Collocations/M
Collocations beginning with M. Select a collocation for more details.
main course
the largest course in a meal
main road
a wide road with lots of traffic
main thing
the most important thing
make a bed
to neatly arrange the sheets, blankets and pillows on a bed
make a decision
to decide what to do
make a difference
to cause a situation or condition to change
make a fortune
to make a huge amount of money
make a fuss
to create unnecessary excitement or concern about something
make a living
to earn money for the things you need in life
make a mess
to create an untidy or disorganized state or situation
make a mistake
to do something that's wrong or has bad results
make a note (of)
to write down something so that you don't forget it
make a profit
to make money from business or investments
make a reservation
to book or reserve a seat on a train, a table in a restaurant, a room in a hotel, etc.
make amends
to do something to show you're sorry for your bad behaviour in the past
make an appointment
to arrange a date and time to visit an office, clinic, dentist, doctor, etc.
make an effort
to put time and energy into doing something
make an excuse
to give a reason for doing something you shouldn't do, or for not doing something you should do
make an offer
to state a price you're willing to pay for something
make arrangements
to arrange all aspects of an event such as a wedding, funeral, meeting, conference, etc.
make believe
to pretend that something is real or true
make changes
to change something in specific ways
make clear
to make something easy to understand, or to express yourself clearly
make contact
to contact a person or an organisation
make friends
to form new friendships
make love
to have sex with someone, esp. someone you love
make progress
to get closer to a goal, or to improve in ability
make room
to create space by moving something
make sb feel sth
to cause somebody to feel a certain way
make sense (1)
If an idea, plan or action "makes sense", it's sensible and rational and not stupid or likely to fail.
make sense (2)
If a sentence or statement "makes sense", it can be understood by the people who read it or hear it.
make sth easy
to cause something to be less difficult
make sure
to check so that you're sure about something
married couple
two people who are married to one another
mass market
the great majority of people who buy goods in a society
may (very) well
could or might
medical care
help given to someone who's sick or injured
medical history
all the illnesses, injuries and treatments that someone has had in the past
meet a need
to provide what is needed
meet a standard
to reach a certain standard or level of quality, safety, etc.
meet a target
to reach the number or amount set as a target, e.g. in sales, profits, savings, website traffic, etc.
meet opposition
to receive a negative response or reaction
meet with approval
to receive a positive response or reaction
mental illness
illness causing thoughts or feelings that seriously disrupt a person's normal state of mind
miles away
far away, or a long way from a particular place
miss a flight
to arrive too late to board a flight on a plane
miss a goal
to try to score a goal, but fail
miss an opportunity
to have an opportunity to do something, but fail to do it
missing in action
If someone is "missing in action", they haven't been seen or contacted since being involved in military action.
mixed feelings
different emotions, or conflicting impulses, felt at the same time
moral obligation
moral requirement to do something because you know it's the right thing to do
more or less (1)
somewhat, fairly or almost
more or less (2)
approximately
murder mystery
a book, play or film about the investigation of a murder
mysterious circumstances
circumstances that aren't understood, or haven't been revealed or explained
Collocations/N
Collocations beginning with N. Select a collocation for more details.
nasty habit
a bad or unpleasant tendency
nasty shock
an unpleasant surprise
native country
the country in which you were born
native speaker
someone for whom a particular language is their first or native language
natural causes
If you die of natural causes, your life ends naturally and not because of an accident, murder or suicide.
natural disaster
a natural event that causes great harm, e.g. an earthquake, cyclone, tornado, etc.
natural resources
things from nature that we can use, e.g. oil, coal, rivers, lakes, trees, forests, etc.
