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 961–1056 of 1339 phrases
Verb + noun (2)
Adjective + noun (71)
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clinical depression
a serious depressive illness involving persistent low mood or loss of interest
collaborative research
an investigation carried out jointly by people or organizations
comatose state
a condition of deep and prolonged unconsciousness
communal breeding
reproduction by animals that live or nest together in a group
complimentary remark
a comment that expresses praise or admiration
concise explanation
an account that makes something clear using few words
considerable reliance
substantial dependence on a person or source believed to be reliable
constitutional inability
an inability regarded as part of someone's basic physical or mental nature
constrained smile
a forced smile that lacks ease or genuine spontaneity
convivial atmosphere
a friendly social mood in which people enjoy one another's company
convoluted reasoning
thinking or argument that follows a complex and difficult-to-follow path
convulsive laughter
laughter that comes in sudden, forceful bursts and is difficult to control
covert funding
financial support whose source or existence is deliberately concealed
crippling injury
physical damage that severely reduces a person's ability to move or function
dangerous precedent
an earlier decision or action that could encourage harmful similar actions later
deathly pallor
extreme paleness resembling the appearance of a dead person
dense vegetation
plants growing so closely together that little space remains between them
derisive laughter
laughter that expresses contempt or makes fun of someone
devious character
a person who uses dishonest or indirect methods to get what they want
dimensional character
a fictional person with enough depth and complexity to seem fully developed
dirty overalls
protective work clothes that have become covered with dirt
disadvantageous position
a situation that reduces someone's chances of success or fair treatment
disconcerting habit
a repeated behavior that makes other people feel unsettled or confused
disgruntled employee
a worker who feels dissatisfied or resentful about their treatment
double bind
a situation where conflicting demands from a powerful person leave no acceptable response
earthen pot
a container made from clay that has been shaped and hardened
eastern seaboard
the coastal land along the eastern side of a country or region
educational provisions
arrangements and resources made available to support teaching and learning
educative experience
an event or activity through which someone gains useful knowledge or understanding
eligible bachelor
an unmarried man regarded as a desirable or suitable marriage partner
enthusiastic promoter
a person who eagerly supports and encourages an idea or activity
enviable position
a favorable situation that other people would like to have
exhilarating effect
an influence that makes someone feel excited, cheerful, and full of energy
experiential reality
the world or a situation as someone directly lives through and perceives it
faithful rendering
a representation or version that accurately preserves the original's content or qualities
fanciful mind
a way of thinking that readily invents imaginative or unrealistic ideas
female sexuality
sexual feelings, attractions, and expression associated with women
feminine intuition
an instinctive understanding traditionally attributed to women rather than to conscious reasoning
fierce contention
intense competition between people or groups seeking the same result
flagrant violation
an obvious and seriously unacceptable breaking of a rule, agreement, or right
fleshly desire
a longing for bodily pleasure, especially sexual pleasure
fly ash
fine particles of burned fuel carried away in the gases from combustion
foolish consistency
unwise insistence on behaving or thinking the same way despite reasons to change
full compliance
Complete adherence to the rules or requirements that apply.
gentlemanly behavior
Conduct showing courtesy, consideration, and manners traditionally associated with a gentleman.
geographical constituency
An electoral constituency defined by where its voters live.
glib tongue
A smooth, readily persuasive manner of speaking that may lack sincerity or careful thought.
gratuitous insult
An offensive remark or action made without justification or need.
grim aftermath
The distressing conditions or consequences left after a harmful event.
gross injustice
A very serious and obvious failure to treat someone fairly.
guttural voice
A rough, throaty voice whose sounds seem to come from deep in the throat.
hilly terrain
Land containing many hills and slopes.
homely fare
Simple, unpretentious food of the kind associated with home cooking.
hospitable environment
Surrounding conditions that favor life, growth, or successful activity.
humane education
An education centered on the humanities, including literature, history, and philosophy.
imminent danger
A threat of harm that is about to become immediate.
impersonal corporation
A large company that seems indifferent to individual people or their circumstances.
impulsive force
A power or influence that drives something forward or prompts action.
incisive intellect
An ability to think that quickly identifies important points and cuts through confusion.
inclusive fee
A charge that covers all the items or services specified in an offer.
inexhaustible supply
An amount so large or continually renewed that it seems impossible to use up.
infinite ingenuity
An apparently limitless ability to invent clever solutions.
ingenious solution
A clever answer to a problem that shows inventive thinking.
inner dialectic
An internal conflict between ideas or forces that shapes how a system develops.
insatiable demand
A desire or need for something that seems impossible to satisfy fully.
insecure future
A coming period in which continued safety, stability, or success is not assured.
insensitive remark
A comment that shows insufficient awareness of someone else's feelings or circumstances.
insoluble problem
A difficulty for which no solution can be found.
insubordinate behavior
conduct that refuses to obey instructions or accept the authority of a superior
irrelevant comment
A remark that has no useful connection with the matter being discussed.
irretrievable loss
The disappearance or destruction of something that cannot be recovered or replaced.
Noun + noun (3)
Verb + adverb (1)
Adverb + adjective (18)
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coldly intellectual
focused on abstract thought while showing little emotional warmth
completely inappropriate
entirely unsuitable or improper for the situation
conspicuously absent
missing in a way that attracts attention or seems significant
contractually responsible
required by an agreement to carry out a duty or accept responsibility
culturally integrated
joined into the practices and shared life of a cultural group
delightfully situated
located in a particularly pleasant or attractive place
demonstrably wrong
incorrect in a way that evidence can clearly prove
desperately engaged
fiercely involved in fighting while facing severe danger or pressure
duly impressed
feeling the admiration that the circumstances would lead people to expect
ethically unacceptable
contrary to moral principles to a degree that prevents approval
fanatically religious
devoted to religious beliefs with extreme and rigid intensity
fiercely independent
strongly determined to remain free from other people's control or help
fully accountable
Completely responsible for explaining and answering for one's actions.
highly specialized
Adapted or developed for a very narrow function or limited set of conditions.
immensely difficult
Hard to accomplish or understand to a very great degree.
inherently good
morally worthy as a result of essential nature rather than outside influence
instantly recognizable
Able to be identified immediately.
keenly aware
Very clearly conscious of a fact or situation.