B2 (Upper-intermediate)

brick

brick [noun] (BUILDING BLOCK)

A rectangular block of hard material used for building walls and houses

US /brɪk/ 
UK /brɪk/ 
Example: 

The chimney was made of bricks.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

brick

 noun
a small block of clay (= a type of earth) that has been baked until it is hard. Bricks are used for building:
a brick wall

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

brick

I. brick1 S2 W3 /brɪk/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: brique, from Middle Dutch bricke]
1. [uncountable and countable] a hard block of baked clay used for building walls, houses etc:
a brick wall
a house made of brick
Protesters attacked the police with stones and bricks.
2. bricks and mortar houses – used especially when talking about them as an ↑investment
3. [countable] British English a small square block of wood, plastic etc used as a toy
4. [countable] old-fashioned a good person who you can depend on when you are in trouble
be (like) banging/bashing etc your head against a brick wall at ↑head1(31), ⇨ drop a brick at ↑drop1(27)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

brick

brick [brick bricks bricked bricking] noun, verb   [brɪk]    [brɪk] 

 

noun
1. countable, uncountable baked clay used for building walls, houses and other buildings; an individual block of this
The school is built of brick.
a pile of bricks
a brick wall
see also  red-brick 

2. countable a plastic or wooden block, used as a toy for young children to build things with

3. countable, usually singular (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) a friend that you can rely on when you need help
Thanks for looking after the children today - you're a real brick.
more at like a cat on hot bricks at  cat  n., drop a brick/clanger at  drop  v., be banging, etc. your head against a brick wall at  head  n., like a ton of bricks at  ton  n.  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch bricke, brike; probably reinforced by Old French brique; of unknown ultimate origin.  
Example Bank:
He got a job at the local brick works.
They moved the whole house, brick by brick.
They put an extra course of bricks around the pool.
We rebuilt the fireplace using salvaged bricks.
a house of red brick
houses of brick
investing in bricks and mortar
learning to lay bricks properly
to invest in bricks and mortar
Idioms: bricks and mortar  make bricks without straw  up against a brick wall

Derived: brick something in 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

brick / brɪk / noun [ C ] (BUILDING BLOCK)

brick

B2 a rectangular block of hard material used for building walls and houses:

The chimney was made of bricks.

We lived in a Victorian terrace of red -brick houses.

He was so embarrassed - his face went brick -red (= a dark red) .

→  See also airbrick , red-brick
 

brick / brɪk / noun [ C usually singular ] old-fashioned or humorous (GOOD PERSON)

a very helpful and kind person who can be trusted:

Thanks for bringing all that food along to the party, Tony. You're a brick!

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

brick

[brɪ̱k]
 bricks, bricking, bricked
 1) N-VAR Bricks are rectangular blocks of baked clay used for building walls, which are usually red or brown. Brick is the material made up of these blocks.
  She built bookshelves out of bricks and planks.
  ...a tiny garden surrounded by high brick walls.
 2) N-SING: a N If you say that someone is a brick, you mean that they have helped you or supported you when you were in a difficult situation. [INFORMAL, OLD-FASHIONED]
  You were a brick, a real friend in need.
  Syn:
  pal, mate
 3) PHRASE: V inflects, usu cont If you are banging your head against a brick wall, what you are saying or doing is not having any effect although you keep saying or doing it. [INFORMAL]
  I wanted to sort out this problem with him, but it was like banging my head against a brick wall.
 4) PHRASE: V inflects If you hit a brick wall or come up against a brick wall, you are unable to continue or make progress because something stops you. [INFORMAL]
  After that my career just seemed to hit a brick wall...
  The discussions in Brussels hit a brick wall.
 5) PHRASE You can use bricks and mortar to refer to houses and other buildings, especially when they are considered as an investment.
  Paying rent simply helps to line the pockets of landlords. It's far better to put your money into bricks and mortar of your own...
  As an investment, bricks and mortar are not what they were.
 6) to come down on somebody like a ton of brickssee ton
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - brick up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1brick /ˈbrɪk/ noun, pl bricks
1 a [count] : a small, hard block of baked clay that is used to build structures (such as houses) and sometimes to make streets, paths, etc.
• a pile of bricks
b [noncount] : blocks of baked clay used as building material
• a house made of brick
• Most of the buildings in the town are (made of) brick.
- often used before another noun
• a brick wall/building/oven
• a brick sidewalk
2 [count]
a : a block of something
• a brick of ice cream
• a glass brick
b Brit : a child's toy block
• children playing with wooden bricks
3 [count] informal + somewhat old-fashioned : a helpful or dependable person
• He has been an absolute brick.
bricks and mortar Brit : houses and other buildings especially when people consider buying them because of their possible future value
• Market uncertainties have been driving the rush to invest in bricks and mortar.
- see also brick-and-mortar
drop a brick
- see 2drop
like a ton of bricks informal : very hard or severely
• The loss of his job hit him like a ton of bricks. [=hit him very hard; made him very upset, unhappy, etc.]
• Our boss came down on us like a ton of bricks [=got very angry at us] when he found out we had missed the meeting.