neat and tidy
not messy
need badly
to need very much
negative attitude
an attitude that shows a critical viewpoint or a negative bias
nervous wreck
a person who's very stressed or nervous
net profit
profit remaining after taxes and costs have been deducted
net result
the final or overall effect or result of something
net worth
the total value of everything you own, including property and money, minus any debts you owe
never knew
to not know something
new generation
a new group of people or products that appeared around the same time
new job
a different job or a job you've found recently
next time
the time after this time
next-door neighbours
people living in a house next to yours
nice time
a pleasant or enjoyable experience
non-stop flight
flight that doesn't stop over on its way to a destination
not necessarily (so)
not always or not definitely
nothing else
no other thing or things
nothing much
nothing that's important
nothing wrong with
nothing that's causing a problem
nowhere near (1)
far away from
nowhere near (2)
not almost, or not similar to
null and void
having no legal effect or force
Collocations/O
Collocations beginning with O. Select a collocation for more details.
obey an order
to do what someone orders or commands you to do
occupational hazard
a danger that people doing a particular job face
odd number
any whole number that can't be exactly divided by two, such as 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.
odd socks
socks that don't match
offer a job
to tell someone they can have a job if they want it
offer an explanation
to explain why something was done
offer condolences
to convey sympathy to the family or friends of someone who's died
offer your services
to offer your time and skills to help a person or an organization
office block
a large building that houses many offices
office hours
hours when an office is open for business
office job
a job that's done at a desk in an office
old age
the time in life after middle age
old friend
a friend you've known for a very long time
only just (1)
a very short time ago
only just (2)
by a very small amount
open an account
to start an account with a bank, credit union, building society, supplier of goods, etc.
open an investigation
to begin an investigation into something
open fire
to start shooting with a weapon
opening hours
the time during which a club, park, library, shop, gallery, etc. is open
openly gay
If you're openly gay, you don't hide your homosexuality.
opposition party
a political party that's in opposition to the party or parties in power
optional extras
special features a product can have if you pay extra for them
organic farming
farming without using artificial chemicals
overall effect
the general effect, or overall result, of something
owe an apology
If you think you owe somebody an apology, you think you should say sorry to them.
owe an explanation
If you think someone owes you an explanation, you think they should explain why they did something that badly affected you.
Collocations/P
Collocations beginning with P. Select a collocation for more details.
pack a suitcase
to put clothes and other possessions into a suitcase
pack of cards
a full set of playing cards
painful memory
a memory that's upsetting or disturbing
painful reminder
If something's a painful reminder, it reminds you of something you find upsetting or disturbing.
painfully shy
extremely shy, or so shy that other people find it disturbing
painfully slow
extremely slow, or so slow that people become impatient
painfully thin
extremely thin, of a person or animal
pair work
a type of learning activity in which two students work together
part company (1)
to end a relationship or partnership
part company (2)
to stop travelling or spending time together and go different ways
pass (the) time
to do something to fill in time when you're bored or have nothing to do
pass a law
to bring in a new law by voting in parliament or by decree
pass a test
to not fail a test
pay a bill
to pay the amount stated on a bill
pay a visit
to visit someone or something
pay attention
to watch closely or listen carefully to someone or something
pay increase
an increase in the amount of money paid as a wage or salary
peace and quiet
no noise or disturbance
perfectly normal
not unusual at all
personal belongings
personal possessions that belong to you
phone rings
If your phone rings, it makes a noise to let you know someone's calling you.
pick your nose
to use a finger to remove dried mucus from inside your nose
piece of advice
a particular suggestion given as advice
piece of equipment
one particular item used as equipment
piece of information
a particular fact or item of information
piece of music
any musical work, including musical compositions, traditional works, improvised music, pop songs, etc.
