DENIM

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investment n.

Definition

thing one gives in order to get something in return (usually money or time)

Example

I made a big investment in a company, but unfortunately the company went out of business. I lost everything.

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step it up v.

Definition

push to a higher level, larger degree

Example

I think the Pistons really stepped up their defense in the second half and that's why they won the game.

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you get what you pay for expr.

Definition

the more you spend, the better the product will be

Example

I think you really get what you pay for when it comes to trumpets. A cheap trumpet sounds horrible, but an expensive one sounds really good!

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the last thing I need expr.

Definition

I do not need at all

Example

The last thing I need is another piece of cake. I'm stuffed!

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fit v.

Definition

conform to the body

Example

These shoes don't fit! They are way too small.

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underestimate v.

Definition

to think something is less valuable or important than it is

Example

Never underestimate the importance of good friends.

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over and above expr.

Definition

better, more expensive and fancy

Example

If I owned a bar, I would offer really fancy drinks that go over and above the average.

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designer n.

Definition

someone who makes clothes

Example

The designer who made my jeans is famous in Italy, but not in the US.

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worth it expr.

Definition

a good use of time, effort or money

Example

My favorite amusement park has a $30 admission fee, but it's worth it!

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discount n.

Definition

a lower price

Example

There was a discount on shoes at my favorite store so I bought this really cute pair of shoes for 50% off.

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HEELS

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insecurity n.

Definition

lack of confidence, instability,uncertainty

Example

I'm feeling a lot of insecurity since I broke my nose. I think I look really ugly now.

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relatively adv.

Definition

somewhat, to some degree, by some comparison

Example

Allen Iverson is a relatively good basketball player, but he's not as good as Michael Jordan.

Allen Iverson is a good basketball player, but he's not as good as Michael Jordan.

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flats n.

Definition

shoes that are flat on the bottom

Example

We might have to walk home if we miss the last bus, so you probably don't want to wear heels. Grab some flats and let's go.

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fad n.

Definition

a very popular thing to do for a limited period of time

Example

It's a big fad right now for kids to wear rubber bracelets. It will go away soon.

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petit adj.

Definition

small, delicate

Example

I wanted to be a gymnast, but I wasn't petit enough.

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strut n.

Definition

confident, sexy manner of walking

Example

Look at Michael just strutting down the street. He must have gotten that raise he was asking for.

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worth it expr.

Definition

a good use of time, effort or money

Example

My favorite amusement park has a $30 admission fee, but it's worth it!

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calf n.

Definition

the muscle at the bottom of your leg

Example

In order to be a fast runner you need strong calves to you stay on your toes for the whole race.

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do wonders v.

Definition

greatly help or improve

Example

All the traveling I've done lately has done wonders for my English. Everywhere I go find English speakers to practice with.

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can go v.

Definition

can last, can wait, can hold up

Example

I can't go more than a few hours without eating or I'll get really irritable.

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SURPRISE VISIT

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chips n.

Definition

plastic coins used to represent money at casinos

Example

He was doing quite well at poker so he went to cash in his chips for money.

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keep that in mind v.

Definition

think about that; not forget, but not necessarily act on

Example

He gave me the name of a good restaurant to keep in mind, but if we don't feel like going there, we'll just eat somewhere else.

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ex n.

Definition

ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend; former lover, spouse or partner

Example

I saw my ex at the mall yesterday.

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shocking adj.

Definition

surprising; unbelievable

Example

It was shocking to see my dad driving a new car because he didn't tell me he was going to buy one.

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blow over v.

Definition

be forgotten

Example

The actor waited for the failure of his last movie to blow over before trying again.

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flirt v.

Definition

to make conversation with someone you are attracted to

Example

I often see attractive women working at restaurants, but I don't flirt with them because no one wants to get hit on while they're working.

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in person expr.

Definition

live; with your own eyes; not on tv, radio or print

Example

It was raining, but I went to the football game anyway. It was on tv, but I really wanted to see it in person.

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stick together v.

Definition

stay together; be unified

Example

There will be a very large crowd, so we must stick together so we don't get separated.

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roulette n.

Definition

a gambling game where a ball stops on a spinning wheel

Example

He was able to cheat at roulette by using a magnetic ball.

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bet v.

Definition

to get money if you win or lose money if you lose; to wager

Example

I'll bet you a dollar I can tell you your middle name.

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HOW TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER?

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beg v.

Definition

strongly ask for something

Example

I don't want to beg, dad, but will you please, please, please let me go to the party tonight?

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the axe expr.

Definition

to end a relationship (personal or professional)

Example

The company is doing very well. They gave 40 employees the axe yesterday.

John and Jen haven't been getting along the past few months. He gave her the axe last week.

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Dear John n.

