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My Vocabulary Page

detour   v(i,t)   //

take a longer route in order to avoid a problem or to visit a place;
  make somebody/something take a longer route

detour to somewhere

1.1/ The President detoured to Chicago for a special meeting.

detour around something or somewhere

1.2/ We need to detour around downtown, so it took us long than usual.

1.3/ We had to detour around the flooded road.

1.4/ "This application allows trucks to detour around traffic congestion
  for more on-time deliveries."

detour somebody/something

1.5/ "As crews worked the fire, police detoured the traffic."

1.6/ "Police detoured drivers heading into the city up West Rowan Street,
  by Rowan Park, and out Woodside Drive to Hay Street."

1.7/ Northbound traffic was being detoured from I-5 to Highway 33 northbound
  to 140 westbound and back to I-5.

detour somebody/something off somewhere onto somewhere

1.8/ "The Patrol officers detoured the traffic off the highway."

1.9/ State troopers were detouring southbound trucks off Route 1 onto Route 16.

1.10/ "We don't want to detour drivers onto a roadway that serves
  a residential function."

see also: make a detour, bypass, go around something

v(t) be detoured by something: be hindered by something

2.1/ "Detoured by Love"

2.2/ Detoured by family and children, she didn't focus on performing until
  the early 1990s.

2.3/ "He cautioned youth not to be detoured by bad friends."

see also: hold back, hinder, hamper, obstruct, impede

hinder: if something hinders you, it makes it more difficult for you
  to do something or make progress.

v(i) detour into something: get off track(/get off the track)

3.1/ He came to the area to be a country doctor and detoured into state politics.

3.2/ The book tries to speak to the layman but often detours into territory
  most interesting to medical technologists and statisticians.

3.3/ "Family obligations halted my efforts, and I detoured into nursing."

remark: 'go off track' shares the same meaning with 'get off track'
  they mean that one moves away from his/her intended purpose or goal.

see also: derviate from something, go way off track, go off topic,
  be back on track, be sidetracked

detour   n(c)   //

a longer route that you take in order to avoid a problem or to visit a place

4.1/ We took a detour to avoid the town centre.

4.2/ It's well worth making a detour to see the village.

4.3/ On the way back, Jarvis detoured to check the time of services at the church.

make a detour (around somewhere/something)

4.4/ You'd be wise to make a detour to avoid the roadworks.

4.5/ We had to make a detour around the flooded fields.

4.6/ We made a little detour to drop Sarah off on the way home.

4.7/ "Vehicles had to make a detour around the lake towards the east."

n(c) (UK diversion) a road or route that is used when the usual one is closed

5.1/ Traffic detours will be kept to a minimum throughout the festival.

5.2/ "Look out for traffic detours in Quinns Rocks from next week as we continue
  work on essential road upgrades in the area."

n(c) (deviation) a detour into something

6.1/ His anti-alcohol campaign was a rare detour into the field of public health.

6.2/ Barring any surprise detours, the governor is expected to sign both proposals.
  (remark: 'barring something' means 'except if something happens')

6.2/ While discussing education, she took a sharp detour into trade policy.

6.3/ "Take a detour from the city life to explore the rural part of Kuching,
  then get hands-on lessons in Sarawakian cuisine!"

see also: a deviation from something

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derail   v(i,t)   // or //

if a train derails or is derailed, it comes off the railway tracks

1/ The train derailed and plunged into the river.

2/ The impact did not derail the train, but did ignite the crude oil and caused
  significant damage to the entire train.

3/ "The passenger train’s coaches were derailed and collided with the
  rear coaches of another train travelling in the opposite direction."

v(t) prevent a plan or process from succeeding

4/ Renewed fighting threatens to derail the peace talks.

5/ This latest incident could derail the peace process.

6/ Investors are very concerned that a new crisis could derail
  the economic recovery.

7/ Analysts identified five factors which could derail the hi-tech markets.

8/ "My travel plans got derailed by the bad weather."

see also: hold back, hinder

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appetite   n(c,u)   //

the feeling that you want to eat food

1.1/ All that walking has given me an appetite.

1.2/ "Quench my thirst and fulfill my appetite."

a huge/healthy/good/hearty appetite

1.3/ Her husband always had a huge appetite.

1.4/ The children all have healthy appetites.

1.5/ She's got a hearty appetite.

1.6/ Growing boys have ravenous appetites.

a loss of appetite

1.7/ Symptoms include tiredness and loss of appetite.

1.8/ "She suffered a loss of appetite due to the heavy medication
  and all that stress building up."

increase/boost/arouse my appetite

1.9/ I want to increase my appetite and gain weight.

1.10/ What drugs can I take to help boost my appetite?

1.11/ "Arouse your appetite at Arume Barcelona."

decrease/control/ruin/spoil my appetite

1.12/ You can't ruin my appetite no matter what you do.

1.13/ Don't spoil your appetite by eating between meals.

1.14/ How do I safely decrease my appetite?

1.15/ It was these pills that helped me control my appetite and lose weight.

fulfill/satisfy my appetite

1.16/ "What is the best way to satisfy my appetite without eating too much?"

1.17/ "Satisfy your appetite in any season at Golden Fork!"

1.18/ "Fulfil your appetite at home without spending a lot of time
  cooking and shopping."

an appetite for a kind of food

1.19/ "Japan seeks to bank on global appetite for sushi and wagyu beef."
  (remark: 'bank on' means 'rely on)

1.20/ "Have an appetite for steak?
  Indulge in our full-flavored 24 oz USDA Prime cut T-bone steak."

1.21/ "Unfortunately, all it took was those few pieces of bad cake to make me
  lose my appetite for cakes for several years."

n(c) a strong desire for something

2.1/ He can't fulfill his insatiable /ɪn'seɪʃəbəl/ sexual appetite.

whet /wet/ my appetite

2.2/ The preview was intended to whet your appetite.

2.3/ I've read an excerpt of the book on the Web and it's whetted my appetite.

an appetite for something

2.4/ The public have an insatiable appetite for scandal.

2.5/ There is no appetite for massive federal investment in the US.

bon appétit /''bɒnæpə'ti:/ or /''bɒnæpeɪ'ti:/ : "I hope you enjoy your food"

3.1/ Bon appétit!

have a good appetite

3.2/ "Good appetite!"

3.3/ "Have a good appetite!"

3.4/ "We cooked a lot of food, so I hope you have a good appetite."

enjoy your meal

3.5/ "Please enjoy your meal."

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stick   v(i,t)   //

(attach) fix something to something else, usually with a sticky substance;
  become fixed to something in this way

1.1/ The glue's useless - the pieces just won't stick.

1.2/ This stamp won’t stick properly.

1.3/ Someone had stuck posters all over the walls.

stick something on something

1.4/ Can you stick this on the noticeboard?

1.5/ "Years in the past we used to just stick a poster on the wall with tape."

1.6/ You can use glue to stick a stamp on an envelope.

1.7/ He stuck up an announcement on the board with pins.

stick something in/into something

1.8/ I stuck the photos into an album.

1.9/ "Don't just stick a photo in a ready made frame."

stick to something

1.10/ I could feel my shirt sticking to my back.

1.11/ Her wet clothes were sticking to her body.

1.12/ Stir the sauce so that it doesn't stick to the pan.

stick together, stick something together

1.13/ We used glue to stick the broken pieces together.

1.14/ The oil keeps the pasta from sticking together.

1.15/ My book got wet and all the pages have stuck together.

1.16/ "Henry, though, was unable to follow suit as many of his paintings
  became stuck together on the journey home, and had to be abandoned."

see also: glue, attach, pin, (adj) stuck

v(i,t) (get stuck) become fixed in one position and impossible to move

2.1/ This drawer keeps sticking.

stick in something

2.2/ The key has stuck in the lock.

2.3/ The wheels stuck fast in the mud.

see also: jam, be stuck in something

v(i,t) push something, usually a sharp object, into something;
  be pushed into something

3.1/ I found a nail sticking in the tyre.

3.2/ Don't stick your fingers through the bars of the cage.

3.3/ The boy stuck his finger up his nose.

stick something in/into something

3.4/ Pins are stuck in a notice board.

3.5/ She stuck the needle into my arm.

3.6/ We decided where to go for our holiday by closing our eyes and
  sticking a pin in the map.

3.7/ "Don't stick your finger in your nose." (see also: pick your nose)

v(t) (informal) put something in a place, esp quickly or carelessly

stick something in something

4.1/ He stuck his hands in his pockets and strolled off.

4.2/ She stuck her fingers in her ears so that she couldn't hear the noise.

4.3/ Just stick it in the microwave for a few minutes.

stick something through something

4.4/ He stuck the note through her letter box.

4.5/ The cards had been stuck through the letterbox.

v(t) if you stick a part of your body somewhere, you put it in a position
  where other people can see it

5.1/ The baby stuck his legs in the air.

5.2/ Peter stuck his head around the door and said, ‘Coffee, anyone?’

5.3/ Clara stuck her head around the door to see who was there.

see also: stick something out

stick   n(c)   //

a thin piece of wood or other material

6.1/ wooden sticks

6.2/ The old man was carrying a load of sticks.

