verb

wash

I. wash¹ S1 W3 /wɒʃ $ wɒːʃ, wɑːʃ/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑wash, ↑washer, ↑washing; adjective: ↑washable, ↑unwashed; verb: ↑wash]
[Language: Old English; Origin: wascan]
1. WASH SOMETHING [transitive] to clean something using water and a type of soap:
This shirt needs washing.
It’s your turn to wash the dishes.
2. WASH YOURSELF [intransitive and transitive] to clean your body with soap and water:
Amy washed and went to bed.
She had a hot bath and washed her hair.
I’m just going to wash my hands.
wash yourself
When a cat has finished eating, it often washes itself.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that someone has a wash (BrE) or washes up (AmE) rather than washes.
3. FLOW [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] if a river, sea etc washes somewhere, or if something carried by the river or sea is washed somewhere, it flows or moves there:
The waves washed against the shore.
The sea washed over her.
The young man was washed overboard (=pushed from a boat into the sea by the force of the water) in the storm.
The body was washed ashore (=brought to the shore by waves).
4. something doesn’t/won’t wash (with somebody) spoken used to say that you do not believe or accept someone’s explanation, reason, attitude etc:
I’m sorry but all his charm just doesn’t wash with me.
5. wash your hands of something to refuse to be responsible for something any more:
I’ve washed my hands of the whole affair.
6. wash your mouth out! spoken old-fashioned used to tell someone who has just sworn or said something rude that they should not have spoken that way
7. wash well to be easy to clean using soap and water:
Silk doesn’t wash well.
⇨ wash/air your dirty linen/laundry (in public) at ↑dirty¹(7)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ wash to clean something with soap and water: Our car needs washing. | Make sure that you wash your hands.
▪ do the washing British English, do the laundry American English to wash clothes that need to be washed: Did you do the laundry this morning? | I do the washing on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
▪ do the washing up British English (also wash up British English), do the dishes American English to wash all the cups, plates, knives etc that you have used during a meal: If you do the cooking tonight, I’ll do the washing up. | Who’s going to do the dishes?
▪ cleanse formal to make something completely clean, especially using a special substance: Carefully cleanse the cut to get rid of any grit or dirt.
▪ rinse to wash something with water in order to remove soap or dirt: I’ll just rinse the lettuce under the tap.
▪ scrub to make something very clean, using a stiff brush and water, or soap and water: Lou was on her knees, scrubbing the kitchen floor.
▪ mop to wash a floor with a wet ↑mop (=special stick with thick threads on the end): A cleaner mopped the floor between the beds.
wash something ↔ away phrasal verb
1. if water washes something away, it carries it away with great force:
Floods in Bangladesh have washed hundreds of homes away.
2. to get rid of unhappy feelings, thoughts, or memories:
My anxiety was washed away.
wash something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to clean something large using a lot of water:
Can you wash down the driveway?
2. to drink something with or after food or with medicine to help you swallow it
wash something ↔ down with
steak and chips washed down with red wine
wash off phrasal verb
1. wash something ↔ off to clean dirt, dust etc from the surface of something with water
2. if a substance washes off, you can remove it from the surface of something by washing:
Will this paint wash off?
wash out phrasal verb
1. wash something ↔ out to wash the inside of something quickly:
I’ll just wash out this vase for flowers.
2. if a substance washes out, you can remove it from a material by washing it:
a dye that won’t wash out
3. be washed out if an event is washed out, it cannot continue because of rain:
The summer fair was washed out by the English weather.
⇨ ↑washed-out, ↑washout
wash over somebody phrasal verb
1. if a feeling washes over you, you suddenly feel it very strongly:
A feeling of relief washed over her.
2. if you let something wash over you, you do not pay close attention to it:
She was content to let the conversation wash over her.
wash up phrasal verb
1. British English to wash plates, dishes, knives etc ⇨ ↑washing-up
2. American English to wash your hands:
Go wash up before dinner.
3. wash something ↔ up if waves wash something up, they carry it to the shore
wash something ↔ up on
His body was washed up on the beach the next morning. ⇨ ↑washed-up

