When a woman is talking to you, listen to what she says with her eyes. (Victor Hugo)
His name was Charles D. and he was famous. People talked and talked about the miraculous results he got, and his methods were beginning to be copied by some Harley Street specialists. Only very well-off people could afford to pay his fees, and they had to book at least six months in advance for treatment. Charles had truly made it in life, but the secret of his success couldn’t have been more simple: he just knew how to listen; in fact, he was the perfect listener. He was very honest and straightforward with his would-be patients and they knew what to expect when they came to his surgery: they bought an hour of his time and during those sixty minutes he was there to listen to whatever they wanted to say about themselves or about the world. And most of them did talk about themselves and the problems that were worrying them. And he listened to them attentively, interested, concerned, without ever asking personal questions, passing judgment, or even giving an opinion. And it worked: people knew very well why they were in his surgery and the high price they were paying for it, but they soon forgot about it, and as they kept talking, they got to see themselves as they really were, and they began to feel better, to relax.
Charles never pretended to be a confessor, a friend, a comrade, or anything like that. He was just a listener, the ideal listener. For him, his patients were people who needed medical help, true, but first and foremost they were human beings in search of their real identity, and they had to find it by themselves, the only way he could help them being listening to them for an hour a week. And during that hour they could say whatever they pleased. There were no constraints: they could speak, shout, whisper, cry, laugh, they could use foul language if they liked, curse if they wanted. He just listened and showed understanding. Not that he was always silent, he occasionally made casual remarks, asked them if they felt like a cup of tea or coffee, or a drink, and sometimes he he went as far as asking them if they liked the pictures in his surgery, especially the Matisse he was obviously so proud of.
Sylvia, his 7 to 8 patient this evening, knew all this about the eminent psychiatrist whom a close friend had advised her to see, but she had hesitated to come to his surgery. She wasn’t sure if it had been a good choice. Her doubts had nothing to do with his qualifications for she knew she would be in the best professional hands; nor were there any money problems: she was the editor of a well-known women’s magazine, and she was wealthy enough to afford any whim, but still…It was the first time she had required the services of a psychiatrist, so that she was a bit nervous when she entered the surgery at seven sharp. And the first thing that struck her was the surgery itself, if it could be called a surgery, for it looked like an elegant living room in an elegant country house rather than a doctor’s consulting room. Comfortable armchairs, a sofa with plenty of soft feather cushions, a well-stocked bar, a hi-fi set, a glass-topped low round table with lots of trendy magazines, shelves filled with books, tasteful ornaments and family photographs – the personal touch -, good pictures on the walls – gosh, a Matisse! One felt immediately at ease in this atmosphere; and that was indeed the idea. That’s where Charles D’s originality lay. During their weekly session – and that was one of his golden rules: never more than one visit a week – patients were at liberty to do as they pleased: they could sit, stand, pace the room, lie on the sofa, even do push-ups on the carpeted floor if the fancy took them.