6.3/ Police said that the child had been beaten with a stick.

6.4/ A lollipop is a sweet on a stick.

6.5/ Find some dry sticks and we'll make a campfire.

see also: a toothpick, chopsticks

n(c) US: a cane

7.1/ a walking stick

7.2/ At 84 he's still quite active although he walks with the aid of a stick.

7.3/ I was shortly overtaken by a blind man with a white stick.

remark: a walking cane, a white cane

n(c) (sports)

8.1/ a hockey stick

8.2/ a field hockey stick

compare with: a baseball bat, a woodball mallet

n(c) a long, thin piece of something

9.1/ carrot sticks

9.2/ bread sticks (see also: garlic breadsticks)

9.3/ a fish stick

9.4/ a stick of celery

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stuck   adj   //

unable to move or to be moved

1.1/ This drawer keeps getting stuck.

1.2/ Sara tried to open the window but it was stuck.

1.3/ I can't get out — I'm stuck.

1.4/ I couldn’t budge /bʌdʒ/ the drawer - it was stuck fast.

be stuck in something

1.5/ The boat was stuck in the mud.

1.6/ They got stuck in a traffic jam.

1.7/ We were stuck in traffic for over an hour.

get something stuck in something

1.8/ She got the key stuck in the lock.

1.9/ I've got something stuck in my throat.

1.10/ I got my bank card stuck in the automated teller machine.

1.11/ "I have a CD player and a CD got stuck in the slot."

1.12/ "I wound up returning the camera because the Micro SD memory card
  got stuck in the slot inside the camera, rendering it useless."

see also: jammed

in an unpleasant situation or place that you cannot escape from

be stuck at somewhere

2.1/ I hate being stuck at home all day during the pandemic.

2.2/ Mum resented being stuck at home with two young kids.

be stuck in somewhere

2.3/ We could be stuck in this place for days.

2.4/ "If delays happen, if you get stuck in an airport like I did,
  try your very best not to freak out, take a deep breath and then
  figure out your next steps."

2.5/ My Mac Studio has been stuck in Hong Kong airport for three days now.

2.6/ "These people accused of non-violent crimes have been stuck
  in prison for years without trial or conviction."

see also: stranded, get caught up in something

unable to answer or understand something

3.1/ I'll help you if you're stuck.

get stuck on a question

3.2/ I got stuck on the first question.

3.3/ If you get stuck on a difficult word, just ask for help.

stuck with somebody/something: unable to get rid of somebody/something
  that you do not want

4.1/ I was stuck with him for the whole journey.

4.2/ I’m stuck with this job for the moment.

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stick out   v   //

stick out (something): reach beyond the surface or edge of something

1.1/ Paul's ears stick out a little.

1.2/ They built the house on a little peninsula that sticks out into the lake.

1.3/ I wish my stomach didn't stick out so much.

stick out of something

1.4/ There was a handkerchief sticking out of his jacket pocket.

1.5/ "It is too narrow to run the sidewalk plows on,
  and electric poles stick out of the sidewalk at points."

stick something out

1.6/ She stuck her tongue out at me.

1.7/ He stuck his arm out to hail a cab.

1.8/ Don't stick your arm out of the car window.

1.9/ He stuck his arm out of the window and waved at us.

1.10/ "He was trying to drive with his head stuck out of the window."

stick out: be easily seen or noticed

2.1/ My colorful clothes stuck out like a sore thumb.

2.2/ They wrote the notice in big red letters so that it would stick out.

2.3/ Dye your hair orange and you’ll really stick out in a small town like this.

2.4/ She certainly sticks out in a crowd.

see also: stand out from/against something

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stick to something   v   //

continue with a subject, activity, or plan without changing

1.1/ Would you stick to the point, please?

1.2/ Let's stick to the original plan.

1.3/ We'd better stick to the main road, because the other roads are
  blocked with snow.

1.4/ 'Shall we meet on Friday this week?'
  'No, let's stick to Saturday.'

1.5/ He tends to stick to the same old recipes.

see also: stick with something

stick to/at something: continue trying hard to do something difficult

2.1/ She finds it impossible to stick to a diet.

2.2/ You'll never learn to play the piano if you're not prepared to stick to it.

2.3/ "Before GoodGym I always lost motivation to stick at running or the gym
  but now I run two or three times a week."

(obey) stick to a law/rule/promise

3.1/ If you make a promise, you should stick to it.

3.2/ Stick to your principles and don't let yourself be bullied.

3.3/ He promised to help us and he stuck to his word.

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stick with somebody/something   v   //

stick with somebody: stay close to somebody so that they can help you

1.1/ Stick with me and I’ll make you a millionaire!

1.2/ Stick with me, and we’ll do lots of interesting things.

1.3/ He's a good car mechanic - I think we should stick with him.

1.4/ "I don't feel comfortable with having any friends at all anymore.
  I feel like I just need to stick with my family since they are the most important."

stick with something: continue with something or continue doing something

2.1/ They decided to stick with their original plan.

2.2/ He said that he was going to stick with the traditions established
  by his grandfather.

2.3/ Once Stephen takes up a hobby, he sticks with it.

2.4/ "If you want to succeed, you've got to stick with the plan."

2.5/ "There's no rule you have to stick with the name you were given."

stick somebody with something:
  force someone to have or do something less desirable

3.1/ Big power companies grab cheap supplies and stick everyone else
  with more expensive ones.

3.2/ "Texas utilities can't stick customers with huge bills
  after the deadly winter storm."

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upcoming   adj(before noun)  //

(also: forthcoming) happening soon

1/ Tickets are selling well for the group's upcoming concert tour.

2/ Party officials met to nominate candidates for the upcoming election.

3/ "What are the upcoming video games in 2023?"

4/ "Our upcoming episode is on The Vast of Night (2019) directed by
  Andrew Patterson."

5/ It's 'Talk it Out Tuesday,' and this week's upcoming episode is on dating.

6/ "Our next(/upcoming) episode is on Monday, June 28th."

see also: the latest episode, last episode, next epsiode, in the future episodes

forthcoming /'fɔ:rθ''kʌmɪŋ/

7/ We have just received the information about the forthcoming conference.

8/ "The forthcoming program will enable students to come and see the connection
  between farmer and chef, to create a lifelong understanding of agriculture
  and delicious food for the future of cuisine."

9/ "Fans will be able to stream the show as soon as the forthcoming episode
  is released on the aforementioned platforms."

see also: on the way

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on the way   adv   //

(also: on your way) arriving or happening soon

1.1/ The forecasters say more snow is on the way.

1.2/ She is married with twin sons and a third child on the way.

1.3/ There’s a letter on its way to you.

1.4/ "A typhoon is on its way later this week."

1.5/ "Most Americans already believe an economic downturn is on its way."

[on the journey] while going from one place to another

2.1/ "I am still on the way".

2.2/ She should be on the way here by now.

2.3/ I am on the way home.

2.4/ I would better be on my way soon.

2.5/ He stopped for breakfast on the way.

on the way to somewhere

2.6/ I am on the way to school.

2.7/ She is on her way to the shopping mall.

2.8/ The ships were already on their way to the gulf.

2.9/ "I get dressed quickly and eat my breakfast on the way to work."

remark: 'on the run' means 'while hurrying to go somewhere'
  example: "I eat breakfast on the run if I'm late for work."

(idiom) be on the way to something: be close to doing something

3.1/ I am well on the way to completing the report.

3.2/ "I am well on the way to finishing my homework."

3.3/ He is well on his way to becoming a doctor.

3.4/ I am on the way to finishing my dissertation on Chinese history."

3.5/ "You always pass failure on the way to success."

3.6/ "A patient on the way to surgery travels at twice the speed
  of a patient on the way to the morgue."

along the way: while moving from one situation or part of your life to another

4.1/ You'll learn something along the way.

4.2/ "After all, the outcome might not be quite right, but the progress -
  and what you learned on the way - has likely taught you something."

the friends you make along the way

4.3/ "Maybe the real journey is the friends you make along the way."

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paddle   n(c)   //

a short pole used for moving a boat/canoe/kayak

1/ Learn how to hold a kayak paddle.

2/ You use a boat paddle to push water backward.

3/ Push water backward with a paddle.

4/ "Try to move a paddle through water with the flat end perpendicular
  to the direction of movement."

see also: a paddle board

n(singular) (US: wade) when you walk for pleasure without shoes or socks
  in water that is not very deep

5/ Shall we go for a paddle?

6/ "Children enjoy a paddle on the beach at Scarborough during the warm sunshine."

7/ We had a paddle in the fountain.

8/ "Young Italians stripped down to their underwear for a paddle in a fountain
  in Piazza del Popolo."

9/ "It's amazing how a paddle in the sea can make you feel so much better."

(sports) a pickleball paddle, a table tennis paddle

10/ Swing a pickleball paddle.

11/ "Spin your paddle and use the flat flipside to whap(=whop /wɒp/)
  the ball back to your friend!"

12/ "I'm a beginner so I wasn't looking to spend big money on
  a table tennis paddle."

see also: a tennis/squash/badminton/table tennis racket, a table tennis bat

paddle   v(i,t)   //

move a small light boat through water, using one or more paddles

1/ I desperately tried to paddle for the shore.

