verb

II. care² S1 W2 BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑care, ↑carer; adjective: ↑careful ≠ ↑careless, ↑caring ≠ UNCARING; verb: ↑care; adverb: ↑carefully ≠ ↑carelessly]
1. to think that something is important, so that you are interested in it, worried about it etc
care about
The only thing he seems to care about is money.
care what/how/whether etc
She didn’t care what her father thought.
‘He looked angry.’ ‘I don’t care!’
2. to be concerned about what happens to someone, because you like or love them ⇨ caring
care about
I care about him and hate to see him hurt like this.
She felt that nobody cared.
3. who cares? spoken used to say that something does not worry or upset you because it is not important:
It’s rather old and scruffy, but who cares?
4. see if I care! spoken used when you are angry or upset, to say that you do not care about what someone will do:
Go with William, then – see if I care!
5. somebody couldn’t care less spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about something:
I really couldn’t care less what you think!
6. what does somebody care? spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about something:
What do I care? It’s your responsibility now!
7. as if I cared! spoken used to say that something is not important to you at all:
As if I cared whether he comes with us or not!
8. for all somebody cares spoken used when you are angry that someone does not seem concerned about someone or something:
We could be starving for all they care!
9. not care to do something old-fashioned to not like doing something:
She doesn’t care to spend much time with her relatives.
I wouldn’t care to meet him in a dark alley!
I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (=a lot of them).
10. any ... you care to name/mention any thing of a particular kind:
Virtually any piece of equipment you care to name can be hired these days.
11. would you care to do something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely whether they want to do something:
Would you care to join us for dinner?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ take care of somebody (also look after somebody especially British English) to make sure a child or an old or sick person is safe and has the things they need: I have to look after my little brother. | Taking care of a baby is hard work. | She is taking care of her grandmother while her grandfather is in hospital.
▪ care for somebody to take care of someone. Care for somebody is less common and more formal than take care of/look after somebody: He was cared for by a team of nurses. | Caring for an elderly relative can be very rewarding.
▪ nurse to look after someone who is ill: He nursed his wife through a long illness. | The monks nursed him back to health (=looked after him until he was well again).
▪ babysit to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere: I’ll ask Jane to babysit on Wednesday night. | He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights.
▪ mind British English to look after a child while their parents are not there, especially for a short time: Will you mind the baby while I go to the shop?
care for somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to look after someone who is not able to look after themselves SYN take care of:
He thanked the nurses who had cared for him.
The children are well cared for.
2. to do things that keep something in good condition:
Instructions on caring for your new sofa are included.
3. would you care for something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely if they would like something:
Would you care for another drink?
4. not care for somebody/something formal to not like someone or something:
I don’t much care for his parents.

realize

rea‧lize S1 W1 BrE AmE (also realise British English) /ˈrɪəlaɪz/ verb [transitive not usually in progressive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑realism, ↑realist, ↑reality, ↑unreality, ↑realization; adverb: ↑real, ↑really, ↑realistically ≠ ↑unrealistically; adjective: ↑real, ↑unreal, ↑realistic ≠ ↑unrealistic; verb: ↑realize]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: réaliser, from Old French real; ⇨ ↑real¹]
1. UNDERSTAND to know and understand something, or suddenly begin to understand it
realize (that)
I suddenly realized that the boy was crying.
Do you realize you’re an hour late?
realize who/what/how etc
I’m sorry, I didn’t realize who you were.
It took us a while to realize the extent of the tragedy.
It was only later that I realized my mistake.
► Do not say that you ‘realize about/of something’. Say that you realize something.
2. ACHIEVE formal to achieve something that you were hoping to achieve:
She never realized her ambition of winning an Olympic gold medal.
a young singer who has not yet realized her full potential (=achieved as much as she can achieve)
3. sb’s worst fears were realized used to say that the thing that you were most afraid of has actually happened:
His worst fears were realized when he heard that Chris had been arrested.
4. MONEY
a) formal to obtain or earn an amount of money:
The campaign realized $5000.
We realized a small profit on the sale of the house.
b) realize an asset technical to change something that you own into money by selling it
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ realize to begin to understand, notice, or know something that you did not understand etc before: I hadn’t realized that Ben was his brother. | She suddenly realized who the man in the photograph was.
▪ become aware to gradually realize that something is happening or is true, over a period of time: He slowly became aware that he was not alone | People are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of cars on the environment.
▪ dawn on somebody if something dawns on you, you realize it for the first time – often used in the phrase it dawned on somebody: It dawned on me that he could be lying. | It only dawned on her that she was in danger when she saw rescue workers running away from the building. | He thought about the dream for a long time before its meaning began to dawn on him.
▪ sink in if something sinks in, you begin to realize its full meaning or importance, especially gradually: It took a few minutes for the doctor’s words to sink in. | The reality of what I had done slowly began to sink in.
▪ hit if a fact hits you, you suddenly understand it and how important it is: It hit me one day that he didn’t care. He’d talk when I phoned him, but he’d never call me.
▪ strike if an idea or thought strikes you, you suddenly think of it: It suddenly struck her what a risk she was taking. | A thought has just struck me - there must be other people with the same problem.

