1. Unit Four Book Six The Meaning of Work

2. Meaning of Work It's what you spend your days, or nights, doing. It helps define who you are. Week after week, year after year, you get up and go to work. Sure you get paid. But it's probably not your only motivation. What, at the end of your shift or your workday, gives you a sense of accomplishment, inspiration or joy?

3. The concept “ meaning of work ” can also be defined as one ’ s orientation or inclination toward work, what the subject is seeking in the work, and the intents that guide his actions

4. What is work? “We moralize work and make it a problem, forgetting that the hands love to work and in the hands is the mind. That “work ethic” idea does more to impede working… it makes it a duty instead of a pleasure. (…) I merely want to speak of working as a pleasure, as an instinctual gratification — not just “the right to work”, or work as an economic necessity or a social duty or a moral penance laid onto Adam after leaving the Paradise. The hands themselves want to do things, and the mind loves to apply itself.

5. Work irreducible. We don ’ t work for food gathering or tribal power and conquest or to buy a new car and so on and so forth. Working is its own end and brings its own joy; but one has to have a fantasy so that work can go on, and the fantasies we now have about it — economic and sociological — keep it from going on, so we have a huge problem of productivity and quality in our Western work. We have got work where we don ’ t want it. We don ’ t want to work. It ’ s like not wanting to eat or to make love. It ’ s an instinctual laming. And this is psychology ’ s fault: it doesn ’ t attend to the work instinct. ”

7. Meaning is a subjective thing: what counts as meaningful work to one person won't to another. This means that companies, for all their insistence on “ employee engagement programmes ”, can't create meaning and should not try. Meaning is a subjective thing: what counts as meaningful work to one person won't to another. This means that companies, for all their insistence on “ employee engagement programmes ”, can't create meaning and should not try. Instead they should concentrate on not destroying it – which many of them manage to do effortlessly enough through treating their employees badly. Instead they should concentrate on not destroying it – which many of them manage to do effortlessly enough through treating their employees badly.

8. Depersonalization It consists in adopting so-called objective and impersonal attitudes toward people and to treat them like any other kind of resources, rejecting more or less consciously their psychological, sociological, cultural, and spiritual complexity. For example,

9. customers are regarded as economic agents whose sole function is to purchase the goods or services offered by the organization. Similarly, employees are considered as resources that should devote their time and talents to the financial success of the organization. This type of vision leads directly to the denial of the actors ’ humanity.

10. stop looking for meaning at once. If they go out looking, they are most unlikely to find anything. It is the same thing with happiness: the more you search, the less you find. stop looking for meaning at once. If they go out looking, they are most unlikely to find anything. It is the same thing with happiness: the more you search, the less you find.

11. Text Analysis Part One Para 1 The author talks about her general impressions of the auto plants she toured Part Two Paras 2-30 The author relates her hands- on experience as an assembly line worker Part Three The author describes the lessons she drew from the exprience

13. assault A violent physical or verbal attack A violent physical or verbal attack Assail: to attack violently Assail: to attack violently Assault can be used as a noun, as in Assault can be used as a noun, as in Sexual assault Sexual assault Make an assualt on Make an assualt on Assail can mean: be troubled, upset as in Assail can mean: be troubled, upset as in was assailed by doubts was assailed by doubts

14. enclose Shut in on all sides; put (sth) in an envelope, etc (used in the pattern: be enclosed in) The surrounding land was enclosed by an eight-foot wire fence. Enclosed in the letter was a cheque for $10.

15. Discordant cacophony Jarring, discordant sound; dissonance: heard a cacophony of horns during the traffic jam. (hooting) Jarring, discordant sound; dissonance: heard a cacophony of horns during the traffic jam. (hooting) These jarring sounds include: These jarring sounds include: Ring, clank, whine, groan, clang, whoosh, crackle, beep, hiss, bang, rumble, clatter and clank Ring, clank, whine, groan, clang, whoosh, crackle, beep, hiss, bang, rumble, clatter and clank

16. Metal rang on metal To (cause to) give out a clear resonant sound, like that of a bell To (cause to) give out a clear resonant sound, like that of a bell Toll: to sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals.

17. Stamping press is a manufacturing device that is designed and built to operate progressive stamping dies and other types of dies. is a manufacturing device that is designed and built to operate progressive stamping dies and other types of dies.manufacturing progressive stamping diesmanufacturing progressive stamping dies

18. clank (cause to) make a dull metallic sound “ Here we are now ”, Beth said, as the train clanked into a tiny station. The heavy iron door clanked shut behind me.

