House S4E8: English vocabulary

bleeding from the nose

to become too big for something, especially clothes or shoes

to weaken or destroy the power or authority of a system or institution

money that one ex-spouse pays to the other after a divorce

to move or dance in a relaxed way to music

ruthless and intensely competitive

often forgetting things or not paying enough attention to remember them

a person who lies or pretends to have special knowledge or skill in order to trick people

the act of cutting or tearing something into small pieces

to catch or seize someone or something quickly and suddenly

calm, quiet, and not lively

more able or skilled than someone or something else

a narrow strip of leather, cloth, or other material used for fastening or tying things

the quality of being short in length, time, or amount

a clear fluid in the body that helps fight infection and carries white blood cells

showing disrespect or contempt

to spoil something by adding a harmful or unwanted substance or influence

a serious illness that can affect many parts of the body

relating to the kidneys

hard work, especially work that is tiring and takes a lot of time

the egg of a louse, especially one attached to a hair

an animal with a hard shell, such as a crab, lobster, or shrimp

something that makes a surface, line, or shape even or level

the number below the line in a fraction

relating to the intestines

the process of removing bones from meat or fish

a slight shaking movement

kissing and touching someone in a sexual way

to move in a circular or spiraling motion

a drug that affects the mind or body, especially one that is illegal or used for pain relief

slightly moving the head up and down, usually to show agreement or acknowledgment

not giving a clear answer or result

an organ in the body that helps clean the blood and fight infection

the process of putting blood into someone's body through a vein

the process of combing and separating wool or other fibers

a heavy loss of blood from a blood vessel

boring, ordinary, and not interesting

the state of being anonymous

a thick mass of blood or another liquid that has become partly solid

having spikes or sharp points

a small lump of gold or another precious metal found in the ground

in a way that seems to happen by magic

a severe epileptic seizure with loss of consciousness and body jerking

containing salt or tasting like salt

locked with a key

trying to control or influence people in a dishonest way for your own benefit

used to ask what something really means or is, especially in British English

to be in a very uncertain or risky situation

the practice of learning a job by following and watching an experienced worker

not harmful or dangerous

deserving respect and approval

a standard or rule used for judging or choosing something

in a way that shows good judgment

the act of putting a plant into a pot or container

to continue to exist or be remembered

about to happen very soon

to make a vehicle or engine more powerful or faster

a board or strip fixed along the bottom of a wall

to make something more steady and less likely to change suddenly

a game in which a player or side must reach five points before the other side does

to search someone’s body by touching their clothes and pockets, especially for weapons or other hidden items

to draw a line under a word or phrase, especially for emphasis

the use of several layers, especially in clothing

to keep a student at school after class as a punishment

a protein in the blood that helps the body fight infection

based on a choice that seems random or not clearly explained

to shake slightly and uncontrollably, often because you are nervous, cold, or weak

behavior that shows very poor judgment or common sense

relating to digestion

to choose someone as a candidate for an election, award, or job

a lack of something that is needed or expected

causing a sudden unpleasant feeling because it does not fit well with what is around it

the act of fastening something with a screw

to reach a decision or agreement

an expression of surprise, annoyance, or worry

making secret plans to get what you want, often in a dishonest way