Must-Learn Words
Be devastating (C2) (v phr.) - making someone feel extremely sad or shocked.
It can be devastating to suddenly find you don’t have a job any more.
Feel numb (v. phr.) - to be unable to think, feel or react in a normal way.
I just sat outside his hospital room, feeling totally numb with fear.
Bawl your eyes out (v. phr.) - to be extremely sad and cry a lot
Lucy read the letter and bawled her eyes out.
Feel ashamed (v. phr.) - to feel very sorry and embarrassed because of
something you have done
I felt so ashamed of the things I’d said to him.
Be in shock (v. phr.) - to have a feeling of surprise and disbelief when
something very unexpected happens, especially something bad or frightening.
I was quite literally in shock when I saw Helen at the door.
Have an impact on someone (v. phr.) - to have a large effect or influence on
someone
Winning this competition could have a big, big impact on my life.
Inspire someone to do something (v. phr.) (B2) -to encourage someone by
making them feel confident and eager to do something
He inspired many young people to take up the sport.
Not be able to believe your eyes (v. phr.) - used to say that someone is very
surprised by something they see
Arbinder simply couldn’t believe his eyes: the whole tree was covered with
butterflies!
Blow your mind (C2) (v. phr.) - to make you feel very surprised and excited by
something
Seeing her again completely blew my mind.
Realise what a fool you’ve been (v. phr.) - to suddenly understand that you
have done something very stupid
Luisa realised what a fool she had been to think that Miguel would stay.
Words from Develop Your Writing (1B)
Country (n) - land that is not in towns, cities, or industrial areas and is either
used for farming or left in its natural condition
Would you prefer to live in the country instead of a town?
Panoramic (adj.) - with a view of a wide area
a wonderful panoramic view of the countryside
Expect (v) - to think or believe something will happen, or someone will arrive.
We are expecting a lot of applicants for the job.
End up (phr. v.) - to finally be in a particular place or situation.
They're travelling across Europe by train and are planning to end up in Moscow.
Stall (n) - a large table or a small shop with an open front from
which goods are sold in a public place:
In the village market, the stalls are piled high
with local vegetables.
Sway (v) - to move slowly from side to side:
The trees were swaying in the wind.
Ranch (n) - a very large farm on
which animals are kept, especially in North and South America:
a sheep ranch
He went to work on a ranch.
Gaze (v) (B2) - to look at something or someone for
a long time, especially in surprise or admiration, or because you
are thinking about something else:
Annette gazed admiringly at Warren as he spoke.
Squash (B2) (v) - to crush something into a flat shape:
He accidentally sat on her hat and squashed it.
Ache (v) - to have a continuous pain that is unpleasant but not very strong:
I ache/I'm aching all over.
Chirp (v) - (especially of a bird) to make a short high sound or sounds.
Hop (v) (C2) - If a small animal, bird, or insect hops, it moves by jumping on
all or two of its feet at the same time:
The rabbit/bird hopped across the grass.
Sigh(v)(B2)-
to breathe out slowly and noisily, expressing tiredness, sadness, pleasure, etc.
She sighed deeply and sat down.
Glare (C2) (v) - to shine too brightly:
The sun was glaring right in my eyes.
Drip (v) - If a liquid drips, it falls in drops, or you make it fall in drops:
Water dripped down the wall.
Twinkle(v) - (of light or a shiny surface) to shine repeatedly strongly then weakly,
as if flashing on and off very quickly:
The lights of the town twinkled in the distance.
Sunbathe (v) - to sit or lie in the sun in order to make your skin darker:
I like to sunbathe in the morning when the sun is not so hot.
