Kilos53

The ancient ivy cleaved to the ruined castle walls. People in the remote mountain villages still cleave to their old traditions.

The party's at Kate's on Friday night - bring some booze. Have you been out boozing again?

On 31 May the two leaders signed a peace accord. The project is completely in accord with government policy. She came of her own accord. No one asked her to come. With one accord, the delegates walked out of the conference

He swung the golf club so hard it launched a tuft of grass in the air, He had a few tufts of hair on his chin, but you couldn't really call it a beard.

We had lobster for dinner.

He drank the whole bottle in one gulp. He gulped down the last piece of the steak.

I thought it was a portable computer. They offer portable pensions, carried by employees from job to job.

She was convicted of her husband's murder. This is no proof. It's not enough to convict him.

For some inexplicable reason, he's decided to cancel the project

The merger proved to be very lucrative for both companies.

The UN has imposed punitive sanctions on the invading country.

We've got rid of the old computer system, and good riddance is what I say.

Rebellious children may pose a problem for their parent, Drunk drivers pose a threat to other road users. I don't have patience to pose all day. He always poses difficult questions.

My letter of protest was just a drop in the ocean.

They live in a scruffy part of town. a small, scruffy-looking man

I use (a) moisturizer every night. This new makeup protects and moisturizes the skin.

Diets rich in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. You are a chronic gambler! Smoking chronic helps me relax

The oak was two metres in girth. His ample girth was evidence of his love of good food.

She's got an ample bosom. He gave me ample time to respond.

Outdoor activities are, as ever, contingent on the weather. Our success is contingent upon your support.

All the technical words have been underlined in red. She gave some shocking examples to underline the seriousness of the situation.

She scrambled up the steep hillside and over the rocks. He scrambled into his clothes (= put them on quickly) and raced to get help. People are scrambling to buy property before prices rise even further. The soldiers scrambled at the sound of the alarm

The new album contains some carefully wrought new songs and a number of familiar hits. Her poems are well-wrought and intensely personal. She’s modest about what she has wrought.

Thora bustled around the house, getting everything ready. I sat in a café, watching the (hustle and) bustle of the street outside.

I am bored stiff, can we go home? My performance was a stiff. He's so stiff, he should go to sleep. My muscles were stiff after sitting in one position. She had difficulty opening the stiff drawer. Your voice is so stiff. Are you angry?

Alzheimer's disease was, and is, the main cause of dementia in all countries.

He dodged the question every time anyone asked it. Think you're smart enough to dodge a bullet? He avoided the arrow with a dodge.

The police had been stalking the woman for a week before they arrested her. He had stalked her for several months before he was arrested. When night falls, danger stalks the streets of the city.

dressed in his habitual black, habitual drug use. She was habitually late.

Some kid is harrying my son. Enemies harry villages during war. he was wearying of toil and harrying

His father worked at his homestead

fitful breathing a fitful sleep spark of fitful candle strayed

Read the passage and the clues included therein.

She hasn't heard a peep out of him in more than 10 days. A few early flowers had peeped up through the snow. I saw her peeping through the curtains/into the room.

They heard the hoot of an owl.

She will be remembered as an unrelenting opponent of racial discrimination.

You have to be devious if you're going to succeed in business.

a dismal expression, The acting was dismal, wasn't it?

He lay there in anguish. His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.

He fell at the last hurdle. the 400-metre hurdles. Getting a work permit was the first hurdle to overcome. He hurdled the gate and scrambled up the hill.

The blackbird flew back and forth to its brood. Ann was at the party with her brood. I wish she wouldn't sit brooding in her room all day.

The Spanish Armada was sent by the king of Spain to invade England in 1588.

He's always raving (on) about the government. She raved about/over the clothes she had seen at the Paris fashion shows. The show has received rave reviews/notices in all the papers. Her speech drew raves from everyone.

She took a stunning close-up of him.

We saw rioters pelting police with bricks and bottles. The children pelted down the bank.

to perform CPR

Purity of lineage has its advantages. I am proud of my lineage.

