Unit 7 · New Headway Advanced Vocabulary List

used for encouraging someone to hurry

"Come on! We are late!"

"Come on, we are going to be late for the train if you don't hurry up!"

to make something stop working usually by flipping a switch

"She switches off the lights now."

"Do not forget to switch off the computer before you leave the office to save energy and protect the equipment from power surges."

to complete or finalize something, especially in a successful or satisfying manner

"Finish off the remaining work."

"The boxer landed a powerful punch to finish off his already exhausted opponent in the final round."

to cause something to happen, especially something undesirable or unpleasant

"Stress can bring on serious illness."

"Eating too much sugar can bring on a headache for some people who are sensitive to it."

to stop a connection to an online account or computer system by doing specific actions

"Remember to log off after using the computer."

"Remember to log off from your computer at the end of the day to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your files."

to continue for an extended or tedious period, often with no clear resolution or conclusion

"The meeting dragged on for hours."

"The boring meeting seemed to drag on forever without reaching any important decisions or conclusions."

to loudly support or encourage someone, especially during a performance or competition

"Cheer on your favorite team."

"The fans gathered at the stadium to cheer on their favorite team during the championship match."

used to dismiss someone's unrealistic or far-fetched idea or suggestion, indicating that it is unlikely or impossible to happen

"Dream on! That will never happen."

"Dream on! That will never happen, so stop wishing for things that are impossible to achieve."

to continue with a task or activity, especially with determination or enthusiasm

"Crack on with your work."

"It is getting late so we should probably crack on with the work if we want to finish it today."

to cancel or postpone a match or game due to heavy rain or unfavorable weather conditions

"The game was rained off yesterday."

"The charity cricket match was rained off due to the persistent bad weather."

to cancel what has been planned

"They call off the wedding ceremony."

"The organizers had to call off the outdoor concert because of the approaching thunderstorm and high winds."

to accompany someone to their point of departure and say goodbye to them

"We saw off the guests at the airport."

"The whole family went to the airport to see off their son who was moving to another country for a job."

to approach or move towards someone or something quietly, carefully, and usually without being noticed

"Sneak up behind him quietly."

"The cat tried to sneak up on the unsuspecting bird that was pecking at seeds on the ground."

to be on the edge or border of something

"It verges on madness."

"His behavior verges on the unacceptable, pushing the boundaries of politeness."

to take part in an activity or event that others are already engaged in

"Join in the fun with us."

"The shy child was hesitant to join in the game with the other kids at the playground."

to use something as a basis for further development

"We can build on this success."

"The young athlete hopes to build on her recent success at the national championships and qualify for the Olympic team next year."

to come close to or almost reach a particular level, quality, or state

"His behavior borders on madness."

"His obsession with cleanliness borders on a psychological disorder that affects his daily life."

to restrict access to a particular area by using a barrier

"They will cordon off."

"The authorities decided to cordon off the entire park after the discovery of a suspicious package."

to close a place or area to prevent people from entering or leaving

"Police sealed off the crime scene."

"The police had to seal off the entire area around the embassy after a bomb threat was received."

to include or attach something to an existing thing, usually with the intention of increasing its value, functionality, or capacity

"Add on an extra day for sightseeing."

"The hotel charges an extra fee to add on breakfast to the basic room rate."

to divide a space or area using a partition, wall, or similar barrier

"Partition off the room for privacy."

"The office used a movable screen to partition off a small space for private phone calls."

filled with a sense of joy or happiness, often to the point of appearing to glow

"The father was beaming with pride."

"The beaming father watched his daughter walk across the stage to receive her college diploma with tears in his eyes."

an expression in which our mouth curves upwards, when we are being friendly or are happy or amused

"Her smile was warm."

"He gave me a friendly smile after class."

a twisted facial expression indicating pain, disgust or disapproval

"A grimace of pain crossed his face."

"He made a painful grimace when the doctor touched his injured shoulder."

unwilling to speak freely or disclose information

"The teacher was tight-lipped about the exam."

"The teacher was tight lipped about the exam and would not give any hints to the students."

a broad smile that reveals the teeth

"She gave a grin."

"His grin showed that he was very pleased with the result."

a half-smile that can indicate satisfaction, superiority, or amusement

"His smirk shows he knows something."

"The smug contestant wore a smirk after winning the match making his opponent feel even worse about losing."

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."

(of a gun, bomb, etc.) to be fired or to explode

"The alarm will go off."

"The soldiers were warned that the mines could go off if they stepped on them carelessly during the patrol."

(of a concept, trend, or idea) to become popular

"It will catch on."

"This innovative new app is expected to catch on quickly among younger generations."

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."

(of a plan or action) to succeed and have good results

"The plan will pay off."

"We are confident that all the sacrifices made will eventually pay off handsomely."

to choose to continue an ongoing activity

"Carry on your work."

"Despite the setbacks, she decided to carry on with her research project."

to continue without stopping

"The meeting goes on for hours."

"Please go on with your presentation because we are all very interested in what you have to say."

to gradually fade in color or quality over time due to constant use or other factors

"The anesthesia wears off after surgery."

"The painkiller will wear off in about four hours so you should take another dose before you go to sleep tonight."

to stop doing something

"Please lay off."

"After years of strenuous work, he decided to lay off and enjoy a well-deserved retirement."

to suddenly stop an activity or an action

"They break off the talk."

"The two countries decided to break off negotiations after several weeks of unsuccessful talks regarding the trade agreement."

to leave somewhere with something that one does not own

"The child runs off with toy."

"The shoplifter was caught trying to run off with a valuable necklace hidden in his jacket pocket."

to move away from a person, thing, or situation

"The dog backed off slowly."

"The dog growled at the stranger who quickly decided to back off and leave the property."

to cause to move forward

"Let's advance the plan."

"The general ordered his troops to advance cautiously towards the enemy's fortified position."

to cause fear in a person or an animal so that they choose to move away or retreat from a particular location or situation

"The noise scared off the birds."

"The loud noise from the firework managed to scare off the birds that were eating the farmer's crops."

to postpone an appointment or arrangement

"Do not put off your homework."

"Do not put off your homework until the last minute because you may not have enough time to complete it properly before the deadline."

having a large distance between one side and another

"His shoulders are broad."

"He has broad shoulders because he has been swimming competitively for more than ten years now."

intentionally misleading or deceptive

"That is a fake watch."

"The report contained several fake statistics designed to mislead the public about the economic situation."