 waggle

verb [ I or T ]
UK /ˈwæɡ.əl/ US /ˈwæɡ.əl/

to (cause to) move quickly up and down or from side to side:

He can waggle his ears./ The waggle dance of the honeybee- as a noun-. (las abejas se
mueven arriba, abajo y hacia los costados para indicar dirección, por ej. De las fuentes
de alimento)

 panoply
noun [ S ] formal
UK /ˈpæn.ə.pli/ US /ˈpæn.ə.pli/

a wide range or collection of different things:

There is a whole panoply of remedies and drugs available to the modern doctor./
There is a panoply of ways to design a routine in order to make a relationship work.

 denizen
noun [ C ] literary
UK /ˈden.ɪ.zən/ US /ˈden.ə.zən/

an animal, plant, or person that lives in or is often in a particular place. Other word:
inhabitant. (moradores, habitantes).

Deer and squirrels are among the denizens of the forest.

 rely on/upon someone/something

phrasal verb with rely verb
UK /rɪˈlaɪ/ US /rɪˈlaɪ/

B2
to need a particular thing or the help and support of someone or something in order to
continue, to work correctly, or to succeed.

[ + -ing verb ] The success of this project relies on everyone making an effort.
I rely on you for good advice.
[ + to infinitive ] I'm relying on the garage to fix the car by tomorrow.

 marshal
verb [ T ]
UK /ˈmɑː.ʃəl/ US /ˈmɑːr.ʃəl/
-ll- or US usually -l-

to bring together or organize people or things in order to achieve a particular aim.

 The fighting in the city followed reports of the rebels marshalling their forces in the
countryside.
The company is marshalling its forces/resources for a long court case.
They had marshalled an armada of 1,000 boats to help clear up the oil.
It is unlikely that the rebels will be able to marshal as much firepower as the
government troops. (organizar, agrupar).

 pulse
noun
UK /pʌls/ US /pʌls/
pulse noun (REGULAR BEAT)

C1 [ C ]
the regular beating of the heart, especially when it is felt at the wrist or side of the
neck.
The child's pulse was strong/weak.
Exercise increases your pulse rate./ Blue whales produce different patterns of pulses
depending on where they are from.

 ripe
adjective
UK /raɪp/ US /raɪp/
FRUIT/CROPS

B2
(of fruit or crops) completely developed and ready to be collected or eaten. (maduro,
en su punto, desarrollado, listo, preparado).

Those bananas aren't ripe yet - they're still green./ The highly sophisticated social brain
of the grey wolf was ripe for adaptation for a life with mankind.

 wreak
verb [ T ] formal
UK /riːk/ US /riːk/

to cause something to happen in a violent and often uncontrolled way. (causar)

She was determined to wreak revenge/vengeance on both him and his

family./Domestication of dogs wrought two major changes in their behaviour:
tolerance of other members of the same species and an unique sensitivity to human
body language, gaze and gesture.
The recent storms have wreaked havoc(estragos, destrucción) on crops.

 sombre
adjective UK (US somber)
UK /ˈsɒm.bər/ US /ˈsɑːm.bɚ/

serious, sad, and without humour or entertainment. (sombrío, lúgubre)

 a sombre atmosphere/voice/face
The funeral was a sombre occasion.
I left them in a sombre mood.

 downcast
adjective
UK /ˈdaʊn.kɑːst/ US /ˈdaʊn.kæst/
UNHAPPY

formal
sad and without hope. (alicaído, abatido)

I thought you were looking a little downcast this morning.

 haptics
noun [ plural or U ]
UK /ˈhæp.tɪks/ US /ˈhæp.tɪks/
LANGUAGE specialized
(also haptic communication)
ways of communicating using touch rather than words, expressions, signs, etc.:
A handshake or a pat on the back is an example of haptics.

 don
verb [ T ] formal
UK /dɒn/ US /dɑːn/

-nn-

to put on a piece of clothing. (ponerse)

He donned his finest coat and hat

 fatigues
[plural] loose-fitting army clothes (uniforme verde camuflado military, traje de faena,
traje de fatiga, traje de batalla, de combate)

 belie
verb [ T ]
UK /bɪˈlaɪ/ US /bɪˈlaɪ/ /biˈlai/

present participle belying | past tense and past participle belied

to show something to be false, or to hide something such as an emotion. (esconde,

desmiente) // to give a false idea or impression of (something) (esconder, desmentir).

Her calm face belied the terror she was feeling./ My mother´s expressive command of
English belies how much she actually understands.
 wince
verb [ I ]
UK /wɪns/ US /wɪns/

to show pain or embarrassment suddenly and for a short time in the face, often
moving the head back at the same time. (hacer una mueca de dolor)

Did I hurt you? I thought I saw you wince. (¿Te he hecho daño? Me ha parecido verte
hacer una mueca de dolor.)
It makes me wince even thinking about eye operations./ The mere memory of the
injury made him wince.

wince
noun [ C usually singular ]
UK /wɪns/ US /wɪns/

the act of showing pain or embarrassment suddenly and for a short time in the face,
often moving the head back at the same time. (mueca de dolor, también relacionado
con avergonzarse).

She gave a wince as the nurse put the needle in.

It's impossible not to feel a wince of empathy for someone who gets a kick in the face.

 budge
verb [ I or T ]
UK /bʌdʒ/ US /bʌdʒ/

MOVE
If something will not budge or you cannot budge it, it will not move. (mover,
moverse)/ CHANGE to change your opinion or to make someone change their opinion.
(ceder)

I've tried moving the desk but it won't budge/I can't budge it. // I've tried persuading
her, but she won't budge.

 bland
adjective usually disapproving
UK /blænd/ US /blænd/

C2
not having a strong taste or character or not showing any interest or energy. (insulso)/
without much taste. (soso, insípido)/ not exciting or interesting.

I find chicken a little bland./ Pop music these days is so bland.

-Blandly blandness-
Sinón.- dull
 watered-down
adjective [ before noun ]
UK /ˌwɔː.tədˈdaʊn/ US /ˌwɑː.t̬ɚdˈdaʊn/

A watered-down idea or opinion has been made less extreme than it originally was,
usually so that people are more likely to accept it:

They have returned with a watered-down version of the proposal.

 incontestably
adverb formal
UK /ˌɪn.kənˈtes.tə.bli/ US /ˌɪn.kənˈtes.tə.bli/

in a way that is impossible to question because of being obviously true.

(indiscutiblemente, indudablemente)

Dance is incontestably an elegant art form.

He was incontestably one of the greatest bandleaders in the history of rhythm and
blues.

 contempt
noun [ U ]
UK /kənˈtempt/ US /kənˈtempt/
contempt noun [U] (NO RESPECT)

C2
a strong feeling of disliking and having no respect for someone or something.

At school she had complete contempt for all her teachers.

She's beneath contempt (= I have no respect for her)!

 damp

adjective

UK/dæmp/ US /dæmp/

B2

slightly wet, especially in a way that is not pleasant or comfortable. (húmeda).

The grass is still damp.

This shirt still feels a bit damp.

It was a damp, misty morning.

 skirmish

noun [ C ]
 UK /ˈskɜː.mɪʃ/ US /ˈskɝː.mɪʃ/

a fight between a small number of soldiers that is usually short and not planned, and
happens away from the main area of fighting in a war. (escaramuza)

a short argument (controversia, discusión)

There was a short skirmish between the two of them over who would pay for the meal.

 diaspora

noun [ C or U, usually singular ] formal

UK /daɪˈæs.pər.ə/ US /daɪˈæs.pɚ.ə/

a group of people who spread from one original country to other countries, or the act
of spreading in this way. (diaspora)

Spain's foreign residents come from the Latin diaspora - mostly from Ecuador and
Colombia./ The French-speaking diasporas of North Africa and Lebanon make up the largest
population of Arab origin in France.

 sheer

adjective

UK /ʃɪər/ US /ʃɪr/

COMPLETE

C1 [ before noun ]

used to emphasize how very great, important, or powerful a quality or feeling is;
nothing except. (puro)

The suggestion is sheer nonsense. / His success was due to sheer

willpower/determination./ It was sheer coincidence that we met.

 mighty

adjective literary

UK /ˈmaɪ.ti/ US /ˈmaɪ.t̬i/

C2

very large, powerful, important, impressive. (grande, poderoso, grandioso)

  unassailable

adjective

UK /ˌʌn.əˈseɪ.lə.bəl/ US /ˌʌn.əˈseɪ.lə.bəl/

in such a strong position that you cannot be defeated./ This win has given the team an
unassailable lead./ The president looked unassailable with over 60 percent of the vote.

impossible to doubt or argue with.

unassailable logic/ The conclusions were unassailable.

 unanswerable

adjective

UK /ʌnˈɑːn.sər.ə.bəl/ US /ʌnˈæn.sɚ.ə.bəl/

unanswerable adjective (CLEARLY TRUE)

formal

If an argument or claim is unanswerable, people cannot disagree with it because it is

so clearly true:

In economic terms the need to reduce inflation is unanswerable.

 bequeath

verb [ T + two objects ] formal

UK /bɪˈkwiːð/ US /bɪˈkwiːð/

to arrange for money or property to be given to somebody after your death. (legada,
para ser heredada)

Her father bequeathed her the family fortune in his will.

