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English Vocabulary In Use - Upper-Intermediate /

050. Commenting On Problematic Situations

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1-
chaos
2-
disaster
3-
dilemma
4-
fix
5-
in a tight corner
6-
muddle
7-
challenge
8-
badly
9-
affected
10-
mildly
11-
irritating
12-
intensely
13-
annoying
14-
to disrupt
15-
to collapse
16-
to deprive
17-
to lack
18-
effect
19-
irritant
20-
irritation
21-
annoyance
22-
disruption
23-
deprivation
24-
heartbreak
25-
lack
26-
to take a back seat
27-
to take the bull by the horns
28-
to pour oil on troubled waters
29-
to put one's cards on the table
30-
to get one's act together
31-
to sit up and take notice
32-
the tide turn
33-
light at the end of the tunnel
34-
turning point
35-
to bury the hatchet
36-
to sweep something under the carpet
37-
to stir up
38-
to face
39-
dead end
chaos
noun
ch
k
ao
eɪɑ
s
s
Spelling
Close
Sign in

a situation of extreme confusion and lack of order

disaster
disaster
noun
d
d
i
ɪ
s
z
a
æ
s
s
t
t
e
ə
r
r

a sudden and unfortunate event that causes a great amount of death and destruction

dilemma
dilemma
noun
d
d
i
ɪ
l
l
e
ɛ
mm
m
a
ə

a situation that is difficult because a choice must be made between two or more options that are equally important

fix
noun
f
f
i
ɪ
x
ks

a serious problem or difficult situation

Grammatical Information:

in a tight corner
in a tight corner
phrase
uk flag
/ɪn ɐ tˈaɪt kˈɔːɹnɚ/
Idiom
Informal

in a difficult situation, particularly one that is not easy to deal with or get out of

What is the origin of the idiom "in a tight corner" and when to use it?

The idiom "in a tight corner" originates from the concept of being in a confined or restricted space where movement is limited, making it difficult to escape or maneuver. It is used to describe a situation where someone is facing a challenging, difficult, or problematic circumstance with limited options and little room to maneuver.

muddle
noun
m
m
u
ʌ
dd
d
ə
l
l
e

a state of confusion or disorder characterized by a mixture of things that are not clearly organized or understood

challenge
noun
ch
ʧ
a
æ
ll
l
e
ə
n
n
g
ʤ
e

a difficult and new task that puts one's skill, ability, and determination to the test

badly
badly
Adverb
b
b
a
æ
d
d
l
l
y
i

in a way that is not satisfactory, acceptable, or successful

well
affected
Adjective
a
ə
ff
f
e
ɛ
c
k
t
t
e
ɪ
d
d

impacted or influenced by something or someone

unaffected
mildly
mildly
Adverb
uk flag
/ˈmaɪɫdɫi/

to a degree that is considered moderate by many

irritating
irritating
Adjective
i
ɪ
rr
r
i
ə
t
t
a
t
t
i
ɪ
n
n
g
g

causing annoyance or displeasure

intensely
intensely
Adverb
i
ɪ
n
n
t
t
e
ɛ
n
n
s
s
e
l
l
y
i

to a very great or extreme extent or degree

Grammatical Information:

adverb of degree
annoying
annoying
Adjective
a
ə
nn
n
o
ɔ
y
ɪ
i
ɪ
n
n
g
g

causing slight anger

to disrupt
Verb
d
d
i
ɪ
s
s
r
r
u
ʌ
p
p
t
t

to cause disorder or disturbance in something that was previously orderly or calm

Grammatical Information:

transitive
to collapse
to collapse
Verb
c
k
o
ə
ll
l
a
æ
p
p
s
s
e

(of a construction) to fall down suddenly, particularly due to being damaged or weak

Grammatical Information:

intransitive
to deprive
to deprive
Verb
d
d
e
ɪ
p
p
r
r
i
v
v
e

to prevent someone from having something, particularly something that they need

Grammatical Information:

transitive
to lack
Verb
l
l
a
æ
ck
k

to be without or to not have enough of something that is needed or desirable

have

Grammatical Information:

transitive
effect
effect
noun
e
ɪ
ff
f
e
ɛ
c
k
t
t

a change in a person or thing caused by another person or thing

irritant
noun
i
ɪ
rr
r
i
ə
t
t
a
ə
n
n
t
t

an agent or factor that provokes irritation and annoyance

irritation
irritation
noun
i
ɪ
rr
r
i
ɪ
t
t
a
t
ʃ
io
ə
n
n

a feeling of annoyance or discomfort caused by something that is bothersome or unpleasant

annoyance
annoyance
noun
a
ə
nn
n
o
ɔ
y
ɪ
a
ə
n
n
c
s
e

a feeling of irritation or discomfort caused by something that is bothersome, unpleasant, or disruptive

disruption
noun
d
d
i
ɪ
s
s
r
r
u
ʌ
p
p
t
ʃ
io
ə
n
n

an action that causes a delay or interruption in the ongoing continuity of an activity or process

deprivation
deprivation
noun
d
d
e
ɛ
p
p
r
r
i
ə
v
v
a
t
ʃ
io
ə
n
n

the state in which one cannot satisfy their basic human needs

heartbreak
heartbreak
noun
h
h
ea
ɑ
r
r
t
t
b
b
r
r
ea
k
k

a feeling of great distress or sadness

lack
noun
l
l
a
æ
ck
k

the absence or insufficiency of something, often implying a deficiency or shortage

uncountable
to [take] a back seat
to take a back seat
phrase
uk flag
/tˈeɪk ɐ bˈæksiːt/
Idiom
Informal

to be placed in a less important or weaker position compared to that of someone else

What is the origin of the idiom "take a back seat" and when to use it?

