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 1345–1440 of 1744 phrases
Verb + noun (3)
Adjective + noun (58)
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transitional stage
a temporary phase during a change from one state or system to another
transparent quartz
clear quartz through which light passes without hiding objects behind it
unaffected grace
natural elegance that does not seem forced or showy
unbiased account
a description of events that does not unfairly favor any side
unfavorable impression
A negative opinion or feeling formed about someone or something.
united front
A shared public position maintained by people acting together.
unjust accusation
An allegation that unfairly blames someone for wrongdoing.
unofficial mayor
A person who informally plays a mayor-like leadership role without holding the office.
vice chancellor
An official who serves as a deputy to a chancellor.
violent dislike
An extremely strong feeling of dislike.
wasteful duplication
Unnecessary repetition that uses time, effort, or resources without sufficient benefit.
weak link
A part of a connected system that is more likely to fail than the others.
wet nurse
A woman who breastfeeds another person's baby, often as paid work.
wide vocabulary
A large range of words or expressive techniques available for use.
abandoned farmhouse
a farm dwelling that has been left empty and no longer maintained
ancient temple
a building for worship dating from a very remote historical period
awkward predicament
an uncomfortable or embarrassing difficulty that is hard to escape
bloodstained shirt
a shirt marked or soaked with blood
bony framework
the supporting structure formed by the bones of a body
boyish grin
a wide smile with the youthful playfulness associated with a boy
broad hint
an indirect suggestion that is nevertheless easy to understand
careless elegance
an attractive style that appears effortless rather than deliberately arranged
clammy skin
skin that feels unpleasantly cool and damp
clear indication
an unmistakable sign that something is true or happening
close supervision
careful and continuous oversight of a person or activity
cultural revolution
a far-reaching change in a society's beliefs, customs, or ways of living
cultural surroundings
the social and artistic environment influencing a person's experiences
cultural trait
a recognizable practice, belief, or feature shared within a culture
decent burial
a respectful and appropriate ceremony for putting a dead person to rest
dependable worker
a person whose work and reliability can be trusted
desirable outcome
a result that people would want or consider beneficial
distinguished career
a working life marked by respected achievements
dutiful child
a young person who willingly obeys or helps out of a sense of responsibility
economic hub
a central place for business, trade, and related activity
economic outlook
the expected future condition of business, employment, and trade
economical use
using a resource carefully so that little is wasted
elegant handwriting
writing by hand that looks graceful, refined, and pleasing
enduring disposition
a temperament that patiently tolerates ongoing hardship or mistreatment
excessive growth
an increase that goes beyond a useful, necessary, or manageable amount
exhausting job
a task or occupation that leaves someone very tired
exquisite face
a face considered exceptionally beautiful and delicately formed
fabulous vacation
a period away from work or school that is extremely enjoyable
firm grasp
a strong and secure hold on something
flexible workforce
a group of workers whose numbers, hours, or duties can adjust to changing needs
flowery hat
a head covering decorated with flowers or floral designs
formidable opponent
a rival whose strength or skill makes them difficult to defeat
forward motion
movement toward the direction ahead
fresh scent
A smell that has only recently been produced or left behind.
frosty glass
A drinking glass covered with a thin layer of frost.
frugal lunch
A simple, economical midday meal that avoids unnecessary expense.
full glare
The complete, intense brightness of a strong light.
funky clothes
Clothing that is stylish in an unusual, lively, or unconventional way.
furious scowl
An intensely angry facial expression with tightened or lowered eyebrows.
gaudy costume
An outfit that is excessively bright, ornate, or showy.
generous portion
An amount of food that is larger than usual or more than enough.
genuine dilemma
A real situation requiring a difficult choice between conflicting alternatives.
girlish charm
An appealing quality traditionally associated with a young girl's manner or appearance.
gloomy forest
A forest that is dark and gives a somber or oppressive impression.
Noun + noun (10)
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toe box
the front part of a shoe that encloses and protects the toes
toy poodle
a poodle of the smallest recognized size variety
trophy case
a cabinet or enclosed display for prizes won in competitions
walnut tree
A tree of the walnut group, often grown for its nuts or valuable wood.
whip snake
A slender, fast-moving snake with a long tail resembling a whip.
alligator clip
a small spring-loaded fastener with metal jaws that grip an object
balance sheet
a financial statement showing assets, liabilities, and ownership equity at a particular date
castor sugar
white sugar ground into small crystals that dissolve readily
elm tree
a broad-leaved tree of the elm group, often grown for shade or timber
empire builder
a person who creates or expands a large business or political organization
Verb + adverb (4)
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act rationally
to make choices and behave according to reason rather than impulse
broadcast nationwide
to transmit a program so that audiences across an entire country can receive it
brought forth
produced or presented something for others to see or consider
bum around
to spend time idly without doing useful work
Adverb + adjective (21)
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too involved
more complicated than someone can easily understand or manage
unnecessarily rude
Impolite to a degree or in a situation where there is no need for it.
utterly miserable
Extremely unhappy or uncomfortable.
wholly convinced
Completely certain that something is true or correct.
wildly unrealistic
Very far from what is practical, believable, or likely to happen.
almost inaccessible
extremely difficult to obtain or consult
always underfoot
continually in someone's way or close enough to hinder movement
badly shaken
deeply shocked or emotionally disturbed by an event
busily engaged
actively occupied with a task that requires attention
deliberately deceptive
intentionally designed to give someone a false impression
densely packed
placed very close together with little empty space
doubly wrong
incorrect in two separate respects
enormously popular
liked or chosen by a very large number of people
environmentally safe
unlikely to harm the natural environment when used as intended
exceptionally quick
unusually fast at doing or understanding something
extraordinarily handsome
exceptionally attractive in appearance
financially unattractive
offering too little monetary benefit or too much financial disadvantage to be appealing
finely shaped
formed with delicate and pleasing lines or contours
formerly used
employed for a purpose in the past, but no longer
genuinely good
Truly kind, honest, or morally admirable.
globally significant
Important on a worldwide scale.