A2 (Elementary)

leave

I. leave¹ S1 W1 /liːv/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle left /left/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: læfan]
1. GO AWAY [intransitive and transitive] to go away from a place or a person:
My baby gets upset when I leave the room.
Before leaving the train, make sure you have all your belongings with you.
Leave the motorway at Junction 7.
leave at
The plane leaves at 12.30.
leave for
I tried calling him, but he’d already left for work.
leave (something/somebody) soon/now/later etc
If he left immediately, he’d catch the 7.30 train.
leave (something/somebody) to do something
Frances left work early to meet her mother.
leave somebody doing something
Never leave children playing near water unattended.
leave somebody to something
I’ll leave you to it (=go away and let you continue with what you are doing).
My youngest boy has not left my side (=has stayed near me) since his daddy was killed.
leave somebody in peace (=go away from someone so that they can think, work etc alone)
Just a few more questions, then we’ll leave you in peace.
2. STOP [intransitive and transitive] if you leave your job, home, school etc, you permanently stop doing that job, living at home etc:
Over the past two years, 20 staffers have left.
leave home/school/college etc
How old were you when you left home (=your parents’ home)?
My daughter got a job after she left school.
The lawsuit will be postponed until the president leaves office.
leave a job/country/Spain etc
Many missionaries were forced to leave the country.
It seems that Tony has left the band for good (=permanently).
leave (somebody/something) to do something
Laura left her native England to live in France.
3. leave somebody/something alone
a) to stop annoying or upsetting someone:
Oh, just leave me alone, will you?
Leave the boy alone, he can make up his own mind.
b) to go away from someone so that they are on their own:
Six-year-old Gemma had been left alone in the house.
c) to stop touching something:
Leave that alone. You’ll break it.
d) (also leave well (enough) alone) to stop being involved in or trying to change a situation:
Why can’t they just leave well alone and let us concentrate on teaching?
4. LET SOMETHING/SOMEBODY STAY [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make or allow something or someone to stay in a place when you go away
leave something/somebody in/with/behind etc
Are you leaving the kids with Grandma on Saturday?
As soon as I’d shut the door, I realized I’d left the keys inside.
Did anybody leave a jacket behind last night?
She left her son in the care of a friend.
leave somebody to do something
He left Ruth to find her own way home.
Students were left to their own devices (=left alone and allowed to do whatever they wanted) for long periods.
leave somebody for dead
The girl had been attacked and left for dead.
5. NOT CHANGE/MOVE SOMETHING [transitive] to let something remain in a particular state, position, or condition
leave something on/off/out etc
You’ve left your lights on.
She must have left the phone off the hook.
leave something open/empty/untidy etc
I wish you’d stop leaving the door open.
The trial left many questions unanswered.
leave a space/gap etc
Leave the next two lines blank for the tutor’s comments.
Drivers should always leave room for cyclists.
leave something doing something
I’ll just leave the engine running while I go in.
Don’t leave tools lying about.
leave something to do something
Leave the pots to soak overnight.
6. RESULT OF ACCIDENT/ILLNESS/EVENT [transitive] if an event, accident, illness etc leaves you in a particular condition, you are in that condition because of it:
An explosion at a chemical plant has left one worker dead and four injured.
leave somebody with something
Although the infection cleared up, he was left with a persistent cough.
leave somebody doing something
The incident left her feeling confused and hurt.
The announcement has left shareholders nursing huge losses.
7. be left (also have something left) if something is left, it remains after everything else has gone, been taken away, or used:
I’ve only got a few dollars left.
There were a couple of seats left at the back.
We don’t have much time left.
He pointed to what was left of the house (=used when very little is left).
All that was left was a pile of bones.
be left over
After we’ve paid the bills, there’s never much left over.
They ate some bread rolls left over from the night before.
8. LETTER/MESSAGE/THING [transitive] to deliver a message, note, package etc for someone or put it somewhere so that they will get it later:
She left a message on his answerphone.
leave somebody something
Can you leave me some money for the bus?
leave something with somebody
Ian left this note with me.
leave something for somebody
A guy left these flowers for you.
9. DELAY [transitive] to not do something or to do it later than you intended:
Leave the dishes. I’ll do them later.
So much had been left undone.
leave something until the last minute/until last
If you leave your preparation until the last minute, you’ll reduce your chances of passing.
I left the best bit until last.
I want to think about it. Can I leave it for now?
I’m afraid you’ve left it too late to change your ticket.
leave it at that (=used to say that you will not do any more of something, because you have done enough)
Let’s leave it at that for today.
10. LET SOMEBODY DECIDE/BE RESPONSIBLE [transitive] to let someone else decide something or be responsible for something
leave something to somebody
Leave it to me. I’ll make sure it gets posted.
The choice of specialist subject is left entirely to the students.
leave it (up) to somebody to do something
I’ll leave it up to you to decide.
She leaves it to the reader to draw their own conclusions.
leave doing something to somebody
Is it okay if I leave writing the results to you?
leave something with somebody
Leave it with me, I’ll fix it for you.
He’s not the sort to leave things to chance (=take no action and just wait to see what happens).
leave somebody with no choice/option (=force someone to take a particular action)
You leave me with no choice but to fire you.
leave somebody to do something British English:
Clive moved to London, leaving Edward to run the Manchester office.
11. HUSBAND/WIFE ETC [intransitive and transitive] to stop living with or having a relationship with your husband, partner etc:
Martha was always threatening to leave, but I never believed her.
leave somebody for somebody
Mr Rushworth left his partner of 10 years for a younger woman.
12. WHEN YOU DIE [transitive]
a) to arrange for someone to receive your money, property etc after you die SYN bequeath:
Aunt Alice died, leaving almost $5 million.
leave somebody something
Hugo left me his mother’s ring.
In his will, he had left all his children a small sum of money.