Picasso bequeathed most of his paintings and sculptures to Spain and France.

 call on/upon sb

— phrasal verb with call verb

UK /kɔːl/ US
 to ask formally for someone to do something:

call on/upon sb to do sth They called on the company to reverse its decision.

If you're ever called upon at work to give a talk, the very prospect of 'getting up there
in front of all those people' can be intimidating.

 plaintive

adjective

UK /ˈpleɪn.tɪv/ US /ˈpleɪn.t̬ɪv/

used to describe something that sounds slightly sad:

a plaintive lament.

 woe

noun [ C/U ] fml

US /woʊ/

bad troubles causing much suffering:

The country has been beset by economic woes for the past decade.

Unusually poor harvests(cosechas) have added to the country's woes.

 smitten

adjective [ not gradable ]

US /ˈsmɪt·ən/

strongly influenced by someone or feeling the effects of something:

He’s clearly smitten with publicity.

Howard was smitten by her beauty.

 wail

verb

UK /weɪl/ US /weɪl/

[ I or T ]

to make a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness:

 The women gathered around the coffin and began to wail, as was the custom in the
region.

[ + speech ] "My finger hurts," wailed the child.

 chime in

phrasal verb with chime verb [ I or T ]

UK /tʃaɪm/ US /tʃaɪm/

informal

to interrupt or speak in a conversation, usually to agree with what has been said:

"It's very difficult," I said. "Impossible," she chimed in.

Andy chimed in with his view of the situation.

 rebuke

verb [ T ] formal

UK /rɪˈbjuːk/ US /rɪˈbjuːk/

to speak angrily to someone because you disapprove of what they have said or done:

I was rebuked by my manager for being late.

The Justice Department publicly rebuked him over a leaked memorandum.

 withering

adjective

UK /ˈwɪð.ər.ɪŋ/ US /ˈwɪð.ɚ.ɪŋ/

A withering look, remark, etc. is one that is intended to make someone feel ashamed//
severe and extremely critical. // expressing strong criticism (fulminante)

He said that Lizzie had been drunk at the time and I saw her shoot him a withering
glance. // He made a withering attack on government policy. / She delivered a withering attack
on the book and its authors

 stern

adjective

UK /stɜːn/ US /stɝːn/
 C2

severe, or showing disapproval (duro, severo)

a stern look/warning/voice. /She is her own sternest critic. / Journalists received a

stern warning not to go anywhere near the battleship.

 ineffable

adjective formal

UK /ɪˈnef.ə.bəl/ US /ˌɪnˈef.ə.bəl/

causing so much emotion, especially pleasure, that it cannot be described:

ineffable joy/beauty

Synonym

Indescribable

 alumni

noun [ plural ] mainly US

UK /əˈlʌmˌnɑɪ/ US

men and women who have left a school, college or university after finishing their
studies there (exalumnos, graduados, tmb alumni)

 pop‧u‧list /ˈpɒpjəlɪst $ ˈpɑː-/ adjective

relating to or representing ordinary people, rather than rich or very highly educated
people

a populist campaign

—populist noun [countable]

 populist

adjective POLITICS often disapproving

UK /ˈpɒp.jə.lɪst/ US /ˈpɑː.pjə.lɪst/
 trying to be popular with ordinary people and to represent their ideas and opinions
(populista)

a populist manifesto (un manifiesto populista)

a populist leader

populist

noun [ C ] POLITICS often disapproving

UK /ˈpɒp.jə.lɪst/ US /ˈpɑː.pjə.lɪst/

someone who tries to be popular with ordinary people and to represent their ideas
and opinions. (populista)

a political party dominated by populists (un partido político dominado por populistas)

He's a populist who promised to end tax breaks (exención de impuestos) for the rich
and break up monopolies.

 morph

verb [ I or T ]

UK /mɔːf/ US /mɔːrf/
CHANGE
to gradually change, or change someone or something, from one thing to
another. (transformar, transformarse)

When someone brings up politics at a party, a casual conversation can quickly morph
into an ugly argument.

He grew up watching his elder brother Joe morph from a difficult child to a drug addict.

She claims the media and society make a person try to morph their body into an
unnatural size or weight.

 neatly

adverb

UK /ˈniːt.li/ US /ˈniːt.li/
TIDY
in a tidy way (cuidadosamente)

His clothes are all neatly folded in their drawers. (Tiene la ropa cuidadosamente
doblada en los cajones)

They solved the problem very neatly. (Resolvieron el problema cuidadosamente.)

  satirical

adjective

UK /səˈtɪr.ɪ.kəl/ US /səˈtɪr.ɪ.kəl/

(also satiric, /səˈtɪr.ɪk/ /səˈtɪr.ɪk/)

criticizing people or ideas in a humorous way, especially in order to make a political point.
(satírico)/ using satire

satirical cartoons/magazines/ Satirical humour. (humor satírico)/ a satiric puppet show that
mocked the government.// a satirical play (una obra de teatro satírica)

 poke fun at

to laugh at unkindly (burlarse de alguien)

The children often poked fun at him because of his stammer.

 bizarre

adjective

UK /bɪˈzɑːr/ US /bəˈzɑːr/

very strange and unusual (extraño)

a bizarre situation/ bizarre behaviour.

 chant

verb [ I or T ]

UK /tʃɑːnt/ US /tʃænt/

to repeat or sing a word or phrase continuously. (gritar, corear)

The crowd were chanting the team's name.

 placard

noun [ C ]

UK /ˈplæk.ɑːd/ US /ˈplæk.ɑːrd/
 a large piece of card, paper, etc. with a message written or printed on it, often carried
in public places by people who are complaining about something. (pancarta, letrero, cartel)

Demonstrators marched past holding/waving/carrying placards that said "Send food,

not missiles!"

 placard

noun

/ˈplӕkaːd/

a notice(aviso) printed on eg wood* (ver abajo definición, madera compuesta) or

cardboard and carried, hung etc, in a public place. (pancarta)

The protesters were carrying placards denouncing the government’s policy.

*Engineered wood, also called mass timber, composite wood, man-made wood, or
manufactured board, includes a range of derivative wood products which are manufactured by
binding or fixing the strands, particles, fibres, or veneers or boards of wood, together with
adhesives, or other methods of fixation. (La madera de ingeniería, también llamada madera en
masa, madera compuesta, madera artificial o tablero manufacturado, incluye una gama de
productos derivados de la madera que se fabrican uniendo o fijando las hebras, partículas,
fibras o láminas o tableros de madera, junto con adhesivos, u otros métodos de fijación).

 deployment

noun [ U ]

UK /dɪˈplɔɪ.mənt/ US /dɪˈplɔɪ.mənt/

the use of something or someone in an effective way. (uso, despliegue)

the deployment of technologies to address this challenge. (el despliegue de

tecnologías para hacer frente a este reto)

 catch on

verb [ phrasal ] past-caught on

/ˈkætʃ ˈɒn, ˈɔn/

to start to become popular (ponerse de moda)

 when rap began to catch on.

 peacekeeper

noun [ C ]

UK /ˈpiːsˌkiː.pər/ US /ˈpiːsˌkiː.pɚ/

a member of an international military force whose job is to prevent or stop fighting in

a place. (encargado del mantenimiento de la paz, encargada del mantenimiento de la paz)

UN peacekeepers were brought in to the troubled area. (Se enviaron fuerzas de paz de
la ONU a la zona en conflicto.)