Prick the skin of the potatoes with a fork before baking them. She pricked the balloon with a pin and it burst with a loud bang.

I don't want to carry this bag around all afternoon - it's pretty weighty. weighty matters/issues

Jobs become scarce in a stagnant economy. a stagnant economy. Recently, the company's sales have been declining or stagnant. a stagnant pond

Actors' reputations have been made and unmade on this London stage.

a cosy/sheltered/quiet nook

The police have kept the nightclub under surveillance because of suspected illegal drug activity.

The British team have excelled themselves this year to reach the finals.

The river was full but we managed to wade across. We waded a shallow river.

Unfortunately the report was prepared in haste and contained several inaccuracies. ] In her haste to get up from the table, she knocked over a cup. hastily constructed houses. Don’t make a hasty decision.

They share a truly reciprocal relationship. We have agreed to exchange information about our two companies, but strictly on a reciprocal basis. We aim to establish reciprocally profitable relations.

have a vocation. I feel I've found/missed my true vocation. Most teachers regard their profession as a vocation, not just a job.

He found a clump of hair on the floor. She picked up a clump of dirt for analysis. She could hear his clump on the stairs. He clumped towards the exit. The grass was clumped all around the garden.

What a compact office! How did you fit so much into so little space? compact soil/sand

He is one of the leading proponents of capital punishment

Let's give him a chance to explain why he's a pervert. Her ideas have been shamelessly perverted to serve the president's propaganda campaign. The two police officers were charged with perverting the course of justice by fabricating evidence in the trial.

Most people who've had chickenpox once are immune to it for the rest of their lives. The press had criticized her so often that in the end she had become immune (to it). Journalists, he insisted, must be immune (= protected) from prosecution.

Visitors have complained about the scaffolding that shrouds half the castle. The truth about the accident remains hidden beneath a shroud of secrecy. Everything was covered in a thick shroud of dust.

We have an array of possibilities. His array was made of pure silk. Can you array these books on the shelf? They had been arrayed on a line and were ready to move out. She arrayed her daughter in a beautiful dress.

It's a good film, but there's a lot of blood and gore in it (= pictures of people being badly injured).

There was a deathly hush after she made the announcement. Hush! You'll wake the baby!

She bought a dress and matching hat, gloves, and shoes - in fact the whole ensemble.

The children had smeared peanut butter all over the sofa. Can you explain why the front of your car is smeared with blood You'd look very stylish if it wasn't for that smear of ketchup on your shirt.

Such a war would be disastrous for the country. His first attempt was disastrous.

It's my mom's first day at work after she has had a long lay-off. The recent economic crisis has led to massive layoffs.

If you have any questions, please see your supervisor or call the office.

There are signs of dissension within the ruling political party.

They were old school/college chums. The organization has a welcoming collegial atmosphere. The new chair quickly upset committee members, who were used to a more collegial style.

The singer threw a shade at her rival in an interview. Some days, you go into work and just get slammed. Sure, you can smear him, ruin his whole life's work.

I have never won anything in a raffle. We are going to raffle off a car for the hospital appeal.

He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. a vibrant young performer. a vibrant personality. The hope is that this area will develop into a vibrant commercial centre.

a nugget of information/truth. What other astonishing nuggets of wisdom do you have for us?

We're primarily concerned with keeping expenditure down. Baseball is primarily a summer game

He's got crooked teeth. You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads. crooked police officers

You'll make yourself hoarse if you keep shouting like that! a hoarse voice

The bracelet was so tight that it started to chafe (my wrist).

The area is dotted with rills and rivers.

Instead, it exhilarates them with illusions and promises, which can intoxicate but cannot produce results.

Some studies are easier to randomize than others. Scrambling is a technique used to randomize a data stream.

Food for birds is scarce in winter. Trees are scarce in the desert

This tragedy deranged him. a deranged criminal/mind/personality

The man flicked his whip and the horses moved off. Mary flicked her long hair back. Bob flicked the ash from his cigar.

