The Last Word on Consumerism

Collocations

conspicuous consumption

valuable goods

avid shopper

offer a spectacle

arresting spectacle

marketing people

a state of victimhood

passive victimhood

ever-increasing amount

advertising industry

create a desire

false desire

brand name

the high street

mortifying reading

marketing executive

a chorus of commentators

crumbs of pleasure

flicker of television …

TV dinner

evidence in support of sth

data suggest

profound source

supply a consolation/salvation

language springs to mind

provide a joy

give sb/sth coherence

give sb/sth meaning

shared language

navigate the world

teach a dogma

consider logic

social place

exhilaratingly robust

achieve a degree

achieve swiftly

water supply

cliché of clichés

Syntax

noun + of leisure

manipulate sb into noun/gerund

at behest

make sb + bare infinitive

be made + full infinitive

turn sb into sth

the way + inf is + inf

conspiracy + inf

let + bare inf

be engulfed in sth

scamper after sth

both … and …

do + bare infinitive

claim to sth

key to sth

sth is what matters

sth so + adj that

the very cliché of clichés

be worth + gerund

be on offer

in the sale

Word Building

reputability ← repute, reputable

oppression, suppress ← press

skilful ← skill

victimhood ← victim

endlessly ← end

aimlessly ← aim

ever-increasing ← increase

rivalry ← rival

commodification ← commodity

orthodoxy ← orthodox

executive ← execute

creature, creativity ← create

happiness ← happy

commentator ← comment

philosopher ← philosophy

consciousness ← conscious

conspiracy ← conspire

unnecessary ← necessary, need

unhealthy ← health

consumerism, consumer, consumption ← consume

advertiser, advertising, advertisement ← advertise

consolation ← console

religious ← religion

ownership ← own

contemptible ← contempt

naturally ← nature

amusingly ← amuse

cogently ← cogent

possession ← possess

evaluate ← value

democratic ← democracy

priesthood ← priest

recognizable ← recognize

precisely ← precise

intangible ← tangible

satisfying ← satisfy

economically ← economy

kindness ← kind

wisdom ← wise

affection ← affect

Idioms/Phrasal Verbs

at one’s nakedest

not least

the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table

in the meantime

leave sb alone

leave out of sth

the last word (on sth)

Unit 3

Use of English

what makes sb tick

reality show

be a stranger to sb

given + noun

react to sb

viewer

vote for sb

conflicting personality

varied background

sense of humour

profile

hopeful contestant

sum up sb/sth

take sth too far

idealistic

conscientious

a strong sense of right and wrong

well-organised

a sense of order

bring sth to sth

ambitious

it doesn’t matter

get on

give sb a high profile

make sure

take advantage (of sth/sb)

quiet

honest

sensitive

self-conscious

take somebody out of himself/ herself

mind sth

confident

curious

be part of sth

independent

think for oneself

taciturn

be happy with one’s own company

join in sth

trustworthy

supportive

trouble-shooter

argument

reliable

keep sth serious

playful

high-spirited

undisciplined

impatient

suffer fools gladly

not suffer fools gladly

introvert

extravert

enjoy oneself

quick-tempered

assertive

self-opinionated

why would/should sb …?