recognize

rec‧og‧nize S1 W1 BrE AmE (also recognise British English) /ˈrekəɡnaɪz, ˈrekən-/ verb [transitive]
[Word Family: verb: ↑recognize; noun: ↑recognition; adverb: ↑recognizably; adjective: ↑recognizable ≠ ↑unrecognizable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: reconoistre, from Latin recognoscere, from cognoscere 'to know']
1. [not in progressive] to know who someone is or what something is, because you have seen, heard, experienced, or learned about them in the past:
I didn’t recognize you in your uniform.
It was malaria, but Dr Lee hadn’t recognized the symptoms.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often say that they know (that) it is someone or something rather than say they recognize them:
▪ I knew it was her by the hat she was wearing.
2. to officially accept that an organization, government, document etc has legal or official authority:
British medical qualifications are recognized in Canada.
recognize something as something
The World Health Organization has recognized alcoholism as a disease since 1951.
3. to accept or admit that something is true
recognize (that)
One must recognise that homesickness is natural.
recognize what/how/who etc
It is important to recognize how little we know about this disease.
4. [usually in passive] if something is recognized by people, they realize that it is important or very good:
Alexander tried to get his work recognized by the medical profession.
be recognized as something
Lawrence’s novel was eventually recognized as a work of genius.
a recognized authority on Roman pottery
5. to officially and publicly thank someone for something they have done, by giving them a special honour:
He was recognized for having saved many lives.
—recognizable /ˈrekəɡnaɪzəbəl, -kən- ˌrekəɡˈnaɪ-/ adjective:
His face was instantly recognizable.
—recognizably adverb
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ recognize to know who someone is or what something is, especially because you have seen or heard them before: I hadn’t seen her for ten years, but I recognized her immediately. | Do you recognize this song?
▪ identify to recognize someone or something and say who or what they are: As they came closer, I was able to identify two of the group. | It’s delicious but I can’t quite identify the taste.
▪ distinguish to recognize and understand the difference between two or more things or people: By this age, kids can usually distinguish between right and wrong. | It’s often difficult to distinguish identical twins from each other.
▪ make something/somebody out to be able to see or hear something or someone – used when it is very difficult to do this: In the distance, I could just make out the outline of an island. | He whispered something but I couldn’t make out what it was.
▪ discern /dɪˈsɜːn $ -ɜːrn/ formal to notice or understand something by looking carefully or thinking about it carefully: I thought I discerned a faint gleam of hope in his eyes. | A number of differences can be discerned in the data for the three countries.
▪ know to recognize someone or something. Know is often used in everyday English instead of recognize: How do you know that it is real gold? | I know him from somewhere. | I can’t remember his name, but I know his face.
▪ can tell to be able to recognize someone or something: I could tell that it was him by his voice. | Can you tell that it’s not real leather? | It’s difficult to be able to tell them apart (=to recognize that they are different).