Since then, the territory has been run by the UN and protected by about 8,000
international peacekeepers.

 Spaniard

noun [ C ]

UK /ˈspæn.jəd/ US /ˈspæn.jɚd/

a person from Spain. (español, española)

*'Spaniard' es simplemente un sustantivo, la forma en la que llamar a las personas

españolas. Un gentilicio. Sin embargo, “Spanish” es a la vez un adjetivo y un nombre también.

 Pax Americana

denota el período de relativa paz en el mundo occidental desde el final de la Segunda

Guerra Mundial en 1945, que coincide con la posición militar y económica dominante
de los Estados Unidos.

 splash out (sth)

— phrasal verb with splash verb
UK /splæʃ/ US /splæʃ/ UK

C2
to spend a lot of money on buying things, especially things that are pleasant to have
but that you do not need (gastar mucho, gastar algo)

They splashed out £3,000 on a holiday. (Se gastaron 3.000 libras en unas vacaciones.)

 decouple
verb [ I or T ]
 UK /ˌdiːˈkʌpl/ US

to separate two or more things or activities, or to become separated.

decouple (sth) from sth Europe and Japan might decouple from the United States by
growing on their own, but right now they're dependent.

 drill noun [C] (REGULAR ACTIVITY)

an activity that practises a particular skill and often involves repeating the same thing
several times, especially a military exercise intended to train soldiers. (de rutina, hábito, rutina)

In some of these schools, army-style drills are used to instil(inculcar) a sense of

discipline.

a spelling/pronunciation drill (ejercicio)

 sergeant

noun [ C ] (also Sergeant)

UK /ˈsɑː.dʒənt/ US /ˈsɑːr.dʒənt/

(written abbreviation Sgt); (informal sarge)

SOLDIER

a soldier of middle rank

sargento

 pedagogue

noun [ C ]

UK /ˈped.ə.ɡɒɡ/ US /ˈped.ə.ɡɑːɡ/

disapproving
a teacher who gives too much attention to formal rules and is not interesting

old use

any teacher

//
 ped‧a‧gogue /ˈpedəɡɒɡ $ -ɡɑːɡ/ noun [countable]
formal
a teacher, especially one who thinks they know a lot and is strict in the way they
teach.

 raucously

adverb

UK /ˈrɔː.kəs.li/ US /ˈrɑː.kəs.li/

in a loud and energetic way. (estridentemente, bulliciosamente, roncosamente)

The audience applauded and cheered raucously.

The kids sang along with the radio raucously.

 bullhorn

noun [ C ] US old-fashioned

UK /ˈbʊl.hɔːn/ US /ˈbʊl.hɔːrn/

a megaphone/ an electric-powered, cone-shaped device that makes your voice louder

when you speak into it.

Amplifiers, microphones & speakers

 in the pink
old-fashioned informal
idiom

in very good health

 bottom-up

adjective [ before noun ] MANAGEMENT

UK /ˌbɒtəmˈʌp/ US /ˈbɑːṱ-/

starting at the lowest levels or from the smallest details of an organization, system, plan, etc.:

In the bottom-up approach, investment analysts produce earnings.

  top-down

adjective [ before noun ]

UK /ˌtɒpˈdaʊn/ US /ˌtɑːpˈdaʊn/

used to refer to a situation in which decisions are made by a few people in authority rather
than by the people who are affected by the decisions:

a top-down approach/strategy

 hasten

verb formal

UK /ˈheɪ.sən/ US /ˈheɪ.sən/

[T]

to make something happen sooner or more quickly. (acelerar, adelantar)

There is no doubt that medical treatment hastened her recovery.

 launch

verb [ transitive ]

/lɔntʃ, lɑntʃ/

to begin to sell or make available for use (publicar, lanzar)

He launched his new book/website/blog.

companies launching new products/new films.

 fall back on
phrasal verb

to use, or to go to for help, finally when everything else has been tried (recurrir a, apoyarse en,
recaer en)

Whatever happens you have your father’s money to fall back on./ The dialogue may mix
English, Hindi, and Arabic, but it always falls back on Globish.
  succinct

adjective approving

UK /səkˈsɪŋkt/ US /səkˈsɪŋkt/

said in a clear and short way; expressing what needs to be said without unnecessary words.
(sucinto*, conciso, breve)

Keep your letter succinct and to the point.

* sucinto, sucinta, adjetivo, Que está expresado de manera breve, concisa y precisa., "una
sucinta aclaración".

 patchwork

noun

UK /ˈpætʃ.wɜːk/ US /ˈpætʃ.wɝːk/

[U]

cloth made by sewing together a lot of smaller pieces of cloth with different patterns and
colours, or the activity of doing this (labor de retazos/retales)

 input

noun

UK /ˈɪn.pʊt/ US /ˈɪn.pʊt/

B2 [ C or U ]

something such as energy, money, or information that is put into a system, organization, or
machine so that it can operate. (aportación, aportaciones, aporte)/ opinions and information
that influence a situation. (contribución)

I didn't have much input into the project (= the help I gave was small). (No aporté mucho al
proyecto.)

 compelling

adjective
UK /kəmˈpel.ɪŋ/ US /kəmˈpel.ɪŋ/

compelling adjective (STRONG)

If a reason, argument, etc. is compelling, it makes you believe it or accept it because it is so

strong. (convincente, fascinante, emocionante, contundente)

compelling evidence

It's a fairly compelling argument for going.

 disseminate

verb [ T ] formal

UK /dɪˈsem.ɪ.neɪt/ US /dɪˈsem.ə.neɪt/

to spread or give out something, especially news, information, ideas, etc., to a lot of people.
(diseminar*, difundir)

One of the organization's aims is to disseminate information about the disease.

*Extender o esparcir sin orden y en diferentes direcciones [los elementos de algo que está
amontonado, ordenado o que forma un conjunto], de modo que queden separados.

handicap

noun

UK /ˈhæn.dɪ.kæp/ US /ˈhæn.dɪ.kæp/

CONDITION

[ C or U ] old-fashioned

a condition in which part of your body or mind has been permanently damaged or does not
work normally. This word is now considered offensive by many people, who prefer the word
disability.

discapacidad

a physical handicap

In cases of severe mental handicap, constant supervision is recommended.

DIFFICULTY

[C]
something that makes it difficult for you to do something

impedimento

I found that not having a car was quite a handicap while on holiday.

 handicap

noun [ countable ]

/ˈhændiˌkæp/
old-fashioned
a permanent physical or mental disability (discapacidad, handicap)/ a disadvantage
(desventaja, hándicap)

a physical/mental handicap/

Being older should not be seen as a handicap. (Ser mayor no debe verse como una desventaja).

 make allowance for - idiom

to take into consideration when deciding etc. (tener en cuenta, considerer)

We’ve made allowance for the fact that everyone has different tastes. (Hemos tenido en
cuenta…)

 inadvertently

adverb

UK /ˌɪn.ədˈvɜː.tənt.li/ US /ˌɪn.ədˈvɝː.t̬ənt.li/

in a way that is not intentional. (inadvertidamente, sin querer)

He inadvertently deleted the file. (Ha borrado el archivo sin querer).

I inadvertently ended up on the wrong street.

 arguably

adverb

UK /ˈɑːɡ.ju.ə.bli/ US /ˈɑːrɡ.ju.ə.bli/

used when stating an opinion or belief that you think can be shown to be true. (posiblemente,
podría decirse que...)

He is arguably the world's best football player.

Arguably, the drug should not have been made available.

 preclude

verb [ T ] formal

UK /prɪˈkluːd/ US /prəˈkluːd/

to prevent something or make it impossible, or prevent someone from doing something.

(impedir, excluir)

His contract precludes him from discussing his work with anyone outside the company. (le
impide)

The fact that your application was not successful this time does not preclude the possibility of
you applying again next time. (no excluye)

 deplore
formal
verb [ T not continuous ]

UK /dɪˈplɔːr/ US /dɪˈplɔːr/

to say or think that something is very bad (deplorar)/ to express disapproval and regret about
(something)

We deeply deplore the loss of life. (Lamentamos profundamente la pérdida de vidas).

He said that he deplored all violence.

UK The attitude of the Minister is to be deplored (= is very bad).

