The Rough Guide to Climate Change – vocabulary and notes
Rough – adj – approximate
To shy away from sth – phrasal verb – to avoid something that you dislike, fear or do not feel confident about
Note An MP – a member of Parliament in Britain
An MEP is a member of the European parliament.
An MSP is a member of the Scottish parliament.
The numbers game – the use or manipulation of figures or statistics
To play the numbers game – indicates that the person speaking is well aware that numbers and statistics can mislead and distort the truth.
Note You may hear the quotation ‘There are lies, damned lies and statistics’ which is a reworking of the American writer Mark Twain’s quotation ‘Lies, damn lies and statistics’. It always alerts to some scepticism about the validity of figures presented as facts.
To talk sth up – to exaggerate the merits or importance of sth
Here it is used meaning to insist that the matter be discussed (ie that if Tony Blair had not brought the matter up no-one else would have done).
To phase something out – phrasal verb – to remove or stop using sth gradually or in stages (the opposite of to phase something in)
to check out – phrasal verb – to leave (eg a hotel) after paying the bill
to check sth out – phrasal verb informal – to examine something (eg a story, some equipment) or get more information in order to check its truth, safety or suitability or acceptability.
to check sth out – phrasal verb informal – to go and see in order to find out what something is like. Eg ‘We’re going to check out that new restaurant.’
to lease – use (land, a building, a vehicle, or a piece of equipment) for an agreed period of time
to log – to cut down trees
(A logger – a person who cuts down trees)
to dish out – verb informal – to hand out, distribute
to trade – to buy and sell
To be up on eBay – to be posted on the eBay website – an online auction website
A stag night / party – a party for a man who is going to get married, to which only his male friends are invited
Note
no 10 Downing Street is the residence of the British Prime Minster. No 11 is the official residence of the British Chancellor.
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