get away with sth

bring sb in line

(bring sb) in line

think positively

sociable

confrontational

trample over sb/sth

empathise with sb

caring

empathetic

sincere

warm-hearted

sentimental

feel at home

sensible

sensitive

sympathise with sb

***

bring sb/sth with sb

voluntary

helpful

the chances are that

on the phone

compulsory

do sth as part of sth

sort out a problem

keep sth to oneself

be(come) withdrawn

more than usual

do sth about sth

work sth trhough

practical information

straightaway

there’s a right time for sth

force sth/sb on sb

bring it back to sb/sth

go on about sth

be there for sb

***

turn round

laugh sth off

be embarrassed

stop sb from + ing

stand out in a crowd

cast list

mistake sb for sb

awkward

be/get mildly irritated

be/get fed up with sth/sb

get sth wrong

choose carefully

sound like sb/sth

do a research

without (much) success

happen + inf

at reception

fit the bill perfectly

stand sth

make fun of sb

long + inf

in one's late teens/twenties

go out with sb

get one's tongue round

split up

sth sticks

hearb sb do/doing sth

that is/was the end of sth

posh name

carry status

recruitment agency

work for sb

foreign sounding name

complicated name

get an interview

flood in

make sb redundant

newsreader

do the trick

go through a divorce

devote sth to sth/sb

make a snap decision

lack relevance

emotional relevance

tease sb

introduce oneself to sb

that was that

apply for a job

take sth/sb seriously

on .. day in a job

***

sincere apology

tread on sth

cultural attitude

gender difference

personal relationship

acknowledge sth

owe a debt of gratitude to sb

self-righteous

past mistake

unsuccessful apology

feel uncomfortable

say sorry

regard sth/sb as sth/sb

sign of weakness

be quoted + inf

apologise for sth to sb

inappropriate behaviour

learn sth from sb/sth

office worker

minor disagreement

in the workplace

blame sb for sth

interpersonal difficulty

grow into sth

small argument

major problem

sulk

admit that one is/was wrong

minor office feud

get back at sb

mislead sb about sth

lead sb +inf

question sth

come easily to sb

match noun

magnificent gift

admit a mistake

powerful

please sb

glib

real feeling

polite formula

social situation

heartfelt

take sth + inf

back down

lose an argument

be guilty of sth/-ing

sth is in the past

times are changing

counselor

vulnerable

increase respect for sb

diminish respect

particularly

be bad at sth/-ing

committed

single-minded

change one’s mind

hurt sb’s feelings

be not the case

rush into the position of + -ing

do sth wrong

when it comes to sth/sb

balance of power

one-way street

re-evaluate sth

be willing to do sth

be angry with sb over sth

merit sth

outburst

prepare the terrain for sb

be healthy for sb + inf

get sth wrong

fallible

point sth out

psychotherapist

conduct a seminar

effective means of/for sth

resolve a dispute

large percentage

fill a lawsuit against sb

co-worker

employee

give an apology

stubborn

considering

it’s not suprising

arise out of sth

trivial matter

escalate into sth

complain to sb about sth

by the same token

be big

accept an apology

be responsible for sth

promulgate a lie

come + inf

misinformation

enable sth/sb + inf

loving relationship

be all about sth/-ing

path to sth

mean it

increase the potency

rewarding

***

work out a compromise

copy sth off the Internet

cheat

act naturally

behave badly

change of arrangement

take revenge on sb

seek + inf

get even with sb

deeply rooted

human nature

desire for sth

confront sb

work out a solution

highly evolved

instinctive reaction

be wronged

act of revenge

forgive and forget

settle a problem through

negotiation/confrontation

positive move

work through negative emotions

risk +-ng

find oneself in a situation

rapidly get out of hand

explain one’s feelings

be down (of a network)

***

stranger

acquaintance

siblings

it looks to me as if

my guess is that

I get the impression that

on second thoughts

I wouldn’t be surprised if

long-term relationship

young couple

be in a relationship

***

the truth behind sth

know instinctively

genuine smile

scientific basis for sth

recent research + suggest

recognize whether

put a smile on for show

long-term tradition

set out + inf

stimulate a muscle

facial muscle

thereby

false smile

be associated with sth

contractions of a muscle

induce sth artificially

facial expression

reaction to sth

monitor sth

happy face

eye area

tell-tale crinkle

sad face

neutral face

distinguish between sth and sth

make an assessment

play a role in sth

serve as sth

gesture of conciliation

offer a truce

***

tough cookie

Scrooge

high flyer

killjoy

Jekyll and Hyde

busybody

Peter Pan

cold fish

Walter Mitty

wannabe

sponger

dark horse

Unit 6

typical everyday argument

serious issue

resolve an issue

have the same/different ideas about sth

unreasonable condition

impose a condition

give some/no ground

win an argument

strategy for sth/-ing sth

reduce anxiety

parental anxiety

counter sth with sth

logical argument

convince sb of sth

continued need for sth

recall sth

reach a compromise (solution)

remain calm

be home by …

persuade sb + inf

get inside sb’s head

in the first place

come up with a solution

sensible solution

reassure sb

get a cab home

exactly the sort of thing

As long as you live under my roof you’ll live by my rules.

classic phrase

lose an argument

lay down a law

for no reason

go mental

stay cool

be reasonable

that way

sound mature

scream at sb

annoying

do homework

get into trouble

strike a deal

do chores

mate

hate it when …

ridiculously + adj

baggy jeans

midriff-baring top

some down to sth

It’s not that big a deal.

cause a fight

back down

obvious

avoid an argument

what + (aux.v) + subject + look like

dig sth out

be likely/unlikely/sure + inf

unsuitable clothes

feel hypocritical + -ing

what it feels like + inf

be judged by one’s appearance

why should/would I …?

