Vocabulary

  • drug cartels: Criminal organizations that control drug trafficking operations.
  • have to: Must do
  • in terms of
  • on the ground: Located on the surface of the earth.
  • talking about: To discuss a particular topic.
  • goes to show: To demonstrate or prove something.
  • look at: To use your eyes to focus on something
  • in a state: In a particular condition or situation.
  • carry out
  • local communities: Groups of people living in the same area or having particular characteristics in common.
  • out of time: Having no more time available to do something.
  • street value: The price that an illegal drug will fetch when sold on the street.
  • pull in: To arrest person and take them to police station
  • in the business of: Engaged in a particular commercial activity or profession.
  • in total: Completely; with everything added together.
  • no matter: Regardless of; it does not matter.
  • shut down: To close an operating system, e.g. on a computer
  • in the works: Being planned or prepared; in progress.
  • based on: To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
  • experience in: Knowledge or skill gained from doing something for a period of time.
  • of course: Sure ; Certainly
  • stay in: To remain inside one's home.
  • due to: Because of; owing to
  • next to: Being located along side another
  • in operation: Currently working or functioning as intended.
  • look for: To try to find a thing or person that is lost
  • deal with
  • in areas: Located or occurring within specific regions or locations.
  • except for: Not including; excluding.
  • for example: As an illustration or instance.
  • as a result of: Because of something; owing to.
  • significant: Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
  • tough: (Of food) difficult to chew or bite through
  • matter: To be of great importance; to count
  • tackle: To start working on a difficult problem
  • general: Widespread, normal or usual
  • consequence: Importance of a person or thing
  • consume: To eat, drink, buy or use up something
  • combination: Series of letters or numbers needed to open a lock
  • relationship: Connection between two or more people or things
  • continent: Very large piece of land, e.g. Africa or Asia
  • state: Region within a country, with its own government
  • primitive: Lacking a written language and advanced technology
  • security: Department in a company in charge of protection
  • involve: To have or be included as a part of something
  • burst: To move (arrive, exit, etc.) suddenly or hurriedly
  • manner: The way a person acts, talks, or behaves
  • widespread: Happening or existing in many places
  • couple: To join something to something else
  • ground: To break (coffee, etc.) into tiny bits with machine
  • route: Way to get from one place to another place; path
  • trade: A specific industry, e.g. shoe making
  • serve: To act in a particular position or office
  • major: High-ranking officer in the army
  • agency: Business that provides some service for others
  • magnitude: Number representing force of an earthquake
  • correspondent: Journalist, as one reporting from other countries
  • recruit: Person who has just joined the military
  • organize: To arrange and plan things, e.g. a party
  • arrest: To attract someone's attention and hold interest
  • important: Having power or authority
  • enforcement: Process of making sure that rules are followed
  • fact: Something that is known or proved to be true
  • crystal: A solid formed by the solidification of a chemical
  • corridor: Passageway between rooms in a buildings
  • raid: Sudden entry by police; surprise attack by army
  • maritime: Concerning sailing, ships
  • seizure: Act of taking control of something by force
  • rise: To wake up and get out of bed after sleeping
  • breakdown: When normal activity or behavior stops
  • proliferation: Sudden and fast increase in something
  • grow: To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
  • make: To arrange or prepare something e.g. dinner
  • cocaine: Illegal drug made from coca leaves
  • heinous: Hatefully bad; evil
  • list: To lean to one side, like a boat or ship
  • forest: Large area with many trees
  • country: An area of land that is controlled by a government
  • transit: System of transportation, often in a city
  • allege: To state without proof
  • happen: To take place or occur
  • porous: With many tiny holes so liquid, etc. passes through
  • lab: Short for 'laboratory'
  • illicit: Not allowed by the laws or rules
  • symbiotic: In an interdependent relationship
  • gateway: Entrance that can be closed by a gate
  • backyard: Made in an amateurish or non-professional way
  • transatlantic: Going across the Atlantic Ocean
  • latin: Ancient Roman language affecting many languages
  • nexus: Link or connection between things or groups
  • southwest: Location in the southwestern part of an area
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  • not found vocabularyNo vocabulary matches your filters
    • agency

