to apprehend

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXBwcmVoZW5k&hash=842c05e8bd4891034c218dae460d9b80321b7e67&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYXBwcmVoZW5k&hash=1d42648a4b9b7815676df4d8111deaa4e4b28b6a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

apprehensive

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YXBwcmVoZW5zaXZl&hash=52956704df0aab9e2d4901a0a9973d9b49b54bb4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YXBwcmVoZW5zaXZl&hash=481fde41fe37456676612b691ac7d90cc76b7067&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

to quail

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcXVhaWw&hash=56c3d6da5897606a8055100bb01e291d7252ef27&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcXVhaWw&hash=ebb8a38e9de393992253057812e4d836064c706c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

qualm

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cXVhbG0&hash=ee21470eb0652318c042bfaa145dce5425924aed&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cXVhbG0&hash=c53004067d66fd6fe8fc7576853fb82bb3282902&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

perturbed

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cGVydHVyYmVk&hash=d627417a525af5758aee3ec1d8621990c5e53e77&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cGVydHVyYmVk&hash=f0db7c3c06841ea42f92eeb5b85bd99104364aa6&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

jittery

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=aml0dGVyeQ&hash=14f3ad9e15e29466b338d202876e5da704488a01&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=aml0dGVyeQ&hash=c2eeaf29c9115d25f504de041bc7a7256cfa10e6&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

timorous

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dGltb3JvdXM&hash=f3749e39f47085ca859b45ee1fe2e85902e77683&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dGltb3JvdXM&hash=504a3fee8cc1ca9ea5cdebcbbc44c73f7ed96c2e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

The origin of the idiom "on tenterhooks" can be traced back to the textile industry in the 15th century. A tenter was a wooden frame with hooks or nails on which cloth was stretched during the process of drying or finishing. The hooks, called "tenterhooks," were used to hold the fabric tightly in place. The phrase can be used in personal situations, such as awaiting exam results, job interviews, or medical test results, where there is a high level of nervousness or anticipation.

What is the origin of the idiom "on tenterhooks" and when to use it?

on tenterhooks

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=b24gdGVudGVyaG9va3M&hash=51d7135d272006c21304fca7c6c6de9631ece041&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=b24gdGVudGVyaG9va3M&hash=a073174719889c5012bd9955e1db151e8fc35d9f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

tremulous

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dHJlbXVsb3Vz&hash=8b60c691bc6b3fb22e5e9170898a42e9a92c3a0e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dHJlbXVsb3Vz&hash=bb5c1ee42db0397dff06387a6edb12df3586b5e8&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

trepidation

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dHJlcGlkYXRpb24&hash=db1698a3706988912741b86873717bbcffc4ef47&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dHJlcGlkYXRpb24&hash=0eb84ae6c169b1c903e5c53e59df96fa6b06aeab&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

wince

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=d2luY2U&hash=73aae24aa0afeeca416ce166f28764523479de81&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=d2luY2U&hash=2eba492cb7ad59e615ceb9f8fc07ece4f988f24b&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

fawning

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZmF3bmluZw&hash=600bfb2e1f76cc50238ca8452f08b201f1015342&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZmF3bmluZw&hash=a5ee577d064a45a08ba9ef012020da20bb0dbc18&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

obsequious

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=b2JzZXF1aW91cw&hash=9472e3cb8e8d6ccb6e08d7e75e386f8a79718ff2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=b2JzZXF1aW91cw&hash=0003fc4bdef16ae2a6412ab67fa630aad8c2e705&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

servile

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c2VydmlsZQ&hash=94886953fb53d62f6b7629c080d0e089f7278696&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c2VydmlsZQ&hash=90f93a90511784e06cc8473f4aeb6621df21e97e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

to cozy up

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY296eSB1cA&hash=d6a38021d50e0b111df91448aeb17e109e830088&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY296eSB1cA&hash=e63b948ff667bb402b30d31f7b7ed31d3410e025&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

to fawn

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmF3bg&hash=9b2b5907cb982f7635ee44116d325f327e45021d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmF3bg&hash=871bddb7b8fc289cf3c0e0c92cf5a945a252a1bc&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

The idiom "curry favor" originated from an Old French word, "faveur," which means "favor" or "approval." In the 16th century, it evolved into the English phrase "curry favor," which means to seek or gain favor or approval from someone in a flattering or insincere way. The word "curry" here does not refer to the spice but rather comes from the Middle English word "cury," meaning "care" or "attention. This phrase is used to describe the act of trying to gain someone's favor or approval through flattery, praise, or insincere actions.

