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 (5)
-
brandish a weapon
to wave or display a weapon in a threatening or aggressive manner
herald the beginning
To announce or proclaim the arrival of a new phase, often with grandeur
retain a client
to keep a client continuing to use a service over time
stifle a cry
muffle or choke back a cry
venture a guess
to offer a tentative or cautious answer
Adjective + noun (7)
-
agonizing wait
a wait that causes great psychological distress because the outcome matters so much
compelling evidence
evidence that is highly persuasive and very difficult to ignore
consensual sex
sex that both parties have freely and clearly agreed to
conventional arms
non-nuclear weapons such as guns, artillery, and tanks
doting husband
a husband who is excessively attentive and affectionate
premarital sex
sex between people who are not married to each other
underlying cause
the less obvious, deeper reason behind a problem or behaviour