English Vocabulary in Use Upper-intermediate (Unit 50: Commenting on problematic situations)


A. Types of problems and difficulties

There are many words for different types of difficulties. is a state of total confusion, where there is no order at all. A is an event which causes great harm or damage. If you are or are you are in a situation where you have to make a difficult decision between two things.

The earthquake was a dreadful disaster for the country. The transport system was in chaos for some time afterwards. The government were faced with a dilemma: start reconstruction work at once or wait until the likelihood of aftershocks had passed.

to be in a fix = be in a difficult situation
to be in a tight corner = be in a situation that is hard to get out of
to be in a muddle = be confused / mixed up

The word puts a positive slant on a problem situation in that it focuses on the fact that it needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully and therefore tests a person’s ability.

B. Specific difficulties

You can be 1 by all sorts of things, from those that are 2 to the 3.

  • 1 things can have a negative impact on you
  • 2 slightly annoying
  • 3 extremely annoying

  • Your plans may be . [prevented from continuing as intended]
  • Negotiations or a building may . [fail because of a lack of support]
  • You can be of something you value. [have something taken away from you]
  • Your life may something that you would like. [not have (enough of) something]

The nouns related to the words in this section are or , and .

C. Idioms about dealing with problems and difficulties

  • [not to do anything; let others act instead] ≠ to [act positively to face and attack the problem]
  • to [do/say things that make the situation worse] ≠ to [do/say things that calm the situation down]
  • I clearing up all this mess today. [don’t want to deal with]
  • I thought it would be best just to . [state exactly what my position is]
  • This has to be done by next week; we must before it’s too late. [organise ourselves to respond; infml]
  • We need a proper investigation to . [find the true explanation]
  • It’s quite difficult to get people to . [make them pay attention]
  • I’m trying to of what’s happening; it’s not easy. [find out / understand]

D. Idioms relating to changes in problem situations

  • for us; better days are ahead.
  • We can at last. [see that a difficult situation may be ending soon]
  • I’m afraid we’ve just with our plans.
  • I think I’ve in my career.
  • The government and the unions have for the time being. [made peace / stopped fighting each other]
  • All that trouble last year was just in the end. [ignored / deliberately forgotten, without solving it]


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