CONTROVERSY

There was a big controversy surrounding/over the use of drugs in athletics.

CUTBACK

cutbacks in public spending

staff cutbacks

BREACH

He was sued for breach of contract.

The congressman was accused of a breach of secrecy rules.

VIOLATION

The takeover of the embassy constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.

INSOLENCE

Her insolence cost her her job.

OBSTACLE

A lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job.

The biggest obstacle in our way was a tree trunk in the road.

DESIGNATION

The district is under consideration for designation as a conservation area.

Her official designation is Financial Controller.

SPAN
/spæn/

an average life span of 70 years

I worked with him over a span of six years.

DOWNSIDE

It’s a great plan – the downside is that it’s going to cost a lot of money.

COMEBACK

He’s hoping to make his political comeback in the next election.

The singer staged a remarkable comeback with his latest album.

PREDATOR
/ˈpredətə(r)/

The birds have to be protected from foxes and other predators.

SETBACK

The breakdown in talks represents a temporary setback in the peace process.

There has been a slight setback in our plans.

DAREDEVIL
/ˈdeəˌdev.əl

Spectators watched in horror as the nineteen-year-old daredevil smashed into the ground

SURGE
/sɜːdʒ/

An unexpected surge in electrical power caused the computer to crash.

There has been a surge in house prices recently.

DEAD RINGER FOR
[ded'riŋə]

That woman is a dead ringer for your wife - does she have a twin sister?

DEFICIENCY

Vitamin deficiency in the diet can cause illness.

TAKEAWAY

Iwant to emphasize the three key takeaways from today's call.
The takeaway lesson for me is the importance of admitting mistakes.

DISPARITY

In any case, the wide disparity of incomes leads to a certain instability.

ANXIETY
/æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/

Children normally feel a lot of anxiety about their first day at school.

I regret any anxiety or concern that I may, unwittingly, have caused.

ALLEGATION
/ˌæl.əˈɡeɪ.ʃən/
The chief executive of the company resigned last autumn over allegations about his expenses.
Allegations that Mr Dwight was receiving money from known criminals have caused a scandal.
He made allegations of unfair dismissal against his former employers.

CARNAGE
/ˈkɑː.nɪdʒ/
Drink driving used to be socially acceptable, and the result was carnage on our roads.

He was one of the few journalists who described the human carnage at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

RESURGENCE
/rɪˈsɜː.dʒəns/

The creation of independent states has led to a resurgence of nationalism.

STINT
Perhaps her most productive period was her five-year stint as a foreign correspondent in New York.

have a stint
do a stint
stint at something
stint as something (stint as a teacher)
stint in (stint in the army)
stint with (stint with orchestras)
stint of (stint of five years)
stint + ing (stint working)