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adversity
adversity [noun]
a difficult or unlucky situation or event
US
/ədˈvɝː.sə.t̬i/
UK
/ədˈvɜː.sə.ti/
Example:
She was always cheerful in adversity.
a difficult or unlucky situation or event
She was always cheerful in adversity.
adversity
ad‧ver‧si‧ty /ədˈvɜːsəti, ədˈvɜːsɪti $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
a situation in which you have a lot of problems that seem to be caused by bad luck:
his courage in the face of adversity
adversity
ad·ver·sity [adversity adversities] [ədˈvɜːsəti] [ədˈvɜːrsəti] noun uncountable, countable (pl. ad·ver·sities)(formal)
a difficult or unpleasant situation
• courage in the face of adversity
• He overcame many personal adversities.
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French adversite, from Latin adversitas, from advertere ‘turn towards’ from ad- ‘to’ + vertere ‘to turn’.
Example Bank:
• courage in the face of adversity
• patience in adversity
adversity / ədˈvɜː.sə.ti / / -ˈvɝː.sə.t̬i / noun [ U or C ]
a difficult or unlucky situation or event:
She was always cheerful in adversity.
The road to happiness is paved with adversities.
adversity
[ædvɜ͟ː(r)sɪti]
adversities
N-VAR: oft in/of N
Adversity is a very difficult or unfavourable situation.
He showed courage in adversity.
Syn:
misfortune
adversity
ad·ver·si·ty /ædˈvɚsəti/ noun, pl -ties : a difficult situation or condition : misfortune or tragedy
[noncount]
• He showed courage in the face of adversity.
• We had to learn to deal with adversity.
[count]
• They overcame many adversities.
a very great success, achievement, or victory (= when you win a war, fight, or competition) , or a feeling of great satisfaction or pleasure caused by this
The signing of the agreement was a personal triumph for the prime minister.
triumph
noun
great success:
The race ended in triumph for the German team.
triumph
I. tri‧umph1 /ˈtraɪəmf/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: triumphe, from Latin triumphus]
1. [countable] an important victory or success after a difficult struggle:
Winning the championship is a great personal triumph.
triumph for
a tremendous diplomatic triumph for France
triumph over
the triumph over hardship
2. [uncountable] a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction that you get from victory or success:
a shout of triumph
in triumph
He rode in triumph to the Tsar.
3. [singular] a very successful example of something
triumph of
The gallery is a triumph of design.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ victory noun [uncountable and countable] a situation in which you win a battle, game, election, or ↑dispute: The crowds celebrated Italy’s victory against England. | The party won a comfortable victory in the general election. | We’re very confident of victory.
▪ win noun [countable] a victory in a sports game or in a competition: It was an important win for the Yankees. | A couple from London are celebrating a big lottery win.
▪ triumph noun [countable] written an important victory, especially in war or politics: Thatcher’s greatest triumph was becoming the UK’s first female Prime Minister.
▪ conquest noun [countable] a situation in which one country wins a war against another country and takes control of it: the Spanish conquest of Mexico | Caesar is well-known for his military conquests.
▪ landslide noun [countable] an election victory in which one party or ↑candidate gets far more votes than their opponents: In 1945, there was a Labour landslide.
▪ walkover especially British English, cakewalk American English noun [countable] informal a very easy victory: The match was expected to be a walkover for Brazil.
▪ upset noun [countable] a situation in which the person, team, party etc that was expected to win is defeated: Truman pulled off the greatest election upset in United States history.
triumph / ˈtraɪ.əmf / noun [ C or U ]
C1 a very great success, achievement, or victory (= when you win a war, fight, or competition) , or a feeling of great satisfaction or pleasure caused by this:
The book celebrates the hostages' remarkable triumph over appalling adversity.
The signing of the agreement was a personal triumph for the prime minister.
It was the Republican Party's third election triumph in a row.
The eradication of smallpox by vaccination was one of medicine's greatest triumphs.
The constitutional changes have been hailed as a triumph for democracy.
The match ended in triumph for the French team.
He returned in triumph from the sales with a half-price stereo system.
triumph
[tra͟ɪʌmf]
triumphs, triumphing, triumphed
1) N-VAR A triumph is a great success or achievement, often one that has been gained with a lot of skill or effort.
The championships proved to be a personal triumph for the coach, Dave Donovan...
Cataract operations are a triumph of modern surgery, with a success rate of more than 90 percent...
In the moment of triumph I felt uneasy.
2) N-UNCOUNT Triumph is a feeling of great satisfaction and pride resulting from a success or victory.
Her sense of triumph was short-lived...
He was laughing with triumph.
3) VERB If someone or something triumphs, they gain complete success, control, or victory, often after a long or difficult struggle.
All her life, Kelly had stuck with difficult tasks and challenges, and triumphed...
[V over n] The whole world looked to her as a symbol of good triumphing over evil.
1tri·umph /ˈtrajəmf/ noun, pl -umphs
1 [count]
a : a great or important victory
• They earned/gained a magnificent triumph over the invading army.
• They celebrated their triumph with a parade through the steets of the city.
• They were able to achieve an important triumph against their chief rivals.
b : a great success or achievement
• Quitting smoking was a personal triumph for her.
• The party was a triumph.
• The bridge is an engineering triumph.
2 [noncount] : the very happy and joyful feeling that comes from victory or success
• They had a feeling of triumph after finishing the project.
• shouts of triumph
• They stood atop the mountain in triumph.
3 [count] : something good that is an excellent example of a particular method, quality, etc.
• The design is a triumph of simplicity. [=the design is very good and simple]
a heavy load that you carry
The little donkey struggled under its heavy burden.
anguish
an‧guish /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] written
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: angoisse, from Latin angustiae 'extreme upset', from angustus 'narrow']
mental or physical suffering caused by extreme pain or worry:
the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her
—anguished adjective:
an anguished cry for help
• • •
THESAURUS
■ the feeling of being worried
▪ worry the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrong: She was sick with worry over her daughter. | the look of worry on his face
▪ anxiety the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation: The thought of having to give a speech filled me with anxiety. | The increase in heating costs is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.
▪ concern a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.
▪ stress the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
▪ anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry: How could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her? | When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish.
▪ angst a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situation: The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend? | There was much angst about the decision.
anguish
an·guish [anguish anguishes anguished anguishing] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] noun uncountable (formal)
severe pain, mental suffering or unhappiness
• He groaned in anguish.
• Tears of anguish filled her eyes.
Derived Word: anguished
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin angustia ‘tightness’, (plural) ‘distress’, from angustus ‘narrow’.
Example Bank:
• He looked across at Kate's anguished face.
• Jack looked anguished, almost desperate.
• She read the letter, gave an anguished cry and collapsed.
Example Bank:
• He suffered the anguish of watching his son go to prison.
• His mouth felt dry with anguish.
• In her anguish, she turned to her father for help.
• The loss of a pet can cause some people real anguish.