19. Power tools A power tool is a tool powered by an electric motor, a compressed air motor, or a gasoline engine. A power tool is a tool powered by an electric motor, a compressed air motor, or a gasoline engine.toolelectric motortoolelectric motor

20. whine To produce a sustained noise of relatively high pitch: jet engines whining. To produce a sustained noise of relatively high pitch: jet engines whining. habitually complaining; "a whiny child" habitually complaining; "a whiny child"

21. pulley wheel with a grooved rim in which a belt, chain, or piece of rope runs in order to lift weights by a downward pull wheel with a grooved rim in which a belt, chain, or piece of rope runs in order to lift weights by a downward pull

22. groan 1. To voice a deep, inarticulate sound, as of pain, grief, or displeasure. 1. To voice a deep, inarticulate sound, as of pain, grief, or displeasure. 2. To make a sound expressive of stress or strain: floorboards groaning. 2. To make a sound expressive of stress or strain: floorboards groaning.

23. hoist An apparatus for lifting heavy or cumbersome objects. An apparatus for lifting heavy or cumbersome objects. raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help; "hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car" raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help; "hoist the bicycle onto the roof of the car"

24. clang loud resonant repeating noise; loud resonant repeating noise; "he could hear the clang of distant bells" "he could hear the clang of distant bells"

25. weld Join (pieces of metal) by hammering or pressure or fusing by using an oxy-acetylene flame or an electric arc (followed by to, together) He doesn ’ t know how to weld stainless steel to ordinary steel. They will also be used on factory floors to weld things together.

26. weld N. the act of welding; the part joined by welding. N. the act of welding; the part joined by welding. The manager told us that the weld has been done from inside the car. A team of eight divers repaired the cracked weld on the oil platform in almost 600 feet of water.

27. whoosh A sibilant sound: A sibilant sound: the whoosh of the high-speed elevator. the whoosh of the high-speed elevator.

28. spark A small bit of burning material thrown out by a fire or by striking together of two hard objects Sparks were flying out of the bonfire and blowing everywhere. That small incident was the spark that set off the street riots.

29. spark Throw out tiny glowing bits I stared into the flames of the fire as it sparked into life. This proposal will almost certainly

30. crackle Make small cracking sounds The twigs crackled as we trod on them. The radio crackled just then and I missed what was said.

31. beep A sound or a signal, as from a horn or an electronic device. A sound or a signal, as from a horn or an electronic device.

32. hiss Make the sound /s/, or the noise heard when water falls on a very hot surface; show disapproval by making the /s/ sound Make the sound /s/, or the noise heard when water falls on a very hot surface; show disapproval by making the /s/ sound The tires of his bike hissed over the wet pavement as he slowed down. The tires of his bike hissed over the wet pavement as he slowed down. If you put a very hot pan into cold water, it will hiss and produce a lot of steam. If you put a very hot pan into cold water, it will hiss and produce a lot of steam. The villain was hissed and booed whenever he came on stage. The villain was hissed and booed whenever he came on stage.

33. bolt A fastener consisting of a threaded pin or rod with a head at one end, designed to be inserted through holes in assembled parts and secured by a mated nut that is tightened by applying torque A fastener consisting of a threaded pin or rod with a head at one end, designed to be inserted through holes in assembled parts and secured by a mated nut that is tightened by applying torque

34. bolt

35. bolt To start suddenly and run away: The horse bolted at the sound of the shot. The frightened child bolted from the room. To start suddenly and run away: The horse bolted at the sound of the shot. The frightened child bolted from the room.

36. bang sudden loud noise, as of an explosion. sudden loud noise, as of an explosion.

37. trolley a wheeled cart or stand used for moving heavy items, such as shopping in a supermarket or luggage at a railway station a wheeled cart or stand used for moving heavy items, such as shopping in a supermarket or luggage at a railway station

38. rumble Make, move with, a deep, heavy continuous sound Please excuse my stomach rumbling – I haven ’ t eaten all day. A line of tractors rumbled onto the motorway through a cordon of police.

39. rumble n. deep, heavy, continuous sound We could hear the rumble of distant thunder. The representatives gave us a solid rumble of approval.

40. aisle 1. A part of a church divided laterally from the nave by a row of pillars or columns. 1. A part of a church divided laterally from the nave by a row of pillars or columns. 2. A passageway between rows of seats, as in an auditorium or an airplane. 2. A passageway between rows of seats, as in an auditorium or an airplane. 3. A passageway for inside traffic, as in a department store, warehouse, or supermarket. 3. A passageway for inside traffic, as in a department store, warehouse, or supermarket.

