Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Words for better Communication Skills

These words have been collected by my student for better communication skills

741. ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE
- do something to make a bad situation worse
I would like to do something to help, but I don't want to add fuel
to the fire.

742. HOLISTIC (how'listik) Adjective
- Emphasizing the importance of the
whole and the interdependence of its parts

A holistic approach adopted by that firm to equate the brand
importance of their positioning in the market.



743. AGAINST THE CLOCK Adverb
- working hard to finish by a certain time
We worked against the clock all day to get this report done by 5PM.


744. SPINSTER (spinstu(r)) Noun
- An unmarried woman, usually of past marriageable age
Though she is the eldest of all her sisters, she prefers to remain
a spinster till all her sisters get married.


745. GOING AGAINST THE GRAIN
- making things difficult by acting against
the wishes of others

I jog at this track everyday and there is always that one guy who
has to go against the grain and run in the opposite direction


746. TURBID (turbid) Adjective
- Muddy and cloudy (of liquids)
The excessive growth of algae in the pond has made its otherwise
clean water turbid; it is no more suitable for any purpose other than
washing.



747. ALL BARK AND NO BITE
- acting aggressive but not willing to fight
He threatened me by saying that he would do mysterious deeds, but I
know he won't do anything; he is all bark and no bite.


748. UNFROCK (un'frok) Verb
- To strip a priest or minister of church
authority
The minister was unfrocked in public for his involvement in the
scandal.


749. ALL GREEK
- I don't understand it at all
Did you understand what he just said?" Reply: "Nope. It was all
Greek to me


750. WANTON (wont'(u)n) Adjective, Noun & Verb
- Showing complete lack of
purpose or care

He was rather disturbed because of the wanton ways of his only son,
who was just not willing to accept any responsibility in the family
business.


751. ALL IN THE SAME BOAT
- facing the same challenges and needing to work
together

We can't fight against each other; we need to work together. We're
all in the same boat


752. APPOSITE (apuzit) Adjective
- Highly pertinent or relevant
Even though his remark was not very diplomatic, it was quite
apposite in the given situation.


753. ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD
- it may not be as valuable as it seems
Be careful when shopping for your new car; all that glitters is not
gold.


754. BALEFUL (beylful) Adjective
- Dangerous and sinister, Destructive
The little child felt threatened by the baleful looks of the old
man, and immediately rushed to the comforting arms of her mother.


755. ALL THUMBS
- awkward in handling things
Hey! You are pouring my coffee on the table!" Reply: "Oh, I'm so
sorry! I have been all thumbs today.


756. CHAFF (chaf) Noun
- Separated grain-husks, Chopped hay and straw,
Worthless stuff
The farmers in northern India have a rather elaborate procedure of
separating the grain from the chaff.


757. AN ARM AND A LEG
- a high price to pay
Be careful with that watch; it cost me an arm and a leg.


758. DECELERATE (dee'selu'reyt)
Verb - Make slower
The doctor said that his hectic pace of life was the main reason
for the stress he was facing, and advised him to decelerate and take things
easier.


759. AN AXE TO GRIND
- you plan to express your anger to that person
I have an axe to grind with you." Answer: "Oh no; what did I do
wrong?

760. ERODE (i'rowd) Verb
- To wear or be worn away gradually
All dwellings near the sea are being broken down because of the
coast, which is gradually being eroded by the lapping waves.

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