belie

belie

= to show something to be false or to contradict it

His positive attitude belies the struggles and challenges he has faced throughout his life.

他的積極態度掩蓋了他一生中所面臨的掙扎和挑戰。

The warm smile on his face belies his true feelings of sadness.

他臉上的暖心微笑掩飾了他內心真正的悲傷。

The child's innocent questions belied a surprising level of intelligence.

孩子天真的問題掩蓋了令人驚訝的智慧水平。

The team's success belies the challenges they faced during the season.

團隊的成功掩蓋了他們在賽季中所面臨的挑戰。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "belie":

Synonyms:

Contradict

Disprove

Falsify

Deny 

Antonyms:

Confirm

Support

Affirm

Validate 

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01. In which of the following sentences does the word "belie" correctly convey its meaning?

A) The evidence presented seems to belie the witness's original testimony.

B) Her smile belies her disappointment about the outcome of the event.

C) The company’s profits belied its claims of financial struggles.

D) All of the above.

02. Which sentence best shows the meaning of the verb "belie"? 

A) To hide the true meaning

B) To tell a big lie

C) To speak very loudly

D) To explain clearly

 

Quiz Of The Day

 Choose the correct sentence:

#English

A) She don’t like coffee.

B) She doesn’t likes coffee.

C) She doesn’t like coffee.

D) She don’t likes coffee.

beat your brains out

 

beat your brains out

= to think very hard about something 

Susan has been beating her brains out trying to memorize all the terms and theories for the chemistry test.

Susan一直在拼命努力記住化學測驗的所有術語和理論。

Susan has been beating her brains out trying to solve the puzzles.

Susan一直在拼命努力解決謎題。

Mark has been beating his brains out trying to increase revenue from the marketing campaign.

Mark一直在拼命努力提高行銷活動的收入。

The coach was beating his brains out trying to identify the rival's weaknesses during the match.

這名教練在比賽期間拼命努力找出對手的弱點。

Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "beat your brains out":

Synonyms:

Rack your brain

Think hard 

Struggle to understand 

Wrack your brain 

Antonyms: 

Take it easy 

Act impulsively

Relax 

Go with the flow

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01. What does the phrase "beat your brains out" mean?

A) To relax and take it easy

B) To work extremely hard or put in excessive effort

C) To engage in physical exercise

D) To easily solve a problem

02. A student is trying very hard to solve a difficult puzzle. They say, “I’m beating my brains out.” What does it mean?

A. They are sleeping badly.

B. They are thinking hard.

C. They are eating fast.

D. They are quitting now.

afraid of your own shadow

 

afraid of your own shadow

= to be excessively timid

Since the car accident occurred last week, he’s become afraid of his own shadow and never crosses the zebra lines.

自從上週發生車禍後，他變得杯弓蛇影，再也不敢過斑馬線。

After that frightening experience, she has become afraid of her own shadow, avoiding crowded places.

經歷那次可怕的事件後，她變得杯弓蛇影，不敢去人多的地方。

After experiencing bullying in school, Susan became afraid of her own shadow, avoiding social situations altogether.

在校園霸凌的經歷後，Susan變得草木皆兵，完全迴避社交場合。

Following the news report about the fire, many in the neighborhood felt afraid of their own shadows, fearing that another fire might occur.

火災新聞報導後，附近許多居民都變得驚弓之鳥，擔心另一場火災可能發生。

Synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "afraid of your own shadow":

Synonyms:

Timid

Fearful

Cowardly 

Anxious

Antonyms:

Brave

Courageous

Bold

Fearless

Confident

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In which of the following contexts would the phrase "afraid of your own shadow" most appropriately apply?

A) A person who confidently presents at a public speaking event

B) Someone who avoids social situations due to extreme anxiety

C) An individual who enjoys exploring new places without fear

D) A child excitedly playing outside in the evening light

asleep at the wheel

 

asleep at the wheel

= someone is not focused or attentive to their responsibilities, which can result in mistakes or problems

The fatal accident could have been avoided if the bus driver hadn’t been asleep at the wheel.

如果巴士司機沒有在駕駛時睡著的話，這件致命事故本可以避免。

The company’s drop in sales indicated that they had been asleep at the wheel, neglecting market trends.

公司銷售額下滑表明他們疏於職守，忽視了市場趨勢。

Her grades began to slip, and her parents worried that she was asleep at the wheel when it came to her studies.

的成績開始下滑，父母擔心她在學業上掉以輕心。

His friends warned him that he was asleep at the wheel about his health, encouraging him to seek a check-up.

他的朋友們警告他對健康問題掉以輕心，鼓勵他去檢查一下。

Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "asleep at the wheel":

Synonyms

Negligent

Unattentive

Distracted

Inattentive

Careless 

Antonyms

Attentive

Vigilant

Aware

Focused

Responsible

Alert

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

What does the phrase "asleep at the wheel" imply when used to describe someone's behavior in a professional context?

