A2 (Elementary)

birthplace

birthplace [noun]

the house, town, etc. where a person was born

US /ˈbɝːθ.pleɪs/ 
UK /ˈbɜːθ.pleɪs/ 
Example: 

My parents' birthplace is Kashan.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

birthplace

birthplace /ˈbɜːθpleɪs $ ˈbɜːrθ-/ BrE AmE noun [countable usually singular]
1. the place where someone was born, used especially when talking about someone famous:
Stratford-upon-Avon was Shakespeare’s birthplace.
2. the place where something first started to happen or exist:
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz.
 

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

birthplace

 

birth·place [birthplace birthplaces]   [ˈbɜːθpleɪs]    [ˈbɜːrθpleɪs]  noun

1. the house or area where a person was born, especially a famous person

2. the place where sth first happened
Hawaii was the birthplace of surfing.  
Example Bank:

Shrewsbury is famous for being the birthplace of Charles Darwin.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

 

birthplace / ˈbɜːθ.pleɪs /   / ˈbɝːθ- / noun [ C usually singular ]

the house, town, etc. where a person was born

birthplace

birthplace /ˈbɜːθ.pleɪs/ US /ˈbɝːθ-/
noun [C usually singular]
the house, town, etc. where a person was born

 

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

birthplace

[bɜ͟ː(r)θpleɪs]
 birthplaces
 1) N-COUNT Your birthplace is the place where you were born. [WRITTEN]
 2) N-COUNT: usu N of n The birthplace of something is the place where it began.
  ...Athens, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

birthplace

birth·place /ˈbɚɵˌpleɪs/ noun, pl -plac·es [count] : the place where someone was born or where something began
• He visited his grandmother's birthplace.
• New Orleans is regarded as the birthplace of jazz.

delay

delay [noun]

the situation in which you have to wait longer than expected for something to happen, or the time that you have to wait

US /dɪˈleɪ/ 
UK /dɪˈleɪ/ 
Example: 

There has been a delay in the book's publication.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

 noun (plural delays)
a time when somebody or something is late:
There was a long delay at the airport.
You must pay the money without delay (= immediately).

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

delay

I. delay1 W3 /dɪˈleɪ/ BrE AmE noun
1. [countable] when someone or something has to wait, or the length of the waiting time:
Sorry for the delay, Mr Weaver.
delay in
Why was there a delay in warning the public?
delay of
a delay of about an hour
long/considerable/slight etc delay
Long delays are expected on the motorways.
2. [uncountable] when something does not happen or start when it should do
without delay
They must restore normal services without delay.
There can be no excuse for any further delay.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + delay
a slight/short delay There was a slight delay in the departure of the plane.
a long/lengthy delay Patients often face long delays in getting the treatment they need.
a considerable/serious delay (=very long) After a considerable delay, the report was finally published.
a 20-minute/6-month/4-week etc delay A train had broken down, causing a two-hour delay.
traffic delays The roadworks are likely to cause serious traffic delays.
flight delays Unfortunately flight delays do sometimes occur.
■ verbs
cause/lead to a delay The bad weather caused a three-hour delay in sending out rescue helicopters.
experience delays People are experiencing considerable delays in receiving their mail.
face delays (=be likely to experience them) Commuters face long delays as a result of the rail strikes.
reduce delays (=make them shorter and less frequent) The new rules should reduce delays in bringing prisoners to trial.
■ phrases
a series of delays (=a number of delays) After a series of delays and setbacks, the project was finally approved.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

delay

delay [delay delays delayed delaying] noun, verb   [dɪˈleɪ]    [dɪˈleɪ]

noun
1. countable a period of time when sb/sth has to wait because of a problem that makes sth slow or late
Commuters will face long delays on the roads today.
We apologize for the delay in answering your letter.
a delay of two hours/a two-hour delay

Increased congestion and traffic delays are expected.

2. countable, uncountable a situation in which sth does not happen when it should; the act of delaying
There's no time for delay.
Report it to the police without delay (= immediately).  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French delayer (verb).  
Collocations:
Travel and tourism
Holidays/vacations
have/take (BrE) a holiday/(NAmE) a vacation/a break/a day off/(BrE) a gap year
go on/be on holiday/vacation/leave/honeymoon/safari/a trip/a tour/a cruise/a pilgrimage
go backpacking/camping/hitchhiking/sightseeing
plan a trip/a holiday/a vacation/your itinerary
book accommodation/a hotel room/a flight/tickets
have/make/cancel a reservation/(especially BrE) booking
rent a villa/(both BrE) a holiday home/a holiday cottage
(especially BrE) hire/ (especially NAmE) rent a car/bicycle/moped
stay in a hotel/a bed and breakfast/a youth hostel/a villa/(both BrE) a holiday home/a caravan
cost/charge $100 a/per night for a single/double/twin/standard/(BrE) en suite room
check into/out of a hotel/a motel/your room
pack/unpack your suitcase/bags
call/order room service
cancel/cut short a trip/holiday/vacation
Foreign travel
apply for/get/renew a/your passport
take out/buy/get travel insurance
catch/miss your plane/train/ferry/connecting flight
fly (in)/travel in business/economy class
make/have a brief/two-day/twelve-hour stopover/(NAmE also) layover in Hong Kong
experience/cause/lead to delays
check (in)/collect/get/lose (your) (especially BrE) luggage/(especially NAmE) baggage
be charged for/pay excess baggage
board/get on/leave/get off the aircraft/plane/ship/ferry
taxi down/leave/approach/hit/overshoot the runway
experience/hit/encounter severe turbulence
suffer from/recover from/get over your jet lag/travel sickness
The tourist industry
attract/draw/bring tourists/visitors
encourage/promote/hurt tourism
promote/develop ecotourism
build/develop/visit a tourist/holiday/(especially BrE) seaside/beach/ski resort
work for/be operated by a major hotel chain
be served by/compete with low-cost/(especially NAmE) low-fare/budget airlines
book sth through/make a booking through/use a travel agent
contact/check with your travel agent/tour operator
book/be on/go on a package deal/holiday/tour
buy/bring back (tacky/overpriced) souvenirs 
Example Bank:
After a series of lengthy delays, the case finally came to court.
Flights to New York may be subject to delay.
I apologize for the delay in replying to you.
Passengers complain about lack of information when travel delays occur.
Passengers have experienced long delays.
Please address your letters properly so as to reduce delays.
Please send him the information without delay.
The building project has been plagued by bureaucratic delays.
The strike has led to some delays in train services.
There is a five-minute time delay on the bank's safe.
Travellers complained about lack of information when travel delays occurred.
Undue delays have been caused by people not doing their jobs properly.
a delay of several weeks
delays in getting to the airport
further delays to the plan
Report it to the police without delay.
There's no time for delay.

a delay of two hours/a two-hour delay

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

delay / dɪˈleɪ / noun [ C or U ]

A2 the situation in which you have to wait longer than expected for something to happen, or the time that you have to wait:

This situation needs to be tackled without delay.

Long delays are predicted on the motorway because of the accident.

There has been a delay in the book's publication.

Word partners for delay noun

a brief / short / slight delay • a considerable / lengthy / long / serious delay • cause delays • experience / face / suffer delays • delays due to sth • a delay in sth/doing sth • a delay of [two hours, five days, etc.] • without delay

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

delay

[dɪle͟ɪ]
 ♦♦
 delays, delaying, delayed

 1) VERB If you delay doing something, you do not do it immediately or at the planned or expected time, but you leave it until later.
  [V n/-ing] For sentimental reasons I wanted to delay my departure until June 1980...
  [V n/-ing] They had delayed having children, for the usual reason, to establish their careers...
  So don't delay, write in now for your chance of a free gift.
  Syn:
  postpone
  Ant:
  bring forward
 2) VERB To delay someone or something means to make them late or to slow them down.
  [V n] Can you delay him in some way?...
  [V n] Various set-backs and problems delayed production...
  [V n] The passengers were delayed for an hour.
  Syn:
  hold up
 3) VERB If you delay, you deliberately take longer than necessary to do something.
  If he delayed any longer, the sun would be up.
  Syn:
  hang on
 4) N-VAR If there is a delay, something does not happen until later than planned or expected.
  They claimed that such a delay wouldn't hurt anyone...
  Although the tests have caused some delay, flights should be back to normal this morning.
  Syn:
  hold-up
 5) N-UNCOUNT Delay is a failure to do something immediately or in the required or usual time.
  There is no time left for delay...
  We'll send you a quote without delay.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1de·lay /dɪˈleɪ/ noun, pl -lays
1 : a situation in which something happens later than it should

[count]

• Do you know what's causing the delay?
• The nurse apologized for the delay [=wait] and said that the doctor would be in shortly.
• a number of flight delays

[noncount]

• After months of delay, construction on the new school began.
• The roof must be repaired without delay. [=immediately]
2 [count] : the amount of time that you must wait for something that is late
• Airline travelers are experiencing delays of up to three hours.

wood

wood [noun] (MATERIAL)

a hard substance that forms the branches and trunks of trees and can be used as a building material, for making things, or as a fuel

US /wʊd/ 
UK /wʊd/ 
Example: 

The table is made of wood.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

wood

noun

1 (no plural) the hard substance that trees are made of:
Put some more wood on the fire.
The table is made of wood.

2 (also woods) a big group of trees, smaller than a forest:
a large wood
a walk in the woods

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

wood S2 W2 /wʊd/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adjective: ↑wooded, ↑wooden, ↑woody; noun: ↑wood, ↑woodenness; adverb: ↑woodenly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: wudu]

1. [uncountable and countable] the material that trees are made of ⇨ wooden, woody:
Put some more wood on the fire.
a polished wood floor
Her house was made of wood. ⇨ ↑hardwood, ↑softwood
2. [countable] (also the woods) a small forest:
a walk in the woods
3. touch wood British English, knock on wood American English said just after you have said that things are going well for you, when you want your good luck to continue
4. [countable] one of a set of four ↑golf clubs with wooden heads
5. not be out of the wood(s) yet informal used to say that there are likely to be more difficulties before things improve
6. not see the wood for the trees to not notice what is important about something because you give too much of your attention to small details
⇨ ↑dead wood
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
solid wood You can install a solid wood door.
bare wood (=not painted or covered) The floors were of bare wood.
a hard/soft wood Oak is a hard wood.
■ verbs
chop wood He was chopping wood for the fire.
cut/saw wood A local carpenter cut the wood to size.
carve wood (=used a knife to shape it) The room was decorated with carved wood.
■ phrases
a piece of wood He made a bench out of pieces of wood.
a plank of wood (=a long thin flat piece) The shed was constructed from some old planks of wood.
a block of wood I used a block of wood to knock the pole into the ground.
the grain of the wood (=the natural lines in it) The oil enhances the natural grain of the wood.
■ wood + NOUN
wood chips (=small rough pieces) Fish are smoked slowly over wood chips.
wood shavings (=thin curly pieces) He cleared up the wood shavings.
wood smoke There was a smell of wood smoke.

 

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

wood

wood [wood woods]   [wʊd]    [wʊd]  noun

1. uncountable, countable the hard material that the trunk and branches of a tree are made of; this material when it is used to build or make things with, or as a fuel
He chopped some wood for the fire.
a plank of wood
All the furniture was made of wood.
a wood floor
furniture made of a variety of different woods
In the spring, cut out the old wood and shorten the young stems (= of bushes, etc.).

see also  dead wood, hardwood, softwood, wooden, woody

2. countable (also woods plural) an area of trees, smaller than a forest
a large wood
a walk in the woods
 

see also  wooded

3. countable a heavy wooden ball used in the game of bowls

4. countable a golf club with a large head, that was usually made of wood in the past
compare  iron 
more at knock on wood at  knock  v., neck of the woods at  neck  n., touch wood at  touch  v.
Idioms: not out of the woods  not see the wood for the trees
See also: not see the forest for the trees  
Word Origin:
Old English wudu, from a Germanic word related to Welsh gwŷdd ‘trees’.  
Example Bank:
He wandered through the beech wood.
I made a coffee table out of a few bits of wood.
Over the years, much of the wood in the house had rotted.
Pine is a soft wood.
She pruned the dead wood from the tree.
She stained the wood green.
She wandered through the woods.
The cabinet is made of cherry wood.
The chapel has some interesting works in wood and marble.
The direction of the wood grain influences the composition of the carving.
The house had dark wood floors.
The pub had dark wood panelling.
The wood was too green to burn.
There were neat piles of kindling wood against the wall.
Traditionally wood was seasoned in the open air.
We came to a clearing in the woods.
We carve the moulds in wood.
We gathered wood for the fire.
When using a plane, be sure to follow the grain of the wood.
a cabin deep in the woods of Maine
a wardrobe in a mahogany wood finish
paper made from wood pulp
the largest ancient wood in Scotland
the sound of splintering wood
• varnish that retains the natural wood look

• We descended through an oak wood to the village below.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

wood

wood (GROUP OF TREES) /wʊd/
noun [C]
an area of land covered with a thick growth of trees:
an oak wood
See also woodland.

wooded /ˈwʊd.ɪd/
adjective
covered with trees:
wooded hills
The police found a vital clue to the girl's disappearance in a wooded area near her home.

woods /wʊdz/
plural noun
a wood:
We went for a walk in the woods after lunch.

woody /ˈwʊd.i/
adjective
They lived in a remote cottage set high on a woody hillside.

 

wood (MATERIAL) /wʊd/
noun
1 [C or U] a hard substance which forms the branches and trunks of trees and which can be used as a building material, for making things, or as a fuel:
He gathered some wood to build a fire.
She fixed a couple of planks of wood to the wall for shelves.
Mahogany is a hard wood and pine is a soft wood.
The room was heated by a wood-burning stove.

2 [C] a type of golf club (= long, thin stick) with a rounded wooden end, used in golf for hitting the ball over long distances:
He likes to use a number 2 wood to tee off.

wood /wʊd/
adjective
made of wood:
Solid wood furniture is much more sturdy and durable than chipboard furniture.
We sanded and polished the wood floor in the living room.
Much of the original 18th-century wood panelling was destroyed in the fire.
See also wooden (WOOD).

woody /ˈwʊd.i/
adjective
1 like wood, for example in taste or smell

2 describes plants with hard stems:
The garden was overgrown with woody plants such as hawthorn and bramble.
See also woody at wood (GROUP OF TREES).

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

wood

[w'ʊd]

 woods
 1) N-MASS Wood is the material which forms the trunks and branches of trees.
  Their dishes were made of wood...
  There was a smell of damp wood and machine oil.
  ...a short piece of wood.
 2) N-COUNT A wood is a fairly large area of trees growing near each other. You can refer to one or several of these areas as woods, and this is the usual form in American English.
  After dinner Alice slipped away for a walk in the woods with Artie...
  About a mile to the west of town he came upon a large wood.
 3) → See also dead wood
 4) PHRASE: v-link PHR If something or someone is not out of the woods yet, they are still having difficulties or problems. [INFORMAL]
  The nation's economy is not out of the woods yet.
 5) CONVENTION You can say `touch wood' in British English, or `knock on wood' in American English, to indicate that you hope to have good luck in something you are doing, usually after saying that you have been lucky with it so far.
  She's never even been to the doctor's, touch wood...
  Touch wood, I've been lucky enough to avoid any other serious injuries.
 6) your neck of the woodssee neck
 can't see the wood for the treessee tree

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1wood /ˈwʊd/ noun, pl woods
1 [noncount] : the hard substance that makes up the stems and branches of trees and shrubs
• a block of wood
• Some baseball bats are made out of wood.
• The wood on the deck has begun to rot.
- see also deadwood, driftwood, hardwood, plywood
2 a or woods [count] : an area of land covered with many trees
• Their house is near a small wood.
• A thick woods runs along the boundary of the estate.
b woods : a thick growth of trees and bushes that covers a wide area : forest

[noncount]
• The house is surrounded by woods.
• He went for a hike in the woods.

[plural]
• The woods are a dangerous place for walking. [=the forest is a dangerous place for walking]
3 [count] : a golf club with a large head that was made of wood in the past but is now usually made of metal
• She hit a wood off the tee.
• a fairway wood [=a type of wood that is used to hit shots from the fairway]
- compare 1iron 3
babe in the woods
- see babe
knock on wood US or chiefly Brit touch wood
✦People say knock on wood or touch wood and often hit or touch something made of wood as a way to prevent bad luck after they have just said that something good has happened, that they are in a good situation, etc.
• I've never broken a bone, knock on wood.
neck of the woods
- see 1neck
not see the wood for the trees
- see tree
out of the wood/woods : in a position free from danger or difficulty
• Her health is getting better but she's not out of the woods yet. [=she is still sick; there is still a chance that her condition could get much worse]

lend

lend [verb] (GIVE)

to give something to someone for a short period of time, expecting it to be given back

US /lend/ 
UK /lend/ 
Example: 

The bank refuses to lend to students.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

lend

 verb (lends, lending, lent /, has lent)
to give something to somebody for a short time:
I lent the book to Jo.
Rick lent me his car for an hour.
Look at the note and the picture at borrow.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

lend

lend S3 W3 /lend/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle lent /lent/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: lænan, from læn; ⇨ ↑loan1]
1.
a) [transitive] to let someone borrow money or something that belongs to you for a short time ⇨ borrow
lend something to somebody
I lent my CD player to Dave and I haven’t got it back yet.
lend somebody something
The hospital agreed to lend us a wheelchair.
Can you lend me £10 until tomorrow?
b) [intransitive and transitive] if a bank or financial institution lends money, it lets someone have it on condition that they pay it back later, often gradually, with an additional amount as ↑interest:
The government is trying to encourage the banks to lend more.
lend something to somebody
A lot of banks are unwilling to lend money to new businesses.
lend somebody something
The building society agreed to lend us £60,000.
2. lend (somebody) a hand to help someone do something, especially something that needs physical effort:
Can you lend me a hand with this?
3. [transitive] formal to give a situation, event etc a particular quality
lend something to something
The presence of members of the royal family lent a certain dignity to the ceremony.
4. lend an ear to listen to someone, especially in a sympathetic way:
He’s always prepared to lend a sympathetic ear.
5. lend itself to something to be suitable for being used in a particular way:
None of her books really lends itself to being made into a film.
6. lend (your) support (to something) to support or help someone:
The government has now lent its support to the campaign.
7. lend weight/support to something to make an opinion or belief seem more likely to be correct:
The police have new evidence which lends weight to their theory.
8. lend your name to something to announce publicly that you support something that someone is trying to do:
The French prime minister has now lent his name to the protest.
• • •
THESAURUS
lend (also loan especially American English) to let someone borrow money or something that belongs to you for a short time: Can you lend me $20? | Did you lend that book to Mike? | The documents were loaned by the local library.
let somebody use something/let somebody have something to let someone use something that belongs to you for a short time, especially a room, a house, or something big and expensive: Some friends are letting us use their house while they are on vacation. | Dad said he’d let me have his car for the weekend.
be on loan if something is on loan, it has been lent to a person or organization in an official way – often used about a library book or a work of art: The museum has an exhibition of paintings on loan from the Louvre. | According to the computer, this book is still out on loan.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lend

lend [lend lends lent lending]   [lend]    [lend]  verb (lent, lent   [lent]  ;   [lent]  )
1. transitive to give sth to sb or allow them to use sth that belongs to you, which they have to return to you later
Syn:  loan
~ (out) sth (to sb) I've lent the car to a friend.
~ sb sth Can you lend me your car this evening?

• Has he returned that book you lent him?

2. transitive, intransitive (of a bank or financial institution) to give money to sb on condition that they pay it back over a period of time and pay interest on it
Syn:  loan
~ (sth) (to sb) The bank refused to lend the money to us.
~ sb sth They refused to lend us the money.

compare  borrow

3. transitive (formal) to give a particular quality to a person or a situation
~ sth (to sb/sth) The setting sun lent an air of melancholy to the scene.

~ sb/sth sth Her presence lent the occasion a certain dignity.

4. transitive to give or provide help, support, etc
~ sth (to sb/sth) I was more than happy to lend my support to such a good cause.
~ sb/sth sth He came along to lend me moral support.
more at give/lend a helping hand at  help  v.
Idioms: lend a hand  lend an ear  lend colour to something  lend support/weight/credence to something  lend your name to something
Derived: lend itself to something
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
Old English lǣnan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lenen, also to loan. The addition of the final -d in late Middle English was due to association with verbs such as bend and send.  
Thesaurus:
lend verb T, I
The bank refused to lend us the money.
advance|especially AmE loan
Opp: borrow
lend/advance/loan sth to sb
lend/advance/loan money  
Which Word?:
borrow / lend
These two words are often confused. You borrow something from someone else, while they lend it to you: Can I borrow your pen? Can I borrow a pen from you? Here, I’ll lend you my pen.  
Example Bank:
She very kindly lent me her bicycle.
The bank was unwilling to lend him the money.
• Banks are less willing to lend in these uncertain times.

• I've lent the car to a friend.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

lend / lend / verb ( lent , lent ) (GIVE)

A2 [ T ] to give something to someone for a short period of time, expecting it to be given back:

She doesn't like lending her books.

[ + two objects ] If you need a coat I can lend you one/lend one to you.

B2 [ I or T ] If a bank or other organization lends money, it gives money to someone who agrees that they will pay the money back in the future, usually with extra money added to the original amount:

The bank refuses to lend to students.

[ + two objects ] The bank agreed to lend him $5,000.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

lend / lend / verb [ T ] ( lent , lent ) (ADD TO)

If something lends a particular quality to something else, it adds that quality to it:

[ + two objects ] Vases of flowers all around the room lent the place a cheerful look/lent a cheerful look to the place.

formal These events lend support to the view that the law is inadequate.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

lend / lend / verb ( lent , lent )

lend itself to sth C2 formal If something lends itself to something else, it is suitable for that thing or can be considered in that way:

The novel's complex, imaginative style does not lend itself to translation.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

lend

[le̱nd]
 ♦♦♦
 lends, lending, lent

 1) VERB When people or organizations such as banks lend you money, they give it to you and you agree to pay it back at a future date, often with an extra amount as interest.
  [V n] The bank is reassessing its criteria for lending money...
  [V n n] I had to lend him ten pounds to take his children to the pictures.
  ...financial de-regulation that led to institutions being more willing to lend. [Also V n to n, V to n]
  Derived words:
  lending N-UNCOUNT usu with supp ...a financial institution that specializes in the lending of money. ...a slump in bank lending.
 2) VERB If you lend something that you own, you allow someone to have it or use it for a period of time.
  [V n n] Will you lend me your jacket for a little while?...
  [V n to n] He had lent the bungalow to the Conrads for a couple of weeks.
 3) VERB If you lend your support to someone or something, you help them with what they are doing or with a problem that they have.
  [V n to n] He was approached by the organisers to lend support to a benefit concert...
  [V n] Stipe attended yesterday's news conference to lend his support. [Also V n n]
  Syn:
  give
 4) VERB If something lends itself to a particular activity or result, it is easy for it to be used for that activity or to achieve that result.
  [V pron-refl to n] The room lends itself well to summer eating with its light, airy atmosphere.
 5) VERB If something lends a particular quality to something else, it adds that quality to it.
  [V n to n] Enthusiastic applause lent a sense of occasion to the proceedings...
  [V n n] A more relaxed regime and regular work lends the inmates a dignity not seen in other prisons. [Also V n]
 6) → See also lent
 7) to lend an earsee ear
 to lend a handsee hand
 to lend your name to something → see name

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

lend

lend /ˈlɛnd/ verb lends; lent /ˈlɛnt/; lend·ing
1 a [+ obj] : to give (something) to (someone) to be used for a period of time and then returned
• She often lends us books. = She often lends books to us.
• Could you lend me your pen? [=could I borrow your pen?]
• I lent our ladder to the neighbors.
b : to give (money) to someone who agrees to pay it back in the future

[+ obj]

• Can you lend me 50 cents? [=can I borrow 50 cents from you?]
• The bank wouldn't lend us the money.