leave something to somebody/something
Have you thought of leaving a gift to charity after you die?
b) leave a wife/children etc used when someone dies before their wife, children etc:
PC Davis leaves a wife and three small children.
13. MARK [transitive] to make a mark that remains afterwards
leave a mark/stain/scar etc
The wine had left a permanent mark on the tablecloth.
He staggered to the door, leaving a trail of blood.
Make sure that you don’t leave any footprints.
14. NOT EAT/DRINK [transitive] if you leave food or drink that you have been given, you do not eat or drink it:
‘I’m really hungry now.’ ‘That’s because you left half your lunch.’
He rose from the table, leaving his brandy untouched.
15. leave somebody/something standing (also leave somebody/something in the dust American English) informal to be much better, quicker, more successful etc than someone or something else:
In terms of fitness, he discovered that Kate left him standing.
16. leave a lot/something/much to be desired to be very unsatisfactory:
Inspectors say health and safety procedures at the factory leave a lot to be desired.
17. MATHEMATICS [transitive] in a sum, to have a particular amount remaining:
Three from seven leaves four.
18. leave something aside/to one side to not think about or consider one part of something for a time, so that you can consider another part of it:
Leaving aside for a moment the question of expense, what would your view be of the suggested changes?
19. leave somebody/something be old-fashioned to not upset, speak to, or annoy someone or to not touch something
20. leave go/hold of something British English spoken informal to stop holding something
21. leave it to somebody (to do something) American English spoken informal used to say that no one should be surprised that someone does something, because it is typical or expected of them:
Leave it to you to have the whole day planned out!
22. Elvis/somebody/something has left the building especially American English informal used humorously to emphasize that something is definitely over or that someone has gone and will not return
⇨ somebody can take it or leave it at ↑take¹(21), ⇨ be left holding the baby/bag at ↑hold¹(26)
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to leave a place
▪ leave: Just as I was leaving the house, the phone rang. | We left early to avoid the traffic.
▪ go especially spoken to leave somewhere: Come on, boys, it’s time to go. | When does the next bus go?
▪ set off especially British English to leave somewhere and begin a journey: The following day we set off for Vienna.
▪ take off if a plane takes off, it leaves the ground at the beginning of a flight: Our plane took off late because of the fog.
▪ emigrate to leave your own country in order to live permanently in another country: In 2002, his family emigrated to New Zealand.
▪ depart formal to leave – used especially about trains, buses, planes etc: Coaches depart for the airport every 30 minutes.
■ to leave school/college etc
▪ leave especially British English to finish studying at school or college, usually at the age or time when people normally finish: When James left school, he worked for a while with his father. | She found it hard to get a job after leaving university.
▪ graduate to successfully finish your studies at a college or university, or at an American high school: Kelly graduated from Harvard with a degree in East Asian Studies. | Approximately 80% of Americans graduate from high school.
▪ drop out to leave school, college, or university before your course of study has finished, because you do not want to continue with it: I failed my first year exams and decided to drop out and get a job.
▪ quit American English to leave school without finishing your course of study: He quit school at fourteen to work and help support his family.
■ leave your job
▪ leave: I left my last job because the salary was so low. | Why don’t you just leave?
▪ quit to leave your job permanently because you are not happy with it: After enduring months of harassment, Mrs Collins decided to quit her job. | I’ve told them I’m quitting.
▪ resign to officially announce that you have decided to leave your job: The company director was forced to resign over the scandal.
▪ hand in your notice/resignation to write an official letter to your employer saying that you are going to leave your job on a particular date: You have to hand in your notice at least four weeks before you leave.
▪ retire to leave your job in order to stop working permanently, usually because you have reached the age when most people stop working: After forty years of working for the bank, Karl retired in May. | He had to retire because of ill health.
leave somebody/something ↔ behind phrasal verb
1. to not take someone or something with you when you leave a place:
I think I might have left my wallet behind.
He departed for Washington, leaving the children behind with their mother.
2. if a person, country, or organization is left behind, they do not develop as quickly or make as much progress as other people, countries etc:
In class, a child with poor eyesight can soon get left behind.
a fear of being left behind by better-organized rivals
3. (also leave somebody/something behind you) to permanently stop being involved with a person, place or situation:
It’s time to leave the past behind.
Although Armstrong overcame the circumstances of his birth, he never really left New Orleans behind.
4. (also leave somebody/something behind you) to move away from someone or something:
They had left the city behind and were heading into open country.
Sarah, with her long legs, soon left the rest of us far behind.
5. (also leave something behind you) to produce a thing or situation that remains after you have gone:
He drove off, leaving behind him a trail of blue smoke.
the mess the previous government left behind
leave off phrasal verb
1. to stop doing something
take up/pick up/continue (something) etc where somebody left off (=continue something that has stopped for a short time)
Barry took up the story where Justine had left off.
leave off doing something British English informal:
‘Will you leave off nagging?’ he snarled.
2. leave somebody/something off (something) to not include something such as someone’s name in a list or other document:
Why was her name left off the list?
leave somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to not include someone or something:
She outlined the case to him, being careful not to leave anything out.
leave somebody/something out of something
Kidd has been left out of the team.
2. be/feel left out to feel that you are not accepted or welcome in a situation:
New fathers often feel left out when baby arrives.
3. leave it out! British English spoken used to tell someone to stop lying, pretending, or being annoying

