noun

making and breaking promises and commitments

C2 (Proficient)

0

tartan

tartan [noun]

a pattern of different coloured straight lines crossing each other at 90 degree angles, or a cloth with this pattern

US

/ˈtɑːr.ən/

UK

/ˈtɑː.tən/

Example:

a tartan kilt

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tartan

tar·tan [tartan tartans] [ˈtɑːtn] [ˈtɑːrtn] noun

1. uncountable, countable a pattern of squares and lines of different colours and widths that cross each other at an angle of 90°, used especially on cloth, and originally from Scotland

• a tartan rug

2. countable a tartan pattern connected with a particular group of families (= a clan ) in Scotland

• the MacLeod tartan

3. uncountable cloth, especially made of wool, that has a tartan pattern
compare plaid
Word Origin:
late 15th cent. (originally Scots): perhaps from Old French tertaine, denoting a kind of cloth; compare with tartarin, a rich fabric formerly imported from the east through Tartary, a historical region of Asia and eastern Europe.
Culture:
tartan
Tartan is a traditional woollen cloth from Scotland that has patterns of squares and lines woven in various colours. Patterns depended originally on dyes available from local plants, so each area developed its own tartan. Tartans were not at first associated with a particular clan. From the late 18th century, Scottish regiments wore different tartans as an identifying feature, and the design of an individual tartan for each clan followed soon afterwards. The most famous tartans include ‘Black Watch’, the tartan of the Royal Highland Regiment, which is black and dark green, and ‘Royal Stuart’, the mainly red tartan of the royal family.
Scotsmen may wear a kilt (= a man’s skirt with pleats that reaches to the knees) and sometimes a plaid (= cloak), or simply a tie, in their clan’s tartan. Apart from those who work in the tourist industry, few Scots wear tartan as part of their ordinary clothing. Men wear kilts when taking part in Scottish dancing displays or for formal occasions such as weddings.

Many Scots consider it wrong to wear the tartan of a clan to which they do not belong, but this has not prevented tartan, or tartan-like patterns, becoming fashionable in Britain and abroad. For some people tartan has romantic associations with Scotland’s history and its wild and beautiful countryside. Women’s kilts, skirts and dresses, as well as scarves, bags, travelling rugs, and many other articles, are made in tartan patterns. Goods sold to tourists, such as tins of shortbread biscuits, are decorated with tartan patterns to indicate their origin.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

patterns and shapes

0

plaid

plaid [noun]

a pattern of crossed lines and squares, used especially on cloth SYN tartan British English

US

/plæd/

UK

/plæd/

Example:

a plaid shirt

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

plaid

plaid [plaid plaids] [plæd] [plæd] noun

1. uncountable a type of thick cloth with a pattern of lines and squares of different colours and widths, especially a tartan pattern

2. countable a long piece of plaid made of wool, worn over the shoulders as part of the Scottish national dress
Word Origin:
early 16th cent.: from Scottish Gaelic plaide ‘blanket’, of unknown ultimate origin.
Culture:
tartan
Tartan is a traditional woollen cloth from Scotland that has patterns of squares and lines woven in various colours. Patterns depended originally on dyes available from local plants, so each area developed its own tartan. Tartans were not at first associated with a particular clan. From the late 18th century, Scottish regiments wore different tartans as an identifying feature, and the design of an individual tartan for each clan followed soon afterwards. The most famous tartans include ‘Black Watch’, the tartan of the Royal Highland Regiment, which is black and dark green, and ‘Royal Stuart’, the mainly red tartan of the royal family.
Scotsmen may wear a kilt (= a man’s skirt with pleats that reaches to the knees) and sometimes a plaid (= cloak), or simply a tie, in their clan’s tartan. Apart from those who work in the tourist industry, few Scots wear tartan as part of their ordinary clothing. Men wear kilts when taking part in Scottish dancing displays or for formal occasions such as weddings.

Many Scots consider it wrong to wear the tartan of a clan to which they do not belong, but this has not prevented tartan, or tartan-like patterns, becoming fashionable in Britain and abroad. For some people tartan has romantic associations with Scotland’s history and its wild and beautiful countryside. Women’s kilts, skirts and dresses, as well as scarves, bags, travelling rugs, and many other articles, are made in tartan patterns. Goods sold to tourists, such as tins of shortbread biscuits, are decorated with tartan patterns to indicate their origin.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

patterns and shapes

0

print

print [noun] (PATTERN)

any type of pattern produced using ink on a piece of clothing

US

/prɪnt/

UK

/prɪnt/

Example:

