Collocations Challenge 2

Collocation Meaning Day

Bow to pressure Do what someone else wants you to do, although you don't 1
want to do it
Strongly inclined To be very likely to or to really want to do something 1
Trust implicitly To believe that someone/something is good or reliable, 1
with no doubt
Casual acquaintance Someone you have met, but less than a friend 1
Pick a fight To start an argument on purpose 1
Grave danger Very serious danger 2
Blistering pace Very fast 2
Spotlessly clean Completely clean 2
Stroke of genius A really good idea 2
Strictly speaking The real truth is 2
Extenuating circumstances Good excuses 3
Subtle distinction Very small difference 3
Hone skills Make your skills better 3
Left with little alternative Have no other choice 3
Greatly appreciate Be very grateful for 3
Slim chance Very small chance 4
World of difference Very big difference 4
Incessant noise Continuous loud sound 4
Root cause Main reason something happens 4
Uphill struggle Difficult task that needs effort 4
Common knowledge People usually know this 5
Go without saying Be very obvious 5
Initial hesitation When you're not certain at the beginning 5
Hopelessly lost Completely lost 5
Hard slog A very difficult thing 5
Endless supply When there is always more of something 6
Nagging doubt Feeling that something is not right 6
Worth the effort Something hard but that has a good result 6
Sharp wit Clever jokes 6
Disappear without a trace Disappear completely 6
Contributing factor One of the things that causes something 7
Change beyond all recognition To completely change 7
Lull in the conversation When the conversation has a pause or a break 7
Pure luck Completely because of chance 7
Standards slip When the level of service or quality gets worse 7
Undivided attention Complete attention 8
Thirst for knowledge When you want to learn 8
Air a grievance Complain publicly 8
Tentative suggestion Uncertain suggestion 8
Desired effect The result you want 8
Detailed account Very thorough explanation 9
Fundamentally different Completely different 9
Mildly surprised A little bit surprised 9
Sense of achievement Proud feeling after doing something difficult and 9
important
Complete stranger Someone you've never seen or met before 9
Fill with dread Make someone very worried or nervous 10
Have every confidence Have a strong belief 10
Remote possibility Very small chance 10
Manageable chunk Small, easy part of a large task 10
Drive someone crazy Annoy someone a lot 10
Polar opposite The complete opposite 11
Overwhelming majority A lot more than half 11
Put in an appearance Go to an event for a short time 11
Ulterior motive Secret reason 11
Stand to gain Will be able to get something 11
Nifty gadget Clever or useful little device 12
Be drawn into an argument Become involved in an argument without wanting to 12
Bursting with energy Full of energy 12
Bear in mind Consider or think about something 12
Wrestle with a problem Try to solve a difficult problem 12
Tempting offer Very attractive offer 13
Adjourn a meeting Stop a meeting for a period of time 13
Against your better judgement Something you think it would be better not to do 13
Work to someone's advantage Be good for someone 13
Cover a lot of ground Travel a large distance / see a lot of information 13
Relentlessly cheerful Always extremely happy or positive 14
Spark fears Cause worry or panic 14
Pale in comparison Seem less important/serious/good when compared with 14
something else
Carbon footprint The amount of carbon dioxide released by people's activity 14
Unmitigated disaster Total failure 14
Admit defeat Say or understand that you have lost 15
Concerted effort A very serious effort 15
By all accounts As most people say 15
Cost a fortune Be very expensive 15
Widespread repercussions Results that affect a lot of things 15
Logical conclusion The only possible answer given the evidence 16
Bear the suspense Manage your nervous feelings 16
Burning enthusiasm A strong interest or enjoyment in something 16
Daunting task A strong interest or enjoyment in something 16
Change of plan A change to plans that have been made 16
Redeeming feature The only good thing about a person or thing 17
Face the thought of Do something difficult or unpleasant 17
Prompt reply Quick response 17
Definitive guide The best explanation or description of a topic 17
Downright rude Very impolite or offensive 17
Classic example A typical or very good example of something 18
Bear little resemblance to Be unlike someone or something 18
Bright idea A clever idea or suggestion 18
Astronomical fees A very big amount of money that you pay for something 18
Wild guess A guess without much information 18
Congested road A road with a lot of traffic 19
Wildly exaggerated Reported to be much better or bigger than reality 19
Source of entertainment Something that entertains or amuses you 19
Jump to conclusions Form an opinion before knowing all the facts 19
Considerably exceed Be a lot more than a number or amount 19
Come under attack Be criticised a lot 20
On good terms Have a friendly relationship with someone 20
Changed man/woman Someone who has changed a lot because of an experience 20
Dismal failure Something that's not successful at all 20
Financial acumen When you're good with money 20
Profound admiration A lot of respect 21
Contain your excitement Hide how excited you are 21
Force for good Someone or something with a good effect 21
Special request When you ask for something special 21
Adverse weather conditions Very bad weather making it difficult to do something 21
Refuse point-blank Say no without an explanation 22
Boundless energy Lots of energy 22
Blank expression Showing no feeling or emotion 22
Marked improvement When something is much better than before 22
Dodge the question Avoid answering a question 22
Strike a balance Put the right amount of important on two things 23
Decline to comment Refuse to say something to the media 23
Bone idle Very lazy 23
Lifelong ambition A lifetime desire to do something 23
Wreck the place Make somewhere very untidy or damaged 23
Blatantly obvious Very obvious or clear 24
Hurl insults Say or shout horrible words 24
Opening remarks When you say something at the start of an event 24
Get the hang of Learn how to do something 24
Broach the subject Start to talk about a difficult topic or problem 24
Stroke of luck Very good luck 25
Broad hint When you say something to show indirectly what you 25
want
Sense of adventure Wanting to try new things or take risks 25
Back of beyond A place that's very far away and difficult to get to 25
Mounting concern A worry which is getting worse 25
Dip into savings Spend money from your savings account at the bank 26
Bubbly personality A friendly and cheerful personality 26
Foreseeable future The future that's quite close 26
Exponential growth An increase which gets bigger as it increases 26
High spirits Happy and having a good time 26
Cautiously optimistic Feeling a good result may be possible 27
Dazzling smile A very lovely smile 27
Room for improvement When something could be better 27
Learning curve The speed that you learn something 27
Quality time Time with someone without distractions 27
Vain hope A hope that won't come true 28
Surge of adrenaline A strong feeling of excitement or nervousness 28
Fierce competition Very strong competition 28
Deny all knowledge Say you know nothing about something 28
Child prodigy A particularly gifted or talented child 28
Flying visit A very short visit 29
Propose a toast Ask people to drink to someone's health and happiness 29
Wildly inaccurate Totally wrong 29
Culture shock Feeling of confusion when living in a new place 29
Adverse reaction A bad reaction 29
Deciding factor Something which helps you make a final decision 30
Lapse of judgement A temporary failure to make a good decision 30
Inordinate amount A very large amount 30
Family gathering When you meet your family 30
Trace of an accent A very small accent 30