piece of paper
one sheet or scrap of paper
place an order
put in an order to buy something
play a part
perform a particular role, or be involved in a particular way
play music
to make music with an instrument, or to broadcast recorded music
point of view
a particular perspective or way of seeing things
political prisoner
someone who's imprisoned because of their political beliefs
poor eyesight
not very good eyesight
poor health
not very good health
popular belief
an idea that most people believe is true
pose a risk
to create risk of danger or harm
pose a threat
create the threat of danger or harm
press a key
to put a finger on a key on a keyboard and press down
pretty good
quite good or fairly good
pretty well
fairly well or reasonably well
private life
aspects of someone's life that aren't related to work or other public roles
public opinion
the opinions of the majority of people in a society
pull a muscle
to injure a muscle by lifting something heavy or moving too quickly
push a button
to press a button on a machine or an appliance
put on weight
to become heavier or fatter, of a person or an animal
put out a cigarette
to stop a cigarette from burning
put out a fire
to stop a fire from burning
put up prices
to increase prices
put up wages
to increase wages
put up your hand
to raise your arm if you want to say something, ask or answer a question, show you're present, etc.
Collocations/Q
Collocations beginning with Q. Select a collocation for more details.
quality of life
the level of personal satisfaction, happiness and health in somebody's life
quick fix
a solution to a problem that can be quickly or cheaply implemented, but may not be a good or long-lasting solution
quick reply
a prompt or almost immediate reply to a letter or email
quiet life
a simple and peaceful way of living
quiet night
a night when you stay at home instead of going out
quietly confident
feeling confident, but not saying much about it
quit a job
to tell an employer you no longer want your job
quit drinking
to stop drinking alcohol
quit smoking
to stop smoking cigarettes
quite a lot
quite often, or quite a large amount
quite agree
agree completely
quite enough
as much as necessary
quite good
fairly good
quite often
fairly often
quite right
completely correct
quite sure
completely sure
Collocations/R
Collocations beginning with R. Select a collocation for more details.
racial discrimination
unfair treatment of someone because of their race
radical reform
major and fundamental reform
rain hard
rain heavily, as during a storm or a downpour
rainy day
a day during which it rains quite a lot
raise a family
to raise one or more children in a family setting
raise doubts
to express doubts or concerns about something
raise hopes
to make somebody feel more hopeful
raise money
to collect money for a special purpose
raise questions
to bring issues or questions to somebody's attention
raise taxes
to increase the rate of taxation
raise your voice
to show anger by speaking louder than usual
rapid growth
fast growth, or growth in a short period of time
rate of return
the percentage of an original investment that is returned as profit
rave review
a very good review of a book, movie, play, concert, etc.
reach a verdict
to decide if the accused is guilty or not
reach an agreement
to finally agree after discussing or negotiating something
read aloud
to say words out loud as you read them
readily available
easy to obtain or easy to find
real life
life as it's really experienced, or life in the real world
real live
present in reality, and not in a film, on TV, etc.
real wages
the true value of wages, in terms of what you can buy with the money
reasonable explanation
an explanation that most people can accept or believe
reasonably happy
fairly pleased or reasonably satisfied
reasonably priced
for sale or rent at a fair price
reasonably well
fairly well or satisfactorily
recommend highly
to strongly recommend someone or something
regain control
to get control of something again after losing control
repair damage
to fix the damage to something
resort to violence
to use violence when other methods have failed
restore confidence
to bring back confidence, trust or belief in something
restore order
to bring back order after a period of revolt or disorder
retain control
to maintain control of, or keep control over, something
return a call
to call someone back after not answering their call
return address
a sender's address, for replying to or returning a letter or parcel
return fire
to fire back when someone's firing a weapon at you
return flight
the flight back from where your first flight took you
return home
to come back home, or to go back home
return ticket
a ticket for travelling to a place, and then back again
rhetorical question
a question that's asked to make a point, not get an answer
right away
immediately, or without delay
right now (1)
at this moment
right now (2)
immediately, or without delay
road safety
safety on roads for drivers, passengers and pedestrians
room for improvement
the possibility or need for something to improve
root cause
the main or fundamental cause of something
root crop
a plant with roots or other underground parts that can be eaten, like carrots, potatoes, ginger, etc.
rough draft
an unedited or unpolished version of an essay, book, speech, screenplay, etc.
rough estimate
an approximate estimate
rough idea
a vague or approximate idea, concept, memory, etc.
round number
any whole number that ends in 0, such as 10, 150, and 1250
run a business
to be in charge of a business
run the risk of
to do something risky, or that could have a bad result
running late
behind schedule
running low
almost used up or almost exhausted, esp. of fuel, supplies, foods, drinks, etc.
runny nose
If you've got a runny nose, liquid mucus is running from your nose.