a floral/paisley print

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. print² W3 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑print, ↑printer, ↑printing; adjective: printed, ↑printable ≠ ↑unprintable; verb: ↑print]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: preinte, from preint, past participle of preindre 'to press', from Latin premere]
1. BOOKS/NEWSPAPERS [uncountable] writing that has been printed, for example in books or newspapers:
There was no print at all on the backs of the tickets.
in print (=printed in a book, newspaper etc)
It must be really exciting to see your work in print.
the pleasure of seeing my name in print
Very little of his poetry actually got into print (=was printed).
2. be in print if a book is in print, new copies of it are still being printed:
After fifty years, the book is still in print.
3. be out of print if a book is out of print, it is no longer being printed and you cannot buy new copies
4. LETTERS [uncountable] the letters in which something is printed:
The book is also available in large print.
The print quality of the new printer is excellent.
5. the small/fine print the details of a legal document, which are often printed in very small writing:
Always read the small print before signing anything.
6. MARK [countable] a mark that is made on a surface by something that has been pressed onto it:
His feet left deep prints in the soft soil.
7. prints [plural] the marks that are made by the pattern of lines on the ends of your fingers SYN fingerprints:
The police found a set of prints on the car door.
8. CLOTH [uncountable and countable] cloth, especially cotton, on which a coloured pattern has been printed:
a lovely selection of floral prints
She was wearing a cotton print dress.
9. PHOTOGRAPH [countable] a photograph that has been produced from a film:
Why don’t you order an extra set of prints?
a colour print
10. PICTURE [countable]
a) a picture that is made by cutting lines onto a piece of metal or wood and then printing it onto paper
b) a copy of a painting that is produced by taking a photograph of it and printing it onto paper

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

noun

LETTERS/NUMBERS
1. uncountable letters, words, numbers, etc. that have been printed onto paper
• in large/small/bold print
• The print quality of the new laser printer is superb.

see also small print

NEWSPAPERS/BOOKS

2. uncountable used to refer to the business of producing newspapers, magazines and books
• the print media

• print unions

MARK

3. countable, usually plural a mark left by your finger, foot, etc. on the surface of sth
• His prints were found on the gun.

see also fingerprint, footprint

PICTURE

4. countable a picture that is cut into wood or metal then covered with ink and printed onto paper; a picture that is copied from a painting using photography

• a framed set of prints

PHOTOGRAPH

5. countable a photograph produced from film
• How many sets of prints would you like?

• a colour print

CLOTH

6. uncountable, countable cotton cloth that has a pattern printed on it; this pattern
• a cotton print dress
• a floral print
see also blueprint
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting the impression made by a stamp or seal): from Old French preinte ‘pressed’, feminine past participle of preindre, from Latin premere ‘to press’.
Collocations:
Fine arts
Creating art
make a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/engravings/etchings/prints
do an oil painting/a self-portrait/a line drawing/a rough sketch
create a work of art/an artwork/paintings and sculptures
produce paintings/portraits/oil sketches/his most celebrated work/a series of prints
paint a picture/landscape/portrait/mural/in oils/in watercolours/(especially US) in watercolors/on canvas
draw a picture/a portrait/a cartoon/a sketch/a line/a figure/the human form/in charcoal/in ink
sketch a preliminary drawing/a figure/a shape
carve a figure/an image/a sculpture/an altarpiece/reliefs/a block of wood
sculpt a portrait bust/a statue/an abstract figure
etch a line/a pattern/a design/a name into the glass
mix colours/(especially US) colors/pigments/paints
add/apply thin/thick layers of paint/colour/(especially US) color/pigment
use oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paint
work in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolour/a wide variety of media
Describing art
paint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interior
depict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious theme
create an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspective
paint dark/rich/skin/flesh tones
use broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colours/a limited palette/simple geometric forms
develop/adopt/paint in a stylized manner/an abstract style
Showing and selling art
commission an altarpiece/a bronze bust of sb/a portrait/a religious work/an artist to paint sth
frame a painting/portrait
hang art/a picture/a painting
display/exhibit modern art/sb's work/a collection/original artwork/ drawings/sculptures/a piece
be displayed/hung in a gallery/museum
install/place a sculpture in/at/on sth
erect/unveil a bronze/marble/life-size statue
hold/host/mount/open/curate/see (especially BrE) an exhibition/(NAmE usually) exhibit
be/go on (BrE) exhibition/(NAmE) exhibit
feature/promote/showcase a conceptual artist/contemporary works
collect African art/modern British paintings/Japanese prints
restore/preserve a fresco/great works of art
Synonyms:
photograph
picture • photo • shot • snapshot/snap • print
These are all words for a picture that has been made using a camera.
photograph • a picture that has been made using a camera: ▪ a photograph of the house ◊ ▪ Can I take a photograph?
picture • a photograph: ▪ We had our picture taken in front of the hotel.
photo • a photograph: ▪ a passport photo
photograph, picture or photo?
Photograph is slightly more formal and photo is slightly less formal. Picture is used especially in the context of photographs in newspapers, magazines and books.
shot • a photograph: ▪ I tried to get a shot of him in the water.
Shot often places more emphasis on the process of taking the photograph, rather than the finished picture.
snapshot/snap • an informal photograph that is taken quickly, and not by a professional photographer: ▪ holiday snaps
print • a copy of a photograph that is produced from film or from a digital camera: ▪ a set of prints
a colour photograph/picture/photo/snap/print
to take a photograph/picture/photo/shot/snapshot
Synonyms:
picture
painting • drawing • portrait • print • sketch
These are all words for a scene, person or thing that has been represented on paper by drawing, painting, etc.
picture • a scene, person or thing that has been represented on paper using a pencil, a pen or paint: ▪ The children were drawing pictures of their pets.
painting • a picture that has been made using paint: ▪ a collection of paintings by American artists
drawing • a picture that has been made using a pencil or pen, not paint: ▪ a pencil/charcoal drawing
portrait • a painting, drawing or photograph of a person, especially of the head and shoulders: ▪ Vermeer's ‘Portrait of the artist in his studio’ ◊ ▪ a self-portrait ▪ (= a painting that you do of yourself)
print • a picture that has been copied from a painting using photography: ▪ a Renoir print
sketch • a simple picture that is drawn quickly and does not have many details: ▪ I usually do a few very rough sketches before I start on a painting.
to draw a picture/portrait/sketch
to paint a picture/portrait
to make a painting/drawing/portrait/print/sketch
to do a painting/drawing/portrait/sketch
Example Bank:
• Always read the small print in a contract before signing.
• I had to squint to read the tiny print on the screen.
• I'm afraid that book is now out of print.
• The initial print run for her book was 6 000 copies.
• The shop specializes in out-of-print books.
• They make more money from online subscriptions than from selling the print version.

