Success, failure and difficulty �

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Succeeding
0� 1>.!1 0'1j {5'.>D We succeeded in persuading a lot of people to join our protest. (in + -ing)
I managed to contact him just before he left his office.
I don't think I can manage the whole walk. I think I'll turn back. (manage, but not
succeed; may have a direct object in this meaning)
We've achieved /d'tfi:vd/ I accomplished /d'kAmphft/ a great deal in the last year.
(both are used with quantity phrases such as 'a lot' and 'a little'; accomplish is rather formal)
The company has achieved all its goals/aims/targets for this year. (achieve is more common than
accomplish with nouns expressing goals and ambitions)
Do you think his plan will come off? [succeed; infml]
Here is a matrix for some typical collocations with 'succeeding' verbs:

I reach I attain J secure J realise I tu1fi1 I achieve

an ambition ,/ ,/ ,/ ,/

a dream ,/ ,/

an agreement ,/ ,/

an obligation ,/ ,/

a target ,/ ,/ ,/

a compromise ,/

Failing and difficulty

Plans and projects sometimes go wrong I backfire. [don't go as intended]
Companies, clubs and societies often fold I go under through lack of success. [close down; go
under is informal]
A plan or project may falter /'foltd/, even if it finally succeeds. [have ups and downs]
All your plans and hard work I efforts may come to nothing.
· I have great difficulty (in) getting up in the morning.
I find it difficult to remember the names of everybody in the class. (hard can also be used here;
it is more informal)
It's hard/difficult to hear what she's saying.
I often have trouble starting the car on cold mornings. (more informal)
We've had a lot of bother with the neighbours lately. (very informal)
Can you cope with three more students? They've just arrived. [deal successfully with a difficult
situation]
I've got no money, my girlfriend's left me; I need help; I can't cope any more.

Word formation
. I adjective adverb
succeed success successful successfully
accomplish accomplishment accomplished
achieve achievement achievable
attain attainment attainable
fulfil fulfilment fulfilling
harden hardness hard hard

124 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 Exercises
58. 1 Choose a suitable verb to fill the gaps. If the exact word in the sentence is not in the
vertical column of the matrix on the opposite page, look for something that is close in
meaning. More than one verb is often possible.
1 The management have a no-strike agreement with the union.
2 Now I've ................................ all my family responsibilities, I can retire and travel the world.
3 The school building fund has failed to ................................ its target of £250,000.
4 I never thought I would ................................ my ambition, but now I have.
5 Very few people ................................ all their hopes and dreams in life.
6 We hope the two sides ................................ a compromise and avoid war.
7 I'm afraid that little plan of mine didn't ................................ off.

58.2 Fill in the missing word forms where they exist.

verb I noun I adjective
realise re,Iis.+iC>f\
difficulty
target
fail
trouble

58.3 Correct fhe mistakes in these sentences.

i
1 I find1ery difficult to understand English idioms.
2 She succeeded to rise to the top of her profession.
3 Do you ever have any trouble to use this photocopier? I always seem to.
4 I've accomplished to work quite hard this last month.
5 I'm amazed that you can cope all the work they give you.
6 Did you have many difficulties finding the book in the library?
7 Unfortunately, it seems as if all John's plans have come at nothing.
8 I'm afraid I haven't had any successes in contacting Lara today.

58.4 In what sorts of situations would you hear the following remarks?
1 We'll have to get an au pair. I just can't cope. 'loct albllld prov,l,I� he,r U from , p.ret1t lllllC> is fit1dit19
it tC>C> diffic.lllt tC> c.C>mvit1e lllC>rk ""d f,mil� life.
2 I can't believe it, £5,000. The company folded and now I've got nothing to show for it!
3 It went under, I'm afraid, and he's bankrupt now.
4 You can't manage all that. Let me help you.
5 Yes, her plan came off even though the odds were really against her.

