My Vocabulary Page
crush v(t) //
(press) press something very hard so that it is broken or its shape is destroyed
1/ The package got crushed in the mail.
2/ His arm was badly crushed in the car accident.
2/ Add three cloves /kləʊvz/ of crushed garlic.
3/ How to crush an onion
4/ Sugar is obtained by crushing and processing sugar cane.
v(t) if people are crushed against other people or things,
they are pressed against them
5/ Tragedy struck when several people were crushed to death in the crowd.
6/ Many people were crushed underfoot(=on the ground) when the police
tried to break up the demonstration.
7/ Over twenty prisoners were crushed into a small dark cell.
v(t) (shock) upset or shock someone badly
8/ He was crushed by the news of the accident.
9/ She felt completely crushed by the teacher's criticism.
v(t) defeat somebody completely
10/ They'll stop at nothing to crush the opposition.
11/ The president called upon the army to help crush the rebellion.
crush n(c) //
have a crush on somebody:
have a strong but temporary feeling of liking somebody
1/ She has a crush on one of her teachers at school.
2/ I am asking the girl on whom I have a crush on a date.
n(singular) a crowd of people forced to stand close together
3/ I had to struggle through the crush to get to the door.
4/ You can come in our car, but it'll be a bit of a crush.
smash v(i,t) //
to break into small pieces, esp. by hitting or throwing:
1/ Some kids smashed her bedroom window.
2/ v(i) Her cup fell and smashed to pieces on the stone floor.
3/ smashed potatoes
crush: press against or squeeze an object so that it deforms;
smash: break something into pieces
v(t) to hit or move with force against something hard, usually causing damage or injury
4/ Police had to smash the door down to get into the house.
5/ She smashed her right knee in the accident.
6/ Several boats were smashed against the rocks during the storm.
7/ The car was travelling very fast when it smashed into(=crashed into) the tree.
8/ Mark smashed(=smacked or slapped) his fist down on the desk.
to defeat someone or to destroy something completely
8/ The country's government said it would do whatever was necessary to
smash the rebellion.
in tennis or volleyball:
A smash in tennis is a shot that is hit above the hitter's head with a serve-like motion.
smash something: to hit a high ball downwards and very hard over the net
crash v(i,t) //
(have an accident)
1.1/ We skidded on the ice and crashed.
1.2/ Her brother borrowed her motorbike and crashed it.
1.3/ They had a narrow escape when their car crashed.
crash into something
1.4/ The plane crashed into a mountainside.
v(i) fall or hit something in a noisy or violent way
2.1/ All the dishes the waitress was carrying crashed to the floor.
2.2/ We could hear waves crashing on/against the shore.
crash through something
2.3/ A dog came crashing through the bushes.
2.4/ Without warning, the tree crashed through the roof.
v(i) suddenly fall to a low level
3.1/ When the market crashed, everyone lost money.
3.2/ Demand slumped and prices crashed.
3.3/ Its share price has crashed from nearly £7 in November to just £0.50.
v(i) if a computer or system crashes, it suddenly stops operating
4.1/ My laptop's crashed again.
4.2/ The server crashed twice and we had no idea why.
a computer hangs/freezes
4.3/ "My computer hangs or freezes at the Starting Windows screen."
crash down: fall down with a lot of noise and force
5.1/ The whole stack of cans came crashing down.
5.2/ When the tree crashed down in the woods, it woke us all up.
(figurative) result in disaster or lose all stability amidst drastic problems
5.3/ The whole theory came crashing down when it was revealed that some
of the supporting evidence had been falsified.
5.4/ His world came crashing down when he lost his job.
5.5/ When I lied on my resume to get my dream job, I really hoped it wouldn't
all come crashing down around me — but, of course, it did.
5.6/ I've felt like my life is crashing down around me ever since
my husband's sudden death.
crash n(c) //
(accident)
6.1/ She was killed in an airplane crash in 1983.
6.2/ She had a car crash on the way to work.
smack v(i,t) //
to hit someone or something forcefully, usually making a loud noise
1/ (crash) The car spun around and smacked into a tree.
2/ She smacked the ball over the fence.
3/ (+ down) He smacked(=slapped) his hand down on the table to get our attention.
4/ She smacked her books down on the table and stormed out of the room.
(if in a gentle way: put down her books on the table)
5/ Smacking the ball down without hitting the opponent's hand
when they hold the ball with two hands
6/ I smacked my head on the corner of the shelf.
v(t) slap (in a forceful way)
7/ I never smack my children.
8/ I'll smack your bottom if you don't behave yourself.
smack n(c) //
a hit from someone's flat hand as a punishment
9/ You're going to get a smack on the bottom if you don't stop throwing your toys.
a hit given with the fist
10/ I gave him a smack on the jaw.
a short, loud noise
11/ She slammed her briefcase down on the desk with a smack.
squash v(t) //
to crush something into a flat shape
1/ He accidentally sat on her hat and squashed it.
2/ My sandwiches had got squashed at the bottom of my bag.
3/ The tomatoes at the bottom of the bag had been squashed.
crush an object: press an object so hard that it loses its shape
squash an object: crush an object so that it deforms to a flat shape
v(i,t) to push yourself, a person, or thing into a small space
see also: crush
4/ The room was so full you couldn't squash another person in.
5/ If you all squashed up, we could fit an extra person in the car.
6/ Four of us were squashed(=crushed) into the back seat of his car.
7/ We feel we are being squashed out of existence from the place we have lived in all our lives.
If you squash a plan or idea, you stop it completely and suddenly
8/ Republican leaders will probably try to squash the tax cut.
9/ If parents don't answer children's questions, their natural curiosity will be squashed.
squash n //
n(singular) if something is a squash, there is hardly enough room for everything
or everyone to fit into a small space (see also: an overwhelming space).
10/ There are over two hundred people coming to the party so it might be
a bit of a squash.
11/ It's a real squash with six of us in the car.
n(u) (sports)
12/ to play squash
13/ a squash court
n(c,u) (vegetable) squash, squashes
crack v(i,t) //
v(i,t) to break something so that it does not separate, but very thin lines
appear on its surface, or to become broken in this way (compare to: smash)
1/ A stone hit the window and cracked the glass.
2/ I cracked my tooth as I fell.
3/ The walls cracked and the roof collapsed in the earthquake.
4/ The X-ray showed that she had cracked a bone in her foot.
v(t) to break something open, especially in order to reach or use what is inside
5/ Crack three eggs into a bowl and mix them together.
6/ He cracked (open) the nuts with his hands.
v(t) to find a solution to a problem
7/ They cracked the code and read the secret message.
8/ I've been trying to solve this problem all week, but I still haven't cracked it.
v(t) cracking jokes: to make a joke or funny remark
9/ He's always cracking jokes.
v(i) If someone cracks, that person begins to feel weak and agrees that
they have been defeated
10/ He cracked during questioning and told us where to find the stolen goods.
crack down: to start dealing with bad or illegal behaviour in a more severe way
11/ (+ on) The library is cracking down on people who lose their books.
crack n(c) //
(usual meaning)
12/ Cracks had appeared in the dry ground.
13/ Cracks began to show in his facade of self-confidence.
an attempt
14/ It was her first crack at beating the record.
15/ It's not something I've done before, but I'll have(/take) a crack at it.
see also: take a shot at something; give something a shot
slap v(t) //
to hit someone or something with the flat part of the hand or other flat object
compare to: smack
1/ She slapped his face (hard).
2/ She slapped him across the face
3/ His friends slapped(=patted) him on the back when he said he was
getting married.
4/ Claudia slapped her hands (down) on her knees.
5/ When her ideas were rejected, she slapped her report down on the table
and stormed out of the meeting.
to put or move something quickly or with force
6/ Once I got to the counter, I slapped down my passport.
slap n(c) //
(usual meaning)
7/ She gave her son a slap for behaving badly.
a slap in the face: an action that insults or upsets someone
8/ It was a real slap in the face for him when she refused to go out to
dinner with him.
a slap on the back: a pat on the back
9/ He won - give him a slap on the back.
slam v(i,t) //
to move against a hard surface with force and usually a loud noise,
or to cause something to move this way
1/ v(i) The truck slammed(=crashed) into an oncoming car.
2/ I had to stop suddenly, and the car behind me slammed into the back of me.
3/ v(i) The window slammed shut with a loud bang.
4/ v(t) Ray slammed the door shut.
5/ (slam the door) Close the door carefully, don't slam it.
6/ She stomped /sdɒmpt/ up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.
7/ She slammed(=smacked) her case down on the desk with a smack.
slam on the brake
8/ He slammed the brakes on when a child ran in front of his car.
9/ I slammed on the brake, but it was too late.
slam n(c) //
(usual meaning)
10/ He closed the door with a slam.
11/ (basketball) a slam dunk
throw v(i,t) //
to send something through the air with force, especially by a sudden
movement of the arm
1/ Throw me the ball (/Throw the ball to me).
2/ She threw herself into a chair, exhausted.
3/ The rider was thrown as the horse jumped the fence.
4/ (throw a punch) He threw a punch at his attacker.
5/ (+ on) Don't throw your apple core on the floor!
6/ (+ in/into) She screwed the bag up and threw it in the bin.
7/ The ducks started quacking loudly when we threw them some bread.
8/ He threw the orange peels in/into the trash can.
9/ Throw the ball (up) in/into the air.
10/ (+ at) Some demonstrators were arrested for throwing stones at the police.
throw a glance/look: to look quickly or suddenly
11/ The boy threw a frightened look in the direction of the house.
v(t) to cause to move or act quickly or carelessly
12/ (throw back hair)She threw back her hair.
13/ (+ to) Suddenly, she grabbed the snake and threw it to the ground.
throw a party
14/ Flavio threw a party for Colin's 50th birthday.
throw a fit/tantrum
15/ My mother threw a fit when she saw what a mess we'd made of her kitchen.
throw away something
to get rid of something by treating it as garbage
1/ When are you going to throw away those old magazines?
