down to the wire

down to the wire

(idiom)

= until the very last moment

Examples

I think the 2024 United States presidential election will go right down to the wire.

The match will probably come down to the wire. I am not sure which team will win at this moment.

I was not sure which computer I wanted to buy, and when it came down to the wire, I chose the most expensive one.

Reference

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/down-to-the-wire

Here are more examples of using "down to the wire":

The project deadline is approaching, and it looks like we’ll finish it down to the wire.

The negotiations continued down to the wire before both sides finally reached an agreement.

The race was so close that it came down to the wire, with only seconds separating the first and second place.

She studied for her exams right down to the wire, cramming in the final hours before the test.

Some synonyms for the idiom "down to the wire":

To the last minute

Until the end

At the eleventh hour

Right up to the deadline

Until the final moment

Close to the finish

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

Several alternatives to saying "Oh my God!":

 Several alternatives to saying "Oh my God!":

Oh my gosh!

Wow! 

Holy cow!

Jeez!

Oh my word!

What on earth!

Heavens! 

#English

heady

heady

= something that makes you feel a sense of intoxication or exhilaration, similar to the effects of alcohol

令人陶醉的；

The heady aroma of red wine filled the air in the pub, making it hard to resist.

酒吧內充滿了紅酒的醉人香氣，讓人難以抗拒。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

hail

hail

= to call out to someone to attract attention

= 向某人喊話以引起注意;

I decided to hail a taxi after it had been raining cats and dogs.

下著傾盆大雨後，我決定叫一輛計程車。

The coach shouted to hail the attention of the athletes during practice.

教練在訓練時大聲喊話，以引起運動員的注意。

He tried to hail a ride, but all the taxis were already occupied.

他想叫車，但所有的計程車都已經滿了。

As the parade approached, the crowd began to hail the marching band with cheers.

隨著遊行隊伍的臨近，人群開始歡呼，向遊行樂隊致意。

I’ll hail you when I arrive at the station, so be ready to meet me.

我到車站後會叫你，所以準備好迎接我吧。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

Some polite alternatives to saying "thank you":

 Some polite alternatives to saying "thank you":

Thank you so much.

I can’t thank you enough.

I’m thankful for your support.

I really appreciate it.

I’m very grateful. 

That means a lot to me.

I sincerely appreciate your help.

#English

Some polite ways to say "sorry"

 Some polite ways to say "sorry"

I apologize.
I’m sorry for any inconvenience.
Please forgive me.
I regret that.
I truly apologize for that.
I’m truly sorry for my actions.
I appreciate your understanding.
I take full responsibility.
Thank you for your patience with me.

#English

basket case

 basket case

= someone who is very nervous, overwhelmed, or unable to cope with stress, often experiencing emotional or mental distress

Susan is always a basket case before the presentation, but once she begins, her confidence shines through.

Tom becomes a basket case the night before exams, but once he starts answering questions, he finds his rhythm.

Moving to a new city made Daniel a basket case, but he quickly adapted and made new friends.

Even though Peter is a basket case before public speaking events, he always captivates the audience with his engaging storytelling.

Some synonyms for "basket case":

Nervous wreck 

Anxious person  

Stress case

Jittery person

Frail mind

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

in broad daylight

 in broad daylight

=  something occurred during the daytime, emphasizing visibility and openness  

The thief broke into my house in broad daylight, showing a complete lack of fear or concern for being caught.

The robbery took place in broad daylight, shocking the neighborhood.

The car was stolen in broad daylight, highlighting the audacity of the thieves.

The protest was organized in broad daylight to ensure maximum visibility and support.

Some synonyms and similar phrases for "in broad daylight":

In plain sight  

During the day 

Clearly visible

In clear light

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

have one foot in the grave

have one foot in the grave

= to be close to death

行將就木；

After being diagnosed with lung cancer, his friends believed he had one foot in the grave.

在被診斷出肺癌後，他的朋友們認為他已經有一隻腳已踏進墳墓。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

shear

shear

= to cut the wool off a sheep  

= 剪羊毛;

The farmer decided to shear the sheep to collect their wool for sale.

農夫決定給羊剪羊毛，收集羊毛出售。

The shepherd carefully sheared the sheep, ensuring not to hurt the animals.