58.5 over ..f-o �ou

What would happen I What would you do if ...
a plan backfired?
2 a club had only two members left out of 507
3 a student faltered in one exam out of six, but did well in all the rcst7
What would you do if ...
4 you were having a lot of bother with your car7
5 you 5tartcd a small bu5inc5s but it came to noth1ng7
6 you couldn't cope v11th yrJur English stud1cs7

English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate 125

 4 Suddenly there was a dazzling light.
5 The ground was very wet underfoot.
6 My suitcase is as light as a feather.

57.3 2 a 3 d 4f 5 b 6 C

57.4 Suggested answers:

2 change the colour to a brighter I more vivid colour
3 wear sunglasses I shade your eyes I wear a cap
4 polish them
5 take things out or get a smaller rucksack

Unit 58
58.1 2 fulfilled 4 attain/realise/fulfil 6 reach
3 reach/attain/achieve 5 realise/fulfil 7 come

58.2 verb I noun I adjective

realise realisation realisable
difficulty difficult
target target targeted
fail failure failed, failing
trouble trouble troubling, troublesome, troubled
Comments:
difficult has no adverb in English; we say 'We did it with difficulty.'
targeted is used in sentences such as 'The government has decided to give the extra funds
to targeted groups in society'. [specifically chosen]
failed: They have made three failed attempts to save the company.
unfailingly: 'failingly' doesn't exist, but 'unfailingly' does, e.g. She is unfailingly honest; you
can trust her completely.
troubling: We have seen some very troubling developments recently. [worrying]
troublesome: They are a troublesome group of students. [cause trouble]
troubled: I've been feeling rather troubled lately about my daughter. [worried]
58.3 2 She succeeded in rising to the top of her profession.
3 Do you ever have any trouble using this photocopier? I always seem to.
4 I've managed to work quite hard this last month. (accomplish usually has a direct object, e.g.
'I've accomplished a lot this month.')
5 I'm amazed that you can cope with all the work they give you.
6 Did you have much difficulty finding the book in the library?
7 Unfortunately, it seems as if all John's plans have come to nothing.
8 I'm afraid I haven't had any success in contacting Lara today.
58.4 Possible answers:
2 Perhaps someone who invested £5,000 and lost it all.
3 It could be about a business someone started, or about a project, or something that failed.
4 It might be said to someone who is carrying a lot of heavy shopping bags.
5 Perhaps it's about the successful realisation of someone's plan, e.g. for getting permission to do
something where it seemed more likely that the result would not be successful.
58.5 Possible answers:
1 I'd abandon it. I I'd look for an alternative.
2 It would probably fold eventually.
3 The marker(s) might take the overall performance into account and ignore the one bad result.

236 English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate

 46 Expressing success and failure
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- Success
Look at these newspaper headlines about sport and business success. The meaning of the
idiom in the headline is explained in the story that follows.

Jackson wins his spurs 1 County team is on a roll4

Jackson's performance last night proved Red County basketball team has been
that he deserves his place in the team. He is having a very successful season, with
clearly a very talented young player. six wins in a row.

PCL is riding high2 in New collection goes

popularity poll down a storm5
PCL is one of the most popular The designer's exclusive dresses sold out within
businesses to work for this year, minutes at the New York fashion show.
according to the results of a
major survey.
Venco stay ahead of the game 6
Shoe company Venco have maintained
Blake comes up trumps 3 their lead in the industry for the third
The young player did far better than anyone year running.
would have expected in last night's match,
scoring three goals to win the game for City.

1
does something to show that he deserves a particular position and has the skills needed for it; spurs
are sharp, metal, wheel-shaped objects fixed to the heel of boots worn by people riding horses, and used
to make the horse go faster 2 is very successful 3 has completed an activity successfully or produced a
good result, especially when he was not expected to 4 having a successful period 5 is very popular
6
know more about the most recent developments than the people or companies with whom they
are competing

Failure
The comedian's performance at the Variety Show went down like a lead balloon. [people did
not like it at all]
The disastrous attempt at a military campaign revealed the country as a paper tiger. [country
or organisation which seems strong but is actually weak]
The president is dealing with the double whammy of losing the election and having his private
life discussed in the press. [two bad things happening at the same time (informal)]
Starting a new business without careful planning is a recipe for disaster. [sure to become a
disaster]
Unfortunately, it soon became clear that the new CEO couldn't cut the mustard. [couldn't deal
with any difficulties or problems]
The economic crisis will have a huge impact on any business that is built on sand. [is not firmly
established]

Language help
The idioms in this unit are all based on vivid metaphors, which is one reason they are ,I
particularly popular in journalism. Draw (or even just imagine) pictures to help you remember I
the idioms.

