be/ get a`bove yourself; behave as if you are better or more important that you really are.
She`s getting a bit above herself. She`s only been working for me for two weeks and already she`s telling me what to do!
above and be`yond sth; more than.
They showed commitment to the job above and beyond what expected of them.
to go up in smoke; to come to no practical result (kindling smokes but it will not light a fire)
The mayor`s plans to get the gubernatorial nomination went up in smoke when he couldn`t end the costly strike.
to carry the day; to win the approval of the majority.
The secretary`s motion that we adjourn for lunch carried the day, and we headed for the retaurant.
bolster, v. To prop up, support, strengthen. Bolster implies an emotional encouragement.
Seeing that Maynard was getting demoralized, Susan tried to bolster his self confidence.
endowment, n. Any gift that provides an income for an institution or a person. An endowment is generally a gift of cash by a living alumnus, as contrasted with a bequest, which is a postmortem gift of property.
The university received a substantial endowment from John and Margaret Mitchell.
alumnus, n. A person who has attended or is a graduate of a particular school, college, etc. Note that alumnus is singular; alumni, the plural form, is often misused to describe a single alumnus.
Clark was a distingushed alumnus of Metropolis University, as he wsa continually reminded by the mailing asking for donations to the alumni association.
alma mater, n. The college or school that one attended.
Lana was proud to call Smallville College her alma mater; she graduated in 1985 with a degree in literature.
sabbatical, n. A period of absence for study, rest, or travel, given at intervals to some college teachers, at full or partial salary. Some corporation extended sabbatical leave to their more tenured employees. Sabbaticals were originally given at seven year intervals.
After achieving tenure in the spring, Professor Higgins was looking forward to his six month sabbatical.
privation, n. lack of necessities.
Albert Schweitzer endured considerable privation as a jungle doctor.
besiege, v. to surround; to hem.
By running up a white flag, the besieged troops indicated their desire to withdraw from the fray.
afflict, v. to trouble greatly; to distress.
Citizens of several Kentucky mountain communicaties are afflicated by the worst poverty in the nation.
malnutrition, n. faulty or inadequate diet.
The emaciated prisoners were obviously suffering from advanced malnutrition.
ascend, v. to rise.
Inexorably the determined climber began to ascend the Himalayan peak.
sanctuary, n. shelter.
When Richard III violated the sanctuary of the church to seize the princes, he exceeded his jurisdiction.
tranquil, adj. quiet.
A firecracker terminated the tranquil climate of the neighborhood.
emaciated, adj. abnormally thin; wasted away.
The emaciated residents of the Warsaw Ghetto managed to win several skirmishes from Nazis.
surge, v. to rush suddenly.
Chicago put its heaviest players up front, but they were helpless as the Giants` line surged toward them.
oust, v. to drive out; to eject.
The ushers moved with alacrity to oust the disorderly patrons.
revert, v. to return.
After taking the drug, she began to revert to the days of her childhood.
exacerbate, v. to irritate; to make worse.
The arrest of the spy did much to exacerbate relations between the two countries.
forthwith, adv. immediately.
Upon seeing the show, he called the TV studio forthwith to protest.
treminate, v. to end.
It seemed incogruous to terminate his employment just when he was so successful.
turbulent, adj. unruly; agitated.
Turbulent Atmosphere in Angry Senate Chamber.
above all (else); especially; most important of all.
Don`t spend too, don`t forget to write, but above all, have a good time.
He missed his family above all else.
that`s about all/ it; used to say that you have finished telling sb about sth and there is nothing to add.
- Anything else?
- No, that`s about it for now.
that`s about all/ it; used to say that you have finished telling sb about sth and there is nothing to add.
- Anything else?
- No, that`s about it for now.
to beard the lion in his den; to visit and oppose a person on his own grounds.
Having decided to beard the lion, I stormed into the manager`s office to ask for a raise.
Phrrhic victory; a too costly victory. )King Pyrrhic defeated the Romans but his losses were extermely heavy.)
In heavy fighting the troops managed to recapture the hill, but it could only be cosidered a Pyrrhic voctory.
facility, n. A ready ability or skill; a dexterity or fluency at some endeavor. Facility refers to an ability that comes with spedial ease or quickness.
Rene`s facility with language enabled her to quickly master the necessary Japanese phrases when she was prepering for the Asian sales meeting.