牧羊人小心翼翼地為羊剪毛，確保不傷到羊。

After shearing the flock, the farmer sorted the wool by quality for processing.

剪完羊毛後，農夫根據品質對羊毛進行分類，以便進行加工。

During the spring, it’s common for farmers to shear their sheep to prepare them for warmer weather.

在春季，農夫通常會為羊剪毛，為溫暖的天氣做準備。

Shearing is an important part of sheep farming, as it helps maintain the health of the animals.

剪毛是在養羊業是很重要的，因為它有助於維持羊群的健康。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

attribute

attribute

(noun)

= a feature regarded as a characteristic of someone or something

Examples

Integrity is an essential attribute for a good leader.

Steve Jobs had leadership attributes.

He tried to identify a key attribute that would lead to success.

Reference

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attribute

Here are more examples of using "attribute":

Creativity is an important attribute in the field of design.

Patience is a valuable attribute for teachers working with young children.

Empathy is a key attribute for anyone in a caregiving profession.

The software's user-friendly interface is its most praised attribute.

Some synonyms for "attribute":

Trait

Characteristic

Feature

Quality

Aspect

Property

Element

Factor

English Odyssey

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jeffrey.cytc.en_odyssey

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

comfy

 comfy

= comfortable

I decided to buy a new, comfy running shirt for the upcoming marathon.

She chose a pair of comfy sneakers for her walk in the park.

On chilly evenings, I like to wrap myself in a comfy blanket while reading a book.

His new chair is so comfy that he often falls asleep while working.

Some synonyms for "comfy" (comfortable):

Cozy 

Pleasant

Relaxed

Soft 

Homely

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

fray

fray

= to become irritated

惱火;

The tense atmosphere in the changing room during halftime began to fray each player's nerves.

中場休息時更衣室裡緊張的氣氛開始讓每個球員都緊張起來。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

stumbling block

stumbling block

= an obstacle that prevents progress or success

= 絆腳石;阻礙進步或成功的障礙;

Fear of failure is still one of the stumbling blocks that Susan must deal with in her career.

對失敗的恐懼仍然是Susan職業生涯中必須應對的絆腳石之一。

Lack of experience can be a significant stumbling block for recent graduates entering the job market.

缺乏經驗可能是應屆畢業生進入就業市場的一大障礙。

Poor time management is often a stumbling block for students trying to balance academics and extracurricular activities.

時間管理不善通常是學生在平衡學業和課外活動時遇到的絆腳石。

Financial constraints are frequently a stumbling block for entrepreneurs trying to launch their businesses.

資金限制通常是創業者創業的絆腳石。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

chasing rainbows

 chasing rainbows

= pursuing unrealistic goals 

Peter spent years chasing rainbows, trying to become a famous football player despite lacking talent.

Sarah has been chasing rainbows by attempting to become a pop star, even though she struggles to carry a tune.

Lisa dreams of traveling the world on a shoestring budget, chasing rainbows as she hopes to visit every country despite her financial constraints.

Synonyms for "chasing rainbows":

Pursuing pipe dreams

Following illusions

Seeking unattainable goals

Chasing fantasies 

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

You know the drill

 You know the drill

= You are familiar with a procedure or routine and understand what actions are expected of you.

Mark knows the drill because he has worked there as a software engineer for more than ten years.

After months of training, Sarah knows the drill and quickly moves through her workout routine.

The firefighters know the drill and respond swiftly to any alarm.

The players know the drill when it comes to their practice schedule and game strategies.

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

fright

fright

= a sudden feeling of fear or alarm

恐懼;

Mark was taken by fright when he heard the loud noise of a gunshot nearby.

當Mark聽到附近傳來一聲巨響時，他大驚失色。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

scoff

scoff

= to talk about someone or something in a mocking or derisive manner  

= 以嘲諷或嘲笑的方式談論某人或某事;

When Susan thought she could win the marathon without practicing, her coach immediately scoffed at her unrealistic idea.

當Susan認為自己無需練習就能贏得馬拉鬆比賽時，她的教練立刻嘲笑她不切實際的想法。

When he suggested that they could finish the project in one day, his colleagues scoffed at the idea.

當他建議他們可以在一天內完成這個專案時，他的同事們對這個想法嗤之以鼻。

The critics scoffed at the movie's plot, calling it predictable and boring.

