You really got me:
You really got me (with that joke!): You really fooled, tricked, convinced me (with that joke!)
trick: Deceive or outwit (someone) by being cunning or skillful.
cf: trip
"Who was the 5th president?"
"I don't know, you really got me with that one."： you stumped me
stump: (of a question or problem) be too hard for; baffle.
cf: stomp: tread heavily and noisily, typically in order to show anger. Ex: "Martin stomped off to the spare room"
baffle: totally bewilder or perplex.
"You are short"
"Is that the best you could think of? Wow, you really got me with that."
you must not overstep your borrowing limit: pass beyond or exceed (a limit or standard).
We need to get this paperwork done.
Don't worry; I'm on it.
on it: actively dealing with a problem, job, etc.
paperwork: Routine work involving written documents such as forms, records, or letters.
COMFORTDELGRO Corporation is pursuing an initial public offering of shares in its wholly owned Australian land transport subsidiary, in a move it hopes will unlock the value of its business assets Down Under
Down Under: Australia is a continent, a country and an island! It is nicknamed the “Land Down Under” because it is below the equator.
adverb: in or to Australia or New Zealand: take a flight down under in September
Australia and New Zealand: a girl from down under
Of the 120 infected bus captains, four are unvaccinated. The rest are fully inoculated, and most are asymptomatic or showing only mild symptoms.
inoculated /ɪˈnɒkjʊleɪt/ : Treat (a person or animal) with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease.
vaccines/ˈvaksiːn,ˈvaksɪn/
asymptomatic /eɪˌsɪmptəˈmatɪk/: (of a condition or a person) producing or showing no symptoms.
a-: without, no
SINGAPORE'S position as a regional leader in corporate governance standards is under threat - undermined by complacency and an impetus to attract more listings, says a new report on the state of corporate governance in Singapore.
complacency /kəmˈpleɪs(ə)nsi/: A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements
impetus /ˈɪmpɪtəs/: The force or energy with which a body moves.
Once seen as a vanguard of the “Covid-zero” elimination strategy, Singapore says it’s preparing to transition to reopening with the assumption the virus will be endemic, while keeping social distancing safeguards and encouraging mass vaccination to limit community spread
vanguard: a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas.
The experimental spirit of the modernist vanguard
endemic -> epidemic -> pandemic
endemic /ɛnˈdɛmɪk/:An endemic is a disease outbreak that is consistently present but limited to a particular region. This makes the disease spread and rates predictable.
demo-, dem-, demio-, -demic, -deme, -demically: people, population
Complacency is endemic in industry today
epidemic: A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.
demo-, dem-, demio-, -demic, -deme, -demically: people, population
ep-, epi-: above, over, on, upon; besides; in addition to; toward; among
pandemic: a pandemic when a disease’s growth is exponential. This means growth rate skyrockets, and each day cases grow more than the day prior.
exponential /ˌɛkspəˈnɛnʃ(ə)l/ : (of an increase) becoming more and more rapid. Ex: "the social security budget was rising at an exponential rate"
China's stock market suffered a rout last month
rout /raʊt/ : verb, defeat and cause to retreat in disorder.
in a matter of minutes the attackers were routed
rout: noun, a disorderly retreat of defeated troops.
the retreat degenerated into a rout
de·gen·er·ate: Decline or deteriorate physically, mentally, or morally.
China one-upped the US in Vietnam by pledging to donate 2 million COVID-19 vaccines
one-up: do better than (someone).
one up: having an advantage over someone. Ex: "you're always trying to be one up on whoever you're with"
he deftly one-upped the interrogator
deftly /ˈdɛftli/ : in a way that is neatly skillful and quick in movement.
interrogator /ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪtə/ : a person who questions someone closely, aggressively, or formally.
next of kin: a person's closest living relative or relatives.
the police notified the next of kin
kept sb grounded: It means keep sb sensible, realistic, humble.
Like if someone became really rich or famous but had someone that kept them grounded it would mean that person kept them from getting 'a big head' or getting too wrapped up in a luxurious lifestyle. That person keeps them humble and helps them remember what's truly important in life and they won't take things for granted or be rude or stuck up.
he jabbered on about football: /ˈdʒabə/ talk in a rapid, excited, and often incomprehensible way.
incomprehensible: not able to be understood; not intelligible
I have no clue how Nalini's parents are going to react. I'll have to play it by ear: There are occasions when we do not plan too far ahead; in such cases, our response to a situation depends on how the event unfolds. Usually, we improvise. Our responses are not thought out before hand; we do whatever we think is the right thing to do in that particular situation. This manner of dealing with something is called ‘playing it by ear'.
improvise /ˈɪmprəvʌɪz/: create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation.
he invited actors to improvise dialogue
humanoid robot:
humanoid: /ˈhjuːmənɔɪd/ having an appearance or character resembling that of a human.
