DUSTIN HOFFMAN INTERVIEW
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I'm sure that you have all seen the great American actor, Dustin Hoffman in films such as The Graduate, Tootsie and Rainman. He was interviewed on the BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs. Below is some of the vocab with definitions.
in spite of … used for referring to a fact that makes something else surprising
landmark a major event or achievement
rare not common
contradictory Things that disagree with each other and cannot both or all be true
the hits a film, play, or show that is very successful and popular
to keep coming continued
a handful several
unparalleled the best of a particular kind
a body of work a large amount of work
topped to be better or more impressive than something else
billing the way in which a performer or an event is advertised
directorial debut the first time that a director or sports player appears in public
poignant giving you feelings of sadness
apposite relevant and appropriate to what is happening or being discussed
to break through to successfully deal with something
a way out an exit
demons things that worry someone or make them unhappy
a freak accident extremely unusual and unexpected
to earn money to make a living
entitled to deserve something
push the envelope (American) to go beyond the limits of what was thought possible
eulogy a speech at a funeral about the person who has died
the first act the first part of a film/play
notoriously famous for something bad
foul mouthed to use swear words ‘bad words’ when speaking
to talk clean not to use swear words ‘bad words’ when speaking
to jump rope (American) to skip
earphones a piece of electronic equipment to listen to recorded music
heels high heeled shoes
a lifetime whole life
to figure out to be able to understand something or to solve a problem
What humbled me… to feel less important or proud because of something that has been
achieved or suffered by someone else
raised to take care of children while they are growing up
guided to help someone to make decisions or judgments about something
cement (in song) grey building material
spiritual religious, or related to religious issues
delusions of grandeur a belief that you are more important than you really are
the freeways (Am) motorways
a shovel a tool for digging up earth
a lot of drive to be very motivated
a prop man to be in charge of props (objects used in film/tv/theatre)
a set decorator to be in charge of decorating the set
put it together to assemble something
a loser someone who loses/ doesn’t win
to look away to look the other way
thwarted to prevent someone from doing something that they want to do
to say the least used for saying that you could have expressed something in a much stronger way.
neighbourhood area that you live in
therapist a professional that help you with emotional problems
bankrupt a person or business that is bankrupt has officially admitted that they have no money and cannot pay what they owe
improve his lot someone’s general situation in life, especially when this is not very good
school records school reports
sickly ill
the way they parented.. the way they looked after him
barely not really
imperative extremely important and urgent
repress/suppress not to show feelings
traumas emotional difficulties
work through them to solve a problem by talking about it
ugly bad looking
crucible an environment that is very dangerous, difficult, or exciting
what gave you the nerve? What gave you the courage?
flunks (to flunk) to fail at a test/course
flew by To go past very quickly
funding money that a government or organisation provides for a specific purpose
tense Not relaxed
burst out crying To start crying suddenly
refrigerator fridge
kicked out of to be told to leave (usually school, college)
naturalistic similar to how people are in daily life
they couldn’t get rid of me they couldn’t make me leave
the beat generation A group of authors in 1950s America
auditions a short performance in which you sing, dance, or act so that someone can decide if you are good enough to perform in a particular play, concert etc
a shaky sense of your own worth insecure
to resume to continue
8 by 10 8” x 10”
acne spots on the face
a glance to look quickly at something
a way in an entrance
a pun a joke
making out with (American) having sex with
an upright piano a tall narrow piano
singularly in a noticeable way
a castaway someone who is left on an island or beach
disaffected a disaffected member of a group or organisation no longer feels any loyalty towards it
break the record to do better than others
sublime extremely good or beautiful
unkempt untidy
humourless without any humour/fun
glum unhappy
clammy cold and wet in an unpleasant way
shipped transported by ship
miscast to give a part in a play or film to an actor who is not suitable for it
perception a particular way of understanding or thinking about something
offensive unpleasant or insulting, and likely to make people upset or embarrassed
mixed reviews different types of reviews
cretin a uneducated person
phenomenon an event or situation that can be seen to happen or exist
up tempo up-tempo music has a fast beat
turn something around to change something
diversity the fact that very different people or things exist
unlikely not likely to happen
a rut a situation that is boring and difficult to change
pinnacle the most successful or exciting part of someone’s life
I don’t recall I don’t remember
the spine back bone
scared shitless extremely frightened
profound deep
nest a home
diligence hard work
stray to move away from the correct place or path
frivolous silly
we’ve got to move on we have to change subject
pre dawn before sunrise
treasured very special
a endless supply a never ending amount of something