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.
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Showing 1–96 of 1744 phrases
Adjective + noun (96)
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a compelling reason
a very strong justification that is difficult to argue against
a nuclear war
a war in which nuclear weapons are used
absent father
A father who is not present in his children's daily lives
acting chief
a person temporarily performing the duties of the chief
advance notice
warning or information given before something happens
amateur detective
a person who investigates crimes as a pastime rather than as a profession
ambitious plan
a plan that aims to achieve something bold or large in scope
analytical brain
a mind skilled at breaking down information and reasoning logically
annual return
a yearly financial profit or mandatory yearly report filed with authorities
authentic feel
a quality of seeming genuine and not artificial
authority figure
a person who has recognized power or influence over others, such as a parent, teacher, or employer
bay window
A window set in a projecting recess that juts out from the main wall of a building
biting wind
a sharply cold wind that feels painful on exposed skin
bold step
a brave or decisive action that involves risk
brute force
raw physical power used without skill or subtlety
building inspector
an official who checks that construction meets legal safety standards
burning shame
an intense, consuming feeling of shame
candlelit dinner
a romantic evening meal lit by candles
casual sex
sexual activity outside of a committed relationship
central bank
the national bank that manages a country's monetary policy and currency
chemical burn
a burn injury caused by contact with a corrosive chemical substance
chief inspector
the senior or head inspector within an organization or department
choral singing
singing performed by a choir or large group in harmony
chronic pain
long-lasting, persistent pain
clinical trial
a scientific study that tests the effects of a medical treatment on people
commercial bank
a bank that provides financial services to businesses and the public for profit
compelling read
a text so engaging that you feel driven to keep reading
complex system
a system with many interconnected and difficult-to-understand parts
confidential information
information that is meant to remain private and not be disclosed
contemporary art
art produced in the present time or very recent past
craft beer
beer produced by a small, independent brewery using traditional methods
criminal charge
a formal legal accusation of a criminal offence
criminal court
a court that deals with offences against the law
criminal law
the branch of law that relates to crimes and their punishment
cross-country running
running over natural terrain such as fields, hills, and mud
crucial moment
a point in time that is extremely important and decisive
crushing blow
a completely devastating setback that is very difficult to recover from
decisive win
a clear, convincing victory that leaves little doubt about the outcome
deep sense
a profound feeling of something
defining moment
a point in time that shapes the nature or outcome of something larger
definitive answer
a conclusive, authoritative response that fully settles a matter
detailed study
a thorough and comprehensive investigation
devastating fire
a fire that causes great destruction to property or landscape
developing country
a country with a lower level of economic and industrial development
devoted husband
a husband deeply committed to his wife and family
double agent
a spy who secretly works for two opposing sides simultaneously
dramatic drop
a very large or striking decrease
draught beer
beer served directly from a barrel or keg through a tap, rather than from a bottle or can
drive-by shooting
a shooting carried out from a moving vehicle against a person or building
dubious honor
a distinction that is not entirely positive or flattering
dying wish
a final desire expressed by someone close to death
economic power
the financial and commercial strength of a country or organization
effortless grace
great elegance achieved without any apparent difficulty
emotional support
comfort and encouragement offered to help someone cope with feelings or difficulties
essential service
a service considered vital for society to function, such as health care or utilities
exclusive club
a club that is difficult to join and limited to a select group
existing client
a client who currently uses a company's services
expectant father
a man whose partner is pregnant; a father-to-be
expectant mother
a woman who is pregnant
extensive search
a search covering a wide area or many sources
extra cover
additional insurance or protection beyond a basic policy
faint hope
a very small or slim chance that something good will happen
faint smell
A scent that is very weak and barely perceptible
fair hearing
an impartial opportunity to present one's case or views
fair trial
a legal proceeding conducted impartially and in accordance with proper procedure
fatal blow
a strike or setback that causes complete failure or irreversible destruction
fatal shooting
a shooting that results in at least one person's death
faulty engine
an engine that is not functioning correctly
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