Emotions, Reactions, & Relationships: English Vocabulary List

to do something that makes someone extremely upset, annoyed, or angry

"The noise drives me crazy."

"The constant noise from the construction site is driving the neighbors absolutely crazy."

to enter a state of deep unconsciousness from which a person cannot be easily awakened

"The patient fell into a coma."

"The accident victim fell into a coma and remained unconscious for three weeks."

to reveal something surprising or unexpected to someone

"She sprang a surprise on her parents."

"The children decided to spring a surprise on their mother by making her breakfast in bed."

to press one's teeth against the lip as a reaction to emotion, pain, or to prevent oneself from saying something

"Bite your lip now."

"He had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing out loud suddenly."

to have good intentions, with the desire to do something positive or helpful, even if the results may not align with those intentions

"My uncle means well, even if he is rude."

"My father can be annoying sometimes but I know he means well and only wants to help me."

to quickly come to the aid or support of another person when they are under attack, criticism, or facing a difficult situation

"My friend sprang to my defense."

"The loyal friend sprang to my defense when someone started spreading nasty rumours about me."

to earn the confidence, belief, or reliance of another person

"It took a while to win her trust."

"The new employee worked hard to win the trust of his colleagues by being honest and reliable."

to tolerate the presence of someone or something one dislikes very much

"I can't stand his sight."

"After their bitter falling out, she found she could no longer stand the sight of her former best friend."

to share similarities in appearance, characteristics, or qualities

"You bear a resemblance to my cousin."

"The little boy bears a strong resemblance to his grandfather when he was young."

to earn confidence and belief from another person in one's honesty, reliability, and intentions

"He gained her trust slowly."

"It took years for the therapist to gain the child's trust completely."

to start loving someone deeply

"They fell in love quickly."

"Many people believe that when you fall in love, the whole world suddenly looks brighter and more beautiful."

to entertain someone with generous or luxurious food and drink

"They wine and dine guests."

"The company decided to wine and dine their most important clients at an expensive restaurant downtown last Friday."

to perform exceptionally well or brilliantly in a specific situation or task

"The goalkeeper played a blinder."

"The goalkeeper played a blinder and saved three certain goals to win the match for his team."

to make a formal vow to get married to someone

"They plighted their troth at the ceremony."

"The young man knelt down to plight his troth and ask for his beloved's hand in marriage."

to feel one has enough energy and mental capacity to be able to do something

"I do not feel up to going out."

"After being sick for a week she finally felt up to going back to her regular exercise routine."

used to express intense emotional states like amusement, embarrassment, shame, etc. that one is going through

"I'm dying of laughter."

"He was dying of embarrassment after tripping and falling in front of the entire class."

to direct one's focus or concentration toward something specific

"She turned her attention to the TV."

"After finishing his homework he turned his attention to playing video games with his friends online."

to suddenly and uncontrollably express strong emotions, often in a negative way

"She had a big fit."

"My mother will have a fit when she sees this mess."

to attract or receive attention, often by means of effort, achievement, or significance

"The singer garnered a lot of attention."

"The young singer's performance garnered attention from several major record labels who wanted to sign her."