art deco: the style of the buildings elegant: stylish in appearance energy-efficient: energy saving an eyesore: a thing that is very ugly, especially a building. pleasing geometric forms: well-designed patterns skyscraper: a very tall building of many storeys well-designed: designed beautifully a masterpiece: extremely beautiful multi-storey: having many stores tear down: to demolish dismantle: to…
go bankrupt: to be unable to pay one’s debts extravagant: a habit of spending more frugal: simple which costs you less mortgage: convey (a property) to a creditor as security on a loan exorbitant: unreasonably high priced good bargain: a good deal Run over: to exceed a planned amount of money or time Pay off…
to be called for an interview: to be invited to attend an interview a heavy workload: to have a lot of work to do a high-powered job: an important or powerful job job satisfaction: the feeling of enjoying a job semi-skilled: neither skilled nor unskilled blue-collar worker: manual labor workers freelance: self-employed demanding job: a…
Populism: a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. gender-non-binary: not associated with a specific gender extremists: a person who holds extreme political or religious views, especially one who advocates illegal, violent, or other extreme action. power struggle: a clash for power riots:…
breakthrough: a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development. technophobe: a person who fears, dislikes, or avoids new technology. technophile: a person who is enthusiastic about new technology. cutting-edge: highly advanced; innovative or pioneering. shutdown: a closure of a factory or system, typically a temporary closure due to a fault or for maintenance. inventions: the…
Ease off: Reduce pressure: She EASED OFF the accelerator to let the car slow down. Eat away: Destroy slowly: The disease EATS the liver AWAY. Eat out: Eat in a restaurant: We couldn’t be bothered to cook so we ATE OUT last night. Egg on: Encourage: The other students EGGED him ON when he started…
Dawn on: Finally realise or understand something: The truth only DAWNED ON me much later. Deal in: Do business, trade: She DEALS IN paintings. Decide upon: Choose, select: Jane spent a long time looking at houses before she bought one, but eventually DECIDED UPON one near her office. Die for: Want something a lot: I’m…
Call forth: Make something happen: The protests CALLED FORTH a strong reaction from the police. Calm down: Stop being angry or emotionally excited: When I lose my temper, it takes ages for me to CALM DOWN again. Carried away: Get so emotional that you lose control: The team got CARRIED AWAY when they won the…
Ball up: Confuse or make things complicated: The new project has BALLED me UP- I have no idea what to do. Bank on: Count or rely on: I’m BANKING ON your help; I can’t do it alone. Bargain down: Persuade someone to drop the price of something they’re selling: I BARGAINED her DOWN to half…