А
A Only use deal with about serious subjects or problems.
ABOUT
^ look here for...
about a person or subject
not exact
^ if you mean 'be about to', go to the essential grammar section 5
" about a person or subject
about p'baut/ [preposition] concerned with a particular subject or person: She talks about him all the time. I I'm reading a story about some children who get lost on a mountain. I I'ue been thinking about what you said, and I've decided that you're right. I Does anyone have any questions about tonight's homework? be about "It's a really good film." "What's it about?" "It's about some students in New York."
ori /dn||a:n, эгл/ [preposition] about a particular subject: a book on 18th century European literature I Professor Dodd is gioing a lecture on medieval history. opinio as/ideas/views on a survey of young people's opinions on marriage + how/why/what etc We would like to hear your views on how services could be improved.
Don't use on to talk about books, films etc that tell stories. Use it about more
serious subjects or opinions.
concerning/regarding /ksns^nir],
n'ga:rdii)/ [preposition] formal about - use this to talk about information, ideas, questions, or discussions, not to talk about books, films, or stories: The police have new information concerning the identity of the murder victim. I Thank you for your letter regarding my student loan.
deal with StK /dill wid (sth)/ Iphrasa/
verb T] if a book, film, play etc deals with a subject, it is about that subject: The story deals with the problems of poverty and unemployment. I The earliest films made in India deait with religious subjects.
dealing - dealt - have dealt
И not an exact number or amount
about (also around especially american) /э'baot, 3'raond/ [adu\ a little more or a little less than a number, amount, distance, or time: The church is about a mile away. I It's about 2 years since I last saw him. I "What time would you like me to come?" "Oh. about 9 o'clock." I The murder was committed at around noon on Friday. I It cost around $1500.
approximately pproks^tlils'praik-/
[acfu] a little more or a little less than a number, amount, distance, or time: Each disk can store approximately 144 pages of text. I Approximately 30% of the community is Polish.
A Approximately js more formal than about or around and is mostly used in writinq.
■ -nJ I I ■ HMMI 114 HM^^IH I II MUM - - —
roughly /'rAfli/ [adu] a little more or a little less than a number - use this when you are making a guess which you know is not at all exact: A new computer like this one would cost roughly $2000. I There were roughly 50 people there.
or SO № яэо/ use this after a number or
I i
amount to show that it may be a little more or a little less: "How many people are coming?" "Oh, about a dozen or so."I A month or so later, they heard that Blake was dead.
Qgive or take /gIV э:г teik/ give or take a few days/miles/dollars etc espe cially spoken use this after a number, to show that it is not exact but it is nearly correct: She's been working there for two years, give or take a few weeks.
ACCEPT
look here for...
accept an offer or gift
accept an idea or suggestion
accept a situation that you cannot
change
11 to accept an offer,
invitation, or request
^ opposite refuse
^ see also a? saying yes, и invitations,
33 OFFERS
accept /sk'sept/1 {v T] to say yes to an offer, an invitation, or a chance to do something: / decided to accept the job. I The President has accepted an invitation to visit Beijing. I If they offered you a place
on the course, would you accept it?
——■ — — - — —— ^
/К Don't say 'I accepted to do it'. Say 1 agreed to do it.
take /teik/ (u T] if you take an opportunity or a job that someone offers you, you accept it: He says hell take the job if the money's right. I This is a ivonderful opportunity - / think you should take it.
taking - took - have taken
A Take is more informal than accept,
Qsay yes /,sei 'jes/ especially spoken to say you will do what someone has invited you to do or asked you to do; We'd hue you to come with us to France this summer. Please say yes! I He doesn't usually lend his CDs, so I was surprised when he soid yes.
agree /a'grii/ [и I] to say you will do what someone has asked you to do, especially something that may be difficult, inconvenient etc: They've asked me to attend
the conference, and I've agreed, agree to do sth I wish I had never agreed to teach him to drive.
agreeing - agreed - have agreed
take sb up on sth/take up sb's
ojffer /,teik (sb) лр Dn (sth), ,teik лр (sb's) 'Df3r||-'Dif-/ to accept someone's offer to do something for you, especially when you accept the offer some time after it was made: "// you need a babysitter, give me a call." "Thanks -I may take you up on that some timef" I In the end he took up his parents' offer of a loan.
В to take money or a gift that someone offers you
opposite REFUSE
take /teikI [u TJ to take something that
someone offers you: He gave us a lot of
helpful advice, but refused to take any payment for it.
take sth from sb My mother always
warned us never to take candy from strangers.
Qtake it or leave it spoken (used to tell someone that you will not change your offer) I'm offering you $100 - take it or leave it,
taking - took - have taken
accept /эк sept/ [v T] to take money or a gift from someone: We hope you'll accept this small gift. I The hotel accepts all major credit cards. accept sth from sb The Director was accused of accepting bribes from oil companies.
A Accept is more formal than take.
В to agree that a suggestion or idea is right
^ opposite DISAGREE, AGAINST
see also is saying yes, is agreeing,
is suggestions
accept /эк sept/ [и T] to agree that a suggestion or idea is right, especially when you did not previously think so: People are beginning to accept the idea that higher taxes may be necessary. + that The judge accepted that Carter had not intended to harm anyone.
agree fa'grii/ [и I] to accept that a plan or suggestion is good, especially when you have the power to decide whether it will be allowed to happen: I spoke to my boss yesterday about postponing the meeting, and she agreed.
+ to We want to have a big party, but / don't think my parents will agree to it. + tKat Everyone agreed that Dave should play at the school concert.
welcome /'welbm/ [u T) to think that a plan, suggestion, or decision is very good, and eagerly accept it: Mos/ companies have welcomed the idea of job-sharing.
be warmly welcomed These new proposals were warmly welcomed by the German Chancellor.
to accept a situation which you do not like
accept /эк sept/ (u T] to accept a situation which you do not like but you cannot change: There's nothing we can do - we have to accept the voters' decision. + that Local people have reluctantly accepted that the airport will have to be extended.
put up with. Stk ,put др wifi (sth)/ [phrasaf verb T] to accept an annoying situation or someone's annoying behaviour, without trying to stop it or change it: / don't know how you put up with all this noise day after day. I You see what I have to put up with - the kids never stop quarrelling.
tolerate /чЫэгеиЦ'Ш:-/ [v T] to accept an
A
to officially accept a new law or proposal
pass /pa:s|pЈcs/ [u T] if a parliament or
unpleasant situation, without trying to change it: For years the workers have had to tolerate low wages and terrible working conditions. I I don't know why his mother tolerates his behaviour.
Tolerate js more formal than put up with sth
live with sth /'i,v wid (sth)/ [phrasa/
verb T] to accept an unpleasant situation as a permanent part of your life which you cannot change: You have to learn to live with stress. I We don't really like the new system, but I suppose well just have to live with it.
be resigned to sth /ы; n'zamd tu: (sth)/
to realize that you must accept an unpleasant situation, because you cannot prevent it or avoid it: Joe is resigned to the fact that he will miss tomorrow's big race. I Pat knew her husband wasn't coming back and she was resigned to being alone.
make the best of it / meik оэ best av
и i informal to accept a situation that you do not like, and try to enjoy it or make it less bad: The school isn't the one I really wanted to go to, but I suppose I'll just have to make the best of it.
similar group passes a law or proposal, the members vote to accept it: The State Assembly passed a law which banned smoking in public places. I The bill was passed by 191 votes to 50.
approve /a'pruiv/ [i> T] to officially accept something that has been planned to happen: The Medical Research Council said it could not approve the use of the new drug. I The deal has already been approved by shareholders.
approval /э1 pruiv^l/ [n U) when a suggestion or plan is officially accepted: The parking proposals have been given the mayor's approval. (=he has approved them)
ACCIDENT ~
if you mean 'by accident', go to
damage
accidentally
НИГТ/ЦЦИ
\ r
^фМЕАК
see also
pamw^ - wfm±
4 *
D at home, at work, when doing a sport etc
accident / aeks^d^nt/ [n C] when someone
gets hurt or something gets damaged,
without anyone intending them to be: Jim was rushed to the hospital after an accident at work.
have an accident She had an accident while she was playing basketball and broke her arm.
serious accident The park is now closed following a serious accident last week, riding/climbing/skiing etc accident
Greg has been unable to walk since he was injured in a riding accident.
in а саг, train, plane etc
/fcksjdmt/ [n C] when a car, train etc hits an object, a person, or another vehicle: The accident was caused by someone driving too fasthave an accident Sue won't be able to
come tonight - she had an accident on
the way home.
bad/serious accident There are delays on the main road into town following a
serious accident.
road/car accident Road accidents are the biggest cause of death among young people.
crash jkr&ji [n C] an accident in which a
car, plane, train etc hits something and is badly damaged or destroyed: Wearing a seat belt can save your life in a crash. plane/train/car crash Her husband died in a plane crash in 1990.
have a crash/be in a crash (-in а саг) He was in a car crash last шеек.
crash /kracj/ [v I/T] to have an accident in a car, train etc by hitting something: The plane crashed just after take off. ; Prost lost control on the first bend and crashed. I Someone stole my car and crashed it.
+ into The truck skidded across the rood before crashing into a wall.
^^ Don't say 'crash with something'. Say crash into something
0 an extremely bad
accident when people are killed
disaster /drzaiste'l-'zss-/ \n C] an
extremely bad accident in which a lot ol people are ki:!ed: The Zeebrugge fern, disoster. in which a ship carrying hundreds of people sank was one of the worst in recenty history. I Could your hospitals cope with a major disaster like a train crash?
natural disaster (^caused by wind, rain, or other natural forces) Natura/ disasters such as earthquakes are common in this part of the world.
catastrophe btjestrafi In C) a terrible
event that causes death, damage, and destruction over a very large area: The destruction of the ozone layer could lead to an environmental catastrophe. I fears of a possible nuclear catastrophe
ACCIDENTALLY
when you do something that you did not intend to do
wreck (гску' |n C] amc.rican an accident involving a car, plane, train etc; The wreck caused a 5-mile traffic jam.
collision /Ь'i,vn/ [п C] an accident in
which two or more cars, planes etc hit each other while they are moving: Several cars were involved in a collision on the expressway this morning.
+ with A 25-year-old man was thrown from his motorcycle in a collision with a truck.
+ between a mid-air collision between two planes
head-on collision (^between two cars etc moving directly towards each other}
pile-Up .'pai[ др,| [n Q informal a serious road accident in which a lot of cars hit each other: The pile-up happened in thick fog.
get run over > get глп oovo1 if someone
gets run over, a car or other vehicle hits them, and they get hurt or killed: Our last cat got run over by a car outside our house. I Don't run out into the road - you'll get run over.
DELIBERATELY
break
\ /
see
mstake
also
damage
cd apologizing
accidentally/by accident
dent(i< bai 'aeks^ctant [aduj if you do something accidentally or by accident, you
do it even though you did not intend to: / accidentally burnt a hole in her sofa with my cigarette. I Doctors discovered the new drug quite by accident, while
they were researching something else.
Д Word order: accidentally can come
opposite
hurt/injure
between the subject and the verb (I accidentally broke it), but ЬУ accident usually comes at the end of a sentence or clause (I broke it by accident).
unintentionally /глшПеп/*пэН/ \odv]
especially written if you do something unintentionally, especially something bad, you do it even though you did not intend to: Some male science teachers unintentionally discourage the girls in
their classes.
by mistake /Ьш mi'steik/ [adv] if you do
something by mistake, you intend to do one thing but you make a mistake and do something else instead: Gary wandered into the wrong hotel room by mistake. I Police believe Burton may have shot the woman by mistake.
Qdldn't mean to /didnt 'mim tu:/ especially spoken if you didn't mean to do something bad or wrong, you did not intend to do it
didn't mean to do sth Sorry, / didn't mean to upset you. I I'm sure Rachel didn't mean to leave the door unlocked.
A You often say I didn't mean to when you are saying sorry to someone: I m sorry I shouted at you. I didn't mean to.
accidental /.aeksj'dentty Ml use this
about bad or dangerous things that happen, which no one intended to happen: Gina took an accidental overdose of painkillers. I 70% of accidental deaths are alcohol related.
unintentional /.Anm'tenJ^naU/ [adj]
especially written said or done accidental^ especially when you were trying to say or do something completely different: Any offence these remarks might have caused was wholly unintentional.
Qit was an accident /it wdz эп
'«ksicbnt/ spoken say this to tell someone that you did not intend to do something, for example when you have broken something or made a mistake, and someone is angry with you: It was an accident - the handle just came off when I picked it up.
When you see HH, go to the
ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
see also films/movies, theatre,
television and radio
D someone who performs
in plays or films
actor /'aekt3r/ [n C] someone whose job is to perform in plays or films: Keanu Reeves is my favourite actor. I The actor who played Macbeth was really good.
actress /'aektr^s/ [n C] a woman whose job
is to perform in plays or films: I've always wan fed to be an actress. I actress and singer, Cher
Д You can use actor about a man or a woman. Some women prefer to be called actors and do not like the word actress.
star /stair/ [n С) a very famous actor, especially in films: Hundreds of fans gathered to watch the stars arriving at the Oscar ceremony.
filmjmovie star Movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he would like to enter politics.
El to be in a play or film
act /aekt/ [и I] to be an actor in plays or films, especially as a job: I decided I wanted to act when I was twelve years old. I She always enjoyed acting.
acting /'aektig/ (n U] the job or skill of being an actor: Before he became famous, James Dean studied acting in New York. I a career in acting
play /plei/ [и T] to act as a particular character in a play or film play Hamlet/Cleopatra/James Bond etc
Timothy Dalton tuas the fourth actor to play James Bond. I Mother Courage was played by Diana Rigg. play a part We still need someone to play the part of the messenger.
be in sth /biz in (sth)/ \phrasal verb T) especially spoken to act in a particular play or film: You remember Larry Hagman - he used to be in 'Dallas'.
perform /pa'fbt'm/ [v T] if a group of actors performs a play, they act in it for people to watch: The children perform a
Christmas pantomime every year I The group will be performing 'Cats' in the Open Air Theatre.
performance /рэгТэ:гтэП5/ [n q the way
someone acts in a play or film - use this to talk about how good or bad someone's
acting is: Sean Penn's finest performance was in 'Dead Man Walking'.
give a good/bad etc performance Meryl
Streep, playing the murdered baby's mother, gives a marvellous performance.
® to be the most important actor in a play or film
/sta3r| [и 1/T] if ari actor stars in a film or a play, he or she is one of the most important actors in it; if a film or play stars an actor, he or she plays one of the most important characters in it + in Can you name the actress who starred in 'Gone with the Wind'? + as Bob Hoskins stars as a private detective. I 'Heat' is a police drama starring Robert de Niro and Al Pacino.
starring - starred - have starred
leading role/starring role гэо1
stcrnr] 'гэо1/ [л С) the job of acting as the most important character in a film: Judy Garland became famous after her starring role in 'The Wizard of Oz. play the leading/starring role (=act as the most important character) Michael Keaton played the leading role in the
first two 'Batman' movies. i л
leaa g mos^ important actor
or character in a play or film play the lead (=be the main actor) She was given the chance to play the lead when Pamela Anderson became ill. lead part/role/actor etc Kevin Costner has been given the lead role in a $50m movie about life after a nuclear war.
El
M the person that an actor pretends to be in a play or film
character /teriktor/ [n q one oi the
people in the story of a play or film: Demi Moore's character is a woman who has
an affair with the local preacher.
6
ACTOR/ACTRESS
Par* ipairt/ [n C] the job of acting as a particular character in a play or film: She
knew she wanted the part as soon as she read the movie script. play the part o/(=act as a particular character) She played the part of the Wicked Stepmother in 'Snow White'.
ADD
see also m0rЈ, increase, include/
add
not include
to add a new part to something
/aedI [v T] to put a new part or piece
onto or into something, especially in order to improve it: The book would look a lot more attractive if they added a few colour pictures.
add sth to sth Adding fertilizer to the soil will help the plants to grow more quickly. I The fresh chillies add a spicy flavour to the sauce.
add on jiXd ■on|..asn/- [phrasal verb TJ to add another part to something so that it becomes bigger
add on sth We're hauing a bedroom added on at the back of the house.
to put two or more numbers together
see also count/calculate
/aed/ [и T] to put two or more numbers together in order to calculate the total add sth and sth/add sth to sth "What do you get when you add 68 and 32?" "100."
to add more to an amount or cost
/aed/ [и I/Г] to add more to an amount or to the cost of something: The builder cdded an extra £150 for tax. add sth to sth Wateon's recent victory added $30,000 to his total prize money in 1996.
pat sth on sth /put (sth) .Qn (sth) |Jain/
[phrasal verb T| to add an amount of money or tax to the cost of something: The new tax will put another ten cents on the price of gas.
В something that is added
addition /3'diJ>n/ [n C/U] something that
is added to something else + to The latest addition to the museum's collection is a picture by Salvador Dali.
make an addition Several helpful additions have been made to this piece of software in the new version.
additive /'edjtiv/ [n С] a chemical substance that is added to food in order to make it taste better or stay fresh longer: This product contains no artificial additives.
ADMIRE
to have a very good opinion of
someone
D to admire someone
admire /3d'mai3r/ [u T] to have a very good opinion of someone, either because they have achieved something special or because they have skills or qualities that you would like to have: I admire the way she's brought up those children on her own. I Which world leader do you mosf admire?
admire sb/or sth She had to admire him for the way he handled the situation.
respect /n'spekt/ [v T] to have a good opinion of someone, even if you do not agree with them or want to be like them, because they have high standards and good personal qualities: Dr Watt was a rather strange man, but his colleagues all respected him.
respect sb/or doing sth. f don't agree with him, but I respect him for sticking to his princip/es.
A
"A Don't say 'I respect to him', just say I respect him.
took up to sb /,iuk лр tu (sb)/ \phrasal verb T] to admire and respect someone who is older than you or who has authority over you: I always looked up to my older brothers.
idoiize (also idolise вкгтен) /'aid?l-aiz/ [v T] to admire someone very much, especially a famous person, so that you think everything about them is perfect: Marilyn Monroe was idolized by movie fans all over the world.
Б the feeling of admiring someone
admiration /.aedmareij^n/ [n U] the feeling that someone is very good, very clever etc, either because of something special they have achieved or because they have skills or qualities you would like to have in/with admiration We listened with admiration as she played the violin.
+ for The other players were full of admiration for him.
respect /n'spekt/ [n U] the feeling that
someone is good because they have high standards and good personal qualities + for My respect for my teacher grew as the months passed.
great respect (=a lot of respect) I have great respect for Tony's judgment, earn/win sb's respect (=make someone respect you) She aiu>ays managed to win the kids' respect
H someone you admire
hero/heroine fhorw, 'heroum/ \n C]
your hero or heroine is a man or woman who you admire very much because of their achievements, skills, or personal qualities: I used to love David Bowie - he was my hero. plural heroes
idol /'aidl/ [n C] a famous actor, actress, musician, or sports player that a lot of people admire: Thousands of fans were
at the airport to greet their idol I ageing Hollywood idol, Marlon Brando
ADMIT
* see also crime, mistake, cuilty/not
GUILTY
D to agree that you have done something wrong
admit /^d'mit/ [и T] to say that you have done something wrong or illegal, especially when someone asks or persuades you to do this
+ (that) Blake finally admitted he had
stolen the money. I She admitted that she had made a mistake. admit (to) doing sth Many workers admit to taking time off work when they are not sick.
admit responsibility The hospital has refused to admit responsibility for his
death.
admitting - admitted - have admitted
CO n/ess /kan'fes/ [v I/T] to tell the police or someone in a position of authority that you have done something very bad, especially after they have persuaded you to do this: After two days of questioning, he finally confessed.
+ (that) She confessed that she had killed her husband.
con/ess to a robbery/murder/crime etc
People were forced to confess to crimes they had not committed. con/ess to doing sth Edwards eventually confessed to being a spy.
Own. up /,эип чрI [phrasa/ verb l] to admit that you did something, especially something that is not very serious: Unless the guiltу person owns up, the whole cfass will be punished.
own up to (doing) sth No-one owned up to breaking the window.
^^ Own up is more informal than admit or confess
В a statement admitting something
con/ession /fon'fej<?n/ [n C] an official statement that someone makes to the police, admitting that they have done something illegal and explaining what happened: Sergeant Thompson wrote doum Smith's confession and asked him to sign it. make a confession At 3 a.m., Higgins broke down and made a full confession.
8
ADMIT
admission /эd'mij^n/ [n С usually singular) when you admit that you were wrong or that you have done something bad or illegal: You only married him for his money? What an admission!
+ (that) The Senator's admission that he had lied to Congress shocked many Americans.
admission of guilt/failure/defeat (=when you admit that you are guilty, you have failed etc) The court may assume that
your silence is an admission of guilt.
В to agree that something is true, although you do not want to
admit /dd'mit/ [и T] to accept that something is true or that someone is right, although you do not want to accept it, or you feel embarrassed about accepting it: "Yes, / was frightened," he admitted. + (that) / know you don't like her, but you have to admit that she's good at her pb.
admit (to) doing stk Both men admitted to having admired Hitler during the
1930s.
Ql must admit (that)/! have to admit
(that) spoken / must admit I really enjoy watching soap operas. Qadmit it spoken You were wrong, weren't you? Come on, admit it!
admitting - admitted - have admitted
Qadmittedly 3d'miti,dli; \adv] spoken use this when you are admitting that something is true: Admittedly, the questions were fairly easy, but you all did very well. I The treatment is painful, admit- tedly, but it is usually very successful.
ADULT
^ opposite child ^ see also ace, old, young
D not a child
adult I'xd Alt, a'dAlt/ [n C) someone who is not a child - use this to talk about someone who is at least 18: The cost of the trip is $59 for adults and $30 for children. I Some children find it difficult to
talk to adults.
/2Л You can also use aduit before a noun,
like an adjective: The book is intended for adult readers. I adult educatbn
Don't say 'adult people'. Just say adults
grown-up /.graun '\p<l (n C] an adult - used especially by children or when you are talking to children: Grown-ups are so boring! All they ever do is talk! grown-up [adj] Margaret has two grown-up sons. I Ryan felt very grownup being allowed to stay up so late.
/ull grown/fully grown /.fol gran*,
,fuli ground [adj] a person, animal, or plant that is full grown or fully grown has
reached its full adult size: A fully grown blue whale may be up to 30m long.
0 to become an adult
grow Up /,grao лр/ \phrasal verb I] to become an adult: What do you want to do when you grow up? I We plan to go and live in Florida when the children have grown up.
El the time when you are
an adult
adult li/e /,Жс1л1г laif, эДлИ-/ [n U] the part of someone's life when they are an adult: He has spent most of his adult life
in the US.
adulthood dAlthud, edAlthudI [n U]
formal the time when someone is an adult - use this especially to talk about people reaching this time: Children with the disease have little chance of surviving to adulthood.
reach adulthood (^become an adult) By
the time we reach adulthood our heart- rate has dropped to around 70 beats per minute.
ADVANTAGE/
DISADVANTAGE
look here for ...
the good and bad points about
something
something that makes some
people more successful than others
^ see also good, bad
■I a good feature of something
advantage /adVarntidsJadVaen-/ [n С) а good feature of something, for example a way in which it is useful or better than
other things of the same kind: There are several methods of saving money, but this one has obvious advantages. + of The advantage of cycling to work is that I get some exercise. big advantage One of the biggest advantages of this course is that it giues students experience of working in a company.
Qthe good thing about sth /дэ
'god 0ii] abaut (sth)/ spoken use this when you are talking about one of the main advantages of something: The good thing about this Job is that lean work at home whenever I want.
benefit /'benefit/ [n C/U] a feature of something that has a good effect on people's lives; Tourism has brought many benefits to the area. + of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle I What are (he benefits, for Britain, of belonging to the European Union?
Q a bad feature of something
disadvantage /.disad'vamtidsl-advaen-/ [n C] a bad feature of something, for example a way in which it causes problems or is worse than other things of the same kind
+ of Nuclear power has a lot of disadvantages - for example what do you do with all the nuclear waste? I The main disadvantage of being a nurse is working irregular hours.
drawback /'draibaek/ [n С] a disadvantage of something, which makes it seem less attractive - use this especially when something seems good in other ways; It's a good-looking car - the only drawback is the price.
+ of One of the drawbacks of working for a large company is that you never know who is really in charge. 1 + to There are quite a lot of drawbacks to this method.
when you compare what is good and bad about something
the advantages and disadvantages !di cxi.vcrntrd^z on dfsadvarntid.-^zll -,v<Tn- the good and bad features of something - use this especially when you are comparing what is good and what is bad about something
+ of VJe had to write about the advantages and disadvantages of living in the country.
pros and COnS ,ргэо/ эп knnz||-ku:nz/ the advantages and disadvantages of something, which you need to think about in order to make a decision + of Your doctor should explain the pros and cons of the different treatments available.
weigh up the pros алd cons (=think carefully about all the advantages and disadvantages) I'm not sure if I'm going to take the job -1 need more time to weigh up all the pros and cons.
something that helps someone to be more successful than others
advantage /od va:nttd3f|;>d'v;Јn- fn Cj something that makes you more likely to succeed than other people have an advantage The American team seemed to have all the advantages - better training, better facilities, and much better financial support give sb an advantage (=make them more likely to succeed)
+ over I had already lived in France for a year, and this gave me a big advantage over the other students.
privilege ^priv «Мз/ [n C] a special advantage or right that only a few people have, for example because their family is rich or because they have an important job: Foreign dip/omafs have all kinds of special privileges - for example they can park their cars anywhere they like. the privilege of Not everyone has the privilege of a private education privileged [adj] having a lot of privileges: At that time, the universities were only open to a privileged minority.
something that makes it
more difficult for someone
to succeed
disadvantage disad'vamtidsl-ad'vten-,
[п C] something that makes it more difficult for you to succeed or do what you want, especially as compared with other people
Have a disadvantage She has the same qualifications as the other candidates, but she has one big disadvantage - she lacks experience.
be at a disadvantage (=have a disadvantage compared with other people) In the basketball team, the smaller players are at a disadvantage.
ADVERTISING
television and radio buy r ^ д persuade
N J*
shop
business
company
4 \
see also
newspapers and magazines
advertising
advertising /aedv^taizirj/ [n U] the business of persuading people to buy things, using pictures, words, songs etc on TV and radio, large public notices, and newspapers and magazines: How much does Coca-Cola spend on advertising? I Cigarette advertising isn't allowed on TV any more. I Beth wants a job in advertising. (=in a company that makes advertisements) I How much do you think you are influenced by advertising? advertising campaign (=a planned series of advertisements for a new product) Nissan is about to launch a nationwide advertising campaign for its new range of cars.
ADVANTAGE/DISADVANTAGE" 16
publicity /pA'bhsiti/ [n Uj the business of making sure that people know about a new product, a new film, a famous person etc. for example by talking about them on
TV or writing about them in magazines: The shows organizers spent over $500,000 on publicity alone. good/bad publicity The band appeared on the Larry King show, which was good publicity for their US tour.
marketing 'mai'kitig/ [n U] the business of trying to sell a product by deciding which type of people are likely to buy it and making it attractive and interesting to them: Tm looking for a job in marketing. I Good marketing has always been a major factor in the company 's success.
hype /haip/ [n U1 informal attempts to make people interested in a product, entertainer, film etc, using television, radio, and newspapers - use this to show that you do not trust this kind of information: Despite all the hype, / thought the film was pretty boring.
В an advertisement
advertisement /ad'vx'tismanij.aedvsr-
taiz-/ (n C] something such as a large public notice, a short film on television, or a picture with words in a newspaper that is designed to persuade people to buy something: Most car advertisements are aimed at men.
+ /or In the autumn, the newspapers are full of advertisements for winter breaks.
ad (also advert brtttsh) /aed, xtivn't [n CI informal an advertisement: He began his acting career by doing shampoo adverts on TV. + for I saw an ad for some cheap furniture in our local paper.
commercial jtem&fry [n C) an advertisement on television or radio: Have you seen the new Levi jeans commercial? commercial break (-when there are commercials in the middle of a programme) We'll be right back with you after a short commercial break.
slogan /'slsugsn; In С) a short clever
phrase used in an advertisement: a dry- cleaning company that used the slogan 'We know the meaning of cleaning'
hoarding BRrnSH billboard american
/'hx'diq, bi!bo:rd/ [n С] a large flat board in a public place, where large printed advertisements are shown: Beside the freeway tuos a huge-billboard covered in ads for washing powder.
to advertise something
advertise /';cdv9rtaiz/ [v I/T] to use advertisements on television or radio, in newspapers etc, in order to try to persuade people to buy something: There was a big
poster advertising a well-known brand
of cola. I a small company that can't afford to advertise on TV be advertised on TV/the radio "How did
you find out about the new software?" "It was advertised on TV."
be advertised in a newspaper/magazine
etc The concert was advertised in all the national newspapers.
A Don't write advertize'. Advertise is never spelled with a 'z'.
promote /pra'maut/ [i> T] to try to make
people buy a new product, see a new film etc, for example by selling it at a lower price or talking about it on television: Meg Ryan is in Eu rope to promote her new
movie.
ASK 1
\ /
SUGOfST
promote stfi as sth They're trying to promote Dubai as a tourist destination.
ADVISE
TBI
see also
i
33 advice
П
u to advise someone
advise /*fva«/ \v T] to tell someone what you think they should do, especially when you have more knowledge or experience than they have
advise sb to do sth I advise you to think very carefully before making a decision, i All US citizens in the area have been advised to return home, advise sb against doing sth (=ad vise
them not to do it) Her lawyers have aduised her against saying anything to the newspapers.
sb on/a bout sth Your teacher will
be able to advise you about what qualifi
cations you will need.
strongly advise I'd strongly advise you
to get medical insurance if you re going
Advise js more formal than say sb should do sth
skiing.
Don't confuse 'advise' and 'advice'. | Advise js a verb and advice fs a noun. j
say sb should do sth/say sb ought to do sth /iSei (sb) jud du;
This is the most common way of
(sth), ,sei (sb) Dit t3 du: (sth)/ to give your personal opinion about what someone should do: My friends keep saying I ought to learn to drive, i Her mother said she should call the police immediately.
A
saying 'to advise someone'.
teM /tel/ [и T] to tell someone that you think they should do something, especially in order to avoid problems tell sb to do sth I told him to go and see a doctor if he was worried. tell sb (that) they should do sth Jimmy had told him he should keep away from the gang for the next couple of weeks.
к
tolling - fold - have told
A Use tell especially in spoken English or informal writing.
suggest /sa'djestlsag-/ [v T] to tell someone your ideas about what they should do, where they should go etc: "Why not ask Dad?" he suggested.
12
AO VISE
+ (that) Sarah suggested that I should apply for this job.
Don't say 'give advices' or 'give an advice'. Advice is an uncountable noun.
give advice jgw ad'vars/to advise someone about a problem or subject, especially something that they have asked you about: The centre gives free advice to young people who have drug problems. give sb advice Can you give me some advice? I'm thinking of buying an electronic organizer.
A
to ask someone to advise you
ask sb's advice />a:sk (sb's) sd'vaisl
,aesk-/ to ask someone to advise you about something: Can I ask your advice? I need to find somewhere to stay in London. + on/about / a/ways ask my brother's advice about computers.
consult /kon'salt/ [v T] formal to get advice from someone who is paid to advise people, for example a lawyer or a doctor: If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor. I I want to consult my lawyer before 1 say anything. consult sb about sth Tonight the President will consult his military advisers about the likelihood of an attack.
to do what someone advises you to do
take sb's advice/follow sb's
advice /terk (sb's) ad'vars, ,fobu (sb's) ^d vaisf.fa:-/ to do what someone advises you to do: I've decided to take your advice and go to art school. I If she had followed my advice, this would never have happened.
listen to sb ;iis*n tu: (sb)/ to do what someone advises you to do, especially because you respect them and trust their judgement: You tell him, Dad - I'm sure he'll listen to you. I Bob warned us about this. I wish we'd listened to him.
on sb's advice/on the advice of
sb /on (sb's) ad'vais, on 6i ad'vais dv (sb)/ if
you do something on someone's advice or on the advice of someone, you do it
because they have advised you to do it: On her doctor's advice, she took a few days off work. I He decided not to take the exam, on the advice of his professor.
someone's opinion about what you should do
advice /ad'vais/ [n U) what someone advises you to do: Get some advice from the people in the tourist office. + on/about For advice on AIDS, phone this free number.
give sb advice / decided to ask Emma what she thought I should do. She a/ways gave me good advice.
piece of advice (=some advice) Years ago, my father gave me a piece of advice that I've never forgotten. medical/legal/pro/essional advice You
should get legal advice before you sign the contract.
Advice is an uncountable noun, so don't say 'an advice' or 'some advices'. Say a piece of advice or some advice.
tip /tip! \n CJ a simple but useful piece of advice about how to do something more easily or more effectively: Here's a good tip: if you spill red wine on a carpet, pour salt on it to get rid of the stain. + on a leaflet containing some tips on how to take better photos
guidance /gaicUns/ [n U] advice about what to do in your job, your education, or your private life - use this about advice you get from someone whose job is to advise and help people give guidance on sth Your teacher can give you guidance on choosing a career and writing a job application.
counselling british counseling amer!
can /'kaonsahg/ [n U] advice and support given by an expert, to help someone who has personal problems or who has had a very unpleasant experience: The college will provide counselling for students who have emotional problems, i Victims of violent crimes often need counseling.
В someone who advises people
adviser (also advisor American) /ad'vaizaV |n C] someone whose job is to give advice, especially in business, law, cr politics financiaUlegaUcareers adviser Talk to an independent financial adviser before you invest your money. + on the Prime Minister's personal adviser on economic affairs + to She's been appointed as scientific advisor to the President.
AFTER
m opposite before ^ see also later/at a later time
II after something happens or after someone does something
after /'aiftafaef-/ [preposition/conjunction/ adv] after something happens or after someone does something: After the party Jo stayed behind to help clean up the mess. I What are you going to do after you /im'sh college? I Let's eat after the movie.
after that In the summer Joni left him, and after that he a I ways looked sad. just after (=a short time after) My mother died just after Mark was born, straight after J right after (=immediately
after) We'// be starting the class straight after lunch.
Д After can be used as an adverb, but only in expressions like soon after and not long after I left college when I was 21, and got married soon after. Don't use after on its own as an adverb. Instead, use then, after that or afterwards in sentences like this: We had a game of tennis, and then/after that/ afterwards we went for о cup of coffee. Don't use 'will' with after. Don't say 'after I will leave school, I am going to university'. Say after I leave school...
afterwards (also afterward american) /'a:ft3rw3rd(2) ||'aef-/ [adv] after an event or a time that you have just mentioned: Afterwards, Nick said he'd never been so nervous in his life, f What's the point of going to the gym if you always eat a chocolate bar afterwards? two years/three months afterwards A couple of years afterwards I met him by chance in the street. soon/shortly afterwards (=a short time later) Her husband became ill and died soon afterwards.
next /nekst/ [adv] after something happens or after someone does something - use this when you are describing a series of events in the order they happened: Can you remember what happened next? ( First we asked Jim what to do. Next we tried asking Dad.
then /den/ [adui after you have done something - use this when you are describing a series of things you did, or when you are giving instructions: First we played tennis,
AFTER
14
and then we went swimming. I Add a cup of sugar. Then beat in three eggs,
in an hour's time/a few minutes' time etc
In a few weeks' time I'll be off to university.
after a particular time or date
after ;,a:ftar|,st"- [preposition] after a particular time or date: Could you call again after 6 o^clock? I After 1800, more and more people worked in factories, just after (=a short time after) // they left just after twelve, they should be here soon.
past pGistjjpa'st [preposition) past 3 o' clock/ midnight/dinner time etc
especially brjtish after 3 o'clock, midnight etc - use this especially when someone is late for something: Wake up! It's past 9 o'clock! I We didn't get home till past midnight.
way past informal (=a long time after) Sorry, it 's way past closing time.
/гот/as from, from, 'xz from [preposition] use this to say that a new ruie or arrangement will start at a particular time and will continue from then: We will be at our new address from next week. 1 As from tomorrow, all accidents must be reported to me.
from then. Ofl 1Ът .fren nn; use this to
talk about something that started to hap* pen at a time in the past, and continued from that time: He went to his first football game when he was four, and from then on he was crazy about it.
after a period of time has passed
after "uiftol'fcf- (preposition) after a week/several hours/a long time etc
after a period of time has passed: After half an hour we got tired of waiting and went home. I Jane was very shy. but after a while (=after a short time) she became more confident, after a wee к/a year etc of (doing) sth The u>ar ended after another six months of fighting.
in in/ [preposition] in a minute a few hours/a month etc a minute, a few hours etc after the present time: ill be with you in a minute, i Rosie should be home in a week or two. 1 He gets his test results in a couple of days.
Don't confuse after (use this about ' something that has happened in the past) | and in (use this about something that will j happen in the future).
within wi(yin||wKVm. wiO'in [preposition] within a month/two weeks/a year etc
less than a month, two weeks etc after something happens, especially when this is an unusually short time: One of the soldiers was bitten by a snake and was dead within three hours, i Within minutes the building was full of smoke within a mo nth/a few days etc of doing
stk The p/ane got into difficulties within a feu: minutes of taking off.
later lcitpr [adi;] some time after now or after the time you are talking about: See you later. I Reagan later became Governor of California. three months/two years/ten days etc later A couple of days later / sau1 her in a downtown bar
later on {—at a later time during the same day, event etc) The first half of the movie is really boring, but it gets better later on.
much later (=a long time afterwards) Јuenf'ja//y he gor married, but that was much later.
Don't use after and later in the same sentence.
later that day/month/year etc (=use this when telling stones or describing past events) Later that month we got another letter, asking for more money. later in the morning/evening/day etc Let's meet for dinner later in the week.
A
the next day/month/ year etc
next nekst [adj only before noun] the next day/week etc rhe day, week etc that comes just after the one you were talking about: I finished my classes on the 5th. and the next day f went home to Cleveland.
next Monday/week/August etc (=the one after this Monday, this week, this August etc) Next Thursday is my birthday.
Don't confuse next week and the next week. Use next week, next Friday etc (without the) to talk about the future: See you next Saturday! Use the next week, the next day etc to talk about the past: She got married and spent the next five years
in 80s ton.
A. Don't say 'on next Sunday'. Just say next Sunday.
Don't say 'next Tuesday/Friday etc'
when you are talking about a day in the present week. Say this Tuesday, Friday etc: The concert's this Saturday, not next Saturday.
after /'aiftaTI'aef-/ \adv/preposition/con- ju net ion] the day/Monday/month/ year after the day, Monday etc that comes after the time or event that you are talking about: The party's not this Saturday but the Saturday after. I The weather changed the morning after we arrived. I I felt rather tired the day after the party.
following 'folaontf'fa:-/ [adj only before noun] the following day/month/year
etc the next day, month etc - use this especially in stories and descriptions, to talk about what happened in the past: The following day she woke up with a splitting headache. I They agreed to meet the following week in the Cafe Rouge.
В to happen or exist after something else
come after k\m а-ЛЩяГ- [phrasal
verb T| to happen after something else and often as a result of something else: The agreement came after six months of negotiations.
come tkree weeks/jive days etc after sth
My first chance to talk to her came three days after our quarrel.
follow -'tblaofta:-. [u I/П if an event or period follows another event or period, it happens after it: We saw each other a lot in the months that followed. I the long period of stability that followed the war be followed by sth The wedding was followed by a big party at the Chelsea Hotel.
/
Л
be closely followed by Sth (=come very soon after) The nuclear test in October
the person, thing, or time that comes after the present one
next /nekst/ lad/adv] the next person or thing is the one that comes just after the present one in a series, list etc: Could you ask the next patient to come in, please? I Look at the diagram on the next page. I Tm afraid you'll have to wait for the next train.
come aext (=come immediately after something that has just been mentioned) Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon ... who comes next?
Qbe next (=be the next person or thing in a list, line etc) spoken Hey, I'm next! I was here before you!
be after sth/come after sth bi:
a:ft3r (sth), ,клш a:ft3r (sth)|'<ef- [phrasa/ verb T1 if someone or something is alter or comes after another person or thing in a list, line etc, they are the one just after, with no others in between: My name is after hers on the list. I In American addresses, the name of the city a/ways comes after the name of the
street.
later 1e)t3r [adj only before noun] happening some time later, not immediately afterwards
a later date I time I chapter I meeting etc
We can decide on the final detQils at a later stage, i This will be discussed more fully in a later chapter. in later у ears/months/centuries etc > spk
was closely followed by a second in May the following year
oally written In later years, he became a Buddhist.
A
subsequent /'sAbs^kwant/ [adj only before noun] formal happening after something you have just mentioned: Many of his theories were disproved by subsequent events. I The first meeting will be in the City Hall, but all subsequent meetings will be held in the school.
Subsequent is often followed by a
plural noun.
follow /'fblao|fcK-/ [v I/T1 to come after something in a book, series, or list: Taylor
AFTER
explains his theory in the pages that follow, be followed by sth In English the letter Q is always followed by a U. I Each chapter is followed by a set of exercises.
U when several things
happen one after another
in a row /in 9 гэи/ four days in a row/ three times in a row etc when someone does something on four days, on three occasions etc, one after the other, with no other days etc in between: He won the competition five years in a row. I / was late for school four days in a row.
one after another />лп aiftar эплбэг| -aef-/ if several things happen one after another, each thing happens immediately after the previous one: There were three loud explosions, one after another.
consecutive /kan'sekgtiv/ [adj only before noun] consecutive days, years, or occasions come one after the other with no other days, years etc in between: If you miss work for more than three consecutive days, you need a letter from your doctor.
/ourth/seventh etc consecutive It was
their fourth consecutive win this season.
series /'swriiz/ [n C] a series of events or actions is several of them that happen one
after another
+ of She gave a series of talks at the university. I Harris finally resigned after a series of public scandals. plural series
AGAIN
if you mean 'say something again7,
go to say
II again
again /э1 gen, ^'gem^'gen/ [adu] Would you say that again? I didn't hear you. I Julie! It's your sister on the phone again. I Nice to see you again. I On no! Here comes that boy again. I i rang the bell again, but no one answered.
Д. Again usually comes at the end of a sentence or clause.
16
once again/once more /,wAns 3'gen, ,wAns тэхг/ formal again - use this about
something very worrying, serious, or annoying that has happened before: Once
again I must remind you of the seriousness of the problems we face. I The
crops had failed, and once more famine threatened the region.
yet again /jet 3'gen/ again - use this when something has happened too many times before in a way that is very annoying: Yet again, Flora had changed her mind. I It seems that yet again the police have allowed a very dangerous man to escape.
one more time/once more / WAn
шэ:г 'taim, WAns шэ:г/ again, and usually for the last time: He kissed her one more time before he left.
just one more time/just once more Can
we practise that just once more?
back
/Ьжк/ [adu] again - use this about telephoning or writing to someone again, or asking someone to come to your house again
call/write back I'll call back as soon as I have some news.
invite/ask sb back Her kids wrecked the house last time they were here - that's why I've never asked them back.
H to do something again
do Sth again /,du: (sth) s'gen/ I'd like
you to do this exercise again. I She spilled coffee on the application form and had to do it all again.
repeat /ri'pirt/ [и T] to do something again, especially many times, in order to achieve something useful
repeat a test I experiment I exercise I process / performance In their training,
they have to repeat the safety process again and again until they can do it in 30 seconds. 1 Repeat this exercise 20 times every day and you'll soon have firmer, more muscular arms.
Over /'эоуэг/ [acM american if you do something over, you do it again from the beginning: I'm afraid you'll have to do it over. I I'm sorry I messed it up - let's start over.
Qall over again /я! .эоуэг a'gen/ especially spoken if you do something long or
difficult all over again, you do it again from the beginning: At the police station they asked me the same questions all over again.
start (sth) all over again The computer crashed and deleted all my июгк -1 had
to start the essay all over again.
redo /rii'du:/ [v T] to do a piece of work again: I can't read a word of this - you'll have to redo it.
redoing - redid - havp redone
retake /rii'teik/ \v T] to do a test again because you failed it: She retook her driving test five times before she passed.
retaking - retook - have retaken
El to start again
Start again /,sta:rt s'gen/ (phrasal verb I/Tj to start doing something again, or to start happening again: The drilling noise started again in the next room. start work/school etc again After her vacation Trish really didn't feel like starting her classes again, start doing sth again Have Jill and Larry started talking to each other again?
start to do sth again It's storting to snow again.
bring back sth /.brio Ьжк (sth)/
(phrasa/ verb T] to start to use a law, method» or system again: Do you think they should bring back the death penalty?
revival /n'vaiv*l/ [л С] when something becomes popular or fashionable again - use this especially about ideas, customs, or styles in art or music: a seventies revival (=when things from the 1970s become fashionable again)
+ of the recent revival of interest in astrology and faith healing
go back to Sth fgso Ьзек tu: (sth)/
(phrasa/ verb T] to start doing a job or activity again after a period when you stopped it: / wouldn 't like to go back to full-time work again. go back to doing sth Tim was determined he would never go back to using
drugs.
When you see Hi, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
AGAINST
when you think that something Is wrong and should not be allowed
opposite support
see also disagree, m disagreeing,
(s opinions
D to think something is wrong and try to prevent it
be against sth/be opposed to
sth jbii o'genst (sth), bi: a'paozd tu: (sth)/ to think that something is wrong and that it should not be allowed, especially because you think it is morally wrong: I'm not agpinst people eating meat, but I don't think people should kill animals for sport. I 92% of the population is opposed to the use of nuclear weapons. be strongly opposed to sth They ore strongly opposed to any form ofviolence.
object to Sth /3b'd3ekt tu! (sth)/ to
believe that something is wrong, unfair, or unreasonable, especially when this makes you angry-. What I object to most is the way the book portrays women. strongly object to sth Most of the students strongly object to the new rules.
Qnot agree with sth /not a'gri: wid
(sth)/ especially spokhn to be against something , for example because it is new or different and you do not like things to change: I don't agree with all these new anti-smoking laws, do you? 1 My grandmother doesn't agree with divorce.
not believe in sth /not b^iiiv in (sth)/ to be against something, especially because you think it is wrong or immoral: She doesn't believe in sex before marriage. I I don't believe in hitting children ,
for any reason.
flnti- /■aentjfaenti, -tai/ Iprefix] anti-war/ anti-snralui^aKiti-American etc against war, smoking, America etc: An ti-war demonstrators gathered on Capitol Hill. I anti-globalization campaign
В someone who Is against something
opponent /э'рэипэт/ [n CJ someone who
thinks that a plan, type of behaviour etc is
wrong; and tries to prevent it: a debate between an anti-abortion group and its opponents
+ of All opponents of the government are likely to be imprisoned. life-long opponent (=someone who has opposed something since they were young) a life-long opponent of nuclear weapons
В things you say or do to show that you are against something
opposition np,v/.ipn||.c:p- [n U] things that people say or do in order to show that they are against something: Plans to build the airport faced a lot of opposition from local people. + to Opposition to the war was growing rapidly.
strong opposition The new law was
passed, despite strong opposition, widespread opposition (=when a lot of people are against something) Widespread opposition to the military government led to rioting and violence on the streets.
objection abd^ekpn [n C) a reason that you give to explain why you ere against something: If anyone has any objections, please let us know as soon as possible. + to What were her father's objections to their marriage?
have no objection (=not be against something) formal I'll give them your name as a luitness, if you have no objection.
AGE
YOUNG. _BABY
\ t
see
old also adult
/ V,
CHAD DESCRIBING
PEOPLE
D how long someone has
lived, or how long something has existed
18
AGAINST
age /eids/ |n C/Uj the number of years that someone has lived or something has
existed
the age of sb/sth The average age of the students is 18. \ The amount you pay depends on the age of the car. sb's age i tried to guess her age. I The children's ages range from three to 1 7. be sb's age (=be the same age as someone) When I was your age I was already working.
the same age as sb/sth Their house is about the same age as ours, of my age/her age etc (=about the same age as me. her etc) I'm surprised a girl of your age didn /enow that! at the age of 10/20 etc writtfn (use this to say how old someone was when something happened) He died in J 995 at the age of 73.
over/under the age of (=older or younger than) Anyone over the age of 14 had to pay the full fare.
be small/tall etc for your age (=be small, tall etc compared with other people of the same age) Jimmy's very tall for his age. I She's 86. but uery /it for her age.
Ж Don't say 'His age is 49' or 'I'm at the age of 27' Say He is 49 or I'm 27
A\ Don't use in before age Don't say 'children in my age'. Say children of my age Don't say 'he died in the age of 25'. Say he died at the age of 25
how old /hat) 'sold/ use this to ask or talk about the age of a person or thing-. "Hou; old are you?" "I'm 24." I I'm not sure how old my grandfather is. I How old were you when you got married? 1 Archaeologists are trying to discover how old these buildings are.
be bi:/ M
be 5/10/27 etc (only use this about people) Julie will be 30 on her next birthday, be 5/10/27 years old (use this about
people or things) Simon's almost 15 years old. I The school is 100 years old
next year.
he 5/10/27 years of age formm. (only use this about people) He appeared to be about 35 years of age.
5-jjear-old/60-uear-otd etc fad; only before noun] use mis to say how old someone or something is: 27-year-old Susan
Walker is the new world champion. I an eight-year-old car I a six-week-old baby
Ж Don't say 'a 14 years old boy'. Say a 14-year-old boy or a boy of 14.
a man of SOI a child of 5 etc a man
aged 50. a child aged 5 etc: If a man of 45 loses his job in this city he'll never get another I This calculator is so simple a child of five could use it.
in your 20sЦп her 40$/in their
80s etc use this to say that someone is between the age of 20 and 29, 40 and 49, 80 and 89 etc: I'm not sure how old she is - I think she's in her 50s.
In your late 20s/30s/40s etc («between
27 and 29, 37 and 39 etc) Police say that
the man is tall, has dark hair, and is in his late thirties.
in your early 20s/30s/40s etc (-between
20 and 23, 30 and 33 etc) He first visited Europe when he was in his early twenties.
In your mid 20s/30s/40s etc («between
24 and 26, 34 and 36 etc) My grandparents are both in their mid eighties.
qe group
pie who are
aged /eidjd/ (adj) especially written aged 5/10/27 etc use this to say how old someone is, usually when you are writing about them: Mcintosh died on April 25th, aged 67. I He wrote a song for his daughter Soraya, now aged six. I A man aged 20 has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
people who are the same age
feneration /.dseiw'reij^n/ [n С usually singular] all the people in a country or in a society who are about the same age: preserving the environment for future generations I There was now a whole generation of people who had never experienced peace.
of sb's generation People of my father's generation aren't used to computers. I She was one of the best writers of her generation.
the younger generation («young people
in general - used by older people) There is not much interest in politics among the younger generation.
/'eids gnup/ [n C] all the peo- between two particular ages - use this to talk about the problems, behaviour, interests etc of people of a particular age: Boys in this age group watch TV for an average of five hours a day. I a competition for the 11-15 age group
the over-60s/under-5s etc № эоуэг
(60s), Andar (5s, etc)/ especially British people who are older than 60, younger than 5 etc: an aerobics class for the over-50s I She teaches young children, mostly the under-5s.
AGREE
look here for...
have the same opinion as someone
else
say you will do what someone else
asks you
D to have the same
opinion as someone else
opposite disagree 1
see also sb agreeing, gb opinions, support 1
agree /^'gri:/ [u 1/7] to have the same opinion: I think it's too expensive. Do you agree? 1 "That's right," Richard agreed. + with Everyone agreed with Karen. + on/about I agree with you about the colour- it looks awful. I The one thing all the parties agreed on was the need for fair elections.
+ that Most experts agree that drugs like heroin can cause permanent brain damage.
agreeing - agreed - have agreed
Д Don't say 1 am agreeing', 'he is agreeing etc'. Say I agree, he agrees etc.
Д If you want to say that two people agree with each other, you can just say 'they agree': Jack and f agree about most things.
Ж Don't say 'I agree you' or 'I am agree
you'. Say | agree with you-
be in agreement /bii in s'griimsnt/ for mal if people are In agreement, they agree about something, especially after discussing it a lot and trying to agree: No
decision can be made until everybody is in agreement,
+ with. I found myself in agreement with the lawyer, for once.
share sb's view /,Jeor (sb's) vju:/ formal
to agree with someone else's opinion,
especially about something important, in
politics, business, science etc: Many people shared Davidson's view, and thought the plan should be stopped. share this/that view This view is shared by many doctors.
unanimous /jui'naen^mss/ [adj] if a group of people is unanimous, everyone in the group agrees about something unanimous dec is ion/vote/verdict Harvey was elected by a unanimous vote. (=everyone voted for him) I The committee reached a unanimous decision. + that The jury was unanimous that Simpson was not guilty. unanimously [adv] The members voted unanimously to appoint her as chairperson.
В to agree with someone else's plan or suggestion
see also lit i, is saying yes,
о suggestions, es permission
agree /a'gri:/ [и 1] to say yes to someone else's plan or suggestion: Charles suggested going for a picnic, and we all agreed.
agree to sth (=agree to allow something to happen) The Council of Ministers would never agree to such a plan, agreeing - agreed - have agreed
go along with. sth /,gso wid (sth) |
-э'Ьз]-/ (phrasal verb T] to agree with someone else's plan or suggestion, even though you are not sure if it is the right thing to do: We went along with Eva's idea, as no-one could think of a better one. I Often it was easier just to go along with him, rather than risk an argument.
El when people make a
decision or plan after talking about it
^ opposite DISAGREE 2
agree /э'gri:/ [u I/T] if two or more people
agree, they reach a decision about what
AGREE
to do, and they are all satisfied with it
+ on VJe've finally agreed on a date for the party.
agree to do sth They agreed to meet again later in the week. + that In the end. everyone agreed that the best thing to do was to wait, it is agreed (=a group of people have agreed about something) It was agreed that the price should be fixed at $200. Qwe are (alO agreed spoken (say this
when everyone in a group has agreed about something) Right then, are we all agreed?
agreeing - agreed - have agreed
reach an agreement /.riitf эп agri:-
msntj to finally agree on something, by discussing it until everyone is satisfied with the decision: After two years of talks, the
Russians and Americans finally reached Qn agreement.
+ with What will happen if the two sides fail to reach an agreement?
compromise /'kDmpr^maJzll'kaim-/ [и IJ to
reacn an agreement with someone, by both of you accepting less than you really want: The employers will have to be ready :э compromise if they want to avoid a strike
+ on He re/used to compromise on an^ of his demands.
make a deal/do a deal /,meik э di:i,
,du: э di:l/ to make an agreement with someone so that you get what you want, and they get what they want + with The government denied making a deal with the kidnappers.
ml to tell someone you will do what they asked you to do
opposite refuse 1
agree to do sth. ;3,gri: t3 'du: (sth)/ to say that you will do what someone has asked you to do, especially something that may be difficult, inconvenient etc: I've agreed to look after Pat's children next weekend. I Why did I ever agree to teach him to drive?
20
A Don't use 'accept' in this meaning. Don't say 'he accepted to wait'. Say he agreed to wait
В something that has
been agreed
agreement /a'griimant/ [л CI an arrangement that is made when two or more people, countries, or organizations agree to do something
make an agreement They made a secret agreement not to tell anyone about their plans.
sign an agreement The US has signed a trade agreement with China.
under an agreement (=according to an agreement) Under the agreement, UN troops will remain in Bosnia for another year.
compromise /'kompr3maiz||'ka:m-/ [n C]
an agreement in which both people or groups accept less than they really want reach/jind a compromise After several hours of discussions, they managed to reach a compromise. + between The treaty represented a compromise between the government and the opposition
treaty /'triiti/ |n C] a written agreement between two or more countries, especially to end a war: The Treaty of Versailles ended the First World War. sign a treaty A peace treaty was signed in 1975.
plural treaties
contract /'kDntrsktl'kam-/ |n C] a written legal agreement with all the details of a job or business arrangement, for example what someone must do and how much they will be paid: My contract says I have to work 35 hours per week. sign a contract (with sb) REM signed an 80 million dollar contract with Warner Brothers.
ALIVE
^ opposite dead
m see also exist, die, life
D not dead
alive /s'laiv/ [adj not before noun] not dead: Are all your grandparents still alive? I He was badly injured, but at least he was alive.
aiivt and well (=alive and not injured or ill) The children were found alive and well after being missing for ten days.
living /'I1V113; [adj only before noun] still living now: Mary's brother is her only living relative, and he lives in Australia. I Seam us Heaney is Ireland's greatest living poet.
EJ to continue to be alive
live j\w'i [и I] to continue to be alive: She's
seriously ill, but the doctor thinks she'll live. I People are living longer these days. live for 2 gears/3 months/a long time
etc He lived for foe years after his heart operation. I Cats norma/iy live for about 12 years.
Stay alive /,stei a'laiv/ to not die, even
though you are in a dangerous situation: They were lost in the desert for several days, but managed to stay alive by eating insects.
keep sb alive /.kiip (sb) alaiv/1phrasal verb T] to prevent someone from dying by giving them food, medicine etc: Doctors
have a legal duty to keep a patient alive, whether the patient wants it or not.
survive /sar'vaiv/ [v I/T] to not die in an accident or war, or from an illness or operation : The plane crashed into the sea, but over half of the passengers suruiued.
survive a war I crash! accidentI о ре ration
My grandmother is too old to survive another operation.
SUWivor /s3r'vaivar/ [n C] someone who has not died in an accident or war-. The survivors were rushed to the nearest
hospital. I The ship hit an iceberg and
sank. There were no survivors.
ALL
if you mean 'all the time' (^through all of a period of time), go to time 8
if you mean 'all the time' (^without
stopping), go to always 4
m see also everywhere
D ail things or all people
A All, all of, and every mean the same thing: All the computers in the school were stolen = All of the computers in the school were stolen = Every computer in the school was stolen.
all /я1/ {predeterminer/quantifier] all the things or people in a group: There was no-one in the office - they were all having lunch. I The new government banned all political parties. we alt/you ail/them all We all passed our English test. I He thanked us all for coming. I Have you all finished your dinner? I The Red Sox played three games and won them all. all the/these/their/my etc All the teachers at my school are women I Did you take all these photos yourself? I / invited all my friends to the party. all of I invited all of my friends to the party. I Do we have to read all of the books on this list? I The Red Sox played three games and won all of them.
22
ALL
almost/nearly all AI most all my friends
A
have computers. I The cups fell off the shelf and nearly all of them broke. all dogs/all cars/all children etc (=use this to make a general statement about things or people of the same kind) Ail mammals are warm-blooded. I All cars over 5 years old must haoe a test certificate.
A Word order with auxiliary or modal verbs (like have, will, can, should etc): all goes after the auxiliary or modal verb, and before the main verb: The new students will all arrive tomorrow. I You should all go and visit her in the hospital.
Don't use 'all the ...' to make general statements about people or things. Don't say 'all the dogs have four legs'. Say all dogs have four legs.
each /i:tjy [determiner/pronoun] all - use this to emphasize that you mean every
separate person or thing in a group: The calendar has a different picture for each month of the year. I She had a ring on each finger of her right hand. I The president shook hands with each member of
the team.
each of She gave each of them a plate of food. I Each of the bedrooms has its own shower.
we each/they each/us each My brother and I each have our own room. I She gave us each о pen and a piece of paper in each/for each/to each etc She dug
several tiny holes in the soil, planting a seed in each.
You can use each before a singular noun or after a plural pronoun: Each child has a desk and a chair. I They each have a desk and a chair. Use each of with a plural noun and a singular verb: Each of the children has a desk and a chair.
everything /'evriGn]/ [pronoun] all the things in a group, or all the things that someone says or does: Everything in the store costs less than $10. I / agree with everything she said.
/hi Use everything with a singular verb. Don't say 'everything were very expensive'. Say everything was very expensive.
Don't write this word as 'every thing'. The correct spelling is everything.
every /'evri/ [determinerj all - use this only with singular nouns: Every room in the house was painted white. I The bank has branches in every city in France. I She bought presents for every member of her family. I Every teacher knows the problems that difficult children can cause.
every single (used to emphasize that you really mean everyone or everything, especially when this is surprising) It rained every single day of our vacation. I The police questioned every sing/e passenger on the plane.
everyone/everybody
bodii-bcndii Ipronoun] aB
A
evnwAn, evn- bodij-baidi/ \pronoun] aB the people in а group: / think everyone enjoyed the party. I If everybody is ready, I'll begin. I Has everyone gone home?
Use everyone and everybody with a singular verb. Don't say 'everyone were late' Say everyone was late.
You can also use everyone and everybody to talk about people in general: Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health.
^^ Use every with a singular noun and a
singular verb.
unanimous /jui'naenimas/ [adj\ if a group of people or a decision they make is unanimous, all the members of the
group agree about something: Many party members agreed with their leader, but they certainly weren't unanimous. unanimous decislon/agreement/verdlct
(«а decision that everyone in a group agrees on) The committee made q unanimous decision to expel the three students.
В the whole of something
ail /э:1/ (predeterminer/quantifier] all of something - use this especially with uncountable nouns
all the/tfus/that/my etc He spends all his money on beer and cigarettes. I I've finished all my homework. I Did you eat all that bread?
all of the/thls/that/my etc I enjoyed the book although I didn't understand all of it.
It all What's happened to the paint? Did you use it all?
all day/weeк/year etc (=the whole of а period of time) / spent all day cleaning the house.
A All and all of mean the same: The
cNldren ate all the food - The children ate all of the food.
whole /haul/ [iadj/quantifier] all of something that is large or has a bt of parts, for example a large area of land, a long period of time, or a large group of people: Police searched the whole area for the murder weapon. I She was so frightened, her whole body was shaking, i I didn't see her again for a whole year. the whole of She spent the whole of the journey complaining about her boyfriend. 1 The Romans conquered almost the whole of western Europe.
A Don't use the whole directly before 'it' or before the name of a place or an organization. Use the whole of Don't say
'the whole Mexico', say the whole of Mexico
complete /клт'рНя/ ladjl use this to say
that something includes all the parts that it should have, with nothing missing: They discovered the complete skeleton of a dinosaur. I He has a complete collection of all Elvis's records.
full ffbl/ [adj] all of something, with everything included - use full with these words:
паше, address, details, set, report, state- л merit, price, cost, amount, refund: Please I write your full name and address. J / used ^ my student card, so I didn't have to pay the full price.
a full refund (-when a shop or company gives you back all the money you paid for something)
entire /in'taia'/ (<adj only before noun] all of something - use this especially to show that you are annoyed or surprised by this: I had to re-write the entire essay after my computer crashed. ! A single CD- ROM can hold the entire text of a 20- volume encyclopedia. I We twisted an entire day waiting at the airport.
В any person or thing
any j'eniI [determiner/pronoun] use this to talk about each one of the people or things in a group, when it is not important to say exactly which one: Any student who wishes to go on the trip should sign this list. 1 You can buy the magazine at any good bookstore, any of the/these/my/them etc You are welcome to borrow any of these books. I Will any of your friends be going to the same university?
anything /етбщ/ [pronoun] any object, action, idea etc: / went shopping with Kathy, but we didn't buy anything. I There's plenty of food - take anything you want. I Do you know anything about network computers? I If anything goes wrong with the car, call a mechanic.
anyone/anybody /'eniwAii, стЬЩ
-baidi/ [pronoun] any person: This would be an ideal job for anyone who speaks French and Italian. I Peter's more intelligent than anybody I know. I If anyone needs more information, come and see me after the class.
/h Anyone and anybody are singular and take a singular verb: Has anyone seen my keys? But we usually use plural pronouns (they, them, and their) with these words: If anyone phones me, tell them I'll be back later. In more formal situations, you can say 'he or she', 'him or her7 etc instead of 'the/ or 'them': If anyone wishes to speak to the Principal, he or she should make an appointment.
whatever wotev3r|| wait-/ \pronounj anything at ail - use this to emphasize that it does not matter which object, action, idea etc whatever sb does/says/wants etc They told me I could eat whatever I wanted from the fridge. I We'll do whatever we
can to help. I It's best just to agree with whatever he says.
whoever /hu:'ev3r/ [pronoun] any person at all - use this to emphasize that it does not matter which one: You can invite whoever you want to your party. I It seems that whoever is in charge of the team, we always lose.
affecting everything or every part of a situation
total/complete /'taotl, bm'pliit/ jadj only before noun] affecting everything or every part of a situation: They want a total ban on cigarette advertising. I My parents hod complete control over my life. 1 the complete destruction of the rainforest
ALMOST
almost
almost/nearly /'Klmaust, гшгН, [adu]
use this to say that something is a little less than a number or amount, or to say that something almost happens or is almost
true
You can use almost or nearly in these combinations: with numbers: There were almost 200 people at the meeting with verbs- ' was laughing so much I almost fell off my chair. I She nearly died of her injuries.
A
with: all, every/ everyone/ everything always 5he fost almost all her money. I We see each other nearly every day. with: as + adjective + as: She's almost as tall as her big sister.
Don't say 'almost my friends came' or 'almost of my friends came'. Say almost all my friends came or almost all of my friends came>
ALL
In American English, almost <s much more common than nearly/ but in British English both words are common.
You can use 'very' with nearly, but you
can't use it with almost. Don't say 'Brazil very almost lost the game', say Brazil
very nearly lost the game.
practically/virtually prsktikli, уз:г
tjualij (adu) almost completely: Cholera has virtually disappeared from this region.
+ /utl/empty/impossible/the same etc
A
The theatre was practically empty I It's virtually impossible for a woman to become president in this country. + all/every/everyone (=very nearly all) Tom knew practically everyone at the party. I Virtually all the children come to school by car.
Don't use practically or virtually with numbers.
Qjust about/more or less d^Ast
зЪа<я, ,тэт э;г 'les*/ especially spoken not completely or exactly, but almost so that the difference is not important: I had more or less convinced her that I was telling the truth.
+ ready /finished/straight/the same etc
Dinner's just about ready. I All the rooms are more or less the same size. + every I everyone I everything She's invited just about everyone she knows.
not quite /not kwait/ not completely, but almost - use this to say that something is not true or has not happened, but it is almost true or has almost happened: She hasn 't quite finished her homework yet. I This skirt isn't quite long enough. I Give me five minutes - I'm not quite ready. not quite as good/big/strong as The female bird isn't quite as big as the male.
when something happens, but almost does not
24
just /dSASt/ [adu] use this to talk about something that does happen, but almost does not happen: He just failed the examination - two more points and he would have passed. 1 I just managed to get there before the train left.
only just These pants only just fit me. (=they are almost too small)
just big enough/old enough etc The tun
nel is just wide enough for two trucks to pass each other.
hardly /ho:rdli [adu] almost not: I hadn't
seen him for 12 years, but he'd hardly changed at all.
can/could hardly do sth (=can only do it with difficulty) I was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open.
hardly any/any one/any thing (-almost
none, almost no-one, almost nothing) There's hardly any fuel left in the tank. hardly ever (=a)most never) She hardly ever goes to church.
Д Be careful with the word order. Hardly goes before the verb: She hardly spoke to me all day. If there is a modal or auxiliary verb (like have, will, should etc), hardly goes after this and before the main verb: She had hardly spoken to me all day. I The writing was so small I could hardly read it.
ALONE
see also independent
II when there are no other people with you
alone/on your own/by yourself
/э'Ып, on p:r 'oon, bai jo:r'seif/ (actyadul when you are in a place and no-one else is there with you: She was sitting alone on a park bench. I / don't really like walking home on my own at night. I Do you share the apartment, or do you live by yourself? all alone/on your own/by yoursel/ (=completely alone) Wendy was fright- ened, all alone in that big old house. leave sb alone/on their own/by themselves The first time his parents left him alone in the house, he set fire to the kitchen. I Mark's not well. I ccn't go out and leave him on his own.
^^ On your own and by yourself are
more informal than alone. Alone is often used in written stories and descriptions.
Don't confuse alone (=when no-one else is there) and lonely (=when you feel unhappy because you are alone).
В when you do something
without anyone else on your own/by yourset/ nn jar
эоп, bai jo:r'self if you do something on
your own or by yourself you do it without anyone with you or helping you: / don't like going to restaurants on my own. I Surely he s old enough to get dressed by himself isn't he? all on your own/all by yoursel/ (=when it is surprising that someone has done something without anyone's help) How did you manage to prepare so much food all on your own?
single-handed/single-handedly
,sii]g<?l 'hsnd^d. ,sii]g<?l lhfendtVili/ ladv] if you do something single-handed or single-handedly, especially something very difficult or impressive, you do it without any help from anyone else: Do you remember that part in the movie where Superman single-handedly saves fhe whole city from destruction? I In 1992. he rowed across the Atlantic single-
handed.
Solo 'soulэо/ [adu] if you do something solo, you do something alone that people often do in groups, for example playing music, climbing mountains, or sailing a boat: I few solo for the first time this weekend.
go solo (=start to do something on your own instead of in a group) He played in a band for five years before going solo. solo [adj only before noun] Her first solo album will be released next week.
В alone and unhappy
lonely (also lonesome american) /'ып-
li, IsonsctfTi [ad;l unhappy because you are alone or you have no friends: Martha felt very lonely when she first arrived in New York. I a lonely old woman I I get so lonesome here with no-one to talk to. loneliness [n U] the feeling you have when you are lonely: Many old people complain of loneliness.
isolated "aisole t>i [adj] if you feel isolated, you feel that there is no-one you can talk to or have as a friend, because your situation makes it difficult for you to meet people: Young single parents often feel isolated and forgotten. ■f from Children of very rich parents can grow up isolated from the rest of society.
miSS mis [v T] to feel lonely because someone that you like very much is not with you: When are you coming home? I m/ss you. I It was great living in Prague, but I really missed all my friends.
El someone who spends a lot of time alone
loner 1эопзг jn Cj someone who likes to do things alone and does not have many friends; Jo had always been a loner, happy to stay in at night with a good book.
recluse /rrklu:s||'reklu:s [n C] someone who lives alone and avoids meeting other people - use this especially about rich or famous people: an 80-year-old millionaire who had been a recluse for most of his life
ALWAYS
^ opposite never
^ if you mean 'continuing for a long time', go to continue 5
see also often, usually, $омелме5
A Word order with always • Always goes
between the subject and tne verb: I always play tennis on Saturdays. The only time this does not happen is when the verb is to be when always comes after it: He's always late for class. If there is a modal or auxiliary
verb (like have, will, should etc), always goes after this and before the main verb: Karen had always wanted to visit Thailand.
D when someone always
does something or something always happens
ALONE
always bilwi,?., -weiz [adu] She was always ready to listen to my problems. I
Why do you always blame me for every thing? I He always has sandwiches for
his lunch. I We always meet at the station cafe.
every time ,evri taim \adv/conjunction\ on every occasion - use this to say that
when one thing happens, something else
always happens: My neck hurts every time I move. 1 He jumped every time he heard a footstep outsic/e. I The coach says we should go out on the field expecting to win every time.
whenever леисчУ [con/unction | every time that something happens. He goes to visit Amy whenever he's in town. I You can use my computer whenever you like. whenever possible (=whenever you can) Try to use public transport whenever possible.
every evri/ [determiner] every day/ week/Monday etc use this to say that something happens regularly on each day. each week etc: We use the car almost every day. I Thousands of tourists visit Bali every year
Qnine times out of ten nam taimz
aot av ten, especially spoken almost always - use this to emphasize that something almost always happens in a particular way: I often leave work early, and nine times out of ten no-one notices.
В always in the future
always oilwi^z, -weiz/ [adv] I'll always remember the first time I went to Paris. I She said she would always love him. I Don't worry! Things won't always seem this confusing!
forever/for ever for'evor [adv] for all time in tne future - use this to emphasize that something will continue for a very long time: I'd like to stay here forever. I If you wait for Victor to make up his mind, you'll be waiting for ever.
26
Useforever orfor ever at the end of a
sentence or clause.
permanent рч:гтэпэш [adj] something that is permanent will exist for all time in the future and cannot be changed or removed: a disease which can cause permanent brain damage I a permanent ink stain
permanently [adu] The accident left him permanently disabled.
for life /far 'laif/ for the rest of your life: There's no such thing as a job for life any more. I If you help me, I'll be your
friend for life!
be jailed for life (=be sent to prison for
life) She was jailed for life in 1965 for the
murder of her husband and children.
for good /ty "god/ if someone does something for good, they do something that causes a permanent change in their situation: He said he was tired of boxing and was giving it up for good. I I'm leaving her, and this time it's for good.
always in the past
always /'mIw^z, -weizI [adv] Have you a/ways lived here? I He's always wanted to work in TV. I I always thought there was something strange about him.
Qall along /о:1 эЧоцЦ-э'Ьп]/ especially spoken if something has been true all along, it has been true all the time but you did not know it: He realized that she'd been right all along. I I spent three hours looking for my keys and they were in my purse all along!
from tke Start from to 'sta-Л/ always,
from the time when something first began: Their marriage was a disaster from the start.
right from the start (=use this to emphasize that something has been happening or was true from when it first began) They liked each other right from the start.
all the time, without stopping
all the time /х\ to 'taim/ without stopping: I seem to be tired all the time these
days. I Do you wear your glasses all the time, or just for reading? I The situation is changing all the time.
always /'alw^z, -weiz/ [adu] all the time - use this especially about something bad or annoying: There's always loud music coming from the room upstairs. I As Jim is always telling us, things were di//erent when he was a boy.
Qthe whole time /fo h^oi taim/
spoken all the time while something is happening - use this about something annoying or surprising: He talked about himself the whole time I was with him. I We realized that Duncan had been standing there the whole time.
constant /'kDnst3nt||'ka:n-/ [adj usually before noun] continuing all the time without ever changing or stopping: His constant complaining is really beginning to annoy me. I a constant supply of fresh water
constantly [adu] We knew we were constantly in danger.
permanent /'рз:гтэпэт/ [adj] remaining the same for a very long time or for ever: a country in a permanent state of crisis I He seems to have a permanent smile on his face.
total
LOT
some
permanently [adu] This door is kept permanently locked.
AMOUNT/NUMBER
* f
see also
/ v
COUNT/ CALCULATE
an amount of something such as money, food, time,
or crime
amount /3'maunt/ [n C) the amount of sth The amount of tax you pay depends on how much you earn. I Try to reduce the amount of fat in your diet.
a small/tiny amount The water here contains small amounts of calcium and other minerals.
a targe/enormous/considerable amount
A
He knows an enormous amount about Italian paintings.
Don't say 'a big amount'.
How much /hau nut// use this to ask or
talk about the size of an amount of money, time, food etc: /7/ get you some
AMOUNT/NUMBER
paint if you'll tell me how much you need, i How much did your jeans cost7 how much. time/money/Jood etc How
A
much money do I owe you? I Do you realize how much trouble you caused? I How much nitrogen is there in the air?
^^ Only use how much with uncountable nouns like 'money' and 'time'.
Only say 'how much is ...' when you are asking about the cost of something: How much is this dress7 Don't say 'how much is the temperature?' Say what is the temperature?
quantity . kwnnUti|| kwu:n- [n CI use
this, especially in written descriptions or instructions, to talk about amounts of food, liquid, or other substances that can be measured
+ of Make sure that you add the correct quantity of water. I Use equa1 quantities of fiour and butter.
a large/small/enormous etc quantity An
A
enormous quantity of chemical waste had been dumped in the river.
Don't use quantity to talk about amounts of money or time.
level lev,?! [n C] use this to talk about the exact amount of something at one time, even though this amount may go up or go down at other times
the level о/ sth a device that measures the level of carbon monoxide in the air I the rising level of crime in the inner-cities a high/low level At that time Spain had a very high level of unemployment.
100 pounds1 worth/ten dollars'
worth etc ШОО etc) лз:'() an amount
of something that is worth £100, $10 etc: + of Over £10 million worth of heroin was seized in the raid. I The company owns millions of dollars' worth of real estate in downtown Tokyo.
extent /ik'stent ' [n Cj use this to talk about how large and how serious a problem is
the extent of sth Government inspectors will assess the extent of the damage. I Considering the extent of his injuries, he's lucky to be alive.
28
SUIIl SAm, [n C] an amount of money a large/enormous sum It cost over
$25.000. which was an enormous sum
in those days.
a sum of money She left a small sum of money to her two granddaughters.
/К Sum is more formal than amount and
is usually used in written English.
Volume volju:m|| vuiljom (n singular] use
this to talk about amounts of business activity or amounts of traffic that are continually increasing or decreasing the volume of trade/sales/traJFJic/busi- ness The volume of traffic on our roads has increased by 50% in the last three years. I After 1929. there was a rapid
fall in the volume of trade.
a number of people or things
number n\mb<v [n C]
the number of We need to know the number of students in each class, t The number of cars on our roads has doubled since 1970
Don't say 'a big number'. Say a large number.
A
Number is used with a plural verb: Only a small number of people were injured.
A
a large/small number A large number of reporters had gathered outside the house. I Thousands of men apply to join the Marines but only a small number are accepted.
A
Number can be used in the plural with the same meaning: 'large numbers of people' means the same as 'a large number of people'.
how many hao meni use this to talk about or ask about the number of people or things that there are how many people/things/years etc How
many cups of coffee do you have a day? I He wouldn't tell us how many girlfriends he'd had.
+ of How many of you can swim?
A Only use how many with countable nouns.
quantity /,kwDntiti|,kwam-/ [n С] a number of things - use this especially to talk about things that are being sold, stored, or carried
a quantity of A man was loading a quantity of TV sets onto the back of a truck. a large quantity Customs officers discovered a large quantity of cigarettes in his baggage.
Д Quantity can be used in the plural with the same meaning; 'large quantities of weapons' means the same as 'a large quantity of weapons'.
100 pounds' worth/ten dollars'
worth etc /(£100 etc) w3:r0/ a number of things that together are worth £100, $10 etc. Police seized over a million pounds' worth of stolen diamonds at London Heathrow Airport yesterday. + of $100,000 worth of rugs were destroyed in the fire.
EJ a number that is compared with another number
percentage /p3r'sentid3/ [n С usually singular) a number or amount that is calculated as part of a total of 100, and is shown using a % sign
+ of The percentage of women students at the university has increased steadily. I a slight fall in the percentage of nitrogen in the air
a high/large percentage a country where
a high percentage of the population lives in poverty.
a low/small percentage The disease is serious, and in a small percentage of cases it can be fatal.
proportion /ргз'рэ:г/л1/ [n singular) the
number or amount of something, compared with the whole number or amount that exists
+ оfa program to increase the proportion of women and black people in the police service
a high/low/large/small proportion Part- time workers now make up a high proportion of jobs.
ratio /'reijiaofreijso/ (n singular] a set of numbers, such as '20: Г or '5:1\ that shows how much larger one quantity is than another
the ratio о/ sth to sth a school where the ratio of students to teachers is about 5:1
rate /ген/ [n С] a measurement showing the number of times that something happens during a particular period, which is used especially for talking about social changes or problems
the crime/divorce/suicide/murder etc rate the city that has the highest murder rate in the US
fraction /'fraekj>n/ \n singular) a very small part of an amount of number: Computers can now do the same job at a fraction of the cost. I The disease affects only a tiny fraction of the population.
ANGRY
if you mean 'not angry or upset', go to calm
U feeling angry
angry /'Kqgri/ [adj] if you are angry, you feel a strong emotion, for example about someone who has treated you badly or about something that you think is wrong or unfair: / was so angry that I could hardly speak. I A crowd of angry demonstrators gathered outside the embassy. I After the programme, the TV station received hundreds of angry phone calls.
+ with She was angry with him because he had lied to her.
+ about Don 4 you feel angry about the way you've been treated? + that Local people are angry that they weren't consulted about plans to expand the airport.
Д Use angry with about people: I was realty angry with him. Use angry about about things: / was really angry about it.
angry - angrier - angriest
angrily [adu] Rachel slammed the door angrily on her way out.
mad /maed/ [adj not before noun) informal especially american angry: Tom will be real mad when he sees what youve done to
his car.
+ at She used to get mad at Harry because he was a/ways changing his mind. + about Come on, Maria - what are you so mad about?
mad - madder - maddest
annoyed /s'noid/ [adj not before noun] а little angry, but not very angry: I'll be annoyed if he's forgotten to dehuer my message.
+ with Joe was annoyed with her for making him miss the film. 1 I was annoyed with myself for playing so badly.
+ at/by Kay was clearly annoyed at John's remark.
furious /'fju?ri9s/ [adj] very angry: I've never been so furious in all my life. I a furious argument (=when people shout at each other in an angry way) + with She'd be furious with me if she knew I was reading her diary. + at/about He came home furious at something his boss had said.
/uriously [adv] "Stop it," shouted Ralph furiously.
livid /livid/ [adj] so angry that it is difficult for you to speak properly or think clearly: "Was he angry when you got in so late?" "Angry? He was lividl" I I know I shouldn't have spoken to her like that, but I was absolutely livid.
annoyed because something bad has been happening for a long time and you want it
to stop: I'm really fed up with this awful weather. 1 Joe was getting sick of Carol's stupid comments. I I left the job because I got fed up with being treated like a servant.
to become angry
get angry/get mad /get aeqgri, get
maed/ to become angry: He tends to get angry if he loses at tennis. + at Just calm down. There's no need to get mad at me.
Дь Don't say 'become angry' except in fairly formal written English. Get angry and get mad are the usual expressions.
lose your temper /,lu:z p:r tempa'/ to
suddenly become very angry, especially after you have been trying not to: Donald doesn't have much patience - he often loses his temper. I uI've told you alreadysaid Kathryn, trying hard not to lose her temper.
+ with Whatever you do, don't lose your temper with the students - you'll only make things worse.
throw a tantrum /,0гэо э tamtram/ to
shout and cry angrily, especially because you cannot have what you want - use this especially about children: Josie threw a tantrum in the supermarket again today.
Don't say 'very livid'. Say absolutely livid or just livid.
offended /s'fendid/ [adj not before noun] angry and upset because someone has said or done something rude or has insulted you: A lot of Muslims were offended when the book came out. I I hope you won't be offended if I leave early. + by Many readers were offended by the newspaper's anti-Irish comments.
Qcross /krosflkras/ [adj] briush, especially
spoken angry - used especially by children or when you are talking to children: Do you think Dad will be cross when he finds out what happened? + with Are you cross with me?
A
fed ap with sth/sick of sth /.fed 'лр wift (sth), 'sik ov (sth)/ informal to be
behaving in an angry unfriendly way
bad-tempered /baed 'temped[adj] someone who is bad-tempered behaves in an angry and unfriendly way. Our teacher was a bad-tempered old woman. I Pressure at work was making her more and more bad-tempered.
be in a bad mood /bi: in э ,baed 'mu:d/
if someone is in a bad mood, they are annoyed and upset about something, and this makes them behave in an unfriendly way: Why's Jenny in such a bad mood this morning?
put sb in a bad mood (=make someone annoyed) I missed the bus, which put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.
grumpy/grouchy /'g^mpi, graotji/ [adj]
informal someone who is grumpy or grouchy is angry and unfriendly, and complains a lot: a grumpy old man I Her illness made her grumpy and impatient I Dan is always tired and grouchy in the
mornings.
grumpy - grumpier - grumpiest grouchy - grouchier - grouchiest
moody /'muidi/ [adj] someone who is moody often becomes annoyed or unhappy, even though there does not seem to be a good reason for feeling that way: moody teenagers I Тага had been moody and difficult all day.
moody - moodier - moodiest
Irritable /'iritatel/ [ad;] someone who is
Irritable easily gets annoyed by things that are not important: The heat was making me irritable. I Zoe hadn't had much sleep and was feeling tired and irritable.
touchy /'lAtJi/ [adj] if someone is touchy, they easily get offended, so you have to be careful what you say to them: She always gets a little touchy when you ask her about her parents.
+ about Don't say anything about his bald patch - he's a little touchy about it
touchy - touchier - touchiest
Sulky /'SAlki/ [adj] someone who is sulky has an angry, unhappy look on their face and does not talk much, especially because they think they have been treated unfairly: a sulky little boy who refused to play with the other children sulky - sulkier - sulkiest sulkily [adu] She just sat in the corner and stared sulkily at the floor.
В someone or something that makes you angry
annoying /э'пэыд/ [ad;] an annoying
person, fact, or situation makes you feel annoyed or impatient: Henry's the most annoying person I haue ever met. I Just as J got into the shower the phone rang. It was so annoying.
irritating /ir^teitii}/ [adj] something that is irritating is very annoying and it keeps happening: Steve has an irritating habit of leaving the fridge door open. I I do find it irritating when people keep interrupting me.
frustrating /frVstreitigi'frAStreitig/ [ad;] а frustrating situation makes you feel annoyed because it stops you from doing what you want to do: It's so frustrating when you're in a hurry and the traffic isn't moving. I Learning a new language can be a frustrating experience.
Qbe a nuisance /bi: э njuis^is|-'nu:-/
especially spoken someone or something that is a nuisance is annoying because they cause problems or inconvenience for you: My car's broken down again. It's a nuisance, isn't it?
QwHat a nuisance! spoken She can't babysit tonight because she has to go and see her mother: What a nuisance!
infuriating /in'fjiwrieitiq/ [ad;] something tnat is infuriating makes you very angry, especially because there is nothing you can do to stop it: He always pretends he c/oesn'i understand what I'm saying. It's absolutely infuriating. I infuriating delays
H to make someone angry
make sb angry/make sb mad
especially american /.metк (sb) 'aeqgri, ,meik (sb) ,maed/ Sophie tried not to do anything that would make Henry angry. it makes sb angry/mad when It always
makes me mad when people drive up behind me and start flashing their lights.
annoy /э'гсм/ [v T] to make someone feel annoyed: The only reason she went out with him was to annoy her parents. I Are you doing that just to annoy me? it annoys sb that/when It annoys me that Kim never returns the books she borrows.
irritate /'ir^teit/ \v T] to annoy someone - use this about things that keep happening or things that people keep doing: That silly smile of hers always irritated him. I After a while, the loud ticking of the clock began to irritate me.
offend /a'fend/ [и T] to make someone feel angry and upset by doing or saying something rude or insulting: I'm sorry if I offended you. I Some people were offended by Leary's racist jokes.
к get on sb's nerves get on (sbs)
■ n3:rvz< ineokmal if someone or something
gets on your nerves, they make you feel more and more annoyed, especially because they keep saying or doing something that you do not like: The noise from
the apartment upstairs was beginning to get on my nerves. I I hope Diane isn't going to be there - she really gets on my nerves.
Qdrive sb crazy/drive sb mad
bkitish /.(Jraiv isb) krei/j, .draiv (sb) 'maid/ informal, ispeciaeiy s-'oki.n if someone or something drives you crazy or drives you mad. they annoy you so much that you cannot feel calm or think clearly: Turn that music down - it's driving me mad! I Being alone all day with three small kids is enough to drive anyone crazy.
provoke pro1 vook/li; T] to deliberately try to make someone angry: She would never have hit you if you hadn't provoked her.
provoke sb into doing sth Charlie was trying to prouoke him into losing his temper.
Ejangry feelings
anger [п U; an angry feeling: He
was finding it difficult to control his growing anger. I Her heart was filled with sadness more than anger. with anger (=because of anger) His face went bright red with anger.
rage reidry [n U] a very strong feeling of anger that often makes you feel violent as well
with rage (^because of rage) By now Samuel teas white in the face and absolutely shaking with rage. a /it of rage (=when someone suddenly feels very angry) Verlaine shot Rimbaud
in a fit of jealous rage.
/ruStratLon/lVA striMpn/ [n U] a feeling of being annoyed and impatient because you cannot do what you want to do or you cannot change a bad situation in/with /rustration (=because of frustration) Jess stared out of the window, almost crying with frustration. I Kay stamped her foot in frustration and marched out of the room.
mm to talk angrily to
someone because they have done something wrong
tell sb ojff/.tel (sb) o(\\-'x\' [phrasal verb T] to talk to someone, especially a child, in an angry way because they have done something wrong: She's a/iuays te//ing her kids off or shouting at them. + /or He's upset because the teacher told him off for talking in class.
Qget told off spoken / got told off by my dad when I got home.
yell at sb /'jel an isb)/ [phrasal verb T] especially amkrican to shout or talk angrily to someone because they have done something wrong or annoying: It was so embarrassing - he just started yelling at
his wife.
Qget yelled at spoken / got yelled at at school because I was wearing the wrong shirt.
ANOTHER
one more of the same kind
^ see also more
another эпл<Ъг [determiner; pronoun] use this to talk about one more person or thing that is similar to the one you already have: "I've lost my pencil." "Don't
worry, here 's another." another p e rs о a/thing/glass etc Would you like another drink? I She got another chance to see him after the show. another one "That was a good cup of coffee." "Would you like another one?" + of This is just another of his crazy ideas. Ignore it.
Only use another with a singular countable noun. With uncountable nouns, use more Compare Would you like another glass of wine? I Would you like more wine ?
A Don't say 'also another'. Just say another There's another wjy of doing this. (not 'there's also another way'.)
Ofie more />лп moiTj another - use this when you mean that this will be the last one: One more drink and then I really have to go. I I'll give you one more chance to tell the truth.
extra /'ekstra/ [adj only before noun] in addition to the usual amount or number - use this about something useful that you may need: Bring an extra set of clothes in case you decide to stay overnight. I Do you want to earn some extra cash?
spate /чреэг/ [adj only before nounl spare room/key/tyre etc another room, key, etc thai you do not usually use but you can use if you need to: I always leave a set of spare keys with my neighbour, f All cars have to carry a spare tyre by law.
additional /3'diJ>n3l/ [adj only before noun] formal more than the usual or expected amount. There will be an addi tional charge for any extra baggage. 1 Additional security was provided for the President's visit.
ANSWER
^ see also ask
D to say something when someone asks a question or speaks to you
answer /'amss'l'aen-/ \v I/T) to say something to someone when they have asked you a question or spoken to you: Jamie thought carefully before answering. I / said hello to her; but she didn't answer. I "Why don't you just leave?" "I'd like to," she answered, "but I have nowhere else to go.n
answer a question I had to answer a lot of questions about what I was doing that morning.
+ that Hugh answered that he knew
nothing about the robbery.
answer sb Why don't you answer me?
A
ZlA Don't say 'she didn't answer to me' or 'she didn't answer to my question'. Say she refused to answer me or she didn't answer my question.
33
answer /'amsafaen-/ [n C] something you say when someone asks you a question or speaks to you: I called out her name, but there was no answer. I Each time I ask him when the work will be done, I get a different answer.
give sb an answer / should be able to give you a definite answer tomorrow. the answer is (that) Why don't people complain? The answer is that they are frightened of losing their jobs. + to These are important questions, and we want answers to them.
reply /n'plai/ [u I/T] to answer someone when they have asked you a question or spoken to you - use this especially in written English to report what someone said:
"I'm so sorry, " he replied. I Before she could reply, Grant put the phone down. + that Lisa replied that she didn't like playing tennis.
reply to a question The Senator refused to reply to any more questions. replying - replied - have replied
reply Iri'plai/ [n C] something you say when someone asks you a question or speaks to you - use this especially in written English to report what someone said: "Yes, I think we should be going," was her reply. I Kathy murmured a reply, but I couldn't hear it. reply to a question/request/inquiry/ accusation He turned and left the room, without waiting for a reply to his question.
plural replies
Ш to answer a letter, invitation, or advertisement
write back /,rait Ъаек/ [phrasal verb I) to write a letter to someone who has written a letter to you: / wrote back and said that of course they could stay with us. + to You must write back to Amy and tell her all the news.
ANSWER
reply /n'plai/ [v I] to write a letter to someone who has written to you, or to someone who has put an advertisement in a newspaper: I wrote to Franca three weeks ago but she hasn 't replied yet.
ANSWER
reply to a (etter/invitation/advertisement etc Becky hasn't replied to our invitation so I assume she isn't coming.
replying - replied - have replied
Д Don't say 'reply a letter', 'reply an
advertisement' etc. Say reply to a letter/ advertisement etc: If you want to reply to this ad, write to the above address.
reply /ri'plai/ [л С) a written answer to a letter, invitation, or advertisement: Any customer who complains to the bank will receive a reply within 48 hours. + to We got over a hundred replies to our advertisement.
■ v л <1 replies
answer /amss^'aen-/ [и T] if you answer
Don't say 'answer to a letter', 'answer to an advertisement' etc. Say answer a letter/advertisement etc.
a letter or advertisement, you write a letter to the person who has written it: He spent the morning answering letters in his study. I Paola got the job by answering an ad in the paper.
Ж
telephone/door
answer /a:ns3r|'aen-/ \v I/Г] to pick up the telephone and speak when it rings, or go to the door and open it when someone knocks: I knocked and knocked but no one answered.
answer the phone/the door/a call A
A
strange man answered the phone. I He still isn't answering my calls.
Don't say 'answer to the phone/door'. Say answer the phone/door.
Qget /get/ [v t] spoken to answer the telephone, or go to the door when someone knocks: "I think that's the phone." "It's OK -I'll get it." I Can someone get the door - I'm in the shower!
getting - got - have got
there was no answer/there was
ЛО reply/беэг wds пэо a:nsar, беэг wos пэо ri'plai||-'sen-/ BRrnsH use this to say that no-one answered the telephone or the door: She tapped on Mike's door but there was no answer t I've been trying to call Cathy all morning and there's no reply.
34
El in a test or competition
answer /'amsafaen-/ [n C] an answer to a
question in a test or competition: Write your answers on a postcard and send it to this address.
the answer (=the correct answer) And the answer is ... Washington DC.' + to What's the answer to question 4? the right/wrong answer The first person to call us with the right answer will win 10 CDs of their choice.
answer /'ainsafaen-/ [v 1/T] to give an answer to a question in a test or competition
answer a question You have 20 minutes to answer all the questions. answer correctly/wrongly If you answer correctly, you could win a video camera.
solution /S3'lu:pn/ [n C] the correct answer to a complicated problem in a test or competition: Have you worked out the solution yet?
+ to The solution to last week's crossword puzzle is on page 25.
the answer to a problem
answer /'ainsafaen-/ (n С] a way of dealing with a problem
+ to There are no easy answers to today's environmental problems. the answer (=the best way of dealing with a problem) Some people think cars should be banned from the city, but I don't think that's the answer.
Solution /sa'lu:J>n/ [n C] a way of dealing with a problem, especially a complicated or difficult problem
+ to Nuclear power can never be the only solution to our energy problems, find a solution/come up with a solution
So far, all attempts to find a solution have failed.
solve /solv||sa:lv, soilv/ [и T] to successfully
deal with a problem
solve a problem The only way to solve the city's housing problems is to spend a lot more money on new homes.
know what to do /пэи ,wvt ta dих/ to
know what you should do in order to deal with a problem: Go and ask Larry - he'll
know what to do.
+ about Carrie thought her boyfriend was seeing another girl, but she didn't know what to do about it.
AREA
a part of the world, a country, or
a surface
^ see also space, place, land and sea
D an area of the world or
of a country
area /'ерпэ/ [n C] There will be sunshine in most areas tomorrow. + of A substantial area of Brazil is still covered by rainforest. iadustrial/<19ricultига 1Уrural area The news hadn't reached the rural areas yet.
region ("ri:dyn/ [n С) a large area that is
part of a country or of the world: There have been reports of fighting throughout the region. I They finally settled in the north-west region. + of Wild dogs are rare, even in the remoter regions of Africa.
zone /гэип/ [n C] an area that is in some way special or different from the areas around it, for example because it has a particular type of problem: Sen Francisco and Tokyo are both located in earthquake zones. I They uxmt the Pacific Ocean to become a nuclear-free zone. war/battle zone UN troops are unwilling to enter the war zone.
В an area in or around a town or city
area /*ел1э/ [n C] an area in or around a town or city
+ of They used to live in Mochfeld, an area of Duisburg.
poor/rich area Diego was brought up in a very poor area of Buenos Aires. tfie surrounding area (-the area around a town or city) Police are searching Blickhng and the surrounding area for the missing child.
district /'distnkt/ In CI part of a town or city that is either one of its officially fixed divisions or is a place where a particular group of people live or a particular activity takes place: The financial district is in the centre of Manila. + of Their apartment is in the Chongwen district of Beijing.
neighbourhood british neighborhood american /'neibaTiod/ [n C] one of the parts of a town or city where people live: Freddie and his family lived in a big house in a wealthy neighbourhood. 1 Everyone in the neighborhood seemed to have heard the news.
suburb /'sAbзЛ/ [n C] an area away from the centre of a city, where people live, especially an area where there are houses with gardens
+ of Amy teaches at a school in a suburb of Boston.
the suburbs It took about an hour to drive through the suburbs.
block /blDk(blade/ In C] especially american
a group of buildings in a city, with four streets around it - often used as a way of talking about distances in the city: She lived three blocks away, on 32nd Street I Most of the families on our block are Italian Americans.
precinct f"pri:sir)kt/ [n C) AMERfCAN an area in an American town or city that has its own local government and police: the fourteenth precinct
В an area that is a part of a surface
area /'еапэ/ [n С] a part of a surface that has a particular size and shape: There were several damp areas on the living
room walls.
+ of The garden has a small area of grass, with a few fruit trees around it.
patch /paetf/ [n CI a small area that is different from the parts around it: a white kitten with black patches damp/dirty/icy etc patch. Icy patches on the road are making driving dangerous. patch of dirti damp/grease etc a patch of dirt in the middle of the rug
plural patches
ARGUE
^ see also disagree, shout,
e disagreeing
II to argue
You can use argue about anyone, but people who quarrel, squabble, or have a fight/have a row usually know each other well or belong to the same family.
argue /'a:rgju; [у I] if people argue, they
speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something: Jim and Beth seem to spend ail their time arguing. + with Don't argue with me, John. Just do what I tell you.
+ about/over Out in the street, a cab driver and his passenger were arguing about the fare. I A lot of time was spent arguing over the details of the contract.
quarrel "kwDr3l||'kwo:-, kwa:-/ \v I] if two
people quarrel, they argue angrily and may stop being friends with each other: They haven?t spoken to each other since they quarrelled.
+ with She left home after quarrelling with her parents.
quarrel about/over sth The two brothers had quarreled over ownership of the farm.
quarrelling - quarrelled - have quarrelled (вк:гч-п
quarreling - quarreled - have quarreled !лУгv,
have a Jig ht (also have a row British)
/hiev э 'fait, haev э пю/ informal if two people have a fight or have a row, they argue very angrily and noisily + with / had a fight with my Mom last night - she wouldn't let me go out. + about Kelvin and his wife have endless rows about money.
ARGUE
squabble /'skwDtelfl'skwa:-/ [u I] to argue noisily about something that is not really important - use this especially about children or when you think someone is behaving like a child: Oh, for goodness sake, stop squabbling, you two! + about/over The kids always squabble about who should do the dishes.
fall out with sb /,fo:l aot wid (sb); (р/irasa/ verb T] to stop having a friendly
relationship with someone, because you have quarrelled with them: I think she's fallen out with her boyfriend. + about/over I don't want to fall out with you over something so unimportant.
E3 an argument
^ if you mean 'the reason that someone gives why something is right, wrong etc', go to reason
argument /'a:rgj(jm3nt/ [n CI when people speak angrily to each other because they disagree about something have an argument My sister and I had a terrible argument last night. + about/over the usual family arguments about what time we should be home at night
+ with I could hear her on the phone, having an argument with someone from the bank.
get into an argument (=start arguing, without intending to) Phil got into an argument with a guy at the bar. start an argument (=to say something that makes someone argue with you) / didn't want to start an argument, so I kept quiet.
quarrel /'kworall'kwa-, 'kwa:-/ [n C] an angry argument between people who know each other well: a family quarrel + with / was tired of these stupid quar rels with my parents. have a quarrel They had some sort of quarrel years ago, and they haven't spoken to each other since.
disagreement d is^griimant [n С] a situation in which people disagree with each other, but without shouting or getting
angry
+ about/over There were the occasional disagreements about money, but mostly we got on well.
+ with Ginny had left the company after a disagreement with her boss. + between a disagreement between the
USA and China
36
tow /гао/ [n С] British an argument, when two people shout angrily at each other: There were always rows when my dad got home.
a blaziag row (=a very angry, noisy argument) The couple in the house next door were having a blazing row.
squabble /'skwDb«?l|'skwa:-/ [n С) a noisy argument about something that is not important, especially between children:
Uncle Matt bought them a computer
game to share, which led to endless squabbles,
+ about/over the usual squabbles over who should sit in the front of the car
dispute /dispjuit, 'dispjuit/ [n C] FORMAL when two people, organizations, or countries publicly disagree and argue with each other about something important + over/about an international dispute over fishing rights
+ with Morris has been involved in a long legal dispute with his publisher,: + between the bitter dispute between Clinton and the Republican leadership settle a dispute (=end it by agreement) All efforts to settle the dispute have so far failed.
someone who likes arguing
argumentative/quarrelsome /,a:rg$-
mentetiv, kworal&TmJ'kwD:-, 'kwa:-/ [adj] someone who is argumentative or quarrelsome seems to like arguing or starting arguments: When he drinks too much, he becomes very argumentative. I She had had enough of all her quarrelsome relatives.
Q to stop arguing
Qmake up/make it up /,meik лр,
,meik /t ЧрI phrasal verb I) especially spoken if two people who know each other well make up or make it up, they stop arguing and start being friendly to each other again: Гт glad to see that you two have made up at last. + with Have you made it up with your
sister yet?
settle your differences /.set! pr dif-
^rsns^z/ if two people or organizations settle their differences, they stop arguing and discuss things in a sensible way until they come to an agreement: By the early 1970s, France and Britain had settled their differences over European trade. I
see also
ATTACK^ . -
4 \
DEFEND POSmON/RANK
D the army, navy etc
army /'a:rmi/ [n С] a large organized group of people trained to fight on land in a war: the armies of Britain and France be in the army Both my brothers are in
the army.
join the army/go into the army He
pined the army when he was seventeen.
A
plural armies
A You can also use army before a noun, like an adjective: army officers I army uniform
л In British English, you can use army with a singular or plural verb: The army has/hove been heavily criticized. In American English, always use a singular verb; The army has been heavily criticized.
tke armed forces /ft Airmd 'b:rsj>z/
[n plural] formal the army, navy, and air force of a country: people who served in the armed forces during the war
tke military /бэ miUurif-teri/ [n singular) especially american the army. navy, and air force of a country: The company supplies electronic equipment to the US military. I In 1976 there was a coup and the military seized power.
military /'mili,b?ri|-teri/ [adj only before noun] use this about things or people that belong to or are connected with the armed forces
military power/aircraft/training/uni/orm
]s it at all possible that you and your husband could settle your differences?
ARMY
WEAPON
WAR
4 7V
explode
etc the supreme US military commander in Europe I The airport is used by civilian and military planes.
someone who is in the
army, navy etc
soldier /'saoidsa1"/ [n C] a member of an army, especially someone who is not an officer
troops /tru:ps/ [n plural) soldiers - use this especially to talk about soldiers taking part in a military attack: Thousands of French troops died in the attack. I Troops were sent in to stop the riots.
officer ./'ofiss1"!'^-, 'a:- [n С] a member of the army, navy etc who is in charge of a group of soldiers, sailors etc: He's an officer in the US Marines.
to join the army navy etc
join dpin [l> T] join the army/navy/air force/marines to become a member of the army, navy etc: He wants to join the air force when he finishes school.
join up /,dpin лр/ [phrasal verb I] to join the armed forces during a war: My dad joined up at the beginning of the war.
enlist in'list/ [i> 1] to join the armed forces, either in peacetime or during a war: By the end of 1915. over 700.000 men had enlisted.
A
up.
+ in Frank enlisted in the Marines at the age of 19.
Enlist is more formal than join orjoin
when people must join
the army, navy etc conscription (alsothe draft american)
k^n'sknpJV™. Лэ 'dru:ft)|-'dnefr/ [n U] when people are officially ordered to join the armed forces, especially during a war. When wes conscription introduced in Britain? I Many young men went abroad to avoid the draft.
military service miliu-i 's^v^H-ten-
(n U] the system in which everyone has to be a member of the armed forces for a period of time: All males between the ages of 18 and 30 were liable for military service.
ARMY
do military service (=be a member of the armed forces as part of this system) Did you have to do military service?
A
military service
be called up British be dra/ted American hi: ,ko:ld лр, bi: 'dra:ft^d[-'drscf-/ to be officially ordered to join the armed forces during a war: / nas called up three months after the war started. I Thousands of young Americans were drafted to fight in Vietnam.
AROUND
if you mean 'turn around', go to
TURN
around someone or something
around (also round BRITISH) (o)raond \adv/prep] completely surrounding or enclosing someone or something: A group of students sat around the table chatting. I She u;as wearing a silver chain round her neck. I a package with tape wrapped around it all around/all round Enemy soldiers were now all around us. I a long garden with high walls all round
be surrounded by bi: s9raondj,d bar if someone or something is surrounded by people or things, those people or things are around them on every side-. The tops of the hills were surrounded by clouds. I Jill sot on the floor surrounded by boxes.
A
ОЛ all sides on o:l saidz if something is around you on all sides, you see it everywhere and you may feel that you are unable to move or escape because of it: Mountains rose steeply on all sides, from all sides There was the sounc/ of gunfire from all sides.
Use on all sides especially when you are writing stories or descriptions.
В to move into a position around someone or something
Don't say 'the military service', just say
38
surround so'raond [и T] to stand in a circle around someone or something,
especially to prevent someone escaping: Football fans ran onto the field and surrounded the referee. ! Police officers moved to surround Evans as he came
oat of the courtroom.
gather around (also gather round
вялен) /,gaedar (s)'raund/ {phrasal verb l/T]
if a group of people gathers around someone or something, they move nearer to them in order to see or hear them: A crowd of young boys had gathered round to admire the car; gather around sth People were gather ing around the TV to watch the game.
crowd around (also crowd round
brtttsh) /.kraud (s)'raund/ \phrasal verb I/T] if a group of people crowds around someone or something, they stand near them closely together, often pushing forward to see what is happening: Fire officers asked the people who had crowded round to stand back. crowd around sb/sth Dozens of journalists crowded around the Princess and started asking her questions.
В moving in a circle or moving around something
around (also round BRITISH) /(3)'raund/ [adi/prep] use this after verbs of movement, to show that someone or something is moving in a circle or moving around
something
go/fly/travel/run etc around The Earth 'goes around the Sun. I The helicopter flew round and round above us.
In circles /in 'sxtcpizI if someone or something moves in circles, they move around in a circle several times: Birds flew in circles above the lake. I As the dog got more and more excited, it started running around us in circles.
circle /'SX'tol/ [u I/T] ESPECIALLY WRTTTEN to
move around someone or something in a circle: The plane circled the airport seueral times before landing. + around/above Seagulls were circling above the cliffs.
orbit /'хЬЩ [v T] to go around the Earth, the Moon, the Sun etc in a continuous circular movement: a TV satellite that orbits the Earth every 48 hours
ARRIVE
opposite leave
see also late/not late, early
D to arrive somewhere
arrive /э'гшу/ [и i] to get to the place you were going to: И/hat time do you think well arrive?
arrive at the house/hotei/airport etc It
was already dark by the time they
arrived at their hotel.
arrive in France/Tokyo etc The British
Prime Minister arrived in Tokyo today. arrive he re/the re/back/ho me When I first arrived here none of the other students would talk to me. + from They were the first refugees to arrive from Bosnia.
A Don't say 'arrive to' a place. Say arrive at (a building or public place) or arrive in
(a city or country).
/t\ Don't say 'arrive at home' or 'arrive to home'. Say arrive home
Д Arrive is more formal than get to.
get to /'get tin/ [phrasaJ verb T] to arrive at a place: It'll take us about half an hour to get to the airport. get back to I'll call her when I get back to Chicago.
get there/here/ho me What time do you usually get home in the evening? 1 /
want to get there before the stores close.
come /клт/ [v 1] if someone or something comes, they arrive at the place where you are waiting for them: When the visitors come, bring them up to my office. I Has the mail come yet?
come home What time is Dad coming home?
coming - came - have come
reach /riitjy [v T] to arrive at a place, especially after a long or difficult journey: It took them over three days to reach the top of the mountain. I On March 3rd the US 1st Army finally reached Cologne.
Ж Don't say 'reach to' or 'reach at'.
Qbe here bi: hor/ spoken you say someone is here when they have arrived at the place where you are waiting for them: Susan, your friends are here. I Is Nick here yet?
turn up/show up ,t3:rn лр, Jou лр 1 phrasal verb 1] informal to arrive - use this about someone you are expecting to arrive, especially when they arrive late: Steve turned up half an hour late as usual. I Some of the people I invited
never showed up.
a plane, ship, or train arrives
arrive ,Vraiv [и 1] The plane arrived two hours late.
A
+ in/at//rom a train arriving in Osaka at 5.30 I Planes carrying military supplies have been arriving at the airbase.
Arrive is more formal than get in
get in 'get 'in [phrasa/ verb I] to arrive - use this when you are talking about the time when a train, ship, or plane arrives: What time does your train get in? + to The ferry gets in to Milwaukee around noon.
Land kend [v I) if a plane lands, it arrives at an airport
+ at When the plane landed at JFK. it was three hours late. + in What time do you land In Miami? come in to land (=go down slowly towards the ground at an airport) There's a plane coming m to land now.
^^ Planes land at an airport, or land in a city or country.
COme in ,клт in, [phrasa/ verb I] if а plane, ship, or train comes in. it arrives in the place where you are waiting: Crowds had gathered at the harbour to watch the ship come in. I Has the Air India flight come in yet?
when someone or
something arrives
40
ARRIVE
arrival o'raiv^l [n singular. U] sb's arrival Joe's sudden arrival spoiled all our p/ans.
tke arrival of sb/stK We apologize for
the late arrival of flight 605. + at/in TV crews filming President Mandela's arrival at the airport I the
day after our arrival in Paris
on arrival (=when someone arrives) She
was rushed to the hospital but was found to be dead on arrival.
В to arrive somewhere without intending to
end up end 'лр [phrasa/ verb I] to arrive in a place that you did not intend to go to + in/at I fell asleep on the bus and ended up in Denver. I We had planned to go straight home, but we all ended up at Tom 's place.
COme tO Sth 'k\m tin (sth) [phrasal uerb Tj to arrive at a place during a journey, without knowing that you would arrive there We were walking through the forest when we came to о waterfall.
INT ф DO
Л 1 /
^^ see ^^
PICTURE
see also
MUSIC
кпш ф drj
Use come to especially when you are writing stories.
ART
RLMS/MOVIES PAINT _ A _ 03 OPINIONS
THEATRE
design
decorate ф draw books/literature
something that an artist has produced
art a:rt [n Uj a way of representing things or exoressing ideas, using pictures, sculpture. and other objects that people can iook at: a book about German art in the 19th century I Is a pile of bricks in a gallery really art? I What kind of art do you like?
work of art >з:гк ov a:rt [n Cj something produced by an artist, especially something that most people agree is of very high quality: Several priceless works
of art were bacf/v damaged when the palace was bombed.
plural works of art
work /w3irk/ In CI a picture, statue, sculpture etc - use this especially when you are
also saying who the artist was: David Hockney's latest work has just gone on display. I Her later works reflected her growing depression.
masterpiece /'maist^piisllmaes-/ [n С] a
You can use work of art work, and
masterpiece about any kind of art.
portrait /'px'tr&tj [n C] a picture of a person
picture, statue etc that is of extremely high quality, especially one that is believed to be the best work of a particular artist: one of the great Italian masterpieces I Many people regard this painting as Raphael's masterpiece.
A
types of picture
painting /■pemtig/ [л С] a picture made using paint: a 17th century Dutch painting + ofa paiting of a woman lying on a bed + by a painting by Turner oil painting (-done using a special type of paint made with oil)
drawing j'drour)! |л С] a picture drawn with pencils or pens
+ оfa 16th century drawing of the canals in Venice
photograph /f^tagra;fl|-graef/ \n С] a
picture made using a camera
mosaic /mou'zei-ik/ [n С] a picture made
using very small pieces of glass or stone
collagc f'kDlasJka'lag [n С] a picture
made by sticking paper, cloth, or other pictures onto a surface
portrait
watercolour British watercolor
AMERICAN /'w3n9r,k.\l3r|'w0:-, 'wo:-/ [n С] Э
picture painted using a special type of paint that is mixed with water, so the colours are pale
still life
Still u/e /,sul laity [n 0 a picture of an object or several objects, especially fruit or flowers
landscape
landscape / laendskeip/ [n С) a picture of the countryside
seascape
StCtSCapt fsiiskeip/ [n С] a picture of the sea
other types of art
sculpture :'skAlptJV.' [n C/U] a work of
42
ART
art made of materials such as stone, metal, or wood
statue
Sculptor /skAlpt^V [n C] someone who
produces sculptures
photographer fVtDgrafyfl-'ta:-' [n C]
someone who takes photographs
to make drawings, pictures etc
paint peint [u I/T] to make a picture using paint: Botticelli painted 'The Birth
of Ven us *
draw dryj [i> 1/T] to make a picture usinq a pencil or pen: The students were drawing a Chinese vase that stood on the table. I Where did you learn to draw like that9
photograph /'f^otagraifll-grfef [v I/T] to
take a photograph of someone or some thing: Eve Arnold photographed Marilyn Monroe many times.
Statue 'stietju:/ [n C] an image of a person or animal made from a hard material
such as stone or meta!
ceramics mniks [n plural] potsT bowls etc made of clay
Don't say 'I photographed my friends on the beach'. Say | took a photo of my friends or l took a picture of my friends
Only use the verb photograph about artists or professional photographers.
As. Ceramics always used in the plural: an exhibition of Japanese ceramics. Don't use ceramics when you are talking about one bowl. Say 'a bowl', 'a plate' etc.
В the subject of a picture, painting etc
of 'ov|a:v/ [preposition] use this to show what the subject of a picture, painting etc is: a portrait of King Charles I a statue of a horse
depict drpikt/ [v T] formal if a painting or otner piece of an depicts something, that is what it shows or represents: Her drawings depict life in an African village.
someone who draws, paints etc
artist 'ui't^st/ [n C] someone who produces paintings, sculptures, or any kind of art: an exhibition of work by young artists
painter /'peint3r/ [n C] someone who produces paintings: Pissarro was a famous French painter.
a place where art is shown
gaderu also art gallery u:rt
.g^bri,Пп С] a building or room where you can go to look at paintings, sculptures etc: the Notional Gallery I There's a small art gallery in the centre of the town.
Д In American English gallery is only used about a room or a small building
museum /mju:7bm||mjo-/ [n C] amcrican a large building where you can go to look at paintings, sculptures etc: The Museum of Modern Art I The museum has a few of Van Gogh 's early works.
exhibition ,ekstVbij>n [n C] a collection of paintings, sculptures etc. often the work of one particular artist, which you can go to see - use this especially when they are only being shown for a limited period of time: Have you been to the Picasso exhibition yet?
+ of an exhibition of black and white photographs
classical
styles of art
classical jklaesifol/ [adj] the main style of art in 18th century Europe, based on the styles of ancient Greece and Rome, often showing scenes and characters from the Christian religion
romantk
romantic /rao'msntik, -ГЭ-/ [adj] a style of art popular in 19th century Europe, often showing the sea or the countryside, and usually expressing strong emotions
impressionist
л '
impressionist /im'prejan^t/ [adj] a style
of art that was developed in France in the late 19th century, which uses colours to show the effects of light on people, objects, and places, and does not show small details
modern
modern /'modmll'mcr.dsrri/ [adj] the style of art in the 20th century that is deliberately different from art of the 18th and 19th centuries, and does not show people, objects, or places as they appear in real life
abstract
abstract /'aebstrakt/ [adj] a type of
modern art that uses shapes, colours, and patterns to express ideas and feelings,
rather than pictures that look like people, objects, or places
>* .4
ч m - * " -
44
ASHAMED
ш ASHAMED
see also embarrassed, guilty/not
guilty, sorry
/Л Don't confuse ashamed and
embarrassed. Use ashamed when you have done something bad and you feel sorry about what you have done. Use embarrassed when you feel that other people are watching you, especially because you have said or done something silly.
ashamed P'Jeimd [adj not before noun] someone who is ashamed feels very sorry because they know they have done something bad, and they think people may no longer respect them
be/Jeel ashamed Гие been so rude to our
guests - I fee! really ashamed.
ashamed of doing sth Frank was
ashamed of having lied to his mother, ashamed of yourself You ought to be ashamed of yourself - coming home drunk like that!
ashamed of sb (=when you wish you were not connected with someone because they have behaved oadly] Even Nixon's own children were ashamed of him.
+ (that) I'm ashamed that I never дане my children the love they needed
shame Jeim/ [n U] the feeling that you have when you know that you have behaved badly or that you have lost other people's respect: "Please don't tell my dad about this." he said. b/ushing u>ith shame.
+ of I suppose he wants to avoid the shame of a public confession. in shame (=because you are ashamed) /4s Philip entered the courtroom, he hung his head in shame.
Д Don't say '! feel shame'. Say I feel ashamed.
disgrace di s'greis [n U] when you have
completely lost other people's respect because of something bad you have done in disgrace Browne was caught selling drugs. and tuas sent home from college in disgrace.
+ of Garton killed himself because he could not bear the disgrace of a public scandal.
humiliating /hjur'milicitnj \adj] а
humiliating experience makes you seem
weak or stupid in a way that many other people can see: / had to apologize in front of all the other students - it was so humiliating!
ASK
if you want to know how to form questions, go to the essential grammar section 1
ANSWER
THi^ ^ ^ШРШЯШОН
N J*
see
~ — also — ^
И REQUESTS ^PSADVKE
4 v
suggestion mvttatton
II to ask questions
ask u:sk|<csk [u I/T] to ask someone a question because you want to get information from them: / knew there was something wrong, hut I didn't like to ask. ask (sb) what/how/why etc Ask Kim what shed like for her birthday. I 1 asked why. but they wouldn't give a reason, ask. (sb) i//whether Let's ask dad if we can go to the movies, I He asked whether I was looking for accommodation. ask (sb) about sth At the interview, they're sure to ask you about your work experience.
ask (sb) a question Would anyone like to ask me any questions? ask sb If you need any more in format ior], ask your doctor.
Don't say 'ask to someone'. Say ask someone: If you don't unaerstand, ask your teacher.
Consult k^n's.vlt [и T] inKMAi to ask for information or advice from someone, because it is their job to know about it consult a doctor/iawyer/expert etc Before starting any exercise programme, you should consult your doctor. consult sb about sth He should have consulted his advisors about this before taking any action.
question /'kwestj>n/ [v T] to ask someone a lot of questions, in order to get information or find out what they think: Half of the people we questioned thought the President should resign, question sb about sth The police have
already questioned him about the
missing $50,000.
interrogate /in'teregeit/ [v TJ to keep asking someone a lot of questions for a long time, sometimes using threats, in order to get information - use this especially about the police: Police officers interrogated him non-stop for 24 hours until he con fessed.
make inquiries (also moke enquiries
British) /.meik m'kwai^riz/ to try to get information about something by asking several people, especially people whose job is to know about it: We went to the French Embassy to make inquiries. + about A detective was here earlier, making inquiries about your friend
Gary.
В to ask for something
ask /a:sk|aesk/ [u I/T] to ask for something, or to ask someone to do something for you: If you ever need any help, just ask. I I need some more money, but I don't dare ask my dad. ask (sb) for sth A lot of people don't like asking for help.
ask sb to do stk Ask him to wait outside for a moment.
ask to do sth (-ask to be allowed to do
something) She walked right in here and asked to speak to the manager.
Don't say 'ask to someone'. Say ask someone.
order /'3!rd3r/ [и T] to ask for something that you are going to pay for - use this about asking for food or drink in restaurants, or asking companies to send you goods: Have you ordered the wine yet? I Nina orders a lot of her clothes from mail-order catalogues.
demand /drmamdfdrmsm^ [i> TJ to ask
for something, or ask someone to do something, in a firm or angry way that shows you expect them to do it: This is outrageous! I demand an explanation.
demand to do sth He demanded to
know what I was doing there.
beg /beg/ [u I/T) to ask for something, or ask someone to do something, in an anxious way that shows you want it very much: She begged and begged until finally they agreed to let her come. beg sb to do sth I begged Greg not to tell Cindy about it.
+for The prisoners were begging for mercy. begging - begged - have begged
nag jnaegj \v 1/T) to keep asking someone to do something, in a very annoying way: Oh, stop nagging - I'll do it later! nag sb to do sth My parents keep nagging me to get my hair cut.
nagging - nagged - have nagged
В to ask for something officially
apply /a'plai/ {v 1] to write to someone asking for something such as a job, an opportunity to study at a university, or permission to do something: There was a job vacancy at the radio station, and 150 people applied.
+ /or Why don't you apply for a loan? apply to do sth In the 1960s. thousands of people applied to emigrate to South
Africa.
applying - applied - have applied
claim /kleim/ [v T] to ask for something, especially money, from a government,
company etc, because you believe you have a legal right to have it: Thousands of people who should get welfare payments never even bother to claim them. ciaim sth from sb Ms Larkins believes she was unfairly dismissed, and is claiming compensation from her former employer.
appeal /э'рн1/ I и I) to make a public
request, for example on television or in the newspapers, for money, food, information etc, especially in order to help someone who is in a very bad situation + for We are appealing for food and clothes for the refugees. appeal to sb /or sth Police appealed to the public for any information about the missing girl.
request /n'kwest/ [и T) formal to officially ask someone for something or ask someone
ASK
to do something: The pilot requested permission to land the plane at Rome
airport.
A Don't say 'request for something'. Say request something.
to ask for money or food because you do not have any
beg (also panhandle amerjcan) /beg, paen-
haendl/ [и I) to ask people in the street for money or food because you do not have any: In London there are more and more homeless kids begging in the streets. I an old man panhandling outside the bus terminal
46
begging - begged - have begged carry out/conduct a survey We are
carrying out a survey into the effects of
TV violence on children. + of a national survey of sexual behau- iour among young people
opinion poll /3*pinj3n ,рэо1/ (n С) an
attempt to find out about people's political opinions, by asking many people how they intend to vote, which politicians they like etc: Opinion polls show that the Democrats are way ahead.
questionnaire /,kwestjvne3r, .kes-Mn C]
a piece of paper with a set of questions on it, which is given to a large number of people to find out what they think complete a questionnaire (=answer all the questions on it) Complete our questionnaire and you might win a carl
something that you ask
question /'kwest/^п/ [n C] what you say
or write when you are asking for information: There were several questions she wanted to ask. I That's a difficult question.
+ about Does anyone have any questions about the timetable?
request /ri'kwest/ [n С] a statement, letter etc in which you ask for something politely or formally
+ for She refused all requests for an interview.
on request (=when you can get something by formally asking for it) Information about the test is available on request.
demand /drmGindljdimaend/ [n C] a strong request saying very clearly what you want, especially when you are asking for something that someone does not want to give you: The kidnappers sent a list of demands to a national newspaper + /ora demand for a 10% pay increase
a set of questions that you ask in order to find out what people think
survey /'S3irvei/ [n Cj an attempt to find out about people's opinions, the way they live, what they like and dislike etc, by asking a large number of people a set of questions: A recent survey showed that 50% of 18-22-year-olds had tried drugs.
\' /
see also
ТМКЕАТШ
D to attack a person
attack /эЧаек/ [и T] to use violence against
someone and try to hurt them: She was attacked on her way to the station. I A big dog jumped out and attacked me. attack sb with. sth He'd been attacked with some kind of heavy object. attacker [n C] someone who attacks another person: Could you give me a description of your attacker?
mug /rrug/ [и T usually in passive! to attack someone and take money from them in a public place such as a street: He's been mugged twice since he moved to London.
mugging ~ mugged - have mugged
ambush /'sembujy [и T] if a group of
ATTACK
opposite defend
atmciZE
violent ^
PROTECT
war
shoot
people ambush someone, they hide and wait for them and then suddenly attack them: An armed gang ambushed a security vehicle and killed the driver.
assault /g'soilt/ [u TJ to attack and
hurt someone - use this especially to talk about the crime of attacking someone: Several police officers were assaulted by demonstrators.
H to attack a place or country
attack /э'иек/ \v l/T] to attack a place or country using weapons, aircraft, soldiers etc: Enemy planes attacked the city throughout the night. I General McArthur gave the order to attack.
Invade /m'veid/ [v l/T] if a country's army invades another country, it enters it and tries to control it: In September 1931, Japa nese t roops in vaded North - east China.
raid /reid/ \v T] if a group of soldiers raids a place or town belonging to an enemy, they attack it suddenly and without any warning and cause a lot of damage in a short time: Shortly after dawn a small group of commandos raided the enemy camp.
H to attack someone because they attacked you
retaliate /ri'taelieit/ [v I] to attack someone because they have attacked you first retaliate by doing sth When soldiers began shooting into the crowd, a few people retaliated by throwing stones, retaliation fatxli'eifjn/ [n U] when you attack someone because they attacked you
in retaliation for (=as retaliation when
someone attacks you) The rockets were fired in retaliation for Tuesday's bomb
attack
counter-attack /каитэгэ,1а;к/ [n C] an
attack that an army makes after it has been attacked by an enemy: The British counter-attack forced the French back into their own territory. counter-attack [v I] to attack an enemy
after they have attacked you: The General ordered two divisions to counter-attack.
0 an attack against a person
attack /s'taek/ [n ci when someone uses violence against another person and tries
to hurt them: The attack took place as Mr Owen was leaving his home. I Police are investigating a series of racial attacks in the city.
+ on a serious attack on a young Turkish worker in Germany yesterday
mugging /mAgig/ [n C] an attack on someone in a public place such as a street, in order to steal something from them: Every year there are thousands of muggings on the subway.
assault /э'sxit/ [n C/U] an attack on someone ~ use this especially to talk about the crime of attacking someone: Reed was serving a 5-year jail sentence for burglary and assault + on Statistics show an increase in the number of assaults on women.
BI a military attack
attack /g'taek/ [n C] when a military force attacks a place or country, using weapons, aircraft, soldiers etc: The attack began at dawn. I a terrorist attack + on a care/u//y planned attack on American air bases
launch/mount an attack (=start an attack) Troops launched an attack on the city in the early hours of the morning.
• m
invasion /m'veryn/ [n C] when an army from one country enters another country and tries to control it: Hundreds of civilians were killed while resisting the invasion. + of Mussolini's invasion of Abyssinia in
1935
American/Russian/German etc invasion
the Russian invasion of Afghanistan
raid /reid/ [n С] a short, quick attack by a group of soldiers, planes, or ships on a place that belongs to an enemy + on Several raids were made on frontier villages.
air raid (=when aircraft drop bombs on a place) A series of air raids almost totally destroyed the ancient city centre.
ambusll /'aembo// [n C] a sudden attack by a group of soldiers who have been hiding and waiting for someone: Several Red Cross workers were killed in an ambush only five miles outside the town.
plural ambushes
AVAILABLE/NOT AVAILABLE
Ш a person or place that is attacked
victim vikt^m |n C] someone who has
been attacked: The man ran off when his
victim called for help.
be the victim of a crime/assaultiattack
etc Saleem. aged 16. was the victim of a vicious racial attack yesterday evening.
target ;'ta:rgj>t [п С] a person or place
48
that someone decides to attack + /or Government buildings have recently been a target for terrorist attacks.
not available
unavailable/unobtainable /лпз veibb^l, ,лпэЬ'(етэЬз1/ iadj not before noun) if something is unavailable or unobtainable, it is impossible to get it or buy it: Fresh fruits were unavailable in winter. I Good apartments to rent had become almost unobtainable.
AVOID
AVAILABLE/ NOT AVAILABLE
see also get
D available for someone to
have or use
available /o'veilob,?!/ [adj] if something is
available, you can get it, buy it. or use it: Do you have any accommodation available? I There's no room for more books - we've used up all the available space. I This treatment is not available in all hospitals.
+ to Grants are available to students who have high grades. + /rom His latest book is available from all good bookstores.
readily/freely available (=very easy to get) Drugs like heroin are readily available on the streets.
make sth available These statistics are never sold or made available to the public.
Spare /spcor/1adj] something that is spare is not being used now. but it can be used if someone needs it: There are some spare chairs in the next room if you need them. I 1 need 50 cents for the parking meter - do you have any spare change?
free /fri:/ \adj] a room or seat that is free is not being used by anyone now. and no- one has asked for it be kept for them to use later: Is this seat free? have sth free The hotel never has any rooms free over the Christmas period.
to make sure that something bad does not happen
avoid /a'vDid/ [u T, to make sure that something bad does not happen to you. either by doing something or by deliberately not doing something: You can avoid a lot of problems if you use travellers cheques. I helping students to avoid common errors I businessmen who try to avoid taxes
avoid doing sth (=not do something, in
A
order to make sure that you do not have problems) It's best to avoid going out in the strong midc/ay sun. I Yol should avoid making up your mind before you know all the facts.
Don't say 'avoid to do something'. Say avoid doing sth,
get oat of sth / get aot nv (Sth)' [phrasa/ uerb T] informal to avoid doing something that you should do or that you have promised to do: / was supposed to stay at home with my baby sister today, but I'll try to get out of it.
get out of doing sth He always manages to get out of paying for the drinks.
get around sth (also get round sth
British) ' gel (o)'raund (sth)/ [phrasa/ verb T] informal, to find a way of avoiding a difficult or unpleasant situation, so that you do not have to deal with it: There s no way of getting around it - you're going to have to tell her the truth, i Isn't there any way of getting round these regulations?
В to keep away from a person or place
avoid /э'уэid/ (и T] to keep away from a person, because you do not want to talk to them, or keep away from a place, because
there are problems there: I'm sure Sarah's been avoiding me recently. I Drivers are advised to avoid Elm Street, because traffic is heavy and there are long delays.
avoid sb/sth. (ike the plague informal
(=try very hard to avoid them) Except when they were filming, the two actors avoided each other like the plague.
stay away/keep away /stei
,ki:p 9'wei/1phrasal verb I] to not go near a person or place, because they may be dangerous or may cause problems + from That evening he received a note warning him to stay away from the camp. I Keep away from my children. or I'll call the police, stay/keep well a way (=completely avoid) She walked along the path, keeping well away from the cliff's edge.
Qsteer clear of sb/sth /,stior kiu>rov
(sb/sih)/ especially spokf.n to make an effort to avoid a person or place, because there could be serious problems if you do not: We were told to steer clear of the main roads, where we might be recognized. I She advised me to steer clear of Matthew - she said he couldn't be trusted.
El to avoid a difficult
question or subject
avoid /э'уэеd( [v T| to avoid talking about
a subject or answering a question, because you do not want to cause embarrassment or problems for yourself: Try to avoid subjects like sex or religion that might offend people. I Typical politician! He just kept avoiding the question.
evasive /Vveisiv/ [adj] someone who is evasive tries to avoid answering questions or explaining their plans, because they
want to hide something: All of the journalists' questions were met with vague. evasive answers. I When we asked him where his wife was, O'Hare suddenly became evasive.
ш to avoid being hit
avoid /a void/ [и T] to move so that you do not hit something or get hit by it: I had to swerve to avoid the truck, avoid doing sth Penny jumped out of the toay to auoid being hit by the falling
branch.
get out of the way get ди лэ wei
to move quickly in order to avoid something dangerous that is moving towards you: "Get out of the way!" he yelled, as the wall began to crumble. + of trying to get out of the way of the advancing fire
duck Д1лк/ [и I] to move your head and the top part of your body down in order to avoid something: I forgot to duck and hit my head on the low doorway. I Josie ducked and the vase smashed against
the wall.
dodge дЫзЦскЫз/ [и I/T] to avoid something or someone by quickly moving sideways: We had to run across some open ground, dodging the bullets. I He almost caught me, but 1 dodged and rcn across the road.
+ be hirtd/in to/thro ugh When Kevin saw the soldiers, he dodged into an alley.
50
BABY
В
BABY
born ^ ^mother
\ /
see
child also father
d \
young family
D a baby
baby /'beibi/ [л С] a very young child who has not yet learned to speak or walk: Who will look after the baby when you go back to work?
new baby (=a baby that was born only recently) Have you seen Rachel's new baby?
newborn baby (=a baby that has just been born and is only a few hours old) The average weight of a newborn baby is about seuen pounds, baby boy/girl a four-day-old baby boy baby son/daughter Steve and Martha are proud to announce the birth of their baby daughter, Kate Louise, unborn baby (=a baby that is still growing inside its mother) There are a lot of sounds that an unborn baby can hear. plural babies
child /tjaild/ In C] a baby - use this especially in writing or in formal speech: They had their first child after ten years of marriage.
unborn child (-a baby that is still growing inside its mother) The rubella virus can seriously harm the unborn child.
plural children
В to be born
be bora /bi: Wn/ when a baby is born, it comes out of its mother's body and begins its life: The baby was born two months early. I Where were you born?
birth jb-yJQj [n CM the process of being born, or the time when someone is born + of It's quite common for fathers to be present at the birth of their babies. at birth (=at the time when a baby is bom) He only weighed 1.5 kg at birth.
premature /'prematja', -tJoar, ,ргешэ- 't/ualpriima'tjoar/ [adj] a premature baby is born too early and is often small or weak: Many premature babies have breathing problems.
three months/seven weeks etc premature
(=born three months etc before the normal time) The baby was six weeks premature.
В have a baby
have a baby /,hav э 'beibi/ if a woman
has a baby, it comes out of her body:
Helen had her baby at home.
have a bo у/girl Va! had a baby boy at 9
o'clock yesterday evening
have twins (=have two babies at the same
time)
give birth /,giv W0/ if a woman gives
birth, a baby comes out of her body: An /ta/ian woman has giuen birth at the age of 61.
give birth to a boy/girl/son/daughter
Your wife has given birth to a iouely baby boy.
ih Give birth is more formal than have a baby, and is not often used in conversation.
childbirth /tjauldbs'e/ (n U] the process during which a baby is coming out of its mother's body: drugs that ease the pain of childbirth
natural childbirth (=without drugs, medical operations etc)
ia labour British in labor American m 'Ieib3r/ a woman is in labour during the hours when her baby is being born: She was in labour for over 16 hours with her first child.
go into labour (=when labour starts) Anna was at work when she went into labour.
□ going to have a baby
pregnant /'pregnant/ [adj] a pregnant woman has a baby growing inside her body: Have you heard that Liz is pregnant?
get pregnant (=Ъесоте pregnant) She
got pregnant while she was only 15. twelve weeks/eight months etc pregnant Helen's three months pregnant.
Qbe going to have a baby /Ы:
,g30it] 13 hxv 9 'beibi/ especially spoken to
have a baby growing inside your body: I've
got something to tell you all: I'm going to have a baby!
/h Use be going to have a baby especially when you are teffing someone for the first time that you or someone else is going to have a baby.
pregnancy /'pregnansi/ [n C/U] the time
when a woman has a baby growing inside her body: an increase in the number of teenage pregnancies (=teenagers becoming pregnant) I This drug should not be taken during pregnancy.
plural pregnancies
maternity /тэтгп^и/ [adj only before
noun] intended or designed for women who are going to have a baby
maternity Kospital/ward/unit (=a hospital or part of a hospital where women go to have their babies)
maternity clotKes i=clothes specially designed for women who are going to have a baby)
maternity leave (=tbe period of time that a mother is allowed to spend away from work when she has a baby)
В when a baby fs not born alive
have a miscarriage /.hsv э mis-
kicnd3j if a woman has a miscarriage, the baby is born dead and is only partly developed: She was pregnant during her first marriage but had a miscarriage.
lose the baby /Jих to 'beibi/ if a woman loses a baby, it dies before it is born: Patricia lost the baby after six months.
abortion /3*barJ>n/ [n C/U] when а woman has a medical operation to remove a baby that is developing inside her. before the baby is ready to be born: In Europe there are over 2 million abortions a year. I The Catholic Church
remains strongly opposed to abortion. have an abortion She had an abortion when she twis only 15.
(3 a baby animal
kitten /'kitn/ [n C| a young cat
puppy / рлр1/ In C] a young dog
plural puppies
iamb /1ает/ In С] a young sheep
piglet /'pigW (л С] a young pig
cal/ /karflkaef/ [n C] a young cow plural calves
/oal /foul/ (n CI a young horse
chick /фк/ [л С] a young bird
young /jAi]/ [n plural] an animal's baby or babies: The mother bird will stay with her young until they are four weeks old.
Young ^ used especially in written
English and in descriptions of the way
animals live and behave.
baby /beibi/ (ad; only before noun] baby rabbit/elephant/monkey etc a very
young animal: The baby monkey was following its mother:
В how animals and humans produce babies
breed /briid/ [и I] if animals breed, they produce babies: Rabbits breed very quickly.
breeding - bred - have bred
reproduce /.rirpr^djuisj-duis/ [u I[ formal to produce babies: Fish reproduce by laying eggs.
reproduction /.riipra'dAk/^n/ (n U] the process of producing babies, young animals, or young plants: Reproduction is the main aim of almost all lifeforms.
A Reproduce is used when talking or writing about scientific subjects.
see also
i v
horrible/ disappointing/
unpleasant disappointed
D bad films/books/
methods/plans/food bad
/bsed/ [adj] something that is bad is of a low standard, because it has been done badly, designed badly, performed badly etc: The movie was so had that we left halfway through. I This is the worst book she's ever written. I Opponents of the plan say it is a bad way of managing city traffic. I In the 1980s, their cars had a bad reputation for reliability.
bad - worse - worst
QrtO good /пэи 'god/ spoken not good at all: I wouldn't go there - the beer's no good. I The buses only run twice a day which is no good at all. I I've tried thai diet, and it's no good.
awful/terrible/appalling jyfo h
ter^l, э'рэ:1п]/ [adj] very bad: Tony said the food at their hotel was awful. I What a terrible performanceI I Your handwriting is appalling!
(Zigarbage especially american rubbish British /'gai^idj, 'глЬЦ [n U1 spoken informal something that is very bad or very stupid, especially things people say or write: I don't know why you're watching that programme. It's complete garbage. I I've never read such rubbish in my life!
products that are badly made or of bad quality
poor quality/low quality /роэг
BAD
opposite cood
hhchtening/frkhtoied worse a jb ©pinions
violent
wrong
careless
serious
52
BAD
'kwol^ti, 1эи 'kwoUti||-'kwa:-/ poor quality products have been made badly: Poor quality housing often leads to health problems. I low quality products be of poor/towquality The cloth is cheap and of low quality.
badly made l.baedli meid<1 made without care or skill: Her clothes looked cheap and badly made. I Badly made furniture like that doesn't last long.
cheap /tjiip/ [adj] cheap furniture, jewellery, clothes etc look unattractive and badly made, and seem to have been produced using low quality materials. The room was depressing, with a dim light and cheap furniture. I humjry-Zoo/cing young men in cheap suits
not very bad, but not very good
Qnot very good /nDt veri 'god; especially spoken not good - use this when you are disappointed because you were expecting something better: "What was the movie like?" "Not very good, really." I He's been learning English for five years, but his pronunciation isn't very good.
Qnothing special /.плбиз spepi/
spoken not very bad, but not especially good: The town's nice, but the beach is nothing special. I "Was the food good?" "It tuas okay, but nothing special."
second-rate /.sekand 'reiU/ [adj] not as
good as other things of the same kind: a second-rate horror movie I It was a pretty awful speech, full of second-rate jokes.
mediocre /,ггихН'эокэг«/ [adj] something
that is mediocre is of a lower standard
than it should be, and does not show much
□
quality or skill: The team gave another mediocre performance last night. I He was trying to sell his mediocre paintings.
unpleasant events/ experiences/weather
bad /baed/ iadj] not at all pleasant, enjoyable, or successful: If the weather's bad. we could go to the museum instead. I I'm afraid I have some bad news. (=news of a bad event) I bad housing conditions I Terry started shouting at me, which just made things worse.
a bad day/year/time etc (=when a lot of unpleasant things happen) It had been a bad day, and I just wanted to go home.
The company has had a very bad year, and profits have fallen dramatically. bad - worse - worst
awful/terrible/horrible MA 'terjM 'hDr^lj-'h^, -ha:-/ [adj] very bad: I just
burst into tears in front of everyone. It was awful! \ That's terrible! Surely they can't just fire you for no reason. I She had a horrible nightmare that night.
unpleasant /лп'р1еъ?т/ [adj] an
unpleasant experience is one that you do not like or enjoy at all: a drug with unpleasant side effects I The news came as an unpleasant shock. I It has an unpleasant taste and smell. unpleasantly ladv] The room was unpleasantly damp.
appalling /э'рэ:1к]/ [adj] so bad that you are shocked: the appalling suffering caused by the civil war I No ship could leave port in such appalling weather
В a bad problem/ accident/illness
serious /"swnasI [adj] use this about problems, accidents, or illnesses that are very bad, and that people are worried about: There was a serious accident on the freeway. 1 serious head injuries I Youth un- employment is a serious problem in
Britain.
seriously facM Her father is seriously ill with pneumonia. I a legal case that seriously damaged her political career
bad /bad/ [adj] use this about something
that causes a lot of pain, worry, or problems: a bad car crash I wHow are things at home?" "Bad!" I It was the worst mistake I ever made.
a bad cold/headache etc Jane's not at school today ~ she has a bad cold. I a bad attack of asthma bad — worse - worst
badly Several people were killed or badly injured. I The furniture Luas badly damaged in the fire.
A\ Don't say 'her hands were burned
badly'. Say her hands were badly burned- Badly comes before a past participle.
horrific /hD'rifik|hD!-/ [adjj use this about accidents or injuries that are extremely serious, and make you feel shocked or upset: Diane has made a full recovery after a horrific riding accident last year. I a horrific attack on an innocent child
C^nasty /'naistifl'naesti/ [ad;] especially spoken use this about accidents, injuries, or illnesses that are not very serious, but are quiet unpleasant: That cough sounds nasty - you ought to see a doctor. 1 He had a nasty cut on his head.
nasty - nastier - nastiest
Ш when a situation is so bad that you cannot bear It
can't stand sth/can't bear sth
I,kamt 'staend (sth), ,ka:nt 'Ьеэг (sth)|,kaent>/ to be unable to accept an unpleasant situation: Europeans never stay there for long. They can't stand the heat. can't stand/bear the thought of sth She cou/dn't bear the thought of losing her children.
can't bear to do sth I couldn't bear to listen to her screams.
Qcan't take Sth /.коmt teik (sth)|
,ksent-/ especially spoken to be unable to accept an unpleasant situation without becoming angry or upset, especially when someone s behaviour is not fair or reasonable: Careful what you say - he can't take criticism.
can't take any more of sth I can't take any more of this - she's always complaining about something.
unbearable /лпЪмгэЬ*!/ [adj] something that is unbearable, such as a pain or a bad situation, is too bad for you to deal with or live with: The pain was unbearable. I Without him, life would be unbearable.
В a situation that is very bad
emergency li'm^d^nsii [n C) a very serious and dangerous situation that happens suddenly and needs to be dealt with immediately: Lifeguards are trained to deal with any emergency. In an emergency In an emergency dial 911 for the police, the fire department or an ambulance.
BAD
the emergency services British (=the organizations and people that come immediately to help you if there is an emergency) The emergency services in this area simply couldn't cope if there was a major accident or a terrorist
attack.
plural emergencies
A You can also use emergency before a noun, like an adjective: emergency surgery I The plane made an emergency landing.
crisis /'krajs^s/ [n C] a very bad situation in which there is a risk that serious problems will become suddenly worse: The Cuban missile crisis of 1960 was probably the closest we have been to nuclear war. 1 Their marriage was going through a crisis which almost ended in divorce. I an economic crisis plural crises
disaster /di'za:st3r||drzs-/ \n Cj a terrible event that causes a lot of damage or a lot of deaths: a mining disaster in which 108 people lost their lives I the Chernobyl nuclear disaster natural disaster (=caused by storms, floods etc) a fund set up to deal with natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods
• see also accident
И bad people or bad behaviour
bad /bxdj |adj] use this about behaviour that is morally wrong, or about people who do things that are morally wrong: In spite of all the bad things he had done, I still loved him. I In most movies, the bad guy gets caught in the end. I Is there any crime worse than murdering a child? I He had a bad influence on his younger brother.
bad - worse - worst
wrong /годЦгэя]/ [adj not before noun] use this about behaviour actions, or situations that are not morally right: He knew it was wrong, but he couldn't resist taking the money.
it is wrong to do sth It is wrong to tell lies. It is wrong that It's wrong that so many people are starving, when there is plenty of food in the world.
immoral /Гтогэф'тэ:-/ \adj\ use this about actions which you believe are morally wrong and unacceptable, even if they are not illegal: Many people think that testing drugs on animals is immoral. I To spend £23 billion on nuclear weapons is immoral, and a terrible waste of money
A Immoral is more formal than wrong. Don't say 'very immoral'. Say totally immoral or highly immoral.
evil/wicked /i:v,?l, 'wikJ>d/ [adj] deliberately very bad and very cruel to other people: Sutcliffe was an euil murderer. I Police described the woman's crime as wicked and inhuman.
Ы a bad child
naughty /'mitil'noni, 'na'ti/ [ac/;] a child who is naughty behaves badly, for example by being rude or by doing things that are not allowed: I only smack the children if they're very naughty I VJe've been looking for you everywhere, you naughty boyf
naughty - naughtier - naughtiest
spoiled (also spoilt British) /spoild, spoilt/ [adj] children who are spoiled or spoilt behave badly because their parents always let them do what they want and have what they want: You're a spoilt, ungrateful little girl! 1 Those kids are definitely spoiled - they need to fearn some manners.
mischievous /'mistji.vos/ [adj] a child who is mischievous behaves badly, but in a way that makes people laugh rather than making them angry: She was a mischievous little girl, who was always playing tricks on people. mischievously [adu] Ben smiled mischievously.
badly behaved /,baedli bi'heivd4/ [adj] a badly behaved child behaves badly and causes a lot of trouble: Two or three badly behaved children are causing all the problems in the class.
brat /bract/ [n C] informal a child that you do not like, who behaves badly and is rude: The school is full of rich brats, spoiled/spoilt brat (-a child who behaves badly .because they have always been allowed to do whatever they want)
EE bad at doing something
bad jbxdj [adj] not able to do something well, for example a job, sport, or activity bad teacher/driver/player etc He's the
worst driver I've ever seen. I The problem was caused by bad management. + at / tuas always bad at FrenchJ bad at doing sth I'm very bad at remembering people's names.
bad - worse - worst
Д Only use bad about other people if you want to criticize them strongly. If you want to be more polite, use n<>t very good instead.
badly /'baedli/ [adv] if you do something badly, you do it carelessly, not skilfully, or you do it in the wrong way: Kate plays the violin very badly. I The company had been badly managed from the start.
^ Don't say 'I speak English very bad'. Say I speak English very badly
Remember that bad jS an adjective and badly js an adverb.
Qnot very good /nm veTi ^d/ especially spoken not able to do something well: He's a nice guy, but he's not a very good actor.
+ at I'm afraid I'm not very good at alge- bra!
not very good at doing sth Shes not very good at communicating with other people.
not very well "Do you play the pianoT "Not very well. *
Quo good at sth /пэо ^ (sth)/
spoken very bad at a skill or activity: I'm no good at tennis.
no good at doing sth He can drive quite well, but he's no good at parking.
Qterrible/useless/hopeless /сеф
Ы, 'ju:sbs, 'hooplas/ [adj] especially spoken very bad at doing something, or very badly done: She's very intelligent but she's a hopeless cook. 1 That was a terrible shot - it missed the goal by a mile! + at I'm useless at spelling.
incompetent /т'котр^эпф'кахт-/ [adj] someone who is Incompetent lacks the skills they need to do their job - use this to criticize someone who is very bad at something and makes a lot of mistakes: This government is totally incompetent. I incompetent management
^ Don't say 'very incompetent'. Say total ly/completely incompetent
n
in bad condition
in bad condition /m baed kan'dij>n/ if
something is in bad condition, it is old, dirty, or not working well: We got the furniture cheap because it was in uery bad condition. I The machinery in the factory is in bad condition, and is probably dangerous.
A
Don't say 'in a bad condition'. Say ,n bad condition
«
Qbe /ailing apart ^ ^ эра1гГ/
especially spoken if something is falling apart, it is gradually breaking into pieces, because it is old or it was not well made: / need some new shoes. These are falling apart.
battered /baet^d/ [adj usually before noun] something that is battered is old and in bad condition because it has been used a lot: a battered old suitcase I Professor Dewey got out a battered copy of Shakespeare's plays. I a couple of battered wooden chairs
rotten / rotn| rcLtn/ (adj] wood that is fotten has decayed and become very soft, so that it breaks easily: The window frames were rotten, so we had to replace them.
rusty /'rAsti/ [adj] metal that is rusty is red-brown in colour, because it has been damaged by the effects of water: A few rusty nails held the door in place. I The railings were old and rusty.
rusty - rustier - rustiest
[n U] You can't see it, but underneath the car is covered in rust.
shabby //aebi/ \adj] clothes, furniture, or places that are shabby are no longer in good condition because they have been worn or used a lot: Paul was wearing a shabby old suit. I Their hotel room was
dark and shabby.
shabby - shabbier - shabbiest
dilapidated /d^tepideit^d/ [adj] a building that is dilapidated is in very bad condition.
BAD
because it has not been looked after or repaired: The warehouse is now empty and dilapidated. I ал old dilapidated
school with a leaky roof
bad /baed/ [adj] food that is bad is not good to eat, because it has started to
decoy-. / got really sick from eating bad
seafood. I the smell of bad eggs
Qgo off/go bad /gao 'of, gao 'baed/ especially spoken if food goes off or goes bad, it starts to decay because it has been kept for too long: In this heat, fish goes off very quickly. 1 The fruit went bad before we could eat it all.
Ш to think something or someone is bad or morally wrong
disapprove /.diss'pruiv [и I] to think that
a person or action is bad, morally wrong, or very stupid: I wanted to become an actor but my parents disapproved. + of Debbie's father disapproves of her boyfriend.
disapprove of sb doing stH My friends disapprove of me smoking. strongly disapprove (=disapprove very much) I strongly disapprove of any form of gambling.
think sth is wrong /,вщк (sth) iz 'moll
- DD]/ to think that something is morally bad and should not happen: Jane thinks sex before marriage is wrong. think it is wrong to do sth I think it's wrong to hit a child, whatever the circumstances.
disapproval ,dis3'pru:v«?l/ [n U] how you feel when you think someone's ideas, behaviour, or actions are bad or morally wrong: She looked at our clothes with obvious disapproval. sb's disapproval he disapproval of sb Peter was determined to go to art school, despite his parents' disapproval. + of They tried not to show any disapproval of Sandy's lifestyle.
disapproving /.diss'pruivn]*/ [adj] if
someone speaks to you or looks at you in
a disapproving way, they show by the way they talk or look that they disapprove of you: John gave me a disapproving look when I suggested another drink. I
56
"Do you think you should be doing that?" he said, in a disapproving voice.
EE so bad that it makes
you very angry
outrageous/disgrace/ul aotreid^s.
dis'greisfol (adj] use this about actions or situations that are very bad or very unfair and should not be allowed to happen: an outrageous waste of public money 1 / thought their behaviour was disgraceful.
Qbe a disgrace /bfcadis'greis/spoken if you say that something is a disgrace, you are angry about it and think that it should not be allowed to happen: The level of unemployment in this country is a disgrace.
it's a disgrace that It's an absolute disgrace that my wife had to wait five hours to see a doctor.
BANKS
see pages 58-60
BEAUTIFUL
^ opposite UGLY
see also describing people
D women
beautiful /'bjuit^fel/ \adj] use this about a woman who is extremely attractive in a
way that is fairly unusual and special, so that people notice and admire her: а beautiful woman with long black hair and green eyes I Karen was even more beautiful than I had remembered. I She has a beautiful smile.
good-looking /.god lok[adj] use this about a woman who is nice to look at and has an attractive face and body: Ginny was tall and good-looking. I A good-looking woman dressed in black came into the room. 1 She seems to get better-looking the older she gets.
good-looking - better-looking - best- looking
pretty /priti/ ]adj] use this about a young woman or girl who has an attractive face
and is good-looking, but not in an unusual way: Maureen's really pretty, isn't she?I a pretty girl in white jeans I She has a pretty face.
pretty - prettier - prettiest
attractive p'traekNv/ [adj] use this about a woman who is good-looking in a way that makes people sexually interested in her: Frances was a charming and attractive girl. I Your wife's a very attractive woman.
find sb attractive A lot of men find plump women attractive.
Qnice-looking /,nais lokig^ [adj] especially spoken use this about a woman who looks pleasant and friendly but is not extremely pretty: A nice-looking girl was walking her dog in the park.
cute /kjuit/ [adf\ informal, especially american
use this about a girl or young woman who is pretty and sexually attractive: Do you like Jill Anderson? I think she's cuteI
Qgorgeous /'p:rd&s/ [ad;] especially spoken use this to emphasize that a woman is extremely attractive, in a sexual way: That woman in 'BaywatchI think she's gorgeous.
look gorgeous Ursula, you look absolutely gorgeous in that dress!
glamorous /д1эетэгэк/ [ad;] use this about a woman who looks like a beautiful actress or film star, and has an attractive body and wears expensive clothes: Princess Diana was one of the world's most glamorous women. I The picture
showed a glamorous young woman sitting in a sports car.
StUlllUlig /'suniij/ [ad;] use this about a woman who is extremely beautiful and sexually attractive, in a way that everyone notices and admires: stunning French actress Juliette Binoche look stunning Beth looked stunning in a beautiful green silk dress.
elegant /'elegant/ [adj] use this about a woman who is tall and attractive, and wears clothes that look good: An elegant young woman sat at the next table, sipping a cocktail.
look elegant a woman in a well-cut navy coat who, despite the rain, still looked elegant бэ men
good-looking /,god 'lokig*/ [adj] use this
about a man who is nice to look at: A tall good-looking man asked me if I wanted to dance. I She showed me a photo of a good-looking young soldier
good-looking - better-looking - best looking
attractive /atnektiv/ [ad/] use this about a
man who is good-looking in a way that makes people sexually interested in him: He was a tall attractive man in his mid-forties, find sb attractive I don't find those body-builders with huge muscles attractive at all.
CUte /kjuit/ [adj] informal, especially american use this about a young man who looks
nice and is sexually attractive: I don't know why she won't go out with him. I think he's kind of cute.
Qgorgeous J'gyM&si [adj] especially spoken use this to emphasize that a man is extremely attractive in a sexual way: Look at that guy over there. Isn't he gorgeous?
handsome /'haens^m/ [ad;| especially written use this about a man who is good- looking, especially one who is tall and strong-looking; Richard was a handsome man with a lot of charm. 1 My brother was two years older than me, taller, and more handsome.
look handsome He looks really handsome in his uniform, doesn't he?
A Use handsome especially in writing stories and descriptions.
Qnice-looking /nais lukii^y [adj] especially spoken use this about a man who looks pleasant and friendly but is not extremely attractive: I suppose he's quite nice-looking, but he's not really my type.
Bl children
beautiful /'bju^fel/ [adj] use this about a child who is so good-looking that everyone notices and admires him or her: Parents always think their baby is the most beau- tiful baby in the world. ( On her desk there was a photograph of two beautiful children.
beautiful continues on page 61
58
BANKS
BANKS
OWE
pay ^ ф — borrow
\ I /
e
save
SPEND
see also
see ^
The bank gave him a cheque book and a bank card.
MONEY
earn ^f IB opinions
LEND
buy
О When Kevin left school he opened a bank account.
e Kevin enjoyed himself a lot... but unfortunately, he wasn't
very good with money and he got into debt.
borrow /'Ьогэи|Ьа:-/ \v I/T] to use money that belongs to someone else which you must give back to them later: / had to borrow $1000 to pay for the car borrow $100/Ј50/Ј1000 etc from sb He didn't hove enough money for the airfare, so he borrowed $1000 from his parents.
ATM /'eI ^: cm/ ^ a machine in the wall of a
bank, shop etc that lets you take money out of your bank account using a special card
bank account account *kaunt; 9'киаи"[1]/
(л С] if you nave a bank account with a particular bank, you keep your money there, and take some out when
you need it
open a bank account (-start a new bank account)
bank cant /'baeqk ka:rd/ [n CI a small plastic card given 10 you oy your bank, which you show when you write a cheque, and which also lets you get money out of a cashpoint or ATM. A bank card can often also be used as a debit card.
vocabulary
bonk statement .steitraant/ [n C] a printed list that your bank sends you regularly, which shows what money you haw paid into and taken out of your bank account
BANKS
Oh no! I'll hove to pay by cheque.
О
One day he went to the cashpoint, and discovered that he couldn't get any money out because he was £100 overdrawn.
о
I'm sorry, sir ?)
And so he got a credit card with a £2000 credit limit...
The bank agreed to give him an overdraft.
Soon Kevin had gone over his overdraft limit and couldn't withdraw any more money.
С Oh поп
+/or a check for $300
pay by cheque/check Can I pay by cheque?
credit COfd /'кгеф ,ka:rd/ [n С] a plastic card that you can use to pay for things with money you borrow from a financial organization such as VISA or MasterCard. A lets you рек; for tilings, and then pay what you owe to the organization later: We accept all major credit cards. I credit card fraud (=dishonest use of crecfit cards)
credit limit /"Credit .limij/ In C] the largest amount of money that you can borrow using your credit card
debit card /debji ,ka:rd/ [n U) a plastic card that you can use topay for things, which aibws the money to be taken directly from your bank account.
ljUfrft /dets/ [n plural] the amount of money that you owe to a person or a bank
have debts The company has debts of around $100 million.
be in financial difficulties /*»: in f^npl difiM- tizI to have serious problems with money, because you
have spent more money than you have, and you owe
money to a person or the bank
g«t/go into debt .2е1' into 'del/ to get into a situation in which you owe a lot of money
get money out /?et тлп' aut I to get money from your bank account by using a cashpoint сиг ATM. or by going into a bank
good with money wftтлП|/ at managing your money and iraking sure that you do not spend more than you can afford
not very good with money (=not able to control the way you spend your money, so that you spend more money than you have)
lend /lend/ [u Tj to give someone money. Ый only if they
banks continues on the next page
60
BANKS
BANKS
^^ Soon Kevin was in serious financial difficulties
and went off to the Caribbean
0
ф
...and get a second job to help him pay off his debts.
agree to give it back to you at a later time tend sb $40/Ј100 etc The bank has a/ready lent the company $50 million, I Can you lend me five pounds til} tomorrow?
overdraft /'^V3rdiuiftl|4iraft/ [n CI wtsh an amount that you owe your bank, when you have spent more money than you have in your account Have a Ј$0/$300 overdraft (=when you owe the bank this amount of money) Jue got а £200 overdraft. give sb an overdraft (=when a bank agrees to let someone have an overdraft) The bank manager gave me an overdraft
overdraft limit /'auvs'drarft ,iim^t| -draft; (n Cj the largest amount of money that the bank has agreed to lend you
90 over your overdraft limit (-spend more money than the bank has agreed to lend you)
overdrawn /(3uv3ndran/ [adj nol before noun] if you are overdrawn, you have spent more money than you have in your bank account, so that you owe the bank money be Ј300/$80 overdrawn (=awe the bank Ј300/$80)
owe ;эо/ [v T] if you owe someone money, they have lent you money and you have not yet given it back to them owe sb £15/150 etc Kevin owes his mother £30.
рву off /,pei of I 'xf/ (phrasa/ verb T) to pay all the money thai you owe
pay off yeur debts/overdmft/credit card Гие almost paid off my debts.
withdraw /WKVdrx, wie-/ [v T] if you withdraw money, you get it out of your bank account withdraw £100/1200 etc You can withdraw up to £100 a day.
beautiful continued from page 57
lovely /"l/vvli/ [ас/j] use this about a child who looks nice and has a pleasant, friendly character: They've got three lovely kids. I Rosie 's a lovely baby.
took lovely Don't the Schultz sisters look lovely?
lovely - iovcht'i - loveliest
cute /kjuit/ [ad7] informal use this about a child who looks attractive and has a happy or amusing character: He's really naughty. but he's so cute, i You were such a cute baby!
look cute Doesn't he look cute in that baseball cap!
El animals
beautiful /'bju:tj,f<?l/ [adj] use this about animals that look extremely attractive and impressive
beauti/ul bird/korse/animal/featHers/fur
etc a beautiful bird with bright blue
feathers I A beautiful grey horse trotted up to the gate.
CUte/sweet /kjurt, swiit/ [adj] use this about pets and baby animals that look nice in a way that makes people want to look after them
+ kitten/puppy/dog/baby bird etc cute kittens I She has a funny little dog - he's really sweet!
magnificent /maeg'mt^mt/ [ad;] use this
about animals and large birds that are very beautiful and impressive because they are large and strong or beautifully coloured: The horse was a magnificent creature with a gleaming jet black coat. I a magnificent golden eagle I The Siberian Tiger is a magnificent animal.
В things/buildings
beauti/ul (also lovely especially British) /'bjun^fel. Uvli; [ad;] use this about things or buildings that look extremely good, and give you a feeling of pleasure: a beautiful painting I "Do you like the house?" uLike it? It's beautiful!" i Thanks for the flowers - they're lovely! I one of Europe's loveliest churches
lovely - lovelier - loveliest
beauti/ully [advj a beautifully decorated house I The presents were all beautifully wrapped in pink tissue paper.
pretty /'priti/ [adj] use this about objects that are small and delicate, or things in your home such as curtains and carpets: pretty wallpaper with yellow flowers on it I What a pretty vase!
prettv prettier - prettiest
magnificent /maeg'nif^nt/ [ad;] very
beautiful and impressive - use this about large and impressive buildings or pieces of furniture, especially old ones: The room is dominated by a magnificent four-poster bed. I a magnificent 15th century castle
Qgorgeous 'go:rd39s [ad;] especially spoken use this about beautiful things that you admire very much gorgeous dress/coat/colour etc / love your dress! It's such a gorgeous colour! I The apartment had been furnished in rich, deep colours and gorgeous fabrics.
exquisite /ik skwiz^t, ekskwi- [ad;j very
beautiful - use this about jewellery or small things that have been designed with great care and made with a lot of skill: an exquisite handcarved ivory brooch I There's a little courtyard with fountains and orange trees - it's really exquisite.
elegant /'elegant/ [adj] use this about buildings, furniture, and clothes that are beautifully designed in a simple but usually expensive way: We jirst met him at an elegant hotel in the uptown district of Manhattan. I an elegant rosewood dining table I She was wearing an elegant black suit.
Ш places/countryside/views
beauti/ul /'bjuitifol/ [adj] use this about places that everyone admires and likes to visit Florence is such a beautiful city. I Cornwall has some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Britain I a restaurant with beautiful views over Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples
lovely / lAvli/ [adj] use this about places that are beautiful in a way that makes you feel relaxed and gives you a lot of pleasure: The hills will be lovely at this time of year. I You are so lucky to live here with all this lovely countryside around you. I The garden was looking lovely.
lovely - lovelier - loveliest
stunning/breathtaking sumq,
brefyteikiij/ \odj] use this about views that
are extremely beautiful and extremely
impressive: The view from the top of the mountain was stunning. 1 the breathtaking beauty of the Niagara Falls I breathtaking views of the Himalayas
magnificent /maegmfis^nt/ [ad;] use this about areas where there are beautiful, large, and impressive mountains, valleys, rivers etc: magnificent views across the valley I the magnificent mountains around Lake Titicaca
picturesque /iP,ktj3'resM [adj] use this
about villages and towns that are pretty and old-fashioned: We visited the picturesque fishing village of Lochinver. I He rents a small house in the picturesque old quarter of town.
scenic /'si mi к/ [adj] use this about roads that go through beautiful countryside scenic route/jo urne у/drivefroad We travelled to the coast by a very scenic route. I a scenic road through the Welsh mountains
the beautiful appearance of someone or something
beauty / bjuiti/ In V) the beautiful appearance of a place or person: the beauty of the countryside in spring I He had written a poem about Sylvia, praising her charm and beauty.
of great beauty (=very beautiful) formal There were ancient carvings of great beauty.
good looks /god -loks/' [n plural] someone' s attractive appearance: Although over 50 she had not lost her good looks.
getting cold, I'm getting hungry etc (not
'it's becoming cold'). 2. You can use become with most adjectives, but get can
only be used with some adjectives: see the note at get for details.
become /ЬГклт/ [V] if you become rich, famous, worried etc, you start to be rich, famous, worried etc: Ju/ian's book was a big success and he quickly became rich and famous. I The weather was becoming warmer. I It soon became clear that the fire was out of control. I After a while, my eyes became accustomed to the dark.
becoming - became - have become
/get/ [и] to become: It normally gets dark at about 8.30 p.m. I The man got
annoyed and started shouting at me. I The situation doesn't seem to be getting any better. I I'm getting too old for this kind of thing.
getting - got - have got bkjni have gotten a': • ::< .
^^ Don't use get with these words: available, calm clear famous happy
important, necessary obvious poor'
powerful proud sad'silent successful'
useful. But you can use get with comparatives, such as: clearer happier more famous more important you Can
also use get with past participles, such as: annoyed bored, damaged lost broken
grow /grao/ [u\ grow old/tired/worse/ larger etc to slowly and gradually become old, tired etc: As we grow old, we worry more about our health. I The sound of footsteps grew louder. I They had grown tired of waiting. I The children were late, and she was growing anxious.
growing - greu - have grown
Use grow especially when you are writing stories or descriptions.
A
BECOME
with adjectives
9° /дэо/ [v\ to become - only use go with these words
go g re у/w hit elredldar к Her face went bright red with embarrassment, go mad/wild/crazy Your dad'll go crazy lohen he Я^с/s out.
go quiet/silent As soon as the band started playing, the crowd went quiet. go bad/sour/cotd My coffee's gone cold.
63
BEFORE
turn /1з:гп/ [у] turn red/blue/white etc to
become a different colour because of a natural change: My father's hair turned grey when he was only 40. I In autumn the leaves turn red and yellow.
going - went - haw gone
В with nouns
/?\ Don't use get with nouns.
become /ЬГклт/ [и] In the 19th century, the city became a major trading centre. I Since she won all that money, she's become a very unpleasant person, become a doctor/writer/teacher etc Theroux decided to give up teaching and become a writer.
becoming - became - have become
/!\ You can also say 'I want to be a doctor/an actor elc when I leave college'.
change into sth/turn into sth
/'tjeind3 mtu: (sth), 't3irn intu: (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] to completely change and become something else, often in a surprising way: The little brown caterpillar eventually changes into a beautiful butterfly. \ During the brewing process, all the sugar turns into alcohol.
develop into sth fdi'vebp mtu: (sth)/
[phrasal verb T] to gradually become something that is much better, bigger, more important, or more serious: In 20 years, the company has developed into a huge multinational organization. ) a minor illness which developed into a serious chest infection
BEFORE
opposite after see also early
U before something happens, or before someone does something
before jbib:[2]! [prepositiortconjunction/
adv] before you do something or before an event happens: The family left France just before the war I Think carefully before
you give your final answer. I Before I could say anything Dave walked away.
before doing sth Before joining IBM Jack worked for Toshiba. I You should check the oil before starting a long drive, before this/tHat We spent two years in America, and before that we lived in Japan.
the night be/ore/the day be/ore/the week before etc The night before the wedding she was really nervous. a week/2 days/5 years etc be/ore I was
born just 11 months before my brother.
/t\ Before can be used as an adverb, but only in expressions like a week before and the day before: When we got there, we found out he had left the day before. Don't use before on its own as an adverb - use before this or before that: I had a job as a waiter, and before that I worked in a supermarket.
Don't use 'will' with before. Don't say 'before I will leave England, I want to visit Cambridge'. Say before I leave England ...
be/orehand (also ahead of time
amerjcan) h]'fc:rhaend, a.hed эу taimj {advJ if you do something beforehand or ahead of time, you do it before you do something else, especially in order to make a situation easier-. We had agreed beforehand not to tell anyone else about our plans. I Decide ahead of time whether you will keep the dog indoors or outside.
in advance /in 3d'va:ns||-'vaens/ if you do
something in advance, you do it before another event happens, especially so that you will be well prepared: This is a meal you can easily prepare in advance. tell/warn sb in advance (=wam them that something may happen) I wish you'd told me in advance that you were going to be late.
six months in advance/a year in advance etc Preparations for the visit had been made months in advance.
pre- /pri:/ [prefix] pre-war/pre-school/
pre-Christmas etc before the war, before starting school etc: life in pre-war Britain i The government seems to hove forgotten all its pre-election promises.
before a particular time or date
before jb lib:г/ [preposition] before a particular time or date: Call me back before
4.30.
just before She was born just before Christmas.
by /bar [preposition] by 6 o'clock/Friday/
next winter etc at some time before 6 o'clock, Friday etc, and certainly not later than this: III be home by 6, I promise. I Make sure you get the work done by Friday. I By 9 o'clock, all the guests had arrioed.
before now
Ьв/огв /Ь)Тз:г/ [adv] before now: I've never seen such a big dog before. I Stan's never been up in a plane before and he's feeling very nervous.
ago grx; [adi] five minutes/two weeks/ 20 years etc ago five minutes, two weeks etc before now: He went out half an hour ago, but he'll be back soon. I She died
two months ago.
a long time ago "When did you live in Germany?" "Oh. it was a long time ago
- in 1967."
Use ago, not before, when you are saying how much time has passed since something happened. For example, don't say 'he died 10 years before'. Say he died
10 years ago.
A
Qages ago spoken (=a very long time ago) He wrote to me once, but that was ages ago.
A
Don't use ago with verbs in the present perfect. Don't say 'she has left 10 minutes ago'. Say she left 10 minutes
ago
earlier /Vliar/ [adu] at some time, date, year etc before now or before the time you are talking about: Didn't ! give you the key earlier?
earlier in the day/year etc I saw Barbara earlier in the day - she looked very upset.
20 years earlier/10 minutes earlier/
BEFORE
moments earlier etc Three years earlier, he had been happily married with a good job. Things were different now.
previously /'prirvissli/ [adv] before a time
or event in the past: She got the job two years ago, after previously working in another computer company. I The attack was carried out by a previously unknown group of terrorists.
two days/three weeks/six months etc
previously A few weeks previously I had met Herr Mueller at a conference. previous [adj] Jane had spent the previous summer working in Greece.
/ormerly Тэ:гтэгП/ [adu] formal, during а period in the past but not now-. Wat к ins was formerly editor of a national newspaper. I Zimbabwe was formerly known as Rhodesia.
someone or something that existed before, or that you had before
previous pri:vbs/ [adj only before noun] the previous person, thing, or time is the one that existed just before now or before the time you are talking about: Please ignore my previous instructions. I In her previous job she'd been an accountant. I The car's previous owner was a doctor.
previous day/week/year etc (=the day, week etc before the time in the past that you are talking about) The p re и io us day my father had looked perfectly healthy. I The weather that summer o»as much better than in previous years.
last /lu:st|laest/; 1adj only before noun] the last person or thing is the one that you had just before now, or the one that existed just before now: The last apartment we lived in was much smaller than this one. I Clare broke up with her last boyfriend because he drank too much. last night/week/year etc (=the one Defore this one) f couldn't sleep last night because of the heat.
Don't say 'the last week/night/
Tuesday'. Say |ast week/night/Tuesday:
What did you do last Saturday?
ex- eks [prefix] ex-wife/ex-boyfriend/ex-
64
policeman/ex-soldier etc someone who used to be someone s wife, used to be a policeman etc, but is not any more: Joe's father's an ex-policeman. 1 I wish you
wouldn't keep talking about your ex- boyfriends.
old aold [adj only before noun] sb's old job/car/girlfriend/boss etc the job, car etc that someone nad before the one they have now: Нош much did you sell your
old car for? I / tried to contact Jim, but I only have his old phone number 1 We had a big family room in our old house.
Old is less format than previous, and you usually use it in conversation. You use it about things that you used to have, or people that you used to work with or have a relationship with.
the one be/ore лэ w \n ьi fa:[ the person or thing that existed before the one that you have just mentioned: I didn't enjoy Spielberg's latest movie but I thought the one before was great. the day be/ore/the week before/the year be/ore etc (-the day, week etc before the time in the past that you are talking about)
We got married in 1992, but I met her
the year before, while I was at uniuersity.
former Ь:гтэг (adj only before noun] formal existing at some time in the past, but not now - use this especially to talk about someone who used to have a particular job or position: former US President Jimmy Carter I Robert's former wife now lives in Switzerland, i the former Soviet Republic of Georgia
predecessor pn:d^sesor|| pre [n C]
formal, someone's predecessor is the person who had the same job before
them: Sally's predecessor had warned
her that the class could be very difficult. I Kennedy's predecessor. President Eisenhower
В when you do something before anyone else does it
Jirst /tVst/ [acM if you do something first, go somewhere first etc, you do it, go there etc before anyone else: We got here first - these seats are ours. I Let Michael read the magazine. He saw it first- be the Jirst to do sth My sister a/ways sa/с/ I would be the first to get married, but she was wrong.
кэ before something else in a list or series
before bi fo:r [preposition] before something or someone else in a list, series, or set: / think you were before me in line, weren't you? I The chapter before this one was about Jenny's family. I Harajuku station is one stop before Shibuya station on the Yamanote Line.
in front o//ahead of in Тглт nv. ohed
nv/ [preposition] before another person in a group of people who are waiting to do something: The man in front of me let me go first. I There were about fifty people ahead of us waiting for tickets.
previous .'pruvios [adj only before noun] coming before the one that you are dealing with now: /п a previous chapter we con sidered how children learn language I He played the part of Tommy in a previ ous series of the shou).
earlier з:г1юг \adj only before noun] coming at some time before the one you have just mentioned - use this especially about something that is very different from what is happening now: These plays lack the wit and energy of his earlier work. I Harrison's latest remarks seems less
confident than his earlier statement.
tke one before (Ъ ,w,\n hib:[ the thing
that comes before another in a series: I don't like this song - the one before was much better. I In the series 2. 4. 8, 16. each number is twice as big as the one before.
above 3'bAV [adj only before noun] formal wririln use this in formal written English to talk about a person or thing that was mentioned earlier: Write to the above add ress for more information. I The above diagram shows a normal car engine.
the above (=the people or things mentioned earlier) Contact any of the above for more details. above \adv] the organizations mentioned above
BEGINNING
start
\ /
see
also
I
first
the beginning of something
the beginning /аэ brgmig/ \n singular]
the first part of an event, period of time, story etc
+ of It will be ready by the beginning of next week. I The beginning of the movie is uery violent. at the beginning There's a I ways a spelling test at the beginning of each class.
from the beginning (=a!l the time, from
the beginning of a long period) It u>as obuious from the beginning that his plan
was going to fail.
Start /sta:rt/ [n singular) the beginning of something, or the way that something begins
the start of sth The runners are now lining up for the start of the race. at the start At the start, their relationship was very good.
right from the start (=use this to emphasize that something has been true ail the time from when it started) We've had problems with this car right from the start. from start to jinish (=from the beginning to the end) a book that holds your attention from start to finish a good/bad start to sth Well, first the car broke down - which wasn't a very good start to the uocation.
origin /'ог^пЦ'э:-, 'a;-/ [n C] the origin of something is where it came from or how it first started to exist: AIDS became wide spread in the 1980s, but no-one is cer tain of its origin.
+ оfa dictionary that explains the origin
of words
starting point /stu:ftii] psint/ [n С
stop
finish
66
BEGINNING
usually singular] the starting point of something is where it begins or develops from; If you want to learn about working overseas this book would be a good starting point.
+ Jor/oJ They took the present situation in South Africa as the starting point for their discussion. I The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand is seen as the starting point of the war.
at the beginning
at the beginning/at the start
бэ bi'gmin, 3t cb 'sta:rt/ We agreed at the start that we would discuss any problems openly.
+ of Your rent is due at the beginning of every month. \ The team was doing well at the start of the season.
at /irst jgt f3:rst/ at the beginning of an event or period, especially when the situation later gets worse or better: Barney was shy at first, but gradually he became more confident.
A
initially /inipli/ [adu] at first - use this to say what happened at the beginning of a process or situation, especially when something different happened later: They offered her the job, initially on a temporary basis but later as a full member of staff. 1 Initially, the President didn't support this proposal. initial [adj only before noun] happening at first: My initial impression of Sadie was that she was shy and a little unhappy.
Initially is more formal than at first, and is often used to talk about business or politics. At first can be used in any situation.
originally -d^nali/ [adu] at
the beginning - use this to talk about the situation at the time when something first existed: She's Canadian, but her family originally came from Scotland. I Originally the book was published as a series of magazine articles. original 3'nd3in<?l, -d^nal/ [adj only before noun] existing at the beginning; The original owner of the painting was a friend of the artist.
early 3:rli [adv] near the beginning of an event, story, or period: I'll be seeing him early next week.
early in the game/story/century etc
United scored early in the game.
early - earlier - earliest
early [adj only before noun| We're spending two weeks in Malaysia in early May. I a man in his earfy thirties (^between 30 and 33 years old) I the
story of her early life in India.
В a speech or piece of writing that comes at the
beginning
Introduction. |intrcVdAkpn |n C] a short
part at the beginning of a book or speech, explaining what it is about: You'll understand ihe poems better if you read the introduction first.
+ to Scott's introduction to his novel 'Ivanhoe'
introductory ,'jntra'dAkuri* [adj] introductory remark / paragraph / sentence
things that someone says or writes at the beginning of a book, speech etc to explain what it is about: Write an introductory paragraph giving the background to your research.
BEHAVE
POUTl— STUPID
N P
see
also ✓ \
sensible dcscmbinc
people
II to behave in a particular way
behave /bi'heiv [и I] the way someone behaves is the things that they do and say. and the effects these have on other people: How does Sam behave at school? behave well/badly/unreasonably etc I'm not going to talk to him until he starts
behaving reasonably.
behave as if The next time I saw him, Frank behoved as if nothing had happened
behave Uke sb/sth Oh, be quietf You're behauing /ike a two-year-old. f behave towards sb William was behaving very strangely toioards me.
be hi: be rude/helpful/silly etc to
behave in a rude, helpful, or silly etc way: Don 't be so rude! i The waiter was really friendly and helpful. I Stop being silly I I
Why is she being so nice to us9
act iekt [u Ij to behave in a particular way. especially in a way that seems unusual, surprising, or annoying to other people act strangely/stupidly/oddly etc Tina s been acting Dery strangely lately act Uke sb/sth He has been accused of acting like a dictator. act as if She acts as if she owns the place and we're her servants.
react /ri'aekt/ [и I] to say or do something because of what another person has said or done, or because of something that has happened: Нош did she react when you told her the news?
react angrily/violently/calmly Parents reacted angrily when the school asked them to keep their children at home.
treat tri:t [и Tj to behave towards someone or deal with someone in a particular way treat sb well/badly Amy's treated him really badly - no wonder he's upset. treat sb like sb/sth Гт sick of my parents treating me (ike с child. treat sb with respect! contempt! kindness Doug/as was treated with much more respect after his promotion.
treatment tri:ttri3nt, [n U] the way that a person, organization etc treats someone: Harper described the treatment he had received in prison. + of We're shocked by the government's treatment of young homeless people, special/preferential treatment (=when one person is treated better than everyone else) Although I was the boss's daughter, I didn't get preferential treatment,
0 to behave well
О be have bi'heiV [и I] hspd-iai .lv skhhn to do what people tell you and not cause any trouble - use this especially about children: If you two don't behave. I'm taking you straight home.
behave yourself (=behave well) Make sure you behave yourselves when we uisit Grandma.
67
BEHAVE
good /god, a child who is good does not cause trouble and does what he or she is
told to do: / was always very good at school. I He's a good little boy. I Bye now Jessie. Be good.
well-behaved wel bi'heivd< Iadj\
someone who is well-behaved does not cause any trouble and does what other
people tell them to do - use this especially about children, pets, or large groups of people: Can I bring my dog? She's very well-behaved. I The crowd was noisy but well-behaved.
be on your best behaviour british behavior american .bi: on jo:1 best
bi'heivjor to make a special effort to behave well by doing and saying the right things and being very polite, because you know other people are watching you. Dinner was very formal with everyone on their best behaviour.
to behave badly
behave badly 'bi.heiv 'baedli. to be rude.
unhelpful, or unpleasant and not do what you are told to do: I knew I'd behaved very badly and I was sorry. I The kids behaved so badly that I was embarrassed.
misbehave misbi'heiv [и I] if children
misbehave, they deliberately behave badly by being noisy, fighting etc: Kids often misbehave when they are bored or tired. I We neuer dared to misbehcue in Miss Dill's classes.
t
to behave badly by being very active and noisy: Dun'ng his parents' divorce. Robert began actino up in class.
act UD /,агкt 'лр [phrasal verb I] ini ormai
the way someone behaves
BEHAVE
behaviour british behavior amf.rican
Don't say 'behaviours' or 'a behaviour'. Jtehaviour is an uncountable noun.
manner 'та;пэг [n singular] the way someone behaves when they are talking to or dealing with other people: The driver's
■bi'heivjaV [n U) the way someone behaves: His behaviour in school is beginning to improve. I That kind of behavior is not acceotable. + towards Eric's behauiour totuards his family surprised me,
A
68
manner was very unfriendly. I She impressed everyone with her businesslike manner.
/К Don't confuse manner (=the way someone behaves when dealing with other
ue 2
t1kue/not tkuc
people) and manners (=polite ways of behaving in social situations, for example knowing how to behave during a meal or when to say 'please' and 'thank you').
BELIEVE/ NOT BELIEVE
sure/mot suke
^ t
see also
/ ъ
know/ not know
to believe something
A
believe bVli:v [v T] to be sure that something is true or that someone is telling the truth: Did the police believe her story? I No-one believed me when I explained that the gun wasn't mine. +■ (tKat) People used to believe the Earth was flat. I The government believes that its campaign against drugs is working. believe in stK/sb (=believe that something or someone exists) Do you believe in ghosts? I If you don't believe in God, why are you getting married in church? firmly/strongly believe Within a few months. Kit firmly believed he had made the biggest mistake of his life
Don't say I am believing', 'he is believing' etc. Say I believe, he believes.
accept A sept |u T] to believe something because someone has persuaded you to believe it: He seems to jusi accept everything they tell him, without questioning it. I I'm not sure whether your story would be accepted by a jury. + that I don't accept that he knew nothing about these payments until now.
/К Don't say M am accepting', 'he is accepting' etc. Say | accept/ he accepts
be taken [n bi: .tcikon 'in,to believe that someone is telling the truth, when in fact they are lying in order to trick you: He told we that it was a genuine diamond. and I was completely taken in. + by Don't be taken in by products claiming to make you lose weight quickly.
gullible 'g^otwl [adj] too willing to believe what other people tell you, so that it is easy for people to cheat you: / was so gullible - I thought he loved me! i cheap goods sold at high prices to gullible tourists
something that someone believes
belief bj>1i;f In CAJ] something you believe to be true
religious/political beliefs They were put in prison because of their religious beliefs.
+ that Their experiments were based on the belief that you could make gold from other metals.
contrary to popular belie/ (=despite what most people believe) formal. Contrary to popular belief, eating carrots does not improve your eyesight.
superstition /.su:p3r'stijjn, .sjuHI.su:-: [n
C/U] a belief that some things are lucky and some are unlucky, even though there are no scientific reasons for believing this: There is
an old superstition that walking under a
ladder is unlucky. I These people lived in an age of superstition and ignorance.
В when something seems to be true
convincing ksn'vinsit] [adj| a convincing explanation, argument, reason, etc seems likely to be true: There is some convincing evidence that women are more intelligent than men. I I didn't find any of their arguments very convincing.
plausible 'рЬ^ЬД/ ladj] something that is plausible seems reasonable and likely to be true, even though it may actually be untrue - use this especially with these words: explanation, excuse, answer.
theory: His explanation sounds fairly plausible to me. I I need to think of a plausible excuse for not going to the meeting.
to not believe something
not believe ш T) Don t
believe everything you read in the newspapers. I / told her I was sorry, but she didn't believe me.
+ (that) I can 't believe he's only 25! Qnot believe a word of it (=not believe it at all) spoken They say they're going to send me the money, but I don't believe a word of it.
Don't say 'I am not believing', 'he is not believing' etc. Say, don4 be|jeve he
doesn't believe
doubt(1:ш1 № T] to think that something is probably not true: Kim never doubted his story.
+ (//whether / doubt whether anyone really understood what I was trying to say.
I doubt it He may be the best person for
the job, but I doubt it.
doubt very much (=think something is
almost certainly not true) She says she'll
leave him, but I doubt very much if she
will.
Д Don't say 'I am doubting', 'he is doubting' etc. Say, doubt he doubts
sceptical BR,T,SH skeptical Avn нк;лч
'sKeptiM [adjl someone who is sceptical about something is not sure whether it is true, or does not really believe it: When I started this investigation I was sceptical. I Russell s sceptical attitude towards the Christian religion
+ about I wish him luck, but Tm sceptical about his chances of success
cynical 'siniM/ [adj] someone who is
cynical is not willing to believe that people have good or honest reasons for doing something: I think movie stars just do charity work to get publicity - but maybe I'm too cynical, i an author with
a cynical view of life
69
BELIEVE/NOT BELIEVE
+ about Since her divorce, she's become very cynical about men.
disbelief /.disb^liif/ [n U) the feeling that
you have when you are very surprised by something and do not believe that it is true; People's usual reaction to bad news is shock and disbelief. stare/watch in disbeUe// stared at him
in disbelief. ' You're not serious, surely?"
what you say when you do not believe what someone is telling you
Qyou're kidding/you're joking
ipv 'kidiq, p:r 'd^ookiq spokfn informal say this when you are very surprised by what someone has just said and cannot believe that it is true; They got married! You're kidding!
A\ Only say this to friends and people who you know well.
О COme off it клт 'of it spoken informal say this wnen you cannot believe what someone has said, and you think they do not really believe it themselves: "I'm going to fail!" "Oh come off it, you couldn't possibly fail after all the work you've done."
A\ Only say this to friends and people
BELIEVE/NOT BELIEVE
who you know well. If you use come off it to people who you do not know well, it will seem rude.
pick up the ball. I I can't bend down because I've hurt my back.
bow bao [и 1] to bend your head and the upper part of your body forward slightly, in order to show respect or as a formal greeting: All the men turned and bowed as the Emperor passed.
crouch /krautJ/ [v I] to
bend your legs under you and bring your body
close to the ground: I saw him crouching behind some bushes, crouch down She
crouched down to watch the spider.
bend down
He bent down to pick up the papers.
bow
crouch
70
curl up
BEND
opposite stwaicht
D to bend your body, or
part of your body
bend 'bend; [u \/T] if you bend, you move the top part of your body forwards or down, if you bend your arm. leg. or knee, you move it so that it folds at the joint: Bend your arms and then stretch them upwards.
+ forward/towards/across She bent towards me and whispered in my ear.
bending - bent - havt» bent
bend over/bend down bend ouvy,
,bend daon [р/irasa/ verb I] to bend the top part of your body down, for example to pick something up: She bent over to
CUrl Up /<кз:г1 лр (phrasal verb I] to lie or sit wiln your arms and legs bent close to your body: I just want to curl up in my chair and watch TV.
Q to bend something
bend bend [и T] to push or press something into a curved shape, or fold it to form an angle: I hit the nail too hard and bent it a little.
bend sth back/down/mto Bend the wire
into an 'S' shape.
bending - bent - have bent
twist/twist/ [u T] to bend and turn something, such as wire or rope, several times twist sth around/through/into He twisted a coil of wire around the handle. I Her hair was twisted into a knot at the back of her head.
И easy to bend
flexible/'fleks^wl/ [adj] something that is flexible is easy to bend: shoes with flexible rubber soles 1 A long flexible hose is attached to the tap.
В not easy to bend
Stiff/stif/ [adj] hard, and difficult to bend: a sheet of stiff cardboard I The hairs on its back were stiff, as though it was frightened.
rigid /'rid3^d/ [adj] an object that is rigid cannot be bent at all: The framework of the aircraft is rigid but light. I a rigid metal structure
E3 someone who finds it
easy to bend their arms, back etc
suppleI'sApM/ [adj] someone who is supple can bend and stretch very easily and comfortably: a supple young gymnast
Ш something that is not
straight
bent /bent/ [adj] something that is bent is no longer flat or straight: How did this
spoon get bent? I The lid is bent and it
won't shut. I Stand with your legs slightly bent.
twisted /'twistid/ [adj] twisted
something that is twisted is bent in many different directions: The driver was dead, and the car was a heap of twisted metal.
curved /k3irvd/ [adj]
something that is curved has a smooth round bend in it: a sword with a curved blade
71
wavy / weivi/ [adj] wavy lines or hair have a lot of smooth curves in a regular pattern: A series of wavy lines appeared on the screen. I She had long wavy brown hair.
wavy
wavy hair wavy lines
В when a road, river, or path bends
bend/bend/ [n C] a place on a road, river, or path where it turns to go in a different direction: Soon you come to a point where there's a bend
in the river. I The car came round the bend too fast, a sharp bend (=one that turns suddenly) After you've passed the church, you go around a sharp bend.
curve/кз:гу/ [v 1] a road, river, or path that curves has a long smooth bend in it, like part of a circle: From here the railway curves oway towards the town. I a sandy beach curving gently around the bay curving /'k33rvii]/ [adj only before noun] a wide curving staircase
wind/wamd/ [и I] a road, river, or path that winds has a lot of curved bends over a long distance
+ through/along/around The trail winds through the forest, then descends towards the lake. windlng/'wamdir)/ [adj only before noun]
a peaceful little town on the banks of a winding river
winding - wound - have wound
curved
BEND
zigzag /'zigzaeg/ [и 1] a road or path that zigzags keeps turning to the left and then the right with a lot of sharp bends + down/across/through, ski routes zigzagging down the mountainside zigzagging /igzayged
BEST
SUTTABU/UNSUfTABU
PRAISE
see
also
BETTER
4 \
CONVENIENT/ FAVOURITE/
NOT CONVENIENT FAVOftfTl
better than all the others
best /best/ [adj usually before noun] better than anything or anyone else: The best ice-cream in the world is made in Italy. I She got the award for 'Best Actress' for her part in the movie. I Two of their best players were injured. I What's the best way to cook sweet potatoes? the best (=someone or something that is better than all the others) J chose a Japanese camera because I wanted to buy the best.
the best in tKe country/the world/the class etc Woods is the best player in the team. I Their heart surgery unit is the best in the country.
by far the best (-much better than any others) It was by far the best vacation I've ever had.
tKe best thing to do I think the best thing to do would be to call a doctor. best [ady] I've tried a lot of shampoos but this is the one I like best. I Nadia is the best-dressed woman I know.
zigzag
zigzagged - have
72
BEST
greatest /'greit^st/ [adj] the best and most important that there has ever been - use this about artists, political leaders, sports players etc, or about paintings, books, music, achievements etc: Picasso was one of the greatest artists of the 20th century} Compass is one of the greatest inventions in our history. I The First World War produced some of the greatest poetry ever written.
/inest/'fain^st/ [adj] the best and most skilful or the best and highest quality - use this about artists, writers, performances, or achievements, or about wines, foods, products, or materials: Marlon Brando was perhaps the finest film actor of them all. I Many people regard Beethoven's Fifth Symphony as his finest шогк. 1 We use only the finest ingredients.
top /tDp||ta:p/ [adj only before noun] the most skilful most successful, and most famous - use this about people such as sports players, lawyers, entertainers, photographers, or designers: one of the world's top tennis players I Several top rock acts will be performing at the charity concert. I By the age of 18, she was already a top fashion model.
Star ,/sta:r' [adj only before noun] star player/performer/student/pupil etc the
best player in a team, the best student in a class etc: Their star player earned millions of dollars. I Bob Woodward, the Washington Post's star reporter star [п C] They're a pretty good class, but Laura's undoubtedly the star.
when you do something better than ever before
at your best /3t jo:r best/ if you are at your best, you are performing at your highest level of skill: At his best, Иaradona was one of the most exciting players in the world. I The album shows Stephan Grappelli at his very best.
be at your pealc /bi: at>:r pi:k/ to be at
the time in your life when you are playing a sport, doing your job etc better than at any other time: Long distance runners are usually at their peak in their mid- 30s. I At his peak, McEnroe was one of the best tennis players of all time.
the thing that you do best
best /best/ [adj only before noun] your best subject, sport etc is the one that you do better than anything else: My best subject at school was history. I He's good at lots of sports but his best event is the high-jump.
'SM
speciality BRITISH specialty AMERICAN /.speji'ael^ti, 'spej>lti/ [n C] the thing that you do best and that you are the most skilful at: S/ie loved baking, and cakes were her speciality. I Christie also runs the 200 metres, but the 100 is his speciality.
specialities Hi
specialties лмгкк'лч
BETTER
opposite worse
good
\ t
see also
<i \
SUITABLE/ convunent/
UNSUITABLE not convenknt
D better than someone or
something else
better /'beta1"/ [adj] A better job with a
better salary - that's what I want. + than Your stereo's better than mine. better at sth (-able to do something better) Paul's better at tennis than I am. 1 Here, let me do it - I'm better at drawing. it is better to do sth I think it would be better to go tomorrow instead. much/far/a lot better The sales figures are much better than we expected. better [adu] Vou can probably explain this better than I can.
superior /sui'pi^ria1", sju:-|su-/ [adj] better -
use this about people s skills, or about products or services that you can buy: Sampras's superior technique meant that he won the game. + to Are French wines really superior to
73
British ones?
preferably /'prefrrabli/ 1 adv] use this to say that something would be better or more suitable: Come early next week - on Monday preferably. I We need well- qualified people, preferably with good computer skills.
better than before
better /'bets1"/ [adj] I hope the weather's better next week.
+ than The food here's a lot better than it used to be.
get better His work got better after he changed schools.
much/far/a lot better I'm still not very good at Japanese, but I'm much better than I used to be.
be an improvement /Ы: эп impruiv-
тэпt/ to be better than something similar that you had or did before or that existed before
+ on This new heating system is definitely a big improvement on the old one.
improved /inVpruivd/ [adj only before noun] better than before, because changes have been made: the new improved Mark IV engine I improved relations between
India and Pakistan
Qthat's more like it /(аaets mo:r laik
it/ spoken say this when a situation is better than before, or when someone starts to do something better: Can't you walk faster - that's more like it. I He's reduced his price to $800 Now that's more like itl
to do something better
do better /du: betar/ to do something better than you did before, or do something better than someone else: You'd do better if you practised more often. + than John did better than most of the other students in the class. I Come on - you can do better than that!
improve on sth /impruiv Dn (sth)/
A Superior is more formal than better, and is mostly used in writing.
BETTER
[phrasal verb T] to do something better than it was done before, especially by trying very hard: We have improved on last year's results. I Smithson has 165
BETTER
points, and I don't think anyone will improve on that.
outdo /aot'du;/ [u T] to be more successful at something than someone else: Clare is always trying to outdo her sister
74
outdoing - outdid - have outdone
next day. I That bag's too small - you'll need a bigger one. I Boeing is the world's largest commercial airplane manufacturer. I They say it's the biggest music festival since Woodstock.
big - bigger - biggest
better after an illness
Q better /'beta7 [adj not before noun] especially spoken better after you have been ill: Is Helen better yet? get better I hope you get better soon. 1 He was getting better every day.
well /wely lad; not before noun] when you are no longer ill: As soon as you're well again, we'll go to Florida. cjget well soon spoken (say this when someone is ill)
recover /п'клуэг/ \v I] to get well again
after you have had an illness or injury: She had chickenpox, and it took her ten days to recover.
+ from Gascoigne is recovering from a knee injury.
A
be /ully recovered (=be completely well again) Mitchell is fully recovered and will be taking part in the race.
Recover js m0re formal than get better and is usually used about serious illnesses or injuries.
BIG
opposite small
if you want to know about word order with adjectives, go to the
essential grammar section 1 3
VWDE/NAWOW
MT^ ^ ^TALL
high
N z1
see also
THICK
4 \
grow
things/groups/ organizations
big/large /big, la:rdЪ1 [adj] His car's really big. 1 A large package came in the mail
A Big and large mean the same thing. Large jS a little more formal than big, so large is more common in written English, and big js more common in spoken English.
enormous/huge ;i'no:rm3s, hju:d3/ [adj!
very big and impressive: In the corner of the room there u>as a huge desk. 1 a cathedral with an enormous tower 1 Huge crowds had gathered oufside the embassy.
A
Don't say 'very enormous' or Very huge', just say enormous 0r huge.
9Igantic /d3ai'gaentik/ [adj] something that is gigantic is much bigger than other things of the same type, often in a slightly strange or frightening way: Gigantic waves more than 40 feet high crashed against the boat. I These gigantic creatures became extinct in the Jurassic period.
places/areas/cities/ rooms
big/large /big, lartfe/ [adj] London is the
biggest city in Europe. I I like the bed room - it's really big. I Flooding has affected large areas of the country.
You can usually use big and large in the same situations, but it is more usual to talk about big cities and towns and large
big - bigger - biggest
A
areas.
enormous/huge .viw/mos. hju:d3/ [adj]
very big and impressive: They have a huge garden. I The kitchen was enormous. I The Grosvenor family once owned huge areas of land.
spacious /'speifas/ [adj] use this about the inside of a room or building that has a lot of space: a spacious apartment in Manhattan I Jenny's kitchen is spacious, fight, and airy. I the company 's spacious
offices in Oxford
people
ьее also tall fat
big I large /big, Ia:rd3,/ [adj] use this about someone who is tall and has a large body: My father was a big man, with legs like tree trunks. I A large woman in her early 50s answered the door
Д Large j5 more formal than big and is used especially in written descriptions, ft is not polite to tell a woman that she is big or large.
well-built / weI hi! 14 [ad;] use this about someone who is big and strong and has a lot of muscles: He was handsome and well-built, like a Hollywood movie star.
huge/enormous hjurds. mommas very
В
A
big and tall, in a way that is impressive or frightening: The other wrestler was enormous, and must have weighed over 250 pounds I A huge policeman stood outside the gate.
numbars/amounts
Don't use big to talk about numbers and amounts.
large /Ja:rd^/ [ad;|
large amount/quantity/number The
thieves escaped with large amount of money. I Large quantities of nuclear waste have been dumped into the sea.
a large sum (=a large amount of money) She was offered a large sum of money for carrying drugs across the border. in large numbers By the 1950s, women had begun attending university in large numbers.
huge/massive/enormous hju:d3.
m&siv, Гпэ:гтэч/ [adj] very large, in a way that is impressive or shocking
+ amount/number/increase/reduction etc
vast /va:si||v<est/ [odj] use this about very iarge areas of land. sea. or space: China is a vast country, i Whales can communicate across vast distances.
В
The government spends huge amounts of money on health care. I There has been a massive increase in the number of people living below the poverty line. I job losses on an enormous scale (=when а large number of people lose their jobs)
75 BIG
High /hai [adj] use this about prices and levels, especially when you think that something is too expensive or there is too much of it: Many old people cannot afford the high cost of heating their homes, i The level of pollution is unacceptable high. I very high interest rates on bank loans
A Don't say 'high amount'. Say large amount
problems/changes/ differences/effects
A Don't use large about problems, changes, differences, or effects.
big big; [adj only before noun] Our biggest problem is lack of money, i There will have to be some big changes around here. I Your clothes can make a big difference to the way you feel about yourself.
big - bigger - biggest
huge/enormous hjuids, спу/тк [adj]
very big. and very important, or serious: Young people from poor families often have enormous difficulty in finding jobs. I Advances in technology have had
a huge impact on the way people work
major 'metdpr1 [adj only before noun}
use this about something that has serious and important effects on many people, many places etc
major difference/chanqe/difficulty/prob-
□
lem We have been told to expect major changes in the Earth's climate. I There is one major difference between these two systems of government.
how big something is
size saiz [n C/U] Once again, teachers are protesting about class sizes in schools. I It takes a cat two years to reach full adult size.
+ of The amount of tax you pay will depend on the size of your family, of tfus/that size (=as big as this) There simply aren't the resources to support a population of this size. the size of sth (=the same size as something) A whole library of information can be stored on о microchip the size of a fingernail.
how big I,hao 'big/ use this to talk about or ask about the size of something: I'm not sure how big the apartment is. I How big do these fish grow?
scale /skeil/ |n singular] the size of something such as a problem or a change, not of an object, vehicle etc the scale of sth Rescue workers are trying to assess the scale of the disaster: I Scientists are only just beginning to realize the scale of the problem. on a large/massive/huge scale (=when something very big happens) The rainforest is being destroyed on a massiue scale.
H to become bigger
^ see also crow increase
get bigger /.get 'big3r/ to become bigger: The hole in the ozone layer is getting bigger every year I a problem that's getting bigger all the time get bigger and bigger (=continue to
become bigger) The waves were getting bigger and bigger as the wind grew stronger.
grow /grao/ [v I] to become bigger - use this especially about amounts, organizations, and places: Mark's business grew rapidly in the first year. I Tandem's
annual profits grew by 24% in 1990. I
Tokyo has grown a lot over the last ten years.
growing - grew - have grown
expand /ik'spaend/ [и I] to become bigger and more successful - use this about businesses and other organizations: Medical insurance companies expanded rapidly during the 1980$ I The sports and leisure market is expanding more quickly than ever before.
Swell up /,swel лр/ {phrasal verb I] use this about parts of your body that have become bigger because you are ill or injured: Her face went blue and the veins in her neck swelled up.
swelling up - swelled up - have swollen up
swollen [adj] The boy's right knee was badly SLUo//en. (=it had become much bigger because he was injured)
BIG
Stretch /s tret J/ [i> I] if something such as a piece of clothing stretches, it gets bigger and changes its shape because it is being pulled or pressed: Don't worry if the boots are tight at first - they'll soon stretch when you wear them.
ISi to make something
bigger
Stretch stretj/ \v T] to pull cloth, plastic, leather, etc so that it gets bigger and changes its shape: Stretch the canuas so that it covers the whole frame.
enlarge /in'laird3/ [u T] to make a photograph, picture, or document bigger: The photocopier can enlarge documents by up to 100%.
have/get sth enlarged That's a lovely photo of Amy. Why don't you get it enlarged?
magnify /'maegnifai/ [и T] to make something look bigger than it is, for example by using a microscope: a picture of an insect, magnified 10 times
magnifying - magnified - have magnified
extend /ik stend/ [i> T] British to make a building bigger by adding more rooms or more space: The hotel has been recently renovated and extended. I Were thinking of extending the kitchen.
BITE
^ see also eat, food
bite /'bait/ [v I/T] to cut bite
or crush something with your teeth: She sat
there nervously biting her fingernails. I Don't worry about the dog - he won't bite. + into/through biting into a juicy apple I A shark had bitten right through our nets. bite sb on the hand/leg etc The snake bit her on the ankle. bite sth off (^remove something by biting it) He took a cigar and bit the end off.
76
biting - bit - have bitten
have a bite/take a bite Ъх\ э bait.
,teik о 'bait to take a piece from some food by biting it: "That looks good." 'Here, have a bite." I Sandy picked up a doughnut and took an enormous bite. + of Can I have a bite of your candy bcr?
peck
chew /tju:/ [i> 1Я! to keep biting something that is in your mouth: Don't eat so quickly. Chew your food. I Helen sat chewing her pencil, trying to think what to write next.
peck /рек/ [v I/T) if a bird pecks something, it makes quick movements with its beak to try to bite it: A bird flew down and pecked my hand.
+ at Hens pecked at the corn on the ground.
BLAME
to say or think that someone Is responsible for something bad that has happened
see also guilty/not guilty, atmctZE Q to blame someone
blame hleim (и T] to say or think that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: He a/ioays blames someone else when things go wrong. I It's your idea - don't blame me if it doesn't work.
blame sb for sth At first, everyone blamed the pilot for the crosh. blame sth on sb/sth You can't blame everything on the government. blame yourself For many years I blamed myself for her death.
Qsay sth is sb's fault se[ sth>17
(sb's) 'ft:It- especially spoken to say that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened
+ (that) Нош can you say it's my fault you lost your job?
put the blame on sb P()l ^ bleim on
77
(sb) to say or think that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened, especially when this is unfair. Don't try to put the blame on me!
put the blame for sth on sb Richard still puts the blame for the divorce on his wife.
accuse >kju:z [u T] to say that someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad
accuse sb of doing sth Are you accusing me of telling lies?
be accused of murder/armed robbery etc
West has been accused of murder.
to be blamed for
something
get the blame ,,get Ла bleim/ to be
blamed for something, especially something that you did not do: The other kids all ran off, and I was the one who got the blame.
+ for I don't know why I always get the blame for everything.
SCCLpegoCLt ske/pgaot [л C] someone who is blamed for something that someone else is much more responsible for, especially because people want someone to be punished: He was just a scapegoat - the people who were really responsible were his bosses in London.
to be responsible for something bad that has happened
Qbe sb's/auIt bi: (sb s) b:lt espegauy spoken if something is someone's fault, they are responsible for it. especially because they made a mistake: "The dog's gone." "It's your fault. You left the gate open."
be sb's own /ault (=when someone is responsible for something bad that happens to them)It's her own fault - she just shouldn't have married him. + (that) I'm so sorry. It's my fault that we're so late.
be to blame bin? bleim if someone or
something is to blame for a bad situation. they caused it. especially by doing something wrong-. It's not the teachers who are to blame, it's the parents. + for Some people think television is to blame for a lot of the problems in modern society.
be responsible n spDns^ij - spuin-
BLAME
if someone is responsible for an
BLAME
accident, a crime etc, they caused it and they should be punished for it + for The police are trying to find out
who was responsible for the attack, feel responsible (=think that something is your fault) You mustn't feel responsible for
his death. You did everything you сои Id.
A\ Don't say 'be responsible of something'. Say be responsible for something:
The truck driver was responsible for the crash.
Q to not be responsible for something bad that has happened
ROt be sb's fault /nDt bi: (sb's) foiit/ if
something is not someone's fault, they did not make it happen and they should not be blamed for it: Don't worry - it's not your fault. I She felt guilty, even though the accident wasn't her fault. + (that) It wasn't her husband's fault that she felt so bored.
Qsb can't help It /(sb) ,ka:nt 'help it| ,k<cnt:-/ especially spoken if you say someone can't help it, you mean they should not be blamed because they cannot prevent something from happening: "i wish you'd stop walking around like that!" "I can't help it - I'm really nervous." + if Dad can't help it if the car keeps breaking down.
be not to blame /bi: not ta 'bleim/ to
not be responsible for something bad that happens - use this especially when other people think you might have done some* thing to make it happen + Jor Hospital workers were not to blame for a nine-year-old's death, a court decided yesterday. I The report said that no one was to blame for the accident.
to say that you are responsible for something bad that has happened
78
take the blame /,teik бэ bleim/ to admit that you are responsible for something bad that has happened, especially when other people are responsible for it but they are not blamed: It's not my fault and I don't see why I should take the blame.
+ for She refused to take the blame for something she didn't do.
take full res
full responsibility /teik ,fol ri,spDn-
sj/biljti, aksept ,ful ri,sponsi'biliti|| -spGin-/ if you take or accept full responsibility
for something bad that has happened, you admit that you are completely responsible for it - use this especially about managers and leaders admitting that they are responsible
+ for The Chairman of the airline said he accepted full responsibility for the accident and immediately resigned.
BODY
if you mean 'dead body', go to
FAT
dead
\ t
EXERCISE
see also
STRONG
4 \
HEALTHY/ UNHEALTHY
the body of a person or animal
body /'bodil'baidi/ [n C] your body is your head, arms, chest, waist, legs, feet, and all the other physical parts of you: My body
ached all over, and I knew I was getting
the flu. I The weight of your body will be partly supported by the water. I The cancer may have spread to other parts of her body.
Г :
A
the human body (==the body of any person) There are over 1000 muscles in the human body.
bodies
You can also use body to talk about the main part of someone's body, not including the head, arms, or legs: a spider with orange markings all over its body I The victim had bruises all over his face, neck, and body.
the shape of someone's body
figure ,"fig3r||'figj3i7 [n С usually singular] the shape of a woman's body - use this especially to talk about a woman whose body has an attractive shape: She has a marvellous figure - she could be a model if she wanted to.
body /'bDdilfbaJdi/ |n C] the shape, size,
and appearance of someone's body: Teenagers are often embarrassed about their bodies.
have a good/wonderful/great body (=a
very attractive body) At the age of fifty, she still has a great body.
plural bodies
physique /fгг1±; [n С usually singular] the shape and size of someone's body - use this especially to talk about the body of a man who is very strong and has a lot of muscles: Brad had a superb physique and the looks of a young Marion Brando.
concerning your body
physical /fizital/ [adj] concerning your body, not your mind: Vour son seems to be in good physical health. 1 During the war, people suffered terrible physical and emotional hardships. physically [adu] /\t the end of the
READ
week I teas physically and mentally exhausted.
BOOKS/ LITERATURE
STORY
\ т
[QOPMRMSfL Л WRTTE
ART
FREE TIME
^ see
also
theatre
г \
HUMS/MOVIES
a book
Ьоок/buk/ [n C]
79
+ by a book by Charles Dickens + about I'm reading a book about a little girl who was a slave in 19th century Atlanta
book or sth (=a book giving information about a particular subject) Do you have any books on astronomy?
paperback /'petp9rbaek/ (n C] a book with a cover made of stiff paper
hardback /чш^Ьжк/ [n CJ a book with а hard cover
a book about imaginary people and events
novel гтущПа:-1 [л C] a book about people and events that the writer has imagined: a Jane Austen novel + by The movie is based on a novel by Anne Tyler.
romantic novel (=about love) historical novel (-about people and events in the past)
fiction /'fikj>n/ [n U] books about imaginary people and events: His first novel won a prize for modern fiction. I I'm faking a class in Victorian fiction. romantic fiction (=about love)
literature /iit^tjvi-tjoar/ [n Uj books, plays, and poems, especially famous ones
that people think are important: She's studying 19th century French literature. I the Nobel Prize for Literature
science fiction /sai9ns fikj>n, [n y]
stories about things that happen in the future or in other parts of the universe
detective story /dftektiv |5Ш1/ (n С] a
story in which someone tries to find who is responsible for a crime, especially a murder: / like reading Sherlock Holmes and other detective stories.
thriller i QT]\0tj [n c] an exciting story, for example about a crime or war, in which surprising events happen suddenly and you never know what will happen next: Stephen King's new psychological thriller
short Story ijxrt [n Q a short
BOOKS/LITERATURE
piece of writing in which the writer tells a story: a collection oj short stories by Henry James
a book about real
people, places, or events
nonaction /,non 'fikj>n||,!iam-/ |n U]
books about real events, people, or places: The books in the library are
divided Into fiction and поп fiction. nonaction |adj] поп-fiction books
a book about someone's life
biography /bai'Dgrafi||-'a:g-/ [n С] a book
about someone's life, written by another person: Boswell's biography of Dr Johnson
pkn il biographies
autobiography /1Ditaba],Dgrcfi||-,a:g-/ [n
C] a book in which someone writes about their own life: In her autobiography, Doris Lessing writes about her childhood in Zimbabwe.
plural autobiographies
a book that gives you information about a
subject
reference book /'reforms ,buk/ [n C] a
book that you look at in order to get information, especially a dictionary or encyclopedia: Do not remove reference books from the library.
encyclopedia /insaikla'piidis/ [n C] a
large book or set of books containing facts about a lot of different subjects, usually arranged in alphabetical order: "Does anyone know when Mozart was born?" "Look it up in the encyclopedia.M I the Encyclopedia of Science
textbook /'tekstbok/ [n C) a book that contains information and ideas about a subject, which you use when you are studying that subject: a geography textbook I The school says it doesn't have enough money to buy textbooks for every student
dictionary /dikj^n^rij-neri/ [n C] a book
that tells you the meaning of words and lists them in alphabetical order
plural dictionaries
BOOKS/LITERATURE
atlas /'»tbs/ [n C] a book of maps: a road atlas of Great Britain
someone who writes books
writer /'гаизг/ [n C] someone who writes books, stories, or articles in magazines as a job: When I was young I wanted to be a writer. I Have you read any books by American writers? I Greene was one of the finest writers of his generation.
author /э:0зг/ [n CI someone who writes
books, or who wrote a particular book: The prize was won by the German author, Heinrich Bill. 1 Balzac was one of her favourite authors. + of Who was the author of 'Catch 22'?
novelist /'nDv<?lgSt| пел-/ [n C| someone who writes books about imaginary people or events: George Eliot was one of the greatest 19th century novelists. I romantic novelist Barbara Cartland
В what happens in a book
I
Storu /'stairi/ [n C] what happens in a
book: 'The 39 Steps' is a spy story. I / like ghost stories best. the story of 'Mud and Dust' is the story of her travels across Africa. true story (=when the events in a book really happened) I could hardly beieve it was a true story.
plot ;plDt||pla:t/ |n C] the events that happen in a book, and the way in which these events are connected: The plot was so complicated that I kept getting lost. I It was like the plot of a detective novel.
f.
Ш
efldina /'endiq/ |n C] what happgns at the
end of a book: I thought the ending was a real disappointment. 1 a sad story with a happy ending
the words in a book
narrative /naertfiv/ In C/U] the series of events described in a story and the way that the writer describes them: The pace of the narrative makes this book an exciting read.
dialogue /'dai9lDg||-la:g/ [n C/U] the
80
things that the people in a book say to each other: The novel is mostly description, with very little dialogue. I a long dialogue between the main character and his mother
quotation, (also quote informal.) /kwau-
teij>n, kwaot. [n CJ a sentence or phrase from a book. He started his speech with a quotation from Shakespeare. I a famous quotation about love
descriptive passage /disknpnv
piesidj, [n С] a piece of writing that describes the way someone or something looks, sounds, smells etc
style (also style о/ writing) /stall.
.stail raitit] [n C] the way in which a writer uses words in order to express ideas or tell a story-. Margaret Atwood's my favourite author ~ I like her style. I a very distinctive style of writing
the people in a book
character k.'erЈkt«->r [n C) a person in the story of a book: The main character is a soldier in the First World War. I a character from Dickens.
EE
hero/heroine ;'Ы:гэо, heraoin, fn С] the most important man or woman in a book: In the end the heroine dies. I Paul Morel is the hero of 'Sons and Lovers'.
the ideas or subject of a book
be about /.ЪК s'baot/ if a book is about a person, idea, or event, that person, idea, or event is the main subject of the book: Her first novel is about her childhood. 1 I want to buy a book about gardening.
be set in /(Ы: set in/ if a book is set in a place or period of time, the story happens in that place or during that time: Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' is set in the future I The story is set in Paris.
be based ОП ,/bi: 'beist Dn if a book is
based on a story or event, the things that happen in the book are very similar to the things that really happened: a novel based on a true story 1 The book is based on Hemingway's experiences in the Spanish civil war.
theme /вкт; [n C| one of the main ideas that an author writes about in a book: The themes of 'Oliver Twist' are poverty and crime. 1 Love is the main theme in all his novels.
81 BORING/BORED
poems
poem /рэо^т \n C] a piece of writing which is arranged in patterns of lines and sounds: a poem by Sylvia Plath ! She quoted a few lines from Eliot's famous poem 'The Waste Land'.
poetry poo^tri [n U'l poems in general: a
book of modern poetry I Do you read much poetry9
poet 'pooj,t [n C] someone who writes poems: the French poet Rimbaud
12
a place where you can get books
bookshop britjsh bookstore American
/'bokjnp. boksto:r |-ja:p- [n C| a shop that sells books
library 'laibrari|-breri [n C] a place that has a lot of books that you can borrow for a short time, usually without paying money: the college library
BORING/BORED
opposite interesting/interested
Д Don't confuse boring and bored. If something is boring, it is not interesting. If you feel bored you are not interested in something, or you have nothing interesting to do.
boring jobs, books, films, activities etc
boring boini] [adj] something that is boring is not interesting in any way and makes you feel tired: a boring job in an office I a long boring lecture on economic planning I / thought the party was really boring. I What a boring way to spend an evening!
Д Be careful not to say 'I am boring' when you mean 'I am bored'.
Qnot very interesting not veri mtr^stii} especially spoken very ordinary. and not really interesting or enjoyable: Did you watch that TV show about Prince Charles? It wasn't very interesting, was it? I There was nothing very
BORING/BORED
interesting in the local newspaper - just the usual stuff.
monotonous /тэ'гюшэБЦтэ'па:-/ lad;)
something that is monotonous is boring because it always continues in the same way and it never changes
monotonous worfc/job/routine a monotonous factory job
monotonous so und/vo ice/rhythm The
teacher's low monotonous voice almost sent me to sleep.
tedious /'tiidias/ [adj] something that is tedious is boring and tiring because it continues for too long: a tedious journey I Doing all those calculations without a computer would be extremely tedious.
bore /Ьэ:г/ [и T] to make someone feel bored, for example by talking too much about the same thing: Am I boring you? bore sb with sth He bores everyone with his constant talk about computers, bore sb to death/to tears informal (=make someone very bored) Being alone with a baby all day bored her to tears.
В boring people
boring /'bini]/ [adj] someone who is boring never says or does anything interesting-. He's so boring - а/f he ever talks about is football. I Diana's nice enough. A bit boring though.
dull (adj] someone who is dull is not unpleasant, but their life and their conversation is never interesting or exciting: Our neighbours are OK, I suppose, but they're so dull! I I'm afraid I must seem very dull compared with all those interesting people you meet.
82
bore /Ьо:г/ [n С usually singular] a boring person who talks too much about themselves and about the things that they are interested in: At parties she always gets stuck with some bore who u>ants to tell her the story of his life.
exciting happens and there is nothing interesting to do: In summer we get a few uisitors, but most of the time this place is dead, f It's absolutely dead here when all the students go away for the summer vacation.
Qnotfung ever happens .плйи]
еуэг haepanz/ spoken if you say that nothing ever happens in a place, you mean that nothing interesting or exciting happens there: Nothing ever happens around here. Why can't we moue to the city?
dreary I'driml [adj] a dreary place is one where there is nothing attractive or cheerful to see: I was sent to yet another dreary government office. I Laurie gazed out over a dreary landscape of factories and waste ground.
dreary - drearier - dreariest
A\ Use dreary when you are writing
stories and descriptions.
Q when you feel bored
bored /Ьэ:rd/ ladj] tired and impatient.
either because you are doing something that you are not interested in, or because you have nothing to do: Dad, can we go home now? I'm bored! I gangs of bored teenagers wandering around the streets get bored She seems to get bored very easily.
bored with doing sth Julia soon got bored with lying on the beach. + with I'm bored with pasta and tomatoes - let's have something else for a change.
bored to tears/bored stiff informal (=extremely bored) There's nothing to do here - I'm bored stiff!
/К Be careful not to say 1 am boring' when you mean 'I am bored'.
El boring places
boring /'Ьэгпг]/ [adj] not at all interesting or
exciting to live in: This is such a boring town - there is nothing to do in the evenings. I It's so boring here. I wish we lii/ed in New York!
dead /dedj [adj not before noun] a town that is dead is boring because nothing
Оfed Up /.fed 'лр/ ESPECIALLY SPOKEN bored
and annoyed with something that has continued for too long: Her husband s out working all the time, and she's really fed
up.
+ with We were getting the same computer problems every day, and we were all fed up with it.
fed up with doing sth I'm fed up with listening to her complaints the whole time, get fed up When you have to stay in and study every night you jusr get fed up with it.
be tired of sth/be sick of sth
taiord dv (sui). bi: мк dv (sth) ro feel annoyed and impatient with a situation that has continued for too long, or with a person who has done something for too long: We're always arguing, and I'm just tired of it. I I'm really sick of him ~ he's always criticizing.
bi:
very
83
be tired/sick of doing stk People are tired of hearing politicians make promises that they never keep, f Do it yourself - I'm sick of cleaning up after you! get tired/sick: of sth He couldn't make a decision, and I got tired of waiting.
born in July/in 1961 etc {-in a particular
month or year) James was born in 1984. born on February 8th/29th August etc
(=on a particular day) Katie was born on 23rd of May, 1992.
BORROW
born in Russia/Texas/Ox/ord etc Jodie was born in a small town in Nebraska.
come from/be fi
from/1 phrasal vera
Д Don't say 'I borned' or 1 have been born'. Say | was born-
ГОШ /'кдт from, bi: ч [phrasa! ver5 T] if you come from or are from a particular country, area, or town, you were born there or spent the early part of your life there: We live in California now, but we're from Boston originally. I "Where do you come from?" "Bari. in southern Italy."
Don't say 'very tired of something' or 'very sick of something'. Say геацу tjre(j 0f
something or really sick of something
have had enough A104, ^l nAt710 be
so bored with something that has continued for a long time that you decide to leave, do something different, or change the situation: After 10 years of teaching, Allan has had enough. have had enougK of (doing) sth I'd had enough of living abroad, and I wanted to go home to England.
the feeling of being bored
boredom /'b^dam/ [n U) the feeling you have when you are bored: cn unbearable
feeling of loneliness and boredom
out of boredom (-because of boredom)
She says she started having affairs with
other men out of boredom.
relieve the boredom (=make a situation
less boring) Sometimes, we would play
cards, just to relieve the boredom.
BORN
the place where you were born
home town hsom taon/ (n C] the town where you were born or where you spent the early part of your life: She left her home town of Glasgow at the age of 18. and never returned.
piace of birth /plels Ьз:гв/ италr.N
the town where you were born - used especially in official documents: Please write your name. address. and place of birth on the form.
birthplace /'WOpleis; [n C] the place
where a famous person was born + of The city of Assisi is known as the birthplace of St Francis.
BORROW
lend— _ money
<4 /
see
also * \
owe banks
see also BABY
to be born
be born bo:rn/ a baby is born when it comes out of its mother's body and begins its life: Until recently most babies were born at home.
A Be careful not to use borrow when you mean jerKj. You jefl(j money, your car etc to someone (=you (et them have it),
but you borrow *гогл sorneone (-they let you have it). Don't say 'she borrowed me her car'. Say she (ent her car.
II to borrow something
borrow 'bDnx>||'ba:-, Ъ:- [i; I/T] if you
borrow something from someone, they let you have it. and you agree to give it back to them later: Сап I borrow your
calculator - I left mine at home. I She
asked if she could borrow 50 cents to get a coffee.
borrow sth from sb I'm always borrowing books from the library and forgetting to return them. ! Rwanda has applied to borrow $12 million from the World Bank.
borrow Heavily (=borrow a lot of money
from a bank or financial organization) Com panies that borrowed heavily in the 1980s are now having trouble paying their debts.
В to pay money to use someone else's car, house,
equipment etc
rent rent [l> T] to pay money to use a house, office, shop etc that belongs to someone else
rent a house/apartment/building/officeI room They are renting an apartment near the park. I Marlowe rented a small office in downtown Los Angeles. rent sth/rom sb When I was a student I rented a fiat from an agency. rented [adj] During the shooting of the movie, Neeson stayed in a rented house in Beverley Hills
rent (also Hire BRITISH) /rent. haiar (i> T] to pay money to use a car, piece of equipment etc for a short period of time: We hired a car at the airport and drove to our hotel. I I don't feel like going out ~ why don't we rent a video instead? rent/hire sth from sb/stk You can hire skis and boots from the ski school.
El money that you borrow
loan 1эш/ [n C] an amount of money that you borrow, especially from a bank, which you agree to pay back by the end of a period of time: If you need more money, we can arrange a loan.
BORROW
a Ј5000/$20,000 loan The organization asked for a $2 million loan to plant new trees in the rainforest. take out a loan (=get a loan) We took out a loan to buy a new car pay off/repay a loan (=finish paying back what you borrowed) It will take over three years to repay the loan. bank loan (=money you borrow from а bank)
mortgage /'m:):rgid3 [n C) an amount of
money that you borrow from a bank or a company in order to buy a house or apartment: mortgages are usually paid back by regular payments over a long period: In 1994/5 the average mortgage was
£35.000.
pay the mortgage (=make regular payments to pay it back) Some months we only just have enough to pay the mortgage.
a mortgage on a house/apartment (=the money you have borrowed to buy it) They have a large mortgage on their home in Central Park West.
a Ј60,000/$85,000 mortgage (=the amount of money you have borrowed) take out a mortgage (=get a mortgage) ! didn't want to take out a mortgage until I had a steady job.
BRAVE/NOT BRAVE
see also describing people
II not afraid when you are in a dangerous or frightening situation
brave breiv [adj] someone who is brave
does not show that they are afraid in a frightening situation or when they have to do something dangerous, painful, or unpleasant: You have to be very brave to be a firefighter. I a brave rescue attempt I Your husband is a very brave man. qbe brave (=behave bravely) spokkn This may hurt a little, so be bravef it is brave of sb to do sth It was very brave of you to tell her the truth. bravely breivlr' [adv] soldiers who fought bravely for their country
courageous k.vreid;ps [adj] г.ьршлпу
written someone who is courageous
84
behaves verybravely, often for a long period, especially when they are fighting for something they believe in or suffering great pain: Throughout his life, he was a courageous fighter for justice. I She died
yesterday, after a long and courageous
battle with cancer.
courageously [adu] Slouo had courageously opposed apartheid for over 20 years.
daring /'de<?ni]/ [adj] someone who is daring is not afraid of taking risks, and seems
to like doing dangerous things: The daring Danish sailor, Bering, reached Alaska in 1741. I a daring attack on an enemy village
hero /'hwrao/ [n C] a man who is remembered and admired for doing something very brave: a famous war hero
plural heroes
heroine /'heraoin/ [n C] a woman who is remembered and admired for doing something very brave: a heroine of the resistance movement
В not afraid to do something new and different
daring /'de<?rir]/ [adj] someone who is daring is not afraid of doing something new, unusual, or shocking, especially in areas such as art, fashion, and design: Many architects copied Nash's new and daring style. I The more daring girls would wear short skirts and smoke cigarettes.
bold /bsold/ [adj] not afraid of making big changes or taking difficult decisions: The company needs a strong leader, who is bold enough to make some tough decisions. I bold new policies for reviving the inner-city areas
El to be brave enough to do something
Dare is not usually used in positive sentences. Don't say 'he dared to tell them the truth'. It is more usual to say something like 'he wasn't afraid to tell them the truth', or 'he was brave enough to tell them the truth'.
85
dare /dear/ [v I] to be brave enough to do something that most people would be too frightened to do: Ybu can also go hang- gliding or bungee-jumping, if you dare. dare to do stH She was the only one who dared to stand up and ask questions.
have the guts/have the nerve
/,haev бэ gAts, ,haev дэ 'пз:гу/ informal to be brave enough to do something very difficult or unpleasant
Kave the guts/nerve to do sth OK she
made a mistake, but at least she had the guts to admit it! I Few of her colleagues would have had the nerve to contradict her.
El the ability to behave
bravely
courage /'клг^зЦ'кз:-/ (n U] the ability to
behave bravely and calmly in a situation where most people would be afraid or would lose confidence: Martha s ho wed great courage during her long illness, have the courage to do sth Not many people had the courage to speak out against him.
it takes courage to do sth (=you need courage to do something) It must have taken a lot of courage for her to admit that she had an alcohol problem.
bravery /'breivsri/ [n U] when you behave bravely in a war or in a situation where your life is in danger: Both sides fought with great bravery. I Two police officers received medals for bravery.
guts /gAts/ [n plural} informal someone who has guts is brave enough to do something difficult or dangerous, and you admire them for it: You need guts and determination to succeed jn motor racing. it takes guts to do sth (=you need to be brave to do something) It took a lot of
guts to get up and speak in front of all
those people.
H not brave
coward /'kaoord/ [n C] someone who is not brave enough to do something dangerous or unpleasant that they ought to do: He wrote her a letter to say he was leaving - he was too much of a coward to tell her in person. I If you refused to fight, you were accused of being a coward.
BRAVE/NOT BRAVE
cowardly /'kau3rdli/ [adj] not brave - use this especially when someone is not brave enough to accept the unpleasant results of a situation they have caused: I really wanted to accept the new job, but I was too cowardly to tell my boss. I The
BRAVE/NOT BRAVE
bombing was described as a cowardly
attack on completely innocent citizens'. I He was a weak, cowardly man.
^ Remember that coward jS a noun and cowardly js an adjective.
QWimp /wimp/ [П C] SPOKEN INFORMAL
someone that you do not respect because they are afraid to do something that is a littie difficult or unpleasant: Don't be such a wimp! Just tell her you want to go out with her.
to not be brave enough to do something
not dare /nDt 'de3r/ to not be brave enough to do something: My sister used to steal things from the store, but I never dared.
not dare to do sth/not dare do sth I
wouldn't dare do a parachute jump, would you? 1 IVe stood outside the old house, not daring to go in. hardly dare (=almost not dare) The children were all frightened of Mrs Gates, and hardly dared even to speak to her.
lose your nerve /Диа j:xr'ms'v/to suddenly lose the confidence that you need in order to do something difficult or dangerous: At the top of the ski slope I lost my nerve. I Jane went to the police right away, before she lost her nerve.
QwLmp out / WImp aul/ \phrasal verb I| spoken informal to not be brave enough to do something you intended to do or said
you would do: We've come all this way to talk to her - you can't wimp out now. wimp out of (doing) sth I bet he wimps out of giving that speech tomorrow.
repair
DESTROY
BREAK
DEUBEJtATELY
\ t
DAMAGE
see also
accident
i \
86
HURT/I»«URE ACCIDENTALLY
D object/window/plate/ cup etc
break /breik/ [v \/T\ if something breaks, or if you break it, it separates into two or more pieces because it has been hit,
dropped, or bent: He dropped the vase and it broke. I I'm sorry, but I've broken one of your plates.
get broken {=be broken accidentally) A few of the cups got broken when we moved to the new house. break (sth) in two/break (sth) in hal/
(=into two fairly equal pieces) A tile came off the roof and broke in two as it hit the ground. I I broke the chocolate in half and gave a piece to my brother.
breaking - broke - have broken
crack /кгжк/ [и 1/Г] if a window, plate, cup etc cracks, or if you crack it, it becomes damaged and lines appear in its surface: I put one of the wine glasses in hot water and it cracked. I A stone hit the car window and cracked it.
smash /smaej/ [v Щ] if
something smashes, or if you smash it, it breaks into pieces because it has been dropped, thrown, or hit, and it makes a loud noise: I heard something smash in the kitchen. Dad must have dropped a dish or something. I They
smashed the display window and
grabbed $4000 worth of gold jewelry, be smashed to pieces/bits Their little boat hit the rocks and was smashed to bits.
smash
He smashed two plates while washing up.
shatter
smash (sth) to pieces/bits The bottle fell off the table and smashed to pieces on the floor.
shatter /'J"aetor/ [v I/T] if a window, plate,
mirror etc shatters, or if something shatters it, it breaks into very many small pieces, making a loud noise: A big water jug slid off the table and shattered into a thousand pieces as it hit the floor. I The huge blast shattered office windows 500 metres away.
В machine/camera/ television etc
break /breik/ [и T] if you break a machine, camera etc, you damage it so that it does not work any more: "Can I use your camera, Dad?" "OK, but be careful you don't break it." I If you turn the key too hard, you might break the lock.
breaking - brokt? - have broken
paper/clothes/things made of cloth
tear
A Don't use break about paper, clothes, and things made of cloth.
tear /tеэг/ |u T] to pull
Crying bitterly, she tore up his letter.
paper or cloth apart, or to accidentally make a hole in it: She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper. I Mark had torn his jacket climbing over a fence. tear up sth/tear sth up (=tear it into many
pieces) Crying bitterly, she tore up his letter.
tear sth in half (=tear it into two pieces) He took my ticket and tore it in half.
tearing - tore - have torn
a bone in your body
break /breik/ [и T] to break or crack a bone in your body
break your arm/leg/ankle Nicola broke her leg when she went skiing.
breaking - broke - have broken
/racture /fekt/or; [и T] to damage a bone in your body so that a line appears along it
/racture your skuil/leg/rtbs The X-ray showed that he had fractured his skull.
Don't use break about a ball, tyre, or water pipe.
burst /bsrst/ [и I] if a tyre, ball, pipe etc bursts, it breaks open, and air, gas, or liquid comes out: One of the front tyres burst, causing the car to swerve and crash. I Thousands of gallons of oil flowed into the river when an oil pipeline burst. bursting - burst - have burst
blow /Ыэи/ [и I) american if a tyre blows, it breaks open suddenly and all the air comes out of it: One of the tires blew and we skidded off the freeway.
when part of something is broken from the main part
break off /breik Щ-'уЛ! [phrasal verb I/T] if something breaks off, or if you break it off, it becomes separated from the thing that it was fixed to, by being pulled very hard: The wing of the plane broke off in the storm, and all 98 people on board were killed. I Don't turn the knob too far - you might break it off.
come off /,клт 'Df|-'xfj [phrasal verb I] if something comes off, it accidentally becomes separated from the thing that it is fixed to, because it is not fastened firmly enough: Can you fix the door? The handle has come off. come off sth Look, there's something in the road. It looks as if a wheel has come off a car
easily broken
fragile /'frawfeaill-dyl/ [adj] a fragile object is not strong, and can be easily broken or damaged: Be careful with those glasses - they're fragile. I The package
A Fracture is the usual medical word that is used when someone breaks a bone in their body.
ball/tyre/water pipe etc
A
87
BREAK
was marked FRAGILE - HANDLE WITH CARE.
BREATHE
K1 to breathe
breathe /briid/ [и I] to take air into your
lungs and send it out again through your
nose or mouth: The air was so smoky it was difficult to breathe. I The boy was unconscious, but he was still breathing. breathe deeply (=slowly take a lot of air into your lungs) / want you to breathe deeply and relax.
Don't confuse breathe (verb) and breath (noun).
breathe in /,brifA 'in, [phrasa/ verb I/T] to
take air into your lungs, through your nose or mouth: My chest hurts every time 1 breathe in.
breathe in air//umes etc They stood on the cliff breathing in the fresh sea air.
breathe out /,bri:6 aot/ [phrasal verb I] to send air out of your lungs, through your nose or mouth: The doctor told him to breathe in, then breathe out slowly.
blow /Ыэо/ [и I] to make air come out of your mouth quickly, with your lips close together: I blew as hard as I could, but couldn't get a sound out of the trumpet. + on/into She blew on her coffee to cool it.
blowing - blew - have blown
В the action of breathing
breathing /'Ъг'пЬщ! (n U] when you breathe in and out - use this especially to talk about whether someone is breathing easily or with difficulty: Breathing became more difficult as we got higher up the mountain. I She bent over the crib and listened to her baby's breathing.
breath /Ьгев/ [n U] the air that you breathe out: Their breath looked like smoke in the cold air. I I could feel the horse's breath on the back of my neck. hold your breath (=stop yourself from breathing for a short time) I can swim underwater, but I can't hold my breath for very long.
88
BREATHE
bad breath (=breath that smells unpleasant) His teeth were rotten and he had bad breath.
El to breathe noisily
sniff /snif/ I] to breathe in noisily through your nose, especially because you have a cold or because you are crying: Stop sniffing! Use your handkerchief.
sniffing - sniffed - have sniffed
snore sno:r [и I] to breathe very noisily when you are asleep: // you snore ifs better not to sleep on your back, snoring [n U] when someone snores: Does your partner's snoring keep you awake?
sigh sai; [и I] to breathe in and out noisily, either because you are disappointed, tired, or sad, or because you can begin to relax after worrying about something sigh deeply My father put his head in his hands and sighed deeply. sigh with relief (=because you no longer have to worry) 'Than/c God that's over," she said, sighing with relief
sigh /sai/ [n C] the action of sighing, or the sound you make When you sigh: "Oh noГ he said with a sigh, "Not again1." breathe/give a sigh of relief Irene closed the door behind her and breathed a big sigh of relief.
gasp /ga:sp|gaesp/ [v I/T] to suddenly breathe in noisily, with your mouth open, because you are surprised, shocked, or in pain: The crowd gasped as the plane burst into flames.
gasp with amazement/shock/pain etc
One of the boys hit him in the face, and he gasped with pain.
gasp /gaisplgaesp/ [n C] the sound you таке when you gasp gasp of as t о nis tune nt/patn/admi rat ion
etc There were gasps of astonishment from the audience.
Q to breathe with difficulty
breathless/out of breath /ЬгевЬч,
,aot 3v 'Ьгеб/ if you are breathless or out of breath, it is difficult to breathe, because you have just been running, climbing etc: Do you get breathless going up and down stairs? I By the time we reached the top of the hill, we were all out of breath.
pant /pant/ [и I] to breathe loudly, with your mouth open, for example becauseyou have been running: Matt u>as still panting after his run. I The dog was panting in the heat.
gasping for breath /.gaispii] 'bre9||
,gaesp-/ breathing very quickly and with great difficulty: His mother was coughing and gasping for breath.
13 to start to breathe normally again after running, playing sport etc
get your breath back /get p:T Ьгеб
back/ to start to breathe normally again after you have been running, playing sport etc: I need to stop a minute, just to get my breath back. I We'll wait till you've got your breath back.
Ш when you cannot breathe
can't breathe /.kamt ЬпйЦ.кзет/ when you feel as though you cannot breathe: I
couldn't breathe in there - there were
too many people. I The worst thing about asthma is the feeling that you can't breathe.
choke /г[эик/ [и I] if you choke, you cannot breathe because there is something in your throat that stops the air going into your lungs: Do something - he's choking! I The car fumes made her choke. + on Scott died after choking on a chicken bone.
suffocate /'sAfakeit/ \v I] to die because there is not enough air to breathe: Many of the birds had suffocated in their boxes. I It was very hot inside the car, and I felt as though I was suffocating. suffocation /,SAf9'keiJ>n/ [n U] when someone dies by suffocating: G/ue- sniffing carries the risk of suffocation.
BRIGHT/ NOT BRIGHT
^ for bright colours, go to
colour/color
^ see also shine, light, dark
D bright light
89
bright /brait/ [adj] a bright light shines strongly: From the top of the hill they could
see the bright lights of the city below them. I We set off in bright sunshine. brightly [adu] The fire- was burning brightly now. 1 a brightly lit hall brightness [n U] She closed her eyes against the brightness of the sun.
strong /stroi]|strong [adj] a strong light is very bright and it helps you to see things clearly: The light from the flashlight wasn't strong enough to read by. I The colours had faded after years of being exposed to strong sunlight.
blazing /'bleiziij/ [adj only before nounl very bright - use this about the sun, or about lights that you can see from a long way away: Tom went out to look for her in the biazing Mexican sun. I The blazing lights of the casino shone out across the bay.
dazzling /'dxzslnj/ [adj] a dazzling light is so bright that it hurts your eyes: We emerged from the cinema into dazzling sunshine.
blinding /'blaindiq/ [ad;] a blinding light is so bright that you cannot see for a short time after you have looked at it: There uws a blinding flash and then a loud bang.
H a bright place
bright /brait/ [adj] a bright place is full of light, especially in a way that seems pleasant and attractive: The kitchen was always bright and cheerful. I Claire had a nice bright bedroom which was decorated in yellow and white.
well-lit /,wel 'lit<j [adj] a well-lit place is bright because there are electric lights, so it is easy for you to see what you are doing: She always tried to park in a well-lit area at night. I To avoid eye problems, make sure that your desk is well-lit.
light /lait/ [adj] a light building or room has plenty of light in it, especially because it has big windows: The kitchen is light and airy, with a fantastic view.
El not bright
dim /dim/ [adj] dim light is not very bright and makes it difficult for you to see: I struggled to read by the dim light of the fire.
BRIGHT/NOT BRIGHT
dim - dimmer - dimmest
soft snft|;so:tV [adj only before noun] soft light is not too bright, in a way that is pleasant and relaxing: In the soft evening light Sonia looked ten years younger. I The restaurant has a romantic atmosphere, with soft lights and background music.
BROKEN
opposite WORKING
ACCIDENTALLY
\ т
ACCIDENT
see also
DESTROY
4 V
HURT/MfURE DELIBERATELY
broken
cracked
torn
His jacket was old and torn.
objects/cups/furniture/ clothes etc
broken -'Ьгэикдп/ [adj]
something that is broken has become separated into pieces, for example by being hit or dropped: The floor was covered in broken glass. I The old suitcase is no good - the handle s broken. I In the hut there was an old table and a couple of broken chairs.
cracked kraHa/ [adj]
something that is cracked has a line on its surface where it is slightly damaged - use this especially about cups, plates, and things made of glass: There was nothing in the cupboard except for a couple of old cracked cups. I The tiles were old and cracked.
torn to:rn \adj] torn ~
paper, clothes, curtains etc have been damaged
DAMAGE
BROKEN
and have holes in them: teenagers in torn jeans I a thick book with a torn green cover I The cover on the bed was torn in several places.
broken bones
broken ."Ьгоокзп [adj] a broken arm. leg etc has been damaged so that its main bone is cracked or has separated into two or more pieces; a broken bone has been cracked or separated into pieces: One little boy had a broken arm. I I think my ankle's broken.
fractured fnEktjyd, [adj] a fractured
bone has been cracked, but it has nor completely separated: The X-ray revealed that she had several fractured ribs.
buildings that are in bad condition
Broken is more common than fractured, which is the usual medical word
The old church is falling down.
be falling down bi: ,fo:liij daon if a
building or wall is falling down, it is in
very bad condition and many parts of it are
broken: The old church is falling down.
crumbling /кглтЫн] [adj] a crumbling
building or wait has small pieces of stone, brick etc falling from it and it is in very bad condition, especially because it is very old: the crumbling walls of a medieval castle
machines, cars, phones etc that do not work
Qnot working/doesn't work not
W3:rkiq. wi:rk rspr.ciALL.y spokln if a
90
machine or piece of equipment is not working or doesn't work, it does not do the job it is supposed to do: The dish washer's not working. I Do you know your brake lights aren't working? I Take the camera back to the store if it doesn 't work.
Qthere's so met King wrong with
/deorz ,SAm6ii] 'rmj wiftfl-'rai]-' especially spoken if there is something wrong with a machine, car etc. it does not work properly, but you do not know exactly why: There's something wrong with my car. I think it might be the battery, i There was something wrong with the photocopier, so we called in the service company.
broken /'Ьгэокэп/ [adj] not working - use this especially about small machines or equipment: I think your doorbell's broken - J couldn't hear it ringing. 1 a broken watch
out of order /,aot av 3:rd3r/ not working
- use this about machines in public places-. Every phone I tried was out of order. I The toilets were out of order.
faulty /"foilti/ [adj] something that is faulty, especially a piece of electrical equipment, is not working properly and may be dangerous: Fires in the home are
often caused by faulty electrical equipment. I Faulty traffic lights caused traffic jams on the A660 this morning.
ЁЯ to stop working
break down breik daon/ Iphrasa/ verb
I] if а саг, bus, train, or large machine breaks down, it stops working completely: I took the bus because my car broke down, i The escalators are always breaking down and it's hard work going up all those stairs.
go wrong 1,ё*> 'rDi]||-roa]; to stop working
91
normally - use this especially about complicated equipment, when you do not know what the problem is: The television went wrong yesterday evening. 1 He said that if anything goes wrong, they'll send a repairman out.
+ with Something keeps going wrong with the hearing system.
crash /kraej/ [v 1) if a computer crashes, it suddenly stops working, and information is often lost because of this: The network crashed and we lost half a day's work.
BUILD
^ see also design, houses/where
people live
II to build something
build bild [и T] build a house/church/ school/road/bridge etc to make a house, church etc using bricks, stone, wood, or other materials: Our house was
built in the early 1930s. I The Romans built roads all over Europe. I The cost of building the new football stadium was over £3 million.
built of concrete/stone/wood etc In those days most of the houses were built of wood, and were easily destroyed by fire
building - built ~ have built
building /bildnj/ [л Cj something that has walls ana a roof, for example a house, an office, or a church: The church is one of the oldest buildings in the city, f a brand new office building in the centre of Tokyo
builder bildor [n C] someone whose job is to build houses, offices etc: The church roof is being repaired by a local builder.
В the design of buildings
architecture 'а:гк;дскг]эг [n U] the way in which buildings are designed, or the work of designing buildings: We spent the afternoon walking around Rome, admiring the architecture. I The City Hall is a fine example of Gothic architecture. I She studied architecture at university.
BUILD
architect /a:rk^tekt/ |n CI someone whose job is to design buildings: St Paul's Cathedral was designed by the famous architect. Sir Christopher Wren.
BURN
DtSTWOY—. | —HOT
N ^
see
a,SO """♦tXPLODC
i \
HURT/INJURE ACCIDENT
to burn something
burn /Ьз;гп/ \v T] to damage or destroy something with fire or heat: She lit a fire and burned his letters one by one. badly burned Their furniture was badly burned in the fire.
burn a hole in stk (=make a hole by burning it) Someone had dropped a cigarette and burned a hole in the carpet.
burning - burned dls » burnt кк in - have burned (also have burnt чнл tt)
burned/burnt [adj] The cake is slightly
burnt, I'm afraid. I The kitchen
smelled of burned toast.
^^ Don't use burn when you want to say that someone destroys a building. Use burn down.
burn down /,Ьзхrn daon/ [phrasa/ verb T] to completely destroy a building by burning it
burn down sth Police believe students were responsible for burning down the school.
burn sth down Her ex-husband threatened to burn the house down with her and the kids inside.
scorch /skoi'tj/ [и T] to burn the surface of something and make a dark mark on it: The stone walls were still scorched and blackened from the fire. I I scorched my shirt when I was ironing.
to burn yourself
burn /Ьз:гп/ [и T] if you burn yourself, you hurt yourself by accidentally touching something hot
92
BURN
burn yoursel/ Don't touch the iron. You'll burn yourself. burn your hand/leg/mouth etc The soup was so hot it burnt my mouth.
badly burned Jerry was badly burned in the explosion.
burning - burned (also burnt brssh) - have burned diso have burnt brush )
scald /sfoild/ [у T] to burn yourself with hot liquid
scald yoursel/ Careful with the hot water - you'll scald yourself.
burn /Ьэ:гп/ [n С usually plural] a mark on your skin where you have been burned severe/serious burns Billy mas taken to the hospital with severe burns. minor burns (=not very serious)
to make something start burning
set fire to sth/set sth on fire /set
faia1" tu: (sth), set (sth) on fa]3r/ to make something start to burn, so that it gets damaged: Vbnda/s set fire to an empty warehouse near the docks last night. 1 Don't put up the barbecue there - you might set fire to the trees. I Rioters set cars on fire and attacked the police.
light /la.it/ [v T] light a cigarette/fire/ candle to make a cigarette, fire etc start to burn: Ricky sat down and lit a cigarette. I We searched around for twigs and fallen branches, so we could light a fire. lighting - lit - have lit
to make something stop burning
put out /.put aut/ \phrasal verb T] to
make a fire stop burning, or make a cigarette, pipe etc stop burning put out the jire/the blaze It took fire fighters four hours to put out the blaze. put out a cigarette/pipe / put out my cigarette and went back into the house. put sth out She threw sand on the fire to put it out.
extinguish /ik'stiqgwij/ [v T] formal to make a fire stop burning, or make a cigarette stop burning - used especially in official notices and requests: Would all passengers please extinguish their cigarettes? Thank you. I He managed to extinguish the flames with his coat.
blow out /,Ыэо 'aotI \phrasal verb T] to make a flame or fire stop burning by blowing on it
when something is
burning
burn /Ьз1гп/ [и I] to produce flames and heat: They could smell wood burning in the yard. I At one end of the room a coal fire burned brightly.
burning - burned (ako burnt ! к и) - have burned lalso have burnt BRi ч)
burning [odj only before noun] He escaped by jumping from the fourth floor of a burning apartment block.
be on fire /bii on fai3r/ if a building,
vehicle, or piece of clothing is on fire, it is burning: The whole house was on fire by the time the firefighters arrived.
burn down /,Ьз:гп daun/ \phrasal verb I] if a building burns down, it is completely destroyed by fire: The hotel burned down
in 1990.
blazing /'bleizig/ (adj only before noun] а blazing fire, building etc is producing a lot of flames and heat while it burns: We sat in front of a blazing log fire. 1 An old woman was rescued from the blazing house by a neighbour.
smoulder brjtish smolder American /'sm3old3r/ |u I) to bum slowly, producing smoke but no flames: A cigarette was smoldering in the ashtray. I The remains of the fire still smouldered in the grate.
when something starts burning
С ate К jire /.kaeti" fai arf to start burning accidentally: Two farm workers died when a barn caught fire yesterday. I The car turned over, but luckily it didn't catch fire.
burst into /lames /.bx'stmta fleimz/to
suddenly start burning and produce a lot of flames that cause serious damage: The plane burst into flames on the runway.
blow out a candle/a match/a fire He
blew out the candle and went to sleep. blow sth out We tried to light a fire but the wind kept blowing it out.
93
go up in /lames /,g»J лр in 'fleimz/ if а building or vehicle goes up in flames, it starts burning and is destroyed by fire: If
the firefighters hadn't arrived when they did, the whole place might have gone up in flames.
break out /.breik aut/ [phrasa/ verb II if а fire breaks out, it starts burning accidentally and spreads very quickly: £200,000 worth of damage was caused when fire broke out in a hospital storeroom.
something that burns easily
sell
shop
/lammable /АзетэЫ1/ [adj] flammable chemicals, gases, and other materials burn easily and quickly and are therefore dangerous: Caution! Flammable substances. Highly flammable (=extreme!y flammable) Petrol is highly flammable.
BUSINESS
ADVERTISING COMPANY ф _ JOB
\ 1 Я
BUY^^ 5ee «^b MONEY
also
manager
the work that companies do
business /'biznЈs/ [n U] the work that
companies do when they buy and sell goods and services: Business in Europe has been badly affected by bad economic conditions.
on business (=when someone goes somewhere for business reasons) She'll be back next week - she's in Korea on business. t he adve rtis ing/c о mp ute r I insurance business (=the work of companies that are involved in advertising etc)
Ж You can also use business before a noun, like an adjective: a business meeting I studying at business school
BUSINESS
A Don't confuse business [U] (=when you buy and sell goods) with a business [C] (=a company).
BUSINESS
trade /treid/ [n U] the activity of buying
and selling large quantities of goods, especially between one country and another: the GATT agreement to encourage world trade
+ with/between During the u>ar, trade between the two countries was suspended. I There used to be restrictions on trade with South Africa, the fur farms/diamond trade (=the buying and selling of fur, weapons etc) trade in rice/textiles/gold etc (=the buying and selling of rice, cloth etc)
id^You can also use trade before a noun, like an adjective: о trade agreement between China and the US
industry /'indastri/ In C/U] the production of goods to be sold, especially in factories: The region has tried to attract new industry in order to reduce unemployment. steel/textile/automobile/manufacturing industry the decline in Britain's iron and steel industries
in industry (=in this area of work) She left the nursing profession and got a job in industry.
heavy industry (=the production of oil, metals, and coal, and of large goods such as cars and aircraft)
light industry (=the production of goods such as kitchen equipment, TVs, and computers)
plural industries
industrial /in'dAStrial/ [adj usually before noun] connected with industry: industrial waste I industria/ pollution
^^ Don't confuse industry (=the production of goods) with factory (=a place where goods are made) or company (=an organization that makes or sells goods and services).
/lV Don't say 'the industry' when you mean all industries, just say industry Industry is one of the main causes of pollution.
commercial /кэ'тз:гр1/ [adj only before
94
noun] concerned with business: Commercial pressures are forcing many companies to cut jobs, I The space shuttle is starting to be used for commercial purposes
a business agreement
deal /diil/ [n C] a business agreement, especially when one company agrees to provide goods or services, and another company agrees to buy them: The dea/ will give British Airways a 15% share in United Airlines. I Wicks lost a lot of money on property deals. + with a $55 million deal with a leading Japanese automobile company sign a deal He recently signed a deal with a major record company worth over three million dollars.
to take part in business activities
do business /,du: bizn^s,/ if a company does business with another company, it buys things from them or sells things to them: STC is one of our regular customers - we've done business for years. + with They do a lot of business with Italian companies.
be in business /bi: in 'bizn^s/if someone is m business, they own a company or shop, and they are involved in business activities: Her father was in business in Korea. I They've been in business for 10 years, and are doing quite well,
trade /treid/ [и l] if one country or company trades with another country or company, it buys things from them or sells things to them: Slater's company continued to trade, even though it was in trouble. + in a French firm that trades in farm machinery
♦ with For over 30 years, the US has refused to trade with Cuba. trading partner (=a country that regularly does business with another country) Japan is one of our major trading partners.
commercially [adu] concerned with whether something is successful and makes a profit: Commercially, the movie was a disaster.
deal with sb /'di:l wifi (sb)/ [phrasa/ verb T] to buy goods from, or sell goods to, a particular person or company: The firm deals directly with the manufacturers. I I've dealt with Bill Harrison for years and always found him very reliable.
El someone who works in business
businessman/businesswoman /biz
rrVsman, bizn^swomsn [п C] someone who works in business, especially as the manager or owner of a company: Tim Knight is a highly successful businessman who runs his own electronics company. plu\ii businessmen - businesswomen
entrepreneur /,огигэргэ'пз:г|,а:п-/ {n C]
someone who starts a new business or arranges new business deals, especially someone who is willing to risk their own money in order to make a profit: Local entrepreneur Tony Ridley started his computer company five years ago and is now a millionaire.
BUSY/NOT BUSY
see also free time, work
D a busy person
busy /'bizi/ [adj] if you are busy, you have a lot of things to do: Sorry / haven't called you, but I've been really busy. I Not now Stephen, I'm busy. busy doing sth He's busy trying to
arrange our hotel rooms. + with Marion was busy with preparations for the wedding, keep sb busy (=make someone busy) People liked our work, and we were
kept busy all the time. busy - busier - busiest
^^ Don't say 'she's busy with studying'.
Say she's busy studying or she's busy with her studies-
have a lot to do /haev о Jot ts du:||
-,lait-/ if you have a lot to do, you have to do a lot of things, and you need to hurry or work hard: She had a lot to do before
she could go home.
be snowed under /biz .snsod лгкьг
informal if you are snowed under, you have so much work that it is difficult for you to do it all: Don't expect any help from John - he's completely snowed under at the moment.
+ with We've been snowed under with requests for help.
be rushed off your feet bi: .гл/t of
jo:r flit/ INFORMAL. ESPECIALLY BRITISH to be
very busy and always in a hurry, because you have a lot of things to do: I've been rushed off my feet getting ready for the party.
В a busy place or time
^ see also crowd
busy bizi [ad;] use this about places and times when a lot of people are travelling, shopping, or doing things: By 10 o'clock the supermarket was really busy. I а busy main road I a doctor in a busy hospital I July and August are our busiest times.
busy - busier - busiest
hectic /'hektik/ [ас/;] a hectic time or situation is very busy, so you are always in a hurry and you often feel worried or excited: It was really hectic at work today. I The band had a hectic recording schedule. I When she lived in London she had a hectic social life.
the rush hour /вэ TaJ аоэг/ |n singular) the time in the morning and evening when a lot of people are travelling to or from work: In the rush hour the trains are always crowded.
rush hour traffic She got held up in rush hour traffic, and arrived 30 minutes
late
the rush 'йэ 'taJ/ [n singular] a time when
a lot of people are shopping or travelling: Sam got to the theatre early to avoid the rush.
the Christmas/summer/weekend rush
Shop by mail and beat the Christmas rush!
В a person who is not busy
not busy /not bizi I Let's find a time when you re not so busy, and talk about this calmly. I Hopefully by March we won't be so busy.
О not have much to do /nt)< han
95
BUSY/NOT BUSY
mAtf ts 'du:/ especially spoken to not be busy - use this especially to say that you have enough time to do other things: / could help if you want - I don't have much to do this weekend.
BUSY/NOT BUSY
free /fh:j [adj] not busy, because you have not arranged to do anything, or you do not have to go to work or school: I'm busy all day today, but I'm free tomorrow morning. ! Which days is she free
next week?
free time (=time when you do not have to work and you can do what you want) What do you do in your free time7
a place or time that is not busy
quiet /'kwaiat/ [adj] a quiet place or time is one in which there is not much happening or not many people are travelling, shopping etc: a quiet suburb of Seattle I I spent a quiet weekend at home.
out of season brthsh in the off season american /aut av siiz^n*, m 6i df ,siiz^n|-'Dif-/ if you visit a tourist area out of season, you go there at a time of the year when there are not a lot of people: It's much cheaper if you go there out of season. I Rooms, in the off season, are
SPEND
as cheap as $52 a night.
BUY
EXPENSIVE
cheap ti^ money
see also
PAY
j. v ""
shop
to buy something
buy /bai/ |u T] to pay money so that you can have something: He's just gone to buy some cigarettes, i The painting was bought by a museum in New York. buy sb sth Let me buy you a drink, buy sth for sb/sth The money was used to buy new equipment for the hospital, buy sth from sb/sth Ella buys a lot of her clothes from second-hand stores. buy sth for $101 £50 etc They bought their house for $200,000.
buying - bought - have bought
96
Qget /get/ [v T not in passive) especially spoken to buy something, especially ordinary things such as food, clothes, or things for your house: Did you remember to get some bread?
get sb sth I'm getting Dad a bottle of whiskey for his birthday, get sth for $10/Ј50 etc She got that skirt for £10 in the market.
getting - got - have got ьргьн have gotten лмь^ак
A
purchase /'p^tj^s/ \v T] formal to buy something, especially something large and expensive: The cost of purchasing new equipment for the science laboratories was over £100,000
Purchase is used especially in business
situations.
snap up /.snaep лр/ [phrasa/ verb T] infor mal to buy something as soon as you see it, because it is very cheap or because you want it very much
snap up sth I snapped up some real bargains in the sales. snap sth up It was only $10, so I snapped it up.
Stock up /.Stok 4p|sta:k-/ [phrasa/ verb I] to buy a lot of something in order to use it later: The supermarkets are full of people stocking up for Christmas. + on We always stock up on cheap wine when we go to France.
splash out on sth British splurge
ОП Sth american /,splaej 'aut on (sth), ,spl3!rd3 'aut on (sth)/ (phrasa/ verb T] informal to buy something expensive that you would not usually buy: Why don't you splash out on a new dress for the party? t We splurged on a brand new sofa for the living room.
to go to shops to buy things
go shopping /,gau 'Jopiql-'Ja:-/ to go to
shops in order to look at things and buy things: That afternoon, Jo and Emma went shopping in Oxford Street.
do the shopping IM Jopigll- Ja:-/to
go to shops in order to buy the things that you need regularly, especially food: / spent all day Saturday doing the shopping and cleaning the apartment, do your/my/his etc shopping We do all our shopping at the local supermarket.
go to the shops bruish go to the
Store AMERICAN /,g90 t9 бЭ 'jDpS, ,g3U t3 'sto:r||-'Ja:ps/ to go to the shops near your house in order to buy food or to buy one or two other small things that you need: I'm just going to the shops for a newspaper - do you want anything? I If you go to the store could you get me some milk?
shop /Ji>p||Ja:p/ [о 1] if you shop at a particular shop, you go there regularly to buy things
+ at one of those rich women who always shop at Harrods
shopping - shopped - have shopped
shop around /,Jbp 9'raond||Ja:p-/ [phrasal verb I] to compare the price of something in several shops, before deciding where to buy it: You could probably get the same camera cheaper if you shop around.
window shopping /'wmdau Jopiql
97
-Ja:p-/ [n U] when you look at things in shop windows without intending to buy anything: We spent the morning window shopping in all the antique stores.
В someone who buys something
customer /'kAstams1"/ [n C] someone who buys things from a shop or company, or who uses a restaurant, bar etc: Several customers complained about how rude the waiters were. I We offer a 10% dis-
count to regular customers. best/biggest customer (=someone who buys the most goods or services from a shop or company)
shoppers / jDporz||'Jaip-/ [n plural] the people in a shop or town who are buying things: streets crowded with Christmas shoppers
buyer /Ъа1эг/ [n C] someone who buys something expensive such as a house or car: Have you found a buyer for your house yet? I The odvertisement is aimed at women car buyers.
^^ Don't use buyer about people buying things in shops.
BUY
consumers/the consumer /kan'sjin-
Consumers/the consumer is used especially by people who write about business.
morz, бэ kan sjuima^-'su:-/ (n) all the people who buy and use goods and services: Consumers are demanding more environmentally friendly products. I The consumer is interested in high quality goods, not just low prices.
A
98
CALM
laid-back ;,leid 'Ьжк«/ [adj) imokmai
someone who is laid-back is always
relaxed and never seems to worry about
CALM
things that other people worry about: Sue's always had a laid-back attitude to life.
relax
not angry or upset, even in a difficult situation
ANGRY
\
see also
ннсипимс/
to become calm, or to make someone calm
calm down 'ku:m daon||,ku'.nv, rku:!m-
[phrasal verb I/T] to become calm again after you have been angry or upset, or to make someone do this: Once I'd calmed down, / realized he might be right. calm sb down He put his arms aroi^nd Christine and tried to calm her down.
calm
calm /ka:m||ka:m, ku:lm; [adj] not getting angry or upset, even in a difficult situation: Eoeryone praised Doug/as for the calm way in which he handled the situation, I We'll talk about this when you're feeling calmer.
keep calm Keep calm and try not to panic.
calmly Iacfu] The other kids were screaming. but El lie calmly picked up the snake and threw it out of the window.
relaxed n ht'ksr [adj] someone who is relaxed is very calm and does not seem to be worried about anything, and it is pleasant ior other people to be with them: George greeted us in his friendly relaxed wa у. I You see1 m m и с h rn о re re !a x ed
since you changed jobs.
Stay COOI/keep cool stei ku:l. к up
кli:I; to stay calm and not show your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: Sampras is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure. keep your cool (=not become angry) He managed to keep his cool and ignore her last comments. coolly (adu| She walked coolly to the front of the hall and picked up the microphone
keep your head knp \xr hcd to
manage to stay caln and to behave in a sensible way when something is likely to make you feel frightened or worried: Paul's good at keeping his head in a crisis.
what you say to someone when you want them to be calm
Qcalm down
ku:lm- spoKf.N say this when someone is angry, upset, or excited and you want
them to think calmly or speak calmly
again: Calm down! There's nothing whatever to worry about.
Qrelax ri Utks spgki'.n say this to someone who is worried or frightened about something, in order to stop them worrying: Relax! The injection won't hurt
Qtake it easy ink n ivi/ spoki n imoh
m,m say this when someone is angrv or upset, and you want to stop them saying or doing anything stupid: Hey. take it easy'. Nobody's saying you're not good at your job.
exit's okay/it's all right us л-ка
its rait/ sf4)k-\ say this to someone to make them stop being worried: It's okay, she's just phoning to say she'll be late. 1 It s alright, don't cry. Mummy's here.
CAN/CAN'T
look here for . . .
be able to do something
be allowed to do something
^ if you want to know about modal
verbs, go to the essential gramma*
section 7
see also erequests
Don't say 'I can to come'. Say I can
come
/К Past tense: It you just want to say that someone had the ability, money etc to do something at some time in the past, use could: He could read by the time he was four. I He was a rich man who could afford to buy anything he wanted, If you want to say that someone succeeded in doing something because they had the opportunity, ability, money etc, use was able to do sth: When the ram stopped v/e were able to finish the game.
Д Future tense: Use wilt be able to do
$th (often shortened to 'I'll be able', 'we'll be able', 'he'll be able' etc): When everyone comes back from their vacations, we'll be able to get a lot more work done. I / 'II be able to see my friends and family again very soon. In spoken English you can use can to talk about tomorrow, next week etc: I can come with you on Sunday.
/К Present perfect: Use have been able to do sth to mean that someone has succeeded in doing something: Up to now no-one has been oble to break the record set
by Lewis. Use could have done sth to
Infinitive: Use to be able to do sth: He
wants to be ab(e to speak French.
mean that someone was able to do something hut did not do it: He could have become president, but he wasn't ambitious.
A
to have the ability,
opportunity, time, or
equipment that you need in order to do something
A
Can strong ка;n/ [modal uerb\ "Can you speak Japanese?" "Yes, I can." can do sth They've invented a computer that can talk. I Can you come for lunch
Don't say 'I am able to see him' or 'they were not able to hear me'. Say | can
see him ar|d they couldn't hear me Use can/ not 'be able to', with verbs like 'see', 'hear', or 'feel'.
on Saturday? I Adrian could read when he was four. I If we had a boat we could row across to the island. I The engine's making a funny noise - can you hear it?
A
be able to do sth bi: ,eib<?l U du: (sth)'
use this especially about something that is difficult or that needs a lot of effort: Will you be able to carry those bags on your own? I If you want to join this expedition. you must be able to speak English and swim. I Three weeks after the accident. she was able to walk and even exercise in the gym.
be capable o/stk /hi:'kcipatwl nv (Sth)'
to have the power or ability to do something. especially something very difficult or unusual; The 'sports' version is capable of a top speed of 1 70 mph. be capable of doing sth a hard disk capable of holding 2 gigabytes of data be perfectly capable of doing sth (-be able to do something without anyone helping you) Don't worry, she's perfectly capable of dealing with the situation.
have the ability to do sth /h;ev oi
t? du: (sth)/ to be able to do something, especially something that is unusual or that most people cannot do: She seemed to have the ability to make people do anything she wanted.
it is possible for sb to do sth /и </
Don't use this when you are simply
.pns.Uwl fV (sb) t? du: (sth)||-pci:~/ f-okmai use this especially when you are making an arrangement with someone, to ask or say what someone will be able to do.- Would it be possible for you to come to a meeting on Tuesday? I It might be possible for you to use the school library on Saturdays.
A
saying what you can do. Don't say 'it is possible for me to go'. Say | can go
В to be allowed to do something or have the power to do it
see also a permission, let
can .^"w: -strong к<ел/ [modal verb] If you want to come with us. you can. can do sth. it's my house and I can do what / want here. I Can / borrow your car? I Only the Supreme Court can change these laws.
be able to do sth /bi: ,eih?l to du: (sth)/
99
CANyCAN'T
use this especially when a law or rule
the ability to do something
plurrti
A
ability /э'ЫЦп/ [n C/U] something that you are able to do because you have the physical skill or intelligence to do it ability to do sth Our ability to think and speak makes us different from other animals. ! the ability to understand what motivates other people have the ability Are you confident he has the ability to do this job?
abilities
Don't say 'ability of speaking'. Say ability to speak.
skill /ski!/ |n CI a special ability that you need to learn in order to do a particular job or activity: These exercises develop the student's reading and writing skills. I You need computing skills for most office jobs.
El to make someone abie to do something
enable sb to do sth/allow sb to
do sth /in(eib<?l (sb) t3 'du: (sth), з,1ао (sb) te 'du: (sth)/ formal to make it possible for someone to do something: The money from my grandmother enabled us to buy the house. I This disk allows you to store larger quantities of data, i Having someone to help in the house allowed me to concentrate more on my work.
Д Enable sb to do sth jS more formal than allow sb to do sth.
make it possible /meik it 'ри^Щ
-pa:-/ if a situation, event, or change makes it possible for someone to do
something, they are able to do something that they could not do before make it possible to do sth The direct flight makes it possible to get from London to Tokyo in 12 hours.
make it possible for sb to do sth
Changes in the law will make it possible for more fathers to stay at home and take care of their children.
let sb do Sth /.let (sb) 'du: (sth)/ \v T] if а machine, tool etc lets someone do something, it provides what you need to be able to do it
let sb do sth The 'Moneymaster' program lets you control all your personal finances carefully and efficiently.
to be unable to do something
can't/cannot /ka:nt, 'кжпэЬ -nDt||kaent, k<ena:t [modal verb] to be unable to do something, because you do not have the ability, time, equipment etc.- "Can you drive?" "No. I can't."
can't/cannot do sth Tom can't see any thing without his glasses. I I packed so much into my suitcase that I couldn't lift itf I You can't do these sums without a calculator.
Cannot is mostly used in written English: Human beings cannot survive for long without water. Cannot is always written as one word.
not be able to do sth /not bi: eib<?
to 'du: (sth)/ Unfortunately. / wasn't able
to help them, t I'm afraid I won't be able to come to the meeting after all. I The doctor told Tina she wouldn't be able to have children.
Not be able to is used mostly in past or future tenses. In the present tense, use can't or cannot instead. For example,
don't say 'I am not able to drive'. Say I can't drive
be unable to do sth /bi: лпе(Ь*1 гэ du:
(sth)/ written to not be able to do something, especially something important that you want to do or need to do: He lay
CAN/CAN'T 100
makes it possible for someone to do something: As senior students, we were able to attend some university classes. I You might be able to get a temporary passport.
Have the power to do sth /hacv оэ
,раозг ta 'du: (sth)/ to be able to do something because your official position gives you the power to do it: The judge has the power to order a witness to give evidence. I Each state had the power to make its own laws
awake all night, unable to sleep. I Many passengers were unable to reach the lifeboats in time.
be incapable oJFdoinq sth/not be
capable of doing Sth hi: m.keipah?!
ov duni] (sth). not bi: ,keipoh?l э\ 'du:ii](sth)/ to not have the physical strength or mental ability to do something: Matthew seemed to be incapable of getting a job. I
She's no longer capable of looking after herself.
not be in a position to do sth not
bi: in о po.zipn to 'du: (sth) formal to not be able to do something, because you do not have enough money, knowledge, or authority: I'm afraid I'm not in a position to answer your questions. I We are not in a position to publish the results of the survey yet.
it is not possible for sb to do sth
/it iz not ,posi>b«>l tV (sb) to du: (sth)J|-,pa:-/ formal use this to explain to someone that the situation prevents you from doing what they want you to do: I'm afraid it won't be possible for the Director to see you this morning. I Unfortunately, it uasn 't possible for my daughter to come with me.
inability to do sth /то.ЫЦп to du:
(sth)/ when someone is not able to do something, especially something that you think they should be able to do: Her actions show an inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality. sb's inability to do sth their inability to understand even the simplest instructions
U to not be allowed to do something or not have the
power to do it
can't/cannot 'kaint. кжпои -nnt||karnt,
'ksenun, [moda/ uerb] "I want to see that film." "You can't, you're not old enough.'' I The President cannot change a law that has been approved by Congress.
can't do sth I'm sorry, you can 't come in. I You can't get married until you're 22
Cannot is more formal than can't, and is used especially in written English; Members of the public cannot enter the building without official permission. Cannot is always written as one word.
not be able to do sth not hi: eibc?! to
du: (sth) use this when a law or rule does not allow someone to do something: If you don't have a library card, you won't be able to borrow any books.
powerless paoonos/' [adj not before
noun] not able to control or stop something, because you do not have the power or legal right to do it
powerless to do sth Although ше all thought the decision was unfair we were powerless to change it.
CAREFUL
opposite CARELESS
D when you try to avoid
danger or accidents
care/ul keort>l/ [ad;] someone who is
careful tries to avoid danger, risks, or accidents: Vou shou/d a/ways be very careful when handling chemicals. I You'll be OK wirh Jane - she's a very careful driver
OX care/ul!/be care/ul! spokkn (=say this
when you are warning someone that they must be careful) That vase is very delicate. Be careful! + with HeyI Careful with that cigarette! care/ul to do sth You musf be careful not to trip over the wire. + (that) We had to be careful that we didn't fall off the raft. care/ul how/what/who etc Be very careful how you handle those glasses! care/ully [adu] Goodbye, Sarah - drive carefully!
cautious /to:Jos, [adj] someone who is
cautious does not like taking risks arid is always very careful to avoid them: If we're too cautious, we might lose a good business opportunity. I My dad always goes really slowly - he's a very cautious driver. + about I've always been cautious about giving people my phone number. cautiously [adv\ Slowly and cautiously, we made our way along the edge of the
cliff
Qwatch outJ/look out! wntj aot.
101
CAREFUL
Jok 'aoifwa:!/-, ,wo;t/-/ spoken say this to warn someone that they are going to have
an accident and they must do something quickly tc avoid it: Watch out - you're going to spill paint over my new carpet! I Look out, Phil - there's a car coming!
with care/with caution лмд keor. wifi
кгфп if you do something with care or with caution, you are very careful to avoid accidents when you do it: These antiques are fragile and must be handled with care. I Some roads may be icy and motorists are advised to drive with caution.
J /-X With care and with caution are often ; used in instructions on bottles, packages etc that contain things that are dangerous or easy to break: Toxic materials - handle
with caution.
^ .„. „
be о a your guard hi:nnjxr gu-.rd to
carefully watch and notice everything that is happening around you. in order to avoid problems or danger: You need to be on your guard at the airport; there are a lot of pickpockets around.
take no chances tc k noo tju:ns,ui
-tj'iiMi- to organize something in a very careful way. because you want to avoid any possible risks: This time we're taking no chances. Everything will be planned down to the last detail.
Ea when you try not to make mistakes or do
things badly
care/ul кео'Ы [ad;] someone who is careful tries not to make mistakes, and tries to do everything correctly: She's a careful hard-working student. + with Try to be more careful with your punctuation.
careful to do sth They were careful not to touch anything until the police arrived.
carefully [adu] Check your essay carefully for spelling mistakes.
take care ,teik ke?r to do a piece of work carefully because you want it to be right, and you do not want to make mis takes: Look at all these mistakes! Can't you take more care? + with SaJ/y doesn't take enough care ruith her ux>rk.
CAREFUL
take care to do sth Take care to label all the disks with the correct file names.
thorough ■ШгэЦ'влгзо. Олгя [adj not
usually before noun] someone who is thorough is careful that all the work they do is complete and correct: Our mechanics will check everything: they're very thorough.
thoroughly [ас/и] All the equipment
had been thoroughly tested.
conscientious .konji'enfos-^kain- (adj} someone who is conscientious is very careful about their work or duties, and works hard to do everything that needs to be done: Ryan has always been a conscientious worker. I a conscientious mother conscientiously [adv\ The chairman carried out his duties conscientiously.
meticulous inVtikj'Jlos [adj] someone who is meticulous is very careful about every small detail, and always makes sure that everything is done correctly: The jewellery was beautifully made. and was obuiously the work of a meticulous craftsman.
+ about John's very meticulous about keeping accounts. meticulously |adu] Books and papers were meticulously arranged on his desk.
pay attention to sth pei otenj,™ tu:
(>th) to be careful thai a particular thing is done in the right way: You need to pay more attention to your hair and makeup
В careful work/actions
саге/ul 'ke,vt>l [adj only before noun] a careful test, study, piece of work etc is done carefully and correctly, with a lot of attention to details: A careful inspection showed cracks in the foundation of the building. I Her book is the result of years of careful research.
thorough влг^Илгоа Нлго \adj\ a
thorough search, check, examination etc is done carefully so that no detail is missed: The police have made a thorough search of the area. I The doctor gave me a thorough check-up.
102
systematic .sist;vmaMik< [adj] a systematic way of doing something uses a fixed plan, so that everything gets done thoroughly - use this especially about activities that are dishonest or harmful: thesystematic destruction of the country's education system I Ex-prisoners talked of systematic cruelty within the jail.
systematically [adv] They went through the documents systematically, removing every reference to his jormer wife.
painstaking /'peinz.teikin [adj) very careful and thorough, and taking a lot of time and effort: They began the long and painstaking task of compiling a biblio graphy.
KNUVE
accident
dangerous
painstakingly [adu] The poet's house has been painstakingly restored.
CARELESS
opposite CAREFUL
RISK I
see also
\
mistake
D careless, so that
accidents happen
careless ■"kealas/ [adj] someone who is careless does not take care to avoid accidents and is likely to damage something or hurt someone: a careless driver I the careless handling of explosives + about The airline was accused of being
careless about security. carelessly [adu] Someone had carelessly dropped a lighted cigarette end into the wastebasket. carelessness jn U] injuries that were caused by someone else's carelessness
clumsy kl\m/.i [adj] someone who is clumsy often drops things or breaks things because they move around in a careless way: Гт sorry about your uase - Rob's such a clumsy boy! I Paula always felt clumsy when she had to serve food ro people. I a large man with big, clumsy
hands
clumsy - clumsier - clumsiest clumsily [adu] I got up. clumsily knocking against the table.
irresponsible /.iri spDnsJ,b^l||- spa:n-/ [adj] someone who is irresponsible does not do the things they should do, or does things they should not do, usually with harmful results: irresponsible parents who allow their teenage children to stay
out all night ! It was an irresponsible practical joke that might have caused serious injury.
reckless /'re к I as / [adj] especially written someone who is reckless does dangerous or stupid things without thinking that they or someone else might get hurt: The
driver of the car was arrested for reckless driving. I a reckless disregard for human life recklessly [adu] young men recklessly risking their lives in a dangerous sport
negligence neglid^vns [n U] when
Negligence is a word used especially by lawyers.
someone does not do an important job carefully enough, especially with the result that there is an accident and they are punished for causing it: a case of medical negligence, in which a doctor has made some serious mistakes I You can claim compensation if your injury is a result of your employer's negligence, negligent [adj] The court said that the teacher had been negligent in not reporting the accident
A
careless, so that you make mistakes
careless 'ke^bs/ [adj] someone who is careless makes mistakes because they do not think carefully enough about what they are doing: I made a few careless mistakes. I All the excitement had made him careless, and he left the house without locking the door, it is careless of sb (to do stJO It was very careless of you to leave your purse lying on the desk. carelessly |adu] He had carelessly switched off his computer without saving the data.
carelessness [n U] Most accidents are entirely due to carelessness
103
CARELESS
sloppy slopi|| slarpi [adj] done in а careless and lazy way - use this about
CARELESS
someone's work or the way someone writes or speaks: As a student, he was brilliant but sloppy. I The company's failure was blamed on sloppy management. sloppy - sloppier - sloppiest
when you decide too
quickly
rash raej [adj] if you do something rash, you do not think carefully about the effect it will have, and you wish later you had not done it: I'm sure she won't do anything rash - she's such a sensible girl. I Don't make any rash promises that you may regret later. rashly [ado] I rashly offered to lend her the money.
hasty /'heisti/ [adj] too quick to do or say something, without taking time to think about it first: I think I may have been a little hasty. I shouldn't have accused him of lying. I Don't make any hasty decisions.
hastily [adv] He later admitted that he might have acted a little hastily.
CARRY
see also take/bring, lift, hold
to carry something or someone
carry /'кгеп/ [u T] to take something from one place to another by holding it in your hands, lifting it on your back etc: A porter helped me carry my bags. carry sth to/out of/around etc The women have to carry water from the well to the village. I I've been carrying this tape-recorder around with me all day.
carrying - carried - have carried
A Don't confuse carry (=take something somewhere by holding it in your hands) with hold (=have something in your hands) and lift (=move something that you are holding to a higher position).
A Don't confuse carry «md take. Don't say 'I carried him home in my car'. Say \ took him home in my car
104
be weiahed down with sth/be
loaded down with sth /bi: weid daun wi6 (sth). bi:,lauded 'daon wid (sth)/ to be carrying so many things that it is difficult for you to move: She struggled back along the street, weighed down with
shopping bags.
be loaded with sth /bi: laod^d wift
(sth), if a vehicle is loaded with something. it is carrying a lot of it: A truck loaded with cement had crashed into the wall.
easy to carry
portable /'рхЧэЬЯ/ [adj usually before noun] portable TV/computer/typewriter/heater etc a television, computer etc that is fairly small and easy to carry around with you: She has a small portable TV in the kitchen. I He still writes his novels ori an old portable typewriter.
CATCH
look here for ... catch a ball
catch someone after chasing them see someone doing something wrong catch an animal
to catch a ball or other moving object
to catch someone who is trying to escape
see also run, follow, escape, prison
catch /kaetjy {u Tj to stop someone from escaping by running after them and
see also throw, sport
catch 'kaetJV [и T] to get catch
hold of a ball or other object that is moving through the air: I caught the ball with my left hand and threw it back to the pitcher.
Qcatch! spoken (say this when you throw something to someone) Here's your
lighter - catch1
catching - caught - have caught
holding them: The bigger boys ran while the little boys tried to catch them. I If the soldiers catch you, they will kill you.
catching - caught - have caught
capture /"kaeptjV |u T] to catch an enemy, especially after defeating them in a war or battle: The rebel leader was cap tured and publicly executed. I They captured twenty enemy soldiers.
take sb prisoner /,teik (sb) рл7^пзг'to
catch someone, especially in a war, and keep them as a prisoner: 6000 enemy soldiers were killed, and 4000 more
were taken prisoner.
El when the police catch a
criminal
see also police, tell s
catch /kaetJ, [и T] if the police catch someone who has done something illegal, they find that person and stop them from escaping: Police have so jar failed to catch the murderer. I The thieves were never caught.
catching - caught - have caught
arrest p'rest [и T] if the police arrest someone, they take them to a police station because they believe that person has done something illegal: Police arrested nine men in a drugs raid.
arrest sb for sth Wayne was arrested for
dangerous driving, arrest [n C/U] when someone is arrested by the police: His confessions led to the arrest of several well-known gangsters.
make an arrest {=arrest someone) Police
made a number of arrests after a fight in a city bar.
get get [и T] informal to find the person who has done something illegal, and punish them: They neuer actually got the man who did it. I Did the police get the people who stole your car?
getting - got - have got
В to catch someone while they are doing something wrong
catch /kaetj/ [и T] to find or see someone while they are doing something wrong catch sb doing sth Monica caught her son stealing money from her purse.
get caught Be careful you don't get caught!
be/get caught doing sth Paul was caught cheating in a test. catch sb red-handed (=while they are in the process of doing something wrong,
especially stealing) "Are you sure Gavin
took it?" "I caught him red-handed!" catching - caught - have caught
Б to catch an animal
catch /kaetf/ [и T] to get an animal, for example by using a net or trap, and stop it from escaping: Did you catch any fish? I a trap to catch mice
catching - caught - have caught
trap trsp [u T] to catch an animal or bird
using special equipment that will hold them so that they cannot escape: Some of the birds had been shot, others trapped. trapping - trapped - have trapped
trap trap, [n С] a piece of equipment used to trap animals and birds: The wolf had been caught in a trap.
CAUSE
^ see also reason
п
105
CAUSE
ЯI to make something happen
cause ko:z/ [и T] to make something happen, especially something bad: Smo/cing causes cancer. I The fire caused $30,000 worth of damage. I A lot of traffic accidents are caused by carelessness, cause sb embarrassment/anxiety/pain (=make someone feel embarrassed, anxious etc) Robert 's behaviour is causing his family a lot of anxiety, cause sth to do sth formal Inflation has caused fuel prices to rise sharply in recent months
The usual verb for saying that one thing makes another thing happen is make, not cause: The smoke made my eyes sore. Cause, followed by an infinitive, is used mostly in formal or technical writing; This reaction causes the temperature to rise.
Don't say 'cause that something happens'. Say cause something to happen.
make meik.< [i; T] to make someone do something or make something happen make sb/sth do sth Sarah's really funny - she always makes me laugh. I Petro's new hairstyle makes her look a lot younger, make sb angry/happy/nervous etc Stop
staring at me-you're making me nervousI make sth better/worse/easier etc Senator Ration's recent remarks seem to have made the situation worse. make it easy/difficult/impossible etc for sb to do sth The new rail service should
make it easier for commuters to get to work.
CAUSE
making - made - have made
trigger off sth .tngsr of (sth)||-':v.f-
lphrasal verb Tj if a small action or event triggers off something more serious, it makes it happen very quickly: the euents that triggered off World War I
the thing that makes something else happen
cause Ь:/. [n C] the thing that makes something else happen, especially something bad: The increase in uio/ent crime has several causes.
+ of They still haven't found out the cause of the fire.
106
root cause (=the true, basic cause, even if there are other causes that are easier to notice) The root cause of Britain's eco norr.ic problems is lack of investment.
,ч Don't say 'she made me to do it'. Say she made me do it /К Don't say 'the cause for something'. Say the cause of something-
be responsible for Sth bi; rispnns.Mvl
b:r (sth)||-'spa:n- if a person, or something that they do, is responsible for an accident. problem, mistake etc, it :s their fault that it happens: I felt partly responsible for the fact that her boyfriend left her. ! Who is responsible for all this mess?
/!\ Don't use 'of' with responsible-
bring about sth >ir] (sth)
[phrasal verb T] to make something happen. especially a change or an improved situation: The war brought about huge social and political changes. I improvements in public health that have been brought about by advances in medical science
result in Sth ri zAlt in (sth) [phrasa/ verb
T] if an action or event results in something. it makes something happen: a train crash that resulted in the deaths of all 52 passengers I All these changes in the rules have resulted in great confusion.
lead to Sth h:d tu: (sth) [phrasal verb T] if an action or event leads to some thing, it starts a process which finally makes something happen: Their research eventually led to the development of nuclear power. 1 The bank has offered a reword for any information leading to the arrest of the robbers.
/actor ht'kuV [n C] one of several reasons that explain why something happens or why a situation exists: The rise in crime is mainly due to factors such as unemployment.
