Lesson Three. Amid/Amidst - Chapter Four

Advanced everyday english: Advanced vocabulary, phrasal verbs, idioms and expressions - Collins Steven 2011

Lesson Three. Amid/Amidst
Chapter Four

Examples:

✵ It was a foregone conclusion that amid the chaos last week, we would lose track of time.

✵ It is said, off the record, that amidst all the rumours going around about his affairs, he has also come in for a lot of stick over his business dealings.

Unwittingly/lnadvertently (Without realising, unaware)

Examples:

✵ Unwittingly, I left her stranded in the kitchen with a handful of very noisy children. She wasn’t really in her element.

✵ I thought my wallet had gone astray but, inadvertently, I had left it on the table.

To get something out of one’s system (To do/say something one has always wanted to do/say, so that it is no longer on one’s mind, therefore making one feel better)

Examples:

✵ I had been feeling distraught at the thought of what I had to say to the boss, but now I’ve got it out of my system, I can relish the challenge of being given greater responsibility in the future.

✵ She has always wanted to travel and, once her visa comes through, she will be able to get it out of her system.

Unrest (Civil disturbance-often caused by the public’s unhappiness with the economic or political state of affairs in their country)

Example:

✵ The Government have to weigh up whether or not it’s worth risking civil unrest over such a sensitive issue.

✵ Everything seems to be up in the air at the moment, but amidst the fears of an economic downturn, there is bound to be industrial unrest unless the matter is resolved quickly.

To take the mickey out of someone (To mock/tease/make fun of someone) Slang

Examples:

✵ Don’t take the mickey out of him because you might rub him up the wrong way.

✵ She doesn’t like people taking the mickey out of her dad’s strong Spanish accent. She’s clearly quite touchy about it.

To reap the rewards (To enjoy the benefits of something)

Examples

✵ A: I relish the prospect of England winning the World

Cup. I think the whole country would really reap the rewards afterwards.

 В: I would pass out!

✵ One loses track of time. I wrote the book ages ago, but have only just begun to reap the rewards. Many critics wrote my work off as being passe. Pompous idiots!

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“I had been feeling distraught at the thought of what I had to say to the boss, but now I’ve got it out of my system, I can relish the challenge of being given greater responsibility in the future.”

(see page 59)

To rake it in (To earn a lot of money) Colloquial

Examples:

✵ It’s true my salary has improved, but by no stretch of the imagination could you say I was raking it in.

✵ He used to get a lot of stick for being the office dogsbody, but now that he’s raking it in, no one can take the mickey out of him.

To skim the surface (To deal with a matter only superficially)

Examples:

✵ A: / thought what the accountant told us this morning was most enlightening.

 B: Really? I felt he was just skimming the surface.

I’m not sure if he’s got to the bottom of what’s going on here.

✵ You’re on record as saying the Government has merely skimmed the surface as far as reducing hospital waiting lists is concerned, and has become rather complacent about it in recent times.

Gobsmacked (Astonished, shocked) Slang

Examples:

✵ We were totally gobsmacked when it was announced that John was to be the next captain of the rugby team. He’s such a wimp. None of us can get our heads round this odd decision.

✵ ’Surprised’ is a gross understatement I was absolutely gobsmacked. I never knew she had it in her to be so nasty.

Like chalk and cheese (Completely different-generally used to describe two people or things whom/which one would expect to be similar)

Examples:

✵ It’s difficult to draw Sandra out of her shell, but her sister is quite outgoing. They’re like chalk and cheese.

✵ ’My mum and dad are like chalk and cheese. It’s a wonder they have stuck married life out for so long.