41. clatter 1. To make a rattling sound. 1. To make a rattling sound. 2. To move with a rattling sound: clattering along on roller skates. 2. To move with a rattling sound: clattering along on roller skates. 3. To talk rapidly and noisily; chatter 3. To talk rapidly and noisily; chatter

42. clank A metallic sound, sharp and hard but not resonant: the clank of chains. A metallic sound, sharp and hard but not resonant: the clank of chains.

43. Conveyor belt

44. rotate (cause) to move around a central point; (cause to) take turns (cause) to move around a central point; (cause to) take turns Rotating vegetable crops helps to reduce the risk of disease. Rotating vegetable crops helps to reduce the risk of disease. It was agreed that the Presidency would rotate among members of the major groups. It was agreed that the Presidency would rotate among members of the major groups.

45. Dashboard mold A panel under the windshield of a vehicle, containing indicator dials, compartments, and sometimes control instruments. A panel under the windshield of a vehicle, containing indicator dials, compartments, and sometimes control instruments.

46. inject Drive or force a drug, etc (into sth) with a syringe; introduce (new thoughts, etc) (used in the pattern: be injected with or inject sth into sth else) His son was injected with strong drugs by the kidnappers. The technique consists of injecting healthy cells into the weakened muscles. A competition was set up to inject some friendly rivalry into the proceedings.

47. nozzle a projecting spout from which fluid is discharged a projecting spout from which fluid is discharged

48. Infuriatingly To a maddening degree To a maddening degree Infuriate: To make furious; enrage. Infuriate: To make furious; enrage.

49. gesture The movement of the hand or head to indicate or illustrate an idea, feeling, etc; sth done to convey an intention In western countries, the thumb raised up is a gesture of approval or agreement. We should invite them to our house, as a gesture of friendship.

50. gesture Make or use a gesture; express with a gesture When he asked where the children were, she gestured vaguely in the direction of the beach. The head of our department gestured me over to the seat next to her.

51. cute Attractive; pretty and charming; sharp-witted; quick-thinking. Attractive; pretty and charming; sharp-witted; quick-thinking. ‘ Bambi ’ is a typical Walt Disney film with cute wide-eyed cartoon animals. ‘ Bambi ’ is a typical Walt Disney film with cute wide-eyed cartoon animals. He thinks it is cute to tell those sexist stories. He thinks it is cute to tell those sexist stories.

52. squirt To issue forth in a thin forceful stream or jet; spurt. To issue forth in a thin forceful stream or jet; spurt.

53. protrude (cause to) stick out or project (cause to) stick out or project The broken bone protruded through the man ’ s skin. The broken bone protruded through the man ’ s skin. Nails protruded from the board and had to be removed for safety. Nails protruded from the board and had to be removed for safety.

54. In place In the usual or proper position In the usual or proper position We ’ d better use clamps to hold the wood in place We ’ d better use clamps to hold the wood in place Everything is in place: the books on their shelves, the pictures on the walls and the cushions on the sofa. Everything is in place: the books on their shelves, the pictures on the walls and the cushions on the sofa.

55. Ad infinitum if something happens or continues ad infinitum, it happens again and again in the same way, or it continues forever if something happens or continues ad infinitum, it happens again and again in the same way, or it continues forever The TV station just shows repeats of old comedy programmes ad infinitum. Her list of complaints went on and on ad infinitum. The TV station just shows repeats of old comedy programmes ad infinitum. Her list of complaints went on and on ad infinitum.

56. panel Board or other surface for controls and instruments; group of experts or judges Board or other surface for controls and instruments; group of experts or judges He couldn ’ t understand the aeroplane ’ s control panels. He couldn ’ t understand the aeroplane ’ s control panels. The panel is made up of MPs from the three main political parties. The panel is made up of MPs from the three main political parties. The competition will be judged by a panel of experts. The competition will be judged by a panel of experts.

57. Steering wheel

58. Wiper wand

59. wand wave a magic wand to solve a difficult problem with no effort Unfortunately, you can't just wave a magic wand and get rid of poverty. wave a magic wand to solve a difficult problem with no effort Unfortunately, you can't just wave a magic wand and get rid of poverty.

60. Gauge a. A standard or scale of measurement. a. A standard or scale of measurement. b. A standard dimension, quantity, or capacity. b. A standard dimension, quantity, or capacity.

