lesseon one

A show of hand
to make your true power or intentions clear, especially after you have been keeping them secret:
To put your best foot forward
to try to be polite, helpful etc. so that other people will have a good opinion of you from the beginning
Darg one's feet
INFORMAL to take too much time to do something because you do not want to do it:
• The police have been accused of dragging their feet on the investigation.
To break your ties or your links or connection
to end your connection or relationship with a person, group, organization etc.:
• I broke all my ties with my father years ago
Hang your head

to look ashamed and embarrassed:
• Kevin hung his head and left the room in silence.
Adequate
adverb
1 an adequate amount is enough for a particular purpose:
• Hardin's campaign did not have adequate funds to broadcast any ads on television. [+ for]:
• The earlier electric car's range of 50 miles was not adequate for suburban driving.
2 good enough in quality for a particular purpose or activity:
• Most people eat an adequate diet. [adequate to do sth]:
• The safety procedures are adequate to protect public health. [+ for]:
• Parents should ask whether the school's facilities are adequate for their children's needs.
3 fairly good, but not excellent:
• Redman's performance was adequate, though it lacked originality.
adequately adverb:
• She wasn't adequately insured.
adequacy noun [U]
Theology
noun plural theologies
1 [U] the study of religion and religious ideas and beliefs:
• He studied theology at college.
2 [C,U] a particular system of religious beliefs and ideas:
• According to Muslim theology there is only one God.
theological adjective:
• theological traditions
theologically adverb
Rip off
noun [C] SPOKEN
1 something that is expensive in a way that is unreasonable:
• We shouldn't have gone there - it was such a rip-off.
2 music, art, movies etc. that are rip-offs copy something else without admitting this:
• This band is nothing but a Pearl Jam rip-off, with no original sound of its own. --see also rip off (RIP1)
Tear
noun

[C] a drop of salty liquid that flows from your eye when you are crying:
• Is that a tear on your face?
• tear-stained cheeks
• Things were so bad at work, I would often come home in tears (= crying).
• When you see a grown man burst into tears (= suddenly start crying), you know something is wrong.
• In court Burg broke down in tears (= started crying) while reading the statement.
• Fighting back tears (= trying very hard not to cry), she kissed her son goodbye.
• I could tell you stories that would bring tears to your eyes (= make you almost cry).
• He's a tough director who can easily reduce actors to tears (= make someone cry, especially by being unkind to them).
• We're not shedding any tears (= crying because we are sad) over his resignation.
• tears of joy/anger/sadness etc.: Tears of gratitude shone in his eyes.
• be close to tears/be on the verge of tears (= be almost crying) --see also crocodile tears (CROCODILE (3))

