Collocations
Collocations
Explore English words that belong together, with meanings, examples, and sentence practice. Browse by CEFR level or pattern, and add collocations to your deck for regular review.
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Showing 2017–2112 of 7341 phrases
Adjective + noun(96)
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fierce attack
an attack carried out with great intensity and aggression
final pass
a last review or check of a piece of work
financial year
a twelve-month period used for accounting and financial reporting purposes
firm stand
a clear and unyielding position held on a matter
first-hand experience
direct, personal experience of something rather than second-hand knowledge
freak accident
a highly unusual, unexpected accident that is very unlikely to recur
free agent
a person or player who is not under contract and can negotiate independently
full cover
insurance or protection that applies to all eventualities without limitation
full professor
A professor at the highest academic rank, below no further tenure tier
gaping hole
a large, wide-open hole or gap
gifted child
a child with exceptional natural ability or intelligence
gravitational pull
the force of gravity attracting objects toward a mass
health inspector
an official who verifies that hygiene and health regulations are being met
healthy relationship
A connection characterised by good communication, respect, and mutual support
heartfelt wish
a wish felt with warmth and deep sincerity
hearty laugh
A deep, genuine, and warm laugh expressing real amusement
high-security prison
a prison with strict measures to prevent escapes and hold dangerous offenders
hired killer
a person who is paid by someone else to commit murder
host country
a country that holds an international event or houses an international body
integral part
an essential component without which the whole cannot properly function
international law
the body of rules and agreements that govern relations between countries
keen sense
a sharply developed perception or awareness
key piece
the most important or central element of something
last stand
a final effort to resist defeat or overwhelming opposition
lethal weapon
a weapon capable of killing
long-distance running
the practice of running over distances of several kilometres or more
long-term plan
a strategy designed to achieve goals over an extended period of time
lower court
a court of law at a less senior level, below an appeals court
market share
The proportion of total sales in an industry held by one company
mass arrest
the simultaneous detention of a large number of people
mass shooting
a shooting incident in which multiple people are killed or injured
maximum-security prison
a prison with the highest level of security for the most dangerous offenders
migratory bird
a bird that travels seasonally between different geographic regions
milestone birthday
a birthday marking a particularly significant age, such as 18, 40, or 100
military power
the armed strength and defence capability of a nation
miraculous escape
an escape that seems almost impossible given the danger involved
mixed feelings
conflicting emotions felt about the same thing at the same time
murder trial
a court case in which a defendant is tried for the offence of murder
mutual respect
respect that is shared equally between two or more parties
mutual trust
trust that exists equally between two or more parties
nagging worry
a persistent, low-level feeling of anxiety that will not go away
nervous laugh
A laugh produced from awkwardness or anxiety rather than amusement
net worth
the total value of a person's or company's assets minus their liabilities
nuclear arms
weapons that use nuclear reactions to cause destruction
nuclear power
energy generated by nuclear reactions, used to produce electricity
open prison
a low-security prison with minimal physical restraints for inmates near the end of their sentence
open question
a question that has not yet been resolved or settled
organized crime
criminal activity carried out by structured, professional networks
outgoing president
a president who is about to leave office at the end of their term
overcrowded jail
A prison holding more inmates than it was designed for
passing mention
a casual, non-detailed reference made in passing
passing thought
a brief, fleeting idea that does not linger in the mind
peer pressure
influence from people of the same age or social group to conform or behave in a certain way
petty cash
a small fund of money kept for minor, everyday expenses in an office or organisation
potential client
a person or company who may become a client in the future
premature death
death that occurs earlier than would normally be expected, especially from preventable causes
prior notice
warning or information given in advance
promotional video
a video created to advertise a product, event, or organization
public hanging
an execution by hanging performed openly before spectators
public hearing
a formal session open and accessible to the general public
public shame
humiliation experienced openly in front of others or reported publicly
public trust
the confidence that citizens have in public institutions or officials
quiet grace
a calm, understated dignity or elegance
recurring dream
a dream that one has repeatedly over time
regular client
a client who repeatedly uses a service over a long period
rightful king
the person who has the legitimate hereditary claim to the throne
riot police
police trained and equipped to control large, violent crowds
root cause
the fundamental underlying reason for a problem
rough night
A night that is difficult, uncomfortable, or disturbed.
safety record
the history of accidents, injuries, or incidents within an organisation or industry
satisfied client
a client who is happy with the service they have received
scratchy throat
a throat that feels rough and irritated
senior position
a high-ranking job or role in an organisation
serious charge
a grave legal accusation carrying significant consequences
severe burn
a serious burn injury affecting deep layers of skin
sheer beauty
pure, absolute beauty — used to emphasise how striking something is
sheer force
force that is impressive purely by its magnitude
sheer luck
success resulting completely from chance, emphasizing the total absence of skill or planning
sheer pleasure
absolute, unqualified pleasure
significant difference
a contrast that is large enough to be meaningful or important, often used in formal or academic contexts
slim chance
a very small probability
small arms
light, portable firearms such as rifles and pistols
smooth running
the efficient and uninterrupted operation of a system or process
solar cell
A device that converts sunlight directly into electricity
sound sleep
undisturbed, thorough, restful sleep
spoken word
language expressed orally rather than in writing
stained-glass window
A decorative window assembled from pieces of coloured glass
standing order
a regular automatic bank payment or a permanent standing instruction
stem cell
An undifferentiated cell capable of developing into many different cell types
straight talk
direct, honest speech without evasion or softening
supportive husband
a husband who actively encourages and assists his spouse
tax inspector
an official who examines tax records and ensures legal compliance
tempting offer
an offer that is very attractive and hard to decline
the hard truth
a difficult or painful fact that is nonetheless real and must be faced
the plain truth
the facts stated simply and directly, without softening or decoration
thunderous applause
extremely loud, resounding clapping from an audience