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

Lesson Two. To whinge
Chapter Seven

Examples:

✵ She’s likes to whinge about what a handful her son is, but the truth of the matter is that she gets flustered far too easily.

✵ I think if we nip the thing in the bud now, it will stop him whingeing later on. You know what a pest he can be.

Bolshy (Confrontational, rebellious, always answers back when told off or ordered to do something) Colloquial

Examples:

✵ The staff are unlikely to comply with the new regulations. They’re a bolshy lot and it’s hard to get them to budge.

✵ It’s true, she was very bolshy with him, but I think it was warranted; he’s such a whinger.

A sucker/glutton for punishment (A masochist, someone who appears to enjoy struggling in life or getting into trouble—generally used in a humorous, non- serious way)

Examples:

✵ I keep losing to him at tennis, but every week I build up my hopes and convince myself that the following week will turn out differently. It never does. I must be a sucker for punishment.

✵ He was branded a glutton for punishment after he decided to go to court for the third time. Nobody seems to be able to get through to him that he needs to curb his passion for litigation.

To deprive of, deprived (To take away someone’s pleasures, rights or power, disadvantaged)

Examples:

✵ ’Disgruntled’ is an understatement as to how parents will feel if the new government deprives them of child benefit.

✵ Life is a hardship for many deprived children who are not endowed with wealthy parents.

To be spoken for (To have a permanent partner in life, to be married, to be promised to someone else—note that’ already’ is often used with this expression)

Examples:

✵ A: It’s not on to make a beeline for somebody who is already spoken for. Surely, he wouldn’t do that?

 В: / wouldn’t put it past him!

✵ I’m sorry if you feel we’ve been stringing you along, but we did clearly point out that the car was already spoken for.

To flourish (To do well, to exist successfully)

Examples:

✵ I’m a bit sceptical as to how a business with such a low profile can flourish in the modern-day economic climate.

✵ I don’t want to jump on the bandwagon, but football will never flourish in the United States until everyone gets a good grounding in the basics of the game.

Rift (A division and break in friendly relations between people—often caused by a disagreement)

Examples:

✵ The rift between them will not be repaired until their anger has died down. Someone has to get to the bottom of what’s going on.

✵ The current rift in the Labour Party has undermined the Prime Minister’s authority. I’ve lost track of how many of his so-called friends have spoken out against him.

To dabble (To take part in a certain type of business or activity only from time to time)

Examples:

✵ He used only to dabble in stocks and shares, but when he saw how his friends were raking it in, he took it up full time.

✵ He has always wanted to dabble in politics and he won’t be happy until he gets it out of his system. His wife, on the other hand, is absolutely dreading it.

A dark horse (A person whom no one really knows, but who later reveals himself to be different and more interesting than first thought or a person who exceeds expectations in a competition or election)

Examples:

✵ He comes over as a wimp, with no opinions, but take my word for it: once you draw him out of his shell, you’ll see he’s quite a dark horse

✵ John thinks Jim Taylor could prove to be a dark horse and win Wimbledon this year. I’m rather sceptical and don’t envisage any surprises.

To embark on (To begin something which could take a long time to complete)

Examples:

✵ I sometimes wonder why I embarked on such a course of action.

I managed to alienate everyone.

✵ The Opposition have embarked on a policy of disruption during parliamentary debates on the proposed new tax laws. They claim there are still many loopholes unclosed which will make a mockery of the justice system, but these politicians are simply clutching at straws, fully aware that their minority leaves then powerless.

“I don't want to jump on the bandwagon, but football will never flourish in the United States until everyone gets a good grounding in the basics of the game.”

(see page 96)