[no obj]

• Many banks won't lend to people with bad credit.
2 [+ obj] : to make (something) available to (someone or something)
• They offered to lend us their services. [=to provide us with their services]
• They are glad to lend their support to worthy causes.
• It's surprising that he would lend his name to such a venture. [=that he would allow his name to be associated with such a venture]
3 [+ obj]
a : to add (something that is needed or wanted) to (something)
• A bit of grated carrot lends some color to the dish. = A bit of grated carrot lends the dish some color.
• A growing amount of evidence lends weight/credence/credibility to their theory. [=makes their theory seem true or correct]
b : to provide (something that is needed or wanted)
• She's always there to lend a (helping) hand. [=she's always there to help]
lend an ear
- see 1ear
lend itself to
✦Something that lends itself to a purpose is good or suitable for that purpose.
• Her voice lends itself well to (singing) opera.
• The topics lend themselves to classroom discussion.
- lend·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• banks and other lenders
• borrowers and lenders
- see also moneylender

fall

fall [verb] (HAVE AN ACCIDENT)

to suddenly go down onto the ground or towards the ground without intending to or by accident

US /fɑːl/ 
UK /fɔːl/ 
Example: 

He fell badly and broke his leg.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (falls, falling, fell /, has fallen )

1 to go down quickly towards the ground:
The book fell off the table.
She fell down the stairs and broke her arm.

2 (also fall over) to suddenly stop standing:
He slipped on the ice and fell.
I fell over and hurt my leg.

3 to become lower or less:
In the desert the temperature falls quickly at night.
Prices have fallen again.
 opposite rise

fall apart to break into pieces:
The chair fell apart when I sat on it.

fall asleep to start sleeping:
She fell asleep in the armchair.

fall behind to become slower than others, or not do something when you should do it:
She's falling behind with her school work.

fall for somebody to begin to love somebody:
He has fallen for someone he met on holiday.

fall in love with somebody to begin to love somebody:
He fell in love with Anna the first time they met.

fall out with somebody to argue with somebody so that you stop being friends:
Jane has fallen out with her best friend.

fall through If a plan falls through, it does not happen.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fall

I. fall1 S1 W1 /fɔːl $ fɒːl/ BrE AmE verb (past tense fell /fel/, past participle fallen /ˈfɔːlən $ ˈfɒːl-/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: feallan]
1. MOVE DOWNWARDS [intransitive] to move or drop down from a higher position to a lower position:
The tree was about to fall.
The book fell from his hands.
Enough rain had fallen to flood the grounds.
fall down
Rob fell down the stairs.
She flushed and her eyes fell (=she looked down).
2. STOP STANDING/WALKING ETC [intransitive] to suddenly go down onto the ground after you have been standing, walking, or running, especially without intending to:
I fell and hit my head.
slip/stumble/trip etc and fall
He slipped and fell on the ice.
fall down
Lizzie fell down and hurt her knee.
Peter was playing by the river when he fell in (=fell into the water).
fall to/on your knees (=move down to the ground so that your body is resting on your knees)
She fell to her knees beside his body. ⇨ fall flat on your face at ↑flat3(5)
3. DECREASE [intransitive] to go down to a lower level, amount, price etc, especially a much lower one OPP rise:
The rate of inflation was falling.
The island is warm all year round and winter temperatures never fall below 10 degrees.
He believes that educational standards are falling.
fall from
Advertising revenue fell from $98.5 million to $93.3 million.
fall to
The number of subscribers had fallen to 1,000.
fall sharply/steeply (=by a large amount)
London share prices fell sharply yesterday.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say an amount or level goes down rather than falls:
▪ House prices have gone down again.
4. BECOME [intransitive, linking verb] to start to be in a new or different state
fall adj
I’ll stay with her until she falls asleep.
I think that I’ve fallen in love with Angela.
She fell ill with flu.
Albert fell silent and turned his attention to his food.
fall into
The house was empty for many years and fell into disrepair.
One false step can mean falling into debt.
He fell into despair.
5. BELONG TO A GROUP [intransitive always + preposition] to belong to or be part of a particular group, area of responsibility, range of things, or type of things
fall into
Many illnesses fall into the category of stress-related illnesses.
Leaders fall into two categories.
fall within
The judge said that this matter did not fall within the scope of the auditor’s duties.
fall under
The job falls under the heading of ‘sales and marketing’.
Meat production falls under the control of the Agriculture Department.
6. fall short of something to be less than the amount or standard that is needed or that you want:
This year’s profit will fall short of 13%.
He would sack any of his staff who fell short of his high standards.
7. fall victim/prey to something/somebody to get a very serious illness or be attacked or deceived by someone:
Breastfed babies are less likely to fall victim to stomach disorders.
people who fall victim to violence
8. night/darkness/dusk falls if night etc falls, it starts to become dark at the beginning of the night:
It grew colder as night fell.
Darkness had fallen by the time we reached home.
9. silence/a hush/sadness etc falls literary used to say that a person, group, or place becomes quiet, sad etc:
A long silence fell between us.
10. START DOING SOMETHING [intransitive] to start doing something or being involved with something, often without intending to:
I fell into conversation with some guys from New York.
He had fallen into the habit of having a coffee every time he passed the coffee machine.
11. fall into place
a) if parts of a situation that you have been trying to understand fall into place, you start to understand how they are connected with each other:
Suddenly, all the details started falling into place.
b) if the parts of something that you want to happen fall into place, they start to happen in the way that you want:
I was lucky because everything fell into place at exactly the right time.
12. fall to pieces/bits
a) to break into many pieces SYN fall apart:
The book had been well used and finally fell to pieces.
b) if something such as a plan or a relationship falls to pieces, it stops working properly SYN fall apart:
The family is falling to pieces.
13. be falling to pieces/bits if something is falling to pieces, it is in very bad condition, especially because it is very old SYN be falling apart:
The house is falling to pieces.
14. fall flat if a joke, remark, or performance falls flat, it fails to interest or amuse people:
Marlow’s attempts at jokes fell flat.
15. fall foul of somebody/something to do something which makes someone angry or which breaks a rule, with the result that you are punished:
He is worried that his teenage kids will fall foul of the law.
16. fall by the wayside to fail, or to stop being done, used, or made:
Health reform was one of his goals that fell by the wayside.
Luxury items fall by the wayside during a recession.
17. fall from grace/favour to stop being liked by people in authority:
He fell from grace for the first time when he was convicted of drink-driving.
18. fall from a great height to be forced to leave an important job or position, or lose the respect that people had for you
19. fall into the hands/clutches of somebody if something or someone falls into the hands of an enemy or dangerous person, the enemy etc gets control or possession of them:
He wants to prevent the business falling into the hands of a competitor.
We must not let these documents fall into the wrong hands.
20. fall into a trap/pitfall to make a mistake that many people make:
Don’t fall into the trap of feeling guilty.
21. fall into step
a) to start to walk next to someone else, at the same speed as them
fall into step beside/with
Holly slowed her pace and fell into step with the old man.
b) to start doing something in the same way as the other members of a group
fall into step with
The other countries on the Council are expected to fall into step with the US.
22. fall into line to obey someone or do what other people want you to do, especially when you do not want to do it at first:
Most countries have signed the treaty but some are reluctant to fall into line.
23. HANG DOWN [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to hang down loosely
fall over
His dark hair fell over his face.
24. LIGHT/SHADOW [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to shine on a surface or go onto a surface:
The last rays of sunlight were falling on the fields.
Arthur’s shadow fell across the doorway.
25. SPECIAL EVENT/CELEBRATION [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to happen on a particular day or at a particular time:
I’d like to dedicate this record to all whose anniversaries fall at this time of year.
fall on
Her birthday will fall on a Friday this year.
26. LOSE POWER [intransitive] if a leader or a government falls, they lose their position of power:
The previous government fell after only 6 months in office.
27. BE TAKEN BY AN ENEMY [intransitive] if a place falls in a war or an election, a group of soldiers or a political party takes control of it
fall to
The city fell to the advancing Russian armies.
28. BE KILLED [intransitive] to be killed in a war SYN die
29. HIT [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to hit a particular place or a particular part of someone’s body
fall on
The first punch fell on his nose.
30. VOICE/SOUND [intransitive] if someone’s voice or a sound falls, it becomes quieter or lower OPP rise
31. it’s as easy as falling off a log spoken used to say that something is very easy to do
32. fall between two stools British English to be neither one type of thing nor another, or be unable to choose between two ways of doing something
33. fall on stony ground British English if a request, suggestion, joke etc falls on stony ground, it is ignored or people do not like it
34. fall from sb’s lips literary if words fall from someone’s lips, they say them
35. fall into sb’s lap if an opportunity falls into someone’s lap, they get it without having made any effort to get it
36. the stress/accent/beat falls on something used to say that a particular part of a word, phrase, or piece of music is emphasized or is played more loudly than the rest:
In the word ‘report’, the stress falls on the second syllable.
be/fall under a spell at ↑spell2(3), ⇨ fall on your feet at ↑foot1(19), ⇨ sb’s face fell at ↑face1(2), ⇨ stand or fall by/on at ↑stand1(33)
• • •
THESAURUS
fall (also fall over, fall down) to suddenly go down onto the floor when standing, walking, or running: She fell on the stairs and broke her ankle. | Children are always falling over.
trip on/over something to fall or almost fall when you hit your foot against something: Someone might trip over those toys. | I tripped on a piece of wood.
slip to fall or almost fall when you are walking on a wet or very smooth surface: She slipped and hurt her ankle. | I was scared I would slip on the highly polished floor.
stumble to almost fall when you put your foot down in an awkward way: He stumbled and almost fell. | One of our porters stumbled on the rough ground.
collapse to fall suddenly and heavily to the ground, especially when you become unconscious: One of the runners collapsed halfway through the race.
lose your balance to become unsteady so that you start to fall over: She lost her balance on the first step and fell down the stairs. | Have something to hold onto, in case you lose your balance.
fall flat on your face to fall forwards so you are lying on your front on the ground: She fell flat on her face getting out of the car.
fall about phrasal verb British English
to laugh a lot about something:
It was so funny everyone just fell about laughing.
fall apart phrasal verb
1. if an organization, system, relationship etc falls apart, it stops being effective or successful:
Don’t be reckless or your plans may fall apart.
The health service is falling apart at the seams.
2. be falling apart to be in very bad condition:
Tommy’s old bicycle was rusty and falling apart.
3. to break into pieces:
The book fell apart in my hands.
4. to be unable to deal with your personal or emotional problems:
She had to get some rest or she was going to fall apart.
5. sb’s world/life falls apart if someone’s world or life falls apart, something very bad and serious happens which changes their life:
When his wife left him, his world fell apart.
fall away phrasal verb
1. to slope down:
From where we stood, the ground fell away sharply to the valley floor.
2. to become separated from something after being fixed to it:
The paint was falling away in patches.
3. if a feeling falls away, you stop having it, usually suddenly:
The view from the top was wonderful and our tiredness fell away.
4. British English to decrease SYN fall OPP rise:
Demand for our more theoretical courses has fallen away.
fall back phrasal verb
1. if soldiers fall back, they move back because they are being attacked SYN retreat:
He yelled for his men to fall back.
2. to move backwards because you are very surprised, frightened etc:
Scott fell back a pace in astonishment.
3. British English to decrease SYN fall OPP rise:
When inflation started to rise, house prices fell back.
fall back into something phrasal verb
to go back to doing something or behaving in a way which you did before:
I was amazed at how easily I fell back into the old routine.
fall back on somebody/something phrasal verb
to use something or depend on someone’s help when dealing with a difficult situation, especially after other methods have failed
have somebody/something to fall back on
She has no relatives to fall back on.
Where negotiation fails, they must fall back on the law. ⇨ ↑fallback
fall behind (somebody/something) phrasal verb
1. to go more slowly than other people so that they gradually move further ahead of you:
His mother was chatting and didn’t notice that he had fallen behind.
She hurt her ankle and had fallen behind the others.
2. to become less successful than other people, companies, countries etc:
After her time in hospital, Jenny’s parents are afraid she has fallen behind educationally.
Companies that are not market-driven risk falling behind the competition.
3. to fail to finish a piece of work or pay someone money that you owe them at the right time
fall behind (somebody/something) with/on
After losing his job, he fell behind with his mortgage payments.
The project has fallen behind schedule.
fall down phrasal verb
1. be falling down if a building is falling down, it is in very bad condition:
The bridge is falling down and will need a million dollars to repair it.
2. to fail because of a particular reason or in a particular way:
That’s where the whole argument falls down.
fall down on
He is falling down on the supervisory aspects of his job.
The local authority is falling down on the job of keeping the streets clean.
fall for somebody/something phrasal verb informal
1. to be tricked into believing something that is not true:
He is too smart to fall for that trick.
2. to start to love someone:
That was the summer I worked at the fairground, and met and fell for Lucy.
3. to like a place as soon as you see it
fall in phrasal verb
1. if the roof, ceiling etc falls in, it falls onto the ground SYN collapse
2. to start walking or forming a line of people behind someone else
fall in behind
His men fell in behind him.
fall into something phrasal verb
1. to move somewhere quickly by relaxing your body and letting it fall on something:
She turned and fell into his arms.
We fell into bed, exhausted.
2. to start doing something by chance:
I fell into the job really.
fall in with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to accept someone’s ideas, decisions etc and not disagree with them:
Once she explained her problem, he was happy to fall in with her plans.
2. to become friendly with a person or group of people after meeting them by chance SYN get in with:
She fell in with the wrong crowd in her teens.
fall off phrasal verb
1. fall off (something) if part of something falls off, it becomes separated from the main part:
The door handle keeps falling off.
A button had fallen off her jacket.
2. if the amount, rate, or quality of something falls off, it decreases SYN fall OPP rise:
Audience figures fell off during the second series of the programme.
3. somebody nearly/almost fell off their chair spoken used to say that someone was very surprised when something happened:
When I saw my brother on the stage I nearly fell off my chair.
fall off the back of a lorry at ↑lorry
fall on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb
1. if a duty or job falls on someone, they are responsible for doing it:
The responsibility usually falls on the mother.
2. literary to eagerly start eating or using something:
She fell on the food as if she hadn’t eaten for days.
3. literary to suddenly attack or get hold of someone:
Some of the older boys fell on him and broke his glasses.
4. sb’s eyes/gaze/glance fall(s) on something if your eyes etc fall on something, you notice it:
His eyes fell on her bag. ‘Are you going somewhere?’
5. fall on hard/bad times to experience difficulties and problems in your life such as not having enough money:
The aim is to raise money for workers who have fallen on hard times.
6. fall on your sword to leave your job because your organization has done something wrong, and you are taking responsibility for it:
It was clear that the Prime Minister wanted her to fall on her sword.
fall on deaf ears at ↑deaf(5)
fall out phrasal verb
1. to have a quarrel
fall out with
Carrie’s always falling out with people.
2. if a tooth or your hair falls out, it is then no longer attached to your body:
The drugs made her hair fall out.
3. if soldiers fall out, they stop standing in a line and move away to different places
fall over phrasal verb
1. to fall onto the ground or to fall from an upright position:
Tommy fell over and cut his knee badly.
Her bike fell over.
2. fall over something to hit your foot against something by mistake and fall to the ground SYN trip over:
She fell over the dog and broke her front teeth.
3. fall over yourself to do something to be very eager to do something, especially something you do not usually do:
People were falling over themselves to help her.
fall through phrasal verb
if an agreement, plan, sale etc falls through, it is not completed successfully:
The studio planned to make a movie of the book but the deal fell through.
fall to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. if a duty or job falls to someone, they are responsible for doing it, especially when this is difficult or unpleasant:
It fell to me to give her the bad news.
2. written to start doing something:
They fell to work with a will.
fall to doing something
He fell to thinking about how nice a warm bath would be.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fall

fall [fall falls fell falling fallen] verb, noun   [fɔːl]    [fɔːl] 

verb (fell   [fel]  ;   [fel]  fall·en   [ˈfɔːlən]  ;   [ˈfɔːlən]  

DROP DOWN
1. intransitive to drop down from a higher level to a lower level
September had come and the leaves were starting to fall.
They were injured by falling rocks.
+ adv./prep. Several of the books had fallen onto the floor.
One of the kids fell into the river.
The handle had fallen off the drawer.
• He fell 20 metres onto the rocks below.

• The rain was falling steadily.  

STOP STANDING

2. intransitive to suddenly stop standing
She slipped on the ice and fell.
+ adv./prep. I fell over and cut my knee.
• The house looked as if it was about to fall down.

see also  fallen  

OF HAIR/MATERIAL

3. intransitive + adv./prep. to hang down

• Her hair fell over her shoulders in a mass of curls.  

SLOPE DOWNWARDS

4. intransitive ~ (away/off) to slope downwards

• The land falls away sharply towards the river.  

DECREASE

5. intransitive to decrease in amount, number or strength
Their profits have fallen by 30 per cent.
Prices continued to fall on the stock market today.
The temperature fell sharply in the night.
falling birth rates
Her voice fell to a whisper.
+ noun Share prices fell 30p.

Opp:  rise  

BE DEFEATED

6. intransitive to be defeated or captured
• The coup failed but the government fell shortly afterwards.

~ to sb Troy finally fell to the Greeks.  

DIE IN BATTLE

7. intransitive (literary) to die in battle; to be shot

• a memorial to those who fell in the two world wars  

BECOME

8. intransitive to pass into a particular state; to begin to be sth
+ adj. He had fallen asleep on the sofa.
The book fell open at a page of illustrations.
The room had fallen silent.
She fell ill soon after and did not recover.
~ into sth I had fallen into conversation with a man on the train.
• The house had fallen into disrepair.

+ noun She knew she must not fall prey to his charm.  

HAPPEN/OCCUR

9. intransitive (literary) to come quickly and suddenly
Syn:  descend
A sudden silence fell.
• Darkness falls quickly in the tropics.

~ on sb/sth An expectant hush fell on the guests.

10. intransitive + adv./prep. to happen or take place

• My birthday falls on a Monday this year.

11. intransitive + adv./prep. to move in a particular direction or come in a particular position
My eye fell on (= I suddenly saw) a curious object.
• Which syllable does the stress fall on?

• A shadow fell across her face.  

BELONG TO GROUP

12. intransitive + adv./prep. to belong to a particular class, group or area of responsibility
Out of over 400 staff there are just 7 that fall into this category.
• This case falls outside my jurisdiction.

• This falls under the heading of scientific research.

Rem: Idioms containing fall are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example fall by the wayside is at wayside.
 
Word Origin:
Old English fallan, feallan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vallen and German fallen; the noun is partly from the verb, partly from Old Norse fall ‘downfall, sin’.  
Thesaurus:
fall verb
1. I
He fell onto the rocks below.
droptumbleplungesinktopplecrash
fall/drop/tumble/sink/crash down
fall/plunge to your death
2. I (usually used with an adverb or preposition)
70 millimetres of rain fell overnight.
come downrainpour
rain falls/comes down/pours
fall/rain heavily/lightly/steadily
Fall, come down or rain? Rain is the most frequent verb and is used with the subject it. Fall and come down are used with a subject such as rain or snow.
3. I
She slipped and fell on the ice.
fall downfall overstumbletripslip
Fall, fall down or fall over? Fall and fall over are only used about people in this meaning. Fall down can be used about people, buildings or other structures that can stand and then suddenly stop standing.
4. I
The temperature fell sharply in the night.
dropcome downdeclinediminish|formal decrease|especially business sinkslumpplungeplummettumble
Opp: rise
fall/drop/come down/decline/diminish/decrease/sink/slump/plunge/plummet/tumble by 100, 25%, a half, etc.
fall/drop/come down/decline/diminish/decrease/sink/slump/plunge/plummet/tumble from 1 500 to 1 000
prices fall/drop/come down/decline/decrease/sink/slump/plunge/plummet/tumble
fall/drop/decline/decrease/slump/plunge dramatically
Fall, drop or decline? All these words can be used about numbers, levels, prices, profits and sales. Use decline to talk about a loss of economic strength in an area:
The city/industry has declined (in importance).
A person's health or people's support for sth declines. Voices and temperatures fall or drop. Things can fall or decline over a period of time, but drop cannot be used in the progressive tenses:
Sales have been falling/declining.
 ¤ Sales have been dropping.  
Language Bank:
fall
Describing a decrease
Car crime in Oxford fell significantly last year.
Car crime fell by about a quarter over a 12-month period.
The number of stolen vehicles dropped from 1 013 to 780, a fall of 26 per cent.
According to this data, 780 vehicles were stolen, 26% down on the previous year.
There was an 11% drop in reported thefts from motor vehicles, from 1 871 to 1 737.
These figures show that, as far as car crime is concerned, the main trend is downwards .
Language Banks at expect, illustrate, increase, proportion  
Example Bank:
A tile fell off the roof.
Demand is likely to fall by some 15%.
Expenditure on education fell by 10% last year.
He fell from the fourth floor.
He fell overboard in heavy seas.
He stumbled and almost fell.
Her hands fell limply to her sides.
Loose bricks were falling down onto the ground.
One of the children fell over.
Out of over 400 staff there are just 14 that fall into this category.
She fell headlong, with a cry of alarm.
She fell heavily to the ground.
She lifted her arm, but then let it fall.
Tears fell freely from her eyes.
That topic falls outside the scope of this thesis.
The number of people unemployed has fallen from two million to just over one and a half million.
The plate fell to the floor.
The price of coal fell sharply.
This case falls squarely within the committee's jurisdiction.
Winter temperatures never fall below 10°C.
the snow falling on the fields
70 millimetres of rain fell in just a few hours.
Falling birth rates could have an impact on future economic growth.
He fell 23 metres onto the rocks below.
She slipped and fell on the ice.
Idioms: break somebody's fall  take the fall

Derived: fall about  fall apart  fall away  fall back  fall back on somebody  fall behind  fall behind with something  fall down  fall for somebody  fall for something  fall in  fall in with somebody  fall into something  fall off  fall on somebody  fall out  fall over  fall over somebody  fall over yourself to do something  fall through  fall to somebody  fall to something 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb ( fell , fallen ) (HAVE AN ACCIDENT)

A2 [ I ] to suddenly go down onto the ground or towards the ground without intending to or by accident:

The path's very steep, so be careful you don't fall.

He fell badly and broke his leg.

Athletes have to learn how to fall without hurting themselves.

She fell under a bus and was killed instantly.

The horse fell at the first fence.

I fell down the stairs and injured my back.

She had fallen, it appeared, from a great height.

The water's deep here, so don't fall in !

