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Headway - Advanced - The Last Word (Unit 8)

Here you will find the vocabulary from The Last Word Unit 8 in the Headway Advanced coursebook, such as "walk the talk", "chockablock", "clear as mud", etc.

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Headway - Advanced
accidents will happen in the best of families

used to imply that even the most careful or well-prepared people or families can still experience unexpected mishaps or mistakes

Ex: They were upset about the spilled wine on the carpet but remembered accidents will happen in the best of families. 
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actions speak louder than words

used to say that people's actions show their true intentions or beliefs more clearly than their words

Ex: Actions speak louder than words when it comes to leadership. It's not enough to just talk about what needs to be done, you have to lead by example. 
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a fate worse than death

something that is really terrible to experience

Ex: The prisoner pleaded for mercy, knowing that a life sentence in solitary confinement would be a fate worse than death. 
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behind every (great|successful) man (there|) stands a woman

used to suggest that the success of a man is often due to the support, hard work, and sacrifices of a woman in his life

Ex: Behind every great man stands a woman who has supported him through thick and thin. 
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all in a day's work

something that is a typical or normal part of a person's job

Ex: Rescuing three hikers in the snowstorm was all in a day's work for the mountain team. 
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to [have] {one's} cake and eat it (too|)

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

Ex: He wants the freedom of freelancing and the security of a full-time job; he wants to have his cake and eat it too. 
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(as|) clear as mud

used to describe something that is complicated due to not being clearly described or shown

Ex: The instructions were clear as mud, so nobody knew what to do next. 
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after {one's} own heart

used to describe someone or something that perfectly matches one's tastes, values, or preferences

Ex: That cozy little bookstore is right after my own heart. 
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boys will be boys

used to excuse or dismiss negative behavior by boys or men, with the implication that it is simply part of their nature

Ex: When the boys started playing soccer inside the house and broke the vase, his mother just sighed and said, "boys will be boys." 
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at the end of the day

used before stating the most important fact about a particular situation

Ex: I know it's a lot of work, but at the end of the day, it'll be worth it. 
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blast from the past

the unexpected appearance or remembrance of a person or thing that evokes nostalgic feelings within one

Ex: Finding that old mixtape was a real blast from the past. 
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no pain, no gain

used for saying that without working hard and experiencing difficulties, one cannot achieve anything

Ex: She pushed through the tough workout, reminding herself, "no pain, no gain." 
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better safe than sorry

used to suggest that it is preferable to take precautions and be cautious in order to avoid problems or regret later on

Ex: Better safe than sorry, so I wore a helmet while biking, even though I wasn’t going fast. 
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bad things come in threes

used to suggest that misfortune or bad luck often happens in groups of three, and when one negative event occurs, two more will follow

Ex: I spilled coffee on my shirt, got caught in the rain, and then my computer crashed. Bad things come in threes, right? 
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good things come in threes

used to suggest that good things often happen in groups of three

Ex: I got a promotion, won a small prize, and had a great dinner with friends—good things come in threes! 
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like father, like son

used to say that a son's behavior or qualities are similar to those of his father

Ex: He always fixes things around the house just like his dad—like father, like son. 
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it takes all sorts to make a world

used to imply that diversity and individual differences among people are necessary for the world to function and thrive

Ex: He’s eccentric, but it takes all sorts to make a world. 
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better late than never

used to mean that it is better to take action or complete a task, even if it is delayed, rather than not doing it at all

Ex: I finally submitted my application. Better late than never, right? 
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just what the doctor ordered

something that is exactly what is needed or required in a certain situation

Ex: After a long day at work, a relaxing bubble bath was just what the doctor ordered to help me unwind. 
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do not do anything (that|) I would not (do|)

used to advise someone to behave responsibly and not engage in risky or questionable behavior

Ex: Do not do anything that I wouldn't do, and we should be fine. 
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to [be] not for {sb} to say

to believe that it is not someone's place to make a decision or judgment on a particular matter and that it should be left to others who are more qualified or have more authority to do so

Ex: It is not for him to say whether we should go or stay. 
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to [be] damned if {sb} [do], damned if {sb} [do] {not}

to be in a difficult situation where any decision or action taken may result in negative consequences, no matter what choice is made

Ex: She is damned if she does, damned if she doesn't—either way, someone will be unhappy. 
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the mind [boggle]

used to convey surprise, shock, or disbelief in response to something that is difficult to comprehend or absurd

Ex: The speed at which technology is advancing these days boggles the mind. 
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to {not} [bear] thinking about

to be so unpleasant, disturbing, or frightening that it is difficult to even consider or imagine

Ex: She couldn't bear thinking about the terrible accident that had happened. 
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to [shop] (till|until) {sb} [drop]

to shop to the point of exhaustion or until one collapses

Ex: Every weekend my wife shops till she drops. 
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horses for courses

used to imply that different people are suited to different things, and what works well for one person may not work well for another

Ex: You can't expect everyone to be good at everything—horses for courses, after all. 
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meet and greet

an event or service where a person, such as a celebrity, politician, or businessperson, meets and interacts with members of the public

Ex: The actor held a meet and greet session after the movie premiere to sign autographs for fans. 
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fair and square

done honestly, justly, or without disobeying any rules

Ex: She won the match fair and square. 
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from zero to hero

used to say that someone or something has gone from a position of low status or obscurity to one of great success, fame, or popularity

Ex: After his parents won the lottery, John went from zero to hero in his high school overnight. 
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nearest and dearest

used to refer to one's closest and most intimate family members or friends

Ex: She wanted to spend the holidays with her nearest and dearest. 
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use it or lose it

used to imply that if something is not used or practiced, it will be forgotten or taken away

Ex: If you don’t practice speaking French, you’ll forget it — use it or lose it. 
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chockablock
chockablock
[Adjective]

completely full or crowded to the point of congestion or blockage

Ex: The parking lot was chockablock with cars by noon. 
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to [walk] the talk

to actually do what one claims or preaches, and not just talk about it

Ex: A true leader walks the talk. 
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to [name] and [shame]

to publicly identify and criticize individuals or organizations for engaging in inappropriate or unethical behavior in order to hold them accountable for their actions or punish them

Ex: The newspaper plans to name and shame corrupt officials in its next issue. 
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