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 1441–1536 of 1744 phrases
Verb + noun (2)
Adjective + noun (73)
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godly man
A man whose conduct shows strong religious devotion.
good upbringing
A childhood in which someone receives helpful care, guidance, and manners.
governmental policy
A plan or course of action adopted by a government.
gravelly voice
A speaking or singing voice with a rough, low, grating sound.
gray wolf
a large wild member of the dog family with a typically gray or gray-brown coat
halfway mark
The point at which half of a distance, period, or task has been completed.
harmless bacteria
Bacteria that do not cause harm in the circumstances being discussed.
harsh language
Words that express severe criticism, anger, or unkindness.
heavy downpour
A fall of rain with very large amounts arriving in a short time.
homeward direction
A direction leading back toward home.
honest reporting
The presentation of information without deliberate deception or concealment.
hot salsa
A salsa that produces a strong burning sensation from chili peppers.
icy stare
A fixed look that expresses coldness, hostility, or disdain.
ignorant man
A man who lacks knowledge or education in the matter being discussed.
impartial eye
A way of observing or judging that avoids favoring one side.
impractical solution
An answer to a problem that cannot reasonably be put into effect.
improbable event
Something that has a low chance of happening.
inaccurate translation
A rendering in another language that contains errors or changes the original meaning.
inadequate training
Preparation or instruction that falls short of what a task requires.
inanimate body
A person's body showing no visible signs of life or movement.
inconsiderate behavior
Actions that show insufficient care for other people's feelings or needs.
indescribable beauty
An appearance or quality so beautiful that words seem unable to express it.
indifferent performance
A performance that is unremarkable and neither especially good nor especially bad.
indulgent attitude
A lenient or kindly approach that readily forgives faults or permits wishes.
ineffective teacher
A teacher whose methods do not produce the intended learning results.
insistent cry
A repeated or persistent call that strongly attracts attention.
interactive exchange
Communication in which participants actively respond to and influence one another.
irresponsible action
Something done without sufficient care for its likely consequences.
isolated village
A village separated from other settlements or difficult to reach.
joyous laughter
Laughter that expresses strong happiness.
legible handwriting
Writing by hand that is clear enough to read.
legitimate government
A government regarded as having a lawful or properly recognized right to rule.
lifeless body
The body of a person or animal that is no longer alive.
lifelike portrait
A picture of a person that closely resembles their real appearance.
logical expectation
An anticipated result that follows reasonably from the available facts.
long drought
An extended period with very little or no rainfall.
long leash
A relatively large amount of freedom from close supervision or control.
masterful technique
A highly skilled and confident way of performing an activity.
mean value
An average used to represent the central size of a set of numerical values.
medieval knighthood
The institution or status of knights during the Middle Ages.
modest inflation
A relatively small rise in the general level of prices.
moldy bread
Bread on which mold has grown.
momentary glimpse
A view of something that lasts only a very short time.
moody silence
A refusal or failure to speak that suggests brooding unhappiness or irritation.
motherly love
Affection and protective care like that associated with a mother.
mournful news
Information that causes sadness or grief.
mutable nature
A character or essential quality that is liable to change.
national heritage
The traditions, historic places, and cultural achievements inherited by a country.
needless loss
The disappearance, destruction, or death of something or someone that could have been avoided.
neighboring tribe
A tribal community living near another community or area.
northward flow
Movement of traffic, water, or another stream toward the north.
nuclear holocaust
Mass destruction and loss of life caused by nuclear warfare.
offhand manner
A casual way of behaving that can seem thoughtless or dismissive.
old overcoat
A long outdoor coat that has been owned or used for many years.
ongoing evaluation
Assessment carried out while a project is still being implemented.
optimistic mood
A state of mind in which someone expects favorable results.
organic remains
Material left from once-living plants or animals.
outrageous amount
A quantity, especially of money, that seems far beyond what is reasonable.
passionate love
Intense romantic affection accompanied by strong emotion and desire.
pesky mosquito
A mosquito that causes repeated annoyance.
picturesque village
a small rural settlement whose appearance is especially pretty and charming
popular patriotism
love of country widely shared among ordinary people
posh restaurant
an elegant and fashionable place to eat, usually associated with luxury
prestigious university
a university widely respected for its status or quality
punctual payment
money paid exactly when it is due
pure folly
behavior that is completely foolish and lacks good judgment
pure fragrance
a clear pleasant scent without an unpleasant or competing smell
purposeful life
a way of living guided by clear aims that give it meaning
puzzled expression
a look on someone's face that shows confusion or uncertainty
rebellious crew
a group operating a ship or other vehicle that resists its leaders' authority
reflective surface
an outer layer that sends back light or sound
reluctant smile
a smile given despite an unwillingness to show pleasure or agreement
republican nomination
official selection as the Republican Party's candidate for an election
Noun + noun (2)
Verb + adverb (1)
Adverb + adjective (18)
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historically interesting
Worthy of attention because of its connection with past events or developments.
hopelessly romantic
Strongly and persistently inclined toward idealized ideas of love.
hugely influential
Having a very large effect on other people, ideas, or developments.
increasingly unsatisfactory
Becoming less acceptable or less able to meet expectations over time.
independently developed
created or worked out separately, without borrowing from another version
long lost
Lost or out of contact for a long period before being found again.
mighty tired
Very tired, in informal or regional speech.
neatly dressed
Wearing clothing that looks clean, tidy, and carefully arranged.
overly subtle
So fine, indirect, or intricate that it becomes difficult to notice or understand.
politically motivated
driven by aims or interests connected with politics
previously proposed
suggested or put forward at an earlier time
purely social
intended only for meeting people and enjoying their company
quite distinct
clearly different in nature or quality from something else
quite tolerant
fairly able to withstand difficult environmental conditions or physical stress
radically different
different in a fundamental or far-reaching way
rather mediocre
fairly ordinary and disappointing in quality
refreshingly cool
pleasantly cool in a way that restores comfort or energy
remarkably attractive
pleasing to look at to an unusually noticeable degree