+ in Wright's skill and experience has been an important factor in the team 's
success.
CHANCE
look here for ...
the chance to do something
interesting, exciting etc
when something happens without
being planned
D when you have the chance to do something
chance 'tfu:ns||tjams (n Cj a situation in which it is possible for you to do something enjoyable or exciting, or something that vou want to do
get the chance to do sth I never got the chance to thank him for all his help. I It's a beautiful building - you should go and see it if you have the chance, give sb the chance to do sth I wish he'd just give me the chance to explain. a second chance (=another chance after you have failed the first time) Viewers willhave a second chance to see Saturday's concert on Channel 4 tonight. take tKe chance to do sth (=use a chance when you have it] You should take the chance to travel while you're still young. sb's last chance (=when you will not have another chance) ft was her lest chance to see him before she left town, miss a chance (=not use it when you have it) Diane never misses the chance of a free meal.
jump at the chance (of doing stW (=eager !y when you get the chance to do something exciting) You're so lucky. Id jump at the chance of going to Hollywood.
opportunity ,opotju:n,-iti||,u:por'Ui:- [n C) a chance to do something, especially something that is important or useful to you. or something that you want to do
very much
have an opportunity to do sth I ve
always wanted to visit Scotland, but I never had the opportunity till now I He never had the opportunity to go to University when he was younger. opportunity for sb (to do stM Companies should provide more opportunities for women to go into senior management. miss an opportunity (to do sth} (=not use an oportunity when you have one) career/job opportunities (-chances to find a job) There are fewer and fewer career opportunities for young people.
pk<r'ul opportunities
Q when something
happens for no reason or
without being planned
m see also lucky/unlucky
by chance 1/а:п*||-'фепч if something happens by chance, it is not deliberate or planned and you die not expect it to happen: I met an old friend by chance on the train.
quite/purely/entirely by chance ^completely by chance) Quite by chance. a TV crew was /ifmmg in the area when the accident happened.
coincidence 'koo'ms^ns/ [n C/U) a surprising situation, when two similar things happen at the same time, or two or more people do the same thing, but no-one planned or intended this to happen
Qwhat a coincidence! spoken What a coincidence! I didn't know you were going to be in Geneva too. by coincidence By coincidence, Jill was wearing the same dress as me. by a strange/curious/amazing coincidence By a strange coincidence, ail three girls had boyfriends called Simon.
happen to do sth /.Ьаерэп 1Э du: (sth)
if you happen to meet someone, go somewhere, or see something, you do it by chance and not because you planned to do it: A police car just happened to be driving past when the robbery took place.
Qas it happens /эz it Ъжрэпх/ spoken
say as it happens when you are mentioning a fact that is connected, by chance, with what you have just been talking about: "I'm thinking of selling my guitar." "Weil, as it happens, I know someone who's thinking of buying one. "
luck 1дк [л Uj the way in which good or bad things happen to people by chance, not because they were planned or intended it's a matter of luck/it's just luck (=it depends on luck) There's no skill in roulette; it's all a matter of luck.
fate Teit In U] the power which some people believe controls what happens in everyone's lives: It was fete that we should meet.
by a twist of fate (^because fate made things happen in an unexpected way) By a strange twist of fate, he died the day
before his grandson u;as horn
~ ~ * ^~ — • 1 * '* 1 * 11 ■■ . . i ——>
A Usefate especially in stories. !
<
I — ..... — - i
CHANGE
m see also different, same, become
Ц to become different
change [v I] to become different:
The city has changed a lot in recent years. She's really changed since she went to college. I the changing role of women in society
107
CHANCE
+ into The caterpillar eventually changes into a beautiful butterfly.
CHANGE
change/rom sth to/into sth In the 18th century, Britain changed from a mainly agricultural society to an industrial one. change colour brtish change color ameri can It was October; and the leaves on the trees were starting to change colour.
alter /'Dilto'V [и 1] to change - use this especially about someone's feelings or behaviour, or about a situation: His mood suddenly altered and he seemed a little annoyed. I The situation altered dramatically in 1919 when Mrs Thatcher came to power.
Alter is more formal than change, and is used mostly in written reports or stories.
vary /'ve«?ri/ |i> I] if something varies, it changes according to what the situation is: Ticket prices to New York vary, depend ing on the time of year. vary considerably (=change a lot) Her income varies considerably from one month to the next. varying - varied - have varied
turn into Sth /'txrn mtu: (sth) [phrasal verb T] to become something completely different: a story about a frog that turns into a prince I A trip to the beach turned into a nightmare for a local family yesterday.
Qgo /гот ... to ... /'gэо from ... tu:... especially spokhn to stop being one thing and start being something else, especially something very different: In le?.r than five years, he went from being an anarchist to being a member of the military government. I His face went from pink to
bright red.
to make someone or something different
change JtJemdj/ I и T] to make someone or something different and usually better. Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to change the situation. I Being at college has changed her - she seems much more confident now.
alter ;"э:кзг/ [и T] to change something so that it is better or more suitable-. The border was closed, and they were forced to alter their plans. I You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control.
108
Alter is more formal than change
. _ _J
make changes /,meik 'tjeind^z/ to
change some parts of a system or the way something is done, but not all of it: The
new boss said he intended to make a few changes.
+ to/in The manufacturer has agreed to make one or two changes to the computer's design.
reform rifoi'm, [и T] to change a law, system, or organization, so that it is fairer or more effective: plans to reform the voting system I Many people think that the abortion laws should be reformed.
adapt/modify /э'daept. mDdy"ai||mu:- [u T1 to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it suitable for a different purpose: How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? I a modified version of the original computer program I You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements, adapt/modify sth for sth The toilet facilities have been specially modified for use by people in wheelchairs. modifying - modified - have modified
to make something completely different
trans/orm /traens'fr/m/ [и T often in passive] to completely change something, especially so that it is much better: When she smiled. her face was completely transformed.
trans/orm sth into sth In the last 20 years, Korea has been transformed into a major industrial nation.
turn sth into sth 't3irn (sth) intus <sih)/
[phrasal verb T] to make something become a completely different thing, for example because you want to use it for a different purpose: We're planning to turn the study into an extra bedroom. I He turned Ajax into the most successful football team in Europe.
revolutionize (also revolutionise
British) /.reva'luijanaiz/ (u T] to completely and permanently change the way people do something or think about something, especially because of a new idea or invention: Computers have revolutionized the way we work.
Ы easy to change
flexible /'fleks'Ivl [adj] methods, systems, or rules that are flexible can easily be changed if necessary: flexible working hours I Your schedule should be flexible enough to cope with interruptions or unexpected tasks.
Ы a change
change ijeind.v [n СД1] when people or things become different: She found it hard to get used to all the changes at home. I A lot of people are frightened of change.
+ in House plants are often sensitive to changes in the temperature.
social/economic/political/technological
change 1989 was a year of great political change in Eastern Europe. big/major change There have been big changes in the way people learn languages.
a change for the better/worse (=one that makes a situation better cr worse) For most ordinary workers, the new tax laws represent a change for the worse.
alteration /^lureipn/ [n C/U] а
change, especially a small change - use this especially about changes in someone's feelings or behaviour, or about changes made to a plan or document + in Did you notice any alteration in the patient's behaviour? make alterations (to sth) We've made one or two small alterations, but the basic c/esign remains the same, minor alteration (=small alteration) After a few minor alterations. the proposal was accepted.
reform ri h:rm [n C/U] a change that is made to a political or legal system in order to make it fairer or more effective + of a reform of local government radical re/orm (=when things are changed very thoroughly) The Socialists have promised a programme cf radical soc/а/ reform.
revolution ,revs luipn [n C] a complete
and permanent change in the way people do things or think about things + in Piaget's ideas caused a revolution in education.
) CHANCE
scienti/ic/technological/social etc revolution The 1970s saw the beginnings of a new technological revolution, based on m ic roe I ectronics.
upheaval Ap hiiwl [n C/U] a big change in your life or in the way things are organized . especially when this causes problems and anxiety
+ for Moving to a different school can be a major upheaval for young children. social/poUtical/emotional etc upheaval
The recent civil war caused enormous social and economic upheaval.
В to change where you live, what you do etc
change t/emd3 [f J/TJ to change what
you do or use. where you go etc, and start doing or using something else instead: I'm thinking of changing my car (=selling it and getting another one) change jobs/schools/doctors etc (=change your job. the school you go to. the doctor you go to etc) Alex will be changing schools in September. change places/seats (=when two people sit in each other's seats) Would you mind changing places so I can sit next to my girlfriend?
change /гот sth to sth Britain only recently changed from the old system of weights and measures to the metric system,
move mu:v |v I/T) to go to live in a different house or city, or move the place where you work to a different office or city: Karen doesn't live here any more - she's moved.
move to (=go to another city or area) We moved to Memphis when I was eight, move into (=go to another house or building) The new offices should be ready for the company to move into very soon. move house/oj/ice British (=move from one house or office to another)
convert to sth konv'3;rt tu: (sth) [phrasal verb T) convert to Christianity/ Islam/Judaism etc to join a different religion from the one that you belonged to before: She converted to Catholicism at the time of her marriage.
В to change your plans, opinions, or decisions
change your mind ajeind^p:r 'maind/ to change your plans, opinions, or decisions: Are you still coming out tonight, or have you changed your mindP + about I've changed my mind about Terry - he's actually a pretty nice guy.
have second thoughts /hsv sekond
'Baits/ to feel less sure about something that vou intended to do, and start to won-
ш/
der whether you really want to do it: At first she was very interested in the idea. but then seemed to have second thoughts.
+ about Martin was having second thoughts about accepting the job.
get cold feet get .ksuld 'flit/ informal to
suddenly feel that you are not brave enough to do something that you intended to do: She's postponed the wedding - I wonder if she's getting cold feet.
come around (also come round
British) /(клт (o)'raond [phrasa/ verb 1] to gradually change your mind and begin to agree with someone, although you did not agree with them before: We had to work hard to persuade her, but she finally came around.
come around to sb's point of view/come around to an idea Giue him time, and I'm sure he'll come round to your point of view.
Ш willing to change your ideas, opinions, or the way you do something
flexible /'fleks^?!/ [adj] willing to change your ideas, plans, or methods according to the situation: Many employers say women are more flexible and better at team-work than men. + about Ken says he can be flexible about what time we start tomorrow.
CHANGE
adaptable /a'daeptstwl/ \adj\ someone who is adaptable does not get upset or annoyed if they have to change the way they do things, and easily gets used to a new situation: Children are often more adaptable than adults. ( I'm not sure Ken's adaptable enough to take a job abroad.
E2 not changing and always the same
permanent /'рз:гтэпэт [adj] something that is permanent continues forever or for a very long time: The accident left her
with permanent brain damage. I a permanent job 1 We're hoping to find a permanent solution to the problem.
fixed hkst [adj] use this about amounts, prices, or times that cannot be changed: Workers are paid a fixed rate per hour. I The classes begin and end at fixed times.
constant 'kunstpnt||'ka:n- [adj] use this about an amount or level that remains the same over a long period: An anima/ s
fur helps it to maintain a constant body temperature. ! The noise level remained constant throughout the day.
Steady stedi [adj] use this about an amount that remains the same or a process that continues in the same way over a long period, especially when this is
a good thing: They drove along at a steady 80 kilometres per hour. I a steady improvement steady - steadier - steadiest steadily [adv] The standard of living has been rising steadily for 20 years.
Stable steJb^l |adj\ use this about prices, amounts, or levels that are no longer changing, after a period when they were changing a lot: Fuel prices have become more stable after several increases last year. I His temperature remained stable throughout the night.
U!J unwilling to change your ideas or opinions
see also determined
Stubborn sub,vn' [adj] someone who is stubborn refuses to change their ideas or opinions, even when other people think they are being unreasonable: Mary didn't like admitting she was wrong - she could be very stubborn at times.
be set in your ways bi: set in p:r
weiz, someone who is set in their ways
по
does not want to change the way they do things, because they have done them in the same way for a long time: He's too old and set in his ways to change now.
11
changing a lot
changeable tjeindb^br?l [adj] something that is changeable changes often, so that you do not know what to expect next: In the mountains the weather is very changeable. I Regular drug users ojten experience changeable moods and panic attacks.
variable 'Wrbl»! [adj] changing according to the situation - use this about amounts, prices, speeds, temperatures etc: The price of fruit tends to be very variable.
CHEAP
^ opposite EXPENSIVE
spend
a. f ^ MONEY
n. /
PAY
BUY
see also
cost
i \
shop
not costing much money
cheap tJi:p {adj] something that is cheap costs very little money, or costs less than you expected: My shoes were really cheap - they only cost $15. i The
cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.
it is cheap to do sth It's cheaper to phone after six o'clock. relatively cheap (=cheap compared with other things) These wooden bouses are relatively cheap to build, get sth cheap (-buy something for а lower price than you expected) The jacket was slightly damaged, so I got it cheap. cheaply [adv] You can buy electronic diaries fairly cheaply nowadays.
inexpensive mikspensn* [adjj not expensive - use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: The furniture is inexpensive but well-made. \ a simple, inexpensive meal I Beans and lentils are an inexpensive source of protein.
Use inexpensive especially in written English.
Qnot cost much Iint km ,пш[\[
-'kxst- especially spoken to not be expensive: We had a very good meal and it didn't cost much.
it doesn't cost much to do sth It doesn't cost much to rent a TV.
economical екэ'птгпЫ*. ,i:-|-'na:-
[acij] cheap to use or cheap to do - use this about cars, machines, or ways of doing things that do not waste any money, fuel etc: We have a very economical heating system, so the bills aren't too high. be economical to use/run/operate This is a well-designed car that is also very economical to run.
it is more economical to do sth It's more economical to buy the big packet - it's only 50p more than the small one.
cheap but bad quality
cheap tji:p [adj usually before noun] something that is cheap does not cost much, and is clearly of bad quality: The tourist shops were full of cheap souvenirs. I an old woman smelling of cheap perfume
cheap and nasty British (=cheap and unattractive because it is of very bad quality} 1 wouldn't buy any of that jewellery - it's cheap and nasty.
when you get something good for a low price
be good value hi: god 'vaelju: to be
worth the price that you pay for it: The meals ot Charlie's Pizza are really good value.
A
in
CHEAP
good value for money There's a special ticket that means you can see six concerts, which is definitely good value for money.
Use a good buy about goods or products, but not about services such as travel, entertainment, or meals.
be a good buy bi: о ,gud bai something that is a good buy is worth the price you pay for it, because it is not expensive but is still good: The Brazilian white wine is a good buy at only £2.99 a bottle.
A
when the price has been reduced
sale sell/ (n С] a time when a shop sells things more cheaply than usual; The bookstore is having a closing-down sale. the sales British (=when a lot of shops sell things at reduced prices) the January sales I I bought this coat half price in the sales.
ОП sale /on seil, AMERICAN something that is on sale is being sold at a specially low price in a shop. "How much was your jacket?" 7 got it on sale in Montgomery
Wards for $45."
reduced /п'djuist||- du:st/ [adj not before noun] goods that are reduced are being sold at a lower price than usual: Everything is reduced because the store's closing down next month. + /rom ... to ... These CDs were reduced from $10 to $5.
Ј5/$20/10% etc off /(£5 etc) Щ-'xfj if
there is £5, $20, 10% etc off something, its usual price has been reduced by
that amount: 20% off all computers in
Dixon's summer sale I We got $10 off the chair because it had a small mark on it.
discount /'diskaont; [n C] a reduction in the price you pay for something, which is given for a special reason get a discount (=pay less) Do you get a discount if you pay in cash? 30%/Ј50 etc discount a 30% discount on all electrical goods
+ on Workers at the store get a discount on books and records. at a discount (=at a reduced price) Air UK are currently offering tickets to students at a special discount.
CHEAP 112
bargain, 'barg^n/ [n C, something that costs a lot less than you expect or a lot less than it usually costs: 1 got this shirt when I was in Thailand - it was a real bargain. I Did you get any bargains at the market?
reasonable 'riiz^nah?!/ [adj] reasonable prices seem fa:r because they are not too high: They sell good-quality hi-fi equipment at reasonable prices. I Only
£15 a night? That's very reasonable!
special offer /.spej^l 'Df3r||-3if-/ (n С] а very low pnce that a shop sells something
for, in order to persuade more people to buy things in that shop: Today's special offer: melons at only 20p a kilo!
CHEAT
THICK/DECEIVE LIE 2
\ /
see
HONEST
also
DISHONEST
I
TRUST/NOT TRUST
to get money or possessions from someone dishonestly
cheat tji't [и T] to get money or possessions from someone dishonestly: He always thinks that people in shops are trying to cheat him.
cheat sb out of sth She says she was cheated out of $10.000 she paid to a modeling agency.
swindle 'swindl/ (и T] to get money from
a person or organization by cheating them, especially using clever and complic ated methods: He was jailed in 1992 for attempting to swindle the insurance company he worked for. swindle sb out of sth Investors have beer, swindled out of millions of
pounds.
Qcon /kon||ka:n [и T] especially spoken to persuade someone to buy something or to give you money by telling them lies con sb out of sth A man pretending to be a faith healer has conned around £20,000 out of desperate sick people. con sb into doing sth They conned her into leaving a blank credit card slip as a deposit.
conning - conned - have conned
Jlddle ,'fidl (и T] British informal to give false information or make dishonest changes in financial records, in order to get money or avoid paying money: My boss thinks I've been fiddling my travel expenses.
to make someone pay too
much money for something
overcharge /|3ov3ritja:rdi [v I/T] to
make someone pay too much for something in a shop, a restaurant, a taxi etc: Garage mechanics are twice as likely to overcharge women car-owners than men.
overcharge sb for sth The meal was good, but we were overcharged for the
wine.
Qrip off /Пр <0ff':>:f [phrasal verb T) spoken informal to make someone pay much more than the usual price for something
rip sb off They really ripped us off at that hotel.
rip ojf sb The bars by the sea make huge profits by ripping off tourists.
Qfl rip-off ь 'rip of||-o;f/ [n singular] spoken informal if something is a rip-off, it is much too expensive and you think that someone is trying to cheat you: "It cost £200 to get it fixed." 'What a rip-off!" a complete/total rip-off The meal cost me $80 - it was a total rip-off.
В to cheat in an examination or game
cheat yt/iit/ [и II to use dishonest methods
in order to pass an examination or win a game: Anyone caught cheating will automatically fail the exam. + at Jenny always cheats at cards, cheating [n Ц when someone cheats in an examination or game: Cheating is becoming fairly common in professional football.
0 when people are dishonest in order to get money
jidd(e the books//iddle the accounts
(^change a company's financial records) The company secretary has been fiddling the books for years.
fraud yfioidy In C/U] the crime of getting money dishonestly from a big organization, for example by giving false information or changing documents, especially over a long period: Big losses due to theft and fraud
forced the company to close. I Credit card fraud is very common.
В
Qscam -sk$m/ [n C] spoken informal а clever plan for dishonestly getting money or advantages for yourself: They set fire to the house in order to get the insurance money - it was all a big scam, a tax scam (=to avoid paying tax)
someone who cheats
cheat /tji:t/ [n С) someone who behaves dishonestly, especially in an examination or game: Bergsfrom accused his opponent of being a cheat.
con man /'коптаепЦ'кадп-; [n C] informal. someone who gets money by cheating people or lying to them: a hancfsome con man who charms women into giving him money, then simply disappears from their lives
wrong
SAFE
I ■ h iг : (/crimen
CHECK
look at 2
see also
RIGtfT
mistake
to make sure that something is true or correct
check дJek/ [и I/Г] to do something in order to find out whether something is really true or correct: "Are you sure this is the right phone number?" "Yes, Toe just checked1 Remember to check your spellings in a dictionary. + (that) I'll just check I locked the door. I Check that the meat is cooked thoroughly before serving it. + whether She went back to the apartment to check whether he'd been home.
make sure /melk to that a
situation really is the way you want or expect it to be: I don't think Sarah's back
113
CHECK
yet, but you can knock on her door just to make sure.
CHILD
+ (that) I phoned the hotel to make sure that they had reserved a room for us. I Make sure there are no cars behind you
before you drive off. double-check /.cUM tjek; [v 1/Tj to
check a second time, so that you are completely sure: "Did you switch the heating off?" "Yes, I double-checked." I I can't have got it wrong! i checked and double- checked all my calculations.
114
someone's son or daughter
child /tjaild/ [n C| someone's son or daughter, of any age: She called her first child Katrin. I The house seems very quiet now all the children have left home. I One of her children lives in Australia now.
only child (=a child who has no brothers or sisters)
children
CHILD
adult
baby ^ ^ ^ age
N
family
YOUNC
see
also
father
4 v
MOTHER
a child
child 'tjaild/ [n C] a young person from the time they are born until they are aged about 14 or 15: How many children are there in your class? I Children under 14 travel
You usually call a very young child that
free. I Every child was given a present. pImiyi] children
^^ you usually сан a very cannot walk or talk a baby.
kid /kid/ [n C] informal a child: A gang of kids were playing in the yard. 1 / really enjoy working with kids. I Jamie's a bright kid.
boy /boi/ [n C| a male child: I used to live in Spain when / was a boy. I Harry teaches in a boys' school in Glasgow. little boy (=a very young boy) Her best friend was a little boy called Sam.
9irt /g3:rl/(n C] a female child: What's that girl's name? I More girls than ever before are choosing to study science. little girl (=a very young girl) A little girl was sitting on the front doorstep.
toddler /todbf|'ta:d-/ [n C| a very young
child who has just learned to walk: As a toddler; he Luas attacked and injured by the family's pet dog.
kid /kid, [л С] informal, someone's son or daughter - use this about children aged up to 14 or 15. All I ever wanted was to get married and have kids. I Could you look after the kids this evening?
son /safi/ [л С] someone's male child: We have two teenage sons. I Her son used to work in Scotland.
daughter do:t3r [n C] someone's female child Our eldest daughter has just left university. I My aunt had five daughters and three sons
Qlittle boy/little girl /in! boi, Jul
g3irI/ [n C] spoken someone's young son or daughter; Paula's had to go home - her little girl's sick I "How old's your little boy?' "He's three."
a child whose parents have died
orphan jyjfjnj |n С] a child whose parents
have died: Leila was an orphan whose parents had been killed in the war.
the time when someone is a child
A
childhood /-tjaildhod/ [n U] the time when someone is a child: They've known each other since childhood, early childhood (=the time when you are very young) I spent my early childhood living with my aunt and uncle.
You can also use childhood before a
noun, like an adjective: childhood illnesses I He was deeply affected by those early childhood experiences.
in in/ancy/during in/ancy /ln'mfsn-
si, .djiwriq m fens i||, dor- formal while someone is a baby or a very young child - use this especially to talk about children dying or getting diseases. Three of her children died in infancy.
CHOOSE
^ see also decide, vote, must
D to choose something
choose /tjuiz [u I/T] to decide which one of several things or possibilities you want: I can't decide what I want. You choose. I Will you help me choose a present for Warren?
choose to do sth Why do so few women choose to become engineers? + whether/which/when etc It took her three hours to choose which dress to wear.
+ between (=choose one of two things) We have to choose between doing geography or studying another language. + from (=choose from among several things) Viewers in Ireland can choose from up to 20 TV channels.
choosing - chose - have chosen
pick /pik/ [и T] to choose something, especially without thinking carefully about it: "Can I borrow a book to read?" ''Yes. pick whatever you taant." I Pick a number from one to five.
Pick is more informal than choose or
select.
select s.Vlekt [и T] formal to choose something by carefully thinking about which is best or most suitable: We asked Steve to help us select music for the wedding. 1 Our wines have been carefully selected from vineyards through out Europe.
decide ОП Sth di'said on (sth)]|-a:n- Iphrasal verb T) to finally choose something, especially when making the decision has been difficult or has taken a long time. Have you decided on a name for the baby yet?
Qgo for sth /'gau tv (sth)/ [phrasal verb T| spoken informal to choose something because you think it is the most attractive, interesting, or enjoyable: She always goes for the most expensive thing on the menu.
make a choice ,meik о tjbis to make a decision, especially a difficult decision, about which thing to choose: You haue to make a choice now. Which of these two jobs do you want?
make the right/wrong choice He's decided to study law - I hope he's made the right choice.
opt Dpt||a:pt/ |u I] to choose something after thinking carefully about all the possibilities
+ for More and more British drivers are opting for Japanese cars, opt to do sth When her parents divorced, Mary Ann opted to live with
her father. ZjA Opt is used especially in newspapers, j
ZA to choose someone for a job or a team
choose tjuiz [v T] to decide who is the
best person for a job, team, prize etc: Companies are now using computers to help them choose new workers. choose sb as sth The judges have chosen Pat Barker as this year's Booker Prize winner.
choose sb to do sth Eventually, Jane ioas chosen to deliver the message. choosing - chose - have chosen
select \Vleki [и T] formal to choose someone for a particular job, team, place at school etc, after considering a lot of different people who might be suitable: The college selects only 12 students from the thousands who apply, select sb for sth We selected four ap plicants for interview, select sb to do sth Ernst has been selected to play in the game against Belgium.
appoint 3'point/ [u T] to officially choose someone to do an important job: The company has appointed a new Sales Director.
115
CHOOSE
appoint sb as sth They have appointed Jane Staller as their new East Coast manager.
the decision you make when you choose
choice tJr>is [n C] It was a difficult choice, but we finally decided that Hannah should have the prize. I These are the two designs that I like best. I'm leaving the final choice to you.
something or someone that has been chosen
choice iJdis (n singular] something or
someone that has been chosen
Just/second etc choice (=the thing you wanted most, the thing you wanted most after that etc) Greece was our first choice for a vacation, but all the flights were full.
sb's choice of sth (=the thing someone chooses) I don t like his choice of friends.
selection /ч''1е]фп [n C] a small group of the best things that have been chosen from a larger group
+ of Kaori showed me a selection of her drawings. I a selection of songs from 'West Side Story'
the things or people that you can choose from
choice /tj3,S// [n singular/U] all the differ ent things or people that you can choose from
CHOOSE 116
appoint sb to do sth A committee was appointed to consider changes to the
Prison Service.
pick pik, [у T| to choose someone for а sports team or an important job: Joe picked Steve and Terry to be on his team. I a change in the way the Conservative Party picks its leader
A Pick is more informal than choose select or appoint
+ of The school seems OK, but there isn V a great choice of courses. have a choice o/{=be able to choose from several things) You will have a choice of twelve questions in the exam. wide/90od choice (=a lot of things to choose from) There is a wide choice of hotels and hostels in the town.
option /'oppnifoip- [n C] one of the
things that you can choose to do in a situation: There were only two options either we told Mr Greaves what we'd done, or said nothing and hope he didn 7 find out
keep your options open (=delay choosing
so that yo j continue to have several things to choose from) She hasn t decided which college to go to yet - she's keeping her options open.
alternative /^t^notiv; [n C] one of two
or more ways of doing something: Check out all the alternatives when deciding which class you want to go to. have no alternative (=to not have a choice about what to do or how to do it) He says he doesn 't want to see a doctor but I'm afraid he has no alternative.
selection si'Jekpn In singular) a selection of cakes, wines, clothes, books etc is a lot of different cakes, wines etc for you to choose from, especially in a shop + of A wonderful selection of cakes and pastries was displayed in the window. wide/large selection (=a lot of things to choose from) The restaurant offers you a wide selection of local dishes.
someone who is very careful about choosing things
choosy ':ju:/.i [adj not before noun] inkor mal someone who is choosy chooses things carefully and only wants the things that they think are the best: / get offered а lot of work now. so I can be more choosy. + about She's very choosy about what airline she travels on.
/ussy/picky fASK pik) [acjjj [NK)KMAI
someone who is picky or fussy is difficult
to please because they only like a few thingsand will only accept exactly what they want: Don't be so pickyl Eat what you are given.
+ about She was always very fussy about her clothes.
picky//ussy eater (=someone who will only eat the few things they like)
selective si/lektiv/ [adj not before noun] careful about what you choose, so that you only choose the best or most suitable things
CLASS IN SOCIETY
class based on your job, your family, how much you earn etc
if you mean 'a class in a school',
go tO education
see also position/rank
D someone's social class
ГЩ':
class /kla:s||klss/ (n C/U| the social group that you belong to because of your job, the type of family you come from, or the amount of money you have: Success in this country seems to be based on class rather than on ability, t the professional and managerial classes the class system (=the system by which society is divided into classes) The old class system is slowly disappearing. social class (=the class in society you come from) There is a clear link between social class and educational achievement.
classes
background /'bakgraond/ In CI the type of home and family that you come from, and its social class: The school takes kids from all sorts of backgrounds, I We come from the same town and have a similar background.
+ about People are becoming more and more selective about what foods they buy.
working-class/middleclass etc background The organization helps children from working-class backgrounds to go to university.
Ж The upper classes means the same as . the upper class-
Qposh <poJl|pa:J7 ledj] bhttish spoken someone who is posh behaves and speaks in a way in which upper-class people usually behave or speak: Will your posh university friends be coming tonight?
posh school/hotel/restaurant etc (-one
that is very expensive, that rich people go to) She went to a posh girls' school in Switzerland.
!д People often use the word posh when they are making fun of other people.
the aristocracy jdi .aer^'stDkresil-'sta:-/
[n singular] the people who belong to families that own a lot of land, and used to have a lot of power, and have special titles before their names, like Lord or 'Lady' - used especially when you are talking about the past: senior members of the British aristocracy I the French aristocracy
the middle class
117
CUSS IN SOCIETY
middle-class /,midl *kla:s<<||-'klaes<«/ [adj]
belonging to the class of people who are usually well educated, fairly rich, and who work in jobs which they have trained for a long time to do; for example, doctors, lawyers, and managers are middle-class: a newspaper whose readers are mostly middle-class I They live in a middle-class neighbourhood on the edge of town. the middle class/the middle classes (=people who are middle-class) The government needs the support of the middle classes to win the next election.
A The middle classes means the same as the middle dass-
В the highest class
upper-class /лрэг klais^-'klaes*/ [adj\
belonging to the class of people who originally had most of the money and power, especially families that own a lot of land: Most senior politicians in the UK are from upper-class families. I He spoke with an upperclass accent. the upper class/the upper classes ^people who are upper class) In South America, the upper classes tend to be European in origin.
white-collar wait kobr«||-'ka:-/ [adj only before noun] white-collar worker/job/
employee someone who works in an office, not a factory, mine etc: The economic recession has put many white-collar workers in danger of losing their jobs.
the lowest class
working-class /,W3irkiq 'kiais^-'klaes*/ (ad;) belonging to the class of people who do not have much money or power, and
who have jobs where they do physical work; for example, factory workers, builders, and drivers are working-class: Most of the people who live round here are working-class. I He's from a working- class background.
the working class/the working classes
(=people who are working class) Cuts in welfare spending affect the working class most.
tx The working classes means the same as the working class
blue-collar ;Wu: knlor«||-'ku:- |adj only before noun] blue-collar worker/job/ employee someone who does physical work, for example in a factory or a mine, and does not work in an office; His political support comes mainly from blue- collar workers.
underclass Andorklu:s||-kI&s [n singular] the lowest social class, who are very poor and may not have jobs, homes etc: The government has created an underclass who do not feel they have any rights in society.
В someone who cares too much about social class
snob snob||snu:b [n C] someone who thinks that they are better than people from a lower social class, and does not want to talk to them or be friends with them: My mother was such a snob she wouldn't let me play with the local children
snobbish /'snnbiJI'snuib- [adj] someone
who is snobbish thinks that they are better than people from a lower social class: Snobbish home-owners are protesting about a refugee family moving into their street.
CLEAN
not dirty
opposite dirty
see also tidy, shine, wash
CLASS IN SOCIETY
/К Don't confuse clean (=not dirty) and tidy (=when everything is neatly arranged and is in the right place).
D clean
clean kli:n \odj] not dirty: He changed into a clean shirt. I I'll put some clean sheets on the bed. I New houses are much easier to keeo clean.
nice and clean/lovely and clean British
(=very clean) Our hotel room was lovely
and clean.
clean water/air (=with no harmful substances in it) What the villagers need most is a supply of clean drinking water.
spotlessly clean/spotless spntbsli
kliin. spDtl3s||.spci:t-/ [aaj] completely clean - use this about clothes, rooms, or houses:
Nina keeps the kitchen absolutely spot
less. I He was wearing a spotlessly clean white shirt.
hygienic /haid3i:nik||-d;se-, -d3i:- [ad)\ clean so that diseases cannot spread; You shouldn't let the cat walk on the table. It's not hygienic. ! Meat products must always be kept in hygienic conditions.
to make something clean
clean kli:n [v I/T| to make something clean by removing the dirt, dust etc: I clean the windows every Saturday, i Tony was cleaning his car. I How often do you clean the kitchen? clean sth up/clean up sth (-remove dirt by cleaning, especially in a room, from a
floor etc) There was mud all ouer the car
pet, and it took me a long time to clean it up.
с lean your teeth British / always clean my teeth last thing at night. + behind/under etc Make sure you clean behind the stove, cleaning [n U] when you clean things, especially in a room, or a house: I hate cleaning!
do the cleaning Her husband does most of the cleaning.
Д You can also say gjve something a clean in British English, and it means the same as c|ean something > decided to give my bedroom a clean.
spring-clean sPrirJ kliin [u I/T] to clean
118
your whole house very thoroughly, including things that you do not clean very
Wipe waip \v T] to remove dirt or liquid from something using a slightly wet cloth: The waiter was wiping the tables.
wipe sth. up/wipe up
sth (=remove something from a surface by wiping) If you spill any paint, wipe it up immediately.
dust /dASt/' lv I/T] to
remove dust from furniture, shelves etc using a soft cloth: Take the ornaments off the shelf and dust them. + behind/under etc She didn't often dust behind the clock on the mantelpiece.
scrub
polish /'pDliJII'po:- [t> T] to make something clean and shiny, for example your shoes or a piece of furniture, by rubbing it with a cloth or brush: She polished the piano until the wood shone. I a polished wooden floor
to dean something with a brush
brush /ыл;/ [и T] to clean something with a brush: You should brush your jacket - it's covered in dust. brush sth off I brushed the crumbs off the sofa. brush your teeth Have you brushed your teeth yet?
Scrub ДглЬ/ lv T] to
often: Barry spent the weekend spring- cleaning. I I want to spring-clean the whole apartment before Easter.
to dean something with a cloth
wipe
dust
clean something by rubbing it hard with a brush and some water or soap: I had a job in a restaurant, washing the dishes and scrubbing the floors. I Scrub the potatoes and boil them for 5-10
minutes.
scrubbing - scrubbed - have scrubbed
sweep swi:p \v T] to clean the floor or the
ground using a brush with a long handle: When everyone had left, Ed swept the
floor.
sweep up sth/sweep
sth up (-remove something from a floor by sweeping) Can you help me sweep up all the pieces of glass?
vacuum
sweeping - swept - have swept
to dean something with a special cleaning machine
vacuum (also hoover
British) /'vaekjusm, -kjom, huiv9r/ [u I/T| to clean something using a special machine that sucks dirt into a bag inside the machine: Have you vacuumed all the carpets?
when you keep things clean to prevent disease
hygiene /'haidjkn/ [n U] methods you use to make sure that everything is completely clean, especially in order to prevent disease: Lack of hygiene attracted large numbers of rats.
personal hygiene (^keeping your body clean) Some kids just aren't interested in personal hygiene.
disinfect dis^n'fekt/ {v T] to use chem icals to clean a place, a piece of equipment. or a wound, in order to prevent disease: She cleaned and disinfected the cuts on his hands. I Disinfect the toilet
regularly using bleach.
sterilize (also sterilise brftish) ,'ster'-
sweep
119
CLEAN
laiz/ [и T] to make something safe to use by heating it or using chemicals, in order to prevent disease - use this about medical or scientific equipment or babies' bottles: Has the needle been sterilized? I Babies' bottles can be sterilized simply by boiling them in water.
someone whose job is to clean things
cleaner ,к1':пэГ/ tn C] someone who is paid to clean a house or office: We finish work at six, and then the cleaners come in. I a window cleaner
cleaner's/dry cleaner's ^li:n9rz drai
'kfi:ri3rz/ [n Cj a shop where you can take your clothes to be cleaned, especially with chemicals, not water: My best suit is at the dry cleaner's. I Can you collect my dress from the cleaner's?
what you use to clean things with
detergent /d^^d^m/ In C/U] a liquid or
powder tnat you use to wash dishes or clothes: What brand of detergent do you use?
cleaner к1кпэг/ [n C/U] toilet/carpet/
oven etc cleaner a substance that you use to clean toilets, carpets, ovens etc
disinfectant /.disin'fektant/ [n C/U] а
chemical that you use for cleaning toilets, sinks etc, which helps prevent disease
bleach ln d stron9 chemical that
you use to clean a place or surface completely, in order to prevent disease
CLEAR/NOT CLEAR
look here for ...
# easy or difficult to see e easy or difficult to understand
if you mean 'something that you can see through', go to SEЈ 7
instructions/rules/ explanations etc
• 566 a'S0 UNDERSTAND/NOT UNDERSTAND, EXPLAIN, INSTRUCTIONS
CLEAN
clear [adj] something that is clear is easy to understand because it is said or written in a simple way - use this especially about explanations, instructions, or rules: Her article is a clear and readable introduction to the subject. + about/on The instructions aren't very clear on what you're supposed to do if there's a fire.
objects/views etc
clear к'|эГ [adj] something that is clear is easv to see: There was a clear view across the valley.
clearlu We could see the harbour lights shining clearly in the distance.
facts/reasons/situations etc
obvious "pbvi3s||'a:b-/ [adj] something that is obvious is very easy to notice or understand: There is an obvious con пес tion. between the two murders. I "Why is she /eauing?" "Well, it's obvious, isn't it?"
it is obvious that It was obvious that there was something wrong, it is obvious to sb It must be obvious to everyone that we cannot continue in this way.
for obvious reasons (=when the reasons
are so obvious that you do not need to say what they are) For obvious reasons we have had to cancel tonight's perfor mance.
clear [ac^l ^ ^ с^еат ^at something is true, it is easy to notice that it is
true and you feel sure about it and have no
doubts
it is dear that It was clear that she was very upset by what had happened. it is clear to sb It was clear to me that my father was dying. it becomes clear It soon became clear that there were not enough police offi cers to deal with the situation, dear evidence! example I sign. There is clear evidence that some vitamins reduce your chances of getting cancer.
obviously/clearly /obvi^sli, кИэ'НЦ
+ to The rules seem clear enough to me.
make it clear (that) Barlow made it very
clear that he did not agree with us.
clearlu I06^] The teacher explained everything to us very clearly.
120
'a:b-/ laaujlise this to emphasize that it is easy to see that something is true.- We're obviously going to need more help. I Clearly, the situation is more complicated than we first thought. I 7s she pleased with the decision?" U0bviously notГ I The children were clearly upset.
Д Don't say 'it is obviously that' or 'it is clearly that'. Say it is obvious that or it is clear that
A Obviously is used in spoken and written English. Clearly js more formal, and is used mostly in written English.
can. tell кэп tel,; to know that something must be true because you can see signs that show this
+ (that) I can tell that he isn't happy. I Even though it was dark, she could tell it was him.
+ by I could tell by the way she walked that her leg was still hurting.
it is easy to see It iz ,i:zi si: if it is
easy to see that something is true, it is very easy for anyone to notice or understand that fact
+ (that) It's easy to see that he isn 't well. + how/why/what It's easy to see why this car is so'popular I It's easy to see how the mistake was made.
noticeable 'nooi^sob,?! [adj] a noticeable change, difference, or fact is easy to notice: a noticeable difference in temperature
it is noticeable that (=it is easy for people to notice something) It was noticeable that she had invited everyone except Gail noticeably [adu] When I showed him the letter, Simmons became noticeably nervous.
blatant / bleit^nt [adj usually before noun] use this about something tha: someone does which is clearly bad. but which they do not seem to be ashamed of: This is a He. a blatant lie! I The company's refusal to hire him was a blatant act of discrimination. blatantly [adu] blatantly racist comments
not easy to understand
unclear/not clear /Ankli3r, not kh?r
[ad/] use this about something that is difficult to understand because there is not enough information or it has not been explained well: The reasons for his resig nation are still unclear. + whether/what/why etc It's not clear why Parks didn't go straight to the police. I It is unclear whether the Princess will agree to the new arrangements.
121 CLEAR/NOT CLEAR
+ about / lis ideas are good, but he's very unclear about how he's going to achieve them.
ambiguous aem'bigju^s [adj] use this about something that someone says or writes that has more than one meaning
and could be confusing: The last part of her letter was deliberately ambiguous. ambiguously jadu] The contract was
worded ambiguously.
vague ,veig [adj] use this about something that someone says or writes that is not clear because they do not give enough details: Police say the warning about the bomb was too vague and too late. + about He was rather vague about the reasons why he never finished school. vaguely [a<iu] The man is vaguely described as medium build with brown hair'.
confusing kon (jui/nj [adj] a confusing
situation, explanation, story etc is difficult to understand because there does not seem to be a clear pattern or order to it: There are so many rules and regulations - it's all very confusing. I I found the bock really confusing. I kept forgetting who the characters were.
not easy to see or notice
/aint 'feint/ [adj] a faint sound, smell, image etc is one you can only just hear, smell, or see: His voice was so faint I could hardly hear it. I A faint smell of perfume wafted down the corridor I the faint morning light
Subtle sAtl [adj] a subtle change or difference is difficult to notice unless you look closely or think about it carefully: The patterns look the same at first, but there are subtle differences between them. I subtle changes in his character I a subtle flavour
blurred bb:rd [adj] if a picture or image is blurred, you can see its general shape, but the edges are not clear: The photographs were very blurred. I Everything looks blurred when I take my glasses off.
climb klami (o I/T] to u .> climb
move up towards the top of a wall, mountain, tree etc, using your hands and feet: Most kids love climbing trees. I Trying not to look down, Alan began to climb.
+ up/over/onto etc
Several fans climbed onto the roof of the arena to get a better view. climb down (=go down a wall, tree etc using your hands and feet) The prisoner had escaped by climbing down a drainpipe.
climbing hills or mountains as a sport
climbing 'klaimir) [n U] the sport of
climbing nills or mountains: Eua's hobbies are horse-riding, climbing, and aerobics. I climbing boots
rock climbing (=the sport of climbing up steep rocks and cliffs)
mountaineering '.maontj^Nmr).- [n U]
the sport of climbing high mountains using special equipment: Mountaineering can be a very dangerous sport.
climber 'klaima1 [n C] someone who
see also up, down, land and sea
to climb up something
CLIMB
CLIMB
climbs hills or rocks as a sport, especially using special equipment: The search is continuing for a group of climbers reported missing in the Alps region. | an experienced climber
fashionable/UNFASHIONABLE
tight ^ t ^ material 2 ^ 1
see
в r— also — ^
loose ^^ design
4 \
FASTEN/ DESCRIBING
UNFASTEN PEOPLE
clothes
clothes klooz [n plural] things that
IX Don't confuse clothes (=things you wear) and cloth (=the material that clothes are made from).
Don't say 'a nice clothes'. Just say nice clothes-
A\ Don't use clothing to talk about your own clothes or a particular person's clothes, except in very official situations: I spilled coffee all over my clothes (not 'my clothing'). I The police said that some blood was found on the dead woman's clothing.
you wear for example, coats, shirts, and dresses: I need to buy some new clothes. I He was wearing summer clothes even 'though it was quite cold. I The other girls were all dressed up in their best clothes. I There are lots of good clothes shops in Covent Garden.
Л
You can use clothes before a noun, ; like an adjective: a clothes shop I a clothes j line (-for hanging wet clothes on) |
С lot King klotx>ii] [n U | clothes in general
- use this either to talk about a particular type of clothes, or to talk about a large
quantity of clothes: Charities have been
delivering food and clothing to the disaster area.
warm/light/protective/outdoor clothing
122
CLOTHES
Make sure that you take plenty of warm clothing - it can be very cold up there. piece/item of clothing (=one thing that you wear, for example a shirt or a dress) formal There was nothing in the chest apart from a few items of clothing.
L\ You can also use clothing before a noun, like an adjective; the clothing industry
Qsomething to wear sAmBii] ta
In questions and negatives, say anything to wear. / haven't got anything to wear to jim's party.
'weor spoken clothes, especially clothes that you can wear for a particular event or occasion: / must buy something to wear for Julia's wedding.
clothes that you wear together as a set
suit 'suit, sju:t||su:t/ \n C] a pair of trousers or a skirt, which you wear with a short coat made of the same material: She wore a black suit for the interview. I Bob was wearing a business suit.
A
outfit /'aot.fit/ \n C] a set of clothes that look attractive together, which you wear for a special occasion: I bought a new outfit for Kate's birthday party. I Natalie was wearing a blue and purple outfit.
Use outfit to describe clothes worn by women and children. Don't use it about men's clothes.
uniform /'jj:nJ,fb:rm/ [n C/U] a set of clothes that are worn by all the people who belong to a particular organization, for example by soldiers, police officers, or schoolchildren: Do you have to wear a uniform if you work at McDonald's? school uni/orm / used to hate wearing school uniform.
in uni/orm (^wearing uniform) We sau/ two nurses in uniform.
Qthings /6it]z/ [n plural] swimming/ football/tennis etc things spoken the clothes that you wear for swimming, playing football etc: Don't forget to bring your swimming things when we go to Brighton
costume /'kDsyom||'ka:stu:m/ [n C/U] a set
of clothes that you wear for acting in a play or performance: The children were all wearing colourful costumes for the festival procession. I I didn't like the play much but the costumes were brilliant.
national costume (=the traditional clothes of a country) The dancers were dressed in Ukrainian national costume
to wear clothes
wear /we3r. [v T] to have clothes, shoes.
A
glasses, jewellery etc on your body: She was wearing shorts and sandals. I Dave doesn t wear his wedding ring any more, wear black/red/green etc (=wear black clothes, red clothes etc) I never wear black - it makes me look too pale. wearing - wore - have worn
Be careful to use the right tense with wear. Say he/she is wearing when you are talking about what clothes someone is wearing now: Сatriona is wearing a green jacket and jeans. Say he/she wears when talking about the clothes that someone usually wears: Gina always wears a suit for work.
in jmj [preposition] in a suit/in a red dress etc wearing a suit, a red dress etc: There was a man in a linen suit standing at the bar. I a couple of girls in jeans and T-shirts
have on ,haev ЪпЦ-'спп/ [phrasa/ verb T] to be wearing clothes, shoes, glasses, or jewellery: She had on a red hat and a pair of matching shoes. have sth on All the men had suits on.
be dressed bi: drest/ to be wearing clothes: We'll leave as soon as Stuart is dressed.
put on
+ in They were all dressed in T-shirts and jeans. I a woman dressed in green be dressed as sb (=wearing clothes that make you look like someone else) Some of the children were dressed as soldiers.
to put on clothes
put on put on||-'a:n [phrasal verb T] to put on a piece of clothing put sth on Put your coat on if you 're going out.
put on sth She put on
her bathrobe and went downstairs.
get dressed /get
123
CLOTHES
drest' to put on all your
CLOTHES
clothes: Go and get dressed - it's nearly time for school. I Sandra's in the bed room getting dressed.
try ОП trai on|j-'o:n, [phrasal verb T] to put on a piece of clothing, to see if it fits
you and if it looks nice on you
try sth on If you like the shoes, why
don't you try them on?
try on sth f tried on a beautiful coat, but
it was too big.
dress up/get dressed up '.dres 'лр.
take off
gel drest 'лр/ to put on clothes that are suitable for a special or formal occasion: We always get dressed up for church. I It's an informal party, so you don't need to dress up.
to take off clothes
take off /,tcik 'ofll-'oif'
[phrasa/ verb T] to remove a piece of clothing that you were
wearing
take stK off Why don't
She took off her jumper.
it around my
A
you take your coat off? I If I take my glasses off. 1 can hardly see anything. take off sth He took off his jacket and put shoulders.
Don't say 'he put off his clothes'. Say he took off his clothes
get undressed /rget An'drest to take off
all your clothes, especially before going to bed: She got undressed and went to bed.
undress /An'dres/ [u Ij written to take off all your clothes, especially before going to bed: Paul went into the bathroom to undress.
get changed /get tjeind^d, to take off
your clothes and put on different clothes: The first thing I do when I get home from school is get changed. I Are you going to get changed before the party?
change /tjeinds/ [v l/T] to take off all or some of your clothes and put some different clothes on: I'll just change my shirt and I'll be with you in a minute. + into She changed into a sweater and some jeans.
124
describing people's
clothes
tight tait [adj] tight clothes fit your body very closely: These jeans are too tight - I can't get them on. 1 a tight miniskirt
loose luis [adj] loose clothes do not fit your body tightly, so you feel comfortable when you wear them: She wore a loose sweater and leggings. I Loose clothes are best in summer.
baggy /'b<egi: [adj] baggy trousers, shirts etc are designed to be big and loose and they hide the shape of your body: He was wearing baggy jeans and a T-shirt. I a
comfortable baggy sweater
well -dressed weldresN [adjl someone
who is well-dressed is wearing good quality clothes and looks as if they have taken a lot of care about how they look: The photograph showed a well-dressed man in his ecrly 50s.
fashionable fjepnotvl [adj] fashionable clothes are in a style that is popular at the moment: Long skirts are very fashionable these days. I a pair of fashionable and expensive-looking trainers
smart smui't [adj] British if you look smart or your clothes are smart, you are dressed in an attractive way and you look very tidy: a smart suit I You look really smart today, Paul. Have you got a job interview or something?
casual /кжзиЫ [adj] casual clothes are comfortable clothes that you wear when you are relaxing, not clothes that you wear on formal occasions: a casual jacket
scruffy /нкглП |adj] people or clothes that are scruffy look dirty and untidy: Change out of those scruffy jeans. I You look too scruffy to go out to a restaurant.
match .maetj [y I/T] if clothes match each other, or if they match, they look good together, especially because they are a similar colour: That shirt doesn't match your jacket.
+ out of Ed went upstairs to change out of his work clothes.
hat/scai//tie to match (=the same colour as something else) I've got some blue shoes - now I need a bag to match.
Suit /su:t' sju:t|su.t/ [и T] if a piece of clothing or a type of clothing suits you, it looks good on you: Short skirts don't really suit me.
fit 'fit/ It) I/n if clothes fit, they are the right size: He's put on so much weight that his clothes don't fit any more. I Do those shoes still fit you?
fitting - fitted иК fit -w) - have
fitted
В the way that clothes look
Style /stail/ [n C] the way that clothes look and how they have been designed: I like the colour, but I don't really like the style. I 70s styles are coming back into fashion.
Q wearing no clothes
Qhave nothing on haev ,пл6п] nn
especially spoken to not be wearing any clothes: Don't come in yet - I have nothing on!
Have nothing on your/eet I had nothing on my feet and some of the stones were really sharp.
naked /'neikjd/ [adj] wearing no clothes - use this especially when it is surprising that someone is not wearing clothes: He was lying on the bed completely naked. I The magazine was full of pictures of naked men.
stark naked (also buck naked american)
^completely naked) She was standing there stark naked.
undressed /^ndrest/ [adj] wearing no clothes, because you have just taken them off, for example to have a bath or go to bed: She went upstairs to make sure that the children were all undressed and ready for bed.
bare /Ьеэг/ [adj] a part of your body that is bare is not covered by any clothes: My arms were bare and they got badly sunburned. \ In summer all the kids go around in bare feet.
COLD
m opposite H0T
see also WC1- dry/ weather
II weather
cold kaold/ [adj] a cold January morning I This is the coldest winter we've had for years.
it's cold (=the weather is cold) Put your gloues on - it's cold outside today! freezing cold (=extremely cold) It gets freezing cold at night in the mountains. bitterly cold (^extremely cold and unpleasant) a bitterly cold north wind
the cold /Аэ 'kaoldj [n singular] cold weather - use this to emphasize how unpleasant and uncomfortable it is outside: Come in. Don't stand out there in
the cold!
cool kuil [adj] cold in a pleasant way,
especially after the weather has been hot: a cool sea breeze
it's cool (=the weather is cool) Although the days are very hot, it 's much cooler at night.
chilly /ФЬ/ [adj] cold, but not extremely cold: a chilly morning in April it's chilly (=the weather is chilly) It's getting chilly ~ I think we'll go inside.
/rosty / frosti||'fro:sti [adj] very cold, when even^hing is covered in a thin white layer of ice, and the sky is often very bright and clear: a bright frosty morning
freezing /'friizii]/ [adj] extremely cold, so that rivers, streams etc turn to ice: The freezing weather continued all through February.
freezing cold (=the weather is extremely
cold) It was freezing cold outside.
it's freezing I'd never go on holiday there - it's always frezing.
Q person
cold /kauld/ [adj not before noun] feeling cold
be cold Dad, I'm cold. Can I put the heater on?
feel cold He woke up in the middle of the night feeling cold. look cold Come and sit by the fire. You look cold.
Q/reezing /,fn:z,f]/ Mj) spoken feeling very cold and uncomfortable: "Are you
125
COLD
warm enough?" "No, I'm absolutely freezing!"
place/room
cold /k^old; [adj] He waited an hour for the train on a cold platform. it's cold Why is it always so cold in this office?
cool k111' [cacfy] cold in a pleasant way. especially when the weather is hot: Our hotel room was lovely and cool. it's cool It's much cooler downstairs.
chilly tJi 1 i [adj] a little too cold for you to feel comfortable They have to get washed and dressed in a chilly bathroom.
it's chilly It's chilly in here - why don't you turn the heater on?
draughty BRITISH dra/ty African
;"dra:fti||'dricfti [adj] a room that is draughty has cold air blowing into it from outside: a cold, draughty apartment
freezing ;'fri:z[rl( ladj] extremely cold, so that you feel very uncomfortable: The little children sat in rows in the freezing classroom.
it's freezing It 's absolutely freezing outside.
liquid/object/surface
cold /к 30 Id/ |adj] I wanted a bath but the water was cold. I We stood for hours on the cold stone floor.
freezing 'frii/.ii]/ [adj] extremely cold: His friends pulled him from the freezing water.
freezing cold The river was freezing cold.
cool in a pleasant way, hut
food/drink
cold /кэоШ/ \adj\ cold food has been
not very cold: Ruth put her cool hand on my burning forehead.
cooked, but is no longer hot: a selection of cold meats I Serve the quiche hot or cold, with a fresh green salad, get cold/go cold (=become cold, especially when it should be hot) Come and eat your dinner before it gets cold. stone cold (--completely cold when it should be hot) By the time I'd finished on the phone my coffee was stone cold.
cool ku:l [adj] cool drinks are pleasantly cold, especially when the weather is warm: She sat by the swimming pool with a cool glass of lemonade.
chilled tJ"11ci \adj] chilled food or drink has been made very cold, especially by putting it on ice: a bottle of chilled champagne I This soup is delicious served
chilled.
frozen /fraozjn/ [adj] frozen food is stored at a very low temperature so that you can keep it for a long time: frozen peas I The only things I had in the freezer were a frozen chicken and a tub of ice-cream.
ice-cold ais 'кэоШч [adj] very cold - use this about drinks that nave been made very cold so that they are pleasant to drink in hot weather: an ice-cold beer
to become colder get cold/qet colder ''get koold. get
kooldy to become cold or colder: It's got a lot colder recently. (=the weather has become colder) I Tell John his coffee's getting cold.
Cool down daon, [phrasal verb IJ to become colder after being hot: Leave the bread on a wire tray to cool down.
cool kLi:' '1 use this about hot food or other hot substances that become colder: As the metal cools, it will decrease in size.
COLLECT
to keep things because you think they are attractive or interesting
COLD 126
shiver TIV°r II to ^hake because you
are cold: / was shiuering in my thin sleeping hag.
shiver with cold We stood in the door way shivering with cold.
have goosepimples British have
goosebumps amfrk an hxx gu:s- .pimp^lz. h;ev gu:sb,\mps to have small raised areas on your skin, because you are cold
collect ka'lcki- |i> T] to get and keep things that are all of a similar kind, because you think they are attractive or interesting: Do you collect stamps? I I've started collecting old bottles.
collector kolekto1 [n C| someone who collects things: a coin collector I The auction room ivas full of art collectors and dealers.
collection /кМокргг [n С] a group of things that someone has collected because they are attractive or interesting: Her brother wanted to show me his postcard collection.
+ of The museum has one of the world s finest collections of impressionist paintings.
Set set \n C] a complete group of one type of object that someone has collected: I'm collecting American League baseball cards - / on/у need one more to have the set.
+ of For sale - 'The Guitarist' - complete set of magazines 1984-1992.
COLOUR/COLOR
^ if you mean 'colour of hair', go to
hair
PAINT— _LKHT
\ ^
see
also
✓ \
DARK ВМСНТ/
not bright
II a colour
colour BRITISH color AMERICAN клЬ" In
C/U| Blue is my favorite color. I Why don't you paint it yellow? That's a nice bright colour. I Her hair was the same colour as mine.
what colour is...? "What color is your new car?'' "Silver."
change colour In September the leaves stari to change colour.
shade J С id [n С] a particular type of one colour, which is darker or lighter than other types of the same colour: The pat tern is available in three different shades: dark blue, pale green, and charcoal grey.
shade of blue/green etc Valerie's eyes are a beautiful shade of blue.
colouring вкгпчн coloring amlkican
клЬпг| [n Uj .the colour of a person's or animal's hair, skin, or eyes: This lipstick is perfect for your colouring. I He had his mother's looks and colouring.
Ed to be a particular colour
be hi. strong bi: [и] be red/green/blue etc Frogs are green, toads are brown - that's how you can tell the difference. I The Japanese flag is white with a red sun on it.
Use is, are etc to talk about the colour of something: My dad's car is red. I Her eyes were blue. Don't use have, and don't use the word colour itself: Her new bike ts green, (not 'Her bike has green.' or 'Her bike is green colour.') Only use colour when you are asking a question: "What colour is your new bike7" "It's green."
coloured British colored amlrican
клЬЧ1 [adj usually before noun] a
coloured or colored object has one or
more colours in it. but пот black or white: The town hall was decorated with hundreds of coloured ribbons. I panels of colored glass
El bright colours
bright brait [adj\ a bright colour is strong and very easy to notice: an artist who loved bright colours I If you are cycling at night, always wear something bright.
bright blue/red/yellow etc The front door was painted bright red. I a bright yellow van brightly [adv] a brightly painted boat 1 brightly coloured balloons
colourful british colorful american кл1эЧ>1 [adj] something that is colourful or colorful has a lot of different colours in it. especially bright colours: women in colourful summer dresses I Children's books need to have large clear letters and colorful pictures.
brilliant brilpnt [adj usually before noun] brilliant white/blue/green etc
127
COLOUR/COLOR
so bright that it almost hurts your eyes to look at it: a brilliant blue sky I The room was painted a brilliant white.
■j light colours
light /lait, [adj] light colours are closer to white than to black: They both hove brown hair, but Tina's is slightly lighter than Jan's.
light blue/green/brown etc The leaves are light green with small purple markings.
pale /pei!/ [adj] very light in colour: her pale skin and dark hair pale blue/pink/yellow etc a pale pink blouse I pale yellow wallpaper with a white daisy pattern
pastel 'paestl||pae'stel/ [adj only before noun] pastel colours, especially pink, yellow, green, or blue, are soft and light and not at a|] bright: The bedrooms have all been designed in cool pastel shades.
El dark colours
dark /da:rk/ [adj] dark colours are not at all light and are close to black: Everyone at the funeral was dressed in dark colours, except for Rita, who wore a pink dress.
dark blue/brown/green etc She has
beautiful dark brown hair. I a dork grey suit
deep /di:p/ [adj only before noun] deep colours are strong, dark, and attractive: a deep, rich shade of crimson deep blue/pur pie/red A few stars began to appear in the deep blue sky.
В photograph/film/
television
colour brttish color American /'клЬг/ [adj] showing pictures in all colours, not just in black, white, and grey: a delightful book containing 200 colour photographs of wild flowers \ You need a color monitor to use this software.
in colour (^showing all the colours) All the pictures are in colour.
black and white ,btek an wait*/
В
COLOUR/COLOR
showing pictures only in black, white, and grey: an old black and white movie starring Charlie Chaplin in black and white (^showing only black, white, and grey) Kars/i's famous photo graphs of Churchill were all in black and white.
to change colour or lose colour
dye da: [u Tj to change the colour of material or hair by using a special coloured liquid: I bet she dyes her hair, dye sth blue/yellow etc Tm going to dye this skirt dark blue.
* J «
fade /feid [ь I] if a colour or coloured
material fades, its colour becomes paler, for example because it has been in sunlight for a long time: Over the years the green curtains had faded. I Do not expose the paintings to strong sunlight. or the colours will fade. Jaded [adj] faded blue jeans
COMFORTABLE/ UNCOMFORTABLE
see also relax
feeling comfortable
com/ortable /'клтЛэЬЛ 'kAmfat-f клт- fart-, 'клтЛ-/ [adj not before noun] feeling physically relaxed, for example because you are sitting on a soft chair or lying on a soft bed: I was so warm and comfortable in bed I didn't want to get up. ! Are you comfortable lying on the floor like that?
make yourself com/ortable Sit down and make yourself comfortable. get comfortable (=get into a comfortable position) My shoulder was hurting so I couldn't get comfortable, comfortably [adv] Brian was sitting comfortably in front of the television.
Qcom/y /'kAmfi/ [adj not before noun] spokfn feeling comfortable: uComfy?"
''Yes, thanks.
snug /snAg/ Iadj not before noun] feeling comfortable, warm, and happy because you are in bed, wearing warm clothes etc: She looks really snug under all those blankets.
in comfort m 'k\mfe% if you do some-
128
thing in comfort, you feel comfortable and relaxed while you are doing it: Jardine sat down by the fire to enjoy his
comfortable furniture, clothes, places etc
comfortable /'клтйэМ, 'клгг^-Ц'клт-
fert-, 'клтГг-/ [adj] use this about clothes, furniture, or rooms that make you feel comfortable: Our hotel room was very comfortable. I с comfortable leather armchair I Can you just wait a moment while I change into something more comfortable.
comfortable to sit on/lie on/wear
Harder mattresses are often more comfortable to lie on comfortably [adv] a comfortably furnished apartment
Qcomfy /'k\mfij [adj] spoken use comfy about clothes, furniture, or rooms that make you feel comfortable: a comfy little cabin in the woods I a comfy chair
cosy BRITISH cozy AMERICAN /'kaozi, [adj] а
cosy room or place is small, warm, and comfortable, and you feel relaxed and happy there: a small cozy Qpartment I The bar looked lovely and cosy, with a log fire burning brightly.
luxurious /Ugzjo^rias, bg'3u<?nos||bg- '3(wias/ |adj] a luxurious house, hotel, ship etc makes you feel very comfortable because it has large rooms and expensive
furniture, carpets etc: a luxurious yacht.
once owned by Aristotle Onassis I The hotel we stayed in was really luxurious.
В not comfortable
uncomfortable/not comfortable
/лп'клтЛэЬ^к not 'клтЛэЫ!, -'k<\mf3t-|| - kAmfart-, -'k.\mft-,' [adj] not comfortable: Come and sit here. You don't look very comfortable on that stool. I The heat was making us all feel very uncomfortable. I She was wearing very uncomfortable-looking shoes.
В something that makes
you feel uncomfortable
whiskey in comfort. I Now that we have a bigger car, the whole family can travel in comfort.
cramped fkraempt; (adj| a cramped room, apartment, car etc is Uncomfortable because there is not enough space: cramped living conditiors I They worked from cramped offices near the main station.
bumpy ' bAmpi/ [adj] a bumpy journey in a car or plane is uncomfortable because the car or plane shakes a lot, as the result
of bad roads or bad weather: a bumpy ride up the mountainside in an old bus
business
buy ф advertising
A 1
see ^
«MANAGER
see also
WORK
/l*
К» Ф mi
rough /глf [adj] a rough journey by sea is uncomfortable because the weather is bad and the boat goes up and down a lot: We had a rough crossing and most of the passengers were seasick. I It'll be rough out there today with all this wind.
COMPANY
sell
money
JOB ф m CHARGE OF POSTTION/RANK
different types of company
company ./'k\mp<?ni [n C) any organization, either large or small, that produces goods or provides services in order to make a profit: The company employs over 10,000 people worldwide, oil/insurance/phone etc company the second largest insurance company in Japan
work for a company (=bave a job there) My father used to work for one of the big oil companies.
join a company (= start to work there) This year: we have had several new executives joining the company. set up/start a company The company was set up in 1975.
. companies
129
COMPANY
^^ You can also use company before a noun, like an adjective: a company car (=one that is provided for you by your company) I Company profits have doubled in the last four years.
COMPANY 1
/irm '1з:гт [n С] a company, especially one that provides services rather than producing goods, often financial or legal services: The firm employs about 15 full- time staff.
law/electronics/building etc firm She
works for a low firm in Amsterdam, firm of lawyers/accountants etc Ed's just got a job with a firm of accountants
in Boston.
join a firm (=start working for a firm) Sara joined the firm when she was only 16.
business bi/n^s [л С] a company, shop, or factory that sells goods or provides services, especially one thai employs only a small number of people or only ore person: Norm's a gardener - he has his own business.
maaaqeirun a business She's running her own printing business now. set up/start a business Profits have slowly increased since we started the business three years ago. small business (=one that employe only one person or very few people) /amily business (=one that was started by and employs members of the same family)
corporation b:rp,-VreiJ<?n [n С] a large
company that employs a lot of people, especially one that includes several different departments or several smaller companies: IBM is one of the biggest corporations in the US. I the Coca-Cola Company
multinational тлИГпжрпэ1« {adj
only before noun) multinational company/corporation/business a very large company that has offices or factories in many different countries; Mitsubishi /s a multinational company, whose head office is in Japan. multinational [n С] a very large company with offices and factories in many different countries: the power of the big mu/tmationa/s
subsidiary sob'sidiori||-dieri [n С] а company that is owned and controlled by a larger company
+ of The Isle of Man Bank is now a subsidiary of NatWest Bank pic. plural subsidiaries
employer /impbi^ (n C] a company - use this when you are talking about a company as something that provides jobs, not
as something that produces and sells things: Parker Plastics is the city's biggest employer, with about 3000 workers. I Your employer (=the company you work for) is responsible for ensuring safety in the workplace.
Ea abbreviations for different types of company
Ltd British Inc. American the written abbreviations of Limited' and Incorporated' - used after the name of a large or small company to show that it is legally established and that its owners are legally responsible for only a limited amount of money if the company gets into debt: S/euenson Securities Ltd I Syquest Technology Inc.
Corp. the written abbreviation of Corporation' - used after the name of a large company, especially in the US: Federal Express Corp.
pic /pi: el si: the abbreviation of 'Public Limited Company' - used in Britain after the name of a large company that ordinary people can buy shares in: Marks & Spencer pic
COMPARE
to think about two or more things or people, in order to see how similar or different (hey are
^ see also same, different
Kl to compare things
compare кэт реэг [и T] to think about two or more things or people, in order to see how simitar or different they are: We looked at a lot of computers before buying this one, in order to compare prices. compare sth/sb with sth/sb If you compare rents in London with rents in Paris, you'll find they are about the same. I / hate the way you always compare me with your ex-boyfriend.
Compare sth/sb to sth/sb usually means to say that someone or something is like another person or thing. For example:
L
131
a new young singer thai some people have compared to Pavarotti (=they say he is as good as Pavarotti).
COMPETITION
safis/acfion I the relative advantages of different methods of transporting goods
comparison, /кэт'ржг^п/ [n C] something that you say or write that shows how similar or different two things or people are
+ o//between The students were asked to write a comparison between the two poems. I a comparison of the number of deaths from heart disease in Britain and America
make a comparison The documentary makes a comparison between working conditions before and after the war.
when one thing is being
compared with another
compared to/compared with.
ksm'pe^d tu;, кэт'реэг<3 wid/ use this when you are comparing two or more things or people: Their house seems like a palace compared to our small apartment. I Compared with some other EU countries, Britain has a low standard of living.
in comparison/by comparison /т
кот paer'9s<?n, bai кэт'рэег^п/ lshlcially written use this when you are comparing two or more things or people: After months of Jiving in a tropical climate. Spain seemed cool by comparison. + with In comparison with London, life in our small town was very quiet.
In comparison and by comparison
are more formal than compared to and
compared with and are more common in written English.
in contrast/by contrast m knntm:su
bai kontra:stj|- kaintraest use this when you are emphasizing the difference between two or more things or people: Richard's small and slim. His father, by contrast, is tall and well-built. in contrast to/by contrast with In contrast to his previous novels. his latest book is much more serious
relative 'rebtiv [adj] relative importance/advantage/amount/size the importance. advantage etc that one thing has when it is compared to other things: the relative importance of money and job
COMPETITION
^ look here for ...
a game or sports event
when people or companies are trying to be more successful than others
A tournament is usually not as
important as a championship and does
not involve as many players or teams.
contest kontestHka:n- [n CJ a competition in which a person or team does an activity, and a group of judges decide which of them is the best
see also sport, take part
D a game or event in which people try to do better than each other
competition /,knmp^tipn||,ka:m- [n C] an organized event in which people try to do an activity or sport better than other people, especially in order to win a prize: He was awarded first prize in the National Poetry Competition win a competition A student from St Paul won the speechwriting competition.
enter a competition (=be in a competition) Enter our free competition and win a weekend in Paris.
a competition to do sth a competition to think of g name for the new building
championship 'tjiempionjip/ [n C] an
important sports event in which players or teams play against each other to decide who is the best in an area, the country, or the world: the World Chess Champion ship
win a championship At 1 7, Becker was the youngest player to win the Men's Tennis Championship.
tournament / няпэтт, 'и-Ц'т-. 'тэг-
[n С] a competition in a sport or game in which each player or team plays a series of games until one person or team wins: an international golf tournament win a tournament Telford won the local five-a-side football tournament.
win a contest The singing contest was won by Sven from Sweden. beauty contest (=a contest in which judges decide who is the most beautiful woman)
Contest is not usually used about
sports events.
ZA someone who takes part in a competition
competitor /кэт'реЦ1эг [n C] someone
who takes part in a competition: Two of the competitors failed to turn up for the first race.
contestant /kan'testmt/ [n C] someone who takes part in a contest, a TV game, test of knowledge etc: The next contestant is Alice Jones from Vancouver. I Each contestant has to answer questions on a variety of subjects.
В to take part in a competition, sports event etc
compete /kam'piit/ [u I] to take part in a
competition, sporting event etc + in Athletes from 197 countries competed in the Olympic Games in Atlanta. + against Ten teams will compete against each other for the National Trophy.
Ш to try to do better than
another person or organization
compete /кэт pi:t/ [u I] to try to do better
than another person or organization, for example in business or politics + with Nowadays we have to compete more and more with foreign companies. +for (=in order to get something) two little children competing for their mother's attention
can't compete with (=not have enough
skill, money etc to compete with another person, company etc) Small British car companies just can't compete with giants like BMW and Volkswagen. compete to do sth Fujitsu, Hitachi, and NEC are competing with US firms to
COMPETITION
build the world's fastest supercomputer.
fig kt /fait,/ [u I/T] to try extremely hard to get an important job or political position
which other people are also trying to get + /or If you want the job, you'll have to fight for it.
fight sb for sth Wil/iams fought several rivals for the leadership of the party.
fighting - fought - have fought
В a situation in which people try to do better than each other
competition /tkompJ,'tiJ<m||,ka:m-/ [n U|
when people or organizations try hard to get something that they all want but only one of them can get
+ for Competition for these jobs is very tough - we've had over 200 applications.
+ between There's a lot of competition between the big supermarket chains, fierce/strong/tough competition (=when a lot of people are all trying very hard to get something) There is fierce competition for places in the Olympic team.
competitive /kam'pet^tiv/ [adj) a competitive situation is one in which people try hard to do better than each other, for example in business or at school: Amanda hated working in advertising; it was so competitive.
highly competitive (=very competitive) The atmosphere at our school was highly competitive.
rivalry f гш Mr у [n U] when two people, teams, or companies try to do better than each other, especially over a long period + between Rivalry between brothers and sisters is quite normal. I the longstanding rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi intense/fierce rivalry (=very strong rivalry) There was intense rivalry between the Brazilian and Italianteams.
battle "baetl [n С] a situation in which people or organizations fight against each other to get power or control of something, and they are all very determined to win
132
+ for The President's advisors were engaged in a battle for power.
В people who are trying to do better than each other
competitor kom'pet^y [л С] a person or company that tries to do better than another which offers similar goods or services. Their major competitors are IBM
and Sun Microsystems.
A
rival raiwl [л C] a person, team, or company that tries to do better than another similar one, especially over a long period: The two teams had always been rivals.
You can also use rival before a noun, like an adjective: A fight broke out between rival gangs in the city centre. I rival companies
the competition .knmpcVtij.?n||
-,ku:m- [n singular/U] all the people or groups that are trying to do better than you. especially in business or in a sport: Our sales figures are 10% ahead of the competition.
strong competition (=when the people you are competing against are very good) The team overcame strong competition to gain their place in the finals.
В someone who likes competing
+ to If the hotel isn't satisfactory, you should complain to the Tourist Office.
Don't say 'complain against' or 'complain for'. Say complain about,
make a complaint ,meik э kam'pleint
to tell someone in an official position that you are not satisfied with something that they are responsible for: Write to this address if you wish to make a complaint. + to Parents made a complaint to the principal about bullying in the school.
protest pro test \v I/T] to complain about something that you think is wrong and should not be allowed to happen - use this especially about groups of people who meet in a public place to show that they do not approve of something + about/against/at Workers protested angrily about job losses, protest sth american a large crowd protesting the war
object 3b'd3cki; [v I] to say that you do not agree with something or you do not approve of it. because it annoys you or offends you: The neighbours might object if you park your car in front of their house.
133
COMPLAIN
+ to Does anyone object to these proposals?
competitive /kom'pc^nv/ [adj] someone who is competitive seems to enjoy competing and is always trying to do better than other people: f hate playing tennis with her - she's so competitive.
COMPLAIN
see also is complaining, satisfied/
dissatisfied
to complain
complain kom'plcm/ [u I/T| to say that you are annoyed about something or not satisfied with something, for example because it is unfair or not as good as it should be: We had to remove the advertisement because so many people complained. + about Local residents have complained about the noise from the club. + that Jenny's always complaining that her boss gives her too much work.
to complain a lot in an annoying way
тОаП Ш90П [u 1] INFORMAL, LbPlCIAllY
British to keep complaining in an annoying way - use this about someone who complains all the time, even about things that are not important: I'm fed up with hearing you moaning the whole time! + about Why do people always moan
about the weather?
grumble gi-лтМ {и I] to keep complaining in a bad-tempered way, especially when you think you have been treated unfairly: The old man turned away, grumbling as he went. + about She was grumbling about having to work so late.
make a fuss meik э t',\.s !;ч>тли\
British to complain angrily and noisily about something, so that everyone hears you or notices you
COMPLAIN 1
+ about The couple sitting next to us made a big fuss about their bill.
El something that you do or say when you complain
Complaint jkanYpleint/ [n C/U] something that you say or write when you are complaining, especially to someone in an official position: If you have any complaints, please contact our customer relations department. + about Channel 4 received hundreds of complaints about the show.
protest protest/ In C/UJ a public complaint about something that people think is wrong or unfair and should not be allowed to happen: Students' fees were increased, despite protests on all the college campuses.
in protest (=as a way of making a protest) When two members of the team were fired, the rest of them walked out in protest.
outcry fautkrai [n С usually singular) an angry protest by a lot of people about something that they think is very wrong or unfair
+ about/over the recent international outcry over French nuclear tests in the
Pacific
public outcry The shooting of a teenager by police caused a public outcry.
COMPLETELY
not partly, but In every way
m see also all
for words meaning the opposite, go to partly
completely /kam'plirtli/ ladi>] not partly, but in every way: The drug is completely safe. 1 Make sure that the tank is completely full. I I was fed up with school and 1 felt like trying something com pletely different.
complete /kam'plin/ [adj only before noun] complete success/failure/disaster (=when something is completely successful or unsuccessful) Our first date was a complete disaster.
34
make a complete recovery ^completely recover from an illness) Doctors say he will make a complete recovery, a complete waste of time/money (=when something wastes time or money and is not useful at all) The store was closed when I got there, so going down there was a complete waste of time.
absolutely /<cbsalu:tli/ [aduj use this to show that you strongly agree with something or approve of something, or to emphasize strong adjectives absolutely right/correct You 're absolutely right - we couldn't all fit in the car.
absolutely marveUous/amazing/bril* liant That 's an absolutely brilliant idea. absolutely certain/sure Are you absolutely sure you don't mind? absolutely exhausted/soaked/ruined etc By the end of the day, f was absolutely exhausted.
A\ Use absolutely especially with words that express a strong feeling or opinion, for example: We had an absolutely fantastic time. 1 He was absolutely furious. 1 They don't let us wear T-shirts at school - it's absolutely crazy.
/ully iadul use this especially to say that you have ail the things you need, or all the information you need /ully understand/realize/appreciate I fully appreciate your concern. /ully aw are Unformed Please keep me fully informed of any developments. fully furnished/equipped The house is fully furnished, and has a dishwasher and a microwave.
totally 'taotl-i/ [advj use this especially to
show that you strongly disagree with something or that you are very annoyed about it
totally re/use / ignore / reject / /ail He
totally ignored my advice. totally impossible/uaacceptable/ridicu- lous The whole thing is totally ridiculous.
entirely /mtaia'U [ado] in every possible way - use this especially in negative sentences, or with 'almost'
not entirely I'm not entirely sure what he meant. I The reasons for his departure weren't entirely clear. almost entirely The class consisted almost entirely of girls.
Utterly /'At3rli/ [adu] use this especially to
describe things that are completely wrong,
untrue, impossible etc
utterly ridiculous/impossible/useless etc
A
At first the idea sounded utterly ridiculous. I The map uras utterly useless.
Utterly is more formal than totally, and is mostly used in written or formal spoken English.
in every way /in ,evri 'wei/ use this to say that something is true in every detail or part: The two drawings are the same in every way. I It was on excellent course in every way.
COMPUTERS
see pages 1 36-1 39
CONFIDENT/
NOT CONFIDENT
ПЮ«Ю_ — SHY
\ Г
see also
it
KO№
D a confident person
confident /'konfЈ<bnt|'kam-/ [adj] sure
that you have the ability to do something well, and not worried about failing: It's a difficult test, but she seems fairly confident. I He read his speech in a strong, confident voice.
+ about After living in France for a year I felt much more confident about my French.
be/feel confident about (doing) sth I
don't feeI very confident about going back to work.
135
A\ Don't say 'confident of yourself' or 'confident about yourself'. Say self- confident.
self-con/ldent /self 'konfykntl-'kain-/
[aaj] someone who is self-confident is very confident about their own abilities, and is not shy or nervous in social situations: Jess was only 12, but she was very self-confident. I When you have had more experience, you become more self- confident about speaking in front of groups of people.
sure of yourself /'/иэг av ja^self/ very
sure that what you do and think is right, even when other people do not agree with you: He sounded so sure of himself that I didn't bother to argue. I Barnes looked older, and seemed less sure of himself.
bras К /brsej/ |adj] someone who is brash
is very confident in an annoying way, for example because they talk too loudly and never listen to other people: The hotel bar was full of brash, noisy journalists. I a brash young salesman from New York
extrovert /'ekstr9V3:rt/ In C] someone who enjoys being with other people, and getting a lot of attention from other people: Most actors are natural extroverts.
a confident feeling
confidence /'kDnf^d^ns||'ka:n-/ [n U] the feeling that you have the ability to do things well, and to not make mistakes or be nervous in new situations give sb confidence If you understand the grammar, it will give you a lot more confidence.
have the confidence to do sth (=be confident enough to do something) In this job you have to have the confidence to make tough decisions, give sb the confidence to do sth Going to college was good for me - it gave me the confidence to work on my own. full of confidence (=very confident) I went into the test full of confidence, but it was more difficult than I had expected.
confident/not confident continues on
CONFIDENT/NOT CONFIDENT
confidently (adu) She answered each question confidently and competently. I smiling confidently
page 140
COMPUTERS
screen/monitor
speaker
floppy disk drive
CD-ROMS
CD-ROM drive
printer
floppy disks
mouse
mouse pad/mat
keyboard
136
COMPUTERS
see also technology, зэ opinions
computers and computer equipment
IT/in/or mat ion technology ai ti:, inf3r'meij^i tek.noladsill-.na:!-/ the study or
use of computers and other electronic equipment for storing, sending, and developing information: She teaches IT at a local school. I the massive growth of information technology during the 1980s
hardware /'ha:rdwe3r/ [n U; computers and all the machinery and equipment connected with them
so/tware "sDftwe3r||'sa:f- [n U] the programs that you put into computers to make
them do the job you want: We supply software from games and electronic dictionaries to word-processing packages. I software companies such as Microsoft and IBM
program /'praogricm/ In C] a set of
instructions that makes it possible for a computer to do a particular job: a program designed to correct grammar
hard disk <"ha:rd 'disk/ [n С] a part inside a computer that permanently stores information and instructions
floppy disk flopi disk [n C] a small flat thing that you can store information from a computer on, that you can remove and use in other computers
modem /'maodem/ [n C] a piece of electronic equipment that allows information to be sent from one computer to another
the Internet
the Internet/the net /ai int3rnet, <ъ
net/ a system that allows computer users around the world to send messages and information to each other on the Internet Are you on the Internet? You might find some information on the net.
surf the net (=look at the information on the Internet in order to find something that interests you)
World Wide Web/WWW/the Web
w^rld waid web' the system that stores information for computer users around the world to use
online /nnlain/ [adj] online services, conversations. games etc are those that take place or exist on the Internet: an online romance
online [adu] Get online todayI
website 'websait/ jn C] a place on the Internet that gives you information about a particular subject or product
home page /'haom ,peid3/ [n C] the first
page of a website
137
COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS
the advantages of computers
О
Computers let you accos a tot of information.
о Computers let you communicate very quickly, by e-mail or using the Internet.
о
Computers can do some jobs very quickly, for example sending out large numbers of letters, or bills.
о
Computers make \i possible to work from home.
/ can access any information I need from fhe office using a modem.
0
Word processors make it easier to write letters and reports, and to do work for school or college.
vocabulary
OCCMS /"aekses/ [uT] if you information on a com
puter. you fire! it using a computer: The new system made it easier to access patients' medico/ records.
advance /^Va:nsg-v#n- [v J] if technology advances, it develops and improves
bu9 /Ьлд/ [n CI a small mistake in a computer program that stops it from working properly
CD-ROM /siidi:'mm|-ra:m, [n C/U| a small flat circular object on which large amounts of information can be stored to be used by a computer: a new encyclopedia
on CD-ROM
computer gome кэт'р]иэ:г geim/ (n С] a game that
you play on a computer whole afternoon s work.
database /'deitobeis/ [n С) a large amount of information stored in a computer system so that you can find and use it easily: Customers' names and addresses are stored on our database.
e-mail 'i: meil' [n C/U| a system that allows messages to be sent from one computer to another, or a mes sage sent using this system
be on e-mail (-a computer that can send and receive e-mail messages)
send sb an е-mait: "Does G/ennis know about it? 'Yes, I sent her an e-mail."
e-mail /'i: meil/ [v T| to send someone a message by e-mail: Will you e-mail me about it?
СОМтш continues on the next page
COMPUTERS 138
COMPUTERS
О
Children enjoy using computers, and multimedia, interactive software and virtual reality all make learn ng more exciting. Many books are now available on CD-ROM.
AFTER
о Large amounts of information can be stored on computer in a database.
BEFORE
the disadvantages of computers
О Many people do not like using computers, and would prefer to deal with a person instead.
interactive jntorltknv* [adj] interactive programs and activities on a computer are those that you do not just read or look at. but which you can change and communicate with
lose work lu:z wVk/ when the work that you have done on your computer disappears and you cannot get it back
multimedia rnAltimiidio [adj} using a mixture of sound, pictures, film, and writing to give information on computers, a r\ew multimedia dictionary
multimedia \n LJJ More and more schools are using multimedia as a teaching aid.
computer to become obsolete in only a jew years.
police po li:s [и T] to control what people put on the Internet, and make sure that they do not use it to do anything illegal
virtual reality Vxrtju<?l riteliti- [n U] the effect
produced by using computer images to make places or situations seem almost real when they are not
virus /Vairos \n C] a set of instructions secretly put into a computer that destroys the information stored in it, aiKl stops it from working normally
work from home ;>з:гк from haom/ to be employed by a company, but to work in your home and not in the company building
word processor /,w3:rd praosewr; [n C] a program or computer that you use to write letters, reports etc
139
COMPUTERS
COMPUTERS
e Software often h<;s bugs, and sometimes computers crash
О Some children spend too much time playing computer 1 games, which can be very : violent.
0 Anyone can put information or mages on the Internet, so it can easily be used by criminals to communicate with each other, or to send pornography (pictures, film, or writ inq that show sexual acAs). There are no laws to stop this yet. and it is ex:rvmely difficult to | police the Internet.
О Computers quickly become obsolete, so they юоп reed to be replaced.
We bajqnt a new computer system hU
yea but technology advances sofaU this! n Л already old fashioned.
о If a computer ^ not working properly, most people do not know how to fix jt, <*nd
this can be very annoying.
140
CONFIDENT/NOT CONFIDENT
continued from
<ii/piwnriutm
page 1
self-confidence f sdl' bnfjdmsi-kuin-
jn uj a strong belief that you can do things well and that other people will like you. which means you behave confidently in most situations: He's on.'у 19 but ne has plenty of self-confidence.
morale н^'ги.'Цто'ксГ [n U] the amount of confidence, satisfaction, and hope that people feel, especially a group of people who work together
lose confidence л м ^
eelir
low/high morale (=a low/high level of confidence) We've had a lot of problems recently and the morale among the teachers is pretty low. keep up morale (=prevent people losing confidence) They sang songs to keep up their morale until the rescuers arrived.
not confident
shll JaI; !acW someone who is shy feels nervous and embarrassed about talking to people, especially people they do not know: She u;as very shy, and didn 't like using the phone, t Five years ago, I was a shy, clumsy, overweight teenager. too shy to do sth / wanted to ask a question!, but I was too shy to say anything.
lack confidence 'bnt>Uis||-ku:n- to not Te& confident about your own abilities or about the way you look: Francine lacks confidence and needs a lot of encouragement and support.
,lu:z 'knnfVt?ns||-ku;n- to stop fueling confident, especially after making a mistake: 'How was your driving test9" "Terrible - I made a small mistake, and then I just lost confidence."
be unsure of yourself b,: ЛГ1 f( ^ ov
p:rself to nor oe confident, especially because you are young or you do not have much experience of something: He was only 21 and still very unsure of himself with women.
confident/not confident
Insecure .msi'kjo.V/ [adj] not confident about making decisions, trying new experiences. or forming new relationships, especially because you are worried that you are not good enough: Ben's parents' divorce left him lonely and insecure. + about Even though she's a model, she's very insecure about how she looks.
CONFUSED
when you cannot understand something or you do not know
see also
i/used
aerstand
con
un
what to do
understand/not understand
confused
kr>n t ju:zd [adj\ unable to what is happening, what someone is saying etc, especially wher. this makes you feel worried: I'm a little confused - could you explain it again? I She felt hurt and confused when her husband left her.
+ about Andrea is still confused about what happened on the n\ght of the accident.
get con/used (^become confused) Every time someone explains the Internet to me, I get even more confused.
puzzled PAZf?'d [ad;] completely unable
to understand why or how something happened: The doctors are puzzled - they've never seen anything like this disease before. I She had a puzzled expression on her face.
+ by/at Mandy was puzzled by Bill's behaviour ~ why was he being so unfriendly?
bewildered hi wildo'ci [adj] very confused and surprised when something unusual and unexpected happens to you: He was bewildered to find three policemen at the front door.
+ by At first she wcs bewildered by all the noise and activity of the city
Confusion kon'tjuryn [n U] the feeling you have when you feel confused, or a situation in which people are confused: The new rules have caused a lot of confusion.
+ about/over There is some confusion about how the new law actually works.
something that makes you feel confused
Confusing bnljuizii] [adj] confusing instructions, explanations, situations etc make you feel confused, because it is not clear what they mean or what you should do: The road signs were very confusingand we ended up getting lost. I I found some of the questions really confusing.
puzzling 'рл/г?]л] \adj) a puzzling action or situation makes you feel confused because you do not understand why or how it happened: Jan's decision not to take part in the race was very puzzling. I I find it puzzling that no-one noticed them leave.
bewildering Ы \wld;nrj.[adj] a bewildering situation is very confusing, especially because it is strange or new. or because a lot of different things are happening at once: Elderly people often find hospitals bewildering and frightening
places.
bewildering choice/variety/range (=so many rhings that it is difficult for you to choose) There was a bewildering variety of styles to choose from.
В to make someone feel confused
COn/use Iju:/. [и T1 You con/use
the students if you give them too much new information at once.
ml to think one person or thing is another person or thing
COn/use кэп fju:z [u TJ to wrongly think that one person or thing is someone or something else: Try not to eon/use 'your' end you're'.
confuse sb with sb / always confuse
Anthea with her sister they look so
alike.
mix Up ,miks лр {phrasa/ uerb T} to wrongly think one person or thing is someone or something else, especially because they are very similar mix stk up/mix up stK Chi/dren often mix up b'and'd' when they're learning lo write.
get sb/sth mixed up Which one's Jane and which one's Jen? / a/ways get their names mixed up.
Mix up is more informal than confuse
CONNECTED/ NOT CONNECTED
when there is a relationship/no relationship between two things
see also join, stick
II to be connected with something
be connected/be related hi:
k?nektid, bi: ri'leit^d if two things are connected with each other or related to each other, there is a relationship between them
be connected with sth The police want to talk to people who saw anything that might be connected with the crime. be related to sth Most of my problems were related to work, be closely connected!related The two languages are closely related. I Achievement at school is closely con nected with a child's home life.
be linked bi; 'liqkt/ to be directly connected in some way - use this especially when there is one fact or cause that connects two things
be closely!strongly linked Diet and health are strongly, linked. + to/with Drug dealing has always been closely linked with organized crime.
Q have/be something to do with
lut'v, hi: s\mBii) tr> du: wkV ksplxiauy spokln to be connected in a way that you do not understand clearly: / c/on t know much about his job. but it has something to do with finance. I "What's wrong with your car?" 'I'm not sure. I think it's something to do with the starter motor."
Ld something that connects two facts, events, or people
link/connection /Iiqk, кэ'пекрп/ In C]
something that connects two facts, events, or people with each other: How can the
weather affect the way people vote? I
141 CONNECTED/NOT CONNECTED
don't see any connection. + between The link between smoking and lung cancer has been definitely proved. I the connection between sports and gambling
+ with The firm has formed a trading
link with Japan. I Do they think her murder has any connection with her political activities?
relationship n'leipnjip [n C] the way in which two facts, events, or situations
affecr each other
+ between the relationship between poverty and crime
В connected with the subject you are talking about
relevant 'relevant [adj] directly connected with the subject you are talking about or considering: Make sure that everything you write in your answer is relevant. I We can't make a decision until we have all the relevant information. + to / don't think your arguments are relevant to this discussion.
Q not connected with someone or something
not connected/not related not
tanekUd. not ri'leiUd The two diseases seem similar, but they are not related in any way.
+ with Is this group connected with any political party?
О have/be nothing to do with
ha; v. bi: ,плН1г] ta 'du: wio especially spoken to not be connected with something or someone in any way: Those boxes are nothing to do with me. Sally left them
there. I Your age has nothing to do with your ability to do the job.
have no connection with sth hit-v
,пэо кэ'пекрп wirt (sth) especially writien to not be connected with something in any way: The first chapter of the book seems to have no connection with the main
story.
unrelated/unconnected /.лип leit.uu,
.Aiika'nckt^d* [adjl iormal not connected
in anyway: The two robberies are said to be unconnected.
unrelated to/unconnected with Most, of his books seem completely unrelated to real life.
Q not connected with the subject you are talking about
irrelevant f rel> ^nt [adj\ She kept asking irrelevant questions. I His age is irrelevant, as long as he can do the job. completely/totatty irrelevant What you are saying is true, but it's totally irrelevant.
Qthat's beside the point tos
bi said (Ъ 'pnmt, spoken say this when you think that what someone has said does not have any real connection with what you are talking about: "Is she married or single?" "That's completely beside the point - the question is, will she make a
good teacher?"
Qwhat has that got to do with
...? British spoken wnat does that
have to do with ...? american spoken wot Иэ/ ,rt*et gnt to du: wid, wot do/ Act luev t,i du: wirt||-gu:t-.' say this when someone has mentioned something and you cannot understand how it is connected with the subject you are talking about: So your dad's ill? What's that got to do u-ith our holiday plans?
CONTAIN
II to have something
inside
contain .'кап iem [u T| to have something inside, or to have something as a part: The bag contained a razor, some soap, and a towel. I Some paints contain lead. which can be poisonous. I Try to avoid foods that contain a lot of fat.
/К Don't say 'the box is containing
apples' Say the box contains apple*
__ — . , -
CONNECTED/NOT CONNECTED 142
hove Sth in it h;ev (sth) in it/ if a container. room, or food or drink has something in it, something has been put into it: Does this coffee have sugar in it? I She can't eat anything that has nuts in it. i The bedroom had a huge double bed in it.
to be able to contain a particular amount
hold :Ьэо1с1 [и T] if something holds 50
people, 10 litres etc, that is the largest
amount that can go in it: This jug holds about two litres. I The lecture theatre can hold up to 200 students.
take teik. [и T not in passive] to have only enough space to contain a particular number or amount, but no more: The car only takes five people, so the rest of you will have to take a taxi, I Our bookshelves won't take any more books.
can carry Ron ka,Ti if a vehicle or ship can carry a particular amount of things or a particular number of people, it has enough space inside for them to go in it: The new plane can carry up to 450 people.
CONTINUE
look here for ...
when something does not stop
when something starts again after stopping
Senator Gramm for another ten
opposite stop
when you continue to do something
continue к on t inju: [v I/T] to not stop
doing something that you are already doing: We will continue our struggle for independence.
continue to do stK She continued to live
in the some room after Benny left. I Despite all the warnings, many people continue to smoke. continue doing sth
continued speaking minutes.
+ with My teacher advised me to continue with my studies.
go on/carry on '.gao on, .kacri nn||-'a:n./
[phrasa/ verb I] to continue to do something and not let anything stop you go on/carry on doing sth She ignored my question and carried on talking. I They obviously hate each other - I don t know why they go on living together. + with Don't stop. Carry on with your work. I They decided to go on with their meeting instead of going to lunch.
Continue is more formal than go on or carry on
keep doing sth/keep on doing
Sth ; ki:p duni] (sth), ,ki:p Dn du:ii] (sth)/ to continue to do something for a long time, especially in order to get somewhere or achieve something: Keep driving till you come to a crossroads. I We were all tired but we knew we had to keep moving. I If you keep on trying, I'm sure you'll get what you want.
still snl [adu] if someone is still doing something, they continue to do it - use this especially to show surprise: He's 35 and he's still living with his parents. I You 're not still working, are you? I Why are you still wearing your sweater? It's really hot in here.
maintain mein'tein, mon-/1v T] especially written to make sure that something good continues to happen or continues to exist: He always tried to maintain the old family traditions. I It is important that the US maintains its relationship with China.
when something
continues to happen
continue bn'tinju:* [и I] to continue happening: The good weather seems likely to continue. I We don 't know how long the strike will continue. continue for three months/several weeks/a Long time etc The war continued for another two months.
continue happening/continue to happen
Several people have lost work, and this will continue to happen until we get the computer system fixed.
last ia:st||laest (и I] to continue - use this to say how long something continues last two hours/six months/a long time
etc The concert lasted all day. I It's not certain how long the ceasefire will last. + /rom/until The meeting lasted until lunchtime.
A
143
CONTINUE
drag ОП /.dr^g 'ппЦ-'спп [phrasa/ verb Ij if something that is happening drags on. it is boring and seems to continue for much longer than necessary: The history lesson dragged on for another hour.
go ОН 'оп||-и:п [phrasal verb I] to continue, especially for a long time: How long does this TV show go on for? + until/tell The party went on till three in the morning.
go on and on (^continue for a very long
time) The noise went on and on - it was
driving us crazy.
to continue to be the same as before
Stay /stei/ [ul stay open/warm/calm etc
to continue to be open, warm etc: The library stays open until 8pm on Fridays. I It will stay cold for the next few days.
remain /п'тет/ м formal remain silent/ calm/loyal etc to continue to be silent, calm etc: She remained calm and waited till he had finished shouting at her. I Would the audience please remain seated.
remain a secret/mystery/problem etc
The details of his death remain a closely guarded secret
remain tKe same (=when someone or something does not change) His doctors say that his condition remains the same. remain /riends They remained friends after their divorce.
Stilt st,l/ \odv] use this to emphasize that something or someone has not changed and continues to be the same: At the age of 50. Marlene was still a beautiful woman. I She still has that rusty old car. I I'm still confused. Would you explain it again?
to continue after stopping
CONTINUE
continue /kantinjui/ [v I/T] to start again
after stopping-. After a short time the rain stopped and the game continued. I Can we continue this discussion later? continue doing sth When Andrew completed his military service, he continued writing his book.
go on/carru on 'on, .kseri 'Dn||-a:n/ [phrasal verb IJ to continue doing something or continue speaking, after a short pause: It's one o'clock now-shall we carry on after lunch? I Go on, I'm listening.
go on/саггу on doing sth The doctor looked up from her desk for a moment and then went on writing. + with As soon as Mr Saunders gets back we'll carry on with the meeting. I Do you want me to go on with my story?
Continue is more formal thang0 on/ carry on
go back to sth /gao Ьэек tu: (sth)/
[phrasal verb Tj to start doing something again after a short period when you were doing something else: Melanie made herself a cup of coffee and went back to her reading.
continuing for a long time
continuous /kan'tinjuas/ [adj] continuing
for a long time without stopping: The north coast has had several days of continuous rain. I Education does not stop when you finish school - it's a continuous process.
continuously [adu] Radio Moscow played solemn music continuously
throughout the day.
constant 'kDnstantl'kain-/1 adj only before
nounj use this about an unpleasant or worrying situation that seems as if it will never end: He suffered constant pain in the months before his death. I The refugees live in constant fear of being attacked, constantly [adv] We need to be constantly aware of the risk of accidents.
non-stop -non 'stop^.nam staipW [adu] use this to emphasize that something happens continuously, and never stops even when you expect it to stop or want it to stop: She talked non-stop for over an hour. non-stop [adj only before noun] 48 hours of non-stop rain
Steady /'stedi/ [adj only before noun] a steady change or improvement happens gradually, and continues without stopping or being interrupted: There has been a steady increase in the number of students going to college. I a steady drop in road accidents
steadily [adv] The divorce rate has
risen steadily since the 1950s.
A
144
steady - steadier - steadiest
day after day/week after week
etc /,def a:ft9r del, ,wi:k a;tbr wi:k (etc)j| -aef- every day, every week etc for a long time: The fighting went on week ajter week and there seemed no end to it. I She sits at home day after day, waiting
for a message from her husband.
day and night/around the clock
,dei эп 'nait, a.raond da klok||-'kla:k/ continuously, all day and all night without ever stopping: Security guards watch the fence around the clock. I She nursecf him day and night until he recovered.
CONTROL
to make things happen in the way that you want, or make someone do what you want
^ see also power, limit, in charge of
ZjA Don't confuse control (=make someone or something do what you want) with check or inspect (=look at something to see if it is correct or safe): A guard got on the train and inspected our passports. See
LOOK AT.
D to control what happens
control ksntraol/ [t> T] to make things happen in the way that you want by using your power, skill, money etc: The company used to control half of the world's oil trade. I Republican politicians now control the main congressional committees. I the parts of the brain that control the breath ing process
controlling - < onlrolk'd hdve
controlled!
be in control /bi: in lon'trsul/ to control a situation, organization, country etc - use this especially about someone who got their power by using force or by clever planning, but not by being elected: The President has been arrested, and rebel forces are now in control. + of He is in control of over half the TV channe/s in the country.
keep/get sth under control ki:p,
(get (sth) лпс1эг кэпЧгэЫ/ to control a difficult or dangerous situation by doing everything that you can to stop it from getting
any worse: Firefighters struggled to keep the blaze under control. I We aim to be able to get the virus under control by 2005.
E to control a person
control ksn'traol/ (и T] to make someone behave in the way that you want: It was obvious that the teacher couldn't control the class. I Re/igion was just another way in which the country's rulers tried to control the people.
c.c.iiir ufiing - eontroHed ~ h«)vi*
с nut roiled
keep sb under control /кпр (sb)
And3r кэп!гэо! to prevent someone from causing trouble or problems: Police were struggling to keep the demonstrators under control. I Can't you keep that dog under control?
dominate , dDmJ,neit|'da:-/ [v T] if someone who has a strong character dominates another person, they have a very powerful effect on that person's mind and the way that they behave: It was obvious that her husband completely dominated her. I bis dominating manner
manipulate rm'nipj^leit/ [и T] to make someone do what you want them to do by cleverly influencing them, especially when they do not realize what you are doing: Maclaren skilfully manipulated the media, and the group quickly became as famous as the Beatles. manipulative /m3'nipj^3tiv|-lei- [adj] clever at manipulating people: Sweet as she was, there was a manipulative side to her character.
H to control the temperature, speed, or amount of something
control kon traol; [и T) to make the temperature, speed, or amount of something change in the way that you want or stay at the level you want: This button controls the temperature in the building. I How do you control the speed of the drill?
controlling - controlled - have controlled
keep sth under control /ki:p (sth)
145
CONTROL
Andar kan'trsul/ to prevent the amount of
CONTROL 1
something from becoming too great: He's been trying for years to keep his drinking under control. I The administration has certainly succeeded in keeping inflation under control.
regulate 'regj^leit/ [и T] to keep the temperature, speed, or amount of something
at exactly the right level: Sweating helps you regulate your body temperature.
to control your feelings
control kan'traol/ if you control yourself or control your feelings, you continue to behave calmly and sensibly and do not become too angry, excited, or upset
control yourself/himself etc She was
really annoying me, but I managed to control myself and not say anything.
control your t e rape r I anger I wish he'd learn to control his temper.
i.oniroiiino, - <l >-ntroifed - lidv* ^ on trolled
Self-control /'self kan'trool In U) the ability to behave calmly and sensibly and not become too angry, excited, or upset: The German team showed amazing self- control throughout the game.
unable to control your feelings
lose control kan'traol/ to become
Qget carried away get
especially spoken to feet so exci
unable to control your feelings and become very angry or upset: He made her so angry that she lost control and hit him.
.kaerid a'wei
excited, interested etc that you cannot control what you are saying or doing: It's easy to get carried away and buy a lot of things that you don't need. 1 Tony got a bit carried away on the dancefloor and started doing his Mick Jagger impersonation.
to no longer be able to control a situation, vehicle, group of people etc
lose control /.lu:z kan'traul/ to no longer
be able to control a situation, vehicle, group of people etc: The car skidded on the ice, and I lost control. + of parents who lose control of their
46
to get control of a situation, organization,
country etc
take control \teik кantraul/ to get control of a situation, organization, or place, often by using violent or illegal methods: After the coup, the military took control + of Troops were called in to take control of the prison.
take over лte 1 к auvar/ [phrasal verb \/T\ to get control of a company or organiza tion, or become the leader, president etc after someone else: People are wondering who's going to take over when the old dictator dies.
take over stK/take sth over CBS records was taken over by Sony. + from She took over from Barton as Managing Director in 1994.
difficult or impossible to control
uncontrollable лпкап iraoiab<?U' [adj] uncontrollable emotions or actions are
difficult or impossible to control: Barbara was shaking with uncontrollable laughter. I an uncontrollable rage
out of control /.aut 3V kan'traol* a situation "that is out of control has got much worse and can no longer be controlled: The pre was out of control. I Teenage
crime was now out of control. get out of control (=become impossible to control) It's easy to let spending on credit cards get out of control.
CONVENIENT NOT CONVENIENT
see a I suitable/unsuitable
a suitable time to do something
children I O'Connor recently lost control of the company he had run for seuen years.
convenient /kan'viinidnt/ [adj] a convenient time to do something is a time
that does not cause you any problems, for example because you were not planning to do anything else: I'd like to talk to the manager - can you suggest a convenient time?
+ for We need to arrange a meeting. Would 11 о clock on Tuesday be convenient for you?
Qa good time 3 god 'taim/ especially spoken a convenient time to do something: "I'm too busy to talk to you now "When would be a good time?" a good time to do stk Now might be a good time to think about what you really want to do.
+ for I'm afraid Friday isn't a good time for me - I have to go to the dentist.
suit /su:t, sju:t||su:t [и T] if a time or date suits you, it is convenient for you: Let's go to see a movie next week. Which day would suit you best? I Finding a time that suits everyone is going to be difficult.
Qbe OK/be okay bi: эо'кер spoken
informal if a time or date is OK or is okay, it is convenient for you: I'll drive over and get you. Is 10 o'clock OK?
+ for Friday s probably okay for me, but
I'll check with Jean.
fit in With Sth ^'m wk* (sth)/ [phrasaf verb T] if something fits in with your
plans, you do not need to change your
plans in order to do it: We'd like to go out
for a meal on Thursday - does that fit in
with what you 're doing?
a useful object, place, or
method
. see alsoNEAR
convenient /kan'viiniant/ [ad/] a convenient place or way of doing something is useful because it is quick, easy, and does
not cause you any problems. Credit cards are probably the most convenient way of paying for concert tickets.
it is convenient to do sth I could take the train, but it's more convenient to go in the car.
convenient for the school/shops/station
etc British (=near to the school etc, so it is easy to get there) The hotel is very convenient for the station - it's only a two- minute walk.
handy /'haendi/ [adj] inpormal a handy object, method, place etc is easy to use, easy to do, or easy to get to: Many fruit juices are now available in handy little
cartons 1 It's a handy way of keeping a
record of your spending.
handy for the school/shops/station etc
В
British (-near to the school etc, so it is easy to get there) Our house is very handy for the shops.
not convenient
inconvenient/not convenient in
кэп'уЬшэпы, not kan'viiniant/ |adj] not convenient: I'm afraid he's come at an inconvenient time.
+ for I can call you back later if it's not convenient for you to talk now. I The trouble with Iwing in the country is that it's not very convenient for work. it is inconvenient to do sth If you find it
inconvenient to come to the office, we can mail the papers to you.
Qa bad time 3 b<ed 'taim/ especially spoken a time that is not convenient because you are busy or you have made other plans: Sorry - have I come at a bad time?
a bad time to do sth It was definitely a bad time to ask Mr Field for more money.
COOK
EAT
food
HESTAURANTS/EAIINC AND DRINKING
meal
see also
MIX
4. \
taste
Q to cook a meal or make something such as bread, soup etc
cook кок [и I/T] to prepare food or a
meal by heating it, boiling it, frying it etc:
147
COOK
I'm too tired to cook after school. I Prick the sausages with a fork before cooking them.
COOK 148
cook lunch/supper/a meal etc I usually
cook lunch on Sunday. cook (sth)/or sb (=cook a meal for someone) The last time Lucy cooked a meal
for us we both really enjoyed it. cooked [qc/;] Mix the vegetables and the mayonnaise with the cooked rice. I Is that pasta cooked yet?
make /meik/ [и T] to make a meal or dish or type of food, either by cooking it or by preparing it in some other way: My mother used to make delicious strawberry jam. I I think I'll make fish pie for supper. I I'll make the salad.
make lunch/dinner/supper etc Martin was in the kitchen making lunch. make sb sth I'll make you some sandwiches to take with you.
rmnkiny - nirttlt? - haw mailt*
Qget /get, [и T not in passive] spoken to cook or prepare a meal get break/ast/lunch/dinner Sit down and let me get dinner. get sb their lunch/dinner etc Joey was downstairs getting the kids their breakfast.
getting - got - have got BRITISH setting - tjot - h.nc got ten american
/fiks/ [v T] especially american to make a meal or dish - use this about meals you make quickly, not about big, formal meals jix break/ast/lunch/dinner etc I have to fix lunch now.
fix sb sth You're too late for supper but I can fix you some scrambled eggs.
prepare /рп'реэг/ [u T] written to make a meal or dish, especially something that needs time, effort, or skill: Prepare a sauce
with cream, lemon juice, and mustard. I
Mrs Fujimoto had prepared a delicious meal for them when they got home.
ways of cooking
boil /boil/ [u I/T] to cook food in very hot water: Boil the potatoes until they are
soft. I The beans should be boiled for at
fry 'frai/ [u I/T] to cook food in hot oil, butter, or fat: Fry the onions gently for five minutes. I Mushrooms are best when fried in olive oil. fried j adj only before noun] fried bacon
frying fried - have fried
bake beiк [и I/T] to cook food in an oven, without any liquid or fat: Put the cake into a hot oven and bake for 35 minutes. I Do you bake your own bread? baked \adj only before noun] baked potatoes
roast /raost/ [u I/T] to cook meat or vegetables in an oven or over a fire using a small amount of fat: Roast the chicken for three hours in a hot oven. roast ^dj only before noun] roast potatoes I There's some cold roast beef in the fridge.
grill BRITISH broil AMERICAN /gtll, ЬЫ/ [и
I/T] to cook food, especially meat or fish, by putting it directly underneath a flame or a heated electric object: Grill the steak for about five minutes on each side. I Brush the kebabs lightly with oil and broil them. grilled/broiled [adj only before noun]
grilled fish
Steam /stum/ [u I/T] to cook food in steam: Steam the courgettes for 3-4 minutes. steamed [adj only before noun] a steamed pudding
ways of preparing food
before you cook it
♦
WllX /miks/ [u I/T] to put two or more types of food together: Add eggs to the flour and butter, and mix well mix sth with sth I usually make salad dressing by mixing olive oil with vinegar and adding a little mustard. mix sth together Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
Stir /st3ir/ [u l/T] to mix things together by moving them slowly around with a spoon or fork: She kept stirring the mixture until it was completely smooth. I Heat the soup in a pan, stirring constantly. stir in sth (=add an ingredient to a sauce or mixture and stir it) When the sauce has cooled, stir in the grated cheese.
least 20 minutes. boiled [QCfj only before noun] boiled eggs
149
COPY
beat /Ъi:t/ [и T] to mix eggs, cream etc together thoroughly with a fork or a special tool, using quick, strong movements: Carry on beating the margarine and sugar until they are light and fluffy.
beating - beat - have beaten
whisk /wisk/ [и T] to mix eggs, cream etc very quickly with a special tool or machine, so that they get air in them and become thicker: My mother whisked the eggs and sugar in a large bowl.
not cooked
raw /гэ:' iac01 raw f°°d has not been cooked: a salad made with raw carrots, nuts, and raisins I Sushi consists of raw fish and rice,
uncooked .лп'кокы [adj only before noun] uncooked food has not yet been cooked, but must be cooked before it is eaten: uncooked pastry I Uncooked meat should be stored separately.
underdone/undercooked лпс1эг-
'dAn*, ,And3r'kokt4' [adj] not cooked enough; It can be dangerous to eat undercooked pork. I The potatoes were underdone.
Q cooked too much
overcooked/overdone /,3ov3rkukt«,
,эоуэг^лп*/ [adj] food that is overcooked or overdone has been cooked too much and does not taste nice: Thisstea/c s a little overdone. I / hate overcooked vegetables.
burn /Ьз:гп/ [и T] to cook food for too long, or too close to the heat, so that it becomes black on the outside: Oh no! I've burnt the turkey!
burned/bumt Mil the smell of burnt toast
burning - burned К burnt have burnc vilso have burnt hk
n
A\ You can also use cooking before a noun, like an adjective: Follow the cooking instructions carefully. I cooking utensils
cookery /'kok^ri/ [n U| especially British the activity or study of cooking: My
favourite subject at school was cookery.
/К You can also use cookery before a noun, like an adjective: cookery classes I a cookery book
cuisine kwi'ziin/ [n U] formal the style of cooking of a particular country or place, especially when the food is very good: The restaurant is famous for its excellent cuisine.
French/Italian/Chinese cuisine (=the French etc style of cooking)
instructions for cooking
recipe /res^pi/ [n C] a set of instructions for cooking a particular dish or meal: rabbit pie made to a traditional country recipe
+ for Could you give me the recipe for that chocolate cake?
cookbook (aiso recipe book вкпьм)
/'kokbok, 're$i,p] buk/ [n C] a book that has instructions for preparing various dishes
В someone who cooks
cook /кок/ [n C) someone who cooks food, either as their job or for pleasure: Jane works as a cook in an Italian restaurant.
a good/excellent/terribte cook (=sorneone who is very good or very bad at cooking)
chef /Iеf' (n C] someone who has been trained to prepare and cook food, especially the most important cook in a hotel or restaurant: Marco's a chef in a big hotel in Oxford.
0 the activity of cooking
cooking f kokii]/ [n Ui the activity of cooking. His hobbies include cooking and
cycling.
do the cooking Who does the cooking in your house?
sb's cooking (=the way that someone cooks) Stop criticizing my cooking/
COPY
look here for ...
copy a document or photograph copy the way someone behaves
COPY 1
D to copy a picture or piece of writing
COpy / kDpi||'ka:pi/ |u T] to produce something that is the same as something else: They were arrested for illegally copying video recordings. I Copy the graph on page 25, then answer the questions, copy sth front/into/onto sth The drawings had been copied from photographs. I / copied her address onto a piece of paper. I We had to copy all our files onto floppy disks.
OOpUIKi - СОрк-П h'A\y- topk'd
make a copy /meik э 'kopil-tapi/ to
copy something using a machine + of Til make a copy of my report for you. I Are you allowed to make copies of this software?
photocopy (also xerox trademark, especially american) "footekopi, 'zi^roksf-kuipi, -ra:ks; (u T] to copy a piece of paper with writing or pictures on it, using a special machine that makes a photograph of the original: I photocopied the letter before sending it off. I Where can I get these papers xeroxed?
photocopying - f-ru у to к opkd ! photocopied
0 something that has been copied from something else
СОРУ ;'kDpi||'ka:pi, [n CJ something that has been made to look exactly like something else
+ of This statue is a copy of the one in
the Louvre. I Using computer graphics, we can make an exact copy of the - original design.
; 'I!,: copies
photocopy (also xerox trademark. especially' american) footaknpi, 'zuroksjl-kaipi, -ruiks in С] a copy of a document, letter or picture etc, made by a machine that photographs the original + of Please send a photocopy of your birth certificate, i xeroxes of the company's accounts
; photocopivs
duplicate / djuipUkAtil du:-/ [adj only
before noun] a duplicate key. bill etc is an exact copy of a key, bill etc and can be used in the same way, especially if the
original one is lost, a duplicate set of keys I It's a goodidea to keep duplicate files on floppy disk.
model /mndlll'moidl [n C] a small copy of a building, vehicle, or machine, made to look exactly like the original building, vehicle etc
+ of We bought a little plastic model of the Eiffel Tower as a souvenir. model ship/airplane etc There was a shelf in his bedroom full of model planes.
replica replikэ/ In CI a copy of а well-known vehicle, building, or weapon, especially one that is the same size as the original: a replica gun + of You can now drive a perfect replica of this classic racing car I The building is an exact replica of the original Globe theatre.
reproduction //кргэШМ [n С] а
copy of an old or valuable work of art or piece of furniture-. Of course this picture isn't the original - it's only a reproduction. I reproduction furniture + оfa reproduction of a beautiful Ming vase
H to copy something without permission
<0РУ < kDpiil'kaipi/ |u 1/T] to copy something and dishonestly pretend it is your own work: Any student caught copying from someone else will be sent out. I She was /urious when she discovered
that another scientist had copied her
ideas.
copy sth from/out of sth This isn 't your own work. You copied it out of the book.
( opt'irm • op?t d - h.jvr copied
forge fo:rd3 [u TJ to illegally copy something written or printed, such as a bank note or official document, for dishonest purposes: The thief had forged my signature on a cheque. I He must have entered the country using a forged passport.
И an illegal copy
forgery / foird33ri C] an illegal copy of something such as a bank note or official document: The passports were forgeries. I
Further investigation showed that the so called 'Hitler Diaries' were a forgery.
piumi forgeries
countei/eit 'kaunt^fit, [adj] counterfeit money looks exactly like real money but has been produced illegally: Police have warned stores to look out for coun
terfeit $50 bills.
pirate /pai^rst/ [adj only before nounj pirate copies/videos/CDs copies of books, records, films etc that have been made illegally and are sold without the permission of the people who originally produced them: They were selling pirate copies of 'Windows 95'.
В to do the same as someone else
copy /kopifkaipi/ [v Tj to do the same things that someone else does: Many women copied the way Princess Diana dressed. I Billy started making rude noises, and of course the other kids copied him.
copying - copied - have copied
imitate /im^teii/ [и T) to copy the way someone behaves, speaks, writes, or moves, especially because you admire them or want to be like them: When chil dren play, they frequently imitate adu/ts. I A lot of turiters have tried to imitate Lawrence's style.
do wKat sb does /,dU: wm (sb) ёлг/ to
do the same things as someone else, especially in order to learn from them: Just watch the others and do what they do. You'll soon learn the job.
follow sb's example /,гыэо (sbs)
ig'za:mp^l||,fci:]3o (sbs) igzaem-/ to do the same as someone else, especially because you admire them or because they have got good results by doing it Perhaps Britain should follow America's example and keep religion and education separate.
to copy someone's behaviour or voice in order
to make people laugh
imitate /'im^teit/ [и T] to copy what someone says or does, in order to make people laugh: She's really good at imitating our
teacher's Scottish accent.
151 COST
do an impression of sb/do an impersonation of sb /du: эп im
buy
SPEND
prepn ov (sb), ,du' эп imp3:rs3'neipn dv (sb); to copy the way a famous person speaks, walks, or behaves in order to make people laugh: He did a pretty stupid impression of Charlie Chaplin.
COST
CHEAP
T
EXPENSIVE*^
see
4 ^ also
FREEST ^ MONEY
pay
4» \
shop
what you have to pay
for something
cost /kDstJkosst/ [n C] the amount of money you must pay for services, activities, or things you need all the time like food and electricity
+ of The cost of bread went up by 200%. I Many old people cannot afford the cost of heating their homes. Higk/low cost the high cost of building land in Tokyo
Keating/transport at ion/ legal etc costs
Delaney still owes his lawyer over £20,000 in legal costs. the cost of living (=the amount of money you need for things such as food, clothes.
Don't use 'cost' about things you buy in shops. Use price.
and rent)
A
Don't say 'the cost is expensive'. Say it is expensive.
price /prais/ [n C] the amount of money you must pay to buy something that is for sale, especially in a shop: There's a great new clothes store on Main Street, and the prices seem very reasonable. + of What's the price of a pack of cigarettes nowadays? Kal/ price (=half the usual price) / bought these jeans half price in the sale. reduce/cut prices Comet has reduced the prices of most electrical goods by 25%.
fare /Теэг/ (n C] the cost of a journey on a bus, train, plane etc: Fd like to visit my cousin in Canada, but I can't afford the fare.
taxi/bus/plane etc fare How much is the taxi fare home?
rent /rent/ [n C/U] the amount of money
that you must pay to live in or use a place that you do not own
pay rent She pays £350 a month rent for a one-bed roomed apartment. High/low rent Office rents are highest in the centre of town.
put up the rent/raise the rent (^increase it) Our landlord has just raised the rent again.
charge /tja:rd3, [n C/Uj the amount of
money that you must pay for a service or for being allowed to use something banJc/delivery/electricity etc charges
How much do you pay in bank charges a month?
+ for Is there an extra charge for using the su>imming pool?
fee № Q the amount of money that you must pay to someone such as a doctor, lawyer, or teacher for a professional service: My lawyer has increased his fee to $200 an hour.
school/legal/medical etc fees An acci dent on vacation can cost you a lot in medical fees.
ways of saying or asking how much something costs
COSt /kostflkxst/ [v] if something costs £10. $100 etc, that is what you have to pay in order to buy it: How much did that coat cost? I It only costs 50 cents.
cost £10/$20/a lot etc The holiday costs £600 per person.
cost sb £10/S20 etc That sofa cost me nearly $1000.
cost a fortune informal (=cost a lot of
money) The car has cost a fortune to
repair.
it costs Ј10/$20/a tot etc to do sth It
A
costs about £500 to fly to America. costing - cost - have cost
Don't say 'it costs very expensive'. Say
it is expensive or it costs a lot.
__.J
A
Qhow much /hau mAtJ/ spoken say how much to ask what the price or cost of something is: How much is that table? I That's a beautiful ring - how much did you pay for it? I By the way, how much does it cost to use the swimming pool?
Don't say 'how much costs this?' or 'how much cost was it?' Say how much does this cost? or how much did it cost?
be /bi:; \v] if something is £100, $1000 etc, that is how much it costs - use this especially when you are asking or replying to a question about the cost of something be Ј5/$20/a lot of money etc 'That's a nice shirt - how much was it?" "It was only five pounds." I I can't remember how much it cost. I think it was around
$400.
how much something would cost if it was sold
value /'vaeljui; [n C/U] the amount of money that something expensive, rare, or old would cost if it was sold - use this to talk about things like houses, cars, jewellery, paintings, or furniture + of The value of the painting was estimated at $500,000.
increase/fall in value Some fine wines increase in value as they get older.
be worth /bi: 'W3:r6/ if something is worth £10, $100 etc, that is how much money it would cost if it was sold: How much is your ring worth? be worth $500/Ј10 etc I guess their
COST 152
rising prices (=prices that keep increasing) Football fans have been complaining about rising ticket prices. oity/ood/house etc prices House prices have come down a lot in recent years.
/К Don't say 'the price is expensive' or 'the price is cheap'. Say it is expensive or it is cheap.
A You can also use price before a noun, like an adjective: price increases I price controls
house must be worth about £500,000. I That old piano can't be worth more than $200.
to ask for a particular amount of money for something
charge /tja;rd3/ [u I/T) if someone charges an amount of money, that is how much you must pay them for providing a service or doing work for you charge Ј10/$50 etc He charges $200 an hour. ! The engineer charged £70 for labour and £45 for parts.
charge sb Ј10/$50 How much are they charging you for the repairs? \ The bank will charge its customers 6% interest from next week.
ask <a:sk||aesk/ [и T] to want an amount of money for something that you are selling, especially when other people think the price is too high
ask £100/53000 etc for sth I don't believe he's asking £2000 for that old car.
Qwant /wont||wa:nt/ [t> T] especially spoken to want an amount of money for something you are selling or for doing work for someone
want £20/550 etc for sth How much do you want for the video recorder?
a statement that says how much something will probably cost
estimate /'est^tj [n С] a statement that says how much money it will probably cost to build or repair something: The final cost was £2000 higher than the original
estimate.
+/or I've asked the builders to give us an estimate for fixing the roof
quotation also quote informal /kwsu-
1eiJ<m, kwsut/ [n C] a written statement of exactly how much money something will cost: Ge/ a few quotations from different firms so you can compare prices.
When you scЂ , go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
COUNT/CALCULATE
number
<4 я
see also
it ^
cost amount/
to count numbers, objects etc in order to find the total
count/count up /kaunt, ,kaont лр/ [v T] to find the total number of things or people in a group by counting them all: Katherine counted her money. There was almost $50 left. I Count up the number of calories you haue each day. I The teacher was counting the children as they got onto the bus.
add up jxd лр j [phrasal verb T] to put several numbers or amounts together and calculate the total
add up sth When we added up the receipts we realized we had spent too much.
add sth up The books cost quite a lot of money, when you added them all up.
keep count /,ki:p kaunt/ to keep a record, either on paper or in your memory, of numbers or amounts that increase over a period of time, so that you always know what the total is: I don't know what the score was. I wasn't keeping count. + of She was trying to keep count of how many stations they'd passed.
to calculate an amount or price
calculate /'kslkjSjleit/ [v T] to find out
how much something will cost, how long something will take etc, by using numbers: Their accountant calculated the total cost of the project.
calculate how much/how many/how Jar
etc Try to calculate how long the fuel will last.
total
153
COUNT/CALCULATE
+ that Sally calculated that she needed $300 to pay all her bills. calculation /.kaelkB'leijjn/ (n С often plural) a process by which you calculate
COUNT/CALCULATE 1
a totaJ, price, time etc: NASA calcula tions put the cost of the space program at $118 billion.
Qwork out ,w3irk 'aot [р/iraso/ verb T] especially spoken to calculate an answer, amount, price, or value
work out sth / always use a calculator to
work out percentages.
work sth out"How much do I owe you7''
'7 haven't worked it out yet"
work out how much/how many/how far
etc We need to work out how much food we'll need to take with us.
estimate /'est^meit [и T] to guess an
amount, price, or number, as exactly as you can
+ that It's been estimated that the number of car-owners will increase by about 15%.
estimate what/how many/how much
etc It is impossible to estimate how many illegal guns there are in circulation.
estimate [n C) an amount that is guessed, not calculated exactly: As a rough estimate, we currently recycle about 5% of the paper we use.
to add one number to another
add eed/ [v T| to put two or more numbers together and calculate the answer
add sth and sth If you add 24 and 36 you get 60.
add sth to sth Add 10% to the total. addition ln U] when you add a number
Qplus /pias/ [preposition] spokf.n use plus between numbers or amounts to show that you are adding one to another: Eight plus six is fourteen. 1 The cost is £45 plus £5 for delivery.
^The written sign for p|Usis '+'• 8 + 6 = 14
to take one number from another
Qtalce/take away /teik, teik s'wei/ \v
Tj especially spoken to take one number from another and calculate the answer take sth (away) Jrom sth If you take 17 from 100 you get 83. I Take 19 away from 48 and then add 15.
54
subtract /sab'traekr/ [v T] to take one number from another and calculate the answer: To convert the temperature into celsius, subtract 32, then multiply by 5 and divide by 9.
subtract sth/rom sth Subtract 12 from
32.
subtraction [n U) when you subtract a number
A Subtract is more formal than take or take away.
Qminus mamas [preposition) spoken use minus between numbers or amounts to show that you are taking one from another: 30 minus 5 leaves 25.
^^ The written sign for minus is '-': 10-6 = 4
to multiply one number by another
multiply /'nult^plai/ [v I/Т] to add a number to itself a particular number of times multiply sth by sth If you multiply ten by seven you get seventy. + by To find the price in yen, you must multiply by 86.
multiplied by 21 multiplied by 10 is 110.
multiplying - multiplied - have
multiplied
multiplication /,тл1Цр1^ке!рп/ [n U) when you multiply a number: Use your calculator for multiplication.
Д The written sign for multiplied by is
V: 6x3= 18
Qtimes /taimz/ [preposition] spoken use times between numbers or amounts to show that you are multiplying one by another: Five times six equals thirty. I What's nine times eighteen?
El to divide one number by another
divide /dj> vaid, {u I/T] to divide one number by another, usually smaller, number + by It is easier to divide by 10 than by 12.
divide sth by sth If you divide thirty by five you get six.
divided by 36 divided by 2 is IS. division /'d^'vivn [n U] when you divide a number: We didn't learn division until we were older.
COUNTRY
if you mean 'land where there are trees and fields and not many buildings', go to countryside
m see also land and sea, walk 2, з,
environment
country
country "клпт/ [n Cj an area of land with its own government, army etc, for example. France, Japan, or the USA: Brazil is one of the biggest countries in the world. How many countries are there in Europe? I The northeast of the country was badly hit by the hurricane. I I've travelled all over the country. (=to a lot of places within a country) the country {=all the people in a country) The explosion in Paris shocked the whole country.
A
plural countries
A Don't say 'what is your country?'. Say where are you from? or where do you come from?
Don't call a country a 'land'. Land is mostly used in poetry or in stories about the past or about distant places. Long ago, in a land far away from here, there lived a wicked queen.
State /steit/ [n С] a country - use this to talk about a country as a political organization with its own political system: In 1830 Greece became an independent state. I the member states of the European Union (=the countries that belong to the EU) I For more than 70 years the Soviet Union was a one-party state.
colony ко1эт||'ка:- [n С] a country that
Ж
be /гот/соте fi
from fphrasal verb '
A
has no independent government of its own. but is controlled by another country, especially one that is a long way away: former British co/onies in Africa
colonies
the country that you come from
ГОШ /bi: from, клт [phrasal verb T] if you are from or come from a country, that is where you were born or is the place that you consider to be your home: Maya s father is from Sri Lanka and her mother is from Brazil. I "Where do you come from?" "Australia."
Don't say 'he is coming from Hong Kong'. Say he comes from Hong Kong.
Коте /Изит/ [n U] the country that you consider to be your home, especially when you are living in a different country: I've lived abroad most of my life but 1 still think of England as my home. Qback Коте spokfn (=in the country you come from) Back home we never had to
155
COUNTRY
lock our doors at night. go/travel//ly Коте Air fares go up in December because everyone flies home for Christmas.
nation /'neij^n/ (n С] a country - use this especially to talk about a country's history, way of life, and social and economic conditions: Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation. I Representatives from the seven leading industrial nations will meet in Geneva this week. I The flag symbolizes a new united, democratic South African nation. the nation («all the people in a nation) The President will broadcast to the nation this evening. I a celebration that united the whole nation
Д Don't say 'I'm going back to my country'. Say I'm going home.
the line where one country ends and another begins
border /bo:rd3r [n C] the official line that
separates two countries + with The river runs along Mexico s border with the US.
the Brazilian border/Nigerian border etc
(=the border where Brazil, Nigeria etc begins)
someone who has the right to live in a country
citizen 'sjt^n, [л С] a person from a particular country who has the legal right to vote, work, and live there: He became a
Dutch citizen after working there for eight years. I The US government is advising all American citizens in the war zone to come home.
nationality < n<ejVnseli>ti/ [n C/U] your
nationality is the fact that you are American, Japanese, French etc: We had
A
to write our name and nationality on the form. I people of different nationalities plural nationalities
Nationality is a forma! and official word. To teli someone where you come from, don't say 'my nationality is French' Say I am French or I come from France.
citizenship /■sjtjz^njjp/ [n U] US/Japanese etc citizenship the legal right of being an American, Japanese etc citizen, especially when you were born in another country: She married him so that she could get Swiss citizenship.
existing in or happening in a country
national /'пж1«?пэ1/ [adj usually before noun] use national about things that happen in or affect a whole country and not just a part of it: Ice hockey is the national sport of Canada. I The Day of the Dead is a national holiday in Latin American countries. I nationc/ and local news nationally [adu] Nationally there was a 12% drop in crime last year.
on the border Jeumont is a small town on the French-Belgian border. cross the border The refugees crossed the border at night.
COUNTRY
domestic /do'mestik/ [acfj/adu usually before noun] use domestic about things that happen or exist within a county and do not affect any other country: All domestic flights have been cancelled, but a few international flights are still running. I The factory produces cars mainly for the domestic market.
existing in or happening in many countries
international /,1тэг'пж/<?пэи/ [adj usually before noun] use international about things that involve or affect people from several different countries: an inferna- tional conference on human rights I international trade agreements I Hal Hartley s latest movie has been an inter national success.
multinational /,тл1п'пжрпэи/ [adj only before noun] multinational company/ bank/corporation a large company that has offices or factories in many different countries: His business has been bought by a huge multinational oil corporation.
someone who loves their country
patriotic /.paetri'Dtik*, .pei-J.peitri'aitik^/ [adj] someone who is patriotic loves their country and is very loyal to it: Were just good, patriotic Americans ready to defend our freedom. I At school we had to raise the flag and sing patriotic songs every morning. patriotism /'paetriatiz^m, 'pei-||'pei-' |n U) love for your country
nationalistic /.naej^ns'listik^ [adj] someone who is nationalistic believes that their country is better than any other, and often has no respect for other countries: As nationalistic feelings grew, life became increasingly difficult for immigrants.
nationalism /'naef^naliz^m/ In U] nationalistic feelings: the rise of nationalism and military power that led to war in
1914
people who want to
form a separate country
nationalist /паерпэЦ st/ (n C] someone who wants a separate independent country for people of their own race, religion, or origin
Scottish/Welsh/Quebec etc nationalists
156
The Scottish nationalists won a record number of votes in the local elections. nationalist [adj] the nationalist campaign in French-speaking Canada nationalism [n U] nationalist ideas and activities: Basque nationalism
COUNTRYSIDE
the parts of a country that are far from towns or cities
see also environment
countryside "kAntrisaid/ [n U] the parts
of a country that are not near any big towns or cities, where there are farms, fields, villages etc: a villa with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside the French/Sussex etc countryside Cezanne's paintings of the French countryside
tKe country /Ээ клтп/ [n singular! an area that is not in or near a big town or city - use this when you are comparing this kind of area with towns and cities in the country Id hate to live in the country - I'd get really bored. I They have an apartment in town and a cottage in the country.
Zii You can also use country before a noun, like an adjective: с country house (=a big house in the country) I country people
rural /'гшгэ1/ [adj only before noun] use rural about places and situations that exist far away from big towns and cities, especially when you are talking about employment, education, and social conditions: poverty and unemployment in rural areas I rural health programs rural France/India etc In many parts of rural India there is no electricity.
nature /'neitJV/ [n U] everything in the physical world that is not made or controlled by humans, such as wild plants and animals, rocks, and the weather: Nature has an amazing power to heal. I the beauty of nature
nature reserve (=an area where animals and plants are protected)
/К Don't use nature when you mean countryside- Don't say 'The nature around here is very beautiful'. Say The countryside around here is very beautiful.
157 J^^i COVER
WORD
COURT/TRIAL
see pages 158-160
COVER
D to put something over, on, or around something else
cover
m
cover / клуэг/ (и T] to put something over, on, or around something else, in order to hide it, protect it, or improve its appearance: Prepare the salad, and cover it until it's time to serve. cover sth with sth She covered her face with her hands and ran upstairs. cover up sth/cover sth up (=cover something completely) They used special paint to cover up the cracks in the wall.
put over /.put эиV3r/ Iphrasa/ verb T] to
put a cloth or piece of material loosely
over the top of something in order to
cover it: The stewardess gave him a
blanket to put over his legs.
put sth over sth Before you paint
the walls, put some old sheets over the
furniture.
wrap up
wrap up/wrap /,гэер лр, гжр/ lu Т] to
put paper, plastic, cloth etc tightly around something in order to protect it or decorate it: Have you wrapped all your Christmas presents yet?
cover continues on page 161
158
COURT/TRIAL
for the first part of this story, go to
police
guilty/not guilty
COURT/TRIAL
Q If someone is arrested by the police and charged with a crime, they have to go to court and stand trial. The trial takes place in a courtroom and the person who is on trial is called the defendant. The defendant pleads either guilty or not
vocabulaiy
arrest p'rest/ \v T] if the police arrest someone, they take them to a police station and keep them there, because they believe that person is guilty of a crime; Police arrested 50 demonstrators outside the parliament building.
arrest sb for sth Bates was orrested for dangerous driving.
charge /tjard3/ \v T) if the police charge someone, they tell that person that they believe he or she is guilty cf a crime, and that the person must appear in court so that it can be proved whether they are guilty or not charge sb with murder/rape/tfieft etc No-one has yet been charged with the murder I Following last night's raid on a tuarehouse, po/ice have charged three men with handling illegal drugs.
client /'klaiait/ [n C] the person a lawyer is paid to work for during a trial. The lawyer tries to prove that his or her client is not guilty of a crime: Your honour, my c/ient and I would like some time to discuss the latest evidence.
court /kart; In C/Ul a building or room where all the information concerning a crime or legal problem is publicly and officially given, so that it can be legally judged: A large group oj photographers and reporters gathered outside the court. I the American Supreme Court
appear in court (=be in a court because the police think you have committed a crime or know something about
a crime) Fox appeared in court ijesterday on three
charges of assault.
go to court (=officially ask to have a legal problem dealt with by a judge or jury in a court) She says she will go to court to try to proue that she was unfairly dis missed from her pb.
commit /кэпш/ [и T] commit a crime/offence to do
something illegal: Can you be tried in this country for crimes that were committed abroad? I Since last year, he has committed at /east three further offences
courtroom /1cxrtnmi, -rum/ J л С usually singular) the room where a trial takes place: Simpson told a packed courtroom of the euents that happened on the night of the murder. I A fight broke out in о London courtroom ye&terday.
defendant /difendant/ [n C] the person in a court who has been charged with a crime and is trying to prove that he or she did not do it: The defendant pleaded not guilty.
the defence brttish the defense american /fto difens/
the lawyers in a court who try to prove that someone is
159
COURT/TRIAL
COURT/TRIAL
О The defendant is represented oy lawyers who try to prove that he or she is innocent These lawyers are known as the defense.
, The prosecution tries to prove thai the defendant is guilty. They call witnesses who give evidence against him
not guilty of a crime
deftnct lawytr/defens* lawyer (=one of the members
of the defence) evidence /evjctois/ [n Uj all the information, objects,
documents etc that are used in a law court to help to prove what really happened during a crime piece of evidtvict The most important piece of evi dence, the murder weaponf had not been found. give evuienct (-teti a court what you know about a crime or the people involved in it) His former girlfriend
wos colled to gibe evidence
give evidence against sb {=tefi the court things that help to prove someone is guilty} Husbands and wives cannot be forced to give evidence against each other
guilty /'gilti/ [adj] having done something that is a crime: Do you think she's gu//fy? + of West was guilty o/seoera/ robberies not guilty He soid that he was not guilty of ant/ offence.
find sb guilty/not guilty (=when a court officially decides that someone has or has not committed a crime) She wqs found guilty of attempted murder.
ilUlOCCIlt finxant/ [adj] someone who is innocent has not committed a crime; Throughout their imprisonment (=uten they were in prison), the six men a/mays insisted that they were innocent
judge d^Adj/ in Qthe person in charge of a court, who knows a lot about the law, and who makes the official decision about what the punishment for a crime should be: Everyone stood up as the judge entered the court* room I Judge Butler gave the defendant q six-month jail sentence.
jury /djum/ [n C] a group of (usually 12) ordinary people, who listen to all the evidence about a crime, and then decide whether or not someone is guilty; The jury wqs made up of seven women and five men. I Have you ever been on a jury?
lawyer (a|so attorney /tger/ (n C\ someone who is trained in the law and who represents people in court; You have to study for a long time to become a lawyer I Everyone has the right to be represented in court by a lawyer.
plead guilty/plead not guilty / piud gilti, ,р!Ы not gifti/ when the defendent in a trial pleads guilty or pleads not guilty they officially tell a court at the beginning of a trial that they either did or did not com- mit a crime: "How does the defendant plead?" "Not guilty, your honor/ I If you plead guilty you might get a lighter sentence. (=a punishment that is not as severe)
Соишг/TMAL continues on the next page
the prosecution /to .pros^'kjui/^il.pra-/ the lawyers in
a court who tjy to prove that someone is guilty of a crime
provt /prurv/ [v T] to show that something is definitely true, so that there is no doubt
represent /.repn'zent/ [v T] if a lawyer represents someone in a law court, they try to make sure that he or she gets a good result from a trial, for example by persuading the court that the person is not guilty of a crime
Sentence /sentans/ [n Q the official punishment that someone is given by a judge when a court decides that they are guilty of a crime, especially a period of time in prison
a 7-year/frmonth etc.sentence (=when someone has to go to prison for 7 years, 6 months etc) pass sentence («when a judge says what the punishment will be) Judge Evans will pass sentence on the three men tomorrow.
life sentence (-when someone must go to pnson for a very long time or for the rest of their life) death sentence (=when the punishment is death)
COURT/TRIAL
COURT/TRIAL
sentence fsentons/ \v T] if a judge sentences someone, he or she says what the punishment for their crime will be
days in jail. I The judge sentenced him to 100 days' community service. (=when you have to do something that will help the people in your local area)
trial /1пиэ1/ [л С] an official and legal process in a law court, in which people try to prove whether or not someone is guilty of a crime: The trial is due to take place next month at Wood Green Crown Court. be on trial (for sth) (=when a court is trying to decide whether or not someone is guilty of a crime) A man from Seattle is on trial for the murder stand trial (=to have to go to a trial in which the court tries to prove you are guilty of a crime) The judge ruled that she was too ill to stand trial
verdict /Wdikt/ In CI the decision that the jury makes about whether someone is guilty of a crime or not: What's the jury's verdict? Guilty or not guilty? return a verdict (—officially say whether someone is guilty or not)
witness /'witn^s/ fn C] someone who knows something
about a crime, and tells the court what they know; Would the first witness please stand up? call a witness (-officially ask a witness to answer questions about a crime in a court)
160
your honour BRTHSH your Копог AMERICAN lyxr trol- аяэг/ the official name that people use in a court when they speak to the judge
161
COVER
cover
cover continued from page 157
cover
wrap sth up/wrap up sth I took the picture off the wall and wrapped it up in brown paper
wrap sth Cup) in sth He wrapped his muddy boots up in newspaper and threw them into a bag.
coat /ksot/ [и T) to thinly cover the whole surface of something, especially food, with something soft or liquid coat sth with/in sth Coat the chicken with garlic butter and cook it at 200 °C.
something that is used to cover something else
cover /"kAV3r/ {n CJ a piece of paper, plastic. cloth etc that is used to cover something: I've bought some cushion covers to brighten up my room. I It's a good idea to buy a cover for your computer keyboard. I There were old record covers scattered all over the floor. I He removed the cover from the back of the TV.
covering /'k.\v<?rii]/ [n C] something that is
used to cover a large Hal area, especially in order to protect it from damage, dirt etc: The prison cells have no electricity and no floor coverings. I The insect's shell giues it a tough protective covering.
lid lid/ [n C] a flat part that fits on top of a container, a pan, a box etc in order to close it: a saucepan lid + of Sam lifted the lid of his desk and took out a calculator 1 She was trying to unscrew the lid of a jar of honey.
top top||to:p/ In CI a thing that fits on the top of a bottle, pen. or narrow container, which you press on or turn in order to close it: Why don 't you ever put the top back on the toothpaste? I I can't get the top off this bottle.
/'гзерэг/ |n C] a piece of paper, or very thin plastic or metal, that covers food, chocolate etc when you
buy it: The empty stadium was littered with burger wrappers and empty cans. I chewing-gum wrappers
a thin flat layer that covers a surface
layer /1е1эг/ [n С) a thin flat quantity of something that covers the whole of a surface
+ of A layer of dust covered everything in the room. I Sprinkle a layer of soil over the seeds.
film /film/ [n C} a very thin clear layer, especially of something liquid, that has formed on a surface
a/dm of oil/grease/sweat/dust A film of oil was floating on the surface of the
water.
coating 'ksutii) [n С] a layer of a liquid or
soft substance that has been put on the surface of something, for example in order to protect it or make it taste better: Cassette tapes have a magnetic oxide coating.
+ of ice cream with a thick coating of chocolate
Q when an object or area has been covered with something
be covered in/with sth /bi: 'клуэМ in,
wrapper
wrapper
wifi (sth)/ if something is covered in or covered with something, it has that substance lying all over the top of it or spread all over it: The ground was covered with snow. I Look at your clothes! They're covered in mud. I an ancient wall covered with ivy
be coated in/with sth bi: кюЦс! in.
wid (sth) if an object is coated in or is coated with a liquid or soft substance, it has a layer of that substance all over its surface: Serve the chicken with new potatoes coated in butter.
CRAZY
very strange and not at all sensible
^ if you mean that someone has a mental illness, go to mentally ill
11 people
Qcrazy (also mad british ) ,/kreizi, m<cd |ac/jl espf.ciallv spoken someone who is crazy or mad behaves in a strange or stupid way, as if there is something wrong with their mind: My parents think I'm crazy, but I've always enjoyed dangerous sports. I You agreed to marry him? Are you mad? I crazy drivers who cause accidents
go crazy/mad (=start to feel crazy) I'll go crazy if I stay in this house much longer. drive sb crazy/mad (=make them start to feel crazy) Stop that noise! You 're driving me crazy.
be crazy/mad to do stk You must be
crazy to lend him all that money!
I ГИ/V - ( I'dv'H'l - t ■r.i.^n'St
nicid - madder - jri.hUk st
/!\ Don't say 'become crazy' or 'become mad'. Say go crazy or go mad.
A\ Don't say 'very crazy' or Very mad'.
Say completely crazy/mad or totally crazy/mad Put that gun down! Are you totally crazy?
Qinsane/out of your mind ,/in'sem.
CRAZY
,aot 3v p:r maind/ \adj] especially spoken you say someone is insane or out of their mind if they do something or intend to do something that is completely crazy: Anyone who takes a boat out in this weather must be insane. I Tell the police? Are you out of your mind?
Qbe nuts (also be crackers BRITISH)
bi; паts, bi: knekarz spoken informal to be crazy: People will think you're crackers if you go around talking to yourself like that. ! He's completely nuts, that guy! He goes camping in the middle of winter.
Qmaniac/lunatic /'memiaek, 1и:пэпк
[n C] especially spoken someone who behaves in a stupidly dangerous way: He drives like a maniac. I Some lunatic threw paraffin on the fire.
Qnutcase n.\tkeis [n CJ spoken informal someone who behaves strangely and has very unusual ideas: His sister's a real nutcase. She believes in fairies.
El things/ideas/situations
Qcrazy (also mad British) / kreizi, m<ed [adj\ especially spoken ideas, actions, or situations that are crazy or mad are not at all sensible and are likely to cause problems or danger: You see drivers do some crazy things. I Jade wants to build a swimming pool in the garden. I think it's a mad idea.
it's crazy The farmers get more money from the government if they don't plant crops - it's crazy.
гга/й*1 ~ (Cra/it'st rticiH rmKidU'r - m<t(3dt'>r.
A\ Don't say Very crazy' or 'very mad'. Say absolutely crazy/mad or completely
crazy/mad: How can we do all this work in one day? It's absolutely crazy.
insane /m'sein- [adj] an insane idea or plan is stupid or dangerous, and is very
unlikely to succeed: For some insane reason, he decided to do the whole drive in one day.
it is insane to do sth It would be insane to go out in the boat in weather like this.
Qbe lunacy (also be madness
British) /bi: luin^si, bi: 'maedn^s/ [n Uj especially spoken you say that a situation or
action is lunacy or is madness if you
think it is completely crazy: They can't close the hospital - it's madness!
it is sheer lunacy/madness to do sth (=it
162
is completely crazy to do it) It would be sheer lunacy to try to cross the desert on your own.
CRIME
THREATEN TELL 5 FH KILL
drugs
see
also
ATTACK COURT/TRIAL
something that is not legal
crime /kraim (n C| an action that is against the law, such as stealing something, taking drugs, or deliberately hurting someone : The number of crimes reported to the police has increased.
police
steal
LAW
commit a crime (=do something that is a crime) We believe that the crime was committed around 7:30 p.m. + against Violent crimes against the elderly are on the increase. serious crime The police say that 50% of serious crimes are drug-related. solve a crime (=find out who did it) a terrible crime which was never solved
Offence is used especially in official situations by the police, judges, and lawyers. Offence can be used both for serious crimes like murder and robbery, and for less serious actions like parking your car in the wrong place or not paying your taxes.
Don't say 'do an offence'. Saycommit an offence
illegal l'lug^l lad;] not legal: He was fined for selling illegal drugs. I There is a lot of illegal copying of computer software. it is illegal to do sth In Britain, it is illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under 16.
be against the law /bii 3,genst аэ Ъ:/
if something is against the law, it is illegal to do it: Drinking alcohol in a public place is against the law. it is against the law to do sth In
Sweden, it is against the law to hit a child.
break the law /,breik дэ b:/ to do
A
A
163
CRIME
something that is illegal: People who break the law must expect to be punished. 1 I didn't realize I was breaking the law.
/hk Don't say 'he made a crime' or 'he did
a crime'. Say he committed a crime
offence British offense american /a'fens/ (n CI any action that can be punished by law: Tarrant is now in jail for various offenses including rape. commit an ojffence (=do something that is an offence) Bates is being tried for offences committed in the 1980s. criminal oJFfence Driuing when drunk is a criminal offence.
serious ojfjfence The number of women convicted of serious offences is still relatively small
minor offence (=not very serious) Hewson was arrested for a number of minor offences.
speeding/parking offence Speeding offenses are usually punishable by a fine.
criminal /кпт]п<?1/ [adj only before noun] connected with crimes: James made around £100,000 from his criminal activities.
criminal record (=a list of someone's crimes that is kept by the police) It s very difficult to get a job if you have a criminal record.
criminal charge (=an official statement by the police that someone has done something illegal) West's wife faced serious criminal charges in connection with the murders.
crimes in general
crime /kraim [n U] crimes in general - use this to talk generally about the reasons for crime, the problems it causes, and the number of crimes: the growing problem of crime in the inner cities violent crime Violent crime increased by 36% last year.
serious crime Victims of serious crime are often too scared to talk about their experiences.
You can also use crime before a noun, like an adjective: an increase in the crime rate
(=the number of crimes that happen) I crime
prevention
A Don't say 'the crime' when you are talking about, crimes in general: Peopfe are worried about the increase in crime (not 'in the crime').
someone who is guilty of a crime
criminal /'krim^n^l/ In C] someone who is
guilty of a serious crime or of several crimes: The police are hunting for a dangerous criminal named Joseph DeCosta.
offender bfendaV [n C] someone who has broken the law and is being punished for doing this: The courts should impose tougher punishments on offenders. young offender British juvenile offender american (=under 18 years old) The system for dealing with young offenders doesn 't really work.
Offender is used especially in official situations, for example by politicians or the police.
gang /gxi]l [n С] a group of criminals who work together: Gangs of thieues used to hang around the station, armed gang (=with guns) An armed gang robbed a warehouse in the south of the city.
organized crime /^ganaizd kraim, [n
petty crime |=crime that is not very serious) Leo became involved in petty crime at a very young age.
CRIME
U) large criminal organizations that plan and control serious crimes such as robbing banks and selling drugs: Police need more resources to fight organized crime.
CRITICIZE
Ш COMPLAINING Ш OPINIONS ^ ^ ^ DISAGREE
see
also ^^
blame
to criticize someone or something in an annoying, unfair, or unkind way
find Jault with sth /,faind foilt wrfi (sth)/ to criticize things that are wrong with
praise ^^ complain
4 \
s3 disagreeing
to say what is bad about a person, plan, performance etc
criticize (also criticise British) /'кпЦ-
saizj [f l/T] to say what is bad about someone or something: Stop criticizing my driuing.' I People are always criticizing the Royal family, but I think they do a good job. \ It's easy to criticize, but managing a football team can be an extremely difficult job. criticize sb for doing sth The United Nations was criticized for failing to react sooner to the crisis.
criticize sb/sth as The TV show was criticized as racist and inaccurate.
attack /g'taek/ (и T] to strongly and publicly criticize a person, plan, or belief that you completely disagree with: Several actors have attacked proposals to cut the theatre's budget. attack sb for (doing) stk Critics attacked Roosevelt for not doing
enough.
164
be critical /bi: kritiM/ to strongly criticize a plan, system, or way of doing something, especially when you give detailed reasons why you think it is wrong: Don't be so critical - we're doing our best. + of Miller was critical of the way the company was managed, be highly critical (=very critical) The article is highly critical of US policies towards Central America.
someone or something, especially small and unimportant things: * No-one enjoys working for a boss who a/ways finds fault with their work.
pick holes in sth /,pik 'haulz in (sth)/ informal, especially British to criticize small details in someone's ideas or plan - use this about someone who seems to be looking for problems and mistakes: As soon as she stopped talking, Janet's colleagues began to pick holes in the idea.
talk about sb behind their back
,D:k abaut (sb) bi.hamd 'Ыек/ to criticize someone when they are not there: / was very upset when 1 found out that they'd all been talking about me behind my back.
make fun of sb/poke fun at sb
/.meik Тлп dv (sb), ,рэок Тлп <et (sb)/ to say unkind things about someone or about the things they do, in order to make them look silly: The kids at school make fun of Jack because he's fat. I a comedian who pokes fun at TV celebrities and politicians
Q to tell someone that they should not have done something
tell sb off /.tel (sb) Dt]|-b:f/ (phrasal verb T] to tell someone that they should not have done something, and warn them that they must not do it again - use this especially about teachers and parents talking to children
+ /or When I got home my dad told me off for staying out so late, get told off (=be told off) She was always getting told off by her teachers.
chew sb out /,tju:(sb) aotl[phrasal verb T| american informal to talk to someone angrily for a long time, and tell them that they should not have done something: Diane was late for the th'rd time that week, and the boss called her into his office and chewed her out. get chewed out I was always getting chewed out for things I hadn't even done.
В something that you write or say in order to criticize
criticism /'knt^siz^m/ [n C/U) what you say or write when you criticize someone or something: Bill's very sensitive to any kind of criticism.
+ of The report makes many criticisms of the nation's prison system. severe/strong criticism There has been strong criticism of these proposals. come in for criticism (=be criticized) Taylor has come in for a lot of criticism for his part in the affair.
attack /э'1ак/ 1л С] a statement that criticizes someone publicly, especially in politics
+ on These newspapers often contained
attacks on the Church come under attack from sb (=be criticized by someone) Once again the oil companies have come under attack from environmentalists.
critical 'kritiM/ [cdjl a critical statement, report, or description criticizes someone or something: She was offended whenever anyone made critical remarks about her acting ability.
highly critical (=i'ery critical) The judge was highly critical of the Los Angeles Police Department.
scathing /'akeidiij/ {adj\ criticizing someone or something very strongly, because you think they are completely wrong or of very low quality
scathing attack/comments etc Her new
book is a scathing attack on American imperialism in Central America. + about 'The New York Times' was particularly scathing about his performance.
В someone who criticizes
critic /'kritik/ [n C] someone who criticizes a person, such as a politician or business leader, or their plans or methods, especially in public: The Prime Minister answered his critics in a televised speech.
165
CRITICIZE
+ of critics of nuclear power
CROWD
if you mean 'when there are a lot of people travelling, shopping etc', go
to busy/not busy
a large number of people together in a public place
crowd /kraod/ [n C] a large number of people together in one place: I don't often go to football games because I don't like big crowds. + of a crowd of angry protesters crowds of people/shoppers/tourists etc The exhibition is expected to attract huge crowds of visitors.
horde I hordes ho:rd( z)/ [n] a large crowd of people who are behaving in a way that you disapprove of or that annoys you + of A horde of screaming kids ran out of the building. I She was chased by hordes of reporters and camera crews.
mob mDb||marb/ [n С] a crowd of noisy and violent people who are difficult to control: The mob set fire to cars and buildings.
+ of A mob of 200 rioters caused millions of pounds worth of damage.
when a place is full of people
crowded ''kraod^d/ [adj] so full of people
that it is difficult to move or to find a place to sit or stand: The train was really crowded. I James walked into the crowded bar.
+ with It was two weeks before Christmas and the mail was crowded with shoppers.
packed /'paekt/ [adj] informal so full of people that there is almost no space left: The club is so popular that it's packed by 9 o'clock. I A bomb exploded this morning in a packed department store in the city centre.
+ with St Peter's Square was packed with tourists.
jam-packed (=completely full) The stadium Li'as absolutely jam-packed.
overcrowded .,эоуэг'кга(к1^Ц [adj) а
CROWD
place that is overcrowded has too many people in it and is unpleasant and
uncomfortable: The buses were all filthy and overcrowded. I overcrowded prisons
be swarming with /bi: swo:rrTHi] wiа/ if
a place is swarming with people, it is so crowded with them that it is difficult to move or to go where you want to go - use this especially about people you disapprove of or when you are annoyed that a place is so crowded: The place was swarming with noisy kids.
when a crowd fills a place
crowd kraod/ [u I/T] if people crowd a place, they fill it and move around in it: Shoppers and tourists crowded the market square every day. + around {also round British) Fans crowded around the entrance, hoping to see the band as they arrived.
/ill jfil' [u T) if a lot of people fill a place, there are so many of them that there is no room for any more: An audience of over 50,000 had filled the arena.
when people come together to make a crowd
gather /^жаэг/ |u I] if people gather, they
meet or come together and become a crowd: By the time the President arrived, a large crowd had gathered. + around/at/in etc Angry workers were gathering around the steps of the City Hall.
form b:rm \v I] if a crowd forms, more and more people join a group of people who are already watching or listening to something: A crowd was beginning to form at the scene of the accident.
congregate /'koogr^geitl'kain-' [v II if
people congregate in a place, a large number of them meet there, especially regularly in the same place, and at the same time
+ at/in/around etc On Friday evening, teenagers would congregate outside the bars on the main street.
when a crowd separates
166
disperse drsp3:rs/ [и I] if a crowd disperses, people begin to move away from it: Once the ambulance left, the crowd began to disperse.
break up/breik 'лр/ [phrasal verb I] if а crowd breaks up. people start to leave and move away in small groups: When the police arrived. the crowd broke up very quickly.
CRUEL
unkind _ ^attack
Л r
see
BAD a|so ^^ VIOLENT
J V
threaten describing
people
Ц cruel people
cruel "kruiol, \adj\ someone who is cruel deliberately causes pain and does not care if other people suffer: Children can sometimes be very cruel.
it is cruel to do stk I think it's cruel to keep dogs locked up inside all day. cruelly [acM Women prisoners were treated especially cruelly.
гтич'! - ?4i» i|..■? n • .'■(. lirsi: t't'Uc I - ci'lld» ■' - i и U'lust
ruthless /"ruiBbs, [adj] so determined to get what you want that you do not care how much other people suffer: These men are ruthlessterrorists and will kill anyone who tries to stop them. I the ruthless dictator, Adolj Hitler
ruthtesslyjadul All political opponents were ruthlessly executed.
sadist 'seidist/ (n C] someone who enjoys making people suffer: Andreas father was a real sadist. I'm not surprised that she hates him.
sadistic /'sadistik [ad/] someone who is sadistic enjoys hurting people or being cruel to them: He took a sadistic pleas ure in embarrassing her in front of her friends, i The head teacher was a violent qnd sadistic man.
Eicruel punishments/ behaviour
167
cruel;'kruial/ [adj] intended to upset someone or make them suffer: Lyle was always playing cruel jokes on his little sister. I
The electric chair is possibly the cruelest
method of execution.
спи-! -- очк-чкт ~ cruellest '
? r.!' i - f rm-'U-т - criu'lpsf • ■
barbaric/ba:rb<erik [ad;'| extremely cruel, in a way that shocks people: the barbaric treatment of civilians in the concentration camps I To most people, the custom of stoning criminals to death seems absolutely barbaric.
cold-blooded/'koold bUd^d*/ [acfj only before noun] cold-blooded murder/ killing/attack a murder etc done without showing any feeling or pity for the person who is attacked: The country has been shocked by the cold blooded murder of the two girls.
cruelty kruialti/ [n U] cruel treatment or behaviour: Walters wife left him because of his cruelty.
+ to She has campaigned against cruelty to farm animals for the past 20 years.
abuse 3'bju:.s [n U] deliberately cruel treatment of someone, especially someone in your family that you are supposed to care for: a woman who had suffered abuse from her husband for many years child abuse (=cruel treatment of children) There has been an increase in the number of cases of child abuse. sexual abuse (=when someone forces another person to take part in sexual activities) a victim of sexual abuse
El to treat someone cruelly
be cruel to sb /bi: кш:э1 tu: (sb) Teachers at the school were often accused of being cruel to the children in their care.
abuse p bju:z [u Tj to treat someone in your family or someone that you are responsible for in a cruel way. especially violently or sexually: My father abused us for years. I Erica runs a hostel for women who have been abused by their husbands.
sexually abuse Morce someone to take part in sexual activities) He was accused of sexually abusing five children.
CRUEL
persecute/ p'3:rsikju:t/ [u T] to be cruel to a person or group of people over a long period because of their race or their religious or political beliefs: Countries all
over Europe have persecuted gypsies for
centuries.
be persecuted Jewish families were relentlessly persecuted. persecution / рз:rsi kju:pn/ [n U) They left the country to escape persecution.
bully /'boli, [и T] to be cruel to someone who is smaller, younger, or weaker than you - use this especially about children being cruel to other children: A group of girls would bully the younger kids, and force them to give them money, be bullied He killed himself after being bullied at school.
bullying - bullied - have bullied bullying In Uj when people are being bullied: a campaign to put an end to bullying in schools
CRY
m opposite laugh
^ see also sad, worrying/worried, shout
D to cry
cry /krai/ [u 11 if you cry, tears come from your eyes, for example because you are sad or upset, or because you have hurt yourself: I could hear the baby crying in the next room. I A little boy u;as crying because he'd fallen off his bike. I Don't cry. I'll be back soon. make sb cry The film was so sad, it made me cry.
cry and cry (=cry for a long time) / sat at home that night and cried and cried. cry your eyes out (=cry a lot because you are very upset) The poor kid's so miserable, he's upstairs crying his eyes out. cry with happtness/joy/relie/ She cried with joy when she heard that the children were safe.
crying - cried - have cvied
weep /wi:p/ [и I] to cry a lot because you feel sad: Caroline wept when she heard the news. I Weeping mourners followed the coffin into the churchyard. weep with emotion/grief/joy Ivan wept with emotion as he waved goodbye to his family.
CRY
weeping - wept - have
/!\ Use weep when you are writing stories and descriptions.
sob /sDb||sa:b/ [i1 II if you sob, you cry noisily and your body shakes, because you are very sad or because someone has upset you: The sound of her sobbing kept them awake all night. I "Please don't leave me," she sobbed.
sobbing - sobbed - have sobbed
/N Use sob when you are writing stories and descriptions.
in tears /in Wz/ crying because someone has upset you, or because a film, story etc is very sad: Frank ran out of the room in tears. I Most of us were in tears by the time he'd finished his story.
tear Д|эг/ [n С usually plural) a drop of water that comes from your eyes when you are crying: Grandpa wiped the tears from his eyes.
have tears in your eyes (=when you are nearly crying) Л/tmec/ had tears in his eyes, and I knew he was thinking of home.
tears run down sb's /ace/cheeks (=they cry a lot) Tears of joy ran down her face. be close to tears (=be almost crying) Howell was close to tears as he told the court what had happened.
sb's eyes water /(sb's) aiz ,wo:t3r/ if your eyes water, they feel painful and you start to cry, for example when you are cutting onions or when there is a lot of
smoke
make sb's eyes water The cigarette smoke was making my eyes water.
В to start to cry
start to cry/start crying sta:rt о
krai, ,sta:rt krai-ig/ What should I do if the baby starts crying? I He started crying when I told him I wanted to end our relationship
burst into tears ,b3:rst mta wz/ to
suddenly start to cry because you are very upset about something: Janet burst into tears and ran out of the room.
break down Abreik daunj [phrasal verb
168
I] to suddenly start to cry a lot, after trying not to cry: I broke down during the exam- / just couldn't stand the pressure any more.
break down and cry As the funeral service began, Paolo broke down and cried. break down in tears All the worry and anxiety had been too much for her, and she suddenly broke down in tears.
CUT
see also sharp/not sharp, piece,
hurt/injure
with scissors or a knife
cut к At i [и I/Т] to divide something into two or more pieces, using a knife or scissors: You'll need a good pair of scissors to cut that fabric. I The woman had murdered her husband and cut his body up. I This knife doesn't cut very well. cut stH in two/cut sth in half Mandy cut the paper in half and gave a piece to each child.
cut sth up/cut up sth (=into several pieces) Tommy sat on the floor, cutting up old magazines.
cut sth open Rescue workers had to use specfa/ equipment to cut the steel door open.
cutting - cut - have cut
slit slit; \v T] to make a long narrow cut through something, especially skin or cloth: He killed the sheep by slitting its throat.
slit sth open Diane slit the envelope
open with a knife. slitting - slit - have slit
slash ,/slasjj [u T] to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, because you want to damage it or cause injury: Vbnda/s got in and slashed the painting. I Maria u?as slashed across the face with a razor.
to cut food
cut kAt/ [о T] to cut food: Lookl The bride and groom are going to cut the cake. cut sth into pieces/chunks I'm going to cut the meat into four pieces.
cutting - cut - have cut
chop/chop up /t/Dp,
№
Do you want me
.tjop 'Ap||tja:p-/ lv T1 to cut something such as vegetables or meat into small pieces when you are preparing a meal: Chop two
onions for the stew, to chop up the vegetables? chop sth into pieces/chunks/cubes Chop the eggplant into cubes. chopped | adj only before noun] Sprinkle some chopped walnuts on the salad.
chopping - chopped have chopped
slice
carve
slice /slais/ (и T] to cut food such as bread, meat, or vegetables into thin flat pieces: My grandmother sliced the carrots and put them in a saucepan of water. sliced [adj only before noun] sliced white bread
carve /ka:rv/ [if T] to cut a large piece of cooked meat into pieces: Who's going to carve the turkey?
mince British grind american jmins, graind/ [v T] to cut raw meat into very small pieces using a machine: Will you ask the butcher to mince the lamb very finely? minced/ground [adj only before noun] minced meat I ground beef grinding - ground - have ground
grate
grate /greit/ [v T] to cut cheese or vegetables into very small thin pieces by rubbing them against a metal surface with holes in it: Grate some cheese over the potatoes before serving, grated [adj] grated orange peel
to cut part of your body
see also hurt/injure
cut kAt/ [и T] to accidentally injure part of your body, so that it bleeds: Be careful
169
CUT
not to cut your finger on that can.
cut yoursel/ Phil cut himself shaving
this morning. cut [n C] a wound on your skin where it has been cut: Several passengers were treated for cuts and bruises.
cutting - cut - hate cui
scratch skraetj [и T] to cut part of your body very slightly, and not at all deeply: The cat scratched me while I was playing with her. I I got scratched by the bushes trying to find that ball. scratch [n С] a slight cut that is not at all deep: Don't cry, it's only a scratch.
graze /greiz/ [и T] to accidentally injure yourself by rubbing your skin against something hard and rough: Tommy fell and grazed his knee in the yard, graze (n CJ a slight wound on your skin where it has been rubbed against something hard and rough: Cuts and grazes should be covered to keep out germs.
ш to cut someone's hair, beard, or fingernails
^ see also hair
CUt /kAt/ |у T] My sister usually cuts my hair. I / luish you wouldn 't cut your toe nails in the living-room. have/get your hair cut (=pay someone to cut it for you) Beth's at the hairdresser's having her hair cut. cut [n singular] Your hair's too long. It needs a cut.
( lifting - cut - have cut
trim 'trim/ [и T] to cut a small amount off someone's hair or beard, so that it looks tidier: Could you just trim my hair at the back?
trim In singular] G/ue my hair a trim, will you?
trimming - trimmed - have trimmed
shave /Jeiv/ [и \/T] to cut the hair on your face or body, using a special blade, so that your skin feels smooth: Have you shaved today? 1 I didn't have time to shave my
legs.
CUT
shave oj^fsth/shave sth off I wish you'd shave off that awful beard! shave ln singular) He went upstairs and had a quick shave.
CJ to cut wood, plants, or grass
cut down/chop down I,kAt daon,
,t/op daun||,tja;p-/ \phrasal verb T] to make trees or bushes fall down by cutting them cut/chop down sth Cutting down the rainforests has created serious ecological problems.
cut/chop sth down The old apple tree was dangerous so we had to chop it down.
/!\ Don't use 'cut' on its own about trees. Don't say 'he cut the tree'. Say he cut the tree down
chop tJop||tJa:p/ [и T] to cut wood into pieces using an axe (=a tool with a long handle and a sharp blade): We soon got warm, chopping wood. chop sth up/chop up sth (=into several pieces) I chopped the old fence up for firewood.
c hopping - chopped have chopped
cut /км/ [и T] to cut grass or cut off leaves, in order to make a place or plant look tidy: She had to stand on a ladder to cut the top of the hedge.
cutting - cut - have cut
mow тэо, [у T] to cut grass using a special machine, in order to make it look tidy mow the lawn/the grass It took me two hours to mow the lawn.
SOW to:/ [у T] to cut wood using a sharp tool that you push backwards and forwards across the surface of the wood: Jane was in the basement, sawing wood. saw sth up/saw up sth (=into several pieces) We had to saw it up to get it through the door.
Ш to cut something from something else
CUt off / kAt 'Dffl-'Jif/ [phrasal verb T] to cut part of something away from the rest of it cut off sth Van Gogh cut off his ear. cut sth off Remove the cake from the oven and cut any burnt edges off.
170
chop off MJnp 'Df||,tfa:p 'ySl [phrasal verb T] to cuf something off by hitting it hard or cutting it with a sharp tool
cKop off stK Chop off the tops of the carrots, and then peel them, chop 5th off Be careful you don't chop your fingers off!
171
amputate;'aempj(jteit/ \u T] to cut off someone's arm, leg, or foot as a medical operation: He damaged his leg so badly that it had to be amputated.
Cut OUt/Mt 'autI [pbrasaf uerb T) to remove something from something else by cutting all around it
CUT
cut out sth Did you cut out that photo of Tony in the newspaper? cut sth out Wash the apples, and cut any bad parts out.
172
DAMAGE
DAMAGE
BREAK
«Л T
DESTROY
see _ also
spoh.^ ^ broken
mark hurt/injure
to damage objects, machines, buildings etc
accidentally
repair
damage /daemid3/ [и T] to cause physical harm to something, so that it no longer looks good or works properly: The building was severely damaged by fire. I Don't put any hot pans on the table - you'll damage the surface. badly damaged The goods hadn't been well packed, and were badly damaged when we received them.
vandalism [n U] the criminal activity of vandalizing things: an increase in van dalism in inner-city areas
smash up /,smsj 'лр/ [p/irasal verb T] to deliberately damage a room or building by breaking windows, furniture etc smash sth up Some of the soldiers got drunk and smashed the place up. smash up sth Angry protesters broke shop windows and smashed up everything inside.
trash trie J [и T] AMERICAN INFORMAL to
cause a lot of damage to a thing or place, either deliberately or by using it carelessly: That kid of yours just trashed my VCR. trash the place spoken (=cause a lot of damage to a room or building] Dad says it's OK to have the party here, so long as we don't trash the place.
sabotage /'saebatas/ [и T] to secretly damage machines or equipment so that they cannot be used, especially in order to harm an enemy: The railway line had been sabotaged by enemy commandos. sabotage [n U] when people secretly
damage machines or equipment: terrorists carrying out acts of sabotage
Don't use damage about people. Use injure: The car was badly damaged and the driver was injured.
break /breik/ [v T] to damage a machine or piece of equipment so that it does not work or cannot be used: Leave that clock alone - you'll break it! I We used to
have a remote-control thing for the TV, but my brother broke it.
breaking - broke - have broken
scratch /skrstj/ \v T) to damage a painted or polished surface by making long thin marks on it with something sharp or rough. Be careful not to scratch the table with those scissors. I I'm afraid I scratched your car when I came through the gate.
vandalize (also vandalise British)
A
'vsndalaiz- \v T] to deliberately damage buildings, vehicles, or public property, just for fun: All the public telephones in the area had been vandalized. vandal [n C] someone who vandalizes things: Vandals broke into the school and wrecked two classrooms.
when things get gradually damaged over a long period
wear away /.wear a'wei/1phrasal verb TJ if the wind, rain, sea etc wears something away, it makes it get gradually thinner until there is nothing left
wear away sthjwear sth away places
where the waves had worn away the cliff face I The cathedral steps were getting worn away by the tramping feet of thousands of visitors.
wear out .wear 'aot< [phrasal verb T] to damage clothes, material, or equipment by wearing them or using them a lot wear out sth/wear sth out After only a month Terry had worn out the soles of his shoes. I The carpet on the stairs is getting worn out.
erosion п'гзо^п/ [n U] the gradual process by which the weather, water, or air damages or destroys rocks, buildings, land etc: soil erosion + of the erosion of the coastline
В to have a bad effect on
something
harm/damage ha:rm, d<emid3/ T] to
have a bad effect on something, in a way that makes it weaker, less effective, or less successful: The scandal will damage the company's reputation. I Smoking can seriously damage your health. I If the peace talks fail, it will harm the President's chances of being re-elected.
be bad for sth/Kave a bad effect
ОЛ sth 'bi: baed h:r (sth), hacv э ,bxd I'fekt on (sth)/ to change or affect something in a harmful way: Losing her job had a bad effect on Patty's confidence. I An increase in interest rates at the present time would definitely be bad for business.
hurt h3:rt [u t] especially american to have a bad effect on an organization or activity, by making it less successful or effective: new regulations that could hurt the farming industry
hurting - hurt - have hurt
harm/ill /'ha:rmfr?l. (adjj causing physical damage or serious problems - use this
especially about things that harm the environment or are dangerous for people s health: harmful ultra-violet rays + to These chemicals are harmful to the ozone layer.
harm/ul effects the harmjul effects of alcohol
damaging /'daemidjii]/ ladj] causing serious problems - use this especially
about information, events, or situations that cause serious problems for a person or organization: damaging rumors about the President's private life + to If people found out about his divorce, it could be uery damaging to his career.
Q the physical damage caused by something
damage /'d;cmjd3, (л U] physical damage that spoils the way something looks or the way it works: It will take many years to repair the damage.
cause/do damage (=damage something) The explosion caused ouer $50,000
worth of damage. + to damage to the environment
severe/serious damage The pine forests of northern Europe have suffered severe damage from acid rain.
harm/damage /ha:rm, 'daemnfc/ [n UJ
the serious problems that something causes for a person, organization etc
do Harm/damage If you keep criticizing children, it can do a lot of harm, + to newspaper reports that resulted in serious damage to Captain Lee's career and reputation I The civil war did a lot of harm to the tourist trade.
DANCE
II to dance
dance /da:ns|daens/ [v I] to move your body in time to music, for example at a social event or as part of a performance: Eueryone got up and danced. + with Will you dance with me? + to My parents were dancing to a sentimental old love song.
dancing /'da:nsii]|'daen-/ [n U] the activity
of moving your feet and body to music. My boyfriend doesn't like dancing. I There was music, Scottish dancing, and lots of food.
go dancing (=go somewhere in order to dance) We went dancing nearly every night.
do du:/ \v T) to do a particular kind of dance: Can you do the twist? I She got
up and did a little dance. doino - did - have dont'
Ea different types of dance
dance dci:nsl|daens [n CI a set of movements that you do to a particular kind of music: / prefer old-fashioned dances like the waltz and the tango, folk dance (=a traditional dance from a
particular country or area) Hungarian folk dances
ballet (!,baelei||bae'lei. 'baelei/ In U] a serious artistic performance in which movement and dance are used to tell a story
173
DANCE
disco diskao [n U) a type of modern dancing done to loud popular music, in which there are no fixed movements
ballroom dancing tnilrom du:nsii}||
-daen- (n U] a type of formal dancing in which people dance in pairs and do different, fixed movements to different types of music
country dancing British square
dancing american /клтп dainsii]. skwe9r ,da:nsii]i|-'daen- [n U] traditional dancing in which pairs of dancers move in rows and circles
someone who dances
dancer /da:ns3r||'dam-/ In CI someone who dances, either because it is their job or for enjoyment: As a child, Alice dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer, i I'm not a very good dancer.
partner /'рс:гтэг \n C] someone that you dance with: When I saw her again, she
u;as dancing with a different partner. I I kept stepping on my partner's toes.
a social event where people dance
dance /da:ns||daens/ [n C] an organized social event where people go to dance: Later on, there was a dance in the school hail.
club ,к1лЬ/ (n CI a place where people pay to go at night to dance to loud popular music: J met some friends at a party and then we went on to a club, go clubbing (=go to one or more clubs) We a/u;ays go c/ubbing on Saturday night.
dlSCO 'disksu/ [n C] a place or fairly informal social event at which people dance to popular music: Every Friday night, the kids went to a disco in town.
ball Ьэ:1/ [n C] a formal social event at which people dance and wear formal clothes: The Summer Bali will be held at the end of June.
DANCE
prom /рготЦргсит [n C] a social event for high school students in the US where there is music and dancing, and which people usually go to with a partner: Joey walked me home after the prom. Kigh school prom The band first played together at a high school prom.
DANGEROUS
opposite safe
risk 1
damage
\ r
see also
HURT/ INJURE
ACCIDENT
likely to cause death or serious harm
dangerous /'deindyrss/ [adj\ likely to
cause death or serious harm: Snow and ice are making driving conditions very dangerous. I dangerous drugs such as heroin ! Motor-racing is a dangerous sport.
highly/extremely dangerous (=very dangerous) Police described the three escaped prisoners as highly dangerous. It is dangerous to do sth It's dangerous to walk out on your own at night in this area.
dangerously [ac/u] The plane was flying dangerously close to the mountain.
risky riski [ad/1 if you do something risky, it is easy to make a mistake that might cause death or serious harm - use this about things that you decide to do although you know they may be dangerous: He'll have to land the aircraft in a field. It's risky, but there's no alternative. I Doctors said that they could not operate now because it was too risky.
risky - riskier - riskiest
poisonous /'pDiz^nas [adj] something
that is poisonous will make you ill or kill you if you swallow it or breathe it: The boy died after eating poisonous berries. I The river is full of poisonous chemicals.
be a danger to sb/sth bi: 3 demd^a1"
lu: (sb/sth). to be likely to harm other
WARN
174
people or things: People who drink and drive are a danger to themselves and to others. I That man is a danger to the community. I sharp rocks that were a clanger to the fishing boats
hazard 'haez;>rdos [n C] formal something that may cause accidents or be dangerous to your health: Signs warn drivers of hazards on the road ahead. I the potential hazards of using this machinery + to Polluted water sources are a hazard to wildlife.
health hazard (-something that may damage your health)
to be in a situation in which you may be killed or injured
be in danger , bi: in deiml;pr to be in а
A
situation in which you may be killed or injured: Mr and Mrs Wat kins are worried that their daughter may be in danger, be in danger of sth (=be in a situation when i! is possible you may be killed or injured by something dangerous) Some of the children were in danger of starvation. sb's life is in danger The lives of the crew were in danger and a helicopter had to lift them to safety.
Don't say 'be in a danger' Say be in danger
be at risk bi: ;>t risk if someone is at
risk, they are in a dangerous situation, especially because they are weak and so they are likely to be harmed by disease or violence
+ from Those most at risk from the flu epidemic are old people and very young children. 1 women who are at risk from
violent husbands
to do something that may hurt or kill you
risk your Life /,risk p:' laif to do something very dangerous, especially in order to help someone: Firemen risked their lives to save people from the flames.
at your own risk .'at p:r ЭОП risk' if
At your own risk is used especially in official warnings.
you do something at your own risk, you must accept that it is dangerous and that it is your own fault if you are injured or killed: Anyone who swims in this part of the river does so at their own risk.
A
danger of death or serious harm
danger demd^'/ (n C/U J the possibility
that someone or something will be harmed or killed: Danger! Keep out. 1 I stood at the side of the road and waved my arms to warn other drivers of the danger. + of Many people are still not aware of the dangers of drugs such as Ecstasy.
risk risk [n C/U] the possibility of serious harm if you do something dangerous - use this especially when you want to say how great the possibility is: Doctor how much risk is there with this kind of operation? I A lot of children start smoking without realizing what the risks are.
+ of Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of serious injury. + to The disease a//ects cats but there is no risk to humans.
DARK
look here for... when there is not much light dark colour, skin, hair
see also colour/color, light,
bright/not bright
place/room
175
DARK
dark ,da;rk, [adj] if a place is dark, there is little or no light: Thick curtains covered the windows and the room was very dark. I I hid in the darkest corner of the
Don't say 'it becomes dark' to talk
about the time when night comes. Say it
gets dark-
dimly-lit /.dimli lit*/ [adj] a dimly-lit
street, room, building etc is almost dark because the lights there are not bright: a long dimly-lit corridor
yard and prayed that the soldiers would not find me. I No, you cant play outside now - it's too dark. it gets dark (=night comes) It was starting to get dark outside and lights were coming on all over the city. be pitch dark (=be completely dark) It was pitch dark. She felt a small animal scuttle across her feet.
A
colour/hair/skin
see also hair
dark /da:rk/ [adj] dark colours are close to black and are not at all bright or pale: There was a dark stain on the carpet that looked like blood. I a boy with dark curly hair
dark blue/green/brown etc She had
beautiful dark brown eyes. I a dark blue dress
DEAD
opposite alive see also die, exist
D no longer alive
dead /ded; [adj] someone who is dead has stopped living: Shes stopped breathing - 1 think she's dead. I The dead man s wife was questioned by the police. I She was found dead in her apartment, with a bottle of sleeping pills beside her.
DARK 176
gloomy gluimi/ [ad;] a gloomy place or room is not at all bright or cheerful - use this especially in stories or written descriptions: Mr Casaubon would sit all day in his gloomy study.
dingy /dindji/ [adj] a building, room,
office etc that is dingy is fairly dark and usually dirty and in bad condition: He ate lunch in a dingy little cafe near the station.
dingy - dingier - dingiest
the dark /Йэ 'da:rk/ [n singular] when there is no light, especially in a room: Most children are afraid of the dark. in the dark Why are you sitting there in the dark? Put the light on.
darkness /'da:rknЈs/ [n U] a place or time
where there is no light: A voice came from out of the darkness, but she could see no-one. I There was a sudden flash of light, then darkness again. in complete/total darkness (=with no light at all) The lights suddenly went out and we found ourselves in total darkness.
late (le it/ [adj only before nounl especially written use this as a polite way of talking
about someone who has died, especially
someone who died recently
sb's late husband/wife/mother/father
She set up the fund in memory of her late husband.
the (ate President Marcos/John Lennon
etc He is the last surviving son of the late Indira Gandhi.
the dead /йэ ded/ In plural] especially writfen people who have died - use this especially to talk about people who died in wars or accidents: a re/igious seruice to commemorate the dead of two World Wars I Four of the dead had been travelling in the same car.
A\ When you are talking about a group of people who have died, don't say 'the dead people'. Say the dead-
the body of a dead person
body /'bDdi||'ba:di/ [n CI the body of someone who has died: Police found the body
of a young boy in Јpp/ng Forest last
night. I The woman sat down beside her son's body and wept.
plural bodies
г
A\ We usually just say body, not 'dead body'. Only say 'dead body' if it is not clear from the rest of the sentence that the person is dead: Have you ever seen a dead body?
corpse /fo:rps/ [n C] the body of a dead
person - use this when you are talking about the body as an object, not as a person: A corpse was found floating in the river.
remains /n'meinz/ [л plural] parts of a dead person's body, especially someone who has been dead for a long time the remains of They discovered the remains of a young woman hidden under the floorboards, sb's remains His remains will be flown back to Ireland.
ashes [n plural] the powder that is
left after a body has been burned as part of a funeral ceremony sb's ashes His ashes were scattered over the Jumna river
DEAL WITH
to deal with a difficult problem or
with things that need to be done
see also problem, answer 5
D to do things that need
doing
deal with sth di:l wirt (sth)/ [phrasa/ verb TJ to decide what needs to be done and make sure that it is done, especially when it is your job to do this: Who is dealing with the accommodation arrangements for the conference? I I spend most of my working day dealing with customer inquiries.
see to sth/attend to sth siuu:(sih), a'fend tu; (sth), [phrasal verb TJ to deal with all the practical details of something that needs to be done or organized: I'll join you later - there are a few things I have to see to at the office first. I Their mother was too upset to attend to the funeral arrangements. 1 Vou'd better get someone to see to that leaking pipe.
take care of sth /teik tor ov (sth)/ to
make sure that arrangements are made or work is completed, especially when you do this for someone else so that thev do not need to worry: My secretary will take care of the details. I Don't worry about your passport and visa - it's ail taken care of.
Qleave it to me /ji:v шэ 'mi:, spoken
say this to tell someone that you will be responsible for making arrangements or for doing something that needs doing: "We need to make sure the others know where we'll be meeting"Leave it to me. I'll phone them when I get home "
H to deal with a problem or difficult situation
tackle
/'taekd/ [и T1 to begin to deal with a problem in a determined way, especially a big or complicated problem: Many schools are now trying to tackle the problem of drug abuse. I new laws that are aimed at tackling unemployment
handle /'haendl/ [v T) to deal with a problem or a difficult situation, especially in an
effective or confident way: There were a few problems, but nothing I couldn't handle. I A lot of people find it difficult to handle criticism.
handle sth well/badly It's her first year as a doctor; but she is handling the pressures of the job very well.
cope кэир/ Ij to succeed in dealing with difficult problems in your life, your job, or your relationships: It's a tough job but I'm sure hell cope.
+ with She has to cope with five children
all on her own.
sort out / So:rt aot [phrasa/ verb T1 especially British to deal with all the small but difficult problems that are causing trouble or preventing you from doing something sort out sth I spent the weekend sorting out my tax affairs.
sort sth out We'll have to sort your immigration status out before we can offer you the job.
get through sth gel вги: (sth)
[phrasal verb T] to live through an unhappy or unpleasant time in your life, and deal with the problems that it brings: Her friends helped her to get through the first awful weeks after Bill died.
В when there are difficult problems that you must deal with
/асе feis [и T1 if you face a difficult problem, or if a difficult problem faces you, you must deal with it and you cannot
ignore it: The new administration faces the difficult task of rebuilding the coun try's economy. I One of the problems facing the management is the shortage of skilled workers.
be faced with/by sth I was faced with the awful job of breaking the bad news to the girl's family.
И to find the answer to a difficult problem
177
DEAL WITH
solve /solv||sa:lv, so:lv/ [и T] to find a successful way of dealing with a problem: They thought money would solve all their problems. I The two countries are meeting for talks in an attempt to solve the crisis.
DECIDE 1
/ind a solution laind о S3'lu:j>n/ to think of a way to solve a problem, especially a complicated political or social problem: Crime is rapidly increasing in our inner cities. We must find a solution. + to European governments are working
together to find a solution to the problem of nuclear waste.
DECIDE
^ see also depend/it depends, think
II to decide to do
something
decide di'sard [v I/T] to make a choice
that you are going to do something decide to do stH She decided to tell her mother all about it that evening. decide not to do sth If you decide not to accept our offer, let me know. + (that) I've decided that I really must stop smoking.
decide what/how/when etc Have you decided whether to apply for that job? I Martha took hours deciding which dress to wear.
decide I don 't mind where we go. Vou decide.
decide against sth (=decide not to do something) Marlowe thought about using his gun, but decided against it.
make up your mind /.meik лр p-j
maind/ to finally decide that you will definitely do something, after thinking about it for a long time make up your mind what/which/how
etc I couldn't make up my mind which college I wanted to go to. make your mind up Haven't they made their minds up yet?
make up your mind to do sth John had made up his mind to forget the past and make a fresh start.
+ (that) He's made up his mind that he wants to study abroad.
choose /tju:z/ ft' T] to decide to do something because you want to, without worrying about what other people think choose to do sth More and more young couples are choosing not to get married. I I told him to drive more slowly, but he chose to ignore my advice.
choosing - chose - have chosen
resolve nzDlv||nza:l\\ ri'zoilv/ [u Tj formal to decide that you will definitely do something and will not change your mind about it. especially because you have learned from your past experiences
resolve to do sth After the divorce she
resolved never to get married again. I I returned to Edinburgh, resohing to stay there until my book was finished.
El something that
someone decides to do
decision di'srym/[n C] They're going to close the school, but I think that's the wrong decision.
make/take a decision (^decide about something important) As chief executive, I often have to take difficult decisions. I We don't have to make a decision right now. Let's talk about it tomorrow. decision to do sth Brett's sudden decision to join the army surprised everyone
come to/reach a decision (=make a decision after thinking carefully or discussing it for a long time) The jury took three days to reach a decision.
big decision (=a difficult and important decision) "Well, is he going to take the job or not?" "Give him more time - it's a big decision.''
U to decide that something is true
decide /di'said, [и T] to think that something is true, after thinking about it, check ing it, or looking at it + (that) I decided he was probably telling the truth.
decide whether/which/what etc She
couldn't decide whether the hat suited her or not.
come to the conclusion that клш
ta дз кэп'к! ui3«?n Йэ1/ to decide that something is true after thinking carefully about all the facts: I came to the conclusion that there was only one way of tackling the problem. I De Klerk eventually came to the conclusion that the apartheid system could not continue.
jump to conclusions .d3Amp to кэп'к! ui^nz/ to decide too quickly that something is true, without considering all the
facts: We mustn't jump to conclusions.
There may be a perfectly good explanation for him being so late.
judge №лс1з/ [у T) formal to decide that something is true after examining a situation carefully and using your knowledge
and experience
+ that Kaldor judged that the moment was exactly right to call an election. judge whether/which/what etc It's difficult to judge whether this is the right time to tell him.
□ when someone has the right to decide
Qit is Up to sb it iz 'лр tu: (sb)/ especially spoken if you say it is up to him/her/
you etc, you mean that that person should make the decision about something, and no one else: "Should we finish the job now, or leave it till later?" "I don't know - it's up to you." I It's up to them what they do with the money.
it is for sb to decide М и (sb) u
df'saia/ formal use this when only one person or group has the official power to make a decision about something important: We ccnnot say if he is guilty or not. That is for the court to decide
В able to make decisions quickly and firmly
decisive /di'saisiv/ [adj] someone who is
decisive can make decisions firmly and confidently, without needing too much time to talk about them or think about them: We're still waiting for Jim to make up his mind. I wish he'd be more decisive. I The country needs strong decisive leadership.
decisively lacM The police responded to the crisis quickly and decisively.
Q when someone cannot decide
can't decide /.kaint drsaid|,kaent-/ to not
be able to make a decision: "Are you going to take the job or not?" "I don't
know; I can't decide."
can't decide what/whether/how etc /
can't decide what to wear. I Lucinda couldn't decide whether she wanted to marry Jerry or not.
indecisive Iindi'saisiv*/ [adj\ not good at making decisions quickly and firmly: She'll never be a good manager - she's far too indecisive.
dither /'di69r; [v I] informal to keep changing your mind - use this when you think
someone is weak or stupid because they
cannot decide about something: Stop dithering and make up your mind.
DECORATE
to improve the way something looks, by painting it or adding something attractive to It
see also paint, design, pattern
D to decorate something
decorate
decorate /"dekare/t [v T] to improve the way something looks by painting it or adding something attractive to it: The children always enjoy decorating the Christmas tree.
be decorated with sth The room was decorated with balloons and coloured ribbons. 1 a bowl decorated with patterns of ivy leaves and grape vines.
decorated Wjl On the table was an ancient book with a decorated cover.
garnish /"ga:rnij/ \v T] to make food look nice by adding a small amount of another type of food, usually of a different colour - used especially in cooking instructions garnish sth with sth Garnish the pasta with olives and basil.
В things that are used to decorate something
decorations /.deks'reipnz/ In plural] things
179
DECORATE
that you use to decorate a place, object, piece of furniture etc, often for a special occasion: Have you put up your Christmas
decorations yet? I The bride's mother had made all the table decorations.
decoration /deka'reiprv' [n U| designs and patterns used to decorate buildings, clothes, furniture, food etc: The altar is a fine example of Baroque decoration. I These
plants are grown mainly for decoration.
decorative /dek^rativfl'dek^ra-, 'dekarei-/
[adj] something that is decorative is intended to make a place, object, piece of furniture etc look attractive - use this especially about designs and patterns: There are decorative tiles around the fireplace, with pictures of birds and flowers on them. I Inside the church there are many interesting decorative features.
ornamental /,э:гпэ'тети/ [adj usually before nounl something ornamental, especially in a garden or building, is intended to make a place look more attractive, and usually does not have a useful purpose: Ornamental pots will brighten up your patio. I an ornamental pond
something that has a lot of decoration
/ancy /'faensi/ [adj] fancy clothes, patterns etc have a lot of decoration or bright colours - use this especially when you think something has too much decoration: a velvet jacket with fancy buttons I I don't like his designs - they're too fancy for me. fancy - fancier - fanciest
ornate b:r'ne]t/ [adj] an ornate object, picture, or part of a building has a lot of expensive or complicated decoration on it: A pair of ornate gold candlesticks stood on the altar. I An ornate mirror hung above the fireplace.
elaborate /ПаеЫф/ lad/1 carefully and
skilfully decorated with a lot of small details and decorations: Nick examined the elaborate carvings on the tomb.
DEEP/NOT DEEP
if you want to talk about solid objects made of wood, metal, stone etc, go to thick
if you mean 'a deep colour', go to
DECORATE
colour/color
deep /di;p, [adjj use this about water,
holes, snow etc where the bottom is a long
distance from the top: Be careful! The water's quite deep here. I Someone had dug a deep hole in the middle of the field. I Larry had a deep cut on his left leg.
get deeper (=become deeper) The pond gets much deeper in the middle.
Use the depths especially when you are writing stories and descriptions
A Don't use deep to talk about materials such as wood, metal, or stone. Use thick
the depths /Зэ 'dep0s: [n plural] the depths of the sea, the ocean, a lake etc are the very deepest parts of the sea, the ocean, or a large lake: These strange creatures live in the depths of the ocean.
A
a long distance below the surface
deep /di:p; [adv| a long distance below the surface of something
+ below/under/iri Earthquakes are caused by movements deep below the Earth's surface.
how deep something is
how deep /hao di:p/ How deep is the hole? I I wasn't sure how deep the water was and I didn't want to swim out too far.
AO metres/100 feet etc deep (40
if you mean 'a deep sound or voice', go to low
water/hole/snow/sand
deep
180
metres etc) 'diip/ use this to say exactly how deep something is: The snow was over two metres deep.
181
depth /dep6/ [n C/U] the distance from the surface to the bottom of a hole, river, sea etc: "What's the depth of the pool?" '7t's 12 feet at this end:
В not deep
not very deep /not veri di:p/ when the bottom of a hole, river etc is not a long distance from the surface: Come on in, the water isn't very deep.
systems, or activities that a country uses to protect itself from attack by an enemy: The amount spent on defence has risen by 10%. I Defense is expected
to be a big issue during the next election.
— 1
DEFEND
You can also use defence before a j noun, like an adjective, especially to talk about the money a government spends on defence: defence spending I massive cuts in the defense budget
In spoken English, not very deep is much more common than shallow
shallow /'Jftlao/ [adj] not very deep - use this especially about the water in a river, lake, swimming pool etc: The river is too shallow for our boat. I The babies splashed around at the shallow end of the pool.
DEFEND
what you say or do to protect
yourself when someone Is attacking you or criticizing you
WEAPON ATTACK _ ^ ^PROTECT
SHOOT
WAR
see
also
CRITICIZE
4 V
ARMY
to defend your country or yourself
dejend /di'fend/ (и T] to use physical or military force to protect a person or place that is being attacked: Hundreds of soldiers died while defending the town. I US troops in Panama will only be used to defend the Canal, defend sth against/from The castle was
built in 1549 to defend the island
A
against invaders.
/di'fens/ (n Uj
defend yourself Mandel died trying to defend himself and his children.
2jen.se AMERICAN weapons, soldiers,
defensive /di'fensiv/ [ac(/J used only for protecting your country or group, not for attacking someone else.- Police officers claimed that their actions during the riots were purely defensive, defensive weapons/position/measures According to the report, only defensive weapons had been supplied to Iran.
sel/-de/ence British se(/-de/ense
american /.self di'fens/ [n U] methods used by countries or people to stop themselves from being attacked or harmed: All nations have the right to self-defence. I self-defence classes
in sel/-<ie/ence (-in order to protect yourself) She claims she shot him in self- defense,
В to defend your ideas or your rights
defend id/'fend/ [v T] to say something to support an idea or person when other people are criticizing them or trying to take something away from them: It's difficult to defend a sport that involves hurting animals. I a speech defending the workers' right to strike 1 The Fire Chief defended his staff, and said that they had done everything possible to save the girl's life.
defend sb/sth against She has repeatedly tried to defend her husband against hostile criticism in the press, defend yourself She tried to defend her self by saying that she was only obeying orders.
stand up for sb/sth /,stxnd лр b:r
(sb/sth)/ Iphrasa/ verb T] to strongly defend someone who is being criticized, or strongly defend your ideas or your rights: You have to be ready to stand up for what you believe in. I Didn't anyone
stand up for James and say it wasn't his fault?
stand up for yourself Politics can be a very tough business, and you have to learn to stand up for yourself.
stick up for sb stik лр tb:r (sb)
DELIBERATELY
[phrasal verb t] spoken to strongly defend someone who is being criticized, especially when no one else will defend them: The only person who stuck up for me was Sarah.
iii Intentionally is more formal than deliberately or on purpose and is not
common in spoken English.
182
intentional in'tenpnal [adj] especially written use this about things that you do or say deliberately in order to get a particular result or have a particular effect: The damage was not intentional, but I was still annoyed. I If their advertisements are shocking, this is entirely intentional.
DELIBERATELY
when you do something because you intended to do it
^ opposite accidentally
deliberately мгпыгэШ/ \adv] if you do something deliberately, you do it because you want to do it, and you hope it will have a particular result or effect: She left the letter there deliberately so that you'd see it. I Police believe the fire was started deliberately. I I think he was deliberately ignoring me.
deliberate /di'lib^t Mj] use this about things that you do or say deliberately: a deliberate attempt to prevent the truth from being known I His rudeness was quite deliberate.
Qon purpose /Dn p3Irp3S; [adu] especially spoken if you do something on purpose, you do it deliberately, in order to annoy people or to get an advantage for yourself: I spilled my drink on purpose -1 needed an excuse to leave the room. I He always pronounces my name wrong. Do you think he does it on purpose?
intentionally /in'tenpnsli/ [acta] especially written if you do something intentionally, you plan to do it and you hope it will have a particular result or effect: The jury has to decide whether he killed John Bishop intentionally or whether it was an accident, i They arrived late intentionally, in order to avoid seeing him.
Intentional js more formal than deliberate and is not common in spoken English.
to do Sth in,tend t3 du: (sth)/' if you intend to do something, you decide that you want to do it, and you plan to do it: / intend to win this game. I She clearly intended to kill him, and nearly succeeded.
DEPEND/ IT DEPENDS
when the way something happens is influenced by other facts or
events
if you mean 'depend on someone',
go tOtrust/not trust
see also decide, think
depend di'pend/ [и 1] if something depends on a fact, result, decision etc. it is not fixed or decided because it will change if the fact, result, decision etc changes
+ on The amount of tax you pay depends on how much you earn. it depends how/where/what etc I might not be able to go to France - it depends how much it costs.
A
depending on / kept getting different answers, depending on who I asked. Qit depends/that depends spoken (say this when you cannot give a definite answer, because your decision may change according to what happens) "Are you going to apply for that pb?" "Well, it depends." Qit all depends spoken (say this to emphasize that you cannot be certain
about something at all) We stili don't know whether we'll hove to move to a new house or not - it oil depends.
Don't say 'it is depending'. Say it j depends.
according to sth oko:rdu] tu: (sth)/ if
something is done according to particular facts or principles, these facts or principles are what affect the way it is done: Telephone charges vary according to the time of day. I The students were grouped according to age and ability.
DESCRIBE
^ see also detail, describing people,
HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
II to describe someone or something
describe /di'skraib/ [v T] to talk or write about a person, place, event etc, saying what they are like and giving details about them: Could you try and describe the man you saw? I In her book, she describes her journey across the Sahara. describe sb/sth as Police described the attack as particularly violent. describe sb/sth. to sb I tried to describe the feeling to my doctor, but she didn't understand.
describe How/what It's difficult to
describe how I felt.
/К Don't say 'I described him the scenery'. Say I described the scenery to him-
write about sb/sth/rait sbaut (sb/sth); [phrasa/ verb T] to describe a person, place, or situation by writing about it: Thomas Hardy wrote about life in the countryside in nineteenth-century England.
give an account of sth /,giv эп
a'kaunt dv (sth)/ to describe something that happened, only giving the facts and not adding your own feelings or opinions: P/ease give a brief account of your previous work experience.
port ray sb/sth as sth /ptf'trei (sb/sth)
<ez (sth); [phrasal verb T] formal, to describe someone or something in a way that shows your opinion of them, especially when this is untrue or unfair: In the book. Diana is portrayed as the victim of
a loveless marriage. I The right-wing press portrayed the election as a major defeat for the Socialists.
Qwhat sb/sth is like /wot (sb/sth) iz ' I ai к spoken use this when you are asking someone to describe someone or something to you or when you are describing someone or something to them: >(I've just met Anna's new boyfriend." "What's he like?" I I'll try and explain to you what being in prison was like.
Ed a written or spoken description
description di'skrippn [n C| what you say or wTite when you are describing a person, place, thing etc + of Write a description of someone you know well.
give sb a description Tom gave the police a description of his car. a /all/detailed description (^containing all the important details) The guidebook contains a full description of the church.
report /rr po:rt/ {n CI a description of a situation or event, based on a study of the facts, which provides people with information about it and also tries to explain it: The report is based on visits to schools in five cities.
+ on a government report on the effects
of tobacco advertising
newspaper/news/television report News
reports suggest that over 300 people may have died.
account /э'каит/ [n С] a written or spoken description of something that happened + of The newspaper printed a detailed account of the trial.
give an account His book gives a fascinating account of this dangerous journey.
183
DESCRIBE
commentary /'komant^l'kaimsntcri/ In C] a spoken description of a race or sports event on the radio or television, which is given while it is happening: Don't miss tonight's game between theBears and the Red Sox - commentary by Nick O'Ryan.
DESERVE 184
+ or Now let's go over to our London studio for commentary on the wrestling.
plural commentaries
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
DESIGN
the way that something has been planned to look or work
DECORATE
CLOTHES
\ т
see also
DRAW
ART
/ V
PATTERN
FASHIONABLE/ UNFASHIONABLE
the design of something
design /di'zam [ri C/U] the way that something has been planned and made, including its appearance and the way it works - use this about things like furniture, clothes, buildings, or machines: Conran 's furniture ujas based on simple, modern designs. I
The success of the product was largely due to good design. I The problem was caused by a design fault. the design of sth The basic design of the vehicle has been improved.
see pages 186-189
DESERVE
D to deserve something good
deserve /di'z3:rv/ [и T] if you deserve something, it is right that you should have it, because you have worked hard, done something well etc: After all that hard work, you deserve a rest. deserve to do stH Chang played better than Sampras, and he deserved to win. thoroughly deserve sth (=deserve something very much) Jill was awarded first prize, and she thoroughly deserved it.
wett-deserved/wetl-earned wei
di'z3:rvd«, ,wel 3irnd<j [adj usually before nounl a well-deserved or well-earned
to plan how something new will look or work
iesig 11 di zain [u Tj to make drawings or plans of something new that will be made or built: Sally's amazing! She designs all her own clothes. I The car was designed and built in Korea.
be well designed/badly designed The
offices weren't very well designed - the rooms are too small and it's much too hoi in summer.
rest, win, drink etc is one that you deserve to have, because you have worked hard: The game ended in a well-deserved victory for the German team. I At 9 o'clock, she settled down for a well- earned rest.
to deserve something bad
thoroughly deserve sth / can't help feeling sorry for him even though he thoroughly deserved to be fired.
qserve sb right ,s3:rv (sb) rait/spoken
use this to say you think someone deserves something bad that happens to
them, becausc they have been unkind or done something stupid + for '7 feel terrible"Serues you right for drinking so much last night." it serves sb right Her eyes filled with
angry tears. "lt d serve them right if something did happen to me. she thought.
deserve /di'z3:rv/ [v T) if you think that someone deserves something bad that happens to them, you think it is fair that it happens because they have done something wrong or stupid deserve to do sth Anyone who drives like that deserves to lose their licence. deserve it (=deserve the bad things that happen ) "You really weren't very nice to her." "Well she deserved it!" get what you deserve (-when something bad happens to you, and you deserve it) In the end, the bully got what he deserved.
185
DESTROY
plan. /р!аеп/ [i> T) to design a large space,
such as a town or a park, and to decide how all the different parts should be arranged: The campus was originally planned in the 1950s, when there weren't as many cars. planning - planned - have planned
El someone whose job is designing things
designer /diашэг [n CI someone whose job is to design new machines, furniture, clothes etc. De Loreon worked as a designer for the Ford Motor Company. /ashion/furniture/so/tware etc designer The show features clothes by famous fashion designers like Jean-Paul Gaultier.
architect /'a:rki>tekt [n C] someone whose job is to design buildings: The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
DESTROY
to damage something so badly that it cannot be repaired
BREAK ^ _ DAMAGE
Л *
see
BROKEN also explode
/ ъ
SPOIL ENVIRONMENT
II to destroy buildings, cities, trees etc
destroy /dj'siroi/ T] to damage something so badly that it cannot be repaired:
The earthquake destroyed much of the city. I In Brazil the rainforests are gradually being destroyed. I A force of 500 aircraft set out to destroy the US паиу. I The factory was almost completely destroyed by fire.
Don't use destroy about clothes or
cars.
devastate rdevssteit/ [и T) to cause so
much damage over a large area that most
of the buildings, trees, and crops there are
destroyed: A huge explosion devastated the downtown area last night. I The country has been devastated by floods.
be in ruins /bi: in 'ru^nz/ if a town or building is in ruins, it has been completely destroyed: The village was in rums. Nothing had survived. I Four days and nights of continuous bombing had left the city in ruins.
wreck /гек./ If T] to deliberately damage a
building or room so badly that it cannot be
used again: A huge bomb wrecked the Opera House. I The bar was wrecked by a gang of drunks.
destruction di'strAkJ>n/ [n U] when something is destroyed: The war caused widespread death and destruction.
+ оfa campaign to haft the destruction
of the Amazonian forest
demolish /di'moliJIdi'ma:-/ [и T] to destroy a building using special equipment, because it is old or not safe: Eventually, in 1992, the apartment
block was demolished. I When they demolished the church, a cave was discovered beneath it.
demolition .dema'lipn j[n U] when a building is demolished: The plans involve the demolition of some 18th century houses.
knock down nnk daon||,naik- [phrasal verb T] to destroy a building or part of a building in order to build something new knock sth down They'll have to knock these houses down when they build the new road.
knock down sth We knocked down the internal wall iо make the room bigger.
В to completely destroy a car
wreck /гек [и TJ to damage a car very badly in an accident: They had stolen a car and wrecked it on the freeway, wrecked [adj] Wrecked vehicles lay abandoned at the roadside.
write off /.rait 'Df]o:f7 [phrasal verb TJ British to damage a car so badly in an accident that it cannot be repaired write off sth/write sth off She wrote off her mother's car the first time she drove it.
destroy continues on page 190
If you want to describe what someone looks like, you will find many useful words in other parts of this book. For example.
How big are they?
^ go to TAIL, SHORT, FAT, THIN
Are they good-looking?
^ go to BEAUTIFUL ОГ UGLY
How old are they?
^ go to ACE, YOUNG, OLD
What is their hair like? go to hair
What are their clothes like?
^ go to clothes, fashionable/ unfashionable
Do they have any other noticeable features? For example:
glasses /'gia:si,z||'glae7 In plural] two pieces
of glass in a frame that people wear to help them see better: She has blonde hair and she wears glasses. I I sat down next to a small man with glasses and a beard.
freckles /'freMz/ [n plural] small brown spots on someone's face that are made darker by the sun: Anna had pale skin and freckles. I a fair-haired boy u^ith
freckles
D describing people's
appearance
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
/reckled [adj] a girl with red hair and a freckled face
wrinkles /'riqtelz/ [n plural] lines in the skin that people get when they get older: His hair was almost white and there were wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.
wrinkled (adj] a wrinkled face
pierced ear /,pi9rst 'iэг/ [n C] when someone's ear has a small hole in it so that they can wear jewellery in it: Nick's got long hair and a pierced ear. 1 Do you have pierced ears?
tattoo /ts'tu:, tЈ-/ In С] a picture permanently marked on someone's skin with a needle and ink: Ceri's got a tattoo of a butfer//y on her shoulder I a big man with tattoos all over his arms
Г J
wqs a sfmt pftttf in mid-twuitits. SU had toy, dor I koM, and vas uiw-iyjMMf curd a t-tkirt...
2
describing people's character
If you want to describe someone's character, you will find many useful words in other parts of this book. For example.
calm, confident/not confident, deter mined, friendly/unfriendly, funny, intel licent, interesting, kind/unkind. Here
are some general expressions that are useful for describing someone's character:
can be /'kaen bi:, кэп-/ if you say someone can be annoying, romantic, etc, you mean that sometimes they are annoying or romantic, but they are not like this most of the time
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
186
can be quite/very/reaUij Mark can be quite bad-tempered when he's under
pressure, i He can be really funny when he's had a few drinks. сал be a little especially american can be
a bit LSPUOALLY BRIH5H An па can be a little moody, but basically she's pretty nice.
can be ... at times Yes, he can be a bit annoying at times.
tend to be /tend ts bi:/ if someone tends
to be rude, selfish etc, they are often rude or selfish
tend to be ratKer/quite/a little/a bit
Small children tend to be rather selfish. Billy tended to be a bit impatient.
AS. Only use tend to be about negative qualities.
Q not very /'not veri/ especially spoken if you say that someone is not very friendly, not very polite etc, you mean that they are unfriendly, rude etc. "What's he
like?" "Not very nice. He's rather rude and arrogant."
A
in spoken English as a way of being less direct when they are saying something negative about someone: He's a nice boy, but not very bright (instead of 'he's a nice boy but stupid/%
always /o:lwJ>z, -weiz/ [adu] if someone is always criticizing, always laughing etc, they do this very often, and it is an important part of their character: He's always complaining. I Margaret's really considerate - she's always helping people.
People often use not very, especially
187
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
side /said/ [л С usually singularl one of the parts of someone's character, especially a part that people do not often notice: Phil's always laughing and joking, but he does have a serious side too.
El the signs of the zodiac
Some people believe that the time of year that you were born has an effect on your character because of the positions of the stars and the planets. They divide the year
into 12 periods of time, and these are known as the 'signs of the zodiac'. People born under different signs are thought to have different characteristics.
Aquarius
20 January - 18 February
People born under the sign of Aquarius are very loyal, but they can be a little insensitive at times.
Aries
21 March ■ 19 April
People born under the sign of Aries are extremely energetic and adventurous. But they can also be aggressive.
Pisces
February -
March
Taurus
20 April - 20 May
People with the sign of Taurus are always calm and patient, but also very materialistic.
People with the sign of Pisces can be very romantic, and are always sympathetic if you have a problem. But they can also be extremely pessimistic.
descrwinc people continues on the next page
188
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
Cancer
21 June - 22 July
People with the sign of Cancer are very kind and helpful. But
they can sometimes be very moody-
Cemini
21 May - 20 June
People born under
the sign of Gemini are very witty, but they tend to be a little impatient
Leo
23 July - 22 August
People born under the sign of Leo are
very sociable, but
can often be vain as well
Virgo
23 August 22 September
People born under the sign of Virgo tend to be hard-working, but also a iittle fussy and very critical.
vocabulary
adventurous /afventjwas/ [adj] always read/ to tr^ different and exciting things, even if they are dangerous: For the more adventurous members of the groupt there are activities such as rock-climbing and scuba diving,
aggressive /agresiv/ [adj] someone who is aggressive behaves in an angry way and seems to want to fight or argue: Hoynes sudden/у became aggressive and started swearing at us.
artistic /ai^istik/ [adj] good at painting and drawing, and at making and designing things using your skill and irnag ination: She comes from a very artistic family - her mother's ал interior designer and her brothers an
architect.
calm /krcmlkaim, fcailm/ [adj] not getting angiy or upset, even in a difficult situation: Dr Weir answered their questions in а са/m, professional manner. keep/stay calm Meditation a/ways he/ps me stay ca/m and relaxed.
cheerful /фэг&|/ [adj] always happy, smiling, and friendly: Barbara greeted us with a cheerful smile. The children managed to stay cheer/u/ in spite of the bad weather
conceited /кзпъйДО [adj] too confident about your own abilities and achievements, in a way that annoys people: Rupert and his wife are an awful couple - so snobbish and conceited.
critical /кпйЫ/ [adj] someone who is critical always says negative things about other people's work or the things they do and say Mrs Blake wasn't a popular teacher - she was too critical.
cruel /ктЫ/ [adj] deliberately trying to nurt or upset people, and not caring if this makes then unhappy: 'How could anyone be so cruel/' she said and burst into tears. + to Kids can sometimes be very cruel to each other
energetic /enard3euW [adj] very active and able to work hard and do a lot of things without getting tired: // you re feeling energetic, we could go out for a run.
/ussy /4\si/ (ac[/| someone who is fussy is difficult to please because they only like a few things and will only accept exactly what they want + about Teenagers are often very fussy about what they eat.
hard-working /ha:rd 'wsTarjV [adjl always working hard in your job or schoolwork; Jane s teachers said she was a sensible herd-working girl.
hefp/ul /helpfolj [adj] always ready to help people, for example by giving them useful advice or information: The staff at the museum were very helpful. I Than/cs
Sasha. You've been really helpful.
impatient /im'peif^nt/ [adjl someone who is impatient gets annoyed if they have to wait for something: I'm
corning - don yt be so impatient.'
indecisive /.jndj'saisivV [adj] someone who is indecisive is not good at making decisions quickly and keeps changing their mind about what they want to do: The President $ opponents described him as weak and indecisive.
insensitive /m sens^iv/ {adjl not realizing that some of the things you say or do are likely to upset or offend people: Carol s husixtnd is an insensitive brute. + tc She's insensitive to anyone s feelings but her own.
kind /kamd/ {adj\ someone who is kind always tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable: We 'd like to thank all the doctors and nurses at St James s Hospital for being so kind. I She's one of the kindest. most considerate people I ever met. + to People at work were very kind to me when my mother died.
189 DESCRIBING PEOPLE
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
Sagittarius
22 November - 21 December
Scorpio
23 October - 21 November
People born under the sign of Scorpio are often passionate, but sometimes a little cruel.
People borr under the sign of Sagittarius are always cheerful and optimistic, but often tend to be reckless
Capricorn
22 December 19 January
People with the sign of Capricorn are sensible and organized, but are sometimes conceited.
Libra
23 September 22 October
People born under the sign of Libra are usually artistic. But also tend to be indecisive.
or oppose them: о loyal and devoted wife + to We d like to thank all our fons who've been so loyal to the team.
materialistic /m^ti^ri^listikV |odj] thinking that money and possessions are more important than anything else: A lot of young people nowadays are rebelling against the materialistic ixilues of their parents.
moo du /muxii/ [ad;) often getting angry or annoyed, even though there seems to be no reason to feel like this: What's wrong with Janet?She's not usually so moody, I After the accident, he had become increasingly moody and depressed.
optimistic /.opt^misti Н|,аф/ [adjl someone who is optimistic always expects good things to happen, and believes that they will eventually get what they want: Donna hasn t managed to find a job yet, but she is still very optimistic.
+ about How optimistic are you about your chances of winning a gold medal?
organized frrgwiaizd/ (adj] good at organizing your life and making plans, so you are always well prepared for the things you have to do: You have to admire Helen she's so organized.
passionate /paeJ<?nJ>t/ (adj) someone who is passionate has strong sexual or romantic feelings: Todd put his arms around her and gave her a passionate kiss.
patient /peij>nt/ [adjl able to wait calmly without becom ing annoyed or bored: "Are we going now Mum?" "Л/о. not yet, you7/ just haue to be patient + with Try and be patient with her - she's doing her best.
pessimistic /.pesJ'misiikV (adj} someone who is pessimistic always expects bad things to happen, and thinks that if anything can go wrong it will go wrong: / wish you 'd stop being so pessimistic! + about Experts seem pessimistic about the chances of
an economic recovery.
reckless /'rekbs/ [adjl behaving in an irresponsible or dangerous way, and not caring whether you harm yourself or other people: A senior police officer blamed reckless motorists for the high number of deaths or the road.
romantic /ra'maentik. гэи-/ [adjl someone who is romantic treats the person they love as someone very special, for example by buying them presents and giving them flowers: "Phr!'s taking me to Paris for the weekend/ "How romanticГ
sensible /"sensilwl/ [adj] always behaving in a responsible way, making good decisions, and not doing anything stupid or risk/: He was sensible enough to realize he wouldnt pass the exam without doing any work I You can rely on Jill to take care of the car - she's a very sensible driver.
sociable /'sao/sh? 1/ [adj] someone who is sociable is friendly, and enjoys being with other people and meeting new people; Maria u>as a sociable and popular mem ber of the doss.
sympathetic /simpa'BetikV {adj] ready to try to understand peoples problems and to help them if you can. Tell Frank how you feel - I'm sure hell be sympa thetic.
Don t confuse sympathetic (=ready to understand and help people) and njce (=pleasant, friendly and easy to talk to)
vain /vein/ {adj very proud of yourself, especially because you think that you look very attractive or beautiful: The girls at school used to tease her for being so vain.
DESTROY
destroy continued from page 185
QtOtal /'t9Utl/ [и T] american spoken to
damage a car so badly in an accident that it cannot be repaired: It was a terrible accident. Both cars were totaled
totaling - totaled - have totaled
causing a lot of damage
destructive /di'strAktiv/ [adj] something or someone that is destructive causes a lot of damage: a wasteful and destructive war I Small children can be very destructive. I the destructive effects of mass tourism
devastating /'devasteitii}/ [adj] causing very serious damage to all the buildings, trees, crops etc in an area: The palace was rebuilt in 1832 after a devastating fire. Have a devastating effect on The oil spill had a devastating effect on sea birds and other wildlife.
a place or thing that has been destroyed
wreckage /rekids/ [n U] the broken parts
of a car, plane etc that has crashed: Wreckage from the plane was scattered over a large area. I Passengers were trapped in the burning wreckage.
ruins /'rui^nz/ [n plural] the parts of a building or town that remain after it has been destroyed
+ of We visited the ruins of an ancient temple. 1 the ruins of a bombed-out office block
wreck /гек/ [n C] a ship that has been sunk, or a car that has been badly damaged in a crash: Diuers went down to search the wreck. I The car was a complete wreck, but the driver escaped with minor injuries.
write-off f rait offl-Dif/ [n CI British a car that has been so badly damaged that it cannot be used again: The car was a complete write-off ~ I was lucky I wasn't killed.
be gradually destroyed by a natural process
rot/decay /rot, di'kei|raa/ (u I] to be gradually destroyed by natural chemical changes - use this about dead plants or flesh, or
190
about fruit or wood: Peaches that had fallen from the trees were rotting on the ground. I the disgusting smell of rotting meat 1 Decaying vegetation blocked the stream.
rot - rotting - have rotted
A Decay is a more technical word than rot
rust /rASt/ [и I] if metal rusts, it becomes red-brown in colour because it has been damaged by the effects of water: Your bike will rust if you leave it out in the rain.
DETAIL
see also information, describe
a specific piece of information
№teil|drteil/ in С often plural! a single fact or piece of information about
something: The story's very complicated - I can't remember all the exact details. + of The student advice office provides details of all the university courses in the country. I Baker advises the President on the details of foreign policy, personal details (information about someone, such as their age, their address, whether they are married etc) To apply for a loan, first fill in the section marked 'Personal Details'.
point /point/ [n C] a detail that you need to talk about when you are discussing a plan, statement, or written agreement: There's one point in your letter that is not quite clear.
smalt/minor point (=one that is not very important) We only have a few small points left to discuss.
Qthing /011]/ [n C] spoken a detail in something such as a plan, statement, or written agreement: There's one thing I'm not clear about, and that's how we are going to get to the airport. 1 I need to change a few things before I give the speech.
the small print/дэ .smoil print/ [n singular] the specific details in an agreement or
document, which may be very important but which people do not always notice: Be sure to read the small print before you
sign anything.
Q a specific feature of
something you see
detail /'di:teil|di'teil [n C/U] one of many specific leatures that you can see in something such as a picture, a building, or something that someone has made: Look at all the tiny details in the background of the picture. \ The cathedral has a carved ceiling which is full of interesting detail.
Ej with a lot of details
detailed di:te[ldl|di teild [adj] a detailed
description, explanation, picture etc contains a lot of details: The police have
issued a detailed description of the man they are looking for. I Do you have a more detailed map of the area?
in detail /m 'dirterl^di'teil/ if you talk
about or consider something in detail, you pay attention to all the details: / haven't had time to look at the plans in detail yet. I This problem is discussed in more detail in Chapter 7. in great detail (including a lot of detail) Fortunately, she was able to describe her attacker in great detail.
ш not containing many details
general 'djen^rsl/ [adj only before noun) a general description or explanation of something contains the most basic information but does not include all the details:
The course is called A General Introduction to Computing', a general idea (=basic knowledge) This guidebook will give you a good general idea of the city.
rough /nvf/ [adj only before nounl rough description/plan/outline etc a description. plan etc that is not exact or complete. but has enough information to help you understand it: We've drawn up a rough p/an but we haven't worked out all the costs.
a rough idea (=a basic explanation or understanding) Give us a rough idea of what you're trying to do.
vague /veig/ [adj] something that is vague is not clear because it does not provide enough details: Dave's instructions were rather vague. 1 I had heard vague rumours that they were getting married.
not go into detail /not дэо into di:teil|[
-di'teil/ if you do not go into detail when you are telling someone about something, you only give them the basic facts without any details: It was only a quick explanation - he didn't really go into detail.
DETERMINED
when you have definitely decided to do something, and you will not let anything stop you
^ see also describing people
ftl determined to do something
determined drt^m^nd [adj] if you are determined to do something, you have decided that you are definitely going to do it, and you will not let anything stop you: There's no point trying to stop her - it'll only make her more determined, determined to do sth / iuas determined to be a professional dancer, and practised for hours every day. + (that) She was determined that her children should have the best possible
education.
be set on Sth bi: 'set on (sth)' to be determined to do something, especially something important that will affect your whole life, even if other people think you should not do it
be set on (doing) sth Nina seems to be
set on marrying him. be dead set on sth {^extremely determined to do something) Bob's always been dead set on a career in advertising.
E4 someone who has a determined character
determined /d['t3:rmj,nd [adjl someone who is determined works very hard to achieve what they want to achieve, and will not let problems stop them: Not many women went to university in those days,
DETERMINED 1
but Dorothy was a very determined woman
single-minded sirjg^l 'maind^d* [ac/j]
someone who is single-minded works very hard in order to achieve one thing, and thinks that everything else is much less important: You have to be tough and single-minded if you want a career in the movies.
single-minded determination/ambition/ commitment her single-minded commitment to improving the legal position of women
determined to be successful in life or in your job
ambitious /aem'bijss/ [adj] determined to become successful, rich, powerful, or famous: John was very ambitious, and
even at the age of 17 he began planning his career as a politician. I She had always been ambitious, and felt that marriage and children would damage her career.
pushy /'poji/ [adj] informal someone who is pushy is so determined to do well and to get what they want that they behave in a way that is rude and annoying: You have to be pushy to succeed in journalism. I Pushy parents can put their children under a lot of stress.
pushy - pushier - pushiest
92
obstinately (aduj She obstinately refused to admit she was wrong.
pig-headed .pig 'hed^d*/ [adj] informal use this about someone who refuses to change their mind when you think that what they want to do is stupid: We tofd him he was crazy to drive after drinking so much, but he's so pig-headed he just ignored us.
so determined that you do not care who you harm
ruthless 'ru30bs/ [adj] someone who is ruthless is so determined to get what they want, especially in business or politics, that they do not care if they harm other people: You should be careful of Allan - he can be pretty ruthless if anyone gets in his way. t With ruthless efficiency, the new
management fired half the workforce to increase company profits. ruthlessly [adu] Important evidence hcd been ruthlessly suppressed by the police.
go to any lengths/stop at nothing /.goo to ,eni leijHs, .stop ot плН1г]| stuip- to be willing ю do anything, even if it is cruel, dishonest, or illegal, in order to get what you want: He was prepared to go to any lengths to find the men who killed his daughter. I Lawrence would stop at nothing to achieve power and wealth.
determined in a way
that is annoying or silly
Stubborn /'stAb3rn [adj] someone who is stubborn refuses to change their mind about something, even when people think they are wrong or are being unreasonable: I told him it was a bad idea, but Dave s so stubborn that he just never listens. I The oil companies face stubborn opposition from environmentalists. stubbornly [adu] My grandmother stubbornly refused to eat any 'foreign' foods.
obstinate /obsUn^tU'aib- [adj] someone who is obstinate always does what they want and refuses to change their mind, even when this is annoying and unreasonable: How; do you deal with an obstinate teenager who always says she isn't hungry?
the ability to be determined
determination /du^mi/neipn/ [n U|
the ability to continue trying to achieve what you want, even when this is difficult: After the accident, Bill learned to walk again through sheer hard work and determination.
determination to do stH A spokesman stressed the police's determination to find the girl's killer.
ambition sembipn [n U] determination to become successful, rich, powerful, or famous: Eric wasn't particularly intelligent but he had plenty of ambition.
willpower /vvil.paoaV [n U] the ability to control your mind and body in order to achieve whatever you decide to do: It takes a lot of willpower to give up smoking.
perseverance /,p3:rs^vwr9ns/ [n U] the ability to keep on trying to achieve something over a long period, even when there are problems and difficulties: You need patience and perseverance to learn a foreign language.
DIE
opposite live
see also dead, alive, exist
II to die because you are old or ill
die /dai/ \v 1] to stop being alive, as a result of old age or illness: Iwant to see Ireland again before I die. t Many people are worried about growing old and dying alone.
+ of Her youngest brother died of cancer when he was only thirteen. die young (=die when you are young) His first wife had died young and he remarried at the age of 40.
dying - died - have died
; Д The usual preposition after die is of: He
died of a heart attack. You can also use ;
from, especially when someone dies as a i
result of being injured: She was shot twice, i
and died later from her wounds. But don't j
use with after die. j
dying /'danq/ [adj] if someone is dying, they will die very soon because they are very ill or very badly injured: He gave the dying man a drop of water from his flask. I Her aunt lay dying upstairs.
death /dee/ [л C/U] when someone dies.- the death of sb formal (-when someone dies) Ouer 100 years have passed since the death of Karl Marx. +/rom The number of deaths from AIDS is still increasing.
on sb's death (=when they die) Catherine will inherit a large sum of money on her father's death.
pass away f,pa:s D'wei||,p2es-/ [phrasa/ uerb I] to die - use this when you want to avoid using the word 'die', because you think it might upset someone: "Your mother passed away during the night/' the doctor told him.
О drop dead /,dmp 'ded||,dra:p-/ spoken if someone drops dead, they die very suddenly and unexpectedly, especially when they are in the middle of doing something: Jim Fixx, the fitness guru, dropped dead while he was pgging.
ы to die in an accident, war, fight etc
die/be killed /dai, bi; bid/ [и I] Bob's
parents died when their car was hit by a truck.
die in an accidentiexplosion/the war etc
Two people were killed and four injured in a gas explosion this morning, die/be killed in action (=be killed while fighting in a war) His brother was killed in action in Vietnam.
death /de0. [n C/U| when someone dies in an accident or a war The number of deaths on Britain 's roads continues to fall. the death of sb formal (=when someone dies) Police are investigating the myster ious deaths of two teenagers.
to death Дэ de6, starve/freeze/bleed to death to die because of having no food, being too cold, or losing blood: The baby starved to death. I A young man was hit with a broken bottle and bled to death.
lose your life /,lu:z jo:r laif to be killed in a terrible event - used especially in news reports and descriptions of past events: Hundreds of people lost their lives when the ship overturned in a storm. 1 The Brazilian driver lost his life
у
in an accident during a Formula One race in Germany.
die for sth /'dai fo:r (sth)' [phrasal verb T] to die for your country or because of something you believe in: brave men who were ready to die for their country
El an illness or accident that you die from
Jatal /'feitl {adj| a fatal accident or medical condition kills the person who has it, usually immediately: a fatal heart attack I Meyer's car was involved in a fatal accident on the Al.
DIE
193
fatally 1 adv] fatally injured/wounded His father had been fatally injured in an explosion in the mine where he worked.
when one of your relatives or friends dies
lose /lu:z/ [u T] if you lose a friend or a close relative, they die: Maya lost her mother when she was very young. I It's a terrible thing to lose someone very close to you. losing - lost - have lost
be widowed /bi: 'widaud/ if you are
widowed, your husband or wife dies: Becky was widowed only ten months after her marriage, widowed [adj only before noun) He's gone to stay with his widowed mother in Florida.
be orphaned /bi: yJbndj if you are
orphaned, both your parents die when you are still young: Thousands of Rwandan children have been orphaned by the war. orphaned \odj only before noun] a home for orphaned children
when a type of animal or plant stops existing
out /,dai 'aut/ (phrasa/ verb 1) if a type of animal or plant dies out, fewer and fewer of them exist, until in the end there are no more left: The dinosaurs died out long ago. i Many species of wildflower are dying out as a result of pollution.
extinct /ik'stiqkt/ [ac/j] a type of animal or plant that is extinct does not exist any more: Animals such as the white rhino and the giant panda may soon be extinct. become extinct Bears became extinct in this country over 100 years ago.
В places, ceremonies, etc
connected with people
who have died
DIE 194
terminal /Wm^iwl/ [adj] a terminal illness cannot be cured, and th2 person who has it will soon die: She was recently told she had terminal cancer, terminally [adv]
terminally ill a ward for terminally ill
patients
/uneral /'fjitiradl/ |n С) a religious ceremony when someone who has died is buried or burned coffin (also casket american) /'kofin, 'ka:sk^t||'ko:-, 'kaes-/ (л CJ the box in which a dead person1 s body is placed for their funeral
hearse /h3irs/ (n C) a large car used to carry a body in a coffin at a funeral
bury /beri [и T) to put a dead person's body in a grave: She was buried in the little churchyard, not for from the place where she was born. burying - buried - have buried
be cremated /bi: kri;meitj,d||-kri:meitJ,d when a dead person's body is burned, usually after a funeral
grave /greiv/ [n С] a deep hole in the ground where a dead person's body is buried
graveyard fgreivja:rd/ [n Cj an area of land where dead people are buried; graveyards are usually smaller than cemeteries, and in Britain they are usually next to a church
cemetery /'sem^rilj-teri/ [n C] a large area of land where dead people are buried war cemetery (=where soldiers killed in а war are buried plural cemeteries
DIFFERENT
look here for ... different from someone or something else
SAME
SPECIAL
CHANCE
a different one, or not the same one
UNUSUAL
\ /
ANOTHER
see also
/ ъ
OPPOSITE
not like something or someone else
different /difoant/ \adj] if something or someone is different, they are not like something or someone else, or they are not like they were before. We've painted the door a different colour. I You look different. Hove you had your hair cut? I Our two children are very different, different from sth/sb (also different tKan sth/sb American) This computer is different from the one I used in my last job.
completely/totally different The living-
room looks totally different with those new curtains, differently [adu] The two words sound the same, but they're spelled differently.
A If you want to say that two people or things are different from each other, you can just say they are different: Rap music and reggae are different in lots of ways.
riot tike /not laik; [preposition] different from - use this especially when two things or people are not at all similar: You should remember that walking in the hills isn't like walking down the street - it can be very dangerous. not at alt like/nothing like (=completely
different from) She's very shy ~ not at all
like her sister.
not look/sound Uke The voice on the answering machine did not sound like Anna at all.
not the same /not to 'seim/ different -
use this especially when two things are similar but not exactly like each other: The two patterns are similar but not the same. + as Tve tried Mexican food here in London, but it just isn't the same as in Mexico.
vary /'ve^ri/ [и I] if things of the same type
vary, they are all different from each other: Methods of treatment vary according to the age and general health of the patient.
vary considerably/greatly Prices of video cameras vary considerably. vary in price/quality/size//lavour etc
The cheeses vary in flavour from mild to strong.
varying - varied - have varied
differ difa' [и I] formal if two things differ, they have different qualities or features
+ /rom Scottish ш has always differed from English law.
differ In cost/size/appearance etc The
two drugs have the same effect, but they differ in certain important respects.
differ gready/widely Opinions on the subject differ widely.
И completely different from anyone or anything else
unique 'jui'niik/ |adj] something unique is so different, special, or unusual that it is the only one of its kind: a musician with a unique style 1 о mental ability which makes the human race unique among animals
special /"spej>l/ [adj] designed for one particular purpose, and therefore different from other things of its type: Bob's been on a special diet since his heart attack. I You need a special tool for this job.
distinctive /di'stiqktiv/ [adj] something
that is distinctive has a special quality or appearance that makes it different from other things, and makes it easy to recognize: The distinctive taste of genuine malt whisky. I Sarah dressed in a very distinctive style.
H another one, not the same one as before
another /эплбэг/ [determiner/pronoun] one more of the same kind of thing or person: creatures from another planet I Louise has a house in New York, and another house in Florida, another one I didn't like the dress Td bought, so I changed it for another one.
Don't say 'another countries'. Say another country or other countries
Another js not used before a plural or
uncountable noun.
i
different / diforam/ [adj only before noun) a different thing or person is not the same one that you have already mentioned: The other portrait is by a different artist. I She used to be a teacher, but I think she's doing a different job now.
new /nju:|nu:/ [adj only before noun] use this about something or someone that replaces the one that was there before: Have you met Keith's new girlfriend? I She's really enjoying her new job.
else /els/ jady] something/somewhere/ someone else another thing, place, or
several different things or people
different /■ dif>rent/ [ad; only before noun] use this about several people or things of the same general type, when you are comparing them with each other and noticing the differences between them. Let s compare the prices of five different detergents. 1 a drug that affects different people in different ways
various ve^ri^s (adj only before noun] of several different kinds, but the same general type: / had to sign various documents before they would give me the package. I the advantages and disadvantages of the various teaching methods
Qall sorts of/all kinds of jy\ so:rts
dv, y>\ 'kamdz dv/ especially spoken a lot of people or things that are different from each other, but of the same general type: I meet all sorts of people in my job. I The bureau provides advice on a/f kinds of housing problems.
a variety of /э V3'rai3ti dv' especially written a lot of things that are different from each other, but of the same general type: Children do badly at school for a variety of reasons.
a wide variety of (=very many different things) The college offers a wide variety of language courses.
varied /'vearid/ [adj] including many different things or people, especially in a way that seems interesting: I really enjoy the work here - it's very varied. I It is important that a child gets a varied diet.
separate /'separ^t/ [adj only before noun] use this about two or more things of the same general type that are not connected with each other: a word that has three separate meanings I She has been
the way in which two things are different
difference /'dif>rans/ [n C] what makes
one thing or person different from another . He's speaking Spanish, not Italian. Don't you know the difference? + between Try and spot the differences between these two pictures.
contrast /'knntraistH'kcnntrcest; [n singular] a very clear difference that you can easily see when you compare two things or people
+ between The thing that surprised us was the contrast between the ancient temples and the ultra-modern office buildings.
gap /g<ep [n Cj a big difference between two amounts, two ages, or two groups of people
+ between There's a ten-year gap between Kay's two children. 1 The gap between rich and poor is getting wider.
to notice that two things or people are different
can tell the difference кэп tel to
dif^rsns; to be able to notice that two things or people are different, even though they are very similar: It looked just like a real diamond - I couldn't tell the difference.
+ between Can you tell the difference between butter and margarine?
can tell sb/sth apart кэп tel (sb/sth)
3pa:rt to be able to see that two very similar people or things are different - use this especially in questions and negative statements: The twins are identical - even their parents can't always tell them apart.
distinguish di stiqgwij [u I/T] to be able
DIFFERENT 196
person instead of this one: Go and play somewhere else. I'm trying to work. I Andrea's obsessed with money - she never talks about anything else.
alternative /э:Г1з:гпэпу||э:1-, ael-/ [adj only before noun) an alternative plan,
arrangement, or system can be used
instead of the usual one: The bridge is closed so we ll have to use an alternative route. I For vegetarian guests there is an alternative menu.
warned on a number of separate occasions.
to see the difference between two or more similar things or people +■ between Even an expert would find it hard to distinguish between the original painting and the copy, distinguish sb/sth from sb/sth A tiny baby soon learns to distinguish its mother's face from other adults' faces.
Distinguish is more formal than can tell the difference,
Efl when one statement makes a different one seem untrue
contradict / kontrsdiktll.ka'.n-; [v T| if one statement or fact contradicts another one, it is so different that it makes the other one seem untrue or impossible: The two newspaper reports totally contradict each other. I Their theories have been contradicted by the results of recent experiments.
DIFFICULT
^ opposite EASY
D difficult to do or
understand
difficult/hard 'difik^lt. ha:rd/ [adj] not easy to do or understand: The police have a difficult job to do. I Have you ever tried windsurfing? It's harder than it looks. difficult/hard to see/hear/read etc His handwriting is very difficult to read it is dijficult/hard to do sth It's difficult
to explain these problems to a child. It is hard to imagine what life ioas like in the 13th century.
Juid it dijficult/hard to do sth People
find it difficult to learn new skills as they get older.
make it dijficult/hard for sb to do sth
My mother's illness makes it very difficult for her to do a full-time job.
Difficult is slightly more formal than
hard
tough /uf/ [adj] very difficult to do or deal with - use this about jobs, decisions, questions, or problems: People in government are always hauing to make tough decisions. I He'll have some pretty tough questions to answer in tonight s TV interuieuh
complicated /'komplikeitjdl'kaim-/ [ad;]
a complicated problem, situation, or system is difficult to understand because it consists of many different parts or details: the complicated problem of bringing peace to the Middle East I a complicated set of instructions
complex /'kompleksll.karm'pleks/ {adf] а complex process or system is difficult to understand because it has a lot of parts that are all connected in different ways: The way humans think is a complex process that scientists cannot fully explain. I complex laws relating to sex discrimination
Qit's easier said than done /its ,i:zi3r ,sed бэп ёлп{ spoken say this to tell someone that something is much more difficult than they think it is: "You'// just have to find yourself a rich husband, won't you?" "tVe//, that's easier said than donel"
В something that needs a lot of skill, hard work, and determination
challenging /ЦжЦпаад/ [adjl a challenging job or activity needs a lot of hard work and skill, but you want to do it because you can achieve something good by doing it: She finds working with handicapped children challenging but extremely rewarding. I The job wasn 't challenging enough for me - I wanted something more creative.
be a challenge bi: a 'tfaeUndj/ if a new job or activity is a challenge, it is difficult, but you are determined to do it because it is interesting and exciting: You may find your first couple of months in the job quite a challenge. I И/е have to walk 60 kilometres in two days - it will be a real challenge.
demanding drmaindit]||drmaen-/ (adjl а
demanding job or activity is very difficult and tiring, because it needs all your effort and skill and a lot of your time: Being a nurse in a busy hospital is a demanding job, and you don t get much free time.
daunting /do:ntir] [adjl if something is daunting, it seems almost impossible, and the idea of doing it makes you feel nervous: Climbing Qomolangma was a
daunting challenge for any mountaineer. daunting task I was faced with the daunting task of learning the entire script in 24 hours.
a situation that is difficult to deal with or
talk about
difficult /'difiMt/ [adj] a difficult situation or subject is not easy to deal with or talk about, and it makes you feel nervous or unhappy: Things at home have been
very difficult since my fatner died. I Their relationship had been difficult from the start.
in a difficult position (=when someone has problems that are difficult to deal with) His ex-wife's accusations have put the President in a very difficult position.
awkward /o:kw9rdI [adj] an awkward situation or subject is difficult to deal with or talk about, especially because it might be embarrassing: He's at the age when kids start asking awkward questions - like 'Where do babies come from?' fee I awkward about Many people feel awkward about discussing money, even with their partner.
tricky /'tnki/ \adj\ a tricky situation is one that you have to deal with very carefully, because there are a lot of things that could easily go wrong: Teachers often have to deal with tricky situations, such as interviews with angry parents. I Although I was his boss I was much younger than him, so things were rather tricky at first.
tricky - trickier - trickiest
someone who is unhelpful and causes problems
difficult 'difiblt/ [adj] someone who is difficult is not easy to live with or work with because they do not behave in a helpful, friendly way, or they do not do what you want: IVhen Darren was a little boy, he was very difficult at times. I Campbell has the reputation of being di//icu/t to work with.
awkward j^ikwMj [adj] someone who is awkward is deliberately unhelpful and unfriendly, and seems to like causing problems for people. I don't think she's really too sick to come with us. She's just being awkward.
Qimpossible /!rapDs^l||im'pa:-/ [adj
DIFFICULT
not before noun] spoken someone who is impossible makes you annoyed and impatient, for example because they are never satisfied or they keep changing their mind: Even when I offer to help her she always finds some reason to complain. She's impossible!
a time when you have a lot of problems
dijficult/hard/tough difiMt, ha:rd,
tAf/ [adj] use this about a period of time when you have a lot of problems or a lot of bad things happen to you: The last few months have been especially difficult for her. I 1996 was perhaps the hardest year we've faced so far. have a hard/diffiCu.it/toaqh. time Try to
be nice to her. She's had a really tough
time recently.
to have problems when you are trying to do something
have difficulty hxv dffiMti/ if you
have difficulty when you are trying to do something, you cannot do it easily Have difficulty doing sth I noticed that she tuas having difficulty breathing. I Kelly was having difficulty controlling his temper.
+ witk Do you have any difficulty with spelling?
find sth difficult ; famd (sth) difiMt to
not be able to do something easily, especially because you do not have enough
ability or skill: J found the course difficult at first, but it gradually got easier, find it dij^lcult to do stk He's very shy, and finds it difficult to talk to people.
with difficulty /w,a 'difibiti/ especially written if you do something with difficulty. you can do it, but only by using all your strength, all your determination etc: With difficulty, the old man struggled up the stairs. I She spoke with difficulty, choking back her tears.
can hardly ha:rdii if you can
198
hardly do something, you can only just do it, and it is very difficult: He talks so fast, I can hardly understand what he's saying. I By the end of the day she could hardly walk.
A Don't say 'we can't hardly move'. Say we can hardly move .
О have a job doing stk -:hsev э'd^ob
Way and direction mean the same, but way is more common in spoken English and direction is more common in written English.
duiii] (sth)||-'d3a:b-, British spoken if you have a job doing something, ii takes a lo' of time or a lot of effort, and you may not be able to do it: You 'II have a job persuading him to give you any more money. I There ivas some kind of festival going on, and we had a job finding somewhere to park the car.
DIRECTION
see also way, e position & direction
the direction in which something or someone
moves
direction /d^'rekj^, daw [n С usually sin gular] the direction that something or someone is moving towards or pointing towards in sb's direction l=towards someone) We crept past, hoping that the guard would not look in our direction. in the direction of sth, (^towards something) We carried on walking in the direction of the ocean. in the right/wrong direction Are you sure we're going in the right direction? in the opposite direction Bi// marched off angrily in the opposite direction, from the direction of sth Suddenly Anna heard a shout coming from the direction of the kitchen.
way /wei/ [n С usually singular] the general direction that something or someone is moving towards or pointing towards: "Which way does the garden face? "South. It gets a lot of sun.
this way/that way The truck went that way ~ you can see its tracks in the snow. the right way/the wrong way I think we're going the wrong way.
DIRTY
opposite clean see also wash, mark
dirty
dirty /d3:rti (adj] not clean: Look how dirty your hands are! I dirty clothes I The children had made dirty fingermarks on the wall.
get dirty (=become dirty) This carpet's getting very dirty - it needs cleaning. get sth dirty (=make it dirty) I don't want to get my new shoes dirty. dirty - dirtier - dirtiest
filthy filBi/ [adj] extremely dirty: We didn't go swimming because the water looked filthy. I She put the cake into the filthiest, greasiest oven he had ever
seen.
absolutely jilthy You ought to wash your jeans - they're absolutely filthy.
filthy - filthier - filthiest
muddy nriAdi [adj] covered in mud: Take off your muddy boots, t She left a trail of muddy footprints behind her. I a muddy field
muddy - muddier - muddiest
dusty /'dAsti/ [adj] a dusty room, piece of furniture etc is covered in dust, especially because no-one has cleaned it for a long time: The room was dark and dusty. I dusty shelves
dusty - dustier - dustiest
greasy gri:si, -zi/ [adj] something that is greasy looks dirty because it has an oily substance on it: She had long greasy black hair. I He wiped his hands on a greasy cloth.
greasy - greasier - greasiest
dirty and bad for your health
see also environment
unhygienic /дпИш^шМ-Язеп-, -djiin-/ [adj] likely to cause disease - use this about
dingy /'dindji [adj] a dingy room, street, or building is dirty, dark, and in bad condition: Marlowe's dingy little office was in a run-down block near the station. dingy - dingier - dingiest
something that makes things dirty
dirt d3irt/ [n U] dust, mud, or anything else that makes things dirty: She rubbed some dirt off the glass with her finger. I I've washed that shirt twice, but I can't get the dirt out.
Don't say 'a tot of dusts'. Say a lot of
dust dAst [n U] dry powder that forms a layer on furniture, floors, clothes etc. especially when they have not been cleaned for a long time: There was a thick layer of dust on the shelves. I Max brushed the dust off his coat.
A
dust. DUst has no plural form.
mud 'mAdj [n U] very wet earth that sticks to your shoes, clothes, car. tyres etc: Look! There's mud all over the carpet. I Hayley scraped the dried mud off her boots. be covered in mud Their expensive riding pckets were covered in mud.
DIRTY 200
dirty conditions in kitchens, restaurants, and hospitals: It is unhygienic to store row and cooked meats together. I Operations are carried out under the most unhygienic conditions.
polluted /pa'luitid/ [adj] water or air that is polluted has a lot of harmful waste or poisonous chemicals in it: an effort to clean up Britain's polluted rivers + with/by Parts of the Mediterranean are polluted with toxic waste, heavily polluted (=very badly polluted) The air is heavily polluted with exhaust fumes.
contaminated bntaem^neitJjd/ [adj]
food, water, or land that is contaminated is not safe to use or be in because dangerous chemicals or bacteria have come into it: contaminated drinking water + with/by Milk contaminated with lead has been on sale in the supermarkets. heavily contaminated (=very badly contaminated) Crops cannot be grown in the heavily contaminated soil around Chernobyl.
pollution /p3'luij<?n [n U] the harmful effects on water, air, or land of chemicals and waste from factories, cars, modern farming methods etc: Industrial pollution has killed all the fish in the river. I We moved to the country to get away from all the crime and pollution in Los
Angeles.
DISABLED
when someone cannot use part of
D
their body
disabled
disabled diseib^ld/ [adj] someone who is disabled cannot use part of their body normally, for example their legs or their arms: David goes to a special school for disabled children. I Her son is disabled and she has to take care of him all the time.
the disabled (=disabled people) new laws to protect the rights of the disabled disabled toilets/parking etc (=special toilets, parking etc for disabled people)
handicapped hgendikiept/ fad;] someone who is handicapped has serious difficultyusing part of their body or their mind, and this makes it difficult for them to have a normal life: She wor/cs with handicapped teenagers. mentally handicapped (^handicapped in the mind) a school for mentally handicapped children
visually handicapped (=blind or partly blind)
special needs SpcM nudz [n plural]
people with special needs need different teaching methods, special equipment etc because they have physical or mental problems - used especially by people who work with children like this: a school for children with special needs
plural disabilities
disability dis^biUti |n C/U] a problem with part of your body which makes it difficult for you to walk, talk, see etc: There are special courses for people with disabilities. I His disability didn't stop him from becoming a world-cfass scientist.
not disabled
able-bodied /eib<?l 'bDdidHI-ba:-/ [adj]
not disabled - use this when you are comparing disabled people with people
who are not disabled: Disabled students face different problems from their able- bodied friends.
DISAGREE
opposite agree
t
ARGUE
33 OPINIONS ^ | ^ E SAYING NO
see
also ^^
CRITICIZE jP COMPLAIN
be divided/be split /bi: d^vaid^d, bi: split/ if a group of people is divided or is split over something, some of them support one opinion and others support the opposite opinion
+ over/on The country's leaders appear
to be split on the question of tax cuts. I
Voters are bitterly divided over the issue of gun control.
contradict /kontra'diktH.kain-/ [и T] to say that what someone has just said is wrong: Don't contradict your father. I One of his students contradicted something he said, and he got really angry.
4 \
2 DISAGREEING
to have a different opinion from someone else
disagree/not agree /.disa'gri:. not
Don't say 'I am disagreeing', 'I am not agreeing etc'. Say I disagree, I don't agree etc.
a'gri:/ [и I] to have a different opinion from someone else: This is what Tm suggesting. If you don't agree, just say so. I Anthea thought they should move to a bigger apartment, but Jim disagreed. + with You'li probably disagree with me. but I think we should sell the car. I They say the problem is caused by bad teaching, but I don't agree with that. + about Experts disagree about the effects of global warming.
If you want to say that two people disagree with each other, you can just say they disagree or they don't agree: Bill and Larry disagreed about almost everything.
Don't say 'I disagree to this idea' or 'I disagree this idea'. Say I disagree with this idea.
Qnot see eye to eye /not si: ,ai to ai/
especially spoken if two people do not see eye to eye they have very different opinions and ideas, so that it is difficult for them to be friends or to work together + on/about Unfortunately, Sally and I don't see eye to eye on money matters. + with She never saw eye to eye with her
□ COMPLAINING
daughter-in-law.
a situation in which people disagree
disagreement ..dissgriimsnt/ [n C/U] when people disagree with each other + about/over Disagreement over who should produce the next album caused the band to split.
+ between/among There is some disagreement among medical experts about the best treatment for back pain, have a disagreement with sb (=disagree and argue with them) She had a disagree ment with her boss - that's why she's upset.
difference of opinion .diforons ?v
a'pinjan/ [n C] when people are unable to agree, especially about something important - use this as a way of avoiding more direct words like 'argument' and 'disagreement'
+ between/among There were reports of a slight difference of opinion between the President and his advisers. + about/over major differences of opinion over who should command the UN forces in Bosnia
plural differences of opinion
controversy /'kDntr3V3:si, kan'trovasil 'ka:ntr3,vy.rsi/ [n C/U] serious disagreement about a decision, plan, or action, which causes arguments for a long time in the newspapers, on television etc: Controversy surrounds the TV show, which many consider to be racist, sexist, and homophobic.
+ over The controversy over the nuclear energy program is likely to continue. plural controversies
DISAGREE 202
deadlock/stalemate /'dedlok, steii-
meit||-la:k/ (n U singular] a situation in which two groups disagree with each other, and no agreement is possible because each group refuses to change its mind: After two weeks, the discussions
reached complete deadlock. I The long- running dispute ended in a stalemate.
causing disagreement
controversial /.котгэ'уя^Чкат-: [adj]
something that is controversial causes a lot of disagreement and angry argument, especially in the newspapers, on television etc: 'Devil's Night' is a controversial new book about race relations in the city of Detroit.
controversial issue (=a subject that many people disagree about) Abortion is the most controversial issue in the US right
now.
DISAPPEAR
| A Deadlock and stalemate are used especially in news reports and newspapers.
vanish /'vaenjJVlf J] if someone or something vanishes, you suddenly cannot find
them and you cannot understand what has happened to them: When she returned, her car had vanished. vanish into thin air (=vanish in a way that seems impossible) I don't know where my pen has gone. It seems to have vanished into thin air.
A
fx Don't say he was disappeared', 'they are disappeared' etc. Say he disappeared they have disappeared etc.
If you say that a person has disappeared, this can mean either that you do not know where they are at the moment, or that they have been taken away by someone and they may be in danger: "Where's Tom?" 7 don't know - he's disappeared." I A 12-year-old boy disappeared from his home in Kansas City last night.
go missing /,gau mrsir]/ especially brjtish if someone goes missing, they cannot be found anywhere, and they may be in danger: Angela Priest went missing one year ago.
SEE 4
FIND
■4
see also
+Jrom The police were called after a six- year-old girl went missing from a playground near her home.
to become impossible to
LOOK FOR LOSE 1 fir 2
when you can't find someone or something
disappear ^diss'pis1/ l] if someone or something disappears, you cannot find them: Where are my keys? They seem to have disappeared.
+ from The money had disappeared from the table.
disappear without trace (=disappear and never be found again) The plane disap peared without trace, and no suruiuors were ever found. disappearance [n U] when someone or something disappears: Her sudden disappearance was very worrying.
disappear /.disa'pia1"/ (и I] if someone or something disappears, you cannot see them any more
+ behind! under Unto I over etc The sun
disappeared behind a cloud. I She watched the boat sail out to sea until it disappeared over the horizon.
vanish /'vaeniJV [и I] to disappear suddenly and in a way that cannot be explained: Jake thought he saw a woman at the window, but when he looked again she had vanished.
+ into/ be hind/ under etc A strange light appeared and then vanished again into the darkness.
DISAPPOINTING/ DISAPPOINTED
unhappy because things did not happen in the way that you hoped
see also satisfied/dissatisfiid
II disappointed
disappointed /.diss'poinUdv [adj] unhappy because things did not happen in the way you hoped they would, or were not as good as you expected them to be: / felt a little disappointed when she didn 't come to the party. I The hall was already full, and hundreds of disappointed fans were turned away at the door.
+ with/by Were you disappointed with the way you played today? + that The children were very disappointed that we couldn't go to the zoo. disappointed to /ind/learn/hear/see We were disappointed to find that the museum was closed. bitterly disappointed (=very disappointed) Backley was bitterly disappointed when an injury prevented him from competing in the Olympic Games. disappointment (n Uj the feeling of
being disappointed: She cou/c/n't hide her disappointment when David told her he tuasn't coming.
feel let down /mi Jet daun/ to feel disappointed because someone did not do
what they promised to do, or did not help
you when you needed them: No wonder the nurses feel let down - they were promised a big pay increase, but nothing has happened.
disillusioned /,djs^uJ3<?nd«/ \adj) you
feel disillusioned when you realize that a person, belief, way of life etc is not as good as you thought they were. Disi//usioned voters are turning against the government.
+ with After three years of war, the army was becoming disillusioned with its leaders.
Ea something that makes you feel disappointed
disappointing /.dis^'pomtir)*/ ladj]
something that is disappointing makes you feel slightly unhappy or dissatisfied, because it is not as good as you hoped it would be: The team had a disappointing season. I Company profits this year have been very disappointing.
be a disappointment /Ы: э .dis^pomt-
шэт something that is a disappointment does not happen in the way you hoped, or is not as good as you expected: The holiday was a bit of a disappointment - it rained the whole time. + to Foiling the test was a real disappointment to me.
be a great disappointment ft was a great disappointment to my parents that I didn't go to university.
not live up to expectations not liv
,лр tu ekspek'teij<?nz, if an event or person does not live up to expectations, you
expected them to be very good but in fact they are not: I'm afraid as a husband I never really lived up to Kelly's expectations.
Qbe a letdown /bi: э letdaun/ spoken if something is a letdown, you do not enioy it as much as you expected to: The party was a real letdown.
H to make someone feel disappointed
disappoint /.disa'poim/ [v T] to make someone feel disappointed: I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there aren't any tickets left.
let sb down /jet (sb) daun/ [phrasal verb T] if someone lets you down, they do not do what they promised to do, or they do not behave as well as you expected them to: I said I would help
them - / can'f let them down.
let sb down badly Many disabled soldiers feel the government has let them down very badly.
DISHONEST
opposite honest
see also cheat, lie 2 trick deceive
trust/not trust
D dishonest
dishonest /dis onist||-'a:-/ [acf/] someone who is dishonest tells lies or tries to trick people or steal things: a dishonest car salesman I dishonest practices among financial dealers I I'm sure you can trust Bob - he wouldn't do anything dishonest.
dishonestly [adu] He was accused of dishonestly obtaining an American passport.
QyOU can't trust sb /ju: kauit tiASt
(sb)||-kaent- spoken say this about someone when you think that they may tell lies or try to trick you: You can't trust the tobacco companies - they'll say anything to protect their business.
unscrupulous /'An'skruipjgbs, [adj] someone who is unscrupulous uses dishonest and unfair methods to get what they want, and does not care if they cause problems for other people: Some unscrupu/ous employers hire illegal immigrants to work for very low wages. I unscrupu/ous landlords
corrupt кэглрг [adj] a corrupt politician, official, or police officer uses their power in a dishonest way for their own advantage, for example by accepting
money from people in return for helping
them: Corrupt customs officials allowed the drug trade to continue.
devious /diivias/ [adj] someone who is devious tries to get what they want by secretly using clever plans to trick people, so you can never be sure what their real intentions are: a devious politician I one of his devious schemes
suspicious /sa'spijas/ [adj] use this about behaviour or situations that make you think that someone is doing something dishonest: It seems very suspicious to me. Where did he get all that money from?
DISHONEST
susptcious-tooking There was a suspicious-looking character standing in a doorway across the street.
suspiciously [adv] If you notice anyone behaving suspiciously, call the police.
sneaky /'sniiki/ [adj] informal someone who is sneaky does things secretly and tricks people in order to get what they want: the sneaky type of guy, who pretends to be nice and friendly just so he can steal all your ideas sneaky - sneakier - sneakiest
dishonest behaviour
dishonesty /dis'on^sti|-'ai-/ In U] dishonest behaviour: Are you accusing me of dishonesty? I If a lawyer is suspected of dishonesty, he risks losing his job.
corruption /кэ'глр]<?п/ (n U] when someone who works for the government, the police etc uses their power dishonestly to get money or gain an advantage: The chief of police was forced to resign after allegations of corruption.
bribery .'braibari/ [n Uj when someone offers money to a politician or government official in order to persuade them to do something: US firms used bribery to win contracts. I a massive bribery scan dal involving dozens of politicians bribery and corruption The General promised to end bribery and corruption in the government.
g raft ,gra:ft||graft' [n U] american dishonest behaviour by politicians who accept money from companies in return for helping them: Mayor Stevens was in court yesterday facing charges of graft and tax evasion.
DO
see also refuse, agree 4, let
to do something
do /du:/ [и T] "What are you doing?" Tm
trying to fix the television."
do work/housework/homework 95% of
204
housework is done by шотеп. I I did a lot of work in the garden today. do the washtng/cooking/shopptng etc His mother still does all his washing. do a test/ex am/course etc He's doing an art course at Wrexham College.
do sth weII/badly She enjoys her job and she does it very well. doing - did - have done
achieve /b'tji:v/' [v T] to succeed in doing something good or getting the result that you wanted, after trying hard for a long time: At the age of 40, he felt he had achieved nothing in his life. I She was determined to become a pilot. arid finally achieved her goal.
carry out / kaeri aot/ {phrasal verb T] to do something - use this only with these words:
carry out tests/research/a survey/a search (=do something that needs to be planned and organized) Scientists are carrying out research into the effects of this drug. I Police carried out a thorough search of the building. carry out sb's orders / instructions / wishes (=do what someone told you to do) The porter refused to let anyone into the building, but he was only carrying out orders.
carry out a threat/promise (=do what you said you would do) The terrorists carried out their threat and shot two of the hostages.
commit /кэтп/ [и T] commit a crime/ murder/robbery etc to do something that is a crime, especially a serious crime:
Women commit far fewer crimes than men. I The murder must have been committed between 7 and 10pm.
committing - committed - have committed
perform /рзгЬ:гт [и T] formal perform a duty/operation/task to do a duty, operation, or piece of work: The operation was performed by a team of surgeons at Addenbrookes Hospital. I Computers perform several tasks at the same time.
Qget on with sth get on wia (sth)||
-o:n-/1phrasal verb T] especially spoken to start doing something that you should have started already, or that you have stopped doing for a short time: Stop talking and get on with your work. get on with doing sth As soon as the rain stops, III get on with painting the fence.
Qbe up to something /bi: лр ta .samgii]/ especially spoken if someone is up to something, they are doing something but you do not know exactly what it is, and you think it is probably something bad: There's a lot of whispering in the kitchen. I think the kids must be up to something. I / wish / knew what he was
up to!
О to do something in order to deal with a bad situation
do something /'du: ,s,\m0ii]/ to do something to deal with a problem, especially one that is urgent: Quick, do something - there's water all over the floorl + about Street crime is becoming a real problem. It's time the police did something about it.
intervene :ntor'vi:n/ [и II to do something
to try to stop people from fighting or quarrelling with each other: After a few hours the police intervened to stop the rioting. + in The US finally intervened in the war in Bosnia.
take action дteik эекрп/ to do something to stop a bad situation from happening or continuing - use this to talk about people in powerful positions, when they have a clear plan for dealing with a problem.- Unless governments take action soon, the Earth 's atmosphere will be damaged forever.
take action to do sth Governments
must take action to end the trade in rare
and endangered animals. + against The school will take strong action cgainst any students using illegal drugs.
Ei something that someone does
thing ;f)ir] In C) something that someone does - always use this with the verb do: The first thing you should do is connect the computer to the printer, a stupid!clever/difficult etc thing to do You left your bag on the train? What a stupid thing to do! I It's a very dangerous thing to do.
action aekj>n/ [n C] formal something that someone does: Lavender's actions
had been stupid, but he had not intended any harm.
DO
course of action (=something that you could do in order to deal with a situation) There was only one possible course of action - he had to kill Siltz.
I ZL Don't use 'do' with action : I think you
did the right thing (not 'action'). Action is
rather formal, and it is more usual to say ! thing to talk about what someone does, j
activities 'sk'tiv^tiz [n plural) things that people do. especially things people do as a group, for work or for pleasure: Rebecca has always loved horse riding and other outdoor activities, I Police are investigating the company's business activities,
leisure/social/cultural activities The
school arranges social activities for students to take part in at the week ends.
achievement D'tjiivmsnt In C] something you succeed in doing after trying hard, especially something that is difficult to do and that other people admire: We opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate our achievement. great / remarkable I tremendous achievement (=one that you admire a lot) They
sold over 20 million copies of their album in the US, which is a tremendous achievement.
ш to not do something that you should do
not do Sth jmt du: (sth)/ The translation? I'm sorry, I haven't done it yet. 1 She was terrified that he would hurt her if she didn't do what he said.
/ail to do Sth /,feil 1э du: (sth) formal to not do something that you should do, especially when this has serious results: The driver of the car failed to stop in time, and the boy was killed.
do nothing/not do anything du:
ПЛ01Г), nDl du: eni0ii}/ to not try to help someone or prevent a bad situation, even though you know it is happening: He admitted he had seen the attack and done nothing.
+ about We told the police months ago, but they still haven't done anything about it.
+ to help/stop/prevent stH No-one in the company did anything to stop this disaster from happening.
Qnot bother /not bDfor||-ba:-/ especially spoken to not do something because it does not seem important or necessary don't bother "Would you like me to wait for you?" "No, don't bother" not bother to do sth He didn't even bother to tell me he was going to be late.
leave ]i:V [и T] to not do something now because you can do it later: If you can't answer a question, leave it and go on to the next one.
leave sth for now Leave the details for now, we'll deal with them later, leave sth till later/tomorrow/next week
etc Can we leave the washing till tomorrow?
leaving - left - have left
give Sth a miss /,giv (sth) э mis/ BRITISH informal, to decide not to do something that you had planned to do, for example because you are too tired: I think I'll give my exercise class a miss tonight - I'm worn out.
U to not do anything
have nothing to do /haev ,пл01п ts du:/
if you have nothing to do. there is nothing interesting for you to do and you feel bored; I get depressed if I have nothing to do.
with nothing to do She was sick of sitting around at home with nothing to do.
sit around/stand around sit
3'raond, .stand a'raond [phrasal verb I) to sit or stand somewhere for a long time, feeling bored, when you are waiting for something to happen or when you are just being lazy: I spent the whole morning sitting around waiting for news. I A group of teenagers were standing around outside the station.
Cyust sit there/just stand there
/djASt sit d^ASt 'staend 5еэг/ spoken to do nothing helpful or useful, especially when you should do something: The rabbit's escaped/ Don't just stand there - do something! I When the fire alarm went off she just sat there as if she hadn't heard a thing.
ILL/SICK—. I m MEDICAL
^^ fl TREATMENT
see
^ ^ also — ^
PAIN ^fc ^^ BETTER 4
4 \
MENTALLY ILL HEALTHY/
UNHEALTHY
doctor
doctor 'dDkC3r|| daik-/ [n C] someone who is trained to treat people who are ill: Sy/uia's met a really nice man - he's a doctor see a doctor about sth I think you should see a doctor about your cough.
Don't say 'I want to be doctor' or 'he is doctor'. Say I want to be a doctor or he is a doctor
A
The written abbreviation Dr is used before the name of a doctor: Dr Anderson is an expert in tropical diseases.
physician /tj>'zij>n/ [n C] american formal a doctor: My physician toid me to stop smoking. I His parents are both physicians in a busy hospital.
GP .d^i: 'pi:/ [n CI British a doctor who is trained to treat all kinds of illnesses, and treats people who live in one local area: I went to my GP and she prescribed antibiotics.
the medical pro/ession /бэ medikai
A
ргэ/ерп/ [n singular] formal doctors, nurses, and other people who treat people who are ill
In British English, you can use the medical profession with a singular or plural verb: The medical profession is unhappy/are unhappy about the changes.
В the place where you go to see a doctor
Qtke doctor's British the doctor's
ojfice AMERICAN /ЙЭ 'dDkt3r2, бэ ,dDkL?rZ
DOCTOR
ILLNESS/DISEASE
t
'ofj>s||-'da:k-/ [n singular] spoken the place
where a doctor works, where people who are ill can go at certain times to be examined. You'd better go to the doctor's if your sore throat doesn't get any better.
clinic /'klmik/ [n C] in the US, a place where several doctors have offices; in
Britain, a place where people can go for advice about a specific medical condition: a family-planning clinic I a clinic for people with alcohol problems
health centre вигтен health center
American ;'hel6 ,sent3r/ [n C] in Britain, a building where several doctors have offices and people can go to see them for treatment; in the US, a similar place in a college or university, where the students can go to see a doctor
Surgery /'s3:rdvri/ [n C] british the office where a doctor works, where people can go to be examined and treated: The waiting room at the surgery was full of people with colds and flu.
plural surgeries
a doctor with special knowledge of particular illnesses
specialist /'spej^st/ [n CI a doctor who
has a lot of special knowledge about one type of illness or one part of the body: His doctor sent him to see a specialist, heart/eye/skin etc specialist a heart specialist
surgeon /'s3irdvn/ [n С] a doctor who does operations in a hospital: Her operation was performed by a well-known surgeon.
consultant /ton'sAltent/ [n C] British an important hospital doctor who has a lot of knowledge about one type of medical treatment: The consultant told Jean that an operation was necessary to save her life.
a doctor who treats people who have mental or emotional problems
psychiatrist /sai'kai3trj,st||s3-/ [n С] a
doctor who treats people who are mentally ill
analyst /'aenal^st/ [n C] especially american a doctor who treats people with mental or emotional problems, by talking with them about their experiences and feelings
a doctor who treats people's teeth
dentist dentist [n C] someone who is trained to treat peoples teeth: I'm going to the dentist tomorrow. just for a
checkup.
a doctor who treats animals
vet .'vet/ [n C] someone who is trained to give medical treatment to animals The cot's not well - I'll have to take her to the vet.
DON'T CARE
when you do not care what happens or what someone does
to not care because something is not
important to you
don't care , daunt ke?r if you don't care about something, it is not important to you: "What do you think I should do?" "I don't care. Do what you want'' don't care w hat/ whet he г/if etc Just pay
me the money by tomorrow - I don't care how you get it. I I like George, and I don't care what anyone else thinks about him.
+ about She doesn't care about anything except money.
QwKo cares? I SO what? ,hu: кеэгг. ,s30 "wot/ spoken informal say this when you do not care about something, because you do not think it is important at all: "Phil was really mad when he heard what you'd done." "So what?It's none of his business" I / ought to be working really, but who cares?
Qcoulda't care less .kodnt ke^r les spoken informal to not care at all about something. Say I couldn't care less
В
DON'T CARE
when you feel annoyed. Say another person couldn't care less when you think they are behaving in a rude or unkind way . "Do you know what Rita told me?" "I really couldn't care less."
couldn't care less what/whether etc She
does whatever she likes and couldn't care less what other people think. + about To be honest, I couldn't care less about her stupid problems,
Cut's not my problem /its not mai
,prnb]om|h,pra:b- spoken informal say this when you do not care about a problem or difficult situation, because you will not have to deal with it; "How am I going to explain this to my parents?" "Sorry, it's not my problem."
to not care because you will be happy with
whatever happens
don't mind /daunt maind' to not care
A
because you will be happy with whatever happens or with whatever someone decides: "What would you like to do tonight?" '7 don't mind. You decide." don't mind where/what/how etc Honestly, / с/on'f mind whether Linda comes with us or not. I Bill was just happy to be with her, and he didn't mind where they went.
Don't say Jl don't mind it'. Just say |
don't mind
Qit makes no difference to me it
meiks пэо diforans ta 'mi:/ spoken say this when you do not mind what happens because it does not affect you or cause you any problems: You can come on Thursday or Friday - it makes no difference to me.
Ql'm easy /aim i:zi spoken infokma.. say this when someone asks you which of two things you would prefer and you want to say that you do not mind: "Do you want to stay in, or go out for a meal?" "I'm easy - what do you want to do?"
В someone who does not seem to care
unconcerned .Ankan'si^nd/ [adj not before noun] not worried or not caring about something, especially when this is surprising: They threatened to fire him from his job, but he seemed quite unconcerned.
208
+ about Many large companies remain completely unconcerned about the environment.
indifferent /in d iterant/ [adj not before noun] not seeming to care about what is happening, especially about other people's problems or feelings: My mother never cared about us. She was cold and indifferent.
+ to He's completely indifferent to her concerns about their baby's future.
apathetic /(®рэ'0еик<«/[adjl not interested in anything, or not caring about anything and not making any effort to change or improve things. The students here aren't really apathetic - they just don't believe anyone will listen to what they say. + about Many young people have now become totally apathetic about politics.
DOWN
if you mean 'a price or number goes down', go to less
m if you want to know about other prepositions, go to аз position &
direction
a
opposite up
towards a lower position
down /daun/ {adv/prep] to a lower position or place: Tears ran down his face. I / told you not to climb on the table. Get down.' + into/to/from/ojff He's gone down to the basement to get some more beer I The accident happened when we were coming down off the mountain. look/glance / gaze down The doctor glanced down at the notepad on his desk.
downwards b.spr.ciALi.Y bruise (also downward especially amricas ) 'daon- W3rd(z). [adu] moving, looking, or pointing towards a lower level or towards the ground: a path winding downwards through the trees to the valley below He was gazing downward into the pit. downward [adj only before noun) gentle downward slope
downhill /dauri'hiU/ [adu] if you move, walk, or drive downhill, you go down a slope: We set off downhill towards the lake. I After we get to the top. it 'II be downhill all the way to Bakersfield.
downstairs /,daun'stearz4 1 adv] down towards a lower floor of a building: She said goodnight to the children and went downstairs. I Uncle Eric had fallen
fall
downstairs.
to go down
go down daon/ [phrasal verb I/T)
to go down some stairs, a ladder, a slope etc: You go down a steep slope, then turn left at the bottom of the hill. I Right, here's the ladder. Who's going down first? I I'll go down to the kitchen and get you a glass of water.
/all fx 1 [и I] to come doivn through the air from a higher place: Don t stand on that ledge ~ you might fall. + /rom/down/on etc Leaves were falling from the tree. I Two bombs fell on the parliament building.
falling - fell - have fallen
land /tend/ (и 1) if a plane or bird lands, it
comes down to the ground in a controlled way
+ in/on/at We will be landing at Singapore airport at 3am local time. I A flock of geese landed on the river in front of us.
Say that a plane lands when it reaches I the ground in the normal way. If you say ! that a plane came down somewhere, you
i mean it crashed: One of the aircraft came
i
| down in the ocean off the Florida Keys.
Use descend when you are writing stories or describing past events.
В to go down under the water
sink
sink /siqk/ [v IJ to go down below the surface of water, mud, sand etc without being able to
descend /di send/ [y I/T] written to go down a slope, a mountain etc slowly and carefully. We descended into the cave by a rope ladder I Slowly the two climbers descended the cliff face.
A control or prevent it: Hundreds of pas sengers tried to escape as the ferry started to sink.
+ into The heavy trucks were sinking deeper and deeper into the mud.
Don't use sink about people who go down below the surface of the sea or a river. Use drown if they do this accidentally, or dive if they deliberately go down under the water.
sinking - sank - have sunk
dive /daiv/ [i> 1} to jump dive
head-first down into water: She stood at the edge of the pool waiting to dive.
+ into/in Ralph dived into the icy water. I A woman dived in to rescue the boy.
diving - dived (also dove amp:rican) - have dived dive in CI an act of diving: She did a perfect dive from the top board.
when the sun goes down
go down/set /,gao daun, set j \v 1] if the sun goes down or sets at the end of the day, it moves downwards in the sky until it cannot be seen: И/е sat on the balcony and watched the sun go down. 1 The sun lugs setting and the sky was red.
setting - set - have set
sunset /'SAnsetI [n C/U] the time when the sun goes down: Everyone stopped work at sunset. 1 You get beautiful sunsets in Hawaii.
drop
В to let something go down
drop /drop|jdra:p/ [и T] if you drop something that you are holding, it suddenly falls from your hands: You've dropped your handkerchief, i Be careful not to drop that bowl, it's very valuable.
dropping dropped have dropped
DOWN
put down /.put 'daon; [phrasal verb TJ to put something that you are holding down onto the ground or onto a surface put down sth Putting down her book,
Sally stood up to greet us.
put sth down Put that gun down now!
ART f
* /
see also
i
DESICN
PAINT
lower /1эиэг/ [у T] to let something you are holding, or a part of your body, move slowly downwards: The coffin was lowered slowly into the ground. lower your head/arms/body Lowering its head, the bull charged at him. lower yoursel/ into/onto sth (=move slowly and carefully downwards, using your hands for support) The old man lowered himself wearily into his chair.
DRAW
PICTURE
PATTERN
to draw a picture, pattern, line etc
draw /dro:/ [u I/T] to make a picture, pattern, line etc using a pen or pencil: What are you drawing? I She can draw really well.
draw a picture of sb/sth The teacher asked us to draw a picture of someone u>e know.
draw a tine/circle/square etc Someone had drawn a line under my name. drawing - drew - have drawn
sketch /sketJV [u 1/Г] to make a quick, simple drawing of a person, place etc, without many details: Valerie sketched the view from her hotel window. I He sat by the river, sketching.
doodle /'du'.dl; [и II to draw shapes, lines, or patterns without thinking about what you are doing, while you are doing something else or when you feel bored: I always doodle on my notepad while I'm
210
on the phone.
something that you draw
drawing /'drxiq/ [r? CI a picture that you draw wifn a pen or pencil: an original drawing by Pablo Picasso do a drawing of sb/sth I did a drawing of the church.
sketch /sketj/ (n С) a quick, simple drawing that does not show any details do/draw a sketch Phil drew a sketch to show us what the new school would look like.
rough sketch (=a quick sketch that is not done very carefully)
plural sketches + (that) She often dreamt that she was
back in India.
+ about I dreamt about you last night, dreaming - dreamt - have dreamt
spktauy british
dreaming - dreamed - have dreamed
t SPfC'ai IV amtrk~an
daydream /'deidrirm/ [и I) to think pleasant thoughts when you are awake, especially when you should be thinking about something else: Stop daydreaming and pay attention to what I'm saying. + about Brian began to daydream about what he would do if he won the money.
DRINK
DREAM
TASTE
DRUNK
see also sleep, wake up/get up,
see also
D
IMAGINE
a dream
dream /driim/ (n С) a series of thoughts,
images, and experiences that come into your mind while you are asleep: / can never remember my dreams when I wake up.
have a dreant / had a strange dream last night -1 was walking through the town with no clothes on.
bad dream {=an unpleasant or frightening dream)
nightmare /"naitmea'V (n Cj a very unpleasant and frightening dream: I woke from the nightmare screaming. have a nightmare Jim's been having nightmares about falling off a cliff.
daydream /deidrirm/ [n C| a series of pleasant thoughts and scenes that come into your mind while you are awake, so that you do not notice what is happening around you: Nei/ seemed lost in a day dream and didn't hear what I said.
to have a dream
have a dream ,,haev э 'drum to imagine
something while you are asleep: I had a dream that I was falling off a cliff.
dream /dri im/ [v I/Tj to have a dream or have dreams: The dog must be dreaming - he keeps making funny noises!
RESTAURANTS/ EATING AND DRINKING
D to drink something
drink /drigk/ [v I/T] to take liquid into your mouth and swallow it: Drink your coffee before it gets cold. I "What would you like to drink?" "Orange juice, please." drink from a cup/bottle He didn't ask for a glass, he just drank straight from the bottle.
drink up (=finish your drink) Drink up your tea so that I can wash the cups. I Come on, drink up and we'll go home.
drinking - drank - have drunk
A We do not usually use the verb drink with objects like 'a cup of tea' or 'a glass of milk'. We usually say have : After the class, we had a cup of coffee (not 'we drank a cup of coffee').
have /h«v'(d T] to have a drink of something
have a cup of tea/a glass of milk/a beer
EAT
etc I'm going to have a cup of coffee, do you want one? I I had a coke with my pi2za.
DRINK
have a drink of sth Can I have a drink
of water please?
having - had - have had
take /teik/ [и T] to drink a small amount or a single mouthful of something: The patient still isn't well enough to eat, but he's taken a little water, take a sip/mouth/ul/gulp etc hie took a long swig (=drink) from the brandy bottle.
sip sipI [и T] to drink something slowly, in very small amounts: Sue sat at the bar sipping a Martini. sipping - sipped - have sipped
gulp down g/vlp 'daon, [phrasal verb T] to swallow a large amount of drink quickly gulp down sth Tm comingsaid Mary, gulping down her tea. gulp sth down He gulped his beer down and dashed out of the door.
212
to celebrate. I / won t have another
drink because I have to drive home.
drink /driqk/ [u I] to drink alcohol, especially regularly: The doctor told him he had to stop drinking. I It was obvious
that Jim had been drinking. drink and drive (=drink alcohol before driving your car) People who drink and drive make me very angry, drink heavily (^regularly drink too much) His uncle drank heavily and had problems with his liver.
I don't drink (=used to say that you never drink alcohol) "Would you like a glass of luine?" "No thanks, I don't drink. I'll have an orange juice." drinking - drank - have drunk
A Don't say 'I don't drink alcohol', just ! say I don't drink.
something that you drink
drinfc /dnrjk/ [n C/Uj something that you drink: "Would you like a drink?" ' Yes, I'll have some lemonade please." a drinlc of milk/water etc Giue the children a drink of milk and something to eat.
food and drink(s) (-things to eat and drink) You can bring your own food and drink to the picnic.
Qsomething to drink S\m()ii) i?
drirjk especially spokln a drink: I'm really thirsty. Let's stop for something to drink.
when you need a drink
thirsty ,03:rsti (adj not usually before noun] if you are thirsty, you feel that you want to drink something: I'm really thirsty, let's have a drink, feel thirsty The nuts were salty and they made me feel thirsty.
thirsty - thirstier - thirstiest
В
thirst (h:rst [n singular/U] the feeling you have when you want a drink very much: The soldiers suffered constantly from hunger and thirst.
to drink alcohol
have a drink /h*v э dnrjk to drink
something alcoholic. We had a few drinks drinks that contain alcohol
alcohol /■aelkaholl-ho:!.' [n U] drinks that contain alcohol - a word used especially in rules and warnings about alcoholic drinks:
We're not allowed to serue alcohol to people under 18. alcoholic (ielbholiM|-'h:):l-/ [adj] containing alcohol: You can't seli alcoholic drinks unless you have a licence.
drink dnrjk [n C] a drink that contains alcohol: "Con I offer you a drink?" "I'll have a gin and tonic please." I After a few drinks. / began to feel better.
go (out) for a drink (=go somewhere
such as a bar to drink alcohol) Do you feel like going out for a drink tonight?
^^ In British English, drink can also be an uncountable noun, meaning alcoholic drinks in general: An enormous amount of drink is consumed over the Christmas period.
J
booze ''Ьи:/. [n U] informal drinks that
contain alcohol: The doctor told Jimmy ю stay off the booze for a while.
liquor tlN,-v (n U] esplhai ly american
drinks that contain alcohol, especially strong alcoholic drinks: Lambert spends all his money on liquor and gambling. I a liquor store
hard liquor (^strong alcoholic drinks)
В drinks that do not contain alcohol
sojt drink '.soft dni]k||,s3:ft- [n C] a cold drink, such as orange juice, which does not contain alcohol: Do you want a beer;
or would you prefer a soft drink9
non-alcoholic ,nnn aelbholiM|-'h:>:-
[adj] a non-alcoholic drink does not contain alcohol: I've bought some nonalcoholic drinks for the drivers. I nonalcoholic wine
low-alcohol /,1зо selkohDU||-h.i:U \adj
only before noun] low-alcohol beer or wine contains very little alcohol: There is a qrow\ng market for low-alcohol beers.
drinks that contain gas or do not contain gas
fizzy especially bruish carbonated
especially american ,'t'lZl, 'kai'banClt^d. [adj]
fizzy drinks have gas in them: fizzy lemonade I carbonated mineral water
sparkling spa:rklir)( [adj only before noun] sparkling wine has gas in it: Californian sparkling wine
still British uncarbonated american
stil. An'ka:rb^neitid {adjl still drinks do not have gas in them: Do you prefer still mineral water?
flat 'fla?t [adj] if a drink that should contain gas is flat, there is no gas left in it go /lat (=become flat) I opened this can of beer yesterday and now it's gone flat.
what people say when
they drink alcohol together
Qcheers spoken say this as you
raise your glass when you are drinking with someone: Cheers, everyone!
О he re's to hior7 t u:/ spoken say this
when you want other people to drink with you to wish someone happiness or success: Here's to Clare and Malcolm1 May they have a long and happy married life!
DRIVE
see pages 21 5-21 7
DRUGS
dangerous or illegal drugs that people take to get pleasure
if you mean 'drugs used to treat illnesses', go to medical treatment
see also crime, drink
D drugs
drug ;dr.\g/ jn C] an illegal substance that people take for pleasure, or because they cannot stop taking it: He was arrested for selling drugs. I с big advertising campaign to warn teenagers about the dangers of drugs
Hard drug (=a powerful illegal drug that can make you very ill or kill you) hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine soft drug (=an illegal drug that is less dangerous than a hard drug) Seuen out of ten teenagers said they had tried soft drugs
You can also use drug before a noun,
like an adjective: Politicians who are demanding changes in the drug laws. I о clinic for people with drug problems
narcotics ,na:r kotrks||- ka:-/ [n plural] espf-
cialiy american illegal drugs: Laws govern- ing the sale of narcotics vary from state to state.
Narcotics is used especially by the police and in law courts in the US. You can also use narcotics before a noun, like an adjective: The narcotics business is worth billions of dollars.
to take drugs
take /teik la V to put an illegal drug into your body: Scot admitted that he some times took ecstasy at parties, take drugs He started taking drugs when he was 16. taking - took - have taken
be on Sth bi: 'on (sth)||-'a:n-/ [phrasal verb T] to take a drug regularly, especially because you cannot stop taking it: How long has she been on heroin? be on drugs John is now a living skeleton as he has been on drugs.
be high on sth/bi: hai on (sth), informal to behave or talk in a very excited or happy way because of the effect of a drug Paul lugs high on LSD.
Stoned jstaondi [adjl informal feeling very relaxed or happy and not able to behave normally because of the effect of a drug The guy playing lead guitar was completely stoned,
get stoned (=take drugs and become stoned) They get stoned most weekends
overdose/'3uv3rd3os, [n C] too much of a
drug taken at one time, which makes you very ill or kills you: Richards is recovering from a drug overdose, + of The cause of death was an overdose of heroin.
overdose on sth /'эov9rd;>os Dn (sth)/ [phrasa/ verb T1 to take too much of a drug, especially when this causes death: She overdosed on barbiturates.
В someone who often takes drugs and cannot stop
drug user /'drAg juizaг/ [n C] someone who takes illegal drugs regularly: It is estimated that there are over two million drug users in the UK.
addict/'Јdikt/ [n C] someone who cannot stop taking illegal drugs: Ac/dicis often steal money to buy drugs. drug/heroin/crack addict Heroin addicts run an increased risk of getting AIDS.
addicted /a'dikt^d/ lad; not before noun] someone who is addicted cannot stop taking drugs and needs to take them regularly
+ to After a year's treatment, he is no longer addicted to heroin. become addicted I used to smoke dope occasionally but never became addicted.
junfcie /'dbAqki/ [n C] informal someone who regularly takes dangerous illegal drugs and cannot stop taking them: It's a scary part of town - there are thieves and junkies everywhere.
hooked /hukt/ [adj not before noun] informal someone who is hooked cannot stop taking drugs and needs to take them regularly: After my first cigarette, I was hooked!
