against all odds
US
UK
- Phrase
- Despite having very little chance of succeeding.
A2Moreapparently
US /əˈpærəntlɪ/
UK /əˈpærəntli/
- Adverb
- According to what you heard; from what can be seen
A2TOEICMoreat a time
US /æt e taɪm/
UK /æt ə taim/
- Phrase
- Separately; one by one
- Simultaneously; together
A1Moreback alley
US /bæk ˈæli/
UK /bæk ˈæli/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- A narrow lane or passage behind buildings in urban areas.
A1Morebased 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.
A1Morebehind the counter
US /bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ˈkaʊntɚ/
UK /bɪˈhaɪnd ðə ˈkaʊntə/
- other
- Located in the area where goods are sold or served.
A2Moreblock
US /blɑk/
UK /blɒk/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Solid piece of material used for building
- A piece of wood, chocolate etc.
- Transitive Verb
- To stop from going forward or making progress
- To obstruct or prevent the movement or passage of.
A2Moreblueprint
US /ˈbluˌprɪnt/
UK /ˈblu:prɪnt/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Plans of how buildings will be built
- Method use to plan or organize something
B2Morebowl
US /bol/
UK /bəʊl/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Part of an object that has a rounded, inward curve
- Round container used for holding rice, soup etc.
- Intransitive Verb
- To roll a ball in the sport of bowling
A2Morebring back
US /brɪŋ bæk/
UK /briŋ bæk/
- Phrasal Verb
- To cause to remember
- To return something
A1Morecart
US /kɑrt/
UK /kɑ:t/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Vehicle on wheels for carry things; trolley
- A vehicle with two or four wheels, typically pulled by a horse or other animal, used for carrying goods or people.
- Transitive Verb
- To move things on a wheeled trolley
- To move something with effort
B1Morechance on
US /tʃæns ɑn/
UK /tʃɑ:ns ɒn/
- other
- To find or discover something unexpectedly.
B2Moreclear up
US /klɪr ʌp/
UK /kliə ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To tidy things away, e.g. dirty dishes after meal
- To explain something in an understandable way
A1Morecounter
US /ˈkaʊntɚ/
UK /'kaʊntə(r)/
- Transitive Verb
- To say or do something in opposition or resistance
- To try to prevent, as by making a different point
- Prefix
- Being opposite or against something
B1Moreculture
US /ˈkʌltʃɚ/
UK /'kʌltʃə(r)/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Beliefs and customs of a particular group
- The customs, beliefs, art, and all the other things that a group of people share and consider important.
- Transitive Verb
- To grow cells, tissues, bacteria, etc. in a controlled environment.
A2Moredecide
US /dɪˈsaɪd/
UK /dɪ'saɪd/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To make a choice or choose after thinking about it
- To make a legal judgment in court
A2TOEICMoredepending on
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- Influenced or determined by.
- Preposition
- Subject to; contingent on
- Relying on someone or something for support or assistance.
A2Moredetermine
US /dɪˈtɚmɪn/
UK /dɪ'tɜ:mɪn/
- Transitive Verb
- To control exactly how something will be or act
- To establish the facts about; discover
A2TOEICMoreevolve
US /ɪˈvɑlv/
UK /ɪ'vɒlv/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To develop certain features
- To develop or change slowly over time
B1Morefew steps
US
UK
- Phrase
- A small number of steps; a short distance.
B1Moreflavor
US /ˈflevɚ/
UK /'fleɪvə/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Quality giving something a particular character
- Taste of something, especially in food or drink
- Transitive Verb
- To add extra taste to a food
B1Moregenerally
US /ˈdʒɛnərəli/
UK /ˈdʒenrəli/
- Adverb
- Usually; as a rule; by, to or for most people
A2Morego against
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To disagree with or challenge someone
A1Morego for it
US /ɡo fɔr ɪt/
UK /ɡəu fɔ: it/
- Interjection
- An expression of encouragement or approval.
- Intransitive Verb
- To try to achieve something; to make an attempt.
A1Moregot to
US /ɡɑt tu/
UK /gɔt tu:/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To arrive at some place
- To have the opportunity or permission to do something
- Phrasal Verb
- To appeal to the emotions of; move
- To finally begin to start something after a delay
A1Morehave to
US /hæv tu/
UK /ˈhæv tə/
- Auxiliary Verb
- Must do
A1Morehonest
US /ˈɑnɪst/
UK /ˈɒnɪst/
- Adjective
- Good, truthful, sincere, or faithful; trustworthy
A2TOEICMoreiconic
US /aɪˈkɑnɪk/
UK /aɪˈkɒnɪk/
- Adjective
- Being widely recognized as a symbol of something
B1Morein fact
US /ɪn fækt/
UK /in fækt/
- Adverb
- Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
- Used to introduce a more detailed or surprising piece of information.