• his anguish at the death of his son
• to cry out/groan/scream in anguish
burden / ˈbɜː.d ə n / / ˈbɝː- / noun [ C ]
a heavy load that you carry:
The little donkey struggled under its heavy burden.
C1 something difficult or unpleasant that you have to deal with or worry about:
the burden of responsibility
My elderly mother worries that she's a burden to me.
Buying a house often places a large financial burden on young couples.
anguish
[æ̱ŋgwɪʃ]
N-UNCOUNT
Anguish is great mental suffering or physical pain. [WRITTEN]
A cry of anguish burst from her lips...
Mark looked at him in anguish.
anguish
an·guish /ˈæŋgwɪʃ/ noun [noncount] : extreme suffering, grief, or pain
• tears/cries of anguish
• He experienced the anguish of divorce after 10 years of marriage.
• mental anguish
• They watched in anguish as fire spread through the house.
- an·guished /ˈæŋgwɪʃt/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• She looked at me with an anguished expression.
• I will never forget their anguished cries.
extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering
His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.
anguish
an‧guish /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] written
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: angoisse, from Latin angustiae 'extreme upset', from angustus 'narrow']
mental or physical suffering caused by extreme pain or worry:
the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her
—anguished adjective:
an anguished cry for help
• • •
THESAURUS
■ the feeling of being worried
▪ worry the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrong: She was sick with worry over her daughter. | the look of worry on his face
▪ anxiety the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation: The thought of having to give a speech filled me with anxiety. | The increase in heating costs is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.
▪ concern a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.
▪ stress the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
▪ anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry: How could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her? | When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish.
▪ angst a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situation: The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend? | There was much angst about the decision.
anguish
an·guish [anguish anguishes anguished anguishing] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] noun uncountable (formal)
severe pain, mental suffering or unhappiness
• He groaned in anguish.
• Tears of anguish filled her eyes.
Derived Word: anguished
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin angustia ‘tightness’, (plural) ‘distress’, from angustus ‘narrow’.
Example Bank:
• He looked across at Kate's anguished face.
• Jack looked anguished, almost desperate.
• She read the letter, gave an anguished cry and collapsed.
Example Bank:
• He suffered the anguish of watching his son go to prison.
• His mouth felt dry with anguish.
• In her anguish, she turned to her father for help.
• The loss of a pet can cause some people real anguish.
• his anguish at the death of his son
• to cry out/groan/scream in anguish
anguish / ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ / noun [ U ]
extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering:
His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.
In her anguish she forgot to leave a message.
anguished / ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃt / adjective
an anguished cry
anguish
[æ̱ŋgwɪʃ]
N-UNCOUNT
Anguish is great mental suffering or physical pain. [WRITTEN]
A cry of anguish burst from her lips...
Mark looked at him in anguish.
anguish
an·guish /ˈæŋgwɪʃ/ noun [noncount] : extreme suffering, grief, or pain
• tears/cries of anguish
• He experienced the anguish of divorce after 10 years of marriage.
• mental anguish
• They watched in anguish as fire spread through the house.
- an·guished /ˈæŋgwɪʃt/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• She looked at me with an anguished expression.
• I will never forget their anguished cries.
the state of being lonely
loneliness
See main entry: lonely
lonely
lone‧ly S3 /ˈləʊnli $ ˈloʊn-/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative lonelier, superlative loneliest)
1. unhappy because you are alone or do not have anyone to talk to SYN lonesome American English:
a lonely old man
Don’t you get lonely being on your own all day?
► Do not use lonely to mean ‘without anyone else’. Use alone: She is afraid to travel alone (NOT travel lonely).
2. a lonely experience or situation makes you unhappy because you are alone or do not have anyone to talk to:
a lonely journey
lonely life/existence
He led a lonely life with few friends.
3. the lonely [plural] people who are lonely
4. a lonely place is a long way from where people live and very few people go there SYN lonesome American English, remote, desolate
lonely place/road/spot etc
—loneliness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ lonely (also lonesome American English) unhappy because you are alone or do not have any friends: Tammy felt very lonely when she first arrived in New York. | Our neighbor George is a very lonely man. | I get so lonesome here with no one to talk to.
▪ isolated lonely because your situation makes it difficult for you to meet people: People caring for sick relatives often feel very isolated. | Children of very rich parents can grow up isolated from the rest of society.
▪ alienated feeling that you do not belong in a particular place or group: She felt very alienated as the only woman in the company. | In high school she felt somehow different and alienated from other students.
▪ homesick unhappy because you are a long way from your home and the people who live there: When I first went to Germany, I was very homesick.
▪ miss somebody used when saying that you feel unhappy because someone is not there with you: I miss you. | She misses her friends.
loneliness
lone·li·ness [ˈləʊnlinəs] ; [ˈloʊnlinəs] noun uncountable
• a period of loneliness in his life
Main entry: lonelyderived
loneliness / ˈləʊn.li.nəs / / ˈloʊn- / noun [ U ]
C1 the state of being lonely
loneliness
[lo͟ʊnlinəs]
N-UNCOUNT
Loneliness is the unhappiness that is felt by someone because they do not have any friends or do not have anyone to talk to.
I have so many friends, but deep down, underneath, I have a fear of loneliness.
lonely
lone·ly /ˈloʊnli/ adj lone·li·er; -est [also more ~; most ~]
1 : sad from being apart from other people
• He was/felt lonely without his wife and children.
• a lonely old man
• feeling lonely
• She was a lonely child with few friends.
2 : causing sad feelings that come from being apart from other people
• It was lonely living out in the country.
• She spent too many lonely nights at home.
• She had a lonely childhood.
• It's lonely at the top. [=powerful and successful people often have few friends]
3 : not visited by or traveled on by many people
• a lonely spot in the woods
• a lonely stretch of road
- lone·li·ness /ˈloʊnlinəs/ noun [noncount]
he activity of having slaves or the condition of being a slave
Slavery still exists in many parts of the world.
slavery
slav‧e‧ry /ˈsleɪvəri/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
1. the system of having slaves:
attempts to abolish slavery (=officially end it)
2. the state of being a slave
sell somebody into slavery (=sell someone as a slave)
slavery
slav·ery [ˈsleɪvəri] [ˈsleɪvəri] noun uncountable
1. the state of being a slave
• to be sold into slavery
2. the practice of having slaves
• the abolition of slavery
Opp: freedom
Culture:
slavery [slavery]
Slavery has been practised in many countries, but played a particularly important role in the history of the US. The first slaves, who were considered to be the property of another person and to have no rights of their own, were taken from Africa to North America by the Dutch in 1619 and by the time of the American Revolution (1775) there were 500 000 slaves, mostly in the South. Slaves were taken from Africa in ships in very bad conditions, with many dying during the trip. Once they arrived, they worked mainly on cotton plantations where the quality of their lives depended on the treatment they received from their master.