As she looked at the handsome middle-aged doctor in his mid-forties, his temples going grey already, she immediately realized that the rumours she had heard about his frivolity were entirely groundless. Word had got around that he chatted up some of his rich, beautiful patients, but it was obvious at once, just by looking at this discreet, reserved man, with that worldly half-smile on his lips, that if any of his classy clients had ever had designs on him and made advances to him, she would have promptly met with a barrier of ice. And those accusations of orgies being held in the surgery, simply ridiculous: people had evidently been misled by the group therapy sessions he sometimes organized…
Sylvia, a slim green-eyed blonde, going on for forty, but still extremely attractive, had dressed with special care for this first visit, and she knew she was looking really smart in her light grey tailored suit with handbag and shoes to match – not that she was out to seduce the doctor. Or was she? She lit a cigarette and started to tell him right away about her problems: she was quite worried, she felt off balance, had lost control of her own life, and she was beginning to fear for her peace of mind. She didn’t tell him much the first day, but she did tell him that her marriage was going to the dogs, that her husband had lost all interest in her, that he never looked at her, seldom listened to her, didn’t seem to notice her. She told him that much only, but she already felt relieved. She was beginning to think that it had been a good idea to come to this doctor…
On her second visit – there was no limit to the number of sessions Charles’s patients took, and it was the patients themselves who decided when they were cured – she was more explicit: she told him about the other man, Albert. He was her husband’s lawyer and intimate friend, so it was really no trouble at all for her to meet him as often as she liked. Albert had always flirted with her innocently enough, but recently since her marriage wasn’t working any longer, he had been more and more daring. They often played tennis together, and at that party two months ago he had made some overt passes at her. She had been flattered and faintly amused, but apart from that…Not that she would have any problems deceiving her husband if she wanted to. He was so busy, he lived in a world of his own, and she had all the freedom she wanted. The main obstacle to overcome was she, herself, her way of life, her education. Like most women of her age, she had been brought up to be a faithful wife and a loving mother, and adultery really went against the grain…The doctor listened to her, attentive, polite, concerned as he sipped his Scotch, and she could see why he was so fashionable, so popular with the members of the gentler sex. He sat there next to her, so close and yet, so distant…
Then the following week, on her third visit, she told him that it had happened. She was happy, she had found herself at last. It was great to feel desired as a woman again. She was cured, there would be no more visits…She had not thought it possible, but this afternoon at Albert’s office it had happened. Not everything, of course, just a few kisses and some hand holding – to think that not so long ago her husband and she used to hold hands in the cinema like a couple of teenage lovers -, but she had given him a date. He had been so insistent that she had finally promised to go to his apartment the next evening, not knowing at the time whether she would keep her word or not; but now she had made up her mind, now she was sure she would go. She would tell her husband that she was having dinner with some school friends of hers she had not seen for ages, and she would spend the evening and part of the night with Albert, in his bed, in his arms…”For goodness’ sake, Sylvia, spare me the details, I’m not made of stone”, the doctor interrupted her flow of words. She could not believe her ears: the man of iron had softened, the statue of ice had melted at last…and as she picked up her gloves and handbag to leave, she looked with playful eyes at her husband, who was no longer smiling, and she knew her choice of psychiatrist had been the right one…
SEMANTIC ANALYSIS (for help go here)
7.2.1 LEARNING NEW WORDS AND PHRASES
and yet (y sin embargo)
at ease (a gusto)
to book (reservar)
casual remarks (comentarios casuales)
comrade (camarada, compañero)
concerned (preocupado)
consulting room (consulta)
to curse (maldecir)
fees (honorarios)
flattered (halagado)
foul language (lenguaje soez)
glass-topped low round table (mesa baja redonda con tablero de cristal) (for other pieces of furniture, see 7.2.6c)
going on for forty (próxima a cumplir cuarenta años)
groundless (sin fundamento)
Harley Street (see cultural notes)
to hesitate (dudar)
hi-fi set (equipo de alta fidelidad)
if the fancy took them (si les apetecía)
in advance (por adelantado)
to match (haciendo juego)
to melt (derretirse)
misled by (inducido a error por)
off balance (desiquilibrado)
orgy (orgía)
to pass judgment (dictar sentencia, pronunciarse) (for legal terms, see 3.2.7c)
push-ups (flexiones)
qualifications (capacitación profesional)
relieved (aliviado)
sharp (en punto) (for other meanings of sharp, see 7.2.5)
to sip (beber a pequeños sorbos) (for ways of drinking, see 9.2.8b)
to soften (ablandarse)
still (sin embargo)
straightforward (claro, directo, sincero)
surgery (consulta)
tailored suit (traje sastre entallado) (for clothes description, see 8.2.7c )
tasteful (de buen gusto)
temple (sien) (for parts of the head, see 11.2.5b)
therapy sessions (sesiones de terapia)
trendy magazines (revistas de moda)
well-off people (gente rica, pudiente, acomodada)
well-stocked (bien surtido)
whim (capricho)
wordly (mundano)
would-be (futuro, aspirante a)
7.2. 2 SYNONYMS AND NEAR-SYNONYMS
to cry [to weep/to sob (sollozar), to shed tears (derramar lágrimas), to sniff/to snivel/ to wail/to whine (lloriquear, gimotear)]
to cure (to heal)
to deceive one’s husband/wife (to cheat on, to cuckold)
to deceive sb (to cheat, to trick, to take in, to lead on, to inveigle; colloq.: to take for a ride, to lead sb up the garden path, to put one over on sb)
faintly (softly, in a low voice, weakly, feebly)
gosh! (Heavens!, good Heavens!)