He couldn't abide laziness. He abided in the wilderness for forty days. The abiding impression is of a composer whose work embodies some intriguing contradictions

She nodded, then frowned. He frowned as he read the instructions, as if puzzled.

When walking home alone, trust your instincts: if you have a sense of foreboding, run.

herbaceous plant

The gold medal continues to elude her. They eluded the police by fleeing. I know who you mean but her name eludes me.

zakład przetwarzania odpadów

The popularity of digital cameras has reduced the demand for traditional film processing. There was a delay in the processing of passport applications. data processing. a waste processing plant

The occasional publishing use of retroactive continuity (retcon) often occurs due to this kind of revision or oversight. The writers also created a number of retcon storylines during the 2000s

To say that her resignation was a shock would be an understatement - it caused panic.

She entered the vault with an armed guard. She vaulted the wall and kept running.

equestrian show

There was a pool of blood on the floor. Look, the pool is frozen - it must be really cold outside. There were puddles by the side of the road.

This restaurant did not meet our expectations.

He found the subject of their conversation very distasteful. Some of the ads are particularly distasteful. He commented on the distastefulness of holding the ceremony so close to the death of the King.

This tool alone or combined with others, allows quick detection of caterpillars in the field.

We will certainly contest any claims made against the safety of our products. She's won a lot of beauty contests.

milieu intern. It is a study of the social and cultural milieu in which Michelangelo lived and worked.

They attempted to calculate the areal extent of the Indian ocean earthquake of 2004. Those studied differences must be studied in relation to each other, by no means

It is by no means certain that we'll finish the project by June. This isn't the last we'll hear of it by any means.

We have evidence to substantiate the allegations against him. Reports that children had been hurt have not been substantiated.

He felt no remorse for the murders he had committed. After the argument, she was filled with remorse.

Relatives of the dead made an impassioned plea for the bodies to be flown back to this country.

He made a plea for help/mercy. Mr Wilson entered a plea of not guilty.

Books fashion imagination. The party fashioned his opinions. He fashioned a hat for himself from/out of newspaper.

a plausible explanation/excuse. a plausible salesman

We've certainly seen an increase on TV of foul language and sexual titillation. There's more going on in this film than cheap titillation. So many adverts these days are designed to titillate.

A reverent silence fell over the crowd. He laid the wreath reverently in front of the memorial. The crowd was reverently silent during the song.

I don't understand him, his arguments are inconsistent. These findings are inconsistent with those of previous studies.

A group of suntanned children were frolicking on the beach. a harmless frolic

The confusion about the project has been made worse by the vacillation and indecision. There were some doubts and vacillations on this issue within the party.

The acculturation of this community may take months, if not years. He avoids the term 'assimilation', preferring 'acculturation' because it does not entail a complete rejection of the culture of origin.

They discoursed on philosophy. We may actually begin to change the discourse around the issue. I felt at home in this sort of discourse. a discourse on/upon the nature of life after death

A country's language is indivisible from its culture.

That smell always evokes memories of my old school. a detergent designed to evoke the fresh smell of summer meadows

The different offices will be amalgamated as/into employment advice centres.

All of the above-mentioned movies won Oscars.

Certain types of sandstone are permeable to water. Soft and gas-permeable contact lenses are kinder to the eyes than hard lenses.

My predecessor worked in this job for twelve years. The latest Ferrari is not only faster than its predecessors but also more comfortable.

Most of the land there is too poor to cultivate. She has cultivated an image as a tough negotiator.

I had to stop my football career because of a leg injury

This dog is sick and has to be put to sleep/ euthanized

She was forced by her management to work extra hours and she reluctantly conformed to their will

My reaction left him cold. This movie has left me cold, it was boring.

We'd better go take a thorough look around. This is a very thorough analysis.

Passing a written test is a prerequisite for taking the advanced course. They had to agree to certain conditions as a prerequisite of being lent the money.

The Italian word "mangiare" (= to eat) is cognate with the French "manger".

