against the grain
US
UK
- Phrase
- Contrary to someone's natural inclinations or feelings; in opposition to what is normal or expected.
- In a direction that is perpendicular to the fibers of wood, making it difficult to work with.
A2Morealong with
US /əˈlɔŋ wɪð/
UK /əˈlɔŋ wið/
- Preposition
- In addition to; together with.
- Adverb
- In company or together with someone or something.
- Including; in addition to.
A2Moreas opposed to
US
UK
- Preposition
- In contrast to; rather than.
- Instead of; in place of.
A1Moreas soon as
US /æz sun æz/
UK /æz su:n æz/
- Phrase
- In a short time after (something happens)
- Without any delay; immediately
- Conjunction
- At the moment that, or immediately after.
A1Moreat the same time
US
UK
- Phrase
- Simultaneously; at the identical moment.
- Nevertheless; however; used to introduce a contrasting or qualifying statement.
A1Moreaudience
US /ˈɔdiəns/
UK /ˈɔ:diəns/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Group of people attending a play, movie etc.
A2TOEICMoreback onto
US /bæk ˈɑntoʊ/
UK /bæk ˈɒntə/
- other
- To reverse a vehicle so it stops at a particular place.
B1Moreback then
US
UK
- Phrase
- At that time in the past.
A1Morebad idea
US
UK
- Phrase
- An unwise or imprudent course of action.
A2Morebased on
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
- Preposition
- Using something as the main idea or foundation.
- Relying on something as evidence or justification.
A1Moreby mistake
US /baɪ mɪˈstek/
UK /bai misˈteik/
- Phrase
- Accidentally; unintentionally.
A2Moreby virtue of
US /baɪ ˈvɚtʃu ʌv/
UK /bai ˈvə:tju: ɔv/
- Phrase
- By reason of; because of.
C2Morecare of
US /kɛr ʌv/
UK /kɛə ɔv/
- Preposition
- Used in an address to indicate the person who will receive the mail for someone else.
A2Morecatch up
US /kætʃ ʌp/
UK /kætʃ ʌp/
- Phrasal Verb
- To become equal with another person
- To inform others of the latest news
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To do something that you have not been able to do recently.
- To meet someone you know in order to talk to them and find out what they have been doing.
A1Morecharacter
US /ˈkærəktɚ/
UK /'kærəktə(r)/
- Noun
- Person in a story, movie or play
- Writing symbols, e.g. alphabet or Chinese writing
A2Morecome along
US /kʌm əˈlɔŋ/
UK /kʌm əˈlɔŋ/
- Phrasal Verb
- To go with someone who takes the lead
- To make progress toward a goal
A1Morecreep in
US /krip ɪn/
UK /kri:p in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To enter or affect something gradually or stealthily.
- To begin to occur or affect something without being noticed.
A1Morecrimson
US /ˈkrɪmzən/
UK /'krɪmzn/
- Noun
- Deep purplish-red color
B2Moredepending on
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- Influenced or determined by.
- Preposition
- Subject to; contingent on
- Relying on someone or something for support or assistance.
A2Moredo in
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To make completely tired out and exhausted
- To destroy or cause damage to someone
A1Moreend in
US /ɛnd ɪn/
UK /end in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To have something as the final result.
end up with
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To have something as a result.
A1Moreexperience in
US
UK
- Phrase
- Knowledge or skill gained from doing something for a period of time.
- Exposure to or involvement in a particular activity or situation.
B1Morefilm
US /fɪlm/
UK /fɪlm/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Thin layer that covers something
- Movie
- Transitive Verb
- To record moving action with a camera
A2Morefor sure
US /fɔr ʃʊr/
UK /fɔ: ʃuə/
- Adverb
- Definitely; certainly; without a doubt.
- Used to emphasize a statement.
- Interjection
- An expression of strong agreement or affirmation.
A2Morefor the rest
US /fɔr ði rɛst/
UK /fɔ: ðə rest/
- Phrase
- Concerning the remaining people or things.
- During the remaining part of a period of time.
A1Morefound out
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To learn or discover something, often after some effort.
- To become known; be revealed.
B2Moreget back to
US /ɡɛt bæk tu/
UK /ɡet bæk tu:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To get in contact with someone again
- To return to someone or something; to respond at a later time.
A1Moreget through
US /ɡɛt θru/
UK /ɡet θru:/
- Phrasal Verb
- To arrive at the end of or finish something
- To succeed in contacting someone by phone
A1Morego against
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To disagree with or challenge someone
A1Morego below
US /ɡoʊ bɪˈloʊ/
UK /ɡəʊ bɪˈləu/
- other
- To move down to a lower deck or level, especially on a ship.