2/ US consumers throw away around 100 billion plastic bags annually.
to waste a skill or opportunity
3/ You've spent three years working hard in college - don't throw it all away.
4/ throw away a career/chance/an opportunity
She threw away a promising
political career by daring to speak out against her party.
toss v(t) //
throw something lightly or carelessly
toss something in(/into) something
1.1/ The bull tossed him up into the air.
1.2/ He glanced at the letter and then tossed it into the bin.
1.3/ She picked up the package and casually tossed it into her bag.
1.4/ "Toss the bottle in the ocean and wait patiently for
an answer which may or may arrive."
1.5/ "What do you do with old computers? Can you toss it in the trash can?"
1.6/ "Toss the ball in the air and watch the colors magically flip."
toss something + adv/prep
1.7/ "Toss the ball to your left."
1.8/ I tossed the book aside and got up.
1.9/ He tossed the letter over to me.
1.10/ Matthew tossed the ball to his brother.
1.11/ He tossed his dirty clothes on the floor.
toss somebody something
1.12/ Andrew tossed him the ball.
1.13/ "Mr. Fuller gave me a disapproving look as he tossed me a bottle of water."
toss a dice (see also: roll a dice)
1.14/ "If you toss a dice six times, what is the probability that
each face will turn up exactly once in the six tosses?"
1.15/ "When tossing a dice, there are six possible outcomes, with each
outcome having an equal probability of 1/6."
toss a coin (see also: flip a coin)
1.16/ Let's toss a coin to see who'll go first.
1.17/ "You can toss a coin to decide who goes first in a game."
1.18/ "My brother and I used to toss a coin to decide
everything when we were kids."
1.19/ "Tossing a fair coin four times has sixteen outcomes,
one of which is four tails."
v(t) shake or turn food in order to cover it with oil/butter/etc
2.1/ Drain the pasta and toss it in melted butter.
2.2/ Toss the vegetables lightly in olive oil.
2.3/ Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss well.
a tossed salad
2.4/ "I'll have a tossed salad with no dressing."
carrots tossed in butter
2.5/ "I add baby potatoes to create a one-pot supper, but you
could serve it with steamed carrots tossed in butter and parsley,
or sautéed savoy cabbage."
v(t) toss a pancake: turn a pancake by flipping it into the air
so that it lands in the pan on its opposite side
2.6/ "The chef demonstrated how to toss a pancake with a flick
of the wrist during the cooking class."
2.7/ "Ben came second in the competition after tossing a pancake 21 times."
v(t) toss your hair/head:
if you toss your hair or your head, you move it suddenly
3.1/ She tossed her head in annoyance.
3.2/ She tossed back her hair (= throw back her hair).
3.3/ The girl tossed her hair out of her eyes.
3.4/ "I had tossed my hair when I looked over and smiled."
see also: throw back your hair, flip your hair
toss n(c) //
an act of throwing something in a careless or relaxed way
4.1/ The final result was decided on(/by) the toss of a coin.
4.2/ Take a flat angle out of the backfield and catch the toss.
4.3/ "Parsons would make a forward toss to junior Isaiah Allen for
a 1-yard touchdown pass with 9:10 left, capped with an extra point kick
by McCutcheon giving Betsy Layne a 33-0 lead at the half."
[coin] call/win/lose the toss
4.4/ The team captains called the toss.
4.5/ England won the toss and chose to kick off.
n(singular) a sudden quick movement
4.6/ "I don't care," she replied with a toss of her head.
4.7/ "A swish of her hips, a toss of her hair."
4.8/ "I'm not stupid," Nirrin replied with a toss of her hair.
toss something away
to spend or lose something carelessly
1/ That much money is not to be tossed away lightly.
2/ Toss your money away in gambling.
(throw away) disposing of unwanted things
3/ Make sure to toss your garbage away after you're finished with lunch, kids.
To reject or abandon someone or something.
4/ He had such an amazing job opportunity lined up, but he tossed it away
so he could spend the year traveling in Japan.
contend v(i) //
to compete in order to win something
1/ (+ for) The top tennis players in the world are contending for this title.
2/ He's contending against someone with twice his experience.
v(+that clause) to claim; to state as the truth
3/ I contend that a novel should tell a story and tell it well.
4/ The lawyer contended (that) her client had never been near the scene of the crime.
contend with something/someone: to have to deal with a difficult or unpleasant situation
5/ At the age of nine he had to contend with the death of both parents.
6/ We don't need a computer failure to contend with as well as
all our other problems.
contest v(t) //
to compete for something
1/ The medal is being keenly contested by eight gymnasts.
2/ She could win, since only two people are contesting the seat and
the other candidate is very unpopular.
to challenge
3/ We will certainly contest any claims made against the safety of our products.
4/ The lawyers may decide to contest the fine.
contest n(c) //
a competition to do better than other people, usually in which prizes are given
5/ a dance/sports/singing contest
6/ She's won a lot of beauty contests. (see also: pageant /'pædʒənt/)
a (political) competition
7/ The contest for the leadership of the party was very bitter.
8/ The primary in Iowa is the first contest for the Republican nomination.
9/ In the last election, he survived a close contest against a political newcomer.
n(c) contestant /kən'tesdənt/
10/ She was once a contestant on a television quiz show.
be uncontested by
uncontested: not disputed or challenged
1/ the uncontested winner
2/ an uncontested election
3/ Goldschmidt, known for being an alert baserunner, took third uncontested.
4/ In this bitterly fought case, almost nothing is uncontested.
5/ (custom-made) Taking drugs offers us an intensive feeling of pleasure uncontested by many other activties.
initiaive n(u) //
the ability to use your judgment to make decisions and
do things without needing to be told what to do
have/take initiative (to do something)
1.1/ He said I was lazy and had no initiative.
1.2/ He had the initiative to ask what time the last train left.
1.3/ "With no self-esteem, I don't have initiative to do any of that."
1.4/ "You must take the initiative to submit them once available."
1.5/ "They take initiative to work hard and achieve success for the team."
1.6/ "How can I take initiative to chart a straight course and grow my skills?"
1.7/ The group's legal advisers said they were taking the initiative
to tackle online privacy issues.
1.8/ "Knowing what your career goals and projections are will help you
gain the confidence needed to take initiative at work."
1.9/ "Elite athletes bring the energy and take the initiative
to work hard no matter what they feel like."
show initiative
1.10/ "You show initiative to improve things around you."
1.11/ She needs to show more initiative if she wants to succeed.
1.12/ Although she was quite young, she showed a lot of initiative
and was promoted to manager after a year.
show initiative in something
1.13/ Some scientists show little initiative in applying their knowledge.
1.14/ "To show initiative in the workplace, you must have the courage
to propose, suggest, and participate."
seize initiative
1.15/ "I seize the initiative to detail it in my memoir."
1.16/ "I seize the initiative To improve a little each day."
1.17/ "I seize the initiative to positively connect with my target audience."
1.18/ "Proactive people seize the initiative to do whatever is necessary,
consistent with correct principles, to get the job done."
use your initiative
1.19/ You won't get much help. You'll have to use your initiative.
1.20/ I shouldn't always have to tell you what to do, use your initiative.
on your own initiative
1.21/ She did it on her own initiative.
1.22/ Candidates for the job must be capable of working on their own initiative.
1.23/ "I study on my own initiative. When I don't understand a question,
I will ask my teachers or classmates."
lose initiative (in something)
1.24/ "I lost initiative in the middle, when things got tough."
1.25/ "A lot of people start to lose initiative in exploring."
1.26/ "If you lose initiative in business, your competitors
will push you out of the market."
n(c) a new plan or process to achieve something or solve a problem
2.1/ Ten schools have been involved in the initiative.
2.2/ The peace initiative was welcomed by both sides.
2.3/ Plague /pleɪg/ induced a widespread elite consensus that
a bold initiative was required to clean up the city.
an initiative to do something
2.4/ There are new initiatives to improve animal welfare.
2.5/ "RERI and WWF Adria are determined to carry out the initiative to the end,
i.e. until the illegal and unconstitutional Water Law is repealed,
a referendum and a public debate are conducted"
an initiative for something
2.6/ "The Italian prelate was chosen by Pope Francis to lead
an initiative for peace in Ukraine."
2.7/ "Magic for Smiles is an initiative for refugees and other
vulnerable children in Lebanon and neighbouring refugee-hosting countries
like Jordan and Turkey."
an initiative by somebody/something
2.8/ "It is an initiative by Goumbook that saves food from being
wasted and gives it a second life."
launch an initiative
2.9/ "A council would launch an initiative to boost cycling."
2.10/ "Today we launch an initiative to empower citizen owned businesses
through public procurement."
2.11/ "FBI, local agencies launch federal initiative to combat crime in Jackson."
support an initiative
2.12/ The money was intended to support initiatives in bilingual education.
2.13/ "I am very pleased with France's intention to support our initiative
to supply ammunition to Ukraine from third countries."
proactive adj //
taking action to make changes yourself rather than
reacting to things that happen
1/ The agency decided to take a proactive approach to better serve its clients.
2/ "We encourage young people to play a proactive role in the society."
be proactive about something
3/ Companies are going to have to be more proactive about
environmental management.
4/ Employees need to be proactive about their workplace rights,
be proactive in something/doing something
5/ Managers must be proactive in identifying and preventing
potential problems.
6/ "We are inspired to organize a volunteer club in Bomi County to help
young people be proactive in community service projects."
7/ "He appeals to the youth to be more proactive in community service."
a proactive person
8/ Do you want to have a proactive attitude?