DRUGS
+ on Ce/ia got hooked on crack after her divorce.
fid to stop taking drugs
come off sth, клт Df (sth)|orf-/ {phrasal verb T] to gradually stop taking a drug that you have been taking for a long time: It was ten years before she managed to
come off morphine.
be in rehab ,bi: in ri:haeb/ amerjcan if someone is in rehab, they are getting treatment to help them stop taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol: He's been in rehab for over three months, rehab [adj only before noun] a rehab center f a rehab counselor
u buying and selling drugs
drug traJFflckiag /'drAg .traefikiq/ (n U]
the illegal activity of carrying drugs from
one country to another and selling them:
He was sentenced to death for drug trafficking.
drug trafficker {л CJ someone who
carries drugs illegally from one country
to another and sells them
drug dealer! dealer i'dv\g ,di;lar, dirlaV [n C] someone who sells illegal drugs: Police arrested a dealer yesterday who was selling marijuana to in a pub.
pusher/drug pusher /'ро/эг, drAg
.pojs1"; (n C] someone who sells illegal drugs, especially in order to encourage people to start taking drugs: A pusher approached us. asking if we wanted to buy any crack.
Ш the problem of drugs
drug problem /'drAg ргоЫэтЦ-.ргаь In singular] if a place has a drug problem, a lot of people take drugs there; if a person has a drug problem, they cannot stop taking drugs: G/asgou/s drug problem I If you think you have a drug problem, call our Helpline at this number
drug abuse /drAg 9,bju:s/ In U] the illegal use of drugs: the problem of drug abuse in the US
addiction /3'dikj>n/ [n C/U) when you cannot stop taking illegal drugs and you need to take them regularly drug/heroin/morphine addiction Drug addiction is now the biggest social problem in US cities.
214
+ to Evans struggled for years to overcome her addiction to heroin.
to drive a car, train, or other vehicle
^ see also accident, control, travel,
test, road/path
drive /draiv/ |u I/TJ to drive a car. bus. train etc: Drive carefully - the roads are icy. I They drive on the left in the UK.
drive a car/bus/track etc We need someone to drive the school bus. I "What do you drive?" "A Fiat Braoa."
Don't say 'I'm learning to drive a car', 'can you drive a car?' etc. Say I'm learning to drive, can you drive? etc. The word 'car' is usually left out.
driving /'draiviij/ |n U] the activity of driving a car or other road vehicle: She was arrested for dangerous driving. I Driving in central London is pretty unpleasant.
/Ь You can also use driving before a noun, like an adjective: taking her driving test I a driving instructor I driving lessons
joyriding /'dpijaidi!]/ (n U] when young people drive a stolen car very fast and dangerously for excitement: Their night of joyriding ended in a child's death. joyrider [n CI someone who goes joyriding: Police arrested two joyriders.
to go somewhere in a car or other vehicle
drive /draiv/ {u I] to go somewhere in a car + to/from/into/through etc We drove to the airport, but couldn't find anywhere to park. I They drove home in silence. + off/away (=leave somewhere in a car) She drove off without saying goodbye, drive 50 kiiometres/100 miles etc We drove 50 miles north on Interstate 75. drive [n C] a journey in a car: It's a two- hour drive to Hamilton from here.
go by car/go by bike etc /gsu bai
(car, etc)/ to go somewhere in a car, on a
bicycle etc - use this especially when you are comparing different methods of travelling: One group went by car and the others took a taxi. I I can get to work in about 20 minutes by bike.
go for a drive (also take a ride AMERICAN) /,gau far э draiv, ,teik э raid/ to go
somewhere in a car for enjoyment: Let's go for a nice long drive in the country, i
We took a ride down to the ocean.
to take someone somewhere in a car or other vehicle
take/drive sb somewhere /teik,
draiv (sb) SAmweaV Cou/d you take me to the station, please? I The President was driuen away in a big black limousine.
lift British ride american /lift, raid/ (n C] if
you give someone a lift or a ride, you take them somewhere in your car give sb a li/t/ride Pedro stopped to give me a lift.
+ to Do you need a ride to school? a lift/ride home I accepted her offer of a
lift home.
someone who drives а car, train, or other vehicle
driver /'draivзг/ |n C) someone who drives
a car, bus, train etc: A car and a truck crashed into each other, but both drivers were unhurt. I accidents caused by drunk drivers
a good/bad driver Masahiro is an excellent driver.
a bus/traia/truck driver Ask the bus
driver where to get off.
motorist /'msour^st/ [n C| someone who
DRIVE
drives а саг: motorists who ignore speed limits
Use the word motorist when you are talking about laws, taxes, or prices that affect people who drive cars.
chauffeur //эо^г, ;эиТз:г/ [л С] someone whose job is to drive а саг for a rich or important person: Princess Diana's chauffeur held the door open for her.
motorists/the motorist (=all motorists, considered as a group) Motorists will have to pay another £60 a year in tax. \ Why should the countryside be destroyed for the benefit of the motorist?
A
216
DRIVE
Then, when you came to a junction, you pulled out without signalling or looking.
A David has just taken his ^^ driving test
DRIVE
David takes his driving test
0 First, you drove all the way along the street without changing gear.
0
...and overtook a police car.
-. ГГ
^^ Then I asked you to find a parking space. First, you tried to park in one that was too small and you scraped the side of the car.
vocabulary
accident teksid?nt/ (n C] when а саг, bus, train etc hits another vehicle or hits a person, tree, or building, causing damage or injuries Have an accident Ken had an accident when he was driving to work.
bad/serfous/terribU accident Highway Patrol reported a serious accident on Avenue 7. brake /breik/ [n CJ the thing that you use to make a car go more slowly or to make it stop slam on your brakes («press die brakes very hard to make your car stop suddenly) brake (u I/T] to slow down or stop by using the brakes
crash into stk/kraj intu: (sth)/ (phrasa/ verb T] if
one vehide crashes Into another, or into a tree, building etc, it hits it hard and causes damage deru /dent/ ju T| to cause slight damage to something, making a hollow area in Its surface by hitting it: Someone's dented my new car!
driving licence British driver's license American /"draivir] ,la!s*is, draivdrz (lais*is/ |n C| an official
document which proves that you have the legal
right to drive a car alone
driving test Alrarvn) .test/ In C] a test that you must pass before you can legally drive alone take your driving test (=do your driving test) I'm taking my driving test on Friday - wish me luck! p cut/fail your driving test (=be successful or not)
examiner /ig'zaminar/ (n CI the person who watches you drive when you take your test, and who decides whether you pass or fail
gear/fliaV [n CJ a part of the system in a car that turns power from the engine into movement. Cars have
several gears, which you can change as you go faster
or тенге slowly: The new Toyota has five gears, first qearlsecond gear etc The traffic was very slow, and we moued along in first gear, скалt§« gear British sfc^fc gear ambscan («move
from one gear into anomer)
There was a truck behind us The driver of the truck had to slam on his brakes. The car behind the truck swerved, skidded, and crashed into
another car.
Then, you drove at 60 in an area where the speed limit is 40..
^ Finally, you didn't stop at a red light, and almost caused another terrible accident.
DRIVE
NoT)
I
junction AkMikJan/ (also intersection /*intarsek- J>n/ especially amerjcan) [я Cj a place where one road joins another: Stop when you come to the junction, overtake /,3uv3pteik/ especially British pass /pais/ especially amerjcan (u I/T] to drive past another car and get in front of it. Don't overtake now - there's a bend up ahead. park /рсиПс/ (и I/T] to put your car in a place and
leave it there for a period of time parking space /•paiTcig .speis/[n C| a space where
you can park your car pull out /(pol 'aut/ Iphrasal verb I] to drive your car from one road onto another road, or drive onto a road after stopping at the side: Always look in your mirror before you pull out. red light /.red lait/ (n C| a light in a traffic light that is red and means you must stop: He failed his test because he didn't stop at a red light. reverse /n'vai's/ (also back especially american) (» I/T) to drive your car backwards
+■ up/along/into #tc She reversed out of the driveway. I Someone backed into my car («hit it when they reversed their car), scrape /skreip/ (« T] if you scrape your car, you accidentally make it rub against a hard surface and damage the paint on it signal/signd/ lu I] to show the direction that you
are going to turn by using lights on the car skid/skid/lull if your car skids, it suddenly moves
sideways or forwards and you cannot control it slow down /.slau daon/ [phrasal verb Ц to drive more slowly: S/our down as you approach the intersection.
speed limit /bpiid .limit/ |n C| the fastest speed that you are allowed to drive at on a particular part of a road
swerve /sw*rv/ lv I] to suddenly move sideways to
avoid hitting something truck Лглк/ [n С1 a large heavy vehicle used for carrying goods
DRUNK
when you have drunk too much
^ see also drink, restaurants/eating
and drinkinc, ill/sick
Q drunk
DRUNK
drunk /drAqk; {adj not before noun] someone who is drunk has drunk too much alcohol and cannot think clearly: She was so drunk, she could hardly stand up. I Gary was too drunk to remember what had happened that night, get drunk [=become drunk) Everyone at the party got very drunk.
Q feeling ill the day after you have been drinking
hangover /'terjsuvaV \n C] the feeling
you have the morning after you have drunk too much alcohol, when your head hurts and you fee! sick: Kevin woke up the next day with a terrible hangover
Q not drunk
sober [adj not before nounj not
drunk: / don't think I've ever seen Bill sober.
Sober Up >*>hor лр [phrasa/ verb I] if someone who has been drunk sobers up, they' gradually become less drunk until they are not at all drunk: He cficfn't sober
218
up till he'd had a cup of strong coffee.
Don't say 'drunken'.
have had too much to drink h3v
hied ,tu: гтш/ to dnrjk/ to have drunk too much alcohol, so that you feel drunk or sick: I'd better take Phil home - he's had too much to drink.
tipsu l'tlP^i Inot before nounj informal a little drunk: After the second glass of wine I was feeling a little tipsy.
someone who is often drunk
alcoholic AaelkshDlik^l- ho:-; [n CJ someone who drinks too much alcohol every day and cannot stop. Many alcoholics do not realise they have a problem until it is too late.
drank ^глцк/ [n CI someone who is drunk
or who often gets drunk - use this especially to talk about a person you see in a public place such as a street or a bar: A drunk came staggering down the street towards me.
to drive while you are drunk
drink and drive /driQk draiv/to
drive after you have been drinking alcohol: He was arrested for drinking and driving
drunk driver /.^к draiv3r/ |n C]
someone who drives when they have drunk too much alcohol
DRY
opposite WET see also WEAther
not wet
dry [ac01 The wood was dry and it burned easily. I You should change into some dry clothes. 1 The apples must be stored in a cool dry place. bone dry/dry as a bone (^completely dry
and containing no water at all) I forgot to water the plants and the soil has gone bone dry.
dry - drier - driest
when there is not much rain
dry /drai; [adj] if the weather is dry, there is not much rain: It was a very dry summer I Tunisia's hot, dry climate
dry - drier - driest
dusty /'dASti/ [adj] a dusty road, town, track etc is dry and covered with dust, because the weather is hot and there is not much rain: The road to Agra was long,
hot, and dusty. I a small, dusty village on the edge of the desert dusty - dustier dustiest
drought /draut/ [n C/U] a long period when there is little or no rain, so that people and animals do not have enough water and plants die: Southern Africa is suffering its worst drought of the century.
El to become dry
dry drai/ [u I] to become dry: Wet clothes
soon dry on a hot day. 1 Leave the dishes on the draining board to dry. hang sth out to dry (=hang clothes outside. so that they are dried by the sun or wind)
drying - dried have dried
dry out ,drai aut 1 phrasal verb 1] to become completely dry. on the inside and the outside: Put your coat near the fire - it'll soon dry out, 1 Couer the pastry with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
dry up/,drai лр [phrasal uerb 1] if a river or lake dries up, it becomes completely dry because there has not been any rain: Last summer the river dried up and you could walk right across it. I The drought has made the reservoir dry up, and
many homes are without water.
shrivel up/jrivjl 'лр/ [phrasa/ verb 1] if а plant or a fruit shrivels up, it becomes smaller and deep lines form on its surface, because it is so dry: There was so little
rain that most of the crops shrivelled up and died.
shrivelling - shrivelled - have shrivelled ^н •
shriveling - shriveled - have shrivfkjd m к
■Jto make something dry or make yourself dry
dry drai [u T to make something dry; Could you wait ten minutes while I dry my hair? t We built a fire to get our selves warm and dry our clothes.
drying - dried - have dried
dry yoursel/ off drai p;rself Щ-xfi [phrasal verb T] to use a towel to make yourself dry, for example after a bath or a
swim: He got out of the pool and dried himself off.
220
EARLY
before the usual or expected time
early ^yjwj [ad/adv] if something happens early, it happens before the usual time or the most suitable time; if someone is early, they arrive before the time they are expected to: I finished work early today. I After an early lunch, we started the meeting at one o'clock I If you plant the seeds too early, they won't grow, be early (=arrive early) You're early - I wasn't expecting you till seven.
seven months/three days etc early
(=seven months/three days etc earlier than expected) Our first child was born eight weeks early.
far too early (=much too early) We arrived far too early and had to wait outside for an hour. early - earlier - earliest
in. good time jm ,gud 'taim early enough, so that you do not have to rush, or so that you have time to get ready: If you want to make a left turn, reduce your speed and give a signal in good time.
+ for It is important to arrive in good time for your interview.
with time to spare /Wia taim spe9r
if you arrive somewhere or finish something with time to spare, you arrive or finish earlier than you need to: We reached London with plenty of time to spare.
with ten minutes/hal/ an hour etc to spare I finished the test with fust two minutes to spare. (=two minutes before the end)
EARLY
opposite LATE
see also S<>0n< beginning, first, time
premature /'prematJV, -tju9r, ,ргетэ- 'tjos'lpriinw'tjo^/ [adj] happening before the normal or natural time - use this especially about medical conditions premature death/birth/ageing Alcoholism is one of the mapr causes of prema ture death.
premature baby (=a baby that is born too early) Her baby was premature and
weighed only 2kg. prematurely [adu] Hannah's hair went
prematurely grey when she was only
24.
early in the morning
early /'3irIi/ [adfadv] early in the morning: / always wake up early when the weather's warm. I Early the next day, Jamie received a call from his mother. bright and early (=when you get up or go somewhere early, because you are excited or eager to do something) Daphne woke bright and early and went for a walk before the others got up. make an early start (=start an activity or journey early in the morning) in the early hours (=very early in the morning) The robbery took place in the early hours of Sunday morning. early - earlier - earliest
Q^irst thing /,fз:rSt 'Big/ especially spokkn
if you do something first thing, you do it immediately after you get up or as soon as you start work: Don't worry - I'll phone her first thing.
first thing tomorrow/Wednesday/in the morning They promised to come and fix it first thing tomorrow.
at the crack of dawn /а1 дэ ,krak av
PAY
'dun/ informal use this to emphasize that something happens very early in the morning, when most people are still in bed: My Dad used to get up at the crack of dawn every Sunday to go fishing.
EARN
WORK
Я
see
also
MONEY SPEND
All these words mean 'to be paid money for working'. Earn is a little more
formal than the others, so it is used less
often in informal conversation. You use make or get when you are talking about the actual amount that someone earns, but get is more informal than make.
earn з:гп/ [и T] to be paid money for your work
earn £15,000 a year/Ј12 an hour etc people earning more than $50,000 a year
earn more than/less than/a few dollars
etc It's quite common for women to earn
more than their husbands. I earning a
few dollars playing in a bar
earn a living/earn your living (=earn
enough money to pay for the things you
need) It's difficult to earn a living as a
writer.
make /meik/ [и T] to earn money - use this when you are saying or asking how much someone earns: In the first three months I made over $45,000. I How
much do you think she makes? make $500 a week/Ј25,000 a year/a lot/ a /ortune etc A supermodel can make millions of dollars a year
making - made - have made
get /get/ [u T) informal to earn money - use this when you are saying or asking how much someone earns get £10 per hour/$350 a week etc She
gets £200 a day to run these training courses.
get $25/Ј15 etc for doing sth I got £5 for
washing Nick's car.
getting - got - have got
be paid/get paid /bi: peid, get peid/ to
D to get money for your
work
earn money, when you work for an employer, and not for yourself be paid Ј50/$200 etc The cleaners are paid less than 1000 francs a week.
well-paid job She's a computer programmer. It's a really well-paid job.
make a fortune /,meik э Ь:тфп1 to
earn a lot of money, especially when you are in charge of your own business: Some of these mechanics made an absolute fortune!
make a /ortune doing sth Roger makes a fortune buying and selling yachts.
not earning much money
low-paid/badly paid /, 1эи peid*,
bsedii peid<j [adj] earning less money than most people earn: People who work in stores are usually very badly paid. low-paid job On/y low-paid temporary jobs were available.
the money that you earn
pay /pei/ [n U] the money that you earn by
working: I'm looking for a job with better pay. 1 There have been complaints about
the level of nurses' pay. sick pay (=pay that you get when you are ill and cannot work) Joe's been receiving sick pay since the accident.
/К You can also use pay before a noun, like an adjective: a big pay increase I pay negotiations
salary /'saelari/ [n C] the money that someone is paid every month by their employer, especially someone who is in a profession, such as a teacher or a manager a salary of £100,000/(10,000 etc The university provided us with a salary of $2000 a month.
be on a salary (=be earning a salary) I joined the company in 1985, on a salary of $15,000 a year. 1 Please give details of your present salary, a good/high salary She earns a good salary as an investment banker. piural salaries
earning a lot of money
highly paid/well-paid /.haili peid<
,wel peid<j [adj] earning a lot of money: He's a lawyer, so he must be very well- paid. I highly paid and well-motivated workers
wages /'weid3i>z/ [n plural] the money that
someone is paid every week by their
employer, especially someone who works in a factory, or in a shop etc: We collect our wages on Friday mornings. I I was paying for bills, food, and everything from my wages.
EARN
income /'щклт, 'm-/ [n C/U) all the
money that you receive regularly, for work or for any other reason: Her annual
income is just over $40,000. I We get
some additional income from an investment in an oil company.
be on a low income (=receive very little money) Families on low incomes get extra welfare payment. + from He has a comfortable income from his salary and his investments.
/ее ifii [п C] the money paid to a lawyer, doctor, or similar skilled worker for a piece of work that they have done. Our legal fees came to more than $200,000. I consultant s fees for the design work
Ы the person in a family who earns money
the breadwinner /аэ bredwin3r [n singular] the person in a family who earns most of the money that the family needs: In
the past it was always the husband who was expected to be the breadwinner.
EASY
■> opposite difficult
U not difficult to do, use, or understand
easy /'i:zi/ [adj] not difficult to do, use, or understand: The questions were really easy. I It's an easy journey - we just drive to the station, then take the direct train to Paris.
be easy to read/use/learn etc (=when it is easy to read something, use something etc) The machine is well-designed, and very easy to use.
it is easy to do sth It Is easy to see why she didn't marry him. it is easy for sb to do stH It wasn't easy for me to get a job.
jtnd stk easy (=when you have no difficulty doing something) I can't operate the computer; but my children find it easy.
easy ~ easier - easiest
easily /'irziji/ |adv] if you can do something easily, you can do it without trying hard: A burglar could easily climb
through that window. I When I went to college I made friends very easily. be easily recognized/damaged/done etc
(-when something can be recognized, damaged etc easily) These plates are easily damaged, so please be careful
with them.
not difficult /not difibltI fairly easy:
"Did ycu make this pizza yourself?" "Yes, it's not difficult." it is not difficult to do stk It's not difficult to see u'hy she's unhappy all the time.
simple /simp<?l [adj] easy to use or understand, because it is not complicated - use this about things like explanations or instructions, or about machines or systems: She drew us a simp/e map so that we wouldn't get lost. I Try this simple recipe for pasta sauce. be simple to use/make/prepare etc The new photocopier is much simpler to use than the one we had before.
straightforward /.streit'fa'wa'd/ [ad;j
easy to understand and easy to do - use this especially about a method or process: It's very straightforward - you just type the file name, then press 'Enter'. I There's a straightforward calculation for working out how much tax you have to pay.
user-friendly >:/эг frendliy [adj] easy to use or understand - use this especially about computers or written instructions: We are trying to develop software that is more user-friendly.
Q what you say when you think something is very easy to do
chit's easy /Its i:zi/ spoken "How do you print out files from your disk?" "It's easy. You just click on the fPrint' icon "
In informal spoken English, you can just say easy on it's own: "How can we make sure she comes?" "Easy, just tell her that Mark will be there/'
Q the re's nothing to it /деэгг ,пл9и]
tu: it/ spoken say this when it is easy for you to do something, even though other people think it is difficult: I fixed the washing machine - there was nothing to it.
Qbe a piece of cake /bi: э .pi:s эу keik/
spoken informal say this about something that is very easy for you to do. for example when compared with something more difficult: I/ you can learn Japanese, learning French should be a piece of cake.
to make something easier
make sth easier /,nieik (sth) i:/ir»T to
make it possible to do something more quickly and easily: Large supermarkets have made shopping much easier, make it easier for sb to do sth The Internet has made it easier for children to get access to pornography, make things/life easier If the buses were more frequent it i"ou/d make life a lot
easier.
simplify / simp|J>tai [v T] to make something easier to understand: The whole procedure has been simplified.
simplifying - simplified - have simplified
EAT
RESTAURANTS/EATING AND DRINKING MEAL ^ — DRINK
N z1
COOK
FOOD
TASTE
HUNGRY
4 \
see
also
to eat
eat /inI [u I/T] Don 'i eat so fast - you '11 get indigestion. I She was sitting on the waif eating an apple. I Hey! - Someone's eaten ail my chocolates,
eating - ate - have eaten
have /haev/ [и T] informal to eat a particular thing: / ujasn'i very hungry. so I just had a sandwich. I think I'll just have one more piece of cake. have sth for lunch/dinner/breakfast What shall we have for dinner? I I usu a//y just haue fruit for breakfast.
having - had - have had
chew ftfu:/ [i> I/TJ to bite food several times and turn it around in your mouth: I chewed the toffee slowly, i There was a cow in the field, slowly chewing a mouthful of grass.
swallow 'swol3o||'swa:-/ [и T] to make
something go down your throat towards
your stomach: I threw a piece of meat to the dog, and he swallowed it in one go. I If you drink some water it will make the pills easier to swallow.
lick lik/ [и T] to eat something soft by moving your tongue across its surface: The children sat licking their ice-creams. tick sth off sth Nina licked the melted chocolate off her fingers.
munch /mAntJ [u I/T) to eat something with continuous movements of your mouth, especially when you are enjoying your food: Jamie came out of the store munching a bag of potato chips. + on/at We sipped black coffee and munched on homemade biscuits.
nibble I'mhAj [и 1/Г1 to eat something by biting very small pieces: The horse lowered his head and began to nibble the grass.
+■ on/at We stood around drinking wine and nibbling on little snacks.
to have a meal
A D°n't say 'take dinner', 'take breakfast'. Say have dinner, have breakfast
J
have h&v [и T] to eat a meal have break/ast/lunch/dinner Make sure you have a good breakfast because lunch isn't until two o'clock, have a meal We had an excellent meal in a Thai restaurant. Qhave something to eat especially spoken (=eat a meal) Let's stop here and have something to eat.
having - had - have hacj
eat /i't [и 1/T] to eat a meal: We usually eat at 7 o'clock. I Гт not hungry, thanks - Гие already eaten, eat out (=eat a meal in a restaurant) We eat out about once a month, eat lunch/dinner etc amerjcan we ate dinner at around six, then went out.
eating - ate - have eaten
to finish eating
/tnish /'finijv \v T] to finish eating something: If you /inish your pasta you can have some ice-cream. I Alice finished her lunch and took the dishes into the kitchen.
to eat very little food or no food
diet daiot [n C] when you eat less food because you want to get thinner: I've tried lots of diets but none of them work. be on a diet (=be eating less food) Do you want some dessert, or are you still on a diet?
go on a diet (=start a diet) As soon as Christmas is over, I'm going on a diet. diet [и II to eat less food in order to get thinner: She first started dieting when she was only 12.
fast /fa:st||faest/ [и I) to stop eating food for a fixed period of time, especially for religious reasons: Muslims fast during Ramadan, fast In C] At the end of their fast, the people have a big party to celebrate.
pick at sth /'pjк set (sth), [phrasa/ verb T] to eat only a small part of a meal, especially because you feel ill or unhappy: I set picking at my dinner, wishing I was somewhere else.
hardly touch sth /,ha:rdli utj (sth)/ to
eat almost none of your meal: Rachel hardly touched her dinner ~ is she okay?\ Don't you like the pudding? You've hardly touched it.
when you have eaten enough food
have had enough /hsv haed I'nAf/ to
have eaten enough food, so that you do not want any more: "Would you like some dessert?""No thanks, I've had enough." I Leave the rest if you've had enough.
In British English, don't say 'eat breakfast', 'eat lunch' etc. Say have breakfast, have lunch etc.
EAT
Qbe Jull /bi: Tul/ spoken if you are full, you have eaten so much food that you cannot eat any more: 'Would you like some more pie?" "No fhan/cs, I'm full."
someone who eats too much
greedy /'gri:di/ [adjl especially British someone who is greedy eats too much: Don't be greedy - leave some cake for everyone else.
greedy - greedier - greediest greedily [adu] The children rushed to the table and started eating greedily.
Qpig /pig [n C] spoken informal a rude word for describing someone who eats too much: What a pig! He ate that whole box of chocolates himself.
EDGE
the part of something that is furthest from its centre
see also side, middle
edge /ed^; [n C| the part of something that is nearest to its outside or end: The plates had blue lines around the edges. + of Don't go too near the edge of the
water.
on the edge Cof) They live in a little house on the edge of town.
224
side /said/ [n CI the part of an object that is near its left or right edge: The stage was lit from the side.
le/t-hand/right-hand side of sth (=on the left or right) Roy's seat was on the left- hand side of the plane.
The edge of an object is where it ends or begins. The side of an object is along one of its lengths.
Use the edge of the road/pool/lake etc about activities that happen near the road, pool, lake etc but not in it: We stood at the edge of the lake and watched the sunset. Use the side of the road/pool/ lake etc about things that happen in the road, pool, lake etc, but close to the edge of it: She swam to the side of the pool.
—(
When you see 1И t go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
the outskirts /di: 'autskx'ts/ [n plural] the areas of a city furthest away from the centre
+ of By the time we reached the outskirts of the city it was already dark. on the outskirts (of) Her parents lived in a big house on the outskirts of Seoul.
boundary /'baond?ri/ [n C] the official line that marks the edge of an area of land, for example a farm or part of a country + of She had never gone beyond the boundaries of the city, t The farmer put up a high fence to mark the boundary of his land.
+ between The Mississippi River forms the boundary between Tennessee and Arkansas.
plural boundaries
EDUCATION
TEST
\ /
see
also
4
LEARN
STUDY
A
margin /'ma:rd3j>n/ [n C] the part where nothing is written or printed at the side of a page: Leave a two centimetre margin on the left side of the page.
TEACH
SUBJECT
Words like school nursery; and
university can be used as uncountable nouns, to mean the time that you spend there: 1 missed a lot of school because of illness. I College starts next week.
school
School ,'skuil/ In C/U] a place where children go to learn and be taught, up to the age of 18: My mother is a teacher at the local school. I The nearest school was 10 miles away. I I hate school! to/from school 80% of parents take their children to school by car. state school British public school american (=a school that is paid for by the government)
Be careful with the phrase public school: in the US, this means a school that is paid for by the government and is available to atl children; in Britain, it means one of a number of expensive private schools which parents must pay for.
schools for very young children
nursery British nursery school amer- (can /'n3:rs^i, пз:г5^п ,skuil/ [n C/U] a place where children aged between about two and five go for a few hours each day to play and do activities with other children
plural nurseries
kindergarten /'kind3rga:rt3n/ |n C/U] in American English, the name of the first year of school for children aged five: in British English, another name for a nursery for children aged four or five
pre-school /'pri: sku:l [n C/U] american a school for children aged between about two and five: a plan to provide preschool for all children
В schools for children
below the age of 12
primary school /praimari ,sku:l Jn
C/U] in Britain, a school for children aged between five and eleven; primary schools are usually divided into the infant school or the infants (=for children aged five to seven) and the junior school or the juniors (=for children aged seven to eleven)
elementary school/grade school
/el^'menUri ,sku:l, 'greid ,skuil/ [n C/U] in the US, a school for children aged between five and eleven
schools for older children
secondary school /'sekandpri ,sku:l||
-derw [n C/U] in Britain, a school for children aged between 11 and 18
junior high school /4зи:тэг hai skuil/
Ж You can also use school before a noun, like an adjective: the school bus I I got this book from the school library.
A
(n C/U] in the US, a school for children aged between 12 and 13 or 14
finished a university degree, or about students who study at this level: She got a degree in history last year, and now she s doing a postgraduate course. I postgraduate research I We met when we were both graduate students at Berkeley.
higher education /,hai3r edjoteiJ^n|| -edp-' [n UJ education at a university or similar institution: a big increase in the number of students entering higher education
You can also use university before a noun, like an adjective: the university library a big university campus
In British English, always use the word university to talk about a place where students study to get degrees. But in American English, you can also use school
or college to mean this.
adult education /.seс1лк edjo'keiJ>n|| -ed33- [л U] special classes for adults, often in the evenings, either because they want to improve their skills or just for enjoyment
to go to a school or university to study
qo to дэо tu:/' to go to a school or university to study: *Which university did you go to9" 7 went to Kyoto Women's Uniuersity." ! We both went to the same school
be at British be in american /bi: set, bi: in/ [phrasa/ verb T] if you are at school/ college or you are in school/college
plural universities
i
college /kDlidrfka^ [n C/U] in the US, а
university; in Britain, a place where people can study academic subjects or practical skills after they leave secondary school, but which does not give degrees
A
You can also use college before a noun, like an adjective: a college professor I the college football team j
school /skull/ [n C/U] AMERICAN INFORMAL a
university or similar institution
go to school (=study at a college or university) Phi/ gave up his job, and he's going back to school next year.
law school/medical school/business school j'hi sku:l, 'mediM skuil,
'biznj,s skuil I (n С] a university or part of a university where you study law, medicine, or business
postgraduate British graduate ameri-
can /paost'graed^uijt, 'gradju^tf [adj only before noun] use this about advanced education that takes place after a student has
to finish school or university
see also leave 9
graduate /'grad3ueit/ [v I| to successfully finish your studies - in Britain, you graduate from university, but in the US you
etc, you are studying there: My younger brother is still at school. I Yes, / know Eileen - we were friendly when we were in college together. I Sara is at Oxford studying biology.
At school (British) always means going
to a school for children between 5 and 18 years old. In school (American) means attending a school, college, or university.
be educated /bi: ecijokeiUdjJ-edsa-/ to study at a particular school or university - use this especially in written descriptions of people s lives
+ at He was born in South Wales in 1941, and tuas educated at the King's School, Canterbury.
Harvard-educated/Ox/ord-educated etc
EDUCATION 226
high school /• hai sku:l; [n C/U] in the
US, a school for children aged between
14 and 17
sixth/orm college/sikse farm kolid3|| -,ka:-/ [n C/U] in Britain, a college for students aged between 16 and 18
a place where people over 18 can study
university /,ju:n^V3:rsJ,ti [n C/U] a place where students study one or two subjects at a high level, in order to get degrees: There are many universities in Tokyo. I the University of Chicago be at university (=be a student at a university) Both my sisters are at university, go to university (^become a student at a university) She wants to go to university to study biology.
a Harvard-educated lawyer
can graduate either from university or from high school: Bobby left high school without graduating.
+from He graduated from Yale in 1986.
someone who studies at
a school, university etc
schoolboy/schoolgirl /'skuilboi, sku:l-
уз:г(/ [n CI especially British a boy or girl who studies at school: There was a group
of schoolgirls waiting at the bus stop.
schoolchildren ./'skuil.tjildran/ [n plural]
especially British children who are studying
at school: Only 10% of British schoolchildren attend private schools.
pupil /'pju:p<?l/ (n C] a child who studies at a particular school, especially in a school for children under the age of 12: With over 2000 pupils, this is one of the biggest schools in London.
Pupil is formal in American English, but not in British English.
Student /'stjuicUntf'stu:-/ [n C] someone who studies at school, university, or college: None of my students has ever failed this exam.
A
high school/college etc student ;=a student at high school or college) English/history/art etc student ^someone who is studying English, history, art etc)
In American English, student can mean anyone who is studying at a school, college, or university. In British English, it usually means someone who is studying at a university or college, and children at school are usually calfed schoolchildren 0r
pupils
sophomore /'sDf3mD:r||'sa:-/ [n CJ american
someone who is in the second year at university or high school
junior /d3u:nbr/ In C\ american someone who is in the third year at university or high school
senior /si:ni3r; [n C] american someone who is in the fourth year at university or high school
postgraduate student British graduate student american /p30st'yia;d3u],l stju:d?nt, 'gr®d3uJ,t ,stju:d^nt||-stu:-/ In C] someone who has already taken one
degree and is studying for another more advanced degree
what level you are at school, university etc
first/second etc grade /f3:rst, sebnd (etc) greid,, [n C] the first, second etc year of school in the US, starting from the first year of elementary school (aged six, after kindergarten): Harry will be starting the third grade soon.
/irst/second etc year /f^t, sekand
(etc) jiэг/ [n C] the first, second etc year at university in Britain or the US, or the first, second etc year of school in Britain, starting from the first year of secondary school (aged 11): f gave up German in the third year.
year one/two etc -WAn, 'tui/ [n C]
the first, second etc year of school in Britain, starting from the first year of primary or infant school (aged five), and ending at year thirteen (aged 18): By year eight, students should be able to understand what a noun is.
class /klars||klaes/ [n С] a group of students or schoolchildren who are taught together: Everyone in the class passed the test. top/bottom of the class At the end of the
year I came top of the class in French.
first year/second year etc
ji3r, 'seksnd ji3r; [n CI British someone who is in the first year, second year etc at a school or university: The university only prouides rooms for first years.
/reshman/frejman/ [n CJ anewcan someone who is in the first year at university or high school
The system starting from Уеаг one is more modern than the system starting from the hrst year
10
one of the long periods into which the year is divided at school,
university etc
term /t3irm/ [n C] one of the three periods that the year is divided into at British schools and most British universities
autumn/spring/summer term The main
exams are at the end of the summer term.
semester /sЈ'mest3r/ [п C] one of the two periods that the year is divided into at American schools and most American
universities
first/second semester I took five classes in the first semester and three in the second.
the school year/the academic year /дэ ,sku:l 'ji3r, di aekademik jiэг/ ;n singular! the period of the year when there are school or university classes: In Japan the school year starts in April and ends in February or March.
quarter /kw:>:rt3r/ (n C\ one of the four
main periods that the year is divided into at some American schools and universities
11
a short period in which students are taught a particular subject
class /kla:s||klfes [n С] a period of time, usually about 30 minutes to one hour, in which a teacher teaches a group of students-. Heidi jointed during the French class today! I Let's go - I have my first class in 10 minutes!
lesson /tes^n [п C] a period in which someone teaches one person or a small number of people - use this especially about practical skills such as music, swimming, or driving: Dominic will be having his first driving lesson this Thursday. 1 She gives English lessons to business
people in the evenings.
lecture /'lektJY In С] a long talk on a subject, given by a teacher at a college or university, and listened to by a large number of students
+ on a lecture on the causes of the Russian Revolution
give a lecture Professor Blair is giving a series of lectures on Einstein's theories
seminar ;'semJ,na:7 [n С] a class, usually at a college or university, where a teacher and a small group of students discuss a subject
EDUCATION
+ on Euery week we have a seminar on modern political theory.
what you get when you finish a course successfully
qualification /.kwol^'keij^likwa:-/ |n
С often plural] you get a qualification when you finish a course and pass examinations at the end of it. a two-year course, leading to a teaching qualification 1 He left school at 16, ixn'th no academic qualifications, sb's qualifications (=all the exams someone has passed) List your qua/i/icafions in the space below.
degree /di'gri:/ In C] the qualification that you get when you successfully finish a course at university: He has a degree in political science from the University of Chicago.
A
do a degree/take a degree British (=study in order to get one) Maggie is doing a degree in psychology.
On its own, degree means the qualification you get when you do a 3- or 4-year course at university, usually when you are about 18-22 years old. Degree can also mean a more advanced qualification (-a higher degree), such as a Master's degree or a PhD.
Master's degree/Master's maist^/
di'gri:. ma:st3rzf'maes- [n C] an advanced degree that you get by studying for one or two years after getting your first degree + in To do this job, you need a Master's degree in Computer Science.
doctorate/PhD /'dokt^t, .pi: eitj di:||
da:k-/ In C] the most advanced type of degree, which you study for on your own for several years, doing work and writing a long report explaining what you have discovered
+ in She has a PhD in industricf robotics.
13
the process of studying and being taught
education /.edjo'keipnl.ed^-/ [n U] the
228
whole process by which people learn and develop their minds in schools, colleges, and universities: The government should spend more on education I My parents wanted me to have a good education. I J spent a// of my life from 5 to 18 in full- time education.
private education (=p aid for by parents, not provided by the government) Only a minority of parents can afford private education for their children.
educational /,edjo'keгзiИ,ed3Э-. {adj usually before noun] connected with education: Different children have different educational needs. I We offer a wide range of educational and sporting activities. an educational institution (=a school, college, or university)
academic /.aeka'demik*/ [adj usually before noun] connected with education, especially at college or university level: academic books I Jake was unemployed, and had no academic qualifications.
EFFECT
a change caused by something that happens or by something that someone does
^ see also result, chance
II an effect
effect /j'fekt/ [n C/U] a change that is caused by something that happens or by something that someone does + of the harmful effects of smoking I Gail was still recovering from the effects of her operation.
the ejffect of sth on sth a study that is
measuring the effect of fertilizers on the size of crops
without much eJFfect (=having almost no effect) I tried using detergent to remove the stain, but without much effect, feel the ejffects of sth By now we were feeling the effects of lack of sleep, side effects (=unwanted effects of a drug or medicine) One of the possible side effects of the drug is loss of memory.
Д Don't confuse effect noun) and affect (a verb - see Section 2).
impact /'impsekt,/ [n singular/U] the big and permanent changes that happen as a result of something important the impact of sth on sth the impact of computers on people's lives
have a great/enormous impact on sth
Einstein's work on relativity had an enormous impact on the way physics developed.
have little impact on sth At first, the
revolution had little impact on the lives
of ordinary people.
in/luence /'mfluans/ [n singular/U] the continuing effects that something has on the way that people think or behave, or on the way that things develop + of The authorities were worried about the influence of some films and TV programmes on teenagers. the influence of sth on sth a book about the influence of feminist ideas on American society
И to have an effect on
someone or something
have an ejffect /h^v эп rfekt/ to make
someone or something change in some way, for example by changing the way that things are done or by changing someone^ attitudes: For some patients, the treatment has an immediate effect. + on What you eat when you are pregnant can have an effect on your baby. have a good/bad/serious etc effect The war had a very bad effect on the economy of Vietnam. have little/no ejffect The tobacco companies say their advertisements have little effect on people's behaviour.
have an injluence / h<ev эп influans/to
have a continuing effect on the way that people think or behave, or on the way that things develop
+ on Clearly, the cost of fuel has an influence on our energy policy. have a great/important/pro/ound in/luence on sth Descartes' ideas have had a profound influence on modern science.
affect /afekt/ [v TJ to produce a change, for example in the way that something develops or in someone's situation. The new tax law doesn't affect me because I'm a student. 1 The rate at which plants grow is affected by the amount of sunlight they receive. badly/seriously/severely affect Playing video games too much could seriously affect children's evesiaht.
/h Don't confuse affect (a verb) and effect (a noun - see Section 1).
influence /'influsns, [v T] to affect someone's opinions or behaviour: Don't let anything he says influence your decision. I How much does TV advertising influence what people buy?
О do Sth to Sth /'dm (sth) tu: (sth) |phrasal verb T) especially spoken to affect someone or something in a harmful way: Do you ever think about what those cigarettes must be doing to your lungs? Look what the storm has done to the flowers.
be good /or/be bad for bi: god fo:r.
hi: 'baed b:r to have a good or bad effect on something or someone: Eating plenty of fruit is good for your health. I Changing schools too often is bad for a child's development. it's good/bad for sb to do sth It'll be good for her to meet some new people. I I think it's bad for children to always get what they want.
EMBARRASSED
feeling uncomfortable and nervous about what people think
of you
^ see also ashamed
Don't confuse embarrassed and ashamed Use embarrassed when you
worry about what other people think of
you. Use ashamed when you feel guilty and bad about yourself, because you have done something that you know is wrong. Ashamed a much stronger word.
D embarrassed
embarrassed /im'bacrast/ [adj] feeling
EFFECT
uncomfortable and worrying about what people think of you, for example because you have made a stupid mistake or because you have to talk about your feelings, about sex etc: Tony spilled red wine all over their carpet. He was so embarrassed! I The teachers are supposed to teach us about 'safe sex', but most of them are too embarrassed.
get embarrassed She's a good singer, but she gets embarrassed if we ask her to sing.
+ about I got very drunk at the party, and I feel really embarrassed about it. + by/at Marlon uias embarrassed by his lack of education.
self-conscious /self 'kDnj3$||-'ka:n- (acfj)
shy and embarrassed about your body, or about the way you look or talk: / a/ways feel really self-conscious in a bikini. + about Teenagers can feel very self- conscious about their appearance.
uncomfortable /лп'клтЛэЫ!, -клтГэьЦ -kAmfart-, - клтЛ-/ [adj\ feeling embarrassed because you cannot relax with the people around you: All this talk about love and romance was making me uncomfortable. I Jim always felt uncom fortable on such formal occasions. I an uncomfortable silence uncomfortably [adu] Rhys shuffled his feet uncomfortably, trying to think of an excuse to leave.
awkward hikw9rdi [adj] feeling so shy, nervous, and embarrassed that you cannot behave in a natural way: I didn't know anyone at the party and I felt really awkward at first.
Ed to make someone feel embarrassed
embarrassing /im'baerasii]/ |adj] an
embarrassing situation makes you feel embarrassed: uShe got locked in a public toilet and couldn't get out!" "How embarrassing.'" I The doctor asked me a lot of embarrassing questions about my sex life.
embarrass /im'baeras/ [v T] to make
someone feel embarrassed: / hope I didn t embarrass you in front of your friends. \ I chose my tuords carefully, in order to avoid embarrassing anyone.
БД the feeling you have when you are embarrassed
230
embarrassment /im'baerasmant/ [n U] the feeling you have when you are embarrassed: He looked down at the floor in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. Qdie of embarrassment spoken (a humorous way of saying you feel very embarrassed about something) She read my poem out to the whole class - I almost died of embarrassment!
0 when your face goes red
because you are embarrassed
blush/go red /bUJ\ gau 'red/ \v l| if you blush or go red, your face becomes red because you are embarrassed: When he asked her to dance she just blushed and giggled. I David's really shy - he always goes red when the teacher asks him a question.
EMPHASIZE
to say that you think that something is especially important
^ see also important/not important emphasize/stress /'emfssaiz, stres/ \v
T] to say or show that you think something is especially important: Mann stressed the need to educate people about the risks of AIDS. 1 She said smoking was not permitted anywhere in the school - emphasizing the word 'anywhere'.
+ that She emphasized that Bosnia would need international assistance to recover from the war.
Don't say 'emphasize on something'. Say emphasize something.
/К In British English, emphasize can also be spelled emphasise.
overemphasize (also overemphasise British) /.auvsr'emfssaiz/ [i> T] to emphasize something too much: I think the book overemphasizes the importance of religion in the history of the US.
emphas is /'emfss^s/ [n U] special attention that is given to a particular activity, subject etc, because it is believed to be more important than other things + on There is a greater emphasis on
environmental issues nowadays.
put emphasis on sth The school puts a lot of emphasis on discipline and respect for authority.
EMPTY
opposite FULL
container/bottle/glass
empty empti/ [adj] a container, bottle, or glass that is empty has nothing inside it: There were two empty bottles on the table. I I noticed her glass was empty, and offered her some more wine. I The box was empty - all the money was gone.
place/room/seat
empty /'empti/ [adj] a room, building, town, or place that is empty has nothing or no-one in it: It was Sunday, and the streets were empty. I My footsteps echoed across the empty room.
free /frii/ [adj usually not before noun] a seat, space, or room that is free is not being used, and no-one has arranged to use it: Is this seat free? I You'll have to wait till there's a meeting-room free. I I think there's a free table in the corner.
bare /Ьезг/ [adj] a room that is bare has very little furniture or other things in it; an area of land that is bare does not have1 much growing on it: The little church was bare and cold. I We drove past mile after mile of bare fields.
deserted /drztfty/ [adj\ a place or building that is deserted is empty and quiet, because the people who are usually there have left: The village seemed to be completely deserted. I We ran along the deserted beach.
uninhabited /.Anin'haeb^d*/ [adj] an area or place that is uninhabited has no people living in it: Most of the islands in Clear Bay are uninhabited. I The castle is now uninhabited.
paper/tape/screen
with the emphasis on sth an exciting new French course for beginners, with the emphasis on fun as well as learning
blank /Ыэедк/ [adj] a blank screen, tape, or piece of paper has nothing written or recorded on it: I want to record the film.
Do we have any blcnk video cassettes? Ian stared at the blank sheet of paper in front of him.
space /speis/ [n CI a place that has been left empty in a piece of writing, especially so that you can write something in it: There's a space for you to sign your name.
to make a place or container empty
empty /empti/ \v T] to make something empty by removing what was in it: The garbage cans are emptied once a week. I "See you " he called, emptying his glass and making for the door.
emptying - emptied - have emptied
dear out /.klisr 'aut/ [phrasal verb T\ to empty a building, room, cupboard etc, especially because you no longer want the things that are in it
clear oat sth I found a pile of old letters while I was clearing out my desk, clear sth out 14к must clear the garage out this weekend.
END
look here for...
the end of a period of time, film,
book etc
EMPTY
the end of an object, the street etc
the very end (=the last moment, sentence etc) You don't find out who the murderer is until the very end of the book.
ending /endio/ [n C] the things that happen at the end of a story or film: In the Spanish version of this story, the ending is completely different. happy ending (=an ending in which everyone is happy) I love those old Hollywood movies with happy endings.
finale /fi na:li||fi nyeli/ (n С usually singularl the exciting or impressive last part of a piece of music, show, ceremony etc + of the finale of Beethoven's ninth symphony
the grand jlnale (=the very impressive
finale) For the grand finale there was a marching band and fireworks.
to end
end /end/ [v II if an event, story, situation, or period of time ends, there is no more of it left: World War II ended in 1945. I How does the story end?
end in sth {=end in a particular way, especially a bad way) Their marriage finally ended in divorce three years later I a school trip that ended in tragedy when three children were killed in an accident
232
finish ffimji [о II to end - use this especially to say what time something ends: What time does your class finish? I The celebrations didn't finish till after midnight.
BEGINNING
see also
D
STOP START
the last part of a period, event, film, book etc
the end/ai 'end/ [n singularl the last part of a period of time, an event, a film, a book etc
+ о/ The end of the game was really exciting.
FINISH
at/be/ore/until the end Sam left New York at the end of December. I It was such a terrible movie, half oj the audience walked out before the end.
Finish can often be used instead of end, but don't use it to talk about stories, films etc, or about periods of time. It is
mostly used about organized events, such as a meeting, a class, or a party.
be over /ы: ^vtfj [phrasal verb I) if an event or activity is over, it has ended, and nothing more is going to happen: By the time we arrived, the party was already over.
be ail over(=have completely finished) The game should be all over by 5 o'clock
come to an end /клт tu эп 'end/ to
finally end - use this about a period of time, a situation, or an activity that has continued for a long time: When this job comes to an end, I'll be unemployed again. I It was already September, and our stay in Zurich was coming to an end.
happening at the end
at the end ,/9t Ai end/ during the last part of an event or period of time: The movie was really sad - at the end the little girl dies.
+ of There will be time for questions at
the end of the meeting.
A\ Don't confuse at the end (=during the last part of something) and in the end (=after a period of time).
/inal /'taml/ ladj only before noun] happening at the end of an event, book, or film: the final stages of the project ! the book's final chapter
closing /'klaozjj]/ j adj only before noun] formal closing remarks/speech/cere- mony etc remarks etc which come at the end of an event, meeting, or book: By the time he made his closing remarks, I was almost asleep.
end with sth end wk3 (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] if an event, book, or film ends with something, that is what happens at the end of it: The concert ended with a laser light show. 1 The advertisement ends with the usual appeal for people to give money.
happening at the end of a long period of time
/inallg/eventually/in the end
A
/'faiiwli, fventjuali, in fti end (adi;] a long period of time, especially after a lot of difficulties or after a long delay: After a lot of questioning, James finally admitted he had broken the window. I The plane eventually arrived at 6:30 - over three hours late. I In the end, / decided that the best thing to do was to ask Billy for help.
Vou can use eventually or in the end
by itself to answer a question: "Did you find the book you wanted?" "Yes, eventually."
Don't use finally like this.
at last /at 'iGistplsest/ use this when something good happens after you have waited for it for a long time: I'm really glad that Ken's found a job at last. I At last the rain stopped and the players came back on the field.
at long last (=after a very long time) At long last he was able to see his family again.
end up ,end лр/ [phrasa/ verb I] If you end up in a situation, you get into that situation at the end of a series of events
which you did not plan: Forbes ended up in a French prison for drug dealing, end up doing sth We planned to go into town that night, but ended up staying in watching TV.
the part or point at the end of an object
end ,end [n Cj the part at the end of something long and narrow: Stop chewing the end of your pen!
the end of the road/street/passage etc
(=the furthest part at the end) Go to the end of the street and turn left. at both ends/at one end Vou need a long pole with a hook at one end.
point /point/ [n C] the thin, sharp end of something such as a needle, stick, or sword
+ of Colonel Bilby tapped the metal point of his umbrella on the wooden floor. I the point of a knife
tip tip/ [n C] the narrow part at the end of something such as a finger, a branch, or a piece of land
LOVE
\ /»
see also
i
HATE
+ of Dr Gordon felt my neck with the tips of his fingers. I The village is on the southern tip of the island.
ENIOY
FREE TIME
LUCE/ NOT LIKE
ENTHUSIASTK/UNENTHUSIASTK
D to get pleasure from
doing something
enjoy /m'dpi: [v T] to get pleasure from
doing something; Did you enjoy the party?
Don't say 'I enjoy to do it'. Say I enjoy doing it
A Don't say 'I very enjoy it'. Say I enjoy it very much or (in spoken English) \ really enjoy it We enjoyed the meal very much - thanks for inviting us.
like laik/ [и T] to enjoy doing something, especially something that you do regularly or for a long time
ENJOY 234
enjoy doing sth My father enjoys playing golf at weekends, enjoy yourself (=have fun and feel happy when you are doing something) The park was full of people enjoying themselves in the sunshine.
like doing sth/like to do sth I like to relax and read a book in the evenings. ! Do you like travelling by train?
experiences and activities that you enjoy
enjoyable /in'dpteh?!/ \adj] an enjoyable activity, especially something you do with other people, is pleasant and interesting: We spent an enjoyable evening playing cards. I I try to make my lessons more enjoyable by using games.
Q/un. /Тлп/ [n U] especially spoken if something is fun, you enjoy it because you do interesting and exciting things: "How was your weekend?'' "It was fun." it is fun to do sth/it is fun doing sth It's fun to play in the pool. I It'll be fun see- ing all my old friends again. good/un (=very enjoyable) Have you ever
2
been windsurfing? It's really good fun. have /un (=enjoy something a lot) I haven't had so much fun in years.
Usually it doesn't matter whether you say like doing sth or like to do sth. But when you mean someone likes the situation or place they are in, you must use like doing sth; / Uke living in London (not 'I like to live in London').
Don't say 4 like very much watching TV'. Say I really like watching TV.
ql0ve iiav/ [f t] especially spoken to enjoy
doing something very much and get a lot of pleasure from it: Cassie works in the theatre and she loves her work. love doing sth/love to do sth She loved to sit in the park and feed the ducks. !
I love going out in the snow.
Qhave a good time/have a
great time /hsev о ,god 'taim. ha?v э grert 'taim/ especially spoken to enjoy yourself very much when you are doing something with other people-. We had a great time last night - you should have come. I Did you have a good time at the beach?
have fun /,haev Тлп/ to enjoy yourself with
other people, for example by relaxing, talking, or laughing with them: I was having so much fun I forgot how late it was. have/un doing sth We had fun trying to guess who Mike's new girlfriend was.
El the feeling you get when you enjoy something
pleasure /р1езэг/ [n Uj the happy feeling you get when you are enjoying something get pleasure from sth My father always got a lot of pleasure from being with his grandchildren.
do sth for pleasure (^because it gives
you pleasure) I don't very often read for
pleasure.
give/bring pleasure (=make people happy) Her singing has given so much pleasure to so many people over the
years.
enjoyment /mdpimant/ [n U] the feeling
you get when you enjoy doing something get enjoyment out of sth I get a lot of
enjoyment out of working with young children.
+ of The bad weather didn't spoil our enjoyment of the vacation.
someone that people enjoy being with
be good company /bi: (god 'клтрлн/ if someone is good company, people enjoy spending time with them: I like sharing a room with Kathy - she's good company.
О be fun /bi: Тлп spoken use this about people who are always cheerful, interesting, and amusing: Let's invite Margy - she's alwaysfun.
more than enough (=more than you need, but not too much or too many) I've given you more than enough time to
make up your mind.
I've had enough British (=say this when
you have eaten enough food)*Would you
like some more pizza?" "No thanks, I've had enough.'
г
Don't say 'the food wasn't enough', j Say there wasn't enough food- Enough | usually goes before the noun.
to enjoy something that most people would not enjoy
revel in Sth rev,?l in (sth)/ [phrasal verb T1 to enjoy something that most people would not like: Her job is very siressful, but she seems to revel in it.
revelling - revelle - have revelle
BKIJ4-II
reveling - revele - have revele
Л Mr R Ft 'Ah.
take pleasure in doing sth /teik
'р1езэг in du:ii] (sth)/ to enjoy doing something that upsets or annoys someone: Her husband seemed to take pleasure in pointing out her mistakes. I Mr Broad- bent took great pleasure in telling me I
was fired.
ENOUGH/ NOT ENOUGH
see also full
when there is a large enough amount of something that you need
enough /I'ruf;/ [quanti/ier] Here's $20. Is that enough? 1 He wasn't making enough money, and so he closed the business. I Have you got enough drivers? I can help if you need me. enough money/space/work etc for I made loads of food, so there should be enough for everyone. I Will there be enough room for Joey in the car?
plenty plenti [quanti/ierl more than enough - use this when you do not need any more of something: "Do you need any more paper?" "Oh, no thanks. I have plenty here."
+ of There's plenty of food, so don t buy any more. I Don't worry, we've plenty of time.
sufficient /safipnt/ [adj] formal enough: Does a vegetarian diet provide sufficient protein?
+ for Sei>en hours sleep is sufficient for most people.
adequate /'жdikw^t [adj] formal enough
in amount, and good enough in quality: None of his workers received adequate safety training.
+ /or The computer has 16 megabytes of memory, which should be adequate for most users.
last /la:st||laest/ [и I] if an amount of food or money lasts for a period of time, there is enough of it for that period + until / still have $100, but that won't last till the end of the vacation. last (sb) 2 years/3 days etc We set off up the mountain, carrying equipment, tents, and enough food to last five days. last sb 4 years/3 months etc £50? That won't last you a day in London!
to have enough time or money to do what you want
have enough time/money /.haev
inAf taim, nuni/ to have enough time or enough money to do what you want: I'll come and see you if 1 have enough time. have enough time/money to do sth We didn't have enough money to go on vacation this year.
big enough/old enough/ strong enough etc
enough /|'плГ/ [adu]
big enough/old enough/strong enough
etc Will that box be big enough? + for The road was just wide enough for the truck to get through. + to do stK Liz is smart enough to figure it out.
Don't say 'she's enough old to drive a car'. Say she's old enough to drive a car. Enough comes after the adjective.
ш when you have done something enough or when it has happened enough
enough /j'luf/ ladul f think tue 've talked
about this enough. I If it rains enough this month, the harvest will be a good one.
Bi not enough
not enough ,'nDt \n\fj not enough for what you need: I gave her $200, but she
year.
Don't say 'can afford doing some thing'. Say can afford to do something.
в
said it wasn't enough. I There won't be enough chairs. I I don't think you're getting enough sleep. +■ for One bottle of wine won't be enough for everyone.
not enough to do sth There aren't enough people to make a full team. not have enough to do/eat/drink etc
They never give us enough to eat. not old/strong etc enough She wanted to see the movie, but she wasn't old
enough. I Could you get that book down for me? I'm not tall enough,
too little/too Jew /tu: litl, tu: fju:/
[iquantifier] less than you need or fewer than you need - use this especially when you are criticizing or complaining about something
too few roads/doctors/hotels etc Too
many patients and too few doctors - that's the problem!
too little time/money//ood etc There's too little time to do everything that needs to be done.
Ж
too little/too few to do sth There were some police officers there, but too few to control the crowd, far too little/Jew (=much too little or few) Far too little research has been done in this area.
Use too few with countable nouns like books, shops, and students: The school hod to close because there were too few students. Use too little with uncountable nouns like time, money, and food: The government has paid too little attention to the needs of disabled people.
In spoken English, it is more usual to say not enough than to say too little or too few.
shortage ф:гЫз/ [n C\ a situation in
which there is not enough of something very basic and important that people need in order to live or work water//ood/housing etc shortage Parts of Britain are suffering water shortages after the unusucily dry summer. + of There is a shortage of nurses and aoctors in the area.
acute/severe shortage (=a very bad shortage) There is an acute shortage of housing in South Africa's urban areas.
bЂ Short of /bi: 'JyJt dv to not have enough of something basic that you need: I was short of money, so I had to ncL~ George for $20.
scarce /ske9rs/ [adj] if something is
scarce, there is not enough of it, so it is very difficult to get or buy. During the war, things like clothes and shoes were scarce. I Jobs are scarce, and a lot of people are unemployed.
lack of Чаек оv/ [n singular] if there is a lack of something, there is not enough of it, or there is none of it at all lack of sleep/time/money etc Fernando's eyes were red through lack of sleep. I Most of our problems are caused by lack of money.
lack of enthusiasm/confidence/interest
etc It's lack of confidence, not lack of ability, that makes most people fail.
ENTER
^ see also leave
II to enter a place
go in/go into /,gao 'in, tg3U intu:/
[phrasal verb 1/T] to go into a room, building etc: It was getting cold, so we went in. I They won't let you go in unless you leave your bag outside, go Into sth Everyone showed their tickets as they went into the hall.
enter ;"ent3r [u T] formal to go or come into a room, building, country etc: The army entered the city from the north. I As soon as he entered the room} he knew there was something wrong.
Don't say 'enter in a room' or 'enter to a room'. Say enter a room.
come in /,клт in/ [phrasa/ uerb 1] if
someone comes in, they enter a room or building that you are in: As soon as Adrian came in, everyone stopped talking. I That must be Nina coming in right now. come into sth Come into the house and get warm.
get in get m/ (phrasa/ verb 1] to succeed
in entering a room, building, or area that
is difficult to enter, especially by finding an unusual way in-. How did you get in? I thought the door was locked. get into sth The burglars got into the apartments by pretending to be electricians.
burst in /fb3irst 'in/ \phrasal verb I] to suddenly enter a room making a lot of noise: Two men with guns burst in and told us to lie on the floor.
burst into sth Lotty burst into the room waving a letter in the air.
Ed to use force to enter a place
force your way in fr:rsjo:r wei in/to
enter a building or room by using force, especially when someone is trying to stop you-. They've blocked the door. We'll have to force our way in. force your way into sth Police eventually forced their way into the building and arrested the gunman.
break in /,breik 'in/ [phrasa/ verb I] to enter a building by using force, in order to steal something: If anyone tries to break in: the alarm will go off. break into sth Vanda/s broke into the school last night.
El to tell someone to enter your room or house
Qcome in /,клт 'in/ spoken say come in when you want someone to come into your room, home, or office.- There was a knock at the door. 'Come in,' she called. Come in and sit down. I'll be ready in a minute.
ask sb in /,a:sk (sb) in||,aesk-/ informal to ask someone if they want to come into your home: Stella didn't know whether to ask him in or not.
■1 to allow someone to enter a place
let sb in / let (sb) inj [phrasal verb T] Let me in! It's freezing out here. I There's Ryan at the door. Let him in, would you?
Ы to not allow someone to enter a place
keep out /.ki:p 'autI [phrasal verb T] to prevent someone from entering a room keep sb out/keep out sb His house has a complicated security system to keep out intruders.
a door or space that you use to enter a place
entrance (also entry) "entr?ns. 'entri/ [n C] a door or space that you go through to enter a place: Simpson used a side entrance to avoid the waiting reporters. + to the entrance to the exhibition
way in/,wei 'm [n C] the place where you
DONTCARE
can enter a large public building: We walked all the way around the museum, looking for the way in.
ENTHUSIASTIC/ UNENTHUSIASTIC
LIKE/NOT LIKE
«Ч Я
see
also
ENJOY EXCmNG/
ENTER 238
keep sb out o/stK We've got to keep Bill out of the kitchen - his birthday present's in there!
turn sb away /№ (sb) a'wei/ [phrasa
verb T] to refuse to let someone into а place where a public event is happening
especially because it is full: The club's so popular we have to turn people away every night, i Hundreds of disappointed fans were turned away at the gates.
lock sb out.,,Ink (sb) 'aotH.laik-' [phrasaI verb T] to stop someone entering a room or building by locking the door: My girlfriend locked me out of the house.
EXCITED
Denthusiastic
/m,6ju:zi'3est]M|-,8u:- ladj] behaving in a way that shows how much you like, enjoy, or approve of something: A small but enthusiastic crowd cheered as we ran onto the field. I Several enthusiastic young teachers have just started working at the school. + about He's stiil really enthusiastic about his new school.
enthusiastically \adv] The public has responded very enthusiastically to our appeal.
keen /ki:n [adj] British very enthusiastic about an activity or job: She hasn't much experience but she's very keen.
+ on A lex has always been keen on
athletics.
a keen gol/er/photographer/gardener
etc Chris is a keen photographer - he's
won several competitions.
keen to do sth Mark: was keen to make
a good impression on the new French
teacher.
eager /'iigaV [ad;] very enthusiastic and excited about something that is going to happen or about something that you are going to do: A crowd of eager fans wait ed outside the hotel. eager to do sth She hurried home from college, eager to hear Tom's news. eagerness [n U] very enthusiastic and excited feelings or behaviour eagerness to do sth. He tripped over the cat in his eagerness to get to the phone.
enthusiasm /m'ejuiziaez^mll-'flu:-/ (n U| enthusiastic feelings or behaviour + for I'd forgotten about Jim's enthusiasm for going on 20-mile walks, be full of enthusiasm (=be. very enthusiastic) Greta was full of enthusiasm for the plan.
not enthusiastic
unenthusiastic/not enthusiastic
/,Anin0ju:zi'aestik, not in,6ju:zi'2estik||-,0u:-/
[adj\ Are you sure you want to see the movie? You don't sound very enthusiastic.
+ about She had never been very enthusiastic about her job as a designer. I The teachers were distinctly unenthusiastic about the whole idea
half-hearted лhatf ha:%d«\\bxf,-/ [adj]
see pages 240-243
half-hearted attempt/response/mea- sure etc an attempt etc that is made without much enthusiasm or effort: Yves had made a half-hearted attempt to be friendly.
NVIRONMENT
EQUIPMENT
things you use for doing something
see also machine, computers
equipment /rkwipmant [n U] the special machines or tools that you use for doing something: You should check all electrical equipment regularly. office/video/sports etc equipment Thieves stole all the video equipment from the college.
A
When you see ИЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
a piece of equipment a special piece of equipment for checking tyres
Don't say 'equipments' or 'an equipment'. Equipment is an uncountable noun.
Qthings /0iqz; [n plural] spoken the special clothes and other equipment that you need for a sport or similar activity: Now, have you got all your things ready? swimming/painting/sewing etc things
She keeps all her sewing things in a small basket.
gear /giar/ {n UJ informal the equipment and special clothes that you need to do something, especially an activity that you do in your free time: Mike's crazy about photography - he's got all the gear, camping j fishing! skiing etc gear Did you remember to pack your fishing gear?
kit /kit/ In CI shaving/sewing/repair etc
kit a set of small things that you use to
do something. The sewing kit contained
needles, pins, cotton, and a pair of scissors.
Qstuff jstxf/ {n u1 spokejv informal the
equipment that you use to do something camping/cleaning/painting etc stuff
The cleaning stuff's in the cupboard under the stairs.
tie/untie 2
from a place/person/ prison/dangerous situation
escape i skeip/ (u J] to succeed in leaving a dangerous place or situation, or a place that someone is trying to stop you from leaving: Anyone trying to escape will be shot. I Only /our people managed to escape before the roof collapsed. +from Josie managed to escape from her attacker and call the police. I Two men escaped from Durham Jail last night. + over/into/through etc Some refugees managed to escape over the border into
Tanzania.
get Out / get aut' [phrasal verb I] to escape from a place that is difficult to escape from, or where there is danger: How could the dog get out when the gate was shut?
A
+ of No-one's gotten out of the Kansas county jail in 50 years. get out alive We were lucky to get out alive - the whole building was on fire.
Get out is more informal than escape
get away /get a'wei/ (phrasal verb II to escape from someone who is chasing you. so they do not catch you: The gunmen got away in a stolen car. get away from Thousands of civilians are trying to get away from the advancing army.
run away/run off /,ГАn э wei, ,глп 'of|
-xfj [phrasal verb I] to try to escape from someone by running away: Don't run away ~ I'm not going to hurt you. + into/down/across etc He jumped out of the car and ran off into the woods. +from If you run away from the bull, it's almost certain to attack you.
ESCAPE
FOLLOW
■чЬ
see * also i
4 V
RUN
CATCH
free 4. 5
PRISON
POLICE
escape continues on page 244
240
ENVIRONMENT
TRANSPORT
DAMAGE
PROTECT
Many people believe that the way that we live our lives today is having an extremely bad effect on the environment. Here are some examples of environmental problems and solutions, and the vocabulary you need to talk about them.
D environmental problems
cars
ENVIRONMENT
LAND AND SEA
\ t
pollution
Pollution is damage to the air, sea, rivers, or land caused by chemicals, waste and harmful gases.
Pollutants include toxic waste, pesticides, and fertilizers.
PROBLEM
see also
DESTROY
ш OPINIONS
/ v
PROTEST
The biggest polluter today is the car. Exhaust fumes are the main cause of bad air quality, which can make people feel ill and have difficulty breathing. This problem is especially bad in some cities where, on days when there is not much wind, a brown layer of smog hangs in the air. The number of cars is increasing every year, and this causes serious congestion. Governments then build new roads to try to improve the situation, but this means that they cut down trees and destroy more of the countryside.
vocabulary
acid rain /.sesid 'rein/[n U] rain that is harmful to trees and buildings because it has become mixed with smoke from factories and power stations
air quality № .kwoljtijhkwa:-/ {n U] how clean or dirty the air is in a particular town or place: Sometimes the Qtr quality is so bad that people have to stay indoors.
alternative /ritx'naiv/ [adj] alternative methods are
very different from the methods which have been used for a long time, and which people regard as normal, but they are usually less harmful: Scientists ore searching /or olternotive sources of energy.
the atmosphere $i 'stmdsfo1/ [n singular) the mixture of air and gases that surrounds the Earth
car pool /*ко!г pud/ [n CI a group of car owners who agree to drive everyone in the group to work or school on different da^s, so that only one car is used at a time
CFCs also chloro/luorocarbons /.si: ef <u:z.
^bffwfkMOulQa^»uj \n plural) chemicals that damage the ozone layer. CFCs are used especially in refrigerators and in some aerosols
congestion /kan'djestf^n/ In U] when there are too many cars on a road, so that the traffic moves very slouiy: // people lived closer to their jobs, there would be less congestion on the freeways.
electric car /ijektnk ка:г/ [n С} а саг that uses special electric batteries, instead of petrol, as its source of power
endangered /irideixfea'd/1adj) if a type of plant or animal is endangered, it may soon no longer exist endangered species The black rhino is an endangered species and is protected by law.
the environment /5i mVai^rennent/ In singular) the air, water, and land where people, animals, and plants live, and the way all these things depend on each other so that life can continue
harm/damage/destroy/pollute the environment
Local people are protesting because the planned new rood will destroy the environment protect the environment New laws arc being introduced to protect the environment from industrial gase$ that cause acid rain.
environmental /inVawrarfmentl/ [adj] use this to talk about things that affect the environment, especially
241
ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
HOLES IN THE OZONE LAYER
The ozone layer is a layer of gases
THE greenhouse EFFECT
The greenhouse effect is caused by harmful gases known as greenhouse gases These gases are produced when we burn fuels, especially coal burned in power stations to make electricity.
These gases go up into the Earth's atmosphere end stop heat from leaving the Earth.
greenhouse gases
heat
the Earth
that protects us from ultraviolet light from the sun, which can have a harmful effect on animals, and causes skin cancer in humans.
the sun
ultraviolet / light
the ozone layer
The ozone layer is being damaged
by chemicals, especially CFCs, and when hofes appear in the ozone layer, harmful light from the sun reaches the Earth.
Because the heat cannot escape, the Earth is getting warmer This is known as global warming. Global warming may cause the ice at the North Pole and South Pole to melt and sea levels to rise, leading to serious flooding in many parts of the world. In other places, temperatures will rise and there will be less rain, turning more of the land into desert.
problems and damage to the environment: Public transportation systems can help to nec/uce environmental pollution.
environmental group /mvaurantoentl ,gru?V In С] a
group of people that aims to protect the environment, for example by spreading information and trying to make governments change their policy
environmentally Jrtendltj /mVai^^'mentl-i frendli/ [adfi causing less harm to the environment
extinct /jk'sttrjkt/ [adj] if a type of plant or animal is extinct, it no longer exists
/Brtilizer^fxt^laiza^faml-aizar/ [n C| a mixture of chemicals used by farmers to help crops grow
flooding /1\лдщ/1п Uj when an area of land becomes covered with water
fames /fjuimz/ [n plural] harmful gas or smoke, for example from factories or carst which damages the environment and people's health
exkaust/umcs {«fumes from cars)
global warming/.gl^oM wxrmit/ the idea that the Earth's weather is gradually becoming warmer because of pollution
green /gri:n/ (adj] use this to talk about things connected with protecting the environnrient such as ideas and policies, or products you can buy that affect the environment
green Issues ideas about the environment that are discussed in meetings, newspapers, on television etc) People are becoming more aware of green issues, such as the need to reduce road tragic, green products (=that do not harm the environment) They sell green products such as recycled paper and organic vegetables,
greenhouse gas /gmthaos aaes/ (n C] a gas that forms a layer around the Earth and stops heat from leaving the atmosphere
the greenhouse effect /to gmtes ifekV |л singular! the gradual warming of the Earth caused by gases that stop heat from leaving the Earth s atmosphere
habitat/haeb^taet/ |n C/Uj the natural home of a plant or animal: Cutting down the forest will destroy the habitat of thousands of birds and animals. natural habitat (=used especially when you are com-
envmonmbtt continues on the next page
!
ACID RAIN
Acid rain is rain that is harmful to the environment because it contains acid frorr
the destruction of habitats
All over the world,, wildlife is being threatened
because habitats and woodlands are being destroyed. Rainforests are being cut down so that people can use the iand to grow crops. Many species of animal have become extinct, and many more are endangered.
242
ENVIRONMENT
factory smoke. Arid rain causes damage to trees, rivers, and buildings.
some solutions
alternative forms of transport
One of the main problems with cars is that
ENVIRONMENT
they cause a lot o; pollution and often carry only one person. Public transport is more environmentally friendly because bases and trains can carry large numbers of people at the same time. Car pools are another way of reducing thp number of cars on the roads, fven cleaner solutions are electric cars, and bicycles
paring it with an unnatural habitat, such as a zoo) This snake's nafura/ habitat is the Amazonian jungle.
organic /хгджшк/ [ad;] organic fruit, meat, and vegetables have been produced without using chemicals
the ozone layer /di 'эохэип }шт/ [n singular) a layer of gases around the Earth that protects us by stopping harmful &ght from the sun reaching the Earth
pesticide /■pest^said/ [n C] a mixture of chemicals used by farmers to kill insects or small animals
pollutant /решали/ [n С] a substance that pollutes the environment: Scien//sfs haue discovered that the fish are being killed by pollutonts in the water
polluter /рэ1иаэ7 {n C] someone or something that damages the environment with harmful chemicals or waste
pollution /рэ11фц/ [n Uj damage caused to the environment by harmful chemicals or waste
power station Граш* Tstei|л\/ [n Q a building where electricity is produced
protest /pratestj [u I/T] to publicly say or do something to show that you think something is wrong and you
want it to be changed
protest against sth BRITISH protest sth amfrican Environmental groups have organized a march to protest against government plans to build a road through the forest
protest /prsutest/ [n C] when a group of people come together to show that they think something is wrong and they want it to be changed
protester /pretest эг/ [n C] someone who protests against something
public transport вкгтен public transportation
amewcan /pAblik transput, рлЫк ,traaspiteij^i|-traen spar-/ [n (J] bus and train services provided for everyone to use
rainforest /reiaforist|-ftt->-fa:-/ [n С] a tropical forest uitn tall trees that are very close together growing in a part of the world where it rains a lot: a campaign to stop the destruction of the rainforests
recycle /rii'saibl/ [v I/T] to take materials that have treacly been used, and to put them through a special process so that they can be used again
recycled /rir'saiMd/ [adjl recycled papcr/plastic/gloss etc All the bottles we
ENVIRONMENT
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
Renewable energy sources such as wind power, wave power, arid soiar power do not pollute the
environment. They are much cleaner than oil and coal.
green products
We can help the environment by choosing to buy green products. Examples of green products are recycled paper, wood from sustain-
able sources, and organic
fruit and vegetables.
RECYCLING
Recycling is when you use something again instead of throwing it away. Glass, cans, paper, and plastic can all be recycled
PROTESTING
Many people try to protect the environment by joining environmental groups that inform people about green issues, and try to persuade governments to take more care of the environment,
1
i i
especially by organizing protests
С гкoPt/CЈ~;
J
use are mode from recyc/ed g/ass renewable energy /npjuhhri 'епэ^Цппи:-/ Jn C]
energy that is always replaced naturally after it has been used
renewable energy sources (=something that can provide renewable energy, eg the wind, waves, and the sun)
skin cancer /skin Jama? In C/U] a skin disease that can kill people, caused by ultraviotel light
smog /smoglsmajg/ [n U] dirty brown air in cities that is a mixture of fog, smoke, and harmful gases
solar power /sauto* ,раоэг/ [n U] energy from the sun,
used to make electricity and to heat water species /spejez/ [n Cj a group of animals or plants of the same kind: Tbe coast is home to many species of birds.
endangered species (=one that may soon no longer exist) Wo/ues used to be common throughout Europe, but are now an endangered species. protected spedes (=one that is protected by laws, so that it is illegal to kill it or harm it)
sustainable source /satstemabol 'stfs/ (n C) if wood is from а sustainable source, it is from a forest where the trees can be replaced as quickly as they are cut down
threaten /OretJi/ \v T] if something threatens the environment or a type of plant or animal, it is damaging it and may eventually destroy it: Economic develop ment and rapid population growth threaten the entire planet,
toxic waste /toksik 'weistlteck-/ [л U] poisonous waste
from industry
ultraviolet light /д^шэЦ» lait/ (n U] a part of sun light that humans cannot see It can be harmful but most of it does not normally reach the Earth
wave power /weiv ,раиэУ (n U) energy from the movement of the sea, used to make electricity
wildlife /waddlarf/ [n U| animals and plants living and growing in natural conditions
wind power Avmd.pauaV (n U] energy from the wind, used to make electricity and to make machines work
woodland /wudbnd/ [n C/U] an area covered with
trees in the northern part of the worid, especially Europe
escape continued from page 239
break out /,breik 'aot/ (phrasal verb I] to escape from a prison: Some of the men were planning to break out. + of breaking out of a maximum security prison
on the run /,оп йэ глп/ someone who is on the run is trying to hide or escape from someone who is chasing them, especially the police: After the train robbery he spent three years on the run. + from Dean was a drug addict who was constantly on the run from the police.
El from a difficult/
embarrassing/boring situation
escape/get away /гskeip, get a'wci/
[и I] to get out of a difficult, embarrassing, or boring situation: He decided to tell me all about his trip to Majorca, and I just couldn't get away. I Let's see if we can escape before the speeches start.
El when someone escapes
escape /I'skelp/ (n CI when someone escapes from prison, from danger, or from someone who is chasing them-. They had planned their escape very carefully. I Police described it as a very daring escape.
+ from It's the story of her escape from
a group of kidnappers.
make your escape (^succeed in escaping)
They made their escape in a small boat
they had built themselves, a narrow escape (=when you only just escape from danger) It was a narrow escape ~ a couple of minutes later the whole place went up in flames.
ш unable to escape
can't escape/can't get out /,ka:nt
i'skelp, ,ka:nt get 'aot||,kЈent-/ I've locked all the doors and windows - he can't get out. I Two of the children couldn't escape, and died in the fire.
ESCAPE
trapped /traept/ [adj] unable to escape from a dangerous place or an unpleasant situation: The miners have been trapped underground for three days. I He was beginning to feel trapped in his job.
Cxbe Stuck /bi: 'stAk/ especially spoken to be unable to escape from an unpleasant or boring situation
+ tn/witk/kere I don't want to be stuck in an office all my life. I Tm tired of being stuck here with the kids all day.
ESPECIALLY
more than usual or more than
others
especially/particularly fspepii,
рэг,ик$1эг11/ [adu] use this to emphasize that something is more important or happens more with one particular thing than with any others: This disease mostly affects women, particularly women over 50. I Paris is always full of tourists, especially during the summer months. I It's very worrying, especially if you have young children.
especially good/important/dijfficult etc
This is a particularly good example of the problem we've been discussing.
Don't use especially or particularly at
the beginning of a sentence. Don't say 'Especially I like tennis'. Say I like a lot of sports, especially tennis.
in particular ,m рэгпк$1эг use in particular to mention one person or thing that is more important or more interesting than all similar things: Mary loves most classical music, in particular Bach and Vivaldi. I \Ne enjoyed visiting Britain and thought that Scotland in particular was very beautiful.
anytking/anyone/anywkere In particular Was there anything in particular that
you wanted to talk about?
above alt /э,Ьлу э:1 use above all to
emphasize that something is more important than all the other things you have mentioned Get plenty of sleep, eat lots of good food, and above all try to relax. I John felt sad, upset, and above all angry that his wife could treat him like this.
special/particular fspej^i, рэгик$1эг/
244
[adj only before noun] if you give special or particular care or attention to something, you give it more attention than usual,or more attention than you give anything else
+ care/attention You should pay particu- lar attention to spelling. I Take special care on the roads tonight - it's icy.
EVERYWHERE
in or to every place
everywhere /'evriwe3r, [advj in every place, or in every part of a place: / can't find my keys - I've looked everywhere for them. I There was water everywhere. t There are health clubs everywhere these days. I Poverty affects children everywhere - in Europe as well as places like Somalia and Ethiopia. everywhere else (=in every other place) We deliver goods by 10 a.m. in the UK and by midday everywhere else.
every place /'evri pleis/ [adu] american informal everywhere: They go every place
together.
all Over /э: 1 'эоуэг/ [preposition/adv] in every part of a place or surface all over tKe world/couritry etc a bank with branches all over the country 1 competing teams from all over the world
all over the /loo г/wall/у our face etc
Katies toys were spread out all over the floor. I There was jam all over her face. all over We had a great holiday in America - we travelled all over. 1 After a couple of hours of exercise, my body ached all over.
wherever you go /wear.eva1" ju: g^o/ if
you see or do something wherever you go, you see it or do it in a lot of different places: Wherever you go there are people asking for money.
Widespread /'waidspred/ [adj] happening in many places - use this especially about problems or bad situations that affect many areas or many countries-. There has been widespread flooding in Germany, and the rivers are still rising. 1 Diseases such as typhoid are widespread in the region.
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worldwide /,w3:rId'waid«</ [ad/ only before nounl in every part of the world:
There has been a worldwide increase in
cases of AIDS. I Campaigners are calling for a worldwide ban on whale hunting. I a worldwide TV audience of over
a billion people worldwide [adu] The company employs about 20,000 people worldwide. 1 On the Internet, people can communicate worldwide in seconds.
nationwide /.neij^n'waid*/ [adj only before noun] in every part of a country nationwide strike/demonstration/campaign IVor/cers held nationwide strikes and demonstrations all over Spain. nationwide searck/Hunt/study/survey A nationwide hunt tuas launched yesterday for the killer of 13-year-old Nicola Jones.
nationwide [adu] We have a total of 96 stores nationwide.
EXACT
an exact number/ amount/time
exact /ig'zaekt (adj usually before nounl an exact number, amount, or time is completely correct and is no more and no less than it should be: "Can you tell me the
exact time?" "Jf's 6:37." I The exact weight of the baby at birth was 3.2 kg. to be exact (=used after a number when giving en exact answer, statement etc) It took her about an hour - 58 minutes to
be exact.
exactly /jg'zaektli/ [adt>] use this to emphasize that the number, amount, or time that you are mentioning is completely correct: It's exactly 5 o'clock. I The bill came to exactly $1000.
precise pri'sais/ [adj usually before noun] precise information is based on clear and exact measurements, especially when it is important that no mistakes are made: We need to know your precise location. I Each plane has to follow a precise route, be precise (-give precise information or figures) It's difficult to be precise about the number of deaths caused by smoking, precisely [adv] exactly - use this before or after a time: At precisely 3 o'clock the ceremony began.
an exact description/ translation/copy
accurate /"aekj^t [adj] accurate information, descriptions, reports etc are completely correct because all the details are true: Vou must keep an accurate record of everything you eat for one day. I The witness tried to give an accu rate description of what she had seen.
exact /igzskt/ [adj] an exact copy, model etc of something is like it in every possible way: 'Eavesdrop' means to listen secret ly outside someone's door, but there is no exact equivalent in Spanish. I It's not an exact copy, but most people wouldn't notice the difference.
literal /'literal/ [adj only before ncun] а literal translation gives the exact meaning of each single word instead of translating whole sentences in a natural way: You can't give a literal translation of most poetry.
literally Vino di tavola' literally means 'table wine' in Italian, i The French word for 'bat' is 'chauve-souris'. which literally means 'bald mouse'.
word for word /w^rj f3r W3ird/ if you
repeat, copy, or translate something word for word, you use the exact words that are in it: He asked me to repeat word for word the instructions he'd just given me
exactly how, what, where etc
EXACT 246
on the dot ;Dn fa dDt||-'da:t/ informal if something happens at a particular time on the dot, it happens at exactly that time: The doors of the museum closed at six o'clock on the dot.
exactly /ig'zsktli/ [adu] use this when you are giving or asking for exact details or information: G/ue the pieces together, exactly as shown in the diagram. exactly who/what/where etc The police want to know exactly when you left the building. I The doctors can't say exactly what's wrong with my mother - we're very worried about her. who/what/where exactly? Where exactly are you from? I Who exactly did you want to see?
precisely pri'saisli/ [aduj exactly - use this when it is important to describe something very carefully or to get very exact information
precisely what/where/who etc W/e need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.
where/what/who precisely? What precisely do you mean by 'relativity'?
exactly the right thing
exactly , ig'^sektli [acfu] use this to emphasize that something is the particular thing that you want or mean: This is exactly the kind of job that computers are good
at.
exactly what The earrings are beautiful! They're exactly what I wanted
I
precisely pri'saisli/ [adv] exactly - use this to emphasize exactly what the situation is, exactly what happened, exactly what you meant etc: "But none of us can speak French"That's precisely the problem." I There have been a lot of burglaries, and we installed an alarm system for precisely this reason.
not exact
see also about
rough /r\f [adj only before noun] not exact, or not containing exact details: a rough estimate of the number of people without jobs I Tim drew me a rough plan of the farmhouse.
approximate .э'ргокьАтАф'ргшк-/ [adj]
formal an approximate number, amount, or time is close to the true number, amount, or time but does not need to be completely correct: Our approximate time of arrival will be 10:20. I Please state on the form the approximate value of ail your house hold goods.
EXAMPLE
a typical example of something
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example /ig'zaimp^lllig'zaem-/ [n C] something that you mention because it is typical of the kind of thing that you are talking
about: There are many ways in which
technology has changed our lives. The car is an obvious example. + of The church is an interesting example of the Gothic style. give an example Attitude problems? Can you give me an example? good/typical example This painting is a typical example of Picasso's work in his Blue Period. I Korea and Vietnam are good examples of the fast-growing economies of South-East Asia.
case /keis, [n C] an example of something that has happened, especially something bad
+ of There have been some cases of women employees being fired because they are pregnant.
in one case/in some cases/in every case
In one case a man was charged $2000 for a simple medical check-up.
instance /'instans/ [n C| formal an example of a particular kind of situation: Some users of Ecstasy have actually died. but such instances are very rare, + of several instances of bad management that have led to serious problems
what you say when you give an example
for example/for instance /fongzuim-
p<?l, far mst3ns|-'zaem-/ use this when you are giving an example: There are lots of famous buildings in Kyoto, for example the Golden Pavilion and Ryoanyi Temple. 1 Car prices can wry a lot. For
example, in Belgium the VW Golf costs
£1000 less than in Britain.
eg/e.g. /М 'd3i:/ use this in written English when you are giving an example or a series of examples. Make sure you eat foods that contain protein, e.g. meat. cheese, fish, milk, or eggs. I This course includes a study of basic language skills (e.g. speaking and listening)
you have just mentioned: It is difficult to get even basic foods such as sugar and bread. I Clint Eastwood is most famous for his tough-guy police movies, such as 'Dirty Harry' and The Enforcer
Qllke /laiк/ \preposition] especially spoken use this when you are giving one or two examples: We could cook something easy, like pasta. I There are a few problems we still haven't settled, like who is going to be in charge while I'm away.
EXCEPT
see also es linking words
not including someone or something
except/except for /ik sept, iksept [preposition] not including the person or thing that you have mentioned: Everyone's going except Donald. ! The
Don't say 'except of' or 'except from'.
Say except or except for
house was silent except for a clock chiming in the living room.
lA At the beginning of a sentence, always use except for, not just the word except
on its own: Except for a couple of old chairs, the room was empty.
except /i к'sept/ [conjunction] use this when you say that something is true but then you want to introduce a fact that does not match what you have said except (tHat) Celia looks just like her sister, except that her sister has shorter hair. I It's similar to Paris, except the people look a lot poorer. except do sth a computer that can do everything except talk (=that is the only thing it cannot do)
Д. In British English, people usually write eg; in American English, people usually write e.g. Don't use eg/e.g. at the beginning of a sentence.
such as /'sAtf aez/ [preposition] especially written use this directly after a plural noun to give one or two examples of the things
h Don't begin a sentence with except.
apart from (also aside from amerjcan)
/3'pa:rt from, a'said from/ [preposition] use this when you mention one or two facts that do not fit into the main thing that you are saying: This is an excellent piece of work, apart from a couple of spellingsomeone or something that is not included
exception /fk'sepj«?n,/ [n C] someone or something that is not included in a general rule, or does not do what most others in the same situation do: Most of the students did well, though there were one
or two exceptions.
notable exception (=one that is very famous or special) Women do not usually get to the top in politics, but there have been a few notable exceptions. major/minor exception (=an important/ not very important one) IVith a few minor exceptions, the legal system in the two countries is very similar.
EXCITING/EXCITED
see also enthusiastic/
UNENTHUSIASTIC, HAPPY, ENJOY
feeling excited about something
excited /ik'sait^d/ [adj] feeling happy and full of energy, especially about something good that has happened or is going to happen: Sfeue's coming home tomorrow - we're all really excited. I crowds of excited football fans + about How can you be so excited about a stupid computer game? get excited Yes, I'm getting pretty excited about the tour of Eastern Europe. I'm getting a little nervous too + by Doctors are very excited by the discovery.
be excited to do sth You must be really excited to be chosen out of all those other people.
A Be careful not to confuse excited (=when you feel excited) and exciting
(=when something makes you feel excited)
We were all excited. I The movie was exciting.
look forward to /lok 'b:Wd tu:
[phrasal verb T] to feel excited about something good that is going to happen and to think about it a lot: The kids are looking forward to their vacation - they've never been to California before. look forward to doing sth She's really looking forward to getting her own flat.
Q can't wait /.kaint 'weitjl.ksnt-/ spoken if you can't wait for something to happen, you want it to happen soon because you are very excited about it + for I can't wait for him to walk in and find we're all already here, can't wait to do sth He couldn't wait to get home and tell Dean the news.
th rilled ;9nld [adj not before noun] very excited, happy, and pleased be thrilled to do sth I'm thrilled to be back in this country again. + with Chester's absolutely thrilled with his baby daughter.
+ at/by Gemma's parents were thrilled by the enormous response to their appeal. Qthrilled to bits British spoken thrilled to pieces american spoken (=very thrilled) Julie won the competition - she's thrilled to bits.
be on the edge of your seat hi: on
,ed3 9v p:r'si:t to be excited and slightly nervous when you are watching something because you do not know what will happen next: This is a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the final seconds.
when something makes you feel excited
exciting /ik'saitiij/ ladjl making you feel excited: I've got some exciting news for you. I Hockey is a fast, exciting game to watch.
EXCEPT 248
mistakes. I Aside from a toothbrush, she took no baggage with her. apart from doing stK Apart from going swimming occasionally, I don't get much exercise.
with the exception o//widfli ik seppn
dv/ formal not including only one thing, person, or group: The whole school with the exception of the youngest class, had to attend the ceremony. with the possible exception of (=but possibly not that person or thing) ! think they should all pass the test, with the possible exception of Fauzi.
find sth exciting Stuart found life in Paris enormously exciting.
/j\ Be careful not to confuse exciting
(=when something makes you feel excited) and excited (-when you feel excited) The movie was very exciting. ' We were all excited
highlight /'haiiait/ [л C] the part of an activity such as a holiday or game that is the most exciting or enjoyable + of The week in New York was definitely
the highlight of our trip. I Highlights of the ball game will be shown later.
thrilling ''Brilirj/ [ac/j] making you feel very excited and slightly nervous: The helicopter trip over the mountains was a thrilling end to a fantastic holiday. I a thrilling game won by a last-minute goal
gripnj \adj] use this about films that are so exciting that you cannot stop reading or watching them: a gripping detective story
exhilarating ig'zihreitig [adj] an exhilarating experience or activity makes you feel excited and full of energy: Surfing is a demanding and exhilarating sport.
dramatic /drs'maetik/ {adjl a dramatic part of a story, film etc has a lot of exciting and unexpected things happening in
it: The movie starts with a dramatic car chase across the desert.
feeling too excited
overexcited '.aovari к'sait^d/ [ad;l someone, especially a child, who is overexcited has become too excited to behave calmly: The kids are getting overexcited and won't go to sleep.
hysterical /hi'steribi/1 [adj] unable to stop
snouting, crying etc because you are extremely excited: Hysterica/ fans tried to stop Damon's car at the airport. get/go hysterical (=become hysterical) The crowd went hysterical as Juventus scored in the last minute of the game.
Q the most exciting part of something
j\ Don't say 'very thrilling', Say absolutely thrilling
gripping
boons or i
climax /'klaimaeks/ [n С usually singular) the most exciting or important part of a story or event, usually near the end + of A parade through the streets marks the climax of the festival. reach a climax The opera reaches its climax with Violetta's death in the third act.
the feeling of being excited
excitement ..ik'saitmant; [n U] the feeling of being excited: // you re ioo/cing for excitement, you won't find it here. in/with excitement (=in an excited way) Louise began jumping up and down in excitement.
great/tremendous excitement (=a lot of
excitement) There's an atmosphere of tremendous excitement here in the stadium.
thrill Oril [n С usually singular] a sudden very strong feeling of excitement and sometimes fear: Some people enjoy the thrill of hunting dangerous animals. get a thrill oat of doing sth / used to get a thrill out of riding a motorbike at high speed.
exhilaration igrzil3'rei>?n/ (n U] a feeling of excitement and energy that you get from an activity
the exhilaration of doing sth the exhilaration of a gallop along the beach at dawn
EXERCISE
see pages 250-252
EXIST
see also alive, dead
to exist
exist /ig'zist/ [и I] to be something that is really present or living: Do you think ghosts really exist? I The Earth has existed for more than four thousand million years. I politicians who behave as if poverty didn't exist
exist continues on page 25 В
EXERCISE
~vsee also sport, healthy/noj healthy
I'd really like to
el do quite a few exercise classes I go to aerobics on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It's really good for your heart, and it helps you tone up
250
EXERCISE
vocabulary
aerobics ;еэТэоЫк$/ (n U] a type of exercise where you do a lot of very active movements to music, usually in a class: You should try aerobics - it's q great way of getting in shape. do aerobics She does a lot of aerobics - at least five classes a week.
go to aerobics {-qo to a class and do aerobics)
exercise /'eksorsaiz/ [n C/U] physical activities that you do in order to stay healthy and become stronger, such as running, cycling, or lifting weights. An exercise is also a particular movement that you repeat many times to make a part of your body stronger: Regular exercise makes you feel a lot heaffhier. 1 This exercise is good for your back. I a book on diet and exercise do/take exercise (=do exercise regularly) / decided I should take more exercise, and toent to join a gym. do an exercise (=do a particular movement) You should always do some exercises to warm up before you start dancing.
Q Or if you want something less strenuous, you coufd try yoga. Yoga stretches your body and makes it more supple
usually do any) Гт not really in shape. I need to
get some exercise
exercise /'eks3rsaiz/ [v I] to do sport, swim etc in order to stay healthy and become stronger // you exercise two or three times a week, you'll soon feel a lot healthier.
get some exercise (=do exercise when you do not exercise class/'eks^saiz akla:s|-kiss/ [n C] a class where a group of people do exercises: There s an exercise class for beginners on Thursday everimgs.
good for you/gud fo:r ju:/ if a type of exercise is good for you, it makes you healthier and improves the condition of your body: Yoga is really good for you - it helps you to relax. good for your Heart/back etc Cycling is extremely good for your heart and lungs
gym/d3im/ In Cj a place that has machines for doing exercises: How often do you go to the gym? join a gym (=pay money to a gym so that you go there and use it whenever you want)
shape or fit, your body is strong and healthy because you exercise regularly: // you re a firefighter you hove to be in shape. I Sandy s very fit - he runs about 30 miles a weeJt. get into shape/get fit People come to exercise classes to get in shape and reduce stress. keep in shape/lceep fit {=stay strong and healthy) / keep fit by swimming and going to the gym.
lose weight/Ju:z 'weit to become thinner: Kay s lost a lot of weight recently.
muscle/'imsjl/ (n C,U| the parts of your body that
connect your bones together, and that you use when you move: I went to the gymt and my mus- cles were really aching the next day. armJUg/stomach muscle Use this exercise to build up your chest and arm muscles. build up a muscle (=make it bigger and stronger)
Or you could join a gym and build up your ^^ muscles. I go weight training three times a week.
treadmill
weights
row:ng machine
251
EXERCISE
trainers British runninq shoes amЈRican e bike *
pull a muscle (^damage a muscle while you are exercising) My leg hurts - I think I've pulled a muse /е.
press-upBRmsH push-upamerkan /'pres лр, ро/ лр (n C) an exercise that makes your arms and chest stronger: You lie on your stomach and use your arms to push your body up. do press-ups Do 16 press-ups, then have a rest.
running / глшо/ [n U] when you run as a sport or for exercise: She did a lot of running when she was at college.
90 running I went running yesterday - it nearly killed me.
sit -up /'sit лр [n C] an exercise that makes your stomach muscles stronger: You lie on your back and use your stomach muscles to lift your head
and shoulders off the floor do sit-ups Do sit-ups every day for a flat stomach1.
sports centre /'spa:rts senior/ British [n Cj a building where you can do lots of diffeient types of
exercise continues on the next page sport, such as squash and basketball, as well as exercise classes and weight training
strenuous /'strenjuas/ [adj] a strenuous activity needs a tot of effort and energy: We went for a strenuous hike through the hills. I The doctor advised him to avoid strenuous exercise for a while.
stretctystretf/ [v I/T] to make a slow movement that straightens a part of your body so that it is at its full length: This is a good exercise for stretching your bacfc.
supple /'$лрэ1/ (ad/) someone who is supple can bend and move their body easily: Children are usually more supple than adults.
tone up /дэоп 'лр/ [phrasa/ verb I/T] to make your body or part of your body firmer: /'d /ike to tone up my hipst thighs, and stomach.
EXERCISE
EXERCISE
I do exercises every night before I go to bed. I usually do 50 press-ups .
Л
But you don't have to work out every day - two or three times a week is enough.
warm up^wy/m лр/ [phrasal verb I] to move and stretch your body gently, so that your body is prepared for тенге active physical exercise
warm-up /,wa:rni лр/ (n C\ the part at the beginning of an exercise class when you warm up do a warm up Well do a ten minute warm-up and then 20 minutes of aerobics.
weight training /'weit .treimng/ [n U] a type of exercise where you lift specially shaped metal weights in order to strengthen your muscles do weight training More and more women are doing weight training these days.
work out/ wxlc 'aoi/ \v 1| to exercise in a gym or in a class using all of the important muscles in your body, especially when you do this regularly: Conrad works out with weights twice a week.
252
yoga/'jaogs/ [n U| a type of exercise in which you slowly move your body into different positions to improve its condition and to relax your mind do yoga Shes started doing yoga, and she says she feels a lot calmer go to yoga (=go to a class and do yoga)
Don't say it is existing', 'they are ; existing' etc. Say it exists/they exist etc. ^
there IS /tor iz if you say there is something, you mean that it exists- Is there life on other planets? I There's no evidence to prove that Gray is the murderer.
exist continued from page 249
be found hi: Taond/ formal to exist in a particular place, or inside a particular thing: Vitamin С is found in green vegetables and fresh fruit. I Otters are still found in some parts of Britain.
Many of the old village traditions are dying out. I Unless we do something now, hundreds of plant and animal species will die out.
disappear -diss'piaV [и I] if something disappears, it stops existing and can no longer be seen or felt: Thousands of miles of rainforest are disappearing every year. I When I got my first job I felt as if all my worries had disappeared.
Z_lA Don't say 'is disappeared' or 'was disappeared'. Say has disappeared.
EXPECT
Be found is used especially in technical and scientific writing.
existence ig'zisuns/ [n U] when something exists
tHe existence of sth For the first time she began to doubt the existence of God. be in existence (=exist at the moment) The club has been in existence since
1990.
to not exist
non-existent /,non igzisL?nH||,nc:rb/ [adj] something that is non-existent does not exist: In rural parts of Japan, crime is virtually non-existent.
Qthere's no such thing cWz
saiJ Bjr], spoken use there's no such thing to tell someone that you are sure something does not exist: I don't believe in witchcraft - there's no such thing. + as I've come to the conclusion that there's no such thing as perfect happi ness.
when something that used to exist no longer exists
extinct /ik'stfijkt/ [adj] if a type of animal is extinct, none of them are alive any more: The white rhino is now almost extinct.
become extinct Why did the dinosaurs become extinct?
die out ,dai 'aot/ (phrasal verb I] if something such as a type of plant or animal dies out, there are fewer and fewer of them until finally there are none left:
see also hope surprising/surprised
to expect something
expect ik'spekt [u T] if you expect something to happen, you think it probably will happen: I'm expecting afax from Korea Has anything arrived yet? I Driuers should expect long delays on all roads out of town today.
expect to do sth / expected to find him in the bar. but he wasn't there, expect sb/sth to do sth No-one really expected the President to resign. I Economists expect the economy ю grow by 5% next year.
+ (that) We all expected she'd get the job - it was a real shock when she didn't.
г—
Don't confuse expect and wait for: She stood outside the hotel, waiting for a taxi. (^waiting until a taxi came past) I I'm expecting a taxi (=1 ordered one a while ago)
think Oirjk (u Tj to believe that something is likely to happen
+ (that) Do you think that she'll win an Oscar for the movie? I I never thought her business would do so well. think sth is likely The builders said the job would be finished tomorrow, but I don't think that's likely.
be due bi: 'djuilj-'du: if something is due at a particular time, you expect it to happen or arrive at that time: When's your baby due?
be due in an hour/in three months/at 5 o'clock etc The flight from New York is
due at 10.30. I You'd better clean up this mess -Clarrie's due back in half an hour.
Q what you say when you expect something to happen
QI expect ai ikspekt spoken say this when you think something will probably happen; Don't worry ~ they'll be here soon, / expect.
+ (that) I expect the tickets will be sold out by now.
I expect so British (=used to say "yes when someone asks you if you think something is going to happen) "Do you think hell lend us the money?" "/ expect so."
QI bet 'bet spokfn informal say this when you are almost certain something will happen, because of what you know about a person or situation + (that) I bet you'll miss your boyfriend when he goes to university. I She promised to arrive early. but I bet she doesn't.
Ql wouldn't be surprised at wodnt bi: si>r'prajzd/ spoken say this when you think that something may happen, even though other people may think it is unlikely: "Do you think they'll get married?" "I wouldn't be surprised.'' + if You know, I wouldn't be surprised if IVarren ends up running the whole company.
В expecting something good to happen
optimistic opt^mistik^ll.oip / [adjl someone who is optimistic expects good things to happen: In spite of all her problems she manages to remain optimistic. I an optimistic economic forecast + about I'm pretty optimistic about our chances of winning here today. + that Are you still optimistic that the climbers can be rescued?
EXPECT
optimist /'Dpc^m^stl'aip-/ [n Cj someone who always expects good things to happen. Optimists still believe we can resolve the problem without going to war.
EJ expecting something bad to happen
pessimistic i.pes^'mistik* (adj] someone who is pessimistic always expects bad things to happen. Don't be too pessimistic - we may still win the game. + about He's quite pessimistic about his chances of getting another job.
pessimist pes^st [п C] someone who always expects bad things to happen: Don't be such a pessimist - Гт sure you'll pass your driving test!
CJ when things happen in the way that you expected
as expected ikspekt^d if something
happens as expected, it happens in the way that you expected it to happen. As expected, the Democrats won the major ity of seats in Congress. 1 The parcel arrived the next day. as expected.
it is no surprise It iz ПРО sorpraiz if
something that happens is no surprise, it is exactly what you expected, so you are not surprised by it
+■ that It's no surprise that Jeff and his
wife are getting divorced.
it is no surprise to hear/discover!find
etc It was no surprise to hear that Joel had messed the whole thing up again.
predictable /рп diktobr?l [adj] happening exactly as you expect - use this especially about someone's behaviour, when you think they are boring or stupid because they always do exactly what you expect: My dad's so predictable - every evening he comes home, has exactly two beers, and falls asleep in front of the TV. I a predictable speech about loyalty to one's country predictably [sentence adverbj as you would expect: Predictably, all the political parties are claiming the credit for rising living standards.
Ц when something happens that you did not expect
254
unexpected />шк spekUd*/ [adj] something that is unexpected surprises you because you did not expect it. There have
been unexpected delays on the freeway because of an accident, completely/totally unexpected Bobby's decision to leave the band was totally unexpected, unexpectedly \adv) He arrived unexpectedly at the camp one morning, along with an ancient looking dog.
Out of the blue aut av (Ъ blui; informal if something happens out of the blue, you did not expect it, and you are very surprised or shocked by it: One evening, Angela phoned me out of the blue and said she was in some kind of trouble.
EXPENSIVE
opposite cheap
FREE MONEY
4 t л
V alS° ^
RICH
buy^ ^ shop
SPEND
expensive
expeasive ik'spensiv (adji something that is expensive costs a lot of money, more than other things of the same type: She spends most of her money on expensive clothes. I Things tend to be much more expensive in the cities. expensive to make/run/buy etc Cadi/ lacs are beautiful cars, but they're very expensive to run.
^ Don't say 'prices, costs, taxes etc are expensive'. Say prices, costs etc are high.
cost a lot /.кr>Nt з Impxst о '1(1.4/ INFORMAL if something costs a lot, it is expensive: They hod a big party at the Waldorf, and that must have cost a lot. it costs a lot to do stK It costs a lot to get there by plane, but it's worth it.
high. /hai. [adj] if the price or cost of something is high, it costs a lot high prices/costs/fees/rents The cost of /iuing is higher in Denmark than in
Germany. I Rents in central London are very high.
Qcost a/ortune ,knsi э ,fbirij«?n||1k3ist-;
informal, especially spoken if something costs a fortune, it is very expensive cost sb a fortune We had to eat out
every night - it ended up costing us a fortune.
it costs a fortune to do sth It'll cost a fortune to get that old car of his repaired.
dear ciюr \adj not before noun] brjtjsh expensive - use this especially about things you buy in shops: The blue jacket is slightly dearer, but it's much better material.
В expensive and fashionable
expensive Ik spensiv [adj only before noun) an expensive hotel, restaurant, area etc is very fashionable and it is expensive to stay. eat. or live there: an expensive Chinese restaurant in town I The house is on West Boston Avenue. Detroit's most expensive residential area.
exclusive /ik'skluisiv [adj] an exclusive
area, school, shop, club etc is very expensive. and only a few very rich people have enough money to live there or use it . They live in Bel Air an exclusive suburb of Los Angeles. I He's been invited to join the exclusive Millionaire's Club.
luxurious Ug'zjo^rigs. bg^iwrbsflbg-
3o«?ri3s.- [adj] a luxurious building or room is large, very comfortable, and has expensive decorations and furniture: a room in a luxurious New York hotel I a small but luxurious bathroom
Oposh poJUpaiJ/ [adj] spoken. especially British a posh restaurant, house, car etc is expensive and looks as if it is used or owned by rich people: When I'm famous I'm going to stay in a posh hotel and drink champagne all day. I She goes to a posh girls' school near Brighton.
fancy /'fensi [adj] informal. especially
american a fancy house, car, hotel, restaurant etc is expensive and fashionable: eating in fancy restaurants
fancy - fancier - fanciest
too expensive
can't afford /kaint э'Ь:гс1||.к;еМ- if you
can't afford something, you do not have enough money to pay for it: / really need a new coat, but I can't afford one can't afford to do sth We couldn 't afford to go on vacation last year can't afford it Hiring a lawyer would be expensive, end she just couldn't afford it.
exorbitant [adj] lohmai
exorbitant prices, charges, rents etc are very much higher than they should be and you think they are unfair: The rents in this part of town are exorbitant. I They charge exorbitant prices for very ordinary food.
Qa rip-off о 'rip ntv SPOKf-.N INFORMAL you say something is a rip-off when you think someone is unfairly charging too much money for it: $80 for a pair of jeans? What a rip-off!
a complete/total rip-off Don 't go to that new restaurant ~ it's a complete rip-off.
EJ worth a lot of money
valuable 'v^lju^M. -ЩМ/ lady] use this about things that are expensive to replace sucn as jewellery or cameras, or things thai are old and rare such as paintings, furniture, and books. The museum has a valuable collection of old books and manuscripts. I a valuable porcelain vase
be worth, a lot 'bi: ,w3irB э lnt||-1a;t/ if something is worth a lot, you can get a Jot of money if you sell it: You should look after those old dolls - one day they could be worth a lot.
be worth a/ortune /bi: w3ir0fb: tpn informal if something is worth a fortune, it is worth a very large amount of money: He was very poor when he died, but now his paintings are worth a fortune.
precious pre/os [ad; only before noun] precious metal/stone a metai such as gold or a jewel such as a diamond that is very valuable
EXPENSIVE
priceless praisbs [adj] worth so much money that it is impossible to calculate the price - use this about objects that are old and rare such as paintings, furniture, or jewellery: The house was full of price/ess antiques. I a priceless oil painting
EXPERIENCE
look here for ...
something that happens to you
when you know a lot about
something
U something that happens to you
experience ik spi^rions [n C) something that happens to you or something that you do. especially something unusual or important that you remember and learn frcm: Hannah later wrote a book about her experiences as о шаг reporter + of Tonight on Channel 1, young people will be discussing their experiences of racism.
Have an experience During her trip she had several frightening experiences. good/bad experience Living alone has been a good experience for her
adventure vent., o' [n C/Ul a situation in which exciting and dangerous things happen to you: My grandfather used to tell us about his adventures as a sea captGin during the war 1 As a young man he went off to Africa, looking for adventure.
u something bad that happens to you
bad experience ted ik sp^ians/ (n C|
something that happens to you that is unpleasant, frightening, or dangerous: Don t let one bad experience put you off travelling altogether. I She described childbirth as the worst experience of her life.
nightmare ,"naftmeor [n С usually singular] a very unpleasant or very frightening experience: Starting school can be a real nightmare for some children. I She describes the war years as 'one long nightmare'.
256
ordeal ;o:r'di:l, :>:rdi:l [n C] a painful, frightening, or worrying experience, especially one that continues for a long time: The hostages have now been released, and are recovering from their ordeal in а military hospital
when something happens to you
happen to sb /'haepan tu: (sb)/ I phrasal verb T] if something happens to you, it affects you and you are involved in it, but you did not do anything to make it happen: The crash wasn't your fault. It could have happened to anyone. I
Meeting Penny was the best thing that ever happened to me.
experience ik'spi^riDns [v T] if you experience something, especially an emotion, a physical feeling, or an unpleasant situation, it happens to you: When you first tried a cigarette, you probably experienced a feeling of dizziness. I help for people who are experiencing unemployment problems I It was the first time she had ever experienced real poverty.
go through sth /'g3о 6ru: (sth)/ [phrasal
verb T] to live through a difficult or unhappy period: Clare's been through a lot lately, so we should all try to help her. Qgo through, hell spoken (=have a very unpleasant time) He's been going through hell in the two years since his daughter died.
when you know a lot about something because you have done it before
see also job, work, good s, в
experience /[k'spi^ans/ [n U) the knowledge and skill you get from doing something, especially a job, for a long time have experience She's very bright and ambitious but she doesn't have much experience.
experience of (doing) sth She has plenty of experience of dealing with difficult situations.
teaching/secretarial/political etc experience On/y people with five years' secretarial experience can apply for the job. previous experience (=experience you have gained 'already in a previous job)
Have you any previous experience of working in a restaurant9 gain experience (=get experience) Fran is gaining valuable experience working for her father's firm.
Remember that in this meaning experience js uncountable. Don't say things like 'I have an experience as a teacher' or '! have experiences as a teacher'
experienced /ik'spi^risnst/ [adj] someone who is experienced knows a lot about a job or activity because they have done it for a long time: Ms Carter is one of our most experienced teachers. experienced in (doing) sth This job would suit someone experienced in dealing with the public. highly experienced (=very experienced) Dr Blake is highly experienced in microsurgery.
when you have not done something before
inexperienced /.mik'spwriansH/ [adjl
someone who is inexperienced does not know much about a job or activity, either because they have not done it at all or because they have done it for only a short time: Inexperienced managers often have problems with their staff. I There are a lot of young, inexperienced players on the team.
LEARN
\ г
see also
i
TEACH
be new to sth /bi: njui tu: (sth)||-'nu:-/ if you are new to a job or activity, you do not have much experience of doing it because you have only just started it: As you are new to the job, we don't expect you to work as fast as the others.
EXPLAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
CLEAR/ NOT CLEAR
UNDERSTAND/NOT UNDERSTAND
to explain something
257
EXPLAIN
explain /ik'splein/ [v \/T] to give someone the information they need to understand something: It's very simple really - I'll
Don't say 'explain me how/what etc'. . Say explain how what etc: Can you explain what I need to do?
Qtell /tel/ [ v t] especially spoken to explain to someone how something works or how to do something
A
tell sb how/what etc Can you tell me how to log on to the computer? I The leaflet tells you what to do if you get malaria
Don't say 'tell to someone'. Say tell
someone
Don't say 'please teach me' when you are asking someone to explain something to you. Say please tell me •
telling - told - have told
show /J*)/ [и T] to explain to someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you
show sb how to do sth Can you show me how to use your camera? show sb what to do One of the other members of the class showed her what to do.
show sb sth The programme showed you the best way to cook asparagus. show sb "How do you change the speed of the drill?" "Let me show you."
demonstrate /'demanstreit/ [и 1Я] to
Don't say 'explain me the rules' or 'I explained her the rules' etc. Say explain
the rules to me-
show someone how to do something by doing it while they watch you, especially when it is your job to show people how to do things: The ski instructor began by demonstrating the correct way to turn. + how A trainer came in to demonstrate how the new computer system worked
go throuqh sth /goo 6ru: (sth)/
[phrasal verb T] to explain all the details about something in the right order, to help someone understand it: I'll go through the instructions once more in case you missed anything.
what you say when you are going to explain something
Qyou see /ju: si:/ spoken say this when
you are explaining something to some one, and you want to check that they are listening and that they understand you: This fits on here, you see, where the arrow is. I Simon s car broke down, you see, and neither of us knew how to fix it.
in other words /in ,лбэг W3:rdzj use this when you are saying something in a different way in order to explain it more clearly: What we need is a more sustainable transport system, in other words, more buses and trains, and fewer cars.
that is /баеt iz/ especially written use this when you are explaining the meaning of the previous word or phrase by giving more information about it: The fare is reduced for children, that is, anyone under 16 years old. f Make sure you practise all four language skills, that is, reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Qwhat I mean is /wDtai mi:n iz/spoken say this when you are explaining something that you have just said: When I say Joe
likes to win, what I mean is, I don't think he'll play for our team if we keep losing.
Qlet me explain /let mi: iksplem spoken say this when you want to explain something to someone because you think they have not understood it: I can see you're getting confused. Let me explain.
the words you write or say to explain something
EXPLAIN 258
try to explain. I We listened carefully while Pam explained the process. explain sth to sb Could you explain the rules of the game to me, please? I I'll explain it to you later. + how/what/which etc Can anyone really explain how the universe started? I The leaflet explains what drugs do to your body.
explanation „ekspla'neipn/ [n C] something that you say or write in order to make something clearer or to explain why something happened: Each diagram is followed by a simple explanation, give (sb) an explanation Can you give us a quick explanation of how it
works? I He left suddenly, without giving any explanation. + for Did they give any explanation for their decision?
instructions /in'strAkJ<?nz/ [n plural] written or spoken information that explains exactly how to do something: The cooking instructions are on the back of the box. I Make sure you read the instructions carefully first.
give (sb) instructions They gave us detailed instructions explaining how to get to their house.
foilow instructions (=do what they tell you) If you had followed my instructions, none of this would have happened.
to explain why something happened
say wky/tell sb why /,sei wai, tel (sb) 'wai/ to tell someone the reasons why something happened: Did he say why he needed the money? I My aunt never told us why she got divorced.
explain /ik'splein, к \/T] to tell someone the reasons why something happened, so that they can understand the situation completely: Don t get angry - I can explain everything.
+ why Can you explain why you're so late?
set off 'set Dff-xfl Iphrasal verb T] to make a bomb explode, either deliberately or accidentally
set off sth Any slight movement could have set off the device and blown us all up.
set stK off It was a car bomb - they must
have used radio signals to set it off.
A
detonate /'detaneit/ Ju T} to make a bomb explode, especially by using special equipment: Army experts detonated the bomb safely in a nearby field. I The 200 kg bomb was detonated by terrorists using a remote-control device.
a Detonate is a more technical word tbanset off .
В a building/plane etc explodes
blow up ,Ыэо Чр/ [и I] if a building, car, plane etc blows up, it bursts suddenly and violently into pieces, causing a lot of damage: The plane blew up in mid-air, killing all the passengers and crew.
259
EXPLODE
explode -ik'splaud/ [и 1] if a container of chemicals, oil, or gas explodes, it bursts suddenly and violently into pieces: The car crashed and its fuel tank exploded a few seconds later.
EXPLODE
DESTROY
\ /
see also
i
HURT/INJURE
a bomb explodes
explode/go ojff /ik'splaod, ,gau 'ofll-'xf,
[и I] if a bomb explodes or goes off it
WEAPON
WAR
KILL
bursts suddenly and violently with a loud noise, causing a lot of damage: A bomb exploded in a crowded Metro station this morning, killing five people. I The bomb went off as people were still leaving the building.
to destroy something using a bomb
blow up StK /,Ыэо лр (sth)/ [phrasal verb T) to destroy a building, car, plane etc using a bomb: Terrorists blew up a government building in the city centre. 1 Two of the ships were blown up while they were still in the harbour.
an explosion
explosion /ik'splauyn/ [n C] the loud
noise and violent force that is produced when something explodes: The noise of the explosion could be heard all over the city.
blast /bla:st||blaest/ [n C] an explosion -
used especially in news reports: Twelve people were injured in a bomb blast in the city centre, i Every window in the building had been shattered by the force of the blast.
FAIL
when you do not succeed
opposite SUCCEED
/ail feil/ [у I] when you try to do something or achieve something, but you do not succeed: We tried to make her change her mind, but we failed.
fail to do stk So far; scientists have failed to find a cure for the disease.
not succeed /nDt sok'snd to fail to do
was
something, or not be completely successful: Simon had tried several times to get a job in TV, but he never succeeded. not succeed in doing stK I didn't really succeed in convincing her that I telling the truth.
when a plan or attempt
does not succeed
opposite SUCCEED
/ail /feil/ [v I] if a plan or attempt fails, it does not achieve what you want it to achieve: Try changing the spark plugs, but if that fails take the car to a mechanic. I They said the latest space mission was bound to fail.
fail to do sth The investigation failed to establish the cause of the accident.
failure [n U] lack of success: an attempt
to climb the Alps that ended in failure + of the failure of the peace negotiations
unsuccessful /iAnssk'sesfeU [adj] an
unsuccessful attempt to do something does not have the result that you wanted: The army made an unsuccessful attempt to end the rebellion. I I regret to inform you that your application was unsuccessful.
FAIL
be a /ailure ^ э feilj^V to be unsuccessful - use this especially about something that fails even though it was very carefully planned: The government's expensive election campaign had been a failure. be a complete/total failure There was a 5 year plan to modernize the economy, but it was a complete failure.
go wrong /g^u 'год |-'nxi]' if something
that you are trying to do goes wrong, it fails after it has started well: The experiment went wrong when the chemicals combined to form a poisonous gas. go badly wrong Mail completely) a mi/i- tary campaign that went badly wrong
Don't say 'he failed in the exam'. Say
not work /not W3:rk/ if a method or attempt does not work, it fails because it is not suitable or not right for the situation you are in: Teaching methods that work with adults do not always work with children, i I tried to fix it with glue, but that didn't work.
when you fall an exam or test
opposite pass see also test, drive
/ail /fed ' [u I/TJ to not succeed in an examination or test: Jonathan failed his law exams at the end of the year. I If I fail my driving test again, I'm going to give up. I We expected her to pass easily, but she failed by 15 marks.
A
he failed the exam or just he failed
/luak /Пл1]к/ [и I/T] AMERICAN INFORMAL to
fail an examination or test: Tony flunked chemistry. I I flunked, and had to do the test again.
И when something seems certain to fail
pointless 'pointbs/ \adj\ something that is pointless, is unlikely to have a very useful or successful result, so it would be better not to do it or try it: The argument was completely pointless. I a pointless waste of money
it is pointless doing sth It's pointless trying to speak to the boss - she's a/ways too busy
Qthere's no point/what's the
point? /Qedrz ,пэи pomt, ,wots бэ 'psint/
260
spoken say this when you think that it is useless to do something because you will not achieve anything useful by doing it: "Why don't you try to explain things to him?" "There's no point, he never listens to anything I say"there's no point CirO doing sth. There's no point in going shopping now - the stores will all be shut in half an hour. what's the point of doing sth? What's the point of taking the exam if you know you 're going to fail?
Obe a waste of time bi: э ,weisi э\- 'taim especially spokfn something that is a waste of time is unlikely to achieve any useful result, so you would be wasting your time if you tried tc do it
a complete waste of time These meetings are a complete waste of time. Nothing ever gets decided. it is a waste of time doing sth It 's a
waste of time going to the doctor - he'll just tell you to get plenty of rest.
when a company, shop, or business fails
^ opposite SUCCEED 4
see also business, company, shop
С Lose down /,khoz daon / [phrasa/ verb I] if a shop, factory, or business closes down, it stops making or selling things because it is no longer making a profit: If the factory closes down, 600 people will lose their jobs. I Л lot of small shops had to close down during the recession.
go out of business /gau ,aut 3V bizn^s if a company goes out of business, it
stops existing because it is no longer making a profit: Many small farms are going out of business.
go bankrupt /.gao Ьаетзкглрг/ if a person or company goes bankrupt, they cannot pay their debts, so they have to sell all their property and goods: The family grocery business went ban/erupt /asi year.
FAIR/UNFAIR
see also cruel
fair
fair Теэг/ [ad;] treating everyone equally,
or treating people in a way that most people think is right: The old system of student funding seemed much fairer. I a
fair way of dividing up the profits 1 a fair rent
it is fair that Do you think it's fair that she gets paid more money than me7 Qit's only fair spoken (=say this when you think that something would make a situation more fair) Her husband should help take care of the baby - it's only fair, be fair to sb (=treat them in a fair way) In order to be fair to everyone, ticket sales are limited to two for each person. <ZXto be fair spokf.n (=say this when you are giving a reason why someone should not be criticized too strongly) He really should have called you - though to be fair he's been very busy, fairly [adu] Her job is to make sure that the money is distributed fairly. /airness [n U] I wasn't sure about the fairness of the judge's decision.
reasonable ..-'riiz^nab*!.' ladj] behaving fairly and sensibly, for example by not asking someone to do too much or not criticizing them unfairly: I don't know why she reacted like that - it was a perfectly reasonable request.
it is reasonable to do sth Do you think it's reasonable to expect people to work more than 60 hours a week?
when all people have the same rights and are treated fairly
equal "iikwal/ [adj] people who are equal have the same rights as each other and are treated the same way as each other; if people get equal treatment, pay etc. they are all treated in the same way or get paid the same money: Democracy is based on the idea that all members of society are equal. I The women are demanding equal pay.
equal rights (=the idea that all types of people in society should have the same rights and should be treated fairly and equally) Black protestors campaigned for equal rights throughout the 1960s, equally [adu} People should be treated equally, regardless of their race or sex.
equality /i'kwoUti||ilkwo:-/ [n U] when all
261
FAIR/UNFAIR
people have the same rights and opportunities in society and are treated equally: Greater equality was one of the aims of the post war government. racial/sexual equality the movement towards sexual equality
El unfair
un/air/not /air /,ЛпТеэЧ not Теэг [adj] not treating everyone equally, or not treating people in a way that most people think is right: an unfair law I The present welfare system is very unfair.
Qit's not fair spoken Why do I always have to do the laundry? It's not fair! it is un/air that/it is not /air tHat It
seems very unfair that she was blamed for the accident.
it is un/air to do sth/it is not fair to do
sth it's not fair to keep pets locked up in the house ail day.
+ to tax laws that are very unfair to young people without jobs
unreasonable /лп'палюМ/1 adj] behaving in a way that is not fair or sensible, especially by asking someone to do too much or criticizing them unfairly: My parents say I should stay in and do homework every night - I think they're being very unreasonable. I an unreasonable demand it is unreasonable to do sth It's unreasonable to expect people to pay for something they haven't even seen yet.
biased, /'baisst/ [adj] treating one group in a way that shows you like them more or less than another group - use this for example about newspapers or reports, judges, or other people who you think should treat everyone fairly and equally: accusat/ons of biased reporting + against The opposition с/aim that the newspapers are biased against them. biased in/avour o/sb (=unfairly treating someone better just because you like them better) Do you think the law courts are biased in favour of white people?
favouritism, brush favoritism
FAIR/UNFAIR
american /feivjr^tiz^m/ [n U] when a teacher, parent, or manager treats one person in a much better way than the others because they like that person, not because that person deserves it; If I give Paul the job, Til be accused of favoritism.
ш when people are treated unfairly because of their race, sex, age etc
discrimination /di.skrim^neipn/ [n U]
when people are treated unfairly because of their race, sex, age etc + against discrimination against women by male bosses
racial discrimination (^because of someone's race) tough new laws against racial discrimination
sex discrimination (=because of someone's sex)
A Don't say 'discriminations'. Discrimination is uncountable.
discriminate against sb /di'skrim- ^neit э,genst (sb) [phrasal verb T] to treat someone unfairly because of their race, sex, age etc - use this especially about companies, the police, judges etc-. Shaun says he has definitely been discriminated against because he's black. I Why do so many companies think that it's OK to discriminate against older people?
prejudice pretVy^ (n C/U] when people do not like or trust someone who is different, for example because they belong to a different race, country, or religion
+ against There's still a lot of prejudice against gay men.
racial prejudice {=because of someone's race) a training course to tackle the problem of racial prejudice in the police force
262
inequality /,mikwDlj>ti||-'kwa:-/ [n C/U) when people do not have the same rights or opportunites in their education, their jobs etc, because of their sex, race, or social class: The report looks at inequality in education. I There are still a lot of inequalities in society. social/sexual/racial inequality Social inequality tended to increase rather than lessen in the 1980s.
FALL
^ look here for...
•when someone or something falls •when you make someone fall •when you drop something ^ see also accident, hurt/injure,
stand 2
Uwhen someone falls accidentally
/all foil, [v Ij to accidentally fall onto the ground or towards the ground: She was taken to the hospital after falling and hitting her head on the side of the table. + off/out of/down "How did you break your arm?" '7 fell off my bike." ! The police say he fell out of the window, but I think he was pushed.
falling - fell - have fallen
/all over//all down b:i Э0\ЭГ, b:l
daun [phrasa/ verb I] to fall onto the ground from a standing position: Don't run so fast - you'll fall over. I He tried to stand up, but immediately fell down again.
trip/trip over/trip, trip 'эоуэг/ \v I] to accidentally hit something with your foot when you are walking or running, so that you fall or nearly fall: / didn't push him - he tripped. I She'd had quite a lot to drink and kept tripping over, trip over sth Pick up that box - someone might trip over it.
trip on sth Gwen followed behind, tripping on the loose stones
tripping - tripped - have tripped
Slip slip/ [l> II to accidentally slide on a wet or smooth surface, so that you fall or nearly fall: Be careful you don't slip - I've just washed the floor + on She slipped on the icy sidewalk and grabbed Will's arm to steady herself.
slipping - slipped - have slipped
stumble/ SUmb<?l/ [v II to nearly fall down
when you are walking or running, because you do not put your foot down carefully or because something is in the way: In her hurry, Eva stumbled and dropped the tray she was carrying. + on/over Mason headed towards the house, stumbling on the rough ground
lose your balance/|u:z >:r baebns/to fall or nearly fall, when you are doing something that needs balance, for example standing on a ladder or riding a bicycle: / tried to help Gina up, but I lost my balance and we both fell into the stream.
Elwhen an object, building, wall etc falls
/all / [и I] to fall from a higher place to a lower place
+ across/onto/oa top of A tree had fallen across the road and blocked it. + off/out o///rom The days were getting shorter and the leaves had started falling from the trees. I I can t find my passport - it must have fallen out of my pocket.
falling - fell - have fallen
/all overtoil 9ov3r/ [phrasa/ verb I] if а tall object falls over, it falls onto its side from an upright position: That bookcase looks as if it's about to fall over.
/all down/'daun/ [phrasal verb I) if a
building, wall, or fence falls down, part or all of it falls to the ground, because it is in bad condition or because it has been damaged: A boy was injured yesterday when part of a wall fell down near to where he was playing.
collapsek3 l<eps/ [v I] if a building, wall etc collapses, it suddenly falls down, especially because of a sudden pressure: Our tent collapsed in the middle of the night. I The building was badly damaged in the explosion, and rescue workers are worried that it may collapse.
Bto make someone fall
^ see also hit
knock sb over/knock sb down
/,пок (sb) эоузг, ,nok (sb) 'daun|j,na:k-/ [phrasal verb T] to push or hit someone hard, so that they fall to the ground: He tuas knocked down and kicked in the stomach by a gang of youths. I Careful where you're going! You nearly knocked me over!
trip (also trip Up British ) /trip, .trip 'лр/ [l> t) to make someone fall or almost fall by putting your foot or another object in their way: One of the athletes claimed she had been tripped.
to let something fall or
make something fall
drop /drop[|dra:p/ [u T] to stop holding something so that it falls, especially accidentally: Watch you don't drop that box - it's very heavy. I Her hands shake constantly and she keeps dropping things.
dropping - dropped - have dropped
knock over /гюк 'aovalnaik-/ Lphrase!
verb T] to hit something so that it falls onto its side from an upright position, especially when you do this accidentally
knock sth over Be careful or you'll knock the vase over.
knock over sth He bumped into the table and knocked over the candle.
spill 'spil, |uT| to accidentally allow liquid or powder to fall onto a surface spill sth down/all over/onto "How was the party?" "OK, but some idiot spilled wine all over my new dress."
CHEAT
\ я
see also
TRUE/NOT TRUE
TRICK/ DECEIVE
spilling - spilt - have spilt elitism spilling - spilled - have spilled amfmc.a\
FALSE
NATURAL
REAL
made to look real or
natural
artificial /.a^'fipl*/ [adj] something that is artificial is not real or natural, but is made to look real or to do the job of something real: It was hard to tell whether the flowers were real or artificial. I an electric fire with artificial logs artificial hip/leg/limb My grandfather has an artificial hip.
false ft:Is {adj only before noun] not real - use this about teeth, nails, eyelashes, beards etc that are made to look real or do the job of a real part: She was wearing a sixties-style wig and false eyelashes. I Nearly a third of adults in the UK have false teeth. I a false beard
imitation imJ/teipn*/ [adj usually before noun] use this about materials that look like something valuable, but are actually made of something less expensive imitation leather/gold/diamonds/fur an armchair made of imitation leather I She wore a woollen coat with an imita tion fur collar.
made to look real for dishonest purposes
Jalse f^is, [adj only before noun] not real, but intended to seem real in order to trick someone or cheat them The man had given a false name and address. I Her suitcase had a false botiom, containing 2 kilos of heroin.
Jake feik [adj only before noun] use this about objects or documents that are not real, but are intended to look like something more important or valuable: They were selling fake Rolex watches on the market stall. I a fake driver's license fake [n C] a copy of a valuable object or painting that is intended to make people think it is real: Is the vase a genuine antique or a fake?
forged jfyj^dj [adj] a forged official document or bank note has been illegally made to look like a real one: He came into the country using a forged visa. I с forged £50 note
forgery /fD:rd33ri/ [n C] a copy of a document, painting, or bank note that is made to look real for dishonest purposes: The painting, believed to be by Renoir, turned out to be a very clever forgery.
plural forgeries
feelings or opinions that are not real
FALL 264
trip sb up One топ tripped me up and the other one grabbed my handbag.
tripping - tripped - have tripped
Jalse /foils/ [adj] emotions or feelings that are false are not real, and you are only pretending to feel them: "Merry Christmas," she said with false cheerfulness. I The politician greeted them with a false smile.
insincere ^msm'sia^/ [adj] pretending to
like someone or to care about them when you do not really care: "It's so good to see you again," she said, with an insincere smile. I an insincere compliment I He always praised everyone, so it was difficult
to tell if he was being insincere or not.
hypocritical /hip^'kntiU^ [adj] pretending to be morally good or to have beliefs that you do not really have: I thin/c it's a little hypocritical to get married in a church when you don't believe in God. 1 Politicians are so hypocritical - they preach about 'family values' while they all seem to be having affairs, hypocrite hipoknt/ [n CI someone who pretends to be morally good or to have beliefs that they do not really have: My dad is such a hypocrite - he tells me off for smoking but he smokes 20 a day.
FAMILY
a group of people who are related to each other
/amily /'faenuli/ [n C] a group of people
who are related to each other, especially a mother, father, and their children all living together: He comes from a family of eight children. I A lot of the families living in this area are very poor. member of a /amily Only members of the family were allowed in to see her. the Armstrong/Mitchell/Joaes /amily (=the family with this name) l/arious members of the Kennedy family were at the funeral.
nuclear /amily (=a typical family consisting of a mother, a father, and their children)
extended /amily (^including cousins, grandparents etc as well as parents and
children)
one-parent /amily (=a family in which
there is only one parent) plirdl families
CHILD
MOTHER
\ Г
see also
i
RELATIONSHIP
BABY
FATHER
in British English, you can use family with a singular or plural verb: The family now lives/live in London. In American English, always use a singular verb: The family now lives in California.
family tree
grandfather
grandmother | grandfather grandmother
mother- in-law
father- in-law
mother I father
uncle
cousin
wife
1
aunt
MARK brother sister-in-law sister brother-in-law
son
daughter
nephew niece
266
FAMILY
Family usually means a group of close relatives who live together: The average family spends $120 a week on food. But it can also mean all the other people you are related to, such as your cousins and grandparents: it was a big wedding, and the whole family was there.
parents /'pe^rents/ [n plural] someone's mother and father: Do you get on well with your parents? I Parents are worried that their children may be taking drugs.
background /'bsekgraond/ |n C] the kind of family and social class that you grew up in: Most of his friends are from similar upper-class backgrounds. I The teachers try to know something about each child's background.
things that happen in a family or belong to a family
/amily /'ftenvli [adj only before noun] family home/business/holiday/argument etc something that belongs to a family or happens in a family: Dino's family home is in Palm Springs. I I stopped going on family holidays when I was 15.1 a big family celebration
domestic /da'mestik/ [adj only before noun] domestic violence/trouble/ argument etc fighting, arguments, or problems between members of the same family: Victims of domestic violence are often too frightened to tell the police. I I'm worried about Jim - I think he has some sort of domestic trouble.
someone that belongs to your family
relative/relation 'rebtiv, ri leipn/[n C] someone who is a member of your family although they do not live with you: Over 100 friends and relatives came to the funeral.
close relative/relation (=someone who is closely related to you)
distant relative/relation (-someone who
is not closely related to you) We have some distant relations in Australia who we've never met.
be a relative/relation of sb She's a relative of the Queen, you know.
Use relatives and relations to talk about members of your family who do not live with you in the same house. The people you live with (your parents, sisters
etc) are your family, not your relatives or relations.
to belong to the same family as someone
be related /bi: rrleitid/ if two people are related, they are both members of the same family - use this about cousins, grandparents etc, but not about your parents or your brothers and sisters: "I didn't know you and Ted were related." "Yes, Ted's wife is my sister." + to John told me he was related to Mel Gibson - is it true?
be descended from sb /bi: drsend^d from (sb)/ to be related to someone who lived a long time ago, especially someone famous or important: She is descended from the Duke of Marlborough.
people who are related to you because of marriage
mother-in-law/son-in-law etc [n C]
someone who is related to you because someone in your family is married to them; for example, your mother-in-law is the mother of your wife or husband, and your sister-in-law is the sister of your wife or husband
plural mothers-in-law, sons-in-law etc
stepmother/stepson etc [n C] step- mother/stepfather/stepslster/step- brother/stepson/stepdaughter so me -
one who becomes your mother, sister, son etc when you or a person that you are related to marries for a second time: My father married Jenny, who already has a daughter, so now I have a stepmother and stepsister.
hal/-brother/hal/-sister /ha:f Ьглбэг, ha:f sist3r|'haef-/ [n C] if one of your parents marries a second time and has a
child, that child is your half-brother or
half-sister
by marriage ,<bai maerids/ if you are related to someone by marriage, they are married to someone in your family or you are married to someone in their family:
John's my cousin by marriage. (=he is the cousin of my wife or husband)
in-laws "m h:z, \n pluralj informal the parents of your husband or wife: IVe lived with my in-laws until we had enough money to buy a house of our own.
В people who were in the same family as you a long time ago
ancestor i'xnsss-ses-|-ses-/ \n С] a
member of your family who lived a long time ago, especially hundreds of years ago: My ancestors originally came from Ireland. 1 Tom's interested in finding out more about his ancestors.
family 'faenuli/ [n C] people that you are related to who lived many years ago: Her family came to America from Scotland in about 1750.
plural families
descendant /di'sendant/ [n C) someone who is a relative of a person who lived and died a long time ago, especially a famous or important person + of a descendant of King Charles I
FAMOUS
ACTOR/ - FILMS/MOVIES
ACTRESS yf
see
TELEVISION AND RADIO
also
IMPORTANT/ NOT IMPORTANT 5
rich and famous) a nightclub that is popular with the rich and famous
well-lcnown/well known /,wel пэип<«/ \adj] fairly famous, especially in a particular place or among a particular group of people: She wor/cs in local radio, and is quite well known in the Houston area. 1 a well-known engineering company best-lcnown one of the best-known names in the music business + for Hawking is well known for his work on the theory of black holes.
well-known - better-known - best- known
legendary ,'ledvnd^ri||-deri/ [adjl someone or something that is legendary is famous for being very special or interesting. and people like to talk or read about them: The studio tuas owned by Sam Goldwyn, the legendary Hollywood pro- ducer. I the legendary wealth of John D Rockefeller I The album was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios.
notorious nao'Dirias/ [adjl well known
because of something bad: Оле of the country's most notorious crimina/s has escaped from prison. notoriously [adu} a notorious/y inefficient company + for a part of the city that is notorious for violence and prostitution
fame /feim/ [n U) the success and attention people get when they are famous: She came to Hollywood in search of fame. achieve fame I win fame (as) Streisand first won fame as a singer before becoming an actress.
at the height of your fame The Beatles were at the height of their fame in 1965.
В
famous
to become famous
/amous /feimss. [ac/j] famous people, places, books etc are known about and talked about by many people in many places: famous stars, like Keanu Reeves and Demi Moore I Sydney's famous Opera House I 'David Copperfield' is one of Dickens' most famous books. + for Manchester is famous for its nightlife and for its football teams. world-famous H'amous all over the world) Rio's world-famous carnival
the rich and /amous (=people who are
become famous /Ыклт feimas/ She
dreamed of becoming really famous. become /amous overnight (=very suddenly) With the success of their first record, they became famous overnight.
make your name j.meik jo:r neim/ to
become well known, especially as a result of hard work: C/inЈ Eastwood first made his name in the TV series 'Rawhide + as By the time he was 30, Evans had made his name as the editor of the 'Sunday Times'.
a famous person
Star /sta:r/ [n С] a very famous and successful film actor, entertainer, or sports player: Tilda's latest movie role could make her a big star.
movie/rock/tennis star etc Bruce Willis is one of my favourite movie stars. I She was once married to a well-known football star.
celebrity /sj'iebr^ti,' [n Cj someone who is well known, for example as an entertainer or sports player, and who is often seen on television or is written about in newspapers: The event was attended by uar/ous golfing celebrities. TV/show business/media celebrity The club is popular with media celebrities and literary types. plural celebrities
superstar /'su:p3rsta:r, 'sju:-||'su:-/ [n C] an actor, musician, or sports player who is famous all over the world: This was the movie that made Brando an inter national superstar. I tennis superstar Monica Seles
not famous
unknown /,лп'пэоп<«/ [adj] not at all
famous: Gorbachev was virtually unknown in the West when he first came to power. 1 As an unknown author, it isn't easy to get your work published.
a nobody /э 'naobsdi/ [n singular] informal someone who is very ordinary and not at all famous or important: Six months ago she was a nobody, and now she's a superstar.
FAR
opposite NEAR
a long distance
FAMOUS
make a name for yourself She is beginning to make a name for herseif as a fashion designer.
far /fair/ [adv\ a long distance - use this especially in negatives and questions: Have you driven far? I Since I changed jobs, I have to travel farther to get to work. Let's see who can jump the farthest
268
far away (=a very long way from where you are) The ship was so far away that we could hardly see it. + /rom We were sitting too far from the stage to hear what the actors were saying. + above/below/behind They lay on the
hillside with the sec far below them.
A
far - farther - farthest or far - further - furthest
Don't say 'the school is far'. Say the school is a long way away or it's a long way to the school. Far is usually only used in questions and negative sentences.
You can use farther/further or farthest/ furthest in any kind of sentence, and you can use phrases such as far away, far enough or too far in any kind of sentence.
Zii Don't say 'he lives far' or 'he lives 10 miles far from here'. Say he lives far away/ a long way away or he lives 10 miles away.
a long way b (1di] 'wei|l-,biq-/ a long
distance: You must be tired, you've come a long way.
+ /rom The farm is a long way from the highway.
a long way away/a long way off (=a
long way from where you are now or from the place you are talking about) We could hear them shouting from a long way away. I From the map, it looked like the lake was still a long way off. + ahead/be low/ be hind etc A long way below me, a man was riding his horse
across the plain.
miles /mailz/ [n plural! informal a very long way: We walked miles yesterday. + away I don't see Jane much any more - she lives miles away. + from The hotel is miles from the station - I II come and get you. miles from anywhere (=a long way from the nearest town) They live up in the mountains, miles from anywhere.
nowhere near /,naowe3r шэг/ [preposition] a very long way from somewhere, further than you expect to be, or further than someone else says you are: West says he was nowhere near the cliff when his wife was killed. I After 8 hours' climbing, we were still nowhere near the top of the mountain.
El when something you can see or hear is far away
in the distance in (V> distons/ if you can see or hear something in the distance, it is a long way from where you are. so it looks small or does not sound loud: In the distance, he could see the tall chimneys of the factory. I There was the sound of church bells in the distance
distant 'distant [adj only before noun very far away, so that it looks small or sounds quiet: distant thunder I By now. the plane was just a distant speck in the sky.
Use distant when you are writing
stories or descriptions.
j
on tke Horizon on йэ haraiz^n at the
place far away where the land or sea seems to meet the sky: Another ship appeared on the horizon.
from a distance /fram э disuns' from
a place that is a long way away: From a distance, we could hear the faint sound of drums beating. I Until then I had only seen the castle from о distance.
far away from other places
distant/far-off , distant, 'fair of/ [adj only before noun] a distant or far-off town or country is far away from where you are: The travellers told us stories about distant lands. I Many years ago, in a far-off city, there lived a tuise old man.
Use distant and far-off when you are writing stories or descriptions.
remote /ri'maot/ [adjl remote places are
far away from other places or people, and very few people go there: They moved to a remote farmhouse in North Wales. I The helicopter crashed in a remote desert area.
in the middle of nowhere /in йэ
,midl sv nauwеэг/ informal in a lonely place a long way from towns or villages, where you do not expect to find any houses: Amazingly, we found a really nice motel in the middle of nowhere.
how far
how far hao fa:r/ use this to ask what the distance is between where you are and another place: "How far is it to Newark9" "It's about 200 miles." I God knows
how far it is to the next gas station.
from /fram; strong from (tram; strong 1глт. frcnn. [preposition] if one place is 10 kilometres/30 miles/20 minutes etc from another place, that is the distance between the two places, or the time it takes to get from one to the other: Seattle is about 100 miles from the Canadian border. I The junior high school is five minutes from our house. I She u>as standing just a couple of metres from the edge of the
cliff
away 3'wei [adu] if a place or person is 10 kilometres/30 miles/20 minutes etc away, they are that distance from where you are, or it takes that amount of time to travel there: The nearest viIlage was about 20 miles away. I Toronto's only about an hour and a half away by car.
distance distons [n C/U] how far it is from one place to another distance from sth to sth What is the distance from Freeport to Miami? the distance between sth and sth Measure the distance between the window and the door.
FASHIONABLE/ UNFASHIONABLE
see also clothes, music
fashionable
269 FASHIONABLE/UNFASHIONABLE
/ashionabie ;,faeJ>naM [adj] clothes or styles that are fashionable are popular at the present time, but will probably only be popular for a short time: The store sells fashionable clothes at prices you can afford. I a style of painting that was fashionable in the 1930s fashionable restaurant/school/resort etc (=a place that a lot of people want to go to, especially rich people, because it is fashionable) a fashionable skiing resort
trendy /trendi [adi) very fashionable and exciting - use this about things people do, places they go etc in order to show how modern and fashionable they are: a trendy street market in the centre of Paris I Parents and teachers are worried that some drugs are considered very
trendy among teenagers. trendy -trendier - trendiest
stylish 'stailij [adj] well designed, and attractive in a fashionable way: She was wearing a stylish black woollen dress. I stylish modern furniture
designer /di'zain3r/ [adj only before noun] designer jeans/watch/label/clothing
etc use this about clothes, watches etc that are made by a well-known and fashionable designer and are usually very expensive: She was wearing a designer dress.
fashionable people
/ashionable f;ef,?nr>b,?[ [adj] someone who is fashionable wears fashionable clothes, has fashionable things, and goes to fashionable places: the style of hat worn by fashionable women in Milan
A
trendy j'trendi, (adjj informal someone who is trendy likes to show how fashionable and modern they are by the way they behave, dress, and decorate their home: a trendy young photographer from Santa Monica 1 She only talks like that because she wants to sound trendy. trendy - trendier - trendiest
Trendy is sometimes used in а negative way about people and their ideas, when you want to say that they are too easily influenced by the most modern ideas and methods: The school's bad exam results are being blamed on trendy teaching methods.
sophisticated /ss'fistJJceiUd/ [adjl someone who is sophisticated knows a lot about fashionable things and feels confident about being with fashionable people: a sophisticated woman whose friends included many rich and famous people I a play that will appeal to a sophisticated audience
When you see Hi, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
a fashionable activity, product, style etc
/ashion fae/^i [n CI a style of clothes, hair, behaviour etc that is fashionable latest /ashion (=the newest styles of women's clothes) the latest Paris fashions /ashion in clothes/music etc changing fashions in popular music fashion for doing sth Who started this fashion for wearing old army clothes?
trend trend;' [n С] a way of doing something or a way of thinking that is becoming fashionable
+ in the latest trend in kitchen design set/start a trend for sth 'Rambo' set the
trend for a whole wave of violent action movies.
E3
craze//ad kreiz, fed, [л С] a fashion, activity, type of music etc that suddenly becomes very popular, but only remains popular for a short time: The break- dancing craze soon passed, as most fads do. i a craze for wearing underwear outside your clothes
the business of making and selling fashionable clothes
/ashion /'fej<?n; [n U] He's one of the best-known designers in the world of fashion.
A
Fashion is usually used before a noun, like an adjective: a top-selling fashion magazine f She works for a well-known fashion designer. I the fashion industry
not fashionable
OUt of /ashion /,aot av faej^n/no longer fashionable - use this especially about clothes and music: Shoulder pads are definitely out of fashion now, though lots of people wore them in the eighties. 90 out of /askion Rock'n'Roll began in the fifties and has never really gone out of fashion.
FASHIONABLE/UNFASHIONABLE 270
un/ashionable /лпТаерпэЫ]/ [adj] not fashionable - use this especially about people's ideas, beliefs, and way of life: formal language-teaching methods that were unfashionable in the 60s and 70s 1
She lived in on unfashionable part of West London.
FAST
opposite slow see also hurry, run
II moving fast
Fast and quickly both mean 'going at high speed', but you use quickly especially to talk about someone who is going only a short distance, especially because they are in a hurry.
fast ,'fa:st]|faest [adv] Don 't drive so fast -
there's ice on the road, i The new fighter aircraft flies almost twice as fast as the old one. I Pat walked faster and /aster as the footsteps behind her got closer. as fast as you can He ran home as fast as he could, fast [adj] able to go fast: the fastest runner in the world I Dean always loved fast cars and expensive clothes.
quickly /'kwikli/ [acM moving fast for a short distance: Richard ran quickly down the stairs. If you hear the alarm, leave the building quickly and calmly. I Tell the doctor to come quickly.
at high Speed st ,hai spird moving or working very fast - use this about cars, trains, machines etc: Two cars raced past him at high speed. I a metal disc revolving at high speed
high-speed [adj only before noun] You can travel by highspeed troin from
Paris to Brussels. I a hich-speed drill
at top speed /я ,tDp 'spi:d|'-ta:p- if someone is driving, running etc at top speed, they are moving as fast as they can. Carson drove to the hospital at top speed.
Ed doing things quickly or happening quickly
quickly /'kwikli/ [adv] doing things quickly or happening quickly, without taking much time.- She undressed quickly and got into bed. I It's important to realize how quickly this disease can spread. I You fry the onions quickly, then add the meat.
quick /kwik; [adj] a quick movement or action is one that you do quickly or one that only takes a short time: I'll just take a quick shower. I That was quick! Have you finished already? 1 I had to make a quick decision.
be quick (=use this when you are telling someone to hurry) You'll have to be quick - we don't have much time.
fast fa:st||fet, [acto] if you work, talk, or write fast, you do it quickly: Don't talk so fast - I can't understand what you're scying. ! We're working as fast as we
can.
rapid Tiep^cl [adj usually before noun) a
rapid change, increase, or improvement is one that happens much more quickly than usual: a rapid increase in the population 1 In China, it was a period of rcpid change. ( She made a rapid recovery after her operation. (=she got better very quickly) rapidly |adu] the rapidly changing world of computer technology
prompt /prompt||pra:mpt/ [adj] doing things quickly and without delay, especially when you have to deal with a problem
prompt action/reply/delivery A major disaster was prevented by the prompt action of the police. I We guarantee prompt delivery of the goods you have ordered.
promptly [adv] Sanders raised objec tions to the plan, and was promptly sacked.
El how fast
speed spiid, [n C/U] how fast something or someone moves: Police are advising drivers to reduce their speed because of thick fog.
at a speed of 70 mphMO kph etc a truck travelling at a speed of 50 mph at a constant/steady speed (=keeping the same speed all the time) The planet revolves at a constant speed.
rate /rat [п C] how fast things happen, change, or develop
rate of growth / increase / change /
271
FAST
development China's economy is experiencing a very high rate of growth.
to go somewhere fast
A
All these verbs must be used with a preposition (such as tof across, through, or into), or with an adverb (such as away, out, or there).
race [u j] \0 g0 somewhere as fast as you can, especially because you have to deal with a dangerous situation + across/back/ahead etc Hearing the children's screams, she raced back into the house. I A police car came racing down the road.
rush 1Гщ i] to go somewhere very quickly because you are in a hurry + out/around/into etc Everyone rushed out into the street to see what was happening. I People were rushing past me on their way to work.
das К /daej/ [и I] to run somewhere very fast, especially only a short distance + into/around/to etc Pam dashed into the store just as it was closing I dashing across the road to catch a bus
speed /spiid/ [и I] to move very fast - use this about cars, trains, or buses, or about people travelling in them
+ along/past/across etc Soon we were speeding across the desert. I An ambulance sped past on its way to the accident.
speeding - sped - have sped
to move or work faster
go faster ;g30 ■fa:st3T||>,fЈes-/
FAST 272
at a /aster / slower / different rate
Children learn to read at different rates. I The population is increasing at a faster rate than ever before.
pace i'pejS/ [n singular] how fas: someone walks or runs, or how fast they work or do things
at a brisk/steady/gentle etc pace (=going at a fast, regular, or slow speed) soldiers marching at a steady pace pace of work/life The whole pace of life seems a lot slower there.
move/work etc /aster Could you go a little faster7 We don't want to miss our plane. I You'll have to work a lot faster than this.
/aster and /aster (=more and more quickly) I could feel my heart beating faster and faster.
Speed up /iSpi:d лр/ [phrasal verb T] to make something happen more quickly,
especially a job or process speed up sth/speed sth up Certain herbs were thought to speed up the healing process. I I'll phone the manager and get them to speed things up.
accelerate ak scbreit' [v I] to go faster - use this about a car, bus etc. or about the person driving it: They were all thrown backwards as Josef suddenly accelerated. I The Ferrari Mondial can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
to move as fast as someone else
keep up with sb /kiip лр wifi (sb)/ [phrasa/ verb T] to move as fast as someone else who is walking, running, or driving in the same direction: Slow down, I can't keep up with you. I She walked so fast that Charlie had to run to keep up with her.
FASTEN/UNFASTEN
to join together the two sides of a piece of clothing, bag, belt etc, so
that it is closed
see also tie/untie, clothes
to fasten something
fasten
"Please fasten your seatbelts."
fasten / fais^H'fae- (u T] to join together the two sides of a piece of clothing, bag, belt etc, so that it is closed: Fasten your coat - it's cold outside. I We will shortly be landing in Athens. Please fasten your seatbelts. I I can't fasten my suitcase. There's too much in it.
fastened [adj not before noun. Is your safety belt fastened?
button/button up
zip up
, ЬлШ, Ьл№ лр [u T] to fasten the buttons on a piece of clothing: He
began buttoning his
shirt.
button up sth/button
sth up He buttoned up his jacket and straightened his tie. Button your coat up - it's raining.
zip up zip чр. [phrasal verb Tj to fasten clothes. bags etc with a zip
zip up sth / can't zip up these jeans they're too tightf zip sth up She took some money out of her purse and zipped it up again quickly.
О do up du; лр/ [phrasal verb T] lspticiai.lv spokln to fasten ciothes, or the buttons, zips etc on clothes do up sth Come on then, do up your coat and let's go.
do sth up I can't do this zip up - it's stuck. I Are your shoelaces done up properly?
tie tai [v T] to fasten something by making a knot
tie shoelaces (a scarf
etc Don't forget to tie
your shoelaces. I She tied a scarf around her head.
tying - tied - have She tied a scarf
button
a-ound her head
My fingers were so cold that I couldn't
undo the buttons. I Rosie undid the necklace and gave it back to him.
undoing - undid - have undone undone /an'dAn/ [adj not before noun] Your zip's undonel
come undone {^become unfastened) One of his shoelaces had come undone.
unbutton /лп'Ьлт \v T] to unfasten the buttons on a piece of clothing: She unbuttoned her uniform and changed into her normal clothes. unbuttoned [adj not before noun] His trousers were unbuttoned and his shirt was hanging out.
unzip An'zip [и T] tc unfasten clothes, bags etc by unfastening a zip: She unzipped the case and took out a thick
file.
unzipping - unzipped - have unzipped
untie /лп tai; [v T] to unfasten the knot that fastens shoes, a tie, a scarf etc.- Amy untied her apron and folded it neatly on the chair.
untying - untied - have untied
loosen luis^n [и T] to unfasten clothes a little, in order to make yourself more comfortable: I'd eaten so much that I had to loosen my belt. I Lay the patient on his side and loosen any tight clothing.
FAT
opposite thin
WC THICK
N 7*
273
FAT
see also
to unfasten something
un/asten Anfais^nl-'f®-/ \v T] to open the two sides of a piece of clothing, bag, belt etc: It was hot in the waiting-room, so I unfastened my coat. 1 Jack unfastened his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.
un/astened [adj not before noun] The back of her dress was unfastened.
undo /лп'ди:/ [и Tj to unfasten clothes, or unfasten the buttons, zips etc on clothes:
DESCRIBINC PEOPLE
D someone who is fat
/at /fact/ [adj] Do I look fat in this dress? I Clare's on a diet because she thinks she's too fat.
get fat I'm getting too fat for these jeans.
wide;
NARROW
fat - fatter - fattest
A We usually use fat only to talk about ourselves. It is rude to say that someone else is fat. It is more polite to say that they are large or overweight, or that they have put on weight.
. i
overweight /l30v3rweit4 [adj not before
noun] a little fatter than you should be: Many teenagers are overweight because they don 't get enough exercise. I He's not really fat - just a little overweight. 5 kilos/10 pounds etc overweight J was ten kilos overweight and smoked 40 cigarettes a day.
plump /р1лшр [adi] fat in a pleasant, attractive way: Her mother was a small, plump woman.
chubby /'tjAbi/ [adj] a chubby child is a
little fat in a pleasant, healthy-looking way: a nice chubby baby I Who's that chubby little girl with dark hair?
chubby - chubbier - chubbiest
large /la:rd3; [adj] use this as a polite way of saying that someone is fat: fashionable clothes for the larger woman I / was squashed between two rather large men for most of the journey. large - larger - largest
FAT
obese /'ao'biis/' [adj] much too fat. in a way that is dangerous to your health: 30% of the women on the island are obese, obesity [n U] the medical problem of being much too fat in a way that is dangerous to your health: Doctors have recommended the diet as a treatment for obesity.
attractive way: a little girl of about three, with blonde hair and chubby arms chubby - chubbier - chubbiest
thick /8ik/ [adj] fat - use this about people's necks, ankles, wrists, or arms that have a lot of muscles or a lot of flesh on
them: a big heavy men with a thick neck and a brood red face
to become fatter
get fatter get faet3r to become fatter: Steve has got a lot fatter since I last saw him.
put on weight ,put Dn weit/ to become fatter: John s put on a lot of weight recently, hasn't he?
It is more polite to say someone has
put on weight than to say they have got fatter.
put on 5 kilos/2 pounds etc (-become 5 kilos/2 pounds etc heavier than you were before) I put on several pounds over Christmas.
A
food that makes you fat
274
/attening Tannir]/ [adj] food that is fattening makes you fat: Try to avoid fattening foods. I Grilled fish tastes
BABY
better and is less fattening than fried fish.
FATHER
MOTHER
Obese is used especially in medical writing.
part of the body
fat /faet/ [adj] I hate going swimming - I don't like people seeing my fat legs.
fat - fatter - fattest
/lobby /'flaebi/ [adj] covered in soft loose fat that looks very unattractive: Her body was getting old and flabby. I John's flabby white thighs wobbled as he walked along the beach.
flabby - flabbier - flabbiest
A
chubby /'tjAbij [adj] chubby arms, cheeks, legs etc are slightly fat in a pleasant
\ /
see
also
i
MAN
father
/ather Tciicbr [n C] My father's a doctor. I Like most fathers, I felt anxious when my son got his first motorcycle. 1 Larry Blake, a father of three children, was shot dead outside his home last night.
FAMILY
CHILD
dad /daed/ (n C] a name you use to talk to your father or to talk about him or someone. else's father: Was your dad angrywhen you got home? I Can I borrow your can Dad? I My dad retired ten years ago.
daddy/'daedi' [n C) a name for your father - used especially by young children or when you are talking to young children:
Daddy, can I have a drink, please? I Go and ask Daddy if he'll play with you.
pop 'pDpllpaip [n singular] american a name you call your father: Pop and I went for a walk along the beach.
Ed like a father
paternal/p3'i3:rnl, [adj] paternal feelings are like the feelings that a good father has for his children: Although he had no children of his own, he took a kind of paternal interest in Katie's progress at school.
FAVOURITE/ FAVORITE
the one you like better than any
others
m see also like/not like, best
/avourite British Javorite american
feiv^r |adj only before nounj sb's favourite colour/food/teacher etc the
colour, food etc that someone likes better than any other colour, food etc: My favourite colour is purple. I Who is your favorite singer? I Were going to her
favourite restaurant for a meal.
Qlike best Jaik 'best; especially spoken to like something better than other things - use this especially when you are asking someone to choose or when you are choosing : Which of these dresses do you like best?
like sth best I think I like the red one best.
Javourite british /avorite american fe/v^r [л? С] something that you like more than other things of the same kind: I like all her books, but this one's my favourite. 1 Oh great! Chocolate icecream - my favourite!
teacher's pet /,ti;tJVz 'pet, In singular) informal someone who is their teacher's
favourite student, and who the other students do not like because of this: Janice is a real teacher's pet and always sits at the front of the class.
FEEL
see also touch
D to feel hot/tired/ hungry etc
/eel/be fi:(. bi: [u]
/eel/be tired!hot/hungry etc I was very tired and I just wanted to sleep. I If you feel hungry between meals, have a piece of fruit. I Stop the car - Ben feels sick!
I You 'II be cold if you don't wear a coot, fee I well/better "How do you feel?" "I feel much better now I've had some sleep.'
feeling - felt - have felt being - was - have been
experience ikspwrians (u T1 formal to have a feeling of pain, sickness etc. Most women experience some nausea when they are pregnant. ) He said that he had never experienced such pain before.
sensitive ,'sens.Viv [adj] a part of your body that is sensitive feels pain. cold, heat etc more than is usual sensitive to heat / light / coM etc Blue eyes tend to be more sensitive to light sensitive teeth / eyes / skin (^reacting strongly to cold, light, smoke etc) a special
toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Ea a physical feeling
feeling 'fnhiy \n C) a physical feeling of heat, cold, tiredness etc When he woke up there was a horrible tight feeling in his chest.
+ of One symptom of this illness is a general feeling of ill-health and tiredness.
cl how something feels when you touch it
fee I fi:I/ [u] if something feels hot, soft, wet etc, this is the feeling it gives you when you touch it
when you cannot feel anything in part of your body
numb n\m [adj] if part of your body is numb, it does not feel anything, for example because it is very cold or because your blood is not reaching it: My left hand was completely numb. go numb (=become numb) It was so cold my fingers had gone numb.
to feel happy/ frightened/bored etc
/eel/be /fi:l, bi: M
be happy//rightened/bored etc A great many people are nervous about speaking to a large audience.
feel happy/frightened/bored etc I couldn't help feeling a little sad when he left. I Vou shou/dn't feel guilty - it wasn't your fault.
feeling - felt - have felt
being - was - have been
mood /mu:d/ [n C] the way someone feels at a particular time, for example sad. happy, or angry: She's a strange girl - her moods change very quickly. be in a good/bad mood (=be happy, angry etc at the present time) Bill's in a good mood tonight, isn t he? put sb in a good/bad etc mood (=make someone feel happy, angry etc) I was stuck in the traffic for hours, which put me in a bad mood all morning.
State of mind /,steit ov 'maind; [n singular] the way someone feels and thinks at a particular time, especially when they are upset or confused and this affects the way they behave: Try to imagine this woman's state of mind at the time she committed the crime.
В a feeling of happiness, anger, fear etc
/eeling /*fl:l 113/ (n C] something that you feel, for example happiness, anger, or
fear: It was a wonderful feeling to be home again. I Many men find it hard to express their feelings, a feeling of horror/sadness/rage etc
With a feeling of relief, I heard him coming home at last. I feelings of helplessness and terror
emotion Гтэорп/ \n C/U] a strong feeling such as love, hate, or anger that is often difficult to control: She stared at him. overcome by emotion. I Parents feel a mixture of emotions when their first child starts school.
/Ь Don't say 'an emotion of anger/love etc'. Say a feeling of anger/love etc
a sense о//э sens ov.. a good or bad feeling, for example of ioneliness or peace, that stays with you for a long time: Children need to be given a sense of security. I Afier his wife died, he had a terrible sense of emptiness.
someone who has strong feelings
emotional л'тэорпэГ [adj] someone
who is emotional has strong feelings and is not afraid to show them: George got very emotional when it was time for us to leave. I In an emotional speech, Nicky thanked everyone for helping her to win.
passionate /'рифnJ,t [adj] use this about people who express very strong feelings of sexual love, or about their behaviour and relationships: a passionate and beautiful woman I He pulled her to him in a passionate embrace. I a passionate love affair
passionately [adv] She kissed him passionately.
something that makes you have strong feelings
emotional .ТтэирпэЬ [adj\ an emotional
situation or event makes people show strong feelings of sadness, happiness, anger etc: There were emotional scenes as the hostages met their families for the first time in six years.
FEEL 276
feel hot/cold/so/t etc Your forehead feels very hot - let's check your temperature. I The marble felt cold and smooth against her cheek, feel like stK (—feel the same as) The material feels just like silk.
feeling - felt - have felt
moving /muivir]/ [adj] a moving experience or event makes you feel strong emotions such as sadness or sympathy: She
told a moving story of life in the refugee сотр. I I found the funeral ceremony very moving.
sentimental /sentimentk \adj] а sentimental story, film, song etc is intended to make you feel emotions of love or sadness, but it is too emotional and seems silly and false: a sentimental children's story about a little orphan girl
in 19th century London
и to feel that you know something
fee I /fill/ [u T] to feel that you know something, but without understanding why you feel this
+ (that) She felt that something terrible was about to happen. ! "What do you mean?" he asked, feeling that she wasn't telling him the whole truth. feeling - felt - have felt
instinct /'mstiqkt/ [n C/U) a natural ability to know what you should do without having to learn it or be told it: Some instinct told her that she couldn't trust him.
+ for Even a young animal has a strong instinct for self-preservation.
intuition /,intju ij>n||-tu-, -tju-/ In U] the
ability to understand or know things by using your feelings instead of considering the facts: If you feel there's something odd about him you should trust your intuition.
feeling /'fhliq/ [n C] if you have a feeling
that something is true or that something
will happen, you feel sure about it. even though you do not know why have a /eeliag (that) / had a strange feeling that we would meet again. gut /eellng informal (=a feeling that you are sure is right, even though you cannot prove it) Her gut feeling was that he was /ying.
-CvvordS
W FESTIVALS
AND SPECIAL DAYS
FEW
^ see also little/not much, only, lot
U a small number
a few jg fju:/ [quantifier] a small number of people, things, or places etc: Most of the trees were destroyed by /ire, but a few survived.
a few people/days/things/places etc
She's gone to stay with her father for a few days. I /At that time of night, there were only a few cars on the road. I I invited a few friends around on Saturday night.
a few of (-a small number from a larger group) I've read a few of his books. I Only a few of the students can afford
computers.
~ — 1
A Don't use a few with uncountable nouns like 'money', 'food', or 'water'. Use a little: Would you like a little milk in your ! coffee? |
A Don't confuse few (=a very small number) and a few (-a small number, not many): He was a horrible man and he had few friends. I Let's invite a few friends for
dinner. |
——, - , ..— '
not many not meni, [quantifier} а smaller number than you expect or want. "Were there many people in town?" "No, not many."
not many people / places etc There weren't many people at the party, but it was still fun. I Not many restaurants stay open after midnight. + of Not many of my friends play musical instruments.
QOne ОГ tWO Io:T 'lui+j [quantifier] especially spoken a small number of people or things: "Do you have any R.E.M. records?' "Yes. one or two."
one or two people/places/questions etc
We've had one or two problems with the car, but nothing serious. I There are one or two things I'd like to ask you about. + of One or two of the girls started arguing with the teacher.
few continues on page 281
^ see pages 278-290
278
Г
/ r
i fl
\
?
Christmas
Christmas Eve - 24th December Christmas Day - 25th December
Christmas is one of the most important festivals of the year. It is the time when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and many people go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. But t is also a time when people have a holiday from school or work, give each other presents, and send each other cards.
The shops are always busy during the period before Christmas, when people buy presents and traditional Christmas food and drink
People often spend Christmas with their families. They decorate the r houses and usually have a Christmas tree, which they also decorate with coloured lights, shiny glass balls etc. On Christmas day they open their presents, and then they have a special meal The traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey, arid in Britain this is followed by Christmas pudding.
i
i
I
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL DAYS
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL DAYS
see also holiday, free time, party
New Year
New Year's Eve - 31st December New Year's Day - 1st January
People celebrate the beginning of the New Year. On New Year's Eve, they often have a party with their family and friends, and when midnight comes, they sing a special song called 'Auld Lang Syne' and say 'Happy New Year' to each other.
The New Year is also seen as a time when people try to change their lives and 'make a new start', for example by promising to stop smoking or to take more exercise These promises are called 'New Year resolutions'.
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL DAYS
Easter
A special time In the Christian religion, during March or April
Easter is a period of several days, when Christians celebrate their belief that Jesus Christ died and then returned to fife. On Good Friday, they remember Christ's death on the cross, then two days later on Easter Sunday - they celebrate his return to life. The following day, Easter Monday, is a holiday in Britain,
Easter is also the tme when the Spring is |ust beginning. Adults give each other chocoiates and flowers, and children are given Easter eggs (large eggs made of chocolate).
* /
t *
11/ ' 7
I iV '
j ii J ii»
< \' л -
>4
V
№НЯНН
•• ,'vf I
ravM
I Vf' Ш
чШ^тт
vocabulary
card /ku:rd/ |n С] a piece of stiff folded paper with a picture on It, which you write a message on and send to people on special days Christmas card/Valentine's card/birthday card
Did you get any Ui/enfine's cards?
send sb a card / must remember to send Amanda
a Christmas card.
celebrate teljjbren/ [u l/T] to show that an event or occasion is important by doing something special celebrate Easter/Christmas etc What are you going to do to celebrate New Year? celebrate Christmas/Easter by doing sth Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah by giuing each other gifts
Christinas tree /knsm^s tri: [n С) a real or artificial fir tree which people decorate and have in their houses at Christmas
decorate Alekarert/ b T to make a place, room, or thing look colourful and attractive by putting bright and pretty things everywhere decorate sth with sth VJe decorate the Christmas tree with tinse/ and coloured lights.
dress up /dres лр/ |u i] to wear special clothes and make-up (=paint for your face), especially so that
you look like someone or something else + as Each year at the Carnival, the children dress up as butterflies and march through the town.
festival /'festival/ |п С] a special occasion when people traditionally celebrate something such as an important religious event or an important event in the history of their country
/Lreworks /'fai9rw3:rks/ (n plural! a thing that burns and explodes to produce coloured lights, noise, and smoke
/Irework display (=a special event where many fireworks are lit юг people to look at and enjoy) A quarter of a million people watched the firework display over Santa Monica Bay.
the harvest ^э ba:rv^st/ (n singular) the time or year when the crops that people have grown arc ready to be picked and eaten
independence /.'ndA'pendans/ Jn U] the time when a country oegins to govern itself after a period of being controlled by another country
festivals continues on the next page
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL DAYS 280
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL DAYS
HU
Halloween
31st October
In the past, people believed that the spirits of dead people appeared on this day.
/
If
к
Today children celebrate Halloween by dressing up as witches and ghosts, and going 'trick or treating'. They go out in groups and knock on people's doors, shouting 'Trick or treat!'. People usually give them sweets or small presents as a treat.
Guy Fawkes' Night/Bonfire Night Sth November
I
In Britain, people light bonfires and let off fireworks on 5th November Traditionally, this is done to remember the time when Guy Fawkes tried (but failed) to destroy the British Houses of Parliament with gunpowder in the 1 7th century.
m
a »
•»
n
Thanksgiving
The fourth Thursday in November
Thanksgiving is a national holiday when people in the USA thank Cod for the harvest. Traditionally, Thanksgiving remembers the time in the 17th century when the first English people who came to live m America were taught to grow local crops by the Native American people, so they had enough food to live through the winter People usually spend Thanksgiving with their families, and have a special meal of turkey and pumpkin pie.
и u irv
fiotioiuU fwlidw/publk Holiday
holffll .рлЫгк Шдщ'Ьаажс^ [n Q a special day
when most people in a country do not have to go to work or school, because the country is celebrating an important religious or national event
pared* /p*reid/ [n C] a big public celebration when people dress up, play music, and go along the street on foot or in decorated vehicles: In New York they hove a parade to celebrate St Patrick's Day
party tv^y ln Q an occasion when people meet together to enjoy themselves by eating» drinking, and dancing
have a party We're having a New Year party. Do you wont to come?
90 to a party / went to lots of parties last
Christmas.
prtsent/gtffc tprcuai, gift/ [n C] something that you give to someone on a special occasion Christmas/birthday/wedding etc present My
mother wrapped the Christmas presents and put them under the tree, t a wedding gift
r»meffib«r^n nriem^3r/ have a ceremony or
do something special on a particular day because
an important event happened on that day in the
past: On November 11tht we remember the end
of the war, and think about those who died.
traditional Лга'А/яюV [adj] traditional customs ana ways oF celebrating are what people have done in the same way for many years, sometimes hundreds of years
few continued from page 277
not common /not 'кштюпЦ-кш-Мас// not before noun] fairly rare among a particular group of people or in a particular place: A lot of people own guns in America but they're not so common in Britain. I This style of pottery is not at all common on the mainland.
rare rc9r [adj] something that is rare is not common and not many of them exist . The library contains some of the rarest books in Europe. I a new law to prevent the export of rare birds
a minority /э тш'пог^пЦ-п^'пэ:-/ [quantifier] a small number of the people who belong to a larger group + of Nowadays only a minority of people leauing school have jobs to go to. a tiny/small minority The Gaelic language is still spoken in Ireland, but only by a tiny minority.
Qa COUple /э 'клр«?1; [quantifier] espe^ ciallv spoken a small number, usually only two or three
+ of A couple of kids were playing in the street. I / saw her a couple of days ago.
Д In British English a couple usually means 'two', but in American English it can mean any small number.
a very small number
/ew/very few /fju:, ,veri fju: [quantifier]
a very small number of people, things, or places etc: At that time, few people had televisions. J Very few companies have women directors.
+ of Very few of the students we asked said they were interested in politics.
hardly any /,ha:rdli eni/ [quantifier] almost no people or things - use this especially to show that you are surprised or disappointed by how few there are hardly any/anyone/anything etc \Me thought there would be lots of places to see, but there were hardly any. I Hardly anyone came to my party. + of Hardly any of the people there even spoke to me.
FIGHT
look here for... when people fight each other when you try hard to change something
ARGUE
WEAPON —> ^ ^ SPORT
PROTEST
LOSE
WAR
WIN
4 \
N /
see also
when people hit each
other
fight /fait/ [u I/T) if people fight, or if one person fights another, they hit or kick each other in order to hurt each other: Two men were fighting in the street outside. J Grant fought the other boy and won. + with Billy had been fighting with some kids from another school. jtght over sth (=fight because you disagree about something or because you both want to get something) Two men in the bar began fighting over a game of cards. 1 The two boys were fighting over a toy car.
fighting - fought - have fought
fight fait/ [n C] when people fight each other: There was a fight after school yesterday - one of my friends got badly hurt.
have a fight (with sb) / didn't want to
have a fight with him - he was much bigger than me.
be in a fight You look terrible - have you been in a fight? get into a fight (=become involved in а fight, often without intending to) David was always getting into fights at school. start a jight/pick a jig fit (with sb) (=deliberately try to make someone fight you, by arguing with them or insulting them) I walked into a bar, and this drunk tried to pick о fight with me.
fighting "famij/ I» U] when a lot of people nght each other in a public place: There was fighting on the streets of Paris yesterday when police and demonstrators clashed.
+ between Fighting between rival gangs resulted in the death of a teenage boy. .fighting breaks oat (=it starts suddenly) Fighting broke out between English and Dutch football fans after the game.
riot 'raist, [n C] a violent fight in a public place in which a lot of people attack the police and damage shops, cars etc, especially because they are angry with the government: Their store got burned down in the LA riots, rioting \n U] when there are riots happening, especially for a long period: Days of rioting left the city in chaos, rioter (n C| someone who takes part in a riot: Police began shooting at the rioters
Ei when people fight each other as a sport
Jig fit /fait/ [u T] to take part in a sport in which you hit your opponent or try to throw him onto the ground: Tyson fought Bruno for the Worid Heavyweight Championship. I The two wrestlers have fought each other many times before.
fighting - fought - have fought
Jig fit /fait/ |n C] a game in which twro people hit each other or try to throw each other onto the ground: Are you going to
watch the big fight tonight? + between the fight between Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano
boxing /'bDksjgfltak-/ [n U] a sport in which two people wearing special thick gloves hit each other and try to make the other person fall onto the ground boxing match (=a game of boxing) boxer[n C] someone who does boxing
wrestling /'resliq/ In U) a sport in which two people hold each other and try to throw each other onto the ground wrestling match (=a game of wrestling) wrestler |n C] someone who does wrestling
El when soldiers try to kill other soldiers
• see also war
FIGHT
fight/fait/ [и 1/T1 if soldiers fight, they try to kill other soldiers in a war or battle jight in a war/battle/campaign (=be а soldier in a war etc) As a young man, he fought in the Spanish Civil War. jight for sb/sth (=fight to defend your country or ruler) He died fighting for his country.
+ against His grandfather fought
against the Russians on the Eastern Front.
fighting - fought - have fought
Aonly use fightas a transitive verb [vT]
when talking about two countries or armies that fight each other: The British and German armies fought each other in Northern France.
fighting /"faitiq/ [n U] when soldiers fight during a war or battle: There has been fighting in the capital, and around 1000 people have been killed. I The road was full of refugees trying to escape the fighting in Bosnia.
battle /'baetl/ [n C] a fight between two armies in one place: After a long battle, the rebels were defeated. the Battle of Waterloo/Stalingrad etc
The Battle of the Somme started on the first of July, 1916.
ш to try hard to stop something happening or to make something happen
fight /fait/ (u 1/Г] to try hard for a long time to stop something bad from happening or to make something good happen fight sth (=fight to stop it from happening) IVe are determined to fight drug abuse in schools.
fight for freedom/independence/your rights etc (=fight in order to achieve something good) Freedom of speech is something worth fighting for. fight to do sth Local people have been fighting to save the forest.
jight against terror ism/injustice/poverty
(=fight to stop it from happening) Amnesty is an organization that fights against torture and injustice.
fighting - fought - have fought
282
campaign /кает'рет/ [у 1] to do things, such as writing to the government and organizing public meetings, because you
want to change society or stop something bad from happening
+ against Greenpeace campaigned against nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific. + for Disabled people have been campaigning for equal rights for years.
campaign to do sth The animal rights movement is campaigning to stop experiments on live animals.
/ight /fait/ |n singular] when people try hard for a long time to stop something bad from happening or to make something good happen
+ against New laws have been passed to help the police in their fight against organized crime. + for women's fight for equality
battle /'baetl/ [n С usually singular] when a person or group tries hard for a long time to change a bad situation, or deal with a problem in society
+ against her long battle against cancer I The President is fully committed to the baitle against the drug traffickers.
Struggle /'str^l/ [n С usually singular] when people try for many years to get freedom, independence, or equal rights, and a lot of people suffer, are killed, or are put in prison
+ for Nkrumah led the people in their struggle for independence. + against He devoted his life to the struggle against fascism and oppression.
word
ba*k FILMS/MOVIES
»$K A _ FRf \ 1 /
^^ see
see also
a so ^
KE VK>
s3 OPINIONS
books/literature musk a free л me
story
ACTOR/ ACTRESS
FAMOUS
DANCE W ~ VIOLENT TELEVISION AND RADIO
films and going to see them
film especially british fTlOVie especially
american /film, 'muiviI [n C] a story that is told using sound and moving pictures
+ about a movie about the Vietnam War see a film/movie Have you seen any good films lately? I I went to see 'Blue Velvet' last night.
Д You can also use film or movie before
a noun, like an adjective: a film studio I
movie stars
cinema British movie theater american /'sinj,m3, muivi ,0i3t3r; [n С] a building where you go to see films: the MGM cinema in Leicester Square I a moute theater built
in the 1930s
go to the cinema British go to the movies American ,дэо ta Зэ 'sin^ma, ,дэо 1э дэ 'mu:viz/ to go to a cinema in order to see a film: Do you want to go to the mouies this weekend? | / hauen'f been to the cinema for ages.
be on especially British be playing especially american /bi: 'on, bi: 'plei-ig/ if а film is on or is playing, it is being shown at a cinema: Whafs on at the cinema this weekend? I 'Diehard' is playing at the Majestic.
types of film
horror film
horror /ilm/horror movie /hor3r
film, Ьогзг .muiviU'ho:-, ha:-/ [n С] a film that is intended to make you feel frightened, for example one in which people get attacked by strange creatures, or in which dead
people come to life comedy /'kDmadill'ka:-/ [n Cj a film that is
intended to make you laugh
science jktion /ilm/science fiction movie /,saians fikpn film. ,sams
fjkpn rnu;vi/ [n C] a film about life in the
future, often with people or creatures who live in other parts of the universe
thriller /'вп1эг/ [n C] a film that tells an exciting story about murder or crime
western
western /'westa'n/ [n C] a film about
cowboys and life in the 19th century in the American West
war film/war movie /'wo:r film, wo:r
,mu:vi/ [n С] a film about people fighting a war
action movie /'aekpn ,mu:vi/ [n C] a film
that has a lot of exciting events in it, for example people fighting or chasing each other in cars
road movie /'rsod ,muivi/ (л С] a film
science fiction film
about people who are on a long journey in a car, and the adventures they have while they are travelling
romantic comedy
romantic comedy /rao.msentik komadiH -'ka;- [j-j С] a film that is intended to make you laugh, about two people who meet and have a romantic relationship
cartoon
cartoon ka:rtu:n/ [n Cj a film made using photographs of models or drawings, which are put together to look as if they are moving
people in films
actor /'aekt3r/ (n C] someone who acts in films: famous Hollywood actors I He began his career as an actor in the movie
'Cone with the Wind'.
/К You can use actor about a man or a
woman.
actress /'sektr^s/ (n С] a woman who acts in films: The part of Cathy will be played by the French actress Juliette Binoche.
/t\ Some women prefer to be called actors ar,d do not use the word actress.
star/film star/movie star ;'sta:r. film
sta:r, muivi sta:r/ [n CI a famous actor or actress in films
people who make films
director /di/rekt3r, dai-/ [n C| the person who is in charge of making a film, and who tells the actors what to do: The director was Martin Scorsese. direct I/T] 'The Commitments' was directed by Alan Parker.
producer /pr3,dju:s3r||-du:-l' [n C] the person who is in charge of organizing and making arrangements for a film, and who controls the money
/llm crew /1 f11m kru:,< [n C] all the people who work to make a film, except the actors and actresses
to act in a film
play /Р'е|/ lu T) to act as a character in a film: Kevin Kostner plays a bodyguard who falls in love with a singer
Star /sta:r/ № T] if an actor stars in a film, or if a film stars an actor, he or she plays one of the most important characters in it: a drama starring Demi Moore and Tom Cruise
+ in Elizabeth Taylor starred in 'National Velvet' when she was only ten. + as Daniel Day Lewis stars as the disabled writer; Christie Brown.
performance /рзгЬ:гтэп8/ [n C) the
acting that is done by an actor in a film - use this especially to say how good or bad you think the acting is: Alan Rickman's performance was outstanding.
give a wonderful/superb/moving performance She gave a moving performance, which had most of the audience in tears.
be in /bi: in/ if someone is in a film, they play the part of one of the characters in it: Have you heard? Simon's going to be in a film! I Was she the woman in 'Ghost'?
the person that an actor pretends to be in a film
character /'каегуаэ1"/ [n С] a person in the story of a film: I didn't think the characters were very realistic. I The main character is a female detective.
part pa;rt [n C] the job of acting as a particular character in a film + in She had a I ways hoped to get a part
in с movie.
play the part of Lawrence Olivier played the part of the king.
big part (-an important part, with lots of words) Judy Garland played Dorothy in 'The Wizard of Oz', which was a big part for such a young actor.
what happens in a film
plot/story /plot, sto:ri||pla:t-/ (n C] the things that happen in a film: Tom Hanks was great, but I thought the plot was really boring. I It's basically a love story
scene /si:n, [n CJ one part of a film: The first scene takes place on a beach. I с love scene I I love the scene where the alien comes out through John Hurt's chest.
special effect /,spepl rfekt [n CI an unusual image or sound that is produced artificially, in order to make something that is impossible look as if it is really happening: The special effects were amazing - the dinosaurs looked as if they were
alive.
ending /end 113/ In C] the way that the story in a film ends: 1 like movies with a
happy ending best.
twist twist/ [n C] something surprising that happens in a film, which you did not expect: The film has a twist at the end, when we discover that the detective is the murderer.
I the words and music in a film
soundtrack 'saondtnek [n CI the music
and sounds that are played during a film
script /sknpt/ [n C] the words that the actors say in a film
subtitles /'SAbtaitlz [n plural] the words that appear on the screen to translate what the actors say in a film that is in a foreign language
dubbed ;dAbd, [adj] if a film is dubbed, the words spoken by the actors have been changed into another language
Q the ideas or subject of a film
be about /bi: э baol if a film is about a person or idea, that person or idea is the main subject of the film: 'Back to the Future' is about a boy who travels back in time.
be based on /bi: heist on;' if a film is based on a book, story, or real event, the things that happen in the film are very similar to the things that happened in the book, story etc: Oliver Stone's movie 'Platoon' is based on his own experiences in the Vietnam War. I a film based on one of Jane Austen's novels be based on a true story (=be based on something that really happened) It was supposed to be based on a true story, but it didn't seem possible to me.
be set in /bi: 'set in if a film is set in a place or period of time, the story happens in that place or during that time: The film is set in France during the First World
War.
theme /6i:m/ [n C| one of the main subjects or ideas in a film: The themes of the movie are power and revenge.
/f\ People often use the present tense to describe the characters, events, or ideas in a film: lames Bond jumps out of the plane
and parachutes to safety. This makes the story seem more real.
When you see » 9° to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION iectior.
FIND
see also look for
D to find someone or
something that is lost
m opposite lose
find famd [и T] to find someone or some- thing that you have lost: I!ve looked everywhere but I can't find my sung/asses. I Have you found your passport yet? I The murder weapon ioas found in bushes nearby.
finding - found - have found
Qturn up /,tsrn лр [phrasa/ verb I] especially spoken if something that is lost turns up. someone finds it later in a place where they did not expect it to be: Don't worry about your earrings - I'm sure they'll turn up. I Have those files turned up yet?
trace -''treis/ [и T] to find someone or something by a careful process of asking a lot of people for information: Police are anxious to trace the owner of a red Ford, which was seen near the crime scene. I Mr Phi/jps is trying to trace his daughter, who has been missing for two months.
to find something that you need or want
opposite Lo$e 5
find faind [и T] to find something that you need, such as a job or a place to live: I'm only working here until I find something better to do. I It took us ages to find
somewhere to park. I We need to find a
new team coach.
be easy!difficultfhard to ^Lnd Apartments like this one are hard to find.
finding - found - have found
Q to find a place that you are trying to go to
find /faind. [v T] to find a place that you are trying to go to: Did you manage to find
the house OH?
be difficuLt/easy/kard to jind The hotel is easy to find, and is situated right in the centre of the city, find your way (=find the right way to go) The building was so big, I couldn't find
my way out. I It was my first visit to New York, but I managed to find my шау to the studio. finding - found - have found
В to find something new and important
find /faind/ [и T] to find important information, or think of a new way of doing something, after trying to do this for a long time: Medical researchers are deter mined to find a cure for cancer I They are trying to find cleaner ways of generating electricity. finding - found - have found
discover /dis'kAV3r [v T] to find an object, a substance, a place, information etc, which is important and which no-one knew about before: The planet Pluto was discovered in 1930. I Australian researchers have discovered a substance in coffee that acts like morphine.
FIND OUT
to get information about something
see also secret
to find out about something
find out I,faind aot/ [phrasal verb I/T) to get information about something, either by chance or by deliberately trying to get it: "Do you haue these shoes in a size 39?" "I'm not sure - I'll just go and find out."
find out what/where/whether etc I'll go and find out which platform the train leaves from. I Dad was really mad at me when he found out where Id been. + about He's trying to find out about Japanese classes. I If she ever finds out about this, she'll kill me! find out sth/find sth out Could you find out his address for me, please? I "John's been married twice " "How did
you find that out?"
+ (that) She found out that her husband was having an affair.
/dis'kAV3r/ [u T] to find something out, especially something that is surprising or something that is difficult to find out: Fire officers are still trying to discover the cause of the fire.
+ CtKat) I began to learn the guitar, and
discovered that I was pretty good at it. I
She discovered there was over £1000
missing from the cash box.
discover how/why/what etc They never
discovered who the murderer was.
/si:/ [t> I/T| to get the information that you want by going somewhere to look, or by doing something and noticing what happens: "Is he ready yet?" "/ don't know - I'll go and see: see if/whether Sharon, see if there's any beer in the fridge.
see how/where/what etc Can you just see who's at the door? I Let's see what happens if we add some oil.
seeing - saw - have seen
hear /Ыэг [v \/T] to be told about something: "Nina quit her job." "Yes, so I heard."
+ about He had heard about the accident from Helen.
+ (that) We heard there u;as a party at Bill's place, so we all went over there, hear what/how/whet her etc When will you hear whether you've got the job? hearing - heard - have heard
/«\ You can say I hear (that) when you
mean I have heard (that): I hear you're moving to Toronto. (=someone told me that you are moving)
/irid /famd/ [u Tj to find out a fact or find out that something is true, especially by asking questions
+ that The survey found that more than 50% of teenagers had been offered
drugs.
finding - found - have found
to try to find out about a crime, accident etc
investigate /m'vest^geit/ [v l/T] to try to find out the truth about a crime, an accident, or a problem, especially by using
FIND OUT
careful and thorough methods: Police are investigating an explosion at a city store. I lA/e sent our reporter, Michael Gore, to investigate.
A Don't say 'investigate into the
problem'. Say investigate the problem.
look into St К /,1ик intu: (sth)/' [phrasa/ verb T] if someone in an official position looks into a problem or bad situation, they try to find out more about it so that the situation can be improved: The manager promised to look into my complaint. I Police are looking into the possibility that the bomb warning was a hoax.
solve /sDlv||sa:lv, sdiIv/ \v T] if someone solves a crime or a mystery, they get all the information they need so that they can explain exactly what happened: Detectives are trying to sol ye the murder of a young girl.
В the process of finding out about a crime,
accident etc
investigation /in,vesU'geiJ,?n/ [n С] а
process by which the police or other official organizations try to find out the truth about a crime or accident: Following a major policeinvestigation, two men have been arrested.
+ into The investigation into the cause of the air crash is continuing carry out an investigation (=investigate)
Prison officials are carrying out a full investigation after two prisoners escaped from a prison vehicle.
inquiry (also enquiry British) /in'kwai^ri|| in'kwai^ri, 'iqkwsri/ [n C] a series of official meetings at which people try to find out why something happened + into Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident. hold an inquiry (=have an inquiry) An inquiry will be held to discover why the school's educational record is so bad.
plural inquiries
inquest /'iqkwest/ [n C] a legal process to find out why someone died: The inquest heard that Mr Bovary iuas found hanging by a rope in his bedroom.
+ into an inquest into the death of a 54- year-old woman
hold an inquest (=have an inquest) An inquest will be held into the actor's death.
FINISH
look here for...
to finish doing something
when you have used all of
something
^ see also stop, end, ready/not ready
II to finish doing something or making something
/mish /'finijy [u I/T] to finish doing something or making something: Have you finished your homework yet? I After we had finished our lunch, we went out for a walk. I The builders say they will have finished by Friday.
/inish doing sth Glue me a call when
you've finished unpacking.
finish with sth (=stop using something so
someone else can use it) Can I have a look at your newspaper when you've finished with it?
Qhave done "hov d\nj especially spoken if you have done a piece of work, you have finished doing it: Ask Jane if she's done that essay yet. I Vve done all the dishes.
complete kam'pliit; [и T] to finish making
something, writing something, or doing something that takes a long time to finish: The building is likely to be completed in two years time. I Students who have completed the course usually find it fairly easy to find jobs.
jinalize (also /inalise British) /'fairwl- aiz/ [u T! to finish making a plan, a business deal etc, by doing the last few things that need to be done: Mr Samuels is flying to Detroit to finalize the details and sign the contract. I We still haven't finalized all the arrangements for the wedding.
Qget it over with /get it эоуэг wia/ spoken to do something that you have to do but do not want to do, so that you will not have to worry about it any more: i hate going to the dentist, but I suppose Td better go and get it over with.
ZA something that is finished
finished /'finift/ [adj] something that is finished has all been done and dealt with in the way you wanted: Can I read your assignment when it's finished? /1 rushed product/version (-finished and containing all its final details or features) Looking at the finished product. you wouldn't know it was made from recycled paper.
Qbe done bi: d\nj especially spoken if something is done, you have finished doing it: Well send you a bill when the repairs are done.
complete /kam'plnt [adj not before noun]
use this about plans, arrangements, or activities with several different stages that are now all finished: Building work should be complete in 20 weeks. I When your training is complete you will receive a special certificate.
В something that is not
finished
not /tnished/unfinished /not fimjt,
Aii finijt/ [adj] On the desk was an unfinished letter to his mother. ! The new swimming pool wasn't finished last time I drove past.
incomplete /,ткэтр1т/ [adj] not finished, because not all of the work has been done on something, or because it does not have all the parts that it should have: The excavation of the tunnel is
IX Incomplete and unfinished are more formal than not finished-
still incomplete. I incomplete sentences finish/end sth by doing sth I thought we'd end the evening by singing that old Irish favourite 'Danny Boy'.
round off /raond of[(- э:Г (phrasa/ verb T] to do something to end what you are doing in a special or suitable way round off sth To round off National Peace Week, a concert was organized in the park.
round sth off with sth They rounded the day off with a barbecue on the beach.
В to use ail of something
finish /'fimj/ [и T] to eat or drink all of something, so that there is none left: The kids have finished all the ice-cream. be jmished (=when all of something has been used) The butter's all finished. Can you buy some more?
use Up /,ju:z 4p; Iphrasa/ verb T] to use all of something, especially when it is difficult or impossible to get more of it use up sth By 2100 we will probably have used up all our supplies of natural gas.
use sth up He'd used a whole week's money up by Monday evening.
Qbe all gone bi: ,o:l 'gDn||-'go:n espr cially spoken if something is all gone, there is none of it left: "Are there any cookies left?'' "No, they're all gone."
run out глп aut/ Iphrasa/ verb I] if something that you need runs out, there is none of it left because it has all been used; if you run out of something that you need, there is none of it left: I was in a phone box and my money ran out before I'd finished. \ We ran out of gas on the freeway last night.
to finish a performance/ lesson/speech etc
finish/end /'fmij. end [и T] to finish a performance, lesson, speech etc that you are giving: I finished my speech and sat down. 1 Our history teacher never ends her classes on time.
jini$h/end sth with sth He finished his lecture with a quotation from Shakespeare.
^ I ?
DESTROY
SAVE 2
see also
KILL
HOT
FIRE
HURT/INJURE BURN ^ ACCIDENT
290
FIRE
It took firefighters four hours to put out the blaze.
/К Don't say 'do you have fire?' if you want to light a cigarette. Say do you have a light?
a fire that damages a building, forest etc
be inflames/be ablaze /bi: in fleimz,
bi: 3'bleiz/ if something is in flames or is ablaze, it is burning strongly and being very badly damaged by fire: The ship was ablaze. 1 Within minutes the whole school was in flames.
Be in flames and be ablaze are used especially in stories and newspaper reports.
a fire for making you warm, for cooking, or for burning unwanted things
fire /Таюг/ |n Cj She sat down in front of the fire and read a book- log/coal fire There's something very comforting about a real log fire. make a fire (=collect things you need for a fire) The children collected some wood to nuke a fire.
light a jire (=make a fire start burning) Where are the matches? I need to light the fire.
fire ;'fai3r/ln C/U] 30 people died in a fire in Chicago last night. I The fire quickly spread throughout the building, fire breaks out (=it starts suddenly) A fire broke out in the hotel kitchen. start a jire The fire wcs started by an electrical fault.
/оrest fire A huge forest fire is burning out of control in the south of France.
blaze ,/bleiz/ [n singular] a large and dangerous fire that burns very strongly: Firefighters struggled to control the blaze at
a huge chemical plant. I The church was
completely destroyed in the blaze.
,x Blaze is used especially in newspaper reports.
flames /fleimz/ [n plural! the bright parts of a fire that you see burning in the air: I saw flames coming from the engine.
when something is burning and being damaged by fire
be on /ire /bi: on 'faisr/ if something is on fire, it is burning and being damaged by fire: One of the plane's engines was on fire. I I can smell smoke. Something must be on fire.
bonfire
bonfire /'bonfai3r||'bo:n-/ [n C] a large outdoor fire for burning dead leaves, wood, or things you do not need build/make a bon/tre They piled up all the branches and made a big bonfire.
to make something start burning
set fue to sth /set Ыэг tu: (sth)/ to make
something start to burn, so that it gets damaged: Vandals set fire to a disused warehouse near the docks last night. I Don't put up the barbecue there - you 'II set fire to the trees.
light la.it/ [v TJ light a cigarette/fire/ candle etc to make a cigarette, fire etc start to burn: Ricky sat down and lit a cigarette. I We searched around for twigs and fallen branches, so we could light a fire.
lighting - lit - have lit
arson /'a:rs^n/ [л U] the crime of deliberately starting a fire in order to damage a building: Police are treating the fire as a case of arson.
В to stop a fire
put out /,pot aot [phrasa/ verb T] to make a fire stop burning pat out tKe fire/the blaze It took firefighters four hours to put out the blaze. pat stK out She threw sand on the fire to put it out.
extinguish ik'stirjgwij [и T] formal, to stop a fire burning: He managed to extinguish the flames with his coat.
blow out /,Ыэи aot/ [phrasal verb T] to make a flame or fire stop burning by blowing on it
blow oat a candle fa match/a fire He
blew out the candle and went to sleep. blow sth out We tried to light a fire but the wind kept blowing it out.
Ц people whose job is to stop fires
/ire/ighter ffai^faita'/ [n C] someone whose job is to stop fires burning. Firefighters rescued the children, who were trapped in an upstairs room.
fire man /Тэдэгтэп/ [n C] a man whose job is to stop fires burning piural firemen
the /ire brigade British the /ire department american /бэ fai3r bri.geid, 'faiar di,pG:rtm9m/ [л singular) the organization in a town or area that works to prevent fires and to stop fires burning: The City Fire Department recommends that every home should have с smoke alarm.
fire engine (also/ire truck american) /'faiar .ends^n, 'fai3r tr\kj [n Cj a special vehicle that carries firefighters and their equipment, including the equipment used to shoot water at a fire
FIRST
opposite last
m see also beginning, start
II before other things or people
/irst /f3:rst [adj] before everyone or everything else: Laurie's name was first on the list. I 1 still remember my first day of school. I She had her first baby in 1984. I I only read the first chapter. I The first thing I noticed was that the front door had been smashed in. the first person to do sth Yuri Gagarin was the first man to travel into space.
first /f3:rst [adf] before you do any other things, or before anything else happens: / always read the sports page of the newspaper first. I Shai/ we go out now. or do you want to eat first? i He's had a bad year. First he lost his job, then his girlfriend left him.
first of all (=first, before a lot of other things) First of all, fry the onions
be first/come first ibh f3irst, кдт
'f3:rst/ to be the person who wins a race or a competition: Joyner came first in the 200 metres.
original /эг^зтЛ -d^nsl/ [adj only before noun] before all the others - use this about something that existed at the beginning, especially before a lot of things were changed: The house still has its original stone floors. I Our original plan had been to go camping, but it was pouring with rain.
initial /i ni/«?!/ [adj only before noun) use this to talk about what happened at the beginning or how someone felt at the beginning, especially when this changes later initial reaction/response/feeling My initial reaction was one of complete
disbelief.
initial di^ficulties/problems/setbaclcs
Initial difficulties with the computer system were soon fixed.
Еэ to do something for the first time
first f3irst {adv\ for the first time - use this before a verb; 1 first met Mari in 1975. i Howard first went to Egypt when he was a student.
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FIRST
the /irst time /бэ ,f3irst 'taim/ use this to say what happened when you did something that you had never done before
FLAT/NOT FLAT
+ (that) The first time I went on a plane I was really nervous. I It was the first time that she had seen her mother cry.
H the first thing you want to say or ask
firstly/first/jirst of all t3: stli fVsi.
jVst 3v [adu] what you say to introduce the first fact, reason, or question -
use this when you are going to mention several more things: First of all I'd like to thank you very much for ail the lovely presents, i I wanted to change schools, firstly because I didn't like the teacher and secondly because it was too far away.
FLAT/NOT FLAT
И flat
flat
The countryside around Cambridge is very flat and you can see for miles.
/flaet/ [adj] a place that is flat has no hills or mountains; a surface that is flat is not sloping or has no raised parts: The countryside around Cambridge is very flat and you can see for miles. I In those days the houses all had flat roofs. I The plant's broad, flat leaves are used for serving food. I IVe sat down on a big
flat rock.
flat - flatter - flattest
level lev^i/ [аф] a surface or area that is level does not slope in any direction, so every part of it is at the same height: He looked for a strip of level ground where he could land the plane. I Make sure the shelves are level.
smooth /smu:(Y [adj] a smooth surface feels completely flat and has no rough or raised parts, especially in a way that is pleasant and attractive: The marble table felt smooth and cold against her arm. I She had lovely smooth skin.
horizontal .hori/znntH.hatfVzamtN/
(adj) a horizontal line, position, or surface is straight, flat, and not sloping: а Tshirt with red and blue horizontal stripes I horizontal layers of rock I The wine bottles should be kept in a horizontal posit/on.
И to make something flat
roll sth flat
Roll the pastry flat and cut out two 8-inch circles.
roll sth flat/press sth flat/
squash sth jlat etc Гэо1 (sth) Пам,
pres (sth) 'flat, skwoj (sth) 'fla;t||-,skwo:J- to make something flat by rolling it, pressing it etc: Roll the pastry flat and cut out two 8-inch circles. I A car ran over the ball and squashed it flat.
flatten riann [и T] to make something flat, especially something that is not usually flat: The wind and rain had flattened the crops. I She flattened herself against the wall to avoid being seen.
H not flat
rough глГ [adj] not flat - use this about
roads, walls, areas of land etc where the surface is not smooth because there are a lot of stones or small raised parts: A rough dirt track led up to the farm. I rough mountain paths I the rough stone walls of the old castle
bumpy /Ьлтрг [adj] a bumpy road, path, or area of land has a lot of holes and raised parts in it: Neal drove the last mile down the bumpy road towards the highway. I The field was too bumpy to play football on.
bumpy - bumpier ~ bumpiest
bump /Ьлтр/ [n С] a small raised area that sticks up from the surface of something
such as a road or piece of land: The car rattled as we went over another bump in the road.
uneven /\n'i:v<?n' [acfjl an uneven surface has areas that are not flat or not all at the
same level: Be careful here - the sidewalk's very uneven. I His teeth were yellow and uneven.
sloping /'slaopiij [adj] something that is sloping is higher at one end than at the other: The table's not straight - it's sloping. I A gently sloping bank led down to the stream.
FOLD
to bend paper, cloth etc so that one part covers another
II to fold something
fold
/old /fauld/ [о T] to bend a piece of paper or cloth, so that one part of it covers another-. She folded her clothes and put them on the chair.
fold sth in two/in hal/ (=across the
middle) I folded the letter in half and
slipped it into an envelope.
/old sth into a square/triangle (=so that
it has the shape of a square or triangle)
The napkins were folded into neat
triangles.
folded I adj] She was carrying a pile of folded towels.
/old up /.fauld лр/ [phrasal verb T] to fold something, usually several times, in order to make it into a smaller or neater shape fold up sth The boy was having great trouble folding up his map. fold sth up Don't just leave your clothes on the floor like that - fold them up.
folding /'fauldii]/ (adj only before noun] а folding bed, knife, bicycle etc is one that is specially designed so that it can be folded up and easily carried or stored: / had to sleep on a folding bed in the living room.
О to open something that
is folded
un/old /An'foold/ [v T] He unfolded the shawl and placed it around her shoulders. I VJe watched as she took out the letter and slowly unfolded it.
FOLLOW
m if you mean 'happening after something else', go to after
follow to loo [| fur- [v l/T] to walk, drive, run etc behind someone else, going in the same direction as them: Follow me and I'll show you where the library is. I You drive on ahead and I'll follow. I / had a horrible feeling that I was being followed, follow sb around (=follow someone wherever they go) Journa/ists followed the couple around everywhere, followed by sb The woman entered the room, followed by three little children. /allow sb out/down/across etc She didn 't notice that Jack had followed her into the kitchen.
run after sb/go after sb /)Глп a:fbr
(sb), a:ftar (sb)||-aef- [phrasal verb T] to run or walk quickly behind someone in
293
FOLLOW
order to catch them or talk to them, when they are going away from you: A group of little boys ran after him to ask for his autograph.
chase tjeis/ [u l/T] to run after someone in order to catch them, when they are trying to escape from you chose sb across/up/down etc The farmer chased the children across the field. + after Two men chased after the robbers but they managed to escape.
When you see «HI, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
see also
co°k ^ ^ fat taste thin
food
food ifuidj [n C/U| something that you eat: They didn't even have enough money to buy food. I The doctor told him not to eat fatty foods. I What sort of food do you like best? I What's the food like at college?
Qsomething to eat /Мтвн] tu 'i:t/
especially spoken food, especially a small meal that you eat quickly: You should have something to eat before you go
out.
the kind of food someone usually eats
FOOD
RESTAURANTS/EATING AND DRINKING MEAL ^
\ I fi
eat
hungry
FOOD
diet /'daist/ |п C) the particular combination of foods that a person or animal usually eats: Changing your diet may help you sleep better. I A hedgehog's diet consists mainly of slugs, worms, and insects. + of a diet of raw fish I Keuin lived on a diet of peanut butter sandwiches, a low-fat I high-fibre etc diet (=when you only eat foods without much fat, with a lot of fibre etc) speciality British specialty american /.speJiaeUti, spej>lti/ (n C] a type of special food that a restaurant, country, or area is famous for: The village is famous for its seafood specialties.
local/regional speciality (=from a particular area) Fish curry is a local speciality.
plural specialities/specialties
to give someone food
serve /s3:rv/ [и I/Г] to give someone food by putting it in front of them, especially at a restaurant or a formal meal: Dinner will be served at eight o'clock. I The chef serves important guests himself. I We're ready to serve. serve sb with sth They served us with soup and bread.
serve sth to sb Andrew, will you serve coffee to the visitors?
feed ,fiid/ (u T] to give food to a baby or animal: My sister feeds the cats when we are away. I How often do you have to feed the baby?
294
feed sb/sth on sth Peggy feeds her dogs on raw meat and brown bread.
fee ing - fed - have fed
FORBID
law
г
to tell someone that they must not do something
opposite
must
\
food that is typical of a particular country or place
food /fu:d/ [n U] French/Japanese/
Italian etc food the type of food that is typical of France, Japan etc: I've never tried Korean food - what's it like?
dish [n q several foods cooked together in a particular way, especially in a way that is typical of a country or place: a delicious vegetable dish with a spicy
nut sauce
French/Moroccan/American etc dish Paella is one of my favourite Spanish dishes, plural dishes
see also
RULE STRICT/
NOT STRICT
to forbid something
not let/not allow /not let, not э'1аи/ to
r 7 /
say that someone must not do something, and to stop them doing it not let sb do sth My parents tuon't let me stay out after 11 o'clock. not allow sb to do sth They do not allow anyone to enter the country without a visa.
not allow sth Joan and Bill don't allow smoking in their house.
Д Not allow is more formal than not let.
tell sb not to do sth /,tel (sb) not ta
'du: (sth) to tell someone that they should
not do something, especially because it is dangerous or harmful: My mother always told us not to talk to strangers. I His doctor told him not to drink any alcohol for six weeks.
/orbid f>r'bid, |у Tj formal, if a person or rule forbids something, they state clearly and firmly that it must not be done. Their religion forbids the eating of pork. /orbid sb to do sth They ran away together after their parents forbade them to get married.
forbidding - forbade - have forbidden
ban /Ьат. [и T] to officially forbid something - use this about activities that are forbidden by laws or agreements, especially because they are dangerous: Many
doctors now say that boxing should be banned. I a new international treaty banning all nuclear tests banning - banned - have banned
bail bsn/ [n C] an official statement that forbids something, based on a law or a government decision
+ on The city has imposed a ban on smoking in all restaurants, a total/complete ban The government is considering a total ban on the sale of handguns.
impose a ban (=ban something) A ban
has been imposed on the hunting and killing of whales.
lift a ban (=stop having a ban) President Clinton lifted the ban on homosexuals in the armed forces.
Ea to forbid someone from taking part in an activity or sport
suspend /sa'spend/ [и T] to remove someone from their job or their school for a limited period of time because they have done something wrong: Martinez was suspended for a week because he attacked another student, suspend sb for doing sth Three police
officers have been suspended for accepting bribes.
ban jbжа/ (и T} to officially state that someone is not allowed to do something, especially as a punishment for something bad they have done
ban sb from doing sth She was banned from driving for 6 months. I For many years, the Olympic Committee banned South Africans from taking part in the Games.
banning - banned - have banned
disqualify /dis'kwolifaiH-'kwa:-/ [и T
often passive) to officially state that someone is no longer allowed to take part in a competition or activity, because they have broken a rule
disquali/y sb from, stk Three athletes were disqualified from the championships after failing drugs tests. disquali/y sb /гопг doing sth He was
fined £500, and disqualified from hold
ing any political office.
disqualifying - disqualified - have disqualified
H when you are not allowed to do something
not allowed not a'laod when a person or a rule says that you must not do something
sb is not allowed to do sth We're not allowed to wear jewellery at school. I She wasn't allowed to go out with boys until she was 16.
sth is not allowed Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the building.
be forbidden /bi: far'bidn/ [adj] if something is forbidden or someone is forbidden to do something, there is a rule which says that they must not do it sth is forbidden The use of electronic calculators in the examination room is forbidden.
sb is /orbidden to do stk Prisoners were forbidden to speak to each other while they were working.
strictly forbidden The use of mobile phones is strictly forbidden during takeoff and landing.
| A Be forbidden js more formal than not
295
FORBID
I allowed
FORCE SB TO DO STH 296
Qcaa't /ka:nt||ka?nt especially spoken if you can't do something, you are not allowed to do it: You can't park here. I My dad says /can't go out tonight.
no smoking/no parking etc /Пэи
smsokiq, пэо 'pa:rkiq (etc)/ used on signs and notices to say that you are not allowed to smoke, park your car etc: There were 'no smoking' signs in every room. I Beside the lake was a large notice saying ' No Fishing'.
be prohibited /bi: pre'hibiUdl-prao-/
something that is prohibited is forbidden by a law or rule - used especially on offh cial notices and warnings-. Ccrs are prohibited in the city centre. I Cameras are prohibited inside the cathedral.
compel /кэт'ре!/ T] to make someone do something by using force or official power
compel sb to do sth All the young men in the area were compelled to work in the quarries and coal-mines.
compelling - compelled - have compelled
pressurize BRITISH pressure AMERICAN /'prejaraiz, prejV' [и T] to make someone do something by persuading them very strongly and making them feel that they ought to do it
pressurize/pressure sb into doing sth
Many children are pressurized into studying subjects that they are not interested in. I Don't let them pressure you into buying something you don't need.
FORCE SB TO DO STH
to make someone do something that they do not want to do
see also must
force /fa1'si [и T] to make someone do something that they do not want to do: You didn't have to come with us - nobody forced you.
force sb to do stH Government troops forced the rebels to surrender, force sb into doing sth Her parents are trying to force her into marrying him.
make /meik/ [и T] to force someone to do something: I didn't want to go but my dad made me.
make sb do sth She made me promise never to mention the subject again. I VJe were made to work really hard.
making ~ made - have made
put pressure on sb /pot prejbr on (sb)/
to keep trying to persuade someone to do something, for example by saying that it is their duty or that it will help other people put pressure on sb to do stК Our parents were putting pressure on us to get married.
Ж Pressurize can also be spelled pressurise in British English.
FOREIGN
see also from, country
D not from your own country
/oreign "foUnl'fr:-, 'fa:-/ [adjl not from
your own country or connected with your own country; They are learning English as a Foreign Language. I Britain's car industry faces a lot of competition from foreign companies. I Mark collects foreign stamps.
A It is not polite to call people 'foreign'. It is better to say they are from abroad or to say which country they are from.
overseas /,3ov9risi:z<«/ [adj only before
nounj from or connected with a foreign country, especially one that is a long way away
overseas student/tourist/visitor The university has a lot of overseas students. overseas tradc/travel/trip/business There has been an increase in overseas trade during the last year.
from abroad from э'Ьпкd/ from another country or from other countries: There is a shortage of medical staff, so a lot of the doctors here are from abroad.
They are not allowed to listen to radio broadcasts from abroad.
someone from a different country
В
foreigner /Тог^пзЦТэ:-. fa:-/ [n C] someone who comes from another country: Any foreigner wishing to work in this country must have a work permit. I Saleem felt that people were suspicious of him because he was a foreigner.
go/work/travel etc overseas Douglas travelled overseas a lot when he was in the army.
Don't say 'to overseas', just say overseas.
emigrate /'em^greit/ (и II to leave your own country in order to live permanently in another country
A
+ to Jenny and Tim emigrated to Australia in 1958.
Many people think it is rude to call someone a foreigner, because this can sometimes mean they are strange or not welcome in your country.
immigrant 'migrant |n C] someone
who has left their own country and now lives permanently in another: Many of the immigrants in France come from North Africa.
illegal immigrant (=someone who does not have official permission to live and work in another country)
Vou can also use expatriate before a noun, like an adjective: There are a lot of expatriate workers living in Dubai.
expatriate /eks'paetrist. -Irieit||ekspei-/ (n C] someone who lives in a foreign country, for example because they have a job there or enjoy living there: British expatriates living in Spain
in or to a different
country
abroad /a'bDid/ [adu] in or to a foreign country: Katya will make her first trip abroad next month, to Japan. go/Uve/work etc abroad Mike is planning on studying abroad for a year. be abroad Mr Harris is abroad on business this week.
Don't say 'he's gone to abroad', just say he's gone abroad
Overseas /,3ov3r'si:z<</ |adu] in or to a for eign country, especially one that is a long distance from your own. The wood is shipped ouerseas from ports in the north west.
FORGET
opposite REMEMBER
to forget something
/orget /far,get/ [y I/T] to no longer remember information, something that happened in the past, or something that you must do: I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name. I It was an experience she would never forget. I It's his birthday tomorrow. / hope you haven't forgotten. /orget what/where/how etc She's forgotten where she parked the car. + (that) We forgot that it was Sunday and the banks would be closed. forget to do sth (=not do something because you forget) I forgot to ask her for her phone number.
+ about Tom had forgotten about Tanya coming to stay.
completely /orget I completely forgot
about the meeting.
I /orget (=1 have forgotten) She had this boyfriend - I forget his name - who was an actor.
forgetting - forgot - have forgotten
don't remember/can't remember
/,daunt п'тетЬэ1", ,ka:nt п'тетЬэг|,кает-
[и I/T] to not be able to remember something that you want to remember: "How did you get home after the party9" U1 can't remember." I I was going to phone you, but I couldn't remember your
number.
not remember doing sth Has she got an
invitation? I don't remember inviting her.
D
+ what/where/how etc I don't remember exactly what happened.
Qit's on the tip of my tongue /its
on Зэ tip zv mai 'щ! spoken use this to say that you know a name or word, but you are having difficulty remembering it at that moment: That place we visited in Paris, what's it called? It's or\ the tip of my tongue...Oh yes, La Geode.
your mind goes blank /р:г ,maind
gauz blaeijk/ if your mind goes blank,
you are suddenly unable to remember something at a time when you need to: That's... Oh, my mind's gone blank - I can't remember her name. I IVhen she saw the questions in the test her mind just went totally blank.
Ез to forget to bring something
forget /fspget; [u T] to not bring something that you intended to bring, because you did not think of it: Michael was at the airport before he realized he'd forgotten his passport. I How stupid of me! I forgot your photos - i must have left them on my desk.
forgetting - forgot - have forgotten
leave /li:v/ (i> T] to forget to take something with you when you leave: I can't find my coat - I must have left it at work.
leave sth behind Oh hell! I think I left my credit card behind at the restaurant.
El to try to forget something
put sth out of your mind /.put (sth)
aut 3v jo:r 'maind/ to make yourself stop thinking about something that makes you angry or sad; She tried to put all thoughts of revenge out of her mind. I It's time to put her out of your mind and find a new girlfriend.
FORGET
take your mind off sth /teik pr maind of (sth)/ if an activity takes your mind off a worrying problem, it makes you forget about it for a short time: Joe suggested a game of cards to take my mind off things. I I needed something to take my mind off the day's troubles.
hi someone who often forgets things
fiave a bad memory /haev э ,baed 'mem<?ri/ to not be good at remembering
facts or information: "We'ue met once before. At David's place." "Oh, I'm sorry - I have such a bad memory." + for I have a bad memory for names.
forgetful f3rgetfol/ [adj] someone who is, forgetful often forgets things, especially things that they have to do: My grandfather's getting so forgetful - I have to remind him to take his medication. I Some forgetful person had lefi
the door unlocked.
absent-minded /.aebs^nt maind^d/ [adjl
someone who is absent-minded often forgets things because they are thinking about other things: He's a brilliant scientist but hopelessly absent-minded.
have a memory like a sieve /haev э
тепъзл laik э siv/ informal to not be able to remember facts or information, even for a short time: You'd better remind him about the party - he has a memory like a sieve!
FORGIVE
to stop being angry with someone for something bad they have done
see also sorry
II to forgive someone
forgive /f3r'giv; [v I/Г] to stop being angry with someone for something bad they have done, especially when they have upset you or done something unkind: Try
to forgive him - he didn't mean to hurt you. I Hugh found his wife's behaviour hard to forgive.
forgive sbfor sth He had lied to me, and I couldn't forgive him for that, forgive and forget (=forgive someone for something, and behave as if they had never done it) He's the type of person who finds it hard to forgive and forget.
forgiving - forgave - have forgiven
Д Don't say 'I am forgiving you'. Say I
I forgive you.
298
i _ .
excuse ik'skjuiz/ (и T] to not be angry about something that someone has done, usually something that is not seriously wrong: Please excuse my handwriting - I'm in a hurry. I He's always late. and I don't see why we should excuse it.
You can politely ask someone to
excuse something, when you want to welcome them and give them your attention: Come in - and please excuse the mess.
bear a grudge ,/Ьеэг э 'gn\d3/ to continue to feel angry with someone for a long time because they treated you badly in the past
+ against Can you think of anyone who might bear a grudge against you?
hold it against sb hsuld it 3'genst
299
FREE
(sb) to dislike someone because of something they did in the past, even though it is no longer important: Look, he made one mistake - you can't hold it against him for the rest of his life.
FREE
what you say to tell someone that you forgive them
Qthat's all right/that's OK to
x\ rait, firets ao'kei spoken say th.s when someone says they are sorry for something they did: "Sorrу / didn't phone you last week." "That's OK - / know how busy you've been " I 7 must apologize for keeping you waiting so long." "That's all right."
s
Q/orget it IVget it/ spoken informal say this to tell someone that you do not blame them for something, and you do not want them to mention it again: "I feel so bad
about upsetting your p/ans." "Oh, forget it. it really doesn't matter."
That's OK and forget it are more
something that costs no money
m look here for ...
not costing any money
able to do what you want
not in prison
cheap
SPEND
■4
PAY
BUY
money
cost
4 \
EXPENSIVE t
see also
when something is too bad to be forgiven
un/orgivable/un/orgiveable лп(У-
givatwU [adj) behaviour that is unforgivable is so bad that you cannot forgive it: Ithi nk the way she spoke to her mother was unforgivable.
to refuse to forgive someone
never /orgive ,/nevor for'giv to refuse to forgive someone, because they have done something very bad
informal than that s all right.
never/orgive sb/or sth She never really forgave Roy for what he said, never /orgive у ours el/ I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to the children while I was out.
free /fri:/ [adj] something that is free costs no money: Parking is free after 6 p.m. I "How much is it to get into the concert?" "Oh, I think it's free." i /'msaulng these tokens to get a free poster.
cost nothing/not cost anything
kDst плби], not kDst 'eniQiql.koist-; to be free, especially when this is unusual: Luckily I was insured, so the treatment didn't cost anything. I It costs nothing to call the emergency number.
when you can do
something or get something without paying
free fri:/ \adv] when you can do something or get something without paying: If you buy one pair of glasses we'll give you another pair completely free. I You can get into EuroDisney free with this
special voucher.
allowed to do what you want
free tVi: [ad;] allowed to do whatever you want, without being controlled or restricted: / had just left home, and was enjoying the feeling of being free and independent at last. I Its first free elections
were held in 2 990.
free to do sth You are free to come and go as you like.
free speech (-the right to say or write what you want without the police or government stopping you) AH Americans have the right to free speech, a free press (=when newspapers are not controlled by the government)
freedom TriKbm; [n U) the right to do
what you want without being controlled or restricted: The UN secretary-general has spoken of the need for individual freedom and human rights.
freedom to do sth People here have the freedom to practise whatever religion rhey like.
liberty liba rti [n U] roRMAi. a persons legal right to do what they want, without being unfairly controlled by the government: They were fighting for liberty and equality. I Many people think that compulsory ID cards interfere with personal liberty.
freely frirli [adu] if you can speak freely.
travel freely etc. you can say what you
like, go where you like etc. and no-one will try to prevent you: For most of the year farmers allow the sheep to roam freely on the hillside. 1 At last Jim could talk
freely and frankly about being gay,
not in prison
see also prison, escape
free tri: [adj not usually before noun] not in prison, or not being kept somewhere by force: He was free again, after 10 long years in jail. I The hostages are now free after their five-day ordeal.
Out aot (adj not before noun] no longer in prison, because the time of punishment is
over: Peters could be out in as little as 3 years. I Her husband gets out of jail next week.
to let someone leave prison
^ see also prison, escape
release ;ri li:s \v T] to let someone leave prison: McKay moved to Newcastle after being released from prison. I They released ten political prisoners last year.
(et sb out .-let (sb) aot/ [phrasal verb T| to let someone leave a place where they are being kept, especially a prison: Let me out! I'm innocent!
+ of She was let out of prison to attend her daughter's funeral.
set sb free set (sb) fri: to let someone leave a place where they are being kept by force: The American hostages were set free last night. I Finally, in January 1987. they were set free.
Word
я FREE TIME
FREE 300
for nothing fa' n.\bii) informal without
having to pay for something that you would normally have to pay for: He offered to fix the car for nothing. I My Dod owns the club, so we can get in for nothing,
free of charge tri: г>\ 'tju:rd;y free -
used especially in advertisements, official information etc, when someone wants you to take something that is free. The leaflets are available free of charqe at the tourist office. I When you 've chosen your gift, we will wrap it for you free of charge.
ПО charge пэо tjc:rd\ if there is no charge for a service that someone provides. you do not have to pay for it; You can leave your car at the hotel - there's no charge.
+ for There is no charge for cashing these traveller's cheques.
see pages 302-305
FRIEND
^ see also friendly/unfriendly,
girlfriend/boyfriend, relationship
II a friend
friend /frend [n C] someone who you know well and enjoy spending time with, but who is not a member of your family: Martha went to London with some friends.
a friend of nine (=one of my friends) I'm going out for a drink with a friend of
mine,
good/close friend (=someone you know very well and like very much) Rob is one of my closest friends. best friend Even my best friend didn't know my secret.
old friend (=someone you have known well for a long time) We spent the week end with our old friends, Bill and Judy.
mate British buddy american /meit, 'bAdi/ \n C) informal a friend: I always go to the pub with my mates on Friday night. a mate/buddy of mine (-one of my friends) Terry's an old buddy of mine.
plural buddies
acquaintance /a'kweintsns/ [n C] someone that you know and sometimes see, but who is not one of your close friends: She's just an acquaintance - I sometimes see her at aerobics.
и a group of friends
circle of friends /iSi:rM sv frendz/ [n singular] all the people that you know well and often meet in social situations: In New York, Marcla introduced him to her large circle of friends.
Qthe gang /аэ 'gaeq/ (n singular) spoken a small group of close friends who often do things together - used especially by young people: I usually go out with the gang on Saturday nights.
Qthe boys/the girls /аэ boiz, аэ
■g*Krlz/ [n plural] spoken a group of male or female friends who often do things together: Sally's hauing a night out with the girls from the office.
to be someone's friend
be fr(ends /bi: 'frendz/ if two people are friends, they like each other and they
enjoy doing things together; Bill and I used to be good friends but we don't see
each other much now.
+ with I've been friends with Andrea for about 10 years.
get along (also get on British) /.get a'loi], ,get 'оп||-э'Ья], -а:п/ [phrasal verb I] if two or more people get along or get on, they find it easy to talk and agree with each other, and so they feel relaxed when they spend time together + with I used to argue a ht with my parents, but now we get а/ong uery well. I
like Julie, but I don't really get on with her brother. I He's a nice boy - very easy to get along with.
be /riendly with sb /bi: Trendli wi5 (sb)/ to have a good relationship with someone, even though you may not spend a lot of time together: We're quite friendly with our neighbours, Mr and Mrs Webb. I / used to be very friendly with a girl from Boston.
EJ to become someone's friend
make /riends /,meik frendz/ to start to
be someone's friend, especially when you make an effort to do this: Caroline didn't find it easy to make friends + with The children soon made friends with the kids next door.
become friends /Ы.клт 'frendz/ if two people become friends, they begin to be friends, often after knowing each other for a long time: I'd known Nancy for years but we only became friends when we joined the same company.
Kit it off /,hit it 'Df]|-'oifI informal if two people hit it off, they immediately become friends when they meet for the first time: / knew you and Mark would hit it off I
В a friendly relationship with someone
friendship /'frendjip/ [n C/U] They first
met when they were at college, and it was the start of a long friendship.
friend continues on page 306
cashpoint /kicjp^mt/ [n C] British a machine in the wall
Word choice - become and get
[1] ач>апк, shop etc that lets you take money out of your bank account using a special card
cash card "Jp" ATM card ^^ W er ti:
em kara/]n CJ a plastic cardgiven to you by your bank, that you use to get money out of a cashpoint or ATM
cheque Ш5Н check AMEWCAN /tfck/ \n Q a printed
piece of paper maTyou get from your bank which you can write an amount on and use instead of money to pay for things. Your bank gives you several cheques in the form of a small book, called a cheque book or check book.
[2] Become js m0re formal than get and is used mainly in written English. Get js the usual word to use in conversation: say it's
302
FREE TIME
FREE TIME
when you stay at home
Stay in /,stei 'in/ [phrasal verb I] to stay at home and not go out: Do you want to go and see a movie tonight, or shall we stay in? I I usually stay in when there's school next day.
watch tele vis ion/watch TV /wt*j
'telj>viyn, WDtJ ti: 'vi:|,wa:tj-/ "Did you go out last night?" 'No, we stayed in and watched TV."
listen to music /,hs^n ts> 'mjuizik/ Sometimes I like to just sit in my room and listen to music.
play computer 9am.es /.pici кэт- pju:t3r ,geimz/" Where's Fran?" "Up in her room playing computer games." '
read /ri:d/ [u I/T} / spend a lot of my free time reading. I She enjoys reading science fiction novels.
get a video /.get э 'vidiao/ to rent a film
to watch on your own television: Let 's get a video. How about that new Bruce Willis movie?
get a takeaway British get takeout
american Aget э 'teikswei, .get teikaot/ to buy food from a restaurant and take it home to eat: I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's get a takeaway.
when you go to the cinema, a restaurant, a club etc
go out /,дэи 'aut/ [phrasa/ verb I] to go out of your house and go to a restaurant, cinema, club etc: "Did you go out last night?" "Yeah. We went to that new
dance
sport
exercise
art
theatre
see also
Г ^
musk
television and radio
fhms/movks ^ party
restaurants/ eat1nc and drmkmg
Mexican restaurant on 4th Avenue.'
go out to dinner/lunch /дэи ,aot ta din3r, iAntj/ (also go out for a meal
/дэи ,aot far э "mill/ British) to go to a restaurant and have a meal: It was Eleri's birth-
dayT so we went out to dinner.
go to the cinema British go to the
movies american /,дэо to (Ъ '.чт^тэ, (дэо to 5э mu:vi:z/ to go and watch a film Do you want to go to the movies tonight? I We haven't been to the cinema for ages.
go to a concert /дэо to 9kDns3rt|-'ka:n-/
to go to listen to people playing music: We went to a concert of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons'. I I go to lots of pop concerts.
go to a gig /,дэи to э 'gig/ to go to listen to a band (=people who play popular music) "I'm going to a gig tonight"Who are you going to see?" "The Smashing Pumpkins.'
go clubbing/go to a club /дзо
к!лЬп]; дэо to э к!лЬ/ to до to а place where you can dance and dnnk until late at night: Michelle always goes clubbing on Friday night.
go to a ca/e/a bar/the pub /,дэи to
э kaefei, bo:r, дэ 'рлЬ|-кжТег/ to go to а place where you can drink and talk to your friends: On Friday we usually go to a bar after work.
go to the theatre British go to the
theater to дэ 'BiotoV amirican to go and watch a play being performed: 1 haven't been to the theater for a long time.
go shopping jnpirj- jaip-/ We went shopping in Oxford Street.
В when you go outdoors
go to the beach /ды to do bi:tf/ in the
summer I go to the beach every day.
have a picaic ,/h<ev о piknik/ to take a meal to a park or the countryside to eat it: if
the weather's nice we could have a picnic.
go to the park /,дзо to do pa:rk/ Jo and
Tim are going to the park to play tennis.
go for a walk /,дэо for о 'wo-.k/ to walk in
a nice place for fun: Why don't we go for о walky It's a beautiful day.
go for a run глп/ to run some
where, for fun or in order to get exercise;
FREE TIME
free time continues on the next page
FREE TIME
I think I'll go for a run before it gets dork.
walk the dog/take the dog for a
walk /.work 5э 'dog. teik (Ъ dog far э wrxk J -da:g-/ to walk somewhere with your dog. in order to exercise it: I walk the dog every morning before school. 1 "Where's Nick?" "He's taking the dog for a walk."
go sailing/cUmbing/skiinq etc
/,дэи seilir), klaimbii], ski-irj (etc)/ Did you go climbing while you were in Scotland?
^ if you want to talk about other sports, go to sport
□ when you spend time with your friends
have frieads over /h«v 'frendz л)узг/ (also have /rieads round /hsv frendz ,raond/ British) if you have friends over or round, they come to your house because you have invited them: My parents don't like me hauing friends round during the week.
have friends over/round for dinner We
had some friends ouer for dinner on Friday. Sam cooked lasagne.
go over to sb's house /дэо ,эоуэг ts (sb's) haos/ (also go round tO sb's house /дэи ,raona гэ (sb's) 'haos/ British) We re going over to Peter's house this evening - do you want to corne?
have a party /,heev э pa:rti/ Steue's
having a party on Saturday.
have a barbecue /,haev э bcr/bikju:/ to have a party where you cook food outside: It was a vjarm evening, so we decided to have a barbecue.
meet up with sb /.miit лр wid (sb)/ [phrasal verb T] to meet someone, at a time and place that you arranged before, so that you can do something together: / met up with Jan and Peter outside McDonald's, ancf we all went shopping.
go out with your boy/riead/girl-
friend /дэи aot wid jo:' boifrend. g3:rlfrend/ to spend time with someone that you have a romantic relationship with:
FREE TIME
4s Syluia coming tonight?" "No. she's going out with her new boyfriend."
Qhang oat with sb /'haei] aut wift (sb)/ [phrasal verb t] spoken to spend time somewhere with your friends, not doing very much: "What did you do today?" "Oh, I just hung out with some friends."
В when you do something regularly in your free time
hobby ЛюЫ/ [n Cj an activity that you do regularly in your free time: My hobbies are wind-surfing and playing the guitar. What are your hobbies?
plural bobbies
take up sth /,teik лр (sth)/ [phrasal uerb T] to become interested in an activity or subject and start doing it regularly; i'ue just taken up pottery, and I'm really enjoying it. 1 He first took up boxing at school
collect /кэ'Ш/ [и T) to get and keep things of a similar kind, because you think they are attractive or interesting: My sister collects old bottles. \ I've started collecting foreign coins, and I have about fifty.
collection /кэ'1е!фп/ (n CI a group of similar things that someone has kept because they are attractive or interesting: Uncle Frank always wanted to show us his stamp collection. + of a valuable collection of Victorian postcards
talking about your free time
What do you do in your free time? (=when you are not working or studying)
Гт (really) into...
/aim ( ri:3li) ,intu:.../ spoken informal (=1 like or enjoy something very much) I'm into al! sports, especially tennis and basketball, i Simon's started learning Spanish, and he's really into it.
In my free time/spare
time... /т mai ,fri: taim, ,spear taim/ In my free time, Гт learning Russian. I I like making jewellery
in my spare time.
When Гт not studying/working... /wen aim
,nDt 'sUdiir], w3irkiq/ When I'm not studying, I like going for long walks with my dog.
At weekends... British On weekends... american
hi wiik'cndz, on wi:kcnd/J -'wi:kendz/ At weekends I usually see my friends. I Ben plays football on weekends.
Whenever I get the
time... /wentever ai get ta 'taim/ Whenever they get the time, they go climbing. I I go to the gym whenever I get the time.
On Mondays/ Wednesdays... On Thursdays
I have dance class. ! VJe usually go to the movies on Saturdays.
In the evening... / in ft
i:v
In the evening, Mario usually hangs out with his friends
to stop being friends with someone
^ see also arcus
fail out /,fD:i aut/ {phrasal verb I] to stop being friends because you have an argument: It was the first time Bill and I had fallen out.
+ with It can be difficult if you fall out with someone you work with. + over Come on, there's no point in falling out over a silly game.
FRIENDLY/ UNFRIENDLY
DESCRIBING PEOPLE NICE ^ T KIND
4 1
see
^^ also '—iijfc
RUDE
POLITE lb UNKIND
4. \
RELATIONSHIP
person
Friendly is an adjective, not an adverb, so don't say 'they treated me friendly' Say they treated me in a friendly way or they were friendly to me.
friendly /'frendli/ [adj] behaving towards other people in a way that shows that you like them, you enjoy being with them, or you are pleased to see them: The staff at the hotel are always polite and friendly. I She gave him a friendly smile. + to/towards The local people are generally friendly tourards tourists friendly - friendlier - friendliest
A
relaxed, and easy to work with or live with: Fortunately my boss is fairly easy to get on with. I 1 have to admit, Tom isn't exactly easy to get along with.
sociable $эо[эЫ1/ [adj] someone who is sociable enjoys being with other people
and talking to them: Why don't you invite Chris for a drink? He seems a sociable kind of guy.
hospitable hospital, hD'spi-||ha:'spt-, haispi- [ad;] someone who is hospitable is friendly and generous to you when you visit their home or their country: Most of the people / met in Scot fa nd were uery hospitable and kind.
hospitality/hDSpJ/taelitijl.hais-/ [n U|
someone's friendly, generous behaviour towards you when you visit their home or their country: You must write to John and his family to thank them for their hospitality.
situation/place/ relationship
friendly /frendli/ Icdjl a friendly situation, place, or relationship is one in which people behave in a friendly way: You're lucky to work in such a friendly office. I The local bar had a really friendly atmosphere,
friendly - friendlier - friendliest
welcoming / welkamii]/ jadjl a welcoming place or room makes you feel relaxed and happy to be there: The fire burning in the grate made the room look bright and welcoming.
amicable /ает^кэМ' [adj] formal an
amicable arrangement or solution is one when people who do not agree with each other are able to solve their problems in a friendly way: The meeting between the two leaders was very amicable. arcucab U arrange me nt/divorce I solution
FRIENDLY/UNFRIENDLY 306
friend continued from page 301 + with 1 got to know Helen through her friendship with my sister,
Both sides must try to find an amicable solution to the dispute.
nice/pleasant /nais, plez^nt/ [adj] friendly and kind: He's a really nice man. I I enjoyed my visit to Ireland - everyone I met there was so pleasant. I Ralph's new giW/riend seems nice.
easy to get on with British easy to get along with American (,i:zi te get 'r>n wi5, ,iizi ta get э'Ьц wi61-3'ba]-/ friendly,
not friendly
un/riendly /Anfrendli/ [adj] not friendly: It's very difficult to work with Lindsay -
she's so unfriendly. I Big cities can be uery unfriendly places.
When you see ИЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
+ to/towards The other girls weren't openly unfriendly towards her; but they never invited her along with them.
cold /kaold/ [adj\ behaving towards other people as if you do not like them or care about them: His manner all evening was
cold and unfriendly. I Next time she saw Harry he wasn't rude to her, just very cold and polite. coldly [adu) She coldly asked him to leave her house.
anti-social aenti'sэи[<?1«/ [adj] someone who is anti-social does not enjoy being with other people and tries to avoid meeting them or talking to them: Not everyone who likes playing computer games is an anti-social loner.
EXCITING/
Excmo
SHAKE
MACK
hostile /'hDstail||'ha:stl. ha:stail/ [adj] very unfriendly, and ready to argue with someone or criticize them in a rude and angry way: There was a crowd of hostile demonstrators waiting outside her door. + to/towards He's always had a very hostile attitude towards anyone in authority.
FRIGHTENING/ FRIGHTENED
WORRYING/ WORRIED
see also
4
STRANGE THINGS AND EVENTS
frightened of something or someone
/rigktened fraitnd/ [adj] feeling very nervous and afraid of someone or something, because you think something bad is going to happen to you because of them: Don't be frightened. No-one's going to hurt you. I Two frightened children were hiding in a corner of the room. + оf A lot of people are frightened of dentists. I Are you frightened of the dark?
frightened of doing sth He was frightened of making mistakes. + that I was frightened that my parents would get divorced.
A Don't confuse frightened (=feeling
afraid) and frightening (=making you feel afraid). Don't say 'I am frightening' when you mean 'I am frightened'.
afraid afreid [cdj not before noun) frightened
+ of He had a terrible temper, and everyone was afraid of him. afraid of doing sth / c/ic/n't tell anyone because I was afraid of being punished. (=1 thought I might be punished if 1 told anyone)
+ (that) Kerry was afraid that he was going to hit her.
Ж Afraid means the same as frightened/ but afraid is always followed by 0f, that/ or the infinitive (to + verb), except in negative sentences like 'Don't be afraid' and 'I'm not afraid'.
Q sea red /skeard/ (adj not before noun] especially spoken frightened: The first time I went on a motorcycle I was really scared.
+ of She's always been scared of spiders. scared of doing sth I think they were all scared of offending him. (=they thought they might offend him) + that / hate reading out my work in class - I'm scared that people are going
to laugh at me.
seared stiff/scared to death (=very scared) When he came back he looked scared stiff, as if he'd seen a ghost.
terrified "ter^faid/ [adj] extremely frightened: At first, Anna was too terrified to speak. I the terrified faces of the refugees
+ of He's absolutely terrified of snakes. + (that) / was terrified that my father would find out I had lied to him. terrified of doing sth She's never been outside the US-she's terrified of flying.
Д Don't say 'very terrified'. Say
absolutely terrified •
dread /dredI [и T] to feel worried and
frightened about something that you have
to do, or about something that you know is going to happen: I have to go to the dentist's tomorrow, and I'm dreading it. dread doing sth I dreaded having to tell Sam his dog had died.
when you do not want to do something because you are frightened
be afraid/be friqhtenedlbe scared
/bi: 3'freid, bi: fraitnd, bi: ske3rd/ to be unwilling to do something because you are frightened about what may happen if you do it
+ to do sth. Many old people are afraid to go out at night.
+ of doing sth She asked me to come with her because she was scared of going there on her own. I He's frightened of flying in case there's a bomb on the plane.
A Be scared is more informal than be afraid or be frightened.
suddenly frightened
get a fright /.get э 'frait, to be suddenly frightened by something that happens: She got a terrible fright when the dog jumped out at her.
get the /right of your life informal (=be
suddenly very frightened) I got the fright of my life when he suddenly spoke from out of the darkness.
panic /'ржшк/ I] if you panic in a dangerous situation, you start behaving in a way that is not sensible, because you are very frightened and you cannot think clearly: Keep calm and don't panic, I As the fire raged through the ship, some passengers panicked and jumped into the sea.
panicking - panicked - have panicked
something that makes you frightened
/rigfltening /'fraitniq/ [adj] something that is frightening makes you feel frightened: It was the most frightening experience of my life. 1 Driving in big cities can be pretty frightening for many people.
terri
ing:
gun. It was terrifying, i There was a terrifying crash, and the house seemed to shake
A Don't say 'very terrifying'. just say terrifying.
Qscary ske<m/ [adj] especially spoken frightening - use this especially about stories, films, or situations in which strange and frightening things happen: She didn't like the film. It was too scary for her. I I had a really scary dream last night. I a big scary monster scary - scarier - scariest
spooky /'spuiki; [adj] informal a place that
is spooky is strange or frightening because it makes you think of ghosts: The hotel was kind of spooky - big, dark, and empty.
a film or story that is intended to make you frightened
horror /'hDry||'to:-, ha:-/ \adj only before noun] horror film/movie/story/video
a film or story that is intended to make you feel frightened: The movie is based on a horror story by Stephen King.
thriller /'Oribr/ [n CI a film or book that is intended to be exciting and frightening because you do not know what will happen next: 'Psycho' is Hitchcock s greatest psychological thriller.
to make someone feel frightened
frighten fraitn [и T) to make someone feel frightened: Don't shout like that you'll frighten the baby. I I don't care how tough he is - he doesn't frighten me.
frighten sb into doing sth (=make someone do something by frightening them) Their lawyers tried to frighten us into signing the contract. frighten sb ojff/frighten off sb (=frighten someone so that they go away or stop trying to do something) The man pulled out a gun and managed to frighten off
ifying /'ter^fai-ir)/ [adj] very frighten- : I hey stopped me, and they had a
FRIGHTENING/FRIGHTENED 308
his attackers.
Qscare /ske3r/ lV T] ESPECIALLY SPOKEN to
make someone fee! frightened or very nervous: There was a pole, white face at the window, It really scared me. scare the hell out of sb informal I=make someone feel very frightened) The way he drives scares the hell out of me.
fi\ Scare's more informal than friahten and you usually use it in spoken English.
terri/y 'ter^fai (и Tj to make someone fee! very frightened: The idea of going down into the caves terrified her
terrifying - terrified - have terrified
Startle /'sta:rtl/ [v T] if someone or something startles you, they frighten you because you see them suddenly or hear them when you a:e not expecting them: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.
Qjives me the creeps mi: бэ
'krnps/ spoken informal, if a person or place gives you the creeps, they make you feel slightly frightened and nervous because they seem strange: I hate this house. It gives me the creeps.
В the feeling of being frightened
fear /fi3r; [n C/UI the feeling you have when you are very frightened, or the thought that something very unpleasant will happen: Her hands were shaking with fear, (^because she was frightened) + of fear of flying i fears of another war in Europe
+ that There was always the fear that he might never return.
terror /'ter9r/ [n U] a very strong feeling of fear when you think that something very bad is going to happen to you. especially that you will be killed In terror (=because you are very frightened) Shots were fired, and the children screamed in terror.
sheer terror {-very great terror) I'll never forget the look of sheer terror on her face.
horror /'hD^H'hoK ha:-/ [n U] a strong
feeling of shock and fear, which you have when you see something terrible happen, or when you think of something terrible in horror The crowd watched in horror
as the plane hit the ground and burst into flames.
to sb's horror (=making someone feel very frightened) He suddenly realized to his horror that the brakes weren't working.
panic /'ргешк/ |n U] a sudden, strong feeling of fear when you are in a dangerous situation. which makes you do things that are not sensible because you cannot think clearly: There was a suc/den panic and everyone started rushing towards the door.
FROM
to come from a place or to come from something else
see also country, town, live
D when someone was
born in a place or has lived there a long time
come /rom/be from клт from, bn
from [phrasa/ verb- TI if you come from or are from a particular place, that is
where you were born or where you lived for a long time: Where are you from? I She comes from Japan. I When we were on uacation we met a couple who canoe from the same town as us.
Q when something has
developed from something
that existed before
come from Sth клт from (sth)
[phrasal verb T] use this to say that something which exists now developed from something else that existed before; The word 'origami' comes from the Japanese words on", meaning 'folding', and 'kami\ meaning 'paper'. 1 Many modern stories come from ancient Greek and Roman myths.
be based on sth /bi: 'beist on (sth)/ if a
film or story, or an idea or plan is based on something else, that is where its basic ideas or facts come from: The movie The Far Pavilions' is based on a novel about India. 1 a new traffic policy, based on a six-month suruey of road useorigin/origins /'Drid3^n(z)|'K-, 'a:-' [n C] the situation, ideas, events etc that something else developed from, especially when this helps to explain why something has developed
+ of a TV programme about the origin of
the universe I We hod to write an essay
on the origins of World War I.
A Origin and origins often mean the same, but use origins especially about something that has many different parts or stages: the origins of the modern noveUse origin especially about something that developed from a single thing, cause, or situation: Doctors are still not sure what the origin of the infection is.
FULL
when nothing more can fit into container, room, or space
opposite empty
full
full
full /fo 1/ [adj] if a container, room, or space is full, nothing more can go into it: a full bottle of milk I I can't get anything more in this suitcase - it's full. I All the parking spaces were full.
+ of We found a box full of old letters. \
The buses were full of people cooing to work.
A Don't say 'full with something'. Say full of something.
filled with sth /'fild wift (sth)/ full of something - use this about a container when a lot of things have been put into it: an enormous vase plied with flowers I Pour the mixture into a tail glass filled with ice. I There were lots of tiny drawers filled with screws and nails.
packed /paekt/ [adj] completely full of people - use this about a room, theatre, train, bus, etc: "Were there many people on the train?" ''Oh, it was packed!" I a packed theatre crammed with sth /'kraemd wis (sth)'
completely full of things or people, so that they are all pressed together: Security
guards discovered a bag crammed with
explosives. I small boats crammed with refugees I a shelf crammed with books
overflowing эи\эг-
flooir]* [adj] a container that is overflowing is
so full that the liquid or things inside it come out over the top: The bath's overflowing! Who forgot to turn off the water? I The tables were covered with dirty coffee cups and overflowing ashtrays. + with a trashcan overflowing with garbage
overloaded .oova'l^od^d, if a vehicle or ship is overloaded, too many things have been put in it, so it is carrying too much: The truck was completely overloaded, and things had started to fall out of the back I ал overloaded bus
to become full
/ill up ,f [ 1 ,\p [phrasal verb 1] to gradually become full: About half an hour before the performance. the theatre starts to fill up. 1 The drought has ended at last, and the reservoirs are filling up again.
to make something full
/ill 'fil [и T] to put enough of something into a container to make it full: Would you fill the watering can and water the flowers? fill sth with sth We stood at the counter filling our bowls with salad. I He had a notebook which he had filled with stories and poems.
fdl up ,fil др. [phrasal verb T] to fill a container that already has a small amount of something in it
Jill up sth Harold went around filling up
everyone's glasses.
+ with On the day of her funeral the church was pocked with friends and relatives.
overflowing
jill sth up If the oil tank is less than half full, tell them to fill it up jill up sth with sth I've filled up the freezer with fruit and vegetables.
cram /кгает/ [v T] to push too many things into a container or space, so that they are all pressed together
cram sth into sth I crammed all my clothes into the suitcase and then found I couldn't shut the lid.
cramming - crammed - have crammed
Stuff /stAf/ [v T] to quickly fill something sucn as a bag or pocket by pushing things into it tightly
stuff sth into sth She hurriedly stuffed some things into an cuernight bag and left immediately.
stuff sth with sth The thieves had stuffed their pockets with $100 bills.
refill /,ri:'fil/ Tj to fill something again, after what was inside it has been used: If you bring your empty bottles back to the store, we can refill them. ; Can I refill anyone's glass?
refill sth with sth The tank was emptied, cleaned, and refilled with fresh water.
FUNNY
JOKE SMILE
\ /
see
also
LAUCH SERIOUS
him laugh. I a great actor with a won derful ability to make people laugh and cry
amusing omjuizii] \adj] especially
written funny and entertaining enough to make you smile: an amusing play about a
shy young man I His speech was amus
ing at first, but then it got really boring. very/highly amusing My mother was embarrassed, but I found the situation highly amusing.
witty "witi/ [ad;| a person, speech, play, or remark that is witty uses words in a clever and amusing way: Sam is intelligent, witty, and great fun to be with. I an entertaining speech full of witty comments
witty - wittier - wittiest
humorous hjuimarssl'hju:-, ju:- \adj]
intended to be amusing - use this especially about stories, descriptions, letters, and other things that people write: a book of humorous poems I a humorous account of a young man's trails in South America I humorous birthday cards
hilarious hi'le^-ias/ [adj] extremely funny - use this about situations, jokes, and stones, but not about people: one of the hilarious scenes in a Marx Brothers film I The dancing was absolutely hilarious - we all kept tripping over each other.
A Don't say 'very hilarious'. Say really hilarious or absolutely hilarious
when something or someone makes you laugh
/unny /Тлт/ [adj] something or someone that is funny makes you laugh: It was the funniest story I'd ever heard. I He can be pretty funny when he's had a few drinks,
very /really /so /unny You look really funny in that hat.
it was/unny The goat was chasing Mark round and round the field - it was so funny.
funny - funnier - funniest
make sb laugh „meik (sb) la:f]|-'laef/ to
make someone laugh, for example by telling a joke or doing something funny: I must tell Jerry what you said - it'll make
something that is said or written to make people laugh
joke d39ok [n C] something that you say to make people laugh, especially a short funny story: Have you heard the joke about the President's dog? I / a/ways enjoy a good joke.
make/tell a joke It annoys me when people make jokes about women drivers, get/see the joke (=understand a joke) Everyone laughed except Henry, who didn't see the joke. dirty joke (=a joke about sex)
comedy /кот^КЦ'ко:-/ [n C) a film, play,
TV programme etc that is intended to
someone whose job is to make people laugh
comedian/comic /kamiidian, komikl
кa:-/ [n C] someone whose job is to tell jokes and make people laugh
clown /klaun/ [n C) someone who entertains people by dressing in funny clothes
and by doing silly things, especially in a
circus
how you feel when you think something is funny
amused /9'mju:zd/ [adj] if you are amused by something, you think it is funny and it makes you smile: When I told him what had happened, he sounded amused rather than annoyed. + by/at They seemed amused at his embarrassment.
amused expression/smile/grin She
stood watching them with an amused expression on her face,
amusement /smjuizmant/ [n U] the
feeling that you have when you think something is funny: Larry's new haircut
caused great amusement among his
friends.
watch/Us ten/not ice etc with amusement
Everyone was watching the little dog with interest and amusement. (mucfO to sb's amusement (=making them feel very amused) Suddenly, the teacher's chair collapsed, much to everyone's amusement.
the ability to realize when something is funny
entertain people and make them laugh: a new romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant I a comedy show on Channel 4
'jiuml comedies
You can also use comedy before a
noun, like an adjective: the best comedy
performance of the year I a TV comedy series called 'Cheers'
sense of humour British sense of humor amerjcan /.sens av 'hjuima^-'hju:-, -'ju:-/ [n С usually singular] your ability to understand and enjoy jokes, funny situations etc: I like Ann - she has such a good sense of humour. I Maybe I'm losing my sense of humor but I didn't find that show at all funny.
Qcan take a joke /кэп teik а Язэик/
especially spoken to be able to laugh and not get angry when other people make jokes about you or do something that makes you look stupid: I hope he can take a joke - have you seen what they've done to his car?
FUTURE
if you want to know how to form the future, go to the essential grammar section 5
see also soon, time, past
the time after now
future /'fjuitjy/ [n singular] the time after now
the future She's finishing college soon, and she doesn't really have any plans for the future
of the future (=that will exist in the future) The car of the future may run on solar- powered batteries.
sb's future (=what will happen to someone in their job, their life etc) I had a meeting with the boss to discuss my future.
have a great future (=be likely to be very successful in the future) She's a very talented musician, and we think she has a great future.
a future leader/president/prime minister
etc (=someone who will be a leader/ president etc in the future) He is regarded by many as a future president. a future date/time formal We agreed to consider the matter again at a future date.
the outlook /6i 'aotlok/ [n singular] a general idea of what people expect to happen in the future, and whether they expect things to go well or badly: The economic outlook is better than it has been for several years. + for With drought conditions continuing, the outlook for farmers is not very good.
from rtow/fr9rri na(J/3X1 hour/10 years/ 2 weeks etc from now an hour, 10 years etc from the time when you are speaking: A couple of months from now, you'll probably have forgotten all about him. I
There may be no rainforest left in 30
years from now.
from now ОП /frsm ,nau 'on use this to
say that something will always happen in the future, starting from now From now on, I'm not letting anyone borrow my car. I From now on, you kids will have to make your own lunch.
В at some time in the future
in the future/1" 'fjuaJV/ at some time in the future, but you do not know exactly when. Global warming could become a major problem in the future. in the near future (=soon) The new software will be available in the UK in the near future.
some time / -SAm 'taim/ at some time in the future, which has not been arranged yet: Come over and see us some time. I Would you like to go out for a meal
some time next week?
one day/some day WAn dei, SAm
dei/ at some time in the future, especially a long time from now: Perhaps one day we could all go to London together, t She always knew that some day he would leave her.
then [QGM at a time in the future, which you have just mentioned: Wait until I've finished my homework, then we'll take the dog for a walk. until then Schoo/ starts in September, and until then I'll be staying with friends.
314
GAMBLING
GAMBLING
when you try to win money by guessing the result of a race, competition etc
ИМ_ _ LOSt
N /
win
see also
RESULT J
to gamble
gambling /gaemblii]/ [n U] when you try to win money, for example by playing cards or guessing which horse will win a race: Js gambling legal here? I The TV star admitted he was addicted to drugs and gambling. I \Me aim to give help and advice to people with gambling problems.
gamble /'gsemtol/ [i> I/Г] to try to win
money, for example by playing cards or guessing which horse will win a race: Eddie loved to gamble, and would spend most evenings at the roulette table. gamble away sth/gamble sth away (=waste a lot of money by gambling) Roger gambled away all his money in a Las Vegas casino. 1 She inherited
$50,000 but gambled it away.
bet/have a bet /bet, ,h®v э 'bet/ [v I] to try to win money by guessing who will win a race or game: I don't bet very often. bet on sth/have a bet on sth (=gamb!e money on the result of a race or game) We usually haue a bet on the Grand Prix. bet Ј10/$100 etc on sth He bet $1000 on a horse race last week.
put Ј10/$20 etc on sth /put (£10, etc)
on (sth)/ to gamble £10, $20 etc on the horse or team that you think will win a race or competition: I put $20 on the Cowboys to win.
put a bet on sth (=gamble on a horse, game etc) I think I'll put a bet on the next race.
someone who gambles
gambler /'gaembbV [n C] someone who gambles, especially someone who gambles a lot and cannot stop: Jack was a great drinker and gambler.
В ways of gambling
go to a casino /,дэо tu э ka'simau/ to go
to a place where people try to win money by playing card games or games like roulette (=a game in which a ball falls into a hole with a number on it) Did you go to the casino while you were in Monte Carlo?
do the lottery British play the lottery american /,du: 5э 'btari, ,plei дэ
'lotariJI-'Ia:-/ to buy a ticket with numbers on it, so that you will win a lot of money if your numbers are chosen: Thousands of people do the lottery every week.
go to the races ;,дэо te Зэ 'reis^zy to go
to watch horses racing, and often try to win money by guessing which one will win
play cards/poker/roulette piei
'ka:rdz, 'рэокэг, rui'let/ to play a game in order to try to win money.- Miles and his friends used to sit up all night, drinking and playing poker.
lose money ОП Sth /lu:z тлт on (sth)/ to lose money by not guessing correctly the result of a game, race, or competition: He claims that he lost all his money on a dice game.
win money on sth /Win nuni on (sth)/
sport
WIN
LOSE
TAKE РАЙТ
to win money by correctly guessing the result of a game, race, or competition: In the film, the star mins a lot of money on a gameshow.
GAME
GAMBUNC
\ t
see also
4 \
competition
■1 a game
game /geim/ [n CJ an activity which you do for enjoyment which you play according to a set or rules: Chess is such a difficult game. : Have you ever played Mah Jong? It's a Chinese game. computer game Computer games are getting more and more violent these days.
card game (=a game you play using a set of cards with numbers or pictures on them) I'm not very good at card games. I always lose.
board game (=a game played on a board with pieces of wood, plastic etc that you move around) board games like Monopoly and Ludo
/К You can also use game to mean a single occasion when you play a game: We played three games of chess, and she beat me every time.
В to play a game
play /plei/ (u I/T] to take part in a game: Have you played backgammon before?! We're thinking of having a game of Monopoly. Does anyone else want to play?
have a game /,h«v э 'geim/ to play one game of something - use this especially when asking someone to play a game + of Do you want to have a game of cards?
В someone who plays a game
player /'plei3r/ [n C] someone who plays a game: Bridge is a game for 4 players. 1 The other players were much more experienced than I was.
contestant /ksn'tesunt/ [n C) someone who takes part in a game on television or radio: One lucky contestant will win tonight's star prize, a luxury car.
E3 the points that you get in a game
point /point/ [n C] a unit used for measuring how well you are doing in a game: The first player to get a hundred points wins the game.
score /sb:r/ [n C] the number of points
that one player or all the players have at the end of a game: What's your highest ever score? I The final score was 4 all. (=both players had 4 points)
GET
^ see also have/not have, own
U to get something
get /get/ [u T not in passive] to get something by buying it, asking for it, or working for it: I got a really nice coat at Browns. I Where did he get the money for a new car? I I don't feel like cooking, let's go get a pizza. I I still haven't gotten a birthday present for Sherri. get stk/rom sb/sth I wonder where they got those costumes from? get a job Did you hear? Stuart got a new job.
getting - got - have got British have gotten amf.rican
obtain /зЫеш/ [и T] formal to get something: Maps and guides can be obtained at the tourist office.
obtain sth from sb/sth You have to obtain permission from the Principal if you want to leave early.
get hold of /get 'haold dv. to get something that is difficult to get, for example by finding it or borrowing it: Do you know where I can get hold of Geraldine's address? I Somehow Scott had got hold of a gun. 1 That sort of information is very difficult to get hold of.
gain /'gem/ [v T) formal to gradually get more of a useful skill or a good quality. Use gain with words like experience, confidence, support, popularity, acceptance: It took her a long time to gain enough confidence to speak in public. I She stayed in the job for five years, gaining valuable experience. I His ideas are gaining a lot of support (=more and more people are supporting them).
Q to be given something
315
GET
get /get/ [и T not in passive] to be given something without having to ask for it or pay for it: What did you get for your birthday? I You get a free CD with this
magazine.
get sth from sb When she became sick, she didn't get any help from her family.
getting - got - have got (British)
have gotten (amerjcan)
receive /n'siiv/ [и T] to be given something, especially officially: As from next month, single parents will receive reduced welfare payments. 1 We receive over 100 complaints a month about aircraft noise,
receive sth from sb/sth She received an honorary degree from Harvard in 1990.
/К Receive is more formal than get.
be given Sth /bi: 'giv^n (sth)/ to be given something, especially by someone in an important or powerful position: He was given a 10-year jail sentence. I Why shouldn't disabled people be given the chance to compete in the Games? ( New employees were given a complete medical check-up.
be awarded sth /bi: s woi^d (sth)/ to
be given a prize, especially by an important organization, for something that you have ach ie ved: The rest а и rant was awarded four stars in the 'Good Food Guide'. I Vasunari Kawabata was the first Japanese writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize.
inherit /in'her^t/ [u TJ to be given someone's money or property after they die: Who will inherit the house when he dies?
inherit sth from sb She inherited the money from her mother.
BI to get a letter, telephone call, or message
get/receive /get, n'siiv/[v Tjjgot a really strange phone call from Ann last night. I I'm sorry I didn't reply earlier, but I've only just received your letter.
getting - got - have got British have gotten american
Hi to get a point or result in a game, test etc
get /get/ |u T] to get a result in a test or examination: I only got 35% in my
history test. I Pam's really smart. She got straight A's at high school.
getting - got - have got British
have gotten american
score /ska:r/ [lj Tj to get a number of points in a sports game, or in a test or examination: The test was difficult, and no-one scored more than 45 points. score a goal/point/run AC Milan scored a record number of goals this season.
13 to get back something
that you had before
get sth back /.get (sth) bsek/ [phrasa/ verb T not in passive) to get back something that you had before, especially something that belongs to you: Suzanna has my lecture notes -1 won't be able to get them back until Monday. + from We never got our money back from the landlord.
В the person, place, company etc that you get something from
source /so:rs/ [n C] the person, place, or thing that you get something from: They get their information from various sources.
+ of Beans and lentils are о very good
source of protein.
supplier /s34plai3r/ [n C) the person, company, or country that you regularly get a product from: We can get the goods much more cheaply from foreign suppliers. + of In the past they have been one of the main suppliers of weapons to Iraq.
GET RID OF
to remove a thing or person that you do not need or want any
to get rid of an object, a piece of furniture or clothing etc
see also rubbish get rid of sth get nd dv (sth)/ to
remove something that you do net want or do not use any more, for example by giving it to someone else or throwing it away: Let's get rid of some of these old books. I I hate these chairs. / wish we could get rid of them.
throw away
throw
throw away
dump ,/d\mp/ [u T1 to throw away something unpleasant or dangerous by leaving it in a place where it should not be: People dump all sorts of things in the woods. I Dangerous chemicals are being dumped in the ocean.
disposable /di'spauzalvl/ [ac/jl something that is disposable is designed to be used once and then thrown away: The nurses use disposable gloves. I Disposab/e plastic cups are bad for the environment.
to get rid of a person
see also leave io
get rid of sb get rid dv (sb)/ informal to make someone leave because you do not want them or because they are causing problems: The company has announced plans to get rid of 500 workers. I She stayed here talking for over three hours - I couldn't get rid of her! I He's not a very good teacher - I think they should get rid of him.
throw away /,0гэи a'wei/ \phrasal verb T] to get rid of something by putting it in the bin (=container where you put unwanted things so they can be taken away) throw away sth Don't throw away those boxes - they might be useful. throw sth away That bread is about two weeks old! You'd better throw it away.
A Don't confuse throw (=when you throw something through the air) and throw away.
throw out /,6гэо 'aut/ [phrasa/ uerb T] to get rid of something, especially when you are trying to make a place more tidy or to make space for new things throw out sth They were throwing out some old filing cabinets, so J asked if ! could have one.
throw sth out You never wear these shoes - why don't you throw them out?
dispose of Sth /dis'paoz dv (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] formal to get rid of something that is difficult or unpleasant to get rid of: a debate about the best way to dispose of nuclear waste I After killing her, Wells disposed of the body in a local lake.
Ж Don't say 'he disposed the body'. Say he disposed of the body.
to get rid of a system, law, plan etc
abolish obDliJ||3'ba:- [и T} to officially end a law, legal right, or system, especially one that has existed for a long time: an unpopular tax that was finally abolished
in 1990 I Wilberforce campaigned to
abolish slavery. abolition aeto'lipn [n U) when something is abolished: a group that is fighting for the abolition of the death penalty
A
scrap /skraep, [и T] to end a system, law etc, or to decide not to use a plan that you were intending to use: Plans to build a new airport have been scrapped because of lack of money. I Eventually, they hope to scrap border controls completely. scrapping - scrapped - have scrapped
Scrap is used especially in news
reports.
to get rid of a problem or illness
get rid of sth /.get 'nd dv (sth)/ to remove or deal with something that is causing you trouble, such as an illness or a
problem: I've had a cold for two weeks, and I just can't get rid of it. I a powerful fan that will get rid of unwanted tobacco smells
GIRLFRIEND/
FRIEND
BOYFRIEND
six i
man, that you have a sexual relationship with but do not live with: The woman was attacked by a former lover, be (overs (=when two people have a sexual relationship) Woody Allen and Mia Farrow were lovers for 12 years.
mistress / mistr^/ (n C] a woman who has a sexual relationship with a man who is married to someone else-. She suspected her husband had a mistress, but could not prove it. plural mistresses
see also
4-
RELATIONSHIP
a person that you have a romantic or sexual relationship with
girlfriend /'gxlfrend/' [n C] a girl or woman that you have a romantic relationship with, especially for a fairly long time: I can't wait to meet my brother's new girlfriend.
ex-girlfriend (=someone who used to be your girlfriend) He keeps phoning his ex-girlfriend.
boyfriend /'boifrend; [n C] a boy or man that you have a romantic relationship with, especially for a fairly long time. Josh was my first boyfriend. ex-boyfriend (=someone who used to be your boyfriend) Oh, my God! I've just seen Alex, my ex-boyfriend.
A
partner /"pairtn3r/ [л С) someone that you have a romantic and sexual relationship with, especially someone that you live with: Partners are welcome at the office Christmas party. I \Me run a counselling service for anyone whose partner has died.
Use partner about a man or woman who has had a relationship with someone else for a long time, especially when they live together, or when you do not know
MARRY
love
whether the person they are having a
relationship with is male or female.
lover /' 1луэг/ [n C] someone, especially a
to have a girlfriend or boyfriend
go out with sb /gao aut Wirt (sb)
[phrasal verb T] to have someone as your girlfriend or boyfriend: She's going out with that guy who works at the gas station. be going out together Mark and I have been going out together for four years.
be seeing sb ,/bi: sinr] (sb)/ to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone. especially a relationship that is not very serious and does not last very long: Do you know if Tanya's seeing anyone at the moment? I A couple of years after they got married, he started seeing other women.
a romantic or sexual relationship
relationship ri'leipnjip [n CJ when two people spend time together or live together because they are romantically or sexually attracted to each other: After his marriage broke up, he had a series of disas trous relationships,
+ with I don't want to start a relationship with him because Гт going back to South Africa.
The word mistress is a little old- fashioned, but it is often used when talking about famous people, or about people in history or literature.
affair /afeaV [n C) a secret sexual relationship between two people, when one or both of them is married to someone else. The affair had been going on for years before her husband found out. have an affair wit К sb I'd kill my husband if he had an affair with anyone!
/ling /flii]/ [n C] informal, a short and not very serious relationship: Yes, I did go out with nim, but it was just a fling, have a jliag They had a fling years ago.
ш to end a relationship
split up/break up split 'лр, breik лр [phrasal verb I] if two people split up or break up, they stop having a relationship with each other: Tim and I have split up. + with David has just broken up with his girlfriend. He's really upset.
leave /li;v T] to end a serious relationship with someone you live with, especially your husband or wife: His wife left hirn after 30 years of marriage.
leaving - left - have left
/inish with sb /'fimj wid (sb)' [phrasal verb T] British to end your relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend: Frank? I finished with him years ago!
GIVE
^ see also get, provide, take/bring
if you mean 'give something to someone when they will give it back later', go to lend
II to give something to someone
give 'giv, \v T]
give sb stK I gave him $10. I Why don t we give her some flowers for her birthday? I Let me give you some advice. give stK to sb M/ou/d you give this letter
to your uncle when you see him? I
Russell was accused of giving secret information to the enemy.
giving - gave - have given
/i\ Don't say 'give to her the book'. Say give her the book or give the book to her
A In the passive, you can say either 'I was given it' or 'it was given to me': I was given this ring by my mother. I This ring was given to me by my mother.
pass /pa:s||paes/ [и T] to give something to
someone by putting it in their hand or putting it near them, especially because
they cannot reach it themselves: Could you pass the salt, please? pass sb stK Would you pass me my sweater. It's on the back of your chair, pass stK to sb Ellis quickly passed the note to the woman, looking around to check that no one had noticed.
/! \ It is more polite to say pass than give when you are asking for something that you can see but cannot reach: Could you \ pass me that book, please?
hand tend/ [и T] to give something to someone by putting it into their hand hand sb sth The nurse handed me a glass of brown liquid and told me to drink it.
hand sth to sb Please hand your tickets to the man at the door.
let sb have stK let (sb) 'haev (sth)/ to give something to someone, especially something they have asked for or something they need: If you could let me have your suggestions, if would be very helpful. I She lets her kids have anything they want.
give away /,giv owe! [phrasal verb T} to give something that you own to someone else, especially because you do not want it or need it
give away sth I gave away most of my old furniture because I didn't have room for it in my new apartment. give stK away He decided to give all his money away and become a monk, give stK away to sb I don't need all this stuff - III give it away to the first person who asks for ir.
provide prs'vaid' {и T] to make sure that someone has what they need, by giving it to them or making it available to them; The sports hall was built on land provided by the city authorities. provide sb with sth Could you please provide us with full details of your previous experience? provide sth for sb Jobs in restaurants provide a useful source of income for college students.
319
GIVE
present pri zent [u TJ to give someone something at an official ceremony: Who's going to present the prizes this year?
GIVE
present sb with stk The photo shows the Principal presenting me uith my certificate
present sth to sb Л little girl presented a basket of flowers to the President, be presented, with sth She was presented with a gold medal for bravery.
hand in/give in h;end m. giv m
[phrasal verb T) to give something ю someone in authority, ior example to the police or a teacher
hand/give in. sth When you leave the hotel please hand in your keys, i Luckily someone gave in her purse at the lost-and-found office. hand/give sth in Have you giueri your English assignment in yet?
В to give something to everyone in a group
haend not. giv 'aut [phrasa/ verb T] to give something to all the people in a group: The princess plans to hand out gifts at a children's hospital tomorrow. I Don't start the test until I've finished giving out the question papers.
hand/give out sth to sb Outside the embassy, students were handing out leaflets to everyone who walked past, handfgive sth out 1 need some volunteers to hand programs out tonight
pass around (also pass round
British) ' pens (o)'raondj|,paes-/ [phrasal verb
T] if a group of people passes something around, one person takes it and gives it to the next person, who then gives it to the next person
pass around sth They passed around a list and we each hod to sign our name. pass sth around Don't keep all the chocolates to yourself - pass them around!
distribute di stribjuit |u T] to give things out to a large number of people, especially in an organized way: Дпл'-июг protesters were distributing leaflets in the street. distribute sth to sb The Red Cross has started distributing food and blankets to people in the flood area.
distribute sth among About $250,000 worth of medical supplies has been distributed among families affected by the epidemic.
share out [cor 'aot {phrasal verb T) to
div.de something into equal parts and give
a part to each person
share out sth As long as they share out
the profits fairly, everyone will be
happy
share sth out Bill shared the pizza out. share out sth among/between More then £17 million has been shared out among victims of the disaster.
Serve vj.,r\. T] to give food and drinks to someone, for example in a restaurant or at a party: Dinner will be served at 8.30.1 Don't forget to serve the guests first. serve sth to sb We don't serve alcohol to
anyone under 21.
serve sb with sth As soon as they sat down they were served with steaming bowls of soup.
Q to give money, food etc to help people who need it
giv [u I/T] to give money to an organization that will use it to help people who are poor, sick, in trouble etc: We would be grateful for any donation that you are prepared to give.
give sth to sb Local people have given over
$100,000 to our Help a Child appeal.
give sb sth The British give animal welfare оrganizations over £200 million per year. give generously (=give a lot of money) Please give generously, these children need your help. giving - gave - have given
donate /dao'neJtfl'doonett [f T) to give money, or something useful or valuable, in order to help people - use this especially about things that are given by companies or organizations: The books were donated by a local publishing company. donate sth to sth The concert organizers say they will donate all profits to charity.
make a donation / me/k з neipn
to give an amount of money to an organization that will use it to help people:
We're collecting money to build a hostel for home/ess people - would you like to make a donation?
+ to The company has made several large donations to charities.
charity ,'IJaer^i/ [n C/Ul an organization
that collects money or goods from people who give them, and uses them to help people who need help: Elton John has campaigned for a number of AIDS charities.
give sth to charity/go to charity (=when you give something or do something to
help a charity) All profits from the show will go to charity.
do sth for charity They aim to walk 30 miles for charity. plural charities
You can also use charity before a noun, like an adjective, to describe an event that makes money for charity: Princess Diana wui the guest of honour at the charity lunch. I a charity dance
something you give someone on a special occasion, or in order to thank them
present /'prez^nt/ [n C] something that
you give to a friend or to someone in your family on a special occasion: He got some nice presents for his birthday. +from The watch was a present from my mother.
Christmas / birthday / anniversary etc
present We can't afford to spend much on Christmas presents this year
You can also use gift before a noun, like an adjective: a gift shop I gift wrap (=paper used to wrap gifts in)
A
gift /gift' [n C] something that you give to someone on a special occasion These candlesticks would be a lovely gift. + /rom In the hall was a magni/icent uase, which was a gift from a Japanese businessman.
A
Gift and present usually mean the same, but in American English gift is more common than present, and in British English present is more common than gift. In British English, gift usually means something attractive rather than useful, and is used especially by people who make and sell such things.
reward /ri'wo:rd/ jn C] something, especially money, that you give someone because they have done something good or helpful
+ for The police say there is a $50,000 reward for any information that helps them find the killer.
to give something to someone, and receive something else from them
exchange /ikstfemd3/ {и T] to give something to someone and receive a similar thing from them at the same time: We exchanged addresses and phone numbers. exchange sth for sth Could I exchange this black Jacket for a blue one?
Use exchange especially in writing or in formal speech.
swap /swopjswaip [u I/T] to exchange, especially with someone you know well, so that you each get something that you want: My sister and / often swap clothes. I I'll read my book and you read yours, then we can swap. swap sth for sth III swap this CD for two of your cassettes.
trade /trerd/ [v I/TJ especially amefucan to exchange something that you have for something that someone else has: She liked my T-shirt and I liked hers, so we traded.
trade sth for sth The report concluded that North had traded weapons for hostages.
in exchange/in return /m ikstjemds.
in гПз:гп/ if you give something or do
something in exchange or in return for
something else, you give it in order to get something else back: They work at the hospital two hours a day and get free meals in return.
+ for He offered to take us out for dinner in exchange for helping him paint the apartment.
to arrange for something to be given to someone after you die
leave /1 i:v/ [и T) to arrange for something to be given to someone after you die leave sth to sb He left £1000 to each of
the nurses who had looked after him.
leave sb sth My aunt died last year and left me some of her furniture. leaving - left - have left
will /wil/ [n C] an official document that says who your money and possessions will be given to after you die: Mrs Williams (eft her daughter $200,000 in her will. make a will (=write a will) He made a will just hours before he died.
be handed down /bi: .haend^d 'daun/ if
something is handed down, it is given to a younger person in the same family: a ring that had been handed down from her grandmother
be handed down from sb to sb This recipe has been handed down from generation to generation for centuries.
mm to give something to someone who had it before
give back /,giv 'Ыек, [phrasal verb T] to give something to the person who gave it to you
give sth back Don't forget to give my pen back when you've finished with it. give sth back to sb He still hasn't given that book back to me. give sb sth back I looked at the letter.; then gave her it back.
return jn'tizTnj [и T] formal to give something to the person or organization that owns it, especially after you have borrowed it from them: You mus* return all
your library books before the end of the year,
return sth to sb Your passport will he returned to you when you check out of the hotel.
id when several people give money in order to pay for something
contribute /ksn'tribjurt/ [u I/T) to give some of the money that is needed to pay for something
+ to I'd like to thank all of you who contributed to the hospital appeal. contribute sth to/towards sth My parents said they would contribute something towards the cost of my driving lessons.
make a contribution /meik э kDn
trJ,'bju:J>n||-ka:n-/ to give an amount of money which, when added to money given by other people, can be used to pay for something useful: If we all make a contribution, we'll be able to get her
something really nice.
+ to/towards Several local businesses have made contributions towards our new school bus.
have a collection /.hiev э кэЧекрп/ to
collect money from each of the people in a group, especially in order to buy something for someone: They had a collection at the bar and raised over $80 + for We're having a collection for Jane's birthday present.
chip in / tjip "in. [р/irasa/ verb T] inf-окмлг if everyone in a group chips in an amount of money, they each give an amount so that they can pay for something together: We all chipped in to pay for the food and wine. chip in with $50/Ј10/$20 etc Electronics firm Compol chipped in with over £20.000.
13 to officially give
someone the right to own something
fiand over /,haend 'эоуэг/ [phrasal verb Tj
to give property, goods, or power to someone else so that they officially own it or control it
hand over sth Farmers were forced to
hand over 60% of everything they pro
duced.
hand sth over to sb The hijackers handed their weapons over to the army shortly after dawn.
transfer /transit/ [v T] to make official
arrangements so that money, property, or control of something is legally given to someone else
transfer sth to sb In 1923 the ownership of the forest was transferred to a rich Dutch family. I a new constitution for Scotland, transferring power to a regional parliament
transferring - transferred - have transferred
GO
LEAVE
RUN ^ ^ ^TRAVEL
N
see
g^- also
DRIVE
WALK JOURNEY
4 \
TRANSPORT
D to go somewhere
90 g30/ [v I] to go away from where you are to another place: We'd better go soon or well be late. I Where are you going? + to/iato/down/there etc "Is Allie home?" "No, she's gone to a party. '' I Does this bus go past the university? 90 home I called her at the office but she'd already gone home, go for a swimMrinlc/watk etc (=go somewhere to have a swim, a drink etc) We all went for a walk after dinner, go and do sth/go do sth american (=go somewhere in order to do something) I'll just go and get my coat. going - went - have gone
A British speakers say go and do sth. American speakers usually say go do sth: Do you want to go see the baseball game?
come /клт/ |u I] if someone or something comes, they go to the place where you are already, or to the place that you are going to: Chris called to suy he can't come. I Look ~ the bus is coming. + to/from/here etc Are you coming to lunch with us, Karen? I Come here at once!
coming - came - have come
Qbe off to /bi: 'Df tu:||-'o:f-/ Iphrasal verb T] especially spoken if you are off to a place, you are about to go there, or you will go there very soon. We're all off to Florida next week. I I'm just off to the shops. Is there anything you need?
on your way/on the way /i0n jo:r
'wei, ,on дэ 'wei / if you are on your way somewhere, you have already left one place and you are travelling towards another + to/from/out etc She was attacked on the way home from a nightclub. I I was already on my way to work when I realized I d forgotten my briefcase.
head /hed/ [v I) to travel towards a place, especially when the journey is long or difficult
+ towards/for The ship was heading for Cuba.
head north/west etc Keep heac/ing south until you reach the river.
make your way /,meik p:r 'wei/ to
go somewhere slowly, carefully, or with difficulty
A
+ to/through/there It took us ages to make our way through the crowds. I After escaping from the prison camp, he made his way to the border.
Use make your way especially in
stories or descriptions of past events.
cross /kros([kro:s/ [u I/T) to go from one side of something to the other, for exam- pie across a river or road, or across a field or room: How are we going to cross the river? I Before you cross, make sure there are no cars coming. I / crossed the hall and went towards the exit.
to use a car, bus, train etc as a way of going somewhere
90 by StK /-gau bai (sth) [phrasal verb T] go by car/bus/train/plane/boat to go
to a place in a car, bus etc: "Are you driving there?" "No we re going by bus. "
pay to go somewhere in a taxi, bus, or train: It was too far to walk, so we decided to take a taxi.
taking - took - have taken
to go somewhere with someone
go with sb .'gao wid (sb)/ [phrasal verb T] One of his friends went with him to the hospital, i She wanted me to go back home with her, but I said no.
come with sb /клт wj6 (sb)/ [phrasal verb T) if you come with someone, you go with them to the same place that they are going-. We're going to the malt - do you want to come with us? I Sorry I'm late -1 came with Phil and his car broke down.
come along /,клт э'кизЦ-эЧот)/ Iphrasa/
verb I] to go with other people to a party, restaurant, film etc which they have
already arranged to go to: We're going clubbing later - you 're welcome to come along. I We went to the beach, and Jo came along too.
accompany /э'клтр«?гн/ [v T often passive] formal to go somewhere with someone, especially in order to give them protection or support: A bodyguard accompanies her wherever she goes, be accompanied by Children under the
age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. I The President was accompa nied by his wife, Hillary.
accompanying - accompanied - have accompanied
Attend is more formal than go to, and is used for talking about formal or official events: If you are unable to attend the interview,; please let us know. Don't use attend for talking about things that you go to for pleasure, such as parties or concerts.
to regularly go to a school, church etc
go to jgdo tu:/ \phrasal verb T] As a child I used to hate going to church. I He's been going to Spanish lessons for months and he stifl can't ask for directions.
attend /э tend; [и T] written to regularly go to a church, school, class etc: Both children attend Westwood Junior High.
A
be at bi: set/ [phrasa/ verb T] if you are at a school, college, or university, you study there: I'm at Be I tori School. What about
to go to a meeting, party, concert etc
go jggо/ |u I] to go to a party, game, concert, meeting etc: She invited me to her party, but I didn't go. + to Did you go to the baseball game last weekend? I / have to go to a meeting this afternoon. going - went - have gone
come /клт/ [u I] to go to a game, concert,
meeting, party etc, either at the home of
the person who invites you, or with someone who is also going there + to Can you come to my party? I You should have come to the concert, it was really good,
coming - came - have come
A
one'. Say accompanied Dy someone
Don't say 'accompanied with some
lpar d b
attend /a tend/ \v I/T] to go to an event such as a meeting or religious service: Several people were unable to attend because of the storm. attend a meeting / service / interview / conference If you wish to attend the memorial service, please put your name on this list.
you
be at school/college (-be a student) My husband and I met when we were both
at college.
ECX t /Г
^^ see ^^
be in /bi: in/ [phrasa/ v T] american if you are in a school or college, you study there We can't afford to retire while Jessie and Joely are still in school. I We had the wildest parties when we were in school.
GOOD
opposite bad
CONVENIENT/NOT CONVENIENT
best
see also
4Г * **
WORKING
praise
BETTER
suitable/ unsuitable
■r .1. ^
BEAUTIFUL ENTHUSIASTK/UNENTHUSIASIK
something you like or enjoy very much
?
good /god/ [adj] Did you have a good weekend? I It was the best party I've ever been to. I That smells good. What are you cooking?
very/really good We enjoyed our trip to Canada. It was really good. good - better - best
nice /паis.' [adj] pleasant or enjoyable: / hope you have a nice vacation. ! Come over on Saturday. It would be good to see you.
A
very/really nice She made us a really nice dinner.
ll Nice is rather an informal word. Use it in conversation and in letters to friends, but do not use it too much in your written work.
Qgreat gren [adj] spoken very good or very enjoyable: It would be great if you could teach me to ski. I Thanks for a great day ~ we really enjoyed ourselves. really great "What uuas the concert like?" "Great, really great."
excellent /'eks<?l3nt, [adj] extremely good: There are excellent beaches close to the hotel. I an excellent opportunity to see wild animals in their natural surround- ings
Don't say 'very excellent'. Just say excellent
marvellous/wonderful/fantastic
/'mairv3bs, 'WAndsfoi, fajn'taestik/ [adj] very good in a way that makes you feel happy or excited: The kids had a marvellous time at the camiual. I You get a wonderful view of the mountains from here.
Д Don't say 'very marveffous/wonderful/ fantastic'. Say absolutely marvellous/ wonderful/fantastic
amazing/incredible /э'тешд, inkred-
Don't say 'very amazing/incredible'. Say absolutely amazing/incredible
Q brilliant /'briljant/ [adj] British spoken extremely good: You shou/d come to the new sports centre - it's brilliant.
J,h?l/ [adj] very good in a surprising and exciting way: Standing there on top of Mount Fuji u>as an amazing experience. What a goal.1 That was incredible.1
A
Д Don't say 'very brilliant'. Say really brilliant or absolutely brilliant.
Qneat ni:t. [adj! american spoken very good or enjoyable: That's such a neat car. really neat The fireworks over Golden Gate Park were really neat.
В something that is of a high standard or good quality
good /god/ [adj] Yamaha makes good pianos. I Lisa's work has been much better recently
very good Of course it's a very good car. but it is expensive.
good - better - best
well /wel/ [adu] if something is done well or made well, it is done with a lot of care and skill, so it is of a high standard: Jean's playing much better since you gave her some lessons. S This Lexus is one of the best designed cars on the market very well Both books are very well written and enjoyable to read, do well Don't worry about the test - I'm sure youll do well.
well - better - best
excellent /'ekwtent/ [adj] extremely good:
A
The bank provides an excellent service for its customers. I They told me my En^/ish was excellent.
Don't say 'very excellent'. Just say excellent.
good quality/high quality god
kwD^ti, ,hai kwoUti||-'kwa:-/ [adj only before noun] well made from good materials: If you buy good quality shoes, they last longer. 1 We only use the highest quality ingredients for our pizzas. о/good/high quality handmade carpets of the highest quality
impressive inYpresiv/ [ad;| something that is impressive is of very good quality and you admire it: The school's examination results were very impressive. I an impressive achievement
impressed /im'prest/ [adj not before noun] if you are impressed by something, you think it is of very good quality, and so you admire it and feel pleased
about it: When I satu the computer facilities at the college, I was really
impressed.
+ by/with. Everyone u;as very impressed by Kaori's English - she made almost no mistakes.
outstanding /aot'staendiij/ {adj] an outstanding performance or achievement is extremely good, much better than that of other people: an outstanding performance by a talented young actor \ Her work has been outstanding cil year.
El in good condition
in good condition m ,god kandipn
something that is in good condition is not broken and has no marks or other things wrong with it: The car hadn 't been used much, and it was in very good condition.
as good as new /эг ,gud sz nju:||-"nui
especially spoken something that is as good as new is almost as good as when it was new - use this about things that have recently been cleaned or repaired: I've just had the bike serviced, and it looks as good as new.
И a good idea, suggestion, plan etc
good /god/ [adj] A good way of dealing with the рюЫет is to talk about it. 1 Have you got a better suggestion? good idea "Why don't we hire a van?"
"That's a good idea." good - better - best
excellent /'eks<?bnt/ [adj] extremely good: We were given some excellent financial advice by Mr Samuel. I That sounds like an excellent idea to me.
Qgreat Jgreit/ {adj] spoken a great idea is one that you like very much great idea "Let's have a barbecue:' 'That's a great idea." great! "You want to go to the beach instead?" "Yeah, great, ithy not!"
brilliant /'bnljant/ |adj] very clever and likely to succeed: I think that's a brilliant suggestion - let's try it. 1 Hugh thought of a brilliant idea for a book.