to look like (to resemble)
playful (mischievous)
very thin [skinny (en los huesos, flacucho), underweight (falto de peso), bony (huesudo), lanky (larguirucho), scrawny (escuálido, esmirriado), scraggy (canijo), puny (raquítico), skeletal (esquelético)]
wealthy (rich, well-off)
whim (caprice)
7.2.3 ANTONYMS
attentive (inattentive)
busy (idle)
close (distant)
concerned (unconcerned)
daring (cowardly)
discreet (indiscreet)
explicit (vague)
faithful (unfaithful)
nervous [calm, cool, unruffled, quiet, composed; laid-back (informal)]
polite (impolite, rude)
popular (unpopular)
reserved (extrovert, outgoing)
silent (loquacious, talkative, garrulous)
sure (unsure, doubtful)
tasteful (tasteless)
trendy (unfashionable)
.4 HOMONYMS
arm (brazo) from OE/arm (arma) from ME, from OF armes
to lay (poner) from OE lecgan/lay (laico) from ME, from OF lai, ult. from acclesiastical Latin laicus
to lie (yacer) from OE licgan/to lie (mentir) from OE lyge
low (bajo) from ME lāh, from ON lágr/to low (mugir) from OE hlōwan
match (que está a la altura de) from OE gemaecca/match (cerilla) from ME, from OF mesche, meiche, perhaps from Latin myxa (lamp nozzle)
temple (templo) from OE tempel, reinforced in ME by OF temple, ult. from Latin templum/temple (sien) from ME, from OF, ult. from Latin tempora pl. of tempus
7.2.5 POLYSEMOUS TERMS
match [partido (de fútbol, baloncesto, etc.); combate (de boxeo); que está a la altura de alguien; casamiento, matrimonio; complemento, cosa que le va a otra; to match (pegar, combinar, hacer juego); emparejar, casar con; igualar, llegar a la altura de; corresponder/ajustarse a (descripción); avenirse, llevarse bien
to pick sth/sb up (recoger algo o a alguien; mejorar (situación, salud, negocios, tiempo); adquirir (hábitos, costumbres, acento); aprender (idioma, habilidad); pillar (enfermedad); comprar (ganga); ligar a alguien; descolgar (teléfono); reanudar (historia); captar (señales, mensaje por radio); hacerse cargo de (factura, cuenta); detectar (error); rescatar (de un naufragio); coger (velocidad); arrestar; enterarse por casualidad (noticia, rumor, chisme); sacar (cobrar, ganar); to pick oneself up (levantarse después de una caída); to pick sb up (on sth) (enmendar la plana); to pick up after sb (ir recogiendo lo que otro va dejando tirado por ahí)
sharp [afilado, puntiagudo; agudo, punzante, cortante; cerrada (curva); repentino (cambio, caída, subida); mordaz (crítica); severa (reprimenda); en punto (hora)]
7.2.6 LEXICAL FIELDS
- a) medical specialists:
anaesthetist (anestesista)
analyst (analista)
brain surgeon (neurocirujano)
cardiologist (cardiólogo)
chiropodist (podólogo)
dentist (dentista)
dermatologist (dermatólogo)
forensic scientist (forense)
geriatrician (geriatra)
gynaecologist (ginecólogo)
homeopath (homeópata)
neurologist (neurólogo)
oncologist (oncólogo)
ophthalmologist (oftalmólogo)
oculist (oculista)
paediatrician (pediatra)
physiotherapist (fisioterapeuta)
plastic surgeon (cirujano plástico)
psychiatrist (siquiatra)
psychologist (sicólogo,-a)
psychoanalist (sicoanalista)