He fell into the river and drowned.

If you fell off the roof, you'd kill yourself.

He was leaning out of the window and fell out .

She fell five metres to the bottom of the ravine.

He fell to his death climbing the Matterhorn.

fall flat on your face informal to fall and land with your face down:

Poor Kathy fell flat on her face in the mud.
 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb ( fell , fallen ) (BECOME LOWER)

B1 [ I ] to become lower in size, amount, or strength:

Demand for new cars has fallen due to the recession.

The standard of his work has fallen during the year.

Salaries in the public sector are expected to fall by 15 percent this year.

The temperature could fall below zero overnight.

Average temperatures fell by ten degrees.

The pound has fallen to its lowest-ever level against the dollar.

When the teacher walked in, the children's voices fell to a whisper (= they became very quiet) .

Share prices fell sharply this week.
 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb ( fell , fallen ) (COME DOWN)

A2 [ I ] to come down onto the ground or from a high position to a lower position:

The snow had been falling steadily all day.

You can tell it's autumn because the leaves have started to fall.

She fell into bed, completely exhausted.

A bomb fell on the church and destroyed it.

A huge meteor fell to Earth in the middle of the desert.

He begged for mercy as the blows fell on him (= as he was being hit) .

fall to your knees ( also fall down on your knees ) to go down on your knees to show respect:

The people all fell to their knees and began to pray.

[ I ] When the curtain falls in the theatre, it comes down because the play or performance has ended:

The audience was still laughing as the curtain fell.
 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] ( fell , fallen ) (BELONG TO)

to belong to a particular group, subject, or area:

The material falls into three categories.

Matters of discipline fall outside my area of responsibility.

 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb [ I + adv/prep , L ] ( fell , fallen ) (BECOME)

B1 to change to a particular condition from a different one:

He always falls asleep after drinking red wine.

Your rent falls due (= must be paid) on the first of the month.

She suddenly fell ill .

The book fell open (= opened by chance) at the page on Venice.

The government has fallen strangely silent on the subject of tax cuts after all its promises at the last election.

Silence fell on the group of men (= they became silent) as they received the news.

She fell under the influence of (= began to be influenced by) an older student.
 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb ( fell , fallen ) (BE DEFEATED)

C2 [ I ] to be beaten or defeated:

The government finally fell after losing the support of the centre parties.

The president fell from power during the military coup.

C2 [ I ] If a place falls in a war or an election, an enemy army or a different political party gets control of it:

Rome fell to the Vandals in 455 AD.

The constituency fell to Labour at the last election, after ten years of Conservative rule.

[ I ] literary If soldiers fall while fighting, they are killed:

Many brave men fell in the fight to save the city.

During the war, he saw many of his comrades fall in battle .

[ I ] In cricket, when a wicket falls, the turn of the player who is hitting the ball ends:

Ten wickets fell in 22 overs.

 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb [ I ] ( fell , fallen ) (HAPPEN)

C2 to come at a particular time or happen in a particular place:

Easter falls late this year.

My birthday will fall on a Friday this year.

Night/Darkness had fallen by the time we got back to the camp.

In the word 'table', the accent falls on the first syllable.

The Treasury has still not decided where the cuts will fall.
 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] ( fell , fallen ) (HANG DOWN)

C2 to hang down loosely:

The boy's hair fell around his shoulders in golden curls.

The veil fell almost to her waist.

 

fall / fɔːl /   / fɑːl / verb ( fell , fallen ) (UNHAPPY)

your face/spirits fall If your face falls, you suddenly look unhappy or disappointed, and if your spirits fall, you suddenly feel unhappy or disappointed:

His spirits fell when he saw the distance he still had to go.

As she read her exam results, her face fell.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fall

[fɔ͟ːl]
 
 falls, falling, fell, fallen

 1) VERB If someone or something falls, they move quickly downwards onto or towards the ground, by accident or because of a natural force.
  [V prep] Her father fell into the sea after a massive heart attack...
  [V prep] Prince Charles has again fallen from his horse...
  Bombs fell in the town...
  [V out/off] I ought to seal the boxes up. I don't want the books falling out...
  [V-ing] Twenty people were injured by falling masonry.
 N-COUNT: oft N from n
 Fall is also a noun. The helmets are designed to withstand impacts equivalent to a fall from a bicycle.
 2) VERB If a person or structure that is standing somewhere falls, they move from their upright position, so that they are then lying on the ground.
  The woman gripped the shoulders of her man to stop herself from falling...
  [V prep/adv] We watched buildings fall on top of people and pets...
  [V prep/adv] He lost his balance and fell backwards.
  Derived words:
  fallen ADJ ADJ n A number of roads have been blocked by fallen trees.
 N-COUNT
 Fall is also a noun. Mrs Briscoe had a bad fall last week.
 PHRASAL VERB
 Fall down means the same as fall. V P I hit him so hard he fell down... V P Children jumped from upper floors as the building fell down around them.
 3) VERB When rain or snow falls, it comes down from the sky.
 → See also rainfall, snowfall
  Winds reached up to 100mph in some places with an inch of rain falling within 15 minutes.
 N-COUNT: N of n
 Fall is also a noun. One night there was a heavy fall of snow.
 4) VERB If you fall somewhere, you allow yourself to drop there in a hurried or disorganized way, often because you are very tired.
  [V prep] Totally exhausted, he tore his clothes off and fell into bed...
  [V prep] In the morning I got as far as the sofa and fell on to it.
 5) VERB If something falls, it decreases in amount, value, or strength.
  [V by n] Output will fall by 6% in the EC...
  [V to/from n] Her weight fell to under seven stones...
  [V amount] Between July and August, oil product prices fell 0.2 per cent...
  The number of prosecutions has stayed static and the rate of convictions has fallen.
  [V-ing] ...a time of falling living standards and emerging mass unemployment.
  Syn:
  drop
  Ant:
  rise
 N-COUNT: usu sing
 Fall is also a noun. There was a sharp fall in the value of the pound.
 6) VERB If a powerful or successful person falls, they suddenly lose their power or position.
  Regimes fall, revolutions come and go, but places never really change...
  [V from n] The moment Mrs Thatcher fell from power has left a lasting imprint on the world's memory.
  Ant:
  rise
 N-SING: with poss
 Fall is also a noun. Following the fall of the military dictator in March, the country has had a civilian government... Her rise has mirrored his fall.
 7) VERB If a place falls in a war or election, an enemy army or a different political party takes control of it.
  [V to n] Croatian army troops retreated from northern Bosnia and the area fell to the Serbs...
  With the announcement `Paphos has fallen!' a cheer went up from the assembled soldiers.
 N-SING: usu N of n
 Fall is also a noun. ...the fall of Rome.
 8) VERB If someone falls in battle, they are killed. [LITERARY]
  Another wave of troops followed the first, running past those who had fallen.
 9) V-LINK You can use fall to show that someone or something passes into another state. For example, if someone falls ill, they become ill, and if something falls into disrepair, it is then in a state of disrepair.
  [V in/into/out of n] It is almost impossible to visit Florida without falling in love with the state...
  [V in/into/out of n] `Business to Business' was taken over by another company after it fell into debt...
  [V adj] I took Moira to the cinema, where she fell asleep...
  [V n] Almost without exception these women fall victim to exploitation.
 10) VERB If you say that something or someone falls into a particular group or category, you mean that they belong in that group or category.
  [V into n] The problems generally fall into two categories...
  [V into n] Both women fall into the highest-risk group.
 11) VERB If the responsibility or blame for something falls on someone, they have to take the responsibility or the blame for it. [WRITTEN]
  [V on n] That responsibility falls on the local office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees...
  [V on n] A vastly disproportionate burden falls on women for child care...
  [V on n] A lot of suspicion fell on her.
 12) VERB If silence or a feeling of sadness or tiredness falls on a group of people, they become silent, sad, or tired. [WRITTEN]
  [V on/over n] The bus was stopped and silence fell on the passengers as the police checked identity cards.
  Syn:
  descend
 13) VERB If a celebration or other special event falls on a particular day or date, it happens to be on that day or date.
  [V on n] ...the oddly named Quasimodo Sunday which falls on the first Sunday after Easter.
 14) VERB When light or shadow falls on something, it covers it.
  [V across/over/on n] Nancy, out of the corner of her eye, saw the shadow that suddenly fell across the doorway.
 15) VERB If someone's hair or a garment falls in a certain way, it hangs downwards in that way.
  [V prep/adv] Her hair was dressed in soft waves, falling on her cheek in a manner fashionable in the early 1930s.
 16) VERB If you say that someone's eyes fell on something, you mean they suddenly noticed it. [WRITTEN]
  [V on/upon n] As he laid the flowers on the table, his eye fell upon a note in Grace's handwriting.
 17) VERB When night or darkness falls, night begins and it becomes dark.
  As darkness fell outside, they sat down to eat at long tables.
 18) N-PLURAL: oft in names after n You can refer to a waterfall as the falls.
  The falls have always been an insurmountable obstacle for salmon and sea trout.
  ...Niagara Falls.
 19) N-VAR Fall is the season between summer and winter when the weather becomes cooler. [AM]
  He was elected judge in the fall of 1991...
  The Supreme Court will not hear the case until next fall.(in BRIT, use autumn)
 20) N-PROPER: the N In the Christian religion, the Fall was the occasion when Adam and Eve sinned and God made them leave the Garden of Eden.
 21) N-COUNT In some sports such as judo and wrestling, a fall is the act of throwing or forcing your opponent to the floor.
 22) VERB In cricket, when a wicket falls, the team who are fielding get one of the batsmen out.
  The last seven wickets fell for ten runs.
 23) → See also fallen
 24) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR at/to n If something falls open, it opens accidentally.
  By chance the book beside him fell open to St. Paul's warning to the Romans...
  The basket that she was carrying fell open.
 25) PHRASE: V inflects, oft cont If you say that people are falling over themselves to do something, you mean that they are very enthusiastic about doing it, and often that you disapprove of this. [INFORMAL]
  Within days of his death those same people were falling over themselves to denounce him.
 26) PHRASE: V inflects To fall to pieces, or in British English to fall to bits, means the same as to fall apart.
  At that point the radio handset fell to pieces.
 27) to fall on your feetsee foot
 to fall foul ofsee foul
 to fall flatsee flat
 to fall from gracesee grace
 to fall into placesee place
 to fall shortsee short
 to fall into stepsee step
 to fall into the trapsee trap
 to fall by the waysidesee wayside
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - fall about
  - fall apart
  - fall away
  - fall back
  - fall back on
  - fall behind
  - fall down
  - fall for
  - fall in
  - fall into
  - fall in with
  - fall off
  - fall on
  - fall out
  - fall over
  - fall through
  - fall to

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1fall /ˈfɑːl/ verb falls; fell /ˈfɛl/; fall·en /ˈfɑːlən/; fall·ing [no obj]
1 a : to come or go down quickly from a high place or position
• An apple fell from the tree.
• A vase fell off the shelf.
• Rain fell from the sky.
• the sound of the falling rain
b : to come or go down suddenly from a standing position
• She slipped and fell on the ice.
• He fell flat on his face.
• She was afraid that I would trip and fall.
• He fell down the stairs.
• One of the sailors had fallen overboard.
• a fallen tree
- often + down or over
• She fell down and hurt herself.
• The tree fell over during the storm.
c : to let yourself come or go down to a lower position
• He fell [=dropped, sank] to his knees and asked for forgiveness.
• He fell back/forward onto the bed.
2 a : to come down at a particular place after moving through the air
• The shot fell a great distance from its target.
- often + on
• A ray of light fell on the table.
- sometimes used figuratively
• music falling on the ear
b : to slope downward - usually + away
• The ground falls away to the east.
• The sides of the ridge fall away steeply.
c : to hang down
• Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders.
3 a : to become lower
• The tide rose and fell.
• The temperature fell after dark.
• His heart rate fell (off) dramatically.
• The value of the stock has fallen drastically.
b : to become less
• Participation in the group has fallen. [=declined]
- often + off
• Participation in the group has fallen off.
• Factory production has fallen off.
c : to lose value : to suffer a decline in prices
• Stocks fell several points in early trading today.
• The market is continuing to fall.
d : to become less loud
• His voice fell (to a whisper).
• The music rose and fell.
4 a of a glance or the eyes : to become lowered
• Her eyes fell. [=she looked down]
b of the face : to begin to look ashamed or disappointed
• His face fell [=he looked disappointed] when he heard the news.
5 of night or darkness : to arrive or begin
• Darkness falls early in the winter.
• Night has fallen.
6 a : to be wounded or killed in battle
• Many men fell on the battlefield that day.
b : to be captured or defeated
• The fortress fell on the third day of the siege.
c : to experience ruin or failure
• A great civilization fell in less than a century.
• a fallen [=disgraced] leader
• We will stand or fall together.
• a politician who has fallen from power
• The coalition government fell after only six months in office.
7 a : to happen at a specified time
• Christmas falls on a Friday this year.
• The worst weather of the year fell during his vacation.
b
- used when something (such as a responsibililty) comes or passes to someone in a way that does not involve choice
• It fell to me [=it was my responsibility] to tell them about the car accident.
• Responsibility for the damage falls with the other driver.
• The estate fell to his brother. [=his brother inherited the estate]
c : to have a specified proper place
• The accent falls on the second syllable.
• The comma falls inside the quotation mark.
8 : to belong in a particular category or range
• This word falls within the class of verbs.
• Her political views fall somewhere between liberal and conservative.
• His creative output falls into three distinct categories.
9 a
- used when someone's body or mind passes from one condition or state to another
• She fell ill/sick.
• He fell asleep.
b
- used when something passes to a different and usually a less active or less desirable state or condition
• The crowd fell silent.
• This word has fallen [=gone] out of use. = This word has fallen into disuse. [=this word is no longer used]
• His theories have now fallen into disrepute/disfavor.
• The machinery has fallen into disrepair.
10 : to start doing something in a very active and energetic way - + to
• She came in and fell immediately to work.
(as) easy as falling off a log
- see 1easy
fall afoul of
- see afoul of
fall (all) over yourself : to be very eager or too eager
• Fans were falling over themselves trying to meet the basketball star.
• Reviewers are falling all over themselves to praise her latest novel.
fall apart [phrasal verb]
1 : to break into parts in usually a sudden and unexpected way
• The pie was falling apart as I tried to serve it.
- often used figuratively
• I feel as if my family is falling apart.
✦Something that is falling apart is in very bad condition.
• My old car is falling apart.
• The house was falling apart when we bought it.
2 : to become unable to live in a normal way because you are experiencing a lot of confusion or emotional pain
• She began to fall apart when her son was imprisoned.
fall away [phrasal verb] : to become gradually less : to disappear gradually
• The sound of the parade fell away in the distance.
fall back [phrasal verb]
1 : to move back away from something dangerous or threatening : retreat
• The crowd fell back when the police arrived.
• The guerrillas fell back across the border after a brief battle with the army.
2 fall back on (something) also fall back upon (something) : to use (something) for help or protection when you are in a bad situation
• When her health insurance was canceled she had nothing to fall back on.
• They had to fall back on their emergency supplies when the snow storm blocked the road to town.
fall behind [phrasal verb]
1 : to fail to move or go forward as quickly as others
• We had to stop several times so that the slower hikers wouldn't fall (too far) behind.
2 : to fail to do something as quickly as planned or required - often + with
• We've been falling further behind with our work.
- often + on
• I am falling behind on my homework.
• We fell behind on our car payments.
fall down on the job : to do a job badly
• The people who are supposed to be keeping the city clean have been falling down on the job.
fall flat : to produce no response or result
• All of his jokes fell flat. [=no one laughed at his jokes]
fall for [phrasal verb]
1 fall for (someone) : to feel a strong attraction for (someone) : to fall in love with (someone)
• He fell for her the moment he saw her.
• He fell for her hard. = He fell hard for her. = He fell for her like a ton of bricks. [=he became deeply in love with her]
2 fall for (something) : to be fooled by (something, such as a trick)
• I can't believe you fell for that old trick.
fall foul of
- see 1foul
fall from grace
- see 1grace
fall in [phrasal verb]
1 : to break apart and fall down in an inward direction
• The roof fell in.
2 : to take your place in a military formation
• The troops were ordered to fall in.
- compare fall out (below)
fall in/into line : to start to do what you are told or required to do
• Several of the older companies have refused to fall in line (with the new regulations).
• It was weeks before the new prisoner fell into line.
fall in love, fall out of love
- see 1love
fall into [phrasal verb]
1 : to be caught in (a trap)
• We fell into a trap.
2 : to begin to do or experience (something) or to be affected by (something) without wanting or trying to
• He fell deeply into debt.
• She fell into her career almost accidentally.
• She fell into the habit of going out for ice cream every night.
fall into place : to fit together : to make sense
• The pieces of the puzzle/mystery are finally starting to fall into place.
fall into step
- see 1step
fall into the hands of : to come to be held or possessed by (someone)
• Officials are concerned that the stolen weapons may fall into the hands of terrorists. [=that terrorists may get/obtain the stolen weapons]
fall into the wrong hands : to come to be held or possessed by the wrong person or group
• There could be a disaster if the weapons fell into the wrong hands.
fall into your lap
- see 1lap
fall in with [phrasal verb]
1 fall in with (someone) : to begin to spend time with (someone)
• Their daughter fell in with a bad crowd.
2 fall in with (something) : to accept and act in agreement with (something)
• They readily fell in with our plans.
fall off [phrasal verb] : to stop being attached to something
• The handle was so loose that it almost fell off.
- see also 1fall 3b (above)
fall on/upon [phrasal verb]
1 fall on/upon (something)
a : to begin to experience (something) : to meet with (an experience)
• We fell on hard times after I lost my job.
• The company fell upon some unexpected competition.
b : to notice (something) especially without wanting or trying to
• Her eyes/glance fell on the letter on his desk.
2 fall on/upon (someone) : to attack (someone) suddenly
• They fell on the enemy soldiers and killed every one of them.
fall on deaf ears
- see 1ear
fall on your feet
- see 1foot
fall out [phrasal verb]
1 of a tooth or hair : to stop being attached to the body
• The cancer treatments made her hair fall out.
2 : to have an argument
• They fell out [=fought, argued] over money.
• He had fallen out [=quarreled] with his neighbor.
- see also falling-out
3 : to leave your place in a military formation
• The soldiers were ordered to fall out.
- compare fall in (above)
fall over backward
- see 1backward
fall prey to
- see 1prey
fall short
1 : to fail to be as good or successful as expected or hoped for
• In comparison to her previous novel, this one falls short. [=this one is not as good]
- often + of
• Her current book falls short of her previous novel.
• The cruise fell short of our expectations. [=the cruise was not as good as we expected it to be]
2 : to fail to reach a goal
• Their efforts fell short.
- often + of
• Their efforts fell (far) short of (achieving) their goal.
fall through [phrasal verb] : to fail or stop in a sudden or final way
• Contract negotiations have fallen through.
• Our vacation plans have fallen through.
fall through/between the cracks
- see 2crack
fall through the net
- see 1net
fall to pieces
- see 1piece
fall under [phrasal verb] fall under (something) : to be influenced or affected by (something)
• He fell under her influence.
fall under a spell
• He has fallen under suspicion. [=people have begun to suspect him of doing something]
fall victim to
- see victim
let the chips fall where they may
- see 1chip

break

break [verb] (DAMAGE)

to (cause something to) separate suddenly or violently into two or more pieces, or to (cause something to) stop working by being damaged

US /breɪk/ 
UK /breɪk/ 
Example: 

She fell and broke her arm

Oxford Essential Dictionary

 verb (breaks, breaking, broke /, has broken )

1 to make something go into smaller pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it:
He broke the window.
She has broken her arm.

2 to go into smaller pieces, for example by falling or hitting:
I dropped the cup and it broke.

3 to stop working; to damage a machine so that it stops working:
You've broken my watch.

4 to do something that is against the law or against what has been agreed or promised:
People who break the law must be punished.
I never break my promises.

break down

1 If a machine or car breaks down, it stops working:
We were late because our car broke down.

2 If a person breaks down, they start to cry:
He broke down when he heard the news.

break in, break into something to go into a place by breaking a door or window so that you can steal something:
Thieves broke into the house. They broke in through a window.

break off to take away a piece of something by breaking it:
He broke off a piece of chocolate for me.

break out

1 to start suddenly:
A fire broke out last night.

