[5words] 20121220

shroud

/ʃraʊd/ (v)

to hide something by covering or surrounding it:

• Visitors have complained about the scaffolding that shrouds half the castle.
• Suddenly all the lights went out and the house was shrouded in darkness.
• The mist shrouding the valley had lifted by eight o'clock.

Idiom: be shrouded in secrecy/mystery: to be a matter about which very little is known or understood:

• Her whereabouts have been shrouded in secrecy since she received the death threat.
• Zsa Zsa Gabor is believed to have been 99 when she died... but the exact year she was born is still shrouded in mystery. See more at http://tungnvn.blogspot.co.uk/p/tv-showbiz.html

biased 

/ˈbaɪ.əst/ (a)
(C1) showing an unreasonable like or dislike for a person based on personal opinions: thành kiến

• The newspapers gave a very biased report of the meeting.
• I think she's beautiful but then I'm biased since she's my daughter.

unbiased

/ʌnˈbaɪəst/
(C2) able to judge fairly because you are not influenced by your own opinions: không thành kiến, không thiên vị

• unbiased advice
• an unbiased opinion

prejudiced

/ˈpredʒ.ə.dɪst/
(C1) showing an unreasonable dislike for something or someone: thành kiến

• The campaign is designed to make people less prejudiced about AIDS.
• The media has been accused of presenting a prejudiced view of people with disabilities.
• Some companies are prejudiced against taking on employees who are over the age of 40.

slippery

(C1) /ˈslɪp.ər.i/ (a)

>> If something is slippery, it is wet or smooth so that it slides easily or causes something to slide: trơn trượt

• The slippery struggle of this cat fishing on ice.
  See the video.
• slippery soap
• a slippery floor
• The road was wet and slippery.

>> Someone who is slippery cannot be trusted: một người lươn lẹo là một người không thể tin tưởng.

• He's as slippery as an eel (Anh ta lươn lẹo như con lươn) - you can never get a straight answer out of him.
• He's a slippery customer (= person), and I've never felt comfortable with him.
  Anh ta là một người lươn lẹo, lẽo mép, và tôi chưa bao giờ cảm thấy thoải mái với anh ta.

bumper

/ˈplʌm.ər/
(B2) a person whose job is to supply and connect or repair water pipes, baths, toilets, etc.:

• When is the plumber coming to repair the burst pipe?
• We'll have to get a plumber in to look at that water tank.
• Did you remember to get on to the plumber about the shower?
• The plumber is coming tomorrow to install the new washing machine.
• The plumber came to mend the burst pipe.
• He's a plumber by trade.

in the air

If something is in the air, you feel that it is happening or about to happen. This phrase is used for saying that people all have a similar feeling, especially a feeling that something exciting or new is happening. Everywhere (không khí khắp nơi); all about (gần đến rồi).

• There was a feeling in the air that it was time for a change.
• Love/Change/Spring/Christmas is in the air.
• Heartwarming Christmas moments are in the air.
• Spring is in the air, and many people's thoughts are turning to travel.
• There is such a feeling of joy in the air.
• We felt a sense of tension in the air.

castles in the air: plans or hopes that have very little chance of happening (aka dreams about future success).
She tells me she's planned out her whole career, but as far as I can see it's all just castles in the air.
Before you start building castles in the air, just think how much all this is likely to cost.
one's nose in the air (also known have one's nose in the air): haughty or disdainful: khinh thường, miệt thị, khinh khỉnh, xem thường

• She thinks she's so smart; she's always walking around with her nose in the air.

up in the air (about sb or sth): undecided/not decided/not completely developed/not settled/uncertain about somebody or something

• I don't know what Sally plans to do. Things were sort of up in the air the last time we talked.
• Let's leave this question up in the air until next week.
• We have no idea which school she'll be attending in September - everything is still up in the air.
• Will a strike take place? That's up in the air.

revel

/ˈrev.əl/ (v)
to dance, drink, sing, etc. at a party or in public, especially in a noisy way

reveler 

/ˈrev.əl.ər/ (n)
On New Year's Eve, thousands of revellers fill Trafalgar Square.

