Unit 2 · New Headway Advanced Vocabulary List

to make a note of something in a hurried and informal style

"She jots down important notes quickly."

"Let me jot down your phone number so I can call you later to confirm our meeting time."

to murder someone

"They did him in."

"The detective suspected that the victim had been deliberately done in by someone known to him."

by telling others rather than writing or showing it to them

"I heard it by word of mouth."

"The small restaurant became popular entirely through word of mouth, without any advertising."

from the very beginning of a particular situation, activity, or process

"From the word go, I knew."

"Right from the word go, she was determined to prove everyone wrong about her abilities."

to finally have a chance to state one's opinions about something after or in the middle of someone else's continuous speech

"I got a word in edgeways."

"He talked so much that nobody else could get a word in edgeways during the meeting."

to manage to state one's opinions regarding something after or in the middle of someone else's prolonged speech

"She never lets me get a word in edgewise."

"It is impossible to get a word in edgewise when my mother starts talking on the phone."

used to provide an alternative or clearer way of expressing the same idea

"He is lazy in other words."

"He is lazy in other words he does not like to work and always finds excuses to avoid it."

the ultimate and conclusive statement or decision about a subject

"She had the last word."

"The manager's final word on the matter was that no further changes would be considered."

to have a very negative opinion about someone or something and to be unable to say anything positive or complimentary about them

"He does not have a good word to say about anyone."

"My grumpy neighbour does not have a single good word to say about anyone on our street."

to talk highly of someone as a way of helping them get an advantage, such as succeeding in a job interview

"Put in a good word for me."

"Could you put in a good word for me when you talk to the hiring manager tomorrow?"

to order someone to do something for one

"Just give the word."

"Tell me when you are ready to start the project, and I will give the word to begin."

beyond description, usually in a negative sense

"The mess was for words."

"The beautiful view from the top of the mountain was so stunning that it was beyond words for me."

as it was originally spoken or written, without any changes or omissions

"He repeated the conversation word for word."

"She memorised the entire poem word for word and recited it perfectly in front of the whole class."

someone who avoids talking much and manages to convey their message in the most concise way possible

"He is a man of few words."

"My grandfather was a man of few words, but everyone respected his quiet wisdom deeply."

temporarily unable to think of what to say or how to express oneself, often due to shock, surprise, or intense emotion

"I was lost for words when I saw her."

"When she saw the beautiful ring she was completely lost for words and could not speak."

to take back something one has said previously

"He had to eat his words."

"After his team lost the championship, the confident player was forced to eat his words about their guaranteed victory."

to tell other people what is supposed to stay secret

"Do not breathe a word about this to anyone."

"Please do not breathe a word about this secret to anyone because it could ruin the surprise party."

a word or phrase that becomes popular or fashionable in a particular field or context, often used to impress or persuade others rather than for its actual meaning or value

"Synergy is a buzzword."

"Innovation is the most popular buzzword in the business world these days."

to choose words carefully so as to avoid offense or give an impression different from the truth

"Don't mince your words now."

"She never minces her words when giving feedback, which some people find too blunt."

to lack knowledge or understanding of a particular concept or term

"I don't know the meaning."

"Many young children do not even know the meaning of the word because they have never heard it before."

to comprehend something

"I can't take in."

"She tried to take in all the new information presented at the conference, but it was overwhelming."

to thoroughly review, examine, or check something

"She goes over her notes again."

"Let us go over the presentation one more time to make sure there are no mistakes or typos."

to stay alive or recover after an unpleasant event such as a serious illness

"He came through surgery."

"Despite all the difficulties he managed to come through and complete the project successfully on time."

to suddenly become aware of something that one did not notice before, or that one had forgotten about

"I come to realize."

"After much reflection, she finally came to understand the true meaning of his sacrifice."

a promise or assurance

"I give my word."

"He gave his word that he would complete the project on time and to the best of his ability."

the ultimate and conclusive statement or decision about a subject

"That's the lastword."

"After a lengthy debate, the committee's decision on the new policy was the definitive lastword."