2 to get free from a place like a prison:
Four prisoners broke out of the jail last night.

break up (British) to start the school holidays:
We break up at the end of July.

break up with somebody to end a relationship with somebody:
Susy broke up with her boyfriend last week.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

break

I. break1 S1 W1 /breɪk/ BrE AmE verb (past tense broke /brəʊk $ broʊk/, past participle broken /ˈbrəʊkən $ ˈbroʊ-/)
[Word Family: noun: ↑break, ↑outbreak, ↑breakage; adjective: ↑breakable ≠ ↑unbreakable, ↑broken ≠ ↑unbroken; verb: ↑break]
[Language: Old English; Origin: brecan]
1. SEPARATE INTO PIECES
a) [transitive] if you break something, you make it separate into two or more pieces, for example by hitting it, dropping it, or bending it:
I had to break a window to get into the house.
Don’t lean on the fence like that – you’ll break it!
break something in half/two
He broke the biscuit in half and handed one piece to me.
Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt it over a gentle heat.
b) [intransitive] if something breaks, it separates into two or more pieces:
He kept pulling at the rope until it broke.
The frames are made of plastic and they tend to break quite easily.
2. BONES [transitive] to damage a bone in your body by making it crack or split:
She fell downstairs and broke her hip.
3. MACHINES
a) [transitive] to damage a machine so that it does not work properly:
Don’t mess about with my camera – you’ll break it.
Someone’s broken the TV.
b) [intransitive] if a machine breaks, it stops working properly:
The washing machine’s broken again.
4. RULES/LAWS [transitive] to disobey a rule or law:
They’re breaking the law by employing such young children.
If you break the rules, you will be punished.
The cameras catch motorists who break the speed limit.
5. PROMISE/AGREEMENT [transitive] to not do something that you have promised to do or signed an agreement to do:
I never break my promises.
You betrayed me. You broke your word.
break an agreement/contract
He was worried that he might be breaking his contract.
6. STOP/REST [intransitive] to stop for a short time in order to have a rest or eat something
break for
Shall we break for lunch now?
7. END SOMETHING [transitive] to stop something from continuing:
We need to break the cycle of poverty and crime in the inner cities.
We took turns driving, in order to try and break the monotony.
New talks will begin on Monday in an effort to break the deadlock.
8. DEFEAT SOMEBODY [transitive] to make someone feel that they have been completely defeated and they cannot continue working or living:
Losing his business nearly broke him.
I won’t give in. I won’t be broken by him.
9. DESTROY AN ORGANIZATION [transitive] to damage an organization so badly that it no longer has any power:
The government succeeded in breaking the unions.
10. DAY/DAWN [intransitive] when the day or the ↑dawn breaks, the sky gets light:
Dawn was breaking by the time we arrived home.
11. STORM [intransitive] if a storm breaks, it begins:
We were keen to get back to the hotel before the storm broke.
12. WEATHER [intransitive] if the weather breaks, it suddenly changes and becomes cold or wet:
The following day the weather broke and we had ten days of solid rain.
13. WAVES [intransitive] when waves break, they fall onto the land at the edge of the water:
We sat and watched the waves breaking on the shore
14. SB’S VOICE [intransitive]
a) when a boy’s voice breaks, it becomes lower and starts to sound like a man’s voice:
He was fifteen, and his voice was just beginning to break.
b) if your voice breaks, it does not sound smooth because you are feeling strong emotions:
Her voice broke as she told us what had happened.
15. NEWS
a) [intransitive] if news about an important event breaks, it becomes known:
News of his resignation broke yesterday.
The minister has refused to give any interviews since the scandal broke.
b) [transitive] if you break unpleasant news to someone, you tell it to them:
I didn’t know how I was going to break the news to my mother.
The doctor finally broke it to me that there was no cure.
16. break a habit to stop doing something that you do regularly, especially something that you should not do:
a new drug which helps smokers to break their habit
17. break a record to do something even faster or even better than the previous best time, amount etc:
an attempt to break the 10,000-metres world record
18. break a journey British English to stop somewhere for a short time during a long journey:
We decided to break our journey in Oxford.
19. break sb’s heart to make someone very unhappy by ending a relationship with them or doing something that upsets them a lot:
He broke my heart when he left me.
It’ll break your father’s heart if you tell him you’re giving up college.
20. break a strike to force workers to end a ↑strike:
The government has threatened to bring in the army to break the 10-month-old strike.
21. break a link/tie/connection to end a relationship with a person or organization:
The US has now broken all diplomatic links with the regime.
Sometimes it is necessary to break family ties in order to protect the child.
22. break the skin to cut the skin on your body:
Their teeth are sharp enough to break the skin.
23. break the back of something to finish the main or worst part of something:
I think we’ve broken the back of the job now.
24. break the bank to cost a lot of money, or more money than you have:
A new hard drive doesn’t have to break the bank.
25. break sb’s concentration to interrupt someone and stop them from being able to continue thinking or talking about something:
The slightest sound would break his concentration.
26. break the silence to end a period of silence by talking or making a noise:
The silence was broken by a loud scream.
27. break sb’s spirit to destroy someone’s feeling of determination:
They could not break her spirit.
The spirit of our soldiers will never be broken.
28. break sb’s power to take away someone’s position of power or control:
At last the power of the Church was finally broken.
29. break the ice informal to make people feel more friendly and willing to talk to each other:
Sam’s arrival broke the ice and people began to talk and laugh.
30. break a code to succeed in understanding something that is written in a secret way:
Scientists worked day and night to break the code.
31. break wind to allow gas to escape from your bottom, making a noise and an unpleasant smell
32. break (sb’s) serve to win a game in tennis when your opponent is starting the game by hitting the ball first:
Hewitt broke serve twice in the second set.
33. break a leg spoken used to wish someone luck, especially just before they perform on stage
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 5)
■ break + NOUN
break your promise I’ll never forgive him for breaking his promise to me.
break your word (=break your promise) I’ve promised to do it and I never break my word.
break your vow (=break a serious or formal promise) He accused her of breaking her marriage vows.
break (off) your engagement In the end she decided to break their engagement.
break a contract He took the company to court for breaking the contract.
break an agreement This action broke the international agreement of 1925.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to break something
break verb [transitive] to damage something and make it separate into pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it: Careful you don’t break the chair. | He broke his leg.
smash verb [transitive] to break something with a lot of force: A policeman smashed his camera.
snap verb [transitive] to break something into two pieces, making a loud noise – used especially about long thin objects: He snapped the sticks in two.
split verb [transitive] to separate something into two pieces along a straight line: Using a sharp knife, split the melon in half.
fracture verb [transitive] to damage a bone, especially so that a line appears on the surface: I fell over and fractured my wrist.
tear /teə $ ter/ verb [transitive] to damage paper or cloth by pulling it so that it separates into pieces: She tore up the letter and put it in the bin. | I tore my jacket.
■ to become broken
break verb [intransitive] to become damaged and separate into pieces: Plastic breaks quite easily.
smash verb [intransitive] to break after being hit with a lot of force: The bowl smashed as it hit the floor.
shatter verb [intransitive] to break into a lot of small pieces: The glass shattered all over the pavement.
crack verb [intransitive] if something cracks, a line appears on the surface, which means that it could later break into separate pieces: The ice was starting to crack.
burst verb [intransitive] if a tyre, balloon, pipe etc bursts, it gets a hole and air or liquid suddenly comes out of it: She blew up the balloon until it burst.
split verb [intransitive] to break in a straight line: The damp had caused the wood to split.
crumble verb [intransitive] to break into a powder or a lot of small pieces: The cork just crumbled in my hand.
break away phrasal verb
1. to leave a group or political party and form another group, usually because of a disagreement:
More than 30 Labour MPs broke away to form a new left-wing party.
break away from
They broke away from the national union and set up their own local organization. ⇨ ↑breakaway2
2. to leave your home, family, or job and become independent
break away from
I felt the need to break away from home.
3. to move away from someone who is holding you:
She started crying and tried to break away.
break away from
She broke away from him and ran to the door.
4. to move away from other people in a race or game:
Radcliffe broke away 200 metres before the finish.
5. to become loose and no longer attached to something:
Part of the plane’s wing had broken away.
break down phrasal verb
1. if a car or machine breaks down, it stops working:
The car broke down just north of Paris.
The printing machines are always breaking down. ⇨ ↑breakdown
2. to fail or stop working in a successful way:
Negotiations broke down after only two days.
I left London when my marriage broke down. ⇨ ↑breakdown
3. break something ↔ down if you break down a door, you hit it so hard that it breaks and falls to the ground:
Police had to break down the door to get into the flat.
4. break something ↔ down to change or remove something that prevents people from working together and having a successful relationship with each other:
Getting young people together will help to break down the barriers between them.
It takes a long time to break down prejudices.
5. if a substance breaks down, or something breaks it down, it changes as a result of a chemical process
break something ↔ down
Food is broken down in the stomach.
Bacteria are added to help break down the sewage.
6. to be unable to stop yourself crying, especially in public:
He broke down and cried.
She broke down in tears when she heard the news.
7. break something ↔ down to separate something into smaller parts so that it is easier to do or understand:
He showed us the whole dance, then broke it down so that we could learn it more easily.
The question can be broken down into two parts.
⇨ ↑breakdown
break for something phrasal verb
to suddenly run towards something, especially in order to escape from someone:
He broke for the door, but the guards got there before he did.
break in phrasal verb
1. to enter a building by using force, in order to steal something:
Thieves broke in and stole £10,000 worth of computer equipment. ⇨ ↑break-in
2. to interrupt someone when they are speaking
break in on
I didn’t want to break in on his telephone conversation.
break in with
Dad would occasionally break in with an amusing comment.
3. break something ↔ in to make new shoes or boots less stiff and more comfortable by wearing them:
I went for a walk to break in my new boots.
4. break somebody in to help a person get used to a certain way of behaving or working:
She’s quite new to the job, so we’re still breaking her in.
5. break something ↔ in to teach a young horse to carry people on its back:
We break the horses in when they’re about two years old.
break into something phrasal verb
1. to enter a building or car by using force, in order to steal something:
Someone broke into my car and stole the radio.
Her house was broken into last week.
2. to become involved in a new job or business activity:
She made an attempt to break into journalism.
It’s a profession that is very hard to break into.
Many British firms have failed in their attempts to break into the American market.
3. to start to spend money that you did not want to spend:
I don’t want to break into my savings unless I have to.
4. break into a run/trot etc to suddenly start running:
He broke into a run as he came round the corner.
5. break into a smile/a song/applause etc to suddenly start smiling, singing etc:
Her face broke into a smile.
The audience broke into loud applause.
break somebody of something phrasal verb
to make someone stop having a bad habit:
Try to break yourself of the habit of eating between meals.
break off phrasal verb
1. to suddenly stop talking:
She started to speak, then broke off while a waitress served us coffee.
He broke off in mid-sentence to shake hands with the new arrivals.
break something ↔ off
I broke off the conversation and answered the phone.
2. break something ↔ off to end a relationship:
She broke off their engagement only a few weeks before they were due to be married.
The US has broken off diplomatic relations with the regime.
3. if something breaks off, or if you break it off, it comes loose and is no longer attached to something else:
One of the car’s wing mirrors had broken off.
break something ↔ off
He broke off a piece of bread.
break out phrasal verb
1. if something unpleasant such as a fire, fight, or war breaks out, it starts to happen:
I was still living in London when the war broke out.
Does everyone know what to do if a fire breaks out?
Fighting broke out between demonstrators and the police. ⇨ ↑outbreak
2. to escape from a prison
break out of
Three men have broken out of a top-security jail. ⇨ ↑breakout
3. to change the way you live because you feel bored
break out of
She felt the need to break out of her daily routine.
4. break out in spots/a rash/a sweat etc if you break out in spots etc, they appear on your skin:
I broke out in a painful rash.
My whole body broke out in a sweat.
break through phrasal verb
1. break through (something) to manage to get past or through something that is in your way:
Several demonstrators broke through the barriers despite warnings from the police.
After hours of fierce fighting, rebels broke through and captured the capital.
2. break through (something) if the sun breaks through, you can see it when you could not see it before because there were clouds:
The sun broke through at around lunch time.
The sun soon broke through the mist.
3. to manage to do something successfully when there is a difficulty that is preventing you:
He’s a very talented young actor who’s just ready to break through.
break through into
It is possible that at this election some of the minority parties might succeed in breaking through into parliament.
⇨ ↑breakthrough
break up phrasal verb
1. if something breaks up, or if you break it up, it breaks into a lot of small pieces:
It seems that the plane just broke up in the air.
break something ↔ up
Use a fork to break up the soil.
2. break something ↔ up to separate something into several smaller parts:
There are plans to break the company up into several smaller independent companies.
You need a few trees and bushes to break up the lawn.
3. break something ↔ up to stop a fight:
Three policemen were needed to break up the fight.
4. break something ↔ up to make people leave a place where they have been meeting or protesting:
Government soldiers broke up the demonstration.
Police moved in to break up the meeting.
5. if a marriage, group of people, or relationship breaks up, the people in it separate and do not live or work together any more:
He lost his job and his marriage broke up.
The couple broke up last year.
Many bands break up because of personality clashes between the musicians.
break up with
Has Sam really broken up with Lucy? ⇨ ↑breakup
6. if a meeting or party breaks up, people start to leave:
The party didn’t break up until after midnight.
The meeting broke up without any agreement.
7. British English when a school breaks up, it closes for a holiday:
School breaks up next week.
break up for
When do you break up for Easter?
8. break somebody up American English informal to make someone laugh by saying or doing something funny:
He breaks me up!
break with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to leave a group of people or an organization, especially because you have had a disagreement with them:
She had broken with her family years ago.
They broke with the Communist Party and set up a new party.
2. break with tradition/the past to stop following old customs and do something in a completely different way:
Now is the time to break with the past.
His work broke with tradition in many ways.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

break

break [break breaks broke breaking broken] verb, noun   [breɪk]    [breɪk] 

 

verb (broke   [brəʊk]  ;   [broʊk]  broken   [ˈbrəʊkən]  ;   [ˈbroʊkən]  

 

IN PIECES
1. intransitive, transitive to be damaged and separated into two or more parts, as a result of force; to damage sth in this way
All the windows broke with the force of the blast.
The bag broke under the weight of the bottles inside it.
~ in/into sth She dropped the plate and it broke into pieces.
~ sth to break a cup/window
• She fell off a ladder and broke her arm.

~ sth in/into sth He broke the chocolate in two.  

STOP WORKING

2. intransitive, transitive to stop working as a result of being damaged; to damage sth and stop it from working
• My watch has broken.

~ sth I think I've broken the washing machine.  

SKIN

3. transitive ~ sth to cut the surface of the skin and make it bleed

• The dog bit me but didn't break the skin.  

LAW/PROMISE

4. transitive ~ sth to do sth that is against the law; to not keep a promise, etc
to break the law/rules/conditions
to break an agreement/a contract/a promise/your word
to break an appointment (= not to come to it)

• He was breaking the speed limit (= travelling faster than the law allows).  

STOP FOR SHORT TIME

5. intransitive, transitive to stop doing sth for a while, especially when it is time to eat or have a drink
~ (for sth) Let's break for lunch.
~ sth a broken night's sleep (= a night during which you often wake up)

(especially BrE) We broke our journey in Oxford (= stopped in Oxford on the way to the place we were going to).  

END STH

6. transitive ~ sth to interrupt sth so that it ends suddenly
She broke the silence by coughing.
A tree broke his fall (= stopped him as he was falling).
• The phone rang and broke my train of thought.

• Someone laughed suddenly and the spell was broken.

7. transitive ~ sth to make sth end by using force or strong action
• an attempt to break the year-long siege

• Management has not succeeded in breaking the strike.

8. transitive ~ sth to end a connection with sth or a relationship with sb

• He broke all ties with his parents.  

ESCAPE

9. intransitive ~ free (from sb/sth) (of a person or an object) to get away from or out of a position in which they are stuck or trapped

• He finally managed to break free from his attacker.  

DESTROY, BE DESTROYED

10. transitive, intransitive ~ (sb/sth) to destroy sth or make sb/sth weaker; to become weak or be destroyed
to break sb's morale/resistance/resolve/spirit
The government was determined to break the power of the trade unions.
The scandal broke him (= ruined his reputation and destroyed his confidence).

• She broke under questioning (= was no longer able to bear it) and confessed to everything.  

MAKE SB FEEL BAD

11. transitive ~ sb to make sb feel so sad, lonely, etc. that they cannot live a normal life

• The death of his wife broke him completely.  

OF WEATHER

 

12. intransitive to change suddenly, usually after a period when it has been fine  

SHOW OPENING
13. intransitive to show an opening

• The clouds broke and the sun came out.  

OF DAY/DAWN/STORM

14. intransitive when the day or dawn or a storm breaks, it begins
• Dawn was breaking when they finally left.

see also  daybreak  

OF NEWS

15. intransitive if a piece of news breaks, it becomes known
• There was a public outcry when the scandal broke.

breaking news (= news that is arriving about events that have just happened)

16. transitive ~ it/the news to sb to be the first to tell sb some bad news
• Who's going to break it to her?

• I'm sorry to be the one to break the news to you.  

OF VOICE

17. intransitive if sb's voice breaks, it changes its tone because of emotion

• Her voice broke as she told us the dreadful news.

 

18. intransitive when a boy's voice breaks, it becomes permanently deeper at about the age of 13 or 14  

A RECORD
19. transitive ~ a record to do sth better, faster, etc. than anyone has ever done it before
• She had broken the world 100 metres record.

• The movie broke all box-office records.  

OF WAVES

20. intransitive when waves break, they fall and are dissolved into foam, usually near land
• the sound of waves breaking on the beach

• The sea was breaking over the wrecked ship.  

STH SECRET

21. transitive ~ a code/cipher to find the meaning of sth secret

• to break a code  

MONEY

22. transitive ~ sth (especially NAmE) to change a banknote for coins

• Can you break a twenty-dollar bill?

Rem: Idioms containing break are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example break sb's heart is at heart.
 
Word Origin:
Old English brecan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch breken and German brechen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin frangere ‘to break’.  
Thesaurus:
break verb
1. I, T
She fell and broke her arm.
crackfracturesnapbreak (sth) upsmashshattersplinter
break/crack/fracture/smash/shatter/splinter a bone
crack/fracture/smash/shatter your skull
break/crack/smash a cup/mirror
a branch/rope/cable breaks/snaps
2. I, T
My watch has broken.
break downgo wrongfailcrashgo down
a watch/video/DVD player breaks/goes wrong
a washing machine breaks down/goes wrong
a system fails/crashes/goes down
3. T
Don't break the law by speeding.
formal breachinfringeviolate
Opp: obey
break/breach/infringe a regulation
break/breach/violate a rule/law/treaty
break/violate a ceasefire/truce
4. T
He wouldn't break a promise, would he?
go back on sthbacktrack|informal, especially journalism do a U-turn
Opp: keep
break/go back on a a promise/your word/an agreement  
Collocations:
Injuries
Being injured
have a fall/an injury
receive/suffer/sustain a serious injury/a hairline fracture/(especially BrE) whiplash/a gunshot wound
hurt/injure your ankle/back/leg
damage the brain/an ankle ligament/your liver/the optic nerve/the skin
pull/strain/tear a hamstring/ligament/muscle/tendon
sprain/twist your ankle/wrist
break a bone/your collarbone/your leg/three ribs
fracture/crack your skull
break/chip/knock out/lose a tooth
burst/perforate your eardrum
dislocate your finger/hip/jaw/shoulder
bruise/cut/graze your arm/knee/shoulder
burn/scald yourself/your tongue
bang/bump/hit/ (informal) bash your elbow/head/knee (on/against sth)
Treating injuries
treat sb for burns/a head injury/a stab wound
examine/clean/dress/bandage/treat a bullet wound
repair a damaged/torn ligament/tendon/cartilage
amputate/cut off an arm/a finger/a foot/a leg/a limb
put on/ (formal) apply/take off (especially NAmE) a Band-Aid™/(BrE) a plaster/a bandage
need/require/put in/ (especially BrE) have (out)/ (NAmE) get (out) stitches
put on/rub on/ (formal) apply cream/ointment/lotion
have/receive/undergo (BrE) physiotherapy/(NAmE) physical therapy 
Language Bank:
illustrate
Referring to a chart, graph or table
This bar chart illustrates how many journeys people made on public transport over a three-month period.
This table compares bus, train, and taxi use between April and June.
The results are shown in the chart below.
In this pie chart, the survey results are broken down by age.
This pie chart breaks down the survey results by age.
As can be seen from these results, younger people use buses more than older people.
According to these figures, bus travel accounts for 60% of public transport use.
From the data in the above graph, it is apparent that buses are the most widely used form of public transport.
Language Banks at evidence, fall, increase, proportion, surprising  
Vocabulary Building:
Words that mean ‘break’

All these verbs, except cut, can be used with or without an object. 
Example Bank:
He broke off abruptly when Jo walked in.
She broke down in tears as she spoke to reporters.
She broke off from the conversation to answer the telephone.
She broke the bar in two and gave a piece to me.
She broke the chocolate up into small pieces.
The glass broke into hundreds of pieces.
Their marriage had broken down irretrievably.
He broke the chocolate in two and gave me half.
He was breaking the speed limit.
How did this dish get broken?
I didn't mean to break the window.
I don't know how to break it to him.
I think I've broken the video.
I've never broken my word; why should I do it now?
Just break the news to her gently.
Perhaps it is more courageous to break a promise if it means saving the economy.
She dropped the plate and it broke into pieces.
She had broken the conditions of her bail.
She has already broken three appointments.
Some companies have broken sanctions by supplying arms to the warring states.
They insist that they have not broken any rules.
Would you be willing to break the law to achieve your goal?
to break an agreement/a contract
Idioms: break of day  give me a break!  give somebody a break  make a break for for it

Derived: break away  break down  break for something  break in  break into something  break off  break out  break out in something  break somebody in  break something down  break something off  break something up  break through  break through something  break up  break with something 

 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

break / breɪk / verb [ I or T ] ( broke , broken ) (DAMAGE)

A2 to (cause something to) separate suddenly or violently into two or more pieces, or to (cause something to) stop working by being damaged:

The dish fell to the floor and broke.

Charles is always breaking things.

She fell and broke her arm (= broke the bone in her arm) .

I dropped the vase and it broke into pieces .

I think I've broken your phone.

I picked it up and the handle broke off .

We heard the sound of breaking glass.
 

break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (END)

B2 [ I or T ] to destroy or end something, or to come to an end:

Eventually someone spoke, breaking the silence.

She laughed and that broke the tension.

The enemy were unable to break the code (= understand it and so make it useless) .

Outside workers were brought in in an attempt to break (= end) the strike .

break a/the record B2 to do something better than the best known speed, time, number, etc. previously achieved:

She broke the record for the 5,000 metres.
 

break / breɪk / verb [ T ] ( broke , broken ) (NOT OBEY)

B2 to fail to keep a law, rule, or promise:

He didn't know he was breaking the law (= doing something illegal) .

She broke her promise/word to me (= did not do what she promised she would) .

 

break / breɪk / verb [ I or T , + adv/prep ] ( broke , broken ) (DIVIDE)

to (cause something to) divide into two or more parts or groups:

These enzymes break down food in the stomach (= cause food to separate into smaller pieces) .

I asked her to break her expenses down into food, travel and personal costs.
 

break / breɪk / verb [ T ] ( broke , broken ) (INTERRUPT)

B1 to interrupt or to stop something for a short period:

We usually break for lunch at 12.30.

I needed something to break the monotony of my typing job.

The phone rang, breaking my concentration .

UK They decided to break their journey in Singapore.
 

break / breɪk / verb [ I or T , usually + adv/prep ] ( broke , broken ) (USE FORCE)

C2 to go somewhere or do something by force:

He threatened to break the door down (= enter using force) .

The horse tried to break free from its stable.

In the storm the boat broke loose from its moorings.

The thieves broke the safe open and stole the diamonds.

The police broke up the fight (= ended it forcefully) .

She broke his grip and ran away.
 

break / breɪk / verb [ I or T ] ( broke , broken ) (EMOTION)

to lose your confidence, determination, or ability to control yourself, or to make someone do this:

He thought she would break under the strain.

They tried to break his will (= make him lose his control) but he resisted.
 

break / breɪk / verb [ I or T ] ( broke , broken ) (BECOME KNOWN)

C2 to become known or to make something become known:

When the scandal broke (= came to the public's attention) , the company director committed suicide.

It was the local newspaper that first broke the story (= told the public) .

 

break / breɪk / verb [ I usually + adv/prep ] ( broke , broken ) (WAVES)

(of waves) to reach and move over the beach, hit a cliff or wall, etc.:

A huge wave broke on/against the shore/ over the boat.

break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (WEATHER)

 

C2 [ I ] (of the weather) to change suddenly and usually become worse:

The forecast is for the hot weather to break today.
 

break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (STORM)

C2 [ I ] (of a storm) to start suddenly:

We arrived just as a storm was breaking.
 

break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (DAY)

dawn/day breaks When dawn or day breaks, the sun starts to appear in the sky early in the morning:

Dawn broke over the city.
 

break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (VOICE)

[ I ] When a boy's voice breaks it begins to sound like a man's:

His voice broke when he was 13.

