(© Pearson 2016 SOA2) List of expressions - unit 6

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Domanda English Risposta English
a distant memory
In time, they will either become a distant memory or a close reality.
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something remembered that is far away in space or time
Her honeymoon seemed like a distant memory.
the signs are
signs he's still in love with his ex-girlfriend
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there are things that show that something is happening
The signs are that the country is likely to recover soon.
the days are over
You have to be smart. The easy days are over.
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the time when something could happen is in the past
The days are over when you could buy a cinema ticket for sixpence.
a thing of the past
The future will soon be a thing of the past.
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something that does not exist any more
We hope that smoking will become a thing of the past.
may well
Books may well be the only true magic.
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used to say that something is likely to happen or is likely to be true
What you say may well be true.
be likely to
Relax! You're more likely to get killed by a COW than a shark! Oh... Okay...
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something that is likely to do or be something will probably do it or be true
Children who live in the country’s rural areas are very likely to be poor.
suggest
People who use a lot of swear words tend to be more honest and trustworthy, human behavioral studies suggest.
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to make someone think that a particular thing is true
Opinion polls suggest that only 10% of the population trust the government.
point to
Everything points to something
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to suggest that something is true
Everything points to her having died from a drugs overdose.
be bound to
Be bound to is used to refer to future events which are certain or very likely to happen: Kevin is stuck in a traffic jam, so he is bound to be late.
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to be very likely to do or feel a particular thing
Don’t lie to her. She’s bound to find out.
be destined to
5 signs you’re destined to be together
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to seem certain to happen at some time in the future
She was destined to have a successful career
on track
How to stay on track: set goal, make plan, get to work, stick to it, reach goal!
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to be likely to achieve a particular result
We’re still on track for 10% growth.
on average
Can you drown in a river that is on average only 3 feet deep? (1 meter)
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based on a calculation about how many times something usually happens, how much money someone usually gets, how often people usually do something etc
On average, men still earn more than women.
on trial
Trial software is a free trial version for evaluation (being tested for performance or suitability).
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a short period during which you use or do something or employ someone to find out whether they are satisfactory for a particular purpose or job
They let me have the computer on trial for thirty days.
at risk
Earth at risk
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in a situation where you may be harmed
Their children are also at high risk of developing the disease.
at present
NOW
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at this time
The item you want is not available at present.
at least
a chance: take at least one
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not less than a particular number or amount
It will take you at least 20 minutes to get there.
by far
Giving a child an education is by far one of the most important investments we can make.
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used to say that something is much better, worse etc than anything else
Watching sport was by far the most popular activity on Saturday afternoons.
by nature
If you say that something has a particular characteristic by its nature or by its very nature, you mean that things of that type always have that characteristic.
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according to someone’s character
Optimistic by nature. She was by nature a very affectionate person.
by law
No smoking by law. A regulation made by a local authority or corporation.
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according to the whole system of rules that people in a particular country or area must obey
By law, seat belts must be worn by all passengers.
in decline
If something is in decline or on the decline, it is gradually decreasing in importance, quality, or power. Thankfully the smoking of cigarettes is on the decline.
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decreasing in quality, quantity, or importance
He disagrees with the widely held belief that educational standards are in decline.
in danger
Small bird in danger.
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in a situation where something bad may happen
The party is in danger of being defeated in the next election.
in effect
In effect, people are digitizing themselves.
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used when you are describing what you see as the real facts of a situation
In effect, we’ll be earning less than we were last year.
out of control
Also, out of hand. No longer under management, direction, or regulation; unmanageable or unruly.
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not having the ability or power to make someone or something do what you want or make something happen in the way you want
The economy is worsening and out of control.
out of sight
out of sight, out of mind
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hidden
Voters suspected the real political agenda was being kept out of sight.
out of necessity
because of necessity; due to need. because of conditions that cannot be changed: because it is necessary. He works two jobs out of necessity.
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used when something happens in a particular way because that is the only possible way it can happen
Many of the jobs are temporary out of necessity.
off course
Off course is used when a vehicle doesn't follow a planned, or intended, route. Off course: recalculating route ... No kiddin'
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going in the wrong direction
The ship was blown off course. disoriented, confused.
off the pace
Behind the leader or leading group in a race or contest. ‘Duncan was two seconds off the pace’
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not going fast enough
I was off the pace and decided to retire from the race.
off balance
Out of equilibrium, unsteady, as in When learning how to ride a two-wheeler, it's easy to get off balance and fall.
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in an unsteady position and likely to fall
The sudden movement of the ship knocked them both off balance.
above suspicion
Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion. People associated with public figures must not be suspected of being a part of any wrongdoing.
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if someone is above suspicion they are so honest that no one could think that they had done anything wrong
The President is surely above suspicion.
above board
called from the requirement of keeping the hands above the table or board in order to discourage possible cheating at cards
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honest and legal
His plans for opening a coffee shop are completely above board.
above all
A work of art is above all an adventure of the mind.
