against all odds
US
UK
- Phrase
- Despite having very little chance of succeeding.
A2Moreassert
US /əˈsɚt/
UK /ə'sɜ:t/
- Transitive Verb
- To state or declare your ideas positively strongly
- To defend or claim (a right or authority) forcefully.
B1TOEICMoreat least
US /æt list/
UK /æt li:st/
- Adverb
- As a minimum
- Not less than
- Phrase
- No less than; at the minimum
- Used to indicate that something is positive in a bad situation.
C2Moreattempt
US /əˈtɛmpt/
UK /ə'tempt/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To try to do something challenging or difficult
- Noun
- Effort made to try to do or accomplish something
A2TOEICMoreautonomous
US /ɔ:ˈtɑ:nəməs/
UK /ɔ:ˈtɒnəməs/
- Adjective
- Able to control or decide matters by itself
B2Moreborder
US /ˈbɔrdɚ/
UK /'bɔ:də(r)/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To be right next to another country or state
- To form the edge of something
- Noun
- Outer part or edge of something
- Line separating one country, state from another
A2TOEICMorebrutal
US /ˈbrutl/
UK /'bru:tl/
- Adjective
- Extremely violent or mean
B1Morecivil
US /ˈsɪvəl/
UK /ˈsɪvl/
- Adjective
- Of citizens of a country; not military, criminal
- Acting in a polite, but not truly friendly manner
B1Moreclaim
US /klem/
UK /kleɪm/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- To say that something is true, often without proof.
- A statement that something is true.
- Transitive Verb
- To demand or ask for something that you believe is rightfully yours.
- To take or cause the loss of (e.g., a life, property).
A2Morecollapse
US /kəˈlæps/
UK /kə'læps/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To fold (e.g. a stroller) down to make it smaller
- To suddenly fall down or break apart into pieces
- Noun
- The sudden failure of a structure or system.
- The sudden failure of a bodily organ or function.
B1Morecolonial
US /kəˈloʊniəl/
UK /kəˈləʊniəl/
- Adjective
- Of a system where one country controls another
B2Morecontinent
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).
B1Morecoup
US /ku/
UK /ku:/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Successful taking over of a thing; sudden success
- Attempt to take control from the government
B2Morecurrency
US /ˈkɚrənsi, ˈkʌr-/
UK /'kʌrənsɪ/
- Uncountable Noun
- Widespread acceptance
- Money system that a country uses
B1Moredeclare
US /dɪˈklɛr/
UK /dɪ'kleə(r)/
- Transitive Verb
- To make a statement in a strong and confident way
- To show the cost of things purchased overseas
A2TOEICMoredivide
US /dɪˈvaɪd/
UK /dɪ'vaɪd/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To split numbers by another number, e.g. 6 / 2 = 3
- To separate something into equal pieces
- Noun
- A separation or distinction.
A2TOEICMoredomestic
US /dəˈmɛstɪk/
UK /dəˈmestɪk/
- Noun
- Someone paid to help with housework in your house
- Adjective
- British informal fight between husband and wife
- Concerning your own home or house
A2TOEICMoredomino
US /ˈdɑ:mənoʊ/
UK /ˈdɒmɪnəʊ/
- Countable Noun
- Flat rectangular blocks with spots used in a game
- A hooded cloak worn with a mask at masquerades.
C1Moredue to
US /du tu/
UK /dju: tu:/
- Preposition
- Because of; owing to
- Adjective
- Attributable to; caused by.
A1Moreethnic
US /ˈɛθnɪk/
UK /ˈeθnɪk/
- Adjective
- Of people who share the same culture, traditions
- Belonging to a minority group that differs in culture, religion, or origin from the dominant group of a society.
B1Moreever since
US /ˈɛvɚ sɪns/
UK /ˈevə sins/
- Adverb
- Continuously from a past time until now.
- Conjunction
- From the time that; because.