We all deplore this antisocial behaviour/behavior.

 paradoxical

adjective

UK /ˌpær.əˈdɒk.sɪ.kəl/ US /ˌper.əˈdɑːk.sɪ.kəl/

C2

seeming impossible or difficult to understand because of containing two opposite facts or

characteristics. (paradójico)

It seems paradoxical to me, but if you drink a cup of hot tea it seems to cool you down.
  regard

verb [ T usually + adv/prep ]

UK /rɪˈɡɑːd/ US /rɪˈɡɑːrd/

B2

to consider or have an opinion about something or someone. (considerar)

Her parents always regarded her as the smartest of their children.

He is generally/widely regarded as the father of international law.

 prerequisite

noun [ C ] formal

UK /ˌpriːˈrek.wɪ.zɪt/ US /ˌpriːˈrek.wə.zɪt/

something that must exist or happen before something else can exist or happen. (requisito
esencial, condición sine qua non)

 act on

phrasal verb

to do something following the advice etc of someone (seguir)

I am acting on the advice of my lawyer. Estoy siguiendo el consejo de mi abogado.

“Acting on these insights, …. “. (Siguiendo esta perspectiva, …)

 free up something
phrasal verb
with free verb

US /fri/

to make something available to be used:

I need to free up some time this weekend to finish the report.

 mileage noun [U] (ADVANTAGE)

informal

the advantage that you can get from a situation:

There's no mileage in complaining to the director - she'll just ignore you.

political mileage

Lexical Competence: Further Development and Consolidation

 sound off

phrasal verb with sound verb

UK /saʊnd/ US /saʊnd/
informal

to express your opinions forcefully, especially without being asked for them. (sonar, emitir-
para animales)

He's always sounding off about how he thinks the country should be run./ Animals of the same
species sound off in different dialects. (Los animales de la misma especie suenan, emiten
sonidos en dialectos diferentes).

 parlance

noun [ U ] formal

UK /ˈpɑː.ləns/ US /ˈpɑːr.ləns/

a group of words or style of speaking used by a particular group of people.

common parlance/business/legal parlance./ The same species of birds may be able to

communicate in the singing parlance that their neighbours use. (lenguaje, idioma, vocabulario,
léxico, jerga).

 be/come under fire

a) to be severely criticized for something you have done – used in news reports

Rail chiefs came under fire after raising train fares.

b) to be shot at

be/come under fire from

Our patrol came under fire from rooftop gunmen. (Sentido para los pájaros/animales y su
habilidad comunicativa: estar en peligro, peligrar, verse perjudicada, en riesgo, en conflicto).
  backwardness

noun [ U ]

UK /ˈbæk.wəd.nəs/ US /ˈbæk.wɚd.nəs/

the state of not being advanced, or of not using modern methods, technology, or machines.
(atraso, subdesarrollo, retraso, retardo, retroceso)

They were accused of backwardness because they had no washing machine./ Evolutionary
backwardness (retraso evolutivo, subdesarrollo evolutivo)

 uphold

verb [ T ]

UK /ʌpˈhəʊld/ US /ʌpˈhoʊld/

upheld | upheld

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, ratificar, sostener, mantener-cierta postura)

Judge Davis upheld the county court's decision. (sostuvo)/ The superiority of verbal
communication is upheld and affirmed. (sostenida, defendida)

 cue

a signal for someone to do something. (momento, señal, conducta, seña)

[ + to infinitive ] They started washing up, so that was our cue to leave the party. (señal)

our verbal messages are enriched by thousands of nonverbal cues and behaviours.

 subtle

adjective

UK /ˈsʌtl/ US

subtle adjective (NOT OBVIOUS)

not obvious or easy to notice.

a subtle change/difference (sutil)/ Nonverbal cues and behaviours tend to

be so subtle that we do not even realise they exist.

 vary

verb

UK /ˈveə.ri/ US /ˈver.i/ /ˈvɛəri/

varies | varied

[ intransitive ]

to change depending on the situation or place. (variar)

The cost of the drug can vary by $100 or more. (El costo del medicamento puede variar en 100
dólares o más)./ Nonverbal communication *is not universal, since it can vary dramatically
among cultures

*Structure. “Since” lleva coma antes de la palabra si la oración que sigue contradice la oración
anterior y más generalmente, si está precedida por un verbo en forma negativa.

 arbitrary

adjective

UK /ˈɑː.bɪ.trər.i/ US /ˈɑːr.bə.trer.i/
CHANCE

C2

based on chance rather than being planned or based on reason. (arbitrario)

 deem

verb [ T not continuous ] formal

UK /diːm/ US /diːm/

C2

to consider or judge something in a particular way. (considerar)

[ + obj + noun/adj ] The area has now been deemed safe.

[ + noun/adj ] We will provide help whenever you deem it appropriate.

[ + obj + to infinitive ] Anyone not paying the registration fee by 31 March will be deemed to
have withdrawn from the offer.

Quien no pague la cuota de inscripción antes del 31 de marzo, se considerará que renuncia a la
oferta. [estructura útil para traducir]

 dormant

adjective

UK /ˈdɔː.mənt/ US /ˈdɔːr.mənt/

Something that is dormant is not active or growing but has the ability to be active at a later
time. (aletargado, inactivo, latente)/ If something lies dormant, it is not active.
(durmiente, inactivo). / not dead but not active.

The long-dormant volcano has recently shown signs of erupting./ These investments have
remained dormant for several years.

lie dormant

Her talent might have lain dormant had it not been for her aunt's encouragement.
(permanecer oculto, latente, dormido)

a dormant volcano. (volcán inactivo)

lengua- muerta/dormida.

 grant

noun [ C ]

UK /ɡrɑːnt/ US /ɡrænt/
B1

an amount of money given especially by the government to a person or organization for a

special purpose. (beca, subvención)

a student/research grant

a local authority/government grant

[ + to infinitive ] They gave/awarded her a grant to study abroad for one year.

 reclamation

noun [ U ] formal

UK /ˌrek.ləˈmeɪ.ʃən/ US /ˌrek.ləˈmeɪ.ʃən/
the attempt to make land suitable for building or farming- (rescate)/ the treatment of waste
materials to get useful materials from them (reciclaje)./ (reclamación)

land reclamation.

 undertaking

noun [ C ]

UK /ˌʌn.dəˈteɪ.kɪŋ/ US /ˈʌn.dɚˌteɪ.kɪŋ/
JOB

C2

a job, business, task or piece of work. (empresa, tarea)

The construction of the tunnel is a large and complex undertaking./ I didn’t realize what a large
undertaking this job would be.
PROMISE

formal

a formal promise (promesa, compromiso)

[ + that ] formal The manager gave a written undertaking that no one would lose their job.

He made an undertaking that he would pay the money back.

 mine

verb

UK /maɪn/ US /maɪn/
DIG

[ I or T ]

to dig coal or another substance out of the ground. (extraer, indagar, buscar en profundidad)

They're mining for salt.

Están extrayendo sal./ figurative - The team can mine for missing words and phrases in
dictionaries.

*Transliteration changes the letters from one alphabet or language into the corresponding,
similar-sounding characters of another alphabet.

 transliterate
verb [ T ] LANGUAGE specialized

UK /trænzˈlɪt.ər.eɪt/ US /trænsˈlɪt̬.ə.reɪt/

to write words using a different alphabet. (transliterar)

On the road signs, the Greek place names have been transliterated into the Roman alphabet.
(En las señales de tráfico, los topónimos griegos se han transliterado al alfabeto romano.)

 elicit

verb [ T ] formal

UK /iˈlɪs.ɪt/ US /iˈlɪs.ɪt/

to get or produce something, especially information or a reaction. (provocar, obtener)/ to

succeed in getting (information etc) from a person, usually with difficulty. (sonsacar, obtener).

Have you managed to elicit a response from them yet?. (¿Has conseguido ya que te
respondan?)