B1Morego hand in hand
US /goʊ hænd ɪn hænd/
UK /gəu ˈhænd ɪn ˈhænd/
- other
- Two things closely related or connected, usually occurring together.
B1Moregoing on
US /ˈɡoɪŋ ɑn/
UK /ˈgəʊɪŋ ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To continue doing something
- To happen (usually negative)
A1Moregot to
US /ɡɑt tu/
UK /gɔt tu:/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To arrive at some place
- To have the opportunity or permission to do something
- Phrasal Verb
- To appeal to the emotions of; move
- To finally begin to start something after a delay
A1Moregothic
US /'ɡɑ:θɪk/
UK /'ɡɒθɪk/
- Adjective
- With mysterious/frightening events, as in a castle
B1Morehave to
US /hæv tu/
UK /ˈhæv tə/
- Auxiliary Verb
- Must do
A1Morehorror
US /ˈhɔrɚ, ˈhɑr-/
UK /ˈhɒrə(r)/
- Noun (Countable/Uncountable)
- Feeling of great shock or fear; thing causing it
B1Morein a sense
US /ɪn e sɛns/
UK /in ə sens/
- Phrase
- In one way of thinking; to some extent; in some ways.
B1Morein a while
US /ɪn e hwaɪl/
UK /in ə hwail/
- Phrase
- In a short period of time; soon.
- For a short period of time; soon.
A2Morein charge
US /ɪn tʃɑrdʒ/
UK /in tʃɑ:dʒ/
- Adverb
- To be responsible for
A1Morein fact
US /ɪn fækt/
UK /in fækt/
- Adverb
- Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
- Used to introduce a more detailed or surprising piece of information.
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that is surprising or contrary to what might be expected.
C1Morein general
US /ɪn ˈdʒɛnərəl/
UK /in ˈdʒenərəl/
- Phrase
- Typically; usually; on the whole.
- Not specific or detailed; broadly.
- Adjective
- Not detailed or specific; overall.
C2Morein hand
US /ɪn hænd/
UK /in hænd/
- Phrase
- In one's possession or control.
in love with
US //ɪn lʌv wɪð//
UK
- Adjective
- Feeling romantic love for someone.
- Extremely enthusiastic about or fond of something.
A1Morein particular
US /ɪn pɚˈtɪkjəlɚ/
UK /in pəˈtikjulə/
- Phrase
- Specifically; especially.
- Detailed or precise.
A1Morein real life
US /ɪn ˈriəl laɪf/
UK /in riəl laif/
- Phrase
- In the physical world; not online or in a fictional setting.
- Actually; genuinely; not made up or fictional.
A2Morein terms of
US
UK
- Phrase
- With regard to; concerning a particular aspect.
A1Morein the end
US /ɪn ði ɛnd/
UK /in ðə end/
- Phrase
- Finally; after a period of time or series of events.
- Ultimately; as the final result or consequence.
A1Morein the house
US
UK
- Phrase
- Located inside a building used as a dwelling.
- Within a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress.
A1Morein the long run
US
UK
- Phrase
- Eventually; over a long period of time.
A1Morein the open
US /ɪn ði ˈopən/
UK /in ðə ˈəupən/
- Phrase
- Publicly; not secret.
- Outdoors; not inside a building or covered space.
A1Morein the world
US /ɪn ði wɜrld/
UK /in ðə wɜː(r)ld/
- Phrase
- Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
- Used to indicate the extent or degree of something, often in a superlative sense.
A1Morein time
US /ɪn taɪm/
UK /in taim/
- Adverb
- Eventually; after a period of time.
- Not late; with enough time to spare.
- Phrase
- Eventually; before it is too late.
- According to the scheduled time; punctual.
A1Morejump in
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To enter a vehicle quickly.
- To interrupt a conversation.
just kind of
US
UK
- Phrase
- Used to express a feeling or state in a vague or hesitant way.
- Used to indicate something is approximately or generally similar to something else.
A2Morelook at
US /lʊk æt/
UK /luk æt/
- Phrasal Verb
- To use your eyes to focus on something
- To focus your eyes on something carefully
A1Moremove into
US /muv ˈɪntu/
UK /mu:v ˈɪntuː/
- Phrasal Verb
- To start living in a new house or building
- To start being involved in a new area of business or activity.
of course
US /ʌv kɔː(r)s/
UK /ɔv kɔː(r)s/
- Adverb
- Sure ; Certainly
- Phrase
- For sure; certainly
A2Moreof the like
US /ʌv ðə laɪk/
UK /əv ðə laɪk/
- other
- And similar kinds or types; alike in category.
