AIM and ATTEMPT

AIM - [verb; noun] to direct a weapon towards something that you want to hit; to make efforts or plans in order to achieve something; goal; purpose

Examples of use

William Tell aimed the arrow carefully at the apple.

His aim is to increase the sales of his company.

 

ATTEMPT - [verb; noun] to make an effort to do something that may be difficult; an effort made to do something

Examples of use

The second exercise was so difficult that I didn't even attempt to do it.

I passed my driving test at the third attempt.

GEAR and DESTINY

GEAR - [noun] a part of an apparatus of a car used to control its power and speed

Examples of use

My car has six forward gears and a reverse gear.

The road was so steep that I had to go into second gear.

 

DESTINY - [noun] something that is certain to happen

Examples of use

I'm sure he will win the elections. It's his destiny to lead his country.

They believe it was their destiny to meet each other and be together for the rest of their lives.

HERD و SOUL

HERD - [noun] a number of animals of one kind assembled together; people thought of acting or thinking alike

Examples of use

I was spellbound when I saw a herd of elephants of about 30 drinking water from the lake.

Why do you always follow the herd? It's high time you thought of yourself and did what you really want!

  

SOUL - [noun] a part of a human being which is believed to exist after the body has died

Examples of use

Do you believe in unhappy souls that wander over the earth trying to find peace?

He was a man of honour. I am sure that his soul looks down upon us from heaven.

TO LOOK AFTER و TO DROWN

TO LOOK AFTER - [noun] to take care of somebody or something

Examples of use

She will be looking after my baby when I'm at work.

Will you look after my business if I die?

TO DROWN - [verb] to die under water; to make somebody die under water

Examples of use

All the passengers drowned in the shipwreck.

She drowned in the lake. It is believed to have been an accident, but some people say that it's her husband that drowned her.

VALID و REVENGE

VALID - [adjective] that can be legally used at a certain time; authoritative; well-founded

Examples of use

Your bus ticket is valid for three months starting now.

I'm sorry, Sir, we must keep your car. Your driving licence is no longer valid.

REVENGE - [noun] an action taken against someone who has done something to harm you

Examples of use

Her flat was burnt in revenge for informing the police on what she saw last night.

All he wants now is to take revenge on whoever killed his beloved wife.

TO STARE و CONTRACT

TO STARE - [verb] to look fixedly and intently at somebody or something for a long time

Examples of use

She sat down staring into space and I knew she was deeply thinking about what had happened that day.

The guy in the corner is staring at you all the time. Do you know him?

 

CONTRACT - [noun] a formal legal agreement between people or organisations, usually in writing

Examples of use

If you want to sell your car, you'll probably have to draw up a sales contract.

I'd rather sign the employment contract as soon as possible not to be cheated and paid nothing.

FAMILIAR و CUSTOM

FAMILIAR - [adjective] known, seen or experienced before; informal, easygoing (familiar style)

Examples of use

Are you familiar with Tennyson's poetry? I think he's a great poet.

Your face seems familiar to me. Have we ever met before?

CUSTOM - [noun] an activity or a ceremony that is a part of living or a culture of some particular group of people

Examples of use

There are many customs on St Andrew's Day, but they vary a lot from country to country.

I cannot understand some ancient tribal customs. They were so brutal.

TO GIVE UP و TO LOCK

TO GIVE UP - [verb] to stop doing something; to realise that you cannot do something and so stop trying to do it

Examples of use

My New Year's resolution was to give up smoking and start living a healthier life.

I tried so hard to discourage her from marrying him, but she was so stubborn that I finally gave up.

TO LOCK - [verb] to fasten something, usually with a key; to put something in a place and close it with a key

Examples of use

He had never locked the door for a night before there was a burglary in his flat.

Pirates locked all their treasures in a chest.

 

PRECISE و TO SETTLE DOWN

PRECISE - [adjective] exact and correct; careful; fixed; definitely or strictly stated

Examples of use

Experiments and measurements carried out on a human must be very precise. Any mistake could be fatal.

He is very precise in his calculations. That's why he rarely makes mistakes.

 

TO SETTLE DOWN - [verb] to become used to a new place, way of life etc.; to become calm or quiet

Examples of use

Have you already settled down in your new school?

How are you settling down as a wife and mother? Is there anything I can help you with?

TO TAKE UP و CHECKOUT

TO TAKE UP - [verb] to start doing some activity, especially for pleasure

Examples of use

She was getting bored with her life, so she took up parachuting.