評論家嘲笑這部電影的情節，稱其老套乏味。

Despite the scoffs from her peers, she remained confident in her unique approach to the problem.

儘管遭到同行們的嘲笑，她仍然對自己解決問題的獨特方法充滿信心。

He scoffed at the notion that exercise could be enjoyable, preferring to stay on the couch.

他嘲笑運動也可以很有趣的想法，寧願待在沙發上。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

antagonist

antagonist

(noun)

= a person who actively opposes another person or something 

English Odyssey 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jeffrey.cytc.en_odyssey

Examples

The activist viewed the company as an antagonist in the fight against climate change.

They threatened to sue their antagonists for libel.

He was portrayed as a scary antagonist in the film.

Reference

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antagonist

Here are more examples of using "antagonist":

In the novel, the antagonist's schemes create tension throughout the story.

The teacher described the bully as the antagonist in the student’s life.

Many people see technology companies as antagonists in the battle for privacy rights.

The superhero faced a formidable antagonist who challenged his beliefs and morals.

Some synonyms for "antagonist":

Opponent 

Rival 

Enemy

Competitor

Opposer

Challenger

Contender

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

frail

frail

= weak, often referring to someone who is physically weak or in poor health 

= It can also describe objects that are fragile or easily broken.

After her illness, Susan felt frail and exhausted for a few weeks.

How can we revive the frail economy?

The frail egg wobbled precariously on the edge of the table, threatening to fall.

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

plummet

plummet

= to decrease sharply 

The stock price plummeted after the company admitted to the scam.

After the announcement of the product recall, sales began to plummet.

The temperature is expected to plummet overnight, so be prepared for a cold morning.

As winter approached, the number of tourists visiting the beach began to plummet.

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

keep (something) under one's hat

 keep (something) under one's hat

= to keep something a secret 

Our company has decided to acquire this startup, so we need to keep it under our hats until the official announcement.

I have a surprise party planned for her birthday, so I need to keep it under my hat.

She got a promotion but decided to keep it under her hat until her colleagues were informed.

They’re working on a new project, but they’re keeping it under their hats to avoid any leaks.

Some synonyms for "keep (something) under one's hat":

Keep it a secret

Maintain confidentiality

Keep it to oneself

Hold back

Keep it quiet

Keep it under wraps 

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

be upon someone

 be upon someone

= a situation or condition is about to happen to someone 

Trouble is upon Mark.

Lunar New Year is almost upon us again.

The deadline is upon us.

The final exam is upon the students.

Opportunity is upon you; seize it while you can.

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

flip-flop

flip-flop

= to reverse one's position or opinion

= to change a plan suddenly

突變;

The board suddenly flip-flopped the acquisition, confusing all the shareholders.

董事會突然否決了收購計劃，令所有股東感到困惑。

After pondering for more than two weeks, Susan flip-flopped on her choice of subjects to study at university. 

經過兩週多的思考，Susan反覆改變了她在大學所學科目的選擇。

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS

 

picky

picky

= someone who is very selective or particular about their choices 

= 對自己的選擇非常挑剔或講究的人;

Susan is very picky about buying running shoes; she spends many hours researching which ones are best for her.

Susan在買跑鞋方面非常挑剔；她會花很多時間研究哪雙鞋最適合自己。

Mark is picky about his food; he only eats food that is good for his health.

Mark對食物很挑剔；他只吃對健康有益的食物。

Jenna is picky about her coffee; she insists on using freshly roasted beans and a specific brewing method.

Jenna對咖啡很挑剔；她堅持使用新鮮烘焙的咖啡豆和特定的沖泡方法。

Tom is picky about his travel destinations; he only visits places with rich cultural history and beautiful landscapes.

Tom對旅行目的地很挑剔；他只去那些文化底蘊深厚、風景優美的地方。

 

ponder

ponder 

= to think carefully about something

English Odyssey 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jeffrey.cytc.en_odyssey

Examples

Jeffrey pondered the problem for over a month.

I pondered my chances of success.

Mark took a few days to ponder his job offers before making a decision.

Reference

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ponder

Here are more examples of using "ponder":

She sat by the window, pondering her future.

After receiving the news, he needed time to ponder his next steps.

The philosopher spent years pondering the meaning of life.

Some synonyms for "ponder":

 

Contemplate

Meditate

Deliberate

Think over

Muse

#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS