Street Talk 2 - A Closer Look: Lesson 4

review-disable

review

flashcard-disable

flashcard

spelling-disable

spelling

quiz-disable

quiz

start-learning
Street Talk 2
gung ho [adjective]

very enthusiastic and dedicated

bend the knees and bow in a servile manner

kung fu [noun]

a Chinese martial art encompassing a wide range of fighting styles and techniques

Ex: The instructor demonstrated a powerful kung fu kick during the class .
adieu [interjection]

used as a poetic way to bid someone farewell

Ex: Adieu, my dear friend. May we meet again soon.
a la carte [adverb]

by selecting and ordering individual items from a menu rather than choosing a set meal

Ex:
ambiance [noun]

the overall mood, feeling, or character of a place, shaped by its surroundings and influences

Ex: The ambiance of the old library was quiet and scholarly .
aperitif [noun]

a drink, particularly alcoholic, consumed before a meal to stimulate one's appetite

apropos [adverb]

at an appropriate or fitting moment

Ex:
attache [noun]

a specialist assigned to the staff of a diplomatic mission

blase [adjective]

showing a casual lack of concern, as if nothing is particularly important or worth worrying about

Ex:
bon appetit [interjection]

used to wish someone a good appetite or enjoyable meal before they start eating

Ex:
bon voyage [interjection]

used to wish someone a safe and enjoyable journey before they embark on a trip

Ex:
bourgeois [adjective]

relating to the middle class, especially in terms of conventional values, materialism, or social respectability

Ex: Their bourgeois values clashed with the artist 's bohemian ideals .
boutique [noun]

a small store in which fashionable clothes or accessories are sold

Ex: They opened a boutique bakery that sells artisanal bread and pastries .

small, decorative items or trinkets, often of little value individually but collectively creating a visually appealing display

Ex: She enjoyed browsing flea markets for unique bric-a-brac to add character to her home decor .
brouhaha [noun]

loud confused noise from many sources

a feeling of mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together

Ex: Their shared struggles built a deep sense of camaraderie .

complete freedom or unrestricted authority given to someone to act as they wish in a particular situation

Ex: The artist was given carte blanche to create a mural on the building 's exterior , expressing their vision freely .
chateau [noun]

a large country house or mansion, typically of French origin, often associated with luxury, grandeur, and historical significance

Ex: The chateau 's opulent interiors were adorned with priceless artwork , antique furnishings , and intricate tapestries , reflecting its rich history and noble heritage .
collage [noun]

the art of making pictures by sticking photographs, pieces of cloth or colored paper onto a surface

Ex: His collage combined old family photographs with handwritten letters for a nostalgic effect .

a hotel employee who assists guests by arranging services such as reservations, tours, tickets, or recommendations

Ex: A good concierge can make a guest 's stay much more enjoyable .

an individual who is an expert of art, food, music, etc. and can judge its quality

Ex: A connoisseur of fine cuisine , she savored every bite of the meticulously prepared tasting menu , delighting in the harmonious balance of flavors and textures .
coup [noun]

a striking, successful, or clever achievement, often unexpected or impressive

Ex: Winning the championship was a remarkable coup for the underdog team .

a sudden, violent seizure of governmental power by a small group

Ex:

a street with one closed end

Ex: The house was located in a cul-de-sac , making it ideal for young families .
debacle [noun]

an absolute failure which leads to shame or disgrace

debut [noun]

the act of beginning something new

a woman who is making a public appearance for the first time, especially in movies or sports

declasse [adjective]

having lost social or cultural status, often implying a decline in class or prestige

deja vu [noun]

the feeling that a current situation has happened before, even though it is new

Ex: Every time he visited the city , a strange deja vu crept over him .

a phrase or word that intentionally conveys two distinct meanings, usually with one sexual connotation

echelon [noun]

a level or rank in an organization, profession, or society, indicating a person's status or authority within that hierarchy

Ex: Her influential family belonged to the upper echelon of social circles in the city .
eclair [noun]

an oval cake made with a light pastry, filled with cream or custard and topped with chocolate icing

elite [noun]

a small group of people in a society who enjoy a lot of advantages because of their economic, intellectual, etc. superiority

Ex: The business elite often frequented the luxurious downtown restaurant .
emigre [noun]

an individual who has left their native country to settle in another due to political reasons, war, or other upheavals

Ex:
ennui [noun]

a feeling of being bored, tired, or dissatisfied because nothing interesting or exciting is happening

Ex: The long summer days stretched out before him , filled with nothing but ennui .
ensemble [noun]

a chorus or group of dancers in a ballet company

Ex: The director praised the ensemble for their precise timing .
entree [noun]

the main segment of a meal

Ex:

*** This French expression refers to something that has been done and cannot be changed.

Ex: He used his savings to buy a motorbike and then presented his parents with a fait accompli .
faux pas [noun]

an extremely embarrassing and inappropriate comment or behavior in a particular social situation

Ex: Her faux pas at the business meeting was highlighted by her inappropriate comments .
finale [noun]

the closing section of a musical composition

finesse [noun]

the act of dealing with a situation in a subtle and skillful way

Ex: His finesse in managing difficult conversations made him a valued leader .
gourmand [noun]

someone who takes great pleasure in food and dining, often with a discerning palate and a penchant for indulgence

Ex: John 's reputation as a gourmand earned him invitations to exclusive dining events and gourmet festivals .
gourmet [noun]

someone who enjoys and knows about food and wine very much

Ex: He became a gourmet after studying culinary arts and working in top restaurants .

