新编英语教程3第二单元语法点

新编英语教程3第二单元语法点

Words and phrases:

(1) sip: v. drink something slowly, taking very small mouthfuls

e.g.The graceful lady was sitting at the table sipping her tea.

We chatted about learning Chinese as we walked and sipped

coffee at the same time.

(2) lavish: a. very elaborate and impressive, spending a lot of

money; very generous

e.g.The apartment building was lavishly decorated.

We were always lavish with financial aid in times of crisis.

(3) hiccup: n.a small problem or difficulty; [usually plural] a

sudden repeated stopping of the

breath, usually caused by eating or drinking too fast

e.g. A recent sales hiccup is nothing to panic about.

She laughed so much she got hiccups.

(4) frugal: a. avoiding waste

e.g.She lives a frugal life.

As children we were taught to be frugal and hard-working.

(5) meek: a. very quiet and gentle and unwilling to argue with

people

e.g.Their boss was always so meek and mild.

You can be alternately as meek as a lamb or as mad as a

hornet.

(6) It didn’t (doesn’t) take a genius to: It was (is)

easy/evident to, it took (takes) no effort to

e.g.It doesn’t take a genius to read between the lines.

I know that it doesn’t take a genius to work out that sleep

is important for good health.

(7) in store: in readiness; awaiting e.g.The King was, of course, optimistic and excited about

what the future has in store.

It is an indication of their talent and the bright future that

most young men believe is in

store.

(8) appeal: v. make a serious public request for help, money,

information, etc.

e.g.Farmers have appealed to the government for help.

The two countries appealed for a speedy solution to the

hostage crisis.

(9) bail out: escape from a situation that someone does not

want to be in any more

e.g.After many years in the business, his father is baling out.

They will discuss how to bail the economy out of its slump.

(10) gloat: v. show pleasure at one’s own success or at other

people’s failure in an arrogant and

unpleasant way

e.g.The opposing team gloated over our bad luck.

She gloated over the fact that she received the highest score

on the exam.

(11) disguised: a. having its true character concealed with the

intent of misleading

e.g.When more people are engaged in some activity than the

number of person required for

that , this is called disguised unemployment.

Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of

misfortune, or temporary defeat.

(12) foot: v. pay for something, especially something

expensive that one does not want to pay for

e.g.He ordered drinks and then left me to foot the bill! We ended up having to foot the bill for a new roof because

our insurance didn’t cover

storm damage.

(13) shush: v. tell someone to be very quiet, especially by

putting one’s fingers against lips or by

saying “shush”

e.g.The little girl started to cry and her mother shushed her.

Shushing someone is the silent equivalent of screaming

“Shut up”.

(14) nicety: n. [usually plural] questions and remarks made

for the sake of politeness; the quality

or state of being nice

e.g.We met the new captain while we were taking enemy fire

and were unable to observe

the niceties of formal introductions.

The diplomatic niceties from a career bureaucrat betray a

serious underlying tension

that is getting difficult to conceal.

(15) grooming: n. activity leading to skilled behavior

e.g.There is speculation that he is grooming his son to

succeed him as president.

“Our three founders are working harder than ever and

we’re grooming the next

generation of leaders,” says the spokesman.

(16) flippantly: ad. in the manner of not being serious about

something that other people think one

should be serious about

e.g.He answered the reporters’ questions flippantly.

Do not speak without careful consideration, or flippantly

make promises. (17) inherit: v. receive money, property, etc., from someone

after they have died

e.g.Each generation seems to inherit not only new

knowledge but also new ignorance.

In most cases identical twins who inherited almost the same

genes have different

personalities.

(18) prenuptial: a. relating to events before a marriage

e.g.He was asked whether or not he would sign a prenuptial

agreement.

(19) stun: v. surprise or upset someone so much that he/she

does not react immediately

e.g.The youngest footballer stunned the crowd with a last-minute goal.

Most audience were stunned by the film’s violent and tragic

end.

(20) preen: v. spend time making oneself look tidier and more

attractive

e.g.She was preening herself in front of the mirror.

The study revealed that 50% of men under 35 spend at least

20 minutes preening

themselves every morning in the bathroom.