blame

I. blame¹ S2 W3 /bleɪm/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: blamer, from Late Latin blasphemare; ⇨ blaspheme]
1. to say or think that someone or something is responsible for something bad:
Don’t blame me – it’s not my fault.
I blame his mother. She does everything for him.
blame somebody/something for something
Marie still blames herself for Patrick’s death.
The report blames poor safety standards for the accident.
The decision to increase interest rates was widely blamed (=blamed by many people) for the crisis.
blame something on somebody/something
One of the computers is broken and she’s blaming it on me.
The crash was blamed on pilot error.
2. somebody/something is to blame (for something) used to say that someone or something is responsible for something bad:
Officials believe that more than one person may be to blame for the fire.
partly/largely/entirely etc to blame
Television is partly to blame.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say something is someone's fault , rather than saying they are to blame:
▪ He was to blame for the accident. ➔ The accident was his fault.
3. I don’t blame you/you can hardly blame him etc spoken used to say that you think it was right or reasonable for someone to do what they did:
‘She’s left her husband.’ ‘I don’t blame her, after the way he treated her.’
You can hardly blame him for not waiting.
4. don’t blame me spoken used when you are advising someone not to do something but you think that they will do it in spite of your advice:
Buy it then, but don’t blame me when it breaks down.
5. somebody only has himself/herself to blame spoken used to say that someone’s problems are their own fault:
If he fails his exams, he’ll only have himself to blame.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ blame verb [transitive] to say or think that someone or something is responsible for something bad that has happened: Democrats have blamed Republicans for the failure to reach an agreement. | Police blamed bad weather for a series of accidents on the roads. | For many years I blamed myself for her death. | They blamed the failure of the business on the economic downturn.
▪ put/place/lay the blame on somebody/something to say who or what you think is responsible for something bad that has happened, often unfairly or wrongly: Don’t try to put the blame on me! | Subsequent investigations placed the blame squarely on city officials. | Farmers have laid the blame for their problems entirely on EU policies.
▪ say it’s sb’s fault especially spoken to say that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: Are you saying it’s my fault that we lost the game?
▪ hold somebody responsible to say that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened, because it was their duty to prevent it from happening: He was held personally responsible for the failure of the project.
▪ take the rap informal (also carry the can British English informal) to be blamed and punished for something that you did not do, or that someone else is also responsible for: He expects his wife to take the rap for him. | Alan’s colleagues decided to let him carry the can.

increase

I. in‧crease¹ S2 W1 /ɪnˈkriːs/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: adjective: increased, increasing; verb: increase; noun: increase; adverb: increasingly]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: encreistre, from Latin increscere, from crescere 'to grow']
[intransitive and transitive] if you increase something, or if it increases, it becomes bigger in amount, number, or degree OPP decrease, reduce:
The population increased dramatically in the first half of the century.
political tensions that might increase the likelihood of war
Visits to the site have increased threefold since May.
increase in value/price/importance etc
Investments are certain to increase in value.
increase (something) by something
Food prices increased by 10% in less than a year.
increase (something) from/to something
The salary is £18,600 a year, increasing to £23,000.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that an amount or level goes up rather than increases:
▪ The population has gone up a lot.
▪ Her investments all went up in value.
—increasing adjective:
the increasing difficulty of finding trained staff
European leaders watched events unfold with increasing alarm.
—increased adjective:
an increased incidence of childhood leukaemia
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to increase
▪ increase to become larger in number, amount, or degree: Sales increased by 25%. | The level of violence has increased.
▪ go up to increase. Go up is less formal than increase, and is the usual verb to use in everyday English: The price of coffee has gone up.
▪ rise to increase. Rise sounds a little formal and is often used when talking about the level of something increasing: The demand for oil has been rising steadily. | Living standards have risen dramatically.
▪ grow to increase, especially gradually over a period of time – used about numbers or amounts: Since 1990, US imports of foreign goods have grown at a rate of 7.7% per year. | The number of people working from home has grown substantially.
▪ escalate to increase to a high level – used about things that you do not want to increase such as costs, crimes, or violence: Fuel prices are escalating. | The fighting has escalated.
▪ double/triple to become twice as much or three times as much: Since 1950, the number of people dying from cancer has almost doubled. | The company’s profits tripled last quarter.
▪ expand to become larger in size, or to include a wider range of activities: The business has expanded at a rate of 15% per year. | We are hoping to expand into mobile phone services.
▪ soar to increase and reach a very high level – used about numbers and amounts, or about feelings: The temperature soared to 36.6 degrees centigrade. | His confidence soared. | The singer’s popularity has soared.
▪ shoot up to increase very quickly and suddenly – used about prices, numbers, or temperatures: Share prices shot up 30% over the last week.
■ to make something increase
▪ increase to make something larger in number, amount, or degree: Being overweight increases the risk of having a heart attack. | We need to increase the number of police officers on the streets.
▪ put something up to increase prices, taxes etc. Put up something is less formal than increase, and is the usual verb to use in everyday English: The landlord has put the rent up again. | They’re always putting up gas prices.
▪ raise to increase something such as prices or taxes, or levels or standards: The bank has raised interest rates for the third time this year. | The school aims to raise students’ levels of achievement.
▪ double/triple to increase the amount of something so that it is twice or three times as large: The airline plans to double the number of passengers it carries by 2015. | High blood pressure triples the risk of strokes.
▪ boost to increase sales, profits, production etc, especially when they have been lower than you want them to be: Growing affluence has boosted sales. | Oil exports boosted the economy.
▪ expand to increase something so that it contains a wider range of things, or to increase the size of a business: The company plans to expand its retail operations. | Supermarkets have expanded their ranges to include non-food items.
▪ extend to increase something such as your power or influence, or the number of things you are involved in: We are hoping to extend the range of services that we offer. | The company plans to extend its dominance of the world car market.
▪ step up something to increase your efforts or activities, especially to change a situation: Security has been stepped up following the bombing. | Local people have stepped up their campaign to prevent a prison being built in their neighbourhood.
▪ heighten to increase a feeling or effect: The attack has heightened concerns about racism in schools. | Hunger can heighten the effect that alcohol has on you.
▪ maximize to increase something as much as possible: Businesses try to maximize efficiency and cut costs. | To maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy, you should make sure that you eat well.