The questionnaire was intended to elicit information on eating habits. (recaudar)

They were able to elicit the support of the public. (provocar)

The questionnaire elicited some interesting responses. (suscitó)

 demise

noun [ S ] formal

UK /dɪˈmaɪz/ US /dɪˈmaɪz/

sb's demise

the death of a person (el fallecimiento de alguien)/ the end of something that was previously
considered to be powerful, such as a business, industry, or system. (desaparición)

The demise of the company was sudden and unexpected. (La desaparición de la empresa fue
repentina e inesperada.)/ The demise of minority languages. (La desaparición de lenguas
minoritarias)

 looking glass
old-fashioned
noun [ C ]

UK /ˈlʊk.ɪŋ ˌɡlɑːs/ US /ˈlʊk.ɪŋ ˌɡlæs/

a mirror. (espejo)

 idiosyncrasy

noun [ C usually plural ]

UK /ˌɪd.i.əˈsɪŋ.krə.si/ US /ˌɪd.i.əˈsɪŋ.krə.si/

a strange or unusual habit, way of behaving, or feature that someone or something has.
(idiosincrasia*)

She often cracks her knuckles when she's speaking - it's one of her little idiosyncrasies. (Suele
crujir los nudillos cuando habla, es uno de sus rasgos distintivos.)

* Idiosincrasia, Modo de ser que es característico de una persona o cosa y la distingue de las
demás. "la idiosincrasia de los pueblos del Caribe es muy distinta a la de los del norte de
Europa"

 undergo

verb [ T ]

UK /ˌʌn.dəˈɡəʊ/ US /ˌʌn.dɚˈɡoʊ/

present participle undergoing | past tense underwent | past participle undergone

C1

to experience something that is unpleasant or something that involves a change.

(experimentar, someterse a)

 plain

CLEAR

C2

obvious and clear to understand. (evidente, claro)

It's quite plain that they don't want to speak to us. (evidente)

The reason is perfectly plain. (clara)

Plain sight/ plain view. (plena vista)

I made it quite plain (that) (= explained clearly that) I wasn't interested.

 dwindle
verb [ I ]

UK /ˈdwɪndl/ US

to gradually become less, smaller, or lower in level/ to become smaller in size or amount, or
fewer in number (ir desapareciendo, ir disminuyendo)

dwindle from sth to sth The municipality's population has dwindled from 40,000 to 24,000. (ha
disminuido)/ Companies struggle for a dwindling number of skilled staff. (Cada vez menor,
reducido, menguante o deficiente)/ The community has dwindled to a tenth of its former size
in the last two years. (se ha reducido a una décima parte)/ Her hopes of success in the race
dwindled last night as the weather became worse. (disminuyeron)/ Shark numbers have
dwindled rapidly. (El número de tiburones ha disminuido/se ha reducido rápidamente.)/
Support for the movement is dwindling. (El apoyo hacia el movimiento está disminuyendo.)

 encroach

phrasal verb

/inˈkrəutʃ/

encroach on

to advance into; invade. (invadir, usurpar, expandirse sobre)

Hotel complexes have gradually encroached on the formerly unspoilt beach./ Noises encroach
habitats (Los ruidos invaden hábitats).

• surpass

verb [ T ] formal

UK /səˈpɑːs/ US /sɚˈpæs/

C2

to do or be better than:

His time for the 100 metres surpassed the previous world record by one hundredth of a
second./ The book's success has surpassed everyone's expectations./ The director has really
surpassed himself (= done better than he has done before) with this new film./ Surpass
achievements.

 undermine

verb [ T ]

UK /ˌʌn.dəˈmaɪn/ US /ˌʌn.dɚˈmaɪn/

C2
to make someone less confident, less powerful, or less likely to succeed, or to make something
weaker, often gradually (minar, debilitar, perjudicar)

The president has accused two cabinet members of working secretly to undermine his
position/him. (perjudicar, debilitar)/ Criticism just undermines their confidence. (afecta,
debilita, mina)/ Sth that undermines the case. (socaban, debilitan, menoscaban, perjudican,
desacreditan, invalidan)/ Sth aimed at undermining the opposing candidate (destinados a
minar, debilitar, perjudicar)

 recede

verb [ intransitive ]

/rɪˈsiːd//rɪˈsid/

to gradually move away from (retroceder, retirarse, desvanecerse)

as the flood water receded (a medida que el agua de la inundación retrocedía)./ People left
and the sounds of the crowd receded. (La gente se fue y los sonidos de la multitud se
desvanecían)./ Only when floodwaters receded, could the citizens assess the damages.* (Solo
cuando la inundación retrocedió, los ciudadanos pudieron analizar los daños)

* How to start a sentence with “only after / when / if”

Sentences that start with an “only” adverbial, usually referring a particular time or condition,
have a curious structure as they typically require an auxiliary verb and an inversion. These
sentences can come in many tenses, and are usually emphatic. Here’s few examples:

Only after the sun went down, did the bats come out.
Only if you finish your homework can you go to the park.
Only when we had eaten the pie did we realise that it was out of date.
So how do we use this structure?

Only after / when / if inversions

Two clauses connected by an “only after / when / if etc.” adverbial can be reversed like other
sentences with multiple clauses and a conjunction – simply requiring the extra inversion of the
main verb and subject.

They cleaned up the river only when it started turning green.

Only when it started turning green did they clean up the river.
They cleaned up the river when it turned green.
When it turned green, they cleaned up the river.

 flood‧wa‧ter /ˈflʌdwɔːtə $ -wɒːtər, -wɑː-/ noun [plural, uncountable]

water that covers an area during a flood. (agua de inundación, inundación)

 imperil
verb [ T ] formal

UK /ɪmˈper.əl/ US /ɪmˈper.əl/

to put something or someone at risk or in danger of being harmed or destroyed. (poner en

peligro)

A police raid would imperil the lives of the hostages. (Una redada policial pondría en peligro la
vida de los rehenes)./ Pollution imperils populations/species/languages/economies. (Pone en
riesgo/en peligro especies, poblaciones, lenguajes, economías.)

 die out

— phrasal verb with die verb [ I ]

UK /daɪ/ US /daɪ/

present participle dying | past tense and past participle died

B2

to become less common and finally stop existing. (extinguirse, desaparecer)/ to stop being
used or done

Dinosaurs died out millions of years ago. (Los dinosaurios se extinguieron hace millones de
años).

It's a custom that is beginning to die out./ regional dialects/languages that are dying out
(dialectos regionals/lenguajes que se están extinguiendo)

 attitude

(to/towards SB/STH)

Opinions and feelings that you usually have about STH, especially when this is shown in your
behaviour.

While these nonverbal behaviours can indicate feelings and attitudes, research suggests that
body language is far more subtle and less definitive that previously believed.

 belief

Belief (that)/ Belief (in SB/STH)

The unproven feeling that STH is definitely true or exists.

 claim (that)
 A statement that STH is true even though it has not been proved or others might not
agree.

The claim that a lingua franca is of substantial benefit to all who possess it is fairly
uncontroversial.

 concept

Concept of STH/Concept (that)

An idea of how STH is or how STH should be done, or a principle that is connected with
STH abstract.

In order for the concept of ELF to gain acceptance alongside English as native
language, there have been calls for the systematic study of the nature of ELF.

 evaluation

noun [ C or U ]
UK /ɪˌvæl.juˈeɪ.ʃən/ US /ɪˌvæl.juˈeɪ.ʃən/

The calculation of how good, important, valuable STH is.

The technique is not widely practiced and requires further evaluation.

 faith (in SB/STH)

Trust or confidence in SB/STH.

I have faith in you—I know you'll do well.

 mastery
noun [ U ]
UK /ˈmɑː.stər.i/ US /ˈmæs.tɚ.i/SKILL

If someone has a mastery of something, they are extremely skilled at it. (maestría,
dominio)

Her mastery of the violin./ Her mastery of the language.

 nuance
noun [ C ]
UK /ˈnjuː.ɑːns/ US /ˈnuː.ɑːns/

a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound, etc. (matiz)

Linguists explore the nuances of language.

  intelligibility
noun [ U ]
UK /ɪnˌtel.ɪ.dʒəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ US /ɪnˌtel.ə.dʒəˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/

(of speech and writing) the quality of being possible to understand.

She reviews articles for consistency and intelligibility./ International intelligibility.

(Entendimiento internacional).

 policy
noun [ C ]
US /ˈpɑl·ɪ·si/
policy noun [C] (PLAN)

a set of ideas or a plan for action followed by a business, a government, a political

party, or a group of people.

Language policy. (política lingüística)

 babble
verb
UK /ˈbæb.əl/ US /ˈbæb.əl/
babble verb (TALK)

[ I or T ]
to talk or say something in a quick, confused, excited, or silly way.

