stylish

styl‧ish AC /ˈstaɪlɪʃ/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑style, ↑styling, ↑stylishness, ↑stylist, ↑stylistics, ↑stylization; adjective: ↑stylish, ↑stylistic, ↑stylized; adverb: ↑stylishly, ↑stylistically; verb: ↑style]
attractive in a fashionable way:
a stylish woman in her forties
Jack is quite stylish.
a stylish restaurant in the West End
—stylishly adverb
—stylishness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fashionable popular at a particular time: fashionable clothes | It was fashionable to have red hair. | His theories were fashionable in the 1980s.
▪ trendy informal modern and fashionable – often used in a slightly disapproving or joking way: a trendy tie | a trendy restaurant | The area has become very trendy and a lot of artists live there.
▪ stylish adjective fashionable and well-designed in an attractive way: She was wearing a stylish two-piece suit. | The furniture looked very stylish and modern.
▪ cool adjective informal fashionable – used especially when you think someone or something looks good: Michael looked very cool in his dark jacket and sunglasses. | a cool shirt
▪ happening [only before noun] informal adjective a happening place is fashionable and lively: London has always been a happening place.
▪ be in fashion verb phrase to be fashionable at a particular time: The Sixties look is back in fashion.
▪ in adjective informal fashionable at a particular time. In is not used before a noun, except in the phrases below: Pale colours are in. | New York was the in place to be. | Yoga has become the in thing to do.

successful

suc‧cess‧ful S2 W1 /səkˈsesfəl/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑success, ↑succession, ↑successor; adjective: ↑successful ≠ ↑unsuccessful, ↑successive; verb: ↑succeed; adverb: ↑successfully ≠ ↑unsuccessfully]
1. achieving what you wanted, or having the effect or result you intended:
The operation was successful.
a highly successful (=very successful) meeting
successful in (doing) something
Were you successful in persuading him to change his mind?
2. a successful business, film, product etc makes a lot of money:
The show’s had a pretty successful run.
a highly successful (=very successful) product
3. a successful person earns a lot of money or is very well known and respected:
Arthur was a highly successful (=very successful) businessman.
successful in
He later became successful in politics.
successful as
I think she’ll be successful as a photographer.
—successfully adverb:
He successfully completed a master’s degree.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ successful achieving what you wanted, or having the effect or result you intended: He applied for a visa three times and in the end he was successful. | The treatment was successful. | It was a highly successful campaign.
▪ effective having the effect or result that was wanted - used especially about treatments, drugs, or methods: The drug is effective against a range of diseases. | We still haven't found an effective way to solve the problem.
▪ victorious successful as a result of winning in a game, election, war etc: the captain of the victorious team | She emerged victorious in the second round of voting.
▪ promising likely to be very successful in the future, used especially about someone who is good at a job, sport, art etc: a promising young athlete | He gave up a promising career in banking.
▪ thriving very successful – used about a company, industry, or organization that is doing well at a particular time: The area has a thriving tourist industry. | The school is thriving academically.
▪ booming extremely successful – used about an economy, or when business or trade is increasing: the booming economy in China | Business is booming.
 