Collocations/S
Collocations beginning with S. Select a collocation for more details.
safe and sound
not harmed, hurt or damaged in any way
safe distance
far enough away from danger to be safe
safety hazard
something that isn't safe or creates danger
safety net
government programs that help people in trouble, esp. the poor, sick, unemployed, old, homeless, etc.
safety record
a record showing how effective safety measures have been
sales figures
figures showing the number of products sold
sales force
all the people employed to sell a company's products
satisfy a need
to give or provide what somebody needs
satisfy a requirement
to have what a requirement states or specifies
satisfy demand
to sell products in the quantities demanded by the market
save lives
to prevent deaths, or stop people from dying
save money (1)
to keep money for the future
save money (2)
to pay less money
save time
to use less time
say goodbye
to say a parting word as you leave, or as somebody else leaves
say sorry
to apologize to someone
scare tactic
a tactic that uses fear to make people behave a certain way
score a goal
to get a goal in sport
security forces
military and police forces
see reason
to see that your view is unreasonable or wrong, and reconsider
see what sb means
to understand somebody's viewpoint or observation
sense of direction
a natural ability to know which direction you're going in
sense of humour
an ability to see and express humour, or the funny side of things
serious accident
an accident in which someone is badly injured or killed
serious illness
a very harmful or dangerous illness
serious injury
a very bad injury
serious mistake
a very bad mistake
serious relationship
a romantic relationship that you take seriously
seriously damage (1)
badly damage (of material objects)
seriously damage (2)
badly affect (of non-material or abstract things)
seriously ill
very sick
seriously injured
badly hurt or injured
seriously wounded
badly hurt by a weapon
serve a purpose
to be useful, esp. in achieving an aim or performing a function
serve interests
to benefit or support the interests of someone or something
set a date
to decide the date on which something in the future will happen
set a goal
to decide what it is you'll try to achieve
set a record
to achieve a new record in sport, sales, profits, losses, etc.
set a standard
to set or establish a certain level of quality
set a table
to put forks, knives, spoons, plates, place mats, etc. onto a table before a meal is served
set an alarm
to set the time at which the alarm in a phone or alarm clock will ring
set fire to | set on fire
to make something start burning
set free
to let someone or something go free
set menu
a complete meal with several courses for a fixed price
short memory
If you have a short memory, you can forget things soon after they've happened.
social justice
fair distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges in society
social life
the part of life involving friends and social activities
solve a crime
to find out who committed a crime
solve a problem
to find the solution to a problem
spare time
time when you're free to do whatever you want to do
speedy recovery
a quicker recovery from illness or injury than usual
spend time
to do something or be somewhere for a certain time
spend your life
to use the time you have in life
stand trial
to be judged for a crime in a court of law
stay awake
to remain awake, or not go to sleep
stay put
to stay in the same place or situation
stay tuned
keep watching a television broadcast or keep listening to a radio broadcast
steady job
a job that offers constant work and a reliable income
steady relationship
a serious and stable romantic relationship
steady stream
constant sequence, or many things one after another
stiff competition
strong competition from rivals or opponents
still (be) alive
not yet dead
straight after
immediately after something happens or finishes
straight ahead
directly in front
straight answer
an honest and direct answer to a question
straight away
immediately
strictly speaking
according to a strict definition of a meaning or a regulation
strike a balance (btw)
to find a balanced position that's reasonable and fair for all or both sides
strongly support
to support or believe in somebody or something very much
sure sign
a sign or evidence that something is happening or definitely true
Collocations/T
Collocations beginning with T. Select a collocation for more details.
