PERSONAL QUALITIES
susceptible /səˈseptəbl/ (adj):
# [not usually before noun] susceptible (to something): very likely to be influenced, harmed or affected by something; dễ bị ảnh hưởng, dễ bị tổn thương.
He's highly susceptible to flattery. (Anh ấy rất dễ bị xu nịnh)
Salt intake may lead to raised blood pressure in susceptible adults. (Ăn mặn có thể dẫn đến tăng huyết áp ở những người lớn nhạy cảm.)
There are few known diseases which are not susceptible to medical treatment. (Có một số bệnh ít được biết đến mà không dễ được điều trị y tế.)
Some of these plants are more susceptible to frost damage than others. (Một số loại cây này dễ bị sương giá hơn những loại cây khác.)
# easily influenced by feelings and emotions.
Synonym: impressionable
She was both charming and susceptible.
essence /ˈesns/ (n):
# [uncountable] the most important quality or feature of something, that makes it what it is.
His paintings capture the essence of France.
in essence: In essence (= when you consider the most important points), your situation isn't so different from mine.
strain /streɪn/ (n):
# [countable, usually singular] A particular feature of the character of a person or group, or a quality in their manner.
SYNONYM: streak;
He had a definite strain of snobbery in him. (Anh ta có một sự hợm hĩnh/ màu mè rõ ràng trong người.)
trait /treɪt/ (n):
# A particular quality in your personality.
Personality traits.
Awareness of class is a typically British trait.
insane /ɪnˈseɪn/ (adj):
# (informal) Very stupid, crazy or dangerous.
I must have been insane to agree to the idea.
# (formal or old-fashioned) Seriously mentally ill and unable to live in normal society.
Doctors certified him as insane.
The prisoners were slowly going insane.
dreamy /ˈdriːmi/ (adj):
# (of a person or an idea) Having a lot of imagination, but not very realistic.
Paul was dreamy and not very practical.
# (informal) Pleasant and gentle; that makes you feel relaxed.
A slow and dreamy melody.
The lovely, almost dreamy life we had in Paris.
# (informal) Beautiful; wonderful.
What's he like? I bet he's really dreamy.
apple /ˈæpl/ (n):
> apples and oranges (idiom):
# (especially North American English) used to describe a situation in which two people or things are completely different from each other.
They really are apples and oranges.
They are both great but you can't compare apples and oranges.
It’s a totally different situation, it’s apples and oranges.
> a bad/ rotten apple (idiom):
# one bad person who has a bad effect on others in a group.
arse /ɑːrs/ (n):
# (usually following an adjective) a stupid person.
> smart-arse/ smart-ass:
# (also smart alec/ smart aleck /ˈsmɑːt ælɪk/; smarty-pants) a person who thinks he/ she is very clever and likes to show people this in an annoying way.
> Not know your arse from your elbow (idiom):
# (British English, taboo, slang) to be very stupid; to have absolutely no skill.
ethnic /ˈeθnɪk/ (adj):
# connected with or belonging to a nation or people that shares a cultural tradition.
ethnic groups/ communities
ethnic strife/ tensions/ violence (= between people from different races or peoples)
There are continuing ethnic tensions in the region.
ethnic Albanians living in Germany
The country is divided along ethnic lines.
integrity /ɪnˈteɡrəti/ (n):
# [uncountable] the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
personal/ professional/ artistic integrity
She behaved with absolute integrity.
a man of great integrity.
misanthropic /ˌmɪsənˈθrɒpɪk/ /ˌmɪsənˈθrɑːpɪk/ (adj):
# hating and avoiding other people.
misanthrope /ˈmɪsənθrəʊp/ (n):
# (formal) a person who hates and avoids other people.
misanthropy /mɪˈsænθrəpi/ (n):
# a feeling of hating people in general.
deceit /dɪˈsiːt/ (n):
# [uncountable, countable] dishonest behaviour that is intended to make somebody believe something that is not true; an example of this behaviour.
He was accused of lies and deceit.
Everyone was involved in this web of deceit.
Their marriage was an illusion and a deceit.
She realized that their whole relationship had been based on lies and deceit.
perverse /pərˈvɜːrs/ (adj):
# showing a deliberate and determined desire to behave in a way that most people think is wrong, unacceptable or unreasonable.
a perverse decision (= one that most people do not expect and think is wrong).
She finds a perverse pleasure in upsetting her parents.
Do you really mean that or are you just being deliberately perverse?
For some perverse reason he is refusing to see a doctor.
This kind of reasoning is deeply perverse.
perversely /pəˈvɜːsli/ (adv):
# in a way that shows a deliberate and determined desire to behave in a way that most people think is wrong, unacceptable or unreasonable.
She seemed perversely proud of her criminal record.
no-no /ˈnəʊ nəʊ/ (n):
# [singular] (informal) a thing or a way of behaving that is not acceptable in a particular situation.
Earrings for men were once a definite no-no.
apple /ˈæpl/ (n):
> The apple doesn't fall/ never falls far from the tree (idiom):
# (saying, especially North American English) a child usually behaves in a similar way to his or her parents.
arse /ɑːrs/ (n):
> lick somebody’s arse (idiom):
# (also lick somebody’s boots) (disapproving) to show too much respect for somebody in authority because you want to please them.
SYNONYM crawl;
> get your arse in gear | move your arse (idiom):
# (British English) (North American English get your ass in gear, move your ass) a rude way of telling somebody to hurry.
If you get your arse in gear, we can make it out of here tonight.
> a pain in the arse/ backside (idiom):
(North American English, taboo, slang a pain in the ass/ butt) (also a pain in the neck informal) a person or thing that is very annoying.