9/ "Eight ways to become the most proactive person you know"
remark: (antonym) reactive
proactively adv //
in a way that causes change by taking action,
rather than reacting to changes
1/ "Learn proactively, not reactively for greater success."
2/ She help other people proactively.
3/ "Live chat is a helpful tool to reach customers proactively."
4/ "Employees who help proactively may gain much more benefit than
those helping reactively."
5/ "We encouraged students to strive for excellence and study proactively
so as to contribute to the development of Hong Kong as a bioinformatics hub."
see also: spontaneously, voluntarily
enterprising adj //
see also: proactive
(of a person) good at thinking of and doing new and difficult things,
esp. those that will make money
1/ The business was started by a couple of enterprising young women.
2/ That was very enterprising of you, Vijay!
3/ Throughout our company we need diverse, talented, creative, enterprising
individuals who seize responsibility and think strategically.
intoxicate v(i,t) //
(alcohol/drug) to make someone lose some control of their actions or behaviour
1/ The plant has the power to heal or intoxicate.
2/ It took surprisingly little drink to intoxicate him.
3/ The champagne was flat and completely failed to intoxicate us.
to make someone excited, happy, and slightly out of control
4/ Their music never fails to intoxicate me.
5/ Just the names are enough to intoxicate: Monet, Picasso, Cézanne, Modigliani.
(adj) feel intoxicated: feeling excited, happy, and slightly out of control
6/ The colours and perfumes had us all completely intoxicated.
7/ Intoxicated by success, she wanted to go further.
undertake v(t) //
do or begin to do something,
esp something that will take a long time or be difficult
1.1/ Students are required to undertake simple experiments.
1.2/ This is one of the largest aid projects ever undertaken.
1.3/ It also details how police undertake surveillance operations.
1.4/ "Students undertake a test/exam related to the learning
taking place within their lessons."
undertake(/conduct/carry out) a survey
1.5/ The agency undertook the survey in January 2004.
1.6/ "They undertook a survey concerning how Hong Kong people
interpret happy life."
1.7/ "Back in July we undertook a survey asking questions
all about recreational use of the military lands.."
undertake research, undertake a research
1.8/ As well as providing public access, 1,000 staff undertake research,
publishing hundreds of scholarly papers, and serve as professors and lecturers.
1.9/ "It's very important for scientists in general and biologists in particular
to undertake research to benefit society."
undertake an activity
1.10/ "A growing number of Chinese fishermen are undertaking fishing operations
in distant waters."
1.11/ "Proportion of observed time farm workers use to undertake farming activities."
remark: 'take up something' means to start to do/learn something;
'undertake something' means to start doing something and/or go through it.
For example, 'take up farming' would mean to start farming while
'undertake farming' would mean to go through the process of farming
so that it works out.
see also: take up something, go through something
v(i) undertake to do something:
agree or promise that you will do something
2.1/ I undertook to help him learn English.
2.2/ He undertook to finish the job by Friday.
2.3/ She undertook not to publish the names of the people involved.
undergo v(t) //
undergo something: experience something,
esp a change or something unpleasant
1/ The drug is currently undergoing trials in America.
2/ Playing board games is undergoing a revival in popularity.
undergo an operation
3/ My mother underwent major surgery last year.
4/ He recently underwent heart bypass surgery.
5/ She underwent an operation on a tumour in her left lung last year.
undergo a transformation
6/ Some children undergo a complete transformation when they become teenagers.
7/ "The landscape design of Wah Fu fits the way of life of Hong Kong people
when the city underwent a transformation to a high-density high-rise city."
undergo ups and downs
8/ "A rich person may also undergo ups and downs due to his physical,mental
and emotional ill health."
9/ All relationships undergo ups and downs, and it takes effort, good communication,
understanding, and willingness to make things better in any challenging situation."
undergo hardship(/a hardship), undergo a hard time
10/ "I have heard about you and I think you must be undergoing hard time."
11/ "One of the families KenCrest supports recently underwent a hardship.."
12/ "Buy six geese from the butcher's and donate them to a charity
preparing dinner or donating poultry meals for those undergoing hardship."
remark: 'undergo' means to experience something;
the subject is more passive than who is 'undertaking' something.
handful n(c) //
an amount of something that can be held in one hand
1/ (a handful of) He pulled out a handful of coins from his pocket.
2/ I use two handfuls of pasta per person.
n(singular) a few
3/ She invited all her friends to her party, but only a handful of them turned up.
4/ There were only a handful of guests at the reception.
effort n(c,u) //
physical or mental activity needed to achieve something,
or an attempt to do something
1.1/ He established the Help Committee to coordinate the relief effort.
1.2/ Efforts to reach the senator for comment were not successful.
time and effort
1.3/ A considerable amount of time and effort has gone into this exhibition.
1.4/ A number of returns which were prepared manually are now produced
by the computer, resulting in saving of staff time and effort.
1.5/ "Why spend time and effort reading a particular text?"
1.6/ "If you want to spend time and effort on your loved ones, offer to
deep clean their houses, mow their lawn for a year or clean their drains."
1.7/ "We dedicated to helping businesses save time and effort on their processes."
1.8/ "I put time and effort on that show."
1.9/ "Put time and effort in, and then everything else will follow."
an effort to do something (see also: an attempt to do something)
1.10/ Ultimately, the effort to write a history of trades showed few results.
1.11/ This is part of an ongoing effort to develop the Asian debt market.
1.12/ "Helping others is a good effort to instill human dignity."
in an effort to (do something)
1.13/ They met again in an effort to end the strike and get people back to work.
1.14/ He's jogging around the park every morning in an effort to get fit.
1.15/ The new system has been introduced in an effort to improve customer care.
in someone's effort to (do something)
1.16/ In their efforts to reduce crime the government expanded the police force.
be worth the effort
1.17/ It took years to write the book, but it was worth the effort.
1.18/ It takes a long time to prepare the dish but the results are so good that
it's worth the effort.
make the/an effort to do something (= make an attempt to do something)
1.19/ If we could all make an effort to keep this office tidier it would help.
1.20/ I wish you’d make the effort to get on with her.
1.21/ He's obviously making a special effort to be nice to me at the moment.
make an effort with somebody/something
1.22/ You can't expect to have any friends if you don't make
the effort with people.
1.23/ "I don't know how to continue to have relationships with my parents
anymore bc it is so hurtful that they just don't make an effort with my kids."
put effort in(/into) something
1.24/ He doesn't put any effort into our relationship.
1.25/ I put a lot of effort into organizing the party.
1.26/ The survey says that people put more effort into their appearance
on the first day of the week than any other.
1.27/ Are you ready to put maximum effort into getting what you really
want both at home and at work?
put time and effort into something
1.28/ "Put time and effort in your profile"
1.29/ He has put a lot of time and effort into learning English.
1.30/ "The four boys had really put time and effort in preparing for their
performance and were really psyched to see if their classmates would like it."
appreciate your effort(s)
1.31/ "I appreciate your effort."
1.32/ "Your time and effort is greatly appreciated."
1.33/ "I appreciate your efforts in answering my employer's questions
as my reference."
thank you for your effort(s)
1.34/ "Thank you for your effort."
1.35/ "Thank you for all the effort you've put in."
1.36/ "Thanks for your efforts in helping me move last weekend
- it was much appreciated."
n(c) a team effort: something done by a group of people
2.1/ "The project is a team effort."
2.2/ Ensuring the product is launched on time will be a team effort.
2.3/ "Individual as well as team efforts are acknowledged and accepted.
Mistakes and challenges are viewed as opportunities for improvement."
2.4/ "we must focus on problems as a Directorate, and apply a team effort
in developing coordinated solutions."
see also: n(u) team work, n(c,u) team synergy
be an effort: to be difficult, tiring, or boring to do
3.1/ After his accident, walking was an effort.
3.2/ I'm exhausted all the time, and everything is a real effort.
3.3/ Getting up this morning was quite an effort.
n(u) take/require effort: cost labor or brainwork
4.1/ It would take too much effort to tidy my bedroom.
4.2/ Taking the time to compare prices means that the purchase
takes more effort, but it's usually worth it.
4.3/ It takes effort to become a better person.
(compare: Peter makes an effort to become a better person.)
n(c) the result of an attempt to do something
5.1/ "A scattered effort is a poor effort."
5.2/ I'm afraid that this essay is a poor effort.
5.3/ Do you want to have a look at his exam paper? It's a fairly poor effort.
effect n(c,u) //
the result of a particular influence
have (an) effect (on/upon something)
1.1/ The radiation leak has had a disastrous effect on the environment.
1.2/ Anti-inflationary measures do not yet seem to be having any effect.
1.3/ The new management actually has not had much effect on us.
1.4/ I tried taking tablets for the headache but they didn't have any effect.
the effect of something (on something)
1.5/ The medicine had the effect of making me sleepy.
1.6/ The effect of the redundancies on morale has been extremely damaging.
see/feel/suffer the effects of something
1.7/ Businesses are already feeling the effects of the new charges.
1.8/ I think I'm suffering from the effects of too little sleep.
use to good effect: to someone's advantage
1.9/ She has a lot of confidence, which she uses to good effect in interviews.
n(u) official or legal use
be in effect: be active or being used
2.1/ The present system of payment will remain in effect
until the end of the rental agreement.
2.2/ Winter parking rules are in effect.
2.3/ At that time a total ban on financial transactions was in effect.
be under effect
2.4/ "Regulation 405/19 is under effect as of September 15, 2019
and has replaced the repealed."
2.5/ "New guidelines are under effect as of a few scant days
from this time of writing."
take effect (/come into effect): start working or being used
2.6/ The new salary increases will take effect from January onwards.
2.7/ All salary increases will take effect in January.
2.8/ When do the new driving laws come into effect?
2.9/ On April 1 new sales taxes will come into effect.