The idiom "take a back seat" is thought to have originated in the mid-19th century from stagecoach travel, in reference to the seats in a stagecoach. The most desirable seats were the ones in the front, which allowed passengers to see the road ahead and have a better view of the scenery. The seats in the back were less desirable, as passengers had to endure a bumpy ride and were unable to see as well. Over time, the idiom came to be used figuratively to mean to be placed in a less important or weaker position compared to someone else.

to take the bull by the horns
phrase
uk flag
/tˈeɪk ðə bˈʊl baɪ ðə hˈɔːɹnz/

to directly and bravely deal with a difficulty or danger

to [pour] oil on troubled waters
to pour oil on troubled waters
phrase
uk flag
/pˈoːɹ ˈɔɪl ˌɑːn tɹˈʌbəld wˈɔːɾɚz/

to say things in order to settle a dispute or disagreement

to put one's cards on the table
phrase
uk flag
/pˌʊt lˈeɪ wˈʌnz kˈɑːɹdz ɑːnðə tˈeɪbəl/
Idiom
Informal

to honestly share one's thoughts, feelings, or plans

What is the origin of the idiom "put one's cards on the table" and when to use it?

The idiom "put one's cards on the table" originated from the game of poker, where players reveal their hand of cards by placing them face-up on the table. It means to openly and honestly disclose one's thoughts, intentions, or information, without holding back or keeping anything hidden. This expression is used to emphasize transparency, sincerity, and a willingness to share important details or make one's position clear in a straightforward manner.

to [get] {one's} act together
to get one's act together
phrase
uk flag
/ɡɛt wˈʌnz ˈækt təɡˈɛðɚ/
Idiom
Informal

to start to organize oneself for better results and more efficiency

What is the origin of the idiom "get one's act together" and when to use it?

The idiom "get one's act together" originated in the United States in the mid-20th century. The exact origin of the expression is unclear, as it evolved through informal and colloquial usage. It is often used when someone is perceived as being disorganized, lacking focus, or under performing and needs to make positive changes.

to sit up and take notice
phrase
uk flag
/sˈɪt ˌʌp ænd tˈeɪk nˈoʊɾɪs/

to suddenly become attentive or alert, often due to something surprising or remarkable

the tide turn
sentence
uk flag
/ðə tˈaɪd tˈɜːn/

used to say that a person's opinion or a situation has changed

light at the end of the tunnel
phrase
uk flag
/lˈaɪt æt ðɪ ˈɛnd ʌvðə tˈʌnəl/

a sign that a difficult or challenging situation is almost over or getting better

turning point
turning point
noun
uk flag
/tˈɜːnɪŋ pˈɔɪnt/
Idiom

a point at which a drastic change occurs in a situation, especially one that makes it improve

What is the origin of the idiom "turning point" and when to use it?

The phrase "turning point" does not have a specific origin tied to a particular person or historical event. It is a common expression that evolved over time to describe a pivotal moment of change or transformation. The concept of a turning point in a narrative or in life situations has been recognized and expressed in various forms throughout human history. As such, the phrase has become a widely understood and used expression in the English language. It is often used when describing pivotal moments in personal journeys, such as a life-changing decision, a transformative experience, or a critical event that alters the course of one's life.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun
to [bury] the hatchet
to bury the hatchet
phrase
uk flag
/bˈɛɹi ðə hˈætʃɪt/
Idiom
Informal

to build a good relationship with each other again after having disagreements about something

What is the origin of the idiom "bury the hatchet" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "bury the hatchet" can be traced back to Native American traditions, particularly those of the Iroquois Confederacy. In Native American cultures, a hatchet or war club was a symbol of conflict and violence. When tribes or individuals wanted to signify the end of hostilities and the desire for peace, they would bury their hatchets or war clubs in the ground as a symbolic gesture. This act served as a visual representation of their commitment to resolving disputes and living in harmony. It is often employed when discussing personal disputes, interpersonal conflicts, or even larger-scale conflicts between groups or nations.

to [sweep] {sth} under the carpet
to sweep something under the carpet
phrase
uk flag
/swˈiːp ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ ˌʌndɚ ðə kˈɑːɹpɪt/

to keep something unpleasant a secret and refrain from dealing with it

Dialectbritish flagBritish
to stir up
to stir up
Verb
uk flag
/stˈɜːɹ ˈʌp/

to cause strong feelings, often unpleasant ones

Grammatical Information:

transitive
Phrasal Status
separable
phrase's verb
stir
phrase's particle
up
to face
to face
Verb
f
f
a
c
s
e

to deal with a given situation, especially an unpleasant one

avoid

Grammatical Information:

transitive
dead end
dead end
noun
uk flag
/dˈɛd ˈɛnd/
Idiom
Informal

a situation that shows no signs of progress or improvement

What is the origin of the idiom "dead end" and when to use it?

The idiom "dead end" is believed to have originated in the United States in the late 19th century, and was originally used to describe a street or road that has no outlet or exit. It is often used to describe a situation where someone has reached a point where there is no way forward, or where further efforts are unlikely to be successful.

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

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