Definition

letter written to break up with somebody

Example

Andrea wrote a Dear John to Brian.

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kaput adj.

Definition

finished or done; over with; broken

Example

This computer is so slow. I think it's kaput.

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the boot expr.

Definition

end a relationship; get rid of or ask someone to leave

Example

Johnny Depp gave Winona Ryder the boot.

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tad adj.

Definition

very little or small amount

Example

I'm 177cm tall. I wish I were a tad taller so I could play basketball.

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breaking it off expr.

Definition

ending a relationship; breaking up

Example

Anna is breaking it off with Tony tomorrow.

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insult v.

Definition

say bad things to or about somebody

Example

Tony insulted Jennifer when he told her she was fat.

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hassle n.

Definition

problem; burden; thing that's not fun to experience

Example

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can't stand it expr.

Definition

really don't like it

Example

I can't stand it when my hair is wet when I go to bed. I alwaya have to dry it.

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THE AMERICAN LANGUAGE

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simultaneously adv.

Definition

at the same time

Example

Everyone is going to stand up and start yelling simultaneously at 10:00.

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reforms n.

Definition

changes, improvements

Example

Bert suggested the following reforms for the company: work hours should be from 9:00-1:00, and everyone should get a %50 pay raise.

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assimilated adj.

Definition

made similar; absorbed into a culture or dominant group

Example

Immigrants to the U.S. are usually expected to become assimilated into U.S. culture as quickly as possible.

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key adj.

Definition

very important

Example

A good breakfast is key to healthy living.

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citizens n.

Definition

people who are legal residents of a country

Example

My parents are very proud to be citizens of the United Kingdom.

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hot topic n.

Definition

controversial topic of discussion; something that people have many different opinions about

Example

Global warming is a hot topic these days.

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conversing v.

Definition

speaking, discussing, having a conversation

Example

Amelie and Rolf were conversing about the weather when it suddenly started raining.

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convert v.

Definition

change, alter; become something different

Example

Noppadorn is going to convert from Buddhism to Christianity.

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obligation n.

Definition

responsibility, duty, requirement

Example

It's your obligation to take care of your son. You cannot leave him alone when he's a baby.

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proclaim v.

Definition

declare, announce, say with authority

Example

We proclaim this day to be National English, baby! Day.

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ARTICULATE THIS

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Ebonics adj.

Definition

a variation of the English language spoken in some African-American communities

Example

Ebonics used to be a theoretical language. Now people take it seriously.

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backhanded compliment n.

Definition

a compliment that is also an insult

Example

Why did he have to tell me I looked so much better. That was such a backhanded compliment. Why couldn't he just say I looked good?

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quote v.

Definition

to repeat someone's exact words

Example

One time I was quoted in a magazine article as an expert on biology.

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senator n.

Definition

an elected lawmaker for the US Government

Example

Each state only has two senators and they are elected every six years, so each is very important.

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Caucasian adj.

Definition

white-skinned; of European descent

Example

The mugger was described as a Caucasian teenager in jeans and a ball cap. We are supposed to call the police if we have any information.

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stereotype n.

Definition

false assumption based on race, age, sexual orientation, etc.

Example

A lot of people around the world think all Americans are rude and concerned only with money. That's such a bad stereotype!

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Romance Language n.

Definition

a language derived from Latin

Example

Of the Romance Languages, people often say that French is the most beautiful, but I prefer Italian.

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majority rules n.

Definition

the opinion or person with the most people in support wins, is right

Example

We voted for our chair by majority rules. She barely won. Six out of eleven of us voted for her.

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feeds into v.

Definition

contributes to; combines with

Example

Once you get into town, all the highways feed into one big road.

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MARNI’S DILEMMA

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work out v.

Definition

work the way we want; work in a good way

Example

She and I tried dating for several weeks, but it just didn't work out.

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red flag n.

Definition

signal of danger, hint of trouble

Example

The loose bolts on the bicycle were a red flag that I shouldn't ride it.

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dilemma n.

Definition

a difficult decision

Example

The decision was a major dilemma because either way the company risked losing money.

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high profile adj.

Definition

well-known, conspicuous

Example

My uncle is unusually high profile for accountant. He has advertisements everywhere and everyone knows who he is.

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neutral location n.

Definition

neither party's territory; a public place

Example

The championship game is always held in a neutral location so that no team has the advantage of playing at home.

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face to face expr.

Definition

in person, up close, within each other's sight

Example

My mom had a face to face meeting with my teacher yesterday. They talked about my performance in school. I hope my mom isn't mad at me.

I think we need to meet face to face. I'm tired of discussing things over the phone.

Shaquille O'Neal came to our school today to talk about the importance of education. It was so exciting to see him face to face.

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Google v.