surgeon (cirujano)
therapist (terapeuta)
urologist (urólogo)
- b) rooms and parts of the house:
balcony (balcón)
basement (sótano)
bathroom (cuarto de baño)
bedroom (dormitorio)
cellar (bodega)
chimney [chimenea (en el exterior de la casa)]
corridor (corredor)
dining room (comedor)
drawing room/sitting room/living room (cuarto de estar)
drive (camino de entrada para el coche)
garage (garaje)
garden (jardín); front/back garden (jardín delantero/trasero)
garret/loft (desván, ático)
gate (puerta, verja)
hall (saloncito de entrada)
kitchen (cocina)
landing (rellano)
library (biblioteca)
main/master bedroom (dormitorio principal)
pantry/larder (despensa)
parlour (sala/salita)
partition wall (tabique)
patio (patio)
porch (porche)
roof (tejado)
shed (cobertizo)
solarium (solario)
spare bedroom (cuarto de huéspedes/invitados)
spiral staircase (escalera de caracol)
stairs/staircase (escaleras)
steps (escalones)
studio (estudio)
study (despacho)
terrace (terraza)
tiles (tejas)
toilet (aseo)
utility room (lavadero)
veranda (terraza)
weather vane/weathercock (veleta)
c.- house furniture:
armchair (sillón)
bed (cama)
bedside table (mesita de noche)
bookcase (mueble librería)
chair (silla)
chest of drawers (cómoda)
china cabinet/display cabinet (mueble para los cacharros de porcelana, vitrina)
clothes rack (perchero)
cocktail cabinet (mueble bar)
coffee table (mesa de centro, mesita del salón)
cot (cuna)
cupboard (alacena, armario)
desk (escritorio, mesa de despacho)
dresser (mueble de los platos de la cocina)
dressing table (tocador)
folding chair (silla plegable)
(folding)- screen (biombo)
grandfather clock (reloj de pie)
lampshade (lámpara de pie)
linen cupboard (armario de la ropa blanca)
reading lamp (lámpara para leer)
rocking chair (mecedora)
roll-top desk (buró)
settee (sofá, canapé)
sideboard (aparador)
swivel chair (silla giratoria)
table (mesa)
table lamp (lámpara de mesa)
tallboy (BrE)/highboy (AmE) (cómoda alta)
three-piece suite (tresillo)
umbrella stand (paragüero)
wardrobe (armario)
d.- other objects and things in the house:
d.1.- in the kitchen:
beater/mixer (batidora)
bread bin (panera)
bread slicer (cortadora de pan)
ceramic hob [vitro(cerámica)]
chopping board (tabla para cortar)
coffee set (juego de café)
colander (escurridor)
cooker (hornilla)
cup (taza)
dipper (cazo)
dishcloth/tea towel (paño de cocina, trapo para secar los platos)
dishrack/draining board (escurreplatos)
dishwasher (lavavajillas)
dustbin/refuse bin (BrE)/garbage can (AmE) (cubo de la basura)
egg whisk (batidor de huevos)
freezer (congelador)
fridge (frigorífico)
frying pan (sartén)
funnel (embudo)
grater (rallador)
grill (plancha)
hob (placa del hornillo)
hotplate (calientaplatos, hornillo)
ice tray (bandeja del hielo)
kettle (tetera, cafetera)
(kitchen) cupboard (armarito de cocina)
kitchen knife (cuchillo de cocina)
kitchen scales (peso de la cocina)
lemon squeezer (exprimidora)
microwave (microondas)
oven (horno)
pan (olla)
pedal bin (cubo de basura con pedal)
potato peeler (peladora de patatas)
pots and pans (cacharros de cocina)
