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Adding Complexity Vocabulary Set in Difficulty: Full and Detailed List

The 'Adding Complexity' vocabulary set in 'Difficulty' 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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cook someone's goose

/kʊk ˈsʌm.wʌnz ɡuːs/

Example:

His careless mistake really cooked his goose for the promotion.

give somebody enough rope

/ɡɪv ˈsʌmˌbɑːdi ɪˈnʌf roʊp/

Example:

Just give him enough rope, and he'll eventually mess things up on his own.

play hard to get

/pleɪ hɑːrd tə ɡɛt/

Example:

She always plays hard to get, but I know she likes me.

queer somebody's pitch

/kwɪər ˈsʌm.bə.diz pɪtʃ/

Example:

His sudden announcement really queered my pitch for the promotion.

rain on someone's parade

/reɪn ɑn ˈsʌm.wʌnz pəˈreɪd/

Example:

I don't want to rain on your parade, but I think you should reconsider your decision.

throw a (monkey) wrench in the works

/θroʊ ə ˈmʌŋ.ki rɛntʃ ɪn ðə wɜrks/

Example:

The sudden resignation of the CEO really threw a monkey wrench in the works for our merger plans.

tie someone (up) in knots

/taɪ ˈsʌm.wʌn ʌp ɪn nɑːts/

Example:

The complicated instructions really tied me up in knots.

upset the apple cart

/ʌpˈsɛt ði ˈæpl kɑrt/

Example:

He didn't want to upset the apple cart by bringing up his concerns during the meeting.

muddy the waters

/ˈmʌd.i ðə ˈwɔː.tərz/

Example:

His conflicting statements only served to muddy the waters further.

put the kibosh on

/pʊt ðə ˈkaɪ.bɑːʃ ɑːn/

Example:

The bad weather really put the kibosh on our plans for a picnic.

knock the wind out of

/nɑk ðə wɪnd aʊt əv/

Example:

The punch to his gut really knocked the wind out of him.

cast a shadow over

/kæst ə ˈʃædoʊ ˈoʊvər/

Example:

The bad news cast a shadow over their celebration.

fly in the ointment

/flaɪ ɪn ðɪ ˈɔɪnt.mənt/

Example:

The trip was perfect, except for one fly in the ointment: the weather was terrible.

put a damper on

/pʊt ə ˈdæmpər ɑn/

Example:

The bad weather really put a damper on our picnic plans.

take the gilt off the gingerbread

/teɪk ðə ɡɪlt ɔf ðə ˈdʒɪndʒərˌbrɛd/

Example:

The high cost of living really takes the gilt off the gingerbread of moving to a big city.
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