Definition

to search on the Internet using google.com

Example

I can't remember what the capital of Belgium is. I guess I'll have to Google it.

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background check n.

Definition

investigation into a person's history

Example

Many companies do a background check before hiring new employees.

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third wheel n.

Definition

a single person hanging out with a couple

Example

Oh I don't want to go out with just Mark and Maria. They've been dating for years and I'll totally be a third wheel!

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all-you-can-eat buffets n.

Definition

places where you pay one price, then eat as much as you like

Example

Be careful at all-you-can-eat buffets. The food sits out all night and can make you sick.

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BREAK UP IN THE HOUSE

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Band-Aid n.

Definition

a popular brand of small bandage that sticks to your skin

Example

I cut myself. It's not bad, but do you have a Band-Aid?

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met someone else v.

Definition

to leave one relationship for another

Example

Oh my gosh, he broke up with you? Do you think he met someone else?

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shift n.

Definition

the period of time where you work

Example

I worked the night shift for a while but I decided that liked to work the day shift better, so I changed.

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with adj.

Definition

dating, in a relationship with

Example

Is she still with him? I heard they broke up.

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headache n.

Definition

a big problem that takes a lot of work to solve

Example

School is such a headache! It is so hard and really makes my like complicated.

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lease is up expr.

Definition

rental agreement is over

Example

My lease is up next month and I can't decide if I want to renew it and stay here or if I should get a new place.

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move on v.

Definition

stop caring about something

Example

It's sad that Mike's dog died, but he should move on. Maybe he can get a cat.

It's sad that Mike's dog died, but he should move on. Maybe he can get a cat.

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distance n.

Definition

not thinking about something hard; time away from a difficult challenge

Example

School was particularly hard that year, so during the summer he didn't read at all and focused on sports instead just to get some distance.

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space n.

Definition

personal time, time to yourself

Example

I don't think we should break up, I just need some space. Let's talk in a couple of days, OK?

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clean break n.

Definition

a civil break up; a break up without fighting and hurt feelings

Example

It wasn't bad. It was a clean break. We both agreed it was time for the relationship to end.

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EARTH II

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support v.

Definition

provide for, hold up

Example

I don't know if this board can support us. I don't think we should put our weight on it.

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gravity n.

Definition

the physical force of weight

Example

You can float around in space because there is no gravity.

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quality n.

Definition

a characteristic of someone or something

Example

One quality that teacher's must have is patience.

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in the distance expr.

Definition

far away; way out there

Example

I was very relieved when, after hiking for 15 hours, I finally saw the cabin I was trying to reach in the distance.

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sustain v.

Definition

to supply with necessities

Example

I don't know if I have enough fish food to sustain my 200 fish for the several months I'll be snowed in to my house this winter!

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space n.

Definition

any place outside the Earth's atmosphere

Example

I often daydream about what creatures might live in space.

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light year n.

Definition

the distance that light can travel in one year

Example

Light seems like it reaches you immediately, but distances in space are measured in light years. Imagine that, a distance so far it would take a beam of light a year to reach it!

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illusion n.

Definition

a false belief or perception

Example

I thought I saw a person in the window but it was just optical illusion created by the trees outside.

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excuse n.

Definition

reason, explanation for doing something

Example

My brother's only excuse for breaking my iPod was that he accidentally dropped it. I'm really mad at him.

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fascinating adj.

Definition

very interesting

Example

The artwork inside of the building was fascinating.

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DEVAN HAS A PROBLEM

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make out v.

Definition

end up with stuff or money

Example

We went clothes shopping and made out pretty well. I got two new pairs of pants.

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drug problem n.

Definition

when a person is using drugs

Example

When I was young I had a drug problem, but I haven't touched the stuff in years.

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cash n.

Definition

money in bills and coins (as opposed to on a card)

Example

Oh, I'm sorry this restaurant doesn't take credit cards. Cash only.

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get rid v.

Definition

sell, throw away or give away

Example

I need to get rid of this coat and get a new one.

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catching up n.

Definition

talking with someone you haven't seen for a while about what you've been doing

Example

I haven't seen you for a year! Let's do a little catching up.

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run into expr.

Definition

to see someone without planning a meeting

Example

Veronica and I are going to the same concert with different groups of friends. We have no plans to meet, but I hope that we'll run into each other.

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c'mon expr.

Definition

come on; give me a break; do something

Example

Hey, c'mon! Let's go. I don't want to wait for you anymore.

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weed n.

Definition

slang for marijuana

Example

My buddy just got busted with some weed so he has to go to court.

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pot n.

Definition

slang for marijuana

Example

My parents are mad at my brother because they caught him smoking pot.

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like crazy expr.

Definition

a lot; with passion

Example

I eat fish like crazy. I can never get enough of it.

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