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
Showing 1153–1248 of 1339 phrases
Adjective + noun (74)
-
startling news
new information that causes a sudden feeling of shock or surprise
strange personage
an unusual person, described in a literary or formal way
strong physique
a muscular or sturdy body with considerable physical power
structural simplicity
lack of unnecessary complexity in the way something is organized or built
suborbital flight
a journey into space on a path that does not complete an orbit
sudden closeness
an unexpectedly short distance between people or objects
superficial knowledge
understanding that covers only obvious features and lacks depth
supple mind
a way of thinking that adapts easily to new ideas or circumstances
supreme tribunal
a court or judging body with the highest authority in its system
tactful way
a method of doing or saying something that avoids unnecessary offense
technical innovation
a new method or improvement in the practical technique of an activity
telling reminder
something that brings a fact to mind in a revealing or significant way
territorial unity
the condition of a country's land remaining joined as one undivided whole
theatrical entrepreneur
a person who organizes and finances business ventures in live theatre
theatrical pose
an exaggerated body position that resembles a stage performance
theatrical trappings
the costumes, props, and other outward features associated with stage performance
theological seminar
a discussion class or meeting devoted to the study of religious beliefs
tireless worker
a person who keeps working with energy and persistence without appearing tired
trenchant criticism
criticism expressed with sharp insight and force
tripartite division
a separation or arrangement into three parts
troubled expression
a facial look that shows worry, distress, or unease
true altruism
genuine concern for others' welfare without seeking personal benefit
uncharged particle
a particle with no net electric charge
uncontrolled growth
an increase or development that proceeds without effective limits or regulation
undeserving poor
poor people judged by others to be unworthy of assistance
undying fame
a reputation for being widely known that is expected to last indefinitely
uneventful life
a way of living with few unusual or significant events
unfailing loyalty
faithful support that continues without weakening or stopping
ungainly figure
a person's body or outline that appears awkward and lacking in grace
unimpeded growth
development or increase that continues without being obstructed or delayed
unlawful restraint
a restriction or limitation that is not permitted by law
unlimited despotism
absolute rule exercised without effective limits or opposition
unmanageable situation
a set of circumstances that is too difficult to control or handle
unprecedented expansion
an increase in size or extent greater or different than anything seen before
unrestrained laughter
laughing freely without trying to hold it back
untold suffering
pain or distress so great that it is difficult to measure or describe
unusual longevity
an exceptionally long period of service or continued involvement in an organization
unwavering loyalty
faithful support that remains firm despite pressure or difficulty
upland cotton
a cultivated cotton plant originally from tropical America that produces short-staple fiber
upstanding member
a person belonging to a group who is regarded as honest and respectable
vast accumulation
a very large collection or buildup formed over time
versatile writer
a writer who works well in several styles, genres, or subject areas
viable fetus
a fetus capable of living and continuing to develop
violent clash
in colour combinations, a very strong and unpleasant contrast
cheap money
credit or borrowed funds available at a low interest rate
cleft lip
a split in the upper lip that is present from birth
electric catfish
an African freshwater catfish capable of producing an electrical discharge
emphatic word
a word spoken with extra stress to make it stand out
encyclopedic knowledge
an unusually broad and detailed store of information about a subject
erstwhile friend
a person who was a friend in the past but is no longer one
euphemistic term
a mild or indirect expression used instead of one considered harsh or embarrassing
eventual collapse
a failure or breakdown that occurs as the final result of a developing process
exemplary behavior
conduct so good that other people should follow its example
feverish pace
a very rapid rate of activity driven by intense excitement or agitation
fourfold increase
a rise to four times the original amount or number
fragmentary remains
surviving pieces that are small, incomplete, and disconnected
frenzied attack
a violent assault marked by wild or uncontrolled energy
fretful sleep
rest that is disturbed by anxiety, discomfort, or repeated movement
furtive manner
a way of behaving that tries to avoid notice through secrecy and caution
giant clam
a very large clam found on tropical Pacific coral reefs
giant reed
a tall perennial grass with jointed stems and large feathery flower clusters
giant star
a large, luminous star with relatively low density
granular sugar
sugar present as small, distinct grains rather than a fine powder
green monkey
a savannah monkey with greenish-gray fur on its back and a yellowish tail
gruff manner
a brusque, unfriendly way of speaking or behaving
haphazard system
an arrangement of methods put together carelessly and without a consistent plan
hapless victim
a person harmed or deceived in unfortunate circumstances that invite pity
hardscrabble life
a way of living in which hard work brings barely enough to survive
hornless cattle
cows and bulls that have no horns
idyllic life
a peaceful and happy way of living that seems free of problems
impassioned appeal
an urgent request expressed with intense feeling and conviction
impeccable french
French used with exceptionally accurate and fluent command
incautious remark
a comment made without enough care for its possible consequences
inconclusive evidence
information that does not establish a definite answer
Noun + noun (6)
-
star jasmine
an evergreen climbing plant with glossy leaves and strongly scented white flowers
water shrew
a small shrew adapted to swimming and living beside fresh water
bamboo palm
a small palm with slender stems resembling bamboo canes
exhaust valve
a valve that opens to let burned gases leave an engine cylinder
gall wasp
a small wasp whose activity causes abnormal growths to form on plants
heather bell
a low European heather shrub that bears purple-red flowers
Verb + adverb (6)
-
act pragmatically
take practical steps guided by what is workable in the circumstances
bind off
finish knitting by fastening the final row of stitches so they cannot unravel
bump off
kill someone deliberately, in informal speech
deal ruthlessly
handle people or a situation without compassion or regard for harm
drift apart
gradually become less close and lose regular contact
drift off
gradually fall asleep
Adverb + adjective (10)
-
startlingly modern
so contemporary in style or ideas that it surprises the observer
still wary
remaining cautious or distrustful after a situation has changed
stylistically innovative
using new and original forms of expression or presentation
too numb
so overwhelmed by fear or shock that normal feeling or action is difficult
very appealing
strongly attractive or interesting in a way that makes someone want it
very damaging
causing a great deal of harm
weakly electric
producing a small electrical discharge rather than a strong one
formidably armed
equipped with weapons impressive enough to inspire fear or respect
handsomely bound
fastened together in an attractive, well-made cover, especially of a book
immeasurably sad
unhappy to a degree that seems impossible to measure