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used to say that something is more important than anything else
Max is hard-working, cheerful, and above all, honest.
over the hill
Just remember, when you're over the hill, you begin to pick up speed.
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no longer young, and therefore no longer attractive or good at doing things
Kathleen thinks she’s over the hill, but she’s only 32.
over the moon
Very happy. I passed my test. I'm over the moon!
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very happy
I was over the moon when I won the championship.
over the top
“Over the top” means “extreme, too much”. He has always had an independent style, but don’t you think purple spiky hair is a bit over the top?
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remarks, behaviour etc that are over the top are so extreme or unreasonable that they seem stupid or offensive
He was a bit over the top with his drinking last night.
under the weather
to feel slightly ill or suffering from a hangover. This expression presumably alludes to the influence of the weather on one's health.
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slightly ill
You look a bit under the weather.
under the impression
I was under the impression that the sex we were having was recreational
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believing that something is true when it is not
I’m sorry, I was under the impression that you were the manager.
under oath
on oath, upon oath, on one's word, upon the Book, on one's word of honor
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obliged by the law to tell the truth in court
The evidence was given under oath.
command
Have a good command of English? Fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.
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knowledge of something, especially a language, or ability to use something
He’s studied in the US and has a good command of English.
mind your language
You are what you speak, so mind your language!
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to be careful so that you do not offend anyone
She gave him a frown and told him to mind his language.
dead language
Dead languages are languages that, though once spoken by certain peoples, is no longer a native language to anyone.
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a dead language, for example Latin or Ancient Greek, is no longer used by ordinary people
He is an expert in dead languages.
offensive language
Offensive language including discrimination, profanity, racist, sexist, politically incorrect and obscene language
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very rude or insulting and likely to upset people
I found her language deeply offensive.
everyday language
is the most used variety of a language, which is usually employed in conversation or other communication in informal situations.
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ordinary, usual, or happening every day
Describe it in ordinary everyday language.
global language
A world language is a language that is spoken internationally and is learned and spoken by a large number of people as a second language.
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affecting, used by or including the whole world
Why did English become a global language?
language barrier
A language barrier is a figurative phrase used primarily to refer to linguistic barriers to communication, i.e. the difficulties in communication experienced by people or groups speaking different languages, or even dialects in some cases
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the problem of understanding people who do not speak the same language
Living in China was hard for me at first because of the language barrier.
official language
An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction.
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a language used by people in authority, especially the government of a country
Hindi is one of the official languages of India.
get a word in edgeways
To find it impossible to take part in a conversation because the other person is talking continously.
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to get a chance to say something
Once George starts talking it’s difficult to get a word in edgeways.
get to the point
"Let me get straight to the point, in a roundabout way."
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to talk about the most important thing
I wish you’d get to the point.
talk at cross purposes
Computer tech support? Allright ... I've removed all of my cookies ... Now what?
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if two people talk at cross purposes, they do not understand each other because they are talking about different things but fail to realise this
I think we’re talking at cross purposes.
catch what someone says
What did you say? - I didn't quite catch that...
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to hear or understand what someone says
I’m afraid I didn’t catch what you said, because of the noise.
need a good talking to
A child seldom needs a good talking to as a good listening to.
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to need to be talked to in an angry way, especially of a child or someone who is below you in rank
I can see that young man needs a good talking to.
talk shop
Talk shop: talk business Even at a party Peter has to talk shop!
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to talk about things that are related to your work, especially in a way that other people find boring
I’m fed up with you two talking shop.
run something by somebody
Can I run a couple of ideas by you? – to get someone’s opinion or to make sure they approve or understand Could you run that by me again? – (spoken) to ask someone to repeat what they’ve just said
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to tell someone something so that they can give you their opinion
I just wanted to run it by you and see what you thought.
not make head or tail of
"to be unable to understand something".
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to be completely unable to understand something
I couldn’t make head or tail of the instructions.
to say the least
It is used when we want to indicate that a certain word isn’t strong enough to describe a situation.
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used to show that something is worse or more serious than you are actually saying
His teaching methods were strange, to say the least.
get the wrong end of the stick
Getting the wrong end of the stick is a phrase to explain when someone misunderstands, misinterprets, or misconstrues a situation.
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to understand a situation in completely the wrong way
Geoff had got the wrong end of the stick, and thought I was angry with him.
take off
increase fast in success/popularity
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to suddenly start being successful
Mimi became jealous when Jack’s career started taking off.
latest thing
It's the latest thing. It's called the veterinarian diet.
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the most recent or the newest or most popular thing
These handbags are the latest thing in accessories, darling!
passing trend
Ugly fashion isn't just a passing trend...