decrease

I. de‧crease¹ /dɪˈkriːs/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: decreistre, from Latin decrescere, from crescere 'to grow']
to become less or go down to a lower level, or to make something do this ⇨ reduce OPP increase:
The number of people who have the disease has decreased significantly in recent years.
They want to decrease their reliance on oil.
decrease by
Average house prices decreased by 13% last year.
decrease to
By 1881, the population of Ireland had decreased to 5.2 million.
decrease from
The North’s share of the world’s energy consumption is expected to decrease from 70% to 60%.
decrease in
Attacks of asthma decrease in frequency through early adult life.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ significantly (=enough to be an important change) Violent crime has significantly decreased over the last ten years.
▪ considerably/substantially (=a lot) During this period unemployment decreased considerably.
▪ markedly (=very noticeably) Aircraft collisions decreased markedly during the 1990s.
▪ rapidly (=very quickly) Since then, elephant numbers have been decreasing rapidly.
▪ dramatically (=suddenly and a lot) The survival rate decreases dramatically as the disease progresses.
▪ slightly (=a little) Population levels actually began to slightly decrease five years ago.
▪ steadily (=gradually and continuously) The proportion of adult cigarette smokers has been steadily decreasing.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ decrease to become less in number or amount: The average rainfall has decreased by around 30 percent.
▪ go down to decrease. Go down is less formal than decrease and is the usual word to use in conversation: Unemployment has gone down in the past few months.
▪ decline formal to decrease – used with numbers or amounts, or about the level or standard of something: The standard of living has declined. | Support for the government is steadily declining. | Salaries have declined by around 4.5%.
▪ diminish to become smaller or less important: Union membership diminished from 30,000 at its height to just 2,000 today.
▪ fall/drop to decrease, especially by a large amount. Fall and drop are less formal than decrease: The number of tigers in the wild has fallen to just over 10,000. | At night, the temperature drops to minus 20 degrees.
▪ plunge /plʌndʒ//plummet /ˈplʌmət, ˈplʌmɪt/ to suddenly decrease very quickly and by a very large amount: Share prices have plummeted 29% in the last four months. | Climate change could cause global temperatures to plummet.
▪ slide if a price or value slides, it gradually decreases in a way that causes problems – used especially in news reports: The dollar fell in late trading in New York yesterday and slid further this morning.
▪ dwindle /ˈdwɪndl/ to gradually decrease until there is very little left of something, especially numbers or amounts, popularity, or importance: Support for the theory is dwindling.
▪ taper off /ˈteɪpə $ -ər/ if a number or the amount of an activity that is happening tapers off, it gradually decreases, especially so that it stops completely: Political violence tapered off after the elections.

