1.clap: strike (one’ s hands) together with a quick movement and loud sound
Examples:
　　　　　The teacher clapped to attract the class’s attention.
　　　　　The audience clapped at the end of the play.

2.usher: bring or cause to enter
Examples:
　　　　　A series of reforms ushered in the new regime.
　　　　　The rising sun ushered in a new day.

3.quit: stop (doing something)
Examples:
　　　　　He quit his job for a better position.
　　　　　He should really quit smoking for the sake of his health.

4.persevere: continue firmly in spite of difficulties
Examples:
　　　　　He didn’t know any English, but he persevered and became a good student.
　　　　　Despite the failure of his early experiments, the scientist persevered in his research.

5.in the way: blocking space for the forward movement
Examples:
　　　　　The chair is in the way; so move it, please.
　　　　　Although he thought he was helping us prepare the dinner, he was only in the way.

6.interview: ask questions of (somebody)
Examples:
　　　　　At the end of the race the winner was interviewed by NBC news.
　　　　　In the oral test the student is interviewed by an examiner.

7.count...out: leave ... out by choice
Examples:
　　　　　If you are playing football in this rainy weather you can count me out.
　　　　　We have ten applicants for the post, but two of them have now accepted other appointments, so we can count them out.

8.at times: sometimes
Examples:
　　　　　I do feel a little nervous at times.
　　　　　We have pie for dinner at times.

9.have a shot: try
Examples:
　　　　　I don’t know if I can do that, but I’ll have a shot (at it).
　　　　　Have a shot at solving the problem.

10.as opposed to: in contrast to
Examples:
　　　　　The tax system favors the very rich as opposed to ordinary working people.
　　　　　This is a book about business practices as opposed to theory.

11.exclusive: not shared with others
Examples:
　　　　　The actress granted the reporter an exclusive interview.
　　　　　This company has the exclusive right to print Mr. Dare’s books.

12.merit: deserve; have a right to
Examples:
　　　　　The suggestion merits serious consideration.
　　　　　He merited all the praise they gave him.

13.crisis: a point or moment of great danger, difficulty, or uncertainty
Examples:
　　　　　I was on the verge of a terrible crisis in my life.
　　　　　The potentiality for future government crises was growing.

14.behind the scenes: out of sight; secretly; without public knowledge
Examples:
　　　　　He is an important man behind the scenes.
　　　　　John was president of the club, but behind the scenes Robert told him what to do.