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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
Welcome to the vocabulary and phrase Quick Reference Glossary for “Discussing and Debating”! This feature
lists all of the key vocabulary in alphabetical order (by lesson) for easy review. If you find anything else you
don’t know while learning, please write it down below. :)

Many words and phrases from the Master Class lesson are introduced in earlier lessons, so be sure to review
everything from each video. The words and phrases below may also have additional meanings, so just focus
on what’s written to master the meanings of each as used in the lessons.

Grammar Focus

accounting error – any mistake on a financial statement or other accounting measurement

ailment – an illness or disease
apartment complex – an apartment building or a cluster of jointly managed apartment buildings
as a matter of fact – in reality (used especially to correct a false statement or misunderstanding, or
emphasize something)
carnival – a traveling amusement show or circus
community – a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
comparison – statement or estimate of similarities and differences
cultural – relating to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society
cure – a substance or treatment that cures or heals a disease
despite the fact – regardless of; although
diet – the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats
environmental – relating to the natural world and the impact of human activity on its condition
extinct – no longer in existence
herbivore – an animal that feeds on plants
intense – showing strong feelings or opinions
interruption/to interrupt – stop the continuous progress of an activity (often speaking)
Machu Picchu – an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru
morality – principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad
musical instrument – an object or device for producing musical sounds
natural world – the world as it exists without human beings or civilization
omnivore – an animal or person that eats food of both plant and animal origin
pescatarian – a person who does not eat meat but does eat fish
religious – relating to or believing in a religion
retreat – event where a company holds meetings or team building activities away from the office
species – group of closely related organisms that are very similar to each other and are usually capable of
interbreeding and producing fertile offspring
time off – time for rest or recreation away from one’s usual work or studies
to be well aware – having knowledge; conscious; cognizant: aware of danger
to consider/consideration – think carefully about something, typically before making a decision
to debate – argue about a subject, especially in a formal manner
to emphasize – give special importance or prominence to something
to get stuck in traffic – to be in a traffic jam

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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
to hire – to give someone a job
to install – place equipment or machinery in position ready for use
to raise – to bring up or nurture or take care of a child
to wonder – to question; to be curious or have doubt
under the sun – idiom meaning on earth; in existence
vacation – an long period of free time, usually spent away from home or traveling
vegetarian – a person who does not eat meat, and in some cases other animal products

Time Traveling

a bit – a small piece, part, or quantity of something

a number of – a phrasal noun meaning a collection of persons or things; several
advantage – a favorable or desirable circumstance or feature; a benefit
agenda – a list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting
attraction – a quality or feature of something or someone that evokes interest
bonus – an unexpected and additional benefit that comes with something that is already good
customary – usual practices associated with a particular group of people
economy – the wealth and resources of a country or region, especially in terms of the production and
consumption of goods and services
enthusiastic – having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval
fellow – a person in the same position, involved in the same activity, or otherwise associated with another
figure – a number, especially one that forms part of official statistics or relates to the financial performance
of a company
gung ho – enthusiastic and eager
identical – exactly the same
joint venture – a commercial enterprise undertaken jointly by two or more businesses that continue retain
their distinct identities
labor cost – the sum of all wages paid to employees, as well as the cost of employee benefits and payroll
taxes paid by an employer
lenient – inclined not to be harsh or strict; merciful or indulgent
on the table – idiom meaning offered or open for discussion
participant – a person who takes part in something
patient – calm and without complaint, anger
potential – showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future
previous – existing or occurring before in time or order
proximity – near in terms of space, time, or relationship
regulation – a principle, rule, or law designed to control or govern conduct
significant – important; having a particular meaning; indicative of something
to an extent – up to certain point, but not completely
to argue – exchange of opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way
to ascertain – find something out for certain; make sure of
to assemble – gather together in one place for a common purpose
to be interested – having or showing curiosity, fascination, or concern
to be intrigued – to be very interested
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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
to captivate – to attract and hold the attention or interest of
to commence – to begin; to start
to compel – to cause a person or thing to act or move in spite of resistance
to construct – build or erect something, typically a building, road, or machine
to esteem – respect and admire
to expound on – phrasal verb meaning to explain using careful and often elaborate detail
to gather – come together; assemble or accumulate
to have reservations – to have doubts or feelings of uncertainty
to insist – demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal
to outsource – a practice used by different companies to reduce costs by transferring portions of work to
outside suppliers rather than completing it internally
to peruse –read something, typically in a thorough or careful way
to point out – phrasal verb meaning to make a person notice someone or something
to present – give someone something ceremonially
to proceed – to move forward; advance
to propose – put forward an idea or plan for consideration or discussion by others.
to reveal – accept or endure someone or something unpleasant
to take off – phrasal verb meaning to increase suddenly in size, activity, or popularity
various – different from one another; of different kinds or sorts
vast – of very great extent or quantity
workforce – the people engaged in or available for work, either in a country or area or in a particular
company or industry