БI someone who is good at doing something
good /god [adj] able to do something well: You should see him play tennis - he's pretty good.
+ at Ruth had always been good at languages.
good at doing stH You're much better at dealing with people than I am.
good singer/teacher/actor etc I like
Robin Williams - he's a really good
actor. 1 Liridy is probably the best dancer in the class.
good with sth/sb (=good at dealing with them) Mrs Hill is uery good with children. 1 Toe never been much good with money.
good - better - best
well [adu] Dave plays the guitar very
well.
A Don't say 'he's good in football'. Say he's good at football.
brilliant briljant/ [adj] extremely good at doing something; Paganini was a bril liant violinist. I Have you seen her dance? She's absolutely brilliant.
skilful british skillful american /'skllf>l/
[adj] someone who is skilful does something very well using their intelligence and their training: Agassi is one of the most skilful players in professional tennis. I the artist's skillful use of color I Success in business depends on skilful management.
skilfully/skillfully [adv] Ben steered the boat skilfully through the narrow channel. I a skillfully worded question
skilled /skiId/ (adjl someone who is skilled at a particular job has the training and experience to do it well skilled worker/engineer/era/tsman etc There is a demand for carpenters, and other skilled craftsmen, skilled at doing sth Our advisers are skilled at dealing with financial problems.
highly skilled (=very skilled) A highly skilled chef can earn a lot of money.
outstanding/exceptional /aotstaen-
diq. ik'seppnal/ [adj] very good at doing something, so that people notice you are much better than others: At Harvard Law School he was an outstanding student. I Sarah was quite a good artist, but not an exceptional one.
talented /'taehnUd [adj] very good at doing something because you have a lot of natural ability
talented actor/musician/player etc /
remember Hugh being a talented actor
when we were at school together. highly talented (=very talented) The Brazilian team includes some highly talented young players.
advanced adVainstlsd'vaenst [adj only before noun] someone who is advanced has reached a high level in a subject that they are studying: This is an exercise jor more advanced students. I The college has elementary, intermediate and advanced classes in French and Spanish.
promising .'promts i!]||'pra:-;' [adj] good at something, and likely to become very good in the future - use this about young people: a promising young footballer I The most promising students were selected for special training.
Ш the ability to do something well
skill /sk.il/ [n C/U] the ability to do something well because you have learned it or practised it: They teach you the skills you need to become a successful journalist. I The Australians played with great skill and determination.
computer J manage meat I language etc
skills You need good communication skills for this job.
+ in On the course you will develop skills in business management.
ability /3'bili>ti/ [n U) the ability to do something well: a good player with a lot of natural ability
ability to do sth Paper 3 tests the student's ability to write in English.
talent /'talent/ (n C/U] a natural ability to do something very well: Her good looks and talent brought her immediate sue cess in Hollywood.
musicaL/theatrical/artistic etc talent
The boy's musical talents were first recognised by his teacher. + for She has a talent for languages.
ШЯ morally good people or behaviour
good /god lac/j] kind, honest, and helpful: Jean s a very good person - she's always reedy to help. I He had always tried to lead a good life. good - better - best
decent dits^nt/ [adj] someone who is decent is good and honest according to the normal standards of society: Decent citizens have nothing to fear from the police, a decent, honest, hard-working woman
ethical е0|Ы/ [adj] morally correct according to the rules of behaviour in a particular job: It would not be ethical for
me, as a doctor, to talk to you about my patients.
Id good enough, but not very good
good enough /'god г.плГ If the weather's
good enough we'll go camping + /or It's just a cheap wine but it's good enough for a picnic.
good enough to do sth Do you fhin/c she is good enough to be in the team?
satisfactory s^s'tekDri: [adj] something that is satisfactory reaches the expected standard, so it is good enough to be accepted: You won'i get paid unless your work is satisfactory. I Lynne got satisfactory grades and was offered a place at university. satisfactorily [adu] The ship's disap pearance has never been satisfactorily explained.
. -—.—-—
Satisfactory is more formal than good enough.
Qnot bad /not baed/ spoken use this to say that something is fairly good, and better than you expected: 'What was the food like?" "Oh, not bad - better than last time." I You know, that's not a bad idea. not too bad How was your test?" "Oh,
not too bad. I think I passed."
Qbe all right/be okay /bi: ,o:l rait, bi: ao'kei/' spoken to be good enough, although it is not especially good: The children made the cakes. I hope they're all right. \ "What did you think of the movie?" "Oh, it was OK - nothing special."
+ /or This book is okay for beginners but it's not really suitable for more advanced students.
Qwill do /vvil 'du: spoken you say tha^ something will do when you think that it is good enough to use, although it is not exactly the right thing: Don't worry if you haven't got any butter. Margarine will do. I This paint isn't quite the right colour but I suppose it'll do.
GOVERNMENT/
von
POLITICS
if you mean 'organizations or companies owned or controlled by the government', go to public i
represent
г
A You can also use government before a noun, like an adjective: Government spending on education has risen by more than 10%. I fighting between government forces and rebels
administration od.mm^streij^n/ [n C]
use this especially to talk about the national government of the United States the administration The new administration is frying to improve standards in health care.
the Kennedy/Reagan/Clinton etc administration (=the government when this person is president) The Eisenhower administration refused to take military action in Vietnam.
tfie authorities ydi a'eoritiizl-oita-/
[n plural] the people or organizations that have the power to decide what people are allowed to do in a country or area: The South African authorities arrested Mandela in August 1962. I The country mas facing famine, and the authorities were doing nothing to prevent it.
see also
protest country
the people who govern a country
the people who make a country's laws
parliament /'рспПэтэт/ [n C] the group of people who are elected to make a country's laws: Parliament will vote on the new divorce law today. I elections for the European parliament
government /'gAv^mant, 'gAvanmantl
'gAvam-/ |n C] the people who govern a country, state, or local area, and who make all the important decisions about taxes, laws, relations with other countries etc: The government promised to cut taxes. I Unemployment is a problem that faces most western governments. I the city government of Los Angeles
the Br it is НУ Japanese/Germ an etc government The French government has banned the sale of British beef.
A
Most countries have their own name for their parliament. For example, in the UK it is called Parliament, in the US it is called Congress, and in Japan it is called the Diet.
In British English, you can use parliament with a singular or plural verb: The Dutch parliament has introduced/have introduced new laws to control drug use. In American English, always use a singular verb.
A
In British English, you can use government with a singular or plural verb: The government has decided/have decided to introduce new laws against terrorism. In American English, always use a singular verb.
politician / pDl^tiJ^n||,pa:-/ [n Cj someone who works in politics, especially a member of a parliament: Many right-wing politicians opposed the treaty.
MP/member of parliament /,em pi:,
тетЬэг sv ра:г1этэт/ [n C] someone who has been elected to a parliament, especially in Britain or in a country that
has a similar system of government, such
as India, Australia, or South Africa: There are still very few women members of parliament. I Ken Livingstone, MP Labour/Conservative/Liberal MP the
Labour MP for Birmingham South
]Ж1г<)1 MPs/mcmbtrs of parliament
congressman/congress wo man
/'kDijgrJjSman, 'kDqgr^s.wumsnll'kan)-/ [n C]
someone who is a member of the US Congress, especially of the House of Representatives: Congressman Evan Kendrick
plum! congress men/congress women
Senator /' senata1"; [n С] a member of the US Senate or a similar institution: Senator Kennedy 1 The President met with a group of senators and congressmen to discuss energy policy.
El a government that controls people's lives too much
dictatorship /dik'teits'/ip/ [n ci a government in which one person or one small group has total power and uses it unfairly and cruelly: Argentina's military dictatorship collapsed in 1983.
police State /pa'liis steit/ [n singular] a country where the police have too much power and control people's lives too much: They can't treat you like this - this is America, not a police state!
totalitarian /t3o,t2eli/te,?mn/ [adj usually before noun] a totalitarian country or system of government is one in which the government controls every part of people's lives and there is no freedom: a writer who was imprisoned during the totalitarian rule
oppressive /a'presiv/ [adj] an oppressive government treats people in a cruel way, using military force to prevent any kind of opposition: throngs of refugees from the oppressive regime I The Nationalists passed more and more oppressive race lows.
И different systems of government
democracy /di'mDkr3si||drma:-/ |n U] а system of government in which everyone in the country can vote to choose the government: In 1974 democracy returned to Greece after seven years of military rule.
democracy [n С] a country in which everyone can vote to choose the government: the democracies of Western
Europe
pinr democracies
democratic /.dema'kraetikW [adj] а democratic country, government, or political system is one in which the people vote to choose the government . Pa к is tan's first ever democratic elections
republic /гГрлЬЬк/ [n C] a country whose leader is a president, not a king or queen: the French Republic I Prime Minister Keating had plans to turn Australia into a republic.
+ of the People's Republic of China monarchy 'mDn3rki||'ma:n-/ [n C/U] а
system of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen: questions about the future of the monarchy in Britain
pliroi monarchies
Ы one part of a government which deals with health, education, defence etc
department /di'pa:rtm3nt/ [n C] one of the separate parts of a government, which is responsible for a particular subject, such as health, education, or defence the Departmerit of Education/Health/
Transport etc British She is now head of
the Department of Education. the D efe as e/J us tic e/Tre as иг у Department american His brother Bobby was head of the Justice Department.
ministry /'min^stri, [n С] a government department in Britain and some other countries: She works at the Ministry of Defence.
plural ministries
minister /'min^sta'/ [n C] the politician
who leads a government department in
Britain and some other countries: a meeting of European finance ministers in Bonn
A Minister is not the official job title of the leader of a government department in Britain, but it is often used. The official title is 'Secretary of State'. But this title has a different meaning in the US, where it means the person in charge of the US's relations with other countries.
the leader of a country
A
leader /'li:d3r/ [n C] someone, such as a president or prime minister, who is in charge of the government of a country; World leaders are meeting in Geneve today to consider the peace plan. I for mer Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev
Leader is not an official title.
president /'prez^bnt' [n C] the official
leader of a country that does not have a king or queen: President Chirac + оf the President of Egypt
prime minister ^praim mm^st^,' [n C]
the elected leader of the government in a country that has a parliament: The British Prime Minister lives at 10 Downing Street,
+ of the Prime Minister of India
ruler /'ги:1эг/ [n C] someone, such as a king or queen or a military leader, who has the power to run the government of a country: an unjust ruler f Nigeria's military rulers
+ of Ramses II, ruler of Egypt in 1300
ВС
king /к|ц/ \n С] a man who is the official leader of a country because he is a member of a royal family.- King George VI + of King Juan Carlos of Spain I the King of Morocco
queen /kwi:n/ [л C] a woman who is the official leader of a country because she is a member of a royal family, or a woman who is the wife of a king: Queen Elizabeth
+ of the Queen of Sweden
to govern or rule a country
govern /'gAvai|-arnj [v 1/T] if a political
party or group governs a country, its members make all the important decisions
about laws, taxes, relations with other countries etc: The Conservative Party has governed Britain for over 15 years now.
run Iглп/ [у T] to control a country - use this especially about a powerful person or
group that controls a country but has not been elected: Who's running this country, the government or the trade unions?! The revolutionary council ran the country until democratic elections were held. running - ran - have run
be in power bi: in раоэг if a political party or a leader is in power at a particular time, they are the government or leader of a country at that time: He has been in power for more than 30
years, i Taxes were higher when the Social Democrats were in power.
rule ru:l/ [и T] if a king, queen, military leader, or a foreign government rules a country, they have official power over it: At that time India was ruled by the British. I In 1860 Italy was a collection of small states ruled by princes and dukes.
rule [n U] when a country is ruled by a king or queen, a military leader or a foreign government: For many years Algeria was under French rule (=was ruled by the French).
activities and ideas that are connected with governing a country
political /рэ'1шМ/ [adj usually before noun] connected with the government of a country or local area: There are two main political parties in the US. I the British political system I She began her political career as a city councillor.
politics /pDlJ>tiks|l'pa:-/ [n U] activities and ideas that are connected with governing a country or local area: Gun control is one of the biggest issues in American politics at the moment. I Many young people aren't interested in politics. party politics (=when political parties are trying to get an advantage over each other)
local politics (=politics in a town or city) She's always been deeply involved in local politics.
go into politics (=start working in politics) He didn't go into politics until he was over forty.
GROUP
^ if you mean a group of people who play music together', go to music
^ see also crowd, туре
II a group of people together in one place
group /gruip/ [n C] several people who are together in the same place + of Outside the school, little groups of friends were talking to each other. I an old photograph of a group of soldiers sifting on the ground in groups (-forming separate groups) Men stood in groups on street corners. get into a group (=make a group with other people so that you can do something together) The teacher told us to get into groups of three.
crowd /kraod, In С) a large number of
people who are all together in the same place: A big crowd gathered to see President Mandela. I a football crowd + of A crowd of reporters was waiting for her at the airport.
In British English you can use crowd with a singular or plural verb: The crowd was/were becoming impatient. In American English, always use a singular verb: The crowd was becoming impatient
^^ You can say crowds of people when you mean a lot of people very close together: Crowds of tourists were trying to get into the cathedral.
И a group of people who do things together
party /'parti,' In С] a group of people that someone has organized in order to go somewhere or do something + оf John was taking a party of tourists around the museum. I A party of Japanese businessmen will be visiting the factory next week.
GROUP
a search/rescue party (=a group of
people trying to find and help someone who is in danger)
plural parties
Q bunch/crowd /Ьлш/, kraod/ [n singular] informal especially spoken a grOUp of
people who do things together or spend time together: The people on my French course are a really friendly bunch, + of There was the usual crowd of students standing at the bar.
gang gЈi) [n ci a group of young people who spend time together, especially a group that causes trouble, fights with other groups etc
gang of youths/kids There are always gangs of kids standing around the shopping mall.
rival gang (=a gang that fights with another gang) Fighting broke out between two rival gangs.
Bi a group of people who are similar in some way or have similar ideas
group ,gru:p [n C] a number of people who are similar in some way, or who have the same ideas and aims: Their policy was to keep people from different racial groups apart.
+ of The factory iuas burned down by a group of animal-rights activists, age group/income group etc (=all the people of about the same age. with about the same income etc) Families in the
lowest income group could not afford to educate their children.
movement /'miuvmant/ |n C] a large group of people who share the same ideas and beliefs, and who work together to achieve something important: She was active in a number of political movements, including the campaign to end slavery. the peace /environmental/independence etc movement one of the leaders of the pro-democracy movement
И a group of people who
work with each other
an/ [n CI a group of people who work together to do a job: There will be a meeting for all members of the team next Wednesday.
+ of The coins were discovered by a team of archaeologists. I Powell headed Mrs Thatcher's team of advisers. research/medical team Dr Gaultier and his medical team worked in the refugee camps for over a year.
A in British English, you can use team with a singular or plural verb: A team of police divers is/are searching the lake. In American English, always use a singular verb: A team of police divers is searching the lake.
crew kru: [п C] the people who work together on a ship or plane: The captain and crew would like to welcome you on board Flight 381 to Geneva,
committee /кэmrti [n C] a small group
of people in an organization, company, or club who have been chosen to make decisions that affect everyone in the organization Bill Dean has been elected chairman of the committee.
jinance/fiealth/fiousing committee The
finance committee has decided to raise
You can also use committee before a noun, like an adjective: We hove three new committee members this year I a committee meeting
A
membership fees for next season. be on a committee {-be a member of a committee) She's been on the Church committee for 20 years
A
In British English, you can use committee with a singular or plural verb: The committee has decided/have decided to aware/ you a scholarship. In American English, always use a singular verb: The committee has decided to award you a scholarship.
a group of things together in one place or connected in some way
group /gruip/ [n Cj several things that are together in one place or connected in some way
GROUP
+ of The house was hidden behind a tall group of trees. I The letter 'F' is one of a group of consonants called 'fricatives'. I News International is a group of companies that produce newspapers and TV programmes.
set /set/ [n CI a group of similar things that are used together, or a group of connected ideas, facts etc: a chess set + of I gave an extra set of house keys to my neighbours. I a set of rules I We started the meeting by agreeing on a set
of objectives.
collection /кзЧекрп/ In CJ a group of similar things that have been put together because they are interesting or attractive + of The museum has a superb collection of Mexican pottery, art/stamp/postcard collection Have you seen her record collection ~ it's enormous!
bundle /'Ьлпси; [n Cj several things of the
same kind, such as papers, qlothes. or sticks, that are fastened or tied together: She keeps all his old letters, tied up in bundles.
+ of a bundle of firewood
bunch /ЬлШ]7 [л Cj a bunch of flowers is a collection of flowers tied together; a bunch of fruit is several pieces of fruit which grow together and which you buy as one piece: a small girl carrying a huge bunch of roses I I bought a kilo of apples and a bunch of grapes. \ a bunch of bananas
plural bunches
a group of things on top of each other
pile /pail/ [n C] several things of the same
kind placed one on top of the other + of Greg carried the pile of ironed shirts upstairs.
in piles The books were arranged in neat piles on her desk.
heap /hup/ [n С] a lot of things lying one on top of the other in an untidy way + of There was a huge heap of blankets and pillows on the bed. in a heap The children had left all their wet towels in a heap on the bathroom floor.
to put things or people into groups
332
sort /so:rt; [v T] to arrange a large number of things by putting them in different groups, so that you can deal with each group separately: It takes a couple of hours to sort the mail in the morning.
sort stk into sth We sorted all the clothes into two piles.
categorize (also categorise British)
/'kaet^goraiz/ [и T] to decide which group something should belong to, when there is a clear system of several groups categorize sth according to sth The
hotels are categorized according to the standard oj the rooms and services they offer.
categorize sth as sth (=say which group it is in) The store categorizes all records from Asia and Africa as 'World Music'.
be grouped /bi: gruipt/ if people or things are grouped, they have been put together into separate groups according to a system
+ according to The vehicles are grouped according to engine size. + together Non-fiction books are grouped together under different subjects. + into Most European languages can be grouped into two main families
GROW
if you mean 'when a number or amount gets bigger', go to increase
^ see also big
II when people, animals, or plants get bigger
grow one metre/two centimetres/six inches etc Amy grew 9 inches last year. + into Within a few years, these saplings will grow into tall trees.
growing - grew - have grown
develop di'vebp [и II if a child, plant, or animal develops, it gradually changes into the form it will have as an adult: The baby develops very quickly during the first few weeks oj pregnancy. + into In less than 12 weeks the chicks will develop into adult birds.
get taller/get bigger /get ubr, get
'bigor/ to grow and become taller, especially in a short period of time: Eleanor's getting bigger.; isn't she? I hardly recognised her. I The grass got taller and taller over the summer.
В to make plants or vegetables grow
grow /grau/' [и T] to look after plants, vegetables, or crops so that they develop and grow: Farmers in this area grow mainly wheat. I It's very satisfying growing your own vegetables. growing - grew - have grown
plant /pla:nt||plaent [и T] to put seeds or
333
GUESS
young flowers or plants into the soil so that they will grow: Plant the seeds outside in late spring. I They planted an oak tree in the middle of the field.
grow
Sunflowers can grow to a height of ten feet.
grow /grau/ [и I) to become bigger or taller over a period of time: Tom has really grown since I last saw him. + to Sunflowers can grow to a height of ten feet.
GUESS
THINK 8
\
see also
KNOW/ NOT KNOW
to guess something
ANSWER 4
SURE/ NOT SURE
guess ges/ |u I/T] to give an answer or decide that something is probably true, when you do not know enough to be sure: Are you sure Linda's pregnant, or are you just guessing? I We had to guess alot of the answers. I I didn't know ail the answers, so I just had to guess some of them.
guess what/how/who etc Listen to the voices of these famous people and try to guess who they are.
+ (that) Detectives guessed that her attacker was someone she knew. I I guessed she was probably the new secretary.
have a guess brtish take a guess
ESPECIALLY AMERICAN /.haSV 3 'ges, ,teik 3 'ges/
to guess an answer, amount, or number: "How much rent do you pay for your apartment?" "Take a guess." + at Have a guess at the answer, then check it with your calculator.
estimate /"est^meit/ [u T] to say how much something will cost, or how many of something there are etc, partly by calculating and partly by guessing + that Police estimate that 10,000
people took part in the demonstration. estimate sth at $350/Ј400 etc The
mechanic estimated the cost of repairs
at $350.
estimate what/where/how much etc
Can you estimate how much fabric you will need for the curtains?
Qmy guess is... /mai ges iz/ spoken say this when you are telling someone what you think has probably happened or will probably happen
+ (that) My guess is shell move back to the States. I My guess is that they've been delayed in a traffic jam.
El to guess correctly
GUESS
guess /ges/ [v 1/T] to guess correctly that something is true, or guess the right answer to something: "How old are you - about 27?" "Yes, how did you guess?" guess what/who/where IVhen I sail1 hou; upset she was, I guessed immediately what had happened. + (that) We'd already guessed that you were sisters - you look so alike! guess the truth They had a I ready guessed the truth about their son's disappearance.
CJ to guess incorrectly
overestimate /.suvar'est^meit/ [v T) to guess wrongly, by thinking that the amount, level, or cost of something is bigger, more expensive etc than it really is: People overestimated the risk of catching the disease.
underestimate /.Andar'est^meit/ [v T] to guess wrongly, by thinking that the amount, level, or cost of something is smaller, less expensive etc than it really is: They underestimated the amount of time it would take to finish the work.
■1 an attempt to guess something
guess ges [n C] an attempt to guess something: It'll probably take about 10 hours to get there, but that's just a guess.
make a guess (=try to guess something) / don't know why she left him, but I think I can make a guess.
Qgood guess especially spoken "When was the house built - about 1600?" "Good guess - it was 1624." rough guess (-one that is not intended to be exact) We think there are about 5 million users on the Internet, but this is only a rough guess.
guesswork gcswx'k [n U] when you
try to understand something or find the answer to something by guessing, because you do not have all the information you need: The police investigation was largely based on guesswork.
speculation /.spekj^'leipn [n U] when а lot of people, especially in newspapers and on television, try to guess what is happening or what will happen because they do not have much definite information + about There has been speculation about links between the Mayor and the Mafia.
334
+ that The latest defeat for the government led to increasing speculation that the Prime Minister would resign.
GUILTY/ NOT GUILTY
ponsible for a crime or for doing something bad
look here for... guilty of a crime or mistake feeling bad because you have done something wrong
if you mean 'think or say that someone is responsible for a mistake or something bad', go to blame
ASHAMED _ _ SORRY
\ Я
see also
CRIME COURT/TRIAL
guilty
guilty 'gilti [adj\ if someone is guilty of a crime, he or she is the person that did it Jind sb guilty (=decide in a law court that someone is guilty) The jury found Sewell guilty and he was sent to prison. guilty of murder/rape/a crime etc A 23- year-old woman was found guilty of murder in the Centra! Court yesterday. plead guilty (=say in a law court that you are guilty of a crime] Roberts pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.
responsible /ri spons^b^llln spam- [adj] if someone is responsible for a crime, accident, or mistake, they did it or made it happen: The other driver was responsible for the accident, and he should pay for the damage.
Use responsible especially to talk about accidents and mistakes caused by carelessness, or when no-one knows for certain who did it.
+ for Police believe a local gang is responsible for the recent burglaries, f Mrs Wi7/iams says that the hospital was responsible for her husband's death.
A
not guilty
innocent /'mas^nt/ [adj] if someone is innocent of a crime they did not do it - use this especially about someone that other people think is guilty: "Ididn't kill anyone
— I'm innocentI" Dauies shouted. I Bates
had allowed an innocent man to go to jail for his crime.
+ of Many people are kept in overcrowded prisons, even people who are innocent of any crime. innocence inos<?ns/ In U] when you are not guilty of a crime: Her parents were convinced of her innocence.
not guilty /nnt gilti/ if someone is not guilty of a crime, they did not do it - use this especially when a court has decided that someone did not do a crime /ind sb not guilty (of stM (=decide in a law court that someone is not guilty) The two women were found not guilty of drug-trafficking.
be acquitted /hi: ,vkwit.sd if someone is acquitted by a law court, they are officially toid that they are not guilty of a crime
+ of McQuade has been acquitted of attempted murder
when you feel ashamed about doing something bad
fee I guilty M gilti/ to feel worried and unhappy because you have done something wrong or because you have upset someone: I felt really guilty after spending all that money. I Are you feeling guilty because you didn't help her? + about Ed felt guiity about leaving work so early.
be/feel ashamed ,Ы:. ,fi:l ajeimd' to
feel very guilty and disappointed with yourself because you have done something wrong or behaved in an unpleasant or embarrassing way: She felt thoroughly ashamed when she remembered how drunk she'd been. + of I feel ashamed of what I did. be//eel ashamed to do sth I'm ashamed to admit it, but I wasn't really sorry when he died.
befjeei ashamed of yourself (=feel very guilty about something that you have done) You should be ashamed of your self, being so rude to your grandmother.
feel responsible /,fi:l n'spDns^b*l| -'spam-/ to feel that you made something
bad happen, especially because you were
careless or you could have prevented it from happening
+ for For a long time afterwards I felt responsible for his death.
C3f ее I bad /,fl:l bsed/ especially spoken to
feel very sorry because you have upset someone or done something that you should not have done + that I should have told Helen I was sorry. I feel really bad that I didn't.
+ about She feels bad about hitting the kids but she just can't stop.
have a guilty conscience /haev э
,gilti 'kDnj^nsl-'kam-/ to feel worried and unhappy for a long time because you know that you have done something wrong, especially something that other people do not know about: "He's so nice - he's always buying flowers for his wife." "That's only because he has a guilty conscience about his mistress."
guilt /gilt/|n U] the feeling you have when you have done something that you know is wrong
/eeling of guilt People often have feelings of guilt after a divorce.
H
HAIR
see also shine, describing people
/'\ Don't say 'she has dark hairs'. Say she has dark hair. Never use 'hairs' to talk about all the hair on your head.
Don't say 'she has blonde long hair'. Say she has long blonde hair.
II how long someone's
hair is, or how much hair they have
short /J3irt/ [adj] She's a pretty girl with short black hair.
long /bi]|ba]/ (adj) That's my sister - the one with long blonde hair. I Jim's hair used to be quite long.
shoulder-length /ТэоШэг Ieq0/ [adj]
shoulder-length hair is long enough to reach your shoulders: Do you know Melissa? She has shoulder-length brown hair.
down to /'daun tu:/ if someone's hair is down to their waist, shoulders etc, it is long enough to reach their waist, their shoulders etc: When Gran u?as young, she had beautiful black hair down to her waist. I 7 used to have hair down to here,' said Valerie indicating her shoulder.
bald /toild/ someone who is bald has little or no hair on their head: a short bald man in a dark suit
go bald (=lose your hair) My father started going bald in his twenties.
thick /0ik/ [adj] if someone's hair is thick they have a lot of hair growing closely together: Maria had beautiful thick dark hair.
in a bob/bobbed /in э bob, bDbd||-'ba:b, baibdI if a woman s hair is in a bob or is bobbed, it is cut to the same length all around, except at the front, and it ends at about the level of her chin
pony tail /'pauni.teil/ Jn CJ long hair tied together at the back of your head and hanging down like a tail: Who's that guy over there with the ponytail? in a ponytail Kathryn always wears her hair in a ponytail.
ZA how straight or curly someone's hair is
straight /streit/ [adj] straight hair does not have any curls: Yuri s straig/it black hair was thick and shiny.
wavy /'weivi/ [adj] wavy hair is not straight or curly, but has smooth curves in it: Her wavy brown hair was tied back ujith a red ribbon,
wavy - wavier - waviest
curly /'k3:rli/ (ad;l curly hair has tight curlsa chubby baby with blond curly hair
curly - curlier - curliest
frizzy /'frizi/ [adj] frizzy hair is full of stiff curls going in all directions, and looks as if it is difficult to control
Ei what colour someone's hair is
dark /dailc/ {adj\ dark hair is black or brown: The attacker is described as 5ft 9ins tall, with short dark hair. I Her husband is tall and dark. (=he has dark hair)
/air /fe3r/ [adj] fair hair is light brown or yellow: a little boy with fair hair and blue eyes
blonde/blond /blDnd||b)a:nd/ [adj] blonde hair is very light brown or yellow - use blonde about women, and blond about men: Janet's got beautiful long blonde hair. I Nicola has dark hair but her brother is blond. (=he has blond hair)
red /red/ [adj] red hair is an orange-brown colour: Ruth's the one with red hair.
grey BRmsH gray AMERICAN /grei/fadj] grey or gray hair is the colour between black and white, .which most people's hair is when they are older: a middle-aged businessman with grey hair and a grey suit
highlights/streaks /bailaits, striiks/ In plural] parts of your hair that have been made a lighter colour than the rest: She has brown hair with blonde highlights.
-haired /hesrd/ dark-haired/fair- haired/red-haired having dark hair, fair hair etc: a tall, fair-haired guy I Two grey-haired ladies got on the bus.
Ы what shape someone's hair is
hairstyle 'he9rstail; [n C] the shape of someone's hair and the way it has been cut: I think it's time / changed my hairstyle. I You can get magazines that show you all the latest hairstyles.
haircut /he3rkAt/ [n C] the way someone's hair has been cut - use this either when someone's hair has just been cut. or to talk about a particular style of haircut: 1 like your new haircut, HelenI I Her short, neat haircut and dark suit made her look rather serious.
В to have your hair cut or treated
have your hair cut /,hzev jy/'Ьеэг Ы,
to pay someone to cut your hair: Where
do you have your hair cut?
have your hair cat sKort Lee had his
hair cut really short.
haircut "healAt/ [n C] when you have your hair cut: I really need a haircut.
hairdresser also hairdresser's British
,"hear,dres9r(z)/ [n CI the shop where you go
to have your hair cut, washed, and put into particular styles: Tm going to the hairdresser's - see you later.
hairdresser h Q someone whose job is to cut and treat hair: Teresa used to be a hairdresser.
dye /daiI [u TJ to change the colour of someone's hair using chemicals: Peter's hair is so black - I'm sure he dyes it. dye sb's Kair biond/biacft etc When she was fifteen she dyed her hair bright pink.
dyed ladjl Do you think his hair is dyed?.
perm /рз:гт/ In C] when straight hair is made curly by using a chemical treatment have a perm Your hair would look thicker if you had a perm.
HAIR
permed [adj] permed hair
Q to wash and brush your hair
wash woJ1|wd:J\ wa:J; |u T] to make your hair clean by using water and shampoo: Do you wash your hair every day?
shampoo j&m'pui; [n C/Uj special liquid soap that you use to wash your hair shampoo [u T) to wash your hair
brush Ьгл| [у TI to make your hair smooth and tidy using a brush: She brushed her hair until it shone.
brush/hairbrush [n CJ the thing you use to brush your hair: "Where's my hairbrush?" 7 think its in the bathroom."
comb кэит [и T] to make your hair tidy by using a flat piece of plastic or metal with a row of thin teeth along one side: Just give me a minute to comb my hair. comb [n CJ the thing you use to comb your hair: Can I borrow your comb?
biow-dry Ыэо drai; (и T] to dry hair and shape it after washing it, using a hairdryer
HAPPEN
see also start, finish
U to happen
happen /'hiepan [и II use this especially about things that have not been planned to happen or that people do not expect: The accident happened at 2 pm yesterday. I What's happened? Why are you crying? I Before I knew what was happening. the man grabbed my bag and ran. I There's something happening in the street - come and look!
take place teik 'pleis/ to happen - use this about events, performances, ceremonies and other things that have been planned to happen: The wedding will take place on 23rd August. I Police are trying to prevent the demonstration taking place.
A\ Take place is more formal than
happen
there is /йеэг iz/ if there is an event.
338
accident, change etc, it happens, especially when you do not expect it: There
has been a serious accident on the Santa Monica Freeway. I You should see a doctor if there is any change in your condition. I There's a concert at the school next Saturday.
be going on /bi: .gauiq "on/ to be happening - use this especially about something that you think is bad or that you are unable to control: The kids are being very quiet. I'd better see what's going on! I She says that women are discriminated against, and that this has been going on for years.
occur /э'кэ:г/ [у I] formal to happen - use this especially about changes, chemical reactions, and other things that happen naturally: Major earthquakes like this occur very rarely. 1 The metal becomes liquid if heated, and this occurs at temperatures of over 300°C. I Death occurred at approximately 12.30.
occurring - occurred - have occurred
come true /,клт tru:/ if a dream or wish comes true, it really happens after you have waited for it for a long time: Patterson 's dream came true when he won the Boston marathon on his first attempt.
El something that happens
event /rvent/ [n C] something that happens, especially something important or interesting, or something that has been organized and involves a lot of people: The book discusses the events leading up to the outbreak of World War Two. I The Ryder Cup is the big golfing event this month. i The X Files' is a programme about strange and unexplained events.
annual event (=an event held every year) The beer festival is an annual event.
incident /'ins^dsnt/ [n C] formal something that happens, especially a crime or an accident: A man has been charged with murder following an incident at a house in North London. without incident (=without any problems or trouble) The fans were well behaved, and the game passed without incident.
occasion /э'ке!зл1/ [n C] an important social event or celebration: It's Mark's 21st birthday and we're having a party to celebrate the occasion. I The President is only seen on important state occasions.
special occasion The hotel caters for
weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions.
affair /эТеэг/ In C] something that happens in politics or public life, especially something shocking or illegal, which is talked about in the newspapers and on television: President Nixon was forced to resign after the Watergate affair. I Mr Major did nothing, hoping that the affair would soon be forgotten.
EJ when something happens to someone or something
happen to sb/sth /Ижрэп tu: (sb/sth)/
[pnrasal verb T] if something happens to someone or something, it happens and has an effect on them: What's happened to Dave? He seems in a really bad mood. I A lot of people don't seem to care about what is happening to the environment.
experience /ik'spi^rions/ [и T) formal if а person or organization experiences a problem, change etc, it happens to them: Most of us will experience this kind of problem at some time in our lives. I Many local companies have recently experienced financial difficulties.
I .
| ZIa Experience is more formal than j I happen to j
HAPPY
^ opposite sad
ENTHUSIASTIC/ UNENTHUSIASTIC
RELAX ф SMILE
^ I Д
LAUGH ^^ see ^^ ENJOY
also
EXCmNC/ ^ ^ SATISFIED/
EXCITED DISSATISFIED
COMFORTABLE/ CONFIDENT/
UNCOMFORTABLE NOT CONFIDENT
feeling happy
happy /haepi/ [adj] someone who is happy seems relaxed and satisfied, and feels that their life is good, especially because they are in a situation, job, or relationship that they enjoy: For the first five years of her marriage, they were extremely happy. I Liz seems a lot happier these days, doesn't she? 1 the children's happy faces happy doing sth / was very happy working in that office - the people were all really friendly,
a happy time/childhood/li/e/marriage
(=a time when you are happy) That year was the happiest time of my life. happy - happier - happiest
cheer/ul /'tJ"iorfol/ [adj] someone who is cheerful seems to be always happy, for example by smiling, and friendly: Ed's a very cheerful, friendly person. I 'My name's Rosie,' she said with a cheerful smile.
be in a good mood /Ы: in э ,gud mu:d/
to feel happy and behave in a happy, friendly way - use this about someone who is happy now, but is not always happy: Their teacher was in an unusu- ally good mood that morning. I Don't
ask him now - wait till he's in a good mood.
happy because something good has happened
happy /'haepi/ [adj] feeling happy because something good has happened to you or is going to happen: They returned home from their vacation feeling relaxed and happy.
happy to do sth I'm very happy to be back here again.
+ about Is she happy about being pregnant?
+ (that) He was very happy that Jane would be spending Christmas with them. happy - happier - happiest
pleased /pliizd/ [adj not before noun]
happy and satisfied with something that
has happened, especially something that
HAPPY
has happened to someone else or something good they have done: "Did you know that Barbara had a baby girl?" "Oh, I am pleased." + with Amanda's teachers seem very pleased with her progress, be pleased to hear/see/say You'll be pleased to hear that your application has been successful
+ (that) I'm very pleased that so many
A
people have agreed to help us.
If someone tells you about something good that has happened, don't say 'I am happy'. Say I am pleased or I am delighted.
glad /glaed/ [adj not before noun] pleased about a situation, especially because it has improved or because it is not as bad as it could have been: We were all glad when it was time to go home. glad to be/hear/say/see She was glad to hear he had arrived home safely. + (that) I'm really glad you like the present. \ Maria looked around at the other guests - she was glad she had decided to wear her best clothes.
delighted /di'lait^d/ [adj not before noun]
extremely happy because something very good has happened: She has been offered a job in Japan, and she's delighted of course.
+ (that) He was delighted that she had asked him to come.
+ with/by /at Wesley said he was delighted with the court's decision. delighted to be/hear/see etc We're absolutely delighted to hear that you're getting engaged.
A
Don't say 'very delighted'. Say absolutely delighted.
satisfied /'saetJ,sfaid/ [adj] pleased because something has happened in the way you want it to, or because something is as good as you expect it to be + with I'm very satisfied with the results of our discussions.
satisfied look/expression/smile Blake leaned back with a satisfied smile.
a happy feeling
happiness /haepin^s/ [n U] the feeling
340
you have when you are happy: She married at the age of 56, and at last found true happiness. I I don't think he really cares about his wife's happiness.
pleasure /"р1езэг; [n U] the feeling you have when you are doing something you enjoy or when something very nice has happened to you: Most craftsmen get a lot of pleasure out of making things, give/bring pleasure to sb His music has brought pleasure to people all over the world.
for pleasure (=when you do something just for enjoyment, not because you have to) reading for pleasure
satis/action /.saeUslaekJ^iv In U) the
feeling of happiness you get when you have done a job well, or when you have worked hard to achieve something: It was working with children that gave Diana the most satisfaction. great/deep satis/action Golding a/ways said that writing was hard work but it gave him great satisfaction. get satis/action from She gets a lot of satisfaction from seeing her designs turned into actual products, job satisfaction (=the feeling you have when you enjoy your job)
jou dpi/ In U) especially written a feeling of very great happiness: It's hard to describe the joy we felt, seeing each other again after so many years.
Ei happy because you are no longer worried about something
relieved /ri'lhvd/ (adjI happy because you are no longer worried about something, especially because something bad did not happen or something unpleasant has ended: Kate looked relieved when she
+ (that) 7'm fine,' she replied, relieved that he was no longer angry with her.
relief IriYnfj [n singular/U] the feeling you have when you are no longer worried about something
it is a relief to do sth It was a relief to get home after that terrible journey. with relic/ Martha noticed with relief that the strange man was no longer looking at her.
to sb's relie/ (=making someone feel relieved) He ran back to the restaurant and. to his relief, found his wallet was still on the table.
EJ to make someone feel happy
make sb happy /,meik (sb) haepi/ to make someone feel happy: Would winning ten million dollars really make you happy? I Nothing I did ever seemed to make him happy.
please /pli:z/ T] to make someone happy by doing what they want you to do: I only got married to please my parents. I Tony will do anything to please the boss.
satisfying /saet^sfai-113/ [adj] a satisfying
job, activity, or experience is one that you enjoy, especially because you feel you are doing something good and useful: Growing your own food can be very satisfying.
cheer up /.tjbr 'лр; [phrasa/ verb T] to make someone feel happy again after they have been unhappy
cheer up sb Sending flowers is a great
way to cheer up a friend who's
deoressed. i
cheer sb up Гт taking Angie out to a restaurant to cheer her up.
Ш to feel happy again after feeling sad
cheer up /.tjisr лрl \phrasal verb I] to feel happy again after you have been unhappy:
Matt soon cheered up when I offered to
take him to the ball game. I Cheer up. Jenny I Things aren't so bad.
HARD
opposite soft
^ if you mean 'hard to do or understand', go to difficult
II something that does not bend or change its shape
hard /ha:rd/ [adj] something that is hard does not change its shape when you press on it: The seats on the bus were hard and uncomfortable. I During the night the ground had become frozen and hard. I Diamonds are the hardest known substance in the world.
solid /'sol^dll'sa:-/ [adj] something that is solid is made of thick hard material is not hollow, and is difficult to damage or break:
That table looks pretty solid why don't you put the computer there? I a solid concrete floor I a solid oak door
firm <Тз:гтi |adj] not completely hard, but not changing shape much when you press it - use this about things that are sometimes soft, such as fruit, muscles, or the ground: exercises to make your stomach muscles nice and firm I I sat back and rested my head against a firm cushion.
Stiff ;stif; [adj] not easy to bend - use this about things like paper or cloth: He stuck the photos onto a sheet of stiff black cardboard. I The collar of his shirt felt stiff and uncomfortable.
tough /tAf/ [adj] meat that is tough is difficult to eat because it is not soft enough; materials that are tough are strong and difficult to break or damage: My steak's really tough - how s yours? I walking boots with tough rubber soles
Ed to become hard 'or to make something hard
harden .'ha:rdn [u I/T] to become hard or to make something hard: The glue needs about 24 hours to harden. I The steel is
hardened by heating it to a very high temperature.
set /set/ |u I] if a liquid substance sets, it becomes harder - use this to talk about something that slowly becomes harder after it is mixed with water, for example, food or building materials: How long does it take for cement to set?
setting - set - have set
HATE
II to hate someone or something
see also love, like/not like,
33 opinions
hate ,/heit/ [u T] to dislike someone or something very much: Dave hated his parents when he was a teenager. I Why do vou hate school so much? hate doing sth Like most people, Sally hated being unemployed, and she was
very relieved when she found a new job
Qcan't stand/can't bear ka:nt
staend. kaint Ьеэг||,кжт-/ especially spoken if you can't stand or can't bear a person or situation, they make you feel very uncomfortable, very angry or very unhappy, and you want to avoid them: They had loved each other once, but now they couldn't
stand each other. I When I was pregnant. I couln't bear the smell of meat cooking.
can't stand/bear doing sth She couldn't bear seeing him in such pain. can't stand/bear sb doing stk / can't stand people smoking while I'm eating.
detest/loathe 'driest, bxv [и T) to hate
someone or something very much especially because they make you feel very angry: S/ie always detested any form of cruelty. I Mrs Morel was married to a man whom she loathed, detest/loathe doing sth Above all Williams detested being shouted at by officers young enough to be his sons.
A Use detest or loathe especially when j you are writing stories or descriptions. j
Ea a feeiing of hating someone or something
hatred /'heitr^d [n U] an extremely strong feeling of hating someone or something: / could see the jealousy and hatred in Jeff s eyes.
+ of Tom had a hatred of any kind of authority.
+ /or/towards use this about a feeling of hate for people, not things: Strangely, the murderer said he never felt hatred for any of his victims.
El someone who hates you and wants to harm you
opposite friend
enemy /enami/ [n C] Did your husband have any enemies?
make a lot of enemies (=make a lot of people hate you and want to harm you) He made a lot of enemies while he was working as a police officer.
piuraj enemies
possess /pa'zes' [и T] formal to have a quality or skill, especially one that is very good or special: All of Barbara's children possessed amazing musical ability. I Brown had always possessed great energy and ambition.
HAVE/NOT HAVE
see also own, on
to have something such as a physical feature, a skill, or a quality
^ see also describing people
have 'hsev [и T) He's a good teacher and he has a lot of patience. I The city has plenty of good hotels and restaurants. I My sweater has a hole in it. i Do you have any information about apartments to rent?
A
having - had - have had
Don't say 'I am having', 'he is having' etc. Say I have, he has etc: She has blue eyes.
have got /hav 'gDt||-'ga:t [и T] especially British to have a feature, skill, or quality: My sister's got blonde hair and blue eyes. I Our new car's got a sun roof and CD player. I She told us she'd got a lot of experience with computers.
In spoken British English have got is more common than have-
Have got and had got are usually used in their short forms: I've got, she's got, we'd got etc.
With /wid, wi9i [preposition] use this after a noun to describe the qualities, physical features etc that someone or something has: Police are looking for a young man with a scar on his forehead. I The company needs more people with management experience. I a red shirt with a white collar
there is/there are йеэг iz, 5еэга:" use this to describe the things that a place has: /t's a big house - there are five bedrooms and two bathrooms. I Kyoto's а great place to visit. There are lots of fascinating old temples and gardens.
As, Possess is more formal than have or with, and is used especially for describing parts of someone's character. Don't use possess for describing what people look like. Don't say 'He possesses dark hair and brown eyes'. Say 'He has dark hair and brown eyes'.
to own something such as a television, a car, or a house
have (also have got especially British) /haev, hav gnt||-'ga:t/ [и Tj to have something because you have bought it or someone has given ii to you: Over 25% of fam Hies in this country have two or more cars. I Jake's got a beautiful house. 1 Have you got a fax machine? I Do you have a fax machine?
having - had - have had
As Don't say 'I am having', 'she is having' etc Say | have, she has etc: She has a new
car.
with ,/wkV wit)/ [preposition] use this after a noun to say what someone owns: с wealthy family with a big house in the country I Only people with a lot of
money can afford to stay at this hotel.
Own эоп [i> T] if you own something, especially something valuable such as a car, a house, or a company, it belongs to you legally: Andy and his wife own a villa in Spain. I Who owns this car? I The company was previously owned by the French government
to have something with you or near you, so that you can use it
have (also have got especially British)
/hsev. hov 'gDt||-'ga:t/ (и T] to have something with you or near you, for example in your pocket or bag or on your desk: Do you have any change for the parking meter?
HAVE/NOT HAVE
1 have the tickets in my purse. I Have you got a pen I could borrow? I Wait a minute. I think I've got a street map.
having - had - have had
Don't say 'I am having', 'he is having' etc. Say I have, he has etc: Don't worry, I have the passports.
lack /1аек/ [и t) formal to not have something important or something that you need: Some schools lack even the basic equipment such as pens, pencils, and books.
lack con/idence/ability/experience Tom
344
has always lacked confidence.
Qhave sth on you /'.hsv (sth) on ju:
especially spoken to have something in your pocket, bag etc, so that you can use it or let someone else use it: Do you have a calculator on you? I I realized I didn't have any money on me.
have sth with you /,haev (sth) wi5 ju:/
to have something useful in your pocket, bag etc when you are away from the place
where you usually live or work: You should have your identity card with you at all times. 1 Luckily I had my address book with me, so I called them to say I'd be late.
HEALTHY/ UNHEALTHY
«4 ф MEI
ГЧ see i^T
DOCTOR
ILL/SICK
STRONG
MEDICAL TREATMENT BETTER A _ MENTALLY ILL
EXERCISE
see also
/i V*
PAIN W WEAK
ILLNESS/DISEASE
to not have something
don't have /,daunt haev/ My parents don't have a TV. I Joe's family didn't really have much interest in his school work.
Haven't got /,haev«?nt 'gotl-gart/ especially British to not have something: She hasn't got much artistic ability. I I'd love to come with you, but I haven't got the money at the moment.
Д Be careful not to say 'I don't have got'.
Say I haven't got she hasn't got etc.
without /wid'aut/ [preposition] use this after a noun to say that someone or something does not have or own something: Billy came to class without his school books. I a house without a garden I There are so many people without jobs, be without sth (=not have basic things that you need) Some families in the region are still without running water.
be missing /bi: 'misii]/ if something is
missing, you no longer have it, for example because you have lost it or it has been removed-. When I put my hand in my pocket, I realized my passport was missing. I Two of his front teeth were missing.
not ill
healthy /'helQi/ [adj] someone who is healthy is not often ill and has nothing physically wrong with them: Karen has given birth to a healthy baby girl. I I feel much healthier since I stopped smoking. I Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables will help you to stay healthy.
healthy - healthier - healthiest
well /welI [adj not before noun] healthy - use this to say that someone feels or looks healthier than they usually do, or that they are healthy again after an illness: Do you think he's well enough to travel? I Take plenty of rest and you'll soon be well again.
look well I saw Linda this morning. She looks really well after her vacation.
A
fine
define I fain/ [adj not before noun] especially spoken say this when someone has asked you how you feel and you are replying that you feel very well: "How are you?" "I'm fine, thanksI "Is Ted all right?" "Yes, he's fine."
Don't say 'I'm very fine'. Just say I'm
better 'bet3r [adj not before noun] if someone is better, they are well again after being ill: "How 's your father now?" "Oh, he's much better, thanks." feel better After a couple of days' rest, she felt a lot better.
В healthy and strong because you often do physical exercise
/it fit [adj] especially BRmsH healthy and strong, especially because you play sport or do exercise regularly: Sandy's very fit - he runs five miles every day. keep jit Cycling is a good way to keep fit.
fitness [n U] an exercise programme for people at all levels of fitness
be in shape /bi: in Jeip/ if you are in
shape you are not fat and you can play sport or do exercise without getting tired stay in shape/keep in shape Walking to and from work helps me to stay in shape.
in good shape Both women played well and looked in good shape.
El how healthy/unhealthy someone is
health /heie/ In U] It is now known that parents' smoking can affect their children's health. I a health and beauty magazine
be in good/poor health (=be healthy/ unhealthy) Despite her age, your mother seems to be in good health.
■i not healthy or fit
unhealthy /Mi'heiei/ lad;] not healthy, and
often ill: James was a pale, unhealthy child.
unfit /лпТи/ [adJ] British someone who is unfit gets tired very easily when they do physical activities, for example because they eat or drink too much, or they do not get enough exercise. I'm so unfit, I can't even run to the top of the stairs! I A lot of businessmen are overweight and unfit.
out of shape/out of condition
/ aut sv "Jeip, ,aut sv kan'dij^n/ if someone is out of shape or out of condition, they
get tired easily when they do sport or exercise, because they do it less often than they used to: He used to play squash every day but now he's really out of condition.
ш something that is good for your health
be good for you /bi: god far ju:/ if a
particular kind of food or activity is good for you, it helps you to stay healthy: Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are very good for you. I She does yoga three times a week because she thinks it's good for her.
healthy /'helBi/ [adj usually before noun] healthy food or a healthy way of living helps you to stay healthy: I'm trying to eat a healthier diet now, with less fat
and sugar.
healthy - healthier - healthiest
nutritious /njui'trijasfnu:-/ [adj] food that is nutritious contains the natural substances that your body needs in order to stay healthy or to grow: Brown bread is more nutritious than white. I a light and nutritious lunch dish
Nutritious is a slightly formal word, and is more common in written English.
19 something that is bad for your health
be bad for your health/be bad for
you /bi: ,baed fVp:r hel9, bi: b«d fbr ju:/ if a particular kind of food or activity is bad for your health or bad for you, it is likely to make you ill or less healthy: Smoking is bad for your health. I Be careful when you're sunbathing - too much sun can be bad for you.
unhealthy Mn'heiei/ [adj] unhealthy foods, places, situations etc are likely to make you ill or less healthy: An unhealthy diet may make your headaches worse. I They work long hours in unhealthy and dangerous conditions.
harmful /'ha:rmf,?l/ |adj] if something is harmful, it has a bad effect on your health: the harmful effects of radiation + to UV light can be harmful to the eyes.
Don't confuse hear and listen. If you hear something, a sound comes into your ears: I heard loud music coming from the next room. If you listen to something, you want to hear it and you pay attention to what you hear: I enjoy listening to music.
D to hear something or someone
hear /hisг/ [и I/Т) Did you hear that noise? I Suddenly we heard a knock at the door. I I pretended not to hear. Hear sb/sth doing sth We often hear our neighbours shouting at their children. I Do you hear that bird singing? hear sb/sth do sth She ran outside and I heard the front door slam after her. I Did you hear them announce your name?
hearing - heard - have heard
Д Don't say 'I am hearing', or are you hearing?' etc. Vou can say either I hear, do you hear etc, or (especially in British English) I can hear, can you hear etc, and it means the same: I hear footsteps on the stairs (=1 can hear footsteps on the stairs), But don't use 'can hear' when you are talking about something that you hear often or regularly: We often hear them arguing (not 'we can often hear them arguing ). In the past tense, you can say I could hear and it usually means the same as I heard: We could hear footsteps on the stairs (=We heard footsteps on the stairs).
Overhear /,3ov3r,h[3r/ [и T] to accidentally hear what someone is saying, when they do not realize that you can hear them: / overheard a conversation between two of the doctors when I was in the waiting room.
overhear sb saying/talking/arguing etc
We ot>erhearc/ Jenny and her friends talking about their boyfriends last night.
HEAR
see also listen
see also sound, loud, quiet
A
HEAR
overhearing - overheard - have overheard
the ability to hear
hearing !Ъшщ1 [n U] Years of playing in a rock band resulted in a loss of hearing. I a hearing test (=to find out how good or bad your hearing is)
my/her/his etc hearing My hearing's not very good - can you speak a little louder please?
when you cannot hear
can't hear ,,ka:nt h]3r||,kaent-/ use this when you mean that you want to hear something but you are unable to hear it, for example because it is too quiet or there is too much other noise: Can you turn the radio up - I can't hear the news. I The music was so loud that I couldn't hear what she was saying.
didn't hear /,didnt 'Ыэг/ use this when you mean that you did not hear something at all, especially when you did not realize there was anything to hear: I was outside in the yard, so I didn't hear the phone. 1 What time did you get back fast night? I didn't hear you come in. I She didn't hear the car pulling up outside the house.
QdLdn't catch sth /.didnt 'kaetf (sth)/
spoken use this when you mean that you did not hear what someone said, because they were speaking too quietly or because you were not listening carefully: I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name. I We were sitting at the back and didn't quite catch what he was saying.
deaf idef [adj] someone who is deaf cannot hear well or cannot hear at all: A lot of deaf children have additional problems in learning to speak. 1 She's partially deaf.
346
hard of hearing /,haird 3v hi^riQ/ someone who is hard of hearing cannot hear well: My grandfather's a little hard of hearing, so he always has the TV turned up uery loud.
When you see 19, go to the
FSSFNTIAI COMMUNICATION section
347
HELP
HELP
HEAVY
opposite LIGHT 5
something that weighs
a lot
heavy /'hevi/ [adj] something that is
heavy weighs a lot or weighs more than
you expect: That table's too heavy for you fo move on your own. I a truck carrying a heavy load I Boys are usually slightly heavier than girls at birth.
heavy - heavier - heaviest
Q weigh a ton ,wei э un; spoken if
something weighs a ton, it is very heavy and difficult to lift: The box was full of books and weighed a ton.
how heavy someone or something is
weigh /wei/ iul to be a particular weight weigh 50 kilos/30 tons etc She weighs about 58 kg. I Each whale was about 40 feet long and weighed 45 tonnes. how much sb/sth weighs How much does this parcel weigh? Qwhat sb weighs spoken (say this to ask or talk about how much someone weighs) What do you weigh now, Stephanie?
weight /weit/ [n U] the amount that someone or something weighs: Your weight is about right for someone of your height. + of The cost of postage depends on the weight of the package.
how heavy /hao 'heviI use this to ask or
say how much something weighs, especially something that is very heavy: How heavy is the average small cor? I You'd be surprised how heavy these sacks are.
to find out how heavy someone or something is
weigh /we]/ [и T] to measure the weight of a person or thing: Have you weighed yourself lately? 1 a special machine that weighs each truck and its cargo
scales British scale american /skeilz,
skei]/ (n singular! a machine or piece of equipment for measuring the weight of people or things: The scales showed I'd gained ten pounds in a week.
to help someone
help /help/ (u I/T| to make it easier for someone to do something, by doing part of their work, showing them what to do, or giving them something they need: Dad, I con't do my homework. Will you help me, please?! a charity which helps children in countries such as Bosnia and Romania I The new job was difficult at first but knowing foreign languages really helped, help sb to do sth Steve helped her to clean up the mess.
help sb do sth If you write a list, it will help you remember what to buy. help (sb) with sth Gauin helps with the housework. I Do you u>ant me to help you with those bags? help sb across/down/along etc (=help someone to go somewhere) The nurse helped him down the stairs. help sb out (=help someone who has problems and needs help) Dad's helped us out on several occasions by sending us money.
give sb a hand /,giv (sb) э haend/ spoken to help someone to do something, especially by carrying or lifting things: Dave wants to move some furniture and I promised I'd give him a hand. give sb a hand with sth Could you give me a hand with the shopping?
assist /o'sist/ [v I/T] formal to help someone by doing part of their work for them, especially the less important things assist sb with/in sth I was employed to assist the manager in his duties. + with/in Several of the guests assisted with the preparation of the food.
Д, Don't say 'I assist him to do his work'. Sayl assist him with his work.
see also advantage/disadvantage,
explain
Odo sb a favour внглбн do sb a favor american /,du: (sb) э 'felV3r/ especially spoken to do something to help someone, especially a close friend or someone you know well: Could you do me a favour and post these letters on your way to school?
HELP
do sb a big favour (=help someone a lot) Simon did me a big favor by lending me
his car.
do Sth for sb /'du: (sth) fo:r (sb)/ [phrasa/ verb T] to help someone by doing something instead of them: I'll do the shopping for you if you 're feeling tired. I Judith's always doing her brother's homework for him.
to make someone feel more confident and less worried
encourage /т'клгкут'кет-/ [u T] to say
or do something that helps someone feel confident enough to do something: She was always looking for ways to encourage her students.
encourage sb to do sth It was me who
encouraged Rosie to give up her job and go to university.
be supportive /bi: S3'pa:rt[v/ to make someone feel less worried and more confident, talking to them in a sympathetic way and giving them practical help: Ever since I found out I was pregnant, my family has been very supportive.
to help something to happen
help /help/ [ v T] to make it more likely that something good will happen help do sth Going to Spain for a month should help improve her Spanish. help to do sth A massage wi// help to relax your mind and your body. help sb (to) do sth All this arguing isn't going to help us win the election.
encourage /т'клпсЭДт'кяг-/ [v T] to
make people more likely to want to do something, or make something more likely to happen: Do you think that violence on TV encourages crime? encourage sb to do sth // we had a better rail system, it would encourage people to leave their cars at home.
promote /ргэ'тэо1/ [и T] formal to help something good to happen or develop and
increase: a meeting to promote trade
between Korea and the UK I A balanced diet promotes good health and normal development. I The meetings
348
when someone or something helps you
help/ul "helpful' [adj] someone or something that is helpful gives you help or makes it easier for you to do something: If you have problems with the computer you may find the instruction manual helpful. I Thanks, Sam. You've been very helpful.
it is help/ul to do sth It's helpful to prepare a list of questions before going to an interview.
A
help/ul advice/idea/suggestion Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? I She gave us some helpful advice about renting apartments.
Don't write 'helpful!'. The correct spelling is helpful.
Qbe a help /bi: э'help; especially spoken if someone or something is a help, they make it easier for you to do something that you are trying to do: For the teachers, having more books and equipment would be a help.
be a big/great/real help Thanks for looking after the children. You've been a real help.
someone who helps another person
assistant /a'sist^nt/ [n C] someone whose job is to help another person who has a more important job, by doing things for them; Ryan got a job in a TV studio as a sound engineer's assistant. assistant to sb Janet is the assistant to the Director of Finance.
Д You can also use assistant before a noun, like an adjective: the assistant manager I Peter is an assistant editor on a news programme.
helper /'helps1'/ [n C] someone who helps other people, especially because they want to do it and not in order to earn
are intended to promote good relations between the two communities.
money: Ella works at the hospital once a week as a voluntary helper.
accomplice /э^лтрЦ$||э'ка:т-, эклт-/ [n С] formal someone who helps another person in a crime: Evans could not have carried out the robbery without an accomplice. I The man held a knife to her throat while his accomplice snatched her keys.
something that someone does in order to help
help /help/ [n U] something that someone does in order to help: If I need any help I'll call you. I Please don't hesitate to ask for help if there's anything you don't understand.
+ with Do you need any help with those suitcases?
Kelp doing sth I wouldn't mind some
help moving that piano.
with the help of Ian pushed the car as
far as the garage with the help of some
friends.
A Don't say 'a help' in this meaning. Just say help or some help, any help etc.
assistance /3'sist^ns/ [n U] formal help
given to someone who needs it, often in the form of money, advice, or information: The Association gives advice and practical assistance to motorists. /inanciai assistance Students here receive very little financial assistance from the government. be of assistance (=help someone) Our tour guides will be pleased to be of assistance if you have any problems.
aid /eid/ [n U] food, money, medicine, and
other kinds of help that are given to countries or people who need them, because they are very poor or have serious problems: Each year the US sends more than $1.8 billion worth of aid to sub-Saharan Africa. I Aid is not getting through to the refugees.
not giving any help
not help/ul/unhelp/ul jmx helpful,
An'helpfolI not giving someone the help they need, especially when they have asked for help: I found the sales assistants most unhelpful I The authorities were not at all helpful when Rob reported that his passport had been stolen.
Q use less /'juisl^s/ [adj] especially spoken
not giving any help - use this when you are annoyed with someone or something because they should help you but they do not: Those useless people in the tax office couldn't give me any advice. completely/absolutely useless It's no good reading the instructions - they're
completely useless.
HERE
see also place
here
Here /hisг/ [adu] in, to, or from this place: Were you born here? I I'll stay here and wait for the others. I I really love it here in Italy.
be here Check the names off the list to make sure everyone's here. come/get/arrive here (=come to this place) What time did you get here? I We moved here about two years ago. around/near here (=near this place) Do you live around here? right here (=in this exact place) I put my keys right here in the drawer from here (=from this place) I know a really good Spanish restaurant not far from here.
down/in/up here Hey, guys; she called up to us, 'I'm down here in the basement.'
A
A
Don't use aid in the plural. Aid is an uncountable noun.
You can also use aid before a noun, like an adjective: aid agencies I the iederai aid budget
Д Don't say 'come to here', 'arrive to here' etc. Say come here, arrive here: We
A
came here by bus.
Don't say 'here the weather is nice'. Say the weather is nice here. Don't put 'here' at the beginning of a sentence.
HERE 350
be in /bi: 'in/ [phrasal verb I] to be in your home or at the place where you work: Hello, Susan. Is Richard in? I She has to be in by 11 o'clock every night.
Qbe around /bi: 3'raund/ [phrasa/ verb
I] spoken if someone or something is
around, they are here or somewhere near here, especially when you need them: "Where's the iron?" "Oh, it must be around somewhere." t Are you going to be around at Christmas, or are you going away?
+ from James was absent from school again today.
missing ,"misii]/ [adj] someone or something that is missing is not in the place where you expect them to be, and it is difficult or impossible to find them: The missing files were eventually found in Slater's apartment.
+ from Oh no! The last page is missing from this book!
HIDE
be present 'bi: 'prez^nt formal to be here - use this especially about people being at official meetings or ceremonies: The President regrets he cannot be present at the meeting this afternoon.
EA not here
not be here /nDt bi: 'Ыэг/ She wasn't here when the accident happened. I He hasn't been here long, but he's made a lot of changes already.
not be around 'nDt bi: s'raund/ informal. if someone or something is not around, they are not here or near here, especially when you need them: There's never a police officer around when you need one. I If Julie isn't around maybe Maria could help you.
be out/not be in /bi: act, nDt bi: in, [phrasa/ verb 1] to not be in your home or at the place where you work, especially when someone wants to see you: Mr Newton called while you were out -he'll call back later. I I'm sorry, I won 't be in today -1 have to go to the doctor's.
be away /bi: swei/ [phrasal verb I] to not be at home or work for several days because you have travelled somewhere else, or not be at school or work because you are ill or on holiday: She's going to be away for at least a week, be away on business I'm sorry, Mr Hyam is away on business right now. be away from home/work/school Because of her job, she is sometimes away from home for weeks at a time.
be absent /bi: 'aebs^nt/ if someone is absent, they are not at school or at the place where they work, especially because they are ill or on holiday
^ see also secret, show
II to hide things
hide haid [v T] to make something difficult to see or find, for example by putting it somewhere secret, or by covering it: The police had secretly hidden a tape recorder in Larry's apartment. I Hiding her face, she walked past the photographers towards her car. hide sth in/behindf under etc sth He hid the money under his bed. hide sth from sb (=make sure someone cannot see or find something) I shoved the cigarettes into my bag, to hide them from my Dad
hiding - hid - have hidden
hidden [adj] a hidden microphone.
conceal /k^n'si:!/ [u Tj to hide something, especially by covering it: Several kilos of drugs were concealed in the back of the truck.
concealed [adj] a man carrying a concealed weapon
A Conceal is more formal than hide, and is often used when you are talking about things that are hidden for dishonest or criminal reasons.
cover /'kAV3r/ [i> T] if you cover something. you put something over it or on top of it so that it cannot be seen: He reached for a towel to cover his naked body. cover sth with sth Jane covered her face with her hands and started to cry.
ГЦ
in the ground and cover it with earth or sand in order to hide it: Dogs like to bury bones.
bury stK in/under etc stK He murdered his wife and buried her body in a field.
burying - buried - have buried
to hide yourself
hide /haid [и I] to go somewhere where people cannot easily see you or find you: Dad's coming! Quick ~ hide! + under/in/beKind etc / hid in a doorway until the man had gone. I I think there 's someone hiding behind the door. + from Are you trying to hide from me?
hiding - hid - have hidden
go into hiding /,gau inta 'haidii]/ to go to a place where you can hide for a long time, because you are in danger or because the police are looking for you: Many Jewish families went into hiding during World War Two I Police believe the robbers have gone into hiding.
to hide your feelings
hide /haid/ [v T] to deliberately not show your real feelings: I couldn't hide my annoyance any longer. I 'That's OK,r she said, trying to hide her disappointment. hiding - hid - have hidden
disguise /dts'gaiz/ [v T] especially written to not show your real feelings, by pretending to feel something else: Kate gave a cheerful smile, somehow managing to disguise
her embarrassment. I He didnt even
attempt to disguise his amazement.
to hide information
conceal /ksn'si:!/ [и T] to hide information from people by not telling them all the facts, or by not telling them the truth about a situation: He managed to conceal the fact that he had been in prison, and got a job as с security officer. conceal stK/rom sb For years. Anna had concealed her true identity from everyone.
buru /'beri/ [и Tj to put something in a hole
351
cover-up клуэг лр< [n CI when an organization, for example the government or the police, tries to stop people from finding out the truth about something. The Watergate cover-up finally led to Nixo n 's res ignat ion.
cover up /,клуэг лр I [phrasal verb TJ to try to stop people from finding out about someone's mistakes or crimes cover up stK Lewis asked his wife to lie in an attempt to cover up the murder, cover stK up He had made a big mistake, and I knew we wouldn't be able to cover it up for long.
places to hide
hiding-place 'haidiij pleis/ [n C] a place where someone can hide, or a place where you can hide something: I've found a good hiding-place for the money.
hideout haidaut/ [n C] a place where someone goes to hide from the police or from someone dangerous: The kidnappers used an abandoned farmhouse as their hideout.
HIGH
opposite low look here for...
high
a high shelf
a tall tree
high har [adj] measuring a long distance from top to bottom - use this especially
a high mountain, building, tree etc a high sound or voice a high temperature, level etc
j A Don't use high to talk about people, i Use tall-
D a high building/
HIGH
mountain/tree
about mountains, walls, or buildings: The castle ukis surrounded by high wa//s. I Mount Qomolangma is the highest mountain in the world. I a high fence
tall ,:Ы/ \adj] high and not wide or long -
use this especially about trees and plants or about buildings and parts of buildings: The main square was surrounded by tall grey buildings. I Two tall marble columns stood at either side of the entrance, animals hiding in the tall grass
A Don't use tall about mountains or walls.
skyscraper /'skai.skreip^V [n C] a very
tall modern city building, especially one used for offices: the skyscrapers of Manhattan
high-rise /'hai raiz< [adj only before noun] a high-rise building is a tall modern building, used either for apartments or for offices: a high-rise apartment block
a long distance above the ground
high /Ьai/ [adyadu] a large dining-room with a high ceiling I The shelf was too high for me to reach. + in/into/above The plane flew high above their heads. I Lava from the volcano was sent high into the air + up The house was high up on a hill.
how high something is
how high /,hau 'hai, use this to ask or say the height of something: "How high is Mount Fuji?" "It's almost 4000 metres."
I I'm not sure how high the ceiling is.
30 m/IOOft etc high (30 m etc) hai if a building or mountain is 30 m, 100 ft etc high, the distance from top to bottom is 30 m, 100 ft etc: Scotland's highest mountain is over 4000 ft high. I a 5 m high wall
height /hait/ fn C/U] the distance between the top and the bottom of something, or the distance that something is above the ground + of What's the height of that building? 200 ft/30 m etc in height Some of the pyramids are over 200 feet in height. a height of 25 ml 100 ft etc One of the climbers fell from a height of 25 m.
level /'lev<?l/ In CI the height of something which you use as a basis for describing the height of something else: Hold your arms out at the same level as your shoulders. + of We hung the painting just above the level of the window.
sea level (=the height of the surface of the sea, used for measuring the height of mountains, hills etc) The village is about
1500 metres above sea level.
altitude /ЈlUtju:d||-tu:d/ [n C] the distance that something is above the ground - use this especially to talk about planes or about places in mountainous areas at an altitude of 10,000 met res/30,000 feet etc The plane is now flying at an
altitude of 30,000 ft.
at high altitudes At high altitudes it is often difficult to breathe.
a high sound/voice/ musical note
see alsosouND
high /hai/ [adj] near the top of the range of sounds that humans can hear - use this about sounds, voices, or musical notes: Most people can't sing such high notes
high-pitched ha! pitjt4 [adj] a high- pitched voice or sound is very high and is often unpleasant to listen to: I could hear high-pitched laughter coming from the girls' room.
piercing 'pi9rsn]/ [adj usually before noun] very high and loud, in a way that is painful or unpleasant to listen to: Sammy put his fingers in his mouth and gave с piercing whistle.
piercing shriek/scream/cry the loud high noise someone makes when they are frightened or in pain) Maggie let out a piercing scream as she saw the truck speeding towards her.
a high temperature/
level/rate/cost
high /hai/ [adj] In summer; temperatures
can be as high as 40 °C. I The city has one of the highest crime rates in the world. 1 the high level of pollution in Britain's rivers
HIT
ACCIDENTALLY PUNISH Ж ACCIDENT
kill
VIOLENT
ATTACKф ^ HURT/INJURE DELIBERATELY
to hit someone deliberately
hit 'hit/ [u Tj to deliberately hit someone with your hand, or with something that you are holding in your hand: / was so mad / just wanted to hit her. Kit sb with sth Cathy turned around and hit the man with her umbrella. hit sb in the eye/on the noselover the head He hit a waiter over the head with a bottle during a drunken fight.
hitting - hit - have hit
punch 'рлпф (и Tj to hit someone hard with your closed hand, especially during a fight. Steve swung around and punched Rick, knocking him to the ground. punch sb on the nose/in the eye/in the face Sarah was arrested for punching a police officer in the eye.
slap /slaep/ [i> T] to hit someone quickly with the flat part of your hand making a loud sound; Liz got really angry with her daughter and slapped her slap sb across the face He was so rude, I felt like slapping him across the face. slapping - slapped - have slapped
beat up /,bi:t лр; [pЛ rasa/ verb T] to hurt someone badly by hitting them again and again
beat sb up Bob often used to get drunk and beat his wife up. beat up sb The gang would beat up old women and steal their money.
beat Up on sb /bi:t 'лр on (sb)||-a:n-/
break
see
also
see
DRIVE
ICK ф HU'
[phrasa/ verb T] American to hurt someone younger and weaker than yourself by hitting them again and again. Wayne used to beat up on other kids in the class.
to hit someone or something by accident
hit /hit/ [и T) to hit someone or something without intending to: Be careful with that ladder! You nearly hit me with it. I The bus hit a tree and the driver was badly injured.
hit sb on the head/in the face etc A
flowerpot fell off the balcony, hitting a child on the head.
hit your head/knee/elbow etc He fell
and hit his head on the side of the desk. hitting - hit - have hit
bump into sb/sth /'Ьлтр intui (sb/sth)/
[phrasal verb T] to accidentally hit someone or something when you are walking
or running, because you are not paying
attention or you cannot see properly: Mark ran around the corner and bumped into his teacher. I I kept bumping into things as I made my way across the dark yard.
crash into sb/sth /'kr<ej mtu: (sb/sth),
[phrasal verb T] to accidentally hit someone or something when you are moving very fast, causing a lot of damage and making a lot of noise-. The car crashed straight into a tree. I Eric came running down the corridor and crashed into me.
bang '1Ъщ1 [v T] to accidentally make part of your body, or something you are carrying, hit hard against something else, making a noise
bang sth on/against sth They banged the piano against the wall as they car ried it downstairs.
bang your head/knee/elbow etc Sean banged his knee getting up from the desk.
collide .'ka'laid/ [v I] if people or vehicles collide, they hit each other when they are moving in different directions: Two planes collided in mid-air.
+ with He ran out of the door, and almost collided with Sally as she uoas coming in.
to hit someone as a
punishment
353
HIT
beat Ib'ml [v T] to hit someone many times with your hand or with a stick, gun etc in order to punish them: The guards dragged Blair out of his cell and beat him.
beat sb with sth Two of the soldiers began beating her with rifles.
beating - beat - have beaten
smack/spank/slap /smack, spaenk, slaep/ [u T] to hit a child who you think is
behaving badly, using your hand: Dad would sometimes shout at us, but he never smacked us. I Do you think that parents should be allowed to spank their children?
slapping - slapped - have slapped smack/spank/slap [n singular] Stop being so naughty or you 11 get a smack!
corporal punishment /,кэ:гр«?го1
рлш/тэги/ [n U| when people, especially children in schools, are punished by being hit: Corporal punishment was abolished in Britain in 1986,
to hit a bait when playing a sport
hit /hit [и T] to hit a ball in a sport, usually with a bat, racket, or other piece of equipment: You get three chances to hit the ball. ! Torrance took a good look at the ball and hit it 80 yards up the fairway. hit sth hard Hit the ball as hard as you can,
hitting - hit - have hit
to hit a door, table, or window in order to get attention
knock /пок||па:к/ [и I) to hit a door or window several times with your hand, because you want to go inside or talk to someone: Please knock before you enter I We kept knocking, but no-one opened the door.
Don't say 'knock the door'. Say knock
on the door or knock at the door.
i
L
bang /Ъж1]/ [u I] to keep hitting a door, window, table etc, making a loud noise
knock on/at the door Was that someone knocking at the door? knock on/at the window Ella knocked lightly on the car window to try and wake him up. knock |n singular] Dad gave a loud knock on the door.
A
bang on the door/window/table etc
Mum was banging on his bedroom door, screaming at him to turn the music down. I The students started banging on their desks.
hammer /Ъжтэг/ [и 1] to keep hitting а door or window loudly, especially because you are angry or impatient hammer at/on the door We were woken by the sound of the police hammering at
the door
hammer at/on the window Phil hammered on the window, hoping that someone would hear him.
tap /taep/ [u I/T] to hit a door, window, or table gently in order to make people notice you: Mr Norton tapped his desk
with a ruler until everyone was silent, tap on a door/window She turned and
saw a small boy tapping on the class room window
tap at a door/window I tapped three times at the door.
tapping - tapped - have tapped
to make someone or something fall down by hitting them
knock out /.rrok 'aot||,ncuk-/ [phrasa/ verb T] to hit someone so hard that they fall down and become unconscious knock sb out He punched Colin hard on the head, knocking him out. knock out sb Tyson knocked out his opponent in the second round.
knock over/knock down /nok
30V3r, ,nok daon||(na:k-/ [phrasal verb T] to accidentally hit someone or something that is standing, and make them fall: A truck went out of control and knocked down a traffic light. I I bumped into Anna and almost knocked her over. get knocked down/over As the crowd rushed towards the gate, several people got knocked over.
run over /,глп "эиV9r/ [phrasal verb T] to hit someone when you are driving a car, truck etc, and injure them or kill them run sb over A little boy stepped out in the street, and I almost ran him over. get run over Get out of the road! You'll get run over!
HOLD
look here for ...
hold something or someone
drop something
if you mean 'have something
inside', go to contain
see also lift, carry, take/bring
II to have something in your hand
Ко Id /hauld/ |i> T) to have something in your hand, with your fingers around it so that it does not fall: The photo showed a young boy holding a flag, I Can you hold my coat while I try on this sweater?
holding - held - have held
in your hand /in p:r haend if something
is in your hand, you are holding it: What's that in your hand? I He already had a glass in his hand when we arrived.
handle /'teendl/ [» T] to touch or hold something - use this especially about things that you must be careful with such as weapons, food, or things that break easily: It was the first time I had ever handled a gun. 1 Stajf who handle food should have special training. I A sign on the box said 'Fragile. Handle with care
H to hold something tightly
grip /gripI [i> T] to hold something tightly: I gripped the handrail and looked down at the people in the street below. I Gripping her arm tightly, Max pulled her away from the road.
gripping - gripped - have gripped
clutch /kUtJV [v t) especially written to
hold something very tightly, especially because you are frightened or nervous or because you do not want to lose what you are holding: I could feel his little hand clutching my arm. 1 Going out in the dark street, she clutched her bag tightly.
hold on /(ЬэиId 'Dn||-U:n/ (phrasal verb I| to hold something tightly because you are afraid that you will fall or that you will lose what you are holding + to / had to hold on to my hat to stop it blowing away, hold on tight the roller coaster turned upside down I shut my eyes and held on tight.
Bi to start to hold something
get hold oj sth/take hold of sth
/.get haold dv (sth), ,teik hauld dv (sth)/ to take something and hold it in your hand: I took hold of the door handle and pulled as hard as I could. 1 When you get the fish out of the net, try to get hold of its tail.
grab jgraeb/ [и T] to quickly and roughly take something and hold it: She tried to grab the knife from him. 1 Suddenly, a police officer grabbed my arm.
grab bold of stK I grabbed hold of his
leg and hung on.
grabbing - grabbed - have grabbed
El to hold someone
hold /haold/ [u T] to hold someone by putting your arms around their body, especially in order to make them feel less worried or upset: I held him until he went to sleep.
Kold sb tight (=close to your body) He held her tight and let her cry. holding - held - have held
hug /hAg/ [uTlto hold someone for a short time, pressing their body with your arms in a friendly or loving way: My father hugged me affectionately when I got home.
hugging - hugged - have hugged
bug [n CI Come and give me a hug.
cuddle kAdl [o l/T) to hold someone in
your arms for a long time, especially a child, a small animal, or someone you love: She had fallen asleep in her chair cuddling a little teddy bear. kiss and cuddle (=when two people hold each other and kiss each other) They were kissing and cuddling on the sofa. cuddle [n С) when you cuddle someone: She was giving the baby a cuddle.
355
HOLD
put your arms around sb /potjoir at'mz araond (sb)/ especially written to hold someone in a loving way, in order to kiss them or make them less upset: / put my arms around her and kissed her I She didn't speak, just put her arms around him and stroked his hair.
Put your arms around sb is used especially in stories.
hold sb's hand /.haold (sb's) 'haend/to hold someone's hand, as a sign of love or to make them feel safe: Hold my hand. Billy. It's a dangerous road. hold hands (=when two people hold each other's hands) two lovers walking along the beach, holding hands
to stop holding something
let go /,let 'gao/ to stop holding something or someone: Let go! You're hurting me + of She wouldn't let go of the letter.
drop /drop||dra:p/ [и T] to stop holding something suddenly, especially by accident. so that it falls to the ground: Be careful not to drop any of those plates. I soon as she saw him she dropped her suitcases and ran towards him.
A
dropping - dropped - have dropped
puncture
puncture briush /lat tire american /pAijktJV, ,flaet 'шэг/ [n C] a hole made accidentally in a tyre, which allows air to get out and makes the tyre unsafe: Do you know how to mend a puncture? get a puncture/flat tire I got a flat tire and I was late for work.
gap /gaep/ [n C] a space in the middle of some- thing, for example in a wall or a fence, where a part of it is missing + in The cows had ^ ,
1,1 i The dog escaped
escaped through a gap throug^ а ga{; jn
gap
in the hedge. the fence.
HOLE
a hole that goes through something
hole /haul/ [n C] an empty space that goes right through something, so that water, air, light etc can pass from one side of it to the other-. I can't wear these socks - they're full of holes.
+ ii\ We cou/d see the sky through a hole in the roof.
make a hole Make a hole in the bottom of each plant pot to let the water drain out.
leak /lisic/ [n С] a small
hole or crack in a pipe,
container etc, which
should not be there and
which lets liquid or gas
flow out of it
+ In There's a leak in
the water tank. There's a teak in
leak
the bucket.
a hole in the ground or in the surface of something
hole /haul/ [n C] an empty space in the ground or in the surface of something + in There were huge holes in the road, make a hole These holes in the tree trunk are made by tiny
insects, dig /dig/ lv I/T] to make
a hole in the ground, using a spade (-a tool for digging), a large machine, or your hands: Some of the prisoners escaped through a tunnel they had dug under the wall. I a big black dog digging in the sand
dig for sth (=in order to find something) There were two fishermen on the beach digging for worms.
hole
There were huge holes in the road.
dig a hole The workmen began digging a hole in the middle of the road. digging - dug - have dug
HOLIDAY
festivals and special days
country
see
also
^
IL 6 У ^TN
travel
visit ^ a land and sea
STAY
JOURNEY
BEAUTIFUL у TRANSPORT ORGANIZE/ARRANGE
D time when you are allowed to be away from work or school
Holiday /' ho I ^d i ||' ha: l^de i / [n C/U] British а period of time when you do not have to work or go to school: I have six weeks' holiday each year, I You look tired. What you need is a holiday.
the holidays/summer holidays/school
holidays (=the long periods when schools close) July 20th is the first day of the summer holidays.
Christmas/Easter holiday Last year we spent most of the Christmas holiday at our grandma's.
A
In American English, the period around Christmas is often called 'the holidays': All the family will be together in 5f louis over the holidays.
va<ation /vs'keipnflveb [n C/U] american a period of time when you do not have to work or go to school: I'll see you next time I get a vacation. 1 The company allows us 25 vacation days a year. rummer/Christmas vacation I spent pert of the summer vacation with friends in Seattle.
в
break /breikj |n CI a short holiday from yo^r work or school: The students get a few] days' break in February, the Easter/autumn/fall break Are you goung home for the Easter break9
a one-day holiday when shops, banks etc are closed
"\t /Г
see
holiday /'hDUdifl'hail^dei/ [n C] We'd forgotten that July 14th was a holiday in France.
national holiday (=a holiday for the whole country) St Patrick's Day is a national holiday in Ireland. bank holiday/public holiday brttish (=an official holiday) This shop is closed on Sundays and public holidays. I The
roads are always busy on bank holidays.
A This meaning of holiday is the only one that is common in American English: At the end of the summer we get a holiday for Labor Day. For all the other meanings of holiday,Americans usually say vacation.
time when you travel to another place for enjoyment
holiday british vacation american /hoUdi,
V3kerpn||'ha:lidei, vei-/ [n С) a period of days or weeks that you spend in another place or country for enjoyment: France is the ideal place for a family holiday. have a holiday/vacation Have a nice holiday, and send us a postcard.
take a holiday/vacation (=have a holiday)
We couldn't afford to take a vacation this year.
A
be on holiday/vacation We met when I was on vacation in Canada. go on holiday/vacation (=travel somewhere on holiday) Maureen's going on holiday next week, to Turkey.
You can also use holiday or vacation
357
HOLIDAY
before a noun, like an adjective: Have you made any holiday plans? I a vacation trip f a
holiday resort
honeymoon 'hAnimum/ [n C) a holiday you take just after you get married: We went to Barbados for our honeymoon. on honeymoon Hawaii was full of couples on honeymoon,
В
A You can also use honeymoon before a noun, like an adjective: a honeymoon couple I a honeymoon resort
people on holiday
tourist j'twr^stj [n C] someone who travels around visiting places for interest and enjoyment: Tourists are charged higher prices in the local shops. 1 The Tower of London is popular with tourists.
HOME
CHANCE б
leave 6
return
if you mean that 'someone was born in a place or has lived there a long time', go to from i
LIVE <
\ r
see also
i
HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
where you live
home /haom/ |n C/U] the place where you live: John seems to have everything - a wonderful family, a great job, and a lovely home. I After three weeks in the hospital, Ruth was glad to be back in her
own home.
at home Her daughter lives at college during the week and at home on weekends.
A
Don't say 'I'm going to home', 'he drove to home' etc. Say I'm going home he drove home etc.
address /3'dres|'aedres/ [n C] the number of the house or building, and the name of the road and town where someone lives: He wrote his name and address on a piece of paper and gave it to me. change of address Please inform the
bank of any change of address.
places for people to live
housing haozii]/ [n U] houses or apartments in an area - use this to talk about how many houses are available, what they cost, and whether they are good or bad: There is a shortage of good, Inexpensive housing.
A
poor housing (^housing that is in bad condition) health problems caused by poor housing
You can also use housing before a noun, like an adjective: excellent housing conditions I an increase in housing costs
somewhere to live/a place to
live /,SAmwea1- ta hv, э ,pleis ta lrv/ a house, apartment, or room - use this to talk about the problems of getting a place where you can live: It's difficult to find somewhere to live if you're poor and unemployed. I I was starting college and I needed somewhere to live.
accommodation /э.котэ^а/лф.как
[n U] especially British any place, such as a house, apartment, or hotel, where people can live or stay: I spent a week looking for accommodation before starting <nу new job.
HOME 358
holidaymaker British vacationer
amerjcan /'hDlidi1meik9r, vakeiJ^iafhaiUdei-,
vei-/ (л С] someone who stays in a place away from their home, when they are having a holiday: The beach seems deserted now that all the holidaymakers have
gone home. I He makes a lot of money
selling wooden carvings to vacationers.
rented accommodation (=a house, apartment. or room that you rent)
QHeien's/my/riend's/tKe Taylors'
especially spoken the place where Helen, my friend, the Taylor family etc live: There's a party at Helen's on Saturday night. I I'm going to my friend's {or a drink and a chat. I Have you ever been to the Taylors' ~ they have a beautiful apartment.
Qplace /pleis/ [n singular] especially spoken someone's house, apartment, or room: They've bought a beautiful place out in the countryside near Oxford. my place/your place/our place etc Let's meet at my place at 8 о 'clock. I Barbara and Les have invited us over to their place for a meal.
A
Don't say 'looking for an accommodation' or 'looking for accommodations'. Say looking for accommodation
A
Don't write 'accomodation' or 'acommodation'. The correct spelling is accommodation
A
In American English, there is a pleural noun accommodations, which means ^
place where you can stay for a short time^
for example when you are on holiday: We
called the tourist office in Rome, but they said
there were no accommodations available.
things for using at home
domestic /d^'mestik [adj only before nounj
domestic appUaace/equipment/fuel etc
designed to be used at home, not in a factory or office: The kitchen has all the latest domestic appliances - micro wave, dishwasher etc. I Solar energy panels can provide domestic hot water
Коте ,Ьэот [adj only before noun] done at home or used at home home computer/security system (=one for using at home, not in a factory or oifice)
home shopping!schoclingfbanking (use this about things you can do at home, which are usually done in other places)
В to be in your home
be at home/be home /bi: st 'h^om, bi:
'Иэит/ to be in your home: We kept trying to call her, but she was never home. I I hated being at home with the kids all day.
e>be m /bi: 'in/ {phrasaf verb II especially spoken if someone is in. they are at home, and you can talk to them or visit them: Hi, MrsrJones Is Sally in?
to not be in your home
Qbe out 'bi: 'aot/ [phrasa/ uerbj especially spoken to not be in your home for а short period: "Can I speak to Frank?" "I'm sorry, he's out right now, but hell be back soon." I While they were out, someone broke in and stole the TV.
be away /bi: a'wei/ [phrasal verb 1] to not be in your home for several days, weeks, or months: Who's going to look after your cats while you're away? + /rom Jack worked as a pilot and was
often away from home.
There has been a big increase in the number of home/ess people living on the streets 1 The earthquake left thousands of people homeless. the homeless (=people who are homeless) We distribute food and blankets to
the homeless every evening
TRUE/ NOT TRUE
FALSE
tramp 3rrnsh vagrant american /traemp, 'veigrant [n Cj someone, especially a man, who has no home or job and who begs for money on the streets: As we walked over the bridge we saw an old tramp asleep by the river.
HONEST
opposite dishonest
CHEAT
\ t
see
LIE 2
also —TTrust/
NOT TRUST
TRKK/DECEIVE
someone who does not lie, steal, or cheat
honest 'Dn^st|l'a:n- [adj] someone who is honest does not lie, steal, or cheat: As the job involves handling money, it's essential that our workers are honest. I I think he's one of the few honest politicians left in government.
can trust кэп trAst/ if you can trust
someone, you are sure that they are honest and that you can depend on them: Beth's an honest hardworking girl who I know I can trust.
can trust sb to do sth I knew I could trust Neil to look after the money.
to have no home
not have anywhere to live noth^v
,eniwe3r ta 'liv/ to not have a house, apartment, or room: Pauls staying with us at the moment because he doesn't have anywhere to live.
В
homeless /'haomtas/ [adjl someone who is homeless has no home to live in, especially because they are very poor or because their home has been destroyed:
honest about telling people what you really think
honest /Dn^st||'a:n-/ [adj] if you are honest, you tell people what you really think, without hiding the truth + with Sandra wanted to be honest with her children and tell them what was really happening.
+ about Hes only interested in her money, but he's quite honest about it. your honest opinion (=what you really think) If you want my honest opinion, I don't think she should marry him. honestly [adv] I can honestly say that I've never been so bored in my life!
Qto be honest /ta bi: Dn^st||-'a:n-/
spoken say this when you are telling someone what you really think, even though this may be surprising or shocking: To be honest, I don't really like babies. to be per/ectly honest To be perfectly honest, I didn 't enjoy the vacation at all.
frank ,/fraeijk/ [adj] someone who is frank
talks in an honest and direct way, especially about subjects that are difficult to talk about
+ with The doctor was very frank with me and told me I didn't have long to live.
Qto be /rank spoken (=use this before saying what you really think or feel) To be frank, George isn't very good at the job. c^/rankly [adul spoken say this before telling someone what you really think: Quite frankly, I think it's your own fault.
speak your mind /,spi:k p:r 'mamd/ to
say exactly what you think, even if you offend people by doing this: Liz wasn't afraid to speak her mind, even in front of the boss.
Sincere /sin'sia1"/ ladj] someone who is sincere shows their true feelings and says what they really believe, and is not pretending: She said she would love to come, but I wasn't sure if she was being sincere.
an honest way of behaving
HONEST
honesty /on^till'am-; [n U] an honest way of talking or behaving, so you tell the truth, and do not try to cheat people or hide information from them: Will talked about his experience of HIV with courage and honesty. 1 Honesty is important in any relationship.
HOPE
see also want
to hope that something
will happen or that
something is true
hope /hsup/ [u I/T] to want something to happen or to be true, and think that this is possible: See you soon, I hope! +■ (that) Let's hope no-one saw us leaving. 1 The President hopes that these talks will result in a permanent peace settlement.
hope to do sth Bob's hoping to travel to Africa next year.
+/or I'm hoping for a better salary in my next job.
Ql hope so spoken (=when you hope that what was mentioned will actually happen) '7s Laura coming to the party?" "I hope
tr
so.
Ql hope not spoken "Do you think Anna's lost?" "I hope not!"
^^ Don't say 'I hope him to come'. Say 1 hope (that) he will come.
A
Don't say 'I don't hope it rains'. Say I hope it doesn't rain.
hope/ully /'hsupfoliI [adv] use hopefully when you hope that what you are saying will happen or is true: Hopefully, these problems can be solved quite quickly. I Karen might be feeling better by next week, hopefully
This use of hopefully is very common in both spoken and written English, but there are some people who think that hopefully should only be used to mean 'in a hopeful way', for example: Waiting hopefully for a phone call.
in the hope that (also in hopes
360
that American) /in до Ьэир 6st, in 'hsups Ш/ if you do something in the hope that it will have a good result, you do it because you hope it will make something good happen: He showed me a photo of his wife, in the hope that I might have seen her.
be hope/ul bi: h^opfol if you are hope*
ful about a situation, you think it will probably have a good result in the end. even though it may be worrying at the moment + (that) Police ore still hopeful that the missing girl will contact her parents soon.
+ about After talking to the management, we felt a little more hopeful about the company's future.
Qlceep your fingers crossed kiip
jo:r fir]g3rz .krostJI- kroist; spoki;n to hope for good luck, so that something will happen in the way you want: "Have you heard whether you got the job or not?" "No. but I'm keeping my fingers crossed."
u the feeling that things will happen in the way that you hope
hope /Ьэор/ [n Uj the feeling you have
when you think that something good will
probably happen: This discovery will give
new hope to cancer sufferers.
be fail of hope We arrived in our new
country full of hope.
hope of doing sth There is very little
hope of finding any more survivors.
Optimistic ,Dpt^mistik^||,aip- [adj] someone who is optimistic believes that everything will happen in the way that they want or that good things will happen in the future: Most of the players were in an optimistic mood before the game. + about Senator Crosman, are you optimistic about the election results? optimistically [adu] They had promised - rather optimistically - to finish the job in three days.
optimism DpUmiz<?m|j'a:p- [n Uj the feeling that everything will happen in the way you want it to or that good things will happen in the future: There is a mood of optimism among Socialist Party supporters tonight. I the optimism of the post-war period
optimist /'DpUmistll a:p- [n C] someone who always thinks good things will happen in the future
El something that you hope will happen
hope hoop [n C] something that you hope will happen: My one hope was that I would see my family again one day. I The politicians didn't seem to understand the hopes and fears of ordinary people, have high hopes (=feel sure that good things will happen) When we first got mcrried we had such high hopes.
Ш something that makes you feel hopeful
encouraging /тклг^оркэп-- (adj]
encouraging signs, remarks, news etc make you feel more confident that things wil, improve or happen in the way you want: The doctor's news was very encouraging - Ben was getting better every day. I There are encouraging signs that the economy is recovering. I encouraging comments
promising ргот^цЦ'рга:-/ [adj] something that is promising seems as if it is going to be good or successful in the future: Beth gave up a promising business career to become an artist. I The team got off to a promising start, winning their first three games. get off to/таке a promising start (-do very well at the beginning of something)
КЗ to stop hoping
give up hope/lose hope /giv лр
haop. ,lu:z h^op to stop hoping that something good will happen or that things will get better: Just when they had almost given up hope, Jenny became pregnant, give up/lose hope of doing sth After the accident, he had given up hope of ever walking again.
+ that We never lost hope that one day we would see our son again.
A. Don't say 'give up the hope' or 'lose
the hope'. Say give up hope or lose hope
desp air di spel/ [n U] ESPECIALLY WRITTEN the feeling that things are so bad that there is nothing you can do to make the situation any better: the years of loneliness and despair that followed her daughter's death
HORRIBLE/UNPLEASANT
362
in despair She turned to him in despair, with tears running down her cheeks.
unfriendly, and sometimes cruel way: Fratelli was a pretty mean character, and we were all scared of him.
HATE
see also
/ v.
ENJOY
horrible person/ behaviour
horrible /'hDrJ>b<?l||'ho:-, ha:-/ {adj} behaving in a very rude, unkind, or annoying way, especially towards people that you know well: Her husband was a horrible man - violent, lazy, and always drunk, be horrible to sb Why are you being so horrible to me? It's not my fault you lost your job. _____
Д Don't say 'very horrible'. Say really horrible or just horrible.
nasty /'naistifnaesti/ ladj] deliberately very unkind - used especially by children or when you are talking to children: The other boys played a nasty trick on him. be nasty to sb Stop being so nasty to
your sister!
unpleasant /лп^егли/ [adj] rude or
unfriendly in the way you talk to people or answer their questions: That man in the grocery store is always so unpleasant. be unpleasant to sb You shouldn't have been so unpleasant to her - she was on ly trying to help.
Qnot very nice /not veri 'nais/ spoken unkind or unfriendly - use this especially about things people say to each other: They just told us to shut up, which wasn't very nice.
not very nic« of sb "He kept telling me how fat I was." "That wasn't very nice of him, was it?*
HORRIBLE/
UNPLEASANT
LIKE/NOT LIKE
BAD
\ t
NICE
GOOD
mean /miin/ [adj) american informal someone who is mean behaves in a rude,
a horrible feeling/ experience/accident
horrible /tajMI'hM-.'ha:-/ [adj] a horrible experience or feeling is one that makes you feel very worried and upset: It was really horrible coming home and finding all our things had been stolen. I There was a horrible moment when she thought she had left all her files on the train.
nasty /na:sti|'naesti/ [adj] horrible - use this especially about events where there is violence, injury, or death: There was a nasty accident on the freeway and seven people were killed. I a particularly nasty murder case I The news of his death came as a nasty shock.
unpleasant /лп'р1ег*т/ [adj] an
unpleasant situation is one that makes you feel slightly worried, uncomfortable, or embarrassed: I had an unpleasant feeling that someone was following me. I Phi! and Jane just argued the whole time, so it was a pretty unpleasant evening.
Qnot very nice /not veri nais/ spoken unpleasant: It's not very nice being stuck in an elevator for an hour. I Divorce is not a very nice business.
A
People often use not very nice to describe something that is in fact extremely unpleasant.
nightmare /патпеэг/ [n singular] a very unpleasant or frightening experience: We were stuck in a traffic jam for about four hours - it was a nightmare. turn into a nightmare (-become very unpleasant) The couple's honeymoon turned into a nightmare when Martin suddenly became very ill.
A You can also use nightmare before a noun, like an adjective: a nightmare journey
a horrible taste/smell/ sight etc
horrible/disgusting/revolting
/'horib^U dis'gAstiq, ri'vauluqltwi-Zha:-/ [adj\
very bad - use this especially to talk about things that taste or smell or look really bad: It was the most disgusting meal I've ever eaten! I His teeth were a revolting yellow color. I What a horrible smellJ I The villagers cooked a special stew, which looked and smelled revolting.
Don't say 'very horrible/disgusting/ revolting'. Say really horrible/disgusting/ revolting.
foul jfaol/ [adj] a foul smell or taste is extremely bad, and is caused especially by things decaying: There was a foul smell coming up from the river.
Qgross /graos/ [adj not before noun] spoken, especially american very unpleasant - use this to talk about food, smells, or things people do that you dislike very much: Ooh, gross! I hate spinach! I Brad threw up on the floor at the party. It was really gross.
HOT
if you mean 'food that has a hot taste', go to taste 7
opposite cold see also weather
object/liquid/surface
hot /hotflhait/ [ac/j] Eat your dinner while it's hot I Each room has hot and cold running water. \ Be careful - that pan's still very hot.
red hot (-extremely hot) By 10 o'clock, the sand on the beach was red hot.
hot - hotter - hottest
boiling/boiling hot /boihi],
'hot^H-'hait^/ [adj] a liquid that is boiling or boiling hot is extremely hot: I'm not getting into that bathtub vet. It's boiling! I Boi/ing hot water poured out of the radiator.
scalding/scalding hot /sbildiq,
,sto:ldir) 'hDHf-'ha:H/ [adj] a liquid or drink that is scalding or scalding hot is
extremely hot, so that it burns you if you touch it or drink it: She handed me a mug of scalding hot coffee.
Б room/place/weather
hot /hDt|ha:t/ [adj] It was a hot summer's day. I The Gobi Desert is one of the hottest places on earth. it's hot (=when the weather is hot or a room is hot) It's hot in here - why don't you turn the heater down? I It was too hot to play volleyball.
hot - hotter - hottest
heat /hirt [n U] when something is hot. especially the air in a room or outside: Seuera/ of her plants had died in the heat. I The heat from the fire was almost unbearable. I In the desert, the heat of the day is soon lost when the sun goes down.
Q boiling/boiling hot Ъэilnj, borlfij
'hDW||-ha;t<«/ [adj] spoken very hot: a boiling hot day in August it's boiling/boiling hot Open the door - it's boiling in here.
Qbroiling 'broiliq/ [adj] american especially spoken weather that is broiling is very hot and makes you feel uncomfortable: The day of the pony race шаз broiling hot. I the broiling heat of a Mississippi summer
sweltering 'swebnq/ [adj] weather that is sweltering is very hot and makes you feel tired and uncomfortable: Lucy came to call one sweltering afternoon in July. I the sweltering summer of 1995
Sweltering is used especially in written descriptions.
heatwave /hiitweiv/ [n C] a period of time when the weather is much hotter than usual: The heatwave continued throughout August and into September.
warm, but not hot
363
нот
warm /w^rm, [adj] a little hot, but not very hot, especially in a way that is pleasant; I didn 't want to get out of my warm bed. I It's nice and warm in the kitchen. I a warm day I These plants only grow in warm climates.
when you feel hot
hot hDt||ha:t/ [adj not before nounl feeling hot. especially when this makes you uncomfortable: Гт too hot - could you open the window? I The travellers were hot, tired, and thirsty.
warm /w3:rm; lad; not usually before nounl feeling pleasantly warm, especially when you are in a cold place: Are you warm enough? 1 VJe stamped our feet in order to keep warm. warm coat/boots/clothes etc (=which keep you warm when the weather is cold) Put on some warm clothes if you're going out in the snow.
Qboiling /'toil»]/ [adj not before nounl spoken feeling very hot: I'd like a cold
drink - I'm boilingI
have a temperature /haev э tem-
р<?гэ1/эг/ if you have a temperature,
your body is hotter than usual because you are ill: The doctor said I had a temperature, and told me to stay in bed.
when your body becomes wet because you are hot
sweat /swet/ [v II if you sweat, small drops of liquid come from the surface of
your skin because you are hot: I was sweating after the long climb. sweat [n U] the liquid that forms on your skin when you are hot: Ian came off the squash court covered in sweat.
sweaty /'sweti/ [ad/] covered with sweat: Joe felt hot and sweaty, and decided to
go for a swim.
how hot something is
how hot /hao 'hDt|-'ha:t/ How hot is it outside?I She couldn't believe how hot it was in the car.
temperature /'temp^3tj3r/ [n C| a measurement of how hot or cold something is: Test the temperature of the water to make sure it's not too hot. high/low temperature (=hot or cold) Steel can only be produced at a very high temperature. I Expect low temperatures in the mountain regions tonight a temperature of 30/70/100 etc degrees
Heat the oven to a temperature of 200 degrees.
to become hot or warm
get hot/warm /.get 'hot, wo:rm||-ha:t-/ to become hot or warm: You'd better switch the engine off - it's getting very hot. I As the weather gets warmer, birds begin to
return from their winter nesting places. I
The room got hotter and hotter as the afternoon went on.
warm up /,wo:rm 4p/ (phrasa/ verb I] to gradually get warmer, especially so that a place reaches a more comfortable temperature: It's pretty cold in here, but it'll soon warm up. I I'm not going horse- riding again until the weather warms up.
overheat /,3uv3r'hi;t< (u II if an engine or machine overheats, it gets too hot so that it does not work properly: There's a special cooling system that stops the engine from overheating.
to make someone or something hot or warm
heat hi:t/ [u T] to make something hot or warm using a fire, a heating system, or a cooker: She heated the water in a pan. I How do you heat the house in the winter9
heat up /,hi:t лр/ [phrasal verb T] to
make food hot, especially food that has been cooked already and has gone cold heat up sth I usually just heat up some soup for my lunch.
heat sth up Heat the pitta bread up in the toaster.
warm up /,wo:rm 'лрI [phrasal verb T] to
make a place warmer or make yourself warmer, especially so that you feel more comfortable
НОТ 364
warmth [n U] when an object, the weather, a place etc is warm: The warmth of the sun was making them ail sleepy.
lukewarm 1и:к\\э:гтч [adj] food or
drinks that are lukewarm are slightly warm, and not as hot or as cold as they should be: The bartender handed me a mug of lukewarm beer, i The coffee was only lukewarm.
warm sth7sb up Here, have a glass of brandy. That'll warm you up. warm up sth Dad lit the fire to warm up the living-room.
turn up /дз:гп 'лрI [phrasal verb T] to make something such as a heater or
cooker produce more heat
turn up sth I'm freezingI Turn up the
heater I
turn stK up After the cake has been baking for an hour,; turn the heat up to 220°.
HOUSES/ WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
MEAL
RESTAURANTS/ EATING AND DWNKMG
twin
see pages 366-369
HUNGRY
taste
11
^соок
see also
FOOD
/ V
К EAT
when you want to eat
Hungry /'Ьлщ»п/ lad;'] if you are hungry, you feel that you need to eat something: Are you hungry? I can make you a sandwich. I A/an felt hungry after the game. I Have something before you go out, or youll get hungry later.
Q/eel like something to eat /,ГкI
laik sAm9ii] to i:t/ spoken if you feel like something to eat, you want to eat something: It's 12 o'clock - do you feel like something to eat?
not hungry
not hungry /not hAngri/ if you are not hungry, you do not feel that you need to eat anything: uWou/d you like something to eat?" "No thanks, Tm not hungry/'
lose your appetite /.luizjw'icp^tait/to
not want to eat anything, for example because you are ill or worried: She isn't sleeping very well and she's lost her appetite.
Qnot/eel like anything /nDtfiil laik
'eni6ii]/ spoken informal say this to tell someone that you are not hungry: I had a really big lunch, so I don't feel like anything just now.
the feeling you have when you are hungry
appetite /'aep^tait/ [n C/U] the normal feeling of wanting to eat when you have not eaten for some time: The medicine might affect your appetite. give sb an appetite (=make them feel hungry) All that exercise has given me an
appetite.
have a good/big/healthy appetite (-want to eat a lot and enjoy eating) He certainly has a healthy appetite. He ate two plates of pasta in about 10 minutes.
365
HUNGRY
hunger Ълг^эГ1 [n UJ the feeling you have when you have eaten very little food: By the end of the day, I was feeling weak with hunger.
czistarving/ravenous /sta:rvirj, taev-
эпэs/ [adj not before nounj spoken very hungry: Can we stop for lunch now? I'm absolutely starving. 1 Vou haven't had dinner? Vou must be ravenous.
Д. Don't say Very starving' or 'very ravenous'. Say absolutely starving/ ravenous or just say starving or ravenous.
peckish /'pekij/ [ad; not before nounj British if you feel peckish, you feel a little hungry: I'm feeling a bit peckish. Is there anything in the fridge?
when people are ill or dying because they do not have enough to eat
Starving /'sta'/vii]/ [adj] someone who is starving has not had enough food for a long time and will die soon if they do not eat: TV pictures of starving children in Africa I People in western countries waste food while millions are starving.
hungry continues on page 369
Here are some words to help you describe the place where you live.
Is it a HOUSE,
or an
APARTMENT
HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
WORD 8*NK
in a large building?
What type of apartment do you live in?
apartment /э'рагЧтэт/ {also /lat
/flaet/ British) [n C] a set of rooms that are usually all on the same level and are part of a larger building
block of /lats British apartment building /blok av 'flats, э'раЧтэт
,blDk|,bla:k-/ american [n C] a building that consists of different levels and has several apartments on each level
condominium /.kDnda'miniamlkain-/ [n C] in the US, an apartment in a build ing that consists of several apartments, all of which are owned by the people who live in them
hail of residence (also hall) BRmsn dormitory (also dorm) american /,ho:l
9v rezi^ns, Hd:I. do:rm^ri. d;>:rm||-t3:ri-/ n Cj a large building at a college or university that consists of separate rooms where students live
studio apartment american bedsit
366
HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
British Studio /lat British /'stjuidiau 3,pa:rfm3nt, 'bedsit, 'stju:dbo (fl;et|j'stu:-/ (n C) a small apartment with one main room, usually for only one person to live in
What type of house do you live in?
bungalow /'ЬлцдэЫ/ [n C] a small
house in which all the rooms are on the same level
detached house /di.uetft haos/ [n CI
British a house that is not joined to another house
house /haos/ [n C] a building that people live in, especially a building on more than one level that is used by one family or group of people: Are you coming to Sophie's house tonight? I There are some very old houses in this part of town. I He has an apartment in
London as well as a country house. (=a house in the country)
ranch house/ra:ntj\haos||'ra;ntjy [n Cj a house in the US in which all the rooms are on the same level, with a roof that does not slope much
semi-detached house /semi ditcetjt
haus/ [n C] British a house that is joined to another house on one side
terraced house brftish row house
I,ter^st haos, 'гэи haos/ american (n Cj a house that is in a row of houses that are all joined together
Which floor is your
apartment on?
basement/'beismant/ [n C] the level of a building that is below the level of the ground: Is anyone living in the basement?
a basement flat!apartment Carlo had a basement apartment in Grant St.
_floor /fb:r/ In С] first/second/third etc floor the first, second etc level in a building
on the /irst/secoad etc floor Her apartment is on the third floor, a flrstfloorl second-floor etc apartment/ jlat an eighth-floor apartment with a view of the ocean
A In American English, the first floor is on the same level as the ground, and the second floor is the next level above this. In British English, the part on the same level as the ground is called the ground floor, and the first floor is the next level above this.
ground jloor/graond 'tb:rV [n C] especially 3ridsh the part of a building that is on the same level as the ground on the ground .floor They live in a small flat on the ground floor a ground-floor flat/apartment The ground-floor apartment is empty at the moment.
is it owned by someone
else?
landlord/landlady / iiendb:rd, land
Jeidi/ [n C] the man or woman that you rent a house or apartment from
rent/rent/ [u I/T] to pay money regularly to live in a house or apartment that someone else owns: Hal's rented an apartment downtown. I We rented for a while before buying a place of our own.
rent sth from sb They rent the house from a retired businessman.
rent /rent/ [n C/U) the money that you pay to live in a house or apartment that someone else owns: The rent's pretty high - about $800 a month. pay the rent We hardly earn enough money to pay the rent.
367 HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
rented/rented/ lad; usually before nounj
rented house/apartment!accommodation a house, apartment etc that you pay money to someone else to live in and do not own yourself
В Who lives with you?
go to live
Ui What can you see from
overlook /,3ovar'U>k/ [v T] if a building or room overlooks a place that is on a lower level, you see that place from it when you look out of the window: Our apartment overlooked a small courtyard.
a house/apartment/room etc overlooking (-which overlooks) an 8th-floor flat
overlooking Hyde Park
e window?
view /vju:/ [n С] the whole area that you see when you look out of a window, especially when this area is very large or beautiful: She stood on the balcony admiring the view.
+ of a spectacular view of San
Francisco Bay
houses/where people nvrcontinues on the next page —i—
HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE 368
HOUSES/WHERE PEOPLE LIVE
What sort of area is it in?
area ftdria/ [n Cj a particular part of a town or city: My apartment 's very small but 1 love the area. I a middle-class area I a residential area (=where there are houses, but no offices or factories)
(housing) estate /('hauziq) rsteit/ [n C]
British an area where there are a lot of houses or apartments which are very similar and were all built at the same time: Conor was brought up on a big housing estate in Belfast. 1 There's a lot of crime on our estate.
(housing) project /('hauzig) ,prod3ekt||
-pro:-/ [n C] american a group of houses or apartments for poor families, usually built with money from the government: There are plans for a new housing project on the east side of town. I kids from the projects
neighbourhood British neighborhood american /'neibaTiud/ [n C] a small area of a town or city where people live: a nice neighborhood of Boston in the neighbourhood There's only one park in the whole neighbourhood.
part of town /pa:rt av taun/ |n С usually singuiarl an area of a town or city: What part of town do you live in?
suburb /'8лЬз:гЬ/ [n C] an area outside the centre of a city, where many people live
the suburbs I was brought up in the suburbs.
+ of a quiet suburb of Los Angeles
О where sb lives /we3r (sb) 'livz/
SPOKEN use this when you are describing the area where someone lives: Where I livet there's nowhere for kids to play. I It's really nice where Sonia lives.
see also town, area
Is it in the town or the country?
Ш
go to town, countryside
How big is it?
one-bedroomed/two-bed- roomed etc /(one, etc) bedru:md/ [adj
only before noun] a one-bed roomed, two-bedroomed etc house or apartment has one bedroom, two bedrooms etc: a one-bedroomed apartment I a three-bedroomed house
overcrowded /,3uv3pkraudJd«V [adj\ an
overcrowded house has too many people in it, and is unpleasant and uncomfortable to live in: Many of these families are living in substandard or overcrowded housing.
poky /'paoki/ [adj] а poky house or
room is very small, and there is not enough room to move around in: a poky little cottage
spacious /'speijas/ [adj] a spacious
house or room has plenty of space, so it is comfortable and pleasant to live in: a spacious, comfortably furnished flat
three-Store у/four-Store у etc British three-story/jfour-story etCAMEracAN
/(three, etc) stoni/ [adj only before nounl a three-storey» four-storey etc house or
building has three levels, four levels etc: a five-story apartment block
How long have you lived there?
for /for; strong ft:r/ [preposition] use this to say how long you have lived somewhere: My parents have lived in the same house for almost 30 years.
since /sins/ (preposition/conjunction] if you have lived somewhere since a time or event, you started to live there at that time and you are still living there now: They've lived here since they got mar ried.
since 1980/tke summer etc We've been living in the flat since last Christmas.
( fan in И<ш1ниу /к й ttnkd apartment яг tkt Mwdfj&or ф &ytf
oM kiU'y tkt ом-hols a hsy strut, Tie a/xrtmt k mffm/
cilfd
ю
(tile, the arta. /tea (ietfyporto^toa*
hungry continued from page 365
Starve /staarv; ju I) to have so little food to eat that you become ill or die: I have a family to take care of - I can't let them starve.
starve to death (=die because of lack of food) Thousands of deer starve to death every winter. starvation /sta^'veipn/ [n U] when you
become ill or die because you do not have enough to eat: The c/imbers were close to starvation when they were rescued. I Thousands of people could die of cold and starvation this winter
malnutrition /(mslnju'tnpn||-no-/ [n U] a serious health problem caused by not eating enough healthy food for a long time, which makes your body weak: Many children from poor families were suffering from malnutrition. I Disease and malnutrition are widespread in the shanty towns.
famine ffxmp/ [n C/U] when many people in a place are very hungry and some of them die, especially because the food they planted did not grow: War and famine caused thousands of deaths in Africa last year. 1 During the Great Famine, millions of Irish people emigrated to the
369
HURRY
US.
HURRY
see also *ast, slow, run
D to go somewhere or do something as quickly as you can
hurry/'hAriU'hxri/ [f I] to go somewhere or do something quickly, especially because you do not have much time: The movie begins in ten minutes - we'll have to hurry. I There's no need to hurry - we still have an hour to spare. + across/atong/away/down etc Dieter was hurrying along the platform to catch his train. I The children hurried away when they saw me coming, hurry to do sth Anna was hurrying to finish her essay before lunchtime.
hurrying - hurried - have hurried
370
HURRY
in a hurry /'in э hArifl-'iniri/ if you do something in a hurry, you do it very quickly because you do not have much time, so you often make mistakes or forget things: Bob left the house in a hurry,
and forgot his keys.
be in a hurry (=when you have to hurry)
Sorry, I can't stop - I'm in a hurry, be in a hurry to do sth Why are you in
such a hurry to get home?
ZK Don't say 'I am in hurry'. Say I am in a hurry.
rush/dash /гл/, dee] [и I] to go somewhere or run somewhere very quickly, for example because you have to do something urgently or because someone is in danger + across/off/out/into etc The neighbours
came rushing out to see what had happened. I The last time I sotu her she was dashing off to the airport, rush/dash to do sth I dashed downstairs to answer the phone. I People were rushing into dooriuays to escape the bullets.
hurriedly /'fundlill'hxr-/ [adv] written if you do something hurriedly, you do it quickly because you do not have much time: He hurriedly put on a pair of jeans and went to answer the door;
A Use hurriedly in stories and written descriptions.
quick look/glance (=when you look at
something or read something very quickly) He had a quick glance at the newspaper before going to work. quick drink/lunch/co/fee Come on -
let's have a quick drink in the bar.
hasty /'heisti/ [adj only before noun} a hasty decision or action is done very quickly, without planning it or thinking carefully about the results: Don't make any hasty decisions that you might regret. I Napoleon's army was forced to make a hasty retreat. hasty - hastier - hastiest
/rantic /'frantik/' [adj only before noun]
/rantic activity/rush/search/effort when
people are rushing around in a disorganized way, for example because they have to do something very urgently, or because someone is in danger-. The night before the wedding, the house was a scene of frantic activity. I a frantic search for the
missing children frantically [adu] The library was full of students, frantically trying to finish their final essays.
rush /гл// |n singular] a situation in which you have to hurry or work very fast in order to finish something a rush to do sth There was a rush to get everything arranged for the party. do sth in a rush We had to pack our suitcases in a rush and leave the hotel.
what you say to tell
someone to hurry
Qhurry up/come on /hAri лр, клш
is
'Dn||,h3:ri-/ spoken say this to tell someone to huny, especially when you are impatient with them for being too slow: Hurry up or we'll be late for schoolI I Come on - you should have finished packing by now!
something that you do quickly because you are hurrying
quick /kwik/ (adj only before nounj quick look, meal, visit, decision etc done very quickly, because you do not have much time: Mary went upstairs for a quick shower I Could I just make a quick phone call?
to make someone hurry
hurry sb up /,Ьлп (sb) 'Apl.hxri-
|phrasal verb T] to make someone do something more quickly because they are taking too long: Can you try and hurry the kids up? Were supposed to be leaving in ten minutes.
rush/hurry /г\Г, 'ЬлпЦ-'Ьздп/ [и T1 to
make someone do something more quickly, in an impatient way that makes them feel nervous or confused: Don't rush me - I'm working as fast as f can. I It's an important decision, so don't let them hurry you.
Q
hurrying - hurried - have hurried
В what you say to tell someone not to hurry
Q there's гго hurry/there's no
rush dearz ,пэо Ълл, desrz ,пэо гл/|| -'hxri/ spoken say this to tell someone that they do not have to hurry or do something soon: You can pay me for the ticket next week. There's no rush.
Qtake your time /.teik jo:r taim/
spoken say this to tell someone to do something slowly and carefully, because it is important to do it well: Take your time and think carefully before you answer the question.
Qwhat's the hurry?/what's the
rush? i wDts дэ 'Илп, ,wDts 5э 'rAJl-'hm spoken say this to someone who is hurrying or trying to make you hurry, to emphasize that there is plenty of time: It'll only take us 20 minutes to get to the restaurant - what's the hurry?
HURT/IN|URE
see also
Uv*
BREAK BETTER 4
ACCIDENT
CUT
MEDICAL TREATMENT РЛЖ__ A DAMAGE
THREATEN
FALL
hurt or injured in an
accident, fight etc
be injured/be hurt /bi: md^rd||bi:
'h3:rt; if someone is hurt or is injured, part of their body has been damaged, especially in an accident or fight: "Did you hear about that fire in the school?" "Yes - fhan/c God no one was hurt." I Four people have been injurea in a road accident.
badly/seriously injured One man died, and another was seriously injured when a wall collapsed on a construction site. badly/seriously Kurt This man needs a doctor - he's badly hurt. slightly injured/hurt A fireman was slightly injured, but all the people in the house were saved.
371
Don't use the word 'damage' to talk about people. Cars, buildings, or equipment can get damaged, but people get hurt or injured.
be wounded /bi: wu:nd],d/ to be injured
in a war, a fight etc, by a weapon such as a knife, gun, or bomb: Two police officers were wounded in the attack. badly/seriously wounded My father was
badly wounded in 1945.
В to hurt a part of your
body
hurt h3:rt [u T] if you hurt a part of your body in an accident, a fight etc, you
damage it so that it feels painful or you cannot move it easily: He hurt his back, and the doctor said he would have to rest for a few weeks. ( I can't go running this week - I've hurt my foot. hurt yourself That's a sharp knife - be careful you don't hurt yourselfl
hurting - hurt - have hurt
injure /'indpr [u Tj to hurt a part of your body, especially seriously and in a way that takes a long time to get better: Tom injured his shoulder playing tennis.
bruise /bru:z/ [u T] to hurt a part of your body when you fall or are hit, so that a dark, painful mark appears on your skin: Shaun fell over and bruised his knee, bruised [adj\ My arm was badly bruised, but not broken.
Sprain sprem, [и T] to injure your ankle.
your knee, or another place where two bones are joined, by twisting or pulling it suddenly: / sprained my ankle while I was playing iwsketball. sprained [adj] James can't play the piano because he has a sprained wrist.
break /breik/ [и T) to break a bone in your body: Nicola broke her leg when she went skiing.
breaking - broke - have broken
HURT/INJURE
get hurt There's a huge crowd - some one could easily get hurt.
A
broken [adj] / had three broken ribs and a broken arm.
HURT/INJURE
dislocate /'disbkeit, [и T] to injure your shoulder, knee, finger etc, so that one of the bones is moved out of its normal position: He dislocated his shoulder in a riding accident.
dislocated [adj] The accident left her with bruises and a dislocated hip.
to hurt someone
hurt /Из:г1/ [и T] to cause injury to someone's body and make them feel pain, especially by hitting them: Let go of my arm! You re hurting me! I If he's hurt any of the children I'm going straight to the police.
В damage to part of your body
injury /'md33n/ [n C/U] physical damage
done to someone's body in an accident, a fight etc: The glass roof collapsed onto the crowd, causing horrific injuries, serious injury Wearing a helmet may protect you from serious injury, suffer an injury (=be injured) He suffered serious injuries in a car crash, and died on the way to the hospital. plural injuries
wound /wuindI |n C] an injury caused by a weapon such as a knife, gun, or bomb: The wound was deep and needed 18 stitches.
ballet/stab/gunshot wound Barratt was taken to the hospital with stab wounds to his chest and neck.
bruise /bru:z/ [л CJ a dark, painful mark on your skin where you have fallen or been hit-. Her arms шеге couered in cuts and bruises.
E3 someone who is injured
injUred/ Ind39rd/ [adj] hurt in an accident,
372
fight etc: Firefighters had to cut off the roof of the car, so that the injured man could be lifted out.
the injured (^people who are injured) The injured were rushed to St Thomas' Hospital
wounded / wuind^d [adj] injured by a weapon such as a knife, gun, or bomb: a wounded soldier I There are over 4000 refugees in the camp, many of them wounded.
the wounded (= people who are wounded} Helicopters have been sent in to rescue the wounded from the war zone.
paralysed (also paralyzed american!
/'paerslaizd/ lad;) unable to move part or all of your body because of a serious injury or illness: The accident left him permanently paralysed.
В
casualty /кжзиэШ/ fn С usually plural] someone who has been injured or killed in a war, attack, or accident: The bomb caused serious damage to the building, but there were no casualties. I Indian troops have suffered more than 1200 casualties.
not injured
unhurt /An'h3firt/ \adj not before noun] if you are unhurt, you are not hurt, even though you have been in an accident or have been attacked: The driver of the car was unhurt, but his passenger was killed.
unharmed /An'ha:rmd/ [adj not before
nounl if you are unharmed, you have not been harmed, even though you have been in a dangerous situation: The boy iuas cold and hungry but otherwise unharmed. I All the hostages were released unharmed some time afterwards.
373
ILL/SICK
IDEA
^ see also think, invent, imagine
D a plan or suggestion
that you think of
idea /ai'dis/ [n C] something that you think of and suggest to other people, for example a plan of what someone should do or a solution to a problem good/great/fantastic etc idea "We could go and see a mo vie." "Good idea!" have an idea We're trying to think of a name for the product. Does anyone have any ideas?
+/or an idea for a new TV game show I
Here are some new ideas for quick
meals that taste great.
it was sb's idea (=they thought of it: use
this especially when you want to blame
someone) I didn't want to go to Spain -
it was Sue's idea, 1 Whose idea was it to
ask him to the party?
get an idea/rom sb/sth She got the idea
from a picture in a magazine.
thought /Boit/ In C] an idea about what should happen or what someone should do, which you suggest although you are not sure if it is a good idea have a thought I've had a thought - do you think Nadia would like to come with
us?
sb's thoughts about sth What are your thoughts about the holiday? О (it was) just/only a thought spoken (say this when someone seems to disagree with an idea you suggested) "We could paint the room yellow and blue." "Well, I'm not sure about that." "It's just a thought."
В an idea that explains something about life or the world
»
St
ffe
Ё s
s
s
15
ft
ft
theory fftmij in C/Ul a set of ideas that explains why something happens or why something is true, especially in science + about There have been a lot of theories about the meaning of dreams.
sb's theory of sth (used in the names of important scientific theories) Darwin's theory of evolution ( Einstein s theory of relativity
+ that There is о theory that Kennedy was killed by the CIA.
plural theories
idea /aidia/ [n C] something that people think is true, for example their beliefs about why something happens
+ about people's ideas about the origins of the universe
+ that What do you think of the idea that our lives are controlled by the stars?
good at thinking of new ideas
creative /krieitiv, [adj] someone who is creative is good at thinking of new ideas, designs, or ways of doing things, especially in art, music, literature etc: Tarantino is one of Hollywood's most creative directors.
fail of ideas /,ful av ai'diaz/ informal someone who is full of ideas has a lot of good new ideas and wants to tell other people about them: Roy was full of ideas for the new show.
imaginative /j'maed^naUv/ [adj] an
t /Г
see
WEAK
see also
Г ^
<UH^ ^ ^MEl
MEDICAL TREATMENT
imaginative plan, design, or way of doing something uses new and interesting ideas: an imaginative solution to the city's crime problem I The film uses digital imaging techniques in an unusual and imaginative way.
ILL/SICK
ILLNESS/DISEASE DOCTOR^ A DRUGS
BETTER 4
SUFFER
РАМ ф MENTALLY ILL HEALTHY/UNHEALTHY
ill
Д II! is more common than sick in British English. Sick is more common than ill in American English.
A To be sick can also mean 'to vomit' (=bring up food from your stomach), especially in British English. And to feel sick can mean 'to feel that you are going to vomit'. See Section 5.
L
ill /жZ/ [adj not before noun] someone who is ill has an illness or does not feel well: You look really ill. I'm going to call the doctor. I I was so ill I had to stay in bed for three months.
feel ill I felt HI for с week after I got back from Bolivia.
Don't use ill about part of your body. Don't say 'my head is ill' or 'my stomach is ill'. Say I have a headache/a stomach ache. See also PAIN.
A
seriously ill (=very ill) His wife is seri ous!y ill - they think it's cancer, critically ill (=so ill that you may die) be taken ill (=suddenly become ill) She was taken ill the day after her tenth birthday.
A
Don't say 'more ill' or 'iller'. Say worse: The next morning she was even worse.
Sick /silt/ [adj\ ill: Where's Sheila? Is she sick? I She had spent months looking after her sick mother, get sick If you take vitamin С every day. it helps to stop you from getting sick, be off sick (=not at work or school because of illness) Lesley's o//sick today, sick pay (=money you get from your employer when you cannot work because
of illness)
the sick (=people who are sick) At that time there were no state benefits for the old and the sick.
A Don't use sick about part of your body. Don't say 'my leg is sick' or 'my head is sick'. See PAIN.
Qnot very well /.not veri wei/ especially spoken ili, but not seriously ill:
Sarah's not very well - she has a throat infection.
Qunder the weather Andsr дэ weddt spoken if you feel under the weather, you feel slightly ill: Mike's feeling a little under the weather, so he
ILL/SICK
couldn't come tonight.
to become healthy again after being ill
get better /get 'bet9r/ if you get better,
you become healthy again after an illness, operation, or injury; if a pain or an injury gets better, it stops hurting and you feel healthy again: If you don't get better by tomorrow you d better go to the doctor. I Did your headache get better after you
took those pills?
Recover is more formal than get better, and is used especially about serious illnesses or injuries.
recover т1'кл\эг [v I] to become healthy again after a serious illness, operation, or injury: Surui'uors of the pre are recovering in the city hospital. + /rom My father never really recovered from his first heart attack.
A
get well soon /.get wei su:n/you say or write this to someone who is ill, to tell them that you hope they will soon get better: Get well soon - we all miss youI
someone who is ill
patient /'peipnt [n C] someone who is looked after by a doctor or nurse because they are ill: The hospital treats thousands of patients a year. I Dr Cobb is seeing a patient just now - could you wait ten minutes?
invalid /"invaliid, -ЗД-ВД [n С] someone who is permanently ill and cannot look after themselves, especially someone who has to stay in bed: Pregnant women do not want to be treated like invalids.
unhealthy /An'heiei/ \adj] someone who is unhealthy is often ill: Tom was an unhealthy child, always catching colds and getting headaches.
В someone who often imagines they are ill
hypochondriac /haipskDndriaekll-kam /
5 i
r •
3
Ь
V
tl *
*
?l f
ь $
1
j)
374
[n CI someone who worries a lot about their health, and often thinks they are ill when they are not: He's such a hypochondriac. Every time he has a headache he thinks it's a brain tumour.
when food comes up from your stomach and
out of your mouth
vomit /'vDm^U'va:-/ [и I] if you vomit, food comes up from your stomach and out through your mouth, because you are ill or drunk: The nurse gave her a bowl to vomit into. vomit (n U] food that has come out of your mouth because you are ill or drunk
/К Vomit is more formal than throw up or be sick and is used especially by doctors and in formal written English.
QtKrow Up /,0гэи 'лр/ \phrasal verb Ij especially spoken to vomit: The baby threw up all over my shirt.
A^ Throw up is less formal than vomit and is the usual phrase to use in ordinary conversation.
an illness
illness /'iln^s/ [n C/U] a problem with your health that makes you feel ill, especially one that makes you stay in bed, or makes it difficult for you to work, have a normal life etc: She died at the age of 82, after a long illness. I How many days off work have you had because of illness? mental illness (=an illness that affects your mind) drugs that are used to treat mental illness
serious illness (=one that could be dangerous) In 1986 a serious illness ended her acting career.
recover from an illness Beth was still in the hospital, recovering from a serious illness.
A Don't use illness to talk about less serious problems such as headaches or
375
ILLNESS/DISEASE
colds.
be sick /bi: si к/ ESPECIALLY british to vomit:
Kelly ran into the bathroom and was violently sick. I I had to go out of the classroom because I thought I was going to be sick.
/К Be sick is used in both written and spoken English.
fee I sick .tiri s i к / especially British to have the feeling that you are going to vomit: Stop the car - I feel sick! I И/hen I was pregnant the smell of coffee made me feel sick
nausea /'ruizis. -siaf-zb, -J> [n U] the
feeling that you have when you think you are going to vomit: The treatment sometimes causes headaches and nausea.
ILLNESS/DISEASE
ЮС ф DR1
Л 1 /
see ^
WEAK
see
also
VjV
AIN ф MEJ
SUFFER
MEDICAL TREATMENT IU/$ICK_ A . DRUGS
BETTER 4
DOCTOR
WUN" ф MENTALLY ILL HEALTHY/UNHEALTHY
disease /dr'zi:z/ [n C/U) a particular kind of illness, especially one that spreads from one person to another or one that affects a particular part of your body: Measles is a disease that is common among young children. I Mosquitoes spread diseases such as malaria.
A
Heart/lung/kidney disease Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, suffer from a disease (=have a disease) She suffers from a rare blood disease, infectious disease (=one that spreads from one person to another)
Disease can also be used to mean a lot of different diseases: Thousands of refugees are dying of hunger and disease.
in/ection /in'fekj>n/ In CJ a disease that spreads from one person to another and affects part of your body such as your eye, ear, or throat: Dirty towels can spread infections.
ear/eye/throat/chest in/ection Richard's not at school because he has an ear infection.
bug ibAgj fn CI informal a disease that is not serious, which spreads from one person to another, for example in the air or in food, and which a lot of people get: There's a bug going around at school - everyone in my class has had it!
stomach/tummy bug (=illness affecting the stomach) Pete's been off work with о stomach bug.
pick up a bug (=get a bug) I think I picked up a bug while I was on vacation.
problem /"problem||'pro:-/ [л Cj when a
part of your body has something wrong with it, for example when it is painful or it does not work properly + with Simon's started to have problems with his back.
back/chest/skin etc problems A lot of
people have skin problems when they are young.
condition. /k3n'dij>n/ [n С] a serious
problem that affects someone's health permanently: High blood pressure is a condition that affects many elderly people.
heart condition Frank suffers from a rare heart condition.
El to have an illness
have (also have got british) /hsv, hsv 'gDt||-'ga:t/ [i> T) to have an illness: Beth has an awful cold. I I had ell the usual childhood illnesses. I Have you ever had pneumonia?
suffer/rom sth /"saforfrdm (sth)l-frAm-/
[phrasal verb Tj to have a particular kind of illness or health problem, especially one that is serious or one that you have often: Dewey had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from malaria. I She suffers from asthma attacks.
there's something wrong with
/беэгг .SAmGii] 'год wiSf-ron]-/1 informal use this to say that you have a medical problem affecting part of your body, but you are not sure exactly what it is: There's something wrong with my chest - it feels really tight. I We thought there might be something wrong with her hearing.
ILLNESS/DISEASE
with /wid, wi8/ (preposition] use this before the name of a disease, to say that someone has this disease: "Where's Helen?" "She's in bed with flu." I The charity provides support for people with
AIDS.
When you see lu, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
El to start to have an illness
get /get/ [и T] to start to have an illness: / feel all hot - I think I'm getting flu. I Smoking increases the risk of getting cancer.
get sth from/off someone (=get an infectious disease from someone else) He thinks he got the cold from someone in the office.
catch /kaetf/ [у T] to get a disease from someone else: Luke has measles. I hope I don't catch it.
catch sth from/off sb I think I must have caught the flu from Sarah. catching - caught - have caught
go down with sth /.gau 'daun wiO (sth) [phrasa/ verb T] informal to start to have an illness, especially one that is not serious: I'm afraid we can't come this weekend - the baby's gone down with a sore throat.
ЕЭ when a lot of people have an illness
outbreak /'autbreik, (n C] when a lot of people suddenly start to get an illness at the same time
+ of Doctors are very concerned about an outbreak of tuberculosis in an East London school.
epidemic /,epJ>'demik/ [n C] when very many people in an area or country get a disease, and it spreads very quickly a /lu/measles/с holer a etc epidemic Doctors warn that a flu epidemic may be on the way.
В when an illness is serious
serious /'si«?ri9s/ [adj] a serious illness or condition is very bad and may be dangerous: In February he suffered a serious heart attack. I Listeriosis is not usually a serious disease among healthy adults. sоmethtng/anything/nothing serious / hope it isn't anything serious, Doctor. seriously [aduj Her mother is seriously ill with pneumonia.
376
bad /baed/ [adj] bad cold/flu/fever/ cough/stomach ache etc a cold etc that
makes you feel very uncomfortable or that is very painful; She has a bad cold. I a bad attack of bronchitis get worse His cough seems to be getting worse.
bad - worse - worst
[adj] a terminal illness cannot be cured, so the person who has it will die from it, usually after quite a long period: a patient suffering from terminal cancer I Should doctors tell patients that they have a terminal illness?
fatal "feitl/ [adj] a fatal illness makes the person who has it die: The disease is almost always fatal I The former president suffered a fatal heart attack this morning.
when an illness is not serious
not serious /not 'svrhs/ [adj] Don't
worry, it's not serious. It's only a cold. nothing serious My doctor told me it was nothing serious.
slight /slait/ [adj only before noun] slight cold/cough/fever/headache etc a cold etc that is not at all serious and does not make you feel very ill: I have a slight cold. I The virus sometimes causes a slight fever.
A
minor /'тагпэг/ fad/1 a minor illness is not serious: Most of these minor illnesses only last a few days or weeks.
Don't use minor with the names of diseases.
IMAGINE
look here for... have a picture in your mind think that something is happening when it is not see also real 2, think, idea
D to have a picture or idea of something in your mind
imagine /гтЫзэп/ [v T not in passive] to have a picture or idea in your mind about something that you have never seen or experienced: The town was exactly how I had imagined it.
+ (that) Imagine that you won the lottery - what would you do with the
money?
+ what/ho w/w he re etc I'm trying to imagine how the house will look when it's finished.
imagine doing sth It's hard to imagine living in a place like that. imagine sb doing sth I can just imagine Sarah running her own business.
A\ Don't say 'imagine to do something'. Say imagine doing something: Can you
imagine having nowhere to live?
picture ;'piktj3r/ [и T not in passive] to form a clear picture in your mind of a person, place, or situation: Can you picture it - you and me, lying on a beach in the sun.
picture sb as I had never met Graham, but I pictured him as tall and dark- haired.
picture sb doing sth I can't really picture him taking care of a baby.
Qcan. see /кэп 'si:/ especially spoken to be able to imagine something, because you think it is likely to happen
can see sb doing sth Jimmy's gone skiing. I can just see him arriving home with a broken leg.
can see sb as sth I can't really see her as a nurse.
dream of /'drirm ov/ [phrasal verb TJ to often think about something pleasant that
you would like to do or that you wish
would happen
dream of doing sth When I was young, 1 used to dream of becoming a famous writer.
dream of sth They dreamed of a society
where everyone was equal.
to wrongly think that something is happening
377
IMAGINE
imagine /rmaed^n/ [и T] to wrongly think that something is happening when it is not really happening: Had Luiz really spoken to her, or had she just imagined it? + (that) He was always imagining that people were talking about him behind his back.
Qbe seeing things/be hearing things /bi: sing 9igz, bi: Ъитщ Qiijz/ especially spoken to think that you might have seen or heard something, although really you have not: There's no one there - you must be seeing things. 1 Did someone
call my name just then or am 1 hearing
things?
something that you imagine
imaginary 'гтг^з^пЦ-пеп [adj] not real, but existing only as a picture or idea in your mind: When Linda was a child, she had an imaginary friend called Booboo. I He held up an imaginary gun and pretended to shoot me.
fantasy /'faentssi' [n CI an exciting or enjoyable experience which you imagine happening to you, but which will probably never happen: He's always talking about buying a beach house in Malibu, but it's just a fantasy. I sexual fantasies
plural fantasies
El your ability to imagine things
IMAGINE
imagination frmxdsl'neijm/ [n C/U]
Reading is a good way to develop a child's imagination. I / don't have any pictures of the place, so you'll have to use your imagination. a vivid imagination (=when someone is very good at imagining unusual and exciting things) Her stories shou; a particularly vivid irnqgination.
Д Don't confuse fantasy and imagination. A fantasy is something that you imagine, but your imagination is your ability to imagine things.
wrong, i He turned over and immediately fell asleep.
+ after/afterwards We'll have to leave immediately after breakfast. I She was admitted to the hospital at 10 o'clock, and died almost immediately afterwards.
immediate [adj usually before noun] happening or done immediately: My immediate reaction was one of disappointment. I The baby had a fever, and needed immediate medical attention.
A
at once/right away (also straightaway British) /эt wAns, ,rait a'wei, .streit- a'wei/ if you do something at once, right away, or straightaway, you do it immediately, especially because it is urgent: The principal wants to see you at once. I Moira phoned and I came straightaway. I If you offered me the job I could start right away.
Right away is less formal than at once or straightaway, and is used especially in conversation.
Qthis minute/right now /,6is
min^t, ,rait 'паи/ spoken say this when you are telling someone to do something immediately, especially in an angry way: Tell him I want him in my office, right now! I You'd better go upstairs this minute and get in your bed.
as soon as /эг 'sum sz/ [conjunction] immediately after something has happened, or immediately after you have
378
done something. As soon as he felt well
When talking about the future, don't use the future tense after as soon as. Use the present tense: i'll call you as soon as I get home (not 'as soon as I will get home').
enough, he returned to Barcelona.
A
IMMEDIATELY
^ opposite later/at a later time
D immediately
immediately /rmiidiatli/ [adul quickly
and without any delay: If there's an accident in the school, you must report it immediately. 1 When I saw her face, I knew immediately that something was
as soon as possible/as soon as
you can /эz su:n эг 'pos^tol, 3Z ,su:n эг ju: kaen||-pa:s-/ as soon as it is possible for you to do something: Several other students need this book, so please return it as soon as possible. I We got back as soon as we could.
instantly /'instentli/ [adv] immediately - use this when something happens at almost the same time as something else: It
was a head-on crash, and both drivers died instantly. I I knew instantly that Kathy and I were going to be good friends.
at a glance^ э gla:ns||- glaens/ can see/ know/tell sth at a glance to know or realize something immediately, after only looking for a very short time: I could see at a glance how serious the situation
was. I He can tell at a glance whether it's a real diamond or a fake.
IMPORTANT/ NOT IMPORTANT
^ see also don t care, famous, serious
Usomething that is important
important |im'p:xrunt/ [adj] something that is important has a big effect on people s lives and on the way things happen in the future, and a lot of things depend on it: Next Thursday's game is very important - if Italy lose they will be out of the World Cup. I I have an important announcement to make, so please listen carefully. I She didn't realize how important school work was until it was too late.
importancefn U] how important something is
+ of the importance of Einstein's discovery
signi/icant/signifikdnt/ [adj] significant
events, changes etc are important enough to be noticed and considered or talked about: There has been a significant change in people's attitude to the environment. I Winning the award was a significant achievement. I a significant new discovery, which will improve our understanding of the AIDS virus
big/big/ \adj only before noun] big deci- sion/event/occasion/day/moment an
important decision, event etc, especially one that will affect the rest of your life: This is a big decision - you'll have to give me time to think. I Graduation Day is one of those big occasions when everyone wants a souvenir photograph.
cutfie big day especially spoken (=a very important day in someone's life) I hear you're getting married - when's the big day?
r\ Big Is more informal thanjmp0rtant..
historic /hi'siDrikl-'sto:-, -sta:-/ [adj only before noun] a historic event, moment etc is remembered as a part of history because it brings important changes that have a good effect for a long time: the historic moment when Nelson Mandela was released from prison I In his book, Churchill describes that historic first meeting with Roosevelt.
crucial /'kru:J^l/ [adj] something that is crucial is extremely important because everything that happens afterwards depends on it: Euans scored two crucial points just before the end of the game. + to The result of these talks could be crucial to the future of the school.
ж Don't say very crucial'. Sa^bsolutely crucial •
Q important and necessary
important /impotent/ [adj) something that is important should be given special attention because it is very necessary: Young children should be given a healthy diet ~ that's very important. it is important to do sth It is important to read the instructions carefully before you start
it is important that It is important that everyone understands the risks involved in this plan.
importance [n U] how important and
necessary something is + of Most people realize the importance of getting enough sleep.
vital /'vaitl/ [adj] something that is vital is very important and necessary, and if it is not done correctly or dealt with there could be serious problems: nurses, police officers and other workers who provide vital services
+ to His evidence was vital to the defence case.
379 IMPORTANT/NOT IMPORTANT
it is vital that It is vital that leaking gas pipes are fixed immediately.
more important than anything else
the most important /бэ msost
mVpD:rL?ntI the most important scientific
discovery of the 20th century I For Muslims, this is the most important day of the year.
the most important thing If there is a fire, the most important thing is to get all the students out of the buildmg immediately.
main/ckief/principal /mem, tjnf, prin
sJ,pI/ ladj only before noun] more important than anything else: What was the main purpose of your visit? I Our chief concern
A
is for the safety of the children. I Coffee is the country's principal export.
Main, chief, and principal mean the same thing, but main is much more common than chief or principal. Chief and principal are used especially in written or formal spoken English.
biggest /'big^st/ [adj only before noun] the biggest decision, problem, event etc is the most important decision that you have to make, the most serious problem you have to deal with etc: This music festival is the biggest thing that's ever happened in Knoxville. I Getting married was the biggest mistake of my life.
A Biggest is more informal than most important, main etc.
major /'me[d33r/ [adj only before noun] one of the most important or serious things - use this especially when there is a small number of really important things, but a larger number of less important things: Smoking is a major cause of heart disease. I All the world's major sporting events can be seen on HHS TV. I /t's the Chief Executive who makes all the major decisions.
IMPORTANT/NOT IMPORTANT
basic /'beisikI [adj only before noun] use this about something that you need more than anything else, especially in order to do something or in order to live: This book gives you the basic information about choosing a college course. I People's basic needs are food, housing, and health care.
above all /э,Ьлу 'э:1/ use this to emphasize that what you are going to say is more important than the other things you have mentioned: Keeping him in prison is pointless, expensive, and above all it's completely unfair. I Above all, she will
be remembered for all the work she did
in the community.
/\ Use above all in written or formal spoken English.
priority /prai'nr^tiH-'Dir-/ [n С/U] the most important thing, which needs to be dealt with before anything else or given more attention than anything else: First, let's decide what our priorities are. sb's priority is to do sth My main priority is to get through all my exams. jirst/top/number one priority Safety has always been our number one priority. give priority to sth (=decide that something is very important, and deal with it urgently) The President promised to give priority to reducing unemployment. plural priorities
someone or something that you care a lot about
important jim'pyJuntj [adj] if something is important to you, you care a lot about it, and it has an important influence on the way you think and behave: Which is more important - your family or your career? be important to sb While I tuas a student, my parents' support and encouragement
were very important to me.
the important thing (=the only important thing) At least the children are safe - that's the important thing.
As. Don't say 'money is important for me'. Saymoney is important to me
Qmean a lot to sb /pmi:n э 'lot tu:
(sb)||-'la:t-/ especially spoken if someone or something means a lot to you, you care about them or worry about them a lot, and your happiness depends on them: You mustn't discourage her - this job means a lot to her.
380
mean everything to sb (=be more important than anything else) Karen trained day and night - winning the gold medal meant everything to her.
г ""—— ■ ■ -
Ж Mean a lot to sb is more informal than important
CJ an important person
important /im'p3trunt/ [adj] an important person has a lot of power or influence: The school is having some very important visitors next week. I Several important politicians are calling for a change in the laws on gun control.
leading "1 iidirj [adj only before nounl а leading politician, scientist, doctor etc is well known or successful or has a lot of influence, often because they know more about a subject than anyone else: a leading member of the government's environmental committee I a leading expert
on heart disease
play a leading part/role (=do something important to help something be successful) The Norwegian prime minister played a leading part in the peace talks.
VIP vi: ai 'pis/ In CI a very important, famous, or powerful person who is treated in a special way: a special party for VIPs and celebrities
You can also use VIP before a noun, like an adjective: VIP guests I the VIP lounge at the airport
13 not important
not important/unimportant /nut
im'py/Dnt, ,лтт'рэ:г1?пы/jadj] "I forgot to get the milk." "Don't worry, it's not importantI I don't want to waste time arguing about unimportant details.
A Unimportant is more formal than not important.
minor /'mains'/ [adj usually before noun] minor problems, changes, injuries etc are only small, and therefore not important or worrying: She suffered only minor injuries in the accident, I There have been some minor changes to the design. I Most of the problems we've had so far have been relatively minor.
small /small/ [adj usually before noun] informal a small problem, detail, or thing to discuss is not important and will not take long to deal with: Don't worry. It's only a small problem. I There were a couple of small things I wanted to talk to you about.
Qit doesn't matter /it ,d\z^nt maetor spoken say this to tell someone that something is not important and does not cause serious problems, even though it may seem bad: "We've missed the train." "It doesn't matter there's another one in 10 minutes."
+ i//whether/when/what It doesn t matter if you're late. We'll wait for you. I It doesn 't matter what other people say. Do what you think is best.
trivial /'trivial [ad;] something that is trivial is so unimportant that you should not worry about it or waste time on it: I'm sorry to bother you with such a trivial question. I My problems seem quite trivial compared with Suzie's.
petty /peti/ cdj usually before noun] unimportant and annoying - use this about rules, arguments, or things people do that seem to be too concerned with unimportant things: I'm sick of having petty arguments over money. I I liked the new school much better - it didn't have as many petty rules as the old one.
IMPOSSIBLE
^ opposite possible
^ see also can/cant
impossible /irn'pDsJ,b?I||[rrVpa:-/ [adj] something that is impossible cannot be done: an impossible task I We're supposed to do all this work by tomorrow. but it's impossible.
it is impossible to do sth The twins are so alike that it's impossible to tell them apart.
it is impossible for sb to do sth The
street was narrow, and it was impossible for the two buses to pass. make it impossible Her back injury made it impossible for her to play tennis
anymore.
381
IMPOSSIBLE
find it impossible (=discover that you cannot do something) When people leave prison, they often find it impossible to get a job.
riot possible /nDt 'pDS^H-'po:-/ [adj] impossible or very difficult to do - use this when the situation that you are in makes something extremely difficult to do: We can't buy a new computer for every student - it's just not possible. it is not possible to do sth It is not possible in a book this size to cover every aspect of the subject. it is not possible/or sb to do sth She's in a meeting, so I'm afraid it's not possible for you to see her now.
Qthere's no way /5еэгг ,пэо 'wei/ spoken say this when you strongly believe that something is impossible: There's no way we can get to the airport in less than an hour.
out of the question /,aut av 5э kwes tj>nI if an idea or suggestion is out of the question, it is completely impossible or it cannot be allowed: I'd love to come with you, but with all the work 1 have to do it's out of the question. I The cost would be over $5000, which is quite out of the question.
Qcan't possibly /,kamt pDs^bli|kaent 'pa:-/ especially spoken say that you can't possibly do something in order to emphasize that you think it is impossible and that you are surprised someone thinks it is possible: I can't possibly eat all that food. I We couldn't possibly afford the flight.
IMPROVE
see also better
II to get better
get better /get 'bets1"/ to become better: /
hope the weather gets better soon, get a lot better Yuri's English is getting a lot better.
things are getting better (=a situation is getting better) David has a new job, so things are getting better. get better and better (=continue to get
IMPOSSIBLE
better, in a way that makes you feel pleased) Paloma's teacher says that her schoolwork is getting better and better.
/h Get better is used in spoken English more than in written English.
improve /im'pruiv/ [v I] to become better: In the weeks that followed, his health continued to improve, improve dramatically (=improve a lot) Conditions in prisons have improved dramatically in the last 20 years.
As Improve is more formal than get better. It is used mostly in written English or in formal spoken situations, but not usually in ordinary conversation.
Qthings are looking up /,0iqz эг
lokii] "лр/ spoken say this when good things have started to happen to you, and your life seems much better than it was: Things are looking up - I've got a new job and a new boyfriend.
El to make something better
improve /im'pruiv/ [и T] to make something better: I wanted to improve my French, so I got a job in Paris. I Road and rail services have been improved. I Put some salt on it. It'll improve the taste.
make sth better /,meik (sth) 'bet3r/ to
improve a situation or improve someone's life: Instead of making the traffic situation better, the new road has just made things worse.
make things better You won't make things any better by worrying about them.
make li/e better for sb Have computers really made life better for everyone?
make improvements /meik impru:v- msnts/ to make changes to something or add things to it in order to make it better, more useful, or more effective + to Several improvements have been made to the original designs. I They made a lot of improvements to their house after they moved in (=for example
by adding a new room or putting in a new heating system).
Qbrush up sth/brush up on sth
382
/,Ьгл/ лр (sth), ,Ьгл] лр Dn (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] especially spoken to practise doing something that you have not done for a long time, in order to try to improve it - use this especially about speaking foreign languages: I'd like to brush up my Italian before our trip.
В a change that makes
something better
improvement /impruivmsm [n C/U] a change that makes something become better
+ in Have you noticed any improvement in his work? t Accidents have become less frequent, thanks to recent improvements in our safety checks. big / great / tremendous improvement There's been a great improvement in the team's performance over the last three games.
advance /9d'va:ns||-vaens/ |n С often plural] an important new idea or way of doing something, especially in science + in Advances in medical science may make it possible for people to live for 150 years.
big/enormous/major advance The last
20 years have seen enormous advances in computer technology.
IN CHARGE OF
to be the person who controls а person, organization, or activity
^ see also manager, power, control
be in charge /bi: in 'tja:rd3/ if you are in
charge of an activity or a group of people, you are the person who has the power to control what happens, to tell other people what to do etc: Who's in charge around here? + о/ the officer in charge of the investigation
be in charge of doing sth As senior supervisor, she is in charge of training new employees.
put sb in charge David Hughes has been put in charge of the school play this year.
run /глп/ [и T] if you run a business or organization, you are the person who makes the important decisions about what will happen: She runs a company called
Sunshine Holidays. I a drug counselling service that is run by ex-addicts running - ran - have run
be responsible for sth/sb /bi: n-
spDns^b-?! fb:r (sth/sb)||-'spa:n-/ if you are responsible for doing something, you have to make sure that everything is done correctly and that problems are dealt with; if you are responsible for someone, you have to make sure that they behave well and that they are safe: You're responsible for the children while they are in your classroom. I the Minister responsible for foreign a//airs
be responsible for doing sth Who is
responsible for organizing the travel arrangements?
responsibility /n,sponsi'bi|i,ti||ri,spain-/ [n C/U] a duty that you have when you are in charge, for example making sure that problems are dealt with or that people are safe: She's in charge of the whole hospital ~ it's a big responsibi/ity. have responsibility for (doing) sth In the past, it was usually the mother who had responsibility for child care. I The landlord is responsible for keeping the apartment in good condition, be sb's responsibility Garbage collection is the responsibility of the city council. it is sb's responsibility to do sth It's your responsibility to ensure that the passengers in your car are wearing seat- belts.
plural responsibilities
lead /liid/ [у T] to be in charge of a group of people, especially a political party, a group of soldiers, or a team of workers: Margaret Thatcher led the British
Conservative Party for fifteen years. I Lieutenant Capaldi is leading the murder investigation. I a research project led by Professor Johnson
leading - led - have led
383
IN CHARGE OF
supervise /'su:p3rvaiz, 'sju:-|'su:-/ [v T] if you supervise an activity or a group of people, your job is to watch what everyone is doing, in order to make sure that things are done correctly: Who was supposed to be supervising the kids when the fire started? I The distribution of aid will be supervised by the International Red Cross.
INCLUDE/ NOT INCLUDE
see also have/not have, contain
to include someone or something
A
include /in'kluid/ [и T] if a group of people, things, ideas etc includes someone or something, it has them as one of its parts, but there are other parts as well: Our tour party included several young families. I Today's programme will include a workshop on language learning games. I Symptoms of the disease include tiredness and loss of memory.
Don't say 'it is including these things'. Say it includes these things.
including /in'kluidiq/ [preposition} use this to say that someone or something is part of the group that you have just mentioned: Everyone in the class passed the test, including me. I You can play all kinds of games here, including tennis, basketball, and squash.
consist of sth/be made up of sth
/ksn'sist ov (sth), bi: meid 4p dv (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] use this when you are mentioning all of the parts that something includes: The US government consists of the Congress, the Judiciary, and the
INCLUDE/NOT INCLUDE 384
supervision /rsu:par'vivn, tsju:-||,su:-/ [n U]
the activity of supervising people or activities: The child needs constant supervision, under the supervision of sb (=while
being supervised by someone) Youcantry
sailing or rock-climbing under the supervision of experienced instructors.
leadership /'li:darJip/ (л U] the position of being in charge of a group or organization
+ of Tony Blair took over the leadership of the party after John Smith died.
President. I Up to 70% of your total body weight is made up of water. I For the first three or four months a baby's diet consists only of milk.
A Don't say 'it is consisted of these things'. Say it consists of these things
AS. Don't confuse include and consist of Use include to mention only some of the things that something includes, but use consist of to mention all of the things that something includes: The Romance family of languages includes French and Spanish. I The Romance family of languages consists of French, Spanish, Italian, and several other languages.
contain kan'tem/ [и T] to include particular ideas, images, or information - use this about things like books, films, or reports: The film contains some very unpleasant scenes of violence. I Her report con tained some interesting suggestions.
cover j'k\vjr! [и T] to include information about every part of a subject or about a lot of different subjects - use this about a book, TV programme, class etc: His book on European politics covers the period from 1914 to 1989. I Does your French
class cover modern French literature?
range /rom /'remd3 fnom||-fr\m/ [phrasal verb Tj if prices, ages, amounts etc range from one number or amount to another, they include both the lower and higher amounts and other amounts in between them: My students' ages ranged from 20 to 55. 1 Prices for a week in one of our villas range from £75 to £335.
when a number, total, or price includes something
include /in'kluidj [v T] The price of the computer includes £500 worth of free software. I It's $50 per night." "Does that include breakfast?"
including /in'kluidii]/ [preposition] use this to say that something is included in a number, total, or price: The final cost of the meal was $60, including a 10% service charge. I The phone costs £68, including batteries.
come with sth /'клт wia (sth)/ [phrasal
verb T] if something that you buy comes with something else, the second thing is included when you buy the first, and you do not have to pay any more for it: All the dishes on this menu come with either
French fries or salad I The carpets came with the house.
wit К /wkV wiB, [preposition] including a number or amount that is added to the total: With tax. the hotel bill came to
$400.
В to not include someone or something
leave out /,li:v 'aut' 1 phrasal verb T] to not include someone or something, either deliberately or accidentally leave sb/sth out of sth Fans were shocked that Giggs had been left out of the team.
leave out sb/sth You've left out a zero in this phone number.
exclude /ik'skluid/ [v T] formal to deliberately not include someone or something, especially in a way that seems wrong or unfair: The new law protects most workers, but excludes those on part-time contracts. I She felt they were deliberately excluding her from their plans.
omit /au'mit, э-/ If T] formal to not include something, especially a piece of information. either deliberately or because you forget: How can you give a list of 'Great English Novelists' that omits Dickens? omit sth from sth Sara's name had been omitted from the list of phone numbers. omitting - omitted - have omitted
miss Out ;,mis aut/ [phrasal verb T] British to not include someone or something that should be included, often by
mistake
miss out/miss sth out You missed out seu- eral important facts. I Those are the people I'm inviting. Did I miss anyone out?
when a number, total, or price does not include something
not include /not in'kluui The price does not include sales tax. not including He used to earn about £300 a week, not including bonuses. I There were about 50 people on the
plane, not including the crew.
excluding /ik'skluid 113/ [preposition] not including - use this especially when you are talking about prices or taxes: The computer costs £1500, excluding VAT. I Car rental charges are $50 a day, excluding the cost of gasoline.
Qnot counting /not kauntH]/especially
spoken use this to make it clear exactly which people or things you do not want to include in a total: Jane's been away for a week now, not counting today. 1 I get 25 days' holiday a year, not counting public holidays.
INCREASE
look here for ...
when a number or amount gets bigger
when a feeling gets stronger when something happens more often
see also crow, big, more
when a number or amount gets bigger
increase m'kriis/ [у I] to become larger in number, amount, price, value etc: Gradually the noise and traffic increased as they approached the city.
increase by 10%/$100/2 million etc (=by a difference of 10% etc) The price of cigarettes has increased by 30% in the last two years.
increase to $1000/2 million etc (=to reach a total of $1000 etc) The number of unemployed is expected to increase to four million by 2001. increase in number/value an investment
that is certain to increase in value increase considerably/greatly/enor- mously The use of mobile phones has
increased enormously over the past two
385
INCREASE
years.
'A Don't use increase about the level or standard of something. Use go up or rise: The standard of living has risen (not 'increased').
increasing .m'krisiq/ [adj only before noun] An increasing range and variety of health foods are now available. an increasing number o/Ancreasing numbers of Increasing numbers of North American trees are being damaged by acid rain.
A
go a pi rise /.g^u 'лр, raiz (t» IJ to increase
- use this about numbers, prices, or temperatures etc, but also about the level or standard of something: My rent's gone up again. It's £100 a week now. I Spending on education has risen rapidly in recent years. I With more and more cars on the road, pollution levels are rising steadily.
+ by 10%/$500 etc (=by a difference of 10% etc) House prices went up by 20% last year. I Sa/aries have risen by 50%
since 1987.
+ to $1000/10 million etc In summer temperatures often rise to 40°. I The
average price of a loaf of bread has gone up from 26p to 60p. rising - rose - have risen
ПГ7 1
! z_lA uo up is more common in spoken ! English than increase or rise.
^ Don't confuse raise (=make something
rise) with rise (=become more), * •
rising /raizir]/ \adj only before noun] increasing - use this about prices, numbers etc or about the level or standard of something: His ing fuel costs have forced many airlines to put up the price of air tickets. I the country's rising standard of living
rising unemployment/crime/in/lation
(=when problems increase and become more serious) a period of economic difficulty and rising unemployment
9TOW jgrwj [и I] to increase gradually over
a period of time - use this about numbers or amounts, or about the total amount cf business activity or trade. Sales of пеш cars have grown steadily since 1990. I
China's economic output continues to
grow at a remarkable annual rate. grow by 10%/5000 etc (=by a difference of 10% etc) Last year, our profits grew by
£50,000.
growing - grew - have grown
growing /'greuirj/ \adj only before noun] Growing numbers of women are choosing to give birth at home.
double /dAlwl/ [v I| to become twice as big: The price of electricity nas almost doubled in less than three years.
shoot up yjuit 'др/ [phrasal verb I) to
INCREASE
increase quickly and suddenly - use this
especially about prices, costs, or amounts of money: Water charges have shot up by 35% in only 12 months. + from ... to ... Profits shot up from
$4000 to $34,000 last year.
Efl when a feeling gets stronger
growing graoii]/ [adj only before noun) growing doubts/fears/interest/opposition etc doubts, fears etc that are gradually becoming stronger: women's grow ing interest in football I I listened to his story with growing disbelief.
grow /grau./ [и I] if a feeling grows, it gradually becomes stronger: Her confidence grew, and soon she was able to go out driving on her own, I f ears are growing for the safety of the missing children. growing - grew - have grown
increase in kriis' [и 1] to become stronger - use this especially about a feeling that a lot of people have: The excitement is increasing inside the stadium as we wait for the teams to come out onto the field. I The President's popularity has increased enormously since the war. increasing [adj only before noun] There is increasing uncertainty about the
company's future.
build up bild др/1 phrasal verb I] if a bad feeling such as anger builds up,-it gradually increases, until it makes you decide to do something: The pressure built up over the year, and eventually I had to leave my job. I I could feel the anger building up inside me.
mounting /maontiq/ [adj only before noun] mounting anger/excitement/ concern anger, excitement etc that is quickly increasing and becoming very strong: There is mounting concern about the use of guns by criminals.
H when something
happens more often
increase .m'kriis/ [v I] if an activity increases, it happens more often, and so it affects more and more people or situations: Smoking is increasing among teenage girls.
be on the increase /bi:,on6i 'igkriis/if
386
a problem in society is on the increase,
it is happening more and more often: Drug taking is on the increase, i Poverty and homelessness seem to be on the increase again.
В to make something increase
increase /in'kriis/ [и T) to make something
increase: We must increase the amount of money that we spend on education. I Smoking increases the risk of getting lung cancer, I Mandela's imprisonment increased the opposition to white rule in South Africa.
+ from ... to ... The company is increasing its workforce from 350 to 500.
put up /pot 'лр; |phrasal verb T] to increase the prices, taxes, or rents people have to pay
put up sth If the landlord puts up the rent again, we may have to move out. put sth up This used to be quite a cheap restaurant, but they've put their prices up recently.
raise /reiz [и T] to increase prices, taxes etc, or to make certain feelings stronger: Before the election the President promised not to raise taxes, 1 Oil companies are planning to raise prices, raise hopes/expectations (=make people
more hopeful)
raise doubts Ifears I questions (=make people more uncertain or worried)
add to StK /'aed tu: (sth) [phrasal verb T) especially written to increase an amount that is already large, or increase problems, worries etc that are already serious: cn insurance policy that odds significantly to the cost of the loan I The news of his exam results only added to his general feeling of gloom.
double fdAbc?i/ [v T] to increase a number or amount so that it is twice as big: The landlord has doubled our rent.
turn up /дз;гп лр/ [phrasa/ verb T] if you turn up a television, radio etc, you make it louder; if you turn up something used for heating or cooking, you make it produce more heat
INCREASE
turn up sth He leaned forward and turned up the TV.
turn sth up I can't hear the news. Can you turn it up a little? 1 I wish they'd turn the heating up - it's so cold in here.
an increase in an
amount or number
increase firjkrusi [n C) when an amount or number increases
+ in The company announced a 5% increase in profits. 1 There has been a big increase in the number of homeless people.
pay/price/tax/rent increase Large tax increases are expected if there is a change of government, a sharp/dramatic increase (=a big and
sudden increase) There has been a sharp increase in the number of people using the Internet.
Don't say 'an increase of tax/profits' etc. Sayan increase in tax/profits etc.
rise /raiz; [n singular] an increase in numbers, prices, taxes etc, or an increase in the level of something + in The police have been unable to stop the rise in crime. I a sudden rise in temperature
a sharp I dramatic rise (=a big and sudden increase) The figures show a dramatic rise in sales of CDs.
growth gr3o0 [n U] a gradual increase over a period of time, especially in the amount of business activity and trade + in the steady growth in trade between the US and China
+ of The growth of the tourist industry has provided around 5000 jobs in the
region.
rapid growth (=very quick growth) the rapid growth in the world's population is partly due to improved medical services.
pay rise british raise american /'pel raiz. reiz, (n CI an increase in the amount of money that you are paid: It's time you had a pay rise. I The city simply can't afford to give all teachers a raise.
387
build-up /bild лр j [n singular] a gradual increase in the level of something harmful, dangerous, or worrying
+ of Industrialization has led to a buildup of gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere I a build-up of troops on the Korean border
INDEPENDENT
look here for ... •when a country is not ruled by another country
• when someone does not need help or money from other people
country
see also country, government/ politics, free з
independent /,ind^pendanH/ [adj] an independent country is not ruled by another country and has its own government: Many Scottish people want Scotland to be an independent country. become independent India became independent in 1947.
independence /.md^pendans/ [n U)
INDEPENDENT
when a country is not ruled by another country, but has its own government: Mexico achieved independence from Spain in 1821. I the Irish people's fight for independence yourself, you do not need other people to do things for you or tell you what to do: Stop worrying about the kids - they can take care of themselves.
stand on your own two feet
/ staend dh jo:r ,эоп tu: Tut/ if you can stand on your own two feet, you can deal with difficulties and situations alone and you do not expect other people to do things for you: I had to learn to stand on my own two feet when my husband left me.
not independent
dependent di pendant/ [adj] unable to live or do things on your own, because you need the support or help of someone else My grandmother has become much
388
more dependent since her illness.
+ on Over a million refugees in Zaire are dependent on foreign aid. financially dependent (=when you need money from someone in order to live) Anne had never worked and was financially dependent on her husband, dependent on sb/sth/or sth Young chil dren are dependent on their parents for love and emotional support.
INFORMATION
person
see also confident /not confident, describing people
independent /.md^pendanu/ [adj] an
independent person can make their own decisions, organise their own life^ and pay for the things they need, without help or advice from other people: Ive become much more independent since I started living on my own. I 'Cosmopo/itan' is a magazine for young independent profes sional women.
/inancialiy independent (=when you don't need money from other people) Car/a had just started her first job, and she enjoyed being financially independent.
Qcan take care of yourself (also
can look after yourself British)
;кэп teik ,кеэг sv joi'self, кэп luk ,a:ft3r jo:r'setf/ especially spoken if you can take care of yourself or can look after
COMPUTERS
\ t
NEWS
see also
TELL
i \
ASK NEWSPAPERS
AND MAGAZINES
information
DETAIL
FIND OUT
TELEVISION AND RADIO
information inf3r'meij>n fn U] facts or details that tell you about a situation, event, person, place etc + about/on The book contains information on how to find a job abroad, give/provide information The tourist office will be able to give you the information you need. I an organization that provides information about AIDS further information formal (=more information) For further information, please write to the following address.
piece of in/ormation a useful piece of information
detailed information (=containing a lot of facts) The guidebook has detailed information about the hotels in the
area.
Don't say 'informations'. Say information
A
^ Don't say 'an information'. Say a P,ece of information or some information.
/act /faekt/ (л С usually plural] a piece of information that is known to be true: I'm not interested in your opinions - I just want to know the facts. + about It's important that young people learn the facts about drugs. I a book full of interesting facts about plants + that It is a remarkable fact that no-one had ever been convicted under this law.
details /'dineiiz||drteilz/ [n plural] all the specific pieces of information that you need to know about something which you already know about in a general way: There's a big jazz festival in May. I'll give you the details if you want. + of Please send us details of your bank account.
further details formal (=more details) For further details, contact the conference organizer.
data /'delta, 'daпэ/ [n U] facts, numbers, and other information that has been collected and stored, especially on a computer: All our data is stored on computer. + on Scientists have been collecting data on air pollution levels.
В a collection of information
/fail/ [n C] a collection of information, about a person, subject etc which is kept by an organization such as a school, a company, or the police: Oniy a few people are allowed to see these files. + on The FBI has files on all suspected terrorists. I Could you bring me the file on the West murder, please?
record /'rebdii-ard/ [n С usually plural] information that is collected gradually over a long period of time, so that it can be looked at when necessary: I've checked
the student records, and I can't find any mention of her name. I medical records + of the official records of births, marriages, and deaths
keep a record (=write down details of things as they happen) Keep a record of all your expenses during the trip.
database /'deit^beis/ [n С] a very large collection of information kept on a computer: The bookstore now has a database which lists ail the books in stock. + оfa database of car-owners in the UK
В to write down information
record /гГклМ/ [v T] to write down information or store it on a computer, so that it can be looked at later, especially official information about numbers or amounts: On/у 13 cases of this disease have ever been recorded. I The meteorological office recorded the lowest rainfall in 10 years.
INSTEAD
D instead of another thing, place, or time
instead /m'sted/ [adv] if you do one thing instead of another, you do the first thing after deciding not to do the other thing: We didn't have enough money to go to a movie, so we went to the park instead. I I can't manage Thursday. Can we meet on Friday instead? + of Could I have soup instead of salad? instead of doing sth Vou should talk to your teacher instead of just complaining to me about it.
Д Don't say 'instead of it' or 'instead of that', just say We didn't go for а
walk, but stayed at home instead.
^ Don't say 'instead of to go' or 'instead to go'. Say instead of going.
rather than /raiq9t ^ jf you j0
389
INSTEAD
one thing rather than another, you do the first thing because it seems better or more suitable: A lot of young people are choosing to rent rather than buy their
instead of another person
instead /m'sted/ [adv] Chris couldn't go to the meeting, so I said I'd go instead. + of Gillespie will play in midfield instead of Cochrane.
for strong fo:r/ {preposition) if you do something for someone, you do it instead of them, especially in order to help them: Let me carry that shopping for you. ! Pat wasn't feeling well, so I said I would take care of the children for her.
go in sb's place /ig30 in (sb's) pleis/ if you go somewhere in someone's place
you go there instead of them: Lauren was too busy to go to the concert, so Wendy went in her place.
ОП behalf of sb /on bi'haif DV (sb)l - haef-/ if you do something on behalf of someone, such as giving a speech or making an official decision, you do it instead of them because they have asked you to be
their representative: On behalf of everyone here, I'd like to wish you a long and happy retirement.
on sb's behalf Richardson s lawyer agreed to speak to purnalists on his behalf.
В to do something instead of someone or something else
take the place o//replace /teik fo
pleis dv, ri'pleis/ [и T] to do a job or do work
that used to be done by someone or something else: In most offices, computers have replaced the old typewriters. I One 'smart' card can now take the place of cash, cheques, and credit cards. I Schmidt will replace Thijssen as Minister of the Environment.
take over /,teik эоуэг/ [phrasal verb I/T] to start doing a job, especially an important job, that someone else used to do: Perryman has agreed to take over until the club can find a new coach. take over sth Kolchinsky took over the
chairman s job in 1994. + Jrom My father always expected me to take over from him and run the family business.
stand in for sb /,st<end 'in fbir (sb)/
[phrasal verb Tj to do someone's job for them for a short time: Can you stand in for Meg while she's on vacation?
RULE
replacement /ri'pleisrmnt/ [n С] a person, machine, system etc that does a job or does work instead of someone or something else: When Steve announced he was leaving, the coach started looking around for a replacement. + /or These fertilizers were developed as a replacement for the old nitrates.
INSTRUCTIONS
EXPLAIN
see also
✓ \
TELL 6, 8 CLEAR/
NOT CLEAR
information about how to use something or what to do
instructions /m'stMkpnz/ [n plural) written or spoken information telling someone what you want them to do or how something should be done: A/ioays wash clothes according to the instructions on the label.
give sb instructions Patricia was in the
living room giving the babysitter her instructions.
INSTEAD 390
own houses. I Rather than waiting for the bus, Larry decided to take a taxi.
in place of sth /in 'pieis ov (sth)/ if one thing is used in place of another, it is used instead of it or put in the place where the other thing used to be: During this
period, people were beginning to use
coal as a fuel, in place of wood, in its place/in their place The church was demolished, and an office block was built in its place.
follow instructions (=do what the instructions tell you) I've followed her instructions, but the computer still isn't working. + about/on Have you read the instructions about what to do if there's a fire?
have instructions to do sth (=when
someone has given you instructions) The guards had strict instructions not to let anyone in.
Ж Remember to use instructions in the
plural. Don't say 'You didn't follow my instruction'.
directions dJ/rekpnz, dai- [n plural] instructions about how to go to a place give sbdirections I've never been to his house before. Can you give me directions?
follow sb's directions (=go where someone tells you to go) She only got lost because she didn't follow my directions. + to Do you want me to give you directions to the restaurant?
recipe 'res^pi/ |n C] instructions on how to make a particular kind of food: This soup is really good - you must give me the recipe.
+ for I've found a recipe for barbecue sauce.
0 a book or document with instructions
the instructions /di: m'strAkpnz/ [n
plural] a book or piece of paper that provides information about how to do something or how to use something: / don't need to read the instructions - I've played this game before. 1 / can't get the computer to work and I've lost the instructions.
manual /'macnjual/ {n С] a book that contains detailed instructions for using a complicated machine: Before you try to use the camera, read the manual carefully. I a computer manual
handbook /'haendbok/ [n С] a book containing useful information and advice for a group of people who need it. written by someone who knows a lot about the subject: The students' handbook gives infor motion on how to find accommodation. I a government handbook for teachers of deaf children
cookbook (also recipe book British) /'kokbuk, resj>pi bok; [n C] a book that has instructions about how to cook different kinds of food
INTELLIGENT
^ opposite stupid
^ if you mean 'behaving in a way that is reasonable and not stupid', go
to sensible
see also good 5
D good at learning,
thinking, and understanding ideas
intelligent in'teli,dvnt (adj] someone who is intelligent has a high level of mental ability and is good at learning, thinking, and understanding ideas: Natalie was very charming and extremely intelligent. I He's probably the most intelligent student in the class, highly intelligent (=very intelligent) a sensitive and highly intelligent young man
clever especially british smart ESPECIALLY
AMERICAN lklev3r, sma:rt/ lac/j] someone who is clever or smart is good at learning or understanding things quickly and at thinking of how to solve problems: You 're so clever! How did you think of that? I Laura's smart and she has plenty of ambition. I My sister's much smarter than 1 am.
bright brait, [adj] children and young people who are bright are intelligent and likely to be successful at school or in their jobs: She's one of the brightest kids in her class. I Tom was с model employee - bright and hard-working.
brainy 'breini/ [adj] informal someone who is brainy is very intelligent and good at studying: At school, Karen was always one of the brainy ones.
brainy - brainier - brainiest
Ed extremely intelligent
genius d3i:ni3s/ [n C] someone with a very high level of intelligence, which only a few people have, especially someone who has original and important ideas: Einstein was probably the greatest mathematical genius of all time.
391
INTELLIGENT
brilliant /'briljant; fad;] a brilliant scientist, student, teacher etc is extremely intelligent and does very good or important
clever ideas, plans, or ways of doing things
clever I'klevs17 [adj] especially British a clever idea, plan, or way of doing something is good and works well: Mark had
lots of clever ideas for making money. cleverly [adv] The building has been cleverly designed to use as little energy as possible.
ingenious /in'djiinias/ [adj] an ingenious
method, idea, or piece of equipment is cleverly designed to do a job or solve a problem in a very original way: an ingenious method of sending secret information
the ability to learn well
intelligence /in'tel^ns/ [n U] the ability to learn quickly, think clearly, and understand ideas well: Most of the children at the school are of above average intelligence.
brains /brernz/ [n plural] informal the ability to think quickly, study well, and remember a lot of facts: With his brains, he'll easily get into university.
В an annoying person who thinks he or she is very clever
know-it-all (also know-all British) / пэо it пэо л'1/ [n C) informal someone who annoys you because they always think that they know more than other people: All right then, know-it-all, you tell us what the answer is.
good at getting advantages for yourself
clever especially British smart especially american /'klev3r, sma:rt/ [adj] someone who is clever or smart is gocd at getting advantages for themselves by using clever and sometimes dishonest methods: Some smart lawyer got him out of prison. I a clever politician, who stayed in power by
work which people admire them for: The brilliant physicist Paul Dirac first put forward this theory back in 1930. I a brilliant historian
INTELLIGENT
keeping his enemies divided
cleverly [adu] He cleverly avoided saying what his real intentions were.
cunning ''клпн]/ [adj] someone who is cunning gets what they want by thinking carefully about it and making secret plans: Hawkeye was very cunning - he always waited until his enemy was alone and unarmed before making his attack. cunningly [adu] A video camera had been cunningly hidden behind the mirror.
streetwise /'striitwaiz/ [adj] someone who is streetwise has a lot of experience of life in big cities, so they know what to do in difficult or dangerous situations: Kids nowadays are much more streetwise than we ever used to be.
INTEND
D to intend to do
something
see also organize/arrange,
prepare
intend to do sth /m.tend to du: (sth)/
[u T] if you intend to do something, you have decided that you want to do it at some time in the future-. I intend to find out who is responsible for this. I Do you thinfc Jones really intended to kill his wife?
Qmean to do sth /,mnn u> du; (sth)/
especially spoken to intend to do something - use this especially when you forgot to do
something or did not have the chance to do
it: I've been meaning to phone Anne for ages. I I meant to tell you, but I forgot. meaning - meant - meant
be going to do sth /bi: ts dur
(sth)/ if you are going to do something, you have arranged to do it at a particular time - use this to talk about definite arrangements: Ruth and Al are going to open their own restaurant. I Tm going
to go to the hospital tomorrow.
392
plan to do Sth /plaen te 'du: (sth)/ to intend to do something - use this especially when you have thought carefully about when and how you will do something: Josie's planning to return to work after she's had the baby. I We're planning to go on vacation in October.
set out to do StK „set aut ta du: (sth)/
to decide to do something and make plans for how you will achieve it, especially in a determined way: He set out to make Newcastle the best football team in the country. I The film is about a New York gangster who is attacked and sets out to get revenge.
Q to not intend to do something
^ see also accidentally/deliberately,
mistake
riot intend to do sth. not n tcnd t^
du: (sth) if you do not intend to do
something, you have decided that you will not do it: He doesn't intend to stay in this job all his life. I I was determined to go. and J did not intend to let them stop me.
have no intention of doing sth
/haev ,пэо m.tenj^n sv "duni] (sth) if you have no intention of doing something, you have firmly decided that you will definitely not do it: She says she has no intention of going back to her husband. I Mr Birt announced that he had no intention of resigning.
have no plans to do sth h,Tv пэо
,plsnz t3 du: (sth) if you have no plans to do something, you have not made a decision to do it, although you may decide to do it at a later time: At the moment, Hugh and his girlfriend have no plans to get married.
Qnot mean to do sth not mi:n ta
'du: (sth)./ especially spoken use this to say that, although someone did something, they did not do it deliberately: They hadn't meant to stay out so late. I "You really upset Frances last night." "I know ~ I didn't mean to. but I just got very annoyed."
El something that you intend to do
intention /in'tenj>n; [n ci something that
you intend to do: I'm not sure what his intentions are.
with the intention of doing sth Kaori went to the US with the intention of getting a job at a university.
intention to do sth He has announced his intention to run for president at the next election.
El when something is intended to do something
be intended to bi: intended tu: to be done or made for a particular purpose: a speech that was clearly intended to reassure us I The restaurant was intended to be like a typical Moroccan restaurant.
be meant to/ be supposed to /hi:
ment tu:. bi: so'pouzd tu:/ to be intended to have a particular result or effect - use this especially when the result or effect is not achieved: This film was obviously meant to shock, but we just thought it was funny. I The new laws are supposed to prevent tax fraud.
INTERESTING/ INTERESTED
^ opposite BORING/BORED
^ see also exciting/excited
A Don't confuse interesting (used about j
a subject, book, person etc that makes you i
want to pay attention) and interested I (=how you feel when you want to find out j
more about something). !
j
II something that makes you feel interested
interesting mtr^stiq/ [ac/jl if something
393 INTERESTING/INTERESTED
is interesting, you give it your attention, because it is unusual or exciting or because it provides information that you want to know about: an interesting film about African wildlife. I He's the most interesting person I've ever met. I We spent an interesting afternoon looking around the old part of the city. it is interesting to see/know/compare It will be interesting to see which of these bands is still popular five years from now. I It would be interesting to know how much the painting costs. it is interesting that (use this about a fact that is interesting because it is unexpected or difficult to explain) It is interesting that
so few of the people here die from heart
disease.
look/sound interesting Susan's new job sounds really interesting.
As Never say 'I am interesting in this'. Say
1 am interested in this.
interest 'intrust/ [и T] if something interests you, it makes you feel interested There's с film about bears on the TV
tonight. It might interest the children.
AS Don't say 'It is interesting me'. Say it interests me.
fascinating , faes^neitii]/ [adj] extremely interesting: Istanbul is a fascinating city. I a fascinating story of mystery and adventure
A\ Don't say Very fascinating'. Say
absolutely fascinating.
/ascinate /'fasineit/ [и T] if something fascinates you, it makes you fee! extremely interested: The idea of travelling to other planets fascinates me.
intriguing /in'trngirj/ [adj] if something is intriguing, you want to know more about it because it is strange or difficult to understand: an intriguing question that continues to puzzle scientists I When I got home there was an intriguing message on my answerphone.
stimulating /'stimjy.leiui}/ [adj) something that is stimulating is interesting and enjoyable because it gives you new ideas to think about: I would like to thank
Professor Buchner for his stimulating
lecture. ! It was a stimulating experience, working among people from so many different countries.
Ql couldn't put it down ai kodnt put it 'daun/ spoken say this about a book which was so enjoyable that you did not want to stop reading it: What an amazing book! 1 just couldn't put it down.
feeling interested in something
interested /'intr^d/ (adj not before
noun) if you are interested in something, you give it your attention because you want to know more about it: The children seemed very interested when I showed them my photographs. I I can't remember the name of the book, but if you're interested I can find out. + in I've never really been interested in po/itics. I Bob first got interested in motorcycles when he was about sixteen. interested to know/kearfsee/learn I'd be very interested to hear your opinion about this.
find sth interesting /famd (sth)
intrust11]/ if you find something interesting, you feel very interested when you see it, read it, or hear about it, because it is the type of thing that you like to know about: It's a book about travelling in India. I think you'll find it interesting.
wit К interest /wid intrust/ watch/listen/read with interest especially written to be interested when you watch, listen, or read something: Richard listened with interest to the conversation at the next table.
with great interest I read your letter u/ith great interest.
skow interest/express interest
/,j3o intrust, ik,spres intrust/ to say something to show that you are interested, especially in a suggestion or plan: I suggested going camping, but none of my friends showed any interest. + in Several companies have already expressed interest in our research.
INTERESTING/INTERESTED 394
Qbe into Sth /bi; mtu; (sth)/ {phrasal verb T) informal., especwlly spoken to be very interested in a subject or activity, and to spend a lot of time on it because you enjoy it: I'm not very interested in science fiction, but my brother is really into it. be into doing sth. Lisa's into keeping fit - she goes to aerobics every day. get into sth (=become more interested in it) I never used to like jazz, but I've been getting into it recently.
В to feel extremely
interested in something
/as с mated / faes^neit^d/ [adj not before nounj extremely interested in something that you are watching or listening to: Julia watched the dancers for over an hour - she u>as fascinated.
+ by I was fascinated by her stories of her childhood in Africa.
be absorbed in. stK /bi: эЬ sy/bd in (sth)/ to be so interested in something that you give it all your attention: She's totally absorbed in her work. I The children were so absorbed in their game that they didn't notice us.
be obsessed with sth ;bi: absest wi6
(sth)/ to be too interested in something, so that you cannot stop thinking about it: You're obsessed with sex - that's your problem.
be obsessed with doing sth As Forsyth grew older; he became obsessed with making money.
obsession /ab'sej^n/ [n C] when you cannot stop thinking about one particular thing-. Mario's interest in fast cars had become a dangerous obsession. + with the poet's unhealthy obsession with death
when you are not interested in something
see also boring/bored not interested /not intrJ^d/1 started
telling them about my vacation, but they weren't very interested.
+ in He's not particularly interested in
sport.
not interest sb /not intrust (sb)/ if a subject or activity does not interest you. you do not want to know about it or learn about it: To be honest, politics doesn't interest me at all.
lose interest /jU:z intrust/to stop being interested in something that you were interested in before: I used to go to photography classes every week, but then I just lost interest.
+ In Jenny seems to have lost all interest in her work.
INTERFERE
to try to influence a situation that you should not be involved in
see also stop 6
to interfere
inter/ere /,int9r'fi9r/ [и I] to try to influence a situation that you should not be involved in, for example by telling someone what to do or giving them advice which they do not want: For God's sake Dave, stop interferingf I I don't mean to interfere, but don't you think you should tell your parents about this?
+ in She has no right to interfere in her son's marriage like that. I The US was accused of interfering in China's internal
affairs.
interference [n UJ when someone interferes in a situation: I think the Internet should be allowed to develop without any interference from the government interfering [adj only before nounl an interfering person annoys you because they keep interfering in things that they should not be involved in: an interfering old woman
meddle 'medl/ [и 1} to interfere in a situation that you do not understand or know enough about, and which someone else is responsible for dealing with + in In my opinion Church leaders shouldn't meddle in politics.
Qpolce your nose into sth рЭик jo:r 'пэог intu: (sth)/ informal, especially spoken to ask questions about someone else's private life in a way that annoys them: Just stop poking your nose into my private affairs.
busybody ;'bizi(bodi||-,ba:di/ [n Cj informal someone who always wants to know about or get involved in other people's private activities: That woman's such a busybody - she knows everything about everyonef
395
INTERFERE
plural busybodies
В to not interfere
Qmind your own business / mamd
pir 'bizn^s/ spokf.n say this when you want someone to stop interfering or ask ing questions about something that is private: Why don't you just mind your own business and leave us alone? I He asked me how much money I earned, and ! told him to mind his own business.
Qstay out of it .Stci 'aot ov it/ 3POKCN
informal to not get involved in a fight or an argument between other people: If I were you I'd stay out of it - Josh gets violent when he's drunk.
INVENT
if you mean 'think of an explanation, reason etc that is untrue',
go to true/not true 3
Don't confuse invent (=think of something that did not exist before) and
discover (=find something that people did not know about before).
BI to think of a new idea, design, or name for something
• see also find 4, idea
invent /in'vent/ If TJ to think of an idea for a new product, machine etc for the first time, and design it and make it: Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. I Television was invented in the 1920s. invention [n U] when someone Has invented a new product: a c/iscovery that led to the invention of ihe nuclear bomb
create /kri'eit/ [и T] to make something new in art, literature, fashion etc: Agatha Christie created the character Hercuie Poirot. I Mary Quant created a whole new look for women's clothes in the
1960s.
think up/come up with Giqk лр,
INTERFERE
клт лр wi5 j [phrasal verb T] informal to produce a new idea, name, method etc by thinking carefully about it
think up sth/come up with sth See if
you can come up with a better name for it. I We need to think up some new ideas for the Christmas show, think sth up What a brilliant idea! I wonder who thought that up.
devise /di'vaiz/ (и T) to invent a way of doing something, especially one that is clever and complicated: The exercise program was devised by a leading health expert. I Scienfisfs have devised a test that shows who is most likely to get the disease.
Q someone who invents things
inventor /m'ventэг/ [n C] someone who invents things
+ of Marconi, the inventor of radio
creator/kri'eit3f [n Cj the writer, artist, or designer who first produced a well-known story, character fashion etc + of Walt Disney, the creator of Mickey Mouse
El something that
someone has invented
invention /m'venj>n/ [n C] something that someone has invented: The light bulb was Edison's most famous invention.
INVITE
^ see also party
II to invite someone
invite/as к /invait, a:sk||ask/ \u T] to ask someone to come to a party, wedding, meal etc: It's going to be a big wedding - they've invited over a hundred people. I "Are you going to Emma's party?" "No, I haven't been asked." invitefask sb to a party/wedding etc Are you going to invite Stephanie to the school disco?
396
invite/ask sb to do sth Jane's parents have asked me to come and stay with them for a couple of weeks. invite/ask sb for lunch/dinner Madeline has invited us for dinner on Saturday.
invite/ask sb in (=invite a visitor into your home) He invited me in for a cup of coffee.
Don't say 'she invited/asked me in her party' Say she invited/asked me to her
party.
Ayou can use invite in written or spoken English. Ask is more informal, and is usually used in spoken English.
ask sb out Zaisk (sb) "aut||,aesk-/ [pbrasa/ verb TJ to ask someone to go to a restaurant, a film etc with you because you want to start a romantic relationship with them: Why don't you osк her out? Or ore you too shy?
have sb over /,haev (sb) 'aov9r/ [phrasal verb T| if you have someone over, they come to your home to have a meal or to spend time with you because you have invited them: "What did you do fast night?" "We had some friends over and we played cards."
have sb over/or drinks/dinner etc We had
Nick's parents over for dinner on Saturday.
Еа a message inviting someone
invitation ,invi;teij<?n/ [n С] a message inviting someone to a party, wedding etc: Thanks for your invitation. I'd love to come. I a wedding invitation + to Did you get an invitation to the party?
El someone who you invite
guest /gest/ |л С] someone who is staying
397
INVITE
at your home, or who has come to your party, wedding etc because you invited them-, the wedding guests I We have guests staying with us this week.
398
JEALOUS
JEALOUS
because someone loves another person
m see also love,
girlfriend/boyfriend, relationship
jealous /'d3elos/ [adj] angry and unhappy because you think your husband, girlfriend etc loves someone else more than they love you
get jealous (-become jealous) My girl friend gets jealous if I even look at another woman.
make sb jealous I saw her talking and laughing with Bob. She was just trying to make me jealous.
jealous Kusband/wL/e/lover It's a story about a woman who is killed by her jealous lover.
jealously (adu] He watched jealously as Rose danced with his brother.
jealousy /'dselasi/ [n U] the angry, unhappy feeling you have when you think your husband, girlfriend etc loves someone else more than they love you: Morgan stabbed his girlfriend in a fit of jealousy.
because you want something that someone else has
^ see also want
jealous ('d3ebs/ [adj] you feel jealous when someone has something that you want, and you are annoyed that they have it and you do not: Wait till Andrea hears
about my new job. She'll be really jealous.
+ of I felt jealous of Katie with her new baby.
enviOUS /'envias/ [adj] especially written you feel envious when someone has something nice or special, and you wish that you had it too: He cast an enuious look at Simon's shiny red sportscar. + of I was always envious of the way Tracey looked good in whatever she wore.
enviously [adi>] She glanced enviously at Emma's slim figure.
envy /envi/ [и T] to wish that you had the same abilities, possessions etc as someone else: / wish / could play the piano like that - I really envy you!
envy sb for sth He always envied his brother for the way he made friends so easily.
envying - envied - have envied
envy envi [n U] the feeling you have when you want something that someone else has: It was difficult to hide her envy as Jim described his new job in Hawaii, green with envy (=very envious) Гот will be green with envy when he sees your new computer.
jealousy /'d3ebsi/ [n U] the feeling of wanting something that someone else has, especially when this makes you angry or unhappy: Eoer since Clark won the lottery, he has had to cope with the jealousy and resentment of his former workmates.
JOB
POSITION/RANK WORK ^ COMPANY
N /
see
also — ^
BUSINESS
MANAGER ^Г ^ PAY
i \
EXPERIENCE
a job
job /d3Db|dba:b/ [n C] the work that you do regularly in order to earn money, especially when you work for a company or a public organization: My first job was in a record store. ! Daniel starts his new job on Monday. I She has a well-paid job in the tax department.
get/jind a job Her son still hasn't been able to find a job. I Ted got a job as a bartender
look for a job (-try to get one) She's looking for a job in the music business. part-time job (=when you work less than the usual number of hours each week) 1
Don't say 'What is your job?' or 'What
is your work7' when you want to know
what someone does to earn money. Say What do you do? or What do you do for
a living?-. "What does your mother do?"
"She's a doctor."
work ,'w3:rk [n U] anything that you do to earn money: My father started work when he was 14 years old. look for work (=try to find any job that you can) Lena graduated from college six months ago and is still looking for work.
find work Mario was hoping to find work in a hotel or a restaurant. go back to work/return to work (=start
working again) A lot of women return to work when their children start school, to/at work (=to or at the place where you work) He's marrying someone he met at work. I What time do you go to work? beforelafter work (=before you start/ after you finish your work each day) Let 's go for a drink after шогк tonight.
A Don't say 'a work'. Work js an uncountable noun.
profession 'ргэТерп, (n C] an area of work such as law, medicine, or teaching, for which you need special training and education
tHe teaching/medicat/legal pro/essicm
There are now a lot more women in the legal profession.
had a part-time job while I was at college.
job tosses/job cuts (=when a lot of people lose their jobs)
A
go into/enter a profession There was a big demand for accountants in the 1980s, and many graduates entered the profession at this time.
occupation /,Dkjy'peij\?n||,a:k-/ (n CJ the type of work that someone usually does: Please state your age, address, and occupation in the space below. I Part-time workers often work in low-paid occupations.
A Occupation is a word used especially on official forms or for writing about the types of job that people do. Don't use occupation to talk about your own job.
post/position <p30st, pazij>n/ [n C] formal an important job in a company or
organization
+ of He was offered the post of ambassador to Mexico.
hold a post/position (=have an important job in an organization) She was the first woman ever to hold the position of Prime Minister.
vacancy /veikansi/ [n С] a job that is
available: Well contact you if we have any uacancies.
+ for Do you have any vacancies for sales staff?
plural vacancies
В
professional /prs'fepnal/ [adj] a professional musician, sports player, photographer etc earns money by playing music, doing a sport etc, rather than doing it just for enjoyment: Professional basketball players can earn a lot of money. tarn professional (=become professional) He had been a successful amateur boxer before he turned professional in 1988. professional [n Cj It's a big golf tournament, with many of the world's top professionals taking part.
to give someone a job
take on / teik рпЦ-'шп/ [phrasal verb T] if a company takes someone on, it gives them a job
take on sb The store always takes on extra sales assistants for the Christmas period.
take sb on They've agreed to take me on for о year after I finish college.
hire Ьа(У (и T] especially american if a company hires someone, it gives them a job: She was hired in April this year. I They 're not hiring any new people at the moment.
appoint /a'point/ [v T] to choose someone for an important job: The President has appointed a new Minister of Culture. appoint sb director/manager/principal
etc In 1989 he was appointed managing director.
appoint sb to a job/position/post This is the first time a woman has been appointed to such a senior position.
399
JOB
recruit /ri'kruit/ [и T] to find new people to work for a company, organization, or military force. The police department is
to take away someone's job
five /faiэг/ [f T] to make someone leave their job, because they have done something wrong or because their work is not satisfactory: She kept arriving late, and in the end they fired her. I You're fired! fire sb for (doing) sth He was fired for being drunk at work.
sack sb/give sb the sack s<ek (sb),
,giv (sb) бэ 'sack/ British to make someone leave their job, because they have done something wrong or because their work is not satisfactory: They sacked the coach after the team lost 10 games in a row. +for She was given the sack for trying to organize a trade union.
lose your job /,lu:z pJ 'dsDbl-'dscnb/ if
you lose your job, your job is taken away from you: Things have been really difficult since Terry lost his job. I Thousands of workers lost their jobs when the car factory closed.
get the sack /.get дэ 'sack/ вягтбн if you get the sack, your job is taken away from you, especially because you have done something wrong or your work is not satisfactory: He got the sack after he was caught stealing money.
lay sb off/make sb redundant /lei
(sb) 'of, ,meik (sb) ridAnd^nt/ if a company
lays someone off or makes them redundant, it makes tyiem leave their job because it does not nee&4hem any more: If sales
Lay sb off is used in both British and
American English, and it can mean either
that someone loses their job permanently, or that they lose it for a short period. Make sb redundant is used only in British English and means that someone loses their job permanently.
redundancy /rrdAndansi [n C/U] British when a company takes away someone's job because it does not need them any more: The decline in car sales led to many redundancies.
redundancy pay/money (=money you receive from a company when you lose your job) He used his redundancy money to buy a boat.
plural redundancies
to ask for a job
apply /a'plai/ [и I] to formally ask to be considered for a job that has been advertised, especially by writing a letter or answering the questions on a form: / applied in September, but I didn't hear from them till the following January apply for a job/post/position Dear Sir.; J am writing to apply for the post of Training Officer.
applying - applied - have applied
application /,aepirkeij\?n/ [n C] a formal request to be considered for a job, often consisting of a form on which you have to answer questions about your education, your work experience etc + /or Ben's just sent off an application for о job in Dubai.
application form (=a piece of paper on which you have to answer questions about yourself when you apply for a job) You have to give details of your previous work experience on the application form.
job application She filled out hundreds of job applications before she got the job she wanted.
applicant!candidate rxphkjnt, kasn
jOB 400
trying to recruit more black officers. 1
It's getting more and more difficult to recruit experienced staff
promote /ргэ'тэш/ [и T often passive] to give someone who works in an organization a more important job than the one they had before
be promoted Did you hear that David's been promoted?
be promoted to She was promoted to Assistant Principal. promotion (n C/U] when someone is given a more important job in an organization: What are my chances of pro motion if I stay here? (=am I likely to be promoted?) I Darren has had two promotions since he joined the BBC in
1990.
keep failing, we'll have to lay off even more people. I The two banks merged to form a single company, and hundreds of workers were made redundant.
A
d^dЈt|-deit, -d^t/ [n C] someone who is being considered for a job: We 're interviewing applicants all week.
+/or How many candidates are there for the job?
CV British resume american / sii vi:, rezju- mei||'rei-, .rezo'mei/ [n CI a written statement giving details of your education, the examinations you have passed, your previous jobs
etc, which you send to an organization
when you are trying to get a new job
В when someone is asked questions to find out if they are suitable for a job
interview /'int9rvju:/ In C] a formal meeting at which someone is asked questions in order to find out whether they are suitable for a job: I'm always very nervous in interviews.
+ for She has an interview on Thursday for a job at MTV.
interview /'int9rVju:/ [v T1 to meet someone and ask them a lot of questions so that you can decide whether they are suitable for a job: We're interviewing two candidates today and three more tomorrow.
ш when someone does not have a job
unemployed /,Anim'pbid«; [adjl someone who is unemployed does not have a job. a poor neighbourhood where 50 per cent of the men are unemployed the unemployed (=people who are unemployed) What can the government do to help the unemployed?
unemployment /.лшт'рЫтэт [n U]
when people do not have jobs: t/nem- ployment increased by more than 30,000 last month. I The survey found that people's biggest worries were about crime and unemployment. high unemployment (=when a lot of people are unemployed) The North-East is an area of high unemployment. unemployment benefit British (=money paid by the government to people who have no job)
be out of work (also be on the
dole British) /bi: ,aot av 'w3:rk, bi: Dn г)э daol/ to not have a job, especially for a long time: My husband has been out of work for two years now.
JOIN
look here for...
join two things together
when roads or rivers join together
when people or countries join
together
join a club or organization
^ if you mean 'join in', go to take part ^ if you mean 'join two sides of a
piece of clothing', go to
fasten/unfasten
see also connected/not
connected, together, separate
II to join things together by putting a wire, pipe, glue etc between them
join dvm [u T] to join two things together, for example by using glue or a piece of wood or metal: Join the two pieces of wood using a strong glue. join sth together Doctors had to use a metal rod to join the two pieces of bone together. I Join the sleeve and the shoulder parts together with strong thread.
fix fiks/ [и T] to join one thing firmly to another, using screws, nails, or glue, so that it stays there permanently fix sth to sth Now all 1 have to do is fix it to the ceiling.
be fixed to sth The chairs and tables were fixed to the floor.
attach 3'taetf' (и T] to join one thing to another, so that it stays in position but can be removed later
attach sth to sth It took a couple of minutes to attach the trailer to the back of the truck. I The doctor attached a tiny monitor to the baby's head. be attached to sth Make sure your baggage tag is firmly attached to your suitcase.
fasten ;'fa:s<?n||fae-/ [u T] to fix one thing firmly to another, using string, wire, or tape, in a way that makes it easy to remove later
401
JOIN
/asten sth to sth Claire carefully fastened the brooch to her dress. be fastened to sth Our bags were fastened to the roof of the car with thick ropes.
JOIN
connect /кэ'пекл/ (и T] to join two pieces of equipment together with a wire or a pipe, so that electricity, water, gas etc can pass from one to the other connect sth to sth Have you connected the speakers to the amplifier7 I I don't
know hou> to connect the Megadrive to
the TV.
be connected to sth We're waiting for our house to be connected to the city water supply.
link ;ligk/ [и T] to connect two computers, machines, or systems so that electronic signals can pass from one to the other The two TV stations are linked by satellite.
link sth to sth We'll link your computer to our system via your modem.
В when something forms a connection between two places, two machines etc
connect /ka'nekt/ [и T] if a pipe, wire, bridge etc connects two things or places, it forms a connection between them connect sth to/with sth This wire com nects the TV to the video recorder. I the umbilical cord connecting the baby to the placenta I The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County. be connected by sth The two lakes are connected by a narrow canal.
link fhrjk/ [v T] if a road, a railway, a plane service etc links two places, it connects them so that people can easily travel between them: a new high-speed railway linking the two capitals link sth with sth The Channel Tunnel has linked Britain with mainland Europe for the first time. link sth and sth Interstate 5 links Los Angeles and San Diego.
connection /кэ'пекрп/ [n С] a wire or piece of metal that joins two parts of a machine or electrical system: Carefully check all the electrical connections loose connection (=one that is not joined properly) There must be a loose connection somewhere - the phone isn't working.
link /1н]к/ In C] something that joins two places that are far apart, so that people can travel between them or communicate between them: two TV stations joined by a satellite link
+ between Rebels bombed the Beira railroad. a vital link between the capital and the port. I a telephone link between the two presidents
В when roads, rivers etc come together and join
join 'dpm' [u \/T] if two roads, rivers, pipes etc join, or if one joins another, they come together: The two rivers join down in the valley. I Sometimes you get leaks where the pipes join. I The Ml motorway joins the M62 just outside Leeds.
Ш when people, countries etc join together
unite /jui'nart/ [и I] ESPECIALLY WRITTEN if
people, organizations, or countries unite, they decide to work together or join together as a single unit, for example because they have the same aims as each other
unite to do sth In I960, British and
Italian Somaliland united to form Somalia. I Various political and religious groups united to oppose the dictatorship.
* against Police chiefs called on the local people to unite against the drug dealers.
get together I,get ts'gебэг/ [phrasal verb 1] if people or organizations get together, they work together in order to do something that would be difficult to do alone: A group of parents got together and set up a youth club. get together to do sth Several local stores got together to organize the festival.
Get together is more informal than unite
team Up /,ti:m 'лр/ [phrasal verb I] if two or more people team up, they agree to work together, especially in business, music, theatre etc
+ with I teamed up with a local journalist, and we worked on the story together. team up to do sth It all started when Paul McCartney and John Lennon teamed up to form a band.
merge /шз:гс!з/ [и I) if two companies or organizations merge, they join to form a single company or organization: The two banks are going to merge next year + with The Liberal Party merged with the Social Democrats.
alliance /o'laisns/ [n C] an agreement
between two or more countries or groups of people to work together in order to achieve something: the Anglo-Canadian alliance
+ between in the 1968 revolution there nas an alliance between students and factory workers.
to join a club, organization, or military force
^ see also member
Don't say 'join in a club'. Say join a
join /dpin/ \v I/T] to join a club, company, organization, or military force: Do you think we should join the union? I She joined the Conservative Party in 1952. I William joined IBM in 1979 as a programmer. 1 A lot of people want to join, so there's a big waiting list, join the army/navy/air Jorce Paul joined the army when he was 16.
A
dub.
A. Don't use join about going to a school or college. Say she went to Harvard in 1990 (not 'she joined Harvard').
become a member /ы.клт э тетЬэг/ to join a club, organization, or political group, but not a company or a military force: You have to be eighteen before you can become a member. + of I was hoping to become a member of the tennis club. I Several other countries had applied to become members of
NATO
enlist/join up /in'list, ,dym лр/ [v I] to
join the army, navy, or air force: My grandfather went to join up on the day war broke out.
enlist in the army/navy/airforce Josie
en/isted in the airforce and eventually became a pilot.
JOKE
see also funny, laugh, serious
funny story
joke /йзэик/ [n C] something you say or do to make people laugh, especially a funny story.- Do you know any good jokes? tell a joke Tony told me a really funny joke last night, but I've forgotten it.
со median/comic /ks'miidian, 'komik|| ka:- [n C] someone whose job is to tell jokes and make people laugh: Sandra Bern hard is an actor, singer, comedian, and a regular guest on the David Letterman show.
when you pretend that something is true as a joke
be joking/be kidding /bi: d^aukiq, bi:
kidn]/ informal to say something that is not true, as a joke: When he asked me to marry him, I thought he was joking! I Don't get mad - J was only kidding/
pull sb's leg /,pul (sb's) leg/ informal to try to make someone believe a story that is not true, as a joke: He isn't really related to Madonna - he was only pulling your leg.
to make someone seem stupid by making jokes about them
403
JOKE
make fun of sb/sth / meik Тлп dv (sb/ sth)/ to try to make someone or something seem stupid by making jokes about them: Stop making fun of me. f The other children at school are always making fun of Tom's clothes.
A Don't confuse make fun of and have fun (=enjoy yourself).
tease /ti:z/ [u I/T] to make jokes about someone, either in an unkind way, or in a friendly way that shows you like them: The kids at school used to tease Sam because he was overweight. I Don't get upset, Stuart, she's only teasing, tease sb about sth Kevin's always teasing me about my cooking.
JOURNEY
LAND AND SEA
Л HOLIDAY
STAY
TRANSPORT
see
also
VISIT
i \
COUNTRYSIDE
journey /'d30:rni/ [n C] the time during which you travel from one place to another. especially when you go a long way: I've made us some sandwiches to eat on the journey. 1 We had an awful journey - there was heavy snow and the car broke down.
bus/train/car journey the long train journey to St Petersburg a two-fiour/five-mile journey They arrived in Nice after an eight hour jour ney by car.
make a journey These birds make an incredible 10,000-kilometre journey to Africa every winter.
COUNTRY
TRAVEL
JOURNEY
plural journeys
+ of The President left Washington today for a tour of the Middle East.
flight /flait/ (n C) a journey in a plane-. All flights to Tokyo were delayed because of
bad weather.
a 30-minutef3'hour flight From Athens it's a 30-minute flight to the island.
drive /draiv/ [n C] a journey in a car: It was quite a pleasant drive along the coast to the cottage. a 12-hour/15-minute drive It's about a 20-minute drive into the city from here
crossing 'krusiijll'kro:-/ [n С] a short journey in a boat or ship from one side of a lake, river, or sea to the other: The crossing from Dover to Calais is often very rough.
Use voyage especially when you are writing stories.
JUMP
404
voyage /'V3i-id3/ [n С] a long journey in а boat or ship: In those days, the voyage to Australia was long and dangerous.
Don't say 'Good journey' to someone who is about to make a journey. Say Have a good journey or Have a safe journey.
trip /trip/ |n C] a journey when you go to a place, stay there for a while, and then come back: We had a lovely trip - the flight wos fine and the hotel was fantastic. take a trip They decided to take a trip
to Paris.
business/school/skiing trip a school trip to the zoo
on a trip (=taking a trip) My husband's away on a business trip in China, a day trip (=when you go and come back on the same day) a day trip to Oxford
A
Don't say 'do a journey'. Say make a journey.
A
tour /Шзг/ (n C] an organized journey in which an entertainer, sports team, or politician visits several different places: Did you see the Rolling Stones during their last tour?
^ see also run, dance, fall
jump d3Amp/ [и 1] to push yourself off the ground using your legs: How high can you jump?
+ into/ojfj/over I bet you can't jump over
that wall i Boys were diving and jumping off the bridge.
+ up/down Jump down and I'll catch you.
jump up and down (=jump several times, while staying in the same place) Excited fans were jumping up and down and screaming.
jump [n C] Aziz won the event with a
jump of 2.35 metres.
leap /Игр/ [и I/Tj to jump suddenly as far as you can
+ over/through/across The barman leapt over the bar and tried to stop the fight.
leaping - leapt - have leapt British
leaping - leaped - have leaped
AMERICAN
KEEP
see also get rid of, information
D to keep something in a place
keep /kiip/ № T] to keep something in a place, especially so that you can find it and use it when you need it: Can you remember where she keeps her keys? keep sth in/on/under sth Do you keep your cor in о garage? I Nick always kept a bottle of whisky under the bed.
keeping - kept - have kept
A Don't say 'I am keeping', 'she is keeping' etc. Say | keep, she keeps etc.
Store /sioiг/ (t? T] to keep something in a place or container where it will not be damaged or iost, especially if you intend to keep it for a long time: The warehouse is being used to store food and clothes for the refugees. I Medicine should be stored in a cool dry place.
to keep information
keep /kirp/ [и T] to keep many different pieces of information together in one place, so that you can find them when you need them-. The police keep detailed information about everyone u>ho has committed a crime. I Records of all births and c/eafhs in the country are kept in London.
keeping - kept - have kept
A Don't say 'I am keeping', 'they are keeping' etc. Say | keep, they keep etc.
Store /st>;r/ [и T] to keep information in a computer: Data regarding employees' salaries is stored on the computer at our main office.
Ч
I
Sr
b tl
I
£ *
J
*
Й
; \ >
I
3 £
a
/lie /fail/1 о Ц to keep written records and documents together using an organized system, so that everything is easy to find: The students' records are filed alphabetically, file sth away (-put it in the correct file)
to keep something, and not sell it, give it away etc
keep /kirp/ [u T\ to keep something because you have decided not to sell it. give it away, or throw it away: My mother kept all the love letters my father wrote. I Tve decided to keep the car even though it's getting old. I Surely you don't want to keep all these old magazines!
keeping - kept - have kept
to keep something for someone to use later
save /seiv/ [и T] to keep something that you would normally use or throw away, so that someone else can use it later save sth for sb Let's save some of this pizza for Jill. ! / saue all Polly's old clothes for my sister's baby.
reserve ri'z3:rv/ [и T] to keep a table in a restaurant, a room in a hotel etc for someone to use: I'm sorry Madam. All the tables have already been reserved. reserve sth for sb I'll ask if they can reserve a room for us on December 22nd.
keep /kiip/ [i> T] if a shop keeps something for someone, they do not sell it or give it to anyone else keep sth for sb If you want the necklace, we can keep it for you until Tuesday.
keeping - kept - have kept
to keep things such as stamps, pictures, or coins because you are interested in them and you enjoy owning them
collect ./ka'lekt/ [u T] to keep things such as stamps, pictures, or coins because you are interested in them and you enjoy owning them: My mother collects old china, i I used to collect shells when I was a kid. collector [n C] someone who collects things such as stamps, pictures, or coins
405
KEEP
collection /кэ'1ек]л1/ |n CJ a set of stamps, pictures, coins etc that someone keeps because it is interesting or attractive: Daniel has a fantastic stamp collection. + of a collection of fine china
an amount that you are keeping to use later
supply /so'plai/ [n CI an amount of something that you keep so that there is always some available when you need it: Food supplies were already running out. + оj The hospital keeps a large supply of blood for use in emergencies.
plural supplies
Stock /stDk||staJc/ [n C] an amount of something that a shop keeps in order to sell: Our stock of Italian wine is selling fast. I Buy now, while stocks last!
KICK
to hit someone or something with
KEEP
your foot
mean to kill his wife. I The explosion killed 32 people, f Many people do not realize that these drugs are dangerous and can kill. I The disease has already killed more than 2000 people in Latin America.
be killed in a crash/accident etc James
Dean was killed in a car crash in 1955.
murder тэ:гёог/ [и T] to deliberately kill someone, especially after planning to do it: Wilson is accused of murdering his daughter and her boyfriend. I One of the country's top judges has been murdered by the Mafia.
murder /'m3:rdэг/ [n C/Ul the crime of
406
deliberately killing someone: He was convicted of murder and jailed for life. commit a murder (=murder someone) The gun was found five miles from where the murder was committed.
see also hit, attack, hurt/injure
kick fkik/ (u I/T] The boy behind me kept kicking my chair. I He was dragged kicking and screaming to a waiting police car.
kick sth along/over/around etc Who
kicked the ball over the fence?
kick sb in the head/stomach etc One of
the gang kicked him in the stomach. kick {n CI a kicking action or movement: A savage kick from his attacker just missed his knee.
give sth a kick /.giv (sth) э kik/ to kick something once: If the door won't open, just give it a good hard kick.
KILL
ILLNESS/DISEASE ACCIDENT CRIME
VIOLENT
WEAPON
EXPLODE ф SHOOT
THREATEN
to kill someone
WAR
kill /kilI [u I/T] to make someone die, usually violently: He claims that he didn't
AS Don't confuse murder (=the crime of killing someone) and murderer (=the person who murders someone).
assassinate /3'saes^neit||-s^neit/ [u TJ to
murder an important person, especially for political reasons: President Lincoln uxjs assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. I an attempt to assassinate the Pope assassination /s.saesJ/neiJ^nl-s^n'eF- [n
C/U]
+ of The assassination of Indira Gandhi caused a crisis in India.
massacre /marks'] [u T] to violently kill а large number of people who cannot defend
themselves: Hundreds of civilians were massacred during a peaceful protest, massacre [n C/U] The whole world was shocked by the massacre in Rwanda.
beat/kick/stab sb to death /bi:t,
kik, staeb (sb) to de0/ to kil! someone by beating them, kicking them, or attacking them with a knife: He beat his wife to death in a drunken argument. 1 A social worker was found stabbed to death in her office last night.
to deliberately kill
yourself
kill yourself /'kil joi'.self/ He killed
himself by taking an overdose of painkillers. I She had tried to kill herself several times before.
suicide 'su:j»said, sju:-||su:-/ [n C/U] when
someone deliberately kills himself or herself: Police think the man's death was suicide. I A record number of teenage suicides were reported last year. commit suicide (=ki!i yourself) We were
devastated when we heard the news that
Ku^t Cobain had committed suicide. suicide attempt (=when you try to commit suicide) Stephen was rushed to the hospital after his suicide attempt. suicidal /,su:,Vsaidl«, sju: |j su: [adj) wanting to kill yourself because you are very unhappy or upset He became suicidal after his wife left him.
someone who kills someone else
murderer /'тз:Ч1эгэг [n C] someone who has deliberately killed another person: A convicted murderer escaped from Dartmoor prison last night. sb's murderer (=the person who murdered someone) She was determined to find her brother's murderer. mass murderer (^someone who murders a lot of people)
killer 'kibr [n C] someone who has deliberately killed another person - used especially in newspapers and news reports + of The police are searching for the killer of a nine-year-old child. I The couple's killers have never been fcund. serial killer (=someone who has killed several people over a long period of time) a serial killer who is targeting gay men in the area
assassin 's'saes^n/ [n C| someone who
has killed an important person, especially because they are paid for doing it: Some people believe that the assassin was working for the government, sb's assassin. (=the person who killed someone important) Kennedy s assassin claims he was tricked by the FBI.
when someone is killed as a punishment
be executed /bi: eks^kjun^d/ to be legally
killed by the government as punishment for a crime: The leader of the rebels was caught and publicly executed.
407 KILL
capital punishment /.kaep^tl рлш/
mant In U] the system of killing criminals as a legal punishment: I don't believe that bringing back capital punishment would reduce crime. I Most people that we questioned were in favour of capita/
punishment,
n
A Use capital punishment especially i when you are talking about whether it is a ! good or a bad thing. !
the death penalty /л? dee .peniii/ [
singular] the legal punishment of being killed for a crime: The death penalty does not exist in Britain. 1 In many countries. drug dealing carries the death penalty. '=the punishment is death)
Deadly is sometimes also used about illnesses (but lethal is not): a deadly form of skin cancer I the deadly AIDS virus
be on death row Ы: Dn deB гею/ if someone is on death row, they are in prison for a period of time before they are killed as punishment for a crime: Some prisoners have spent more than ten years on death row
when someone is killed because they are very ill
euthanasia juieaneizial-na^/ (n U|
when someone who is very ill is killed in order to stop their suffering: Is it true that euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands?
something that can kill you
/atal fcitl [adj] a fatal accident, illness, or inury is one that causes death: He suffered a fatal injury to the neck. + to A sudden shock could be fatal to anyone with a weak heart. Jatally \adv) The bank manager was fatally wounded during the robbery.
lethal/deadly ШЛ, dedb \adj\ likely
or able to kill people - use this especially about weapons or poisons: An ordinary kitchen knife can be a deadly weapon. I a lethal dose of drugs
to kill an animal
kill /kilI [u T] You shouldn't kill spiders just because you are scared of them. I I'm a vegetarian because I don't believe in killing animals.
slaughter /'sb:t9r [и T] to kill farm animals, either for their meat or skins, or because they are ill: Farmers have been told to slaughter all flocks infected with the disease. I Hundreds of baby seals are slaughtered for their fur every year.
have sth put down /,haev (sth) put
'daon/ to painlessly kill an animal, especially a pet, because it is very old, very ill, or badly injured: Our cat was hit by a car, so we had to have her put down.
KIND
KILL
NICE
«4
opposite unkind
_ STWCT/NOT
я stwct
see also
DESCIUMNC HUENDLY/
PEOPLE UNFRIENDLY
kind
considerate /kan'sid^t/ [adj] someone
A
who is considerate thinks about other people's feelings, and is careful not to make them unhappy or cause problems for them: Louis was always considerate and sympathetic to others. it is considerate of sb (to do sthj My boss gave me some time off when my mother died, which was very considerate of him.
You often use considerate when complaining that someone is not considerate enough and should care more about other people's feelings; I wish he would try and be a little more considerate.
generous /d^en^ras/ [adj] someone who
is generous often gives other people money or presents: My sister's really generous. She's always buying things for the children.
it is generous of sb (to do sth) My dad
offered to pay my plane fare, which was very generous of him. generosity /^зепэ'п^пН-'гаэ-,' |n U] generous behaviour: The Prince was famous for his generosity to his friends. generously [adu] These children need your help. Please give generously.
Qit's nice of sb (to do sthj /its
408
nais av (sb) (to do sth)/ spoken say this when someone has helped you or pleased you by doing something kind: It was nice of her to let you use her car. I "I've brought that book you wanted." "Oh, thanks - that's really nice of you."
/kaind/ [adj] someone who is kind tries to help people and make them happy or comfortable, and shows that they care about them: The nurses were all very kind. I Luckily a kind man helped me with my bags. I It was a very kind thing to do.
+ to My host family in England were really kind to me.
it is kind o/sb (to do sth) Wasn 't it kind of Ross to lend us his car?
^^ Don't say 'they were kind with me' or 'they were kind for me'. Say they were kind to me.
kindness /'kaindn^s/ [n U] kind behaviour: I'd like to thank you for all your kindness.
kind to people who have problems and
difficulties
sympathetic /(simp3'0etik«/ [adj] if
someone is sympathetic to you when you are having problems, they say kind things to you and show that they feel sad about your situation: Everybody was very sympathetic when they heard I'd failed my test. I She gave him a sympathetic look.
sympathetically [adu] He listened sympathetically to her story.
understanding /.And^staendig/ [adj] an understanding person is kind and patient when someone has a problem,and does not get angry with them or criticize them: I've missed a lot of work through illness - fortunately I have a very understanding boss. + about Thank you for being so understanding about all this.
good Idf |adj not before noun] if someone is good to you, they help you and
give you what you need, especially when
you are having problems
+ to My parents have been very good to
me since I lost my job.
it is good of sb (to do sth) It was good
of you to come and see me.
В to treat someone too
kindly
spoil /spall/ (t; TJ to treat someone, especially a child, too kindly and give them everything they want whether they should have it or not: Because he was their only son, his parents spoiled him.
spoiling ~ spoiled also spoilt вншчн) - have spoiled (also have spoilt вил mi]
know of stH (=know that something exists) I know of one company where members of staff get their meals free. know a lot about sth Keith knows a lot about computers.
knowing - knew - have known
/К Don't say 'I am knowing', 'she was knowing' etc. Say j know, she knew etc.
realize realise British) /'mlaiz, [u I/T] to know that a situation exists, and especially to know how important or serious it is: None of us realized the danger we were in. I 'The reason that she hasn't been in school is that she's pregnant. " ''Oh, really? I didn 't realize." + (that) / realize that you are very busy, but could I talk to you for a few minutes?
realize how/what/why Do you think he
409
KNOW/NOT KNOW
realizes how much trouble he has
Don't say 'I am realizing', 'she was
realizing' etc. Say | realize, she realized etc.
caused?
&
KNOW/NOT KNOW
look here for ... know a fact know a person
FIND OUT
Я
see also
SURE/ NOT SURE
D to know a fact or piece of information
REALIZE
GUESS
know /паз/ [и I/T] to know a fact or piece of information: This is a famous painting - do you know the name of the artist? I Jack's leaving. Didn't you know? + (that) 1 knew he was ill, but I didn't realize he had cancer. know how/what/where etc Do you know where Andy is? + about We've known about the prob lem for some time.
Qcan tell /кэп 'tel./ ESPECIALLY spoken to
know that something is true because you
can see signs that show this
+ (that) His eyes were red, and I could
tell he'd been crying.
can tell whet he г/ what/how etc You can
tell whether a coin is real by scratching
its surface.
be aware /bi: 3wear/ formal to know that
a serious situation exists + of We are aware of the problems faced by homeless people and are trying to deal with them.
+ that The question is, was the Chief of Police aware that so much corruption existed within the police department?
someone who knows а lot about something
expert /eksp3;rt/ [n C] someone who knows a lot about a subject: Our team of experts includes psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. + in/on an expert in French history medical/legal//Lnancia( etc expert Get advice from a financial expert first.
You can also use expert before a noun, like an adjective: expert advice (=advice from an expert) I expert opinions
specialist /'spej^st/ [n C] someone who has studied a very specific subject for a long time and knows much more about it than other people: You really need a specialist for this job. + in Professor Williams teaches English Literature and is a specialist in the
novels of George Orwell. cornputer/marketing/engine etc specialist The Health Department is seeking the advice of a team of tropical disease specialists from London University.
knowledgeable /'nolid33M||naw [adj]
someone who is knowledgeable knows a lot of different facts, especially about a particular subject or activity: Talk to Mr Carew - he's knowledgeable and extremely helpful.
+ about He's very knowledgeable about garden plants.
when most people know something
Qeveryone knows /.evriwAn nauz/
especially spoken say this when you think most people know something and you would be surprised if someone did not know it: Haven't you heard Anja's pregnant? I thought everyone knew. + (that) Everyone knows Andy and Lynn are having an affair. everyone knows how/wHat/why etc
Surely everyone knows how to change a light bulb!
KNOW/NOT KNOW
well known ,/,wel пэоп/ [ad;] use this about facts and ideas that most people know about: Mrs Thatcher's views on Europe were well known. it is well known tKat It is well known
Well known is spelled with a hyphen when it comes before a noun: it is a well- known fact that most crimes are committed by men.
that people who smoke are more likely to get lung diseases.
A
facts and information that you know
knowledge nolidsll'nc:- [n U, singular] facts and information that you know: He doesn't have the skills or knowledge needed to do the job. + of Paula has a good knowledge of Japanese.
sclenti/ic/medical/technical knowledge
Don't use knowledge in expressions like 'get more knowledge' or 'increase my knowledge'. It is better to use words like learn and find out I'd like to leam/find out more about using the Internet.
theories based on scientific knowledge
A
to know a person
know /пэи/ [у T] if you know someone, you have met them before and you know things about them, such as where they live or what their job is: Yes, I know Clive. I
used to work with him. \ Do you know anyone who could babysit tonight? know sb well 1 know Paul very well - we were at college together.
Don't saу 'I am knowing', 'she was
knowing - knew - have known
A
knowing' etc. Say I know, she knew etc.
get to know /.get ta 'пэи/ to start to have a friendly relationship with someone by spending time with them and talking to them: When you move to a new place, it can take a long time to get to know people. I I got to know Jenny when we worked together at IBM.
acquaintance /a'kweintans/ [n C] someone you know, although you do not know them well, and they are not one of your friends: Kim's just an acquaintance really - I've only met her a couple of times.
to know a book, place, piece of music etc
410
know /пэи/ [f T] if you know a place, you have been there before and spent time there; if you know a book, song, film, etc you have read it or seen it or heard it before: 'Do you know Boston at all?" "Yes, I went to college there." I I didn'tknow any of the songs they were singing I Do you know that Hitchcock movie about a man who is being chased? What's it called?
know sth by heart (=know every word of a song, poem etc) I've heard that poem so often that I know it by heart. know somewhere (ike the back of your hand informal (=know a place very well) Tony had spent a lot of time in Tokyo and knew the place like the back of his hand.
knowing - knew - have known
Don't say 'I am knowing', 'she was knowing' etc. Say I know, she knew etc.
be familiar with sth /bi: fa miliy wid
(sth)/ formal to know something well because you have seen it, read it, or used it before: Anyone applying for the job should be familiar with using a spreadsheet. I Are you familiar with the works of George Eliot?
when you have seen someone or something before
recognize (also recognise British)
'reksgnaiz, 'гекэп~j [v T] to know who someone is or what something is, because
yon have spen them before- / didn 't recognize him when he shaved his beard off. I Do you recognize this picture?
A Don't say 'I am recognizing', 'she was recognizing' etc. Say \ recognize, she recognized etc.
Don't say 'I am knowing', 'she was knowing' etc. Say I know, she knew etc.
know /пэр, [и T] to recognize someone or something, especially when you have not seen them for a long time: You'll know him when you see him. He hasn't changed at all. I The town has changed so much, I hardly know it any more. know sb by sight (=be able to recognize someone, although you do not know their name) I've never spoken to her, but I know her by sight. knowing - knew - have known
ж
/amiliar /fe'miliaV [adj] someone or something that is familiar is easy to recognize because you have heard or seen them many times before: a familiar tune \ It was good to see all the old familiar faces again.
look/sound /amiliar The voice on the phone sounded familiar.
to not know something or someone
not know /not пэо/ to not know something or someone: "What time's the meeting?" "Sorry, I don't know." I I've met Tom a few times, but I don't know his sister.
not know how/what/why etc I don't know why they're so angry.
unfamiliar/not /amiliar 1лпЬ[т\\-
not fVirnliaV especially wkrten [adj] if something is unfamiliar or not familiar,
you have not seen it. heard it, or experienced it before: It took me a long time to get used to the unfamiliar surroundings. + to He was speaking a language that was not familiar to me.
be unaware!not be aware /bi:
.Answer, not bi: a'wea' formal to not know about a situation or about something that is happening, especially when you should know about it + of She was not aware of the man who had come quietly into the room. I The child was clearly unaware of the danger. + that His parents weren't aware that he smoked.
ignorant ignarant/ [adj] someone who is
ignorant does not know facts or information that they should know ignorant of sth (=not knowing about a fact or situation) She remained ignorant of the real truth about her parents. ignorant about sth (=not knowing about a subject) I'm very ignorant about politics.
411
KNOW/NOT KNOW
ignorance /ignarsns/ [n U] when someone does not know facts or information that they should know: a mistake that was the result of their ignorance + of He showed complete ignorance of the most basic historical facts.
Ы what you say when you do not know the answer to a question
Ql don't know ai .dsunt пэо/ spoken say this when you do not know the answer to a question: "What time is it?" "I don't know. I don't have a watch/'
Ql have no idea /'ai haev ,пэо ai'dia
spoken say this when you do not know the answer to a question, and cannot even guess the answer: "How long will it take to get there?' "I've no idea.'
KNOW/NOT KNOW
Qwfio knows ,hu: 'nauz, spoken say this when you think it is impossible for anyone to know the answer to a question: The world might end tomorrow. Who knows?
who knows what/when etc Who knows what could happen in the future?
Qdon't ask me/how should I
412
know /.daont a:sk 'mi:, ,hau Jod 'ai пэо|| -aesk-/ spoken informal say this when it is impossible for you to know the answer to a question, and you are annoyed or surprised that someone has asked you: "Whys Sharon in such a bad mood?" 'Нош should I know, she never tells me anything." I "Нош do these modem things actually work?" "Don't ask me\''
413
LAND AND SEA
LAND AND SEA
m if you mean 'an area of land with its own government eg japan, Germany', go to country
BEAUTIFUL 6
if you mean 'land where there are trees and fields and not many buildings', go to countryside
ENVIRONMENT
Я
see
AREA
a
also
TOWN
land that is owned by someone or is used for something
land /land/ (n U] land that is owned by someone or that can be used for farming or building houses: They moved to the country and bought some land. I There was some empty land behind the office which had been turned into a parking lot. piece of (and Each family was given a small piece of land where they could grow food for themselves, farmland/building land (=!and that can be used for farming, or for building
houses, offices etc)
sb's land (=land owned by someone) Get off my land.
territory /'tent?ri||-to:ri/ [n U] land that belongs to a country or that is controlled by a country during a war: Milter had accidentally crossed into Iraqi territory and was arrested for spying, enemy territory (=land controlled by an enemy) His plane was shot down over enemy territory.
field /fi :!d/ [n CJ an area of land that is part of a farm, or that is used for playing sports: cows grazing in the fields football field
+ оfa field of wheat
playing field British (=a field where sports are played) VJe went out onto the school playing fields to watch a game of football.
the grounds /do 'graondz/ [n plural] the
gardens and land around a big building such as a castle, school, or hospital: Have you ever been to Penryn Castle? The grounds are beautiful. the palace/school/fiospital grounds The nurse said I could go for a short walk around the hospital grounds.
what you see in an area of land
landscape /'laendskeip/ in С usually singular! the land that you see all around you, in the countryside or in the city, with its hills, fields, buildings etc: the beauty of the New England landscape in the fall I Brad's apartment was in a poor part of town, and looked out on a desolate urban landscape of the industrial region.
scenery .siinsri' [n U) all the mountains, rivers, forests etc that you see around you, especially when these are beautiful: a peaceful Alpine village surrounded by magnificent scenery
the substance that forms the surface of the land
A
the ground /дэ 'graund/ In singular] the surface of the land: The ground was covered in snow. I There was a big hole in the ground.
Don't confuse the ground (=the surface of the land, outside a building) and the floor (=the surface you walk on inside a building): The kitchen floor needs sweeping. I / sat down on the ground under a tree.
earth /з:гВ/ [n U] the substance that the ground is made of: Thousands of tons of earth were moved to build the dam. I Outside, the sun beat down on the red baked earth of Provence.
soil soil/ [n U] the earth that plants grow
in: Roses grow best in a well-drained, slightly acid soih
fertile soil (=soil that plants grow well in) The fertile soil of southern Italy is perfect for growing grapes and olives.
dirt с1лг| [n Uj american loose dry earth: The kids were playing in the yard. digging in the dirt.
the land, compared with the sea or the air
land /land/ [n U] the land, not the sea: After sailing across the ocean for 21 days we sighted land. on land The sea turtle lays its eggs on land.
LAND AND SEA
land
mountain
the ground /йэ 'graond/ [n singular] the land, not the air - use this to talk about planes: Our plane was flying only 100 feet above the ground. I Spectators watched in horror as the aircraft plunged to the ground.
valleys I Carrie turned off the main road into a narrow valley.
flat land
plain, plein, [n С] a large area of flat land: the vast plains of central China
land covered with trees
Jorest /'for^st||'b:-, 'fa:-/ [n C/U] a large area of land that is covered with trees: the thick forests of central Europe 1 Five hundred years ago, most of England was covered in forest.
414
Wood /wod [n C] an area of land with a lot of trees growing close together, like a forest but smaller: There was a little wood at the bottom of the valley.
hills and mountains
mountain /'таопЦп/ In С] a very high piece of land with steep sides: the Rocky Mountains 1 One day she wants to climb Mount Qomolangma the highest mountain in the world.
hill /hil/ [n C) an area of land that is higher than the land around it, like a mountain but smaller: A rough track led over the hill to the village.
valley y'vaeli/ [n C] an area of low land between two hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it: the Welsh
You can also use the woods to mean an area covered with trees: a walk through the woods I a btory about two children who got lost in the woods
rain/orest/jungle rein.for^t, 'd^r^ll
-,fy.-. -,fai- [n C/U] a tropical forest with many large plants and tall trees growing close together, in an area where there is a lot of rain: They had to cut a path through the thick leaves and branches of the jungle. I Environmental groups are campaigning against the destruction of the rainforest.
dry land
desert /'dez3rt/ [n C/U] a large area of land in a hot place, where there is very little rain and very few plants or trees: the Sahara Desert I Mauretania is a poor country and most of it is desert.
_ rivers
river /iiva1"/ (n C] a natural and continuous flow of water in a long line across land and into the sea: the River Danube I Let's go for a swim in the river.
A
Use rainforest (not 'jungle') when you
are talking about the environment.
i
coast
Stream /striim/ [n С] a small river that is only one or two metres wide: a mountain stream t We passed a couple of boys who were fishing in the stream.
pool /pu:l/ [n CI a small area of water that is not moving, for example at the edge of the sea or forming part of a river: The children hunted for crabs in the pools
и
between the rocks.
areas of land with water around them
island "ailand/ [n C] a piece of land completely surrounded by water: a small island in the middle of the lake I the Hawaiian Islands I the island of Cyprus desert island (=a small tropical island far from other places with no-one living on it)
peninsula /pa'ninsj^H-ssIa/ [n CI a long
415
LAND AND SEA
sea
piece of land almost completely surrounded by water but joined to the rest of the land in one place: a rocky peninsula that stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean I a city near the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula
areas of water
surrounded by land
lake /leik/ [n С] a large area of water surrounded by land: There's a little island in the middle of the lake. I Lake Ontario
pond /pDnd||pa:nd/ [n С] a small area of water, especially one that has been made in a garden, park, or field: A few village children were standing by the pond,
10
feeding the ducks.
the sea
the sea especially British the ocean especially american /9э si:, di 'эирп/ [n singular] the large area of salty water that covers most of the Earth's surface: Do you like swimming in the sea? I She sat on the beach, gazing out at the ocean. I The sea was calm and there was a gentle
12
breeze.
The sea is the word usually used in British English, and the ocean is the usual word in American English.
A
/t\ Sea and ocean are also used in the names of large areas of water. An ocean is one of the five very large areas of water in the world: the Pacific Ocean I the Indian Ocean. A sea is a smaller area of water which is either part of an ocean or has land all around it: the South China Sea I the Caspian Sea
You can also use sea before a noun, like I an adjective, in both British and American I English: the seashore 1 sea creatures.
at sea 9t si:, travelling on the sea far away from land: We had been at sea for two weeks when there was a terrible storm.
IB
marine тэ'гпп' [adj only before noun] marine plants and animals live in the sea: She .studies jellyfish and other marine life. I marine biology
where the sea and land
meet
the coast (Ъ 'kaost/ (n singular) the pan of a country that is close to the sea - use this when you are talking about a country or a large part of a country: driving along the Californian coast, from San
Francisco to LA
on the coast (=on land that is close to the sea) a little house on the coast of Brittany
off the coast (=in the sea but close to the land) They discovered oil off the northern coast of Scotland. + of The ship slowly made its way along the west coast of Africa.
the shore /(to Jd:r; |n singular] the land along the edge of the sea or along the edge of a lake: We could see a boat about a mile from the shore.
LAND AND SEA
the shore o//tfie shores of a small town
You can say either the shore of or the shores of, and it means the same thing.
on the shores of Lake Ontario
A
L
beach /bi:tj\' [n C] an area of sand at the edge of the sea - use this especially to talk about a place where you go to relax and
enjoy yourself: The area has miles of unspoiled sandy beaches. the beach By nine o'clock the beach was already crowded with people. I Let's go to the beach tomorrow.
! You can also use beach before a noun, like an adjective: a beach party I a beach ball
the seaside /бэ si:said/ [n singular]
BRiTisf \ a place at the edge of the sea - use this especially to talk about somewhere where you go for a holiday or to enjoy yourself: IVhen I was little we used to go to the seaside most weekends.
You can also use seaside before a I noun, like an adjective: a seaside holiday J (=at the seaside) I a seaside town
by the sea /bai бэ si: on land next to the
14
sea: We bought a small cottage by the sea. \ walking by the sea in the early morning
the study of countries/ rivers, oceans etc
geography ..d^'ngrafifl-'ajg-/ |n U] the
study or countries, rivers, oceans, towns etc: She teaches geography in the high
school. I 1 have to draw a map of India for my geography homework.
LANGUAGE
see also word/phrase/sentence
the language used by a particular group of people
language 'Isrjgwidv [n С] a system of
words, phrases, and grammar that is used by the people who live in a particular country for speaking and writing to each other: "What language do they speak in Brazil"Portuguese." I She can speak four different languages - French, German, English, and Dutch.
416
foreign language Children learn two foreign languages in school. official language (=the language used by the government) English is the island's official language, but people also speak French and Creole.
You can also use language before a noun, like an adjective: language teaching ianguoge classes
dialect 'daialekt [n C] a form of a language that is spoken by the people who live in one area of a country, which is different in some ways from the standard form of the language: The people in this part of Germany speak a dialect called 'PlattdeutschI In some northern English dialects, people say 'nowf' instead of 'nothing'.
slang slaei] (n U] very informal words used by young people or by specific groups of people for example soldiers or prisoners or people who take drugs: / was totally confused by the slang that the other kids spoke.
jargon "d3a:rg3n||-g9n, -gain [n U] words
used by people who do a particular job or who are interested in a particular subject, which are difficult for ordinary people to understand: When you first learn about computers, there is a whole lot of jargon to understand.
management/leg al/medical/computer jargon I hate all this management jargon about 'upskilling1 and 'downsizing'.
to change something
from one language into another
translate /traensieit, traenz-- [v I/T] to change what someone has said or written from one language into another. She has translated a number of his books. I Patrice doesn't speak English, so I'll have to translate.
translate stk into Spanish/Japanese/ English Can you translate this fetter into
French?
speak the language (=be able to speak the language of the country you are in) ft's difficult living in a country where you don 'f speak the language.
A
Don't say 'I'm learning the Japanese language', 'Do you speak Italian language?' etc. Say I'm learning Japanese, Do you speak ltalian?etc.
A
translate from English into Japanesei from Spanish into German etc In the
417 LANGUAGE
second exam we have to translate from Italian into English.
interpret /т'п:грф/ [и I] to translate what someone is saying immediately after they say it, so that people who speak different languages can talk to each other: No-one in the tour group spoke Spanish, so we had to ask the guide to interpret. + for My boss doesn't speak any Japanese, but I interpret for her.
translation traens'leipn, traenz-/ In C/U J
a piece of writing or speech that has been changed from one language into another: I have only read the English translation of the book, not the Japanese original. do a translation (^translate something) I have to do a translation for homework, in translation (^translated into a different language) All of Brecht's plays are available in translation.
someone who translates from one language into another
translator .'trans'leitor, trienz- [n C]
someone whose job is to translate what people say or write from one language into another: She works as a translator in Geneva.
interpreter m't^pr^r \n С] someone
whose job is to translate what has just been said, so that people who speak different languages can talk to each other; Both Presidents were accompanied by their interpreters
through an interpreter (=using an inter preter) Speaking through an interpreter he said: 'I'm afraid to go back to my own country.'
the language that you learn first
sb's Jirst language (sbs) f3irst
laei]gwjd3 the first language that you learn as a child - use this when you are comparing someone's first language with other languages that they learn at school or
later: My first language is Dutch.
sb's mother tongue/(sb's) тл<ъг the first language that you learn as a child - use this especially to talk about someone who now lives in a country where a
someone who can speak more than one language
bilingual bai'liqgvol' [adj] someone who is bilingual can speak two languages perfectly: Omar is bilingual - his parents speak Arabic, but he was brought up in France.
sb's second language /(sb's) scksnd
lЈBrjgwid3/ [n C] your second language is a language that you speak well and often use, but not the first language that you learned as a child: Halima was born in Kenya. Her first language is Swahili,
В
and her second language is English.
the use of words to communicate
language /'laei]gwid;s/ [n U] the use of
words, grammar etc to communicate with other people: a fascinating study of the origins of language 1 Every child develops the natural ability to use language.
linguistic /liq'gwistik/ [adj usually before noun] connected with people's use of language
linguistic ability/sfcills/studies/develop- ment a child's linguistic development I She should be able to learn Russian fairly easily - she has plenty of linguistic ability.
LAST
opposite hrst see also end, finish
coming at the end/ after all the others
last /la:st||laest/ [adj] happening or coming at the end, with no others after: What time does the last train leave? I Could you repeat the last number for me
please? I That was the last time I ever saw her. (=1 never saw her again) I the last game of the football season the last That lecture was the last in a series.
the last but oae (=the person or thing
before the last one) Ours was the last car but one to leave the ferry. last [ado] I expect they'll interview me last because my name begins with Y.
come last/finish last/be last клт
ia.'st, ffпг/ 'Ia:st, bi; larstj-'laest/ to finish a race or competition in the last position: Our team came last in the gymnastics competition. I I don't expect to win the race, but I don't want to be last.
jinal 'fainl [adj only before noun] last in a series of actions, events, or parts of a story: the final chapter of the book I Could I mention just one final point? /inal days/years/moments Klinsmann scored the winning goal in the final moments of the game, final stage (=the last part of a process or activity) The final stages of the climb were particularly tiring.
E when something is the last thing you want to mention
/inaily /Чат<?М: \adv\ use this when something is the last thing you want to say, especially at the end of a long speech or prece of writing: Finally, I'd like to thank all those people who helped make the conference such a success.
lastly /'laistlil'laest-/ [adu] use this to say that something is the last of a list of things, or when something is the last thing you want to say: Firstly it's too big, secondly we can't afford it, and lastly we don't really need it. I Lastly, I want to ask all of you to keep this information secret.
last but not least /ia:st bat тл
LANGUAGE 418
different language is spoken: classes for
students whose mother tongue is net
English
native speaker neitiv spi:k;v [n С] а native speaker of a language is someone who was born in the country where that language is spoken: The book is aimed at learners of English, rather than native speakers.
1i:st|.l2est-; use this when you are mentioning the last person or thing in a list, to emphasize that they are just as important as all the others: Last but not least, let me introduce Jane, our new accountant
BI most recent
last /la:st||Iaest [determiner/adj oniy before noun) most recent: We discussed this problem at the last meeting. last aigHt/week/year/Monday etc (=the one that has just past) Did you watch the game on TV last night? I We still haven't paid last month's rent. I Paul arrived back in England last Saturday, (the) last time (=the most recent occasion) Last time I spoke to Bob he seemed
happy and cheerful. I Do you remember the last time we came here? the last 10 minutes/20 years (=the period up to now) Things have changed a lot in the last ten years.
sb's last job/address/girl/riend etc (-the one they had just before this one) Our last apartment was much smaller than this one.
last (adu usually before verb) most recently: When I last saw her, she was going out with an Italian student called Giovanni.
past /pa:st|paest/ [adj only before noun] use this about the period of time up until now
the post year/few day si24 hours etc
During the past year there have been eleven accidents on this stretch of road.
previous /'priiviss/ lady only before noun] the previous time, event, or thing is the one before the one you have just mentioned: Everyone knew what to do because we had planned all the arrangements the previous day.
sb's previous job/address/visit etc (=the
one they had or did before the one you have just mentioned) She said she had left her previous job because she tuas unhappy.
the day/week/year before to (day,
etc) brfar/ the day, week, or year in the past before the one you have just mentioned: Last week he u>as in Paris and the week before he was in Rome.
When you seelaS , go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
LATE/NOT LATE
^ look here for...
arriving or happening late
late at night
^ see also early
I! arriving iate
late /leit [ad/advj arriving after the time that was arranged or after the time when you should arrive: Cathy got there even later than I did.
+ /or She often arrives late for work. be late Sorry /'m late - my car broke
down.
5 minutes/2 days/3 weeks late As usual.
the bus was half an hour late.
too late By the time the doctor arrived,
it was too late ~ the woman was already
dead.
late arrival/departure We apologize for the late arrival of Flight AZ709.
riot on time /not on taimj later than the time that was arranged: Hurry up, or you won't get to school on time! I The train is never on time.
miss /mis [l> T] to arrive too late to see an event, film etc, or too late to get on a plane, train etc: You'd better hurry or you'll miss the start of the show miss the flight/train/bus/ferry I missed the bus and had to wait half an hour for the next one.
Ea what you say when someone arrives late
QwHere Have you been? /.wea'hav
ju: bi:n||- bin/ spoken say this when someone arrives iate and you want to know why, because you are worried or annoyed: Where have you been? You said three
o'clock!
Qwhat kept you? wot kept ju:/ spoken say this when someone arrives late and you are annoyed: It's nearly five already! What kept you?
419
LATE/NOT LATE
Qabout time too <3,baot ,taim tu: spoken informal sav this when someone or something arrives late, and you are annoyed because you have been waiting a long time: "Look, the bus is coming "And about time too!"
to make someone arrive late
make sb late /,meik (sb) 'lea/ to make someone arrive somewhere later than they should arrive
+ /or I don't want to make you late for work. I The car broke down again, which mode her late for her meeting.
be delayed /bi: drleid if you are
delayed by something, something unexpected happens and it makes you late + by Our plane was delayed by fog. get delayed There was an accident on the freeway and we got delayed.
hold up ,h3old 4p [phrasal verb T] to make someone stop or go more slowly when they are going somewhere hold sb up I won't hold you up - I can see you're in a hurry. be/get held up by sth On her way to the hospital she got held up by heavy traffic,
when something happens later than it should or later than usual
(ate leit/ [adv/adj] when something happens later than usual or someone does something later than they should: The library stays open late on Fridays. be late The harvest was late this year because of the bad weather 15 minutes/3 days/6 months late Tony handed in his homework a day late. I Hurry up! VJe're already half an hour late.
too late He tried to warn them of the danger; but it was too late - they had already left.
work late (=stay at work till later than usual) I'm afraid I'll have to work late again tomorrow.
get up late {=get out of bed late in the morning) It's really nice to get up late on Saturday mornings.
a late break/ast/lunch etc («later than usual)
overdue /,3ov3r,dju:«||-du:«/ [adj] use this
LATE/NOT LATE
about payments that are late or library books that you give back later than you should: I must take these books back to the library - they're overdue.
three weeks/two months etc overdue
The rent's three weeks overdue.
be behind with Sth /bi: bihamd wid (sth),' [phrasa/ verb T) if you are behind with your work, you have done less of it
than you should have done: I have got to stay late tonight - I'm a little behind with my work.
to make something happen later or more slowly
be delayed /bi: drleid/ if an event or person is delayed, there is a problem that makes it happen later than it should, or take longer than it should: President Chirac's visit had to be delayed because of security problems. be delayed for 5 hours/2 months etc The opening of the new bridge may be delayed for several months. + by The start of the game was delayed by bad weather.
hold up .haold 'лр [phrasa/ verb T] to make something happen late, or make it happen more siowly than it should hold up sth Protesters held up work on the new road.
be held up by sth The peace talks are being held up by continued fighting on the border.
?
hold sb up They should have finished that job on Friday - what's holding them
up:
something that makes you late
delay di'lei, [n С] a situation in which you get delayed: There were the usual delays at the border, but otherwise we had a good journey.
long delay The strike is causing long delays at airports.
delay in doing sth There have been a lot of complaints about delays in issuing passports.
420
hold-up /ЪэоШ лр/ [n С] a delay that is unexpected but not very serious: traffic hold-ups I There's been a hold-up with the builders, so the new office won't be ready until next month.
И not late
on time /on taim at the time that was expected or planned: The work must be completed on time.
be on time (-arrive at the expected time) Fortunately the train was on time.
punctual /'pAi]ktJuDl/ \adj] someone who
is punctual is never late or not usually late: I'm worried. Pat's not here yet, and she's usually so punctual.
Ш late at night
late /leit [adj/adv\ late at night: I must go home now, it's getting late. I I don't like coming home late to an empty house.
stay up late (=not go to bed until late) We usually let the children stay up late on Saturday evenings.
have a late night (=when you go to bed very late) I'm really tired today - I had a late night last night.
in the middle of the night /in Лд
,midl 3v fta naity late at night when most people are asleep: I woke up in the middle of the night.
LATER/ AT A LATER TIME
^ if you mean 'see you later', go to
33 saying goodbye
see also after
II at a later time
later /'leitsr/ [adu] not now, or not at the time you are talking about, but some time after this: Sorry, I'm busy right now - I'll speak to you later. I We heard later that he had gone back to Japan. a month/two weeks/three years etc
later She became ill in 1993, and died two years later.
much later (=a bng time later) / didn 't find out the truth until much later, later that day/month/year etc Later that afternoon, Arrnc called bv to see me.
later in the day/month/gear etc I spoke to him again later in the afternoon.
later [adj only before noun] The meat can be frozen and used at a later date. I In a later speech, Reagan admitted he had been wrong.
later on ,leit3r Ъп at a later time during the same period, day, week etc: The weather was fine at first, but later on it started to rain. 1 Later on, I'll be interviewing the Vice-President, but first here is a summary of the news.
in /ш [preposition] use this to say how far ahead in the future something will happen in a minute/24 hours/a week etc I'll be back in a couple of days. I The doctor would (ike to see you again in two weeks.
in an hour's time/a few minutes' time
etc Just think, in a few hours' time we'll be in Seattle.
from now Тгзт 'пао/ 24 hours/а week/ 100 years etc from now at a future time 24 hours from now, a week from now etc: Three weeks from now the exams will be over. I A hundred years from now there
may be no rainforest left.
after /'u:ft3r||'Јf-/ (preposition] use this to talk about something that happened in the past, and to say how much later than another event it happened after two days fa week/a while etc After a while, we got tired of waiting and went home. ! She left the hospital in January, and the doctor saw her again after two weeks.
Q to decide to do something later
postpone /paos'poun/ (и T] to change the time when something was planned to happen, and arrange for it to happen later: They decided to postpone the wedding until Pam's mother was out of the hospital. I Several of today's football games have been postponed because of heavy snow.
put off pot Df]|-D:f' [phrasa/ verb T) to decide to do something later than you planned to do it, for example because
there is a problem or because you do not
want to do it now
421
LATER/AT A LATER TIME
put sth off I really should go to the dentist, but I keep putting it off.
LAUGH 422
put off sth The concert's been put off till next week.
put off doing sth The committee decided to put off making any decision until the new year.
delay /di lei/ [и Tj to arrange to do something later than you planned, because you are waiting for something else to happen first or you are waiting for a more suitable time: He decided to delay his departure until after he'd seen the Director. delay doing sth The police delayed making any announcement until the girl's relatives had been contacted.
giggle [n C] I could hear giggles coming from my sister's bedroom.
chuckle п/лЫ/ [у I] to laugh quietly, especially because you are thinking about something funny: "Do you remember when Michelle fell in the river?" Morgan chuckled. I Simon sat reading a magazine, chuckling to himself.
laughter iu:fter||'l<ef-/ [n U] the sound you make when you laugh: We could hear laughter coming from the next room, roar with laughter (=laugh very loudly) The show was a great success, and the audience roared with laughter.
LAUGH
HAPPY
\ т
ENJOY
4 \
SERIOUS
D to laugh because something is funny
laugh/la:f1|laef/[u I] to laugh because something is funny or because you are enjoying yourself: Jake made a funny face, and we all laughed. 1 I thought Dad would be angry, but he just laughed. + about I couldn't understand what they were all laughing about. + at No-one laughed at his jokes. burst out laughing (=suddenly laugh loudly) We just looked at each other and burst out laughing.
can't stop laughing (=laugh a lot because something is extremely funny) Euery time I thought about her hat, I couldn't stop laughing!
laugh [n C] She gave a little nervous
laugh and glanced towards Robyn.
SMILE
see also
FUNNY
JOKE
giggle /'gig,?!/ [u f] to laugh quietly in the way that children laugh, because something is funny, or because you are nervous or embarrassed: We never learned anything in history - we just sat at the back of the class giggling. 1 Mr Brogan asked her to dance, and she blushed and giggled
to laugh in a cruel or nasty way
laugh at sb 'ia:f set (sb)||'laef-/ [phrasa/ verb T] to laugh at someone or make unkind jokes about them, because you think they are stupid or silly: The other children laughed at Lisa because her clothes were old-fashioned. I Don't laugh at me ~ I told you I wasn't very good at Spanish.
SfiiggerBRrnsH snickerAMERicAN /'snigar, 'sniky, [v I] to laugh quietly at something
that is not supposed to be funny, for example when someone is hurt or embarrassed: Ruth tripped and fell as she walked up the steps. The boys behind her sniggered. I As he walked across the stage, Billy could hear people snickering and whispering.
make /uri of sb/sth / meik fan ov (sb/
sth)/ to make someone or something seem
stupid by laughing at them, or by saying things that make other people laugh at them: Stop making fun of me! I The other girls used to make fun of the way she spoke.
to make someone laugh
make sb laugh/meik (sb) iarf|-iaef>' to
make someone laugh by doing or saying something funny: Rachel used to make us all laugh by imitating the teacher. I Thanks for your letter. It really made me laugh.
LAW
ST1UCT/NOT STRICT RULE Ф COURT/TRIAL
let
FORBID
an official rule that everyone must obey
law b:/ (п C] an official rule that all the citizens of a country must obey break the law (=disobey a law) I didn t realize / was breaking the law. + on tough new laws on immigration + against There is a law against cruelty to animals.
A
pass a law (=make a law) Congress passed a law that allowed women to become pilots in the Air Force.
If you talk about the law, this often means all the laws of a country and what they say you must and must not do: It is the job of the police to moke sure that people obey the law.
legal /'li:g«?l/ [adj only before noun] connected with laws and courts: People on low salaries can get free legal advice. legal battle/dispute (=when two people or organizations disagree about something, and this is judged in a court of law) Neither side wanted a long and expensive legal battle.
act sekt/ [n C] a law made by parliament or Congress - used in the official name of a
law: the 1991 Prevention of Terrorism Act I an Act of Congress
legislation Jed^sieipn/ [n UJ a set
of laws, especially ones that are made to control a new problem: Legislation is needed to stop the spread of computer pornography.
+ on new legislation on the sale of alcohol
legal system /h:g<?l sis^m [n C] the
see also
LIMIT PUNISH
police
CRIME
iaws and the way that they work in a particular country: The Scottish legal system is different from that in England.
when the law says you must do something or have the right to do it
legal li:g,?l Iadj only before noun] your legal rights, duties etc are the ones that the law says you must have: the legal duties of parents
legal right Consumers have the legal right to demand their money back if a product is faulty.
the legal owner (=the owner according to the law) She now becomes the legal owner of the land. legally [aduj according to the law: Legally, the house belongs to me. i If there is an accident, the owner of the vehicle will be legally responsible.
by law bai b: if something must be done by law. the law says that you must do it: By law, your employer has to make sure that your working environment is safe.
Qit's the law /its йэ b:j spoken use this
to tell someone that the law says that they must do something: You have to wear a seatbelt ~ it's the law.
allowed by law
legal /'li:g<?l/ [adj] allowed by law: This trade in foreign currency is perfectly legal.
make sth legal 57% of people wanted
abortion to be made legal.
become legal Divorce finally became
legal in 1992.
Legally [adv] Fuchs had entered the country legally on a tourist visa.
legalize (also legalise British) /'liigslaiz |T] to change the law so that something becomes legal: a campaign to legalise cannabis
not allowed by law
illegal rliig^l [adj] not allowed by law: illegal drugs I In those days, abortion was illegal.
it is illegal to do sth it is illegal to sell tobacco to children under 16.
423
LAW
be against the law hi: a.genst b: if something is against the law, it is not allowed by law: Gambling is against the law in some countries.
LAZY 424
it is against the law to do sth It is
against the law to drive a car without insurance.
it is against the law for sb to do stK It
TEACH
STUDY
is against the law for a teacher to hit a child.
LAZY
when someone does not like
LEARN
EDUCATION
\ /
see
also
i
SUBJECT
working
lazy
lazy lcizi/ [adj] someone who is 1агу does not like work or physical activity, and tries to avoid it: Marian didn't do well at school. She was intelligent, but very lazy. I Get up, you lazy thingl It's nearly lunchtime.
a lazy day/week etc (=a time when you relax and do not work hard) We spent a lazy afternoon at the beach.
lazy - lazier - laziest
Qcaa't be bothered ka:nt bi:
bod3rd|| ,k«nt bi: bo:- British spoken if you can't be bothered to do something, you decide not to do it because you are feeling too lazy: f was going to go shopping, but in the end I couldn't be bothered. can't be bothered to do sth Let's go out for a rneal - I can't be bothered to cook.
В to behave in a lazy way
sit around/laze around sit ataond.
leiz ^'raond/ [phrasal verb I] informal to spend time sitting and relaxing and not doing any work: We lazed around on the beach most of the day. I Why not finish
your homework, instead of just sitting
around doing nothing?
not lift a /inger /not Jift э 'fiog3r. informal to give no help at all with work that must be done, such as cooking and cleaning: Tim doesn't lift a finger when it comes to housework. not lift a finger to help We spent the day moving furniture, but Sara didn't lift a finger to help.
When you see 139, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
D to learn how to do
something/ or to learn about something
learn '1зтГп/ [о I/T] to learn how to do something, or to learn about a subject, especially by being taught or trained: How long have you been /earning German? I Young children learn much more easily than adults.
learn to do stK His daughter's learning to drive. ■ William learned to read when he was four.
learn How to do sth (=learn a method or
skill) On this course, you will learn how
to deal with communication problems.
learning - learned also learnt Bfti ьн have 1 earned have learnt BR) П>Н :
Study stadi/ [l> IA1 to learn about a subject by reading books and going to classes at a school or university: Less than 10% of girls choose to study science at school. I She's studying music at Berkeley College in Boston.
study to be a doctor/lawyer/accountant
etc He s studying to be a lawyer. study for a test/diploma/an examination "Is Ian coming with us?" "He can't - he's studying for his exams.''
studying - studied - have studied
train trein [d I] to learn the skills and get the experience that you need in order to do a job
train to be a hairdresser/teacher/pilot/ nurse Julie is training to be a nurse.
pick up /,piк лр [phrasal uerbT] informal to learn something easily, without making mucn effort or having lessons pick up sth / picked up a few words of Turkish while I was in Istanbul, pick sth up The rules of the game are really easy - you'll soon pick them up.
Qget the hang of sth /get аэ 'haeq dv
(sth) spoken to learn how to do something that is fairly complicated: Using the com puter isn't difficult once you get the hang of it.
H to learn something so that you can remember it exactly
learn /13iгп/ [и T] to learn facts, words, or numbers, especially at school, so that you can remember them exactly: What songs have you learnt at school, then? learn, sth by heart (=learn something so you can repeat it exactly without reading it) We had to learn a lot of poetry by heart when we were children. learn your lines (=learn the words that
you have to say in a play)
learning - learned iK learnt 1-й ! ft'
have learned )iy have learnt ы, чп
memorize (also memorise British) 'memsraiz' (u TJ to learn numbers or words so well that you can remember them exactly: I'm not very good ot memorizing phone numbers. I I memorised the message, then destroyed it.
В someone who is learning something
Student <'stju;d?nt||'stu:- (n CI someone who is studying at a school college, or university: a student at Harvard University I There's a special price for students.
(aw/medical/engineering student Law
students a/ways have a lot of work to do.
student nurse/teacher (=someone who is studying to be a nurse or a teacher)
Д Don't say 'a student of Oxford' or 'a student in the high school'. Say a student at Oxford a student at the high school
etc.
trainee ,trerni:^/ [n C] someone who is
learning a skill while working in a company or organization: I'm a trainee in a hairdressing salon.
trainee accountant/reporter/sales man
etc I got a job as a trainee reporter on the 'Daily Star'.
beg inner /bi'gin3r/ [n C] someone who
has recently started to learn something: Japanese classes for beginners I The tennis club welcomes beginners as well as more advanced players.
apprentice /э'ргепЦя/ [n C| someone
who is learning all the skills that they need in order to do a job, especially a job that they do with their hands apprentice electrician/bricklayer/hair- dresser etc I worked as an apprentice electrician for 18 months.
ш to learn about things by experiencing them in your life
learn /h:rn/ [v 1/Г] to learn how you
should behave or how to deal with situations, because of experiences you have had in your life
+ (that) I soon learned that it was best to keep quiet.
learn to do sth Gradually, I learned to
trust her.
learn from, your mistakes (=remember mistakes you have made, and be careful not to make them again) learn the hard way (=iearn something by having an unpleasant experience) Never lend money to your friends - that's something I learnt the hard way.
learning - learned ilv learnt i. i м have learned . v have learnt i^i <
LEAST
the smallest number or amount
opposite most ^ see also less
the least 'бэ liist/ [quantifier| the smallest amount of something: Let's buy the one that costs the least. I the engine that uses the least fuel
the least possible We'l\ try to cause the least possibledisturbance.
425
LEAST
A Use least with uncountable nouns like 'money', 'food', or 'information'.
LEAST
minimum /"mmimami [adj/quantifierJ the smallest number or amount that is possible or allowed
a minimum of 20/Я 00/95% etc You have to order a minimum of five CDs ю get the discount.
the minimum age/level/wage (=the low
est age, level, or wage that is allowed) These workers are being paid less than the minimum wage.
keep sth to a minimum (=inake sure that it is as small as possible) Costs must be kept to a minimum.
the absolute/bare minimum (=the lowest number or amount possible) He ate two cups of rice a day, the bare minimum needed for survival.
the lowest /аэ 't^st [adj] use this about
numbers, prices, wages, temperatures, or levels: In the last election he was the candidate who got the lowest number of votes. I The lowest charge for a rented car is $20 a day.
the lowest /or 6 months/15 gears etc
Interest rates are only 4%, the lowest
for 25 years.
the fewest ;аэ fjur^st/ [quantifier] the smallest number of people or things: Drivers aged under 25 have the most accidents, those over 50 have the fewest. 1 Our team scored the fewest goals in the competition.
A Use fewest with countable nouns like 'pens', 'shops', or 'students'.
LEAVE
^ see also return, start
11 to go away from a room or building
leave /1Ы [и I/Г not in passive] to go away from a room or building: The phone rang just as I was leaving. I We left be/ore the end of the show. I Before you leave the house, make sure all the
windows are shut. I The police wanted to know whaf time Vicky left the office. leaving - left - have left
When you see O, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
426
Don't say 'I left from the house'. Say I left the house
Qgo gpu [v lj especially spoken to leave a place to go somewhere else. Let's go. I "Is Alan still here?" "No, he's just gone."
going - went - have доме
go out /,gao 'aut [phrasal verb I] to leave a room or building, especially when you will come back again soon: I'm sorry, I have to go out. I won 't be long, go out to do sth She's just gone out to buy some cigarettes.
+ of As he went out of the room, he slammed the door.
go away ,g3o a'wei/ Ip/irasai verb 1] to leave your home and go to another place for a few days or weeks: We're going away at the weekend, so could you feed
the cat for us?
walk out >э:к 'aut' [phrasal verb 1] to leave angrily, for example after a quarrel: She threw her wine in his face and then walked out. I Seueral people walked out before the end of the mouie.
slip out /,slip 'aut/ [phrasa/ verb I] to leave quietly and without anyone noticing: No- one saw her slip out through the back door I He just slipped out for a moment to speak with the principal.
sneak out/sneak off /iSni:k 'am, ,sni:k
Df|)-o:f/ [phrasal verb 1] informal to leave secretly, taking care that no-one sees you, because you should not leave: I managed to sneak out while they were all busy talking. I The teacher caught Ron sneaking off early.
sneaking - sneaked ^su snuck w-^u an - have sneaked also have snuck amihi ani
E to leave at the start of a journey
А
leave Inv; [t> I/Г not in passive) to leave a place when you are going on a journey: I'm leaving early in the morning to catch the train to Toronto. I When we got to Calais our boat had just left. leave London/New York/Singapore etc Her plane leaves Hong Kong at 10:15. leave for London/Paris/Chicago etc (=in order to go to London etc) Mr Mitchell's leaving for Paris tomorrow. leaving - left - have left
427
Don't say 'I left from London' Say left London.
LEAVE
El ways of telling someone angrily to go away
/gau, [u I] especially spoken to leave at the start of a journey: What time does the next bus go7 I We've packed aII our bags and we're ready to go.
going - went - have gone
set off set 'nfJ-'Dif [phrasal verb I] to leave at the start of a journey, especially an important, exciting, or difficult journey: As the sun came up, we set off up the mountain.
set off for London/Paris/Chicago etc (—in order to go to London etc) When he received the news that his sister was srcfc. he set off at once for London.
These phrases are not polite. Only use them if you intend to be rude.
Qgo away gz<> 3'wer spoken informal say this when you want someone to leave: / Luish you'd oil just go away and leave me alone. I "Go away!" she shouted.
Qget lost /.get 'iDstJ-'bist/ spokkn informal say this when you want someone to leave because they are annoying you. Get lost! I've told you already, I'm not interested.
Get lost is ruder than go away.
Set off is used especially in the past tense, in stories or reports of past events.
take off ,teik [phrasal verb I] if а
plane takes off, it leaves the ground at the beginning of a flight. What time did
your plane take off?
to leave suddenly without telling anyone where you are going
disappear /(dis3'pi3r/ [v Ij to leave a place suddenly without telling anyone, so that no-one knows where you have gone: After the concert I looked around and tried to find her, but she had disap pea red.
В what you say when you are leaving
see also ш saying goodbye czxl have to go {also I must go
British) /ai haev ta 'дэо, ai imst 'gao, spokf.n say this when you are leaving, because it is time to go or because you have to go somewhere else. Sorry, / have to go or I'll miss my bus. I И/e must go - if s get ting late.
Ql'm off /aim 'oil spoken informal say this when you are leaving: I'm off, Peter. See you tomorrow. I We're off now - thanks for everything.
out /.get шл spoken say this to tell
someone to leave your house, room etc, because you are very angry with them: Get out! I never want to see you again! + of Give me back my money and get out of my house.
to permanently leave the place where you live
leave /li:v/ [i> I/T not in passive] to leave your home or the area where you live: We've been so happy living here. I'll be really sorry to leave, f She was excited about leaving the village and going to live in London.
leaving - left - have left
move /mu:v/ [l> I) to leave your house and go to live in another one: When are you moving? I I've moved - here's my new address.
+ to We're looking forward to moving to Paris.
move house British (=go to live in another house) They moved house three times in five years.
move OUt /mu:v 'aot/ [phrasal verb I) to permanently leave the house where you live, especially because there are problems that make it difficult for you to stay: We'll have to move out if the landlord increases the rent again. I They quarrelled, and Anna moved out. + of Why do you want to move out of such a fantastic apartment?
LEAVE 428
leave home /.liiv haom/ if a young person leaves home, he or she leaves their parents' house and goes to live somewhere else: She left home when she was 18 I Now that the children hove left home, I have more time for writing.
run away /(глп s'wei/ [phrasa/ verb I] if а young person runs away, he or she secretly leaves their parents' house or the place where they are living, because they are unhappy there: When he was 15 he ran away and got a fob on a ship.
emigrate /em^greit/ [v Ij to leave your own country and go to live in another country: His business foiled, so he decided to emigrate.
+ to My parents emigrated to Australia in 1955.
H to make someone leave a place
throw sb out/kick sb out /,Br3o(sb)
'aot, ,kik (sb) aot/ [phrasa/ verb T] informal to make someone leave the house or place where they live, especially because you are angry with them: In the end her father threw her out.
+ of They can't just kick you out of the apartment for no reason. I Several foreign diplomats were kicked out of
Russia for spying.
evict /rvikt/ [и T] to legally force someone to leave the house where they live, either because they should not be there, or because they have not paid their rent: If
they evict us, we have nowhere else to
go
be evicted from sth The previous tenants were evicted from the house by the landlord.
deport /di'pDirt [и T) if the government of a country deports a foreign person who is living there, they force them to leave the country: Another five illegal immigrants
were deported.
Q to permanently leave a job or organization
Republicans are threatening to leave the party.
leaving - left - have left
resign /n'zain/ [и I] to officially leave your job. especially because you are unhappy with it or because you have done something wrong: I wanted to resign, but my boss persuaded me to stay. + from Three more directors have just resigned from the board. resignation /ezig'neipn' [л C/U] when someone officially leaves their job: Hundreds of people wrote to the company, demanding the resignation of its chairman.
retire /п'гаю1"/ [u I] to permanently leave your job, because you have reached the
age when most people stop working: In
the UK, men usually retire at 65, and women at 60.
quit kwit [и 1Я not in passive] informal to leave your job, school etc because you are not happy there: I'd had enough of college and decided to quit. I He quit politics in '94 and went into banking.
quitting - quit - have quit
H to permanently leave your school or college
leave /fi:v [v I/T not in passive] to permanently leave your school or college: I hated school and was glad when I could leave.
Leave school/college/university When he first left college, he worked in an office.
leaving - left - have left
graduate /graed3ueit/ |u I] to successfully finish studying at a school or university. What are you going to do after you graduate? I When I graduate 1 want to go to law school in New York. +/rom He graduated from Cambridge in
1979.
A In British English, you use graduate only to talk about leaving university. In American English, you can use graduate to talk about leaving high school or leaving university.
drop out /,dmp 'aotl.draip-/ [phrasal verb I) to leave school, college, or university
leave /li:v/ [u I/T not in passive] to stop doing a job, or stop belonging to an organization: Why did you leave your last job? 1 J had enjoyed teaching, and was sorry to leave. I Several leading
429
LEND
before you have finished studying: One third of the students drop out at the end of the first year.
+ of When he was 15, he dropped out of school and joined a band.
flunk OUt :Плг]к aot [phrasal verb I]
amf.rican informal to have to leave school or college because your work is not good enough
10
+ of Bart messed around and flunked out of college
to make someone leave a job, school, or organization
fire fai3r [и T] ! чич l-\i! y American to make someone leave their job. especially because they have done something wrong: The boss fired him for being drunk.
sack sb/give sb the sack s^k (sb
giv (sb)Оэ s<tk [u Tj BRnsH to make someone leave their job, especially because they have done something wrong: The company has sacked three of its senior managers. I If I'd known what she was doing. ! would have given her the sack long ago.
kick sb out/throw sb out kik (sb)
act. Bra) (sb) 'aot, [phrasa/ uerb T] informal to make someone leave a school, college, club etc. because they have done something wrong: / said I'd kick them out if I caught them smoking again. + of Nick failed his exams and was thrown out of school.
expel ik'spel [i> T1 to make someone permanently leave a scnool or college, because they have behaved very badly: The principal is expelling three boys who were caught taking drugs, get expelled (from/for) She got expelled from her school for hitting one of the teachers.
expelling - expelled - have expelled
suspend suspend [и T] to make someone leave their school, job, or an organization for a period of time, because they have disobeyed rules or behaved badly: Several police officers have been sus pended for taking bribes.
to be forced to leave
your job
lose your job /,lu:z , 'pir d3Db|-'d3a:b/ to be forced to leave your job: Terry lost his job just before Christmas - it was terri Ые I People don't complain - they're frightened of losing their jobs.
be fired hi: 'fai3rd lspfcially american to be forced to leave your job. especially because you have done something wrong: Did he resign or was he fired?
be sacked/get the sack /bi: s<ekt.
get ft? Seek/ British to be forced to leave your job, especially because you have done something wrong: If you keep com ing in late, you'll get the sack.
be laid off (also be made redundant British) /bi: ,leid of. bi: ,meid
rrd.\n(tant to lose your job, because your company does not need you any more: Dad was laid off after 32 years in the steelworks. I 250 people will be made redundant when the factory closes.
redundancy ridAndonsi [n C/U] British when someone has to leave their job. because the company does not need them any more: The men were offered shorter working hours as an alternative to redundancy. I more redundancies in the banking industry
pkth:; redundancies
LEND
to let someone use something that they will give back to you
BANKS
OWE
MONEY
]д Don't confuse lend and borrow Vou lend something to someone (=you let them have it), but you borrow it from someone (=they let you have it).
later
BORROW
\ /
see also
i-
ii
GIVE
430
LEND
lend
to lend something to someone
lead (also loan, american) lend. 1эоп [и Tj to let someone have money which they will pay back later or let them use something that is yours, which they will give back to you later
lend/loan sb sth Can you (end me $20?I 1 wish I'd never lent him my car. I I could loan you $100 if you need it. lend/loan sth to sb Did you lend that book to Mike? I The camera had been loaned to him by his cousin.
A
lending - lent - have lent
You lend or loan things that can be moved, but you let someone use a room, building etc.
Let sb use sth /Jet (sb) ju:z (sth) to let someone use something that belongs to you, for a short time, especially something such as a room, a house, or a piece of land: Some friends are letting us use their house while they are on facation. I Bob won't let me use his computer.
ОП loan, ion '1эоп/ something that is on loan, especially a library book or a painting, has been lent to a person or organization: /couldn't get that book from the library ~ all the copies are out on loan + frот The museum has an exhibition of paintings on loan from the Louvre.
to lend houses, land, machines etc for money
rent out /.rent 'aot, [phrasal verb T] to
allow someone to use a house, piece of
Mark lent Julie £10. Julie borrowed £10 from Mark
land, or vehicle that belongs to you, in exchange for money
Julie paid Mark back the following week.
rent sth out If you can't sell your house, why don 't you rent it out? rent oat sth They rent out boats for pleasure cruises.
rent sth out to sb The field at the back of the house is rented out to a local farmer.
lease ,'liis [u T| to allow a company, organization etc to use buildings, land, or equipment for a fixed period of time, in
exchange for money
lease sth to sb The aircraft had been leased to a Nigerian airline.
let BRrnsH re fit American let, rent/ [u T) to allow someone to use a room, house, or office in exchange for money let/rent sth to sb I've let my spare room to a Japanese student. I We usually rent our house to someone over the long vacation.
To Let British For Rent american (written on a sign to show that a room, house, or office is empty and can be rented)
letting - let - have let
money that Is lent to someone
loan -laon [n C] an amount of money that someone has borrowed; The bank offered him a loan of £15,000 to set up
a business.
LESS
opposite more see also least
if you want to know about using adjectives for comparing things, go to the essential grammar/ section 14
a smaller amount or number
(ess les [qucntifierj a smaller amount of something: You ought to eat less meat. I
It'll cost about $50 - maybe less.
+ than Harry knows even less than I do about this business.
+ of I'd like to spend less of my time at work.
less and less (=when an amount keeps getting smaller as time passes) As the drought became worse, there teas less and less food available.
Use less with uncountable nouns like 'money', 'food', or 'information'. In formal writing it is incorrect to use less with countable nouns, like 'pens', 'shops', or 'students'. But in ordinary conversation, less is often used in this way.
fewer fju:3r [quantifier] a smaller number of people or things: There are fewer jobs available nowadays. + than Women are having fewer children than they used to.
far fewer (=a lot fewer) Far fewer people go to church these days.
Use fewer with countable nouns like 'pens', 'shops' or 'students', and never with uncountable nouns.
aot as much ,' nnt ж mAtJ less than an
amount
+ as The Chinese don't eat as much meat as the Americans. I Let's rent an apartment - it won't cost as much as a hotel.
Use not as much with uncountable
Use not as many with countable nouns, like 'pens', 'shops', or 'students', but never with uncountable nouns.
nouns, like 'time', 'money', or 'food', but never with countable nouns. Use not as many with countable nouns.
aot as marty ^nnt эх meni fewer than a
number of people or things + as There weren't as many people there this year as last year. I I have quite a few CDs. but not as many as Becky has.
lower U)or [adj] less than another number or level - use this about prices, temperatures. marks for schoolwork, and
other things that can be measured on a scale from high to low: Foreign workers have fewer rights end get lower wages. 1 In the mountains the temperature is much lower.
+ than I got lower grades than the other students in my class.
less than a particular number or amount
less than 'les 6<?n Some of the miners were earning less than $2 an hour. I They've built another hotel less than a mile from here.
under ,\ndor [preposition] less than a particular age, price, amount, or number: It's illegal to sell cigarettes to children under 16. I Where can you get a meal for under $5?
just under (=slightly less than) The baby weighed just under three kilos.
below Ы'Ы [preposition] less than a particular temperature, speed, limit, or
level. At night the temperature is often below freezing.
Don't use less with very short words. Don't say 'less good/bad/tall etc'. Say not as good, not as bad, not as tall etc. In spoken English, is more common
than less.
fail below (=become less than) The rate of inflation has fallen below 6%.
less interesting, expensive, difficult, exciting etc
not as not ^7.:' Their first album sold
over a million copies, but the second one wasn't as popular. not as...as It's not as cold as it was yesterday. I Our house isn't as big as yours. I "How was the test?" "Not as bad as I expected."
less les [adu] The dentist gave me an injection to make it less painful. (ess...than I want something less formal than a traditional wedding dress.
431
LESS
Г
when something happens less than before
less /les/[adu]
+ than This type of problem still occurs, but less than it did in the past, a lot (ess Since we got the car,; we walk a lot less than we used to. (ess and (ess (=when something keeps getting less as time passes) He seemed to care less and less about the bandr and eventually decided to leave.
not as much /not эг 'пш// She used to
Less and not as much mean the same, but they combine with different words. In spoken English, not as much is more common than less.
really hate her job, but she doesn't seem to complain as much now. + as "Do you still go swimming?'' "Not as much as I used to."
when prices, numbers etc become less
go down/come down gso 'daun,
,клт 'daun/ (phrasal verb I] to become less: The suicide rate has gone down in the last few years. I I'm hoping the price will come down if I wait a while.
/all/drop /foil, drop||dra:p/ [v I] to become less, especially by a large amount: Airfares to Hong Kong have fallen dramatically because of increased competition.
+ to At night, the temperature drops to
-20 °C.
/all/drop from stH to sth Profits fell
LESS
from £98.5 million to £76 million.
falling - fell - have fallen dropping - dropped - have dropped
Fall and drop are mostly used in written English. In spoken English, go down and come down are more common.
decrease /di'kri'.s/ [и I] to become less - used especially in writing about business or technical subjects: If a company improves its efficiency, its costs will decrease. + to The speed of rotation gradually decreases to zero.
decreasing [adj only before nounj decreasing levels of carbon dioxide in the air
to make something less
reduce /n'dju:s||rrdu:s/ lu T] to make something less in amount or level: Try to reduce the amount of fat in your diet. I I was hoping they would reduce the price a little. I Yoga and meditation can help to reduce stress, reduce sth by hal//10%/2 years etc The new road will reduce traffic through the
town by 30%.
reduced [adj] Most airlines offer reduced rates for children.
lower /'1эоэг/ [f T] to reduce an amount,
limit, or level - used especially in writing about business or technical subjects: After 20 minutes, lower the temperature to
200 degrees. I The Bundesbank is under pressure to lower interest rates.
turn down /,t3irn 'daun/ [phrasal verb T|
to reduce the level of sound, heat, or light, by turning a control
turn sth down Could you turn the TV down a little?
turn down sth The weather wasn't as cold, so we decided to turn down the central heating.
cut down /kAt daun/ [phrasal verb I] to reduce the amount of food that you eat, alcohol that you drink, or cigarettes that you smoke-. If you can't give up smoking, at least try to cut cfoiun. + on Tve cut down on the amount of
meat I eat.
lessen /'les^n/ [и T] formal to make a pain less severe, or make an unpleasant feeling less bad: Drugs can be used to lessen the pain. I We tried to be sympathetic, but nothing could lessen his disappointment.
a reduction in numbers, prices, levels etc
432
reduction /n'dAkpn/ [n C] when a price, level etc is reduced - use this when something is reduced deliberately: We offer a reduction for groups of 10 or more.
+ in Cleaner fuel has contributed to a reduction in air pollution. I a reduction in working hours
reduction of Ј10/$5/25% etc (=a reduc tion by a particular amount) There were
reductions oj up to 50% in some stores.
decrease /'dukriis/ [л Cj when something happens less than it used to + in There has been a 15% decrease in violent crime. (=it has gone down by 15%) a significant/marked decrease (=when something happens much less than it used to) a significant decrease in the number of deaths from heart disease
drop/fall /drop, fo:J||dra:p/ [n singular)
when a number or amount goes down
suddenly or by a large amount + in Charities have reported a 25% fall in donations during the past year. (=donations have gone down by 25%) I a sudden drop in the number of student
nurses
a sharp fall/drop (=when an amount goes down very suddenly) a sharp fall in profits
A Don't say 'a drop of the birthrate' or 'a fall of the birthrate'. Say a drop in the birthrate or a fail in the birthrate.
>
cut /кAt/ \n C] a reduction in the amount or size of something made by a government or large organization - use this especially for talking about politics or business + in Cuts in the education budget have led to fewer teachers ancf larger classes. pay/job/tax cuts (=cuts in wages, number of jobs, or taxes) Nurses are protesting
about further pay cuts. ( The new management has promised that there will be no job cuts.
LET
m see also в permission,
U3 SUGGESTIONS, CAN/CAN'T
II to let someone do something
let /let/ ju T not in passive] We wanted to go camping, but our parents wouldn't let us.
let sb do stk Sue never lets her children eat candy. I Thank you for letting me borrow your car.
let sb in/out (=Iet someone go in or out of a place) Let me in! It's cold out here!
letting - let - have let
AS. Don't say 'let me to borrow the car' or
'let me borrowing the car'. Say let me borrow the car.
allow /э'1аи/ [и Tj if someone such as a teacher, official, or parent allows someone to do something, they let them do it allow sb to do sth We do not allow people to smoke anywhere in the building. I What time was he allowed to go home?
allow sb sth (=allow them to have it) We allow passengers one item of hand luggage each.
allow sb in/out etc (-allow someone to go into or go out of a place) The manager doesn't allow children in the bar.
Allow is more formal than let
Qsay sb can do sth /,sei (sb) кэп du: (sth)/ especially spoken to tell someone that you will allow them to do something: Mum says I can go to the party. I / thought you said we could use this
room.
give permission /,giv рэг,гшрп/ if
someone such as an official, teacher, or manager gives permission, they say that someone is officially allowed to do something
give sb permission to do stk Who gave you permission to leave class early? I The pilot was given permission to land at Rome airport.
+/or The police have refused to give permission for a peace march through the centre of town.
A Don't say 'she gave us a permission' or j 'she gave us the permission', just say she i gave us permission. !
1 — _ ^ _ I
agree to sth /a'gri: tu: (sth)/ [phrasal verb T1 to decide to allow someone to do something because you have been persuaded to allow it: I'd like to go camping with my boyfriend but my parents would
LET
433
never agree to it.
to be allowed to do something
can кэп; strong к;сг) [modal uerb\ to be allowed to do something: Now that you're seventeen, you con learn to drive. I Can Jean stay at our house tonight? I You can't park there. i—————— - — — -
; /t\ Only use can in the present tense. The | infinitive form of can is to be able to: When you're 18, you'll be able to vote. It you ! want to say that someone was allowed to i do something on one occasion in the past, use be a I lowed^ After being questioned by the police, he was allowed to leave.
Don't say 'you can to park here'. Say you can park here-
be allowed 'bi: a'laod/ to be allowed to
do something, especially because a rule or
law says you can do it
be allowed to do sth Are we allowed to
use calculators in the test?
sth is allowed Swimming is only
allowed in the roped-off area of the lake.
be allowed in/out/oJJ/on etc (=be allowed
to go in, out, off etc) No-one u?as alloioed
off the plane at Harare.
A\ When talking about something that someone was allowed to do on one occasion in the past, use was allowed to not 'could'. Don't say 'he could leave at
10'. Say he was allowed to leave at 10
be permitted hi: рэггШ^Д fdrmai to be
allowed to do something by an official order, rule, or law
be permitted to do sth The man was arrested by the authorities, but his wife was permitted to leave.
LET
sth is permitted Smoking is on/у permitted in the public lounge.
may mei; [modal verb] formal (o be allowed to do something: Thank you Mrs Prynn. you may go now. 1 Only authorized personnel may use this entrance.
A Only use may in the present tense. Do not use may to talk about permission which has already been given or refused. Use could or was allowed hie said I could park in front of his house. I Only authorized personnel were allowed to use the entrance.
official permission to do something
permission pprmi>n [n U] when someone officially allows you to do something permission to do sth. / had to get official permission to visit the prison. with/without sb's permission We're not allowed to camp here without the farmer's permission. 1 The changes to the book were all made with the author's permission.
permit /'p3:rmit (n C| an official document that gives you permission to do something. for example permission to work somewhere or visit somewhere: You can't park here unless you have a permit. work permit (=a permit to work in a particular country)
licence british license American /'lais^ns; [n Cj an official document that allows you to do something, for example to drive a car or to own a gun: Do you have с
licence for that gun?
driving licence British driver's license
American Do you have any ID? Like your driver's license?
