Lesson 52 Mud is mud

1. permanent a.

Heavy drinking can cause permanent damage to the brain...

The ban is intended to be permanent.

→temporary  His job here is only temporary...

             ...a temporary loss of memory.

2. study n./v.

...a relaxed and happy atmosphere that will allow you to study to your full potential...

...the use of maps and visual evidence in the study of local history...

Recent studies suggest that as many as 5 in 1000 new mothers are likely to have this problem.

→A study is a room in a house which is used for reading, writing, and studying.

3. tint v.

Its large leaves often show a delicate purple tint...

Eyebrows can be tinted with the same dye...

She gave me instructions on how to apply the tint.

4. delicate a.

She had long delicate fingers.

Although the coral looks hard, it is very delicate.

Delicate sense of smell

5. observant a.

An observant doctor can often detect depression from expression, posture, and movement.

6. contain v. 

Factory shops contain a wide range of cheap furnishings...

Many cars run on petrol which contains lead.

More than a hundred firemen are still trying to contain the fire at the plant...

7. express v.

He expressed grave concern at American attitudes...

express one’s sorrow/regret/views/opinions/feelings

She came with the express purpose of causing trouble.

express letter/delivery/laundry service

8. rub v.

He groaned and rubbed his eyes.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

He coughed and rubbed at his throat.

Peter rubbed his glasses slowly.

9. dispel v.

The President is attempting to dispel the notion that he has neglected the economy.

All such doubts were now dispelled.

→banish  He has now banished all thoughts of retirement...

...a public investment programme intended to banish the recession.

They tried to banish him from politics.

10. outlandish a.

This idea is not as outlandish as it sounds.

→bizarre He had some bizarre conversations with his landlady.

11. relate v.

Other recommendations relate to the details of how such data is stored...

Children need to learn to relate to other children.

12. acquire v.

General Motors acquired a 50% stake in Saab for about $400m...

I've never acquired a taste for wine...

He has acquired a reputation as this country's premier solo violinist.

an acquired taste

13. cure v.

Her cancer can only be controlled, not cured.

Atkinson has been told rest is the only cure for his ankle injury.

Private firms are willing to make large scale investments to help cure Russia's economic troubles...

14. outrageous a.

I must apologise for my outrageous behaviour...

Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.

Nearly every day from then on, some new outrageous incident would take place.

15. fanciful a.

She had fanciful notion that germs were waiting to pounce on her.

Their interpretations are often fanciful.

16. insoluble a.

I pushed the problem aside; at present it was insoluble...

17. beyond prep.

The economy is beyond me.

How he managed to find us is beyond me.

18. prompt v./a.

Japan's recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars...

It is not too late, but prompt action is needed.

The company was prompt in its response to these accusations.

Mary was prompt to dismiss any suspicions I might have.

19. puzzled a.

Critics remain puzzled by the British election results...

→confused  A survey showed people were confused about what they should eat to stay healthy...

20. stress n./v.

He stressed the importance of better public relations.

This stress on community values is not so apparent in the east of the country.

The rationale for the divorce rate is that too many stresses are being placed on the modern family.

21. bewilder v.

The silence from Alex had hurt and bewildered her.

22. convey v.

Other newspapers convey the impression that the war is nearing its end.

The railway company extended a branch line to Brightlingsea to convey fish direct to Billingsgate.

23. concoct v.

He had to hastily concoct an excuse.

Nancy had concocted a red wine sauce to go with the pheasants.

24. intoxicate v.

One in four admitted being intoxicated.

She was intoxicated by her position as manager of the company.

25. blank a.

Her face went blank.

My mind is a blank.

I keep thinking I know all the answers and then going blank.

26. discreet a.

I can guarantee that Perry would be discreet.

She is very discreet. She has never told me anything about it.

→discrete The company was divided into a number of relatively small, discrete units.

27. hasty a.

Hasty departure/meal

28. retreat v.

I nearly tripped and fell as I retreated from a gentleman who rushed up to me.

I retreated to the country for a long weekend.

The French, suddenly outnumbered, were forced to retreat...

29. clutch v./n.

The boy’s mother was sitting in front of the desk, clutching a handkerchief.

Smith still has the press in his clutches.

He started his car and let out the clutch far too quickly.

30 adorn v.