4. Fall over oneself (v) – to be very eager to do something
Example: Publishers are failing over themselves to produce non-fiction for seven-year-olds 5. Boast (v) – to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you own (C2)
Example: He didn’t talk about his exam results in case people thought he was boasting 6. Outfit (n) – a set of clothes for a particular occasion or activity
Example: I have got a cowboy outfit for the fancy dress party 7. Bizarre (adj) – very strange and unusual (B2)
Example: a bizarre situation 8. Outrage (v) – to cause someone feel very angry, shocked, or upset
Example: Local people were outraged at the bombing 9. Ride high on – when something important, such as your reputation or money, rides on a particular person or thing, it will be won or achieved if that person or thing is successful
Example: The future of the company now rides on the new managing director 10. Folly (n) – the fact of being stupid, or a stupid action, idea
Example: She said that the idea was folly 11. Inquiry (n) – an official process to discover the facts about something bad that has happened (C2)
Example: Citizens have demanded a full inquiry into the government’s handling of the epidemic 12. Surreal (adj) – strange, not seeming real; like a dream
Example: Driving through the total darkness was a slightly surreal experience 13. Peculiar (adj) – unusual and strange, sometimes in an unpleasant way
Example: She has the most peculiar ideas 14. Lucrative (adj) – (especially of a business, job, activity) producing a lot of money (C2)
Example: The merger proved to be very lucrative for both companies 15. Threaten (v) – to be likely to cause harm or damage to someone or something (C1)
Example: Changing patterns of agriculture are threatening the countryside 16. Whim (n) – a sudden wish or idea, especially one that cannot be reasonably explained (C2)
Example: We booked the holiday on a whim