      US /ˈedʒənsi/

      UK /'eɪdʒənsɪ/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Business that provides some service for others
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • allege

      US /əˈlɛdʒ/

      UK /əˈledʒ/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To state without proof
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • as a result of

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Because of something; owing to.
      A1
      More
    • backyard

      US /ˌbækˈjɑ:rd/

      UK /ˌbækˈjɑ:d/

      • Adjective
      • Made in an amateurish or non-professional way
      • Local; in one's immediate vicinity.
      • Noun
      • Yard or garden behind a house
      • An area close to one's home or area of expertise.
      C2
      More
    • based on

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
      • Preposition
      • Using something as the main idea or foundation.
      • Relying on something as evidence or justification.
      A1
      More
    • breakdown

      US /ˈbrekˌdaʊn/

      UK /'breɪkdaʊn/

      • Noun
      • When normal activity or behavior stops
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • burst

      US /bɚst/

      UK /bɜ:st/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To move (arrive, exit, etc.) suddenly or hurriedly
      • To break apart/open in a sudden and violent way
      • Noun
      • Brief time period when something happens and ends
      • A sudden outbreak or display of something.
      A2
      More
    • carry out

      US /ˈkæri aʊt/

      UK /ˈkæri aut/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To fulfill or perform your instructions, duty
      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To perform or execute a task, order, or plan.
      • To remove something or someone from a place.
      A1
      More
    • cocaine

      US /ˈkoʊˌkeɪn/

      UK /kəʊˈkeɪn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Illegal drug made from coca leaves
      • A street name for the drug cocaine.
      • Intransitive Verb
      • To use cocaine.
      B2
      More
    • combination

      US /ˌkɑmbəˈneʃən/

      UK /ˌkɒmbɪ'neɪʃn/

      • Noun
      • Series of letters or numbers needed to open a lock
      • Act or result of mixing things together
      B1
      More
    • consequence

      US /ˈkɑnsɪˌkwɛns,-kwəns/

      UK /ˈkɔnsikwəns/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Importance of a person or thing
      • Outcome of an event; result
      A2
      More
    • consume

      US /kənˈsum/

      UK /kən'sju:m/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To eat, drink, buy or use up something
      • To take all your energy; focus the attention
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • continent

      US /ˈkɑntənənt/

      UK /ˈkɒntɪnənt/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Very large piece of land, e.g. Africa or Asia
      • Adjective
      • Able to control excretory functions (bowel and bladder).
      B1
      More
    • correspondent

      US /ˌkɔrɪˈspɑndənt, ˌkɑr-/

      UK /ˌkɒrəˈspɒndənt/

      • Countable Noun
      • Journalist, as one reporting from other countries
      B1
      More
    • corridor

      US /ˈkɔrɪdɚ, -ˌdɔr, ˈkɑr-/

      UK /ˈkɒrɪdɔ:(r)/

      • Countable Noun
      • Passageway between rooms in a buildings
      • A strip of land that connects two places.
      B1
      More
    • couple

      US /ˈkʌpəl/

      UK /'kʌpl/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To join something to something else
      • (Two animals) to engage in sexual relations
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Two people in a romantic relationship
      • Two of something; two people; a pair
      A2
      More
    • crystal

      US /ˈkrɪstəl/

      UK /'krɪstl/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A solid formed by the solidification of a chemical
      • Rock with regularly repeating internal structure
      • Proper Noun
      • Person's name
      B1
      More
    • deal with

      US /dil wɪð/

      UK /di:l wið/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To buy or sell goods or services.
      • Phrasal Verb
      • To take action to solve a problem or manage a situation.
      • To be about; concern.
      A1
      More
    • drug cartels