My mother gave me a really hard time (= was angry with me) about staying out late. Her kids always give her a hard time when she takes them shopping.

I was on the edge and he passed a helpful hand. She had a reason to be on edge

a deep-seated faith in God

Make sure all senior managers are on board and involved in the internet strategy. It's important that we take on board the environmental concerns of consumers.

Supporters gave the team three resounding cheers. The plan was a resounding success/failure. The noise of the fire alarm resounded through/throughout the building.

She could see inquisitive faces looking out from the windows next door. an inquisitive child

You have to allow for the fact that I was sick all weak

Now that her feelings are out in the open, she says she feels relieved.

I'll stay with him through thick and thin

A scrupulous politician would not lie about her business interests. The nurse told him to be scrupulous (= extremely careful) about keeping the wound clean.

When he started fighting, it took four police officers to restrain him. She was so angry that she could hardly restrain herself. Growth in car ownership could be restrained by increasing taxes. Can't you restrain your own boisterousness?

She has the most peculiar ideas. What a peculiar smell! This type of building is peculiar to the south of the country. They noted that special manner of walking that was peculiar to her alone.

Some managements have endeavoured to curb this by employing people who are officially referred to as security attendants, but who are commonly known as "bouncers".

We hypothesized that children of alcoholic fathers will demonstrate more behavioural problems. There's no point hypothesizing about how the accident happened, since we'll never really know.

We've received a complaint from one of our listeners about offensive language. A stomach ache is her main complaint.

You have to dog him, I want to know where he lives! Don't let it dog you, I'll help you find a job.

He's so impetuous - why can't he think things over before he rushes into them? The governor may now be regretting her impetuous promise to reduce unemployment by half. impetuousness

These cave paintings predate any others which are known. Some species of bat predate small mammals.

The lines "She walks in beauty, like the night..." from Byron's poem contain a simile. That was an unappropriate simile

Investigators are trying to get to the bottom of what went wrong.

The book contains a great deal of peripheral detail. be peripheral to something

I’ve seen the article, which I take with a grain of salt.

His explanation was wrapped up in so much technical verbiage that I couldn't understand it. This is all excess verbiage whose only function is to treat adults as children.

House prices have plummeted in recent months. Several large rocks were sent plummeting down the mountain.

nagging feeling. nagging doubts/pain

a sloppily written letter, I think this test was done sloppily. He bounded to the door and kissed Genevieve sloppily on the forehead. sloppines. sloppy

A little kitten was bounding towards me. I have a collection of books bound in leather. It's beyond the bounds of possibility that we will ever meet. These two young musicians are bound for international success (= are certain to be successful).

his unsullied reputation

The ruined house had a sinister appearance.

He has eaten burgers every other day for two decades

The software is pretty much there - it just needs a little tweaking. Standing in front of the mirror she tweaked a strand of hair into place.

Without a firewall, all your files could be instantly accessible to any competent hacker from anywhere in the world.

A gentle breeze wafted the scent of roses in through the open window. A waft of smoke engulfed her.

If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

The players stepped up and won the game. Companies and entrepreneurs have stepped up to help. You have stepped up since last week.

But food is not reaching those most in need, relief workers say.

She pitched in $10,000 and asked others to help. If everyone pitches in with their work, the results will come faster.

She wet the mattress and there was no money to replace it or to buy sheets.

I can offer you a special rebate for your purchase. rebate on premiums

You have to pay premium in regular time intervals. He received a premium for his hard work.

set some money aside, set aside a judgment, set aside 50 $ to provide financial aid to small minorities

They are encouraging retail development in underserved neighborhoods. underserved community

There was a surge of activity in this area. This challenge today is the surge of refugees. No breaks for anyone, till this surge is under control. Prices surged, but so did our revenue. My feelings surged when I looked at him.

She's managed somehow to procure his phone number. He'd procured us seats in the front row. We procured maps and directions from the tourist office.

Is it possible that germ could be airborne? It was a contagious experimental germ developed by the military

We have our bad times but on the whole we're fairly happy.