After the Revolution, northern states made slavery illegal, but it continued in the South. It became illegal to bring slaves into the US in 1808, but by then many were being born there, so slave markets continued. In the 1830s opposition to slavery grew from the abolitionist movement, whose leaders included William Lloyd Garrison who published an anti-slavery newspaper, The Liberator and Harriet Beecher Stowe who wrote a famous novel about a slave called Uncle Tom's Cabin. In 1831 a former slave, Nat Turner organized an uprising of slaves in Virginia and in 1859 a white man, John Brown tried to free some slaves. The work of the Underground Railroad had more effect, trying to help slaves escape to the North, and some people hoped to end slavery by sending slaves back to Africa, creating the new country Liberia in 1822. Laws were made to restrict slavery, but the South wanted it to expand and politicians found it increasingly difficult to agree. In 1820 the Missouri Compromise said that Missouri would be admitted to the US as a slave state (= one where slavery was allowed) and Maine as a free state (= where slavery was not allowed). However, conflict between the North and South increased and in 1861 the slave states left the US, marking the start of the Civil War.
After the North won the Civil War and brought southern states back into the US, slavery was ended, but conditions did not improve for many slaves. Some moved to the North, but many of those who stayed in the South continued to work on the plantations where they were paid for their work but didn’t get enough money to pay for food and clothes.
The British were also involved in slavery from the 17th century when many slaves were taken from Africa to British colonies in the Caribbean to work on sugar plantations. Many businessmen made a lot of money from the triangular trade between Britain, Africa and the West Indies. They transported cloth and iron goods to West Africa and exchanged them for slaves who were then taken to the West Indies and exchanged for sugar which was taken back to Bristol and other British ports for sale in Europe. The Quakers were among the first people to campaign against slavery and it was made illegal in Britain in 1772, but campaigns led by William Wilberforce and others then grew for the total abolition of the slave trade. It was not until 1807 that it was made illegal for British ships to carry slaves and for British colonies to import them, and slavery was not finally abolished in the British Empire until 1833, when all slaves were set free and their owners were compensated.
Example Bank:
• Chios is said to have introduced slavery into Greece.
• Poverty forces children into virtual slavery.
• The Senate candidate now supports slavery reparations.
• The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in 1865.
• The organization has helped to expose human slavery rings.
• The women were sold into sexual slavery.
• Their stated aim was to free women from domestic slavery.
• They were living in slavery and poverty.
• conditions for children under slavery
• the system of chattel slavery
slavery / ˈsleɪ.v ə r.i / / -ɚ- / noun [ U ]
C1 the activity of having slaves or the condition of being a slave:
Slavery still exists in many parts of the world.
Millions of Africans were sold into slavery.
slavery
[sle͟ɪvəri]
N-UNCOUNT
Slavery is the system by which people are owned by other people as slaves.
My people have survived 400 years of slavery.
slavery
slav·ery /ˈsleɪvəri/ noun [noncount]
1 : the state of being a slave
• She was sold into slavery.
2 : the practice of owning slaves
• the abolition of slavery
a thought or belief about something or someone
What's your opinion about/on the matter?
opinion
noun
what you think about something same meaning view:
In my opinion, she's wrong.
What's your opinion of his work?
He had strong opinions on everything.
opinion
o‧pin‧ion S1 W2 /əˈpɪnjən/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: Latin opinio]
1. [uncountable and countable] your ideas or beliefs about a particular subject
opinion of
What’s your opinion of Cathy?
opinion on
He asked his wife’s opinion on every important decision.
opinion about
The two women had very different opinions about drugs.
in my opinion (=used when giving your opinion)
In my opinion, the law should be changed. ⇨ ↑view1(1)
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say I think ... rather than my opinion is ... or in my opinion .... In questions, people usually ask what do you think? rather than what is your opinion?:
▪ What do you think of Cathy?
2. [countable] judgement or advice from a professional person about something:
When choosing an insurance policy it’s best to get an independent opinion.
My doctor says I need an operation, but I’ve asked for a second opinion (=advice from a second doctor to make sure that the first advice is right).
They took the painting to get an expert opinion (=an opinion from someone who knows a lot).
3. have a high/low/good/bad etc opinion of somebody/something to think that someone or something is very good or very bad:
They have a very high opinion of Paula’s work.
4. be of the opinion (that) to think that something is true:
I was firmly of the opinion that we should not give Jackson any more money.
opinion
opin·ion [opinion opinions] [əˈpɪnjən] [əˈpɪnjən] noun
1. countable your feelings or thoughts about sb/sth, rather than a fact
Syn: view
• ~ (about/of/on sb/sth) We were invited to give our opinions about how the work should be done.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• Everyone had an opinion on the subject.
• ~ (that…) The chairman expressed the opinion that job losses were inevitable.
• He has very strong political opinions.
• In my opinion, it's a very sound investment.
• (formal) It is our opinion that he should resign.
• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy not to accept.
2. uncountable the beliefs or views of a group of people
• legal/medical/political opinion (= the beliefs of people working in the legal, etc. profession)
• There is a difference of opinion (= people disagree) as to the merits of the plan.
• Opinion is divided (= people disagree) on the issue.
• There is a wide body of opinion that supports this proposal.
• Which is the better is a matter of opinion (= people have different opinions about it).
see also public opinion
3. countable advice from a professional person
• They called in a psychologist to give an independent opinion.
• I'd like a second opinion (= advice from another person) before I make a decision.
more at your considered opinion at consider
Idioms: have a good/bad/high/low opinion of somebody ▪ of the opinion that …
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin opinio(n-), from the stem of opinari ‘think, believe’.
Thesaurus:
opinion noun C, U
• In my opinion he should resign.
view • • point of view • • belief • • idea • • feeling • • judgement • • point • • attitude • • stance • • position • • line • • conviction • |formal sentiment •
sb's opinion/view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/judgement/point/conviction/sentiments about sb/sth
sb's opinion/view/ideas/feelings/stance/position/line on sb/sth
have a/an opinion/view/point of view/belief/idea/feeling/attitude/line/conviction
express your opinion/view/point of view/beliefs/ideas/feelings/conviction/sentiments
Language Bank:
according to
Reporting someone's opinion
▪ Photography is, according to ▪ Vidal, the art form of untalented people.
For ▪ Vidal, photography is the art form of untalented people.
▪ His view is that ▪ photography is not art but merely the mechanical reproduction of images.
▪ Smith takes the view that ▪ photography is both an art and a science.
In ▪ Brown's view ▪, photography should be treated as a legitimate art in its own right.
▪ James is of the opinion that ▪ a good painter can always be a good photographer if he or she so decides.
▪ Emerson believed that ▪ a photograph should only reflect what the human eye can see.
Language Banks at argue, opinion
Language Bank:
opinion
Giving your personal opinion
In my opinion ▪, everyone should have some understanding of science.
▪ Everyone should, in my opinion ▪, have some understanding of science.
It seems to me that ▪ many people in this country have a poor understanding of science.