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a fashion, activity, type of music etc that suddenly becomes very popular, but only remains popular for a short time
I’m sure it’s just a passing trend.
word of mouth
Today, word of mouth marketing has become a healthy alternative to celebrity endorsement.
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information you get by someone telling you
Word of mouth is one of the best ways of getting business.
lose appeal
Lawers never lose their appeal. Losing a case upon review by a higher court of the decision made by a lower court The convicted killer lost on appeal of his death sentence before the state Supreme Court.
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to no longer have the quality that makes people like something or someone
This kind of music has lost its appeal for the under-20s.
capture imagination
Camera's don't capture imagination
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to make (someone) feel very interested in something
His stories of foreign adventure captured my imagination.
strike a chord
evoke a reaction, response, or emotion; "this writer strikes a chord with young women".
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to say or do something that other people agree with or have sympathy with
Their story is bound to strike a chord with all parents.
rise dramatically
From 1996 to 1998, the population increased dramatically. From 1996 to 1998 there was a dramatic increase in the population.
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to increase greatly and suddenly
Output has risen dramatically since last month.
breakout
a great success, following relatively mediocre or disappointing performances She is hoping for a breakout with this latest movie.
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having a sudden unexpected success
This new smartphone will be the next breakout mobile device.
push the boat out
spend more money than you normally do, especially for a celebration
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to spend more money than you usually do, on something special
Push the boat out and get tickets to the theatre or ballet.
take
What's your take on the tatoos and piercings?
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someone’s opinion about a situation or idea
What’s your take on this issue?
to the fore
in, into, or towards a prominent position.
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to or in a position of importance or influence
Environmental issues came to the fore in the 1980s.
smart watch
A smartwatch is a wearable computer in the form of a wristwatch.
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a smart watch is controlled by computers and is designed to provide information in a suitable way depending on the situation
Have you seen the company’s latest smart watch?
interactive television
Interactive TV is an approach to television advertising and programming that creates the opportunity for viewers to communicate with advertisers and programming executives by responding to a call to action.
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an interactive television allows you to communicate directly with it, and does things in reaction to your actions
We don’t have an interactive television – you have to get up and press buttons to change the channel!
smart thermostat
A smart thermostat keeps your home at an ideal temperature at all times, saving energy and saving you money.
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a smart thermostat is an instrument used for keeping a room or a machine at a particular temperature, and is controlled by computers and designed to react in a suitable way depending on the situation
Our new smart thermostat changes the room temperature whenever it senses changes in the weather.
driverless car
Driverless cars: Don't ignore the human factor
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a driverless car is controlled by equipment in the vehicle, rather than by a human driver
I’m not sure I would feel safe on the motorway in a driverless car.
drone
an unmanned aircraft or ship guided by remote control or onboard computers
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an aircraft that does not have a pilot, but is operated by radio
Drones have been used to take images of countries thousands of miles away from where they are controlled.
brain imaging
Brain imaging methods allow neuroscientists to see inside the living brain.
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a technical process in which pictures of the inside of someone’s brain are produced, especially for medical reasons
New brain imaging technologies mean that doctors are better able to screen for defects.
genetic data
'genetic data' means personal data relating to the inherited or acquired genetic characteristics of a natural person
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information relating to genes or genetics (the study of how the qualities of living things are passed on)
This new breakthrough gave scientists immense amounts of genetic data.
crowdfunding
donation, reward, equity, peer 2 peer lending
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a method of getting money for something, for example a new film or album, by asking many people to give part of the money needed, often on the Internet
He was able to start his new business with the help of crowdfunding.
If English is a "Lingua Franca" why isn't "Lingua Franca" in English?
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The term lingua franca was first coined in the beginning of the 17th century by the Italians.
At that time, it represented a conglomeration of mostly Italian, with a smattering of French, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Greek, and Arabic, and was used primarily as the language of commerce.
Is it necessary to learn English? -the richest language
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Of all the 2700 world languages English is one of the richest. English has a vocabulary of about 500000 words.
Is it necessary to learn English? -global language
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It has became the language of the planet, the first truly global language.
Is it necessary to learn English? - internet language
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The quarters of the worlds mail, telexes and telegram's are in English.
Is it necessary to learn English? -computer language
The English language is sometimes described as the lingua franca of computing. In comparison to other sciences, where Latin and Greek are the principal sources of vocabulary, computer science borrows more extensively from English.
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It is the world's computer language.
Is it necessary to learn English? -language of business
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English is the main language of business.
Is it necessary to learn English? -language of sports
English Language Olympics
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It is the language of sports: the official language of the Olympics.
trendsetter
I don't follow trends, I create them.
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one that sets a trend
i.e.
The hotel is closed during the off season, i.e., from October to March.
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abbreviation for id est (Latin for "that is")
Used esp. in writing after a general statement to introduce specific information or examples.

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