Lesson Two. Frenzy, frenzied - Chapter Five

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

Lesson Two. Frenzy, frenzied
Chapter Five

Examples:

✵ At first there was only a small amount of unrest amongst the crowd, but this soon turned into a frenzy after some provocation from the government forces.

✵ The police are baffled as to what could have caused such a frenzied attack. One needs to be very streetwise these days; there are some very nasty people around.

To dwindle (To be reduced to a small number or nothing—often used with “away”)

Examples:

✵ Last year we were raking it in, but now our funds have dwindled away to nothing. But I’m not going to allow myself to dwell on it.

✵ Despite perpetual advertising, the number of clients has been dwindling in recent years. And the business has definitely lost its buzz for me.

To make a mockery of (To make something appear worthless, ridiculous)

Examples:

✵ He took advantage of a loophole which made a complete mockery of the law. I don’t think he’ll get away with it next time.

✵ I’ll keep you posted as to how he does on the course, but if someone as thick as he is can pass, it will make a mockery of the exam.

Shortlist, to be shortlisted (A final list of names from which one could be selected, to be selected for a prize, a job or a university place etc.)

Examples:

✵ A: There’s a rumour going about that he’s been put on the shortlist for the Nobel Peace Prize.

 B: How enlightening! His armies have wiped out thousands of villages in his own country.

✵ He has been shortlisted for the position of editor. I didn’t know he had it in him.

Upsurge (A rapid increase or a rise in something)

Examples:

✵ There has been an upsurge in this type of political fiasco in recent years.

✵ The Managing Director of London Electricity has said that supply problems during the World Cup were down to a massive upsurge in demand.

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“I’ll keep you posted as to how he does on the course, but if someone as thick as he is can pass, it will make a mockery of the exam”

(see page 68)

To phase in/out (To introduce or get rid of a law/regulation /new system gradually, over a period of time)

Examples:

✵ The Treasury minister promised that the new Government would be phasing in regulations to restrict banks on how much they pay their investment bankers. I wouldn’t put it past him, however, to change his mind next week.

✵ Some financial journalists have predicted that Germany will be phasing out the Euro over the next five years. Then, it is hoped, they will reap the rewards of being able to control their own currency.

Jaded (Tired and fed up)

Examples:

/ wish I didn’t have such a backlog of paperwork to catch up on. I’m feeling jaded and could do with a rest.

✵ I think he got bogged down with too many questions and therefore his response sounded a bit jaded. Also, his hip has been playing him up recently, which doesn’t help.

Pledge/to pledge (A promise or guarantee/to promise or guarantee —often an amount of money or allegiance to a political cause)

Examples:

✵ He has made a pledge to up-and-coming politicians, many of whom are already quite adept at bluffing their way through parliamentary meetings, that he will give them an opportunity to bring up any issues they wish to have clarified.

✵ They were made the scapegoats for the collapse of the company because many people had pledged their life savings to fund future projects.

Boisterous (Lively, noisy —often used to describe the behaviour of a young person or dog)

Examples:

✵ My teenage son can be quite boisterous and often goes over the top, but deep down I wouldn’t change one bit of him.

✵ Once in a blue moon my dog, Jason, can be quite docile and laid-back, but much of the time he is too boisterous for most people to cope with.

Aftermath (A period of time and consequences which follow a disaster, accident, war or other important event)

Examples:

✵ In the aftermath of the war, the Conservatives found themselves to be heavily outnumbered by socialists in Parliament

✵ During the aftermath of this scandal, he was advised to keep a low profile. This is what happens when you break a pledge to the citizens of this country. Support for his policies is dwindling by the day.