A) Performing tasks competently and diligently

B) Being unaware or negligent in responsibilities

C) Taking a well-deserved break during a busy day

D) Actively engaging in problem-solving and leadership

barking up the wrong tree

 

barking up the wrong tree

= making a mistake when trying to find a solution 

If you think scolding your dog will stop him from barking at strangers on the street, you are barking up the wrong tree; your dog needs proper training instead.

如果你以為責罵你的狗就能阻止牠對街上的陌生人吠叫，那你就大錯特錯了；你的狗需要適當的訓練。

If you think that taking a miracle pill will replace healthy eating and exercise, you’re barking up the wrong tree; a balanced lifestyle is key to good health.

如果你以為吃一顆神奇的藥丸可以取代健康飲食和運動，那你就大錯特錯了；均衡的生活方式才是維持健康的關鍵。

If you think that giving your child more screen time will keep them entertained, you’re barking up the wrong tree; they need engaging activities to stimulate their creativity.

如果你以為多給孩子看手機和電腦的螢幕就能讓他們保持娛樂，那你就大錯特錯了；他們需要有趣且能激發創意的活動。

If you believe skipping breakfast will help you lose weight, you’re barking up the wrong tree; it’s important for your health.

如果你相信不吃早餐可以幫你減重，那你就大錯特錯了；早餐對健康很重要。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "barking up the wrong tree":

Synonyms:

Misguided

Off track 

Chasing the wrong lead

Looking in the wrong place

Antonyms:

On the right track

Correct

Accurate

Spot on

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

01. What does the phrase "barking up the wrong tree" mean?

A) To make a successful attempt at something

B) To pursue a misguided course of action or wrong assumption

C) To find a solution to a difficult problem

D) To experience good fortune unexpectedly

02. If you blame Sam for the mistake but it was Lisa, you are __________.

A) barking up wrong tree

B) hitting the target

C) calling for help

D) solving the case

aggravate

 

aggravate

= to make a situation worse 

The heavy rain last night aggravated the flooding on the coast of the town.

昨晚的大雨加劇了鎮上海岸的洪水。

The construction work nearby aggravated the traffic situation, causing delays for commuters.

附近的施工使交通情況惡化，造成通勤族的延誤。

Not getting enough sleep can aggravate anxiety, leading to increased stress levels.

睡眠不足會加劇焦慮，導致壓力增加。

Injury to the same area can aggravate existing pain, making recovery more challenging.

同一部位的受傷會使既有的疼痛惡化，讓復原更加困難。

Some synonyms and antonyms for the word "aggravate":

Synonyms: 

Worsen

Intensify

Amplify

Heighten

Antonyms:

Alleviate 

Ease

Soothe

Reduce

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

01. Which of the following sentences correctly uses the word "aggravate"?

A) The loud music seemed to aggravate her headache.

B) He tried to aggravate his skills through practice.

C) The calm weather helped to aggravate the tension in the room.

D) She wanted to aggravate her relationship with her friends.

02. What does the verb "aggravate" mean?

A) make worse

B) fix completely

C) feel surprised

D) give a present

anxiety

 

anxiety

= a feeling of fear, worry, and uneasiness 

The jockey felt a wave of anxiety before the big prize competition.

這名騎師在大賽前感到一陣焦慮。

The upcoming exam causes significant anxiety for Susan.

即將來臨的考試讓Susan感到相當焦慮。

He practices mindfulness techniques to help reduce his anxiety in stressful situations.

他練習正念技巧以幫助減少在壓力情況下的焦慮。

The doctor recommended relaxation exercises to alleviate her anxiety before the surgery.

醫生建議她在手術前進行放鬆練習，以減輕焦慮。 

Some synonyms and antonyms for the word "anxiety":

Synonyms

Worry

Fear

Unease

Nervousness 

Antonyms

Calm

Peace

Serenity

Confidence

Assurance 

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

01. What does the term "anxiety" refer to?

A) A state of calm and relaxation

B) A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome

C) A strong feeling of happiness or joy

D) A physical condition that requires medical treatment

02. What does "anxiety" mean?

A) a feeling of worry

B) a sudden joy burst

C) calm and peaceful

D) strong appetite

weather the storm

 

weather the storm 

= to endure a difficult situation

After losing an important client, the company still managed to weather the storm and set a revenue record this year.

在失去一個重要客戶後，這家公司仍然成功度過難關，並創下了今年的收入記錄。

Even when their project hit major obstacles, Mark and Susan were determined to weather the storm.

即使他們的項目遇到重大障礙，Mark和Susan仍然決心挺過難關。

When Mark lost his job, he worked hard to weather the storm and find a new opportunity.

當Mark失去工作時，他努力度過難關，尋找新的機會。

Mark and his friends helped each other weather the storm during the rough times.