▪ This is, in my view ▪, the result of a failure of the scientific community to get its message across.
▪ Another reason why so many people have such a poor understanding of science is, I believe ▪, the lack of adequate funding for science in schools.
▪ Smith argues that science is separate from culture. My own view is that ▪ science belongs with literature, art, philosophy and religion as an integral part of our culture.
In this writer's opinion ▪, the more the public know about science, the less they will fear and distrust it.
Synonyms at think
Language Banks at according to, argue, impersonal, nevertheless, perhaps
Example Bank:
• ‘Miami is wonderful.’ ‘That's a matter of opinion.’
• Contrary to popular opinion, many adult cats dislike milk.
• Contrary to popular opinion, not all of Hitchcock's movies were great.
• He asked me for my opinion of the course.
• He has a very high opinion of your work.
• He writes an opinion piece in the ‘New York Times’.
• I don't share your opinion of his ability.
• I don't trust her, if you want my honest opinion.
• I formed the opinion that he was not to be trusted.
• If in doubt about your diagnosis, get a second opinion.
• If you want my honest opinion, I think the book is awful.
• In my opinion, golf is a dull sport.
• Opinion among doctors is that the medication is safe.
• Opinions are mixed regarding genetically-modified food.
• Opinions differ as to when this wine should be drunk.
• Prevailing local opinion is against the new road proposals.
• Public opinion is divided on the subject of capital punishment.
• She holds strong opinions on education.
• The bishop spoke without passing any opinion on the scandal.
• The country's government appears disdainful of world opinion.
• The meeting will give people the chance to voice their opinions on the matter.
• This view is supported by a growing body of professional opinion.
• a genuine difference of opinion between the experts
• all shades of political opinion
• attempts to shape public opinion
• in the present climate of opinion
• opinions as to the merits of the plan
• ‘I think she's great.’ ‘Well, that's a matter of opinion’.
• Everyone had a different opinion on the matter.
• I didn't ask for your opinion!
• I think you should keep your opinions to yourself.
• I've recently changed my opinion of her.
• If you want my opinion, I think you'd be crazy to accept the offer.
• In my opinion it's a very sound investment.
• It's our opinion that he should resign.
• Medical opinion differs as to whether the condition has any psychological causes.
• Opinion is divided about whether to join the new currency.
• Public opinion is shifting in favour of change.
• There is a difference of opinion as to the merits of the plan.
• We try to represent all shades of opinion.
• You can always ask for a second opinion if you're not sure.
• You need to be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.
opinion / əˈpɪn.jən / noun
B1 [ C ] a thought or belief about something or someone:
What's your opinion about/on the matter?
People tend to have strong opinions on capital punishment.
He didn't express/give an opinion on the matter.
Who, in your opinion, (= who do you think) is the best football player in the world today?
He's very much of the opinion that alternative medicine is a waste of time.
B2 [ U ] the thoughts or beliefs that a group of people have:
Eventually, the government will have to take notice of public opinion.
There is a diverse range of opinion on the issue.
There was a difference of opinion as to the desirability of the project.
Opinion is divided as to whether the treatment actually works.
Both performances were excellent, it's simply a matter of opinion as to whose was better.
B1 [ C ] a judgment about someone or something:
Her opinion of Adam changed after he'd been so helpful at the wedding.
She has a good/high opinion of his abilities (= thinks he is good) .
I have a rather bad/low/poor opinion of my sister's boyfriend (= I do not like or approve of him) .
He has a very high opinion of himself (= thinks he is very skilled/clever in a way that is annoying) .
B1 [ C ] a judgment made by an expert:
My doctor has referred me to a specialist for a second opinion on the results of my blood test.
Word partners for opinion
have / hold an opinion • express / give / voice an opinion • conflicting / differing / strong opinions • sb's considered / personal opinion • in sb's opinion • sb's opinion about sth • be of the opinion (that)
opinion
[əpɪ̱njən]
opinions
1) N-COUNT: oft poss N, N that Your opinion about something is what you think or believe about it.
I wasn't asking for your opinion, Dick...
He held the opinion that a government should think before introducing a tax...
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favorably of Thomas.
2) N-SING: usu supp N, N of n Your opinion of someone is your judgement of their character or ability.
That improved Mrs Goole's already favourable opinion of him.
Syn:
estimation
3) N-UNCOUNT You can refer to the beliefs or views that people have as opinion.
Some, I suppose, might even be in positions to influence opinion...
There is a broad consensus of opinion about the policies which should be pursued.
4) N-COUNT: usu sing An opinion from an expert is the advice or judgement that they give you in the subject that they know a lot about.
Even if you have had a regular physical check-up recently, you should still seek a medical opinion.
5) → See also public opinion, second opinion
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl You add expressions such as `in my opinion' or `in their opinion' to a statement in order to indicate that it is what you or someone else thinks, and is not necessarily a fact.
The book is, in Henry's opinion, the best book on the subject...
Well he's not making a very good job of it in my opinion.
7) PHRASE: v-link PHR that If someone is of the opinion that something is the case, that is what they believe. [FORMAL]
Frank is of the opinion that the 1934 yacht should have won.
8) a matter of opinion → see matter
opinion
opin·ion /əˈpɪnjən/ noun, pl -ions
1 : a belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something : what someone thinks about a particular thing
[count]
• Why ask (for) my opinion if you have already decided?
• I value your opinion. [=I respect the way you think about things]
• We asked for their opinions about/on the new stadium.
• In my opinion, it's the best car on the market.
• Most of the people surveyed have a high/low opinion of the organization. [=most of the people surveyed think that the organization is good/bad]
• She has enough knowledge of the system to offer an informed opinion [=an opinion based on information] of why it isn't working.
• The meeting will give residents a chance to listen to some expert opinions. [=opinions of experts]
[noncount]
• The owner of the store is often there to offer customers expert opinion. [=an expert's opinion]
• Which one is better is a matter of opinion. [=people have different opinions about which one is better]
• I'm glad that we can have a difference of opinion [=we can disagree] and still be friends.
• The general opinion is that the players are paid too much. [=most people think that the players are paid too much]
• The company has been unsuccessful in its efforts to sway/change public opinion. [=to change what most people think]
• Contrary to popular opinion [=despite what many people think], fame does not always bring happiness.
2 [count] : advice from someone with special knowledge : advice from an expert
• We're still seeking medical opinions [=advice from doctors] on the cause of the pain.
• My doctor says I need surgery, but I'm going to get a second opinion. [=advice from a second doctor to make sure advice from the first doctor is correct]
3 [count] technical : a formal statement by a judge, court, etc., explaining the reasons a decision was made according to laws or rules
• The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.
be of the opinion : to have a specifed opinion or belief
• They are of the opinion [=they think/believe] that the accident was caused by faulty wiring.
the court of public/world opinion
- see 1court
something you say that you know is not true
I told a lie when I said I liked her haircut.
lie
noun
something you say that you know is not true:
She told me a lie.
