Advanced English (2) • NOUNS • 'M'

noun [C ] C2 US (UK manoeuvre) • synonyms: tactic, move, strategy • perform/make/execute a maneuver; a complicated/skillful maneuver; a military/political/parking maneuver; strategic maneuvering; clever maneuver • freq in AmE: 6/10

a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care, especially in driving, military operations, or strategic planning; metaphorically, a calculated action or tactic intended to achieve a goal or gain advantage

collocation with maneuver noun [C ] C2 US (UK manoeuvre) • execute/perform a tactical maneuver; a military/political/business maneuver; a strategic/risky maneuver • maneuver for advantage/control/influence • freq in AmE: 6/10

to carry out a calculated, strategic action designed to gain advantage or achieve a specific goal — often used in military, political, or competitive contexts where precision and timing are critical

collocation with maneuver noun [C ] C2 US (UK manoeuvre) • synonyms: move, tactic, operation • perform/execute/make a maneuver; a driving/military/political maneuver; a risky/precise maneuver • maneuver for advantage/space/control • freq in AmE: 6/10

to carry out a movement or action requiring skill, precision, or strategy — often used in contexts such as driving, flying, military operations, or metaphorically in politics and business

noun [C usually singular ] C2 • synonyms: discount, reduction, price cut • seasonal/steep markdown; markdown on items/prices/reputation • freq in AmE: 6/10

a reduction in price, especially of goods for sale; metaphorically, any deliberate decrease in value, intensity, or status

noun [C usually singular ] C2 (also markup) • synonyms: margin, surcharge, premium • high/hidden/excessive mark-up; mark-up on goods/services/imports • freq in AmE: 6/10

an amount added to the cost price of goods or services to determine the selling price, usually expressed as a percentage; metaphorically, any intentional increase or inflation of value, effort, or perception

noun [C usually singular ] C2 (also Metaverse) • synonyms: virtual realm, digital universe, immersive space • invite someone into the metaverse; build something in the metaverse • explore/enter/expand the metaverse • freq in AmE: 5/10

a collective virtual shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical reality and physically persistent virtual space; often imagined as an immersive, interactive digital universe where users can socialize, work, play, and create

noun [U] C2 • synonyms: resilience, courage, grit • show/prove/test one’s mettle; emotional/leadership/sporting mettle • freq in AmE: 4/10

courage, resilience, and strength of character — especially when tested under pressure, adversity, or challenge; often used to praise someone's inner fortitude

collocation with mettle noun [U] C2 • synonyms: demonstrate resilience, show courage, prove grit • prove one’s mettle in crisis/sport/leadership; emotionally/professionally prove mettle • freq in AmE: 4/10

to demonstrate one’s courage, resilience, or strength of character — especially in difficult or high-pressure situations; often used to highlight personal growth or leadership

noun [U ] informal C2 • synonyms: charm, energy, spark, vibe • get/lose/regain mojo; creative mojo; team mojo; personal mojo; good/bad mojo • freq in AmE: 6/10

a personal quality that makes someone attractive, successful, and full of energy; often linked to charm, confidence, and creative flow — sometimes described as one’s “magic” or inner spark

noun [C or U ] C2 informal US • synonyms: charm, talisman, magic, spell • bad mojo; good mojo; carry/wear/lose mojo; protective mojo; magical mojo; mojo bag • freq in AmE: 4/10

the influence of magic or a similar power; a charm, spell, or object believed to carry supernatural energy — often associated with luck, protection, or mystical charisma

noun [C ] C2 • synonyms: restraint, gag, silencer • dog muzzle; legal/emotional muzzle; put a muzzle on sb • freq in AmE: 5/10

a device placed over an animal’s mouth to prevent biting or eating; metaphorically, a restraint that prevents someone from speaking freely or expressing themselves

noun [U ] C2 disapproving • synonyms: scandal-hunting, exposé journalism, dirt-digging • muckraking journalism/reporting/tabloid press; engage in muckraking • freq in AmE: 4/10

the act of searching out and publicly exposing scandalous information, especially about prominent figures; often associated with sensationalist or investigative journalism

noun [C usually plural or U ] C1 literary/emotional • synonyms: doubt, unease, apprehension • misgivings about (doing) something; have/express/voice misgivings; misgivings about decision/plan/person • freq in AmE: 5/10

a feeling of doubt, worry, or fear about the outcome or appropriateness of something; often subtle and internal, signaling emotional or moral hesitation

collocation with misgiving noun [C usually plural or U ] C1 literary/emotional • synonyms: doubts, reservations, second thoughts • misgivings about doing something; have/express/voice misgivings about a plan/action/decision • freq in AmE: 5/10

feelings of doubt, worry, or moral hesitation regarding a specific action, decision, or plan; often subtle and internal, signaling emotional or ethical unease

collocation with misgiving noun [C usually plural or U ] C1 formal/emotional • synonyms: voice concerns, raise doubts, signal unease • express misgivings about plan/decision/policy/person • freq in AmE: 5/10

to openly communicate feelings of doubt, worry, or moral hesitation about something; often used when someone voices concerns about a plan, decision, or situation

noun [U ] C2 • synonyms: apathy, stagnation, unease • economic/social malaise; feel a sense of malaise; suffer from malaise after isolation/change/loss • freq in AmE: 5/10

a general feeling of discomfort, unease, or lack of energy, often without a clear cause; can refer to physical, emotional, or societal stagnation

collocation with market noun [S ] C1 • synonyms: oversaturate, flood with goods, saturate the market • flood the market with products/content; cheap imports flood the market; market flooding effects • freq in AmE: 6/10

to supply a market with an excessive quantity of goods, often causing prices to drop or reducing demand for competing products — can be used literally or figuratively

collocation with misinformation noun [U ] C1 • synonyms: circulate falsehoods, mislead, promote disinformation • spread misinformation online/about sth; unintentionally/actively spread misinformation; misinformation campaigns • freq in AmE: 7/10

to share or circulate false, misleading, or inaccurate information — whether intentionally (disinformation) or unintentionally, often through social media, news outlets, or word of mouth

noun [U ] C1 • misinformation about something/someone; spread misinformation

false information, given either by mistake or deliberately

noun [C ] C2 formal (also misanthropist) • synonyms: cynic, recluse, loner, pessimist, hermit • a bitter/lonely/old misanthrope; become/turn into a misanthrope; known as a misanthrope • freq in AmE: 6/10

a person who dislikes or distrusts other people and prefers to avoid social interaction; someone with a generally negative view of humanity

noun [U ] C2 formal • synonyms: cynicism, distrust, bitterness, pessimism, alienation • deep/growing/general misanthropy; be accused of/display misanthropy; a tone of misanthropy • freq in AmE: 6/10

a dislike or distrust of humankind; a general hatred of or contempt for human nature or society

collocation with misanthrope noun [U ] C2 formal • synonyms: reclusive cynic, antisocial loner, withdrawn misanthrope • solitary misanthrope/figure/character/lifestyle • freq in AmE: 3/10

a person who deliberately avoids human contact and harbors a deep distrust or dislike of others; often portrayed as a reclusive, cynical loner — someone who chooses solitude not out of shyness, but out of disillusionment or disdain

noun [plural ] C1 • synonyms: big-budget hits, box-office giants, studio tentpoles • mainstream blockbusters dominate/criticize/enjoy; watch/avoid/prefer blockbusters • freq in AmE: 7/10

high-budget, widely promoted films produced for mass audiences, often featuring famous actors, spectacular effects, and formulaic storytelling; typically dominate box office rankings and reflect popular trends