as the crow flies-in a straight line

steer clear of-to avoid (someone or something unpleasant or difficult)

get away from it all-to have a relaxing holiday
follow the herd-to go where people generally go, or do the same thing that most other people
are doing, without really thinking about it for yourself – used to show disapproval
go with your gut-to do what you are sure is right, although you cannot give a reason for it
the great outdoors-the countryside far away from buildings and cities
take the scenic route-to go somewhere by a longer way than usual, especially one that goes
through beautiful or interesting areas
in the middle of nowhere-a long way from the nearest big town
the back of beyond-a place that is a long way from other places and is difficult to get to
retrace your steps-to go back exactly the way you have come
capsize-if a boat capsizes, or if you capsize it, it turns over in the water
collide-to hit something or someone that is moving in a different direction from you
congested-full of traffic
gridlock-a situation in which streets in a city are so full of cars that they cannot move
grounded-of an aircraft or pilot, prevented from flying
impassable-a road, path or area that is impassable is impossible to travel along or through
jetlag-the tired and confused feeling that you can get after flying a very long distance,
especially because of the difference in time between the place you left and the place you
arrived at
puncture-a small hole made accidentally in a tyre
seize up-if an engine or part of a machine seizes up, its moving parts stop working and can
no longer move, for example because of lack of oil
be shipwrecked-if someone is shipwrecked, they are in a boat or ship when it is destroyed in
an accident
be stranded-a person or vehicle that is stranded is unable to move from the place where
they are
write-off-a vehicle that has been so badly damaged that it can never be used again
scam-a clever but dishonest way to get money
see through-to realise that (someone) is trying to deceive you
bogus-not true or real, although someone is trying to make you think it is
be taken in-to be completely deceived by someone who lies to you
ruse-a clever trick used to deceive someone
ploy-a clever and dishonest way of tricking someone so that you can get an advantage
scammer-someone who deceives someone in order to get money from them
gullible-too ready to believe what other people tell you, so that you are easily tricked
streetwise-able to deal with the dangerous situations and people that are common in some
cities and towns
discerning-showing the ability to make good judgements, especially about art, music, style
etc.
lure-to persuade (someone) to do something, especially something wrong or dangerous, by
making it seem attractive or exciting
dupe-to trick or deceive (someone)
rip off-to charge (someone) too much money for something, or sell someone a product that
is faulty
vigilant-giving careful attention to what is happening, so that you will notice any danger or
illegal activity
purport-to claim (to be or do something), even if this is not true
con-a trick to get someone’s money or make them do something
con artist-someone who tricks or deceives people in order to get money from them
above board-honest and legal
prey on-to try to deceive or harm (weaker people)
debtor-a person, group or organisation that owes money
collateral-property or other goods that you promise to give someone if you cannot pay back
the money they lend you
default-to fail to pay money that you owe at the right time
creditor-a person, bank or company that you owe money to
repossess-to take back (cars, furniture or property) from people who had arranged to pay for
them over a long time, but cannot now continue to pay for them
credit rating-a judgement made by a bank or other company about how likely a person or
business is to pay their debts
depreciate-to decrease in value or price
appreciate-to gradually become more valuable over a period of time
assets-things that an individual or a company owns, that can be sold to pay debts
hedge fund-an organisation that makes investments for people and organisations with large
amounts of money, in ways that often involve big risks
speculate-to buy goods, property, shares in a company etc., hoping that you will make a
large profit when you sell them
write off-to officially say that (a debt) no longer has to be paid, or officially accept that you
cannot get back (money you have spent or lost)
bond-an official document promising that a government or company will pay back money
that it has borrowed, often with interest
commodities-products that are bought and sold
derivatives-a type of financial investment
stocks and shares-the equal parts into which the ownership of a company is divided
out of your depth-involved in a situation or activity that is too difficult for you to understand or
deal with
totally incompetent-not having the slightest ability or skill to do a job properly
an aptitude for-a natural ability or skill in (a particular occupation, skill etc.)
an innate ability-a level of skill at doing something that you are born with
rusty-if you are rusty, you are not as good at something as you used to be, because you
have not practised it for a long time
clueless-having no understanding or knowledge of something – used to show disapproval
all-rounder-someone with many different skills
versatile-someone who is versatile has many different skills
turn your hand to-to do (something) well, even if it is the first time you have tried
computer illiterate-unable to use a computer
tech-savvy-knowing a lot about modern technology and how to use it
novice-someone who has no experience in a skill, subject or activity
learn the basics-to learn the most important and necessary facts about something, from
which other possibilities and ideas may develop
get by-to manage something at a basic level
proficient at-able to do (something) well or skilfully
accomplished-an accomplished writer, painter, singer etc. is very skilful
adept at-good at (something that needs care and skill)
a natural-someone who is good at doing something without having to try hard or practise
inept-not good at doing something
rebuttal-proof that a statement or a charge made against you is false
counterargument-a set of reasons that show that the opposite is true, right etc., based on an
argument that has been presented
show of hands-a vote taken by counting the raised hands of the people at a meeting
rhetorical skills-the ability to use speech or writing in special ways in order to persuade
people or to produce an impressive effect
substance-the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing
eloquently-expressing your ideas and opinions well, especially in a way that influences
people
coherently-if a piece of writing, set of ideas etc. is presented coherently, it is easy to
understand because it is clear and reasonable
questions from the floor-questions asked by the people attending a public meeting
chair-the position of being in charge of a meeting or committee, or the person who is in
charge of it
motion-a proposal that is made formally at a meeting, and then is usually decided on by
voting
ground rules-the basic rules or principles on which future actions or behaviour should be
based
refute-to say that (a statement) is wrong or unfair
sway-to influence (someone) so that they change their opinion