devastating

 devastating

= causing a lot of damage or destruction.

The earthquake had a devastating impact on the city, leaving many buildings destroyed.

The wildfire had a devastating effect on the local wildlife, destroying habitats and endangering species. 

Her departure from the team was devastating, leaving everyone feeling lost and demoralized. 

The economic downturn had a devastating impact on small businesses, forcing many to close their doors. 

Some synonyms for "devastating":

Destructive

Catastrophic

Ruinous

Calamitous

Shattering

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consolation

 

consolation

= something that provides comfort or relief to someone who is feeling sad, disappointed, or distressed

安慰;

After losing the first round of the tennis game, her best friend offered her some words of consolation to lift her spirits.

在輸掉網球比賽第一輪後，她最好的朋友對她說了一些安慰的話，讓她振作起來。

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avert

 

avert

= to prevent something bad or undesirable from happening 

避免；

The government and the Taxi Drivers and Operators Association finally reached an agreement to avert a strike last week.

政府與計程車司機及業者協會最終達成協議，以避免上週的罷工。

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by a nose

 

by a nose  

= to win by a very small amount

English Odyssey 

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

Examples

I just won the game by a nose. 

In the marathon, Mark won the race by a nose, narrowly beating his rivals.

The horse I bet on won by a nose.

Reference

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20a%20nose

Here are more examples of using "by a nose":

The team won the championship match by a nose, securing their title in the final seconds.

In the final lap, the cyclist pulled ahead and won the race by a nose.

The chef's dish won the competition by a nose, impressing the judges just a bit more than the others.

Some synonyms for "by a nose":

By a whisker

By a hair

Narrowly

By a slim margin

Just barely

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a penny for your thoughts

 a penny for your thoughts

= to inquire about someone's thoughts or opinions

I can see you're worried. A penny for your thoughts—what's bothering you?

You’ve been quiet for a while. A penny for your thoughts on the new project?

You’ve been staring out the window for a while. A penny for your thoughts about our vacation plans

I noticed you're contemplating something serious. A penny for your thoughts on what to do next?

Some synonyms and alternative phrases for "a penny for your thoughts":

What’s on your mind?

I'd love to hear your opinion.

Care to share your thoughts?

What are you thinking?

Tell me what you're pondering.

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confine

 

confine

= to keep someone or something within limits or to restrict them to a certain area or boundary 

限制; 關押;

The hostage had been confined in a small room for more than three months.

人質被關押在一間小房間裡已有三個多月了。

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authorize

 

authorize

= to grant permission for something 

批准;

I authorized my friend to get my runner's pack at the marathon carnival.

我授權我的朋友在馬拉松嘉年華去領取我的跑手包。

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first and foremost

 first and foremost

= the most important point

First and foremost, safety must be our top priority when undertaking the construction project.

First and foremost, customer satisfaction is our primary goal in this business.

First and foremost, education is essential for personal and professional growth.

First and foremost, time management is crucial for meeting project deadlines.

Some synonyms and alternative phrases for "first and foremost":

Primarily

Most importantly

In the first place

First of all

Chiefly

Above all

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fall on my sword

 fall on my sword

=  to admit defeat and take responsibility for a mistake or failure

After missing the sales target, Mark decided to fall on his sword and take full responsibility for the team's shortcomings.

After their team lost the championship game, the coach fell on his sword, admitting that his strategies had not been effective.

Realizing she had been unfair to her friend, Lisa decided to fall on her sword and apologize for her behavior.

After receiving a poor grade on the exam, Tom fell on his sword and approached his professor to discuss what he could have done differently.

Some synonyms and similar phrases for "fall on my sword":

Take the blame

Own up

Accept responsibility

Face the music

Take the heat

Admit defeat 

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comatose

comatose

= a state of being in coma

昏迷的;

After the racing accident, the jockey remained comatose for several days.

賽馬事故發生後，騎師昏迷了好幾天。

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as thick as thieves

as thick as thieves

= to be very close friends, often implying a sense of secrecy in their relationship

非常友好;

Since Susan and Peter worked on that project together, they have been as thick as thieves.

自從Susan和Peter一起合作那個項目以來，他們就親密無間。

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hunker down

hunker down 

= to squat 

English Odyssey 

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

Examples

He hunkered down to look at the grasshopper on the lawn.

During the thunderstorm, we had to hunker down in the cave.