success

suc‧cess S1 W1 /səkˈses/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑success, ↑succession, ↑successor; adjective: ↑successful ≠ ↑unsuccessful, ↑successive; verb: ↑succeed; adverb: ↑successfully ≠ ↑unsuccessfully]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: past participle of succedere; ⇨ ↑succeed]
1. when you achieve what you want or intend OPP failure:
The experiment was a big success.
without success
I tried to contact him, but without success.
success in doing something
Did you have any success in persuading Alan to come?
2. when a lot of people like something, buy something, go to see something etc OPP failure
be a big/huge/great etc success
The film was a great success.
Her book has enjoyed a lot of success (=it has been very successful).
The play was a box-office success (=many people went to see it).
The show was an overnight success (=it was immediately successful).
3. when someone achieves a high position in their job, on a course, in a sport, in society etc OPP failure:
Success isn’t everything, you know.
success in
He has already had a lot of success in his career.
be a success as a ... (=be successful in a particular job)
She wasn’t much of a success as a lawyer.
She’s determined to make a success of (=be successful in) her career.
4. when a business makes a lot of money OPP failure:
the success of his latest business venture
be a big/huge/great etc success
The firm wasn’t a great success.
5. success story someone or something that is successful:
The company has been a major success story.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a great success Everyone agreed the picnic was a great success.
▪ a big/huge/major success The government claimed the policy was a major success.
▪ a resounding/outstanding/spectacular success (=very great success) Financially, the event was a resounding success.
▪ great/considerable success This plant can be grown by the absolute beginner with great success.
▪ some success The group is already achieving some success.
▪ little/no success Attempts to resolve the dispute met with little success.
▪ limited success (=not very much success) The attempt to replace coca with other crops has had only limited success.
▪ commercial/economic/financial success None of his ideas had any commercial success.
▪ academic success (=success in education) There is no evidence that early teaching of reading leads to academic success.
▪ electoral success (=success in elections) The electoral success of the far right understandably fills many people in Europe with alarm.
▪ military success This military success was achieved at a cost.
■ verbs
▪ have/achieve success China has had considerable success in conserving water since 1983.
▪ meet with success (=be successful) We are disappointed that this round of negotiations has not met with success.
▪ put your success down to something (=say that your success was the result of it) They put their success down to their excellent teamwork.
■ phrases
▪ somebody's chance of success They have a good chance of success.
▪ the secret of somebody's success (=what makes them successful) A visitor asked Connie the secret of her success with growing roses.
▪ the success rate (=what percentage of actions are successful) The success rate in cloning is still extremely low.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'make success' or 'make a success'. Say have success or achieve success.