That man is a pain in the arse!
> arse about/ around (phr.v):
(British English, taboo, slang) to waste time by behaving in a silly way.
roughly /ˈrʌfli/ (adv):
# in a violent or angry way; using force or not being careful and gentle.
He pushed the children roughly to one side.
"And what's going on here?" he said roughly.
I prohibit you from answering roughly to me.
(Mẹ cấm con trả lời cộc cằn với mẹ.)
rough /rʌf/ (adj):
# not gentle or careful; violent.
This watch is not designed for rough treatment.
They complained of rough handling by the guards.
She doesn't like playing with the rough kids.
Don't try any rough stuff with me!
Things got a bit rough, and the police were called.
You don't have to be so rough!
One carer was sacked for being rough with a patient.
climate /ˈklaɪmət/ (n):
# [countable] a general attitude or feeling; an atmosphere or a situation that exists in a particular place.
the present political/ economic climate
the current climate of opinion (= what people generally are thinking about a particular issue)
a climate of fear/ suspicion/ uncertainty
There is no money for children's centres in the current climate.
We need to create a climate in which business can prosper.
courteous /ˈkɜːrtiəs/ (adj):
# polite, especially in a way that shows respect; lịch sự, nhã nhặn.
A courteous young man.
The hotel staffs are friendly and courteous.
discourteous /dɪsˈkɜːrtiəs/ (adj) (formal):
# having bad manners and not showing respect for other people; bất lịch sự, khiếm nhã.
He didn’t wish to appear discourteous.
SYNONYM impolite;
blunt /blʌnt/ (adj):
# (of a person or remark) very direct; saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite; thẳng thừng, toạc móng heo (lời nói).
She has a reputation for blunt speaking. (Cô ấy có tiếng là nói thẳng.)
To be blunt, your work is appalling. (Nói trắng ra, công việc của bạn thật tồi tệ.)
dreamy /ˈdriːmi/ (adj):
# Looking as though you are thinking about other things and not paying attention to what is happening around you.
She had a dreamy look in her eyes.
A dreamy expression.
distant /ˈdɪstənt/ (adj):
# Not friendly; not wanting a close relationship with somebody.
Pat sounded very cold and distant on the phone.
He became emotionally distant from his friends and family after the illness.
candid /ˈkændɪd/ (adj):
# saying what you think openly and honestly; not hiding your thoughts.
a candid statement/ interview
I felt she was being less than candid with me.
To be candid, I can’t stand her.
The ex-minister gave a candid interview about his reasons for resigning.
candidly /ˈkændɪdli/ (adv):
# in a way that is open and honest; saying what you really think.
She candidly admitted her mistakes.
Candidly, I have sympathy for both positions.
frank /fræŋk/ (adj):
(comparative franker, superlative frankest) [more frank is also common]
# honest and direct in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like.
a full and frank discussion
a frank admission of guilt
He was very frank about his relationship with the actress.
To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.
frankness /ˈfræŋknəs/ (n):
# [uncountable] the fact of being honest and direct in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like.
They outlined their aims with disarming frankness.
frankly /ˈfræŋkli/ (adv):
# in an honest and direct way that people might not like.
He spoke frankly about the ordeal.
They frankly admitted their responsibility.
frantic /ˈfræntɪk/ (adj):
# done quickly and with a lot of activity, but in a way that is not very well organized.
SYNONYM hectic;
a frantic dash/ search/ struggle
They made frantic attempts to revive him.
Things are frantic in the office right now.
They worked with frantic haste.
frantically /ˈfræntɪkli/ (adv):
# quickly and with a lot of activity, but in a way that is not very well organized.
They worked frantically to finish on time.
adopt /əˈdɒpt/ (v):
# [transitive] adopt something: (formal) to use a particular manner, way of speaking, expression, etc.
He adopted an air of indifference.
indifference /ɪnˈdɪfrəns/ (n):
# [uncountable, singular] indifference (to somebody/something): a lack of interest, feeling or reaction towards somebody/something.
his total indifference to what people thought of him
What she said is a matter of complete indifference to me.
Their father treated them with indifference.
an indifference to the needs of others
method /ˈmeθəd/ (n):
> there’s (a) method in somebody’s madness (idiom):
# there is a reason for somebody’s behaviour and it is not as strange or as stupid as it seems.
holier-than-thou /ˌhəʊliə ðən ˈðaʊ/ (adj):
# (disapproving) showing that you think that you are morally better than other people.
SYNONYM self-righteous
I can't stand his holier-than-thou attitude.
equable /ˈekwəbl/ (adj):
# (formal) calm and not easily upset or annoyed.
an equable temperament
He was in a remarkably equable mood when he spoke to reporters last night.
picky /ˈpɪki/ (adj):
#1. (informal) (of a person) liking only particular things and difficult to please.
SYNONYM fussy
a picky eater
She’s very picky about her clothes.
fussy /ˈfʌsi/ (adj):
#1. (comparative fussier, superlative fussiest) (disapproving) too concerned about having things exactly as you want them; hard to please.
fussy parents
She's such a fussy eater.
‘Where do you want to go for lunch?’ ‘I'm not fussy (= I don't mind).’
fussy about something: Our teacher is very fussy about punctuation.
#2. doing something with small, quick, nervous movements.
a fussy manner
the quick, fussy movements of her small hands
3#. having too much detail or decoration.
The costume designs are too fussy.
fusspot /ˈfʌspɒt/ /ˈfʌspɑːt/ (n):
#1. (British English) (North American English fussbudget /ˈfʌsbʌdʒɪt/ /ˈfʌsbʌdʒɪt/) (informal) a person who is often worried about unimportant things and is difficult to please.
common
grit