be a matter of principle

be a matter of principle

to be something that you feel you must or must not do, because of your moral principles

Example: 

She couldn’t take the money. It was a matter of principle.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

be a matter of principle

to be something that you feel you must or must not do, because of your moral principles She couldn’t take the money. It was a matter of principle.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

a matter of principle

 noun phrase

Definition of a matter of principle

a situation that requires something be done a certain way because one believes it is the only right wayIt was a matter of principle for her that she pay her own way.As a matter of principle, he would not accept the gift.

shell (sth) out

shell (sth) out [phrasal verb]

to pay or give money for something, usually unwillingly

US /ʃel/ 
UK /ʃel/ 
Usage: 
Example: 

Having shelled out £50 for the tickets, I wasn't going to miss the show.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

shell out (something) phrasal verb informal
to pay a lot of money for something, especially unwillingly:
If you want the repairs done right, you’ll have to shell out at least $800.
shell out (something) for
She ended up shelling out for two rooms.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

shell out (for something)

ˌshell ˈout (for sth) | ˌshell sthˈout (for sth) derived

(informal) to pay a lot of money for sth

Syn:  fork out

The band shelled out $100 000 for a mobile recording studio.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

shell (sth) out informal — phrasal verb with shell / ʃel / verb [ T ]

to pay or give money for something, usually unwillingly:

Having shelled out £50 for the tickets, I wasn't going to miss the show.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

shell out

 PHRASAL VERB
 If you shell out for something, you spend a lot of money on it. [INFORMAL]
  [V P n for/on n] You won't have to shell out a fortune for it...
  [V P n] If I'm shelling out a few hundred pounds, I don't want someone telling me what I can or can't do.
  [V P for/on n] ...an insurance premium which saves you from having to shell out for repairs...
  [V P n to-inf] The very fact that you shelled out money to come and see us is a good sign. [Also V P to-inf]
 Syn:
 fork out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

shell out [phrasal verb] shell out or shell out (money) informal : to pay a large amount of money for something - usually + for
• I'm going to have to shell out for these shoes.
• He shelled out $400 for the tickets.

word of honor

word of honor

a promise that one will do something, that something is true, etc

Example: 

I give you my word of honor that I will pay the money back.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

your word of honour

a very serious promise that what you are saying is true I won’t try to see you again. I give you my word of honour.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

word of honor in American

pledged word; solemn promise; oath

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

word of honor

 noun phrase

Definition of word of honor

a promise that one will do something, that something is true, etc.I give you my word of honor that I will pay the money back.

have (got) your heart set on something

have (got) your heart set on something [idiom]

to want something very much, so that you would be very disappointed if you do not get it

Example: 

She’s got her heart set on ballet lessons.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

have your heart/sights set on something

to want to do something very much, or to be aiming to do something She’s got her heart set on going to France this summer. Don has his sights set on a career in law.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

set your heart on something, have your heart set on something

to want something very muchThey’ve set their heart on a house in the country.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

to want something very much, so that you would be very disappointed if you do not get it:

She’s got her heart set on ballet lessons.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

to set your heart on something

phrase

If you have set your heart on something, you want it very much or want to do it very much.