take (sb's) temperature
to measure somebody's body temperature
take (sb) to court
to begin a legal case against someone
take a break
to stop doing something for a short time, e.g. to eat, rest, go to the toilet, etc.
take a call
to answer or accept an incoming telephone call
take a look
to examine, inspect or look at something
take a message
to write down or memorize a message for somebody
take a risk
to do something you know is dangerous
take a seat
to sit down on a chair, bench, sofa, etc.
take a step (1)
to put one foot in front of the other, as when walking
take a step (2)
to do something that helps to achieve a goal
take a test
to sit an examination or do a test
take action
to do something to achieve a goal or solve a problem
take advice
to do what somebody advises you to do
take ages
to take a long time
take care
be careful
take care of
to care for or look after somebody or something
take charge
to take control or assume responsibility
take drugs
to use mind-altering or mood-altering drugs
take exercise
to exercise your body for health or fitness
take hostage
to capture and threaten somebody in order to get something
take long
to take a long time to do or finish
take medicine
to swallow a tablet or syrup to cure an illness
take notes
to write notes in a lecture or when reading
take notice
to pay attention to something
take part
to be involved, or to participate in something
take place
to happen or occur
take pride in
to be proud of your talent, skills, work, achievements, etc.
take prisoner
to capture and imprison somebody, esp. in a war or battle
take sb's place
to replace somebody, or to do something instead of somebody else
take seriously
to think that somebody or something is important or deserves your full attention
take time
to take a long time
take turns
If people take turns, they do something one after the other, or alternately.
take up space
to occupy or fill up space
take your time
to take as long as you like, without rushing
tax cut
a reduction in the rate of taxation
tell a lie
to say something you know isn't true
tell a story
to share a story by reading it, recalling it, or making it up
tell sb the time
to tell somebody what time it is
tell the difference
to notice differences and be able to distinguish between similar things
tell the time
to be able to look at a clock, a sundial, stars, etc. and know what time it is
tell the truth
to say what's true or what really happened
tight budget
a budget that severely limits the amount of money that can be spent
tight grip
a firm hold
tight schedule
a schedule with very little time between appointments, meetings, etc.
time off
time away from work
top floor
the highest level or storey in a building
top priority
the most important of several issues, goals, tasks, etc.
top speed
the fastest speed that something can travel at
travel light
to travel without much luggage
try hard
to put a lot of effort into doing something
turn a corner
to go around a corner
turn around
to turn your body or head so that you're facing the opposite way
Collocations/U
Collocations beginning with U. Select a collocation for more details.
ulterior motive
the hidden reason or purpose behind an action
ultimate goal
final objective or goal
uncertain future
a future that's likely to be worse than the present
unconditional love
love that isn't based on conditions or requirements
undergo surgery
to have a surgical procedure or operation
undergo treatment
to have treatment for a medical condition
unemployment benefit
a regular payment from the government to help someone who can't find a job
unfair advantage
an advantage that isn't fair or hasn't been earned
unfair dismissal
unjust or unfair firing of a worker
unrequited love
love you feel for someone who doesn't love you
unusually wealthy
much wealthier than other people in the same position or with the same job
upper deck
deck of a ship that's above lower decks and open to the sky
upper echelons
the highest ranks in a society or organization
upper limit
the highest level or amount allowed
upset sb's stomach
If something upsets your stomach, it causes a stomach problem that makes you feel sick.
upset stomach
If you've got an upset stomach, you feel sick in the stomach.
urban development
the building or development of towns and cities
urban renewal
the renewal of poor parts of a city by improving services and attracting investment
urban sprawl
the poorly-regulated spread of urban development into the countryside near a city
use sb's phone
to make a call on somebody else's phone
used car
a car that's already been owned by someone
utterly ridiculous
completely ridiculous or unreasonable
Collocations/V
Collocations beginning with V. Select a collocation for more details.
