The Last Word (Unit 8) · New Headway Advanced Vocabulary List

used to imply that even the most careful or well-prepared people or families can still experience unexpected mishaps or mistakes

"The child knocked over the vase. Accidents will happen in the best of families."

"Even the most experienced surgeons make errors sometimes — accidents will happen in the best of families."

used to say that people's actions show their true intentions or beliefs more clearly than their words

"He always says nice things, but actions speak louder than words."

"He promised to help, but actions speak louder than words, so I'll wait to see what he actually does."

something that is really terrible to experience

"For him, boredom is a fate worse than death."

"For a dedicated dancer losing her legs would be a fate worse than death and unimaginably terrible."

used to suggest that the success of a man is often due to the support, hard work, and sacrifices of a woman in his life

"He became very successful, and people always said behind every great man stands a woman."

"The CEO openly credited his wife's support and advice, acknowledging that behind every successful man stands a woman."

something that is a typical or normal part of a person's job

"For a firefighter, this is all in a day's work."

"Dealing with difficult customers is all in a day's work for a restaurant waiter."

to desire to have two things that are impossible to have without sacrificing the other

"You can't have cake and eat it."

"He wants to save money but also buy expensive gadgets; he cannot have his cake and eat it too."

used to describe something that is complicated due to not being clearly described or shown

"The instructions were clear as mud."

"His explanation of the complex theory was as clear as mud, leaving everyone confused."

used to describe someone or something that perfectly matches one's tastes, values, or preferences

"You are a man after my own heart."

"My father is a man after my own heart because he also loves fishing and camping in the wilderness."

used to excuse or dismiss negative behavior by boys or men, with the implication that it is simply part of their nature

"The boys broke the window playing football — boys will be boys."

"They stayed up all night on a camping trip causing trouble, but boys will be boys."

used before stating the most important fact about a particular situation

"At the end of the day, family is most important."

"At the end of the day your happiness matters more than money or a fancy job title."

the unexpected appearance or remebrance of a person or thing that evokes nostalgic feelings within one

"Seeing my old friend was a blast from the past."

"Seeing my old childhood friend on the street was a real blast from the past for me."

used for saying that without working hard and experiencing difficulties, one cannot achieve anything

"I exercise every day because no pain, no gain."

"You have to train very hard every day because no pain no gain as the old saying goes."

used to suggest that it is preferable to take precautions and be cautious in order to avoid problems or regret later on

"Take an umbrella — better safe than sorry."

"The legal team recommended a thorough review of the contract — better safe than sorry before signing anything."

used to suggest that misfortune or bad luck often happens in groups of three, and when one negative event occurs, two more will follow

"First I lost my keys, then my wallet — bad things come in threes."

"The team suffered two major setbacks and nervously joked that bad things come in threes."

used to suggest that good things often happen in groups of three

"We won three games in a row — good things come in threes!"

"Three successful product launches in one year — good things really do come in threes."

used to say that a son's behavior or qualities are similar to those of his father

"He loves cars, like father, like son."

"Little Tom loves fixing cars just like his dad because like father like son as they say."

used to imply that diversity and individual differences among people are necessary for the world to function and thrive

"It takes all sorts to make a world — some people love loud music."

"The team was made up of very different personalities, but as they say, it takes all sorts to make a world."

used to mean that it is better to take action or complete a task, even if it is delayed, rather than not doing it at all

"You are late, but better late than never!"

"The government finally introduced the reforms — better late than never, according to most analysts."

something that is exactly what is needed or required in a certain situation

"A hot bath was just what the doctor ordered."

"A cold glass of lemonade on this hot day is just what the doctor ordered for me now."

used to advise someone to behave responsibly and not engage in risky or questionable behavior

"Do not do anything I would not."

"As he left for his adventure, his mother reminded him, 'Do not do anything I would not do!'"

to believe that it is not someone's place to make a decision or judgment on a particular matter and that it should be left to others who are more qualified or have more authority to do so

"It is not for me to say who is right."

"It is not for me to say whether you should quit your job because that is your own decision."

to be in a difficult situation where any decision or action taken may result in negative consequences, no matter what choice is made

"Damned if you do, damned."

"He felt damned if he spoke up and damned if he stayed silent in that situation."

used to convey surprise, shock, or disbelief in response to something that is difficult to comprehend or absurd

"He wants to run a marathon next week with no training — the mind boggles!"

"The proposal suggested doubling the workload with half the staff — the mind boggles at how they expected it to work."

to be so unpleasant, disturbing, or frightening that it is difficult to even consider or imagine

"The damage from the storm does not bear thinking about."

"The thought of losing my family is something I cannot bear thinking about even for a single second."

to shop to the point of exhaustion or until one collapses

"We shopped till we dropped on Saturday."

"My sister loves to shop till she drops every Saturday at the large shopping mall near our house."

used to imply that different people are suited to different things, and what works well for one person may not work well for another

"He loves extreme sports, but hiking is not for me — horses for courses."

"Some employees thrive working remotely while others need an office — horses for courses."

an event or service where a person, such as a celebrity, politician, or businessperson, meets and interacts with members of the public

"The singer did a meet and greet with fans."

"The famous singer will host a meet and greet for her fans immediately after the concert finishes tonight."

done honestly, justly, or without disobeying any rules

"She won the game fair and square."

"He won the chess match fair and square without cheating so nobody can complain about the result."

used to say that someone or something has gone from a position of low status or obscurity to one of great success, fame, or popularity

"The story is about a boy who goes from zero to hero."

"The underdog team went from zero to hero after winning the championship against all odds this year."

used to refer to one's closest and most intimate family members or friends

"Only my nearest and dearest are invited."

"I am only inviting my nearest and dearest to the wedding so do not be offended if you are excluded."

used to imply that if something is not used or practiced, it will be forgotten or taken away

"Keep practising your language skills — use it or lose it."

"She warned her students that use it or lose it applies to vocabulary just as much as grammar."

completely full or crowded to the point of congestion or blockage

"The street was chockablock with cars."

"The street was chockablock with cars and nobody could move for over an hour."

to actually do what one claims or preaches, and not just talk about it

"He needs to walk the talk."

"The politician promised environmental reform but failed to walk the talk by implementing new policies."

to publicly identify and criticize individuals or organizations for engaging in inappropriate or unethical behavior in order to hold them accountable for their actions or punish them

"The newspaper named and shamed the corrupt officials."

"The government decided to name and shame companies that pollute the river by publishing their names online."