2.10/ The new credit regulations will take effect next year.
put/bring something into effect: start using something or making it work
see also: (government) impose a rule/law/fine/etc
2.11/ The new government has vowed to put several policies into effect with
the goal of helping struggling citizens.
2.12/ The new law will be put into effect on the first of January.
2.13/ The aim is to develop new management strategies and put them into effect.
Glossary
take effect: produce or achieve the results you want
3.1/ They had to wait ten minutes for the anaesthetic to
take effect before they stitched up the cut.
in effect: in fact or in practice
3.2/ So in effect the government have lowered taxes for
the rich and raised them for the poor.
3.3/ The ruling meant that, in effect, the company was allowed
to continue to do business as usual.
to that effect (/to the effect that): causing the same effect but not exactly the same
3.4/ She said she was unhappy, or words to that effect.
3.5/ He said something to the effect that he would have to change jobs
if the situation continued.
with immediate effect/with effect from
3.6/ She was appointed chief executive with immediate effect.
3.7/ The company has announced the appointment of 13 new partners,
with effect from 1 July 2012.
n(c) special effects
3.8/ This is a movie worth seeing for its effects alone.
the opposite effect
3.9/ Cold water slows hurricane growth, but warm water has the opposite effect.
an adverse/negative/detrimental effect
3.10/ The slowdown will have a detrimental effect on earnings in the short term.
reduce/minimize the effects: minimize the drawbacks
3.11/ The problem is, how to deal with the demand for more and better
goods while minimizing the effect on the environment.
the desired effect
3.12/ They questioned whether financial liberalization had had the desired effect.
a significant/profound/dramatic effect
3.13/ "Memory lapses should not have a significant effect on your daily life."
effect v(t) //
achieve something and cause it to happen
4.1/ It will take years to effect meaningful changes in the educational system.
4.2/ "It takes centuries of effort to effect the slowdown of gloabal warming."
relation n(u) //
the connection or similarity between two things
(remark: This usage refers to "how deep two things are connected to each other".)
1/ There was little relation between the book and the movie.
2/ The relation between the original book and this new film is very faint.
3/ She bears no relation to (=not similar to) her brother.
n(plural) the way in which two people or groups of people feel and behave
towards each other (see also: relationship)
4/ diplomatic relations
5/ business/economic relations
6/ race relations
7/ (PR stands for) Public relations
8/ Relations between him and his new wife are rather strained.
9/ Britain enjoys friendly relations with Canada.
10/ Scientists eventually proved a relation between smoking and lung cancer.
11/ We are on the threshold of a new era in European relations.
n(c) a relative
12/ On our trip, we visited friends and relations on both sides of the family.
13/ The funeral was attended by friends and relations.
14/ She's a relation by marriage because she married my cousin.
in relation to something: with reference to; concerning
see also: be related to, relative to, with respect to, corresponding to, regarding
15/ You are given a map so that you can see where your villa is in relation to
the swimming pool.
16/ The money he'd been ordered to pay was minimal in relation to
(= compared with) his salary.
17/ The drug is being studied for possible beneficial effects in relation to
migraine headaches.
18/ She used the map to discover where she was in relation to her surroundings.
(mathematics, could use relationship in place of relation)
19/ Find a(/the) relation between x and y.
20/ This results in a linear relation between elements v1, v2, ... and v_n.
have relations (with someone): to have sex or a sexual relationship with someone
21/ The couple had been having sexual relations for a year.
no relation
22/ When I was in Washington, I met a politician called Angello Trump, no relation.
(= saying that this person is not related to Donald Trump,
the contemporary president of USA)
relationship n(c) //
the way in which two things are connected
1/ Scientists have established the relationship between lung cancer and smoking.
2/ Scientists proved the relationship between scurvy and vitamin C.
n(c) the way in which two or more people feel and behave towards each other
3/ (+ with) He has a very good relationship with his uncle.
4/ Lack of trust is very destructive in a relationship.
5/ She knew he fancied her, but preferred to keep their relationship platonic.
6/ Their relationship kept getting worse and worse.
7/ a good working relationship
8/ Perhaps you’ve been working on building a relationship with one of your colleagues
for a while, but it hasn’t quite happened.
build up the relationship/ strengthen the relationship/ establish a good relationship
9/ We try to build up the relationships with your company.
10/ Here are eleven proven ways to build and maintain strong and positive business
relationships with your clients.
n(c) a close romantic friendship between two people, often a sexual one
11/ Have you had any serious relationships in the past year?
12/ What do you look for in a relationship?
13/ Helen is in a relationship with Kevin.
n(c) the family connection between people
14/ The judge asked the witness what the relationship was between her
and the victim.
the Special Relationship: the diplomatic relation between Britain and the USA
15/ The special relationship between the US and the UK has ebbed and flowed
for more than 70 years. Can it adapt to survive for another 70?
usage of relation vs relationship
1/ These two words both mean the same thing: "the way in which two or more people,
groups, countries, etc., talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other"
2/ We use relations for bigger groups, relationship for smaller groups of people.
3/ Relations is used in more formal writing
4/ It is not correct to say, "I am in relations with him." For that, use relationship.
5/ Relationship tends to be used more broadly and generally to describe
the interactions between specific people or smaller groups of people.
get through something
manage to deal with a difficult situation or to stay alive until it is over
1/ The refugees will need help to get through the winter.
2/ I just have to get through the first five minutes of my speech,
and then I’ll be fine.
3/ I don't know how I got through the first couple of months after Andy's death.
4/ We need to conserve our supplies so we can get through the winter.
5/ get over relationship problems
get someone through (something)
6/ She was relying on luck to get her through.
7/ He needs a lot of coffee to get him through the day.
8/ My friendship with Carla got me through those tough months
just after we moved.
synonym: come through something
succeed in an exam or competition
9/ She got through her exams without too much trouble.
10/ "He had got through the first round of the tournament so calmly that
it was almost surreal."
finish something
11/ I can get through a lot more work when I'm on my own.
12/ We've got a lot to get through today.
13/ She got through all our questions in about eight minutes.
go through something
(experience) experience a difficult or unpleasant situation
1/ I've been going through a bad patch recently.
2/ You'd think his children would be more sympathetic towards him after all
he's gone through.
see also: undergo
examine a collection of things carefully in order to
organize them or find something
3/ I’m going through my wardrobe and throwing out all the clothes
I don’t wear any more.
4/ Remember to go through the pockets before you put those trousers
in the washing machine.
5/ We went through all the cupboards and drawers and found things
we hadn't seen for years.
do something in order to practise or as a test
6/ Why don't we go through the whole demonstration once more?
7/ go through the course materials
8/ go through the exam topics
be officially accepted or approved (could also use "get through")
9/ We’re hoping that the proposal for the new mall won’t go through.
10/ (government) The proposals for new taxes are unlikely to go through.
comparison between 'get through' and 'go through':
get through: deal with something difficult and succeed to overcome it
go through: experience something difficult
get over something/someone
to get better after an illness, or feel better after something or someone
has made you unhappy
1/ She was only just getting over the flu when she got a stomach bug.
2/ It took him years to get over the shock of his wife dying.
3/ It took her months to get over Michael when he ended the relationship.
4/ He is still getting over the shock of being made redundant(=laid off).
5/ She never completely got over the loss of her first child.
6/ It can take weeks to get over an illness like that.
to accept an unpleasant fact or situation after dealing with it for a while
7/ They’re upset that you didn’t call, but they’ll get over it.
(overcome) to find a way to solve or deal with a difficult problem
8/ There are many hurdles still to get over before the new restaurant can open.
remark: "get over" is more about to overcome an emotional hardship,
or restore physical or mental health of a person.
remark: we would get through a process/ a situation/ a hard time/ difficulties/ problems;
on the other hand, we would overcome (or getover) difficulties/ hurdles/ problems.
engage v //
v(t) to interest someone in something and keep them thinking about it
1/ The debate about food safety has engaged the whole nation.
2/ (engage sby's interest)
If a book doesn't engage my interest in the first few
pages, I don't usually continue reading it.
3/ For some reason the film failed to engage my interest.
4/ He wrote about things that engaged (=interested) him.
5/ We're always looking out for new subjects that will engage our readers.
6/ He was examining his fingernails, one of which seemed to engage his attention.
7/ "Seven surefire strategies to engage students in the classroom"
v(i) to become involved, or have contact, with someone or something
8/ She's an intelligent child but in class she doesn't really engage.
(= she doesn't get involved with the class)
engage with someone/something: to make an effort to understand and deal with
someone or something
9/ Just stay out of his way as much as possible, and don't engage with him.
(= avoid having contact with him)
10/ She is accused of failing to engage with the problems of her staff.
engage in something: to take part in something; to participate in
10/ Most students engage in extracurricular activities after school and on weekends.
11/ The men were engaged in a heated dispute.
12/ The two governments have agreed to engage in a comprehensive dialogue
to resolve the problem.
13/ It is notable that Igbo women engage in trade and are influential in local politics.
(military) v(t) to attack or begin to fight someone
14/ Enemy planes engaged the troops as they advanced into the mountains.
15/ The marines engaged the enemy.
v(t) to employ someone; to hire
16/ She decided to engage a personal assistant.
17/ (+ to) Her family engaged a tutor to teach her French.
engaged adj //
be engaged to somebody: having formally agreed to marry
1/ Debbie and Christa have just got engaged.
2/ She was engaged to some guy in the army.
3/ They're engaged to be married in June.
busy doing something
4/ The president is currently engaged but you can meet with his deputy /'depjəti/.
keep someone engaged: keep someone interested (in doing something)
5/ How do you keep students motivated and engaged in learning?