Phrase Builder

academia – the environment or community concerned with the pursuit of research, education, and
scholarship
accidental – happening by chance, unintentionally, or unexpectedly
appropriate – suitable or proper in the circumstances
arms race – a competition between nations for superiority in the development and accumulation of
weapons
backlash – a strong and adverse reaction by a large number of people, especially to a social or political
development
character – a person in a novel, play, or movie
complex – consisting of many different and connected parts
consensus – an opinion or position reached by a group as a whole
corporation – a company, business, or group of people authorized to act as a single entity
cuddly – endearing and pleasant to cuddle or hug, especially as a result of being soft or plump
curb – a stone or concrete edging to a street or path
definitely – without doubt (used for emphasis)
fantastic – extraordinarily good or attractive
for the purpose(s) of – phrase used to express that you want to do something in order to do something
else; to explain why or the reason for a particular action
gore – blood that has been shed, especially as a result of violence
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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
gruesome – causing repulsion or horror
guts – all the organs inside your body, especially the ones in the stomach area
in their right – have the support of fact, justice, or reason
incremental – the process of gradually increasing in number, size, quantity, or extent
inevitable – certain to happen; unavoidable
ingredient – a component part or element of something
innocent – not guilty of a crime or offense; not responsible for or directly involved in an event yet suffering
its consequences
level playing field – a situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding
off the top of my head – idiom meaning without careful thought or investigation
script – the written text of a play, movie, or broadcast
studio – room where an artist, photographer, sculptor, etc., works
that’s not how we do things – a polite or professional way of telling someone that they are doing the
wrong thing
to bash – criticize strongly
to be conservative – disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional
ones, and to limit change
to be defeated – the opposite of victory; lose
to be modern – relating to recent times or the present
to be progressive – open to or favoring new ideas, policies, or methods
to be traditional – a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that has been used by the people in a
particular group, family, society, etc., for a long time
to beat – defeat someone in a game, competition, election, or commercial venture
to blame – assign responsibility for a fault or wrong
to borrow – take and use something that belongs to someone else with the intention of returning it
to bring up – phrasal verb meaning to raise a subject for discussion; mention
to censor – examine (a book, movie, etc.) officially and suppress unacceptable parts of it
to classify – to assign someone or something to a particular class or category
to come in – phrasal verb meaning to arrive somewhere; to be received
to complain – to express grief, pain, or discontent
to connect with – phrasal verb meaning to bring together or into contact
to curb X – restrain or keep in check
to deem – regard or consider in a specified way
to designate – appoint someone to a specified position
to diminish – make or become less
to do the responsible thing – do the right thing
to experiment – test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth
to hit up – phrasal verb meaning to contact someone, typically in order to ask them for something
to incorporate – to unite or combine so as to form one body
to point the finger – to openly accuse someone or apportion blame
to portray – describe someone or something in a particular way
to put X in jeopardy – idiom meaning to put someone or something into danger
to screen – to exclude someone or something after evaluation or investigation
to suppress – prevent the development, action, or expression of (a feeling, impulse, idea, etc.); restrain.
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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
victim – a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action
violence – behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something
vivid – producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind
weapon – a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage
What’s the story behind? – a way to ask about the longer history of how or why something happened
What’s the story with? – a way to ask what happened

Fluency Corner

agree to disagree – accept that there are different opinions about something and agree to stop trying to
change each other’s opinion
argument – a reason or set of reasons given with the aim of persuading others that an action or idea is right
or wrong
common ground – opinions or interests shared by each of two or more parties
courtroom – the place or room in which a court of law meets
discussion – process of talking about something, typically in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas
Do/don’t you think? – a way of asking for someone’s opinion
Don’t you agree? – use when you expect that someone will agree with what you just said
Don’t you think? – use when you expect that someone will agree with what you just said
emotional – having emotion or strong feelings
English Fluency Bits – words and phrases that help you sound more conversational without changing or
adding meaning
environment – the sum of surrounding things, conditions, or influences
I can see/understand/get where you’re coming from. – I understand your point of view, but I have a
different opinion
I can see your point, but – I understand your point of view, but I have a different opinion
I don’t have all the answers – use this phrase to express that you might be wrong, but this is your opinion
I see what you mean – I understand you
I was just going to say that – use this phrase to express that you agree
impressive – making a strong positive impression
in my opinion – another way to say, “I think”
intonation – the rise and fall of the voice in speaking
main point – most important idea expressed
my argument is that – a phrase that you can use to express your reasons for your opinion
obvious – easily perceived or understood; clear, self-evident, or apparent
on the other side of that – a way to introduce the opposite point of view in a discussion
personally – a word you can add to show that you strongly believe that thing and you’re just kind of making
it sound a bit more native and natural
politician – a holder of or a candidate for an elected office
position – a person’s particular point of view or opinion toward something
pros and cons – the good things (pros) and the bad things (cons) about something
seamless – smooth and continuous, with no apparent gaps or spaces between one part and the next
setting – the place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place
shouting match – a loud argument with voices raised
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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
sorry for interrupting – a polite way to interrupt someone
technical – relating to special knowledge especially of how machines work or of how a particular kind of
work is done
Tell me about it! – use this to agree strongly with someone
to acknowledge – recognize the fact or importance or quality of something
to be animated – full of movement, activity, vigor, and spirit
to be annoying – causing irritation or annoyance
to be excited – to arouse or stir up the emotions or feelings
to bring together – phrasal verb meaning to
to explain – make an idea, situation, or problem clear to someone by describing it in more detail or
discussing important facts or ideas
to express oneself – communicate one’s feelings or views through speech, writing, some form of art, or
behavior
to find a hole – to find a weakness or inconsistency in an argument or a statement
to get back to – phrasal verb meaning to return to a certain activity
to leave open – phrasal verb meaning to avoid making a decision now so that you will still have choices
later
to make a point – effectively express one’s idea
to make the case that – to argue that something is the best thing to do, giving your reasons; to explain why
something is true
to move around– phrasal verb meaning to move someone or something from place to place
to operate – to perform a function; work
to overlap – cover part of the same area of interest, responsibility
to play (the) devil’s advocate – to take an opposing position for the sake of argument
to put into – phrasal verb meaning to improve something by adding a particular quality to it
to scream – give a long, loud, piercing cry or cries expressing excitement, great emotion, or pain
to talk over – phrasal verb meaning to speak over someone while they are also speaking
to yell – to cry out or speak with a strong, loud, clear sound; shout
took the words right out of my mouth – use this phrase to express that you agree
weird – very strange; bizarre
What do you think about X? – a way of asking for someone’s opinion
Where were we? – a great way to go back to a previous topic of the conversation
Wouldn’t you say that – a way of getting someone else to agree with your position