[ I ] If someone's voice breaks, it changes because of strong emotions:

Her voice was breaking with emotion as she pleaded for her child's return.
 

break / breɪk / verb ( broke , broken ) (SPORT)

break serve (in tennis) to win a game in which another player is serving (= hitting the ball first) :

Sampras broke Ivanisevic's serve in the second set.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

break

[bre͟ɪk]
 
 breaks, breaking, broke, broken

 1) V-ERG When an object breaks or when you break it, it suddenly separates into two or more pieces, often because it has been hit or dropped.
  [V n] He fell through the window, breaking the glass...
  The plate broke...
  [V n into pl-n] Break the cauliflower into florets...
  [V into pl-n] The plane broke into three pieces.
  [V-ed] ...bombed-out buildings, surrounded by broken glass and rubble...
  [V-ing] The only sound was the crackle of breaking ice.
 2) V-ERG If you break a part of your body such as your leg, your arm, or your nose, or if a bone breaks, you are injured because a bone cracks or splits.
  [V n] She broke a leg in a skiing accident...
  Old bones break easily...
  [V-ed] Several people were treated for broken bones.
 N-COUNT
 Break is also a noun. It has caused a bad break to Gabriella's leg.
 3) V-ERG If a surface, cover, or seal breaks or if something breaks it, a hole or tear is made in it, so that a substance can pass through.
  [V n] Once you've broken the seal of a bottle there's no way you can put it back together again...
  The bandage must be put on when the blister breaks...
  [V-ed] Do not use the cream on broken skin.
 4) V-ERG When a tool or piece of machinery breaks or when you break it, it is damaged and no longer works.
  When the clutch broke, the car was locked into second gear...
  [V-ed] Tenants do not have to worry about leaking roofs and broken washing machines. [Also V n]
 5) VERB If you break a rule, promise, or agreement, you do something that you should not do according to that rule, promise, or agreement.
  [V n] We didn't know we were breaking the law...
  [V n] The company has consistently denied it had knowingly broken arms embargoes.
  [V-ed] ...broken promises.
 6) VERB If you break free or loose, you free yourself from something or escape from it.
  [V adj] She broke free by thrusting her elbow into his chest.
  [V adj] ...his inability to break free of his marriage.
 7) VERB If someone breaks something, especially a difficult or unpleasant situation that has existed for some time, they end it or change it.
  [V n] The Home Secretary aims to break the vicious circle between disadvantage and crime...
  [V n] New proposals have been put forward to break the deadlock among rival factions...
  [V n] The country is heading towards elections which may break the party's long hold on power.
 N-COUNT: usu sing
 Break is also a noun. Nothing that might lead to a break in the deadlock has been discussed yet.
 8) VERB If someone or something breaks a silence, they say something or make a noise after a long period of silence.
  [V n] Hugh broke the silence. `Is she always late?' he asked...
  [V n] The unearthly silence was broken by a shrill screaming.
 9) N-COUNT If there is a break in the cloud or weather, it changes and there is a short period of sunshine or fine weather.
  A sudden break in the cloud allowed rescuers to spot Michael Benson.
 10) VERB If you break with a group of people or a traditional way of doing things, or you break your connection with them, you stop being involved with that group or stop doing things in that way.
  [V with n] In 1959, Akihito broke with imperial tradition by marrying a commoner...
  [V from n] They were determined to break from precedent...
  [V n with n] They have yet to break the link with the trade unions. [Also V n]
 N-COUNT: usu sing
 Break is also a noun. Making a completely clean break with the past, the couple got rid of all their old furniture.
 11) VERB If you break a habit or if someone breaks you of it, you no longer have that habit.
  [V n] If you continue to smoke, keep trying to break the habit...
  [V n of n] The professor hoped to break the students of the habit of looking for easy answers.
 12) VERB To break someone means to destroy their determination and courage, their success, or their career.
  [V n] He never let his jailers break him...
  [V n] The newspapers and television can make or break you...
  [V-ed] Ken's wife, Vicki, said: `He's a broken man.'
  Syn:
  destroy
 13) VERB If someone breaks for a short period of time, they rest or change from what they are doing for a short period.
  They broke for lunch.
 14) N-COUNT: oft N from/in n A break is a short period of time when you have a rest or a change from what you are doing, especially if you are working or if you are in a boring or unpleasant situation.
 → See also lunch break, tea break
  They may be able to help with childcare so that you can have a break...
  I thought a 15 min break from his work would do him good...
  She rang Moira during a coffee break.
 15) N-COUNT A break is a short holiday.
  They are currently taking a short break in Spain.
 16) VERB If you break your journey somewhere, you stop there for a short time so that you can have a rest.
  [V n] Because of the heat we broke our journey at a small country hotel.
 17) VERB To break the force of something such as a blow or fall means to weaken its effect, for example by getting in the way of it.
  [V n] He sustained serious neck injuries after he broke someone's fall.
 18) VERB When a piece of news breaks, people hear about it from the newspapers, television, or radio.
  The news broke that the Prime Minister had resigned...
  He resigned from his post as Bishop when the scandal broke.
 19) VERB When you break a piece of bad news to someone, you tell it to them as kindly as you can.
  [V n] Then Louise broke the news that she was leaving me...
  [V n to n] I worried for ages and decided that I had better break it to her.
 20) N-COUNT A break is a lucky opportunity that someone gets to achieve something. [INFORMAL]
  He went into TV and got his first break playing opposite Sid James in the series 'Citizen James'.
 21) VERB If you break a record, you beat the previous record for a particular achievement.
 → See also record-breaking
  [V n] Carl Lewis has broken the world record in the 100 metres...
  [V n] Jurassic Park has broken all box office records.
 22) VERB When day or dawn breaks, it starts to grow light after the night has ended.
 → See also daybreak
  They continued the search as dawn broke.
 23) VERB When a wave breaks, it passes its highest point and turns downwards, for example when it reaches the shore.
  Danny listened to the waves breaking against the shore.
 24) VERB If you break a secret code, you work out how to understand it.
  [V n] It was feared they could break the Allies' codes.
  Syn:
  crack
 25) VERB If someone's voice breaks when they are speaking, it changes its sound, for example because they are sad or afraid.
  Godfrey's voice broke, and halted.
 26) VERB When a boy's voice breaks, it becomes deeper and sounds more like a man's voice.
  He sings with the strained discomfort of someone whose voice hasn't quite broken.
 27) VERB If the weather breaks or a storm breaks, it suddenly becomes rainy or stormy after a period of sunshine.
  I've been waiting for the weather to break...
  She hoped she'd be able to reach the hotel before the storm broke.
 28) VERB In tennis, if you break your opponent's serve, you win a game in which your opponent is serving.
  [V n] He broke McEnroe's serve.
 N-COUNT
 Break is also a noun. A single break of serve settled the first two sets.
 29) → See also broke, broken, heartbreak, heartbreaking, heartbroken, outbreak
 30) PHRASE: prep PHR The break of day or the break of dawn is the time when it begins to grow light after the night. [LITERARY]
  `I,' he finished poetically, `will watch over you to the break of day.'
 31) CONVENTION (feelings) You can say `give me a break' to show that you are annoyed by what someone has said or done. [INFORMAL]
  `I'm a real intellectual-type guy, Tracy,' James joked. `Oh, give me a break,' Tracy moaned.
 32) PHRASE: V inflects If you make a break or make a break for it, you run to escape from something.
  The moment had come to make a break or die...
  Dan made a break for his car only to find the driver's door locked.
  Syn:
  make a run for
 33) to break the banksee bank
 to break coversee cover
 to break evensee even
 to break new groundsee ground
 to break someone's heartsee heart
 all hell breaks loosesee hell
 to break the icesee ice
 to break rankssee rank
 to break windsee wind
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - break away
  - break down
  - break in
  - break into
  - break off
  - break out
  - break through
  - break up

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1break /ˈbreɪk/ verb breaks; broke /ˈbroʊk/; bro·ken /ˈbroʊkən/; break·ing
1 : to separate (something) into parts or pieces often in a sudden and forceful or violent way

[+ obj]

• She broke the cup when she dropped it on the floor.
• I broke the stick in two/half. = I broke the stick into two pieces.
Break the chocolate bar into pieces so that everyone can have some.
• It is easiest to break a chain at its weakest link.

[no obj]

• The cup broke (into bits/pieces) when it fell on the floor.
• A chain will break at its weakest link.
2 : to cause (a bone) to separate into two or more pieces

[+ obj]

• He fell and broke [=fractured] his collarbone.
• He broke his arm in the accident. [=one of the bones in his arm was broken in the accident]
• The fall broke his arm.

[no obj]

• His arm broke in three places when he fell.
3 [no obj] : to open suddenly especially because of pressure from inside
• The blister broke.
• A bruise forms when a blood vessel breaks under the skin.
- see also break open (below)
4 a [+ obj] : to cause (something, such as a machine) to stop working by damaging it
• He broke his watch when he dropped it on the floor.
• I'm afraid I've broken your phone.
b [no obj] : to stop working because of being damaged
• His watch broke when he dropped it on the floor.
• The pump recently broke.
- see also break down (below)
5 : to split or divide (something) into smaller units or parts

[+ obj]

• The word “singing” can be broken (up) into the two syllables “sing-” and “-ing.”
• They broke the corporation (up) into several smaller companies.

[no obj]

• The corporation broke (up) into several smaller companies.
- see also break into (below)
6 [+ obj]
a : to go through or make a hole in (a surface, someone's skin, etc.)
• There is no risk of infection if the dog's bite did not break [=puncture] the skin.
• A large fish broke the surface of the water.
b : to go through (something) by using force
• Use a knife to break the seal.
- usually used figuratively
• The ceremony is to celebrate people who broke racial barriers in the music industry.
- see also break down (below), break through (below)
c : to cut into and turn over the surface of (the ground, soil, etc.)
• The farmer uses a plow to break the soil.
- see also break ground at 1ground
7 [+ obj] : to fail to do what is required by (a law, a promise, etc.)
• She may not have broken the law, but she acted wrongly.
• You broke your promise.
• Students who break the rules will be punished.
• He broke the contract by failing to make the payments on time.
• You can get fined for breaking the speed limit. [=for driving faster than you are legally allowed to drive]
8 a : to destroy or defeat (something) by using force or pressure

[+ obj]

• They kept putting pressure on him, but they couldn't break his spirit/determination/resistance.
• They finally broke his will to resist.

[no obj]

• His spirit/determination will never break.
b [+ obj] : to defeat or ruin (someone) : to cause (someone) to fail or to stop trying or fighting
• He swore that he would break his rivals/competitors.
• They kept putting pressure on him, but they couldn't break him.
• These huge losses are going to break [=ruin] me financially!
• This film could make or break her career. [=the success or failure of her career could depend on the success or failure of this film]
- see also break down (below), make-or-break
c [no obj] : to lose your health, mental or physical strength, or control - usually + under
• The witness broke under questioning.
• I was afraid I would break under the strain of constant uncertainty.
- see also break down (below)
d [+ obj] : to train (a wild animal) to behave in a way that is useful to people
• special equipment used to break horses
9 [+ obj]
a : to cause the end of (something that is strong or that has continued for a long time)
• A group of moderates from both parties are negotiating to break the deadlock in Congress.
• Many people in the industry were very upset when the government broke the strike.
• He decided to break all ties/links with them. [=to end all connections with them]
• She scored a goal in the last minute of the game, breaking a 2–2 tie.
• It's never easy to break [=kick, give up] a bad habit.
b : to cause (someone) to give up a habit - + of
• His friends have tried everything to break him of his smoking habit. [=have tried everything to make him stop smoking]
10 [+ obj]
a : to interrupt (something)
• The peaceful silence of the evening was broken by a sudden shout.
• The commotion broke my train of thought.
• The sudden noise broke my concentration. [=made it impossible for me to concentrate]
• Sometimes I sing while I'm driving, just to break (up) the monotony of my commute.
• The horizon line was broken only by a few stands of trees in the distance.
• The planes broke formation [=stopped flying together in an organized group] and took off in different directions.
- see also break up 4 (below)
b : to cause (something, such as a curse or spell) to no longer be effective
• a mystic who claimed to be able to break curses
11 [no obj] : to stop an activity (such as working) for a brief period of time
• Let's break for lunch. [=let's take a break for lunch; let's temporarily stop working and eat lunch]
12 a [+ obj] : to tell (bad news) to someone in a kind or gentle way
• I know she'll be very upset when she finds out she didn't get the job, so please try to break it to her gently.
b [+ obj] : to make (something, such as news) publicly known for the first time
• The local TV station was the first to break the news about the President's visit.
c [no obj] of news : to become publicly known
• The story broke yesterday. [=the story was reported for the first time yesterday]
• People were shocked when (news of) the scandal first broke.
13 [+ obj] : to reduce the speed or force of (something)
• The bushes beneath the window helped to break his fall. [=helped make his fall less forceful]
• She walked straight across the room without breaking (her) stride. [=without pausing or slowing down]
14 [+ obj]
a : to be higher or more than (a specified number, measurement, etc.)
• The temperature is expected to break 90 (degrees Fahrenheit) today.
b : to do better than (a record)
• She ran a great race and almost broke the world record. [=she almost ran the race faster than anyone in the world has ever run it]
• He set a record that may never be broken.
c : to have a score that is lower than or higher than (a specified total)
• golfers trying to break 90 [=to have a score below 90]
• bowlers trying to break 200 [=to have a score above 200]
15 [+ obj]
a : to find or provide an explanation or solution for (something, such as a criminal case)
• The detective finally broke [=solved] the case.
• The detective found the evidence that broke the case.
b : to find the meaning of (a secret code)
• A team of experts was finally able to break the code and decipher the meaning of the message.
16 [no obj]
a of the weather : to change by becoming rainy, clear, cool, etc., after a long time
• waiting for the weather to break
• The heat wave should finally break [=end] tomorrow.
b of clouds : to separate so that the sky or sun can be seen
• The clouds broke and the fog dissipated, revealing blue sky above.
c of a storm : to start suddenly
• Everyone ran to get indoors when the storm broke. [=when it began to rain]
17 [no obj] literary : to begin when the sun rises
• They left just as day was breaking. [=just as the sun was rising]
• The dawn was breaking.
- see also daybreak
18 [no obj]
a : to begin running quickly
• Everyone broke [=dashed, ran] for cover.
b : to stop fighting and run away
• When the enemy charged, our troops broke and ran.
19 [+ obj]
a : to give smaller bills or coins for (a large bill)
• Can you break [=change] a $20 bill for me?
b : to use (a large bill) to pay for something that costs much less than the value of the bill
• I didn't want to break a $20 bill just to buy something for a dollar.
20 [no obj] of a wave : to curl over and fall onto or near land
• the sound of waves breaking against/over/on the rocks
21 [no obj]
a of someone's voice : to change sharply in tone or pitch because of strong emotion
• Her voice was breaking with emotion as she said goodbye.
b of a boy's voice : to change from the high voice of a boy to the lower voice of a man
• an adolescent boy whose voice is breaking
22 [no obj] sports of a thrown or struck ball : to turn or curve
• The putt broke to the left as it neared the hole.
• a pitch that breaks away from the batter
• The pitcher threw a breaking ball. [=a pitch that curves]
23 tennis : to win against (an opponent who is serving)

[+ obj]

• The challenger broke the champion in the final set. = The challenger broke the champion's serve in the final set.

[no obj]

• The challenger broke in the final set but the champion broke back to even the score.
24 [no obj] : to happen or develop
• For the team to succeed, everything has to break right for them. [=for the team to succeed, they have to be lucky]
• Things have been breaking [=going] well for the company in the past six months.
break a leg
- see 1leg
break a sweat
- see 2sweat
break away [phrasal verb]
1 : to get away from someone or something especially by using force or effort
• Large pieces of the rock ledge have broken away. [=broken free]
- usually + from
• He broke away [=broke free/loose] from his captors and escaped.
• She broke away [=pulled away] from the other runners to win the race.
- often used figuratively
• The company has broken away from the competition.
• young people breaking away from traditional values
2 : to separate or become separate from a larger group, country, etc.
• Three members of the band broke away and formed their own group.
- usually + from
• a faction that has broken away from the main political party
- see also breakaway
break bread
- see 1bread
break camp
- see 1camp
break cover
- see 2cover
break down [phrasal verb]
1 a of a machine : to stop working properly
• Our car broke down on the highway.
• This old motorcycle is constantly breaking down.
- see also 1break 4 (above)
b : to fail or stop usually in a complete and sudden way
• Negotiations have broken down. [=collapsed]
• The government's argument broke down completely when new evidence came to light.
• Their marriage had broken down [=failed], and there was nothing to do about it.
2 a : to become overwhelmed by strong emotions
• She broke down and started to cry. = She broke down in tears.
- see also 1break 8c (above)
b break down or break (someone) down or break down (someone) : to lose or cause (someone) to lose strength or the ability to resist or fight
• The prisoner finally broke down under intensive questioning.
• She finally broke down and got a cell phone. [=she bought a cell phone after resisting the desire to buy one for a long time]
• Intensive questioning finally broke the prisoner down.
- see also 1break 8b (above)
3 break down or break (something) down or break down (something)
a : to become separated or to separate (something) into simpler substances
• The foods you eat break down in the body's digestive system.
• The body's digestive system breaks food down.
• Water can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. = Water can break down into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis.
b : to be able to be divided or to divide (something) into parts or groups
• The report breaks down into three sections. = The report is broken down into three sections. [=the report has three sections]
• The author has broken down the nation's history into three distinct periods.
4 break (something) down or break down (something) : to use force to push (something) to the ground
break a door down
break down a barrier
- sometimes used figuratively
• They are working to break down legal barriers to integration.
- see also breakdown
break even : to take in as much money as you spend : to operate without either a loss or a profit
• After years of losing money the company is starting to break even and hopes to make a profit soon.
- see also break-even
break faith with
- see faith
break free : to become able to move or escape by using force or effort
• The prisoner struggled to break free. : to get away from someone or something that holds or limits you - often + from or of
• She wanted to break free from the constraints of her middle-class life.
• an animal struggling to break free of a trap
break from [phrasal verb] break from (someone or something) : to end a relationship, connection, or agreement with (someone or something)
• She recently broke from [=broke with] the organization she helped found.
breaking from [=breaking with] tradition/stereotypes
break ground
- see 1ground
break in [phrasal verb]
1 : to enter a house, building, etc., illegally
• Someone tried to break in while we were away.
- see also break into 1 (below), break-in
2 : to interrupt or disturb someone or something
• I was listening to my favorite radio program when a reporter broke in with news about a storm.
• We were having a chat when he rudely broke in (on it).
- see also break into 4 (below)
3 break in or break (someone) in or break in (someone) : to start or help (someone) to start a new activity, job, etc.
• Baseball was very different when he first broke in [=started playing] as a catcher in 1962.
• The job involves a wide variety of tasks, so we try to break new employees in gradually.
• The band is breaking in a new backup singer.
4 break (something) in or break in (something)
a : to use (something, such as a new pair of shoes) for a period of time so that it becomes comfortable
• The shoes were tight when she first got them, so she broke them in by wearing them around the house for a few days.
b : to operate (a new machine) carefully for a period of time until it is ready for regular use
• You shouldn't drive a new car too fast while you're breaking it in.
break into [phrasal verb] break into (something)
1 : to enter (a house, building, etc.) illegally and especially by using force
• Someone tried to break into our house while we were away.
- see also break in 1 (above)
2 : to begin to do or have (something) suddenly
• She broke into tears. [=she suddenly began to cry]
• The audience broke into applause. [=the audience suddenly began applauding]
• His face broke into a smile. [=he suddenly smiled]
• The horse broke into a gallop. [=the horse suddenly began to gallop]
• She broke into song. [=she suddenly began to sing]
3 : to enter or get started in (something, such as a profession)
• I knew her when she was a young actress trying to break into show business.
4 : to interrupt (something)
• The network broke into the program with a special news report.
- see also break in 2 (above)
break loose
1 : to suddenly become loose : to suddenly stop being attached to something
• One of the shutters broke loose during the storm.
2 : to get away from someone or something by using force or effort
• The prisoner broke loose [=broke free] and ran away.
- often + from
• The prisoner broke loose from the guards.
• She wants to break loose from the constraints of her middle-class life.
- see also all hell breaks loose at hell
break new ground
- see 1ground
break off [phrasal verb]
1 break off or break off (something) or break (something) off or break (something) off (something) : to become separated or cause (something) to become separated because of force or violence
• The piece of plaster broke off easily.
• The handle broke off when I accidentally dropped the cup.
• I accidentally broke the cup's handle off. = I accidentally broke the handle off the cup.
• I broke [=tore] a piece of bread off (the loaf) and ate it.
2 break off or break off (something) : to stop or end suddenly or cause (something) to stop or end suddenly
• The speaker broke off (speaking) in the middle of a sentence.
• At that point the recording suddenly breaks off. [=ends]
• The two countries have broken off diplomatic relations.
• The negotiations resumed soon after they were broken off.
• They had a fight and broke off [=called off] their engagement.
break open [phrasal verb] break open or break open (something) or break (something) open : to open or to cause (something) to open suddenly
• The pods broke open and the seeds scattered on the wind.
• The police broke open the door.
• The burglars broke open the locked safe.
- see also 1break 3 (above)
break out [phrasal verb]
1 : to begin happening suddenly
• A fire broke out in the kitchen.
• A riot broke out in the prison.
• There is a danger that war could break out soon.
2 a : to suddenly begin to have sweat, a rash, etc., on your skin
• He broke out in a sweat. [=he began to sweat]
• Eating strawberries makes her break out in hives. = Eating strawberries makes her break out.
b : to appear on the skin suddenly
• Sweat broke out on his forehead.
• A rash broke out on her skin.
3 : to escape from a prison, jail, etc.
• Six prisoners were caught attempting to break out.
- often + of
• Six prisoners attempted to break out of the jail.
- often used figuratively
• The team is trying to break out of its slump. [=is trying to end its slump]
• We need to break out of the financial rut we're in.
4 break (something) out or break out (something) : to take (something) from the place where it is stored so that it can be used
• We broke out the champagne to celebrate our victory.
- see also breakout, outbreak
break rank
- see 1rank
break someone's heart
- see heart
break step
- see 1step
break the back of
- see 1back
break the bank
- see 1bank
break the ice
- see 1ice
break the mold
- see 1mold
break through [phrasal verb] break through or break through (something)
1 : to use force to get through (something, such as a barrier)
• The enemy attacked our defenses but they weren't able to break through.
• The enemy finally broke through our defenses and defeated us.
• The prisoners broke through the wall and escaped.
- sometimes used figuratively
• The organization is committed to breaking through the barriers of poverty.
- see also 1break 6b (above)
2 of the sun : to shine through (clouds)
• The sun finally began to break through. = The sun finally began to break through the clouds.
break up [phrasal verb]
1 break up or break (something) up or break up (something)
a : to separate into parts or pieces or cause (something) to separate into parts or pieces
• The asteroid broke up [=disintegrated] when it hit the Earth's atmosphere.
• Enzymes help break up protein molecules.
break up a large estate
b : to end or cause (something) to end
• The demonstration broke up when the police arrived.
• The party began to break up shortly after midnight.
• The police broke up the demonstration.
• He got hurt while trying to break up a fight.
break up a terrorist organization
2 break up : to end a romantic relationship, marriage, etc.
• They dated for years but recently broke up.
• I hear that he and his wife have broken up. = I hear that their marriage has broken up.
- often + with
• He broke u

cut

cut [verb] (USE KNIFE)

to break the surface of something, or to divide or make something smaller, using a sharp tool, especially a knife

US /kʌt/ 
UK /kʌt/ 
Example: 

I've cut myself/my hand on that glass/ with that knife.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (cuts, cutting, cut, has cut)

1 to break or damage something with something sharp, for example a knife or scissors:
I cut the string and opened the parcel.
I cut the apple in half (= into two parts).
She cut her finger on some broken glass.

2 to take one piece from something bigger using a knife or scissors:
Can you cut me a piece of cake, please?