2/ She paddled her canoe across the lake.

3/ She and her husband paddled a canoe down the Mississippi.

4/ "Visitors should refrain from paddling in the middle of the pond."

paddle a boat on somewhere

4/ "It feels very comfortable to paddle a dragon boat on the Suzhou River."

5/ You can paddle a kayak on the lake.

paddle your own canoe: do things yourself, without help from anyone else

6/ "In my own experience of working in and with teams, paddling one's own canoe
  is a critical component of being a good team member."

v(i) (US: wade) walk for pleasure barefoot in water that is not very deep

7/ We rolled up our trousers and paddled along the seashore.

8/ Children paddled in the sea.

9/ It always seems like a good idea to go paddling in the fountain.

10/ "Refrain from wading through floodwaters."

remark: wade v(i,t) also means to walk through shallow water
  example: "We managed to wade across the river."
  example: "We waded a shallow river."
  example: "We waded through a swamp."

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poke   v(t)   //

push your fingers or another object quickly into somebody/something

poke somebody/something

1/ "A rusty nail poked my foot."

2/ A stray kitten poked my finger.

3/ Quit poking me to move ahead – there are people in front of me.

4/ I'm sick of being poked and prodded /'prɒdɪd/ by doctors.

poke somebody/something with something

5/ Andy poked the fish with his finger to see if it was still alive.

6/ "I poked my finger on accident with a dirty nail."

7/ I poked my finger with a sewing needle.

poke something into something

8/ She poked her elbow into his ribs.

9/ Two kids were poking a stick into the drain.

10/ "A needle got poked in my finger."

poke somebody in the eye/arm/ribs

11/ "A woodchip poked him in the eye."

12/ You'll poke someone in the eye with that umbrella if you're not careful!

13/ Be careful with that umbrella or you’ll poke someone in the eye.

14/ She poked him in the ribs with her elbow.

poke at something

15/ He was poking at the dust with a stick, making little patterns.

16/ "In class, I always want to poke at your back with my pen."

17/ "He reached his hand out to poke at your side."

18/ (phrasal verb) He poked at the spaghetti with a fork.

poke the fire: move coal/wood in a fire with a stick to make it burn better

19/ She got up and poked the fire.

v(t) move or push something through a space or opening

poke something in/into something

20/ He poked a hand into one of his pockets.

21/ "Don't feed animals, collect a resource or poke your hand into the cage."

poke your head around something

22/ He poked his head around the corner to check that nobody was coming.

23/ One of the nurses poked her head around the door.

poke something under the door

24/ Someone had poked a message under the door.

see also: slip/slide a letter under the door

v(i) if an object is poking out of/through something, you can see a part
  of it that is no longer covered by something else

poke out of something

25/ The end of the cable was left poking out of the wall.

26/ Ella looked at the tiny face poking out of the blanket.

poke through something

27/ A bony elbow poked through a hole in his sweater.

28/ "Seamless is good, that means that no bulky seams are going to
  poke through your pants."

29/ Weeds had started poking through the cracks in the patio.

poke up through something

30/ Clumps of grass poked up through the snow.

31/The first green shoots are poking up through the soil.

see also: stick out of something

poke a hole in something: make a hole in something by pushing
  your finger or another object into it

32/ The kids poked holes in the ice with sticks.

33/ "Poke a hole in the paper with a pushpin."

poke   n(c)   //

(usually singular) the act of poking somebody or something

1/ Give the fire a poke.

give somebody a poke in the ribs/back/side

2/ He gave me a poke in the ribs to wake me up.

3/ When I mentioned the money I got a poke in the back.

4/ Carrie gave him a poke in the side.

5/ "A poke in the chest with a finger could be unwanted, provoking
  and/or insulting."

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poke into something   v   //

try to find out information about other people’s private lives, business etc,
  in a way that annoys them

1/ He’s always poking into other people’s business.

2/ "If I ever get married, I will marry someone who trust me enough not to
  poke into my private life, my past and my secrets.

see also: delve into something

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poke around   v   //

(also: poke about) look for something, esp something that is hidden
  among other things that you have to move

1/ I was poking around in the garage, looking for a paintbrush.

2/ The police spent the day poking around in his office but found nothing.

3/ We've had journalists poking around and asking a lot of questions.

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stick together   v   //

if people stick together, they stay close to each other

1/ The two brothers always stick together at school.

2/ We decided that we would all stick together and not let her
  bully any of us.

3/ "No couple wants to stick together all day long without doing
  anything productive."

be stuck together

4/ "Boimler and Tendi are stuck together on the journey to the farm."

if people stick together, they support and help each other

5/ If we all stick together, we can succeed.

6/ We're a family, and we stick together no matter what.

7/ The great teams manage to stick together.

8/ "We tend to stick together after a tragedy."

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stick around   v   //

stay somewhere for a period of time

1/ You go - I will stick around here a bit longer.

2/ You go ahead – I’ll stick around until Candice shows up.

3/ "But as we booked flights and a car rental for the week, we found
  it to be a better value to stick around the city for a few days."

4/ "Jackson is annoyed at having to answer questions from his mother,
  who stuck around the hospital in order to run into him."

5/ "The disease stuck around despite being so lethal at a young age."

6/ "This particular Easter horror sticks around to steal your candy
  and suck all the goo out of Cadbury Creme Eggs."

see also: hang around somewhere, linger on somewhere

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stick up   v   //

point up above the surface of something and not lie flat

1/ When I get up in the morning, my hair is always sticking up.

2/ There were some large rocks sticking up out of the water.

3/ A few green shoots were sticking up out of the ground.

use a gun to steal something from a person or place

4/ Did you hear that someone stuck up the post office last night?

n(c) a stick-up

5/ "There was a stick-up at the convenience store during your night shift
  and some fucktard tried to rob you."

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stick in your mind   idiom   //

stick in your mind/head/memory: be remembered for a long time

1/ One of his paintings in particular sticks in my mind.

2/ "I was just a young girl but her words stuck in my mind."

3/ "A few weeks ago I got an image stuck in my head."

see also: linger in my mind, persist in my mind

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quarantine   n(u)   //

a period of time when an animal or a person that has or may have a disease
  is kept away from others in order to prevent the disease from spreading

1/ I’ve been doing a lot of baking during quarantine.

2/ "In regard to close contacts of infected persons, they are required to
  undergo quarantine for fourteen days."

3/ "Movie-fans have eased into quarantine life during the COVID-19 pandemic."

4/ Oregon has imposed an emergency quarantine on oak firewood from California
  to slow the spread of the fungus.

a quarantine order/regulation

5/ All close contacts of the coronavirus cases have been placed under
  a quarantine order.

6/ Australian airports have introduced quarantine regulations in a bid to
  prevent the spread of the disease.

under quarantine

7/ The country has been hit hard, with many people under quarantine and
  food supplies scarce.

8/ When he arrived in Hefei, he was put under quarantine in a quarantine hotel.

in quarantine (with a disease)

9/ The monkeys were kept in quarantine for 31 days.

10/ The doctor said I could go home as long as I agreed to stay in quarantine
  for at least seven days.

11/ The horse had to spend several months in quarantine when it
  reached this country.

12/ "Volkswagen CEO was in quarantine with COVID-19."

in self-quarantine

13/ The whole family is in self-quarantine for the next two weeks.

put something into quarantine

14/ If a radiation alarm is confirmed for a shipment, Radiation Protection agents
  will order it to be put into quarantine.

see also: lockdown

quarantine   v(i,t)   //

put an animal or a person into quarantine; go into quarantine

1/ You should quarantine all new livestock for a month.

2/ A friend of mine had symptoms but instead of quarantining himself he decided
  to carry on as normal.

3/ The hotel has been quarantined due to an outbreak of legionnaire’s disease

4/ The government is looking into how long those who have been exposed to
  COVID-19 need to quarantine.

5/ All international arrivals, regardless of where they are from, must quarantine
  upon their arrival.

quarantine/be quarantined for a period of time

6/ All travellers arriving in the country are currently required to
  quarantine for two weeks.

7/ The dogs are being quarantined for 10 days because it was not clear whether
  they are up to date on rabies shots.

quarantine/be quarantined with a disease

8/ He was quarantined with mumps, which is highly contagious.

9/ "I was quarantined with COVID-19 and with a pregnant wife at home."

10/ "Tips for coping when quarantined with COVID-19"

---

lock down   v   //

lock (something) down: control people's movements within an area because of
  a dangerous situation, esp in order to prevent the spread of disease"

1/ England is being locked down for a third time.

2/ Those states which locked down most effectively and almost eliminated
  the virus have done best economically.

3/ "South Australian officials locked down the state based on what turned out
  to be a lie."

4/ "Hong Kong locked down another 11 residential buildings in wealthy areas
  of the city on Sunday, after officials confirmed 24 new cases of Covid-19
  and warned the coronavirus was still spreading in the community."

n(c,u) lockdown /'lɒk.daʊn/p>

5/ Police imposed a lockdown in the building until the shooter could be stopped.

6/ It’s important for parents to find ways to keep kids active during lockdown.