• Saigon revelers leave piles of trash after Christmas Eve. Xem video.
• Revellers left behind after an illegal rave on Dartmoor, have told BBC Spotlight's Clare Woodling they are sorry for any disruption caused. Xem video.

revel in sth

to get great pleasure from a situation or an activity:

• She's revelling in her newly found freedom.
• He revelled in his role as team manager.

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/dutch-mother-with-two-british-children-told-to-leave-uk-after-24-years-a3428991.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2016/12/28/watch-carrie-fisher-roast-george-lucas-2005-award-ceremony/
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/carrie-fisher-star-wars-actress-dies-aged-60-after-suffering-cardiac-arrest-on-flight-from-london-a3428686.html

[5words] 20161217

all of a sudden (B2) = very quickly (used in speaking circumstance)
It seemed to happen all of a sudden - I felt dizzy and I just collapsed.

smitten (a) /ˈsmɪt.ən/  = having suddenly started to like or love something or someone very much:
The story's about a man smitten with love for his wife's cousin.
He was so smitten by her that he promised to move to Argentina to be near her.

insane (a) /ɪnˈseɪn/
(C2) mentally ill:

• For the last ten years of his life he was clinically insane.
• (informal) I sometimes think I'm going insane (= I feel very confused). 

(C1) extremely unreasonable or stupid:

• It would be insane not to take advantage of this opportunity.

cosmopolitan (a) (C1) /ˌkɒz.məˈpɒl.ɪ.tən/ = containing or having experience of people and things from many different parts of the world:

• New York is a highly cosmopolitan city.

off you go
It means to go away and do something, or to start something.
A teacher gives the student a piece of work to complete and says, "off you go."
The teacher means go and complete the work.
Off with your coats.
Out with your books.
Away with your books/phones/mp3-players.
Books away.
Shoes on/off.

[5words] 20161216

courtesy

[ˈkɜːtəsi]
(n) polite behaviour, or a polite action or remark = hành vi lịch thiệp
>> polite behaviour that shows respect for other people >< politeness

• You might get along better with your parents if you showed them some courtesy.

>> a polite thing that you say or do when you meet people in formal situations

• an exchange of courtesies before the meeting

>> idioms: courtesy of (by permission of, because of) somebody; have the courtesy to do something

• Please help yourself if you are passing, courtesy of our hotel agent.
  Các bạn cứ tự nhiên lấy bánh nếu có đi ngang qua (tòa nhà trung tâm trung tâm), quà biếu (hành động lịch thiệp biết điều, lấy lòng) của bên khách sạn (những khách sạn chúng ta hay đặt cho những ai đi hội thảo).
• ‘Photo courtesy of [photographer’s or company’s name, linking to their website or email address as appropriate]
  Hình được cho phép của [tên công ty hoặc tên của nhiếp ảnh gia, liên kết đến website hoặc email của họ]

(a) provided free, at no cost to the person using it (of a bus, car, etc.)

• A courtesy bus operates between the hotel and the town centre.
  Một chiếc xe buýt được cấp miễn phí chạy giữa khách sạn và trung tâm thành phố.
• The dealer will provide you a courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired.
  Nhà buôn sẽ cho bạn mượn một chiếc xe miễn phí trong thời gian xe của bạn đang được sửa chữa.

glance

[ɡlɑːns] (n)

(B2) a quick short look = đưa mắt nhìn

• She took/cast a glance at her watch.
  Cô ấy liếc nhìn đồng hồ.

to cast an eye (a look, a glance...) at sth/someone: đưa mắt nhìn

(C1) at a glance: from one's first look; immediately. If you see something at a glance, you see or recognize it immediately, and without having to think or look carefully.

• One could tell at a glance that she was a compassionate person.
  Qua cái nhìn đầu tien chúng ta có thể nói rằng cô ấy là một người đáng thương.
• He could tell at a glance that something was wrong.
  Anh ấy có thể nói nhanh gọn là rằng có cái gì đó sai sai.

