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Unexpected Vocabulary Set in Certainty & Possibility: Full and Detailed List

The 'Unexpected' vocabulary set in 'Certainty & Possibility' is carefully selected from standard international textbook sources, helping you master vocabulary in a short time. Comprehensive compilation of definitions, illustrative examples, and standard pronunciation...

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damp squib

/dæmp skwɪb/

Example:

The highly anticipated concert turned out to be a bit of a damp squib, with poor sound quality and a short setlist.

out of thin air

/aʊt əv θɪn ɛr/

Example:

The magician made a rabbit appear out of thin air.

take the cake

/teɪk ðə keɪk/

Example:

His excuse for being late really takes the cake; he said a squirrel stole his car keys.

throw someone a curveball

/θroʊ ˈsʌm.wʌn ə ˈkɜrv.bɔl/

Example:

The boss really threw us a curveball with that last-minute change to the project.

(as) large as life

/əz lɑrdʒ əz laɪf/

Example:

I was just talking about him when he walked as large as life into the room.

catch someone napping

/kætʃ ˈsʌm.wʌn ˈnæp.ɪŋ/

Example:

The teacher caught him napping when he was playing games on his phone during class.

catch someone with their pants down

/kætʃ ˈsʌm.wʌn wɪð ðer pænts daʊn/

Example:

The boss caught him with his pants down when he was playing games on his computer during work hours.

drop a bombshell

/drɑp ə ˈbɑmˌʃɛl/

Example:

The CEO decided to drop a bombshell at the board meeting, announcing his immediate resignation.

a pig in a poke

/ə pɪɡ ɪn ə poʊk/

Example:

Buying a used car without a test drive is like buying a pig in a poke.

pull a rabbit out of the hat

/pʊl ə ˈræbɪt aʊt əv ðə hæt/

Example:

The team was losing, but the coach managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat with a last-minute strategy change.

the bubble bursts

/ðə ˈbʌb.əl bɜːrsts/

Example:

Everything was going great until the bubble burst and the company went bankrupt.

a flash in the pan

/ə flæʃ ɪn ðə pæn/

Example:

Many people thought his first hit song was just a flash in the pan, but he went on to have a successful career.

blow your mind

/bloʊ jʊər maɪnd/

Example:

The special effects in the movie really blew my mind.

beyond your wildest dreams

/bɪˈjɑːnd jʊər ˈwaɪldɪst driːmz/

Example:

The success of the project was beyond our wildest dreams.

glued to the spot

/ɡluːd tu ðə spɑt/

Example:

When she saw the spider, she was glued to the spot.

out of nowhere

/aʊt əv ˈnoʊˌwɛr/

Example:

The car came out of nowhere and almost hit me.

not know what hit you

/nɑt noʊ wʌt hɪt ju/

Example:

When the market crashed, many investors didn't know what hit them.

turn up like a bad penny

/tɜrn ʌp laɪk ə bæd ˈpɛn.i/

Example:

Just when we thought he was gone for good, he turned up like a bad penny at the family gathering.
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