7/ We’ve had weeks and weeks of lockdown with this pandemic, so it’s normal
  to feel anxious.

in lockdown

8/ The entire city was in lockdown.

9/ "The authorities put the city in lockdown on January 23 and neighbouring
  centres in Hubei soon followed suit."

place somewhere on lockdown

10/ The prime minister placed the UK on lockdown with drastic new measures to
  fight the coronavirus outbreak.

11/ "The government has indicated that it will place the city on lockdown
  in the event of a local Covid-19 outbreak."

see also: place somewhere under curfew

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warehouse   n(c)   //

a building where large quantities of goods are stored, esp before
  they are sent to shops to be sold

1/ Police are investigating a fire at a furniture warehouse.

2/ The goods have been sitting in a warehouse for months because a strike
  has prevented distribution.

3/ He's a warehouse manager for an import company.

4/ The stolen pictures were stashed away in a warehouse.

5/ Textbooks are sent right from the warehouse to the schools.

6/ "Have you ever wondered exactly how your freight gets from the
  container port to the warehouse?"

see also: a storehouse

n(c) a warehouse store: a large shop selling large numbers of
  a particular product at a cheap rate

7/ We bought both sofas from a big furniture warehouse out of town.

8/ "Dunnegan opened a hardware warehouse store on the east corner of
  Overland and Virginia Street."

compare with: a variety store

---

deceive   v(t)   //

make somebody believe something that is not true

1/ The company deceived customers by selling old computers as new ones.

2/ Her husband had been deceiving her for years. (see also: cheat on her)

3/ He had been deceived by a young man claiming to be the son
  of a millionaire.

4/ Some parents try to deceive school officials and enroll their children
  in other districts.

5/ "A woman here lost RM28,600 after being deceived by a phone scam syndicate,
  say police." (remark: RM stands for 'Malaysian ringgit')

6/ "Please do not be deceived by a phone scam, as I almost was."

7/ "In an APP fraud, a customer is deceived by a fraudster to instruct
  their bank to transfer money from their own account with a bank,
  into an account controlled by the fraudster."

deceive somebody into doing something

8/ She deceived him into handing over all his savings.

9/ He tried to deceive the public into thinking the war could still be won.

10/ The sound of the door closing deceived me into thinking they had gone out.

11/ "Ayanfe, in his divorce suit, stated that his wife deceived him into marrying
  her and also reneged on their agreement that she should change her faith
  from Christianity to Islamic."

12/ "Some were deceived into taking up the job on empty promises of high pay
  while others were forced into it."

deceive somebody about something

13/ I wouldn’t deceive you about anything as important as this.

14/ "She was a very clever lady who tried to deceive the police about
  her involvement."

see also: lure you into doing something, trick you into something/doing something

deceive yourself: refuse to accept the truth

15/ You're deceiving yourself if you think he'll change his mind.

16/ Her main character flaw is her readiness to deceive herself.

17/ People deceive themselves with their own version of events.

18/ "I deceive myself that everything is fine when they are not fine."

19/ We should not deceive ourselves into thinking this will be the end of it.

see also: on copium

v(t) give somebody a wrong belief or opinion about something

20/ "Don’t be deceived by the new cover - this is a rehash of old hits."

21/ "Unless my eyes deceive me, that's his wife."

22/ "Don't let her appearances deceive you. Ambre is a terrifying opponent."

see also: a fraud, a scam, deceptive, misleading

---

conceive   v(i,t)   //

imagine something

conceive of somebody/something (as somebody)

1/ I think my uncle still conceives of me as a four-year-old.

2/ He couldn't conceive of a time when he would have no job.

3/ God is often conceived of as male.

4/ Many people can’t conceive of a dinner without meat or fish.

5/ Language may be conceived of as a process which arises from social interaction.

6/ When they talk about billions of dollars, I can’t even conceive of
  that much money.

conceive that ...

7/ I find it hard to conceive that people are still treated so badly.

8/ He could not conceive that anything really serious could be worrying his friend.

9/ I cannot conceive that he would wish to harm us.

conceive wh-clause

10/ I can't conceive how anyone could behave so cruelly.

11/ I can hardly conceive what it must be like here in winter.

12/ It’s hard to conceive what the world will be like a hundred years from now.

v(t) invent a plan or an idea

13/ He conceived the plot for this film while he was still a student.

14/ The exhibition was conceived by the museum's director.

15/ The dam project was originally conceived in 1977.

16/ Scientists first conceived the idea of the atomic bomb in the 1930s.

17/ He conceived the idea of transforming the old power station into
  an arts centre.

see also: create, invent

v(i,t) when a woman conceives or conceives a child, she becomes pregnant

18/ Do you know exactly when you conceived?

19/ The baby was conceived in March, so will be born in December.

20/ Their first child was conceived on their wedding night.

21/ She was unable to conceive a child naturally and was offered
  fertility treatment.

see also: give birth to a child, bear a baby/child

---

perceive   v(t)   //

understand or think of somebody/something in a particular way

1/ How do the French perceive the British?

perceive somebody/something as something

2/ This discovery was perceived as a major breakthrough.

3/ I do not perceive myself as an expert.

4/ A science degree and artistic interests are often perceived as incompatible.

5/ Even as a young woman she had been perceived as a future chief executive.

6/ In those days, crime wasn't even perceived as a problem.

be perceived of as

7/ America is perceived of as being less class-conscious than Britain.

8/ "We expect the use of reusable shopping bags to be perceived of as
  less difficult than recycling."

9/ "Individuals who share a common collective memory are perceived of as
  being similar, and thus as potential members of the same in-group."

perceive somebody/something to be something

10/ Often what is perceived to be aggression is simply fear.

11/ Children who do badly in school tests often perceive themselves to be failures.

12/ They were widely perceived to have been unlucky.

13/ Women's magazines are often perceived to be superficial.

14/ New technology was perceived to be a threat to employment.

v(t) notice or become aware of something

15/ I perceived a change in his behaviour.

16/ I perceived a note of unhappiness in her voice.

17/ Bill perceived a tiny figure in the distance.

18/ I perceived something moving in the shadows.

19/ Cats are not able to perceive colour.

perceive that ...

20/ She perceived that all was not well.

21/ Perceiving that he wasn't happy with the arrangements, I tried to book
  a different hotel.

22/ He perceived that there was no other way out of the crisis.

perceive somebody/something to be something

23/ The patient was perceived to have difficulty in breathing.

remark: 'perceive' is not used in the progressive

---

receive   v(t)   //

get or accept something that is sent or given to you

receive a letter/message/phone call

1/ I was delighted to receive your letter.

2/ She received many messages of support.

3/ I received a phone call from her a few weeks later.

receive data/information

4/ Police had received information about a planned post office robbery.

5/ "We receive experimental data from customers and perform data analysis
  on their behalf using AI."

receive a suggestion/complaint

6/ The programme's website received many complaints from listeners.

receive a payment, receive money/benefit

7/ They will be entitled to receive unemployment benefit.

8/ "The length of time it takes to receive a payment via PayPal
  depends on the method of payment used."

9/ The service receives no money from the local council.

recevie a gift/prize/award

10/ All the children will receive a small gift.

11/ He went up to receive his award from the mayor.

12/ He received an award for bravery from the police.

13/ Your participants deserve to receive your thanks through an email.

receive something from somebody/something

14/ "You'll receive gratitude from the family or friends that you bring"

15/ I received a lovely email from Tina.

16/ She received an honorary degree from Harvard.

v(t) experience or be given a particular type of treatment or attention

receive attention/affection/support

17/ Her work has not received the attention it deserves.

18/ We received a warm welcome from our hosts.

19/ I am very happy to receive their support.

20/ She received no support from her parents.

receive education/training

21/ "I have received education in both Ladakh and the United States."

22/ "Everyone between the ages of six and sixteen must receive
  compulsory education."

23/ All our staff receive training on dealing with customers.

receive something from somebody/something

24/ We have received overwhelming support from the local community.

receive a medical treatment

25/ She received urgent hospital treatment.

26/ He received hospital treatment for a cut over his eye.

v(t) form an idea or impression of somebody/something as a result of
what you see/experience/etc

27/ I did not receive the impression that he was afraid.

28/ "Convey the impression of advancement with everything you do so that
  all people shall receive the impression that you are an advancing man."

v(t) be injured in a particular way

29/ Several of the passengers received severe injuries.

30/ She received only minor cuts and bruises.

31/ She died after receiving a blow to the head.

v(t) (usually passive) react to something new, in a particular way

32/ The play was well received by the critics.

33/ The speech was warmly received by the audience.

34/ The proposals have been received with great enthusiasm.

v(t) (usaully passive) welcome or entertain a guest

35/ We were received with great cordiality /kɔ:rdi'æləti/.

36/ He was received as an honoured guest at the White House.

37/ She isn’t well enough to receive visitors yet.

38/ She stood by the door to receive her guests as they arrived.

v(t) receive somebody (into something): officially recognize and accept
  somebody as a member of a group

39/ She was later received into the Church.

40/ Three young people were received into the Church at Easter.

v(t) be able to hear a radio message that is being sent by somebody

41/ I'm receiving you loud and clear.

v(t) a radio/modem/router/TV receives data or signals

42/ My television receives programmes via satellite.

