Unit 4 Personality and life

01. Procrastinate

(V - I) to

keep delaying something that must be done, often because it is unpleasant or boring

Example: I know I've got to deal with the problem at some point - I'm just procrastinating.
02. To

put sth off (P.V.) to

decide or arrange to delay an event or activity until a later time or date

Example: They decided to put the wedding off until his brother had returned from Brazil. Example: The meeting has been put off for a week. - I can't put off going to the dentist any longer.
03. Time

wasters (N - C) a person

or thing that wastes time.

Example: He's a time waster.

04. To

achieve (V-T) to

succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim, especially after a lot of work or effort

Example: She finally achieved her ambition to visit South America.

To succeed (V-I) If

you succeed, you achieve something that you have been aiming for, and if a plan or piece of work succeeds, it has the results that you wanted Example: She finally achieved her ambition to visit South America.
Aim (N-C) a result

that your plans or actions are intended to achieve

Example: My main aim in life is to be a good husband and father.

05. To

overcome (V- I or T) to

defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something

Example: He overcame all obstacles in his path to the top.

06. The

jitters (N) a feeling

of nervousness which you experience before something important happens

Example: I always get the jitters the morning before an exam.

07. To

cope with sth (V-I) to deal

successfully with a difficult situation

Example: It must be difficult to cope with three small children and a job.
08. To

not have or not have enough of something that is needed or wanted. Remember that when lack is a verb it is never followed by 'of'. Example: We are lacking three members of staff due to illness.

lack sth (V-T) to

09. Self-esteem

(N-U) belief

and confidence in your own ability and value.

Example: She suffers from low self-esteem and it prevents her from pursuing her goals.
10. To

bite your tongue to

stop yourself from saying something which you would really like to say

Example: I wanted to tell him exactly what I thought of him, but I had to bite my tongue.

11. To

confide in sb (P.V.) to

share your feelings and secrets with someone because you trust them not to tell other people

Example: She's nice, but I don't feel I can confide in her

12. To

gossip (V-I) to

talk about other people's private lives

Example: I wouldn't tell her your secrets - you know how she likes to gossip.
13. To

follow sth through to do

something as the next part of an activity or period of development

Example: The essay started interestingly, but failed to follow through (its argument).
14. A

shortcoming (N-C) a fault

or a failure to reach a particular standard

Example: Like any political system, it has its shortcomings.

15. To

do/run errands to

go out to buy or do something

Example: After school he runs errands for his father.

16. Due

(N) the

official payments that you make to an organization you belong to

Example: Members of the society pay $1000 in annual dues.

Due (A)

expected to happen, arrive, etc. at a particular time

Example: The present chairman is due to retire next month. What time is the next bus due?
Give sb their due (N) said

when you are praising someone for something good they have done, although you dislike

other things about them Example: He failed again, but to give him his due, he did try hard.
17. To

be aware (A) knowing that

something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing

Example: I'm very much aware of the problem. I suddenly became aware of (started to notice) him looking at me.
18.

Draw breath

to pause for a moment to allow your breathing to become calmer and easier

Example: Give me a moment to draw breath, won't you? If you say two things in the same breath, you say two things that are so different that if one is true, the other must be false You say you're bored and frustrated but in the same breath say you're resigned to staying in the same job.
In the same breath
19. To

hang out (P.V.)

to spend a lot of time in a place or with someone

having and wanted by most people

Example: You still hang out at the pool hall? I've been hanging out backstage with the band.
20. Desirable

(A) worth

Example: Surely a diplomatic solution is more desirable than war. It's regarded as a highly desirable job.
21. To

demand sth to

ask for something forcefully, in a way that shows that you do not expect to be refused

Example: I demanded an explanation. He has always demanded the highest standards of behavior from his children.

22. Advisability

(N-U) they discussed

the advisability of building so near to the airport.

If something is advisable, it will avoid problems if you do it. It's advisable to book seats at least a week in advance.
23. To

grab to

take the opportunity to get, use or enjoy something quickly

Example: If you don't grab this opportunity, you might not get another one.
24. A

deadline (N-C) a time

or day by which something must be done

Example: There's no way I can meet that deadline. Example: We're working to a tight deadline (We don`t have much time to finish the work
25. To

cut sth off to

remove a part of something to make it smaller or shorter, using a sharp tool such as a knife

Example: Remember to cut off the fat before you fry the steak.
To cut sth off (P.V.) to

stop providing something such as electricity, supplies, etc.

Example: to stop providing something such as electricity, supplies, etc.

Cut sb/sth off (P.V.) to

cause a person or place to become separate, or cause someone to be or feel alone

When his wife died, he cut himself off from other people. Many villages have been cut off by the heavy snow.
Cutoff (N-C) the

act of stopping the supply of something

Example: The US has announced a cutoff of military aid to the country.

26. Hectic

full of activity; very busy and fast

Example: a hectic schedule. The area has become a haven for people tired of the hectic pace of city life.
27. To

succeed in arranging your life so that you have time to involve yourself in two or more different activities or groups of people Example: Many parents find it hard to juggle children and a career.
To juggle (V-T) to

juggle (V-T) to

change results or information recorded as numbers so that a situation seems to be better that it really is Example: It won't matter if we juggle the figures - no one will know.
28. To

contribute (V-T or I) to

give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with

other people Example: Aren't you going to contribute towards Jack's leaving present?
Contribute to sth (P.V.) to

help to cause an event or situation

Example: Smoking contributed to his early death.

29. To

simplify (V-T) to

make something less complicated and therefore easier to do or understand

Example: the new simplified tax system He tried to simplify the story for the younger audience.

30. A

non-profit organization (A) describes

an organization which does not make a profit, usually intentionally

Example: Charities are non-profit-making organizations and get tax relief.

31. Wisely

(Adv.) showing good

judgment

Example: Sian had very wisely left the party before all the trouble started.
32. To

be stressed out (A) worried

and nervous

Example: She's been feeling very stressed since she started her new job. I was really stressed out before the exam.
33. To

involve to

include someone or something in something, or to make them take part in or feel part of it

Her job involves filing and other general office work. She's been involved with animal rights for many years.
34. To

you downsize a company or organization, you make it smaller by reducing the number of people working for it, and if it downsizes, it becomes smaller in this way

downsize If

To downsize your workforce/company The plight of the Asian economy is forcing businesses to downsize
35. To

delegate (V-T or I) to give

a particular job, duty, right, etc. to someone else so that they do it for you

Example: As a boss you have to delegate (responsibilities to your staff). Example: Authority to make financial decisions has been delegated to a special committee. (T+object+to infinitive) to choose or elect someone to speak, vote, etc. for a group, especially at a meeting Example: A group of four teachers were delegated to represent the school at the union conference.
Delegate
36. To

do something illegal or something that is considered wrong Example: He was sent to prison for a crime that he didn't commit. succeed in talking to someone on the telephone Example: I tried to phone her but couldn't get through. I got through to the wrong department.
Get through sth to get through to

commit (V-T) to

37. To

succeed in an examination or competition

Example: She got through her exams without too much trouble.
Get through sth to

use up or finish something

Example: We're getting through a lot of coffee/toilet paper.

I can get through a lot more work when I'm on my own.

Use sth up (P.V.) to

finish a supply of something

Example: Don't use up all the milk, we need some for breakfast. The Earth's resources are being used up at an alarming rate.