Unit 1 Something to Shout About
Student's Book pp 7-9
ex 2 Listening ***********************
gap (n) =
* the gap between the two rows of seats
* the widening gap between the rich and the poor
obstacle (n) =
* A lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job.
to bind =
to be bound to do sth / be … =
* Mistakes are bound to happen.
* You've done so much work — you're bound to pass the exam.
* It was bound to happen sooner or later. (= we should have expected it)
to knock one's confidence
Keep at it. = (Keep doing it! = Continue working at / on it!)
* Come on, keep at it, you've nearly finished!
to filter sth out
* Filter negative thoughts out completely.
to distract sb from sth / doing sth
* You're distracting me from my work.
to get side-tracked (sidetracked)
to channel sth into sth
* He channels his aggression into sport.
* Channel your efforts in the right direction.
target (n) =
* target audience
* to meet a target date of April 2001
to be incompatible with
* New computer software is often incompatible with older computers.
rubbish =
This is rubbish!
to convince sb / yourself of sth =
to convince sb that …
* You'll need to convince them of your enthusiasm for the job.
to underestimate (belittle) sb/oneself =
* Never underestimate your opponent.
* Don’t belittle yourself!
Ex 3. ****************
physical strength
quick thinking
determination
foresight
power of persuasion
team spirit
essential to / for sth =
* Money is not essential to happiness.
to talk sb into doing sth
* The salesman talked me into buying it.
to gain support
Text: How to be a winner
p. 8 – 9 ***************
to be the first past the post =
heptathlon =
to let sb down =
to claw one's way (up) from … to … / back into …
* Sidney ruthlessly clawed his way (up) from the position of junior clerk to chairman of the company.
contention = having a chance of winning something:
* There is no contention between the two groups.
* There were three left in serious contention for the prize.
to end up doing sth
* We ended up going to the restaurant after the movie last night.
a hurdle = Syn: obstacle
to feel (incredibly) low
to carry on doing sth =
spur (n)
* His speech was a powerful spur to action.
to pursue one’s goal
insurmountable (difficulty)
* No obstacle is ever insurmountable.
to plug away (towards one's goal) =
to keep plugging away at a book
** If you keep plugging away at it, your English will improve.
to inch = move very slowly
* to inch one's way towards one’s goal
to to mark sth off
** His talent for storytelling marked him off from his classmates.
** The playing area was marked off with a white line.
to mature
to mature from … to … =
* He has matured a lot since he left home.
* She has matured into a fine writer.
a dip = a dip in the road
** an unexpected dip in profits
** to experience a dip in one's confidence =
to put things into perspective = to decide on priorities
to block out the negative thoughts
to keep at it =
* Keep at it, and you will succeed.
to set goals for yourself
to achieve (adj: achievable)
* He had finally achieved success.
* easily achievable goals
to tackle sth / sb =
* There is more than one way to tackle the problem.
* When I tackled Susan about it, she admitted she'd made a mistake. =
to ride on sth = to depend on =
* My whole future is riding on this interview.
* There's a lot riding on this match.
to think imaginatively
to be decorated imaginatively
gut =
guts =
gut instinct
to base one's decisions on one's gut instinct
gutsy (fighter) =
to be surprised at sth
to be proactive =
to be assertive
workload
to be on top of one's diary / a situation = to be in complete control of
external distractions =
*The baby's constant crying drove me to distraction.
detrimental =
to have a detrimental effect on sb/sth =
* Smoking is detrimental to health.
to boost
to boost one's confidence =
to become second nature
imagery =
permutations - =
* The possible permutations of x, y and z are xyz, xzy, yxz, yzx, zxy and zyx.
to put sth to (its best / good) use =
a nerve-racking (wait for the test results) =
at the best of times =
* The bar is crowded at the best of times but today it was unbearable.
* Our car doesn't run well at the best of times, but today it's incredibly slow.
to misjudge sth =
* She now realizes that she misjudged him.
beyond =
** It is beyond me / my understanding. —
beyond doubt –
beyond measure
beyond belief
to have no barriers in one's mind
to push yourself beyond your limits
to work one's way up =
self-assurance =
self-assured =
to surpass (oneself) =
* He had surpassed all our expectations.