• a Renoir print

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

print

[prɪ̱nt]
♦♦
prints, printing, printed
1) VERB If someone prints something such as a book or newspaper, they produce it in large quantities using a machine.
  [V n] He started to print his own posters to distribute abroad...
  [V n] The Slovene bank has printed a specimen bank note...
  [be V-ed prep/adv] Our brochure is printed on environmentally-friendly paper...
  [V-ed] We found that television and radio gave rise to far fewer complaints than did the printed media.
  Derived words:
  printing N-UNCOUNT oft N n His brother ran a printing and publishing company. ...stocks of paper and printing ink.
PHRASAL VERB
In American English, print up means the same as print. V P n (not pron) Community workers here are printing up pamphlets for peace demonstrations... have/get n V-ed P Hey, I know what, I'll get a bumper sticker printed up.
2) VERB If a newspaper or magazine prints a piece of writing, it includes it or publishes it.
  [V n] We can only print letters which are accompanied by the writer's name and address.
  [V-ed] ...a questionnaire printed in the magazine recently. [Also be V-ed in n]
  Syn:
  published
3) VERB If numbers, letters, or designs are printed on a surface, they are put on it in ink or dye using a machine. You can also say that a surface is printed with numbers, letters, or designs.
  [V-ed] ...the number printed on the receipt...
  [V n on n] The company has for some time printed its phone number on its products...
  [be V-ed with n] The shirts were printed with a paisley pattern...
  [be V-ed prep/adv] `Ecu' was printed in lower case rather than capital letters. [Also V n, V prep/adv]
4) N-COUNT A print is a piece of clothing or material with a pattern printed on it. You can also refer to the pattern itself as a print.
  Her mother wore one of her dark summer prints...
  In this living room we've mixed glorious floral prints.
  ...multi-coloured print jackets.
5) VERB When you print a photograph, you produce it from a negative.
  [V n onto/from n] Printing a black-and-white negative on to colour paper produces a similar monochrome effect...
  [V n onto/from n] I selected two negatives to print from. [Also V n]
6) N-COUNT A print is a photograph from a film that has been developed.
  ...black and white prints of Margaret and Jean as children.
  ...35mm colour print films.
  Syn:
  photo
7) N-COUNT A print of a cinema film is a particular copy or set of copies of it.
  First released in 1957, the movie now appears in a new print.
8) N-COUNT A print is one of a number of copies of a particular picture. It can be either a photograph, something such as a painting, or a picture made by an artist who puts ink on a prepared surface and presses it against paper.
  ...12 original copper plates engraved by William Hogarth for his famous series of prints.
9) N-UNCOUNT Print is used to refer to letters and numbers as they appear on the pages of a book, newspaper, or printed document.
  ...columns of tiny print...
  Laser printers are popular because of their high quality print and silent working.
10) ADJ: ADJ n The print media consists of newspapers and magazines, but not television or radio.
  I have been convinced that the print media are more accurate and more reliable than television.
  ...print journalists.
  Ant:
  broadcasting
11) VERB If you print words, you write in letters that are not joined together and that look like the letters in a book or newspaper.
  [V n] Print your name and address on a postcard and send it to us.
  Syn:
  write
12) N-COUNT You can refer to a mark left by someone's foot as a print.
  He crawled from print to print, sniffing at the earth, following the scent left in the tracks.
  ...boot prints.
  Syn:
  footprint
13) N-COUNT: usu pl You can refer to invisible marks left by someone's fingers as their prints.
  Fresh prints of both girls were found in the flat.
  Syn:
  fingerprint
14) → See also printing
15) PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR If you appear in print, or get into print, what you say or write is published in a book, newspaper, or magazine.
  Many of these poets appeared in print only long after their deaths...
  There was no immediate prospect of the diaries getting into print.
16) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR If a book is in print, copies of it are still being produced.
  Many of their books have been in print for nearly 40 years.
  Ant:
  out of print
17) PHRASE: v-link PHR If a book is out of print, copies of it are no longer being produced.
  I believe the book is now out of print, but it can easily be borrowed from libraries.
  Ant:
  in print
18) PHRASE The small print or the fine print of something such as an advertisement or a contract consists of the technical details and legal conditions, which are often printed in much smaller letters than the rest of the text.
  I'm looking at the small print; I don't want to sign anything that I shouldn't sign...
  The US embassy says the fine print needs to be worked out on the trade agreement between the United States and the European Community.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

patterns and shapes

0

expense

expense [noun]

the use of money, time, or effort

US

/ɪkˈspens/

UK

/ɪkˈspens/

Example:

We've just had a new garage built at great expense.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

expense

ex‧pense S3 W2 /ɪkˈspens/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑expenditure, ↑expense, expenses; verb: ↑expend; adverb: ↑expensively ≠ ↑inexpensively; adjective: ↑expensive ≠ ↑inexpensive]
1. [uncountable and countable] the amount of money that you spend on something:
He borrowed £150,000 and used the money for legal expenses.
Conference rooms were equipped at great expense.
2. expenses money that you spend on things such as travel and food while you are doing your job, and which your employer then pays to you
on expenses
Can you claim this meal on expenses?
3. at the expense of somebody/something if something is done at the expense of someone or something else, it is only achieved by doing something that could harm the other person or thing:
the growth in short breaks, at the expense of longer package holidays
4. at sb’s expense
a) if you do something at someone’s expense, they pay for you to do it:
Her mansion was refurnished at taxpayers’ expense.
b) if you make jokes at someone’s expense, you laugh about them and make them seem stupid or silly:
Louis kept making jokes at his wife’s expense.
5. all expenses paid having all of your costs for hotels, travel, meals etc paid for by someone else:
The prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to Rio.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + expense
▪ the extra/additional expense Is it worth the extra expense to get a room with a sea view?
▪ an unnecessary expense Paying extra for leather seats seemed like an unnecessary expense.
▪ living expenses (=money that you spend on rent, food, and things such as electricity, gas etc) She receives £80 a week, from which she must pay for all her living expenses.
▪ operating expenses (=money that a company spends on running its business) We must reduce our operating expenses.
▪ legal/medical expenses We had to get a loan to pay for my husband’s medical expenses. | The tenant can incur considerable legal expenses.
▪ household expenses (=money spent looking after a house and the people in it) Unfortunately, household expenses don’t go away just because you’re in hospital or out of work.
▪ funeral expenses (=the cost of arranging a funeral) She had a small insurance policy to cover the funeral expenses.
■ phrases
▪ at great/huge/considerable/vast expense (=used when saying that something costs a lot of money) The tiles were imported at great expense from Italy. | Recently, and at vast expense to the taxpayer, the bridge was rebuilt.
▪ at your own expense (=used when saying that you pay for something yourself) He had copies of the book printed at his own expense.
▪ at (the) public expense (=paid for by the public through taxes) The bridge was built at public expense.
▪ go to the expense of doing something (=do something that costs a lot of money) The council must now decide whether to go to the expense of appealing through the courts.
▪ spare no expense (in doing something) (=spend a lot of money to buy the best things) Her parents spared no expense in arranging the wedding. | Everything has been provided tonight – no expense has been spared!
■ verbs
▪ incur an expense formal (=have to pay for something) Potential buyers incur the expense of a survey and legal fees.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ NOUN + expenses
▪ travel/travelling expenses The company will pay the travelling expenses involved in getting to and from the meeting.
▪ entertainment/business expenses The president receives an unspecified allowance for business and entertainment expenses.
▪ relocation/moving expenses Successful candidates will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes relocation expenses if needed.
■ verbs
▪ pay sb’s expenses They agreed to pay my travel expenses and initial accommodation costs.
▪ claim expenses (=officially ask your employer to pay you back money that you have spent while doing your job) If you have to stay overnight, you will be able to claim any expenses back.
▪ reimburse sb’s expenses (=pay the money someone has spent for business purposes back to them) Your expenses will usually be reimbursed within one month of receiving the claim.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

expense

ex·pense [expense expenses] [ɪkˈspens] [ɪkˈspens] noun
1. uncountable the money that you spend on sth
• The garden was transformed at great expense.
• No expense was spared (= they spent as much money as was needed) to make the party a success.
• He's arranged everything, no expense spared.
• She always travels first-class regardless of expense.

• The results are well worth the expense.

2. countable, usually singular something that makes you spend money

• Running a car is a big expense.

3. expenses plural money spent in doing a particular job, or for a particular purpose
• living/household/medical/legal, etc. expenses
• Can I give you something towards expenses?
• financial help to meet the expenses of an emergency

• The payments he gets barely cover his expenses.

