Unit 2 · New Headway Upper Intermediate Vocabulary List

to try to do something as well as one is capable of

"Just do your best on the test."

"You do not need to be perfect for this job but you must always do your best."

to stop using or having something

"Do away with that old car."

"The new CEO plans to do away with many of the old unnecessary rules that were slowing down productivity and creativity in the company."

to create a memorable or lasting effect on someone or something

"His speech made a strong impression on me."

"The young candidate worked hard to make a good impression during his very first interview."

the sum of money that is gained after all expenses and taxes are paid

"The company made a large profit."

"The business made a significant profit this year and decided to share it with all employees."

a careful and systematic study of a subject to discover new facts or information about it

"He is doing research on cancer cures."

"Groundbreaking research often requires years of dedication and interdisciplinary collaboration."

doing something that someone has planned to, often when they find the right time

"He waited for the right moment to make his move."

"He waited for the right moment to make his move and ask her out on a date."

to perform a helpful or kind act for someone, typically without expecting something in return

"Can you do me a favor?"

"I was in a difficult situation, so my neighbor offered to do me a favor by helping me move all the heavy furniture."

to try to do or accomplish something, particularly something difficult

"You should make an effort."

"You need to make an effort if you want to improve your language skills quickly."

to have a very strong and noticeable effect on someone or something

"Your help made a big difference."

"The new training program really made a difference in the team's performance, and they won the championship this year."

to do something in order to replace something lost or fix something damaged

"Work hard to make up."

"She promised to make up for her mistake by taking on extra responsibilities at the office for the next month."

to leave quickly, often in order to escape or avoid someone or something

"The thief made off with the money."

"The thief managed to make off with a valuable diamond necklace while the security guard was distracted by his phone."

used to mean that one can go on or manage without someone or something

"I could do without this noise."

"Honestly, I could do without all these constant interruptions while I'm trying to focus on my work."

used to mean that one benefits from having someone or something present or available to one

"You could do with some rest."

"After working twelve hours straight, you could do with a nice hot meal and a good night's sleep."

to make it so that nothing can move through something

"Hair clogs the shower drain."

"The drain was clogged with hair and soap scum so the water would not flow down properly."

to flood or cover something with water, making it hard to use or move through

"The rain swamped."

"The heavy downpour threatened to swamp the small boat as it sailed across the lake."

things such as household materials that have no use anymore

"Take out the garbage now."

"Please take the garbage out before it starts to smell in the kitchen."

the scattered pieces of waste, remains, or broken objects, often left after destruction or an accident

"The storm left debris everywhere."

"Debris is the scattered remains of something broken or destroyed"

to move in a twisting or whirling motion, creating a pattern of circular or spiral motion

"The water swirls down the drain."

"The colorful leaves swirled in the autumn wind before finally landing gently on the ground below."

a system in nature where animals and plants depend on each other for food

"Plastic pollution enters the food chain."

"The pesticide entered the food chain when insects ate contaminated plants and birds ate the insects."

to force someone to do what they do not want

"The government may impose new taxes."

"The government decided to impose new taxes on luxury goods to increase revenue for social welfare programs."

made to be used once and then thrown away

"This is single-use."

"The single use plastic bag was used for only a few minutes but would take hundreds of years to decompose."

discarded or is intended to be thrown away after use

"This is throwaway."

"The company's reliance on throwaway packaging contributes to environmental pollution."

used as a filler phrase to pause or fill gaps in speech

"You know what I mean, right?"

"You know what I mean, right? I am trying to explain it as best I can."

used in speech to provide emphasis, or to signal a pause in speech while the speaker gathers their thoughts

"I mean, I like it."

"I mean, that is what I wanted to say, but I could not find the right words earlier."

used to draw attention to a point or to emphasize a statement or explanation

"You see, that is why I am upset."

"You see, that is why I am upset�because you promised me something, and then you broke your promise."

in some ways or to some degree

"I am kind of hungry."

"I am kind of tired today because I did not sleep very well last night at all."

to a degree or extent that is unclear

"I am sort of tired."

"I am sort of tired but I can still finish this work before the end of the day."

a mutual understanding or agreement established between people

"We made an arrangement."

"After much discussion, they reached a satisfactory arrangement regarding the division of responsibilities."

the act or process of no longer having someone or something

"The loss was sad."

"The sudden loss of her best friend left her in a state of profound grief."

the activity of providing services or products in exchange for money

"His business is doing very well."

"Starting a small business requires careful planning enough capital and a lot of hard work."

a choice or judgment that is made after adequate consideration or thought

"It was a hard decision."

"After much deliberation, the committee reached a final decision on the matter."

the act of putting an idea or plan forward for someone to think about

"Thanks for the suggestion."

"Her suggestion to rearrange the office furniture was actually very useful because it created more space and allowed natural light to reach every desk."

the certificate that is given to university or college students upon successful completion of their course

"She earned a degree in engineering."

"A master's degree is often a prerequisite for advanced positions in the field."

easy to understand

"The explanation was clear."

"The water in the lake was so clear that we could see the fish swimming at the bottom from the surface."

to create a false or fictional story or information

"She will make up."

"He was accused of fabricating evidence, but he claimed he only made up a story."

to fasten, button, zip, or otherwise secure something, often related to clothing or accessories

"Do up your coat buttons."

"Please do up your shirt buttons before you leave the house, looking neat and tidy."

unwanted, worthless, and unneeded things that people throw away

"Throw the rubbish in the bin outside."

"Throw the rubbish in the bin outside and make sure the lid is closed so animals cannot get in."

waste such as bottles, papers, etc. that people throw on a sidewalk, park, or other public place

"Please do not drop litter."

"Litter is waste that people dispose of improperly in public places"

to eat something quickly and greedily, often making loud and rapid swallowing sounds

"He gobbled down his breakfast quickly."

"The hungry children gobbled down their entire dinner in just a few minutes because they wanted to go outside and play."

a small, hard particle or granule, often referring to seeds, sand, or similar substances

"A grain of sand."

"The desert wind blew every tiny grain of sand across the arid landscape."

without end or limits in extent, amount, or space

"An infinite number exists."

"The universe is infinite and human beings will never be able to explore all of its galaxies and planets."

said to express agreement to something, usually reluctantly

"Well, I agree."

"Well, I suppose we could try your unconventional method, though I have my doubts about its efficacy."

used as a filler word or hesitation marker

"It was, like, good."

"She was, like, really surprised when she saw the unexpected gift."

used when ending a conversation, or changing, or returning to a subject

"Anyway, let's go."

"I know you're upset about the delay, but anyway, we need to finish this task today."

used to introduce a consequence or result of the preceding clause

"It was raining so we stayed home."

"She was very tired so she decided to go to bed early last night."

a bright bluish-green color

"I like turquoise."

"The artist used a vibrant turquoise to capture the dazzling color of the tropical ocean."