Friday, January 22, 2010

ESL 5 Summary of Vocabulary/Idioms Jan 16-22, 2010


VOANews: Obama Seeks Limits on Banks, Condemns Campaign Finance Ruling

The proposals came the same week as he marked his first year as president and his party lost an important Senate seat. Also, the Supreme Court eased political spending limits on corporations.



  1. 3-D TV / three-dimensional television

  2. aid package

  3. annual fee

  4. approval ratings

  5. ardent supporters

  6. budget

  7. calculate

  8. clients

  9. corrupt / graft / bribes

  10. defects / defective

  11. domestic and international affairs

  12. expenses / monthly expenses

  13. faltering economy

  14. filibuster (unlimited debate)

  15. financial crisis <> financial reform

  16. financial planner

  17. first-time homeowner

  18. frequent flyer miles

  19. fundamental shift

  20. government-insured deposits

  21. Governor / Lt. Governor / Attorney General

  22. grace period

  23. hedge funds

  24. humanitarian spirit

  25. independent voters

  26. letter of complaint

  27. low introductory rate

  28. low-ball offer

  29. master suite

  30. mortgage-related securities

  31. MP3 (audio) MP4 (video)

  32. MP5 player (multiple media)

  33. mudslide

  34. penalty

  35. photo op / photo opportunity

  36. political campaigns

  37. private equity fund

  38. real estate agent

  39. relief effort

  40. respond / responsive / responsible

  41. risky investments

  42. smartphone / superphone

  43. state of emergency

  44. tablet

  45. three-bedroom home

  46. to adjust

  47. to afford / affordable

  48. to bar

  49. to demonstrate (demo)

  50. to hire

  51. to inspector / inspector

  52. to itemize

  53. to keep track of

  54. to make a deal

  55. to negotiate

  56. to re-energize

  57. to refund

  58. to resonate

  59. to stick to

  60. to violate

  61. track home / ranch home

  62. ulterior motive

  63. voice-activated systems

  64. warranty / extended warranty