4. expenses plural money that you spend while you are working and which your employer will pay back to you later
• You can claim back your travelling/travel expenses.
• (BrE) to take a client out for a meal on expenses
• an all-expenses-paid trip
more at expense, money, etc. is no object at object _n.
Idioms: at somebody's expense ▪ at the expense of somebody ▪ go to a lot of expense ▪ go to the expense of of doing something ▪ put somebody to a lot of expense ▪ put somebody to the expense of of doing something
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French, alteration of Old French espense, from late Latin expensa (pecunia) ‘(money) spent’, from Latin expendere ‘pay out’, from ex- ‘out’ + pendere ‘weigh, pay’.
Thesaurus:
expense noun
1. U, C, usually sing.
• They had the house redecorated at great expense.
price • • cost •
the considerable/enormous expense/cost
increase/reduce the expense/price/cost
2. pl.
• You can claim back your travel expenses.
costs • • spending • • expenditure • • outlay • |especially BrE overheads • |especially AmE overhead •
increase/reduce expenses/costs/spending/expenditure/the outlay/overheads
control/cover/cut expenses/costs/spending/expenditure/overheads
meet expenses/costs/expenditure/overheads
incur expenses/costs/expenditure
Synonyms:
costs
spending • expenditure • expenses • overheads • outlay
These are all words for money spent by a government, an organization or a person.
costs • the total amount of money that needs to be spent by a business: ▪ labour/production costs ◊ ▪ rising costs
spending • the amount of money that is spent, especially by a government or an organization: ▪ public spending ◊ ▪ More spending on health was promised.
expenditure • (rather formal) an amount of money spent by a government, an organization or a person: ▪ expenditure on education
expenses • money that has to be spent by a person or an organization; money that you spend while you are working which your employer will pay back to you later: ▪ legal expenses ◊ ▪ travel expenses
overhead(s) • the regular costs of running a business or organization, such as rent, electricity and wages: ▪ High overheads mean small profit margins.
outlay • the money that you have to spend in order to start a new business or project, or in order to save yourself money or time later: ▪ The best equipment is costly but is well worth the outlay.
spending/expenditure/outlay on sth
high/low costs/spending/expenditure/expenses/overheads
total costs/spending/expenditure/expenses/overheads/outlay
capital costs/spending/expenditure/expenses/outlay
household costs/spending/expenditure/expenses
government/public/education/health costs/spending/expenditure
to increase/reduce costs/spending/expenditure/expenses/overheads/the outlay
Synonyms:
price
cost • value • expense • worth
These words all refer to the amount of money that you have to pay for sth.
price • the amount of money that you have to pay for an item or service: ▪ house prices ◊ ▪ How much are these? They don't have a price on them. ◊ ▪ I can't afford it ▪ at that price ▪.
cost • the amount of money that you need in order to buy, make or do sth: ▪ A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80 000.
value • how much sth is worth in money or other goods for which it can be exchanged: ▪ The winner will receive a prize ▪ to the value of ▪ £1 000.
Especially in British English, value can also mean how much sth is worth compared with its price: ▪ This restaurant is excellent value ▪ (= is worth the money it costs) ▪.
price, cost or value?
The price is what sb asks you to pay for an item or service: ▪ to ask/charge a high price ◊ to ask/charge a high cost/value. Obtaining or achieving sth may have a cost; the value of sth is how much other people would be willing to pay for it: ▪ house prices ◊ ▪ the cost of moving house ◊ ▪ The house now has a market value of one million pounds.
expense • the money that you spend on sth; sth that makes you spend money: ▪ The garden was transformed ▪ at great expense ▪. ◊ ▪ Running a car is a big expense.
worth • the financial value of sb/sth: ▪ He has a personal net worth of $10 million.
Worth is more often used to mean the practical or moral value of sth.
the high price/cost/value
the real/true price/cost/value/worth
to put/set a price/value on sth
to increase/reduce the price/cost/value/expense
to raise/double/lower the price/cost/value
to cut the price/cost
Example Bank:
• He was given a sum of money to cover his travel expenses.
• I think we deserve a night out on expenses.
• Insurance is an ongoing expense.
• It emerged that they had received free first-class travel at the taxpayer's expense.
• Look for a fund with low expenses.
• Medical expenses can be quite high if you are not insured.
• Meetings, and the time for them, are a considerable management expense.
• My expenses are constantly rising and my income stays the same.
• Net interest expense increased to $5.9 million from $4.1 million.
• No expense was spared to make the party a success.
• No expense was spared= they spent as much money as was needed to make the party a success.
• Operating expenses rose by more than 23% last year.
• Put the cost of the meal on your expense account.
• Relocated employees received grants towards incidental expenses like buying carpets.
• Save the expense of calling out a plumber by learning some of the basics yourself.
• She had to meet the expense herself.
• Start keeping track of deductible expenses such as charitable contributions.
• The accommodation package includes admission to the golf course at no extra expense.
• The bridge was built at public expense.
• The garden was transformed at great expense.
• The guides are unpaid except for basic expenses.
• The process turned out to be a significant capital expense.
• They are claiming expenses for travel and meals.
• They had to repair the damage at their own expense.
• Total employee expenses were up about 6%.
• We will recoup our expenses within 24 months.
• When it came to the wedding, no expense was spared.
• You can claim back the tax on legitimate business expenses.
• You can expect to receive compensation for all expenses arising out of the accident.
• You can reduce your expenses by selling your old car at a good price.
• You will have to pay income tax on the rent you receive, although you can deduct expenses such as insurance.
• You will receive expense reimbursement for up to $5 000 for legal representation.
• Your monthly housing expense should not be greater than 28% of your income.
• a claim large enough to justify the expense of insurance policy premiums
• a commercial traveller staying at the hotel on expenses
• a two-day, all expenses paid trip to London
• in an effort to reduce expenses and boost profits
• your ongoing expenses such as your employees' salaries
• He's arranged everything: no expense spared.
• The real expense of the trip was the flights.