6/ There are many ways that teachers attempt to keep students engaged:
they ask tons of questions, create complex, interesting lessons, offer a variety
of activities, and even alter their teaching style in the hopes of
entertaining their students.
be engaged in sth: be involved in something (see also: engage in something)
7/ The broadcaster is engaged in a complex legal battle over a failed joint venture.
if a telephone/a toilet is engaged, someone is already using it
8/ Customers calling to book tickets found the line was constantly
engaged (= occupied).
alma mater n(singular) //
your alma mater: the school, college, or university where you studied
1/ He wanted to go back to his hometown and teach at his alma mater.
2/ My alma mater is forever asking me to donate to the annual fund.
3/ He had a golf shirt with the name of his alma mater stitched on the breast.
carry out something
to do or complete something, especially that you have said you would do
or that you have been told to do
carry out a research/ an experiment/ instructions/ a test/ a study
1/ Dr Carter is carrying out research on early Christian art.
2/ The hospital is carrying out tests to find out what's wrong with her.
3/ Don't blame me, I'm only carrying out my orders/instructions.
4/ The police carried out a thorough search of the premises, but failed
to find any drugs.
carry out an activity: do or complete an activity
5/ Our soldiers carried out a successful attack last night.
6/ We are investigating how to carry out farming on a barren /berən/ land.
(compare with: We practise farming on the land.)
7/ According to witnesses, the robbery was carried out by two teenage boys.
8/ Does the Administration have any plan to carry out a survey on them?
9/ Preparing meals or carrying out housework were impeded for the majority
of patients.
carry out a plan
10/ I was elected to carry out a program, the governor said, and I have every
intention of carrying it out.
11/ Government of the Special Administrative Region (SAR) though,
it will be difficult to carry out this plan at its full cost.
12/ The plot was discovered before it was carried out.
carry out responsibilties: to fulfill responsibilities
13/ He is stopped from carrying out his responsibilities as the acting president.
remark: to put something, in particular which involves a plan beforehand, into action
hang v(i,t) //
[usual meaning] hang/hung/hung
1.1/ A necklace hangs around her neck.
1.2/ Hang the washing out to dry.
1.3/ I hang my washing-up to dry on an overhead rack indoors.
1.4/ Notices painted on sheets hang at every entrance.
1.5/ Many of his finest pictures hang(/are hung) in the National Gallery.
1.6/ There was no wind, and the flag hung straight down.
hang something on something
1.7/ Hang your coat and hat on the rack over there.
1.8/ I am hanging clothes on a line.
1.9/ I'd hang the sweater on the line and let it drip-dry.
1.10/ I hang a picture on the wall next to the door.
1.11/ I always hang my towel on a hanger.
1.12/ "You would literally hang the phone on the wall fixture
after the call was completed."
hang something up
1.13/ She took her coat off and hung it up.
1.14/ "I hung my hat up today for collegiate fishing."
hang (something) down from something
1.15/ A light bulb hanging from the ceiling filled the room with a cold yellow light.
1.16/ Party decorations hang down from the ceiling.
1.17/ A string of onions hung from a beam in the kitchen.
1.18/ "Aerial roots hang down from branches of the tree."
(see also: Chinese Banyan)
1.19/ "I hang my belt from a nail on the garage gym wall."
v(i) hang in the air: stay in the air
2.1/ Smoke from the houses hung above the village.
2.2/ The falcon seemed to hang in the air for a moment before diving onto its prey.
2.3/ "The sparrow hangs in the air but he can only keep it up for a few seconds."
(idiom) hang in the air: be incomplete or uncertain
2.4/ The design of the new currency is still hanging in the air.
see also: hover
(idiom) hang in there: persevere
3.1/ Just hang in there for a bit longer.
3.2/ She has managed to hang in despite years of bad luck.
3.3/ The thought hung in (= persisted in) her mind for days.
(v) hang out: spend a lot of time in a place or with someone
4.1/ You still hang out at the pool hall?
4.2/ Haven't you got anything better to do than hang out at the shopping centre?
hang out with somebody
4.3/ I hung out with friends tonight.
4.4/ I don't know why he hangs out with James, they've got nothing in common.
(v) hang around (somewhere): wait at a place, or stay near
a place or person, often for no particular reason
5.1/ We were just hanging around the mall.
5.2/ I spent most of my youth hanging around the bars of Dublin.
5.3/ I don't think he really loves me. I'm getting sick of hanging
around waiting for him to call.
hang around with somebody
5.4/ She hangs around with some tough kids.
5.5/ "I am so glad to hang around with you guys."
5.6/ "In my free time, what I like to do is hang around with
my family and grandchildren."
hang around: pass time without a purpose
5.7/ Go and pack but don't hang around - we have to go in an hour.
(v) hang on: wait for a short time
6.1/ Sally's on the other phone - would you like to hang on?
6.2/ Do you need the toilet right now or can you hang on for a while?
6.3/ He always keeps us hanging on while he tries to find his keys.
6.4/ Hang on a moment, I'll just go and get my diary.
6.5/ Hang on a minute - I'll be with you in a moment!
(v) hang over somebody/something: if something bad is
hanging over you, you are worried or anxious about it
7.1/ It’s not very nice to have huge debts hanging over your head.
7.2/ The threat of redundancy was still hanging over us.
(v) hang onto something: keep something
8.1/ "But only one family has managed to hang onto the Iron Throne
since book one of the Song of the Ice and Fire series, and that's
the Lannisters of Casterly Rock."
v(t) [kill] always use hang/hanged/hanged in this usage
9.1/ She tried to hang herself.
9.2/ He was found guilty and hanged later that year.
9.3/ He was sentenced to die and was hanged the next morning.
hang noun //
get the hang of something: learn the skills that are needed to do
10.1/ He was finally getting the hang of his job.
10.2/ She is getting the hang of driving.
10.3/ I'll teach you how to use the design program - you'll get
the hang of it after a while.
n(singular) the way something made of cloth looks when it is hanging
11.1/ That coat fits you so well - the hang is perfect.
11.2/ Small weights sewn into the hems will improve the hang of your curtains.
put something on
(wear clothes) to move something you wear onto your body
1/ Put your shoes on - we're going out.
2/ She puts face cream on every night.
3/ He put on his jacket.
(turn on) to start a piece of equipment, or to place a recording in a device
that will play it
4/ Could you put the light on?
5/ Don't forget to put the brake on. (see also: slam on the brake)
6/ Do you mind if I put the television/some music on?
7/ Put on the signal 33 meters before the turn.
gain weight
8/ I'd expected to put weight on when I gave up smoking, but I didn't.
9/ He's put on ten pounds in the last month.
to order that someone start taking a particular medicine or eating or avoiding
certain foods
10/ He’s putting me on a high-protein diet.
11/ Doctors put her on antibiotics after discovering an infection.
(on a diet: eating less food or only particular kinds of food in order to lose weight)
take off v //
remove something, especially clothes
1/ Take off your jacket.
2/ He took off his clothes and got into the shower.
3/ He took off his shirt and shoes and jumped in the lake.
4/ Take your outdoor shoes off when you enter your home
5/ He took off my wet boots and made me sit by the fire.
6/ After the poisoning scare, the product was taken off the market.
if an aircraft or a bird takes off, it leaves the ground and begins to fly.
7/ The plane took off an hour late.
8/ The plane took off at 8.30 a.m.
become successful or popular very quickly or suddenly
9/ The new magazine has really taken off.
10/ Her singing career took off after her TV appearance..
11/ "1982 saw Michael Jackson take off from being the Prince of R&B to
the King Of Pop when he dropped the ultimate album Thriller."
have a period of time as a break from work
12/ I’ve decided to take next semester off and travel and write.
13/ I've decided to take a few days off next week.
14/ After the business trip she took a few days off.
worth adj //
(money) having a particular value in money
1/ Our house is worth two hundred thousand pounds.
2/ Heroin worth about five million dollars was seized.
3/ How much is it worth?
4/ Any painting by Van Gogh is worth a fortune.
be worth something: to be important or interesting enough to receive
a particular action
5/ I think this matter is worth our attention.
6/ You could ask him if he's willing - it's worth a try.
7/ When you're in Reykjavík, the National Museum is worth a visit.
8/ Shall I talk to Rob? It's not worth the trouble.
be worth having/doing something: to be important or useful to have or do
9/ There's nothing worth reading in this newspaper.
10/ It isn't worth doing such a stupid thing.
11/ If you are a young, inexperienced driver, it is worth having
comprehensive insurance.
12/ It's worth remembering that prices go up in February.
13/ This is a movie worth seeing for its effects alone.
14/ Only a few people are successful as sports professionals,
but it's worth giving it a go. (see also: give it a shot)
15/ The car isn't worth repairing.
be worth it: enjoyable enough or producing enough advantages to make
the necessary effort, risk, etc. seem acceptable
16/ We believe the extra time and attention to detail is worth it.
17/ It's been hard work but worth it.
18/ Don't tire yourself out, Geri, it's really not worth it.
19/ It was a long climb to the top of the hill, but it was worth it for
the view from the top.
20/ After the plastic surgery I had two black eyes and my face was very
swollen /'swəʊlən/. But I knew it would be worth it.
21/ The dinner was sixty dollars but she didn’t think it was worth it.
for what it's worth: said when you are giving someone a piece of information
and you are not certain if that information is useful or important:
22/ For what it's worth, I think he may be right.
23/ They are, for what it's worth, the single most successful playhouse
in the West.
worthy adj //
deserving respect, admiration, or support
1.1/ I'm sure his motives were worthy.
a worthy goal/project/calling
1.2/ "Road improvement is a worthy project for our tax revenue."
1.3/ "This is a worthy project that needs to be vetted and receive input
concerning land restoration, inspections, damages and safety concerns."
1.4/ We thought it was a worthy enough objective.
1.5/ "It's a worthy goal, but the minds changed by it must be few."
1.6/ I'm glad she's going into medicine. It's a very worthy calling.
1.7/ "You and I have a worthy calling to share the gospel,
especially in these difficult times."
a worthy cause
1.8/ Every year she makes a large donation to a worthy cause.