video

I. vid‧e‧o¹ S1 W2 /ˈvɪdiəʊ $ -dioʊ/ BrE AmE noun (plural videos)
1. [uncountable and countable] a copy of a film or television programme, or a series of events, recorded on ↑videotape
hire a video British English rent a video American English:
How much does it cost to hire videos?
Let’s stay at home and watch a video.
Rewind the video right to the beginning.
The school will be making a video of the play.
on video
The movie has not yet been released on video.
coming soon to a video store near you
2. [countable] a plastic box containing special tape for recording programmes and films on television SYN videotape, video cassette:
Have we got a blank video (=one with nothing recorded on it yet) anywhere?
3. [countable] British English a machine used to record television programmes or show videos SYN VCR, video cassette recorder
programme/set the video
Can you set the video to record the football match?
4. [uncountable] the process of recording or showing television programmes, films, real events etc on ↑videotape:
The course aims to help children learn through video.
5. [countable] a short film that is made to go with a particular piece of popular music SYN music video
6. [countable] a ↑digital recording of an event, for example one made using a ↑mobile phone:
a video clip shown on the Internet
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 4)
■ video + NOUN
▪ video footage Police are currently studying video footage to identify the rioters.
▪ a video recording Can a video recording of an interview with a child be used in a court as evidence?
▪ a video image (=a moving picture on a video) Video images of the surgery are sent to a special lecture theatre, so that students can observe.
▪ a video clip (=a short video) You can download video clips from the Internet.
▪ video evidence (=a recording of events, used in a court) Video evidence of illegal activities can later be used in court.
■ verbs
▪ record something on video She had no idea that her purchase was being recorded on video.
▪ be captured/caught on video (=recorded on video) The crime was captured on video.

online

on‧line /ˈɒnlaɪn $ ˈɑːn-, ˈɒːn-/ BrE AmE adjective
1. connected to other computers through the Internet, or available through the Internet OPP offline:
All the city’s schools will be online by the end of the year.
2. directly connected to or controlled by a computer OPP offline:
an online printer
—online adverb:
The reports are not available online yet.