We were a prosperous country during his tenure. The president was elected for a term of five years.

Snow pitched from the roof. The boat was pitching and I fell asleep. Have you pitched the price of this used bike? The roof was pitched at a slight angle.

The lights of the village were glimmering in the distance. The sky glimmered with stars.

Tracy always wanted a big wedding with a long gown. a hospital gown. They studied a group of patients who did not wear the gowns on one day and then wore the gowns on another.

Many objects can be successfully repurposed. Cinemas are harder to repurpose than ordinary shops.

sports apparel

Even in this garnish, she was easily recognisable. Garnish the dish with parsley before serving. a lemon and herb garnish

Their offices are in a nondescript building on the edge of town.

sturdy walking boots. sturdy table

Looking for a toned stomach or a better tennis game?

Acne is the curse of adolescence.

She plaited the horse's tail. She usually wears her hair in a plait/in two plaits.

lace curtains

She pushed her fringe out of her eyes. the radical fringes of the party

Either way, your exposure to ride-hailing services is affected by your ability to choose your own vehicle. Ride-hailing company

This part of the law is only applicable to companies employing more than five people. The new qualifications are applicable to all European countries

a quaint old cottage

Some things are just a matter of personal conviction. Because of her conviction, she could not run for office until 1992. religious/moral convictions. He said he was enjoying his new job, but his voice lacked conviction.

Brightly coloured flags were fluttering in the breeze. Every time I think about my exams my stomach flutters!

Police discovered the body hidden in thick undergrowth

Please prepare some brush to make a bonfire. The hunched lady was carrying brush on her back.

I detest any kind of cruelty. I detest having to get up when it's dark outside.

too young to agonise over this opportunity? Think twice before you turn this advice down. He agonized for several days before agreeing to move to Oklahoma. After hours of agonizing debate, the membership rejected the proposal.

Samuel has a chart of the sea on his wall. The doctor keeps the charts of the patients in his office. We charted a route of our journey on the map. You can chart the results of your research - they will understand it better.

The neighbours thought he was cracked. In my opinion, that's a totally cracked idea.

He agreed to the interview, with the caveat that he could approve the final article. But I would add the caveat that it is relatively.

It was springtime and the fruit trees were in bud.

I support the call for research, but with some caution. There was a caution on the box. You only got a caution this time, but next time you might not be so lucky. Our math teacher is a real caution. I would caution against taking such a line.

I've already done one lot of washing. They're planning to build a house on a vacant lot on 35th Street. We drew lots to decide who would go.

She attended an anti-government rally. His car broke down and he didn't even finish the rally. I was very happy when I heard about your rally. I have no doubt that many supporters will rally to my defense.

We met in a little eatery just off the main road.

George's fondness for fishing was well known. Ruth has a real fondness for old houses.

The area near the beach is paved with bricks set in patterns.

In later life she was crippled with arthritis.

a bohemian lifestyle The area has a bohemian atmosphere, busy with small independent shops and cafes. She belonged to a West Coast group of bohemian writers and intellectuals.

If you spend your holidays in the mountains you'll get the benefit of the fresh air.

We're going to buy a piece of real estate.

She gave him a peck of farewell. The hens are pecking at some grain. He pecked his aunt on the cheek. Geese were pecking around for food.

Despite their studying, and Naru's mock exam results, they both fail the exams.

My brother gave me a baseball mitt for my birthday. She bought a pair of woolen mittens and a matching scarf.

She went up on top of a 10 feet high drift. A happy dog jumped into a snow drift. No one noticed that the boat had begun to drift out to sea. The general drift of the article was that society doesn't value older people.

The upkeep of larger old properties is very expensive.

Is it five o'clock already? I've lost the track of time. It is easy to lose the track of time when you play computer games. I lost my track of time and the other car took my found parking spot

I was tied up in a meeting

Heedless destruction of the rainforests is contributing to global warming.

There was a barely perceptible movement in his right arm.

Babies like to gnaw hard objects when they're teething.