III. lie3 S3 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑liar, ↑lie; verb: lie; adjective: lying]
1. [countable] something that you say or write that you know is untrue:
I always know when he’s telling lies.
lie about
I knew that soon she would hear the lies about me.
2. give the lie to something formal to show that something is untrue:
This report gives the lie to the company’s claims.
3. the lie of the land
a) the way that a situation is developing at a particular time:
I'll talk to him and get the lie of the land before we go over.
b) the way an area of land has been formed and the physical features it has
4. (I) tell a lie British English spoken used when you realize that something you have just said is not correct:
It was £25, no, tell a lie, £35.
⇨ live a lie at ↑live1(16)
noun
a statement made by sb knowing that it is not true
• to tell a lie
• The whole story is nothing but a pack of lies.
• a barefaced lie (= a lie that is deliberate and shocking)
see also white lie
more at live a lie at live1, a tissue of lies at tissue
Thesaurus:
lie noun C
• The story is a pack of lies.
story • • nonsense • • fiction • |informal fib • |BrE, informal, disapproving rubbish • |especially AmE, informal, disapproving garbage • |formal fabrication • • falsehood • |law perjury • |taboo, slang, disapproving bullshit •
(a) complete lie/nonsense/fiction/rubbish/garbage/fabrication/falsehood/bullshit
tell (sb) a lie/story/fib/falsehood
believe a lie/a story/that nonsense/a fiction/that rubbish/that garbage/that bullshit
Example Bank:
• He lived a lie for thirty years, ‘married’ to two women.
• He lived a lie for thirty years, pretending to be the faithful husband of two different women living in two different towns.
• He told a big fat lie!
• He told a whopping great lie!
• How could she swallow such a blatant lie?
• That's a downright lie!
• That's a lie— I never said that!
• a web of elaborate lies
• As usual, the party's leaflet is full of barefaced lies.
• I couldn't tell her a lie.
• The whole story is nothing but a pack of lies.
• What's the harm in telling a little white lie?
lie / laɪ / noun [ C ]
B1 something you say that you know is not true:
I told a lie when I said I liked her haircut.
lie
I [la͟ɪ]POSITION OR SITUATION
lies, lying, lay, lain
(Please look at category 11 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)
1) VERB If you are lying somewhere, you are in a horizontal position and are not standing or sitting.
[V prep/adv] There was a child lying on the ground...
[V adj] The injured man was lying motionless on his back...
[V adj] He lay awake watching her for a long time.
2) VERB If an object lies in a particular place, it is in a flat position in that place.
[V prep/adv] ...a newspaper lying on a nearby couch...
[V adj] Broken glass lay scattered on the carpet.
[V adj] ...a two-page memo lying unread on his desk.
3) VERB If you say that a place lies in a particular position or direction, you mean that it is situated there.
[V prep/adv] The islands lie at the southern end of the Kurile chain.
Syn:
sit
4) V-LINK You can use lie to say that something is or remains in a particular state or condition. For example, if something lies forgotten, it has been and remains forgotten.
[V adj] She turned back to the Bible lying open in her lap...
[V adj] The picture lay hidden in the archives for over 40 years...
[V prep] His country's economy lies in ruins.
Syn:
sit
5) VERB You can use lie to say what position a competitor or team is in during a competition. [mainly BRIT]
[V ord] I was going well and was lying fourth...
[V in n] Blyth Tait is lying in second place.
6) VERB You can talk about where something such as a problem, solution, or fault lies to say what you think it consists of, involves, or is caused by.
[V prep/adv] The problem lay in the large amounts spent on defence...
[V prep/adv] They will only assume that, as a woman, the fault lies with me...
[V prep/adv] He realised his future lay elsewhere...
[V prep/adv] We must be clear about where the responsibility lies.
Syn:
rest
7) VERB You use lie in expressions such as lie ahead, lie in store, and lie in wait when you are talking about what someone is going to experience in the future, especially when it is something unpleasant or difficult.
[V prep/adv] She'd need all her strength and bravery to cope with what lay in store...
[V prep/adv] The President's most serious challenges lie ahead.
8) VERB Lie is used in formal English, especially on gravestones, to say that a dead person is buried in a particular place.
[V prep/adv] The inscription reads: Here lies Catin, the son of Magarus...
[V prep/adv] My father lies in the small cemetery a few miles up this road.
9) VERB If you say that light, clouds, or fog lie somewhere, you mean that they exist there or are spread over the area mentioned. [LITERARY]
[V prep/adv] It had been wet overnight, and a morning mist lay on the field.
10) N-SING: with supp, oft N of n The lie of an object or area is its position or the way that it is arranged.
The actual site of a city is determined by the natural lie of the land.
11) to let sleeping dogs lie → see dog
to lie in state → see state
to take something lying down → see take
Phrasal Verbs:
- lie around
- lie back
- lie behind
- lie downII [la͟ɪ]THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE
lies, lying, lied
1) N-COUNT A lie is something that someone says or writes which they know is untrue.
→ See also white lie
`Who else do you work for?' - `No one.' - `That's a lie.'...
I've had enough of your lies...
All the boys told lies about their adventures.
2) VERB If someone is lying, they are saying something which they know is not true.
I know he's lying...
[V about n] If asked, he lies about his age...
[V to n] She lied to her husband so she could meet her lover...
[V-ing] He reportedly called her `a lying little twit'.
Derived words:
lying N-UNCOUNT Lying is something that I will not tolerate.
3) VERB If you say that something lies, you mean that it does not express or represent something accurately.
The camera sometimes lies.
4) → See also lying
5) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If something gives the lie to a statement, claim, or theory, it suggests or proves that it is not true.
This survey gives the lie to the idea that Britain is moving towards economic recovery.
6) PHRASE: V inflects, usu cont If you say that someone is living a lie, you mean that in every part of their life they are hiding the truth about themselves from other people.
My mother never told my father the truth about me. We've been living a lie all this time.
7) CONVENTION People sometimes say `I tell a lie' when they have just made a mistake in something that they are saying and immediately correct it. [BRIT]
It is the first scene of the play chronologically. I tell a lie, it's actually strictly speaking the second scene.
Syn:
sorry
lie
4lie noun, pl lies [count] : something untrue that is said or written to deceive someone
• She told a lie to her parents.
• He has been accused of telling lies about his military record.
• a bold/brazen/barefaced lie
• a complete lie
• The accusations are lies, all lies.
• The claims he has made are nothing but a pack of lies.
• (chiefly Brit) He has woven a tissue of lies [=he has told many lies] about his military record.
- see also white lie
give the lie to formal : to show that (something) is not true
• Her success has given the lie to the notion that women cannot compete with men.
