Learning a new language (C1.1, Lesson #3: Vocab.)

Pick up

• understand something, especially something difficult

• less able because you are out of practice

• learn something by being exposed to it

• improve your knowledge of something you've partly forgotten

brush up on

• understand something, especially something difficult

• less able because you are out of practice

• learn something by being exposed to it

• improve your knowledge of something you've partly forgotten

grasp

• understand something, especially something difficult

• less able because you are out of practice

• learn something by being exposed to it

• improve your knowledge of something you've partly forgotten

rusty

• understand something, especially something difficult

• less able because you are out of practice

• learn something by being exposed to it

• improve your knowledge of something you've partly forgotten

make a vow

• understand something, especially something difficult

• less able because you are out of practice

• make a serious promise or decision

• improve your knowledge of something you've partly forgotten

crestfallen

• understand something, especially something difficult

• less able because you are out of practice

• make a serious promise or decision

• disappointed or sad

breakthrough

• an important discovery or development that helps solve a problem

• less able because you are out of practice

• make a serious promise or decision

• disappointed or sad

self-conscious

• an important discovery or development that helps solve a problem

• too aware of what other people are thinking about you and your appearance

• make a serious promise or decision

• disappointed or sad

take the plunge

• an important discovery or development that helps solve a problem

• too aware of what other people are thinking about you and your appearance

• make a serious promise or decision

• commit oneself to a course of action about which one is nervous.

slip away

• an important discovery or development that helps solve a problem

• too aware of what other people are thinking about you and your appearance

• to go somewhere quietly or quickly

• commit oneself to a course of action about which one is nervous.