Mastering Advanced English: Essential Vocabulary, Idioms, and Phrasal Verbs

Essential English Vocabulary for Advanced Learners

• Diagnosis, Circulation, Burglar, Demolition, Spotless, Congested, Affluent, Attempt, Live, Buzz, Voice, Trap, Housing, Urban, Rough, Good deed, Full, Small.
• Standards, Officer, Appalling, Thrilled, Inflation, Condition, Rep (Representative/Reputation), Scheme, Abolish, Abolition, Fraudulent, Heavy, Stereotype, Bemused, Steep, Assume, Commerce, Soak, Increase, Struck, Work, Get, Rip, Tackle.
• Close-knit, Heavy, Long, Quick, Verbal, Diverse, Central, False, Running elite, Safety pin, Power drill, Latest craze, Corruption, Punishment, Evasion, Happen, Commit, Protect, Attempt, Carry, Rant, Cynic, Incompetent, Amicable, Annul, Trashed, Instigate, Chronic, Shoulder, Award, File, Throw, Drift, Pay, Has, Hold.
• Backdrop, Grounds, Friend, Rivalry, Home, Tendencies, Traits, Do something for the sake of it, On a moral burden, Joint custody, Beg for mercy, A heavy burden, The heir to the throne, A mutual agreement, Overwhelming, Portrayed, Endorsed, Commentating, Slavery, Soared, Bits, Head, Stitches, Turning, Revolve, Due, Take, Play, Halt, Burst, Write, Make.
• Across-the-board, Figure, Details, Host, System, Beliefs, Imagination, Interest, A trade union, A fairy tale, Go on display, The main protagonist, Information overload, Love conquers all, A wealth of information, Delegation, Eagerly, Network, Backing, Redundant, Discrimination, Substantial, Technically.
• Question, Weight, Leg, Wheels, Ropes, Sound, Haul, Miss, Tribunal, Prices, Leave, Dismissal, Impact, Formality, Claim, Deadlines, Occurrence, Discrimination, Decision, Notice, Leave, Duty, Incentive, Projection, Repayments, Authorisation, Consolidation, Terminated, Jeopardy, Pursuit, Robbery, Sink, Err, Seal, Put, Boost, Chair, Rise, Limit, Group, Line, Pitch, Downturn, Margin, Market.

Common English Idioms and Expressions

These expressions are vital for understanding native speakers and adding nuance to your communication:

• Rolling in money: Very wealthy.
• Give or take: Approximately.
• The spitting image: An exact likeness.
• Long and hard: Thinking seriously for a long time.
• Spread like wildfire: To spread very quickly.
• Here and there: In various places.
• Now and then: Occasionally.
• By and large: Generally speaking.
• Close to the bone: A remark that is accurate but causes offense.
• Be getting on: To be getting old or late.
• Be hard work: To be difficult or demanding.
• Cover a multitude of sins: To hide many faults.
• Full of yourself: Vain or conceited.
• Hit it off: To get along well immediately.
• Not lift a finger: To do nothing to help.
• Not mince your words: To speak directly and plainly.
• Out of the blue: Unexpectedly.
• Put your foot down: To assert one's authority firmly.
• Set your heart on: To strongly desire something.
• Stab someone in the back: To betray someone.
• Take it all in your stride: To handle difficulties calmly.
• In bits: Extremely upset.
• In stitches: Laughing uncontrollably.
• Off your head: Crazy or irrational.
• On top of things: In control of a situation.
• Take the mickey: To tease or mock.
• Too much on: Having too many commitments.
• Toss and turn: To move restlessly while sleeping.
• Begs the question: Raises an obvious question.
• Pull your weight: To do your fair share of work.
• Pulling your leg: Teasing or joking.
• Set the wheels in motion: To start a process.
• Show you the ropes: To teach someone how to do a job.
• Be in a hole: To be in a difficult situation.
• Be on the cards: Likely to happen.
• Daylight robbery: Gross overcharging.
• In light of this: Considering this information.
• Make a killing: To earn a large profit quickly.
• Not count your chickens before they are hatched: Don't rely on a positive outcome until it actually happens.

Practical English Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs combine a verb with a preposition or adverb, changing the meaning entirely:

• Fall down, Start up, Freak out, Lose out, Come out, Wring out, Get away with, Get through, Bring up, Crack down, Sweep up, Turn out, Stand up, Blow over, Split up, Look after, Go through, Single out, Bring up, Burst out, Live up to, Fed up.
• Venture out, Throw it away, Go off, Drop off, Draw up, Take on, Take off, Passed on, Lay off, Keep up, Pick up, Take on, Pick up, Keep down.