43/ a device for sending and receiving electronic signals

44/ "A modem receives a signal from your internet provider's connection
  and extracts data from that signal."

45/ "The cable modem receives data in what is known as the downstream signal."

46/ "The cable modem is receiving the latest file data."

47/ "A television receives signals broadcast from a television station
  via cable, antenna or satellite system."

48/ "Why does my phone receive no signal after I activated. the function
  of enabling only 4G data service?"

see also: tune a television/radio

v(i,t) (sports)

49/ Henry received the ball towards the edge of the Arsenal area and
  volleyed it into the net.

50/ The forward received the ball on the right wing.

51/ She won the toss and chose to receive.

52/ She is now standing closer to the baseline to receive serve.

53/ Batting for five hours, he received 254 balls and stroked 18 fours
  in the cricket game.

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recipient   n(c)   //

a person who receives something

1/ Former Nobel Peace Prize recipients include Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.

2/ As a grant recipient, you are required to write an annual report.

3/ The recipient organization is responsible for monitoring expenditure.

a recipient of something

4/ He was a recipient of the Civilian Service Award.

5/ Lund was the first female recipient of an artificial heart.

see also: sender, correspondent, donor

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receiver   n(c)   //

(device) the part of a phone that you hold close to your mouth and ear

1/ a telephone receiver

2/ Pick up the receiver. (also: pick up the phone)

3/ Lift up the receiver. (also: lift up the phone)

4/ Put down the receiver. (also: put down the phone)

5/ She picked up the receiver and dialled his number.

a piece of radio or television equipment that changes broadcast signals
  into sound or pictures

6/ a satellite(/GPS) receiver

7/ To change channel, select the desired number on the receiver unit.

8/ "Improve your router's range with a wholesale mobile signal receiver
  and wireless repeater."

see also: transmit, a transmitter

n(c) (American football) a player who plays in a position in which
  the ball can be caught when it is being passed forward

9/ He's a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys.

10/ Antonio Brown is an American footballer who plays the role of
  a wide receiver.

11/ "When on the field, a slot receiver has three main roles
  - wide receiver, running back, and blocker."

(soccer) we say that 'a player receives a long pass'

12/ the receiver of a long pass.

remark: in baseball, a player who catches balls can be a catcher
or a left(/right/center) fielder.

n(c) (law) a person who is chosen by a court to be in charge of a company
  that is bankrupt (also: an official receiver)

13/ They had to lay off 200 staff and call in the receivers.

14/ The company has been put in the hands of the receiver.

15/ An official receiver was appointed by the court to handle
  the company’s affairs.

n(c) a recipient

16/ Molly's more of a giver than a receiver.

17/ "Morals and beliefs should be an important considering factor when
  deciding the receiver of an organ transplant."

18/ "The immune system of blood receiver would then destroy the red cells
  in the donor's blood after infusion."

---

bill   n(c)   //

a document that shows how much you owe somebody for goods or services

1/ a phone(/electricity/gas) bill

2/ He is facing a huge tax bill.

3/ The bills are piling up.

4/ "Summed up, the average Canadian family faced a tax bill of $29,913
  in 2010 against income of $72,393."

pay a bill

5/ She always pays her bills on time.

6/ Her mother agreed to pay the bill.

7/ Have you paid the phone bill?

8/ "A millionaire would rather do jail time than pay a $200 bill."

run up a bill: allow a debt or bill to accumulate

9/ She ran up a huge phone bill.

10/ We ran up a massive hotel bill.

11/ "She ran up a bill of $1,000, much of it for lavish parties."

12/ "I ran up a bill of $10,000 in a short time."

13/ It’s easy to run up a big bill on your mobile phone.

a bill for something

14/ They sent us a bill for the work they had done.

15/ The bill for the repairs came to $650.

16/ I’ll be sending you the bill for the dry-cleaning!

n(c) (US: check) a piece of paper that shows how much you have to pay
  for the food and drinks that you have had in a restaurant

17/ Could we have the bill, please?

18/ I am ready for the bill.

19/ Let's ask for the bill.

20/ They asked the waitress for the bill.

n(c) check

21/ Could we have the check, please?

22/ I am ready for the check.

n(c) (UK: banknote, note)

23/ a dollar bill (=a one-dollar bill)

24/ "Change a hundred-dollar bill to five twenty dollar bills."

25/ "Can you change a ten dollar note for two five please?"

n(c) a written suggestion for a new law that is presented to a country’s
  parliament so that its members can discuss it

introduce/approve/oppose a bill

26/ The senator introduced a bill that would increase the minimum wage.

27/ Yesterday peers approved the bill, clearing the way for it to become law.

28/ Republicans said they would support the bill.

pass/amend/veto a bill

29/ The bill was amended.

30/ When a bill is passed in Parliament it becomes law.

31/ Congress passed the energy bill last month.

32/ "On Tuesday, Symington vetoed a bill that would have allowed judges
  to increase prison sentences for hate crimes.

33/ The governor said she would veto the bill unless certain parts were changed.

start/stage/prevent/overcome a filibuster on the bill

34/ "Late Thursday night, the Senate overcame a filibuster on the bill
  with the support of six Republicans."

(other examples)

35/ Politicians tried to dress up the bill as a bold new strategy
  for combatting poverty.

36/ "The National Security Bill brings together vital new measures to protect
  our national security." (from: www.gov.uk)

bill   v(t)   //

(payment) send somebody a bill

1/ Clients will be billed monthly.

2/ We are changing the way that we bill our customers.

bill somebody for something

3/ Please bill me for the books.

4/ You will be billed monthly for the service.

5/ I was billed for equipment that I didn’t order.

bill something to somebody/something

6/ The cost will be billed to your account.

7/ "The monthly service fee is billed to the Clients' employer
  monthly in arrears." (see also: in advance)

8/ "No rental service charge was billed to the customer."

bill somebody something

9/ The shop billed me $100 for tickets.

10/ "I don't have a medical health card. I went to the hospital and
  they billed me a lot of money!"

11/ "Citibank billed me $100 late payment fee for a short payment of $7."

12/ "I was billed $1000 for two Covid tests that I took at Urgent Care
  in June 2022.‍"

see also: charge, fine

---

box lunch   n(c)   //

(UK: packed lunch) a light meal put in a container, that you take with you
  to be eaten later, for example at school or work

1/ I've got to bring a box lunch to school today.

2/ "They prepared a box lunch for me to take for breakfast and
  arranged a shuttle to take me to the airport."

3/ She takes her packed lunch to school in a lunch box.

4/ "Passengers can buy a box lunch of rice topped with side dishes like
  meat dish, which are cooked in the kitchen of dining cars and served hot
  through the service of sales in the train."

5/ "When I feel like splurging, I buy a box lunch from one of the
  lodging choices in the Park."

a home-packed lunch

6/ "I carry a home-packed lunch to work."

7/ "When a child brings leftovers from a home-packed lunch, it helps mums
  know how much the child ate."

8/ "The popular wisdom among parents has been that a home-packed lunch of
  leftovers will be less expensive than purchasing lunches from the school."

9/ "Home-packed lunches are the safest bet for kids with allergies
  and food sensitivities."

see also: pack a lunch for your kid

n(c) a lunch box, a meal box

10/ Can you bring a lunch box in the park?

11/ "Next time I would buy a lunch box made of complete steel and without wood."

12/ "If you're following a particular diet, you will always prefer to carry
  a lunch box to work."

13/ A lunch box with rice and side dishes.

14/ "Food stalls are selling rice boxes topped with your choice of
  two or three side dishes."

15/ Enjoy these tsukune on their own or in a lunch box with rice.

a takeaway lunch box

16/ "a two-dish-rice meal box"

17/ The food truck is selling cheap takeaway rice boxes with toppings.

18/ a takeaway box with chicken barbecue and fried potatoes

19/ a takeaway lunch box with rice and some veggie side dishes.

see also: a bento /'ben.təʊ/

---

set menu   n(c)   //

a menu that has a small number of meals to choose from, at a fixed price,
  or the food on this menu

1/ Their set menu is £25.

2/ I will have the set menu.

3/ "Nandino's set menu includes a main, two sides, and a drink or dessert
  for just £5.69."

4/ "The set menu includes a main course of your choice, soup, dessert,
  coffee and tea."

a three-course set menu

5/ "This voucher is valid for a three-course set menu and cocktail
  at Laurel's on the Roof."

a set menu with something

6/ "You can have a set menu with rice and miso soup, or a don."
  (remark: a don is a rice bowl with some sort of topping)

7/ "This Thanksgiving Day, Toki is offering a set menu with fried hen,
  fun side dishes, and of course some pumpkin pie!"

8/ "Each day there is a set menu with a main dish to choose from
  and this comes with a variety of sides."

a set menu choice

9/ "A customer at a restaurant can choose a soup and a salad from
  the set menu choices shown."

the à la carte /''a:lə'ka:rt/ menu

10/ The restaurant serves moderately priced food on both its
  à la carte and set menus.

n(c) a set meal, a set lunch, a set dinner

11/ "She orderd a set meal for two costing HK$288."