      US

      UK

      • Noun (plural)
      • Criminal organizations that control drug trafficking operations.
      More
    • due to

      US /du tu/

      UK /dju: tu:/

      • Preposition
      • Because of; owing to
      • Adjective
      • Attributable to; caused by.
      A1
      More
    • enforcement

      US /ɪn'fɔ:smənt/

      UK /ɪn'fɔ:smənt/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Process of making sure that rules are followed
      • The act of compelling observance of or compliance with a law, rule, or obligation.
      B1
      More
    • except for

      US /ɪkˈsɛpt fɔr/

      UK /ikˈsept fɔ:/

      • Preposition
      • Not including; excluding.
      More
    • experience in

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Knowledge or skill gained from doing something for a period of time.
      • Exposure to or involvement in a particular activity or situation.
      B1
      More
    • for example

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • As an illustration or instance.
      More
    • gateway

      US /ˈɡetˌwe/

      UK /ˈgeɪtweɪ/

      • Noun
      • Entrance that can be closed by a gate
      B2
      More
    • goes to show

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • To demonstrate or prove something.
      A1
      More
    • have to

      US /hæv tu/

      UK /ˈhæv tə/

      • Auxiliary Verb
      • Must do
      A1
      More
    • heinous

      US /ˈhenəs/

      UK /ˈheɪnəs/

      • Adjective
      • Hatefully bad; evil
      C1TOEIC
      More
    • illicit

      US /ɪˈlɪsɪt/

      UK /ɪˈlɪsɪt/

      • Adjective
      • Not allowed by the laws or rules
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • in a state

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • In a particular condition or situation.
      • In an emotional condition, often negative (e.g., panic, distress).
      B2
      More
    • in areas

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Located or occurring within specific regions or locations.
      • Relating to specific fields, subjects, or disciplines.
      A1
      More
    • in operation

      US /ɪn ˌɑpəˈreɪʃən/

      UK /ɪn ˌɒpəˈreɪʃən/

      • other
      • Currently working or functioning as intended.
      A2
      More
    • in terms of

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • With regard to; concerning a particular aspect.
      A1
      More
    • in the business of

      US /ɪn ðə ˈbɪznəs ʌv/

      UK /in ðə ˈbiznis ɔv/

      • other
      • Engaged in a particular commercial activity or profession.
      B2
      More
    • in the works

      US

      UK

      • Adjective
      • Being planned or prepared; in progress.
      • Phrase
      • Under development or being actively planned.
      A1
      More
    • in total

      US /ɪn ˈtotl/

      UK /in ˈtəutəl/

      • Phrase
      • Completely; with everything added together.
      A1
      More
    • involve

      US /ɪnˈvɑlv/

      UK /ɪn'vɒlv/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To have or be included as a part of something
      • To cause (a person or group) to take part in an event or activity.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • lab

      US /læb/

      UK /læb/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Short for 'laboratory'
      B1
      More
    • latin

      US /ˈlætn/

      UK /ˈlætɪn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Ancient Roman language affecting many languages
      • Adjective
      • Of or typical of a Spanish-speaking culture
      C2
      More
    • local communities

      US

      UK

      • Noun (plural)
      • Groups of people living in the same area or having particular characteristics in common.
      • Neighborhoods or districts where people share social connections and common interests.
      B2
      More
    • look at

      US /lʊk æt/

      UK /luk æt/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To use your eyes to focus on something
      • To focus your eyes on something carefully
      A1
      More
    • look for

      US /lʊk fɔr/

      UK /luk fɔ:/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To try to find a thing or person that is lost
      • To expect or anticipate something.
      A1
      More
    • magnitude

      US /ˈmæɡnɪˌtud, -ˌtjud/

      UK /ˈmægnɪtju:d/

      • Noun
      • Number representing force of an earthquake
      • Size or importance
      B2
      More
    • major