• We were taken out for a meal at the company's expense.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

expense

ex·pense /ɪkˈspɛns/ noun, pl -pens·es
1 [noncount] : the amount of money that is needed to pay for or buy something
• I'd like to save the time and expense [=cost] of redoing the whole thing.
• I don't think a first-class ticket is worth the added/extra expense.
- often used after at
• These items were imported at great/considerable/enormous expense. [=it cost a lot to import them]
• We were able to fix the problem at very little expense. [=for very little money]
• The repairs were made at no expense to us. [=without costing us anything]
- see also at someone's expense (below)
✦If you spare no expense, you spend as much money as you need to in order to make something as good as possible.
• When they go on vacation, they spare no expense.
• They spared no expense in building the house.
2 [count] : an amount of money that must be spent especially regularly to pay for something
• The annual fee is simply an expense of doing business.
- usually plural
• Their expenses [=expenditures] were getting far ahead of their income.
• We need to find a way to control expenses.
• cutting back on expenses
• legal/medical/household expenses [=costs]
• I'm concerned about the project's hidden expenses.
• You'll have to pay your own travel/traveling expenses.
• an all-expenses paid trip [=a journey for which all costs are already paid]
3 [count] : something on which money is spent
• A new car is a major expense.
• My new computer was a business expense. [=something I had to buy in order to do business]
at someone's expense
1 : paid for by someone
• a fancy dinner at my parents' expense
• a stadium built at the taxpayers' expense = a stadium built at taxpayer expense [=with money from taxes]
• The tour is free, but all meals are at your own expense. [=you must pay for your meals]
2
✦If someone makes a joke about you or laughs at you, the joke or laughter is said to be at your expense.
• Everyone had a good laugh at my expense.
at the expense of : in a way that harms (something or someone)
• Malls flourished at the expense of small stores downtown.
• She acquired power at the expense of friendships.
• He argues that the tax cut will benefit the rich at the expense of the poor.
go to (the) expense : to spend money on something
• Why go to the expense of installing something you'll never use?
• She went to great expense to have this party.

costs and expenses

0

means

means [noun] (MONEY)

money, for example from an income, that allows you to buy things

US

/miːnz/

UK

/miːnz/

Example:

He has the means to buy half the houses in the street if he wanted to.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

means

means S2 W2 /miːnz/ BrE AmE noun (plural means)
1. METHOD [countable] a way of doing or achieving something
means of
For most people, the car is still their main means of transport.
The only means of communication was sign language.
The window was our only means of escape.
Do you have any means of identification?
art as a means of expression
Homework should not be used as a means of controlling children.
I had no means of telling him I would be late.
Brian was prepared to use any means to get what he wanted.
They had entered the country by unlawful means.
the means by which performance is assessed
2. MONEY [plural] the money or income that you have
have the means to do something
I don’t have the means to support a family.
Paying for your children to go to a private school is beyond the means of most people (=too expensive for most people).
Try to live within your means (=only spending what you can afford).
His father was a man of means (=a rich man).
3. by all means! spoken used to mean ‘of course’ when politely allowing someone to do something or agreeing with a suggestion:
‘Can I bring Alan?’ ‘By all means!’
4. by no means/not by any means not at all:
It is by no means certain that the game will take place.
She’s not a bad kid, by any means.
5. by means of something formal using a particular method or system:
The blocks are raised by means of pulleys.
6. a means to an end something that you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important:
For Geoff, the job was simply a means to an end.
7. the means of production the material, tools, and equipment that are used in the production of goods
⇨ ways and means at ↑way¹(1)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ an effective/efficient means Speed bumps are an effective means of stopping cars from going too fast.
▪ a useful means Local radio is a useful means of advertising.
▪ the only means Then, horses and carts were the only means of transport available.
▪ the best means Is this really the best means of achieving our goal?
▪ an important means Surveys are an important means of gathering information.
▪ lawful/legal means Their protests will continue, but only by legal means.
▪ unlawful/illegal means He was accused of attempting to overthrow the government using unlawful means.
▪ unfair means Anyone trying to use unfair means in an examination will be reported to the University.
■ phrases
▪ a means of transport British English, a means of transportation American English (=a way of travelling, for example using a car, bus, bicycle etc) The tram is an efficient means of transport.
▪ a means of communication (=a way of talking to someone, for example by phone, writing etc) Newspapers are still an important means of communication.
▪ a means of expression (=a way of expressing your feelings or opinions) Music and art are important means of expression.
▪ a means of identification (=an official document that shows who you are) Do you have any means of identification?
▪ the means of production (=factories and equipment used for producing goods - used especially in Marxism) the class of people which owns the means of production
▪ the end justifies the means (=the result you achieve is more important than the way you do it) It’s too bad if people get hurt - the end justifies the means.
▪ a means to an end (=something you do only to achieve a result, not because you want to do it or because it is important) Many of the students saw the course as a means to an end: a way of getting a good job.
▪ (whether) by fair means or foul (=using unfair methods if necessary) They were determined to achieve victory, by fair means or foul.
■ verbs
▪ have no/any/some means of doing something There was no path, and they had no means of knowing where they were.
▪ use any/every means to do something (=use any method or many methods) He will use any means to get what he wants.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ method a way of doing something, especially one that is well known and often used: You can choose whichever method of payment you prefer. | an environmentally friendly method for treating household waste
▪ way a set of actions that you use in order to do something. Way is more informal than method and is used more often in everyday English: What’s the best way to remove wine stains? | a new way of treating the disease | There are lots of ways of cooking mushrooms.
▪ means something that you use to do something or achieve something: Their main means of transport is their car. | E-mail is often the most convenient means of communication. | He looked around for a means of escape. | Education and training are the most efficient means of improving the nation’s economy.
▪ approach a way of dealing with a particular problem or situation, especially a way that has been carefully thought about or planned: Today’s approach to raising children is very different from 40 years ago. | I think we need to try a different approach.
▪ technique a particular way of doing something, for which you need a skill that has to be learned and practised: tips on how to improve your exam technique | More patients are surviving thanks to improved surgical techniques.
▪ tactics methods that you use in order to achieve what you want, especially in a game or competition: There were complaints about police tactics used to clear demonstrators. | The team was discussing tactics for the game.
▪ strategy a set of carefully planned methods for achieving something that is difficult and may take a long time: our sales strategy | a strategy to reduce the level of teenage smoking
▪ mode formal a particular way of doing something: For him, painting is just another mode of expression. | You can choose between several different modes of operation. | the most efficient mode of transportation | Withdrawing a child from class is still the preferred mode of providing extra help to that child.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