Tear
verb past tense tore past participle torn
1 PAPER/CLOTH
a) [T] to damage something such as paper or cloth by pulling it too hard or letting it touch something sharp:
• How did you tear your pocket?
• Don't tear pages out of the book.
• I tore a hole in my new blouse.
• Celia grabbed the envelope and tore it open.
b) [I] if paper or cloth tears, a hole appears in it, or it splits, because it has been pulled too hard or has touched something sharp:
• Careful - the paper is very old and tears easily.
2 REMOVE STH [T always + adv./prep.] to pull something violently from the place where it is attached or held [tear sth from/away/off etc.]:
• After tearing the gold chain off the victim's neck, the mugger ran away.
• The impact tore loose the rear engine of the plane.
3 MOVE QUICKLY [I always + adv./prep.] to move somewhere very quickly, especially in a dangerous or careless way [+ away/up/past etc.]:
• Would you kids stop tearing around the house?
4 tear sb/sth to shreds/pieces
a) to tear something into very small pieces:
• Male Siamese fighting fish will tear each other's fins to shreds.
b) to criticize someone or something very severely:
• In the end the prosecutor's case was torn to shreds by Russell's lawyer.
5 MUSCLE [T] to damage a muscle or LIGAMENT (= a strong band connected to your muscles)
6 tear sb limb from limb to attack someone in a very violent way, or tear their body apart:
• Garcia's opponents are angry enough to tear him limb from limb. --see also tear/pull your hair out (HAIR (5)) tear/rip sb's heart out (HEART (10)), TORN2
tear sb/sth apart phrasal verb [T]
1 to break something into many small pieces, especially in a violent way:
• Two tornadoes tore apart airplanes at the small airport.
2 to make an organization, group etc. start having problems:
• Disagreement over the minister is tearing our church apart.
3 to make someone feel extremely unhappy or upset:
• It would tear me apart to see one of my kids suffer like that.
4 to make a close relationship between two or more people end in a sad way, especially by making one person move away:
• War tore the family apart.
5 to criticize someone very strongly:
• My Dad didn't like him and just tore him apart.
tear at sb/sth phrasal verb [T]
to pull violently at someone or something:
• The children were screaming and tearing at each other's hair.
tear sb away phrasal verb [T]
1 tear yourself away to leave a place or stop doing something when you do not really want to [+ from]:
• We're going to a movie if she ever tears herself away from that computer.
2 to persuade or force someone to leave a place or stop doing something, when they do not want to leave
tear sth <-> down phrasal verb [T]
to knock down a large building or part of a building:
• They're finally tearing down that old house on State Street.
tear into sb/sth phrasal verb [T not in passive]
1 to attack someone, especially by hitting them very hard:
• The Steelers tore into the Patriots, winning 37-20.
2 to start doing something with a lot of energy:
• "This looks great!" Jen said, tearing into her dinner.
3 to criticize someone very strongly, especially unfairly:
• Then Bob started tearing into her for spending money.
tear sth<-> off phrasal verb
to remove your clothes as quickly as you can:
• Kelly tore off his shirt and jumped in the pool.
tear sb/sth up phrasal verb [T]
1 [tear sth<-> up] to destroy a piece of paper or cloth by tearing it into small pieces:
• Tear up the check before you throw it away.
2 [tear sth<-> up] to break the surface of a street or area of land into small pieces and make it rough:
• People couldn't get there because the streets were torn up.
3 [tear sb up] to make someone feel extremely unhappy or upset:
• When I hear people criticize the food we serve, it just tears me up.
4 [tear sth<-> up] to damage or ruin a place, especially by behaving violently:
• Kari tore up the apartment looking for her keys.
5 tear up an agreement/contract etc. to suddenly decide to stop being restricted by a contract etc.
Tear
noun
a hole in a piece of cloth, paper etc. where it has been torn --see also wear and tear (WEAR2 (4))
Tear
verb
if your eyes tear, they produce tears because it is cold, you are sick etc.
tear up phrasal verb [I]
to almost start crying:
• Ed teared up when he talked about his father.
Mend your ways