What is the origin of the idiom "curry favor" and when to use it?

to [curry] favor

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY3VycnkgZmF2b3I&hash=7869bc09098da1ba3bbf1a77003cd6852c5c3ed9&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY3VycnkgZmF2b3I&hash=2d7b11252c07367517d6ec62c6143fc3f29e7082&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

subservient

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c3Vic2VydmllbnQ&hash=668eea5a6b3a419844ed7a9621b14748674e1b8f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c3Vic2VydmllbnQ&hash=743e1b338f60bd1da89e53d0b4ef003429f91e50&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

unctuous

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dW5jdHVvdXM&hash=cd53c7af4388dc5e24fe7311a5f68fccf6907f29&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dW5jdHVvdXM&hash=7a013cc2695ce358666cb381fd14edbcfa387ffe&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

to ingratiate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaW5ncmF0aWF0ZQ&hash=56ade2020556134c8401fa34ead3551b84b7ca5f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gaW5ncmF0aWF0ZQ&hash=aa530a18d06cbcfc97dee7b433e78ec3a326f7b7&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

craven

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=Y3JhdmVu&hash=6ad8c884fa9d3f71a54a216d035941714ee73676&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=Y3JhdmVu&hash=e890d1f88883c346b9d88f5b19501d9f8b0a81ae&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

pusillanimous

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cHVzaWxsYW5pbW91cw&hash=eb6cbd150c0d39e67ee648ffe326dd1f270f82db&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cHVzaWxsYW5pbW91cw&hash=e590a4b2b88140b894d3e8f072c3fa775fb41e28&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

dastardly

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZGFzdGFyZGx5&hash=339bb7051910e82425340cefaf17e5d266cb67a3&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZGFzdGFyZGx5&hash=0455e80bbf36a7978e654837291a2241fafac6d5&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

lily-livered

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=bGlseS1saXZlcmVk&hash=2f46c76a34819ccc564b7a48c74a779745df174a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=bGlseS1saXZlcmVk&hash=0590e8c37871818ab6d55db16da0451c91980902&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

redoubtable

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cmVkb3VidGFibGU&hash=3b8c1dd5cf69ed91febd388d919fa5192fa5b2e0&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cmVkb3VidGFibGU&hash=be7ee7a2bad09a82f2a673a9c48edcc780c230ab&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

"Toady" comes from a shortening of "toad-eater," a term used in 17th-century England for people who pretended to eat toads as a form of trickery or deception in medicine shows. Over time, it came to describe anyone who flatters or obeys others excessively to gain favor or advantage. The term entered common English usage by the 18th century and has always been derogatory, used to criticize sycophants or people seen as overly submissive for personal gain. It's typically applied in social, workplace, or political contexts and is never neutral.

What is the origin of the term "toady" and how is it used?

toady

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG9hZHk&hash=31b2994d34b0f64d1ec8ff4ac26c7db84744b082&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG9hZHk&hash=9814ddfa93dc3e014fc96274cc26c2133c855ea4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

"Slacker" is a slang term used to describe a person who is lazy, unmotivated, or consistently avoids work. It comes from the verb "to slack," meaning to loosen or be negligent, and emerged in English in the late 18th to early 19th century, originally referring to laziness or neglect of duty. The term became especially popular in the 20th century, notably during World War I and II, to criticize those avoiding military or civic responsibilities. It is derogatory, used in social, workplace, or political contexts, and conveys clear disapproval of someone's effort or work ethic.

What is the origin of the term "slacker" and how is it used?

slacker

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c2xhY2tlcg&hash=65ec8d3a1dbfe81f78e39107ae691a2de08c2544&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c2xhY2tlcg&hash=cab6dbcff3b8600249e4dbb7e4653efbe7bb497d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

pique

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cGlxdWU&hash=ef7307da2c698e935a07fea39b3b2705a96f3fe5&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=cGlxdWU&hash=3cf431c498bd3613dcce833ca505a327c8375d94&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

to falter

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmFsdGVy&hash=a47eea0a011325b1985fead2ec4933834d375e9a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZmFsdGVy&hash=a8af6d171f56bcb958e4a228df10843d003a5f4a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

to vacillate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdmFjaWxsYXRl&hash=2bd0a2469aca3ac3d6f3dcecb85851e2cc58720a&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdmFjaWxsYXRl&hash=c05e4dd7c77be2ff115fe6f086d401774e047280&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

The idiom "Achilles' heel" has its origins in Greek mythology where the hero Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel, which was his one weakness, Achilles was eventually killed when an arrow struck his heel, which led to the popularization of the idiom. Today, the phrase "Achilles' heel" is used to describe a person's one weakness or vulnerable spot that can lead to their downfall or failure.

What is the origin of the idiom "Achilles' heel" and when to use it?

Achilles' heel

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=QWNoaWxsZXMnIGhlZWw&hash=05a5969bb2b4ba83da0fe56da8c047028fc1829d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=QWNoaWxsZXMnIGhlZWw&hash=b3ec9c168ee606141273d51f4b908bf6befeb011&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=GB

Learn advanced CPE vocabulary for fear, anxiety, and weakness, including apprehension, panic, unease, vulnerability, hesitation, and lack of strength or confidence.

Peur, Anxiété et Faiblesse

Vocabulaire CPE pour la peur, l'anxiété et la faiblesse

Fear, Anxiety & Weakness

CPE Vocabulary for Fear, Anxiety, and Weakness