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

Lesson Two. To dumb down, dumbing down
Chapter Six

Examples:

✵ / don’t like to undermine teachers, but even they will admit, off the record, that the subjects they’re teaching our teenagers, have been dramatically dumbed down since we were at school.

✵ It is quite pathetic to see how many of the quality newspapers are guilty of dumbing down just to increase sales... but my wife thinks I’m being pompous.

✵ The upsurge in university applications is probably down to the perpetual dumbing down of entrance exams. Even my thick brother can get in!

To emerge, emerging (To present oneself, often after being hidden or unknown, to become evident, [emerging] up and coming—see earlier, page 11)

Examples:

✵ He emerged from the corner of the room, which had been crammed full of tourists. He must have nearly passed out in that heat.

✵ It soon emerged that the police had tried to pre-empt another frenzied attack by the demonstrators.

✵ In the aftermath of the slump, some of the emerging industrial nations had been building up their defence forces.

Disgruntled (Angry and dissatisfied because things have not turned out as expected)

Examples:

✵ It is clear that many members of the public are disgruntled because they feel the Government have been stringing them along. But I’m never taken in by any of the hype politicians come out with.

✵ The shareholders are disgruntled at the fact that some of the directors have been raking it in this year. The directors claim, on the other hand, that as they have invested their own personal wealth in the company, they are entitled to reap the rewards.

To grate on someone (To irritate or annoy someone—usually through a noise, habit or type of behaviour-also note the adjective “grating”, which generally describes an unpleasant sound which is difficult to tolerate)

Examples:

✵ The dumbing down of BBC news will definitely grate on you after a while. They talk to us like children. So patronising!

✵ A: Her loud laughter is beginning to grate on me.

✵ B: Yes, it’s doing my head in as well.

✵ It was the sound of her grating voice that was my cue to get going. I know it wasn’t very tactful of me but I couldn’t wait to get home.

Blatant (Obvious, clear, indiscreet, unashamed—often used for something negative)

Examples:

✵ His perpetual blatant lies have led everyone to mistrust him.

He and his honest brother are like chalk and cheese.

✵ Grovelling is often said to be a blatant expression of fear.

✵ Telling him he was an absolute pushover was being a bit blatant.

You could have gone about it in a more subtle way.

To die down (To become calmer/quieter— used for a situation)

Examples:

✵ Once the current uproar has died down, we hope the other row over who has the right to receive the endowment will blow over.

✵ After the storm had died down, we all tried cramming into the car. It was a bit of a fiasco.

To keep at bay (To prevent something/someone harmful from happening/ approaching)

Examples:

✵ Once the flu symptoms have died down, you’ll need to take vitamin C to keep a further virus at bay and help build up your defence system again.

✵ You’ll have to comply with the new regulations if you want to keep the taxman at bay. I’ll take you through the correct procedure if you like.

To brand (To label someone, to cause someone to be known as a particular type of person—used in a negative sense)

Examples:

✵ It has emerged that many people branded him a liar even before his authority began to be undermined.

✵ Most people wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt until, amid all this scandal, he was branded a womaniser.

Grounding (Training, education, instruction—note the word “grounding” is often accompanied by the adjective “good”)

Examples:

✵ After the new laws have been phased in, we will all need a good grounding in European legal administration.

✵ All of the candidates shortlisted for the job have a good grounding in economics. They are lucky enough to have escaped our dumbed-down education system.

To unveil (To show something for the first time, to reveal)

Examples:

✵ The Mayor unveiled a new statue of Queen Victoria before waffling on about overseas trade. Pompous fool!

✵ There was an uneasy silence as the marketing director unveiled his plans for the coming year. He said he was aiming to corner the market in home furnishings. We all have our doubts, and fear he’s clutching at straws.

“A: Her loud laughter is beginning to grate on me.

B: Yes, it’s doing my head in as well.”

(see page 83)