“Please don’t bother me now. I’m really very busy,” said Dad.
drive someone up the wall INFORMAL
“Some of these stupid TV adverts drive me up the wall!” said Grandad.
get on someone’s nerves INFORMAL
Mitchi’s whiny voice really gets on my nerves.
harass
Many famous people are harassed by reporters and photographers.
irritate
My mum was irritated by the constant dripping of the tap in the night.
needle INFORMAL
The soccer player tried to needle his opponent by muttering insults.
provoke
My sister provoked me into an argument by saying I was no good at singing.
answer (1) VERB
If you answer someone, you reply to them in speech or writing.
answer back
When spoken to by the judge, the defendant was foolish enough to answer back rudely.
reply
If you receive an invitation, it’s polite to reply promptly.
respond
The captain asked for volunteers, and two crewmen responded.
retort
“I’d love to go to the ball,” said Cinderella. “No chance!” retorted her ugly sister.
return
“Yes, I’d love to come to the theatre,” Genevieve returned.
answer (2) NOUN
An answer is the reply you give when you answer someone.
acknowledgment
The palace sent a brief letter as an acknowledgment to my request.
reaction
The mayor received an angry reaction to his scheme to sell off the sports field.
reply
The salesman rang the door bell, but there was no reply.
response
There was a terrific response to the famine appeal.
retort
“Ouch, that hurt!” I said. “Serves you right!” came the retort.
appear VERB
When something appears, it moves from somewhere you could not see it to somewhere you can see it.
come into sight
A woolly mammoth came into sight, lumbering from behind the rock.
come into view
A triceratops came into view, its serrated back appearing over the ridge.
emerge
Emerging from his bedroom, my lazy brother rubbed his eyes.
loom
The gigantic airship blotted out the sun as it loomed nearer.
➔ See arrive (#ulink_2b5d14b6-bdea-5ca1-892d-50bfb0ecb5e1)
area (1) NOUN
An area is a particular part of a place, country or the world.