96 English Idioms in Use Advanced

 www.frenglish.ru
Exercises

46.1 Match the beginning of each sentence with its ending.

1 Our team's been practising hard,
so I hope we'll come
D a storm, both with critics and the public.

2 Negotiating that important deal

makes me feel I have won
D b high.

3 His excellent IT skills have helped

him stay ahead
D c a roll now.

4 I found it hard to get started with my

thesis, but I'm on
D d my spurs in my new job.

5 Her latest book has gone down a D e up trumps in the match tomorrow.
6 After some initial problems, the pop
group is now riding
D f of the game.

46.2 Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

1 2 3 4

46.3 Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets.

1 The chef's new recipes were very popular with the clientele. [STORM]
2 My ideas for restructuring the company were met with total silence. [BALLOON]
3 The new prime minister is extremely popular at the moment. [RIDING]
4 I'm quite worried about starting my new job. I'm afraid I won't be able to cope. [MUSTARD]
5 I've been studying hard all year, so I hope I will know a lot about the subject when it comes to
taking my exams. [GAME]
6 Poor Carl has been hit by two problems at the same time - losing his job and having a flood in his
house. [DOUBLE]

46.4 Complete each idiom in this review of a play.

Although Lucy James's disappointing first play went down like a (1) ................................................ balloon,
she has come up (2) ................................................ with her second play, now showing at the West Theatre.
The dramatic plot went down a (3) ................................................ with the first-night audience. I thought
it would be a (4) ................................................ for disaster casting the young Harry Catlin as an old man,
but I was proved wrong. Catlin is (5) ................................................ a roll at the moment; his last play also
delighted critics.

Over to , 1

Look at Units 56 and 59, which are based on the keywords dead and
fall. Which other idioms relating to failure can you find there?

English Idioms in Use Advanced 97

 www.frenglish.ru
45.4 1 There's a world of difference between bei ng poor and not having as much money as you 'd like.
2 I am at odds with everyone else in my family about where we should go on holiday.
3 Please do all you can to pour oil on troubled waters. I hate it when people argue.
4 The politician was sacked for not being on message.

45.5 Possible answers:

1 I beg to differ. 4 You 're not wrong.
2 I'm in two minds about that. 5 Tell me about it.
3 I'm torn over that.

Unit 46
46.1 1 e
2 d
3 f
4 C
5 a
6 b

46.2 1 a paper tiger 3 win your spurs

2 built on sand 4 on a roll

46.3 1 The chef's new recipes went down a storm with the clientele.
2 My ideas for restructuring the company went down like a lead balloon.
3 The new prime minister is riding high at the moment.
4 I'm quite worried about starting my new job. I'm afraid I won't be able to cut the mustard.
5 I've been studying hard all year, so I hope I will be ahead of the game when it comes to taking my
exams.
6 Poor Carl has been hit by a double whammy- losing his job and having a flood in his house.

46.4 1 lead 3 storm 5 on

2 trumps 4 recipe

Unit 47
47.1 1 C 2 d 3 a 4 e 5 b

47.2 1 My old auntie Lily is fighting fit, even though she had an operation two months ago.
2 She's filthy rich: she owns a private jet and a massive yacht.
3 A man jumped into the fountain stark naked and was arrested by the police.
4 The new government had a squeaky-clean image until the recent scandal broke.
5 Erica has a razor-sharp mind and is the most intelligent person I know.
6 My feet and hands were stone cold, so I sat in front of the fire, had a bowl of piping hot soup and
soon felt better.
7 I overcooked the meat, and it was bone dry.
8 We can't put the tent up here. The ground 's rock hard.

