noun

vow

vow [vow vows vowed vowing] noun, verb   [vaʊ]    [vaʊ]

noun
a formal and serious promise, especially a religious one, to do sth
• to make/take a vow
• to break/keep a vow
• to break your marriage vows
• Nuns take a vow of chastity.  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French vou, from Latin votum ‘a vow, wish’, from vovere ‘to vow’; the verb is from Old French vouer.  
Collocations:
Marriage and divorce
Romance
fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly) in love (with sb)
be/believe in/fall in love at first sight
be/find true love/the love of your life
suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love
have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for sb/sth
meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have/go on a (blind) date
be going out with/ (especially NAmE) dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman
move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner
Weddings
get/be engaged/married/divorced
arrange/plan a wedding
have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage
have/enter into an arranged marriage
call off/cancel/postpone your wedding
invite sb to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception
conduct/perform a wedding ceremony
exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows
congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple
be/go on honeymoon (with your wife/husband)
celebrate your first (wedding) anniversary
Separation and divorce
be unfaithful to/ (informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have an affair (with sb)
break off/end an engagement/a relationship
break up with/split up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend
separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife
annul/dissolve a marriage
apply for/ask for/go through/get a divorce
get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children
pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband) 
Example Bank:
• He took a lifelong vow of celibacy.
• Nothing will persuade me to break this vow.
• She decided to leave the convent before taking her final vows.
• She kept her vow of silence until she died.
• The couple exchanged vows at the altar.
• a vow of poverty
• As a priest he had taken a vow of celibacy.
• She made a vow never to speak to him again.
• She would not be unfaithful to her marriage vows.

• The monks take a vow of silence.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!
» About this dictionary, how to enable pronunciations,... click here to view details.

stupidity

stu·pid·ity [stupidity stupidities]   [stjuːˈpɪdəti]    [stuːˈpɪdəti]  noun (pl. stu·pid·ities)
1. uncountable, countable, usually plural behaviour that shows a lack of thought or good judgement
• I couldn't believe my own stupidity.
• the errors and stupidities of youth

• The police were astonished at the sheer stupidity of drivers in going so fast in the fog.

2. uncountable the state or quality of being slow to learn and not clever or intelligent
• He faked stupidity to try to escape punishment for the crime.  
Example Bank:
• Her answer showed the most incredible stupidity.
• I can't believe the stupidity of some people.
• I now realize the stupidity of that statement.
• It was sheer stupidity on the part of the crew.
• It's hard to know if it's corruption or just plain stupidity by the authorities.
• Through his own stupidity, he missed an excellent opportunity.
• I couldn't believe my own stupidity.

• The police were astonished at the sheer stupidity of drivers going so fast in the fog.

foundation

foun·da·tion AW [foundation foundations]   [faʊnˈdeɪʃn]    [faʊnˈdeɪʃn]  noun

1. countable, usually plural a layer of bricks, concrete, etc. that forms the solid underground base of a building
• The builders are now beginning to lay the foundations of the new school.

• The explosion shook the foundations of the houses nearby.

2. countable, uncountable a principle, an idea or a fact that sth is based on and that it grows from
• Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage.
• The rumour is totally without foundation (= not based on any facts).

• These stories have no foundation (= are not based on any facts).

3. countable an organization that is established to provide money for a particular purpose, for example for scientific research or charity

• The money will go to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

4. uncountable the act of starting a new institution or organization
Syn:  establishment
• The organization has grown enormously since its foundation in 1955.

• She used the money to go towards the foundation of a special research group.

5. uncountable a skin-coloured cream that is put on the face underneath other make-up
Idioms: rock something to its foundations ▪ rock the foundations of something  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French fondation, from Latin fundatio(n-), from fundare ‘to lay a base for’, from fundus ‘bottom, base’.  
Thesaurus:
foundation noun
1. C, usually pl.
• They started to lay the foundations of the new school.
base • • bottom •
(a) firm/solid/strong foundations/base
have (a) foundations/base/bottom
2. C, usually sing.
• Friendship provides a solid foundation for marriage.
basis • • base •
the foundation/basis/base for/of sth
a/an ideological/intellectual/philosophical/theoretical/economic foundation/basis/base
form/have sth as/establish/use sth as a/the foundation/basis/base of sth
Foundation or basis? Foundation is often used to talk about larger and more important things than basis
• He laid the foundation of Japan's modern economy.
• These figures formed the basis of their pay claim.
 