Despite their small size, crickets make very shrill noises. Your violin shrills, you should retune it.

I saw him cast a furtive glance at the woman at the table to his right.

The runaway bus eventually came to a standstill when it rolled into a muddy field.

a small low hill with a rounded top

He was stifled by the smoke. He is said to have stifled his victim with a pillow. She stifled a cough/yawn/scream/sneeze. I don't know how I managed to stifle my anger.

His financial problems escalated after he became unemployed. The escalating rate of inflation will almost certainly bring escalating prices. You might need to escalate the issue to the next highest level management team.

If someone insults you, don't retaliate as it only makes the situation worse. The terrorists retaliated against the government with a bomb attack.

Don't ask him about the job search - it's a bit of a sore point.

I got the engine overhauled. The restaurant has overhauled its menu, cutting portions and eliminating items with lots of calories.

The craze for health foods has become big business. Cycling shorts were the latest craze/(all) the craze that year.

Don't be such a meanie!

The company has disclosed profits of over £200 million.

I cracked a few jokes to try to cheer everyone up.

Flexible working hours are a win-win situation for employers and employees.

We found a bountiful supply of coconuts on the island.

If you overcook the cabbage it'll turn to mush.

There is often a lag between becoming infected and the first signs of the illness. The train is having a severe lag. He's lagging behind so let's wait for him.

There wasn't enough coal during the war, so we had to use it sparingly. She created a natural look, using makeup sparingly.

imminent disaster/danger

Roller coasters make me feel nauseous.

The earth is not perfectly spherical. If I was an orange, I would be spherical and juicy

The most stringent laws in the world are useless unless there is the will to enforce them. We need to introduce more stringent security measures such as identity cards. Already low living standards have been worsened by stringent economic reforms.

If you are sick and you can't go to New York, have Matt go instead. I had him apologize to my wife.

It does make one feel terribly unattractive.

The richer countries of the world should take concerted action to help the poorer countries. He's making a concerted effort to improve his appearance.

Iron maiden was an instrument to torture people."Certain instruments are needed for this operation" said the surgeon. surgical instruments

My leg was in a cast for about six weeks

Mercury is used in batteries, pesticides, and thermometers.

The Council feels your daring may put others in danger. As I have said, this is an ambitious and daring strategy. His daring, new movie turned out to be very successful. a daring escape

Postage stamps were introduced in Britain in 1840 as a way of showing that the sender had paid for the letter to be delivered.

I think bullfighting should be abolished. The government has pledged to abolish child poverty by 2020.

He had to pay the tariff every time he drove this road.

The catch is broken, I can't close the door. The catch helps the door stay shut. Catch the door before you go to sleep.

It's difficult to quantify how many people will be affected by the change. The question was not simply one of quantification of damages, it was one of liability.

fatally wounded, This illness is fatal in almost all cases. He made the fatal mistake/error of believing what they told him.

A pile of tabloid newspapers was stacked against the wall

He put the cucumbers in the pickle. I have to pickle the mushrooms by tomorrow.

While ticks are often thought of as insects, they are actually arachnids

He was bitten by a tick and contracted Lyme disease. Lyme disease can be fatal.

tick's piercing mouthparts

She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. Ticks can be removed by dabbing them with alcohol for several minutes. Put a dab of ointment on the wound.

The invention could go a long way in helping people with severe physical disabilities

tenis Rocket. He didn't even bat an eye. The player batted the ball away.

The show was designed so that the lights synchronized with the music. We'd better synchronize our watches if we all want to be there at the same time.

She's neurotic about her weight - she weighs herself three times a day.

She pampers her dog with the finest steak and salmon. He was a pampered rich kid who was driven to school in a limousine.

We have a census in this country every ten years.

We've spent so much time together that we've picked up each other's mannerisms.

choppy layers. The bad news is that along the way things could get a bit choppy.

I felt a tinge of regret that I hadn't accepted her offer. His hair is starting to show tinges of grey.

