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 1057–1152 of 1339 phrases
Adjective + noun (73)
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kingly power
Authority or influence belonging to or traditionally associated with a king.
lanky kid
A child or young person who is unusually tall and thin.
large congregation
A substantial group of people gathered for religious worship.
legal loophole
A gap or ambiguity in a law that allows someone to avoid its intended effect.
limited autonomy
A restricted degree of freedom to govern oneself or make independent decisions.
limitless supply
An amount that appears to have no end or practical limit.
literal depiction
A representation that closely follows what is actually present, without added symbolism or embellishment.
long diatribe
An extended speech or piece of writing filled with forceful criticism.
loveless childhood
A period of growing up in which a person receives little or no affection.
luxurious suite
A group of rooms furnished to provide exceptional comfort and expensive surroundings.
masterly inactivity
Deliberate restraint from action because waiting is judged the most skillful course.
mathematical precision
A degree of exactness comparable to that used in mathematics.
mere formality
A required step that has little practical importance or whose outcome is already expected.
mere pittance
An extremely small and inadequate amount of money.
metaphysical philosophy
Philosophical thought concerning the basic nature of existence, reality, and causation.
meteoric shower
An event in which many meteors are seen crossing the sky within a short period.
monumental scale
A size or extent that is impressively large.
moonless night
A night during which the moon is not visible.
mountainous area
A region containing many mountains or high rugged landforms.
national landmark
A place or structure recognized as significant to a country's history or identity.
nondescript clothes
Clothing with no distinctive or memorable features.
notorious gangster
A member of an organized criminal group who is widely known for wrongdoing.
organizational structure
The arrangement of roles, groups, and lines of responsibility within an organization.
overbearing behavior
Conduct that tries to dominate others and expects unquestioning obedience.
painful slowness
A rate of progress so slow that it causes distress or frustration.
painful stiffness
Difficulty moving a body part accompanied by pain.
partial monopoly
Control over part of a market or supply without complete exclusivity.
particular relevance
Special importance or a close connection to the specific matter under discussion.
perceptive eye
An ability to notice and understand details that others may miss.
phenomenal success
An achievement or favorable result that is exceptionally impressive.
philosophical resignation
Calm, thoughtful acceptance of an unpleasant situation that cannot be changed.
pious jew
a Jewish person who shows sincere religious devotion
placid temperament
a naturally calm disposition that is not easily irritated
plausible excuse
a reason for an action or failure that seems believable
pleasurable excitement
a lively feeling of anticipation or interest that is enjoyable
poetical fashion
a manner of expression characteristic of poetry
pointed critique
a critical assessment that addresses its target clearly and sharply
political leverage
influence that can be used to obtain a desired result in public affairs
political upheaval
a major disruptive change in government or public power
precarious truce
an agreement to stop fighting that is insecure and may soon fail
predictive control
a method of directing a system by using forecasts of its future behavior
prejudicial publicity
public attention or media coverage that harms someone's interests or fair treatment
previous occupant
the person who held a place or position immediately before its current holder
problematic situation
a set of circumstances that is difficult to understand or resolve
profitable speculation
risky buying or investing that results in a financial gain
prolific writer
a person who produces a large quantity of written work
pronounced flavor
a taste that is strong enough to be easily noticed
prospective earnings
income or profits expected to be received in the future
provocative remark
a comment likely or intended to cause argument or a strong reaction
quizzical expression
a facial look that shows mild puzzlement or a questioning attitude
realistic portrayal
a representation that shows people or events as they actually are
red cedar
fragrant reddish wood from trees commonly known as red cedars
relentless persecution
cruel or unfair treatment that continues without easing
remedial education
teaching intended to help learners improve skills in which they are behind
remorseless cruelty
harsh treatment that shows no pity or regret for others' suffering
renowned painter
an artist widely known and admired for painting
rich heiress
a wealthy woman who has inherited or is expected to inherit property
rigorous discipline
strict control of behavior through demanding rules and consistent effort
robust body
a physical build that is strong, sturdy, and healthy
roman law
the legal system and principles developed in ancient Rome
rough carpentry
woodworking that lacks careful detail or fine finishing
salty language
lively, provocative wording, often with coarse or risqué expressions
scarlet oak
an oak with deeply lobed leaves that turn vivid red in autumn
seamy side
the unpleasant or morally disreputable aspect of something
sedentary life
a way of living that involves much sitting and little physical activity
sentimental friendship
friendship expressed through tender feelings, sometimes in an exaggerated way
serious complication
a significant difficulty that makes an existing situation harder to resolve
serviceable equipment
tools or machines in a condition suitable for continued use
short duration
a period of time that lasts only briefly
somber mood
a serious, sad, or gloomy emotional state
speculative knowledge
supposed understanding based on conjecture rather than verified facts
spontaneous utterance
something said without advance planning or deliberate preparation
staggering defeat
a loss so severe or unexpected that it shocks people
Noun + noun (4)
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locust bean
A carob pod containing seeds and sweet pulp used in food or animal feed.
mud puppy
An aquatic North American salamander that retains feathery external gills as an adult.
rifle range
the distance over which a bullet fired from a rifle can travel
spider orchid
an orchid whose flowers resemble the shape of a spider
Adverb + adjective (19)
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marginally interesting
Interesting only to a small or limited degree.
materially different
Different in physical form or material conditions.
morally unjustified
Lacking an acceptable reason when judged by principles of right and wrong.
mortally afraid
Extremely frightened, often expressed with dramatic emphasis.
most intriguing
Very interesting because of unusual or puzzling features, in formal usage.
most refreshing
Very welcome because it is pleasantly new or different.
mutually satisfactory
Acceptable to all the people or groups involved.
negatively inclined
Disposed to oppose something or view it unfavorably.
nicely situated
Located in an attractive or convenient position.
particularly gruesome
More disturbing or horrifying than usual.
predominantly indigenous
mainly made up of people native to a place from before colonization
prohibitively expensive
costing so much that buying or doing it becomes impractical
rather tedious
fairly boring and tiring, especially because it continues too long
reasonably clean
producing a comparatively small amount of pollution or contamination
remotely possible
having only a very small chance of happening or being true
rigidly erect
held straight upright in a stiff, unmoving way
severely anemic
having a very serious deficiency of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin
socially advantageous
helpful in building relationships or improving one's position among other people
solely dependent
determined by or relying on one thing alone