3 to make something shorter with a knife or scissors:
Have you had your hair cut ?

be cut off to be kept alone, away from other people:
Our house was cut off from the village by the snow.

cut down on something to use, do or buy less of something:
You should cut down on sweets and chocolate.

cut something down to cut something so that it falls down:
We cut down the old tree.

cut something off to stop the supply of something:
The workmen cut off the electricity.

cut something out to take something from the place where it was by using scissors, etc.:
I cut the picture out of the newspaper.

cut something up to cut something into pieces with a knife, etc.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

cut

I. cut1 S1 W1 /kʌt/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle cut, present participle cutting)
[Word Family: noun: ↑cut, ↑cutting, ↑cutter; verb: ↑cut, ↑undercut; adjective: ↑cutting]
[Date: 1200-1300; Origin: From an unrecorded Old English cytan]
1. REDUCE [transitive] to reduce the amount of something:
They’re introducing CCTV cameras in an attempt to cut street crime in the area.
You need to cut the amount of fat and sugar in your diet.
Scientists are warning that unless carbon emissions are cut, we could be heading for an environmental catastrophe.
Seven hundred jobs will be lost in order to cut costs and boost profits.
The major aviation companies need to cut prices if they are to compete with budget airlines.
cut something by £1 million/$5 billion/half etc
The welfare budget has been cut by $56 billion.
cut something off something
A new direct service will cut two hours off the flying time between London and Seoul.
Staffing levels had already been cut to the bone (=reduced to the lowest level possible).
2. DIVIDE SOMETHING WITH A KNIFE, SCISSORS ETC [intransitive and transitive] to divide something or separate something from its main part, using scissors, a knife etc:
Do you want me to cut the cake?
The telephone wires had been cut minutes before the assault.
cut something with something
Jane cut the cord with a knife.
cut somebody something
Can you cut me a piece of bread, please?
cut along/across/round etc
Using a pair of scissors, cut carefully along the dotted lines.
cut through
We’ll need a saw that will cut through metal.
cut something in half/in two
Cut the orange in half.
cut something into slices/chunks/pieces etc (=make something into a particular shape by cutting)
Cut the carrots into thin strips.
cut something to size/length (=cut something so that it is the size you need)
The curtain pole can be cut to length. ⇨ CUT AWAY, CUT OFF, ↑cut out, ↑cut up
3. MAKE SOMETHING SHORTER WITH A KNIFE ETC [transitive] to make something shorter with a knife, scissors etc, especially in order to make it neater:
For reasons of hygiene, we had to cut our fingernails really short.
cut the lawn/grass/hedge etc
From outside came the sound of someone cutting the hedge.
have/get your hair cut
It’s about time you got your hair cut.
4. REMOVE PARTS FROM FILM ETC [transitive] to remove parts from a film, book, speech etc, for example because it is too long or might offend people:
The original version was cut by more than 30 minutes.
5. MAKE A HOLE/MARK [intransitive and transitive] to make a hole or mark in the surface of something, or to open it using a sharp tool
cut into
The blade cut deep into the wood.
cut something into something
Strange letters had been cut into the stone.
Cut a hole in the middle of the paper.
Cut open the chillies and remove the seeds.
6. INJURE [transitive] to injure yourself on something sharp that breaks the skin and makes you bleed
cut your finger/knee/hand etc
I noticed he’d cut his finger quite badly.
cut yourself (on something)
Marcie said she’d cut herself on a broken glass.
That knife’s extremely sharp! Mind you don’t cut yourself.
On Eric’s chin was a scrap of cotton wool where he’d cut himself shaving.
She fell and cut her head open.
7. MAKE/FORM SOMETHING BY CUTTING [transitive] to make or form something from a solid piece of wood, metal etc using a sharp tool:
I’ll get a spare key cut for you.
cut something from something
The chair had been cut from the trunk of a tree.
8. LET SOMEBODY GET FREE [transitive] to cut something such as metal or rope in order to let someone escape from where they are trapped
cut somebody from something
She had to be cut from the wreckage of her car.
He was in the vehicle for an hour before he was cut free.
9. TOOL/MATERIAL [intransitive] if a tool cuts well, badly etc, it cuts things well or badly etc:
professional quality tools that cut efficiently and smoothly
10. CLOTHES [transitive usually passive] if a piece of clothing is cut in a particular way, that is the way it is designed and made:
The T-shirt is cut fairly low at the neck.
11. ON COMPUTER [intransitive and transitive] to remove something from a document or ↑file on a computer:
To cut text, press Control + C.
Cut and paste the picture into a new file (=remove it and then make it appear in a new file).
12. GO A QUICK WAY [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to get to somewhere by a quicker and more direct way than the usual way ⇨ shortcut
cut through/down/across etc
I usually cut through the car park to get to work.
Let’s cut across the field.
13. DIVIDE AN AREA [intransitive and transitive] to divide an area into two or more parts
cut something in/into something
The river cuts the whole region in two.
cut through
The new road will cut through a conservation area.
14. PLAYING CARDS [intransitive and transitive] to divide a pack of cards into two:
First cut the pack, and then deal the cards
15. MUSIC [transitive] to produce a ↑CD, song etc for people to buy:
The band cut their first single in 2001.
16. CROPS [transitive] to take the top part off crops such as wheat before gathering them
17. cut a deal to make a business deal:
A French company has reportedly cut a deal to produce software for government agencies.
18. cut (somebody) a check American English informal to write a ↑check for a particular amount of money and give it to someone:
When the damage assessor called, he cut a check for $139.
19. cut! spoken said by the ↑director of a film to tell people to stop acting, filming etc
20. PUT A FILM TOGETHER [transitive] to put the parts of a film together so that they make a continuous story, and get rid of the parts you do not want
21. cut in line American English to unfairly go in front of other people who are waiting to do something
22. cut class/school American English informal to deliberately not go to a class that you should go to:
She started cutting classes.
23. cut your teeth (on something) to get your first experience of doing something and learn the basic skills:
Both reporters cut their journalistic teeth on the same provincial newspaper.
24. cut corners to do something in a way that saves time, effort, or money, but that also results in it not being done properly:
There’s a temptation to cut corners when you’re pushed for time, but it’s not worth it.
25. cut something short to stop doing something earlier than you planned:
The band has cut short its US concert tour.
Her athletic career was cut short by a leg injury.
26. cut somebody short to stop someone from finishing what they wanted to say:
I tried to explain, but he cut me short.
27. cut the ... spoken an impolite way of telling someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you:
Cut the sarcasm, Jane, and tell me what really happened!
Cut the crap (=stop saying something that is not true)! I saw his car outside your house.
28. cut somebody dead to deliberately ignore someone when you meet them:
I saw Ian in town but he cut me dead.
29. cut your losses to stop doing something that is failing, so that you do not waste any more money, time, or effort:
He decided to cut his losses and sell the business.
30. LINE [transitive] if a line cuts another line, they cross each other at a particular point
31. TOOTH [transitive] if a baby cuts a tooth, the tooth starts to grow
32. cut somebody to the quick/bone literary to upset someone very much by saying something cruel:
His mockery frightened her and cut her to the bone.
33. cut to the chase informal to immediately start dealing with the most important part of something
34. cut a fine/strange etc figure literary to have an impressive, strange etc appearance:
Mason cuts a battered but defiant figure.
35. cut your own throat to behave in a way that will cause harm to yourself, especially because you are very offended or angry about something:
He’d just be cutting his own throat if he left now.
36. (it) cuts both ways spoken used to say that something has two effects, especially a good effect and a bad one:
The higher the interest rate, the greater the financial risk – which, of course, cuts both ways.
37. cut the ground from under sb’s feet to make someone or their ideas seem less impressive by having better ideas yourself or doing something before they do
38. cut and run informal to avoid a difficult situation by leaving suddenly:
Although the company has faced financial difficulties, they do not intend to cut and run.
39. cut no ice/not cut much ice if something cuts no ice with someone, it will not persuade them to change their opinion or decision:
It’s unlikely that these arguments will cut much ice with Democrats.
40. cut the (umbilical) cord to stop being too dependent on someone, especially your parents
41. not cut the mustard informal to not be good enough:
Other magazines have tried to copy the formula but have never quite cut the mustard.
42. DRUGS [transitive usually passive] to mix an illegal drug such as ↑heroin with another substance
43. cut your coat according to your cloth to spend only as much money as you can afford
44. to cut a long story short spoken used to say that you are only going to mention the main facts of something:
To cut a long story short, he threw them out of the house.
45. cut it/things fine (also cut it close American English) to leave yourself just enough time to do something:
Even in normal traffic, 20 minutes to get to the airport is cutting it fine.
46. not cut it informal to not be good enough to do something:
Players who can’t cut it soon quit the team.
47. cut a swathe through something literary to cause a lot of damage in a place or among a group of people:
A series of bribery scandals has cut a swathe through the government.
48. you could cut the atmosphere with a knife informal used to say that everyone in a place is very annoyed or angry with each other and this is very easy to notice
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ nouns
cut costs (=reduce the amount you spend running a business, a home etc) They cut costs by getting rid of staff.
cut prices Shops have been forced to cut their prices after very slow sales.
cut taxes/rates The government is expected to cut interest rates next month.
cut spending/borrowing In the 1990s, governments worldwide cut military spending.
cut jobs The bank announced that it was cutting 500 jobs.
cut crime Cameras have helped to cut crime in the town centre.
■ adverbs
sharply/severely/drastically (=cut a lot) Housing benefit was sharply cut for all but the poorest people.
■ phrases
cut something to the bone (=reduce it to the lowest level possible) Funding for art and music in schools has been cut to the bone.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ phrases
cut somebody a piece/slice of something Shall I cut you a slice of cake?
cut something in half/two (=into two pieces) Cut the tomatoes in half.
cut something into pieces/slices/chunks etc Next cut the carrots into thin slices.
cut something to size/length (=so that it is the size/length you need) The place where I bought the wood cut it to size for me.
■ adverbs
cut something open Cut open the avocado and remove the stone.
cut something lengthways (=cut it in the direction that is longest) First cut the fish in half lengthways.
cut something cleanly (=with no uneven edges) Branches should be cut cleanly from the tree.
• • •
THESAURUS
cut to divide something into two or more pieces, especially using a knife or ↑scissors: Do you want me to cut the cake? | He cut off the lower branches.
snip to quickly cut something, especially using ↑scissors: I snipped the label off. | The hairdresser snipped away at her hair.
slit to make a long narrow cut through something, especially using a knife: He slit the envelope open with a penknife. | She slit through the plastic covering.
slash to cut something quickly and violently with a knife, making a long thin cut: Someone had slashed the tyres on his car. | He tried to slash his wrists.
saw to cut wood, using a ↑saw (=a tool with a row of sharp points): Saw the wood to the correct length.
chop to cut wood, vegetables, or meat into pieces: Bill was outside chopping up firewood with an axe. | They chopped down the old tree. | finely chopped onion
slice to cut bread, meat, or vegetables into thin pieces: I’ll slice the cucumber. | Slice the bread thinly.
dice to cut vegetables or meat into small square pieces: First dice the apple into cubes.
grate to cut cheese or a hard vegetable by rubbing it against a special tool: Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the vegetables.
peel to cut the outside part off something such as a potato or apple: I peeled the potatoes and put them in a saucepan.
carve to cut thin pieces from a large piece of meat: Uncle Ray carved the turkey.
mow to cut the grass in a garden, park etc: A gardener was mowing the lawn.
trim (also clip) to cut a small amount off something, especially to make it look neater: He was trimming his beard. | Trim the excess fat off the meat.
cut across something phrasal verb
if a problem or feeling cuts across different groups of people, they are all affected by it:
Domestic violence seems to cut across most social divisions.
cut something ↔ away phrasal verb
to remove unwanted or unnecessary parts from something by cutting it:
Cut away all the dead wood.
cut back phrasal verb
1. to reduce the amount, size, cost etc of something
cut back on
Several major hospitals are cutting back on staff at the moment.
cut something ↔ back
Education spending cannot be cut back any further.
Richer countries must do more to cut back carbon emissions. ⇨ ↑cutback
2. cut something ↔ back to remove the top part of a plant in order to help it to grow:
Cut back the shoots in spring to encourage bushier growth.
3. to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health
cut back on
Try to cut back on foods containing wheat and dairy products.
cut down phrasal verb
1. REDUCE to reduce the amount of something
cut something ↔ down
Installing double-glazing will cut down the noise from traffic.
cut down on
By getting the design right, you can cut down on accidents.
2. EAT/USE LESS to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health:
I’ve always smoked, but I’m trying to cut down.
cut down on
Cut down on fatty foods if you want to lose weight.
3. TREE cut something ↔ down to cut through the main part of a tree so that it falls on the ground
4. KILL cut somebody ↔ down literary to kill or injure someone, especially in a battle:
Hundreds of men were cut down by crossbow fire.
5. REDUCE LENGTH cut something ↔ down to reduce the length of something such as a piece of writing:
Your essay’s too long – it needs cutting down a little.
6. cut somebody down to size to make someone realize that they are not as important, successful etc as they think they are
cut in phrasal verb
1. INTERRUPT to interrupt someone who is speaking by saying something:
‘What shall I do?’ Patrick cut in again.
cut in on
Sorry to cut in on you, but there are one or two things I don’t understand.
2. DRIVING to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way
cut in on
She cut in on a red Ford, forcing the driver to brake heavily.
3. MACHINE if a part of a machine cuts in, it starts to operate when it is needed:
The safety device cuts in automatically.
4. INCLUDE SOMEBODY cut somebody in informal to allow someone to take part in a plan or to make money from it
cut somebody in on
Come on, Joey, you promised to cut me in on this one!
cut somebody/something off phrasal verb
1. SEPARATE cut something ↔ off to separate something by cutting it away from the main part:
One of his fingers was cut off in the accident.
cut something off something
Cut the fat off the meat.
2. STOP SUPPLY cut something ↔ off to stop the supply of something such as electricity, gas, water etc:
The gas had been cut off.
The US has threatened to cut off economic and military aid.
3. get cut off to suddenly not be able to hear someone that you were speaking to on the telephone:
I don’t know what happened – we just got cut off.
4. be cut off
a) if a place is cut off, people cannot leave it or reach it:
In winter, the town is often cut off by snow.
b) to be a long way from other places and be difficult to get to:
Accessible only by air, the town is cut off from the rest of the country.
c) if someone is cut off, they are lonely and not able to meet many other people:
Many older people feel cut off and isolated.
5. STOP BEING FRIENDLY cut somebody ↔ off to stop having a friendly relationship with someone:
Julia had been completely cut off by all her family and friends.
cut yourself off (from somebody)
After his wife died, he cut himself off completely from the rest of the world.
6. INTERRUPT to interrupt someone and stop them from finishing what they were saying:
Emma cut him off in mid-sentence.
7. PREVENT SOMETHING cut somebody off from something to prevent someone from having something that they need or want:
The project aims to ensure that poorer people are not cut off from the benefits of computer technology.
8. MONEY/PROPERTY to refuse to let someone receive your money or property, especially when you die:
My parents threatened to cut me off without a penny if I married him.
9. DRIVING cut somebody ↔ off American English to suddenly drive in front of a moving car in a dangerous way:
A man in a station wagon cut me off on the freeway.
10. cut off your nose to spite your face to do something because you are angry, even though it will harm you
cut out phrasal verb
1. REMOVE SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to remove something by cutting round it:
The cancerous cells had to be cut out.
cut something ↔ out of
Billy showed me the article he’d cut out of the magazine.
2. CUT A SHAPE cut something ↔ out to cut a shape from a piece of paper, cloth etc:
The children were cutting out squares from the scraps of material.
3. STOP SOMETHING HAPPENING cut something ↔ out to stop something from happening or existing:
The idea behind these forms is to cut out fraud.
A catalytic converter will cut out 90% of carbon monoxide emissions.
4. STOP DOING/EATING SOMETHING cut something ↔ out to stop doing or eating something, especially because it might be bad for your health:
The current advice to pregnant women is to cut out alcohol.
5. FROM WRITING cut something ↔ out to remove something from a piece of writing, especially because it might offend people:
Cut out the bit about racial prejudice.
6. cut it/that out spoken used to tell someone to stop doing something because it is annoying you:
Hey, you guys, cut it out – Mom’s trying to get some sleep.
7. NOT INVOLVE SOMEBODY cut somebody ↔ out to stop someone from doing something or being involved in something:
The new rules will cut out 25% of people who were previously eligible to vote.
8. be cut out for something (also be cut out to be something) [usually in questions and negatives] to have the qualities that you need for a particular job or activity:
In the end, I decided I wasn’t cut out for the army.
Are you sure you’re really cut out to be a teacher?
9. ENGINE if an engine or machine cuts out, it suddenly stops working:
The engine cut out halfway across the lake.
10. LIGHT/VIEW cut something ↔ out to prevent light, sound etc from reaching somewhere:
You’ll need sunglasses that will cut out harmful UV rays from the sun.
11. cut somebody out to prevent someone from getting something, especially your money after your death:
Em’s father decided to cut her out of his will.
have your work cut out at ↑work2(15), ⇨ cut out the middleman at ↑middleman
cut through something phrasal verb
1. written to move or pass easily through water or air:
The boat cut effortlessly through the water.
2. to quickly and easily deal with something that is confusing or difficult:
You need someone to help you cut through all the irritating legal jargon.
3. literary if a sound cuts through silence or noise, it is heard because it is loud:
A piercing shriek cut through the silence.
cut up phrasal verb
1. CUT INTO PIECES cut something ↔ up to cut something into small pieces:
Could you cut the pizza up, please?
cut something ↔ up into
He cut the paper up into little pieces.
2. DRIVING cut somebody/something ↔ up British English to suddenly drive in front of a moving vehicle in a dangerous way:
Some idiot cut me up on the motorway.
3. BEHAVE BADLY American English informal to behave in a noisy or rude way
4. cut up rough British English informal to react in an angry or violent way:
Careful how you approach him – he can cut up a bit rough if he’s got a mind to.
5. CRITICIZE cut somebody ↔ up informal to criticize someone in an unpleasant way
⇨ ↑cut up

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

hurt

hurt [hurt hurts hurting] verb, adjective, noun   [hɜːt]    [hɜːrt]

verb (hurt, hurt)
1. transitive, intransitive ~ (sb/sth/yourself) to cause physical pain to sb/yourself; to injure sb/yourself
He hurt his back playing squash.
Did you hurt yourself?
Stop it. You're hurting me.
My back is really hurting me today.
Strong light hurts my eyes.

My shoes hurt— they're too tight.

2. intransitive to feel painful
My feet hurt.
Ouch! That hurt!

It hurts when I bend my knee.

3. intransitive, transitive to make sb unhappy or upset
What really hurt was that he never answered my letter.
~ sb/sth I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.
I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

it hurts (sb) to do sth It hurt me to think that he would lie to me.

4. intransitive be hurting (informal) to feel unhappy or upset

I know you're hurting and I want to help you.

5. transitive ~ sb/sth to have a bad effect on sb/sth
Many people on low incomes will be hurt by the government's plans.

Hard work never hurt anyone.

6. intransitive be hurting (for sth) (NAmE) to be in a difficult situation because you need sth, especially money
His campaign is already hurting for money.
more at not harm/hurt a fly at  fly  n., hit sb where it hurts at  hit  v.
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
Middle English (originally in the senses ‘to strike’ and ‘a blow’): from Old French hurter (verb), hurt (noun), perhaps ultimately of Germanic origin.  
Thesaurus:
hurt verb
1. T, I
He hurt his back playing squash.
injurewoundbruisesprainstrainpullteartwist
hurt/injure/strain yourself
hurt/injure/sprain/strain/pull/tear a muscle
hurt/injure/sprain/twist your ankle/foot/knee
hurt/injure/strain your back/shoulder/eyes
Hurt or injure? You can hurt or injure a part of the body in an accident. Hurt emphasizes the physical pain caused; injure emphasizes that the part of the body has been damaged in some way.
2. I
My feet hurt.
achestingthrobburnitch
your eyes hurt/ache/sting/burn/itch
your skin hurts/stings/burns/itches
your head hurts/aches/throbs
your stomach/tummy hurts/aches
3. T, I
It hurt me to think that he would lie to me.
upsetdistressbreak sb's heart|formal saddenpain|written sting|literary wound
It hurt/upset/distressed/saddened/pained me to see/think/know…
It breaks my heart to see/think/know…
hurt/wound sb's feelings
not want/not mean to hurt/upset/distress/wound sb
Hurt or upset? Hurt is used especially to talk about sb you like or trust doing sth to make you unhappy. Being upset can be sth that sb does partly willingly:
Don't upset yourself about it.
 ¤ Don't hurt yourself about it.:
Try not to let him upset you.
 ¤ Try not to let him hurt you.
4. T
Hard work never hurt anyone.
harmdamagecompromise|formal impair
hurt/harm/damage/compromise/impair sb's chances
hurt/harm/damage/compromise sb's reputation
hurt/harm/damage sb's interests/image
Hurt, damage, or harm? Hurt is less formal than damage or harm. Harm is often used to talk about the ways in which things such as animals, wildlife and the environment are affected by human activity.  
Collocations:
Injuries
Being injured
have a fall/an injury
receive/suffer/sustain a serious injury/a hairline fracture/(especially BrE) whiplash/a gunshot wound
hurt/injure your ankle/back/leg
damage the brain/an ankle ligament/your liver/the optic nerve/the skin
pull/strain/tear a hamstring/ligament/muscle/tendon
sprain/twist your ankle/wrist
break a bone/your collarbone/your leg/three ribs
fracture/crack your skull
break/chip/knock out/lose a tooth
burst/perforate your eardrum
dislocate your finger/hip/jaw/shoulder
bruise/cut/graze your arm/knee/shoulder
burn/scald yourself/your tongue
bang/bump/hit/ (informal) bash your elbow/head/knee (on/against sth)
Treating injuries
treat sb for burns/a head injury/a stab wound
examine/clean/dress/bandage/treat a bullet wound
repair a damaged/torn ligament/tendon/cartilage
amputate/cut off an arm/a finger/a foot/a leg/a limb
put on/ (formal) apply/take off (especially NAmE) a Band-Aid™/(BrE) a plaster/a bandage
need/require/put in/ (especially BrE) have (out)/ (NAmE) get (out) stitches
put on/rub on/ (formal) apply cream/ointment/lotion
have/receive/undergo (BrE) physiotherapy/(NAmE) physical therapy 
Synonyms:
damage
hurt harm impair
These words all mean to have a bad effect on sb/sth.
damageto cause physical harm to sth, making it less attractive, useful or valuable; to have a bad effect on sb/sth's life, health, happiness or chances of success: The fire badly damaged the town hall. emotionally damaged children
hurt(rather informal) to have a bad effect on sb/sth's life, health, happiness or chances of success: Hard work never hurt anyone.
harmto have a bad effect on sb/sth's life, health, happiness or chances of success: Pollution can harm marine life.
damage, hurt or harm?
Hurt is slightly less formal than damage or harm, especially when it is used in negative statements: It won't hurt him to have to wait a bit. ◊ It won't damage/harm him to have to wait a bit. Harm is also often used to talk about ways in which things in the natural world such as wildlife and the environment are affected by human activity.
impair(rather formal) to damage sb's health, abilities or chances: Even one drink can impair driving performance.
to damage/hurt/harm/impair sb's chances
to damage/hurt/harm sb's interests/reputation
to damage/harm/impair sb's health
to seriously/greatly damage/hurt/harm/impair sb/sth
to badly/severely damage/hurt/impair sb/sth 
Synonyms:
hurt
ache burn sting tingle itch throb
These are all words that can be used when part of your body feels painful.
hurt(of part of your body) to feel painful; (of an action) to cause pain: My feet hurt. Ouch! That hurt!
acheto feel a continuous dull pain: I'm aching all over.
burn(of part of your body) to feel very hot and painful: Our eyes were burning from the chemicals in the air.
stingto make sb feel a sharp burning pain or uncomfortable feeling in part of their body; (of part of your body) to feel this pain: My eyes were stinging from the smoke.
tingle(of part of your body) to feel as if a lot of small sharp points are pushing into the skin there: The cold air made her face tingle.
itchto have an uncomfortable feeling on your skin that makes you want to scratch; to make your skin feel like this: I itch all over. Does the rash itch?
throb(of part of your body) to feel pain as a series of regular beats: His head throbbed painfully.
your eyes hurt/ache/burn/sting/itch
your skin hurts/burns/stings/tingles/itches
your flesh hurts/burns/stings/tingles
your head hurts/aches/throbs
your stomach hurts/aches
to really hurt/ache/burn/sting/tingle/itch/throb
to hurt/ache/sting/itch badly/a lot
It hurts/stings/tingles/itches. 
Synonyms:
injure
wound hurt bruise sprain pull strain
These words all mean to harm yourself or sb else physically, especially in an accident.
injureto harm yourself or sb else physically, especially in an accident: He injured his knee playing hockey. Three people were injured in the crash.
wound[often passive] (rather formal) to injure part of the body, especially by making a hole in the skin using a weapon: 50 people were seriously wounded in the attack.
Wound is often used to talk about people being hurt in war or in other attacks which affect a lot of people.
hurtto cause physical pain to sb/yourself; to injure sb/yourself: Did you hurt yourself?
injure or hurt?
You can hurt or injure a part of the body in an accident. Hurt emphasizes the physical pain caused; injure emphasizes that the part of the body has been damaged in some way.
bruiseto make a blue, brown or purple mark (= a bruise) appear on the skin after sb has fallen or been hit; to develop a bruise
sprainto injure part of your body, especially your ankle, wrist or knee, by suddenly bending it in an awkward way, causing pain and swelling
pullto damage a muscle, etc, by using too much force
strainto injure yourself or part of your body by making it work too hard: Don't strain your eyes by reading in poor light.
to injure/hurt/strain yourself
to injure/hurt/sprain/pull/strain a muscle
to injure/hurt/sprain your ankle/foot/knee/wrist/hand
to injure/hurt/strain your back/shoulder/eyes
to injure/hurt your spine/neck
to be badly/severely/slightly injured/wounded/hurt/bruised/sprained 
Example Bank:
Are you deliberately trying to hurt me?
Does it hurt a lot?
Her remarks hurt him deeply.
I knew it was going to hurt— but not that much!
I never meant to hurt anyone.
I was shaken, but not actually hurt.
My ankle still hurts quite badly.
No one was seriously hurt in the accident.
Ouch! It really hurts.
She fell and hurt her leg quite badly.
They never told me why and that really hurt.
Why would I want to hurt her?
High interest rates are hurting the local economy.
I didn't want to hurt his feelings.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.
It hurts when I bend my knee.
Many people on low incomes will be hurt by the government's plans.
My shoes hurt— they're too tight.
Stop it. You're hurting me.