61. To measure precisely. To measure precisely. 2. To determine the capacity, volume, or contents of. 2. To determine the capacity, volume, or contents of. 3. To evaluate or judge: gauge a person's ability. 3. To evaluate or judge: gauge a person's ability.

62. Burst out Suddenly begin to; exclaim Suddenly begin to; exclaim Everyone thought about the joke for a couple of seconds, then burst out laughing. Everyone thought about the joke for a couple of seconds, then burst out laughing. “ I hate you! I hate you! ” she burst out loud. “ I hate you! I hate you! ” she burst out loud.

63. An array of An orderly, often imposing arrangement: an array of royal jewels. An orderly, often imposing arrangement: an array of royal jewels. 2. An impressively large number, as of persons or objects: an array of heavily armed troops; an array of spare parts. 2. An impressively large number, as of persons or objects: an array of heavily armed troops; an array of spare parts.

64. Bins of screws A container or enclosed space for storage A container or enclosed space for storage

65. workstand

66. vibrate shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner shake, quiver, or throb; move back and forth rapidly, usually in an uncontrolled manner

67. underfoot Under one ’ s feet; on the ground Under one ’ s feet; on the ground The grass was damp and soft underfoot. The grass was damp and soft underfoot. It ’ s muddy underfoot after the drizzle. It ’ s muddy underfoot after the drizzle.

68. duck Move quickly down (to avoid being seen or hit) Move quickly down (to avoid being seen or hit) The boy ducked behind the wall when he saw his teacher. The boy ducked behind the wall when he saw his teacher. Josie saw the rock coming and ducked, but it struck her on the ear. Josie saw the rock coming and ducked, but it struck her on the ear.

69. Ducked one’s head

70. Craned one’s neck

71. Power wrench

72. inexorable Relentless; continuing unstoppably Relentless; continuing unstoppably The country ’ s manufacturing industry seems to be in an inexorable decline. The country ’ s manufacturing industry seems to be in an inexorable decline. During 1939 the approach of war seemed inexorable. During 1939 the approach of war seemed inexorable.

73. malevolence wishing evil to others; the quality of threatening evil wishing evil to others; the quality of threatening evil Malice; malfunction, Malice; malfunction,

74. Logic-defying 1. a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it. 1. a. To oppose or resist with boldness and assurance: defied the blockade by sailing straight through it. b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country. b. To refuse to submit to or cooperate with: defied the court order by leaving the country. 2. To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: "So the plague defied all medicines" Daniel Defoe. 2. To be unaffected by; resist or withstand: "So the plague defied all medicines" Daniel Defoe.

75. procedure Order of doing things; a set of actions necessary for doing sth properly Order of doing things; a set of actions necessary for doing sth properly It is very important to follow the safety procedures laid down in the handbook. It is very important to follow the safety procedures laid down in the handbook. The Personnel Officer will tell you what the procedure is for applying for a transfer. The Personnel Officer will tell you what the procedure is for applying for a transfer. Sorry about the body-search. It is just a standard procedure. Sorry about the body-search. It is just a standard procedure.

76. showstopper something that is strikingly attractive or has great popular appeal; something that is strikingly attractive or has great popular appeal; "she has a show-stopper of a smile"; "the brilliant orange flowers against the green foliage were a showstopper" "she has a show-stopper of a smile"; "the brilliant orange flowers against the green foliage were a showstopper"

77. Down pat understood perfectly understood perfectly

78. manifest List List Manifests must be submitted by the 24th of every month. Manifests must be submitted by the 24th of every month. Will you please make out the manifest for the tubing to my company? Will you please make out the manifest for the tubing to my company?

79. Adjective Clear and obvious It was manifest to all of us that he would fail. There may be unrecognized cases of manifest injustice of which we are unaware.

80. V. show clearly (often used in the pattern: manifest itself in) V. show clearly (often used in the pattern: manifest itself in) There is nothing hidden which shall not be manifested. There is nothing hidden which shall not be manifested. With the arrival of a new baby, jealousy in the older child often manifests itself in emotional detachment from the family. With the arrival of a new baby, jealousy in the older child often manifests itself in emotional detachment from the family.

81. sedan

82. wagon

83. jam To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position: jammed the cork in the bottle. To drive or wedge forcibly into a tight position: jammed the cork in the bottle.

84. sheath cover cover

85. module Unit of components used in assembly; independent and self-contained unit of a spacecraft Each module is made separately, and the completed modules are then joined together. A rescue plan could be achieved by sending an unmanned module to the space station.