whisper

I. whis‧per¹ W3 /ˈwɪspə $ -ər/ BrE AmE verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: hwisprian]
1. [intransitive and transitive] to speak or say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your voice:
You don’t have to whisper, no one can hear us.
whisper about
What are you two whispering about over there?
whisper something to somebody
James leaned over to whisper something to Michael.
‘I’ve missed you,’ he whispered in her ear.
2. [transitive] to say or suggest something privately or secretly
whisper that
Staff were whispering that the company was about to go out of business.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ different ways of saying something
▪ whisper to say something very quietly, using your breath rather than your full voice: ‘Don’t wake the baby,’ Jenny whispered.
▪ mumble to say something quietly without pronouncing the words clearly: He mumbled his thanks.
▪ mutter to say something quietly, especially when you are annoyed but do not want someone to hear you complaining: ‘This is ridiculous,’ he muttered under his breath. | She muttered something about having to go home early.
▪ murmur to say something in a soft slow gentle voice: She stroked his hair and murmured, ‘Don’t worry. You’ll be all right.’
▪ growl to say something in a low angry voice: ‘As I was saying,’ Lewis growled, ‘it needs to be finished today.’
▪ snarl to say something in a nasty angry way: ‘Get out of my way!’ he snarled.
▪ exclaim to say something suddenly and loudly: ‘How beautiful!’ she exclaimed.
▪ blurt out to suddenly say something without thinking, especially something embarrassing or secret: It was partly nervousness that had made him blurt out the question.
▪ stammer/stutter to speak with a lot of pauses and repeated sounds, because you have a speech problem, or because you are nervous or excited: ‘I’ll, I’ll only be a m-moment,’ he stammered.
 

II. revenge² BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: revengier, from avengier; ⇨ avenge]
formal to punish someone who has done something to harm you or someone else
revenge yourself on somebody
The terrorist group is still looking to revenge itself on its attackers.
The poor murdered girl must be revenged.