the products of making highly fashionable and expensive clothing

Ex: Haute couture pieces are meticulously crafted by hand , often taking hundreds of hours to complete each garment .

fancy and carefully prepared food with beautiful presentation and top-notch ingredients

a small dish served before the main course as an appetizer

an intangible quality that makes someone or something attractive, appealing, or intriguing, but which is difficult to describe or define

Ex:

the doctrine that government should not interfere in commercial affairs

someone who is in charge of the waiters and waitresses of a restaurant

malaise [noun]

a feeling of being physically ill and irritated without knowing the reason

Ex: She felt a general sense of malaise , with fatigue and a lack of energy persisting for several days .

a carnival held on Shrove Tuesday in some countries, especially in New Orleans

Ex:
melee [noun]

a fight that is noisy, confusing, and involves many people

Ex: The cafeteria was filled with a melee of students arguing over seating .

household for three; an arrangement where a married couple and a lover of one of them live together while sharing sexual relations

milieu [noun]

the social or cultural setting or environment

Ex: The academic milieu of the university fostered intellectual curiosity and debate among students .
monsieur [noun]

used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English `Mr'

a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class

a French style of cooking known for its light, delicate dishes, fresh ingredients, and artistic presentation

Ex: The chef 's signature dish exemplifies the principles of nouvelle cuisine with its vibrant flavors and elegant plating .
passe [adjective]

outdated, or no longer in style

Ex:

a small secondary residence, typically located in a city or urban area, that is used as a temporary or occasional dwelling

Ex:
poignant [adjective]

causing strong emotions, especially sadness or empathy

Ex: The poignant sight of the abandoned puppy left her feeling a mixture of sadness and compassion .

a collection or mixture of miscellaneous items, often diverse in nature

Ex: The buffet table offered a potpourri of dishes from different cuisines , satisfying a variety of tastes .
RSVP [noun]

a French phrase meaning "Please respond," used on invitations to request a reply about whether the person will attend an event or not

Ex: Please remember to send your RSVP by the end of the week .
risque [adjective]

suggestive of sexual impropriety

Ex:
salon [noun]

a refined and often luxurious room in a private residence or establishment used for entertaining guests or hosting intellectual gatherings

Ex: The salon was filled with music and lively conversation .

a private discussion, often between two people

Ex: I walked into the room and saw them in a deep tete-a-tete , whispering about something serious .
touche [interjection]

used humorously to show that someone has made a good point in an argument or discussion

Ex: Your critique of my argument's weak points was sharp, touché.

a brilliant or masterful performance that attracts a lot of attention or displays great skill

an art technique that deceives the eye by creating realistic optical illusions

Ex: The artist painted a trompe l'oeil mural that made the wall look like a window .
vis-a-vis [preposition]

used to indicate a comparison or contrast between two things or people

Ex: She compared her performance vis-à-vis her colleagues.
voila [interjection]

used to express the sudden appearance, revelation, or accomplishment of something

Ex:
angst [noun]

an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety; usually reserved for philosophical anxiety about the world or about personal freedom

ersatz [noun]

an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation

gesundheit [interjection]

*** used when somebody has sneezed to wish them good health

a class or school that prepares four-year-old to six-year-old children for elementary school

Ex: Many parents choose to enroll their children in kindergarten programs that emphasize play-based learning , allowing kids to explore and discover through hands-on experiences .
verboten [adjective]

forbidden or prohibited, especially by authority or law

Ex:

a young person who achieves remarkable success

adonis [noun]

a very good-looking or sexually appealing young man

ambrosia [noun]

a dessert typically made with fruits such as oranges and bananas, often mixed with shredded coconut and sometimes whipped cream

Ex: She prepared ambrosia as a refreshing summer dessert .
charisma [noun]

a compelling charm or attractiveness that inspires devotion and enthusiasm in others

Ex: A good salesperson needs both knowledge and charisma to succeed .
colossal [adjective]

extremely large in size or scale

Ex: The storm brought a colossal wave that crashed against the shore , leaving a powerful impact .
cosmos [noun]

the universe, particularly when it is thought of as a systematic whole

Ex: Astronomers use telescopes to observe distant phenomena in the cosmos .
erotic [adjective]

relating to or causing sexual arousal or excitement

Ex: Tim appreciates the artistic expression of erotic paintings , finding beauty in the human form .
eureka [interjection]

used to express sudden realization, discovery, or enlightenment

Ex:
marathon [noun]

a running race of 26 miles or 42 kilometers

Ex: A sudden injury forced her to withdraw from the marathon .
mentor [noun]

a reliable and experienced person who helps those with less experience

Ex: As a young entrepreneur , she sought guidance from an experienced mentor who helped her navigate the challenges of starting a business .

a psychological trait or personality disorder where someone is excessively self-centered and believes they are superior to others

Ex: She struggled to maintain relationships due to her extreme narcissism , as she often prioritized her own needs above those of others .
nectar [noun]

the sweet juice from fruits, often undiluted and pure

Ex: Their brand of nectar is popular because it contains no added sugars ; it 's just pure fruit juice .
nemesis [noun]

a formidable opponent or persistent force that causes misery, defeat, or downfall

Ex: Drought proved to be the nemesis of the farming community , leading to widespread famine .
odyssey [noun]

a long wandering and eventful journey