means

means [miːnz] [miːnz] noun (pl. means)
1. countable ~ (of sth/of doing sth) an action, an object or a system by which a result is achieved; a way of achieving or doing sth
• Television is an effective means of communication.
• Is there any means of contacting him?
• Have you any means of identification?

• We needed to get to London but we had no means of transport.

2. plural the money that a person has
• People should pay according to their means.
• He doesn't have the means to support a wife and child.
• Private school fees are beyond the means of most people (= more than they can afford).
• Are the monthly repayments within your means (= can you afford them)?
• Try to live within your means (= not spend more money than you have).
• a man of means (= a rich man)
more at the end justifies the means at end _n., by fair means or foul at fair _adj., ways and means at way _n.
Idioms: by all means ▪ by means of something ▪ by no means ▪ means to an end ▪ not by any means
Word Origin:
late Middle English: plural of mean (noun), the early sense being ‘intermediary’.
Thesaurus:
means [means] noun C
• TV is a highly effective means of communication.
method • • way • • system • • mechanism • • technique • • process •
a means/method/system/mechanism/technique/process for (doing) sth
a means/way/method/system/technique of (doing) sth
use a means/method/system/technique/process
devise/develop a means/method/way/system/technique/process
Example Bank:
• Eligibility for the benefit was determined by a means test.
• Gold has been the preferred means of exchange for centuries.
• He saw his education merely as a means to an end.
• In the case of torture, the end can never justify the means.
• Infringement of copyright includes distribution by electronic means.
• My English teacher provided me with the means to enjoy reading poetry.
• Oil lamps were the sole means of illumination.
• Painting had become his primary means of self-expression.
• Private school fees are beyond the means of most people.
• She finds it difficult to live within her means.
• She must have independent means to live in such style.
• The stone was lifted by means of a rope and pulley.
• There are ways and means of raising money.
• They cannot achieve their goal through legal means.
• War is famously ‘the continuation of policy by other means’.
• We have no means of knowing how they will react.
• We will use every possible means to achieve our objective.
• a means of access/communication/transport
• a means of getting what you want
• an effective means of mass communication
• people who lack visible means of support
• the means for achieving happiness
• Do you have any means of identification?
• He did not have the means to support a family.
• I don't believe that in this case the means justified the end.
• People should pay according to their means.
• TV is a highly effective means of communication.
• The study aims to provide a means of testing the theory.
• Try to live within your means.
• We must look for an alternative means of escape.
• We will use whatever means are necessary.
• What means of transport did they use?

• a man/woman of means

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

means

means /ˈmiːnz/ noun, pl means
1 [count] : a way of doing something or of achieving a desired result
• trains, buses, and other means of transportation
• a means of communication/expression
• using fingerprints as a means of identification
• “What's the best means of getting there?” “Public transportation.”
• The property was obtained by illegal means.
• He vowed that he would succeed by any means necessary. [=by doing whatever was needed]
• He would use all/any manner of means to succeed.
• For her, marrying a rich man was just a means to an end. [=something done only to produce a desired result] All she really cared about was money.
• How can she survive when she has no visible means of support? [=she has no apparent way to pay for the things that she needs to live]
- see also ways and means the end justifies the means at ¹end
2 [plural] : the money that someone has : wealth
• He has the means to give you everything you want.
• His means are enough to pay for college.
• a man/woman of means [=a wealthy man/woman]
• She is a woman of independent means. [=she has enough money to support herself without help from others]
• He enjoys a style of living that is beyond the means of all but the wealthiest people. [=that only the wealthiest people can afford]
• She was living beyond her means. [=she was spending more money than she could afford to spend]
• He began to save money when he finally learned to live within his means. [=to spend money only on what he could afford]
by all means : of course : certainly
• “May I come in?” “By all means!”
• By all means feel free to get a second opinion.
by means of : through the use of (something)
• He got out of trouble by means of a clever trick.
by no means or not by any means also not by any manner of means : in no way : not at all
• It's by no means certain that he'll come. = It's not by any means certain that he'll come.
• This is by no means the first time we have had this problem.
• I was not happy about the arrangements by any means, but I agreed to do it.
• This issue has not been resolved yet by any manner of means.