wilt

I. wilt¹ /wɪlt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
1. if a plant wilts, it bends over because it is too dry or old ⇨ droop
2. informal to feel weak or tired, especially because you are too hot
II. wilt² BrE AmE verb old use
thou wilt you will

fumble

fum‧ble /ˈfʌmbəl/ BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language]
1. (also fumble around) [intransitive and transitive] to try to hold, move, or find something with your hands in an awkward way
fumble at/in/with
She dressed, her cold fingers fumbling with the buttons.
fumble for
I fumbled around in my bag for a cigarette.
She reached round to fumble the light on.
2. [intransitive and transitive] if you fumble with your words when you are speaking, you have difficulty saying something
fumble for
Asked for an explanation, Mike had fumbled for words.
The second candidate fumbled her lines.
3. [intransitive and transitive] to drop a ball after catching it:
Quarterback Rattay was hit and fumbled the ball.

II. trade² S3 W2 BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑trade, ↑trader, ↑trading; verb: ↑trade]
1. [intransitive and transitive] to buy and sell goods, services etc as your job or business
trade with
India began trading with Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries.
trade in
The company trades in silk, tea, and other items.
They had to travel into town to trade the produce from their farm.
2. [intransitive] British English to exist and operate as a business:
The firm now trades under the name Lanski and Weber.
cease trading (=stop being a business because you are bankrupt)
3. [transitive usually passive] to buy or sell something on the ↑stock exchange:
Over a million shares were traded today.
4. trade insults/blows etc to insult or hit each other during an argument or fight
5. [intransitive and transitive] especially American English to exchange something you have for something someone else has SYN swap British English:
We traded necklaces.
trade something with somebody
I wouldn’t mind trading jobs with her.
trade (somebody) something for something
I’ll trade you my camera for your drill.
trade at something phrasal verb
if shares etc trade at a particular price, they cost that amount to buy
trade down phrasal verb
to replace something you own with something cheaper, or buy a cheaper type of thing than before
trade down to
Many of their customers are trading down to cheaper cigarettes.
trade something ↔ in phrasal verb
to give something such as a car to the person you are buying a new one from, as part of the payment
trade something ↔ in for
He traded his old car in for a new model.
⇨ ↑trade-in
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ exchange to give something to someone, and receive a similar thing from them at the same time. Exchange is often used about people telling each other about their ideas, phone numbers, addresses etc: They exchanged photographs before they met. | a place where people can exchange ideas | We exchanged email addresses. | if you are unhappy with the jacket, you can always take it back and exchange it for another one. | These coupons can be exchanged for meals and accommodation.
▪ change to exchange something, especially money. Also used in British English about exchanging something you have bought for something different: I need to change some dollars. | She changed all her money into euros. | We thought it was time we changed our car for something more modern.
▪ swap (also do a swap British English) informal to give something to someone, who gives you something similar: The two schools use the Internet to swap pictures, stories, and jokes. | I like your room better – do you want to do a swap?
▪ trade (also do a trade American English) to exchange something that you have for something that someone else has: The stolen phones are being traded for drugs. | The boys trade sports cards on the playground. | We've got lots of plants we don't need – do you want to do a trade?
▪ switch to change the places of two or more people or things, so that each one is in the place the other was before: Can I switch seats with you?
▪ reciprocate to do or give something, because someone has done or given something similar to you – a rather formal use: They invited us to dinner a while ago, and I'd like to reciprocate.
▪ in exchange/return (for something) if you give something in exchange or in return for something else, you give it in order to get something else back: Williams will plead guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence.
trade something ↔ off phrasal verb
to balance one situation or quality against another, in order to produce an acceptable result
trade something ↔ off for/against
Companies are under pressure to trade off price stability for short-term gains.
⇨ ↑trade-off
trade on/upon something phrasal verb
to use a situation or someone’s kindness in order to get an advantage for yourself:
If you ask me, they’re just trading on Sam’s good nature.
trade up phrasal verb
to replace something you own with something better, or buy a better type of thing than before
trade up to/from
It also encourages existing home owners to trade up to larger accommodation.

