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 577–672 of 1339 phrases
Adjective + noun (38)
-
rapid transit
urban public transport using fast underground or elevated trains
recessive gene
a gene variant whose effect is usually masked when a dominant variant is present
reddish brown
a brown color with a noticeable red tint
regional anesthesia
loss of sensation in a particular area of the body produced by anesthetic treatment
relative density
the density of a substance compared with that of a reference substance
remittent fever
a fever that varies in intensity without returning fully to normal
respiratory tract
the passages that carry air into and out of the body
reversible process
a process that can be made to pass through the same states in the opposite order
rote learning
memorizing information by repeated practice rather than understanding
rotten borough
a historical parliamentary constituency with very few voters and disproportionate representation
ruling class
the social group that holds political or economic power
sedative drug
a drug that reduces excitement or agitation and produces calm
selective service
a system of compulsory military service
semilunar cartilage
a crescent-shaped cartilage pad cushioning a joint between bones
septic tank
a tank in which sewage is collected and partly broken down by bacteria
sexual climax
the peak of sexual pleasure during sexual activity
sexual harassment
unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature directed at another person
sexual intercourse
sexual activity involving penetration
sexual orientation
a person's pattern of sexual or romantic attraction to others
silent partner
a business partner who invests money but does not take part in everyday management
silly season
a period when trivial stories receive extra news coverage because major news is scarce
simple pendulum
an idealized pendulum with a weight suspended from a massless frictionless thread
skeletal frame
the internal supporting framework that gives an object its shape
slack water
water with little or no current, especially around a change of tide
social anthropology
the study of human societies, cultures, and social relationships
social facilitation
improved performance on familiar tasks when other people are present
social gathering
an occasion bringing people together to meet and interact
solar array
a group of connected solar cells used to generate electricity
solar prominence
a large glowing formation of hot gas extending above the Sun's surface
specific gravity
the density of a substance compared with the density of water
spinal curvature
an abnormal bend in the backbone
spiritual bouquet
a card promising prayers or devotional acts on another person's behalf
square centimetre
a unit of area equal to a square one centimetre on each side
standard atmosphere
a conventional unit of pressure equal to 101,325 pascals
stately home
a large impressive country house associated with an aristocratic family
statutory rape
sexual activity classified as rape because a participant is below the legal age of consent
sticky end
an end of double-stranded DNA where one strand extends beyond the other
structural linguistics
the study of language through the formal relationships among its parts
Noun + noun (54)
-
quill pen
a writing pen made from a large bird feather
radiator hose
a flexible tube connecting a vehicle's radiator with its engine
radio antenna
a device that receives radio signals
radium therapy
radiation treatment using radium as the source
ratchet screwdriver
a screwdriver with a mechanism that allows its blade to turn in one direction without resetting the grip
redirect examination
further questioning of a witness by the original calling party after cross-examination
reduction division
cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in the resulting cells
reflection factor
the proportion of incoming radiant energy that a surface reflects
relaxation time
the characteristic time for a disturbed system to return toward equilibrium
repertory company
a theater company that keeps several plays ready to perform
resistance thermometer
a thermometer that measures temperature through changes in electrical resistance
restriction enzyme
an enzyme that cuts DNA at particular recognition sites
restriction fragment
a piece of DNA produced by cutting it with a restriction enzyme
retention basin
a constructed basin that stores collected water rather than immediately releasing it downstream
ring vaccination
vaccination focused on contacts around an identified infection case
riveting machine
a machine that fastens pieces together using rivets
rumble seat
a folding outdoor seat at the back of certain early cars
rye bread
bread made partly or entirely from rye flour
saber saw
a portable powered saw with a narrow blade that moves back and forth
salvage value
the estimated amount an asset will retain at the end of its useful life
sand wedge
a golf club designed especially for playing a ball out of sand
saturation bombing
extensive bombing intended to devastate a large target area
scallop shell
the hard outer shell of a scallop
scarf joint
an end-to-end joint made by fitting shaped ends of wood or metal together
sea cucumber
a soft elongated marine animal with tentacles around its mouth
sheath knife
a fixed-blade knife carried in a protective cover
shipbuilding industry
the branch of manufacturing concerned with constructing ships
shop steward
an elected union representative who speaks for workers to management
shoulder holster
a gun holder suspended from the shoulder and worn under the arm
signal detection
the process of determining whether a signal is present
silicon dioxide
the compound of silicon and oxygen found in quartz and many other minerals
skin graft
a piece of skin surgically transferred to cover an injured area
sleep deprivation
the deliberate prevention of sleep, including as a method of psychological torture
slush fund
money reserved for secret improper payments, such as bribes
snail mail
an informal term for physically delivered postal mail
sob stuff
overly sentimental stories intended to arouse pity
sod house
a house built from layers of turf or earth blocks
software documentation
written information explaining how computer programs work or are used
space shuttle
a reusable spacecraft with wings allowing a controlled return through the atmosphere
sperm count
a measurement of the number of sperm in a semen sample
sports commentator
a broadcaster who describes sporting events or reports sports news
spur gear
a cylindrical gear whose straight teeth run parallel to its axis
spy satellite
a satellite equipped with sensors to collect intelligence, including signs of nuclear explosions
squall line
a line of strong weather activity associated with squalls or thunderstorms
squelch circuit
a circuit that silences a radio receiver when its signal becomes too weak
startle response
an automatic bodily reaction to a sudden unexpected stimulus
state capitalism
a capitalist economic system in which the government owns or controls some production
statute law
law formally enacted by a legislative body
steroid hormone
a hormone belonging to the chemical class of steroids
stimulus generalization
responding to a new stimulus because it resembles one previously associated with that response
stock footage
previously recorded film material kept for reuse in later productions
storage warehouse
a large building used to keep goods before use or distribution
street credibility
respect earned by appearing authentic and familiar with urban youth culture
stud farm
a breeding establishment that produces and raises horses