We hunkered down around the campfire, toasting sausages and chicken wings.

Reference

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hunker%20down

Here are more examples of using "hunker down":

The kids hunkered down in the grass, trying to stay hidden during their game of hide-and-seek.

The photographer hunkered down in the bushes to get a better shot of the wildlife.

Mark hunkered down to tie his shoes before the marathon began.

Some synonyms for "hunker down":

Crouch

Kneel

Squat

Bend down

Duck down

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Roll your eyes

Roll your eyes

= To move your eyes upward in a circular motion to express annoyance, disbelief, or exasperation. 

翻白眼以表示厭煩；

When we discussed the marketing budget, Peter rolled his eyes in frustration.

當我們討論行銷預算時，Peter因為沮喪而翻了個白眼以表示厭煩。

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Thaw

 

Thaw

= The process of melting as temperatures rise.

(使)融化；(使)解凍;

The sun caused the snow to thaw.

太陽使雪融化。

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abruptly

 abruptly

= in a sudden and unexpectedly way 

The match ended abruptly, leaving the audience feeling frustrated.

The lights turned off abruptly, plunging the room into darkness.

The train came to a halt abruptly, causing passengers to move forward.

The meeting ended abruptly, leaving everyone surprised.

Some synonyms for "abruptly":

Suddenly

Unexpectedly

Quickly

Instantly

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quirk

 quirk

= an unusual habit or characteristic that makes someone different from others

One of his quirks is putting salt on an apple before eating it.

 

She has a charming quirk of always wearing mismatched socks.

Her quirk for organizing her books by color rather than genre surprises her friends.

She has a delightful quirk of telling a joke before every meeting to lighten the mood.

Some synonyms for the word "quirk":

 

Eccentricity

Characteristic

Trait 

Habit

Peculiarity

Freak 

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Revel

Revel

= To take great pleasure or delight in doing something.

狂歡;

All the players and colleagues reveled in the stadium after winning the championship.

所有的球員和同事在贏得冠軍後在體育場裡盡情歡慶。

My children reveled in the living room during the holidays.

我的孩子們在假期期間在客廳裡盡情玩樂。

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Smirk

 

Smirk

= A mocking or smug smile.

假笑；得意的笑；

‘Congratulations on your promotion,’ he said with a smirk.

「恭喜你升職。」他帶著冷笑說。

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humiliate

humiliate 

= to cause someone to feel ashamed 

English Odyssey 

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

Examples

She felt deeply humiliated when her teacher laughed at her mistake in class.

 (humiliated: adjective)

Manchester United was humiliated in their last match.

Her comments in the discussion humiliated several teammates, leading to chaos.

Reference

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

Here are more examples of using "humiliate":

The interviewer deliberately asked questions that made the interviewees feel humiliated and uncomfortable.

 (humiliated: adjective)

The bullies tried to post some embarrassing photos online to humiliate me.

The rivals humiliated their players, hoping they would make mistakes and lose the match.

Some synonyms for "humiliate":

Embarrass

Degrade

Belittle 

Mortify

Shame

Disgrace

Dishonor 

 

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Pushover

Pushover

= Someone who is easily influenced or something that is easy to do.

易被人說服的人；易做的事；

The exam was a pushover; I completed it in just five minutes.

考試很容易。我只用了五分鐘就完成了。

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Off-color

Off-color

= Slightly ill.

感覺不舒服；

After the long flight, Mark felt a little off-color.

經過長途旅程之後，Mark感覺有點不舒服。

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eat in

 eat in

= to dine at home or at a specific location instead of going out to a restaurant

After a long, exhausting week, I decided to eat in and take some time to sleep.

After a busy day at work, I prefer to eat in and enjoy a quiet evening.

Eating in allows us to enjoy homemade meals and save money.

Some synonyms for "eat in":

Dine at home 

Stay in for dinner

Cook at home 

Enjoy a meal at home

Eat at home

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in the pipeline

 in the pipeline

= something is in progress

The app is currently in the pipeline and will be released next week.

The new marketing strategy is in the pipeline and should be implemented by next month.

Several projects are currently in the pipeline, including updates to our website.

The film is in the pipeline and is expected to hit theaters by summer.

Some synonyms for "in the pipeline":

In development

Underway

In the works

In production

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Purge

Purge

= To get rid of someone from an organization.

清除某人；

The company decided to purge all redundant employees.

公司決定清除所有冗員。

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