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that is surprising or contrary to what might be expected.
C1Morein love with
US //ɪn lʌv wɪð//
UK
- Adjective
- Feeling romantic love for someone.
- Extremely enthusiastic about or fond of something.
A1Morein the books
US /ɪn ði bʊks/
UK /ɪn ði bʊks/
- other
- Finished, completed, or officially recorded.
B2Morein the dark
US /ɪn ði dɑrk/
UK /in ðə dɑ:k/
- Adjective
- Uninformed about something; unaware.
- Phrase
- In a state of secrecy or ignorance.
- In a place with little or no light.
A1Morein the future
US /ɪn ði ˈfjutʃɚ/
UK /in ðə ˈfju:tʃə/
- Phrase
- At a later time; in times to come.
A1Morein the middle of
US
UK
- Phrase
- In the central part or point of something.
- Engaged or occupied with something.
A2Moreinside of
US /ɪnˈsaɪd ʌv/
UK /inˈsaid ɔv/
- Preposition
- Within; in the inner part of.
- Within a certain period of time.
A1Moreinstead of
US /ɪnˈstɛd ʌv/
UK /inˈsted ɔv/
- Preposition
- When one thing is replaced by another
- Adverb
- As a substitute or alternative.
A1Moreno matter
US
UK
- Conjunction
- Regardless of; it does not matter.
- Adverb
- Regardless of; it is not important
A1Moreobtain
US /əbˈtein/
UK /əbˈteɪn/
- Transitive Verb
- To be given or to earn something through efforts
- To get something through your efforts
A2TOEICMoreonline
US /ˌɑ:nˈlaɪn/
UK /ˌɒnˈlaɪn/
- Adjective
- Connected to the internet
- Adverb
- Via the internet.
B1Moreonly time will tell
US /ˈoʊnli taɪm wɪl tɛl/
UK /ˈəunli taɪm wɪl tel/
- other
- The result or truth will be known in the future.
B1Moreopportunity
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.
A2TOEICMoreover time
US /ˈovɚ taɪm/
UK /ˈəuvə taim/
- Phrase
- Gradually; as time passes.
- During a long period.
- Adverb
- Gradually; as time passes.
B1Morepermission
US /pɚˈmɪʃən/
UK /pəˈmɪʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Right to do something as allowed by another
- Formal authorization from an authority.
A2Morepork
US /pɔ:rk/
UK /pɔ:k/
- Uncountable Noun
- Meat of a pig, used for food
B2Moreprocess
US /ˈprɑsˌɛs, ˈproˌsɛs/
UK /prə'ses/
- Transitive Verb
- To organize and use data in a computer
- To deal with official forms in the way required
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Dealing with official forms in the way required
- Set of changes that occur slowly and naturally
A2TOEICMoreproperty
US /ˈprɑpəti/
UK /'prɒpətɪ/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Particular quality that someone or something has
- Buildings or piece of land owned by someone
A2TOEICMoreprove
US /pruv/
UK /pru:v/
- Transitive Verb
- To demonstrate truth by providing evidence
- To test the quality or worth of something.
- Intransitive Verb
- To turn out to be; be found to be.
A2TOEICMorerequire
US /rɪˈkwaɪr/
UK /rɪ'kwaɪə(r)/
- Transitive Verb
- To demand that someone does something
- To need to do something, to make it necessary
A2TOEICMoresauce
US /sɔs/
UK /sɔ:s/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Food made from cooked fruit, e.g. apples or mangos
B1Moreset up
US /sɛt ʌp/
UK /set ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To make arrangements for something; establish
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To arrange or prepare something for use.
- To start a business, organization, etc.
A1Moreshout out
US /ʃaʊt aʊt/
UK /ʃaut aut/
- Noun
- A public expression of greeting or praise.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To publicly mention or acknowledge someone or something.
- To publicly acknowledge or thank someone.
A2Moresneak in
US /snik ɪn/
UK /sni:k in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To enter a place secretly and quietly, usually without permission.