12/ "Ordered a set meal at $45 per head."

13/ "I started to order individual dishes but the nice lady pointed out that
  there is a set meal with those two dishes at a smaller price."

14/ "A set lunch in Hong Kong looks astronomical at HKD50."

15/ "We pre-ordered a set dinner with appetizers, sushi, shabushabu,
  grilled beef and dessert."

see also: a daily special, a chef's special, a seasonal special

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entrée   n(c)   //

(UK: main course, main) the main dish of a meal

1/ They always served a soup course before the entrée.

2/ The menu features several appetizers, two dinner entrees and two desserts.

3/ If you make the main course, I'll make a dessert.

a three-course meal: an appetizer, a main course and a dessert

4/ The three-course meal includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

5/ A three-course meal includes an appetizer, the main course, and a dessert.

an entrée of something

6/ "I had an entree of barbecued shrimp, a main course of charcoal-grilled chicken
  with roasted plantains on the side, and a glass of Guinness, all for €25."

7/ "The cucumbers may be served as an entréée of itself,
  and fried bread put round them."

8/ "The dinner includes an entree of roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy,
  side vegetables, coleslaw, dessert and beverages."

courses of a meal: an appetizer, a main course, a fish course
  a dessert, a soup, a salad, a side dish

see also: a banquet, a buffet, a brunch, an all-day breakfast

---

round the clock   idiom   //

(also: around the clock) day and all night without stopping

1/ He studied round the clock, losing forty pounds during that time.

2/ Staff have been working around the clock to resolve the problems.

3/ "Convenience stores open round the clock in Hong Kong."

4/ Rescue services have been working round the clock to free
  stranded motorists.

5/ Rescuers worked around the clock to free people trapped
  in the wreckage.

6/ "The multinational task force spent the last four days searching
round the clock for the five people on board the Titan submersible."

(before noun) round-the-clock

7/ We can't afford to give you around-the-clock protection.

8/ He's very sick and needs round-the-clock care.

9/ "All Primary Health Centres have been adequately staffed with
  doctors and medicines to render round-the-clock services."

10/ "Skilled Nursing Facilities provide round-the-clock nursing care
  and significant assistance with the activities of daily life. Nursing staff
  is on duty 24/7 to help individuals meet their daily physical,
  social and psychological needs."

see also: all the time, twenty-four seven(24/7)

---

yield   v(t)   //

produce or provide something, for example a profit, result or crop

1/ These trees no longer yield fruit.

2/ Favourable weather yielded a good crop.

3/ The research has yielded useful information.

4/ A letter found by the FBI last week may yield new clues.

5/ The project is expected to yield good returns in future.

6/ The investigation yielded some unexpected results.

see also: result in something

v(i) stop resisting something/somebody;
  agree to do something that you do not want to do

7/ After a long siege, the town was forced to yield.

yield to something/somebody

8/ He reluctantly yielded to their demands.

9/ I yielded to temptation and had a chocolate bar.

10/ It’s easy to yield to the temptation to borrow a lot of money.

11/ "Many athletes yield to the temptation to gamble."

see also: give in to something, succumb to something,
  be resigned to something

v(t) yield somebody/something up to somebody: allow somebody to win,
  have or take control of something that has been yours until now

12/ He refused to yield up his gun.

13/ They were forced to yield up their land to the occupying forces.

14/ "I want to encourage you to yield your heart to God."

15/ "At the border of their country he was met by an embassy of Paphlagonians,
  who yielded the country to Alexander, only asking him not to march
  his army into it."

see also: surrender somebody/something to somebody

v(i) yield (to somebody/something): allow vehicles on a bigger road to go first

16/ "First and foremost, always yield to oncoming traffic when turning left."

17/ "California right of way rule states that you must yield to
  the oncoming traffic until it's safe to proceed."

18/ "The Give Way sign is a road traffic sign used to indicate
  that the driver of a vehicle must give priority to vehicles traveling
  on the main road, and yield the right of way to them.

19/ "The man driving the truck failed to yield to the police car
  and struck the officer's cruiser, police said."

20/ "In the US, if an ambulance is using lights and/or siren, you are
  required to yield to it."

see also: a yield sign, give way to somebody/something

yield   n(c,u)   //

the total amount of crops, profits, etc that are produced

1/ Crop yields have risen steadily.

2/ The average milk yield per cow has doubled.

3/ "In order to develop the cow that will produce a high milk yield,
  it begins with the nutrition of the calf and heifer."

4/ This will give a yield of 10% on your investment.

5/ Yields on gas and electricity shares are consistently high.

something with a high(/low) yield

6/ "They would not easily give up a cow with a high milk yield for
  higher disease resistance and a higher feed requirement."

7/ "I Bergi is a small vineyard with a low yield and excellent sun exposure."

see also: return, earnings

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level   n(c,u)   //

the height of something in relation to the ground or to what it used to be

1.1/ The water level in the lake is much higher after heavy rain.

1.2/ The floodwater nearly reached roof level.

1.3/ The cables are buried one metre below ground level.

1.4/ The river has fallen to its lowest level since 2012.

eye level, shoulder level, knee level

1.5/ Skirts this year are just above knee level.

1.6/ She was wearing a skirt above knee level.
  (see also: a knee-length skirt, a skater skirt)

1.7/ Companies pay to place products at your eye level - and your kid's.

the level rises/increases

1.8/ "Between 1901 and 2018, the average global sea level rose
  by 15-25cm, or 1-2mm per year."

the level falls/drops/decreases

1.9/ "Depending on the season, the water level of the reservoir drops
  and the church becomes visible."

on a level with something: at the same height as something

1.10/ On the second floor you are on a level with the treetops.

at the same level as something

1.11/ Your arms should be at the same level as your desk.

on a level: at the same height

1.12/ The tables are not on a level.

n(c) a floor of a building; a layer of ground

2.1/ a multi-level parking lot

2.2/ Take the elevator to level four.

at ground/basement level

2.3/ The library has three levels, with a conference centre at ground level.

2.4/ "I am aware that this branch is at basement level."

on level one/two/three

2.5/ The exhibition is on level three of the building.

2.6/ The reception area is on the ground level.

2.7/ "The store is on basement level two."

(all) on one level

2.8/ The library is all on one level.

2.9/ The medical center is on one level.

see also: on the first/second/third floor, on the basement floor

n(c) the amount of something that exists in a particular situation
  at a particular time

3.1/ The child has a high energy level.

3.2/ "If there is any difference in rural and urban food consumption level,
  the Gini coefficient sometimes may fail to capture the effect."

3.3/ There is some danger of low level radiation.

(remain/stay) at a level

3.4/ The fees are likely to remain at current levels.

3.5/ "In the beginning of 2021, the rate of inflation was still not that high,
  until it started accelerating in May and stayed at a level."

a(/the) level of something

3.6/ Increase your level of activity to burn more calories.

3.7/ The party receive a low level of support for the proposed changes

3.8/ They have achieved higher levels of efficiency.
  (see also: "They have achieved a higher level of efficiency.")

3.9/ Increased supplies are needed to meet the level of demand.

3.10/ A change of course may be needed if the current level of violence continues.

3.11/ Dolphins show a high level of intelligence.

3.12/ Chess requires a very high level of concentration.

raise/reduce the level of something

3.13/ "Experts weigh in on implementing your signature strengths to
  raise your level of happiness."

3.14/ "Self-care activities such as appreciating nature, reading,
  exercising, meditation, or getting into flow with your hobbies helps raise
  your level of happiness."

3.15/ "Eating foods lower in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol;
  doing physical activity; and losing weight if overweight can help you
  reduce your blood cholesterol level and prevent heart disease."

a change in your energy level

3.16/ "I have been using this vitamin for the past few years.
  Since starting I have noticed a change in my energy level, mood and ability
  to function in everyday life."

3.17/ "Do you feel a reduction in your energy level;
  suffer from poor circulation and poor posture?"

3.18/ "I experienced an increase in my energy level within weeks of
  making the changes she suggested."

at the same level as something

3.19/ Profits were at the same level as the year before.

a higher/lower level than something

3.20/ "Labors have been resettled properly and reach a higher income level
  than before through developing agriculture."

n(c,u) a particular standard or quality

4.1/ The hotel's level of service is consistently high.

4.2/ The participants had different levels of education.

4.3/ What is the level of this course?

4.4/ It is difficult to maintain this level of performance.

4.5/ I refuse to sink to their level.

4.6/ "Further instruction will be given until they reach
  the expected level of mastery."

advanced level

4.7/ an advanced-level coursebook

4.8/ It is a class for advanced level students.

4.9/ "the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE, A-level)"

to degree/university/expert level

4.10/ He studied French to degree level.

4.11/ "It takes about ten years of constant use to develop a skill to expert level."

4.12/ "I want to learn math by myself from zero to university level."

4.13/ "At our bilingual school in Barcelona, we deliver the national curriculum
  up to high school level in English, Spanish and Catalan, making us
  the first school in Catalonia to pioneer trilingual learning."

at a high/low level

4.14/ She has played tennis at a high level.

4.15/ "I wouldn't recommend this book at a novice level."