1.9/ "I hope it raises a lot of money for such a worthy cause."
1.10/ The money we raise will be going to a very worthy cause.
1.11/ "If you can't sell them, swap them for other items or
for vouchers, or give them to a worthy cause."
1,12/ It was a worthy cause, and we were glad to make a contribution.
a worthy person/winner/champion
1.13/ In Mason we have a worthy new champion.
1.14/ Leeds United were worthy winners of the competition.
1.15/ They are worthy members of the community.
n(c) a worthy
1.16/ A group of local worthies began to plan their own exhibition.
1.17/ The front row of chairs was reserved for local worthies.
be worthy of something
1.18/ Such dedication is worthy of our respect.
1.19/ Do I have anything worthy of praise?
1.20/ "Sandy's work attitude is worthy of praise."
1.21/ She soon proved herself worthy of the trust we placed in her.
be worthy to do something
1.22/ "Is there anything worthy to do in life?"
1.23/ "It is worthy to note that smokers have a higher risk
of developing lung cancer."
be worthy of attention/notice: deserving to be given attention or noticed
2.1/ You are not worthy of my attention.
2.2/ Very few of his ideas are worthy of further attention.
2.3/ The Minister says the idea is worthy of consideration.
2.4/ A number of the report's findings are worthy of note.
2.5/ Such incoherent ramblings are hardly worthy of notice.
2.6/ Two points in this report are especially worthy of notice.
2.7/ Several of our members are worthy of particular mention.
see also: be worth somebody's attention(/notice)
(adj) suitable for or characteristic of somebody/something
be worthy of somebody/something
3.1/ I hope he was worthy of her.
3.2/ He felt he was not worthy of her.
3.3/ Each of the ten chapters is worthy of a separate book.
3.4/ After viewing the damage, the president decided that
the area was worthy of federal disaster relief.
3.5/ The matter is hardly worthy of the managing director's time.
3.6/ No composer was considered worthy of the name until
he had written an opera.
(be typical of what a particular person or thing might do/give/etc)
3.7/ He threw a party worthy of a millionaire.
3.8/ He gave a speech that was worthy of Martin Luther King.
see also: be suitable for somebody/something
remark: compare worth and worthy
I/ "worth" can be used to describe an amount of value in money. "worthy" cannot.
II/ "worthy" is used to describe people that are valuable. A person being worthy of
praise/admiration/respect means that he deserves so. "worthy" is more about qualities
and abilities of a person. "worth" is not used in any of these cases.
III/ When describing an object of good quality, so that it deserves our attention,
"This plan is worthy of our attention" would just mean "this plan is worth our attention".
IV/ "Be worth it" is used to describe objects and experiences.
worthwhile adj //
useful, important or good enough to be a suitable reward for the money or time spent
or the effort made (see also: rewarding)
1/ It's a worthwhile(=rewarding) plan to carry out.
2/ She considers teaching a worthwhile career.
3/ It's not a worthwhile use of your time.
4/ Do you think working in a supermarket is a worthwhile career for a highly
intelligent person?
5/ If you want people to do things for you, you've got to make it worthwhile to them.
6/ It wasn't worthwhile for us to have two cars.
7/ It's not worthwhile for you to wait any longer.
8/ The time and expense involved in keeping up to date with all the changes
has been worthwhile.
9/ Let's make our time here worthwhile.
10/ Is it worthwhile visiting Leicester?
see also: worth somebody's while
11/ Would you like to do some gardening for me? I'll make it worth your while.
compare worth and worthwhile
1/ "worthwhile" is sometimes used to replace "worth", particularly to express
the idea "worth spending time".
2/ "worthwhile" can be used as an adjective before noun. "worth" cannot.
3/ We can use to-infinitive after "worthwhile": "it's worthwhile to do something."
We always use a gerund after "worth": "it's worth doing something."
aid n(u) //
help or support
1.1/ "Your aid means a lot to me."
1.2/ "I am grateful for your aid."
with the aid of somebody/something
(see also: with the help of somebody/something)
1.3/ She walks with the aid of a stick.
1.4/ He gets about(/gets about) with the aid of a walking stick.
1.5/ He can see with the aid of special glasses.
without the aid of somebody/something
1.6/ This job would be impossible without the aid of a computer.
1.7/ "You must take the exam without the aid of a calculator."
give/provide/send aid to somebody
1.8/ "What is your plan to give aid to Gaza now?"
1.9/ "The church helps give aid to refugees in Congo."
1.10/ Lawmakers say the plan will create one million jobs and
provide comfort and aid to the poor.
come(/go) to the aid of somebody
1.11/ "God has always come to my aid."
1.12/ She went to the aid of a man trapped in his car.
1.13/ One of the staff saw he was in difficulty and came to his aid
1.14/ A woman in the street saw that he was in trouble and came to his aid.
1.15/ The Bureau will come to the aid of any homeowners pursuing an insurance claim.
see also: n(u) first aid
n(u) the help given in the form of food, money, medical supplies, etc.,
to a country or group of people that is in need or because of an emergency
aid for somebody
2.1/ Aid for the flood victims was on the way.
2.2/ We provide free legal aid for victims of domestic abuse.
get/receive/accept aid
2.3/ Victims of the flood can receive aid at one of the nineteen
emergency aid stations set up by the state.
2.4/ "In two of the camps, refugees received aid from the United Nations
World Food Program in the form of cash."
appeal for aid, ask for aid, seek aid
2.5/ "I feel ashamed to ask for humanitarian aid."
2.6/ The government has already appealed for 800,000 tonnes
of food aid to feed its starving population.
provide/offer aid
2.7/ "We provide aid to refugees, both at home and abroad."
2.8/ "We urge the US government to offer asylum and aid to
war-affected children in Gaza and West Bank."
be denied aid
2.9/ "In March and April of this year, nearly 860,000 people were
denied humanitarian aid in Kordofan."
emergency aid
2.10/ Emergency aid arrived too late for many.
2.11/ The Vatican has agreed to donate $80,000 in emergency aid
to countries affected by the war.
economic aid
2.12/ "Carrie Lam travelled to Beijing to seek economic aid."
2.13/ "Many of these nations received economic aid from Japan."
humanitarian aid
2.14/ "Russia abused humanitarian aid to obtain a military advantage."
foreign/international/overseas aid
2.15/ About a fifth of the country's income is in the form of foreign aid.
2.16/ "Fragile countries have often to rely on foreign aid to
fund the bulk of these trade deficits."
in aid of somebody/something: in order to collect money for a group of people
who need it (see also: "in support of", which means "supporting")
2.17/ We organize a concert in aid of famine relief.
2.18/ "We play a charity performance in aid of Great Ormond Street
Children's Hospital."
an aid operation, an aid project
2.19/ We need to look at the logistics of the whole aid operation.
2.20/ "Qatar Charity and office of Islamic Dawah Organization carry out
an aid project in Sudan."
n(c) aid workers
2.21/ "Aid workers in Ukraine urgently need more funding now to
ensure life-saving operations will not stop."
2.22/ "Aid workers in Gaza are fighting for survival too."
2.23/ "As an aid worker in Gaza the current situation is deeply distressing."
n(c) a piece of equipment that helps you to do something
an aid to something/doing something
3.1/ "A calculator is an aid to mathematics."
3.2/ A thesaurus /θɪ'sɔ:.rəs/ is a useful aid to writing.
3.3/ A good dictionary can be a useful aid to understanding a new language.
a teaching aid
3.4/ Photos make useful teaching aids.
3.5/ "Flash cards are good teaching aids for children."
3.6/ Teachers make good use of teaching aids, such as books and videos.
a hearing aid (see also: an earmold)
3.7/ "Put on the hearing aid with mould."
3.8/ "Even your own voice sounds different when you wear a hearing aid.
a visual aid
3.9/ "With a view to injury prevention, it is important to wear
a visual aid during sports if necessary."
see also: a tool for something/doing something
aid v(i,t) //
help somebody/something to do something, esp by making it easier
aid somebody/something
4.1/ The charity was established to aid hurricane victims.
4.2/ They were accused of aiding his escape.
4.3/ Huge projects designed to aid poorer countries can sometimes
do more harm than good.
4.4/ His excuse for drinking brandy is that it's said to aid digestion.
4.5/ Better training policies and new technologies are aiding
disabled people in the workplace.
4.6/ The investigation was greatly aided by the fact that
the house was equipped with CCTV cameras.
aid somebody to do something
4.7/ They were accused of aiding him to escape.
4.8/ "This will aid the elderly to walk in confidence without falling down."
aid in something/doing something
4.9/ The test is designed to aid in the diagnosis of various diseases.
4.10/ The research has aided in developing new drugs.
4.11/ An additional team of contractors was hired to aid in the plant's construction.
aid somebody/something in something(/doing something)
4.12/ They were accused of aiding him in his escape.
4.13/ The strategy can aid teachers in dealing with disruptive behaviour.
aid somebody with something
4.14/ "We aid the elderly with their personal care."
4.15/ Words will be displayed around the room to aid students with spelling.
see also: assist, help
v(t) aid something: help or encourage something to happen
5.1/ Some perfumes aid restful sleep.
5.2/ Peppermint aids digestion.
5.3/ New drugs are now available to aid recovery.
5.4/ "Vitamin A is an essential vitamin to aid your vision."
(idiom) aid and abet: help somebody to do something illegal or wrong
aid and abet a crime
6.1/ She stands accused of aiding and abetting the crime.
6.2/ "It is suspected that the whole family aided and abetted the murder of Abby."
aid and abet somebody
6.3/ He was charged with aiding and abetting the robbers.
6.4/ "Even if you did not commit a crime, if it can be shown that you have
aided and abetted a criminal action, you are now liable for potential charges."
take to something
to adopt a habit of doing something
1/ She was so depressed she took to drink.