show

I. show¹ S1 W1 /ʃəʊ $ ʃoʊ/ BrE AmE verb (past tense showed, past participle shown /ʃəʊn $ ʃoʊn/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: sceawian 'to look, look at, see']
1. LET SOMEBODY SEE [transitive] to let someone see something
show somebody something
The children proudly showed me their presents.
show something to somebody
Show your ticket to the woman at the entrance.
The man grinned, showing bad teeth.
2. PROVE SOMETHING [transitive] to provide facts or information that make it clear that something is true, that something exists, or that something has happened:
Figures showed a 9% rise in inflation.
Gary has shown his faith in the club’s future by agreeing to stay on.
show (that)
Mike needed a copy of the will to show that the books had been left to him.
show somebody (that)
We have shown our critics that we can succeed.
show how
This document shows how to oppose bad decisions about new housing.
show what
She just wants a chance to show what she can do.
show somebody/something to be something
Charles showed himself to be a fine leader.
be shown to be/do something
The campaign has been shown to be a waste of money.
The new treatment has been shown to reduce the number of deaths.
studies/evidence/research etc shows
Several studies have shown that aggressive toys lead to bad behaviour.
The Polish economy began to show signs of recovery.
It just goes to show (=proves) how much people judge each other on how they look.
REGISTER
In written English, people often prefer to use indicate, which sounds more formal than show:
▪ The latest statistics indicate that the country is falling deeper into recession.
In scientific contexts, they often prefer prove or demonstrate, which sound more definite:
▪ This research demonstrates the need to treat cancer early.
3. FEELINGS/ATTITUDES/QUALITIES [transitive] to let your feelings, attitudes, or personal qualities be clearly seen OPP hide:
Think positively and show some determination.
She had learned not to show her emotions.
It was the sound a man might make when in pain but trying not to show it.
Mary showed great interest in the children.
4. EXPLAIN WITH ACTIONS [transitive] to explain to someone how to do something, by doing it yourself or using actions to help them learn
show somebody how
Show me how the gun works.
show somebody how to do something
Maureen showed Peter how to feed the young animals.
show somebody something
Can you show Lucy the way to slice onions?
5. PICTURE/MAP ETC [transitive] if a picture, map etc shows something, you can see it on the picture, map etc:
I want a photograph that shows his face.
The map shows the main rivers of the region.
6. GUIDE SOMEBODY [transitive] to go with someone and guide them to a place
show somebody to/into something
Can you show Mrs Davies to the bathroom?
show somebody out/in
I can show myself out (=out of the office or house).
show somebody something
Come on, I’ll show you the way.
7. POINT AT SOMETHING [transitive] to let someone see where a place or thing is, especially by pointing to it
show somebody where
Can you show me exactly where he fell?
8. FILM/TELEVISION [intransitive and transitive] to make a film or television programme available on a screen for people to see, or to be on a screen:
The film was shown on television last night.
The match was shown live (=could be seen on television while it was being played).
It’s now showing at cinemas across London. ⇨ ↑showing(1)
9. BE EASY TO SEE [intransitive] if something shows, it is easy to see:
His happiness showed in his face.
Her scar doesn’t show, because her hair covers it.
Stephen was worried, and it showed.
10. DIRT/MARK [transitive] if material shows the dirt or a mark, it is easy to see the dirt or mark on it:
Light-coloured clothes tend to show the dirt.
11. INCREASE/DECREASE [transitive] to have an increase or decrease in something, or a profit or loss:
The price of players is the reason why many football clubs show big losses on their balance sheets.
Recent elections have shown significant gains by right-wing groups.
12. ART/PICTURES [transitive] to put a group of paintings or other works of art in one place so that people can come and see them SYN exhibit:
Her recent sculptures are being shown at the Hayward Gallery.
The Whitney Museum was the first to show Mapplethorpe’s photographs.
13. I’ll show him/them etc spoken used to say that you will prove to someone that you are better, more effective etc than they think you are
14. have something to show for something to have something as a result of what you have been doing:
If he fails, he’ll have nothing to show for his time at school.
She had plenty of money to show for all her work.
15. show your face if you will not show your face somewhere, you will not go there because you have a good reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed about being there:
She never shows her face around here.
16. show your hand to make your true power or intentions clear, especially after you have been keeping them secret:
There were so many rumours that the company was forced to show its hand.
17. ANIMAL [transitive] to put an animal into a competition with other animals:
Do you plan to show your dogs?
18. ARRIVE [intransitive] (also show up) informal especially American English to arrive at the place where someone is waiting for you SYN turn up:
I went to meet Hank, but he never showed.
19. show somebody in a good/bad etc light if an action shows you in a good or bad light, it makes people have a good or bad opinion of you:
During an interview, you need to show yourself in the best possible light.
20. show somebody the door to make it clear that someone is not welcome and should leave
21. show (somebody) who’s boss informal to prove to someone who is threatening your authority that you are more powerful than they are:
You’ve got to show your dog who’s boss. When you say ‘Sit!’, he should sit.
22. show the way if you show the way for other people, you do something new that others then try to copy
23. show willing British English to make it clear that you are willing to do something:
He hasn’t done any cooking yet, but at least he’s shown willing.
24. show a leg! British English spoken used to tell someone to get out of bed
25. show (somebody) a clean pair of heels British English old-fashioned informal to run away very fast
26. show me the money American English spoken informal used to tell someone to give or pay you a lot of money, rather than just talk about the fact that they will give it to you
• • •
THESAURUS
■ let someone see
▪ show to let someone see something, especially by holding it out in front of them: Everyone has to show their identity cards at the entrance to the building. | Stephanie showed us her engagement ring.
▪ flash to show something to someone very quickly: ‘We’re police’, he said, flashing his card at us. | Miranda flashed a surprised look into the mirror.
