

- To pin down something: (DISCOVER) to discover the exact details about

something. ENCONTRAR, IDENTIFICAR / to limit someone's ability to move or act,
esp. by using force. ACORRALAR.
The fire department is trying to pin down the cause of Wednesday’s fire.
Soldiers were pinned down by enemy fire.

- To cash in on sth: to get money or another advantage from an event or situation,

often in an unfair way. APROVECHARSE, SACAR TAJADA DE
Her family have been accused of cashing in on her death.

- Sweatshop labour / conditions: trabajo clandestino.

A lot of immigrants work in sweatshops, sewing garments.

- To put a lid on: PONER LÍMITES, PONER TOPE

- To keep the lid on: MANTENER EN SECRETO / REPRIMIR, CONTENER

- Contempt: (C2) a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or
something. DESPRECIO, DESDÉN
At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers.
You should treat those remarks with the contempt that they deserve.
She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her)!
 - To render sth + adjective (C2) formal, to cause someone or something to be in a
particular state. DEJAR, VOLVER
His rudeness rendered me speechless.
New technology has rendered my old computer obsolete.

- Late (C2): adjective, used to refer to someone who has died. DIFUNTO
She gave her late husband's clothes to charity.

- Out of your depth: (C2) not having the knowledge, experience, or skills to deal with
a particular subject or situation:
I was out of my depth in the advanced class, so I moved to the intermediate class.
I'm not a strong swimmer, so I prefer not to go out of my depth

- To embody /ɪmˈbɒd.i/ (C2): to represent a quality or an idea exactly / to include as

part of something. PERSONIFICAR, SER EL EJEMPLO/ PERSONIFICACIÓN DE…
She embodied good sportsmanship on the playing field.
Kennett embodied in one man an unusual range of science, music, and religion.

- Fraught /frɔːt/: full of ( fraught WITH), full of unpleasant things such as problems or
dangers:
The negotiations have been fraught with difficulties/problems right from the start.
From beginning to end, the airlift was fraught with risks.

- In lieu of /ljuː/: instead of ( EN LUGAR DE, EN REEMPLAZO DE)

The Vice-President will attend the summit in lieu of the President.
He worked on Sunday and took Monday off in lieu.

- Manslaughter /ˈmænˌslɔː.tər/: the crime of killing a person when the killer did not
intend to do it or cannot be responsible for his or her actions. HOMICIDIO
IMPRUDENTE
She was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for manslaughter.
He denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

- Grim (C2): bleak, worrying, without hope/worried and serious or sad/ very
unpleasant or ugly. DESALENTADOR, NEFASTO/ SERIO, CEÑUDO / LÚGUBRE
(weather), DESAGRADABLE, ASQUEROSO.
The future looks grim.
Her face was grim as she told them the bad news.
A grim-looking block of flats.
- Grim reality: CRUDA REALIDAD
- Grim-faced: CARA SERIA

- Ebb and flow: the way in which the level of something regularly becomes higher or
lower in a situation. ALTIBAJOS
You have to accept the ebb and flow of love in a relationship.
The ebb and flow of politics in Washington goes on as usual.

- Garner: to collect something, usually after much work or with difficulty.

CONSEGUIR, OBTENER, GANAR.
Coppola garnered several Oscar awards for "The Godfather".

- Paltry /ˈpɔːl.tri/: (of an amount of money) very small and of little or no value/ of little
quality or value.
Student grants these days are paltry.
She made some paltry excuse and left.

- Ghastly: unpleasant and shocking. HORRIBLE, ESPANTOSO

Today's newspaper gives all the ghastly details of the murder.