Mark和他的朋友在艱難時期互相幫助，共同渡過難關。

Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "weather the storm":

Synonyms

Endure

Survive 

Get through 

Antonyms

Give up

Surrender

Quit 

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

01. What does "weather the storm" metaphorically mean?

A) To prepare for bad weather conditions

B) To endure and survive a difficult or challenging situation

C) To predict weather changes accurately

D) To ignore problems until they go away

02. After losing key clients, the small shop had to __________ until sales improved.

A) weather the storm

B) call in the rain

C) paint the clouds

D) cancel business

prominent

 

prominent 

(adjective)

= well known and important

Examples

Michael Jordan is one of the top 15 most prominent athletes of all time.

The prominent statue of Cristiano Ronaldo in the sports center attracts many visitors.

Mark held a prominent position in my company, overseeing several key projects around the world.

Reference

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

Here are a few more examples using "prominent":

She is a prominent figure in the field of environmental science.

There are several prominent landmarks to visit in the city.

His prominent contributions to the community earned him several awards.  

Some synonyms for "prominent":

Notable

Renowned

Distinguished 

Outstanding

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

Which sentence correctly uses "prominent"?

#English

A) Her prominent smile

B) A prominent chef

C) A prominent peak

D) A bright prominent light 

work to rule

 

work to rule

= a form of protest where employees strictly adhere to their job descriptions and do only the tasks required, intentionally avoiding any extra duties or efforts 

The factory workers decided to work to rule as a protest against low salaries, poor living conditions, and unsafe work environments.

工廠工人決定按章工作，以抗議低工資、惡劣的生活條件和不安全的工作環境。

Mark chose to work to rule after feeling undervalued at his job, ensuring he only completed his assigned tasks without taking on additional responsibilities.

Mark在感到自己在工作中受到低估後，選擇按章工作，確保他只完成分配給他的任務，而不承擔額外的責任。

Mark's decision to work to rule sparked a movement among his coworkers, as they all sought fair treatment and recognition for their efforts.

Mark決定按章工作的做法激發了同事們的運動，他們都尋求公平對待和對自己努力的認可。

As a part-time worker, Susan decided to work to rule after realizing that she was often being asked to cover extra shifts without additional pay.

作為一名兼職工人，Susan在意識到自己經常被要求額外上班且不會獲得額外報酬後，決定按章工作。

 

Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "work to rule":

Synonyms:

Work to contract  

Minimal effort

Job description only

Antonyms:

Exceed expectations

Go above and beyond

Work extra hours 

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

01. "The factory workers decided to work to rule as a protest against low salaries, poor living conditions, and unsafe work environments."

In the context of labor relations, what does the phrase "work to rule" mean, as illustrated by the following sentence?

A) The workers decided to put in extra hours to complete their tasks.

B) The workers chose to follow all company rules strictly to highlight issues without breaking any regulations.

C) The workers refused to follow any rules as a sign of defiance against management.

D) The workers organized a walkout to demand higher wages immediately.

02. When employees "work to rule," they usually:

A) Do only required tasks

B) Take long paid vacations

C) Ignore all instructions

D) Start new projects

regress

 

regress

= to return to a previous state, often implying a decline 

After several successful years, the football team began to regress because of injuries to its star players.

在幾個成功的年頭後，這支足球隊因為明星球員的受傷而開始退步。

The company started to regress in its market share after losing focus on customer service.

這家公司在失去對客戶服務的關注後，市場份額開始倒退。

If the software isn't updated, it may regress in functionality over time.

如果這個軟體不進行更新，隨著時間的推移，它的功能可能會退步。

If you stop exercising regularly, your fitness level will likely regress.

如果你停止定期運動，你的體能水平可能會退步。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "regress":

Synonyms:

Decline

Deteriorate

Revert 

Backtrack

Antonyms:

Advance

Progress

Improve 

Develop

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

01. Which sentence best demonstrates the verb "regress"?

A) After a year of hard work, the team achieved its goals and celebrated their success.

B) When faced with too much pressure, the young student began to behave like a toddler again.

C) The athlete consistently improved their performance and broke new records.

D) Following weeks of training, the musician played flawlessly at the concert.

02. After the new policy, employee performance began to regress. What does "regress" mean here?

A) Improve steadily

B) Move backward

C) Stay the same

D) Speak loudly

sleep with the fishes

sleep with the fishes

= to be dead, often implying that someone has been killed and their body disposed of, particularly in water 

He slept with the fishes after he was murdered.

他被謀殺後沉屍海底。

The gang leader threatened that anyone who betrayed him would end up sleeping with the fishes.

這名幫派首領威脅說，任何背叛他的人都會死掉。

The villain said he would make the hero sleep with the fishes.

這個壞人說他會讓這個英雄死掉。

He knew too much, and now he's going to sleep with the fishes.

他知道的太多了，現在他就快要死掉。

Some synonyms and antonyms for "sleep with the fishes":

Synonyms:

Be killed

Be murdered

Rest in peace 

Die

Antonyms:

Survive

Live 

Thrive 

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

Which of the following interpretations best captures the idiomatic expression "sleep with the fishes"?

A) To indulge in leisure activities by the water

B) To experience a tranquil death surrounded by nature

C) To face an untimely demise, often with a connotation of violence or retribution

D) To enter a deep slumber after a long day of fishing