2023-01

she squirted soda into a glass: /skwəːt/  cause (a liquid) to be ejected from a small opening in a thin, fast stream or jet. 喷出

she got all dolled up for her big date: /dɒl/  

• doll: 1. [verb] to dress elegantly or extravagantly. 

•          2. noun] a small model of a human figure, typically one of a baby or girl, used as a child's toy. 

miai meeting/omiai meeting: [MiAi]] matchmaking .相亲会

capsicum spray: /ˈkapsɪkəm/  a tropical American plant of the nightshade family with fruits (peppers) containing many seeds 

He grabs my boob: a woman's breast.

scuba gear:   /ˈskuːbə,ˈskjuːbə/ an aqualung /ˈakwəlʌŋ/ 潜水. 

• aqualung : /ˈakwəlʌŋ/  a portable breathing apparatus for divers, consisting of cylinders of compressed air strapped on the diver's back, feeding air automatically through a mask or mouthpiece. 水肺

• gear: a toothed wheel that works with others to alter the relation between the speed of a driving mechanism (such as the engine of a vehicle) and the speed of the driven parts (the wheels). Example: "a racing bike with ten-speed gears"

This event planted the seed for inflection points in 2023:  a change of curvature from convex to concave at a particular point on a curve  拐点

• convex :  having an outline or surface curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere -- shapes that curve inward  凸

• concave: having an outline or surface that curves inwards like the interior of a circle or sphere -- shapes that curve outward  凹

stablished temporary herd immunity protection ： A large group of animals 

bike thefts soared by 86 per cent in a London borough : /ˈbʌrə/  a town or district that is an administrative unit. 

upstate: situated or occurring in the northern part of a state, especially the northern part of New York State as contrasted with New York City. For example: "upstate New York"

the spokes of a bicycle wheel: each of the bars or wire rods connecting the centre of a wheel to its outer edge 

At the risk of sticking my neck out, I think that if we do that, we're making a big, big mistake: risk incurring criticism or anger by acting or speaking boldly. 

• Some ascribe the origin to the fact that a chicken or turkey will stretch out its neck when placed upon the chopping block 

"there is a mischievous sparkle in his eyes that suggests he is no patsy": /ˈpatsi/  a person who is easily taken advantage of, especially by being cheated or blamed for something.

"put the pressure on him—rattle his cage": anger or irritate someone.

"officials are reporting an increase in the number of intoxicated students requiring medical attention" : /ɪnˈtɒksɪkeɪtɪd/  drunk or under the influence of drugs.

The dining hall is directly adjacent to the lobby, or rather, from where you are, it's just three steps away: /əˈdʒeɪs(ə)nt/ next to or adjoining something else 

They falsified the document: alter (information, a document, or evidence) so as to mislead. 伪造

“We're only as sick as our secrets”: an adage known well by those in AA. It basically means that a secret kept in the dark grows and becomes more harmful, but once it is exposed to light or released, its power is lost 

"she grew more and more despondent": /dɪˈspɒnd(ə)nt/  in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.

"incidentally, it was many months before the whole truth was discovered": used to add a further comment or a remark unconnected to the current subject; by the way. 顺便一提

pick nose: 抠鼻子

nation <-> international

• nation /ˈneɪʃn/

• international /ˌɪntəˈnaʃən(ə)l/

there was a kerfuffle over the chairmanship： /kəˈfʌfl/ a commotion or fuss, especially one caused by conflicting views. 混战

The guard's truncheon hit air and he lost his balance

• truncheon : /ˈtrʌn(t)ʃ(ə)n/  a short, thick stick carried as a weapon by a police officer. 

• hit air: 落空/没有打中

"he had been moonlighting for a rival tabloid": have a second job, typically secretly and at night, in addition to one's regular employment.

• tabloid /ˈtablɔɪd/  a newspaper 

• The second job was done ‘by moonlight’; hence ‘moonlighting’. In contemporary Britain, it simply means taking a second job, during the time that you’re not expected to be on your employer’s premises, without telling your main employer (and possibly without telling the taxman either) 

"she wore a sloppy sweater and jeans": (of a garment) casual and loose-fitting.