Idiom: it won't hurt 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

cut / kʌt / verb [ I or T ] ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (USE KNIFE)

A2 to break the surface of something, or to divide or make something smaller, using a sharp tool, especially a knife:

to cut a slice of bread

I've cut myself/my hand on that glass/ with that knife.

Cut the meat up into small pieces.

This knife doesn't cut very well.

Where did you have your hair cut ?

[ + obj + adj ] Firefighters had to cut the trapped driver loose/free (= cut the metal to allow the driver to get out of the car) using special equipment.

He fell off the swing and cut his head open (= got a deep cut in his head) .

He cut the cake in/into six (pieces) and gave each child a slice.

 

cut / kʌt / verb [ T ] ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (REDUCE)

B2 to make something shorter, lower, smaller, etc.:

to cut prices/costs

to cut overtime/wages

cut / kʌt / verb ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (REMOVE)

B2 [ T ] to remove something from something else:

The sex scenes had been cut out of the English version of the film.

cut and paste

to move words or pictures from one place to another in a computer document

cut sb out of your will

to decide not to leave someone any of your money or possessions when you die
 

cut / kʌt / verb [ T ] ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) mainly US informal (MISS)

to not go, especially to a place where you should be:

Your son has been cutting classes .
 

cut / kʌt / verb ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (STOP)

[ I or T ] to stop or interrupt something:

to cut an engine/a motor

"Cut! (= stop filming!) " shouted the director.

cut sb short to stop someone from talking before they have finished what they were saying:

He started to explain, but she cut him short.

cut it/that out! informal used to tell someone to stop talking or stop behaving in an annoying way:

Just cut it out! I've had enough of your silly jokes.
 

cut / kʌt / verb ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (GROW TEETH)

cut a tooth (of a baby) to grow a new tooth:

The baby's cutting a tooth. That's why she's crying.
 

cut / kʌt / verb ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (TAKE SHORT WAY)

[ I usually + adv/prep ] to go through or across a place, especially in order to get somewhere quickly:

to cut through a passage

cut a corner UK

to fail to keep to your own side of the road when going round a corner
 

cut / kʌt / verb [ I or T ] ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (CARDS)

to choose a playing card by dividing a pile of cards into two parts:

Who's going to cut the cards?

 

cut / kʌt / verb [ T ] ( present tense cutting , past tense and past participle cut ) (RECORD)

to record music or speech on a record:

When did the Stones cut their first record?

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

hurt

[hɜ͟ː(r)t]
 ♦♦
 hurts, hurting, hurt

 1) VERB If you hurt yourself or hurt a part of your body, you feel pain because you have injured yourself.
  [V pron-refl] Yasin had seriously hurt himself while trying to escape from the police...
  [V n] He had hurt his back in an accident.
 2) VERB If a part of your body hurts, you feel pain there.
  His collar bone only hurt when he lifted his arm.
 3) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ If you are hurt, you have been injured.
  His comrades asked him if he was hurt...
  They were dazed but did not seem to be badly hurt.
 4) VERB If you hurt someone, you cause them to feel pain.
  [V n] I didn't mean to hurt her, only to keep her still...
  [V n] You're hurting my arm...
  Ouch. That hurt.
 5) VERB If someone hurts you, they say or do something that makes you unhappy.
  [V n] He is afraid of hurting Bessy's feelings...
  [V n] She's afraid she's going to be hurt and that she'll never fall in love again...
  What hurts most is the betrayal, the waste.
  Syn:
  upset
 6) ADJ-GRADED If you are hurt, you are upset because of something that someone has said or done.
  Yes, I was hurt, jealous...
  He gave me a slightly hurt look.
  Syn:
  upset
 7) VERB: only cont If you say that you are hurting, you mean that you are experiencing emotional pain.
  I am lonely and I am hurting.
 8) VERB To hurt someone or something means to have a bad effect on them or prevent them from succeeding.
  [V n] The combination of hot weather and decreased water supplies is hurting many industries...
  [V n] They may fear hurting their husbands' careers.
  Syn:
  damage
 9) N-VAR A feeling of hurt is a feeling that you have when you think that you have been treated badly or judged unfairly.
  ...feelings of hurt and anger, fear and despair...
  I was full of jealousy and hurt...
  There would be a hurt in her heart for a while, but in the end she would get over it.
  Syn:
  pain
 10) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf If you say `It won't hurt to do something' or `It never hurts to do something', you are recommending an action which you think is helpful or useful. [INFORMAL]
  It never hurts to ask...
  It wouldn't hurt you to be a bit more serious.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1hurt /ˈhɚt/ verb hurts; hurt; hurt·ing
1 a [+ obj] : to cause pain or injury to (yourself, someone else, or a part of your body)
• Be careful with that knife or you could hurt yourself.
• Ouch! You're hurting my arm!
• I hurt my back (while) carrying a heavy box up the stairs.
• She was badly/seriously hurt in a car accident.
• My tooth/back still hurts me.
• Don't worry about the dog—he wouldn't hurt a fly. [=the dog would never bite or attack anyone; the dog is very gentle] synonyms seeinjure
b [no obj] : to be a source or cause of pain
• My tooth/back hurts (a lot/little).
• It hurts [=it is painful] to walk on hot pavement with bare feet.
• The injection didn't hurt at all. = It didn't hurt a bit.
• Ouch! That hurts!
• My arm hurts very badly. = (informally) My arm hurts like hell.
• My leg hurt. = (chiefly US) My leg was hurting.
c [no obj] : to feel physical pain
• When I woke up this morning I hurt all over.
2 a [+ obj] : to make (someone) sad or upset : to cause (someone) to suffer emotionally
• Their lack of interest in her work hurt her deeply.
• You're only hurting yourself by holding a grudge against them.
• It hurt me to see her go.
• It hurts me to say this [=I don't enjoy saying this], but I just don't think you can do the job.
• I can't tell him the meal was bad because I don't want to hurt his feelings. [=hurt him; make him sad or upset]
b [no obj] : to feel emotional pain or distress
• My sister has really been hurting [=has been very upset and unhappy] since her boyfriend left her.
3 : to do harm to (someone or something) : to affect (someone or something) in a bad or harmful way : damage

[+ obj]

• The lack of rain has hurt the corn crop.
• If we lose this game it will seriously hurt our chances of making the play-offs.
• These new regulations will hurt small businesses.
hurt profits/sales
• There's no doubt that this scandal has hurt her image.
• Would it hurt you to cook dinner for once? = It wouldn't hurt you to cook dinner for once. [=you should cook dinner]
• As far as he's concerned, what he doesn't know can't/won't hurt him. [=he would rather not know about something; he thinks that if he does not know about something, he cannot be damaged by it, blamed for it, etc.]

[no obj]

• The company needs to cut spending, even if it hurts.
- usually used in negative statements
• I know he's qualified for the job, but it doesn't hurt [=it helps] that the company president is his mother's best friend.
• It wouldn't hurt to try a little harder. [=you should try a little harder]
• We may not finish on time, but it won't hurt to try. [=we should try]
• “Should I ask her for a job?” “It couldn't/can't hurt (to ask).” [=she may give you a job if you ask]
4 [no obj] : to have many problems : to be in a bad situation or condition
• Those poor people are hurting and need our help.
• The local economy is hurting right now. [=it is doing poorly]
hurt for [phrasal verb] US informal
1 hurt for (something) : to lack (something needed)
• Those children are hurting for attention. [=those children need to be given more attention]
• The company is hurting for money right now.
2 hurt for (someone) : to have sympathy or pity for (someone)
• I hurt for [=feel for] those poor people.

hurt

hurt [verb]

to feel pain in a part of your body, or to injure someone or cause them pain

US /hɝːt/ 
UK /hɜːt/ 
Example: 

Emma hurt her back when she fell off her horse.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (hurts, hurting, hurt, has hurt)

1 to make somebody or something feel pain:
I fell and hurt my leg.
Did you hurt yourself?
These shoes hurt – they are too small.

2 to feel pain:
My leg hurts.

3 to make somebody unhappy:
I never meant to hurt your feelings.

which word?
Hurt or injured? These words are similar in meaning. We usually use injured when someone has been hurt in an accident.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

hurt

I. hurt1 S1 W2 /hɜːt $ hɜːrt/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle hurt)
[Word Family: noun: ↑hurt, ↑hurtfulness; adjective: ↑hurt ≠ ↑unhurt, ↑hurtful; verb: ↑hurt; adverb: ↑hurtfully]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: hurter 'to crash violently into']
1. INJURE SOMEBODY [transitive] to injure yourself or someone else:
Was anyone hurt in the accident?
Put that thing down – you might hurt someone with it.
hurt your arm/leg/nose etc
He hurt his knee playing football.
hurt yourself
Be careful you don’t fall and hurt yourself.
2. FEEL PAIN [intransitive] to feel pain in part of your body ⇨ ache:
My back hurts.
Where does it hurt?
It hurts when I try to move my leg.
hurt like hell informal (=hurt very much)
My shoulder hurts like hell.
3. CAUSE PAIN [transitive] to cause pain in a part of your body:
The sun’s hurting my eyes.
4. INSULT SOMEBODY [intransitive and transitive] to make someone feel very upset, unhappy, sad etc:
I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.
it hurts (somebody) to do something
What hurts is that he never even said goodbye.
It hurt me to think that you hated me.
5. BAD EFFECT [transitive] to have a bad effect on someone or something, especially by making them less successful or powerful:
Foreign competition has hurt the company’s position in the market.
6. be hurting American English
a) informal to feel very upset or unhappy about something:
Martha’s going through a divorce and really hurting right now.
b) if a group, organization etc is hurting, they do not have something important that they need
be hurting for
The team is hurting for quarterbacks.
7. something won’t/doesn’t hurt spoken said when you think someone should do something or that something is a good idea:
The house looks pretty good, but a fresh paint job wouldn’t hurt either.
it won’t/doesn’t hurt (somebody) to do something
It won’t hurt Julia to get up early for a change.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to injure yourself or someone else
hurt to damage part of your body, or someone else’s body: She slipped on the ice and hurt herself badly. | Be careful you don’t hurt anyone with that knife.
injure to hurt yourself quite severely, or to be hurt in an accident or fighting: One of our players has injured his leg, and will be out of the game for weeks. | Four people have been seriously injured on the Arizona highway.
wound to deliberately hurt someone using a weapon such as a knife or gun: The gunmen shot and killed twelve people and wounded three others.
maim /meɪm/ [usually passive] to hurt someone very severely, especially so that they lose an arm, leg etc, often as the result of an explosion: In countries where there are landmines, people are killed and maimed daily.
break to hurt a part of your body by breaking a bone in it: The X-ray showed that I had broken my wrist.
bruise to hurt a part of your body when you fall on it or hit it, causing a dark mark to appear on your skin: Cathy fell off her bike and bruised her legs badly.
sprain/twist to hurt your knee, wrist, shoulder etc by suddenly twisting it while you are moving: I jumped down from the wall and landed awkwardly, spraining my ankle.
strain/pull to hurt one of your muscles by stretching it or using it too much: When you are lifting heavy loads, be careful not to strain a back muscle.
dislocate to damage a joint in your body in a way that moves the two parts of the joint out of their normal position: Our best batsman dislocated his shoulder during training.
paralyse [usually passive] to make someone lose the ability to move part or all of their body: A climbing accident had left him paralysed from the chest down.
■ when part of your body feels painful
hurt if part of your body hurts, it feels painful: My chest hurts when I cough.
ache to hurt with a continuous pain: I’d been walking all day and my legs were really aching.
throb to feel a bad pain that comes and goes again in a regular and continuous way: Lou had a terrible headache and his whole head seemed to be throbbing.
sting to feel a sharp pain, or to make someone feel this, especially in your eyes, throat, or skin: My throat stings every time I swallow. | This injection may sting a little.
smart to hurt with a sudden sharp pain – used especially about your eyes, or your skin where something has hit you: Her eyes were smarting from the thick smoke. | Jackson’s face was still smarting from the punch.
burn to feel very hot and painful or uncomfortable: Be careful because this chemical will make your skin burn. | His eyes were burning because of the gas.
pinch if something you are wearing pinches you, it is too tight and presses painfully on your skin: The shirt was a bit too small and it was pinching my neck.
something is killing me spoken informal used when something feels very painful: My legs are killing me. | These shoes are killing me.
a bad back/leg/arm etc if you have a bad back/leg/arm etc, it feels painful: He’s off work with a bad back.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

hurt

hurt [hurt hurts hurting] verb, adjective, noun   [hɜːt]    [hɜːrt] 

verb (hurt, hurt)
1. transitive, intransitive ~ (sb/sth/yourself) to cause physical pain to sb/yourself; to injure sb/yourself
He hurt his back playing squash.
Did you hurt yourself?
Stop it. You're hurting me.
My back is really hurting me today.
• Strong light hurts my eyes.

• My shoes hurt— they're too tight.
2. intransitive to feel painful
My feet hurt.
• Ouch! That hurt!

It hurts when I bend my knee.

3. intransitive, transitive to make sb unhappy or upset
What really hurt was that he never answered my letter.
~ sb/sth I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.
I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

it hurts (sb) to do sth It hurt me to think that he would lie to me.

4. intransitive be hurting (informal) to feel unhappy or upset

• I know you're hurting and I want to help you.

5. transitive ~ sb/sth to have a bad effect on sb/sth
• Many people on low incomes will be hurt by the government's plans.

• Hard work never hurt anyone.

6. intransitive be hurting (for sth) (NAmE) to be in a difficult situation because you need sth, especially money
His campaign is already hurting for money.
more at not harm/hurt a fly at  fly  n., hit sb where it hurts at  hit  v.
 
Word Origin:
Middle English (originally in the senses ‘to strike’ and ‘a blow’): from Old French hurter (verb), hurt (noun), perhaps ultimately of Germanic origin.  
Thesaurus:
hurt verb
1. T, I
He hurt his back playing squash.
injurewoundbruisesprainstrainpullteartwist
hurt/injure/strain yourself
hurt/injure/sprain/strain/pull/tear a muscle
hurt/injure/sprain/twist your ankle/foot/knee
hurt/injure/strain your back/shoulder/eyes
Hurt or injure? You can hurt or injure a part of the body in an accident. Hurt emphasizes the physical pain caused; injure emphasizes that the part of the body has been damaged in some way.
2. I
My feet hurt.
achestingthrobburnitch
your eyes hurt/ache/sting/burn/itch
your skin hurts/stings/burns/itches
your head hurts/aches/throbs
your stomach/tummy hurts/aches
3. T, I
It hurt me to think that he would lie to me.
upsetdistressbreak sb's heart|formal saddenpain|written sting|literary wound
It hurt/upset/distressed/saddened/pained me to see/think/know…
It breaks my heart to see/think/know…
hurt/wound sb's feelings
not want/not mean to hurt/upset/distress/wound sb
Hurt or upset? Hurt is used especially to talk about sb you like or trust doing sth to make you unhappy. Being upset can be sth that sb does partly willingly:
Don't upset yourself about it.
 ¤ Don't hurt yourself about it.:
Try not to let him upset you.
 ¤ Try not to let him hurt you.
4. T
Hard work never hurt anyone.
harmdamagecompromise|formal impair
hurt/harm/damage/compromise/impair sb's chances
hurt/harm/damage/compromise sb's reputation
hurt/harm/damage sb's interests/image
Hurt, damage, or harm? Hurt is less formal than damage or harm. Harm is often used to talk about the ways in which things such as animals, wildlife and the environment are affected by human activity.  
Collocations:
Injuries
Being injured
have a fall/an injury
receive/suffer/sustain a serious injury/a hairline fracture/(especially BrE) whiplash/a gunshot wound
hurt/injure your ankle/back/leg
damage the brain/an ankle ligament/your liver/the optic nerve/the skin
pull/strain/tear a hamstring/ligament/muscle/tendon
sprain/twist your ankle/wrist
break a bone/your collarbone/your leg/three ribs
fracture/crack your skull
break/chip/knock out/lose a tooth
burst/perforate your eardrum
dislocate your finger/hip/jaw/shoulder
bruise/cut/graze your arm/knee/shoulder
burn/scald yourself/your tongue
bang/bump/hit/ (informal) bash your elbow/head/knee (on/against sth)
Treating injuries
treat sb for burns/a head injury/a stab wound
examine/clean/dress/bandage/treat a bullet wound
repair a damaged/torn ligament/tendon/cartilage
amputate/cut off an arm/a finger/a foot/a leg/a limb
put on/ (formal) apply/take off (especially NAmE) a Band-Aid™/(BrE) a plaster/a bandage
need/require/put in/ (especially BrE) have (out)/ (NAmE) get (out) stitches
put on/rub on/ (formal) apply cream/ointment/lotion
have/receive/undergo (BrE) physiotherapy/(NAmE) physical therapy 
Synonyms:
damage
hurt harm impair
These words all mean to have a bad effect on sb/sth.
damageto cause physical harm to sth, making it less attractive, useful or valuable; to have a bad effect on sb/sth's life, health, happiness or chances of success: The fire badly damaged the town hall. emotionally damaged children
hurt(rather informal) to have a bad effect on sb/sth's life, health, happiness or chances of success: Hard work never hurt anyone.
harmto have a bad effect on sb/sth's life, health, happiness or chances of success: Pollution can harm marine life.
damage, hurt or harm?
Hurt is slightly less formal than damage or harm, especially when it is used in negative statements: It won't hurt him to have to wait a bit. ◊ It won't damage/harm him to have to wait a bit. Harm is also often used to talk about ways in which things in the natural world such as wildlife and the environment are affected by human activity.
impair(rather formal) to damage sb's health, abilities or chances: Even one drink can impair driving performance.
to damage/hurt/harm/impair sb's chances
to damage/hurt/harm sb's interests/reputation
to damage/harm/impair sb's health
to seriously/greatly damage/hurt/harm/impair sb/sth
to badly/severely damage/hurt/impair sb/sth 
Synonyms:
hurt
ache burn sting tingle itch throb
These are all words that can be used when part of your body feels painful.
hurt(of part of your body) to feel painful; (of an action) to cause pain: My feet hurt. Ouch! That hurt!
acheto feel a continuous dull pain: I'm aching all over.
burn(of part of your body) to feel very hot and painful: Our eyes were burning from the chemicals in the air.
stingto make sb feel a sharp burning pain or uncomfortable feeling in part of their body; (of part of your body) to feel this pain: My eyes were stinging from the smoke.
tingle(of part of your body) to feel as if a lot of small sharp points are pushing into the skin there: The cold air made her face tingle.
itchto have an uncomfortable feeling on your skin that makes you want to scratch; to make your skin feel like this: I itch all over. Does the rash itch?
throb(of part of your body) to feel pain as a series of regular beats: His head throbbed painfully.
your eyes hurt/ache/burn/sting/itch
your skin hurts/burns/stings/tingles/itches
your flesh hurts/burns/stings/tingles
your head hurts/aches/throbs
your stomach hurts/aches
to really hurt/ache/burn/sting/tingle/itch/throb
to hurt/ache/sting/itch badly/a lot
It hurts/stings/tingles/itches. 
Synonyms:
injure
wound hurt bruise sprain pull strain
These words all mean to harm yourself or sb else physically, especially in an accident.
injureto harm yourself or sb else physically, especially in an accident: He injured his knee playing hockey. Three people were injured in the crash.
wound[often passive] (rather formal) to injure part of the body, especially by making a hole in the skin using a weapon: 50 people were seriously wounded in the attack.
Wound is often used to talk about people being hurt in war or in other attacks which affect a lot of people.
hurtto cause physical pain to sb/yourself; to injure sb/yourself: Did you hurt yourself?
injure or hurt?
You can hurt or injure a part of the body in an accident. Hurt emphasizes the physical pain caused; injure emphasizes that the part of the body has been damaged in some way.
bruiseto make a blue, brown or purple mark (= a bruise) appear on the skin after sb has fallen or been hit; to develop a bruise
sprainto injure part of your body, especially your ankle, wrist or knee, by suddenly bending it in an awkward way, causing pain and swelling
pullto damage a muscle, etc, by using too much force
strainto injure yourself or part of your body by making it work too hard: Don't strain your eyes by reading in poor light.
to injure/hurt/strain yourself
to injure/hurt/sprain/pull/strain a muscle
to injure/hurt/sprain your ankle/foot/knee/wrist/hand
to injure/hurt/strain your back/shoulder/eyes
to injure/hurt your spine/neck
to be badly/severely/slightly injured/wounded/hurt/bruised/sprained 
Example Bank:
Are you deliberately trying to hurt me?
Does it hurt a lot?
Her remarks hurt him deeply.
I knew it was going to hurt— but not that much!
I never meant to hurt anyone.
I was shaken, but not actually hurt.
My ankle still hurts quite badly.
No one was seriously hurt in the accident.
Ouch! It really hurts.
She fell and hurt her leg quite badly.
They never told me why and that really hurt.
Why would I want to hurt her?
High interest rates are hurting the local economy.
I didn't want to hurt his feelings.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.
It hurts when I bend my knee.
Many people on low incomes will be hurt by the government's plans.
My shoes hurt— they're too tight.
• Stop it. You're hurting me.

