Pathetic meaning in English
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Definition
pathetic: miserable, pitiful, lamentable, saddening; ridiculous, silly
Examples
- "This is pathetic."
- "The battery life is pathetic, so you have to stay next to a socket every time you want to read a darn book."
Exercise 1
Susan writes that "a one size fits all approach is outdated and unsuccessful."
This means that "An advertising campaign which is is and ".
This means that "An advertising campaign which is is and ".
Susan writes that "a one size fits all approach is outdated and unsuccessful."
This means that "An advertising campaign which is the same for everyone 1 is old-fashioned 2 and likely to fail 3".
This means that "An advertising campaign which is the same for everyone 1 is old-fashioned 2 and likely to fail 3".
1 the same for everyone: This is the best choice here. The term "one size fits all" originally comes from the clothing industry. It is found on items of clothing (for example: dresses, t-shirts) which are only available in one size: they are the same for everyone, however big or small the person is. In her press release, Susie uses this expression figuratively. Another example: "I don't believe that a one size fits all system will be effective for our children's education".
1 too comprehensive: This is not the right answer. If something is "comprehensive", it is "complete" or "detailed". This does not share the same meaning as "one size fits all".
1 very expensive: This is not the right answer. If something is "very expensive", it costs a lot of money, or is "very dear". This does not share the same meaning as "one size fits all".
1 based on female sexuality: This is not the right answer. Although the Delavigne poster campaign does feature sexy model Ivana Bümbüm in a provocative pose, the expression "one size fits all" is unrelated to female sexuality.
2 old-fashioned: "Old-fashioned" shares a similar meaning with "outdated". Both terms refer to something which is "old" or "not modern", and are negative adjectives. Another example: "Your clothes are very outdated. You'll never get a new job when you look so old-fashioned".
2 costly: This is not the right answer. A "costly (item)" is an expensive or dear one: it costs a lot of money. This is unrelated to the meaning of "outdated".
2 too provocative: This is not the right answer. Something which is "too provocative" is "risqué" or even "outrageous", and excessively sexual in nature. Although the Delavigne poster campaign does feature sexy model Ivana Bümbüm in a provocative pose, this is unrelated to the term "outdated".
2 likely to succeed: This is not the right answer. If something is "likely to succeed", it will probably be successful or "do well". This is unrelated to the meaning of "outdated".
3 likely to fail: This is the best choice here. Something "unsuccessful" does not succeed: it "fails" or "doesn't work". Example: "My attempt to climb Everest was unsuccessful. What's more, my toes are very cold".
3 pathetic: This is not the right answer. Something "pathetic" is "pitiful" or it "makes us feel sorry for someone". This does not share a similar meaning with "unsuccessful".
3 cheap: This is not the right answer. Something "cheap" is "inexpensive" or "doesn't cost much money". This does not share a similar meaning with "unsuccessful".
3 offensive: This is not the right answer. If something is "offensive", it is "shocking" or "upsetting". This does not share a similar meaning with "unsuccessful".
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