Ted Talk 2 - 2.01.2026

to prevent something bad from affecting you for a period of time; to delay something

stave off

difficult time for the economy of a country during which a period of economic decline is followed by a brief period of economic growth, before the economy starts to decline again

double-dip recession

not allowed to eat or drink anything, typically before an operation.

nil by mouth

very important or serious, especially because there may be important results

momentous

to search a place or thing carefully and completely in order to find somebody/something

scour

a large number of things that happen or arrive at the same time

deluge

to give somebody control of something or give them power, a right, etc., especially unwillingly

cede something

in order to get or keep something

for the sake of something

very important and needing immediate attention or action

imperative

unwilling to change or adapt, especially in attitudes or beliefs

rigid

existing or occurring commonly

prevailing

a typical example or pattern of something

paradigm

either of the two organs in a woman’s body that produce eggs; a similar organ in female animals, birds and fish

ovary

a medical examination that uses a computer to produce an image of the inside of somebody’s body from X-ray or ultrasound pictures

CT scan

a serious illness affecting one or both lungs that makes breathing difficult

pneumonia

to show somebody in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey them

kowtow to somebody

​an idea, a belief or an understanding of something

notion

​to stop using somebody/something because you no longer need them or it

dispense with somebody/something

to support or form the basis of an argument, a claim, etc.

underpin something

not in agreement; combining with other things in a way that is strange or unpleasant

discordant

developing or moving in different directions; becoming less similar

divergent

the fact of having or expressing opinions that are different from those that are officially accepted

dissent

​showing that you are confused and unable to think clearly

bemused

the ability to influence what people do

leverage

a change in a process or situation, usually when it gets worse for a short time before it gets better; a temporary problem

blip

disagreement; arguing

discord