Unit 6, Vocabulary
make sb’s day: to make somebody feel very happy
pp. 44&45
Phrases, patterns and collocations
Note: The following comments cover only some of the
lexical items given on pp. 44&45. If necessary, look up
the others in a dictionary.
1. about: used to describe the purpose or an aspect of
something
Movies are all about making money these days.
What was all that about? (= what was the reason for
what has just happened?)
2. be about to do something : to be going to happen or
do something very soon
We arrived just as the ceremony was about to begin.
3. act/be your age: used for telling someone that they
are behaving in a stupid way, as if they were much
younger than they really are
4. age bracket/group: the range between two particular
ages
people in the 50–60 age bracket
5. age [uncountable]: the state of being old
The jacket was showing signs of age.
with age: Wine improves with age.
the wisdom that comes with age
6. run/take its course: to develop in the usual way and
come to the usual end
When her tears had run their course, she felt calmer
and more in control.
With minor ailments the best thing is often to let
nature take its course.
7. in the course of time: when enough time has passed
Synonym: eventually
It is possible that in the course of time a cure for
cancer will be found.
In the course of time, I began to understand.
8. in due course: at the right time and not before
Your request will be dealt with in due course.
9. course: (countable) a series of lessons or lectures
on a particular subject
on a course: My boss has been on a course this
week.
You need to go on a management training course.
10. course or course of action [countable] a way of
acting in or dealing with a particular situation
What course of action would you recommend?
It was the best course of action to take in the
circumstances.
The wisest course would be to say nothing.
11.
on a particular day
The phone call from Mike really made my day.
12. call it a day: (informal) to decide or agree to stop
doing something
After forty years in politics I think it's time for me to
call it a day (= to retire).
13. in this day and age: now, in the modern world
Slavery continues to exist, even in this day and age.
Why dress so formally in this day and age?
14. any day now | any time (now): (informal) very soon
We expect more info on this any day/time now.
15. day in, day out: every day for a long period of time
Living on junk food day in day out is not good for you.
16. first/last/only...ever (to): used for emphasizing that
something has never happened before
He is the first person ever to beat me at tennis.
17. never ever:
We must never ever forget how those brave men
fought for our freedom.
18. as ever: You say as ever in order to indicate that
something or someone's behaviour is not unusual
because it is like that all the time or very often.
As ever, the meals are primarily fish-based.
He was by himself, alone, as ever.
19. keep regular/late etc hours: to perform the same
activities every day at regular/late etc times,
especially going to bed and getting out of bed
20. hours [plural]: the amount of time during the day or
week that you work; a fixed period of time during
which people work, an office is open, etc.
Opening hours are from 10 to 6 each day.
Most people in this kind of job tend to work long
hours.
21. during office, business, etc. hours
The library is open during normal working hours.
What are your office hours?
a hospital’s visiting hours
22. hours: a long time
hours/days/weeks etc on end: used for emphasizing
how long something continues
He talks for hours on end about absolutely nothing.
23. until all hours (disapproving): very late
He stays up drinking until all hours.
24. after hours
This is the only place to get a drink after hours (= after
the normal closing time for pubs).
25. out of hours
You can contact me on this number out of hours (=
when the office is closed).
26. do a good, bad, etc. job (on something) | make a
good, bad, etc. job of something: to do something
well, badly, etc.
They did a very professional job.
You've certainly made an excellent job of the kitchen
(= for example, painting it).
We haven’t done a very good job on the publicity for
the show.
27. in a job : an increase in the number of people in jobs
(= having jobs)
28. out of a job: He's been out of a job (= unemployed)
for six months now.
29. The takeover of the company is bound to mean more
job losses.
30. on the job: while doing a particular job
No sleeping on the job!
on-the-job training
31. moment: a very short period of time
in a moment: I'll be back in a moment.
This won't take a moment.
_____________________________
32. never mind: do not worry about it
"I lost that wallet you gave me." "Well, never mind, I
can always buy you another one."
Never mind if you get paid for it or not, you can’t
tutor Jane this afternoon. We’re going to Granny’s.
33. now (conjuction): now (that)… because the thing
mentioned is happening or has just happened
Now that the kids have left home we've got a lot of
extra space.
34. (every) now and then/again: from time to time,
occasionally
Now and then I receive letters from my former
students.
She comes to London every now and again.
35. office: [uncountable, countable] an important position
of authority, especially in government; the work and
duties connected with this
take office: begin to work in a position
The present government took office in 2017.
The new President takes office on January 20th.
36. public office: (uncountable), Uk
a job in the government that you have because you
were chosen or elected
He has never sought public office.
37. office-holder (also office-bearer): a person who is in
a position of authority, especially in the government or
a government organization
38. office party noun: a party, usually just before
Christmas, for the people who work in a particular
office or company
39. on and on: without stopping; continuously
40. She went on and on about her trip.
41. You’re on! used for saying ‘yes’ when someone has
invited you to compete or do something difficult or
dangerous
‘I bet I can sell more tickets than you.’ ‘OK, you’re on.’
42. give sb/take a second to do: Could I take a second
to think about it?
43. second (also informal sec): a very short time
Synonym: moment
in a second I'll be with you in a second.
44. in/within seconds They had finished within
seconds.
45. split second noun: a very short moment of time
46. for a split second Their eyes met for a split second.
47. make a start on/at sth/doing sth [start: countable,
usually singular] the act or process of beginning
something
I'll paint the ceiling if you make a start on the walls.
48. get off to a good/flying/bad etc. start : to make a
good/very good/bad etc. start; to begin something well
She’s got off to a flying start in her new career.
49. head start: an advantage over other people in the
same situation as you, especially in a competition
The reading course gives young children a head start.
50. for a start: used for introducing the first point in a
series, especially in an argument
They are too young for a start.
51. in the long/short/medium term/run: used to
describe what will happen a long, short, etc. time in
the future
Such a development seems unlikely, at least in the
short term (= it will not happen for quite a long time)
in the long term/run: not immediately but at some
time in the future
Cutting jobs could be more expensive in the long
term/run if we have to hire freelancers.
52. long-term/short-term: lasting or having an effect
over a long/short period of time
Our long-term goal is to lower operating costs by 10
per cent.
short-term plans
53. make time (for): to find time to do something or be
with someone in spite of being busy
He’s finding it difficult to make time for his children.
54. time frame: the period of time during which Serbian equivalents mostly taken/adapted from the Oxford
something happens or must happen English-Serbian Dictionary (englesko-srpski rečnik sa
55. at this moment in time: (informal) now, at the srpsko-engleskim indeksom).
present time
At this moment in time, I don't know what my decision
will be.

56. work something in | work something into

something: to try to include something
Can't you work a few more jokes into your speech?
57. work like magic or work like a charm:
to be very successful, or to have exactly the effect you
want
She found that a little flattery worked like magic.
58. work a treat , UK: to be successful, or to operate
successfully
I put a bit of oil on it, and it worked a treat.

59. year on year: used for talking about situations in

which something continues to change or develop
every year; (used especially when talking about
figures, prices, etc.) each year, compared with the last
year
Spending has increased year on year.
a year-on-year increase in spending

Note:

English definitions mostly taken/adapted from the Oxford

Advanced Learner's Dictionary, the Cambridge Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus online and Collins
Online English Dictionary.