Consent kan'sent/ [n U] formal permission from someone to do something important that will affect themselves, their
family, or their property with/without sb's consent They had
to get married without their parents'
consent.
give your consent (=say that you allow something to happen) She refused to give her consent for the operation because of her religious beliefs.
to let someone do something that is not usually allowed
bend the rules bendfo m:lz/informal to
let someone do something that is slightly different from what is usually allowed: No-one is allowed in before six, but I suppose I could bend the rules a little.
make an exception /,meik эп ik'seppn/
A\ Don't say 'you may to go'. Say you may go
434
to allow someone to do something that is not usually allowed: III make an exception to let something happen by not stopping it
let ''letI [и T] to let something bad happen, especially by not trying to stop it let sb/sth do sth Vou shou/dn't let your husband treat you like that I I've been so busy, I've let the house get terribly untidy over the past few weeks.
letting - let - have let
u Don't say 'they let it to happen'. Say they let it happen.
allow /э'1ао/ I и T] to let a situation continue or develop without doing anything to stop it or improve it
allow sb/sth to do sth Allow the meat to defrost at room temperature. I The government has allowed the situation to get completely out of control.
LIE
look here for...
lie on a bed or on the floor
say something that is not true
to lie on a bed or on the floor
see also sit, stand
lie /lai/ |u I] to lie flat on a bed or on the floor, or to get into this position In the next room, the old man lay dying. + on She switched off the light and lay on the bed.
this time, but next time you hand in an
essay late I won't accept it.
lie on your back Jones was lying on his hock smoking a cigarette.
A
lying - lay - have lain
Don't confuse these three verbs: lie (past tense lay) =be flat on a bed; lie (past tense lied) =say something that is untrue; lay (past tense laid) =put something down.
lie down /,lai 'daun/ [phrasa/ verb 1] to put yourself into a flat position on a bed or the floor, in order to relax or go to sleep: You
lock really tired. Why don't you go and lie down?
+ on Hannah lay down on the grass and closed her eyes.
stretch out /.stretj 'autj [phrasal verb 11 to lie or sit with your legs and body
straight, in order to rest and relax + on He likes to stretch out on the sofa and watch TV.
stretched out Hying with your legs and body straight) Celia's dog lay stretched out on the rug.
to say something that is not true
see also dishonest, cheat, trick/
deceive, true/not true, trust/not trust
lie /lai/ |u I] to deliberately tell someone something that is not true: I looked at her face and I knew she was lying. + about Movie stars always lie about their age.
+ to Don't lie to me! I know you weren 't
working late last night. lying - lied - have lied
tell d lie /,tel з lai/ to lie, especially on just one occasion I told a lie and said that I hadn't seen him.
tell sb a lie Of course it's true. I wouldn 't tell you a lie.
lie ,1аг/ [n C] something that you say which you know is not true: Jim said he hadn't done it, but I knew it was a lie. I How can the newspapers print all these lies
about her priuate life?
a pack of lies (=so many lies that you feel shocked or angry) I couldn't believe it! They just stood up in court and told a pack of lies!
liar 1а1эг [n C] someone who often tells
lies: How can you trust Graham? You know he's a liar.
mislead misiiid/ [i> T] to make someone
believe something that is not true, by giving them information that is not complete or not completely true: He deliberately misled the Senate. I The court decided that customers had been misled by the company's advertising.
UE
435
misleading - misled - have misled
misleading [adj] a misleading statement, description etc does not give complete information or completely true information: This tour brochure is attractive, but misleading. I a deliberately misleading answer
to think of an untrue
explanation or excuse
make up /,meik 'лр/ Iphrasal verb T] to think of an explanation, excuse etc that is untrue
make up sth If you don't want to go out
with Wanda, you'll have to make up
some kind of excuse.
make sth up When I told them why I
was late, they accused me of making it
up!
DEAD
invent /in vent/ [v T] to think of an explanation or excuse that is sometimes very complicated but completely untrue: He used to invent stories about his rich lifestyle to impress the women he met. I I began to invent reasons for staying away from work.
LIFE
ALIVE
<4 *
see also
EXIST
the time when someone is alive
life /laif/ [n CI the time when someone is alive: The day our daughter was born tuas the happiest day of my life. I Sutcliffe was sent to fail for the rest of his life.
spend your li/e She had spent her life moving from one town to another. sb's early li/e (=when they were young) He knew very little about his mother's early life in Africa.
LIE
in later life (=when you are old) Lack of calcium can lead to bone disease in later life.
life expectancy (=how long people are expected to live) Women have a longer life expectancy than men.
plural lives
lifetime /'laiftaim/ [n singular) the time when someone is alive - use this when
you are talking about how long someone
lived and what happened in their life in/during sb's lifetime During her lifetime, my grandmother lived through two World Wars and saw the first steps on the Moon. I He suffered a lot of pain in his short lifetime.
all your life /;>:1 p:r'laif/for
your life: My father worked
the whole of
your lire: i4y father worked hard all his life. I Tve known her all her life - we were neighbours when we were children.
+ of The king died in 1990, after a lifetime of service to the country.
the kind of life that someone has
life /laif/ (n C) the kind of life that someone nas: Having a baby completely changes your life.
a happy/hard/ехciting U/е Deborah has
a very busy life as a doctor lead a happy/quiet/exciting li/e We've led a very quiet life since Ralph retired, a life of crime (=when you use crime to make money instead of having a normal job) He left school at 15, and turned to a life of crime.
pliuvi lives
lifestyle /'laifstail/ [n C] the way someone lives and behaves, and the type of things they buy, eat etc: Doctors are trying to persuade people to lead healthier lifestyles. I Her glamorous Hollywood lifestyle came to an end in 1987.
way of life /,wei av 'laif/ the way in which a person or group of people lives, and the type of things they usually do: The modern way of life can be very stress ful. I The tribe's traditional way of life is now under threat.
the British/German/American etc way of life Shopping is an important part of the American way of life.
436
continuing for all of someone's life
for life Тэг laif; if something is for life, it will continue and not change for the rest of your life: There's no such thing as a job for life these days. I As far as Tm concerned, when you're married, it's for life.
raise
lifelong ./1ajflDr}f-b;r},' [adj only before noun] continuing for all of your life - use this about beliefs, feelings, or relationships that last for the whole of your life: ft was her lifelong ambition to write a best selling novel. I a lifelong friendship that started when they were at school together \ My father was a lifelong supporter of the Democrats.
LIFT
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LIFT
to move something into a higher
position
see also carrv, hold, put
pick sth up There are papers all over the floor - could you pick them up and put them away?
to lift a person or thing
lift
I tried to lift the box onto the table
but it was too heavy.
lift lift [и T] to take something in your hands, especially something heavy, and move it upwards to another position: After the operation, I wasn't allowed to lift anything heavy.
lift sth onto/over etc We lifted the
children over the wall.
lift sb/sth up I tried to lift the box onto
the table but it was too heavy.
lift up sb/sth. She lifted up the smallest
boy so he could see the parade.
pick up /,ргк 'лр [phrasal verb T] to lift something up from the ground, from a table etc, especially something small or light
pick up sth She picked up her bag and left the room.
"Cheers, everyone!" said Larry, raising his glass
raise re I/ [и T] to move something to а higher position for a short time before lowering it again: The bridge can be raised to allow ships to pass under it. I "Cheers. everyone!" said Larry, raising his glass.
to lift a part of your body
raise reiz- [u T] raise your eyes/eye- brows/hand/arm to move or turn your eyes, head etc upwards for a short time: She was reading a book, but raised her eyes when Paul walked in.
lift lift/ [и T] lift your arm/leg/head to
move your arm, leg etc upwards, especially when this is difficult to do: / was feeling so weak that I could hardly lift my head from the pillow.
put your hand up /,рл( p:r hasnd лр/to
move your arm upwards and keep it in the air. for example because you want to speak in a class or meeting, or because you are being counted: Put your hand up if you know the answer. I If you are not able to take part, please put your hand up.
LIGHT
look here for...
not dark
not heavy
U light from the sun, a fire, an electric light etc
^ see also dark, bright/not bright,
colour/color
light /lait/ [n U] Light was coming into the room through a crack in the door, f a gas lamp that gives as much light as a 100 watt bulb
tKe UgKt (=the amount of natural light in a place) The light was fading and I was afraid we wouldn't be home before dark. good/strong/bright tight The light isn't good enough to take a photograph. blinding/dazzling light (=very strong light that hurts your eyes) a sudden flash of Winding light
by the light of the moon/the fire I a candle (=with only the moon etc to give light) She sat reading by the light of the fire.
it's light I its 'lait/' use this to say that there is natural daylight: Let's go now while it's still light. I It's not light enough to play outside.
daylight /deilait/ [n U] the natural light of day
in daylight Td like to look at the house again in daylight.
daylight hours (=the time when it is light) The park is open during daylight hours
sunlight /'sAnlait/ [n U] the light from the sun: Her long blonde hair was shining in the sunlight. I Keep the plant out of direct sunlight.
bright sunlight (=strong sunlight) Maria stood blinking in the bright sunlight.
moonlight /'mumlait/ [n U] the light from the moon: The trees looked strangely white in the moonlight.
glare /glear/ (n singular] a very bright and unpleasant light that makes you want to close your eyes
+ of the glare of the car's headlights
LIGHT
glow /glao/ [n singular] a soft pleasant light, especially from something that is burning Candles give a warm glow to the room. + of the orange glow of the sunset
Q to make a place light
Ught Up /.lait лр I {phrasal verb T] to shine lights on a place so that people can see it well, or so that it looks attractive light up sth The fireworks lit up the
sky. I Their garden was lit up by dozens
of coloured lamps.
light /lait; [u T] to put lights in a place so that people can see what is happening there: What are you going to use to light the stage0
be lit by/with The room was lit by hundreds of candles.
lighting - lit - have lit
switch/turn/put the lightCs) on
/ switj, ,t3irn, (pot бэ 'lait(s) on/ to turn or press a control to make an electric light produce light: Can you put the light on? I can't see anything/
El something that provides
light /lait/ [n C] an electric light: We could see the lights of Hong Kong across the bay.
the light is on/off There must be someone at home - the light's on in the kitchen.
switch/turn/put the light on It's getting dark. Can you turn the light on? switch/turn the Ught off Don't forget to switch the lights off when you leave.
lamp /laemp/ [n C] something that uses electricity, oil, or gas to produce light, especially a light that you can move from place to place: There was a little oil lamp hanging from a hook in the ceiling. I a bedside lamp
438
candle /'ksndl/ [n С] a stick of wax that you burn to give light: When there was a power cut, we had to use candles. I The cake had twelve candles on it.
torch British /lashlight american to:rtj, 'flsjlait/ [n C) a small electric lamp that you carry in your hand: We shone our torches around the walls of the cave.
colours/hair/skin
see also dark, наш
light lait \adj] not dark in colour: Her hair is с lighter colour than mine. light brown/blue/green etc Mike has light brown hair. I The walls were a horrible shade of light green.
A Don't use light about the colour of people's skin. Use fair or pate.
A
pale /peil, \adj] if someone is pale, their face is whiter than it usually is, especially because they are ill or frightened; a colour that is pale is very light: You're very pale. Are you feeling sick? pale blue/green/pink etc a pale pink dress I She has very pale blue eyes.
Don't use pale about the colour of someone's hair. Say fair hair or light brown hair
fair fear; [adj) fair hair or skin is very light in colour: People with fair skin should be careful when they go out in the sun. Ulla has fair hair and blue eyes.
not heavy
opposite HEAVY
light /lam (adj) not heavy: The equipment is light enough to carry around. I Modern tennis rackets are much lighter than the old-fashioned wooden ones.
El
lightweight /'lait-weit/ [adj] lightweight clothes, materials, or equipment are specially made so that they weigh very little: a lightweight summer suit I alight- weight bicycle
LIKE/NOT LIKE
look here for...
think someone or something is nice think someone or something is not nice
if you mean 'similar to someone or something else', go to same
EXCmNC/EXOTED
\ t
sec ^HATB
HORIOBLE/ BfTHUSUSTlC/
UNPLEASANT UNENTHUSIASTYC
to like something
like /lajk; (f TJ to think something is nice: I like your dress - it's a beautiful colour. I Do you like spaghetti? like doing sth/Uke to do sth He likes helping in the kitchen. I I like to see the children enjoying themselves, get to like sth (=start to like something) At first she hated New York, but after a while she got to like it.
Don't say 'I am liking it', 'she is liking it' etc. Say I like it, she likes it etc.
Don't say 'I like very much Paris'. Say I like Paris very much.
Usually it doesn't matter whether you
use like doing sth or like to do sth, but
Only say 'love very much' about a person that you love. Don't use 'very much' with love when you are talking about a thing, place, or activity. Don't say 'I love Paris very much', just say I love Paris.
when you mean someone likes the situation or place they are in, use like doing sth: I like living in London (not 'I like to live in London').
Cilove /Iav/ [и T] especially spoken to like something very much: We had a great time at Disneyland. The kids loved it. I I love this song.
POPULAR/
UNPOPULAR
SOPMONS
LOVE
439
LIKE/NOT LIKE
love doing sth Rachel loves driving.
to like someone
like /laik/ [и T] to think someone is nice: I've always liked Sally - she's such a friendly person. I He's an excellent teacher, and the students really like him.
A Don't say 'I am liking her', 'he is liking her' etc. Say I like her, he likes her etc.
be fond of sb /bi: fond dv (sb)[|-'fa:nd-/ to like someone very much, especially when you have known them for a long time: You're very fond of Beryl, aren't you? I Miss Parker was very fond of the children in her class, although she was always strict with them.
to like something or someone better than others
prefer /pri'fa1"/ {v T] to like one thing more than another thing: Do you prefer tea or coffee?
LIKE/NOT LIKE 440
be fond of sb/sth /bi: fDnd ov (sb/
sth)||-'fa:nd-/ to like something, especially something you have liked for a long time: I know he's fond of Chinese food. I Gerry had always been fond of animals.
be crazy about Sth bi: kreizi abaut
(sth)/ informal to be extremely interested in an activity and spend a lot of time doing it or watching it: My kids are crazy about football
Qbe into sth /bi: mtu: (sth)/ (phrasa/ verb T] spoken to like doing something, watching something, reading something etc: My brother's really into rock-climbing.
prefer sth to sth I prefer classical music to rock.
A
prefer to do sth Most of my friends take the bus to school, but I prefer to walk. preferring - preferred - have preferred
Don't say 'I prefer coffee than tea'. Say I prefer coffee to tea.
Qlike sb/sth better/.laik (sb/sth) bet3r/ especially spoken to like one person or thing more than another: Which do you like better, the red tie or the green one? + than I like this new teacher much better than the one we had before.
A Like sb/sth better is more informal than prefer
A Don't say 'I like better summer than winter'. Say I like summer better than winter.
Qlilce Sth best /Jaik (sth) best/ especially spoken to like something better than anything else - use this when you are asking someone to choose or when you are choosing: Which of these dresses do you like best? I / think I like the red one best.
the one you like better than any others
favourite british /avorite amlrican /'feiv<?ri,t/ [adj only before noun] your favourite or favorite colour, food, teacher etc is the one that you like better than any other colour food etc: My
favourite colour is purple. I Who is your favorite singer? I We're going to her favourite restaurant for a meal.
favourite British favorite american
/ feiv^r^t/ (n C] something that you like more than other things of the same kind sb's /avourite/favorite / like all her books, but this one's my favourite. I Oh great! Chocolate ice-cream - my favourite!
teacher's pet /,ti:tj3rz 'pet/ [n singular]
informal someone who is their teacher's
favourite student, and who is not liked by the other students because of this
someone who likes something very much
/an. /faen/ [n C] someone who likes a particular sport, team, or famous entertainer very much: Thousands of fans came to hear Oasis play. I a football fan + of Fans of Sylvester Stallone will enjoy
this movie.
lover /' 1луэ7 [n C] music/jazz/art/ animal lover someone who likes music, art, or animals: Every jazz lover dreams of visiting New Orleans. I a nation of animal lovers
the kind of clothes, music etc that you like
taste /teist/ [n C/U) the kind of clothes,
music, furniture, films etc that you like + in His taste in /i/ms and books is very
different from mine. have good/bad taste (=be good or bad at deciding which things are attractive) My grandmother's house was beautiful - she always had very good taste.
В to not like someone or something
^ see also hate
not like /not 'laik li> T] Why did you invite Claire? You know I don't like her. I I like the style of that dress, but I don't like the colour. not like doing sth/not like to do sth / don't like walking home alone at night I Jake didn't like to see her looking so sad.
not like sth/sb very much (use this when the feeling is not very strong) Mum didn 't like Mark very much when she first met him.
dislike dis laik/ [и T] to think someone or something is very unpleasant: He was a quiet person who disliked social occasions.
dislike doing sth Stephen dislikes having to get up early. dislike sb/sth intensely (^dislike them very much) Muriel disliked Paul intensely.
Д Dislike is more formal than not like, and is not usually used in spoken English. If you dislike someone or something, you feel more strongly than if you do not like them.
О bate /he it/ [и 1} spoken if you hate something. you do not like it at all because it is very unpleasant or very annoying: I hate those stupid talk shows on TV I Don't you hate the way she interrupts you when you're talking? hate it when I hate it when I'm in the shower and the phone rings.
Qdon't think much of sth/sb
/.daont 0iqk 'nriAtJ dv (sth/sb)/ spoken to think that something is not very good or that someone is not very good at something:
The hotel was okay but I didn't think much of the food. I I don't think much of that new singer, do you?
not be very keen on sth not bi: veri
ki:n nn (sth)/ British informal to not like something, although you do not think it is very bad or very unpleasant: Actua//y, I'm not very keen on modern art. I I know you 're not very keen on Japanese food, but try thisI
Qnot be sb's type nnt bi: (sbs) taip
rsn.i ia!.iv spokfn if someone is not your type, they are not the kind of person you usually like: Vicky s friends are not my type. I Rob isn't her type at all.
Qqo Off Sb/Sth :.g30 of (sb/sth)||- [pfirasa/ verb T] British spoken to stop liking someone or something that you used to like: I used to drink lots of coffee, but I've gone off it lately.
to stop someone from liking a person, thing, or activity
put sb off P<Jl (sb) ot]|- .-);f/ [phrasa/ verb T) informal to stop someone from liking something or being interested in it: Don't let her put you off, it's a really good
movie.
put sb off sth That weekend put me off camping for the rest of my life!
tarn sb against sb (sb) a'gcnsi
(sb) [phrasal verb T] to deliberately change someone's feelings, so that they stop liking someone that they used to like: My wife threw me out, and now she's trying to turn the children against me.
LIMIT
see also control, rule, law
the largest amount that is allowed or possible
limit 1 lim^t/ [n singular] the highest number, speed, temperature etc that is allowed by a law or rule
+ to There's a limit to the amount of French money you can take out of the country.
441
LIMIT
time/age/speed limit The Interstate speed limit is 65 m.p.h.
LIMIT
over/above the limit (=higher than the limit) Pollution levels in the water were found to be over the official limit. set a limit on sth (=decide what the limit wil: be) The Education Department has set a limit on the size of classes.
maximum /'nueksimam/ [adj only before noun] the maximum number or amount is the largest number or amount that is possible, normal, or allowed After leaving Calais, the train soon reaches its
maximum speed of 300 kph. I 40 is the
maximum number of passengers this bus is allowed to carry. maximum [n singular) the maximum You don't have to wait long for a new passport - 3 weeks is about the maximum. a maximum of Ј10/50%/30 degrees etc The prisoners here can earn a maximum of £10 a week.
tfie most /бэ maost/ [quantifier] the
largest number or amount: There are six people in the cab, and that's the most I'm allowed to take. I The most we can afford is $500 a month.
Ei the smallest amount that is allowed
the least /fo liisl/ [quanti/ier] the smallest number or amount: The least you should offer her is $10 an hour.
minimum /'mmjmam/ lad) only before noun] the minimum number or amount is the smallest number or amount that is possible or allowed: Is there a minimum wage in your country? I The minimum age for joining the army is 18. fnimmum(n singular) the minimum \Ne need at least 8 students to make the course profitable - that's the minimum, a minimum of £ 10/50%/30 degrees etc You have to stay for a minimum of 7 days.
CI when there are limits on what you can do
limits /'limits/ (n plural] the rules or facts that control someone's freedom or their ability to do what they want + to/on Are there any limits on the
President's power? I There are practical limits to the number of cases we can deal with each day.
within limits Within certain legal limits, you can import anything you want.
restrictions /ri'stnkpnz/ [n plural] rules or laws that strictly control what you are
allowed to do: severe financial restrictions
+ on!upon stH Are there any restrictions on changing foreign currency? I Because of restrictions on reporting, the newspapers were not allowed to cover the story.
impose restrictions (=officially order that something must be limited) New restrictions have been imposed on immigration.
limited /'lim^d/ [adj] if something is limited, only a fixed amount is allowed or available: We only have a limited amount of time in which to finish the work. + to The class is limited to 20 students.
be restricted to /bi: ri'striktid tu:/ if something isrestricted to a particular amount, time, group etc, there are rules limiting it to that amount, time, group etc: The sale of alcohol is restricted to people over 18. I Under the new rules working time is restricted to 45 hours a week.
ml to put limits on something
limit /'limit/ [и T] to stop a number or amount from becoming too large, or stop someone from doing whatever they want: a new law limiting the number of foreign cars that can be imported I Men hold most of the top jobs, and this limits women's opportunities for promotion. limit sbfsth to sth Try to limit your alcohol intake to 14 units per week.
put/set/impose a limit /,рли „set.
im.paoz э 'lim^t/to officially control the size or amount of something by deciding what the limit will be
+ on Governments should put strict limits on tobacco advertising.
restrict /ri'strikt/ [v T] to strictly control and limit the size, amount, or range of something: The law restricts the sale of hand guns.
restrict sth to sth a population policy that restricted families to one child per couple
H when there is no limit
there is no limit <v?r iz ,пэо lim^t/ use this to say that someone can have or do as much ol something as they want + to/on // you buy one of these tickets
there's no limit to the distance you can travel. I There's no limit on the number of applications you can make.
unlimited /лп hmitAd/ {adj] something that is unlimited has no fixed limit: He has unlimited access to the firm's computer I They seem to have unlimited amounts of money to spend on advertising.
LINE
D on paper, in a pattern, or on clothes
line lain, [n C] a long, line
thin, continuous mark on a surface: The teacher had put a red line through my work. I If the ball goes over this line, it's out
of play. I Don't park He drew a line on on the yellow lines. the paper.
straight line Use your ruler to draw a
straight line.
lined [adj] paper that is lined has lines
printed across it: a letter written on
pale blue lined paper
Stripe ,'straip/ [n C] a straight line of colour on cloth, paper etc, usually part of a pattern where the line is repeated many times: He wore a grey suit with narrow blue stripes. I The car had green and white stripes painted along its side, striped Jadj] clothing or material that is striped has stripes on it: a yellow and white striped swimsuit
crease
crease kri:s [n С] a line on a piece of clothing or material where it has been folded or crushed: When I unpacked my suitcase, all my shirts had creases in them.
creased [adjf clothes that are creased
have a lot of creases in them: When he unpacked his jacket, he found it was badly creased.
E3 on someone's skin
Lines . I a i n z / [n plural] lines that form on someone's skin: The deep fines on his forehead showed that he was a worried man.
lined [ad;] if your skin or face is lined, it has lines on it: His forehead was deeply lined with worry.
wrinkles 'riijMz/ [n plural] deep lines on someone's face or skin, caused by growing old: His face was old and covered in wrinkles.
wrinkled [adj] if your skin is wrinkled, it has deep lines on it: her old wrinkled hands
El a line of writing or numbers
line lain/ [n C] a line of writing that goes across a page: Martin opened the letter and read the first few lines - it was bad news. I Start reading aloud at line 12.
+ оfa few lines of column
poetry
Column :'кЫэт||'ка:-/
[n C] a line of numbers, written under each other, that goes down a page: Add up the numbers in the column on the right.
В a line of people or things
line lain.' [n C] several people, trees, hills etc standing next to each other or one behind the other
443
LINE
in a line (=forming a line) The photographer asked us to stand in a line. + of In front of the house there is a line of tall trees.
The first two rows were empty.
row /гэи/ [л С] a line of people or things next to each other, especially one of several lines that are arranged one behind another
+ о/ There were only three rows of choirs - everyone else had to stand. /ront/baclc row Can you see me in the photo? I'm in the back row.
procession /pra'sejai/ [n С] a group of
people or vehicles that move slowly along in a line, especially as part of a public ceremony: We were held up by a long funeral procession. I The children were eager to take part in the carnival procession.
В a line of people waiting for something
queue British line American /kjui, lain/ (n C] a number of people who are standing one behind another, waiting to do something: There was a queue at the bus-stop. + for The line for the movie went right around the block.
in a queue/line We were stuck in a queue for half an hour.
stand in line/wait in line /,st%nd m
row
LINE
'lain, ,weit in 'lam/ especially american to stand in a line of people who are waiting to do something: Jerry joined the crowd of people waiting in line outside the stadium.
queue /kju:/ [u II British to stand in a line of people who are waiting to do something; We had to queue for hours in the rain. queue for sth (=queue to get something) I spent so long queuing for a ticket that I nearly missed the train.
queue to do sth There were hundreds of football fans queuing to get in. queue up (=form a queue) Every night, people queue up outside Club 49.
queuing - queued - have queued
Ш the line that separates two areas or countries
border bo:r(hr [n C] the official line that
separates two countries, or the area close to this line: They escaped across the border into Thailand.
+ with Iraq had put thousands of troops along its border with Kuwait. + between The town lies on the border between Chile and Argentina. the German/Mexican/Swiss etc border Strasbourg is very close to the German border.
boundary /'baoncUri/ [n C| the official line that marks the edge of an area of land, for example a farm or one of the parts of a country: More and more people are mouing outside the city boundaries.
+ between The Mississippi River forms the boundary between Tennessee and Arkansas.
plural boundaries
LIQUID
see also mix
D a liquid
liquid /'likw^d/ [n C/U] a substance, such as water or milk, that is not a solid and not a gas: She screamed as the boiling liquid burned her skin. J Add most of the flour to the liquid and stir the mixture. liquid [adj usually before noun] use this
444
about something which is a liquid, but which is usually a solid or a gas: Treat your plants once a week with liquid fertiliser I liquid soap I liquid oxygen
/laid /'flu^d/ |n C/U] a liquid - a technical word used especially by doctors or scientists: In extreme heat the body loses fluid and salt. I The fluids exchanged during sex can carry the HIV virus.
El an amount of liquid
drop
drop /drop||dra:p/ [n С] a very small amount of liquid that falls from somewhere in a round shape + of Big drops oj rain hit the window pane. I A drop of wax fell onto the carpet as she carried the candle across the room.
Stream stri:m< [n CI a continuous line of moving liquid: Water ran down the wall in a continuous stream, + of A thin stream of blood was pouring from his wound.
pool 'puil/ [n C] an area of liquid lying on a surface
+ of Trautman was lying in a pool of blood. I A pool of oil had collected under the car.
El liquid that flows easily
tKin /Bin/ [adj] a thin liquid flows very easily, especially because it is not quite thick enough: This paint seems a little thin, it's dripping everywhere. I Don't make
the mixture too thin or the pancakes will taste watery.
thin - thinner - thinnest
runny /'глт/ [adj] informal food that is runny is liquid but should be thicker than it is: a boiled egg with a runny yolk I runny custard
runny - runnier - runniest
molten /'тэи1ь?п/ \adj only before noun]
molten rock, metal, glass etc has been made into a liquid by being heated to a very high temperature: You can watch craftsmen make beautiful vases out of molten glass. I The town was buried under a river of molten lava. I molten wax
EJ liquid that flows slowly
thick ,/0ik [adj} a thick liquid flows slowly because it is almost solid: If you want to make the sauce thicker, add flour. 1 The soup was thick and creamy.
lumpy /1лтрг [adj] a liquid that is lumpy contains small solid pieces, so it is not as smooth as it should be: This gravy is lumpy. I I hate lumpy porridge.
В to become a liquid
melt /melt/ {u I/T] if something solid melts or if heat melts it, it becomes liquid: The snow has all melted. I The chocolate had melted and was all over the inside of her pocket. I Melt the butter in a
saucepan and stir in the sugar.
melted lad; only before noun] a pasta dish topped with melted cheese
dissolve di'zDlv||di zailv/ (u I/T] if something solid dissolves or if you dissolve it, it is added to a liquid and mixed with it, so that it becomes liquid itself: The crystals dissolve in water to create a purple liquid. I Dissolve the salt in 125 ml of hot water.
Ш when liquid moves or comes out of somewhere
pour /рз:г [и I} if a liquid pours out of something, down something etc, large amounts of it fall in that direction + out o//ojff/down Water was pouring out of the crack in the ceiling. I Tears poured down her cheeks.
flow /Пэи/ fu I] if a liquid flows, it moves in a steady, continuous stream from one place to another: The river flows more slowly here and it is safe to swim. + into/out off over From here, factory waste flows straight into the sea.
come out /,клт 'autI [phrasal verb I] if liquid comes out of a pipe, container etc, it flows out slowly and in small quantities: When I turned on the tap a brownish liquid came out.
+ of There's oil coming out of your engine.
445
LIQUID
leak /li:k/ [и I] if liquid leaks from a container or pipe, or if a container or pipe leaks, the liquid comes out through a small hole or crack because the container or pipe is damaged: I think the fuel tank is leaking.
pour jpyJj lu T] to make liquid flow steadily from a container, by turning the container over or by making it lean to one side
pour sth on/into/down
sth Pour the milk into a jug. \ Nassim poured the whisky down the sink.
Spill /spil/ [l> TJ to accidentally make liquid come out of a container spill sth onto/over/into sth Someone had spilled red wine all over the carpet. I A tanker has spilled 6000 gallons of oil into the sea.
spilling - spilled (also spilt British) - have spilled (alsohave spilt British)
spray /sprei/ [и T] to make liquid come very quickly out of a container as thousands of small drops, by forcing it through a small hole or many small holes sprag water/champagne/per/ume etc over/onto sth He shook up the bottle and sprayed champagne all over us. sprag sth with sth We regularly spray all our crops with pesticides.
Squirt Iskwx't/ [и T] to make liquid come out of a container in a short thin stream, especially by pressing the sides of the container
LIQUID 446
+ through/into/out of I from Water was leaking from a pipe in the bathroom. I Yoghurt had leaked out of my lunchbox
all over my bag.
drip drip/ [u I] if a liquid drips, it falls slowly and steadily, in drops + oJJ/out/frorn/orito The blood was still dripping from the cut on his lip. I We stood under a tree, with rain dripping onto our heads.
dripping - dripped - have dripped
to make liquid come out of a container
pour
squirt sth into/onto/over sth Mike squirted disinfectant onto the kitchen counter and began to wipe it down. I Squirt a little oil into the lock to loosen it.
LIST
a list
list list/ [n C] a set of names of people, places, things that you have to do etc. which are written one below the other and kept as a record
+ of a list of words that we had to learn be on a list My name wasn't on the list of guests, so they didn't let me in. make a list Make a list of all the people you want to send Christmas cards to. a waiting list (=a list of people who are waiting for something) The English course is very popular so there might be a waiting list.
a shopping list (=a list of things you need to buy)
cross sth off a Ust (=remove it from a list) We have plenty of eggs, so you can cross them off the list.
register /'red^sta^ [n C] an official list
containing the names of all the people, organizations, or things of a particular type
+ of a register of qualified translators I a civil register of births, deaths, and marriages
checklist /'tjek.list/ [n C] a list of all the
things that you need to do, to help you remember
+ of When you go camping, it's a good idea to make a checklist of all the things you need to take with you.
agenda addenda/ [n C] a list of all the
things that will be discussed at a meeting: Do you have an agenda for this morning's meeting7
to provide a list
Ust list/ [и T] to give a written or spoken list of names, places etc: a useful booklet, listing all the colleges that take part- time students
be listed The books are listed alphabetically, according to the name of the author.
447
LISTEN
LITTlt/NOT MUCH
LITTLE/NOT MUCH
Don't confuse listen and hear. If you listen to something, you pay attention so that you can hear it well.
listen lis<?n/ [i> I] to pay attention to what someone is saying or to a sound that you hear: I didn't hear the answer because I wasn't listening when she read it out. + to Gordon was lying on his bed. lis tening to music.
listen carefully They all listened carefully while she was telling them the story. о Listen! spokf.n (say this when you want to get someone's attention) Listen! I've just had a brilliant idea
Don't say 'I listen music'. Say I listen to music.
pay attention ,pei 9tenj>n to listen
carefully to what someone is saying: / have some important information about travel arrangements, so please pay attention.
+ to She went on talking, but I wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying.
eavesdrop i:vzdrDp||-dra:p„ [и I] to secretly listen to someone else s conversation by standing near them, hiding behind a door etc: "How does Jake know that?" "He must have been eavesdropping." + on We talked very quietly so that no-one could eavesdrop on us.
listen in ,lis<?n in (phrasa/ verb I] to listen to someone else s telephone conversation when they do not know that you are listening
see also hear
+ on The police were listening hi on their conversation.
if you mean 'not big', go to smali see also few
a small amount
a little /э lit!/ [quantifier) a small amount of something
A
a little /ood/time/Help etc / fhin/c I'll have a little cream in my coffee. I They may need a little help. just a little (=only a small amount) "Do you speak Japanese?" "Just a little." a little more/less I wish he'd show a little more interest in his work.
Don't say 'I speak a little of Spanish'. Say I speak a little Spanish.
a little bit (also a bit British) /э ,litl bH, э 'bit; [quanti/ier] informal a small amount of something: Don't buy a large pack - / only need a little bit. + of It's a good way of making a bit of extra money.
a little bit more/less Tell us a little bit more about your plans.
not much /nDt 'тлф [quantifier] only а
small amount of something - use this especially when there is less than you need: There's not much light in this room. I He doesn't have much experience of running a business. not very much You haven't eaten very
much. I We didn't have very much time, so we took a taxi.
a drop /э drDp||-'dru:p [quantifier] informal a small amount of something that you drink: "Do you take cream in your coffee?" 'Yes, just a drop, please." + of Could I have a drop of milk in my tea?
a very small amount
very little /,veri 'litl [quantifier] a very small amount of something: "How much do you know about computers?" "Very little, I'm afraid." I Fish contains very little fat. I Changing the law will make very little difference
hardly any /,ha:rdli 'eni; [quantifier]
such a small amount that there is almost none at all We need some more paper -
LITTLE/NOT MUCH
there's hardly any left. I ion's learning to play the guitar, but he hardly gets any time to practise.
scarce skeors [adj] if something that you need is scarce, it is available only in small amounts, so there is not enough of it: After the war. food and clothing were searce. t a waste of searce natural reso и rces
a little tired/sad/older/ bigger etc
a little 'э lit I [odv] I'm feeling a little tired. I think I'll go upstairs and have a rest. I "Do you feel sad that you're leaving?" uJust a little."
a little more Business class costs a little more than economy class, but it's worth
the extra money.
a little bit (also a bit british ) . л htl 'hit. э bit/ [ас/и) informal a little: I'm feeling a little bit better today. I She looked a bit surprised when she saw me.
Slightly /slaitli/ \adv] very little, but not enough to be important or easy to notice: We're almost the same age. He's slightly older than me I Sean's car is a s/ightfy different colour.
when something or someone moves or changes a little
a little 3 'IHi. His work has improued a little since he came to the school. I I noticed that Mrs Ewing's hand was trembling a little.
a little bit (also a bit british) jo lit I 'hit. о 'bit' informal a little: Do you mind if I open the window a little bit. I The centre of the town has changed a bit, but everything else is just as I remember it.
slightly 'slaitli [acfu] a little, but not enough to be important or easy to notice: The temperature had risen slightly, but it was still very cold.
aot much /not 'nutJV only a little and not as much as you might have expected: Things haven't changed much over the past few years.
When you see ЦЭ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
448
LIVE
opposite die
if you mean 'not die', go to alive see also houses/where people live,
home
D to live in a place
live hv [u I] to have your home in a particular place: Where do you live? + in Do you like living in Tokyo? I Do you live in an apartment or a house? I Judy Hues in that nice house on the comer.
+ at In 1905 Russell was living at 4 Rafston Street.
Use in before the name of a country or town: John lives in Canada/in Toronto. Use at before the exact address: John lives at 78 Clancy Street.
Zii Don't confuse live (-live somewhere permanently) and stay (=live there for a short time): We stayed at a smoll hotel close to the beach.
grow up ,grcK> лр [phrasal verb 1] to live in a place during the time when you are a child This is the place where I grew up. + in Margaret Hallworth was born in
Manchester but grew up in North Wales.
settle setI [и II to start to live permanently in a country or city, after you have lived in several different places + in We lived in Thailand, then Singapore, and finally settled in China.
to live in the same house as someone else
live with sb liv wiA (sb)/ (phrasal verb T] I live with an old friend from college. I Do you still live with your parents?
live together hv ta.gedaV [phrasal verb I] if two people live together, they live in the same house and have a sexual relationship: These days, people often live together be/ore getting married.
share a house/apartment/room with sb /1еэг э haos, a'pctftmsnt, 'ruirn wifl (sb)/ to live with someone who is not a member of your family and not your
sexual partner: My brother shares a house with four other students. I I used to share an apartment iviih a guy who played the drums.
room with $b /'man wid (sb)/ Iphrasal verb T] american to live in the same room as someone at college: Do you remember Diane? I roomed with her at college.
flatmate British roommate american I'ftetmeit, 'ruim.meit, rum-/ [n C] someone that you share an apartment with, who is not a member of your family and not your sexual partner: This is Rosalind, my flatmate. 1 You can't have a party without asking your roommate first.
В someone who lives in a place
tenant /'tenant/ [n C] someone who lives in a house, apartment, or room and regularly pays money to the person who owns it: Tenants are not allowed to keep pets. I Have you found any tenants for your house yet?
LONG
look here for ...
long hair, a long street etc a long book, list etc a long time
opposite short
see also measure, tall
449
LONG
if you mean 'after a long time', go to end
If you want to say how many people live in a place, say 'a city/country with a population of 5 million' or 'a city/country with 5 million inhabitants'.
population. /.pDpjgleiJ.Tnlpaip-/ [n singu- lar/Ul all the people who live in a country or town or area, or the number of people who live in it: In Ghana 46% of the population is under 16 years of age. + of The population of Singapore is almost 3 million.
the adult/Muslim/black population (=all the people in a place who are adult, Muslim etc) 90% of the adult population is literate.
resident /'rez^d^nt/ [n C] someone who
lives in a particular area of a town, a particular street or apartment block etc: Loca I residents are protesting about the new road. I Parking spaces are for residents only.
+ оf Residents of Glacier Bay are complaining about the pollution caused by cruise ships.
inhabitant /inhabitant/ [n С usually
A
plural] written one of the people who live in a place, especially in a town or city or in an area of a country: Copenhagen has about 1.4 million inhabitants. 1 This is a poor rural area, with only one doctor per 10,000 inhabitants. + of the inhabitants of the Son Fernando Valley
etc
long
A cat was hiding in the long grass.
long 1\офщ{ [adj] longer than usual from one end to the other: The girl had long blonde hair. I There was a long line of people at the ticket office. 1 She led them down a long corridor, through countless swinging doors. I Rome has the longest
shopping street in Europe, four inches/two metres/five miles etc loag The snake was more than three
metres long.
length /lei]0/ [n C/U] how long something is: These fish can grow to a length of four feet. I We need to measure the length and width of the room, four inches/two metres/jive miles etc in length The hotel pool is 15 metres in length.
a long book/name/list/ speech etc
a long object/line/space
long /lor]||ba]/ [adj] a long book, speech, name etc has a lot of pages, words, etters, details etc in it: The place has a long Welsh name that I can't pronounce. I The principal gave a long, boring speech about discipline. I There was a long list of jobs that she needed to do that day.
LONG
lengthy /'leijBi/ [adjl formal. a lengthy book, speech, explanation, or document has a lot of words and details in it. and is often boring: a lengthy, two-volume book on conditions in modern China I a lengthy financial report
long-winded 'windi,cU||,b:i]- Mjl
boring and much longer than it needs to be: The book begins with a rather long- winded description of the historical background to the war. I I had to listen to his long-winded explanation as to why he was late.
H a long time
a long time /э Joij taimj}- \щ-!
(/or) a long time He's lived here a long time. ! The house has been empty for a long time.
a long time ago We met in August 1947, a long time ago. a very long time We've been friends for a very long time.
it's a long time since It's a long time since I heard from dive.
a while /э 'wail/ a fairly long time: After a while people started to complain /or a while How's Lynn? I haven't seen her for a while.
quite a while (=a long time) He's been going out with her quite a while now, hasn't he?
long /tor)||b:r)/ |adu] for a long time: Have you been waiting long? long be/ore/a/ter Michelle was wearing platform shoes long before they came
into fashion.
Qages/'eid3^z/ [n pluralj spoken, especially British a very long time for ages I haven't been out for ages. wait/take/spend ages I spent ages in town trying to find something to wear for the wedding. I We had to wait ages for a bus.
it's ages since It's ages since we played this game - Td forgotten how good you are.
ages ago (=a long time ago) "When did you sell the car?" 'Ages ago!"
hours/months/years /auars, nunOs.
jia's/ (n plural] many hours, months, or years, and a lot longer than you expected: It
uras years before we found out the truth.
for hours/months/years I'm worried - Robin's been out for hours. take (sb) hours/months/years It took us months to paint the house.
El continuing for a long time
long lDi]||b:i]/ [adj] continuing for a long time: The play was good, but it was a little too long. I He died after a long illness. I It 's a long flight -15 hours.
long-term /,1013 Wm^baj-/ |adj only before noun] a long-term problem, situation. or effect is one that continues for a very long time: Drugs such as Ecstasy may cause long-term damage to the brain. 1 long-term unemployment long-term relationship (=a sexual relationship that lasts for a long time) I'm not ready for a long-term relationship right now.
lasting 'ia:sni]||'laes-/ lad; only before noun] strong enough or effective enough to continue for a long time a lasting peace//riendship/agreement
The people of Northern Ireland are praying for a lasting peace.
long-running /.loi] глп1Г)«|},1эл]-/ [adj only before noun] long-running dispute/ row/debate/conflict an argument, disagreement, or war that continues for a very long time: The two countries have signed an agreement, ending a long- running dispute over fishing rights.
interminable in't^m^natwl/ ladj] formal something that is interminable continues for much too long and makes you feel impatient or annoyed: Tuesday was always a day of interminable meetings. I After an interminable delay, the bus finally left the station.
ЕЭ something that you need a lot of time to do
take a long time/.teikajDo ta]m||-,bnyi
if something takes a long time, you need a lot of time to do it: i never go to work by train because it takes such a long time. I Your body takes a long time to recover after an operation.
it takes (sb) a long time to do sth It takes a long time to make friends when you move to a new town. I It took me a long time to learn how the system worked.
take time teik 'taim, if something takes time to do, it cannot be done quickly and you have to be patient: Learning a new language always takes time. it takes time to do stk It takes time to get to know people.
time-consuming ,'taim ksn.sjujmiqll
-,su:- {adj\ an activity, process, or job that is time-consuming takes a very long time to do: Checking all the calculations used to
be a very time-consuming process.
LOOK AFTER
see also child, baby
to look after someone look after sb iok 'a:fbr (sb)||-'aef-
[phrasa! verb T] to spend time with a child or with someone who is old or sick, and make sure they are safe and have the things they need: Can you look after the kids for me while Гт out? I 1 took a week off work to look after my mother when she had her operation.
take care of sb /,tCik 'кеэг dv (sb), to look after someone, especially someone who is very young, very old, or very sick, and needs someone to help them all the time: Taking care of young children is a full-time job. i My father became so ill that we couldn't take care of him at home any more.
take good care of sb (=look after them well) Don't worry, I'll take good care of him.
care for sb 'кеэг b:r (sb)/ (phrasaf verb T] to look after someone who is very ill or very old by doing everything for them: Elsie had to leave her job to care for her sick father.
to look after children until they have grown up
bring Up ,/brir] 'лр [phrasal verb T] to look after children until they have grown up: His parents had a lot of problems, so he was brought up by his grandparents. bring up sb I don't know how they managed to bring up six children with so little money.
briag sb up / brought my son up by myself.
raise /reiz [u T often passive! american to look after children until they have grown up: Raising a family is one of the toughest jobs in the world. be raised My brother and I were raised on a small farm in Missouri.
someone who is paid to look after children
babysitter (also sitter informal) ,'beibi- ,siDr. siDr [n CJ someone who is paid to
look after children while their parents go out for the evening
childminder tjaild.maindo', [n C| British someone who is paid to look after children while their parents are at work
nanny /'meni, [n С] a woman who is paid to look after someone else's children, and who lives in the house with the family plural nannies
to look after something
look after Sth .luk a:fbr (sth)I'aef--
[phrasal verb T] to keep something in good condition and make sure that it does not get broken, damaged, or stolen: Vou can have a new bike for Christmas if you promise to look after it. look after sth for sb The neighbours are going to look after the house for us while we're away.
take care of sth ,teik 'кеэг DV (sth)/ to
look after something, especially something that is expensive or easily broken, or needs a lot of attention: That car should run for another ten years if you take care of it.
take good care of sth Hook after it well) The boat was in good conditiont and the previous owner had obviously taken very good care of it.
Qkeep an eye on sth ki:p эп ai on
(sth) LSpnciAi.ly spokf.n to look after something that belongs to someone else for a short time, by watching it to make sure that it does not get stolen or damaged: Tom went into the library while I kept an eye on the bikes, i Can you keep an eye on my bags while I go to the toilet9
maintain mem'tein. mon- [u TJ to make
451
LOOK AFTER
sure that a car, machine, or building is in good condition by checking it and repairing it when necessary: The car hadn't
LOOK AT
been properly maintained, and it was
very rusty. maintenance "meinUians/ [n U| the job
of maintaining a car, building, or machine: A car is quite a big expense, especially when you consider maintenance costs. I The landlord is responsible for the maintenance of the building.
LOOK AT
see also s«, watch
A Don't confuse see, watch ancl look at. When you $ee something, you notice it with your eyes, either deliberately or accidentally: I saw an accident on my way to school today. You vvatch things like films, sports games, or other situations where there is action and movement: Dad was wot china a bosket ball game on TV. When you at people, scenery, pictures, and other things that are not moving, you deliberately pay attention to them: Look at this old picture of Sally!
to look at someone or something
look, /lok; [l> I] to turn your eyes towards something so that you can see it: Look, there are swans on the river. + at "Come on, it's time to go," he said, looking at his watch. I Look at me when I'm talking to you.
+■ into/out of/thronghjdown etc Helen was looking out of the window, waiting for him to arrive. I Janie looked into her mail box, but there was nothing there. 1 The teacher stopped and looked around to see if there were any questions, look at sb/sth. in amazement/disbelief/ surprise etc (—in a way that shows you are surprised or shocked) Sean looked at her in disbelief. "Are you sure?" look [n C] when you turn your eyes to look at someone or something: Sarah needed only one look at her daughter's face to know that she was in trouble. (
I was getting disapproving looks from the people around me.
When you see , go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION sectjon
452
A Don't say look at when you are talking about TV programmes, games, or things that are happening. Say watch- I was
watching a baseball game. I The kids are watching a video.
Qhave a look/take a look /h<ev э
lok, teik 3 lok/ especially spoken to look at something, especially something interesting or unusual
+ at We climbed to the top of the tower to have a look at the view. I 'You'd better take a look at this," she said, passing me a letter.
Stare stes1" [f I] to took directly at someone or something for a long time, without moving your eyes
+ at Why are you staring at те like that?\ She stared at the page for several minutes, trying to understand. + into/out of etc My cat spends all day staring out of the window. stare back Cat sb) (=stare at someone who is looking at you)
stare in amazement/korror/disbelie/
(—in a way that shows you are surprised or shocked) Donna stared in horror as the man fell to the floor. stare [n С] a long direct look: Charles didn't reply. He just gave his daughter an angry stare.
gaze geiz [и I] especially written to look at someone or something for a long time, especially with a feeling of love or great
pleasure
+ at / lay back on the sand and gazed at the stars above.
A
+ out/into/down etc He was gazing into her eyes as he spoke. I Ruth gazed down at the sleeping child.
Gaze is Usecj especially in descriptions.
glare g]e3r ij t0 angrily at someone: He sat there in silence, glaring angrily.
+ at Sarah glared at her father "How dare you say that!"
to look carefully
look care/ully/closely /|лк ШЫ1
'klsosli/ to look carefully at something in order to see small details: // you look carefully, you can see the artist's name in
the corner of the picture.
+ at He looked closely at the pattern on the plate. "My Grandma used to have plates like this."
Qtake a look at sth/have a look
at sth leik 3 1лк XX (sth), ha-v о 1лк it! (sth) especially spoken to look carefully at something in order to find out what is wrong with it or to find out something about it: I've asked Ken to take a look at the car - the engine's making strange noises. I The doctor will be here soon to have a look at your ankle. take/have a good look at sth (=look very carefully and thoroughly) The police asked me to take a good look at the photo, and tell them if I recognised anyone.
examine /ig'zitm^n {и T] to look at something carefully and thoroughly because you want to find out more about it: When the police examined the gun, they discovered Wright s fingerprints on it. I A team of divers was sent down to exom ine the wreck.
check/inspect tjek. m'speki; \v T] to look at something carefully and thoroughly to make sure that it is correct, safe, or working properly: The factory is regularly inspected by a fire-safety officer. I Technicians would check the engines and replace any worn parts. check sth for damageffaultslcracks (-in
order to find any damage) After the explosion, they had to check the buiid- ing for structural damage.
go over sth/go through sth /,£эо
(sth), ,g3o (0ru: (sth) [phrasa/ verb T] to look carefully at every part of a document or plan in order to make sure that it is all correct: I'd like to go over last month's accounts with you. I Marion's been through your report and she hasn't found any mistakes.
examination /ig.zaemi'neij^n- [n C/U)
when you look at something carefully in order to find out more about it: National Transportation Safety Board investigators are continuing their examination of the crash.
oft closer examination (=when you look at something more carefully) On closer examination the painting was found to be a clever copy.
inspection m'spekpn, [n Cj an official visit to a school, factory, prison etc by someone whose job is to make sure that everything is being done correctly + of There are regular inspections of the prison by government health officers.
carry out an inspection (=make an inspection) Admiral Naumenko personally carried out an inspection of the fleet.
В to look quickly or secretly
glance gla:ns||glaens [и 1) to look quickly at something or someone, and then look away
+ at Dr Morse kept glancing nervously at his watch. I I saw them glance at each other as if they shared a secret. + into/down/through etc Glancing into Neil's room, she noticed that his suitcase was packed, glance [n С] a quick look: A quick glance at the map showed that we were on the right road
take a quick look/have a quick
look /'teik э ,kwik lok, haev a.kwjk lok/ to look at something quickly in order to check that everything is satisfactory + at/around/through etc He took a quick look in the mirror, and went out of the house, f She had a quick look around the room before letting the guests in.
peep /pi:p, [v i] especially British to look at something quickly and secretly, especially from a place where you cannot be seen + through/into/round We peeped through a crack in the fence, and saw her talking to a strange-looking man. I Bobby peeped round the corner to see what was happening.
peek/take a peek pi:k, ,teik э pi:k
453
LOOK AT
[u I| american to look at something quickly and secretly, especially from a place where you cannot be seen: The children were peeking from behind the wall. I She quickly opened the door and took a peek inside.
In British English, you can also say look round and have a look round.
browse /braoz [v I] to spend time looking at things in a shop, especially books or records, without intending to buy anything: Armando spent the afternoon browsing in Camden market. + through Joanne was standing in a bookstore browsing through some magazines.
window-shopping windzu Jnpirjl
-,Ja:p- [n U] the activity of looking at goods in shop windows without intending to buy anything: We hadn't any money but we enjoyed window-shopping in Fifth Avenue.
Q/'m. just looking aim ,d3\st lukir] spoken say this to tell someone who works in a shop that you are only looking at things, and you do not intend to buy anything just now: "Can I help you?" "No thanks, I'm just looking."
В to stop looking at something
look away ;juk s'wei/ [phrasal uerb I] to
turn your eyes away from something that you were looking at: The accident was so horrible that I had to look auay. + /гот She looked away from him. unable to tell him the truth.
A
look Up ;,lok др/ [phrasal verb I] to stop looking at something and turn your face upwards, in order to see someone or talk to them: There was a loud bang outside the classroom and we all looked up. + /гот "Goodbye, then," she said without even looking up from her news paper.
LOOK FOR
to try to find someone or something
D to look for something you have lost or someone who is not where they should be
see also lose, lost
look for sb/sth /'luk (sb/sth)/
[phrasal verb T] to try to find something that you have lost, or someone who is not in the place where you expected them to be: I'm looking for Simon - have you seen him? I I've been looking everywhere for that key! Where did you find it?
try to /md sb/sth /,tга113 'faind (sb/sth)/ to look for someone or something, especially when it is difficult to find them: Jill was up in the attic trying to find her old school books. I I'm trying to find my daughter - she was here five minutes ago.
О have a look /,h<ev э luk/ especially spoken to look for someone or something, especially when you do it quickly or when you only look in one place: "/ can't find my green dress." "Have a look in my bedroom."
+ /or I had a look for Cliue but he wasn 't in his office.
have a quick look I'll just have a quick look for that book before we go. have a good look (=look carefully and thoroughly) We don't have time to find it now - we'll have a good look in the morning.
search for sb/sth /wif fxr (sb/sth)/
[phrosa/ verb T) to look carefully and thoroughly for someone or something, especially when it is very important that you find them: Detectives spent today searching for clues in the woods near the victim's home. I Friends and neighbours gathered to search for the missing boy.
in search of sb/sth in s*rtj nv (sb/
LOOK AT 454
Q to look in a shop/market/ place/place for tourists
look around/have a look around
,lok a'raund, haev э lok o'raund (phrasal verb I] to walk around a shop or market or a place where tourists go. looking at a lot of different things: I think I'll just look around for a while - I'm not sure what I want. I You're welcome to have a look around. We have a wide range of sportswear.
sth)/ especially written if you go in search of someone or something, you go somewhere in order to find them go/set off in search of She stayed and talked for a while, then went off in search of Flynn.
Ed to look for something or someone that you need
look; for sth/sb lok Гэ:г (sth/sb)
[phrasal verb T] to try to find something or someone that you need: Can you help me? I'm looking for a place to stay. I You should write to Data Corp -- they're always looking for new staff. I 1 spent months looking for a job, with no luck.
try to/Lnd sth/sb trai t3 faindlsth/sb)
to look for something or someone that you need, especially when it is difficult and takes a long time: Doctors are still trying to find a cure for cancer. I I spent half an hour trying to find a parking space.
in search of Sth /in 's3:rtjDV (sth); especially written if you go in search of something that you need, you go somewhere to try to find it: Menendez had travelled up from Mexico in search of a job.
look up /,1ок лр; [phrasal verb T] to try to find information by looking in a book, on a list, in computer records etc look up sth I'll just look up her address - it's on the student database. look sth up If you don't know what it means, look it up in the dictionary.
be on the lookout for sth/sb bi:
on Лэ 'lokaot fo:r (sth/sb) to keep looking
for something or someone that might be
useful to you. always taking care that you
do not miss any opportunity: Maya was always on the lookout for a bargain. I The team is on the lookout for good, young players.
El when the police are looking for a criminal
m see also police, follow look for sb/search for sb ink
(sb). S3:rtJ b:r (sb) [phrasal verb T to look for someone who has been involved in a crime or who has escaped from prison: Police are still looking for the prisoner who escaped yesterday.
be ajter sb bi: a:ftor (sb)||-aef-/ Iphrasa/
verb T] informal to try to find and catch someone who has done something wrong: She said she was frightened because the police were after her. I The man we're after is one of the biggest drug-dea/ers
in Europe.
hunt h.\nt [v I/T] to search for a criminal
or for someone who has disappeared - use this when a large number of police are making an organized search over a wide area
+ for Police have been hunting for the missing woman for several days. hunt sb down (=search for a criminal until you find them) The train-robbers were eventuclly hunted down in Australia.
ml when the police are looking for drugs, guns etc
see also police, drugs, weapon
search s3:rtj [и T] to look in every part of a place or to look in someone's clothes or bags in order to try to find drugs, guns, stolen goods etc All visitors to the prison are thoroughly searched. I A team of police officers had searched the whole area, but couldn't find the murder weapon.
go through sth /'gaoHru: (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] to carefully search all of someone's clothes, bags, or possessions to try to find guns or drugs: Customs officials went through his baggage but found nothing.
raid re id [u Tj if the police raid a place, they arrive there suddenly to look for criminals, drugs, or stolen goods: The Casino nightclub has been closed since it was raided last month. I The army used to raid houses in the Catholic districts in search of guns.
frisk. frisk (и T] if the police, airport off.cials etc frisk someone, they feel the person"s clothes and body, looking for hidden weapons or drugs: AH the passengers were frisked before they got on the plane.
455
LOOK FOR
frisk sb for sth What a school! All the students are frisked for drugs before morning roll-call.
an attempt to find something
search vj:rtj [n C] an attempt to find
someone or sometning, especially when this is well organized and a lot of people
are doing it
+ /or a search for survivors of the plane crash I Their search for gold took them west to Washington State, carry oat a search (^search a place) FBI agents carried out a thorough search of all the nightclubs.
search party (=an organized group of people searching for someone who is lost) When the men did not return, the commanding officer sent out a search party. house-to-house search (=when every house in an area is searched) House-to- house searches were carried out in the hope of finding the kidnapped baby.
hunt !h\nij [n singular] an organized search by a lot of people, especially ю find a criminal: Police have launched a nationwide hunt for the killer.
raid reid/ [n CI a sudden visit by the police to a building in order to look for criminals, drugs, stolen goods etc: Two people were arrested today in a police raid on a house in South London.
LOOSE
not fitting tightly or not firmly
LOOK FOR
fixed
a polo shirt and baggy blue pants. I о comfortable baggy sweater baggy baggier - baggiest
Stretch strctJ \v 1] if clothes stretch, they become looser and do not fit you properly any more: Don't put that sweater in
the mashing machine - it'll stretch.
loosen lu:s<?n [и T] to make a piece of
clothing looser and more comfortable by unfastening it: Simon sudden/y felt very hot, so he loosened his shirt and tie. 1 Loosen any tight clothing, and lay the patient on his side.
rope/knot/chain
loose lu:s [ad;l а rope, knot, chain etc that is loose is not tied or stretched tightly. and is not as tight as it should be: The chain on my bicycle is loose - it keeps slipping.
come loose (^gradually become looser) The string around the package had come loose and some of the papers had fallen out. loosely [adv] a scarf tied loosely around his neck
slack slaek [adjl а rope or chain that is slack is not stretched as tightly as it should be: Our tent ropes were too slack, and the tent blew over in the night.
456
loosen luis^n |u T] to make something loose when it has been pulled or fastened tightly: She loosened the reins so that the horse could lower its head and drink. I Carl leaned back in his chair and loosened his belt.
opposite tight
see also fasten/unfasten
A Don't confuse loose and lose (-to not be able to find something).
clothes
Loose /luss; (adjj loose clothes do not fit your body tightly, so you feel comfortable when you wear them: She wore a long, loose linen jacket. I In hot weather, loose cotton clothes are more comfortable.
baggy /'baegi/ |adj] baggy clothes are designed to be big and loose and they hide the shape of your body: Bill was wearing
something that is not fixed firmly enough
loose lu:s [adj] something that is loose is not firmly fixed in the place where it should be: Some of the floorboards are loose and they creak when you walk on them. 1 a loose tooth come loose (=gradually become looser) This door handle's come loose. a loose connection (=when wires or electrical parts are not firmly connected)
wobblu /'wDblill'wa:- [adj] something that is wobbly shakes or moves from side to side because it is not fixed as firmly as it should be: Don't sit on that chair - one of the legs is wobbly. I a wobbly ladder
ikflto make something loose that has been firmly or tightly fixed
loosen luivn \v TJ to make something
loose in order to remove it, for example a
screw or lid that has been tightly fixed: / couldn't open the jar, so Paul loosened the top for me. I These screws are all rusty. Squirt some oil on to loosen them.
LOSE
look here for ...
when you can't find something
not win a game, fight, or war
lose your home, job etc ^ if you mean 'when you do not know where you are', go to lost
Don't confuse lose and loose (=not fitting tightly).
V when you can't find something or someone
opposite find ^ see also look for, disappear
lose luiz [u T] to be unable to find something. especially because you cannot remember where you put it: If you lose your credit card, phone this number immediately, i Sy/uia lost her keys and couldn't get into the house.
losing - lost - have lost
can't /ind ka:nt faind||,kitm- to be unable to find something or someone, especially after you have spent a long time looking for them: She searched through all her pockets, but she couldn 't find the tickets. I /don't know what's happened to Eric - I can't find him anywhere.
H something or someone that you cannot find
see also look for, disappear
___ * »
missing /'misiq/ [adj] a missing object is lost and may have been stolen; a missing person cannot be found and may be in danger: Police are still searching for the missing gold. I Shes been missing for three days now, and we're very worried. + /rom Suddenly I realized that my passport was missing from my handbag, go missing (from) British (=become lost or be stolen) Every year, hundreds of
books go missing from the library.
lost /It)st|b:st/ [adj] if something is lost, no-one knows where it is: Divers are searching for the plane's lost flight recorder I Have you seen my calcula tor? I hope it isn t lost. get lost I never received your parcel. It must have got lost in the mail.
disappear/dis9pi9r [u fj if something or someone disappears, they cannot be found and you think they may have been stolen or may be in danger: / left my purse here a moment ago, and now it's completely disappeared. I The girl was wearing a red coat when she disappeared.
El
RJ when you do not win in a game, argument, or war
opposite win ^ see also sport, fight, war
lose lu:z [u I/T] to lose a game, competition. fight, or war: I always lose when I play tennis with my sister. lose a game/jight/electLon etc Everyone expected Truman to lose the election, lose to sb (=be beaten by a person, team etc) England lost to Brazil in the final. lose by 1 goal/10 votes/20 points etc In
the end, we only lost by one point! losing - lost - have lost
be beaten bi: binn to lose a game, competition, or race: The Yankees were beaten yesterday in an exciting game against the Red Sox. + by She reached the final, where she was beaten by Steffi Graf.
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LOSE
be defeated /hi: defied/ to lose an important or difficult battle, election, or game: The king's army was defeated and he was taken prisoner. + by Last night England was defeated by a superior Brazilian team, be heavily defeated (»be very badly defeated) Jimmy Carter was heavily defeated in the 1980 presidential election.
Be defeated is more formal than be | beaten
defeat drfiit [n C/U] when a person, team, or army is defeated in a game, competition, election, battle etc + of the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo a crushing/humiliating defeat (=when you are very badly defeated) This result represents a humiliating defeat for the President.
surrender /чэ'гегк1эг/ [у I] to officially announce that you want to stop fighting in a war because you know that you cannot win: Finally, after months of fighting, the enemy surrendered. + to In May 1945, Germany surrendered
to the Allied Forces.
EJ someone who loses in a game, competition etc
loser /'!u:zpr/ |n C] the person or group that has lost a game, competition, or election: The losers walked slowly off the field. I There was a silver cup for the winners, and medals for the losers.
Hto no longer have something important
lose /lu:z/ [u T) to no longer have something important or valuable, such as your job or your home, because it has been destroyed or taken away from you: Thousands of peopfe lost their homes in the earthquake. I I'll lose my job if the factory closes. I Another bank closed, and thousands of people lost their savings.
losing - lost - have lost
LOSE
Cost lcDst|lo:st/ [и T] if a mistake, accident etc costs you something important such as your job or your health, you lose that important thing because of it cost sb sth Another mistake like that could cost you your job. I All this delay has cost the company an important contract.
costing - cost - have cost
When you see ЦЦ go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
LOST
when you do not know where you
are
^ see also find
Kfl to be lost
be lost bi: lDst||-'b:st to not know where you are, or not know the way to the place that you want to go to: Excuse me. I'm lost Which way is the station? I Eventually the children realized they were lost.
not know where you are /not пэо
,we3r ju: 'a:r if you do not know where you are, you do not recognize the place that you are in: I really don't know where we are - let's have a look at the map. I He was so drunk he didn 't know where he was.
El to become lost
get lost /.get lDSt||-'b:st/ I'll give you a map so that you don't get lost. I Sorry we're so late. We got lost.
lose your way /,lu:z jo:r wei/ if you lose
your way. you go in the wrong direction or take the wrong road when you are trying to go somewhere: The climbers had lost their way in the dark. I // you lose your way, just stop and ask someone.
LOT
m see also enough/not enough, few,
little/not much
II a large number of people or things
a lot of э lot Dv|-'la:t-/ [quantifierj а large number of people or things: There were a lot of words that I didn't understand. I A lot of students have weekend jobs.
a lot more She has a lot more problems than you have.
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quite a lot of (=a fairly large number) There are quite a lot of computers in the school.
a lot I was surprised that so few people went to the concert - I thought there'd be a lot.
lots of lots nv|| loits- [quantifier] informal a lot of people or things: I ve inv\ted lots of people. ! We went to lots of interesting places.
many mem [quantifierJ a lot of people or things - use this especially in questions and negatives: Did you get many Christmas cards this year9 I There will be rain in many parts of the country overnight.
not many Not many people survived the crash.
too many There are too many cars on the road.
for many years She worked as a reporter on CBS news for many years, many of (=many among a larger number) Many of the houses were over 100 years old.
It is usually more natural to use a lot of rather than many in positive sentences, especially in spoken English. Don't say 'she has many friends'. Say she has a lot of friends. In written English, many is used especially in phrases such as in many ways/places/casesy and for many years,
plenty of /'plenti dv/ Quantifier] a lot of people or things that you want or need, especially when there are more than enough: There are plenty of parking spaces further along the road, ( The town has plenty of good bars and restaurants. I We haue plenty of glasses, but not enough plates.
plenty "Are there any tickets left for tonight's show?" "Yes, plenty."
a large number of I large numbers of з ,la:rd3 плтЬэг nv. ,1шМз "плтЬэЪ DV; [quantifier] a lot of a particular type of person or thing - used especially in newspapers and official reports: Police seized a large number of weapons. I Large numbers of demonstrators were arrested during today's protest march.
in large numbers Japanese cars were first sold in large numbers in the 1960s (=a lot of them were sold) .
be /all о/ bi: fol DV/ if something is full of people or things, there are a lot of them in it: In summer the town is full of tourists I Her essay was full of mistakes.
hundreds o//thousands of /Ълп-
dr^dz ov, Baoz^ndz dv/ [guanti/ierfa lot of things or people - use this when you want to emphasize that you are talking about a very large number: Driuing conditions are very bad and there have been hundreds of accidents I Thousands of people came to see the carnival.
You can use hundreds of or thousands of in informal spoken English to talk about a large number which is actually less than a hundred: Steve's had thousands
of girlfriends.
Qquite a few / кwan э 'fju:/ [quantifier] spoken a fairly large number of people or things: { still have quite a few friends in Denver - I used to be in college there.
Q a large amount of something
a lot of /з lot Dv||-1a:t-/ {quantifier} а large amount of something: There was a lot of water on thefloor. I a book that contains a lot of useful information I We spent a lot of time just lying on the beach.
a lot It's a big house - it must have cost a lot.
quite a lot of (=a fairly large amount of something) There's quite a lot of work involved, but the research is interesting.
a lot to dLolseefeat etc There's still a lot
to do before the wedding, a lot more/less Ask Susan - she knows a lot more than I do.
lots of 'lots ovjj'laus-/ [quantifier] informal a large amount of something: Don't worry - we still have lots of time. I It's a big apartment, so there's lots of room for all my things
lots to dolseeleat etc We're never bored here - there's lots to see and do.
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LOT
much mAtJ [quantifier] a lot of something - use this in questions and negatives: Does he speak much English? not much I don't know much about cars. I I didn't get much help fют my family. too much Don't make too much noise.
^^ Don't say 'he earns much money'. Say he earns a lot of money. Use a lot of when you are talking about an amount in a positive sentence. Don't say 'too much people/cars etc'. Say too many people/ cars etc. Only use much with uncountable nouns: too much work
widespread /'waidspred/ [adj usually
before noun] a widespread feeling or attitude is one that a lot of people have in many different places; a widespread problem has a bad effect over a wide area widespread opposition/support/interest etc There was already widespread public support for women's rights.
widespread damage//looding/poverty
LOT 460
much of sth formal (=a large part of it) Much of the city was destroyed in the attack.
etc The bombing caused widespread damage.
a great deal of 9 ,greit 'di:l dv/ [quantifier] a large amount of something such as time, money, work, trouble, or skill: The job requires a great deal of patience and skill. I The storm caused a great deal of damage.
A A great deal of is more formal than a lot of
A Don't use a great deal of to talk about physical objects or substances.
plenty of 'plenti dv [quantifier] a large amount of something, that you want or need: There's plenty of hot water if you want a bath. I Don 't worry - I have got plenty of money.
plenty No thanks. I couldn't eat any more - I've had plenty.
be covered in sth /bi: клузМ in (sth)/ if
a person is covered in something, they have a lot of it on their skin, their clothes, or their hair; if an object is covered in something, it has a lot of that thing on its surface: My shoes are covered in mud. I At the end of the fight he was covered in blood.
El when there is a lot of something in many places
common ''котэпЦ'ка:-./ [adj] if an object, animal, idea etc is common, there is a very large number of objects, animals etc of this type in many different places: Jones is a very common name in Britain. I Fiatheads are a common type of fish and good to eat. common belief f attitude / problem / mistake (=one that a lot of people have or make) My younger brother says politics is boring, which is a common attitude among teenagers. I Vou confused 'lie' and 'lay'. It's a common mistake.
4
very much
^ see also very
a lot 9 lDt||-'la:t (adu not before verb] very much: She's changed a lot since she's been here. I "How does your arm feel?" "It still hurts a lot."
a lot better/worse/bigger/more etc Your car's a lot bigger than ours. I It was a lot more interesting than I expected.
A\ A lot is more informal than very much and is used more in conversation.
much m.\tj [adu] much better/worse/ bigger/more etc a lot better, worse, bigger etc: You get a much better view if you stand on a chair. I a much more expensive car
A
much tqo big/old/tall etc I can't wear that coat It's much too big! I The test was much too difficult for most of the students.
a You can also use much after a verb in questions and negatives: Has he changed much? I "Did you enjoy the show1" "Not much."
A Don't confuse much and very. Don't
say 'thev are much different'. Say they are very different.
Qreally riali ladu only before verb! especially spoken very much - use this especially to talk about your feelings: I really like your dress I What really annoys me is the way he never apologises when he's late.
very much veri пш/ |adv] use this especially to talk about people's feelings: "Do you like living in Rome?" "Yes, very much."
like/admire/miss sb very much Lara enjoyed being at college, but she missed her family very much. like/enjoy sth very much It was a
wonderful show - we enjoyed it very much.
Don't say ') like very much this colour', Say \ like this colour very much.
a good deal god di:l [adf] formal
very much - use this especially to talk about changes, improvements, or differences: Her work has improved a good deal over the past year. a good deal better/worse/bigger/more etc The situation was a good deal worse than we had first thought.
enormously /rnxrm3sli ladu] very much, especially in a good or positive way: Diana
enjoyed herself enormously at the party. I The breakup of the Soviet Union was an enormously important event.
Zl^ Enormously is more formal than the
other words in this section.
LOUD
opposite quiet see also sound
loud sounds, music, machines etc
noisy 'mfzi [adj] use this about places where there is a lot of noise, or about people and machines that make a lot of noise, especially when this annoys you: The nightclub was crowded and noisy. I Our
loud /laud/ [adj] something that is loud makes a lot of noise: The music's too loud. Can you turn it downP I IVe heard a loud explosion. I bud laughter com ing from the next room loudly [adu] Bill had dozed off in his chair, and was snoring loudly.
A tn informal English, you can also use loud as an adverb after 'as', 'so', and 'too': I wish you wouldn't talk so loud. I You're playing that music too loud. I I shouted as loud as I could.
461
new neighbours are really noisy. I car has a noisy engine. noisy - noisier - noisiest
deafening 'defonirj/ [adj] a noise that is deafening is so loud that you cannot hear anything else: Outside there was a deafening crash of thunder I The cheers of the crowd were deafening.
at /ull volume at ,foi 'volju:m|| -'vuilpm if you play music or have the radio or television on at full volume, it is as loud as it can be: He annoyed everyone by playing heavy metal music at full volume.
a noise
noise noiz 'n C/U] a loud sound, especially an unpleasant one: Traffic noise is a problem in inner-city areas. I The noise of the machines made it hard to talk. make (a) noise Don't make too much noise - Dad's trying to work.
racket rxk^t [n singular) informal a loud unpleasant noise-. It's impossible to work with that racket going on. make a racket I wish those kids would
stop making such a racket upstairs.
to make music, a radio, or a television louder
turn Up Дз:гп лр' Iphrasa/ verb T] to make music, a radio etc louder by turning
a control
turn sth up Can you turn (he television up? I can hear the news. turn up sth We turned up the music, and we all started dancing.
how loud something is
LOUD
I The
volume Vnlju:mjj'va:lpm/ [n U] how loud a television, radio etc is: This button here controls the volume. turn the volume up/down (=make it louder or quieter) You can use the remote control to turn the volume up or down.
RELATIONSHIP
FAMH.Y
4 \
GIRLFRIEND/ BOYFRIEND
to love someone in a sexual way
love 1лv/ [и T) to have a strong feeling of liking for someone, caring about them, and being sexually attracted to them: My boyfriend finds it difficult to say "J loue you." 1 He was the only man she had ever loved.
love sb very much We love each other very much and we re going to get married.
be in. love /bi: m 1лv/ to love someone very much, so that you think about them all the time and want to be with them all the time: "What's the matter with Lois?"
"She's in love."
+ with How can you marry Adam when you're in love with someone else? be madly in love/very much in love
(=very strongly in love) We know each other well and are madly in love.
fall in love /,fb:l in 'Uv/ to begin to be in
love with someone: I suddenly realized that I'd fallen in love. + with / think Susie's falling in love with your brother.
be crazy about sb bi: к rem эЬаШ
(sb)/ informal to love someone very much, especially in a way that you cannot control: He's obviously crazy about you. Why don't you ask him out?
LOVE
opposite hate
SEX
\ f
see also
MARRY
LIKE/NOT LIKE
LOVE
C^fancy "fensi \v T] British spoken to be sexually attracted to someone, especially someone that you do not know very well: AH the girls fancied Bob. I My friend really fancies you. fancying - fancied - have fancied
to love your parents, children, brothers and sisters etc
love /]av/ [u T| to love someone in your family, so that you care a lot about what happens to them, and you want them to be happy: When my parents got divorced I thought they didn't love me any more. I He loved his stepdaughter as if she were his own child.
ado re з do:г/ [и Tj to love and admire someone very much and feel very proud of them: Branwell Bronte adored his sister Anne. I She adores her grand children and is always buying them presents.
be close (bi:'klx>s/ [adj not usually before
noun] if two people are close, they enjoy being together and they understand each other s feelings and thoughts: My sister and I used to argue a lot but now we're very close. I We have always been a close family.
+ to He's never been close to his family.
a feeling of love
love 1лv/ [n U) a feeling ol love, either for someone that you are sexually attracted to, or for a member of your family: All children need love, attention, and encouragement.
+ for She wrote him a letter revealing
her love for him
love at first sight (=when you love someone in a romantic way the first time you see them) As soon as I met Tracy it was love at first sight.
affection ^'fekpn/ [n U] a gentle feeling of love for a friend or member of your family, which makes you want to be kind to them and show them that you love them: These orphans have never been shown any affection in their lives. + for Alison and I had been at school together, end I felt great affection for her.
showing love or making you feel love
affectionate э fekprr\t [adj] someone
462
who is affectionate shows that they are very fond of another person by the way
they behave towards them, for example by holding or kissing them: She was an affectionate child, always wanting to hold my hand or sit on my knee, I He gave me an affectionate hug and jumped onto the train.
romantic гэо'тжппк. гэ- ladjl something that is romantic gives you a feeling of love for your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband. wife etc - use this about situations, places, or things people do or say: We went for a romantic walk by the lake. I He sent me a dozen red roses - it was very romantic.
В a relationship between
two people who love each other
relationship /ri'leipnjip/ |n C] when two people spend a lot of time together or live together because they love each other in a romantic or sexual way: In the past his relationships had never lasted for more than a few months. I The relationship ended badly and they never saw each other again.
+ with J don't want to stort a relationship with him because I'm going back to South Africa.
affair <эТеэг/ [n С] a secret sexual relationship between two people, when one of them is married to someone else, or they are both married to other people: The affair had been going on for years before her husband found out.
have an affair with sb I would leave him
if he had an affair with anyone.
romance /rso'miens, гэ-/ [n CI an exciting and usually short relationship between two people who are very much :n love; It was impossible for the couple to keep their romance a secret.
holiday romance British summer romance
Romance is often used in newspaper stories.
american (=while you are on holiday) She knew it was just a holiday romance but she couldn't forget him.
A
В stories, films etc about love
romance/love story /гэо'тжпя, hv
sto:ri ' [n C] a story about two people who are in love with each other: 'Romeo and Juliet' is one of the world's most famous love stories. I a well-known writer of popular romances
plural love stories
romantic /rao'maentik, гэ / [adjl a romantic story or film is about people who are in love: a romantic comedy in luhich Meg Ryan plays a single mother looking for love
LOW
look here for... a low wall, table etc a low sound
a low temperature, level etc opposite hich see also deep, tall
not high or not far off
the ground
low
A low wall surrounded the garden.
low /1эо/ [adj] A low wall surrounded the garden. I Some of the lowest branches were touching the ground. I In the middle of the room was a low table. low [adu] in. to, or towards a low position: The plane flew low over the fields. I We had to bend down low to get through the little door.
a low sound/voice/ musical note
463
LOW
low /1 sol lad]J a low voice or musical note is not high on the scale of musical sound:
a low temperature/
LUCKY/UNLUCKY 464
/ can t sing the low notes. I Her singing voice was lower than I expected.
deep /di:p [adj] a deep voice is low, strong, and pleasant: The men's deep voices echoed from the room below.
level/rate/cost
low 1эо/ [adj\ smaller than usual in level or number: the lowest temperature ever recorded I Japan has a much lower crime rate than other countries. I the recent low level of unemployment
LUCKY/UNLUCKY
hard work, careful planning etc: uHow did you know he'd be there?'' "It was a lucky guess." I Italy got a lucky goal in the last five minutes of the game. it is lucky (that) It was lucky that the weather was so nice.
A
fortunate 'b:rtpn3t/ [ad)j lucky - use this especially about something that happens which saves you from danger or serious trouble: a fortunate escape it is fortunate (for sb/sth) that It is extremely fortunate that there was no- one in the building when the bomb went off. I It was fortunate for Roy that we found him so quickly - he could have drowned!
Fortunate is more formal than lucky
a lucky person
lucky /'Uki/ {adjl if you are lucky, good things happen to you and things go well for you, because you have good luck and not because of hard work, careful planning etc: Isn't she lucky - she can eat what she wants and she never gets fat. I There are monkeys and zebra, and if you're lucky you might see a lion. lucky to do sth The doctors say I'm lucky to be alive.
+ (that) Arthur left the front door unlocked - we're lucky that nothing was stolen.
lucky - luckier - luckiest
/ortunate f'h:Ttfjnzt; [adj] lucky, especially when you are luckier than other people: David managed to escape, but
the others were not so fortunate, fortunate to do sth I was very fortunate to have such supportive parents.
with luck/with any luck /wifl Uk.
wift ,eni 1лк/ use this to say that you will do something or will succeed in something if you are lucky and have no problems: With any luck, we should reach the coast before dark.
a lucky thing that happens
lucky /'Uki/ [adj] a lucky event happens because of good luck, and not because of
luckily/fortunately Uk^li, fartj«?n-
3tli/ [adu] because of good luck - use this when something dangerous or unpleasant is avoided as a result of good luck: I had forgotten my key, but luckily Ahmed was there and let me in. I Fortunately, there was no-one in the office when the fire started.
+ for Luckily for us it didn t rain till the
evemng.
О it's a good thing its э god Щ1
spoken say this when something lucky happens that saves you from experiencing problems or danger
+ (that) It was a good thing we brought some sandwiches, because there was no food available on the train.
fluke flu:k, [n singular! informal something very surprising that only happens because of luck, not because of your skill or planning: I'll have to win more than once, otherwise people will think it was a fluke.
В something that makes you have good luck
luck/good luck /1лк, ,god 1лкj [n U] the way that good things happen to someone by chance, not because of hard work, careful planning etc: They played pretty well, but they also had a lot of good luck.
bring sb (good) luck (=make someone have good luck) Some people think black cats bring good luck.
pure/sheer luck (=only luck and nothing else) "How did you guess the right answer?" 'It was pure luck!" for luck (=in order to bring luck)
lucky ;'1лк|/ [ad;] something that is lucky seems to help you to have good luck or be
successful; My /иску number is seven, i
I have a feeling today's going to be my lucky day.
lucky charm (=a small object, piece of jewellery etc that someone carries with them to bring them good luck)
to tell someone you hope they will be lucky and successful
Qgood luck/best of luck god 1лк,
best 1лк/ spoken say this to tell someone that you hope they will be lucky and successful: Good luck Archie! Enjoy your new job.
+ with/in Best of luck with your driving test.
Qkeep your Jiagers crossed ki:p
p:r fir]gorz .knistfl-krxsi spokcn say this when you are hoping for good luck for yourself or for other people: We're hoping Bill wili be well enough to play in the next game - we're keeping our fingers crossed, anyway. + for She's having her operation tomorrow,. so keep your fingers crossed for her.
wish, sb luck /,Wif (sb) 1лk to tell someone that you hope they will be lucky or successful, when they are abot.t to do something difficult: Wish me luck - I'll need it for this French exam. + in/with Brian asked me to wish you luck in your interview.
an unlucky person
unlucky An'lAki [adj] if you are unlucky, bad things happen to you and things go badly for you. because you have bad luck and not for any other reason: Vol's been so unlucky recently - on Monday her car was stolen and the day after she fell and broke her arm. I "Were you disappointed with the team's performance?" "No, not really, I think use were just unlucky unlucky to do sth Maya was unlucky not to pass her practical examination - she only failed by 2%.
un/ortunate ,/An'fb:rtJ>ni,t/ [adj] unlucky,
especially when you are not as lucky as other people: Some of the unfortunate
victims were trapped inside the building for over 12 hours.
be unfortunate (enough) to do sth Two
drivers were unfortunate enough to be crossing the bridge when it collapsed.
an unlucky thing that happens
unlucky /лп'1лк1/ [adj] an unlucky event happens simply because of bad luck, not because of bad planning, carelessness, stupidity etc: The car in front braked suddenly and I went straight into it - it was just unlucky.
it is unlucky (for sb) that It was unlucky for Steve that the teacher walked in just at that moment.
unfortunate лп'Ь'Лрnai/ [adj] unlucky - use this especially about something that causes a lot of harm or problems: Quarterback Brady Anderson was injured in an unfortunate collision with one of his team-mates. I an unfortunate coincidence
it is un/ortunate (for sb) that It was very unfortunate that the ambulance was held up by heavy traffic.
unfortunately /an'fo^tpnPtli (adul because of bad luck - use this when something annoying, unpleasant, or dangerous happens as a result of bad luck: I would have been here an hour ago. but unfortunately I missed the train, unfortunately for sb Several trees were blown down and, unfortunately for us, one of them fell on our car.
465
LUCKY/UNLUCKY
QjUSt my luck /.djAst mai '1лк/ spoken informal say this when something bad or annoying happens to you, to show that you are not surprised because you are
something that makes
you have bad luck
bad luck /,b<ed '1лк In UJ the way that bad things happen to someone by chance, not because of bad planning, carelessness, stupidity etc: It wasn't her fault she missed the plane - it was just bad luck. I Tina was injured in the first five minutes of the game, which was very bad luck.
unlucky /лп'1лЦ/ ladj] something that is unlucky makes you have bad luck: Friday the 13th is supposed to be an unlucky day
it is unlucky to do sth Some people think it's unlucky to walk under ladders.
В what you say when someone is unlucky
LUCKY/UNLUCKY 466
always unlucky: "I'm sorry, we sold the
last tickets ten minutes ago." "Just my luck."
Qbad tuck/hard luck /ЫЫ 1лк,
,ha:rd 1лк spoken say this to show that you are sorry when someone has been unlucky, for example when they do not succeed in doing something: "No, f didn't get that job, I'm afraid.""Oh, hard luck."
believing in luck
superstitious /,su:p3r'st[j3s, ,sju:-|l,su:-, [ad/] someone who is superstitious believes that some objects or actions are lucky and others are unlucky: Tom's very superstitious - he won't go out without his lucky bracelet. I / don't mind having Room 13 Гт not superstitious.
MACHINE
domestic/household appliance Their kitchen has all the latest domestic appliances - microwave, dishwasher etc.
machinery /тэ'/кпэп/ [n U] machines in general, especially the large machines used in factories or on farms: They are
investing millions of dollars in new
machinery for the factory. I a company that exports farm machinery
467
MACHINE
COMPUTERS
TECHNOLOGY
* t
see also
TOOL
WOUKJMG
4 V
robot /'rsubot|-bait, -bat/ [n C] a machine that is control ed by a computer and can do some of the complicated jobs that humans do, such as making things in a factory: cars built by robots
SWITCH ON OIK OFF
a machine
machine /тэ'/пп' [n С] a piece of equipment that does a particular type of work, either in your home or in a factory, office etc, using power from an engine or from electricity: a machine that fills beer bottles I Nowadays machines do a lot of the jobs that people used to do. sewing!washing/fax machine {-a machine for sewing, washing clothes etc) operate a machine (=make it work) To operate the machine, select the drink you want and press the green button. by machine The letters are sorted by machine.
device /di'vais/ [n C] a piece of equipment that has been cleverly designed to do a particular job, for example one that makes measurements, records sounds or movements, or controls the operation of a machine: An EEG is a device that
records electrical activity in the brain. + /or a thermostatic deu/ce for controlling temperature I The farmers there still use the 'Archimedes Screw', an ancient deuice for raising water from a lake or well.
listening/measuring device a listening device that enables you to hear when your baby is crying upstairs
NOT BROKEN
appliance /з'plains/ [n C] formal a piece of electrical equipment used in your home, such as a washing machine or TV: The store sells a range of appliances and hi-fi equipment.
a thing that produces power for a machine or vehicle
engine /'end^n/ (n C] the part of a car, aircraft etc that produces the power that makes it move: Every time I try to start the engine, there's a strange knocking sound.
car/jet etc engine The noise of the jet
engines was deafening.
motor /'тэшэг/ [n C| the part of a machine that makes it work or move, especially by using electrical power: The lawnmower is powered by a small motor.
connected with the way
machines work
mechanical /тГкаешЫ/ [ad;| using machines, or getting power from an engine: They used a huge mechanical shovel to dig the foundations for the hotel.
mechanical probiem//ault//aUure (=when a machine is not working properly) Our ship had to return to port due to a mechanical problem, mechanically jadu] Nowadays, the grape picking is all done mechanically.
A
In stories and toys, robots are often made to look like humans (with arms, legs, heads, etc). But real industrial robots do not look like this.
automatic /до'тжику (ad;| automatic machines, weapons etc are designed to operate by themselves, without much human control or attention: A lot of
stores now have automatic doors. I We have an automatic time switch which makes the lights come on in the evening
even when we're out.
automatically fcdv] The doors open automatically when you go near them.
MAGIC
MAGIC
see also strange things and events
pointed hat: In the story, Hansel and Gretel are captured by a wicked witch.
plural witches
/airy /'fe*ri/ In С) an imaginary creature like a small person with wings, who has magic powers: When I was little I used to
put food out for the fairies that lived in flowers.
plural fairies
magician/wizard /тэадл!, 'wiza'd/
468
n С] a man who is believed to have magic
gic /maedsik/ In U] a secret power to make things happen or to do things that are normally impossible, by saying special words or doing special actions: In some villages, there were 'rainmakers', who used magic to bring rain. I people who believe in magic.
black magic (=using evil power) Several recent murders have been linked to a group practising black magic, magic I°dj only before noun] magic powers I The magic potion ил'/i make him fall in love with you.
witchcraft /'witjkra:ft||-kraeft [n U] the
use of magic to harm people and make bad things happen: At that time, hundreds of women were burned at the stake for witchcraft.
Spell /spel/ |n C] special words, actions, plants, etc that are used in order to make something magic happen-, a book of spells
put/cast a spell on sb (=make a spell that
makes bad things happen to someone) The old man threatened to put a spell on the village and make the crops fail.
D magic
maaic
the occult 'оклКЦ-э'клк/ the study of spirits and magic, especially when this involves communicating with evil spirits: The major churches have always warned people against getting involved in the occult.
power; in stories, magicians and wizards are usually shown as having a long beard and a pointed hat with stars and moons on it: The toizard's ring had the power to make him invisible. I an old legend about King Arthur and Merlin the magi
cian
magic done as entertainment
magic /'msedzik/ [n U] the skill of doing tricks that seem like magic, as a way of entertaining people: an evening of magic and comedy
trick trfk [n С] a skilful action that makes something happen which seems impossible, performed as entertainment magic trick/conjuring trick She did a
clever magic trick with a coin and a handkerchief.
card trick (=a trick done with playing cards)
magician/conjuror madjipn, клп 4зэгэг||,ка:п-,,клп-/ [гг С) someone who does magic tricks in order to entertain people: The children watched in amazement as the conjurer made the rings all disappear.
MAIL, PHONE AND FAX
people with magic power
witch /'witJV [n C] a woman who is believed to have magic power, which she uses especially to harm people or make bad things happen; in stories, witches are usually shown dressed in black with a tall,
if you want to know what to say
on the phone, go to m talking on the phone
see pages 470-473
MAKE
to produce something that was not there before
^ see also do, invent, design
if you mean 'make someone do something', go to force sb to do sth
^ if you mean 'make a meal', go to
cook
if you mean 'build a building', go
tO build
II to make something
make /'meik/ (u T| to produce something which did not exist before: Diane makes all her own clothes. I The furniture was made by a Swedish firm. I They've just finished making a movie about life during the Civil War. I My camera u>as made in Japan.
made of (=made using a particular substance or material) a bag made of leather made /rom (=made by putting together different materials, substances, and parts) People were living in huts made from mud, stones, and straw. make sth/rom/out of sth (=use one thing to make something different) a children's swing made out of an old tyre
making - made - have made
produce /pr3'dju!s||-'du:s; [и T] to make large quantities of food, equipment, or other goods by means of industrial processes, in order to sell them: The dairy produces over 1500 tonnes of butter every year. I Japan produces and exports electronic goods all over the world. I a factory that produces high- quality steel production /ргэ'ёлкрп [n U] when food, equipment, or other goods are made in large quantities, in order to be sold: Crude oil is used in the production of plastics. I a big increase in grain production
manufacture /,таеп^Таек1/эг/ |l> TJ to
make machines, equipment, cars etc in factories: The engines are manufactured in Portugal. I IBM manufactures and sells a wide range of computers.
develop /di'velap/ [и T] to inven. a new product, and gradually improve it so that it is ready to be produced and sold:
Scientists are developing new drugs to treat AIDS. I He helped to develop a well-known word-processing program.
create kri'eit \v T1 to invent something
new and original in art, music, fashion etc: Picasso created a completely new style of painting. I This dish was created by master chef Marco Pierre White.
generate / d^ensreit/ [v TJ to produce a lot of electricity, for example by burning gas. coal, oil etc in a special large building: France generates a large part of its electricity from nuclear power.
publish 'рлЫ!J/ \v T] to print a book, newspaper, or magazine and arrange for it to be sold: The magazine is published four times a year. I He couldn't persuade anyone to publish his stories. I
Darwin's famous book was first published in 1859.
EJ a company or country that makes something
producer pr9dju:s3f|l-du:-; In CI a company or country that grows food or produces goods to be sold otl/co/fee/wine etc producer Saudi Arabia is one of the world's biggest oil producers.
+ of She works for Toshiba, a leading producer of notebook computers.
manufacturer /,mam#faektj>3r/ [n CI a
company that makes machines, equipment, cars etc in a factory: Before you use the washing machine, read the manufacturer's instructions, car I aircraft! shoe etc manu/acturer a major weapons manufacturer + of Scantronic is a leading manufacturer of burglar alarms.
publisher /рлЬ1]/эг/ [n С] a company that makes and prints books, newspapers, or magazines: You can't make photocopies from this book unless you have permission from the publisher. + оfa well-known publisher of educational books
EJ something that a company makes
product /'prodAkt|'pra:-/ [n CJ something
that a company makes in large quantities
469
MAKE
make continues on page 474
communicate by mail, phone, or fax
get in touch with sb /get in t\tj wifi (sb)/ to write to someone or to speak to them on the telephone, especially someone you do not see very often or someone who is difficult to find: / must get in touch with Lucy - I haven't spoken to her for ages. I They've been trying to get in touch with their daughter, but no-one knows where she is.
contact /'kontaekt||'ka:n-/ [и T] to write to, fax, e-mail, or telephone someone, in order to give or ask for important information: If you need to contact me urgently, call me on my mobile phone. I Police are asking anyone who saw the accident to contact them.
A
hear from sb /'hi9r from (sb)/ if you hear from someone, especially someone you know well, they write to you, or telephone you: When was the last time you heard from Tina? I I haven't heard from her for a long time.
Hear from sb is usually used in
questions and negative sentences.
A Don't use the word communicate when you are talking about writing,
phoning, faxing etc a particular person.
Communicate is usually used when you are talking generally about methods of exchanging information: The Internet enables people to communicate with other computer users around the world. I How do birds communicate?
write /гаи/ lu I/T] to write a letter to someone: Write and let me know how you're getting on.
see also send, write, зз talking on
the phone
MAIL, PHONE, AND FAX
Word bank
write to sb For further information write to Sam Carter at the BBC Helpdesk. write sb american I'll write you every day I'm away.
write sb a letter I wrote her several letters, but she never wrote back. write back (=reply to someone's letter)
send /send/ [и T] to arrange for a letter or package to be taken to another place by mail: Have you sent all your Christmas cards yet?
send sb a card/letter/present My grand father sent me a check for $100. send a card/letter to sb He sent a postcard to Helen while he was in France.
the mail especially american the post British /йэ meil. 60 'paost/ the system for carrying letters and packages from one place to another; There must be a problem with the mail. I sent her two letters last week and she didn't get either oj them
be ii\ the mail/post (=when something has already been sent by mail, but has not yet arrived) Your photos are in the mail. by mail/post (=using the mail system) You can apply for a new passport by post.
mail especially american post BRrnsH/meil,
psost/ [и T] to send a letter or package using the mail system: Did you remember to post that letter?
mail/post stK to sb George mailed his resume to over 30 companies, but none of them wrote back.
mail/post sb stk I posted Margaret the cheque last Friday.
address /3"dres|'aedres/ [n C) the number
of the building and the name of the street
and town where someone lives: "Whaf's their address?" "3317 Ellesmere Court, Walnut Creek 94598."
post code British zip code american /'psost kaod, zip k^od/ [n CI the letters or numbers that show the exact area where a house is, so that letters can be delivered more quickly: "What's your post code?"
"N4 6XJ."
470
MAIL. PHONE, AND FAX
e-mail /i: meil/ [n U] a system that lets you send a message directly from your computer to someone else's computer be on e-maii (-have the necessary equipment to send and receive e-mail messages)
e-mail /'i: meii/ \n С] a message you send using e-mail: "Does Glennis know about it?" "Yes, I sent her an e-mail."
e-mail number/e-mail address fv.
meil плтЬУ, 3,dres||- icdrcs/ (n CJ the letters and numbers that you type into the computer to send a message to a particular person using e-mail :Whar's Sy/uia's e-mail
number?
e-mail /'i: meii/ [v TJ to send someone а message by e-mail: Will you e-mail me the date of the next meeting?
message /'mesid3/ [n C] what you write and send to someone by e-mail: When I got back from vacation there were 50 messages on my e-mail!
phone
fax
fax /faeks/ [n C) a letter, picture etc that is sent electronically down a telephone line using a fax machine and is then printed at the place that it has been sent to. send a fax He sent a fax to Mr McGee saying that he was resigning.
fax /heks/ [и T] to send someone a fax fax sb sth I'll fax you a map so you know how to get here.
fax sth to sb Can you fax these files to the Tokyo office?
fax machine also fax /'faeks majiin, feks/ [n CJ a machine that sends and receives faxes
fax number /'faeks ,пдтЬэг/ [n C) the
471
MAIL, PHONE, AND FAX
MAIL PHONE, AND FAX
number that you use to fax someone by fax I'll send you the details by jax.
vocabulary
answering machine (also answerphone
British) /'a:n&?ni] ms.Jnn. 'ainsafaonl'zen-/ (n CI a machine that answers your phone when you are out and lets people record messages so that you can listen to them later: Chris wasn't in. so / left a message on his answering machine. I When I went out, 1 forgot to switch the anstverphone on.
answer the phone/telephone /,aaissr Аэ faon, 'teUfsonl'aen-/ to pick up the receiver because the phone is ringing: Could you answer the phone, Rob?/'m in the shower!
busy amerjcan engaged British /bizi, ingeidjd/ [adj] if someone's pnone is busy or engaged, you cannot speak to them because they are already
having a phone conversation with someone else it is busy/engaged Every time I call Bob, it's always busy. I "Did you ring Melissa?" "I tried, but it was engaged."
call /Ы/ lu l/TJ to phone someone: I'll call you tomorrow.
call/phone call /kocl, faun kxl/ (n CJ when someone phones someone else: Were there any calls for me while / was out?
make a catl/phone call Can 1 use your phone - / need to make a quick call. Ogive sb a caU spoken (=phone someone) I'll give you a call at the weekend.
472
MAIL, PHONE, AND FAX
MAIL PHONE, AND FAX
О lason picks up the phone
jason gets a wrong number
/ tried to call her ^ this morning, but it was busy. Then г tried her mobile phone, but it wasn't switched on. Ill give her a call now. ^ what's her phone number7-^
о The phone rings in Nina's house. Nina answers it.
call back/phone back /.kocl back, ,foun baek/ (phrasal verb I/T] to phone someone who has phoned you earlier, especially when you were out: Has Bill phoned bock yet? call sb bock/phone sb back Ian called while you were out I said you'd phone him back.
cellular phone (also cell phon4 /seljubr faun.
'sel,fount in Q ESPECIALLY AMERICAN a phone that you can cany with you and use anywhere
hang цр/.Ьжд 'лр/ {phrasal verb I] to finish a phone conversation by putting the receiver down: Til calf you again tomorrow,' she said, and hung up. haiti) up on sb («put the receiver down before they
have finished speaking)
leave tll« phone off the hook/,lirv № faun of
to ,Ьок/ to not put the receiver on the phone, so that people cannot phone you
message/'mesid.V In CI a piece of information that you ask someone to give to another person, when it is not possible to speak to that person directly leave a message (=give a message to someone who answers the phone, or to an answering machine) "Bill called when you were out." "Oh, did he leave a message?"
Ocan I take a message spoken (what you say when someone asks to speak to someone who is not available) I'm afraid Martha's not home right now. Can / take a message?
mobile phone (also mobile British) /.шэоЬа! faun, msubail/ (n C] a phone that you can carry with you and use anywhere
phone/faun/ [i; I/T] to speak to someone using the
473
MAIL, PHONE, AND FAX
MAIL, PHONE, AND FAX
о Jason puts the phone down.
О
Nina hangs up on him.
Nina leaves the phone off the hook
telephone: Has Anna phoned yel? I i ll phone you when / get to the airport
A
Don't say 'I phoned to Mary'. Say I phoned Mary.
phone book /'faun Ъок/ [п С) a printed book containing the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the people who live in an area
phone number/telephone number /faun
.плтЬэ', teUfaon ,плтЬэг/ (n C| the number that you use to phone a person or organization. Do you know Rachel's phone number? pick up th« phone /.pik лр to faun/ to lift up your telephone receiver
put the phone down /,pot йз Тэип daun/ to put
the receiver back onto the phone
receiver /гЫпэ'/ [n C\ the part of the phone that you pick up and speak into
ring /ntj/ (u IJ if the phone rings, it makes a sound to show that someone is phoning you
voice mail/Vois meil/ In U| an electronic system on your phone that lets you leave messages for people who phone you when i/ou are not available, and lets them leave messages for you
wrong number/ ГШ] плтЬэг|,пи)-/ In Cj a number that is not the one you intended to call get a wrong number. (=call someone that you did not intend to call, because you used an incorrect number)
make continued from page 469
in order to sell it. a new range of skm- care products I There was a ban on meat pies. gelatine, and other British beef products.
В made by a person, not a machine
Homemade .haom'meid*/ [adj] use this about food and drinks that are made at home, not in a factory: Try one of these homemade cookies - they're delicious. I a bowl of homemade soup
Handmade /.haend'meid*/ [adj] use this about furniture, clothes etc that are made by skilled workers, not by machines in a factory: The shoes ere expensive - they're handmade. I a beautiful handmade rug
when a natural process makes something
form /farm/ [u T] if a natural process or chemical reaction forms something, it makes it. especially when this happens over a period of time: Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water. I These rocks were formed millions of years ago.
produce /ргэ'dju:s|j-du:s [t> T) if a natural process or a part of your body produces a substance, it makes it, usually for a particular purpose: The stomach produces acids which help to digest food. I Carbon dioxide is produced during respiration.
to be made of several different parts
MAKE
consist of sth/be made up of sth
/kan'sist ov (sth), bi: ,meid лр dv (sth)/ [phrasal verb TJ if something consists of or is made up of different substances, parts, people etc, it has those things in it: The spaghetti sauce consists of meat, onions, tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. I The image on a computer screen is made up of thousands of tiny dots. I a small committee, consisting of the Principal and four senior teachers
When you see Ua, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
MAN
if you mean 'the man someone is married to', go to marry
GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND FATHER - T ^ CHILD
N /
see
^ — also ^^
RELATIONSHIP
MOTHER ^Г зР WOMAN
PERSON/PEOPLE
a man
man /тжп/ [n C] an adult male person: There were two men and a woman in the car. ! Henry is a very rich man. I You wouldn't understand how she feels - you're а топ!
plural men
Qguy /gai/ [n C] spoken a man: Dave's a really nice guy. I Is he the guy who used to live next door to you?
Q bloke /Ыэок/ [n C) British spoken a man: Are you seeing this bloke again then? ! He bought the car from a bloke
at his office.
gentleman Мзет1тэп/ [n С] a man - use this as a polite way of talking about a man: Can you serve that gentleman please, Sarah? I Mr Marks, an elderly gentleman, was travelling with his daughter.
plural gentlemen
male meil/ [ad;] a male person is a man - use this especially when talking about jobs and work: Most of the science teachers are male
male nurse f teacher/colleague etc
Salaries have increased for both male and female graduates.
for men, or typical of men
474
male meil [ad; only before nounj for men or typical of men - use this about jobs or activities that men do, or about behaviour or attitudes that are typical of men: More women are entering traditionally male jobs like engineering. I male aggression
man's /шгепг/ designed for men a man's watch/suit/shirt etc She was
barefoot and wearing a man's shirt over her jeans.
men's shoes/clothes/magazines etc a
shop selling handmade men s shoes
manly /maenli/ [adj] having the qualities that people admire in men, for example being strong and brave: Her brother was tall and athletic, with a deep, manly voice.
manly - manlier - manliest
macho /'пШ/эо||'та:-/ [adj] a macho man behaves in a way that he thinks men are expected to behave, for example by doing dangerous things, by not showing his emotions, and by treating women as if they are not important: He thinks he's too macho to put a sweater on, even when it's really cold. I Katie was getting tired of his macho attitudes.
MANAGER
POSITION/RANK BUSINESS ^ ^ ^ SHOP
N
see
boss /bDs|bxs/ In CI the person who is in charge of you at work: Does your boss know you're looking for another job? I There's о new guy at work who's a/ways trying to impress the boss.
/К Boss is not an official name of a job and is not used in people's job titles.
foreman То:гтэп/ [n C] someone who is in charge of a group of factory workers or builders, whose job is to make sure that the workers do what the manager wants: Anton hated the foreman, who was never satisfied with anyone's work. plural foremen
supervisor /'su:p3rva[Z3r, 'sjus-||'su:-/ [n Cj someone who is in charge of a group of workers, such as cleaners or secretaries, in an office, factory, airport etc, whose job is to make sure that the workers do what the manager wants: We still need to replace the office supervisor.
deputy /'depj^ti/ [n C] someone who does the manager's job when the manager is not there
deputy director/manager/principal etc
He became the deputy head of the FBI at the age of only 36.
475
MANAGER
plural deputies
also
COMPANY
4 \
IN CHARGE OF
Da manager
manager /'тжпк1зэг/ [n C] someone whose job is to run one of the departments of a large organization, or to be in charge of a bank, shop, hotel etc: I'd like to speak to the manager, bank/hotel/restaurant etc manager He's a hotel manager He has to work incredibly hard.
marketing/sales/accounts etc manager
WORK
JOB
She's one of our regional sales managers.
+ of the advertising manager of a mailorder company
A Don't call someone 'manager' when you are talking or writing to them.
a top manager
director di,rektsr, dai-/ [n C] one of the most important managers, especially the person who is in charge of one of the main departments: The directors are meeting today to discuss the company's future. managing director British (=the person in charge of running an organization) He's the managing director of a small printing firm.
finan.ee/sales/personnel etc director
Have you met the new finance director? + of Dr Jane Wilde, director of the Health Promotion Agency
lef executive (also с hie/executive oJFflcer/CEO amefjcan) /,t/iif ig'zekj^tiv, tjirf ig'zekjHtfv Dfj,s3r, .si: i: '3u|-,3rf-, -.cuf-; [n C] the top manager of a large company or organization, who is responsible for the whole business: Universal Studios is looking for a new chief executive. + of the CEO of General Motors
476
The chief executive of a company makes the most important decisions, and does most of the planning. The chairman or president is responsible for the whole of the organization, and has the power to tel! the chief executive what to do. Sometimes both jobs can be done by the same person: He was the chairman and chief executive of a computer company.
A
A
MANAGER
tKe board of directors There are only two women on the company's board of directors.
In British English, you can use the board with a singular or plural verb: The board has appointed/have appointed a new Sales Director. In American English, always use a singular verb.
president /"prezjkbnt/ in C] the most
important person in a large company or organization, especially in the US: Angry shareholders called for the resignation of the company president. + of the president of CBS news
chairman /'tjea'man/ [n C] the most
important person in a large company or organization, especially in Britain + of Brian Cuthbertson was the chairman of the Associated Life Insurance Company.
plural chairmen
the job of being a manager
management /тжп^зтэпь \n U] the
job or skill of being a manager: Va/ has finished college and is looking for a job in management.
good/bad management The failure of many small businesses is caused by bad management.
You can also use management before
a noun, like an adjective: a management training course
A
When the most important person in a company or organization is a woman, she can be called chairman or chairwoman.
head /hed [n C] the person in charge of an organization or department + of the former head of M/5, the British Intelligence Service I She's the head of research and development.
the management /сЪ mienid^mont In
singular] the people who are managers in an organization, not the ordinary workers: Talks between the workers and the management broke down today.
Д In British English, you can use the management with a singular or plural verb: The management has worked/have worked extremely hard to improve working conditions. In American English, always use a singular verb.
the board /йэ 'bo:rd [n singular] the group of top managers in a company who meet regularly to make the most important decisions: Carmichael was appointed to the board in July.
managerial \тзеп^з]<?пэ1ч/ \adi only
DIRTY
wash
DAMAGE
before noun] connected with being а manager - use this about the jobs that managers do or the skills that they need managerial job/skills/ability etc This is her first managerial job.
MARK
clean
\ /
see also
4.
mark
SPOIL
a mark on something that spoils its appearance
mark .ma:rk (n С] а
spot or line on clothes, furniture, a wall, or floor etc, for example where it has been damaged,
made dirty, or where someone has dropped liquid on it: There ore marks on the door where the cot has scratched it. dirty/greasy/sticky mark How did you
get that dirty mark on your Tsh\rt?
Stain stein, [л С] a large mark that is difficult to remove, made when a liquid such as coffee or wine falls onto something: / can 't get this stain out of the carpet. grass/coJFfee/wine/blood etc stain Salt is the best remedy for a red wine stain. stained [adj] with a stain on it: She pushed the crumpled, stained sheets into the washing-machine. + with His clothes were torn and stained with blood.
spot spot|jspa:t [n CJ a small round area on a surface, which is of a different colour from the rest of the surface and is made especially by drops of liquid: There were grease spots on the front of his shirt. + of Detectives found a few spots of blood on the carpet.
patch p;etj [n C] hspf.ciALLY British an area where dirt, water, oil etc has made a mark on a floor, wall, or ceiling greasy/dirty/damp patch There's a damp patch under the window. patch of dirt/damp/grease Patches of grease covered the kitchen walls.
plural patches
smudge 'snuds/ [n CI
a dirty mark made when ink or paint is accidentally rubbed on a surface: You can't hand your homework in with those smudges all over it.
+ of Ella had a smudge of green paint on her cheek.
to make a mark
Stain stem/ [и T) to make a large mark on something, which is difficult to remove: The blackberry juice had stained their clothes and fingers I Careful with your wine! If you spill it, it'll stain the carpet.
smudge
The ink was smudged.
mark /ma:rk/ [u T] to damage the surface of something by making a mark on it: Don't put that hot pan down - it'll mark the table.
leave a mark/leave a stain /,li:v з
mc:rk, ,li:v э 'stein/ to make a mark or stain on something, often without realizing you have done this
SEX I
\ /
LOVE
+ on The children walked through the kitchen in their boots, /easing muddy marks on the floor. I The chocolate sauce has left a stain on your shirt.
MARRY
RELATIONSHIP
see
atso
FAMILY
i
GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND
mm
U to get married
get married /,get mierid/ to officially become husband and wife: Jenny and Tom were very young when they got married. I My daughter's getting married in July.
+ to Is he getting married to Sophie at last?
Да Don't say 'she got married with him'. Say she got married to him.
marry /'maeri/ (и T] to get married to someone: Will you marry me? I She married an American guy that she met on vacation.
marrying - married - have married
remarry /,ri:'maeri/ [и I] to get married
remarrying - remarried - have remarried
the relationship of marriage
477
MARRY
marriage /тжг^з/ (n C/U] the relationship between two people who are married: She already has two children from a previous marriage. I Do you think marriage is still important to young people?
MARRY
+ to Her marriage to Captain Phillips ended in divorce.
a happy/urikappy marriage Arnold's parents had had an unhappy marriage, which affected him deeply, a broken marriage (=a marriage that has ended) It's the children who suffer in broken marriages.
H ceremonies, celebrations etc when people get married
wedding /'wedirj/ [n C] an official ceremony at which two people get married, especially a religious ceremony: I first met Jake at my cousin's wedding.
^ You can also use wedding before a noun, like an adjective: wedding photos I a lovely silk wedding dress I There were over 200 people at their wedding reception. (=the j party after the wedding)
Honeymoon /'hAnimu:n; [n C] a holiday
that two people go on when they have just got married: We're thinking of going to Barbados for our honeymoon.
bacHelor party/stag party гъхфЬ*
,pa:rti, stseg ,po:rti/ [n C] american a party for a man and his male friends just before he gets married
Stag nigHt nan [n ci british a
party for a man and his male friends just before he gets married
bridal sHower/wedding shower
"braidl Jao3r, 'wedii] Jao3r [n C] american a party for a woman and her female friends just before she gets married, when her friends give her gifts
Hen nigHt/Hen party /hen паи, hen
,pa:rti/ [n CJ British a party for a woman and her female friends just before she gets married
И people at a wedding
bride /braid/ [n C] the woman who is getting married: Everyone turned to look at the bride as she came into the church.
groom/bridegroom /gruim, braid-
gru:m/ [n C] the man who is getting married: a photo of the bride and groom together
bridesmaid /'braidzmeid/ [n C] a woman or girl who helps the woman who is getting married on the day of her wedding: The bridesmaids will be wearing long pink dresses.
best man /best maen/ [n singular] a male friend of the man who is getting married, who helps him on the day of his wedding: Tony has asked me to be best man.
Ы to agree to get married
engaged /m'geid3d/ [adj not before nounj if two people are engaged, they have agreed to get married to each other at some time in the future be engaged Todd and Ellen have been engaged for about 3 months now.
+ to He's engaged to Paul's sister. get engaged (=become engaged) We got engaged at Christmas.
A Don't say 'she got engaged with him' Sayshe got engaged to him .
engagement /in'geidsmant/ (n C] an
agreement by two people to get married at some time in the future announce your engagement (=teli everyone that you are going to get married) Glennis and John announced their engagement yesterday.
break off your engagement (=say that
you do not want to be engaged any more) Anita broke off her engagement when she found out that Paulo had been seeing another woman.
engagement ring Has he bought you an engagement ring yet?
fiance I fiancee /fi'onscil.fisain'sei/ In C) the man or woman that you are going to get married to: I'd like you to meet Janice, my fiancee. I She didn't know Henry was Marie's fiance.
married
married maerid/ [adj] Are you married or single? I Phil and I have been married for 15 years. + to She's married to a famous actor. married man/woman a married man with three children
^ Don't say 'married with someone'. Say married to someone
wife waif/ [n Cj the woman that a man is married to: Would you and your wife like to come over for dinner on Friday? i The men had gone out for the day, leaving their wives and children at home.
plural wives
husband hл/bond (n C] the man that a woman is married to. / don't like Francesco's husband very much. I Brian is her second husband.
partner pa:rtn9r/ [n C] the person that someone lives with in a romantic relationship - use this whether they are married
or not: Can people bring their partners to the office party?
couple ,'клрД jn C] two people who are married to each other, or who are having a romantic relationship: The hotel is very popular both with families and with couples. I At one table there was an elderly couple who sat in total silence. married couple They had come to live in England when they were a young married couple, in 1949.
not married
not married nDt 'macrid/ [adj] He told
her he wasn 't married, but he was lying>. I Jeff and Paula have two children, but they're not actually married.
single /"sing^l/ [ad'j\ someone who is single is not married or is not in a romantic relationship with anyone: a change in the tax laws for single people I I used to go out a lot more when I was single. single parent (=someone who has children. but who does not live with their
partner) It is extremely difficult being a
single parent.
A^You may also see the words bachelor man who has never been married) and spinster (=a woman who has never been married), but these words are rather old- fashioned.
П
Id not married any more
divorced /dJ/vD:rst/ [adj) someone who is divorced has officially ended their
unmarried /.лп'таепд* [adj] an unmarried person is someone who has never been married: She has three unmarried sons.
marriage: He's living with a divorced woman and her two children, be divorced Yes, she used to be married, but she's been divorced since last year get divorced (=officially end your marriage) They got divorced only three years
after they got married.
divorce d^vo;rs \n C/UJ the legal process of ending a marriage: She told me she wanted a divorcef I A third of all marriages in Britain end in divorce, get a divorce It's much too easy to get a divorce nowadays.
divorcee d^'v^si:/ [n C| someone who is divorced, especially a woman
ex-husband/ex-wi/e ./,eks 'hAzband,
,eks 'waif/ [n C] the man or woman that you used to be married to before getting divorced: His ex-wife never lets him see the children.
be separated /bi: sepsreit^d' if a husband and wife are separated, they do not live with each other, because they are not happy together any more, but they are not divorced: I didn't know Linda and Mike were separated.
Split up split лр/ [phrasal verb i] informal if two people split up, they end their marriage or they stop having a romantic relationship: They're always arguing but I don't think they'll ever split up, + with Have you heard? Katie's splitting up with Andrew!
widow widao [n C] a woman whose husband has died, and who has not got married again: Mr Jarvis died suddenly, leaving a widow and four children.
widower /"widaoy [n CJ a man whose wife has died, and who has not got married again: He's been a widower for eight years now.
connected with people who are married
married life ,maerid laif \n U) your life as a married person: After 30 years of
married life, she couldn't imagine being on her own.
479
MARRY
marital /'maer^tl/ [adf only before noun) formal use this about problems that people have in their marriage marital problems/violence/diJFficulties/ breakdown Their marital problems
MATERIAL
began when Martha lost her job. Marital breakdown can have a devastat ing effect on the children.
marital status ma^tl 'steibisH-'steitas
-six-' [n singular] whether you are mar ried. single, or divorced
Marital status is used especially on official forms: Name: John Thorpe. Age: 26. Marital status: Single.
marriage certi/lcate /'тжг^з s<ir
tifikot/ [n C] an official document that proves you are married
480
it: / want to buy some fabric to make a skirt. I Man-made fabrics such as polyester are easy to wash and iron.
cloth klo6||kb:6 [n U] the substance that clothes are made from: fine woollen cloth for making men's suits
textiles lekstailz/ (n plural) cloth for making clothes, curtains etc - use this for talking about the business of producing and selling cloth: They make most of their money by exporting textiles.
You can use textile before a noun, like an adjective: textile workers I a large, up-to- date textile industry
material
substance / s,\bstons [n С] a type of solid or liquid, such as a chemical, a mineral, or something produced by a plant cr tree: Poisonous substances should be clearly labelled. I The animal's horns contain a substance called keratin. I Resin is a dark, sticky substance. I radioactive substances
material /тэп^гЫ [n C/U] any solid substance that can be used for making things: Steel is a stronger material than iron. I The company supplies building materials such as bricks and cement. I The wire is covered by an insulating material such as plastic.
Qstu/f StAf, [n U] INFORMAL. KSKXIAUY
spokln a substance: What's this sticky stuff on the floor? I Do you have any of that clear plastic stuff to cover food with?
material for making clothes, curtains etc
see clothes, design material 'ms'twrial. [n C/U] cloth used
for making clothes or curtains, covering furniture etc: She was wearing a long black dress of some silky materia!
dress/curtain material Could J have six metres of that curtain material?
MATERIAL
any solid or liquid substance
fab ric /'febrik, In C/U| cloth, especially cloth with different colours or patterns on
MAYBE
when you think something may happen or may be true, but you
are not sure
see also sure/not sure, possible,
probably
maybe/perhaps meibi, рэгНжр^ lacfu]
use this when you think that something may happen or may be true, but you are not sure: "Are you going to the party?" '7 don't know, maybe." I I wonder why she's late - maybe she missed the train. I The footprints belonged to a large cat, a tiger, perhaps, t Perhaps it would be better if you left now. maybe not/perhaps not "It s not her fault that she can't get a job" "Well, maybe not, but she should make a little more effort."
Maybe is more informal than perhaps Use maybe in conversation or stories, but not in formal letters or reports.
may/might/could /mei. mait, kod;
strong kod [modal verb\ use this with other verbs, to show that something is possible or likely, but you are not sure about it: Take your umbrella - it might rain. I Hundreds of workers may lose their jobs if the strike continues. I We could be home before midnight if the traffic isn't too bad.
may/might/could have done sth "Bruce isn't here yet." "He may have decided not to come."
A Could is more informal than may and might
it is possible (that)/there is a chance (that) /it iz 'pos^l (fist),
Леэгг э tjarns (6aet)||-'pa:s-. -'tjsens/ use this when you think that something may happen or may be done, but that it is not very likely: 1 might haue to work on Saturday, so it's possible I won't be able to come to your party, it is just possible (that) I the re is just a chance (that) (=when something is possible. but very unlikely) There's just a chance that she left her keys in the office. I It's just possible we'll finish the job by tonight, but it'll probably be tomorrow.
possibly /'pos^bli||'po:- [adv] use this when you think that something may be true, but you do not have enough information to be sure: "Do you think she was murdered, inspector?" "PossiblyI He's playing in the US Open Golf
Championships - possibly for the last time. I The cancer was possibly caused by exposure to asbestos.
Qyou never know /ju: .nev.V пэо spoken say this when you are not sure whether something will happen, because no-one knows what will happen in the future: "J don't think I'll euer get married " "Oh. you neuer know." ! Let's buy a lottery ticket. You never know, we might win.
meals were really good. I Miriam was silent all through the meal, have a meal We had an excellent meal in a Chinese restaurant. cook sb a meal Jeff cooked us a delicious meal last night.
go out for a meal (=go to a restaurant)
Would you like to go out for a meal sometime, Emma?
take sb out for a meal (=take someone to a restaurant and pay for their meal) It was Lisa's birthday so we took her out for a meal.
main meal (-the biggest meal of the day) We usua//y have our main meal in the middle of the day.
something to eat .ьлшби] to 'i:t/ а
meal, especially a small or quick meal: Сап I get you something to eat? have something to eat We'll have something to eat, and then go out.
Snack .sn;ck [n C] something small such as an apple, some bread, or some chocolate that you eat between meals have a snack I'm not very hungry - I'll just have a snack, f The children have a snack at 11 o'clock - usually some fruit and a drink.
takeaway British takeout american
481
MEAL
teikswei. teikaot/ In C] a meal that you buy from a restaurant and then eat at home: Dave just liues on beer and take aways. I I don't feel like cooking tonight - let's get a takeout. I a takeout pizza
MEAL
RESTAURANTS/EATING AND DRINKING COOK ^ ^ ^ IHUNK
N S*
EAT
see
also
TASTE
a meal in the morning
breakfast hrekf?st [n C/U] the meal you eat when you get up in the morning: What do you want for breakfast - cereal or toast? I After breakfast we went for a walk on the beach. have breakfast George was having his breakfast when the phone rang.
4 \
FOOD
HUNGRY
a meal
Vou can say 'eat breakfast' in American English, but in British English it is more usual to say have breakfast
meal /misl/ In C] the food that you eat in the morning, in the middle of the day, or in the evening, either at home or in a restaurant: The hotel was nice, and the
482
MEAL
a meal in the middle of the day
You can say 'eat lunch' in American English, but in British English it is more usual to say have lunch.
lunch /1лШ1/ [n C/U] the meal you eat in the middle of the day: We had an early lunch and spent the afternoon shopping. I At work we are allowed one hour for lunch, 1 See you after lunch, have lunch Shall we have lunch before we go out? plural lunches
a meal in the evening
dinner /'din3r; [n C/U] the meal you eat in the evening: What shall we have for dinner? 1 Sarah cooked us a really nice dinner.
go out /or dinner (=go to a restaurant or to someone else's house) We went out for
dinner at the Ritz.
You can say 'eat supper' in American
English, but in British English it is more
usual to say have supper.
A
In British English, supper is usually a less formal meal than dinner, and you have it at home, not in a restaurant.
have dinner Why don't you come and have dinner with us?
You can say 'eat dinner' in American English, but in British English it is more usual to say have dinner
supper /Ълрэ'/ [n C/U] the meal you eat in the evening.- After supper we watched a video. I I had my supper and went to bed.
have a dinner party We're hauing a dinner party on Tuesday, would you like to come?
plural dinner parties
В a meal outside
picnic /piknik' [n C] a meal that you take with you to eat outside: We took a picnic down to the beach.
Have a picnic It was a beautiful day - we had a picnic by the river.
barbecue /'ba:rbikju:/ [n С] a party when you cook and eat food outside: I'll get some burgers and ribs for the barbecue, have a barbecue If the weather's nice, we'll have a barbecue.
В part of a meal
course /b:rs/ (n С] one of the parts of a
meal, especially in a restaurant: The waiter brought the first course, carrot soup. main course (=the biggest course in а meal) For the main course we had roast turkey with vegetables. a three-course meal/a jive-course meal In La Porcetta you can get a really nice three-course meal for $20.
starter British appetizer American
/'sta:rt3r, iep^taizэг/ [n C] the first part of a meal in a restaurant: What would you like for a starter - soup or garlic mushrooms? I a delightful appetizer of small clams
dessert (also pudding British) /drzi:rt, podii]/ (n C/U| the sweet part of a meal
that you have at the end: "Would you like a dessert. Madam?" "Yes please, I'll have the cheesecake." have sth for dessert/pudding I had fruit salad for dessert. I What are we having for pudding?
tea fti:/ [n C/U] British a meal you eat at home early in the evening: IVhafs for tea?
have tea The children came home from school, had their tea, and did their homework.
MEAN
see also w/ord/phrase/sentence,
language
A
Don't say 'eat tea'. Say have tea.
to mean something
dinner parti/ /Ятэг ,pa:rt»/ In С] a formal
meal in your home when you invite friends or guests
mean /mi:n/ [и T| when a word, sign, or statement has a particular meaning: What does abandon' mean? I It says 'not suitable for childrenwhich means
483
MEASURE
anyone under 16. I He said Sara was a very close friend. but I'm not sure what he meant.
+ CtKat) The flashing light means that we're running out of gas. I When it makes a 'bleep', that means rfs
switched on.
meaning - meant - have meant
Stand for Sth 'staend fo:r (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] if a letter or group of letters stands for a word, name, or number, it is a short way of saying or writing it; NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. I What does the F stand for in John F. Kennedy?
in other words in мЪ''w3:rdz use this to show that you are saying something again in a simpler way, in order to explain what it means: If goods are faulty you are entitled to a full refund - you get your money back, in other words. I There are growing inequalities in the distribution of wealth - in other words, the rich are getting richer.
И meaning
meaning /miinia [n C/U] what a word, sign, or statement means: The word 'spring' has several different meanings. + of There is a chart that explains the meaning of all the symbols on the map. I Semantics is the study of meaning.
sense /sens/ [n С) one of the meanings of a word that has several meanings + of In the dictionary the different senses of the word are marked by numbers. in the broadest/fullest sense (=in the most general meaning of the word) I'm using the word 'education' in the broadest sense here.
implication /.implJ/keipn/ |n C/U] а
meaning which is not directly stated, but which seems to be intended: He didn't actually accuse me of stealing, but that was the implication.
+ that Staff members were asked to
work on Sundays, with the implication
that they would lose their jobs if they refused.
by implication (=the intended meaning is that) The law bans organized protests and, by implication, any form of opposition.
the gist d^ist [n singular] the main meaning of something such as a speech, report, or piece of writing, without considering all the specific details + of The gist of the report seems to be that safety standards need to be improved.
get the gist (of sth) (=understand the main meaning) Read through the article quickly to get the gist of it.
MEASURE
to find out the si2e, length, or amount of something
m see also i-ONC, short, amount/number
D to measure something
measure T] to find out the size
or amount of something, by using a special tool, machine, or system: Can you measure the desk to see if it'll fit into that corner? I The GNP figure measures the rate of growth in the economy. I a device for measuring the speed of a tennis ball in flight
measure
insurance policy will pay all your medical expenses if you get sick. I Maria wants to go to medical school I medical research
medical attention (^treatment by doctors or nurses in a hospital) A/Јer the
accident, both drivers needed medical attention.
the medical profession (=doctors and nurses)
treatment /triitmant/ [n C/U| a medical method of curing someone who is ill or injured, for example by means of drugs or an operation
+ for He's receiving treatment for can cer. I Doctors are trying out a new treat ment for depression.
cure kjo3r: [n CI a method of treating an illness, using drugs, operations etc, which makes the person with the illness completely better
+ /or the search for a cure for AIDS
healthcare /he!0keor [n U] the medical services that are available to people in a country: The standard of healthcare in the crea is excellent. I the rising cost of healthcare
conventional medicine /bn'venpnsl
meds<?n||-medi,s^n [n U] the usual form of medicine used in most European and North American countries, involving the use of drugs and operations
HEALTHY/UNHEALTHY DOCTOR _ A . DAMAGE
rOR ф DA
ILL/SICK
DRUGS
see also
<л\ъи ^^
HUE ф BE1
RAIN
BREAK
HURT/INJURE ф ~ BETTER 4
MENTALLY ILL
the treatment of illness
medicine /'meds^'med^n/ [n U] the
science of understanding illness and injury, and the methods used for treating them: Jane is studying medicine. I The discovery of penicillin revoiutionized Western medicine.
medical 'mediM/ [adj only before noun] connected with illness or injury and the methods used for treating them: The
alternative medicine/complementary medicine ,о:Из:пэ11У ,med- s^n, .котрЦтепШ .meds-mJ-med.Wn' [n U] medical treatments based on ideas that are completely different from the ideas of conventional medicine. Homeopathy, acupuncture, and herbal remedies are all types of alternative medicine/complementary medicine
ordinary medical treatment
operation .орэ'ге^пЦ.сир- [n C] if you
have an operation, a doctor cuts into your body to remove or repair a part that is damaged
MEASURE 484
measurement meprmont [n С] а
number or amount that you get when you measure something: What are the measurements of this room? take a measurement I'll just take a few measurements, then I can tell you hoш
much paint you will need. waist/chest/hip etc measurement (=how much you measure around your waist, chest etc)
weigh /wei/ [v T] to find out how heavy something is by measuring its weight with special equipment: Weigh all the ingredients carefully before mixing them together.
time taim.. lu T] to measure how long it takes for someone to do something or for something to happen: We timed how long it took us to get there. I The swimming teacher always times us over 100 metres.
take teik (и T] take sb's pulse/temperature/blood pressure to measure how hot someone is, how fast their heart is beating etc. as part of a medical examination: The doctor will take your blood pressure and check your weight.
taking - took - have taken
MEDICAL TREATMENT
kave an operation My mother's having an operation tomorrow - she's having her appendix removed. + on I had an operation on my knee last year.
485
MEDICAL TREATMENT
surgery ss^d^ri, (л (J] treatment by doctors in which they cut into someone's body to remove or repair a part that is damaged: She needed emergency surgery after the Occident. have/undergo surgery Before undergoing surgery, patients can discuss their operation with a doctor, major/minor surgery (=serious/not very serious operations) This is a dangerous condition, and she will require major surgery
Surgery js m0re technical than operation
injection /шЯзекрп/ [я С] when a doctor or nurse gives someone a drug using a special needle: / hate having injections.
X-ray 'eks rei, [n CI a medical examination that uses a beam of radiation to photograph the inside of someone's body: The X-ray showed that William had broken his jaw.
have an X-ray The doctor said 1 had to have a chest X-ray.
physiotherapy im*)Oeropi [n U]
treatment lor people who have injured their muscles, broken their legs etc, in which they have to do special exercises, have parts of their body rubbed and pressed etc
acupuncture /'аек&рлдкг/э'/ [n U] а
treatment in which many needles are put into your skin to stop pain or cure an illness
herbal remedy /.hxtwl rem^dif|,3ir. Vm- In С) a medicine that is made from special plants
medicines
medicine /'medsjnfl'med^n, (n C/U J a
substance used for treating illnesses, especially a liquid that you drink: Emergency supplies of food and medicine were sent to the earthquake area. I Chinese herbal medicines
take medicine Have you taken your medicine this morning?
drug drAg [n CI a chemical substance used for treating illnesses: a drug used in the treatment of stomach ulcers I The side effects of this drug may include fever and dizziness. I о big drug company
medication medi'keipn/ [n U] one or more drugs that your doctor has told you to take regularly: Don't forget your medication
be on medication She's on medication for her heart.
Medication js a word used especially j by doctors. i
alternative medical treatment
homeopathic haombpaeBik* [adj]
homeopathic treatments or medicines are based on the idea of giving a person very small amounts of a substance which, in larger amounts, would give them an illness similar to the one they have homeopathic remedy (=a homeopathic medicine) a homeoparhic cure for flu homeopathy дЬэотгорэйЦ-скр- [n U)
Homeopathy is becoming more popular.
reflexology ^tlek'snbd^l-'sa:- (n l\ а treatment in which areas of a person's feet and hands are pressed in order to treat problems in another part of their body
aromatherapy э.гашпэвегэрь \n U) а treatment using special oils which are used in a bath or rubbed into your skin
dose \r, CJ a measured amount of a drug that you take at one time + оfa massive dose of insulin
prescription Pr skuppn [n C] a piece of paper from your doctor that says which medicine you need and allows you to get it + /or a prescription for sleeping tablets
to give someone medical treatment
treat tri:t [и T] to try to make someone better when they are ill or injured, for example by giving them drugs or hospital care treat sb/or sth Doctors are treating him for cancer.
treat sth with sth Many common infections can be treated with antibiotics.
operate /'орэгеЩ'а:-/ [и I] if a doctor operates, he or she cuts someone open in order to remove or repair a part of their body that is damaged
MEDICAL TREATMENT
■f on It can be risky to operate on very old people. I They had to operate on my arm because it was broken in two places.
examine /igzaemj,n [и T] if a doctor examines someone who is ill, he or she
looks carefully at them in order to find out what is wrong: He was examined by three doctors, but none of them could find anything physically wrong. examination ig ziem^neipn/ [n U] when a doctor looks at someone who is ill in order to find out what is wrong with them
И places where you can get medical treatment
Qthe doctor's british the doctor's
office AMERICAN /ЙЭ 'dokt3rZ, (>Э 'dDkt9rZ
,Df^s||-'da:k-, -,э:1Ч -a:f-/ especially spoken the office where a doctor works, where people who are ill can go at certain times to be examined and treated: You'd better go to the doctor's if your sore throat doesn 't get any better.
clinic /'klmik, In C] In the US, a place where several doctors have offices; in Britain, a place where people come for treatment or advice about a specific medical condition: a family-planning clinic I о clinic for people with alcohol problems
Health centre British health center
american 'helti ,sent3r/ [n C] in Britain, a building where several doctors have offices, and people can go to see them for treatment: in the US, a similar place in a college or university, where the students can go to see a doctor
surgery /S3:rd^?ri/ [n c] british the office where a doctor works, where people can go to be examined and treated The
waiting room at the surgery was full of
people with colds and flu. plural surgeries
hospital 'hDspitl||'ha:-/ [n С] a large building where nurses and doctors work and where you stay while you are having medical treatment: Dr Clark is a surgeon at a big hospital in Chicago. in/to//rom hospital British My sister's in hospital hauing a baby. in/to/from the hospital american After the accident, John was rushed to the hospital.
casualty British the emergency room american /'каезиэШ, rm3irdvnsi ru:m( [n singular] the part of a hospital you go to for emergency treatment, for example if you have had an accident or if you suddenly become very ill: We had to
take Alistair to casualty after he fell
downstairs. I / was waiting in the emergency room for three hours!
MEET
see also visit, talk
U when you have arranged to meet someone
meet mi:t {u I/TJ to be in the same place as someone else because you have arranged to see them: П1 meet you outside the theatre at 7 o'clock. I We agreed to meet again next Friday. I / used to meet her every week to discuss my work.
meet for lunch/cojfjfee/a drink etc Let's meet for lunch one day next week. meet sb at the airport/station etc (=go to meet someone when they have just arrived somewhere) My brother came to meet me at the airport.
meeting - met - have met
If you want to say that two people meet each other, it is better just to say they meet; We met outside the theatre.
meet with sb /'mi:t wifl (sb)/ [phrasal verb t] especially american to meet someone in order to discuss something: She's flying to New York tomorrow to meet with her agent
meet up/get together / mi:t лр. get
t3'ge63r'f [phrasal verb I] informal if friends meet up or get together, they meet in order to do something together, for example to have a meal or a drink: Let's meet up after work.
+ with / usua//y meet up with my friends on a Friday night and go for a drink. + for lunch/coffee/a drink We must get together for lunch some time.
when you meet someone by chance
meet mi:t \v T not in passive] to see someone by chance and talk to them: You'll never guess who ! met yesterday! I I met Jill at the bus stop this morning.
meeting - met - have met
bump into sb/run into sb Ьлтр
mtu; (sb), ,глп mtu: (sb) [phrasa/ verb T] informal to meet someone that ycu know, by chance: I'm glad I bumped inw you. I wanted to ask you about tomorrow s history test. I She's always running into friends that she knows from school
chance meeting /,tja:ns mi:tii)|j,tja?ns-
[n С usually singular] when you meet someone by chance: It was a chance meeting that later led to a passionate love affair.
— when you meet someone for the first time
meet /mi:t/ [и 1/T not in passive] to meet someone you have not met before: I u>as 15 years old when I met Andrew. I Have you ever met his wife7 first meet Where did you first meet Dr Steiner? I Janet and Pete first met when they were at uniuersiiy. meeting - met - have met
If you want to say that two people meet each other, it is better just to say they meet: I remember the day we met.
introduce /,mtr9'dju:s||-du:s/ [и T] if you introduce someone to a person they have never met before, vou tell them each other's names: Oh, Bob, let me introduce Rosie
Webb, our new marketing manager. I Have you two been introduced? Ыо each other)
introduce sb to sb Tom introduced me to his sister, Gloria.
Qthis
is fdis iz [n C] spokln say this when you are introducing someone to a person they have never met before:
"Sam, this is Julia - she's in college with me." "Hi Julia, nice to meet youf"
When you see 139, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
when a large group comes together in one place
gather g<Etor, [v I] if a crowd or group of people gathers, they come together somewhere in order to do something or see something
+ in/at/on etc The family gathered on the porch to say goodbye. I Eager fans are already gathering outside the stadium.
assemble /a'semlwl/ [l> I] if a group of people assembles, they all come together in the same place, especially as part of an organized plan: Prisoners must assemble in the courtyard every morning for exer cise. I Foreign diplomats and their wives had assembled in the Great Hall to meet
the President.
a meeting
meeting /'mini 13/ [n C] an occasion when people meet in order to discuss something: Sorry I can't come - I have to go to a meeting. I Peter's in London for a business meeting.
have/hold a meeting I think we'd better have a meeting to discuss these problems.
attend a meeting formal (=be at a meeting) The President is attending a meeting in Prague today.
caU/arrange/organtze a meeting The
principal has called a meeting for 4.00.
conference 'konkrms||'ka:n- [n Cj an
organized event, especially one that continues for several days, at which a lot of people meet to discuss a particular subject + of a conference of women business leaders
attend a conference hokmal (=be at a conference) She was in Boston attending a conference on the environment. hold a conference The institute of Accountants is holding its conference in Edinburgh this year
convention ksrivenfsn In Cj a large
meeting of members of a political organi zation or professional group for a particular purpose: the Democratic Party convention
487
MEET
+ of a convention of computer salespeople
MEMBER
see also organization, join
a member of a club, political party etc
member 'member [n C] a person or organization that belongs to a club, a political party, or a similar organization: Members con use the bar at any time. + of She's a member of the local drama society. ! Is Switzerland a member of the European Union? a cluWuruon/party member Union members voted against the strike.
to be a member of something
be a member of sth/belong to
sth bi: э 'member dv (sth), bi'lor} tu: (sth)|| -b:i]- My sister's a member of the Michael Jackson Fan Club. 1 Do you belong to any political party?
A
being a member
membership 'тетЬэфр [n U] being а
member: Whaf is the cost of membership?
join dpin< [и T] to become a member of а club, a political party, a military force, or a company: He joined the Marines at the age of 19, and fought in Vietnam. I I've joined the photographic club, t Wi//iams joined Microsoft as a programmer in 1991.
Don't usejoin to talk about going to a school or college. Say she went to Oxford in 1995 (not 'she joined Oxford').
be in StH /bi: m (slh) [phrasal verb T1 to
be a member of an organization, especially a large, well-known one: Nine 's son is in the army. I I used to really enjoy camping when I was in the Boy Scouts.
be 0П Sth /bi: Dn (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] to be a member of a group or committee that meets to make official decisions be on a committee/council/board/panel
MEMBER
Kathryn is on the school board for the district.
+ of Membership of political parties has been increasing. I Canada's member
ship of NATO
CRAZY
ILL/SICK
+ in american Did you renew your membership in the sailing club?
MENTALLY ILL
MEDICAL TREATMENT
DOCTOR
see also
DRUGS
4 \
BETTER 4
mentally ill
mentally ill ,menuli il, someone who is mentally ill has an illness of the mind which affects the way that they behave Many of these homeless people have been mentally ill at some time, the mentally ill (-people who are mentally ill) He works in a hostel for the mentally ill.
mental illness /.mentl 'iln^s/ln C/U] illness of the mind: Depression is a mental illness and can be treated with drugs. I He had с history of mental illness and alcoholism.
mental mentl [adj only before noun, connected with mental illness or people who are mentally ill
mental Hospital/patient/institution a
hospital ward for поп-violent mental patients
mental problem/disorder/breakdown
\Ne knew she had been having mental problems
insane insein [adj] permanently and seriously mentally ill. so that you cannot have a normal life: Powell, who has attacked 13 women, was judged to be insane.
go insane (=become seriously mentally ill) Sometimes I thought I was going insane. insanity in'sЈni,ti/ [n U) permanent and serious mental illness: Hobbs was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
488
crazy (also mad especially вя/tjsh) /'kre/zi, maed [adj] mentally ill - use this in
conversations or stories, but not in formal, medical, or legal English: Some crazy guy
walked into the store and started shooting people. I We soon realized that the old man was completely mad. go crazy/mad (=become crazy) I won
dered if I was going crazy. That guy u>as
following me again. I After Hamlet rejects her, Ophelia goes mad and drowns herself.
crazy - crazier-craziest
nervous breakdown ,ny.rvos brak-
daon [n C] a medical condition in which you feel very tired, anxious, and upset, often because you have been working too hard or because of emotional problems: After the divorce. Sonia had a nervous breakdown and had to stop work.
ZA not mentally ill
sane ,/sein/ \adj] not mentally ill, so that you are able to make sensible decisions and lead your life in a normal way: Of course he isn't mad. He's as sane as you or I. I No sane person could believe such garbage.
perfectly sane (=completely sane) To his neighbours, Sutcliffe appeared perfectly sane.
sanity sainiti, (n U] when you are mentally healthy: If you have your health and your sanity, money is not important. I I began to doubt Hamad's sanity as his story got stranger and stranger.
MIDDLE
see also edge, side
U the middle
the middle midl' [n singular! the part of something, such as a space or area, a piece of writing, or a period of time, which is about half way between one side and the other, or halfway between the beginning and the end: "Did you enjoy the movie?" "It was OK but I got a little bored towards the middle." + of Gary rotued out to the middle of the lake. I It was the middle of summer. I Going through the middle of Tokyo in the rush hour can be a nightmare.
centre British center american /'sente'/
[n С usually singular! the middle of a space, area, or object, especially the exact middle: I love chocolates with soft centers. I The flower has white petals, and is deep pink at the centre.
+ of Draw a line through the centre of the circle.
at the centre/in the centre (op (=exactly
in the middle of something) One child stands at the centre of the circle, and the others dance around her.
the heart о/ to 'ha:rt dv, the middle of an area, town, or city: The hotel is located in the heart of Moscow. I a quiet village in the heart of the English countryside
The heart of is used mainly in written descriptions of places, to make the place sound interesting, exciting, or very near to shops, theatres, trains etc.
El in the middle
in the middle in to midl a garden with a fish-pond in the middle + of Don 't walk in the middle of the road!
middle /midl/ [adj only before nounl the middle dra.werlshelflfi.nger etc (=the one in the middle) You'll find the scissors in the middle drawer of my desk. I Jane was wearing a gold ring on her middle finger. I I am the middle child in a family of five.
central sentr^l [adj] in the middle of an area, country, or town: We are getting
reports of bad weather in central
Europe. I The houses face onto a central courtyard. I central London
hal/way /haifwei^ll.haef- [adu] at the
middle point between two places or of a period of time or event + across/between/down/up etc Our car
broke down halfway across the bridge, i We were halfway down the mountain when it started snowing. I Joe left the college halfway through the year.
mid- mid [prefix] in or near the middle of a period of time
m id-afte r noon/mi d-week/mid-December/mid-18th century/mid-1990s etc
489
MIDDLE
The house was built in the mid-18th century. I That's how people used to wear their hair in the mid-80s.
MIND
BODY
see also
DON'T CARE 2
MIND
THINK ^ ^IMAGINE subconscious (also unconscious)
/sAb'konJss, лп'коп/^Ц-'кагп-/ \adj] subconscious feelings, desires, worries etc are hidden in your mind and you do not realize you have them: a subconscious fear of failure
subconsciously [adt>] Fathers are often
490
subconsciously jealous of their sons.
I
MENTALLY ILL
MISTAKE
your mind
mind /maind/ |n C] what you use to think and imagine things; His mind was full of big ideas for developing the company. I I never know what's going on in her mind. I' She had a picture of him in her mind - tall, blond, and handsome, I He had to push these worries out of his mind. (=tried not to think about them)
brain /brein/ [n C] your ability to think and the way that you think: My brain worked fast as I tried to decide what to do. She has an excellent business brain.
affecting your mind
mental /mentl/ [adj usually before noun] affecting your mind or happening in your mind: After months of overworking. Briggs was suffering from mental and physical exhaustion. I It takes a lot of mental effort to understand these ideas. mental picture/image (=a picture that you have in your mind)
mental illness/problem/break down (=an illness, problem etc of your mind, not your body)
mentally (ado] By the end of the day we were mentally and physically worn out.
psychological /.saiks'lDdjik^HI-'la:-/ lad;] affecting the mind - use this especially about mental problems that influence the way someone behaves: She works with children who haue psychological problems. I The causes of a physical illness can often be psychological. psychologically [adu] psychologically disturbed children
CUIITY/NOT GUILTY WRONG ^ ^ ^ ADMIT
see
ж^ also
DELIBERATELY
D
CARELESS ^^ BLAME
г \
ACCIDENTALLY
a mistake
mistake /m^'steik/ |n CI something that is not correct, which you do, say, or write without intending to: Your essay s full of mistakes.
make a mistake Sampras uxjs playing badly, making a lot of mistakes. + in There's a mistake in the address. correct a mistake (=make it correct) I hope you'll correct any mistakes I've made.
spelling mistake (=when you spell a word wrongly) Check your work carefully for any spelling mistakes.
error / егэг/ [n C/U] a mistake - use this especially to talk about mistakes in calculating or in using a language, system, or machine: the most common errors among students of English + in an error in the calculations human error (=when a mistake is caused by people, not by a machine) The report decided that the accident was caused by human error.
computer error (=a mistake caused by a computer) Our enormous phone bill was due to a computer error.
misprint /'mis-print/ [n CJ a word that has been printed wrongly in a book or newspaper: There were several misprints in the menu.
Q a bad decision, idea etc that causes problems for you
mistake /mi'sterk.. (n C] something that you do or decide which is not at all sensible and which causes a lot of problems for you
make a mistake My first marriage was a terrible failure. I don't want to make the same mistake again. it is a mistake to do sth It iuas a mistake
to think that we could go on living on borrowed money.
big/serious mistake Buying the farm was the biggest mistake of her life.
H to make a mistake
make a mistake /meik о m' steik/ My
spoken Spanish was okay, but I kept making mistakes in my written work ! Don 't worry - everyone makes mistakes.
Qget sth wrong /get (sth) roi]||-'n:i];;
especially spoken to make a mistake in something that you do, say, or write, especially when this has bad or annoying results: I've been there a year now, and my boss stif/ gets my name wrong! I There was a report about it in the newspaper, but they got their facts wrong. get it wrong This is a delicate operation. If we get it wrong the patient may die.
MIX
^ see also confused a
U mix substances/liquids
•
ГО-1* -miks, [v T] to mix different liquids or substances together so that they can no longer be separated
mix sth and sth You can make green by mixing blue and yellow paint. mix sth with sth Shake the bottle well to mix the oil with the vinegar mix sth together Concrete is made by mixing gravel, sand, cement, and water together. I If these two chemicals are mixed together they will explode.
491
Stir /st3:r/ [и T] to mix things by moving them around in a container with a spoon or a stick: He sat on the front step stirring the paint to make it smooth.
stir in sth/stir sth in (=add something to a food mixture by stirring it) When the butter has melted, stir in the soy sauce and ginger. I Add the grated cheese to the sauce and stir it in.
stirring - stirred - have stirred
blend /blend/ [и T] to mix liquids or soft substances when you are preparing food, in order to make a single smooth substance blend sth and sth Blend the sugar, eggs,
and flour.
blend sth together The ingredients should be blended together until they are smooth.
dilute /dai'luit [u T| to make a liquid weaker by mixing it with water: You should dilute the juice before you drink it.
H when feelings, ideas, styles etc are mixed with each other
be a mixture of /Ы: 9 mikstjar dv/ to
contain different features or ideas, mixed together: The movie is a mixture of comedy and romance. I Her work is a mixture of classical and modern styles.
be a cross between bi: э 'kros bitwi:n|
-'krais-,/ something that is a cross between one thing and another is a mixture of two different things: The expression on Paul's face was a cross between amusement and disbelief. I It's difficult to describe my job. I suppose I'm a cross between a secretary and a translator.
В a mixture
mixture mikstJ^V [n C] several different things, ideas, feelings, or people mixed together
+ of The sauce is a mixture of flour; butter, milk, and cheese. I There was an interesting mixture of people at the party. I Sas/ia was looking at her with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
combination /.kDmb^neipnll.kaini- [n C]
a mixture of different people working together, or different ideas, problems etc happening together, which has a particular
effect
MIX
+ of Our problems were due to a combination of bad management and lack of experience. I Their music is an odd combination of jazz and opera.
MIX
a good/bad/success/ul/dcsastrous etc combination They were a perfect combb nation - Anton as chef and Guy as restaurant manager.
El not mixed with anything
pure /pju3r/ [adj] a material, substance etc that is pure has not been mixed with anything else: The jacket is pure silk. ! a necklace made of pure gold
solid /'sol^djl'sa:-.' {adj only before noun] not mixed with anything else - use this about wood or metals, especially expensive ones
solid gold/silver/pine/oak etc The necklace is solid gold. I We bought с solid pine chest for only £50.
neat/straight ni:t. Streit [adi) not mixed
with anything else - use this about strong alcoholic drinks that are usually made weaker by adding something else: Would you like your whisky neat or with water?I She was drinking straight vodka.
MODERN
^ see also new, fashionable/
unfashionable
D modern machines/ buildings/methods
modern 'mDdnH'maidarn [adj] using new methods, designs, or equipment: Seattle has a very modern public transportation system. I a brig/it modern office building 1 the horrors of modern warfare
the latest ;дз 'leiUsi/ [adj only before noun] the latest machines, computers, and methods are the newest and best ones that are available: He was using one of the latest Japanese hand-held computers. I The latest model can print 15 pages every minute.
the very latest fast microprocessors that are produced using the very latest techniques
Up-to-date />p ts deiu, [adj] up-to-date
equipment, machines, or methods are very modern, and much better than the ones that many other people or organizations are still using.- This hospital has the most up-to-date equipment in Europe. 1 up-to-date training methods
advanced /ad'vainstjad'vaenst/ [adj] advanced machines, weapons, and systems have been designed using the newest technical knowledge: We have the most advanced security system available. I advanced weapons technology
high-tech/hi-tech ,hai tek[adj] using very modern electronic equipment and machines, especially computers: a hightech recording studio I the hi-tech industries of the 21st century
В modern art/literature/ music/fashion
modern modnll'maidarn [ad/1 modern art, literature, music etc uses styles that have been developed very recently - use this especially about styles which are deliberately different from traditional styles, and which some people dislike because of this: / like both modern dance and classical ballet. I Prince Charles has made several speeches criticizing modern architecture.
contemporary kan'temp^rari, -p«Jri|| -рэгеп 1adj only before noun] contemporary art, music, literature etc was produced or -written recently: Composers like Philip Glass have made contemporary music more popular.
contemporary artist/writer/composer
etc a new exhibition of paintings by contemporary artists
the latest 'latest/ [adj only before noun] the latest fashion/style/design
is the one that is the most modern and the most fashionable: My sister says that black lipstick is the latest fashion. the latest in stK (=the most fashionable type of) the latest in designer shoes
El modern ideas/ways of thinking
progressive pra'gresiv [adj| using new
methods for dealing with social problems, education, crime etc, especially when these methods are less strict than traditional ones. You can use progressive with these words: methods, ideas, views, education, school, government, policy.- The principal has veryprogressive views on education, i pro
gressive methods for dealing with young criminals
В to make something more modern
update др deil (u I] to improve something, so that it includes the most modern equipment, methods, or information: The school has just updated all its computer equipment. I Nursing staff were sent on training courses to update their skills
modernize (also modernise British)
rnndornajz||'rnub [l> T] to make big changes to a place or organization, by putting in modern equipment or modern systems, and getting rid of old ones: It was an old farmhouse that had been modernized by the previous owner. I attempts to modernize the Soviet economy
MONEY
owe
BUY
PAY
see also
SELL
sank* a _ free
^^ see
SPEND
J I \|
cheap ф cost
EARN
money
money nuni [n U] what you use to buy things, what you earn by working etc: We don't have enough money for a vacation this year.
money to do sth (-money you can use to pay for something) Dad, can I have some money to buy some new jeans? spend money I spent far too much money on Christmas presents, save money (=not spend much money) "Are you coming out with us on Saturday?" "No, Tm trying to save
money."
earn money Accountants can earn a lot of money.
make money (=earn money) The res taurant makes a lot of money in the summer.
lose money (=fail to make a profit in business, so that you spend more than you earn) The state railway has been losing money for years.
cash /к a* J [n U] money, especially money that is available for you to spend: J don't have much cash at the moment. Could I pay you next week9 I She earns extra cash by working as a waitress.
Cash is more informal than money
a fortune /э fVtpn' [n singular] informal a lot of money: That dress must have cost a fortune - where does she get the money from?
be worth a fortune They bought their house really cheaply but it's worth a fortune now.
sum sAm In C] an amount of money - use this to say how large or small an amount is: Stars like Chaplin earned $2000 a week, which ioas an enormous sum in those days.
sum of money My uncle left me a small sum of money when he died.
money in the form of notes and coins
money тлт [n U] notes and coins that you use for buying things: He counted the money carefully before putting it in his pocket. I The Queen never carries any
money.
cash ka'J jn Uj money - use this to
emphasize that you mean coins and notes, and not cheques, bank cards etc: Thieves escaped with cash and computer equipment worth over $100.000. in cash (=using cash) I'll give you £50 in cash and a cheque for the rest. pay (in) cash There's a 5% discount,»/ you pay cash.
currency 'kAronsill'k'jir- [n C/U] the money used in a particular country ftafian/Maiaysian/Japanese etc currency
I was carrying about £300 in Malaysian
currency.
493
MONEY
foreign currency (=the currency of another country) Tm taking £200 in traveller's cheques and £100 in foreign currency, plural currencies
money that you receive regularly
^ see also earn, pay
>
income 1Г]клт, in- [n C/U] all the money that you receive regularly, for example from your job or from the government: Their combined income is more than £250,000 a year. I Most of her income comes from savings and investments.
an income of Ј800/$2000 etc The whole family lives on an income of less than $400 a month.
be on a low income (=earn very little money) Families on low incomes get free medical care.
pension /'penj>n/ (n C; an amount of money that old people receive regularly after they have stopped working: Many elderly people find it very difficult to live on their pensions. I Bill gets a big pension from General Motors - he worked there for 30 years.
Social Security /,soopl si'kjo^ti, In U] money that people receive from the government in the US when they have finished working at 65: Payirg the rent uses all his Social Security money
A In American English, you usually say benefits rather than benefit, and it is a more formal word than in British English.
welfare /'welfe9r/ [n U] especially american money that the government pays to people who are very poor, do not have jobs etc: We don't get welfare because I have a pari!-Јime fob.
on wel/are (=receiving this money from the government) Over 50% of the families in this neighborhood are on welfare.
Д Voucan also use welfare before a noun, like an adjective: welfare payments I
the welfare system
allowance /a'lauans/ [n Cj an amount of
money that children get from their parents every week or every month: My porents give me an allowance of $50 a month.
pocket money /'pok^t ,тлш|'ра:-/ [n U
British an amount of money that children get from their parents every week: How much pocket money do you get?
qrant /grain t|graent,/ [n C] an amount of money that a government or other organization gives to someone to help pay for something good or useful, such as their education: It's very difficult to get о grant to go to college. I You can get с grant from the council to repair your roof.
scholarship skDhr|ip||'ska:- In CI
money that a student receives from their school, college etc to pay for their education, especially because they have passed an examination
MONEY 494
change AJemds (n Uj money in the form
of coins, or the money you get back when you pay for something with more money than it cost: He emptied all the change out of his pockets. I The sales clerk handed me my change. in change Hn the form of coins) I've got a £10 note and about £5 in change.
change for $10/Ј5 etc (=coins in exchange for a note) Do you have change for a $5 bill?
win a scholarship (=by passing an exam) When she was 18, she won a scholarship to study at the Conservatoire in Paris.
A
In British English, Social Security is sometimes used to mean the same as benefit.
benefit /'benefit; [n C/U] money that the government gives to people who are very poor, who do not have, jobs etc unemployment/sickness/maternity benefit Vou cannot receive unemployment benefit unless you are looking for a job. on benefit receiving benefit) After I became too ill to work I was forced to live on state benefits.
money that you make by doing business
profit 'ртЗДрга:-/ [n C/U] money that you make by doing business, for example when you sell something for more than it cost you
to buy it or to produce it: We aim to
increase our profits by at least 5% every year. I For the first time, the company's annual profits were over $1 million. make a pro/it They made a huge profit when they sold the business.
profitable ;ргоПtэb^11| pra:-/ [adj] a profitable business or activity makes a profit: We don't sell children's clothes any more ~ it wosn't profitable enough.
U money that you pay to the government
tax taeks [n С/UJ money that you have to pay to the government, especially from the money you earn or as an additional payment when you buy something: The Republicans promised to reduce taxes before the last election. tax on alcohol/cigarettes etc (=tax that is added to the price of alcohol, cigarettes etc)
income tax (=tax that you pay according to how much money you earn) sales tax (=a tax added to the price of something you buy)
ajter tax (=after you have paid income tax) I made over $600 a week, which was around $450 after tax.
plural taxes
You can also use tax before a noun, like an adjective: a tax inspector I filling in a lax form
taxpayer /'taeks.peioV [n C] someone who pays tax
taxpayers' money (=money the government gets from taxes) This defence project is simply a waste of taxpayers' money.
the taxpayer (-all the people in a country who pay tax) Bonus payments to top officials cost the taxpayer millions of pounds each year.
В additional money that you pay when you borrow money, or that you receive when you save money
interest /'intrust/ [n U] If you had half a
million dollars you could easily live off the interest.
+ on The interest on the loan is 16.5%. interest rate {=the amount of interest you pay or receive) My bank charges really
high interest rates.
high/low interest a high interest savings account
В money that you give to someone to make them do something dishonest
bribe /braib/ [n Q money that someone gives to a person in an official position, in order to persuade them to do something that they should not do take/accept a bribe The judge admitted that he had accepted bribes. pay (sb) a bribe (=give someone a bribe) You won't get across the border unless you pay the guards a bribe of at least
$500.
bribery [n U] when people give and accept bribes: The inquiry showed that bribery was widespread.
Id money for starting a business, paying for something important etc
/inance /'fainaens, f^'naensllf^'nsens, fainaens/ [n U) money that you borrow or receive in order to pay for something important and expensive, for example for starting a business: We can't continue our research unless we get more finance. + for How will you get the /inance for your university course?
capital kaepi»tl/ |n U] a large amount of money that you can use to start a business or to pay for something that will eventually produce more money: You can make a lot of money from renting property, but you need capital to get started. raise capital formal (=get the money you need, for example by borrowing from a bank) It took him just three months to raise the capital for ma/cing the movie.
funding /'fAnd 113/ [n U) money that a government or large organization provides to pay for education, theatre, music etc, not for business activities: Nowadays, schools have to find funding from private industry as well as from the Education Department. I The daycare center couldn't survive without government funding.
+ for cuts in funding for the arts
495
MONEY
subsidy /'sAbs^di/ [n C] money that the government provides to help a business or industry which might not be able to operate without this additional money:
Generous subs/dies are available to farmers who produce wheat I Without state subsidies, the railways couldn't survive.
plural subsidies
invest ,/in'vcst; \v I/T] to let a company, business, or bank use your money for a period of time, especially because you expect that you will eventually get back more money than you gave; I want to invest the money my aunt left me. + in Investing in property is no longer as safe as it used to be. invest money in sth I invested £5000 in my brother's printing business, investor In C] someone who invests money in a bank or business: Most of the money came from foreign investors.
put money into sth ,р<л nuni mtu:
(sth), to give money to a business to help it become successful, often in order to get back more money than you have given: Unless they can find someone to put more money into it, the film studio wif/ have to close, t The government ought to put more money into public transportation.
connected with the way that money is used
financial /fJ/nampl, fa I - / (ad; usually before noun] connected with money - use this about the way that people and organizations use and control their money: Joan has a lot of financial problems at the moment. I Wall Street is the financial center of the US. I The accounts show that the school's financial position is very healthy.
financially [adu] She wanted to go out to work and be financially independent.
economic /.екэ'пэгшк*, ,i:-|-'na:- [adj
MONEY
usually before noun] use this about the way that a country's money and wealth is produced, spent, and controlled: The President's economic reforms have put a lot of people out of work. I a period of economic growth I the need for economic planning economically [adu] an economically advanced country
economy /rkDn9mi||i'ka:-, [n C] the economic system of a country, including its trade and industry: the collapse of the German economy in the 1920s I one of the most successful economies in Asia the economy (=a country's economy) This
10
government has ruined the economy. plur.il economies
someone who wants a
lot of money or always thinks about money
greedy gri:di [adj] someone who is greedy wants a lot of money, even though they do not need it: Britain has some of the greediest landlords in Europe. I corrupt and greedy politicians
greedy - greedier - greediest
greed [n U] when you keep wanting more money: No-one needs to earn that much - it's just greed!
ii
materialistic /mp.twria'listik^./ [adj] someone who is materialistic thinks that money and possessions are more important than anything else: Bill has become so materialistic since he got that job - all he talks about is how much money he earns.
having no money
see also poor
bankrupt •■''bsgkrApt/ [adj] a company or person that is bankrupt does not have enough money to pay their debts, and so they have to stop doing business: Five years ago she was a success/u/ actress. but now she is bankrupt, go bankrupt (=become bankrupt) Many small businesses will go bankrupt unless interest rates fall.
<Q broke brookf [adj not before noun| spoken someone who is broke has no money or very little money: "Can you lend me some money9" ''Sorry, I'm broke." I When I was a student I was always broke.
12
to have just enough money to live
496
get by /.get 'bai' [phrasal verb I] to have just enough money to buy the things you need, but no more: She does cleaningjobs in the evenings, and makes just enough to get by
+ on My grandmother gets by on just
£50 a week.
make ends meet meik ,endz mi:t'
informal to have just enough money to buy what you need - use this when someone has so little money that life is very difficult for them: Many families struggle to make ends meet, especially during the winter. I How am I supposed to make ends meet on $150 a month7
live on sth Iiv on (sth) [phrasal uerb T] if you live on a particular amount of money, this is all the money that you have to buy everything you need: You can't live on less than $25,000 a year in New
York. I My salary doesn't really give me enough to live on.
MORE
^ opposite less
^ if you want to know about using adjectives for comparing things, go to the essential grammar, section 1 4
^ see also most, add, increase,
another
II more of the same thing, or another one of the same things
more irnf [quanti/ier] more of something in addition to what is already there: I gave him $200 last week and he's already asking for more. I We have enough tables but we need more chairs. + of I forced myself to swallow more of the medicine. I Do you have any more of those delicious cookies? three more/100 more etc They walked for two more miles before they found a telephone. I Some of the students arrived today, and about 20 more of them are arriving tomorrow, some more fa few more/any more Do you want any more tea? I Vou may need to buy some more books.
another /э'плдэ7 [determiner/pronoun] one more thing, person, or amount that is the same as one you already had: Look, your glass is cracked. I'll get you
another. I Would you like another
drink? I Could you get another loaf of bread while you're out? another ten minutes/jive miles/two gallons etc Add the pasta and heat the soup for another ten minutes.
another one There were two cars in the driveway and another one in the garage. + of Is this another of your crazy ideas for making money?
extra ekstr? [adyadv] more of something. in addition to the usual amount or number: You'c/ better get some extra milk if Steve and Richard are staying the weekend. I Residents can use the hotel swimming pool at no extra cost. an extra ten minutes/three pounds/four litres etc I asked for an extra day to finish my assignment, be/cost/earn extra (=extra money) Dinner costs $15, but wine is extra.
additional a'dipnol/ (adj only before
nounj more than the amount that was agreed or expected at the beginning: Our own car broke down, so we had the additional expense of renting a car. an additional £10/10 miles/10 minutes etc They 've extended his contract for an additional 12 months.
further ТлчЪг/ \adj only before noun] for ma i more, in addition to what there is already or what has happened already. The doctors are keeping her in the hospital to do further tests. ! For further information, contact the help line, a further £10/10 miles/10 minutes Strike action will continue for a further 24 hours.
Ed more than a number or amount
more тэ:г/ [quantifier] more than a number or amount: Salaries are in the region of $200,000 a year, with top executives earning even more.
+ than I've been working here for more
than ten years. I More than 50,000
497
MORE
people attended the open-air concert. much more/far more/a lot more Diane earns much more than I do. 10/100/$50 more (=more than another number) It's a better hotel, but it costs about £50 more than the other one.
MORE 498
or more There must haue been 200 people or more, all trying to crowd into the hall.
over 'oov3r' [prepositiorv'adv] more than a number or amount. I've been waiting over half an hour for you. I Jackson receives over 2000 fan letters a week. I The train was travelling at speeds of over 150 mph.
just over (=slightly over) She weighs just over 120 pounds.
8/10/12 etc and over The club is for children aged 10 and over.
above /эЪлу/ ipreposition/adv} more than a number or level on a scale that can be exactly measured: The temperature was just 2 degrees above zero. I Anyone earning above $80,000 will pay more tax.
3 years/6 metres/80% etc and above
Babies of 6 months and above need to be vaccinated.
outnumber /аш'плтЬэг/ [u T] if one type of person or thing outnumbers another, there are more of the first type than of the second: Women teachers outnumber their male colleagues by two to one.
a growing number/an increasing
number /з .grauir] 'плтЬэг, эп in.kriisH]
плтЬэг/ use this when the number of people that are doing something is not yet very large, but is increasing all the time + of A growing number of refugees was entering the country. in growing/increasing numbers Doctors are leaving the profession in increasing numbers.
A
numbers mean the same as a growing number and an increasing number
Growing numbers and increasing
higher /haia1"/ [adj] use this about prices, speeds, or amounts that are bigger than they were before
greatly/far outnumber a city where bicycles greatly outnumber cars
more than before
more /тэ:г/ Iquantifier/adv] more than before: The new airport will just mean more traffic, more noise, and more pollution. I As mobile phones get cheaper, people are using them more. more qutcklyfclowly/easily etc / wish she d talk more slowly. more expensive/importaat/diJFficult etc These days it's definitely more difficult to get into law school. + than People are travelling around more than they used to. I She seems more relaxed than she was last week. a lot more/much mo re/far more There are a lot more game shows on TV than there used to be. 1 David earns far more now than he did in his old job. a little more/slightly more Next time, try and be a little more patient.
more and more /,rm:r and mxT<i use
continues to become more difficult, more expensive etc than it was before: More and more students are using computers to do their schoolwork. I As the years passed, she depended more and more on her daughter.
more and more expeasive/tired/dijjicalt
etc The concert was very long, and I began to feel more and more bored. more and more slowly/quickly/clearly
etc As the gas cools, the molecules move more and more slowly.
increasingly in'kriisiqli; (adu| use this to
say that something continues to happen more often than before, or continues to become more difficult, more expensive etc than it was before: increasingly, it is the female students who are getting the best grades.
increasingly dijFflcult/common/impor- tant/complex It is looking increasingly likely that Tarrant will resign. I People have become increasingly interested in environmental issues.
A
Increasingly and more and more mean the same, but there are some differences in the way they are used. Increasingly is used mainly in written English, and you can use it at the start of a sentence as a 'sentence adverb' (=one that describes the whole sentence): Increasingly, criminals are carrying guns. More and j more is used in written and spoken English, and can be used directly before a plural noun: More and more criminals are carrying guns.
this to say that something continues to happen more often than it did before or
499
MOST
Higher price/proportion/level/rate There is now a higher proportion of women in management jobs.
+ than The cost of student accommodation is higher than it was a year ago.
greater 'greio1"/ [adj] formal use this about a feeling or state that is stronger or more noticeable than it was before
greater interest/need/support//reedom
After the war, the country began to enjoy greater prosperity. + than. The need for people with computing skills is greater than ever before.
more than someone or something else
more /шэ:г/ [quantifier] more than another person, thing, or place. My parents are both teachers, but my father earns more. I Ask Hilary. She knows more about it.
+ than It's not fair. He s got more than I have. I There is more oil in the Middle East than in any other part of the world.
higher hai3r; [ad/] use this about prices, speeds, or amounts that are bigger than someone else's
+ than In the 1960s, Japan achieved a higher rate of economic growth than most other countries. 1 Car prices in Britain are higher than in many European countries.
MOST
opposite least
if you want to know about using adjectives for comparing things, go to the essential grammar, section 14
see also more
most of an amount, number, total, group etc
most /msust/' [quantifier] the largest part of something, or the largest number of people, places, things etc most people/things/days etc IVhat most people want is a peaceful life. I Most euenings we just stay in and watch TV most о/ the students/my friends I her money etc (=most people or things in а group) Most of the people I spoke to were very worried. I Alex spends most of his allowance on books. I Most of what Hannah told me wasn't true. I This is a poor country, and most of it is desert.
A Don't say 'the most people drive to j work'. Say most people drive to work
Д Don't say 'almost Japanese people five in cities'. Say most Japanese people live
in cities.
almost all/nearly all ;,о:1т*ы з:1,
,ni3rli 'o:l not all, but almost all: We got nearly all our food from the farm. + of 1*ve read almost all of Jane Austen's novels. I Nearly all of my clothes are too small now.
mostly/mainly /'maostli, meinli/ [ado]
use this to say that most of the people or things in a group are of the same type: A huge crowd of Oasis fans, mostly girls, waited outside the hotel. I Our customers are mainlу young people interested in fashion. I She reads a lot of books, mostly science fiction stories.
the majority /дэ тэ^зог^||т^зл;-.
Use a plural verb after the majority (of): Some of the children go home for lunch, but the majority have their lunch in school.
msdза:-/' [n singular] more than half of the people or things in a large group + of In June the majority of our students will be taking examinations, the vast/great majority (=far more than half) an education policy that will please the vast majority of parents I The great majority of accidents in the Alps occur while climbers are coming down. be in the majority (=be the largest part of a group) Young people were in the majority at the meeting.
A
more than anyone or anything else
most /maost/ more than anything else - use this especially to talk about something that you like, want, need, or dislike more than anything else: I want to study biology - that's what interests me most. I The part we enjoyed most was the trip to the Grand Canyon.
the largest possible amount
the most Ids 'maosf the largest amount that is possible: I'm afraid £500 is the
most 1 can offer you. I The most you can hope to achieve is a 10% increase in production.
maximum /"maeksimsm [adj] the maximum amount of something is the largest amount that is possible or allowed maximum amount/number/speed Travelling at its maximum speed of 186 mph. the train reached Paris in less than two hours. I We want our message to reach the maximum number of people. the maximum (=the maximum number or amount) Thirty students per class is the maximum.
Top is often used in newspapers, advertisements etc. Maximum is more formal or more technical than top.
top top||ta:p/ [adj only before noun) top speed/price/salary etc the highest speed, price etc. or the most that is possible: The 1.6 litre sports version has a top speed of 121 mph. ! The top price paid was $1,200,000 for a print by Degas.
A
most often
mostly/mainly 'maostli, memii; [adu)
use this to say that someone does one thing more than they do anything else.- We eat mostly Italian food. 1 She has to travel abroad a lot, mostly to Spain and France. I a singer whose records are bought mainly by teenage girls
in most cases /in msost .keis^z/' use this to say that things happen in one way more often than in any other way, in the situation that you are talking about: In most cases the new drug is very effective. f The seeds will start to grow within two weeks in most cases.
most of the time /'maust av to ,taim
FATHER
FAMILY
BABY
almost always: Most of the time I just answer the phone and type letters. I This place is really busy most of the time.
MOTHER
WOMAN
see also
i
CHILD
D mother
mother 'тлЛэг [n C] Her mother is a teacher. I Like most mothers, I always felt anxious when my children came home late. I Terri Godwin, a mother of three. was attacked as she walked home yesterday.
Qmum British mom american тми, mnm|ma:m [n C) spoken а пате you use to talk to your mother or to talk about her: My mum and dad are both doctors I Mom, what's for dinner?
Qmummy rritish mommy amlrican 'rmmi. тогт| ma:mi [n C] spoken а пате for your mother - used especially by young children or when you are talking to young children: Ben, is your mommy coming to the Christmas concert? 1 "Goodnight, Mummy," said Sara. niur.il mummies/mommies
like a mother
maternal/motherly тэ'п:гп1, тлсЪПг
MOST 500
most of all (=much more than anything else) What the people here need most is food and clean water.
the fTlOSt ,'ds 'maust a larger amount or
number than anyone or anything else: /п a fair tax system those who earn the most should pay the most. the most things/points/votes etc The player who scores the most points wins. the most money/Juel/Lnformation etc Choose the program that gives you the most information.
|adj] caring and kind like a mother - use this about women or their feelings: Claire was very maternal towards the other children. I She kept a maternal eye on them all. I Mrs Woodrow, a good-natured motherly woman, took care of their children while they were at work.
MOVE/NOT MOVE
if you mean 'move house', go to
houses/where people live
FAST
SLIDE
CO
RUN
TRAVEL
SLOW fT _ SHAKE
see also
i v
WALK STOP
501 MOVE/NOT MOVE
move sth to/into stk We'll have to move the table into the hall.
transfer tramsT?:1" [v T] to move something and put it in a different place or container
transfer sth (from sth) to sth Transfer
the cookies to a wire rack to cool. I Information can be transferred from one computer to another.
transferring - transferred - have transferred
Transfer is more formal than move.
to move from one place or position to another
move /mu:v/ [v to go to a different place or to change the position of your body: Every time I move I get a pain in my shoulder. I Will you move so that I can come past, please? I Don't get off the bus while it's moving. I Don't move, or I'll shoot!
+ away/forward/toward etc She moved
away from the window.
move around (=to different parts of an
area) I can hear someone moving around
downstairs1.
movement muivmont [n C/U} when something or someone moves: the dancer's graceful movements I Any movement will set off the alarm. + of Tourists come to see the mass move- ment of these animals across the plains of Africa.
moving "mu:vir)/ 1 adj only before noun] not staying still, but changing position or
going from one place to another: This
photograph was taken from the window of a moving vehicle. I AH the moving parts of the engine must be kept well oiled.
В to move something from one place or position to another
move /muiv/ In T) to take something to a different place or change the position of something: Will you move your car, please - it's blocking the road. I I think my hand is broken - I can't move my fingers.
to keep moving your body
fidget fid.iU [v fj to keep moving or playing with your fingers, hands, feet etc. because you are bored or nervous: Stop
fidgetingf
+ with Diana started fidgeting with her
pencil.
Qcan't keep still ,ka:nt ki:p 'stilj
karnt- spoken if you can't keep still, you keep moving your body because you are excited or nervous and you cannot relax: I was so excited that I couldn 't keep still all morning!
a
twitch t w it J [v 1] if part of your body twitches, it makes small movements that you cannot control: My eyelid won 't stop twitching.
something that you can move from one place to another
portable Грэ:ЧзЬа\! [adj] a portable
machine or piece of equipment is designed to be carried or moved easily- We only have a little portable TV.
portable computer
unable to move or impossible to move
Qcan't move j.kamt 'mu:v|,kaem-/ especially spoken if you can't move, you are unable to move, for example because you are injured: / was so frightened that I couldn't move.
can't move sth I can't move my leg ~ I think it's broken.
Stuck /stAk/ [adj not before noun) something that is stuck is fixed or trapped in a particular position or place and it cannot be moved: I can't open the window - it's stuck. \ The elevators stuck again. + La Our bus was stuck in a traffic jam
for three hours!
get stuck (=become stuck) They tried to drive through the snow, but the car got stuck.
jammed /djjemd/ [adj not before noun] something that is jammed cannot be moved because it is trapped between two surfaces or trapped between parts of a machine: This drawer's jammed - I can't get it open.
+ in/under/between etc The paper has got jammed in the printer again.
Stiff /stif; {adj not usually before noun] if your fingers, back, neck, legs etc are stiff, it is difficult and usually painful for you to move them: I slept on the hard ground, and woke up with a stiff neck.
paralysed British paralyzed amer/can
'paeralaizd/ lad;] someone who is paralysed or paralyzed cannot move, either because of an injury or because of fear, shock, etc: A car crash in 1989 left him completely paralysed. + by/with His father had been pcrtially paralyzed by the fall. I She stood at the side of the stage, paralysed with fear.
not moving
Still /stil/ \adj not before noun] not moving - use this especially about people who are not moving or about places where there is no wind: There was no wind and the trees were completely still. I Anna looked out across the still water of the lake.
MOVE/NOT MOVE
keep/stand/sit still Keep still while I tie your shoes. I 1 want you all to sit still and listen to the story.
a
Stationary /'steijan^ril-neri/1 [adj] stationary car/vehicle/truck/traffic a car. vehicle etc that is not moving: The truck swerved and hit a stationary uehicle. four-mile queue of stationary traffic
A Stationary is more formal than 'not moving'.
at a standstill /3t э staendstil/ if traffic or a vehicle is at a standstill it is not moving, especially when this is annoying: Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway. I When I woke up, the train was at a standstill.
MUSIC
TELEVISION AND RADIO DANCE __ A _ FREE TIME
ART
FAMOUS
THEATRE^ ф MODERN 2 FILMS/MOVIES
playing music
A
music /'rnjuizik [n U] the sounds made by people singing or playing musical instruments: What sort of music do you like? I listening to music on the radio live music (=not recorded music) The club has live music every Saturday night.
Music can also mean the art and skill of writing or pfaying music: studying music at school I musk lessons I the Royal College of Music
p lay plci [u I/TJ ю make music on a musical instrument: Jane can play Yesterday' on the flute. 1 Do you play in an orchestra?
play the piano/trumpet/drums etc I
didn't know you could play the violin.
instrument/musical instrument
/'instr^msnt, mjuizital instr^msnt/ [n C] an object such as a piano, a guitar, or a violin that you use to play music: brass instruments
SINC
see also
see
SOUND
П11
MO
502
perform /рэг'Ь:гт/ I A] formal to sing or play music in front of people who have come to listen: She still gets very nervous about performing in public. I The orchestra will be at the Fesitval Hall tonight, performing a selection of works by Russian composers.
listening to music
cassette/tape /ко set, teip/ [n C| a small
flat plastic case containing a long thin piece of plastic material that is used for recording and playing sounds: I bought him a cassette of folk music for Christmas. I a blank tape
CD/compact disc ,,si: di:. .kompskt
'disk||,ka:m-/ [n С] a shiny circular piece of hard plastic on which recorded music is stored
cassette player(also tape recorder/ tape deck) /ks'set ,plei3r, teip n,kj:rdar,
teip dek, (n С] a piece of electrical equipment used for playing cassettes
CD plauer /.sir 'di: "pleis1"/ [n С] a piece of electrical equipment used for playing compact discs
Stereo /'steriau, sti*?- [n C] a piece of electrical equipment used for playing cassettes and compact discs
Walkman /'wsikman/ [n C] trademark а small cassette player or CD player that you can carry with you so that you can listen to music through headphones
headphones /'hedfaunz/ [n plural] a
piece of equipment that you wear over your ears in order to listen to a radio, cassette, or compact disc: a pair of headphones
types of music
classical /'klaesilwl/ \adj] classical music
is music which is regarded as serious and has been popular for a very long time, for example the music of Beethoven, Mozart, or Tchaikovsky: a concert of classical music
jazz d^aez [n U] music that was originally played by black Americans in the early 20th century, which has a strong beat and has parts in it that performers play alone: My friend, Tony, plays trumpet in a jazz band.
pop pop||pa:p/ [n U] modern music that is popular with young people and usually has simple tunes and a strong beat: one of Britain's most successful pop singers,
George Michael I the 1970s pop group ABBA
rock /гок§га:к/ [n Uj a type of popular modern music with electric guitars and a strong loud beat: American rock bands such as Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chilli
503
MUSIC
amplifier
speaker
stereo
Peppers I veteran rock guitarist, Eric Clapton
dance /da:ns||dans/ in U] a name for some types of modern music such as house, techno etc, that are made using electronic equipment and have a very fast, strong beat
A Don't use dance to describe more traditional music that people dance to, such as music for the waltz or tango.
/olk//olk music /faok, 'faok .mjuizik/ [n U] a type of traditional music in which people sing and play instruments without any electronic equipment: a folk club
world music /'w3:rld ,mjuizik/ [n U} music from places such as South America, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East
people in music
musician /mjiu'zijjn/ [n C] someone who play a musical instrument verv well or someone who does this as their job: one of our most talented young musicians
conductor кэл'с1лк1эг; [n C] someone who stands in front of a group of musicians or singers and directs their playing or singing
orchestra /э:гкJ>str3 [n С] a large group of people playing many different kinds of instruments and led by a conductor: the Halle Orchestra
choir /kwai3r; [n CJ a large group of people who sing together, often in a church or school
band /baend/ [n C] a small group of musicians who play popular music such as jazz, rock, or pop: a jazz band be in a band Lots of girls want to go out with Sonias brother because he's in a band.
singer /'siipr/ |n C] someone who sings, especially as their job: Rosie s a singer in a rock band. I an opera singer Lead singer (=the most important singer in a popular music group) Jarvis Cocker is lead singer with Pulp.
MUSIC
pop Star /'pop ,sta:r||'pa:p-/ In C] someone who is famous and successful as a singer or musician in a pop group: My sister has pictures of pop stars all over her bedroom wall.
going to see people play music
concert 'knns3rtH'ka:n-/ [n CJ a performance given by musicians: a pop concert I the school concert
+ оfa concert of orchestral music by Beethoven and Schubert go to a concert On Friday we're going to a concert of modern African music.
go to see g^o si: to go to see а particular singer or band perform - use this especially about going to see modern popular musicians: We're going to see Oasis at Knebworth.
performance /p3r'b:rm3ns/ [n C] when a
musician or group of musicians performs a piece of music
+ of There are no tickets left for this evening's performance of Mozart's Requiem.
give a performance The band gave one of their best performances at the Woodstock Festival.
gig /gig/ [n C] informal a performance by a musician or group of musicians playing modern popular music or jazz do/play a gig (=perform at a concert) They are doing about 30 gigs on their European tour.
504
band
go to a gig Let's go to a gig this weekend.
festival 'fest>r?l [n C] an occasion when many different musical groups or singers perform, which happens at the same time and in the same place every year: I first heard them play at the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. I Are you going to the
Glastonbury festival this year?
concert Kali 'knnsort ho:l|ku:n-.- [n С) а
large building where concerts are per formed
jazz club dT,av. ,kL\b [n С] a place where you can listen to jazz bands and singers
venue , venju? Jn Cj a place where a concert. festival etc takes place: The club is a popular venue for reggae bands.
people who write music
composer 'к^т'рэо/э1" [n C] someone who writes music, especially classical music: Henry Puree!I was one of the greatest English composers.
songwriter .'soijraitofsDa]-, [п д someone who writes songs: Most of Elton John's early hits were written by song writer Bernie Taupin. singer-songwriter (=someone who writes songs and sings them) singer-songionter S/iery/ Crow
writing music
compose /кэт'рэог/ [v I/T] to write a piece of music, especially classical music: a song composed by Schubert ! The children will now play some pieces that they composed themselves.
write /rait/ [u I/T] to write a song or a piece of music: an opera written by Verdi
MUST
LET
RULE
FORCE SB TO DO STH
see also
SHOULD
STRICT/ NOT STRICT
when you have to do something
must /mAst/ [modal verb] to have to do something, especially because you feel that you should do it or because there is a rule that says you have to do it must do sth All passengers must wear seatbelts. I I must go and do my home work. I Accidents must be reported to the safety officer.
must sb do sth? formal Must you leave so soon?
/К Only use must in the present tense. The past tense of must is had to: At my old schoolwe had to wear a uniform. The future
tense of must is will have to: If you fail the test, you will have to take It again
A\ Don't say 'we must to go'. Say we must go-
You can say I must do something to mean that you feel you really should do it because it is important or urgent: / must 1 write to my mother. I / really must try to stop j smoking. j
have to do stk I,hsv tu: du: (sth) if you
have to do something you must do it, especially because the situation that you are in makes it necessary or because there is a rule that says you must do it: I have to stay late today. I She had to leave early because she wasn't feeling well. I The doctor said I would have to have an operation. I Do we have to take our passports with us?
have got to do sth British I've got to return my library books today.
need to do Sth /,ni:d ts du: (sth)/ to have
to do something because you think it is necessary or someone else thinks it is necessary: We need to buy some more potatoes. I She told me I needed to get my hair cut. I Do I really need to go to this meeting?
be forced to do sth /bi: ,fb:rst ts du:
505
MUST
(sth)/ to have to do something that you do not want to do because you are in a situation that makes it impossible to avoid: She was forced to retire at the age of 50 because of health problems. I There was a train strike that day so we were forced to cancel the party.
feel obliged to do sth /fid z.bimdjd ta
du: (sth)/ to feel that you should do something because other people expect you to do it and will be disappointed or upset if you do not: / felt obliged to invite them all.
MUST
have no alternative h«v пэи
э:1'1з:гпэпу: to have to do something, even though you do not want to, because there is nothing else you can possibly do in the situation: The police say they hod no alternative: the man was armed and they had to shoot him. have no alternative but to do sth He had no alternative but to resign.
when you must not do something
see also forbid
must not/mustn't /'mAst not, 'тлч<ли use this to tell or order someone not to do something: This book must not be removed from the library. must not/mustn't do sth Remember, you mustn't tell Pat about this.
A
Only use must not/mustn't in the present tense. When talking about the past, use couldn't or wasn't/weren't allowed to: He couldn't stay in the US because he didn't have a green card. I The children were not allowed to watch horror movies. When talking about the future use will not be allowed to: Under the new rules, employees will not be allowed to smoke in the office.
A
Д Don't say 'you mustn't to go'. Say you mustn't go.
Don't confuse must not do something (-when you are not allowed to to it) and not have to do something (=when you can do it, but you do not need to).
Qcan't /karntflksent/ spoken use this to say that someone is not allowed to do something: "Ben wants to borrow the car." "Well tell him he can't." can't do sth Гт sorry, you know I can't discuss my work - it s secret.
A\ Only use can't in the present tense. When talking about the past, use couldn't or wasn't/weren't allowed to. When talking about the future, use will not be allowed to.
/К Don't say you can't to go'. Say you can't go.
not be allowed /not bi: a'laud/ if something is not allowed, there is a rule that forbids it: Smofcing is not allowed on the
train.
sb is not allowed to do sth You are not
allowed to use a dictionary during the test.
something that must be done
compulsory кэгг рлКч^п \adj] formal something that is compulsory must be done because of a rule or law: Compulsory education i=when all children have to go to school) was introduced in 1870.
it is compulsory for sb to do sth It's compulsory for all drivers to have insurance.
necessary /'nes^ri||-seri [ad/1 if something is necessary, there are very good reasons why it should be done, and it would not be sensible to avoid doing it: If any changes are necessary, you can make them.
it is necessary to do sth Is it really necessary to keep all the doors locked? it is necessary for sb to do sth The
doctor says it may be necessary for me
to have an operation.
make it necessary to do sth The heavy
rain made it necessary to close several
roads.
essential/vital /isenjX >aitl/ [adj] if
506
something is essential or vital, it is very important to do it, and there could be serious problems if it is not done: Choosing the right equipment is vital. I In cases of heart attack, immediate medical help is absolutely essential. It is essential/vital to do sth It is vital to take precautions before handling toxic substances.
it is essential/vital that It is essential that you finish the job before Christmas. I It is vital that you keep accurate records of what you spend.
when you do not have to do something
not have to do sth not ha>v tn 'du:
A
(sth) if you do not have to do something, you can do it if you want, but you are not forced to do it. either by a rule or by another person, or by the situation you are in: Paola came from a wealthy family and didn't have to work. I You don't have to go if you don't want to.
Don't confuse not have to do something (=when you are not forced to do it) and must not do something
(=when you are not allowed to do it).
Qthere is no need to do sth floor
17 ni:d to du: (sth). spokon say this to
tell someone that it is not necessarv for
j
them to do something: There's no need to do the dishes - I'll do them in the morning. I There's no need to bring a towel - we have plenty.
unnecessary/not necessary лп
nesos<?ri. nnt 'nesos^ritj-scri [adj] if something is unnecessary or not necessary.
is it not needed or there is no good reason for you to do it: They want to build another shopping mall here, but we think it's completely unnecessary. + to do stH It 's not necessary to oil your bike every day.
not need to do sth (also needn't
Don't say 'you needn't to pay now'. Say you needn't pay now.
A
Don't confuse not need to do something (=when something is not necessary) and must not do something (=when something is not allowed).
do Sth British) not ni:d to du:(sth), ni:dnt du: (sth) to not have to do something because it is not necessary and there will not be any problems if you do not do it: You don't need to tell Sandy - she already knows, i You needn't come with me - I can find my own way to the station. I Mar/an had a rich husband and did not need to work.
A
optional 'оррпэЩ'спр-/ [adj] if something is optional, you do not have to do it or use it but you can if you want to: We all had to study English, but Spanish was optional.
voluntary / vDhnUrill'vuitanteri/ |adjj а voluntary activity is one that you do because you want to do it. especially because you believe it is useful or will help other people, and not because you have to: I do voluntary work at a young mothers 'centre. I We get all our money from voluntary contributions.
to say that someone must do something
Insist insist (i> I/T] to say firmly that
someone must do something or that something must happen, and not let anyone refuse: "You must stay," he insisted. insist (that) sb do sth They insisted that we paid for the damage before we left. iasist on doing sth (=say that you must be allowed to do something) I insist on specking to the manager.
MYSELF/YOURSELF
see also alone
when you do something yourself, instead of someone else doing it for you
yourself/myself etc [pronoun] if you do something yourself, no-one else does it for you: I made these curtains myself. I Why can't your boyfriend cook lunch himself? I 'Could you pass me that book?" "Get it yourselff"
personally /'pn^rwli' [adv] if an important person does something personally,
they do it. although you would normally expect someone else to do it for them: The President wrote to us personally to thank us for our hard work.
507
MY$ELF/YOURSELF
in person ;m p3:rs^n/ if you do something in person, you do it by going somewhere yourself, instead of writing, telephoning, or asking someone else to do it: He delivered the document in person to
Friedman's house. I Do 1 have to come and get it in person?
MYSELF/YOURSELF
first-hand fVs! h;end< [adj only before noun] first-hand experience/know- ledge/account etc experience knowledge etc that you get by doing or seeing something yourself, not by reading about it or hearing about it from someone else: She has first-hand experience of the French education system, having taught there for five years. I a first-hand account of the robbery, by someone who witnessed it
Ез when someone only thinks about himself or herself
508
selfish, self if [adj] someone who is selfish only thinks about what they need or want, and never thinks about how other people feel: Amy, don't be so selfish! Let the others have a turn. I a selfish old man I selfish motives sel/isfily [ac/u] She selfishly refused to give us any of the food. sel/ishaess [n U] when someone behaves in a selfish way: a political philosophy based on selfishness and greed
N
NAME
II a person's name
name /neim/(n C] What's your name? I I'm not very good at remembering people's names. I His name is Raymond Ford.
fuii name (=all your names) Ayrton Senna's full name was Ayrton Senna da Siiva.
surname/last name s3:rnemi. laist neimjl'laest-/ [п C] your last name, which is the same as your parents' name: Smith is the most common English surname.
Zlli Until recently, women always took their husband's surname or last name when they got married, but many women ! no longer do this.
first name /fi:rst ,neim [n C] the name that your parents choose for you when you are born, which in western countries comes at the beginning of your full name: Her first name is Liz. I don't know her surname
maiden name /"meidn neim/ [n Cj the
surname that a woman had before she was married: My mother kept her maiden name when she got married. (=did not change her name to her husband s name)
initials ,'i'niplz/ |n plural] the first letters of your names: There's no need to write out your full name. Just your initials will do. I a suitcase marked with the initials JR
title "taitl/ (n C] a word such as Mrs, Miss, Ms. Mr, Dr, or Professor that you put before your name: The title 'Ms' became much more popular in the 1980s.
ы your name when you write it on a cheque, at the end of a letter etc
signature /'signstJV/ [n C] your name as you usually write it, especially when you write it on an important document, a cheque, or a letter: I can't read the signature on this letter. I We got more than 4000 signatures on our petition to save the park.
autograph ;5:t3gra:f|]-graef [n С] a famous person's name that they write and give to someone who admires them: Can I have your autograph? I I'd be too shy to ask for his autograph.
El a name that is not your real name
\
nickname /"nikneim, [n С] a name given
to someone by their friends or family, which is not their real name and is often chosen because of something about their appearance or behaviour: At school, her nickname was Carrots because of her red hair.
Jalse name /foils neim/ [n С] a name that someone uses instead of their real name, so that people will not find out who they really are: It is illegal to give a false namie to your employer. I They used a false name to hire a car.
stage name "steid3 ,neim/ [n C] the
name used by an actor, singer etc instead of their real name: Greta Garbo was the stage name of Greta Gustavson, born in Stockholm in 1905.
El the name of a place, object etc
name /neim/ {n C] I've forgotten the name of the street where she lives. the Chinese/French etc name for sth The
Chinese name for this plant means 'cat's ears'.
brand name "braend ,neim/ [n C] the
name given to a product by the company that makes it, often including the name of the company itself: Our customers prefer goods with brand names, such as Levi's or Adidas.
BJ to have a particular name
509
NAME
sb's name is /(sb's) neim iz/ Hi! My name's Ted. I'm from Florida. I 'Who's that man over there?" uHis name is Lucio Mannonetti and he owns the company
be called /bi: kM to have a particular name - use this about a person, thing, or place: There's someone called Russell on the phone for you. I What's the new teacher called9 I They are in favour of what is called 'sustainable development'.
be named hi: 'neimd/ especially american someone who is named Paul, Jane etc has the name Paul. Jane etc: Their new baby is named Caroline. I She went to the movies with some guy named Rudi.
Don't say 'what's their son named?' Say what's their son called? Don't use be named in questions, use be called.
be known as /bi: пэоп aez if someone
or something is known as a particular name, that is the name that people call them, although it is not their real name: He was known as Rambo to his friends. I This area is known as Little Odessa because there are a lot of Russians living here.
to give a name to someone or something
call /кэ:1/ [u T] to give a name to someone or something
call sb Paul/Jane etc My mother wanted to call me Yuri. I Guidebooks call Chicago 'The Windy City'. I This is what psychologists call 'body language'.
name /neim/ [u T] especially american to officially give someone or something a name-. Have they named the baby yet? name sb Paul/Jane etc We named our daughter Sarah.
name sb/sth after (also name sb/sth/or
american) Bill was named after his father. I The new college is going to be named for John F Kennedy.
christen /'kriswn/ [v T] to give a baby its name at a Christian religious ceremony
NAME
christen sb Paul etc/be christened Paul
etc They christened him Patrick John. \ She was christened Jessica, but everyone calls her Jess.
rename /riineim/ [и T] to change something's name: New Amsterdam was renamed New York in the 17th century.
When you see ЦЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
to publicly announce the name of someone
name :iam \v T] to publicly say who someone is, by telling people his or her
name: She refused to name the father of her child.
name sb as sb Police have named the dead woman as Annabel Tomms.
identi/y /ai'den^fai [v T] to officially recognize someone and say that you know who they are, for example in order to help the police: The victim identified her attacker in court, t Greg had to identify the body of his wife.
identifying - identified - have identified
what you call someone or something when you cannot remember their name
Qwhat's his name/what's her
name /'wDts hiz neim, wDts Ьэг neim/ spoken informal, say this when you cannot remember someone's name: / saw Guy with what's her name in town yesterday.
Qwhat's its name/whatsit (also
thing IJ British) !'wots its neim, 'wotsit, '6ii]il'wa:t-/ spoken informal say this when you cannot remember the name of something: "Can I have the whatsit for the TV?" "You mean the remote control?"
NATURAL
not made by humans or changed
by humans
if you mean 'land where there are trees and fields and not many
buildings', go to countryside
see also land and sea, environment
plants/animals/places/ substances
510
natural /'nsetprol/ [adj usually before noun] not made, caused, or changed by humans: It was fascinating to see the elephants in their natural environment. I The river had worn away the rock to form a natural bridge, i a pipeline carrying natural gas from under the sea
wild 'waildj \adj usually before noun] wild flowers/plants/animals/birds flowers, plants, and animals that are in their natural state and have not been changed or controlled by humans- There were lots of wild flowers growing by the roadside. I
Wildcats are usually much larger than
domestic ones.
grow wild There were banana trees growing wild on the edge of the forest.
EJ food/drink
natural /'гшргэ! [adj usually before noun] produced without using chemicals: The manufacturers claim that only natural ingredients are used in their products. I These days, consumers prefer drinks that contain natural flavourings
organic o'/'gsmk, [adj\ organic fruit/ vegetables/produce fruit, vegetables etc that have been grown without using chemicals to help them grow: Most supermarkets now sell organic produce, i Organic fruit is generally more expensive.
pure /pjoar/ [adj only before noun] pure food or drink has not had anything added to it: pure orange juice I The burgers are made of 100% pure beef.
El not natural
^ opposite real 1 m see also false
artificial /.аЩТфЫ/ fad;] not made of natural materials or substances: The food contains no artificial colours or flavourings. I a type of artificial grass called
Astroturf
man-made /,тгеп 'meid-*, [adj] made by humans, but similar to something that is natural: The Badesee is a man-made lake which is popular with swimmers. I a coat made of 80% wool and 20% man- made fibres
A Artificial and man-made are similar in meaning, but you can use artificial to give the idea that something is bad because it is not natural: I don't like these artificial I flowers, do you?
Synthetic /sin'Betik [adj] synthetic materials, cloth, or substances are similar to natural ones but are made by a chemical process: Her dress was made of some shiny synthetic material. 1 synthetic rubber
processed praosestfl'pra:-/ [adj only before noun] processed food has been treated with chemicals in order to make it stay in good condition or to make it look
good: processed cheese I Processed food may lack the uitamins found in fresh food.
NEAR
^ opposite far
^ if you want to know about words meaning 'next to', go to position &
direction
not far away
near
near /шэг [preposition/adv/adj) only а short distance from a person, place, or thing: Bob was standing near enough to hear what they were saying, near sth/sb We camped near a large lake. ) Don't go near the fire. I Have you euer been to Versailles? It's near Paris.
nearer to/nearest to If we moved to Dallas we'd be nearer to my parents, near here The accident happened somewhere near here.
close /klaus/ [adj/adv] very near to something or someone, or almost touching them: As we approached Abbeville, the gunfire sounded very close. + to Don 't drive too close to the edge of the road.
close together The houses were built very close together.
511
NEAR
+ behind/beside Suddenly we heard footsteps close behind us. I Nancy sat down close beside me. dose by (=near where you are) Is there a gas station close by?
not far not 'fa'r' not a very long distance
away - use this about somewhere that is near enough to be easy to get to: "Нош jar's the station?" "Oh, not far - about ten minutes by car."
+ /rom Asti is not far from the French
border.
not far away Our hotel was in the centre of town but the beach wasn't far away.
nearby ,шэг'Ьам/ \adu\ near the place where you are or the place you are talking about: Daue, who was sitting nearby, laughed when he heardthis. I The house is nice, and a lot of my friends live nearby.
near by [adj only before noun] Lucy was staying with her aunt in the nearby town of Hamilton.
neighbouring British neighboring
AMtRicAN 'neib^rti3/ [adj only before noun) neighbouring country/town/area etc
a country, town etc that is near the place where you are or the place you are talking about: The fire quickly spread to the neighbouring areas.
local /'1эоЫ/ [adj only before noun] local store/hospital/school etc a store. hos pital etc that is in the area where you live and that you are most likely to use: We spent the summer evenings on the beach or in the local park. sb's local sckool/cinema You can find all these bocks in your local .library. locally lady) in the area near where you live or work: We prefer to do all our shopping locally. I Do you live locally?
within walking distance wiflin
'w:>:k irj .dislons; when a place is not far away, and you can walk there easily: There ore several good restaurants within walking distance.
■f of Dr Goldthorpe lived within walking distance of the University.
В the nearest house/ shop/station etc
the nearest jto rnor^st the nearest shop/station/bank etc the shop, station etc that is closest to where you are Excuse me, tuhere s the nearest subway station?
the next /to nekst/ the next house/
NEAR
street/room etc the house, street etc that is closest to the one you are in or the
one you are talking about: The people in the next apartment were making a lot of
noise.
El convenient because it is near
convenient for (also handy for
British informal) kan'viinbnt fb:r, 'haendi fo:r if your home, office etc is convenient for or handy for a particular place, that place is near it and easy to reach: The place where we live now is very convenient for the school ~ it's only a couple of minutes on foot. I Our flat is on the High Street, so it's very handy for the shops.
El near enough to pick up or touch
handy "haendi/ [adj] if something is handy, it is near enough for you to pick it up and use it quickly and easily keep/have sth handy Keep a pen and paper handy, because we'll be giving our phone number in a moment. I Make sure you have the manual handy when you install the new software.
handy - handier - handiest
within reach wi(>in ri:tj if something is within reach, it is near enough for you to take hold of it when you stretch out your hand: As soon as she was within reach, he grabbed her wrist.
Ci to get nearer
get near/get close /.get тэг, get
к loos/ to go or come nearer to a person, place, or thing-. As Kay got near the house she began to feel nervous. + to Don't get too close to the micro phone.
approach /a'prootj" [u I/Г] to move gradually closer to a person, place, or thing: The twin slowed down as it started to approach the station. I We could hear footsteps approaching down the corridor
i A\ Don't say 'he approached to the ; ; pldce'. Say he approached the place.
catch up/be catching up /.kaetj* лр.
512
bi: ,кжфо лр to gradually get closer to a moving person or vehicle in front of you, by moving faster than they move:
Schumacher is still in front but the other Ferrari is catching up. + with Looking back, I could see that
the other walkers were catching up with us.
NEED/NOT NEED
^ see also must, important/not
important
U to need something
need niid, \v T] if you need something, you must have it. because you cannot live, succeed, or do something without it: It's cold outside - you'll need a coat. I / need time to think. 1 I think she might need a doctor.
need sth for sth He needs the information for an article he's writing, need to do sth (=when it is necessary for
someone to do something) That cat looks
as if she needs to go to the vet. need sb to do sth We need more volunteers to help clean up after the party.
need cleaning/washing/mending etc
(=need to be cleaned etc) The plants need
watering at least once с week
badly need sth (-need something ven;
much) The team badly needs some younger players.
A Don't say 'I am needing', 'he is needing', etc. Say I need, he needs etc.
require 'ri'kwai^/ [l> T] formal to need something: Is there anything further you require, sir? I Guesis who require spe- cial diets should inform the catering manager
be required for sth I regret that you do not have the qualifications required for this job.
Don't say 'I am requiring', 'she is requiring' etc. Say I require she requires etc.
Qcould do with sth/could use
sth /kud du: wifi (sth), kod ju:z (sth) spoken informal say that you could do with something or could use something when you feel that you need it and that it would improve things for you: "Let's stop
3 NEED/NOT NEED
for a minute." "Sure, I could do with a rest." I I could use some help around
here.
be desperate for sth /ьi: 'despot fb:r
(sth) to urgently need something and want it very much: / had to take the job - I was desperate for the money. I The heat was unbearable, and we were desperate for water and rest.
И when you cannot live without someone or something
can't do without /,ka:nt du: wi(Vaot||
.kaent- to be unable to do the things that you have to do without someone who usually helps you or without something that you usually use: He always says he couldn't do without his mobile phone. I My secretary's so efficient that I just can't do without her.
depend on/be dependent on
di pend on. bi: di'pendont on||-a:n-/ [phrasa/ verb T] to be unable to live, exist, or continue normally without something or someone, because they provide you with what you need: Since becoming blind she had been totally dependent on her hus band. I Our research program depends entirely on gifts oj money from private individuals.
depend heavily/be heavily dependent
on sth (=be very dependent on it) Japan is heavily dependent on oil imports from the Middle East.
dependent/be dependent on sth for sth
All young mammals depend on their parents for food and shelter.
В something you need
necessary /nes^rill-seri [adj] if something is necessary, you need to have it or do it: Make sure you have all the neces sary documents for your trip, if necessary (=if it is necessary) If necessary, we will have to employ some extra people to finish the work. + for Fats in our diet are necessary for both heat and energy, it is necessary (for sb) to do sth formal It will be necessary to close the pool while the repairs take place. I The doctor says it may be necessary for me to have an operation.
NEED/NOT NEED
essential /isenpl [adj] if something is essential, you need it because you cannot be successful, healthy, safe etc without it: Computers form an essential part of any business nowadays. + for Calcium is essential for the development of healthy teeth and bones. it is essential to do sth It is essential to read any document carefully before you sign it.
it is essential that It is essential that the oil is checked every 10,000 km.
vital /'vaitl/ [adj] if something is vital, it is extremely important and you will have serious problems if you do not have it or do it: One vital piece of evidence is missing - the murder weapon. I In this job. the ability to remain calm is vita!. + for Efficient food production was vital for such a highly populated country. it is vital that It is vital that you keep accurate records.
sb's needs/the needs of sb (sb's)
ni:dz, бэ 'niidz dv (sb) the things that someone must have in order to live a normal, healthy, and comfortable life: In designing new buildings we must consider the needs of disabled visitors, meet/satisfy sb's needs (=provide what someone needs) Schoo/s shou/d try to meet the educational needs of every child.
Necessity is rather a formal word. In conversation it is more natural to say 'this is something we really need' (not 'this is a necessity').
plural necessities
necessity /nJ/ses^ti. [n C] something that you need to have in order to live or to do your job: Most Americans consic/er a phone a necessity rather than a luxury. an absolute necessity A car is an absolute necessity for this job. the bare necessities l=the basic things that you must have, such as food and clothes) Their wages are so low that they cannot even afford the bare necessities.
A
the fact that something
is needed
need /ni:d/ [n singularl if there is a need for something, that thing is needed + for the need for stricter safety regulations I Some politicians now believe there is a need for more discipline in
schools.
to not need something
don't need /daunt ni:d/to not need something or someone: Do you want these text books? I don't need them any more.
feel the need to do sth (=feel that you need to do something) Don't you ever feel the need to take a vacation?
Don't say 'I am not needing', 'he is not needing' etc. Say I don't need, he doesn't need etc.
unnecessary/not necessary /Лп-
ne$9s<?ri, nDt nes3svrij|-seri [cdjj if something is unnecessary or not necessary.
you do not need to have it or do it: Don't fill your report with unnecessary information. 1 Dr Jacobs was furious when he discovered that the expense hod been
totally unnecessary.
it is not necessary to do sth It 's not пес
essary to spend a lot of money on clothes to look good. unnecessarily [adu] / think you're worrying unnecessarily. Just forget all about it.
hardly necesssary hcu'dli ncs^rijf
-seri not necessary at all - use this when you are surprised that someone thinks something is necessary: They asked to see my passport, my driver's license.
and my bank card, which was hardly
necessary.
spare /speor [adj usually before noun] use this about something which you do not need now. but which is available so that you can use it later or let someone else use it: / always keep a spare can of oil in the garage. I We have two spare tickets for the game - do you want to come? \ Do you have a spare pair of gloves I could borrow?
can do without sb/sth /bn du:
514
wi(Taut (sb/sth), to not need someone or something, because you can live normally or do what you want to do without them: The country now has a strong economy and can do without western aid. I He felt he could do without other people and was happy to live on his own.
opposite always
D
see also often, usually, sometimes never
never 'пе\'У \adv) not once, or not at any time: "Have you ever been to Paris9" "No, never" i The countryside was beautiful - I'll never forget it. I Ali had never seen snow before. I He never even suys 'hello'
/X Don't use never with negative words like 'nobody', 'no one', and 'nothing'. Use ever: Nobody will ever find me here. Vou can use never with words like 'anybody', 'anything', and 'anywhere': I'll never tell anyone.
Never usually comes before the main verb: He never told me. If there is a modal or auxiliary verb (like have, will, should etc), never comes after this verb and before the main verb: You must never speak to strangers.
Qnever ever/never, never ncvzr evor, ,nevor nev?r spokf.n say this when you want to emphasize strongly that something has never happened or will never happen: Vou must never ever tell anyone what you heard tonight. I I'll never never stop loving you.
Qnot in a million years nm in э
NEVER
milj^n juVz spok) \ informal say this when you think it is completely impossible that something could ever happen: You'll never get Kieran to give you that money ~ not in a million years!
В
When you see Ua, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
not once not л ,\ns say this when you are surprised or annoyed because someone never did something, although they often had the opportunity to do it: She's never said thank you - not once' I He hasn't once come here to see us.
almost never
hardly ever /ha!rdli evor/ almost never: 'How's Dorothy?" '7don't knoiu. I hardly ever see her these days." I My grandmother hardly ever goes out of the house.
rarely/seldom re^li. seldam faafu!
especially wrtten almost never: Mr Gluck rarely went to bed before midnight, but tonight he felt very tired. I She seldom talked about her personal life.
A Don't say 'I go there seldom'. Say 'I seldom go there'. Use seldom before the main verb.
rare тсУ [adj] something that is rare does not happen often: The disease is rare, but very dangerous. I On the rare occasions when I do go to the theatre, I really enjoy it.
NEW
m opposite old
m see also modern, shine 2 f|
11 recently made or produced
new nju:||nu: [adj] recently made, produced, or bought: Do you like my new dress? I That's с nice bag - is it new7 I the city's new hospital brand new (^completely new and almost unused) Larry was very proud of his brand new BMW.
buy sth new I got a used video camera for $2000 - it would have cost twice that much if I'd bought it new.
latest leit^st [adj only before noun) the latest film/book/model/fashion the
film, book etc that has been produced or made most recently: Haue you seen Spielberg's latest movie? I the latest fashions from the Paris catwalks
be just out /bi: ,d3Ast aot if a book, record, or film is just out, it has only recently arrived in the shops, cinemas etc: REM's new album is just out.
fresh frej [adj] fresh food has been recently made, killed, or picked, and it still tastes good: Make sure that the fish is fresh.
fresh from the о venfseoj garden The
515
NEW
/hi Hardly ever is much more common in spoken English than rarely and seldom.
vegetables are picked fresh from the garden every day.
516
NEW
/reshly [acfu] These strawberries were freshly picked this morning I freshly baked bread revolutionary technology for producing cheap, pollution-free energy I a revolutionary new treatment for cancer
instead of the one that you had before
new nju:||nu: [adj only beiore noun] your new job, home etc is the one you got most recently, and is different from the one you had before: Are you enjoying your new job? I Hove you met Keith's new girlfriend? I After the divorce, she ivent off to Canada to start a new life.
another з'плОУ [determiner] if you want another job, another system etc. you want it instead of the one that you have now: / decided to look for another job. I If you don't like one doctor; you can ask to see another.
replace ripleis [и Tj if you replace
something that is old or damaged, you put a new one in its place to be used instead of it: The roof was in bad condition and needed to be completely replaced. replace sth with sth They're replccing the old windows with modern ones.
new ideas/methods/ information
new nju:|nu: [adj] new ideas, methods, or
information did not exist before, or were not known about before: important new scien/i/т с discoveries I Her lawyers have found new evidence that may prove her innocence. I the company's new nonsmoking policy
original D'ndjinjl, -dvnal [adj] completely different from anything that has been thought of before original idea/design/style a jazz musician with a completely original style I My job is to think up creative and original advertising ideas
revolutionary /, re v э' I u: Jsnjri II-Jone ri.
A
Fresh can also mean food that has not been frozen, dried, or put in cans: fresh peas I fresh pasta
[adj] a revolutionary idea, method, or invention is completely different from anything that existed before, and is likely to bring important changes or improvements:
a new government/ company
new nju:||nu: [adj] a new organization, government etc has only existed for a short time: Within weeks of the election, the new government announced big tax cuts. I Thousands of new businesses are set up each year. I one of E.uropes newest TV stations
someone who has just started a new job, school etc
new nju:||nu: [ad;] someone who is new has only recently arrived in a place, or has only recently started working in a job: You're new here, aren't you? I All t\ew employees are given training. + to Children who are new to the school may need extra help.
newcomer 'п^клтУЦ'пи:- [n C] someone who has only recently arrived in a place or has only recently started a job, sport, or other activity: The villagers are very suspicious of newcomers. I The team includes some familiar faces as well as a few newcomers. + to Although she's a newcomer to the sport, she's already very successful.
NEWS
see also information, newspapers
and magazines, television and radio
D news that people tell each other
news nju:/||nu:z [n U] information about
something that happened recently + of There hasn't been any news of him s\nce he left home.
+ that He brought the news that their father was seriously ill. your/my/her aews (=what you have been doing recently) Sit down and tell me all your news.
have good/bad news for sb I'm afraid I have some bad news for you.
Qthe latest /<ъ leitjst spoken the most recent news: Have you heard the latest? Phil's going out with Judy! + on What's the latest on the election?
scandal /'skaendl/ [n C/U] when shocking facts about someone's behaviour become publicly known: с sex scandal involving senior politicians ( the public s interest in scandal and gossip
on television or in a newspaper
news nju:z||nu:z [n U] reports about recent events, printed in newspapers or given on television or radio: / a/ways read the sports news first. I It's a local paper, so most of the news is about local events.
+ of Later on, we'll bring you all the news of today 's football games. tke news (=a news programme on television or radio) Do you want to watch the news? I the nine o'clock news on the news (=in a television or radio news programme) It must be true ~ I
heard it on the news this morning.
/К You can also use news before a noun,
like an adjective: news broadcjst (news item
news/lash British news bulletin
american /'njuizflief, nju:z .ЬоЦппЦ'пшг-/ In CI a piece of news that is so important that it is broadcast immediately, olten in the middle of another programme: We interrupt this programme to bring you a newsflash. plural newsflashes
the headlines to 'hedlainz/ [n plural)
hear news Have you heard the news? Sara's going to have a baby. good/bad news Good news! Ian passed his driving test!
^ Don't say 'a news'. Say a piece of
news or some news: ( heard an interesting
piece of news yesterday.
the important points of the news, printed in big letters on the front page of a newspaper or read at the beginning of a news broadcast: I stopped to read the front page headlines: 'KILLER ESCAPES FROM JAIL'. I This is the six o'clock news. First, the headlines ...
NICE
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
if you mean 'information about something that has happened recently', go to news
* t /Г
KIND
ENJOY
good
ROUTE
see pages 518-521
NICE
HORRIBLE/UN PLEA5ANT LIKE/NOT LIKE,
see
also
DESCRIBING HUENDLY/
PEOPLE UNFRIENDLY
nice person
Qnice nais/ especially spoken [adj] friendly
and kind: He's one of the nicest people I know. I Claire's really nice, isn't she? + to He's only nice to me when he wants something.
it is nice of sb to do sth ft was nice of you to help me.
nice - nicer - nicest
Be careful not to use nice too much in written English.
pleasant /plez^nt [adj] friendly, polite,
arid easy to talk to - use this especially about someone you do not know well. / thought she was a quiet pleasant girl. I The Ambassador and his wife were surprisingly pleasant.
likeable /ЧшкэЫГ [adj] nice, and easy to like. The only likeable character in the whole movie is Judge White.
lovely iAVli [adj] INFORMAL, ESPECIALLY
bmtish very nice, kind, and friendly; Old Dr Macintosh was a lovely man.
lovely - lovelier - loveliest
517
nice continues on page 522
newspapers and magazines
newspaper/paper /'nju:s.peip,v, -pcipo
mvr-l [п C] a set of large folded sheets of paper containing news, articles, pictures etc. which is printed and soid every day or every week: Can I have a look ct your newspaper, please? I It says \n the paper that they're getting divorced.
A
Don't contuse newspaper and journal a journal is a serious magazine on a particular subject, containing articles by
university teachers, scientists, doctors etc;: the British Medical journal I Their research was published in a scientific journal.
Sunday paper /SAndi peip.V/ [n C| а
paper that is sold every Sunday, and is usually bigger than papers sold on other davs: I like to sit in bed and read the Sunday papers.
local paper /|лоЫ 'peipo'/ [n С] a newspaper that gives news mainly about the town or area where it is printed: Did yo[j see Dave's picture in the local paper?
magazine /ma-gnziinll'ma'gozKn/ In C] a
large, thin book with a paper cover, often primed on shiny paper, which contains stories, articles, photographs, and sometimes also news: I bought some magazines for the journey - Cosmopolitan and Vanity Fair. I a photography magazine I a magazine for people interested in gardening.
women's magazine (=a magazine intended especially for women)
the press pres/ [n singular] newspapers and the people who write for them: Do you think the press has too much influence on politics ] Princess Diana was followed by the press wherever she went
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
the media fa miidi^/ [n singular] all the organizations that are involved in providing information to the public, especially newspapers. television, and radio: The letter must have been leaked to the media by с White House official. I The judge is worried that comments in the medic might affect the result of the trial.
tabloid /nebbid/ |л С] a newspaper that does not contain much serious news, but has stories about famous people, sport, sex etc - use this especially about newspapers that you think are silly and not serious enough: She claimed that she had had an affair with the President, and sold her story to one of the tabioids.
the popular press /<ъ .pupj^hv prcs||
- pa:-/ (n singular] newspapers that are read by a lot of people and generally contain articles that are entertaining rather than serious, for example stories about people on television and in sport: Smifh strongly denies reports in the popular press that he is addicted to cocaine.
comic (also comic book amf.rican)
/kmnik. 'knmik ,buk||'ka:-/ [n С] a magazine, especially for children, that consists of funny or exciting stories which are told using a series of pictures: comic book characters such as Spiderman and Superman
parts of a newspaper or magazine
headline/'hcdkun/ [n Cj the words in big
letters at the top of a newspaper report that tell you what the report is about: The headline read: SPACE ALIENS MEET
WITH PRESIDENTS CAT" letters page /lety/ peid3/ [n ci a page in
a newspaper where letters from members of the public are printed
TV/sport/business/fashion page
/ti: vi:. sрл:rt, 'bizn^s. hepn ,peid.V (n С] а page in a newspaper that tells you about television, sport, business, or fashion
listings/'|isnr]z/[n plural] lists of films, plays,
and other events, with details of the times, dates, and places where they will happen
TV listings/ti: vi: Ji.stnjz/ [n plural] lists of programmes that are on the television and the times that they are on
what is written in newspapers and magazines
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
518
article /а:гпЫ/ [n C] a piece of writing in a newspaper or magazine about a particular subject
+ on/about Did you read that article about О J Simpson?
Story /smi/ [п С) a report in a newspaper about a recent event: a front-page story in the New York Times
+ about Open any newspaper and you 11 see many stones about shootings and muggings.
run a story |=report an event) The Post is running a story about one of the President's advisors being arrested for talcing drugs.
feature j-fmJV/ [n С] a special report in a newspaper or magazine about an interesting subject, place, or person: a special feature about the lives of homeless people
SCOOp /sku:p/ (n C] an important or exciting news story that is printed in one newspaper before any of the others know about it: Read our latest Royal Diary scoop!
editorial /|CCii t;xnol/ [n CI a piece of writing in a newspaper that gives the personal opinion of the editor about something that is in the news: Their editorials always criticize the government, whatever the
government does
exclusive /ik'skluisiv/ [n CJ a news story
that is printed by one newspaper before any of the others know about it: a New York Times exclusive about a secret arms deal between a US company and Iraq exclusive [adj] an exclusive interview with ex-President Bush
coverage /'Uv,>r;d5/ [n U] when something is reported in newspapers or magazines. or on television or radio, and the way in which it is reported: The release of Nelson Mandela was given massive coverage throughout the world + of The Daily Star's coverage of the election was very biased.
H people who work for newspapers or magazines
reporter /п'рю:г1эг/ [n C] someone whose job is to find out about news stories and write about them: She works as a junior reporter on a local paper. ! A crowd of reporters were waiting outside the house all night.
journalist /d-y^nMist/ [n C] someone
who writes for a newspaper or magazine, or who appears on news programmes on television or radio: Cronkite's career as a journalist lasted over 30 years.
journalism /с1уз:'пЫг/,ю]/ [n (JJ the work of being a journalist
correspondent /,knr,Vspondoni||,ko:r,\- spdin-, ко:-/ (л CJ someone who writes
about or talks about a particular subject, especially a serious one. for a newspaper or a news programme political/Joreigri/education etc correspondent (-someone who reports news stories about politics, what is happening in other countries, education etc) Schoo/s in Crisis ', by our education correspondent Nick Bacon. I Martin Bell worked for many years as the BBC's war correspondent covering conflicts all over the world.
editor /'oditoV In C] the person in charge of a newspaper or magazine, whose job is to decide what should be written about: She's the editor of Cosmopolitan.
fashion/sports/political editor
etc [n С] the person who is in charge of a particular part of a newspaper or magazine. ar.d who decides what should be written about fashion, sport, politics etc: the chief political editor of The limes I Morrison is the papers senior business
editor.
Hack /ha.1 к/ [n C] informal a news reporter or journalist - use this about people you
disapprove of or who you think produce bad quality writing: The editor sent one of his hacks to interview the murderer s girlfriend.
Ы to write for a newspaper or magazine
write Дан/ [u I/T] to write news reports or other articles for a newspaper or magazine: She writes articles about health for a women's magazine. + for He's been writing for the Evening News ever since he left college.
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES continues
519
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
on the next page
ort /n'po:rt/ [v 1Д1 to find out and write
about news stories for a newspaper or news programme: We try to report events as fairly as possible.
+ on She was sent to Bangladesh to report on the floods there. + that The newspaper wrongly reported thai he had died.
cover /'k.\w>7 к» T] to report the details of an event or a series of events for a newspaper or news programme: She u'as in New York to cover the St Patrick's Day celebrations. I Baxter had spent three weeks covering и big murder trial.
Q people who read newspapers and magazines
reader /'ri:d?r/ [n CJ someone who reads a particular newspaper or magazine. We'd
like to wish all our readers a very happy
Christmas! 1 2000 Cosmo readers took pari in a survey about student life in the nineties.
readership /тЫоНр/ [n U] the number of people or type of people who regularly read a particular newspaper, or magazine: The paper now has a readership of over 1.5 million. I The paper has a mai'nfy middle-class readership.
£
ih
re
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES 520
circulation / .sx'kjo'leijfjn/ [n U] the number of copies of a newspaper or magazine that are sold in a day, a week, a month etc: Circulation fell dramatically when the price of the magazine went up to $4.00.
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
В freedom of the press
Most people feel that freedom of the press is
very important. It means that newspaper* can report what they like, can criticise the government, and can carry out investigative journalism without worrying that they are breaking the law.
Where there is no freedom of the press, people are often not told the truth about what is realty happening. Governments can use newspapers for their own propaganda, and can censor facts and opinions that they do not want people to read about.
vocabulary
biased /'baiast/ [acf;] a biased report or article is unfair, because it strongly supports or -strongly opposes one particular group, opinion etc. and it does not give all the facts: a biased newspaper article about the election campaign + towards/га/cvour of Much of the British press is biosed in favour of the Conservative Party. + against They complained that the news report was biased agoinst the police
censor /senjoV \v T) to take out the parts of a written article, a television programme, a film etc that you do not want other people to read. see. or hear because you think the information is politically dangerous or immoral: During the war alt newspapers and magazines were censored.
allowed to read in newspapers, watch on television etc: The government soon imposed strict censor ship on the press
copy /'knpij'ka:-/ [n С] a single newspaper: How many copies does the New York Times sell? + of There s о copy of yesterday s Guardian around somewhere.
yreedom oj the press /,fri:d^m ov to pres/ when newspapers are allowed to write about whatever they want, and to give whatever opinions they want, without there being any laws 1o stop them: The new c/ouernmenr has promised to allow complete freedom of the press.
intrusive /m'tru:siv/ [adj\ affecting or concerning people's personal lives in an annoying or upsetting way. The /amWy found many of the questions intrusive and sometimes offensive.
But in some cases, the newspapers themselves do not always tell the truth about what is happening. They sometimes try to influence people's political opinions, and newspaper reports can be biased. Many newspapers are more concerned with sensationalism than with serious news reporting,, because this helps J them to sell more copies of the paper.
tn some countries, however, it can seem as if the press has too much freedom. Famous people sometimes fee! that newspapers are intrusive, and print too much about their
private lives. Many countries have laws that are designed to protect people's privacy.
If newspapers print something that is untrue about someone, they can be charged with libel, but this can still mean that people's lives,
521 NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
families, or jobs ran be seriously damaged.
investigative journalism!reporting /m.vesti-
<ptiv d3Xrnaliwm, n'parhj]|-gcLMv-/ when journalists use their skill and determination to try to discover the truth about something serious that someone else is trying to keep secret: President Nixon resigned after some excellent investigative reporting by two Washington Post journalists.
libel /laiM/ [n U| when a newspaper or magazine writes something untrue about someone: He's suing (he magazine for JibeI after they accused him of being q Nazi sympathizer (=he is taking the magazine to a law court to prove that they are guilty of libel)
privacy /'pnvasi, lprai-|'prai-/ In U] the idea that a person, especially an important or famous person, has the right to have a normal life with their family and friends, without newspapers telling people everything about them: Though she's an international superstar; $he says her privacy is still very important to her.
private U/e/praiv^ Ш/ [n С} the way you live your life and what you do with your friends and family, rather than the things you do as part of your job or official position: / think that what politicians do in their private lives is their own business.
propaganda /prDpo'gaendaJpraV |n U] the use of newspapers, television, film etc to make people believe things that are not true, for example by giving only some of the facts or by giving false information about an opponent: Early reports of the massacre
were thought to be sheer propaganda.
sensationalism /sen'seij«?na!iz<nn/ [n U] a way of reporting events or stories that makes them seem as strange, exciting, or shocking as possible; The Daily Planet was accused of sensationalism in its reporting of the trial
something you like or
enjoy
Qruce ;nais/ [adj] especially spoken That's a nice jacket. Is it new? I Have a nice day!
nice to do sth It's really nice to see you again.
+ for It's much nicer for the kids when they have other kids to play with. look/taste/smell nice You look really nice in that dress.
nice big/quiet/long etc I got a nice long
letter from Andreas this morning. I a
nice hot bath
A
nice - nicer - nicest
Be careful not to use nice too much in written English.
lovely /"Uvli/ [adj] informal, especially BRinsH very nice: We had a lovely time at the beach. \ Thank you for the lovely birthday present.
it is lovely to do sth It would be lovely to see you.
look/taste/smell lovely Anna's perfume smells lovely.
lovely big/long etc They've got a lovely big house.
lovely - lovelier - loveliest
pleasant 'plez^nt/ |adj] a pleasant
place, occasion, or activity is one that you like, especially because it is peaceful, attractive, or relaxing: We spent a very pleasant evening chatting. I Relax in the peoceful and pleasant surroundings of our hotel. ) a pleasant little town pleasantly [adu] It was pleasantly cool by the river.
enjoyable /m'dpiabal/ [adjl an enjoyable experience or activity is one that you enjoy, because it is interesting, exciting etc: We hope you will have an interesting and enjoyable trip. I I find aerobics more enjoyable than jogging. I an enjoyable day at the Carnival
qreatlfantastic/wonderful /greit,
faen taestik, 'wAndatA\ [adj] extremely enjoyable - use this about holidays, parties, films, and other experiences that you enjoy very much: / went to a fantastic party last night. I We had о wonderful month in Italy. I I think it's a great movie.
A\ Great and fantastic are more informal than wonderful, and should rot be used in written English, except in personal letters.
A Don't use 'very' with any of these words.
NONE/NOTHING
see also nevkr
when there isn't any of something
none /плп/ [pronoun] not any of something, or no people or things: / was going to offer you some cake, but there's none left. 1 "Coffee?" "None for me, thanks." + of None of her friends ever came to see her. I None of the equipment was actually working.
A
none at all "Do you have any objections to the plan, John?" "None at all."
In spoken English, if none of is followed by a plural noun or pronoun, you can use it with a plural verb: I invited some friends, but none of them were interested. But in written English it is better to use a singular verb: None of them was interested.
not any /not enij [determiner/pronoun] none: If you're looking for bread, you won't find any. I haven't been shopping yet.
not any time!money!food etc There won't be any time for questions after
the lecture.
not any sfiops/clothes//ood/time etc
NICE 522
nice continued from page 517
sweet /swiit/ [adj] informal someone who is sweet is kind and gentle, and tries to make other people happy; He's a really sweet guy but I couldn't date him. it is sweet of sb to do sth It was very sweet of you to buy me those flowers.
There aren't any good book stores in our town. I It was a big demonstration, but there wasn't any trouble. + ofI haven't read any of Henry Miller's novels.
no /пэоI [determiner] not any or not one
no time/money/milk etc Do you mind
having black coffee? There's no milk. I We've had no rain for three months. no cars/houses/dogs etc There are no buses today I a very plain room, with no pictures on the wall no reason/rep l у /intention, etc I knocked on the door, but there was no reply. I He just started hitting her for no reason. no more There are no more classes until Monday.
nothing/not anything /плбн], not
'eni6iij/ [pronoun] There's nothing in this box. I These people don't know anything about computers. I I switched the TV on, but nothing happened. I "What are you doing?" "Nothing."
nothing new/serious/exciting etc
Nothing exciting ever happens in this place!
nothing to eat/say/do etc There was nothing to do, so we just watched TV I She hasn't had anything to eat all day. nothing at ai! "Do you know anything about /ixing cars?" "No, nothing at all."
the number that means none
A
zero /'г^пю)) гкгэо [number] the number 0
A
In American English, zero is used more than in British English as a way of saying the number '0': / think her phone number is two zero five three zero. In British English, the usual way of saying '0' is nought or o, and zero is mostly used in scientific technical language: The pressure increases from zero to maximum in 25 seconds
nil I nil, [number] none or nothing: The new machine has reduced our labour costs to almost nil. I The chances of finding them alive are virtually nil.
!n British English, nil is also used when talking about sports results: United won the game three nil.
Qnought fnxtf 1 number] British spoken the number 0: The interest rate on this account is only nought point seven five
per cent. (-0.75%)
Qo /эи/ [number] spoken, especially British the number 0: All Manchester numbers start with o-one-six-one. 1 You'll be in room two-o-four.
О is used especially when saying a telephone number, address, or room number, or a number after a decimal point.
NORMAL/ ORDINARY
opposite unusual USUALLY _ _ STUANCE
^ Я
DIFFERENT 2
see also
USED ТО/ ACCUSTOMED TO
D ordinary, not special
ordinary /'o:rcUnriJ|-n9ri/ [adj] ordinary things are not special or unusual; ordinary people are not famous or powerful, and are not especially rich or clever: It's just an ordinary house in an ordinary street. I politicians who don't seem to care about ordinary people I Can you get connected to the Internet through an ordinary telephone line?
average 'xxjndj, [ac/j only before nounl an average person or thing is a typical example of a person or of a particular type of thing: The average family spends £50 a week on food. I In an average week I watch about 20 hours oj TV I Foreign affairs do not usually interest the average voter.
A
523
NORMAL/ORDINARY
normal nyJmMi [adj] something that is normal is just as you would expect it to be, because it is not special or different: The new Ford looks like any normal car, but it has a special advanced engine. I January 2nd is a public holiday in Scotland, but in England it is a norma) working day. normally [adv] Now the strike is over, and trains are running normally.
standard sta>ndo d [adj usually before
noun] normal - use this especially about products or methods that are the most usual type, without any special features standard model / size / shape / pattern
(=not special) И/е make shoes in all standard sizes. I The standard model costs $4000 less than the luxury model.
standard practice/procedure {-the way a job is usually done) All hand-baggage was X-rayed - this is now standard practice at international airports. standard English/pronunciation/spelling {=normally accepted as correct)
routine rur'tim* [adj only before noun] use this about something that is done regularly as part of the normal system and not because of any special problem routine check/inspection/examination etc The fault was discovered during a routine check of the plane. \ a routine visit to the dentist
conventional bnvenpmil I adj only
before noun] a conventional method, piece of equipment, weapon etc is of the normal type that has been used for a long time - use this especially when ycu are comparing these things with something that is new or different: A microwave cooks food much faster than a conventional oven. I conventional weapons (=not nuclear weapons) I The hospital provides both conventional and alternative medical treatments.
day-to-day /'dei о dew [adj only before noun] use this about the ordinary work, activities, and problems that happen every day: As Director of Studies. I am respon sible for the day-to-day management of the programme.
Ea normal behaviour or feelings
NORMAL/ORDINARY
normal n:>:rnvl/ [adj] if a person is normal, or if their behaviour or feelings are normal, there is nothing strange about them, and they are mentally and physically healthy: Any normal boy of his age would be interested in football. I Her breathing u;as norma/, but she had a very high temperature, it is normal (for sb) to do sth It is quite normal for people to be afraid of the dark
perfectly normal (=comp!etely normal) Lisa seems a perfectly normal little girl. normally [adv] Even a few hours before he committed suicide, he seemed to be behaving quite normally.
natural 'пжфгД/ |adj] feelings that are natural are what you would normally expect in a particular situation, so there is no need to feel worried or embarrassed about them: Anger is a natural reaction
when you lose someone you love, it is natural (for sb) to do sth I suppose it's natural for a mother to feel sad when her children leave home. I It isn't natural for a child to be so quiet. perfectly/quite natural ^completely natural) It's perfectly natural to want to go home.
Qit's only natural spoken Of course Jean misses her boyfriend - it's only natural.
conventional bnven[,?n^l' [adj] conventional people, behaviour, and opinions are the kind that most people in society think are normal and socially acceptable, although some people think they are boring and old-fashioned: My mother was very conventional - she didn't approve of my hippie lifestyle. I a young man with conventional tastes in clothes and music conventionally [adu] She was dressed very conventionally in a rather dull grey suit.
H not ordinary/not normal
Special speJV?l [adj] not ordinary. but more important, interesting, or impressive than usual: Tomorrow is a very special day for us - it's our first wedding anniversary. I Students are not allowed to change to a different class unless there is a special reason. I She had a special talent for learning languages. som.eth.ing/anything/nothing special "Are you doing anything this weekend?" "No. nothing special." special occasion (=an important social event or celebration) I only wear this suit on special occasions, like weddings.
524
abnormal жЬгю:гпъ?1 [adj] very different from what is normal in a way that is strange, worrying, or dangerous: abnormal behaviour that may be a sign of mental illness 1 an abnormal chest x-ray
it is abnormal (for sb) to do sth. My
parents thought it was abnormal for a boy to be interested in ballet. abnormally [adv] abnormally low blood pressure I She seems abnormally fascinated by death.
no ordinary пэи "д'йлтЦ-пеп/по ordinary dog/party/car etc a dog. party, car etc that is not at all ordinary, but is very unusual, very impressive etc: !t was no ordinary birthday cake - it was over a metre high! I As soon as I got there, I realized that this was no ordinary family gathering.
when something becomes normal again
get back to normal/return to normal /get bsek m:rnvl, ri,t-j:rn to
n.i:rm^l if a situation gets back to normal or returns to normal, it becomes normal again after a period when it was not normal: After the war it took a long time for things to get back to normal. I The strike has caused serious problems,
but we hope bus services will quickly return to normal.
neither / naitofm:-/ [adu] use this to say that a negative statement that has just been made about someone is also true about someone else
neither am I/neither does she/neither
have we etc Tue never been to Aus-
525
NOT
tralia." "No, neither haue /." I Tom didn 't
believe a word she said, and neither did the police.
Neither can only be followed by these words: 'be', 'have', 'do', 'can', 'could', 'will', 'would', 'shall', 'should'
not very/not particularly inot veri.
not p^'tikj^bli/ something that is not very big. not very pleasant etc is fairly small, fairly unpleasant etc: Our apartment isn't very big. 1 I'm not particularly interested in soccer, but I did enjoy the World Cup.
Not very and not particularly are
often used as an indirect or polite way of expressing a strong idea: She wasn't very pleased when she found out. (=she was angry) I The film wasn't panicularly good. (-it was bad)
i ..., ^
Return to normal is more formal than get back to normal.
NOT
see also зз saving no
not
not nml|nait |adul "Why den t you go to bed?" 7'm not tired." I They aren Y here yet. t He told me not to worry. I He's not my boyfriend - he's just someone / work with.
In spoken informal English, we usually use n't (the short form of not) Don't worry, I won't hurt you.
Don't use another negative word, for example 'nothing', 'nobody', or 'nowhere' in the same sentence as not. Use 'anything', 'anybody', 'anywhere' etc instead: We didn't see anything. ( They do not know anybody.
not at all ,not at э:1/ use this to emphasize that something is definitely not true: She's not at all happy about the situation. I No, no. that's wrong. That's not at all what I meant.
not quite /not к wan/ not completely, but
almost: We haven't quite finished yet. I The measurements are not quite accurate.
by no means bai noo miinz, by no means certain/clear/complete/impossible/unusual etc formal not at all
certain, clear etc - use this especially when other people think that something is certain. is clear etc. and you think they are wrong: It is by no means certain that there was ever a real person called Robin Hood. 1 It's difficult, but by no means impossible.
in no way in пэо wei if something is in no way affected by something else, it is definitely not affected by it in any way: This will in no way influence our original decision. I The damage is very slight and in no way reduces the value of the painting.
В not one thing and not the other
neither 'nai(ter||'ni:-/ [determiner/pronoun] use this to emphasize that you are talking about both of two people or things
when you make a negative statement about them
+ оf Both the players hove been warned, but neither of them seems to take it seriously.
neither thing/person/place etc Neither parent cares what happens to the child.
neither ... nor /паЮэг... no:r; use this to connect two peoople, actions, facts etc, when you want to make a negative statement about both of them: He neither drinks nor smokes. (=he does not drink, and he does not smoke) I Neither Reagan nor his advisers knew anything about the plan. I She felt neither sad nor happy when she heard the news.
A Don't use 'or' after neither. Always use
nor
Neither ... nor is fairly formal. In informal English we express the same idea in a different way, for example He doesn't drink or smoke or Reagan didn't know anything about the plan, and neither did his advisers.
NOTICE
to see, hear, or feel something
^ see also realize, see, show s
^ if you mean 'a sign that tells people something', go to sign
Kl to notice someone or something
notice /'naol^s/ [u I/T] to realize that
NOT
something is there or that something is happening, when you see it, hear it, or feel it: "Julie's home." "Yes, I noticed her bicycle outside " + (that) / was driving home, when I noticed that the engine was making a strange noise. I Dominic took a huge slice of cake, hoping no-one would notice.
notice how/when/wKere etc Did you
notice what he was wearing?
notice sb doing sth / logs about to leave
when I noticed someone coming up the
driveway.
/t\ Don't use 'can' with notice. Don't say
'we can notice an improvement'. Say we notice an improvement or we can see an improvement.
can see/can tell >кэп si:, kon tel/ to
know that something is true, because you notice signs that show you this + (that) We could tell that she had been crying. I / can see you're not really enjoying this.
Ql see (that) /ai 'si: dat spoken say this
to mention something that you have noticed: 1 see Pete's had his hair cut - it looks a lot better, doesn't it? I I see that new De Niro movie is on this weekend.
Spot spot||spa:t [l> T] to see something that is difficult to notice, or something that no-one else notices: I'm glad you spotted that mistake before it was too late. ( / dropped my keys in the grass, but luckily Jim spotted them. spotting - spotted - have spotted
become aware of sth /Ы.клт э wear
dv (sth)/ to gradually begin to notice something: As he was reading, he became aware of someone watching him. ! When did you first become aware of the problem?
catch sb's eye /.kaetj (sb's) 'ai./ if something catches your eye, you notice it
because it is unusual, interesting, or attractive: I was walking through the market when this beautiful dress caught my eye - blue with silver flowers on it. I A newspaper headline caught her eye: 'Royal Divorce Shock'.
El to not notice something
ROt notice /not 'пэоф/ "Does Alex like your new hairstyle?" "He didn't even notice. " I / saic Mike m town but he didn't notice me.
not notice how/who/what etc We were so busy we didn't notice how late it was
526
miss /mis/ [и T] to not notice something because it is difficult to see: Jo spotted a mistake that everyone else had missed. I
It's easy to miss the entrance - there's nc sign outside.
overlook ^wV'lok \v T] to not notice
something because you have not been careful enough: They found some important evidence that the police had overlooked.
El good at noticing things
observant ^b,o:rv,int \ad)} good at
noticing things.- Men aren't usually very observant about things like hair end clothes. I An observant reader has pointed out a mistake on page 26.
perceptive p^V'septiv' [adj] good at noticing things and understanding situations or people s feelings: / like her novels ~ she's so perceptive about people's relationships. I A perceptive teccher noticed that Val was having problems.
Qfiot miss much /not mis nutf/
spoken if you do not miss much, you notice a lot about what is happening and what other people are doing or feeling: '7 thin/c A/ison and Peter are getting pretty friendly with each other." 'You don't miss much, do you?"
0 something that is easy to notice
obvious ('DbviasJj'a;l> Jadj) a fact that is obvious is easy to see or realize: She
tried to look grateful, but her disappointment was obvious. it is obvious (to sb) that It's obuious that Paul is in love with Liz. I It was obvious to everyone that Gina was lying.
noticeable /'пэш^эМ/ [adj] easy to notice: After two days there was a noticeable improvement in his health. I The new supermarket has had a noticeable effect on people's shopping habits. it is noticeable that It was noticeable that no one at the party was under 40.
conspicuous bn'spikjuas, [ad/i formal
someone or something that is conspicuous is very easy to notice, because they look very different from everyone or everything around them: It was a small country town, and Lauren looked very conspicuous in her fashionable New York clothes.
eye-catching ai k;et/(tj; eye-catching
colours, designs, patterns etc are bright, attractive, and unusual, so everyone notices them; The posters come in several eye-catching designs. ! an eye-catching display of new children's clothes in a
shop window
Stand OUt st it nil aot [phrasa/ verb 11 if something stands out. it is easy to notice because it looks very different from everything around it: A yellow background will make the black fettering stand out. + against The dark shapes of the trees stood out against the evening sky.
Qyou can't miss it JU: kaint mis It||
-,k<ent-, spokln say this when you are telling someone how to get to a place that
is very easy to find or notice: Their house
has a pink door. You can't miss it.
to make people notice you
get attention/attract attention
/.get s'tenpn, эдгжк* a'tenpn/ to try to make someone notice you. by doing something that they will notice: Voung children sometimes behave badly simply in order to get attention.
PAST
* f
see also
«^MODERN
4 \
NEW
get/attract sb's attention. Phil was trying to attract the waiter's attention.
NOW
BEFORE 3,4
FUTURE
TIME
now, at this moment or at this time
now /паи/ [ado) at this moment or at this time: If we leave now, we'll be there before dark. I It's not raining now, but they said it might rain later. 1 Where do you go to school now?
527
NOW
already /bil'redi/ ladv] if something is already happening or already true, it began to happen or be true before now:
Already usually comes before the main verb, or between an auxiliary or
He's only three and he's already reading. I "Should I tell Kay?" "She already knows." I The show has already started.
A
NOW
modal verb (like be, have, can etc) and a
A
main verb: She already knows about it. I Some cars can already run on this new petrol. You can also use already at the end of a sentence to emphasize that something has happened sooner than you expected: is the taxi here already?
currently /'клгэпШЦ'кжг-/ \adv] now - use this when you are describing what the situation is at this time-. The firm currently employs 113 people. I Peterson is currently writing a book about his travels.
Currently is used especially in newspapers, official reports, and formal meetings. It is not usually used in ordinary conversations.
at present/at the moment (also
At present is more formal than at the moment or presently.
Q right now /,rait 'nao/ spoken at this moment or at this time
A
presently american) /at 'prez^nt, at Оэ 'maomant, prez^ntli/ now - use this especially to say that something is happening now but you do not expect it to continue for a long time: I'm working in a restaurant at the moment. I Miss Hellman is busy at present - can she contact you later? I She's presently working on her own talk show on TV.
A
In American English, right now means 'at this time', and is often used about a situation which you expect to change: Right now, we're living with my mother. I I want to pay her back, but I don't have the money right now. In British English, right now is usually used to emphasize that something is very urgent: I want to see the manager, right now!
cy ust now /,d3ASt паи/ British spoken at this exact moment - use this especially to say that you cannot do something immediately: Sorry, I'm busy just now - can I call you later?
now, not in the past
now /паи- (adu] use this when you are comparing the present situation with what happened in the past: We used to be good friends, but I don't see her much now. I Julie has moved to a new school and she's much happier now.
Qthese days /0i:z ,deiz/ especially spoken use this when you are describing how life is different now from the way it was in the past: Children can't play in the street these days - the traffic's too bad. I / don't go to London much these days.
nowadays /naosdeiz/ [adv] use this especially to talk about the way that society has changed: It seems you're not
allowed to smoke anywhere nowadays. I Nowadays divorce is more common.
today /to'dei/ [adf] formal at the present time, especially when compared with the past: The car is the biggest cause of pol lution in the world today. I Today, only a few of these beautiful animals survive.
until now
so far / Sao fa:r/ until now - use this when you are talking about a situation that will continue or develop after this time: There haven't been any problemsso far. I This is the hottest day we've had so far this summer. I "How many people say they will come to the party?" "About 20 so far"
528
Still /stil, [adv] use this to say that a situation which started in the past continues to exist
A
now, especially when this is surprising: He's been studying French for five years, and still can't speak the language. I Are you still working at that restaurant?
Still comes after the main verb, or between an auxiliary or modal verb (like be, have, can etc) and a main verb: He still loves her. 11 can still remember it. Still comes before a negative verb: We still don't know.
yet /jet/ [adi>] use this in questions or negative statements, to talk or ask about things that you expected to happen before now: Has the new washing machine arrived yet? I We are 30 minutes into the game, and neither team has scored yet. I "Have you finished your homework?" "Not yet."
In British English, use the present
perfect with yet: Have you read that book yet? In American English you can use the simple past or the present perfect: Did you read that book yet?
up to now/until now >лр nan. эп,ы nao use this about a situation which has existed until now, but which has started to change or will change in the future: I've been happy in that apartment up to now, but I'd really like to move to somewhere bigger. ! Until now, there has been no effective treatment for this disease
things or situations that exist now
Current is used especially in newspapers, official reports, and formal meetings.
see also modern
present 'prez,?nt [adj only before nounj the present situation is the one that exists now; your present job, address etc is the one that you have now: Arnaud lived in Los Angeles before moving to his present home in New York, I He warned that the present situation in Northern Ireland could get much worse.
current /'клгоп^'кзгг-/ [adj only before noun] use this about a situation or activity which is happening now, but which is not expected to continue for a long time: in the current economic situation I Coca- Cola's current advertising campaign current level/rate/price The aim is to reduce current pollution levels in the Black Sea.
standards. I The adults of today have a different attitude to marriage.
Today's and of today are used especially in news reports and articles.
В happening now, but
likely to change
for now/for the time being ,fy
'nao. for eta ,taim 'bi:n3/ for a short time, but not permanently - use this about a temporary arrangement or way of dealing with a situation: Leave the groceries there for now - I'll put them away later. I They will run the business from home for the time being. but they may need an office if things go well.
Qfor the moment fV йэ 'тошпэпг' especially spoken use this to say that something is true or happening now, but may change soon: For the moment the city seems quiet, but the fighting could start again at any time. I "How's your apartment?" "It's fine for the moment, but I'd rather live nearer town."
when something does not happen now, but used to happen
no longer/not any more /пэи
ini]gor, not eni 'rm:r[j-'fo:i]-' use this to say that a situation that existed until recently does not exist now: Alice doesn't live here any more. I He no longer felt sure
that hp inns riaht
no longer possible/necessary/available
529
NOW
etc 1 ne or [age naa cotiapsea, anu 11 was no longer possible to cross the river.
existing /ig'zistiq/ [adj only before noun) use this about things or situations that exist now, when you think they may be changed in the future: The existing building is too small, and there are plans to replace it within the next five years. I Many people feel that the existing law discriminates against women.
today's/o/ today /ts'deiz, эу to'deiI [adj]
use this about social, economic, or political conditions and attitudes that exist now, when you are comparing them with those that existed in the past: The first computers were extremely slow by today's
No longer is more format than not any more, and it always comes before the verb or adjecttve: She no longer loved him. I She didn't love him any more.
not now /not 'nao/ use this to say that something happened in the past, but it does not happen now: He's not in school now - he has a job. I People used to respect teachers, but they don't now.
When you see КЗ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
NUMBER
see also count/calculate, total
U a written number
number /'плтЬэг/ [n C] a word or sign that represents a quantity, which is used for example for counting or for showing the order in which things are arranged: Six is my lucky number. I Football shirts usually have a number on the back.
number 12/20/4 etc She lives at number 853 Ocean Boulevard, even number (=2,4,6,8.10 etc) Write down all the even numbers between 2 and 20.
odd number {=1,3.5,7,9 etc) All the doors on this side of the street have odd numbers.
phone/passport/registration/licence number What's your phone number? numbered [adj] having a number: The squares are numbered from one to ten.
Jig Ure ,,fig3r||'fi&pr/ (n C] a number written as a sign, not as a word: Write the amount in words and in figures. double jigures (=more than 9 and less than 100) Temperatures reached double figures yesterday, going as high as 14 degrees.
NUMBER
single jigures (=less than 10) The inflation rate was still in single figures. (=!ess than 10%) five-figure/six-figure etc (=consisting of
five, six numbers etc) The chief executive earns a six-figure salary. I an eight- figure phone number
В a number used in
calculating
number /плтЬэг/ [n singular] a number of people, things etc, especially a number that has been calculated for official purposes: There have been several cases of tubercolosis, and the number is rising. + of The number of cars on the roads increased by 22% last year I The regulations limit the number of students in each class.
a large/small etc number of An enormous number of people wrote to complain about last night's show.
figures /fiЈ3z[|figjsrz/ [n plural] a set of numbers that are regularly calculated by a government, a company etc, especially in order to show how much something has increased or decreased: Government figures show that unemployment is rising again. I Our sales figures have been steady this month.
530
statistics /statistiks/ (n plural] information about financial matters, social changes etc, which is shown in the form of numbers: Statistics show that the number of women managers has risen continuously for the last 25 years. I According to the latest government statistics, 2 million people retired last year.
531
OBEY/DISOBEY
OBEY/DISOBEY
TELL 6
«4
see also
глист/
NOT ST1UCT
to obey a person, rule, or law
obey /30'bei, 3-,- [и I/T] to do what someone tells you to do, or do what a law or rule says you must do: Soldiers must always obey their commanding officer. I Vou can teach most dogs to obey simple commands. I I knew that if I didn't obey. I would be shot.
A Don't say 'he obeyed to the officer'. Say he obeyed the officer
A Obey is rather formal, and is used especially to talk about obeying the taw or obeying military orders. Do as you are told is the usual expression for talking about children doing what their parents or teachers ask them to do.
Qdo as you are told /du: эг ju: a:r
tadd especially spoken to obey without asking any questions - use this especially about children, when their parents or teachers tell them to do something. "Oh Daddy, why?""Don't ask why, just do as you 're told," I // she doesn't do as she's told, send her to her room.
comply with stK /кэп-vpiai wia (sth)/
LAW
я
RULE
[phrasa/ verb t] formal if you comply with a law or a decision, you do what it says you must do: Companies must comply with European employment laws. I Fa//и re to comply with these conditions could result in prosecution. complying - complied - have complied
to not obey a person, rule, or law
disobey /.disa'bei, .disao-/ [i> I/Г] to refuse to do what someone tells you to do, or what a rule or law says you must do: No one dared to c/i'sobey the captain. I Black hod disobeyed the judge's ruling, and he continued to harass his ex-wife
break a rule/break the law breik
3 'ru:l, breik дз Ь:/ to not do what a rule or law says you must do: Students who break the rules and smoke in school will have to !eave. I If you don't buy a ticket before you get on the train, you are breaking the law.
ignore /ig пэ:r (i> T] to pay no attention to
a law or rule, or to what someone has told you to do. and behave as if it does not affect you: Many cyc/isЈs ignore the law and ride around at night without lights. I I tell her to come home by 10 o'clock, but she just ignores me.
Qnot pay any attention (also not
take any notice British) /not pei ,eni
3'tenpn, not teik ,eni 'naotis/ especially
spoken to not do what someone has told you to do, in a way that annoys them: We complained to the school about the state of the classroom, but no one paid any attention. I I keep telling him to do
his homework, but he never takes any
notice.
rebel /ri'bel/ [и I] to deliberately behave in a way that is completely different from the way that your parents and people in general expect you to behave: Her parents wanted her to go to university, but she rebelled and left school at 17. + against Teenagers tend to rebel against people in authority.
rebelling - rebelled - have rebelled
always doing what you are told to do
obedient /a'biidiant, ЭО-/ [adj] someone who is obedient always does what their parents, teachers, or people in authority
tell them to do - use this especially about children: Bruno was a quiet and obedient little boy. I I wish my children were more obedient.
refusing to obey
disobedient ,dis?>bi:cli3nt«. ,dis,m- |adj]
someone who is disobedient refuses to do what their parents, teachers, or people in authority tell them to do - use this
especially about children: He's very disobedient, and he has с terrible temper. disobedience [n U] disobedient behaviour: I've hod enough of your disobedience
rebellious n beljes/ [adj\ someone who is rebellious deliberately behaves in a way that their parents or teachers disapprove of - use this about older children or young adults: rebellious teenagers who
run away from home
OFFER
see also ю offers, refuse, accept
when you offer something to someone
offer /'of3r|'3s-, а:-/ (и T] to say that someone can have something if they want it offer sb sth She didn't even offer me a cup of tea. I I've been offered the jobf offer sth to sb Unfortunately, they offered the contract to someone else.
Qwould you like....? /.wud ju: laik
spoken say this as a polite way of offering something to someone: We have some maps of the city - would you like one?
Qcan I get you ? /(кэеп ai get ju:
spoken say this when you are offering someone a drink or food, for example at a party: What can I get you? There's beer or wine. I Can I get you some coffee?
Qhelp yoursel/ /.help pr'self/ spoken
В
say this to tell someone they can take anything they want from the food and drink that is available: There's plenty of food, so help yourselves.
+ to Help yourself to salad and bread.
Qhave hx\ spoken informal say this to persuade someone to take some food or drink that you are offering: Have some of this salad - my Mum made it. I Go on, haoe another beer.
when you offer to help
ojfer , Dfor|'o:-. u:-/ [u I/T] to say that you will do something in order to help someone: "Do you want me to look after the children next week?" "No, but thanks for offering." I a teacher who was always ready to offer advice and encouragement
offer to do sth Charles offered to do some painting for us.
A Don't say 'I offered him to do it'. Say [ offered to do it.
volunteer /.vobn'tialva:-' [и I] to offer to do something, especially something difficult or unpleasant: Someone has to clean up all this mess. Who'll volunteer? volunteer to do sth Jill volunteered to go with me to the hospital. +for No one volunteered for night duty
Qcan l/would you like me to
(also shall I British) /'кжп at, wod ju: 'laik mi: tu:, 'Jscl ai/ spoken say this when you are offering to do something for someone. Can I take your bag - it looks heavy. 1 Would you like me to mail that letter for you? 1 Shall I make a copy for you?
Qlet me /'let mi:, spoken say this when
you are offering to help someone, especially when you want to be kind or friendly to them: Let me drive you to the station. I Why don't you let me cook dinner tonight?
to offer money for something
OBEY/DISOBEY 532
obedience [л U] obedient behaviour: The General demanded absolute obedience from his men.
law-abiding /'Ьэ o.baidii] (adj] law- abiding peopie/citizens etc people who always obey the law and never break
rules or do anything bad: decent law-a bid
ing people who go to church on Sundays and pay their taxes regularly
offer /'Dfs^'Di-, a:-/ lu TJ to say that you will pay someone a particular amount of money in exchange for something о/fer sb stk My dad offered me $5 if I washed the car. I Chaldon was offered a huge salary to become team manager, offer sth for sth Police are offering a reward for information about the robbery. I They said that they couldn't offer more than £2000 for the car.
make an offer meik эп to
offer a particular amount of money in order to buy a house, car etc + for Has anyone made an offer for the house yet?
make sb an offer I'm prepared to make
you a generous offer for the farm.
something that you offer
ALWAYS
offer /'ofal'K-, о:-/ [n C] something that someone has offered to give you or do for you. such as money, help, or advice: I'll sell the car if I get an offer over $5000. + of They received several offers of help. accept an offer (=say yes) Nasser decided to accept the offer of American aid. re/use an offer (=say no) How could you refuse such a fantastic offer9
OFTEN
0MET1ME5
N
see also
USUALLY NEVER
D when something
happens many times
o/ten /'Dfon, 'DfUn|'3:f-/ [adv] when something happens many times: Rost often works till 1 or 8 o'clock in the evening. I I often see her walking post with the children. 1 You should come and visit us more often.
A
very o/ten / haue a mobile phone, but I don't use it very often. how often "How often do you see your parents?" "Only two or three times a yea r."
Often usually comes before a verb: He often plays tennis in the evening. When there is a modal or auxiliary verb (like 'have', 'can', or 'must'), often comes between this and the main verb: You can often buy cheap tickets. Often comes after the verb 'be': In summer the beach is often so crowded that you cannot find space to sit down.
Qfl lot э 'toi||-'la:t/ [adv] spoken if you do something a lot, you often do it: /fs nice to meet you. Wendy's talked about you a lot.
quite a lot British She goes abroad on business quite a lot.
tend to do sth /.tend to du: (sth)/ if
something tends to happen, it often happens and it is likely to happen: Recent studies shotu that girls tend to be better at languages than boys.
frequently friikwantli [adu] often: Passengers complain that trains are frequently cancelled. I Heat the sauce gently, stirring frequently.
Frequently is more forma! thanoften .
/requent / frhkwant/ [adj] happening often: His job involved making frequent trips to Saudi Arabia. I The treatment was effective, and her headaches became less frequent.
regularly /regj^ni, [adv] often and at
regular times, for example every day. every week, or every month: J used to go to church regularly. I Dave likes to keep fit, and he plays squash regularly.
regular reg^br/ |adj usually before noun] happening often, for example every hour, every day, or every week, with the same amount of time between each event: It is very important to take regular exercise. I There is a regular bus service from the airport to the town.
repeatedly ri'pin'dH/ [adv] use this to emphasize that someone did something many times: Graham's doctor had repeatedly warned him not to work so hard. I Max was punched and kicked repeatedly as he lay on the ground.
again and again sgen and ogen
many times, much more often than you would expect: She kept asking the same question again and again. 1 Again and again, the little boat was almost smashed against the rocks.
В very often, in a way that makes you annoyed
Qkeep doing sth /,ki:p dunij (sth)/
533
OFTEN
especially spoken to do something many times, in a way that is annoying: Dad,
Always comes before the main verb, but after the verb 'be': He always forgets to bring his pen. I They are always complaining.
time and time again. /,iaim ?nd taim
3gen use this to say that something has been done many times, but without any effect: I've told you time and time again not to play with matches - it's dangerous.
continually/constantly bntinjuaii.
'kDnstontli||'ka:n-, [adt>] use this when you
are very annoyed because something seems to keep happening over a long period of time: They seemed to be continually arguing. I I wish you'd clean up your room without having to be constantly reminded.
continual/constant lad; only before
noun] It's impossible to work with these constant interruptions. 1 We've had continual problems with the computer system ever since it was installed.
OLD
look here for...
someone or something that is old
something that has been used before
^ if you want to talk about exactly how old someone or something is, go to aci
AGE_ —MODERN
N /
OUMASMONED
see also
iг
DESCRIBING PEOPLE
house. I She was wearing jeans and an old blue jacket. I The Luna Baglioni is one of the oldest hotels in Venice. I How old is vour car? I That's a reallv old joke - I've heard it lots of times.
ancient einpnl [adj] very old - use this about buildings, cities, countries, languages, or customs that existed many hundreds of years ago: Rome is famous for its ancient monuments. I the Pyramids of ancient Egypt I an ancient Greek vase the ancient Egyptians/Chinese/Greeks etc (=the people who lived in Egypt etc many hundreds of years ago)
antique .ien'tiik*/ [acfj only before noun]
antique furniture, jewellery, clocks etc are old and valuable, and often beautiful to look at: a lovely antique desk
antique <en'ti:k/ [n С often plural] something such as a piece of furniture or a beautiful object that is old and valuable: The house is full of valuable antiques. antique shop/dealer/market (=one that sells antiques)
people
opposite young
old
sold [acfjl The old lady was rather deaf, t You shouldn't marry him - he's much too old for you. I How old is the oldest person in the world? get old <=become old) She's getting old now, and she needs someone to take care of her.
A
the old (=old people) The old and the sick have been allowed to leave.
Be careful about using old to talk about people. It is more polite to use elderly.
elderly ekb'li [adj] old - use this as a polite way of talking about old people: a group of elderly ladies drinking coffee the elderly (=old people) a retirement home for the elderly
OFTEN 534
Bobby keeps hitting me. I How can I explain if you keep interrupting me? I / keep forgetting to mail this letter.
always/all the time 'oiiweiz. -wiz. x\
<Ъ taim/ \adv\ very often, in a way that is annoying: She just complains all the time and never tries tc help be always doing sth I'm sick of Harold - he's always telling me what to do.
elder /'elda'/ [adj only before noun] elder brother/sister someone's older brother or sister: My elder brother's an actor.
things
opposite new old /aold/ |adj] They live in a big old
Д Don't say 'elder people', 'elder students' etc. Only use elder to talk about members of the same family.
eldest /eldest [adj] eldest brother/sister/son/daughter someone's oldest brother, sister, son. or daughter: Her eldest son is in college. I I shared the bedroom with my eldest sister. the eldest (=the oldest) Rosie was the
eldest of four daughters.
senior citizen (also senior American) ,si:ni3r 'sitgZ^n, \ь'лЬг [л С] someone who is above the age of 60 - use this to talk about older people as a group, and their particular interests, rights etc: They have special prices for senior citizens. I Many seniors have uery active lives.
pensioner/old age pensioner
'penj>n9r, .sold cid3 'penj^ns1"/ \n C] British an old person who has stopped working and receives money from the government: Many pensioners cannot afford to heat their homes in winter. \ Old age pensioners can travel free on the buses.
food
State /steil/ \adj] stale bread or cake is
hard, dry, and unpleasant to eat because it is no longer fresh: I found some stale cake at the back of the cupboard. go stale (=become stale) The bread's gone stale - you'd better throw it away.
mouldy British moldy american /'maoldi/ [adj] mouldy cheese, bread etc has a soft green or black substance growing on it because it has been kept too long: There was nothing in the fridge except a piece of mouldy cheese.
go mouldy (=become mouldy) Someone left coffee in my mug, and it's gone
mouldy.
mouldy - mouIdier - mouldiest
rotten /'rotn||'ra:tn/ [adj] rotten food, especially eggs or fruit, has been kept too long and it smells bad: At the back of the cupboard was a bag of rotten apples. Some of the tomatoes were rotten.
the time when someone is old
old age /.auld 'eid3/ [n U] the time in someone's life when they are old: the problems of old age
when something has been used before
old aold [adj only before noun] old clothes, books, chairs etc have already been worn or used a lot by someone else. I was the youngest in the family, so I had to wear all my brothers' old clothes, i Do you have any old magazines the kids can cut up? I My dad fust bought a new TV, and he's giving me the old one.
second-kand /sekand haendw [adj]
second-hand books, clothes, cars etc have already been owned by someone else and are then sold: Max spent a whole afternoon looking around a secondhand book store. I Do you know where I can buy a second-hand bicycle? buy/get sth second-hand "Is that table new?" "No, we got it second-hand."
used (juizd/1adj only before noun] a used car is one that someone else has already owned, which is then sold: He made his money buying and selling used cars.
OLD-FASHIONED
not modern, or not suitable for the present time
OU>_ —NEW
л
MODERN
see also
it
FASMONABU UNMSMONABU
clothes/styles/words
in his/her old age (=when he/she is old) Her grandfather's getting a bit forgetful in his old age.
535
OLD-FASHIONED
old-fashioned /,эold 'faef^nd<j [adj] old- fasnioned clothes, styles, words etc are no longer considered modern or fashionable, although some people still wear them or still use them: J don 't wear that skirt now - it looks so old-fashioned. I 'Wireless' is an old-fashioned word for radio.
dated deitjd [adj not usually before noun] use this about clothes or styles that used to be fashionable, especially until recently, but now seem old-fashioned: Just look at the hairstyles in this photo - they're so dated I The song was a big
hit last year, but it's already starting to
sound dated.
opinions/methods/ systems/people
old-fashioned /,эиШ Сергий [adj] old-
A
fasnioned opinions and ways of living were common in the past, but are not the way most people think and behave now: In those days, people believed that divorce was morally wrong, but this now seems very old-fashioned. 1 He has some very old-fashioned ideas about women.
You can also use this about people who have old-fashioned opinions: Her parents were very old-fashioned and wouldn't let her go out with boys.
outdated /,aot'deitJ>d4 [adj] outdated opinions, methods, or systems are not suitable for modern times and need to be changed and made more modern: The British legal system is hopelessly outdated. I The school's approach to teaching English is totally outdated.
traditional /tra'dipnal lad;] traditional
opinions, methods, or customs have existed for a long time, and have not been changed or affected by modern ideas: The local people still use frac/ifiona/ farming methods which have been used for hundreds of years. I the traditional idea that a woman's place is in the home I Tom went to a very traditional all-boys school. (=a school using traditional methods)
/К Outdated is always used in a negative
way, but old-fashioned and traditional
OLD-FASHIONED
are sometimes used in a positive way, to talk about ideas or methods: old-fashioned family values I They want to bring back traditional teaching methods.
When you see ESSENTIAL CO
Mf
, go to the
MUNICATION section.
machines/equipment
old-fashioned />>Id fej^nd«/ [adj] old-
fasnioned machines and equipment have a design that is no longer modern: He rides one of those old-fashioned bikes with
high handlebars. I A lot of the machines at the factory are very old-fashioned.
outdated /.aot'deit^d*/ [adj] use this about machines or equipment that use old- fashioned designs, and should be replaced with more modern ones: It is hard to run a business with outdated equipment. I a rebel army, equipped only with outdated Russian weapons
obsolete <"Dbs3li:t|,a:bs3'li:t/ {ac/j] use this about machines and equipment that are no longer being produced, and that seem old-fashioned because newer machines have been invented which can do the same job much better: The old 5% inch floppy disks are now obsolete. make sth obsolete a new type of 'Network Computer', which could make existing PCs obsolete within five years
books/information
out of date /,aut эу deitj [adj] use this about books, maps etc that do not contain the most recent information, or about information that is no longer right because the facts have changed: The map we had with us was completely out of date.
A Out of date is written with hyphens when it comes before a noun, but without hyphens when it comes after a noun: out- of-date medical records I Your medical records are out of date.
old-fashioned in a pleasant way
old-fashioned /.эold 'faeJ>ndy [adj] old fasnioned in a way that reminds you of nice things in the past: good old-fash- ioned home cooking I The town has a lovely old-fashioned charm about it.
536
quaint /kwemt/ [adj] old-fashioned and unusual, but attractive and interesting - use this about small buildings or places, or about customs and beliefs: W/e stayed in a quaint little fishing village in Cornwall. I quaint country cottages
ONE
^ see also alone
D one person or thing
one Чулп [number] I have four sisters
and one brother, I Turn to page one. I There were two signs saying 'Welcome to Wales', one on each side of the road. + of one of your friends one-legged/one-eyed/one-armed etc (-having only one leg, one eye etc) a one- eyed cat
i A Don't say one when you should say a or an. Say 'he offered me a cigarette' (not 'one cigarette'). Use one to emphasize that you really mean only one, and not a iarger number. Compare: In the middle of the room there was a big table. I There were five small tables and one big table.
/h With measurements (like month, mile, metre etc), it is more usual to say a than one: I sow her о week ago I It's about a mile from here. I a hundred litres of water
Single /'sir)g«?l [adj only before noun] only one - use this especially when it is surprising that there is only one: a vase with a single red rose in it I They won the game by a single point. I Ihese dealers can earn $10,000 in a single day. not a single (=not even one) It was 3 a. m. and there wasn't a single car on the road.
solo /'s9ol9o/ [adj only before noun] use this about something that one person does alone, but which is usually done by several people together: a solo attempt to climb Mount Alps f Ridgeway's solo voyage across the Atlantic I This is his
first solo album. (=he made the record on his own, not with a band) solo [adu] When did you first fly solo?
H one time
once /waiis/ [adu] one time or on one occasion: I've only met her once. I He rang the bell once, then waited, once a day/week/month (=once every day, week etc) We feed the dog once a day. I a desert region, where it only rains once or twice a year once more (-one more time) Breathe in slowly once more.
ONLY
^ if you mean 'the largest or smallest amount that is allowed', go to limit ^ see also few
II only one, or only a small number
only ponli [ad/adv] only one person or thing, or only a small number of people or things, and not anyone or anything else: There was on-у one dress that she really liked. I Only rich people were able to travel abroad in those days. I Vou can only take one piece of hand baggage onto the plane. I You get only two chances - if you fail the exam twice you can't take it again.
the only person/thing/place etc She's the only woman I've ever loved, be only for sb (=only one person or group can use something) These seats are only for first class passengers.
Qjust d^\st [adv\ especially spoken oniy one person, thing, type, or group, especially when this is surprising: "Were there a lot of people there?" "No, just me and David. " I He started his own small shop - at first selling just newspapers, then books and magazines. I "Does everyone have to wear uniform?" "No, just the first-year students."
the one fo w\nj the one thins/person/time/problem etc the only person, thing etc and no others - use this to emphasize that there really is only one person or thing of this type: She was the one friend that 1 could trust. I The one thing I don't like about my car is the colour. I The one disadvantage of the new software is that it uses up a lot more space on your disk.
all м [pronoun] the only thing or things, especially when this is disappointing, annoying, or surprising: All Kevin ever talks about is football. \ We were so hungry, but all we could find was some stale bread. I All I wanted was a bit of sympathy.
537
ONLY
nothing but /■ плби] bAt/ only - use this especially when you feel disappointed, annoyed, or surprised that this is the only
a surprisingly small
price/number/amount etc
only /'aonli/ \adv] use this to say that a number, amount, price, size etc is surprisingly small: Four chairs for only $99. I We only have a very small garden. I "Is it jar?" "No, it's only a mile away/' I She was only 1 7 when she got married.
just /d3\st/ [adv] only a small amount, number, period of time etc, especially when this is surprising and good: There is a beautiful park just 300 metres from
the busiest shopping street. ( It took the firefighters just three minutes to arrive. 1 His car hit a wall, but he escaped with just cuts and bruises. Ctfust a little (also just a bit British) spoken (=only a small amount, number etc) "Do you take milk?" "Just a little, please."
Qis that all? /iz daet э:1 j spoken say this when you are surprised because you expected a number, price etc to be higher: "The tickets are $10." "Is that ail?"
6 someone or something that is not important, special, or interesting
only/just /'эоnii, d3Ast / [adu] use this to emphasize that someone or something is not particularly important, special, or interesting: Don't ask me - Tm only the cleaner. I "What's for dinner?" "Just pasta - nothing exciting." only another/just another It's just another one of those daytime talk shows.
merely / mi3rli/ [adv] formal use this to emphasize that someone or something is not really important or special, although they may seem to be: The President's position is merely ceremonial; it is the Chancellor who holds real power.
OPEN
opposite shut/close
ONLY 538
thing there is or the only thing someone does: They did nothing but argue for the whole journey. I She answered the door wearing nothing but a towel.
see also fasten/unfasten, tie/untie
for only one reason, and no others
only /'sonli/ [adv] for only one reason or purpose, and not for any others - use this especially when explaining why someone does something: She only married him for his money I Ms Walker said she only started stealing because her children were hungry.
cyust /d3Ast/ [adu] especially spoken only - use this when explaining why someone does something: / think she just wanted someone to talk to. 1 I didn't mean to inter/ere - I was just trying to help. just because People think they know me just because they've seen me on TV.
merely /mi3rli/ [adu] formal use this to emphasize that you are doing something only for the reason you say, and not for any other reason, especially when someone seems annoyed or upset: The committee does not Ыате any individual; we are merely trying to find out how the accident happened.
to open a door, window, drawer etc
open /'эорэп/ [v T] to open a door, window, drawer etc: It's very hot in here. Do you mind if I open the window? I The drawer was stuck, but Tom eventually managed to open it.
unlock /лп1Ьк|-1а:к/ [v TJ to turn the lock
on a door, drawer, cupboard etc so that you can open it: Unlock the door! We can't get outI I Which of these keys unlocks the cupboard?
force Open / fo'/s -эирэп' to open a drawer, window, cupboard etc by using force, often with a tool
force sth open The door's stuck - we'll have to force it open, force open stk The burglars had forced open the window with an iron bar.
break the do or down /breik fo d^r
daun/ to hit or push a locked door very hard so that the lock breaks and the door opens or falls down: Firefighters had to break the door down. 1 This is thepolice! Open the door or we'll break it down.
wind down the window BRITISH roll down the window AMERICAN ,wamd daun бэ 'windso, ,гэо! daon <Ъ windw/ to open a car window, especially by turning a handle: The driver wound down his window and asked us the way to the stadium. I Mom, will you roll down your window a little?
when a door or window opens
Open /'эорэп/ [v I] if a door or window opens, it moves so that it is no longer shut: The door opened and Dr Neil came in. I I can't get this window to open.
burst open/fly open /,b3:rst эорэп,
Use burst open or fly open especially in stories or descriptions.
an open door or window
open
flai 'эирэп/ to open very suddenly: Suddenly the door flew open with a bang. I The door burst open and Flora came running in.
A
A Use ajar especially in stories and written descriptions.
E) to open a container
open /эорэп/ [у TJ to open a bottle, box, or other container by removing or lifting its top or lid: Ask the waiter to open another bottle of champagne. I Jonah opened his tool box and pulled out a hammer. I It's a little gadget thai helps you to open jars.
unscrew /An'skru:/ [u TI to remove the top or lid of a bottle or container by turning it: Charlie unscrewed the top and held out the bottle, offering me a drink.
to open a packet or something that is folded
open /'эорэп/ [и T] to remove or partly remove the outside covering of something so that you can reach what is inside it: Aren't you going to open your letter? I Judy opened another pack of cigarettes.
unwrap /лп'гаер/ (и T] to open a package by removing the paper that is wrapped around it: / just love unwrapping Christmas presents I I Sarah sat do tun and unwrapped her sandwiches.
unwrapping - unwrapped - have unwrapped
539
OPEN
un/old /\n'fauld/ (и T] to open something that was folded, such as a piece of paper or cloth: They unfolded the tablecloth and set out the picnic. I The wind was so strong that it was impossible to unfold the map.
open
open /'эорэп/ [ac/j] Carrie stood in front of the open window. I The office door was open, and I could hear everything they said.
wide open (=open as much as possible) He always leaves the door wide open
when he's getting changed.
ajar
ajar /s'd3a:r/ lad; not before noun} written a door that is ajar is slightly open: She had left her bedroom door ajar and could hear her parents talking downstairs.
to open your eyes or mouth
open your eyes/open your mouth
/ эорэп jar aiz, ,эорэп jo:r таив/ She opened her eyes and sat up in bed. I The dentist told me to open my mouth a little wider
Open /'эорэп/ [adj not usually before noun] when your mouth or eyes are open: / was so tired I could hardly keep my eyes open.
wide open (-open as much as possible) Ben was staring at her with his mouth wide open.
when a shop, bank, restaurant etc opens
(S OPINIONS
Open "зорэп/ [и I] if a shop, bank, restaurant etc opens at a particular time in the day, people can use it from that time: "What time do the banks open?" "They normally open at 9.30." I On Satur days, the restaurant opens at 7 p.m.
You can also use open to say that a new shop, bank, restaurant etc starts to be available for people to use: A new McDonalds has opened in St Petersburg. I The store first opened in / 976. You can also say that someone opens a new shop, bank, restaurant etc, meaning that they make it available for people to use: They plan to open a new superstore just outside of town.
open /'зорэп: [adj not before noun] if a shop, bank, restaurant etc \s open, it is available for people to use: The World Cafe is open from 20 a.m. till 11 p.m. stay open In some places, the bars stay open all night.
OPINION
UKE/NOT LIKE
* t
AGAINST
Я DISAGREEING
AGREE ^ _ ^DISAGREE
see also
SUPPORT
4 \
IB AGREEING
what you think about something
opinion /a'pinjan/ [п C] what you think about a subject or situation my/your/her etc opinion Do you want my opinion? I don't think the colour really suits you.
in my/your/fier etc opinion In my opinion, most lawyers are overpaid. I This is, in the opinion of the critics, their best record for years.
OPEN
+ about/on Can I ask your opinion about something, Michael?
give your opinion (=say what you think) Do you think it's a good essay? Give me your honest opinion.
Qwhat you thialc o//about sth
/,wDt ju: 'Bjqk dv, abaot (sth)/ especially
spoken your opinion about something, especially whether you think it is good or bad: What do you think of the new Oasis record? I You still haven't said what you think about my idea.
view \ju: [n C| your opinion about something, especially about a serious or important subject: It is quite natural for children to have different views from their parents.
+ that I don't agree with the view that longer prison sentences stop people from committing crime. in my/his/John's view In Freud's view, people's dreams often reveal their unconscious fears.
+ on She has strong uiews on environmental issues.
attitude /<etJ,tju:d||-tu:d |n C] what you think and feel about something or someone. especially when this is shown in the way you behave: I don't understand your attitude. Why don't you trust her? + to/towards Since the 1960s, there has been a big change in people's attitudes to sex before marriage
point of view /.рэшс av vju:/ (n C| what
you think about something, especially when this is influenced by the situation you are in
from sb's point of view From a farmer's point of vieик foxes are a nuisance. listen to sb's point of view She 's a/ways ready to listen to other people's points of view.
piurcii points of view
pubUc opinion ,рлЫ|к o'pmjan [n U]
what most people in a country tbink about a particular subject, idea, or problem.- The government responded to public opinion and introduced new controls on guns. 1 Public opinion is strongly in favour of the death penalty.
position /pa'zipn; (n singular) the official opinion of a government, political party, or organization
540
+ on What is the party's position on abortion?
Q what other people think about you
reputation /repj^teipn [n C] someone's reputation is the general opinion that other people have about them, for example whether they are good or bad exceUent/good/bad reputation No parent wants to send their child to a school with a bad reputation. + as She had a reputation as a very efficient organizer.
+ for a car with a reputation for reliability damage sb's reputation Nixon's reputation was damaged so badly that he had to resign.
image .'imidj [n singular] the idea that people have about a well-known person, company, or product - use this especially about an idea that is deliberately created through newspaper stories, advertising etc: Pepsi's image is as a drink for fashionable young people. be bad/good for sb's image The President $ advisers said it would be bad for his image to be photographed with union leaders.
OPPOSITE
^ look here for ...
when two things are completely
different
in the opposite direction
when two people or things are
facing each other
see also different, same
D when two things or
people are completely different
opposite /'Dp3zЈt|'a:p-/ [adj] as different as possible from something else: The medicine was supposed to make him sleep, but it had the opposite effect. I During the summer there wasn't enough rain, but now we have the opposite problem! I John and I have opposite opinions on a/most everything.
the opposite /di 'op3zJ>t||-'a:p-/ In singular] a person or thing that is as different as possible from someone or something else, or a word whose meaning is as different as possible from the meaning of another word: They csked for our advice. and
then did the oppositeI + of 'Hard' is the opposite of 'soft \ just the opposite (=exactly the opposite) Larry is friendly and outgoing, but his brother is just the opposite.
Qthe other way around /di л(Ъг
wei 3'raond/ spoken if a situation is the other way around, it is the opposite of what you thought or of what someone has just said: No, the street was named after the college, not the other way around. (=the college was not named after the street) I I thought he was the boss and she was his secretary, but in fact it was the other way around.
В in the opposite direction
the other way /6i лйэг wei go/come/ look/face the other way to go, look etc
in the opposite direction: She didn't see me - she was looking the other way. I Their car hit a truck which was coming the other way.
The other way is more informal than in the opposite direction. j
in the opposite direction/in the other direction ,,'indi .Dpaz^t di'rekjan,
in Ai ,лбзг d^rekj\?n||-,a:p- in the direction that is opposite to the one in which someone is going: I saw him and hurried away in the opposite direction. I The road is very narrow, so slow down if you meet another car coming in the other direction.
541
OPPOSITE
in opposite directions Two trains travelling in opposite directions had collided.
when two people or things directly face each other
OPPOSITE
opposite
face to face /Jets t9 feis/ if two people are face to face, they are sitting or standing opposite each other, and they are very close: The two men stood face to face, glaring at each other. I We sat face to face across the table.
ORDER
the order in which things are arranged, or the order in which
542
things happen
They sat opposite each other.
opposite /'op3zЈt|'a:p-/ [adj/adv/preposi- tion] something that is opposite something else is facing it, for example on the other side of the street or on the other side of a table: When you get off the bus, you'll see a grocery store on the opposite side of the street. I She recognized the man who was sitting opposite, be opposite sb/sth The bathroom is opposite the bedroom. directly opposite {^exactly opposite) The entrance to the park is directly opposite our house.
^^ Don't say 'the cinema is opposite of the station'. Say the cinema is opposite the station.
across /э'кплф'кгж/ [preposition] across the street/river/table opposite where you are, and on the other side of the street, river etc: She lives across the road. I From the hotel you can see the pretty villages across the bay. across the street/table from sth Across the street from where we were standing was a little park.
on the other side /лп 6i ,лдэг said/ on
the opposite side of a road, river etc: If you look across the lake, you can see Ruskin's house on the other side. + of Vou have to park on the other side of the road.
face/feis/ [uT] if one person, building, seat etc faces another, they are opposite each other, and each of them has their front towards the other: Rita's apartment faces the harbour. I The seat facing mine was empty. 1 They stood facing each other for a few minutes.
if you mean 'order someone to do something', go to tell
AFTER
\ /»
see also
i
ORGANIZE/ARRANGE
order
order /'o:rd3r; [n U] the way that events happen or that information is arranged, showing which is first, which is second, and so on
in this/that/what/any order Safety checks must be carried out in the following order: One - make sure all electrical equipment is switched off, two - ... I It doesn't matter which order you answer the questions in.
+ of We were given a printed sheet showing the order of events for the day. in order of importance/diffuulty/size etc
(=when the most important thing is first, then the next most important etc) Their main exports, in order of importance, are copper, coal, and maize, i The subjects that students enjoyed most were, in order of popularity, music, history, and art.
in alphabetical order (=with 'a' first, then Ъ\ then c' etc)
FIRST
LAST
sequence /'siikwans/ [n C] the specific order in which a number of events, actions, or pieces of information follow one another + of Police are not sure of the exact sequence of events that led to the riot. I The dance is basically a sequence of
steps that you repeat over and over again. I Basic computer code consists of sequences of ones and zeros
В
pattern paeDn||'pa:torn/ [n C] the order in which things usually happen or someone usually does something, which you notice because it seems to be regular: It's a common pattern: failure at school, unemployment, leading to a fife of crime. + of a familiar pattern of events follow a pattern (^happen in the same way) Police say that each of the murders follows the same pattern.
in the correct order
in the right order /шйэ ,ruit з:ЧЬг if a
set of things, actions, or events is in the right order, it is correctly arranged or it happens in the correct order: Have you put all the pages in the right order? I It is important to add each ingredient in the right order.
in the wrong order
in the wrong order in Дз ,rog o:rd3r||
- гулj- if a set of things, actions, or events is in the wrong order, it is not correctly arranged: All the files were in the wrong order, so it took me hours to find her letter. I If you give commands in the wrong order, the computer will not respond.
mixed up /.mikst лр«*/ [adj not before noun] in the wrong order, especially when this has been done deliberately: It's an exercise in which the sentences are all mixed up and you have to put them in the right order.
backwards /'baekw3rdz/ [adu] starting at the end and finishing at the beginning: Can you say the alphabet backwards?