change

I. change¹ S1 W1 /tʃeɪndʒ/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: adjective: changeable, interchangeable, changed ≠ UNCHANGED, changing ≠ unchanging, changeless; noun: change, interchange, interchangeability; verb: change, interchange; adverb: interchangeably]
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: changier, from Latin cambiare 'to exchange']
1. BECOME DIFFERENT/MAKE SOMETHING DIFFERENT [intransitive and transitive] to become different, or to make something become different:
Susan has changed a lot since I last saw her.
Changing your eating habits is the best way to lose weight.
The leaves on trees change colour in the autumn.
change (from something) to something
He changed from being a nice lad to being rude and unhelpful.
change into
The hissing sound gradually changed into a low hum.
change somebody/something into something
A witch had changed him into a mouse.
change something to something
Mueller changed his name to Miller when he became a U.S. citizen.
2. START DOING/USING SOMETHING DIFFERENT [intransitive and transitive] to stop doing or using one thing, and start doing or using something else instead SYN switch:
She changed jobs in May.
change (from something) to something
The company has recently changed to a more powerful computer system.
The ship changed course and headed south.
The company has had to change direction because of developments in technology.
Piper awkwardly tried to change the subject (=talk about something else).
3. REPLACE SOMETHING [transitive] to put or use something new or different in place of something else, especially because it is old, damaged, or broken:
Three boys were changing a tyre by the side of the road.
When I lost my keys, we had to change all the locks.
change something (from something) to something
The time of the meeting has been changed from 11 a.m. to 10:30.
How often do you change cars (=buy a new car and sell the old one)?
4. change your mind to change your decision, plan, or opinion about something:
Her father tried to get her to change her mind.
change your mind about
If you change your mind about the job, just give me a call.
5. change sides to leave one party, group etc and join an opposing party, group etc:
It’s quite rare for politicians to change sides.
6. CLOTHES
a) [intransitive and transitive] to take off your clothes and put on different ones:
Francis came in while Jay was changing.
Change your dress – that one looks dirty.
change into/out of
Sara changed into her swimsuit and ran out for a quick swim.
You’d better go and get changed.
b) [transitive] to put a clean ↑nappy on a baby, or to put clean clothes on a baby or small child:
I bathed him and changed his diaper.
Can you change the baby?
7. BED [transitive] to take the dirty ↑sheets off a bed and put on clean ones
8. EXCHANGE GOODS [transitive] British English
a) to take back to a shop something that you have bought and get something different instead, especially because there is something wrong with it SYN exchange American English
change something for something
I bought these gloves for my daughter, but they’re too large. Can I change them for a smaller size?
b) to give a customer something different instead of what they have bought, especially because there is something wrong with it SYN exchange American English:
I’m sure the shop will change them for you.
9. EXCHANGE MONEY [transitive]
a) to get smaller units of money that add up to the same value as a larger unit:
Can you change a £20 note?
b) to get money from one country for the same value of money from another country
change something into/for something
I want to change my dollars into pesos, please.
10. TRAINS/BUSES/AIRCRAFT [intransitive and transitive] to get off one train, bus, or aircraft and into another in order to continue your journey
change at
Passengers for Liverpool should change at Crewe.
change trains/buses/planes etc
I had to change planes in Denver.
all change! (=used to tell passengers to get off a train because it does not go any further)
11. change hands if property changes hands, it starts to belong to someone else:
The house has changed hands three times in the last two years.
12. change places (with somebody)
a) to give someone your place and take their place:
Would you mind changing places with me so I can sit next to my friend?
b) to take someone else’s social position or situation in life instead of yours:
She may be rich, but I wouldn’t want to change places with her.
13. GEAR [intransitive and transitive] to put the engine of a vehicle into a higher or lower ↑gear in order to go faster or slower
change (into/out of) gear
Change into second gear as you approach the corner.
change up/down British English:
Change down before you get to the hill.
14. change your tune informal to start expressing a different attitude and reacting in a different way, after something has happened:
The question is, will the president change his tune on taxes?