-oid, -oidal, -oidism, -odic: a suffix; like, resembling, similar to, form
some South-east Asian analysts have misgivings about Washington's belated vaccine diplomacy
misgiving: a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something.
belated /bɪˈleɪtɪd/: coming or happening later than should have been the case
prognosis /prɒɡˈnəʊsɪs/“: the likely course of a medical condition. 预后是一个医学名词，指根据病人当前状况来推估未来经过治疗后可能的结果
the disease has a poor prognosis
gno-, gnos-, gnoto-, -gnostic, -gnosia, -gnomic, -gnomonic, -gnomical, -gnomy, -gnosia, -gnostic, -gnosis: know, learn, discern
en.tou.rage /ˈɒntʊrɑːʒ,ˌɒntʊ(ə)ˈrɑːʒ/: a group of people attending or surrounding an important person.
an entourage of bodyguards
atrophy /ˈatrəfi/:
1) (of body tissue or an organ) waste away, especially as a result of the degeneration of cells, or become vestigial during evolution.
Ex: "the calf muscles will atrophy"
2) gradually decline in effectiveness or vigour due to underuse or neglect.
Ex: "the imagination can atrophy from lack of use"
without exercise, the muscles will atrophy
cf trophy: a cup or other decorative object awarded as a prize for a victory or success.
vestigial /vɛˈstɪdʒɪəl,vɛˈstɪdʒ(ə)l/: forming a very small remnant of something that was once greater or more noticeable.
he felt a vestigial flicker of anger from last night
flicker : (of light or a source of light) shine unsteadily; vary rapidly in brightness. Ex: "the interior lights flickered, and came on"
evolution: /ˌiːvəˈluːʃ(ə)n,ˈɛvəluːʃ(ə)n/ the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
cf: revolution
let's give it a shot: To try something (often for the first time as a means of forming an opinion about it).
A: “Do you want to try driving my car, to see how you like it?”
B: “Yeah, sure, I'll give it a shot.”
scrub:
an act of scrubbing something or someone. Ex: "give the floor a good scrub"
a semi-abrasive cosmetic lotion applied to the face or body in order to cleanse the skin. Ex: "don't use facial scrubs if your skin is sensitive"
the special sanitary clothing worn by surgeons, nurses, physicians and other workers involved in patient care in hospitals
Let you arm dangle at your side and rotate in small circles.
dan·gle: Hang or swing loosely.
Why Most Marijuana Stocks Tanked This Week
Marijuana [ˌmerəˈ(h)wänə]: Cannabis, especially as smoked or consumed as a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug.
Cannabis /ˈkanəbɪs/ :
psychoactive /sʌɪkəʊˈaktɪv/ : (chiefly of a drug) affecting the mind.
Tanked
1） fill the tank of a vehicle with fuel: the cars stopped to tank up.
2） INFORMALUS: fail completely, especially at great financial cost: the previous movie had tanked at the box office
box office: a place at a theatre, cinema, etc. where tickets are bought or reserved.
Companies earned their niche or duopoly status by being the best at what they do.
niche: /niːʃ,nɪtʃ/ a comfortable or suitable position in life or employment. Ex: he is now a partner at a leading law firm and feels he has found his niche
duopoly /djuːˈɒpəli/: a situation in which two suppliers dominate the market for a commodity or service.
scariest horror movies： /ˈskɛːrist/ the most frightening
cf: regimen <-> regiment
regimen: a prescribed course of medical treatment, diet, or exercise for the promotion or restoration of health.
a regimen of one or two injections per day
regiment: a permanent unit of an army typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel and divided into several companies, squadrons, or batteries and often into two battalions.
lieutenant /lɛfˈtɛnənt/
Covid-19 vaccine efficacy wanes under Delta
efficacy /ˈɛfɪkəsi/: the ability to produce a desired or intended result. Ex: there is little information on the efficacy of this treatment
The robot barista making the coffee, ELLA, will occupy less than five square meters.
barista /bəˈrɪstə/
Intel is pouring more and more of its energy into its mainstay chip business, and that now means leaving some of its less essential work by the wayside.
mainstay: a person or thing on which something else is based or depends.
wayside: the edge of a road
by the wayside: to be put aside on account of something more urgent
To equal this spending, Japan would have to earmark large sums of public money that the greying nation might otherwise spend on health and welfare.
earmark:
verb: designate (something, typically funds or resources) for a particular purpose
noun: a mark on the ear of a domesticated animal indicating ownership or identity.
You can choose to set aside a smaller amount for CPF LIFE if you pledge a property that you own.
