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 1537–1632 of 1744 phrases
Adjective + noun (48)
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reputable business
a company generally trusted to act honestly and reliably
right thigh
the upper leg on the right-hand side of a person's body
ruinous war
an armed conflict that causes devastating damage or loss
sad melody
a tune that expresses sorrow or makes listeners feel unhappy
sad spectacle
a distressing or pitiful scene that draws people's attention
same wavelength
a shared way of thinking that allows people to understand each other
scandalous behavior
conduct regarded as disgraceful enough to cause outrage and damage a reputation
sexual assault
an attack involving unwanted sexual contact or activity, often through force or threats
sexy clothes
garments intended or considered to be sexually attractive
shabby furniture
chairs, tables, or similar items that look worn and poorly maintained
shaky marriage
a marital relationship that is insecure and troubled
sheer persistence
determined effort continued despite difficulty, emphasized as the main reason for success
simple sincerity
honest feeling expressed naturally, without pretence or elaborate display
single gulp
one large, quick act of swallowing
sociable conversation
friendly, relaxed talk that helps people enjoy one another's company
stuffy room
an enclosed space that feels warm and lacks fresh air
subsequent marriage
a marriage that takes place after an earlier event or relationship
superb actor
a performer whose acting is exceptionally good
sweet revenge
retaliation or a return victory that feels especially satisfying
sympathetic observer
someone watching events with understanding or friendly concern for those involved
tangled hair
hair twisted together in a messy mass of knots
transatlantic flight
an air journey that crosses the Atlantic Ocean
trivial question
an issue or inquiry of little real importance
troublesome situation
a set of circumstances that causes difficulty or annoyance
truthful person
someone who habitually speaks honestly and accurately
unanimous decision
a choice or judgment agreed to by everyone involved
undigested food
food that has not yet been broken down by the digestive process
uneven color
a shade or coloring that varies across an area instead of being uniform
unfashionable clothes
garments that do not match the styles currently considered fashionable
unfertilized egg
an egg that has not undergone fusion with a male reproductive cell
uninhabited island
an island where no people live
unkind remark
a spoken or written comment that is hurtful or lacking in kindness
unnatural death
a death caused by injury, poisoning, or another external event rather than natural illness or aging
unoccupied house
a residential building in which no one is currently living
unsuccessful run
an attempt to win an elected office that fails
untested theory
an explanation or idea that has not yet been checked against evidence
untreated disease
an illness for which no medical treatment has been given
vigorous exercise
physical activity performed with considerable effort and energy
vivid recollection
a memory that remains clear and rich in detail
white clover
a creeping clover grown for forage, with flowers ranging from white to pale pink
white yam
a type of yam grown for large edible tubers with white flesh
willing participant
a person who freely agrees or is ready to take part in an activity
wooded land
an area of ground covered with trees and other woody growth
youthful energy
the lively strength and enthusiasm associated with being young
eventful day
a day filled with interesting, important, or unusual happenings
firm offer
a definite proposal whose terms are not intended to change
freckled face
a face marked with small brownish spots on the skin
free will
the ability to make one's own choices without being forced by outside influences
Noun + noun (8)
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studio couch
an upholstered sofa that can be converted into a double bed
water flea
a tiny freshwater crustacean named for swimming movements that resemble a flea's jumps
bolt cutter
a strong cutting tool designed to cut through metal bolts
dust devil
a small rotating column of air that lifts dust and loose debris
exhaust fan
a powered device that draws air out of an enclosed space
exhaust pipe
a tube carrying burned gases from an engine toward its silencer
exhaust system
the connected engine parts that carry away burned gases or steam
gas giant
a very large planet composed mainly of gaseous material
Verb + adverb (24)
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stand vertically
to be positioned upright along a vertical line
travel eastward
to make a journey in the direction of the east
used sparingly
employed only in small amounts or to a limited extent
vary tremendously
to differ or change by a very large amount
auction off
sell something to the person who offers the highest price at a public sale
been around
gained experience through encountering many different people, places, or situations
blast off
launch or rise with great force, especially at the start of a rocket flight
blow over
gradually pass and stop causing difficulty or concern
bound up
closely connected with something in a way that is difficult to separate
brush aside
dismiss something without giving it proper attention or consideration
brush off
reject or dismiss a person or concern with little consideration
buy off
pay an influential person to obtain a favor or stop their opposition
buzz off
go away immediately, especially as a rude informal command
cap off
complete an event or activity with a final notable action
carry over
transfer something from one period, stage, or activity into the next
cast off
discard or remove something that is no longer wanted
chew over
consider an idea or question carefully for some time
chop off
remove a part with a sharp cutting stroke
come around
change an opinion and begin to agree with another view
draw off
remove something by pulling it away from what it covers
drive off
force a person, animal, or unwanted influence to go away
ease off
become less strong, severe, or intense
even up
bring uneven edges or amounts into alignment or equality
flip over
turn something quickly so that its other side faces upward
Adverb + adjective (14)
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respectably married
married in a way that meets a community's expectations of proper behavior
scientifically interesting
worthy of attention because of its relevance to scientific inquiry
seemingly crazy
appearing irrational or foolish even though there may be an explanation
smartly dressed
wearing neat and stylish clothes
so relieved
very happy and free from worry after a feared problem has passed
somewhat irregular
unconventional in behavior or habits to a certain degree
sufficiently fluent
able to use a language easily enough for a particular purpose
technically brilliant
showing exceptional skill in the techniques required for an activity
thoroughly professional
showing the skill, care, and conduct expected of a trained worker in every respect
too disorganized
so lacking in order or planning that it causes a problem
unusually mature
more sensible and emotionally developed than would normally be expected
verbally expressive
able or inclined to communicate thoughts and feelings clearly through language
visibly upset
showing clear outward signs of distress or unhappiness
vitally important
so important that a result or essential need depends on it