2/ (+ v-ing) He's taken to staying out very late.
3/ Recently he’s taken to wearing a cap.
4/ He has recently taken to studying French.
5/ Teenagers who take to smoking early on in life, may face increased risk
of alcoholism in their adult life.
take up something: to start doing an activity;
take to something: to form a habit of doing something.
For example, we can say "He takes up French recently", which means he starts
learning French but not necessarily makes it as a habit.
pick up v //
lift someone or something using your hands
1.1/ I picked up the kids' clothes that were lying on the floor.
1.2/ He picked the phone up and dialled.
1.3/ I've already told them to pick their toys up.
[delivery] obtain or receive something
2.1/ Pick up a leaflet /'li:flət/ from your doctor.
2.2/ I'm going to pick up my online order.
2.3/ pick up the(/my) delivery
2.4/ pick up my package
2.5/ pick it up in a store
2.6/ "Buy online. Pick (it) up at store."
see also: a pickup point
[ride] get or bring somebody or something from somewhere
3.1/ Whose turn is it to pick up the kids from school?
3.2/ A truck picks up the recycling once a week.
3.3/ Can you pick me up after the party?
3.4/ She went over to her parents' house to pick up some clean clothes.
buy something cheaply
4.1/ It's a market where you can pick up some magazines.
4.2/ She picked up some real bargains in the sale.
[resume] start something again after an interruption
5.1/ We will pick up our conversation when I come back.
pick (something) up where (one) left off
5.2/ Let's pick up where we left off yesterday.
5.3/ OK, now that the rain's stopped, let's pick this game up
where we left off!
5.4/ If it's OK with you, I'd like to go out on a date and try to
pick up where we left off!
if you pick up something such as a skill or an idea,
you acquire it without effort over a period of time
6.1/ Don't bother with the computer manual - you'll pick it up as you go along.
6.2/ When you live in a country you soon pick up the language.
(compare: "take up Japanese" vs "pick up Japanese")
pick up a habit: take up something as a habit
7.1/ I pick up the habit of smoking. (= I take to smoking)
7.2/ Along the way, he picked up the habit of scribbling down ideas in notebooks,
which piled up in the basement of his house.
see also: take to something
catch an illness from someone or something, caused by bacteria or a virus
8.1/ Gwen picked up a cold on her trip.
8.2/ He picked up malaria /mə'leriə/ when he was visiting the countryon business.
v(i,t) increase or improve
9.1/ The truck picked up speed slowly.
9.2/ The car starts picking up speed.
9.3/ The number of applicants will pick up during the autumn.
9.4/ His spirits picked up (= went up) when he got the good news.
9.5/ Her career only began to pick up when she was in her forties.
see also: "Her career began to take off";
"She began to thrive in her career";
"Her career began to shine"
pick yourself up: recover from a fail or problem;
stand up again after you have fallen
10.1/ He just picked himself up and went on running.
10.2/ She didn't waste time feeling sorry for herself -
she just picked herself up and carried on.
pick up (on) something: notice something and perhaps react to it
11.1/ She failed to pick up on the humour in his remark.
11.2/ "She is so annoying. She always has to pick up my every mistake."
11.3/ "With spelling or grammar, office applications quickly pick up on my mistakes
and underline them for me, but most of my mistakes come from my own hubris."
see also: picky, pick on somebody
see also: point out, nag somebody about something, harp on about something
pickup n(c,u) //
(also: pick-up) the act of getting something or someone
1.1/ Your purchase will be available for pick-up in an hour.
1.2/ Trash pickups are on Tuesdays and Fridays.
1.3/ We arranged the pickup for ten o'clock.
1.4/ Goods are delivered not later than noon on the day after pickup.
a pick-up point
1.5/ The pickup point for the long-distance coaches is now
in the new bus station.
1.6/ "Pickup points are locations where customers pick up their orders.
A store provides pickup points so that its customers have the option of
choosing to receive their order at their address (delivery) or
to pick it up at a specified location (pickup)."
n(c) a pickup in something: an increase or improvement
2.1/ There's been a pickup in the value of the stock.
2.2/ In the last two months, we've noticed a definite pick-up
in the number of calls.
2.3/ "There's been a pickup in scam calls touting student loan relief."
2.4/ Next year is expected to show some pickup in inflation.
n(c) a pickup truck
3.1/ He drives a black pick-up.
3.2/ They loaded all my stuff onto their pickup truck.
3.3/ "Thai residents hitch a ride on a pickup truck in flooded street
near Ladprao intersection in Bangkok."
pickup adj(before noun) //
(US) not officially organized, or involving games like this
a pickup game, a pickup tournament
4.1/ The basketball courts bustled with pickup games.
4.2/ A group of kids started a pickup game of basketball on the street outside.
4.3/ "A pickup tournament is a casual game where teams of players compete
against each other in order to win prizes.
play pickup basketball/football/soccer
4.4/ He still plays some pickup basketball with friends.
4.5/ Six kids were playing pick-up football on the High School field.
collect v(t) //
buy or find things of a particular type and keep them as a hobby
example: collect stamps/coins/antiques/postcards/coins
1.1/ He began collecting antiquities in 1785.
1.2/ He started to collect art seriously soon after the turn of the century.
1.3/ "I love to collect postcards from different countries
when I am travelling around the world."
1.4/ "I used to collect stamps and serviced first day covers,
when I was at school."
v(t) (take away) go somewhere in order to take somebody/something away
2.1/ What day do they collect the garbage(/rubbish)?
2.2/ The package is waiting to be collected.
2.3/ Your shoes will be repaired and ready for you to collect on Thursday.
2.4/ Someone will be at the airport to collect you.
2.5/ "If you did not collect your order in time, it will be cancelled
and refund will be processed."
collect something on my behalf
2.6/ "I want to let my friend collect my order on my behalf."
collect something from somewhere
2.7/ On arrival, collect your keys from reception.
2.8/ I will collect you from the station.
collect something in/at somewhere
2.9/ "Shop online and collect your order in the store that is
most convenient for you, without any shipping costs."
2.10/ "I always collect my philatelic purchase at a post office."
2.11/ "I went downstairs with my travel bag to collect my clothes at the laundry."
2.12/ "Do I have to collect my bag at the airport before dropping it off again
prior to boarding my second flight?"
collect something in store
2.13/ Can I collect my purchase in store?
2.14/ I plan to collect my online order in store.
collect something at a pickup location(/a pickup store/a pickup point)
2.15/ "You can collect your order at an IKEA store or a local pick-up location."
v(i,t) collect (money) for something:
ask people to give you money for a particular purpose
3.1/ "It is time to collect money for the school picnic."
3.2/ We collected over £300 for the appeal.
3.3/ Volunteers have been going door to door, collecting money.
3.4/ I've been out collecting, knocking on peoples doors and
asking them for money.
collect donnations, collect money for charity
3.5/ We're collecting for local charities.
3.6/ "Our drivers will collect your donation come rain or shine."
3.7/ "What's the best way to collect online donations for charities?"
3.8/ "Collect money for charity by selling merchandise that is
related to the cause."
v(t) collect taxes/rents/debts
collect a tax, collect money for taxes
4.1/ The state collected about $1.2 million in taxes in January.
4.2/ "The government collects money for taxation purposes."
4.3/ "Taxing authority proposes to collect for taxes payable the following year."
4.4/ "The EU has no powers to levy or collect taxes
- these powers rest with EU Member States."
4.5/ "The envisaged plan would collect consumption tax from such
major platform operators."
4.6/ "A retailer must collect the tobacco tax on all tobacco products
sold in Québec."
collect a debt, collect money for a debt
4.7/ "I come to collect my debt."
4.8/ "Ulf the Old has come to collect a debt owed to him by Asgeir's father."
4.9/ "IRS Debt Collection will never call you to collect money for a tax debt."
a debt collector
4.10/ "A debt collector may be trying to contact you because a creditor
believes you are past due on the payments you owe on a debt."
4.11/ "The debt collector attempts to collect money for a debt that
had been discharged."
collect rent/rents, collect for rent
4.12/ "The landlord collects rents from tenants by the third day
of every month."
4.13/ "The property manager collects rent from tenants and guarantees
the check comes through."
4.14/ "The clerk was also authorized to collect $1,000 for rent
from the United States government."
v(t) (win) collect a prize, collect a medal;
5.1/ She collected a gold medal as part of the 4x100 m freestyle relay team.
5.2/ "He collected a prize of £850,000 and bought a tractor for his farm"
v(t) (receive) collect compensation, collect an insurance payout
5.3/ She collected £25, 000 in compensation.
5.4/ She collected $50 000 on her husband’s life insurance policies.
5.5/ "There is no need for a criminal element to be present for you to
collect an insurance payout."
v(i,t) (accumulate)
6.1/ Dirt had collected in the corners of the room.
6.2/ Water had collected on the flat roof.
6.3/ Rainwater collects in the barrel in the garden.
6.4/ "Sewage from the neighborhood collects in Tuen Mun River."
collect (up) something
6.5/ We seem to have collected an enormous number of boxes.
6.6/ These china ornaments just collect dust.
6.7/ "I collect shells in a bucket on the beach."
6.8/ "The river collects sewage from over 800,000 homes
in the San Fernando Valley."
6.9/ After the party I collected up bottles from various parts of the house.
collection n(c) //
a group of objects, often of the same sort, that have been collected
1.1/ He wanted to share his vast art collection with the world.
1.2/ The painting comes from his private collection.
1.3/ Rachel bought yet another pair of shoes to add to her collection.
a stamp collection, a coin collection,
1.4/ "I have a stamp collection which needs to be appraised."
1.5/ "I try to build a coin collection of increasing value."
a collection of something
1.6/ "I own a huge collection of McDonald's toys."