to improve the way you behave after behaving badly for a long time:
• The Communist Party committees tried to 're-educate' him but he refused to mend his ways.
mend relations/ties etc
if two people or groups mend their relations etc., they start to be friendly with each other again:
• Whether McCain and the committee can mend their relationship is still uncertain.
To be on the mend
to be getting better after an illness or after a difficult period:
• Ron's still taking medication, but he's on the mend.
• Increased sales are a sign that the housing market is on the mend.
Fix
verb
1 REPAIR to repair something that is broken or not working correctly:
• Gale waited while Seldon fixed the projector.
2 PREPARE to prepare a meal or drinks:
• I have to fix supper now. [fix sb sth]:
• Sit down. I'll fix you a martini.
3 fix a time/day/place etc. to decide on a particular time etc. when something will happen:
• Have you fixed a date for the wedding yet?
4 LIMIT to decide on a limit for something, especially prices, costs etc., so that they do not change [+ at]:
• The interest rate has been fixed at 6.5%.
5 ARRANGE also fix up to make arrangements for something:
• If you want a chance to meet the Senator, I can fix it.
6 HAIR/FACE to make your hair or MAKEUP look neat and attractive:
• Let me fix my hair first and then we can go.
• Terry was in the bathroom, fixing her face (= putting makeup on it to make it look attractive).
7 ATTACH to attach something firmly to something else, so that it stays there permanently [fix sth to/on sth]:
• We fixed the shelves to the wall with steel bolts.
8 CAT/DOG INFORMAL to do a medical operation on a cat or dog so that it cannot have babies
9 RESULT to make dishonest arrangements so that an election, game etc. has the result that you want:
• If you ask me, the whole thing was fixed.
10 INJURY INFORMAL to treat an injury on your body so that it is completely better:
• The doctors don't know if they can fix my kneecap.
11 PUNISH SPOKEN to harm or punish someone for something they have done:
• I'll fix her! Just you wait!
12 fix your attention/eyes/mind etc. on sb/sth to think about or look at someone or something carefully:
• All eyes were fixed on Mayor Wilkins as he walked into the crowded room.
13 fix sb with a stare/glare/look etc. to look directly into someone's eyes for a long time:
• Rachel fixed him with an icy stare.
14 be fixing to do sth SPOKEN, INFORMAL to prepare to do something:
• I'm fixing to go to the store. Do you need anything?
15 PAINTINGS/PHOTOGRAPHS to use a chemical process on paintings, photographs etc. that makes the colors or images permanent
fix on sth/sb phrasal verb [T]
to choose an appropriate thing or person, especially after thinking about it carefully:
• We've finally fixed on a date for the family reunion.
fix up phrasal verb [T]
1 [fix sth <-> up] to make a place look attractive by doing small repairs, decorating it again etc.:
• The landlord refused to fix up the property, even after repeated warnings.
2 [fix sb <-> up] INFORMAL to find a romantic partner for someone:
• Dean fixed him up with a girl from his class.
3 [fix sb <-> up] to provide someone with something they want: [+ with]:
• Can you fix me up with a bed for the night?

Fix
noun

1 [C, usually singular] an amount of something, such as an illegal drug, that you often use and badly want:
• I need to have my coffee fix in the morning before I speak to anyone.
• The streets are filled with drug addicts looking for a fix.
2 be in a fix to have a problem that is difficult to solve:
• We're going to be in a real fix if we miss the last bus.
3 get a fix on sb/sth
a) to find out exactly where someone or something is:
• Have you managed to get a fix on the plane's position?
b) to understand what someone or something is really like:
• I sat there, trying to get a fix on the situation.
4 [singular] something that has been dishonestly arranged:
• The election was a fix! --see also a quick fix (QUICK1 (3))

Bulge
N
noun [C]
1 a curved MASS on the surface of something, usually caused by something under or inside it:
• The store detective had noticed an odd bulge under the suspect's clothes.
2 a sudden temporary increase in the amount or level of something:
• a bulge in the birthrate
bulgy adjective --see also battle of the bulge (BATTLE1)
Bulge
Verb

1 also bulge out to stick out in a rounded shape, especially because something is very full or too tight [+ with]:
• His pockets were bulging with candy.
2 [+ with] INFORMAL to be very full of people or things