▪ let somebody have a look/take a look especially spoken to show something to someone, especially so that they can examine it, repair it etc: If the wound doesn’t get better soon, you should let the doctor take a look at it. | Mike’s good with cars – let him have a look.
▪ reveal especially written to let someone see or know about something that is usually hidden, or that you want to keep secret – often used about showing your feelings or private thoughts: Suzy looked away quickly in order not to reveal her true feelings. | He lifted the lid of the box to reveal a small snake.
▪ expose especially written to let someone see something that could not be seen before: The receding tide had exposed huge expanses of sand. | The bear opened its mouth, exposing rows of sharp teeth.
■ show someone how to do something
▪ show to explain to someone how to do something or how something works, especially by doing it yourself: Laurie’s been showing me how to snowboard. | Can I show you how the oven works?
▪ demonstrate to show how to do something or how something works – especially to a group of people: A qualified instructor will demonstrate how to use the machines properly. | There’s a meeting this afternoon to demonstrate the new software.
▪ guide/take somebody through something to show someone how to do something, or how a process happens, especially something difficult or complicated: The book guides you through the different stages of starting your own business. | A stockbroker will take you through the minefield of stocks and shares.
show somebody around (something) (also show somebody round (something) British English) phrasal verb
to go around a place with someone when they first arrive there, to show them what is interesting, useful etc:
Harrison showed her around the house.
show off phrasal verb
1. to try to make people admire your abilities, achievements, or possessions – used to show disapproval ⇨ show-off:
He couldn’t resist showing off on the tennis court.
2. show something ↔ off to show something to a lot of people because you are very proud of it:
a picture of the restaurant’s owners showing off their award
3. show something ↔ off if one thing shows off something else, it makes the other thing look especially attractive SYN complement:
The white dress showed off her dark skin beautifully.
show somebody over something phrasal verb especially British English
to guide someone through an interesting building or a house that is for sale:
Ingrid has a job showing visitors over the castle.
show up phrasal verb
1. informal to arrive, especially at the place where someone is waiting for you SYN turn up:
Seth showed up, apologising for being late.
We had 200 people show up for our seminar.
2. show something ↔ up to make it possible to see or notice something that was not clear before:
The sunlight showed up the marks on the window.
3. to be easy to see or notice:
Use a light colour which will show up on a dark background.
4. show somebody ↔ up to make someone feel embarrassed by behaving in a stupid or unacceptable way when you are with them SYN embarrass:
She says I showed her up in front of her friends when they came to the house.
II. show² S1 W1 BrE AmE noun
1. PERFORMANCE [countable] a performance for the public, especially one that includes singing, dancing, or jokes:
I enjoyed the show immensely.
The show starts at 7:30 pm.
They’ve come to town to see a Broadway show.
Perry was the star of the show. ⇨ ↑floor show, ↑roadshow
2. TV/RADIO [countable] a programme on television or on the radio:
The senator appeared on the CBS show ‘Face the Nation’.
a new television quiz show ⇨ ↑chat show, ↑game show, ↑talk show
3. COLLECTION OF THINGS TO SEE [countable] an occasion when a lot of similar things are brought together in one place so that people can come and look at them:
the Paris Boat Show
a fashion show for charity
Kelly has a show of her latest work opening shortly.
4. on show being shown to the public:
Paintings by Matisse are on show at the New York Gallery.
The designer clothes will go on show in Chicago next month.
Local antiques will be put on show in a new building especially built for the collection.
5. a show of something an occasion when someone deliberately shows a particular feeling, attitude, or quality:
I felt I should make a show of dignity.
The award will be seen as a show of support.
show of strength/force
a strong and determined show of force by the police
6. PRETENDED ACT [singular, uncountable] when you pretend to do or feel something SYN pretence
show of
a show of gratitude
Susan put on a show of regret all day.
The waiter made a show of wiping the table.
7. for show with the purpose of looking attractive or impressive rather than being useful:
He does actually play his guitar – it’s not just for show.
8. COLOURFUL SCENE [singular] an impressive scene, especially one that is very colourful SYN display
show of
a glorious show of colour in the rose garden
Maple trees put on their best show in the autumn.
9. COMPETITION [countable] a competition between similar things or animals to choose the best:
The dog show was being held in the Agricultural Hall.
10. EVENT/SITUATION [singular] informal something which is being done or organized:
We need to find someone to run the show (=be in charge).
11. put up a good/poor etc show informal to perform, play etc well or badly:
Our team put up a pretty good show, but we lost in the end.
12. let’s get this show on the road spoken used to tell people it is time to start working or start a journey
13. (jolly) good show British English old-fashioned spoken used to express your approval of something
⇨ steal the show at ↑steal¹(4)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + show
▪ live (=broadcast on TV or radio as it is happening) Tonight’s show is live from Wembley Stadium.
▪ a TV/television/radio show What’s your favourite TV show?
▪ a quiz show (=in which people try to answer questions correctly) It’s the BBC’s most popular quiz show.
▪ a game show (=in which people play games or answer questions to win prizes) It’s been a popular game show for years.
▪ a chat show British English, a talk show American English (=in which famous or interesting people talk to someone about themselves) She was on the chat show to publicize her new novel.
▪ a family show (=one that is suitable for families and children to watch) It’s a real family show, with something for everyone.
▪ a news show especially AmE: the morning news show
■ verbs
▪ appear on/take part in a show (=to be a guest on a show) They were trying to persuade Daniel Radcliffe to appear on the show.
▪ host a show (also present a show British English) (=to be the person who introduces the different parts of a show, or who talks to guests) He presents his own talk show on ITV.
▪ watch a show People of all ages watch the show.
■ phrases
▪ the star of the show Very quickly, Williams became the star of the show.