II. store² S3 W3 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: estorer 'to build, supply, store', from Latin instaurare 'to make new, restore']
1. to put things away and keep them until you need them
store something away/up
Squirrels are storing up nuts for the winter.
Store the beans in an airtight jar.
2. to keep facts or information in your brain or a computer:
Standard letters can be stored on floppy discs.
3. store up trouble/problems etc to behave in a way that will cause trouble for you later:
Smokers may be storing up disease for their unborn children.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ keep to leave something in one particular place so that you can find it easily: Where do you keep the scissors? | The keys are kept in my office.
▪ store to put things away and keep them until you need them: Villagers have begun storing wood for the winter.
▪ save to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future: He had been saving the bottle of champagne for a special occasion. | We can save the rest of the pie for later.
▪ file to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular place: All the contracts are filed alphabetically.
▪ collect to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interesting: Kate collects old postcards.
▪ hold to keep something to be used when it is needed, especially something that many different people may need to use: Medical records are now usually held on computers.
▪ reserve formal to keep part of something for use at a later time during a process such as cooking: Reserve some of the chocolate so that you can use it for decorating the cake.
▪ hoard to keep large amounts of food, money etc because you think you may not be able to get them in the future – used when you do not approve of people doing this because it is not necessary or not fair to other people: People have been hoarding food and fuel in case there is another attack. | Rationing of basic food products was introduced to prevent hoarding.

buy

I. buy¹ S1 W1 /baɪ/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle bought /bɔːt $ bɒːt/)
[Language: Old English; Origin: bycgan]
1.
a) [intransitive and transitive] to get something by paying money for it OPP sell:
Where did you buy that dress?
Ricky showed her the painting he’d bought that morning.
buy somebody something
Let me buy you a drink.
buy something for somebody/something
The money will be used to buy equipment for the school.
buy (something) from somebody
It’s cheaper to buy direct from the manufacturer.
buy something for $10/£200 etc
Dan bought the car for $2,000.
It’s much cheaper to buy in bulk (=buy large quantities of something).
b) [transitive] if a sum of money buys something, it is enough to pay for it:
$50 doesn’t buy much these days.
buy somebody something
$15 should buy us a pizza and a drink.
2. buy (somebody) time to deliberately make more time for yourself to do something, for example by delaying a decision:
‘Can we talk about it later?’ he said, trying to buy a little more time.
3. [transitive] informal to believe something that someone tells you, especially when it is not likely to be true:
‘Let’s just say it was an accident.’ ‘He’ll never buy that.’
4. [transitive] informal to pay money to someone, especially someone in a position of authority, in order to persuade them to do something dishonest SYN bribe:
People say the judge had been bought by the Mafia.
5. buy something at the cost/expense/price of something to get something that you want, but only by losing something else:
The town has been careful not to buy prosperity at the expense of its character.
6. somebody bought it old-fashioned informal someone was killed
7. buy off-plan if you buy property off-plan, you buy a house, flat etc that is just starting to be built, with an arrangement to pay part of the cost of the property at that time and the balance when the property is finished
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ buy to pay money for something so that you can own it: I’ve just bought a new car. | The painting was bought by a museum in New York.
▪ purchase formal to buy something, especially something large or expensive, in a business deal or by a legal contract: They purchased 5,000 acres of land.
▪ acquire formal to become the owner of something large or expensive such as property, a company, or a valuable object: In 2007 the business was acquired by a Dutch company. | Television companies were then allowed to acquire more stations.
▪ get especially spoken to buy something, especially ordinary things such as food, clothes, or things for your house: Did you remember to get some bread? | I never know what to get Dad for his birthday.
▪ snap something up informal to buy something immediately, especially because it is very cheap, or because you want it very much and you are worried that someone else might buy it first: Real estate in the area is being snapped up by developers.
▪ pick something up informal to buy something, especially something ordinary such as food or a newspaper, or something that you have found by chance and are pleased about owning: Could you pick up some milk on your way home? | It’s just a little thing I picked up when I was in Kathmandu.
▪ stock up to buy a lot of something you use regularly, because you may not be able to buy it later, or because you are planning to use more of it than usual: The supermarkets are full of people stocking up for the New Year’s holiday. | We always stock up on cheap wine when we go to France. | Before the blizzard, we stocked up on food.
▪ splash out British English informal, splurge American English informal to buy something you would not usually buy, because it is too expensive, in order to celebrate an event or make yourself feel good: Why don’t you splash out on a new dress for the party? | We splurged on an expensive hotel for the last night of the vacation.
buy something ↔ in phrasal verb
to buy something in large quantities:
Companies are buying in supplies of paper, in case the price goes up.
buy into something phrasal verb
1. informal to accept that an idea is right and allow it to influence you:
I never bought into this idea that you have to be thin to be attractive.
2. to buy part of a business or organization, especially because you want to control it:
Investors were invited to buy into state-owned enterprises.
buy somebody ↔ off phrasal verb
to pay someone money to stop them causing trouble or threatening you SYN bribe
buy out phrasal verb
1. buy somebody/something ↔ out to buy someone’s share of a business or property that you previously owned together, so that you have complete control ⇨ ↑buyout
2. buy somebody out of something to pay money so that someone can leave an organization such as the army before their contract has ended
buy something ↔ up phrasal verb
to quickly buy as much of something as possible, for example land, tickets, or goods:
Much of the land was bought up by property developers.