ORGANIZATION
a group of people who do something together or who work for a particular purpose
see also member, company, join organization (also organisation
British) /.D^gonai zeipnl-gsns-/ [n C] a large organized group of people who work together in business, politics, education, sport etc: Greenpeace is an international organization that works to protect the environment. I Most big organizations employ their own legal experts. I the World Health Organization
institution jnstVtiu:j>n||-tu:- [n C] an organization that does educational, scientific, or financial work, especially a large and important organization that has existed for a long time: librarians working in educational institutions I banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions i A major study of women and heart disease is being carried out by the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution.
party pu:rti [n C] an organization of people who all have the same political ideas, which you can vote for in elections: The Republican Party now has a majority in Congress. 1 the new right-wing political parties in Russia join a party He joined the Communist Party when he was a student.
plurd parties
L\ You can also use party before a noun, like an adjective: Party leaders met today to discuss the crisis. I This is not party policy. I party members
543
ORGANIZATION
Ж In British English, you can use party with a singular or plural verb: The Labour Party is likely/are likely to oppose any change in the law. In American English, always use a singular verb
When you see IS, go to the
ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
club /к 1 ab/ [n Cj a group of people who meet regularly in their free time to do something that they are all interested in. especially a sport
tennis/photography etc club a member of the local tennis club ■join a dab How much does it cost to
join the golf club?
ORGANIZATION 544
belong to о club (=be a member of a club) She belongs to the college chess club.
society /sa'saijiti/ [п C] an organization for people who have the same interest or aim. especially a large official organization: the
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds I the university film society I the president of the American Historical Society plural societies
You can also use union before a noun, like an adjective: Union members have voted against о strike. I a union officioI
Clubs are usually for sport and other activities that people do in their free time, such as photography or gardening. Societies are interested in subjects like art, literature, and science, or in working to help people or animals that have problems.
association 'a.saosi'eipn, n.saoj'i- [n CI an important organization for people in a particular sport, profession, activity etc. which officially represents its members and has the power to make rules: The new health care proposals have been criticized by the British Medical Association. I The National Basketball Association negotiates TV rights for important games.
The word association js almost always used in the name of an organization.
union 'ju:nje>n/ C] an organization formed by workers to protect their rights and improve their pay and working conditions: The largest teachers' union supports the education reforms. I the National Union of Mineworkers trade union British labor union american (=union) The President could not rely on the support of the labor unions. join a union Some workers re/used to join the union.
A
In British English, you can use union with a singular or plural verb: The union has rejected/have rejected the latest pay offer. In American English, always use a singular verb.
ORGANIZE/ ARRANGE
PIAN_ PREPARE
N
see also
✓ \
INTEND SYSTEM
to make preparations for something to happen
arrange э reind3/ [u I/T] to make preparations for a meeting, party, journey etc, for example by choosing a suitable time and place and telling people about it: Arm's arranging a surprise party for Russell's birthday. 1 Were going on Friday - it's all arranged. arrange to do sth They arranged to meet the following day. arrange for sb to do sth He arranged for her to leave on the next flight home. it is arranged that It was arranged that our visitors should stay at a nearby hotel.
organize (also organise British) /э:гgsnaiz [v T} to make preparations for an event, especially a big public event that needs a lot of preparation and planning: I've been asked to organize this year's Summer Carnival. I an exhibition organised by the local camera club organizer (also organiser British) [n c]
someone who organizes a large public event: the organizers of the Dartmouth Music Festival I conference organizer
make arrangements /(trieik a'rcindy
msnts/ to arrange all the details of an event, such as dates, times, and places after you have decided what you are going to do
+ /or Rita and Howard are busy making arrangements for their wedding.
set up ,set лр [phrasa/ verb T] to make all the arrangements that are necessary so that a meeting can happen or a system can start working
set up sth I'll get my secretary to set up a meeting for all of the sales executives.
We need to set up emergency procedures to deal with this sort of problem. set sth up There will be an inquiry into the accident, and Judge Mather has been asked to set it up.
fix up f frks 'лр [phraseI verb I/T} British
informal to arrange a meeting, a visit, a journey etc
fix up sth We should fix up a meeting. Are you free on Thursday? jix up to do sth I've fixed up to go to the airport with Bill.
fix up for sb to do sth He fixed up for her to go and see Dr Graham.
ti plans and preparations for an event
arrange merits bremdsm^nts/ [n plural!
all the preparations that must be made for something to happen and be successful + for Who is in charge of the arrangements for the President s visit? make arrangements Her nephew has made all the funeral arrangements, travel/seating/sleeping arrangements Lena wasn't very happy about the travel arrangements.
plans /plsenz/ [n plural] things that you have planned to do and arranged to do: I'd bought everything for a picnic, but the weather spoiled our plans. + for What are your plans for tonight?
appointment p'pDintmsnt |n C] an arrangement to meet someone such as a doctor, a lawyer, or a business person at a particular time and place: What time is your appointment at the hospital? have an appointment with sb I have an appointment with the dentist on Monday afternoon.
make an appointment If you want to see the manager, you'll have to make an appointment.
El something that is well organized
well-organized (also well-organised British) wel :>:rganaizd< lad)] organized in a careful and thorough way, and therefore likely to be successful: The exhi bition was very well-organized. I a clear, well-organized report I a well-organized political campaign
efficient /i'fij>nt/ |adj] use this about an organization, method, or system in which all the parts work well together and good results are achieved without any money or time being wasted: The passport office is very efficient - I got a new passport in just 48 hours. 1 We need more efficient methods of transporting goods.
well-run /,wel 'глп<j [adj) use this about an organization or business that is successful because the people in charge organize it well: The Klausner is a comfortable, well-run hotel
ш someone who organizes things well and gets good results
well organized (also well organised British) ,wel o:rg3naizdV [adj] someone who is well organized plans things well so that they achieve what they want to achieve: If you work as a personal assistant, you need to be well-orga- nized. i Well-organized rebel forces have succeeded in recapturing the town.
efficient /Vfrpnt, [adj] someone who is efficient works well and does what needs to bedone without wasting time: Friendly and efficient staff are essential.
businesslike /'bizni,slaik [adj] someone who is businesslike deals with people effectively and does not waste time on things that are not important: At work, she becomes efficient and business/i/ce. I Gates gave a brief, businesslike explanation of his plans for the company.
a something that is badly organized
badlij organized (also badly organised British) .baedli 'o^ganaizd-c ladjj use this about events or activities that are not successful, because they have not been planned well: The show was very badly organized, and nobody seemed to know what they were doing.
disorganized (also disorganised
British) ,/dis'D:rg3naizd [adj] use this about people who are bad at organizing things, and who do not know where anything is or what they should be doing: Graham's far too disorganized to be a good
545
ORGANIZE/ARRANCE
teacher.
ORGANIZE/ARRANGE 546
chaos /'kei-Ds|-a:s/ |n U] a very confused situation in which nothing seems to be organized, especially when something bad has happened unexpectedly: The floods have caused widespread chaos. in chaos The country was in chaos following the death of the President. chaotic /kei'DUk||-'a3t- \adj] use this about situations in which everything seems con fused and nothing seems organized: Traffic in the cities is chaotic
con/usion /ksn'fjiKvn/ [л U] a situation in which no one is sure what is happening and there is a lot of noise and activity: the noise and confusion of the marketplace 1 The bombers escaped in the con/usion that followed the explosion.
be a mess/be a shambles bi: э
'mes. bi: э '/жmb«?lz/ informal if a situation or event is a mess or a shambles no
rearrange /.rna'remds/ [u Tj to arrange
things in a different order or position from the way they were arranged before, Who's been rearranging the furniture? 1 With a word processor you can easily rearrange the paragraphs when you'ue finished writing.
to put things into the correct order
put sth in order pot (sth) in у/dyi to
arrange things so that they are in the correct order: Collect all the pages together put them in order, and file them, put sth in alphabetical/numerical order
We need to put all the names in alphabetical order.
sort out (so:rt aot,, [phrasa/ verb T] to organize something that is untidy or unclear, so that it is tidier and easier to use sort out sth I spent most of the morning sorting out my desk. sort sth out Sort the files out, and throw away any we don Jt need.
one seems to be in control and nothing good or useful is being achieved: The country's economy is a shambles. I My life seems to be a mess at the moment.
to put things or people
in a particular order
arrange /a'remdj/ [i> T] to put a group of
things or people into a particular order or position, according to a plan or design: N/'na arranged the roses in a tall vase. I A photographer was arranging the children for the school photograph, arrange sth in a circle/in rows etc The chairs had been arranged in a circle
around the piano.
organize (also organise British)
o:rg3naiz/ to arrange in order information,
ideas etc according to a system, so that they will be more effective or easier to use: Organize your notes very carefully before giving a speech, organize sth into p i 1е$У groups etc The book is organized into three sections.
set out /.set 'aot/ 1phrasal verb T) to arrange a group of things on the floor, on a table, on a shelf etc for people to use, take, or look at
set out sth Let's set out the chairs so they'll be ready for tonight's meeting. set sth out A waiter brought drinks and sandwiches, and set them out on a low table beside the pool.
the way that things are
arranged
arrangement b'reindsmant/ [n CI а
group of things that are arranged according to a pattern or in order to look attractive
+ of a simple design consisting of a geo metrical arrangement of circles and rectangles
/lower arrangement (=flowers that have been cut and arranged attractively)
layout /'lejaot/ [n Cj the way that a building, town, garden, book etc is arranged according to a plan, so that it looks attractive or works well: a computer program to help you design page layout + of the architects who had planned the layout of our hospital
BANKS
PAY
to owe money to someone
owe <х>/ :u T] if you owe someone money, you have to pay them, either because you borrowed money from them or because you got something from them and have not yet paid for it
owe sb sth/owe sth to sb I owe him £5.1
We owe a lot of money to the bank. owe money/$50 etc The business collapsed, owing $50 million.
owe sb sth for sth They still owe us money for the car.
be in debt /bi: in 'det if you are in debt,
you owe a lot of money and you have difficulty paying it: The helpline offers
financial advice to people who are in debt.
get into debt (=start being in debt) We got into debt when my wife lost her job. be £1000/S2000 etc in debt (=owe that amount) The report showed that most students were over £1000 in debt. be heavily in debt (=owe a very large amount of money) Seuera/ companies were heavily in debt by the end of the
1980s.
be overdrawn /bi: ,3ov3r'dr;>:n/ to owe
money to your bank because you have spent more than you had in your bank account: I was overdrawn at the end of last month.
be $100/Ј200 etc overdrawn The bank wrote to tell us we were $500 overdrawn.
be in the red /bi: in Лэ 'red/ informal if you are in the red, you owe more
OWE
LEND
\ /
see also
MONEY
BORROW
money than you have: I'm always in the red by the middle of the month. be £100/1500 etc in the red (=owe that amount) At the end of the war, Britain was about $50 million in the red.
money that you owe
debt det [n C/U] money that you owe, especially a large amount: Debt is one of the main social problems of our time. + of The government now has debts of $2.5 billion.
pay off a debt (=pay all the money that you owe) It took us three years to pay off all our debts.
overdraft /'wv3rdra;ft||-dr;eft/ fn C] an amount of money that you owe to your bank when you have spent more money than you had in your bank account: I've already got an enormous overdraft, a £100/$ 1500 etc overdraft When he left college, he had a $3000 overdraft.
to not owe any money
be in credit bi; in kred^t/ if your bank account is in credit, there is money in it. and you do not owe the bank anything: We offer free banking for customers whose accounts remain in credit.
OWN
if you mean 'on your own', go to
alone
see also have/not have, get
to own something
own ,'эоп/ [и T] if you own something,
especially something big like a house, a car, or a company, it is your property and you have the legal right to have it: We don't own the apartment, we're just renting it. I Clark owns about 40 companies in northern Europe. I The horse is owned by an Italian businessman.
Don't say 'I am owning this house'. Say I own this house.
have (also have got especially British) haev, hsv gDt||-ga:t/ [и T] to own something, especially something that ordinary people are likely to own: What kind of car has she got? I We don't have a TV. I How many of your students have a computer?
547
OWN
having - had - have had
Don't say 'he is having a car'. Say he has a car
be mine/yours/John's etc /bi:
(mine, etc)/ if something is mine, yours,
John's etc, it belongs to me, you. John etc; Sorry! I didn't know it was yours. I "Whose bike is that?" It's Martin's."
possess /ps'zes/ [u T] FORMAL to own something - use this especially in negative sentences to say that someone does not own something that most people own: Very few families in this area possess a telephone. I He never wore a suit - I don't think he possessed one. ! They lost everything they possessed in the earthquake.
A
Don't say 'everything that they are possessing'. Say everything that they
possess.
belong to sb bi'loij tu: (sb)l|-b:i]-'
[phrasa/ verb T] if something belongs to someone, they own it: This watch belonged to my grandfather. I Who does that Walkman belong to?
A Don't say 'the bag is belonging to her'. Say the bag belongs to her.
my own/your own etc mai 'эип, jar
эоп (etc), if something is your own, it belongs to you and not anyone else: You can rent skis or you can bring your own. I Joe left the company to set up his ourn business.
a room/car/house etc of your own When we move to the new house, I'm going to have a room of my own.
the person who owns something
owner |'эопэг: [n C] the person who owns something: The previous owner painted the outside of the house yellow. + of The owners of the company live abroad.
A
OWN
Home/car/dog etc owner Car owners are /acing a 10% rise in the price of
landlord/Landlady /'laendb^d, l<end-
leidi/ [n CI someone who owns a building and is paid money by the people who live in it or use it: Our landlord has promised to fix the heating by Tuesday.
plural landladies
the things that someone owns
property /'ргорэгп|'рга:-/ [n U| things that
someone owns, especially large, expensive things such as buildings, land, or cars: The boys have been charged with damaging school property. 1 Some of the stolen property was discovered in an empty warehouse.
As Don't say 'properties' when you mean the things that someone owns.
possessions /ps'zepnz/ [n plural] all the
things that a person owns, which they keep in their home or carry with them-. They lost all their possessions in the floods. I This book is one of my most treasured possessions.
Qt/lings /Oiqz/ [n plural) spoken things such as clothes, records, and books that you own: She a/tuays leaves her things
ail over the floor.
QStliJFf StAf. [n U) SPOKEN INFORMAL yOUr
clothes, furniture, plates, pans etc: / don't know how I'm going to fit all my stuff into the new apartment.
belongings bilDi]ii]z||brb:i3-/ [n plural]
things you own such as clothes, equipment, bags etc. especially things you take with you when you are travelling somewhere-. Please keep your belongings with you at all times. I They packed all their belongings into the car and left the city
that night.
548
valuables 'vaeljuobMz, j у Ь,? I z || v se I j ^ b^ 1 z [n plural] small valuable things, such as jewellery or cameras, which may get stolen if you do not look after them: The hotel management advises guests not to leave any valuables in their rooms.
549
PAIN
PAIN
HURT/INJURE
\ т
t4 ^^ BETTER 4
BREAK
ILLNESS/DISEASE
* ^ see
also
SUFFER
4 \
MEDfCAl TREATMENT
D when part of your body hurts
Kurt /hxrt [и I] if a part of your body hurts, you feel pain in it, for example because you have hit it or cut it, or because you are ill: My neck felt stiff and my shoulder hurt, t 1 fell and banged my knee, and it really hurts. Qit hurts spoken (say this when part of your body hurts) It hurts when I move my arm.
hurting - hurt - have hurt
pain/ul peinfol/ [ad;] a painful injury or a painful part of your body makes you feel pain: Jim's knee was still painful where he had fallen on it. 1 a painful back injury
^Don't say 'she is painful'. Say she is in
PaiH Don't say 'I am painful'. Say тУ ,е9/ back etc hurts
ache /eik [v I] if a part of your body
aches, you feel a pain in it that is continuous but not very strong - use this about pains in your arms, legs, or back, or in your head or stomach: My arms ached from carrying all the groceries. I She felt hot and her head was beginning to ache. I I went to dance class last week, and I've been aching ever since.
sore s3:r [ac/yj ,-f а part Qf your body is
DOCTOR
sore, it hurts when you touch it or use it - use this about painful areas of your skin, for example where you have cut yourself: Her hands were still sore from scrubbing the floors. I / cut my finger last week,
and it's still sore.
sore throat (=when the inside of your throat is sore, especially because you have a cold) Honeу is uery good for a sore throat.
Sting stii] [у I] to feel a sudden sharp pain for a short time - use this about your eyes or your skin: The smoke made our eyes sting.
stinging - stung - have stung
stiff stif [odjl if a part of your body is stiff, it is difficult to move and the muscles around it hurt: "How do you feel?" "My legs are a little stiff, but otherwise I'm fine."
stiff neck/(eg/back etc Long car journeys always give me a stiff neck.
when something or someone hurts you
hurt h3:rt [u I/T] if something or someone hurts you, they make you feel pain: The dentist's drill really hurt. I Stop it - you re hurting me.
hurting - hurt - have hurt
Sting/st,0- [u I/T] to cause a sudden sharp pain on your skin or in your eyes for a short time: The antiseptic might sting a little. I The smoke stung my eyes. I
She felt a stinging pain as the bullet
grazed her arm.
stinging - stung - have stung
И
uthe feeling you have when part of your body hurts
и
pain pejn jn c/U] the feeling you have when part of your body hurts: The pain is getting worse. I You won't feel any pain during the operation. I He told the doc tor he was suffering from chest pains, a pain in your chest/leg/back etc / have a terrible pain in my left arm. be in pain (=be feeling pain) The old man looked white and was obviously in pain.
be in great pain/be in a lot of pain She's
in a lot of pain with her back, severe pain (=very bad pain) A slipped disc can cause severe back pain, ease the pain (=make a pain hurt less) These pills should help to ease the pain.
ache /eik/ [л С] a pain that continues for a long time but is not very sharp: The ache in my leg muscles had almost disappeared.
dull ache (=a continuous annoying ache) Lisa felt a dull ache spreading up her arm.
be in agony 'bi: in aegani/ to have a lot
of severe pain: Yves /ay in agony on the slope. He was sure that he had broken his leg.
headache/toothache/backache/ Stomach ache 'hedeik, 'tu:9eik. Ъаек- eik, 'sumэк eik/ [n C/U] a continuous pain in a part of your body: Is your backache any better?
have I get a headache I always get a headache when I've been using the computer.
have toothache/backache/stomach ache
Don't say 'I have headache' or 'it gives me headache'. Say I have a headacheor it gives me a headache
When you see ИЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
British Tm not surprised you have stomach ache - you eat too fast, have a toothache/a backache/a stomach ache american My daughter has a really bad toothache. a splitting headache (=a very bad headache)
A
when something does not hurt
not hurt /not h3:rt/ if something does not hurt, it is not painful: This won t hurt at all. Just sit still while I remove the bandage.
painless /'pernI as/ |adj] something that is
painless does not hurt, especially when you are worried that it might hurt: The operation is simple and painless.
Qnot fee I a thing not fi:l э щ
PAIN
spoken to not feel any pain at all: Don't worry about the injection - you won't feet a thing.
PAINT
BRIGHT/NOT BRIGHT ART ^ ^ m DRAW
N S*
DECORATE
PATTERN
someone who
by the great
see
also
PICTURE
4 V
COLOUR/COLOR
to paint pictures
paint peint [и T) to make a picture of something or someone, by putting paint onto a surface with a brush: Geraint was sitting on the beach, painting the seagulls and the fishing boats. paint a picture (о/ sth/sb) I'm going to paint a picture of the church. I a picture painted by Monet painting [n U] the activity of painting pictures: I'm not very good at paint ing. I a painting class
painter pemty/ [n Cj
paints pictures: This is Spanish painter, Goya. portrait painter {^someone who paints pictures of people)
landscape painter (=someone who paints pictures of places, the countryside etc)
artist a:rti>st [n C] someone who produces works of art, especially paintings or drawings: an exhibition of works by Italian artists I We asked a young local artist to come and show her work to the students.
to paint walls/doors/ rooms
paint peint [o I/T) to put paint on walls, doors, pieces of furniture etc: Tm going to paint the bathroom tomorrow. paint sth blue/red/white etc She painted the walls yellow. I What colour did you paint the doors?
550
decorate /debreit- \v I/T] especially British to paint the inside of a house or put paper on the walls: They've just finished decorating the kitchen. I We spent all weekend decorating.
have sth decorated (=pay someone to decorate it) Mum had the whole house decorated before she moved in.
D
painter "pemt^/ [n CI someone who paints houses, walls etc as their job
PART
see also piece
part of an object/area
part ;pa:rt; |n C] When you have filled in the form, keep the top part and send the other part to the bank. + of The front part of the car was badly damaged. I Malaria is still common in many parts of Africa.
Qblt /bit. |n C] British s рок lis a small part of an object or area The bit you've painted looks really nice. + of that bit of the garden where the fruit trees are
piece pi;s, [ri C] one of several different parts that must be joined together to make something: a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle in pieces (-as separate pieces) The huge structure had to be taken apart and transported in pieces.
section. sekjr?n/ [n C] one of several parts that a place, shop, container etc is divided into: You'll find her books in the 'English Classics' section. + of The spoons go in the front section of the drawer. I the non-smoking section of the plane
part of a story/book/ film/play etc
part /part/ [n CJ Jane Austen 's 'Pride and Prejudice', adapted for radio in six parts + of The first part of the story takes place in Crete.
Part One/Part Two etc (=one of the main parts that a book, TV story etc is divided into) Part One ends with the death of the hero's father.
Qfcit /bit/ [n C| British spoken a small part of a story or film: My favourite bit was when they try to escape from the prison. + of Some bits of the film were realty boring.
chapter tfaeptэг/' [n Cj one of the parts that a book is divided into: Read the first two chapters before next week's class. Chapter One/Chapter Two etc I've only read as far as Chapter 6.
В
SCeae si:n [n C] one of the parts that a play or film is divided into: The ghost appears in the first scene. I a love scene
part of an organization
branch brcintj||bnentj fn С] a shop.
office, or bank in a particular area that is part of a larger organization-. Our store has branches all over the country. + of The North-East Branch of the charity is based in Newcastle.
A
You can also use branch before a noun, like an adjective: He wos appointed Branch Mancger. \ a branch office
department di po: tmnnt [n С] а
department of a large organization, such as a company, a school, or a hospital, is a part of it that is responsible for a particular kind of work: Our department deals mainly with exports. Sales/Accounts/Planning etc Department (=in a company or large organization) Melissa is in charge of the Marketing Department. Art/History/Science etc Department (=in a school or university)
part of an activity/job/ period of time
part /pa:rt (n C\ Organizing the party was easy - the hardest part was getting my parents to agree to it. + of Which part of your job do you enjoy most? I She spent the early part of her life in Barcelona. I Pari of the research program involved interviewing teenagers in inner city areas.
Qbit /bit [n C] British spoken a part of an activity, plan, or job: Filling in the application form is the easy bit ~ it's the interview I find stressful. + of The last bit of the climb was really difficult because it started to snow.
551
PART
stage /steid3/ [n C] one of several parts of a long process, which happen one after another
part of a situation/ subject/someone's character
aspect /'aespekt [n C] one of the many parts of a situation or subject, which can each be considered separately; The book describes the postwar period in all its aspects - socio/, political, and economic. + of Drug addiction can affect all aspects of a person's life. I There are aspects of the problem that we haven't discussed.
side said/ [n C] one part of a situation or of someone's character - use this especially when you are comparing one part with another; Weiskopf was a talented and successful man, but he did have a cruel side. I I'm in charge of production, and Martha takes care of the marketing side.
В
+ of Many people seem to forget the religious side of Christmas. I Try to see the funny side of the situation.
SJ of an amount/number
see also amount/number proportion /ргэ'рэ:грп/ [n C] a part of an
amount or number - use this when you are comparing the part with the whole amount or number
+ of What proportion of your income do you spend on food?
PART 552
+ of Many women feel a little depressed during the early stages of pregnancy. + in Safety checks are carried out at every stage in the production process, at this stage At this stage of the election campaign, it is impossible to say who will win.
phase /feiz [n С] a separate part in the
development or growth of something + in There are three phases in the life of
a butterfly.
initial/final pKase (=the first or last par:) The initial phase of the project should take about three months.
' A Phase is a more technical word than : stage.
high/large proportion A high proportion of married women also have part-time jobs.
small proportion We get a small propor tion of our funding from the government.
fraction fraekj>n/ [n C] a small part of an amount or number, especially a very small part
+ of Employees' salaries are only a fraction of the total cost of the project, a small fraction a problem that affects only a small fraction of the total population
percentage /p3rsemid3/ (n CI a part of
an amount or number that is expressed as part of a whole which is 100 + of What percentage of our students passed the exam? I a percentage of the profits that is less than 50% high/large percentage A high percentage of the coffee they produce goes to
the US.
small percentage On/у a small percentage of the population has private medical insurance.
PARTLY
^ for words meaning the opposite,
go tO completely
partly /'pa:rtli/ [adv] The road was partly blocked by a fallen tree, i What he told us was only partly true, partly because The accident happened partly because we were hauing an argument in the car.
partially pa:rpli/ [adv] if something is partially done, it has not been completely done or finished; The house was partially destroyed by the explosion. I The ice had partially melted and there was a pool of water on the table. partially successful The advertising campaign was only partially successful.
Partially is more formal than partly.
half ha:f||hief/ [ado] half-eaten/half- dressed/half-finished etc partly eaten,
partly dressed etc: I found him sitting on his bed, half-dressed. I a half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray I The houses were half-submerged by flood water.
to some extent /ta saix\ ik,stent/ use this when you want to say that something ispartly true but not completely true: Doing well in examinations is to some extent a matter of fuck. I To some extent it was our own fault that we lost the contract.
PARTY
FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL DAYS INVm Ф FOOD
see
DRINK
also
MUSIC DANCE
DRUNK
D
\ I л
ENJOY
FREE TIME
a party
party /''pa:rti/ [n Cj a social event, especially in someone's house, when people talk, drink, eat, and dance. Are you going to Susie's birthday party? 1 I really enjoyed your parly last night. have a party We're having a party next Saturday. Would you like to come? throw a party (=have a big party, with lots of food and drink etc) Sheikh
Mahmood would regularly throw lavish
parties at the Sheraton Hotel.
invite sb to a party I've been invited to
a party at Dave's tonight.
dinner party (=a party at someone's
house in the evening, when people have a
meal)
fancy-dress party british costume-party
You can also use party before a noun, like an adjective: party games I a party invitation
american (=a party where people wear strange, funny, or historical clothes) plural parties
A
PASS
The plural form, celebrations, is used especially to talk about big public events that take place to celebrate important occasions, such as New Year. The singular form, celebration, is used especially to talk about a party to celebrate a personal or family event such as a birthday.
celebrate /"seUbreit/ [и 1Л1 to show that a happy event or occasion is important by doing something enjoyable, for example by having a party or going to a restaurant: Congratulations on your new job - we must go out and celebrate. I We went to a club to celebrate the end of the school year. I My mother bought some champagne to celebrate my 21st birthday. celebrate by doing sth We celebrated by going out for a drink. celebrate sth with sth She celebrated
her election uictory with a party at the
in
Hilton Hotel.
people at a party
host Jhmst/ [n C] the person who invites people to a party and provides them with food and drink: The host brought
some more wine.
A Host, hostess, and guest are all rather formal words, used for talking about formal parties.
Hostess ''hsost^s/ [n C] a woman who
553
invites people to a party and provides them with food and drink: Pam was a wonderful hostess - everyone enjoyed her parties.
guest sest, л С] someone who goes to a party, There were 100 guests at the garden party.
PASS
celebration. sel^brei>n/ [г; С] a party or
other enjoyable event that is organized because something good has happened or because it is a special day: We had a big family celebration for my father's 60th birthday. I New Year celebrations in Scotland go on for three days. I celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the country's independence
look here for...
be successful in an examination go past a person or place when time passes
to be successful in a test or examination
see also test drive, education
pass /pa:s|pses; [u I/T] to reach a high enough standard to succeed in an exami nation or test: "I'm taking my driving test today." "Do you think you'll pass?" I You'll never pass the exam if you don t work!
A Don't say 'pass in an exam'. Say pass an exam.
quali/y 'kwDlofaiU'kwa;-/ [u I] to pass all the examinations that you need in order to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer etc: After qualifying, she joined the Nat West Bank as a corporate advisor: + as I decided to return to college and qualify as a teacher
qualifying - qualified - have qualified
graduate graed^ueit' [и 1] to pass all your final examinations at university or college, and get a degree
graduate from Ox/ord/Stan/ord etc
Mitch graduated from Stanford in 1993
with a degree in Law.
PASS
graduate in Kistory/FrencK/medicine etc
A
She graduated in modern languages and now works as an interpreter.
In American English, graduate also means to successfully complete your high school education: ferry will be graduating from high school this year.
scrape through /skreip 'Oru:/ [phrasal verb I/T] informal to only just pass an examination, by getting only a few marks more than are necessary: I might scrape through if I'm lucky. I Daniel only just scraped through the entrance exam.
pass /pa:s||paes;' [v I/T] to go past a place or person-. I'll get you some aspirin - I pass the drugstore on the way to work. I They kept quiet until the soldiers had passed. I A big Cadillac passed us as we walked up the hill. passing (adj only before nounj going past, noise and fumes from the passing traffic
overtake /,3ov3r,teik/' [u I/T] especially
British to pass a moving vehicle in order to go in front of it: Before you start to overtake. make sure the road ahead is clear. I Hill overtook Schumacher just before the last bend.
overtaking - overtook - have overtaken
when time passes
go Ьу/paSS ,gau bai, pa:s||paes/ [u Ij Several years passed before she learned the truth. I The days passed slowly. I As you get older, time seems to go by more quickly.
go quickly дао kwikli if time goes quickly, it seems to pass quickly: The last
few days of the holiday went far too quickly.
Qtime /lies /,taim flaiz/ spoken say this when you are surprised at how quickly the time has passed: Is Martin eight already? How time flies! I Time flies when you're having fun!
554
go slowly /(gau "slotjli/ if time goes slowly, it seems to pass slowly: Time always goes slowly when you're bored.
to go past a place or person
see also drive, walk, run
past /pa:st||paest/ [adu/preposition] walk/drive/rush/run past An ambulance rushed past on its way to the accident. I Will you be going past the library on your way home? I The children were frightened of walking past the old ruined house.
by /bai/ [adv] going past, especially not very quickly
go/pass/walk/sail by / lay on the grass and watched the clouds floating by
PAST
FUTURE
if you want to know how to form the past, go to the essential grammar, section 4
before
see
also
time MOW
■I the past
the past /йэ pa:st||-'paest [n singular] the time that existed before the present time: My grandfather enjoys talking about the past. I The Queen's horse-drawn carriage is a nostalgic reminder of the past. in the past (=during the time before now) I decided to ask Anna, as she had always been very helpful in the past. ! In the
past, residents here would gather in the
courtyard, chatting and singing.
past pa:st|p<Tsi I adj only before noun] past events, experiences etc happened before now: He's learned a lot from past experiences. I Judging by her past performance. I'd say Rowena will do very well.
the past 10 years/2 weeks etc (=the 10 years. 2 weeks etc before now) The past few months had been very difficult for Mary. I For the past two weeks. I hove been doing my boss's job while she's away on business. I The enormous changes of the pest 30 years.
history 'hisL?ri/ [n singular) all the things that have happened in the past, especially to a country, a town, or an organization the history of sth a book about the history of the United Nations I India has been invaded several times in its history.
sb's past /(sb's) 'paist||-'pЈst/ all the things that have happened to someone in the past: The newspapers have been investigating the President's past, hoping to find some scandal.
E when something happened in the past, but does not happen now
used to /ju:st tin, [modal uerb] if you used to do something, you did it for a period of time in the past, or you did it regularly in the past, but you do not do it now: "Do you smoke?" "No, but I used to."
used to do sth We used to live in Glasgow when I was young. there used to be There used to be a market in the town.
didn't used to I was surprised to see her driving - she didn't used to.
once/at one time /wAns, 3t ,WAn 'taim/
ladu] during a period of time in the past, but not now - use this when it is not important to say exactly when this period was: a sports car once owned by Paul McCartney 1 He once worked for the FBI. I It is a big city now, but at one time the population was only 50,000.
then./at that time /йеп, ot to taim [adf] during a particular period of time in the past - use this when you are comparing that period with the present: I was a student in the 1950s, and things were very different then. I We were married before the war; and at that time most married women stayed at home.
in the past in йэ 'pa:st||-'paest/ use this
to talk about a situation that existed in history but does not exist now: In the past, most children didn't go to school
at all. I Women were not allowed to own property in the past.
in those days /in 'fouz deiz use this to
talk about a time long ago in your life, or
in your parents' or grandparents' lives, when things were different: He was paid £5 a week, which was a lot of money in those days, i In those days there was no bridge over the river, and we crossed it by boat
/ormerly /Ь:гтэгП/ ladu] written in the past, before the present situation existed: The school was formerly a hospital. I Peru was formerly ruled by the Spanish.
В on one occasion in the
past
once w.Ans Jadu] She once called me a liar - I've never forgiven her. 1 Once, when I was a little boy, I found a gold watch.
one time /'wad ,tarm/ informal on one occasion in the past: One time we went out fishing on the lake at night.
one day/one morning/one afternoon ,\улп 'dei, WAn 4rm:rnit], wah ,a:tbr-
555
PAST
nu:n||-,aef-/ on a day, morning, or afternoon in the past - use this when you are telling a story and it is not important to say exactly which day you mean: One day he went away and never came back. I / was having my breakfast one morning when the telephone rang.
PATTERN
a regular arrangement of shapes,
ART
PAINT
material 2
decorate
colours, or lines
DES1CN
\ t
CLOTHES
see also
draw
i V
colour/color
pattern "paeb?n||'paet3rn/ [n C| a regular
arrangement of shapes, colours, or lines on a surface, especially one that is used to decorate paper, cloth, plates etc: Do you have any wallpaper with the same pattern but a different colour? + of patterns of sunlight and shadow on the ground
design (dizain |n C| a pattern which is used to decorate a surface such as cloth or paper: This design is very common on Turkish carpets. ! Vou can get curtains and bedcovers for children, decorated with 'Lion King' designs.
markings /ma:rkii]z [n plural] the natural patterns on the skin, fur, or feathers of animals or birds: a bird that you can recognize by its unusual red and yellow
PATTERN
markings patterned rpxundfpxtemdj [adj) patterned clothes, materials etc have patterns on them: Patterned leggings were very fashionable last year. I a horrible green patterned carpet
PAY
MONEY
^X t /COST
BUY
FREE
SPEND
ЮР OVi
pattern
striped/stripey
tartan
^^ see ^^
see also
CHEAP
shop' у ~OWI
expensive
to pay for something
pay pei/ [i> I/T] to give money in exchange for goods or services: Several fans tried to get in without paying. I Please pay at the desk.
+ /or Have you paid for the tickets?
pay Ј20/$40 etc/or sth She paid $5,000
for three nights in a classy hotel. pay a bill/the rent He hardly earns enough to pay the rent. I I thought you already paid the phone bill.
556
paying - paid - have paid payment /peimsnt [n C] an amount of
money that you pay for something, especially when it is only one part of the total amount you have to pay: Your first payment is due on 16th July. I mortgage payments
make a payment He makes monthly payments into his ex-wife's bank account.
on credit on kred^t/ buy/get sth on credit to buy something and pay for it later, usually by small regular payments: In
1991, 56% of new cars were bought on credit.
E to pay for someone else's food, drink, ticket etc
pay pei [и I] to pay for someone else, for example for their meal, drink, or ticket. When they go out for a meal his girlfriend always expects him to pay. + /or Let's go to the zoo. I'll pay for you and the children. I Did your parents pay for your driving lessons?
paying - paid - have paid
treat trm' [и T] to buy something such as a meal or theatre ticket for someone, because you like them or you want to celebrate: As it's your birthday, I thought I'd treat you.
treat sb to sth We treated Sally to lunch at the Savoy.
В to be able to pay for something
can afford кэп э1Ъ:гd if you can afford
something, you have enough money to pay for it: I'd love to visit Australia, but I just can't afford it.
can afford to do sth How can you afford to eat in restaurants all the timeэ
Ы to pay someone to do something
pay /pei [у T] to pay someone for work pay sb for (doing) sth They still haven 't paid her for the work she did last year. I Did she pay you for taking care of her kids?
be/get paid We get paid ct the end of every month.
pay sb Ј100/$200 etc Ziedler iuas ready
to pay her $2000 a week. I How much
do they pay you?
well/highly paid (=paid a lot) He has a very well-paid job in finance. I a highly paid executive
badly paid (=not paid much) Most badly paid jobs are done by women. paying - paid - have paid
bribe /braib/ [и Tj money that someone gives to a person in an official position, in order to persuade them to do something that they should not do: I had to bribe the
customs official.
bribe sb to do sth He bribed a guard to smuggle a note out of the prison. bribe (n C] money that you give someone to bribe them: The judge was accused of accepting bribes, bribery (n U] when people are being bribed
bribery and corruption (=bribery and dishonest behaviour) There was widespread bribery and corruption in the police department.
В to provide money to help someone do something
subsidize (also subsidiseBRmsH) /Ълb-
s^daiz/ [a T] if a government or other organization subsidizes something, it pays part of the cost of it: Many companies subsidize meals for their workers. I a government-subsidized health service \ The city council subsidizes the local orchestra.
sponsor /'spDnsafspam- TJ if a company sponsors something such as a sports event, a theatre, or an art show, it provides some of the money that is needed, often as a form of advertising: The new league will be sponsored by Pepsi Cola. I The bank is sponsoring an art exhibition.
0 to give money back to someone
pay back pei Ъхк [phrasal verb TJ to give someone back money that you have borrowed from them
pay sb back I'll pay you back tomorrow, pay back sth/pay sth back How are you
going to pay back all that money?
repay ri per (u TJ to pay a large amount of money that you owe, especially to a bank: The loan has to be repaid within two years.
557
PAY
repaying - repaid - have repaid
pay off i,pei df||-'3:f [phrasa/ verb T] to finish paying back an amount of money that you have borrowed pay off a debt/loan/mortgage Twenty years later they still hadn 't paid off their mortgage.
pay a debt/loan/mortgage off They hope to pay all their debts off by 2002.
give sb their money baclc/give sb a refund /,giv (sb) Леэг тлш ,Ьжк,
giv (sb) э ri:f>vnd to give back to someone the money that they paid for something, especially because they are not satisfied with what they bought: We'll give you a refund if you're not entirely satisfied. It's the wrong size. Do you think they'll give me my money back? refund [n C] the money you get when someone gives you a refund: You can't have a refund unless you bring us the receipt.
a piece of paper that shows how much you must pay
bill Ь11 / [n C) a piece of paper that tells you how much you must pay for services you have received or for work that has been done for you: We've just had a huge telephone bill.
pay a bill They left the hotel without paying the bill.
PAY
a bill for Ј50/$100 etc The garage sent me a bill for $400.
paid/not paid for doing a job, activity, or sport
pro/ess tonal /ргэ fepnal [adj only before noun) a professional sports player, musician, actor etc gets paid for playing, acting etc, and they do it as their job: Professional basketball players can earn millions of dollars.
pro/essioaal [n C] someone who gets paid for doing a job, sport, or activity that most people do for enjoyment: / learned to play golf by watching the professionals on TV.
amateur 'жтэ1эг, -tJo?r, -tJV,
\adj only before noun) an amateur sports player, musician, actor etc does not get paid for playing, acting etc. but they do it for enjoyment: A group of amateur actors performed 'Romeo and Juliet'. I an amateur photographer amateur [r? C] someone who does an activity or sport just for enjoyment, and does not get paid for doing it: The orchestra is made up entirely of amateurs.
558
voluntary 'vohnWriH vailantcri [adj usually before nounj voluntary work is done by people who do it because they want to do it and they believe it is useful, and who do not expect to be paid for their work: When she retired, she did a lot of voluntary work for the Red Cross.
A
In British English, you can also use bill when you are talking about paying in a restaurant: Ask the waiter for the bill.
PEACE
when there is no war
check /tjek/ [n C] american a piece of paper that tells you how much you must pay in a restaurant: A waiter came over and handed me the check. pay the check Let me pay the check.
invoice /'invDis/jn CJ a piece of paper that
a company sends you to tell you how much money you owe them for goods or for work they have done: The repairs are all finished. We'll send you an invoice by the end of the month.
When you see US, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
opposite war
when there is no war
peace pi:s [n U] when there is no war. There has been peace in the region for six years now. I a dangerous situation that threatens world peace peace talks/negotiations (=when enemies meet and talk, to try and achieve peace) The warring groups will meet for peace talks in Geneva. tfie peace process (=a continuing attempt, over a long period, to achieve peace between enemies)
LiA Don't say 'a peace'. Peace is uncountable.
peacetime 'pi:staim; [n U] a period when a country is not fighting a war - use this when comparing this period with a time when there is war: A country 's army may be quite small during peacetime. I In peacetime the Hercules aircraft has been used for distributing food to famine areas.
peaceful /'pi:sf>l, [adj] use this about changes or events that happen without war or fighting: a peaceful solution to the troubles in the Middle East i a peaceful transfer of power from the military government to the new democracy peacefully [adv] Can they achieve their independence peacefully?
В when two countries agree to stop fighting
make peace /,meik pi:s/ if two countries
make peace, they stop fighting and agree to end the war: France and Spain made peace in 1659 after a war lasting 25 years.
+ with The two armies made peace with each other in 1918.
ceasefire /'si:sfai3r; [n C] an agreement to stop fighting for a limited period, especially in order to talk about making peace: The ceasefire won't last unless both sides are prepared to compromise. cease/ire agreement Both leaders signed
the ceasefire agreement.
peace treaty /'pi:s ,tri:ti/ [n С] a written
agreement between enemies saying that they agree to end the war: Bofh countries agreed to work towards a peace treaty. 1 The peace treaty was finally signed in
1919.
plural peace treaties
El someone who is against war
paci/ist Z'pECSgfgSt/ [n C) someone who believes that all war and violence is wrong: Bergson was imprisoned as a pacifist during World War I.
anti-war /.aenti 'wэ:г«/ [adj only before noun) strongly against war, especially a war that your country is fighting at the present time
anti-war protest/demonstration! campaigner During the Gulf War, there were several big anti-war demonstrations. I Anti-war feeling was very strong in the US during the Vietnam conflict.
PERFECT
^ see also best, suitable/unsuitable,
good
D very good, with nothing
wrong
per/ect "p3:rfikt/ [adj] someone or something that is perfect is good in every way and could not be any better: We had a wonderful vacation - the weather was perfect. \ It's an old car, but it's in perfect condition.
absolutely perfect The meal was absolutely perfect.
the perfect fuisband/secretary/couple
etc Beth and Martin always seemed to be the perfect couple. perfectly [adu] It's с beautiful dress, and it fits perfectly.
/lawless//aultless /'fb:ias, 'foiitbs/ [adj]
formal completely perfect, with no mistakes or faults at all: Hiroshi's English was flawless. I She gave a faultless performance as the Sleeping Beauty.
model 'modi||'maidI/ [adj only before noun] a model husband/wife/student
etc someone who has all the qualities that a husband, wife, student etc should have: Karen was a model student; hardworking, intelligent, and enthusiastic.
EJ the best and most suitable person or thing
ideal /.ai'didUj [adj] an ideal person or thing is very suitable and is exactly what you want: The house was not ideal - it was too small - but it was in a nice part of town.
+ /or This place is ideal for families with young children.
my ideal man/woman/job/house etc
559
PERFECT
(=one that has all the qualities you like best) My ideal man would be someone like Mel Gibson.
perfect /'p3:rfikt [adj] completely suitable for a person or situation: A dry white wine is perfect with any fish dish. + for This dress will be perfect for the summer party. I perfect weather for a picnic
PERFECT
the perfect place/time/job etc That sounds like the perfect job for you.
MAN
OjUSt right ,d3Ast rait, spoken suitable in every way: "Do the curtains look OK?" "Yes, they're just right." + for I'm glad they're getting married - they're just right for each other.
PERSON/PEOPLE
child
rising crime. I I don't want people to feel sorry for me.
most people Most people hate writing essays, but my brother enjoys it!
—______— _____ --j
r\ Don't say 'peoples'. People is a plural j
noun.
Qe very one/every body evriwAn,
evri bDditl- ba:di/ [pronoun] especially spoken all people - use this to make general statements about how people behave, what people like etc: Don 't you like ice-cream? I thought everyone liked itI I Everybody has the right to a good education. I Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you.
560
A\ Use a singular verb with everyone and everybody •
see also
it
WOMAN
a person
person. /'ро;Ч?п/ |n С] I think she's a really nice person. I He's the only person I know who can speak Chinese. I There were over 200 people at the meeting. I / like the people I work with. plural people
someone/somebody /'sAmwAn, sAm-
bodi, -badif-'baidi, -badi/ [pronoun] a per son - use this when you do not know who
the person is, or when it is not important
to say who it is: Someone phoned you, but I didn't get their name. I What would you do if somebody tried to rob you in the street?
someone else/somebody else (=another person) Can't you get someone else to clean the kitchen?
human being/human /.hjuiman Ыщ
hjuiman/ In С] a person - use this when you are comparing people with animals or machines: Chimpanzees are very closely related to human beings. I Computers have replaced humans in many factories.
people in general
people /'piip^l/ [n plural] people in general: People are getting very worried about
the human race /дэ ,hju:ni9n reis/ all
the people in the world, considered as one group: Pollution is threatening the future of the human race. I the origins of the human race
th
SO с let u /ss'sai^ti/ [n U] people in general
- use this to talk about people as an organized group with a system of laws and accepted behaviour: We want our students to become useful and responsible members of society. I the position of women in Islamic society I The judge described Smith as a danger to society'.
social /'S3uJ>l/ |adj only before noun] use this about conditions, problems, and changes that affect all the people in society: Rising unemployment led to even more social problems. I social changes that have brought women greater freedom
the public /бэ рлЬЬк/ [n singular] ordinary people who do not belong to the government, the police etc, and do not have any special rights: The castle is open to the public during the summer. I The public ought to know how the money from taxes is being spent, members of the public Some of these politicians never meet ordinary members of the public. public 1 adj only before noun] use this about the actions or feelings of ordinary people: Public attitudes towards homosexuality are gradually changing. I The
plan cannot succeed without public support.
/К In British English, you can use the ; public with a singular or plural verb: The public is always/are always interested in ; 5lories about the Royal Family. In American j English, always use a singular verb: The . public isn't interested in foreign affairs.
В all the people in a group, town, or country
community ko'mjuinjji [n C] a group
of people who live in the same area, especially when they all belong to the same religious group or race: The local community was shocked by the murder. the JewishjM us Urn/Greek etc community
New York's Jewish community
plur.ii communities
Qeveryone/everybody cvriwAn.
cvri bodilKboicii [pronoun] bspeciai.iv spoken all the people in a group or in a place: There's plenty of food for everybody. I It's the sort of place where everyone /cnoios everyone else.
A Use a singular verb with everyone and everybody.
population .pDpjo'leipnll.pa:-/ [n singular) all the people who live in a town or country -- use this when sayino how many people live there, or giving some facts about them
the population of Tokyo/Greece etc In
1966 the population of Lima was about two million.
a population of Jive million/twenty million etc New Jersey has a population of around 7.6 milltc.i.
the black/Catholic/male population
(=all the black people, Catholic people etc in a place) 30% of the male population suffers from heart disease.
561
the people 5э 'pi:p<?b [n plural] all the people who live in a particular place the people of Paris/China etc the awful sufferings of the people of Afghanistan the В ritis WKo re an/ Nigerian etc people Reagan's views were shared by a majority of the American people.
ш about people, not animals or machines
human 'hjumisn/ [adj usually before noun] use this about people's abilities, character, or behaviour, when you are comparing people with animals or machines: the effects oj pollution on the human and animal population I Bacteria cannot be seen with the human eye.
В for each person
per person р9г рз^п $500/two pieces etc per person (=$500. two
pieces etc for each person) There were only two pieces of bread per person, i The annual income per person is less
than $250.
a head э 'hed use this to say how much something costs for each person $10/Ј5 etc a head We paid £5 a head for our Christmas dinner.
И no people
no-one/no one/nobody /Пэо wAn.
naolxxii, [pronounj no person or people: No-one was home, so I left a note. I He explained what had happened but nobody believed him.
PERSUADE
^ see also advertising
U to persuade someone to do something
persuade /p3r'sweid/ [v T] to make someone agree to do something, by giving them reasons why they should do it: Neil didn 't want to come at first, but we persuaded him.
persuade sb to do sth I persuaded Tom to lend me his car.
get sb to do sth /iget (sb) ta du: (sth)
PERSUADE
informal to make someone do what you want them to do, by persuading them over a long time: I finally got them to agree, by offering them more money. I My girlfriend's always trying to get me to stop smoking.
influence /'[nfluans, T] to affect what
someone decides to do, but without directly persuading them: It's your choice; don't let anyone else influence you. I I hope you weren't influenced by anything that your brother said.
A Don't say 'TV influences on children'. Sav TV influences children
encourage /1п'клпс1з|||пкз:г [v T] to try
to persuade someone to do something, because you think it will be good for them encourage sb to do sth Patricia encouraged me to apply for the fob. I We want to encourage more children to use the library.
talk sb into stK .toik (sb) mtu: (sth)
[phrasal verb t] informal to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do
talk sb into doing sth I managed to talk them into giving me more money. talk sb into it I didn't really want to go to the party, but Dave talked me into it.
to persuade someone not to do something
persuade sb not to do stK pa'sweid
(sb) not 1э du; (sth)/ to make someone decide not to do something, by giving them reasons why they should not do it: Catherine persuaded him not to resign.
talk sb out of StK/.Ык (sb) 'aot DV (sth)|| -a:v/ [phrasa/ verb T] informal to persuade someone not to do something that they were planning to do
talk sb out of doing sth Everyone tried to talk me out of buying the car talk sb out of it I nearly cancelled the wedding, but my best friend talked me out of it.
discourage Мгчклг^зЦ-'кзгг- [v T] to
stop someone wanting to do something, by making them think that it will be difficult or unpleasant: We need to discour age the use of cars.
discourage sb from doing sth Girls are
sometimes discouraged from studying subjects like engineering and physics.
562
PERSUADE
deterrent/di'ter3nt||-'t3ir-/ [n C] something that is intended to stop people from wanting to do something: Prison is supposed to be a deterrent.
to persuade someone that something is true or right
convince kan'vmsi [и T] to make someone believe that something is true, especially when they doubted it before: Vou still don't believe me, do you? What do I have to do to convince you? convince sb that It took him a long time to convince the police that he was telling the truth.
persuade por'sweid [u TI to make someone believe that something is true or right, by telling them things that seem to prove it persuade sb that She won't lend me the car unless I can persuade her that Гт a safe driver.
something that persuades you
persuasion /p3r'swei;yn< [n ui things
that you say in order to persuade someone to do something: It took a lot of persuasion to get Dad to agree to the idea. I They got what they wanted with a mixture of persuasion and threats.
convincing /kan'vmstq/ [adj] a convincing reason, explanation, or excuse makes you believe that something is true or right. That's not a very convincing excuse for being late! I There is convincing evidence that smoking causes heart disease.
persuasive/p3r'sweisiv/ [adj] good at persuading people; Ben can be very persuasive if he wants something. I The salesman had a smooth persuasive manner.
PICTURE
COLOUR/COLOR ART—, T ^PATTERN
N /
+ to Window locks are a cheap and effective deterrent to burglars.
see also
PAINT
i V
a picture that you paint or draw
picture piktjV/ [n C] a painting or drawing: Van Gogh's Sunflowers' is one of the most famous pictures in the world. + of There was a picture of a windmill on the bedroom wall. sb's picture(=a painting or drawing of someone) The house belonged to the Duke of Wellington, and his picture hangs in the hall.
draw/paint a picture She drew some beautiful pictures of the church. do a picture informal (-draw or paint a picture) Jamie loues doing pictures of cats.
painting /'pemtii)/ [n С] a picture that someone has painted: an exhibition of Cezanne's paintings
+ оfa painting of the Grand Canal in Venice by Сапа let to
do a painting She enjoys doing paint- ings of wildflowers.
drawing /'dmi]/ (n С) a picture that someone has drawn using a pen or pencil: Sy/uia's teacher was very impressed by her drawings.
+ of On the wall was a drawing of a woman 's head.
do a drawing Monet did a series of drawings of water I Hies.
Sketch /sketj/ [n С] a picture consisting of
a few lines drawn quickly with a pen or pencil
+ of I thought your sketches of the garden were very attractive, do a sketch The architect did a sketch of how the building will look when it's finished.
quick/rough sketch (=a sketch done very quickly) Gabriel la did a quick sketch of her baby daughter.
plural sketches
illustration /jb'streipn/ [n С] a picture
in a book, which shows people or events that have been mentioned in the book: Who did the illustrations for the Winnie- the-Pooh books? I The new encyclopedia is full of colour illustrations and
photographs.
cartoon /ka:r'tu:n/ (n С] a funny drawing in a newspaper or magazine, often with a joke written under it: a cartoon showing the President's wife dressed as a witch in a black cloak
poster fpaostaV [n CJ a very large picture
or photograph printed on paper, which you put on a wall for decoration + of Anna's bedroom wall uxis covered in posters of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe.
portrait /'po:rtri,tj |n С] a painting, drawing. or photograph of a person + of A portrait of the Queen hung on the wall.
paint a portrait He has painted the portraits of a lot of famous people.
landscape /Isendskeip, \n С) a painting
showing an area of countryside
a photograph
photograph /'foot3gra:f||-graef/ [n С] а picture made using a camera: an exhibition of war photographs + of a book full of photographs of Kenya take a photograph Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the museum.
sb's photograph (=a photograph of someone) The police have her photo graph and are hoping to find her soon. wedding/passport/school photograph
The guests stood still and posed for the wedding photographs. photograph album (=a book that you put photographs in)
Д Photograph is more formal than photo or picture
photo/picture /'faotao, piktJV/ |П С] a photograph - use this especially to talk about photographs of you. your friends or family, or places you have visited: Who's that woman in the picture? She looks familiar.
+ of That's an awful photo of me - it makes me look really stupidf take a photo/picture We always take tots of photos of the children.
sb's photo/picture (=a photo of someone) Let me take your picture by the swimming pool. I We saw her photo in the local paper.
wedding/passport/school photo I must
563
PICTURE
remember to get some passport photos.
ZIaYou can also use photobefore a noun,
like an adjective: a photo album I a silver photo frame
snap especially british snapshot especially american snsp, snsp/Dtfl-Juit [n c| informal a photograph which you take yourself, for example of your family or on holiday, not one that is taken by a professional photographer: Patrick was showing his holiday snaps to everyone in the office.
take a snap/snapshot Did you take any snaps in Greece?
+ of She showed me a snapshot of her three children.
photography /ft'togrofiH-'tu:- [n U] the
art or profession of taking photographs: Chris is studying photography ai night school.
El what you see in a mirror, on a screen, or on water
image 'imids; [n CJ a picture on the screen ol a television, cinema, or computer: The images on a computer screen are made up of thousands of tiny dots. I the flickering images of an old silent movie
reflection /п flekpn/ [n C] what you see when you look in a mirror or at the surface of water: Anna stood looking at her reflection in the mirror. I the reflection of the moon on the surface of the lake
El the front or back of a
picture
foreground /'tVgraond fn С usually
singular] the nearest part of a scene in a picture or photograph
in the foreground There was a group of people sunbathing in the foreground of th photo.
PICTURE
background /'baekgraond/ [n С usually singular] the area behind something or someone in a picture or photograph in the background It was a photo of everyone in my class, with the school bui/ding in the background.
PIECE
see also part, cut
D part of something that
has been separated from the rest
piece pi:s [n C] an amount of something that has been broken, cut, or separated from something larger: Tim cut the cake into eight pieces, i a pack of chicken pieces
+ of There were pieces of broken glass all over the road. I a simple boat made from a few pieces of wood in pieces (=broken into many pieces) The vase lay in pieces on the floor.
bit /bit [n C] especially British a small piece of something: "Do you want some of this Christmas pudding?" "Yes. I'll try a bit. " + of Use a bit of soft cloth to apply the lotion.
little/small/tiny bits There were little bits of food all over the carpet.
Scrap skr;ep [n С] a small piece of paper, material, or food that is left after you have used the main part
+ of I wrote down her address on a scrap of paper. I We made some pretty bags out of scraps of curtain material.
slice slais In C] a thin flat piece of food that you cut from a larger piece + оf Have a slice of bread and butter, cut sth into slices Cut the pork into thin slices and fry it for five minutes.
В a piece that has a regular shape
block blnk||bla:k [n С] a large solid piece of wood, stone, or ice that has straight sides: a building made out of concrete blocks
+ of The fish were lying on huge blocks of ice to keep them cold.
cube kjurb |n C) a solid object with six equal square sides: Cut the cheese into small cubes.
564
ice/sugar cube Charlie kept putting ice cubes down my back. + of a cube of sugar
565
PIECE
sheet of
piece
slab of concrete
lump of coal
crumbs of cake
scrap of fabric
block of wood
slice of
bread
cube of sugar
speck of dirt
chunk of rock
bar of chocolate
fragment of pottery
newspaper
grains of sand *
slab /slaeb,/ [n C] a heavy piece of stone or rock, which is long and wide but not very
thick
stone/concrete/marble slab The floor was made out of stone slabs. + of His graue is covered by a huge slab of marble.
sheet /Jut/ [n C| sheet of glass/paper/ steel/metal a flat thin piece of glass, paper etc: She took a sheet of paper and began to write. I The roof is made of sheets of corrugated iron.
bar <ba:r' In С j a piece of metal, soap, or chocolate that has a long or square shape with straight sides: The gold bars were transported in a security vehicle + оfa bar of chocolate
Q a piece that does not have a regular shape
chunk /Цл1]к/ [n C) a piece of something solid that does not have a regular shape: Cut the potatoes into chunks and boil them for 15 minutes. + of A large chunk of plaster had fallen from the ceiling, f The lions were eating a huge chunk of red meat.
lump /1лтр/ fn CJ a small piece of something solid that does not have a regular shape + of He threw some more lumps of coal onto the fire. I I was almost hit by a lump of rock that fell from the cliff.
/К Don't use lump to talk about pieces of food, unless you want to say that something was unpleasant: The sauce was horrible; it was full of lumps.
ш a very small piece
grain /grein/ [n С] a single small piece of
sand, salt, or rice
+ of I could feel grains of sand between my toes.
Speck /spek/ [n C) a speck of dust/dirt a
piece of dust or dirt that is so small you can hardly see it. The apartment was very clean - not a speck of dust anywhere.
crumbs /кглтг/ (n plurall very small pieces of food such'as bread or cake: The tablecloth was covered in crumbs. I brushing crumbs off her skirt
fragment /'fraegmant/ [n C] especially written a very small piece that has been broken or torn from something bigger + of A fragment of cloth, caught on a nail, showed that someone had been that way. I The doctor removed some fragments of bone from the wound.
566
PLACE
house is built: a hotel in an extremely attractive location
country
LAND AND SEA
\ t
A
see also
ucu
area
+ ]or This is the ideal location for the company's new head office.
Location is used especially in
PLACE
advertisements or in business English.
\
BEAUTIFUL 6
a place
place /pleis/ In C| Have you put your passport in a safe place? I This is the place where the accident happened. I the coldest place on earth I She hues in a place called Hobergs, a place to live/eat/parte etc / was looking for a place to park the car. + /or a great place for a party the right/wrong place / thought I'd gone to the wrong place - I didn't recognize anyone there.
In spoken English, you often just use where, somewhere, or anywhere instead of saying 'the place', 'a place' etc: I'll show you where f was born, i / need somewhere to put my books. I I couldn't find anywhere to park the car.
position /pa'zij>n/ [n C] the exact place where something or someone is, especially in relation to other things or people: Jessica moved to a position where she could see him better I We need to know the enemy's positions before we can plan our attack. I Make sure the decimal point is in the right position. + of From the position of the sun, I guessed that it was about two o'clock.
Spot /spDt||spa:t/ In C] informal a place where something happened, or a pleasant place where people go to relax: People had left flowers at the spot where the police officer was killed. I We camped in a pleasant, shady spot beside the river.
+ for a favourite spot for picnics beauty spot (=a place that is famous for being beautiful) We spent the afternoon at a local beauty spot.
TOWN
location /l3u'keij>n/ (n C] formal the place where an office, shop, hotel, or
site sait [n C] an area of ground where something is going to be built, or where something important or interesting happened or existed in the past: an archaeological site
+ of the site of the Battle of Waterloo I A home for the elderly will be built on the site of the old hospital. building site British construction site
american (=place where a new building is
being built)
point /point/ [n C] an exact place or position: At this point the river is half a mile wide. I We reached a point where the road divided. I the c/istance between two points on the map
surroundings /sa'raundigz/ |n plural) especially written everything in the general area that a place or person is in, such as the buildings or the countryside - use this
to say whether a place is pleasant, unpleasant etc: The hotel is in beautiful surroundings on the edge of a lake. I We had the chance to watch great football in comfortable surroundings. I Sara felt nervous in the unfamiliar surroundings of her new school.
to be in a place
be /bi; strong bi:/ [и I] Where are my keys? + in/on/near/there etc Egypt is in North Africa. I There's a bank on the corner.
being - was - have been
Stand /staendj [и I] use this about buildings, furniture, trees, or tall objects: There is a parking lot now where the old school once stood.
Use stand especially when you are writing descriptions and stories.
+ in/near/on there etc The house stood next to a church. I A single tall candle was standing in the middle of the table. standing - stood - have stood
Alie lai [u Ij use this about paper, clothes, books, or other things that have been placed flat on a surface + in/on/near etc His letter was lying on the table. I The children's clothes lay on the bed, ready to be put on.
lying - lay ~ have lain
be situated/be located hi: sitju
eit^d. bi: laVkeit^dll-'laokeit^d; formal use this about towns, buildings, offices etc + in/on/near Soweto is an African township situated to the south west of Johannesburg. I The company's offices are located in downtown Manhattan. conveniently/pleasantly/ideally situated a new hotel, conveniently situated close to the airport
be based ,/bi; heist if a company or organization is based in a place, its main offices are there
+ in/at The United Nations is bused in New York.
London-based/Tokyo-based etc a London- based insurance company
when something is usually kept in a place
Qgo/belong /gao, brlDi]||-'b:i]/ [v i) especially spoken if something goes or belongs in a place, it should always be put there when it is not being used: Put those books back where they belong. + in/о a/under etc "Where do these plates go?" "They go in the cupboard above the sink."
not in any place
nowhere/not anywhere n3owe3r,
nDt 'eniwe3r/ [adu] not in any place or to anyplace: Where's Nick?/can't/ind him anywhere. I Tm not going anywhere. I a path that seems to lead nowhere nowhere else/not anywhere else (=no other place) They 're staying here because there's nowhere else they can go. nowhere to live/sit/stay The hall was already full, and there was nowhere to sit.
PLAN
design— prepare
л 7*
see
INTEND
also
organize/ arrange
a plan to do something
plan pl<en [n Cj something that you have decided to do. and the methods you will use to do it: Her plan is to finish her
degree and then go and teach in Japan. I Vou can't start a new company if you don't have a good business plan. + for NASA has announced plans for a new space mission to Mars, plan to do sth The school has plans to build a computer centre, go according to plan (=when things happen exactly as you intended) Everything went according to plan, and we all crossed the river safely
Strategy 'stricter [n С usually singular] a carefully designed plan for achieving something that is difficult and may take a long time: the President's long-term economic strategy
+ for We need a new strategy for increasing our sales in Europe. I Murdoch bought several TV stations, as part of his strategy for building a media empire.
plural strategies
programme British program American
/'program' (л С] a series of activities,
organized by a government or other large organization, that is designed to achieve something important and will continue for a long time
+ of The irrigation project is part of a programme of aid to West Africa. traintng/research/space etc programme
a major research program, aimed at developing cheaper fuels
a plan to do something bad
567
PLAN
plot /pIot||pla:t/ [n Cj a secret plan to do something bad, especially to the members of a government
a plan of the times when things will happen
timetable British schedule american
taim.teih?!, Jedju:l||'sked3ul. -dyl/ In С] a written list that shows the exact times when something will happen, for example when planes or buses leave, or when classes at school take place: The timetable said there was another train at 6.15. + of I want a schedule of flights from Boston to New York.
schedule /'Jedju3l|| skedjol, чад/ In С] a
detailed plan of what someone is going to do and when they will do it, especially someone important: The President's schedule includes a two-day visit to St Petersburg.
busy/tight schedule (=when you plan to do a lot of things in a short time) She has a pretty tight schedule, but she may be able to meet you for /unch.
programme british program american
program/ [n CI a plan that shows the order of activities at a ceremony, sports meeting, public event etc: The next race on today's program is the women's 1000 metres. I Who is organizing the conference programme?
В to make plans
^ see also arrange
plan /plaen/ [u l/T] to think carefully about something you are going to do, and decide how you will do it: Sue spent months planning her trip. I The burglary had obviously been very carefully planned. plan ahead (=make plans for the future) Now that you're pregnant, you'll have to plan ahead.
planning - planned - have planned
planning |n U) the activity of deciding how you will do something that you intend to do: financial planning I After weeks of planning, the big day finally arrived.
make plans meik 'pl<enz to think about
and talk about something that you intend
to do, especially something that needs to be carefully planned: We sat around the table, talking, laughing, and making plans.
+ for I've already started to make plans for the wedding - there's so much to do.
A If you make plans for something, you think about it in a general way. It you organize times, travel etc in detail you make arrangements
plot plntjlplait/ \v I/T] to make secret plans to harm a person or organization: The girls were in the kitchen, plotting their revenge.
plot to do sth The woman was accused of plotting to murder her boss + against P/otting against the government was punishable by death.
plotting - plotted - have plotted
not planned
unplanned An'plaend^/ [adj] On the way
PLAN 568
plot to do sth a plot to assassinate the President
conspiracy kon'spirosi [n C/U] a secret and usually complicated plan made by two or more people to do something oad or illegal together
conspiracy to do sth a conspiracy to defraud the company of millions of dollars + against Members of the Secret Service were involved in a conspiracy against the elected government, plural conspiracies
to Denver; we made an unplanned visit to my mother's. I More than 4 out of every 10 pregnancies are unplanned.
spontaneous /spDn'teini3s||spa:n- [adj] something that is spontaneous is done because you suddenly feel you want to do it, not because you have arranged to do it or been asked to do it: The crowd gave a spontaneous cheer when the news was announced, f an act of spontaneous generosity spontaneously \adv\ Quite spontaneously, members of the audience started leaving the theatre.
POLICE
see pages 569-571
POLICE
569
POLICE
fi
see also
i
ATTACK COURT/TRIAL
the police
the police Ifo pa'liis/ [n plural] the organization and the people whose job is to catch criminals and make sure that people obey the
crime
drucs ф ^ catch
PRISON
KILL
LAW
STEAL
law: He was stopped by the police and arrested for dangerous driving. I Any attack should be reported to ihe police. call the police I heard a gunshot and called the police.
the riot police /йэ raiot рэ'Н'д/ a croup of police officers with special equipment and special training whose job it is to control large crowds of people who have become violent: The riot police killed a student protester who was taking part in an anti- government demonstration.
/К Vou can also use police before nouns, like an adjective: a police саг I a police helicopter I Police divers found a body at the bottom of the lake.
the police force /дэ рэ'Па fars/ the police
organization in a country or large area: Jason
joined the police force when he was 19.
police department In CI american /аэ
pa'liis dJ,,pa:rtm^nt/ the police organization in a particular city: the Los Angeles Police Department
people in the police
police officer (also officer) /рэ li;s ,of\sУ.
[n C] a man or woman whose job is to catch criminals and to make sure people obey the law
policeman/woman /рэ'ймшп, pa'iijv
woman/ [n С] a male or female police officer
detective /driektiv/ (n C) a police officer
whose job is to discover information that will result in criminals being caught
COp /кор||ки:р/ [n C] INFORMAL ESPECIALLY AMERICAN a police officer
plainclothes /'pleinkbortz, -klauz/ 1 adj only before noun) plainclothes police wear ordinary clothes, instead of a special uniform, so that people do not know they are police officers: There were two plainclothes detec tiues waiting outside in an unmarked car.
uniformed/in uniform /ju:nJ>b:rmd, in
ju:n\fo;rm/ wearing the special clothes worn by the police: Uniformed officers went to an incident in Victor Road on Friday evening.
vocabulary
arrest /rtest/ (v Tj if the police arrest someone, they take them to a police station because they believe that person has done something illegal be/get arrested Gallagher was arrested yesterday on suspicion of possessing cocaine.
bait /beil/ [n Uj money left with the court, so that someone who is waiting for their trial is allowed to stay out of prison until the trial. If the person does not come back for their trial, the court keeps the money, refuse sb bail («not let someone stay out of prison until their trial)
on bait («released from prison because bail has been paid)
release sb or bail (=iet someone out of prison until their trial, because bail has been paid) He was released on bail of £10,000. {=he had to leave £10,000 with the court)
catck /kaelj/ (u Tj to find a criminal and arrest him or her
charge /tjai'dъ/ [и TJ if the police charge someone, they officiary tell that person that &ey believe he or she is 9М$Ну Ы a crime
charge sb with murder/tkeft/assault etc William Loeb was arrested and charged with rape. be charged with doing sth A 13-year-old boy was charged with shooting and kilting a woman
commit /to'mit/1» T] if someone commits a crime, they do something illegal
criminal ftnmJM/ (n C] someone who has done something illegal: Four dangerous criminals escaped from prison last night, petty criminal («one who commits crimes that are not very serious) Johnson was a petty criminal, involved in shoplifting and car theft.
crime /kraim/ [n C/U] an action that is illegal, such as stealing something or kfling someone
evidence /evЈ(bnV [n UJ information that helps to prove
570
POLICE
POLICE
the work of the police
They interview the victim and they interview any witnesses.
They collect evidence, search buildings..
+ that There is no evidence that IVi/fiams was in the park on the night that the murder took place. collect/gather evidence (=4ook for and get evidence) The police are still gathering evidence in the case inuotoing a boy шЬо was kidnapped and assaulted.
evidence against sb Blood was found on bis clothing - a key piece of evidence against him.
In custody /m luvstddi/ if someone is in custody, they are being kept in a police station or in prison because the poke think they have done something illegal
hold sb in custody (-keep them in a police station or in prison) A man is being held in custody in connection with the robbery.
interview fmtfvjuV [v T) especially brush to ask
someone questions about a crime; Police would like to interview two men who were seen at the scene of the crime.
interview room brhish interrogation room
amewcan /inte'vju: ,гшгп, injera'geijai .пит/ [n U] a room in a police station where people are asked
a crime
investigation /m,vesti'getf<*V [n CI when the police try to find out who committed a crime, for example by asking questions and looking for evidence + into Los Angeles county police are continuing their investigation into о series of armed robberies in a shopping mall. carry oat ал investigation (=try to find out about a serious crime, especially using a lot of police officers) The FBI is carrying out an investigation into the shootings.
A
Don't say 'do an investigation'. Say carry out an investigation.
on remand /on rr'mamdl-'maend/ british if someone is on remand, they are being kept in prison while they are waiting for their trial: He loqs beaten up by other prisoners while on remand in Park hurst Prison.
police station /p'hs .steijjn/ (n C] the building where the police work, where you go if you want to report a crime, and where people are taken when
571
POLICE
POLICE
О When they have enough evidence, they arrest someone, and take them in for questioning.
©
The police hold them in custody and question them If the police think that the suspect is guilty, they charge them with the crime.
... or released on bail until the trial
^ for the second part of this
c-Ј • ре^длт не*
story, go to COURT/TRIAL
they are arrested
question/kwestj^i/ [v T] to ask someone questions to find out what they know about a crime, especially someone that the police think may be guilty question sb about sth The po/ice questioned him about the missing $10,000.
report /п'ркЧ/ \v Tj if you report a crime, you tell the police that it has happened report sth to the police We saw о gang of men fighting outside a bar; and reported it to the police•
search /s3irtj/ (и T] if the police search a building or place, they look in it for stolen goods, weapons, drugs, or evidence
suspect/sAspekt/[n C] someone that the police think may have committed a crime*. Police regard the murder victim's ex-wife as their main suspect. I More than 20 suspects hove been questioned.
take sb in for questioning brtush bring sb in
for questioning american /.teik, .briQ (sb) in for kwestjamiy to take someone to the police station, because the police think that they have done something illegal and want to get information from them
trial /ЧгаЫ/ [n С] a process in a law court in which it is officially decided whether or not someone is guilty of a crime
victim /'viktЈm/ [n C] someone who has been attacked, robbed, murdered, or harmed in some way in a crime: The police believe that the victim
knew her attacker
murder/rape etc victim Many rape victims do not report the crime.
+ of He had been the victim of a serious assault three months previously.
witness /'witn^s/ [n C] someone who tells the police or a law court what they know about a crime or the person involved in it: Police are appealing for witnesses (=they want anyone who knows anything about the crime to talk to them) after the death of 4year-old boy last night.
key witness (-someone whose evidence is extremely important) The former basketball star is regarded as a key witness in the trial,
POLITE
behaving in a way that is socially correct and shows respect for
other people
opposite RUDE
see also nice, friendly/unfriendly,
KIND
polite ps'lait [adj] someone who is polite follows the rules of social behaviour and shows respect for other people and their feelings: He seemed a very polite young топ. I a polite request it is polite to do sth I didn't really care what she thought about the book, but I thought it would be polite to ask her. politely (adfj 7 hope your mother is well?' he asked politely. politeness [n UJ when people are polite: During my stay in Japan, 1 was treated with great politeness by everyone I met.
good manners /,god maen^'z/ [n plural]
someone who has good manners knows how to behave politely in social situations, for example, when to say please' and 'thank you': My mother was impressed with Tony's good manners. I At least she had the good manners to let us know she would be late.
well-behaved ,wei hi he uU \adj] а
well-behaved child is polite and does not cause trouble or make noise: His older brother was quieter and far better- behaved.
well-behaved - better-behaved best-behaved
tactful ■■'taektfol/ ladj] careful not to mention something that might embarrass or upset someone: I wish you'd be more tactful - didn t you know she aas divorced?
it is tactful of sb to do sth It wasn't very tactful of you to ask whether she'd put on weight. tactfully [adul Claire tactfully changed the subject when someone mentioned the war.
POLITE
tact [n U] when people are tactful: This job requires tact and patience.
POOR
opposite RICH
BORROW
SUFFER
/ V»
expensive 3
having very little money
poor /роэг, [adj] having very little money: They were so poor they couldn't afford to buy shoes for their children. I Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world.
the poor (=poor people) the growing gap between the rich and the poor
Qbe broke/be hard up bi: brook, hi:
haird 'лр/ espf.ciALiy spokhn to have very little money, either permanently or just at the present time: Most students are too hard up to spend much money on clothes. I We're afu>ays broke at the end of the month. I I'm a little hard up just now - can I pay you back next week?
poverty 'pnvyti||'pa:-' [n U| when people have very little money: Charles was shocked by the pouerty he saw in India I Poverty and unemployment are two of the biggest causes of crime. live in poverty Old people should not have to live in pouerty.
an area where poor
people live
EARN
\ T
see also
money
owe
572
slum sIлm (л С) a house in bad condition in d poor area of a city: Maria lives with her eight children in a slum outside Montevideo.
You can also use slum before a noun, like an adjective: a slum area I slum dwellers
inner city /,inar siti/ [n C] the part near the middle of a city where the buildings are in bad condition and where a lot of
the slums (=an area where there are a lot of slums) I grew up in the East London slums.
A
poor people live: the problems of
Britain s inner cities plural inner cities inner-city [adj] inner-city schools
ghetto getDo, (n C] a poor and crowded part of a city, where people live separately from the rest of the population, especially people of one race or from one country: a novel about life in the ghettos of New York
plural ghettos r-r ghettoes
POPULAR/ UNPOPULAR
hit song/single/musical a new hit single from Janet Jackson I the hit musical 'Cats'
big Kit The album was a big hit in the States.
В when something becomes popular again
573
POSITION/RANK
revival rivaivsl/ [л С) when something or someone becomes popular and fashionable again, for example, a kind of music, a style of clothes, a writer, or a singer: Sixties pop music enjoyed о big reuiual in the mid-90s. I There's been something of a Raymond Chandler revival recently
uke/not like
love
^ t
want
ENIOY
HORRIBLE/ UNPLEASANT
see ** 5tLL 5
also
IS OPINIONS
4 \
enthusiastic/ unenthusiast1c
not popular
unpopular лп'рор^ЫЦ-'рск-/ \adj] if
things or people are unpopular, a lot of people do not like them: The government is more unpopular now than it has been for years. I Mr Venables must be the most unpopular teacher in the school. + with The new uniforms were extremely unpopular with the students.
D people/places/activities
that a lot of people like
popular 'pDpjgta'H pa:-, [adj] if things or
people are popular, a lot of people like them: Lisa's one of the most popular girls in class. I a popular holiday resort I Is baseball America's most popular sport?
+ with. The nightclub is very popular
with tourists.
a popular book/film/song
bestseller /.best 'sebr/ [n CI a book that a lot of people buy: Jackie Collins' latest book is certain to be a bestseller.
blockbuster ;^lDk,bAStar||'bla:k-/ In C) a film that a lot of people watch and that makes a lot of money, especially a film with a lot of exciting action: Bruce Willis's new blockbuster took $10.6 million in its first weekend.
kit Ъи/ [n C] a record, song, or play that a lot of people buy, listen to, or watch: When I first heard the song I knew it would be a hit.
POSITION/RANK
your position in an organization, company etc, which shows how important you are
see also class in society
your position or rank
position /ps'zipn; [n C] your job in an organization, company, or profession - use this to talk about how important someone is and how much responsibility they have: Because of her position in the company, she is responsible for the major financial decisions. I He eventually became Lord Chancellor, the most powerful position in the British legal system.
hold a position (=have a position) Thorn holds one of the most senior positions in the Federal Bank.
level /'lev^l/ (n C] all the jobs in an organization that are similar in importance and that pay the same amount of money: We
prouide training for staff at all levels in the company. I There are not many part-time workers in the middle and higher levels of management.
rank raeqk |n C] someone's position in an organization such as the army or police force: He joined the Los Angeles police department end was quickly promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
! A Don't use rank about someone who works in a company, a school etc.
Б someone who has a high position
senior /'si:ni?r [adj only before noun] a senior manager, official etc is one who has an important position in an organization or company: He 's a senior executive at Volkswagen. I a job in senior management I one of the country's most senior judges
top tDpftaip/ [ad; only before noun] top manager/lawyer/executive etc some one who has one of the most powerful jobs in business, or one of the most important jobs in a profession: The President met with top Korean businessmen. ) There are still not many women in top jobs. I a top fashion designer
high-ranking /,hai 'raeQkii)*, [adj only before nounJ high-ranking officer/official/member etc someone who has a high position in an organization like the police or army, or in a government department, but not in business: A hitjh- ranking State Department official was accused of selling secret information. I a high-ranking officer in the air force
В someone who has a
lower position than
someone else
junior 'd3u:ni3r/ [adj only before noun) a junior doctor, officer etc does not have as much power or responsibility as other doctors, officers etc, especially because he or she has not been in the job for very long:
POSITION/RANK
She started work as a junior reporter on a local newspaper. 1 The most junior officers wore a red stripe on their sleeves.
assistant /з'si sunt/ (adj only before noun) assistant manager/editor/ director etc someone whose job is just below the position of a manager etc: My mother is assistant principal at a school in Washington.
POSSIBLE
^ opposite impossible
U when something can be done
possible ;'pDs^fcwl|'pa:-/ (ad;| if something is possible, it can be done: Travel to other planets may soon be possible. I The only possible way of getting your money back is to go to the police. I Detectives can now check ei>ery crimi- nal s records, ш/iich июи/cfn'f be possible without computers, it is possible to do sth Is it possible to find a room in a good hotel for less than $100?
if possible (=if it is possible to do it) / want to get back by 5 o'clock if possible. as soon/quickly as possible Please let me know your answer as soon as possible (=as soon as you can) I We must get her to the hospital as quickly as possible
everything possible (^everything that can possibly be done) The doctors did everything possible to save her life.
can be done /кэп hi: d\r\j if something can be done, it is possible to do it: The job can be done by Friday if we all make an effort. I I'm sure that more could be done to help the homeless. I Val got her MA while she was working full-time, so it can be done, you see.
574
possibility pns^biUtiipa:-/ In C] one of the things that you could try to do: One possibility is that we could offer him more money. I Beth decided that she wanted to start her own business, and began to explore the possibilities, consider/discuss the possibility of doing sth (=consider whether you could do it) We are considering the possibility of providing a new class for advanced students.
when something can happen
possible /'pos^MII'pa:-/ [adj] if something
is possible. :here is a chance that it may haopen or it may be true: Accidents are always possible in heavy industries like mining. I "1 think I saw Jack in the street yesterday." "That's not possible! He's in Kenva at the moment." I tech- nological changes and their possible effects on our lives
it is possible for It is possible for more than one person to win the competition. it is possible that It is possible that the children are still alive. possibly \odv] He could possibly be released from prison within three years.
possibility ' pns.Vhiii.til po:-/ |n С] something that can happen or may happen: A Republican victory in next month's elections now seems to be a real possibility. + of We could not ignore the possibility of an enemy attack.
a distinct possibility (=something that is likely to happen) There's a distinct possibility that there will be another earthquake.
соп ,'кэп; strong kitn [moda/ verb] if something can happen, it is possible for it to happen at some time: Anyone can make a mistake. I A lot can happen in two years.
potential /p3'tenj>l [adj only before noun] a potential problem, advantage, effect etc is not a problem, advantage etc now/, but it may become one in the future: Why was the chemical factory built so close to the town? Didn 't people realize the potential risks?
potential customer/buyer/student etc
(-someone who may become a customer, buyer etc in the future) one way of making the college more attractive to potential students
there is a chance/there is a possibility /беэг iz э tja:ns. беэг iz о pns^- 'biljtil-'tjaens, -pa:-; use this to say that it is
possible that something will happen + ofOn the northern hills there isalways the possibility of a snow shower even in June.
9
+ that Is there any chance that he will recover from his injury in time for the
race:
to make something possible
make sth possible meik (sth) posV
tvl|- pu:-
make sth possible We ore grateful to Mr Johnson. who made this event possible by letting us use his land. make it possible for sb to do sth
Safe/fate broadcasting made it possible for people ail over the world to watch the 1960 Olympic Games.
allow/enable /экю, ineih?!/ [и T] [specially written to make it possible for someone to do something that they want to do
allow/enable sb to do sth The Internet allows people to send messages all over
the world. 1 The money from her aunt enabled Maxine to buy a small restaurant.
POWER
control - _ environment
\ Я
see also
it *
IN CHARGE OF GOVERNMENT/
POUTKS
the ability to control people and events
power /'раоэг/ [n U] the ability or the right to control other people and make decisions that affect them: Do you think the police have too much power? 1 the desire for power
great/enormous power the enormous economic power of the United States + over The big Hollywood studios have a lot of power over what kind of films get made.
575
POWER
have the power to do sth On/у Parliament has the power to make new laws
! /t\ Don't say 'he wanted the power'. Say he wanted power
influence 'millions (n U] if someone has influence, they can use their important social position or their wealth to persuade other people to do things: The Catholic Church has always had a lot of influence in Polish politics.
+ over The banks had too much influence over government policy.
authority ■Di'HnrUi, Mb:- [n U]
the right to make decisions and control people, which a person has because of their job or official position: No one dared to question the principal's authority. + over In the British system, the mayor has no authority over the local police. the authority to do sth Every manager has the authority to dismiss employees.
Use authority to talk about the rights and power that people have, but not to talk about the power that countries have.
В someone who has a lot of power
power/ul раоо'ТД [adj] a powerful
person, organization, or country has a lot of power, and can control peop.e and influence events: Parliament had become more powerful than the King. I one of the most powerful men in US politics I Berlusconi was the owner of a powerful media empire.
in/luential mllu'enpU [adj] someone who is influential can influence events, because they are rich, important, or greatly respected, and therefore people pay attention to what they say: Her uncle is a rich and influential businessman. I She is probably the most influential member of the finance committee. I an influential film critic
highly influential (=very influential) Gaibraith was a high/y influential writer on economic affairs.
POWER
Strong ;strm]||stn>:r]/ [adj] powerful - use this about a political group that is supported by a lot of people: The opposin'onparfies were strong in all the big industrial cities. I There has been a strong antinuclear movement in Japan for many years.
dominant /"dominantl'da:-/ [ad;] more powerful than other people, groups, countries etc: Gradually. Microsoft became the dominant company in the software
business. I At that time Portugal was
the dominant noval power in the Mediterranean.
to have official power
in power in раоэг a person or political group that is in power has political control of a country or government: The ruling party has been in power four times in a row. j A leader can barely remain in power ij he has lost trust of his people.
in authority m з^пг^пЦ-э'Ва:-, -л (b;-
someone who :s in authority has a job or position that gives them the right to te;l other people what to do: My mother demanded to speak to someone in authority. I Problems arise when people in authority can't keep discipline.
rule ruil [u I/T] to have the power to control what happens in a country - use this especially about a person or group that has not been elected: In 1860. Italy was a collection of small states ruled by princes and dukes.
+ over The Romans ruled over a large empire.
rule [n LJ] when a person or group rules a country: British rule in India came to an end in 1947. ruling [adj only before noun] the ruling part у/с lass/group the political
party, social class, or group of people that has most power in a country: Ausira/ia s ruling Labor Party I the struggle between the workers and the ruling class
COITie to power .клт to раоУ to take political control of a country, especially by being elected: De Gaulle came to power
in 1958.
someone who has no power
powerless paoolos [adj not before
576
noun] someone who is powerless has no power to control or influence what happens: Blocked by the Republicans in Congress. Clinton seemed powerless.
+ against The poor goat was powerless against the forceful paws of the hungry
I ion.
powerless to do stk The UN was powerless to prevent the war spreading.
weak /wi:k,/ |adj] someone who is u/eak does not have much power because they cannot make other people respect them or obey them: These policies failed because the government was weak and ineffective. I a weak, indecisive principal weakness [n U] The king's mercy towards the rebels was regarded as a sign of weakness.
PRACTISE/ PRACTICE
to do something a lot in order to improve your skill at it
see also improve, better, good s, в
D to practise for a
competition, test, or performance
practise BRITISH practice American
pnekt^s [u 1/T] to do an activity a lot in order to improve your skill. I'm learning to play the piano, and / practise every day. I We're going to Paris for a few days, so that Bill can practice his French.
practise doing sth Try to practise
A
speaking slowly and clearly
Don't use practise about sports. For example, don't say 'I practise tennis/golf every weekend'. Say I play tennis/golf every weekend. But you can use practise about doing a particular movement in a sport in order to improve it. For example, you can say I need to practise ny backhand.
train /trein/ [и I] to prepare for a race or game by exercising and practising: If you re really going to run in the marathon, you need to start training now.
+ for Tyson is training for the big fight next week.
rehearse /n'h3irs/ [v I/T] to practise a speech, play, or concert so that you will be ready to perform it: The producer made us rehearse the last scene again. I His band has been rehearsing at the TV studio all day.
activities people do in order to practise
practice /'praekt^s; [n U] things you do regularly in order to improve your skill at something: She's playing pretty well now - she just needs a little more practice. piano//ootbatl/choir etc practice (=time that you spend practising the piano etc) / scored two goals at hockey practice tonight. I Anna never misses her violin practice.
training /'treinii]/ [n U] time that you spend practising and doing exercise in order to improve your skill at a sport: The team captain got a knee injury during training.
a training course/session/programme /
have to go to the weekly training session
at the gym.
A Don't say 'a training' or 'trainings'. Training is an uncountable noun.
rehearsal /ritn:M [n CI an occasion when all the people in a play, concert etc practise it before performing it in public + of We re having our first rehearsal of 'Hamlet' tonight.
when you have not practised something for a long time
be out of practice /Ы; ,жя эу pnekt.ls
if you are out of practice, you cannot do something as well as you could in the past, because you have not done it for a long time: Sam said he's a little out of practice. but he'll play if we need him.
rusty / r\sti/ [adj] if your skill at something is rusty, it is not as good as it used to be because you have not used it for a long time: My Spanish is very rusty these days.
577
PRACTISE/PRACTICE
rusty - rustier - rustiest
PRAISE
BEST
see also
good
BETTER
to say that you admire or approve of someone or something
opposite criticize
admire
* t
beautiful
like/not like
to praise someone or something
praise /preiz/ {i> T] to ssy that you admire someone or approve of something good that they have done: Fire chiefs praised a 10-yearold girl who saved her brother's life yesterday. I The play was widely praised when it first appeared on Broadway.
praise sb for sth. Local people were praised for their calm response to the crisis.
congratulate /bngmtj^leit [и T] to tell
someone that you are pleased because they have achieved something special or because something good has happened to them: She got the job? 1 must go and congratulate her.
congratulate sb on doing sth The
President congratulated him on winning the title.
A Don't say 'congratulate someone for something'. Say congratulate someone on something.
Compliment 'котрЦтешЦкскт- [и T]
to tell someone that you like the way they look or that you are pleased with something that they have done compliment sb on sth He complimented her on the perfume she was wearing. I Everyone complimented me on my new hairstyle.
flatter /flaet3r |и T] to say nice things that you do not mean about someone, especially in order to get something from them: Flatter her a little - tell her she's
PRAISE
beautiful.
what you say when you praise someone
owe [I done british good job amlkican wel с1лп. god d3Db||-dsa:b spoken say this to someone when they have done something well or succeeded in doing something difficult: Well done! You got all the answers right. I Good job, John! That was a great shot.
congratulations /kon.grietjilleipn/
say or write this: Congratu/arions.' Is it a girl or a boy?
+ on Congraru/ations on your new job. Jenny.
congratulations on doing stfi Congratu lations on passing your driving test.
Don't say congratulation'. Congratulations is always plural.
Qway to go wei (э 'дэо american swkkn
informal, use this to praise someone who has just done something very good or impressive: "I got accepted at Stanford " "Way to goГ ! Way to go, Sam! Good hit!
remarks that praise someone
praise preiz, [n Uj things you say to
someone to show that you admire them or approve of what they have done + for The police deserve a lot of praise for the way they handled the situation be /ull of praise for sb/sth (=praise someone a lot) Most parents are full of praise for the school. winlearn praise tormal (-be praised for something) The charity has earned widespread praise for its work.
compliment kompiJ,m3nt||'ka:m-, [n C] what you say when you tell someone they look nice or they have done something well: He said my English was almost as good as his - it was quite a compliment! pay sb a compliment (=give someone a compliment) He's always paying her compliments and buying her flowers
578
/lattery 'fketori/ [n U] nice things that you say about someone, which may not be true, in order to get something that you want from them: She used a mixture of persuasion and flattery to get what she wanted.
PREPARE
^ if you mean 'make food', go to cook
^ if you mean 'ready to do something' or 'ready to be used', go to
READY/NOT READY
^ if you mean 'organize a meeting, party etc', go to orcanize/arrange
II to make something ready to be used
prepare рп'резг [и T] to make something ready: Before you start painting, prepare the walls by cleaning them and filling anv cracks.
w1
prepare sth for sth His job was to prepare dead bodies for burial, prepare a talk/presentation/speech./ lesson Teachers spend a long time preparing lessons.
get sth ready get uh) redi/ to make
sure a room, building, or piece of equipment is ready to be used
+ /or I spent the afternoon getting everything ready for the party. I Blake was down at the marina, getting his boat ready for the trip.
set Up set 'лр [phrasa/ verb T] to make a piece of equipment ready to work, by putting all the pieces of it together and putting it in the right place set up sth Ask Keith to set up your computer for you.
set sth up It 'll take me a few mir.utes to set the camera up.
Ej to prepare for something that will happen soon
prepare рп'резг [и I] to do things so that you will be ready for something that is going to happen soon: Гт worried about tomorrow's interview - I haven't had enough time to prepare. + for Captain Harper told the flight crew to prepare for take-off. prepare to do sth Jane was busy preparing to go abroad.
get ready get 'redi to do the things you need to do so that you will be ready to go somewhere, such as getting washed and changing your clothes: Vou'd better go and get ready - it's nearly 7 o'clock.
+ for John took ages getting ready for the party.
get ready to do sth / was just getting ready to go out when Tim arrived.
make preparations meik .prepo-
reiJVmy to do ail the things you need to do so that you will be ready for an important event
+ for VJe started to make preparations for the wedding about a year ago
train trein (и I] to prepare for a race or game by exercising and practising: The team is training at a secret location in Hampshire.
+ for She's training for next month's marathon.
be prepared bi: pn'pe?rd< if you are
prepared for something unpleasant or difficult that might happen, you expect it and you have made yourself ready for it +/or The children were sea-sick last time, so this time we'll be prepared for it. be welt prepared When the hurricane came, we made sure we were well prepared.
El things you do to prepare for something
preparation .prepa'reipn, [n U] the time and work that is needed to prepare for something: Months of preparation have gone into organizing the festival. in preparation for sth (=as part of the preparation for something) The hospital was being repainted in preparation for the Queens visit.
preparations / prep^reipnz [n plural] all
the things you have to do so that you will be ready for an important event + for She's busy with preparations for the school concert.
make preparations Belgium is making preparations for next year's centenary celebrations.
PRESS
^ see also push, pull
II to push something firmly, especially with your fingers
579
PRESS
press /pres [о T] to push something firmly
PRESS 580
with your fingers or with your feet: The doctor gently pressed her stomach. I / pressed the brake pedal, but nothing happened.
press sth down Press the lid down hard to seal the tin.
press a button/bell/key (=in order to make a machine work, a bell ring etc) Which key do I press to delete it? I To get cojfee, put your money in the machine and press the green button.
squeeze ,/skwi:z/ [и T] to push something firmly inwards with your hands or fingers: I squeezed the toothpaste tube, but nothing came out. I squeezing a damp cloth to get the water out squeeze sb's armfhand (=as a sign of love or friendship) Alice squeezed my arm affectionately, and said goodbye.
pinch /pint// [l> T] to press someone's skin tightly between your fingers and thumb, so that it hurts: Dad! Katy just pinched me!
tOUCh /tAtJ/ \V Tj especially american to
press a button, for example on a telephone or a computer screen, in order to make a choice, get information, or make something work - used especially in instructions: For room service, touch button 9.
В to press something so hard that it breaks or becomes flat
squash /'skwDi||skwa:J\ skw;xf [и T] to damage something, especially something soft, by pressing it and making it flat: Someone sat on my hat and squashed if. 1 Careful you don't squash those peaches.
squashed jadj] a squashed tomato
crush /кгл// [и T] to press something so hard that it gets damaged or broken into pieces: His leg was crushed In the accident. 1 a machine for crushing rocks crushed [adj] The path was made of crushed shells.
mash /таг// [и T] to press fruit or cooked vegetables with a fork or similar tool, until they are soft and smooth: Mash the bananas and add them to the mixture. mashed [adj] pie and mashed potatoes
using a machine or special tool: Grind some black pepper over the salad. grinding - ground - have ground ground [adj] freshly ground coffee
PRETEND
if you mean 'pretend to have a feeling or opinion', go to false з
ACTOR/ACTRESS
FAU4 t г
see
also
lie 2
cheat
4 \
DISHONEST
TRUE/NOT TRUE
to pretend that something is true
pretend pri'tend/ [v \/T\ to behave as though something is true when you know that it isnot: We thought he had really hurt himself, but he was just pretending. + (that) The kids were pretending that they were in a space rocket. pretend to do sth She pretended to listen, but I could tell she was thinking about something else.
Qput it on/be putting it on pot
it dp, hi: .potiq it опЦ-'агп/ spoken to pretend to be ill, upset, injured etc. because you want to avoid doing something or you want people to feel sorry for you: Kelly's not really ill - she's just putting it on because she doesn't want to go to school.
to pretend to be someone else
pretend /pri'tend.- [и T] to behave as if you are someone else and try to make other people believe this
pretend to be sb We pretended to be students and went along to the party too! + (that) They got into the house by pretending they worked for the electricity company.
impersonate /im'p^saneit/ [и T] to
behave as though you are someone with official power or someone famous, either
grind /graind/ [и T] to break something such as corn or coffee beans into powder,
581
PRISON
for dishonest reasons or in order to entertain people: I got home to find him impersonating Elvis Presley in front of the mirror. I It's illegal to impersonate a police officer.
do an impersonation/do an impression du: on im,p3:rso neipn. du: on imprcpn to speak, walk, or behave like someone else, in order to make people laugh
+ of Stuart did a brilliant impersonation of the boss. I a comedian who used to do impressions of fa mo us politicians
role-play 'Tool piei (n C/U] when you
pretend to be someone else and behave as they would behave, especially as a way of learning about a situation or developing a skill: Role-play is often used as a teaching method in language classes.
El to pretend not to notice
someone or something pretend not to see/hear/notice
pri lend not to si:. hior. "noot^s She winked at me, but I pretended not to notice. I She pretended not to see the look of surprise on Karen 's face. pretend (that) you have not noticed/ seen/heard I called out his name, but he pretended that he hadn 't heard me.
ignore ig'no;' [и T] if you ignore someone. you rudely pretend you have not seen them or heard them; if you ignore something. you pretend you have not noticed it. especially because it does not seem important: John totally ignored her and went on talking to his new girlfriend. ) Someone made a rude noise, which the teacher decided to ignore.
Qnot take any notice british not pay any attention american not ,teik
em noot^s. not ,pei eni о tenprn kspfxial.ly spokln to not let someone's words or behaviour affect what you do or affect the way you feel: I keep telling them to turn the music down, but they don't take any notice. I We complained to the school about it, but no one pays attention. not take any notice o//not pay any attention to Don't take any notice of him - he's just jealous.
pretending to have
feelings you do not have
insincere /.msin'si^*/ ladj] someone who is insincere says things that they do not
really mean, for example when they praise you or say something friendly: 'It's so good to see you again/ she said, with an insincere smile. I an insincere compliment I He always praised everyone, so it was difficult to tell if he was being insincere or not.
hypocritical .hipo'kritiM* [adj] pretending to be morally good or to have beliefs that you do not really have: 1 think it's a little hypocritical to get married in a church when you don't believe in God. I Politicians are so hypocritical • they preach about 'family values' while they all seem to be having affairs. hypocrite [л Cj someone who pretends to have strong opinions about how people should behave, but who does not behave like this themselves: My dad is such a hypocrite - he says I shouldn't smoke, but he smokes 20 a day
false Ы s [adj] emotions or feelings that are false are not real, and you are only pretending to feel them: 'Merry Christ mas.' she said, with false cheerfulness. J The politician greeted them with a false
LAW
^ff PUNISH
si \
CATCH
smile.
PRISON
шее 3,4
* t
CRIME ^^
see also
police
COURT/TRIAL
a place where people are kept as a punishment
prison pn/^n [n C/U| a building where people are kept as a punishment for a crime: Conditions in the prison were
appalling, i a maximum security prison
in prison She's been in prison for eight years.
Prison and jail mean the same, and both words can be used in most situations. But prison |5 the usual word in more formal or official contexts, or when ; someone is sent there for a very long time.
! A
I Ы Don't use 'a' or 'the' with prison .f you
j are talking about prisons in general: He
, spent half his life in prison (not 'in the |
I prison'). I She was sent to prison. j
jail d^cil [n C/U] a prison - use this especially about a situation in which someone is sent to prison for a (airly short time: This is the jail that Butch Cassidy escaped from in 1887. in jail She was released after just three days in jail.
You can also use jail before a noun, like an adjective: a jail sentence
cell sel; (n C] a small room in a prison or police station, where someone is kept as a punishment: The prisoners spend most
Convict js used especially in news reports.
hostage hostid^jl ha:s-/ [n ci someone who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy or a group of criminals, and is threatened
of the day locked in their cells.
someone who is kept in
prison
prisoner prjz^nэг/ [n C] someone who is kept in prison as a punishment: The prisoners are allowed an hour's exercise every day.
convict 'kDnvikfkam-/ [n C] someone who has been proved guilty of a crime and has been sent to prison: There was a report on the news about an escaped convict. I Stubbs was an ex-convict who
You can also use prison before a noun, like an adjective: a long prison sentence prison officers
got a job as a security guard.
to put someone in prison
put sb in prison/send sb to
prison pot .;sb) in priZt?n, .send (sb) РП7.Л1 to officially order someone to be taken to a prison and kept there: Eventually, her attacker was caught and put in prison. I The judge sent him to prison for seven years.
Olock up Ink лр|| lo:k- [phrasa/ verb T] j;sren,a<.i y spoki'n to put someone in prison lock sb up/lock up sb Rapists deserve to be locked up for the rest of their lives. I a new law allowing the courts to lock up very young criminals
Use lock up especially when you mean that someone deserves to be in prison because they are very bad or dangerous.
imprison invpnz^n \v t] formal to put someone in prison, especially when you think this is wrong or unfair: The govern ment has arrested and imprisoned all opposition leaders. I Mandela and Sobukwe were imprisoned on Robben Island.
imprisonment (n Uj when someone is put in prison, or the time that someone spends in prison. The maximum penalty is three years' imprisonment. I His confession led to the arrest and imprisonment of several gang members.
to force someone to stay in a place as a
prisoner
keep кi:p [и T] to force someone to stay in a place, as if they were a prisoner keep sb in sth West had abducted a young girl and kept her in his basement for 10 days.
keep sb prisoner The rebels kidnapped her and kept her prisoner for three months.
with death or injury if their government, their family etc does not do what the enemy or criminals want: They say they will kill the hostages if we don't agree to their demands.
PRISON 582
be sent to prison Davis teas sent to prison for selling illegal drugs, be released from prison (-be allowed to leave) Forbes will be released from prison next week.
take sb hostage /teik (sb) 'hostidsll -ha:s- if an enemy or group of criminals takes someone hostage, they keep that
Don't say 'take someone as a hostage' Say take someone hostage.
hold ;haold/ [и T] to keep someone in a place and not allow them to leave - used
especially in news reports: Police are holding two men in connection with the robbery.
Hold sb prisoaer/hostage/captive Several tourists were being held captive by rebels in Kashmir.
holding - held - have held
be imprisoned bi: im'pri/^nd to be kept somewhere and prevented from leaving: the castle where Mary Queen of
Scots was once imprisoned I Many old people are too frightened to go out. and feel as if they are imprisoned in their own homes.
PRIVATE
look here for...
not for other people to use
not for other people to know about
not controlled by the government
^ opposite public m see also medical treatment,
education
II not for other people to use
private /'praiv^i/ [adj] a private room, piece of land etc can only be used by one person or group, and is not for everyone: All the rooms have private bathrooms. I The hotel has its own private beach I Private property. No entryf
El not for other people to know about
person as a prisoner, and threaten to kill or injure them unless they get what they want: The Ambassador and his wife have been tcken hostage by terrorists
private .■'praivjt/ [adj] someone's private feelings, discussions, letters etc concern themselves or their family and friends, and are not for other people to know about: You shouldn't be listening to a private conversation! I The book contains extracts from his diary and private letters.
PRIVATE
sb's private life (=things they do that are not connected with their work) The newspapers are full of stories about the private lives of famous people.
personal /'ря^пэГ [adj] someone's personal problems, relationships, letters etc are connected with their private iife, not with their work: There is a letter marked 'personal' for you. I I'd like to talk to you about a personal matter. I Are we allowed to make personal calls on the office phone?
secret si:kr0t [adj only before nounj someone's secret thoughts and feelings are ones that they never tell anyone else about: The diaries reveal all his secret hopes and fears. I a secret ambition secretly [ado] He told her not to worry. but secretly he still blamed her for the accident.
Qbe none of sb's business hi:
ПЛП ov (sb's) blZII^S ESPECIALLY SPOKEN Use
this when you think someone has no right to ask about something, because it is private: What I do at the weekend is none of your business/ I Why should I tell Dan who I'm seeing? It's none of his business.
El not controlled by the government
private praiv^t/ [adj usually before noun] private school/hospital/education/ pension etc a school, hospital etc that is not owned by the government and that you must pay money to use: Do you thin/c the teaching in private schools is better than in state schools? privately [adv\ privately educated (=at a private school) I Journalists flew in on a privately chartered plane.
commercial ;кэ'тз:гр1< [adj only before noun] commercial TV/radio/channel
583
a television or radio company that is not paid for by the government, but gets its money from advertising: the most popular commercial radio station in London
PROBABLY
when it is likely that something will happen, or that something is true, but it is not definite
see also maybe, sure/not sure,
possible
probably
probably fprohoblill'pra:-/ [adu] when something will probably happen or is probably true: "Are you going to Lucy's party?" "Yes, probably." 1 We 're probably going to move to New York next year. I Archaeologists think the temple was probably built in the 3rd century AD. I He wrote dozens of books, but this is probably his best-known novel.
A
Be careful about the position of probably. It comes before an ordinary verb: She probably left the car at home. But it comes after an auxiliary or modal verb (likehave, will, can etc): It was probably an accident. I We will probably be late.
likely laiklij [adj] something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true: A peace settlement now seems likely. 1 The likeliest result is a win for the Democrats.
likely to do sth Men are more likely to
die from heart attacks than women. I .1
The price of books is likely to rise again this year.
it is likely that It is likely that the
murdered girl knew her killer.
very likely {^almost certain) There will
be a lot of cloud tomorrow, and rain is very likely.
likely - likelier - likeliest
probable /'probata!})'pre:- [ad/] formal likely to be true or likely to happen: This seems the most probable explanation. I Could you please inform us of the prob able cost of the repairs? it is probable that It is probable that they would have won the war if they had continued fighting.
probable cause The report states that the probable cause of death was a heart attack.
PROBABLY
highly probable (=when something will almost certainly happen) It is highly
probable that our team will win the game.
Probable is more formal than likely .
Ql suppose (also I should think
BRITISH I guess AMERICAN) ai sa'psoz, ai Jud
Hij]k, ai 'ges/ spoken say this when you think something is likely to be true or likely to happen: Shes a year or two older than you. I should think + (that) There was no reply when I phoned - I suppose she's still at school. I I should think you must be tired after your journey. 1 I guess Kathy will want to bring her boyfriend. I suppose so/I should think so/I guess so (=use this to say 'yes' to a question) 7s Bill coming too9" "Ves, I suppose so."
О it looks as i//it looks like и
loks з/ if, it 'loks laik spoken sav this when you think that something is very likely to happen, based on what you know about a situation: It's almost 11, so it looks as if Fred isn't coming tonight. I I can't see any buses - it looks like we'll have to take a taxi.
Ql wouldn't be surprised if ai
wodnt bi: sy praizd if spoken say this when you think that something which seems unlikely is in fact quite likely to happen: You know. I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to get married.
how likely it is that something will happen
likelihood /'laiklihod [n U] how likely it is that something will happen + of What's the likelihood of the war ending this year? I As you get older, the likelihood of illness increases. + that There is little likelihood that the number of college places will go up this year.
chances t/ams.uirtjaen-/ [n plural] how likely it is that something you hope for will actually happen
chances of sth/of doing sth The new
treatment will increase her chances of suruiua/. I For these men the chances of getting another job are not very high.
A
584
probability /.ргоЬ'ЫВД.рга:-/(n U] how likely it is that something will happen - use this especially about situations where you
can calculate fairly exactly how likely something is
+ of The probability oj catching the disease from your partner is extremely low. + that There is с 90% probability that the hurricane will hit the coast of Florida later today.
probably riot „protabli notlpru:--' Her
parents probably won't let her go. I I'll come and see you again, but probably not before Christmas. I "Do you think they'll offer you the job?" "Probably not."
El when something will probably not happen
unlikely mi laikli [adj] something that is
unlikely will probably not happen or is probably not true. She might let you borrow the car, but it's very unlikely. unlikely to do sth A small amount of the drug is unlikely to have any harmful effects.
it is unlikely (that) It is unlikely that anyone saw the attack.
doubt/ul /'daotfol [adj] very unlikely it is doubtful whether/that It seems
doubtful whether the terrorists will ever be found.
PROBLEM
see also deal with
II something that causes difficulties and must be dealt with
problem /'ргоЫэтЦ'рги:- [n CJ a bad situation that must be dealt with, because it is causing harm or inconvenience, or it is stopping you from doing what you want to do
big/serious problem Our biggest problem is lack of money. I Teenage crime is a serious problem.
have a problem If you have any problems, give me a call.
+ with Sue's had a lot of problems with her neighbours recently. cause/create problems The new traffic system is causing problems for everyone.
solve a problem (=find a way to deal with it) Scientists still have not solved the problem of what to do with nuclear waste.
the drug problem/crime problem etc a
new way of dealing with the drug problem
the problem of sth the problem of industrial pollution
A Don't say 'an important problem'. Say a serious problem or a big problem.
trouble tr\M |n Uj problems that someone or something is causing you, especially when this makes you worried or
annoyed
have trouble with sth We've had a lot of
trouble with our bank.
cause trouble She seems to cause trouble
wherever she goes.
have trouble doing sth (=when some thing is difficult and causes problems) We had a lot of trouble borrowing the money we needed.
A Don't say 'troubles' or 'a trouble'. Trouble is uncountable in this meaning.
diJFficulty/difficulties /difiblti. ditv
[л U/plural] problems that make it difficult to do what you want to do /ace/experience difficulty (=have difficult problems that you must deal with) Without more rain, the farmers will face serious difficulties. I Some parents experienced difficulty when they tried to move their children to other schools, run into difficulty/difficulties (=start to have difficulties, especially about money) The magazine ran into difficulties after only a few months.
be in difficulty/dijjiculties ^experiencing problems) Manchester United шоп easily, and they never seemed to be in any difficulty.
setback, ,setback [n CI something that happens which stops you making progress or which makes things worse than they were before
585
PROBLEM
have/suJFfer a setback The peace talks have suffered a series of setbacks. + /or This latest scandal is a major setback for the President's election campaign.
PROBLEM
snag /'siiceg/ [n С] a problem which seems small or not very serious, but which spoils your plans or causes you a lot of inconvenience: It's a great place for a vacation - the only snag is that it's full of mosquitoes.
hassle h<es<?l [n C/U] informal an annoying problem that causes a lot of work or inconvenience for you when you are trying to do something: the hassles of getting a visa
it's too much hassle (-there are too many things to do} I don't want to organize a big party - it's too much hassle.
Ed something wrong with a machine, system, plan etc
problem 'рп>Ыэт||'рго:- [n C] something
that stops a machine or system from working normally
have problems Please call 5326 if you have any computer problems. + with There seems to be some kind of problem with the cooling system.
trouble tr.\b<?i [л U] something wrong with a machine, car etc, especially when you do not know exactly what is causing it: engine trouble
+ with We've had trouble with the air- conditioning.
the trouble (=the specific thing causing the problem) I think we've found out what the trouble is. Jault /fait/ |n C] something wrong with one of the parts of a machine that prevents it from working + in / think there's a fault in one of the loudspeakers.
electrical/mechanical/technical /ault
The rocket launch was delayed because of a technical fault.
defect /'diifekt, di'fekt/ [n C] something wrong with a product or machine, caused by a mistake in the way it was made or designed: All the computers are checked for defects before they leave the factory. + in Investigators found a defect in the design of the ship.
flaw!weakness Ш:, wi:knJ,s/ (n C] something wrong with a plan or set of ideas, which may make the whole plan or set of ideas useless or ineffective
When you see БИ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
+ in There are several obvious flaws in his argument. I One major weakness in the study is that it is based on a very small sample.
El something that makes
you feel worried and
unhappy
problem pmblamf'pra:- (n С often plural] something that happens in your life that makes you feel worried and unhappy have a problem Bill isn't sleeping well - I think he's having problems at school. personal/emotional problems She's had a lot of personal problems - her mother died when she was eight.
troubles ."trAMz/ [n plural] things that
make you feel worried and unhappy, especially problems that have continued for a long time: It's nice to talk to someone about your troubles. I family troubles
■л to have a iot of problems
be in trouble bi: in 1гдЫ1/ to be in a difficult situation and have a lot of problems be in deep/serious/big trouble Their marriage was in serious trouble. get into trouble («start to have problems) A lot of people get into trouble when they borrow money.
be in a mess /bi: in э mes; informal if something is in a mess, there are so many problems that there is not much hope that things will get better: The economy is in a complete mess. get into a mess How did you manage to get into this mess in the first place? sb's li/e is a mess (=they have a lot of problems and seem unable to deal with them) Her boyfriend left her and she lost her job - her life is just a mess at the moment.
Ы what you say when you are explaining about a problem
Qthe trouble is/tke problem is
/бэ '[глЫ! iz, бэ 'ргоЫэт iz||-'pro:-/ spoken say this when you are explaining why something is difficult or what is causing problems: The trouble is, there's no-one here who really understands computers.
+ that The problem is that we can't
really afford the plane fare.
the trouble/problem with sth is The
trouble with using credit cards is that it 's so easy to get into debt.
Qthe thing is <Ъ 'Hit] iz spoken informal say this when you are explaining to a friend why you cannot do what they want: The thing is. I have an important exam next week.
violence was started by a small group of troublemakers.
difficult/awkward difik^lt, o:kword
adj] someone who is difficult or awkward causes a lot of problems, because they behave in an unreasonable or unhelpful way: Daren's always been such и difficult child.
587
PROMISE
+ about She's being really aiukward about the divorce.
what you say to ask someone about a problem
Qwhat's wrong?/what's the matter? .wots 'nor). ,wots йэ тгШг|| -'ш]-/ spoken say this when you are asking someone what is causing a problem, for example why they are upset, or why a machine will not work: What's the matter? Vou look as if you 'ue been crying. + with What's wrong with the TV?
QwKat's up? /,wnts чр/ SPOKEN INFORMAL
say this when you are asking someone if there is a problem that they want to talk about: "Karen, can / talk to you for a minute?" 'What's up?" what's up with sb? (=say this when someone seems to have a problem) What's up with Larry today?
azwhat's the problem? unts гЪ
ргоЫэтЦ-'рга:- spoken say this when you are asking why someone cannot do something or why something will not work '7 can't finish the last question.' "Why? What's the problem?"
+ with Wha/'s the problem with the
coffee machine this time?
Odo you have a problem with
that? /,du: ju: hsev э probbm wifl ta|| -'pra:-/ spoken, especially american say this to ask someone if they are unhappy about something you just said or suggested, because they think it may cause problems for them: "So you think we should let Karen borrow the car?" "Yeah, do you have a problem with that?"
someone who causes a lot of problems
troublemaker /ЧглЬДте1кэг [n C] someone who deliberately causes problems, especially by complaining a lot or trying to make people fight or argue: The
PROMISE
D
to tell someone that you will definitely do something or that something will definitely happen
see also agree a
to promise something
promise /'promts('pro:- [и IfX] to tell
someone that you will definitely do something that they want you to do or expect you to do: "/ can't take you to the beach today," "But you promisedГ + (that) Hurry up, we promised we wouldn't be late. I He promised that he wouldn't tell anyone about our secret. promise to do sth The government has promised to investigate why the accident happened.
promise sb (that) Harper promised her he would get the money somehow.
assure з|оэг [v T] to tell someone that something will definitely happen or is definitely true, so thai they are less worried assure sb (that) The doctor assured me that I wouldn't feel any pain. I The airline has assured travellers there will be no further delays.
give sb your word ,giv (sb) W3:rd to promise someone very seriously and sincerely that you will do something: I have to go and meet her. I've given her my word.
+ (that) Phil gave me his word that he wouldn't ever take drugs again.
guarantee gaersnti:/ (и T] to say that something will definitely happen, or will definitely be provided, especially when you feel very certain about this + (that) Can you guarantee that there won't be any job losses when the company is taken over? I It's a great movie - I guarantee you'll enjoy it. guarantee sth The authorities could not guarantee the safety of UN observers. I Companies can no longer guarantee 'jobs for life'
guarantee sb sth Have you been guaranteed a place in the team?
swear /swe9r [v T] make a very serious promise, especially publicly or in a law court
+ (that) During the ceremony you swear
that you will serve the country loyally.
swear to sb (that) Swear to me that you
will never mention it again.
swear to do sth Do you swear to tell the
truth?
swearing - swore - have sworn
Q a promise
promise /'prorn^sl'pra:-/ [n С] a statement telling someone that you will definitely do something that they want you to do + of The refugees are relying on promises of food and aid from the West. make a promise I made a promise to help her, and that's what I'm going to do. promise to do sth She seemed to have forgotten her promise to drive us to the airport.
+ that He left with a promise that he
would be back before six.
keep a promise (=do what you have
promised) I said I would take her out, so
I have to keep my promise.
break a promise (=not do what you have
promised) She never forgave her father
for breaking his promise.
U what you say when you promise something
C^l promise /ai 'promj)s||-pra:-i spokln "Promise me you'll write to me." "I promise."
+ (that) / promise / won't forget.
Ql give you my word ,/ai givjuimai
W3:rd spoken formal say this when you want to make a very serious and sincere promise: You won't regret this - I give you my word.
PROMISE
+ (that) I give you my word that I'll do everything I can.
ш when a company makes a promise about its
products
guarantee /.gaersn ti:/ [n C] a formal written promise by a company to repair or
replace a product free if it has a fault within a fixed period: The VCR comes with a two-year guarantee.
be under guarantee (=be protected by guarantee) Your watch will be repaired free if it is still under guarantee.
be guaranteed /bi: .gaeran'tiid,' if a product is guaranteed, the company that made it has formally promised to repair or replace it free if it has a fault within a fixed period of time: All our computers are fully guaranteed for two years,
PROTECT
to prevent someone or something from being harmed or damaged
^ see also defend, look after
11 to protect someone or something
protect prs'tckt [и T] to keep someone or something safe from harm, injury, damage. or illness: new laws that are intended to protect the environment I The painting is protected by thick glass. I He came towards me with a knife and I put my arm up to protect myself. protect sb/sth from sth Try to protect your skin from the sun. protect sb/sth against sth Garlic was once thought to protect people against evil spirits.
guard ga:rd, [u Tj ro stay close to a person, a valuable object etc and watch them carefully, in order to make sure that they do not escape, get stolen, or get attacked: They took turns to guard the prisoner during the night.
guard sb/sth against sth Soldiers have been called in to guard the embassy against further attacks.
588
shelter /'Jelt3r/ [l> T] to provide a place where someone or something is protected, especially from danger or bad weather:
I tried to shelter the baby with my umbrella.
shelter sb/sth from sth A low hill sheltered us from enemy gunfire. I Plant roses next to a wall to shelter them from the wind.
sheltered {adj] protected from wind, rain etc: We found a sheltered beach where we could sunbathe.
someone who protects а person or place
guard ,ga:rd, \n C] someone whose job is to watch a place, person, or valuable object, in order to protect them or stop them escaping: There were guards on all the gates of the castle. security guard (^someone whose job is to guard a building) Two men overpowered the security guard and stole $20.000. armed guard (=with guns) The captain put armed guards all around the camp.
bodyguard 'bodiga:rd||ba:- [n C/U| а
person, or a group of people, whose job is to protect someone important: The President arrived, surrounded by bodyguards. I a member of the Emperor's bodyguard
В something that protects a person, animal etc
protection /pra'tekpn/ [n U] something
that protects you against harm or damage + against Their light summer clothes were no protection against the bitter cold. give/provide protection (=protect someone) Vitamin С provides some protection against minor illnesses. + from At the moment, the /air gi^es women very little protection from violent husbands.
shelter Jeltr>r In U] a place where you will be protected from danger or from bad weather: It began to rain and we all ran for shelter.
the shelter of sth William hurried towards the shelter of the old cowshed. take shelter (=find a safe place) When the bombing started, we took shelter in the basement.
protective /ргэtektivz [adj only before noun) protective clothes, covers, substances etc protect someone or something
589 PROTEST
from being hurt or damaged: a tortoise s protective shell I Remove the hard disk from its protective packaging, protective clothing A/ways wear protective clothing when you are working in the laboratory.
В someone who wants to protect people
protective /pr^'teknv/ [adj] someone who is protective wants to protect someone else from harm: Philip noticed Maggie's protective attitude to the girl. + towards It is normal for parents to feel protective towards their children.
overprotective ..aova'pre'tektiw [adj]
someone who is overprotective tries too hard to protect someone else, in a way that restricts their freedom: Maria's father was an overprotective man, who wouldn't let her meet any boys at all.
mm
PROTEST
complain
support
shout
against
when people show publicly that they do not agree with something
ENVIRONMENT
\ T
see also
GOVERNMENT/ POLITICS
to protest about something
protest protest/ [u I/T] if people protest about something, they show that they think it is wrong or unfair, for example by holding public meetings or writing letters to politicians: When the army took power, huge crowds gathered in the capital to protest.
+ about/against Prisoners had climbed
onto the roof to protest about conditions in the jail.
protest sth american a huge crowd of students protesting the Vietnam War
demonstrate /'demanstreit/ [v Ij to
protest about something in an organized
PROTEST 590
way. by having a large outdoor meeting or by marching through the streets: Police arrested 120 people who were demonstrating outside an army base. + against a large crowd demonstrating against US arms exports
marc К /ma:rtj; [о I] to walk with a large
group of people from one place to another. in order to show that you do not agree with something
+ through/to Over three hundred farmers marched through Brussels to protest against the new tax.
boycott bikotll-kail (n T] to not buy
something, not go somewhere, or not take part in an event, in order to protest about the actions of a country or company: We are asking people to boycott stores that sell furniture made from rainforest wood. I Several countries have said they may boycott next year's Olympic Games.
В things that people do in
order to protest
protest /'prsotest/ In C/Ul anything that you do to protest about something: The hospital was closed down, despite the protests of local people. as a protest/in protest The Cuban delegates walked out of the meeting in
protest.
+ against The refugees are refusing to eat, as a protest against their arrest.
EMBARRASSED
SHY
\ /
see also
ASHAMED
describing people
CONFIDENT/NOT confident
to feel proud
proud /praod [adj] someone who is
proud of their achievements, their school, their family etc is very pleased with them and feels that they are very good or special: I felt so proud when my son
went up to collect his medal. I the proud parents with their new baby
A Vou can also use protest before a noun, like an adjective: a big protest meeting
demonstration (also demo British
informal) /,dem3n'streij\?n, 'demso/ |n C) when a large number of people come together to protest about something, by having an outdoor meeting or marching through the streets: The police had to break up yesterday's animal rights demonstration.
+ against a huge demonstration against the French nuclear tests
protest march I went on a lot of protest marches when I was a student.
boycott bDikDt||-ka:t, [n C] when people protest against the actions of a country or company, for example by not buying its products, not attending its events etc + of The international boycott of South African products led to the release of Nelson Mandela. I a boycott of the peace talks
people who protest
protester pratest^ |n С usually plural}
someone who comes together with other people to protest about something: Some of the protesters climbed onto the roof of the police station and refused to leave.
demonstrator /'demon.streit3r/ [n С usually plural) someone who takes part in an organized event, such as a march or an outdoor meeting, to protest about something-. Thirteen demonstrators were killed when soldiers started shooting.
marcher ."ma:rtj3r/ [л С] someone who
takes part in an organized walk though an area in order to protest against something:
The Rev. Jesse Jackson led 1000
marchers through downtown Detroit to protest state welfare cuts.
PROUD
pleased with your achievements,
abilities etc
march /ma;rtj; (n CI when a large group of people walk in an organized way from one place to another in order to protest about something: The march ended in front of the White House.
591
PROUD
+ of Jane 's very proud of her new car. I
My students have worked hard, and I'm proud of them.
proud to be/do sth Morris was proud to be part of such a brilliant team. + that He's very proud that his work has
finally been published.
proudly [adv] She turned to the crowd. proudly holding up the silver cup.
pride /praid/ [n U] the feeling of being proud because of something special you have achieved, someone special you are connected with etc: a sense of national pride
do sth with pride He talked with great pride about his father's work. bursting with pride (=fee!ing extremely proud) Bursting with pride, she stood up to receive her prize.
take pride in sth /.teik 'pratd in (sth), to feel proud of your work, your appearance etc. and always try to keep them at a high standard: The people of the Basque country take great pride in their local cuisine
take pride in doing sth The owners of the hotel take pride in offering an excellent service.
В too proud
conceited/big-headed /bn'sm^d, ,big-
'hed^d^/ [adj] someone who is conceited or big-headed is too proud of their own achievements or abilities, in a way that annoys other people: You 're the most conceited, selfish person I've ever met! I I
know this sounds big-headed, but I think
these photos of mine ore really good.
Д Big-headed is more informal than conceited
arrogant /'эеragont [adj] someone who is
arrogant behaves as if their opinions are more important than other people s, and thinks that they are always right: a rude and arrogant young man I his arrogant disregard for other people's opinions arrogantly [adu] They arrogantly
assumed that their form of democracy
was better than anyone else's. arrogance [n U] when someone behaves as if their opinions are more important than other people's and thinks that they
are always right: the arrogance of people who have been in government for too long and think they can never be wrong
vain, /vein/ [adj] someone who is vain thinks they are very good-looking, special, or intelligent: He's always admiring himself in the mirror - he's so vain!
be pleased with yoursel/ /bi:
pliizd wid jo:r,self/ to feel very satisfied because of something you have achieved - use this especially about someone who seems too satisfied: Ed walked out of the examination room looking very pleased with himself I He's a nice young man, I suppose, but perhaps a little too pleased with himself
Б someone who thinks they are better than other people
snob ,snob||sna:b/ [n C] someone who thinks that they are better than people from a lower social class: My mother was a real snob - she wouldn't let me play with the local children snobbish [adj] like a snob: Don't be so snobbish! I snobbish attitudes
Stuck-Up /,suk 'лрч' (adjl informal someone who is stuck-up thinks that they are better than people from a lower social class, and behaves in a proud, unfriendly way: The children who go to that school are so stuck-up.
pompous /'pDmpasfpaim-/ [adj] someone
who is pompous tries to sound important, especially by using very long or formal words: The headteacher gave a pompous speech about 'the values of learning'.
look down on sb Juk daon on (sb)|| -am- [phrasal verb T]'if you look down on other people, you think you are better or more important than them: He looks
down on anyone who hasn't had a college education
ш to talk too proudly about yourself
boast /boost [v I/T] to talk too proudly about your achievements or possessions, because you want people to admire you:
7 can do better than any of them,' she boasted.
+ about He's always boasting about how many girlfriends he's had. + that She liked to boast that she could speak six languages fluently.
show off ;'J90 of||-Dif / [phrasal verb I] to keep doing things and saying things to show people how clever you are, how brave or strong you are etc. and make them admire you: Ben was at the pool, showing off to the girls. I "I can say it in French, Spanish, Japanese, and Greek." "Oh, stop showing off!" show-off J90 Df||o:f/ [n C] someone who is always doing or saying things to make people admire them: Don't be such a show-off!
Q a feeling of respect for yourself
self-respect self ri spekt [n U] a feeling of respect and confidence in yourself and in your abilities: It is difficult to keep your self respect when you have been
unemployed for a long time. I Serious illness often results in a loss of confidence and self-respect.
dignity 'dign^ti/ |n U) the ability to behave in a calm way that shows that you respect yourself, even in difficult situations do sth with dignity Very sick people should be allowed to die with dignity, lose your dignity She lost her home and all her money, but she never lost her dignity.
pride /prajd/ (л U) the feeling that you deserve to be respected by other people - use this especially when someone finds it difficult to admit they need help or that they are wrong. He has too much pride to say he's sorry. I Her pride would not allow her to ask for help, hurt sb's pride Don't offer her money - you'll hurt her pride.
PROUD
dignified /'dign^faid/ [adj] behaving in a calm way, even in a difficult situation, that makes other people respect and admire you: She was a quiet, dignified old lady. I Jo listened to their criticisms in dignified silence.
ISi when someone does not talk proudly about themselves
modest 'mcd^stl'ma:-/ [аф] someone who is modest never talks proudly about their abilities and achievements; Fame didn't affect him - he remained a charming and modest man. I She was too modest to tell you that she got top marks in the test. modestly [adu] "It was really brave of you." "Oh, it u>as nothing," he replied modestly.
A
People or things can prove something, but only things can show something.
modesty /'mDdi,sti|'ma:- [n U] a modest way of talking or behaving: 7 couldn't have done it without the rest of the team,' he said, with typical modesty.
PROVE
to show that something is true or
correct
^ see also court /trial, true/not true
II to prove something
prove /pru:v/ [и T] to show that something
is definitely true, by providing facts or information
+ (that) Can you prove that you were at home at the time of the attack? I He wanted to prove that he was just as clever as his sister.
prove sb wrong/iiuiocent/guilty I would love to prove him wrong, prove sth to sb I'm telling the truth, and I can prove it to you.
proving - proved - have proved
have proven i • < ia, •. v am; rkan )
show /Jao/ (u TJ if facts or actions show that something is true, they prove that it is true. The Prime Minister's comments show his ignorance of people's feelings. + (that) Her record shows that Graf is one of the best players of all time. show how/what These figures show how serious the company's problems are.
592
showing - showed - have shown
demonstrate /'demonstreit [u T] to do
something or provide information which makes it very clear to people that something is true: The studies demonstrate a clear link between smoking and heart disease,
+ that The President is anxious to demonstrate that he has a strong foreign policy.
! ZlA Demonstrate is more formal than show-
\ - —— -—■■■-—■—
con/irm k.in'tVm [l> T] if a piece of new information confirms an idea or belief that people already have, it shows that it is definitely true: Police have found new evidence that confirms his story. + that The discovery seems to confirm that people lived here over 10.000 years ago.
В to prove that something is not true
disprove .-'dis'pruiv [v T] to prove that something is wrong or not true: She u.'as able to produce figures that disproved Smith's argument.
disproving - disproved - have disproved 'o\ ч. have disprove n i ■ : м
Ei the information that proves something
pro of pruit |n U] information or facts that prove that something is true: He was the only person in the room when the money disappeared - what more proof do you want? I The police knew she was gvilty, but they had no proof. + of You can't drink in bars without some proof of your age. + that There is no proof that he did it.
/К Don't say 'proofs' or 'a proof', just say proof-
evidence /'evi>d<?ns [n ui information that helps to prove whether something is true or not: The police did not have enough evidence to charge anybody with the murder.
+ that There is some evidence that a small amount of alcohol is good for you. + of/for evidence of life on other planets
medical/scientific evidence There is no scientific evidence to support this theory.
/!\ Don't say 'an evidence'. Saya piece of j I evidence - !
PROVIDE
to make something available for someone who needs it or wants it
see also cive, money 8
provide pra'vaid, [i> TI if a person or organization provides something, they make it available for someone who needs it or wants it: They deal with general inquiries,
and also provide free legal advice provide sth for sb Free parking is provided for hotel guests. I The university should provide more facilities for dis abled students.
provide sb with sth The money will be used to provide the school with new computer equipment.
Supply so'plai [и T] to provide things for
people, especially regularly and over a long period of time
supply sth to sb The company supplies beauty products to several major stores supply sb with sth The US government supplied the rebels with weapons.
stipplyino ~ supplied have supplied
supplier /s3plai3r |n C] a company or country that supplies things to people
+ of one of the world's biggest suppliers
of defense equipment
PUBLIC
^ opposite private look here for ...
for everyone to use
controlled by the government
when a lot of people can see you
^ if you mean 'people in general',
go to person/people 2
^ see also government/politics
II for everyone to use
593
PUBLIC
public /рлЬЬк/ \adj only before noun] a public place or public service is one that
PUBLIC
anyone can use, not one that is only for a particular person or group: a public telephone 1 proposals to ban smoking in public places I Is this a public beach? I public toilets public transport British public transportation american (=buses, trains etc, not cars) If more people used public transport, there would be less pollution.
H owned or controlled by
the government
public / pAblik; {adj only before noun] public schools, libraries, hospitals etc are provided and paid for by the government, not by private companies: a public library \ garbage collection and other public services I We need to raise taxes to pay for better public healthcare. public spending/expenditure {=money spent by the government to provide public services) a big increase in public spending publicly owned [adj] owned by the government, not by private companies: Thatcher privatized publicly owned industries like electricity and telecommunications.
State /steit [ad; only before noun] owned, controlled, or paid for by the government: the state education system I State aid
has been promised for the victims of the flood. I China's state radio station
Дь When you are talking about the US, Canada, or Australia, state has a different meaning. A state is one of the separate parts of the country which has its own government. So in these countries, a 'state university', for example, is one that is run and paid for by one of the states.
nationalized (also nationalised
British) 'naij^nslaizd/ [adj only before noun] nationalized industry/company
etc an industry or company that used to be private but is now owned and run by the government: The government is trying to sell off as many nationalized industries as it can.
В when a lot of people can see you or know about what is happening
in public /in 'pAblik/ if you do something in public, you do it in a place where a lot
of people can see or hear you: Most people feel nervous about speaking in public. I Her husband was always very nice to her in public, but not at home, appear in public (use this to say that a famous person is seen in public by ordinary people) The Prince has not appeared in public since the announcement.
publicly pAblikli/ [adu] if you do or say
something publicly, you do or say it so that everyone knows about it, and you do not try to keep it secret: He was put in prison after publicly criticizing the military government. I They plan to announce their engagement publicly in the New Year.
public /рлЬПк/ [adj only before nounl public statements, meetings, or events happen in places where everyone can see them or know about them: In a public statement, Jackson and his wife announced their intention to get divorced. I a country where they still hold public executions
openly эорэпй/ [adv] if you do something openly, you do it in a public place and without being embarrassed or trying to hide what you are doing: He was the first person to talk openly on TV about
having AIDS. I Drugs are sold openly on the city streets.
PULL
^ see also push, press
II to pull something with your hands
pull
pull /pol/ [v I/T) to hold something and make it move towards you by moving your arms-. Vou need to pull this lever to start
the machine.
pull sth up/to wards/away etc He pulled her towards him and kissed her. I Pull the chair nearer to the fire. pull Hard (=pull using a lot of effort) Take
hold of the rope and pull hard.
tug /tAg/ [u I/T] to pull something using short quick movements: Mandy was tugging my sleeve.
+ at I tugged at the dog's collar but he wouldn't move.
tugging - tugged - have tugged
yanfc /jaeijk/ |u T] informal to pull something with a sudden, strong movement yank sth oJJ/out//rom etc I picked up the box and yanked the lid off. yank sth open Bruno rushed to the door and yanked it open.
to pull something heavy
pull /pol/[uT] to make a vehicle or piece of machinery move aong behind - use this especially about animals or heavy vehicles pulling things: a tractor pulling a pfough I The Queen's carriage was pulled by two white horses.
drag /draeg/ [и T] to pull something along the ground, especially because it is too heavy to carry
drag sth along/over/away etc They dragged the boat out of the water and up the beach. I Pick up your chair. Don't drag it along the floor dragging - dragged - have dragged
haul /hail/ [и T] to pull something heavy, with a strong continuous movement, often using a rope
tOW /tau/ [v T| if a vehicle or boat tows something, it pulls it behind it: What's the speed limit for cars towing trailers?
haul sth along/out/away etc Andrew helped them haul the cart from the ditch. haul in a net/rope (=pull it towards you) We watched the fishermen hauling in their nets.
tow
tow sth to/from/away etc The damaged ship was towed to the nearest port. I The police had towed his car away because it was blocking the road.
heave /hi:v/ [u I/Г] to pull something very
heavy with one great effort: Everyone pull together now. Are you ready? Heave!
heave sth onto/into/over etc He heaved the sack onto his shoulder.
PUNISH
CRIME
see also
law
PRISON
to do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something wrong
COURT/TRIAL
\ t
BAD 8. 9
strict/ not strict
to punish someone
punish /'pAniJV [v T] to do something
unpleasant to someone because they have done something wrong, for example by putting them in prison, or making them do something that they do not want to do: The teacher punished us by making us do extra homework.
punish sb for sth Campbell was never punished for the murder. punish sb for doing sth He wanted to punish her for deceiving him.
fine fain [v T] to make someone pay money as a punishment: Inspectors have the power to fine any passenger travelling without a ticket, be fined Ј10/$100 etc She was fined $50 for careless driving.
595
PUNISH
Sentence sentans/ lu T] to announce officially in a court what punishment someone will be given for a crime sentence sb to 20 years/life imprisonment etc The judge sentenced her to a year in jail. I Lund was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for the murder.
PUNISH
sentence sb to death (=say officially that someone will be killed as a punishment) 60 prisoners have been sentenced to death.
Б a way of punishing someone
punishment /рлш/тэт/ [n C/U) something that is done to someone in order to punish them: In cases of sheep-stealing, the usual punishment was hanging. + for Billy was sent to bed early as a punishment for his bad behaviour. capital punishment (=the system of punishing people by killing them) Some people are demanding the return of capital punishment for murder. corporal punishment (=punishing people, especially children, by hitting them) Do you agree with corporal punishment?
! д '— ~ |
Z!X Don't say a punishment is 'big', heavy', or 'strict'. Use harsh or severe: Losing a day's pay seems quite a severe punishment for being 10 minutes late!
penalty /'penlti/ [n C) an official punishment for someone who breaks a law, rule, or legal agreement
+ /or The penalty for treason u>as always death.
the death penalty (=being officially killed as a punishment) Drug smugg/ers face the death penalty if they are caught.
a heavy/severe/stiff penalty The contract includes stiff fincncial penalties for failure to complete the work on time. |iiii!r)l penalties
/ine /fain [n С] an amount of money that you are ordered to pay as a punishment get a jine (=be told to pay a fine) I got a £40 fine for speeding a heavy fine {-a large fine) There are heavy fines for drink-driving.
sentence /'sentans, [n C] a punishment given by a judge in a court a prison sentence He got a 10-year prison sentence.
the death sentence (=when someone is
punished by being killed) The victim's
family are demanding the death sentence for his attacker. a U/е sentence (=a very long time in prison)
a heavy/light sentence (=a long/short time in prison) Evans was given a light sentence because he had given information to the police.
Ei to be punished for
something bad you have done
be punished /bi: 'рлшД/ to be punished for something bad that you have done: If you commit a crime you must expect to be punished.
+ for Ellen was punished for being rude to her teacher.
be severely punished Anyone who disobeyed his orders was severely punished.
get/be given /get, bi: giv<?n to be officially given a punishment: He deserves to get at least 10 years in prison. I You'll probably fust get a fine. I McLean was given a life sentence for his part in the bombing.
Qbe in trouble bi: in шМ/ especially spokf.n if you are in trouble, you are likely to be punished because you have done something bad: Youll be in trouble if they catch you cheating! be in trouble with the police/the authorities My sister's in trouble with the police again.
get into trouble III get into trouble if my parents see me smoking.
El to punish someone
because they harmed you
get revenge/take revenge get
n'vend3< teik rr vends to do something to
punish someone who has harmed you, your family, or your friends + on She took revenge on her husband by cutting up all his best clothes. + for Flavio was determined to get revenge for the murder of his sister.
get your own back/get back at
sb /get p:r 'эоп baek, get 'Ьжк (sb) informal to do something which causes problems for someone, because they have done something that causes problems for you: Okay, she made me look stupid, but I'll get my own backl I He wanted
to get back at his supervisor for criticizing him in public.
+ on He kept looking for a chance to get his own back on Freddie.
В when someone is not punished
escape punishment/avoid punishment i skeip p.\nijnv>nt. o.void
рлш/тлп to avoid being punished for something wrong that you have done: He managed to escape punishment by saying that he was mentally ill.
get away with stK get s'wei w\i) isth)
[phrasal verb T] to not be punished for something bad you have done get away with doing sth How does he manage to get away with being so cheeky to the teacher? get away with it You're not supposed to park here, but you'll probably get away with it.
zix Get away with sth is more informal than escape punishment or avoid punishment
iet sb off let (sb)Dtl|-.i:f [phrasa / verb T] to not punish someone, or give them а less severe punishment than they deserve: I'll let you off this time, but don't do it ада i n I
let sb off with a warning/a fine etc
(=only give them a warning etc. although they deserve a worse punishment) The police let him off with a warning.
PURE
not mixed with anything else
pure 'pjo3r; [adj only before noun] а pure substance or material contains only one substance and is not mixed with anything else: pure cotton I Our burgers are made from pure beef. I When it first comes out of the ground, the oil is not very pure.
^^ Water or air that is pure is very clean and does not contain any harmful substances or chemicals The water in the stream was pure enough to drink.
solid /solidH'sa:-/ [adj only before noun] solid gold/silver/pine etc gold, silver
100% .hAndrJd p9r'sent< if food or materiel is 100% beef, 100% cotton etc. it is
made only from beef or cotton, and has no other food or material added to it: The label said '100% wool'.
neat/straight ,ni:t. streit/ [adj] if you
have a strong alcoholic drink neat or straight, you do not mix it with another drink or with water: He always drinks his whisky neat. I I'll have a straight vodka please.
PURPOSE
what an event or action is supposed to achieve
^ if you mean 'on purpose', go to
deliberately
m see also reason
purpose p3:fpos/ [n C] the thing that you
want to achieve, when you do something or make a plan
+ of The purpose of the study is to find out people's attitudes towards drugs. the main purpose (=the most important purpose) The main purpose of the meet ing is to discuss who will be in the team. sb's purpose in doing sth My purpose in writing this book was to draw attention to the problem of global warming, for this/that purpose Clifford intended to buy a restaurant, and he had bor
rowed the money for this purpose.
Purpose is a fairly formal word, so in ordinary conversation it is better to say something like 'why did you do it?' (not 'what was your purpose?') or 'I did it because (not 'my purpose was ...').
aim eim (n C] the thing that someone hopes to achieve: Their aims may be
difficult to achieve.
+■ of The aim of the bombers was to destroy public property and get maximum publicity.
597
PURPOSE
sb's/sth's aim The organization's aims are to provide food for homeless people and help them find somewhere to live.
PURPOSE
with the aim of doing sth He started going to the gym. with the aim of improving his fitness.
| Don't say 'with the aim to do it'. Say | with the aim of doing it
the point 'Оз 'point, [n singular] the purpose of something that you are doing or planning - use this especially when someone does not understand what the purpose is
+ of The point of the experiment is to show how this chemical reacts with water. the whole point (=exactly the purpose of doing something) Of course it'll annoy Dad - that's the whole point! see the point of sth {^understand why someone does something) I can't see the point of travelling all that way and then only staying for one day.
the idea (Ъ ardia [n singular] the effect or result that you hope to achieve by doing something - use this especially when you are doubtful whether that effect or result can be achieved: We make toys that are both fun and educational - at least that's the idea.
the idea is to do sth The idea of the centre was to provide a place where old people could go c/uring the day.
objective /ab'djektiv/ [n C] formal the
thing that someone is trying to achieve in business or politics: The President believes that all military objectives have been achieved.
PUSH
to make someone or something move away from you by pressing
against them
^ see also press, pull
11 to push someone or something
push Ipoj/ [u i/T] to make something or someone move away from you. by putting your hands or your shoulder against them and pressing them hard: We kept pushing but we couldn't get the door open. Stop pushing me!
pash sb into/away/back etc / teas
pushed into the car with my hands tied behind my back. 1 She tried to kiss him but he pushed her away. I We pushed the chairs back against the wall and rolled up the carpet. pushing and shoving (=when people in а crowd keep pushing each other) There was a lot of pushing and shoving as they all tried to get nearer the stage.
give sth/sb a push ..;,giv (sth/sb) о poj
to push something or someone, with a single firm movement: Sudden/y. someone gave him a push from behind. I If the doer is stuck, just give it a push.
nudge n uh [и T] to gently push someone with your elbow to get their attention, especially when you do not want anyone else to notice: Toby nudged my arm. 'That's the guy I told you about.' he whispered.
poke poo к [о T] to push someone or something with your finger or with something sharp: I poked the fish with my finger to see if it was still alive, poke sb in the eye/side/ribs Careful with that stick! Vou nearly poked me in the eye with it.
shove Jav' [i> T] to push someone or
something roughly, without caring if you hurt them
shove sb into/aside/against etc He was
shoved into a van, which then drove off at high speed. I The police were shoving people aside to make way for the President's car.
push po; [u T] push a cart/trolley/
car/pram etc to push something that has wheels on it so that it moves along: Bert
Ei to push something so that it keeps moving
push
was pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with
sand.
pusK sth along/around/into/up etc
Three men helped her push the car into a side-street.
roll гэо1 [v T] to push a round object so that it keeps turning and moves forward roll sth atong/across/down/up etc He
rolled the barrel gently up the slope. I The kids were rolling an enormous snowball along the ground.
El to push something into a small space or into something soft
Stick /stik |у T] to push a sharp object into something soft, or push something into a small space
stick sth into/up/inside etc sth They stuck pins into a map to show where the enemy camps were. I The doctor had to stick a tube down my throat in order to examine my stomach.
sticking - stuck - have stuck
force 'fb:rs {u Tj to push something into a small space using a lot of strength
force sth into/through/down sth She
tried to force her feet into the shoes but they were too small. I The burglar must have forced his hand through the window bars and reached the lock inside.
stuff/shove suf. Jav/ [u t] informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a pocket, or bag, or a small space stuff/shove sth into/up/down sth She
shooed two more sweaters into her
bag. I Just before the police arrived, Jamie stuffed the package down the side of the sofa.
В to push something to operate a machine
push/press /poJ\ presI (и T] push/press
a button to push something that makes a machine operate: To send a fax, put the paper in here, then push the red button. I It's a very easy camera to use - just point it in the right direction and press the shutter.
When you see 199, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
PUT
see also lift, move 2, spread s
II to put something
somewhere
put pot/ [v T] to move something to a place or position and leave it there put sth in/on/there etc Just put the bags on the table, f I can't remember where I put my keys.
put sth back (=put it in the place where it was before or where it should be) Can you remember to put everything back when you ve finished. I /put the letter back in the envelope.
put sth away (=put it where it is usually kept) Could you put your books away now, please?
put sth down/put down sth (=put some thing that you were holding onto a surface) I'll have to put them down for a minute - I'm exhausted! put sth up/put up sth (=fasten something to a wall, ceiling, or in a high position) I'm not allowed to put up any posters in my bedroom.
putting - put - have put
Qstick stik/ [и T] spoken to put something somewhere, especially quickly or carelessly
stick sth on/in/over sth "Where shall I put these groceries7" "Oh just stick them on the table."
lay
(ay /lei ' [и T] to put something on a surface so that it is flat
lay sth on/across sth She unfolded the map and laid it on the table. lay sth out/lay out sth (^arrange something carefully on a surface) Before you start packing, lay out all the clothes on the bed.
599
PUT
laying - laid - have laid
PUT
lean /inn, [v TI to put something in a sloping position against something such as a wall, fence, or tree lean sth against sth She leaned the ladder against the wall and climbed up.
leaning - leaned (also leant British) - have leaned (also have leant brhish)
hang 1Ьщ! [с Tj if you hang clothes somewhere you put them up on a hook, door etc; if you hang a picture you put it on a hook or nail on the wall
hang sth on/over/in
sth The room would
look better if you hung „ , .. . . , . . , He hung his jacket.
a few pictures on the up as soon as he ша/ls. I Hang your got home.
coat over the back of the chair hang sth up/hang up sth Take off your wet clothes and hang them up to dry. hanging - hung - have hung
to put several things on top of each other
pile /pail/ [и T] to put a lot of things on top of each other, especially in an untidy way pile sth on/onto)there etc Don't pile so much food onto your plate! 1 We piled all the furniture into the middle of the room.
Stack /staek/ [v T] to put things neatly on top of each other: I'll start stacking the chairs.
stack sth against/in/on sth Unload the boxes and stack them in that corner. stack sth up (=put a lot of things on top of each other in a tall pile) Dirty plates were stacked up in the sink.
to put one thing onto another, so that they are joined
attach /э'ш// [и T] to put one thing onto
He leaned the ladder up against the wall
hang
another and join them using pins, glue, thread etc
600
attach sth to sth Attach a recent photograph to your application form.
fix /fiks/ \v T] to join one thing to another so that it will stay there permanently fix sth to sth It took me hours to fix the shelf to the wall.
fix sth on (=join one thing onto another) I managed to fix the top on with some
glue
fasten /'fais^nj'fe-/ (u T] to join one thing to another, using a pin, string, rope etc, in a way that lets you remove it easily when you need to
fasten sth to sth She fastened the badge to her dress. I Vou haue to fasten the rope to a tree.
load /laud/ \v T] to put goods, furniture, or other large objects into a large vehicle so that they can be taken somewhere
В to put things into a bag, box, car etc before taking them somewhere
pack
раек /раек/ [у I/T] to put things into cases, bags, boxes etc so that you can take them somewhere; We re going to Greece tomorrow, and I haven't started packing yetI I Did you remember to pack the suntan lotion?
pack a bag/suitcase (=put things into а bag etc) She packed her suitcase and set off for the airport.
pack sth into sth VJe packed all our books into boxes.
load
to put equipment in а place and make it ready to be used
put in ,pot 'in, [phrasal verb Tj to put a
new piece of machinery or equipment into a room or building
load sth into/onto sth I started loading the boxes into the truck.
pat in sth The landlord has promised to put in a new heating system, put sth in The workmen are coming to put the new windows in today. putting - put - have put
install . m sto;] [v T] to put a new piece of machinery or equipment into a room or building, and connect it to the electricity supply, water supply etc: Crime has dropped since the video cameras were installed in the shopping mall. I The company is installing a new computer system.
fit /fit [v T1 to put a new part or piece of equipment into or onto something such as a machine or car: / had to fit new locks after the burglary.
fit sth with sth All the new cars are fitted with alarms.
fit sth to sth We decided to fit bars to the ground floor windows. fitting - fitted or fit - have fitted
to put seeds or plants in the ground
plant pla:nt||pkent, [и T] to put plants or seeds in the ground so that they can grow: We've planted some new rose bushes in the yard this year.
sow soo/ [v I/T] to put seeds in the ground so that they can grow-. The seeds should be sown in spring. sowing - sowed - have sown
to put something under the ground
bury beri [u T often passive) if you bury something, you put it in a hole in the ground and put soil over it: The bodies were buried in a nearby field. I Police found guns and ammunition buried in the yard.
burying ~ buried - have buried
601
PUT
When you see Q3, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
602
QUIET
QUIET
opposite loud
if you mean 'someone who does not talk much7, go to talk e see also sound
A Don't spell this as 'quite'. The correct spelling is quiet.
D when a place is quiet
quiet /' к waist/ [adj] if a place is quiet, there is not much noise there: Inside the church it was quiet and peaceful. I David and I found a quiet corner where we could talk. quiet [n U| when there is little or no noise; There was a moment of quiet before the shouting started again.
Don't say 'very silent'. Say completely silent
A
Silent /'saitant/ [adj] written if a place is silent, there is no noise at all: The streets of the city were silent in the moonlight. 1 Apart from the humming of the bees, all was silent and still.
A
Use silent especially in stories or descriptions of events.
peaceful /'pi:sf>I/ [ad/] if a place is
peaceful, it makes you feel calm and relaxed because there is no unpleasant noise or activity: It was so peaceful in the garden that Philip almost forgot about his problems. I a quiet peaceful valley
silence /'saltans/ |n C/U] when there are no sounds at all: Nothing disturbed the si fence of the night. I There tuas a /ong silence before anyone answered
peace /piss/ [n Uj when there is no unpleasant noise or activity, so you can feel calm and relaxed: The square wqs a little oasis of peace, only minutes from the heart of the city, peace and quiet Tm going to my room for a bit of peace and quiet.
when music, sounds, or voices are quiet
quiet /'kwaiat/[adj] quiet sounds, voices, or music are not loud: He spoke in a quiet yet confident voice. I There was a quiet knock at the door. quietly [adv] We were talking quietly so as not to wake the baby.
low /1эо/ |ad/l a low voice or sound is quiet and deep: A low humming noise was coming from the refrigerator. in a low voice (=speaking quietly) 'Take care,' he said in a low voice.
soft sDft||soift/ [adj] soft sounds, voices, or music are quiet, gentle, and pleasant: He spoke with a soft Irish accent. 1 a whisper so soft that I could scarcely hear it softly [adv] Music was playing softly in the background.
when people or machines are quiet
quiet /'k waist; [adj] if someone or something is quiet, they make little or no noise: I want you all to be very quiet and listen carefully. I Our new washing machine is much quieter than the old one.
quietly [adv] The children were reading quietly at their desks.
silent /'sailant/ ladj] WRfTTEN not making any sound at all: The engine is a/most silent, t The children remained silent and watchful as the police questioned their parents.
/all silent (=stop talking) The crowd fell silent as he stood up to speak. silently [adv] Silently, the mist crept closer.
A Use silent especially in stories or descriptions of events.
in silence /in saltans/ especially written if you do something in silence, you do it without speaking: Thousands of protesters stood in silence outside the prison
gates. I We drank our coffee in silence. in total/complete silence The two of
them walked all the way to Matilda's house in complete silence.
Use in silence especially in stories or descriptions of events.
riot make a sound /ПШ ,meik э saond
to not make any noise at all: Sit still and
don't make a sound.
without making a sound She managed
to get into the house without making a
sound.
to become quieter
90 quiet ,g9o 'kwaist*' to stop speaking or making any noise at all, for example because you are shocked or embarrassed: Laurie went very quiet after Jo told him how she felt.
fade away /,feid o'wei/ [phrasal verb I) if
a sound fades away, it gradually becomes quieter until you cannot hear it any more: The sound of a police siren was slowly fading away into the distance.
lower your voice /,Ыэг jxr vois/ to
speak more quietly because you do not want other people to hear what you are saying: Kath lowered her voice so that Mike wouldn't hear.
603 QUIET
angry or upset: / spent half the lesson trying to quieten them down. I Sue managed to quiet us both down and stop us arguing.
Silence 'saltans/ [i> T] formal to make someone suddenly stop speaking: Mrs
A
Talbot silenced me with an angry look.
Use silence when you are writing stories.
shut sb up /JAt (sb) лр/[phrasa/ verb T| informal to make someone stop talking, especially by speaking to them rudely or angrily: Can't you shut those kids up? I The only way to shut her up is to give her something to eat.
what you say to someone to tell them to be quiet
Qssh /J/ spoken say ssh when you want someone to speak more quietly or make less noise: Ssh, keep the noise down, Timmy's asleep.
Qshut up /JAt лр/ spokfn informal Э
rude way of telling someone to stop talking: Just shut up, will you?
to make someone or something quieter
quieten sb down british quiet sb down american /,kwai3tn (sb) daon, kwaiat (sb) daon/ [phrasal verb T] to make someone quieter and calmer, when they are making a lot of noise because they are
A
Only use shut up with people you know very well. It is not polite.
Qbe quiet /hi: kwaiat/ spoken say be quiet to tell someone to stop talking or to make less noise, especially when you are annoyed with them: 'Be quiet, James!' she snapped.
RACE
one of the main groups of people in the world, who have the same colour of skin and physical appearance
^ if you mean 'a sports race', go to
sport 2
II race
race re is [n C/U] one of the main groups of people in the world, who have the same colour of skin and physical appearance as each other: People should be treated equally, regardless of their race, age, or sex. I people of ail races and religions race relations (=the relationship between people of different races) The group is working to improue race relations in our cities.
unfairly or attacked because of their race: Some people complained of racial discrimination in the way housing was allocated. I Racial attacks are relatively uncommon.
racist reiser [adj] racist statements,
jokes, behaviour, or opinions are based on a dislike of people from other races and a feeling that your race is better than others: racist attitudes I a comedian well known for his racist and sexist jokes racist In C) someone who has racist opinions: Kama/ had been attacked by a gang of white racists.
В including people from several races
multiracial/multicultural ,тл!п-
RACE 604
'reipl, niAlti клиргэ!/ {acfj only before noun] multiracial society/school/community a society, school etc where people from several different races live together or work together, especially in a friendly way: a school providing a multicultural environment t a multiracial neighbourhood
REACH
Use race to talk about people of the same colour and physical type. To talk about people who have the same history, language, customs etc use nation-
ethnU /'eBnikj [adj only before noun] ethnic group/community/minority a
group from one race or country living in a place where many of the people are different from them: The city's population includes a wide range of different ethnic groups.
ethnic origin/background (=the ethnic group that someone belongs to) /ighting in Bosnia between people from different ethnic backgrounds
ti when people are treated badly because of their race
racism /'re>siz<?m/ In U] unfair treatment of people because of their race: The company has been accused of racism after firing three Algerian workers. I the struggle against racism in our society.
racial /'reij^l/ [adj only before nounj racial discrimination/prejudice/violence/attack when people are treated
II when something is long or high enough to reach something
reach /Них/ [и I/T] to be long enough, high
enough, or deep enough to get to a particular place or point: The snow was very deep and it almost reached my knees. I You see, the paint doesn't quite reach the edge of the paper. 1 a long ladder reaching as far as the third floor
Stretch ./stretj/ [u I] if a river, road, or area of land stretches to a place that is far away, it continues as far as that place + into/to The highway stretched into the distance.
+ as far as There were poppy fields
stretching as far as the eye could see.
— - ■ — n
Stretch is used especially in stories and descriptions.
when a number reaches a particular level
reach /ri:tJ7 [i> TJ if a number or amount reaches a particular level, it increases or decreases until it gets to that level: Gold prices have reached their lowest level for 15 years. I Inflation continued to rise, reaching a peak of 28%. reach $500/100 kph etc a car which can
reach 140 mph
hit hit/ [(; TJ to reach a very high or very low level: The temperature hit 40°C in parts of the country yesterday. I As oil production increased, prices hit an all- time low.
hitting - hit - have hit
Д. Hit is used especially in newspaper and television reports.
when someone can reach something
reach
reach ;ri:tj [u \/T\ to be able to touch something or take hold of it, by stretching your arm or moving your body: Can you get that cup down for me? i can't reach. I She can reach the top shelf if she stands on a chair.
to reach a place that you are travelling to
^ see also arrive, travel, journey
Don't say 'we reached at the hotel' or 'we reached to Paris'. Say we reached the hotel or we reached Paris
reach/riuj [и T) to arrive at a place, especially after a long or difficult journey: We didn't reach the hotel until midnight. I In winter, some parts of Northern Canada can only be reached by plane.
A
/get, (и I] especially spoken if you get to a place, you reach it + to By the time we got to York, it was pouring with rain.
+ ho me/he re/the re What time did you get home?
+ as far as We only got as far as the end of the road, then the car broke down.
getting - got - have got (вкт^н) - have gotten (лмгшг an)
Qmake it /meik it/ especially spoken to arrive at a place, especially when you were not sure that you would be able to get there: The weather looked so bad that I wasn't sure we would make it. I If we run. we should be able to make it before the bus leaves.
+ to/across/home etc He couldn't swim, but somehow he managed to make it to the side of the pool.
READ
see also books/literature,
D
newspapers and magazines
to read something
read ri:d [l> I/T] Read the instructions carefully before you start. I Have you read 'A Tale of Two Cities'? I Don't believe everything you read in the newspapers.
+ about Did you read about that terrible car crash9
read to sb/read sb a story (=read something aloud, so that people can listen) Our mother used to read to us every evening. + that Steve was amazed when he read that his sister had won a prize
reading - read - have read
reading[n U] the skill or activity of reading: Children are taught reading and writing in their first years at school. I I like to do a lot of reading when I'm on vacation.
reader [n C] someone who reads something: The newspaper is trying to attract more women readers.
read out /,ri:d autI [phrasal verb T] to read something and say the words so that people can hear it. especially the words or numbers that are written in a message, list etc
605
READ
read out sth He opened the envelope and read out the name of the winner, read sth out Read the numbers out and I'll write them down, read sth out to sb Sarah left a message - I'll read it out to you.
browse through Sth /'braozBru; (sth)/
jphrasa) verb T) to turn the pages of a magazine or book, stopping to read parts that interest you: I was browsing through the magazines at the station bookstall when I noticed Susan.
read through/read over ri:d 6ru:.
ri:d 3ovar/ [phrasal verb T) to read something carefully from beginning to end, in order to check details or find mistakes
read through/over sth A/ways read through what you have written before you leave the exam room, read sth througK/over Before you sign the contract. read it through carefully.
to be able to read
cafl read /кэп ri:d Tom is only four and he can read already. 1 Two hundred years ago, few ordinary people could read or write.
literate / litorjjt/ [adj] someone who is literate can read and write - use this about adults or older children: People have become healthier, more literate, and better educated. I Every student shou/d be /iterate by the time he or she leaves primary school, literacy fhi?r?si [n U] the ability to read and write: a program to improve standards of literacy
to not be able to read
can't read /,ka:nt 'ri:d|kЈent-/ We run courses to help odults who can 't read. 1 Of course she can't read - she's only 3/
illiterate /ilit^t/ [adj] someone who is
illiterate cannot read or write - use this about adults or older children: His father was an illiterate farm worker ! If 70% of the population is illiterate, how do people know who they are voting for?
В writing that is easy to read
READ
legible /'МзУ»1/ [adj] written clearly enough for you to read: Is the date on the coin still legible? I Her writing was so tiny that it was barely legible.
writing that is impossible to read
can't read sth /',kamt ri:d (sth)j,ksnt-
I can't read your handwriting - it's so messy.
illegible /iled^b.?!/ (adj| writing that is illegible is impossible to read because it is not clear: / don't know what this note says - Dad's handwriting is totally illegible! I The label had got wet and was now illegible.
READY/NOT READY
see also prepare, hurry
D when you are ready to do something
ready /'redi/ [adj not before noun) if you
are ready for something, you have done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for it: Are you ready? The taxi's here. I When everyone is ready, I will give the signal to start, ready to do sth Everything is packed and we're ready to leave. + for I don't want to take the test until I'm ready for it.
get ready (=prepare yourself to do something) We haue to leave in 10 minutes, so you'd better go and get ready. I We've spent the last few days getting ready for
Christmas. I Get ready to start the
We often use get ready to mean 'get washed and dressed in the right clothes': / got ready for bed. I She's getting ready to go
engine when I tell you.
A
out.
prepared /рпреэМ [adj not before nounl ready to deal with a situation, because you were expecting it or because you have made careful preparations + for The police were prepared for trouble. 1 / was not prepared for all those questions.
606
well prepared When the storm came, we were well prepared
О ready to be used or eaten
ready /'redi/ [adj not before noun] if something is ready, you can use it or eat it immediately: I'll let you know when lunch is ready. I When the pasta is
ready, add the sauce. I Your suit will be ready on Wednesday, sir. I I'm sorry, your car isn't ready yet. ready to eat/drink/wear etc In a year's time the wine will be ready to drink. + for Is everything ready for the party? get sth ready (^prepare it) They were getting the boat ready for a long voyage.
ripe raip \adj\ ready to eat - use this about fruit that has been on the plant for long enough: The apples were ripe and juicy. I Is this melon ripe enough to eat?
REAL
^ see also false, natural, imagine
II not false or artificial
real пэ1/ [adj] not false or artificial: That's a nice watch - is it real gold? I Are those flowers real or artificial? 1 Sinbad's not his real name.
genuine /'djenju^n/ [adj] real, not just seeming to be real or pretending to be real: For years people thought the picture was a genuine Van Gogh, but in fact it's a fake. 1 a system for dealing with genuine refugees
authentic p:'0entik/ [adj] authentic food, music, clothes etc are correct for the place or the period in history that they are supposed to be from: a friendly restaurant offering authentic Greek food I They play music on authentic medieval instruments.
EJ not imagined or invented
real /rial/ [adj only before nounl actually existing, and not just imagined or invented: There are some real advantages to the system. I Children often think that fairies are real.
in real li/e (=not in a story, film, or your imagination) Many great comic actors are anxious and depressed in real life.
actual / sektjual/ [adj] real - use this especially to compare how something really is with what you expected it to be or intended it to be: How does the actual cost compare with the original estimate? I The actual number of people without
jobs is much higher than the government claims. actually [adv] He looks quite young, but he's actually about 50.
El when someone really feels something
really /'roli/ [adv] when you really feel something, really want something etc, and you are not just pretending to feel it: Do you think she's really sorry? i Do you really want to come with us? It'll be very boring for you. I He talks about wanting equality, but I don't think he really believes it himself.
Sincere /,sm,si3r.; [adj] if you are sincere, or have sincere feelings, you really care about something, want something, or feel sorry about something: a sincere wish for peace
+ in They seemed to be sincere in their concern for the children's welfare. sincere thanks/apologies formal I would like to express my sincere thanks to all those who helped us. sincerely [adv] I believe they sincerely want to find a peaceful solution to the dispute.
genuine d3enjuj,n [adj] genuine feelings are real and not pretended - use this especially when you are surprised that someone has these feelings: I'm not sure if her sympathy was really genuine. I a genuine attempt to improve relations between the two countries genuinely [adv] He seemed genuinely interested in our work.
Ei pictures/books that
make things seem real
realistic na'listik/ [adj] use this about
607
REAL
books, pictures, and films that show or describe things as they really are: I loved the drawings, they were so realistic. I The documentary gave a very realistic account of the war.
REALIZE
li/elike 'laiflaik/ [adj] use this about pictures and models that look very like the real person or thing: On the shelf was a very lifelike plastic bird.
REALIZE
to notice or understand
something that you did not notice or understand before
^ see also understand/not understand, notice, know/not know
realize (also realise British) /'rolaiz [v
I/T] to notice or understand something that you did not notice or understand before: Tim only realized his mistake the next day. I Without realising it, we had gone the wrong way. I Oh. is that your chair? Sorry. I didn't realize. + (that) She woke up and realised that there was someone moving around downstairs I I never realized you were from Rome!
realize how/what/why etc Tm sorry, I didn't realize how upset you were about all this.
OCCUr to sb э'кэ:г tu: (sb)/ [phrasa/ verb T] if something occurs to you, you suddenly realize that it may be true it occurs to sb that It suddenly occurred to me that maybe she was lying. I Didn 't it ever occur to you that they would probably like to be alone together?
occurring - occurred - have occurred
become aware ь.клт s'weor/ i-^plcially
I
written to gradually begin to realize that something is happening or is true + of I was slowly becoming aware of how much Melissa was suffering. + that He became aware that the man sitting opposite was staring at him intently.
Sink in /.siqk 'inj {phrasal verb I] if a new piece of information sinks in. you gradually understand it and realize how important, serious, or good it is: The news of the Presidents assassination had only just begun to sink in. I "How do you feel about winning this award?" "It hasn't really sunk in yet."
dawn ОП sb / do:n Dn (sb)}|-a:n-/ (phrasal verb T] if a fact dawns on you, you slowly begin to realize it, especially something that you should have realized before: The awful truth only dawned on me later. it dawns on sb that It slowly dawned on
her that they were all making fun of her.
REASON
see also cause, purpose
II why something happens or why someone does something
reason ri:z<?n [n C] what makes something happen, or what makes someone do something: ' Why didn't Mike come to the party?" 7 don't know, but there must be a reason."
+ for The reason for the price rise ujas the increase in the cost of materials. reason for doing sth What was your reason for leaving your last job? reason why There's no reason why Johnnie can't come with us + (that) The only reason she didn't win wos that she had injured her knee, for personal/health/business etc reasons For security reasons, there were video cameras at the school entrance. Q/or some reason especially spokln (=for a reason that you do not know or understand) No. he isn't here - he had to go back to Poland for some reason.
A Don't say 'the reason of something'. Say the reason for something: What was the геаюп for her strange behaviour? j
explanation ,eksph'neij>i/ [n С] a fact.
statement, or idea that helps you to understand why something has happened: I don't know where your bike is. The only explanation / can think of is that someone borrowed it.
+ for What is the explanation for these changes in climate?
motive 'mootiv/ [n C] the reason that makes someone decide to do something, especially something bad or dishonest + for Police believe the motive for the murder was jealousy.
motive for doing sth What was her real motive for phoning me?
u why something is right or should be done
reason riizjn [n C/U] a fact that makes
it right or fair for someone to do something
reason why The reason why we need these laws is to protect children from violent adults.
reason, to do sth / can think of lots of reasons to get married. with good reason (=when it is right or fair that someone does something) The school is proud of its record, and with good reason.
that's no reason to do sth I know I'm late but that's no reason to shout at me.
argument /uorgj^ri9nt |n C] one of the reasons that someone uses to try to persuade someone to agree with them + that the argument that violence on TV makes people behave violently + /or/against (=a reason why something should or should not be done) What are the arguments for the legalization of cannabis?
argument fori against doing sth The
main argument against smoking is that it's bad for your health.
justification ,с15лчгЩ'ке|Хг?п [n C/U] а
reason that someone gives for doing something that seems wrong to most people: She had her residence permit taken away, without any justification. + for There's no justification for cruelty. justification for doing sth LVhat justification can there be for paying women lower wages?
H a reason explaining why you did something wrong
excuse /ikskjuis' [n C] something that you say to try to explain why you did something bad, so that people will forgive you: Oh shut up Bill, I'm tired of listening to your excuses.
excuse for doing sth "What's your excuse for being late?" "My alarm clock didn 't go off, so I overslept.'
explanation ,ekspb'neij>n/ |n C] something that you say which gives good reasons
for something wrong which you have done: This work should have been finished a week ago. What's your explanation? + for He offered no explanation for his absence at the previous day's meeting.
U to tell someone the
reason for something
say why/tell sb why sei wai, ,tel (sb) wai to tell someone why something happened: I knew she was annoyed, but she wouldn't say why. I Can anyone tell us why there are no buses today?
explain [k'splein/ |u I/Г] to tell someone the reason for something, so that they understand the situation better: She just doesn't like me. How else can you explain her behaviour? I I don't have time to explain now - just come with me quickly!
explain why/how/what etc Doctors are unable to explain why the disease spread so quickly.
+ that Sarah explained that she hadn 't been feeling well recently. + to It was difficult explaining to the children why their father was leaving
home.
Don't say 'he explained me it', 'he explained me why he left' etc. Say he j explained it to me/ he explained why he < left etc ' j
J i
give a reason giv э n:z<m/ to tell someone why you are doing something, especially something surprising: "He says he's not coming." "Oh, did he give a reason?" give sb a reason The landlord told us we had to go, but we were never given any reason.
Ы to be the reason why something happened
be the reason /bi: do ri:/,?r\ to be the
reason why something happened or why someone did something + for Nick's teachers think that problems at home are the reason for his poor schoolwork.
609
REASON
be the reason why/Cthat) He borrowed too much money, and that's the main reason why his business failed.
RECENTLY 610
explain ik'splein, [u T] if a fact or situation explains something, it helps you to understand why it happened: IVe were all puzzled: what could explain his sudden change of mind?
explain why/what/how Mark couldn't sleep last night, which explains why he was in such a bad mood this morning.
account for sth okaont hix (sth)
not long ago /not Щ 9g3o|-'bii]-/ use
this especially about something that seems quite recent, although it actually happened quite a iong time ago: Now the French are saying they oppose nuclear testing, but not long ago they were carrying out tests themselves.
not so long ago/not very long ago Not
so long ago, India and Pakistan were one country.
a minute ago/a moment ago о
min^t э 'тэотэт 3gso/ a few minutes ago: Michael was looking for you a moment ago. I What did I do with my glasses?I had them in my hand a minute ago.
[phrasal verb T] formal to be the reason that explains why something strange or surprising happened: If it's true that he was taking drugs, that would account for his strange mood swings.
RECENTLY
see also grammar 6
a short time ago
recently /'ri:s,?mli [adv] if something
happened recently, it happened a short time before now, especially a few days or weeks ago: The President has recently returned from a five day tour of South America.
only recently I only recently started eating meat again.
until recently He lived in Boston until quite recently.
very recently "When did she go back to
Italy?" "Oh, very recently - just a couple of days ago."
recently discovered/completed/built etc
a recently published textbook
just /d^Ast/ [adu] very recently, for example only a few minutes, hours, or days ago: I've just heard that Julie's getting mar ried.
only just Vou haven't missed much of the show - it's only just started. just this minute (=a moment ago) 'Where's Karen?" "I saw her leaving the building just this minute."
A
In British English, use the present perfect tense with just: They have just arrived. Notice that just comes between 'have' and the main verb. In American English, use the simple past tense with just: They just arrived.
when something has been happening during the recent period
recently /'riis^ntli/' [adi;} use this to say that something has been happening for a few weeks or months, and it is still happening now: Her schoolwork has been much better recently. just recently Just recently I've been thinking about changing my job.
lately /'leitli/ [adv] recently - used especially in questions and negative sentences: Have you done any painting lately? just lately British Gerry hasn 't been feeling very well just lately.
in the last few days/weeks/months/
years in бэ 'last tjui (days etc)|j-l<cst- during the days, weeks, months, or years closest to now: We've had very little rain in the last few months. ( Cnmes against elderly people have risen sharply in the last few years.
something that happened recently
recent /riis^nt [adj] use this about something that happened recently, especially a few days or weeks ago: He hadn 't com pletely recovered from his recent illness. I A recent report said that smoll amounts of alcohol were good for the health.
in recent weeks/months/years S/ie's had a lot of problems at school, but in recent weeks things have improved.
(atest 'leftist [adj only before noun) someone's latest book, record, film etc is the one produced most recently; the latest news reports etc include all the newest information: In her latest movie she plays an LA cop.
the latest news What's the latest news from home?
REFUSE
look here for...
refuse to do something
say no when someone offers you
something
not accept someone for a job or
course see also и saving no
II to say that you will not do something
opposite agree
re/use /n'fjuiz/ [u I/T] to tell someone firmly that you will not do what they asked you to do: I'm sure if you ask her to help you. she won't re/use. re/use to do sth If they refuse to leave, call the police.
/latly re/use (=re fuse very firmly) Mother flatly refused to see the doctor, refuse sb sth (=refuse to give them something) The US authorities refused him a
visa.
refusal /n'fjuiz,?!/ [n C/U| when someone refuses to do something that they have been asked to do: He was upset by her refusal. I a polite refusal refusal to do sth his refusal to admit that he was wrong 1 Refusal to do military service was a criminal offence.
^ Don't say 'refusal of doing something'.
Ojsay no /sei 'ПЭОI ESPECIALLY SPOKEN to
tell someone that you will not do what they asked you to do: I asked Dad to lend me some money, but he said no. + to They asked me so nicely, I couldn't really say no to them.
QWill not/won't /,Wll "nDl, waunt/especially spoken if someone will not or won't do something that they have been asked to do or told to do. they are determined not to do it: He's so naughty - he won't do what I tell him. I I simply will
not sign the contract un/ess they offer me more money.
Д Will not is stronger and more definite than won't
Ql'm not prepared to do sth /aim
,nDt pri.pe^d te du: (sth)/ spoken say this to emphasize that you refuse to do something, and that you think it is wrong or unfair that anyone expects you to do it: I'm not prepared to help her if she just
criticizes me all the time. 1 The landlord says that he is not prepared to pay for the repairs.
ы to say no when someone makes an offer or suggestion
^ opposite accept
re/use /nfjuiz/ [u T] to say you do not want something that you have been offered; Their offer is too good to refuse. I He never refuses a drink, does he?
not accept sth not эк sept (sth)/ to say
no to an offer or invitation, because you think it would not be right to accept it: She's given us all this stuff and she won't accept any money for it. I I decided not to accept their invitation.
Qsay ПО /,sei 'лэи/ ESPECIALLY SPOKEN to
sav no when someone makes an offer or suggestion: I asked him if he wanted a drink, but he said no. I I'll offer to buy it from her, but I expect she'll say no. + to John's so unhelpful - he just says no to everything I suggest.
reject /п d3ekt [v T] to say no very firmly to an offer or suggestion, especially in a way that seems rude or unhelpful: Sarah rejected her parents' offer of financial help. I The government has rejected the
latest ceasefire proposals from the rebels.
611
REFUSE
A Reject is more formal than not accept and say no
to refuse to give someone a job, a chance to study etc
reject/turn down /rr^ekt, n:rn daun T] to officially tell someone that you will not offer them the job or the chance to study at college which they asked for: Ian was rejected by the army because of his bad eyesight.
turn sb down I applied to six different colleges but they all turned me down. turn down sb IMe turn down any candidate who makes a spelling mistake on their application.
Reject is more formal than turn down
rejection /rfdsekj^n/ In C/U] when a company, college etc tells someone they cannot have the job or the chance to study which they asked for: You'll have to expect a lot of rejections if you want to work in TV.
REGULAR
see also usually, sometimes, often
when you do something regularly or something happens regularly
regularly /'reg^Mi/ iadv] if you do something regularly, you do it on many different occasions, usually with the same amount of time in between: Bryan and Martha regularly play golf together, about twice a month. I Don't forget to take your medicine regularly.
regular /'regj^h-V [adj usually before noun] a regular event or activity happens every hour, every week, every month etc, usually with the same amount of time in between: It's important to visit your dentist for regular check-ups. I The Parent- Teacher Association has regular meetings - usually one every month. I She needs regular injections of insulin. on a regular basis (=regularly) We git'e our students tests on a regular basis at regular intervals (=with equal amounts of time between) The prison is inspected at regular intervals by government health officers
every day/every week/every
year etc /evri (day, etc) Marilyn cycles to work every day. I Every Sunday we go to my mother's for lunch. 1 They bring out a new record about every six months.
Don't spell this as 'everyday'. The correct spelling is as two separate words: | every day: / phoned her every day.
hourly/daily /weekly/monthly
etc [ad; only before noun) happening every hour, every day etc: There are daily flights to Frankfurt. I a weekly current affairs TV show I a monthly magazine hourly/daily etc [ac/u] The news is
broadcast hourly on Network Five. I Do you get paid monthly or weekly?
every 5 miles/every 3 kilometres
etc evri (5 miles, etc) happening regularly after a particular distance: You should change the oil every 7000 kilometres. I After every 100 yards, Grandpa had to stop and sit down.
not regularly
every now and then/every so
o/ten evri ,nao and 6en, ,evri sso ot>n|| - oifon sometimes, but not very often and not regularly: Chris goes to visit his mother in Paris every now and then. I Every so often the silence was broken by the sound of gunfire.
Qon and off / Dn ЭП(] 'Dt]|am and
r.spfx ia1.l.y spokrn if you do something on
REFUSE 612
turn down (3:rn tlaun, (phrasal verb TJ to say no to an offer - use this especially when someone refuses a good offer or opportunity, and this is surprising turn stK/sb down They offered her a really good job, but she turned it down.
turn down sth/sb If you turn down the opportunity to go to college, you'll always regret it.
and off during a long period, you do it for short periods but not regularly: I've been trying to learn Spanish on and off for the past five years.
RELATIONSHIP
the way that people or groups behave and feel towards each other
friend marry
\ /
see
also
family
I
girlfriend/boyfriend
D the relationship between two people or groups
relationship /ri'leipnjip/ [n CI the way
that two people or groups feel about each other and behave towards each other + with His relationship with his parents had never been very good. + between the relationship between doctor and patient
a close relationship (=when you know someone very well and like them a lot) They'd known each other for years and had a very close relationship.
A Don't say 'relationship to someone'. Say relationship with someone .
relations /п leipnz' [n plurall the public relationship between groups, organizations, or countries, especially when this affects how well they work together + between Re/ations between management and workers have improved. + with Will this dispute damage our relations with the United States? race relations (=between people of different races)
diplomatic relations (^between the governments of two countries) New Zealand broke off diplomatic relations with France because of the nuclear tests.
industrial relations British labor relations american (=between workers and managers)
Use relationship especially to talk about the personal relationship between
two people. Userelations especially to talk about the public, working relationship between large groups, countries etc.
when you have a good relationship
have a good relationship Tiaev о
,god n'leipnjip/ when two people or groups are friendly towards each other and work well together: My boss and I haoe a very good relationship. + with It 's important that the school has a good relationship with the students' parents.
get along (also get on British) /'get
get on||-3'b:tj, -ain/ [phrasa/ verb I) if people get along or get on, they have a friendly relationship with each other: We all get on really well, so we're going to share a flat next year. + with He's very easy to get along with.
ZK Get along and get on are more informal than have a good relationship
be on good terms /bi: nn god t3:rmz/ if people are on good terms, they have a
polite relationship and they can work well together, but they are not close friends: The members of the band were on good
terms, but they never spent much time together socially.
+ with We're on good terms with all our neighbours.
dose /klaos/ [adj] if two or more people are close, they like each other very much, and can talk to each other about their feelings. their problems etc: Dad and I have always been very close. I close friends
from my schooldays
+ to She was never very close to her stepmother.
В when you have a bad relationship
not get along (also not get on
British) not get a'Int], not get 'опЦ-эЧэн]. - a:n if people do not get along or do not get on, they have a bad relationship and they often argue and disagree with each other: Barney and / just don't get
9
along.
+ with He 's not getting on very well with his new boss.
613
RELATIONSHIP
fall out aot/ [phrasal verb Ij British if friends or relatives fall out, they have an argument and stop being friendly with
RELATIONSHIP 614
each other: They fell out last year, and they won't even speak to each other
now.
+ with He's fallen out with his girlfriend again.
0 when a relationship ends
split Up /split Чр/ [phrasal verb ij informal if people who are married or having a romantic relationship split up, they end their relationship: Steve's parents split up when he was four. + with Have you heard? Tim's split up with his girlfriend.
separate /'sepsreitj[v II if people who are married separate, they stop living together: It's the children who suffer when their parents separate. separation /|Sep3'reiJ>n/ [n C/U] when а husband and wife agree to live apart: So many marriages end in separation or divorce.
get divorced / get d^'v^st/ if people who
are married get divorced, they officially end their marriage by means of a legal process: They got divorced only two years after they were married. divorce [n C/U] the legal process of
ending a marriage: About a third of marriages in Britain end in divorce.
breakup /Ъге1клр/ In C/U] when a marriage or romantic relationship ends: the effects of marital breakup on children
unwind /An'waind/ [и I] to gradually relax after you have been working hard or worrying a lot: A hot bath is a pleasant way to unwind. 1 I need a drink to help me unwind.
unwinding - unwound - have unwound
feeling calm and comfortable
relaxed /n'laekst/ [adj] feeling calm, comfortable, and not worried or annoyed: How can you be so relaxed when you have an interview tomorrow? 1 Gaif was lying in the sun looking very relaxed.
laid-back /,leid baek*/ [adj] informal someone who is laid-back always seems relaxed, and does not easily get worried or annoyed: My parents are pretty laid-back and don't mind me staying out late. I She seems to have a fairly /aid-back attitude to life.
making you feel calm and comfortable
relaxing /n'laeksiq/ [adj] making you feel
calm, comfortable, and not worried: We had a lovely holiday - it was very relaxing. I a relaxing massage
RELIGION
RELAX
see also worrying/worried
to make yourself feel calmer and more comfortable
relax /rilaeks/ [u I] to make yourself feel calmer, more comfortable, and less worried, by resting or doing something enjoyable: Just wait! In two weeks time I'll be relaxing on a beach in Greece. I Trained staff will look after your children, so that you can relax and enjoy yourself. Relax! It'll be okay.
a religion or a religious group
religion /гМк&т/ [n C] a set of beliefs
that a group of people has about a god, and the ceremonies, customs, and rules that go with these beliefs: a book about the religion of ancient Egypt I "What religion ore you?" I'm a Christian." I one of the great world religions
/aith feiti [n С] a religion, especially one of the large important world religions: People of all faiths are welcome to come to our church.
D
the Jewish / Christian / Islamic / Hindu /aith Most of the island's population belong to the Islamic faith.
sect Isekt/ [п C] a religious group that is part of a larger religious group, and has its own beliefs and ceremonies: Islam has two main sects: the Sunnis and the Shias, 1 The Quakers are a Christian religious sect who strongly oppose vio
lence and war.
church /tJ3irtJ [n C| a religious group that
is part of the Christian religion: Which church do you belong to? I a meeting of church leaders I The Pope is the head oj the Catholic Church.
cult /клк.' [n C] a small religious group which is not part of one of the main world religions, especially a group that has very unusual ideas which they believe very strongly: Several members of the cult were found dead in a forest in France.
В religions in general
religion. nlid yn/ (n U] religions and religious beliefs and activities in general, for example as a subject that people talk about or study: They spent hours discussing politics and religion. I Discrimination on the grounds of religion is strictly forbidden by law.
When you are talking about religions in general, don't say 'the religion'. |ust say religion
EJ things that you believe
because of your religion
belie/s /bi'liifs/ [n plural) all the ideas that
someone believes because of their religion: They were persecuted because of their religious beliefs. I people with very traditional Christian beliefs
faith /feie/ [n U) a strong belief in a particular god or religion: When her husband died, she found great comfort in her faith.
+ in Nothing could shake his faith in God.
В connected with religion
religious /n'lidsas/ [adj only before noun) connected with religion: Kusbu doesn't eat meat for religious reasons. I Re/igious education is compulsory in British schools. I a religious ceremony
holy /'haoli/ |adj usually before noun) a holy place, person, or object is one that people think is special because it is connected with God and religion:Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. I holy water I Crim/na/s
could not be buried in holy ground. holy - holier - holiest
spiritual /spiritJusl1 [adj] your spiritual feelings and ideas are your most private feelings about religion, the meaning of life, and other things that are not connected with the ordinary experiences of daily life: He seems to have no interest in spiritual matters I The materialism of the 1980s failed to satisfy people's spiritual needs.
ш someone who believes in a religion
relig ious /ri'lid^as; [adj] someone who is religious believes strongly in a particular religion: He was raised as a Muslim but
he isn't very religious. deeply religious (-very religious) Her father was a deeply religious man. who spent hours praying each day.
practising British practicing american / ргжкфи] [adj only before nounl a practising Catholic, Muslim etc does not just say they are a Catholic, Muslim etc, but regularly goes to religious ceremonies and
lives according to the rules of their religion
devout di'va<jt; [adj] a devout Catholic. Muslim etc is someone who has strong and sincere religious beliefs, and who carefully obeys all the rules of their religion: Devout Muslims pray to Allah five times a day.
fundamentalist /.fAnda'menul-^st/ In CI
someone who has a strong belief that the laws of their religion must be followed very strictly: Fundamentalists believed that women should not be educated. I Christian fundamentalists who believe that every word in the Bible is true
kJ things that people do as part of their religion
pray prei |l> 1] to speak to God, silently or
615
RELIGION
aloud, especially in order to ask for help or to thank him for something: He got down on his knees and began to pray.
RELIGION
+ to Abdullah preyed to God to help him.
pray for sb (=ask God to help someone) The minister asked us to pray for the dead girl's family.
pray for stk (=ask God to make something happen) I p.t us pray for peace.
prayer ;ргеэг/ [n C] words that you say
when you are praying: a prayer for the dead
say a prayer (=say a fixed set of words} An old lady was kneeling in front of the
statue, saying a prayer, say your prayers (=say prayers as a duty you regularly have to do) Make sure the children say their prayers before they go to bed.
worship ''wx'Jip/ [и 1/T] formal to pray.
sing, or take part in a religious ceremony, in order to show your love of God: Muslims come to worship and study at the mosque. ! The Ancient Egyptians worshipped many gods.
worshipping - worshipped -
have worshipped alno worshipping -
worshipped-have worshipped \me r:!< \n
worship [n U] when you worship: The building has been used for worship for centuries.
hymn /him/ [n CI a song praising God sung in a church or at a religious ceremony: a well-known Christian hymn sing hymns They gather on Sundays to pray and sing hymns.
fast fu;stj|farst [i/ J] to eat no food for a period of time, for religious reasons: Muslims fast during Ramadan.
meditate /'med^teit (i> 1] to sit quietly and think deeply, to make your mind completely empty, as a form of religious training: The monks spend hours every day meditating. meditation ^medi'teij^n ' [n U] when you sit quietly and calmly, and try to make your mind completely empty
В someone who does not believe in Cod
atheist /'eitii-^st/ jn C] someone who believes that there are no gods. Dr Conan has been an atheist all her adult life.
agnostic /aeg'nostik, ag-fl-no:-/ [n C]
someone who thinks it is impossible to
6
know whether God exists or not: Though brought up in the Jewish faith, he became an agnostic in later life.
Ш not connected with religion
secular / sekj^br [adj] not connected with any religious belief or organization - use this especially when comparing religious and non-religious institutions, ideas etc: The choir sang a mixture of secular and religious music. I They want to change the country from a secular state to an islamic republic.
и buildings for religion
church tj3:rtj a holy building where Christians go to pray and to have their religious ceremonies
chapel 'tjasp^l' a small church, or a church where particular Christian groups go to pray and to have their religious ceremonies: the Austin Baptist Chapel
temple 'temper a holy building where
people pray and religious ceremonies take
place, in religions such as Buddhism. Hinduism. Sikhism, and Shinto: the Buddhist Temple in Ladakh
mosque mDsk||ma:sk/ a holy building
where Muslims go to pray and to have their religious ceremonies: the Great Mosque of Damascus
synagogue , sin3gng||-ga:g/ a holy building where Jews go to pray and to have their religious ceremonies
REMAIN
to still exist after everything else
has gone
^ if you mean 'continue to be the same', go to continue j
U to remain
left left,/ lad; not before noun| something or someone that is left is still there after everything else has gone or has been used: Is there any milk left? I By 5 o'clock there was no one left in the office. I If Tracey leaves, I'll be the only girl left in the class.
have sth left How much time do we have left to finish this9
be left over /bi: left something
that is left over, especially money or food, is still there after you have used everything that you need: I pay all the
bills and save any money that is left
over.
+ from Was there any food left over from the party?
remain rimein/ [u Ij formal if something remains, it still exists or is still available after everything else has gone, or been used, or been dealt with: Not much of the house remained after the fire. I We have dealt with most things, but a few small problems remain. I Some elements of the old class system still remain.
remain to be done A few problems remain to be discussed.
El someone or something that remains
the rest to rest [n singular or plural] what is left after everything or everyone else has gone, or been used, or been dealt with: You carry these two bags and I'll bring the rest. I Four of the attackers were killed, the rest escaped. + of What will you do with the rest of the money? I Hell be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
the remains /сЪ ri'meinz/ [n plural] the remains of something are the small parts of it that are left after most of it has been destroyed or has disappeared + of Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient Roman village.
remaining n'meinii]/ [adj only before ncunl espf.cialiy writttn the remaining people or things are the ones that are left when all the others have gone, or been used, or been dealt with: The few remaining guests were in the kitchen finishing off the wine, i The only remaining question is whether we can borrow the money. I the Navy's one remaining aircraft-carrier
what is le/t of sth wot iz left dv (sth)
the small amount that remains after everything else has gone or been used: As the noise of the explosion died away, he
REMEMBER
looked up at what was left of his roof. \ At last she went, and I settled down to enjoy what was left of the afternoon.
leftovers <'left3uv3rz/ [n plural] informal
food that has not been eaten at the end of
a meal: We used the leftovers to make
soup the next day.
REMEMBER
opposite forcet
II to remember something from the past
remember n'membor (u I/T] if you remember something that happened, something you did, or something you used to know, the thought of it comes back into your mind: Do you remember your first day at school? I I couldn't remember her name. I Where are my keys0 Oh, I remember, I left them in the kitchen. remember who/what/where/how I can't remember where I put my bag. + (that) Suddenly I remembered that I'd left the iron on!
remember doing sth He remembered meeting her at a party once. remember sth welt/vividly That was a wonderful Christmas - I remember it
well.
Don't say 'I am remembering that j day' Say I remember that day or I can
remember that day j
i
Don't say 'I remember to have seen him'. Say I remember seeing him i
Ql will never forget ai wii nevr>r
for'get rspkciai.i.y spokfn use this to say that you will remember something for a long time because it was very shocking, very enjoyable, very frightening etc: III never forget the sight of him lying there in the hospital. I I can promise you an experi ence you will never forget!
think back/ioolc back eiqk Ьжк, lok
Ьжк Iphrasa/ verb I] to think about something that happened in the past because you want to remember it: She tried to think back and remember exactly what Jim had said.
+ to Thinking back to when I was first married, I realize now that I made a lot of mistakes.
look back on When I look back on those days, it always makes me sad.
memory /'menvri [n С often plural] something that you remember from the past about a person, place, or experience + of I have lots of happy memories of my time in Japan.
bring back memories (=when something makes you think of a happy time in the past) Those old songs bring back memories/
plural memories
nostalgia ;nn'st<eld;p|na:-/ [n U] the
slightly sad feeling you have when you remember happy things from the past: There's a mood of nostalgia throughout the whole book.
+ /or nostalgia for the 'good old days' of steam trains nostalgic [adj] making you remember happy times in the past: a nostalgic visit to my home town
to remember something that you must do
remember /п'тетЬУ/ |u I/T] to think of something that you must do, get, or bring, and not forget about it: I hope he remembered the wine. I Jusf remember, I want you to be home before midnight. remember to do sth Remember to close the windows before you go out.
not /orget /nDt farget/ to remember something you must do - use this especially when it seems likely that you will not remember something: Don't worry, / won't forget.
not /orget to do sth I hope he doesn't forget to water the plants. + (that) / might be home a little late, but
haven't forgotten that we're going out.
BI to learn something so that you can remember It
memorize (also memorise British)
REMEMBER
j'memamzj [у T] to learn facts, numbers, lines from a play or poem etc, so that you can remember them later: / memorised huge lists of names and dates before the exam. I You have to memorize this number - don't write it down!
iu to make someone remember something they must do
remind /n'marnd/ [u T] to make someone remember something they must do or something they need to know: / must pay the gas bill - I'll put it here to remind myself.
remind sb about sth Pauline phoned to remind you about the party. remind sb to do sth Remind me to buy some batteries for my Walkman. remind sb (that) I fust want to remind you that your assignments must be completed by Friday.
remind sb how/what/when a few notes to remind yourself what you want to say
reminder /n'mainds1", [n C] a spoken or written message to help you remember something that you might forget: When your next check-up is due, the dentist will send you a reminder. I Finally, a reminder that the school concert will be on 17 December.
qdon't/orget /.daunt fV'get/ spoken say this to tell someone to remember something that you think they might forget: Don't forget your keys. don't /orget to do sth Don't forget to mail that letter, will you? + (that) Don t forget that we're going out on Friday evening.
13 when something makes you remember something from the past
remind n'maindj [v T] if something
reminds you of a person, thing, or time from the past, it makes you remember them
remind sb of sb/sth The perfume always reminded him of his mother. I It's horrid! It reminds me of the lumpy custard we had at school!
A Don't say 'it reminds me her'. Say it reminds me of her
618
A Don't use remind (=make you remember) when you mean remember
make sb think of sth meik (sb) Щк
nv (sth) to remind you of something that you experienced in the past: I hate that smell - it makes me think of hospitals.
Ш something that is easy to remember
memorable /тет,?п>Ы1/ [adj] a memorable event or occasion is so good, so enjoyable, or so unusual that you remember it for a long time: the memorable day when our team won 5-0 ! She gave a memorable performance as Lady Macbeth.
un/orgettable лп:ог get о К? I [adj] an unforgettable experience, sight, etc affects you so strongly that you will never forget it: A u/s/t to India is a truly unforgettable experience. I those awful unforgettable images of starving children
ш the ability to remember things
memory /'me 1ШП. (n singular] your ability to remember things: I had a good memory, and usually did well in tests. I You know what your memory's like - you're sure to forget!
have a good/bad memory for sth (=be good/bad at remembering something) / have a terrible memory for names.
REMOVE
to take something away from the
place where it is
^ if you mean 'take off your clothes',
go tO CLOTHES
li to remove something from inside something
take out /.teik 'aut/ {phrasal verb T] to take something from inside a container, space, room etc
take out sth She opened her briefcase and took out a letter. I We'll have to take out the engine to fix the gearbox. take sth out Roland reached inside his jacket and took his passport out.
take sth out of sth Take that bicycle out of the house!
remove 'n'muiv/ [и T] to take something from inside something: Cut the fruit in half and remove the stones. remove sth from sth Someone had removed an important document from the file.
/L Remove is more formal than take out and is used especially in writing.
get Sth out .,get (sth) aut/ [phrasal verb T] to remove something that is deep inside something else, especially when this is difficult to do: My keys fell down a drain, but I got them out with a piece of wire. + of Did you manage to get all the glass out of the wound?
pull out /,pol aot; [phrasa/ verb T] to suddenly take something out from a place where it cannot be seen, for example from a pocket, bag etc
pult out sth The man pulled out a gun and fired three shots. pull sth out She pulled out a chequebook and started writing a cheque for
£500.
В to remove something from a surface
^ see also clean
take off / teik 'ofj-'xf/ Iphrasal verb T] to remove something that is on a surface, or that covers a surface
take off sth You will be able to take off the bandages in about a week. take sth off sth Take the sheets off your bed and I'll wash them. I Could you take all those things off the table?
remove n'mu:v/' [и T] to take something off the surface of something else, especially dirt, marks, or something that should not be there: You can use lemon juice to remove the grease. I A waiter came and removed the empty bottles. remove sth /гот sth Remove any dirt from the negative before printing the photograph.
619
REMOVE
Wipe off / waip 'ofl-'oif/ [phrasal verb T] to remove something such as dirt, paint, or liquid from a surface by moving a cloth over it
to remove something that is fixed or joined to something else
take Off teik Щ-'уА: [phrasai verb T] to remove something that is fixed to something else
take sth off I took the lid off and tasted the soup.
take off sth We had to take off the handles to get it through the door.
remove п пшл [v T] to take off something that forms a piece or part of something else or that covers something else: Remove all the fat, then cut the meat into cubes.
remove sth from sth She was in the hos
pital, having a lump removed from her breast. I Turn off the power, then remove the cover from the computer.
A Remove js more formal than take off and is used especially in writing.
break off / breik Щ-xf/ [phrasal verb T] to remove a part of something by breaking it
REMOVE 620
wipe off sth Make sure you wipe off all those marks.
wipe sth off Angela wiped her lipstick off and washed her face, wipe sth off sth Werner sat down, wiping the sweat off his forehead with a
handkerchief.
rub off / глЬ 'ot]|-'.">:t [phrasa/ verb T] to remove dirt, marks etc from a surface by rubbing it hard with a cloth or brush rub sth off sth I tried to rub the dirt off my shoes with a tissue. rub off sth I managed to rub off most of the mud, but my coat was still filthy.
scrape off /skrcip nf||-o:f [phrasal verb
T] to remove something from a surface, using a knife or sharp tool scrape ojjsth We started by scraping off the old wallpaper.
scrape sth off sth Kevin was scraping some burnt food off the bottom of a pan.
break off sth She broke off a piece of chocolate and gave it to me. break sth ojf sth George broke a branch off the tree and threw it on the fire.
cut off /kAt Dfjl-'Dif/ [phrasal verb T] to remove a part of something by cutting it with a knife or with scissors cut off sth At the end of the play, he cuts off Macbeth's head. cut sth off Do you want me to cut the
labei off?
the process of removing
something
removal /rrmu:v«?l/ (n U]
+ of Police arranged for the removal of
tear off 'tear 'Df||-'o:f [phrasa/ verb T] to remove part of a piece of paper or cloth, by pulling it so that it tears tear off sth Tear off the coupon and send it to this address. tear sth off sth / tore the corner off my newspaper and wrote her phone number on it.
to remove writing, film, or music from paper, a tape, a computer etc
delete /drli:t/ [u TJ to remove part or all of a document in a computer, so that it no longer exists: I think you should delete the second paragraph. I The computer
automatically deletes any files that you have not saved.
rub out British erase American ;,глЬ 'aot,
rreiz|i'reis/ [u T] to remove writing or pictures from paper by rubbing with a piece of rubber, or to remove writing or pictures from a board by rubbing with a cloth: Use a pencil so you can erase your mistakes. rub sth out/rub out sth I had to rub the whole thing out and start again
cross out ,kros aot||,krD:s- [phrasal verb TJ to draw a line through a word to show
that it was a mistake or that you want to
change what you have written
cross out sth Someone had crossed out
my name.
cross sth out That's not right. Cross it out and start again.
erase rrciz||rreis [и T] to remove writing, film, or music that has been recorded on a machine: You can erase what you have recorded by pressing this button. I } accidentally erased the movie I had recorded before I had a chance to watch it.
the wreckage. I the removal of Russian troops from the area I an operation for the removal of her appendix
REPAIR
see also broken, damage
II to repair something that is broken or damaged
repair ri'peor [и T] if you repair something that is broken or not working properly. you work on it so that it is in good condition again; The builders are coming to repair the roof today. I The plane was too badly damaged to be repaired.
get/have sth repaired (=pay someone
e.se to repair it) How much will it cost to have the TV repaired?
Repair, fix, and mend mean the same, and you can use any of them in most situations: We had to pay someone to repair/fix/mend the roof. Fix is more informal than the other two, and is used especially about repairing machines, cars etc. Mend is used especially about repairing things that have holes in them, such as clothes and shoes, roofs, roads, or fences.
fix fiкч lu T] to repair something that is broken or not working properly, especially a machine: The radio isn't working - can you fix it?
get/have sth jixed (=pay someone else to fix it) / musf get my camera fixed before we go to France.
mend /mend [и T] to repair something that is broken or not working, or something that has a hole in it: When are you going to mend the fence? I a gang of workers mending the road
service /'$3:rvi>s/ [v T] to look at a vehicle or machine in order to make sure that it is working properly, and repair it if necessary: Has the heating system been serviced recently?
have/get sth serviced (=pay someone else to service it) I'm having the car serviced next week.
ZA work done to repair something
repairs п'реэгг/ [n plural] work done to repair something: The roof repairs cost
£650.
carry out repairs/do repairs We will send workmen to carry out emergency repairs.
+ to $8000 for repairs to the church roof
maintenance /'meinUnons [n U] regular work done to check and repair something so that it stays in good condition: Smoke detectors require routine maintenance. + of The department is responsible for the maintenance of roads and bridges.
You can also use maintenance before a noun, like an adjective: maintenance work I maintenance costs i
represent
to speak and do things for someone else because they have asked you to, for example in a meeting, competition, or a law court
m see also court/trial, government/
politics
Kl to represent a person or group
represent repri /ent |u T] if you represent a person or organization at a meeting or in a law court or parliament, you give their opinions and take action for
them; if you represent a country, school etc in a competition, you have been chosen to compete for that country or school; Who will be representing the UK in the next round of peace talks? I Students will elect two people to represent them on the School Council I the athletes representing China in this year's Olympic Games
be represented by sb Wilson was represented in court by a top criminal lawyer.
621
REPRESENT
on behalf of /on bi ha:t ovf-taf- if you do something on behalf of someone, you do it because they want you to or have asked you to; On behalf of everyone
REPRESENT 622
here, I'd like to wish Ted a long and happy retirement. I The woman who bought the painting said she was acting on behalf of a New York art gallery. on sb's behalf The letter had been signed on the manager's behalf by his
assistant.
speak for sb/act for sb /spiik fb:r
have a break/take a break /.haev э
brerk, ,terk э breik/ to stop what you are doing for a short time, so that you can rest: Let's take a break and have some coffee. I is it alright if we have a break
at about 10:30?
relax /n'laeks/ [u IJ to do something that makes you feel calm and comfortable and helps you to forget about your work and problems: relaxing on the beach after a hard week's work I Try to relax at lunchtime. perhaps with a drink.
(sb), жк1 h:T (sb)/ to represent someone by speaking for them in an official discussion or court, or by making legal decisions for them: David Blunkett, speaking for the Labour Party, said more money should be spent on higher education. I The family has instructed me to act for them in this case.
someone who
represents a group
representative /.repn'zentenW [r? CJ
someone who has been chosen to represent an organization or country. Japan, Britain, and the US are all sending representatives to the talks in Geneva. 1 John Kohorn is the company's representative in Prague.
rest
if you mean 'spend time in a place', go to stay
RELAX. —SLEEP
D
see also
HOUDAY
to rest
a period when you rest
rest /rest/ [n C/U] a period of time when you do not have to do anything tiring or active, and you can relax or sleep: We painted the walls and then stopped for a rest. I She needs plenty of rest. a good rest (=one that makes you feel completely relaxed) Make sure you have a good rest at the weekend
break /breik/ [n С] a short time when you
stop what you are doing so that you can rest or eat: OK, let's run through it again straight after the break. without a break (=not stopping to rest or
eat) Harry had worked for eight hours without a break.
сoj^fee/tea/lunch break I'll phone you during my lunch break.
В
recess american break BRITISH /n'ses, breik|| ri:ses/ (n Uj a time between classes when the children in a school can go outside and play: The children played kick ball during recess. 1 Come and see me at break. Tom.
rest /rest/ |u I] to stop working or stop being active, and sit down or lie down so that you become less tired: If you're tired, we'll stop and rest for a while. I The doctor told me to take some time off work and try to rest.
have a rest/take a rest / haev э rest,
,teik э 'rest/ to stop doing something for a short time because you are tired and need to rest: Halfway up the mountain we stopped to have a rest.
restaurants/
Seating and
drinking
see pages 623-625
Word bank
RESTAURANTS/EATING AND DRINKING
D places to eat
restaurant /'resunvntl-тэМ, -rami/ [п С] a place where you buy and eat a meal, which is usually brought to your table, especially a place that you go to with other people as a social event: Have you ever been to 'La Porchettc? It's a really nice restaurant.
a Chinese/ltalian/Mexican/etc restaurant
A new Japanese restaurant just opened on Upper Street.
Сafefcafe /'kaefei \kse'fei, Ь-/ [n С] a place where you can drink coffee or tea and
sometimes alcoholic drinks, and eat cakes or small meals: We found a small cafe just off the main street.
canteen British cafeteria AMERICAN /kaen'ri:n, ,kadfe'UJris/ [n C] a place in a school, factory, or company building where the students or workers can buy and
eat meals
/ast food restaurant /faist fu:d
resUrDnt|faest-, -rant/ In С] a place where
you can buy and eat small meals such as hamburgers that are ready to eat so that you do not have to wait for them: Fast food restaurants such as McDonald's and Burger King can be found in almost every country in the world.
diner /'da/пэУ In C] AMERICAN a small restaurant where you can buy cheap meals-. They stopped for breakfast at a roadside diner.
deli /'deli/ [n C] a shop that sells cheese, salads, cooked meats etc, and where you can also buy small meals and sandwiches
sandwich, bar /'saenwid^ ,ba:r|'saendw!tf-/
[n С] a place where you can buy sandwiches and drinks that you can take away to eat or drink somewhere else
takeaway /'teikawei/ {л ci BRITISH a place that sells complete meals that you take away to eat at home, or one of the meals it sells: о Chinese takeaway t Shall we
get a takeaway tonight?
E3 places to drink
bar /Ьа:Г/ \n С) a place where you can buy and drink aicohofic drinks: I met her in a bar in Manhattan.
pub /рлЬ/ (n С] a place, especially in Britain or Ireland, where people meet their friends and drink alcoholic drinks
wine bar /'wain tba:r/ [n CI a fashionable, fairly expensive place that serves many different types of wine and small meals
coffee shop /kofi Jcp I'brfi ja:p/ In С) а small cafe where you drink coffee, tea, and other non-alcoholic drinks, and which also sells cakes, sandwiches etc
mtcrobrewery /'пшкпю.Ьгшэп/ (n Cj a
В
place in the US where you can buy meals and drink beer that is made by the bar s owners: The number of microbreweries has increased dramatically in recent years.
when you go somewhere to eat or drink
eat OUt /,iit 'aut/ [phrasa/ verb 1) to have a meal in a restaurant, not at home: / don't feel like cooking tonight - let's eat out.
go out to dinner/lunch /дэо aot
t9'dnn3r, Untjy (also go out/or a meat /дэи aut far э mi:l/ British) to go to a restaurant and have a meal: We went out to lunch as a celebration. I When iuas the last time we went out for a meal?
go out for a drink /gao aot far э 'dni)k/
to go to a bar, pub etc in order to meet your friends and drink alcoholic drinks: "What did you do at the weekend?" "Oh nothing much - just went out for a drink on Friday."
ItESTAURANTS/EATMG AND DHNMNC
continues on the next page
RESTAURANTS/EATING AND DRINKING
in a restaurant
A mineral water for me, please.
vocabulary
bill British checK American /bil, tjek/ (n C] a piece of paper with a list of what you have had and how much you must pay
book a table /(Ьокэ leiMy especially brtttsh (also make a reservation /meik a res3rvei/^n/ American) [v 1/Г} to teS the restaurant that you want to eat there, so they do not give your table to someone else dessert /di'zxty (n C/U] the sweet part of your meal
that ycuha№ after the main course eat oat /да aut/ jphrosof verb Q to have a meal in a
restaurant, not at home
house wine/house red/house white /haus
wain, ,haus red, ,haus 'waitJ [n U] ordinary, inexpensive wine that you can buy in a restaurant to eat with your meal
Ql'U have... /^l haev/ spoken say this to tell the
waiter or waitress what you want to eat main. course /mem |cx[s/ |n C| the biggest separate
part of a meal menu /'menjuV (п C) a list of all the meals that a restaurant serves
order [и 1Л1 to teil the waiter or waitress what you want to eat or drink
set menu /.set menjut/ In C| British a complete meal that you pay a fixed price for, instead of ordering and paying tor the different parts separately
Starter витбн appetizer american /'sta:rt3r. aepataiz^r/ |n C] the part of a meal that you have before the main course
table for two/three etc fteibsl fbcr (two, etc)/ say this to the waiter or waitress when you arrive, so that they know how many people are with you: We'd like a table for four, please.
tip /ир/ [n C] money that you give to the waiter or waitress, as a way of showing your thanks, in addition to the money you pay for your meal
leave a tip (=put a tip on the table when you leave)
waiter /'weitaV in С] a man who serves food and drink at the tables in a restaurant
A
waitress fweitrjf/ [/? С) a woman u/ho serves food and drink at the tables in a restaurant
In American English, waitperson is sometimes used instead of waiter or waitress
RESTAURANTS/EATINC AND DRINKING
wine list /wain list/ [n CI a list of al the alcoholic drinks that a restaurant serves
RESULT
something that happens or exists because of
something else
see also cause, reason
res tilt /n'zAlt/ [л Cj something that happens because of someone's actions or because of something else that happened before + of Her constant cough was the result of many years of smoking, wit К tKe result that More and more people are using cars, with the result that the roads are much more polluted. as a result Jobs are hard to get and, as a resuh, more young people want to continue their education. a direct result of sth (=caused by only one thing even if people think there may be other causes) Her parents believe that her death was a direct result of medical errors.
effect /rfekt/ [n C] the way that a person or situation is changed by something that happens or something that someone does:
+ of the harmful effects of radiation have an effect All my efforts to persuade them were beginning to have an effect.
* on The death of a parent can have very serious and Jong-lasting effects on a child.
Have a bad/good effect (on) Any
increase in fuel costs could have a bad effect on business.
A
side effects (=unwanted effects of a drug or medicine) The side effects of Seproxan can include headaches and tiredness.
Don't confuse effect and affect Effect is a noun and affect is a verb.
outcome /autkAm/ [n C] the situation that exists at the end of a meeting, activity, or series of events, especially when no one knows what this will be until it actually happens: Whatever the outcome, I hope we remain friends. 1 The talks had a better outcome than we originally hoped.
+ of the final outcome of the dispute
consequence /kons^kwansll'kains^kwens/ [n С usually plural) the consequences of an action, decision etc are the things that happen as a result of it, which are usually bad: Safety procedures had been
ignored, with tragic consequences. + of The environmental consequences of the oil leak were horrific.
when one thing happens because of another
see also cause, reason
because of /bi'koz avflbi'biz-/ if something happens because of an earlier problem, event etc, it happens as a result of the problem, event etc: Sampras is likely to miss the US Open because of a back injury. I Because of problems with the fuel system, the launch has been put back a week. I She was chosen for the Peace Prize because of her courageous fight for democracy.
be the result of Sth /bi: дэ п'гл11 ov
(sth)/ to happen because of something else that happened or was done: Our success is the result of a great deal of hard work. I The big population increase in the US was partly the result of immigration.
as a result of sth /эг а rizAlt ov (sth)/ happening because of something else: He died as a result of cold and exhaustion. I Over 60 drugs have been removed from sale as a result of recent tests.
resulting /ri'zAltiij/ \adj only before nounj especially written happening or existing because of something else that happened before: During the storm the dam collapsed. The resulting floods caused several deaths.
В the result of a game, competition, or election
see also sport, vote, test
result /n'zAlt/ |n С usually plural] the final number of points, votes etc at the end of a competition, election etc: These are excellent results for the Christian Democratic Party.
When you see 111, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
+ of And now, the results of last week's
competition.
In British English, you can also use result to talk about sport: Turn to SBC 7 for the latest football results. In American English, use score.
score /sfo:r/ [n C] the number of points
that each team or person has at the end of a game: What was the score? I The final score was 2-1 to Juventus. 1 /isteningto the baseball scores on the radio
В to decide how well a student has done in a test etc
see also test
mark (also grade american) /ma:rk, greid/
[и T] to look at students' work or examination papers and give them numbers or letters to show how good they are: Mrs Parry, have you marked our tests yet? I I have 48 English papers to grade this evening.
RETURN
to go back to the place where you
were before
and I don't think she'll ever come back. + to/from When will you be coming back to London? I He's just come back from a vacation in Miami.
return rrt3:rn/ [и I] to go back or come back to the place where you were before,
especially to your home or your country: I left early, but promised to return the next c/ay.
+ tolfrom He had to return to India to lock after his mother. I A/astair returned from the office late that night.
Return is more formal than go back and come back
A Don't say 'return back'. Just say return
ret Lira /п t3:rn / [n singular] formal the time when someone returns to a place: We eagerly await your return. on sb's return (=after they return) On her return to Washington, she immediately went to the French Embassy.
90 Коте /,gsu haom/ to return to your home or to the country where you were
born: It's late, f should be going home. I
John used to go home once a month when he was at college. + to Isabelle is going home to France on Saturday.
see also со
90 back /.gao 'back/ [phrasal verb I] to go back to the place you started from, or to a place you have been to before: I've had
my treatment, but I have to go back next
week for a check-up. + to When will you be going back to Japan?
+ the re/inside/do wns t airs etc It's cold out here, let's go back indoors.
A
go back for stК (=go back in order to get something) Richard forgot his wallet and had to go back for it.
If someone goes back to visit a place where they were before and then comes back here, you can say they have been back: He left Germany in 19S0 and he's only been back there once.
come back /.клт'Ьаек/ [phrasa/ verb I] if
someone comes back, they return to the place where you are: Rachel's left me,
Qbe back ,'bi: back/ especially spoken [phrasal verb Ij to be in the place where you were before you went away: Don't worry, III be back soon. I Jane, what a surprise! How long have you been back?
RICH
opposite poor
see also money, expensive, earn
rich people
rick /ritJ7 [adj) someone who is rich has a lot of money: He's marrying the daughter of a rich lawyer. I If I was rich I'd buy a Ferrari. I Bill Gates is one of the richest men in the world.
wealthy /'weiei/ {adj] rich - use this especially about someone whose family has owned a lot of land or property for a long time: a wealthy landowner I She came from one of Boston 's wealthiest families.
wealthy - wealthier - wealthiest
wealth /we 10 (n U] formal the large amount of money and property that makes someone rich: His Hollywood films brought him wealth and fame.
well off ,wel 'ofHI-'aif*/ [adj not before
noun) not very rich, but with enough money to have a comfortable life and do the things that you want to do. a relatively> well off family {=richer than most people) I They were sufficiently well off to buy
their own apartment. better off (=having more money than before or more than someone else) Most families will be better off when the tax changes are introduced.
millionaire hm\\p'nc^Tj [n C] someone
who is extremely rich and lias at least a million pounds or a million dollars: He had his own company at 25 and was a millionaire by 30. You'd have to be a millionaire to afford a place like that.
the rich /дэ 'ritJV |n plural] people who are rich, especially when you are comparing them to people who are poor: the wide gap between the rich and the poor
rich countries
/ntj/ [adj] a rich country has a lot of money, so most of the people living there have comfortable lives: Many of the laid-off workers have received aid from their richer neighbours.
developed /di'vehpt/ [ac/j only before noun] a developed country is rich and has modern industrial, health, and education systems: Typhoid and cholera are not now serious problems in developed countries.
to become rich
Qget rich /.get ritf/ especially spoken to become rich, especially to make a lot of money quickly: Roger got rich selling second-hand cars.
make a fortune /meiko toj^n/ informal to become rich by earning or winning a lot of money: A good salesman can make a fortune if he works hard.
make a fortune doing sth He had made a fortune gambling in Las Vegas.
RIGHT
look here for ...
correct and without any mistakes when someone's behaviour is reasonable morally right
legal rights and rights in society opposite wrong
see also suitable/unsuitable, good
„ correct and with no mistakes
right /rait; [adj] something that is right is true, or has no mistakes in it. or is the way that it should be: Yes, that's the right answer. I Is that the right time? I Make sure you use the right amounts of flour and sugar. ! Put the words in the right order to make a sentence. sb is right (=what they say is right) I think you're right ~ there's not going to be enough food for everyone. C^that's right spoken (use this to emphasize that what someone has said is true) "Your mothers a teacher isn't she?" "Yes, that's right."
be right about sb/sth (=have the4right opinion about someone or something) You're right about Тага. You can't trust her.
get sth right (=be right in what you say or
write) Make sure you get people s names right when you're sending out the inui- tations.
correct /ka'rekt. [adj] correct answers, facts, methods etc are right, for example because they contain no mistakes or they break no rules: The first ten correct answers will win a prize. I This information is no longer correct. I Did the police use the correct procedure when they interrogated him?
Correct is more formal than right
Д Don't use correct about people. Use right: You're right; Mario
accurate aekj^t/ [adj| information, measurements, descriptions etc that are accurate are completely correct and all the details are true: She gave the police an accurate description of her attacker. I It is vital that measurements are accurate.
in the right way
Qright tail ladu] especially stoken if you do something right, you do it without making any mistakes: Have I spelled your name right? I Most people can't do it right the first time.
correctly /ks rektii [advj if you do something correctly, you do it in the way that it should be done and without making any mistakes: The drug is quite safe if used correctly. I You're not holding the racket correctly.
properly /'ргорэг1]||'рга;-/ [adv] especially BHmsH if you do something properly, you do it in a satisfactory way or in the way that it should be done: Make sure you put the fid on properly. I He accused me of not doing my job properly.
to make something correct
correct ka'rckt/ [и T] to change something wrong that someone has said or written, and make it right: We read through the first version, correcting the errors. I fr's a program that lets you say a sentence. then corrects you if it's wrong.
correction ko'rekpn (n CI a mark or
note that corrects something in a piece of writing: My homework was covered with corrections.
make a correction I still have a few last- minute corrections to make.
when you think it is right to do something
right /rait/ [adj] use this to talk about what someone has done, to say that you agree with what they did because it was fair or reasonable
Я
к Щ
Л
s
3 i
l
о»
be right to do sth You were right to complain - the waiter was rude and the food was awful.
the right thing to do Believe me, it's the right thing to do. You can't let him treat you like this.
justified /'d^Ast^faid/ [adj] if you say that someone is justified or that something they do is justified, you believe they have good reasons for what they do, because of what you know about the situation: I don't think Colin's criticisms were really justified.
be/feel justified in doing stk The government feels justified in using military force to protect its own citizens. I Do you think the principal was justified in expelling those students?
reasonable ;'п:гл1эМ/ ladj] if someone does something reasonable, you think they are behaving in a fair and sensible way: The police say they only used 'reasonable force' to break up the demonstration.
it is reasonable to assume/expect/suppose It is reasonable to assume that about half of the students will pass.
Ql don't blame you/her etc ai
.daunt 'bleim (you, etc)/ spoken informal say this when you can understand why someone has behaved in a particular way, and you think they were right: 'Sheila's (eft her husband." "Well, I don't blame her!" + for (doing) sth / don 't blame you jor losing your temper with Ann - she was being so annoying.
justify djAst'fai/ [v T) to show that there are good reasons for doing something that seems wrong to most people: How can you justify a 200% pay rise/ I a desper ate attempt to justify his decision
justi/y doing sth 1 don't think anyone can justify spending so much money on weapons.
justifying - justified - have justified
your beliefs about what is right and wrong
conscience /'копГ^Ц'кснп-/ [n CAJ) the
part of your mind that tells you what is
rightly ,'raitli [adv] formal if someone says or does something rightly, you believe that they are right to say it or do it: His opponents point out, quite rightly, that government money is really taxpayers' money.
principles /pnns^lz/ [n plural] your
beliefs about what is morally right or wrong, which help you to decide what you should or should not do: Some politicians are only interested in power, and don't seem to have any principles at all! against sb's principles (=not morally acceptable to them) I never borrow money - it's against my principles.
to think that something is right
right rait/ [adjj if you think something is right, you believe that there are good reasons lor doing it, or that it is not morally wrong: I don't think they shou/d test drugs on animals. It's not right. it is right to do sth Do you think it is ever right to lie to someone?
approve /э'ргугл/ [и I] if you approve
of what someone does, you think it is morally good or not morally wrong; if you approve of someone, you like them because you think they are sensible,
honest etc: Martha wants to get a motorcycle but her parents don't approve. + of Most people approve of the changes in the gun laws. I Tom s mother doesn't approve of his new girlfriend, approve of sb doing sth Would you approve of your teenage son smoking?
Ж Don't say 'I agree this decision'. Say I agree with this decision
*
i t i i
i s
i
Don't confuse agree with sth (=think that something is right) and agree to do sth (=say that you will do it): He agreed to meet me after work.
believe in sth /Ы/liiv in (sth)/ [phrasaJ verb T1 to think that a type of behaviour is morally right or is a sensible thing to do. Hilary doesn't believe in sex before marriage. I I don't believe in all these silly diets.
believe in doing sth We'ue afu/ays believed in letting the children haue plenty of freedom.
be in /avour of sth British be in /avor of Sth amtrtcan bi: m 'feivar dv (sth)/ if you are in favour of something, especially something that affects a lot of people, such as a government plan or policy, you strongly support it because you think it is the right thing to do: Are you in favour of the death penalty? be in favour of doing sth 80% of those interviewed were in favour of banning nuclear weapons.
approval э'рги:\'^1/ [n U1 the feeling that
something is good, right, or sensible. When the awards were announced there was general public approval. I shouts of approval from the crowd
the legal right to do
something
RIGHT 630
right or wrong, and makes you feel guilty if you do something wrong: My con science told me that I shouldn't accept the money.
guilty conscience (=a guilty feeling because you know you have done something wrong) Paul couldn't sleep: 'A sign
of a guilty conscience,' he thought. with a clear conscience (=when you feel sure you have not done anything wrong) Ben had treated her so badly, she felt she could leave him with a clear conscience.
i
з
right rait/ |n singular] something that you are legally or officially allowed to do the right to do sth Women fought very hard for the right to vote. have the right to sth Everyone should have the right to a decent education, give sb the right to do sth Having a European passport gives you the right to travel and work anywhere in the European Union.
agree with sth /a'gri: wid (sth)/ [phrasal
verb TJ to think that an action, decision, or type of behaviour is the right thing to do - used especially in questions or negative sentences: I do not agree with the use of violence. I Do you agree with the administration's immigration policy?
A
Don't say 'the right of something' or 'the right of doing something'. Say the right to something or the right to do something
rights /raits/ [n plural] the political and social freedom that everyone in a country
should have: laws that have gradually
taken away workers' rights
human rights (=the basic rights that all
people should have, including the right to
be treated fairly and without cruelty by
their government) The country has a bad
record on human rights.
equal rights (=the right of everyone to be
treated fairly and equally) equal rights for
women
be entitled to sth /bi: in taitld tu: (sth)/ formal to be legally allowed to have something or do something: You may be entitled to compensation for loss of earnings.
be entitled to do sth If she marries him, will she be entitled to live in this country?
RISK
the possibility that something bad
might happen
^ see also dangerous, gambling
Q a risk
risk /risk/ [n C/U] the possibility that something harmful or unpleasant might happen: There are a lot of risks involved when you start your own business.
+ of People continue to smoke, despite all the risks of heart disease, cancer etc. reduce/increase the risk о/ Clean the wound thoroughly to reduce the risk of infection.
risk of doing sth Drivers often break the speed limit, and there's little risk of getting caught.
+ that There is always the risk that someone may press the wrong button and cause an accident.
danger /'demd33r/ |n singular/UJ the possibility that something dangerous or very unpleasant might happen + of Is there any danger of Grant being sent to prison? I Cover your head and drink plenty of fluids, to reduce the danger of sunstroke. + tkat There's a real danger that Britain's forests may disappear completely within the next 50 years.
threat /Bret/ [n singular] a strong possibility that something very bad will happen, especially something that affects many people
+ of Once again the people of Sudan face the threat of famine.
В actions or situations that are full of risk
riskg /'riski/ [adj] a risky action or situation is one that involves the risk that something harmful or unpleasant might happen: It's always risky leaving your car out in the street all night. I a risky investment
risky - riskier - riskiest
El to do something even though there is a risk
take a risk /,teik э 'risk/ to decide to do
something, even though you know that something bad might happen: I knew we were taking a risk when we lent him the money. I Sometimes it's worth taking a few risks to get what you want.
take a chance /,teik э 'tfainsj-'tfaens/
informal to decide to do something even though there is a risk, because you think that you will succeed: I was offered a job in Hong Kong and decided to take a chance.
take chances You can trust them if you like, but I'm not taking any chances!
risk /risk/ [и T] if you risk doing something, you do it even though you know it is risky
risk doing sth He couldn't risk phoning her at home - her husband might have been there.
risk it (=risk doing something in spite of possible problems or danger) They said the snow was too deep for cars to travel, but we decided to risk it.
Don't say 'risk to do something'. Say risk doing something
Eu to be in a situation where there are risks
631
RISK
risk /risk/ [и T) to get into a situation where something very unpleasant might happen to you
RISK
risk death/punishment/de/eat etc (=do something that might result in you being killed, punished etc) risking death or imprisonment to escape from Vietnam risk doing sth 1 don't want to risk
offending your parents risk your life (=risk dying) She risked her life trying to rescue a cat from a blazing building.
be in danger /bi: in deind^V to be in а
situation in which something very dangerous might happen: It was a terrible storm, and the little ship was in danger, I With the rise of the fascist movement, democracy itself was in danger: + of Thousands of refugees are now in danger of starvation, be in danger of doing sth The island's traditional culture is in danger of being destroyed.
threaten /'0retn/ [и T] if actions or events threaten something, they cause danger for it and make it likely to be harmed or destroyed: Severe droughts often threaten the rice crop. I According to some scientists, global warming threatens the survival of the whole human race.
put sb/sth at risk /.put (sb/sth) at risk,
to do something that makes it more likely that someone or something will be harmed: The pilot has been accused of putting his passengers' lives at risk. 1 Your stupid behaviour could put your whole future at risk.
ROAD/PATH
^ see also drive, walk
D in a town
road /raod/ [n С] a long area of ground with a hard, flat surface, for cars, buses, bicycles etc to travel on: They're building a new road around the city centre, along/down/up the road The boys go to the school down the road. I The park is just along the road from our house, across!over the road (=on the other side of the road) Who lives in that house across the road?
main road (=a large road with a lot of traffic) It's very noisy living on a main road.
cross the road (=walk to the other side) Stop, look, and listen before you cross
the road.
busy road (=a road with a lot of traffic) It's a busy road, so be careful when you cross.
Street /striit/ [n C) a road close to the centre of a town, with houses, shops, or offices and a path down each side for people to walk on: There were stores on both sides of the street. side street (=a small quiet street) You can park in one of the side streets, in a street British on a street american Meg lived in the same London street all her life. I We used to have an apartment on 23rd Street.
a one-way street (=where you can only drive in one direction) You can't turn here, it's a one-way street.
high street British main street american i'h'd\ striit, 'mein striit/ [n CI the main street in the middle of a town where most of the shops, hotels, and offices are: Our bank used to have a branch in every
high street. I The small town of White- horse, Alaska consists of a half-mile long main street and a few scattered houses.
alley /'aeli/ [n C] a very narrow street or path between buildings in a town, especially one that is dirty, dark, or unpleasant: homeless people sleeping in alleys
plural alleys
Q outside a town
road /гэоё/ [n С] a road that connects towns or cities: Route 66 used to be one of the main roads across the States. I / like driving on the French roads - they're so straight, and there isn't much traffic. + to As you leave the city, turn right and take the road to Madrid.
lane /'lein/ [n С] a narrow road in the countryside, connecting villages or farms: We rode our bicycles along pretty country ianes.
track /traek/ [n С] a narrow road, usually without a hard surface, leading to a farm or field: The track was only wide enough for one car. I A dirt track led up to the cottage.
El a road for travelling quickly
motorway brttish free way american /'m3ut9rwei, frirwei/ [п С] a wide road connecting cities and towns, on which cars can travel fast for long distances: The speed limit on motorways is 70 mph. I We headed east on the Pasadena freeway.
Д When talking about motorways, people say 'the МГ, 'the M62' etc: Take the MA to Swindon. 1 heavy traffic on the M6
highway /'haiwei/ [n C] AMERICAN a wide
fast road that connects cities and towns: / got onto the highway and drove as fast as I could.
Highway 61/70 «tc There's a rest stop somewhere on Highway 61
/reeway/expressway /frkwei, ik-
'spreswei/ (n C] american a wide fast road that takes traffic into and out of a big city: They took the expressway to the airport.
bypass /'baipa:s||-paes/ [n C] British a road that goes around a town, so that people can avoid driving through the town
El an area for people to walk on
path /рагбЦраеЭ/ [n C] a long, narrow piece of ground for people to walk along: A narrow path took us down to the river. I a path through the woods
pavement british sidewalk american
/'peivmsnt, 'saidwDik/ [n C] a path built along the side of a street for people to walk on
/ootpath /Тшра:8||-рж0/ [n C] British a public path for people to walk on in the countryside: They followed the coastal footpath into the village.
trail /tre11 / [n C) american a path in the mountains or in the forest: hiking trails I The trail follows the river most of the woy to Aua/anche Lake.
Ы a place where roads or paths join
junction /'d3Ai]kpn/ [n C] especially British a place where two or more roads cross or join: Kerry slowed down as she approached the junction.
+ of Turn left at the junction of Abbots Road and Church Street.
intersection /'intsr.sekj^n/[n CI especially american a place, especially in a city, where two or more roads cross each other: The accident happened at a busy intersection downtown.
crossroads /'krosraudzll'knxs-/ [n С] а
place where two small roads or streets cross each other: Go straight on at the crossroads.
plural crossroads
RUBBISH
things that you throw away because you do not want them
^ see also get rid of
rubbish /'глbiJ*/ [n U] British all the paper, empty bottles, cans, pieces of food etc that you throw away: The dustmen collect the rubbish on Wednesdays, a rubbish bin (=a container for rubbish) a rubbish dump (=a large open area where people's rubbish is taken after it is collected)
garbage/trash /'ga:rbid3, tneJ7 [n U1
american all the paper, empty bottles, cans, pieces of food etc that you throw away: There were piles of trash in the backyard. I Empty the wastebaskets and take out the garbage, a garbage/trash can <=a container for garbage)
litter /'1пэг/ [n U] empty bottles, packets, and pieces of paper that people have dropped on the street or in a park: You can be fined £100 for dropping litter. litter bin British titter basket american (=a container for people to put litter in)
re/use /'refjuis/ [n U] formal all the things that are regularly thrown away from the houses, shops, factories etc in an area: the weekly refuse collection
waste /weist/ [n U] useless materials which are left over, especially after an industrial process, and which must be thrown away: Too much waste has been dumped into the North Sea. I We've been trying to recycle our household waste.
industrial/toxic/nuclear waste /ndust rial waste had leaked into the water
supply.
RUDE
opposite polite see also friendly/unfriendly.
describing people
not polite, and likely to upset people or make them angry
rude /ru:d/ [adj] someone who is rude upsets or offends people by not following the rules of good social behaviour: He's so rude! I was talking to him and he just walked away! I I heard her making rude remarks about your furniture. be rude to sb My mother doesn 't like my boyfriend because he was rude to her once.
be rude about sth My French friends are always rude about English food, it is rude to do sth It's rude to interrupt people when they are speaking. it is rude o/sb to do sth I thought it was uery rude of her not to answer my letter. rudely [adv} Blair rudely pushed his way to the front of the tine.
impolite/not polite /impaiait, not
рэ'1аit/ [adj] not following the rules of good social behaviour, especially when someone does this without realizing it: I was tired, but I thought it might not be polite to leave so early. I In Senegal it is considered impolite if you do not share your food.
Ж Impolite and not polite are used mostly about things that people do or say, not about people themselves.
someone, or shows in a very rude way that you think they are stupid or unimportant: He kept making insulting remarks
about women drivers. I She talks to me
as if I'm stupid. It's so insulting.
tactless /'taektbs/ [adj] someone who is tactless upsets or embarrasses someone else, without intending to, by mentioning something that it would be better not to talk about: I wanted to know about her divorce, but I thought it would be tactless to ask. I It's so tactless of him to keep complaining about his job when Sam is unemployed. I tact/ess remarks
cheeku /'tfiiki; [adj] BRITISH use this about a child wno says something rude to a parent or teacher: I don't like teaching that
class - the children are all so cheeky. cheeky - cheekier - cheekiest
bad manners /,bsd тжпэrz/ In plurall
someone who has bad manners does not behave politely in social situations, for example by not saying 'please and 'thank
you : Marilyn apologized for her husband's bad manners. it is bad manners to do sth It s bad
manners to talk with your mouth full.
to say or do something rude
Lnsult /in'sAlt/ [v T] to be very rude and unpleasant to someone, either by saying rude things to them or by making them feel stupid or unimportant: Jam's was fired for insulting a customer. I They offered me $20 for a whole day's work - I felt really insulted.
offend /s'fend, [i> T] to make someone angry or upset by doing something that
they think is socially or morally unacceptable: I think I offended Kevin by not inviting him to the party. I Many people are offended by sex scenes on television
offensive /s'fensiv/ [adj] offensive
words, jokes, or actions make people angry, because they show no respect for people's moral or religious beliefs: His racist jokes are really offensive, find sth ojfensive (=think it is offensive) Some uieiuers may find the language in this film offensive.
insulting /in'sAltn]/ [adj] something that you say or do that is insulting criticizes
Swear Iswes1"/ [v I] to deliberately use words that shock people because they are considered to be very rude, especially
words about sex or religion: Don't swear in front of the children. + at The other driver got out of his car and started swearing and shouting at me!
swearing - swore - have sworn
rude things that people say
IAS ult /'insAlt/ [л C] something that someone says to someone else, which is very rude because it criticizes their intelligence, character, or appearance: Outside the bar, a drunk was shouting insults at everyone who came past.
bad language ,baed l^r)^wid3/ [n U]
words that are considered to be very rude, especially words about sex or religion: My mother is coming to stay, so no smoking, no drinking, and no bad language. I There were hundreds of complaints about the bad language in the film.
RULE
STRICT/NOT STRICT
bureaucracy /bju^mkrasill-'ra:-/ [n U) а
complicated official system which is annoying because it takes a long time to do anything and it has a lot of unnecessary rules: It takes ages to get a visa these days - there's so much bureaucracy.
RUN
if you mean 'be in charge of an organization', go to in charge of
WALK_ _
see also
1/ \
HURRY SPORT
to run
OBEY/DISOBEY
rule /ги:1/ (л С often plural] an instruction that says what people are allowed to do or not allowed to do, for example in a game, or in a school or organization: Do you want me to explain the rules of the game? I It says in the rules that every child has to wear school uniform. break a rule (=not obey it) Anyone breaking the rules toil I be punished. I If you put a plural verb with a singular noun, you're breaking a basic rule of grammar. rules and regulations (use this when you think there are too many official mles) Businessmen are tired of all these rules and regulations.
be against the rules (=not be allowed by the rules) Vbu can't smoke in here - it's against the rules.
LAW
LIMIT
see also
must
FORBID
LET
4, \
regulation /'.regj^'leipn/ (n С usually plural J an official rule made by a government or organization, which is part of a set of rules.- recent changes in health and safety regulations I The new regulations are very strict about what you can and cannot bring into the country.
run
He had to run to catch the bus.
run /глп/ [и I] You'll haue to run or you'll rm'ss the bus. I He kept on running until
he was out in the open country.
+ across/through/along/out etc A dog
ran straight out in front of my car. I She ran upstairs and slammed her bedroom door.
run /or the bus/train. (=in order to catch it) Just running for the bus leaves me out of breath.
run away/off (=run fast in order to leave a place) They grabbed her purse and then ran off towards the subtuay. run ajter sb/sth (-chase someone) Her dog was running after a rabbit and did not hear her calling.
running - ran - have run
dash /d*eJ7 [a I] to run very quickly for a short distance, because you have to do something urgently + around/into/across etc He dashed forward and pulled the child away from the road.
dash for st НУ make a das К/or sth (=run quickly towards something) She got up and made a dash for the door.
sprint /sprint/ li; I) to run as fast as you can over a short distance: A man sprinted past, then five seconds later two policemen came running after him.
trot /trot||troit/ \v II to run fairly slowly, taking short steps
trot along/bacfc/ojf Paul walked quickly, with his little dog trotting along behind.
trotting - trotted - have trotted
Ed to run as a sport or for exercise
run /глп/ [и I/T] to run in a race or for exercise: Omar's running the marathon this year.
go running/go for a run (=go out and run
for exercise) I usually go running on Saturday afternoons. run 2 mites/400 metres etc She runs a couple of miles twice a week.
running - ran - have run
runner [n CI someone who runs, especially in a race: a long-distance runner
I started jogging to lose a little weight.
jog /dsDgJdsaig/ [v II to run fairly slowly for a long distance, for exercise, and to keep healthy: / started jogging to lose a little weight.
jog along/down/past etc When I lived in Washington I jogged along the river every morning.
go jogging/go for a jog (=go out and jog) Sharon goes for a jog every evening after work.
jogging - jogged - have jogged
When you see ЦЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
S
SAD
opposite happy ^ see also cry, satisfied/dissatisfied
D feeling sad or unhappy about something
sad /saed/ [adj not usually before noun] not happy, especially because a happy time has ended, or because you feel sorry about someone else's unhappiness: She felt sad as she waved goodbye. I Why is Sandra looking so sad?
sad to see/hear/learn/leave/go etc We
were very sad to hear about your father's death.
+ about 1 was glad to be going home, but sad about leaving all my friends. sad look/expression/voice/face There was such a sad look in her eyes.
sad - sadder - saddest
sadly ladu] She shook her head sadly and sighed.
unhappy /An'haepi/ lad/] not happy, because you are in a situation, job, or relationship that you do not enjoy at all, and it seems likely to continue for a long time: He was very unhappy at school. I Her parents' divorce left her feeling confused and unhappy.
desperately/deeply unhappy (=very
unhappy) I was desperately unhappy after Sean left me.
unhappy - unhappier - unhappiest
unhappily [adu] uWhat a fool I've been," said James, unhappily.
upset /Ap'set/ [adj not before noun] unhappy because something very unpleasant or disappointing has happened, so that you feel shocked or you want to cry: Miss Hurley is too upset to speak to anyone at the moment. 1 The children were very upset when we told them that we wouldn't be going to Disneyland. + about She's still upset about her uncle's death.
depressed /di'prest/ [adj not before nounl very unhappy for a long time, and feeling that your life will never get any better: Her
husband's been very depressed since he lost his job last year. + about Gretta gets depressed about her weight.
Ж Depressed can also be used about someone who is suffering from a serious medical condition in which they feel so unhappy that they cannot lead a normal life.
Creeling sorry for yoursel/ /fiiliq
SDri f3r jD^selfJ-'sairi-/ especially spoken spending all your time thinking about how unlucky you are or how unfairly you have been treated, and not doing anything to improve the situation: You 've got to stop feeling sorry for yourself and try to find
a job.
homesick /'haom.sik/ [ad;] unhappy
because you are a long way from your home, your family, and your friends, and you wish you were back there: My sister was very homesick when she first went to college.
Ea unhappy because someone has been unkind to you
upset /Ap'set/ [adj not before noun) unhappy because someone has been unkind to you, so that you want to cry: She's upset because Dan didn't invite her to his party, get upset (about) It was an awful thing for him to say, but there's no point in getting upset about it. + that She was very upset that Matthew hadn't told her he was leaving.
Kurt jhyJtj [adj not before noun) upset and shocked because someone has been unkind to you, especially someone that you trusted and thought was a friend: Bill felt very hurt when he realized she had lied to him.
deeply hurt (=extremely hurt) Jackson was said to be 'deeply hurt' by the newspaper reports about him.
offended /э'fended/ [adj not before noun] upset and angry because you think someone has treated you rudely or without respect: She'll be offended if you don't thank her for her help. get offended He gets very offended if you criticize his work.
Б] something that makes you feel sad
sad sacd,, [adj usually before nounl use this about a story, piece of music, period of time etc that makes you feel sad sad time/day/moment/occasion. etc The day her son left home was One of the saddest days of her life. sad news/story/song/fUm etc Fairuz sang a sad song that made us all homesick. I I don't like movies with sad endings.
it is sad that It's very sad that she died before her children grew up.
sad - sadder - saddest
unhappy /An'haepi/ [adj] unhappy child-
hood/marriage/year etc a time when you are unhappy because you are in a difficult or unpleasant situation that you do not enjoy at all: Phil was married for three unhappy years. I Looking at that photo always brings back unhappy memories. I an unhappy loue affair unhappy - unhappier - unhappiest
depressing /di'presig/ [adj] a depressing experience, story, place, piece of news etc makes you feel that there is nothing to be happy about and not much hope for the future: What a depressing novel! I It's such a depressing town - there's nothing to do here! I the depressing news that violent crime has increased again
^^ Don't say depressive when you mean depressing, д depressive j$ a person who
gets depressed very easily.
upsetting /Ap'setn]/ [adj] an upsetting
experience or event has a strong emotional effect on you, and makes you want to cry. She can't talk about her son's death - she finds it too upsetting. I Being burgled can be a very upsetting experience.
И to make someone sad
mafce sb sad/make sb unhappy
/,meik (sb) 'saed, meik (sb) An'haspi/ to make someone feel sad, or make them feel unhappy: Something at school was making her unhappy, but she didn't want to talk about it I It made me sad to see her looking so old and ill.
upset /лрset [и T1 if something upsets you. it makes you feel as if you want to cry, especially because someone has been unkind to you or because you have had a very unpleasant experience: I'm sorry if I
upset you - I didn't mean to.
it upsets sb to see/hear/think sth Her
parents got divorced when she was 10. and it still upsets her to think about it.
upsetting - upset - have upset
Kurt /h3:rt,/ [и T] to make someone feel upset by being unkind to them or not thinking enough about their feelings, especially someone who trusts you and thinks you are their friend: I would never do anything to hurt her. hurt sb's /eelings I didn't really like her boyfriend, but I couldn't tell her that - / didn't want to hurt her feelings, it hurts sb to see/hear/learn etc It hurt me to think that Jane had lied to me.
hurting - hurt - have hurt
get sb down /,get (sb) 'daun/ [phrasal verb T] informal if something gets you down, it makes you feel unhappy and tired because it has continued for too long: I know it's a boring job, but don't let it get you down. I The endless rain was beginning to get him down.
В a sad feeling
sadness /'saedni,s/ [n U] a sad feeling, caused especially when a happy time is ending, or when you feel sorry about someone else's unhappiness: Her eyes
were full of sadness.
with (great) sadness I remembered with great sadness all the friends I had left behind.
unhappiness /An'haepinJ,$/ [n U1 the
unhappy feeling you have when you are in a very difficult or unpleasant situation: After years of unhappiness, she finally decided to leave him.
grie/ /gri:f/ [n U] especially written great sadness that you feel when someone that you love has died: He was overcome with grief when his wife died.
depression /di'prej<m/ [n (Jj a mental illness that makes someone feel so unhappy that they have no energy or hope for the future, and they cannot live a normal life severe depression My father had suffered from severe depression for many years.
ш to make someone feel less sad
cheer sb up /,фзг (sb) лр/ [phrasal verb T] to make someone feel happier when they are disappointed or sad about something: She failed her test, so /'m faking
her out to cheer her up.
corrtfort 'kAmtVt/ [и T] to make someone feel less upset by being kind to them and telling them not to worry: Bill stroked her hair gently, trying to comfort her. ' We did our best to comfort him, but he was obuiously very upset.
СДcheer Up ,t/i:r лр/ spoken say this to tell someone to stop feeling disappointed or sad and try to be more cheerful Cheer up, Phil! It's only a game, and you can't win every time.
cut's all right/it's OK /its rait, its
'эокс!/ spoken say this to make someone feel calmer or make them stop crying, when they are very upset and worried about something: It's all right, honey, Гт here now.
SAFE
opposite DANCEROUS
see also risk
II when you are not in
danger
safe seif [adj not before nounj not in danger of being harmed or attacked: Will she be safe in the house on her own? I / feeI safer in London than I do in New York. + from The ants live in underground nests where they are safe from birds and lizards.
safe and sound (=safe and unharmed after being in danger) We're praying that she will come back safe and sound.
safely /'seifli; [adu] without being harmed. Did you get home safely last night? I The pilot managed to tand ihe plane safely
safety 'seifti [n Uj when you are safe from danger, harm, or accidents: I worry about the children's safety if they are late home from school. in safety (=without any danger) From behind о glass screen, we could watch the experiment in complete safety, for your own safety (=in order to make sure you are safe) For your own safety, please do not smoke until you get off the plane.
/!\ Safety is a noun, not an adjective. Use safe (not 'safety') in sentences like this; She's a very safe driver. I We always feel safe here.
be out of danger /bi: ,aot av 'demd^o'
to be safe, after being in danger of dying or of being harmed or attacked: The patient is out of danger; but he's still very weak. I We're not out of danger yet - they're still following us.
В something that will not cause harm
safe seif, [adj] not likely to cause any injury or harm: That bridge doesn 't look uery safe. I a safe driver (-someone who drives carefully and does not cause accidents)
it is safe to do sth Is it safe to swim in the water here?
+ for We want the streets to be safe for our children. safely ladu] The nuclear waste is safely buried in the deepest part of the ocean.
harmless /'ha:rmbs/ [adj] an animal or chemical that is harmless will not harm or injure anyone, even though it may seem dangerous: Our dog makes a lot of noise, but he's perfectly harmless. I Barnes claims that cannabis is a relatively harmless drug.
В when something will not get lost, stolen, or damaged
safe seif [adj| Your money will be safer in the bank.
in a safe place Keep your keys in a safe place.
it is safe to do sth Would it be safer to park my car in the driveway? keep sth safe Leave your necklace with me - I'll keep it safe.
SAFE 640
В a place where someone or something is safe
safety "seifti/ [n U] a place where you are safe from danger: By the time the men reached safety, they were exhausted and half starved,
in/to/from the safety of sth She rushed back to the safety of her own house. carry/lead/take sb to sa/ety The firefighters carried the children to safety
refuge "refju:d3/ [n C/U] a place that you go in order to escape from a dangerous or unpleasant situation
+ /rom The basement provided us with a refuge from the fighting, take refuge (=go somewhere thai is safe) During the flooding, people took refuge in the hills.
seek refuge from sth (=try to find a safe place, to escape from a dangerous situation) Thousands of families came here seeking refuge from the civil war
out of harm's way aot av ,ha:rmz 'wei,
if someone or something is out of harm's way. they are in a place where they cannot be hurt or damaged: Keep all medicines out of harm's way, where children cannot reach them. I She put the glass vases on the top shelf, out of harm's way.
things done to make people and places safer
security /si'kju^ii; In U] things that are
done to make sure that someone does not get attacked or robbed: They need to improve security here - anyone could just walk in.
A
tight security (=very careful security) There is tight security ct the airport and all baggage is being searched.
You can also use security before a noun, like an adjective: Strict security measures were in force during the President's visit. I a security guard (=someone whose job is to protect a person or building).
Sa/ety /'seifti [n U] ways of preventing dangerous accidents: the importance of sa/ety in the workplace road safe ty (=rules and methods for using roads safely) All children should be taught road safety from an early age.
A You can also use safety before a noun, like an adjective: Unless safety standards are improved, there could be a major accident. Read the safety instructions first.
SAME
if you mean 'have the same score as another team', go to sport 10
look here for ...
the same thing or person
similar to another thing or person
see also different, another,
A
the same one
the same idэ seim/ the same place, person, or thing, not a different one: My friend and I went to the same school. I They work in different offices, but they have the same boss.
the same ... as She was born on the same day as me. 1 f toas staying in the same hotel as Bill Clinton. Can you
believe it!
Don't use 'same' on its own. Always sav the same.
Don't say 'the same with' or 'the same like'. Say the same as.
В
exactly like another one
the same /to 'seim/ [adj only before noun] the same as another thing, place, situation etc: They were both wearing the same shoes.
look/sound/taste etc the same The
houses on the street all look the same, just the same/exactly the same (=not different in any way) I tried three different types of wine, but they all tasted just the same to me.
continue 3
The same can be used in two different ways. Compare these sentences: She's so rich, she never wears the same dress twice (=when you are talking about one dress). I I saw someone wearing the same dress as me (-when you are talking about two dresses that look the same).
the same ... as They were doing the same jobs as the men, but being paid less.
do the same We've opened up stores in the UK and we hope to do the same in the rest of Europe.
A
Qit's tke same spoken (=say this when you mean that two or more situations are the same) "We a/ways get up late on Saturdays." "/t's the same in our house."
Don't use 'same' on its own. Always say the same
A
Don't say 'the same like' or 'the same with'. Say the same as
the same height/age/ amount etc
the same /бэ seim/ [adj only before noun] Both stores are charging the same price for CD players. the same height/age etc as Her sister is the same age as me.
exactly the same We're both exactly the same height.
Д^ Don't use 'same' on its own. Always say the same.
Don't say 'the same with' or 'the same like'. Say the same as.
just like/exactly Uke d3Ast laik,
ig,zaektli 'laik/ if someone or something is just like or exactly like someone or something else, there is very little difference between them: Clare looks just like her mother. I This song sounds exactly like that one by The Beatles.
identical /ai'dentital/ [adj] two or more things that are identical are exactly the same in every way: To me the two patterns looked identical. + to The picture is identical to the one in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
C^can't tell the di/jference /.karnt tel
дэ 'diforensl.kaent-/ especially spoken if you can't tell the difference between two things or people, they seem exactly the same to you: The twins were so alike
that I really couldn't tell the difference. + between People who are colour-blind can't tell the difference between red and green.
be no different /rom. sth bi: пэо
'difersnt from (sth)/ use this especially when you expect something or someone to be different from another thing or person, but in fact they are the same: People often think that movie stars are special in some way, but really they're no different from anybody else. I Life on the island is no different from life on the
mainland.
When you see U9, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
be as old/long/strong etc as /bi: qz
(old, etc) 3z/ to be the same age, length etc as someone or something else: At 14, Richard was already as tail as his father.
equal /'iikwal/ [adj] two or more amounts, totals, levels etc that are equal are the same as each other: You should spend an equal amount of time on each question in the test.
+ to A pint is equal to about half a litre.
equally /iikwali/ [adv]
В
equally good!badldifficult etc (=as good, bad etc as something else) Both schools seem equally good, divide/share sth equally (=so that everyone has the same amount) The money was divided equally between their three children.
the same as before
the same /бэ seim/1 hadn't seen John for ages, but he was still just the same. the same as ever School's the same as
ever - too much work and not enough time to do what I really wantl just the same/exactly the same (not changed in any way) We went to the office Christmas party, but it was just the same as last year's.
Qhasn't changed /(haez^nt tjeindsd'
especially spoken if someone or something
hasn't changed, they are the same as they were before, even though you have not seen them for a long time: 1 went back to my old school and it hadn't changed.
always the same
Stay the same /.stei бэ seim/ to continue to be the same and not change: The word 'sheep' doesn't add 's' in the plural - the ending stays the same. I Tamara lived in a government apartment, and the rent stayed the same for five years.
constant 'kDnstsntjl'kcKn-' \adj\ an amount, temperature, speed etc that is constant, stays the same and does not change: The number of deaths from road accidents has remained constant over the last five years. I It is important to store wine at a constant temperature.
Г A ~ ' ~
When you see ИЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
! Ll\ Constant is a more technical way of j saying that something stays the same.
similar to someone or something else
[ike /laik/ [preposition] similar to or almost the same as something or someone else: It has teeth like sharp knives. be Uke The houses here are like the ones in Northern France. I I can't describe the taste - it was like vanilla but not quite.
look/sound/feel etc like It looks like meat and tastes like meat, but it's actually made from vegetable protein. I What lovely material - it feels like velvet.
similar /'sim^tar, 'similsV [adj] if one thing is similar to another, or if two or more things are similar, they are like each other but not exactly the same: We have similar tastes in music. + to The plane is similar to the one that crashed in Nepal. x
simitar in size/appearance/style etc The two dresses were similar in style.
alike /э'1шк/ |adu) if two people are alike,
they look like each other or they have a similar character: My mother and I are very a like.
hasn't changed at alt (also hasn't changed a bit British) He hasn't changed at all - he's still crazy about football.
look alike A lot of couples look alike.
remind you o/sb/sth /rimaindju:
(sb/sth)||-a:v-/ [phrasal verb T) to be similar
to another person, thing, or event, and make you think of them: My brother really reminds me of my father sometimes. I The restaurant reminded her of the ones she used to go to in Paris.
take after sb /'teik а:Лэг (sb)||-aef-/
[phrasal verb T] to be like your mother, father, grandmother etc, because you look like them or you have a similar character, similar abilities etc: Neil takes after his father, I Jennie's good at languages. She takes after her grandmother in that way.
have a lot in common /haev э lot in
'котэп||-,1ап in 'ка:тэп/ if two or more people have a lot in common, they have the same interests, opinions, experiences etc, so they are likely to have a good relationship: You'll like Paul. I think the two of you have a lot in common. + with I had nothing in common with her, and didn't know what to talk about.
ways in which people or things are similar
similarity /,simi'terlti/ [n C/U] a way in
which people, things, or events are similar + between Detectives said there were similarities between the two murders. + with/to The English language has certain similarities with German. striking similarity (=one that is very easy to notice) There are some striking similarities between the two stories. plural similarities
DV
resemblance /rizembbns/ [n C/U) if there is a resemblance between two people or things, they look like each other + between The resemblance between him and Andy was remarkable, bear a strong/striking/close resemblance to formal Hook very like someone or something else) The two paintings bore a striking resemblance to each other.
ENJOY
see also
4 \
COMFORTABLE/ UNCOMFORTABLE
D when you think that
something is good enough
satis/ted /'saet^sfaid/ [adj] how you feel
when you think that something is as good as it should be, for example someone's work or something you buy: I did the whole essay again, but she still wasn't satisfied.
A
+ with His boss seems satisfied with his work. I 95% of passengers say they are satisfied with the bus service.
Don't say 'I'm satisfied of it'. Say I'm satisfied with it
be happy with sth bi: hsepi wi6(sth)/
to be satisfied with a situation, decision, or arrangement: The doctor said he was happy with the way the operation had gone.
be perfectly happy with sth Until now she seemed perfectly happy with the arrangement.
A Be happy with sth js |e$s formal than satisfied and is used especially in spoken English.
satisfactory /.saeUs'faektJrU/ [odjl something that is satisfactory is good enough because it is of a high enough standard or it gives you what you need: You can only take the advanced class if your шогк is of a satisfactory standard 1 I wrote and complained, but I still haven't had a satisfactory answer.
S3 COMPLAINING
HAPPY
* t
COMPLAIN
like/not like
SATISFIED/ DISSATISFIED
pleased /piuzd,' [adjl how you feel when you think something is very good and you feel very satisfied with it: Were you pleased when you saw the results?
when you have what
you want in your life, your job etc
satis/ied/happy /'saeUsfaid, haepi/ \adj
not before noun) happy because you have what you want and you do not want anything more or anything different + with I'd be quite happy with a part- time job, so long os the money's OK. I / don't really want a bigger house - I'm satisfied with what I have. keep sb satisjied/happy They have to make bigger and bigger pro/its to keep the bosses happy.
Happy is more common in spoken English than satisfied.
content /кэп tent/ [adj not before noun| happy and satisfied with everything in your life, so that you do not want to change anything
+ with Although Lawrence was poor, he was basically content with life. content to do sth At present he seems content to just sit at home and watch
TV.
the feeling you have when you are satisfied
satis/action /^Usfaekpn/ In U) the
В
feeling of being satisfied, especially because you have achieved something good or useful: She finished her essay, and read it through with satisfaction, get satisfaction from sth He enjoys coaching the hockey team, and gets a lot of satisfaction from it. express satisfaction formal (=say you are satisfied) Most users have expressed satisfaction with the new system.
not satisified
not satis/ied/dissatis/ied /not saet^s-
+ with Tom's teacher was pleased with his progress, and gave him an 'A' on hrs report card. I "How's your new car?" It's great - I'm really pleased with it."
fa/d, d/'s^sfaid/ how you feel when something is not as good as you want it to be or expect it to be: Eliott won the race, but said that he wasn't entirely satisfied - "I toas hoping to beat the world record
Dissatisfied is more formal than not satisfied
not be happy with sth nDt bi: haspi
В
wid (sth); to feel dissatisfied or disappointed because something has not been done well enough, or because you have not achieved what you wanted: The director wasn't happy with her performance, and they had to shoot the scene again.
the feeling you have when you are not satisfied
dissatis/action /di.saet^sfaekpn the
feeling you have when you are not satisfied: Teaching standards are low and there is widespread dissatisfaction among the students. + with Opinion polls show increasing dissatisfaction with the way the country is being governed.
SAVE
look here for ... to save money
to save someone from a dangerous situation
to keep something so that you can
use it later see also spend, money, banks
to save money
save /seiv/ [u I/T! to gradually collect money by not spending all the money you have, especially when you regularly put some of it in a bank: I find it really difficult to save - I just spend everything I get.
save money/Ј500/$400 etc He's managed to save $800 so far. I I try to save a little money each month. + for She starts saving for Christmas in the middle ofJulyl
A
save up /.seiv лр I [phrasal verb I/T] to save money in order to buy something or do something special: I'm trying to save up enough money to buy a computer.
save up to do sth We're saving up to go to the Caribbean next year + for If you want a new bike, you'll have to save up for it.
savings /'seivigz/ [n plural] the money that you have saved: I'm paying for my Spanish classes out of my savings life savings (=all the money you have saved in your life) My parents spent their life savings on a retirement home in Florida.
to save someone from danger or from an unpleasant situation
see also иве, accident
save /seiv/ [и T] if you save someone, you stop them from being killed or badly hurt: He a/most fell off the cliff, but she put out her arm and saved him. save sb from sth His cycling helmet saved him from serious injury, save sb from doing sth A lifeguard dived into the pool and saved her from drowning.
save sb's life Wearing a seat belt can save your life.
rescue /'reskjus/ [и T] if you rescue
someone, you take them away from a dangerous situation, so that they do not get killed or badly hurt: Paramedics and firefighters worked for two hours to rescue people who were trapped in the bus. rescue sb from sth The couple were rescued from the burning building by neighbours.
rescue/come to the rescue /reskju:,
клгп to дэ 'reskju:/ if you rescue someone or come to the rescue, you help them when they are in a difficult or unpleasant situation: Luckily. Sally came to the rescue and lent us her car. I I was stuck talking to Mrs Roberts until Mum rescued me. come to sb's rescue I couldn't remember the man's name. Fortunately Maria came to my rescue.
to save something to use later
SATISFIED/DISSATISFIED 644
+ with The teacher told James that she wasn't satisfied with his work. I Paul had become increasingly dissatisfied with his job and his marriage.
save/keep /seiv, ki:p/ [v T) to keep something and not use it now, so that you can use it later: Saue some of the cheese to sprinkle on top of the dish.
save/keep sth for sth He got out the bot- tle of champagne that he'd been saving for this occasion.
save/keep sth for later We can keep the rest of the food for later. keeping - kept - have kept
SAY
SPEAK
Ш
TALK A EXPLAIN
ADVISE
see
ASK
D
also
CWTKIZE
мзтх^ ^ТНМЁАТНЧ SHOOT
Д Don't confuse «У, ^IK, and speak. yousay words to someone. You tell someone facts or information about something. You talk to someone about a subject. You speak (=you say words) or you speak a language.
to say something
/sei/ [u I/T] to say something using spoken or written words: 7 must be going," she said. I "Where's Pam going?" UI don't know. She didn't soy." + (that) James wrote to the bank and said we needed a loan. \ It says in today's paper that gas prices are going up again.
say what/where/why etc The doctor
didn't say how long the operation would take.
f
ярр
say hello/sorry/yes etc (to sb) Lauren came over to say goodbye to us. I / asked Dad if he'd lend me some money, but he said no.
Don't say 'say someone that ...'. Say say that ... ortelf someone that ...; She
said that she was going home. I She told me that she was going home.
A
Use say (not 'tell') when you are reporting someone's actual words: Т/т? going home," she said
say sth to sb What did you say to her? saying - said - have said
A
tell /tel/ [v T) to give someone information, using spoken or written words tell sb (that) Rosie told me that she might be late.
tell sb sth He refused to tell me his name.
tell sb who/what/where etc There are signs telling you where the exits are. tell sb about sth Sit doum anc/ tell me all about it.
telling - told - have told
point OUt /point 'aot/ [р/irasa/ verb T] to tell someone something that they had not noticed or had not thought about: As Sharon pointed out, the story was rather hard to believe.
point out sth an article pointing out the similarities between the Watergate scandal and the problems that Clinton has
now
+ that It's worth pointing out that very few people ever die of this disease.
mention /'menj>n/ [t> T) to talk about
someone or something, but without giving details or saying very much about them: He mentioned something about a party, but he didn't say when it was. \ When I mentioned her name, he looked embarrassed.
+ (that) / forgot to mention that I won't be in tomorrow.
Don't say 'mention about something'. Say mention something.
add /aed/ \v T) to say something more, after what has already been said or written- Is there anything you'd like to add, Peter? I "Finally," she added, ul would like to thank my family for their support." + that I should add that I do not agree with Dr Mitchell.
put it /'pot Ш to express an idea in a par ticular way, choosing your words carefully to explain what you mean simply and clearly.- If you don't understand. П1 try and put it another way. Qput it this way spoken (use this when you are trying to say something in the clearest possible way) Put it this way: if we don't make a profit, we're out of a job.
express /ik'spres/ [и T] to let someone
know your feelings, by putting them into words
express concern/satis/action/annoyance/ sympathy etc (=say that you are worried.
satisfied etc) Ollie found it hard to express his feelings about the war. I Parents have expressed concern about the amount of violence in some children's shows. express yoursel/ (=make people understand what you are thinking or feeling) Young children often find it difficult to express themselves in words.
EJ publicly or officially
say sei/ [u T] to say something publicly or officially, using spoken or written words + (that) The President said he had no intention of resigning. I The sports club rules say that sports shoes must be worn in the gym at all times. say what/how/who/when etc Did they say who will take over as Chairman? saying - said - have said
announce /a'naons/ [u T] to officially tell
people what has happened or what will happen, in a written or spoken public statement: The company announced
profits of $400 million. + (that) The Prime Minister has just announced there is to be a General Election next month.
State /steit/ [и T] formal to say something publicly or officially in clear, definite language
+ that The law states that you are innocent until proved guilty. I Justice Cohen stated clearly that no further action would be taken.
confirm /кэпТз:гт/ [и T] if you confirm something that other people have already said is true, you say publicly that it is definitely true: Mr Eastwood reh to confirm or deny the rumour. + that Police have confirmed that they are questioning a woman about the disappearance of baby Kelly Truman.
make a statement /(meik э steitmant
I 1 J
SAY
say or write something publicly in order to tell people what you intend to do, what your opinion is etc - use this about politicians, business leaders, and other important people: The President is expected to make a statement on the crisis later this afternoon.
El quietly or undearly
whisper ;,wisp37 (и T] to say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice: "Don't wake the baby," whispered Cecilia. I Fran leant over and whispered something in her sister's ear.
mutter /mAt3r [i> T] to say something quietly, especially when you are annoyed but do not want someone else to hear you complaining: 'Why do I have to do al! the work?" she muttered. I Grant went out, muttering something about having to see a client.
mumble 'тлтЬс?1/ [и Tj to say something quietly without pronouncing the words clearly, so that it is difficult to understand: He mumbled something I didn't hear. I Kaye could only mumble an apology.
EJ in an indirect way
imply /im'plai/ I и T] to say one thing which seems to show that another thing is true, but without saying the other thing directly + (that) Michael did imply that I could have the job if I wanted it. I The article implied that unemployed people are lazy and do not want to work.
implying - implied - have implied
suggest /sa'dsestllsag-/ [v T] to say something in an indirect way, especially something bad that you prefer not to say directly: What are you suggesting? Do you think I'm a thief? + (that) His letter seemed to suggest
that he wasn't satisfied with my work.
hint /hint/ [и I A] to say something in a
very indirect way, but so that other people can guess what you really mean + (that) Harry hinted that his friendship with Mona might have contributed to his marriage break-up.
+ at The President hinted at the possibility of military action. Hint (n CI something that you say in a very indirect way, but so that other people can guess what you really mean drop a hint (=say something very indirectly) He kept dropping hints about what he wanted for Christmas.
646
When you see HI, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
В to say that something is definitely true or not true
claim /kleim/ [u Tj to say that something is true, even though it has not been proved and people may not believe it + (that) Martin clcimed that he was with friends at the time of his wife's murder claim to be/do sth Doctors claim to have discovered a cure for the disease.
swear /swc3r {и T] to promise very seriously that something is definitely true swear (that) Vic swears he saw a ghost standing at the end of his bed. I Una swore that she hadn't stolen the money. swearing - swore - have sworn
deny /di'nai/ [o Tj to say that you have not done something bad that people say you have done: Bow lam denies all charges of selling drugs to children,
+ (that) Gallagher denies that he copied the tune from an old Beatles song, deny doing sth Joanna denied ever having lied to me.
flatly/categorically deny |=deny very strongly) Leeman categorically denied any involvement in the robbery.
denying - denied - have denied
Don't confuse deny (=say you have not done something) and refuse (=say you will not do something): He denied that he had given her the gun. I He refused to give her the gun.
LMSiSt /insist/ \v T] to keep saying that something is true, especially when a lot of
people say it is not true + (that) Barker insisted that he was the legal owner of the car. I Miller insisted he had never had an affcir with the actress.
to say that someone has done something bad or illegal
accuse /a'kjuiz/ [и T) to say or write that
someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad
accuse sb of doing sth Are you accusing me of cheating?
accuse sb of sth The article accused the company of sex discrimination.
accusation /.aekjSJ'zeipn/ [л С J a statement saying that someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad make an accusation You can't go around making accusations without proof.
+ of There have been accusations of racism in the Los Angeles police department.
+ against The accusations against Dr Jones were found to be false.
allege /э'Ыз [и T] to say publicly that someone has done something bad or illegal, even though this has not been proved + (that) Mrs Taylor alleges that she lost her job because she was pregnant, be alleged to have done sth He was alleged to have planted a bomb in the parliament building. the alleged murderer/rapist/attacker etc (=the person someone alleges is a murderer etc) The alleged terrorists are in the custody of the German police.
A Allege is used especially in newspapers ard news reports.
allegation i^Wgeij^n/ \n С usually plural] a public statement saying that someone has done something bad or illegal, but giving no proof
make an allegation He has made some serious allegations concerning the company's financial dealings. + of There were allegations of corruption in the police department. + about allegations about the senator s private life
+ that The newspaper printed allegations that politicians had been accepting bribes.
deny an allegation (=say it is false) Weimar denied allegations of financial mismanagement.
Qsay /sei [и T] especially spoken to say or write that someone has done something bad or illegal
to say something again
repeat /ri'piit/ (u T] to say something again, for example because someone did
+ (that) Are you saying I'm a liar? I His ex-wife says that he used to beat her. saying - said - have said
not hear you or understand you: Could you please repeat the question? + tKat She repeated that anyone who really needed help would get it. repeat у о arse I/ (=say something again, without realizing it) Have I told you this
before? Please stop me if I'm repeating
myself.
Qsay sth again /,sei (sth) 3'gen/ especially spoken to say something again, either because someone did not hear you or because you want to emphasize it: Sorry, would you say that again? I I've said it before and I'll say it again; I never trusted that man.
how you ask someone to say something again
Qsorry?/pardon? (also excuse me
american) /'son, pa:Tdn, ik'skjuiz mi:|l'sa:ri, 'so:ri/ spoken say this when you want to ask someone politely to repeat what they just said because you did not hear it: "It s hot today, isn't it?" "Pardon?"
A
Qwhat?/what did you say?/wot, (wot did ju: 'sei/ spoken informal say this when you did not hear what someone said, or when you are surprised by what they said: "Are you going to the bar?" "What? Oh, yes, I suppose so." I "Oh shut up!" "What did you say?"
Some people think it is rude to say what?or what did you say?
В to say something that
someone else has said
quote /kwsut/ [u I/T] to repeat exactly something that someone else has said or written, especially someone famous: He was always quoting clever sayings from Oscar Wilde's plays.
+ /rom Let me quote from the report: "6000 children die each day from curable diseases." I Phil can quote from
any Shakespeare play you mention.
quotation/kw3t}'teij>n/ |n С} a sentence or phrase from a book, poem etc. which you repeat because it is interesting or funny, or because it supports what you are saying
+ /rom Spencer began his speech with a quotation from Karl Marx.
ES to say what will happen in the future
predict /pri'dikt/ [u T] to say what you
think will happen in the future: Most of the papers are predicting an easy victory for the Dallas Cowboys. I a major earthquake that no-one had predicted + that Some experts predict that the Earth's temperatures will rise by as much as 5° over the next 20 years.
prediction /pri'dikj^n/ [n С] a statement saying what you think will happen in the future: Despite their confident predictions, sales of the new car have not been very good.
make a prediction It's too early to make any predictions about the election results.
forecast /'foirka:st||-kaest/ \v T] to publicly say what will happen in the future with the weather or with the economic or political situation, especially when you have special or technical knowledge: UK politicians are forecasting a big improvement in employment opportunities, forecast rain//ine weather/snow etc Rain is forecast for all parts of southern England tomorrow.
+ that Hardly anyone had forecast that the drought would last so long.
forecasting - forecast or forecasted - have forecast or have forecasted
forecast /'farkastl-k<est/ [л С] a public
statement saying what is likely to happen with the weather or with the economic or political situation, based on special or technical knowledge
the weather forecast (=a statement in a
newspaper, or on the TV or radio, saying what the weather will be like during the next few days) According to the weather forecast, it's going to stay hot for the rest of the week.
give/make a forecast It is impossible to give an accurate forecast of company sales 10 years from now.
n
something that someone says
remark n'ma:rk/ [n C] something that you say, for example an opinion or something you have noticed: I ignored his rude remarks about my clothes.
make a remark (=say something) Mr Hill sat down and made a few remarks about the weather.
comment /'котетЦ'ко:- [n C/U| something that you say or write, especially to
give an opinion or explanation: OK, that's what we are suggesting - does anyone have any comments9 + о о/a bout She had written some useful comments on my essay.
make a comment We were discussing
her new movie, and Jill made some interesting comments about it. Qno comment spoken (=used by politicians, business leaders etc when they do not want to publicly answer a question) "What is your view of the affair, Prime Minister?" "No comment."
Qthing to say /вщ to set especially
spoken a strange/stupid/horrible etc thing to say a remark that is strange, stupid etc What an awful thing to say about your mother! t / said I was crazy about her. J know it was a silly thing to say.
point /point;' [n C] something that you say. which people had not thought about or discussed until you mentioned it: That's a good point, and we should take it into consideration.
make a point (=say something in a discussion. which people had not thought of before) In his speech, Marks made the point that far more people died from smoking tobacco than from taking drugs.
announcement ^'naonsmant/ [n CI a
public or official statement telling people what has happened or what will happen: The announcement was heard by millions of radio listeners this morning. + o//about I read the announcement of her death in today's newspaper. make an announcement Si/ence, please. Mr Bennett is about to make an announcement.
Statement 'steitmant/ [n C] something that someone says or writes publicly in
order to tell people what they intend to do. what their opinion is etc: In a state ment. the BBC admitted that it had given incorrect information. make a statement (=say something publicly) The President will make a statement to the press this afternoon.
IВ what people say about something
according to /3'ko:rdii] tu;/ use this to tell someone what someone else has said or
written
according to Johnjmy sister/the newspaper etc According to the paper, 20 people died in the fire. I Rob's go/ a new girlfriend, according to Janine.
Qthey say/people say /Oei seu
pi:pc?l sci spoken use this to say what a lot of people believe and are talking about + (that) They say her husband's in prison.
so they say (=when you are not sure whether something is true) The test isn 't
difficult, or so they say.
О apparently /э'раегэтН/ [adu] spoken
use this to say what you have read or been told, although you do not know about it yourself: It's going to be hot this weekend, apparently. I Apparently, Jim's a really good tennis player.
rumour British rumor american /ги;тэг jn C/U) a story that is passed from one person to another among a lot of people, and which may or may not be true + about Have you heard the rumor about him and his secretary? + that There are rumors that the band may be splitting up.
spread a rumour (=tell other people а rumour) Someone's been spreading nasty rumours about me.
gossip . gDs^pf'ga:-/ [n U] things people tell each other about other people's private lives, which may or may not be true: I got back from my vacation eager to hear all the latest gossip.
A Don't say 'gossips'. Just say gossip
ltd not saying anything
^ see also quiet
silent /'sa/tanf [adj] especially written not
speaking: She was silent for a moment
as she tried to think.
fall silent (^become silent) The crowd
fell silent as the President stood up to
speak.
SECRET
when only a few people know about something, and they do not
tell anyone else
see also private, tell, hide
information/plans/ places/meetings
secret /'si:kri>t/ [adj] if something is secret,
not many people know about it, and they agree not to tell anyone else about it: The tunnel had a secret entrance, which only the children knew about. I The decision was made at a secret meeting yesterday. top secret {=when an official document is
very secret) I tuas allowed to see top
secret plans for a new fighter plane.
secretly [ado] without anyone else knowing: They were secretly married last week.
secret /'sirkr^t/ [n C] something that you do not want other people to know about: Her exact age remained a secret
Qbe a secret especially spoken Don't tell
anyone. It's a secret. I The recipe is a family secret.
tell sb a secret П! tell you a secret if you promise not to tell anyone else. state secret ^information that a government keeps secret from other countries) Burgess was accused of giving away state secrets to the enemy.
When you see ИИ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
confidential /.konfJ/denpHkain-,/ [odj]
confidential information is known only by a few official people, and must not be told to anyone else, for example because it contains military secrets or private details about people: We can't give out
confidential information about our patients. 1 confidential records on each employee
highly confidential (=very confidential) This is a highly confidential matter - can she be trusted? confidentially [adu] Wyatt had been told confidentially that the President planned to invade Grenada.
in secret m 'sixkr^t/ if you do something in secret, you do it secretly, especially because other people do not want you to do it: They planned the attack in secret. I Church services were held in secret, because they were not officially allowed.
in private /m praiv^t/ if you talk to someone or discuss something in private, you do it where other people cannot see you or hear you: I'd like to talk to you in private. I The judge heard the case in private.
undercover >nd9r'kAvarW [adj only before noun] working secretly - use this about the activities of the police, the army
etc
undercover agent/detective/police ojjicer
The bomb was found by an undercover detective.
undercover operation/investigation Six
members of a drug-smuggling gang were arrested after an 18-month undercover police operation.
thoughts/feelings
secret /'siikr^t/ [adj] secret thoughts and feelings are ones that you do not tell anyone else about: Her secret ambition was to be a dancer. I He kept a secretdiary for fifteen years. secretly [adv] He was secretly ashamed of his family.
private / praiv^t/ [adj] private thoughts
SECRET 650
Ql didn't know what to say ai
didnt пэо wdI te "sei/ spoken say this when you are suddenly surprised or embarrassed about something, and you cannot think of
anything suitable to say: I didn't know what to say. It was such a wonderful present,
speechless 'spiitjbs/ [adj not before noun] unable to say anything because you are very angry, surprised, or upset: Anna lugs speechless. She had never seen such luxury before.
speechless with anger/rage/horror etc
Laura stared at him, absolutely speech less with rage.
and feelings are about you, your family, and your friends, and you do not think other people should know about them; She used to write down all her most private thoughts in a book that she kept under the bed. 1 I don t want to discuss it with you - it's private.
В to not tell other people about a secret
riot tell sb not tel (sb) to not tell someone about something: / didn't tell my parents in case they got worried. + about Vinny didn't tell the police about his visit to Mahoney s apartment. + (tKat) She didn't tell anyone she was leaving.
keep sth. secret ki:p (sth) siik^t to not
tell other people something, because you want it to remain a secret: They wanted to keep their relationship secret for as long as possible.
+ /rom Many of the president's actions were kept secret from the world until after his death.
keep sth /rom sb /"ki:p (sth) from (sb)/
[phrasa/ verb T] to deliberately not tell someone about something, especially because you think they would be upset if they knew the truth: Edward never told anyone about his illness. He even tried to keep it from his wife.
keep quiet /ki:p к waist,, informal to deliberately not talk about something in public, especially something you are ashamed or embarrassed about + about He paid his secretary to keep quiet about their affair. keep sth quiet (=keep something secret) Let's try to keep it quiet until we've talked to Steve.
SEE
if you mean 'see someone doing something wrong', go to catch a
see also watch, look at, notice
Don't confuse see, watch, and look at. When you see something, you notice it with your eyes, either deliberately or accidentally: I saw an accident on my way to school today. You watch things like films, sports games, or other situations where there is action and movement: Dad was watching a basketball game on TV. When you look at people, scenery, pictures, and other things that are not moving, you deliberately pay attention to them: Look at this old picture of Sally!
to see someone or something
see si:/ [и T] 1 saw your brother in town this morning. I Have you seen my pen anywhere? I If you see either of these men, inform the police immediately. see sb doing sth I saw Matt coming out of the cinema with Jane, see sb do sth Did you see Jim leave? see who/what/where It was too dark for her to see who the woman was. can see sb/sth Shh! I can see someone moving in the bushes.
seeing - saw - have seen
In the present tense, it is more usual to say I can see, she can see etc, than to say 'I see', 'she sees' etc, or 'I am seeing', 'she is seeing' etc.
She was blindfolded so she couldn't see.
She enjoyed looking at her friend's photographs.
see
He was watching television.
SEE
catch sight o//catch a glimpse of
kaetj salt dv, ksetj з 'glimps ov especially written to see someone or something for only a second, and not very clearly: Rick caught sight of the driver's face as the car raced past. I Lynn caught a brief glimpse of herself in the mirror.
spot /spDt||spa:l/ [и T] to suddenly see someone or something that you have been looking for, or something interesting or unusual: Yates uras spotted by police as he drove through the centre of Manchester. I I was just browsing through the job adverts when I spotted it.
spotting - spotted - have spotted
witness '"witnjjS/ [f T] to see something happen, especially an accident, a crime, or an important event: Police are appealing for information from anyone who witnessed the attack. I The crash was witnessed by millions of viewers who were watching the race on TV.
A
Witness is a more formal or official word than see, and is not usually used in normal conversation,
make oat /,meik aot' {phrasal verb T] to see someone or something, but only with difficulty
make out sth It was dark, and Patrick could just make out the shape of a woman in front of him. make out what/where/who ft was difficult to make out where the rocks ended and the sea began.
Make out is used especially in stories or descriptions of events.
El something that you see
sight
,/sait/ [n C] something that you see: Sunrise ouer the Himalayas is a magnificent sight.
the sight of sth (=when you see something) I can't stand the sight of blood, a familiar sight (=something that you often see) Homeless kids are now a familiar sight on London's streets. the sights (=the interesting things for
652
view /vju:/ [n C] the whole area that you see from somewhere, for example when you look out of a window or down from a hill and see a beautiful place get/have a view (=be able to see all of it) She had a great view from her window across the park.
+ оfa view of the surrounding countryside
scene siirv [n С often plural] what you see in a place, especially when you are describing a place where something unusual or shocking is happening: Reporters described the horrific scenes which followed the bombing, scenes of с on/us ion/sujFfering/viole rice etc There are scenes of confusion here as refugees pour out of the city.
El when something can be seen
visible viz'M \adj] if something is visible, it can be seen: I examined the animal, but there were no visible signs of injury.
clearly visible The bullet-marks are still clearly visible in the walls.
in sight /in 'sait, if someone or something is in sight, you can see them from where you are: The only building in sight was a small wooden cabin. I Meredith looked around - there was no-one in sight.
show //эо [и I] if something shows, people can see it, especially when you do not want them to: Don't worry about that mark - it won't show. I The baby's head was just showing from under the blanket.
showing - showed - have shown
appear /э'р1эг; [v l\ if someone or something appears, you begin to see them or you suddenly see them + at/in/on etc At that moment, Kenny appeared in the doorway. + from behind/under A man suddenly appeared from behind the bushes.
in front of sb in Гглт nv (sb)/ if something happens in front of someone, it happens where they can see it, especially when it is something shocking or unpleasant: The man was shot in front of his wife and three children.
tourists to see in a place) Klaus took me around Munich and showed me the sights.
right en/rout of sb (use this to emphasize how shocking something is) He lit up a cigarette right in front of the head teacher!
come into view \клт inta vju; written if someone or something comes into view, you start to see them as you get nearer to them or as they come closer: As we turned the corner, the house came into view.
A Come into view is used especially in stories and written descriptions.
when something cannot be seen
invisible /m'vizih?!/ [adj] if something is invisible, it cannot be seen: The gas is invisible but highly dangerous.
OLlt of sight /,aot av salt/ if someone or something is out of sight, you cannot see them because they are too far away, or because they are behind something else: Jim waited until his parents' car u;as out of sight and then left the house.
someone who cannot see
blind /blaind; [ad>] someone who is blind cannot see at all: Blake is now over 90, and almost blind.
go blind (=become blind) Helena went blind at the age of 30. the blind (=people who are blind) a radio programme specially for the blind
a the ability to see
sight /sait/ [n U] the ability to see: There are five senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.
lose your sight (=become unable to see) He lost his sight in an accident.
eyesight / aisait/ |n U] the ability to see -
use this to talk about how well or badly
someone can see: My eyesight's got a fot luorse ouer the /ast few years. I William has perfect eyesight.
can see кэп si:/ if you can see, you are able to see things, especially after you have been unable to: Thanks to a new
operation, Ann can see for the first time in her life, i Turn the light on so we can
see!
something that you can see through
clear /kli3r/ [adj] if water, air, or glass is clear, you can easily see through it: The lake was so clear that you could see the plants on the bottom. I On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji from Tokyo.
В
transparent /trsen'spaerant/ [adj] use this about objects or materials that you can see through, especially things made of plastic: The box has a transparent plastic lid so you can see what's inside.
see-through / si: Эгш/ [adj usually before noun] see-through clothes are made of thin material that you can see through: a see-through blouse
things that help you to
blind [и T often passive] to make someone unable to see, either for a short time or permanently: As I came out of the tunnel, I was blinded by the sun. I A riding accident left her blinded in one eye. (=she can still see with the other one)
Qcan't See /,ka:nt 'si:||(kffnt-/ especially spoken if you can't see, you are unable to see things, either because there is something wrong with your eyesight, or because something is preventing you seeing clearly: My mother can't see very well. I When I woke up, I found I couldn't see.
glasses gia:s^zlgiic-/(also spectacles
formal) [n plural] something that you wear in front of your eyes in order to see more clearly, consisting of two pieces of glass in a frame
spectacles spektak^lz [n plural] lormal
glasses
sunglasses 'sAngla^/H-.gla;-/ [n plural]
dark glasses that you wear to protect your eyes when the sun is very bright
contact lenses konuekt ,lenzJ,z||'ka:n-
(n plural] two small round pieces of plastic that you wear on the surface of your eyes in order to see more clearly
telescope /'tel^sk^op/ [л С] a piece of
equipment like a tube that you look through in order to see things that are very far away
microscope maikrosk^op [n C] a piece
of scientific equipment that you look through in order to see extremely small things
SEEM
see also show s
to seem
seem siam [v\ if someone or something seems to be happy, dishonest, true etc, that is what you think they are, even though you are not completely certain
seem niee/worried/honest/un/air etc
She seemed happy at her new school. sth seems s t rang e/un/ai г/import ant etc
(to sb) The whole situation seems very strange to me.
seem to be/do sth Lack of money seems to be the main problem. I At first the crowd didn't seem to notice him. it seems (that)/it seems to sb (that) (use this to say what you think about a situation) It seems that someone forgot to lock the door. I It seemed to Jim that Amy was worried about something. Qseem like sth especially spoken (=seern to be) Kevin seems like a nice guy. there seems to be There seems to be something wrong with the TV. it seems as if There were so many delays - it seemed as if we would never get home.
it seems likely/possible/probable (that)
SEEM
It seems likely that they will release the hostages soon.
it appears that It appeared that no-one was at home.
look lok, M if someone or something looks good, bad, tired etc. that is how they seem to you when you look at them look good/happy/tired etc That book looks interesting. I Warren looked tired after his long drive.
look like sth The burglar was ho/ding what looked like a shotgun. look as if You look as if you haven't slept all night.
it looks as i/ {use this to say how a situation seems to you) It looks as if we are going to need more help.
Don't say 'she looked like excited'. Say she looked excited
sound saund/ [u] if someone or something sounds good, bad, strange, angry etc, that is how they seem to you when you hear about them or read about them sound good/bad/awful/angry etc Istanbul sounds really exciting. I He sounds a pretty strange person. sound like sth Serge s idea for a party sounded like fun.
it sounds (to me) as if (use this to say how a situation seems to you when you hear about it) It sounds to me as if he needs to see a doctor.