47.3 1 Things have hit rock bottom between my parents and their neighbours; they don't speak to each
other any more.
2 I couldn 't sleep on that mattress - it was rock hard .
3 This vase is bone dry and the poor old flowers are dying!
4 It is crystal clear to me that she is trying to deceive us all.
5 They've spent a small fortune on furniture for their new house.
6 Police report that more crimes are taking place in broad daylight.

150 English Idioms in Use Advanced

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27 Talking about success and failure

A The chief executive of a company is making a speech to the staff. Note the phrasal verbs
connected with success and failure.
This year has been an eventful one. We’ve been able to
capitalise on­1 the publicity we got in the new year with the
launch of our new lines, and we’ve come out stronger than ever,
despite strong competition. We’ve succeeded in reversing the
downward trend we were suffering last year. What’s more, we’ve
managed to win back customers from the competition. We had
been losing out to2 international players, but now we can pride
ourselves on3 being able to offer better quality products at lower
prices. In the middle of the year, we faced a hostile takeover
bid from Diotecnics. We fought hard against it and finally won
through4, as I knew we would. That bid fell through5 and we
are now stronger than ever. So I want to thank you all.
1 4
  use a situation in order to achieve something   succeeded after trying hard to achieve
good for yourself something
2 5
  being less successful than   failed to happen
3
  be proud of

B Two students are talking on the phone about studying for exams.

Harry I don’t think I’ll get through1 the end-of-term exam this time.

Libby Oh, really? Why?

Harry Well, I’ve been really busy with the drama club, that’s the problem.
I wish I could be one of those people who sail through2 exams and still
manage to pack in3 a huge amount in their spare time.

Libby Yes, me too. But never mind, you did your presentation the other day
and you managed to carry that off4 quite well.

Harry I managed to fool everyone, you mean! I got by5 only because I found
some useful stuff on the Internet the night before.

Libby Well, that’s OK. That’s what the Internet’s for. As long as you didn’t just
copy it!
1
 pass
2
  easily pass
3
  (informal) manage to do a lot of activities in a period of time
4
  succeed in doing or achieving something difficult
5
  (informal) had just enough or knew just enough of something to deal with a difficult situation

C Other verbs connected with succeeding and failing

I couldn’t really afford the time to go to a lecture on bees, but my curiosity won out and I
went.  [(informal) was stronger than other, competing emotions]
The general lack of enthusiasm doomed the plan to failure.  [made it sure to fail]
The support of my friends and family helped to pull me through a very difficult time. 
[succeed in dealing with a difficult period of your life, or to help someone else to do this]
You have to learn to rise above negative criticism if you want to succeed.  [not allow something bad
that is happening or being done to you to upset you or to affect your behaviour]
Did you see the match on Saturday? We’ve fallen behind Liverpool by three points
now.  [failed to score as many points as another team or player in a competition]
58 English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced
 www.frenglish.ru

Exercises

27.1 Rewrite each sentence using a phrasal verb based on the word in brackets in an appropriate form.
1 Some people were going to buy our flat, but at the last moment the sale failed to happen.  (fall)
2 Steve is very proud of his organisational skills.  (pride)
3 The company was able to take advantage of the unusually wet weather by promoting its
inexpensive umbrellas.  (capitalise)
4 The England team lost the trophy in 2014 but regained it the following year.  (win)
5 It’s been a difficult year for us, but we have emerged from it with renewed vigour.  (come)
6 Leila managed to pass her driving test at her first attempt.  (succeed)
7 Hassan was beaten by his brother in the finals of the tennis tournament.  (lose)
8 They had a long battle in court to prove their innocence, but finally they succeeded.  (win)
27.2 Complete the text below using the correct verbs.