(C1) at first glance: when first looking. If you say that something is true or seems to be true at first glance, you mean that it seems to be true when you first see it or think about it, but that your first impression may be wrong.

• At first glance, organic farming looks much more expensive for the farmer.
  Mới thoạt nhìn, nông nghiệp hữu cơ có vẻ đắt đỏ hơn nhiều đối với người nông dân.
• At first glance I thought it was a dog (but I was mistaken).
  Mới nhìn tôi nghĩ nó là con chó (nhưng mà tôi đã nhầm).

nutshell

[ˈnʌt.ʃel] (n) the shell around the kernel of a nut
(C1) in a nutshell: You can use in a nutshell to indicate that you are saying something in a very brief way, using few words; using as few words as possible.

• Well, to put it in a nutshell, we're lost.
  À, nói ngắn gọn, chúng ta đã mất mát.
• In a nutshell, the owners thought they knew best.
  Nói gọn, những chủ nhân nghĩ rằng họ biết tất.
• This, in a nutshell, is what Richard Chaplin appears to have done.
  Điều đó, nói gọn, là những gì mà Richard Chaplin xuất hiện đã làm.

iron

[ˈaɪrəni]
ironic [aɪˈrɒnɪk]
ironically /ɑɪˈrɑn·ɪk·li/ in a way that is different or opposite from the result you would expect = trớ trêu thay, mỉa mai thay

• Ironically, his ability as an inventor made him a poor administrator, and he had one business failure after another.
• Thanh Hương là luật sư của một công ty luật thuộc hàng cao cấp ở Sài Gòn, chuyên về tín mục và tài sản gia đình. Cô rất giỏi trong việc đưa tổ làm việc của mình ngày càng phát triển và điều hành một đội cực kỳ xuất sắc. Những điều này chắc chắn phải khiến cô thăng lên chức vụ cao hơn rồi chứ. Vậy tại sao cô cứ vuột mất cơ hội? Mỉa mai thay, lý do lại nằm ở chính cách cô ấy thể hiện sự tài ba của mình: cô thường “câu khách” trong những quán bar thường được các tay chơi trong thành phố lui tới.

Ironically, the people who ignore you now will somehow need you later.
Trớ trêu thay, những người phớt lờ bạn hôm nay sẽ cần bạn sau này vì một lý do nào đó.

amuse

/əˈmjuːz/
(B2) to entertain someone, especially by humorous speech or action or by making them laugh or smile:

• I've brought an article from yesterday's paper that I thought might amuse you. 
• I think it amuses him to see people make fools of themselves. [ + obj + to infinitive ]
• Apparently these stories are meant to amuse. 

(B2) to keep someone happy, especially for a short time:

• We amused ourselves by watching the passers-by.
  Chúng xem những người đi đường để tiêu khiển.
• Shall I put on a DVD to amuse the kids?
  Tôi sẽ bật đĩa DVD để làm trò vui cho tụi trẻ nhé?

amusing (a) 

amusingly (adv)

http://usguide.org.vn/threads/h%E1%BB%8Dc-%E2%80%9Cti%E1%BA%BFng-l%C3%B3ng%E2%80%9D-c%C3%B9ng-mr-d%C3%A2u-t%C3%A2y.2501/