4.16/ The test was pitched at too low a level for the students.

at this/that/some level(s)

4.17/ Students at this level require a lot of help.

4.18/ Students at this level may have problems with basic grammar.

4.19/ The exam can be taken at three levels.

at a(/the) level where ...

4.20/ "We're not at the level where we can win all the time."

4.21/ "I am at the level where the best play."

4.22/ "Joshua Kimmich's at a level where he could play for anyone."

at a(/the) level that ...

4.23/ "Our English language entry requirements are set at a level
  that will also meet the English language proficiency requirements
  of the UK Home Office."

4.24/ "I'm now at the level that I should have been."

at the same level as something

4.25/ "We like to think our pasta making skill is at the same level
  as our wine making."

4.26/ "My artistic skill is at the same level as that of a wombat."

on a level: of the same standard

4.27/ Both players are on a level.

4.28/ "The services offered by these two hotels are on a level."

4.29/ "Our experiences in Disneyland Hong Kong and the Ocean Park
  were on a level."

4.30/ "While pretty and great service, the food is on a level of Panda Express."

on a level of his/her own: one of a kind

4.31/ "Lionel Messi is on a level of his own."

4.32/ The hiking and kayaking experiences are on a level of their own.

4.33/ The quality of the food is on a level of its own.

see also: on (a) par with somebody/something

n(c,u) a position or rank in a scale of size or importance

5.1/ "The upper levels of the government monitor the lower levels."

5.2/ Training is offered at each level in the department.

5.3/ "Look into what is going on at the bottom level of the company."

at management level

5.4/ These are subjects for discussion at management level.

5.5/ "A person who is at bottom level and receives order is called a subordinate."

at local/national/international level

5.6/ Discussions are currently being held at national level.

5.7/ Few athletes can compete at international level.

5.8/ "The disease spread at a local level."

n(c) a point of view

6.1/ At a conscious level, I was quite satisfied with my life.

on a certain level

6.2/ Fables can be understood on various levels.

6.3/ On a more personal level, I would like to thank Jean for all the help
  she has given me.

6.4/ I agree with you, but only on a theoretical level.

n(c) (computer games)

7.1/ a computer game with fifteen levels

7.2/ Each level is randomly generated so each game is different.

on the first level

7.3/ "You find unkillable zombies on the second level of the game."

7.4/ "Most players get stuck on the second level of the game."

advance to the next level

7.5/ Players advance to the next level by collecting all the pieces and
  constructing the spaceship.

return to the previous/original level

7.6/ "You can choose to go back to the previous level in the game."

n(c) (tool) a spirit level 水平尺

8.1/ "The spirit level is on a tripod with sight lines to the two points
  whose height difference is to be determined."

8.2/ "A spirit level is used for determining horizontal and vertical levels
  and can be used on a variety of DIY projects in and around the home."

level   adj   //

(after verb) be level with something: at the same height

1/ The top of the tree is level with his bedroom window.

2/ He bent down so that his eyes were nearly level with hers.

3/ The water came level with the top of her boots.

4/ "Adjustable chairs should be altered so the height is level with
  the back of the knee when the feet are on the floor or a footrest."

flat or horizontal

5/ Pitch the tent on level ground.

6/ a level surface suitable for wheelchairs

7/ Add two level spoonfuls of cocoa powder to the mixture.

8/ Make sure the camera is level before you take the picture.

9/ Before I bang the nails in, would you say this picture was level?

10/ The floors in the old house were not completely level.

having the same value, amount, number of points, etc

11/ The unemployment rate remained level in November.

12/ Borrowing rates rose to over 8%, roughly level with those in America.

draw level (with something)

13/ She drew level with(=came beside) the police car.

14/ France took an early lead but Wales soon drew level.

keep something level(/even) with something

15/ The unions are fighting to keep wages level with inflation.

16/ This latest rise is intended to keep wages level with inflation.

17/ A good second round brought him level with the tournament leader.

(sports) stay on level terms

18/ England fought well to stay on level terms.

level   v(t)   //

make a surface flat

1/ Level the wet cement before it sets.

2/ If you're laying tiles, the floor will need to be levelled first.

level out something

3/ The first coat of plaster levels out the surface of the wall.

4/ "Divide the cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake tins and
  level out the cake batter in the tins."

level off something

5/ Use a palette knife to level off the top.

6/ "Level off the coffee by lightly shaking the basket."

7/ "Level off the coffee with a light sweep of the finger
  - this is called distribution."

v(t) completely destroy a building or area

8/ The bombing levelled the village.

9/ Bulldozers are now waiting to level their home.

10/ "The war levelled towns and cities in Ukraine."

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simultaneous   adj   //

happening or done at the same time as something else

1/ There were several simultaneous attacks by the rebels.

2/ They grabbed each other’s hands in simultaneous panic.

3/ Up to twenty users can have simultaneous access to the system.

4/ They will provide simultaneous translation of the President's speech
  into English. (see also: real-time translation)

5/ The new game is set for simultaneous release in the US, Canada
  and Europe on September 19th.

be simultaneous with something

6/ Any ceasefire would be simultaneous with the withdrawal of US forces.

7/ The withdrawal of British troops should be simultaneous with
  that of US forces.

8/ The report will be broadcast live with simultaneous English translation.

see also: coincident, concurrent, in parallel, simulcast

simultaneously   adv   //

at the same time as something else

1/ The game will be broadcast simultaneously on TV and radio.

2/ Two children answered the teacher's question simultaneously.

3/ The network was broadcasting four games simultaneously across the country.

4/ "They confessed their feelings to each other simultaneously."

simultaneously with somebody/something

5/ The slowdown of the US economy occurred simultaneously with
  a downturn in Europe.

6/ "When I arrive simultaneously with another driver at a four-way stop sign,
  I wave my hand to allow them to proceed, unless they wave me on first."

7/ "In one case, the hero arrives at the pub after the girl leaves;
  in the other, he arrives simultaneously with her leaving."

see also: at the same time (as/when)

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spontaneous   adj   //

happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning
  or without being forced

1/ a spontaneous offer of help

2/ The audience burst into spontaneous applause.

3/ The crowd gave a spontaneous cheer.

4/ My spontaneous reaction was to run away.

5/ What happened was not a spontaneous outburst of violence.

6/ We had no plans to do it - it was a spontaneous thing.

a spontaneous performance

7/ a wonderfully spontaneous performance of the piece

8/ "Eighty-two adolescent girls were asked to perform a spontaneous speech
  while physiological and subjective responses were measured."

see also: an ad-hoc performance, an impromptu speech

(approval) somebody who often behaves in a natural and friendly way,
  without worrying about what they say or do

9/ She's such a spontaneous, lively woman.

10/ Jo's a cheerful, spontaneous person, always ready for some fun.

(science) happening naturally, without being made to happen

11/ spontaneous remission of the disease

12/ Although about 15 percent of cases are inherited, the vast majority
  appear to be spontaneous genetic mutations.

spontaneously   adv   //

in a way that is natural, often sudden, and not planned or forced

1/ She laughed spontaneously.

2/ We spontaneously started to dance.

3/ This story may prompt you to burst spontaneously into uncontrollable sobs.

4/ Opposition groups arose spontaneously after the new president took power.

(proactively)

5/ He was never spontaneously warm or friendly towards us.

6/ "We would like to thank the Láki Tours passengers from Germany
  and the United States, who helped us clean the beach spontaneously
  after their whale watching."

7/ "I return my tray to the rack after my meal spontaneously."

8/ "We help people spontaneously and punctually because benevolence is
  at the heart of our mission."

(science) without any obvious outside cause

9/ The bleeding often stops spontaneously.

10/ Blood clots can occur spontaneously in some people.

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voluntary   adj   //

done willingly, not because you are forced

1/ Attendance on the course is purely voluntary.

2/ Pay voluntary contributions into a pension fund

3/ "You are giving people the option to decline since a donation
  is always voluntary."

4/ "You'll find a wide range of activities at community level where
  your voluntary help can make a big difference."

on a voluntary basis

5/ Karyn leads after-school workshops that students attend
  on a voluntary basis.

n(u) voluntary work

6/ What opportunities are there for voluntary work?

7/ In her spare time she does voluntary work.

8/ "Attract more people to take part in voluntary work."

9/ "They can initiate voluntary work and save money at the same time."

10/ "Voluntary work is a way to give back to the community,
  but it can also provide you with professional benefits like valuable
  experience and leadership."

11/ "Unfortunately, tertiary students are not willing to spend time on
  voluntary work because they think it is not worthwhile doing so."

see also: involuntary, compulsory, mandatory

voluntarily   adv   //

willingly; without being forced

1/ If you don't leave voluntarily then we will send you away.

2/ We decided to voluntarily withdraw the drug from the market.

3/ "This would be the last round of massive layoffs if enough workers
  resign or retire from the company voluntarily."

4/ "She enjoyed the lesson when she dared to answer a question voluntarily."

5/ "Students at that time were expected to help the elderly voluntarily."

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in sync   idiom   //

moving or working at exactly the same time and speed
  as somebody/something else

1/ The birds winter apart, but return in sync.