raise allowance

tricky

equally + adj/part

leave sb with sth

get sth

off (of) sb

weigh up advantages and disadvantages

think sth through

sound irresponsible

get a raise

interfere with sth

score points with sb

get one’s priorities right

***

married couple

have a good influence on sb

be/remain/appear unaffected by sb/sth

social pressures

be sensitive to sth

well-mannered

untypical bahaviour

babysitter

view sth/sb

provide sb with an opportunity

challenge authority

mark a turning point in sth

turn down an offer

give some/no reason for sth

reveal sb’s attitude towards sb

accuse sb of sth/-ing

give false information

strict parent

believe in sth

discipline

good manners

be flabbergasted at sth

manage sth

against the background of sth

peer group

expect sth of sb

run riot

get away with sth

be embarrassed

there’s nothing wrong with sth/-ing

boisterous

when the moment’s right

social skill

pick up on sth

have effect on sb/sth

row

bomb about

be used to + -ing

end up + -ing

keep an eye on sb

pop smw

put it to sb that

for half the price

spiel

and all that

check sth out on the Internet

find a trace of sth

get the message

all right

from then on

***

be cross with sb

small/large family

refer to

congratulate on

pay for/to

apologise for/to

result in

concentrate on

boast about

benefit from

coincide with

refrain from

suffer from

specialize in

insist on

confide in

confess to

react to

apply for/to

compare with/to

contrast with

worry about/for

learn about/from

strong influence

influence + long last

it’s claimed that

background

play an important role in sth

successful relationship

be up to sb + inf

decide on the truth of sth

upbringing

determine sth

relate to sb

according to sb/sth

relationship expert

difficult family life

impact on sth/sb verb

be dictated by sth

be convince by sth

lead inevitably to sth

make friends

choose a partner

have a say in sth

be satisfied with sth

make a choice

bottom line

remind sb about/of sth

complain to sb about sth

hear about/from sb

for ages

agree on/with sth

arrive late for sth

dinner party

be understanding

***

rambling

typical of sth/sb

extended family

nuclear family

unmarried

suburban villa

no question of –ing

move in with sb

in-laws

following sth

independent-minded

be fun

on one’s own

rent a place

camera operator for a channel

financial journalist

brand new

purchase a flat

spring up

multi-national company

set up headquarters

set up call centres

undeveloped area

south of sth

forsake a system

joint-family system

shifting social mores

push sb towards

home ownership

driver of a trend

evolving business

give sb access to sth

home loan

rising employment

mobile workforce

pursue a career

take on a job

in droves

give rise to sth

Dinks = double income, no kids

cover a monthly mortgage payment

go against convention

break with established tradition

peer pressure

be instrumental in –ing

account for

argue in favour of sth

flexible structure

provide an explanation for sth

marked change

undermine traditional family patterns

the more the merrier

be set + inf

make a comeback

carry out research

research + reveal

move out of sth

booming prices

student loan

pay back a loan

afford the cost of sth

residential care

bond with sb

do childcare

old folks

in return for sth

look after sb

set-up

be (not) all good news

heyday

contribute to sth

stern

Victorian

in part

rightful owner

head of the household

tenant

little more than

wroght-iron nameplate

bear a name

vanish

front gate

never to be seen again

guest speaker

whole unexpected

allow sb sth

self-worth

gain from sth

fragmented family

cult of sth

self-fulfillment

basic social unit

throughout history

reside swh

household

cite a study

contentment

lifelong romance with sb

spouse

largely

be characterized by sth

be bound by duty

quest for sth

economically productive

respected work

help with chores

raise children

excerpt

grow apart

romance + wear off

maintain (a web of) relationships with sb

sibling

in contrast

move to the suburbs

find oneself + adj/part

be isolated from sb/sth

long-term relationship

be forced into sth

inescapable

intimacy

source of conversation

responsive

share a feeling

discontent

focus on sth

seek + inf

challenge a prediction

inaccurate in its findings research

anecdote

unreasonable

be aware of sth

tensions

come as a surprise to sb

confirm sth

contradict sth

reconsider a/one’s belief

emphasize a point

reduce sb’s status

put pressure on sth

be well-documented

fundamentally affect

challenge the importance of sth

have an effect on sb

unmatchable

drift away

marriage + break up

carry on

share a life

memories + remain with sb

Unit 4

reach an understanding of sth

logical

be out of a job

reference to sth/sb

in other words

need for sth

experimentation

experiment

hypothesis

verification

excitement

come from sth

unexpected

findings

throw sth up

predict the outcome of sth

why bother + bare inf

observe sth/sb

measure sth

attempt + inf

make sense of sth

create a model

predict sth

be it … or …

working of sth

what is called

reductionist approach

break sth down into sth

simplest component

behave in some way

lead to sth

ever-increasing knowledge

have the potential for sth

be responsible for sth/sb

maximize sth

the former

the latter

at the expense of sth/sb

for the most part

discovery

use for the benefit of sb

humankind

***

randomly

for a reason

be positive/negative about sth

Murphy’s Law

spread jam on a piece of bread

accidentally

dictate

annoyingly

be coated with sth

drive hastily

reach a date

for the first time

break down (about a car)