[5words] 20161215

ordinary /ˈɔː.dən.əri/ (B1) not different or special or unexpected in any way; usual
an ordinary neighbourhood: thời niên thiếu bình thường
Readers of the magazine said they wanted more stories about ordinary people and fewer stories about the rich and famous.
Độc giả tạp chí nói là họ muốn nhiều câu chuyện về những con người bình thường và ít bài viết về người nổi tiếng và giàu có.
Her last concert appearance in Britain was no ordinary (= a very special) performance.
Lần xuất hiện trong buổi hoà nhạt gần đây nhất của cô ấy ở Anh quốc là một trình diễn rất đặc biệt.
in the ordinary way (UK) = normally, or in the way that usually happens
If you hadn't seen the TV programme, we would have carried on giving money to the charity in the ordinary way.
Nếu mà chúng tôi không có xem chương trình trên TV, chúng tôi sẽ tiếp tục góp tiền từ thiện theo cái cách như thường lệ.
out of the ordinary (C2) = unusual: không bình thường
For the police, the incident was nothing out of the ordinary/did not seem out the ordinary.
ordinariness (n) /ˈɔː.dən.əri.nəs/
She expected him to act like a star, but she was surprised at his ordinariness.
extraordinary /ɪkˈstrɔː.dɪn.ər.i/ (B1) very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange:
He told the extraordinary story of his escape.
Her voice had an extraordinary hypnotic quality.
an extraordinary coincidence
extraordinaire /ɪkˌstrɔː.dɪˈneər/ used to say that someone is very good at the activity mentioned.
Richard Twitcher, philosopher, controversialist, and drinker extraordinaire.

preserve /prɪˈzɜːv/
(verb)
(B2) to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed:
to preserve the environment
We want to preserve the character of the town while improving the facilities.
The agreement preserved our right to limit trade in endangered species.
Putting varnish on wood is a way of preserving it.
I need to get out of the house from time to time just to preserve (= prevent me from losing) my sanity.
well preserved (a) /ˌwel prɪˈzɜːvd/
(especially of something old) kept in good condition:
It was a pretty town with a picturesque harbour and well-preserved buildings.
mainly uk often humorous (of an older person) not looking as old as they really are:
A well-preserved male model can go on working into his forties.

reconcile /ˈrek.ən.saɪl/
(C2) to find a way in which two situations or beliefs that are opposed to each other can agree and exist together.
It is sometimes difficult to reconcile science and religion.
It's difficult to reconcile such different points of view.
How can you reconcile your fur coat and/with your love of animals?
be reconciled: When two people are reconciled, they become friendly again after they have argued:
They were finally reconciled with each other, after not speaking for nearly five years.

compromise /ˈkɒm.prə.maɪz/
(B2)  an agreement in an argument in which the people involved reduce their demands or change their opinion in order to agree:
It is hoped that a compromise will be reached in today's talks.
In a compromise between management and unions, a four percent pay rise was agreed in return  for an increase in productivity.
The government has said that there will be no compromise with terrorists.

minority /maɪˈnɒr.ə.ti/
(B1) a smaller number of part
t's only a tiny minority of people who are causing the problem.
Children with single parents at my school were very much in the minority (= there were very few).
This section of the bookstore caters for minority interests (= subjects that interest only a few people).
majority /məˈdʒɒr.ə.ti/
(B2) the larger number or part of something:
The majority of the employees have university degrees.
A large majority of people approve of the death sentence.
In Britain women are in the/a majority.
(B2) the age when you legally become an adult:
the age of majority
She will inherit her father's estate when she reaches her majority.
(C1) any small group in society that is different from the rest because of their race, religion, or political beliefs, or a person who belongs to such a group:
ethnic/religious minorities
The plan was designed to help women and minorities overcome discrimination in the workplace.

[5words] 20161201

deliberately (adv) /dɪˈlɪb.ər.ət.li/
(B2) intentionally

• I'm sure that he says these things deliberately to annoy me.
• We deliberately decided to implement this solution so that it would be enable to run in some specific cases.

slowly and carefully
I didn't do it deliberately - it was an accident.

specifically (adv) /spəˈsɪf.ɪ.kəl.i/
(C1) for a particular reason, purpose, etc.:

• These jeans are designed specifically for women.
• [ + to infinitive ] I bought it specifically to wear at the wedding.
• We are aiming our campaign specifically at young people.

(C1) clearly, exactly, or in detail:

• I specifically asked you not to be late.
• The law specifically prohibits acts of this kind.
• It specifically said/stated on the label that the jacket should be dry-cleaned only.

specially /ˈspeʃ.əl.i/
(B1) (very) extremely or in particular:

• This is a specially good wine.
• "Is there anything you want to do this evening?". "Not specially."
• The children really liked the museum, specially the dinosaurs.