The children babbled excitedly among themselves.

She was babbling something about her ring being stolen.

• attest

verb [ I or T ] formal
UK /əˈtest/ US /əˈtest/

to show something or to say or prove that something is true (atestiguar)

There are many phenomena which attest to the unparalleled power of language./
Thousands of people came out onto the streets to attest their support for the
democratic opposition party./ The number of old German cars still on the road attests
(to) the excellence of their manufacture./ As his career attests, he is a world-class
tennis player./ specialized The will needs to be attested (= officially marked to show
that the signature of the person who made the will is correct) by three witnesses.

 unparalleled
adjective formal
UK /ʌnˈpær.əl.eld/ US /ʌnˈper.əl.eld/
 having no equal; better or greater than any other. (incomparable)

They enjoyed success on a scale unparalleled by any previous rock band./ The
unparalleled power of language.

 impetus
noun [ S or U ]
UK /ˈɪm.pɪ.təs/ US /ˈɪm.pə.t̬əs/

something that encourages a particular activity or makes that activity more energetic
or effective. (ímpetu)
The impetus of language can empower individuals to forge binding ties with other
individuals and communities.

 forge
verb
UK /fɔːdʒ/ US /fɔːrdʒ/

to develop or create sth. (forjar)

to forge a relationship/career (forjar una relación/carrera)

 binding ties (lazos de unión)

 articulate
verb [ T ] formal
UK /ɑːˈtɪk.jə.leɪt/ US /ɑːrˈtɪk.jə.leɪt/

to express sth clearly. (articular)

He succeded in articulating the problem. (Pudo articular el problema.)/ To articulate

ideas and thoughts.

 voiceless
adjective
UK /ˈvɔɪs.ləs/ US /ˈvɔɪs.ləs/

literary

If a group of people is voiceless, it does not have the power or the legal right to
express their opinions. (sin voz)

He spent his life fighting for the rights of the voiceless and the underprivileged. (Pasó
su vida luchando por los derechos de los que no tienen voz y los desfavorecidos.)

 a host of
 a large number of. (montón, multitud)

The economic troubles led to a host of other problems. (Los problemas económicos
llevaron a un montón de otros problemas).

 language hotspots

The places where endangered languages are often clustered in small geographic areas.

Linguists have identified a host of language hotspots (analogous to biodiversity

hotspots) that have both a high level of linguistic diversity and a high number of
threatened languages.

 teeter on the brink/edge of sth

If something is teetering on the brink/edge of a bad situation, it is likely that the

situation will happen soon. (estar al borde de algo)

Languages on the brink of extinction.

 look into
verb [ phrasal ]
/ˈlʊk ˈɪntu, ˈɪntə/

to try to find more information about. (investigar)

He asked his lawyer to look into the matter. (Le pidió a su abogado que investigara el
asunto).

 black hole
noun [ C ]
UK /ˌblæk ˈhəʊl/ US /ˌblæk ˈhoʊl/

an unknown place

 mother tongue
noun [ C usually singular ]
UK /ˌmʌð.ə ˈtʌŋ/ US /ˌmʌð.ɚ ˈtʌŋ/

B2
the first language that you learn when you are a baby, rather than a language learned
at school or as an adult. (lengua materna)

 proficient
adjective
UK /prəˈfɪʃ.ənt/ US /prəˈfɪʃ.ənt/
 skilled and experienced (muy competente)

a proficient swimmer/ She's proficient in two languages./ It takes a couple of years of

regular driving before you become proficient at it.

 excel
verb [ I ]
UK /ɪkˈsel/ US /ɪkˈsel/

past tense, past participle excelled

C2
to be extremely good at something (destacar)/ to do something better than you
usually do (lucirse)/ to stand out beyond others (in some quality etc); to do very well
(in or at some activity) (aventajar, superar)/ to be better than (destacar, sobresalir)

Rebecca always excelled in languages at school./ excel yourself/ The British team have
excelled themselves this year to reach the finals./ He excelled in mathematics / at
football./ She excels them all at swimming./ We should aspire to become
proficient in those areas in which our first language excels

 furbish
verb [ T ]
UK /ˈfɜː.bɪʃ/ US /ˈfɜː˞.bɪʃ/

to make something, especially a room or building, look clean, new and in good
condition. (FIGURATIVE-enriquecer)

We were given a tour of the newly furbished news room./ To become proficient in the
areas our language excels will furbish us with names and references to that unique,
highly rich outlook on the world our language provides. (enriquecerá)

 keep/stay/steer clear (of somebody/something)

to avoid someone or something because of possible danger or trouble

Ill-equipped teachers stay clear of topics such as sexual initiation in adolescents.

 ill-equipped
adjective
UK /ˌɪl.ɪˈkwɪpt/ US /ˌɪl.ɪˈkwɪpt/

without the ability, qualities, or equipment to do something.

 [ + to infinitive ] He seems to me ill-equipped to cope with the responsibility./ Some
kids leave school ill-equipped for adult life./ Ill-equipped teachers.

 harp on (about sth)

phrasal verb with harp verb
UK /hɑːp/ US /hɑːrp/
UK disapproving (US harp on sth)

to talk or complain about something many times. (eujarse de, machacar, estar siempre
con la misma historia)

He's always harping on about lack of discipline.

I know you want to go to Paris. Don't keep harping on (about it)!

 long-winded
adjective
UK /ˌlɒŋˈwɪn.dɪd/ US /ˌlɑːŋˈwɪn.dɪd/

A long-winded speech, letter, article, etc. is too long, or uses too many words. (prolijo,
interminable)

 bewitching
adjective
UK /bɪˈwɪtʃ.ɪŋ/ US /bɪˈwɪtʃ.ɪŋ/

so beautiful or attractive that you cannot think about anything else (cautivador,
hipnotizante, hechizante)

He was mesmerized by her bewitching green eyes. (Lo hipnotizaron los hechizantes
ojos verdes de ella.)

 anglicize
verb [ T ] (UK usually anglicise)
UK /ˈæŋ.ɡlɪ.saɪz/ US /ˈæŋ.ɡlə.saɪz/

to make or become English in sound, appearance, or character (anglicanizar, dar forma

inglesa)

 catchphrase
noun [ C ]
UK /ˈkætʃ.freɪz/ US /ˈkætʃ.freɪz/

a phrase that is often repeated by and therefore becomes connected with a particular
organization or person, especially someone famous such as a television entertainer.
(latiguillo, eslogan, muletilla)

 handful
noun
 UK /ˈhænd.fʊl/ US /ˈhænd.fʊl/
AMOUNT

[C]
an amount of something that can be held in one hand (puñado)

He pulled out a handful of coins from his pocket. (Sacó un puñado de monedas del
bolsillo.)

 preservation
noun [ U ]
UK /ˌprez.əˈveɪ.ʃən/ US /ˌprez.ɚˈveɪ.ʃən/

C1
the act of keeping something the same or of preventing it from being damaged/
the act of protecting sth so that it is not damaged or destroyed (conservación,
preservación)

building preservation/ wood preservation/ food preservation.

the preservation of old documents (la preservación de documentos antiguos)/ the
preservation of our culture (la preservación de nuestra cultura)

 stave something/someone off

phrasal verb with stave verb
UK /steɪv/ US /steɪv/
staved or stove

to stop something bad from happening, or to keep an unwanted situation or person

away, usually temporarily.

We were hoping to stave off these difficult decisions until September./ To stave off the
demise of an endangered tongue (evitar, impedir, retrasar, prevenir, frenar, detener,
contrarrestar la desaparición de una lengua en peligro de extinción).

 look into sth

verb [ phrasal ]
/ˈlʊk ˈɪntu, ˈɪntə/

to try to find more information about. (investigar)/ To try to discover the facts
about STH, such as a problem or crime, in order to solve it.

He asked his lawyer to look into the matter. (Le pidió a su abogado que investigara el
asunto)./ Police are looking into the disappearance of two children.

 look through sth

phrasal verb with look verb
 UK /lʊk/ US /lʊk/

B2
to read something quickly./ To search for STH among a lot of things.

I've looked through some catalogues. (catálogos, revistas, pispear, ojear)/ He looked
through the pile, trying to decide which one to pick. (hojeó, tanteó)

 look right through someone

idiom

To not recognize or to pretend not to see someone you know even while your eyes are
directed toward that person.