engineer with + organization/company

Air Force

coin a term

tolerance to sth

human being

ejection

jet aircraft

project + involve

accelerate sth/sb to a speed

volunteer passenger

in excess of

sensor

glue sth to sth

attach sth

get stuck

(on) the wrong way round

project manager

keep a list

deem

be vital to sth

be integral to sth

aviation industry

manufacturing industry

pick up on sth

be included in a dictionary

two-pin plug

(a)symmetrical

label sth

this way up

sth matters

plug sth in

make sth + adj + in shape

this is not to say that

have some/little/no use

be irrelevant to sth

sod

be derived form sth

catastrophic

poor soul

countless

draw noun, verb

fancy sth

tot

pedigree

scientific evidence

be down to sth

alarm clock + go off

ultrareliable

register an occasion

cause a problem

start smoothly

sad fact/truth

run out of sth

hitch-hike

petrol station

oncoming traffic

from behind

drive on the right/wrong side of the road

scientific application

basic premise

work on a basis

eliminate a possibility

disaster

failure

trust probability

be around

walk the planet

make one’s way

be confronted by sth

take a route

safety

ambush

go wrong

result in sth

catastrophe

throwaway comment

drop … side down

integral part

wide spectrum

technical culture

employ a law

act upon sth

circle

principle

defensive design

pronounce

shortly afterwards

safety record

put down to sth

circumvent

folk variant

refer to sth

finagle

be popularized

science fiction

depict sth

frontier culture

miner

worship sth/sb

prophet

look (up)on sth

be associated with sth

precise technique

sensible technique

stresses of modern life

new-fangled technology

***

make a discovery

by chance

mishap

make a breakthrough

by accident

mould

Petri dish

fluke

… years previously

bacteria sample

sterile

it is/was this that

give sb an idea

compound

show resistance to sth

bacterial growth

anaesthetic

come about

carnation

bloom

botanist

greenhouse

light sth

be the reason

incredible property

be exposed to sth

according to legend

accidentally

be contaminated by sth

sap

particular

miraculously

x-ray

vital tool

diagnostic tool

physicist

cathode

gas tube

be wrapped in sth

show up on a screen

fluorescent

human skeleton

record sth on a photographic negative

***

debate sth

latest discovery

genetics

special interest

evolution

put sth in a category

popular science

academic work

obsession with sth

breeding experiment

medieval times

racy style

no one can deny that

thorough research

follow up a lead

ancient manuscript

focus of a book

give an insight in sth

breed sb

transfer genes from … to …

produce sth

DNA

it is this fact that

justify a claim

make a claim

book’s cover

cover reads

genetically engineered

hype

precise meaning

until long after sth

environmental factor

determine sth

partly

diet + be made up of sth

carotenoid

go red

enjoy sth all the way through

book’s ending

come as a disappointment to sb

judge sth by the standards of today/the time

a good read

highly recommended

***

fancy seeing sb here

initially

compared to sth

graduate appointment

to be honest

bother sb

prospects are there

move up a grade

review a post

Any regrets?

challenging

be well equipped

get sb doing sth

do an experiment

take sb out on a trip

be fun

get back in touch with sb

dead keen

come in with sth

the bottom line

stick to a curriculum

be in trouble

broaden one’s horizons

Any news of sb?

start a family

job share

obvious idea

do a term on/off

be surprised by sth

keep calm

no big deal

hurdle

go from … to …

strong character

downside

make a snap decision

map sth out in advance

unambitious

when it comes to sth

work commitment

white-water rafting

hold the fort

resilient

spat

hassle-free

there sb is/was

read a meter

at the back of sth

go everywhere (of a liquid)

clear sth up

no way

make excuses

come clean

unreliable

have issues with sb

be straight with sb

***

hold one’s breath

footballer

have a risk of injury

twist one’s ankle/knee

pull a muscle

warm up

make a (good) living

hack into a computer

personal information

get sth illegally

bookmark a page

prioritise sth

make the best use of sth

conduct an experiment on sb

test/try sth on sb

utterly hilarious

bitterly disappointed with sth

reaction to sth

hugely successful

approach to sth

deeply grateful

enormously impressed

completely absorbed in sth

take a holiday

express one’s point of view

provide proof of identity

a pack of lies

a twist of fate

develop a sense of curiosity

be not rocket science

root of the problem

come out of the blue

foot the bill

be not exact science

hear from sb

totally unexpected

take a risk with sth

precise

prediction of profit

***

test one’s knowledge

test out a theory

take sth over

little chance of sth/-ing

funding for further research

research into some matter/a subject

grab a coffee

climb to top of the stairs

elderly

be short of breath

do further research

block sth

finance committee

total eclipse

block out sth

overturned vehicle

buy sth in bulk

get a special deal from a supplier

invest sth in sth

global warming

in the dark

no big deal

weather + deteriorate

turn back

pass through sth

see sth on one’s left/right

turn sth over

on the back

be in the process of –ing

apply for a job with …

pharmaceutical company

extract sth from sth

at a stage

Date: 2015-12-17; view: 458