Cram
verb

1 [T always + adv./prep.] to force something into a small space [cram sth into/onto etc.]:
• I managed to cram all my stuff into the closet. [cram sth with sth]:
• Cars crammed with belongings left the disaster area.
2 [T often passive] to fill an area with too many people [cram sth with sb]:
• Store aisles were crammed with people looking for last minute gifts.
3 [I] to prepare yourself for a test by learning a lot of information very quickly:
• I've procrastinated all semester, so I have a lot of cramming to do. [cram for sth]:
• I have to cram for my chemistry test tomorrow.
Crammed
adjective
completely full of things or people:
• How can children learn in crammed classrooms?
Pack
1 BOXES, CASES ETC. [I,T]
a) to fill a suitcase, box etc. with things:
• Why do you always pack at the last minute?
• Brent had to pack a suitcase and get to the airport in under an hour.
b) to put things in boxes or suitcases:
• Don't forget to pack your swimming suit.
• Can you pack the kids' lunches?
2 LARGE CROWD [I always + adv./prep., T] to go in large numbers into a space that is not big enough, or to make a lot of people or things do this:
• More than 50,000 fans packed into the stadium.
• Tourists in North Carolina packed ferries to flee the Outer Banks.
3 PROTECT STH [T] to cover, fill, or surround something closely with material to protect it:
• Pack the knee with ice to reduce swelling.
4 SNOW/SOIL ETC. [T] to press soil, snow etc. down firmly [pack sth into/down etc.]:
• Kenny packed the snow into a perfect snowball.
5 FOOD [T] to prepare food, especially meat, and put it into containers for preserving or selling:
• The tuna is packed in oil.
• a meat packing factory
6 pack your bags INFORMAL to leave a place and not return, especially because of a disagreement:
• She should pack her bags and go back where she came from.
7 pack a committee/jury/meeting etc. to secretly and dishonestly arrange for a group to be filled with people who support you:
• The President tried to pack the court with conservatives.
8 pack a gun/heat/a piece SLANG to carry a gun
9 pack a punch/wallop INFORMAL
a) to have a strong effect:
• Black Star promises to pack more punch than Budweiser.
• The play was written 30 years ago, but it still packs emotional wallop.
b) to be able to hit another person hard in a fight --see also send sb packing (SEND (11))
pack sth<-> away phrasal verb [T]
to put something back in a box, case etc. where it is usually kept:
• I let the engine run while I packed the tools away.
pack sb/sth in phrasal verb [T]
1 pack them in INFORMAL to attract a lot of people:
• Diana Ross can still pack them in.
2 [pack sb/sth<-> in] to fit a lot of people, things, activities etc. into a limited space or a limited period of time:
• There's not enough space in back to consider packing in three adults.
3 pack it in INFORMAL to stop doing something, especially a job, that is not making you feel happy or satisfied:
• I'm still frustrated, but I'm not ready to pack it in yet.
pack sth into sth phrasal verb [T]
to fit a lot of something into a limited space, place, or period of time:
• We packed a lot of sightseeing into two weeks.
pack sb off phrasal verb [T] INFORMAL
to send someone away quickly because you want to get rid of them [+ to]:
• Our folks used to pack us off to camp every summer.
pack up phrasal verb
1 [I,T] to put things into boxes, suitcases, bags etc. in order to take or store them somewhere:
• When I got home, Sally and the kids were packing up. [pack sth<-> up]:
• Shannon packed up her belongings and left.
2 [I] INFORMAL to finish work:
• I think I'll pack up and go home early.

Pack
noun
1 SMALL CONTAINER a small container made of paper, CARDBOARD etc., with a set of things in it, especially things that are sold together in this way:
• Susan took a mint out of the pack. [+ of]:
• a pack of cigarettes
2 GROUP OF ANIMALS a group of wild animals that live and hunt together, or a group of dogs trained together for hunting:
• a wolf pack [+ of]:
• a pack of hounds
3 GROUP OF PEOPLE a group of people who do something together, especially a group who you do not approve of [+ of]:
• The hostages had to face a pack of reporters and photographers.
4 THINGS WRAPPED TOGETHER several things wrapped or tied together or put in a case, to make them easy to carry, sell, or give to someone:
• a video gift pack
• a six-pack of beer
5 BAG a BACKPACK1 --see also FANNY PACK
6 CARDS also pack of cards a complete set of playing cards; DECK
7 be a pack of lies INFORMAL to be completely untrue:
• White said the charges against him were "a pack of lies."
8 Cub/Brownie pack a group of children belonging to a children's organization --see also BROWNIE, CUB SCOUT
9 MILITARY a group of aircraft, SUBMARINEs etc. that fight the enemy together
10 ON A WOUND a thick mass of soft cloth that you press on a wound to stop the flow of blood --see also ICE PACK, MUDPACK
Package
1 the box, bag, or other container that food is put in to be sold:
• The cooking instructions are on the package. [+ of]:
• a package of frozen spinach
2 something packed together firmly or packed in a box and wrapped in paper, especially for mailing:
• The mailman left a package for you at our house.
3 a set of related things or services that are sold or offered together:
• a new software package
Package
1 to put something in a special package, especially to be sent or sold:
• The cocaine was already packaged and ready to be shipped to the U.S.
2 to try to make a person, idea, or product seem interesting or attractive so that people will like them or want them:
• Martin's manager had packaged him to appeal to teenage girls.
Package tour
a completely planned vacation arranged by a company at a particular price, which includes travel, hotels, meals etc.