15. WIND [intransitive] if the wind changes, it starts to blow in a different direction
16. change your spots to change your character completely:
US business has changed its spots in recent years.
⇨ chop and change at ↑chop¹(3)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ dramatically/drastically/radically (=a lot) People’s work environment has changed dramatically in the past twenty years.
▪ completely His life had completely changed since he met Anya.
▪ considerably He has changed considerably in four years.
▪ significantly The legal system has changed significantly since the rule was established.
▪ fundamentally The political situation has fundamentally changed.
▪ rapidly/quickly The market for phones is changing rapidly.
▪ slowly/gradually Things are gradually changing.
▪ change overnight (=very quickly) Old habits cannot be changed overnight.
■ nouns
▪ changing circumstances/conditions The human brain adapts quickly to changing conditions.
▪ changing attitudes Changing attitudes cause traditional ways of life to disappear.
▪ the changing role of somebody the changing role of women in society
▪ changing patterns of work/behaviour etc Changing patterns of work mean that more people are able to work from home.
▪ a changing environment In order to survive, you must adapt to a changing environment.
▪ a changing world Children are growing up in a changing world.
▪ changing times (=a period of time when a lot is changing) We live in changing times.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to change something
▪ change to make someone or something different: Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. | Being at college has changed her – she’s much more confident now.
▪ alter especially written tochange something so that it is better or more suitable: You can alter the colour and size of the image using a remote control. | Can we alter the date of the meeting?
▪ adapt to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How much would it cost to adapt the existing equipment? | You can adapt the recipe to suit your own requirements.
▪ adjust to make small changes in the position or level of something in order to improve it or make it more suitable: How do you adjust the volume on the television? | He adjusted his tie in the mirror.
▪ modify especially written to make small changes to something such as a piece of equipment, a set of ideas, or a way of behaving in order to improve it or use it in a different way: He’s modified his opinions since then. | a modified version of the original program.
▪ reform to change a law, system, organization etc so that it is fairer or more effective: plans to reform the tax system | Health care needs to be completely reformed.
▪ revise to change a plan, idea, law etc because of new information and ideas: In July, China revised the rules for foreign investment. | The findings could force the scientists to revise their ideas about climate change.
▪ reorganize to change the way that a system or organization works: We’ve had to reorganize our database | During the 1980s, the government reorganized the civil service.
▪ restructure to make big changes to the way something is organized, especially a large political or economic system or a big company, in order to make it more effective: The company has been restructured from top to bottom.
■ to change something completely
▪ transform to change something completely, especially so that it is much better: Well, you’ve certainly transformed this place – it looks great! | Putin transformed the Russian economy.
▪ revolutionize to completely and permanently change the way people do something or think about something, especially because of a new idea or invention: Computers have revolutionized the way we work. | This important discovery revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
■ to change something in order to deceive people
▪ distort to explain facts, statements etc in a way that makes them seem different from what they really are: The judge said that she had deliberately tried to distort the facts. | Don’t try to distort the truth.
▪ twist to dishonestly change the meaning of a piece of information or of something that someone has said, in order to get an advantage for yourself or to support your own opinion: He accused reporters of twisting his words. | In her article she twisted the meaning of what I said.
▪ misrepresent to give people a wrong idea about someone or their opinions, by what you write or say: I hope I have not misrepresented her opinion. | He’s taking legal action to stop the film, claiming it grossly misrepresents him.
change something ↔ around phrasal verb
to move things into different positions:
When we’d changed the furniture around, the room looked bigger.
change over phrasal verb
to stop doing or using one thing and start doing or using another ⇨ changeover:
Complete all the exercises on one leg, then change over.
change over to
We hope to change over to the new software by next month.

