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

Lesson One. Embroiled
Chapter Nine

Examples:

✵ / don’t want to get embroiled in another row, but his methods do leave a lot to be desired.

✵ I wish we hadn’t got so embroiled in his troubled personal life. Let’s hope we can put it all behind us now.

To psych oneself up for/to do something (To prepare oneself mentally for a challenging situation)

Examples:

✵ Don’t get me wrong; there’s no rift between us, but these days I have to psych myself up to spend more than half an hour with my mother.

✵ Anne doesn’t think you should brood too much over tomorrow’s meeting with your boss; I don’t fully agree with her. I accept that you mustn’t let it get to you, but you do need to psych yourself up for it.

Untoward (Something wrong, unexpected)

Examples:

✵ I thought there was something untoward when I saw the expression on her face but I didn’t want to get embroiled in her relationship problems.

✵ As my doctor is so well up on this area of medicine, I felt relieved when he told me that nothing untoward was going on.

To resent (To feel bitter about someone/а situation, to object to a comment, accusation or having to do something—note the use of the gerund in the fourth example below- -also note the noun “resentment”)

Examples:

✵ Aly brother has always resented me for having had a better education than him. He’s never quite been able to get it out of his system.

✵ A: II reckon you don’t want to buy your wife a birthday present because you’re skint.

 B: / resent that remark!

✵ He resented the fact that I had accused him of taking his parents for granted over the last few years. In hindsight, I should have kept my mouth shut; I could see him welling up.

✵ Mum and I really resent having to grovel to the Headmaster to give you one last chance. Your behaviour is doing our heads in.

✵ Sarah’s brother Fred flaunts his wealth at her whenever they are together. This behaviour is uncalled for as he knows that she is strapped for cash. No wonder she feels such resentment towards him.

To have a bee in one’s bonnet about something (To be preoccupied/obsessed with/troubled by something which often leads to complaining about it)

Examples:

✵ She’s got a bee in her bonnet about single mothers sponging off the state, but I think her own life leaves a lot to be desired.

✵ It’s quite plausible that she couldn’t put the whole thing behind her because she’s still got a bee in her bonnet about her husband’s string of affairs.

To be doomed (To have no means of escape from a very bad situation, to have no future/chance of success)

Examples:

✵ Most people I know don’t hold out much hope for this country. We’re doomed! I’m off to The Bahamas.

✵ A: I told you the project was doomed from the start.

 B: Yes, I must admit things are looking grim.

✵ Stock market investor: The Euro firstly had teething problems and now it’s doomed... but I’m still buying it on the off-chance it might recover. I get a real buzz out of speculating.

To put in a good word for someone (To recommend someone to another person/а group of people—often used with regard to employment matters)

Examples:

✵ I was really chuffed to hear that John had put in a good word for me with my department manager. Until then I had been thinking about giving in my notice.

✵ She’s the only one who knows what makes the boss tick. If she puts in a good word for you, he’s bound to take you on.

To browse (To look around a shop at one’s leisure, not necessarily intending to buy anything)

Examples:

✵ Our customers like to feel free to browse without any pressure from sales staff flaunting our products at them.

✵ There’s nothing I like more on a Sunday afternoon than browsing around English village antique shops. I get a real kick out of bargain hunting.

To stave off (To delay something unpleasant happening, to keep something unwanted at a distance)

Examples:

✵ The doctors don’t hold out much hope for her being able to stave off a return of the infection.

✵ Advertisement:

If you’re feeling peckish, why not try “Oaty Crisps”? They stave off hunger for up to three hours...and are kind to your waistline too.

Apathy, apathetic (Lack of interest/motivation, uninterested/unconcerned)

Examples:

✵ He resents his students not turning up to his lessons, and puts it all down to pure apathy. It’s got nothing to do with him overwhelming them with work.

✵ Sorry to sound apathetic, but I couldn’t care less whether he puts in a good word for me or not...and I’m certainly not going to grovel.

"Don’t get me wrong; there’s no rift between us, but these days I have to psych myself up to spend more than half an hour with my mother.”

(see page 119)