I tell a lie Brit informal
- used to correct something you have just said
• I saw him just yesterday. No, I tell a lie. It was two days ago.
live a lie : to live in a false or deceptive way : to live in a way that does not show who you truly are or what your feelings truly are
• Their friends thought that they had a happy marriage, but they were living a lie. [=their marriage was not happy]
- compare 2lie
the quality of being true
There would seem to be some truth in what she says.
truth
noun (no plural)
being true; what is true:
There is no truth in these rumours.
We need to find out the truth about what happened.
Are you telling me the truth?
truth
truth S1 W2 /truːθ/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adverb: ↑truly, ↑truthfully ≠ ↑untruthfully, ↑true; noun: ↑truth ≠ ↑untruth, ↑truthfulness; adjective: ↑true ≠ ↑untrue, ↑truthful ≠ ↑untruthful]
[Language: Old English; Origin: treowth 'faithfulness']
1. TRUE FACTS the truth the true facts about something, rather than what is untrue, imagined, or guessed OPP lie, falsehood, untruth:
How do we know you’re telling us the truth?
the truth about
She hoped to find out the truth about her family.
the truth behind
We’ll never know the truth behind what happened.
2. BEING TRUE [uncountable] the state or quality of being true
truth in
There was some truth in the accusations.
grain/element of truth (=small amount of truth)
There wasn’t a grain of truth in what he said.
There was an element of truth (=a small amount of truth) in what he said.
There is no truth in the rumour.
3. IMPORTANT IDEAS [countable usually plural] formal an important fact or idea that is accepted as being true:
The experience has taught us some basic truths.
an unhappy/unpleasant/unwelcome truth (=an unpleasant or disappointing fact)
It is in his interest to hide unhappy truths about his agency’s performance.
4. in truth in fact SYN really:
Early independence leaders were in truth little better than rebels.
5. if (the) truth be known/told used when telling someone the real facts about a situation, or your real opinion:
If the truth be known, I felt a little left out at school.
6. to tell (you) the truth spoken used when giving your personal opinion or admitting something:
To tell the truth, I was frightened to death.
7. nothing could be further from the truth used to say that something is definitely not true
8. the truth will out old-fashioned used to say that even if you try to stop people from knowing something, they will find out in the end
⇨ ↑half-truth, ↑home truth, ⇨ the moment of truth at ↑moment(15)
truth
truth [truth truths] [truːθ] [truːθ] noun (pl. truths [truːðz] ; [truːðz] )
1. the truth singular the true facts about sth, rather than the things that have been invented or guessed
• Do you think she's telling the truth?
• We are determined to get at (= discover) the truth.
• The truth (of the matter) is we can't afford to keep all the staff on.
• I don't think you are telling me the whole truth about what happened.
• The awful truth about his disappearance finally dawned on her.
• It's the gospel truth! (= completely true)
• The sad truth is that, at 72, he is past his prime.
2. uncountable the quality or state of being based on fact
• There is no truth in the rumours.
• There is not a grain of truth in what she says.
• His version of events does contain an element of truth.
Opp: falsity
3. countable a fact that is believed by most people to be true
• universal truths
• She was forced to face up to a few unwelcome truths about her family.
compare untruth
see also half-truth, home truth
more at bend the truth at bend v., economical with the truth at economical, the moment of truth at moment
Idioms: if truth be told ▪ in truth ▪ nothing could be further from the truth ▪ tell the truth ▪ truth is stranger than fiction ▪ truth will out
Word Origin:
Old English trīewth, trēowth ‘faithfulness, constancy’ (see true, -th).
Example Bank:
• Dare anyone deny the truth of what we have said?
• Finally the moment of truth will be upon you.
• He realized the truth in Adam's words.
• He was reminded of his duty to speak the truth when questioned in court.
• He was too fragile to handle the truth.
• His evidence was a blend of smears, half truths and downright lies.
• His explanation has a ring of truth to it.
• I know you think she's mean, but nothing could be further from the truth.
• I'm sure she's telling the truth.
• If the truth be known, I was afraid to tell anyone.
• It still doesn't make sense to me— I don't think he's told us the whole truth.
• It's a good film but contains little historical truth.
• It's time we told him a few home truths about sharing a house.
• Lawyers distorted the truth about the deal.
• Science, like theology, reveals transcendent truths about a changing world.
• She takes everything she reads in the paper as gospel truth.
• She was determined to discover the truth about her boss.
• She would later find out the truth about her husband.
• So now you know the truth.
• The awful truth suddenly dawned on her.
• The journalist protested that he was only trying to get at the truth.
• The police doubt the truth of his statement.
• The sad truth is he never loved her.
• The simple truth is he's lost his job.
• The truth of the matter is we can't afford to keep all the staff on.
• There is no truth in the rumour.
• There may have been a grain of truth in what he said.
• They claim to be the arbiters of sacred truth.
• They were motivated by the pursuit of the truth.
• To tell you the truth, I'm rather dreading his return.
• Towards the end of the letter the cruel truth emerged.
• We are examining the matter to see where the truth lies.
• We hold these truths to be self-evident…
• We're going to try to get the truth out of this boy.
• What's the truth behind all the gossip?
• You've been hiding the truth from me!
• a man on a journey seeking the truth about God and humanity
• finding out the truth about her husband
• in search of the eternal truths of life
• seekers after divine truth
• the deeper truths that often go unspoken
• the hidden truth behind the events of the last four years
• the plain unvarnished truth
• the revealed truth of God
• the shocking truth about heroin addiction among the young
truth / truːθ / noun
B2 [ U ] the quality of being true:
There would seem to be some truth in what she says.
There is no truth in the reports of his resignation.
You cannot question the truth of his alibi.
And yet what he says contains at least a grain of (= a small amount of) truth.
the truth B1 [ S ] the real facts about a situation, event, or person:
But was he telling the truth?
I don't suppose we'll ever know the truth about what happened that day.
To tell (you) the truth (= speaking honestly) I'm quite pleased he's not coming.
in truth formal used to show or emphasize that something is true:
In truth we feared for her safety although we didn't let it be known.
C2 [ C ] formal a fact or principle that is thought to be true by most people:
It would seem to be a general truth that nothing is as straightforward as it at first seems.
The entire system of belief is based on a few simple truths.
Word partners for truth
tell the truth • discover / find out / learn / uncover the truth • confess / reveal the truth • conceal / hide / withhold the truth • the truth comes out / emerges • the truth dawns on sb • the awful / honest / simple / whole truth • an element / grain of truth • the ring of truth • the truth about sb/sth
truth
[tru͟ːθ]
truths
1) N-UNCOUNT The truth about something is all the facts about it, rather than things that are imagined or invented.
Is it possible to separate truth from fiction?...
I must tell you the truth about this business...
The truth of the matter is that we had no other choice...
In the town very few know the whole truth.
...judgements of truth or falsity.
2) N-UNCOUNT: oft N of/in n If you say that there is some truth in a statement or story, you mean that it is true, or at least partly true.
There is no truth in this story...
Is there any truth to the rumors?...
The criticisms have at least an element of truth and validity.
3) N-COUNT A truth is something that is believed to be true.