B2Moreoff camera
US /ɔf ˈkæmərə/
UK /ɔf ˈkæmərə/
- Adverb
- Not being filmed or recorded.
A1Moreon to
US /ɑn tu/
UK /ɔn tu:/
- Preposition
- Toward something; forward
- Aware of someone's activities.
- Adjective
- Aware of someone's deception or illegal activities.
A1Moreonce in a while
US //wʌns ɪn ə waɪl//
UK
- Phrase
- Occasionally; not very often.
- Occasionally; not very often.
A2Moreout of it
US /aʊt ʌv ɪt/
UK /aut ɔv it/
- Adjective
- Unconscious or not completely alert; dazed or confused.
- Not able to think clearly or react quickly; not with it.
A1Moreplay in
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To participate or compete in a game or competition.
- To have a role in a theatrical production.
A1Morequite simply
US
UK
- Phrase
- In a clear and straightforward manner; without complication.
- Used to emphasize the truth or importance of a statement.
A2Moreright for
US
UK
- Adjective
- Suitable or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
- Correct or most appropriate.
A1Moreromance
US /ˈroʊˈmæns/
UK /rəʊˈmæns/
- Transitive Verb
- To court someone into a love relationship
- To describe more attractively than the reality
- Uncountable Noun
- Emotion or feeling of being in love with someone
- Qualities that make something attractive etc.
B1Moresame time
US
UK
- Phrase
- Occurring simultaneously or at the same point in time.
- At the identical time as before; recurring at a fixed hour.
- Noun
- An equal duration or period.
A1Moresee in
US /si ɪn/
UK /si: in/
- Phrasal Verb
- To accompany someone to the entrance of a building or room.
A1Moreset on
US /sɛt ɑn/
UK /set ɔn/
- Phrasal Verb
- To attack
- To cause someone to want to do something.
A1Morespeak out
US /spik aʊt/
UK /spi:k aut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To express your opinion frankly and publicly, especially about something that you disagree with.
A1Morespeak to
US /spik tu/
UK /spi:k tu:/
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To address or communicate with someone.
- To indicate or suggest something; to be relevant to.
A1Morestep into
US /stɛp ˈɪntu/
UK /step ˈɪntuː/
- Phrasal Verb
- To enter a place or situation.
- To become involved in something, especially a job or role.
A1Moretalking about
US
UK
- Phrasal Verb
- To discuss a particular topic.
- To be constantly mentioning or bringing up a subject.
A1Morethink about
US /θɪŋk əˈbaʊt/
UK /θiŋk əˈbaut/
- Phrasal Verb
- To consider something carefully.
- To remember or call to mind.
A1Morethink of
US /θɪŋk ʌv/
UK /θiŋk ɔv/
- Phrasal Verb
- To look on as (being something specific); consider
- To consider or remember something.
- Verb (Transitive/Intransitive)
- To imagine or call something to mind
A1Moreto the death
US /tu ðə dɛθ/
UK /tu ðə deθ/
- other
- With the greatest effort or until the very end, often deadly.
B2Moreused to
US /juzd tu/
UK /ˈju:st tə/
- Adjective
- Did regularly before, but don't do now
- Auxiliary Verb
- Have done before, but do not do now
A1Morewhole point
US
UK
- Phrase
- The main purpose or most important aspect of something.
- The primary reason or objective.
A2Morewith it
US /wɪð ɪt/
UK /wið it/
- Adjective
- Intelligent, alert, and up-to-date.
- Understanding and knowledgeable about current trends or information.
A1Morewithout knowing
US
UK
- Phrase
- Unaware; without being conscious of something.
- Unintentionally; without meaning to do something.
Vocabulary
- have to: Must do
- in the house: Located inside a building used as a dwelling.
- used to: Did regularly before, but don't do now
- in love with: Feeling romantic love for someone.
- got to: To arrive at some place
- just kind of: Used to express a feeling or state in a vague or hesitant way.
- at the same time: Simultaneously; at the identical moment.
- same time: Occurring simultaneously or at the same point in time.
- going on: To continue doing something
- step into: To enter a place or situation.
- in terms of
- look at: To use your eyes to focus on something
- talking about: To discuss a particular topic.
- in the world: Used to emphasize a question expressing surprise, confusion, or disbelief.