check

I. check¹ S1 W2 /tʃek/ BrE AmE verb
1. FIND OUT [intransitive and transitive] to do something in order to find out whether something really is correct, true, or in good condition:
Check the tiles carefully before you buy them.
A first rule in solving any mystery is to check the facts.
Fill in the cash book carefully and always check your calculations.
check (that)
Check that all the doors are locked securely.
check whether/how/who etc
Let me just check whether the potatoes are cooked.
They paused to check how the other climbers were getting on.
check (something) for something
I checked the typing for errors.
Turn the tap on and check for leaks.
check something against/with something (=compare something with something else to see whether they are the same)
You must check the evidence against other sources and decide if it is reliable.
Positive test results are double-checked (=looked at twice) to make absolutely sure.
2. ASK SOMEBODY [intransitive and transitive] to ask someone whether something is correct, true, or allowed:
I’m not authorized to give you a refund – I’ll have to check first.
check (that)
Make a phone call to check that you’re writing to the right person.
check whether/how/who etc
Call the factory to check whether the beds can be delivered today.
check with
Check with your doctor before going on a diet.
3. NOT DO SOMETHING [transitive] to suddenly stop yourself from saying or doing something because you realize it would be better not to:
I had to check the urge to laugh out loud.
check yourself
He grinned, and then checked himself, not wanting to upset Jack.
4. STOP SOMETHING [transitive] to stop something bad from getting worse or continuing to happen:
The police are failing to take adequate measures to check the growth in crime.
5. BAGS/CASES ETC [transitive] American English, check in British English to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone’s bags in order to do this:
Any luggage over five kilos must be checked.
6. MAKE A MARK [transitive] American English to make a mark (✓ ) next to an answer, something on a list etc to show you have chosen it, that it is correct, or that you have dealt with it SYN tick British English
7. Check especially American English spoken say this when someone mentions each thing on a list, to tell them that you have it or have done it:
‘Passport?’ ‘Check.’ ‘Ticket?’ ‘Check’.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ check to look at something carefully and thoroughly in order to make sure that it is correct, safe, or working properly: I’ll just check the water level in the battery. | The immigration officer checked their passports. | We need to check the building for structural damage.
▪ examine to look at something carefully and thoroughly because you want to find out something about it: Experts who examined the painting believe it is genuine. | The police will examine the weapon for fingerprints.
▪ inspect to look at something carefully and thoroughly in order to make sure that it is correct, safe, or working properly, especially when it is your job to do this: The building is regularly inspected by a fire-safety officer. | Some insurance people have already been here to inspect the damage caused by the storm.
▪ go through something to examine something such as a document or plan from beginning to end, especially in order to check that it is correct: You should go through the contract before you sign. | I’ve finished my essay, but I just need to go through it to check for spelling mistakes.
▪ double-check to check something again so that you are completely sure it is correct, safe, or working properly: I double-checked all my calculations and they seemed fine. | Travellers should double-check flight information before setting off today.
▪ test to examine or use something in order to find out whether it works or what its qualities are, or in order to check that it is satisfactory: Test your brakes to check they are working correctly. | These products have not been tested on animals.
▪ monitor to carefully watch or keep checking someone or something in order to see what happens over a period of time: Doctors monitored her progress during the night. | Observers have been monitoring the situation in Burma closely.
check in phrasal verb
1. if you check in or are checked in at a hotel or airport, you go to the desk and report that you have arrived:
Check in two hours before the flight.
check in at
He checked in at the Europa Hotel.
check somebody ↔ in
Airline employees were checking in passengers. ⇨ ↑check-in
2. check something ↔ in to leave your bags at an official place so they can be put on a plane or a train, or to take someone’s bags in order to do this:
I said goodbye and went to check in my suitcases.
3. American English to call someone to tell them that you are safe or where you are:
He just called to check in and tell them how he was doing.
check something ↔ off phrasal verb
to write a mark next to something on a list to show that you have chosen it, dealt with it, or made sure that it is correct:
One by one he checked them off on his register.
check on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to make sure that someone or something is safe, is in a satisfactory state, or is doing what they should be doing:
Honey, can you go upstairs and check on the kids?
My neighbour comes in once a week to check on things and feed the fish.
2. to try to find out if something is true or correct:
He wanted to check on the girl’s story.
check out phrasal verb
1. MAKE SURE
a) check something ↔ out to make sure that something is actually true, correct, or acceptable SYN investigate:
I made a phone call to check out his address.
check something ↔ out with
Check it out with your boss before you do anything.
b) if information checks out, it is proved to be true, correct, or acceptable:
His credit record checks out.
2. LOOK AT SOMEBODY/SOMETHING check somebody/something ↔ out to look at someone or something because they are interesting or attractive:
If I hear about a website that sounds interesting, I check it out.
Hey, check out that car!
3. GET INFORMATION check somebody ↔ out informal to get information about someone, especially to find out if they are suitable for something:
I’ll check them out as potential employers.
4. HOTEL to leave a hotel after paying the bill:
We checked out at noon. ⇨ ↑checkout
5. BOOKS check something ↔ out American English to borrow a book from a library:
The library allows you to check out six books at a time.
check something/somebody ↔ over phrasal verb
1. to look closely at something to make sure it is correct or acceptable:
They spent the rest of the morning checking over their equipment.
2. to examine someone to make sure they are healthy:
I’d like the doctor to check you over and do a few tests.
check up on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to try to find out if someone is doing what they said they would do or what you want them to do:
Don’t worry; no one is going to check up on you.
2. to make sure that something is true or correct:
Dustin called me to check up on some facts.

