IELTS Academic Words: Phrases #4

Be a Victim Of

To have suffered from a particular crime, incident, or situation.

"Many people unwittingly become a victim of phishing scams due to the increasingly sophisticated techniques used by cybercriminals."

Convicted Criminal

An individual found guilty of a crime by a court of law.

"After serving his time, the convicted criminal dedicated his life to helping young people avoid the mistakes he had made."

Criminal Activity

Actions that break the law.

"The police have ramped up their efforts to crack down on criminal activity in the neighborhood."

Criminal Offence

A specific act that is against the law.

"Committing theft is considered a criminal offence that can result in significant legal consequences."

Criminal Record

A documented history of a person's criminal convictions.

"Having a criminal record can significantly reduce job prospects, as many employers are hesitant to hire applicants with a history of legal issues."

Hardened Criminal

A person who has committed many crimes and is not easily reformed.

"After years of evading the law, the hardened criminal finally faced justice for his numerous offenses."

Juvenile Crime

Criminal activities carried out by minors.

"The city has implemented new programs aimed at reducing juvenile crime by engaging teens in community service."

Underlying Causes

The hidden or less obvious reasons behind a particular situation or event.

"To effectively treat the patient's chronic headaches, the doctors focused on diagnosing the underlying causes rather than just alleviating the symptoms."

Overnight Celebrity

Someone who becomes very famous in a very short period.

"After her video went viral, she became an overnight celebrity, with thousands of new followers on social media."

Became Famous Overnight

Gained fame very quickly.

"The young singer became famous overnight after her song went viral on social media."

Main Claim to Fame

The primary reason why a person is famous.

"The small town's main claim to fame is its annual strawberry festival, which attracts visitors from all over the state."

In the Public Eye

Constantly being watched or discussed by the public.

"Since becoming the CEO of the environmentally focused startup, she has remained in the public eye as a leading voice for sustainable business practices."

Instant Celebrity

A person who quickly gains a large amount of fame.

"With her performance in the viral video, she became an instant celebrity overnight, her following on social media skyrocketing within hours."

Making Headlines

Being the main story in the news.

"The young entrepreneur was making headlines after his innovative app revolutionized social media interactions."

Media Attention

Focus from newspapers, television, and other news sources.

"The startup received an unexpected surge in media attention after their product was featured on a popular tech blog."

Newfound Fame

Recently acquired popularity or recognition.

"After her performance went viral, she struggled to adjust to her newfound fame."

Tabloid Press

Newspapers that focus on sensational and less serious news.

"The celebrity lamented that their private life was constantly exploited by the tabloid press, often leading to false or exaggerated stories."

A Matter of Taste

Something that is subject to individual preference.

"Whether you prefer classical music or heavy metal, it's really just a matter of taste."

Acquire a Taste For

Develop a liking for something that you didn't like before.

"After months of experimenting with different cuisines during her travels, she began to acquire a taste for spicy food."

Be in Bad Taste

To be inappropriate or offensive.

"Making jokes about the recent tragedy was considered to be in bad taste."

Share the Same Taste

To like the same things as someone else.

"My sister and I share the same taste in music, so we always go to concerts together."