Phrases
10,000+ English phrases, collocations, and idioms, tagged by the CEFR level of the vocabulary they contain. Start with A1 — phrases built from the most common words.
New
Mastered
Verb + noun (208)
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answer a question
to provide a response to a question
answer the phone
to pick up a ringing phone and speak to the caller
ask a question
to address a question to someone in order to find something out
attend a class
be present at a scheduled lesson
become a father
have a child for the first time; take on the role of a father
boil water
heat water to 100 °C, typically to sterilise it or prepare food
brush hair
to smooth or style hair by drawing a brush through it
build a house
construct a house from the ground up
build a wall
construct a wall
buy a car
to purchase a car
buy a drink
pay for a beverage, often as a gesture for someone else
buy a house
purchase a residential property
call a doctor
phone or summon a doctor, especially in an urgent situation
catch a ball
receive and hold a ball that has been thrown or hit toward you
catch a bus
board a bus before it departs
catch a train
board a train in time before it departs
catch fish
to capture fish using a rod, net, or trap
change clothes
to put on a different set of clothing
check one's watch
to look at one's watch to see what time it is
clean a room
to tidy and remove dirt from a room
clean the floor
remove dirt and mess from the floor
clean the kitchen
tidy and wash the surfaces and appliances in a kitchen
climb a tree
to go up into a tree using your hands and feet
close a shop
To permanently or temporarily shut a shop
close a store
To shut down a retail shop permanently or for a period
close a window
To shut a window so that air can no longer pass through
close one's mouth
to press the lips together
close the door
to shut a door so that the gap is sealed
close your eyes
to shut your eyes
cook dinner
to prepare the evening meal using heat
cook fish
to prepare fish using heat
cook food
to prepare food by applying heat
cover one's face
to put something over one's face to hide or protect it
cross a street
walk from one side of a street to the other
cut hair
to trim or style hair using scissors or clippers
dig a hole
to excavate or create a hollow space in the ground
do a dance
perform a dance
do a jump
perform a jump, typically as sport or display
draw a line
to make a mark on a surface, or to set a boundary on what is acceptable
draw a picture
to create an image by drawing
drink coffee
to consume coffee as a regular habit
drink tea
to consume tea as a beverage
drink water
consume water by swallowing it
drive a car
to operate a car as its driver
eat fish
to consume fish as food
end the day
to finish one's activities for the day
enjoy the weekend
to have a pleasant time during the weekend
fail a test
not achieve a successful result in a test
feed a baby
to give a baby milk or solid food
feed a horse
give food to a horse
feed animals
to give food to animals
feed the birds
to give food to birds, typically in a garden or park
feed the dog
to give food to a dog
fill a cup
to put liquid into a cup until it is full
fill a glass
To pour liquid into a glass until it is full or nearly full
fill a hole
to put material into a hollow space to make it level or solid
find a boyfriend
meet and begin a relationship with a man
find a job
to search for and obtain employment
find a place
locate a suitable spot or seat
find information
to locate or discover information
find the answer
to discover or work out the solution to a question or problem
finish work
to complete one's work for the day
follow signs
use directional signs to navigate
forget a birthday
to fail to remember or acknowledge someone's birthday
form a line
to arrange people or things in a row
get a boyfriend
start a romantic relationship with a man
get a job
to successfully obtain employment
get an idea
to come to have a thought or plan
get sleep
obtain rest through sleeping
give a kiss
press one's lips to someone as a gesture of affection
give a name
assign a name to someone or something
give a test
administer a test to students or candidates
give an answer
to respond to a question or request for information
go to school
to attend school as a student on a regular basis
have a baby
to give birth to a child
have a boy
to give birth to or be the parent of a male child
have a boyfriend
be in a romantic relationship with a man
have a coffee
to drink a cup of coffee, often in a social context
have a dream
experience a dream while sleeping, or hold a strong ambition
have a drink
consume a beverage, especially in a social setting
have a family
to have a partner and children
have a girlfriend
To be in a romantic relationship with a woman
have a kid
become a parent; have a child
have a problem
to experience a difficulty
have a son
to be the parent of a male child
have a talk
to have a conversation, often a serious one
have an idea
to possess or think of an idea