I smiled at him, but he looked right through me.

She just looked straight through me.

 look something up
phrasal verb with look verb
UK /lʊk/ US /lʊk/

B1
to try to find a piece of information by looking in a book or on a computer.

If you don't know what the word means, look it up in a dictionary. Look the word up in
your dictionary. (buscar en)

 look up to someone
phrasal verb with look verb
UK /lʊk/ US /lʊk/

B2
to admire and respect someone.

He'd always looked up to his dance teacher. (admira)

 look back
phrasal verb with look verb
UK /lʊk/ US /lʊk/

B2
to think about something that happened in the past. (recordar, rememorar)

When I look back I can see where we went wrong. (miro al pasado)
It wasn't such a bad experience when I look back on it. (ahora que la recuerdo,
rememoro, pongo en retrospectiva).
  look down on someone
phrasal verb with look verb
US /lʊk/

to feel that someone is less important than you or does not deserve respect.
Homeowners often look down on plumbers. (desprecian)

 look (a)round (somewhere/sth)

— phrasal verb with look verb
UK /lʊk/ US /lʊk/ (UK also look round (somewhere/sth))

B1
to visit a place and look at the things in it (echar un vistazo (a algo), visitar algo)/ To
walk around a room, building, or place and see what is there.

She spent the afternoon looking around the town. (visitando, paseando por,
conociendo)./ Do you want to look around the school?

 look to somebody/something phrasal verb

to pay attention to something, especially in order to improve it.

Bolivia under President Evo Morales is seeing a radical development model based on equality
and environmental sustainability and there are lessons the world can learn if they look to
Bolivia for inspiration. (prestar atención, dirigir la mirada)/ There is a need to look to the
future. (pay attention, focus on it).

 look over something

phrasal verb with look verb

UK /lʊk/ US /lʊk/

C2

to quickly examine something./ To visit a place in order to examine it.

I had a few minutes before the meeting to look over what he'd written./ Would you quickly
look over these figures for me and see if there are any obvious mistakes?/ They looked all over
the place to find fingerprints but they did not succeed.

 look to someone for something/ to do sth

phrasal verb with look verb
UK /lʊk/ US /lʊk/
 (to hope or expect to get)
to hope that someone will provide something (help, advice, etc.) for
you.

She looked to her mentor for advice. She looked to her sister to finish the clean up.

 see someone off

phrasal verb with see verb
UK /siː/ US /siː/
present participle seeing | past tense saw | past participle seen

B2
(SAY GOODBYE)
to go to the place that someone is leaving from in order to say goodbye to
them:
My parents saw me off at the airport./ (GET RID OF) to send away someone who is attacking
you or who is not wanted, usually forcefully./ sb or sth to defeat someone or something,
or to deal with him, her, or it effectively so that that person or thing can no longer
cause harm.

The caretaker ran out and saw off the boys who had been damaging the fence./ My
parents saw me off at the airport./ England saw off Luxembourg 5–0.

 see through someone/something

phrasal verb with see verb
UK /siː/ US /siː/
present participle seeing | past tense saw | past participle seen

B2
to realize that someone is trying to deceive you to get an advantage, or that
someone's behaviour is intended to deceive(engañar, embaucar, ,anipular) you, and to
understand the truth about the situation.

They were very friendly, but it didn't take long to see through them. (deschavar-arg.)
She saw through his excuse at once.

 see something through

phrasal verb with see verb
US /si/
past tense saw US/sɔ/ | past participle seen US/sin/

(CONTINUE DOING) to continue until something is finished./ to continue doing a job or

activity until it is finished, especially when it is difficult.

She saw the project through to the end./ The degree would take me three years to
complete, but I was determined to see it through.

 see to something/someone
 phrasal verb with see verb
UK /siː/ US /siː/
present participle seeing | past tense saw | past participle seen
formal or old-fashioned

B2
to deal with a person or task that needs to be dealt with or is waiting to be dealt with./
to do something that has to be done.

"These letters need posting." "I'll see to them later." (me moy a encargar de eso
después)/ Mrs Chapman asked for some help with the orders - could you see to it?/ [ +
that ] Please see to it that no one comes in without identification./ They hired an event
planner to see to all of the details of the party. (encargarse)/ Please see to it that no
one comes in without identification.

 see about something

phrasal verb with see verb
UK /siː/ US /siː/
present participle seeing | past tense saw | past participle seen

informal
to prepare for or deal with an action or event, or to arrange for something to be
done./ to get information or knowledge of whether something can be done./ Dealing
with things or people.

It's getting late - I'd better see about lunch.

[ + -ing verb ] You should see about getting your hair cut.
I’ll see about movie times and call you back.

 see someone out

phrasal verb with see verb
UK /siː/ US /siː/
present participle seeing | past tense saw | past participle seen
(also see someone to the door)

to go to the door of a building or room with someone who does not live or work there,
when they are leaving.

My secretary will see you out. (Te acompañará a la salida)

 mist
noun [ C or U ]
UK /mɪst/ US /mɪst/

B2
thin fog (niebla) produced by very small drops of water collecting in the air just above
an area of ground or water.
 The mountain villages seem to be permanently shrouded in mist.
The early-morning mist soon lifted/cleared.

 misty
adjective
UK /ˈmɪs.ti/ US /ˈmɪs.ti/
misty adjective (WEATHER)

B2
If the weather is misty, there is mist in the air that makes it difficult to see into the
distance./ used to describe glass or a similar surface that is covered with a mist that
makes it difficult to see through. (brumoso, con neblina leve)

The windscreen is all misty. (empañado)

 remote
adjective
UK /rɪˈməʊt/ US /rɪˈmoʊt/
remote adjective (DISTANT)

B2
far away in distance. (remoto, distante)

Australia is large, and remote from the great centres of population of the world.
remote galaxies

 bout
noun [ C ]
UK /baʊt/ US /baʊt/
bout noun [C] (SHORT PERIOD)

a short period of illness or involvement in an activity. (periodo)

UK a bout of flu
US a bout with the flu
He suffered from periodic bouts of insanity.
a drinking bout (= short period of drinking a lot of alcohol)

 be part and parcel of something

idiom

C2
to be a feature of something, especially a feature that cannot be avoided.

Being recognized in the street is part and parcel (porción, de porción de terreno, 15th
century) of being a celebrity.

 slip into sth

 — phrasal verb with slip verb
UK /slɪp/ US
-pp-

to gradually start to be in a bad state or condition./ quickly and easily start to think.

The world economy slowed and the US and parts of Europe slipped into recession./
While many people fear a long period of decline, let us not slip into thinking old age
just means being a burden to others. (no caigamos en el error de pensar, no
incurramos en la idea, no nos dejemos llevar, precipitemos a pensar, desviemos)

 whistle-blower
noun [ C ]
UK /ˈwɪs.əlˌbləʊ.ər/ US /ˈwɪs.əlˌbloʊ.ɚ/

a person who tells someone in authority about something illegal that is happening,
especially in a government department or a company. (informante)

E.S.’s hopes for finding refuge appeared to dwindle as country after country denied the
U.S. whistleblower’s request to seek political asylum.

 decline
noun [ S or U ]
UK /dɪˈklaɪn/ US /dɪˈklaɪn/

B2
when something becomes less in amount, importance, quality, or strength. (declive,
descenso)

industrial decline
Home cooking seems to be on the/in decline (= not so many people are doing it).
a decline in the number of unemployed

 crisis-hit
adjective [ before noun ]
UK US

experiencing or having experienced a dangerous or difficult situation, especially a

difficult financial situation.

Inflation is now out of control in the crisis-hit country. (país

apaleado/golpeado/afectado/azotado/castigado/devastado por la crisis/ sumido en la
crisis)

 fall back on somebody/something phrasal verb

to use something or depend on someone’s help when dealing with a difficult situation,
especially after other methods have failed.
 have somebody/something to fall back on/ She has no relatives to fall back on./
Greece has a strong tradition of family responsibility and now many crisis-hit Greeks
fall back on their families to cope with stress and anxiety.

 envelope

To cover or wrap SB/STH up (to cover or surround something in paper, cloth, or other
material) completely.