pressure cooker (olla a presión)
rolling pin (rodillo)
saucepan (cacerola)
sink (fregadero)
skimmer (espumadera)
spice rack (especiero)
strainer (colador)
tin opener (abrelatas)
toaster (tostadora)
washing machine (lavadora)
waste disposal (BrE)/ garbage disposal (AmE) (trituradora de desperdicios)
work surface (encimera)
d.2 – in the bathroom:
a cake/bar of soap (pastilla de jabón)
aftershave (loción para después del afeitado)
bath(tub) (bañera)
bathroom cabinet (armarito del cuarto de baño)
bathroom scales (peso del cuarto de baño)
bidet (bidé)
chain (cadena)
cistern (cisterna)
comb (peine)
dental floss (seda dental)
(electric) shaver/razor (maquinilla de afeitar eléctrica)
eyeshadow (sombra de ojos)
(family) medicine chest (botiquín)
first-aid kit (botiquín de primeros auxilios)
hairbrush (cepillo para el pelo)
hairclip/hairgrip/hairpin (horquilla)
hairdryer (secador para el pelo)
hairspray (laca)
lipstick (lapiz de labios)
make-up (maquillaje)
mascara (rímel)
mat (alfombrilla)
nailbrush (cepillo para las uñas)
nail clippers (cortauñas)
nailfile [lima (para las uñas)]
nail varnish (esmalte de uñas)
plug (tapón del baño o del lavabo)
razor (maquinilla de afeitar, navaja de afeitar)
razor blade (cuchilla de afeitar)
sanitary towel (compresa)
shaving brush (brocha de afeitar)
shaving cream/foam (espuma de afeitar)
shower (ducha)
shower curtain (cortina de la ducha)
shower nozzle (boquilla de la ducha)
soap (jabón)
soap dish (jabonera)
sponge (esponja)
stool (taburete)
taps (BrE)/faucets (AmE) (grifos)
toilet (inodoro, váter)
toilet bowl/pan (taza del inodoro)
toilet brush (escobilla)
toilet paper (papel higiénico)
toilet roll (rollo de papel higiénico)
toilet roll holder (soporte del rollo de papel higiénico)
toilet seat (asiento del inodoro/váter)
toothbrush (cepillo de dientes)
toothpaste (dentrífico)
towel rail (toallero)
tweezers (pinzas pequeñas de depilar)
(wall) tiles (azulejos)
washbasin (lavabo)
d.3 – miscellaneous:
aerial (antena)
air freshener (ambientador)
alarm clock (despertador)
ashtray (cenicero)
awning (toldo)
banister (barandilla, pasamanos)
bedclothes (ropa de cama)
bedcover (cubrecama, colcha)
bedspread (cobertor)
bell (timbre)
bin liner (bolsa de la basura)
blanket (manta)
blinds (visillos)
bolt (cerrojo)
broom (escoba)
broomstick (palo de escoba)
built-in cupboard (armario empotrado)
buzzer (timbre)
carpet (alfombra)
casket (BrE)/jewellery box/case(BrE)/jewelry box(AmE) (joyero)
central heating (calefacción central)
curtains (cortinas)
cushion (cojín)
door handle (pomo, picaporte)
doormat (felpudo, esterilla)
drainpipe (tubo/tubería de desagüe, bajante)
drawers (cajones)
drill (taladro, taladradora)
dustpan (recogedor)
duvet (edredón)
eiderdown (edredón)
entryphone (portero automático/electrónico)
fan (ventilador)
feather duster (plumero)
fence (valla)
fireplace [chimenea (dentro de la casa)]
fitted carpet (moqueta)
fitting (aplique)
flagstones (losas de pavimento)
floorcloth (bayeta, trapo para fregar el suelo)
flower pot (maceta)
French window [(puerta) cristalera]