C2Moresponsor
US /ˈspɑ:nsə(r)/
UK /ˈspɒnsə(r)/
- Noun
- Person that supports the passage of a new law
- Person giving money for someone's education
- Transitive Verb
- To support the passage of a new law
- To help someone succeed by giving them money
B1TOEICMoresprinkle
US /ˈsprɪŋkəl/
UK /'sprɪŋkl/
- Transitive Verb
- To throw a little water on something
- To scatter (e.g. salt) in drops using the fingers
B2Moresuch as
US /sʌtʃ æz/
UK /sʌtʃ æz/
- Preposition
- For example; like
A1Moretime will tell
US
UK
- Phrase
- The future will reveal the answer or outcome.
A1Moreto let
US /tu lɛt/
UK /tu let/
- Preposition
- Indicates that a property is available for rent.
A2More
Vocabulary
- over time: Gradually; as time passes.
- such as: For example; like
- behind the counter: Located in the area where goods are sold or served.
- set up
- no matter: Regardless of; it does not matter.
- chance on: To find or discover something unexpectedly.
- bring back: To cause to remember
- go against: To disagree with or challenge someone
- against all odds: Despite having very little chance of succeeding.
- clear up: To tidy things away, e.g. dirty dishes after meal
- in love with: Feeling romantic love for someone.
- to let: Indicates that a property is available for rent.
- in the middle of: In the central part or point of something.
- sneak in: To enter a place secretly and quietly, usually without permission.
- inside of: Within; in the inner part of.
- in the dark: Uninformed about something; unaware.
- shout out: A public expression of greeting or praise.
- in fact: Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
- few steps: A small number of steps; a short distance.
- go for it: An expression of encouragement or approval.
- depending on: To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- back alley: A narrow lane or passage behind buildings in urban areas.
- got to: To arrive at some place
- based on: To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
- have to: Must do
- in the future: At a later time; in times to come.
- only time will tell: The result or truth will be known in the future.
- time will tell: The future will reveal the answer or outcome.
- instead of: When one thing is replaced by another
- at a time: Separately; one by one
- in the books: Finished, completed, or officially recorded.
- process: To organize and use data in a computer
- apparently: According to what you heard; from what can be seen
- opportunity: Time, situation when a thing might be done; chance
- iconic: Being widely recognized as a symbol of something
- matter: To be of great importance; to count
- determine: To control exactly how something will be or act
- experience: Thing a person has done or that happened to them
- evolve: To develop certain features
- sense: Certain mental feeling or emotion
- property: Particular quality that someone or something has
- permission: Right to do something as allowed by another
- bit: Device put in a horse's mouth to control it
- generally: Usually; as a rule; by, to or for most people
- require: To demand that someone does something
- decision: Choice made after thinking; final judgment
- flavor: Quality giving something a particular character
- counter: To say or do something in opposition or resistance
- honest: Good, truthful, sincere, or faithful; trustworthy
- prove: To demonstrate truth by providing evidence
- shape: The outer form of something, what it looks like
- fall: Season after summer and before winter; Autumn
- leave: To go away from; depart
- culture: Beliefs and customs of a particular group
- lot: What happens to a person in life from chance; fate
- place: To put someone in a particular type of situation
- kind: In a caring and helpful manner
- obtain: To be given or to earn something through efforts
- block: Solid piece of material used for building
- operate: To control or handle something, such as a machine
- continue: To do something without stopping, or after pausing
- decide: To make a choice or choose after thinking about it
- chance: The way something happens without planning
- sponsor: Person that supports the passage of a new law
- bring: To take or go with someone to a place
- sprinkle: To throw a little water on something
- sauce: Food made from cooked fruit, e.g. apples or mangos
- bowl: Part of an object that has a rounded, inward curve
- cart: Vehicle on wheels for carry things; trolley
- blueprint: Plans of how buildings will be built
- online: Connected to the internet
- pork: Meat of a pig, used for food
Get the full experience in the app
Learn anywhere with detailed sentence and usage analysis
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.
Get the full experience in the app
Look up words anytime with pronunciation, part of speech, and usage
brave
US/brev/
UK/breɪv/
adj.Brave
v.t.To bravely face
A2 Elementary
Get the full experience in the app
Practice speaking anytime and get instant pronunciation feedback
Try this speaking exercise.
Try practicing with this sentence.
80
Behind the Counter at the ONLY Tokyo Yatai Ramen Cart Shibuya
0
林宜悉 posted on 2026/10/17Join an ambitious young chef as he works against the odds to revive the disappearing culture of traditional Yatai street food carts in the heart of Shibuya. You will get a behind-the-counter look at his daily preparation and hear him share his personal journey in English, offering a great chance to practice casual storytelling and everyday vocabulary.
Learn this video on the APP!
The VoiceTube App has more in-depth practice for videos!