reach

I. reach¹ S1 W1 /riːtʃ/ BrE AmE verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: ræcan]
1. DEVELOPMENT [transitive] if someone or something reaches a particular point in their development or in a process or competition, they get to that point:
Chelsea could reach the final of the European Cup.
reach the point/level/stage etc
I had reached the point where I was earning a good salary.
The kids have reached the age when they can care for themselves.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often use get to rather than reach:
▪ The kids have got to the age where they can care for themselves.
2. RATE/AMOUNT [transitive] if something reaches a particular rate, amount etc, it increases until it is at that rate or amount:
By 2008, that figure is expected to reach 7 million.
wind speeds reaching up to 180 mph
Prices rose steadily to reach record levels.
3. AGREE [transitive] to agree on something or decide something after a lot of discussion or thought
reach a decision/agreement etc
The theatre has reached an agreement with striking actors.
It took the jury three days to reach a verdict.
The talks will continue until a conclusion is reached.
4. reach a target/goal to achieve what you wanted to achieve:
We hope to reach our £1 million target by the autumn.
5. TOUCH
a) [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to move your arm in order to touch or lift something with your hand:
She reached into her bag and produced a business card.
He reached down to help her to her feet.
reach for
Kelly reached for his gun.
Luisa reached out her hand to stroke the cat.
b) [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to touch something by stretching out your arm:
It’s no good – I can’t reach.
She’s too small to reach the table.
c) [transitive] to get something from a high place by stretching up your arm
reach something down
She fell while reaching down a vase from the top shelf.
6. LENGTH/HEIGHT [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive not in progressive] to be big enough, long enough etc to get to a particular point:
The phone lead isn’t long enough to reach the bedroom.
a skirt that reaches halfway down her legs
reach as far as something/reach down to something
Her hair reaches down to her waist.
7. ARRIVE [transitive] to arrive at a place:
We reached London late at night.
The pyramids can be reached by public transport.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people often use get to rather than reach:
▪ We got to the airport just in time.
▪ You can get to the pyramids by public transport.
8. SPEAK TO SOMEBODY [transitive] if you reach someone, you succeed in speaking to them on the telephone SYN contact:
I can probably reach him on his mobile.
9. BE SEEN/HEARD [transitive] if a message, television programme etc reaches a lot of people, they hear it or see it:
Cable TV reaches a huge audience.
10. INFORMATION [transitive] if information reaches you, you hear about it:
The news reached us in Lahore.
11. COMMUNICATE [transitive] to succeed in making someone understand or accept what you tell them SYN get through to:
I just can’t seem to reach Ed anymore.
12. reach for the stars to aim for something that is very difficult to achieve
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ nouns
▪ reach a point/stage I’ve reached the point in my life where I need a new challenge.
▪ reach a level He eventually reached the level of Senior Instructor.
▪ reach an age The payments will be made until the child reaches college age.
▪ reach the end Some of these power stations are reaching the end of their useful life.
▪ reach maturity (=be fully grown or developed) It takes ten years for these fish to reach maturity.
▪ reach your peak (=be the best or most successful that you will ever be ) Most players don’t reach their peak until their late twenties.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ nouns
▪ reach a decision I hope that they reach a decision soon.
▪ reach a conclusion We reached the conclusion that the man had been murdered.
▪ reach a verdict The jury failed to reach a verdict.
▪ reach an agreement/compromise/settlement (=decide on an arrangement that is acceptable to both groups) Substantial progress was made toward reaching an agreement.
▪ reach agreement/consensus (=agree about something) The experts seem unable to reach consensus on this point.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ arrive to get to the place you are going to: I arrived at the party at around 7 o'clock. | They were due to arrive home from Spain yesterday.
▪ get to arrive somewhere. Get is much more common in everyday English than arrive: What time do you usually get to work? | I’ll call you when I get home.
▪ reach to arrive somewhere, especially after a long journey: When we finally reached the port, we were all very tired.
▪ come if someone comes, they arrive at the place where you are: She came home yesterday. | What time did the plumber say he’d come?
▪ turn up (also show up) informal to arrive somewhere, especially when someone is waiting for you: I’d arranged to meet Tom, but he never turned up.
▪ roll in informal to arrive somewhere later than you should and not seem worried about it: Rebecca usually rolls in around noon.
▪ get in to arrive somewhere – used especially about people arriving home, or a plane, train etc arriving at an airport, station etc: I usually get in at around 6 o'clock. | What time did your plane get in?
▪ come in if a plane, train, or ship comes in, it arrives in the place where you are: We liked to watch the cruise ships come in.
▪ land if a plane or the passengers on it land, they arrive on the ground: We finally landed at 2 a.m. | They watched the planes taking off and landing.
reach out to somebody phrasal verb
to show people that you are interested in them and want to listen to them:
So far, his administration has failed to reach out to hard line Republicans.