(B1) for a particular purpose:

• I came here specially to see you.
• She has a wheelchair that was specially made for her.
• The opera "Aida" was specially written for the opening of the Cairo opera house in 1871.

come up with: to think of; to produce; to suggest or to think of an idea or plan: nảy ra
He's come up with a great idea.
She's come up with some amazing schema to double her income.

newspaper boy: thằng bé bán báo dạo
newspaper boy = boy selling newspapers in 1950

[nice/charming/cute] sidewalk/street cafe: café vỉa hè, café đường phố
The best cafes with outdoor seating in London

[5words] 20161129

gradually /ˈɡrædʒ.u.ə.li/ (B2) slowly over a period of time or a distance
Gradually, she realized that he wasn't telling her the truth.

increasingly /ɪnˈkriː.sɪŋ.li/ (B2) more and more
Increasingly, there is pressure on the council to reserve its decision.

interestingly /ˈɪn.trəs.tɪŋ.li/ used to introduce a piece of information that the speaker thinks is strangle or interesting
Interestingly, he never actually said that he was innocent.

alternatively /ɒlˈtɜː.nə.tɪv.li/ (B2) used to suggest another possibility
We could go to the Indian restaurant, or alternatively, we could try that new Italian place.

particularly /pəˈtɪk.jə.lə.li/ (B1) especially, or more than usual
We're particularly interested to hear from people who speak two or more European languages.

[5words] 20161128

likely (a) If something is likely, it will probably happen or is expected.
Please do remind me because I'm likely to forget.
What's the likely outcome of this whole business.
I suppose that might happen but it's not very likely.
She made a rough estimate of the likely cost.
rather
I think I'd like to stay at home this evening rather than go out.
retain
The sea retains the sun's warmth longer than the sand.
athlete (n) /ˈæθ.liːt/
He became a professional athlete at the age of 16.
He is currently considered to be the best British athlete.
athletic (a) /æθˈlet.ɪk/ strong, healthy, and good at sports
She looks very athletic.
The university is very proud of its athletics facilities.
athletics (n) /æθˈlet.ɪks/
We love to watch the Olympics - especially the athletics.
She is a fine runner and a well-known figure in Scottish amateur athletics.

[5words] 20161127

back and forth
I used to travel back and forth between Sài Gòn and Nha Trang when I worked as a lecturer.
The newspaper boy (aka. boy selling newspaper) hung around back and forth among groups of working class people sipping their coffee at the sidewalk cafe on a street corner.

end up
To do this task, you should open a connection, then try to transfer data and end up with a commit.
If you don't know what you want, you might end up getting something you don't want.

eventually /ɪˈven.tʃu.ə.li/
She hopes eventually to attend medical school and become a doctor.
After a long search, they eventually found the missing papers.

incredibly /ɪnˈkred.ə.bli/ = unbelievably
Incredibly, she had no idea what was going on. (in a way that is very difficult to believe)
She earned an incredible amount of money.

literally /ˈlɪt.ər.əl.i/
using the real or original meaning of a word or phrase:
We live literally just round the corner from her.
used to emphasize what you are saying:
He missed that kick literally by miles.
I was literally bowled over by the news.
simply or just:
Then you literally cut the sausage down the middle.

[5words] 20160917

get in contact to

I want to get in contact to you.

gonna

I am gonna cycle to work today.

potentially (adv) /pəˈten.ʃəl.i/

It is potentially rainy this afternoon.

Cycling is potentially very dangerous in London.

regardless of

We continue calling for help regardless of the age of who are participating in the event.

I tell them the truth, regardless of what they want to hear.
The allowance is paid regardless of age or income.

typically (adv) /ˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl.i/

Typically, a doctor will see about 30 patients a day.

Tickets for these events will typically cost around thirty dollars.