He had always set his heart on a career in the fine arts.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

have one's heart set on (something)

 idiom

Definition of have one's heart set on (something)

to want something very muchShe has her heart set on a new bicycle.

gimmick

gimmick [noun]

something that is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people's attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something

US /ˈɡɪm.ɪk/ 
UK /ˈɡɪm.ɪk/ 
Usage: 
Example: 

They give away free gifts with children's meals as a sales/marketing gimmick.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

gimmick

gimmick /ˈɡɪmɪk/ BrE AmE noun [countable] informal
a trick or something unusual that you do to make people notice someone or something – used to show disapproval ⇨ stunt:
advertising gimmicks

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

gimmick

gim·mick [gimmick gimmicks]   [ˈɡɪmɪk]    [ˈɡɪmɪk]  noun (often disapproving)
an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy sth
a promotional/publicity/sales gimmick
We don't use gimmicks to sell our products.
Derived Word: gimmicky  
Word Origin:
1920s (originally US): of unknown origin but possibly an approximate anagram of magic, the original sense being ‘a piece of magicians' apparatus’.  
Example Bank:
The promise of lower taxation may have been just an election gimmick to gain votes.

a new gimmick to encourage people to go to the cinema

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

gimmick / ˈɡɪm.ɪk / noun [ C ] mainly disapproving

something that is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people's attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something:

a publicity gimmick

They give away free gifts with children's meals as a sales/marketing gimmick.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

gimmick

[gɪ̱mɪk]
 gimmicks
 N-COUNT (disapproval)
 A gimmick is an unusual and unnecessary feature or action whose purpose is to attract attention or publicity.
  It is just a public relations gimmick...
  The exhibition is informative, up to date, and mercifully free of gimmicks.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

gimmick

gim·mick /ˈgɪmɪk/ noun, pl -micks [count] often disapproving : a method or trick that is used to get people's attention or to sell something
• a marketing gimmick [=ploy]
• The proposal to cut taxes was just an election gimmick to win votes.
- gim·micky /ˈgɪmɪki/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• a flashy, gimmicky movie with no real substance

astronomical

astronomical [adjective] (LARGE)

describes an amount that is extremely large

US /ˌæs.trəˈnɑː.mɪ.kəl/ 
UK /ˌæs.trəˈnɒm.ɪ.kəl/ 
Usage: 
Example: 

an astronomical rent/bill/price/fee

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

astronomical

astronomical /ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkəl◂ $ -ˈnɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
1. informal astronomical prices, costs etc are extremely high
2. [only before noun] relating to the scientific study of the stars
—astronomically /-kli/ adverb:
astronomically high rents
• • •
THESAURUS
expensive costing a lot of money: an expensive car | Apartments in the city are very expensive. | An underground train system is expensive to build.
high costing a lot of money.You use high about rents/fees/prices/costs. Don’t use expensive with these words: Rents are very high in this area. | Lawyers charge high fees. | the high cost of living in Japan
dear [not before noun] British English spoken expensive compared to the usual price: £3.50 seems rather dear for a cup of coffee.
pricey /ˈpraɪsi/ informal expensive: The clothes are beautiful but pricey.
costly expensive in a way that wastes money: Upgrading the system would be very costly. | They were anxious to avoid a costly legal battle.
cost a fortune informal to be very expensive: The necklace must have cost a fortune!
exorbitant /ɪɡˈzɔːbətənt, ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtənt $ -ɔːr-/ much too expensive: Some accountants charge exorbitant fees.
astronomical astronomical prices, costs, and fees are extremely high: the astronomical cost of developing a new spacecraft | the astronomical prices which some people had paid for their seats | The cost of living is astronomical.
overpriced too expensive and not worth the price: The DVDs were vastly overpriced.
somebody can’t afford something someone does not have enough money to buy or do something: Most people can’t afford to send their children to private schools.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

astronomical

astro·nom·ic·al   [ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkl]    [ˌæstrəˈnɑːmɪkl]  adjective
1. connected with astronomy

astronomical observations

2. (also astro·nom·ic) (informal) (of an amount, a price, etc.) very large
the astronomical costs of land for building
The figures are astronomical.
Derived Word: astronomically  
Word Origin:

[astronomical astronomically] mid 16th cent.: via Latin from Greek astronomikos, from astronomia, from Greek, from astronomos (adjective) ‘star-arranging’.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

astronomical / ˌæs.trəˈnɒm.ɪ.k ə l /   / -ˈnɑː.mɪ- / adjective ( also astronomic ) (LARGE)

informal describes an amount that is extremely large:

an astronomical rent/bill/price/fee

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

astronomical

[æ̱strənɒ̱mɪk(ə)l]
 1) ADJ (emphasis) If you describe an amount, especially the cost of something as astronomical, you are emphasizing that it is very large indeed.
  Houses in the village are going for astronomical prices...
  The cost will be astronomical.
  Derived words:
  astronomically [æ̱strənɒ̱mɪkli] ADV ADV adj, ADV after v He was astronomically wealthy... House prices had risen astronomically.
 2) ADJ: usu ADJ n Astronomical means relating to astronomy.
  The British Astronomical Association.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

astronomical
 

as·tro·nom·i·cal /ˌæstrəˈnɑːmɪkəl/ also as·tro·nom·ic /ˌæstrəˈnɑːmɪk/ adj
1 : of or relating to astronomy
astronomical research
2 : extremely large
• The cost of the office building was astronomical.
• We got an astronomical telephone bill this month.
- as·tro·nom·i·cal·ly /ˌæstrəˈnɑːmɪkli/ adv
• The cost of health care has risen astronomically.
• an astronomically large amount of money

save/keep money for a rainy day

save/keep money for a rainy day [idiom]

to save money for a time when it might be needed unexpectedly

Example: 

Luckily she had saved some money for a rainy day.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

save something for a rainy day

to save something, especially money, for a time when you will need it

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

save something for a rainy day

save, keep, etc. sth for a ˌrainy ˈday idiom

to save sth, especially money, for a time when you will really need it

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

save / keep money for a rainy day

to save money for a time when it might be needed unexpectedly:

Luckily she had saved some money for a rainy day.

spender

spender [noun]

someone who spends money

US /ˈspen.dɚ/ 
UK /ˈspen.dər/ 
Example: 

Tourists are often big spenders

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

spender

spender /ˈspendə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
someone who spends money ⇨ saver:
The new casino hopes to attract big spenders (=people who spend a lot of money).

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

spender

spend·er [spender spenders]   [ˈspendə(r)]    [ˈspendər]  noun
a person who spends money in the particular way mentioned

a big spender (= who spends a lot of money)

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

spender / ˈspen.də r /   / -dɚ / noun [ C ]

someone who spends money:

Tourists are often big spenders (= they buy a lot of things) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

spender

[spe̱ndə(r)]
 spenders
 N-COUNT: usu adj N
 If a person or organization is a big spender or a compulsive spender, for example, they spend a lot of money or are unable to stop themselves spending money.
  The Swiss are Europe's biggest spenders on food...
  Once the compulsive spender stops at the mall, she will be unable to control her spending.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

spender

spend·er /ˈspɛndɚ/ noun, pl -ers [count] : a person who spends money
• The restaurant gives the big spenders [=people who spend lots of money] special treatment.

 

cheapskate

cheapskate [noun]

A person who is unwilling to spend money

US /ˈtʃiːp.skeɪt/ 
UK /ˈtʃiːp.skeɪt/ 
Usage: 
Example: 

My dad's such a cheapskate that he cuts his hair himself.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

cheapskate

cheapskate /ˈtʃiːpskeɪt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Origin: cheap + skate 'worthless person' (19-20 centuries)]
informal someone who spends as little money as possible – used to show disapproval:
The cheapskate didn’t even pay for the cab.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

cheapskate

cheap·skate f13 [cheapskate cheapskates]   [ˈtʃiːpskeɪt]    [ˈtʃiːpskeɪt]  noun (informal, disapproving)
a person who does not like to spend money
We really need a new heater, but the landlord's such a cheapskate we'll never get it.  
Word Origin:

late 19th cent. (originally US): from cheap  + skate ‘a worn-out horse’ or ‘a mean, contemptible, or dishonest person’, of unknown origin.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

cheapskate / ˈtʃiːp.skeɪt / noun [ C ] informal disapproving

a person who is unwilling to spend money:

My dad's such a cheapskate that he cuts his hair himself.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

cheapskate

[tʃi͟ːpskeɪt]
 cheapskates
 N-COUNT (disapproval)
 If you say that someone is a cheapskate, you think that they are mean and do not like spending money.
  Tell your husband not to be a cheapskate.
  ...cheapskate employers.
 Syn:
 skinflint

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

cheapskate

cheap·skate /ˈʧiːpˌskeɪt/ noun, pl -skates [count] informal : a person who does not like to spend money
• He is a cheapskate [=miser, skinflint] who almost never gives tips.

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