post

I. post¹ S2 W2 /pəʊst $ poʊst/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑post, ↑postage, ↑postie, ↑posting; verb: ↑post; adjective: ↑postal]
1. JOB [countable] formal a job, especially an important one in a large organization SYN position:
I applied for the post and was asked to attend an interview.
She was offered the post of ambassador to India.
He will take up his post as Head of Modern Languages in September.
Goddard has held the post since 1998.
Unfortunately they were unable to find a suitable person to fill the post.
Mr Thomson resigned his £50,000 a year post in April.
She now holds a senior post in the Department of Education.
the creation of 4,000 new teaching posts
2. POSTAL SYSTEM the post British English the official system for carrying letters, packages etc from one place to another SYN mail
by post
The winners will be notified by post.
in the post
Your letter must have got lost in the post.
I’ll put a copy of the book in the post (=send it).
through the post
A parcel arrived through the post.
3. LETTERS [uncountable] British English letters, packages etc that are sent and delivered SYN mail:
Was there any post for me today?
Emma was opening her post.
4. COLLECTION/DELIVERY [singular, uncountable] British English when letters are collected or delivered SYN mail:
What time does the post go (=get collected)?
(the) first/second/last post (=the first, second etc collection or delivery of letters each day)
Applications must arrive by first post on September 23.
catch/miss the post (=post your letter in time for it to be collected, or not in time) ⇨ by return (of post) at ↑return²(11)
5. PIECE OF WOOD/METAL [countable] a strong upright piece of wood, metal etc that is fixed into the ground, especially to support something:
a fence post ⇨ ↑bedpost, ↑gatepost(1), ↑lamp-post, ↑signpost¹(1)
6. FOOTBALL/HOCKEY ETC [countable] one of the two upright pieces of wood between which players try to kick or hit the ball in football, ↑hockey etc SYN goalpost:
The ball hit the post and bounced off.
7. NEWSPAPER [singular] used in the names of some newspapers:
the ‘Washington Post’
8. SOLDIER/GUARD ETC sb’s post the place where a soldier, guard etc is expected to be in order to do their job
at sb’s post
By 5 am the soldiers were already at their posts.
No one was allowed to leave their post.
9. border/military/customs/police post a place, especially one on a border, where soldiers or police are guarding, checking etc something
10. RACE the post (also the finishing post) the place where a race finishes, especially a horse race:
Mr Magic was first past the post.
11. INTERNET MESSAGE [countable] (also posting) a message sent to an Internet discussion group so that all members of the group can read it:
There was post after post criticizing the Minister.
⇨ as deaf as a post at ↑deaf(1), ⇨ be driven/passed from pillar to post at ↑pillar(4), ⇨ pip somebody at the post at ↑pip²(1), ⇨ ↑first-past-the-post

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ hold a post (=have a job) He had previously held the post of Foreign Minister.
▪ apply for a post I am writing to apply for the post of secretary.
▪ take up a post (=start a new job) She will take up her new post next month.
▪ leave a post The previous ambassador left his post in June.
▪ resign (from) a post (=leave it) John Sargent has resigned his post as chairman.
▪ be dismissed from a post (=be told to leave) As a result of the scandal, he was dismissed from his post.
▪ offer somebody a post He was offered the post of Secretary of State for Wales.
▪ appoint somebody to a post (=give someone a job officially) Mr Collingwood has been appointed to the post of Headteacher.
▪ fill a post (=find someone to do a job) They have advertised the post but it hasn't yet been filled.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + post
▪ a senior post Senior posts in industry attract very high salaries.
▪ a junior post He was offered a junior post in a bank.
▪ a permanent/temporary post I have a two-year contract, not a permanent post.
▪ a full-time/part-time post a part-time post as a university lecturer
▪ a teaching post My first teaching post was in outer London.
▪ an administrative post For the next twelve years, he held various administrative posts in Bombay.
▪ a government post I decided to apply for a local government post.

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ send something by post They sent me the contract by post.
▪ put something in the post (=put it in a box to be collected) I put it in the post on Friday, so it should have arrived today.
▪ get something in the post (=receive it) Did you get anything in the post today?
▪ something comes/arrives in the post This letter came in the post this morning.
▪ something gets lost in the post I'm afraid the cheque must have got lost in the post.
■ adjectives
▪ first-class post The package arrived by first-class post.
▪ second-class post Items sent by second-class post can take up to five days to arrive.

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 4)
■ adjectives
▪ first/second/last post (=the first, second, or last collection or delivery of letters each day) The last post is at 5.30.
■ verbs
▪ catch the post (=post your letter in time for it to be collected) He wrote the letter hurriedly because he was anxious to catch the post.
▪ miss the post (=not post your letter in time for it to be collected) If I miss the post today, the card won’t arrive on her birthday.
▪ the post goes (=it is collected) The first post goes at 7.30 am.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ job noun [countable] the regular paid work that you do for an employer: a full-time job | John got a job in a car factory.
▪ work noun [uncountable] activities that you are paid for doing – used either when you work for an employer or when you work in your own business: I started work when I was 18. | He graduated from college last year and is still looking for work.
▪ profession noun [countable] a job for which you need special education and training: There are now a lot more women in the legal profession. | Many teachers are leaving the profession.
▪ occupation noun [countable] formal a job, or a type of job – often used on official documents: Please give your name, age, and occupation. | a traditionally male occupation
▪ career noun [countable] the work you do or plan to do for most of your life: I’m interested in a career in journalism.
▪ position noun [countable] formal a particular job within an organization: I am writing to apply for the position of technical assistant. | We regret that the position has already been filled. | Please state the position which you are applying for.
▪ post noun [countable] formal a job, especially an important one in a large organization: She has held the post of managing director for two years. | He applied for the post of Senior Manager.
▪ vacancy/opening noun [countable] a job that is available for someone to do: The hospital has been unable to fill the vacancy. | There are very few openings in scientific research.
▪ appointment noun [countable] an important job which someone is asked to do: He took an appointment as US trade ambassador in Geneva.
▪ posting noun [countable] a situation in which someone is sent somewhere to do a job for a period of time by the organization they work for: This was his first posting outside the UK. | an overseas posting | His next posting took him to the Ministry of Defence.
▪ trade noun [countable] a job that involves using your hands, and for which you need special training: Most of the men had worked in skilled trades such as carpentry and printing.
▪ employment noun [uncountable] the fact of having a job: The factory will provide employment for local people. | She was offered employment in the sales office.

