British English

tolerate

tol‧e‧rate /ˈtɒləreɪt $ ˈtɑː-/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: past participle of tolerare]
1. to allow people to do, say, or believe something without criticizing or punishing them ⇨ tolerant, tolerance:
We simply will not tolerate vigilante groups on our streets.
2. to be able to accept something unpleasant or difficult, even though you do not like it ⇨ tolerant, tolerance SYN stand, bear:
I couldn’t tolerate the long hours.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say stand rather than tolerate:
▪ I don’t know how she can stand working there.
3. if a plant tolerates particular weather or soil conditions, it can exist in them:
plants that tolerate drought
4. if a person or their body can tolerate a food or other substance, it can use it without becoming ill:
Women’s bodies can tolerate less alcohol than men’s.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ tolerate verb [transitive] to accept unpleasant behaviour or an unpleasant situation, even though you do not like it: We will not tolerate any kind of racism. | People tolerated corruption for years.
▪ put up with something to accept unpleasant behaviour or an unpleasant situation even though you do not like it. Put up with is less formal than tolerate, and is the usual word to use in everyday English: I don’t see how you can put up with the constant noise. | Many people put up with poor pay and working conditions because they are afraid of losing their jobs.
▪ accept verb [transitive] to agree or deal with a situation you do not like but cannot change: She found it hard to accept his death.
▪ stand/bear verb [transitive, not in progressive] to accept or be forced to accept an unpleasant situation – used especially about things which cause you pain or make you feel upset. Bear is more formal than stand: I don’t know how you’ve stood it for so long. | Maisie couldn’t bear the pain any longer. | How do you stand living in such a mess?
▪ take verb [transitive] informal to accept an unpleasant situation or someone’s unpleasant behaviour without becoming upset: She was shouting at him and he just stood there and took it. | I can’t take much more of this.
▪ live with something to accept a bad situation as a permanent part of your life that you cannot change: I’ve had back pain for many years and I’ve just learned to live with it. | The guilt I felt was very hard to live with.
▪ endure verb [transitive] written to accept an unpleasant or difficult situation for a long time: The victims of this war have endured tremendous pain and suffering. | The refugees endured cramped and filthy conditions.
 

overlook

o‧ver‧look /ˌəʊvəˈlʊk $ ˌoʊvər-/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1. to not notice something, or not see how important it is SYN miss:
It is easy to overlook a small detail like that.
Nobody could overlook the fact that box office sales were down.
2. to forgive someone’s mistake, bad behaviour etc and take no action:
She found him entertaining enough to overlook his faults.
3. if a house, room etc overlooks something, it has a view of it, usually from above:
Our room overlooks the ocean.

failure

fail‧ure S3 W2 /ˈfeɪljə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑fail, ↑failure, ↑failing; adjective: ↑failed, ↑unfailing; verb: ↑fail; adverb: unfaillingly]
1. LACK OF SUCCESS [uncountable and countable] a lack of success in achieving or doing something OPP success:
Successful people often aren’t very good at dealing with failure.
failure to do something
the conference’s failure to reach an agreement
2. UNSUCCESSFUL PERSON/THING [countable] someone or something that is not successful OPP success:
I always felt a bit of a failure at school.
3. failure to do something an act of not doing something which should be done or which people expect you to do:
Failure to produce proof of identity could result in prosecution.
4. BUSINESS [uncountable and countable] a situation in which a business has to close because of a lack of money:
Business failures in Scotland rose 10% last year.
5. MACHINE/BODY PART [uncountable and countable] an occasion when a machine or part of your body stops working properly:
The cause of the crash was engine failure.
heart/kidney/liver etc failure
He died from kidney failure.
failure in
a failure in the computer system
6. CROPS [uncountable and countable] an occasion when crops do not grow or produce food, for example because of bad weather:
a series of crop failures
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ verbs
▪ end in/result in failure A series of rescue attempts ended in failure.
▪ be doomed to failure (=be certain to fail) The rebellion was doomed to failure from the start.
▪ admit failure He was too proud to admit failure.
▪ accept failure Being able to accept failure is part of life.
▪ avoid failure She was anxious to avoid failure.
■ adjectives
▪ complete/total/utter failure The project ended in total failure.
▪ abject/dismal failure (=used to emphasize how bad a failure is) The experiment was considered a dismal failure.
▪ a personal failure (=a failure that is someone's personal fault) He considered his inability to form long-term relationships to be a personal failure.
▪ economic failure Economic failure drove the government out of office.
■ phrases
▪ fear of failure Fear of failure should not deter you from trying.
▪ the risk/possibility of failure The risk of failure for a new product is very high. | The possibility of failure was sufficiently high for the auditors to warn investors.
▪ an admission of failure Dropping out of college would be an admission of failure.
▪ a history of failure (=a situation in which someone has failed many times in the past) Some children have a history of failure at school.
▪ a string of failures (=a series of failures) The team has had a string of failures in recent games.
▪ a sense of failure People may feel a sense of failure if they admit they have ended up in a job they hate.
▪ the consequences of failure The political consequences of failure would be defeat at the next election.
■ failure + NOUN
▪ a failure rate There is a high failure rate in the restaurant industry.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ failure noun [countable] someone or something that is not successful: The book was a complete failure. | I felt a complete failure.
▪ flop noun [countable] informal something that is not successful because people do not like it – used especially about a film, play, product, or performance: Despite the hype, the movie was a flop at the box office. | Their next computer was a flop.
▪ disaster noun [countable] used when saying that something is extremely unsuccessful: Our first date was a disaster. | Their marriage was a total disaster.
▪ fiasco noun [countable usually singular] something that is completely unsuccessful and goes very badly wrong – used especially about things that have been officially planned, which go very wrong: The baggage system broke down on the first day the airport was open. It was a complete fiasco. | The fiasco came close to ending de Gaulle's political career.
▪ debacle noun [countable usually singular] formal an event or situation that is a complete failure, because it does not happen in the way that it was officially planned: the banking debacle that has put our economy at risk
▪ shambles noun [singular] especially British English if a situation or event is a shambles, it is completely unsuccessful because it has been very badly planned or organized, and no one seems to know what to do: The first few shows were a shambles, but things soon got better.
▪ washout noun [singular] informal a failure – used when something is so bad that it would be better if it had not happened: The play wasn’t a complete washout; the acting was okay. | His most recent and ambitious project, a big-budget Hollywood film, was a washout with both critics and audiences alike.
▪ turkey noun [countable] informal something that is so bad and unsuccessful that you think the people involved should be embarrassed about it – a very informal use: At the time most people thought the car was a complete turkey. | Since then he has appeared in a string of turkeys.