A man who angers easily should count to 10,  it calms trouble like pouring oil on troubled waters: try to settle a disagreement or dispute with words intended to placate or pacify those involved. 

get off on the wrong foot: make a bad start at something, especially a task or relationship.

• one might question the validity of our data:  /vəˈlɪdɪti/

• time after time I've invited them to come over and visit us but time and time again they've never come: on very many occasions; repeatedly. 

• Driving feels awkward when you're new to it, but it's easy once you get/have  the hang of it: To begin to understand or manage at a basic level; to learn to handle with some skill

• "they looked over a property in Great Marlborough Street": inspect something with a view to establishing its merits.

• Jake likes to make believe he’s a pirate: pretend; imagine. 

• His untimely statement has not only let the cat out of the bag but also upset the apple cart for the peace move.

  • let the cat out of the bag : reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake. 

  • upset the apple cart: spoil a plan or disturb the status quo.

• Just one part of what he said got picked up by the media and took on a life of its own..

• extra special treatment is imperative to get the vessel through government red tape: excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities.

  • bureaucracy: /bjʊˈrɒkrəsi/ excessively complicated administrative procedure. 

• looks, brains, reflexs, rich family and for good measure, vice president of the student committe-in other words he's perfect: in addition to what has already been done or said.

• he is still defying death: openly resist or refuse to obey. 

• a primitive community : /ˈprɪmɪtɪv/  原始社会

• cyclical phenomenon : /ˈsɪklɪkl,ˈsʌɪklɪkl/  occurring in cycles; recurrent. 

• The crowd may be on the side of Lucinato,  but the champ has got the skill to win and that's what matters. 观众可能站在Lucinato一边，

• "misuse of drugs can have dire consequences": /ˈdʌɪə/  extremely serious or urgent.

• If you are in dire straits, just let me know and I will come running: in a very bad situation that is difficult to fix 

• One of these days, I'm going to buy myself a boat. : one of these days: at some time in the future 

• This area was taped out to keep people out.: To cordon; to separate from the surroundings using tape or similar material. 

• music appreciation  is my hobby:  欣赏 recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. 

• We were working on a new product but before we could get it into the market our competition beat us to the punch : to do or achieve something before someone else is able to 

• If you want to do eye-grabbing work you have to put out something punchy at the outset. 

  • punch: strike with the fist. 殴打 

  • punchy: having an immediate impact; forceful. 

  • outset: the start or beginning of something. 

  • at the outset: from the beginning

• I got caught in the rain. 

• I got so nervous for him that I got sweaty palms.

Detroit is the seat of Wayne County in southeastern Michigan.  /ˈkaʊnti/ a territorial division of some countries, forming the chief unit of local administration. 县

"they would try to decoy the enemy towards the hidden group": /ˈdiːkɔɪ,dɪˈkɔɪ/  lure or entice (a person or animal) away from their intended course, typically into a trap.

The framework allows to factorize the common parts of drivers for the same type of devices: (with reference to a number) resolve or be resolvable into factors. 

You had better wear a sweater under your jacket. 

• sweater :  a knitted garment worn on the upper body, typically with long sleeves, put on over the head. For example: "a close-knit wool sweater for icy weather" 毛衣

• jacket: an outer garment extending either to the waist or the hips, typically having sleeves and a fastening down the front. Example:  "she chose to wear a blue jacket with white stripes" 夹克

keep a check on your impulse :  to keep (something) under control. 

It worth a shot: worth a try

The Trainee and the Sureties understand and agree that the CAAS will be at liberty to vary the Second Schedule to this Deed from time to time: [Law] an appendix to a formal document or statute, especially as a list, table, or inventory. Example of "they need a clear schedule of fixtures and fittings" 本契约附表

we call everyone's name. If someone answers they get ticked off. 打勾

Ben jumped ashore and tied the rowboat up to the small wooden jetty : /ˈdʒɛti/  a landing stage or small pier at which boats can dock or be moored. 码头

• • a-: toward , on

  • rowboat  a small boat propelled by use of oars; a rowing boat.

alight: descend from a train, bus, or other form of transport. 

• a-: away, from, off, out