2/ "When people sing or dance in sync, they release feel-good chemicals,
  which help build relationships."

in sync with somebody/something

3/ The robot moves in sync with the doctor's motions.

4/ The soundtrack is not in sync with the picture.

5/ "In this class you'll learn how to dance in sync with a partner."

see also: synchronize

in agreement with somebody/something;
  working well with somebody/something

6/ As a couple we are very much in sync.

in sync on something

7/ "We are in sync on how to address this issue."

8/ "Interesting to see how we are in sync on some subjects."

in sync with somebody or something

9/ The changes will put the US in sync with Europe and Asia.

10/ His opinions were in sync with those of his colleagues.

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nurture   v(t)   //

care for and protect young children or plants while they are
  growing and developing

1/ These delicate plants need careful nurturing.

2/ She wants to stay at home and nurture her children.

3/ "Caring, loving parents nurture and guide their children.
  They play with them; listen to them; talk with them; teach them;
  and most of all love and care about their needs as a child."

in a nurturing environment

4/ "Children blossom in a nurturing environment."

5/ "We grew up in a nurturing environment. Our mother would always
  hug us to show her love for us."

nurture a child with something

6/ "Nurture your kids with innovative toys."

7/ "Nurture your kids with love and compassion, and they'll grow up
  to be healthy and successful individuals."

nurture a child into somebody

8/ "Enjoy the process, and cherish the moments of growth and learning
  as you nurture your kitten into a happy and confident cat."

see also: bring up a child, raise a child

v(t) help somebody/something to develop and be successful

9/ It's important to nurture a good working relationship.

10/ As a record company director, his job is to nurture young talent.

11/ It is important to nurture potential in your employees.

12/ Her teacher recognized and nurtured her musical talent from an early age.

13/ "We will nurture your talent for becoming a future leader in Arla."

nuture a love of something in somebody

14/ My father nurtured a love of art in me.

15/ Reading aloud nurtures a love of books in children.

v(t) have a feeling/an idea/a plan for a long time and encourage it to develop

16/ She secretly nurtured a hope of becoming famous.

17/ He had long nurtured a deep hatred of his brother.

18/ Winifred nurtured ambitions for her daughter to be a surgeon.

nurture   n(u)   //

care and support given to somebody/something while they are growing

1/ These plants will need careful nurture.

2/ "Marriage is for the establishment and nurture of a kid."

3/ "While whip-wielding robot jockeys have managed to master camels,
  the nurture of a horse is largely a hands-on human job."

nature or nurture

4/ Which do you believe has the strongest influence on how children develop
  - nature or nurture?

5/ The study seems to show that nurture is more important than nature
  in shaping a child’s character and future prospects.

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nourish   v(t)   //

provide people or living things with food in order to make them grow
  and keep them healthy

1/ She looks happy and well nourished.

2/ Children need plenty of good fresh food to nourish them.

3/ Most plants are nourished by water drawn up through their roots.

well-nourished, well nourished

4/ "A well-nourished kitten will have a beautiful, healthy coat."

5/ All the children were well nourished and in good physical condition.

nourish the skin

6/ This cream is supposed to help nourish your skin.

7/ The cream contains vitamin A to nourish the skin.

8/ a lotion containing almond extract to nourish and revitalize the skin

nourish somebody with something

9/ "Nourish your cat with wet or dry food."

10/ "Nourish your dog with this clean protein food that's over 75% off."

11/ "You want to nourish your child with a nutritious diet."

(adj) nourishing

12/ "A big box of nourishing fruits and vegetables is exactly what we all
  need right now.

13/ "Honor your mothers and grandmothers by creating a nourishing meal
  with wholefood ingredients this Mother's Day."

v(t) allow a feeling or an idea to develop or grow stronger

14/ We need to nourish our hopes and dreams.

15/ Lisa has long nourished the hope of becoming a famous writer.

16/ "I have long nourished the ambition of writing a novel, and now
  with the advent of self-publishing I’m able to fulfil that ambition."

remark: 'nurture' means 'taking care of and encouraging growth'
  while 'nourish' means 'providing food or nutrition'.

see also: adopt a child, foster a child, feed a child

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persevere   v(i)   //

(approving) continue trying to do or achieve something despite difficulties

1.1/ If you persevere long enough and work hard enough,
  you will eventually succeed.

persevere with something/somebody

1.2/ You have to persevere with difficult students.

1.3/ She persevered with her violin lessons.

1.4/ I did not persevere with learning to play the violin.

1.5/ The prime minister is aware of the risks of persevering
  with an unpopular policy.

1.6/ He persevered with his task until he had succeeded
  in collecting an armful of firewood.

1.7/ "Persevere with your prayers, and keep your attention from
  wandering by mingling them with thanksgiving."

persevere in something/doing something

1.8/ Despite a number of setbacks, they persevered in their
  attempts to fly around the world in a balloon.

1.9/ We will persevere in this struggle for peace, no matter how long it takes.

1.10/ She had persevered in her claim for compensation.

1.11/ "We persevere in going to work daily and never being late."

1.12/ "Law is a very rigorous degree and one of the ways to survive and
  persevere in studying is to make sure that you're living a balanced life."

see also: continue, keep on doing something

adj(before noun) persevering: being determined to achieve
  a particular aim despite difficulties

2.1/ A few persevering climbers finally reached the top.

2.2/ "Persevering people keep motivating themselves."

2.3/ "A company without healthy workers, isn't a persevering company."

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persist   v(i)   //

continue to do something despite difficulties or opposition,
  in a way that can seem unreasonable

1.1/ "So would you like me to book tickets?" she persisted.

persist with something

1.2/ He persisted with his questioning.

1.3/ The government is persisting with its ambitious public works programme.

persist in something/doing something

1.4/ Why do you persist in blaming yourself for what happened?

1.5/ She persisted in her search for the truth.

1.6/ If he persists in asking awkward questions, then send him to the boss.

1.7/ Although the meeting had ended, she persisted in
  trying to question the mayor.

see also: insist on doing something

v(i) continue to exist

2.1/ If the pain persists, you must see a doctor.

2.2/ If the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.

2.3/ The cold weather is set to persist throughout the week.

2.4/ The belief that the earth was flat persisted for many centuries.

the rain persists

2.5/ The rain persisted throughout the night.

2.6/ "The rain persisted in numerous regions on Sunday morning."

2.7/ "Heavy rain persisted for five hours."

2.8/ "A short rain shower persisted just before the start of
  the festival but did not stop the celebration."

see also: last, last for an hour

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persistent   adj   //

determined to do something despite difficulties, esp when other people
  are against you and think that you are being annoying or unreasonable

1/ She can be very persistent when she wants something.

2/ If she hadn’t been so persistent she might not have gotten the job.

3/ How do you deal with persistent salesmen who won't take no for an answer?

4/ He has been a persistent critic of the president.

5/ We have made persistent efforts to induce all parties in the textile industry
  to improve their methods and increase output.

a persistent offender

6/ She is a persistent offender and has been arrested five times
  this year for shoplifting.

7/ "Both male and female offenders who are first convicted at a young age
  are much more likely to become persistent offenders than their
  older counterparts."

lasting for a long time or difficult to get rid of

8/ Famine is a persistent problem in many parts of the world.

9/ Persistent heavy rain held up work on the bridge for more than a week.

10/ "The rain was persistent and was forecast to be for the next week."

a persistent symptom

11/ The most common symptom is a persistent cough.

12/ "From the day of the car crash, I suffered from a persistent headache
  that was with me every minute of every day for 23 years."

13/ "A persistent symptom was defined as a symptom lasting at least
  eight weeks as defined by the WHO."

persistent rumours

14/ He resigned over persistent rumours of his affair with an actress.

15/ There have been persistent rumours that the principal might
  take early retirement.

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malnourished   adj   //

in bad health because of a lack of food or a lack of the right type of food

1/ By the time we saw the child, she was extremely malnourished.

2/ Tired, malnourished people are prone to infection.

3/ "Malnourished children grow up with worse health and
  lower education achievement."

4/ Malnourished children may be short for their age, thin or bloated, listless
  and have weakened immune systems."

poorly nourished, badly nourished

5/ "More than 16 million children are poorly nourished in
  the Middle East and North Africa."

6/ "In 1879 Manchester began to provide free school meals to
  destitute and badly nourished children."

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malnutrition   n(u)   //

a poor condition of health caused by a lack of food or
  a lack of the right type of food

1/ "Please pray for the country of Yemen to be provided with aid,
  so the people don't have to live in malnutrition."

2/ "more families are forced to skip meals since they are unable to
  afford products that are essential for a healthy diet, causing them,
  and especially children, to endure malnutrition."

suffer from malnutrition

3/ Many of the refugees are suffering from severe malnutrition.

4/ "Both an overweight person and an underweight person can
  suffer from malnutrition."

5/ "A child who does not receive essential nutritive elements can
 suffer from malnutrition and will be exposed to serious health problems
  which can hamper their healthy development."

(synonym) n(u) malnourishment /''mæl'nɜ:rɪʃmənt/

6/ The condition is caused by dehydration and malnourishment.

7/ Falls in extreme poverty have reduced the incidence of
  malnourishment or starvation.

see also: n(u) undernourishment

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