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 (109)
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abandon a plan
to stop pursuing a plan before it is completed
advise a client
to give professional guidance or recommendations to a client
apply a finish
put a protective or decorative coating on a surface
appoint an agent
to officially designate someone to act as an agent on one's behalf
assess the situation
evaluate all the details of a situation before deciding how to act
attend a hearing
to be present at an official formal session
attract clients
to draw new clients to a business or service
avert your eyes
to look away, especially from something unpleasant or shocking
avoid prison
to escape being sent to prison, often through a legal technicality or light sentence
blame the victim
to hold the person who was harmed responsible for what happened to them
brave the wind
to endure strong or unpleasant wind in order to do something
brew beer
to make beer through the brewing process
bring charges
to initiate a formal legal accusation against someone
bring to an end
to cause something to finish or stop
call off a search
cancel or abandon an ongoing search operation
catch a glimpse
see something briefly and only partially
cause wear
to produce deterioration in a material through use or friction
chair a meeting
act as the person in charge of conducting a meeting
challenge someone's thinking
question or push against the way a person reasons or holds their views
cherish a moment
to hold a moment in warm and lasting memory
choose your words
select language carefully, especially in a sensitive situation
cite a figure
to quote a specific number as evidence or reference
cite a study
to refer to a study as evidence or support for an argument or claim
claim a win
to take or achieve a victory, sometimes against expectations
clear one's throat
to make a short cough in order to speak more easily or to attract attention
command respect
to naturally inspire respect in others through authority, skill, or presence
conduct a study
to carry out a formal investigation or piece of research
conduct a trial
to carry out a systematic trial, especially a scientific or medical experiment
convict a killer
to find a murderer guilty in a court of law
damage cells
To harm biological cells physically or chemically
deceive the public
to deliberately mislead ordinary people with false information
deliver a service
to carry out or fulfil a service that has been contracted or promised
depose a king
to formally strip a king of his title and power
draw a weapon
to take a weapon out in readiness to use it
draw applause
to cause an audience to start clapping
draw up a plan
to prepare a detailed written plan or proposal
drop charges
to withdraw formal legal accusations
empower women
to give women greater confidence, authority, or resources to act independently
endure a wait
to tolerate a wait, especially one that is long or difficult
enhance beauty
to improve or intensify the appearance or beauty of something
exert force
put out or apply force, especially in a sustained way
face charges
to be confronted with formal legal accusations
face prison
to be in a situation where imprisonment is a likely consequence
face trial
to be required to appear in court to answer criminal charges
file a return
to submit an official financial or tax document
force a laugh
To produce a laugh insincerely when one does not find something funny
fulfil a wish
to bring about or satisfy a desired outcome
grant a favor
agree to do something someone has formally requested
grant leave
to officially allow someone to be absent from work
hold a hearing
to conduct a formal session at which evidence or testimony is presented
hold a trial
to conduct a formal court hearing
hold shares
To keep shares as a continuing investment over time
identify the cause
to determine what produced a problem or event
impeach a president
to formally charge a president with serious misconduct while in office
influence someone's thinking
have a notable effect on how a person reasons or forms opinions
investigate a shooting
to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding a shooting incident
irritate the throat
to cause discomfort or inflammation in the throat
join the board
to become a member of a board of directors or governing body
launch an attack
begin or initiate an attack
lay down arms
stop fighting and surrender one's weapons
maintain a relationship
To keep a relationship stable and ongoing despite pressures
make a kill
To successfully hunt and kill prey (used of predators or hunters).
make a stand
to firmly resist or oppose something, refusing to yield
mark a year
to commemorate the passing of a year since a significant event
master a language
achieve full fluency and command of a language
master a skill
achieve a high level of competence in a skill
master a subject
gain thorough knowledge and competence in an area of study
master a technique
gain complete command of a method or procedure
mount an attack
organise and begin an attack
overthrow a government
to remove a government from power by force
press charges
to formally accuse someone of a crime through legal channels
provide cover
to offer protection or shelter from something
publish a paper
to have a research document formally released in a journal
publish a study
to make the findings of a research study available in print or online
put a figure on
to state a specific number for something that is difficult to quantify
raise a question
to bring up an issue for discussion or consideration
raise the matter
to introduce a subject for discussion or consideration
reach a decision
to arrive at a conclusion after deliberation or discussion
reduce wear
to lessen the amount of deterioration from use
renovate a building
repair and improve a building
report a shooting
to give an account of a shooting incident to authorities or the public
represent a country
to act officially on behalf of a country at an event or in negotiations
request a hearing
to formally ask for a legal or official proceeding to take place
resist change
oppose or fight against modifications to the existing way of doing things
rev an engine
to increase the speed of an engine, especially while the vehicle is stationary
reverse a decision
to change a decision that was previously made
run a bank
to manage and operate a bank as its leader
seize power
to take authority by force or sudden decisive action
serve a cause
to work in dedication to a particular aim or purpose
serve a client
to attend to and meet the needs of a client
shape someone's thinking
influence and form the way a person develops their opinions over time
soothe one's throat
to relieve irritation or pain in the throat
stage an escape
arrange and deliberately carry out an escape
stand trial
to appear in court as a defendant in a criminal case
stimulate the brain
to actively engage mental processes and keep the mind alert
strain one's voice
put excessive stress on the vocal cords
strike a deal
reach a mutually agreed arrangement, especially after negotiation
strip the bed
to remove all the linen from a bed
support a cause
to back or advocate for a social, political, or moral aim
suppress a cry
hold back or prevent a cry from escaping
survive a shooting
to remain alive after being shot
take a decision
to make a formal or considered choice
take a stand
to declare and maintain a firm position on an issue
take up arms
begin to fight, especially by picking up weapons
tighten security
to make security measures stricter and more thorough
verify someone's age
confirm that a person is old enough for a product or service
wage war
to carry on armed conflict or a sustained campaign against someone
withstand wear
to endure prolonged use without deteriorating significantly
witness a shooting
to see a shooting incident happen directly
Adjective + noun (178)
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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
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
timeless beauty
beauty that does not fade or go out of fashion
torrential rain
extremely heavy, fast-falling rain
true master
someone who has achieved complete mastery of a skill or art
unborn child
a child that has not yet been born; a fetus
undercover police
police officers working in disguise or without revealing their identity
unlawful arrest
a detention carried out without legal authority
urgent matter
an issue that requires immediate attention
utmost respect
the highest possible degree of respect one can show
visiting professor
A professor temporarily based at a university other than their own
well-earned rest
a period of relaxation that is deserved after hard work
wider public
ordinary people beyond a specific group; society at large
wishful thinking
believing something is true or achievable simply because you want it to be, regardless of evidence
written notice
a formal announcement delivered in written form
wrongful arrest
the illegal or unjustified detention of a person