dream

I. dream¹ S2 W2 /driːm/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: adjective: dream, ↑dreamless, ↑dreamy; noun: ↑dream, ↑dreamer; verb: ↑dream; adverb: ↑dreamily]
[Language: Old English; Origin: dream 'noise, great happiness']
1. WHILE SLEEPING a series of thoughts, images, and feelings that you experience when you are asleep ⇨ daydream:
I had lots of dreams last night.
dream about
a dream about drowning
in a dream
In my dream I flew to a forest of enormous trees.
2. WISH a wish to do, be, or have something – used especially when this seems unlikely:
Her dream is to make a movie.
dream of (doing) something
She had dreams of university.
fulfil/realize a dream
I fulfilled a childhood dream when I became champion.
I have just met the man of my dreams (=the perfect man)!
beyond your wildest dreams (=better than anything you imagined or hoped for)
3. dream house/home/job etc something that seems perfect to someone:
I’ve finally found my dream house.
Win a dream holiday for two in San Francisco!
4. in a dream having a state of mind in which you do not notice or pay attention to things around you:
Ruth went about her tasks in a dream.
5. be a dream come true if something is a dream come true, it happens after you have wanted it to happen for a long time:
Marriage to her is a dream come true.
6. like a dream extremely well or effectively:
The plan worked like a dream.
7. be/live in a dream world to have ideas or hopes that are not correct or likely to happen:
If you think that all homeless people have it as easy as me, then you are living in a dream world.
8. be a dream be perfect or very desirable:
Her latest boyfriend is an absolute dream.
Some performers are a dream to work with; others are not.
sb’s dream (=something someone would really like)
She’s every adolescent schoolboy’s dream.
9. in your dreams spoken used to say in a rude way that something is not likely to happen:
‘I’m going to ask her to go out with me.’ ‘In your dreams!’
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have a dream I had a dream about you last night.
■ adjectives
▪ a bad dream (=unpleasant or frightening) The movie gave the kids bad dreams.
▪ a strange/weird dream Sometimes I have a strange dream in which I try to speak but I can’t.
▪ a vivid dream (=very clear) In a vivid dream he saw a huge coloured bird flying above his head.
▪ a recurrent/recurring dream (=that you have many times) Having recurrent dreams is a very common experience.
■ phrases
▪ be/seem like a dream (=seem unreal) That summer was so wonderful it seemed like a dream.
▪ Sweet dreams! (=said to someone who is going to bed) Good night, Sam! Sweet dreams!
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ have a dream/dreams I had dreams of becoming a doctor.
▪ achieve/fulfil/realize a dream (=do or get what you want) He had finally achieved his dream of winning an Olympic gold medal.
▪ pursue/follow a dream (=try to do or get what you want) She left her home town to pursue her dreams.
▪ dream a dream literary (=have a wish) We can dream great dreams for ourselves and others.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + dream
▪ big/great dreams (=a wish to achieve great things) She was a little girl with big dreams.
▪ an impossible dream (=about something that cannot happen) Having a number one record had seemed an impossible dream.
▪ a childhood dream (=that you had when you were a child) I had a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut.
▪ a lifelong dream (=that you have had all your life) His lifelong dream had been to write a novel.
▪ a distant dream (=that it will take a long time to achieve) Peace in this area may still be a distant dream.
■ phrases
▪ a dream comes true (=something you want happens) I’d always wanted to go to Africa and at last my dream came true.
▪ the man/woman/house etc of your dreams (=the perfect one for you) We can help you find the house of your dreams.
▪ not/never in your wildest dreams (=used to say that you had never expected something to happen) Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would win the competition.
▪ beyond your wildest dreams (=better or more than you ever hoped for) Suddenly he was wealthy beyond his wildest dreams.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ when you are sleeping
▪ dream the thoughts, images, and feelings that go through your mind while you are asleep: I had a strange dream last night -- you and I were in some sort of forest.
▪ nightmare a very unpleasant and frightening dream: She still has terrible nightmares about the accident.
▪ daydream a series of pleasant thoughts that go through your mind when you are awake, so that you do not notice what is happening around you: Neil was in a daydream, and didn’t hear the teacher call his name.
▪ reverie formal a state of imagining or thinking about pleasant things, that is like dreaming: The doorbell rang, shaking her from her reverie.
■ something that you want to do
▪ dream something very special that you want to do and that you think about a lot, especially something that is not very likely to happen: As a teenager, his dream was to become a professional footballer.
▪ ambition something that you want to achieve and that you work hard to achieve, especially in your work: My ambition had always been to start my own business.
▪ aspirations the important things that people want from their lives – used especially about the things a society or a large group of people wants: It’s important that young people think seriously about their career aspirations.
▪ fantasy something exciting that you imagine happening to you, which is extremely unlikely to happen and often involves sex: schoolboy fantasies
▪ pipe dream a dream that is impossible or is extremely unlikely to happen: Is world peace no more than a pipe dream?