have dinner
to eat the evening meal
have fun
enjoy oneself
have luck
to experience good fortune or success in finding or achieving something
hear a cry
perceive a cry with one's ears
hear the news
to receive information about a recent event
hit a ball
to strike a ball with a bat, racket, or hand
hold someone's hand
clasp another person's hand in yours, for comfort, affection, or guidance
join a club
become a member of a club
join a group
become part of an existing group
join a team
to become a member of a group working or playing together
keep a cat
To have a cat as a resident pet in your home
kick a ball
to strike a ball with the foot
know the answer
to already have the correct response in mind
learn a dance
acquire the ability to do a specific dance
leave a message
record or write a message for someone who is unavailable
leave the house
go outside from home
leave the room
to go out of a room
leave the station
depart from a station
lock the door
to secure a door with a key or bolt
lose a game
to be defeated in a game
lose a key
to misplace a key so it cannot be found
make a call
to telephone someone
make a friend
to form a friendship with a new person
make a plan
to devise a strategy or scheme for achieving something
make a wish
to express a desire or hope, especially as a ritual gesture
make coffee
to prepare coffee for drinking
make dinner
to prepare and put together the evening meal
make tea
to prepare tea by infusing leaves or a bag in hot water
make the bed
to straighten and tidy the sheets and covers of a bed after sleeping
meet a friend
to see or spend time with a friend
miss a bus
arrive too late to board a bus
miss a class
fail to attend a scheduled lesson
miss a train
to arrive too late to board a planned train
need rain
to require rainfall, especially for crops or water supplies
need sleep
require rest through sleeping
open a letter
unseal and read a letter that has arrived
open a store
To start operating a retail shop
open a window
To move a window so that air can flow through it
open one's mouth
to part the lips, especially to speak or eat
open the door
to move a door to allow entry or passage
order a drink
request a beverage from a server at a bar or restaurant
order food
to request food from a restaurant or delivery service
paint a picture
to create an image using paint
paint a wall
apply paint to a wall
pass a test
achieve a successful result in a test
play a game
to participate in a game
play music
to perform music on an instrument or through a sound system
pour a cup
to pour liquid into a cup
pour a drink
transfer a beverage from a bottle or jug into a glass
pour tea
to transfer brewed tea from a pot or jug into a cup
pour water
tip water from a container so that it flows into something else
put on pants
to dress oneself in pants
raise your hand
lift your hand to signal attention or indicate a response
read a book
to go through the text of a book
read a message
look at and take in the content of a written message
read a sign
look at and understand the message on a sign
receive a letter
get a written message that was sent to you
rent a house
pay to live in a house owned by someone else
ride a horse
sit on and control a horse as it moves
save a seat
keep a seat free for someone who is not yet there
save water
use less water, especially to conserve a limited resource
see a doctor
visit or consult a doctor for medical advice or treatment
see a movie
to go and watch a movie, especially at a cinema
send a card
To mail or deliver a greeting card to someone
send a letter
dispatch a written message by post or email
send a message
transmit a message to someone
shake hands
grasp and move someone's hand up and down as a greeting or to seal an agreement
shake your head
to move your head from side to side, typically indicating disagreement or disbelief
sign one's name
write one's name as a signature on a document
sing a song
to perform a song with one's voice
spend a month
to pass an entire month somewhere or doing something
spend an hour
to use an hour doing a particular activity
spend the day
to pass the hours of a day doing something
spend the night
to sleep somewhere overnight
spend the summer
pass the summer season somewhere or doing something
spend the weekend
to pass the time of the weekend doing something or somewhere
start a fire
to cause something to begin burning
start the day
to begin the morning's activities
start work
to begin a job or begin working
stay the night
to sleep at someone's home or another place overnight
study art
learn about or practise art formally
study history
learn about past events as an academic subject
take a bus
travel somewhere by bus
take a class
enrol in and attend a course or lesson
take a drive
to go on a journey in a vehicle, typically for pleasure or relaxation
take a picture
to photograph someone or something
take a plane
to travel somewhere by aeroplane
take a seat
sit down
take a test
sit and complete an examination or assessment
take a train
to travel somewhere by train