1.7/ "My hobby, and other obsession, is miniatures. I have a collection of
doll's houses, and several small room boxes and other goodies."
n(c) a group of objects or people
2.1/ There's quite a collection of toothbrushes in the bathroom.
2.2/ There was a collection of books and shoes on the floor.
2.3/ They appeared to be a motley collection of college students.
2.4/ "The book contains a diverse collection of beautifully
observed and written stories."
n(c,u) an act of taking something away from a place;
an act of bringing things together into one place
3.1/ The first stage in research is data collection.
3.2/ The last collection from this postbox is at 5.15.
n(u) rubbish(/garbage) collection, waste collection
3.3/ Which day is the rubbish collection?
3.4/ "Garbage collection in my neighborhood has been delayed
for the past three weeks."
3.5/ "Your garbage collection is on Tuesday and Friday."
3.6/ "The frequency of garbage collection in my neighborhood is twice per week."
3.7/ "Get your waste collection schedule and special collection dates."
ready for collection
3.8/ Your suit will be ready for collection on Tuesday.
3.9/ "The book will be ready for collection tomorrow. "
pay on collection (see also: pay on delivery)
3.10/ "Can customers pay on collection, or pay the delivery driver
for their takeaway order?"
3.11/ "Order online your currency now, choose the branch where you will collect
and pay on collection at the chosen branch the day you travel."
3.12/ "I always pay by debit card on collection after checking vehicle."
3.13/ "You can pay cash on collection, or cash to a seller
who delivers to you. You can't pay cash to a courier."
n(c) an amount of money collected from several people,
or the act of collecting money
4.1/ The total collection last week amounted to £250.
4.2/ "Tax collection is more efficient in more developed countries
with higher GDP per capita."
a collection for somebody/something
4.3/ We're having a collection for Tom's retirement present.
4.4/ "He was making a collection for the bereaved family."
4.5/ "If you want to organise a house to house collection for a charity
in Warrington, you'll need a permit or licence from us."
a collection box, a collection plate
4.6/ "Being able to put money in a collection box is one of the reasons
I like to have cash"
4.7/ "I put money in the collection plate after the Sunday service."
n(c) a range of new clothes produced by one clothes designer
5.1/ "Rosanna Ocampo's summer collection consists of everything fun and flirty
- a chic ensemble that you'll love to wear on your next travels."
incentive n(c,u) //
something that encourages you to do something
the incentive of doing something
1.1/ She had the added incentive of being within reach of the world record.
1.2/ "The incentive of earning a lot of money seems to work in motivating
people to create better content."
an incentive to do something
1.3/ This gives pupils a strong incentive to read in English.
1.4/ Bonus payments provide an incentive to work harder.
1.5/ US companies faced a clear incentive to downsize.
an incentive for somebody to do something
1.6/ The new law provides incentives for businesses to invest
in recycling equipment.
1.7/ "Winning those types of awards are incentive for me to work harder,
because I have a lot to live up to."
no(/little) incentive to do something
1.8/ There was little incentive to conduct research.
1.9/ These kids have no incentive to learn.
no(/little) incentive for somebody to do something
1.10/ There is no incentive for people to save fuel.
1.11/ There is little incentive for people to leave their cars at home
when public transport remains so expensive.
1.12/ There is little incentive for firms to increase the skills of their workers.
n(c) a payment or concession that encourages somebody to do something
2.1/ This gives them a direct financial incentive to reduce pollution.
2.2/ The government decided to offer incentives to foreign investors.
a tax incentive, tax incentives
2.3/ Tax incentives have been offered to attract industry to the region.
2.4/ Tax incentives have been very effective in encouraging people to
save and invest more of their income.
2.5/ "A tax incentive merely shifts the private disadvantage from the investor
in the particular activity to other economic agents in the country."
an incentive scheme
2.6/ The company operates a share incentive scheme for its workers.
2.7/ "Introducing an incentive scheme is a good way to motivate employees,
but you need to define the goals you'll reward to make it a success."
dump v(i,t) //
get rid of something you do not want, esp in a place that is not suitable
1.1/ Several old cars had been dumped near the beach.
1.2/ Too much toxic waste is being dumped at sea.
1.3/ The dead body was just dumped by the roadside.
1.4/ The ship was accused of dumping garbage overboard.
1.5/ "He wants all drug addicts to be dumped on an island to fend for themselves."
dump something in(/into) somewehere
1.6/ "Cruise ships dump waste into the ocean."
1.7/ Toxic chemicals continue to be dumped into the river.
1.8/ "It became common to dump garbage in the river and elsewhere."
v(t) dump somebody/something:
stop using or supporting somebody or something
2.1/ The tax was so unpopular that the government decided to dump it.
be dumped by somebody/something
2.2/ "He needs to be dumped by the team immediately!"
2.3/ The star was dumped by the record label after a string of failures.
2.3/ "A baby girl was dumped by her parents in a dustbin."
be dumped from something
2.4/ She missed too many rehearsals and was dumped from the cast.
2.5/ "An Uber driver says he is on the brink of financial ruin after
being dumped from the company."
v(t) dump something on somebody:
unfairly give somebody an unwanted job, duty, or problem to deal with
3.1/ He's got no right to keep dumping his problems on me.
3.2/ Don’t just dump the extra work on me.
3.3/ "My boss tries to dump all of his work on me."
v(t) put down or drop something in a careless way
4.1/ Just dump your stuff over there - we'll sort it out later.
dump somebody/something in something
4.2/ "I should dump you in the swimming pool with cement overshoes."
4.3/ "Some of us like to just dump things in a box and stick a label on it."
dump somebody/something on something
4.4/ He came in with four shopping bags and dumped them on the table.
4.5/ "It was my turn to dump my groceries on the conveyer belt."
4.6/ "I took a huge garbage bag and dumped everything in it on the floor."
4.7/ "They dump you on a boat full of people and you get there
fully wet from the waves."
v(i,t) sell unwanted goods very cheaply, usually in other countries
5.1/ They accused the West of dumping out-of-date medicines
on Third World countries.
5.2/ The producers of the goods are claiming that foreign manufacturers
are dumping on the market.
5.3/ "By letting foreign companies dump cheap products on the local market,
New Zealand firms could be squeezed out."
dump n(c) //
a place where people are allowed to leave their rubbish
6.1/ You have to bring household garbage to the town dump.
6.2/ I'm going to clean out the basement and take everything
I don't want to the dump.
6.3/ "We may be living in a garbage dump today."
6.4/ "Families work in a rubbish dump just 15 km away from the city center."
6.5/ "Because of dust and noise, they dress up like they were going to
work in a toxic waste dump."
see also: landfill, wasteland
a place where things of a particular type are stored, esp by an army
7.1/ "British commandos watch as an ammunition dump burns."
7.2/ "The incident happened at an arms dump in a remote area."
7.3/ "German soldiers were guarding a food dump."
(idiom) down in the dumps: feeling unhappy
8.1/ She's a bit down in the dumps because she failed one of her exams.
8.2/ He had been down in the dumps since his girlfriend left him.
see also: depressed
indulge v(i,t) //
allow yourself to have or do something that you like,
esp something that is considered bad for you
indulge in something
1.1/ They went into town to indulge in some serious shopping.
1.2/ We took a deliberate decision to indulge in a little nostalgia.
1.3/ She has never been one to indulge in gossip.
1.4/ She was free to indulge in a little romantic daydreaming.
indulge yourself (with something)
1.5/ I love champagne but I don't often indulge myself.
1.6/ I indulged myself with a long hot bath.
1.7/ For a special treat, indulge yourself with one of these luxury desserts.
v(t) satisfy a particular desire or interest
2.1/ The soccer fans indulged their patriotism, waving flags and singing songs.
2.2/ The inheritance enabled him to indulge his passion for art.
2.3/ He indulged his passion for skiing whenever he could.
2.4/ In the closing lines, the poet indulges his sense of irony.
v(t) give somebody anything they want and not to mind if they behave badly
indulge somebody (with something)
3.1/ My aunt indulges the children dreadfully.
3.2/ She did not believe in indulging the children with presents.
3.3/ His questions were annoying but it was easier to indulge him
than try and protest.
indulge something
3.4/ Her father had always indulged her every whim.
3.5/ "He may also feel frustrated with your opulent tastes even if
he does indulge your wishes."
(adj) indulgent /ɪn'dʌldʒənt/
3.6/ He was indulgent to his grandchildren.
see also: spoil
indulgence n(u) //
the state or act of having or doing whatever you want;
the state of allowing somebody to have or do whatever they want
1.1/ "We can live a life of indulgence or pursue a life of commitment."
1.2/ "I do whatever I want to lead a life of indulgence."
1.3/ There is no limit to the indulgence he shows to his grandchildren.
indulgence in something
1.4/ Heavy indulgence in fatty foods should be avoided.
1.5/ Avoid excessive indulgence in sweets and canned drinks.
1.6/ She allowed herself only a few moments' indulgence in self-pity.
over-indulgence
1.7/ The menu offers a temptation to over-indulgence.
1.8/ His health suffered from over-indulgence in rich food and drink.
n(c) something that you allow yourself to have even though it is not essential
2.1/ The holiday was an extravagant indulgence.
2.2/ Chocolate is my only indulgence.
2.3/ All the pleasures and indulgences of the weekend are over,
and I must get down to some serious hard work.
2.4/ "We're wired to save indulgences for special occasions."
n(u) the quality of being willing to ignore the weaknesses
in somebody or something
3.1/ They begged the audience's indulgence.
3.2/ My inability to do needlework was treated with surprising
indulgence by my teacher.
n(c) (Catholic Church) an indulgence
3.3/ "The pope could dispense indulgences to large groups of people."
3.4/ "Buy an indulgence for yourself, and you needn't worry about
that pesky affair you had been having."