It is an almost universal truth that the more we are promoted in a job, the less we actually exercise the skills we initially used to perform it.
4) → See also home truth, moment of truth
5) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say in truth in order to indicate that you are giving your honest opinion about something.
In truth, we were both unhappy.
6) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say to tell you the truth or truth to tell in order to indicate that you are telling someone something in an open and honest way, without trying to hide anything.
To tell you the truth, I was afraid to see him...
Truth to tell, John did not want Veronica at his wedding.
Syn:
to be honest
truth
truth /ˈtruːɵ/ noun, pl truths /ˈtruːðz, ˈtruːɵs/
1 the truth : the real facts about something : the things that are true
• Are you telling (me) the truth?
• At some point you have to face the simple/hard/honest/plain/naked truth that we failed.
• Their explanation was simpler but came closer to the truth.
• The article explains the truth about global warming.
• A reporter soon discovered/revealed/uncovered the truth.
• Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
• I know you think I don't care, but nothing could be further from the truth. [=that is absolutely not true]
• The truth of the matter is (that) you failed the exam and it's going to be reflected in your final grade.
• To tell (you) the truth, I liked her first book better than this one. [=I am being honest when I say that I liked her first book better]
• “When was the last time you went to New York?” “To tell you the truth, I don't remember.” [=I have to admit that I don't remember]
• I told her I liked the restaurant but the truth is that the food was pretty bad. = I told her I liked the restaurant but, truth be told/known, the food was pretty bad.
2 [noncount] : the quality or state of being true
• There's no truth in anything he says. [=nothing he says is true]
• I doubt the truth of their accusations. [=I doubt that their accusations are true]
• Her story contains a grain/kernel of truth but also lots of exaggeration.
3 [count] : a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true - usually plural
• Her experience taught her some basic/fundamental/eternal/universal truths about human nature.
• mathematical truths
- see also half-truth, home truth, untruth
bend the truth
- see 1bend
in truth : in fact : actually or really
• She said she was feeling fine, but in truth she was very ill.
moment of truth
- see moment
a person who behaves in a silly way without thinking
He's a fool if he thinks she still loves him.
noun
a person who is silly or who does something silly:
You fool! You forgot to lock the door!
make a fool of yourself to do something that makes you look silly in front of other people:
He always makes a fool of himself at parties.
I. fool1 /fuːl/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: fol, from Latin follis 'bag for blowing air']
1. STUPID PERSON [countable] a stupid person or someone who has done something stupid SYN idiot:
What a fool she had been to think that he would stay.
Like a fool, I accepted straight away.
You silly old fool!
2. make a fool of yourself to do something stupid that you feel embarrassed about afterwards and that makes you seem silly:
Sorry I made such a fool of myself last night. I must have been drunk.
3. make a fool of somebody to deliberately do something to make someone else seem stupid:
I suddenly realised that I was being made a fool of.
4. any fool can do something spoken used to say that it is very easy to do something or to see that something is true:
Any fool could have seen what would happen.
5. be no/nobody’s fool to be difficult to trick or deceive, because you have a lot of experience and knowledge about something:
Katherine was nobody’s fool when it came to money.
6. gooseberry/strawberry etc fool British English a sweet food made of soft cooked fruit mixed with cream
7. more fool you/him etc British English spoken used to say that you think someone was stupid to do something, and it is their own fault if this causes trouble:
‘Jim smashed up my car.’ ‘More fool you for letting him borrow it!’
8. not suffer fools gladly if you say that someone doesn’t suffer fools gladly, they do not have any patience with people who they think are stupid
9. be living in a fool’s paradise to feel happy and satisfied, and believe there are no problems, when in fact this is not true
10. play/act the fool to behave in a silly way, especially in order to make people laugh:
Stop playing the fool! You’ll fall.
11. (send somebody on) a fool’s errand to make someone go somewhere or do something for no good reason
12. fools rush in (where angels fear to tread) used to say that people are stupid if they do something immediately without thinking about it first
13. a fool and his money are soon parted used to say that stupid people spend money quickly without thinking about it
14. ENTERTAINER [countable] a man whose job was to entertain a king or other powerful people in the past, by doing tricks, singing funny songs etc SYN jester
⇨ ↑April fool
fool [fool fools fooled fooling] noun, verb, adjective [fuːl] [fuːl]
noun
1. countable a person who you think behaves or speaks in a way that lacks intelligence or good judgement
Syn: idiot
• Don't be such a fool!
• I felt a fool when I realized my mistake.
• He told me he was an actor and I was fool enough to believe him.
2. countable (in the past) a man employed by a king or queen to entertain people by telling jokes, singing songs, etc.
Syn: jester
3. uncountable, countable (BrE) (usually in compounds) a cold light dessert (= a sweet dish) made from fruit that is cooked and crushed and mixed with cream or custard
• rhubarb fool
more at not suffer fools gladly at suffer
Word Origin:
n. senses 1 to 2 and v. adj. Middle English Old French fol ‘fool, foolish’ Latin follis ‘bellows, windbag’ ‘empty-headed person’
n. sense 3 late 16th cent. fool ‘foolish’
Thesaurus:
fool noun C (sometimes offensive)
• Don't be such a fool!
sometimes offensive idiot • |BrE, informal, sometimes offensive prat • |especially AmE, informal, sometimes offensive dork • |offensive moron • |especially AmE, informal, offensive jerk •
a complete fool/idiot/prat/dork/moron/jerk
feel/look like a/an fool/idiot/prat/dork/moron/jerk
make a fool/idiot/prat/dork of yourself
Synonyms:
cheat
fool • deceive • betray • take in • trick • con
These words all mean to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially in order to get what you want.
cheat • to make sb believe sth that is not true, in order to get money or sth else from them: ▪ She is accused of attempting to cheat the taxman. ◊ ▪ He cheated his way into the job.
Cheat also means to act in a dishonest way in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game, competition or exam: ▪ You're not allowed to look at the answers— ▪ that's cheating ▪.
fool • to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially in order to laugh at them or to get what you want: ▪ Just don't be fooled into investing any money with them.
deceive • to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially sb who trusts you, in order to get what you want: ▪ She deceived him into handing over all his savings.
betray • to hurt sb who trusts you, especially by deceiving them or not being loyal to them: ▪ She felt betrayed when she found out the truth about him.
take sb in • [often passive] to deceive sb, usually in order to get what you want: ▪ I was taken in by her story.
trick • to deceive sb, especially in a clever way, in order to get what you want.
con • (informal) to deceive sb, especially in order to get money from them or get them to do sth for you: ▪ They had been conned out of £100 000.
which word?