Idiom: it won't hurt 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

hurt / hɜːt /   / hɝːt / verb [ I or T ] ( hurt , hurt )

A2 to feel pain in a part of your body, or to injure someone or cause them pain:

Tell me where it hurts.

My head hurts.

She says that her ear hurts her.

Emma hurt her back when she fell off her horse.

Several people were seriously/badly hurt in the explosion.

B1 to cause emotional pain to someone:

She criticized my writing quite severely and that hurt.

He was badly hurt by the end of his marriage.

to cause harm or difficulty:

A lot of businesses are being hurt by the current high interest rates.

These allegations have seriously hurt her reputation.

Hard work never hurt anyone (= does no one any harm) .

informal One more drink won't hurt (= won't cause any harm) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

hurt

[hɜ͟ː(r)t]
 ♦♦
 hurts, hurting, hurt

 1) VERB If you hurt yourself or hurt a part of your body, you feel pain because you have injured yourself.
  [V pron-refl] Yasin had seriously hurt himself while trying to escape from the police...
  [V n] He had hurt his back in an accident.
 2) VERB If a part of your body hurts, you feel pain there.
  His collar bone only hurt when he lifted his arm.
 3) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ If you are hurt, you have been injured.
  His comrades asked him if he was hurt...
  They were dazed but did not seem to be badly hurt.
 4) VERB If you hurt someone, you cause them to feel pain.
  [V n] I didn't mean to hurt her, only to keep her still...
  [V n] You're hurting my arm...
  Ouch. That hurt.
 5) VERB If someone hurts you, they say or do something that makes you unhappy.
  [V n] He is afraid of hurting Bessy's feelings...
  [V n] She's afraid she's going to be hurt and that she'll never fall in love again...
  What hurts most is the betrayal, the waste.
  Syn:
  upset
 6) ADJ-GRADED If you are hurt, you are upset because of something that someone has said or done.
  Yes, I was hurt, jealous...
  He gave me a slightly hurt look.
  Syn:
  upset
 7) VERB: only cont If you say that you are hurting, you mean that you are experiencing emotional pain.
  I am lonely and I am hurting.
 8) VERB To hurt someone or something means to have a bad effect on them or prevent them from succeeding.
  [V n] The combination of hot weather and decreased water supplies is hurting many industries...
  [V n] They may fear hurting their husbands' careers.
  Syn:
  damage
 9) N-VAR A feeling of hurt is a feeling that you have when you think that you have been treated badly or judged unfairly.
  ...feelings of hurt and anger, fear and despair...
  I was full of jealousy and hurt...
  There would be a hurt in her heart for a while, but in the end she would get over it.
  Syn:
  pain
 10) PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR to-inf If you say `It won't hurt to do something' or `It never hurts to do something', you are recommending an action which you think is helpful or useful. [INFORMAL]
  It never hurts to ask...
  It wouldn't hurt you to be a bit more serious.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1hurt /ˈhɚt/ verb hurts; hurt; hurt·ing
1 a [+ obj] : to cause pain or injury to (yourself, someone else, or a part of your body)
• Be careful with that knife or you could hurt yourself.
• Ouch! You're hurting my arm!
• I hurt my back (while) carrying a heavy box up the stairs.
• She was badly/seriously hurt in a car accident.
• My tooth/back still hurts me.
• Don't worry about the dog—he wouldn't hurt a fly. [=the dog would never bite or attack anyone; the dog is very gentle] synonyms seeinjure
b [no obj] : to be a source or cause of pain
• My tooth/back hurts (a lot/little).
• It hurts [=it is painful] to walk on hot pavement with bare feet.
• The injection didn't hurt at all. = It didn't hurt a bit.
• Ouch! That hurts!
• My arm hurts very badly. = (informally) My arm hurts like hell.
• My leg hurt. = (chiefly US) My leg was hurting.
c [no obj] : to feel physical pain
• When I woke up this morning I hurt all over.
2 a [+ obj] : to make (someone) sad or upset : to cause (someone) to suffer emotionally
• Their lack of interest in her work hurt her deeply.
• You're only hurting yourself by holding a grudge against them.
• It hurt me to see her go.
• It hurts me to say this [=I don't enjoy saying this], but I just don't think you can do the job.
• I can't tell him the meal was bad because I don't want to hurt his feelings. [=hurt him; make him sad or upset]
b [no obj] : to feel emotional pain or distress
• My sister has really been hurting [=has been very upset and unhappy] since her boyfriend left her.
3 : to do harm to (someone or something) : to affect (someone or something) in a bad or harmful way : damage

[+ obj]

• The lack of rain has hurt the corn crop.
• If we lose this game it will seriously hurt our chances of making the play-offs.
• These new regulations will hurt small businesses.
hurt profits/sales
• There's no doubt that this scandal has hurt her image.
• Would it hurt you to cook dinner for once? = It wouldn't hurt you to cook dinner for once. [=you should cook dinner]
• As far as he's concerned, what he doesn't know can't/won't hurt him. [=he would rather not know about something; he thinks that if he does not know about something, he cannot be damaged by it, blamed for it, etc.]

[no obj]

• The company needs to cut spending, even if it hurts.
- usually used in negative statements
• I know he's qualified for the job, but it doesn't hurt [=it helps] that the company president is his mother's best friend.
• It wouldn't hurt to try a little harder. [=you should try a little harder]
• We may not finish on time, but it won't hurt to try. [=we should try]
• “Should I ask her for a job?” “It couldn't/can't hurt (to ask).” [=she may give you a job if you ask]
4 [no obj] : to have many problems : to be in a bad situation or condition
• Those poor people are hurting and need our help.
• The local economy is hurting right now. [=it is doing poorly]
hurt for [phrasal verb] US informal
1 hurt for (something) : to lack (something needed)
• Those children are hurting for attention. [=those children need to be given more attention]
• The company is hurting for money right now.
2 hurt for (someone) : to have sympathy or pity for (someone)
• I hurt for [=feel for] those poor people.

afraid

afraid [adjective] (FEAR)

feeling fear, or feeling worry about the possible results of a particular situation

US /əˈfreɪd/ 
UK /əˈfreɪd/ 
Example: 

I've always been afraid of flying/heights/spiders.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

afraid

 adjective
If you are afraid of something, it makes you feel fear:
Some people are afraid of snakes.
I was afraid to open the door.

I'm afraid … a polite way of saying that you are sorry:
I'm afraid I've broken your calculator.
I'm afraid that I can't come to your party.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

afraid

afraid S1 W2 /əˈfreɪd/ BrE AmE adjective [not before noun]
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: Past participle of affray 'to frighten' (14-19 centuries), from Old French affreer; ⇨ ↑affray]
1. frightened because you think that you may get hurt or that something bad may happen SYN scared:
There’s no need to be afraid.
afraid of (doing) something
kids who are afraid of the dark
He was afraid of being caught by the police.
afraid to do something
Zoe was half afraid (=a little afraid) to go back in the house.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say scared rather than afraid:
▪ I’m scared of heights.
2. worried about what might happen, or that something bad will happen
afraid (that)
He was afraid that the other kids would laugh at him.
afraid of (doing) something
I didn’t tell her because I was afraid of upsetting her.
The government was afraid of a public outcry.
afraid to do something
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
3. afraid for somebody/something worried that something bad may happen to a particular person or thing:
Her father looked ill and she was suddenly afraid for him.
Many of us were afraid for our jobs.
4. I’m afraid spoken used to politely tell someone something that may annoy, upset, or disappoint them:
That’s the most we can offer you, I’m afraid.
I’m afraid (that)
I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong address.
‘Is she very ill?’ ‘I’m afraid so (=yes).’
‘Did you see him?’ ‘I’m afraid not (=no).’
• • •
GRAMMAR
Afraid to do something means 'unwilling to do something, because you are frightened or worried':
▪ They are afraid to express their political views.
Afraid of doing something can also mean this:
▪ When I was a child, I was afraid of going to sleep.
However, it more often means 'frightened or worried that something might happen as a result of your action':
▪ They were afraid of damaging their careers.
• • •
THESAURUS
frightened feeling worried because you might get hurt or because something bad might happen: I was too frightened to say anything. | Many animals are frightened of fireworks. | Frightened residents called the police as the gang started throwing bricks.
scared [not before noun] especially spoken frightened. Scared is less formal than frightened and is the usual word to use in everyday English: I’m scared of dogs. | Old people are too scared to go out of their homes.
afraid [not before noun] frightened. Afraid sounds more formal than frightened or scared: Children are often afraid of the dark. | I was afraid that I might say the wrong thing.
alarmed frightened and worried that something bad might happen: She was alarmed at the thought of performing in front of an audience. | Alarmed passengers spotted fuel leaking from the plane.
fearful formal frightened that something bad might happen: They are fearful of another terrorist attack. | He was fearful that he might make another mistake. | a fearful panic

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

afraid

afraid   [əˈfreɪd]    [əˈfreɪd]  adjective not before noun
1. feeling fear; frightened because you think that you might be hurt or suffer
Don't be afraid.
~ of sb/sth It's all over. There's nothing to be afraid of now.
Are you afraid of spiders?
~ of doing sth I started to feel afraid of going out alone at night.

~ to do sth She was afraid to open the door.

2. worried about what might happen
~ of doing sth She was afraid of upsetting her parents.
Tamsin was afraid of making a fool of herself.
~ to do sth Don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand.
• The boy wasn't afraid to say what he believed.

~ (that…) We were afraid (that) we were going to capsize the boat.

3. ~ for sb/sth worried or frightened that sth unpleasant, dangerous, etc. will happen to a particular person or thing
I'm not afraid for me, but for the baby.
They had already fired three people and he was afraid for his job.
Idiom: I'm afraid  
Word Origin:
Middle English: past participle of the obsolete verb affray, from Anglo-Norman French afrayer ‘disturb, startle’, based on an element of Germanic origin related to Old English frithu ‘peace, safety’.  
Thesaurus:
afraid [afraid] adj.
He was afraid of the dark.
frightenedscaredterrifiedalarmednervousparanoidpetrifiedintimidatedcowardlyapprehensive|informal chicken|formal fearful
Opp: brave, Opp: confident, (formal) Opp: unafraid
afraid/frightened/scared/terrified/nervous/petrified/apprehensive/fearful of sb/sth
frightened/scared/alarmed/nervous/paranoid/apprehensive/fearful about sth
afraid/frightened/scared/terrified/alarmed/petrified/apprehensive/fearful that…
afraid/frightened/scared to do sth
Afraid, frightened or scared? Scared is more informal, more common in speech, and often describes small fears. Afraid cannot come before a noun:
a frightened child
a scared expression
 ¤ an afraid child/expression  
Synonyms:
afraid
frightened scared terrified alarmed paranoid
These words all describe feeling or showing fear.
afraid[not before noun] feeling fear; worried that sth bad might happen: There's nothing to be afraid of. Aren't you afraid (that) you'll fall?
frightenedfeeling fear; worried that sth bad might happen: a frightened child She was frightened that the glass would break.
scared(rather informal) feeling fear; worried that sth bad might happen: The thieves got scared and ran away.
afraid, frightened or scared?
Scared is more informal, more common in speech, and often describes small fears. Afraid cannot come before a noun. It can only take the preposition of, not about. If you are afraid/frightened/scared of sb/sth/doing sth or afraid/frightened/scared to do sth, you think you are in danger of being hurt or suffering in some way. If you are frightened/scared about sth/doing sth, it is less a fear for your personal safety and more a worry that sth unpleasant might happen.
terrifiedvery frightened: I was terrified (that) she wouldn't come. She looked at him with wide, terrified eyes.
alarmedafraid that sth dangerous or unpleasant might happen: She was alarmed at the prospect of travelling alone.
paranoid(rather informal) afraid or suspicious of other people and believing that they are trying to harm you, in a way that is not reasonable: You're just being paranoid.
afraid/frightened/scared of spiders, etc.
frightened/scared/paranoid about
afraid/frightened/scared/terrified that
afraid/frightened/scared to open the door, etc.
Don't be afraid/frightened/scared/alarmed. 
Example Bank:
Don't worry. There's nothing to be afraid of.
He stopped abruptly, suddenly afraid to say the words out loud.
He was half afraid to look at her.
Roger was very afraid for her.
She was tense, almost afraid to open the letter.
What has made you so deeply afraid of your boss?
You do know, don't you? You are just afraid to tell me.
Are you afraid of the dark?
Aren't you afraid (that) you'll fall?
Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.
I'm not afraid for me, but for the baby.
• I'm not afraid of you!

• There's nothing to be afraid of.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

afraid / əˈfreɪd / adjective [ after verb ] (FEAR)

A2 feeling fear, or feeling worry about the possible results of a particular situation:

He was/felt suddenly afraid.

I've always been afraid of flying/heights/spiders.

She was afraid for her children (= feared that they might be hurt) .

[ + to infinitive ] Don't be afraid to say what you think.

[ + (that) ] She was afraid (that) he might be upset if she told him.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

afraid / əˈfreɪd / adjective (SORRY)

I'm afraid... A2 used to politely introduce bad news or disagreement:

This is your room - it's rather small, I'm afraid.

I don't agree at all, I'm afraid.

I'm afraid you've completely misunderstood the question.

[ + (that) ] I'm afraid (that) we can't come this evening after all.

"Was she impressed with our work?" "I'm afraid not (= no) ."

"Does this mean I've got to leave?" "I'm afraid so." (= Yes.)

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

afraid

/əfreɪd/

Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.

1.
If you are afraid of someone or afraid to do something, you are frightened because you think that something very unpleasant is going to happen to you.
She did not seem at all afraid...
I was afraid of the other boys...
I’m still afraid to sleep in my own bedroom.
= frightened
ADJ: v-link ADJ, oft ADJ of n, ADJ to-inf

2.
If you are afraid for someone else, you are worried that something horrible is going to happen to them.
She’s afraid for her family in Somalia.
ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ for n

3.
If you are afraid that something unpleasant will happen, you are worried that it may happen and you want to avoid it.
I was afraid that nobody would believe me...
The Government is afraid of losing the election...
ADJ: v-link ADJ, ADJ that, ADJ of -ing, ADJ to-inf

4.
If you want to apologize to someone or to disagree with them in a polite way, you can say I’m afraid. (SPOKEN)
We don’t have anything like that, I’m afraid...
I’m afraid I can’t help you...
PHRASE: PHR with cl, PHR that [politeness]

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

afraid

afraid /əˈfreɪd/ adj not used before a noun
1 [more ~; most ~] : feeling fear: such as
a : worried that something will cause pain or injury
• Don't be afraid [=frightened, scared]—the dog won't hurt you.
- often + of
• I don't like tall buildings because I'm afraid of heights. [=of being high up in the air]
• He's afraid of snakes.
• All the kids at school were afraid of him.
b : nervous about doing something - often + of
• She's afraid of failing/failure.
• He wasn't afraid of saying what he thought.
• Don't be afraid of [=don't worry about] what everyone else thinks.
- often followed by to + verb
• He wasn't afraid to say what he thought.
• I wanted to visit her, but I was afraid to ask.
• Don't be afraid to take risks.
c : nervous or worried that something might happen
• She's afraid (that) she might fail.
• We were all afraid (that) she wouldn't live.
• I'm afraid (that) everyone will laugh at me.
• I was afraid (that) you would say “no.”
2
- used in the phrase I'm afraid as a polite way of showing that you are sorry about a disappointing, negative, or critical statement
• I'm sorry, but I'm afraid (that) I won't be able to come to your party.
• She tries hard, but I'm afraid that her work just isn't very good.
• I'm afraid that I still don't understand the problem.
• This is only the beginning of the battle, I'm afraid.
• Most of us worked very hard, but she, I'm afraid to say [=I'm sorry to say; I regret to say], did no work at all.
• “Is it raining?” “I'm afraid so.” = “I'm afraid it is.” [=yes, it is]
• “Can you come to our party?” “I'm afraid not.” = “I'm afraid I can't.” [=no, I can't come]
3
- used with not to say that someone is willing to do something; often + of
• She's not afraid of hard work. = She's not afraid of working hard. [=she's willing to work hard; she works hard]
• You can't be afraid of getting dirty in this job. [=you have to be willing to get dirty in this job]
- often followed by to + verb
• She's not afraid to work hard.
• He's not afraid to admit his mistakes.
afraid for : feeling fear or worry about (something or someone)
• I'm afraid for the children.
• They were afraid for their lives. [=they feared for their lives; they were afraid that they might die]
• He's afraid for his job. [=he's worried that he might lose his job]

toe

toe [noun] (BODY PART)

Any of the five separate parts at the end of the foot

US /toʊ/ 
UK /təʊ/ 
Example: 

the big toe

Oxford Essential Dictionary

toe

 noun

one of the five parts at the end of your foot

the part of a shoe or sock that covers the end of your foot

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

toe

I. toe1 S3 /təʊ $ toʊ/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: ta]
1. one of the five movable parts at the end of your foot ⇨ finger:
He stubbed his toe (=hurt it by kicking it against something) on a rock.
big toe (=the largest of your toes)

the part of a shoe or sock that covers the front part of your foot
3tread on sb’s toes British Englishstep on sb’s toes American English to offend someone, especially by becoming involved in something that they are responsible for
4keep somebody on their toes to make sure that someone is ready for anything that might happen:
They do random checks to keep workers on their toes.
5make sb’s toes curl to make someone feel very embarrassed or uncomfortable
6touch your toes to bend downwards so that your hands touch your toes, without bending your knees
7put/dip a toe in the water to try a little of something or try an activity for a short time to see if you like it
⇨ from head to toe at ↑head1(1), ⇨ from top to toe at ↑top1(22)

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

toe

toe [toe toes toed toeing] noun, verb   [təʊ]    [toʊ]

noun
1. one of the five small parts that stick out from the foot
• the big/little toe (= the largest/smallest toe) 
• I stubbed my toe on the step. 
• Can you touch your toes? (= by bending over while keeping your legs straight)

2. the part of a sock, shoe, etc. that covers the toes

• He kicked the earth with the toe of his boot.

3. -toed (in adjectives) having the type or number of toes mentioned
• open-toed sandals 
• a three-toed sloth 
see also  pigeon-toed  
more at dig your heels/toes in at  dig  v., dip a toe in/into sthdip a toe in/into the water at  dip  v., from head to foot/toe at  head  n., step on sb's toes at  step  v., from top to toe at  top  n., tread on sb's toes at  tread  v.  
Word Origin:
Old English tā, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tee and German Zeh, Zehe. Current senses of the verb date from the mid 19th cent.  
Example Bank:
• He gave himself a good scrub from head to toe. 
• He had some kind of fungus between his toes. 
• He moved lightly on his toes like a boxer. 
• I dipped my toe in the river to test the temperature. 
• I stood on the tips of my toes to look through the window. 
• Ouch! That was my toe you just trod on. 
• She stood on her toes to kiss him. 
• She tapped her toes to the music. 
• She trod on a lot of toes when she joined the company. 
• So far they have only dipped their toe in the potentially vast computer market. 
• The man's broad smile made her toes curl. 
• The shoe pressed painfully against her big toe. 
• The threat of inspections kept us all on our toes. 
• Under his bare toes the floor felt gritty. 
• the pain of a stubbed toe

Idioms: keep somebody on their toes  make somebody's toes curl  toe the line 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

toe / təʊ /   / toʊ / noun [ C ]

A2 any of the five separate parts at the end of the foot:

your big toe (= your largest toe)

your little toe (= your smallest toe)

I stubbed (= knocked) my toe on the edge of the bed.

the part of a sock, shoe, or other foot covering that goes over the toes

 

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

toe

/toʊ/
(toes, toeing, toed)

1.
Your toes are the five movable parts at the end of each foot.
N-COUNT: usu pl

2.
If you dip your toes into something or dip your toes into the waters of something, you start doing that thing slowly and carefully, because you are not sure whether it will be successful or whether you will like it.
This may encourage gold traders to dip their toes back into the markets...
PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR n

3.
If you say that someone or something keeps you on your toes, you mean that they cause you to remain alert and ready for anything that might happen.
His fiery campaign rhetoric has kept opposition parties on their toes for months.
PHRASE: V inflects

4.
If you toe the line, you behave in the way that people in authority expect you to.
...attempts to persuade the rebel members to toe the line...
PHRASE: V inflects

5.
If you tread on someone’s toes, you offend them by criticizing the way that they do something or by interfering in their affairs. (INFORMAL)
I must be careful not to tread on their toes. My job is to challenge, but not threaten them.
PHRASE: V inflects

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1toe /ˈtoʊ/ nounpl toes [count]
1 : one of the five separate parts at the end of your foot
• He felt the sand/grass between his toes.
• I accidentally stepped on her toe.
• I stubbed my toe on the table's leg.
- see picture at foot; compare finger; see also big toe
2 : the part of a shoe or sock that covers the front part of your foot
• My sock has a hole in the toe.
• boots with steel toes
• the toe of her boot
- see picture at foot
3 : something that is shaped like a toe
• the toe of the peninsula
dip/put/stick a toe in the water informal : to try an activity briefly to see if you like it
• I'm not sure I want to join, but I'd like to dip a toe in the water.
from top to toe
- see 1top
keep (someone) on their toes informal : to cause someone to be alert and prepared to deal with problems
• Taking care of three kids really keeps me on my toes.
• The boss made regular inspections in order to keep employees on their toes.
make your toes curl informal : to cause you to have a very strong and usually unpleasant feeling (such as a feeling of being embarrassed, annoyed, etc.)
• Just thinking about my old boyfriend makes my toes curl.
point your toes
- see 2point
step on someone's toes US or Brit tread on someone's toesinformal : to do something that upsets or offends someone
• You might step on the toes of some important people with this project.
• I don't want to step on anyone's toes.

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