one-two punch= two unpleasant things that happen together，可数
Since losing his job, Joe’s been battling a one-two punch of unemployment and his worsening health.
make a purchase,购买，注意purchase作名词的时候可作可数名词，另外和动词make连用
Houses are for many people likely the most expensive purchase they will ever make.
Wet blanket=a person who says or does sth that stops other people from enjoying themselves.扫兴的人，可数
Joe used to manage to attract people’s attention by being a terrible wet blanket.
vehicle除了有“机动车”的意思外，还有“手段”的意思= a thing used to express, embody, or fulfill sth,可数
Homeownership has traditionally been a vehicle of wealth accumulation for typical American households.
net worth= the total wealth of an individual, company, or household, taking account of all financial assets and liabilities, 净资产
The increase in the value of paper boosted the paper-making company’s net worth.
Set the tone for sth= to establish a particular mood or character for sth,为…奠定基调
This editorial by the Xinhua News Agency sets the tone for how betrothal gifts（彩礼，也可以说成bride prices，嫁妆为dowry）will be regarded by the public.
tenor= the general meaning, content, or sense of sth,基调，只用单数
Joe’s unintentional uttering of swear words changed the tenor of the meeting.
deftly=in a way that is neatly skillful and quick in movement，熟练地（形容词是deft）；deflect= cause sth to change direction，使…偏斜，vt
Whenever Joe’s wrong, he just deftly deflects potential punishments by saying, “Well, somebody must have done things much worse than I did.”
A bad moment can hurt you significantly more than a good moment can help you in a televised public debate.（英文中很经典的两种相反的程度的对比）
Tee up= to make preparations for sth to happen，or for someone to do sth，为…作好准备，pv，vt或vi都可（也可以表示“正中…下怀”的意思，相当于be right up someone’s street）
The question about learning a foreign language asked by the host teed up Joe perfectly as Joe used to be an English teacher.
lag作vi表示“落后，fall behind”，lagging表示“落后的”（jet lag表示“时差反应”）
On top of defending against a possible invasion from a neighboring country, the government also needs to cope with the lagging economy.
Out of touch= not knowing what’s going on
Joe seems out of touch during the drama show because he is expressionless when everyone else is cheering and applauding.
seize on=seize upon=抓住…以利用，pv，vt
Tragedies that happen in America are usually seized on by North Korea as evidence of the weakness of capitalism.
downtime= a time of reduced activity or inactivity，停工期，不可数
Everyone needs downtime to be laid back, especially after heavy work.
Jostle for= struggle or compete forcefully for,奋力争取…，jostle本身是“挤”的意思，及不及物都可
pedestrians nearby are gathering and jostling for the best spot to catch sight of the fighting between a young couple.
