Definitions
stay calm and controlled when you are in a difficult or stressful situation, and not let your emotions show. It is often used when someone is being criticised or provoked.
keep your composure
Before the exam I went for a long walk to _______, because I couldn't focus with all the stress in my head.
clear my head
He’s got a very good job. He _______ a lot of money. (earn)
must be earning/must earn
__ knowledge is power.
- (general idea)
A student says: «I have three exams tomorrow, I haven't slept, and my brain has stopped working.» Which phrase describes how this student feels?
frazzled
interrupt a boring routine with something different or interesting, so that life doesn't feel the same every day.
break the monotony
The charity concert was in chaos — nobody knew who was in charge, and everyone was stressed. We were all _______ and needed to work together to fix it.
in the same boat
I’m sure this isn’t how you solve this equation.
This can’t be the way to solve this equation.
__ (good) knowledge of Maths is important in this job.
a (specific example)
Your friend tells you: «I need to check my Spanish before the trip — I haven't spoken it in two years.» What is your friend going to do?
brush up on
have doubts or concerns about a plan or idea — you are not completely sure it is a good idea, even if you don't say no.
have reservations
My cousin is an amazing cook, so at the family reunion she was happy to _______ with anyone who wanted to learn her recipes.
share their expertise
It’s certain we got on the wrong bus – I don’t recognise this neighbourhood! HAVE
We must have got on the wrong bus – I don’t recognise this neighbourhood!
He was a man of _ great learning.
- (abstract concept in general)
A detective listens to a suspect and thinks: «He's hiding something, but I can't prove it yet.» Which phrase describes the detective's feeling about the suspect?
have reservations
be so overwhelmed by something (like work, emails, or problems) that you feel you are drowning in it — there is too much to deal with.
swimming in
When the teacher was late, nobody told us what to do, so I decided to _______ and start the group project on my own.
use my initiative
Pete is probably in the library filling in his university application form.
Pete might be filling in his university application form in the library.
I felt _ happiness that I had never known before.
a (specific situation)
You are given a report that says: «First, we will explain the problem. Second, we will list the solutions. Third, we will give a timeline.» What has the writer done with the information?
set sth out
be very close to a dangerous or critical situation — you are balancing on the point where something could go very wrong.
teeter on the edge
I _______ the main character in the film — like her, I've always felt different from everyone else.
felt an affinity with
I’m sure they didn’t inform her about the date of the resit exam.
She can’t have been informed about the date of the resit exam.
__ knowledge that I gained on my field trip was invaluable.
the (refers to a specific type or instance.)
A first-year student joins an advanced physics class. Everyone else has studied physics for years. The student understands nothing and feels lost. Which phrase describes the student's situation?
out of my depth