Negative situations and feelings ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

 

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 59

Negative situations and feelings

A	Common problems and difficulties I had a nasty shock when Janelle came home yesterday with a black eye. Billy hit his sister in a fit of jealousy. I feel sick with worry / I’m worried sick every time Rosie goes out on her motorbike. Josh has come up with another harebrained scheme to make money. It will no doubt fail, just like the last one. [crazy plan] His teacher’s unkind remarks have shattered Tom’s confidence. [made him lose all his confidence] I took exception to my mother-in-law’s unfair comments. [objected to, was annoyed by] The thought of having visitors to stay for a whole month fills me with dread. [makes me feel very upset and worried about something in the future] The little boy gave vent to his frustration by scribbling all over the wall. [expressed his feelings of frustration; give vent to is used only about negative feelings] I tried to persuade her to go to university, but in the end I had to admit defeat. [accept that I would not succeed] If you bottle up your feelings, you’ll only increase your stress levels. [don’t express your feelings; make yourself feel more stressed]
B	International problems There was an outpouring of grief1 this morning when the death of King Alexander was announced. The country is still in a state of shock after his wife, Queen Dorina, died suddenly last month and there is a feeling that the King’s own inconsolable grief may have hastened his death2. There is now a threat of civil war hanging over the country as much of the population has an intense dislike of the late King’s eldest son. 1 widespread expression of sadness caused by someone’s death 2 made him die sooner Many reporters are today criticising the President of the Northern Republic for a lapse of judgement3 with regard to the disparaging remarks4 he made in a public speech yesterday about the government of the Southern Republic. His comments have fuelled fears5 that the Southern Republic may retaliate with more than just words. Sources close to the President of the Southern Republic said last night that their country has long experience of suffering rough treatment at the hands of the Northern Republic and that they had been left with little alternative but to take decisive action to put an end to its president’s habit of hurling insults at them. Taking a further sideswipe6 at the Southern Republic this morning in an interview with morning television, the President of the Northern Republic said that it was a laughable idea that a disorganised country like the Southern Republic could pose a threat of any real significance to the likes of the Northern Republic. Many suspect, however, that the Northern Republic may finally be in for a shock7. 3 poor judgement 4 unpleasant comments 5 made people feel more afraid 6 making a critical remark about one thing while talking about something else 7 get a nasty surprise
	Common mistakes We say absolutely furious, NOT very furious.

EXERCISES

59.1	Complete the paragraph using words from A. Jeremy is always full of (1) _______ schemes. I used to try to persuade him out of them but I’ve long since (2) _______ defeat. It only increased my stress (3) _______ and it didn’t make any difference to his behaviour. Now, if I (4) _______ exception to any of his ideas, I just (5) _______ up my feelings and let him get on with it. But, if things get really bad, I give (6) _______ to my frustration by going to the gym and taking it out on the punch-bag.
59.2	Choose the correct collocation. 1 When asked about his own party’s transport policies, the candidate ________ a sideswipe at his opponent by mentioning the recent rail strikes. A made B did C took D gave 2 The threat of redundancy is ________ over everyone at the factory. A hanging B holding C keeping D swinging 3 I wish he wouldn’t make such unkind and ________ remarks. A lapse B disparaging C inconsolable D rough 4 I’m afraid you may be ________ for a bit of a shock. A out B on C in D up 5 Henry never says anything sensible – his ideas are all quite ________. A laughing B laughs C laughter D laughable 6 I hope you didn’t ________ exception to any of my comments. A find B take C make D put
59.3	Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets. 1 Catching a bug while he was in hospital meant the old man died sooner than he would otherwise have done. (HASTENED) 2 Cinderella was treated very badly by her wicked stepmother. (SUFFER) 3 A large number of the public expressed its grief when the film star died. (OUTPOURING) 4 The accident has made people feel more afraid with regard to safety on the railways. (FUELLED) 5 Because of their behaviour our only alternative is to boycott their goods. (LEFT) 6 It was unwise of him to act as he did. (LAPSE) 7 I was extremely worried when Dad was having his operation. (SICK) 8 It’s better to give vent to your feelings. (BOTTLE)
59.4	Use a dictionary such as the Cambridge Online Dictionary to find two ways of completing each of these collocations – one from the unit and one more. 1 a fit of ___________________________ 2 to shatter ___________________________ 3 to fill someone with ___________________________ 4 to hurl ___________________________ at someone 5 in a state of ___________________________ 6 pose a ___________________________ 7 a lapse of___________________________ 8 an intense ___________________________

ANSWER KEY

59.1 1 harebrained 2 admitted 3 levels 4 take 5 bottle 6 vent   59.2 1 C 2 A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6 B   59.3 1 Catching a bug while he was in hospital hastened the old man’s death / the death of the old man. 2 Cinderella suffered (very rough treatment) at the hands of her wicked stepmother. 3 There was a public outpouring of grief when the film star died. 4 The accident has fuelled fears about / with regard to safety on the railways. 5 Because of their behaviour we are left with little/no alternative but to boycott their goods. 6 It was a lapse of judgement for him to act as he did. 7 I was sick with worry / worried sick when Dad was having his operation. 8 It’s better not to bottle up your feelings.   59.4 1 a fit of … jealousy / temper / anger / sneezing 2 to shatter … someone’s confidence / illusions / the peace 3 to fill someone with … dread / joy / foreboding / horror 4 to hurl … an object / insults / abuse / stones at someone 5 in a state of … confusion / shock / euphoria / emergency 6 to pose a … threat / problem / challenge / danger 7 a lapse of … judgement / time / concentration 8 an intense … dislike / fear / loathing