take a walk
to go walking, usually for pleasure or exercise
take an hour
to require one hour in duration
take care
to act with caution, or to look after someone or something
teach a class
instruct a group of students in a lesson
teach art
instruct others in artistic skills or art history
tell a story
narrate a tale or account of events
throw a ball
to propel a ball through the air with the hand
turn a key
to rotate a key inside a lock to open or close it
turn on a computer
to start a computer by activating its power
use a computer
to operate a computer in order to carry out tasks
visit a friend
to go to see a friend at their home or elsewhere
visit a park
to go to a park for leisure or recreation
walk the dog
to take a dog outside for exercise
wash clothes
to clean clothes using water and detergent
wash hair
to clean one's hair using water and shampoo
wash one's face
to clean one's face with water and soap
watch a game
to observe a game as a spectator
watch a movie
to view a film as entertainment
watch a show
view a performance or television program
watch a video
to view a recorded or streamed video
watch the sky
to observe the sky attentively over a period of time
wave your hand
move your hand back and forth to greet or attract attention
wear a ring
have a ring on one's finger as jewellery
wear a watch
to have a watch fastened around one's wrist
wear pants
to have pants on as clothing
win a fight
to defeat an opponent in a conflict
win a game
to be victorious in a game
wipe one's mouth
to clean the lips and surrounding area after eating
wish someone luck
to express hope that someone will succeed or have good fortune
write a book
to compose and complete a full-length written work
write a letter
compose a written message to send to someone
Adjective + noun (141)
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a good reason
a strong, acceptable justification for something
a long walk
a walking journey that covers a great distance or takes considerable time
a short walk
a walking distance that takes only a few minutes
a small town
a town with a relatively low population and limited amenities
a young lady
a girl or young woman, often used as a polite or formal form of address
action movie
a film featuring fast-paced sequences, physical stunts, and conflict
an old lady
an elderly woman
an old town
the historical or original part of a town, typically with older buildings
back seat
a seat at the rear, especially in a vehicle
bad dream
an unpleasant or frightening dream
bad guy
the villain or wrongdoer in a situation
bad luck
misfortune; unfortunate events caused by chance rather than one's own actions
bad smell
An unpleasant or offensive odour
best friend
the friend you feel closest to
best wishes
a polite expression of hope for someone's happiness or success
big day
an important or special day
big difference
a large or important contrast between two things
big problem
a serious or significant difficulty
birthday card
A greetings card sent to mark someone's birthday
birthday party
a celebration held for someone's birthday
blank paper
paper with nothing written or printed on it
broken glass
Pieces of glass that have been shattered
bus stop
a designated place where buses pick up and drop off passengers
busy day
a day full of activities or tasks
busy street
a street with a lot of traffic or people
clean clothes
clothes that have been washed and are free from dirt
clean water
water that is free from pollutants and safe for drinking or everyday use
clear sky
a sky with no clouds, allowing full visibility
coffee shop
A café that primarily serves coffee and light refreshments
cold drink
a chilled or cool beverage
cold water
water at a low temperature
corner shop
A small general shop on a street corner, often open long hours
curly hair
hair that forms natural curves, spirals, or waves
dark hair
hair that is brown or black in color
deep hole
a hole that extends far downward
early evening
the first part of the evening, around dusk
email address
the unique identifier used to send or receive email
empty cup
a cup with no liquid remaining in it
empty seat
a seat that no one is occupying
family dinner
a meal shared by family members, usually at home
farm animal
an animal raised on a farm for food, labour, or other products
fast food
food prepared and served very quickly, typically in chain restaurants
favourite aunt
the aunt one likes or feels closest to
first kiss
the initial romantic kiss between two people
first name
the personal given name, as distinct from the family name
first step
the initial action in a process
front seat
a seat at the front, especially in a vehicle
full cup
a cup filled completely with liquid
full name
both the given name and family name together
gift shop
A shop selling souvenirs, gifts, and novelty items
good guess
an attempt at an answer that turns out to be correct or reasonable
good guy
a person who is morally upright or likeable
good health
a state of being well and free from illness
