reviewReviewchevron down
English Vocabulary In Use - Upper-Intermediate /

048. Praising and Criticising

1 / 29
Exit
1-
to praise
2-
brilliantly
3-
first-rate
4-
top-notch
5-
on the ball
6-
to have a way with somebody or something
7-
the gift of the gab
8-
head and shoulders above somebody or something
9-
to be streets ahead of somebody or something
10-
out of this world
11-
among
12-
best
13-
worst
14-
interesting
15-
to criticize
16-
critically
17-
acclaimed
18-
to acclaim
19-
to run down
20-
to pick holes in something
21-
absurd
22-
at fault
23-
to blame
24-
the bee's knees
25-
to take the biscuit
26-
to have one's cake and eat it (too)
27-
highly
28-
green fingers
29-
the cat's whiskers
lesson summary
to praise
to praise
Verb
p
p
r
r
ai
s
z
e
Spelling
Close
Sign in

to express admiration or approval toward something or someone

knock

Grammatical Information:

transitive
brilliantly
brilliantly
Adverb
b
b
r
r
i
ɪ
ll
l
i
j
a
ə
n
n
t
t
l
l
y
i

with exceptional intelligence, skill, or creativity

first-rate
Adjective
uk flag
/ˌfɝˈstɹeɪt/

having the greatest quality

top-notch
Adjective
uk flag
/tˈɑːpnˈɑːtʃ/

having the highest quality or excellence

on the ball
on the ball
phrase
uk flag
/ɑːnðə bˈɔːl/
Approving
Idiom

quick to comprehend and respond to things

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

The origin of the idiom "on the ball" can be traced back to sports, particularly ball games such as soccer or basketball. In these games, being "on the ball" refers to a player who is actively engaged in the game, attentive to the ball's movements, and ready to react quickly. Over time, the expression began to be used to describe individuals who exhibit a similar level of alertness, attentiveness, and readiness in non-sporting situations.

to [have] a way with {sb/sth}
to have a way with somebody or something
phrase
uk flag
/hæv ɐ wˈeɪ wɪð ˌɛsbˈiː slˈæʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/
Idiom
Informal

to have a natural talent in dealing with a particular type of people or things

What is the origin of the idiom "have a way with someone or something" and when to use it?

The idiom "have a way with someone or something" is rooted in the idea of having a unique or special skill in dealing with people or things. This expression is used to describe someone's exceptional ability to interact, communicate, or manage a person or situation, often with positive results. It conveys the idea that the person has a natural charm, skill, or approach that allows them to be particularly successful or persuasive in their interactions.

the gift of the gab
phrase
uk flag
/ðə ɡˈɪft ʌvðə ɡˈæb/
Idiom

the natural ability to speak eloquently and persuasively, often with ease

head and shoulders above somebody or something
phrase
uk flag
/hˈɛd ænd ʃˈoʊldɚz əbˌʌv ˌɛsbˈiː slˈæʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/
Idiom
Informal

used to describe someone or something that is far superior when compared to others of the same type

What is the origin of the idiom "head and shoulders above someone or something" and when to use it?

The idiom "head and shoulders above someone or something" originated from a literal comparison of height, where a person's head and shoulders are higher than another's. The phrase is used figuratively to denote a significant superiority or advantage in terms of quality, skill, performance, or any other measurable attribute. It is used to convey the idea of standing out prominently or being distinctly better than others in a given context.

to [be] streets ahead of {sb/sth}
to be streets ahead of somebody or something
phrase
uk flag
/biː stɹˈiːts ɐhˈɛd ʌv ˌɛsbˈiː slˈæʃ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/
Idiom
Informal

to deliver a much better performance compared to that of others'

Dialectbritish flagBritish
What is the origin of the idiom "be streets ahead of somebody or something" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "be streets ahead of somebody or something" is believed to have originated in British English in the 1980s. The idiom means to be far ahead of someone or something in terms of skill, ability, or quality, with the implication that the difference is so great that it is like being on different streets.

out of this world
phrase
uk flag
/ˌaʊɾəv ðɪs wˈɜːld/
Idiom
Informal

used to describe someone or something that is very unusual or remarkable

What is the origin of the idiom "out of this world" and when to use it?