Master Class

a no-no – a thing that is not possible or acceptable

a pain in the ass – slang for something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness
audience – the people reached by a book, radio or television broadcast, etc.
better late than never – idiom meaning it is better to do something after it was supposed to have been
done than not to do it at all
blanket policy – a policy which behaves similarly to a wide variety of things
civilian – a person not in the armed services or the police force
controversy – a prolonged public dispute, debate, or contention; disputation concerning a matter of
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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
opinion
degree – amount or level of something
delicate balance – a state or condition easily upset or affected
developmental age – a child’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth and development
fault – responsibility for an accident or misfortune
footage – a length of film made for movies or television
function – purpose natural to or intended for a person or thing
game console – an electronic device for playing video games
genre – a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form,
style, or subject matter
graphical – of or relating to visual art or computer graphics
gray area – an undefined situation or subject that does not seem to conform to known categories or rules
guideline – a general rule, principle, or piece of advice
high definition – a high degree of detail in an image or screen
hypothetical – describes something that exists as a possibility, an unproven idea or theory
mission – a special assignment given to a person or group
objective – not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering facts
parody – an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for
comic effect
particularly – to give special emphasis to a point; specifically
platform – an underlying computer system on which application programs can run
policy – a plan or course of action intended to influence and determine decisions, and actions
political – relating to the government or the public affairs of a country
portal – any entrance or access to a place
public service announcement (PSA) – advertisement carried free of charge by mass media to publicize a
message in public interest, usually from a government or public organization
random person – a person you don’t know
rating system – a system of classifying according to quality or merit or amount; to rate media content
suitability for certain audiences, based on its content
realistic – representing familiar things in a way that is accurate or true to life
restriction – a limiting condition or measure, especially a legal one
revenue – income, especially when of a company or organization and of a substantial nature
review – a critical article or report, as in a periodical, on a book, play, recital, or the like
secure system – computer system protected through the use of special hardware and software, policies,
and practices against data corruption
social media – websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in
social networking
technical question – question relating to a the details of how something works
to ban – officially or legally prohibit
to beat up – phrasal verb meaning to hit or strike repeatedly
to come out – phrasal verb used to refer to the appearance of a book or other work; be released or
published
to cut – to stop the supply of something, or to stop something working
to defend – to not allow a person or thing to hurt, damage, or destroy someone or something
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MASTER ENGLISH CONVERSATION 2.0 - Debating and Discussing - Quick Reference Glossary
to donate (a donation) – give money or good for a good cause, for example to a charity
to drape – arrange cloth or clothing loosely or casually on or around something
to freak X out – to shock or disorient someone
to get rid of X – phrasal verb meaning to take action so as to be free of a troublesome or unwanted person
or thing
to go about X – phrasal verb meaning to start dealing with a problem, situation, or job in a particular way
to hack – use a computer to gain unauthorized access to data in a system
to have the upper hand – idiom meaning to have or gain advantage or control over someone or something
to pop into – something that pops into your head/mind is an idea that you suddenly have
to post X online – to publish a message in an online forum or newsgroup
to reveal – to make previously unknown or secret information known to others
tricky – difficult or complicated
vague – not clearly or explicitly stated or expressed
violent – using or involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something
where X is coming from – the reasons for someone’s behavior, opinions, or comments
whoa – slang for wait; it can be also used to express surprise

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