Advanced everyday english: Advanced vocabulary, phrasal verbs, idioms and expressions - Collins Steven 2011
Lesson Three. To bring out
Chapter Three
i. (To produce, publish something, i.e. book, CD etc.)
Examples:
✵ A: I’m baffled as to why he didn’t bring out this book much earlier.
B: Perhaps he felt it might rub certain people up the wrong way.
✵ Apparently, they have a backlog of about a hundred previously unreleased songs of his which they hope to bring out this Christmas.
ii. (To encourage someone to be less shy, to draw out—see Chapter 2, page 20)
Example:
✵ It’s really quite enlightening. Who would have guessed that your prudish mother would be the only one who could bring her out (of her shell) and talk her into discussing her sexual problems?
iii. (To cause a particular type of behaviour or sentiment in someone which is not normally seen—often used with “best” or “worst” followed by “in”)
Examples:
✵ We thought that our relationship had a lot going for it, but unfortunately it has recently dawned on us that we bring out the worst in each other....and that we’re just clutching at straws trying to keep up appearances.
✵ His outlook on life became much more positive when the business started to get going. It really has brought out the optimist in him.
iv. (To expose the qualities of someone or something, such as a writer/composer or a piece of music/drama)
Examples:
✵ I had underrated her piano playing in the past but now I realise what I was missing out on: she brings out Mozart’s subtlety beautifully.
✵ The actors seemed to shrug off the criticism that they had failed to bring out the play’s humour; mind you, a couple of them were clearly put out by the fact that it had not received a single rave review.
By and large (Mostly/On the whole)
Examples:
✵ By and large, the people in this town can make ends meet, but the outlook is quite depressing.
✵ We have, by and large, achieved our financial targets for this year but we mustn't allow ourselves to be lulled into a false sense of security.
Bland (Without character or flavour, superficial, unexciting—especially food or music)
Examples:
✵ When I was pregnant, I couldn’t handle spicy food. I usually stuck, to bland yoghurts and pasta, which were hardly exciting by any stretch of the imagination.
✵ N\y brother grew out of heavy rock music in his twenties. Since then he has gone for a much blander sound and his friends have written him off as an old bore.
To corner the market (To dominate/Take control of a certain market so that one’s competitors have little chance of success in this field)
Examples:
✵ I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that if we go through with these plans, we will have cornered the entire computer software market by this time next year.
✵ After our product line had undergone a complete change of design, we thought we would corner the market. We didn’t know what we were letting ourselves in for at the time, and now looking back, we should have weighed up our options more thoroughly.
Complacent (Too satisfied with oneself so that one has a feeling that it is not necessary to try to improve, make an effort or worry about anything—note the noun “complacency”)
Examples:
✵ This year’s turnover is the best we’ve ever had but we can’t afford to be complacent; there’s too much at stake.
✵ Since he has been top of the class, he has become complacent about his exams. I think he’s going about them in the wrong way.
✵ We won’t stand for complacency in this firm. Don’t for one moment think that your promotion is a foregone conclusion.
To turn off
i. (To switch off the supply of electricity, water or gas)
Example:
✵ Don’t you think you should turn the TV off and get on with some work? These bland game shows bring out your lazy streak.
ii. (To take a road going away from the main road which one is travelling along) Examples
✵ I’m baffled as to why Dad always turns off here. Surely he’d be better off going straight on and dodging the hold-ups on the A3?
iii. (To disgust someone, to make someone feel uninterested—especially in a sexual sense-note the noun “turn- off’ and see Practical Everyday English, page 160 for the opposite “to turn on” and the noun “turn-on’) Examples:
✵ Wife to husband:
Do you know that it really turns me off when I see you biting your nails? I thought you would have grown out of that childish habit by now.
✵ A: He’ll probably come out with some nonsense about marriage being a turn-off.
В: I wouldn’t put it past him!
To be the laughing stock (To be the person, team, country etc. whom everyone makes fun of/laughs at-especially when he/it has previously been considered to be the best or very important)
Examples:
✵ If you go by what the experts are saying, the outlook for English tennis is not very promising. We have been the laughing stock of world tennis for far too long.
✵ As a young actor it was reckoned that he had a lot going for him and was apparently highly sought-after. However, the goings-on which have recently come to light have made him the laughing stock of the theatre.
To bear in mind (To consider or note, not to forget about a certain fact or person)
Examples:
✵ / know she has been a bit touchy lately, but you have to bear in mind what she’s been through during the last year.
✵ He came in for a lot of stick over the way he handled his personal life, but the directors have promised they will bear him in mind when the position of Vice Chairman comes up at the end of the year.
Streetwise (Used to describe a person who, through experience, has become aware of the dangers and risks of life/business/people who should not be trusted)
Examples:
✵ Saying my brother isn’t streetwise is an understatement. Any fool could take him in.
✵ A: Survival in this city boils down to how streetwise you are.
B: I’ll vouch for that!
To touch on (To mention something only briefly)
Examples:
✵ I’d like to pick up on some of the points we touched on last time. I know many of you feel uneasy about this subject, but it’s not something that’s just going to blow over.
✵ The Prime Minister refused to be put on the spot and just touched on the matter, assuring the journalists present that plans were in the pipeline to get the road-building work going as soon as possible.
“Saying my brother isn’t streetwise is an understatement. Any fool could take him in.”
(see page 46)