      US /ˈmedʒɚ/

      UK /'meɪdʒə(r)/

      • Countable Noun
      • High-ranking officer in the army
      • Main subject you study at university
      • Adjective
      • Main league; esp. referring to American baseball
      • Important, serious, or large in scope, size
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • manner

      US /ˈmænɚ/

      UK /ˈmænə(r)/

      • Noun
      • The way a person acts, talks, or behaves
      • Polite and respectful behavior to others
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • maritime

      US /ˈmærɪˌtaɪm/

      UK /ˈmærɪtaɪm/

      • Adjective
      • Concerning sailing, ships
      • Being next to or near the sea
      • Noun
      • The branch of law concerning ships and shipping.
      B2
      More
    • next to

      US /nɛkst tu/

      UK /nekst tu:/

      • Preposition
      • Being located along side another
      • In comparison with
      • Adverb
      • Almost; nearly
      A1
      More
    • nexus

      US /ˈnɛksəs/

      UK /ˈneksəs/

      • Noun
      • Link or connection between things or groups
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • no matter

      US

      UK

      • Conjunction
      • Regardless of; it does not matter.
      • Adverb
      • Regardless of; it is not important
      A1
      More
    • of course

      US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/

      UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/

      • Adverb
      • Sure ; Certainly
      • Phrase
      • For sure; certainly
      A2
      More
    • on the ground

      US

      UK

      • Phrase
      • Located on the surface of the earth.
      • Present and available in a particular place, especially to deal with a situation.
      More
    • out of time

      US /aʊt ʌv taɪm/

      UK /aut ɔv taim/

      • Adjective
      • Having no more time available to do something.
      A1
      More
    • porous

      US /ˈpɔrəs, ˈpor-/

      UK /ˈpɔ:rəs/

      • Adjective
      • With many tiny holes so liquid, etc. passes through
      • (Of borders) easy for people to pass through
      C1
      More
    • primitive

      US /ˈprɪmɪtɪv/

      UK /ˈprɪmətɪv/

      • Adjective
      • Lacking a written language and advanced technology
      • Being rough and underdeveloped
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Self-taught artist; the art done in this style
      • Offensive people considered lacking a culture
      B1
      More
    • proliferation

      US /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/

      UK /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/

      • Uncountable Noun
      • Sudden and fast increase in something
      B2TOEIC
      More
    • pull in

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To arrest person and take them to police station
      • To drive a vehicle into a small space
      A1
      More
    • raid

      US /red/

      UK /reɪd/

      • Noun
      • Sudden entry by police; surprise attack by army
      • A sudden aggressive incursion.
      • Transitive Verb
      • (Army) to suddenly enter or attack a place
      • To suddenly enter or attack, e.g. to steal or harm
      B1
      More
    • recruit

      US /rɪˈkrut/

      UK /rɪ'kru:t/

      • Countable Noun
      • Person who has just joined the military
      • Person who has just begun a new activity or job
      • Transitive Verb
      • To convince and help people to join the military
      • To find new employees, volunteers or members
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • relationship

      US /rɪˈleʃənˌʃɪp/

      UK /rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Connection between two or more people or things
      • Way people interact or live with each other
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • route

      US /rut, raʊt/

      UK /ru:t/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Way to get from one place to another place; path
      • Path or way that people often use
      • Transitive Verb
      • To send along a particular path or way
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • security

      US /sɪˈkjʊrɪti/sə'kjurətɪ/

      UK /sɪ'kjʊərətɪ/

      • Noun
      • Department in a company in charge of protection
      • Financial document, like stocks, bonds and notes
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • seizure

      US /ˈsiʒɚ/

      UK /'si:ʒə(r)/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Act of taking control of something by force
      • (Medical) sudden attack of illness, e.g. epileptic fit
      B2
      More
    • serve