fear

I. fear¹ S3 W1 /fɪə $ fɪr/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑fear, ↑fearfulness ≠ ↑fearlessness; adjective: ↑fearful ≠ ↑fearless, ↑fearsome; verb: ↑fear; adverb: ↑fearfully ≠ ↑fearlessly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: fær 'sudden danger']
1. [uncountable and countable] the feeling you get when you are afraid or worried that something bad is going to happen
fear of
a fear of flying
fear that
There are fears that share prices could decrease still further.
fear for
The girl’s parents expressed fears for her safety.
in fear
The children looked at her in fear.
without fear
People must be able to express their views without fear of criticism.
2. for fear (that), for fear of something because you are worried that you will make something happen:
She finally ran away for fear that he would kill her.
for fear of doing something
He got to the station early, for fear of missing her.
3. no fear! British English informal used humorously to say that you are definitely not going to do something:
‘Are you going to Bill’s party tonight?’ ‘No fear!’
4. [uncountable] the possibility or danger that something bad might happen:
There’s no fear of revolt now.
5. put the fear of God into somebody informal to make someone feel that they must do something, by making sure they know what will happen if they do not do it:
The Italian manager must have put the fear of God into his team.
6. without fear or favour British English formal in a fair way:
The law must be enforced without fear or favour.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ sb’s worst/greatest fear Her worst fear was never seeing her children again.
▪ an irrational fear (=one that is not reasonable) He grew up with an irrational fear of insects.
▪ a deep-seated fear (=very strong and difficult to change) He exploited people’s deep-seated fears about strangers.
▪ groundless (=without any reason) As it turned out, these fears were groundless.
■ verbs
▪ conquer/overcome your fear (=stop being afraid) She managed to conquer her fear of flying.
▪ shake/tremble with fear He was shaking with fear after being held at gunpoint.
▪ show fear She was determined not to show fear.
▪ be gripped by fear (=be very afraid) We were gripped by fear as the boat was tossed around by the waves.
▪ be paralysed with fear (=be so afraid that you cannot move) Bruce was paralysed with fear when he saw the snake.
▪ confirm sb’s fears (=show that what you were afraid of has actually happened) The look on Colin’s face confirmed all my worst fears.
▪ ease/allay/dispel sb’s fears (=help someone stop being afraid) Frank eased my fears about not being able to speak the local language.
■ phrases
▪ be in fear of/for your life (=be afraid that you may be killed) Celia was in fear of her life when she saw the truck coming toward her.
▪ be full of fear The residents are too full of fear to leave their houses.
▪ be/live in fear of something (=be always afraid of something) They were constantly in fear of an enemy attack.
▪ have no fear of something He had no fear of death.
▪ sb’s hopes and fears We each had different hopes and fears about the trip.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say that someone 'has fear'. Say that someone is frightened or is afraid.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ fear a feeling of being frightened: He was trembling with fear. | Fear of failure should not stop you trying.
▪ terror a feeling of great fear, because you think that something terrible is about to happen: She let out a scream of pure terror.
▪ fright a sudden feeling of fear, or a situation that makes you feel this: My body was shaking with fright. | You gave me a fright! | He’s had a bit of fright, that’s all.
▪ panic a sudden feeling of fear or nervousness that makes you unable to think clearly or behave sensibly: She was in such a panic that she hardly knew what she was doing! | There were scenes of sheer panic immediately following the bomb blast.
▪ alarm a feeling of fear or worry which shows in your voice or behaviour, because you think something bad might happen: When I mentioned her name, he looked up at me in alarm. | The streets were calm and there was no sign of alarm.
▪ foreboding /fɔːˈbəʊdɪŋ $ fɔːrˈboʊ-/ a feeling that something bad or unpleasant might happen although there is no obvious reason why it should: She felt the same sense of foreboding she had before her father died.
▪ phobia /ˈfəʊbiə $ ˈfoʊ-/ a permanent strong unreasonable fear of something: I had a phobia about going to the dentist.