86. Prefix snap Made or done suddenly, with little or no preparation: a snap decision. Made or done suddenly, with little or no preparation: a snap decision.

87. Back and forth To and fro To and fro Many people were going back and forth along the corridor of the hospital. Many people were going back and forth along the corridor of the hospital. Bitter and cruel remarks flew back and forth between them. Bitter and cruel remarks flew back and forth between them.

88. The other way around Reversed or inverted; the opposite of what is expected Reversed or inverted; the opposite of what is expected Usually regular work pays better per hour than part-time, but sometimes it can be the other way around. Usually regular work pays better per hour than part-time, but sometimes it can be the other way around. How would Sally ’ s husband have felt if it had been the other way around — if she ’ d treated him so badly. How would Sally ’ s husband have felt if it had been the other way around — if she ’ d treated him so badly.

89. circular a. Round or curved in shape; moving round The full moon has a circular shape. We took a fairly circular route around the continent, ending where we had started.

90. Printed letter, announcement, etc of which many copies are made and distributed I always put circulars and other junk mail straight in the bin. Several circulars advertising new shops in the town were delivered with the local newspaper.

91. yank To pull with a quick, strong movement; jerk: yanked the emergency cord. To pull with a quick, strong movement; jerk: yanked the emergency cord.

92. By hand Without the use of machinery Without the use of machinery All the furniture in this shop is made by hand. We had to make the corrections by hand as the computer wouldn ’ t do them for us.

93. flap 1. A flat, usually thin piece attached at only one side. 1. A flat, usually thin piece attached at only one side. 2. A projecting or hanging piece usually intended to double over and protect or cover: the flap of an envelope. 2. A projecting or hanging piece usually intended to double over and protect or cover: the flap of an envelope.

94. stray Wander from the task at hand; lose one ’ s way (often followed by from) Wander from the task at hand; lose one ’ s way (often followed by from) Don ’ t let any of the smaller children stray away from the park. Don ’ t let any of the smaller children stray away from the park. When you are explaining your reasons, be careful not to stray from the main point. When you are explaining your reasons, be careful not to stray from the main point.

95. a. Lost; seen or happening occasionally His drawers are full of stray socks. It was reported that an 8-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet.

96. n. Domestic animal that has lost its way The dog was a stray which had been adopted. A lot of stray dogs are pets that have been given as Christmas presents and then abandoned.

97. Bear on/upon Move quickly towards (sb or sth) in a threatening way; press down on; exert pressure on He saw her figure bearing down on him from the other end of the corridor. Don ’ t bear down so hard on your pencil. If he bears down on others, it is because he is borne down on.

98. lunge Make a sudden forward movement Make a sudden forward movement She lunged towards the door when it opened a crack. She lunged towards the door when it opened a crack. He lunged at the burglar and wrestled with him for the weapon. He lunged at the burglar and wrestled with him for the weapon.

99. Cultural Notes Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) An English film actor and director who did most of his work in the U.S. Most people consider him the greatest comic actor of the silent cinema. He appeared in many of his films as the best-known character he created, a little tramp with a small round hat, a small moustache and trousers and shoes that are too big for him, causing him to walk in a funny way.

100. Charlie Chaplin He made many short comic films, such as The kid (1921), and several longer films, such as City Lights (1931) and Modern Times (1936), which combined comedy with social and political comments. He as made a Knight in 1975. He made many short comic films, such as The kid (1921), and several longer films, such as City Lights (1931) and Modern Times (1936), which combined comedy with social and political comments. He as made a Knight in 1975.

101. Modern Times A comedy film which Charlie Chaplin wrote and directed as well as acting that main part. A comedy film which Charlie Chaplin wrote and directed as well as acting that main part. It was the last time It was the last time he used his Little Tramp Character. The film is an attack on the use of machines in modern factories and the bad treatment of factory Workers.

102. Working on the assembly line, Charlie is driven crazy by the pace of the machine and the tough manner of his foreman. In his fantasy, Charlie gets a tick that makes him move like a machine. Stuck on a conveyer belt, he runs through the machine and becomes part of it.

103. What this fantasy triggers off your mind? On its first appearance, it could be the factory floor, with its automatism, standardization and specialization, its rationalism, its technology and its routine. On second thoughts, it could also be the robotization, the dehumanization, the depersonalization of the worker.

104. Put to rights/right Correct (sb or sth); make a situation etc return to normal again Could the psychiatrist put all their troubles again? A day ’ s rest would put me right. The only way we can really put things right is by borrowing even more money.