Synonyms:
basis
foundation • base
These are all words for the ideas or facts that sth is based on.
basis • [usually sing.] a principle, an idea or a fact that supports sth and that it can develop from: ▪ This article will form the basis for our discussion.
foundation • [C, U] a principle, an idea or a fact that supports sth and that it develops from: ▪ Respect and friendship provide a solid foundation for marriage. ◊ ▪ The rumour is totally without foundation ▪ (= is not based on any facts) ▪.
basis or foundation?
Foundation is often used to talk about larger or more important things than basis: ▪ He laid the foundations of Japan 's modern economy. ◊ ▪ These figures formed the basis of their pay claim.
base • [usually sing.] an idea, a fact or a situation from which sth is developed: ▪ His arguments have a sound economic base.
a/the basis/foundation/base for/of sth
a secure/solid/sound/strong/weak basis/foundation/base
to form the basis/foundation/base of sth
to be without basis/foundation 
Synonyms:
bottom
base • foundation • foot
These are all words for the lowest part of sth.
bottom • [usually sing.] the lowest part of sth: ▪ Footnotes are given at the bottom of each page. ◊ ▪ I waited for them at the bottom of the hill.
base • [usually sing.] the lowest part of sth, especially the part or surface on which it rests or stands: ▪ The lamp has a heavy base.
foundation • [usually pl.] a layer of bricks, concrete, etc. that forms the solid underground base of a building: ▪ to ▪ lay the foundations ▪ of the new school
foot • [sing.] the lowest part of sth: ▪ At the foot of the stairs she turned to face him.
bottom or foot?
Foot is used to talk about a limited number of things: it is used most often with tree, hill/mountain, steps/stairs and page. Bottom can be used to talk about a much wider range of things, including those mentioned above for foot. Foot is generally used in more literary contexts.
at/near/towards the bottom/base/foot of sth
on the bottom/base of sth
(a) firm/solid/strong base/foundation(s) 
Example Bank:
• Concrete foundations have been laid.
• He believes terrorism undermines the very foundations of our society.
• In 1853 Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone of the new palace.
• Rumours of his resignation are entirely without foundation.
• The Fine Arts degree starts with a foundation year.
• The foundation stone was laid in 1911.
• The peace treaty rests on shaky foundations.
• The scandal rocked the legal establishment to its foundations.
• The thunder seemed to shake the very foundations of the building.
• They had dug too deep and undermined the foundations of the house.
• This agreement laid a sound foundation for future cooperation between the two countries.
• We now have a firm foundation to build on.
• a charitable foundation established in 1983
• a private foundation for sport and the arts
• an event which rocked the foundations of British politics
• digging trenches and laying concrete foundations
• malicious gossip which has no foundation
• malicious rumours which have no foundation
• providing a solid foundation for this new democracy
• He laid the foundation of Japan's modern economy.
• Many of the hospitals were originally established by religious foundations.
• The research centre was set up by a charitable foundation.
• The rumour is totally without foundation.

• Worship is the foundation of all the Church's activities.

brick

brick [brick bricks bricked bricking] noun, verb   [brɪk]    [brɪk] 

noun
1. countable, uncountable baked clay used for building walls, houses and other buildings; an individual block of this
• The school is built of brick.
• a pile of bricks
• a brick wall
see also  red-brick 

2. countable a plastic or wooden block, used as a toy for young children to build things with

3. countable, usually singular (old-fashioned, BrE, informal) a friend that you can rely on when you need help
• Thanks for looking after the children today - you're a real brick.
more at like a cat on hot bricks at  cat  _n., drop a brick/clanger at  drop  _v., be banging, etc. your head against a brick wall at  head  _n., like a ton of bricks at  ton  _n.  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch bricke, brike; probably reinforced by Old French brique; of unknown ultimate origin.  
Example Bank:
• He got a job at the local brick works.
• They moved the whole house, brick by brick.
• They put an extra course of bricks around the pool.
• We rebuilt the fireplace using salvaged bricks.
• a house of red brick
• houses of brick
• investing in bricks and mortar
• learning to lay bricks properly
• to invest in bricks and mortar
Idioms: bricks and mortar ▪ make bricks without straw ▪ up against a brick wall

Derived: brick something in