Strike sb as sth /'straik (sb) sz (sth)
654
[phrasal verb T] if a person or situation strikes you as strange, interesting, unusual etc, this is your opinion of how they seem: What strikes me as odd is the fact that she didn't report the burglary to the police. I Clare didn't strike me as the type who would want to be a teacher. strike sb as being/having He never struck me as being very interested in politics.
Don't say 'she is seeming', or 'it was seeming' etc. Say she seems, it seemed etc.
appear p'pi9r [и] formal to seem
appear to be/appear to do sth The com
pany appears to be making a profit at last. 1 My father appeared to be in good health.
A
appear calm/rude/angry etc It's difficult to ask someone their age without appearing rude.
when a feeling or situation seems to be real
apparent /э'раегэт [adj only before
noun] apparent abilities, feelings, or attitudes seem to be real, but you cannot be sure if they are real: She was upset by her
father-in-law's apparent dislike of her. I What shocked me was the parents' apparent lack of interest in their child.
apparently operandi \adv] He walked away from the crash, apparently unhurt.
BUSINESS
on the SUlJace on rt? snrf?s if a person, place, or situation is pleasant, normal, calm etc on the surface, they seem that way until you know them better: On the surface, life seemed normal in Beirut at that time. I Mike was very plecsant on the surface, but he had a nasty temper.
SELL
EXPENSIVE
Ч /V
BUY
SHOP
^COST
see
also
% . ^ MONEY
4 \
the way something seems
appearance эр^гэш (n C/U 1 if someone or something has the appearance of being a particular kind of person or thing, they seem to be like that, but in tact they may not be
give the appearance of (=seem like) Karen gives the appearance of being confident, but she isn't really. to all appearances Ht seems to everyone) To all appearances, Ken and Gina were a happily married couple.
impression /im'prepn/ [n C] your
impression of someone or something is the way they seem to you + of Whcrt's your impress/on of Frank as a boss?
get the impression (that) (=think something is a fact, because it seems true) We got the impression that Sally wasn 't very pleased to see us. I For some reason she got the impression that you didn't like her.
give sb the impression that (=make
people believe something, by making it appear to be true) In her book, she gives the impression that she was a close friend of the Prince, but in fact she only met him twice..
Don't say 'what's your impression
about him?' Say what's your impression of him?
When you see НЯgo to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
first impression (=how someone or something seems to you the first time you see them) My first impression of England was of a grey and rainy place.
A
ADVERTISING
D to sell something
sell sel [v T\ to give something to someone in exchange for money: Tom s thinking of selling his motorcycle and buying a new one. I Postcards and souvenirs were being sold outside the cathedral. sell sb sth The woman who sold us the apartment went to live in Florida. sell sth to sb It is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under the age of 18. I The picture was sold to an art gallery in Philadelphia.
sell sth for Ј250/$50 etc I managed to sell my old car for £2000. selling - sold - have sold
export /ik'spo;rt/ [v T) if a country or company exports its products, it sends them to another country in order to sell them: Japanese companies export televisions and hi-fi systems all over the world, export sth to sb In 1986 they exported 210,000 cases of wine to the UK. exporter [n CJ Saudi Arabia is one of the world's leading exporters of oil.
deal in sth /'di:l in (sth)/ [phrasal verb
T] to buy and sell products for business purposes, but usually not in a shop - use this especially about valuable things like paintings or gold, about farm products, or about stolen or illegal goods: a wholesale commodity firm dealing in cotton and corn I Slater had made a good living by dealing in stolen car radios.
bring out Sth /,Ьщ 'aut (sth)/ [phrasal
verb T] if a company brings out a new
CHEAP
product, they produce it and make it available for people to buy: Microsoft has just brought out a new edition of its multimedia encyclopedia. I We're bringing out a new sports car early next year.
available for people to buy
for sate /fV 'sell/ if something is for sale, the person who owns it wants to sell it: There are several houses for sale in our street. I There was a notice in the window. "For Sale. Black and White Kittens".
ОП sale /on seil/ if a product is on sale, you can buy it in the shops: These cameras are on sale in most electrical stores, go on. sale (=begin to be available) The new model Toyota goes on sale next month.
on the market /on дэ 'ma:rkJ,t/ goods
that are on the market are available for people to buy - use this especially when comparing products of the same general type: It's on'e of the cheapest computers on the market. I There are so many different shampoos on the market that it's hard to know which one to buy.
A Don't say 'in the market'. Say on the market
El someone who sells
something
sales assistant (also shop assistant British sales cleric american)
/'seilz 3,sist?nt, Jop a.sisDnt, seilz kla:k| Ja:p-, -,kb:rk/ |n C] someone who deals with customers in a shop and sells them things: Rowan worked as a sales assistant in a Beverly Hills shopping mall. I a shop assistant in the shoe department
salesman/saleswoman seilzmon,
seilz, wuman/ [n C] someone whose job is to persuade people, shops, and companies to buy their company's products: / worked for a while as a salesman for a big computer corporation. I Gail has been the firm's top saleswoman for the last two years.
plural salesmen, saleswomen
seller /'sebr/ [л CI the person who sells something to someone - use this either to talk about the buyer and seller in a business deal, or about someone who sells things to people in the street: It was a good time for both buyers and sellers of houses.
a fmitlfiowerfice-creamfsoft-drink etc seller Outside the theatre, there was a row of flower sellers.
dealer/pusher /di:l3r, 'ро/эг/ [n C]
someone who buys and sells illegal drugs: Dealers were selling heroin to teenagers outside the stadium. drug dealer/pusher Drug pushers have been warned to stay away from the club.
something that is sold
goods /gudz/ [n plural] things that are
produced in order to be sold: The store sells a wide range of goods. electrical/household/luxury goods We
import a lot of electrical goods from Japan
product /'prDdAktl'pra:-/ [n C) anything that is made, grown, or designed in order to be sold: There is less demand now for products like coal and steel. I I'm allergic to dairy products, like milk and cheese.
Products can be things made in i factories or grown on farms, but they can also be services like insurance or holidays: We sell pensions, life insurance, and a range of financial products.
exports /'ekspD:rts/ [n plural] goods that are sent to another country to be sold: The value of China's exports to the US rose by over 50% last year.
when a lot of something gets sold
sales /seilz/ [n plural] the number of products that a business sells, or the value of the products it sells: Л big price increase led to a fall in sales. + of Sales of computer games have risen dramatically over the past five years.
SELL 656
the sale of Sth /дэ sell ov (sth)/ the
business of selling something: The sole of marijuana is illegal in Britain. I They make most of their profits from the sale of farm machinery.
You can also use sales before a noun, like an adjective: safes figures I The department failed to achieve its sales target.
sell fcel/' [v I] to be sold in large numbers: Tickets for the concert just aren't selling. sell well Rolls-Royces sell very well in the Far East.
selling - sold - have sold
sell out /',sel aot {phrasal verb IJ if a shop, ticket office etc sells out of goods or tickets, all of them are sold so there are no more available: I went to the store to get some bread but they had sold out. + of They opened at 8 o'clock, and by 8.30 they had sold out of tickets for the big game.
be sold out (=when all the tickets for a performance or sports event have been sold) We couldn't get tickets anywhere - the show was completely sold out.
GET
best-selllnq /.best 'selii)-« tad; only before noun] a best-selling product is sold in large numbers, especially more than other products of the same kind: Coca-Cola is the world's best-selling soft drink. I Stephen King has written several best-selling novels.
SEND
GIVE
see also
post British mail AMERICAN /paost, meil/ (u
TJ to send a letter, package etc by putting it in a letter box or taking it to the post office: I must remember to post Joey's birthday card. I Her letter had been mailed from Paris.
post/mail sth to sb Coufd you mail
those photographs to me?
send off /.send bfJI- xf/ [phrasal verb TJ to send something somewhere so that it can be dealt with
send sth off/ must send this film off to be processed.
send off sth Did you send off your application form?
send back /send hack [phrasa/ verb T] to return something by sending it to the place it came from
send sth back She sent all Patrick's letters back without opening them. send back sth Complete all the details, then send back the form.
fax fxks [v T] to send someone a message using a fax machine: Shall I fax the report or mail it?
fax sth to sb The order will be faxed directly to the manufacturer, fax sb sth They've agreed to fax us their proposals tomorrow.
e-mail ;'h mei!/ [v T1 to send a message directly from one computer to another computer in a different place: You can e-mail Richard in Sydney.
MAIL, PHONE, AND FAX
thing/letter/message
send /send/ [и T] to send a letter, package, message, or object to another person or place: Hou> many Christmas cards did
you send? I Send a cheque for £50 with
your order
send sb sth Could you send me a copy of the report? I Mary's boyfriend sent her a dozen red roses on her birthday. send sth to sb Diego sent a fax to the managing director telling him about his decision.
sending - sent - have sent
COMPUTERS
A Don't say 4 sent to him a letter'. Say | sent him a letter
person
send /send/ [u T| to make someone go somewhere, especially so that they can do something for you
send sb to/into/there etc I've sent Michael to the supermarket to get some
wine. 1 French troops were later sent into the war zone.
sending - sent - have sent
SENSIBLE
not behaving in a stupid or
unreasonable way
opposite STUPID, CRAZY
шл person
sensible /'sens^M/ [adj] someone who is sensible is unlikely to do anything stupid, because they judge situations well and make good decisions: Laura is a very sensible
girl - she wouldn't talk to strangers. I /
wish you'd be more sensible - you can't go out without a coat on in this weather! + about People are far more sensible about what they drink now.
Don't confuse sensible (-likely to make good decisions and not do stupid things) and sensitive (=good at realizing how other people feel).
reasonable 'гкгупэЫЬ [adj] someone who is reasonable makes sensible decisions that are fair to everyone: He's a reasonable man; I'm sure hell lend you the money when you explain the problem. I Let's try and discuss this in a calm and reasonable way. Qbe reasonable! spoken Be reasonable! - you can't expect her to do all the work on her own!
responsible /n'spDns^lfln'spain-/ [adj| someone who is responsible can be trusted to do what they ought to do and to think about the results of their actions: If Mary was a little more responsible, I wouldn't mind lending her the car. I IVe aim to educate our children to become responsible citizens.
mature /тэ'фэг; [adj] a child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible way, as you would expect an older person to behave: She's very mature for her age. I After two years of college, the students have a much more mature attitude.
rational /'гжрпэ!/ [ad/1 if someone is rational, their actions are based on a clear understanding of the facts of a situation, and are not influenced by their feelings or imagination: He says he wants to quit college because his girlfriend left
him - he's not being rational. rationally [aduj Do people behave completely rationally when they vote in elections?
SENSIBLE
Qtalk sense jpik 'sens/ especially spoken if someone talks sense, they express sensible ideas or opinions that you agree with: I know he's rather bigheaded, but he does talk a lot of sense.
В decision/plan/idea/ action
sensible /'sens^b<?l/ \adj] a sensible decision, plan etc is likely to have good results because it is based on good, practical reasons and judgements: I think that's a very sensible suggestion. 1 a sensible solution to a difficult problem it is sensible to do sth It would have been more sensible to save the money than to spend it all on clothes. Qthe sensible thing to do spoken The sensible thing to do would be to rest until you feel better sensibly /sens^vli/ [adu] She had sensibly decided to leave the car at home.
reasonable j'niz^mbAj |acfj] a reasonable idea, request, action etc seems sensible and fair, and you can understand the reasons for it: I thought her request for more information was reasonable, but it was refused. ! You don't have to go. You have a perfectly reasonable excuse. it is reasonable to assume/believe/sup- pose It's reasonable to assume that prices will rise again soon.
Qmake sense /,meik 'sens/ especially spoken if something makes sense, it seems a very sensible thing to do. You don't live here but you're still paying rent? It doesn't make senseI it makes sense (/or sb) to do sth It made sense for Sam to live nearer the college.
wise /waiz [adj] a wise decision or action is based on good judgement and on your experience of life: So Raymond's going to retire? / think he's made a wise decision.
it is wise (for sb) to do sth He thought it might be wise not to tell her what had happened. I Do you think it's wise for him to travel alone?
658
logical /lDd3ik<?l||'la:-/ [adj] a logical action or decision seems to be clearly the right thing to do, because it is based on thinking intelligently about all the facts of a situation, and not based on feelings or emotions: As I wanted to travel to other countries, studying languages was the logical choice. I This is the logical place to build a new airport.
it is/it seems logical to do sth It seemed logical to start by visiting the scene of the crime.
rational /'гжрпэ!/ [adj] rational argument/behayiom/decision/explanation etc a decision, way of behaving etc that is based on real facts or scientific knowledge, and not influenced by feelings or imagination: It can't just have disappeared! I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation. I The doctor should give you the facts so that you can make a rational decision.
realistic riolistik* [adj] based on a good understanding of what is or is not possible and practical: Starting my own business is not a realistic idea at the moment. it is realistic to do sth It's not realistic to expect my parents to lend us any more money.
Qbe a good idea /bi: э god ai dis especially spoken if a plan, decision, or action is a good idea, it seems sensible and seems to be the right thing to do. Yes, I think a short meeting this afternoon would be a good idea. it's a good idea to do sth It's a good idea to tell a friend if you are going on a date with someone you don't know well.
the ability to make sensible decisions
Common sense ,котэп 'sens*||,ka:-/ In U] the ability to make sensible, practical decisions, based on experience: She has a lot of common sense. I Common sense shou/cf tell you that this is not a good idea.
use your common sense! It's not difficult to work out the answer - you just have to use your common sense!
sense /sens/ (n U] the ability to behave in an intelligent and sensible way, and to avoid doing anything stupid have the sense to do sth (=be sensible enough to do what is needed in order to avoid problems, danger etc) Luckily, Sheena had the sense to call the police
before Baxter left the building.
have enough/little/not much sense I m
sure she has too much sense to give him her address.
SEPARATE
JOIN
^
TOGETHER
see also
RELATIONSHIP
not together
separate /'sep^i [adj] not together:
They sleep in separate beds. ! a university with three separate campuses + from Their house was separate from the rest of the village. keep sth separate He likes to keep his work and his family life separate. ■■ Keep your bank card and your PIN number
separate.
apart /э'рсгЛ/ [adv] if people or things are apart, they are in different places and there is a distance between them: Jo and Sam decided to try living apart for a while. I Since the universe began, the galaxies have gradually moved further apart.
+ from Helen noticed one little boy standing apart from the rest of the group.
keep sb apart The two sets of rival fans had to be kept apart by the police.
separately ,sep«?ri>tli/ [adv] not together, but at separate times or in separate places: The couple arrived separately at London Airport yesterday. ! Each problem should be considered separately.
to separate two things, people, or groups
separate 'xepareit, [и T| to put people or things that were together into different places or groups: If you two don't stop talking during class, I'll have to separate you.
separate sth from sth Farmers separate calves from their mothers when they are
only a few days old. I Break an egg and separate the white from the yolk. separate sth into groups/piles/parts etc
ALONE
Sheila had separated the clothes into two piles.
divide ,/di'vaid/ [u TJ to separate something into a number of smaller parts divide sth into two/three etc (=into two. three etc parts or pieces) We divided the pizza into three and had a slice each. I The country is divided into seven
provinces.
divide sth between/among (sb) They divided the money equally between them.
be divided into Most of these big old houses have been divided into apart ments.
split /split/ [v T] to separate something that used to be a single thing or a single group into two or more completely different parts: Rutherford first split the atom on 3rd January 1919.
split sth in hat//in two (-so that it makes
two equal parts) Why don't you just split the money in half?
split sth into two/three etc (=into two, three etc parts or pieces) For this exercise. I'm going to split the class into three groups.
splitting - split - have split
segregate /'segrigeit/ [и T often passive)
to separate one group of people from others, especially because of their race, sex. religion etc: The school system should not segregate children with disabilities.
be segregated from Male prisoners were strictly segregated from the females.
segregated (adj) segregated school/hotel/cinema/hous-
ing etc (=for only one group or race, and
not for others) At that time, the beaches in South Africa were segregated.
and half to the cathedral. I a political party that split into three separate groups
splitting - split - have split
SERIOUS
took here for...
a serious problem, accident, illness, crime not joking
see also joke
D a serious problem/ accident/illness/crime
serious 'surias/1 adj] very bad - use this about problems, accidents, illnesses, or
crimes-. There was a serious accident on the freeway. I serious head injuries I Unemployment is a serious problem in many countries. I Drug smuggling is a serious crime.
seriously |adu] seriously ill/injured/ajffected Her father is seriously ill in the hospital.
bad /b<ed [adj] serious enough to cause problems or make you feel worried - use this especially about accidents or illnesses: I stayed home yesterday with a bad cold. I a bad car crash
badly [adv] badly injure d/damaged/ajffected Several people were killed or badly injured in the attack. I The furniture was badly damaged by fire.
Д Don't say 'her hands were burned
badly'. Say her hands were badly burned Badly comes before a past participle.
when something becomes separated into different parts
divide /dj'vaid/ (и I] to become separated into two or more parts a road/path/river divides They came to a point where the river divided. + into The single cell divides into two identical cells.
Split /split/ [и I] if a group of people splits, it becomes separated into two or more smaller groups
split into two/three etc The class split into two. Half of us went to the museum
desperate 'despot/ {adj} use this about a very serious or dangerous situation, especially when people will die if it does not improve: The situation is getting desperate - we've had no rain for months. I a desperate shortage of food and medical supplies
Qnasty /"naistil'nsesti/ [adj] especially
spoken use this about small accidents or illnesses that are worse than you would normally expect them to be: That cough sounds nasty - you ought to see a doctor. 1 He had a nasty cut on his head.
nasty - nastier - nastiest
when you really mean what you say
be serious /bi; 'swrias/ to really mean what you say, or really intend to do something: Listen! I'm serious! I'm not lending you any money, i Barratt had threatened them, but no-one was sure if he was serious.
be serious about doing sth I hope Jeffs serious about giving up smoking, be perfectly/absolutely serious (=be serious, even though this seems very unlikely) "Look!" he said, "J am perfectly serious. I'm willing to give you $10,000 for your land."
Qnot joking jm\ dssokn}/ spoken if you are not joking, you really mean what you say. even though it seems surprising or unlikely: There must have been about 10 of them in that car-Lm not joking. I She told him she'd cali the police if he bothered her again, and she wasn't joking.
Qseriously 'si<?rhsli/ [acfu] spoken say this to emphasize that something surprising is really true, or to ask whether something surprising is really true: Seriously, I think you're making a big mistake. I "She's quit her job:' "Seriously?"
mean. /mi:n/ [u T] if someone means what they say, they are being serious when they say it, and they are not pretending or lying Qmean it especially spoken I mean it - I'll scream if you don't let me go. I She told me she loved me, but I wasn't sure if she meant it.
mean what you say I meant what I said - I never want to see you again.
meaning - meant - have meant
mean business /.miin'bizn^s/ informal if
someone means business, it is very clear that they will definitely do what they say or what they are threatening to do: The man had a gun. It was obvious he meant business.
someone who does not tell jokes or laugh
serious /'swrias/ someone who is serious is quiet and sensible, and does not seem to enjoy laughing and joking: Friends described him as a serious and thought- fu! man.
+ about Laura was a/ways very serious about her work.
SEX
love
\ /
see
BABY
also
MARRY
GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND
mate or female
seks [/7 C/U] someone's sex is
whether they are male or female: Put your name, age, and sex on the form. I Teachers of both sexes are employed by the school.
the opposite sex (=the sex which is not your own) He has never shown much interest in members of the opposite sex.
plural sexes
sexual activities
sex /seks; [n UI the activity of having sex with someone; She had no interest in sex after the baby was born. have sex Many people first have sex when they get married. I The average couple have sex three times a week, safe sex (=methods of protecting yourself against sexual diseases while you are having sex)
sexual sekjjsl [adj] sexual activity/ behaviour/relationship/problems/ feelings etc activity, behaviour etc involving sex: Dr Ruth offers advice on sexual problems.
sexual intercourse formal (=sex) It is
illegal to have sexual intercourse with a girl under 16 years of age. sexual abuse (=when someone forces а child to have sex or touches them in a sexual way) Sexua/ abuse and violence against children are increasing every
year.
RELATIONSHIP
sexual harassment (=when someone at work, at college etc talks to you or touches you in a sexual way when you do not want them to) Victims of sexual harassment at
SEX
work are often afraid of losing their jobs if they complain about it.
sleep with sb/sleep together sir.p wid (sb). 'slirp ta.geOaV [phrasal verb] to have sex with someone thai you are not married to, especially regularly and over a period of time: She's been sleeping with this guv Mark since the summer. I When did you first find out that Betty and your husband were sleeping together?
make love ;(meik 1лv' if two people make love, they have sex because they like or love each other: All dcy they made love on the unmade bed. + with When I first made love with him. we were both a little shy and nervous.
Make love is used especially in stories or descriptions of past events.
rape /reip/ [u Tj to force someone to have sex when they do not want to: The woman was raped and then murdered by her kidnapper. I He was accused of raping his ex-girlfriend, rape [n C/Uj the crime of raping someone: Rape victims receive special counselling and are treated very sensitively.
seduce /srdju:s||-'du:s/ [и T] to persuade someone to have sex with you, especially someone who is younger than you or has less sexual experience than you: He knew that Antonia was engaged but decided, quite shamelessly, to seduce her.
/ancy /'faensi/ \v t] British informal to be sexually attracted to someone, especially
someone that you do not know very well:
All the girls fancied Bob. I My friend really fancies you.
fancying - fancied - have fancied
mate /meit/ [u Ij if birds and animals mate, they have sex in order to produce babies: The birds mate in April and the eggs are hatched by June.
H sexually attractive
attractive p'traektiv/' [adj] someone who is attractive has a personality or appearance that makes other people sexually attracted to them
+ to / don't know what makes Jamie so attractive to women.
find sb attractive (=think they are attractive) She's very nice but I don't really find her attractive.
sexually attractive Young, rich, intelligent. and sexually attractive - she had it all'
sexy seksi/ sexy people or clothes make you feel sexually excited: sexy lace underwear I He's the sexiest man I've ever met.
sexy - sexier * sexiest
ш books/movies/jokes/ conversations etc about sex
pornography /p^nDgrafil-'na:-/ In U]
films, magazines, or pictures that show sexual acts and are intended to make people feel sexually excited: Is there a link between pornography and sex crimes? hard-core pornography (=very pornographic materials, which may be illegal) Two trucks full of illegal hard-core pornography were seized by customs о/ficials today.
porn /ро:гп/ [n U] informal films, magazines, or pictures that show sexual acts in order to make people feel sexually excited. Teachers and parents are worried about porn on the Internet, hard porn (=very pornographic material) a back-street movie theater showing hard-porn movies
soft porn (=not very pornographic) 81 per cent of our readers said they regularly watched soft-porn movies.
pornographic /,po:rn3'graefik*/ [adj] а pornographic film, magazine, or picture shows or describes sexual acts in order to make people sexually excited: He admitted possessing nude photographs, but denied they were pornographic. I She was offered $50,000 to pose for a pornographic magazine.
erotic /rmtik||i'ra:-/ [adj\ an erotic book, film, painting etc shows or describes sexual acts in a way that is deliberately sexually exciting but is also artistic: He writes both poetry and erotic literature. 1 A number of scenes in the film were very erotic.
obscene /sb'siin/ {adj] obscene words or pictures are about sex and are very offensive: Lady Chatterley's Lover' was banned as an obscene book. I He wascharged with smuggling obscene materials into the UK.
Obscene is used especially about something that is illegal.
dirty ,'cb:rti [adj only before noun]
informal dirty books, jokes, films etc are about sex - use this especially to show that you think these things are unpleasant: They just sit around telling dirty jokes - it's very boring. I He used to keep a collection of dirty books hidden under his bed.
dirty - dirtier - dirtiest
someone who is sexually attracted to their own sex
gay get/ [adj] sexually attracted to people of your own sex: When did you first tell your parents you were gay? I I'm sure Tony isn't having an affair with your wife. He's gay.
gay bar/club/news paper (=for gay people) Wednesday night is gay night at the Pink Flamingo Club.
the gay community (-people who are gay, considered as a group) The decision to show the film has outraged the gay community. gay [п С] a gay man or woman: San Francisco has the highest population of gays in the United States.
homosexual /.haoma'sekfusk ,hd-||,h30-,/
[adj] sexually attracted to people of your own sex: Homosexual men and women are fighting for the right to join the army. I Do you think homosexual couples should be allowed to get married?
homosexual I" С] a gay man: Steve was 18 when he told his parents he was a homosexual.
lesbian /'lezbian/ [л С] a woman who is sexually attracted to other women: a telephone chatline for lesbians lesbian I adj only before noun] lesbian writers
When you see go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
Q sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex
heterosexual/straight /.heurs'sek-
/из к streit [adj] someone who is heterosexual or straight is sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex: I haven't told my straight friends that I'm gay. I a heterosexual relationship
A\ Straiqht's mostly spoken and is more informal than heterosexual
when someone has sex with a person who is not their husband, girlfriend etc
un/aithfuL Mn'fei6fol/ [adj] if someone is unfaithful, they have sex with someone who is not their husband, girlfriend etc: Why do women stay with unfaithful partners? I Jeff promised he'd never be unfaithful again.
+ to He accused me of being unfaithful to him.
affair /эТеэг/ [n CI a secret sexual relationship between two people when at least one of them is married to someone else: Their affair lasted for six years. have an affair (with) My wife thinks I'm having an affair with someone at work.
adultery /a'dAltwi/ [n U] when someone who is married has sex with someone who is not their husband or wife: In some countries, adultery is a crime. commit adultery formal (=have sex with
someone who is not your husband or wife) 60% of men admit to committing adultery at some time during their marriages.
cheat on sb /tJin on (sb)|-am-/ [phrasal verb T] informal if someone cheats on their husband, girlfriend etc, they secretly have sex with someone else: He'd been cheating on her with a teacher at the high school.
when someone only has sex with their husband, girlfriend etc
aithful /'feiOfol/ [adj] someone who is faithful only has sex with their husband, girlfriend etc: I've always been faithful. I've never cheated on you, not onceI
someone who has never had sex
virgin ;'v3ird5^n/ [л С] someone who has never had sex.: I was still a virgin when I got married.
tremble /'tremtel/ [u 1] to shake very
slightly because you are frightened or upset: Jane's lip began to tremble and I thought she was going to cry. I The dog sat trembling in a corner.
SHAKE 664
+ to This is the longest time she's ever been faithful to anyone.
shiver ffiv3r/ [и I] to shake because you are cold: Julia shivered and pulled her coat more tightly around her. I You're shivering! Do you want to go indoors?
SHAKE
when things shake
shake /Jeik/ [и I] if something shakes, it makes small quick movements from side to side or up and down: The branches of the trees were shaking in the wind. I Suddenly the ground began to shake beneath my feet. I The floor shook as they danced faster and faster. shaking - shook - have shaken
rattle /'rati/ [u I] if something rattles, it makes a noise because it keeps shaking and hitting something else: The windows were rattling in the storm. I Mike knocked against the table and made the coffee cups rattle.
wobble /'wdMI'wq:-/ [v I) if something wobbles, it moves from side to side because it is not steady or not well balanced: The pile of books wobbled and almost fell. 1 / tuish this desk would stop wobbling!
vibrate /vai'breitll'vaibreit/ [v I] if something vibrates, it shakes continuously with very small, very fast movements: When you switch on the engine, you can feel the whole car vibrate.
when someone's body, hand etc shakes
shake /Jeik/ [и I] if you shake, you make small quick uncontrolled movements with your body, for example because you are frightened, nervous, or angry: My hands were shaking so much I could hardly write my name on the exam paper.
shake with /ear/ange г/laughter (=shake
because you are frightened, angry etc) The others were all shaking with laughter.
shaking - shook - have shaken
to make something shake
shake ;Jeik/ (и T] to make something move up and down or from side to side with small quick movements: Shake the bottle before you open it. I She shook the blanket to get rid of all the dust. I a huge explosion that shook houses up to five miles away
shaking - shook - have shaken
make sth shake /.meik (sth) 'jeik/ to
make a place or object shake - use this especially about loud noises or strong movements or explosions: The music was so loud that it made the floor shake. I The distant earthquake made all the furniture shake.
give sth a shake ,/,giv (sth) э'Jeik/especially British to hold something and shake it a few times: / gave the box a shake to see if there was anything inside. I She gave the cloth a shake and put it back on the table.
to shake hands as a greeting
shake hands /Jeik haendz/ The two
leaders shook hands and walked into the White House.
+ with The picture shows him shaking hands with Saddam Hussein.
SHAPE
the shape of something
shape /Jeip/ [n C/U] the shape that something is, for example a square, a circle etc: You can get pasta in lots of different shapes. I What shape is the swimming pool?
Ea to have a particular shape
be round/square/rectangular etc
use this to say what shape something is. The windows were round, like the шш- dows on a ship. I "What shape is the table?" "It's long and rectangular:" be round/square etc in shape written The dining-room was square in shape, and simply furnished.
| When you want to describe the shape
| of something, don't say 'it has a square/
| circular etc shape' or 'its shape is square/ •
j circular etc'. Say it is square/circular etc.
shaped Jeipt [adj] star-shaped/heart-
shaped/L-shaped etc when something has the shape of a star, a heart, the letter L etc: The lounge was L-shaped I He gave me some heart-shaped chocolates. shaped like sth Her birthday cake was shaped like a train.
in the shape of sth mfio jeip m (sth) when something has the same shape as something, for example of a bird or animal: a beautiful blue bowl in the shape of a flower
SHARE
D to use something with another person
share Jeor [v I/T] if two or more people share something, they all use it together: We don't have enough books, so some of you will have to share. I I have my own room but we share the kitchen and bathroom.
share sth with sb / shared a room u;ith Tom while I was at college.
В to do something with another person
share Jeor [u T] if two people share a job or activity, they each do part of it: Judy and I shared the driving, so it wasn't too tiring.
share sth with sb She shares the job with another woman who also has a young child.
take turns/take it in turns tcik
tj:rnz, ,teik it in t3:rnz/ if two or more people take turns or take it in turns to
665
SHARE
do something, they do it one after the other, and each person does it several times: If the housework is too much for one person, why don't you take it in turns?
shape
circle
rectangle
triangle
cylinder
oval
pyramid
cube
square
spiral
sphere
666
SHARE
when several people each have part of something
share/share out '|еэг, ,/еэг aot/ [v T] to divide something so that several people have a part of it: We agreed that we would share the prize money if we won. share sth (out) among/between sb She shared the cake between the children. I Profits from the sale of tickets were shared out among the members of the band.
split split, [u T] if a small number of people split something, especially money, they divide it into equal parts and take a part each: They planned to rob a bank, split the money, and leave the country. split sth among/between sb He said that the land should be split between his four sons.
splitting - split - have split
divide/divide up di.vaid, di.vaid лр/ [и T] to separate something into two or more parts
divide sth (up) between sb The two
companies agreed to divide the profit betweem them.
the part of something that someone gets or owns
share /Jesr/ [n C] the part of something
divide (up) sth between sb We divided up the rest of the pie between us.
to share the cost of something
skare/spUt ;je3r, split/ [и T] to share the cost of something so that each person pays part of it: The two families shared the cost of the wedding. I We usua//y share all the bills. splitting - split - have split
Qgo halves /g3о haivzH-'haevz/ spoken informal if two people go halves, they each pay half of the cost of something that they buy together
take turns/take it in turns to do sth The
parent birds take turns to guard the
nest.
go halves with sb (on sth) I'll go halves with you on the tickets if you like.
that one person gets or owns when something is shared between several people + of When Grandpa died we each got a share of his money. I IVi/son's share of the business is worth $500,000.
SHARP/NOT SHARP
see also сит
sharp
sharp Jax'p [adj] something that is sharp can easily cut things or make holes in them, because it has a very narrow edge or point: Be careful. That knife's very sharp. I You'll need some sharp scissors. razor-sharp (=extremely sharp) Sharks have razor-sharp teeth.
pointed pointed/ [adj\ long, thin, and
ending in a point: a plant with long pointed leaves I He picked up a pointed stick and began drawing in the sand.
not sharp
blunt /bUnt/ [adj] not sharp: This knife's blunt - it's no good for anything. I a blunt pencil I Police say the man was killed with a blunt instrument, possibly a hammer.
to make something sharp
sharpen ;'Ja:rp3n/ [d T] to make something sharper: I'll just sharpen my pencil. I а special stone for sharpening knives
SHINE
see also bright/not bright, new,
clean
when light comes from the sun, a lamp etc
shine /Jain/ [и I] if the sun, a lamp etc
shines, it sends out bright light: The sun was shining, so we decided to go to the beach. I She could see the lights of Hong Kong shining in the distance.
sharp
sharp
blunt
shining - shone - have shone
glow /gl3o/ \v I] to make a warm soft light
that is not very bright: The evening sun glowed in the s/cy. I A few lumps of coal still glowed in the fire. glow [n singular] the soft glow of the candles
Her diamond ring sparkled in the sunlight. I a sparkling mountain stream I
The children's eyes sparkled with excitement.
fi\ Use glow when you are writing stones or descriptions.
/lash /flsej; [у I) to make a bright light for a very short time: Lightning flashed across the sky. I The light on top of the police car was flashing, flash [n C] There was a blinding flash oj light as the bomb exploded.
/licker /'flik3r; [v I) use this about a weak flame or light which keeps becoming almost dark, so that it seems to be about to stop shining: The candle suddenly started to flicker. ! The flashlight is flickering. I guess it needs a new battery.
when something has a bright surface
shiny /'Jaini/ [adj] something that is shiny has a smooth bright surface: The little girl's shoes were made of shiny black leather. I Use this shampoo for thicker, shinier hair. I a big shiny limousine shiny - shinier - shiniest
glossy /'glnsilgbisi, glo:si' [adj] glossy hair or fur looks shiny and healthy; glossy magazines and books use expensive shiny paper: She stro/ced the horse's glossv neck. I There was a stack of gloss\j magazines on the table. I glossy travel brochures
glossy - glossier - glossiest
gleaming /gliirnii]/ [adj usuallybefore
nourij gleaming objects or vehicles are shiny because they are very new or clean: A gleaming Porsche was parked in front of the house. I a gleaming white kitchen
shine /Jain/ [t> I] ]f something with a smooth surface shines, it is very bright and sends back any light that falls on it: He polished the silver plates until they
shone.
sparkle /'spa:rM/ [v II something that sparkles, such as jewellery or water, looks attractive because there are many small bright points of light on its surface:
SHOOT
HURT/INJURE WEAPON — ^ ^ ARMY
N z1
see
galso
WAR
KILL ^^ CRIME
4 v*
THREATEN
to shoot someone
shoot /Jurt/ iv TI to kill or injure someone by firing bullets from a gun: Ruth Ellis shot her lover in a pub in London. I It's the President! He's been shot! shoot sb in the back/chest/teg etc He had been shot in the chest but managed to crawl to safety.
shoot sb dead (=shoot someone and kill them) A tourist was shot dead by muggers in New Orleans last night. shooting - shot - have shot
be hit /bi: 'hit/ to be injured or damaged by bullets: I didn't realize he d been hit until he fell to the ground. I One of our planes was hit.
to shoot a gun or other weapon
shoot /Juit/ [v I] to point a gun towards someone, and make bullets come out of it: Don't shoot! We surrender! I Make sure you hold the gun steady and shoot straight.
+ at We used to shoot at empty bottles for practice.
shooting - shot - have shot
fire /faiar/ 1/П to make bullets come out of a gun, or shoot a bomb or explosive object into the air: The police fired into the air to make the crowd break up. + at As soon as we crossed the border, enemy troops started firing at us. fire a shot/bullet Kendrick fired three shots at the President's car.
SHOP
if you mean 'go shopping', go to buy
ADVERTISING
CO
see also
HIE^ J* ^ HI
CHEAP
BUSINESS
MONEY
FREE TIME
EXPENSIVE
a shop
shop ESPECIALLY BRITISH StOTe ESPECIALLY
american , jdp. sto:r|Ja:p/' [n С] a building or place where things are sold: There's a store across the street that sells ice cream.
clothes/re cord/furniture etc shop/store
Have you been to that new clothes shop
on Park Road yet? I She works in a
video store on Tenth Avenue.
"X t /1е11
see
go to the shops British go to the store
A
A
american Helen s gone down to the shops to get a few things.
Shop is the usual word to use in British English, and store is the usual word to use in American English. In British English, store is often used in newspapers and in business reports, especially when talking about big shops: AH the big stores are open from 8am till 8pm. I High street stores are getting ready for Christmas.
Go to the shops or go to the store means to go to your local shops to buy food and other small things you need. Go shopping means to go to look at things in
shops and buy things'that you do not buy regularly, such as clothes or records.
chain Store 'tjem sto:r' [n C] one of а
group of shops that have the same name
and are owned by the same company: Тле
big chain stores have made it very difficult for smaller shops to do business.
different types of shop
A If you want to talk about a shop that
sells a particular kind of thing, you usually say a clothes shop, record shop, furniture shop etc in British English, and a clothes store, record store, furniture store etc in American English. Bookshop (british) and bookstore (american) are usually written as one word.
supermarket (also grocery store
amlricais) /'su:p3r,ma:rk3t, grausari ,sto:r [n Cj a large shop that sells a wide range of things, especially food, cleaning materials, and other things that people
buy regularly
convenience store ksnviinians ,sto:r
[n C] american a shop in your local area that sells food, alcohol, magazines etc and is often open 24 hours a day
corner shop ,"Ь:гпэг Jop||-Ja:p/ British a small local shop, usually on the corner of a street, that sells food, alcohol, magazines etc
bakery (also baker's british) /'beifori,
beik3rz/ [л С] a shop that sells bread and cakes, especially one that also makes the bread and cakes
plural bakeries or bakers
butcher's /'botj9rz/ [n C] a shop that sells
meat
plura! butchers
delicatessen (also deli informal) dcii- kates^n, deli/ [n C] a shop that sells high quality food such as cheeses and cold meats, often from different countries
off licence british liquor store ameri-
can /"of Jais^ns, hks1" sto:r/ [n C] a shop that sells beer, wine, and other alcoholic drinks which you drink at home
chemist's british drugstore american /'kem^sts, drAgstxr/ [n C] a shop that sells medicines, beauty and baby products etc
SHOP 668
fire a missile/ rocket US worships began firing cruise missiles into Iraq.
El the sound of shooting
shot /Jot||Jon [n C] the noise made by a
gun when it is fired One ivitness claimed she had heard eight shots, a shot rings out wkhtln (=when you hear a loud shot) Suddenly, a shot rang out.
gunfire gAntauV [n U] the sound made by several guns being fired, especially in a
war: Enemy gunfire could be heard from several kilometres away.
plural chemists
Лл In the US, the part of a drugstore where medicines are prepared and sold is called the pharmacy
pharmacy fa:rmosi/ [n C] especially
amfrican a shop or part of a shop where
medicines are made and sold plural pharmacies
hardware store (also hardware
shop British) 'ha:rdwe3r ,stD:r, hu:rdwc3r jDpH-Jaip/ [n CI a shop that sells equipment and tools that you can use in your home or garden
newsagent's/newsagent njuiz-
1eidynt(s)||,nu:z-/ [n CI British a shop that
sells newspapers and magazines, cigarettes, chocolates etc plural newsagents
newstand /nju:zstЈnd|'nu:z-/ [n CJ a small movable structure on a street, which sells newspapers and magazines
kiosk /'kkDsk||-a:sk/ [n С] a very small shop on a street, which has an open window where you can buy newspapers, cigarettes. chocolate etc
В a very large shop
department Store /di'pa:rtni9nt,sto:г/ [n
CI a very large shop which is divided into several big parts, each of which sells one type of thing, such as clothes, furniture, or kitchen equipment
superstore /'su:p9rsto:r, sju:-j|'su:-/ [n CJ a very large modern shop, especially one that is built outside the centre of a city
DIY store British home center ameri
can /,di: at 'wat ,sD:r, 'haom .senta1"/ [n С] a very large shop that sells equipment and tools for repairing and decorating your home
garden centre british nursery ameri can /'ga:rdn ,sent3r, 'пз:г&?п/ [n С) a place that sells a wide range of plants, seeds, and things for your garden
ml a lot of shops together in one place
shopping centre British shopping center american /'/Dpii] ,sent3r|'fa:p-/[n C) an area in a town where there are a lot of shops that have ail been built together in the same space
mall/shopping mall /moil, jDpnj тэ:1|
Jaip-/ [n Cj especially american a very large building with a lot of shops inside it, and often also cinemas, restaurants etc
market ,"ma:rkj,t/ [n C) an area outside
where people buy and sell many different
types of things
market stall (=one of the tables that things are sold from in a market)
CJ people who work in a shop
sales assistant (also shop assistant British sales clerk american/'seilz a.sistant, Jbp s.sistant, 'seilz ,kla:k||'/a:p-, -,к!э:гк/) [n CI someone whose job is to serve customers and sell things in a shop, especially in a big shop such as a department store
Zu Sales assistant is more formal than shop assistant or sales clerk
manager /таеп^зэ1"' [n CI someone who
is in charge of a shop
shopkeeper British storekeeper
american /'Jop,ki:p3r, ,sto:r1ki:p3r||,;a:p-/ [n C) someone who owns or manages a small shop
store detective ;'sto:r di.tektiv/ {n CI
someone whose job is to watch the customers in a large shop, to stop them from stealing things
SHORT
^ look here for...
a short distance or length
a short person
a short time
II short in length or distance
** opposite long
skort J,T.rt [adj] if something is short, there is only a small length or distance from one end of it to the other: a girl with short blond hair I The curtains are much too short. I The hotel is just a short distance from the station. 1 There was a short path leading up to the house.
short walk/drive/ride (=a short distance to walk, drive etc) It's only a short walk to the bus stop.
В someone who is short in height
opposite tall
see also small
short ЦуЛ'1 [adj] not as tall as most people: She was short and fat. I a short, heavy- looking man with powerful shoulders I Mr Haddad was several inches shorter than his wife.
not very tall /not veri 'toil fairly short: She's not very toll - about 1.4 metres, I'd say.
Short means 'not tall'. Small means 'not tall, and also 'not fat'. People are often described as 'short and fat', but not 'small and fat'.
В
small /smoil/ [adj] not as big or as tall as most people: a small man in a dark suit small for his/her age (=smal!er than other children of the same age) Bobby's small for his age, but he's perfectly healthy.
A
a short time
a short time /э J;>:rt 'taim/ [n singular] Unfortunately, we could only spend a short time together. I How did you manage to do all this in such a short time? I Your friends left a short time ago.
a while /э 'wad/ {n singular] a period of time that is neither very short nor very long: After a while, he came back. for a while We lived in Seattle for a while after we got married. I Can you stay for a while, or do you have to leave right now?
a little/short while (=a short period of
time) Bob's only been working here a short while.
a minute/a moment /э min^t, э
тэотэм/ [n singular] a very short time, no more than a few minutes: Where's Charles gone? He was here a moment ago. I Wait a minute, I'm nearly ready. a minute or two It took me a minute or two to realize what she meant.
a second/an instant /э 'sekand, эп
"instant/ [n singular! an extremely short
time, no more than a few seconds: In an instant her mood had changed from sadness to anger
for a second/an instant Liz hesitated, but only for a second. 1 Just for an instant I thought he was going to hit me.
A A second and an instant mean the same thing, but use an instant especially when you are writing stories or descriptions of events.
Qq bit /Э bit [n singular] British spoken informal a short time, usually just a few minutes: Oh, wait a bit, can't you? for a bit I think I'll lie down for a bit.
continuing for only a short time
short /fo:rt/ [adj] continuing for only a short time: The meeting o»as shorter than I'd expected. I the shortest day of the year
quick, /kwik/ [adj only before noun] а quick action takes only a very short time, because you are in a hurry quick look/drink/shower I took a quick look at the map. I Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?
brief /bri:f/ \adj] a brief pause, visit etc is short, especially because there is not much time available: It was impossible to see everything during one brief visit to Paris. I After a brief intermission the performance continued. 1 a brief period of calm
Д Brief is more formal than short, and is used mostly in written English rather than in conversation,
not take long /not teik '\щ1'Ьщ[ if
something does not take long, you do it and finish it in a short time: Let me show you how to use the computer ~ it won't take long.
it does not take long to do sth It didn't take long to solve the problem.
temporary /четрлэп, -рлч|-рэгеп/ [adj] something that is temporary is expected to continue for only a short time and will not be permanent: Ben's found a
temporary job, till November. I They're living in temporary accommodation at the moment.
temporary workers/stajff (=doing temporary jobs)
temporarily [adv] for a limited period of time: The library is temporarily closed
for repairs.
short-iived Jo;rt 'ImUjl-'hiivtU \adj)
written something that is short-lived ends sooner than you want it to - use this especially about a feeling, or a relationship: We were glad to be home, but our happiness was shori-lived. I The President's popularity may be shortlived.
В a short piece of writing
short Jo;rr [adj] a short piece of wriiir-g does not have many pages or words: a book of short stories I a short letter from my employer I Your essay is too short.
brief bri:f {adj] brief note/description/
comments/outline/account a note, description etc that has been written using very few words, to give only the most important information without a lot of details: J sent them a brief note saying Luhat the problem was. I The book begins with a brief outline of the history of modern China.
A Brief is more formal than short. Don't use brief about a whole book or story.
a shorter way of saying or writing something
abbreviation /^brnvieipn [n С] а
shorter way of writing or saying a word or phrase: the Central Intelligence Agency, usuaffy known by the abbreviation CIA + for/of Dr' is the written abbreviation of 'Doctor\
be short for sth Ы: J>/t fn:r (sth}; if а
word, a name, or a set of letters is short for something, it is a shorter way of saying or writing it: They call me Beth - it's short for Elizabeth. I What's 'etc' short for?
for short /fsr Jo:rt if you call someone or something a name for short, you use a
a short statement giving the main ideas and facts
summary /'sArnari [n С] a short statement that gives only the main ideas and facts of something that has been written or said
+ of Write a tujo-page summary of the results of your research I I've made a summary of the main points in the Secretary General's speech. news summary (=a short programme reporting the main events in the news)
plural summaries
outline aotlain [n С] an outline of a plan or of a series of historical events is a short statement that gives only the main points and facts
+ of an official statement giving a general outline of the Middle East peace plan i The book begins with an outline of the events that Jed to the First World War
to give the main ideas or facts of something
summarize (also summarise British)
'sAnwaiz (u T| to make a short statement giving only the main information, but not the details, of a report, plan, event etc: Your final paragraph should summarize the main points of your essay.
Sum Up ,SAm лр/ [phrasal verb 1/T] to make a very short statement, especially at the end of a speech, report, or discussion, giving the main ideas or facts: The chairman's job is to introduce the speakers and then sum up at the end of the discussion.
sum up sth In these few words Churchill summed up the feelings of the whole nation.
summing - summed - have summed
shorter form of their real name.- His name's Moses - Mo for short. I They are chlorofluorocarbon gases, or CFCs for short.
in short 'n Jo:rt/ formal use this when you have been writing or talking about something, and you want to say in a few words what the most important fact or idea is: In short, I believe that we need to change our whole attitude towards cars.
Only use in short in formal written or formal spoken English.
/tb Don't say 'you should to go'. Say you should go. Should Is followed by an infinitive without 'to'.
to make something shorter
shorten "b:rm \v T) to make something shorter: Could you shorten the sleeves for me?
shorten sth to sth The three-year course has been shortened to two years I Diana's name is often shortened to Di.
CUt клГ [и T] to make a film or piece of writing shorter by removing parts from it: Even after it had been cut, the film was still over three hours long. cut sth down This last paragraph is too long - you'll have to cut it down.
Use cut something down only about pieces of writing.
cutting - cut - have cut
A
SHOULD
see also must, deserve
when you should do something because it is right and it is your duty
should jod/ [modal verb] if you should do something, it is your duty to do it. or it is the best thing to do because it is right, fair, or honest: / don't want to go to the meeting but ! suppose I should, should do sth I think you should tell her the truth. I He should visit his parents more often. I All accidents should be reported to the Health and Safety Officer. ) Should we contact Joe's parents nnd te/Z them luhafs happened9 should not/shouldn't do sth You shouldn t leave young children at home alone.
should have done sth (=it was the right thing to do, but someone did not do it) They should have given you your money back.
shouldn't have done sth (=it was the wrong thing to do, but someone did it) I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted at you.
Should is often used in instructions: Students should register for courses before September 30th.
ought to do sth \o:t te 'du: (sth)/ use this to say that someone should do something because it is right or it is the best thing to do in a situation: I think you were very rude and you ought to apologize. I Do you think we ought to get permission before we do this? I The Government ought to spend more on education. ought not/oughtn't to do sth J think that animals have rights, and we ought not to use them for experiments. ought to have done sth (=it was the right thing to do, but someone did not do it) It was a serious matter. They ought to have called the police.
ZjK Ought to is less common than should in written and spoken English.
Qhad better do sth /had betor du: (sth) especially spoken use this to say that you think someone should do something because it would be the correct, polite, or fair thing to do: You had better phone Alan and tell him you're going to be late. I If anyone wants to borrow the car they'd better as к Dad first. had better not do sth We'd better not tell anyone about this just yet,
Don't say 'we better gc' or 'we'd better to go'. Saywe'd better go
be supposed to do sth hi: sa.paozd
is du: (sth) use this to say that someone should do something because there is a rule that says they should, because they have been told to do it, or because it is part of their job: You're supposed to knock before you come in. I Put that cigarette out! You're not supposed to smoke in here I I was totally confused, and had no idea what / was supposed to
do next.
it is sb's job to do sth a iz (shs)
A
,d3ob t3 du: (sth)|-,d5aib-/ use this to say that someone is responsible for doingsomething, because it is officially part of their job. or because they have agreed to do it: It's my job to check that the equipment is in good working order. I / thought we'd agreed it was Mike's job to send out all the invitations.
Chit's up to sb to do sth its лр ui
(sbi to du: (sth) spoken say this to emphasize that a particular person is responsible fordoing something: It's up to parents to teach their children the difference between righi and wrong.
it is sb's duty to do sth n и (sbs)
djuiti tp 'du: (sthjU^duiti-/ i ormal use this to say that someone should do something because it is their legal or moral duty: It is the judge's duty to give a fair summary of both sides of the case.
E when you should do something because it is sensible or it is good for you
should Jod/ [modal verb) if you should do something, it is the best thing to do because it is good for you or it will help you: Everyone keeps telling me I should give up smoking. I You shou/d go to bed early if you're feeling tired. should not/shouldn't do sth They shouldn't worry so much. Everything will be all right.
should have done sth (=it was the best thing to do, but someone did not do it) Yes. / know. I should have spent more
time studying.
shouldn't hflve done sth (=it was not a sensible thing to do but someone did it) We shouldn't have bought such a big car.
Don't say 'you should to go'. Say you should go. Should is followed by an infinitive without 'to'.
ought to do sth ..at t.Vdu:(sth)/use this
to say that you think someone should do something because it is good for them or will help them- The doctor told Dan he ought to exercise more. I You ought to ask Eric. I'm sure he'd be happy to help. ought not to do sth/oughtn't to do sth She oughtn't to drive if she s been drinking.
A Ought to is less common than should in written and spoken English.
Qhad better do sth had ,beter du:
(sth) especially spoken use this to say that you think someone should do something because it is sensible or it will help them avoid problems: You'd better ask your teacher for advice. I It was starting to snow and we thought we had better go home
Z5\ Don't say 'you better go home' or 'you'd better to go home'. Say you'd better go home.
Qit's/that's a good idea fits, fists э
god ai'dio spoken say this to emphasize that you think an idea or suggestion will help someone or prevent problems: "I'll check the oil before we set off." "Yes, that's a good idea. '
it's a good idea to do sth It's a good idea to write down the serial number of your computer in case it gets stolen.
SHOUT
to say something very loudly
shout /Jaot/ [l> I/T] to say something very loudly, because you want to make sure that someone hears you, or because you are angry or excited: "Get out}" she shouted angrily. I There was so much noise from the engine that we had to shout to hear each other. \ The protesters marched through the streets, shouting slogans. + fit / wish you'd stop shouting at the children.
shout [n C] As we got near the stadium, we could hear the shouts of the crotud.
scream skriim ju \/T] to make a loud, high noise, or say something in a high, loud voice, because you are excited, frightened. angry, or in pain: The man took out a gun and everyone started screaming. t "Help me!" she screamed. + at Maria felt like screaming at her husband.
scream with pain/delight/terror etc She
woke up screaming with terror, scream [n C) We could hear screams coming from the burning building.
yell /Jel [u I/T] informal to shout very loudly, either because you are excited. angry, or in pain, or because you want to make sure that someone can hear you. The audience was yelling and clapping. 1 "Don't touch me!" she yelled.
+ at Children were yelling at each other across the street. yell [л С]
give/let out a yell (=yell once) Thomas gave a sudden yell of excitement.
cheer /фэг/ [v I/T] to shout in order to show that you like or approve of a person, team, performance etc: The crowd cheered as the President's car drove past. I The speaker was cheered loudly when he called for a total ban on nuclear weapons. cheer |n C] There was a big cheer as the band came onto the stage.
call out /,кл:1 aot {phrasal verb I/T] to shout something in order to get someone's attention, for example to warn them or ask them for help-. She opened her mouth to call out, but no sound came call out sth Л voice from the back of the room called out "Never!" call sth out When I call your name out, put up your hand.
raise your voice ,reizp;t \d\si to speak more loudly than usual, because you are angry: I never heard my father raise his voice.
raised voices (=the sound of people talking loudly because they are angry) I heard raised voices coming from the next room.
SHOW
^ if you mean 'show that something is true/not true or correct', go to
prove
if you mean 'show someone how to do something', go to explain
if you mean 'show off', go to
proud 4
II to let someone see something
show IJouj [и T] to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them: Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building.
show sb sth Stephanie showed us her engagement ring. I Has he shown you his pictures from his vacation yet7
They 're really good.
show sth to sb Show your ticket to the
inspector; Charlie.
showing - showed - have shown
Qlet sb see sth „let (sb) 'si: (sth)
esphcially spoken to show something to someone, especially because they have asked to see it: She won't let anyone see the painting until it is finished. I Could you let me see the menu?
show off /,/эо of||-o:f/ [phrasal verb T] to
show something that you are proud of to other people, because you want them to admire it
show off sth He couldn't wait to show off his new car.
show sth ojff to sb Rosa showed her new baby off to al! her friends.
Q to show someone where something is
show /fgu; [и T] to show someone where something is
show sb where The secretary showed
her where to put her coat.
show sb sth Uncle Joe showed me the
best place to go fishing.
show sb the way (=go somewhere with
someone when they do not know how to
get there) III show you the way to the
station - it's not far.
show sb around (=show someone all the
interesting or important parts of a place)
Jan has offered to show me around
Oxford tomorrow.
showing - showed - have shown
point point {f I] to show someone where something is, by pointing towards it with your finger
+ to "That's your desk," he said, pointing to a table piled with files and books. point out sth/point sth out (-show
something to someone, when there are many of the same things together) We drove along Market Street, and she pointed out the house where she was born
when a machine or sign shows information or measurements
show ja>j {v T) to show information about something: There was a thermometer showing the temperature of the water in the pool. + (that) This light shows that the machine is switched on. showing - showed - have shown
Qsay sei/ |u T] spoken to show a particular distance, time, or speed: The clock said three o'clock when we left. I / was surprised that the fuel gauge still said half full.
saying - said - have said
display dfsplei [v T] if a computer or sign displays information, it shows the information in a way that makes it easy to see or notice: The computer displays the date in the top right corner of the screen. I The parking restrictions are displayed on a small yellow sign.
paintings/art
be shown/be on show bi: T^on, bi:
on 'Jdu if a work of art is shown or is on show, it is put in a public place so that people can look at it: Some of the artist's paintings are on show at the National Gallery. I This is the first time the jewels have been shown outside Russia.
exhibition ,eksi,'biJ>v (alsoShow /j^/ especially american) (п С J an event at which
paintings, photographs etc are shown to
the public for a period of time: И/е went to see the Picasso exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art.
when actions, behaviour, or events show that something is true
show j^' [y J] to show that something is true
+ (that) The election results showed that people weren't satisfied with the government. I The case shows that women still face discrimination at work. show how/why/what etc Tm glad he sent me flowers - it shows how much he still cares about me.
showing - showed - have shown
demonstrate /'demanstreit/ [и T] formal to show very clearly that something is true: The Chernobyl disaster demonstrated the dangers of nuclear power. + that The results of the experiment demonstrate that there is no difference
between girls' and boys' abilities at this
age.
Demonstrate is more formal than show . it is often used in official or technical
contexts, but not usually in conversation.
be a sign /bi: э 'sain/ if an event or action is a sign of something else, it is one of the things that shows that something is probably true
+ that When a dog shakes his tail it's a sign that he's happy. + of He kept fiddling with the pen. which I thought was a sign of nervousness.
suggest /sэ d^es11(s3g'd3est/ [и T] to show that something is probably true, even though there is no definite proof + (that) There was nothing in his letter that suggested he might be unhappy. strongly suggest (=show that something is very likely) The door had not been forced open, which strongly suggests that the victim knew the killer.
mean mi:n, \u T] if an event or action means something, you can guess from it that something is true + (that) The lights are on in the window - that means he must still be there. I Just because I asked her out for a meal, it doesn't mean I'm madly in love with her. meaning - meant - have meant
indicate /md^kejt [v T] if scientific facts, tests, official figures etc indicate something. they show ihat it is likely to be true + that Research indicates that the drug can be harmful to pregnant women. I A recent survey has indicated that viewers want a wider choice of programmes on
В
TV.
to show your feelings, abilities, or attitudes
show jao/ J] to behave in a way that shows people how you feel or what your character is like
show interest/surprise/enthusiasm/
anger etc (=show that you are interested,
surprised etc) Paul didn't show much interest in the idea.
show how angry/upset/unkappy etc
you are / was determined not to show how upset I felt.
show courag«/determination/ski(l/conji- dence etc (=show that you are brave, determined etc) The hostages showed great courage in a very /Tightening situation.
showing - showed - have shown
express -rk'spres/ [v Tj to tell people what you are feeling or thinking: He finds it very hard to express his feelings, express anger/doubts/surprise/concern
etc "orMai (=say you are angry, uncertain etc) Relatives of the murdered man expressed anger that the police had done so little.
can't hide /kamt haid||,k^nt-/ if you can't hide a strong feeling, you cannot stop yourself from showing it: Kris couldn't hide his delight. I She didn't know if she could hide her feelings for much longer.
SHUT/CLOSE
opposite °ptN
door/window/box etc
shut j-д^ 7] t0 mC)Ve a door, window, gate etc so that it is no longer open: Come in and shut the door behind you. I Someone had shut the gate to stop the sheep from getting out onto the
road. \ She heard Charlotte downstairs shutting the windows and locking up for the night.
shutting - shut - have shut
close KlcH)/ [о T] to shut something Do you mind if I close the window? I She took the necklace out of the box and closed the lid.
^ In most situations, shut and c,ose mean exactly the same: She shut the door = She dosed the door. But if you want to say
that someone shuts a door slowly and quietly, you usually say cl°se: She closed the door carefully behind her so as not to wake the children.
be shut/be closed /bi: jAt, bi: klauzd
|ad; not before noun] not open: Make sure all the windows are shut before you go out. I The gates were closed, and there was no other way in. I Keep your eyes closed.
slam slicm [u T] to shut a door quickly so that it makes a loud noise, especially beceuse you are angry: Jane marched out of the room, slamming the door behind her. I He slammed the door so hard that the glass cracked.
slamming - slammed - have slammed
lock 1пк|1а:к/ [и T\ if you lock something, you turn a key so that people cannot open it or go into it: Don't forget to lock the backdoor 1 I can't remember if I locked the car.
locked [adj] / need to get my coat out of your car - is it locked? I Karl kept his gun in a locked drawer in his bedroom.
draw the curtains/ciose the curtains / dro: do b:rtnz, ,кЫг Аэ кз:гт/ to close curtains by pulling them across a window: Let's draw the curtains. We don't ujant people looking in.
eyes/mouth
close/shut klsuz, JaI: [и T1 to close your eyes or mouth: I lay down and closed my eyes, i He shut his eyes and listened to the music.
shutting - shut - have shut
closed/shut [аф not before noun] The girl
was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. I He kept his mouth tightly shut.
to become shut
close/shut klsijz, J,\t (и II to become
shut: He walked out and the door closed behind him. i There was a bang as the gate shut. I Her eyes closed, and she fell into a deep sleep.
shutting - shut - have shut
slam (aiso slam shut) skem, ,slaem [At/
[v I) if a door slams or slams shut, it shuts quickly and makes a loud noise: Outside in the street, car doors slammed and people were shouting, t She heard a do or slam shut and the sound of footsteps on the path.
slamming - slammed - have slammed
shop/office
shut/close /At, klaoz (u I] if a shop or
office shuts or closes, it stops being open for business: "What time does the bank shut?" "Four o'clock." I Most of the stores close at 6:30.
shutting - shut - have shut
be shut/be dosed /Ьк'/лг, Ы: 'кы«1/
if a shop or office is shut or is closed, it is not open for business: The ticket office was closed. I It was nine o'clock and all the stores were shut.
SHY
m opposite confident/not confident
shy Jai [adj] nervous and embarrassed about talking to other people, especially people you do not know: David was a/u;ays rather quiet and shy at school. I Carrie gave him a shy smile. I I was too shy to ask her out on a date, shyly [adv] "Would you like to go for a drink?'' he asked shyly.
shy - shyer - shyest
shyness fn U1 shy feelings or behaviour: Alan forgot his shyness and began asking them questions.
timid 'tim^d [adj] frightened to talk to people or to give your opinion, because you have very little confidence: Ralph's wife was a small, timid woman who hardly ever spoke.
timidly [adu] 'Can I go home now?" Sue asked, timidly.
reserved /n'z3irvd [adjj someone who is reserved tries not to show their feelings to other people and does not talk a lot: English people have a reputation for being very reserved.
SIDE
see also middle, edge
the part of an area that is furthest from the middle
side /said/ [n CI one of the parts of an area that is furthest from the middle and closest to the edge
There were high walls on all four sides of the prison yard.
edge /ed3 In ci the part around an object or area that is furthest from its centre, or the part along its side where its surface ends + of The edges of the carpet were torn. I Keep away from the edge of the cliff - you might fall.
on the edge of sth Just leave it on the edge of your plate.
at the edge of sth
(=next to the edge) The house stood right at the edge of the lake.
end /end [n C] one of the two parts of a long object or area that are furthest from each other
+ of He cut a thick slice from the end of
the loaf.
at one end of sth Mrs Deacon sat at one end of the long table and I sat at the other.
at both ends/at each end There are scoreboards at both ends of the stadium. I A dumbbell is an iron bar with a heavy
weight at each end.
border bo:rdor/ [n С] a line or band around the edge of something such as a picture or a piece of cloth: a tablecloth with a brightly patterned border + around The card had a blue border around it.
margin 'ma^d^n [n
+ of We walked along the side of the road. the side of sth
side
I left the book on the side of the desk.
on
edge
The edges of the paper were ragged.
margin
margin
When you see IU, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
Cj the empty space on the left or right side of a page: Someone had written a note in the left-hand margin.
one of the two areas on either side of a line, wall, river etc
side said/ [n C]
+ of This side of the fence is private property. I From the other side of the wall came the sounds of children playing I We crossed the bndge to the north side of the river,
bank bierjk ' [n C] the land along the side of a river
on. the bank o//bank$ of sth a new
theatre on the south bank of the Thames I the vineyards along the banks of the Rhone
to one side/to the side /ta.wAn said.
ta (to said if someone or something moves to one side or to the side, they move from where they are to the left or to the right: She pushed her plate to one side and leaned forward. I Could you move
a little to the side so we can get past?
from side to side fern said ta 'said
moving continuously, first to one side then to the other: The tractor swayed from side to side, almost throwing me out of my seat.
SIGN
^^ Don't confuse bank (Qf a river or stream), shore (0f a sea or iarge lake), and coast (the part 0f a country that is close to the sea).
not the back or front
A
Q
side said/ (n С) one of the two surfaces of a building, vehicle, or boat that is not the back, front, top. or bottom + of A truck ran into the side of the car, killing the driver and two passengers. at the side of sth There was another entrance at the side of the building.
Side is also used to mean one of the two surfaces of something flat, such as a sheet of paper, a coin etc: Write on both sides of the paper.
the left or right half of an object, area, or road
«de ;said/ [n C) + of The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body. I The dancers came on from both sides of the stage. on the le/t-hand/right-hand/other side In Japan they drive on the left-hand side of the road.
В towards the side
sideways /saidweiz/ \adv) moving, looking. or facing to the left or right instead of straight ahead: The car skidded sideways off the road.
a written sign that gives instructions or information
sign
«
sign ,sain; [n C] something with words or shapes on it. which is put in a public place :o show the name of a building, town etc. or to give a warning or information: The sign said 'No smoking'. I There was a big sign above the entrance. I Didn't you see the speed limit signs? traffic/road sign (=a sign that gives information to drivers)
if you mean 'write your name', go
to write 2
the signs for {-the signs on a road that show how to go to a place) Follow the signs for Atlanta.
notice 'noutpS, [n C] a piece o: paper
giving instructions or information, which is put in a place where people can see it. The details of the trip are on that notice over there.
put up a notice (^attach it to a wall) I'll put up a notice about ihe meeting. talce down a notice (=remove it from а wall)
product: The baseball team has a new logo. I bags with our company logo on them
emblem emhhm, [n С] a picture of an object, flower, animal etc that is used to represent a country or organization: England's national emblem is the rose + of The hammer and sickle is the emblem of the Communist Party.
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poster paostn1" [n C) a large printed piece of paper which is put on a wall in a public place, and which gives information about something that is going to happen, for example a film or concert + /or There are posters for the Van Gogh exhibition everywhere. election poster (=a poster that tells you to vote for a party or person in an election)
a picture or shape that has a special meaning
Sign- sain; [n C] a picture or a shape which has a particular meaning, and which is well known and often used: YouVe forgotten to put the dollar sign before the total amount. I Where's the percentage sign on this keyboard?
symbol 'simlvl' [n C] a picture, shape, or design that has a special meaning or represents an idea: The wells were covered with magical symbols I The singer Prince now uses a symbol instead of his name.
+ of The dove is a symbol of peace. + for W/hat is the mathematical symbol for 'infinity'?
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logo /'laugau/ (n С] a sign that has been designed to represent an organization or
a movement or sound that you make to tell someone something
sign sain [n C] a movement that you make in order to tell someone something: He raised his hand in a sign of greeting. sign for sb to do sth When the teacher puts her finger to her lips, it 's a sign for us to be quiet.
signal signal [n С] a sound or movement that you make in order to tell someone to do something
give a signal Don't start yet - wait until I give the signal.
signal to do sth The soldiers were waiting for the signal to start firing. signal for sb to do sth When I blow my whistle, that's the signal for you to start
filming.
gesture dsestfo' [n С] a movement of
your hands, arms, or head that shows how you feel, especially when you are very worried or angry
+ of Jim raised his hands in a gesture of despair.
make a gesture Someone in another
building started making gestures and pointing towards our kitchen. make a rude gesture The fight started when one of the drivers made a rude gesture at someone.
to make a movement or sound to tell someone something
make a Sign ,meik э sain, to make a
movement, especially with your hand, in
order to tell someone something: I'll
make a sign when I'm ready.
make a sign to show/tell etc The
President made a sign to indicate that he wanted to leave.
signal /'sign.?! (u I/T] to make a movement or sound in order to give instructions or information: A sailor began signalling with two flags.
+ to Capone finished his drink and sig nailed to the waiter.
+ that An official signalled that \t was time for the race to begin.
signalling - signalled - Have signalled
krfikh
signaling - signaled - have signaled
amf.ru 'an
wave /weiv/ [u I/T] to move your hand or arm from one side to the other, for example in order to get someone's attention or to tell them something + at Who's that wooing at you? wave goodbye (=wave to someone who is leaving) Her parents stood in the doorway and waoed goodbye. wave sb through/on (=wave to show someone that they can go through or continue their journey) At the border the customs officer just waved us through.
wave [n CJ
give sb a wave (=wave at someone in order to say hello or goodbye) J gave him a friendly wave.
wink 'w/rjk1 [v I) to quickly close and open one eye, in order to show that you are joking or that you share a secret with someone
+ at Ben grinned and winked at his father.
wink, [n CJ when you close and open one eye quickly: "Don't worry," he said with
a wink. "/ won t tell anyone about this "
something that shows what is true or what is happening
SIGN
Sign /sain, [л C] an event or fact that snows that something is true or that something is happening + of the first signs of the disease + (that) A score oj 80 or more is a sign that you are doing very well. be a sure sign о//(that) (=show that something is definitely true) When Emma offers to help you it's a sure sign that she wants something from you! a goodfhopeful/encouraging sign (=a sign that things are improving) He ate all his food, which is a good sign.
evidence /'evJ,d<?ns/ In UJ facts, objects etc that show that something exists or is true + of People have been looking for evidence of life on other planets for years. + that There is no evidence that he ever worked for the company.
Don't say 'a lot of evidences'. Say a lot of evidence
Symptom /'simptam [n C] a sign that someone has an illness or that a serious problem exists: Dr Duncan asked me what my symptoms were.
+ of The first symptoms of hepatitis are tiredness and loss of weight. I The Bishop regards these crimes as a symptom oj society 's moral decline.
SIMPLE
not complicated or not decorated
methods/systems/ explanations/words
^ opposite difficult
simple smipf;l [adjj not complicated, and therefore easy to understand: All you have to do is to follow a few simple instructions. J There must be a perfectly simple explanation for what has happened. I Speak slowly and use simple words so that everyone can understand. simply [adv] Try to express your ideas more simply. (=using simple language) simplicity sim'pli^ti [л UJ when something is easy to use or understand: The simplicity of the system is its great advantage.
straiqht/orward streit'fb:rward/ [adj)
simple - use this especially about explana- tions, instructions, and methods which contain nothing difficult or unexpected: The new accounting system is fairly straightforward - there shouldn't be any problems. I The rules of the game are uen, straightforward.
plain English \plein 'iijglif/ English that
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ordinary people can understand, without any difficult or confusing words: I wish they'd write in plain English, instead of all this business jargon.
В food/clothes/rooms
designs
Simple 'srmp^l [adj] simple food, clothes, or designs do not have a lot of decoration or unnecessary things added, but they are usually attractive or enjoyable : a simple black dress I The meal was simple, but delicious.
plain /plein/ [adj] plain food, clothes, or designs do not have anything added or any decoration, and may be a little boring: English food tends to seem rather plain compared to French food. I She always wore plain, ordinary-looking clothes. I The chapel was a small, plain, whitewashed building.
basic /'bcisik/ [adj] basic food, rooms, or designs only have the necessary features, and do not include things that make them more comfortable, more attractive etc: Some of the hotels in the mountains are pretty basic. I The basic model of this car is £7000 includi ng insurance ana car tax.
El machines/tools
simple simp<?l [adj] a simple machine
or tool has only a few parts and is not made in a complicated way: The tribes of Central New Guinea use uery simp/e tools such as hammers and axes.
basic /'beisik/[adj] basic machines, equipment. or tools only have the most necessary features and you cannot use them to do unusual, difficult, or complicated things: The hospital lacked even the most basic medical equipment, i The basic tool-kit is good enough for most everyday repairs.
И to make something simpler
simplify /'simpUfar [v T) to make something simpler and easier to use or understand: The government is planning to simplify the tax laws.
simplifying - simplified - have simplified
simplified [adj] something that is simplified has been made easier to understand: a simplified version of Jonathan Swift's novel, 'Gulliver's Travels'
SING
see also music, dance
II to sing
sing sir] (u I/T] to make musical sounds with your voice, especially the words of a song: Sophie sings in the church cho/r. I I could hear someone singing down- s tairs.
sing a song/tune/hymn They sat together and sang songs. ' All the /ami7y sang Happy Birthday' as Dad came in. sing sb a song/tune Come on, David. sing us a songf
sing to sb She sat in a corner, singing softly to her baby.
sing along (=sing with someone who is already singing) Sing along if you know the words.
singing - sang - have sung
hum turn [u I/T] to make musical sounds with your voice, but with your mouth closed. Carole hummed to herself as she worked. I He walked along, humming a tune.
humming - hummed - have hummed
whistle 'wis^l [u I/T] to make musical
sounds by blowing air out between your lips: Sam was painting the door, whistling softly as he worked. whistle a song/tune You've been whistling that tune all day.
В someone who sings
singer \ujor [n C| someone who sings, especially as their job: He's a really good singer.
opera/jazz/blues/rock singer Jodie dreamed of being a rock singer. lead singer (=the main singer in a pop group) Mick dagger, the lead singer with the Rolling Stones
choir kwaior [п C] a large group of singers who regularly sing in a church or school or with an orchestra (=large group of musicians): I used to be in the school choir.
El something that you sing
song /sdi]|so:i]/[n C] a short piece of music with words for singing: It's one of Bob Dylan's most famous songs. I an old
Beatles song ! The song was originally written by Schubert.
h(jmn him [n Cj a religious song that people sing in church
SIT
^ see also stand, Lit
II to be sitting in a chair, on the floor etc
sit sit/ Ju I] to be in a chair, on the floor etc, with the weight of your body resting on your bottom, not on your feet: It was a lovely day, and we sat outside in the sun. I Billy was sitting on the edge of the desk, swinging his legs, sit at a desk/table/bar/counter / used to spend all day sitting at a desk.
sit back {—sit and lean back against something) Just sit back and relax. sit up (=sit with your back straight) /t's better for your back if you sit up straight.
sit still (=sit quietly without moving) I wish you children would sit still for 10 minutes.
sitting - sat - have sat
Sit: which preposition? You sit on something with a flat surface, such as the floor, a bed or table, a sofa or bench, or a plain chair or stool. You sit in a comfortable chair or armchair. You sit at a desk, table, or bar (meaning that you sit
facing it, for example to work or to eat a meal). And you sit in front of a television, computer, or fire.
Sit up /.sit 'лр, [phrasal verb 1] to move your body so that you are sitting, after you have been lying down: The day after the operation, he was allowed to sit up in bed. I Anna sat up at once, looking startled.
В to sit after you have been standing
sit down /.sir daon [phrasal verb 1) to sit
on a chair, bed, floor etc, after you have been standing: Come in and sit down. + in/on/next to/beside etc Fay sat do an
SIT
on the edge of the bed.
sit sit [и I] to sit down after you have been standing
+ in/on/next to/beside etc Come and sit next to me. I Let's go and sit by the window.
sitting - sat - have sat
В a place where you can sit
seat si:t {n Cj something you can sit on. especially in a bus, train, plane, theatre etc: Our seats were right at the front of the bus. 1 He leaned back in his seat and lit a cigarette, back/front seat (=in a car)
place /pleis/ |n С] a seat - use this especially to talk about whether seats are available: There are still some places at the back of the hail. I Are there any places left on tonights flight to Rio?
chair /Сеэг/ [n С] a piece of furniture for one person to sit on: He sat down in his favourite chair by the fireplace.
You say sit on a chair if it is a plain piece of furniture with a hard seat. You say sit in a chair if it is a comfortable piece of furniture with a soft seat.
i j
so/a/couch "saofa, kaotJV [n CI a comfortable piece of furniture which is big enough for two or three people to sit on: Roy was lying on the sofa. I Come and sit with me on the couch.
armchair /a:rmtfey, a:rm'tjea'./ In CI а large comfortable chair with parts at the sides where you can rest your arms: Dad was dozing in the armchair.
bench /bentJ/ [n C] a long hard seat made of wood or metal that several people can sit on, which does not have a back or arms
stool /stu:l In CJ a seat for one person, which has three or four legs and has no back or arms: a bar stool
ш what you say to tell someone to sit
Qsit down sit daon/ spoken Sit down.
/ have something to tell you. I Will you sit down and finish your breakfast!
Qhave a seat/take a seat /haev э
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si:t, ,teik э 'si:t/ spoken say this when telling someone politely to sit down: Have a seat - the dentist won't be long.
SITUATION
what is happening in a particular place or at a particular time
see also place
Situation sitjucipn (л С usually singular] the combination of all the things that are happening in a particular place and at a particular time, especially when this is causing problems: With no rain for six months, the situation was becoming desperate. 1 I tried to explain the situation to my boss.
economic/political situation The economic situation in the US is getting better.
a dijficult/awkward/tricky situation It s
a rather difficult situation - I need to borrow some money, but I don't want my parents to know. be in a situation It's good to be able to talk to other people who are in the same situation as yourself.
circumstances /s3:rk;mistainsi,z' |n plural] the situation at a particular time, which influences what you do, what you decide, and what can happen: TV cameras are sometimes allowed in the courts, but it depends on the circumstances, in some/certain circumstances In some circumstances you may have to work on Saturdays.
under normal circumstances Under normal circumstances she would never have left the children with a stronger in the circumstances/under the circumstances (=use this to say that you think something should happen because of the situation now) In the circumstances, it might be better if you took a few days off work.
A Don't say 'a circumstance' or 'the circumstance'. Say the circumstances.
Qthings /Biijs/ [n plural] informal, especially spoken the general situation that exists, especially the way it affects your life: Don't worry! Things can't get any worse. \ Things haven't changed much since I wrote to you last.
position /pa'zipn/ In С usually singular! the way things are at the present time, in
a situation that is likely to change: The position now is that the peace talks are continuing.
in agood/bad/strong/difficult position
The latest economic news puts the President in a strong position.
conditions kan'dipnz |n plural] the things that make your life or your work comfortable or uncomfortable, for example whether you have enough food or money, whether the place where you are living or working is warm enough, safe enough etc: Conditions in the city are getting worse every day. I How can people bring up a family in such dread fui conditions?
г
A
Don't say 'a condition' or 'the condition'. Always say conditions jn this meaning.
.j
environment in vawrommnt" [n C| all
the things that influence the way you live, work, and develop, such as the physical conditions you live in and the people around you: Do girls learn better in an all-female environment? working/home environment We have comfortable offices and an enthusiastic young ieam - it's a pleasant working environment
SIZE
how big or small something is
see also big, small, measure
size saiz [n C/U] how big or small something is: Vour desk is exactly the same size as mine. I The price of a carpet will depend on its size and quality, be twice the size/be half the size (=be twice as big or half as big) Their apartment is half the size of ours, of di/ferent sizes I of various sizes There were several pieces of wood of different sizes.
vary in size (=be of different sizes) The American states vary enormously in
size, from very large to very small. ... the size of sth (=when something is the same size as something else) an area of forest the size of Luxembourg
... this/that size (=as big as this one or that one) In a class this size, there will always be a few problems.
^^ When you are asking about someone's clothes size, you can say what size are
you? or what size do you take? (british) or
what size do you wear? (american). When
you are talking about your clothes size, you say I'm a 6/12/42 etc or I take a size 6/12
etc (British), or I wear a size 6/12 etc
(american).
how big hao big, use this to ask or talk about the size of something: How big fs the table? I We need to know how big the hall is.
area 'е,?пэ [n C/L'l the size of a fiat surface such as a floor or a field + of Calculate the area of the walls and ceiling before you buy the paint. I Forest fires caused damage over an area of about 5000 square miles. I a room with
a floor area of 20 square metres
be 5 metres high/2 miles long/6 centimetres wide etc use this to say
how high, how long etc something is. The River Nile is over 6000 kilometres long. I In some places the path is only a couple of feet wide.
be 10 metres by 15 metres/be 5
cm by 20 cm etc use this to say what
the size of an area, object, or room is, for
example, 10 metres by 5 metres
means 10 metres long and 5 metres wide: The kitchen is 4 metres by 2 metres, measure 10 m by 15 m/5 cm by 20 cm
etc The photographs should measure 3 cm by 2 cm.
SLEEP
^ see also tired, rest wake up/сет up
U to sleep
sleep isli:p/ [и I] The baby was sleeping peacefully. I I had to sleep on the floor, sleep well "Did you sleep well?" "Yes.
thanks
sleep like a tog informal (=sleep very well) sieep badly/not sleep wetl I haven't
SIZE
been sleeping well recently.
steep in (^deliberately sleep until a later time than usual, and get up late) We usually sleep in on Sundays. sleep rough british (=sleep outside or in an empty building, because you have no home) Hundreds of homeless people sleep rough every night in London.
sleeping - slept - have slept
Ж Don't confuse sleep and go to bed Use go to bed to talk about getting into your bed at the end of the day: I went to bed at midnight, und slept for eight hours. Don't say 'I slept at midnight'.
sleep sliip [n singular/Uj time when you are sleeping: Lack of sleep can make you bad tempered.
in your sleep (=while you are sleeping! Katie sometimes talks in her sleep get some sleep (=spend time sleeping, especially when you are very tired and need to sleep) / didn't get much sleep last night.
a good night's sleep (=a long sleep at night, which makes you feel relaxed and comfortable) What you need is a good night's sleep.
have a sleep British (=sleep for a short time, especially in the daytime) The baby usually has a sleep after lunch.
be asleep /bi: ,Ysh:p to be sleeping:
Nic/cy was still asleep. ! We found Mom asleep on the sofa.
be fast asleep (=be sleeping very well) The kids were all fast asleep in the back of the car.
oversleep [v I] to sleep for
too long, so that you are late for something: Гт sorry I'm late - I overslept.
oversleeping - overslept - have overslept
have a пар/take a nap /.haev э пжр,
tcik о n&p to sleep for a short time during the day: The children have a nap every morning at about 11 o'clock.
doze tboz, [i> I] to sleep for a short time while sitting in a chair, often waking up and going back to sleep again: Grandpa was dozing by the fire.
EJ to start sleeping
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go to sleep /goo sli:p/ to start sleeping: Shut up and go to sleep! I I didn't
go to sleep until after midnight. I "I'll stay with her till she goes to sleep/' said
Theo.
fall asleep ,lb:l o'sliip. to start sleeping, especially when you do not intend to: The movie was so boring that I fell asleep halfway through it. I As usual, he had fallen asleep in front of the TV.
doze off ,d?oz 'nfl-'orf [phrasa/ verb I] informal to start sleeping when you do not intend to. and sleep for just a short time- J must have dozed off for a few minutes.
to get into your bed at the end of the day
go to bed bed I usually go to
Don't confuse go to bed (=start sleeping) and sleep (=be asleep).
bed at about eleven-thirty. I "Can I speak to Andrea?" "Sorry, she's already gone to bed."
A
stag awake (^deliberately not go to sleep) One of us should stay awake and keep watch.
can't get to sleep ka:nt get ta sli:p||
,kaent- use this when you cannot sleep although you want to: Mum, I can't get to sleep. I There was so much noise that 1 couldn't get to sleep till four o'clock in
the morning
conscious ;knnj9s||'ka:n- [adj not before noun) awake and able to understand what is happening around you - use this about someone who is ill or has had an accident: The driver was still conscious but in great pain.
/ally conscious (^completely conscious)
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SLEEP
insomnia in sDrnni3||in'sa:m- [n U1 someone who has insomnia cannot sleep - use this about people who have a medical problem that often prevents them from being able to sleep: Strong coffee can cause insomnia.
и what you say to someone when they are going to bed
Qgoodnight (also night informal.)
god'nait, nait sрокfn say this when you are going to bed. or to someone else who is going to bed. Goodnight, everyone. I "Night Dad." "Night SteveГ say goodnight / said goodnight to my parents and went up to bed.
cxsleep welt /,sli:p wel sfokfn say this to
someone who is going to bed, especially someone in your family or a close friend: Goodnight Paula. Sleep well!
5 not asleep
awake /o'weik/ [adj not before noun) not sleeping: "Are you awake9" he whispered.
wide awake (=not asleep and not tired) It was 3 o'clock in the morning, but Peter was still wide awake, lie awake (=lie in bed, but not be ab;e to sleep) I lay awake all night worrying about it.
q
keep sb awake (=prevent someone from sleeping) The noise of the party kept us awake for most of the night.
when someone cannot feel anything and seems to be asleep
unconscious /An'konj3s|(-'ku:n-/ [adj] if you are unconscious, you cannot see, hear, or feel anything, for example because you have had an accident or been given a drug. She was lying unconscious on the floor.
be knocked unconscious (=become unconscious because you have been hit on the head) There was a fight, and Mark was knocked unconscious.
faint feint/ [и 1] to become unconscious and fall down, for example because you are feeling very hot or hungry. / need to go outside. I think I'm going to faint. I Several of the fans fainted and had to be carried out of the concert.
in a COlTta in з кэото unconscious for a long time because of a serious accident or illness: Her father has been in a coma for six months.
When you see ВЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
go into a coma (-start to be in a coma) Ellen went into a coma and died soon afterwards.
J
SLIDE
to slide
slide slaid [и I] to move smoothly across a surface
+ along/around/down etc The children were having fun sliding around on the ice. i Several glasses slid off the tray and crashed to the floor. sliding - slid - have slid
slip slip; [и 1] to accidentally slide a short distance, especially when you then fall down: He slipped and fell - / think he's broken his arm. I The floor's wet - careful you don't slip!
+ on / slipped on some ice and landed on my back.
slipping - slipped - have slipped
skid skid [u 11 if a vehicle skids, it suddenly slides to the side and it is difficult for the driver to control it: The car rounded the bend, skidded, and crashed into a tree.
+ acrosslonfoff etc Nineteen people were injured today when a bus skidded off the road into a ditch.
skidding - skidded - have skidded
a surface that makes you slip
slippery 'slip^ri/ [adj] a slippery surface
is so smooth or wet that it is difficult to stand or move safely on it: Be careful - the floor is very slippery. 1 Black ice is making the roads slippery today.
SLOW
opposite fast
moving slowly or doing something slowly
slow slao [adj] not moving quickly or not
D
SLIDE
doing something quickly: The train was slow, noisy, and uncomfortable. I a slow graceful dance I a race in which the slowest runners were soon left behind I My computer's really slow compared to the ones at school.
be slow to do sth (=not do it quickly enough) The police car was very slow to arrive, and the thieves had already gone.
slowly "slaoli/ [adv] He got up slowly out of his chair and came towards me. ( Can you speak more slowly? I can't understand what you 're saying. I A big white cloud drifted slowly across the sky.
happening slowly or changing slowly
slow sbo; [adj1 taking a long time: She's making a slow recovery after her illness. I For the first few months my progress was extremely slow. I /?ebuf/afing the country's economy is likely to be a long, slow process.
slowly ,'sboli [ac/u] The situation is
slowly improving. I Slowly, prices began to foil.
gradually/little by little /'graxbu^ii,
A
,htl bai litl [adu] happening slowly by a series of small amounts or changes, over a long period of time: Our climate is gradually becoming warmer and drier. I Little by little, Guy's health improved. I I was gradually beginning to realize the seriousness of the situation.
Little by little is used especially in stories or descriptions of past events.
gradual gradual/ [adj] happening or changing slowly over a long period of time - use this about a process or change, or an increase or reduction: I had noticed a gradual improvement in her written work, i a gradual fall in the number of unemployed people
take too long ,teik tu: 'ЬдЦ-'Ьа]/ if
something takes too long, it happens too slowly, or you need too much time to do it: I won't read out the whole state- mem - that would take too long, take too long to do sth I've changed my mind - it would take too long to explain
why.
to become slower or make something slower
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slow down ;,sl3u 'daon/ [phrasal verb I/T] You're driving too fast - slow down!
slow stK/sb down The bad weather slowed us down q lot slow down sth Clinton was able to slow down the rate of US inflation.
SMALL
if you mean 'to become smaller in amount, or to make sth smaller in amount', go to less
WIDE/NARROW
opposite big
SHORT
\ t
tiny tami/ [adj] very small: the baby's tiny fingers I The apartment has two bedrooms and a tiny kitchen. СЦЫпу little especially spoken The box was full of tiny little blue beads tiny - tinier - tiniest
minute ,/mai nju:t||- nu:t [adj] extremely small and difficult to see: minute pieces of
687
SMALL
broken glass 1 Her handwriting is minute. I The problem was caused by minute particles of dust getting into the disk drive.
FEW
LITTLE/ NOT MUCH
Small and little mean the same, but always use small (not little) when you are simply talking about the size of something or giving information about its size. Use little when you want to show your feelings or opinion about a small thing or person.
small /sim:l/ [adj] His office was a small room at the top of the building. I These shoes are too small for me. I a small insect that can give you a nasty bite I Arthur was 16, but he was small for his age. I Her father owns a small printing
business. I a small town in Missouri I Which is the smallest state in the US?
little /'Iitl/ \adj only before noun] small - use this especially to show how you feel about someone or something, for example to show that you like them, dislike them, or feel sorry for them: It's just a little souvenir I brouoht back from Italy Qnice tittte/fovely little especially spoken
What a lovely little dog! I They've bought a nice little house in the country. Qpoor little spoken (=when you feel sorry for someone) a poor little bird with a broken wing
C^siUy little/horrible little etc spoken
see also
TALL
4 \
LESS I
small in size
A
silly little coffee cups that only hold one mouthful of coffee 1 What a horrible little boy!
Minute is more formal or more
technical than tiny.
cramped /кггетрг/ [adj] a room, space, or vehicle that is cramped is uncomfortable because there is not enough space inside it for people to move around: I hated working in that cramped little office. I Conditions on board the ship were extremely cramped.
small numbers/amounts
A
Small srm.'I [adj] Our drinking water contains small quantities of fluoride and calcium. I The car industry is dominated by a sma/i number of very powerful companies.
Don't use little to talk about numbers or amounts - use small.
Don't use small about prices and wages - use low.
A
low /1эи/ \adj] low prices, wages, levels etc are less than usual or less than they should be: It's a good time to buy a computer, because prices are low. I Farm workers are complaining about long hours and low wages. I low interest rates
Don't say 'a low amount'. Say a small amount.
tiny /'tami/ [adj usually before noun] a tiny amount or number is very small: Only a tiny fraction of our profit comes from book sales.
small changes/ differences/problems
small /srmil/ [adj] a small increase in unemployment f I want to make a few small changes to the design. I There is still one small problem that we haven't dealt with.
slight /slait/ [adj usually before noun] small and not very important or noticeable: There has been a slight change of plan. I The doctor says there has been a slight improvement in her condition. the slightest change/difference [=one that is extremely small and difficult to mea sure) a thermometer that can record the slightest change in temperature
minor /'mains1'/1adj only before noun] use this about small changes or problems that are not important enough or serious enough to worry about
minor с hang e/dijQFe re nce/problem/injur у/
detail Except for one or two minor changes, the course is the same as /ast year I She fell off her horse, but suffered only minor injuries.
SMELL
see also taste
a smell
A
smell /smel/ [n C] something that you notice by using your nose: What's that smell? Is something burning? 1 the smells from the factory I cooking smells + of There was a louely smell of freshly baked bread.
When smell is used without an adjective, it usually means an unpleasant
smell: Can we open the window and get rid of the smeii?
Stink stirjk [n singular] a strong and very
unpleasant smell: The stink from the drains is almost unbearable in summer. + of There was a stink of dead fish coming from the garbage can,
odour british odor american /'эиёэг/ [n С] a strong smell that is easy to recognize, especially an unpleasant smell: Get rid of unpleasant household odours with new Fleurl
SMALL 688
a tiny minority (=s very small number of a much larger group) Mil/ions of people buy lottery tickets, but only a tiny minority ever win anything.
tiny - tinier - tiniest
+ of A strong odour of sweat filled the
air.
British English, odour is more formal than smell and is mostly used in writing. But in American English, odor is often used as another way of saying 'smell'.
to become smaller
see also less
get smaller /.get Чтэ;1эг/ The dot got smaller and smaller and vanished from the screen. I Am J getting fatter or is this dress getting smaller?
в
shrink /Jnrjk/ [v I) if clothes shrink, they get smaller when they are washed: Don't wash that sweater in hot water - it'll shrink.
shrinking - shrank - have shrunk
When you see 199, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
aroma /э'гэотэ/ (n С] a pleasant smell,
especially from food or coffee: Each of these herbs has its own flavour and aroma.
+ of The aroma of fresh coffee made Paul stop in front of a small cafe.
scent//ragrance /sent, freignmsj [n С] а
pleasant smell, especially from flowers, plants, or fruit: The rose has a delicate fragrance.
+ of the scent of jasmine
to have a particular kind of smell
have a nice/horrible/strange etc
smell /haev э (nice etc) smel/ The bouse was empty, and the rooms had a stale, damp smell. I The drink has an unusual smell, but it tastes very nice.
smell sme)/ M to have a particular smell smell riice/good/aw/ul/sweet etc The air
smeiled dean and fresh after the storm.
+ of The house stil! smells of paint. I
She smeiled of alcohol and was
unsteady on her feet.
smell like sth It smells like a hospital in
here.
smelling - swelled L ; smelt i Г> - have smeiled I have smelt м it
When smell is used without an adjective, it always means that something has an unpleasant smell: Those socks really smell.
В to have a bad smell
smell sine! [u I| to have an unpleasant smell: Does my breath smell? I It's time you cleaned the bird cage out -it's start- ing to smell.
smell aw/ul/terrible/disgusting What's in this bag? It smells absolutely awful.
smelling - smeiled Ы smelt ичпг-ш - have smeiled (aJv,- have smelt Hi ыо
Stink stiijk [и I] to have a strong and unpleasant smell: How can you eat that cheese - it stinks!
+ of The house stank of cigarette smoke. stinking - stank - have stunk
smellu /'smeli/ [adj] something that is smelly has a bad smell: sme//y socks I The water in the pond had turned brown and smelly.
smelly - smellier - smelliest
reek of Sth /'ri:k ov (sth); [phrasal verb T] to nave a very strong smell of something unpleasant: The whole place reeked of garlic. I After days of travelling in the tropical heatr their bodies reeked of sweat.
El to smell something
Smell /smeJ/ [u T not in passive] to notice the smell of something, especially by putting your nose near it: Smell these roses - aren't they lovely9 I Have you been drinking? Let me smell your breath. I If you smell gas, call this number immediately.
Don't say 'I am smelling gas'. Say | can smell gas
sniff snif [и 1/T not in passive] to take quick breaths through your nose in order to smell something: He opened the milk and sniffed it. I She stopped to sniff the evening air.
+ at The dog was rushing around excitedly. sniffing at the ground.
sense of smell .sens av sme!/ [n singular] the ability to notice smells: These dogs have a very good sense of smell.
В something that you put on your body to make it smell nice
perfume /lp3:rfju:m \n C/UJ a liquid that
a woman puts on her neck or body to make it smell nice: The pillow smeiled of cheap perfume.
fragrance fnergrons/ [n C] a perfume for women or for men - used especially in advertisements: Calvin Klein's exciting new fragrance for men - available now!
cologne /Ыэоп, (n C] a liquid that you put on your face or body to make it smell nice, similar to perfume but with a less strong smell
aftershave /'aifta'Jeivl'aef-/ [n C/U| a
liquid that a man puts on his face and neck to make it smell nice, especially after shaving (=cutting hair from his face)
can smell (=notice a smell) I'm sure I can smell something burning.
smelling - smeiled ink smelt brush) - have smeiled (also have smelt bhim-h )
689
SMELL
deodorant dioocbront [n C/U] something that you put on your skin to prevent or hide unpleasant smells
690
SMILE
SMILE
+ with joy/pleasure ChantaLs face lit up with joy as Max came towards her.
LAUGH
HAPPY
FRIENDLY/UNFRIENDLY
to smile
smile /small/ [и I] to make your mouth curve upwards, as a sign that you are happy or amused or that you want to be friendly: She smiled and said "Good morning". I Rosie's such a cheerful girl - a/ways smiling.
A
+ at The twins turned and smiled at each other, sharing a private joke.
Don't say 'he smiled to me'. Say he smiled at me.
grin grin/ [и 1) to give a big happy smile: Hank was grinning with pleasure. I Grinning shy/y, he offered her a drink. + at She kept grinning at me as if we were old friends.
grinning - grinned - have grinned
beam /bi:m, (и II to smile for a long time, because you are very pleased about something or proud of something you have achieved: Her parents stood there beaming as she went up to receive the prize. + at The bride and groom walked out of the church, beaming at everyone they passed.
smirk /sm3irk/ [t> I] to smile in an unpleasant way, for example because you are pleased about someone else's bad luck or because you know something that they do not know: She sits there smirking as if she's the only one who knows the answer.
+ at What are you smirking at?
FUNNY
\ /
see
also i,
JOKE
sb's face lights up /(sb s) ,feis laits лр/ if someone's face lights up. they suddenly look very happy: The children's faces lit up when we told them we were going to Disney World.
a smile
smile smail In CI the look on your face when you make your mouth curve upwards to show that you are happy, friendly, amused etc: Helga has a lovely smile.
give sb a smile (^smile at them) Barry
gave the old lady a warm smile.
a big smile "See you later," she said,
giving us all a big sm/7e.
with a smile on your face He fell asleep
with a contented smile on his face.
grin, /grin; [n С] a big happy smile: That's Larry on the left of the picture, the one with the big grin on his face. give sb a grin (=grin at them) William gave her a friendly grin as he walked past.
smirk srm:rk/ [n C] an unpleasant, satisfied smile, for example when you are pleased about someone else's bad luck or when you think you know something that they do not know: "You didn't pass, then?" Richard asked with a smirk.
SMOKING
see also burn, fire
to smoke a cigarette, pipe etc
smoke 'srnaok,/ |u \/T\ How old were you when you started smoking? I Do you mind if I smoke? I My father smokes a pipe. I He sat behind his desk, smoking a fat cigar.
smoke 20/30 a day (=smoke 20, 30 cigarettes every day) Anyone who smokes 40 a day can expect to have a lot of health problems.
A
Use this especially in stories and descriptions of past events.
chain-smoke (=smoke cigarettes continuously) While he was directing a movie, he would chain-smoke and drink black coffee.
smoking /'smaokii); |n UJ the habit of smoking: Smoking is bad for your health.
passive smoking l=when you breathe in the smoke from other people's cigarettes)
puff ОП Sth 'рл[ on (sth)fl-g'.n-/ (phrasa/ verb T) to take small amounts of smoke into your mouth from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe: Barry was puffing on his pipe and looking thoughtful.
smofcer ьтэокэг; [n C] someone who smokes regularly: The survey shows that most smokers would like to stop smoking. I The average smoker spends about £18 a week on cigarettes. heavy smoker (^someone who smokes а lot) I knew she was a heavy smoker when I saw the yellow stains on her fingers.
В to not smoke
don't smoke /.daont Ътэок, [v T) if you
don't smoke, you never smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products: "M/ou/d you like a cigarette?" "No. thanks, I don't smoke "
give Up smoking especially british quit smoking especially american /,giv лр ьтэоки}, ,kwit 'smaokiij/ to stop smoking. especially when you make a firm decision that you will not smoke again: I'm trying to give up smoking, but it isn't easy.
A In American English, you can also just say quit, and it means the same: "Do you still smoke?" "No, I quit two years ago."
non-Smoker /поп .чтэокэг||лат- [n CJ someone who never smokes: This part of the restaurant is reserved for non- smokers. I Non-smoJcers get cheaper health insurance.
no-smoking /(пэо 'smaokir],/ lad; only
before noun] use this about rules or signs that say you must not smoke a no-smoking sign/policy/ban There were big no-smoking signs on all the walls. I The company has a no-smoking policy in all its offices.
When you see U9, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
non-smoking jnm 'smaokiglnam-/ \adj] use this about places or buildings where you are not allowed to smoke: / asked for a seat in the non-smoking section of the plane.
В to light a cigarette, pipe etc
light lait [и T| to make a cigarette, cigar, or pipe start burning: The old man struck a match and lit his pipe. I I leaned forward to fight her cigarette.
lighting - lit (also lighted) - have Jit (also have lighted)
Qhave you got a light? British do you have a light?american /,h#v ju: gnt э lait, ,du: ju: tuev э 1ait||-ga;t-/ spoken say this to ask someone for a match or a lighter to light your cigarette: Excuse me, do you have a light?
A Don't say 'have you got fire?' or 'do you have fire?'
■У to make a cigarette, pipe etc stop burning
put out ,pot 'aut/ [phrasa/ verb T] to make a cigarette, cigar, or pipe stop burning put out sth/put sth. out Bill put out his
pipe and stood up to leave.
extinguish ik'st^gwij [u T| formal to put out a cigarette, cigar, or pipe - used especially in official notices or announce ments: Passengers are requested to extinguish all cigarettes when the red light goes on
Stub out /,sub 'autI [phrasal verb T) to put out a cigarette by pressing the end of it against something
stub out sth/stub sth out She nervously stubbed out her cigarette, and immediately lit another one.
SOFT
^ opposite hard
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SOFT
so/t /softlsoift/ [adj] not hard, and easy to press or crush, or pleasant to touch: / need a softer pillow. I shoes made of very soft leather I The ground was soft after all the rain.
50/tness [л U] when something is not hard, and is easy to press or crush. She loved the softness of the cat's fur.
tender tend;)' [adj] use this about meat and vegetables that are soft and easy to cut because they have been cooked well:
Fry the chicken for a further 15 minutes. until it is tender.
SOME
Smooth. smu:0/ [adj] use this about skin or fur that is soft and pleasant to touch: Her skin was as smooth as silk.
692
a few /з tju:/ [quantifierI a small number of people, things, facts etc: "Are there any chocolates left?" "Only a few." I They went to China a few years ago. I We know a few people who work in advertising. I There are a few problems I'd like to discuss with you.
A\ Don't confuse a few (=a small number) and few (^almost none): She has few friends (^almost no friends). I She has a few friends (=some friends).
see also
i
LITTLE/NOT MUCH
A
some, but not a large number
some /s<?m; strong SAnv [determineг/ pronoun] a number of people or things, but not a large number use this when you are not saying exactly what the number is: There were some children playing in the street. I "Do you have any tools?" "Yes, there should be some in the back of the car." some more/some other Tve got some more pictures of her upstairs. I There are some other reasons besides those I have mentioned.
ix Don't use some in negative sentences. Use any Don't say 'I don't have some cigarettes'. Say I don't have any cigarettes
SOME
look here for ... some but not many some but not much some but not all
t LOT
FEW
AMOUNT/
A In questions, you can use either some or any: Do you want any chips7 I Do you want some chips? But use some especially when you think that the other person will answer 'yes'.
on
plained about the noise from the party, f Tve been to Japan several times.
A
Don't confuse a few (=a small number) and a little (-a small amount). A few is only used with plural nouns.
Several 'several [quantifier] more than a few people or things, but not a large number: The President visited several states his tour. I Several people corn-
a number of ,/э плтЬэг nv/ formal several: A number of people said they had seen the gunman earlier in the day. I We have received a number of complaints about last night's television programme.
a series of /э 'si,?ri:z nv/ several things of the same kind that happen one after the other: There has been a series of robberies in the area recently. I We are planning a series of concerts to raise money for charity.
some, but not a large amount
Some /s«?m; strong s\mj [determiner/ pronoun] an amount of something, but not a large amount - use this when you are not saying exactly what the amount is: Can I borrow some money, Dad? I / need some time to think about what you've said. I uWe've run out of milk." "Do you want me to go and get some?" some more Would you like some more meat?
Don't use some in negative sentences. Use any. Don't say 'I don't have some money'. Say I don't have any money
As, Jn questions, you can use either some or any: Do you want some wine? i Do you want any wine? But use some especially when you think that the other person will answer 'yes'.
a certain amount of /э ,s*rtn o'maont
dv a fairly large amount - use this to talk about people s feelings, abilities etc. not to talk about things: a job that required a certain amount of intelligence and skill I A certain amount of stress is unavoidable in daily life.
some, but not all
some/some of SAm. 'sAm ov/ [quantifier] some but not all of a number or amount: Some students only come here because they want to have fun. I "Have you met Jack's friends?' "Some of them." I I've already spent some of the money, f Some trees lose their leaves in the autumn: others remain green all through the winter.
a few of /э fju: nv [quantifier] a few but not all of a number of people or things: I'm going to the club with a few of my friends.
OFTEN
When you see НИ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
several oj/'sev^l nv/[quantiser] several but not all of a number of people or things.- Several of us are going on a trip to France. I Seuera/ of the islands have beautiful beaches
SOMETIMES
ALWAYS
see also
^ Si
USUALLY NEVER
sometimes /sAiritaimz/ [adu] on some occasions, but not always: Sometimes I drive to work and sometimes I walk. I Traffic noise is somefimes о problem. I The journey takes about an hour,; sometimes even longer
Don't forget the 's' at the end of
sometimes
occasionally /a'keivrwli, [adu] use this
to talk about something that only happens a few times, and does not happen often: Occasionally we go out to restaurants, but mostly we eat at home. very occasionally (=not at all often) He lives in Australia now, so we only see him very occasionally. occasional [adj only before nounl happening a few times, but not at ail often: Prisoners are allowed occasional visits from their relatives.
You can also say the occasional ... when you mean an occasional Apart
from the occasional Christmas card, we never heard from her again.
now and then/every now and
tken /пао and '6en, ,evri паи and 'den/ sometimes, but not regularly: Now and then she would look up from her work and smile at him. 1 You see stories like this in the newspapers every now and then.
Jrom time to time /fram ,taim 1э taim
sometimes, but not regularly and not often: This is the kind of problem that we all have from time to time. I Tax rates may vary from time to time.
Qthe odd /ai 'odl-'aid/ [adj only before noun] the odd drink/game/occasion/ weekend etc especially spoken a few drinks, games etc at various times, but not often and not regularly. Jim and I have the odd drink together. I We get the odd complaint from customers, but mostly they're very satisfied.
Qoff and on/on and off /of and on,
on and 'of/ especially spokln for short periods, but not continuously or regularly, over a long period of time: We've been going out together for five years, off and on. I I worked in bars on and off for two years before I decided to go back to college.
A
693
SOMETIMES
can be /'каем bi:/ sometimes - use this to talk about what may happen in a particular situation: These dogs can be quite aggressive if they are not well trained. 1 She can be really stubborn once she has made up her mind about something.
SOON
/К Don't confuse soon (=in a short time) and early (^before the usual time).
see also early, later/at a later
TIME
Kl soon
soon /sum [adv] in a short time from now. or a short time after something else happens: It'll soon be Christmas. I Driving in the city was hard at first, but she soon got used to it. I She arrived home sooner than we expected, as soon as possible Please reply as soon as possible.
as soon as you can I came as soon as I could.
the sooner the better (=when it is important that something is done very soon) The sooner we get him to the hospital the better.
soon after/afterwards They set off soon
after breakfast.
befo Гв (on.Q /bi,fbir iDijII-'birj/ if something happens before long, it happens after a fairly short time: The bus will be here before long. I He joined the business as Sales Director, but before long he was running the whole company.
shortly /'/э:ЧИ/ [adu] soon - use this especially about something that you know will happen soon: We apologize for the delay - the train will be leaving shortly. I The President will shortly be on his way to /ta/у for a trade conference. shortly after/before Her last novel was published shortly after her death.
A Shortly is more formal than soon
in the near future /in Оэ ,шэг 'fju:tjv/
SOON
When you see la, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
use this to talk about something that will happen in the next few weeks or months, although you do not know exactly when: She doesn't have a driver's license, but is hoping to pass her test in the near future. I Successful candidates will be contacted in the near future.
Efl very soon
in ПО time Ш 'пэо taim use this to talk about something good that will happen very soon or that happened a very short time after something else: Take this medicine and you'll be feeling better in no time.
in no time at all In no time at all they were back together again.
Qin a minute in э mmJ,t especially spoken use this to talk about something that will happen within a few minutes, especially something you are waiting for or hoping for: Tm bored. Can we go now?" "OK - in a minute!" I Coffee will be ready in a minute. I Dale climbed into the plane beside her, and in a minute they were on their way.
Qany minute now ,em min]t паи/ spoken use this to talk about something that will happen or start very soon, especially something exciting or important: \Me will be bringing you the first live pictures from Jupiter any minute now.
quickly kwikli/ [adu) if you do something
quickly, you do it very soon after something else happens: We quickly realised that something was wrong when we saw her expression I Alex was knocked to the ground, but he quickly recovered.
EJ something that will happen soon
imminent /'im^nant/ [adj] especially
written an important or worrying event that is imminent will happen very soon By then, war was imminent. I With с general election imminent, Churchill returned to London. in imminent danger of sth (=when something bad is likely to happen very soon) Whole sections of the ruined abbey are in imminent danger of collapse.
694
Qbe coming up jbi ,клти] лр/ especially spoken if something is coming up, it is going to happen soon: Katie's working much harder now that her final exams are coming up. have sth coming up You have a birthday coming up, haven't you?
SORRY
look here for...
S3 APOLOGIZING
feel sorry because you have done something bad or stupid feel sad for someone because they are in a bad situation
EMBARRASSED
«4 *
see also
iг \
ASHAMED GUILTY/
NOT GUILTY
D to tell someone you are
sorry you did something
say you are sorry sei ju: У snri||- sci:ri
to tell someone you are sorry because you have upset them or done something that causes problems for them: Sometimes it's not easy to say you are sorry. + (that) She finally arrived, and said she was sorry we had been kept waiting.
SORRY
accept sb's apology/apologies / hope you will accept our sincere apologies, demand an apology Blake was wrongfully arrested and is now demanding an apology from the police.
plural apologies
what you say to tell someone you are sorry
Qsorry/Гт sorry 'sort, aim snri -'sairi spoken say this to tell someone you are sorry that you upset them or caused problems for them: you can also say this as a polite way of excusing yourself for a small mistake: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. I Sorry, did I step on your foot? I'm very/really/terribly sorry I'm really sorry. Joanna. I've broken one of your glasses.
695
+ (that) I'm sorry that I shouted at you. I Sorry we're late, Shelley. + about Sorry about all the noise sorry to do sth Tm sorry to bother you. but I need to discuss my essay.
<Qsay sorry /'sei sori}|~fso:ri f ччлл. iy spoken to tell someone, especially a mem* ber of your family or close friend, that you are sorry because you have upset them or done something bad: She says she won't see him again unless he says sorry + to Go and say sorry to your mother Andrew.
apologize (also apologise British)
3pobd^aiz|]3pu:-/ [и I) to tell someone you are sorry, especially in a formal or official situation: The hotel manager apologized and agreed to give us our money back. + /or British Airways apologizes for the
late arrival of flight BA297. + to The US has apologized to Britain for an accident in which two British soldiers were killed.
apologize for doing sth She apologized for causing us so much inconvenience.
A Don't say 'I apologized her'. Say I apologized to her
apology /эрпЫзфра:- [n CI something that you say or write to tell someone that you are sorry: The story was full of lies, and the paper had to print an apology.
О excuse me i к'skj u:z mi:/ spoken, especially american say this to tell someone you are sorry because you accidentally touched them or made a small or embarrassing mistake: Oh, excuse me, is that your bag I just stood on? I Excuse me - I didn 't realize there was anyone in here.
Ql beg your pardon ;ai beg p:r
pa:rdn, spoken formal say this when you make a small mistake and you want to say sorry politely: 'That's my pen." "Oh. I beg your pardon - I thought it was mine."
to feel sorry about something you have done
be sorry//eei sorry bi: sori, ,fi;l snri
-sc:ri to feel sad, embarrassed, or annoyed about something bad or stupid that you have done, and wish you had not done it
+ (that) Now she felt sorry that she had never written to her parents. I I didn't enjoy myself and I was sorry I ever agreed to go with them. be/feel sorry for sth (=sorry for something bad you have done) I hope you're sorry for the trouble you have caused.
be//eel sorry about sth (=sorry about
something that has happened) He's lost his job, but he doesn't seem very sorry about it.
regret n'gref [и T] to wish that you had no! done something, especially because it has bad results that affect you for a long time: / decided to leave my job - a deci sion which I later regretted, I It u>as a stupid thing to say. and I immediately regretted it.
regret doing sth I've always regretted
giving up my piano lessons.
+ (that) I think she regrets now that she
never went to college.
A
regretting - regretted - have regretted
Regret is more formal than be/feel
sorry
fi\ Don't say 'I regret to do it' or 'I regret
to have done it'. Say I regret doing it or | regret that I did it
regret/n'gret/ [n C/UJ a feeling of sadness because you wish you had not done some- thing, or you wish the situation was different: Burgess feft with a feeling of regret, knowing that he would never return. with great/deep regret We have accepted her resignation with deep regret, have no regrets (-not regret anyrhing) / moved to the US ten years ago, and I haue no regrets.
wish you had)wish you hadn't
sad for someone because they have had very bad luck or they are in
■"wij ju: hied, 'wij" ju: haednt to feel that you have done the wrong thing, and wish that you had behaved differently-. / wish / had told him the truth. I She wished now that she had not agreed to marry him.
to feel sorry because someone else is in a bad situation
be sorry /bi: 'sorij-'sarri to feel sad about something bad that has happened to someone else
+ (that) I'm sorry she didn't get the job - I think she really deserved it. be sorry to hear/see/read И/е were oil sorry to hear about your accident.
feel sorry for sb ;,fi:l 'SDri fr:r (sb)|
SORRY
-sairi-I to feel
a bad situation: He felt sorry for Tina - she seemed so lonely. I It's his wife I feel sorry for.
sympathized sympathise british)
'simp^Baiz [и I] to feel sad for someone
who is having problems, because you understand how they feel: / know what it's like to be alone in с strange country. and I do sympathise
+ with They say they sympathize with people who are unemployed, but hou> do they know what it's like?
sympathy simpolH [n U] the feeling
you nave when you feel sorry for someone who is having problems, and you understand how they feel: Re/atiues of the air- crash victims were treated with great sympathy.
have sympathy for sb I have a lot of sympathy for her - divorce is о very upsetting experience.
pity pit i [и T] to feel very sorry for someone who is in a much worse situation than you: I pity anyone who has to feed a family on such a low income.
pitying - pitied - have pitied
Zf^You can also use pity to talk in a joking way about someone whose problems are not very serious: He spends all his time cleaning and polishing the car - I pity his poor wife!
what you say when you feel sorry for someone
Ql'm Sorry aim 'snri||-'sairi, spokf.n say this to tell someone you are sad that something bad has happened to them: I heard about your /other's death; I'm very sorry. I I really am sorry. I hope Jim
finds another job soon.
Qbad luck bied '1дк/ spoken say this to show your sympathy for someone who has tried to do something and failed: Bad luck. Paul. I'm sure you'll pass next time.
QpOOr po«"»r [adj only before noun] f.spf- cially spokf.n use this when talking about someone that you feel sorry for: The poor girl gets blamed for everything that goes wrong.
696
poor old (nformal (used about someone you know well) I hear poor old Steve broke his ankle.
SOUND
see also 10ud, quiet, music
a sound
sound sa'>n<J ln C/U] something that you hear: The only sound in the house was the ticking of the clock. I The TV's broken - you can see the pictures, but there's no sound.
+ of We could hear the sound of laugh ter in the next room, a clickiag/tapping/biLzzing etc sound
There's a funny rattling sound coming from the back of the car.
noise ПЭ[/ 1л C/U] a sound, especially a loud or unpleasant one: The children are making a lot of noise, I street noises + of The noise of the traffic kept me awake.
a banging/scratching etc noise What's that banging noise? I We heard a creaking noise, and sow the door begin to open.
/j\ Don't say 'a big noise'. Say a |OU(j noise
echo 'екзо/ [n С] a sound which repeats the last part of a loud sound made, for example, in a large empty room or near a high wall
+ of the faint echo of thunder in the distance
plural echoes
to make a sound make a sound/make a noise
,mefk c> s;iond. так 'n.vz I knew that if I made any noise, they would find me. I The lamb was making a sound like a baby crying.
C^go M 9° bang/beep/pop etc
especially spoken to make a short loud sound: / was using the hairdryer and suddenly it went bang.
going - west - have gone
echo -'екэо/ [v I) if a sound echoes, you hear the last part of it again because it was made in a large empty room, near a high wall etc: I heard footsteps echoing down the corridor.
echoing - echoed - have echoed
With Ipreposition] with a bang/ crash/thud etc making a loud sound: The picture fell to the floor with a loud crash. I Fighter planes flew low over the village, with a great 'whoosh'.
9° ojf po 'nfj-'aif/ [phrasa/ verb I] if something goes off. it starts to make a noise - use this about bells that warn you about danger, clocks that tell you it is time to get up etc: My neighbour's car alarm went off three times lost night. I Our a/arm clock goes off at 7:15 every morning
В to make a sound because you are in pain, are disappointed etc
groan £г;юп [и 1] to make a long sound in
a deep voice, because you are in great pain or you are very disappointed: A lex groaned as the pain got worse. I Everyone groaned when Tim walked into the room. groan ln C] the sound you make when you groan: There was a loud groan from the crowd as Shearer's shot missed the goal.
sigh sa!' Iu 4 to breathe in and out deeply and loudly because you feel disappointed, bored, or impatient: Pamela sighed and looked at her watch. siqhfn C] the sound you make when you sign: John gave a sigh and sai down.
Q when a sound stops fade away/die away ,cld 0 wei da
hole
.Vwei [phrasal verb fj if a sound fades away or dies away, it gradually becomes quieter and quieter until you cannot hear it any more: The noise of the bombing died away and the town was quiet once more.
SPACE
see also
space that is available to use
697
SPACE
Space /speis/ (n C/U] an empty area of any size, which can be used or filled by things or people: i ш/sh we had more
space in our office. I There's a space on the form where you write the name of your school I parking spaces +/or We don't have enough space for all our furniture.
space to <lo sth Could you find me a
space to store these boxes in?
make/clear a space (=make a space by moving things) She cleared a space on the desk for her computer.
room /ru:m, rum/ [n U] enough space for something to fit into: / can't sit there, there isn't enough room. + for Is there room for my уcamera in your bag?
room to do sth I had to back the car out of the driveway - there wasn't enough room to turn around. make room for sb/sth (=move people or things closer together so there is room for another person or thing) Can you move and make room for Jerry, please?
a space between things
When you see 1ЭЭ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
space /speis/ [n C] an empty area between two things: There was an empty space on the shelf where the book had been. + between The children hid in the space between the wall and the sofa.
gap Igspi [л С] a space where there should not be one, for example because something has been removed or something is missing
+ in We'll have to fix this gap in the fence.
+ between The dentist says the gaps between her teeth may cause problems later.
Opening /'зорлиц/ [n C] a small hole or space that you can pass through or see through
SPACE
+ in The guards passed food to the prisoners through an opening in the wall. I The children were peeping through an opening in the curtains.
SPEAK
SAY_ —TALK
\ /
see
also
A
TELL LANGUAGE
Don't confuse say, tell talk and speak. You say words to someone. You tell someone facts or information about something. You talk to someone about a subject. You speak (=by producing words) or you speak a language.
to speak
speak isphkj lv J] to produce words with your voice: She had a sore throat and couldn't speak. i houj old are babies when they learn to speak? speak up (=speak louder) Can you speak up? - I can't hear you.
speaking - spoke - have spoken
talk /to:k; [v I] to produce words with your voice in order to have a conversation, tell people what you think etc: Please don t all talk at the same time. I You're not supposed to talk in the library.
stammer/stutter /'staem^, sut3r [u
I/T] to speak with difficulty because you cannot stop yourself repeating the first sound in some words: She always used to
stutter when she was nervous. I "I
d-ddon't know," he stammered.
whisper wispa1*/ [u II to speak very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice: We had to whisper because Jill s mother was in the next room. I What are you two whispering about?
mumble 'rmmb<?l/ [u IJ to speak quietly and not at all clearly. so that it is difficult for people to understand you: Don't mumble - I can t hear what you 're saying.
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Speech /Spiitj.' [n U] the ability to speak; Only humans are capable of speech. I The left side of the brain controls speech.
to speak a language
speak /spiik/ [u TJ to be able to speak a language: Nadia speaks six languages. speak Frenck/Japanese/Russian etc Is
there anyone here who can speck Arabic?
Don't say 'he talks English', 'I talk Japanese' etc. Say he speaks English, speak japanese etc.
speaking - spoke - have spoken
Д Don't say 'he can speak in English'. Say he can speak English.
Don't confuse she is speaking English (=she is speaking it now) and she speaks English (=she can speak it).
fluent / Ли :зпг/ \adj] very good at speaking a language, so that you can speak it quickly without stopping and you understand it very well
/luent in English/German etc Danielle is
fluent in Cantonese.
fluent French/Arabic/Japanese etc Ann
speaks fluent Italian. fluently [adu] Douglas speaks Hindi fluently.
| A Use fluent and fluently about languages you have learned, not about your own first language.
bilingual /bai'lrqgwal/ [ad;] able to speak two languages very well: Their children are completely bilingual.
speaker /'spi:k3r/ [n C] someone who can speak a particular language speaker of English/Russian/Arabic etc Speakers of Cantonese often cannot understand speakers o) Mandarin. English/SpamshfUrdu etc speaker The hotel has two English speakers on its staff.
native speaker (=someone who was born in the country where a language is spoken, so that is the language they usually use) All our English teachers are native speakers.
В the way someone speaks
pronunciation /pra.nAnsi'eiJ^n/ [n singular] the way someone says the words and
sounds of a language: Gianni has problems with his grammar but his pronun ciation is very good.
A\ Don't write 'pronounciation'. The correct spelling is pronunciation
accent aeks^ntH'seksent/ [n C) the way someone speaks a language, which shows which country or which part of a country they come from, and which sometimes shows which social class they come from: She speaks Spanish with a Mexican accent. I I knew from his accent that he was Scottish.
a strong/broad accent (=an accent that is easy to notice) Her companion had a strong French accent, an upper-class accent (=typical of people from a high social class)
Speech spiitj, In U] the way someone speaks, especially when this is affected by illness, drugs etc: He was drunk, and his speech slow and unclear. speech impediment (=a permanent speech problem, which makes it difficult to pronounce certain sounds) She was born with a slight speech impediment.
spoken, not written
Spoken /Чрэокэп/. [adj usually before noun] spoken language is produced with the voice, not written down: This book will help you with both spoken and written English.
oral /"э:гэI/ [adj usually before noun] using
spoken language rather than written language - use this especially about tests and exams
oral test/exam VJe had a 15-minute oral exam in German.
unable to speak
can't speak /,kamt 'spi;k||,kaent-/ to be unable to speak because you are too ill, weak, frightened, or shocked: I was so terrified. I couldn't speak
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SPEAK
lose your voice /Ju:z p:r 'vdisI to become unable to speak because of illness, or because you have been using your voice too much: All that shouting has made her lose her voice.
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SPECIAL
dumb d,\m/!adj] permanently unable to speak: Martin was born deaf and dumb.
/L Dumb is not used by doctors, and is often considered offensive.
SPECIAL
unique ju:'ni:k [cdj] so special and unusual that it is the only one of its kind - use this especially about things or people that you think are extremely good: It was a unique achievement - no-one has ever won the championship five times before. I The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to see all of the artist's work.
special
special 'spepl; |adj] something that is special is different from other things, for example because it is better, more important. or intended for a particular purpose: They have special meals for children. I United Airlines is offering a special $299 return fare to London. I I made a special effort to be nice to him. + for Today is a very special day for her. special occasion (=a wedding, birthday, or other time when people celebrate something) He has a dark suit, tuhich he only wears on special occasions. something special about sb/sth (=some- thing good about a person, place etc which makes you like them very much} There's something special about the countryside in this part of France.
specially spepli MW specially designed/made/built/chosen/trained/ prepared etc designed, made, built etc for a special purpose: а neu; range of beauty products specially designed for
particular .por'tik$br [adj only before noun) use this to say that something is clearly different or separate from other things of the same kind, or that something is more important than other things: Each flower has its own particular smell. 1 Is there any particular reason why you want to go back to Japan? I Each class will focus on one particular aspect of American culture.
be of particular interest/importance
see also unusual, different,
festival5 and special days
(=be especially interesting or important to a particular person or group) This discovery is of particular interest to scientists studying the origins of the universe.
SPEND
to spend money or time
look here for ...
spend money spend time
SHOP— MONEY
\ я
see also
iг ^
BUY GAMBLING
to use money to buy things
spend spend [v T] to use money to buy things
spend Ј5/$10 etc I bought two skirts and a T-shirt and I only spent $50. spend £5/$ 10 etc on sth We spend about £85 a week on food. I The government should spend more on education. I She spends far too much money on clothes. spend money on doing sth Carrie spends most of her money on travelling to school.
spending - spent - have spent
Ж Don't say 'I spent $50 for this jacket'. Say I spent $50 on this jacket
pay £5/$ 10 etc for sth pei (Ј5/$io
etc) for (sth)/ [phrasa/ verb T] to spend £5. $10 etc in order to buy something: They paid over $100 each for tickets. I The set meal costs £15 but you have to pay extra for wine.
Ж Use pay for to talk about what you must pay for something because that is what it costs Compare: We pay more for food than people in America (^because food is more expensive here), i French people spend more on food than British people
(-they choose to spend more of their money on food).
qblow hbo [и t] spoke n to spend a lot of money on something expensive and enjoyable, especial.у something that you do not really need
blow Ј50/$100 etc on sth We blew
$3000 on a trip to Barbados,
blow the lot British blow it all amlrican
(-spend everything) He won £500,000 in the National Lottery. but he's blown the lot.
blowing - blew ~ have blown
to spend less money
CUt down /. к л t daon [phrasal verb I/T] to reduce the amount of money that you regularly spend: He's spending much more than he can afford - hell have to cut down.
+ on She's already cut down on going out and buying clothes. but she still doesn't have enough money.
economize (also economise зктян)
rkon^maizlli'ka:- [v I) to spend less money by buying only what you really need, or by buying cheaper things: Sorry. I can t come out tonight - I'm trying to economize.
economize on sth (-spend less money on
something) Families on low incomes had to economize on food and heating costs.
the amount of money you spend
spending /'spendir; [n UJ the amount of money that is spent, especially by a government
publtc/government spending increases
in government spending
health/education/defence spending In
recent years the government has reduced defence spending.
/|\ Vou can also use spending before a noun, like an adjective: a survey of people's spending habits I big spending cuts
COStS ki)sts||k.r.sts [n plural] the money that a person or organization has to spend regularly on heating, rent, electricity etc: What are your annual fuel costs? cut costs (^reduce costs) Falling sales have forced companies to cut costs. running costs (=the costs of owning and using a car or machine) I'm looking for a car with low running costs.
expenses ik'spensj>z [n plural] the money that you need to spend in order to buy the things you need. John and Rachel have a new baby, so they have о lot of expenses
right now.
travel / living / medical f legal expenses
When you see go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
Living expenses are much higher in London. I The company doesn't pay my travel expenses.
someone who hates
spending money
Stingy /'stindji [adj] not generous with
your money, even though you are not poor: It's no use asking him - he's too stingy to give money to charity. stingy - stingier - stingiest
mean /mi:n- \adj\ BRITISH someone who is mean does not like spending money or sharing what they have with other people: He's so mean, he never even buys his wife a birthday present.
+ with. Marsha has always been mean with her money.
О С heap tjilp [adj] american, especially spoken someone who is cheap does not like spending money, and always tries to avoid spending it: Uncle Matt was really cheap - he used to stay with us for weeks, and he never paid for anything.
miser /'maiz3r/ In C] someone who hates
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SPEND
spending money, and tries to spend as little as possible, especially someone who stores their money in a secret place: Everyone said Mr Henny was a miser who had thousands of pounds hidden under his bed.
someone who likes spending money
extravagant /ik'stnevDganl.' \adj] spending a lot of money on things that you do
not really need: $200 on a dress? You're
so extravagant!
throw your money around Вгэор:г
'тлт 3,raond, informal someone who throws their money around has a lot of
money and enjoys spending it: a luxury skiing resort, full of rich people throwing their money around
to spend time
see also stay
spend /spend/ [v T] to spend time somewhere, with someone, or doing something: / never seem to have any time to spend with the children. 1 Dani spends hours on the phone.
spend time doing sth Fay spent a year in Italy teaching English.
spending - spent - have spent
pass the time ,pa:s дэ 'taiml.paes-/ to spend time doing something unimportant, because you have nothing else to do: I started doing a crossword to pass the time.
pass your time The security guards used to pass their time playing cards.
waste /weist/ [и T] to use your time badly, by doing nothing or by doing something that is not useful: Stop wasting time. IVe have to finish this by five o'clock. I I must have wasted two whole hours trying to fix this machine.
SPEND
kiU /kil/ [и T] kill time/a couple of
hours etc informal to make the time pass more quickly while you are waiting for something by doing something that you do not need to do: / u>as early, so I sat in a cafe, killing time. ! The train doesn 't leave till two, so we have a couple of hours to kill.
When you seelSSI , go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
SPOIL
to make something less attractive less enjoyable, or less effective
DAMAGE— BREAK
\ /
see
also
MARK DESTROY
spoil /spoil/ [и T] That new supermarket has really spoiled the view from the house. I Yes. it rained a lot, but we didn't let that spoil our vacation. spoil sth for sb {=make it less enjoyable or exciting for them) Don't tell me the ending of the movie -you'll spoil it for me.
spoil everything/spoil things (completely spoil someone's plans) If you don't come it'll spoil everything.
spoiling - spoiled (also spoilt вкпьн)- have spoiled (alsohave spoilt British)
Qmess Up /,mes лр/ [phrasa/ verb TJ spoken to spoil something important or something that has been carefully planned mess up sth The travel agents messed up the arrangements and there was no room for us at the hotel. 1 He's messed up my whole life.
mess sth up 1Me secretly organized a party for her, but then Bill messed every thing up by telling her about it.
ruin ru^n [v TJ to spoil something completely: John and Sandy argued all the time, which completely ruined the evening for the rest of us. I My new white dress was totally ruined! I If the newspapers find out about this, it could ruin his career.
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wreck /тек/ (u T) to completely spoil something important so that it can never exist again or be like it was before: The bombing was a deliberate attempt to wreck the peace talks. I a dreadful car crash that wrecked their lives
Word
THROW 2
CATCH
FREE TIME
TAKE PART
bank
COMPETITION
\ t
EXERCISE
see also
GAME
4 \
ORGANIZATION
sport
sport spo:rt (л C/U] a physical activity in which people or teams play against each other and try to win: My favourite sports are basketball and motor-racing.
do Sport ESPECIALLY BRITISH play Sport LSPf.CiALLY AMERICAN Do yOU p/ay any
sports? I / haven't been doing much sport lately, sports 1 adj only before noun] used for sport or connected with sport: My son belongs to a local sports club. I sports equipment
Sport can also be an uncountable noun, especially in British English, meaning 'sports in general'. So you can say either good at sport (especially British) or good at
SPORT
sports (especially AMERICAN).
A Don't say 'make sport'. Say play sport or do sport
game /geim/ [n С] a sport that you play
against another player or team, according to a set of rules: At school, we played team games like football and hockey. I Tennis is a popular game in the summer.
A Don't confuse sport and game. Sport includes all sorts of physical activities, games, races, and things like climbing and fishing. Games are usually played either between two people or between two teams. Sports that involve racing, such as swimming, athletics, and horse-racing, are not games
an occasion when people compete against each other in a sport
game /geim/ [n C] an occasion when two
people or two teams compete against
each other in a sport: Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling game. I IVho won the game? I I got two tickets for the Bulls' game.
game of tennis/squash etc How about a game of tennis this evening? basketball/football etc game I'm going to watch a volleyball game this Saturday.
match iructj (n C] especially British an occasion when two people or two teams compete against each other in a sport. Are you going to the match tomorrow?
a footballjcricket/boxing match A cricket
match was in progress on the school sports field.
Don't say 'a match of tennis/football/ chess etc'.
Americans never use match to mean a game played between two teams. They only use it for games where one person competes with another or fights with another: a wrestling match
race /reis/ [n C) a competition in which several people try to run, drive, ride, swim etc faster than each other: Hill won the race, and Schumacher finished second.
horse race Her husband spent all their
money gambling on horse races.
to play a sport
play Iplei/ [u I/Tl to take part in a sport - use this especially about games in which you try to win against another person or team: I'm playing in a basketball game this Sunday.
play /ootball/tennis/golf/baseball etc
It's a long time since I played hockey. + against The Rams played against the Giants twice in three weeks.
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SPORT
playing - played - have played
Qdo ciu; [u T] f:sm:iALLY >чмл use this especially with the names of sports that are not team sports: / do aerobics twice a week. I He used to do karate, but he gave it up.
doing - did - have done
go [u TJ use this about sports whose names end in '-ing
go climbing I swimming I running / riding
etc John goes running every morning, going - went - have gone
Ш someone who does a sport
player pleio1. {rr Cj someone who belongs to a sports team or who regularly does a sport: One of the players had been injured.
baseball/basketball etc player one of
the best tennis players in the country
sportsman/sportswoman sp^ts
mon. 'spsits.womnn (n Cj someone who is very good at sport, especially someone who does it as their job: A special Olympic village has been built for the sportsmen and sportswomen to live in. piural sportsmen sportswomen
athlete ';d)li:t |n C\ someone who is good at sport, especially someone who does athletics (=sports such as running, throwing things, or jumping over high bars): All athletes now have to be regularly tested for drugs.
H a group of people who play against another group
team t i:m; In С] a group of people who play together against another group in a sport: Which team do you support? be in a team British be on a team
american We haven't decided who is going to be on the team yet.
^^ Iri British English, you can use team with a singular or plural verb: Our team is wearing red/are wearing red. In American English, only use a singular verb.
SPORT
Side said [л С] British one of two teams who are playing against each other: Both sides ployed really well. I Our side only needs one more goal to win.
captain k;ept^n/ [n CJ the main player in a team, who tells the other players what to do + of the captain of the England football team
В a place where you do a sport
field fi:ld [n C] a large area of ground, usually covered in grass, where team sports are played: The crowd cheered as the players ran onto the field.
baseball/Jootball/sports etc field (=a field where baseball, football etc is played): The footbaii field was too muddy to play on. so the game was cancelled.
pitch . pit J; [г С] british a sports field: The fans rushed onto the pitch at the end of the match.
cricket/football etc pitch (=a pitch where cricket or footbaii is played)
court ta:rt In CJ an area with lines painted
or the ground, where two people or teams play a game such as tennis, badminton, basketball, or netball
tennis/basketball/squash etc court (=a
court where "ennis etc is played)
leisure centre 1е^>' senty||h:- [n C]
british a building where you can do various different sports: There's a really nice swimming pool at the leisure centre.
gym d^inv In CJ a large room where there are machines that you can use to do exercises and make your body stronger: Are you going to the gym today?
pool/swimmtng pool pu:l, swimiri
purl [n CJ a place where you can swim, consisting of a large hole in the ground that has been built and filled with water, either outdoors or inside a building
Stadium studioin [n С] a large sports field with seats all around it. where people go to watch team sports: a baseball stadium
M someone who watches a sport
spectator spek'teitaH'spekteita', [n C]
someone who goes to a game and watches people playing a sport
704
fan hen [n C] someone who likes a particular team or player and often goes to watch them play: Thousands of fans queued to buy tickets.
Supporter ls?px'\y [n C] British someone who likes a particular team, especially a football team, and often goes to watch it play: Several supporters were arrested outside the stadium. Milan/Liverpool etc supporter (=a sup porter of Milan/Liverpool etc)
Support so'po:rt [t> Tj British to like a particular team, and want it to win.- 'Which teem do you support?" "Oh. United, of course!'
, Don't say am supporting Juventus'. ! Say I support juventus.
the person who makes sure that players obey the rules
referee! umpire re fori:. 'лтраюг [n Cj
tne person in charge of a game, who makes sure that the players obey the rules and decides who has won game: What's the score? I The score at
half time was 12-18.
final score (=the score at the end of the
game)
0© when two teams or players have the same score
draw ГSPECIALLY BRITISH tie KSPIVIAI l\ AMI Ч
ft Afs dm. far |n CJ when both players or teams have the same number of points at the end of a game: "What was the result of the Barcelona и Real Madrid game?" "ft was с draw."
end in a draw/tie The game ended in a tie.
Qbe two ad/be four all etc he
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SPREAD
(two etc) xl: spoken say this when both players or teams have two points, four points etc in a game: It's two all at the moment, but United seems the better team. I "What was the final score?" "One all"
A
Use referee about football, basketball, hockey, and boxing.
Use umpire about baseball, cricket, and tennis.
SPREAD
to cover a larger area or affect a larger group of people
judges djAd^z/ [n plural] the people who decide which person is the best in a competition
Use judges about sports in which people do not compete in teams, such as skating, horse-riding, and gymnastics.
the points you get when you are playing a sport
point /paint/ In C] a unit used for measuring how well you are doing in a sport or game: Steve Jones is 15 points ahead. I Damon Hill leads the Formula 1 Championship. with 58 points from 6 races. get/score a point We lost the game when the Giants scored 14 points in the
last quarter.
goal gaol/ In Q the point you get when
you make the ball go into the net in sports such as football or hockey score a goal (=get a goal)
score /sb:r/ (n C) the number of points that the two teams or players have in a
when fire/liquid etc spreads
spread spred [l> I] if fire, liquid, smoke etc spreads, it moves outwards in all directions to cover a larger area: The fire spread quickly through the building. + through/across/to etc By now the flood water had spread across 80 square miles of farmland. I She knocked over her glass, and a dark pool of wine spread over the tablecloth.
spreading - spread - have spread
В when information/ ideas/feelings etc spread
spread /Spred; It» \/T] if information, an idea, or a feeling spreads, or if you spread it, more and more people begin to know about it or be affected by it: News of the President's death spread quickly. + to/into/through etc a feeling of panic that spread through the whole army
when diseases spread
Spread spred/ [v I/T] if a disease spreads, or if it is spread, it is passed from one person to another, and it affects more and more people: Some diseases are spread by insects. + through/to/across Cholera is spreading through the refugee camps at an alarming rate.
spreading - spread - have spread spread [n singular]
the spread of sth (=when a disease
spreads) the spread of AIDS
infectious /m'fekjas/ [adj] an infectious
disease is spread by being passed from one person to another: in/ecfious diseases such as typhoid highly in/ectious (=very infectious) Measles is a highly infectious illness that can be extremely serious.
E when people go in many directions
spread out /.spred aotI [phrasal verb I] if a group of people spreads out, they move apart from each other so that they cover a
larger area: 'Spread out/" shouted the sergeant. "We have to search the whole forestI Small groups of survivors spread out across the plain.
scatter :'sk2et3r/ [v I] if a group of people scatter, they all suddenly move in different directions, especially to avoid something dangerous: A gun went off and the crowd scattered. I The rioters scattered when police vans arrived.
to put butter, glue etc on a surface
spread spred [u T] to put a thin layer of a soft substance, such as butter or glue, on a surface, so that it covers it spread sth on sth Spread the glue evenly on both surfaces. I He spread plaster on the wails.
spread sth with sth tu;o slices of toast spread with peanut butter
spreading - spread - have spread
to open something out and arrange it on a surface
spread/spread out /Spred, ,spred 'aot
(u T] to open something such as a sheet, a map, or a newspaper, and arrange it so that it lies flat on a table, the floor, or another surface
spread oat sth Jim spread out a blanket for her to sit on.
spread sth out/over/on He took the map and spread it out on the table. I I spread the towels over the radiator to dry.
when things are spread over a wide area
scattered /'Skaet3rd [adj] things that are scattered are spread over a large area in an irregular or untidy way + about/over/among etc Tiny cottages were scattered ail over the hillside.
spread out /spred 'aot/ |ad; not before noun] things that are spread out are spread over a large area with a lot of space between them
+ on/among/across etc Diane had her papers spread out all over the floor.
STAND
if you mean 'can't stand something', go to вдо 6
see also sit, lie
D to be in a standing
position
SPREAD 706
spread Ues/rumours/gossip l=deliberately tell untrue information to a lot of people) Someone's been spreading lies about Nancy again.
spreading - spread - have spread
spread jn singular]
the spread of sth (=when ideas, feelings etc are spread) the spread of liberal ideas in the 19th century
get around . get oraond [phrasal verb I]
informal if news or information gets around, people tell other people, so that soon many people know about it; News soon got around that Nick was back in town. I It s a small place, so news and gossip get around pretty quickly.
Stand /staend/ [и I] to be in a standing position: I was standing next to the entrance. I There were no seats, so we
had to stand. I Who's that girl standing over there?
stand doing sth (=stand while you are doing something) She stood watching him as he turned to go. stand up straight (=with your back and legs straight) The ceilings were so low that Mark couldn't stand up straight, stand still (=stand without moving) Stand still a moment while I brush your hair. standing - stood - have stood
be on your feet /hi: nn p:r fi:t to he standing, especially for a long time, with the result that you feel tired - use this especially about people who have to stand and walk a lot in their jobs: I've been on my feet all day and I need to rest.
on tiptoe/on tiptoes on Uptoo (zj.- standing on your toes, especially when
you stretch your body in order to see something or reach something: She stood on tiptoe and tried to see over the fence.
lean li:n; {u I) to stand while resting part of your body against a wall, a table etc + against/on Kay was leaning against the school wall, smoking a cigarette. I Joe leaned on the gate and watched them drive away.
leaning - leaned (also leant bhim-h) - have leaned (also have leant hRiib i)
И to stand after sitting or lying down
get up get 'лр, [phrasal verb 11 to stand after you have been sitting, bending, or lying down: She got up and turned off
the TV.
get up from а с К air/seat/so/a etc Max got
up from his chair and shook her hand, get up off the floor/ground/grass etc
One of her friends helped her to get up off the floor.
get up to do sth I was left with Maria when the others got up to dance.
Stand Up /stsnd лр/ [phrasa/ verb II to stand after you have been sitting: 7 must go now," she said, standing up. I Everyone stood up as the bride and her father entered the church.
get to your/eet ,get ts jo:r fi:t/ to stand
up, especially slowly or when it is difficult for you: He got to his feet, looking pale and anxious. I Somehow Jenny managed to get to her feet and stumble out of the room.
El to put your foot down on something
stand on stK/step on sth (also tread ОП Sth British) staend on (sth). step on (sth), tred on (sth)||-a:n-/ [phrasa/ verb T| to put your foot down on something while you are standing or walking, especially accidentally: I think I must have stood on some glass. I Be careful! You nearly trod on my foot.
Stamp ОП Sth stsemp on (sth)||-o:n- {phrasat verb T] to deliberately put your foot down very hard on something: There was a big cockroach in the kitchen and Barbara stamped on it.
START
opposite stop ^ see also beginning, finish, end
II to start doing something
Start sta:rt [v I/T] We can't start until Carol gets here. I I'm starting a new job next week. I Have you started that book yet? (-started reading it) start doing stk I've just started learning German. I If the baby starts crying, give her some milk.
start to do sth Has Gemma started to write that report yet? start by doing sth l=do something as the first part of an activity) Start by melting the butter in the frying-pan. start with sth (=do something or deal with something as the first part of a long activity) Tina wanted to paint the whole apartment, and she decided to start with the kitchen.
get started (=start a journey, activity etc, especially one that will take a long time) It was a fine morning, and the boys were eager to get started.
begin bigin/ [u \/T\ especially written to
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START
start doing something: When the children were quiet, Martha began. I They began their journey in Venice.
begin to do sth Ann began slowly to climb the steps to the castle. I i began to realize that she no longer loved me. begin doing sth The audience suddenly began shouting and cheering. begin by doing sth (-do something as the first part of an activity) They began by asking me questions about my previous job.
A
+ with The speaker began with a short introduction about the history of the town.
Begin means the same as start, but begin is more formal. It is not usually used in conversation, but it is often used when you are describing past events or telling a story.
beginning - began - have begun
get down, to sth /get daon tu: (sth)
[р/irasa/ verb Tj informal to finally start doing something, after you have been avoiding doing it or after something has prevented you from doing it: Come on Bill - it's time you got down to some homework.
get down to doing sth Once the summer's here we must get down to painting the outside of the house.
A
Qget cracking /get 'kraekiq/ spokf.n informal to start doing something immediately. because you are in a hurry or there is a lot to do: Come on1 - get cracking. I want this whole house clean when I get back. I You'd better get cracking if you want to get to the airport by ten.
Only use get cracking in the infinitive or in commands. Don't say 'we got cracking' etc.
0 to start doing something regularly
Start/begin /sto:rt, bi'gin/ [v T] to start doing something which you then do regularly start/begin doing sth I started doing aerobics two years ago. I She was only 16 when she began seeing Alan, who was already married. start/begin to do sth His parents got divorced last year - that's when he started to take drugs.
START
beginning - began - have begun
Begin is more formal than start and is not usually used in conversation.
take up Sth teik 'лр (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] to become interested in a sport or activity. and start to spend time doing it: When did Bryan take up golf?
turn to sth Г31ГП tu: (sth) [phrasal verb T) turn to crime/drugs/alcohol etc to start doing something dangerous or illegal: Hal turned to drinking after his wife and kids were killed in a car crash. I Research shows that young people without jobs are most likely to turn to crime.
when something starts happening
Start/begin sta:rt. bi'gin [v Ц Do you know what time the class starts? I My day starts at 5 or 6 o'clock, when the baby wakes up. I The movie was just beginning when Richard and James arrived. 1 Work on the new bridge will begin next year.
beginning - began - have begun
Begin is more formal than start, and is not usually used in conversation.
break out /,breik 'aot/ [phrasal verb I] to start happening - use this about unpleasant things like fires, wars, or diseases: A fire broke out on the top floor of the building. I Fighting broke out between gangs of rival football fans.
Outbreak /'aotbreik [n CI when something unpleasant starts happening, such as a fire, war, or disease + of There's been an outbreak of food poisoning at the hotel.
to make something start happening
Start sta:rt [о T) to make something start happening: The referee couldn't start the game because there were fans on the field. I Don't drop your cigarette here - you could start a fire. I Jim parked in someone else's space, and that's what started the fight.
A
708
launch /bint// [v T] launch an attack/ appeal/inquiry/campaign to start a public or military activity, when there is a
clear aim that you want to achieve: The local hospital has launched a campaign to raise money for new X-ray equipment. I Police are hunching a major murder inquiry. I Rebel forces launched an attack on Kabul.
introduce/bring in .mtnvdjuis. brio И
-du:s; (i» T] to officially start a new system, method, or rule for the first time: The company is thinking of introducing medical tests for all employees. New safety measures will be introduced next month. I They have promised to bring in a minimum wage if they win the election.
Ы to start a new business or organization
start/start up sw:rl. sta:rt 4p [v T] to start a new business or organization: Luigi's family came here in 1966 and started up a chain of restaurants. I John decided to start his own textile business shortly after the war.
Open . ^oprm [и T] to start a business that provides services to the public, such as a shop, a restaurant, or a hotel: They just opened a new supermarket on \Jan Nuys Boulevard.
set Up Set лр/ [pbrasa/ verb I/T] to start a new business by making all the necessary arrangements, buying equipment etc set up sth Bruno and his partner are setting up their own printing business. set up in business (=start to run your own business) People attend the college to
learn how to set up in business on their own.
set up as Sean got a bank loan ю set up as an architect in his own studio.
found faond, [и T] to start an organization, school, hospital etc, especially by providing the money for it - use this especially about something that was started a long time ago: Pierpont was one of the group lu/io founded Yale College in 1701.
be founded The bonk was founded 60 years ago in Munich.
И to start doing something again
start again /sta:rt o'genI [phrasal verb I/T] to start doing something again, or to start happening again: The Middle East peace talks have started again, start sth again After her vacation. Trish really didn't feel like starting work again. \ She failed her degree, so she had to start her course again.
start over sta:rt oovpr [phrasal verb I] ls:>f:(1aliy amlkican to start doing something again from the beginning, especially because you want to do it better: If you make a mistake, just press 'delete' and start over.
bring back sth ып] Ыек (sth)
[phrasal verb T] to start using a custom, system, law etc again, which was used in the past but then stopped: Do you think they should bring back the death penalty? I They're talking about bringing back formal grammar teaching.
go back to sth ,,g00 Ъхк tin (sth»
[phrasa/ verb TJ to start doing something again, after a period when you did something else: Some mothers go back to full- time work only с few weeks after their baby is born.
go back to doing sth This time, Ben was determined not to go back to using drugs again.
STAY
^ look here for...
stay in a place and not leave it
spend time in a place
stay in someone's house or a hotel
^ if you mean 'continue to be the same', go to continue з
D to stay in the same place, job, school etc and not leave it
^ opposite leave
Stay ,stei [y (j t0 continue to be in the same place, job, school etc and not leave it: Stay there - I want to take a photograph of you.
+ with He stayed with the baby until she fell asleep.
709
STAY
stay at home My husband wants me to stay at home and look after the children.
stay at school bkitish stay in school
amewcan (^continue to go to school) Most students stay at school until they are 16
or 17.
stay in a job Alice has never stayed in the same job for more than a year.
stay behind (=stay somewhere after other
people have left) After the party a few of us stayed behind to help clean up
stay m
/,stei in [phrasal verb I| to stay in your house and not go out, especially in the evening: The others went out to a club, but I stayed in and watched television.
Stay on stei опЦ-'аш/ [phrasal verb I] to stay in a place, job, school etc for a longer time than you had planned, or after other people have left. We've had such a great time that we're thinking of staying on here for another week. stay on at school/university He stayed on at college for an extra year to do a Master's degree.
remain. /rrmein/ (u IJ to stay in the same
place, job. or school. Picasso remained in Paris throughout the rest of the war. remain at home/at school/at work In
those days, unmarried daughters usually remained at home.
A Remain is more forma| than stay )t is used especially in written English.
to spend some time in a place
/stei/ [и I] to spend a period of time in
a place that is not your permanent home: I'm planning to stay in Paris for a сои pie of months. I How long are you stay- ing in New York?
be t fie re
^^ Don't confuse (=be somewhere temporarily, for a few days, weeks, or months) and ''ve (=be somewhere permanently, or for several years, in your own home).
/bi: 'йеэг/ to be staying some
where - use this to talk about a place that has just been mentioned: "Have you ever been to Prague?" "Yes, I was there in 1978." I While you're there you should
STAY
go and see the Louvre.
to stay at a hotel or at someone's house
see also holiday, visit
Stay stei/ [u I] to spend a few days, weeks
etc at someone else's house or at a hotel, but not live there permanently stay at a hotel/at sb's house fm staying at my brother's house for a couple of weeks. I Which hotel are you staying at? stay with sb (=stay at their house) You could stay with John and Anne while you re in London.
stay the night British stay over american (=sleep at someone else's house) Is it ali right if I stay the night? come to stay One of Sarah's friends is coming to stay with us this summer.
visit vizi,t [u I/TJ to go to the house of a friend or relative and stay there for some time because you want to see them: Aunf Jane usually visits us for two or three weeks in the spring.
Guest is rather a formal word. In
spoken English you often say someone staying or someone coming to stay
instead of 9ues*: I have someone staying with me at the moment.
guest gest [n C] someone who is staying with friends or relatives or at a hotel: The hotel bar is for guests only. I I'm really busy -I'm expecting guests this weekend.
A
a place where you can stay for a short time, such as a hotel
Qa place to stay/somewhere to
Stay 3 pleis t3 stei, ,sAmwe3r ta stei/ especially spoken a place where you can stay, for example a hotel or a room in someone's house: She needs somewhere to stay while she's at college. I We're going to Tokyo - do you know any good places to stay?
accommodation (aiso accommo-
710
aattons amfrican) /3,kom3'deipn(z)|| э.ка:- [n U/plurall a place where you pay money to stay, for example a hotel or a room that you rent: The cost of rented accommodation keeps going up. I The travel agency witl help you find accommodations.
711
Accommodation is more formal than a place to stay, and is often used when talking in a general way about places where people can pay to stay: a shortage of accommodation for students
Don't say 'an accommodation'.
steal sth from sb/sth Thieves stole
paintings worth $5 million from a Paris
art gallery.
A
stealing - stole - have stolen
Don't say 'steal someone'. Say steal
STEAL
money, clothes etc from someone.
to let someone stay in your home
Qput sb Up /pot (sb) лр/ [phrasal verb t] especially spokkn to let a friend stay in your home for a short time, and provide them with a bed to sleep in: "Where ere
you staying?" "Carole's putting us up for a couple of days."
В the time when you stay somewhere
Stay /stei; [n singular] the time when you stay in a place, for example when you go somewhere on holiday or for business: I met her during my stay in Venice, i Did you enjoy your stay?
LAW
Visit /'viz^t/ [n C] the time when you go to stay somewhere, especially in order to see people or see a place: It was my first visit to my wife's parents' house.
STEAL
POLICE
я
see also
PUNISH
Д Don't confuse steal and rob A thief steals money or property, but a robber robs a shop, a bank, or another person (=stea/s money etc from them).
to steal something
steal /still/ [u I/T] to take something that does not belong to you: Thousands of cars get stolen every year I In the end he had to steal in order to survive. + /rom drug addicts who steal from their friends and families
stolen steohn/ Jac/j] The three men escaped in a stolen car.
take teik [u T| to steal something, especially money or things that can be carried away; Someone has been taking money from the cash box. I The burglars took our TV and stereo, but they didn 't find the jewellery.
taking - took - have taken
Qnick/pinch /nek, ptntJV [u TJ British
spoken to steal something: I wonder where she got that coat - do you think she nicked it?
nick/pinch. sth /rom sb/stK Jimmy was caught pinching money from his mum's purse.
Qrtp off /rip 'оЦ-'xfj [phrasal verb TJ
spoken, especially american to steal something
rip off sth The store was very crowded, and someone ripped off my purse.
to steal from a house, shop, bank etc
rob ;rob|ra:b/ [и T] if someone robs a bank, shop etc, they take money or property from it, especially by using threats or violence: He got five years in jail for robbing a gas station. I Two men robbed the Central Bank yesterday, escaping with over $1 million.
robbing - robbed - have robbed
burgle British burglarize american
You can say 'we've been burgled', or 'we were burglarized', when you mean 'our house has been burgled'.
shop lift /'Jbp(lift||Ta:p-/ [u I only in -ing form] to take things from shops without paying for them, especially by hiding them
/'b3:rg*l, 'b3:rglaraiz/ [и T] to illegally enter a house or office and steal things: He was caught burg/ing the house of a police officer, i Our apartment has been bur glarized twice since we moved here.
Ain your clothes or in a bag: / started shoplifting when my parents got divorced.
hold up sth /Ъок1 лр (sth) [phrasa/
verb T] to go into a bank, shop etc with a gun and demand money: The men who held up the store were wearing Halloween masks.
to steal from someone
in the street
rob mb||ru:b/ [v Tj if someone robs you. they take money or property from you. especially in a public place such as a street: Two men tried to rob him as he left the restaurant. robbing - robbed - have robbed
mug in лg [и T usually in passive! to violently attack someone in the street and rob them: Since she was mugged she's been scared to go out on her own.
mugging - mugged - have mugged
■1 someone who steals
thief <f)i:f [n Cj someone who steals things, usually secretly and without violence: The thieves had been careful not to leave any fingerprints, car thiej/jewel thie/ etc (=someone who steals cars, jewels etc) piim-ii thieves
robber 'mho j| ru:- [n C] someone who steals from banks, offices, houses etc. especially by using threats or violence: The robbers forced bank staff to give them £4000 in cash. bank robber (=someone who robs a bank) armed robber (=a robber with a gun)
burglar 'Ья^кУ/ [n C] someone who illegally gets into a house, office etc and steals things: No-one saw the burglar, but
think he got in through the kitchen window.
pickpocket pik.pi>k,st|| ,fxi:k- [n CJ someone who steals from people in a public place, by taking things from their pockets or bags without them noticing: There are a lot of pickpockets in crowded tourist areas, so look after your belongings.
STEAL
shoplifter /'jopjif(э1 Ij juip-' [n C] someone who takes things from shops without paying for them, especially by hiding them in their clothes or in a bag: The store has installed hidden cameras to cotch shoplifters.
mugger m,\g<v [n C] a thief who violently attacks someone in the street and robs them: Harry suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked by a gang of muggers.
the crime of stealing
robbery robonll'ru:- [n C/U] the crime of
stealing money or other things from a bank, shop etc. especially by using threats or violence: He took part in his first robbery when he was 1 7. armed robbery fusing guns) Spencer was jailed for eight years for armed robbery.
bank robbery Police are investigating a series of bank robberies
hir ! robberies
burglary Wgbri [n C/U) the crime of
illegally entering a house, office etc and stealing things: Call the police - there's been a burglary. 1 Most burglaries occur when a house or apartment is empty.
plur-tl burglaries
theft Oeft [n C/U] roRMAi. when something is stolen
+ of the theft of £150 from the office car/bicycle theft (=when а саг or bicycle is stolen) Bicycle theft is a major problem in the city.
break-in breik in; [n C] when someone breaks a door or window in order to enter a place and steal things: There was a break-in at the college last night - they took all the computers. • iun i break-ins
hold-Up h^old лр/ [n C] when someone goes into a bank or shop with a gun and demands money: A man was shot dead in a hold up ai a downtown hank.
piurfl hold-ups
mugging mAgir]/ [n C] a violent attack on someone in the street in order to rob them: The number of muggings in the
area has doubled in the last year.
shoplifting jopiiftirfjaip-/ [n U) the
712
crime of taking things from shops without paying for them: Shoplifting cost the major stores millions of dollars last year.
STICK
to join one thing to another thing, especially using glue
see also Ioin
713 STOP
Sellotape british Scotch tape ameri-
can 'sehteip, skntj teip||,ska:tj- [n U| trademark transparent tape with glue on it (hat you use to join things together: He was wearing glasses that were held together with Sellotape.
to stick something
st iк [l> T1 to join one thing to another thing, especially by using glue or tape with glue on it
stick sth on/in sth It took hours to stick all the stamps on these letters. I Stick a label or, each box to say what's inside it. stick sth together We gathered up the pieces and stuck the vase back together again. I Some oj the pages were stuck together.
st irk i no - stuck - have stuck
glue glu: [u Tj to use glue to join things together, when you are making something or repairing something glue sth to/onto sth / tried to glue the handle back onto the cup. glue sth together You make the model by cutting out these shapes and gluing them together.
В when one thing sticks to another
Stick /silk \v 1] if something sticks to something else, it becomes joined to it when it touches it. because it has glue or a sticky substance on it: She pressed down the flap of the envelope, but it didn't stick. + to Peter was very hot, and his shirt was sticking to his back, sticking - stuck - have stuck
Sticky 'stiki \ad}} something that is
sticky sticks to other things, and sticks to your fingers when you touch it. There was a horrible sticky mess on the table. I Add flour to the mixture to prevent it from becoming sticky. sticky - stickier - stickiest
a substance that you use to stick things
glue /glu:/ [n C/U] a liquid or soft substance that you use to join things together: Wait for the glue to dry before you paint the model.
STOP
look here for... stop doing something
stop something from happening stop moving
opposite START
see also Mnish, end, rest
to stop doing something
Stop stop|}sta:p [u I/T] to no longer do something that you have been doing or that you used to do: That baby is always crying - doesn 't he ever stop? stop doing sth Eueryone stopped talking as soon as she entered the room. I They stopped making the 3~litre Austin- Healey sportscar in 1967. Qstop it/that spoken (=say this to tell someone to stop doing something) Stop it! You re hurting me. stop work At five o'clock we stopped work and went home.
A Don't say 'she stopped to cry'. Say she stopped crying.
stopping - stopped - have stopped
C|Uit /kwit [u I/T] especially american to
stop doing something, especially something that is difficult or unpleasant, or something that annoys other people: "Have you found it?" "No, and if I don't find it soon I'm going to quit." quit doing sth I wish he'd quit bothering me. I She's trying to quit smoking. Qquit it/that spoken (say this to tell someone to stop doing something annoying) Quit it, Robby, or I'll tell Mom.
quitting - quit - have quit
give up giv лр/ [phrasal verb Tj to stop doing something, especially something that you used to do regularly give up sth I had to give up tennis when I injured my knee.
STOP
give up smoking/drinking//atty food etc
(=stop smoking, drinking etc because you want to be healthy) Michelle gave up smoking three years ago. give up doing sth After about 10 minutes, I gave up trying to explain it to her give it up I used to play a lot of football, but I had to give it up because of an injury.
abandon. /3'baend?n [у T] abandon a plan/attempt/search/policy etc to
stop something before you finish it, especially because it is too difficult to continue or there are too many problems: They had to abandon the search because of the bad weather. I We abandoned the climb after Collins fell and broke his leg.
В to stop doing something for a short time
Stop stDp||sta:p, I] to stop doing something for a short time, before continuing again: Can we stop for a moment - ! want to look at the map. stop for co/fee/lunch/a break etc (=stop what you are doing, so you can have coffee, lunch etc) We'll stop for lunch at
12:30.
stop to look/Usten/watch/talk/rest etc
(=stop in order to look at something etc) We stopped to listen to a couple of boys who were playing guitars in the street. I I stopped to rest for a few minutes
stopping - stopped - have stopped
pause jpxil [i> ij written to stop speaking or stop doing something for a very short time, before starting again: Lawrence paused and turned to me: "Look, if you don't think it's a good idea ..." pause for breath (=because you need to rest for a moment) She talked for about twenty minutes without even pausing for breath.
pause to do sth (=in order to do something) We waited while Graham paused to light a cigarette.
Use pause especially in written stories or descriptions of events.
hesitate /'hez^teu/ \v 1] to stop for а moment and wait before doing something, because you feel unsure or nervous about it: She hesitated for a moment before
replying. I Barry stood at the door hesitating. Should he walk straight in or knock?
hesitation , hezj, teij>n In U] when someone hesitates: After some hesitation. one of them began to speak.
Qtake a break teik э breik especially spoki.n to stop working for a short time in order to rest, eat etc: We're all getting tired. Let's take a break for ten minutes.
El a period of time when you stop doing something
break /breik/ (л С] a long or short period when you stop your work or normal activities, before continuing them again later: She returned to her career after a six- month break.
+ /rom Murray felt he needed a break from studying.
(unch/cojffee/tea break (=when you stop work to have lunch, coffee etc)
pause ,po:z In Q written a short period of
time when you stop speaking or stop doing something before starting again: After a long pause, Barney said: "Yes, I suppose you're right." + in There was a pause in the conversation as everyone turned to say hello to Paul.
Ы to stop happening
Stop /stnp|sta:p/ [и I] to stop happening: Lef's wait until the rain stops. I The noise stopped as suddenly as it had begun.
stopping - stopped - have stopped
end /end [и I] if an event, activity, or story ends it finally stops when it reaches its end: When the war ended, there were over a million refugees. I Our journey ends on the banks of the River Ganges.
finish / fmij fu IJ to end - use this about an organized event such as a meeting, party, or lesson, especially to say what time it ends: The meeting finished at lunchtime. I What time does your Spanish class finish?
come to an end /клт tu эп end/ to
finally end - use this about things that have continued for a long time: Their marriage came to an end after twenty- two years. 1 The war in Vietnam finally came to an end in 1975.
fade away feid о wei [phrasa/ verb I] if a sound fades away, it gradually gets quieter and finally stops: He waited until the sound of the engines had faded away. I As the music faded away the audience broke into applause.
to make something stop happening
Stop s:np||stu:p [и T] to make someone stop doing something, or make something stop happening: The referee stopped the fight when one of the boxers was badly injured. I A power failure stopped the concert half-way through. stop sb doing sth / gave him some chocolate to stop him crying, stopping - stopped - have stopped
put ал end to sth / pot эп end tu: (Sth)
to permanently stop something, so that it can never start again: A broken ankle put an end to her career as a dancer. I The war put an end to their romance.
put a Stop to Sth /,pot э stop tu: (sth)|| -'staip-/ to stop something unpleasant or harmful that has been happening for a long time: The UN commander was determined to put a stop to the fighting.
stamp out /.staemp aot, (phrasa/ verb T{ to completely stop a bad or iilegal activity, by making rules about it and making sure that people obey them stamp oat sth The police are determined to stamp out street robberies.
В to make It impossible for someone to do what they want to do
preveat /pri vent/ [и T] to make it impossible for someone to do something that they want to do
prevent sb from doing sth A leg injury may prevent Shearer from playing in tomorrow's game. 1 There were reports that some people had been prevented from voting in the election.
stop /stDpl|sta:p/ [l> T] to stop someone from doing something that they want to do. especially by controlling them in an unreasonable way: I've made up my mind to leave home, and you can't stop me. stop sb (/rom) doing sth My parents tried to stop me seeing Anna. I The
Don't say 'stop someone to do something'. Say stop someone doing something or stop someone from doing something.
stopping - stopped - have stopped
get in the way of sth /get into wei
ov (sth). if something gets in the way of
something you want to do or something you must do, it makes you too busy to do it: Don't let your social life get in the way of your education.
to stop someone from going somewhere
stop stDp[)sto:p [и T] to prevent someone or something from going somewhere: We were stopped and searched when we tried to enter the building. I The police are stopping drivers to ask questions about the accident. stopping - stopped - have stopped
be in. the way /bi: in to wei/ if someone or something is in the way, they are in a position that stops you from going where you want to go: There's a car in the way and I can't get out of the garage. be in sb's way Could you move please, Sonia. You're in my way.
block , blok||bla:k/ [и T] if objects or people block a road, entrance etc, they lie or stand right across it, so that no-one can pass through: A big truck hod turned over on its side, and it was blocking the rood. I Hundreds of protesters blocked the entrance to the President's palace.
to make sure that something does not happen
prevent pri'vent/ [и T] to make sure that something will not happen or cannot happen. especially something bad: The rules are intended to prevent accidents. I Managers and union leaders are hoping to prevent the strike.
A
BBC was stopped from broadcasting a programme about the Secret Service.
715
STOP
prevent sth from doing sth The chemical is stored in sealed tanks to prevent poisonous gases from escaping. prevention [n UJ when something is prevented: the preuentiort of crime
Stop stop|[sto:p |и T] to make sure that something bad that is happening cannot continue and become worse: if it can help to stop the spread of AIDS, it's worth trying.
stop sth from doing sth They had to stop the fire from reaching the oi/ storage tanks.
stopping - stopped have slopped
cancel / k;ens,?l [i> T] to change a previous
arrangement, so that a meeting, concert, game etc which was planned will not happen: We've cancelled the meeting because Wayne can't come. I I forgot to cancel my doctor's appointment, cancelling - cancelled - have cancelled
canceling - canceled - have canceled
■Wtt-.Uk'AN
call off Ы 'п1|-'з:Г [phrasal verb T] to stop a meeting or event that you have organized, just before it is going to start с ail off sth If it goes on raining, we'i/ have to call off the game. I Damian
called off the wedding at the last moment.
call sth off "Will there be a train strike tomorrow?'' "No, the union called it off."
Ы to stop someone from working, paying attention etc
interrupt /,1тэ'глр1 [и 1/Г] to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you
want to ask a question or tell them something: Don't interrupt - I haven't finished yet. I I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, but I have an important announcement. interruption [n C] when someone interrupts you: It's hard to study with so many interruptions.
disturb
/drst3:rb, [и T] to stop someone who is busy doing something, for example by asking them a question or making a noise: Sorry to disturb you, but could I
ask you о quick question? I Try not to disturb your Dad - he's working.
STOP
distract jdi'strackt/ [u T] to stop someone who is trying to work, study, or read, by making them look at or listen to something else: The couple behind us kept
distracting everyone by talking during the movie.
be distracted by sth I was distracted by the sound of a car alarm in the street.
put sb off ;,pot (sb) nf [phrasal verb T] british to make it difficult for someone to do something, by preventing them from paying attention and thinking clearly about what they are doing: Seles couldn't concentrate on the game - the photographers were putting her off.
Ii!i to stop moving
Stop stnp||sta:p [u Ij to stop moving: 1 stopped and picked up the coin. I What's happened? Why have all the cars stopped?
stop to do sth (=5top in order to do
something) He stopped to buy a news- paper on the way home. stop dead {=stop very suGdenly) My horse stopped dead, and / was thrown forward.
stopping - stopped - have stopped
come to a halt/come to a stop
клт to з 'halt. ,клт to з stop||-stu:p especially written to gradually slow down and then stop - use this about trains, cars etc: As the train came to a stop he jumped off and ran away. I The bus finally came to a halt half-way up a very steep hill.
brake /breik/ [и I] to make a car, train, bicycle etc stop or go more slowly by using the brake (=the control that reduces the speed): I had to brake suddenly to avoid a dog that ran into the road.
pull in/pull over poi m, ,pul 3ovr>r
[phrasal verb I] to make your car stop at the side of the road: If you start to feel tired on long journeys, pull in and have a rest.
Ш when a train, bus, or plane stops somewhere
Stop stnp|.stu:p [l> I] to stop somewhere to let passengers get on or off - use this about trains or buses
+ atfnearloatside etc Does this train stop at York? I The bus stops just outside my house.
716
stopping - stopped - have stopped
Stop чГгфЦяа'р,. \n С J a place where a bus or train regularly stops to let passengers get on or off: Get off at the third stop. bus stop We liue miles from the nearest bus stop.
call at Ъ:1 an (phrasaf verb T! if a train or ship calls at a place, it stops there while it is on the way to somewhere else: This is the 10:30 to Bristol, calling at Reading and Bath. The ship calls at Madeira to collectcargo.
direct d.Vrekt. dai- [adj adaj if a journey is direct, or if you travel direct, you go straight from one place to another without stopping to change planes, trains etc: With this ticket you can travel direct from Paris to Berlin overnight. direct /light/bus/traia There are no direct flights from Rochester to Cincinnati.
non.-Stop non "stDp^H.nusn stu:p4 [adj only before noun] a non-stop flight, plane, train etc goes from one place to another without stopping anywhere: There are three non-stop fights to Hong Kong every day. non-stop Iadv] You can travel from Paris to London non-stop on the Eurostar.
STORY
a description of a series of events that Is told to entertain people
^ see also books/literature,
FILMS/MOVIES
II a story
Story 'sDiri [n C] a description of real or imaginary events, which is told or written to entertain people: a book of short stories teli/read sb a story Our teacher used to read us a story every afternoon. + about Grandpa's a/u>ays telling us stories about when he was a boy
the story of (-a well-known story about
someone) the story of Cinderella jairy/ghost/love story (=a story about magic/ghosts/love) We sat around the fire telling ghost stones.
7 STORY
true story (=about events that really happened) Have you seen 'Schindler's List'? Apparently it's based on a true story. рм'Гг!1 stories
tale toil [n C] an exciting story of imaginary events: 'Treasure Island' - a tale of pirates and adventure fairy tale (=a story for children with magic in it) Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales
myth miH [n C/U] a very old story, about gods and magical creatures: The myth tells of how the gods sent fire to the earth in flashes of lightning. I a ballet based on a Greek myth
legend ied^nd [n C/U] an old story,
usually about strange events or people with magic powers: According to legend. the whole castle was washed into the sea.
+ of the legend of Robin Hood
anecdote & nikdsot/ [n С j a short funny story about something that really happened : The book is full of amusing anecdotes about his time in the police force.
В a person in a story
character ka^kto1"/ [n ci one of the
people iri a story: The two main charac ters in the book are a young boy and his teacher.
hero 'hir?n>o In C] the man or boy who is the main character in a story, especially when he is very good, very brave etc: At the end of the story, the hero rescues the princess and they get married. + of James Bond is the hero of the film.
p;..;r,;i heroes
heroine 'herx^n [n Cj the woman or girl
who is the main character in a story, espc daily when she is very good, very brave etc
+ of Tess is the tragic heroine of the novel.
the way the events in a story are arranged
plot ,piot||plo:t [n CI the series of events that happen in a book, play, film etc, and the way they are all connected: The plot of 'Twin Peaks' was so complicated that
couldn't follow it.
STRAIGHT
Storyline /'sbirilain [n C] the main story of a book, play, film etc: The play has a strong storyline which will appeal to children as well as adults. I Anna 's marriage problems form the main storyline
in Episode One.
STRAIGHT
see also bend
in a straight line /in э .streit lain/ if something moves in a straight line, it does not turn to the left or to the right: Light always travels in a straight line. I It's difficult to walk in a straight line with your eyes closed.
direct /d^'rekt, dai- [adj] going straight from one place to another without changing direction
718
direct ro ate/Цле I path/ way Which is the most direct route to London from here?
when lines or objects are straight
straight
a straight road across the desert
straight stmt iadj] straight lines, roads, edges etc have no bends or curves: First, draw two straight lines. I Her hair is blonde and very straight. I a /ong straight avenue
dead straight especially British completely straight) The road ran dead straight for 50 miles across the desert.
travelling or moving in a straight line
Straight /strert/ [adu] Terry was so drunk he couldn't walk straight. straight ahead/down/towards etc If you
look straight ahead, you'll see the church in the distance. I The truck was heading straight towards us.
Qgo straight on British go straight
american /,g3o streit 'dh, goo streit spoken to continue travelling ahead in the same direction as before, without turning left or right - use this when you are telling people which way to go: When you get to the intersection, go straight. I Keep going straight on through the town and when you come to the school, turn left.
sitting or standing straight
upright , Aprait [adu] sitting or standing with your back and neck straight, not bent: We couldn't stand upright in the
cave.
bolt upright (^sitting with your back very straight) There was a sudden noise outside, and she sat bolt upright in bed.
□ to make something straight
straighten /'streitn/ [и T] He was standing outside the manager's office, straightening his tie. straighten your legs/arms/back Gradually straighten your legs until you are standing upright.
STRANGE
unusual, in a way that makes you feel surprised, frightened, worried
CRAZY
etc
UNUSUAL
■ч г
NORMAL/ ORDINARY
see also
tS
STRANGE THINGS AND EVENTS
strange object/ situation/experience
Strange /streiiKty [adj\ very different from what you expect or from what usually happens, in a way that makes you feel a little
frightened or surprised: A strange noise woke her up. I / had a strange feeling that I'd been there before. it is strange that It's strange that you've never met him - he lives in your street.
/unny/odd /Тлш, od|a:d/ \adj\ lspkcially British something funny or odd is a little strange and it makes you fee! slightly worried, because you cannot explain it or you do not know what it is: There's a funny smell coming from the fridge. it is odd/funny that It seems odd that no-one noticed him coming in. Q that's /unn у/that's odd spoken (say this when something seems odd) "Your keys aren't here. ' "That's odd -I'm sure I left them on the table."
peculiar /pi'kjи:Иэг/ [adj] strange and slightly unpleasant: This meat tastes peculiar, i The walls were painted a very peculiar shade of green.
mysterious /mi'sti^iss/ [adj] use this
about something that people know very little about and that is difficult to explain or understand: His father died of a mysterious illness. I I kept getting mysterious phone calls where the caller would hang up as soon as I answered. I his mysterious disappearance mysteriously {acta] Mysterious/y, no- one had noticed anyone leave or enter the room.
weird /w)3rd/ |adj) a weird experience, feeling, sight, or sound is strange and very different from what you are used to: She always wears really weird clothes. I a weird dream I It's a weird feeling to go back to a place that you lived in a long time ago.
ironic /аГгошкЦаГга:-/ [adj] an ironic situation seems strange and amusing, because something happens that you would not expect at all: Her car was stolen from outside the police station, which is pretty ironic.
it is ironic that It's ironic that athletes are often such unhealthy people.
frightening: Pearl was a strange girl who never played with the other children. 1 He's very strange - you never really know what he's thinking, strangely [ас/у] Conor was acting very strangely last night - do you think he's
A
STRANGE THINGS AND EVENTS
MACK
STRANGE
я
see also
all right?
Don't confuse a strange person (-someone who behaves in a strange way) and a stranger (^someone you have never met before).
/цппу/odd fAni, Dd||a:d; [odjj especially British someone who is funny or odd behaves strangely and is difficult to understand. Did Anna warn you that her aunt is rather ... well, rather odd? I He's a bit funny - sometimes he's very friendly, other times he just ignores you.
mysterious rm'sturias [ad/1 a mysterious person is someone that people know very little about, and who therefore seems strange or interesting: The package had been left outside the door by a mysterious visitor.
eccentric /iksentrik/ [adj] an eccentric
person has strange and slightly crazy habits or ideas, which people find amusing: Our neighbour is an eccentric old lady who has about 25 cats.
719 STRANGE THINGS AND EVENTS
weird ,wi3rd/ [adj] informal a weird person is very strange and makes you feel frightened or uncomfortable: She's living with this really weird guy who's into witchcraft and black magic.
strange person/ behaviour
strange /streindj/ [adj] someone who is strange behaves differently from most people, and seems unusual or a little
SURPRISING/ SURPRISED
FRIGHTENING/ FRIGHTENED
When you see US, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
U things that happen which cannot be explained by science
the paranormal piuro пэ:гпь?1 [n
singular] strange things that happen or exist but cannot be explained by science She has written two books about the paranormal - one on UFOs. and the other on poltergeists. I There seems to be a growing interest in the paranormal. paranormal \adj\ paranormal experiences
supernatural ,м1:роГ1ше1рго1< sjui-j
sin- [adj] supernatural powers, creatures. or events cannot be explained by science, and are therefore believed to be connected with magic or gods: a horror movie about a little girl with supernatural powers I supernatural beings the supernatural!" singular) His stories mingle realism with the supernatural.
mystery misuri [n C] something strange that no-one can understand or explain: Her disappearance would remain forever a mystery. + of the mystery of the lost city of Atlantis
mysterious mi'sturios [adj] if something is mysterious, no-one can understand it or explain it: the mystenous deaths of three nuclear scientists in separate incidents mysteriously [adv\ Mysteriously, the food on the plates was still warm, but the ship was deserted.
Еэ creatures from other parts of the universe
alien eilion/ [n С] a alien
STRANGE THINGS AND EVENTS 720
creature that is from another part of the universe: Thousands of Americans claim to haue been kidnapped by aliens and taken to their spaceships. alien [adj] The photograph seems to show a UFO above the city. Is this evidence of an alien uisit? I creatures from an alien planet
UFO ju:f*). ju: et 'ao; [n Cj a strange object in the sky that people believe is a space vehicle from another planet: There have been several UFO sightings in this area.
u spirits and ghosts
ghost goDst: [n C] a ghost
dead person who appears again after they have died, either as ar. image that you see or as something that you feel is really there: Do you believe in ghosts? I There was a ghost at the end of my bed - a woman in a long, white dress.
the ghost of sb The church is haunted by the ghost of a young man who was killed there on his wedding day.
Spirit spirit [n C] the part of a person that, according to some people's beliefs, continues to live after they have died: In Japan, people believe that the spirits of the dead return to earth every summer, during the Obon festival. evil spirits (=spirits that want to harm people) They wear these charms to protect themselves against evil spirits.
poltergeist /'рпкэ^аыЦ'рэЫ-/ [n С] a
type of ghost you cannot see, which moves furniture and throws things around: The poltergeist threw books around the room and smashed plates.
UFO
flaunt /hoint/ (и T] if a ghost haunts a place, it appears there often: The ghost of
the murdered prince still haunts the castle.
be haunted by sth The wood is a spooky, secret place, said to be haunted by a headless man on a horse.
haunted 'h^nt^d \adj\ a place that is
haunted has ghosts in it. a haunted house I The people refused to go into the forest alone because they thought it иas hcunted.
ghostly 'goostli ladj] looking like а ghost, or making you think of ghosts ghostly figure (=a ghost, or something that could be a ghost) A ghost\y figure hovered at the top of the stairs. ghostly voice/hand!footsteps She felt the touch of a ghostly hand on her shoulder.
Spooky spu:ki [adj] inkokmas a place that is spooky feels strange and makes you feel that there might be ghosts there: Let 's get out of here. This place is really spooky. I What с spooky castle! It would be a great place to make a film.
Q when someone has mental powers that seem impossible
psychic
psychic 'smkik [adj] someone who is psychic or has psychic powers has the ability ro know. see. or do things that most people believe are impossible, for example to know what is happening in another place without being told: She uses her psychic abiiities to help the police find people who are missing. ( psychic healing
psychic phenomena (=things such as communicating with dead people, or knowing things without using your usual senses)
psychic 'saikik [n C] someone who has psychic powers: As a psychic, she could
STRANGE THINGS AND EVENTS
sense when evil things had happened in a place.
telepathic tel^pasBik-* [adjl someone who is telepathic has the ability to know what someone else is thinking or feeling without being told, even if the other person is a long way away-. The twins are telepathic, and each one always knows what the other is feeling.
telepathy t.VlepaHi.. [n U] the ability to know what someone else is thinking without them telling you: It was like some kind of telepathy, the way they finished each other's sentences.
В when someone knows what will happen in the
future
clairvoyant к 1сзгvopnt/ [n CJ someone
who has the ability to know what will happen in the future: A clairvoyant predicted that'something terrible would happen to the President.
clairvoyance /kleor,vji,ms/[л U] the ability to know what will happen in the future
fortune teller
fortune teller ТэПрп tel?r [n C] some one who tells people what will happen to them in the future and is paid for doing this: / went to see a fortune teller, and she told me that! would have three children.
see into the future si: into Oo tju:t;.ir
someone who can see into the future
has the ability to know what will happen before it happens.- If I could only see into the future and know how this would all end.
predict pri'dikt/ (и T] to correctly say what will happen in the future: Nostradamus predicted many of the key events of the 20th century. prediction [n C] something that you say will happen in the future
premonition /ргетэ'шрп, ,prii-/[n С] a strange feeling that you know about something that is going to happen in the future, especially something bad: The night
before we sailed. I had a terrible premo nition of danger ahead
when someone tries to talk to the spirits of dead people
medium '"mi idiom [n CI someone who claims that they can hear messages from the spirits of dead people
RULE
LAW
ИМГТ
Seance 'seiams, -ons||-ams, [л CI a meeting where someone tries to help people to talk to the spirits of dead people: Helen was a medium, and once a month she held a seance in her house.
STRICT/NOT STRICT
PUNISH
\ /»
see
also i
OKY/MSOKY
strict person
Strict /strikt/ [adj] someone who is strict makes clear rules and expects people always to obey them: a strict teacher + with I think Jill's parents are too strict with her.
+ about The manager is very strict about people getting to work on time, strictly [adu] They brought their children up very strictly.
firm /fa:rm/ [adj] if you are firm with someone, you tell them that they must accept your decision because you are not going to change it: The principal was polite but firm - her answer was 'no'. + with You'll just have to be firm with him and tell him he can't have any more money.
STRICT/NOT STRICT
/irmly [adv] "No," she said firmly, "you can't go." I Bill was firmly opposed to any change in the plans.
tough /tаГ/ [ad/1 very strict, and determined that your orders will be obeyed - use this especially when you think that someone is right to be strict + on Ray was a baseball coach, and known for being tough on his players.
get tough with sb (=start being very strict
A
firm
with them) The police have been told to get tough with drunken teenagers in the town centre.
Tough is more informal than strict or
strict rule/law
Strict /strikt/ [adj usually before nounl a strict rule or law is very clear and must always be obeyed: There are strict rules about the use of dangerous chemicals. 1 He had strict instructions to return the key to me. strictly [adv] Smoking is strictly forbidden in this area.
harsh /ha:rJ [ad/1 a harsh law or system
of government has severe punishments - use this especially about something that you think is unfair and too strict: The laws concerning alcohol are very harsh. 1 a harsh military regime harshly [adu- Young offenders were treated very harshly.
tough /1лf/ (adj) tough laws or rules are very strict and do not allow much freedom: The federal government is introducing tough new rules to control immigration. I The athletes had to undergo a tough training programme.
Tough is more informal than strict or harsh
not strict
722
lenient "limiant; [adjl not strict in the way that you punish people or control their behaviour: The younger teachers generally had a more lenient attitude towards the students' behaviour. + with The judge was criticized for being too lenient with young offenders. leniently [adv] He asked the police to deal leniently with the boys. leniency [n U1 when someone is not strict: This report shows that wealthy
people are treated with more leniency when they break the law.
easy-going ,i:zi "gaoig[adj] someone who is easy-going does not care about being strict, and is usually calm and relaxed: Our parents are pretty easygoing, and they don't mind if we stay out late.
STRONG
^ look here for...
a strong person or thing
a strong government or leader
a strong feeling or belief
a strong taste or smell opposite weak
^ see also bravi/not brave
11 strong person
see also exercise, sport
Strong stregistrar]/ \adj] someone who is strong has big muscles and can lift heavy things, do a lot of physical work etc: It took four strong men to lift the piano. I strong hands
Strength /strer)6, strene, [n U] the ability
to lift or carry heavy things, to do a lot of
physical work etc: Bill was doing a lot of
exercise to build up his strength.
the strength to do sth I didn't have the
strength to climb any further.
with ail your strength {=as hard as you
can) Diana pulled on the rope with all
her strength.
energetic /.enydjetik* [adj] someone
who is energetic likes to be active or busy, and has the ability to work hard for a long time: With a new and energetic director.; the company was soon doing well again. I For more energetic visitors, there are many sports and activities.
energy 'enard3i/ |n U] the feeling of physical and mental strength that helps you to do a lot of things without getting tired easily: V/itarr?/n pills can give you extra energy. I I don't have the time or the energy to go out much during the week.
powerful /"pau3rfel/ [adj] very strong - use this about someone's body, arms,
muscles etc: a tall man with a powerful physique I The birds have very powerful wing muscles. 1 the crocodile's powerful jaws
muscular /'nuskj^97 [adj] someone who is muscular looks strong because you can see that they have big muscles: She liked men who were tall and muscular. I He had broad shoulders and muscular arms.
athletic /жбЧеикИэб-./ [adj] someone who is athletic has a strong but fairly thin body, and looks as if they are good at sports: She was tall, athletic, and very attractive, f long ath/et/c legs
stamina /'staem^na/ fn U| the ability to work hard. run. play sports etc for a long time without getting tired: You need stamina to be a long-distance runner. I exercises to increase your strength and stamina
El strong government/ leader/organization
see also power, government/
POLITICS
Strong .strDt]||stn:i]/ [adj] a strong government. leader, manager etc has clear ideas about what should be done, and takes firm control of what happens: This country needs a strong government to solve the economic crisis. I The school's main problem is that it lacks strong leadership.
powerful ,pao3rkl [adj] a powerful
person, group, or organization has a lot of influence over events, for example because they are very rich or they hold an important position: The Senator has powerful allies in America's business community. ! Murdoch controls dozens of newspapers and TV stations, and is an immensely powerful man.
El strong thing/material
723
STRONG
Strong / strops troii]/[adj] something that is strong cannot be broken or destroyed easily: The bags are made of strong black plastic. I You'll need a strong piece of rope for towing the car. strength [n UJ how strong something is: testing the strength of the steel beams
solid "sol^d|| sen- adj] a building or piece of furniture that is solid is strong and well made: The table seemed solid enough. so I climbed up onto it. I rows of solid little houses built of local stone
When you see 133, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
tough t.\f {adj} not easily broken, cut. or damaged - use this about cloth, leather, plastic, or natural substances: jackets made from tough waterproof cotton I a pair of tough leather boots t Before cooking the artichoke, cut off the tough outer leaves.
strong feeling/belief
Strong stroq||str;y.r| [adj] if you have strong feelings, beliefs, or opinions about something, your feelings affect you a lot and you are very serious about them: The subject of abortion always arouses strong emotions. I These plans faced strong opposition from local people. I a strong sense of family loyalty strongly \adv} If you feel very strongly about this, write to your Congressman and complain.
strength [n U] how strong someone's feelings are: The President could not ignore the strength of public opinion.
intense in'tens [adj] a feeling that is intense is so strong that you can hardly control it: We were waiting for tine winner to be announced, and the excitement was intense I intense pleasure I Every car was stopped and searched, which caused intense annoyance to the drivers.
intensely |adi?] From the moment 1 first met him I disliked him intensely.
deep ;'di:p [adj usually before noun] very strong - use this especially about a feeling of love, sympathy, sadness, or disappointment: The news came as a deep disappointment to us ell. I the deep sorrow that we all felt when Arthur died deeply ladu] 1 was deeply offended by their remarks.
extreme 'ik'slriim/ [adj] extreme opinions
STRONG
or beliefs about politics, religion etc are too strong and most people regard them as unreasonable: extreme nationalist views an extreme left-wing party
strong taste/smell
Strong strorj|.stn:t] [adj] a strong smell or taste is one that you notice easily: This cheese has a very strong taste. I There 's a strong smell of gas. strongly [adv] His breath smelled strongly of garlic.
to make something stronger
make sth stronger /,meik (sth) 'stmr)gy||
-'sfro:i]- to make something physically stronger: I've put in some extra posts to make the fence stronger.
TEST
ULAfM
SUBJECT
strengthen streijO^n, 'strenfbn/ [и T] to make something stronger, physically or emotionally: The ship's decks will have to be strengthened to carry the extra weight, i Her parents' opposition only strengthened her determination to succeed. I This trade agreement will strengthen the links between our countries.
STUDY
TEACH
\ r
see also
i
EDUCATION
to study something at school, university etc
Study 'st.\di [u I/T] to learn about a subject by reading books, going to classes, and doing work that your teacher asks you to do: It's difficult to study when the weather's so hot. i I've been studying English for six years now. study to be a doctor/engineer etc She's at business school. studying to be an accountant.
studying - studied - have studied
724
take ,'teik/ [и T] to study a subject - use this to talk about subjects that you choose to
study at a school or university: In rr.y final year. I decided to take English, French, and Economics. taking - took ~ have taken
Jo du:; |u T] British informal to study a subject at school or university: / can't decide whether to do German or Spanish next year. I Did you do computing at school9 do a course Why not do a language course at your local college7
doing - did - have done
major in Sth -''meid^r in (sth) [phrasal oerb T not in passive] american to study something as your main subject at university: Diane majored in psychology at Berkeley. I What are you majoring in?
take lessons/have lessons teik
lcs?nz, ,hev 'IcscTnz/ to pay for lessons from a teacher in order to study a subject or skill in your free time: My mother wants me to take violin lessons, i I'm- hauing Spanish lessons after work.
revise n'vai/. (u I/T] British to read books, notes etc in order to prepare for an examination that you are about to take: Ahmed's upstairs, revising.
revise for a test/examination The
library was full of students revising for the final exams.
В to study something in order to discover new facts
Study /'stAdiI [и T] to examine something carefully, do tests on it etc. in order to find out more about it and discover new facts: Scientists are studying the development of the disease in children. I She spent
several years studying the behaviour of
gorillas in Africa.
studying - studied - have studied
analyse (also analyze American)
aensmiz, [и T] to carefully examine information, reports, the results of tests etc, in order to understand something better: The detective's main job is to analyze all the evidence relating to a crime. I We
use a special computer program to
analyse aJl the sales figures.
do research Idu: n's3:rt[/ to study а subject in a careful, detailed way, in order to discover new information or produce new ideas about it: She got a degree in biology and then went to work for a drug company, doing research. + into/on a team of scientists doing research into the causes of heart disease
the work that you do when you study
studies siAdi/ [n plural] all the work that you do when you are a student at school or university
his/her/your etc studies My uncle asked me if I was enjoying my studies. I He graduated in history at Stanford, then went to continue his studies at Harvard.
homework fh3omw3:rk/ [n (J) work that
A
I did my homework
a school pupil is given to do during free time, not during lessons: Mrs Burgess isn't very popular - the children say she gives them too much homework, do your homework I'm going to the library to do my French homework.
A\ Don't say 'horneworks'. Say homework
Don't say 'I made my homework'. Say
kAm/bu/AvL
coursework kn^w^ (n (J| all the
work that a student has to do as part of a course of study, apart from what they do in examinations: Half of the marks are
for the exam. and half are for course- work.
725
STUDY
research n's3:rtj, ri:s3:rtJV [n U] careful, detailed work that you do in order to discover new information or produce new ideas about a particular subject: Recent research has shown that human language is much older than we previously thought.
+ into/on More research is needed into the tuays in which this virus is spread, medical/historical etc research the latest scientific research do research She's doing research into the connection between crime and poverty.
A\ Don't say'a research* or 'researches'. just say research
Don't say 'make research'. Say do research.
revision /n'vi^n/ [n U] british when you read books, notes etc in order to prepare
for an examination that you are going to
A
STUPID
do How is your history revision going? do revision I can't come out tonight - I have a lot of revision to do.
726
crazy ,'kreizi/ [adj] someone who is crazy behaves in a way that does not seem normal, for example because they do something very strange or very dangerous: You're crazy to think of hitch-hiking on your own. I I said I enjoyed doing exams,
A
and she looked at me as if I was crazy!
Don't say 'very crazy'. Say completely/totally/absolutely crazy: Put that gun down! Are you completely crazy?
people who behave in a stupid way
Stupid /"stju:pi,d||'stiK- [adj\ someone who is stupid behaves in a way that shows very bad judgement and that is likely to cause problems for themselves or for other people: You stupid boy! I've told you never to play with matches. I He told me a lot of lies, end I was stupid enough to believe him. I If your stupid brother hadn't left the door open, we
wouldn't have been robbed. it is stupid о/ sb to do sth I should have called the police - it was stupid of me not to.
A
stupidly [adv] I stupidly agreed to lend him some money.
You can use stupid about yourself, but it is rude to say someone else is stupid. People usually say this only when they are very annoyed with someone.
dumb /dAm/ [adj] informal. especiallv amf.r- ican stupid: She told him Jeff was just a friend, and he was dumb enough to believe her.
STUPID
^ see also sensible, intelligent,
crazy
silly ,"sili/ [adj] someone who is silly behaves in a way which is not at all sensible or serious, and which they may be embarrassed about later: The children were running around and shouting and being very silly. 1 / think you're silly to worry so much about your hair.
silly - sillier - silliest
When you see КЗ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
crazy - crazier - craziest
idiot/fool /'idiat, fu:I, [n C] someone who does something very stupid or embarrassing: You lost the tickets? How could you be such a fool? I Some idiot in a fast car was trying to overtake me. be a/ool/idiot to do sth I realized later that I was a fool to believe all his lies, make a /001 о/ у ours elf (=do something that makes you seem very stupid) Sorry I made such a fool of myself yesterday. I had far too much to drink.
childish 'tjaildij/ [adj] someone who is childish annoys you by being unreasonable and unhelpful, or by complaining and being rude, as if they were a small child: He said he wouldn't go out with us if Jerry was going too - he's so childish! I It would be very childish to walk past without saying hello.
immature /,1тэЧ/оэг<*||-'юэг<</ [adjl someone who is immature behaves as if they were younger than they really are, so they are not as sensible or responsible as you expect them to be: Teenage boys are often more immature than girls. I I was 19 when I went to college, but still very immature.
stupid things that people do or say
Stupid "stjuip'dll'stu:- ' [adj] stupid questions. ideas, actions, or situations annoy you because they show a lack of sensible thinking or good judgement: It's a stupid idea and it'll never work, a stupid question/remarJc/comment Of course you have to pay! What a stupid question!
a stupid thing to do/say You followed her home? That was a really stupid thing to do.
it is stupid to do stH I think it's stupid
not to keep copies of your work on disk.
dumb d,\ni; [adj] INFORMAL, ESPECIALLY AMERican stupid: She s always asking such dumb questions. I Don't do anything dumb, or they might shoot you!
Silly 'sili [adj] silly behaviour, jokes, mistakes etc show that someone is not very sensible or serious or does not think carefully about what they do: I'm tired of Paul and his silly jokes. I Her work is rather careless, and she keeps making the same silly mistakes.
a silly tKiag to do/say / had locked myself out, which was a silly thing to do.
silly - sillier - silliest
Crazy /kreizi [adj] crazy ideas, plans, or
A
situations make you feel annoyed or very surprised, because they are not at all sensible or reasonable: Ian's got a crazy plan to drive all the way across Africa. I / don't know why I thought we'd be happy together. It was a crazy idea. I The farmers can make more money by not planting crops - it's crazy, isn't it?
Don't say 'very crazy'. Say completely/totally/absolutely crazy: "There's only one computer for a class of 35 students." "That's absolutely crazy."
not intelligent
not very bright/not very intelligent mot veri brait, not veri in'tel^d^nt,
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SUBJECT
[adj] someone who is not very bright or not very intelligent is unable to learn and understand things quickly and easily: Sometimes I think that woman just isn't very bright. I Franco works hard but he isn't really very intelligent.
A
Stupid stju:p^d||'stu:-/ [adj) not at all intelligent: She ta/ks to us as if we're com- pletely stupid. I Poor Larry's too stupid to realize when you're making fun of him.
It is rude to say someone is stupid, so usually we say that they are not very bright or not very intelligent
dumb /dAm/ [adj] informal, especially american not at all intelligent: The athletic guys were seen as 'cute but dumb'. I You're so dumb, Clarissa!
/Oik/ [adj] British informal not at all intelligent. He's a nice boy, but he's a bit thick, isn't he?
SUBJECT
crazy - crazier - craziest
ridiculous/absurd /n'dikj^bs, 9b's3:rd [adj] use this about plans, suggestions, situations etc which are so stupid that you cannot believe anyone would think of them or allow them to happen: They're asking a ridiculous rent for that apartment. I What an absurd suggestion! it is ridiculous/absurd that /t's ridicu lous that you have to wait six weeks to get the books you ordered.
irrational /1'гж|>пэ1/ [ad/] irrational actions, feelings, or beliefs are not based on clear thinking or sensible reasons: an irrational fear of flying in airplanes I irrational behaviour
daft /dorft|daeft/ [adj] British stupid, but often also amusing: Is this another one of your daft ideas? 1 What a daft thing to say!
what you talk about, write about
TALK
BOOKS AND
LITERATURE
or study
something that you talk about, write about etc
ABOUT
see also
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES
subject /'SAbd3ikt/ [n C] something that is talked about or written about, for example at a meeting, in an essay or newspaper article, or in a conversation: I read a lot of books about astronomy. It's a very interesting subject. I We talked about all sorts of subjects.
SUBJECT
the subject of crime/racism/animal rights etc (=crime etc as a subject that people write about or talk about) Until
about 20 years ago, the subject of the environment was hardly ever discussed. change the subject (=start talking about something different) I could see John was embarrassed, so / changed the subject.
Q thing 'Bit}/ [n CI spoki.n something that people talk about or think about; The first thing we have to discuss is the price. ! / had a lot of things to think about.
topic /'topikll'ta:-,1 [n С] a subject that people often discuss or write about, in books, newspapers, at school etc: The rise of Islam is с popular topic these days. I Our teacher gave us a list of topics to choose from. topic of conversation (=something you talk about with other people) Their main topic of conversation seems to be football.
theme Bi:m< [n C] an important idea that appears several times in a book, film etc. and slowly influences the way it develops: One of the themes of the book is the relationship between humans and nature. I The idea of duty is a favourite theme in the President's speeches. main/central theme (=the most important theme) The play's central theme is greed and its corrupting effects.
issue /'ifu:, isjuiU'iju: [n C] an important subject that people discuss and argue about: The control of nuclear weapons is an important issue.
+ of the issue of drugs in sports political/environmental/educational etc issues a book dealing with environmental issues
major/big/key issue (=a very important issue) Unemployment and crime were the key issues in the election campaign.
question /'kwestpn/ [n C| a difficult
subject or problem that has often been discussed but still needs to be solved + of The question of where to hold the conference has still not been settled. the Irish/Bosnian etc question (=the political problems of Ireland, Bosnia etc) raise a question (=make people consider a problem) These operations can saue fiues, but they raise difficult questions about animal rights.
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the point /йэ point [n singular) the main subject of a meeting, discussion, speech etc
stick to the point (=keep talking about the main subject, not about other less important things) Just stick to the point. John - what we want to know is how much the plan will cost. come/get to the point (=start talking about the main subject, not about unimportant details) Mr Bai/ey came siraighf to the point and asked me why I wanted the job.
miss the point (=not realize what the main subject is)
a subject that you study at school or university ^ see also education, test, learn,
STUDY, TEACH
Subject s\bdykt [n C] one of the things that you study at school or university, such as English, history, or mathematics: English u>as my favourite subject at school.
course (also class amkrican) koi's. klu:.s||
kiss [n С] a series of lessons in one subject, often with an exam at the end: Are you enjoying the course? language/computing/history etc course/ class The college is offering three basic computer courses this year. + in/on с course in journalism take a course}class (also do a course british informal) She's taking a class in art
history.
A Oon't say 'a course/class of business studies'. Say a course/class in business studies
^^ Don't say 'make a course/class' or 'attend a course/class'. Say take a course/ ciass
major /'meid33r; {n C] american the main subject that you study at university: "What was your major?" 'Political Science."
When you see Щ go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
SUCCEED
^ opposite fail
see also win, improve
U to succeed in doing
what you hoped to do or tried to do
succeed /sak'siid/ [u II to do something
that you hoped to do, tried to do, or wanted to do: She wanted to be the first woman to climb MountQomolanQma and she almost succeeded, succeed in doing sth In one year we've succeeded in increasing pro/its by 40%. I If they succeed in getting across the border,; the police will never catch them.
Don't say 'he succeeded to do it'. Say he succeeded in doing it
A Succeed 's fairly formal, and is not often used in conversation. Don't say 'I succeeded in my course/studies/exam'. It is better to say} did well
Qdo well <'du: we II ESPECIALLY SPOKEN to
achieve good results at school, in your job, in a sport etc: She's working for a record company in London - / think she's doing i>ery well. I Bill and Jim always did well in the swimming races.
success/ully /sak'sesfoli/ (adu) if you do
something successfully, you try to do it and you succeed: Mr Malik has successfully completed the advanced course in Business Management. I The film successfully combines a good storyline with a serious political message.
manage /'maenid3/ {u I/T] to succeed in doing something difficult after trying very hard, especially when you almost do not succeed: She has to do all that work be/ore Friday - do you think she'll manage?
manage to do sth He finally managed to jmd an apartment near his office. I I couldn't manage to get it downstairs - it mas so big.
Qmanage it/that especially spoken You got him to change his mind? How did you manage that? I I said we'd be there by seven, but I doubt if we'll manage it.
achieve /э'фгу/ (u T] to succeed in doing
something important, especially something that other people will admire you for: She's achieved a lot in the short time she's been with the company. I He hopes to achieve his dream of playing
for the Red Sox. I When you get your MA. you really feel that you've achieved something.
make progress '.meik ■prsugresl-'pra:-
to gradually start to achieve something that you want to achieve, by working hard: I'm not very good at Japanese yet, but I feel I am making progress. + with At last I began to make some progress with my research.
В when something has the result that you want it to have
Succeed s^k siid/ [i> I) if something that you plan to do or try to do succeeds, you get the result that you hoped for: If the terrorists' plan had succeeded, the bomb would have killed hundreds of people. ! The new government's efforts to control inflation are unlikely to succeed.
successful /sak'sesfol/ [adj] if something
that you plan to do or try to do is successful you get the result that you hoped for: If the treatment is successful, she could be back at school next month. I successful peace negotiations highly successful (=very successful) a highly successful election campaign
work /vv3irk./ [u IJ if a plan or method works, it produces the result that you want: "I can't open the jar." "Try putting it in hot water. That sometimes works." \ The recipe works just as well if you cook the fish in a microwave.
go well ^S30 'wel/ if something goes well, such as a meeting, party, or performance, everything happens in the way you wanted and there are no problems: Did the party go well? 1 If everything goes well, we'll be on the plane to the US by this time next week.
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SUCCEED
effective /ifektiv/ (adj) a method or action mat is effective is very good because it does exactly what it is intended to do: the most effective way of cleaning ghss 1 The ad was simple but very effective.
effective in (doing) sth Penicillin is effective in the treatment of many common diseases. I New laws have been effective in reducing radiation levels. Highly effective (=very effective) a
method of teaching foreign languages
that has proved highly effective
Don't say 'this drug is effective to treat cancer'. Say it is effective in treating cancer.
El a successful book/film/ product etc
successful /sQk'sesM/ lad/] a successful
book, film, product etc is one that a lot of people buy or enjoy: This is his most suc- cessful movie since Robocop' highly success/ul (=very successful) Harper Lee's highly successful novel - over 11 million copies were sold
do well /,du: wei/ if a product does well, it is successful because a lot of people buy it, especially over a long period of time: The magazine has continued to do well despite new rivals. 1 Our perfumes and cosmetics are doing very well in Japan.
be a success /bi: э ssk'sesI if a product,
show etc is a success, it is very popular and it makes a lot of money: The new sports car was launched six months ago, and looks like being a real success. be a great success The musical was a great success on Broadway, though it didn't do so well in London
Kit /hit/ [n c] informal a record, film, play etc that is very popular and successful: It's more than 30 years since 'Love Me Do', the Beatles' first hit. I another big hit for Spielberg I the hit musical 'Cats'
El a successful person or business
success/ul /sek sesfrl/ [adj] a successful
person achieves good results in their job, in a sport etc, and people admire them for this; a successful business makes a lot of money: He has trained many of Britain's most successful athletes. I She retired
SUCCEED
in 1992, after a successful career in journa/ism. I a successful electronics company promising /'promisigl'pra:-/ [adj] a promising young player, student, manager etc is doing well and seems likely to be very successful in the future: one of the most promising young players in the Italian league 1 Promising employees are quickly promoted.
top /tDp||ta:p/ [adj only before noun] top player/model/designer etc one of the
best and most successful players, designers etc: All the world's top tennis players will be taking part in the tournament. ) a conference attended by some of Europe s top scientists
U something successful that you do
success /sak'ses/ [n C/U] when someone or something is successful: Steffi says success hasn't changed her at all. I After her recent successes in Tokyo and New York, Bjork has returned to perform in England
+ of Auster was surprised at the success of his latest novel
success In doing sth Did you have any success in persuading Adam to come? + in Success in business depends on hard work, determination, and good ideas.
plural successes
achievement /эЦмтэт/ [n CJ something important that you succeed in doing by your own efforts and that other people admire: Winning three gold medals is a remarkable achievement.
progress /'praogresf'pra:-/ [n UJ when you
gradually get closer to the result you want to achieve: We are very pleased with your son's progress at school. + in Progress in technology has changed people's lives dramatically. + towards progress towards equal status for men and women
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breakthrough /'breik8ruy [n CI an important discovery or achievement, especially one which happens suddenly after people have been trying for a long time + in Scientists are claiming a major breakthrough in the treatment of AIDS. make a breakthrough Police say they have made a breakthrough in their search for the killer of Diane Sutton.
SUDDENLY
opposite slow 2
see also surprisinc/surprised
suddenly
suddenly /'sAdnli}\adu] if something happens suddenly, it happens quickly when you are not expecting it: Robert died very suddenly last week. I Suddenly there was a loud bang and all the lights went out. I I suddenly realized that there was someone following me.
all of a sudden .oil av э 'sAdn suddenly
- use this especially in stories or descriptions of past events: We waited and waited, then all of a sudden we saw a sail on the horizon.
Out of the blue /,aot sv Лэ 'blu:/ informal if something happens out of the blue, you are not expecting it at all, and you are very surprised by it: Do you remember Jane? Well, she phoned me yesterday, completely out of the blue.
without warning /wi<>aut w;>:rnii]/ if
something bad or dangerous happens without warning, it happens suddenly and there were no signs that it was going to happen: The earthquake in California came without warning. I Without warning, the car swerved across the road and hit a tree,
on the spur of the moment /Dn дэ
,чрз:г av йэ 'тэотэт/ if you do something on the spur of the moment, you sud
denly decide to do something that you had not planned to do: I bought the car on the spur of the moment. I On the spur of the moment, Ian leaned across and kissed her. spur-of-the-moment [adj only before noun) a spur-of-the-moment decision
something that happens suddenly
sudden /'sAdn/ [adj] happening suddenly: a sudden sharp pain in my stomach I Rebeccas decision to leave was very sudden. I There was a sudden increase in the price of oil.
dramatic /dra'maetik/ [adj] a dramatic change/improvement/increase/fall/ rise etc a sudden very noticeable change, which makes things either much better or much worse: a dramatic change in temperature I There has been a dramatic increase in homelessness over the last
few years. dramatically [adu] The sales figures improved dramatically last year.
SUFFER
ATTACK
СИМЕ
PAIN
WAR
when something very painful or unpleasant happens to you
VIOLENT
4 t
ILL/SICK
see also
POOR
i \
ILLNESS/DISEASE
to suffer
suffer /'бльг/ [v \/T\ to experience physical or emotional pain when something bad happens to you: Children always suffer when their parents get divorced. I Anne still suffers a lot of pain in her leg. +/rom My sister has suffered from nightmares since the accident.
endure /m'dju3r||in'do3r/ (и T] especially written to experience pain or have difficult and unpleasant experiences over a long period - use this especially about people who are brave and patient: She has endured ten years of painful back operations. I They were lost in the mountains for ten days, enduring hunger, thirst, and intense cold.
go through sth /'g3o 0ru: (sth)/ [phrasal verb T] to experience a lot of problems in your life over a long period of time: Peter had lost his job, and the family was going through a very difficult time.
something painful or unpleasant that you suffer
731
SUFFER
suffering /'sAforig/ [n U] very unpleasant, painful, or upsetting conditions - use this especially about a situation that affects a lot of people: The earthquake has caused
massiue damage and a great deal of human suffering. I Reporters described the suffering they had seen in Soma/ia.
hardship /"hai'djip/ [n C/U] when your life is difficult and uncomfortable, especially because you are very poor: the hardships of life for the early settlers in the
SUGGEST
US
в
great hardship (^serious difficulties) Rising food prices caused great hardship for most of the population. fin.anciaUecon.omic hardship Many students suffer financial hardship.
someone who suffers
Victim viklim, |ri C] someone who suffers because of an illness, accident, crime etc: Our aim is to help victims of crime I Heart attack victims stand a better chance if they are treated immediately.
suggest doing sth It was raining heavily, and she suggested calling a taxi.
I\ Don't say 'he suggested me to go'. Say he suggested that I go or he suggested that I should go-
make a suggestion ,meik э sa'dses-
tpn||-s3g- to suggest something that you think will help someone or will solve a problem: Can I just make a suggestion? I
think there's an easier way to do this.
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recommend reko'mend [v T] to suggest something to someone because you know that it is good and you are sure that they will like it: Can you recommend a comfortable hotel near here? recommend sth to sb Oh, that book?
Don't say 'I recommend to read this book'. Say I recommend this book.
Karen recommended it to me.
A
SUGGEST
see also ш suggestions, warn
A Compare suggest and advise. If you suggest something to someone, you give them your ideas about what they could do, or about what you and they could do together: / suggested a walk in the park. If you advise someone to do something, you tell them that you think they should do it, because it is the most sensible thing to do: I advised her to put locks on alt the windows.
After suggest that, propose that, and
recommend that, you can either use
should or you can leave out should: I suggested that we should meet for a drink. I I suggested that we meet for a drink. In American English, should is usually left out.
to suggest something
suggest /sa'dsestflseg'djest/ [u T] to tell
someone your ideas about what they should do, where they should go etc, or about what you and they should do together-. "Why don't you come with us?" Alan suggested. I It was a sunny afternoon, and Jim suggested a trip to the beach. + (that) My Dad suggested that I should apply for the job. I / suggest we take a break and finish this later.
to make a formal suggestion in a meeting, report etc
propose prp'paoz/ \v T] to formally suggest that something should be done, especially at a meeting: The Russians pro posed a treaty banning all nuclear tests. + that I propose that we continue the meeting tomorrow.
A In this meaning, don't say 'I propose to ban cars from the city centre'. Say I propose that we ban cars from the city centre or I propose that cars be banned from the city centre.
recommend /.reka'mend; lu T] to officially
A
suggest that something should be done, after you have considered the situation carefully: The report recommends a number of changes in the existing law. + that The committee recommended that the money should be given to charity. I It is recommended that the number of cars on the roads be reduced by 10%.
Don't say 'I recommend to increase the price'. Say | recommend that we increase the price or I recommend that the price be increased.
pat forward ,pi>[ 'b:rw3rd/ [phrasal verb
T] to suggest new plans or ideas for people to discuss and make decisions about put forward sth The UN has put forward a peace plan. I ideas put forward by environmental advisers
nominate /пот^пецЦ'па:-/ [и T] to formally suggest someone for an important job or prize, especially when people will vote to make a decision nominate sb for sth Jane Campion was one of the people nominated for the 'Best Director' award, nominate sb as sth Gorbachev unexpectedly nominated Yanayev as Vice- President.
nomination ппт^'парпЦ.пи:-' [n C/U] when someone is suggested for an important job or prize: His nomination to the Supreme Court was blocked by political opponents.
El something that someone suggests
suggestion ,s9'd3estpn||s3g-/[n C] something that someone suggests: That's an
excellent suggestion, make a suggestion She made some useful suggestions about places we could visit.
+ that Barry ignored my suggestion that he should try phoning her again. have a suggestion (=want to make a suggestion) Does anyone have any other suggestions?
proposal /ргэ'рэогД' [n С] a formal or official suggestion that something should be done: They will consider our proposal at their next meeting.
proposal to do sth Their proposal to build a new airport has finally been
rejected.
+ for American proposals for a Middle East peace settlement
■J what you say to suggest something
m see also m suggestions
QJ suggest /ai ssdsestl-sag-; spoken say
this especially to suggest something that you think is a sensible or helpful thing to do
I suggest (that) sb do sth I suggest we take a half-hour break and start again at 3. I If you don't know the answer, I suggest you try the encyclopedia.
A I suggest is more formal than all the
other expressions here.
Qlet's lets let's go/do/have/meet
etc spoken say this to suggest to someone what you and they should do together: Let's have a meal after the concert. let's not Let's not argue ~ it's my birthday!
Qwhy don't you?/why not? ■ wai
daont ju:, wai not/ spoken say this to suggest something to someone, especially to help them decide what to do: W/hy not get Andreas a book for his birthday? I Why don't you just phone and tell them you
can 't corne?
Qshall we?/shall I? j>i wi:, jui ai
spoken, especially british say this to suggest what you might do, and to ask someone if the^ agree: Shall I get the theatre tickets? I Shall we go shopping this afternoon, then?
Qdo you want to? du: ju: wont tu:|| - wuint-/ spoken say this to suggest something that you and someone else could do together, and to ask the other person if they agree: Do you want to go out for a meal?
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SUGGEST
Qhow about? I what about? ,"hao abaot, wot abaoi spoken informal say this to suggest something which you think is a good idea: We need a break ~ how about a weekend in London? 1 Well, if the car's too small, what about renting a bigger one?
Qcould always spoken /kud 'alwЈz|| -weiz/ say this to suggest something that may solve a problem.- You could always stay with me if you miss the train. 1 I suppose I could always get Rosie some perfume for Christmas.
When you see 139, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
SUITABLE/ UNSUITABLE
see alsoconvenient/not
convenient, best perffect
suitable
suitable /surtaM, sju:-||'su:- [adj] something or someone that is suitable is the right kind of thing or person for a purpose, job, or situation: I still haven't found a suitable job. I You must wear something suitable - preferably black. + for The house would be suitable for a large family. I choosing a suitable bride
for the prince suitably [adv] suitably dressed for a
wedding
Д Don't say 'suitable to something' or 'suitable to do something'. Say suitable for something.
right /rait/ \adj] the right thing or person is exactly suitable: I've found some curtains that are just the right colour. I I don't know the right word to describe it. + for It's a good school, but it wasn't really right for Melissa. I We all agree that Carey is the right person for the job.
just right ^completely suitable) i moved into a small apartment close to the college ~ it was just right.
proper /'ргорэг|'рга:-/ [adj only before nounj the proper equipment/clothes/ methods/training etc especially British the equipment, clothes etc that are generally considered to be right for a purpose: You can't climb a mountain without the proper equipment. \ I must have the proper tools for the job. properly Jhe machine operators had not been properly trained.
SUITABLE/UNSUITABLE
appropriate /э'ргэорп-^t/ [adj] suitable for a situation or purpose - use this especially about something that has been carefully chosen for a particular situation: Considering the warnings he's had, I think the punishment was appropriate. 1 You will be given your orders at the appropriate time.
+ for Each member is given a special exercise routine that is appropriate for his or her needs. appropriately [adfl a delightful place that was appropriately named Mount Pleasant
Appropriate is more formal than right
or proper.
Qgood god [adj only before noun] especially spoken very suitable for a purpose or job - use this especially when there are several suitable people or things to choose from: Bates would be a good person to have on the team.
+ for The big jars are good for storing rice or pasta.
good - better - best
ideal /ai'dol/ [adj] the ideal thing or person is the most suitable one you can possibly choose, when there are many to choose from: If you're setting up your own company, our Business Starter Loan would be ideal. + for With its tough suspension and 4- wheel drive, it's ideal for driving in the desert.
suit /suit, sju:t||suit/ [и T not in passive) something that suits a person, purpose, or situation is suitable for them: Make sure you
choose a computer that suits your needs. I a job that would suit a young science graduate I They found us a house close to the campus, which suited us very well.
Д Don't say 'it suits to me' or 'it suits with me'. Say it suits me.
not suitable
unsuitable/not suitable /лпЧипэЬЛ
not 'su:teb<?l. -'sju-l-'su:-/ [adj| We never planted vines there because the climate was not suitable.
+ for violent movies that are totally unsuitable for children I The road is not suitable for heavy vehicles.
wrong /roi]||ro:i]/ [adj] not the right one for
734
a particular job or purpose: You're using the wrong spoon - this is the soup spoon. I This is a very important job, so we don't want to choose the wrongperson. I I think you picked the wrong time to call her.
inappropriate/not appropriate
шэ'ргэорп-^, not э'ргэорп-it/ [adj] formal not suitable for a situation or purpose - use this especially about something that has been done or chosen without enough care or thought: / thought his remarks were quite inappropriate on such a serious occasion, I This is not an appropriate use of taxpayers' money. + for It was a very powerful computer, completely inappropriate for someone like me.
OUt of place ,aoi sv pleis/ if something or someone looks or feels out of place, they do not seem suitable for the place or
situation thai they are in, especially because they look very different: I felt completely out of place among all those rich fashionable people. I a large concrete building that looked out of place in such a pretty mountain village
aot cut out for sth not kM aot fb:r
(sth) informal if you are not cut out for a type of work or way of life, you do not have the right qualities to enjoy it or to be successful in it: Obviously, Paul was not cut out for army life. I I've decided I'm not cut out for teaching.
SUPPORT
^ look here for...
agree with someone or something
help someone
stop something from falling down ^ see also defend
II to support an idea, person, or political party
opposite against
see also protest, agree, disagree
support /$э'рэ:г1/ [v T) to say that you agree with an idea, plan, political party etc. and want it to succeed: I've always supported the Democrats. I a newspaper article that supports the idea of a minimum wage for workers strongly support Pfans for a new school were strongly supported by local residents.
I support them
be in favour of sth British be in favor of Sth american hi: in 'feivar ov
(sth) to support a plan or suggestion because you think it is a good idea: Most UN delegates are in favor of the peace plan.
be in. favour of doing sth Some teachers were in favour of retaining the existing system.
Qbe all in /avour of sth especially spoken ^completely agree with it) I'm all in favour of people having smaller cars
A Don't say 'I'm in favour with it' or 'I'm in favour to do it'. Say I'm in favour of it
pro- ргэо [prefix] pro-democracy/pro- government/pro-independence etc
supporting democracy, the government etc: The pro-independence group has been attacked and suppressed. I pro- western forces I The 'pro-choice' group believes in the righi to abortion.
Га !
/.'Л Pro-is usually used in newspapers, on TV etc.
be on sb's side hi: on (sb's) said/' to support one person or group against another in an argument, war etc: Why did you keep agreeing with my parents? I thought you were on my side. I With most of the newspapers on their side, they have a good chance of winning. I Whose side are you on?
Q someone who supports a person, political party, idea etc
supporter /s3'pD:rt3r; [n C] someone who supports a person, political party, or idea: a Labour Party supporter + of Supporters of women's rights are protesting against the court's decision.
follower ТоЫэг||Та:-/ |n CJ someone who supports the ideas of a political or religious leader: Marx and his followers were convinced that capitalism would not survive.
735
SUPPORT
+ of the followers of Mahatma Gandhi
to support someone with money or with help
Support /S3 po:rt [i> T] to give help, encouragement, money etc to someone because you want them to succeed: The rebels were supported by the former South African government, which provided arms and money. I Employers support the training program by offering places for young people.
in support of m s^'po:rt dv if you do
something in support of someone or something, you do it to show that you support them: The miners were striking in support of the nurses. 1 a big demonstration in support of democratic reforms
back /Ьаек/ [v T] to support a person or plan by providing money or practical help - used especially in newspapers to talk about governments or other powerful groups that support something: Seuera/ major insurance companies have agreed to back the healthcare reforms, t The plans for с new shopping mall are backed by the city council.
SUPPORT 736
sympathizer (also sympathiser
British) "simp3Baizar [n C] someone who supports the ideas of a political organization but does not belong to it, especially an organization that is illegal: His opponents accused him of being a Nazi sympathiser. I Money for the group's terrorist activities has been provided by sympathisers in the US.
/oilowing 'foU)ir)||'fu:- [n singular] all
the people who support a person or organization: The civil rights movement attracted a large following in the north ern cities.
В the money or help that you give when you support someone
jinancial support (=money given to support something) political parties that receive financial support from foreign businessmen
backing 'baekii]/ [n U] money or practical
help given to support a person or plan, especially by a government or other powerful group: Does this policy have
government backing?
+ оfa magazine that originally started with the backing of the TV companies
to support an object so that it does not fall down
support/hold up /S3po:rt, ,haold лр/ [v
T] to hold something or someone up and
stop them from falling down
support sth The ceiling was supported
by huge stone columns.
hold sth up The only thing holding it up
was a frail-looking section of scaffold
inc.
w
GUESS
MAYBE
hold up sth The poles hold up the outer part of the tent.
prop Up .prop лр||,рга:р- [phrasa/ verb T] to stop something from falling by putting something else against it or under it prop up sth The builders have propped up the walls with steel beams, prop sth up I sat down and propped my feet up on the edge of the desk.
SURE/NOT SURE
POSSSLE
\ 7»
see also
/ ъ
support /S3'p:rt/ [n U] the help and
encouragement that you give to someone when you want them to succeed: I couldn't have finished my degree idthouf the support of my family. + for the growing support for Greenpeace in Australia and New Zealand
KNOW/ NOT KNOW
when you feel sure about something
PROBABLY
sure Jo3r [adj not before noun] if you are sure about something, you feel that it is almost certainly true or correct+ (that) You ue worked so hard, I'm sure you'll do well in your exams. I Are you quite sure that he understood your instructions?
+ about/oj I think children are influenced by these films, but it's impossible to be sure about this, feel sure I'm surprised she isn't here - I felt sure she would come.
A Don't say 'it is sure', Say I'm sure: I'm sure that the food will be nice.
certain 's3:rtn/ [adj not before noun] completely sure that something is true + (that) Are you absolutely certain you didn't leaue your keys at home? + about/of She won't let you borrow the car - I'm certain of that.
/hi Don't say 'very certain'. Say quite certain or absolutely certain: We're quite certain that Hayes is guilty.
convinced /kan'vinst/ [adj not before
noun] sure that something is true, even if you have no information to support this belief
+ (that) We've had no news of him, but we're convinced he's still alive. I She became convinced that her boyfriend was seeing someone else. + of Brotun's wife was convinced of his innocence.
A
Don't say 'very convinced'. Say
completely/absolutely convinced: She
seems absolutely convinced that she's going to fail.
Opositive /'pDZ"tiv||'pa:-/ [adj not before
noun] especially spokeis completely sure that something is true - use this especially when other people are saying it might not be true: "Are you sure you locked the door?" "Yes, I'm positive + (that) She said she was positive the exam was next Tuesday.
confident /'kDnfJ,d<?nt||'ka:n-, [adj not before noun] sure that something good will happen, or that you will be able to achieve what you want: They asked Cantona about tomorrow's game, and he seems very confident. + (that) Doctors are confident that he'll make a full recovery.
Qf bet I ai bet/ spoken informal say this when you feel sure that something is true: + (that) I bet you're tired after such a long journey. I I bet she hasn 't told her parents about this.
Qmust mAstI [modal uerb] especially spoken if you say that something must be true or must have happened, you are sure about it, because of information you have or things you have noticed which make it seem very likely: They must be hautng а party next door, judging by all the cars parked outside.
must have Kim didn't answer when I called - she must have gone to bed. I The lights aren't working - there must have been a power cut.
The opposite of must in this meaning is can't. Use can't to say you are sure that something is not true or has not happened: She can't have gone to bed yet - it's only 8 o'clock (=1 am sure that she has not gone to bed).
when something is definitely true and there are no doubts at all
certainly/de/initely /s3irtnli, 'defmitli, 1 defend t J i/ [adv} use this to emphasize that something is definitely true, especially when other people think that it might not be: I'm sorry if I upset you. I certainly didn't mean to I We don't know exactly when the house was built, but it's certainly over
100 years old. I I definitely posted the
cheque last week, so it should have arrived by now.
certainly not/definitely not "Would you accept less than a thousand for it?" "No, definitely not."
Qsurely /'Joali/ [adv] especially spoken use this to emphasize that you think something must be true, and you are asking someone else to agree with you: Surely, he must have realized that the money was stolen. I Surely your car is worth more than £1000, isn't it?
there is no doubt /(teanznao'daot/use
737
SURE/NOT SURE
this to say that, in your opinion, something is definitely true + (that) There is no doubt that smoking contributed to Margaret's heart attack.
when something will definitely happen
certainly/definitely s3:rtnli, defin^ili
'def>nJ,tli [adv] use this to say that you are completely sure that something will happen or that someone will do something: Brad and Andy are certainly coming to the party, but I don't know about Bob. I We'll definitely be back by 7 o'clock. I Gascoigne is injured and will definitely miss the game on Saturday.
certain /'S3irtn/ [adj not usually before noun) if something is certain, you believe it will definitely happen: Computer prices will continue to jail - that's certain. it is certain (that) It's now almost certain that the President will resign.
certain death/failure/disaster etc (=when
something very bad is definitely going to happen) He was alone on the mountain, his leg broken, facing almost certain death.
definite /'define, 'defon^t/ [adjl something that is definite has been agreed or decided, and it is certain that it will happen: I think I have a good chance of getting the job, but it's not definite yet.
A Definite is used especially in questions or negative sentences.
be sure to do sth/be certain to
do Sth /bi: '|иэг ta dur (sth), bi: 's3:rtn ts du: (sth)/ use this to say that you strongly believe that something will happen, because of what you know about the situation: Drivers heading for the coast are certain to face long delays this weekend. I There's sure to be someone that you know at the party.
be bound to do Sth /bi: baund О du: (sth)/ if you say something is bound to happen, you think it certainly will happen, because that is what normally happens: Chris is bound to arrive late - he always does. I His new record isn't very good, but it's bound to be a hit.
be sure of doing Sth /bi: Juar av 'dunrj
SURE/NOT SURE
QtHere is no doubt about it/that espe
cially spoken Paul's under a lot of stress. There's no doubt about that.
(sth)/ if you are sure of doing something, you will definitely get what you want
738
or achieve what you want: If they win tonight's game, they are sure of winning the championship. I To be sure of arriving on time, I took an earlier train.
inevitable inev^tab^l/ [acty| something unpleasant that is inevitable will certainly happen and is impossible to prevent: War now seems inevitable. inevitable result/consequence Bread prices were doubled, with the inevitable result - food riots.
it is inevitable (that) It is inevitable that some people won't like the new arrangements.
inevitably [cdu] Inevitably, some people will lose their jobs when the two companies merge.
not sure about something
not sure not 'Joэг/ "What time does the film start?" 1 think it's 8.30, but I'm not sure."
not sure how/whether/when etc I'm not
sure where she lives. + about/of If you're not sure about the meaning of a word, look it up in a dictionary. i Use the 'Filesearch' function if you are not sure of the name of a file. Qcan't be sure spoken (when you think something is true, but you are not completely sure) I can't be sure, but I think I saw Maggie coming out of the hospital this morning.
not know /not пэо/ to not be at all sure
what you should decide, whether something is true etc: "How old is she?" "Oh, I don't know -fifty, fifty-five?" not know i//whether/how etc He didn't know whether he should accept their offer or not. I I don't know if I really agree with that.
Qnot know for sure especially spoken It could be this week but it might be much later. We don't know for sure.
doubt /daot/ [n C/Ul a feeling of not being sure whether something is true or right + about/as to There are still some doubts about her suitability for the job. have (your) doubts (=not be sure that
something is really the right thing to do) My parents thought I should go to business school, but 1 had my doubts.
Bi something that you cannot be sure about
uncertain. ■An'ss'm/ [adj] if a situation is
uncertain, you cannot be sure what will happen, because nothing is definite: Our holiday plans are stili uncertain. I The company faces an uncertain future. it is uncertain whether It is still uncertain whether the conference will actually take place.
not clear 'nDt 'khor/ if something is not clear, people do not know enough or understand enough to be sure about it: The causes of the dispute are not entirely clear.
it is not clear how/why/whether etc It
isn't clear how the fire started.
be doubtful/be in doubt /bis dautkl,
bi: in 'daut/ if the success or future of something is doubtful or is in doubt, you
cannot be sure what will happen, but you think it is likely to be something bad: With
more and more cuts in government spending, the school's future now looks doubtful. 1 After yet another injury, his football career is in doubt.
И to do something in order to be sure that something else will happen
make sure /meik |оэг/ to do something in order to be sure that something else will happen: I think Harry knows the way, but I'll go with him just to make sure. + (that) Make sure that you lock your car.
ensure BRITISH insure American in'/оэг/ [и Tj to do something in order to be sure that something else will happen + (that) It is the company's responsibility to ensure that everyone knows the safety rules.
A Ensure ancj insure are more formal than make sure.
Qsee that/see to it that / si: si:
to it flat,' especially spoken if you see that or see to it that something happens, you make sure that it happens, often by getting someone else to do this for you: Don't worry. I'll see that he gets the message. I We see to it that all our guests receive a very high standard of service.
SURPRISING/ SURPRISED
* see also suddenly, expect 6
И feeling surprised
surprised /s3r'praizd/ [adj] if you are surprised by something that happens, you do not expect it, so it seems strange or unusual: I was really surprised when I passed my driving test first time. I Carrie looked surprised. '7 d/dn 't expect to see you here!"
surprised to see/hear/learn etc We were surprised to see Drew's picture in the newspaper.
+ (that) I'm really surprised that he remembered my birthday. + at/by He was surprised at how late it was. I Julia seemed a little surprised by my question.
A Don't say 'surprised for'. Say surprised at or surprised by.
amazed/astonished &me!zd, a'stnniftl
a'sta:-/ [adj] extremely surprised by something that happens, because it seems so unlikely: Liz was amazed when she found out how much the meal had cost. + that I'm amazed that the bank keeps /ending him money.
+ at Everyone was astonished at how calm and relaxed she was before her big speech.
amazed to see/learn/find out etc We
were amazed to see John looking so well, so soon after his operation. astonished to see/hear/discover/jind etc
Sarah was astonished to see Neil and Beth kissing.
739
SURPRISING/SURPRISED
startled / sta:rtld/ [adj] especially written surprised and a little frightened or worried because of something that has suddenly happened or something that someone said: "Have we met somewhere before?" The man looked startled for a moment. + by They were startled by a sudden flash in the sky.
SURPRISING/SURPRISED to my/her/their surprise /tu: (my
etc) S3r'praiz/ use this when ycu are telling a story or describing past events, to say that someone was surprised by something: He asked her to go out with him end, to his surprise, she agreed immediate/у.
Aoon't use to my/her/their surpriseat
the end of a sentence.
Qcan't believe /,ka:nt b^'li:v|k<ent-.'
especially spoken if you can't believe something, you are very surprised by it because it does not seem possible can't believe it I can't believe it! Jane and Richard are getting married! + (that) She was a brilliant pianist - we couldn't believe that she was only fi fteen.
taken aback/.teibn э'Ыек/so surprised or shocked by what someone has done or said to you that for a moment you do not know what to say
be/look/seem taken aback When I asked her to marry me, she looked rather taken aback.
+ by Bill was taken aback by her rude and aggressive behaviour.
speechless /'spiitfbs/ [adj] so surprised,
by something very good or very bad, that you do not know what to say: When I told her J was pregnant, she was totally speech less.
В surprised and upset because something very bad has happened
shocked /;okt|/a:kt/ [adj] surprised and upset by something very bad that has happened: When they heard that Janet was in hospital they were really shocked. + by The whole town was shocked by the news.
shocked to hear/learn/find We were shocked to hear of Brian's death - he was so young.
horrified /'horifaidl'ha-, ha:-/ [adj]
extremely shocked by something very unpleasant or frightening that has happened: Horrified passengers saw the man fall under the train. f by Sam's parents were horrified by his injuries.
horri/ied to see/hear/find They looked out of the window, and were horrified to see two men attacking each other with knives.
Stunned/stAnd/ [adj] so shocked that you
are unable to speak or do anything: When I heard about the accident J was stunned.
+ by Staff were stunned by the news that 200 people were to lose their jobs
El to make someone
surprised
surprise/s3r'praiz/ [u T] if something surprises you, it makes you feel surprised: Diana s reaction surprised him - he had n 'f realized that she was so upset. I The exam was actually quite easy, which surprised me.
it surprises sb that It surprised me that he could still walk.
amaze /s'meiz [u T] to make someone feel extremely surprised: Dave amazed his friends by leaving a well-paid job to travel around the world. it amazes sb tHat It amazes me that no-one thought of the idea sooner.
come as a surprise /,клт zz э
S3r'praiz/ if something comes as a surprise, it surprises you because you were not expecting it at all
+ to Richard's marriage came as a surprise to everyone. come as a complete surprise I didn't think I'd get the job, so it came as a complete surprise when they offered it to me.
take sb by surprise /teik (sb) bai S3r'praiz/ if something takes you by surprise. it happens suddenly at a time when you are not expecting it: The President's resignation took everyone by surprise.
shock , Jok|Ja:k [и T] if something very bad or unpleasant shocks you. it makes you feel very surprised and upset: What really shocked me was that no-one seemed to care about all the beggars. it shocks sb to see/realize/hear etc It shocked us to see how ill she looked.
come as a shock/,kAm эг э /ок||-/а:к/
if something unpleasant comes as a shock, it makes you feel surprised and upset because you were not expecting it to
happen: We knew he had been ill, but Robert's death still came as a shock. come as a complete/terrible shock (to
sb) It came as a terrible shock to Richard when his wife told him she was seeing another man.
Qmake sb jump ,meik (sb) d^mp/ especially spoken to make someone feel surprised and nervous by making a sudden noise or movement, especially when they did not know you were there: Гт sorry. I didn't mean to make you jump.
В when something makes
you surprised
surprising ?s3r'praiz]t] [adj] something that is surprising makes you feel surprised: A surprising number of 16-year- olds leave school without being able to read and write. I a surprising choice it is surprising (that) It is surprising that so few people came to the party, it is surprising how/what It was surprising how quickly we got used to the new house
surprisingly [adcj The restaurant was surprising/y cheap. 1 Surprising/y, very few people complained about the
show. _ »
amazing p'meizii], [adjl very surprising - use this especially about something very good or impressive: an amazing achievement I Hong Kong is an amazing city, with all those tall modern buildings. it is amazing how/what It's amazing how fast these Grand Prix cars can go. it is amazing that It's amazing that the inscriptions are still clear enough to read after 2000 years. amazingly [ac/uj Chris u>as amazingly /иску to pass the exam. 1 Five cars crashed into each other, but amazingly no-one was hurt.
unexpected /.Anik'spekt^k [adj] something unexpected is surprising, because you did not think that it would happen: the unexpected success of her first novel I His decision to leave was completely unexpected. unexpectedly [adu] Phil arrived unexpectedly while we were having lunch.
Startling sta:rt]:r] [adjl a startling fact is one that you would never have expected to be true: There had been a startling increase in the numbers of homeless
people. I startling new discoveries about the way the universe began
unbelievable/incredible /лпЬПЬ
эЬс?1, inkred^l/ [adj] extremely surprising and difficult to believe: He's so rude. It's unbelievable! I Over the next two weeks, we saw on incredible change in
her character.
it is unbelievable/incredible that They were driving much too fast. It's incredible that no-one was hurt. unbelievably/incredibly faduj Throughout the crisis, Bi/f remained incredibly calm. I It was a fantastic hotel and unbelieuably cheap.
Staggering staeg^rir3/ [adjl a staggering
number or amount is very surprising because it is so large: There has been a staggering rise in the number of attacks and murders in our cities. I We spend a staggering £2.4 billion a year on food
for our pets.
H something surprising that happens
surprise /.sypraiz [n C] something that you did not expect, especially something nice
it is a surpriselit was a surprise It was a
real surprise when Tony walked in. We thought he was still in America. I We've got Katie a bike for her birthday, but don't tell her - it's a surprise, a complete surprise (=one that you did not expect at all) Anita didn't expect to get the job - it was a complete surprise. Qwhat a surprise! spoken Flowers? For me? What a lovely surprise!
shock Jok||Ja:k/ (n C] something very bad
or unpleasant that happens to you and that you did not expect: 'The bill came to almost £500." "That must have been a shock."
get a shock. She got a shock when she opened the letter and saw who it was from, give sb a shock It gave me a shock to realize that I had nearly been killed.
КЗ when something does not make you surprised
not surprising/hardly surprising
741
SURPRISING/SURPRISED
/.not S3ppra}zir}, ,ha:rdli s3r"praiziq/ if
SURPRISING/SURPRISED
something is not surprising or hardly surprising, you are not surprised by it because the situation makes it very likely to happen: Now she's frightened to go
out at night, which is hardly surprising after what happened to her
it is not surprising/hardly surprising
(that) It's not surprising you're t\red - you've been out every night this week. not surprisingly [adv] Not surprisingly, she 's very annoyed (=it is not surprising that she is annoyed).
Ql'm not surprised /aim rut sy
praizd spokfn say this when you can clearly see why something has happened: "I'm starving." "I'm not surprised. You haven't eaten all day." + (that) I'm not surprised she's fed up with him.
QUO wonder /пэи 'wM\dar/ spokln say this when you realize the reason why something happened, so that it is not surprising any more: No wonder my camera wasn't working - there's no battery in it!
come as no surprise k\m ж пэп
sor'praiz/ if something comes as no surprise. you are not surprised when it happens. because you expected it to happen it comes as no surprise when It came as no surprise when President Santos announced his resignation.
SWITCH ON OR OFF
to make a light, machine, radio
LIGHT 3
г
MACHINE
etc start or stop working by pressing or turning something
COMPUTUS
<4
see also
TELEVISION AND RADIO
to switch something on
Switch ОП /,swit/ Dnjj-cm/ (phrasal verb I/T] to make something start working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example, lights, televisions, or computers
742
switch oa sth Can you switch on the television? i I switched on the radio to listen to the news.
switch sth on Do you mind if I switch
the light on?
turn ОП /,1з:гп оп||-'а:п [phrasal verb T] to make something start working, for example by turning a tap or pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, gas. or water
turn on sth He went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. turn sth on Do you want me to turn the lights on?
put Sth ОП ,pot (sth) 'опЦ-'шп/ [phrasal verb T] put the light/radio/TV/Uettle
etc on to make a light, radio etc start working: Eva put the kettle on to make a cup of coffee. I Put the light on, then we can see what we're doing.
Start stu:rt [и T] start a car/engine/ motor to make a car. engine, or motor start working: She started the car and backed slowly out of the garage.
В to switch something off
off ;',switj Щ-Ы [phrasal uerb I/T] to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example, lights, televisions, or computers switch off sth Always switch off your computer when you've finished- switch sth off It 's OK - I switched it off before I went out.
turn off /,п:гп 'nffj-'^f [phrasal verb T] to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button or turning a tap - use this about things that use electricity, gas, or water
turn off sth She got up and turned off the TV. I Could you turn off the heater before you go to bed? turn sth off Who forgot to turn the tap
off?
Stop /stDp|sta:p/ [и T] to make an engine or machine stop working: George stopped the engine and got out of the car. I We had to stop the pump and unblock it.
When you see US, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
El when something is switched on
on Dn|]a:n, от, [adj/adv not before noun] if something is on, it is working - use this about lights, machines, and other things that use electricity, gas, or water: Is the heating on? I'm freezing, leave sth on Did you leave the kitchen light on?
keep stK on In the winter, I keep the gas fire on all day.
come/go on (=start working) The heating comes on automatically.
be switched on /bi: .switjt 'оп||-'а:п
use this about things that use electricity, for example, machines, computers, or heating equipment: A green light shows that the computer is switched on. I Have you checked that the power is switched on?
be turned on /bi: t3:rnd 'оп|-'а:п/ use this
about machines or about the electricity, gas, or water supply: If the boiler fails to light first check that the gas is turned on.
be running bi: 'глшг),/ if an engine or a machine is running, it is working and its parts are moving Do not touch the machine while it is running, leave sth running Nick left the engine running while he ran into the house.
ml when something is switched off
off /Ъф:^ Iadj/adv not before nounj if something is off, someone has switched it off to make it stop working - use this about lights, machines, and other things that use electricity, gas, or water: Is the cooker off? I can smell gas. I I don't think anyone's at home. All the lights are off.
go off (=stop working) The heating goes
off at 10:30. be switched off bi: ,switjt Щ-'xfl use
this about things that use electricity, for example, machines, computers, or heating equipment: Do you mean the alarm was switched off all night?
be turned off /bi: ,t3:rnd 'Df||-'o:f/ use this about lights, machines, or about the electricity, gas. or water supply: Make sure
everything's turned off before you leave
the house.
go out /.gao aot' [phrasal verb IJ if a light goes out. it stops shining because it has been switched off, or because there is no electricity: / matched the house until all the lights had gone out.
SYSTEM
the way in which something is
organized
see also organize/arrange, order
system sist^m [n C] the way that something is organized, following fixed rules and methods, in order to provide a service or achieve an aim: a system for dealing with enquiries from our customers + of What we need is a cheap and reliable system of public transportation. I а democratic system of government education/transport/banking system Most teachers are opposed to recent changes in the education system. I the French legal system
set-up /'set лр [n singular! informal the way in which things are organized or done within a company, school etc: My last school was quite traditional, but it's a different set-up at the new one. I It's a very strange set-up - everyone here earns exactly the same salary.
network /'netw3:rk, [n C] a system of lines, tubes, wires, roads etc that are connected to each other: A 24-hour strike brought the railway network to a standstill.
743
SYSTEM
+ of A network of veins and arteries carries the blood around the body.
744
TAKE/BRING
TAKE/BRING
if you mean 'take something out',
go to remove
see also steal, carry
to take someone or something from one place to another
take /teik [и T] to have someone or something with you when you go to another place: Don't forget to take your keys. take sth to/out/into "Where's Dan?" "He's taken the car to the garage." I Let's take the kids to the beach. take sb sth I took Alice a cup of tea. take sth/sb with you Did they take the tent with them on their holiday?
taking - took - have taken
bring /bni]/ (и T] if someone brings a person or thing to the place where you are. they have that person or thing with them when they come: I brought my camera so that I could take pictures of all of you. I We've brought someone to see you. bring sth to/into/out Will you bring your CD player to the party? bring sb sth Robert asked the waiter to bring him the check, bring sth/sb with you / hope he hasn't brought his brother with him. bringing - brought - have brought
drive /draiv/ [и T] to take someone from one place to another in a car drive sb to//rom/away Bill offered to drive me to the airport. I The man was driven away in a police van.
driving - drove - have driven
fly flai/ T] to move people or goods from one place to another in a plane fly sb to/from His company is flying him to New York for the meeting, fly sth into/to/out The Red Cross is flying emergency supplies into the earthquake zone.
flying - flew - have flown
deliver di'hv;>r [v T] to take letters, newspapers, goods etc to someone's home or
office: The store will deliver your new washing-machine tomorrow morning, deliver sth to Unfortunately the package was delivered to the wrong address, delivery [л C/U] when letters, newspapers. goods etc are taken to someone's
house or office: We offer free home
delivery for every purchase over $150.
transport /irien spo:rt/ [v T] to move large quantities of goods or large numbers of people from one place to another, especially over a large distance: It is much cheaper to transport goods by ship. I a large plane that is used for transporting military personnel
transport sth to/from/aeross Meat is
transported across Europe in refrigerated containers.
to go to a place and take someone or something from there
get get/ [u T] to go to the place where someone or something is. and bring them back, or tell them to come back: I'll get my coat and then we can go. I Dinner's ready. Can you get Jo? get sb sth (=get something for someone) Could you get me my keys from the kitchen?
go and get sb/sth Go and get your father. He's in the garden.
getting - got - have got (выгьн) - have gotten (amf.rican)
pick Up pik лр/ [phrasal verb T] to go to a place where someone or something is waiting for you or ready for you. and take them with you
pick up sb/sth I'll pick up the airline tickets on my way home from work, pick sb/sth up Omar and Nadia are waiting for you to pick them up at the airport.
collect /кэ'1ек| [v Tj british to go to a place where someone or something is waiting for you, and bring them back: I'm at the station. Can you come and collect me? collect sb/sth from. I have to go and collect a parcel from the post-office.
fetch fetj [u Ti especially British to go to get someone or something that you need and bring them back: Quick! Fetch a ladder. I Jim went off to fetch a policeman.
/etch sb/sth /rom Martha fetched a towel from the bathroom, fetch sb stk (=fetch something for someone) Could you fetch me a screwdriver?
Bi to take someone or something back to the place where they came from
take back ;,teik Ъгек/ Iphrasa/ verb T]
take sb/sth back to Paul asked the taxi driuer to take him back to his hotel, take sb/sth back The dress was too big for me so J took it back. I I'll take you back after the party. take back sth Did you remember to take back all your library books?
bring back brii] b&k [phrasal verb T] to bring someone or something back to the place where you are now or to your home
bring sb/sth back Mrs Ali will bring you back from school today. bring back sth I've brought back the book you lent me. I They brought back some lovely cheese from France.
return /пЧз:Гп [у T] to bring or take something back to the place where you got it from: Penny has still not returned the office keys.
return sth to If there is a problem with the computer you can return it to the store
Д Return is more formal than take back or bring back
GJ to take something from someone
take /teik/ (о T] to take something out of someone's hands: Let me take your bags - you look exhausted. take sth from sb He walked across the room and took the gun from her.
taking - took - have taken
grab/snatch graeb, snaetjy [v T) to take something from someone with a sudden violent movement, for example because you are angry or you want to steal something: A thief snatched her purse while she was walking down the street. snatctv/grab stk /rom sb Larry■ tried to grab the letter from me.
grabbing - grabbed - have grabbed
take away teik a'wei/ [phrasal verb T]
to take something important from someone . such as a posession or a right, either as a punishment or in a way that is wrong or unfair
take away stk a new law that would take away the rights of workers to go on strike
take sth away /rom sb Johnson failed a drugs test, and his gold medal was taken away from him.
confiscate /'kDnf^skeit||ka:n-/ \v T] to officially take something away from someone, either as a punishment or because they are not allowed to have it: The teacher confiscated my Walkman. I Police will confiscate nets and rods from anyone found fishing illegally.
el to take something from the place where it is
take / teik. [и T] to take something from the place where it is: Have you taken my keys?/ can't find them, take stk /rom/oJJ/down etc He took a dictionary down from the shelf, take sth away (=take something permanently from a place) They haven't taken the garbage away for two weeks.
taking - took - have taken
take out /.teik aot/ [phrasal verb TJ to take something from a place where it could not be seen, for example from a pocket, drawer, or container take out sth He reached into his pocket
and took out a handkerchief.
take sth out Sa//y opened a pack of cigarettes, took one out and lit it. take stk out of stk Take that chewing gum out of your mouthl
pull out /,po 1 aot/ [phrasal verb T] to quickly take something from a place where it was hidden or could not be seen pull out stk He pulled out a gun and fired three shots.
pull stk out / saw her pull a bag out from under the seat.
745
TAKE/BRING
remove n'muiv [и T] to take something away from the place where it is. especially something that you do not want or something that should not be there: Please do not remove this notice. I She was in the hospital, hauing her appendix removed.
TAKE/BRING 746
remove sth from sth Remove all the packaging from the pizza and place it in a preheated oven.
TAKE PART
to do something together with
other people
see also sport, competition, game
Remove is more formal than take off, take out etc.
to take someone away using force
take sb away ,teik (sb) s'wei/ [phrasal verb T] if soldiers, the police etc take someone away, they force that person to go with them: The soldiers took my son away and I never saw him again. I Our neighbour was taken away in a police car.
kidnap /'kidnsp/ [u T] to take someone away by force and keep them as your prisoner, in order to make their family or their government give you money or other things you want: Terrorists have kidnapped a French officer and are
demanding $400,000 from the French
government.
kidnapping - kidnapped - have kidnapped kidnapping |n C] when someone is kidnapped: Most diplomats now travel with bodyguards, following a series of kidnappings.
abduct /ab'dAkt, aeb-/ [и T] to take someone away by force, especially a child or young person, often in order to kill them or sexually attack them - used especially in news reports: Several young women had
been abducted from their villages and
forced to work as prostitutes.
take sb hostage /,teik (sb) 'hostidsll -'ha:-/ to take someone and keep them as a prisoner, especially for political reasons, and threaten to kill them if their government does not do what you demand: Rebel forces have taken five UN peacekeepers hostage.
When you see IS, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
to take part in an event, activity, discussion etc
take part / teik pa:rt/ to do something together with other people, by joining them in an activity, discussion, event etc: There is an information session about illegal drugs, and local police officers will be taking part.
+ in She was invited to take part in a TV debate on drugs. I Police have arrested a number of people who took part in the riot.
be involved ;bi: m'volvdl-'vojlvd/ to take part in an activity with a small number of other people, often something bad or illegal: Choosing a school is an important decision, and both parents ought to be involved.
+ in Mason says he wasn't involved in the kidnapping. I At least three politicians are involved in the scandal.
participate /pa:r'ns^peit/ [и I] formal to take part in an activity, especially an organized activity: There are regular class discussions, but some of the students never participate.
+ in Over 300 local firms participated in the survey. I Members can participate in any of the trips organized by the club. participation /pa:r,tis^'peipn/ [n U] when people participate: Our partners demand full participation in decisionmaking at management level.
to start taking part
join in /dpin in/ [phrasal verb l/T] to start taking part in something that other people are already doing, especially something enjoyable such as a game, or a song: When we get to the chorus I want everybody to join in! I We all wanted to join in the fun.
+ with She was a shy girl, and wouldn't join in with the other children's games.
get involved in sth /get inVDlvd in (sth)||-'va:lvd- to start to take part in some- thing, especially something that will cause
you problems or take a lot of your time: I don't want to get involved in their family arguments. 1 When did you first get involved in local politics? I The US are unwilling to get involved in another war.
get caught up in sth get ,b:t лр in
(sth) to become involved in something dangerous, unpleasant, or illegal, without wanting to or intending to do this: It is easy for young people to get caught up in crime when there are so few jobs.
El to take part in a competition
compete/take part /ksmpiit. tcik
po:rt [и I] to take part in a competition or race: On/у cars over 50 years old are allowed to compete. I The competition was a great success. Nearly two hundred people took part.
+ in How many runners will be competing in the marathon? I Please contact Debbie if you would like to take part in the charity swim.
enter sth/go in for sth ешэг (sth),
.gso '/n fo:r (sth)/ {v TJ to say that you will take part in a competition or race, tor example by putting your name on a list: You have to be under 18 to enter the painting competition. I Dad says he's going in for the talent contest.
A Enter is more formal than go in for, and go in for is only used in British English.
Ы someone who takes part
competitor /ksmpet^taV [n C] someone who takes part in a race, game, or competition: Two of the competitors failed to turn up for the race.
participant /pair'tis>p3nt/ [n C] formal someone who takes part in an organized event or activity: At the end of the conference, all the participants were given a questionnaire.
+ in an active participant in the protest movement
El to not take part
not take part /not teik 'pa:rt/ The President was invited to appear on the program but decided not to take part. + in I noticed that Darren was not taking part in the discussion.
pull out/drop out /pol aot, .drop 'aot|| ,dra:p- [phrasa/ verb [] informal to suddenly decide not to take part in something, that has already started or is about to start, especially when this causes problems: The show was cancelled when the star guest pulled out.
+ of Dave wants to drop out of the teem. I It's too late to pull out of the agreement now.
have nothing to do with sth !\Шу
,пл01Г} ta du: wid (sth)/ to not be involved in
any way in something bad or illegal - use this especially when other people think that you were involved: Tell the police that you had nothing to do with the robbery. I She had nothing to do with the break-up of my marriage.
take no part in sth /teik пэо pa:rt in
(sth), formal to deliberately not take part in something, because you disagree with it or think it is wrong: They were pacifists and
would take no part in the war.
withdraw /wMn:, wi0-/ [и I] to decide not to take part in a competition, race, discussion etc, which you previously agreed to take part in + from Clare had to withdraw from the race after injuring her knee.
withdrawing - withdrew - have withdrawn
И to not let someone take part
leave sb out / Ii:v (sb) aot/ \phrasal verb T] to not include someone in an activity or in a group: They considered twenty candidates, but Melissa was left out. leave sb out of sth It would be very unfair to leave him out of the team.
exclude /ik skluid/ [v T] to prevent someone from taking part in an activity, or from joining a group
exclude sb from sth The black maprity in South Africa was excluded from politics under apartheid. I The Church had
previously excluded women from the priesthood.
drop /drop||dra:p/ |y T often passive] to decide that someone can no longer be in a team
+ /rom She was dropped from the badminton team because she missed practice too often.
SAY J
\ /
see also
i
LISTEN
A
dropping - dropped - have dropped
TALK
SPEAK
SUBJECT
Don't confuse say, tell, talk, and speak. You say words to someone. You tell someone facts or information about something. You talk to someone about a subject. You speak(=you say words) or you speak a language.
to have a conversation
talk /Ьик/ [и I) if two or more people talk, they have a conversation: We sat around talking for hours, i two /riends talking on the phone
+ about They talked about their
favourite pop stars.
+ to Danny was talking to a girl he'd just met at the bar. I It's been nice talking to you.
talk with sb american f left Mario talking with my mother.
get talking (=start having a conversation with someone that you do not know) Kay got talking to a taxi-driver.
Speak to sb /'spnktu: (sb)/ [phrasal verb T] to say something to someone or have a conversation with them: Natalie's on the phone. She wants to speak to you. I He hasn't spoken to me since we quarrelled.
chat/have a chat /tjaet, haev э 'tjaet/ \v
I] to talk in a friendly and informal way, especially about things that are not very important: The girls were sitting on the steps, chatting. I Just call me if you feel like having a chat.
+ about We drank our coffee and chatted about our experiences. + with/to Harry chatted to a couple of Australian tourists as we waited for the show to begin.
chatting - chatted - have chatted
visit /'viz^t/ [u I] american to talk in a relaxed way to someone you know well: Mom and Aunt Jo were sitting drinking coffee and visiting.
+ with I don't see him that often, but I like to go and uisit u^ith him when J can.
gossip /'gos^pl'ga:-/ [и I] if people gossip.
they exchange information about other people s private lives, often in an unkind way because they enjoy talking about other people's problems: They sat in the kitchen, drinking coffee and gossip- pi ng. I Don't tell Anne about this. You know how she gossips. + about People often gossip about each other in a small town. gossip [n singular/U] conversation about other people's private lives: There has been a lot of gossip about her divorce. I /stopped by at Marsha's house for a gossip.
conversation /jtonva'seij^kam-/ [n C/U| when people talk to each other, especially in an informal situation: a telephone conversation I The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible. I They didn't realize their conversation was being recorded. have a conversation (with) Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.
get into conversation (with sb) (=start talking to someone you do not know) While I was on the train to Cambridge, I got into conversation with an American.
to talk to someone about a problem, plan, or serious subject
talk /ык/ [и ij I think we need to talk. + about If you have a problem at school, let s sit down and talk about it.
+ to Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision. talk with sb american If you need more money you should talk with Richard.
speak to sb (also speak with sb
american ) 'spi:k tu: (sb), spck wirt (sb)/ [phrasal verb T] to talk to someone about something that you are worried about or annoyed about: The King's envoy travelled to Rome to speak to the Pope. + about / intend to speak to the manager about the way I've been treated. 1 Have you spoken with Michael about your problem?
have a word with sb hx\ о W3:rd
wirt (sb) to talk to someone alone for a short time, for example because you need their advice or because you want to tell them something privately or criticize them for something they have done wrong: The boss wants to have a word with me. + about Could I have a word with you about my homework assignment?
discuss di'sk,\s/1у TJ if people discuss а
subject or situation, they exchange ideas and opinions about it, so that it is easier to make a decision or make plans: The two families got together to discuss the wedding arrangements.
discuss sth with sb Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.
discuss what/how/where etc \Me need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.
talk over /,d:k 'эоуэг/ [phrasal verb T] to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better talk sth over/talk over sth If you 're worried about your work, come and see me and we'll talk it over. talk sth over with sb It's often useful to talk things over with a trained counsel lor.
negotiate nigsojieit, [u I/T] to discuss а
political problem or business arrangement in order to try to reach an agreement - use this about political or business leaders + with The government rejuses to negotiate u>ith terrorists.
negotiate an agreement/deal/price etc
Colombia and Venezuela are currently negotiating a trade agreement.
В a meeting where people talk seriously about something
discussion di'skApn (n C/U] when
people exchange ideas and opinions about something, especially in order to make a decision
+ about a discussion about cars and pollution
+ with After a long discussion with her father, she decided not to take the job. have a discussion I need to have a discussion with my boss before I can give you an answer
under discussion formal (-being discussed) A new road-bui7ding project is now under discussion.
negotiations /ni.gaoJieiJVnz/ [n plural]
when people who represent governments, companies etc meet to discuss a problem or business arrangement and try to reach an agreement: The trade negotiations between the US and Japan are going very well.
+ with Negotiations with the Turkish government are due to begin tomorrow.
talks ;b:ks,, [n plural) a series of discussions between political or business leaders, which may continue for several days or weeks and are intended to solve a difficult problem: the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, known as 'SALT'
hold talks The peace talks are being held in Geneva.
+ with The company's managers have begun talks with union leaders. + between trade talks between France and Korea
debate drbeit In С] a formal public discussion. for example in parliament or on television, in which two or more groups of people make speeches giving different opinions about a subject, and people vote on it afterwards: The law was passed, after a long and sometimes angry debate. + on/about a televised debate on abortion
ш when someone makes a
speech
speech /spiitj/ (n CI a formal talk to
a group of people, for example in a parliament or at an official meeting or
ceremony: She left early to write her speech for the next day. I an election speech
make/give a speech After 1 he concert the mayor made a speech, congratulating the school.
+■ about/on a speech on the economy plural speeches
talk to:k [rj С] a planned, but not very formal talk about a particular subject, for example at a meeting or on the radio: a series of radio talks by well-known writers
give a talk on/about sth Mr. Munroe gave an interesting talk on his recent uisit to Peru.
give a talk to sb Alice Walker has been invited to give a talk to the literary group this evening.
Compare speech and talk: Speeches are often about politics. Talks are about things like literature, science, art, or history, but not usually about politics.
Speak /spirk/ Iи I] to make a speech, for example in parliament or at an official meeting or ceremony: I've been invited to speak at the party's annual conference.
+ to The President will speak to the nation tonight on television.
talk Ъ:к/ |u IJ to speak publicly to a group of people about a particular subject + about This evening Professor Welch will be talking about Shakespeare's historical plays.
speaker 'spi:k9r [n C] someone who makes a speech in public: the first speaker in tonight's debate
public speaker Kennedy was /спошл as a brilliant public speaker. guest speaker (=someone who has been invited to come and give a speech or talk)
to mention someone or something when you aretalking
TALK
mention j'menpn/ |u T] to say something about a person, plan, event etc during a conversation, but without giving any details or saying very much: When you were talking to Barbara, did she mention her mother? I One of the students
mentioned something about a party on Thursday.
mention sth to sb I mentioned the idea to Joan, and she seemed to like it + (that) He mentioned that he was hau- ing problems, but he didn't say what
they were.
refer to stk/sb /пТз:г tu: (sth/sb)
(phrasa/ verb T] to talk about a person, plan, event etc in a conversation, speech, or piece of writing: She didn't mention any names, but everyone knew who she was referring to. i In his speech the President referred to the achievements of the Olympic team.
bring up Ътк) лр; [phrasal verb T] to start to talk about a subject during a conversation or meeting
В
bring up sth She tuished she'd never brought up the subject of money. bring sth up //you think safety is a problem, I suggest you bring it up ct the next meeting.
я to talk when someone else is already speaking
interrupt .mtarApt/ [v 1/1} to start speaking when someone else is already speaking: I wish you wouldn't interrupt all the time. I She's always interrupting people before they've finished talking
butt in /,bлt in [phrasal verb Ij informal to interrupt someone rudely: Will you please stop butting in!
В someone who talks a lot
talkative -''txkstiv/ [adj] someone who is talkative talks a lot: The wine was making her more relaxed and talkative.
chatterbox /'tJaet3rbDks||-ba:ks/ [n CI informal someone, especially a child, who talks a lot in a friendly way plural chatterboxes
750
Qgo ОП /,g3o 'оп||-'а:п'' [phrasal verb IJ especially spoken to keep talking or complaining about something, in a way that is annoying or boring: Doesn't she go on? She's always complaining. + about / wish you'd stop going on about how expensive everything is.
go or and on (=keep talking for a long time) He went on and on until we were ail practically falling asleep.
someone who does not talk much
see also quiet
quiet kwai^t iadj] someone who is quiet does not talk much: The new girl 's quiet. but nice enough. ! Steuen's a very quiet boy who loves reading.
silent 'sailsnt/ [adj not usually before noun] written if someone is silent, they do not say anything
remain silent Alice u;as laughing and joking, but her sister remained silent, fall silent {=suddenly stop talking) When the priest entered the room, everyone fell silent.
Ш what you say to tell someone to stop talking
A
see also quiet
Qbe quiet /bi: 'kwaist/ spoken say this when you want someone to stop talking: Please be quiet for a moment.
Only say be quiet to children or to someone that you know well.
Qshut up /jat лр/ spoken informal a
rude way of telling someone to stop talking: Oh, shut up! I don't want to hear
your excuses.
Only say shut up to people you know very well, because it is not polite.
TALL
MCH
LOW
\ /
see also
SHORT
DEEP
DESCMNNG PEOPLE
+ about We know you won, but just shut up about if, okay?
A
tall
tall b:\ \adj\ a tall person, building, tree etc has a greater height than average: You'll recognize him ~ he's very tall and thin. I a tall building like the Sears
Tower I The photographer asked the
tallest people to stand at the back of the
A
group.
Use tall about people, and about things that are high but not wide or long, such as trees or some buildings. Use high about things that are wide or long as well as being high, such as mountains or walls, or about things that are far above the ground, such as ceilings or shelves.
Short is the opposite of tall when you are talking about a person: He's short and fat with grey hair.
how tall someone is
how tall /,hao 'toil/ use this to ask or talk about someone's height: "How tali are you?""I'm about 1 metre 65." I I hadn't seen her for five years and I was amazed at how tall she was.
6ft tall/2m tall etc /(6ft etc) Ы/ use
this to say exactly how tall someone is-. John is 1.78 metres tall and weighs 95
kilos.
Don't say 'I am tall 180 cm'. Say I am
When you see 139, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
180 cm tall.
height /halt/ [n U] how tail someone or something is: They need to know your age, weight, and height. + of What's the height of the Eiffel Tower?
be the same Height (as) My daughter is only 14 but she is nearly the same height as me.
of medium height (=someone who is not tall and not short) a man of medium height
TASTE
food
И f *
DfltJNKf^, ^TRY4
^^ see also
4 \
meal restaurants/
eating and dmnkinc
the taste of food or drink
taste /teist/ (л singular] the feeling that something produces in your mouth when you eat it or drink it: I never drink beer. I just don't like the taste. + of Have some water to take away the taste of the medicine.
A Don't say 'this cake is good taste'. Say this cake tastes good.
flavour BRmsH/lavor american ■'fleiva1'/ [n C/U] the interesting, pleasant, or strong taste that a type of food or drink has, which makes it different from any other food or drink: This sauce has a really unusual flavour. I We have three flavors of ice cream - strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla. I The wine wasn't bad, but it didn't have much flavour
В when food has a particular taste
taste /teist/ [и I] use this to say that food has a particular taste
taste good/aw/ul/strange/sweet etc
This mi/k tastes strange - do you think it's OK to drink?
taste of sth. (=have the taste of something) I ordered chocolate ice-cream but it tasted of coffee.
taste like sth It's a vegetarian pie, but it tastes just like meat!
^^ Don't say 'it is tasting good/awful etc'. Say it tastes good/awful etc.
have a strong/sweet/unpleasant
EAT
TASTE
etc taste /hjev э (strong etc) teist/ use this when you want to describe exactly what something tastes like: The soup had a very strong, spicy taste.
flavoured British flavored american fleiv?rd [adj] lemon-flavoured/choco-
1 ate-flavoured etc with the taste of lemon, chocolate etc added: an orange- flavoured drink
food that tastes good
delicious di'lijss/ [adj] something that is delicious tastes very good, and you enjoy eating it or drinking it: Thank you, that was a delicious meal. I "What do you think of the wine?" "Mmm. delicious!"
^^ Don't say 'very delicious'. Say absolutely delicious or really delicious.
The tomato soup was absolutely delicious.
Qgood (also lUCe tsptCiAU.Y British) god,
nais/ [adj] especially spoken pleasant to eat or drink: This is a really good pizza. I think I'll have another slice. I You can get very nice bread at Walker's Bakery. taste good/nice This sauce tastes nice. How did you make it?
good - better - best
tasty teisti [adj\ food that is tasty has a
strong taste that you like: These sausages are uery tasty - where did you buy
A
them? I tasty apple pie
Don't confuse tasty (which is used about food) and tasteful (which is used about things such as furniture and clothes that look attractive).
mouth-watering /mauB .wa-uriq/ [adj
jsually before nounl mouth-watering food makes you feel hungry because it ooks or smells very good: There was a mouth-watering selection of cakes to
choose from. I the mouth-watering aroma of freshly made fish soup
0 food that tastes bad
disgusting/revolting /dis'gAstrij, diz ,
752
n'vaoltii}' [ad;J food or drink that is disgusting or revolting has an extremely unpleasant taste: This hamburger tastes disgusting - / tuonder u>hat they put in it. I It wasn't a bad meal, but the coffee was absolutely revolting.
/К Don't say 'very disgusting' or 'very revolting'. Say absolutely disgusting or absolutely revolting
food that tastes sweet
SWeet swin [adj] food or drink that is sweet has a taste like sugar: /ta/ian oranges are much sweeter than the ones we buy in Britain. I a cup of hot sweet tea
sugary ''Jugari/ [adj] very sweet or too sweet because a lot of sugar has been added: Eat fruit between meals, and try to avoid sugary snacks.
_ food that has no taste
have no taste/not taste of anything ,haev пэо teist, not 'teist av ,eni6irj/ What s this soup supposed to be? It doesn't taste of anything to me. I
Watermelon is refreshing on a hot day but it doesn t have much taste.
bland/tasteless /blaend, teisths [adj] use this about food or drink that has no strong noticeable taste, and is not interesting or enjoyable: Food tastes very bland if you stop using salt. I a plate of tasteless. overcooked vegetables
TEACH
_ food that does not taste sweet
r 'bit3r, [adj] food or drink that is bitter has a taste like the taste of strong coffee without milk or sugar, or the taste of very dark chocolate: The medicine tasted bitter and Jessie spat it out
SOUr /sao3r/ \adj] something that is sour, especially fruit, has a sharp taste like a lemon: The strawberries are a little sour -you may need to put sugar on them.
savoury /'seivc?ri [adj] British savoury foods are not sweet but have the taste of meat, cheese, fish etc: You can use this herb to flavour almost any sauoury dish. I As a child I didn't like sweet things. but I loved potato chips, nuts, and anything savoury.
dry /draц {adjJ a dry wine is not sweet at all: We drank dry white wine with our fish. I dry sherry
dry - drier - driest
food that has a hot taste
hot /hotjhait (adj] food that has a hot taste seems to burn your mouth, and makes you want to drink a lot of water: Bring me the hottest curry on the menu. I The sauce had a hot peppery taste. hot - hotter - hottest
spicy spaisi [adj] spicy food has various strong hot pleasant tastes in it: Remember my mother doesn't like spicy food, so don't put too much ginger in it. I The meat is served with a spicy peanut sauce.
spicy - spicier - spiciest
TOT
* t
see
STUDY
also -ф5ич*сг
4. V
EXPLAIN
to teach
teach tirtjy |у I/T) to help someone to learn a subject or skill, by giving them lessons or instructions, especially when this is your job: She teaches at the local high school.
teach sth I got a job teaching French
and Spanish. I He was working at the
technology school, teaching classes in
computer programming.
teach sb I didn't enjoy teaching
teenagers.
teach sb sth You remember Mr Hughes
- he used to teach us history.
teach sb to do sth/how to do sth Who
taught you to drive? f It was my mother that taught me how to cook.
teaching - taught - have taught
train /trein/' [и T] to teach someone the practical skills and knowledge that they
need to do a job: She works at the flying
school, training pilots.
train sb to do sth All our staff will be
trained to use the new computer system. I
They had trained the dog to detect illegal
EDUCATION
LEAJKN
drugs.
train sb in sth We train people in skills such as typing and business administration.
trained [ad/1 a shortage of trained medical staff
teaching /tiitfii]/ [n U] the work that a
teacher does, or the job of being a
teacher: Andrea took some time off from teaching when her children were small, go into teaching (=become a teacher) What made you decide to go into teaching?
professor /pr3'fes9r/ In CI a university teacher - used in Britain to mean a teacher of the highest rank, and in the US to mean any university teacher who has a higher degree such as a PhD: a /inguistics professor
+ of She's a professor of history at
Oxford.
? ' You can also use professor as a title: Our guest speaker today is Professor Julius Weissman from the University of Chicago.
training I'treinirj/ [n U] the process of teaching people the skills that are needed for a job: The equipment can only be used by people who have had special training. I military training I a training course
someone who teaches
teacher / tiitjV/ [n CJ someone who teaches, especially someone whose job is to teach children in a school: She's a teacher in the high school. English/science/chemistry etc teacher The school doesn't have enough French teachers.
+ of a conference for high-school teachers
of Spanish
a good/bad teacher J gave her some driving lessons, but I'm afraid I'm not a very good teacher.
tutor /'tjuitsftu:-/ [n C) someone who gives lessons to just one student or a small group of students: When she was ill she studied at home with a private tutor. I They hired a tutor to help Carlos with his Јng/ish.
instructor /instrAkt^V [n CI someone who teaches a sport or a practical skill a swimming/driving/riding etc instructor Do you know any good driving instructors? I a ski instructor
Teaching can also be used before a noun, like an adjective: Do you have any teaching experience? I a teaching job
coach /кэш// [n CI someone who trains a person or a team in a sport, and helps them to improve their skill a basketball/football/tennis coach a successful football coach
Never use professor to mean a school teacher.
lecturer /'lektj<?r9r/ [n C] BRITISH someone
who teaches at a university or college: a chemistry lecturer + in a lecturer in economics
books, games etc that teach something
/,edju keipn э 1 <«||,ed3э-/ [adj] educational books, games, television programmes etc are designed to help you to learn something: educational toys for 7 to 11 year-olds I a leading publisher of educational books and software
WORD
wt>
FREE TIME
MUSIC
news
ADVBmSMG
^TECHNOLOGY
see pages 756-759
TELEVISION AND RADIO
NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES ACTOft/ACTRESS_ m OPINIONS
see also
SWITCH ON OR FILMS/MOVIES
A
OFF
II television
television/TV /'tel^.vivn. .teli'viyn, ,ti: vi:/ [n U] the system of broadcasting pictures and sound, or the programmes that are broadcast in this way: Television brings
euenis like the Olympic Games into mil lions of homes. I the educational uses of television
watch television/TV She just sits there all day watching television, on television/TV (=shown on television) products that you see advertised on TV television/TV (also television set formal)
You can also use television or TV before anounjikean adjective: a television company 1 the television studios I a TV program
A
[n C] the box-shaped thing with a glass screen on which you watch programmes: a wide-screen TV I He was sitting on the floor in front of the television.
ж
You can say someone works in television (not 'in TV') when they have a job in the business of making or selling television programmes. Don't confuse on television (you watch a programme on television) and in television (-in the television business).
A Don't say 'see television'. Say watch television. But you can use see to talk about a particular programme in the past: Did you see 'Star Trek' last night?
Qtelly /-teli/ [n C/Ul british spokf.n informal the programmes that are broadcast on television or the box-shaped thing with a screen on which you watch programmes: We've just bought a new telly. watch telly You can watch telly after you've done your homework, on telly (=shown on television) fs there anything good on telly tonight?
H radio
radio /'reidiao/ [n U) the system of broadcasting sound, or the programmes that are broadcast in this way. The story was specially written for radio, listen to the radio In the evening I usuatly watch TV or listen to the radio.
on the radio (=broadcast on the radio) I've often heard that song on the radio, but I can't think what it's called. radio [л CJ the piece of electronic equipment that you listen to: Do you have a radio in your car?
A You can also use radio before a noun, like an adjective: о radio play I radio programmes I a radio station (=a company that broadcasts radio programmes).
A Don't say 'hear the radio'. Say listen to the radio. But you can use hear when you are talking about a particular programme in the past: Did you hear the local news today?
Ы when a programme is broadcast on television or radio
be on /bi; on||-u:n/ [phrasal verb l/T] if a programme is on, you can watch it on television or listen to it on the radio, especially at a particular time: The Breakfast Show's on between 8 and 10 in the morning. I You shouldn't call him while the football's on.
be on television/TVfthe radio There's a good concert on the radio this evening. I What's on TV tonight?
show //эи/ [и T] if a television company shows a particular programme, it makes the programme available for people to watch: Highlights of the game will be shown on Channel 5. I They're showing 'Dangerous Liaisons' on Saturday night.
showing - showed - have shown
broadcast /'bradkarstS-k^st/ \v T usually
passive) if a television or radio company broadcasts a programme, they send it out so that people can watch it on television or listen to it on the radio: The funeral was broadcast to the whole nation, be broadcast live (-when an event is shown at the same time that it is happening) The whole race will be broadcast live from Monza.
broadcasting - broadcast - have broadcast
Ж Broadcast js more formal than show
television and radio continues on page 760
TECHNOLOGY
WORD BANK
see also computus
Technology affects nearly every area of our lives
People can also take part in teleconferencing, online
discussions, or do some home shopping. But this can also mean that people may spend less time actually with their families and friends, and may spend much more time in their houses. This could have a very bad effect on local communities.
communication
We can talk to other people in almost any part of the world by phone, satellite, or computer.
Many areas of the world do not yet have the technology to take part in global communication.
vocabulary
adv net /adVasisl-Vxns/ [n C] an advance in science or technology is when a new process is invented or something new is discovered, which makes it possible for people to do things they could not do before
•f in Advances in medical technology have dramatically reduced the amount of time that patients spend in hospital
automated Axtameit^d/ (ad)] using machines to do a job or industrial process: a fully automated dialling and answering system
balance of nature /ЬжЫ.ч sv 'neitJV/ [n singular] the natural situation in which many different living things can exist at the same time, without one type of plant, animal etc completely destroying or being destroyed by another: Though some insects are harmful to crops, getting rid оj them with pesticides may seriously upset the balance of nature.
bank account /Ьгедк ajcaunt/fn C] an arrangement with a bank that lets you keep your money with that bank and take it out when you need it: My salary is paid directly into my bank account.
biological weapon /,ЬаlsltxfeM 'wepsnl-la:-/ [n C] the use of bacteria сиг viruses in weapons that can make people suffer from diseases which could seriously injure or kill them: a bblogicol weapon that can infect people with a deadly genetically engineered virus
breed, /briid/ [и T] to make animals or plants prodi[1]ce young in a controlled way, In order to develop new and better types: Horses are deliberately bred so that each generation can run faster, but this means their legs are thinner and lighter, and break much more easily.
cancer /каепяэг/ (n C] a very serious disease in which the cells in a part of die body start to grow quickly in a way that is not normal, often causing death: Her uncle died of lung cancer. I skin cancer
card crime /kai'd ,kraim/ [n LJ] when criminals use the information from other people's credit cards or bank cards to steal money or to pay for goods
cashless society sa'sai^i/ [n angular} when
no-one needs to use money in the form of coins or notes, because they can pay for everything using plastic cards
cell /selj (n C] the smallest part of a plant, animal, or human that can exist independently. AS living things are made up of ceils: red blood cells I The cell divides to become two identical separate cells.
757
work
TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
cards, money and information
В
and many people would rather deal with d ■ person than with a machine.
Smart cards can carry a lot of information on a magnetic strip, a^d you can sometimes use them to work electronic machines. Soon we may no longer need to use coins or banknotes, as credit cards and smart cards can be used to pay for things.
ommunity /ka'mjusr^ti/ \n C) all the people who live in the same area: plans for a new recreation centre that will benefit the whole community
omputer fraud/кэтр}ихзг frxdf [n Uj the use of
computers for dishonest or crirnina activities, for
example using a computer system illegally to change financial records
onfldential ДопГДОеп/Ы^кшп-/ (acfjj information that is confidential is intended to be kept secret, for example because it includes personal details about someone: con/identia/ documents containing infer- motion obout members of staff highly confidential (-very confidential) She uxjs fired forgiving highly confidential in/ormation to a newspaper.
redit card/kredit ,kaiTdf [n С] a plastic card given to you by a financial organization such as Visa* or MasterCard*, which you can use to buy things, and then pay the money back later; We accept all major credit cards. i Con J pay by credit card? («using а
credit card)
thical /е9М/ My] ethical problems or questions concern difficult moral decisions, about whether or not it is right to do something that has become possible because erf science: the ethico) implications of using aborted foetuses for research
fertility treatment /fa'ti^ti trirtm^nr/ fn C/U} а
type of medical treatment in which a woman is helped to become pregnant when she cannot do this naturally: There areseueral different types of fertility treatments available.
gene /d^irn/ [n C| an extremely small part of the material in a cell of a living thing, which controls the way a person, plant, or animal grows and develops. Genes are passed on from parents to children. Scientists say they have discovered a gene that со uses people to be ouerweighf as adults. I Your genes determine the colour oj your eyes and skin, and whether you will be tall or short. genetic /dpnetik/ [ad/1 related to or caused by genes, a genetic illness (=caused by your genes or those of your parents)
gene therapy /d3m вегэр!} [n Uj a type of medical treatment that changes someone's genes to help them get rid of a disease or cure a medical condition genetic engineering /d33,netik endii'nuruj/ \n U] when scientists change the genes of a person, plant or animal in order to make it stronger, healthier, bigger, more attractive etc: As a result of genetic engineering, all the apples from this farm are
technology continues on the next page
This could lead to a cashless society. But some people are worried that confidential information stored on cards, such as their medical records or bank account details might be seen or used by other people. Most people have no way of checking what personal information about themselves is stored on a smart card.
758
TECHNOLOGY
There has also been a big increase in card crime and computer fraud
TECHNOLOGY
medicine
Advances in medical science mean that many more diseases can be cured or treated than ever before. New techniques include the use of lasers in operations, and new equipment makes it possible for doctors to see what is happening inside a patient's body on a monitor.
And there's the baby's head, Mrs Brown...
*6oo
ООО
000
A
e рв
exactly the same size and colour. I There are fears that genetic engineering could lead to the creation of harmful uiruses that cannot be controlled, genetically engineered [adj] a genetically engineered cow that can produce low fat milk
global /gjaobu?!/ [ad/1 including or affecting the whole world: Modern technology has made global communication fast and inexpensive. I a global ban on the dumping of nuclear waste
home shopping /Ьэит 'Jopigl-'Jcup/ (n U} a service
that lets you buy things without leaving your home, using a credit card and a computer, a phone, or a television: Call in at this web site for the very latest in home shopping and online services.
laserfieizaV }n q a piece of equipment that produces a powerful narrow beam of light that can be used in medical operations, to cut things, and to play CDs: The hospital has just spent over Elm on new laser equipment I Later on, there was a laser and firework show.
magnetic strip /maeg.netik strip/ (n C| a dark area on a plastic card that contains information stored electronically. You cannot see this information with your eyes, but it can be read by a machine: Using the magnetic strip on the drivers license, police can instantly call up people's drioing records.
manufacturing /.imenflfaektpnij/ |n U] the process
or business of producing things in factories: the decline of manufacturing in the UK I The car industry has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs
in the past few years.
medical records /medikal rebdz|-brdz/ |n plural] information about someone's health and physical condition, for example what illnesses they have had, how many children they have, whether they smoke etc: The report was based on the medical records of babies born to drug addicts.
medical science /.medikal 'salens/ in U] the use of science and technology to understand and treat diseases: Medical science still cannot explain what causes cancer.
microsurgery /maikrau.s^djan/ (n U] a way of doing medical operations, in which doctors can repair or remove parts of the body that are so small they can (Wily be seen with a microscope: His hand was attached again using the latest microsurgery techniques.
monitor/monit3r|'ma:-/ [n С] a screen connected to а computer system or video camera multiple birth /щлВДра! 'Ьх0/ \n Q when a
woman has three or more babies at the same time
Organ transplants, microsurgery, and fertility treatment* are now all very cufTimon. But new treatments can also mean new moral or ethical problems, for example whether people should be kept alive by machines when naturally they would have died. Some people think that fertility treatment should not be used
when it might result iг multiple births or if the woman receiving it is too old to have children naturally.
Other people believe tnat all new medical techniques should be available to anyone who ■ts or needs the
TECHNOLOGY
genetic engineering
Scientists can use genetic engineering to
grow сгорь and breed animaJs that cannot be harmed by common diseases, and which provide more food for people to eat. Genetic engineering or gene therapy can also be used to treat some diseases in humans, for example the cells that cause cancer can be changed. It is also possible for doctors to stop people with genetic diseases from passing them on to their children.
и
к \ I
Ш
fm i T*?
