Preparing usage notes, please check back later
against the grain
US
UK
- Phrase
- Contrary to someone's natural inclinations or feelings; in opposition to what is normal or expected.
- In a direction that is perpendicular to the fibers of wood, making it difficult to work with.
A2Moreallergic
US /əˈlədʒɪk/
UK /əˈlɜ:dʒɪk/
- Adjective
- Of or having a reaction to an allergy
B2Morearguably
US /ˈɑːrɡjuəbli/
UK /ˈɑ:gjuəbli/
- Adverb
- Highly likely to be true but not certainly true
A2Moreaspect
US /ˈæspɛkt/
UK /'æspekt/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Way something looks or seems to be
- An element, feature, or quality of something
A2TOEICMoreastrology
US /əˈstrɑ:lədʒi/
UK /əˈstrɒlədʒi/
- Uncountable Noun
- Study of how the stars influence human lives
C1Moreat times
US /æt taɪmz/
UK /æt taɪmz/
- Phrase
- Sometimes; occasionally.
A1Morebother
US /ˈbɑðɚ/
UK /'bɒðə(r)/
- Transitive Verb
- To cause problems, concerns or worry for someone
- To take the trouble to do something
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Problems, concern or worry for someone
- A disturbance; trouble
A2TOEICMorecareer
US /kəˈrɪr/
UK /kə'rɪə(r)/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Particular occupation in professional life
- The course of a person's life, especially in a particular pursuit or profession.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To move forward very fast and without control
- To advance or make progress rapidly
A2Moreclip
US /klɪp/
UK /klɪp/
- Countable Noun
- A metal holder used for keeping things together
- Brief part of a television show or movie
- Transitive Verb
- To attach things together using a metal pin
- To cut a small section or piece out from something
B1Morecolosseum
US
UK
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Large round sports stadium with tiered seats
C1Morecome back
US /kʌm bæk/
UK /kʌm bæk/
- Phrasal Verb
- To reply to someone, often forcefully
- To be remembered
A1Morecomedy
US /ˈkɑmɪdi/
UK /'kɒmədɪ/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Amusing play, film, usually with a happy ending
A2Moredelirious
US /dɪˈlɪriəs/
UK /dɪˈlɪriəs/
- Adjective
- Talking in a confused anxious way due to fever
- In an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication, characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence of thought and speech.
C1Moredepend
US /dɪˈpend/
UK /dɪˈpend/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- Be controlled or determined by (someone/something)
- To rely on someone or something for support, help, or existence.
B1TOEICMoredeplete
US /dɪˈplit/
UK /dɪˈpli:t/
- Transitive Verb
- To reduce the amount, strength or number of
B2TOEICMoredude
US /dud, djud/
UK /du:d/
- Noun
- Form of address for a man
- (informal) A man; a fellow.
- Interjection
- (informal) Used as a term of address, often between men.
B2Moreedit
US /ˈɛdɪt/
UK /ˈedɪt/
- Transitive Verb
- To check and make changes before publication
- To prepare scenes of a film into the final version
A2TOEICMoreentire
US /ɛnˈtaɪr/
UK /ɪn'taɪə(r)/
- Adjective
- Complete or full; with no part left out; whole
- Undivided; not shared or distributed.
A2TOEICMorefeel like
US
UK
- Intransitive Verb
- To have a desire or inclination for something.
- To have a particular quality or sensation; resemble.
A1Morefestival
US / ˈfɛstəvəl/
UK /ˈfestɪvl/
- Noun
- Cultural event with a program of events
A2Moregive it up
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To stop trying to do something
A1Morego against
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To disagree with or challenge someone
A1Moregrain
US /ɡren/
UK /greɪn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Seeds of plants used for food
- Natural pattern in something, e.g. wood
B1TOEICMoregrandpa
US /ˈɡrændˌpɑ, ˈɡræn-, ˈɡræmˌpɑ, ˈɡræmpə/
UK /ˈgrænpɑ:/
- Countable Noun
- Your mother or father's father
B2Moregrateful
US /ˈɡretfəl/
UK /ˈgreɪtfl/
- Adjective
- Feeling or showing thanks; thankful
B1TOEICMoreguideline
US /ˈɡaɪdˌlaɪn/
UK /ˈgaɪdlaɪn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- General rule or instruction how to do a thing
- A recommendation or suggestion that is not mandatory.
B1TOEICMorehave to
US /hæv tu/
UK /ˈhæv tə/
- Auxiliary Verb
- Must do
A1Moreholler
US /ˈhɑ:lə(r)/
UK /ˈhɒlə(r)/
- Intransitive Verb
- To shout very loudly; yell
C1Moreholler at
US /ˈhɑlər æt/
UK /ˈhɒlə ət/
- other
- To shout or call out to someone to get their attention.
B2Moreimprovise
US /ˈɪmprəˌvaɪz/
UK /ˈɪmprəvaɪz/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To compose, speak or perform without preparation
B2Morein love with
US //ɪn lʌv wɪð//
UK
- Adjective
- Feeling romantic love for someone.
- Extremely enthusiastic about or fond of something.
A1Morein the stars
US /ɪn ðə ˈstɑrz/
UK /in ðə ˈstɑ:z/
- other
- Determined by fate or destiny.
B2Moreinevitably
US /ɪnˈevɪtəbli/
UK /ɪnˈevɪtəbli/
- Adverb
- (Happening) with complete certainty
B1Moreinsane
US /ɪnˈsen/
UK /ɪnˈseɪn/
- Adjective
- Mentally ill; crazy
- Being crazy or stupid
B2Morejust kind of
US
UK
- Phrase
- Used to express a feeling or state in a vague or hesitant way.
- Used to indicate something is approximately or generally similar to something else.