Many of these words involve making sb believe sth that is not true, but some of them are more disapproving than others. Deceive is probably the worst because people typically deceive friends, relations and others who know and trust them. People may feel cheated/betrayed by sb in authority who they trusted to look after their interests. If sb takes you in, they may do it by acting a part and using words and charm effectively. If sb cheats/fools/tricks/cons you, they may get sth from you and make you feel stupid. However, sb might fool you just as a joke; and to trick sb is sometimes seen as a clever thing to do, if the person being tricked is seen as a bad person who deserves it.
to cheat/fool/trick/con sb out of sth
to cheat/fool/deceive/betray/trick/con sb into doing sth
to feel cheated/fooled/deceived/betrayed/tricked/conned
to fool/deceive yourself
to cheat/trick/con your way into sth
Example Bank:
• He thought that being an actor only involved tap dancing and playing the fool.
• I felt like a fool when I realized what I'd done.
• I thought it was safe to leave my suitcase there. More fool me.
• Like a fool, I told her everything.
• She doesn't suffer fools gladly.
• She was angry at having been made a fool of.
• She's nobody's fool. She had the car checked by a mechanic before buying it.
• Stop acting the fool and be serious!
• Stop behaving like a fool!
• That fool of a doctor has prescribed me the wrong medicine!
• The poor old fool was imprisoned on my account.
• They had left me looking like a fool.
• You silly little fool!
• You're an even bigger fool than I thought.
• court fools who used to provide entertainment in the royal court
• Don't be such a fool!
• I made a complete fool of myself in front of everyone.
• You must take me for a fool!
Idioms: act the fool ▪ any fool can ▪ fool and his money are soon parted ▪ fools rush in ▪ make a fool of somebody ▪ make a fool of yourself ▪ more fool somebody ▪ no fool ▪ no fool like an old fool ▪ you could have fooled me
Derived: fool around
fool / fuːl / noun (PERSON)
B1 [ C ] a person who behaves in a silly way without thinking:
[ as form of address ] You fool, you've missed your chance!
He's a fool if he thinks she still loves him.
[ + to infinitive ] He's a fool to think she still loves him.
He's fool enough to think she still loves him.
My fool of a (= silly) husband has gone out and taken my keys!
[ C ] in the past, a person who was employed in the court of a king or queen to make them laugh by telling jokes and doing funny things act/play the fool to behave in a silly way, often intentionally to make people laugh:
Stop acting the fool, I'm trying to talk to you.
any fool anyone:
Any fool could tell that she was joking.
make a fool of sb
B2 to trick someone or make them appear stupid in some way
make a fool of yourself B2 to do something that makes other people think you are silly or not to be respected:
I got a bit drunk and made a fool of myself.
more fool sb mainly UK said to mean that you think someone is being unwise:
"I lent Rhoda $100 and she hasn't paid me back." "More fool you - you know what she's like!"
be no fool ( also be nobody's fool ) to not be stupid or easily deceived:
I notice Ed didn't offer to pay for her - he's no fool.
fool / fuːl / noun [ C or U ] (SWEET DISH)
a sweet, soft food made of crushed fruit, cream, and sugar:
gooseberry fool
fool
[fu͟ːl]
fools, fooling, fooled
1) N-COUNT (disapproval) If you call someone a fool, you are indicating that you think they are not at all sensible and show a lack of good judgement.
`You fool!' she shouted...
He'd been a fool to get involved with her!
Syn:
idiot
2) ADJ: ADJ n (disapproval) Fool is used to describe an action or person that is not at all sensible and shows a lack of good judgement. [mainly AM, INFORMAL]
What a damn fool thing to do!...
What can that fool guard be thinking of?
3) VERB If someone fools you, they deceive or trick you.
[V n] Art dealers fool a lot of people...
[V n] Don't be fooled by his appearance...
[V n into -ing] They tried to fool you into coming after us.
Syn:
trick, con
4) VERB If you say that a person is fooling with something or someone, you mean that the way they are behaving is likely to cause problems.
[V with n] What are you doing fooling with such a staggering sum of money?...
[V with n] He kept telling her that here you did not fool with officials.
5) N-COUNT: usu the N In the courts of kings and queens in medieval Europe, the fool was the person whose job was to do silly things in order to make people laugh.
Syn:
jester
6) N-VAR Fool is a dessert made by mixing soft cooked fruit with whipped cream or with custard. [BRIT]
...gooseberry fool.
7) PHRASE: V and N inflect If you make a fool of someone, you make them seem silly by telling people about something stupid that they have done, or by tricking them.
Your brother is making a fool of you...
He'd been made a fool of.
8) PHRASE: V and N inflect If you make a fool of yourself, you behave in a way that makes other people think that you are silly or lacking in good judgement.
He was drinking and making a fool of himself.
9) PHRASE (disapproval) If you say to someone `More fool you' when they tell you what they have done or what they plan to do, you are indicating that you think that it is silly and shows a lack of judgement. [BRIT]
Most managers couldn't care less about information technology. More fool them.
10) PHRASE: V inflects If you play the fool or act the fool, you behave in a playful, childish, and foolish way, usually in order to make other people laugh.
They used to play the fool together, calling each other silly names and giggling.
Syn:
mess about
11) to suffer fools gladly → see suffer
Phrasal Verbs:
- fool about
- fool around
1fool /ˈfuːl/ noun, pl fools [count]
1 : a person who lacks good sense or judgment : a stupid or silly person
• those fools who ride motorcycles without wearing helmets
• Only a fool would ask such a silly question.
• You'd be a fool to believe what he tells you.
• You're making yourself look like a fool.
• A fool and his money are soon parted. [=a foolish person spends money too quickly on unimportant things]
• Any fool can see [=anyone can see] that he's lying.
• I never thought you'd be fool enough to believe him. = I never thought you'd be enough of a fool to believe him.
• (informal) Only that fool of a brother [=that foolish brother] of yours would ask such a silly question!
• (informal) Some (damn/damned) fool of a driver kept trying to pass me!
• Fools rush in (where angels fear to tread). [=it is foolish to take action if you do not know much about what you are doing]
• (Brit, informal) (The) more fool you if you believe him. = (The) more fool you for believing him. [=you would be a fool to believe him]
• (Brit, informal) More fool him for trusting her.
• There's no fool like an old fool. [=a foolish old person is especially foolish because an old person should have learned from experience not to make the kind of mistakes a young person makes]
✦A smart or clever person can be described as no fool or as nobody's fool.
• He may not look very smart, but he's no fool.
• Don't try to trick her—she's nobody's fool.
2 US informal : a person who enjoys something very much
• He's a dancing fool. [=he loves to dance]
• He's a fool for candy. [=he loves to eat candy]
3 chiefly Brit : a dessert made with cooked fruit and cream or a thick sauce
• a strawberry fool
4 : jester
act/play the fool : to behave in a silly or foolish way
• If you keep playing the fool by asking silly questions, people won't take you seriously.
make a fool of yourself : to behave in a very foolish or silly way
• He got drunk at the party and made a fool of himself.
• He's making a fool of himself over that woman.
make a fool (out) of : to cause (someone) to look stupid or foolish
• She made a fool of me by insulting me in front of my friends.
- see also april fools' day