However, genetically engineered plants and animals are unnatural and may affect the balance of nature. Many people believe it is cruel to breed genetically engineered animals. Biological weapons can be made that can change viruses which are normally harmless into viruses that can kilt people. There may be harmful effects of genetic engineering that we do not yet know about.
online Л>п lainjjoai/ [adj] online services, discussions, games etc take place or exist on the Internet {=the system of connections that allows computers all over the world to communicate with each other): You can get
online help for af/ your computer problems, f They provide an online library and reference service.
radiation /,reidi'eiJf*V [n U] a form of energy that comes especially from nuclear reactions (=when the central part of an atom is split) which is very harmful to people, animals, and plants if it is present in large amounts
robot /taobotfl-bait, -hot/ \n С] a machine that can move and do jobs, for example in a factory or in space: The use of robots in industry is greater in Japan fhan anywhere else. I a robot that does your houseu*ork for you
satellite Asaet^lait/ [n C] a machine that has been sent into space and goes around the Earth, which is used for sending radio and television signals, and. for other types of electronic communication
smart card/sma:rl ka:rd/ [n С] a plastic card with an electronic part that records and stores information, which can also be used to pay for things, make electronic machines work etc
technology Лек'поЫз1||-'па:-/ [n U| the use of scientific "knowledge and scientific discoveries to
develop new machines and systems; rapid advances in computer technology I nuclear technology new technology ^computers, electronic equipment etc) At first, many businesses were slow to adapt to
new technology.
technological Аекпэ'Ыз1кэЦ-1а:-/ (adjl The steam engine was one of the most important technological developments of the 18th century.
teleconferencing /tel^konfransiql-'kan-/ [n Uj a
way of naving a meeting between people who are in different places, using video cameras and computer systems that are connected to each other
transplant/trsenspiaintl-plaent/ [п C] a medical operation in which an unhealthy organ is replaced with an organ from someone else's body: a heart transplant I He's in hospital waiting for a kidney transplant
unemployment /дтт'рЬтэт/ [n U] when people who want to work cannot get jobs; Unemployment rose steadily throughout the 1980s. I government attempts to tackle unemployment high unemployment (=when a lot of people do not have a job)
virus /Vayres/ fn C] an extremely smaD living thing that can cause infectious illnesses in people: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS I a normally harmless virus that can be dangerous to very young chi/dren
a television or radio programme
programme British program american
'praogrsem/ [n CI a play, show, discussion etc that you can watch on television or listen to on the radio: a news program I See today's paper for a list of TV programmes in your area. + on/about Programmes on gardening are very popular.
broadcast /"bn:dka:st||-kaest/ [n Cj something that is broadcast on the radio or on television, especially a speech, discussion, or news programme: The government banned all broadcasts by opposition parties. I In a nationwide TV broadcast, President Nixon explained wh^ he was resigning.
channel /'tjaenl/ [n С] a particular set of
programmes that is broadcast by one tele- vison company; there are usually several different channels, and you can choose which one you want to watch; the sports channel on satellite TV I This is boring. Do you mind if I switch over to another channel? I The final episode will be shown on Channel 4 tonight.
programmes to entertain people
television and radio continued from page 755
s/lOW /[эо/ {n C] a programme on television or the radio, that is intended to be entertaining or funny: the Chris Tarrant Show Good evening and welcome to the show. After the show we received over 200 calls complaining about bad language.
chat show
chat show british talk show American
/'tfaet /эи, to:k /эо/ (n С] a programme, especially on television, in which famous people talk about themselves and answer questions about their lives, opinions etc
quiz show ;'kwiz |эи/ [n CJ ESPECIALLY British a programme in which people or teams compete against each other by answering questions
game show
game show /'geim |эи/ [n ci a programme on television in which people play games and answer questions in order to win prizes
In American English, quiz show means the same as game show.
cartoon
cartoon /ka:'tu:n/ [n С] a film, especially a story for children, that is made by photographing a series of drawings of people, animals etc, so that they seem to move: a Mickey Mouse cartoon
SttCOm sitknm||-ka:m; \n C] an amusing programme in which there is a different story each week about the same group of people: popular American sitcoms, like Cheers' and Roseanne'
breakfast show British morning
show amlkican ,'brekfosi Joo. mo:rnii] Jau [n С] a programme that is broadcast early in the morning, which includes news and regularly tells you what time it is: there are also usually songs and jokes and conversations with famous people
drama
drama /draimsU'draima, dnemo [n C] an exciting but serious play on radio or television
radio/tele vis ion/TV drama a new TV
drama series about drug-tra/jicking a police/political/hospital drama an
exciting police drama starring Helen Mirren
soap opera/soap /'soup Dp^rs, чэор||
-a:p- [n С] a television or radio story about a group of people and their lives, which is broadcast regularly for many years
ш serious programmes to inform and educate people
the news /5э nju:z||-nu:z/ [n singular) a
programme that is broadcast several times
each day, which tells you about all the important events that are happening in the world
phone-in (also call -1П AMERICAN) 'faun m, 'Ы m/ [n C] a programme, especially on the radio, in which people telephone the programme in order to give their opinions or ask a famous person questions
the weather forecast
the weather/the weather /ore- cast fta wed3r. бэ wefor fb:rka:st||-kavst
[n singular] a short programme that tells you what the weather will be like
wildlife programme
wildii/e programme British nature
programme AMERICAN waildlaif ,prao- graem. 'neitJV .prsugraem/ (n CJ a television programme about wild animals or plants
documentary /;dokj(3J'ment^i|l,da:k- [n CJ a programme that gives you facts and information about a serious subject, such as history, science, or social problems
plural documentaries
И a number of programmes about the same subject, the same people etc
series swriiz/ In C) a set of separate programmes, each of which tells the next part of a story, or deals with the same subject: a police drama series I a series about the Russian Revolution
serial 'м,?гы. (n c] especially british а
story that is broadcast in several separate parts
episode 'ep^s^od; [n C] one of the parts of a story that is being broadcast in several separate parts
the people on television or radio
see also actor
presenter british annouacer American
pri'zenty. 9'naons9r [n C] someone on a TV or radio programme who tells you what the programme will be about, and introduces the other people in it
host /haostI [n C] someone who introduces the people on a TV or radio show, especially a game show or quiz show
newsreader british anchor american
/'nju:z,riid3r, 'aei]k3r||,nu:z- [n CI someone who reads the news on TV or radio, and introduces news reports
commentator /'котэтецэ^кшт- [n C]
someone on television or radio who describes an event as it is happening, especially a sports game
DJ /'di: djei/ [n C] someone who plays records and talks to people on a music programme on the radio
contestant /ksn'tesuit/ [n С] a person who takes part in a competition on TV or the radio
guest /gest/ [n C] a famous person who is invited to appear on a show for just one programme
someone who watches television or listens to the radio
viewer vju:3r/ [n C] someone who watches television - used especially by people in the television business: a programme that appeals to younger viewers
listener j'h^n^j [n C] someone who listens to the radio - used especially by people in the radio business
When you see go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
03 equipment for recording television programmes
video british VCR especially american
/'vidiao, ,vir si: "а:г/ [n C| a machine used for recording television programmes or for showing recorded programmes or films
video /'vidiao [n CI a copy of a film or television recording on video tape, which can be shown using a video machine
tape (also video british) /teip, 'vidiao/ [и T] to record a television programme using a video machine: Could you video 'The Elvis Presley Story' for me at 8.00? i Did you tape the Super Bowl?
TELL
look here for...
tell someone about something
order someone to do something
THREATEN SAY —. ^ ^ ADVISE
N X1
TALK
speak
WARN
secret 3
4 \
A
see also
Don't confuse say tell, talk and speak You say words to someone. You tell someone facts or information about something. You talk to someone about a subject. You speak{=you say words) or you speak a language.
to give someone information
tell tel \v T) to give someone spoken or written information
tell sb (that) Jane told me you have a new job. I She wrote to tell us that she
was getting married.
tell sb sth Let s have a cup of coffee and you can tell me all the details. tell sb who/what/where etc Just tell me what happened. I This leaflet tells you how to apply for a driving licence.
/!\ You must always say who you are
telling. Don't say 'he told that he was j
going'. Say he told me that he was going- Don't say 'he told about it'. Say he
| told me about it
qlet Sb kllow Jet (Sb) 'ПЭО/ ESPECIALLY
spoken to tell someone something important that they need to know or want to know: If you ever need any help, just let me know.
+ about I said we'd let her know about the job by the end of the week. let sb know stH I'll let you know our new address as soon as I have it. + (that} When you get there, will you phone and let me know you arrived safely? let sb know what/where/how etc Could you let us know what time you'll be home?
in/orm in'fo:rm/ [и T] to officially or formally give someone information about something: Do you think we ought to inform the police?
inform sb of sth You should inform your ban/c of any change of address, inform sb (that) / am sorry to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
keep sb informed /ki:p (sb> m'fb:rmd/
to give someone regular information about decisions, events etc so that they know what is happening: I've very concerned about this, so please keep me informed.
+ o//about Some parents felt the school
had not been keeping them informed about their children's progress.
give /giv, [i> T] to provide information about something, especially written information
give information/details/instructions
etc Please give details of all your previous jobs. I The handbook gave full instructions on how to change the oil. give an account/description/report The
article gave a vivid account of life after the earthquake.
give sb in/ormation/details etc Could you give me some information on how to apply for a loan?
tell sb about sth Have you told anyone about this?
telling - told - have told
giving - gave - have given
break the aews \breik дэ nju:z|-'nu:z/
to tell someone some bad news or something that might upset them + to After Jack's body was found, a policewoman had to break the news to his mother.
communication /ka.mju^keipn' [n U] when people exchange information and tell each other about their decisions and ideas: Good communication is essential
in a large organization. + between There seems to have been a breakdown in communication between the police and the army.
Д You can also use communication j
before a noun, like an adjective: You need ]
good communication skills to be a teacher. I !
communication problems between managers ;
and employees j
EJ to publicly tell a lot of people about something
announce /snaons/ [u T] to make a public statement in order to tell people about a decision or about something important that has happened or will happen. The winner of the award will be announced at a dinner at the Sheraton Hotel + (that) Lord McGowan has announced that he will retire at the end of the year.
Ж Don't say 'she announced us that ...'. j Just say she announced that...
report /ri'po:rt/ [u I/T) to give people news about what is happening, in newspapers, on television, or on the radio: The local
newspaper has reported several cases of meningitis in the area. + (that) Our correspondent in Rwanda reports that conditions in the refugee camps are filthy and overcrowded. + on She was sent to Sidney to report on the Olympic Games.
publicize (also publicise British) ' рлЬ- l^saiz (и T] to use the newspapers, television etc to provide information about something such as a new product or a special event, because you want everyone to know about it: She did a series of radio interviews to publicize her new book.
TELL
well publicized (=mentioned often in newspapers or on television or radio) The parade was well publicized and thousands came to see it.
publicity /рл'Ыis.iti [n U] when newspapers and television or radio reports attract people's attention to particular information or events: The judge was forced to
resign because of the publicity surrounding his divorce.
get/receive/attract publicity Princess
Diana's tour of Angola received a lot of publicity.
El to tell someone about your feelings
confide in sb /kon'faid in (sb) [phrasal verb T] to tell someone you trust abcut personal matters which you are worried about and which you do not want anyone else to know: Maria felt she had no-one she could confide in.
communicate bmju:n^keit [и I] to
make your feelings or thoughts clear to other people by talking to them: Counselling may help married couples to start to communicate again. + with She's not very good at communicating with young people.
ш to tell something that was a secret
tell telI [и T] to tell someone something that should be kept secret: What did she say? Tell me!
tell sb where/what/who etc He didn't tell me where he got this information. tell sb about stH Don't tell anyone about this just yet.
tell sb a secret Til tell you a secret - Beth has a new boyfriend!
reveal /ri'vi:!/ [и T] especially written to let people know about something that was previously kept secret. especially something embarrassing: И/hat actually happened to the gold has never been revealed. + (that) Markov revealed that he had once worked for the CIA.
leak /Н:к/ (и T) to deliberately give secret government information to a newspaper or television company: The Congressman was /urious that the report had been leaked.
leak sth to sb The contents of the fax
were leaked to the press
leak [n C] The scandal began with a leak to 'The Times'.
В to tell the police about a crime or criminal
see also crime, police
report jipyA [i> T] to tell the police or someone in authority about a crime, an accident etc: Id like to report a theft. report sth to sb Sally was too scared to report the attack to the police.
inform on sb m'b:rm on (sb)||-a:n-
[phrasa/ verb T] to secretly tell the police that someone you know is responsible for a crime: He informed on his brother who was later arrested for drug-dealing.
talk txk [v I] to give the police information about a crime when they ask you questions about it: The suspect was ques tioned for six hours bui refused to talk.
tip off ,tip ot]|-'o:f [phrasal verb T] to secretly tell someone such as the police about a crime that is planned, so that they can prevent it
tip off sb Someone must have tipped off the police. They were already waiting at the house.
tip sb off 1 wonder who tipped them off. tip-ojff [n CJ a piece of information, secretly given to someone such as the police, about a crime that is planned: Acting on a tipoff, customs officers searched the vehicle for drugs.
informer /т'Ь:гтэг [n C) someone who is part of a criminal group but who secretly tells the police about its activities: An informer had warned the police about the bombing.
КЗ to tell someone that they must do something
tell tel/ [о T] to tell someone that they must do something: "Wait here!" he told the children.
tell sb to do sth Tell her to come and
see me as soon as possible!
tell sb aot to do sth She told him not to
phone her again.
tell sb what to do I'm sick of being told what to do by my parents.
tell sb (that) lan's teachers keep telling him that he must work harder I The doctor told me I should give up smoking.
Qdo as you're told! spoken (used to tell children to obey) Do as you're told and go and wash your hands!
/К Don't say 'he told to me to stop'. Say
he told me to stop
order ,b:rd9r, \v T] to tell someone to do something, either officially or in an angry, threatening way: Don't move.' he ordered.
order sb to do sth The judge ordered Timms to pay £20.000 in legal costs. I Army units have been ordered to advance towards the river, order sb into/out of/back etc (=order them to go somewhere] She pointed her gun at him, ordering him out of the room.
order sth (=give an order that something must happen) After the plane crash, the Government ordered a full public inquiry.
ask sb to do Sth 'a:sk (sb) t3 'du:
(sth)||,aesk- to tell someone politely but firmly to do something or to stop doing something: Mr Evans, / must ask you to come with me to the police station, a sic sb not to do sth Would you ask visitors not to park their cars in front of the entrance.
give orders/give instructions giv
'o:rd3rz, ,giv m'strAkj>nz/ if someone such as a leader or officer gives orders or gives instructions, they tell other people exactly what they must do give sb orders/instructions to do sth The General has given them orders to bomb the city.
+ that We were given strict instructions that nobody should enter the building without a security card.
on sb's orders/on sb's instructions /on (sb's) 3:rd3rz, nn (sb's) in strAk- pnz, if you do something on someone's orders, or on someone's instructions,
you do it because they have officially told you to do it: On the instructions of the new military government, so/diers burned books and other documents.
acting on sb's orders/instructions
(=doing what someone has told you to do) Sergeant Dean claims that he was acting on the orders of the police chief.
В to give orders in a rude,
unpleasant way
order sb around (also order sb
about British) /,зirdar (sb) 3'raund, ,э:Мэг (sb) э'Ьаог [phrasa/ verb T] if someone orders you around or orders you about, they keep telling you what to do in an annoying or unfair way. and they seem to enjoy it: I hate the way she's always ordering us around. I You have no right to order the children around like that.
push sb around /poj (sb) 3'raond/
[phrasal verb Tj to tell someone what to do in a rude or threatening way: Tom was a bully who enjoyed pushing the younger kids around. I Don't let Mary push you around - she's not your boss!
bossy /'bosi|'bo:si/ [acfj] someone who is
bossy enjoys telling other people what to do, although they may not have the right to do it: Let Simon do things his way, and stop being so bossy!
Ш a statement telling someone to do something
order /'o:rd3r/ [л C) an official statement ordering you to do something, given by someone with the power to do this, especially a military officer: The commander's orders must be obeyed at all times. I We
are still waiting for orders from HQ. order to do sth We received an order to attack.
give (sb) an order The captain gave the order to fire.
my/у our/their orders (=the orders you have been given) My orders are to give this letter to the Commissioner.
instructions m'strAkpnz [n plural) a
statement telling someone what they should do and how they should do it: The coach kept shouting instructions at his team. /ollow/obey instructions If you had followed my instructions none of this would have happened. instructions to do sth Scott has just received instructions to return to Washington.
+ on We were given strict instructions on what to do in an emergency.
TEST
look here for...
a test or examination
a test done in order to find out about something
drive
if you mean 'something that you get when you finish a course successfully', go to education 12
education
4 7*
see ^JTUDҐ
^ also
»SUBJECT
pass
4 \
LEANN
D a test of your
knowledge or skill
test /test/ \n C] a set of spoken or written questions or practical activities, which are intended to find out how much someone knows about a subject or skill spelling/reading/btologij etc test Don t forget there's a chemistry test tomorrow.
driving test Did Lauren pass her driving test?
+ on Listen carefully, because there will be a test on this next week.
A
exam /ig'zaem/ (n C] an important test that you do at the end of a course of study or at the end of the school year: How did you do in your exams? history/French/biology etc exam IWe have a biology exam tomorrow, and / haven't done any work for it yet entrance exam (=an exam you must pass to enter a school or university)
You can also use exam before a noun, like an adjective: an exam paper (=the piece of paper that has the exam questions on it) I When do you get your exam results?
examination jigZ2emj,'neij>n/ (n C] for
mal an exam: Students are not allowed to talk during the examination.
quiz kwiz' [n C] AMERicArs a quick short test that a teacher gives to a class: Oh no, I think we're having a history quiz today.
plural quizzes
oral exam (also oral British) 'лтэ!
fg.zaem, 'э:гэ1/ |n C] an exam in which you answer questions by speaking, instead of writing, for example to test how good you are at speaking a foreign language: / failed the oral exam because my pronunciation was so bad. I Nicky got an A in her Spanish oral.
practical /'ргжкпМ/ [n C| British an exam that tests your ability to do or make things, rather than your ability to write about them, for example in subjects such as chemistry or cooking: We've got our chemistry practical tomorrow morning.
In American English, a final (singular) is an important exam that you take at the end of a set of classes: / have a final in chemistry tomorrow.
finals /'fainlz/ [n plural] the last exams that you take at the end of a university course: During my finals, I was revising till 3 o'clock in the morning most days.
A
to do a test or exam
take /teik/ [и T] to do a test or exam: Anna will be taking her music exam in the summer. I I took my driving test when I was 18.
A
taking - took - have taken
Don't confuse 'take an exam' (=do it) and 'pass an exam' (=be successful in it) Only 25% of the students who took the exam passed it.
Kave (also kave got especially british) htEv, hsv 'got|-'ga:t/ [и T] if you have an exam tomorrow, next week etc, you are going to do it then-. I have a written test in the morning, and an interview in the afternoon. I Lucy's got her driving test next week.
having - had - have had
to be successful in a test or exam
pass /pa:sjjpsEs/ [u I/T] to achieve a good enough standard to be successful in a test
or exam: Congratulations! I hear you passed all your exams. I "Did you pass?" "Yeah, I got a B."
scrape through skreip Oru: [phrasa/ verb I/T] to only just pass a test or exam: I didn't do very u>el! in Biology - / just scraped through.
scrape through sth Jim scraped through his history paper.
graduate /'graed^uen./ [u Ij to get a first degree from a university or college, or to successfully finish your studies in an American high school: After he graduated, he got a job with a law firm. graduate from. Harvard/high school/ Manchester University etc He graduated from Harvard with a degree in Economics in 1982.
graduate in Law/English/History etc
She graduated in Modern Languages and got a job as an interpreter.
qualified /"kwDUtaid|jkwa:- [adj] especially British a qualified doctor, teacher, lawyer etc has passed all the exams needed to become a doctor, teacher, lawyer etc: My sister's a qualified nurse, get qualified How long does it take to get qualified?
Jully qualified (=when you have passed all the necessary exams) She's training to be an accountant, but she's not fully qualified yet.
ml the result of an examination or school test
grade /grerd/ [r? C] the letter that is put on
a student 's work to show how good or bad it is: How were your grades last semester?
good/bad grade If Dan gets good enough grades he'll get a scholarship to Michigan State.
mark /ma:rk' [n CI British the number or letter that is put on a student's work to show how good or bad it is.- "What mark did you get?" "B".
good/high mark The highest mark in the class was 75%.
bad/low mark You have to do the course again if you get low marks. get/ull marks (=get the highest possible marks) I got full marks in the history test.
results /n'zAlts; [n plural] British all the marks that a student gets in a set of tests or examinations, which show whether he
or she has been successful or not: His exam results weren't very good, so he's not sure what he's going to do. get good results Ceri got better results than she expected.
Score /sb:r (n Cj american the number that shows how well or badly a student has done in an exam, especially an important exam: Test scores are falling, which means fewer kids get to college. high/low score He s worked so hard he's sure to get a really high score.
Q to fall a test or exam
/ai( fell/ [u I/T] to not pass a test or exam: I failed my Spanish exam three times. I "How did Chris do in his driving test?" "He failed "
flunk /ЛлГ)к/ \v T) AMERICAN INFORMAL to fail
an exam: I thought I was going to flunk Math, but I got a C.
u to give students a test
give sb a test /.giv (sb) э 'test' to make someone do a test: I hope you've been listening carefully, because tomorrow morning Tm going to give you a test. + on The French teacher gave us a test on irregular verbs, and I got 100%.
test test/ [и T] to ask someone written or spoken questions to find out what they know about a subject test sb on sth Tomorrow you'll be tested on the main events of the Civil ИJar.
tm to study in order to prepare for an exam
revise british study american /ri'vaiz. stAcii [и I] to spend time reading things again, making notes etc, in order to prepare for an exam: Tm not surprised you failed - you didn't study at all! + for I was up all night revising for my German literature exam, revision ri'vi.yn/ [n U] British work you do to prepare for an exam: She tries to do four hours' revision a day.
a test on something to check it or find out about it
test test [n C] a process that is used for
finding out important information about something, for example whether a machine is working properly, whether a substance is safe, or whether someone has an illness: a simple test to show whether the alarm system is working
carry out a test/do a test Car designers do tests using wind tunnels. + on We carry out safety tests on all our products.
a test for sth (=to find out if something exists) There is a simple test for diabetes.
eye/blood/ski л etc test (=when your
A Don't say 'make a test'. Say do a test or carry out a test.
experiment 'ik'sper^mant,/ [n C] a scientific test to find out how something is affected when you do something to it do/carry out/perform an experiment
They are doing experiments to learn more about the effects of alcohol on the brain.
experiment on sth (=an experiment using something) experiments on animals
trial /'traial/ [n C] a test in which a new product, such as a drug, a weapon, or an aircraft, is used by a small number of people in order to find out if it is safe and effective
+ of Trials of a new anti-cancer drug
haue begun in the US.
to do a test on something in order to check it or find out about it
do a test/experiment du: э test.
ik'sperJ,m3nt/ Today we did an experiment with magnesium. + on Doctors are doing tests on Greg's heart.
TEST
test test/ Id T] to do a test on something to find out whether it works or to get more information about it: Test your brakes to check they are working correctly. I testing nuclear weapons
test sth on sb/sth These products have not been tested on animals. test sth for sth (=to find out whether it has a substance in it) The water is being tested for signs of chemical pollution.
experiment on sth ik'speriment on (sth)||-a:n- (phrasal verb T] to use something in scientific tests in order to find out how it is affected when you do something to it: / think it's cruel to experiment on
animals.
THANK YOU
see also ts thanking
to say thank you to someone
thank /баецк/ [и T] to tell someone that you are pleased and grateful for something they have given you or done for you: I spent three hours helping her and she didn't even thank me. thank sb for sth We must write and thank Cathy for the present. thank sb for doing sth The Governor publicly thanked the people of Arizona for supporting him during his campaign.
thanks 0<ei]ks/ [n plural] what you say, write, or do to thank someone letter/message of thanks He wrote me a short letter of thanks. without a word of thanks (=without saying thank you) She got up and left without a word of thanks.
thank-you letter/thank-uou note
etc ''вэедк ju: (letter etc)/ |n C[a letter etc that you send to someone to thank them, for example when they have given you a present or when you have stayed at their house: We spent three days after the wedding writing thank-you letters for all the presents we'd had.
768
Osay thank you 'sei 'ваецк ju:/spoken
to thank someone for what they have done: This little gift is our way of saying thank you to everyone who worked so hard.
When you see 19, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
В when you feel that you want to thank someone
grate/ul /'greitt>l [adj] feeling that you want to thank someone, especially because they have done something for
you and helped you a lot: Dr. Shah has received hundreds of letters from grcte- fui patients.
grate/ul to sb for sth I'm really grateful to you for all your help. qrate/цЦу [adv] We gratefully accepted her offer.
THEATRE
THEATRE
newspapers and magazines free time a hims/movies
MUSK
see also
4Г
books/ literature
Ж5 X
Я OPINIONS
769
t /Г
see ^
ART
actor/ actress
DANCE
TELEVISION AND RADIO
Don't confuse thankful (chappy because something good has happened or something bad has been prevented) and grateful (^wanting to thank someone).
gratitude granMju:dj-tu:d/ (n U] when
you feel grateful: I'd just like to express my gratitude for all the help I've received.
when someone does not
thank you
A
ung rate/ul An'grcitOl [adj] someone who is ungrateful does not thank you when you do something for them, and this makes you annoyed or upset: Our chi/ciren are so ungrateful! They don't realize how much we do for them.
D a place where you go to watch plays
theatre especially british theater American Buiu1"' [n С] a place where people go to watch plays being performed: They're building a new theatre in the town centre.
go to the theatre/theater (=go to а theatre to see a play) When was the last
theatre
time you went to the theatre?
the plays that are performed in the theatre
piau piei [n С] a story that is written to be performed by actors in a theatre, or on the television or radio: his new play 'Fat Men in Skirts'
see a play There 's a new play on at the Leeds Playhouse that I'd like to see. a Shakespeare play/a Brecht play etc
(=a play written by Shakespeare, Brecht etc)
drama draimolj'draimo. dramio (n U| plays in general, especially when they are
considered as a form of literature, the
influence of Greek drama on modern
playwrights I a course in 20th century
American drama
the theatre British theaterAV,FP
ican Лэ 'Hi3t3r/ [n singular] theatres in general - use this to talk about the work of acting in plays, writing plays etc-, a Hollywood actor; who began his career in the theatre I a play on the TV which was originally written for the theatre
production /Р^лкрп [n C] a play.
opera, or snow performed in a theatre: a new production of 'Private Lives' at the Curren Theater
performance In C) when a
play is performed: There are two per for mances every day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.
types of play
comedy /'tomadilfka:-/ [n C/U] a play
tnat is intended to make you laugh: a comedy starring Julie Walters and Boh Hoskins
trace du /'trae^3di/ [n C/U] a serious play thaldeaTs with the bad, violent, or harmful
side of human nature, and usually ends
with the death of the main character
musical; mJu:ziQ a play in which
the characters speak, sing, and dance to tel) a story.- Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Cats'
opera /'ор^гэ||'о:р-/ (n С] a play in which all the words are sung: \/erc/i"s last and besi opera Talstaff'
opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, the Italian opera singer, will be appearing tonight in Berlin.
Q people in the theatre
actor ln C] someone who acts in a
play
I
in a piay
THEATRE
actress /'^ф/ ln С) a woman who acts
i\ You can use
actor
woman. Some women prefer to be called and do not use the word
actress
cast In singular] all the actors
who act in a play: After the play, there was a big party for the cast, a strong cast (=when all the actors in a play are very good)
director -d.Vrekt3r. dai-/ In C] the person wno is in charge of a play, and who tells the actors what to do
ramatist P|e[rf- dr*m-
writes plays: Ben Jonson was a 17th-century playwright.
to perform in a play
act/iekt/ (u I/T] to perform in a play, especially as a job: Secretly, she had afways wanted to act.
well/badly acted I thought the whole play was very well acted.
plau to say words and do
the' actions of a particular character in a
play: She is currently playing Ophelia in
a new production of 'Hamlet'.
play the part of I once played the part
of Stella in 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
be ir\/appear in//bi:m'9'P,3rln/ifsome"
one islna play or appears in a play, they act as one of the characters in it: Sfr Alec Guinness will be appearing in a new play this autumn.
rehearse /n'h3irs/ [u I/T] if actors
rehearse, or rehearse a play, they practise their words and actions so they will be ready to perform. The cast has been rehearsing all summer.
rehearsal 'n when actors practise what tney must say and do in a play
direct <d3rekt'1/T] to be in charge of a play and tell the actors what to do: a
famous production of 'A Midsummer
Night's Dreamdirected by Peter Hall
performance the waV
in whicn an actor plays his or her part in a play - use this especially to say how good or bad the acting is
give a powerful!stunning/magnificent
about a man or
actors
770
performance She gives a powerful performance as Amelia, the daughter.
acting ;ektiij [n U] the work or skill of performing in plays. She has done some acting, but is best known as a mode!. I The best thing about this production is the quality of the acting. I the acting profession
the person that an actor pretends to be in a play
character ."ka^kuv [n С) a person in the story of a play: Many of the characters in O'Neill's plays are based on his own family.
main character The main character is Jerome, a penniless writer living in Brooklyn.
part po;rt [n C] the words and actions of one of the characters in a play: 'Hamlet' is the part that every young actor dreams of.
play the part of He played the part of Thomas More in 'A Man for AH Seasons'.
rool (n CI a character played by an actor in a play
the lead role (=the most important part) Derek Jacobi is currently playing the lead role in 'Becket\
what happens in a play
plot plDt|plo:t In C] the events that happen in a play, and the way in which these events are connected: a complicated plot
ac* iekt (n C] one of the parts that a long play is divided into
first act/second act etc The main character doesn't appear until the second act.
Act 1/Act 4 etc In Act 1, Macbeth decides to kill the king.
scene ,sj.n [n Q а part of a play in which there is no change in time or place: During the first few scenes of the play. Porter is shown as a vicious bully. scene t/scene 6 etc The queen dies in Act 5, Scene 6.
opening scene/closing scene (-the first/last scene) In the opening scene, we see Leon lying on a bench.
objects, clothes etc that are used in the theatre
scenery simori [n Cj the wooden or cloth surfaces at the back and sides of the stage, which are painted to look like a house, garden, castle etc
costume /'kostjuml'kaistuim; [n C] the
clothes worn by an actor in a play
ProP рп>р|рго:р [n C] an object or piece of furniture that is used by an actor in a
.play.
lighting laitirj [n U] the way that lights are used to light the stage in a theatre
set (SCt; [я cj the whole appearance of the stage, including the scenery, the lighting, and the way things are arranged on the stage
the words and noises of
a play
script sknpt [n ci the words that the actors say in a play
sound effects /'saUnd i fekts \n plural)
noises made in order to create a particular effect during a play, for example the noise of a storm, a gun, or something breaking
10
describing a play
be about bi: ^baot [phrasal verb T) if a play is about a person, idea, or set of
events, that is the main subject of the play:
It's a play about a group of kids living in Harlem.
be set in set in if a pjay js set jn a
place or period of time, the story happens in that place or during that time: The play is set in South Carolina right after the Civil War.
ending endit] [n C] what happens at the
end of a play: a happy ending
theme [п С] one of the main ideas
in a play, which the writer develops though the words and actions of the actors: The main theme of 'Hamlet' is revenge.
When you see B,) go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION sect»on.
THICK
opposite thin
see also wide/narrow fat, liquid
thick
THIN
woe/narrow
SMALL
see also
thick
thin
thick /9ik/ [adj] if something such as a wail, a book, or a piece of glass is thick, there is a large distance between its two flat surfaces: It's on old house with very thick stone walls. I The ground was covered in a thick layer of snow. I a thick slice of bread I shoes with thick rubber soles
fat /fan, \adj only before noun) fat book/envelope/wallet/briefcase/cigar
a book, envelope etc that is thick because there is a lot in it - use this especially as a humorous way of describing something that looks very thick: He puffed out a fat wallet stuffed with banknotes. I a man smoking a fat cigar I a big fat book
how thick something is
how thick /hao Bik/ The price of the glass will depend on how thick it is. I How thick is the ice on the lake?
2 cm thick/1 m thick etc (2 cm etc)
thickness
Hik use this to say exactly how thick something is-. Cut the carrots into slices about half on inch thick. I in some places, the walls are over two metres thick.
"Hikn^s. [n C/U] the distance
between the opposite surfaces of a solid object or material: It's about the same thickness as о £1 coin. I steel plate in a range of different thicknesses + of Just look at the thickness of those old walls.
descrbinc people
thin person
^ opposite fat
thin Oin [adj] someone who is thin has very little fat on their body: She looked pale, thin, and unhealthy, i I wish my legs were thinner.
thin - thinner - thinnest
slim slim (ad/1 thin in a way that is attractive: She was tall, slim, and good-look ing I You're looking very slim - have you lost weight?
slim - slimmer - slimmest
skinny ./'sktni [adjl very thin, especially in a way that is unattractive: / was really skinny when I was a teenager. I When he wore a Tshirt, you could see how skinny his arms were.
skinny - skinnier - skinniest
emaciated ['meijieit^djl-sieit^d/ [adj] extremely thin as a result of illness or serious lack of food: News came of the famine, and there were pictures of emaciated children on the TV I I was
E
shocked when I saw her in the hospital - she looked so emaciated.
thin object, layer etc
opposite thick
eat 4
thin Bin [adj] if something is thin, there is a very small distance between its two flat surfaces: The lake was covered with a thin layer of ice. I a box made of thin plastic I a knife with a long, thin blade I Despite the cold weather, she was wear ing a thin summer dress
Dor't use thin about roads, rivers, paths etc. Use narrow, о norrow street leading down to the bay
tbii! - thinner - thinnest
A
/ine /fain/ [adj] very thin - use this about lines, thread wire etc: fine lines at the corners of her eyes I A fine wire had been stretched across the path. I The pencil was sharpened to a fine point.
when someone becomes thinner
lose weight /,lu:z wat, to become thinner and weigh less. The best way to lose weight is to do lots of exercise. I Tm really worried about my grandmother - she's lost a iot of weight recently. lose 5 kilos/7 pounds etc "How's your diet going?' "Pretty well. I've lost 3 pounds this week."
go on a diet /,g^i on э 'daot to eat less
food than usual, or eat special combinations of food because you want to become thinner and weigh less: We're both going on a diet after Christmas. be on a diet 'Would you like some chocolate?" "No rhanks. Tm on a diet."
THING
see also tool, equipment
a thing
thing q/ [n CI use this instead of the name of something when you do not need to say its name or when you do not know what it is called. You can use thing when you mean a physical object, or something
such as an event, an idea, or something
that someone says: What's that thing on the kitchen table9 I There were several things that I wanted to discuss. ! A strange thing happened to me yesterday. I The first thing I noticed about him was that he seemed very nervous
something sAmOii]/ [pronounl a thing - use this especially when you do not know what the thing is, or you have not decided yet what it will be: I need to get some thing for Greg - it's his birthday tomor row. I There loos something floating in my coffee.
something newldifferenthtranqe etc
She told me something really funny. I He wanted to get her something special, something expensive.
something else (=another thing) I've just remembered something else I wanted to tell you.
something to eat/wearf read etc / must haue something to eat before I go out. or something (=or something similar) There's a stone or a nail or something stuck in my shoe.
A Don't spell this as 'some thing'. The correct spelling is something.
object Dbd3/ktj|'a;b- [г? С] a solid thing, especially one that you can touch or hold in your hand: His foot struck a hard object, and he fell. I There were many beautiful objects in the room, but the clock was really special.
item, aitom/ [n CJ one of several things in a list or group of objects, things for sale, or things to be discussed: The most expensive item we bought was the washing machine. I the next item on the
agenda for today's meeting
an item 0/ clothing/Jurniture/jewellery
(=one piece of clothing, furniture, or jewellery) Thieves broke into the store and stole several items of clothing.
A Item is fairly formal, and is used mostly in business or official contexts.
several things of different types
things Oirjz [n plural] use this when you are talking about two or more things of different types and you do not need to say what they are: I just threw a few things into a bag and rushed to catch the train. Qmy/your/their things spokln (=the things that you own or that you are carrying with you) Don't forget your things. all sorts of things (=a lot of different types of things) They sell furniture, toys. cards ~ all sorts of things.
Qstujf suf/ (n U] spokkn informal objects or possessions of different types: ! don't know how we're going to get all this stuff into the car.
my/your/their stuff Someone broke in and took most of her stuff.
THINK
Cyunk /d3M]k [л u] spoken things that are not useful and should be thrown away, for example because they are old or broken: I must clean out this cupboard - it's absolutely full of junk.
look here for...
use your mind
have an opinion
sure/not sure
f
imagine
odds and ends 0(\,. ^nd 'end/fluid/-/ [n plural) several different things, especially small things that are not of much value: In the drawer she found с photograph, an old hairbrush. and various other odds and ends.
THINK
аз opinions
idea
see also
4 \
believe/ not believe
to think about something
think /fligk/ [u Ij to use your mind in order to solve a problem, remember something, make a decision etc: "Are you going to accept their offer?" "I'm not sure, f need more time to think." + about She thought about Harry and how kind he'd been. think carefully Think carefully before you answer her letter. think hard (=think a lot about something important) We need to think hard about what we're going to do in the future.
thinking - thought - have thought
consider /кэп std9r [y j] to think about something carefully before deciding what to do: Before buying a car you should consider the cost of insuring it. consider doing sth Have you considered working as a journalist?
A
Don't say 'they're consideringt to sell their house'. Say they're considering selling their house
77 4
think over /Oirjk '30V3r, [phrasal verb T] to think carefully about an idea, suggestion, or offer before deciding what to do think sth over I just need a few days to think it over before I reply. think over sth Tve been thinking over what you said and you're absolutely right.
to think carefully about what you are doing
pay attention /pel 9tenpn< to think
carefully about what you are doing, so that you do not make any mistakes + to If you had been paying more attention to your driving, the accident would never have happened. I The teacher said I needed to pay attention to
spelling.
concentrate >kons<?ntreit||'ka:n-/ [и I] to think very carefully about something that you are doing, and not allow yourself to be interrupted or to think about anything else: Turn that music down, please - I'm trying to concentrate. + on Katie was too upset to concentrate on her book.
concentration /(kons^'trei;<m||,ka:n- [n
U] the ability to think about something carefully for a long time: The job requires a lot of concentration, and it's best to be in a room on your own. lose concentration It's easy to lose concentration when driving for long distances.
keep your mind on sth ^j:p
mamd nn (sth)' to keep thinking about what you are doing, even though you want to think about something else: Ken was worried about his daughter and found it hard to keep his mind on his work.
to have a particular opinion
think iQlI}k/ [v j]
+ Cthat) I didn't think that the concert was very good. I She thinks I'm crazy to leave this job. I We all thought that the new teacher was very nice. what do you think of sb/sth? (=what is your opinion about them?) What do you think of my new hairstyle?
thinking - thought - have thought
A Don't say 'I am thinking', 'he is thinking' etc. Say I think, he thinks etc: I think it's a very good movie.
believe 'bi'liiv [и T] to have an opinion
that you are sure is right, especially about something important such as life, religion, or politics
+ (that) Some people believe that abortion is wrong. I We believe the rich
Don't say 'I am believing', 'we are
should pay higher taxes.
A
believing' etc. Say I believe, we believe etc.
Q reckon /текэп/ [v TJ spoken to have an opinion about something and say what it is: / think it's quite a good idea - what do you reckon. Peter? + (that) They reckon the French team's better than ours.
to think something is true, but not be sure
think fligk; [v T]
+ (that) / thin к I must have left my wa/- let at work. \ Jim says he thinks there's something wrong with the engine.
thinking - thought - have thought
fee I /fi:l [и T] to have a strong opinion, but one which is based on your feelings rather than on facts
+ (that) Liz s parents feel she isn't old enough to leave home. I I just fee I that I should have helped him more.
Ж
feeling - felt - have felt
Don't say 'I am feeling', 'they are
feeling' etc. Say I feel, they feel etc.
L_
Don't say 'I am thinking', 'he is thinking' etc. Say I think, he thinks etc.
believe bVli:v (u T| to feel almost sure that something is true, because you have information which makes it seem very likely + (that) Scientists now believe that these are the ruins of an ancient temple. I Darwin had believed that humans had evolved from apes and similar animals.
consider /kan'sida'" [и T] formal to have an opinion about something, especially after thinking about it carefully + (that) My client considers that she was unfairly dismissed from her job. consider sth important/necessary, unsuitable etc The doctors considered it too dangerous to operate on him.
regard/see n'gc:rd, si:, [v T] to think that someone or something is a particular kind of person or thing
be regarded/seen as sth Forty years ago television was regarded as a luxury. I America was seen as the lend of opportunity.
regard/see sb as stK She seemed to regard me as an enemy, i She sees herself more as an entertainer than a singer
seeing - saw - have seen
figure lfig3f|]'figj?r [и T) american informal to form an opinion about something, after thinking about the situation for a while + (that) I figured he was loo drunk to drive. I Costello figured that he d better leave before the police arrived. 1 We figure that they must have got in through the back window.
Believe more formal than think.
suspect ss'spekt/ \v T) to think that something is probably true, especially something bad. although you cannot prove it + (that) I suspect she was lying. I She suspected thai he had never really loved
her.
Don't say 'I am suspecting', 'he is suspecting' etc. Say I suspect, he suspects etc.
have a feeling (that) haev э Tislirj
(tot) to think that something is true, although you do not have a definite reason to think this: He had a feeling he'd been there before. I I had a feeling that Ruby didn't really want to talk to me.
get the impression (that) get ft:
Don't say 'I am believing', 'he is believing' etc Say I believe, he believes etc.
imprepn (dot) to start to think that something is true because of what you have noticed about a situation: / get the impression that it's a very good company to work for. I We got the impression that most of the people at the party were students.
В what you say when you think something is true but you are not sure
Ql think/1 believe ai Biqk, ai b^ li:\
spokfn Carol Jives in Toronto now, I think.
+ (that) I think that Daniel changed jobs in January. I I believe she's back in Japan now.
I think. so/I believe so (say this to answer yes' to a question when you are fairly sure that something is true) "Has James gone home?7' 'Yes, I think so."
Ql suppose /ai so pooz spoken, especially british say this when you think that something is probably true but are not really sure: Having a burglar alarm makes you feel safer; I suppose. + (that) I suppose we can pay by credit card but we'd better check first. J suppose so (say this to answer a question) "Will the children be disappointed?' "Yes, I suppose so."
Ql guess ./ai ges/ spokeiv especially american say this when you think that something is probably true or has probably happened: I never married - I just didn't find the right girl, I guess. I guess so/not (say this to agree with something that someone has said) "Looks like Danny will be leaving home soon." u/ guess so." I "Ella wasn't happy." U1 guess not."
Qas far as I knOW/sz .fair ai пэо/ spoken say this when you think that something is true, although you realize that you may not know all the facts: As far as I know, the research program is going well.
Ql imagine ai I'maed^n. spoken say this when you think that something is likely to be true, although this is only based on your own opinion about the situation: You'll want to leave as soon as possible, I imagine.
+ (that) / imagine that she feels very lonely now the kids have left home
to wrongly think that something is true when it
is not true
think /би)к [u T]
+ (that) I thought you were at work Whet's wrong?Are you sick? I She wore a lot of make up to make them think that she was older.
thinking - thought - have thought
be under the impression (that)
A
bi: ,.\nd3r di im'prej>n (tot)/ to wrongly believe that something is true, because of something you have heard or seen: Your mother seems to be under the impression that you want to marry Sophie. I I had always been under the impression that all Americans were rich.
Be under the impression (that) is
more formal than think.
imagine/I'maed^n/ [и T] to have an idea
in your mind about something, which is in fact the wrong idea
+ (that) Many people imagine that writers have glamorous and exciting lives. you're/he's imagining it "I think she doesn't like me." "No - you're imagin-
94
ing it.
В to think something is probably not true
don't think/.daunt 'fliqk/
+ (that) I don't think there'll be many
people at the party.
Ql don't think so spoken (say this to answer 'no to a question) "Is there any coffee left?" "No, I don't think so."
doubt daot [v T] to think that something is probably not true or will probably not happen
doubt i//whether He doubted whether anyone would believe his story. + (that) I doubt well be going on vacation this year.
Don't say 'I'm doubting it'. Say I doubt it
Ql doubt it spoken "Do you think Bill will have time to help us?" '7 doubt it."
A
Ql'd be surprised if/aid bi: sa'praizd
A
I imagine is more formal than the
other expressions here.
if spoken say this when you think that
something is very unlikely to happen or to be true: I'd be surprised if Ronnie gets the job - he just doesn't have the right experience.
UJ to decide that something is true, although you have no proof
the idea of Sth rti; af'dra (sth) what
you think about something that might happen to you, for example whether it would be good or bad: I've never liked the idea of being a father, i The idea of working from home is very attractive to many people.
assume <;>'sju:m||;>su:jTi [и T] to think that
something is true although you have no proof
+ (that) I just assumed that the woman standing next to Jack was his wife. I / assume you all know what you're supposed to be doing today.
take it for granted (that) teik it tv
'grained (cton||-grЈn-/ to believe that something is true without ever thinking that it might not be - use this especially when in fact you are wrong: Tm sorry. I just' took it for granted that the tickets were free. I Nowadays you take it for granted that everyone has a phone
presumably /prizjuinioblili-'zu:- [adul
use this to say that it is likely that something is true, based on what you know about it: The film was presumably intended for an American audience. ! "Where's the money for a.'/ these wonderful reforms coming /rom?" "The
tax-payers, presumably."
Ы to have an idea or thought in your mind
think Biijk {u l/T] to have an idea or thought in your mind, especially one :hat appears suddenly: I kept thinking. ''What if someone saw me come in9" ■+ of I'ue just thought of a really good idea. I Has she thought of any names for the baby? I We're trying to think of g good place for a picnic, think (that) 1 thought that I might go to see 'Braveheart' tonight. thinking - thought - have thought
have an idea /,hsev эп ai'dis/ to think of
an idea about something-. I've had an idea. Why don't we buy her a book about gardening? I Let me know if you have any good ideas.
thought /(bit* In C] something that you think of: She told him all her most secret thoughts.
have a thought I've just had a thought - why don't we ask Judith? + about Have you had any thoughts about what you are going to do after university?
the thought of doing sth The thought of
spending a weekend with Emma made
him feel very excited.
the thought (that) He couldn't bear the
thought that his wife was lying.
sb's .first thought (=the first thing that
someone thinks) My first thought was
that he had been taken away by the
police.
cross sb's mind ,kms (sb's) maind|j
.knv.s-1 if a thought crosses your mind, you think about it. but only for a short time because you do not want to believe it or think about it: Leave him? Well actually that thought had crossed my mind. it crossed sb's mind (that) It crossed her mind that maybe Jo was right, it never crossed my mind "Did you think he was lying?" "No. if nei>er crossed my mind."
Ш to think about something too much
be obsessed ;bi: ^b'sest to keep thinking about something all the time, so that you find it difficult to think about anything else + with/by writers who seem obsessed with sex
obsessio П ob'sejrm; [n C] a very strong, continuous interest in a particular thing or person, which stops you thinking about anything else: All they ever talk about is food - it's becoming an obsession. + with the British obsession with class
can't get sb/sth out of your mind
/.kcimt get (sb/sth) at я ov p:T ,maind)|,ka;nt- informal to be unable to stop thinking about someone or something, even when you do not want to think about them: He'd only seen the girl once but he couldn't get her out of his mind.
THREATEN
to say you will harm someone if
they do not do what you want
crime ^^hurt/injure
Л Г
see
SHOOT a|so —^VIOLENT
KILL CRUa
II to threaten someone
threaten <'6retn [и T] to tell someone that you will hurt them or cause serious problems for them if they do not do what you want
threaten to do sth When they found out he tuas an American, the soldiers threatened to kill him. I Every time we have a quarrel, she threatens to leave me. threaten sb with a knife/a gun etc After threatening the manager with a knife,
he stole £300 and ran off.
threaten sb with violence/jail/legal action etc (=say you will hurt someone, put them in prison etc) I was threatened with jail if I published the story. threaten sb Then he started threatening me, and saying that my family might get hurt.
blackmail /'blaekmeil/ [и T] to force someone to give you money or do what you want, by threatening to tei! embarrassing secrets about them: Gin a tried to blackmail him by threatening to tell his wife about their affair.
blackmail sb into doing sth The FBI
blackmailed her into informing on the other members of the gang.
intimidate /in'tim^deit/ [u 1} to try to make someone do what you want by behaving in a way that makes them feel afraid: He's being kept in jail until the trial so that he can't intimidate any of the witnesses.
THREATEN
intimidate sb into doing sth Some uoters say they were intimidated into supporting the government.
Ea words or actions that threaten someone
threat Bret, {л CJ when you tell someone that you will hurt them or cause serious problems for them if they do not do what you want
make threats against sb Threats haue been made against the judge who is investigating the case. death threat (=when someone threatens to kill you) She's decided to leave Hollywood because of the death threats carry out a threat (=do what you threatened to do)
receive a threat Black families in the area have received threats from right- wing extremist groups.
threatening ; eretnii]/ [adj] threatening
words or actions are intended to make someone feel afraid, so that they do what you want: 'You listen to mel' His voice was threatening.
threatening letter/phone call Before the attack I'd received several threatening phone calls.
intimidation /in.timi/deipn/ (n U] when you try to make someone do what you want by making them feel afraid: Grugel used intimidation and violence to get money from local restaurant owners.
blackmail /'blaekmeil/ [n UJ when you force someone to give you money or do what you want, by threatening to tell embarrassing secrets about them: They demanded $10,000 for the photos - I knew it was blackmail, but what could I do? I Bates got a 5-year jail sentence for blackmail.
THROW
if you mean 'throw something away because you do not need it',
go to GET RID OF
II to throw something
throw бгэо) [u T1 to make something fly
through the air by moving your arm
quickly and letting it go
throw sth on/onto/across/down etc
778
Wallace stood on the beach, throwing stones into the waves.
throw sth at sb (=when you want to hit them) She was so angry that she threw the pan straight at my head. throw sb sth (=when you want someone to catch something) Got a light?' Carrie threw him a box of matches. throwing - threw - have thrown
toss tosJ]t:i:s/ to throw something, especially in a careless, relaxed way toss sth on/into/at etc Debbie tossed her purse onto the counter. toss sb sth Could you toss me that pack of cigarettes?
chuck /t J л к/ (и T] informal to throw something, especially in a careless way chuck sth on/into/at etc Tom took off his jacket and chucked it on the bed.
chuck sb sth (=throw something to someone) Could you chuck me that book?
hurl Ъэ:г1 \v T] to throw a heavy object in a violent way, especially because you are angry hurt sth at sb (=when you want to hit them) Some demonstrators
began hurling bricks at the police. hurl sth into/out o//a cross etc He
picked up his chair and hurled it across the room.
flip a coin (also toss a coin briush) /.flip э
'loin, ,tos э 'bin||,to:s-/ to throw a coin up into the air and watch which side it falls on, so that you can make a decision about something: We couldn't decide which movie to go to, so in the end we just flipped a coin.
В to throw the ball in a game
hurl
flip
ф
see also sport
pass pa:s||p<es' [u I/T) to throw the ball to
bowl
another player in your team, in a game in which the ball is moved by hand + to Johnson passes to White, White passes to Eliot, and Eliot scores! pass the ball to sb The quarterback passed the ball to O/son, who ran in for a touchdown.
pitch /pit/.-- [a l/T] to throw the ball when you are playing baseball so that someone from the other team can try to hit it with the bat: It was Corgan's turn to pitch. + to He pitched to 8 batters before leaving the game.
bowl /ЬЫ/ [и 1Л1 to
throw the ball when you are playing cricket so that someone from the other team can try to hit it with the bat + to Cork is bowling to Waugh.
throw /Вгэо/ [и T] to throw a ball when you are playing a sport or game: He threw the ball as hard as he could, throw the bail to sb (=so that they can catch it) Cromartie catches the bail and throws it back to the pitcher. throwing - threw - have thrown
TIDY
neatly arranged, with everything in the right place
opposite untidy
see also clean
tidy place/room
pass
tidy /'taidi/ \adj\ a tidy place, room, desk etc looks nice because everything is neatly arranged and in the right place: Andrew's
apartment is always so tidy. I Try and keep your bedroom a bit tidier. clean and tidy We spent the morning getting the whole house clean and tidy. tidy - tidier - tidiest
tidily [adv] She put her things away tidily in the closet.
neat /ni:t [adj] carefully arranged or carefully shaped in a way that is nice to look at, with straight lines and clear edges: He
put his clothes in a neat pile on the
bed. I Mrs Woodie cut the sandwiches in neat squares. I rows of white houses with neat little lawns neat and tidy Be sure to leave everything neat and tidy. neatly [adv] All the books were neatly arranged on the shelves.
immaculate Ymaekj^t/ [adj] extremely
clean and tidy: She keeps the house immaculate - everything's beautifully clean and tidy.
О to make a place tidy
tidy 'taidi, {и T] to make a room, desk, or drawer tidy: Tidy your bedroom and then you can go out. I I must tidy my desk
before I leave.
tidying - tidied - have tidied
tidy Up /,taidi лр,, [phrasal verb \/T) British to make a place tidy, by putting everything back in its right place and removing things that you no longer need: / haven't had time to tidy up yet. tidy up sth We have to tidy up the house
before my parents come to visit. tidy sth up The garden looked much better after we'd tidied it up.
straighten/straighten up streitn.
streitn лр [и T] especially american to make a place tidy by putting things in the right place or arranging them neatly: I spent half an hour straightening the living room. I Hogan straightened the pile of papers on his desk.
clean up /.kliin \p [phrasal verb I/T] especially american to make a place tidy and clean, by putting things away and removing dust or dirt
clean sth up/ctean up sth Sloan said he had to clean up the house before his in-laws arrived.
clear up /,к1|эг лр [phrasal verb I/T] british to get rid of all the things that are making a place dirty or untidy: Who's going to clear up after the party? clear up sth/clear sth up Clear up the
mess you left in the kitchen! I It'll take
ages to clear this up. clear up after sb (=tidy a place after someone else has made it untidy) I spend my life clearing up after the children.
Q tidy person
tidy taidi [adj] especially british someone who is tidy always likes to keep things neat and in their right place: Neither she nor Nick were particularly tidy at home. 1 a tidy man who hated messy people
tidy - tidier - tidiest
neat ni:t [adj] american someone who is
neat always likes to keep things in their right place: Tve never been very neat but my husband is just the opposite.
immaculate imaekj^r [adj] looking
perfectly neat and clean, because you take a lot of care about your clothes, your hair etc: Emma always looks immaculate. I James was wearing an immaculate white shirt.
EJ tidy work/writing
neat ni:t, [adj] work or writing that is neat has been done very carefully: Gina has very small neat handwriting.
TIE/UNTIE
^ see also fasten
U to fasten things together, using rope, string etc
tie tai [и T] to join one thing to another using rope, string, wire etc tie sth to/around/onto sth Don't forget to tie this label onto your suitcase. I The washing line was tied to a tree. Saul tied one end of the rope around a large rock and lowered himself over the cliff. tie a package/parcel (=keep it closed by putting string or rope around it)
tying - tied - have tied
to prevent someone escaping by tying rope around them
tie Up tai 'лр/ [phrasal verb T) to tie
someone's arms and legs with rope so that they cannot move tie sb up The soldiers tied them up and beat them.
be tied up Mrs Bennett had been tied up and left in the back of a van.
tie tai / [v T] to prevent someone from escaping by tying them with rope etc tic sb to sth The terrorists tied the hostages to their chairs. I Her horse was tied to a tree.
tie sb's hands//eet together The kidnap pers had tied his hands together and blindfolded him.
tying - tied - have tied
A Don't say 'they tied him'. Say they tied him up, they tied him to the chair
etc
to remove string or rope from something
undo /An'du:, ju T] to remove the string or rope from something so that it is no longer held together: / can't undo the string! I She undid the ribbon and let her hair fall over her shoulders. undoing - undid - have undone
untie /An'tai; [u Tj to remove or unfasten
the string or rope that joins one thing to another: Someone had untied the boat and it floated away. I It was several hours before anyone found me and untied me.
untying - untied - have untied
TIGHT
opposite loose
tight clothes
tight /tart/ [adj] tight clothes or shoes are only just big enough for you to wear, and they are often uncomfortable: This s/cirt is far too tight. I tight shoes
skintight ,skin'tait«/ \adj] skintight
clothes are very tight and fit exactly to the shape of your body, especially in a way that looks sexually attractive: skintight jeans
pulled or stretched tight
tight tail [adj] rope, wire, cloth etc that is tight has been pulled or stretched as far as possible so that it is straight or it cannot move: If the straps aren't tight enough, the saddle might slip. I Driue forward slowly until the towing rope is tight.
taut ,;to:t [adj] written stretched very tight - use this with these words: rope/string/ skin/muscles The skin of her face felt dry and taut. I Rambo crouched, his muscles taut and ready for action.
fastened tight
tight /tait; [adjl a screw, lid, cover etc that is tight has been firmly fixed and is difficult to move: Check that the screws are tight. I The lid's really tight.I can't open it.
firmly tVnili \adv] if something is firmly closed or fixed, it has been closed or fixed so that it cannot move. Make sure that you put the cork back /irmly in the bottle. 1 The posts must be fixed firmly in the ground.
В
Securely /sikjoali [adv] if something is securely fastened or fixed, it has been carefully fastened or fixed so that it will not move or open, in order to prevent accidents: W/e made sure that our bags were severely fastened to the roof of the car.
to make something tight
tighten taitn [и T] to make something tight, either by fastening it firmly so that it cannot move, or by pulling it until it is tight tighten a screw/bolt (-by turning it) Tighten the screws gradually until the wheel is firmly in place. tighten a rope/belt/string etc You can tighten your seat belt by pulling it at this end.
pull sth tight ;iPU| (sth) 'tart/ to pull a string, rope etc hard, so that it becomes
tight: Brian wrapped some string around the package and pulled it tight. I Pull the laces tight and tie them firmly.
Stretch stretj [v T] to pull a piece of rope, cloth, rubber etc so that it becomes tight, making it slightly longer than it normally is: Stretching the cord to its fullest extent, she carried the phone to the other end of the room. stretch sth over/between etc First, stretch the canvas over the frame.
TIME
^ if you mean 'spend time', go to
spend 6
time that can be measured in hours, days etc
time /taim/ [n U] what we measure in hours, days, years etc: How much time do we have for the test? spend time (=use your time doing something) I'd like to spend more time with my family.
time goes by/passes The time passed very slowly when I was in prison. I As time went by, things started to improve.
a time when something happens
time /taim/ [n C] a specific time when something happens or someone does something: It's my favourite film - I've seen it five times.
+ (that) It was the only time I saw her lose her temper.
time when Do you remember the time when Dad lost the car keys? every/each time Every time I meet her she asks me about the children. next/last/this time Gife us a call next time you're in town. I Last lime I saw him he was driving a Porsche. I We'll do the test again, and this time you can use a calculator.
the first/second/third time Is this the first time you've played pool?
occasion /3'keivn/ [n CI formal a time when something happens on an occasion Hamilton visited Paris twice that year and on both occasions he stayed at the Ritz. I She had met Zahid on a previous occasion.
moment/point /тэотэт, point/ [n C]
an exact time when something happens, during a longer process or series of events: The play went well, apart from one embarrassing moment when I dropped my cup. I At several points during the meeting. Adler threatened to walk out.
at this point/at that moment etc At that moment there was a knock on the door. 1 At this point the surgeon realized that things were going wrong.
what hour of the day something happens
time taim [n C/U] the particular minute or hour of the day when something happens or someone does something + оfa notice giving the dates and times of the final examinations what time What time did you get up this morning?
lunehtime/dinnertime (=the time when you have a meal)
asking what time it is
ask sb the time/ask sb what
time it is /,a:sk (sb) дз taim, ,a:sk (sb) wot 'laim it lzj.aesk-/ to ask someone to tell you the time: Td forgotten my watch, so I had to ask someone the time. I Go and
ask Dad what time it is
Qwhat time is it? (also what's
the time? British) ,/wDt 'taim iz it, wots (Ъ 'taim' spoken say this to ask someone you are with to tell you the time
Qhave you got the time? British do you have the time? american
,haev ju: got йэ taim, ,du: ju: haev йэ taim|| -ga:t-/ spoken say this to ask someone the time, when you do not know whether they have a watch: Excuse me, do you have the time?
When you see НЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
В telling someone the
time
it's five o'clock it
/ 11
/10
2
4 '
9
V
.o-
it's just after five
its ,d3ASt a:ft3r faiv||-atf-/
,faiv эк1ок||-'к)и:к/
7
s 11
12
I
to
/
2
9
(
3
\8
\
V 4 /
\ 7
6
X
W
V
it's nearly five /its
тэгН faiv/
it's /our Jorty-/ive/ it's a quarter to five (also it's a quarter of five
AMERICAN ) /Its ,fo:r fo:rti faiv, us э ,kwD:rt3r ta faiv, its э ,kwD:rl3r 3v 'faiv
it's ten past /ive
British it's ten a/ter
five AMERICAN /its ,ten pa:st faiv, its len u:ftar
n 12 1
Ло
9
3
/
7 6 [2]
faiv||-paest-, -ajf-/
it's five thirty (also it's hal/ past five
British) /its (faiv '03irti, its
,ha:f pa:st 'faivf-haef past-/
how to say when something happened or will happen
at Ж strong act (preposition) use this with hours and minutes of the day, special holidays. or the beginning or end of a period of time
at si* p'clock/halj-past /our/midnight/
lunchtime He starts work at 10, and finishes at 6:30.
at Christinas/Easter/New Year We get a
week's holiday at Easter.
at the end/the beginning Frank joined
the navy at the beginning of the war.
ОП Dn||a;n, [preposition] use this with particular days: We have a test on the first day of each month, on Monday/Tuesday/Friday evening etc
We're going out to dinner on Friday. on August 12th/March 2nd etc She was
born on May 12th, 1913.
on my birthday/their wedding dag It
rained on our шес/с/ing day.
in ,in, [preposition] use this with parts of the day, particular years or particular months, and seasons of the year in the morning/a/ternoon/evening I'm
usually too tired to cook a meal in the evening, i I went to bed at 3 o'clock in the morning.
in 1892/1997 etc In 1996 the Olympic Gomes were held in Atlanta. in January/February/tke autumn etc /
came to England in the summer of
a long/short time ago I met your father once, a long time ago. a minute/a moment ago / had my keys a minute ago, and now 1 can't /ind Јherr?.
irt in [preposition] use this to say how much time will pass before something happens
in an hour/in three days etc Closed for
lunch. Back in one hour. I In three days
well be going off to Italy.
in an hour's time/100 years' time etc
(=in the future, an hour from now, a hundred years from now etc) You 'll be feeling much better in a month's time.
within a period of time
during /'djo^riqll'do^/ [preposition] at one point in a period of time, or through the whole of a period of time: Henry died during the night. I She has seen many changes during her life. I This place was used as an air-raid shelter during the war. I Foxes remain hidden during the day.
Ж Don't confuse during and for- Don't say 'I studied French during 5 years'. Say |
studied French for 5 years- Use for to say
how long something continues.
in /ш/ fpreposit/onl between the beginning and end of a period of time: They painted the whole house in a single day. in the last few months/tn the next ten minutes etc Vbu should get a reply in the next few weeks.
within /wKV]n||wifl'm, wiO in j [preposition] during a period or before the end of а period - use this to emphasize that it is a short or limited period of time: There have been five serious accidents within the last few days. 1 If we do not hear from you within 14 days, we will contact our solicitors.
Ьц /bai/ [preposition] if something happens by a particular time, it happens at some time before that time: If she's not back by 10 o'clock, I'm calling the police. 1 By Christmas, our money problems had become much worse.
When you see Q, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
ail through a period of time
through вги: [preposition] during the whole of a period of time, continuing until the end: The party continued through the night until dawn.
all through/throughout №
6ru:'aut/ [preposition] through - use this to emphasize that something continues from the beginning to the end of a long period: It closes down all through the winter, and opens again in April. I Throughout her career she has worked hard and maintained high standards.
all dag/all morning/all week etc
Ы (day etc)/ through all of the day, the morning, the week etc - use this especially when the day. morning etc has not finished yet: We've been travelling around all week. I I haven't seen Sara all day - where is she?
all the time/the whole time oil fa
'taim, йэ ,ЬэЫ taim/ through the whole of a period of time - use this especially to talk about something unpleasant or annoying that happens
+ (that) I was miserable all the time you were away. I The whole time we were there he never said thank you, not once[3]
between two times
between /br'twiin/ [preposition] in the
time between two times or events: This house was built sometime between 1930 and 1935 I We usually go and see Jan's parents between Christmas and the New Year.
meanwhile/in the meantime
10
/mhnwail, in дэ 'miintaim/ [adv\ during the time between now and a future event, or between two events in the past: The doctor will be here soon. In the meantime, try to relax. I The plane will be ready soon. Meanwhile, please wait in the departure lounge.
how long something continues, someone waits etc
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how long /hau iDql-'ba]/ use this to ask about or talk about how many minutes,
hours, days, or years something continues for: Нош long have you lived here? I / didn't knoa how long the operation would take.
for br; strong b:r |preposition] use this to say how long something continues for an hour/two days/a long time etc It
rained continuously for three days. 1 We talked for a while, t Eggs should stay fresh for a week or two.
Д. You can leave out for after the verbs 'stay', 'wait', and 'last': I waited a long time. I He stayed nearly three months.
Quntil (also till especially spoken) лп til. on-, til: [preposition^conjunction] if something happens until or till a lime or event, it continues and then stops at that time or event: David worked as a teacher
until 1989. I I'll be at home until 5:30
if you want to phone me. I She polished the car until it shone. I I didn 't learn to drive until I was 31. I The library's only open till five on Saturdays. I Just wait till I've finished my coffee.
from ... until ... from ... л n't 11 .../ use
this to say that something starts happening at one time or event and continues until another time or event: IVe worked from nine in the morning until late at night. I Maxedited the paper from 1950 until he retired in 1989.
from ... to ... /from ... tu:... use this to
say that something starts at a particular
time and stops at a later time
/rom May to September/from 9am to
5pm etc The hotel is open from March to October, i Eisenhower was President
from 1952 to 1956.
through, /вгш/ (preposition] May through September/Monday through Friday etc
american starting in May and continuing until September, starting on Monday and continuing until and including Friday, etc: The store is open Monday through Saturday.
Monday-Friday/6:00-8:00 written
starting on Monday and continuing until and including Friday, starting at 6 o'clock and continuing until 8 o'clock etc - used on signs and notices: Visit the exhibition of modern art, open every dayr 9:30-6:00. I A special fishing licence is required for the season (May-September).
how long something has been happening
A Don't confuse for and since. Use for with periods of time: I've been waiting here
for 2S minutes. I We've lived here for six
years. Use since with the date, time, year etc when something started: I've been waiting here since 7 o'clock. I I've lived here since 1991/since my husband died.
for for; strong fo:r, [preposition! during the whole of a period of time until now: Omar's been learning English for two years now. I I haven't phoned my mother for over a week.
since sins [preposition/conjunction.7
adverbj all the time from a time or event in the past until now: I've had this car since 1992. I Graham's become a lot more confident since he finished his training. I / sau; her this morning, but I haven't seen her since. since tfien He arrived in Hollywood back in 1952. Since then he's appeared in over 100 movies.
ever since (-since a time or event a long time ago) / read that poem when I was at school, and I've remembered it ever since. I She's been interested in animals ever since she was a little girl,
Don't say 'I lived here since 1985' or '\ live here since 1985'. Say I've lived here since 1985. Always use a verb in the perfect tense with since.
12
to happen over a period of time
last la:st||l$st [и I] to continue happening for a period of time: No-one knows Ьош long the war will last. + /ог/untU The hot weather lasted for almost six weeks.
last 2 hours/all day/a long time etc
Each lesson lasts an hour. I a storm that lasted all night
not last long Tanya's bad mood didn't last long.
n
take /teik/ [и T] if something takes two minutes, six months etc, that is the time needed to do it
take 2 Hours/6 months etc The drive takes three hours.
it takes (sb) 2 hours/6 months etc to do
sth It often takes several months to get a visa. I It only took us half an hour to get here. I How long did it take to get
here?
13
taking - took - have taken
a period of time
period ;'рюгы [n c] especially written a particular length of time with a beginning and an end: You shouldn't sit in front of a computer screen for long periods without a break.
period of time The work had to be completed within a limited period of time, a ten-day/three-year etc period The
money can be paid back over a five-year period.
a period of 3 weeks/2 years etc The project will last for a period of 2 years.
time /taim/ |n singular] a period of time - use this especially to talk about a period in the past, or when you are not saying whether the period was long or short: Bill had lost his job, and it was a difficuit time for him. I I really enjoyed my time at university.
during that/this time He played for Barcelona for four years, and during that time they won two major competitions.
for a time He chatted to us for a time, then left.
after a time After a time, I began to feel
more relaxed.
a wKile ,'э 'wail/ a period of time - use this when you do not want to say definitely how long the period is: Youll have to wait a while. We're very busy. I He lived in Japan for a while, a little while I spoke to Ken a little while ago and he seemed fine then, a long while For о long while, she sat and stared out of the window.
some time /,sAm taim/ a period of time,
especially a fairly long period: Roach died yesterday. He had been suffering from cancer for some time. I Some time later, we all met again. Of course, all this happened some time ago.
a long time
a long time э Jdij 'taim||-,l:xij-' They've been married for 30 years - that's a long time. I The house has been empty for a long time. I The accident happened such a long time ago that I can 't remember much about it.
a very long time It's very well built and should last for a very long time.
Qages [л plural] spokf.n, espe
cially british a very long time: I've been standing here for ages. I It's ages since we saw Mark. I It takes ages to get to Glasgow by bus.
15
kours/weeks/years many hours, weeks, or years and much longer than you think it should be: My wife had to wait for hours at the hospital. I It'll take them years to repair all the damage.
a short time
a minute/a moment /э min^t, э
'maomant/ [n singular] a very short time: Helen was here a minute ago. You've just missed her. I Can I show you something? It'll only take a minute. 1 Luke thought for a moment and then said: 'Would you like to come too?'
Qfl second (also a sec informal) /э seksnd, 3 'sek/ spoken a very short time - use this especially when asking someone to wait for a short time: Just a second -1 think it's on the desk upstairs.
not long /not iDf]j|-'loi!}/ a short time:
"How long will it take?" 'Oh, not long - just a couple of hours." I His book was published not long after he died.
Qa bit /э bit/ [n singular] british spoken a short time: Wait a bit, I've nearly finished. I Do you mind looking after the kids for a bit while I go out?
16
at the same time as something else
at the same time /эt йэ ,seim 'taim/
Charlie and I arrived at the same time. + as / arrived at the same time as Charlie. I You must have been at Harvard at the same time as I was.
at once /at 'waiis/ if two or more things happen at once, they happen at the sametime, and this is annoying or it causes problems: I can't understand what you're saying when you both talk at once. I The problem with my job is that I have to do several things at once,
as ^ strong xzj [conjunction] especially written if something happens as something else is happening, it happens at the same time: As I walked towards the desk, he closed his book and stood up. just as (=at exactly the same time) Just as J was getting into the shower, the phone rang.
simultaneously /.smvrteiniaslill.sui-
[adul if two or more things happen simultaneously. they happen at exactly the same time: The two men aimed their pistols at each other and fired simultaneously. I The system can simultune- ously search up to 16 databases. simultaneous (adj] happening at exactly the same time: Police carried out simultaneous drug raids on several houses in the area.
fl\ Simultaneously is more formal than at the same time-
EQ while something else is happening
while /wail/ [con/unction] during the same period of time that something is happening: i bought a magazine while I was waiting for the train. I Til just make a phone call while you finish the dishes.
mean while /'mimwail/ facta] while something else is happening: Bill was upstairs, talking on the phone. Meanwhile, a burglar had broken in downstairs.
Ш not too late
ОП time /on 'taim/ if you do something on time, you do it at the arranged time, not too late: I'm never going to finish this work on time!
be on time The meeting starts at 10 a m - try to be on time.
right on time (-exactly at the correct time) The train arrived right on time.
Ln time /in taim before it is too late: If 1 get home in time, I'll take you swimming.
just in time (^almost not in time) You're just in time, Jill. We were about to leave without you.
+ for You've arrived just in time for the start of the game.
in time to do sth Luckily, we still got to the airport in time to catch the plane.
punctual /"pAijktJusI/ [adj] someone who is punctual arrives at the time that was arranged, and does not come late. It's very important to be punctual for appointments. punctually (acfu( The guests arrived punctually at 8 o'clock.
ul the right or wrong time to do something
the right time /йэ ,rait 'tarm/ the best time to do something, when you are most likely to get the result that you want the right time to do sth It seemed like the right time to start planning something new. I I don't think it's the right time to tell Jeff .
come at the right time (=happen at a time when you need it) I lost my job last month, so this offer has come at just the right time.
the wrong time /йэ ,rog 'taimlKnnj-/ a
time when you should not do something, because you will probably not be successful
the wrong time to do sth I think this is probably the wrong time to ask for a pay increase.
come at the wrong time (=happen at a time that is likely to cause problems) These economic problems have come at the wrong time for the Republican
Party.
a good time /э ,gud 'taim/ a suitable or convenient time: I'd like to come on Saturday - would that be a good time? a good time to do sth Now is a good time to start applying for jobs. I When would be a good time to have a meeting?
a bad time э ,bad 'taim an unsuitable or
inconvenient time when there are a lot of other problems: She called at a really bad time - I had just started my homework.
a bad time to do sth. It's a bad time to be trying to sell your house.
the time when something is planned to happen
time /taim [n C) the time when something
is planned to happen the time of sth The letter doesn 't give the time of the meeting. I This leaflet lists the dates and times of all the concerts.
opening/closing/arrival time The
plane's estimated arrival time is 19:45.
date deit (n C] the day when something is planned to happen: We need to arrange a date for the next meeting. I
What date is the wedding?
+ of June 9th is the date of the European elections
timetable british schedule american
taim,teih?l, 'jedju:l)|'sked}u:l -dvl/ (п С] a list that shows the times when something will happen, for example when planes or buses leave, or when classes at school take place: Teachers will be giving out copies of the new timetable in the first class today. I The schedule's on the bulletin board.
+ of I want a schedule of flights from Boston to New York.
schedule /'Jedju:l||4ked3ul. -dvl/ [n С] a
detailed plan of activities that have been organized, showing for example the times when someone will do something, or the times when activities will start and finish: The President's schedule includes a two- day visit to St Petersburg. + for Do you have a schedule for the tour?
ahead of/behind schedule {^earlier or later than was planned) The work is already behind schedule.
timetable /tarm.teib^l/ |n C] a plan that
20
shows when parts of an important and long process, especially a political one, will happen
+ for The minister announced a timetable for the discussions.
When you see 19, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
when you have enough
time
have time hsv taim i to have enough
time to do something: Could you go and
see Jean if you have time? have time to do sth We're so busy at work that / hardly have time to eat. + for Do you have time for a drink?
there is time /fleor iz taim use this to
say that there is enough time available to do something or to go somewhere: / thought we could go to the museum, and maybe an art gallery too if there s time.
there is time for stk/time to do sth If we
leave now. there should be time for a little shopping.
find, time/make time famd taim
meiк taim to arrange your plans so that you have enough time to do something, because you think it is important + for /'m really busy but I try to make time for my family.
find/make time to do sth a nurse who always finds time to talk to her patients
22
when you do not have enough time
not Have time/have no time /not
haev taim, hxv ,пэо taim to not have enough time to do something: / can't talk now - I don't have time. + to do sth She had to leave immediately - she had no time to explain why.
+ for She doesn't have much time for
reading.
there IS ПО time /flear iz ,пэо taim/ use this to say that there is not enough time available to do something: We can't stop to fix it now - there's no time. there is ло time to do stk There was no time to say goodbye to everyone.
run out of time /,глп aot sv taim/ if you
21
run out of time, the time that is available ends before you have finished doing something: I didn't finish all the questions in the test. I ran out of time.
tired after exercise or work
tired ,/tai3rd/ [adj\ if you are tired, you feel that you want to rest because you have done a lot of work, walked or travelled a long way etc: / usua//y feel too tired to cook dinner after a day at the office. I the tired faces of the children in the back of the car
get tired (=start to feel tired) Can we stop soon? I m getting really tired. tired out (=very tired) We were tired out after a long day's skiing.
exhausted /ig'zxst^d/ [adj] very tired, especially because you have been doing a sport or other hard physical activity, and you have used all your energy: By the end of the race the runners all looked exhausted.
completely/absolutely exhausted We
had been walking for over 20 m iles, and we were completely exhausted.
worn out wD:rn 'aot/ [adj not before noun] so tired that you cannot do anything more, especially because you have been working hard: Come in and sit down. You look worn out. I She had spent the whole morning cleaning, washing, and ironing, and now she was completely worn out.
/К Don't say 'very worn out'. Say completely worn out
Oknackered зягпбн beat american
TIRED
У
t
£
%
£ ft
В
й ffi
Л
25
д
see also sleep, boring/bored, wake
up/get up
/К Don't confuse tired (=when you feel that you must rest) and tiring (=when something makes you feel tired) I'm really tired. I What a tiring day!
/"nackd'd, bi it/ [adj not before noun] spoken informal very tired: I've been up since four o'clock this morning - I'm absolutely knackered! I You look beat - what have you been doing?
Knackered is very informal. Only use it when you are talking to friends, especially young people.
В wanting to sleep
tai3rd/ [adj] if you are tired, you feel that you want to sleep: The kids were really tired, so we sent them to bed. I I was going to watch the late-night movie, but I was just too tired.
sleepy /sliipi; [adj] if you are sleepy, you want to sleep immediately and your eyes are starting to close: It was 11.30. and I was starting to feel sleepy. I We arrived at the hotel late at night, and were too sleepy to notice how beautiful it was. sleepily [adu] "What time is it?" she said sleepily.
drowsy 'draozi/ [adj] starting to sleep because you are in a warm place or because you have drunk alcohol or taken medicine: Lisa leaned back in her chair. The wine had made her drowsy. I You shouldn't drive after taking these pills - they can make you drowsy.
yawn /р:п/ [v I] to open your mouth very wide and breathe in very deeply through your mouth because you are tired: / couldn't stop yawning, I was so tired. I Vanessa yawned. "I'm going to bed. NightГ
yawn In C] the movement and sound you make when you yawn: There was a big yawn from someone in the back
row.
making you feel tired
tiring tawni]/ [adj] something that is tiring makes you feel tired: The journey was really tiring.
a tiring day/week I've had such a tiring day. I just want to take a bath and go to bed.
exhausting /ig'zoistiq/ [adj] something that is exhausting makes you feel very weak and very tired: I had to drive for nine hours without a break. It was exhausting. I The band has just finished an exhausting world tour.
hard /ha:rd/ [adjl a hard day, journey etc is
one that makes you feel very tired because you have to work very hard, travel a long
distance, or deal with a lot of problems: I've had a really hard day at the office - I think I'll go straight to bed. I It was a long hard walk back to the nearest town. I
Looking after babies is hard work. strenuous 'strenjuos [adj] strenuous
activity, work, or exercise needs a lot of physical effort: My doctor says I mustn 't do any strenuous exercise until I'm fully recovered.
the feeling of being tired
exhaustion /ig'zo:stJ>n [n U] the feeling of being extremely tired and weak because you have used all your energy: After two days marching the troops were close to exhaustion.
/гот/ with exhaustion (=because of exhaustion) One of the players collapsed with exhaustion, and had to be carried off the field.
tiredness /'tai9rdnJ,s/ [n U] the feeling of
being tired: Tiredness and headaches are common signs of stress.
join
separate
/'draozin^s/ [n U] the feeling of wanting to sleep that you sometimes get when you are in a warm place or when you have drunk alcohol or taken medicine: The drug can cause drowsiness.
TOGETHER
mix
Г
see also
i
connected/not connected
together in the same place
TIRED
together /ta'geOaV [adv] The whole family spent Christmas together. 1 Nicola and I were at school together. I I keep all my school books together in my desk.
live side by side /liv said bai said/ if two different groups of people live side by side, they live together peacefully and do not fight with each other: German and Polish peasants had lived side by side there for generations.
doing things together
together t3'gейэг/ [ac/u] when two or more people do something with each other: "Did you build that wall yourself?" "My brother end I did it together." I Were thinking of going on vacation together. I The police and the army worked together to
track down the terrorists.
Ж Don't say 'I play golf together with Marie'. Say Marie and I play golf
together.
side by side >said bai said/ if two different groups of people fight or work side by side, they fight or work together to achieve something, even though there may be big differences between them: Communists and Nationalists fought side by side. I Feminists and religious groups found themselves working side by side to oppose pornography.
in partnership with /in pa:rmarJip
wid/ if people, organizations, or countries work in partnership with each other.
they work together to do something important or useful: The city council is working in partnership with local businesses to build new sports facilities in the area.
things done by people working together
joint dpint [adj only before noun] a joint decision, statement, effort, report etc is made by people or groups working together, not by just one of them: We both wanted to move to Canada - it was a joint decision. I a joint declaration by Israeli and Palestinian leaders
A\ Don't say 'I live together with my parents'. Say | live with my parents or my parents and I live together.
790
combined /kam'baind/ [adj only before noun] combined actions are done by people or groups who try to do something
together which they could not do alone: It took the combined efforts of four police officers and two paramedics to lift the driver from the wreckage. I a combined operation involving troops from the US and Europe
collective ко lektiv [adj only before noun] a collective decision, action, or agreement is made by everyone in a group or organization, not by just one or two of its members: The US wonted the United Nations to take collective action against Iraq.
collective responsibility (=when everyone in a group shares responsibility for its decisions)
El when two things are used together, or added together
together ta'gedy/ \adv] Mix the butter and the sugar together. I That skirt and jacket look really good together. I Together, these two paintings are worth more than £10.000.
combined /kam'baind/ [adj only before nounl a combined amount includes rwo or more amounts added together; the combined effect of two or more things is the effect that they have together. The combined value of the investments is $5 billion. I Her two latest records have sold a combined total of 14 million copies. I He was suffering from the combined effects of heat and exhaustion.
TOOL
a piece of equipment you use for repairing, cutting, or making
things
REPAIR— —CUT
\ я
see also
* \
equipment machine
tool tu:l [n C| a thing that you hold in
your hand and use to repair, cut. or make something: He couldn't finish repairing the engine because he didn't have the right tools. I I keep all my tools in the garage. I gardening tools + for a tool for cutting metal tool kit (=a set of tools that are kept together)
tool bo* (=a strong box that tools are kept
in)
instrument / mstr^mant; (n CI a small
Spanner BRITISH
Wrench AMERICAN
hammer
tool
tool used especially by doctors and scientists, for doing careful or delicate work: I
sat in the dentist 's chair and looked at the row of instruments beside me.
gadget gced^t/ In C] a small tool that has been cleverly designed to help you do something more easily: a clever little gadget that lets you chop vegetables into attractive shapes I electronic gadgets, such as a watch that you can use as a phone
A
di'vais [n C] a piece of equipment that has been cleverly designed to do a particular job. for example one that makes measurements, records sounds or movements, or controls the operation of a machine: An EEG is a device that records electrical activity in the brain. + for a thermostatic device for controlling temperature 1 The farmers there still use the 'Archimedes Screw\ an ancient device for raising water from a lake or well.
TOO/TOO MUCH
Don't confuse too (=more than enough, more than is right, or more than is necessary) and very. Don't say 'it's too interesting'. Say it's very interesting or its really interesting.
too
tOO tu:/ [adv] more than is right or necessary, or more than you want: They didn't give him the job. They said he was too old. I You mustn't work too hard. I It's too hot in here.
too big/small/tired etc to do sth The car
was too wide to get through the gate. 1
She's still too upset to talk about it.
far too small/much too big etc $200! That's far too expensive. I He was driving much too fast.
Don't say 'it's a too big house'. Say the house is too big. Don't use too big, too fast, too difficult etc before a noun.
A
Don't say 'he was too much old'. Say he was too old or he was much too old. Don't use too much before an adjective that is not followed by a noun, just use too.
too old/quick/big etc for My room's too narrow for a king-size bed.
A
В too much or too many
Use too much before uncountable nouns, and too many before countable nouns. Don't say 'there are too much cars'
Say there are too many cars.
too much tu: '!TiAtJ< [guonti/ier] use this about amounts or costs: Jim drinks too much, i That kid talks too much. I You spend too much time worrying about things.
far too much $200 for a room? That's far too much. I I'm afraid I put far too much salt in the soup. + for There was too much baggage for one person to carry.
tOO many ,',tu: тешч' [quantifier] use this
about numbers of people or things: Tve brought some more chairs - I hope I didn't bring too many. 1 She can't come - she says she has too many things to do. far too many Far too many people are unemployed.
+ for There were too many bags for one person to carry.
Too many is used with countable nouns. Too much is used with uncountable nouns.
excessive /ik'sesiv, {adj] use this about an amount, cost, or level which is much too high, especially when you think it is wrong or unfair that it is so high: the excessive use of chemicals in farming I $15 for two cups of coffee seems excessive.
to do something too much
" -- - ■ . 1Л. - I - I . - ,
Don't say 'she works too much'. Say she works too hard.
try/think/push etc too hard (try etc) tu: 'ha:rd/ to do something with too much effort, so that you do not get the result you want: Don't try too hard to impress people. Just be yourself. I Vbu're hitting the ball too hard. I I think you've been working too hard - you need a rest.
Qoverdo it /,3uvar'du: it/ especially spoken to do something too much, especially to do too much work or exercise: You need to take more exercise, but don't
overdo it. I I've been overdoing it lately - it's time I had a vacation. overdoing - overdid - have overdone
Overreact /.aovari'sekt/ [u 1] to get too angry or too worried when something happens which is not in fact very serious: Don't you think you're overreacting a little? I'm only ten minutes late. + to People have overreacted to the advertisement - we didn'i intend to offend anyone.
to say something is much bigger, worse etc than it really is
exaggerate !g'za:d;preit [u I/T] to say
that something is much bigger, better, worse, more important etc than it really is: "He said you walked 30 miles." "Oh, no! He's exaggerating." I Newspapers tend to exaggerate their influence on the way people vote.
exaggeration /ig/^d^'reipm [n C/U]
when someone says that something is bigger. better, worse, more important etc than it really is: The report says that 500 people were killed in the blast, but I think that's an exaggeration. it is an exaggeration to say/suggest etc sth It would be an exaggeration to say that we never disagreed. but we certainly worked well together
not too much
not too much ,.nnt tu: itiaIJ Not too
much pizza for me please, Tm on a diet.
not eat/drink/talk etc too much Don't talk too much now - you need to rest.
moderate /'moduli'mu:- [adj] not too
much - use this about eating, drinking, and other things that could be unhealthy if you did them too much: Moderate exercise. such as walking and swimming, can help to preuenf heart disease. I Some
doctors believe that moderate drmking is good for you.
in moderation /in .niDda'reiJVml-.ma:-/ if you eat or drink something in moderation. you do not eat or drink too much of it: in moderation, fatty foods are not bad for you. I He only drinks in moderation.
TOTAL
the number or amount that there is when everything has been
counted
^ see also count/calculate, number
a total
total 'tootl [n С] the number or amount
that there is, when everything has been counted or added together- If you add 30
and 45. the total is 75. a total of The three defendants were jailed for a total of 30 years. 1 A total of $950 million was spent on the new transportation system.
total /'tsotl/ [adj only before noun} the total number or amount is the number that there is when everything has been counted. You can use total with these words: number, amount, cost, value, income, earnings, population, workforce: The total cost was far higher than we had expected. I People of Chinese origin made up about 10% of the total population.
altogether/in all in oil
[асщ use this when saying or asking what the total amount is. including everything that could be included: If you include the crew, there were 40 of us in all. I How much do I owe you altogether?
when several numbers
produce another number
as a total
come to sth /'клт tu: (sth) [phrasa/ verb T] if the price of something comes to £50, $100 etc, this is the total amount when everything is counted: Including wine, the bill came to $70. I How much does it all come to?
reach ri:tJ [u T] if a total reaches 10. 50,
100 etc, it keeps increasing until it is equal to that number: The famine appeal has reached £45,000. I The city's popula tion is expected to reach 12 million by the year 2010.
make /meik,/ [и T not in passive] if numbers added together make 10, 50, 100 etc, that is the answer or the total: Two
TOUCH
plus two mokes four. I If Jane comes, that makes six of us. \ There are also eight submarines, making a total fleet of
34 ships.
making - make - have made
add up to sth /,жd лр tui (sth)/ [phrasa/
verb T] if a set of several numbers adds up to 10, 50 etc, that is the total when you add them all together. The numbers in each line add up to nine. I With the hotel, the fights, and the food, it all added up to much more than I had expected.
TOUCH
D to put your hand on someone or something
touch /utf/ (и T] to put your fingers or hand onto someone or something: Don't touch the plates - they're hot! ) I cut my knee last week, and it still hurts if I touch it. I Someone's hand touched her arm. She turned around and saw it was Maria.
feel /fill/ [у T] to touch something in order to find out how hard, soft, hot, cold etc it is: Just feel this material -it's so soft! I The nurse felt his forehead to see if he had a fever.
feeling - felt - have felt
run your hand over/alongI across/through etc /,глп >:r 'haend
(over etc)/ to move your hand gently
across the surface of something, for example to feel what it is like: She ran her hand over the glossy cover of the magazine. 1 Mr Roberts ran his hand across his bald head and smiled nervously.
rub /глЬ/ [v T] to move your hands or fingers quickly backwards and forwards over part of your body, while pressing down, especially in order to make a pain less severe: Cofin yawned and rubbed his eyes. I Bill had fallen on the path, and was rubbing his knee.
rubbing - rubbed - have rubbed
scratch /skraetf/ [и I/T] to rub your finger nails hard on part of your skin, for example because it feels painful or uncomfortable: Don't scratch. It'll make the itching worse. I She was scratching her arm where the mosquito had bitten her. I He sat scratching his head, trying to think of the answer.
fiddle with sth/play with sth /fidl
wid (sth), plei wiQ (sth)/ (phrasa/ verb T] to
hold something small in your hands and
keep moving it around, especially because you are nervous or bored: She fiddled nervously with her watch strap.
Ei to touch someone in a gentle or loving way
stroke /strsok/ [и T] to move your hand or fingers over part of someone's body in a gentle, loving way: Tim sat beside her and began stroking her arm. I Every time you fry to stroke the cat it bites your hand.
pat pset/ [у T] to touch someone lightly several times with the flat part of your hand, in order to comfort them or to show them that you are pleased: "Don't worry," he said, patting her hand gently, pat sb on the shoulder/arm/head She bent down and patted the dog on the head.
patting - patted - have patted
tickle I'tiM/ (и T] to move your fingers quickly and gently over a sensitive part of someone's body in order to make them laugh: Stop tickling my feetI
caress /ks'res/ [v T] written to move your hand or fingers gently over part of someone's body in a loving, or sexual way:
Barbara lovingly caressed the baby's
cheek. I He put his arms around her and began caressing her
El when one thing touches another
touch /tAt// [y I/T] if one thing touches another thing, it hits the other thing gently; if two things are touching, there is no space between them: It's possible that part of the crane touched the electricity cable. I My head almost touched the ceiling.
be touching Max and Kate sat side by side, their shoulders touching.
lean against sth /li:n agenst (sth)/
[phrasa/ verb T] if something leans against a wall, a fence etc, it touches the wall, fence etc and is supported by it: There was an old bicycle leaning against the side of the shed.
ы what something feels
like when you touch it
feel /fill/ M if something feels cold, hot. smooth, rough etc, this is the feeling it gives you when you touch it: When I touched his hands they felt really cold, feel like sth The material feels like cotton but it's actually synthetic.
feeling - felt - have felt
texture tekstJor/ [n C/U] the way a surface. material, or substance feels when you touch it, especially how rough or smooth it feels: The wood had a lovely smooth texture.
in texture (=in the way something feels) The skin of the fruit is rather coarse in texture.
C^feel /fill/ [n singular] especially spoken the way something feels when you touch it, especially something that feels pleasant + of I like the feel of soft wool against my skin.
-Cword4
TOURISM
^ see pages 796-798
TOWN
see also countryside, area,
houses/where people live
II a place with houses, streets, and shops
town /taon/ [n C] a place with houses, streets, shops etc, which is bigger than a village and smaller than a city: a small town in the Midwest I I live in a town near Paris called St Germaine-en-Laye.
city /'siti/ [n C] a big and important town: You should visit San Francisco. It's a beautiful city. I More and more people moved to the cities, which became increasingly overcrowded. the city of Belfast/Jerusalem/Boston etc written The city of Barcelona is famous
for its wonderful architecture. 1 the ancient city of Petra plural cities
You can also use city before a noun, like an adjective: I don't much like city life. I city traffic I the old city walls
village vilid^ [n С] a place with a few
houses, shops etc, which is in the countryside and is much smaller than a town: There are some nice pubs in the villages around here, i Benjamas left her village in the north of Thailand and went to live in Bangkok.
AS. American people do not usually use the word village to talk about places in the US. They usually say small town |
capital kaep^tl/ [л С] the city where the government of a country or state is: Rome is one of the world's most beautiful cap- itaJs.
the capital of France/Korea etc "What's
the capital of Kenya?" 'Nairobi."
state capital (=of one of the states in a
large country) Sacramento is the state
capital of California.
capital city (=the capital) Dublin, the
capita! city of Ireland
urban /'-йгЬэп/ [adj only before noun] in or connected with a city or cities - use this about places or people in cities, or about things that happen in cities or affect cities:
The problem of air pollution is especially
serious in urban areas. I China's growing
urban population I urban planning urban poverty/unemployment etc Urban unemployment continues to rise.
El the centre of a town or city
centre British center american /'sent3r/ (n C] the part of a town or city where most of the shops, banks, theatres etc are + of I work in the centre of London, so I can easily go shopping after work. city centre/city center A bomb went off in the city center and 19 people were killed.
town centre British She's gone into the town centre to do some shopping.
town continues on page 799
vocabulary
accommodation especially british accommodations
american /akoma'deipn^l^ka:-/ (n U/plural] a room or other place to stay when you are away from home, for example a hotel: 77>e 7ourisf Office can help you find accommodations, I The accommodation was great, but the food was awful
B&B/bed and breaJc/ast/bi: and bir, bed and brekfcst/
[n C] We stayed in a little B& В in the Coltswolds.
book especially вален make a reservation especially
A Last year I went to Florida Keys. I like watersports so I went windsurfing, waterskiing, and scuba diving.
TOURISM
^^ I want to relax and laze around by the pool but my girlfriend's really interested in culture. She likes to go to museums and galleries and places like that.
american /Ык, ,meik э res3rveipn/ |n T| if you book а flight, a room etc, you arrange to travel on a plane, stay in a hotel etc at a particular time in the future: Have you booked your flight yet? I I've made a reservation at the Holiday /nn.
In American English, book js mostly used about flights rather than hotels
brochure /breoJV, -/сю^Ьгэи/оэг/ (n C] a book advertising the holidays that a company sells, usually printed on shiny paper and full of photographs
camping /кжтрп]/ [n U] when you visit an area and stay in a tent: The children love camping. qc camping We went camping last summer,
campsite brtush campground american /kaempsait, 'k^mpgraond/ [n C] a place where you can stay in a tent for a holiday, usually with a water supply and toilets, and often with other services such as a swimming pool and a shop; It was late Friday when we arrived at the camp- ground.
condominium (also coado) american apartment
ж
brthsh /.копсЬ'тниэт, koncfou, э'роЛтаЦ/ (n U| a set of rooms, inducfaig a kitchen and a bathroom, thai you can
TOURISM
1 net weir I ii/onl nmninn Tho г amrnitp
was yuuu UUL LI 1С wean ICI ICIHUIC.
So this year I'm going to stay in a hotel or a B&B, or
maybe I'll rent л condominium.
A You can get some really good package deals, you
know - especially off-season. It's much cheaper than hooking your flight and accommodations separately. And they organize ex<ursions 50 you car see the sights.
rent and stay in when you are on holiday: We've rented a condo in Texas. I a holiday apartment in Spain
culture flovltJV/ [n Ui the art, music, literature, and history of a country or area
excursion Ak'slnsrj3n|-3JiV [n C] a short journey arranged so that tourists can visit an interesting place, especially while they are already on holiday: We went on an excursion to the Pyramids.
ftig ht/flait/ In C) a journey on a plane: Did you have a good flight? I / booked my flight to Moscow today
hotel/teulel/ [n Cja building when you pay to stay and eat meals.
Hotels are given 'stars' to show their quality. Five-star hotels are the very best hotels: a four-star botef with two restaurants and a wimnvng pool
laze around /Jeiz rtaund/ [р/irasa/ verb Ц to relax and
enjoy yourself by sitting or lying down and not dang anything active like walking or swimming
nightlife Aiaitlaif/ (n U] entertainment in the evening and night, such as bars and nightclubs: The only nightlife in the town is based on a feui discos and cheap bars.
off season fpi 'siiT^n^orf-y [adj/adv] during the time erf year when not many people go on holiday
package deal (also package tour amehican package
holiday ewnsH /ржЫз .did, 'paekicft tuar, ptekidj "holЈdi/) (n CI a holiday arranged by a company that includes travel, a place to stay, and sometimes meals, ail
for a fixed price
relax /n'teks/ [v IJ to make yourself feel calmer, less tired and less worried, by resting or doing somethaTg епруаЫе: He works hard all year and tike to relax when he's on vacation.
resort Ai*z3rt/ (n Q a town where a lot of people often go
for holidays
tourism continues on the next page a ttosidc/bcaclt/niountaiit/ski resort Wte spent two days in Bangkok, and four days in the seaside resort of РШnya.
scuba divlng/skud» .daivny [n ui the sport of suimming under water using special breathing equipment flghtf/sails/ {n pkiral) the famous and interesting places that tourists often visit
see til* stylus («spend time visiting the sights) We spent the afternoon walking around Rome, seeing all the sights. tlflhtSWlna/saitsiaiy wten you visit famous or interesting places as a tourist: By this time, I was sick of sightseeing. 90 dghts**ing After lunch, we went sightseeing.
tourisпуюявдц/1" Ш the business sefing hoodays and prowcing things for people to do. places for them to stay etc virile they are on holiday: The country depends on tourism for most of its income.
moss tourism. (« when there are very many tourists rt an
But I don't want to go any where that's too touristy. There are too many tourists in some
resorts.
Some places have been * ruined by mass tourism
area and this changes its character.) tottriftyltttostfl*Q someone who travete or visas a place
for pleasure
touristy Awnsri/ informal a place that is touristy has a lot of tourists visiting it, often with the result that it becomes less attractive or interesting: Vancouver's Chinatown is less touristy than San Francisco's. trevt I ogtrtfi/travtl apncy/tneval .eidpnts, tnevgl ,eid3dnsi/ (n C| a business that arranges travel and holidays vacottoRAMKicAN KoUdai ^msH /valceifiai, hdjdc|veh
, hcd^dei/ (n С] a time when you leave yotr home and stay in another place to rest and enjoy yourself 90 on vacation/go on holiday She went on vacation to the Bahamas for two weeks.
water skUna/wxfer ,skiai)/ [n U) a sport where you wear skis and are puled across the surface of the sea by a boat 90 water skiing I went water skiing - it was great fun. wattrsperts/vwrt^^pec^ [n plural] sports played on or
ш water
TOURISM
о
wWsuifiifl/wind^jrtiyin Ul the spoitof safeig across water by stanclng or a bo^arri holing on to a largest
town continued from page 795
downtown 'daon taon, [adu] amkrican in or to the part of a city where most of the shops, banks, theatres etc are: She lives in a really beautiful apartment downtown. go downtown I have to go downtown
later.
downtown [adj only before noun] a downtown hotel I Rick got into his car and headed in the direction of downtown San Francisco.
Qin town in 'taon/ British spokkn in the part of a town or city where most of the shops, theatres etc are: / suggest we meet somewhere in town and have lunch together.
go into town I'm going into town. Do \jou want anything?
inner city/inner-city тэг siti [adj
only before noun] inner city areas are areas close to the centre of a big city, where many poor people live and there are often social problems: Crime is a big problem in inner-city areas. I children from inner city schools (=schools in inner city areas)
the areas at the edge of a town or city
suburb 'sAb3:rb/ [n C) an area outside the centre of a city, where many people live because it is quieter and there is more space than in the centre the suburbs More and more people are moving to the suburbs every year, a suburb of Tokyo/New York etc They have just bought a house in Pacific Palisades, a wealthy suburb of Los Angeles.
A
suburban /$э'Ьз:гЬэп/ [adj] in the suburbs: a typical suburban house
Don't say 'I live in the suburb' or 'I live in suburbs'. Say I live in the suburbs.
the outskirts /Лi: 'aotskx'ts, (n plural] the areas around the edge of a city or just outside it
the outskirts of Tokyo/London etc By 9
o'clock we reached the outskirts of Berlin.
on the outskirts There are plans to build a giant shopping centre on the outskirts of Glasgow.
A Don't say 'in the outskirts'. Say on the
outskirts: We live on the outskirts of fown.
out-of-town I'aot 3Y taon/ [adj only
before nounj out-of-town shops are built outside a town, so that people from the town have to drive to them: an out of town shopping centre
the town where you are from
A
Коте town 'hsom taon [n C] the town where you were born or where you lived as a child, or where you live now: Johnson lived in Seattle for ten years before returning to his home town of Cody, Wyoming. Sarajevo is my home town and I did not want to leave
In spoken English use I'm from when you want to say where you were born or lived as a child: I'm from Tokyo. Where are
you from?
Коте /haom/ [n Cj the place where you were born or the place where you usually live, especially if this is where you feel happy and want to live: I've lived in Paris for many years, and it feels like home to me now. I Her home, she said, was in Hong Kong, but she hadn't been there since she was a child.
TRADITION
a belief or custom that has existed among a group of people for a very long time
see also festivals and special days,
marry
a tradition
tradition /trs'dipn/ [n С] a belief, custom, or a way of doing something that has existed for a very long time in a particular country or among a particular group of people: A lot of the old traditions are dying out. 1 We always go for a long walk on Christmas morning - it's a family traditon. I The story of Dracula is based on various Eastern European traditions.
+ of The region has a tradition of wine- mcking which goes back to Roman times.
+ that the tradition that the eldest son inherits all the money
traditional tro'dipnnl, \adj\ belonging to the tradirions of a country or group of people - use this about music, food, clothes, customs etc: They play traditional Irish music. I dancers wearing traditional African costume I the traditional British breakfast of eggs, bacon, and sausages it is traditional to do sth In the US it is traditional to hang candy canes on the Christmas tree.
traditionally \adv] a special dish that is
traditionally eaten at New Year
custom .'клчют/ (n С] a way of behaving that has existed for a long time among a group of people, and is considered normal or polite - use this especially to talk about other countries or other times: an old Chinese custom
it is tKe custom (for sb) to do sth It is
the custom in Japan to take your shoes off when you go into someone's house. I In those days it was the custom for farmers to give part of their crop to the lord of the manor
the custom of doing sth The custom of
sending birthday cards began in the 19th century.
all the customs and beliefs of a country or group
tradition /trs'dipn [n U] all the beliefs and ways of behaving that have existed for a very long time in a particular country or among a particular group of people: Many Americans originated from Ireland, so there is a great respect for Irish tradition in the US. by tradition (=according to a tradition) By tradition, it is the bride's parents who pay for the wedding.
folklore ;"faukb:7 [n U] old stories which the people in a country or area have told each other for a very long time, and which often contain historical or religious ideas: According to folklore, Arthur will one day return to become King of Britain. I In folklore the snake is often a symbol
of evil.
a special event that is part of a tradition
ceremony /'serimanill-mauni' In CI a
special formal event which is part of the religious or social tradition of a place, and
in which there is a fixed set of words and actions: After the ceremony we went to a reception at the bride's parents house.
hold a ceremony (=have a ceremony) A ceremony is held every year to remember those who died in the war. •jrur;! ceremonies
ceremonial ser^'m^jnioU [ad;] use this about something that is part of a ceremony or that is used in a ceremony: a ceremonial sword
ritual ntjuol. [n C/U] a set of words and
actions that are always done in the same way as part of a religious ceremony: As part of this ancient ritual, the people paint their faces blue to symbolize the ghosts of childhood, perform a ritual The ritual is performed in order to thank the Sun Goddess for the rice harvest.
woftd
houday
go
вл^ ^TRANSPORT
see pages 802-805
TRAVEL
TRANSPORT
\ t
see also
j v
JOURNEY tourism
II to travel to a place
90 Igsoi [u J] to go to a place that is far Irom where you live, especially for a holiday or for business
go to/across etc We're going to Malta this summer. I Mexico? I've never been there. I She often goes to Tokyo on business.
go abroad (=go to a different country) My
grandparents haue never been abroad. going - went - have gone/have been
Have gone and have been are used in different ways. Compare these sentences: She's gone to Moscow (=she is there now and has not come back yet). I I've been to Moscow (=1 have visited it at some time in the past, but I'm not there now).
travel tnev,?l [i> I] to make a journey from one place to another - use this either to talk about going to a place that is far away, or about a journey that you make regularly, for example :o work or school travel to/through/there etc Jack spent the summer travelling around Europe. travel 50 km/100 miles etc Some of these people had travelled 50 miles to find food. + to 1 usually travel to work by car. travelling - travelled - have travelled
HH Nli
traveling - traveled - have traveled
Use go to talk about where you go to. Use travel to talk about the journey itself.
AMi ".u'-v,
A
sail /sell/ [u I) to travel by any kind of boat or ship: We sailed from Southampton on
May 6th.
by car/boat/plane/train /bai ko:r,
'x Don't say 'with the train', 'with my car' etc. Say by train, by car etc.
'baot. plein, trem/ travelling in a car, boat, plane, or train: "Did you come by car?" "No. I took the train." I Some of the beaches can only be reached by boat.
ОП foot on tot if you go somewhere on foot, you walk there: They are trying to cross the Antarctic on foot.
take /teik (и T] if you take a train, bus, or plane, you travel in it: We can take the
train or drive - it doesn 't matter. taking - took - have taken
by air/by sea/by land bai eor, bai si:, bai lamd/ if you travel by air, by sea. or by land, you travel by plane, in a boat, or on land: It's much quicker if you go by air but it's also more expensive.
the activity of travelling
A
travel /'travel/ In U] the activity of travel ling: The job involves a lot of travel. air/space/road/ rai (/travel New tech nology has made air travel much safer.
You can also use travel before a noun, like an adjective: a travel writer (^someone who writes about travelling) I travel expenses (=money that your employer pays you for travelling somewhere)
Don't say 'the travel' when you mean 'the journey' or the trip: The journey to Scotland took over 5 hours (not 'the travel').
В different ways of travelling
/'draw/ [u I) to travel in a car: Jenny drove down to the coast for the weekend.
driving - drove - have driven
fly flai/ [и II to travel by plane: My mother never liked flying. I Russell flew to New York with United.
flying - flew - have flewn
someone who is travelling
traveller British traveler american
/'tr<ev«?lar/ In C] someone who is on a journey: The First Class section is mostly used by business travellers. 1 an interesting book about European travellers in Africa in the 19th century
air/rail travellers 80,000 air travellers pass through the terminal every day.
passenger /'paesmd39r, -sjn-j [л C] someone who is travelling in a car, boat, plane, or train, but is not the driver or pilot: The driver and his three passengers were all killed in the crash. I The airport is full of angry passengers held up by the strike.
tourist tu^st,' [n C} someone who travels aro nd and visits places for pleasure, while they are on holiday: Oxford is full of tourists in the summer.
travel continues on page 806
TRANSPORT
Л There was a really long queue at
the ticket office, so I got my ticket from the ticket machine. Then I
rushed to the platform and got on to the train. Fortunately my train had been delayed, and so it was
journey
travel
\ t
would have missed it.
vocabulary
airport /,еэрэ:г1/ (n CJ the building where you go at the beginning and end of a journey by plane
arrivals /araiv^lz/ [n U] the area in an airport where you go after you get off the plane
arrivals board /s'raivjiz ,bo:rd/ [n C] a large piece of equipment at an airport or station which shows information about which planes or trains are arriving and at what time
board /,bo:rd/ [и 1Я1 to get on a plane, ship, train or bus
boarding card /ЪМщ ,ka:rd/ {n CI a piece of card
with your name and seat number printed on it, you show before you get on a plane or ship
bus stop /Ълs stDp|-,stoip/ In C) the place at the side of the road where buses stop for passengers
by bus/taxi/train/ferry/car etc/bai (bus, etc)/ using a bus, a taxi etc: "Did you come by car?" "No, by train."
cabin /kaeb^n/ fn CI a small room inside a ship where you can sleep
change /tjemdj/ [u I/T) to get out of one train, bus, or plane and get into another in order to continue your journey
+ at Is it a direct flight?""No, we have to change at Bangkok."
check in /,t/ek in/ [phrasa/ verb I] to go to the desk at an airport to show your ticket, give them your
bags and get a boarding card check-in desk brttish с Keck-in counter ameri can /'tjek m desk, tjek in kauntaV |n C] the place at an airport where you check in
customs /'kAstamz/ (n U] the place where your bags are checked for goods that you should not bring into a country
go through customs (=walk through the part of the
airport or port where your bags are checked)
deck /dek/ (n CI a flat area that you can walk on on the outside or upper surface of a ship
be delayed /.bi: di'leid/ if a train, plane etc is delayed, it will arrive or leave later than the time expected
be delayed by IS minutes/2 hours etc Our flight was delayed by 2 hours.
departures /di'pa:rtjVz/ |n plural) the place in an airport where you go before you get on the plane departures board /di'pa:rt/3rz,t»:rd/ |n CI a large piece of equipment at an airport or station which shows information about which planes or trains are leaving and at what time
departure lounge /di'par'tJVz Jaundj/ [n C] the place in an airport where you sit and wait just before you get on your plane
destination /.destj'neij^n/ |n C] the place that you
are travelling to dining car also buffet car brttish fdaimi) ,koir, bofei .tai^-tofei/ (n C) the part of a train where
TRANSPORT
i
#kThe train journey wasn't too bad, and I i ^managed to get some sandwiches and 1 some coffee from the dining car.
У
\
^The train was packed.
т
/
My train arrived in London. Then / had to get the underground to the airport
Г
OK, w I go three stops along this line, and ihen change.
you can buy food or drink
duty-free /djuiti Tri:4du:-/ [adj! duty-free goods are things such as cigarettes, alcohol, and perfume you can buy at airports or on ships without paying the full price because there is no tax on them
ferry /'feri/ (и С] a boat that carries people, and sometimes also cars, across a river or across narrow parts of a sea
by Jerry We went to Manhattan by ferry.
/light /flail/ |n C] a journey on a plane: Did you have a good flight? I I booked my flight to Cairo today.
ЯУ /№ [11 to travel by plane: Yoj can fly direct from London to Tokyo.
gate /geit/ [n CI the place where you leave the airport building to get on a plane: Wbu/d passengers for flight BA423 please proceed to gate 34.
get a bus I train! taxi BRmsH take a bus/ tram/taxi American /'get э (bus, etc), 'teik э (bus, etc)/ to use a bus, train or taxi in order to travel
somewhere
get on /get on|-'a:n/ [phrasa/ verb I/T] to go into а bus, train etc at the beginning of a journey: Vmce got on the plane and found his seat.
get off /get 'dfl-'af/ |phrasal verb УТ] to leave a bus, train etc at the end of a journey: The train stopped and I got off, but then 1 realized I'd left my bag behind.
ж Vou get on a bus, train, plane, or ship, but you get in or get into a car or taxi: She kissed him, and then got into her car and drove away.
Vou get off a bus, train, plane, or ship, but you get out of a car or taxi: Both drivers got out of their cars and started shouting at each other.
get to /get tu:/ \phrasal verb T] to arrive at the place you are travelling to
give sb a lift British give sb a ride amerjcan /,giv (sb) э lift, ,giv (sb) 3 'raid/ to take someone somewhere in your car
go by bus/taxi/trairi//erry/car etc /-gao Ьа» (bus, etc)/ to travel by bus, taxi etc: It'll be much quicker if we go by taxi.
journey/trip Afcs'ni, trip/ |n C} when you travel from one place to another: Did you have a good trip?
train/car/bus etc journey an eight hour car journey
train/car/bus etc trip The bus trip back to Fort Lewis took two hours.
transport continues on the next page
TRANSPORT
A I arrived at the airport, found the right terminal, " and got a trolley. Then I went to check in.
went through security, where my bag was scanned.
check-in desk
Here's your boarding card to gate 17
AKAJVAiS^
f- pefA^TuKES
{Л I went to the duty-free shop, and ^^ then waited in the departure lounge. I waited there a long time - my flight was delayed by 4 hours.
A
In American English, *"р is the usual word for any journey. In British English, trip js the usual word when you travel somewhere, stay for a short time, and then travel back again. Journey [$ used especially when you travel a long way or for a long time.
(and flaend/ ju I] if a plane lands, it moves down onto the ground at the end of a journey
/lam/ [n C] the track that a train travels along regularly, stopping at the same stops every time luggage /4AgidV [n ui the bags and cases that you take with you when you are travelling
,n'ss /mis/ {T} to be too late for your train, flight etc so that it leaves before you can catch it: Guy overslept and almost missed his flight. on time /Dn 'taim/ arriving at the correct time and not late; These buses are never on time.
pack /рЖк/ jl/T] to put things into a bag or case to take with you on a journey-. Have you packed yet? packed /p^kt/ {ad}\ informal extremely crowded, so that you cannot move easily, and it is difficult to find anywhere to sit or stand passenger /"pajsmd^V, -s^n-/ |n CI someone who
pays to travel on a boat, bus, train, or plane etc passport control fpa^pxH кэпдгэоЦ'ра*-/ (n U] the place where your passport is checked when you
leave or enter a country
go through passport control (=walk through the part of an airport or port where your passport is checked)
platform /'plaetfaW [n CJ the place beside a railway track where you get on and off a train in a station
port /pxTt/ (n CI a place where ships start and finish their journeys
public transport brhish public transportation American /.рлЬЬк transput, .pAblik traen- spoi'tei/Л1 -traenspar-/ {n U| buses, trains etc that are provided for anyone to pay and use: If more people used public transport instead of cars, there ivould be less pollution. queue british line American /kju:, lam/ a line of people waiting to enter a building, buy something etc running late /ГЛШц *ieit/ arriving and leaving later than the planned or expected time be running (ate There has been an accident and ail the trains are running late.
scan /skaen/ (T] if a machine scans a bag, it produces a picture of what is inside the bag on a screen, so that officials can check that the bag doesn't contain anything dangerous or illegal seasick /'sn.sik/ lad;] feeling as if you want to vomit because of the movement of a boat that you are travelling on
seat /siit/ |n Cj a place on a bus, train etc where you
805
TRANSPORT
TRANSPORT
Ц}\ Eventually we boarded and then ^ took off There was a lot of turbulence during the flight, and some of the other passengers got very
nervous
|C\ The ferry took 12 hours ™ and I was seasick. Eventually I arrived at my destination, and got off the boat.
®We landed in Athens, and I went through passport control and customs. You can fly to Crete, but it's cheaper to go by ferry, so I got a taxi to the port, t couldn't afford a cabin on the ferry, so 1 just got a seat.
can sit
security /si'kju^riti/ |n U| the part of an airport where people s bags are checked for weapons, bombs, or other illegal articles go thro 119К security (=walk through the part of the airport where security checks are made) station (also train station especially american) /'steij>n, trein ,steij>n/ [n CJ a place where trains stop so that people can get on or off: The city's central station is right next to the river.
Stop /stDpfstapI [n С] a place where a bus or train regularly stops for people to get on or off: I must get off - this is my stop.
take 10 minutes/three Hoars etc /teik (10
minutes, etc)/ if a journey takes 10 minutes/ three hours etc, you need 10 minutes/three hours, etc to make the journey
take off /teik Df]-\):f/ [Ij if a plane takes off, it goes
up into the air at the beginning of a flight terminal ft^m^l/ [п С] a large building at an airport or port where people begin and end their journeys
ticket /Ыф/ |n CJ a small printed piece of paper that shows you have paid to travel on a train, bus, plane etc
ticket machine Aik't ma.Jtn/ [n CJ a machine that
you put money in to get a ticket ticket office /tikit ,0fisj- tf-/ (n Cj a place where
you can buy tickets timetable British schedule american /'taimteilwl, 'Jedju:l|-'sked3ul/ |n C] a list of the times when buses or trains arrive and leave
track Дгаек/ |n CJ the two metal lines that trains travel along
transport British transportation american /transput, traenspai'teipnl-.traenspsr-/ (n U1 a system for carrying people and goods from one place to another
trolley british baggage cart american /'troli, baegid3 ,ka:rt|'tra:-/ (n CI a metal basket or frame on wheels that you put your bags on to move them around in an airport or station
turbulence Axillaris/ (n U| irregular movements of a plane caused by strong movements of air which can make your journey uncomfortable the underground /ai 4ndargraund/ In singular! in London, the system of trains that run under the ground
In London the underground train
system is called the underground or tube,
in Paris it is called the metro, and in New
York and other American cities it is called the subway
buying a ticket
reserve (also book British) riz3:rv. buk [v T) to arrange for a seat on a plane, bus. or train to be kept for you to use: id like to reserve a seat on the six o'clock flight to Miami. I We booked our tickets months in advance.
reservation /jez^'veipn.,. [n C] an arrangement for a seat on a plane, bus, or train to be kept for you to use: Do you have a reservation9
make a reservation I managed to make a reservation on the last flight to Houston that night.
ticket /'tik^t/ [n С] a piece of paper or card which shows that you have paid to travel on a bus, train, plane etc one-way ticket (also single ticket British)
(=a ticket to go to a place, but not to come back)
round-trip ticket (also return ticket British)
(=a ticket to go to a place and come back) season ticket (=a ticket that you can use every day for a period of time)
travel continued from page 801
TRAVEL
A In British English you can also say a single (=a single ticket) or a return (=a
return ticket) A single to Cambridge; please.
fare /fe3r/ jn C] the amount of money you pay to travel on a bus, train, plane etc: Last year fares went up by 20%. air/rail/train/bus/taxi /are cheap air
сжат
fares to New York
TRICK/DECEIVE
dishonest
\ t something that is not true, in order to get something from them or make them do something. / realized then that ! hod been tricked, but it was too late. trick sb into doing stH The old man s sons had tricked him into signing the papers, trick sb out o/stK Make something from someone by tricking them) They (ricked her out of all her money.
deceive drsi:v [v T] especially written to make someone who trusts you believe something that is not true because it is useful for you if they believe it: He had been deceiving his wife for years - she thought he was working late but all the time he was with Paula. I This was a deliberate attempt to deceive the public.
fool fu:l/ [f T to make someone believe something that is not true by using a clever but simple trick: His false moustache didn 't fool anyone.
fool sb into doing stH They managed to fool the police into thinking they had left the country.
C^you can't /ool me spoken You can't fool me - I know he's already given you the money.
mislead misli:d/ \v T] to make people believe something that is not true, by deliberately not giving them all the facts or by saying something that is only partly
true: McFarlane admitted he had misled Congress. I They were accused of mis- leading customers about the nutritional value of their product.
misleading - misled - have misled misleading [adj] misleading informa
806
tion or statements make people believe something that is not true, especially by not giving them all the facts: The article was misleading, and the newspaper has now apologized.
ue2
see also
4 V
TWIST/ NOT TRUST
to deliberately make someone believe something that is not true
honest
false
trick /tnk/ [u TJ to make someone believe
something you do in order to trick someone
trick /tnk/ [n C] a clever plan designed to make someone believe something that you want them to believe, or do something that you want them to do: The phone call from the hospital was a trick to get him out of the office, a trick question (=a question that is cleverly designed to make someone give a wrong answer)
trap /traep/ (л С] a clever plan designed to harm someone, for example by making them go somewhere where they will be caught or attacked, or making them say something they did not intend to say: Suspecting о trap. I didn't take the money with me.
right
FALSE
trust/not trust
/all into a trap (=be deceived because you did not realize someone was trying to trick you) King asked her a question about taxes, and she fell into his trap.
TRUE/NOT TRUE
DISHONEST
^ t
honest
see also
cheat
i \
trkk/decexve
tell sb the truth You should have told him the truth.
Ж Don't say 'she's saying the truth'. Say she's telling the truth
accurate "lekftrot [adj] accurate information, figures, descriptions etc are based on facts that are exactly right, and do not contain mistakes: It is important that people suffering from the disease get accurate information about it. ! He gave an accurate account of what had happened.
it is a /act 11 iz э fiekt, use this to emphasize that something is definitely true, especially when it is surprising or difficult to believe
+ that It is a fact that more young people die in road accidents than from any other cause.
Use it is a fact especially in reports and
discussions.
ШМ true
true ,,tru: {adj\ something that is true is based on real facts and was not invented or imagined: Everything I have told you js true. I The film is based on a true story.
it is true (that) Is it true that Tom and Lesley are getting married?
the truth /&э 'tru:6 [n singular] the true facts about a situation: It took the police a long time to find out the truth
+ about We may never know the truth
about what really happened to Marilyn Monroe.
Qbe the truth spoken (-be true - use this especially to persuade someone that you are not lying) Tve never seen this man before, and that's the truth. Qthe truth is (that) spoken (use this when you are explaining the true facts about something, especially when they are different from what people think) The truth is she's worried about losing her job.
tell the truth /tel cb true/to say what
really happened or what the true situation is: Why won't you believe me? Tm telling the truthl
Eш not true
not true/untrue /nnt tru:. An'tru:/ {adj
not before noun] "No-one ever helps me." "That's not true!" ! There were various rumours about her private life, but they were all untrue.
it is untrue/not true that It is not true that all women want to go out to work, completely/totally untrue The papers said he had beat up his wife, which was completely untrue.
A In spoken English, not true is much more common than untrue
/К Not be the case is fairly formal, and is used especially when writing or talking about politics or other serious subjects.
there is no truth in sth .ftcor 1/ пэо
tru:B m (sth),; if you say that there is no
truth in something, you mean that it is completely untrue and that people are wrong to suggest that il is true: There is no truth in the rumour that Collins and his wife are about to divorce. I Someone told me the company was losing money, but Bi'/ says there's no truth in this.
misleading mis'liidnj [adj] misleading
information or statements make people believe something that is not true, especially by not giving them all the facts: The holiday brochure is deliberately mislead- ina. because the hotels it shows are not the ones you actually stay in. I These statistics give a misleading impression of what is happening to the economy.
to think of a reason, explanation etc, especially one that is untrue
make up /(meik \p (phrasa/ verb T] to think of a reason, explanation, excuse etc that is untrue
make up sth If you don't want to go out
with Wanda, you'll have to make up
some kind oj excuse.
make sth up When I told them why I
was late, they accused me of making it
up!
Invent is more formal than make up, and is used especially in written English,
When you see 03, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
invent in vent [и T] to think of a reason, explanation, or excuse that is sometimes very complicated but completely untrue: He used to invent stories about his rich lifestyle to impress the women he met. I I began to invent reasons for staying away from work.
A
TRUST/NOT TRUST
dishonest
\ /
see also
/ ь
trkk/decewe
when you think someone is honest
trust trAst [и T] to believe that someone is honest and will not tell lies, cheat you. or do anything that would harm you can trust sb (-you fee! sure that someone is honest) David's one of my oldest friends - I trust him completely. I We found he had been stealing cash from the store, so how can we trust him now? I She needs someone to take care of the jewels for her - someone she can trust.
Don't say 'I am trusting him'. Say I trust him
trustworthy trAst,w3irdi [adj] esplciailv
written if someone is trustworthy, you can trust them because they are completely honest: Her school report described her as an intelligent and trustworthy girl'. I We got the information from a trustworthy source
when you can be sure
that someone will do what you want
can depend on sb/can rely on sb
кэп di'pend on (sb), кэп ri'lai on (sb)/ if you can depend on or can rely on someone. you can be sure that they will do what you want them to do or what you have asked them to do: "Vbu won't tell anyone about this. will you?" "You can depend
on me."
can depend/rely on sb to do sth We
knew we could rely on Tom to bring some good records.
lie 2
honest
cheat
FALSE
reliable /гПаюМ/1adj] someone who is reliable can be trusted to do what they say they will do and not make any mistakes: It's strange Ben isn't here: he's usually so reliable. I Reliable and hardworking cleaner needed* for 3 hours each week.
responsible ri spnnsJ^I|n spur- [adj] someone who is responsible can be trusted to behave in a sensible way. so you do not need to worry thai they will do something stupid: I'm not sure if she's responsible enough to go on vacation without her parents.
loyal ,'bы, [adj] bsргалi ly v.ritie \ someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: a loyal supporter of the Green Party I She was described os a loyal friend of the Princess. I The company fired him, after 30 years of loyal service! + to Most MPs remained loyal to their party leader. loyalty |n C/U] loyal behaviour: The attempted coup failed, thanks to the loyalty of the army.
El something that you can trust
reliable /п'ЫэМ' [adj] a reliable
machine, system etc always works well: reliable information, books etc do not contain mistakes and are likely to be correct: / tuish we had a more reliable computer system. I Do you have a reliable map of the area?
can rely on sth/can depend on
sth Ikzn ri'lai Dn (sth), кэп di'pend nn (sth)
if you can depend on or can rely on
something, you can be sure that it will always work well: You can rely on the postal service here. It's very good I What I need is a car I can really depend on.
E not trust
not trust /not trAst, to not trust someone: I don't trust these politicians, do you? not trust sb with sth (=when you will not let someone have something, because you think they will damage it or steal it) I wouldn't trust him with my money.
can't rely on/can't trust (sb/sth)
/.kaent ri'lai on, .kaent 'trAst (sb/sth)J,kaent-/ to be unable to trust someone to do what
they say they will do, or to be unable to
trust a machine, system etc to work well: You can't rely on the buses. They're often late.
can't rely on sb/sth to do sth T/iaf boy's hopeless -1 can't rely on him to do anything.
unreliable .лпгПамЫ?! \adj\ if someone is unreliable, you cannot be sure that they will do what they say they will do; if a machine, car etc is unreliable, it often stops working and you cannot be sure it will work well: We could ask our neighbours to feed the cat, but they're a little unreliable. I My old car was becoming very unreliable.
be suspicious of sb/sth (bi: sa'spijas
nv (sb/sth) to have a feeling that you should not trust someone or something, although you are not sure why: I'm always suspicious of people who offer me money.
deeply suspicious {=very suspicious) Parents and teachers are deeply suspicious of the government's plans for education.
TRY
^ look here for...
try to do something
try something to see if it is good ^ see also test
11 to try to do something
try traf |t; I/T]
try to do sth Tim tried to get another job. but he had no luck. I I can't come out tonight -I'm trying to finish all my homework before the weekend.
try not to do sth Try not to worry - I'm sure she'll be home soon. try sth (=try to do something) If you finish section one, try the exercises on
page 25.
try "Can Larry fix the car?" "He said he'd try, but I'll probably have to take it to a garage."
try and do sth "What time does the
game start?" 7 don't know. I'll try and find out."
trying - tried - have tried
Try and do something means the same as try to do something, but is less formal and is not used in past tenses or in the progressive.
attempt o'tempt [v T] to try to do
something, especially something difficult, dangerous, or bad
attempt to do sth He was attempting to climb the Alps without oxygen. I They were charged with attempting to overthrow the government. attempt sth Bad weather conditions prevented us from attempting the jump.
Qsee if you can do sth si: It'ju: kon
du: (sth), spoken to try to do something - use this either to offer to do something for someone, or to ask someone to do something for you
I'll see if I can do sth If you want to come to the show, I'll see if lean get you a ticket.
see if you caa do stH See if you can get
him to change his mind.
Qhave a try {also have a go bhitish)
haev э 'trai, ,haev э gso / spoken to try to do something, even though you think you may not succeed: 7 can't get the lid off this jar." "Here, let me have a try." I I've never been windsurfing before, but I'll have a go.
В to try hard to do something
try hard /,trai ha:rd/ to make a lot of effort, because you really want to do something: You must try horder to get all your homework done on time, i No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the window to open.
do your best/try your best /,du: jo:r
best, ,trai p:r best/ to try as hard as you
can, even when the situation is difficult
and you are not sure if you will succeed: "Can you get it finished by FridayV "We'll do our best, but we're very busy at the moment."
do/try your best to do stH Harry did his best to sound calm, but it was obvious that he was really annoyed.
make an effort to do sth /meik эп
ef3rt t3 du: (sth) to try hard to do something. especially something which you do not want to do but which you think you should do: I made an effort to sound interested in what he was saying. I / wish youd make an effort to be friendly to her.
work at Sth wji'k (sth): [phrasa/ verb T] to try hard to improve the way you do something, by practising a lot: You'll have to really work at it if you want to become a professional dancer
when you try to do something
attempt a'tempt/ [n C] when you try to
do something, especially something difficult. dangerous, or bad: After four attempts. Mike finally passed his driving test.
attempt to do sth another attempt to find a soJivfion to the problem I It was a deliberate attempt to mislead the voters make an attempt to do stH The climbers will make another attempt to reach the summit today.
in an attempt to do stH The government built hundreds of cheap houses in an attempt to solve the homelessness crisis.
eJFfort / ef3rt/ [n C/U] the work you do and the energy you use when you try to do something
sb's efforts to do stH AH our efforts to convince her failed
put a lot of effort into stH (=work very hard to do it) Margaret had put a lot of effort into making the party a success.
to eat, use, or do something to find out if it is good, if it works etc
see also taste try /trai/ [v T| to eat, use, or do something
in order to find out if you like it or if it is successful: Have you ever tried that chewing gum that's supposed to help you stop smoking? I I tried aerobics once, but I didn't really enjoy it. try doing stH (=do something to see if it has a successful result) If the sauce is too thin, try adding some cream.
trying - tried - have tried
try out trai aot/ Iphrasal verb T] to use a new method, product etc, in order to find out how good it is try out sth / want to try out some of the
recipes that I've seen on TV.
try sth out She had just bought a new
computer, and couldn't wait to try it out.
taste teist. [u T| to eat or drink a small amount of something to find out what it tastes like. Come here and taste the soup. Du you think it needs more salt?
experiment with sth iksperUnent
\wd (sth) [phrasal verb T] to try different things or methods to find out what effect they have - use this especially about drugs or about styles in art and music: Many addicts first experimented with drugs out of pure curiosity. I The band has been experimenting with different styles and different instruments.
TURN
see also bend, around
to turn your head or body
turn t3:rn |u 1] to turn your head or body so that you are looking in a different direction. Campbell turned and walked out of the room.
turn to sb (=turn to look at someone so that you can say something to them) 'What do you thin A. we should do?' she said, turning to her husband. turn to do sth She turned to face him and saw that he had been crying, turn away (=turn in order to avoid seeing something) Julie turned away while the doctor put the needle in her arm.
turn around (aiso turn round british)
,t3irn (3)'raond/ [phrasa/ verb I] to turn your body so that you are looking in the opposite direction: I turned round quickly to see if anyone was following me. I "Is my skirt too short?" "Turn around and let me see the back."
turn over /1з:гп 'эоуэг/ fphrasal verb I] to change the position of your body while you are lying down, so that you are facing
in a different direction: The bed squeaks every time I turn over. I If you find it uncomfortable to sleep on your back, try turning over onto your side.
to make something turn
turn t3:rn |l? T) to make something turn by moving it with your hand: Tim turned the handle slowly and pushed open the door. I We dragged the box into the hall, and turned it on its side, turn sth around (=so that it is facing the opposite direction) If we turn the table around we can fit more chairs in the
room.
turn sth over (=so that its top is facing down and its bottom is facing up) When the pancakes are cooked on the bottom, turn them over and cook the other side.
twist [i> T] to turn something with a quick firm circular movement: "I can't get the top off." "Try twisting it the other
way." I She pushed the knife into his stomach and twisted it hard.
В when something such as a wheel goes around
turn fj:rn \v 1] if something turns, :f moves around a fixed central point: Slowly, the wheels of the train began to turn. I We watched in terror as the bundle turned and the door creaked open.
go around (also go round british) .■.gao (3)'raund/ to move in a continuous circular movement: When the fan goes around it moves the air and cools the room.
go around and around (=go around many times) The big wheel went around
and around. »
When you see ни, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
Spin /spm [и I] to turn around many times very quickly: The wheels were spinning in the mud, but the car wouldn't move + around The hard disk spins around several times every second. spinning - spun - have spun
to change your direction when you are walking or driving
turn /t3Srn/ |u 1] to change your direction
when you are walking or driving: He saw
a police car up ahead, so he turned and
В
went down a side street.
turn le/t/right Turn left at the next intersection.
turn back (=turn and go back towards the place that you came from) After sailing north for an hour; we had to turn back because of fog.
turn off (=leave a street in order to go down another street) Turn off Delaney Road just after the church. turn onto/into (=start going along another street after changing direction) Turn onto South Street, then go straight for three blocks.
change direction /,reind3 d^'rekpn/ to
turn while you are moving so that you start going in a different direction: Changing direction on skis isn't difficult once youve learned the technique.
swerve 'sw3:rv/ [i> I] if a vehicle or its driver swerves, they change direction very suddenly, especially in order to avoid hitting something: The driver swerved to avoid a child, and crashed into a signpost.
when a road or river changes direction
bend /bend/ [n C] a place where a road or river curves: The taxi went around the bend at an alarming speed. + in a bend in the river
curve /кз:гу/ [n C] a place where a road curves: He lost control of the car on a
A
sharp curve.
In American English, curve is more
common than bend in this meaning.
turn over /,ti:rn 'эоуэг/ |phrasal verb I] if a car. train etc turns over, it turns upside down or falls on its side as a result of an accident: The car turned over and burst into flames.
capsize ksep'saizll'kaepsaiz [и II if a boat or ship capsizes, it turns upside down, or falls on its side, and usually sinks: 193 pas- sengers died when their ferry capsized in the English Channel.
TWO
two
two tu:/ [quanii/ierj 2: We have two dogs and three cats, f There used to be five churches in the town. Now there are only two. I ft takes tiuo hours to get there.
+ of Two of the boys in the hockey team were sick.
pair реэг [n Q two things of the same type that are used together a pair of shoes/socks/gloves/earrings
etc I need a new pair of shoes.
a couple /э клр<?1/ [quantifier] British
informal two: I haven't got any stamps - could you lend me a couple? + of I've got a couple of tickets for the game on Saturday. I She lived in Japan for a couple of years.
A
In American English, a couple usually
means 'a small number', but in British
English it usually just means 'two'.
turn, (also turning British) t3:rn, t3:rnii] [n C] a place in a road where you can turn and go onto another road: We wanted to go west toward Newark, but I think we missed the turn. I Take the first turning after the traffic lights.
when a vehicle turns over in an accident
tura upside down /t3:rn Apsaid daom if a car, plane, boat etc turns upside down, it turns over so that its top is facing down and its bottom is facing up: The plane had turned upside down and was out of control.
two people together
couple j'kApji- [n CI two people who are together, especially because they are married or have a sexual relationship: The couple who live next door are always arguing. I a young couple walking hand in hand along the beach a married couple (=a couple who are
A
married)
In British English, you can use couple with a singular or plural verb: An old couple was sitting/were sitting at the next table. In American English, always use a singular verb.
pair реэ' [п С] two people who are doing something together, or who are similar or connected in some way + оfa pair of dancers I Annie and Jane were all dressed up, and looked like a pair of movie stars.
in pairs (-working in groups of two) Do the next exercise in pairs, a strange/funny/friendly etc pair Bill and his brother were с rather odd looking pair.
each one of two people or things
both ЬлоВ [predeterminer quantifier] use this to talk about two people or things together: Paul and ! are both scared of spiders. I I can't decide which dress to buy. I like them both. I Both drivers were injured, but not seriously. both the/these/my etc Both the robbers were wearing masks. I Both her parents are doctors.
Don't say 'I don't like both of them'. Say I don't like either of them. Use either in negative statements, not both.
both of them/us/the dogs etc Both of us felt sick after eating the fish. I Both of the windows had been broken.
Don't say 'both my children goes to the same school'. Say both my children go to the same school Both is followed by a plural verb.
Each is followed by a singular verb, except when it comes after a plural noun or pronoun, so we say: Each girl has her own room. I Each of the girls has her own room. But They/The girls each have their own гост.
A
Say each boy or each of the boys.
either ai(Wj|'i:-/ [determiner/pronoun] use this to talk about one of two people, places, or things, especially when it does not matter which one: "M/ou/d you like tea or coffee?" "Either - I don't mind." I You can operate the controls with either hand.
either of them/you/the men etc If you
see either of these men. contact the police immediately, I She says she never met either of them before. either sth or sth / usua//y drink either coke or beer.
neither 'naifi3r||'ni:-/ [determiner pronoun] not one of two people, places, or things, and not the other: "Do you want milk or lemon in your tea?" "Neither thanks." I The game wasn't very exciting. and neither team played well. neither of them/you/the girls etc Luckily, neither of the passengers was hurt in the crash.
A
Don't say 'each boys' or 'each of boys'.
neither sth nor sth Neither her mother nor her father knew about her boyfriend.
A
When you use both with a noun, you can use any of these patterns, and they all have the same meaning: The cats are both black = Both the cots are black = Both cats are black. When you use both with a pronoun, you can say either we both/they both etc or both of us/both of them etc
and the meaning is the same: We both like Kung Fu movies = Both of us like Kung Fu movies.
each /i:tJ7 [determiner/pronoun] use this to talk about two people or things when you think of them as separate: My wife and I each have our own bank account, each of them/us/the teams etc Each of the teams can use three substitutes.
Don't say 'I don't like neither of them'. Say I don't like either of them
Vou can say neither team was playing
well or neither of the teams was playing well. They both mean the same, and in both cases you use a singular verb.
each other/one another /i:tf чаэг,
A
A
wAn э'плдэг/ [pronoun] use this to say that each of two people does the same thing to the other or has the same feeling about the other: The twins looked at one another and giggled. I My boyfriend and I don't talk to each other very much. each other's/one another's Ron and Joe didn't like each other's girlfriends. (-Ron didn't like Joe's girlfriend and Joe didn't like Ron's)
two children born on the same day to the same mother
twin /twin/ |л C] one of two children who were born on the same day to the same mother: She dressed the twins in the same clothes, I Joey's my twin. twin brotKer/sister Bill and his twin sister got married on the same day. identical twins (=twins who look exactly the same)
intended for two people
for two t,v tu:, dinner/a holiday/a
table etc for two dinner, a holiday etc intended for only two people: Wed like a table for two please. I a romantic weekend in Paris for two
double dAbc?! [adj only before noun] double room/bed/mattress a room, bed etc intended for two people: The room was so small, there was hardly enough space for a double bed. I Double rooms cost $80. single rooms
are $50.
when something happens two times
twice /twais/ [adu] The weather wcs great - it only rained twice in three weeks. 1 She's been married twice before. twice a day/month/year etc l=when something happens regularly two times every day, month etc) 1 play golf twice a week. I Staff meetings are held twice a month.
В when a number or amount is twice as big as another
twice /twais/ [predeterminer/adv] twice as big/fast/much/many etc bigger, faster etc by 100%: This sweater would
haue cost twice as much if I'd bought it
in England.
twice the size/my salary/His age etc He
married a woman who was twice his age. I It's about twice the length of a football field.
TWO
double /МлЫ1/ Ipredeterminer] double the amount/number/weight/size/
814
cost etc twice the amount, number etc:
Over 30% of marriages end in divorce, which is double the number 20 years ago. I The house was now worth double the amount they paid for it.
TYPE
a type of person or thing
type/kind/sort Aaip, kamd, sD:rt/ [n CI a
group of people or things that are similar to each other in some way, or a thing or person that belongs to such a group: I'll get you some ice-cream. What kind would you like?
+ of The floor was made of three different types of wood. I What sort of fish is this? I She's the kind of person you can always rely on. ! There are two sorts of politician - the ones who really want to help people, and the ones who just want power.
of this/that type etc Accidents of this type are extremely common. I It's a club for writers and actors and people of that sort.
of variouslmanyldifferent types etc
A
A
They export farm machines and tools of various kinds.
Type, kind, and sort mean the same, and they can all be used in most situations. Kind and sort are more common than type in conversation. Type is the usual word to use when you are talking about technical subjects or when you are describing something in an exact way: To do this, you need a special type of screwdriver called a Phillips screwdriver
You can use type, kind, and sort in the singular or plural, followed by a singular or uncountable noun: a type of flower I several kinds of bread i / like all kinds of music. Don't use them with plural nouns: don't say 'this type of computers'. Say this type of computer. Don't use them in the singular after words like 'all', 'many', or 'these': don't say 'many kind of car/food etc'. Say many kinds of car/food etc.
species ,"spi:Ji:z/ (r) Cj a group of animals
or plants that are all similar and can breed
together to produce young animals or plants of the same type + оf There are over forty species of bird living on the island. I They discovered a new species of Eucalyptus tree, endangered species (=one that might not exist for much longer) The giant panda is an endangered species. There are fewer than a thousand living in the wild.
plural species
. . ~ ,
Species is a technical word for a specific type of animal or plant that can be described exactly.
Qiike this/like that /laik '(")is, 1шк
'to, especially spoken of the type that you have just been talking about: The children need new pens and pencils and things like that. I People like that really annoy me. I Tm not sure what to do. Tve never been in a situation like this before.
category /'kaet^rii-gafri/ (n С) a group that people or things of the same type are divided into for a particular purpose - use this when there are several groups and there is a clear system for deciding which
group something belongs to: Emma Thompson won an Oscar in the 'Best Actress' category.
+ of Insurance companies identify six main categories of driver. I The novels are divided up into three categories: historical, romantic, and crime. plural categories
Style /stall/ [n C] a particular type of building, art, literature, music etc: The new library is a blend of various architectural styles.
+ оfa completely new style of painting
westera-style/Japanese-style etc The
room was simply furnished, Japanese- style.
В a type of product
brand /brand/ [я С] a type of product made by a particular company - use this about products that you use every day such as food or drink or cleaning materials + of Coke and Pepsi are the most popular brands of cola. I my favourite brand of toothpaste I They sell all the usual kinds of coffee, but also some less well- known brands.
make me г к/ [л С] a type of product made
by a particular company - use this about things such as machines, equipment, and cars, not about food or drink: What make is your washing machine? + of "What make of car was she driving?" "A Mercedes.'
model 'mndl||'ma:dl [n CI one particular type of car or machine from among the various types that a company produces: "Whof make is the car?" "Jt's a Ford." "And what model?" "An Escort 1.8LI We produce о range of different computers, but this is our most popular model.
TYPICAL
when something or someone is a good example of the type that
they belong to
see also usually
D a typical thing or person
typical 'tipiM/ [adj] use this to say that someone or something is a normal example of a particular type of person or thing, and has all the features that you would expect: With his bright shirt and camera around his neck, he looked like a typical American tourist. I a typical middle class family I We had some warm weather; and quite a lot of rain - it was a typical English summer. + of This painting is typical of the work that Matisse did in the 1920s.
_A Don't say 'it's a typical restaurant' or 'this house is very typical' etc. You must also say what something is typical of, for example: It's a typical japanese/Spanish restaurant. I This house is typical of the style of this region.
be a good example /bi: э ,gud igzaim-
p^l|-'Z2em-/ something that is a good
example of a type of thing is very typical of it: There are many beautiful Norman churches in this part of England. Iffley church is a good example.
+ of The fox is a good example of a wild animal that has adapted to Jiuing in towns.
representative ,repn'zent3hv [adj]
formal someone or something that is representative is very typical of the group that they belong to and shows what everyone or everything else in the group is like + of Are his uiews representative of the other teachers at the school? a representative group/sampie/selec- tionj cross-section (=a small group, chosen because it is typical of a larger group) We asked a representative group of teenage girls what they thought about marriage.
classic klaesik [adj usually before noun] a classic case/example etc a very typical and very good example of something: Tiredness, headaches and bad temper are the classic signs of stress. I The invention of the X-ray u»as a c/assic case of an accidental discovery.
stereotype fsteriotaip/ In C] a fixed idea
which most people have in their minds about what people of a particular type or from a particular country are like, but which is not actually true: The film is full of stereotypes: a stupid blonde, a fat
American tourist, and a gay man with huge muscles.
racial stereotypes (=fixed ideas about people of certain races) + of the stereotype oj Asian gir/s as quiet and hard-working
Q when someone's behaviour or character is exactly what you would expect
typical tipik<?l [adj\ behaviour that is typical of a person is exactly what you would expect them to do - use this especially when what they do is annoying: "Kate put the wrong address on the letter." "That's just typical!" I He said he
was too tired to wash the dishes. Typical manI
+ of It's typical of Ramon to waste time when we're already late.
Qit's just like/that's just like its
.djAst laik, toets ,d3/\st laik spoken say this when someone has behaved in exactly the way that you would expect them to behave: It's just like Uncle Roy to invite
us all to lunch and then forget to tell
Aunt Sarah. I Helen stayed to help us clean up, which is just like her.
U
UGLY
not nice to look at
m opposite BEAUTIFUL
D people
Lz\ In conversation, we usually avoid saying someone is ugly or unattractive because it sounds very rude. Instead, you | can say that someone is not very good | looking or not very attractive.
unattractive/not attractive лпэ
tnektiv< not 3'tnekuv/ [adj] not nice to look at and not sexually attractive: Like many teenage girls, she was worried that she was unattractive, I He wasn 't a particularly attractive man, but there was something about him that women liked. jind sb unattractive (=think that someone is unattractive) She was crazy about Carl, and couldn't ur/c/erstancf why we found him unattractive.
aot very good-Looking not veri god
lokn3/ not nice to look at - use this as a less direct way of saying someone is unattractive: He's a nice guy, but not very good-looking.
ugly /\\gli/ iadj] extremely unattractive, with a face that is not at all nice to look at: We hated our uncle. He was ugly and fat and treated us cruelly. I ug/y little man came over and offered to buy me a drink.
usty - uglier - ugliest
pi dirt ,/plein/ \adj] someone who is plain, especially a woman, is not ugly but is not at all good-looking: Catherine, who had been rather plain as a child, was now an attractive young woman.
Homely "haomli/ [adj] american someone who is homely is not at all good-looking. The waitress was a homely girl from Kansas. ) Brad was a serious boy, very ordinary-looking but not downright homely.
В objects/buildings etc
ugly /'Agli/ [adj] very unpleasant to look at: The room was bare except for a few pieces of ugly furniture. I The new shopping centre is one of the ugliest buildings in the city. ugly - uglier - ugliest
an eyesore эп 'aiso:r/ In singular] a large and very ugly building that you cannot avoid seeing: They built a huge office block right next to the old cathedral - what an eyesore!
hideous /'hidias/ |adjl extremely ugly: One of our wedding presents was a hideous clock. I Emma was wearing an absolutely hideous purple and orange
dress.
UNDERSTAND/ NOT UNDERSTAND
see also realize
II to understand something
understand /,Andpr'st;end/ [u I/T] to
know the meaning of what someone says, or to know why something happens or how something happens: She spoke slowly and clearly so that everyone could understand. I I don't understand the second question.
understand fiow/wHat/why etc Scientists are beginning to understand how the universe was formed. I I've never really understood why she married him. fully understand (^understand completely) Doctors still do not fully understand the process by which the disease is transmitted.
> easy/difficult to understand The
instructions on the packet are easy to understand
understanding - understood - have understood
Z!a Don't say 'I am understanding', 'are you understanding?' etc. Say I understand, do you understand? etc.
/!\ You can also say 'I can understand' or I can't understand', and it means the same as 'I understand' or 'I don't understand'
i
understanding - understood - have understood
Qsee 'si:/ [V I/T] ESPECIALLY SPOKEN to
understand the truth about a situation, or understand the reasons for something: Don't you see? She never wanted to
marry him in the first place. see wKat sb means Yes, I see what you mean - it would be better if we didn't tell her.
see why/Коw/what etc I can see why
people don't like him.
+ that After a time, Clara sou; that she
had been wrong to blame Jim.
see a reason Can you see any reason
why it shouldn't work?
seeing - saw - have seen
Ql See /ai 'si:/ spoken say this to tell someone that you understand what they have told you: "The door's a little stiff - just give it a push here " "Oh yes, I see."
Ql get it /ai get it spoken say this to tell someone that you understand what they have told you. especially when they have explained it more than once: Oh right, I get it. So you only get paid if you sell at least 10 copies.
follow /"fblsoll'fa:-; [i> T] to understand a story, explanation, or talk that continues for a long time: I had difficulty following the story - there are so many different characters.
dijjficult/hard/easy to/о I low The lecture was very hard to follow.
figure out/work out !JIg^r aot. ,w3:rk
'aot||,figj3r-/ (phrasa/ verb T] to think about something until you understand it. especially something complicated + how/why/what etc Detectives are still trying to work out what happened. .figure/work sth out In case you haven't figured it out yet, we've been tricked.
В to understand how someone feels
UNDERSTAND/NOT UNDERSTAND
understand /,Andar'staend/ [t> I/T] to understand how someone feels, and feel sympathy for them, especially when they are upset or have problems: Try telling your teacher about your problem. I'm sure she'll understand. I My wife doesn't understand me.
understand how/what/why etc / understand how you feel, but I still think you should apologize to her understanding - understood - have understood
ft\ Don't say 'I am understanding'. Say I understand.
appreciate a'priijieit/ [u ti hormae to
understand clearly how someone feels or what problems they have: The Senator failed to appreciate the amount of anger that people felt about this issue. + (that) I appreciate that it's not easy for you, but you must try to get here on time.
see si:/ [и T] to understand how someone feels and why they feel that way, especially because the reasons are very clear see why/how/what Vou can see why Clare was so annoyed, can 't you? + (that) Martha saw that Bob was getting upset, so she changed the subject.
seeing - saw - have seen
know how sb feels /,пэи hau (sb) fi:lz/
to understand how someone feels, because you have had the same feelings or experiences yourself: "My children are driving me crazy." T know how you feel - they're very difficult at that age."
EJ when you cannot
understand something
don't understand/can't understand j,daunt ,Andar'stajnd, ,ka:nt Andar- staendl.kaent-/ They didn't understand a single word she said. I Tell me if you don't understand.
+ how/why/what etc I really can't understand why so many people like her music.
Qdon't/can't see /,daunt, ,ku;nt si:|| kaent-/ spoken to not understand the reason for something + why/how/what/where I didn't see how they could sell it so cheaply. I All my friends liked that book, but I just can't see why.
QllOt get it jnot get it/' spoken to feel confused, and be unable to understand why something has happened or what
someone has told you: / don't get it - why would he take the money if he knew they would find out? I I keep telling her
that Steve isn't interested in her, but she just doesn't get it.
puzzling /'pAz<?liij [adj] a puzzling situation makes you feel confused, because you have tried to understand it or explain it. but you cannot: I don't know why she left
-it's all very puzzling.
Qit's a mystery to me/it beats
me /its э 'misuri t3 mi:, it ,bi:ts 'mi: spoken say this when you cannot understand why something happens or how someone does something, and you find it very surprising: "Why does she stay with her husband then?" "It beats me."
+ how/what/why etc It's a mystery to me how he can get so much work done in such a short time.
E3 to not understand something correctly
misunderstand /,miSAnd3pst;end/ {v
I/T] to think that someone means one thing when in fact they mean something else: / think she misunderstood the ques tion. I I'm sorry, I must have misunderstood you.
misunderstanding - misunderstood - have misunderstood
miss tHe point /mis сЪ p:>im if you
miss the point, you think you understand what someone says or what is important about a situation, but in fact you are wrong: I soon realised that he had completely missed the point.
mis unde rstanding
|n C/U] a problem caused when someone does not understand something correctly: There seems to have been a misunder standing. I didn't order steak. I Cultural differences between people from different countries can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.
UNFORTUNATELY
when you wish that something had not happened or was not true
^ see also sorry, lucky/unlucky
un/ortunateiy An'b:rtj>n^tli/ [adv] use this to show that you wish something had not happened, or you wish something was not true: There's nothing I can do about it, unfortunately. 1 Unfortunately, Dr Cole cannot spend as long with each patient as she wou/d like. I IVe took some fantastic photos, but unfortunate ly the film got damaged.
A
When you see ИЯ, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section
sadly sit'dli |adu) unfortunately - use this to talk about events or situations that are very sad: Alice was rushed to the hospital, but sadly she died two hours later. I Sadly, this fine old theatre was destroyed by fire in 1993.
Sadly is more formal than unfortunately, and used about serious situations.
Gait's a pity/it's a skame /Us э piti,
its э Jeim spoken say this to show that you feel disappointed, sad, or annoyed about something that has happened: They've cut down all those beautiful trees. It's a
shame.
+ (that) It's a shame you can't come wiih us. I I don't mind you going out - it's just a pity you didn't ask me first. + about It's a shame about the weather. what a pity/what a shame! (say this to show that you feel sad or sympathetic about something) "Janet didn't get that job." "Oh, what a pityl"
It's sad its 'saed/ use this to show that you feel upset about something sad that has happened, and you wish the situation was different
it's sad (that) It's so sad that your father
can't be here to see this.
it's sad when It's sad when a marriage
breaks up, especially after all those
years.
UNKIND
^ opposite kind ^ see also cruel
II treating someone unkindly
unkind ;>n'kamd< [adj] if you are unkind to someone, you speak to them or treat them in a way that makes them unhappy: It is all right to correct your students mistakes, but try not to be unkind. I It was a really unkind thing to say,
+ to I'm sorrv - I didn't mean to be so unkind to you yesterday. it is unkind (of sb) to do sth It was very unkind of them to keep making jokes about her cooking. uakindly [aduj She described him. rather unkindly, as a boring little man.
cruel 'кгиЫ/ [adj] someone who is cruel is very unkind, and does notseem to care about other people's feelings: He's not ugly! How can you be so cruel? I a cruel laugh
+ to The other kids were cruel to him because he was so fat. cruelly [adu] She wanted to leave him but. as he cruelly reminded her, she had nowhere else to go.
nasty ;"na:sti||'na:sti/ [adj] someone who is nasty is deliberately unkind, and seems to enjoy making people unhappy: What a nasty thing to do1 1 He has a really nasty side to his character. + to Don't be so nasty to your sister!
nasty - nastier - nastiest
Spite/ul 'spaitfol/ [adj] deliberately unkind to someone because you are jealous of them or angry with them: Failure had made him bitter and spiteful. spite/ully [adu] 7 never liked her anyway," Rob said spitefully.
bitchy /'bitji/ [adj] informal someone who is bitchy says unkind things about another person, especially about the way they look or behave
bitchy comments/remarks She's always making bitchy comments about other people's clothes.
+ about She was being really bitchy about Martha.
ZiA Bitchy is used especially by women when talking about other women.
ZA unkind, but not deliberately unkind
thoughtless/inconsiderate /'tolas,
mkon'sid^K [adj\ someone who is thoughtless or inconsiderate only thinks about their own situation, their own enjoyment etc. and does not think about the effects that their actions will have on other people: A few thoughtless people spoiled the trip for everyone. I A lot of drivers these days are really rude and inconsiderate.
insensitive insens^tiv/ [adj] someone who is insensitive does not notice when other people are upset or when something that they do might upset other people: I thought it was very insensitive, the way she kept talking about her new baby - she knows that Pam can't have children. ! msensif/ue treatment of rape victims
UNTIDY
^ opposite tidy see also dirty
II place/room
untidy . An'taidi [adj] if a place is untidy.
things have been left carelessly in different parts of it instead of being neatly arranged: Dad is always complaining that my bedroom's untidy. I an untidy desk I I'm afraid the garden's very untidy.
untidy - untidier - untidiest
be a mess/be in a mess bi: э mcs,
hi: in э nries informal if a place is a mess or is in a mess, it is very untidy and dirty: Please sit down. Sorry everything's such a mess. The whole house was in a mess, but I didn't have time to clean it up.
messy "incsi [adj] informal very untidy and dirty: I can't find anything in your bedroom - it's so messy! I a messy sink- ful of dishes
messy - messier - messiest
cluttered /'кЫэУ/ lacij] untidy because there are too many things in a small space-, a cluttered little office + with The room was tiny, its walls cluttered with paintings and old photographs.
Qfl dump о 'dAmp/ [n singular) spokkn informal a dirty and untidy room, building, or place: Do something about your room - it's a dump.
person/clothes/hair etc
untidy An'taidi, {adj] someone who is untidy does not keep their house, clothes, hair etc neatly arranged: The children are so untidy - they leave their things all over the floor. I Her hair was untidy and her lipstick was smudged.
look a mess ,lok э 'mes informal to look
very untidy: When the police called. I had just got up, and my hair looked a mess.
SCruJJy "skr,\fi/ [adj] someone who is scruffy is wearing old. untidy clothes: My parents think I look scruffy in these jeans.
scruffy ctothes/jeans/sweater etc She's wearing thai scruffy old sweater again, scruffy - scruffier - scruffiest
when things are spread around in an untidy way
meSS /mes/ In singular] when things are spread around everywhere in a dirty, untidy way: We spent the morning tidying up the mess after the party. I There were cups and ashtrays everywhere - what a mess!
make a mess (=make a place dirty and untidy) You can do some baking if you promise not to make a mess in the kitchen.
chaos 'kei-ds||-a:s/ [n U] when everything is very untidy, nothing is organized, and there is no order or system: We've just moved into the new office and I've no idea where anything is - it's chaosI in chaos {=in a state of chaos) I arrived home to find the house in chaos.
UNUSUAL
opposite normal/ordinary strange— —oiffiertmt
\ 7*
SPECIAL
see also
USUALLY
Don't confuse unusuaf (=different from what usually happens) and strange (-unusual, and also a little frightening, surprising, or difficult to understand).
not what usually happens
unusual Ati'juisual, -yl [adj] different from what usually happens, or different from the ordinary kind: We had snow in April, which is very unusual. I She had an unusual last name - Peachtree or Plumtree or something like that. it is unusual for sb to do sth We were beginning to worry. It was unusual for Dave to be so late. unusually [adu] The office was unusually quiet that morning.
Special spepl [adj usually before noun) a special occasion, situation, method etc is one that is different from what normally happens, and usually better: There were special security arrangements for the President's visit. I Prince William is the
school's most famous student, but he doesn't get special treatment or special privileges.
special event/occasion a special event to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the revolution
in special circumstances Prisoners are only allowed to visit their families in special circumstances.
821
UNUSUAL
exceptional /ik'seppnol/ [adj] an exceptional situation is very unusual and happens very rarely; an exceptional person or quality is so good that there are very few like them: A few of the top executives are women, but this is still exceptional. I a man of exceptional
in exceptional circumstances/cases Exit uisGs are only given in exceptional circumstances, exceptionally [adv] an exceptionally talented athlete
uncommon/not common \ninmon.
not 'knm,in||-'ka:rnon lad/} something that is uncommon or not common is unusual because it does not happen very often: The disease mostly affects older people, and is not common among younger people. it is uncommon/not common (for sb) to do sth It is uncommon for small babies to sleep more than four hours without waking.
A Uncommon/not common is more formal than unusual.
Qit'S not like sb/its not laiHsb),'spoken
say this when you mean that someone is behaving in a way that they do not usually behave, so you think they may be ill or have some kind of problem: Don t you want any more to eat? That's not like you. it's not like sb to do sth Jfs not like
Sally to get so upset ~ I think she's been working too hard.
В different from the way most people think or behave
unconventional ■лпкэп'уепрпэк [adj]
someone who is unconventional lives, behaves, or does things in ways that are very different from the way that most ordinary people live or behave: She comes from an unconventional family. I unconventional teaching methods
UP
^ if you mean 'a price, number etc goes up', go to increase
^ opposite down
see also climb
II moving up to a higher place or level
up /Ар/ [prep/adv]
до/climb/walk etc up There's a great uiew from the top - you should go up and have a look.
up a hill/t reel wall etc Tim had climbed up о tree to get a better view. + onto/into/at etc Don't let the cat jump up onto the table. I You mustn't go up there - it's dangerous.
upwards/upward /Apword(z)/ [adu;
towards a higher position, especially towards the sky: Most plants grow upwards, towards the light. + into/above/over etc With a foud bang, the rocket shot upward into the s/cy. upward [adj only before nounj She mas saged my back with a light upward movement.
A Don't say 'they walked upwards the hill . Say they walked up the hill.
uphill /,Ap'hil< [adu] going up a hill: tVhen Tm driving uphill the engine makes a terrible noise. I The bus crawled uphill for another mile. uphill [adj only before nounj a long uphill climb through the snow
upstairs Apsteorz [adu] go/walk/run etc upstairs to go towards a higher level in a building by going up the stairs: Guy ran upstairs quickly. I Don't go upstairs yet ~ I think Sara's wrapping your present.
rise Taiz; [и 1] written to move straight up into the air or sky: The balloon rose slowly into the cir. I We got up, just as the sun was rising.
rising - rose - have risen
climb /klairn/ [u I/T] written to move up a
slope, or to move up into the sky in a
sloping direction. The bus began to climb the steep hill out of the valley. I The plane climbed higher and higher until it was out of sight.
В facing up/ looking up, or pointing up
up /лр/ [adv)
look/point/stare up (=look, point etc upwards) Caroline looked up and laughed.
+■ at/into/towards etc The dog just sat and stared up at me. straight up (=directly up) He was pointing his rifle straight up in the air.
upwards (also upward american) /'лр-
w3rd(z)i' [adv] facing or pointing up. especially towards the sky: She stretched out her hands with the palms upwards. I Their faces were turned upward, fixed on the man on the ledge.
vertical 'V3:rtiЫ/ [adj] lines, walls, surfaces etc that are vertical go straight up: The wallpaper had vertical pink and white stripes. I First, the surgeon makes a three-inch vertical cut in the abdomen. vertically [adv] The cliffs rose vertically out of the sea.
upright /'лр-rait/ [adj/adv] standing straight up: The ceiling was so low that we couldn't stand upright. hold/keep sth upright Keep the bottie
upright, in case if leaks
in a higher position
upstairs /,Ap'ste9rz*/ [adv] on a higher floor of a building, especially just above where you are: "Where's John?" "He's upstairs, doing his homework." I We got a note from the woman who lives upstairs.
upstairs [adj only before noun] The burglars got in through an upstairs window.
A Don't say 'she lives in upstairs'. Just say she lives upstairs.
up in/up on/up there etc лрш, лр
эп, лр беэг (etc)/ in a higher position than where you are: / think your old bike's still up in the attic somewhere. I Put the bottles up on the shelf where the baby can't reach them. I Is it safe up there?
В to move a part of your body up
raise /reiz' [i> T] especially written to move part of your body up: She raised her head and looked at him. I raising his hands to protect his face
put Up /rpot 'лр/ Iphrasa/ verb T] to move your hand or arm above your head
put up your hand/arm Put up your hand if you know the answer. put your hand/arm up I put my hand up to shield my eyes from the sun.
when a road or path goes towards a higher level
up /лр/ [adv/prep] A track continues up the hillside towards the church. + into/to wards/over etc paths /eading up into the mountains
go up/go uphill /.gau лр, ,gao лрhil/
[phrasal verb I] to go towards a higher level: After the next village, the road
when the level of water goes up
rise /raiz/ [и I] The level of water in the
lake was rising fast I In 1956 the river rose by more than 6 metres.
rising - rose - have risen
goes up steeply. I The path went uphill for another two miles.
USE
see also waste
to use something
use /ju:z/ T] to use something for a purpose: Do you mind if I use your phone? I Are we allowed to use a dictionary in the test? I I use the library a lot. use sth to do sth Use a calculator to check your answers. I some techniques you can use to help yourself relax use sth _for doing sth We use the shed for storing our firewood. use sth as sth We decided to use the second bedroom as a junk room.
with /wi6, wi0/ [preposition] if you do something with a spoon, a hammer etc, you use a spoon, hammer etc to do it: Beat the egg with a fork. I Do you have anything I can open the bottle with?
make use о/ Sth /,meik ju:s ov (sth)/ to
use something that is available, especially something that can help you or give you an advantage: Not enough people are making use of the company's fitness centre.
make good/full use of sth While she was at college, she made good use of all the computing facilities.
to use an amount of fuel, water, food etc
use ju:z [v T! to use an amount of something: It's a big car and it uses a lot of gas. I You'll need to use at least two cans of paint.
consume /bn'sju:m||-'su:m/ [v T] formal to use fuel, energy, water, and other natural products - use this especially to talk about the amount of fuel, energy etc used by people in general: The US imports 45% of the oil that it consumes, I industrialized countries which consume natural resources in huge quantities consumption /кэп'члтррп (n U] the amount of fuel, energy etc that people use: The government is urging people to reduce their water consumption.
to use something again
recycle /.rii'saik^l/ [u T] to put bottles, newspapers, cans etc through a process so that they can be used for making new bottles, newspapers etc: new techniques for recycling plastics recycled \adj] AI! our envelopes are made from recycled paper.
re-use /,ri:'ju:z/ [u Tj to use something again after you have used it before: The supermarket encourages shoppers to reuse plastic bags.
when a seat, room, machine etc is being used
be in use /bi: in ju:s; if a room or machine is in use, it is being used by someone at the present time, so no-one else can use it: The meeting room is in use at the moment, so we'll have to go somewhere else. I All the photocopiers are in use. Could you come back later?
Qbe taken /bi: teikon especially spoken
use this about a seat on a train, in a theatre etc that someone else has already bought or arranged to use, even if they are not there at the moment: Is this seat taken? I I'm sorry, you can't sit there. It's taken.
When you see IS, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
not being used
unused Anju:zd^/ (iadj] not being used at
the present time: After Grandad died, his car sat unused in the garage. I Farmers were paid special subsidies for unused fields.
disused ,dis'ju:zd4' [adj only before noun] especially british a disused factory, mine, railway etc is old and is not used any more: The drugs were found in a disused warehouse.
when something is not being used, so you can use it
available /a'veilatvl [adj] something useful that is available is ready to be used and you can use it if you want to: They built the shelter using old wood and plastic - just whatever was available. I IVe had filled all the available space, so there was nowhere to store the books.
free fri: [adj] use this about a chair, room, table etc that you can use because no-one else is using it: The office next door is free if you need somewhere to work. I There's just one free table, over there in the corner.
em
this about buildings inat no-one is using: Fire broke out in a vacant office block early this morning. I The house has been empty for over a year.
Spare ,/spеэг/ |adj only before noun] a spare tyre/pen/key etc a tyre, key etc which you are not using at the moment, but which you keep in case the one you are using breaks, gets lost etc: W/e keep a spare key in the garage. I Do you have a spare pen I could borrow?
Iptu/vacant /'empti, veikant/ [adj] use is about buildinqs that no-one is usina:
officially allowed to be used
valid /'vaelijd/ [adj] if a ticket, passport etc is valid, you can legally use it and it will be officially accepted: My passport is valid for 10 years. I Do you have a valid driver's license?
what something can be used for
use ju:s [n С often plural] one of the ways in which something can be used: The land has been developed for tourism and other recreational uses. I the industrial uses of hydrogen «
be for bi: b:r [phrasa/ verb Tj to be used for doing a particular job: This cream is for removing make-up. I What's that switch for?
Function is used especially in technical or scientific writing.
/unction /Тлцкрп [n C] the purpose for which something is intended to be used + of The main function of the bars is to protect the driver's legs.
A
to use something in the wrong way
misuse /mis'ju:z/ [vT] to use something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose: The word 'schizophrenia' is frequently misused. I Po/iticians misused public money on entertaining their business friends.
misuse /mis'ju:s/ [n C/U] when something is used in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose: Opponents of genetic engineering see it as a misuse of scientific knowledge.
abuse /a'bjuiz/ [и T] to use something for а bad purpose, especially in a way that is unfair or that harms other people: Local politicians abused their privileges to make themselves rich. I people who abuse the welfare system abuse /s'bjuis/ [n C/U] when something is
used for a bad purpose: There was widespread abuse of power. I drug abuse
USED TO/ ACCUSTOMED TO
when something seems normal to you because you have often done
it or experienced it before
^ if you mean 'did something regularly in the past', go to past 2
used to something
be used to sth /bi: ju:st tu: (sth); if you are used to something, you have often done it or experienced it before, so it does not seem strange, new, or difficult to you be used to doing sth She's used to getting up early because she lives on a farm.
be used to sth At first Omar hated the rain in England but he's used to it now. get used to (doing) sth Mary never really got used to living on her own after her husband died. I It's quite a simple system - you'll soon get used to it.
Д Don't confuse | used to do it (=1 regularly did it in the past, but I don't do it
A
now) and I am used to doing it (=1 often do it, so it doesn't seem unusual to me): When I worked on a farm. I used to get up early every day. t I work on a farm, ю I'm used to getting up early.
Don't say 'I am used to do this'. Say I am used to doing this: I'm used to making all my own food.
be accustomed to sth /bi: э kAstomd
tu: (sth)/ formal to be used to something, especially because it is a normal part of your life: Zara was accustomed to a life of luxury.
be accustomed to doing sth Larry remained completely relaxed - he was accustomed to dealing with difficult customers.
become/grow accustomed to sth After a time, she became accustomed to all the media attention.
adjust to Sth /s'd3Ast tu: (sth)/ \phrasal
verb T] to gradually get used to a new situation, by changing your attitudes or the way you do things: It took us a while to adjust to the tropical climate. I Some ofthe staff found it hard to adjust to all the changes in technology and working methods.
settle in /setl in/ [phrasal verb I] to gradually get used to a new place or a new way of life, so that you feel relaxed and confident: Paul never really settled in at his last school.
settle into stH It didn't take Charlie long to settle into his new job.
/amiliar /fa'milisv [adj\ a familiar place,
idea, situation etc is one that you are used to and that you know well; It was good to be back in familiar surroundings. I the familiar sounds of home + to This kind of problem will be familiar to many married couples.
a not used to something
not be used to Sth /not bi: ju:st tu: (sth)/ I'm still not used to the new computer system.
not be used to doing sth Jane wasn't used to having so much money, and she didn't know what to do with it.
be unaccustomed to sth bi: лпэ-
'kAstsmd tu: (sth)/ formal to not be used to something, especially when this makes you annoyed or worried: Curtis ioas a country boy, unaccustomed to city life. be unaccustomed to doing sth Teachers may be unaccustomed to having their teaching methods criticised.
un/amiliar /.AnfVmilia^/ [adj] an unfamiliar place, idea, situation etc is
one that you are not used to or do not know much about: the unfamiliar experience of driving on the left-hand side of the road 1 a new place, with all its unfamiliar sounds and smells + to Some of these expressions may be unfamiliar to your students.
strange /streinds/ [adj only before noun] а strange country, food, custom etc is one that you are not used to because you have never been there before, experienced it before etc, and this may make you feel anxious: The strange food made her ill. I
She wqs all alone in a strange city.
USEFUL/ NOT USEFUL
see also convenient/not
convenient 2
II useful
useful /'ju:sf>l/ [adj] something that is useful makes it easier for you to do something or to get something: See page 35
for a list of useful addresses. I The bank gave us a lot of useful advice about starting our own business. I a useful skill use/ul for doing sth Scotch tape is very useful for making quick repairs. + to information that may be useful to
the enemy
Qcomf in use/ul spoken (=be useful in а particular situation) Keep the rest of the paper - it might come in useful later.
handy /'haendi/ [adj] informal useful and easy to use: a handy chart for converting pounds into kilos I This handy booklet tells you everything you need to know about getting connected to the Internet, handy for doing sth There's a special brush, which is handy for cleaning the stairs.
Qcome in handy spoken (=be useful in а particular situation) Bring a sleeping bag - it might come in handy.
practical /'praektibl/ [adj] designed to be useful rather than attractive - use this especially about clothes and things you use
in your house: a type of floor covering
that is simple, practical, and cheap
Qbe good for sth /bi: gud fo:r (sth);
especially spoken to be suitable and useful for a particular job or purpose: The old table does take up a lot of space, but it's good for parties.
be good for doing sth The big jars are good for storing pasta.
invaluable /in'vaeljuatot, -jHbl||in'vaeljcjbpl [adj] formal extremely useful - use this about something that you are very pleased to have because it will help you a lot, for example someone's advice or help: Thank you, your advice has been invaluable. \ My six months at IBM gave me invaluable
experience of the computer business.
versatile /'v3:s9tar 1J'V3irs3t 1 / [adj] something that is versatile can be used in a lot of different ways: Eggs are good value for money and so versatile. I a versatile blue cotton jacket
not useful
useless /'juisbs/ [adj] not at all useful: useless information I Without the proper electric cable, its useless. completely/totally/absolutely useless
I'm going to throw this old vacuum cleaner away - it's absolutely useless. + for It's only a simple claculator, so it's useless for doing anything complicated.
pointless /'pointbs, [adj] if someone does something that is pointless, it does not seem to have any useful purpose and will not help anyone: The argument was completely pointless. ! pointless drug testing on animals
it is pointless doing stK It's pointless trying to speak to the manager - she's a/ways too busy.
Qthere's no point/what's the point? /безгг пэо 'point, ,wots to point/ especially spoken say this when you think that it is useless to do something because it will not achieve any useful purpose: "Why don't you try and sort out your argument with Mike?" 'There's no point
- he never listens."
there's no point (irO doing sth There's no point in waiting any longer - she obviously isn't coming. Qwhat's the point of doing sth? spoken What's the point of taking the exam if you know you're going to fail?
Qbe a waste of time /bi: э ,weist av taim/ especially spoken if you say that doing something is a waste of time, you mean that it is very unlikely to achieve any useful result and so no-one should spend their time doing it
be a complete waste of time These meetings are a complete waste of time. Nothing ever gets decided. it is a waste of time doing sth So many people wanted that job, that I thought it was a waste of time even applying for it.
USUALLY
ALWAYS
\ /
see also
/ \
SOMETIMES STRANGE
usually
us ually / normally/ generally
/'jusuali, пэ:ггш11, 'd3en«?r3li/ [adu] on most occasions or in most situations: / usua//y get up at about 7 o'clock. I The journey normally takes me about 45 minutes. I
Don't say 'as usually'. Say as usual: As
usual, the bus was full.
A
Usually, I do all the housework and Peter does the garden. I Women are generally paid less than men.
A Put usually, normally, and generally before the main verb in a sentence, except when the main verb is the verb 'to be': They usually make a lot of noise. I They are usually very noisy.
as usual /эz 'jugual/ in the same way as things usually happen: Tickets cost $20, and as usual there is a special price for students.
A
In spoken English, as usual is often used to say that something annoying has happened, when you mean that this happens very often: / tried to find Larry, but as usual he was outside having a cigarette.
Qnine times out of ten /nam taimz
aot 3v ten I spoken if something happens nine times out of ten, it nearly always happens or is nearly always true: Nine times out of ten, he works late and I have to look after the kids.
usual
NEVER
UNUSUAL
OFTEN
usual/normal /'jursual, пэ:ггш1/ [adj usually before noun] use this to describe the situation that usually happens, the thing that someone usually uses etc: She was sitting in her usual chair by the fire. I They're selling CDs at half the normal price.
colder/better/later etc than usual The
journey took much longer than usual, because there was so much traffic.
0 something that you usually do
habit /'h<ebi,t (n C/U J something that you do very often and without thinking about it, because you have done it so many times before: smoking and drinking and all his
other bad habits
have a habit of doing sth She has an
annoying habit of leaving her books all over the floor.
get into the habit of doing sth (=start doing something regularly) You ought to get into the habit of planning your work each morning.
routine ,ru:'ti:n4 [n C/U] all the things that you usually do in the same order every day. Try to make exercise о part of your daily routine. I Most babies soon develop a routine of sleeping and eating.
routine [ас//] a routine action or process is done as a normal part of a job or system: The drugs were found during a routine check by customs officers.
very
very 'veri [adv] VJe hod a very good time. 1 The test was very difficult. I She described the scene very well. I Try again, but move your arms very slowly.
Qreally noli [adv] especially spoken very - use this especially to talk about your feelings or what you think about something: It's really cold out there. I I feel really hungry. I Bob played really well.
highly /'haili/ [adv] formal very - you can use highly with these words: successful, intelligent, profitable, effective, efficient, educated, skilled: He runs a highly successful company. I a team of highly skilled engineers
Qreal /пэ1/ [adv] american spoken informal
very: I think he's a real smart guy. I Vou can take the car but be real careful driving real fast
even more than very
extremely /ik'stri:m!i/ [adu] espfcialily written use this when you want to use a stronger word than 'very': It is extremely difficult to work in these conditions. I The article contains some extremely important information. I The conference was extremely badly organized.
VERY
see also ют 4, completely,
little/not much
absolutely /'sEbsaluitli, .aebsa'luitli/ [adv] as much as it is possible to imagine - use this to emphasize adjectives that already have a strong meaning absolutely marvellous/wonderful/deli cious etc We had an absolutely marvellous day. I The cake tastes absolutely delicious - did you make it? absolutely jilth у/disgusting/awful etc When they came in from the yard, they were absolutely filthy. absolutely terri/ied/exhausted/deHghted/ Jurious etc She stood in the middle of the stage looking absolutely terrified.
completely /bm'pliitli/ [adu] in every
possible way; What's he doing? Has he gone completely crazy? I By Friday I'm always completely exhausted. I a place where you can feel completely relaxed
Qvery, very ,veri 'veri;' spoken say this when you want to emphasize Very': p very, very important decision I She's intelligent, and she's very, very efficient.
incredibly /m'kred^bli/ [adul use this
when something is so good, so bad, so fast etc that you are surprised by it or you find it hard to believe: They all work incredibly hard. I Their house is incredibly cold - / don't think they heat it at all. I I've been incredibly lucky in my career.
less than very, but more than a little
/airly /forli/ [adu] if something is fairly
heavy, fairly easy etc it is more than a little heavy or easy, but it is not very heavy or very easy : The house has a fairly big living room. I She was fairly certain that she had been there before. I Maria sings fairly well, but she needs more lessons.
quite kwait/ [adv, predeterminer] especially British if something is quite heavy, quite easy etc. it is more than a little heavy or easy, but it is not very heavy or very easy: The hotel was quite expensive. I The door opened quite easily. I I quite like it here, but I'd rather live in Manchester.
quite a long way/nice day/a good book.
A
etc It's quite a long way to the church from here. I I thought it was quite an interesting movie.
In American English, 'quite good', 'quite funny' etc means Very good', Very funny' etc.
pretty /priti/ [adv] informal fairly: It's
pretty cold today. I I was pretty embarrassed when J realized that she d been listening. I 'Hi Beth, how are you?" "Pretty good."
A\ In British English.pretty is used mostly in conversation. But in American English, pretty is much more common, and it is the most usual way of sayingfairly •
VIOLENT
CRUEL
likely to attack or hurt people
ATTACK
t T
SHOOT ^t CRIME
HIT
kill
threaten
i v
^^ see ^
aiso
films/movies
violent person/animal/ behaviour
violent /'vaialant' [adj\ someone who is violent often attacks people, and sometimes causes injury or death, especially because this is part of their character: My father was a violent man who couldn't control his temper 1 There was a violent protest outside the court, and a police officer was injured.
violent crime Everyone is worried about the increase in violent crime. violently [acfu] He was violently attacked by a gang of youths.
aggressive /a'gresiv/ \adj] someone who is aggressive behaves in an angry way, and always seems to want to fight or argue: Some of the crowd were very aggressive, shouting and banging on windows. I Kids who play video games show much more aggressive behaviour than those who don't, aggressively [adu] Why do you always drive so aggressively?
brutal bru:tl [adj] violent and cruel: The
prison guards were brutal and corrupt. 1 a brutal dictator who killed all his opponents
brutal murder/attack/lcilltng Carter was jailed for the brutal murder of a young mother.
brutally [adv] Opponents of the regime were brutally tortured.
vicious viJos- [adj] a vicious person or
animal is likely to attack and injure people suddenly and for no reason: Police shot dead a vicious Rottweiler dog. vicious attack/assault Stephanie was the victim of a vicious sex attack.
fierce /fi3rs/ [adj] a fierce animal looks very frightening and is ready to attack people: A fierce dog was standing at the gate, guarding the house.
violent film/story
violent /'vaiabnt/ [adj] violent films,
stories, or television programmes contain a lot of fighting and killing: / think Tarantino's films are too violent.
gory /'goiri/ [adj] gory films, descriptions etc clearly show or describe violent injuries, blood, death etc: a gory horror
movie
В violent actions
violence /'vaiabns/ [n U] fighting, killing, and other violent behaviour: complaints about sex and violence on TV I In some parts of the city, teachers have to deal with violence in the classroom. + against male violence against women
force /fo:rs/ |n U] violent action or the threat of violent action, used in order to make someone do something: We want to end the demonstration without force. use force The police do not use force when arresting people unless it's absolutely necessary. by/orce (=using force) Her husband tried to get the children back by force.
VERY 830
rather ги:(Ъг||'пЕ- [ac/u, predeterminer] especially BRmsH fairly - use this especially about things that are bad or unsuitable: Gail seems rather unhappy today. I а rather annoying delay rather a long way/short dress etc That 's rather a large whis/cy; / don t think I can drink it all.
ratHer a lot She was wearing rather a lot of make-up at the party.
/К Rather is more formal than the other words in this section.
aggression /3'greJ>n/ [n Uj angry behaviour that often causes fights: Drugs can be used to control aggression. I Some people think aggression in children may be caused by the food they eat.
VISIT
to go and spend time in a place or
STAY
with a person
FREE TIME
г
travel
A
A
see also
it
HOUDAY
D to visit a person
visit viz^t; [u \/T] to go and spend time with someone, especially in their home: We re going to visit Vicky this weekend. I Paul visited her every day when she was in the hospital.
A Visit is a fairly formal word, In informal English, go to see is more common.
go to see l.gjo t? si:/ to go and spend time with someone, either for enjoyment or in order to get advice or help from them: We went to see Kim fast weekend. I He goes to see his mother every evening. I You should go to see the doctor about that cough.
In spoken English, you can also say go and see: Why don't you go and see your mother? In American spoken tnglish you can also say go see: You really should go see the bank manager.
In the past tense, always say went to see (not 'went see'): I went to see an accountant about my tax problems.
Stop in/Stop by /stop ir, .stop hai||
,sta:p- [phrasal verb ll to visit someone for a short time while you are on your way to somewhere slse: Bruce and Betty stopped by on their way to the mall.
Qdrop in/drop by / drop 'in. ,dmp bai||
dra:p- [phrasal verb II especially spoken to visit someone for a short time, especially when they are not expecting you: Guess who dropped in earlier ~ Aunt Leonel I Lizzie said she'd drop by later and let us know the arrangements for tonight.
Qcome by .'.клш bai/ [phrasa/ verb I|
american, especially spoken to visit someone in their home, especially for a short time: Can you come by on Tuesday to pick up
the keys?
QcaU in/call round /,Ь:l m, ,Ы
raond, [phrasal verb 1] British, especially spokfn to visit someone in their home while you are on your way to somewhere else: Fred calls round sometimes on his way to the sports centre. I I'll call in tomorrow, Mum.
see Mi: [и Tj to visit a doctor lawyer etc at their place of work, in order to get professional help or advice: You shou/d see a doctor if your back doesn't get any better. I I've come to see the Planning Officer
seeing - saw - have seen
to visit a place
go to /'gau tu:/ (р/irasa/ verb T] to visit а place: We're going to Hawaii for our vacation. I I've been to Germany several times, i Have you ever been to the National Gallery in London?
go to see /.gao t^ 'si: to visit a well-known place or building while you are in a city or country: If you're in Paris, you must go
A
A
to see the Pompidou Centre.
A In spoken English, you can also say go and see: Let's go and see the cathedral. In American spoken English you can also say go see: Why don't we go see the Statue of I Liberty?
In the past tense, always say went to
see (not 'went see').
visit viz^t [и T] to go somewhere, especially as part of your official duties: The Ambassador visited Hong Kong in 1982. I The photo shows Mr Clinton visiting an automobile factory.
Don't say 'we visited the cinema/
Disneyland etc'. Say we went to the
cinema/Disneyland etc. Use visit to talk about important people when they
officially go to a city, a country, a factory
Don't say 'he visited to the town'. Say he visited the town
etc
A
Stop off / stop Dt| stu:p 'o:fj {phrasal verb I) to make a short visit to a place while you are on your way to somewhere else + at/in We stopped ojf in Boston on our way to New York, i I'll stop off at the library on the way home.
sightseeing /'sait,siuri [n U] when you travel around a place to look at the famous and interesting places there: We did a lot of walking and sightseeing while we were in London.
go sightseeing Lets go sightseeing tomorrow. I'd like to see the Empire State Building and Central Park.
A Don't say 'a sightseeing'. Say some sightseeing or a lot of sightseeing.
El someone who visits
Visitor 'vizJ,t3r; In C] someone who visits a person or place: The museum had over a million visitors last year I We have visitors staying with us at the moment. I Prisoners are allowed only two visitors a week.
guest /gest/ [n CJ someone that you have invited to visit you or stay with you at your house: They were quests of an Arab banker at his apartment in the south of France.
I—— —— — ———i
Guest is a rather formal word. In spoken English, it is more usual to say 'someone visiting' or 'someone staying': We have some friends visiting us this weekend.
t
tourist 'to^st/ [n CJ someone who is
visiting a place while they are on holiday: Cambridge is full of tourists in the summer.
6 a time when you visit
visit /'viz^t/ [n Cj a time when you visit a person or a place: Jenni was getting quite excited at the thought of her mother s visit.
+ to It's the President's first visit to Moscow.
pay sb a visit (=visit someone) formai Melissa decided to pay a visit to her old teacher.
VISIT
a/lying visit (-a very short visit when you do not have much time) Do you have time to stay for a meal, or is this just a flying visit?
VOTE
^ see also government/politics,
REPRESENT, PROTEST
U to vote
vote voot [v I/T] to show which person you want to choose, or to show whether you agree with a plan, by putting your hand up or making a mark on a piece of paper
vote for sb/sth (-vote to support them) / haven't decided who I'm going to vote for. I 70% of the population voted for independence.
vote against stH (=vote to say that you do not agree with a plan or suggestion) Only two people voted against the proposal. vote to do sth Congress voted to increase spending on foreign aid vote on sth (=vote in order to make a decision about something) Teachers will be voting on a proposal to accept the 5% pay offer.
vote In tomorrow's election, many young people will be voting for the first time.
vote Republican/Labour etc (=vote for а political party) I've voted Democrat all my life.
the vote [n singular] the right to vote: It wasn't until 1918 that women were given the vote.
have a vote/take a vote hav о
vaot, ,teik э 'vaotj if a group of people have a vote or take a vote, they decide something by putting their hands up to show which idea they agree with: We may need to take a vote if we can't decide. + on Let's take a vote on it (^decide it by voting) .
elect i lekt [v T] to choose a government, leader, or representative by voting-. At tonight's meeting, we will elect a new chairperson. I The present mayor was elected two years ago. elect sb leader/chairman/president etc (^choose someone to be leader etc by voting) When was Mr Veftsin elected president?
832
veto /'virtau/ [и T] if someone vetoes а decision that other people have agreed on, they use their official power to refuseto allow it: The bill wos vetoed by the President because it contained too many tax increases.
vetoing - vetoed - have vetoed
Q an occasion when people vote
election i'lekj>n/ [n C] when people vote to choose a government or leader: Since the last election, unemployment has increased.
hold an election South Africa held its
first multi-racial elections in 1994. presidential election l=an election to choose a president)
general election British (=an election to choose a government)
re/ererxdum retVrendom/ (n C] when everyone in a country votes to say what they think about an important political question
hold a referendum A referendum held in the Ukraine showed strong support for independence.
+ on The Irish people voted 'no' in a referendum on divorce in 1986.
ballot /'baelst/ [n C] when members of an organization decide something by marking what they want on a piece of paper, especially in order to make sure that it is secret: The result of the ballot showed that nurses were not in favour of a strike. I a secret ballot
vote voot [n singular] when a group of people, especially a committee or parliament, vote to decide something: Winterton announced that he would not be supporting the plan in Monday's vote.
El someone who votes
voter V3otor [n C] someone who votes in a political election: /ta/ian voters have shown what they think of the corrupt old party system.
Republican/Labour etc voters (=people who vote for the Republican Party etc)
834
WAIT
WAIT
see also expect, stay
to wait
wait /weit/ [v I] to spend time not doing very much, while you are expecting something to happen or expecting someone to arrive: Wait here until I get back. I Hurry up, everyone's waiting, wait for sb/sth (=wait until someone arrives, is ready etc) I'll stay here and
wait for Suzie.
wait (for) a minute/two hours/a long time etc Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages. I You'll have to wait a few minutes - I'm not ready yet. wait to do stК Are you waiting to use the phone?
wait for sb/sth to do stK She waited for him to reply.
keep sb waiting (=make someone wait, for example by arriving late) I'm so sorry I kept you waiting.
A
wait and see (=be patient until you find out) I've sent the letter - now I'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Don't say 'I'll wait you', 'they waited the bus' etc. Say I'll wait for you, they waited for the bus etc.
A You can say I waited an hour or I waited for an hour. Both are correct.
Qhold On /.haold 'Dn||-'a:n/ [phrasal verb 1] spoken to wait a little longer: I can hold on for a few minutes if you like.
Kang around /haer] a'raond/ [phrasa/ verb IJ informal to wait in one place without doing anything, so that you are wasting time: Sally hung around for over an hour but no-one came. keep sb hanging around You knew I was in a hurry. Why did you keep me hanging around?
what you say to tell someone to wait
Q. wait we it spoken Wait -1 must phone Les before we go.
wait a minute/second/moment Wait a minute, I'll get my coat.
czyust a minute/just a second
/,d3ASt э min^t, .djASt э sekand spoken say this when you want someone to wait a short time before going somewhere or doing something: Just a minute - I haue to check I locked the back door.
Qhold on/hang ОП /.hauld on, ,h<er)
'on||-a:n/ spoken informal say this to tell someone to wait for a short time: Hold on - I hauen't /inished yet.
+ a minute/moment/second etc Hang on a minute while I find her phone number.
Qwait Up /,weit 'лр/ AMERICAN SPOKEN say
this to tell someone to stop, because you want to talk to them or go with them: Wait up, you guys! I can't walk so fast.
Q ho Id the line /.haold Оэ lam / spoken say this in a business telephone conversation to ask someone to wait for a moment, until the person they want to speak to is ready to answer: Hold the line, please, I'll see if he's available.
Qbear with me /'Ьеэг wid mi:/ spoken formal say this to ask someone to wait patiently, while you explain something or while you finish what you are doing: If you just bear with me, I'll explain.
to stand in a line of
people waiting
queue/queue up /kju:, ,kju: 'лр [v Ij British to stand in a line of people who are all waiting for the same thing: Students were queuing up at the bus-stop, queue (up) to do sth It's worth queuing up to get the best tickets. queue (up) for sth (=in order to get something) The refugees had to queue for food and water.
stand in line/wait in line /.staend in lain. ,weit m 'lain american to stand in a line of people who are all waiting for the same thing: people waiting in line outside a nightclub stand/wait in line to do sth We stood in line for two hours to get into the stadium.
line up lain лр/ [phrasa/ uerb 1] if people line up, they go and stand in a line and wait to do something or be given something: The prisoners were told to line up at the gate.
line up to do sth They lined up to receive their prizes.
queue British line american kju:, lam [n
CI a line of people who are all waiting for the same thing: The queue went right round the block. I After waiting an hour, we got to the front of the line, join a queue/line (=start waiting in it) / joined the queue for a taxi.
able to wait quietly and calmly
patient /'peij>nt/ [adjl able to wait calmly without becoming annoyed or bored: I'm sure she'll write soon. Just trv to be patient.
patiently [adu} The audience waited patiently for the show to begin patience [n U] when you can wait calmly without becoming annoyed or bored: It's easy to grow your own plants - all you need is a little time and patience.
unable to wait quietly and calmly
impatient /im'peij^nt, [ad;] becoming annoyed because you have been waiting for a long time: Don't be so impatient.
I'm doing it as fast as I can. get/become/grow impatient I could see that Max was getting impatient. impatiently [adu] The customs officer waved them on impatiently. impatience [n U] annoyance caused by waiting for a long time: People were beginning to show signs of impatience.
WAKE UP/СЕТ UP
be awake bi: o'weik/ to not be asleep: "Are you awake, Lucy?" she whispered. I I'm usually awake before anyone else, be wide awake (=be completely awake) It was past midnight, but Jill was still wide awake.
come round British come around
american клт (э)'гаигнЗ/ [phrasa/ verb I) to gradually become conscious again after being given a drug or being hit on the head: She was coming round after her operation, but she still felt dizzy and very sleepy.
to make someone stop sleeping
wake/wake up weik, weik лр/ [v T] Be quiet, or you II wake my parents. I We were woken by a loud banging on the door, wake sb up The alarm clock woke me
up at 8 o'clock.
wake up sb They were making enough noise to wake up the whole street!
waking - woke - have woken
disturb /di'st3:rb/ [и T] to accidentally wake someone who is sleeping, by making a noise or movement: I got undressed in
the bathroom to avoid disturbing her.
to get out of bed
get up / get 'лр' [phrasal verb I] to get out of bed, especially in the morning in order to get ready for the day: Frank gets up at five-thirty every morning. get up early I think we should get up early and leave before breakfast.
to sleep again. I Babies often because they are hungry.
waking - woke - have woken
wake
be up / bi: лр I [phrasal verb 1) to be out of bed and doing things: Is Harry up yet? I I was up at six this morning. I Jake had been up since dawn.
see also tired, sleep
to stop sleeping
wake up/wake /,weik лр, weik/ [phrasaf verb II to stop sleeping: I woke up at five o'clock and couldn't get back
to stay in bed until late in the morning
get up late /get лр lea/ to get out of bed later than usual in the morning: We usu- ally get up late on Sundays. I I got up late and missed my nine o'clock class.
have a lie in british sleep late american ha?v 3 'lai in, ,sli:p leit to stay in bed longer than usual in the morning, because you do not need to get up: It's Saturday tomorrow. so I can have a lie in. I She knows I sleep late on weekends, so she
doesn't disturb me.
stay in bed stei in bed to not get out of bed, even though you are awake: If you're not well, you'd better stay in bed. I He's so lazy - he often stays in bed all day!
oversleep />v3rsli:p/ [и I] to accidentally sleep longer than you intended to, so that you are late for something: Sorry I'm late - I overslept. I / was worried that we would oversleep and miss the plane.
oversleeping - overslept - have overslept
WALK
see also run
stride /straid/ [v I] to
walk quickly, taking big steps, in an angry or confident way + into/out ofltowards
etc Brian strode out of
the room without
stride
specking, i The Principal came striding towards me. and shook my hand.
Use stride especially in written stories or descriptions
march
striding - strode - have strode
A
to walk
walk ;wo;k/ [и 1] Anna missed the bus, so she decided to walk. I How old was your baby when she learned to walk? + into/out o//alofig/back etc He walked out of the station and got into a taxi. I / was walking along Main Street when I met Pierre.
walk home She hates wa/king home
alone at night.
walk two miles/100 metres etc We must have walked about five miles today.
on foot jon Tut I if you go somewhere on foot, you walk instead of going by car, bus, train etc: It isn't far. It'll take you about ten minutes on foot. go/travel on/oot The bus left us at the bottom of the hill, and we went the rest of the way on foot.
Wander /'wDnd3r||'wa:n-/ [и Ц to walk without hurrying and without going directly to a particular place, either for pleasure or because you are lost
+ around/about/into etc I spent the morning wandering around the old part of the city, looking at the bui/dings.
march /ma:rtJ7 \v I] if soldiers march, they
all walk together with regular steps + into/through/past etc Thousands of US soldiers marched through the streets of Paris.
wade
wade weid. [и I) to walk through deep water
f across/towards/through etc They waded across the river.
to walk for pleasure or
for exercise
go for a walk /,g3o far э woik/ to walk somewhere for pleasure or for exercise: It's a lovely evening. Why don't we go for a walk?
stroll/go/br a stroll
strool. goo for э 'str^ol/ |u I) to walk in a slow and relaxed way, especially for pleasure
+ along/through/across
etc They strolled along the riverbank, enjoying the evening sun, I They decided to go for a stroll along the beach.
hiking :,haikii]/ [n U1 the activity of
for long walks in the countryside go hiking My parents go hiking a
a journey that you make by walking
walk /work,/ [n С] a journey that you make by walking, either for pleasure or exercise, or in order to go somewhere go for a walk (=walk for pleasure or exercise) I love going for walks in the countryside.
a tong/short/ten-minute etc walk (-used to say how long it takes to walk somewhere) Jt's a long walk from here to the nearest town. I "How far is it to the post office?" "It's not far - just a 5-minute walk.1'
hike haik/ In C] a long walk in the
countryside
go on a hike We went on lots of great hikes.
to walk quietly
tiptoe
tiptoe tiptao/ [и 1] to walk on your toes because you do not want to make any noise
going
lot.
+ into/out o//post etc He tiptoed out of the room, trying not to wake the baby. tiptoeing - tiptoed - have tiptoed
creep
creep/sneak /krirp, sm:k/ [u I| to walk
quietly and carefully because you do not want anyone to notice you + in/through/across/out etc He unlocked the back door and crept out into the yard. I They must haue sneaked in whi/e the guard wasn't looking, creep up/sneak up behind sb (=in order to surprise them) She crept up behind him and put her hands ouer his eyes.
creeping - crept - have crept sneaking - sneaked (a!^o snuck amlhk /\V> -have sneaked (aho have snuckamfkk ,y\)
to walk slowly and with difficulty
limp /Итр/ [и I] to walk with difficulty because you have hurt one of your legs + along/over/towards She limped painfully ouer to a chair and sat down, a (imp [n singular] a limping movement: Josie walked with a slight Jimp.
stagger /staeg3r/[u I] if you stagger, you do not walk straight and you almost fall over, because you are injured, drunk, or very tired
+ into/out of/along etc Kevin staggered over to our table. I A man came stag gering into the building, bleeding from his citest.
trudge \тлйъ \v 1] to walk slowly using a
lot of effort, for example because you arc going up a hill, carrying heavy bags, or walking through snow + back/along/home etc The car broke down and we had to trudge back home through the snou;.
a single movement you make when you are walking
Step /step/ (n C] the single movement that you make when you put one foot in front of the other when you are walking
take a step She walked briskly, taking quick, short steps.
footstep /'futstep/(n С usually plural] the sound of someone's feet when they are walking or running: Suddenly Rachel heard footsteps behind her in the dark street.
Pace peis [n CI the distance you go when you take a single step: He took a couple of paces forward, then stopped.
someone who is walking
pedestrian /pedestrian/ [n C] someone who is walking in a town, instead of going by car. bus, bicycle etc: Banning traffic from the shopping areas has made life much more pleasant for pedestrians.
DONTCARE
INTEND
love
i
enthusiastic/ unenttfusiastk
walker /'и/з:кэг/ (rj Cj someone who walks in the countryside for pleasure: There's с rough track through the woods for riders and walkers.
WANT
LUCE/NOT LIKE
\ t
ENJOY fS^
see also
EXCITING/ V EXCITED
POPULAR/ UNPOPULAR
to want something or
want to do something
want vvDnt||waint. W3:nt/' [i> T] want to do sth What do you want to do at the weekend? I Stacev wants to be a doctor.
want sth Do you want milk in your coffee? I My parents moved out of London because they wanted a bigger house.
want sb to do sth She Luants Tom to
come to her party.
Don't say 'I want visit England'. Say I want to visit England
what sb wants is What we want is a car that's cheap and reliable.
A
Don't say 'I want that you do it'. Say 1 want you to do it.
^^You can use want without an object or infinitive in expressions like 'if you want' or 'if you want to': You can come with us if you want to. I They are free to leave whenever they want.
Qwould like /wod laik/ especially spoken use this as a polite way of asking for something, offering something, or saying what you want to do would like to do sth I'd like to reserve a room for Saturday. I Would you like to borrow this book?
would like sth We'd like some information about flights to Chicago, please. I Would you like some more coffee? would like sb to do sth We would like you to attend an interview at 3:30 on Friday.
Q/eel like /fj:] laik especially spoken to want to have something or do something, because you think you would enjoy it /eel like doing sth I fee! like watching a video tonight. I I just didn't feel like
going to school.
feel like sth Do you feel like a glass of wine? ! It's a lovely day - do you feel like a walk?
i/ you feel like it (=if you want to) Come and see us tomorrow if you feel like it.
be interested in ;bi: intr^d in to
think that you may want to do something, buy something, or get involved in something
be interested in doing sth We're inter ested in buying an apartment downtown. I Would you be interested in joining the local drama club? be interested in sth Clare was interested in a career in teaching.
Ql wouldn't mind /aj wodnt mamd/
spoken say this to tell someone politely that you want to do something or want to have something, especially with them I wouldn't mind stH I wouldn't mind another cup of coffee. How about you? I wouldn't mind doing sth It was a really good play. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.
A
I wouldn't mind (when answering someone's question) "Do you want to go out
for a weal sometime7 "Yes. I wouldn't mind."
I wouldn't mind js less definite than ' want or I'd like.
Qif you like /if ju: lark/ spoktn say this when you are offering to let someone do something if they want to do it: Von can stay here tonight, if you like. I If you like. I could check your essay for you.
by choice /bai 'tjois. if you do something by choice, you do it because you want to do it. and not because anyone forces you to do it: Jim liv+s with his parents by choice - he could rent his own place if he wanted to.
to want something very
much
wish /wij" [и T not in passive] to want something to happen, when it is unlikely or impossible that it will happen, or when you cannot control what will happen + (that) I wish I had с car like that. I Beth wished that she could stav there forever.
wish sb/sth would do sth / wish they would turn that music down.
Дь Don't confuse wish (=want something that is unlikely or impossible) and hope (=want something that is likely or possible) I wish the weather would stay like this forever. I I hope the weather stays fine this
weekend.
Don't say 'i wish to be rich'. Say ' want
A Don't say 'I wish I can fly'. Say I wish I could fly (=but I can't). Use past tense forms after wish (that) / wjsh i knew (=but I don't know). I I bet you wish you had a ticket! (=but you don't).
^^ uon i say i wisn to oe ncn . ъау to be rich (=jt js possible) or I wish I were
rich (=but I am not). Wish js used with the infinitive only in very formal or official situations: The President wishes to thank alt his staff for their help.
QWOuld love wod Iav especially spoken to want something very much, and feel that you would be happy if you had it would love stk I would love a cup of coffee.
would love to do sth She would love to have children but she hasn't met the right man.
would love sb to do sth My mother would love me to come and live in New York with her
Ql can't wait ai ,ka:nt 'weit||-,kasnt- spoken say this when you want something to happen as soon as possible, because you know you will enjoy it and you are very excited about it: "You're going on holiday soon, aren't you?" "Yes, I can't wait."
I can't wait to do sth / can't wait to see Bil! again - it's been a long time. + for I can't wait for Christmas.
О be dying bi: 'dai-ii]/ spoken informal to
want something very much, and feel that you must have it or do it immediately be dying to do sth I'm dying to meet Lisa's new boyfriend. + for I'm dying for a drink - let's go to a bar.
to want one thing more than another thing
would prefer W()Cl рпТз:г/ if you would prefer something or would prefer to do
something, you want it or want to do it more than something else: "Would you like a coffee?" "I'd prefer a cold drink, please."
would prefer to do stH Anna would prefer to live in Italy, but she can't find a job there.
would much prefer (=want something much more than something else) Jack wants to go out, but I'd much prefer to stay home and watch TV.
Ql'd rather aid га:бэг||-'пе-/ spoken use
this to say that you want something or want to do something more than something else
I'd/she'd rather do sth Paula said she'd rather go by car. I an experience that I'd rather forget I Would you rather go swimming or play tennis?
E to be willing to do what someone else wants you to do
be willing to do sth /bi: wilig ta du: (sth)/ if you are willing to do something, you will agree to do it because it is necessary or because someone has asked you to do it: He's willing to tell the police everything he knows, 1 To do well as a journalist, you have to be willing to change jobs very frequently.
willingly |aduj Id willingly pay higher
taxes if the money was spent on health and education.
be ready to do sth /bi; redi tz du:
(sth) to be willing to do something at any time, whenever it needs to be done: I'm always ready to help if you need me. I The Bosnian leaders said they were ready to discuss a peace settlement.
be glad/happy to do sth hi: glaed,
hsepi ta du: (sth)/ to be very willing to do something in order to help someone. John says he'd be happy to give you a hand with the gardening, i The bank will be glad to assist you with a loan.
ш to not want to do something
not want to do sth /not .wont ts du: (sth)||-,wa:nt-/She doesn't want to see me anymore. I We asked him to come with us, but he said he didn't want to. not want sb to do sth "Why didn't he tell me he was sick?" "He didn't want you to worry."
Qnot fee I like doing sth /not ,fi:l
laik 'dunr] (sth)/ especially spoken to not want to do something, especially because you think you would not enjoy it or because you feel too lazy: I don't feel like writing that essay today, f Some days she just doesn't feel like going to work.
Ql'd rather not /aid шхЪг птЦ-'гае-.
spoken say this when you do not want to do something, especially because you think it may cause problems for you: I sup pose I could lend him the money, but to be honest, I'd rather not. I'd rather not do sth Really I'd rather not talk about it right now.
be unwilling to do sth/bi: ЛП wtliq ta
du: (sth)/ formal to not want to do something, even though you should do it or someone wants you to do it: She is unwilling to admit that she was wrong. I Most people here are unu;i//mg to give up their cars and use buses and trains instead.
reluctant /п1лк1эм< [adjl unwilling to do something, even though you may agree to do it if someone persuades you be reluctant to do sth Some of the older staff were reluctant to use the new equipment.
reluctantly [aduj We offered them
$500, which they accepted rather reluctantly.
against your will /э,genst p:r wil/ if you do something against your will, you do not want to do it, but someone makes you do it: The refugees were sent back against their will. I Her father can't force her to marry against her will.
Ш a feeling that you want to do something
desire /drzaor [n C) especially written a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wanting to do something, especially something important, which makes you try very hard to have it or do it desire to do something children with a keen desire to learn and succeed + for After so many years of war, there was a great desire for peace.
Don't say 'a desire of doing something'. Say a desire to do something.
urge уМъ [n C] a sudden strong feeling that you want to do something, especially a feeling that is difficult to control urge to do sth I felt a sudden urge to tell him all my problems. I Sheena resisted
the urge to get in her car and go home.
wish we, [n C] formal a feeling that you
want something to happen, especially when this is very important to you: His last wish was that his body should be buried in his home town. sb's dearest/greatest wish (=the thing they want most of all) She always wanted to see her grandchildren again - it was her dearest wish.
respect sb's wishes (=do what someone wants you to do because it is important to
them) The doctor has to respect the
wishes of the patient.
В something that you want to achieve
ambition lem'b j<>n [n C] something which you want to achieve in the future, especially in your work, and which you will try hard to achieve
sb's ambition is to do sth Her ambition u;as to go to law school and become an attorney.
achieve//ul/il your ambition (^finally do what you wanted to do) Earlier this year, he achieved his ambition of competing in the Olympic Games.
dream driim [n C] something very special that you want to do and that you think about a lot, especially something that is not very likely to happen sb's dream is to do sth Her dream was to go to Hollywood and become a movie star.
dream of doing sth After the accident, Clarke had to give up his dream of becoming a racing driver. sb's dream comes true (-they finally do what they want) Last year her dream came true and she was offered a chance to study in America.
goal 'gaol/ In CI something important that a person, company, or government hopes to achieve in the future, even though it may take a long time achieve/reach a goal By 1975, they had
achieved their goal of providing free education for every child. sb's goal is to do sth Our goal is to become the biggest-selling brand of coffee in the country. short-term goal/long-term goal (=one that you hope to achieve soon/a long time in the future)
target /'ta:rgj,t/ [n CI a particular amount or total that you want to achieve, for example an amount of products you must sell or produce: We produced 16,000
cars this year, but our target was
17,500.
achieve/reach/meet a target The
Government is struggling to reach its target of $23 billion in spending cuts. set (sb) a target (=say what the target is) I set myself a target of learning 20 new words each week.
В an offer, opportunity
etc that makes you want to do something
attractive /otnektiv' [adj] an attractive
offer, idea, opportunity etc makes you want to do something because you think that you would enjoy it or get advantages from it: It was an attractive offer, and I accepted the job. I Cycling would be an attractiue alternative to driving if there were better cycle paths + to Low business taxes make the area attractive to foreign investors.
tempting /'tempt 113. fad;] a tempting offer or suggestion makes you want to do something, but you think that you should not do it: "Why don t you come out with Phil and me tonight?" "It's a very tempt ing idea, but I have an essay to finish." I They made me a tempting offer, but it wasn't quite enough to make me take the job.
incentive /in'sentiv fn C] something that makes you want to work harder or do what someone else wants you to do, because you think you will get something good by doing it
incentive to do sth We need to give young people an incentive to stay at school for longer.
incentive for sb to do sth There is no incentive for farmers to grow more food.
WAR
opposite peace
defend
DESTROY
see also
4. v
shoot hurt/mjure
WEAPON
KILL
army
ATTACK^ ^ ^^XPLODE
fighting between countries or armies
war jwx'j (n C/U] a long period of fighting, when the armies, ships, and planes of two or more countries fight against each
other in many different places: the Vietnam War I When the war ended in
1945, Europe was in chaos.
win/lose a war Who won the Franco- Prussian War*
civil war (=war between groups of people from the same country) More Americans died in the Civil War than in World War
II.
declare war (on) (=make an official statement that you are going to fight another country)
+ against/with Iran's seven year war with Iraq
+ between the wars between England and Scotland
war breaks out (=war begins) In 1874, war broke out in Europe again,
Avou can also use warbefore a noun, like an adjective: a war hero I war movies
battle /'baetl/ [n C] a fight between two armies, or two groups of ships or planes in one place: a naval battle in the North Sea
+ of the Battle of the Somme win/lose a battle The French lost the
Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
conflict/"kDnfliktl'kain-/ [n C/U] a situation in which two countries or groups are fighting against each other - used especially in newspapers: the conflict in Soma/ia I a peace settlement that brought an end to years of conflict.
rebellion /n'beljsn/ [n C) an organized attempt to change or destroy the government by fighting against it: The rebellion spread quickly through the Western Provinces.
+ against an armed rebellion against the government
crush a rebellion (-use force to stop it) The army was brought in to crush the rebellion.
fightingI'faitir)/ [n U] when soldiers fight against each other during a war or battle:
The UN had failed to stop the fighting
in Rwanda.
heavy/fierce fighting (=a lot of fighting when many people are hurt) The streets of Kabul are now quiet again after three weeks of heavy fighting.
warfare wo:rfe3r/ [n U] the activity of
fighting in a war - use this especially to talk about the methods of fighting that are used in war: the history of modern warfare
nuclear/chemical warfare (=fighting with nuclear bombs or poison gas) guerrilla warfare (=when small unofficial military groups fight against the government)
В to fight a war or be in a
war
fight fait [u I/T] to take part in a war or battle: His grandfather /ought on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War. I The Boers were fighting the British at this time.
+ for Most of these young soldiers don't even know what they're fighting for. /tght a war/battle They were fighting a war of independence against a powerful enemy.
fighting - fought - have fought
be at war /bi: 3t 'wdi1"/ if two countries are at war with each other, they are fighting a war against each other: Iran and Iraq had been at war for several years.
+ with In 1 792, England was at war with America.
El during a war
wartime /'wai'taim/ [adj only before noun] happening during the time when there is a war: He died on a wartime bombing mission. I Her wartime experiences were still fresh in her memory.
wartime /'wo:rtaim/ [n U] (=during the time when there is a war) in wartime the importance of secrecy in wartime
in the war/in бэ 'wo:r/ during the particular war that you are talking about: What did your father do in the war?
Eithe place where a war is fought
battle/ield/'baetlfnld/ [n С] a place where two armies fight a battle against each other during a war: Thousands died on the battlefields of northern France.
the front line/the /ront /аэ fr\nt
lain, 9з 'frAnt [n singular] the line along which enemies are fighting each other during a war: We were now just a few kilometres behind the front line
the Western/Eastern/Russian front Her
grandfather had spent four years on the Western Front.
war zone /wd:1" 7.poni [n C] an area which is very dangerous because a war is being fought there: the latest news from the war zone
warning /'wD:rnii]/ [n C/U] something
that you say or do to warn people about danger or to warn them not to do something: All cigarette packets carry a government health warning, give a warning The weather report gave a warning of more snow and icy roads. + to Two of the prisoners were publicly beaten, as a warning to the others, without (any) warning (=without giving a warning) Soldiers began firing into the crowd without any warning.
the people you are fighting against in a war
enemy /'ensmi/ In C] someone that you are fighting against in a war: Fuen though these soldiers were our enemies, I still felt sorry for them.
the enemy (=the army or country that your army or country is fighting against in a war) They accused him of giuing secret information to the enemy.
plural enemies
A
You can also use enemy before a noun, like an adjective: an enemy plane enemy territory
You can also use warning before a noun, like an adjective: Headaches may be warning signs of a more serious illness.
beware bi'we3r/ [и I only in imperative!
used on signs to warn people about something dangerous
+ of Beware of the bull. I Beware of failing rocks
WASH
if you mean 'to make something clean', go to clean 2
see also dirty, mark, shine
WARN
see also tell, advise
warn jwx'nj [и T] to tell someone about something bad or dangerous that might
happen, so that they can avoid it or prevent it: We tried to warn her, but she refused to listen.
warn sb (that) Allen warned him that he might be killed if he stayed in Beirut. I The local people were warned that the volcano might erupt at any time. warn sb about sth Parents should warn their children about the dangers of smoking.
warn sb not to do sth/warn sb against doing sth (=tell someone they should not do something because it is dangerous or risky) Police are warning drivers not to go out on the roads unless their journey is really necessary. I I tried to warn him against sending Phil any money.
to wash your hands/
face/body etc
wash ;<wDfl|wa:J, wo:J/ \v I/T] to clean yourself with soap and water: Harry went upstairs to wash.
wash your hands //ace/heir She was
washing her hair when the phone rang. I Have you boys washed your hands yet?
Don't say 'I washed myself', 'she washed herself' etc. Say I washed my hands, she had a wash etc
Don't sav 'I washed mvself' 4hp i
have a wash (also wash up American)
/h<ev э wdJ, ,wdJ лр§-wa:J/ to wash your hands and face: You'll feel better once you've had a wash and something to eat. I You kids go wash up now - dinner's nearly ready.
have a bath British take a bath
american /,h<ev э 'ba:0, ,teik э 'ЬскЭЦ-'ЬжЭ/ to wash your whole body while sitting in a bath full of water: Is there enough hot water for me to have a bath? I All the kids used to take a bath in the same tub.
have a shower british take a
shower american haev э |аоэг, teik э Jau9r to wash your whole body while standing under a shower: I'll just have a quick shower and get changed. I She decided to take a shower before dinner.
brush your teeth (also clean your
teeth British) ,Ьгл/ p:r ti:B, ,kli:n jo:r ti:H to clean your teeth by brushing them: Have you brushed your teeth this morning?
C^/reshen Up /,frcj>n 'лр [phrasal verb I] especially spoken to wash your face and hands so that you feet more comfortable, for example when you have been working hard or travelling: The bathroom's on the right if you'd like to freshen up. I She
hoped there would be time to freshen up
before the interview.
El to wash a car/floor/ wall/object etc
wash ,/wDj|waiJ, v/oif! [и T] to clean something using a lot of water, and often soap: He spent all morning washing the car. I The spinach leaves should be washed in cold water.
clean /kli:n/ [и T] to clean something using
soap and water or a special liquid or chemical, and usually by rubbing with a cloth or brush-. Nancy cleans the u>in- dows once a month. I Where's that stuff you use for cleaning the bathtub?
mop /mDp|ma:p/' [u T] to wash a floor with soap and water, using a special tool with a long handle: Dan has to mop the floor of the cafe every night.
mopping - mopped - have mopped
scrub /skrAb/ \v Tj to
mop
make something very clean, using a stiff brush and water, or soap and water scrub the /loor/table/vegetables/your hands Lou was on her knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor I Scrub the potatoes, then put them in a pan of boiling water. scrubbing - scrubbed - have scrubbed
You can also say give something a
wash/a dean/a scrub (especially in British English), and it means the same: The oven needs a good clean. (=needs to be cleaned well)
BJ to wash clothes
wash /woJ||wa:J, wa:J7 (u I/1] to wash clothes, especially in a washing machine: Could you wash this shirt for me? I / seem to spend all my time washing and ironing these days. I You ought to wash that sweater by hand.
dry-clean /,drai kli:n/ [и T) to clean
clothes using special chemicals instead of soap and water: Don't put that dress in the washing machine - the label says it
should be dry-cleaned.
dry-cleaner's [n CI a shop where you can
get your clothes dry-cleaned: Could you collect my suit from the dry-cleaner's?
do the washing british do the
laundry american ,du: Аэ wojii], ,du: ЙЭ
b:n'dri||-'wa:J-/ to wash all the clothes that need to be washed: Did you do the
laundry this-morning?
get Sth out /.get (sth) 'aut [phrasal verb T] to remove a mark from clothes or material: How can I get this coffee stain out?
launderette british laundromat
american /b:n'dret, bindramaet/ [n С] a place where you can pay to wash your clothes in a washing machine
Q to wash cups/plates/
knives/pans etc
wash the dishes/do the dishes
;,wdJ Ээ 'difi>z, (du: дэ 'diJ^z|,wa:J-/ to wash all the cups, plates, knives etc that you have used during a meal: My mom always makes me wash the dishes. I Can I help do the dishes?
do the washing up/wash up british
/du: 5э wdJii] 'лр, ,wd[ 4p||-,wa:J-/ to wash all the cups, plates, knives etc that you have
used during a meal: If you'll do the cooking tonight, I'll do the washing up.
/h Wash up has different meanings in American and British English. In American English it means to wash your hands and face.
О to wash with water but without soap
rinse nns/ [u Tj to wash something with
water in order to remove soap or dirt: I'll
just rinse the lettuce under the tap. I Rosie rinsed her mouth to get rid of the
taste.
rinse out a cup/pan/glass (=quickly clean
a container, just using water) He rinsed out a glass and poured himself a whiskey.
soak ^эок/ [u T] to leave something in water for a long time in order to clean it or make it easier to wash later: You'll have to soak that shirt to get the blood off it. leave sth to soak Just leave that pan to soak overnight.
WASTE
to use more than you need, or use something in a way that is not
useful
^ see also rubbish, get rid of
U to waste something
waste weist, [u T] to use time, money, food etc in a way that is not useful or sensible: I wasted 40 minutes waiting for a bus this morning. I Don't leave the light on - you 're wasting electricity, waste money/time on sth Bill wastes all his money on beer and cigarettes. I Let's not waste any more time on this.
wasted /'weist^d [adj\ something that is wasted is not used in a sensible way, or does not produce a useful result: I felt as if my education had been wasted when I couldn't get a job. ! I'm sorrv you've had a wasted trip. Mr Newton isn't here at the moment.
И something that wastes time, money etc
be a waste of Sth bi: э weist DV (sth)/ if something is a waste of time, money, energy etc, it annoys you because it uses time, money etc in a way that has no useful results: That class was a complete waste of time - I didn't learn anything. I
My parents think going to football games is a waste of money. I a pointless war that was a terrible waste of human life
waste/ul ,'weistfol/ (adj] an activity or
method that is wasteful uses too much money, food, energy etc. without any useful results: Vegetarians say that raising animals for food is wasteful and expensive. t wasteful packaging
inefficient .inJ/frpnH/ fadjl an organization or system that is inefficient does not work well, so it uses more time, money, or energy than it needs to: an inefficient heating system I Local government was corrupt and inefficient.
WATCH
to look at and pay attention to something that is happening
^ see also see, look at
See, look, or watch? Don't confuse see (=notice or experience something with your eyes, though not always deliberately), look (^deliberately turn your eyes towards something in order to see it), and watch (=look for some time at something that is happening or moving).
II to watch someone or
something
watch , wotf|waitJ, wo:tf \v I/T] to look for some time at something that is happening or moving, and pay attention to what you see: A large crowd was watching the football game, f Do you want to play with us or just sit and watch? I The police were watching the house. but Morgan escaped. I Watch me, Dad! I'm going to jump over these boxes. watch sb do sth/watch sb doing sth He watched them slowly climb the hill. I / used to love watching my sister riding her horse.
watch television/a video fa programme
etc You watch too much television. I Did you watch 'Roseanne' last night?
see /si:/ [u T] to watch a television programme, film, play etc - use this especially to say whether you were able to watch a
particular programme, film etc or whether vou missed it: I've never seen The Sound of Music'. I Did you see that programme about pandas last night? seeing - saw - have seen
A Don't say 'see television'. Say watch television: I enjoy watching television.
keep an eye on sb/sth /,ki:p эп ai on
(sb/sth)/ to watch someone or something carefully over a period of time, to make sure that nothing bad happens: Keep an eye on the baby in case she gets too near the fire.
+ /or Can you keep an eye on my bag for me? I'm just going to the toilet.
spy ОП sb /'spai on (sb)/ [phrasal verb T] to watch someone secretly, in order to find out information about them: The Princess accused some of the reporters of spying on her.
In British English, you can use audience with a singular or plural verb: The audience was/were cheering loudly But in American English, use a singular verb.
viewer vju:9r [n C| someone who watches a television programme - used especially in newspapers and news reports: Many television viewers were upset by the violence in last night's movie. I The concert was seen by 500 million viewers around the world.
WAY
look here for ... a way or method of doing something
A
the way someone behaves the way you go from one place to another
always watching to see what happens
alert э'1з:г1/ [adj] someone who is alert is always watching, and notices if anything strange or unusual happens: Passengers should try to stay alert at all times, and report any suspicious packages to the police immediately. 1 An alert postman noticed some broken glass by the door.
Qkeep your eyes open /ki:p p:r aiz
эорзп spoken say this to tell someone to keep watching carefully so that they will see something that they are hoping or expecting to see: We might see a dolphin if we're lucky, so keep your eyes open. + for She kept her eyes open for any bargains.
someone who is watching something
spectator /spek'te!t3r||spekteit3r [n C] someone who is watching a game or other sports event: The stadium holds 50,000 spectators. I Some of the spectators
began throwing cans and beer bottles.
audience ■oidiansH^:-, a:- [n C] all the
people who are watching a play, concert, film etc: The audience clapped and cheered. I There were several famous people in the audience.
a way or method of doing something
see also system, order
way woi [n С] a way of doing, making, or achieving something: Potatoes can be cooked in many different ways. way to do sth Visiting a country is a good way to learn its language. way of doing sth Is there any wcy of controlling the heating in here? I Can you think of another way of saying this? way (that) sb does sth I'll show you the way we calculate the cost. the best/only way The only way to lose weight is to eat less.
Qllke this /laik 'dis spoken in this way - say this when you are showing someone the way to do something: You have to fold the corners back, like this.
how hao |adv] use this to say or ask the way that someone does something: This pizza s delicious! How did you make it? I IVe don't knovj how she managed to escape.
how to do sth My dad's teaching me how to play chess.
method /meBod [n C] a planned way of doing something, especially one that is well known and often used: Newspaper printing methods have changedcompletely in the last twenty years, i
traditional teaching methods
+ of You can choose whichever method
of payment you prefer.
method of doing sth The clinic provides
information about various methods of
preventing pregnancy.
me a as rn\:nz [n C] a method, system, or
machine etc that you use to do something or achieve something that you want means of doing sth Education and training are the most effective means of improving the nation 's economy. by means of sth (=using a particular method or system) Syfces had obtained the money by means of a trick. I The enormous political changes in South Africa were achieved by peaceful means.
means of communication/transport/
transportation E-mail has become an important means of communication.
plural means
technique /tek nhk/1n С] a particular way of doing something, for which you need a skill that has to be learned and practised: Our teacher gave us some advice on improving our exam technique. I management techniques
technique for doing stH Chapter 6 describes useful techniques for moving documents about on screen.
Strategy /'strati/ [n C] a set of carefully planned methods for achieving something that is difficult and may take a long time: the company's new marketing strategy strategy for (doing) sth the government's long-term strategy for reducing crime
plural strategies
tactics /taektiks/ [n plural] methods you
use in order to achieve what you want, especially in a game or competition: The team was busy discussing tactics for the game.
В the way that someone behaves or talks
way jweij [n C] We try to treat all the children in the same way. I Losing a job affects different people in different ways, the way (that) sb does sth I just love the way she laughs. I I could tell by the way he looked at me that he was annoyed.
sb's way of doing sth The younger girls admired Louise, and tried to copy her way of dressing.
how fiao (aaH use this to talk about the way someone behaves or moves: Watch how Cantona controls the ball. I III ask her but I'm not sure how she'll react.
manner /'таепэг/ [n singular] the way that someone behaves towards someone else and talks to them: I didn't like her manner - she seemed very impatient. I The doctor had a relaxed, friendly manner.
Si the way you go from one place to another
^ see also direction
way /wei/ (n singular] the road, path etc that you must follow in order to get to a place: Are you sure this is the way? I The road was blocked, so we came back a different way.
+ to/into Is this the way to Grand Centra! Station? I / think: this is the quickest way into town. the right/wrong way I don't recognize this part of town - I think we've come the wrong way.
know the way (=know how to get to а place) Will you come with me? I don't know the way.
ask/tell sb the way (=ask or tell someone how to get to a place) He went into a shop and asked the way to the hospital.
how to get to ,hao ts get tu:/ if you ask or tell someone how to get to a place,
you ask or tell them the way to it: Can you
tell me how to get to the Piazza Venezia? how to get there/back Come with me. I know how to get there.
route ;ru:t||ru:t, raut {л С} the way from one place to another, especially a way that is used regularly and can be shown on a map-. If you don t enjoy driving on the big highways, try to find another route. take a route (^follow a route) There are two routes we can take - this one along the coast or this one through the mountains.
+/rom/to This is the most direct route from Baghdad to Damascus.
short cut 1,\ул kAt/ [n С] a way of getting
somewhere that is shorter than the usual way. Taxi-drivers know all the short cuts.
WEAK
if you mean 'not brave', 90 to
brave/not brave 5
opposite strong see also break
physically weak
weak /wi:k/ lad)] someone who is weak is not strong enough to lift heavy things or do a lot of physical work, especially because they are ill: When you have flu, you feel tired and weak for a long time. 1 weak muscles + /гош/with The soldiers were weak from hunger and exhaustion. weakness [n U) The symptoms of the illness are a sore throat, weakness, and dizziness.
/rail frei); lad)] someone who is frail is thin and weak, especially because they are old: a frail 85-year-old lady 1 He lay in
bed, looking very frail.
puny /'pjumi/ [adj] especially written a man or boy who is puny is small and thin, and looks very weak: Pete was a puny little lad. I His wife was such a big strong woman, she made him look puny.
weedy /'wi:di/ [adj] british informal a man
or boy who is weedy is thin and looks weak: a weedy young man with glasses
It is rude to describe someone as weedy.
E3 not powerful
weak /wi:k/ [adjl a weak leader, manager, or government does not have clear ideas about what should be done, and is too easily influenced by other people: Weak management led to the failure of the business.
weakness In U] The President has often been accused of weakness.
В easy to attack or harm
take a short cat (=use a short cut) Lets take a short cut across the field.
vulnerable /\л1пэгэМ/ [adj] someone who is vulnerable can easily be harmed
or attacked: a small vulnerable child in need of protection 1 Wild animals are most vulnerable when they are asleep.
de/e nee less british de/enseless ameri can ,drfensl3s/ (ad;| not strong enough to protect yourself against an attack: This was a horrible crime against a defenceless old man. i The UN has condemned the latest bombing of defenseless civilians.
to make someone or
something weak
weaken , wi:km [и T] to make someone or something weak: Her long illness had weakened her. I The city's defences had been weakened by enemy shelling.
WEAPON
something that you use to fight
ARMY
war
explooe
DESTROY
\ t
see also
attack
shoot
KILL
l \
with
HURT/M|URE
D a weapon
weapon 'wepsn [n C] something that
you use to fight with, such as a gun, bomb, or knife: Drop your weapons and come out with your hands up! I Police have Dot yet found the murder weapon, nuclear/chemical/conventional weapons (-atom bombs, poisonous gases, or ordinary weapons) a treaty to reduce the number of nuclear weapons
You can also use arms before a noun, like an adjective: a major US arms manufacturer I discussions about arms control
ammunition /жт$ш,|>п/ [n U) bullets
and other things that are fired from large
arms /a:rmz, [n plural] weapons used for fighting wars: Eu ropean govern men ts have been supplying arms to the rebels.
Aor small guns: The soldiers kept on firing until they had no more ammunition. I Police have found a store of guns, ammunition, and explosives used by the terrorists.
round of ammunition (=a single bullet or similar object) Sixteen pistols and 150 rounds of ammunition were stolen.
having weapons
armed ;'a:rmd/ [adj] someone who is armed is carrying a gun or other weapon: An armed gang stole jewellery worth £40,000. t Do you think that the British police should be armed? I armed guards
having no weapons
unarmed / ,\n'a:rmd[adj] someone who is unarmed is not carrying a gun or other weapon: It was later discovered that the hijacker was unarmed. I He had ordered his men to fire on unarmed demonstrators.
to get or provide
weapons
arm /a:rm/ {u T] to provide someone with weapons: The rebels were trained, armed, and financed by foreign governments. I The country does not have sufficient funds to arm its troops. arm yoursel/ witK sth IVe armed ourselves with whatever we could find - sticks, knives, bricks.
arms race ; a:rmz re IS/ [n singular) when
countries keep producing or buying more
HOT
* г
see also
i
environment
DRY
and more powerful weapons because each one wants to be the most powerful: The situation is dangerous and could start an arms race in Asia. I We have to halt the nuclear arms race.
WEATHER
WET
COLD
weather
weather /'wedэг/ [n U] if you talk about the weather, you say whether it is hot or cold outside or whether it is raining, snowing. windy etc: What was the weather
like or, your vacation? I We wunf to
have a picnic on Saturday, but it depends on the weather. hot/warm/wet etc weather a period of warm sunny weather I I don 't like going to work on my bike in wet weather, weather forecast (=a report on television or radio, saying what the weather will be like) Here is the weather forecast for central Europe.
Qlt it, [pronoun] spoken you can use it when you are saying what the weather is like: What's it like in Spain at this time of year? Is ir really hot? it's lovely/nice/aw/ul etc Isn't it nice today?
it's cold/sunny/cloudy etc The weather forecast says it's going to be cloudy
tomorrow.
climate 'klaim^t/ [n CI the usual weather conditions in a particular country or area: Queens/ancf has a warm tropical climate. I flowers that will not grow in a cold climate
good weather
good weather /gud veto'/ (n UJ
weather that is sunny and warm: We go to Greece every Easter, and we usually get good weather.
G^giorious/beauti/ul/gorgeous
'gbirias, bjuit^fol, 'go:rd33s/ [ad;J especially spoken very sunny and warm: a beautiful sunny morning I a glorious summer I We had three weeks of absolutely gorgeous weather
A Don't say 'very glorious', 'very beautiful' etc. Just say glorious, beautiful etc.
nice/lovely /nais, Uvli/ [adj] especially British pleasantly warm and sunny: Morning, Bill. Nice weather, isn't it?
it's a nice day/ifs a lovely morning etc
D
It's a lovely day - why don't we go for a walk?
dry drai/ [adj] if the weather is dry, it does not rain: If it stays dry 111 hang out the washing. I The dry weather will continue for several days. 1 the dry season dry - drier - driest
sunny /'sAni/ [ad/] if the weather is sunny,
the sun is shining: a lovely sunny afternoon I It's going to be sunny all day. sunny - sunnier - sunniest
sunshine /'sAnfain/ [n U| warm bright
light from the sun: We sat on the patio enjoying the autumn sunshine. I Northern regions will start dry with some sunshine.
in the sunshine The children ran out to play in the sunshine.
in the sun /in Аз \лп/ where the sun is shining down: I'm just going to lie here in the sun and get a nice tan.
bad weather
bad weather /baed 'weflaV [n U] when it
is raining a lot or very cold: The game was cancelled because of bad weather.
Qaw/ul/terrible/horrible • 1,
'terJ,M, 'hor^b^lU'hD:-, ha;-/ [ac/;| especially spoken very unpleasant, cold, wet etc: Awful weather, isn't it? I It's been absolutely horrible all day.
Д Don't say 'very awful', 'very terrible' etc. just say awful, terrible etc.
В weather that changes a lot
unsettled /.An'setld/ [ad;] if the weather is unsettled, it keeps changing and it often rains: Tomorrow will continue unsettled, with showers in most areas.
fine /fain/ (adj] if the weather is fine, it is not raining and the sky is clear: Next week will be fine but a little cooler, fine spring evening
a
WEATHER
changeable ;'tjemd;ph?l/ (adj] likely to change suddenly: changeable weather with strong winds and some sunshine
rain
rain /rein, [л U] water falling from the sky in small drops: The rain was beating against the window. in the rain I like walking in the rain.
heavy rain (=a lot of rain) We've had heavy rain and the roads are flooded, rainfalls (=comes down from the sky)
A\ Don't say 'under the rain'. Say in the rain '- I've been standing in the rain for an
hour.
it's raining /us remit]/ use this to say that rain is falling: Look! It's raining again. I Is it still raining? I It rained all day yesterday. I Take a coat in case it rains, it's raining hard/heavily (training a lot] It had been raining heavily and the ground was very soft.
Qit's pouring /its porn 13/ especially spoken use this to say that it is raining very hard: As soon as I got outside it started pouring.
it's pouring with rain It was pouring with rain: and she had forgotten her umbrella.
Qit's drizzling /its 'driz^liq; especially spoken use this to say that it is raining a little, with very small drops of rain: I think I'll walk to work - it's only drizzling.
wet/rainy /wet, reini/ [adj] if the weather is wet or rainy, it rains a lot: It's been wet all week. I wet weather I a rainy weekend in November
wet - wetter - wettest
shower /'/аоэг/ [n C] a short period of light rain: It was just a shower, so we didn't get too wet.
heavy showers (=when a lot of rain falls during short periods) Heavy showers are forecast for the weekend.
the rainy season/the Monsoon /дэ
'remi ,si:z<?n. 5э mon'su',n||-ma:n-/ (n singular] a time when it rains a lot in hot countries
^ snow and Ice
850
snow /'snau/ (л U] soft white pieces of frozen water that fall from the sky in cold weather: The tops of the mountains were still covered in snow.
snow/atis Some snow is expected to fall on high ground.
deep snow (=a lot of snow that has fallen on the ground) Tony and I trudged home through the deep snow.
it's snowing /its 'snauir]/ use this to say
that snow is falling: Look! It's snowing! I Do you think it's going to snow tonight? it's snowing heavily/Hard (=snowing а lot) It snowed heavily all day long.
Kail /heil [n U] frozen raindrops that fall as small balls of ice
sleet /sJiit/ [n U] a mixture of snow and rain
/rost /frost|fn>:st/ [n U] white powder that covers the ground when it is very cold: The grass was covered with frost, frosty lad;] frosty winter mornings
icy "aisi/ (adj) covered in ice and very slippery: Be careful - the roads are icy this morning.
icy - icier - iciest
El cloudy
cloudy /'klaodi/ [adj] if the weather is cloudy, there are a lot of clouds in the sky: a cloudy day
cloudy - cloudier - cloudiest
dull /с!л1/ [adj] if the weather is dull, it is cloudy and there is no sunshine: It will be dry but dull this morning, with the possibility of showers later in the day.
grey (also gray american ) /grei/ [adjl especially written cloudy and not at all bright: ft was a grey winter morning.
overcast /,^v9r'ka:sH|-tet< [adj] if the
sky is overcast, it is very cloudy and dark, and there will probably be rain: I think it's going to rain - the sky's very overcast.
cloud ,/klaod/ [n C/U] a white or grey
mass in the sky, which rain falls from: There wasn't a single cloud in the sky. thick/dense cloud (=a lot of cloud) Dense cloud prevented the rescue helicopter from taking off.
fog /fDg||fa:g, fo:g/ In U] thick cloudy air near the ground, which is very difficult to see through: Watch out for patches of fog in low-lying areas. thick/dense fog (=a lot of fog) Dense fog is making driving conditions difficult on many roads.
the fog li/ts/clears (=it goes away) The fog has almost cleared - our plane will be able to take off soon, foggy [adj] a foggy November evening
mist /mist/ [n U] wet light cloud near the ground, which is difficult to see through clearly: The mist along the valley had gone by 10 o'clock. misty [adj] It may be misty in the east in the morning.
ш windy
windy /'windi,/ [adj\ if the weather is windy, there is a lot of wind: It was so windy that I could hardly walk straight. I a windy hillside in Norfhumber/and
wind /wind/ [n C/U] a moving current of air near the ground: We walked home through the wind and rain, the wind blows A strong wind was blowing from the east.
in the wind The flags fluttered gently in
the wind.
strong/High wind Strong winds caused damage to many buildings. gust of wind (=when the wind suddenly blows strongly) A sudden gust of wind blew the paper out of his hand.
breeze /bri:z/ [n C] a gentle pleasant wind: A nice cool breeze came in off the sea. slight/gentle breeze A gentle breeze ruffled her hair.
gale /geil/ [n С] a very strong wind: The
fence was blown down in the gale last night.
Ш hot
^ see also нот
Hot /hot|jha:t/ [adj] Isn't it hot today? I the hottest summer this century I We had three weeks of very hot weather. hot - hotter - hottest
QboiUng/scorching ыщ, 'ska'tjiq/
[adj] especially spoken extremely hot: It's boiling in here. I It was scorching on the tennis court.
boiling hot/scorching hot a boiling hot day in August
851
WEATHER
warm /uo:rm/ [adj] a little hot but not very hot, in a pleasant way: It was nice and warm in the sunshine I I'm looking forward to some warmer weather.
mild /maild/ [adj] mild weather is pleasant because it is not as cold as it usually is: a mild winter I It seems quite mild for February.
10
humid hjuim^d/ [adj] if the weather is humid, the air is hot and wet in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable Tokyo is very humid in summer
cold
see also cold
cold /ksold/ [adj] There was a very cold winter that year. I It's so cold. I wish / u;as back home in Greece. the cold [n singular] the cold weather
outside: Come in out of the cold.
cool /кu:l/ [adj] pleasantly cold but not very cold: a cool breeze I It gets much cooler in the evenings.
Chilly /'tjili/ |adj] rather cold, in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable: It was getting chilly outside, so we went back into the house.
chilly - chillier - chilliest
C^freezirig /friizii)/ [adj] especially spokln
extremely cold-. Can't we go inside? ft's freezing out here.
Don't say 'very freezing'. Say absolutely freezing.
n
freezing cold a freezing cold day in January
A
storm
Storm /sD:rm/ In Q a period of very bad weather, when there is a lot of rain, wind, and sometimes thunder and lightning: The Spanish ships were wrecked m a storm. rainstorm/snowstorm Anderson disappeared in a snowstorm while climbing the Alps.
stormy [adj] stormy weather I The sky was starting to look stormy.
thunderstorm /Ibnda'stoi'm/ (n С] а
storm when there is a lot of thunder and lightning: There was a spectacular thunderstorm that night.
thunder /'влпйэг/ In U] the bud crashing noise that you hear in a storm: They could hear thunder rumbling in the distance.
clap of thunder (=one sudden noise of thunder)
lightning /'laitnir)/ [n U] a bright flash of
light in the sky during a storm
/lash of lightning A flash of lightning lit
up the whole sky.
blizzard 'bliz^d/ {n С] a storm with a lot
of snow and strong winds: He had to drive home through the blizzard.
hurricane/typhoon 'hAr^kan. tai'fu:n||
h3:ri»kein [n C| a severe storm with very strong winds that causes a lot of damage: The hurricane devastated F/orida and killed at least 40 people.
Hurricanes happen in the Western Atlantic Ocean. Typhoons happen in the Western Pacific Ocean.
tornado /D:r'neid3G/ [n CJ a small but very violent part of a storm, in which a powerful twisting mass of air appears, causing a lot of damage. Tornadoes usually happen in the central area of the US: A tornado
destroyed twelve homes in Ashport,
Tennessee yesterday.
WET
opposite dry
see also weather
wet
wet 'wet/ \adj] if something is wet, it has a lot of liquid on it or in it; if someone is wet, their clothes and hair are wet: I can't come out yet - my hair's still wet. I You d better change out of those wet clothes. I The grass was wet after the rain.
get wet Hurry up with the umbrella - I'm getting wet!
Qsoalcing wet/wet through (=very wet) especially spoken A pipe had burst and the carpet was soaking wet. I By the time the bus arrived, we were wet through.
Qatl wet spoken (-very wet) Oh nof My
socks are all wet now! wet - wetter - wettest
drenched/soaked /drent/t, saokt/ [ady'j if you are drenched or soaked, you are
extremely wet. so that drops of water are falling from your clothes: By the time we got home, we were oil drenched I I'm soaked! Ill have to go and change. soaked to the skin (=completely soaked) / шаз exhausted, and soaked to the skin.
damp /daemp/ [adj] something that is damp is slightly wet: Clean the counter with a damp cloth, i There was a damp spot on the ceiling. I My hair was still damp.
Use damp especially to say that something is wet in an unpleasant way: a dark, damp cellar
soak /S3ok/ [и T] to leave something in
water for a long time in order to make it clean, soft etc: Soak the lentils overnight before cooking them. soak sth in sth Soak a piece of cotton in water and use it to clean the wound.
WIDE/NARROW
^ see also fat, thin, thick
D a long distance from one side to the other
moist /moist/ |ad;] something that is moist is slightly wet, and this is the way it should be: The cake mixture should be slightly moist, but not sticky. I Water the plants regularly to keep the soil moist.
soggy /SDgi||'sa:gi/ [adj] something that is soggy is softer than usual and looks or feels unpleasant, because it has become wet: horrible soggy toast I He always leaves the towels in a soggy heap on the bathroom floor.
when the air feels wet
humid 'hju:mi>d/ [adj) humid air or weather is hot and wet in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable: the humid heat of a tropical rainforest I Summers in Tokyo are hot and humid.
damp /dsemp/ [adj] damp air or weather is slightly wet in an unpleasant way, and makes you feel cold: It was a cold, damp, windy night. I At first I hated the damp weather in Britain.
to make something or someone wet
Qget sth wet /.get (sth) 'wet/ especially spoken to make something wet, especially by not being careful enough to keep it dry: Try not to get your feet wet. I How did you manage to get the floor so wet?
wet /wet/ [и T) to deliberately put water or other liquid on something: Wet the toothbrush before you put the toothpaste on. 1 The hairdresser kept wetting my hair so that it was easier to cut. wetting - wet {also wetted British) - have
wet (also have wetted British)
wide
a wide river
wide /waid/ [adj] if a road, river, door etc is wide, there is a targe distance between one side of it and the other: The door шоу isn't wide enough to get the piano through. I a wide straight road I a wide leather belt
how wide? How wide is the driveway?
2 miles wide/1 metre wide (=2 miles, 1
metre etc from one side to the other) At
this point the river is over a mile wide, i
Cut a strip of paper 3 cm wide. wide - wider - widest
broad /brad/ [adj] wide - use this especially in written descriptions, to describe roads, paths, rivers, or parts of someone's body: a broad, tree-lined avenue I He was six feet tall with broad shoulders and strong arms.
/widG/ [n C/U] the distance from one side of something to the other: Calculate the width of the curtain then add six inches. I a pattern of coloured lines of different widths
not wide
see also thin
WIN
В
narrow
a narrow stream
narrow паегэо/ [ad;] if something is narrow, there is only a small distance between one side of it and the other: a long narrow bathroom I He led me through the narrow streets of the old city.
Д. Use come second, be third etc about the teams or players that are the next best, alter the winner.
beat/defeat 'bin, di'fiit/ [и T] if you beat
or defeat another team or player, you win a game, race etc agairtst them: Brazil beat Italy in the final. I Since he was defeated by Tyson, Bruno has announced his retirement.
beat sb 3-1/by 50 points etc Short beat
Redgrave by nearly 200 votes. I The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 6-3.
beating - beat - have beaten
WIN
A
opposite lose
/irst place /,f3irst pleis/ [n singular] the position of the person or team that wins a race or competition
SPORT
war
\ t
see also
succeed
HCHT
in jirst place Here is the result of the men's 200 metres race: in first place, Michael Johnson, in second place ... win first place Our team won first place.
competition
to win a race/game/ competition/election
win /win/ [v I/T] to win a race, competition, election etc, for example by getting more points, votes etc than everyone else or by being the first to finish: They don't have much chance of winning. win a race/game/election etc Chang won the first set but lost the next two. I The competition was won by a Nigerian. win a prize/medal etc His book won the Pulitzer Prize for literature. I She won almost $1 million in the lottery. win by 6 votes/2 goals etc (=by getting 6 votes etc more than the other person or team) Bristow won by 50 points. win 4-2/20-12 etc (use this to show the final result of a game) In the European Cup, Barcelona won 3-1. winning - won - have won
come ^first/be /irst /,клт fVst, bi:
f3irst/ to win a race or competition in which more than two people or teams are competing: A local team came first, and we were third.
+ in An Austrian runner was first in the
earn
marathon.
Use second place, third place etc about the teams or players that are the next best, after the winner: Gunneli was disappointed to finish in third place.
to win a war/fight/ argument
win /win/ [u I/T] to be more successful than someone in a war, a fight, or an argument: The English army won a great victory at Agincourt. I I could never win an argument with my big brother. winning - won - have won
defeat /di'fiit/ [u T] especially written if a
leader, army, or country defeats another leader, army, or country, they win a war or battle against them: Wellington's army finally defeated Napoleon, defeat [n C] the defeat of the Republican army in Spain
to be winning a game,
race etc that has not yet finished
A
be winning ,/bi: 'win»]/ to have more points than your opponents in a game, or to be at the front in a race, even thoughthe game or race has not yet finished: / think Sampras is winning at the moment.
be in the lead /bi: in cte li:d/ to be in
front of everyone else in a race, or to have the most points in a competition, when the race or competition has not yet finished: Who's in the lead? I Karpou was still in the lead, but only by one point.
be ahead /bi: 3'hed/ to be doing better than someone else in a game, competition, race, or election: For the first half of the game, the Dodgers were ahead. + of With over half the votes counted, the Socialists were ahead of all the other parties.
be 12 points/5 games etc ahead Damon Hill is now 14 points ahead of his nearest rival.
В the person or team that wins
winner /'win3r; [n C] someone who has won a game, race, competition, or election: The winner will receive $50,000 in cash. I Chelsea were the winners with a late goal from Vialli. + of And the winner of tonight's big prize is ... Peter Lewis!
champion /'tjsempbn/ [n C] someone who has won an important sports competition: Michael Stich, the 1991 Wimbledon men's champion world champion (=the winner of the most important competition in a particular sport) Hill finally achieved his dream of becoming Formula 1 World Champion.
winning /'win»]/ [adj onl# before noun| winning team/player/horse etc the
team, player etc that wins: The crowd cheered the winning team. I Tradit/on- ally, the winning crew buys drinks for the losers.
13 an occasion when someone wins
victory /'viktori/ In C/U] when a country, player, team etc wins a battle, game, race etc: The crowd was celebrating Italy's victory. I Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz I Clinton's second election victory I victory celebrations + over/against Their 24-3 victory over the Australians was completely unexpected.
win a victory Holyfield gained the world title by winning an unexpected victory over Mike Tyson.
plural victories
win /win/ [n C] when a team or player wins in a sport or competition - used especially in news reports: It was an important win for Manchester United. I celebrating a big lottery win
+ over/against a 12-3 win against the French
Ш something that you get when you win
prize /praiz/ In C] something that is given to the person who wins a competition, game, or race: The prize is a 3-week holiday in the Bahamas, first! secondjthird prize Second prize is a book token.
win/get a prize She won the Booker Prize for her novel 'The Ghost Road'.
cup /клр/ [n С] a special silver or gold container, shaped like a large cup with two handles, that is given to the winner of a sports competition: The Queen presented the cup to the captain of the winning team.
medal /'medl/ [n С] a round flat piece of metal that is given to someone who has won a race, game, or competition: The winning team went up to collect their medals.
gold/silver/bronze medal (-a medal for coming first/second/third) The gold medal was won by Anna Suensen.
award /s'woi'd/ln С] a prize that someone wins for achieving something important or doing something very well + for One of the firefighters was given an award for bravery. win an award Meryl Streep won the best actress award.
Don't use award to talk about sports.
When you see Ba, go to the ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION section.
WOMAN
PERSON/PEOPLE
^ t
MAN^^ MARRY
father
я ^ see
also
CHILD
i \
mother girlfriend/
boyfriend
a woman
woman /'woman/ [n С] a female adult:
Who's that woman you were talking to just now? IRebecca Stephens was the first British woman to climb Mount Qomo- langma. I In some African countries, the women do most of the agricultural work. plural women
Woman Can also be used before a noun, like an adjective: Britain's first woman : Prime Minister I Some companies offer tow- ; cost insurance to women drivers.
lady /'leidi/ |n С] a polite word for а woman, especially a woman who is there when you are speaking about her: There's a lady here who wants to speak to you about her account. 1 Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to welcome you here tonight.
Many young women do not like being
called 'girls' and prefer to be called women
old lady Ella is a lovely old lady. plural ladies
Some women do not like being called 'ladies' and prefer to be called women.
/emale /filmed/ [adj usually before noun] formal a female worker, teacher, singer etc is a woman or girl - use this especially to talk about jobs that women do: The city has a female police chief. 1 Female students tend to get better grades than male students. I a company with a mainly female workforce
RELATIONSHIP
girl /g3:rl/ |n C) a young woman: He's going out with that girl who works in the library.
В what you call a woman when you speak to her or write to her
Mrs /'mis^z/ use this before the family name of a woman who is married: It's Mrs Hawksworth's 70th birthday this weekend. I Mrs Thomas, the doctor is ready to see you now.
Miss /mis/ use this before the family name of a woman who has never been married: He admitted attacking Miss Slater last February.
Ms /miz, тэг/ use this before a woman's family name if you do not know whether she is married, or if it is not important to know whether she is married: We have decided to offer the job to Ms Jacobs.
Л ' ""
^ Many women prefer to be called Ms [ instead of Mrs 0r Miss because they do not think it is necessary for people to know whether they are married or not.
madam /masdam/ formal use this when writing a formal letter to a woman, or when talking to a customer in a shop, hotel, restaurant etc: Can I help you, madam? I Dear Madam, I am writing in response to your advertisement.
Qma'am /тает, ma:m, тэтЦшает/ american spoken a polite word used when talking to a woman: Would you like some help, ma'am?
for women or like women
women's /'wjm'nz/ use this about things that are designed for women or done by women, and not designed for or done by men
women's c(otfies/magazmes//ootball/ prison, etc She's the fashion editor for a women's magazine. I Why don't they ever show women's football on TV?
/emale /fiimeil/ [adj only before noun] use this about behaviour or personal qualities that are traditionally thought to be typical of women: Many women reject the traditional female roles of wife and mother. I Patience and kindness are often seen as female qualities.
/eminine /'fem^nin/ [adj] looking attractive in a way that is traditionally thought to be typical of a woman: The hairstyle is soft and very feminine. I Lindsay wears very feminine clothes - pretty dresses with flowers on and things like that.
effeminate /'fem^t/ [adj] use this about a man who behaves like a woman or looks like a woman: He was very young and handsome in a slightly effeminate way.
WORD/PHRASE/ SENTENCE
see also language, answer i, ask s
Q a word or group of words
word /w3irci/ [n C] Are there any words in this passage that you don't understand? I Is 'lunchtime' one word or two?I The word origami' comes from Japanese.
word for sth (=word that means something) 'Casa' is the Italian word for 'house'. I What's another word for'way out'?
phrase/expression /freiz, ik'sprepn/ [n
С| a combination of two or more words that has a particular meaning: The students' book has a list of useful phrases at the back. I It was Mikhail Gorbachev who first used the expression 'the Iron Lady' about Margaret Thatcher.
term Дз:гт/ \n C] a word or group of
words that are used in a technical or scientific subject and have an exact meaning in that subject
tecknical/medical/legallscienti/ic term
The medical term for losing your hair is alopecia'.
idiom /idism/ [n С] a group of words that are used together and have a special meaning that you cannot guess from the
meanings of each separate word: 'Full of beans' is an idiom which means lively and energetic.
cliche /kli:jei|klirjei/ [n C] a phrase that people have used so often that it now seems boring or silly: It's a cliche I know, but the game isn't ouer until the final whistle blows.
a sentence or part of a sentence
sentence /'sentens/ [n C] a group of words that begins with a capita! letter, ends with a full stop, and includes a verb: Write a
complete sentence for each answer.
clause In CI a group of words that has a subject and a verb and that is part of a sentence
main clause (=the clause that has the main verb)
subordinate clause/dependent clause
(=a clause that depends on the main clause for its meaning) /n the sentence "Can you tell me what time it is?" 'Can you tell me' is the main clause, and 'what time it is' is a subordinate clause.
all the words someone knows or uses
vocabulary /va'kaebjglari, v9u-|-leri/ [n С
usually singular] someone's vocabulary is all the words that they know or use: These stories are written for students with a vocabulary of about 2000 words. I Reading is a good way to increase your vocabulary.
plural vocabularies
words that someone has written
writing /'raitiq/ [n U] words that someone
has wruten or printed: There's some writ ing on the back of the photo, but I can't read what it says.
earn
MANAGER
text /tekst/ In U] the written part of a book or newspaper, not including pictures, notes at the end etc: The book consisted mainly of colour photographs and not much text.
WORK
busy/not busy job ф |n charge of
see also
company^ ^ ^ ^иие лме
II to do a job
work /w3irk/ [v 1} to do a job that you get paid for: My dad isn't working at the moment - he lost his job. I Susie works in a supermarket on Saturdays, work late (=later than normal) I may have to work late tonight. work for (=for a company or organization) She used to work for the BBC. work as a secretary/builder/gardener etc Russell is working as a software developer for Microsoft.
Work - which preposition? Use work tor to talk about the company or organization that someone is employed by: I work for Ericsson International I Pam works for a biotechnology company. Use work in with words like 'school', 'bank', 'hospital', 'factory', 'hotel' etc to talk about the kind of place where someone works: He used to work in a Chinese restaurant. I I've worked in a factory all my life. Don't use work in with the name of a company or organization. You can use work at to say the name of the company or organization that someone works for, especially when it is a well-known organization or when the person you are talking to knows it already: Bill works at McDonald's. I During the school vocation, she's working at that bookstore on Ramsey Street.
be /bi:/ [u] if someone is a teacher, a doctor etc, that is their job: She was a journalist for 20 years before she wrote her first novel. I *What does your father do?" "He's a dentistI Jill wants to be a professional musician.
A Don't say 'she is nurse/teacher etc'.
Say she is a nurse, she is a teacher etc.
Qdo /du:/ (и T] especially spoken use this to ask or talk about the type of job that someone does: What does her father do? I Jess isn't sure yet what she wants
to do when she finishes school.
be employed /Ы: im'pbid/ formal to
work for a particular organization or in a particular type of work or industry + by She was the first woman pilot to be employed by a commercial airline. + in The number of people employed in the construction industry has been falling for many years.
О to be at the place where you usually work
be at work /bi: 3t wxlc/ to be doing your job at the place where you work: Mark's not at home - he's at work.
be on duty /bi: Dn djurtifl-'duiti/ to be at work in a job where there must always be someone working, for example if you are a nurse or a police officer: Which doctors were on duty on the night of the accident? I Will your mother be on duty on Christmas Day?
о a business /on 'bizn^s / if you go somewhere on business, you go there as part of your job: I had to fly to Tokyo on business.
El to do work that is not
part of a job
work /wsrk/ [и I) to do an activity that needs effort and takes time: I've been working all day in the garden. I It's a good school - they really make the students work!
work on sth (=spend time on a piece of work that will take a long time to finish) Mary's in the study, working on her history assignment.
do /du:/ [y Tj do the housework/gar- dening/cleaning/cooking etc to do
work that must be done regularly in your home, such as cleaning and cooking: Whose turn is it to do the washing-up?
И to work independently,
not for someone else
sel/-employed /.self im'pbid*/ [adj] someone who is self-employed does not
have a job with one particular employer, but does work for many different people: Martin is a self-employed builder. I How long have you been self-employed? the sel/-empioyed (=people who are self- employed) There are generous tax allowances for the self-employed.
freelance /'fri:ki:ns|-laens/ [adj only before noun] working for several different organizations instead of being employed by only one - use this especially about people such as writers, designers, and photographers freelance designer/transiator/photo- grapher/journalist a directory of freelance journalists
freelance work/translation/photography etc She works at home, doing freelance work on women 's magazines.
freelance [adv] Bill works freelance, doing illustrations for children's books.
В to work hard
work hard /.wx'k 'hc:rd/ to work hard when you are doing your job, your school- work, or anything that takes time and effort: Bruno had been working hard in the kitchen all morning. I / wouldn't mind working so hard if they paid us more.
put a lot of effort into sth /,p»t э
tot 3v 'ehrt mtu: (sth)||-la:t-/ to work hard because you think something is important and you want to do it well-. She had obviously put a lot of effort into her assignment. I The company puts a great deal of effort into training its staff.
hardworking /,ha:rd'w3:rkio<«/ [adj]
always working hard in your job or on your schoolwork: Melissa was a popular and hardworking student.
dedicated /'ded^keitJ,d/ {adj] someone who is dedicated works very hard at something because they care about it a lot - use this especially about people who do useful work in society, not about people who work in business: She's о wonderful nurse - completely dedicated. I The lifeboat service is run by a team of dedicated volunteers.
overworked /)3ov3r'w3irkt-«/ [adj] someone who is overworked has too much work to do: Teachers often complain that they are overworked and underpaid. I Nadine was feeling tired and overworked.
Ш work that you do at home, in your job etc
work /w3.,rk/ [n U] the things that you have to do at home or at school or in your job, which need time and effort: She has a busy job, and she often takes work home with her. I I agreed to organize the party, but I didn't realize there would be so much work involved.
do work / can't go out tonight, I have a lot of work to do for my biology test tomorrow.
sec re tarial/teaching/bar work etc Have you ever done any secretarial work before?
effo rt /'ef9rt/ [n UJ the physical and mental energy that you have to use in order to do something: Even the slightest effort makes him feel tired. take/require ejjort (=need a lot of work) Finding the right staff takes a lot of management time and effort.
job /d3ob|d3a:b/ [n CI a specific piece of work that you have to do, especially one that you do not get paid for: My brother's job was to take all the old bottles and newspapers for recycling. I Cleaning the bathroom floor is a horrible job. do a job I spent the weekend clearing up and doing uarious jobs around the house.
task /ta:sk|tsesk/ [n C] formal a piece of work - use this especially about a difficult and important job that a politician, manager etc has to do: Her first task as principal was to improve relations between the teachers and the students' parents. Have the task of doing stk The UN has the difficult task of bringing peace to this region.
duties /'djurtiz|'du:-/ [n plural) formal the various things that you have to do as part of your job: Your duties will include organizing a monthly departmental meeting. I Attending state banquets is one of the Ambassador's official duties.
housework /'haosw3irk/ [n U) work that needs to be done in your home, for example, cleaning, washing clothes, or keeping rooms tidy: None of her kids ever helps with the housework.
do (the) housework Saturday is the only day I have enough time to do the housework.
№
Don't confuse housework (=jobs you do to keep your house clean) with homework (=schoolwork that you do at
home).
homework /'haumwarlc/ [л U] work that a student has to do at home
do your homework Have you done all your homework?
work
Don't say 'homeworks'. Say home
for homework For homework, I'd like you to finish Exercise 3.
Don't say 'I made my homework'. Say
\ did my homework.
A\ Staff can be used with a singular or plural verb in British or American English: The staff here are/is very professional.
1Л Staff can also be used before a noun, like an adjective: a staff training day I staff
changes
schoolwork /'skuilwx'lc/ [n U) all the work that a student has to do, both at home and in class-. Problems at home have affected Laurie's schoolwork.
someone who works for an organization or company
worker /'wxltaV [n C] someone who works for an organization but is not a manager: We need better communication between the management and the workers.
manual worker (=who does physical work, for example in a factory) The report
shows that male manual workers earn twice as much as female workers. post oJOfice/factorу/office worker Brown was a retired post office worker.
employee /lm'pbi-i:/ [n C] someone who
has a job, especially a permanent job, with a company or organization: a multinational corporation with 140,000 employees worldwide I a bank employee
A
+ of Employees of American Airlines get generous reductions on the cost of flights.
Employee is a rather formal word. Don't say 'I am an employee of IBM'. Say |
work for IBM-
Staff /staif|staef/ [n U, singular] all the people who work for a company, organi zation, school etc: Staff were clearly worried about rumours of job losses. Ubraryjaffice/hospital/security staff The library staff is always available to help you. I The company is looking for part-time sales staff. member of staff Training is provided for all members of staff. join the staff In 1992, she joined the President's personal staff in the White House.
workforce /'wxTcfoi's/ [n singular] all the people who work in a country, a type of industry, or a large organization: Women make up 41% of the nation's workforce. I The company has had to cut one-third of its workforce.
someone you work with
colleague /kDliigJ'kai-/ [л С] someone
you work with - use this especially about people who do professional jobs in offices,
schools, government etc: I'd like you to meet a colleague of mine, Jean-Michel Blanc from our Paris office. I Jenny is a conscientious manager, very popular with her colleagues.
workmate /'ws'kmeit/ In C) someone that you work with, especially someone who works closely with you and who you are friendly with: Police are questioning neighbours and workmates of the missing woman.
the person or company you work for
see also manager
Employer is a rather formal word. In ordinary conversation, it is more usual to say something like 'the company I work for', instead of 'my employed
10
employer /im'pbi3r/ [n C] someone's employer is the person, company, or organization that they work for: We will need a reference from your last employer.
A
L
to stop working in order to get more money
strike /straik/ In Cj when people deliberately stop working in order to get more money, better working conditions etc: The strike lasted about two months. mlners'/teachers'/railworkers' etc strike The rail workers'strike caused chaos in
the city.
call a strike (=ask workers to join a strike) cad off a strike (=agree to end a strike or not start a strike) Teachers have called off the strike that was planned for Tuesday.
on strike /on straik/ if workers go on strike, they stop working in order to get more money, better conditions etc go on strike Ford workers threatened to go on strike unless the company improved its pay offer. be (out) on strike (=not working) There were frequent power cuts when the electricity workers were out on strike.
WORKING
when a machine, car etc is working as it should, and is not
broken
opposite broken see also repair
work ЛузгТсj (у I) if a machine or piece of equipment works or is working, it can be used without any problems because there is nothing wrong with it: We had to go to the laundromat because the washing-machine wasn't working. I I've fixed your heater - it works fine.
be in working order /bi: in .w^kig
Dird3r/ if something is in working order, it is working well and safely, especially because it has been well cared for: The mill was built in the 16th century and is still in working order. be in good/perfect working order Your brakes, lights, and steering must be kept in good working order.
| Be in working order is more formal
i than work, and is not usually used in | ordinary conversation.
QCJO /g3U/ [l> 1] ESPECIALLY SPOKEN to be
working properly - use this especially about a car, clock, or watch: I dropped my watchf but it's still going. I I don't
mind whot kind of car we rent as long as
it goes.
going - went - have gone be up and running /bi: ,лр and глпи]/
to be working well and without any problems - use this about computers or systems, especially new ones: As soon cs the new computer system is up and running, we can transfer our records onto it.
WORLD
the planet we live on
see also country, environment,
land and sea
■1 the world
the world /бэ W3irld/ In singular] the planet we live on, and all the people and places on it: In some parts of the world, clean drinking water is very scarce. all over the world You can buy Coca- Cola all over the world. the whole world (^everyone and everything in the world) changes that will affect the whole world the best, fastest etc in the world/the world's best, /astest etc It's the tallest building in the world. I It's the world's tallest building.
earth/Earth /з:г0/ [n singular/U] use this especially when you are comparing our world with the moon, stars, and other places in space: Light from the stars can take millions of years to reach Earth. the earth/the Earth The earth revolves around the sun. I Water is one of the Earth's most important resources. to earth The space shuttle returned safely to earth on December 9th.
the planet /бэ plsn^t/ [n singular] use this especially when you are talking about problems that affect the environment: a massive volcanic eruption that could affect the climate of the whole planet I Energy conservation is vital for the future of the planet.
В things that affect the whole world or happen everywhere in the world
world /w3irld/ [adj only before noun) use this to talk about something that exists
WORLD 862
everywhere in the world, or affects the whole world, or is the best or most important in the world: The top 50 multi-
notional companies control about 80% of world trade. I At that time Britain was a major world power. I Islam is one of the great world religions world champ ion/record/ex pert (=the best in the world) The world champion,
Damon Hill, is still in the lead. I Jones is a world expert in genetics.
global /'glaoM/ 1 adj only before noun] use this especially to talk about political, economic, or scientific problems that affect the whole world: The fight against AIDS requires a global strategy. I Campaigners have called for a global ban on whale hunting. ! Nuclear war could lead to global catastrophe.
a worried look//rown/glance Simon gave me a worried look.
worry /"wAril'wxri/ [и I) to keep thinking
about a problem or about something bad that might happen, so that you cannot relax or feel happy: My parents worry when I'm late home from school. I You worry too much.
+ about He owes the bank a lot of money and he worries about it. + that I used to worry that I would never get married.
Q don't worry spoken (say this to tell someone not to worry) Don't worry, I can pay for both of us. worrying - worried - have worried
nervous /'n3irv3s/ [adj] worried and slightly frightened about something that is going to happen or something new or difficult that you have to do: I always get nervous
before tests. I Bill looked nervous, and I could see that his hands were shaking. + about Kelly was so nervous about her interview that she couldn't sleep. nervously [adu] Nervously, she twisted
her handkerchief in her fingers.
worldwide /.w^ld'waid*/ [adj] existing or happening in every country of the world: There is a worldwide shortage of oil. I The concert attracted a worldwide television audience of over a billion people.
WORRYING/ WORRIED
Don't confuse nervous (=feeling worried and a little frightened) and annoyed (=feeling a little angry): / was very nervous about the test. I his stupid questions made me very annoyed.
sad
RELAX
see also
frightening/ frightened
D feeling worried
worried /'wAridl'wxrid/ [adj] not feeling happy or relaxed, because you keep thinking about a problem or about something bad that might happen: \bu look worried - what's the matter? + about She lay awake worrying about all the work she had to do. + (that) When I changed schools, I was worried that I wouldn't make any new friends.
get worried We began to get worried when she didn't come home on Thursday night.
anxious /'aeqkjas/ [adj] especially written
very worried because you think that something bad has happened or may happen,
and you feel that you have no control over
the situation: She knew it was a simple operation, but she still felt anxious. I Anxious relatives waited at the airport for news of the plane crash. + about Helen is always anxious about travelling alone.
an anxious /асе/voice/ex press ion etc
Please come with me, she said in an anxious voice. anxiously [adu] /s he going to be all right? she asked anxiously.
/rightened/scared/a/raid /fraitnd,
skeard, a'freid/ [adj] worried and frightened because of something bad that might happen
+ (that) She was frightened that the dog might bite her. I I was scared she might never come back.
+ о/ Many people are frightened of losing their jobs. I / was afraid of offending her.
A\ Scared is more informal than i frightened and afraid
tense /tens/ [adj] so worried about something that you cannot relax, and you easily get angry or upset: Lesley's problems at work made her tense and irritable. tense sUence/moment/situation etc There was a tense silence, then everyone began to laugh.
stressed out /,strest 'аон/ [adj] informal worried and tired all the time, because you have a lot of problems to deal with and too much work to do: Rob's been really stressed out since he started his new job. + about She's pretty stressed out about the court case.
Ei to make someone feel worried
worry /'wAri||'w3rri/ [и T] to make someone feel worried: Recent changes in the climate are beginning to worry environmental scientists. I / could tell that something was worrying her. it worries sb that Doesn't it worry you that Stephen spends so much time playing computer games? C^what worries sb is especially spoken What worries me is the cost of all these changes.
worrying - worried - have worried
worrying /'wAri-ii)I'w3ai-/ [ad/I worrying events, changes etc make you feel worried: The increase in homelessness among teenagers is very worrying, a worrying time/week/year etc (= a time when you are worried) It's been a worrying few weeks for all of us since Jan lost her job.
stressful /'stresfcl/ |ad/] a stressful job or situation makes you feel worried and tired all the time, for example because you have too many problems or too much work to do: Looking after small children can be very stressful.
make sb nervous /,meik (sb) mi'vas/to
make someone feel nervous and unable to relax: Stop watching me when I'm trying to work - you're making me nervous.
|] a feeling of being worried
anxiety /aeq'zaiati; [n U] the feeling you have when you are very worried that something bad has happened or is going to happen: After weeks of anxiety, I finally heard that I would not need an operation.
+ about anxiety about the high levels of pollution in the atmosphere
stress /stres/ [n U] the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
stress-related illnesses (-caused by stress)
be under stress (=be feeling stress) He's been under a lot of stress at work lately.
concern /kan's3:rn/ [n U] a worried feeling - use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern. + about/over Concern over the President's health is increasing.
В something that makes you feel worried
worry /'wAri||'w3n-i/ [n C] something that makes you feel worried: It is important to find someone to discuss your worries with.
sb's mam/biggest worry (=the thing
someone worries about most) Her main worry was how the divorce would affect the children.
plural worries
hang-up /'haeq лр/ [n C) informal if you have a hang-up about something, for example about your appearance or your relationships with other people, you feel worried and embarrassed about it, and this makes you feel less confident: They wanted their children to grow up without any hang-ups.
+ about 1 don't know why she has such a hang-up about her nose - it looks OK to me.
not worried any more
relieved /ri'liivd/ \adj\ feeling relaxed again because you do not need to worry about something that you worried about before: We were very relieved when they phoned to tell us they were safe. + that Tim was relieved that the teacher didn't ask him to read out his answer, relieved to hear/learnjfind/see I was relieved to hear that I didn t have to have an operation.
re lie/ /n'liif/ [n singular/Ul the pleasant feeling you have when you no longer have to worry about something with re lie/ Everyone smiled with relief as the plane landed safely. to sb's relief (=making them feel relieved) To Sam's relief, nobody asked to check his ticket.
it is a re lie/ to know/hear/see/find It was
such a relief to know that the children were OK.
a great relief The announcement said that no jobs would be lost, which was a great relief to everyone.
WORSE
opposite BETTER
see also bao, improve
worse
worse /w3:rs/ [ad;] more unpleasant, annoying, bad, etc, or of a lower standard or quality than someone or something else + than Conditions in the prison were worse than anything I had seen before. I I wish you'd stop complaining - you're worse than my motherl even worse (=worse than something that is very bad) Duncan's handwriting is even worse than his sister's. I a terrible script and even worse acting a lot worse/much worse The traffic is a lot worse after five.
make sth worse I tried to fix the computer myself, but that just made it
worse.
ROt as good /.not oz 'gud/ of a lower standard or quality than something else: Last year's sales figures were excellent but this year's weren't as good.
+ as The computing facilities here aren't as good as the ones in my last school. not nearly as good (=much less good) Pop music today isn't nearly as good as in the sixties and seventies.
Worse means 'more bad than something that is bad'. Not as good means less good than something that is good'. Compare these sentences: The food was awful, and the service was even worse. I It's an enjoyable book, but it's not as good as her last one.
inferior m'fma1"/ [adj] formal less well made than something else, or less good at doing something than someone else: Their furniture is certainly cheaper, but it's of inferior quality. + to Old Mr Carter was convinced that women doctors were inferior to men.
worst /w3irst/ [adj only before noun] worse than anything else or worse than at any time before: I think he's the worst teacher in the school. I The storms in 1987 were the worst we had ever known. I No, don't tell the police about it - that's the worst thing you could do. by far the worst (=much worse than any other) It's by far the worst neighborhood in the whole city.
to become worse
get worse /,get 'w3irs/ if a situation gets worse, it becomes more difficult or more unpleasant: The situation in Bosnia was getting worse. I The pain continued to get worse, so I called a doctor, get worse and worse The traffic on this road is getting worse and worse.
deteriorate /di'ti^riareit/ [и I] to gradually
A
Deteriorate is more formal than get worse
go /rom bad to worse /gsu frem baed
ta W3irs/ if a situation goes from bad to
become worse: John's eyesight has deteriorated since his last eye test. I All that time, relations between the superpowers were deteriorating. deterioration /di.twria'reij^n/ [n U] when something gradually becomes worse: the deterioration of the country's road network
worse, it is already bad and then becomes even worse: Things then went from bad to worse, and by the end of the year the two countries were at war.
decline /di'klain/ \v I] formal to become gradually worse - use this especially about standards of work or performance: Do you think standards of education are declining? I Britain's economic performance declined noticeably during the
1970s.
LANGUAGE
i
see
also
READ
decline [n singular] a steady decline in the standard of healthcare provided in our hospitals
WRITE
books/ literature
draw
WORD/PHRASE/SENTENCE
D to write with a pen or pencil
write /гая/ [и \/T] to write words or numbers using a pen or pencil: By third grade they can all read and write pretty well. I At the bottom he wrote: "with sincere love from your oldest friend". write stH on/in/here etc VJriie your phone number on the back of this envelope.
write down sth/write sth down (=write information so that you can use it later) We wrote down everything he told us I I've written the address down for you. writing - wrote - have written
QpUt ,'pOt/ [и T] ESPECIALLY SPOKEN to Write
something: I just put "with best wishes from Mike" on the card. put sth in/on/at sth Put your name at the top of each answer sheet. putting - put - have put
make a note of sth /,meik э пэш dv (sth)/ to write down information that you might need later: Did you make a note of the times of the trains? I 'The name of
that book is A Closed Eye'." "Right, Til make a note of it."
take down/get down /teik daon, get daon/ [phrasa/ verb T] to write down what someone says, at the same time as they are saying it
take down sth/get down stk A group of reporters was following the Senator trying to get down every word he said. take sth down/get sth down Can / just take your name and address down?
/lU in/fill out ;,fil 'in, (fil aut I [phrasal verb T] to write information or answer questions on an official document, for example giving your name, address, and age
Jill in sth especially british jill OUt Sth
especially american Passengers must fill in a short form before boarding the plane, fill sth in/fill sth out You just fill it out and then send it in to the passport office.
to write your name
sign /sain/ [u I/T] to write your name at the end of a letter, document etc, in order to prove who you are or show that you wrote it: Sign here, please. I You forgot to sign the credit card slip. sign your name The artist had signed his name in the corner of the painting, sign for sth (=to show that you have received it) Could you sign for this package, please?
signature /'signatJV/ [n C] your name written by you, for example on a document or at the end of a letter, in order to prove who you are or show that you wrote it: Who's it from?I can't read the signature.
autograph /'3:t3gra:f||-graef [n C] the
name of a famous person, written by them on a photograph, in a book etc for someone to keep: She has the autograph of every player in the team. I Fans were waiting outside the studio for Neeson's autograph.
to write something quickly or carelessly
jot down /,d3Dt 'daun|,d3aa-/ [phrasal verb T] to quickly write down ideas, notes, or facts so that you can use them later
WRITE
jot down stH Let me jot down the name of that restaurant.
jot sth down If anyone has any suggestions, jot them down on a piece of paper and give them to me.
Scribble /'skriM/ [и T] to write something quickly and untidily: Andrew scribbled a note and handed it to the chairman.
ш to write with a
computer or typewriter
key in /кн 'in/ [phrasal verb T] to write something on a computer, especially something that you are copying from somewhere else
key in sth I spent all morning keying in the latest sales data. key stH in Find out the name of the file, key it in, and it will appear on the
screen.
type /taip/ [u \/T\ to write something using a typewriter or computer: I'm afraid I don't type very fast. I Could you type those letters for me? typing [n U] writing with a typewriter or computer: We need a secretary with good typing speeds, (-who can type fast)
enter /'eтэг/ [и T] to record information in a computer by pressing the keys: Enter the filename and click 'OK'. enter sth in/into sth The patients' medical records are entered into a database.
A Enter is a more technical word than key in
BI to write a letter
write /гаи/ [u I/T] to write someone a
letter: Sorry, I haven't had time to write. write a letter/postcard/note We wrote
about 20 postcards while we were in Greece.
write sb a letter/post card/note Kathleen wrote him dozens of letters but he never replied.
+ to Ybu ought to write to your Uncle and thank him for the present. write sb american (=write a letter to someone) Steue wrote me about the wedding. writing - wrote - have written
/t\ In British English, you say write to j
someone (meaning 'write them a letter'), j
but in American English, you can say either j
write to someone or just write someone !
i __ _J
get in touch with sb /.get in 'ш/ wift (sb); to write to someone, or make a telephone call to them, especially someone you have not seen or written to for a long time: I'd love to get in touch with Monique again. Do you have her new address?
contact /'kDntaektll'kcnn-/ l и T] to write to someone that you do not know, or make a telephone call to them, especially in order to ask for help or information: Elsa contacted several companies to ask if they could offer her part-time work. I If the problem continues, try contacting a software expert.
keep in touch/stay in touch /,kiip
in 'UtJ, ,stei in Utjy to continue to write to someone or phone them, when you no longer work with them or live near them. I met Pia in Sweden and we've stayed in touch ever since.
+ with Do you keep in touch with any of your friends from school?
Ш to write a story, book etc
write /rait/ lu l/T] to write a book, story, newspaper article, piece of schoolwork etc: I can't come out with you tonight - I have to write an essay. I Who wrote 'Madame Bovary'? I When did he write
his first novel?
+ about She writes very amusingly about her childhood in Moscow. well/badly written Jt's a fascinating arti cle, and very well written. writing - wrote - have written
writer /'гапэг/ (n C] someone who writes books, plays, newspaper articles etc as a job: Terry Pratchett, the science-fiction writer
+ оfa writer of books about European history
author /э:0эг/ [n C] someone who writes books, or who wrote a particular book: Jane Austen is one of my favourite authors.
+ of Hawking is best known as the author of 'A Brief History of Time'.
to write a song/music
write /гак/ [и T] to write music or songs: Lennon and McCartney wrote over 100 songs. I Who wrote the soundtrack for 'The Bodyguard'? writing - wrote - have written
compose /кэт'рэиг/ [и T] to write a piece of music, especially serious music, not popular music: Mozart composed his first symphony when he was still a child.
composer /кэт'рэигэг/ [n C] someone who writes music, especially serious music, not popular music: My favourite composer is Beethoven.
songwriter /1 sog.raitar||'soiq-/ (n C| someone who writes songs, especially modern, popular songs: songwriter Bernie Taupin
to write the letters of a word
spell /spel/ [u I/T] to write a word using
the correct letters in the correct order: In American English, organize' is always spelled with a 'z'. I I've never been able to spell very well in English.
spelling - spelled (also spelt British) - have spelled (also have spelt British)
spelling /'spelig/ [n C/U] the way in which a word is spelled, or someone's ability to spell words correctly: The dictionary gives both British and American spellings. I It's full of spelling mistakes. I My spelling isn't very good.
the way someone writes with a pen or pencil etc
writing/handwriting /татг], haend
.raitii}/ [n U] What beautiful handwriting! I Jane's writing's terrible - I can hardly read it.
10
written, not spoken
written j'ntnj (adj) Some expressions are much more common in written English than in spoken English. written state merit/agreement/reply/ instructions etc Don't sign any written agreement until you have read every word of the contract.
in writing /in 'raitig/ if you get or give information in writing, it is written down, not spoken, so you can prove later what was actually said: Apply for tickets in writing to the Adelphi Theatre. I Could you confirm in writing the date you intend to leave.
Qget it in writing (=ask someone to write something down) especially spoken 'They promised to replace the computer if there are any problems." uMake sure you get it in writing."
on paper /on 'peipa1"/ if you put ideas or suggestions on paper, you write them down so that you can remember them or organize them more clearly: If you have any suggestions for improving the
course, put them on paper and we'll
discuss them.
MISTAKE
handwritten /tand.ritn/ [adj] written by hand, not using a typewriter or computer: There was a handwritten note on the desk addressed to Paul.
WRONG
opposite right
ACCIDENTALLY
see
also
bad suitable/
unsuitable
wrong
wrong /готзИгэа]/ [adj] not right or not correct: Hank was driving on the wrong side of the road. I I tried to telephone her; but she must have given me the wrong number. I No, that's wrong - you're supposed to put the flour in first. wrong/wrongly [adv] You've spelled my name wrong. I The medicine bottles were wrongly labelled.
Wrong (adverb) is more informal than wrongly. Only use it in spoken English.
incorrect /,Шкэ'гекц/ [adj] facts, decisions, answers etc that are incorrect are wrong, especially because a mistake has been made, and this can be proved: The
information about current prices was
incorrect. I incorrect spelling I They
discovered later that the doctor had
made an incorrect diagnosis, incorrectly [flCjy] Yhe article states,
incorrectly that the disease^is usually fatal.
^Incorrect is more formal than wron(J.
inaccurate [adj\ information,
numbers etc that- are inaccurate are not exactly right: The old maps were usually inaccurate or incomplete. I inaccurate measurements
totally/wildly inaccurate (=very inaccu rate) Figures quoted in the article were wildly inaccurate.
misleading [adj] a statement
or piece of information that is misleading makes people believe something that is wrong, especially because it does not give all the facts: The article was deliberately misleading, and the newspaper has apologized.
give a misleading impression/statement
etc Agents often gave a false or misleading description of the properties they were selling.
" to believe something that is wrong
see also M,STAKE
be wrong /bi: ,roi}|
-'rai}/ if you are WTong, you think or say something that is not correct: I thought a vacation in Greece would be cheap, but I uws wrong! I Why won't he admit that he was wrong?
+ about You were wrong about that train
it left at 10.30.
be mistaken ^i: m^steibn/ formal to have an opinion or belief about something, which is not correct: Mulder thought he saw an alien spacecraft, but he was almost certainly mistaken. Qyou must be mistaken spokfn (use this
to say politely that someone is wrong) I think you must be mistaken. He could not have obtained a key to your room.
И in the wrong position
wrong /Го!]|(гэа]/ [adj only before noun]
the wrong direction/way/place/order etc
Someone had moved the road sign so that it was pointing in the wrong direction. I The TV ontenna is facing the wrong way. I The files had been put back in the wrong order.
the wrong way around the wrong way round BRmsH) m
wei (3)'raond||-,n>;q-/ if something is the wrong way around, it is pointing or facing in the direction that is opposite to the correct one: You've got your T-shirt on the wrong way around! I Someone's put the battery in the wrong way round.
inside out ,msaid .aut/ ^ something,
especially a piece of clothing, is inside out, the inside of it is on the outside and the outside of it is on the inside: I put my socks on inside out by mistake. I The wind blew my umbrella inside out. turn sth inside out Before washing your sweater, turn it inside out.
upside down /Apsaid daun/ if some_
thing is upside down, the top of it is at the bottom and the bottom of it is at the top; One of the pages was upside down. I The monkey was hanging upside down from a tree. turn sth upside down Turn the cups upside down and leave them to dry.
YOUNG
oppositeoLD
child
age J
\ /
see also
describing people
young
young /jai]/ lodjl You're too young to smoke. I a single mother with two young children I When I was younger, I used to play a lot of baseball. I Her youngest son works for a television company.
younger brother/sister Hannah has two younger brothers.
Q little /'litl/ [ac/j] especially spoken very young - use this to talk about a young child: When I was little we used to go camping a lot.
Uttle brother/sister (=younger brother or sister, who is still a child) Look after your little sister for a momentT will you? little bog/girl (=a young child, or a young
son or daughter) They've been married for ten years and have two little girls. I Who's that little boy in the blue sweater?
a young person
teenager /'ti:neid33r/ [n C] someone who is between 13 and 19 years old: River Phoenix became a famous actor while still a teenager. I The survey showed that three out of five teenagers had been offered illegal drugs, teenage [adj only before noun] Jenny has three teenage children.
baby
ADULT
youth /ju:6/ (n С] a young man between about 15 and 25 years old - use this especially about young men who behave badly or do something illegal: A youth pushed
her against the wall and took her bag. a gang of youths in leather jackets
in your teens /in joir 'timz/ someone
who is in their teens is between 13 and 19 years old: She had run away from home several times in her teens. in your early/mid/late teens Most of the girls at the concert were in their early teens.
adolescent /.aeds'les^nH/ (n C] someone
who is at the age when they change from being a child into a young adult - use this especially when talking about problems that young people have at this age: John changed from a friendly and cheerful young boy into a confused adolescent.
1 A You can also use adolescent before a
noun, like an adjective: a crowd of screaming adolescent girls
the time when you are young
childhood /t/aiidhod/ In C/U] the time when you are a child: Nina had happy memories of her childhood on the farm. early childhood (=when you are a young child) His early childhood was spent with his father in Chicago.
You can also use childhood before a noun, like an adjective: a book about his childhood memories I childhood illnesses like measles
youth /ju:B/ [n U] the time when you are young, especially the time between 15 and 25 when you are no longer a child:
She revisited all the places where she had spent her youth. in sb's youth (=when they were young) Caroline had been a ballet dancer in her youth.
adolescence /zedsles*is/ [n U] the time when a young person is changing from being a child into a young adult - use this especially when talking about the problems that young people have at this age: During adolescence, boys are sometimes very shy and lacking in self-confidence.
El connected with things
that young people do
youth /ju:0/ [adj only before noun] youth club/group/organization etc a club, group etc for young people: / met her at the focal youth club. I a concert by the National Youth Orchestra
teenage /tisneids/ [adj only before nounj teenage fashions/magazines/pregnancy/drug-taking etc use this about things produced for teenagers, or things that teenagers do: There has been a significant increase in teenage pregnancies recently. 1 the teenage music scene
juvenile /'d3u:v3nail||-npl, -nail/ (adj only before noun) use this about crimes involving young people
juvenile crime/offender (=crime by young people, or a young person who is a criminal)
juvenile court (=a court that deals with crimes by young people)
; A lot of boring 01 compYtcaied jobs can now be
: done by computers, machines, or robots
I instead of oeople.
; Some manufacturing processes and services
IV,
1995. _____
Д Don't use at, on or in before these I
words when talking about time: next, last, ! that, this. Say I'm leaving next Wednesday/this afternoon etc (not 'on
next Wednesday' etc), or she left last s
January/that morning etc (not 'in last j
January' etc) j
ago о'goo' [adv] use this to say how far back in the past something happened
false /foils- [adj] not true or not correct - use this about statements or beliefs that are based on untrue information: He gave a false name and address to the police. I This article gives a totally false impression of life in Russia today. I Decide whether these statements are true or false.
not be the case nnt bi: йэ keis/ to not
I
be true - use this to say that something is not true even though many peopie believe that it is: Recent reports suggest that violent crime is increasing, but this is simply not the case.
[1] are now fully automated.
This can lead to high unemployment as more lobs are done by machines or computers...
[2] minutes/an hour/100 years ago Michael left the office 20 minutes ago.
[3]
A In American English, you can say Mondays, nights, evenings, weekends etc, without a preposition, when you mean 'every Monday', 'every night' etc: Weekends, I stay with my parents.