      US /sɚv/

      UK /sɜ:v/

      • Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
      • To act in a particular position or office
      • To hit the first ball to an opponent in tennis etc.
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • shut down

      US /ʃʌt daʊn/

      UK /ʃʌt daun/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To close an operating system, e.g. on a computer
      • To stop a factory/machine from operating
      • Transitive Verb
      • To deactivate a nuclear reactor.
      • To turn off a computer or other electronic device.
      A2
      More
    • significant

      US /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/

      UK /sɪgˈnɪfɪkənt/

      • Adjective
      • Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
      • Having meaning; important; noticeable
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • southwest

      US /saʊθˈwɛst, saʊˈwɛst/

      UK /ˌsaʊθ'west/

      • Noun
      • Location in the southwestern part of an area
      B2
      More
    • stay in

      US /ste ɪn/

      UK /stei in/

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To remain inside one's home.
      • Intransitive Verb
      • To remain as an inpatient in a hospital.
      More
    • street value

      US

      UK

      • Noun
      • The price that an illegal drug will fetch when sold on the street.
      A1
      More
    • symbiotic

      US /ˌsɪmbaɪ'ɒtɪk/

      UK /ˌsɪmbaɪ'ɒtɪk/

      • Adjective
      • In an interdependent relationship
      C2
      More
    • tackle

      US /ˈtækəl/

      UK /'tækl/

      • Transitive Verb
      • To start working on a difficult problem
      • To grab and throw a person to the ground
      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • Equipment used in fishing
      • Arrangement of ropes and wheels used for lifting
      B1TOEIC
      More
    • talking about

      US

      UK

      • Phrasal Verb
      • To discuss a particular topic.
      • To be constantly mentioning or bringing up a subject.
      A1
      More
    • tough

      US /tʌf/

      UK /tʌf/

      • Adjective
      • (Of food) difficult to chew or bite through
      • Very difficult to do or deal with
      • Noun
      • A rough and aggressive person.
      A2
      More
    • trade

      US /treid/

      UK /treɪd/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • A specific industry, e.g. shoe making
      • Action of buying and selling things in business
      • Transitive Verb
      • To buy, sell and exchange goods in business
      • To give something in return for something else
      A2TOEIC
      More
    • transatlantic

      US /ˌtrænsətˈlæntɪk, ˌtrænz-/

      UK /ˌtrænzətˈlæntɪk/

      • Adjective
      • Going across the Atlantic Ocean
      C1
      More
    • transit

      US /ˈtrænsɪt, -zɪt/

      UK /ˈtrænzɪt/

      • Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
      • System of transportation, often in a city
      • Process of changing planes at airports
      • Adjective
      • Concerning a transport system in a city
      B1
      More
    • widespread

      US /ˈwaɪdˈsprɛd/

      UK /ˈwaɪdspred/

      • Adjective
      • Happening or existing in many places
      A2TOEIC
      More
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    01:03

    She took a brave step forward, leaving behind her comfort zone to chase her dreams.

    Vocabulary
    • brave

      adj. Having courage

    • comfort zone

      phr. A familiar situation where one feels safe

    Explanation
    a brave step is a noun phrase, where brave is an adjective modifying the noun step, meaning "a courageous step". forward is an adverb modifying step, meaning "ahead". The whole phrase serves as the object, answering the "what" of took (verb) — she took a brave step forward.

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    brave

    US/brev/
    UK/breɪv/
    adj.Brave
    v.t.To bravely face
    A2 Elementary

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    B1
    #drug#nigeria#meth#west africa#lagos#africa

    How drug cartels are expanding their reach across West Africa | DW News

    0
    林宜悉 posted on 2026/05/21
    Ever wondered how drug cartels fund global terrorism? This eye-opening DW News report dives into the alarming connections between Latin American cartels and terrorist groups in West Africa, revealing a disturbing 'symbiotic relationship.' You'll hear about major drug busts and learn key vocabulary related to organized crime and international security.

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