B2Moreexpel
US /ɪkˈspɛl/
UK /ɪk'spel/
- Transitive Verb
- To force a person to leave a place or organization
- To release or push something (e.g. air) out
B2TOEICMoregain
US /ɡen/
UK /ɡeɪn/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To increase in something, such as weight
- To get something wanted, needed or valued
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- An increase in something, such as weight
A2TOEICMoregeography
US /dʒiˈɑ:grəfi/
UK /dʒiˈɒgrəfi/
- Uncountable Noun
- Study of the earth and its natural features
B1Moreglobe
US /gloʊb/
UK /gləʊb/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- A round object, e.g. like the earth; sphere
B1TOEICMorein full swing
US /ɪn fʊl swɪŋ/
UK /in ful swiŋ/
- Phrase
- At its peak of activity; fully active or operational.
B2Morein reality
US /ɪn riˈælɪti/
UK /in riˈæliti/
- Phrase
- Actually; in fact; truly.
B2Moreinside of
US /ɪnˈsaɪd ʌv/
UK /inˈsaid ɔv/
- Preposition
- Within; in the inner part of.
- Within a certain period of time.
A1Moreinvade
US /ɪnˈved/
UK /ɪnˈveɪd/
- Transitive Verb
- To enter something causing a harmful result
- To enter (a country or region) so as to subjugate or occupy it.
B1Moreodd
US /ɑd/
UK /ɒd/
- Adjective
- Being unmatched with someone or something
- Being a number not able to be divided by two
A2Moreon earth
US /ɑn ɚθ/
UK /ɔn ə:θ/
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise or anger.
- Used to emphasize that something is not possible or will not happen.
A1Morepartially
US /ˈpɑ:rʃəli/
UK /ˈpɑ:ʃəli/
- Adverb
- In part; in some degree; not wholly
B1Morepledge
US /plɛdʒ/
UK /pledʒ/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To make a promise; make an oath
- Noun
- A formal promise
B2Moreportion
US /ˈpɔrʃən, ˈpor-/
UK /'pɔ:ʃn/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Serving of food that is intended for one person
- Part of something shared that belongs to a whole
- Transitive Verb
- To separate something to divide among people
B1Morerecognition
US /ˌrɛkəɡˈnɪʃən/
UK /ˌrekəgˈnɪʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- Accepting that something is true or that it exists
- Considering something as important or special
B1TOEICMorerecognize
US /ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/
UK /ˈrek.əɡ.naɪz/
- Transitive Verb
- To accept the truth or reality of something
- To consider something as important or special
A2TOEICMorerefer
US /rɪˈfɚ/
UK /rɪ'fɜ:(r)/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To talk about or write about something
- To give information about something
A2TOEICMoreregion
US /ˈridʒən/
UK /'ri:dʒən/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Part of a country, of the world, area, etc.
- A part of the body
A2TOEICMoreremain
US /rɪˈmen/
UK /rɪˈmeɪn/
- Intransitive Verb
- To be left behind; to continue to exist
- To stay in a place when other people have gone
A2TOEICMoresecure
US /sɪˈkjʊr/
UK /sɪ'kjʊə(r)/
- Transitive Verb
- To get or achieve something with certainty
- To firmly attach something to something else
- Adjective
- Being attached to something tightly and surely
- (Place that is) locked, guarded and safe
A2TOEICMoreseek
US /sik/
UK /si:k/
- Transitive Verb
- To ask someone for help
- To search for; try to find or do; look for
A2TOEICMoreseparate
US /'sepəreɪt/
UK /'sepəreɪt/
- Adjective
- Being different from or unrelated to another
- Not connected; different.
- Transitive Verb
- To divide two things by being in between them
- To move things away from each other
A2TOEICMoresovereign
US /ˈsɑ:vrən/
UK /ˈsɒvrɪn/
- Countable Noun
- King, queen, emperor etc. of a country
B2Moresovereignty
US /ˈsɑ:vrənti/
UK /ˈsɒvrənti/
- Uncountable Noun
- The power a country has to decide for itself
B2Moreterritory
US /ˈtɛrɪˌtɔri, -ˌtori/
UK /'terətrɪ/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Area of land defended by an animal
- Area of particular knowledge or experience
B1TOEICMorethink of
US /θɪŋk ʌv/
UK /θiŋk ɔv/
- Phrasal Verb
- To look on as (being something specific); consider
- To consider or remember something.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To imagine or call something to mind
A1Morethrive
US /θraɪv/
UK /θraɪv/
- Intransitive Verb
- To be or become healthy or successful
- To grow or develop well; to flourish.
