Vocabulary

to resolve; to make up one's mind; to decide

to shame the name (of); to blot the reputation (of)

courier; smuggler; carrier (e.g. of illegal drugs); trafficker

to give one's life (e.g. in battle); to devote one's life (e.g. to a cause)

to break up (e.g. a meeting); to call it a night

jam-packed; packed; packed like sardines

whatever brought that on?

whatever brought that on?

just managing; with great difficulty

American film; American movie

American English

alcoholic content

British literature

Italian food; Italian cooking; Italian cuisine

cancellation charge; cancellation fee

Christian countries

handling complaints

compacting

soccer player; football player; footballer

stress relief; getting rid of stress

Spanish food; Spanish cooking

athlete

news programme; news program

basketball club

basketball club

badminton club

party ticket (esp. one for a political fundraising party)

French film; French movie

French literature

(made of) plastic

prefab hut

boxing club

negative growth

missile attack

record company

to affect someone's prestige; to be beneath one's dignity

unsatisfactory

one thing after another; out of the frying pan and into the fire

legacy of the past

nothing special; no big deal; doesn't matter