The idiom "out of this world" originated in the early 20th century and is derived from the concept of space exploration and the fascination with the unknown beyond Earth. The expression is mostly used to suggest that the subject is so exceptional or unprecedented that it goes beyond the boundaries of what is typically experienced or understood in the world.

among
preposition
a
ə
m
m
o
ʌ
n
n
g
g

in the center of or surrounded by a group of things or people

best
best
Adjective
b
b
e
e
s
s
t
t

superior to everything else that is in the same category

worst
worst
Adjective
w
w
o
ɜ
r
r
s
s
t
t

most morally wrong, harmful, or wicked

best
interesting
interesting
Adjective
i
ɪ
n
n
t
t
e
r
r
e
ə
s
s
t
t
i
ɪ
n
n
g
g

catching and keeping our attention because of being unusual, exciting, etc.

uninteresting
to criticize
to criticize
Verb
c
k
r
r
i
ɪ
t
t
i
ɪ
c
s
i
z
z
e

to point out the faults or weaknesses of someone or something

praise

Grammatical Information:

transitive
critically
Adverb
c
k
r
r
i
ɪ
t
t
i
ɪ
c
k
a
ə
ll
l
y
i

to a degree that poses a serious or potentially disastrous risk

Grammatical Information:

adverb of degree
acclaimed
Adjective
a
ə
cc
k
l
l
ai
m
m
e
d
d

highly praised or recognized for one's excellence or achievements

to acclaim
to acclaim
Verb
a
ə
cc
k
l
l
ai
m
m

to praise someone or something enthusiastically and often publicly

Grammatical Information:

transitive
to run down
to run down
Verb
uk flag
/ɹˈʌn dˈaʊn/

to speak negatively about someone or something in a way that makes them seem inferior or weak

Grammatical Information:

transitive
Phrasal Status
separable
phrase's verb
run
phrase's particle
down
to [pick] holes in {sth}
to pick holes in something
phrase
uk flag
/pˈɪk hˈoʊlz ɪn ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/
Idiom

to find the flaws and weaknesses of something, like a plan, action, or idea

What is the origin of the idiom "pick holes in something" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "pick holes in something" is unclear, but it may have originated from the practice of examining cloth for defects by holding it up to the light and looking for small holes or imperfections. Over time, the phrase came to be used more broadly to describe any situation where someone is overly critical or nit-picky in their evaluation of something.

absurd
absurd
Adjective
a
ə
b
b
s
s
u
ɜ
r
r
d
d

so unreasonable or illogical that it provokes disbelief or laughter

at fault
at fault
Adjective
uk flag
/æt fˈɑːlt/

having responsibility or blame for something that has gone wrong or caused harm

to blame
to blame
Verb
b
b
l
l
a
m
m
e

to say or feel that someone or something is responsible for a mistake or problem

absolve

Grammatical Information:

transitive
the bee's knees
phrase
uk flag
/ðə bˈiːz nˈiːz/
Idiom
Informal

a person or thing that is exceptionally good

What is the origin of the idiom "the bee's knees" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "the bee's knees" is uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the 1920s in the United States during the era of flappers and jazz. The phrase is mostly used to describe something or someone as excellent, outstanding, or of very high quality. It gained popularity as part of the slang vocabulary during the Roaring Twenties, a time of societal and cultural change, where it became synonymous with the latest trends, fashionable items, or anything considered to be top-notch.

to [take] the biscuit
to take the biscuit
phrase
uk flag
/tˈeɪk ðə bˈɪskɪt/

to be the most remarkable, outrageous, or unexpected, often in a negative or absurd way

Dialectbritish flagBritish
to [have] {one's} cake and eat it (too|)
to have one's cake and eat it (too)
phrase
uk flag
/hæv wˈʌnz kˈeɪk ænd ˈiːt ɪt tˈuː ɔːɹ/
Idiom
Informal

to desire to have two things that are impossible to have without sacrificing the other

What is the origin of the idiom "have one's cake and eat it" and when to use it?

The phrase "have one's cake and eat it" is an idiom that is used to express the idea of wanting to have things both ways, which is often impossible. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the 16th century, and its earlier form was "eat your cake and have it too."

highly
Adverb
h
h
i
gh
l
l
y
i

in a favorable or approving manner

Grammatical Information:

adverb of degree
green fingers
green fingers
noun
uk flag
/ɡɹˈiːn fˈɪŋɡɚz/

an individual's natural ability to grow plants

Dialectbritish flagBritish
green thumbamerican flagAmerican

Grammatical Information:

compound noun
the cat's whiskers
phrase
uk flag
/ðə kˈæts wˈɪskɚz pədʒˈɑːməz/
Humorous
Idiom
Informal
Old use

a person or thing that is considered to be the best in its type or group

Dialectbritish flagBritish
What is the origin of the idiom "the cat's whiskers" and when to use it?

During the vibrant Jazz Age of the 1920s in the United States, the idiom "the cat's whiskers" came into existence. This lighthearted and imaginative expression captures the essence of being remarkably fashionable, stylish, or exceptional. It thrived in an era defined by the rise of flappers and a burgeoning youth culture, symbolizing an affinity for avant-garde trends and a desire to be at the forefront of sophistication and novelty.

Congratulations! !

You learned 29 words from undefined. To improve learning and review vocabulary, start practicing.

review-disable

Review

flashcard-disable

Flashcards

spelling-disable

Spelling

quiz-disable

Quiz

practice