II. mail² S3 BrE AmE verb [transitive] especially American English
1. to send a letter or package to someone SYN post British English
mail something to somebody
The weekly newsletter is mailed to women all over the country.
2. to send a document to someone using a computer SYN email
mail something to somebody
Can you mail it to me as an attachment?
mail something ↔ out phrasal verb
to send letters, packages etc to a lot of people at the same time SYN send out:
The department has just mailed out 300,000 notices.

II. post² S3 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑post, ↑postage, ↑postie, ↑posting; verb: ↑post; adjective: ↑postal]
1. LETTER British English to send a letter, package etc by post SYN mail:
She’s just gone to post a letter.
post something (off) to somebody
Did you remember to post the card to my parents?
post somebody something
I posted Barry the cheque last Friday.
2. post something through sb’s door/letterbox British English to push something through someone’s ↑letterbox:
I’ll post the key through your letterbox when I leave.
3. JOB [usually passive] if you are posted somewhere, your employer sends you to work there, usually for several years
post somebody to France/London etc
He joined the British Army and was posted to Germany.
post somebody abroad/overseas
4. PUBLIC NOTICE (also post up) to put up a public notice about something on a wall or notice board:
The exam results were posted on the bulletin board yesterday.
5. GUARD to make someone be in a particular place in order to guard a building, check who enters or leaves a place, watch something etc SYN station:
Guards were to be posted around nuclear power stations.
6. keep somebody posted spoken to regularly tell someone the most recent news about something
keep somebody posted on
I’ll keep you posted on his progress.
7. PROFIT/LOSS ETC especially American English to officially record and announce information about a company’s financial situation or a country’s economic situation:
Cisco Systems posted record profits and sales for the third fiscal quarter.
8. INTERNET MESSAGE to put a message or computer document on the Internet so that other people can see it:
Could you post those new flyers on David’s website?
9. be posted missing British English if a soldier is posted missing, it is announced officially that they have disappeared
10. post bail law especially American English to pay a specific amount of money in order to be allowed to leave prison before your ↑trial

bring

bring S1 W1 /brɪŋ/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle brought /brɔːt $ brɒːt/) [transitive]
[Language: Old English; Origin: bringan]
1.
a) to take something or someone with you to the place where you are now, or to the place you are talking about ⇨ take:
Did you bring an umbrella?
It was the first time Joey had ever brought a girl home.
They brought news of further fighting along the border.
bring somebody/something to somebody/something
Is it OK if I bring some friends to the party?
bring somebody/something with you
For some reason, Jesse had brought a tape recorder with him.
b) to get something for someone and take it to them
bring somebody something
Can you bring me another beer?
Robert asked the waiter to bring him the check.
While she was in prison, friends used to bring her books.
bring somebody/something to somebody/something
He expects me to bring everything to him.
2.
a) to make a particular situation exist, or cause a particular feeling:
efforts to bring peace to the region
The strikes are expected to bring chaos.
The senator’s speech brought an angry response from Civil Rights groups.
b) to cause someone or something to reach a particular state or condition
bring something to an end/a close/a halt/a conclusion (=make something stop)
The trial was swiftly brought to an end.
It was the war that first brought him to power (=made him have power over a country).
So far the US has been unable to bring him to justice (=make him be punished for his actions).
Bring the sauce to the boil (=heat it until it boils).
The country had been brought to its knees (=caused to be in such a bad condition that it is almost impossible to continue).
3. [always + adverb/preposition] to make something move in a particular direction
bring something up/down/round etc
Bring your arm up slowly until it’s level with your shoulder.
The storm brought the old oak tree crashing down.
4. [always + adverb/preposition] if something brings people to a place, it makes them go there:
The discovery of gold brought thousands of people to the Transvaal.
what brings you here? (=used to ask why someone is in a particular place)
What brings you here on a night like this?
5. to make something available for people to use, have, enjoy etc:
The expansion of state education brought new and wider opportunities for working class children.
bring something to somebody/something
The government is launching a new initiative to bring jobs to deprived areas.
bring somebody something
It’s a good sign – let’s hope it will bring us some luck.
6. if a period of time brings a particular event or situation, the event or situation happens during that time:
The 1930s brought unemployment and economic recession.
Who knows what the future will bring?
7. bring charges/a lawsuit/a court case/a prosecution/a claim (against somebody) to begin a court case in order to try to prove that someone has done something wrong or is legally responsible for something wrong:
Survivors of the fire later brought a billion-dollar lawsuit against the company.
The police say they are planning to bring charges against him.
8. bring a smile to sb’s lips/face to make someone smile:
Her words brought a sudden smile to his lips.
9. bring tears to sb’s eyes to make someone start to cry:
The pain brought tears to his eyes.
10. bring the total/number/score etc to something used when saying what the new total etc is:
This brings the total to 46.
11. cannot/could not bring yourself to do something to feel unable to do something because it would upset you or someone else too much:
She still can’t bring herself to talk about it.
12. spoken used when saying that something is the next thing that you want to talk about
that/this/which brings me to ...
This brings me to the main point of today’s meeting.
13. if a programme is brought to you by a particular television or radio company, they broadcast it or make it
something is brought to you by somebody
This programme is brought to you by the BBC.
14. bring something to bear (on/upon something) formal to use something, for example your power, authority, or your knowledge, in a way that will have a big effect on something or someone:
The full force of the law was brought to bear on anyone who criticized the government.
15. bring home the bacon informal to earn the money that your family needs to live