I took up piano lessons last month, because I'm really keen on music.

 

CHECKOUT - [noun] a place in a self-service shop where you pay for goods

Examples of use

People get furious with the long queues at the checkout.

Every time I pay at the checkout I realize how expensive life is.

MINE و CARELESS

MINE - [noun] a deep hole or a number of holes under the ground from which mineral substances are dug (coal, gold, tin etc.)

Examples of use

According to fantasy stories, dwarves are believed to have lived and worked in a mine.

There was an explosion in Halemba mine in which 23 men died.

 

CARELESS - [adjective] showing not enough concern about something; taking not enough care of something

Examples of use

It was very careless of her to lose the keys!

It's the most careless haircut I've ever got. I'm not going to visit this hairdresser any more!

 

TO ACCUSE

TO ACCUSE - [verb] to say that somebody has done something wrong or has broken the law

Examples of use

He was accused of a murder and sentenced to death.

Mother accused her little son of breaking her new vase. It was not the first time he had broken something.

TWILIGHT

TWILIGHT - [noun] the time during the day when the night is about to come, especially the period between sunset and dark; a period of decline after the time of glory, success, growth etc.

Examples of use

Don't go out at twilight! Several girls have been attacked here recently.

He's facing the twilight of his great career nowadays. People say he's already too old to be that popular.

TO FACE UP TO

TO FACE UP TO - [verb] to accept something unpleasant or difficult

Examples of use

At the time of the economic crisis many people will have to face up to the loss of money.

Now she's a mother and she'll have to face up to her new responsibilities.

COTTAGE

COTTAGE - [noun] a small house, usually in the country

Examples of use

I always pack my suitcase at the end of June and spend holidays in my cottage in the mountains.

I'm tired of living in a big city. I dream of leaving my flat and moving to a small cottage in a village.

EMBARRASSED

EMBARRASSED - [adjective] feeling ashamed, uncomfortable, nervous in front of other people

Examples of use

I felt so embarrassed when my boyfriend came in and saw that terrible mess in my room.

I think he was too embarrassed to ask me out, although he's not a shy person.

TO EXHAUST

TO EXHAUST - [verb] to tire somebody out; to have no energy; to use something up or consume completely

Examples of use

What an exhausting day! All I want to do is go to bed.

The travellers have nearly exhausted their water supplies, so they decided to go back home.

TO TACKLE

TO TACKLE - [verb] to take an action; to deal with sth; to cope with sth

Examples of use

One of her New Year's resolutions was to tackle all her financial problems.

When he was a child he was perfectly able to tackle all difficulties he came across. Now, he is not strong enough and gets depressed very often.

TO STAB

TO STAB - [verb] to make a wound by a sharp tool, for example knife

Examples of use

He died after being stabbed in the chest by a burglar.

When he found out that his wife cheated on him, he stabbed her lover with a kitchen knife.

ATTITUDE

ATTITUDE - [noun] a way of feeling or behaving towards somebody or something

Examples of use

His attitude towards me has changed recently. He was rather cold at first. Now, it seems that he really likes me.

The attitudes towards Blacks are becoming better. Nevertheless, they still may have to face indignities and the threat of violence.

TO AFFORD

TO AFFORD - [verb] to have money for; to be able to meet the expense of; to be able to give / spare sth

Examples:

Our car is breaking all the time and we should buy a new one. Unfortunately we can't afford it now.

He  won 1 mln dollars last week! Now he can afford a trip wherever he wants!

TO INVOLVE

TO INVOLVE - [verb]  = to include something as a necessary part; to affect something or somebody

Examples:

What does the job involve? Will I have to travel  a lot?

Schools involve parents in their children education.

 

RENT

RENT

Here are two examples of potential use:

Ex 1.: Rents are so high nowadays. It's better to buy a flat and pay it off.
Ex 2.: I have to pay a higher rent than the others, because my room is much bigger.

BRAND-NEW

BRAND-NEW

Here are two examples of potential use:

Ex 1.: I try to save some money in order to buy a beautiful, brand-new flat at the new housing estate.
Ex 2.: The wedding gift from my parents exceeded all my expectations: it was a brand-new BWM!

OUTSTANDING

OUTSTANDING - [adjective] extremely good / distinguished / excellent; unpaid / continuing in existence / remaining unsettled (outstanding debts)

Examples:

Sarah is an outstanding student. She held the highest grade point average at the end of the last semester.

Mary applied for housing at several places, but was't accepted due to outstanding debts.