ESL Podcast 679 - Getting a Makeover
makeover - a service in which one changes one's appearance by changing one's hair, makeup and clothing; a professional service that changes one's appearance
Carrie agreed to get a makeover, but she wouldn't let anyone cut her long hair.
to have no say - for one's opinion not to matter; for one to not be in control of a situation; for one not to be able to determine what will happen
As soon as I turn 18 years old, I'll be able to do whatever I want and you will have no say in it.
intervention - a process in which close friends or relatives tell someone something that is difficult or painful to hear, especially to confront someone about a serious problem, like alcoholism or a drug addiction
Jake, we've asked you to come here tonight for an intervention. We're all worried about how much you've been drinking lately.
to let (oneself) go - to stop caring about one's physical appearance; to stop worrying about whether one is beautiful; to stop trying to dress well and look pretty
Jacques is afraid to get married because he thinks his future wife will let herself go.
to primp - to spend time in front of a mirror, making small changes to make oneself more attractive and more beautiful
How many hours a day do you think she spends primping in front of the mirror to look like that?
to get dolled up - to dress up; to put on nice clothes and do one's hair and makeup nicely; to try to look as nice as possible for a special occasion or event
The senior prom is a special night when all of the students can get dolled up.
frumpy - referring to things that are old, wrinkled, and out of style or not fashionable
When you wear such frumpy clothing, it makes you look at least 10 years older than you actually are.
out-of-date - outdated; not modern or current; not fashionable; relating to an earlier period of time
The market is changing so quickly that this new product will be out-of-date by the time we're able to manufacture it.
look - style; one's type of physical appearance
Martina likes to wear different glasses every day to change her look.
transformation - a major or important change; a complete or thorough change
If a phone company wants to be successful, it will have to go through a transformation to better serve smart phones and provide wireless Internet service.
appearance - the way one appears or looks to other people; the way one is seen physically
Sarah warned her parents that her boyfriend was a really nice person, but because of his long hair and tattoos it might take them a while to get used to his appearance.
to update - to change something to make it more modern or more appropriate for the current situation.
Would you please update your sales report with the most recent figures?
free rein - the ability or permission to do whatever one wants without being controlled or monitored by other people
You can have free rein to decorate your room however you want, but you can't spend more than $100.
to come quietly - to do something without protesting or fighting against it; to agree to do something without complaining about it
I need you to do something right now and I don't have time to explain it. Please trust me and come quietly.
one way or another - a phrase used to insist that someone do something when he or she does not have control over how it will be done; a phrase used to make someone do something he or she does not want to do
You have to pay your taxes one way or another, so just do it without complaining.
to drag (someone) kicking and screaming - to force someone do something he or she does not want to do; to make someone do something he or she is strongly opposed to and is complaining loudly about
I don't want to go to a country music concert. If you want me to go with you, you'll have to drag me kicking and screaming.