Stuff
noun
1 SUBSTANCE [U] INFORMAL a type of substance or material:
• That stuff stinks.
• I've got some sort of sticky stuff on my shoe.
2 THINGS [U] INFORMAL a number of different things:
• They sent me a bunch of stuff about the university.
3 SUBJECT INFORMAL [U] the subject of something such as a book, television program, lesson etc.:
• What kind of stuff did they teach you there?
4 ACTIVITIES [U] INFORMAL all the activities that someone does:
• I've got so much stuff to do this weekend.
5 sb's stuff INFORMAL things that belong to someone:
• You can put your stuff over here for now.
6 do/show your stuff SPOKEN to do what you are good at when everyone wants you to do it:
• It's amazing to watch him do his stuff on the basketball court.
7 the stuff of dreams/fantasy/novels etc. exactly the kind of thing that dreams, FANTASY, NOVELs etc. consist of:
• What Johnson did at the Olympics is the stuff of legend.
8 CHARACTER [U] INFORMAL the qualities of someone's character:
• Becky's got the right stuff (= qualities that make her able to deal with difficulties) for becoming a good doctor.
• I thought you were made of sterner stuff (= more determined) - don't just give up. --see also hot stuff (HOT (14)) kid stuff (KID1 (4)) know your stuff (KNOW1 (50)) strut your stuff (STRUT1)

Stuff
verb
1 PUSH [T always + adv./prep.] to push or put something into a small space, especially in a careless hurried way [stuff sth into/in/up etc. sth]:
• She just stuffed all her dirty clothes under the bed. [stuff sth with sth]:
• Dad had stuffed the cigar boxes with old pictures.:
• The trunk was stuffed full of old tires.
2 FILL [T] to fill something with soft material [stuff sth with sth]:
• The sleeping bag is stuffed with polyester fibers.
3 FOOD [T] to fill a chicken, TOMATO etc. with a mixture of bread or rice, onion etc.:
• Could you help me stuff these peppers?
4 DEAD ANIMAL [T] to fill the skin of a dead animal in order to make the animal look alive:
• He had the fish stuffed to put on the wall in his office.
5 stuff yourself also stuff your face INFORMAL to eat so much food that you cannot eat anything else [+ with]:
• Dean stuffed his face with pizza.
6 sb can stuff sth (up their ass) VULGAR used to say very angrily or rudely that you do not want what someone is offering:
• You can stuff your money - I don't need your help.

Tuck
verb

1 [always + adv./prep.] to push the edge of a piece of cloth or paper into something so that it looks neater or stays in place:
• tuck sth in/into/under: Tuck your shirt in!
2 [always + adv./prep.] to put something into a small space, especially in order to protect or hide it [tuck sth behind/under/into sth]:
• She tucked the bottle under her jacket and walked out of the store.
• Aidan sat with his knees tucked under his chin.
3 to put a TUCK (= a special fold)in a piece of clothing
tuck sth <-> away phrasal verb [T]
1 be tucked away
a) if a place is tucked away, it is in a quiet area:
• The campground is tucked away in a valley.
b) if someone or something is tucked away, they are hidden or difficult to find:
• Nell's private letters were tucked away in a box in the attic.
2 to store something, such as money or information, in a safe place:
• I tucked the idea away in the back of my mind for future thought.
tuck sb/sth<-> in phrasal verb [T]
1 to make a child comfortable in bed by arranging the sheets around them:
• I'll come up and tuck you in in a minute.
2 to move a part of your body in so that it does not stick out so much:
• Stand up slowly, keeping your chin tucked in.

Tuck
noun
1 [C] a narrow flat fold of cloth sewn into a piece of clothing for decoration or to give it a special shape
2 [C] a small medical operation done to make your face or stomach look flatter and younger:
• Rivers has had a face-lift and a tummy tuck (= an operation to make her stomach flatter).

kid stuff also kids' stuff
INFORMAL something that is very easy, boring, or not very serious:
• Baseball cards aren't just kid stuff anymore - there's serious money involved