0

genius

genius [noun]

very great and rare natural ability or skill, especially in a particular area such as science or art, or a person who has this

US

/ˈdʒiː.ni.əs/

UK

/ˈdʒiː.ni.əs/

Example:

Einstein was a (mathematical) genius.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

genius

ge‧ni‧us /ˈdʒiːniəs/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: 'spirit who guards a person or place', from gignere; ⇨ ↑genital]
1. [uncountable] a very high level of intelligence, mental skill, or ability, which only a few people have:
The film reveals Fellini’s genius.
work/writer/man etc of genius
Wynford was an architect of genius.
a stroke of genius (=a very clever idea)
At the time, his appointment seemed a stroke of genius.
a work of pure genius
2. [countable] someone who has an unusually high level of intelligence, mental skill, or ability:
Freud was a genius.
musical/comic/mathematical etc genius
a genius at (doing) something
My father was a genius at storytelling.
3. a genius for (doing) something special skill at doing something:
That woman has a genius for organization.
Warhol’s genius for publicity
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ skill [uncountable and countable] an ability to do something well, especially because you have learned and practised it: He plays the piano with great skill. | communication/language/computer etc skills | The course will help you improve your communication skills.
▪ talent [uncountable and countable] a natural ability to do something well which can be developed with practice: She was a young artist with a lot of talent. | She showed a talent for acting from an early age. | He is a man of many talents.
▪ genius [uncountable] very great ability, which only a few people have: The opera shows Mozart’s genius as a composer. | Picasso was a painter of genius.
▪ gift [countable] a natural ability to do something very well, which you were born with: You can see that he has a gift for the game. | Winterson has great gifts as a writer.
▪ flair [singular, uncountable] skill for doing something, especially something that needs imagination and creativity: The job does require some creative flair. | She has a flair for languages.
▪ expertise [uncountable] specialized knowledge of a technical subject, which you get from experience of doing that type of work: The technical expertise for building the dam is being provided by a US company.
▪ a/the knack /næk/ [singular] informal a special skill for doing a particular thing, especially a simple everyday thing: Breadmaking is easy once you get the knack. | He has a knack for making people feel relaxed.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

genius

ge·nius [genius geniuses genii] [ˈdʒiːniəs] [ˈdʒiːniəs] noun (pl. ge·niuses)
1. uncountable unusually great intelligence, skill or artistic ability
• the genius of Shakespeare
• a statesman of genius

• Her idea was a stroke of genius.

2. countable a person who is unusually intelligent or artistic, or who has a very high level of skill, especially in one area
• a mathematical/comic, etc. genius
• He's a genius at organizing people.

• You don't have to be a genius to see that they are in love!

3. singular ~ for sth/for doing sth a special skill or ability
• He had a genius for making people feel at home.
Idiom: somebody's good genius
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin, attendant spirit present from one's birth, innate ability or inclination, from the root of gignere ‘beget’. The original sense ‘spirit attendant on a person’ gave rise to a sense ‘a person's characteristic disposition’ (late 16th cent.), which led to a sense ‘a person's natural ability’, and finally ‘exceptional natural ability’ (mid 17th cent.).
Thesaurus:
genius noun C
• He was a comic genius.
prodigy • • brain • • mastermind •
Opp: dunce
the genius/brains/mastermind behind sth
a true/child genius/prodigy
a great/scientific genius/brain
Example Bank:
• In a flash of pure genius, she realized the answer to the problem.
• It was a stroke of genius on my part to avoid such awkward questions.
• She has a genius for sorting things out.
• a work which shows real genius
• a writer of genius
• his genius for pinpointing the absurd
• He was a man of great genius.
• He was undoubtedly the greatest comic genius of his age.
• In flash of pure genius, the answer came to her.
• It's undoubtedly a work of genius.
• She was at the peak of her creative genius.
• She's a genius at getting things organized.
• Some people say that there is only ever one true genius born in each generation.
• That was a stroke of genius.
• You don't have to be a genius to see that this plan is not going to work.

• You're an absolute genius!
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Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

skill - talent and ability

C1 (Advanced)

0

stupidity

stupidity [noun]

the state of being silly or unwise

US

/stuːˈpɪd.ə.t̬i/

UK

/stjuːˈpɪd.ə.ti/

Example:

Her stupidity is beyond belief sometimes.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

stupid and silly behaviour

C2 (Proficient)