B2TOEICMoretouch on
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To briefly discuss
A1Moreturkey
US /ˈtɜ:rki/
UK /ˈtɜ:ki/
- Countable Noun
- Edible bird resembling a large chicken
- Noun
- An event that fails badly or is totally ineffectual
- Flesh of large domesticated fowl usually roasted
C1Moreunification
US /ˌju:nɪfɪ'keɪʃn/
UK /ˌju:nɪfɪ'keɪʃn/
- Uncountable Noun
- The state of being joined or united or linked
C2Moreunify
US /ˈjunəˌfaɪ/
UK /'ju:nɪfaɪ/
- Transitive Verb
- To bring or join together into one
B2TOEICMorewitness
US /ˈwɪtnɪs/
UK /'wɪtnəs/
- Transitive Verb
- To see the signing of an official document
- To see an event take place (usually a crime)
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Person who was present to see an event take place
- Evidence or proof of something
B1TOEICMore
Vocabulary
- on earth: Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise or anger.
- think of: To look on as (being something specific); consider
- inside of: Within; in the inner part of.
- in full swing: At its peak of activity; fully active or operational.
- at least: As a minimum
- in reality: Actually; in fact; truly.
- ever since: Continuously from a past time until now.
- touch on: To briefly discuss
- against all odds: Despite having very little chance of succeeding.
- due to: Because of; owing to
- recognize: To accept the truth or reality of something
- situation: Place, position or area that something is in
- thrive: To be or become healthy or successful
- attempt: To try to do something challenging or difficult
- claim: To say that something is true, often without proof.
- separate: Being different from or unrelated to another
- territory: Area of land defended by an animal
- continent: Very large piece of land, e.g. Africa or Asia
- domestic: Someone paid to help with housework in your house
- odd: Being unmatched with someone or something
- divide: To split numbers by another number, e.g. 6 / 2 = 3
- portion: Serving of food that is intended for one person
- brutal: Extremely violent or mean
- currency: Widespread acceptance
- collapse: To fold (e.g. a stroller) down to make it smaller
- state: Region within a country, with its own government
- remain: To be left behind; to continue to exist
- region: Part of a country, of the world, area, etc.
- refer: To talk about or write about something
- recognition: Accepting that something is true or that it exists
- pledge: To make a promise; make an oath
- witness: To see the signing of an official document
- seek: To ask someone for help
- secure: To get or achieve something with certainty
- ethnic: Of people who share the same culture, traditions
- declare: To make a statement in a strong and confident way
- guess: To give an answer without knowing if it is correct
- autonomous: Able to control or decide matters by itself
- civil: Of citizens of a country; not military, criminal
- gain: To increase in something, such as weight
- discuss: To talk about seriously or in great detail
- stage: To organize an event to gain public interest
- sovereignty: The power a country has to decide for itself
- border: To be right next to another country or state
- invade: To enter something causing a harmful result
- partially: In part; in some degree; not wholly
- control: A device designed to operate a machine
- act: To behave in a certain way
- mediterranean: Describing the sea between Italy and Africa
- sovereign: King, queen, emperor etc. of a country
- assert: To state or declare your ideas positively strongly
- protect: To defend someone or something from harm or danger
- expel: To force a person to leave a place or organization
- coup: Successful taking over of a thing; sudden success
- colonial: Of a system where one country controls another
- globe: A round object, e.g. like the earth; sphere
- world: All the humans, events, activities on the earth
- country: An area of land that is controlled by a government
- fight: To argue or quarrel with someone about something
- international: Of or relating to several countries
- geography: Study of the earth and its natural features
- full: Containing all the parts; complete
- soviet: Elected government council in a communist country
- unify: To bring or join together into one
- domino: Flat rectangular blocks with spots used in a game
- turkey: Edible bird resembling a large chicken
- unification: The state of being joined or united or linked
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
What Are Some of the World's Unrecognized Countries? | NowThis World
0
Aniceeee posted on 2019/02/20Ever wondered about countries that aren't officially recognized by everyone? This video dives into fascinating places like Somaliland and Northern Cyprus, explaining the complex history behind secession movements and international recognition. You'll pick up some advanced vocabulary related to geopolitics while learning about these unique parts of the world!
Learn this video on the APP!
The VoiceTube App has more in-depth practice for videos!