wait

I. wait¹ S1 W1 /weɪt/ BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old North French; Origin: waitier 'to watch']
1. NOT GO/START SOMETHING [intransitive] to stay somewhere or not do something until something else happens, someone arrives etc:
Hurry up! Everyone’s waiting.
Would you mind waiting outside?
wait for
a queue of people waiting for a bus
Wait for me!
wait for somebody/something to do something
She paused, waiting for Myles to say something.
I sat waiting patiently for the wedding to end.
wait until/till
I’ll wait till you come back.
wait (for) three hours/two weeks etc
Can you wait for five minutes?
We’ve been waiting ages.
wait to do something
Are you waiting to use the phone?
keep somebody waiting (=make someone wait, especially by arriving late)
I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.
► Do not say that you ‘are waiting’ someone or something. Say that you are waiting for someone or something.
2. SOMETHING HAS NOT HAPPENED [intransitive] if you are waiting for something that you expect or hope will happen or arrive, it has not happened or arrived yet:
‘Have you heard about the job?’ ‘No, I’m still waiting.’
wait for
I’m still waiting for my results.
wait for somebody/something to do something
I’m waiting for him to realize how stupid he’s been.
3. wait a minute/second/moment etc spoken
a) used to ask someone not to leave or start doing something immediately:
Wait a second, I’ll get my coat and come with you.
Wait a moment, just let me think.
b) used to interrupt someone, especially because you do not agree with what they are saying:
Wait a minute! That’s not what we agreed!
c) used when you suddenly think of, remember, or notice something:
Wait a minute, I’ve got a better idea.
4. somebody can’t wait/can hardly wait spoken
a) used to emphasize that someone is very excited about something and is eager for it to happen:
We’re going to Australia on Saturday – I can’t wait!
can’t wait to do something
I can’t wait to tell Gloria the good news.
Laura could hardly wait to see the twins again.
somebody can’t wait/can hardly wait for
I can’t wait for the summer.
b) used humorously to say that something seems likely to be very boring:
A lecture on transformational grammar? I can hardly wait!
5. something can/can’t wait spoken if something can wait, it is not very urgent. If something can’t wait, it is very urgent:
Go home. The report can wait till tomorrow.
6. wait and see spoken used to say that someone should be patient because they will find out about something later:
‘What’s for dinner?’ ‘Wait and see.’
We will just have to wait and see how things develop.
7. wait until/till ... spoken used when you are excited about telling or showing someone something:
Wait till you see Gaby’s new house!
8. be waiting (for somebody) if something is waiting for you, it is ready for you to use, collect etc:
There’ll be a rental car waiting for you at the airport.
Come round at eight and I’ll have dinner waiting.
9. wait your turn to stay calm until it is your turn to do something, instead of trying to move ahead of other people:
I’ve got two hands and there are three of you. So you’ll have to wait your turn!
10. something is (well) worth waiting for spoken used to say that something is very good, even though it takes a long time to come:
Their new album was worth waiting for.
11. (just) you wait spoken
a) British English used to warn or threaten someone:
I’ll get you back for what you’ve done, just you wait.
b) used to tell someone you are sure something will happen:
It’ll be a huge success. Just you wait.
12. what are you waiting for? spoken used to tell someone to do something immediately:
Well, what are you waiting for? Go and apologize.
13. what are we waiting for? spoken used to say in a cheerful way that you think everyone should start doing something immediately:
What are we waiting for? Let’s go eat.
14. wait for it British English spoken
a) used just before you tell someone something that is funny or surprising:
His name was – wait for it – Mr Bacon.
b) used to tell someone not to do something until the correct time because they seem very impatient to do it now
15. be waiting in the wings to be ready to do something if it is necessary or if a suitable time comes:
Other firms are waiting in the wings, ready to step in and make an offer should the current deal fall through.
16. wait tables American English to work in a restaurant serving food and drink to people at their tables:
I spent the summer waiting tables.
17. (play) a/the waiting game if you play a waiting game, you try to gain an advantage for yourself in a particular situation by deliberately doing nothing until you have seen what other people do
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ wait two hours/ten minutes etc William waited an hour for his sister to arrive.
▪ wait long (=wait a long time – used especially in questions or negative sentences) She did not have to wait long for a train.
▪ wait ages informal especially British English (=wait a long time) I had to wait ages for a bus.
▪ patiently They patiently waited for the rain to stop.
▪ impatiently He waited impatiently for a reply.
▪ anxiously All his friends were waiting anxiously for their exam results.
▪ wait expectantly (=hoping that something good or exciting will happen soon) He took out his camera and waited expectantly.
■ phrases
▪ keep somebody waiting He kept us waiting for half an hour.
▪ wait with bated breath (=while feeling very anxious or excited) She waited with bated breath to see what he would say.
▪ wait in vain (=wait for something that never happens) They waited in vain for their son to come home.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ wait to stay somewhere or not do something until something else happens, someone arrives etc: I’ll wait here while you call him. | He said he was waiting for a friend.
▪ hang around (also hang about British English) informal to wait in a place not doing anything, especially so that you are wasting time: They kept us hanging around for hours at the hospital.
▪ hold on/hang on to wait because you are hoping that something will happen: The captain decided it was best to hold on and wait for the other ship to arrive. | We hung on until the very last moment.
▪ can you hold on/hang on? spoken used when telling someone to wait: Can you hang on a minute? I just want to finish this email.
▪ stand by/be on standby to wait and be ready to do something if needed – used especially about soldiers, police, medical teams etc: The army are standing by. | Emergency services were on standby after someone called to say there was a bomb in the city centre.
▪ await formal to wait for something – used about something that you know will happen or arrive: I will await your reply (=in a formal letter). | In February, nearly 200,000 prisoners were awaiting trial. | The soldiers awaited the order to advance.
wait around (also wait about British English) phrasal verb
to stay in the same place and do nothing while you are waiting for something to happen, someone to arrive etc:
Movie-making involves acting for ten minutes and then waiting around for two hours.
We’d better be going. We can’t wait about like this any longer.
wait behind phrasal verb British English
to stay somewhere after other people have left:
She waited behind to help Debbie with the clearing up.
wait in phrasal verb British English
to stay at home and wait there for someone to arrive:
I have to wait in for the repair man.
wait on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to serve food and drink to someone at their table, especially in a restaurant
2. to wait for a particular event, piece of information etc, especially before doing something or making a decision:
We’re waiting on the blood test results.
3. wait on somebody hand and foot to do everything for someone while they do nothing – used to show disapproval:
His wife waits on him hand and foot.
wait something ↔ out phrasal verb
if you wait out an event, period, or time, especially an unpleasant one, you wait for it to finish:
Let’s find a place where we can wait out the storm.
wait up phrasal verb
1. to wait for someone to return before you go to bed
wait up for
Don’t wait up for me; I may be late.
2. Wait up! American English used to tell someone to stop, so that you can talk to them or go with them:
‘Wait up!’ he called.