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ bring peace/war The treaty brought peace to both England and France.
▪ bring chaos A bomb scare brought chaos to the town centre yesterday.
▪ bring somebody pleasure/joy/pain/grief etc The decision brought him great relief.
■ phrases
▪ bring something to an end/halt (=especially something bad) It is our resonsibility to discuss how this conflict can be brought to an end.
▪ bring something to a close (=especially a meeting) At last the meeting was brought to a close.
▪ bring something to a conclusion (=used especially in law) Juvenile cases need to be brought to a conclusion quickly.
▪ bring somebody to power (=make someone have power over a country) The revolution brought to power a communist government.
▪ bring somebody to justice (=catch and punish someone for their actions) The authorities swore that the killers would be brought to justice.
▪ bring somebody into contact with somebody/something The people of the island were suddenly brought into contact with the outside world.
▪ bring something/somebody to their knees (=make it almost impossible for somebody/something to continue) A severe drought brought the country to its knees.

THESAURUS
▪ bring to take something or someone to the place where you are now, or the place where you are going: Have you brought your ticket with you? | He asked his father if he could bring a friend to stay.
▪ take to move something to another place, or help someone go to another place: I took a book with me to read on the train. | He was taken to hospital by ambulance.
▪ get (also fetch especially British English) to go to another place and come back with something or someone: I went upstairs to get my jacket. | Joseph told me to fetch the doctor, so I ran to the village.
bring something ↔ about phrasal verb
to make something happen SYN cause:
How can we bring about a change in attitudes?
A huge amount of environmental damage has been brought about by the destruction of the rain forests.
bring somebody/something ↔ along phrasal verb
to take someone or something with you when you go somewhere:
You’re welcome to bring along a friend.
I’ve brought some pictures along to show you.
bring somebody/something around/round phrasal verb
1. bring the conversation around/round to something to deliberately and gradually introduce a new subject into a conversation:
I’ll try to bring the conversation around to the subject of money.
2. to make someone become conscious again:
I slapped his face a couple of times to try to bring him round.
3. to manage to persuade someone to do something or to agree with you:
She won’t listen to me. Let’s see if Sue can bring her round.
bring somebody/something around/round to
I’m sure I can bring him around to our point of view.
4. to bring someone or something to someone’s house:
I’ll bring the books around tomorrow.
bring back phrasal verb
1. bring something ↔ back to start to use something again that was used in the past SYN reintroduce:
The city council has decided to bring back the old electric trams.
Bringing back the death penalty has done absolutely nothing to reduce crime.
2. bring something ↔ back to make you remember something:
The trip brought back a lot of happy memories.
Seeing those pictures on TV brought it all back to me.
3. bring something ↔ back to take something or someone with you when you come back from somewhere
bring something back for somebody
Don’t forget to bring something back for the kids.
bring somebody back something
If you’re going to the store, could you bring me back a six-pack?
4. bring somebody ↔ back to return someone to their previous job or position of authority SYN reinstate:
Following their latest defeat, soccer fans are urging the club to bring back the former manager.
5. bring somebody back to something if something that is said brings you back to a particular subject, it is connected with that subject, so you will start talking about it again:
This brings us back to the question of funding.
bring somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to reduce something to a lower level:
The government hopes these measures will help to bring down inflation.
2. to fly a plane down to the ground SYN land:
The pilot managed to bring the plane down safely.
3. to make a plane, bird, or animal fall to the ground by shooting at it:
A bomber had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire.
4. to force a government or ruler to stop ruling a country:
a crisis that could bring down the government
5. to make someone fall over:
He was brought down by the goalkeeper and awarded a penalty.
bring something ↔ down on/upon somebody phrasal verb
to make something bad happen to someone, especially to yourself or to people connected with you:
His recklessness brought down disaster on the whole family.
bring something ↔ forth phrasal verb literary
to produce something or make it appear:
a tragic love affair that brought forth only pain
bring something ↔ forward phrasal verb
1. to change an arrangement so that something happens sooner
bring something ↔ forward to
The meeting’s been brought forward to Thursday.
2. bring forward legislation/plans/policies etc to officially introduce plans etc for people to discuss:
The government has brought forward new proposals to tackle the problem of increasing crime.
3. to record the result of a calculation so that it can be used in a further calculation:
The balance brought forward is £21,765.
bring somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb
1. to introduce a new law:
Harsh anti-Trade Union laws were brought in in the early 1980s.
2. to ask someone to become involved in a discussion or situation:
I’d like to bring in Doctor Hall here and ask him his views.
bring somebody in to do something
The police were brought in to investigate the matter.
3. to earn a particular amount or produce a particular amount of profit:
The sale of the house only brought in about £45,000.
4. to attract customers to a shop or business:
We’ve got to bring in more business if we want the restaurant to survive.
5. bring in a verdict to say officially in a law court whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a crime SYN return a verdict:
The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
bring somebody/something into something phrasal verb
1. to cause someone or something to be in a particular situation:
Most of the land has now been brought into cultivation.
The work brought me into contact with a lot of very interesting people.
2. to make someone become involved in a discussion or situation:
The government is trying to bring teachers into the debate on education.
There is a danger that this could bring other countries into the war.
bring something ↔ off phrasal verb
to succeed in doing something difficult SYN pull off:
They managed to bring off the most daring jewellery robbery in history.
bring something ↔ on phrasal verb
1. to make something bad or unpleasant happen SYN cause:
Stress can bring on an asthma attack.
What’s brought this on? Have I upset you somehow?
2. to help someone to improve or make progress:
Teachers have to bring on the bright children and at the same time give extra help to those who need it.
3. to make plants or crops grow faster:
Keeping the young plants in a greenhouse will help bring them on.
4. bring it on informal used to say that you are prepared and willing to deal with something bad that is likely to happen
bring something on/upon somebody phrasal verb
to make something unpleasant happen to someone:
You have brought disaster on the whole village!
bring something on/upon yourself
I’ve got no sympathy for him – he’s brought this all on himself!
bring somebody onto something phrasal verb
if something brings you onto a particular subject, it is a good time for you to start talking about it:
This brings me onto the question of pay rises.
bring something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to make something easier to see, taste, notice etc:
The spices really bring out the flavour of the meat.
Fatherhood seems to have brought out the caring side of him.
2. to produce something that will be sold to the public:
He’s bringing out a new album next month.
3. to take something out of a place:
Jenny opened the cupboard and brought out a couple of bottles.
4. bring out the best/worst in somebody to make someone behave in the best or worst way that they can:
Alcohol just brings out the worst in her.
5. bring somebody out of himself/herself to make someone feel more confident and able to talk to people:
Changing schools has really brought her out of herself.
bring somebody out in something phrasal verb
if something brings you out in spots, it makes them appear on your skin:
Any foods containing wheat bring him out in a rash.
bring somebody/something round
⇨ BRING AROUND
bring somebody through (something) phrasal verb
to help someone to successfully deal with a very difficult event or period of time:
Both my children have brought me through extremely difficult times since my husband died.
bring somebody ↔ together phrasal verb
1. to arrange for people to meet and do something together:
We brought together researchers from three different universities to work on the project.
2. to make people have a better relationship or feel closer to each other:
Any attack by a foreign power will inevitably bring the people of a country together.
bring somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb
1. to mention a subject or start to talk about it SYN raise:
Why did you have to bring up the subject of money?
2. to look after and influence a child until he or she is grown up SYN raise:
He was brought up by his grandparents.
bring somebody up to do something
In my day, children were brought up to respect the law.
be brought up (as) a Catholic/Muslim etc
I was brought up a Catholic. ⇨ ↑upbringing
3. to make something appear on a computer screen:
Can you bring up the list of candidates again?
4. British English if you bring food up, it comes back up from your stomach and out of your mouth:
I had a sandwich for lunch and promptly brought it up again.
5. to charge someone with a particular crime and make them go to a court to be judged
bring somebody/something ↔ up before
He was brought up before a magistrate, charged with dangerous driving.
6. bring somebody up short/with a start to surprise someone and make them suddenly stop talking or doing something:
Her question brought me up short.