- bad idea: An unwise or imprudent course of action.
- care of: Used in an address to indicate the person who will receive the mail for someone else.
- go against: To disagree with or challenge someone
- in time: Eventually; after a period of time.
- go below: To move down to a lower deck or level, especially on a ship.
- in a while: In a short period of time; soon.
- once in a while: Occasionally; not very often.
- back then: At that time in the past.
- experience in: Knowledge or skill gained from doing something for a period of time.
- of the like: And similar kinds or types; alike in category.
- catch up: To become equal with another person
- in the open: Publicly; not secret.
- move into: To start living in a new house or building
- by mistake: Accidentally; unintentionally.
- in fact: Used to emphasize the truth of a statement, especially one that contrasts with or contradicts something else.
- in a sense: In one way of thinking; to some extent; in some ways.
- as opposed to: In contrast to; rather than.
- right for: Suitable or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation.
- do in: To make completely tired out and exhausted
- as soon as: In a short time after (something happens)
- off camera: Not being filmed or recorded.
- set on: To attack
- along with: In addition to; together with.
- come along: To go with someone who takes the lead
- play in: To participate or compete in a game or competition.
- of course: Sure ; Certainly
- speak to: To address or communicate with someone.
- quite simply: In a clear and straightforward manner; without complication.
- in the end: Finally; after a period of time or series of events.
- without knowing: Unaware; without being conscious of something.
- get back to: To get in contact with someone again
- by virtue of: By reason of; because of.
- whole point: The main purpose or most important aspect of something.
- for sure: Definitely; certainly; without a doubt.
- speak out: To express your opinion frankly and publicly, especially about something that you disagree with.
- in particular: Specifically; especially.
- found out: To learn or discover something, often after some effort.
- end up with: To have something as a result.
- in charge: To be responsible for
- against the grain: Contrary to someone's natural inclinations or feelings; in opposition to what is normal or expected.
- in the long run: Eventually; over a long period of time.
- in hand: In one's possession or control.
- go hand in hand: Two things closely related or connected, usually occurring together.
- out of it: Unconscious or not completely alert; dazed or confused.
- think about: To consider something carefully.
- depending on: To rely on for support (financial or emotional)
- back onto: To reverse a vehicle so it stops at a particular place.
- on to: Toward something; forward
- for the rest: Concerning the remaining people or things.
- to the death: With the greatest effort or until the very end, often deadly.
- creep in: To enter or affect something gradually or stealthily.
- get through: To arrive at the end of or finish something
- in real life: In the physical world; not online or in a fictional setting.
- end in: To have something as the final result.
- based on: To use something as the foundation or starting point for something else.
- in general: Typically; usually; on the whole.
- jump in: To enter a vehicle quickly.
- think of: To look on as (being something specific); consider
- see in: To accompany someone to the entrance of a building or room.
- with it: Intelligent, alert, and up-to-date.
- sort: To organize things by putting them into groups
- character: Person in a story, movie or play
- audience: Group of people attending a play, movie etc.
- kind: In a caring and helpful manner
- film: Thin layer that covers something
- house: Place where a specific activity or business occurs
- horror: Feeling of great shock or fear; thing causing it
- movie: Motion picture; film
- romance: To court someone into a love relationship
- gothic: With mysterious/frightening events, as in a castle
- thomas: A radio broadcast journalist during World War I and World War II noted for his nightly new broadcast
- tom: (Ethnic slur) Offensive and derogatory name for a Black man who is abjectly servile and deferential to Whites
- crimson: Deep purplish-red color
- del: To remove or erase something, especially digital data.
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01:03
She took a brave step forward, leaving behind her comfort zone to chase her dreams.
Vocabulary
- brave
adj. Having courage
- comfort zone
phr. A familiar situation where one feels safe
Explanation
a brave step is a noun phrase, where brave is an adjective modifying the noun step, meaning "a courageous step".
forward is an adverb modifying step, meaning "ahead".
The whole phrase serves as the object, answering the "what" of took (verb) — she took a brave step forward.
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brave
US/brev/
UK/breɪv/
adj.Brave
v.t.To bravely face
A2 Elementary
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Guillermo del Toro, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska: "Crimson Peak"
0
Chien Huei Chen posted on 2015/10/24Dive into the chilling world of Gothic romance with director Guillermo del Toro and the cast of "Crimson Peak"! You'll hear them discuss the genre's roots in Victorian literature and explore how it blends romance, horror, and fairy tales. Plus, get insights into the powerful female characters and the psychological depth explored by the actors.
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