vague idea
an approximate or imprecise idea
vague memory
unclear or incomplete memory
valid point
a point that most people would find reasonable and logical
valid reason
a reason that most people would find acceptable or believable
valuable contribution
an important contribution to something's development or success
valuable information
important or useful information
valuable lesson
If an experience becomes a valuable lesson, it teaches you something important.
vary widely
to vary a lot, or include very different types, amounts, degrees, etc.
vast majority
great majority, or the most by far
victory lap
a lap around a field or track to celebrate a victory
victory parade
a parade held to celebrate a victory, esp. in sports, war, politics, etc.
violent crime
a crime that causes injury or death
violent movie
a movie with many violent scenes
visiting hours
hours of the day when you can visit a hospital, prison, museum, zoo, government office, etc.
vital organs
organs that are essential for life, incl. the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs
vital role
a very important role
vocal critic
a person who often criticizes something or someone in public
vocal minority
a group that voices an opinion that the majority of people don't agree with
vocal music
music that includes parts for one or more singers, with or without instruments
vocal organs
organs used when speaking or making sounds
vote against
to not support someone or something with your vote
vote for
to give someone or something your vote
Collocations/W
Collocations beginning with W. Select a collocation for more details.
wage increase
an increase in the amount of money a wage-earner is paid
wage war
to begin a struggle or campaign to fight something
wait your turn
to wait until your turn comes
warm welcome
a friendly or positive reception
warning sign
a sign or indication that something's wrong
waste an opportunity
to not make use of an opportunity or chance
waste money
to spend money on something you don't really need or want
waste of time
something that's not worth spending time on
waste time
to spend time doing something that brings no results
waste water
used water that's discharged from factories, farms, homes, etc.
watch your weight
to be careful about what you eat so you don't put on weight
wave goodbye
to wave your hand when leaving, or when someone else is leaving
way ahead
far ahead, or a long way in front
weak point
part of something that's easy to attack or criticize
wear and tear
damage caused by normal use over time
welcome change
a pleasant or long-awaited change
well after
a long time after
well ahead
a long way ahead
well aware of
fully or completely aware or informed
well before
a long time before
well behind
a long way behind
well worth
definitely worth doing, getting, seeing, etc.
whole thing
the entire thing, or all of something
wide awake
completely awake or fully alert
wide open
fully open, of a door, window, eyes, mouth, etc.
wide range (1)
a large number of similar products, services, styles, options, etc.
wide range (2)
many different types, esp. of people, opinions, choices, results, etc.
widely used
used by many people or in many places
wild animal
an animal that's living free in its natural habitat
win a game
to beat your opponent in a game
win a war
to defeat the enemy in a war
win an award
to receive an award
win an election
to be awarded victory by those running an election
work hard
to put a lot of effort into what you're doing
work well
operate or function properly, efficiently, smoothly, etc.
working conditions
environment and conditions in which you work
worth a fortune
worth a lot of money
wrong number
an incorrect telephone number
wrong way (1)
wrong direction
wrong way (2)
incorrect method, technique, strategy, etc.
Collocations/XYZ
Collocations beginning with X-Z. Select a collocation for more details.
x-ray vision
the ability to see into or through objects made of non-transparent materials
yawning gap
a very wide gap
yet again
one more time, after many other times
yield results
to produce or provide results
young child
a person who's very young, but not a baby
young couple
two young people in a romantic relationship
young person
a person who's still young, but no longer a child
youthful enthusiasm
great enthusiasm that a young person feels
zero tolerance (1)
legal policy that allows politicians to set mandatory punishments that judges must apply
zero tolerance (2)
absolutely no tolerance for something
zero visibility
absolutely no visibility due to darkness, poor weather, etc.