dismiss

dis‧miss W3 /dɪsˈmɪs/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: dimissus, past participle of dimittere 'to send away']
1. to refuse to consider someone’s idea, opinion etc, because you think it is not serious, true, or important:
The government has dismissed criticisms that the country’s health policy is a mess.
dismiss something as something
He just laughed and dismissed my proposal as unrealistic.
It’s an idea that shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand (=dismissed immediately and completely).
2. to remove someone from their job SYN fire, sack
dismiss somebody from something
Bryant was unfairly dismissed from his post.
dismiss somebody for something
Employees can be dismissed for sending obscene emails.
REGISTER
In everyday British English, people usually say sack someone, and in everyday American English, people usually say fire someone, rather than use dismiss:
▪ He was sacked (BrE)/fired (AmE) for being late all the time.
3. formal to tell someone that they are allowed to go, or are no longer needed:
The class was dismissed early today.
4. if a judge dismisses a court case, he or she stops it from continuing:
The case was dismissed owing to lack of evidence.
5. to end the ↑innings of a player or team in the game of ↑cricket
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ dismiss an idea/suggestion Both actors dismissed any idea of a romantic relationship between them.
▪ dismiss a notion formal (=idea) The Minister dismissed the notion that he had cut petrol tax because of the forthcoming by-election.
▪ dismiss a possibility The Prime Minister dismissed the possibility of an early election.
▪ dismiss a claim An industrial tribunal dismissed his claim of unfair discrimination.
▪ dismiss an allegation/charge She claimed that she was honest and dismissed the allegations against her.
▪ dismiss a thought Was he lying? I tried to dismiss the thought.
▪ dismiss fears The Transport Minister dismissed fears that the Cotswold railway line would close.
▪ dismiss criticism He dismissed criticism of the country's human rights record.
■ adverbs
▪ easily/lightly (=without much thought) This is a question that cannot be dismissed lightly.
■ phrases
▪ dismiss something out of hand (=immediately, without thinking about it) It's an interesting idea so don't dismiss it out of hand.

create

cre‧ate S2 W1 AC /kriˈeɪt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑creation, ↑creativity, ↑creator, ↑creativeness; verb: ↑create, ↑recreate; adverb: ↑creatively; adjective: ↑creative ≠ UNCREATIVE]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: past participle of creare]
1. to make something exist that did not exist before:
Some people believe the universe was created by a big explosion.
Her behaviour is creating a lot of problems.
The new factory is expected to create more than 400 new jobs.
2. to invent or design something:
This dish was created by our chef Jean Richard.
Philip Glass created a new kind of music.
The software makes it easy to create colourful graphs.
3. create somebody something British English to officially give someone a special rank or title:
James I created him Duke of Buckingham.