Not only countries but also the soul of each individual will be enveloped by a dense
security network that has the defence of “normal life” as its purpose.

 plight
noun [ S ]
UK /plaɪt/ US /plaɪt/

C2
an unpleasant condition, especially a serious, sad, or difficult one.

the plight of the poor/homeless

Few of us can be unmoved by the plight of the refugees. (penuria, condición
desfavorable/deplorable)

 obliterate
verb formal
UK /əˈblɪt.ər.eɪt/ US /əˈblɪt̬.ə.reɪt/

[ T often passive ]
to remove all signs of something, either by destroying it or by covering it so that it
cannot be seen./ [ T ] to make an idea or feeling disappear completely.

All of a sudden the view was obliterated by the fog. (arrasada, borrada, obstruida,
oscurecida, desvanecida)
The missile strike was devastating - the target was totally obliterated. (destruido)/
Maybe she gets drunk to obliterate painful memories. (borrar recuerdos dolorosos)/ I
oppose to any attempt to obliterate the name of an artist because of his morals or
political actions.

 saturated
adjective
UK /ˈsætʃ.ər.eɪ.tɪd/ US /ˈsætʃ.ər.eɪ.t̬ɪd/

adjective (FILLED)

completely filled with something so that no more can be added./ Filled with.

The city is saturated by ads./ Even with 10,000 users, the server is not saturated.
 daunting
adjective
UK /ˈdɔːn.tɪŋ/ US /ˈdɑːn.t̬ɪŋ/

making you feel slightly frightened or worried about your ability to achieve something.
(desalentador, desmoralizante, desmotivador)

Failure can be daunting at first, but with determination, it can be an impetus

(something that encourages a particular activity or makes that activity more energetic
or effective) to growth and success.

[Word domain look in written paper]

 drift off phrasal verb

to gradually fall asleep.

I was just drifting off when the phone rang./ He felt himself drifting off to sleep.

 blindfold
noun [ C ]
UK /ˈblaɪnd.fəʊld/ US /ˈblaɪnd.foʊld/

a strip of cloth that covers someone's eyes and stops them from seeing. (venda para
los ojos)

 beaming
adjective
UK /ˈbiː.mɪŋ/ US /ˈbiː.mɪŋ/

used to describe a smile that is very wide and happy, or someone who is smiling in this
way. (radiante)

a beaming smile (una sonrisa radiante)/ beaming sunrays (radiantes rayos de sol)

 pitch darkness

complete darkness

 inn
noun [ C ]
UK /ɪn/ US /ɪn/

US
a small hotel, usually in the countryside. (venta, posada)/ a small hotel or bar,
especially in the country. (pensión)

 pull back
 verb [ phrasal ]
/ˈpʊl ˈbæk/

to change a decision or statement. (echarse para atrás)

The university has pulled back on building the new facility. (La universidad se hechó
para atrás en la construcción de las nuevas instalaciones).

 maze
noun [ C ]
UK /meɪz/ US /meɪz/
PLACE

a complicated system of paths or passages that people try to find their way through
for entertainment./ an area in which you can get easily lost because there are so many
similar streets or passages. (laberinto)

 gully
noun [ C ] (also gulley)
UK /ˈɡʌl.i/ US /ˈɡʌl.i/

(US also gulch)

a narrow valley or channel with steep sides, made by a fast-flowing stream.
(barranco)/ an artificial channel that is used to get rid of water that is not wanted
(surco, cauce)/ a channel worn by running water eg on a mountain side. (torrentera;
surco, cauce).

 brook
noun [ C ]
UK /brʊk/ US /brʊk/

a small stream (arroyo)

 marsh
noun
UK /mɑːʃ/ US /mɑːrʃ/

[ C or U ]
ground near a lake, a river, or the sea that often floods and is always wet. (ciénaga,
marisma)/ an area of wet land (ciénaga, pantano)

At the mouth of the river is a large area of marsh. (En la desembocadura del río hay
una gran marisma.)
Rain had been falling steadily all day and the ground had become a marsh.

[Word domain walk in written paper]

  ordeal

noun [ C ]

UK /ɔːˈdɪəl/ US /ɔːrˈdɪəl/

C2

a very unpleasant and painful or difficult experience. (terrible experiencia, calvario)

The hostages' ordeal came to an end when soldiers stormed the building.

 crutch

noun

UK /krʌtʃ/ US /krʌtʃ/

[ C usually plural ]

a stick with a piece that fits under the arm, that you lean on for support if you have difficulty in
walking because of a foot or leg injury. (muleta)

Martin broke his leg and has been on crutches for the past six weeks. (Martin se quebró la
pierna y lleva seis semanas con muletas)./ Her mother, soon after being diagnosed with
multiple sclerosis, had to hobble her way up the stairs on crutches to find a comfortable seat.

 log cabin

noun [ C ]

UK /ˌlɒɡ ˈkæb.ɪn/ US /ˌlɑːɡ ˈkæb.ɪn/

a small house made from tree trunks.

 runaway

noun [ C ]

UK US

someone who has escaped or run away from somewhere.

A runaway from prison.

 deter

verb [ T ]
UK /dɪˈtɜːr/ US /dɪˈtɝː/

to prevent someone from doing something or to make someone less enthusiastic about doing
something by making it difficult for that person to do it or by threatening bad results if they do
it. (hacer) disuadir- (ahuyentar –para animales)

Syn.

dissuade

 slighted

adjective

UK /ˈslaɪtɪd/ US /ˈslaɪtɪd/

be/feel slighted

to feel insulted because someone has done or said something that shows that they think you
are not important. (menospreciada, despreciada, ofendida, agraviada, denigrada)

Annie felt slighted because she hadn't been invited to the meeting.

 boil over

phrasal verb with boil verb

UK /bɔɪl/ US /bɔɪl/

(PERSON)

If a difficult situation or negative emotion boils over, it cannot be controlled any more and
people start to argue or fight. (estallar, explotar, desbordar)

 a hail of sth

a large number of things flying through the air. (lluvia)

a hail of bullets (una lluvia de balas)

 lag

verb

UK /læɡ/ US /læɡ/

MOVE/REACT SLOWLY
[I]

to move or make progress so slowly that you are behind other people or things (quedarse
atrás)/ He's lagging behind - I think we'd better wait for him to catch us up.

 stamp

verb

UK /stæmp/ US /stæmp/

MOVE FOOT

C2 [ I or T ]

(US also stomp)

to put a foot down on the ground hard and quickly, making a loud noise, often to show anger.
(pisar fuerte, golpear)

 thatched

adjective

UK /θætʃt/ US /θætʃt/

A thatched roof is made from straw or reeds; a thatched building has a roof that is made from
straw (paja) or reeds (caña, junco). (de paja, con el tejado de paja)

 glisten

verb [ I ]

UK /ˈɡlɪs.ən/ US /ˈɡlɪs.ən/

to shine by reflecting light from a wet or smooth surface. (brillar, relucir)

The grass glistened in the early-morning dew. (La hierba brillaba con el rocío de la mañana).

His eyes glistened with tears.

 jot sth down

— phrasal verb with jot verb [ T ]

UK /dʒɒt/ US

present participle jotting | past tense and past participle jotted

to write something quickly on a piece of paper so that you remember it. (anotar, apuntar)

I jotted down some notes during his speech.

Translation of spur – English–Spanish dictionary

spur

verb [ T ]

UK /spɜːr/ US /spɝː/

-rr-

ENCOURAGE

C2

to encourage an activity or development or make it happen faster

incitar, animar

Rising consumer sales have the effect of spurring the economy to faster growth.

Spurred (on) by her early success, she went on to write four more novels in rapid succession.

 spur

noun [ C ]

UK /spɜːr/ US /spɝː/

on the spur of the moment

quickly and without planning (de improviso)

We decided to drive to the beach on the spur of the moment. (Decidimos conducir a la playa
de improviso).

 fumble

verb

UK /ˈfʌm.bəl/ US /ˈfʌm.bəl/
DO STH AWKWARDLY
[ I usually + adv/prep ]

to do something awkwardly, especially when using your hands. (ir a tientas, hurgar)

He fumbled in his pockets for some change./ She fumbled around/about in her handbag,
looking for her key./ They fumbled around/about (= moved awkwardly) in the dark, trying to
find their way out of the cinema.

 wheeze

verb [ I ]

UK /wiːz/ US /wiːz/

to make a high, rough noise while breathing because of some breathing difficulty. (respirar
produciendo un silbido)