good idea
a sensible or useful suggestion or thought
good luck
success or fortune resulting from chance; used as a wish for someone's success
good news
information about a positive or favourable event
good question
a question that is thoughtful, well-framed, or worth considering
good teacher
a teacher who is effective and makes learning clear
good work
effort or results that are praiseworthy
happy birthday
a conventional greeting used to wish someone well on their birthday
hard work
effort that requires great physical or mental energy
high school
a school for teenagers in the American system, typically grades 9–12
high wall
a wall that is tall
home address
the address of the place where someone lives
horror movie
a film designed to frighten and unsettle the viewer
hot drink
a warm beverage such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate
hot summer
a summer season with high temperatures
hot tea
tea served at a high temperature
human body
the physical form of a person
Italian restaurant
a restaurant serving Italian cuisine
large family
a family with many children
large group
a group consisting of many people
last name
the family or surname
late night
a night when one stays up past a normal bedtime
left turn
a change of direction to the left side while driving or walking
little boy
a young male child
little brother
one's younger male sibling (informal)
little girl
a young female child
little kid
a very young child
little sister
a younger female sibling (informal, affectionate)
local park
a small park situated in the immediate neighbourhood for community use
local restaurant
a restaurant situated in the nearby area
local shop
A shop that serves the immediate neighbourhood
local store
A shop that serves the immediate neighbourhood
long day
a day that feels exhausting or time-consuming
long drive
a lengthy car journey taking a considerable amount of time
long hair
hair that extends considerably below the ear or shoulder
long hours
extended or excessive periods of time spent working
long summer
a summer that feels extended or is remembered as lasting a long time
long talk
an extended conversation
long wait
a waiting period of considerable duration
loud cry
a cry that can be heard clearly at a distance
main street
the principal commercial street of a town
many thanks
an expression of considerable gratitude
modern kitchen
a kitchen with contemporary design and up-to-date appliances
narrow street
a street that is not wide
naughty boy
a male child who misbehaves or disobeys rules
new baby
a baby who has just recently arrived in the family
new boyfriend
a recently acquired romantic partner
new car
a car that has never been previously owned
old friend
a friend you have known for a long time
older sister
a female sibling who is older than oneself
online store
A retail shop that operates over the internet
open window
A window that is in the open position, allowing air to flow through
paper cup
a disposable cup made of paper
paper plane
a toy aircraft folded from a sheet of paper
pet cat
A cat kept as a domestic companion
pet dog
a dog kept in a home as a companion animal
phone call
a telephone conversation
plastic bag
a bag made from plastic, typically used to carry shopping
plastic cup
a cup made of plastic material
police officer
a member of the police force
pop music
a genre of popular music characterized by catchy melodies and a wide commercial appeal
quick kiss
a brief, hurried kiss
quiet evening
a calm evening at home with little activity or noise
quiet street
a street with little noise or traffic
right turn
a change of direction to the right side while driving or walking
safe place
a location where one is not in danger
school bus
a bus that transports children to and from school
short drive
a brief car journey covering a small distance
short hair
hair cut close to the head, not extending below the ear
short wait
a brief waiting period
small group
a group consisting of only a few people
small island
An island of limited size
smart kid
a child who is clever or quick to learn
soft drink
a non-alcoholic, usually carbonated beverage
straight line
a line with no curves or bends
summer months
the months that make up the summer season
teddy bear
a soft toy in the shape of a bear
warm clothes
thick or insulating clothing suitable for cold weather
whole weekend
the entire duration of the weekend without interruption
wild animal
an animal that lives freely in nature and is not domesticated
wild bird
a bird that lives in nature rather than in captivity
wild horse
a horse living freely in nature, not domesticated
wine glass
A tall glass with a stem, designed for drinking wine
young boy
a male child, not yet a teenager
young child
a child of an early age
young girl
a female child or adolescent of relatively young age
young person
a child, teenager, or young adult
young woman
a woman who is not old, typically in her teens, twenties, or thirties
younger sister
a female sibling who is younger than oneself