Unit 5 · New Headway Pre Intermediate Vocabulary List

(grammar) containing or denoting expressions that sound natural to a native speaker of a language

"This phrase is idiomatic."

"Learning idiomatic expressions is crucial for sounding like a native speaker."

to change from being a child into an adult little by little

"Children grow up in a small town."

"When I grow up I want to become a doctor so I can help sick people get better and live healthier lives."

to put one's body in a flat position in order to sleep or rest

"She lies down for a short nap."

"I need to lie down for a few minutes because I am feeling very dizzy and tired after the long walk."

to get rid of what is not needed or wanted anymore

"He throws away the empty bottles."

"Do not throw away that old chair because I can repair it and make it look like new again."

to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits and how it looks

"Try on this jacket before buying."

"You should try on the jacket before buying it to make sure it fits you properly."

in small steps or portions; not all at once

"He learned the language bit by bit."

"He learned the language bit by bit by practicing every day and watching movies in that language."

to take care of someone or something and attend to their needs, well-being, or safety

"Who looks after your dog?"

"The elderly woman needs someone to look after her because she cannot live alone safely anymore."

a liquid fuel that is used in internal combustion engines such as car engines, etc.

"We need more petrol."

"The mechanic checked the engine and confirmed it needed more petrol."

a person who is not mentioned by name

"Someone left a message for you."

"Someone within the organization must take responsibility for the compliance failure that occurred."

referring directly to the true meaning of a word or phrase

"Take it in literal sense."

"When he said he was 'dying of thirst,' he meant it in a literal sense, not as an exaggeration."

to complete or conduct a task, job, etc.

"They carry out the plan carefully."

"The scientist needed special permission to carry out his dangerous experiment safely."

to make a new interest or hobby a regular part of one's life

"I will take up tennis."

"She decided to take up painting as a way to relax after work."

to remove a piece of clothing or accessory from your or another's body

"Take off your dirty shoes."

"Please take off your hat when you enter the classroom because it is polite to do so."

to place or wear something on the body, including clothes, accessories, etc.

"Put on your coat outside."

"She needs to put on her coat and boots before going outside into the cold snow."

to focus one's attention on something or someone in order to observe or examine them

"Look at the sky."

"The detective decided to look at the evidence again with a fresh perspective."

to return an amount of money that was borrowed

"I will pay back the loan."

"He promised to pay back the money he borrowed from his friend by the end of the month."

to cause a machine, device, or system to stop working or flowing, usually by pressing a button or turning a switch

"Turn off the lights before leaving."

"Do not forget to turn off the stove after you finish cooking your dinner tonight."

to change your position so as to face another direction

"She turns around and faces me."

"The driver realized he was going the wrong way so he decided to turn around at the next intersection before getting lost completely."

to take and lift something or someone up

"Please pick up the pen."

"She asked her son to pick up his toys from the floor before dinner."

to stop trying when faced with failures or difficulties

"Never give up on your dreams."

"Do not give up on your dreams just because you face a few obstacles along the way."

to leave a surface and begin flying

"The plane will take off."

"After a brief delay, the aircraft was cleared to take off and begin its ascent."

to start or grow to be

"She wants to become a teacher."

"He wants to become a pilot when he grows up and fly airplanes all over the world."

getting the results you hoped for or wanted

"The project was successful."

"Her innovative business strategy proved to be incredibly successful in the market."

to exchange information or knowledge that was missed or overlooked

"Let's catch up."

"We haven't seen each other in ages, so let's find time to catch up soon."

to receive or come to have something

"I get a present."

"She was thrilled to finally get the promotion she had been working towards for so long."

conforming to the most recent developments, updates, or facts

"The software is up-to-date."

"The up to date software includes all the latest security patches and the company recommends that users install updates immediately."

a very young child

"The baby sleeps peacefully in her crib."

"The baby sleeps peacefully in her crib and her mother checks on her every few hours."

to try to find information in a dictionary, computer, etc.

"Students look up a word online."

"If you do not know the meaning of a word you should look it up in a reliable dictionary or online."

(grammar) a unit of language that has a specific meaning

"This word means happy."

"She chose her words carefully to express her sincere apology for the misunderstanding that had occurred."

to use the available supply of something, leaving too little or none

"We run out of milk quickly."

"We need to buy more milk because we are about to run out and the children will want cereal for breakfast."

to no longer be friends with someone as a result of an argument

"They often fall out over money."

"They used to be close friends but fell out over a minor financial disagreement."

to have a good, friendly, or smooth relationship with a person, group, or animal

"We get on well."

"Despite their initial differences, the new colleagues managed to get on very well from the start."

in a way that is right or satisfactory

"You did well."

"She handled the difficult situation very well, maintaining her composure throughout the ordeal."