choice

I. choice¹ S1 W1 /tʃɔɪs/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: chois, from choisir 'to choose']
1. [uncountable and countable] if you have a choice, you can choose between several things ⇨ choose
choice between
Voters have a choice between three main political parties.
choice of
You have a choice of hotel or self-catering accommodation.
He has to make some important choices.
They gave us no choice in the matter.
2. [singular, uncountable] the range of people or things that you can choose from:
It was a small shop and there wasn’t much choice.
choice of
There is a choice of four different colours.
We offer a wide choice of wines and beers.
Consumers these days are spoilt for choice British English (=have a lot of things to choose from).
3. [countable] the person or thing that someone chooses
choice of
I don’t really like her choice of jewellery.
I think London was a good choice as a venue.
sb’s first/second choice
My first choice of college was Stanford.
4. by choice if you do something by choice, you do it because you want to do it and not because you are forced to do it:
She lives alone by choice.
5. the something of your choice the person or thing of your choice is the one that you would most like to choose:
My children cannot go to the school of their choice.
6. the something of choice the thing of choice is the one that people prefer to use:
It is the drug of choice for this type of illness.
⇨ HOBSON’S CHOICE
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have a choice Students have a choice between German and Spanish.
▪ make a choice (=choose something) One of our course advisors can help you to make your choice.
▪ give somebody a choice Her doctor gave her a choice: take medicine or lose weight.
▪ be faced with a choice He was faced with a difficult choice.
▪ have no choice (but to do something) The men had no choice but to obey.
▪ leave somebody with no choice I was left with no choice but to resign.
▪ exercise your choice formal (=make a choice - used especially when talking about someone using their right to choose) Everyone should have the right to exercise choice in matters of relationships.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + choice
▪ the right/wrong choice I think you’ve made the right choice.
▪ a difficult choice It was a very difficult choice for me.
▪ a stark choice (=a choice between two unpleasant things that you must make) We faced a stark choice: steal or starve.
▪ (a) free choice Students have an entirely free choice of what to study at university.
▪ an informed choice (=a choice based on knowledge of the facts about something) The patient should have enough information to make an informed choice.
▪ consumer choice (=the opportunity for people to choose between different products) I believe in free trade and consumer choice.
▪ parental choice The aim is to extend parental choice in education.
■ phrases
▪ freedom of choice Patients should have more freedom of choice.
▪ given the choice (=if you had a choice) Given the choice, I probably wouldn’t work.
▪ have no choice in the matter The village people had no choice in the matter.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ choice: choice of: The school seems OK, but there isn’t a great choice of courses. | have a choice (=be able to choose from several things): With her high grades and athletic skill, Celeste had her choice of colleges. | have no choice but to do something (=to be forced to do something because there is nothing else you can choose): Spooner says he had no choice but to file for bankruptcy. | wide choice (=a lot of things to choose from): There is a wide choice of hotels and hostels in the town.
▪ option one of the things that you can choose to do in a particular situation: He basically has two options: he can have the surgery, or he can give up playing football. | keep/leave your options open (=delay choosing so that you continue to have several things to choose from): I haven’t signed any contracts yet – I want to keep my options open.
▪ alternative one of two or more ways of doing something: Did you consider other alternatives before you moved in with Lucy? | alternative to: There is no practical alternative to our current policy. | have no alternative (=to not have a choice): He says he doesn’t want to see a doctor, but I’m afraid he has no alternative.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ choice something or someone that has been chosen: Maria was very pleased with her choice. | first/second/third choice (=the thing you wanted most, the thing you wanted most after that etc): Greece was our first choice for a vacation, but all the flights were full. | somebody’s choice of: I don’t like his choice of friends.
▪ selection a small group of the best things that have been chosen from a larger group: selection of: She showed me a selection of her drawings. | a selection of songs from ‘West Side Story’