Are you insinuating (that) I'm losing my nerve?

an arduous climb/task/journey. It had been an arduous process to get to this point.

Several important changes are expected in the line-up for Thursday's game.

"the ingredients used are drawn from nature—avocado, lemongrass, and camomile to name a few"

The band went on to make it's name with such titles as...

Many parents hire tutors for their children.

He dismissed recent rumours about his private life as fictitious.

a posthumous award. Dillon was posthumously awarded a Silver Star.

Soldiers have to swear allegiance to the Crown/the King. In many American schools, the students pledge allegiance (to the flag) at the beginning of the school day

Vanessa always pouts if she doesn't get what she wants. Caroline pouts her lips when she's putting on lipstick.

She scrubbed (at) the mark on the wall for a long time, but it wouldn't come off.

She became withdrawn and pensive, hardly speaking to anyone. thoughtful, contemplative, ruminative

Economic concerns are preoccupying the voters in this election.

As with most pleasures, it's not so much the experience itself as the anticipation that is enjoyable. She's even decorated the spare room in anticipation of your visit.

She is applying for political asylum.

carnivorous plants. I gave up my carnivorous diet several years ago. I'm not longer a carnivore. I have moved over to the vegetarian diet.

Cheetahs are mainly found in Africa.

He has a very powerful, muscular physique.

We might see a snow flurry or two tonight. The prince's words on marriage have prompted a flurry of speculation in the press this week. A flurry of feathers flash past makes me excited. I always feel a flurry of live when I see a newborn

The interviewer probed deep into her private life. They probed in/into the mud with a special drill. During the operation a metal probe is inserted into the skin in order to remove fat deposits

The CEO was in a defiant mood as she entered the boardroom. The protesters blocking the entrance to the offices remained defiant this morning

We're having a housewarming on Friday if you'd like to come.

The rapid promotion of the director's son has itself fuelled resentment within the company. The president's speech fuelled speculation that she is about to resign. Our heating is fuelled by gas.

He was a wizened old man with yellow skin and deep wrinkles.

faded jeans, a faded beauty (= a woman who was beautiful in the past)

She ushered us into her office and offered us coffee.

wispy hair

Be careful on that path - the paving stones are uneven. Your work has been a little uneven this term, Matthew. The contest was uneven because one team was much stronger than the other.

Plastic coated worktops are easy to keep clean.

By this time a series of scandals had severely tarnished the candidate's image/reputation.

teddy bear that snuggle up with me in bed. The children snuggled up to their mother to get warm.

a long rambling speech, a rambling rose. rambling house

We curled up in bed, all snug and warm, and listened to the storm outside.

an atrocious film/piece of acting. Conditions in the prison were atrocious.

I think my husband is the most handsome man in the world, but I realize my judgment is rather subjective. More specific and less subjective criteria should be used in selecting people for promotion within the company.

It’s getting late – let’s wrap it up. She wrapped up a deal just before she left on vacation.

The film successfully recaptures the joyful style of the 1940s Hollywood musical. The army recaptured the town from the rebels.

Worry and lack of money cramp the lives of the unemployed. We have six desks in this room, so we're a little cramped (for space). cramped schedule

Marilyn was portrayed as some sort of dim-witted blonde.

tax loopholes. The company employed lawyers to find loopholes in environmental protection laws.

The partition of India occurred in 1947. Ireland was partitioned in 1921.

a loud jangling noise

The previous occupants were an Italian family. One of the occupants of the car was slightly injured.

He asked me a question point-blank. He asked me to work at the weekend, but I refused point-blank.

Her face was gaunt and grey. a long gaunt face

He may not be happy-go-lucky, but he's a realist.

She whirled around to look at me. He stepped out into the night and the whirling snow. He whirled her around until she felt quite sick.

The nurse rocked the cradle. She cradled him tenderly in her arms.

He lives in a tiny student bedsit.

The kitchen is fully equipped with all mod cons including a dishwasher.

living in peace and tranquility. I love the tranquility of the lakes. She stared at the tranquil surface of the water.