fuse (fusible)
geyser (calentador de gas)
grate (parrilla de la chimenea)
gutter (canalón)
hammer (martillo)
handrail/railing (barandilla)
hanger (percha)
hat/coat stand (perchero)
heater (calentador)
hedge (seto)
hose (manguera)
hoover®/vacuum cleaner (aspiradora)
iron (plancha)
ironing board (tabla de planchar)
key (llave)
knob (tirador)
knocker (aldaba/aldabón)
latch (pestillo)
letter box (buzón)
lightning conductor (BrE)/lightning rod (AmE) (pararrayos)
linen (ropa blanca)
linen basket (cesto de la ropa)
lock (cerradura)
magazine rack (revistero)
mantelpiece (repisa de la chimenea)
mattress (colchón)
meter (contador)
mirror (espejo)
mop (fregona)
parquet floor (suelo de parquet)
peephole (mirilla)
personal computer (ordenador personal)
pictures (cuadros)
pieces of ornament (objetos de adorno)
pillow (almohada)
pillowcase (funda de almohada)
pipes (tubería, tubos)
pliers (alicates)
plug (enchufe macho)
pouf/pouffe (puf)
power point (punto de luz)
quilt (colcha)
radiator (radiador)
remote control (mando a distancia)
rug (alfombra pequeña, alfombrilla)
satellite dish (antena parabólica)
screwdriver (destornillador)
shaker (coctelera)
sheets (sábanas)
shelf (estantería)
shutters (persianas)
sewing machine (máquina de coser)
sill (alféizar)
skirting board (rodapie)
socket (enchufe hembra)
(step)ladder (escalera de tijera)
stopcock (llave de paso)
stove (estufa)
switch (interruptor)
the mains (red de suministro)
toolbox (caja de herramientas)
TV set (televisor)
typewriter (máquina de escribir)
umbrella stand (paragüero)
vase (florero)
wastepaper basket (papelera)
watering can (regadera)
weathercock/weathervane (veleta)
window pane (cristal de la ventana)
7.2.7 ANALYSIS BY DISTINCTIVE SEMANTIC FEATURES
walking:
to walk (andar, caminar)
to amble/saunter/stroll [+ slowly, quietly, in a leisurely way, for pleasure or relaxation] (pasear sin rumbo fijo)
to dawdle [ + slowly and idly] (andar muy despacio, con parsimonia)
to hike [ + to walk a long way in the mountains or countryside, esp. for pleasure] (ir de excursión/caminata, hacer senderismo)
to hobble [= to limp, but not permanently] (cojear, renquear)
to hop [+ jumping on one’s foot or making quick short jumps, like a bird] (andar dando pequeños saltos, andar a la pata coja)
to limp [+ lamely (permanently or temporarily)] (cojear, andar cojeando, renquear)
to march [ + in a military manner, with regular steps] (marchar)
to pace [ + up and down, backwards and forwards, repeatedly or methodically, with slow, regular steps, esp. because you are feeling nervous or restless] (caminar de un lado a otro, esp. por sentirse nervioso o inquieto)
to pad [+ with quiet steps, noiselessly] (caminar sin hacer ruido)
to ramble [ + for pleasure, usually in the countryside] (dar un paseo por el campo)
to roam [ + with no clear purpose or direction, usually for a long time] (vagar)
to shuffle [+ dragging one’s feet] (andar arrastrando los pies)
to stagger [ + unsteadily, because you are drunk or ill] [andar tambaleándose, haciendo eses (borracho, enfermo, etc.)]
to stalk [+ stiff, arrogantly or in an angry way] (andar tieso, con arrogancia o mostrando enfado)
to stamp [+ with heavy steps, bringing one’s foot down heavily on the ground] (pisar fuerte, zapatear)
to stride [+ with long steps] (andar a grandes zancadas, alargar el paso)
to strut [+ majestically, self-importantly, proudly] (andar majestuosamente, orgullosamente, dándose importancia)
to stump/stomp [ + with noisy, heavy steps] (pisar fuerte, haciendo mucho ruido)
to swagger [ + arrogantly, self-importantly, swinging one’s shoulders] (andar con arrogancia, dándose importancia, pavonearse, contonearse)
to tiptoe [+ quietly, noiselessly, on one’s toes] (andar de puntillas)
to toddle [ + a child learning to walk; (fig) to walk or go somewhere] [dar los primeros pasos, andar inseguro; (fig) dirigirse a algún lugar]
to totter [+ unsteadily or feebly, from side to side as if you were going to fall] (andar tambaleándose)
to tramp [+ heavily and firmly] (andar pesadamente, patear, pisotear ensuciando algo, etc)
to trample on [+ step heavily on sb/sth crushing or harming them with one’s feet] (pisotear aplastando o dañando algo)
to trot [+ running fairly slowly, taking short steps] (trotar) (to trot off somewhere llegarse en un salto a alguna parte: Don’t worry, I’ll trot off to the pharmacy and get some aspirins – no te preocupes, me llego en un salto a la farmacia y compro aspirinas)
to trudge/plod [+ laboriously, tiredly] (caminar con dificultad, cansinamente)
to waddle [+ like a duck] (andar como los patos)
7.2.8 WORD FORMATION
suffixes used to form verbs:
-en: to blacken (ennegrecer), to darken (oscurecer), to deafen (ensordecer), to lenghten (alargar), to loosen (aflojar, soltar), to redden (enrojecer), to sharpen (afilar), to shorten (acortar), to soften (ablandar, suavizar), to sweeten (endulzar), to weaken (debilitar), to whiten (blanquear), to widen (ensanchar)
-ate: to chlorinate (tratar con cloro), to dehydrate (deshidratar), to humiliate (humillar), to hyphenate (unir con un guión), to originate (originar), to vaccinate (vacunar)
-ize/-ise: to apologize (disculparse), to criticize (criticar), to legalize (legalizar), to organize (organizar), to personify (personificar), to terrorize (aterrorizar), to theorize (teorizar)
-ify: to falsify [falsificar (hechos, recibos, documentos, etc), to glorify (glorificar), to horrify (horrorizar), to mummify (momificar), to simplify (simplificar)
-ed compound adjectives: glass-topped (con tablero de cristal) , long-haired (de pelo largo), left-handed (zurdo), blue-eyed (de ojos azules), thin-lipped (de labios delgados), sun-tanned (bronceado), curly-haired (de pelo rizado), broad-shouldered (de hombros anchos), rosy-cheeked (de mejillas sonrosadas), red-haired (de pelo castaño, pelirrojo,-a), long-legged (de piernas largas), straight-haired (de pelo lacio), good-mannered (con buenos modales), bad-tempered (con mal genio), kind-hearted (de buen corazón, bondadoso) (see also 8.2.12)
7.2.9 IDIOMS
first and foremost (ante todo) (for binomials, see 1.2.12b)
sth goes against the grain (algo se hace cuesta arriba)
to be going to the dogs (venirse abajo, irse a pique: negocio, institución, matrimonio)
to have designs on sb (tener los ojos puestos en alguien)
to make a pass at sb/to make advances to sb (insinuarse, tirar los tejos)
to make it in life (triunfar en la vida)
to make up one’s mind (decidirse)
word had got around that… (se rumoreaba que…)
7.2.10. PHRASAL VERBS
to be out to (pretender, estar decidido a)
to bring sb up (educar)
to chat sb up (ligarse a)
to feel like sth (apetecer)
to go on for [ir para/ir a cumplir (edad); ser casi, ir a dar (hora)]
to look like (parecerse a)
to pick sth up (recoger) (for other meanings, see 7.2.5 above)
7.2.11 CULTURAL NOTES
Victor Hugo (1802-1885) – famous French novelist, poet and playwright.
Harley Street – a street in the centre of London where many eminent medical specialists, who charge a lot for treatment, have their consulting rooms.
7.3 GRAMMAR REVISION
7.3.1 For as a conjunction of reason
…for it looked like an elegant living room…
7.3.2 Enough with adjectives and other adverbs
innocently enough
good enough
7.3.3 Optional use of if or whether
…not knowing at the time whether/if she would keep her word or not
7.3.4 Obligatory use of whether
I don’t know whether to sell it or not
I don’t care whether or not she plays the piano
Whether you do it or not is none of my business
It all depends on whether…
7.3.5 If nominal clauses
…asked them if they felt like a cup of tea
7.3.6 Anaphoric use of to
…deceiving her husband if she wanted to