rise

I. rise¹ S2 W1 /raɪz/ BrE AmE verb (past tense rose /rəʊz $ roʊz/, past participle risen /ˈrɪzən/) [intransitive]
[Language: Old English; Origin: risan]
1. INCREASE to increase in number, amount, or value SYN go up OPP fall
rise by
Sales rose by 20% over the Christmas period.
rise from/to
The research budget rose from £175,000 in 1999 to £22.5 million in 2001.
rise above
Temperatures rarely rise above freezing.
rise dramatically/sharply/rapidly/steeply etc
The number of people seeking asylum in Britain has risen sharply.
The divorce rate has risen steadily since the 1950s.
rising crime/unemployment/inflation etc
The country faces economic recession and rising unemployment.
The police seem unable to cope with the rising tide of (=large increase in) car crime.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say an amount or level goes up rather than rises:
▪ Prices have gone up a lot.
2. GO UPWARDS to go upwards OPP fall:
The floodwaters began to rise again.
She watched the bubbles rise to the surface.
the problems caused by climate change and rising sea levels
rise from
Smoke rose from the chimney.
The road rises steeply from the village.
The waves rose and fell.
3. STAND formal to stand up:
Then she picked up her bag and rose to leave.
rise from the table/your chair etc
The chairman rose from his chair and came forward to greet her.
He put down his glass and rose to his feet.
4. BECOME SUCCESSFUL to become important, powerful, successful, or rich OPP fall
rise to
He rose to the rank of major.
rise to prominence/fame/power
He had swiftly risen to prominence during the 1950s.
Mussolini rose to power in Italy in 1922.
people who rise to the top in their chosen professions
rise to do something
He rose to become chairman of the company.
She had joined the company as a secretary and risen through the ranks (=made progress from a low position to a high position) to become a senior sales director.
5. BE TALL (also rise up) to be very tall
rise above
The cliffs rose above them.
rise from
huge rocks rising from the sea
The bridge rose majestically into the air.
6. VOICE/SOUND
a) to be loud enough to be heard
rise from
The sound of traffic rose from the street below.
rise above
Her voice rose above the shouts of the children.
b) to become louder or higher:
His voice rose in frustration.
7. SUN/MOON/STAR to appear in the sky OPP set:
The sun rises in the east.
8. EMOTION if a feeling or emotion rises, you feel it more and more strongly:
She could sense her temper rising again.
There was an atmosphere of rising excitement in the school.
The doctor sounded optimistic and John’s hopes rose.
9. rise to the occasion/challenge to deal successfully with a difficult situation or problem, especially by working harder or performing better than usual:
a young athlete who can certainly rise to the occasion
The team rose to the challenge.
10. AGAINST A GOVERNMENT/ARMY (also rise up) if a large group of people rise, they try to defeat the government, army etc that is controlling them:
They rose up and overthrew the government.
rise against
The prisoners rose against the guards and escaped.
rise in revolt/rebellion
They rose in rebellion against the king.
11. BREAD/CAKES ETC if bread, cakes etc rise, they become bigger because there is air inside them
12. BED literary to get out of bed in the morning
13. ALIVE AGAIN to come alive after having died ⇨ resurrection
rise from the dead/grave
On the third day Jesus rose from the dead.
14. COURT/PARLIAMENT if a court or parliament rises, that particular meeting is formally finished
15. WIND formal if the wind rises, it becomes stronger:
The wind had risen again and it was starting to rain.
16. RIVER literary if a river rises somewhere, it begins there:
The Rhine rises in Switzerland.
17. rise and shine spoken used humorously to tell someone to wake up and get out of bed
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ sharply/steeply (=a lot in a short time) The value of the painting has risen sharply in recent years.
▪ dramatically (=a lot and very suddenly) Unemployment rose dramatically.
▪ rapidly/quickly/fast House prices rose rapidly last year.
▪ significantly (=in a way that shows something important) Male cancer rates rose significantly during the period 1969–78.
▪ substantially (=a lot) University fees have risen substantially.
▪ steadily My salary had risen steadily each year.
▪ slightly The water temperature had risen slightly.
rise above something phrasal verb
if someone rises above a bad situation or bad influences, they do not let these things affect them because they are mentally strong or have strong moral principles:
You expect a certain amount of criticism, but you have to rise above it.
I try to rise above such prejudices.
rise to something phrasal verb
if you rise to a remark, you reply to it rather than ignoring it, especially because it has made you angry:
You shouldn’t rise to his comments.
He refused to rise to the bait (=react in the way someone wanted him to).

hang about

hang about phrasal verb British English (see also ↑hang)
1. spoken to move slowly or take too long doing something:
Come on, we haven’t got time to hang about!
2. hang about (something) to spend time somewhere without any real purpose:
There were always groups of boys hanging about in the square.
He normally hung about the house all day.
3. hang about! spoken
a) used to ask someone to wait or stop what they are doing
b) used when you have just noticed or thought of something that is interesting or wrong:
Hang about – that can’t be right.