105. Have/get the hang of sth Learn how to operate or do sth; see the meaning of sth said or written Learn how to operate or do sth; see the meaning of sth said or written I ’ ve finally got the hang of the programming. I ’ ve finally got the hang of the programming. Using the computer isn ’ t difficult once you get the hang of it. Using the computer isn ’ t difficult once you get the hang of it.

106. Sleep: multiple meaning 1. a. To move smoothly, easily, and quietly: slipped into bed. 1. a. To move smoothly, easily, and quietly: slipped into bed. b. To move stealthily; steal. b. To move stealthily; steal. 2. To pass gradually, easily, or imperceptibly: "It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by" Vita Sackville-West. 2. To pass gradually, easily, or imperceptibly: "It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by" Vita Sackville-West. 3. a. To slide involuntarily and lose one's balance or foothold. See Synonyms at slide. 3. a. To slide involuntarily and lose one's balance or foothold. See Synonyms at slide.slide b. To slide out of place; shift position: The gear slipped. b. To slide out of place; shift position: The gear slipped. 4. To escape, as from a grasp, fastening, or restraint: slipped away from his pursuers. 4. To escape, as from a grasp, fastening, or restraint: slipped away from his pursuers. 5. To decline from a former or standard level; fall off. 5. To decline from a former or standard level; fall off. 6. To fall behind a scheduled production rate. 6. To fall behind a scheduled production rate.

107. reel Become dizzy or confused; move unsteadily; stagger Dozens of opportunities suddenly opened up, and my mind was reeling. She began to reel and then she fainted.

108. fumble Search (for sth) by feeling about awkwardly with the hands; handle sth clumsily She fumbled about in the dark for the light switch. He fumbled the catch and the ball dropped on the ground

109. tighten Make or become tighter He bent down and tightened his shoelaces. The bolt is coming loose; it needs tightening up.

110. anew Again; in a new or different way She made a few mistakes and had to write it anew. After the scandal they thought the best way to start anew was to move to another town.

111. foul (cause to) become filthy; do sth contrary to the rules (in sports) We suspected that the cattle had fouled the river. He was cautioned for fouling an opponent.

112. a. Having a bad smell or taste; causing disgust; filthy There was a foul smell coming up from the river. Cars are to blame for the foul smog that covers the city.

113. Foul up Spoil; mess up Spoil; mess up People allowing their animals to foul up the footpaths will be prosecuted. This time he really fouled up the interview.

114. squint Look at sideways or with half-shut eyes or through a narrow opening The sudden bright light made him squint She shaded her eyes and squinted at the sky.

115. See double See two things when there is one See two things when there is one She was seeing double from drinking so much wine. For 35 minutes I was walking around in a daze, I was dizzy, seeing double.

116. Call it quits Decide to abandon an activity or venture Decide to abandon an activity or venture Now I ’ ve decided to call it quits and get a divorce. Now I ’ ve decided to call it quits and get a divorce. Take a million bucks and call it quits. Take a million bucks and call it quits.

117. ring down the curtain To end a performance, event, or action. ring down the curtain To end a performance, event, or action. ring up the curtain To begin a performance, event, or action.

118. memento A reminder of the past; a keepsake. A reminder of the past; a keepsake.

119. serene Calm and peaceful; tranquil Calm and peaceful; tranquil What amazes me is his serene indifference to all the trouble around him. What amazes me is his serene indifference to all the trouble around him. The woods were reflected in the serene lake. The woods were reflected in the serene lake.

120. soothe Make quiet or calm; comfort; make (pains, etc) less sharp or severe Make quiet or calm; comfort; make (pains, etc) less sharp or severe When the baby cried his mother soothed him by stroking his hot little head. When the baby cried his mother soothed him by stroking his hot little head. Maybe a drink would help soothe your nerves. Maybe a drink would help soothe your nerves.

121. giddy Having or causing the feeling that everything is turning round and that one ’ s going to fall She suddenly became giddy and had to find somewhere to sit down. Just before I fainted I had a giddy sensation and felt unable to stand.

122. Play hooky to fail to attend school or some other event. Why aren't you in school? Are you playing hooky? I don't have time for the sales meeting today, so I think I'll just play hooky. to fail to attend school or some other event. Why aren't you in school? Are you playing hooky? I don't have time for the sales meeting today, so I think I'll just play hooky.

123. complexity State of being complex; complex thing State of being complex; complex thing He hadn ’ t appreciated the complexity of the situation. He hadn ’ t appreciated the complexity of the situation. The complexities of modern life were too much for him. The complexities of modern life were too much for him.