By pledging your property, you can withdraw the remaining amount from CPF Special Account (CPF SA) and Ordinary Account (CPF OA).
pledge: LAW, a thing that is given as security for the fulfillment of a contract or the payment of a debt and is liable to forfeiture in the event of failure.抵押
he had given the object as a pledge to a creditor
pledge: a solemn promise or undertaking. Ex: "the conference ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution"
fulfilment /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/
have/get one's head (screwed) on right/straight : to think or act in a smart and sensible way
She's young, but it's clear that she has her head screwed on right.
You think that's a good idea? You need to get your head screwed on straight.
Industry observers believe this is a watershed moment for the fight against China's allegedly misogynist tech industry: an area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas.
watershed:
1) an event or period marking a turning point in a situation.
2) an area or region drained by a river, river system, or other body of water.
misogynist /mɪˈsɒdʒ(ə)nɪst/: a person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women.
gyn-, gyno-, gynec-, gyneco-: woman, female
mono.gyn.ous /məˈnɒdʒɪnəs/: 一妻制的
poly.gynous: 一夫多妻的
androgyny [andro男，gyn女，-y名词后缀] 具有男女两性，半男半女
gynecology /ˌɡʌɪnɪˈkɒlədʒi/ 妇科学，妇科
gynecologist /ˌɡʌɪnəˈkɒlədʒɪst/: 妇科医生
gynecoid [gynec妇女，-oid如…的] 如妇女的，有女性特征的
gynecian [gynec妇女，-ian…的] 妇女的，妇人的
miso-, mis-, -misia: hate, hater, hatred; disgust for; revulsion of; contempt for; abhorrence of
cf: mis-: bad, wrong.
-ist: a suffix; one who believes in
She complained that her boss has been coming on to her: to show sexual interest in (someone) : to try to start a sexual relationship with (someone)
wharf = dock = pier
12 container ships were waiting for berth space: a ship's allotted place at a wharf or dock. 泊位
wharf /wɔːf/ : a level quayside area to which a ship may be moored to load and unload.码头
moor: Make fast (a boat) by attaching it by cable or rope to the shore or to an anchor.
the storage of perishable foods: (especially of food) likely to decay or go bad quickly.
People often try to remove earwax by digging the ears with a cotton bud or metal ear digger.
earwax: the protective yellow waxy substance secreted in the passage of the outer ear
cotton bud: a small wad of cotton wool on a short, thin stick, used for cosmetic purposes or cleaning the ears 棉签
wad: a mass or lump of a soft material, used for padding, stuffing, or wiping. Ex: "a wad of lint-free rag"
ear digger: 挖耳勺
We saw the president extend the eviction moratorium the other day: /ˌmɒrəˈtɔːrɪəm/ A temporary prohibition of an activity.
the Biden administration is urging Americans to get vaccinated to stave off health and economic threats posed by the Delta variant.
stave off: avert or delay something bad or dangerous.
stave /steɪv/: avert or delay something bad or dangerous. Ex：A reassuring presence can stave off a panic attack
variant /ˈvɛːrɪənt/： a form or version of something that differs in some respect from other forms of the same thing or from a standard
Only if the weather holds out:
continue to be sufficient.
we can stay here for as long as our supplies hold out
have a feeling of hope or optimism.
only time will tell if the plan is successful, but I'm not holding out much hope
craft beer: a beer made in a traditional or non-mechanized way by a small brewery.
brewery /ˈbruːəri/：a place where beer is made commercially.
problems rooted in overexpansion and poor merchandising:
merchandising: /ˈməːtʃ(ə)ndʌɪsɪŋ/ the activity of promoting the sale of goods, especially by their presentation in retail outlets.
root in: To have something as a primary source or origin
The word tantalize is rooted in Greek mythology.
merchandise /ˈməːtʃ(ə)ndʌɪs,ˈməːtʃ(ə)ndʌɪz/
noun: goods to be bought and sold.
shops which offered an astonishing range of merchandise
verb: promote the sale of (goods), especially by their presentation in retail outlets.
a new breakfast food can easily be merchandised
tantalize:
excite the senses or desires of (someone). 吊胃口: ex: she still tantalized him
torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable. Ex: such ambitious questions have long tantalized the world's best thinkers
Tantalize <-> tandem
tandem: a bicycle with seats and pedals for two riders, one behind the other.
in tandem: alongside each other: ex: payroll gains moving in tandem with improving economic activity
glamping: a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping. 露营
glamping is likely to satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life's luxuries
glamping = "glamorous" and "camping
slicker /ˈslɪkə/: a person who is smooth and persuasive but untrustworthy. 滑头
quarantine /ˈkwɒrəntiːn/: verb. impose isolation on (a person, animal, or place); put in quarantine.