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A French Adventure
13 MARCH
Richard was very pessimistic about my plans to ride my bike
from the very north of France to the south. He was convinced the
project was (1) to failure despite all my attempts to
persuade him that I would be able to (2) it off. He
said I would never be able to (3) in so many miles
in the short period of time I had at my disposal. I knew I’d be
unlikely to (4) through the trip without any problems,
but I made a great effort to (5) above all his negative
comments. I am so glad I did! It wasn’t an easy ride, and my
French isn’t great, but I managed to (6) by using
gestures and a translation app. My determination
(7) me through, and in the end I (8) in reaching
my destination just one day later than planned. I’m glad to say
Richard was there to congratulate me.

27.3 Say whether the people in these sentences (a) succeeded in doing something, (b) succeeded in
doing something but only in the face of difficulty or (c) failed to do something.
1 He was so nervous when he stood up to sing, but I think he carried it off rather well.
2 She sailed through the interview and was offered the job immediately.
3 I lost out in the job interview to another woman who had more experience than me.
4 I’d hoped to go to Peru in March but the trip fell through.
5 We packed in such a lot on our trip to Korea – we saw all the main cities and sights.
6 The college authorities ignored our protests at first, but we won through in the end.
27.4 Correct the ten mistakes with phrasal verbs in this paragraph.
Oliver has always wanted to become an engineer, but it was quite difficult for him to get a place at college. He
didn’t get in at his first attempt, losing off to applicants with better exam grades. However, at his second try he
succeeded to win a place. He then sailed over all his first-year exams but failed some of his exams in the second
year, as he started spending a lot of time on the rugby pitch, playing for the college first team, rather than in
the library. Then his team fell back in the college league after three games, so he wasn’t too happy and did even
less work, and as a result he failed three exams. However, he’s always prided himself for being able to revise
very efficiently when he’s really under pressure, and in the third year he did enough to pull himself across. His
friends were amazed that he managed to carry it out, as they were sure he could not have packed up enough
study in such a short time to get by the exams. But Oliver knew that he had only just got over and he resolved to
organise his life much better after leaving college.
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced 59
 www.frenglish.ru

4 Young people are now clearly less interested in politics than they used to be.
5 The speaker seems reasonably happy about Joseph and what he does at home in that Joseph
seems to do more than his share of the gardening even if he does less than his share of the
housework.

26.4 1 knock down

2 fall off / tail off
3 amount to
4 tail(ing) off / fall(ing) off
5 slimming down
6 push up / build up
7 put on
8 adds up

Unit 27
27.1 1 Some people were going to buy our flat, but at the last moment the sale fell through.
2 Steve prides himself on his organisational skills.
3 The company was able to capitalise on the unusually wet weather by promoting its
inexpensive umbrellas.
4 The England team lost the trophy in 2014 but won it back the following year.
5 It’s been a difficult year for us, but we have come out of it with renewed vigour.
6 Leila succeeded in passing her driving test at her first attempt.
7 Hassan lost out to his brother in the finals of the tennis tournament.
8 They had a long battle in court to prove their innocence, but finally they won through.

27.2 1 doomed 5 rise

2 carry 6 get
3 pack 7 pulled
4 sail 8 succeeded

27.3 1 b    2 a    3 c    4 c    5 a    6 b

27.4 Oliver has always wanted to become an engineer, but it was quite difficult for him to get a
place at college. He didn’t get in at his first attempt, losing out to applicants with better exam
grades. However, at his second try he succeeded in winning a place. He then sailed through
all his first-year exams but failed some of his exams in the second year, as he started spending
a lot of time on the rugby pitch, playing for the college first team, rather than in the library.
Then his team fell behind in the college league after three games, so he wasn’t too happy and
did even less work, and as a result he failed three exams. However, he’s always prided himself
on being able to revise very efficiently when he’s really under pressure, and in the third year
he did enough to pull himself through. His friends were amazed that he managed to carry it
off, as they were sure he could not have packed in enough study in such a short time to get
through the exams. But Oliver knew that he had only just got by/through and he resolved to
organise his life much better after leaving college.

142 English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced