Why the World Cup is better than the Olympics
Why the World Cup is better than the Olympics
to sprint to victory– to run very fast over a short distance and win the race
refurbished – renovated and redecorated
political overtones – subtle political implications
sinister (adj) – making a person feel something bad may happen
to manipulate – to control to one’s own advantage, often dishonestly or unfairly
to snub someone – to treat in such a way that someone feels ignored or insulted
the Cold War – the period after the Second World War when there was a state of political hostility between Western powers and the Soviet bloc countries
a symbolic victory – a superiority in the field of sport that is taken to demonstrate a more general superiority (for instance in the military or economic sphere)
politically charged – that has political significance
supremacy – position of highest authority or power
likely – probable
hierarchy – a system which ranks according to authority or status
divorced from – detached or dissociated from the pecking order -an informal hierarchy in which people or groups know they are more or less important than others
sole (adj) – only, single
doomed to – condemned to
decline (noun) – a gradual and continuous loss of strength /
importance / value / numbers
to hail from (formal phrasal verb) – to come/originate from
to field a team – to select a team to play
prestige (noun) – widespread respect and admiration gained by high achievements or quality
to be had – to be gained
arguably (adverb) – possibly, maybe
backing (noun) – support
ruling (adj) – in power
junta (noun) – a military or political group ruling a country
minions (noun, usually indicates disapproval) – people who
carry out the orders of someone more powerful
swiftly – quickly
to run rings around – to beat with ease
Think of all those …..robotic ……..– One has only to
remember those machine-like ….
to churn out – to produce in a repetitive, mechanical way,
as if in a factory
state-backed (adj) – organised and financed by the state
a winning team – an attractive or successful team
a spark of – a small, concentrated amount of
central planners – people who organise things from the
centre (ie the state)
to throw up – to produce unexpectedly
to click – to get something right
a much-fancied opponent (adj) – an opposing team
that many people think might win the tournament
to vanquish – to beat
to turn over (sporting term)- to beat unexpectedly
the reigning champions – the current champions
gripping – thrilling