I quarantine all new fish for one month
staycation vs vacation
staycation: a vacation spent in one's home country rather than abroad, or one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions.
home country: the country where one was born or lives permanently.
vacation: the action of leaving something one previously occupied.
His driving test was a nerve-racking ordeal
rack:
verb: cause extreme pain, anguish, or distress to.
he was racked with guilt
noun: a framework, typically with rails, bars, hooks, or pegs, for holding or storing things. Ex: a spice rack
spice: an aromatic or pungent vegetable substance used to flavour food, e.g. cloves, pepper, or cumin. ex: "the cake is packed with spices"
aromatic /arəˈmatɪk/
peg: a short pin or bolt, typically tapered at one end, that is used for securing something in place, hanging things on, or marking a position. 钉
she put her mac on a peg in the hall
ordeal: a very unpleasant and prolonged experience. Ex: the ordeal of having to give evidence
Ramble:
walk for pleasure, typically without a definite route. Ex: I spent most of my spare time rambling and climbing
talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential way. Ex: he rambled on about his acting career
inconsequential: not important or significant. Ex: they talked about inconsequential things
A down payment is money paid upfront in a financial transaction, such as the purchase of a home or car.
The higher the down payment, the less the buyer will need to borrow to complete the transaction, the lower their monthly payments, and the less they'll pay in interest over the long term.
Indonesian blockbuster IPO to set tone for Southeast Asia tech sector:
blockbuster: a thing of great power or size, in particular a movie, book, or other product that is a great commercial success.
set tone: to establish a quality, feeling, or attitude by a manner of speaking or writing. Ex: Her lighthearted question set the tone for the rest of the interview
Indonesian /ɪndəˈniːzɪən,ɪndəˈniːʒ(ə)n/
A veterinary nurse:
vet-:
veterinary /ˈvɛt(ə)rɪn(ə)ri,ˈvɛt(ə)nri/: adj. relating to the diseases, injuries, and treatment of farm and domestic animals.
veterinarian /ˌvɛt(ə)rɪˈnɛːrɪən/ : noun. known as a veterinary surgeon
veteran /ˈvɛt(ə)r(ə)n/ : a person who has had long experience in a particular field. Ex: "a veteran of two world wars"
The latest buzzword in international travel is “ecotourism”
buzzword: a word or phrase, often an item of jargon, that is fashionable at a particular time or in a particular context. 流行语
jargon /ˈdʒɑːɡ(ə)n/ : special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
our Monthly Statement is ready for your perusal:
perusal /pəˈruːz(ə)l/: the action of reading or examining something.
per-: through, across, over; beyond, by means of
contemporaneous /kənˌtɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs,kɒnˌtɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs/: existing or occurring in the same period of time, which usually applies to events, movements, or trends
Thankfully, the Singapore High Court recognizes the common practices of people using mobile phones to send messages and it will treat these seemingly banal exchanges as contemporaneous evidence to prove whether an event happened or otherwise.
cf: contemporary /kənˈtɛmp(ə)r(ər)i/: 1) living or occurring at the same time. 2) belonging to or occurring in the present, which usually applies to people or small groups of people: Ex: the Beatles and the Beach Boys were contemporary with each other because they were active at roughly the same time
banal /bəˈnɑːl,bəˈnal/ : so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring.
songs with banal, repeated words .
primary care: by polyclinics and private clinics
Secondary care is provided by the eight national specialty centers
tertiary care is provided by seven acute public hospitals
tertiary /ˈtəːʃ(ə)ri/: third in order or level.
cf: primary <-> prime
Primary and Prime are mostly interchangeable. Primary mostly means "first in a group, series and order" while Prime mostly means "first in importance, degree, rank, quality"
They Spurned the Vaccine: /spəːn/ reject with disdain or contempt
he spoke gruffly, as if afraid that his invitation would be spurned
gruff: (of a voice) rough and low in pitch
the regulatory impact will not take a huge toll on the business: a charge payable for permission to use a particular bridge or road
toll /təʊl/:
a charge payable to use a bridge or road. Ex: motorway tolls
the number of deaths or casualties arising from a natural disaster, conflict, accident, etc. Ex: the toll of dead and injured mounted
the high rewards are stapled with high levels of risk as well: attach or secure with a staple or staples.
staple
noun, a piece of thin wire with two short right-angled end pieces which are driven by a stapler through sheets of paper to fasten them together. 钉书针
verb: attach or secure with a staple or staples. Ex: Merrill stapled a batch of papers together
noun: a main or important element of something. Ex: bread, milk, and other staples
adj: main or important, especially in terms of consumption. Ex: the staple foods of the poor