A2Morekid
US /kɪd/
UK /kɪd/
- Countable Noun
- Child or young person
- Young goat
- Adjective
- Made from young goat skin
A2Morelook at
US /lʊk æt/
UK /luk æt/
- Phrasal Verb
- To use your eyes to focus on something
- To focus your eyes on something carefully
A1Morelook back
US /lʊk bæk/
UK /luk bæk/
- Phrasal Verb
- To think about past events
A1Morelook up to
US /lʊk ʌp tu/
UK /luk ʌp tu:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To respect or admire someone
A1Moreobsess
US /əbˈsɛs, ɑb-/
UK /əbˈses/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To talk or think about someone, something too much
- To think about something to an excessive degree
C1Moreof all time
US /ʌv ɔl taɪm/
UK /ɔv ɔ:l taim/
- Adjective
- The best or most significant in history.
- Phrase
- Ever; in all of history.
A1Moreof course
US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/
UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/
- Adverb
- Sure ; Certainly
- Phrase
- For sure; certainly
A2Moreopportunity
US /ˌɑpɚˈtunɪti, -ˈtju-/
UK /ˌɒpə'tju:nətɪ/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Time, situation when a thing might be done; chance
- A favorable time or occasion for doing something.
A2TOEICMoreout of nowhere
US
UK
- Phrase
- Suddenly and unexpectedly; from an unknown place or source.
overnight
US /ˈovɚˌnaɪt/
UK /ˌəʊvə'naɪt/
- Adverb
- (Becoming famous, etc.) in a short amount of time
- For or during the night
- Adjective
- Lasting or taking place during the night
- Delivered or intended to be delivered on the next day
B1Morepandemic
US /pænˈdɛmɪk/
UK /pæn'demɪk/
- Adjective
- (of a disease) existing in almost all of an area or in almost all of a group of people, animals, or plants
- Noun
- a pandemic disease
C2Moreproper
US /ˈprɑpɚ/
UK /'prɒpə(r)/
- Adjective
- Correct according to social or moral rules
- Behaving in a polite and socially acceptable way.
A2TOEICMorequit
US /kwɪt/
UK /kwɪt/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To leave a job
- To leave a place
- Intransitive Verb
- To leave a school etc. without finishing
B1Morereluctantly
US /rɪˈlʌktəntlɪ/
UK /rɪ'lʌktəntlɪ/
- Adverb
- In an unwilling manner; grudgingly
B1Morerife
US /raɪf/
UK /raɪf/
- Adjective
- (Of a bad thing) very common; found everywhere
C1TOEICMoreright back
US /raɪt bæk/
UK /rait bæk/
- Interjection
- Said when someone says they will return soon, indicating you expect their prompt return.
- Adverb
- Immediately; very soon after going.
A1Moreselection
US /sɪˈlɛkʃən/
UK /sɪˈlekʃn/
- Noun
- Process of choosing someone or something carefully
A2TOEICMoreshow in
US /ʃo ɪn/
UK /ʃəu ɪn/
- other
- To lead someone into a room or building.
A2Morestand behind
US /stænd bɪˈhaɪnd/
UK /stænd biˈhaind/
- Phrasal Verb
- To support or defend someone or something.
- To take responsibility for something.
A2Morestart into
US /stɑrt ˈɪntu/
UK /stɑ:t ˈɪntu:/
- other
- To begin doing something quickly or suddenly.
B2Morestick around
US /stɪk əˈraʊnd/
UK /stik əˈraund/
- Phrasal Verb
- To remain in place; not leave or go
A2Moresuccess
US /səkˈsɛs/
UK /sək'ses/
- Uncountable Noun
- Achievement of a desired purpose or goal
- A successful person; one who achieved their aims
A2TOEICMoresupporter
US /səˈpɔrtɚ, -ˈpor-/
UK /səˈpɔ:tə(r)/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Someone showing they are in favor of a idea, plan
- Someone who is a fan of a particular sports team
B1Moresuppose
US /səˈpoʊz/
UK /sə'pəʊz/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To imagine or guess what might happen
- Conjunction
- What if
A2TOEICMoreswallow
US /ˈswɑː.loʊ/
UK /'swɒləʊ/
- Transitive Verb
- To believe (something that is not true)
- To make food go from your mouth to your stomach
- Countable Noun
- Small northern bird with downward-pointing wings
A2Moretalking about
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To discuss a particular topic.
- To be constantly mentioning or bringing up a subject.
A1Moreto do with
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To be about something; concern
A1Moretransition
US /trænˈzɪʃən, -ˈsɪʃ-/
UK /trænˈzɪʃn/
- Noun
- Change from one state, movement, place to another
- Intransitive Verb
- To change state, movement, place, or subject
B1Moretv show
US /ˈtiˈvi ʃo/
UK /ˈti:ˈvi: ʃəu/
- Noun
- A television program.
up there
US /ʌp ðɛr/
UK /ʌp ðɛə/
- Adverb
- In or to a higher place or position; far away.
- In heaven.
A1Moreused to
US /juzd tu/
UK /ˈju:st tə/
- Adjective
- Did regularly before, but don't do now
- Auxiliary Verb
- Have done before, but do not do now
A1Morevenue
US /ˈvɛnju/
UK /'venju:/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Place, area where an event is held or takes place
- The place where a public event or meeting happens.
B2Moreviral
US /ˈvaɪrəl/
UK /ˈvaɪrəl/
- Adjective
- Of or caused by a virus
- Becoming very popular by circulating quickly from person to person, especially through the Internet.
B2Morewith it
US /wɪð ɪt/
UK /wið it/
- Adjective
- Intelligent, alert, and up-to-date.
- Understanding and knowledgeable about current trends or information.
A1Morework out
US /wɚk aʊt/
UK /wə:k aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To find a way to do something, by thinking
A1More