delay

I. de‧lay¹ W3 /dɪˈleɪ/ BrE AmE noun
1. [countable] when someone or something has to wait, or the length of the waiting time:
Sorry for the delay, Mr Weaver.
delay in
Why was there a delay in warning the public?
delay of
a delay of about an hour
long/considerable/slight etc delay
Long delays are expected on the motorways.
2. [uncountable] when something does not happen or start when it should do
without delay
They must restore normal services without delay.
There can be no excuse for any further delay.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + delay
▪ a slight/short delay There was a slight delay in the departure of the plane.
▪ a long/lengthy delay Patients often face long delays in getting the treatment they need.
▪ a considerable/serious delay (=very long) After a considerable delay, the report was finally published.
▪ a 20-minute/6-month/4-week etc delay A train had broken down, causing a two-hour delay.
▪ traffic delays The roadworks are likely to cause serious traffic delays.
▪ flight delays Unfortunately flight delays do sometimes occur.
■ verbs
▪ cause/lead to a delay The bad weather caused a three-hour delay in sending out rescue helicopters.
▪ experience delays People are experiencing considerable delays in receiving their mail.
▪ face delays (=be likely to experience them) Commuters face long delays as a result of the rail strikes.
▪ reduce delays (=make them shorter and less frequent) The new rules should reduce delays in bringing prisoners to trial.
■ phrases
▪ a series of delays (=a number of delays) After a series of delays and setbacks, the project was finally approved.

remedy

I. rem‧e‧dy¹ /ˈremədi, ˈremɪdi/ BrE AmE noun (plural remedies) [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Anglo-French; Origin: remedie, from Latin remedium, from mederi 'to heal']
1. a way of dealing with a problem or making a bad situation better SYN solution:
The problems in our schools do not have a simple remedy.
remedy for
The program is one remedy for discrimination.
2. a medicine to cure an illness or pain that is not very serious SYN cure
cold/cough remedy
remedy for
a remedy for colds
herbal/natural remedy
a natural remedy that helps insomnia
a home remedy (=one that you make at home) for sore throats
The herb is used as a folk remedy (=a traditional medicine, rather than one a doctor gives you) for a baby’s teething pains.
3. beyond/without remedy formal if a situation is beyond remedy, nothing can be done to make it better:
She felt as if her marital problems were beyond remedy.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + remedy
▪ a cold/cough/flu remedy Most cold remedies have little effect.
▪ a herbal remedy He brought with him a bottle of his own herbal remedy for hayfever.
▪ a natural remedy She began to look into alternative methods of treatment, such as natural remedies and hypnotherapy.
▪ a home remedy (=one that you make at home) Home remedies for colds include honey and lemon.
▪ a traditional/folk remedy Fish oil has been used as a folk remedy since the eighteenth century.
■ verbs
▪ take a remedy Have you tried taking herbal remedies?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ cure a medicine or medical treatment that makes an illness go away: The scientists are trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.
▪ remedy a way to treat a health problem, especially a small problem such as a cold, using plants or other natural methods: Rinsing with salt water is a good home remedy for a sore throat. | The store sells herbal remedies.
▪ antidote a medicine that will stop the effects of a poison or dangerous drug: There is no known antidote to a bite from this snake.

rule

I. rule¹ S1 W1 /ruːl/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑rule, ↑ruler, ↑ruling, ↑unruliness; adjective: ↑ruling, ↑unruly, ↑ruled; verb: ↑rule, ↑overrule]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: reule, from Latin regula; ⇨ ↑regular¹]
1. ABOUT WHAT IS ALLOWED [countable] an official instruction that says how things must be done or what is allowed, especially in a game, organization, or job
rule of
the rules of the game
under the rules/according to the rules
Under the rules, the company must publish its annual accounts.
2. ABOUT WHAT YOU SHOULD DO [countable] what you should do in a particular situation, or a statement about this:
There are no hard and fast rules (=clear and definite rules) about what to wear to classes.
rule of
There are two basic rules of survival.
The rule is: if you feel any pain you should stop exercising immediately.
3. NORMAL/USUAL [singular] something that is normal or usually true
as a (general) rule
As a general rule most students finish their coursework by the end of May.
Early marriage used to be the rule in that part of the world.
A series of payments used to be the exception rather than the rule.
Unfortunately there is an exception to every rule.
4. GOVERNMENT [uncountable] the government of a country or area by a particular group of people or using a particular system
under ... rule
people living under communist rule
the end of colonial rule
a period of military rule
direct rule from Westminster
the restoration of majority rule (=government by the party that most people have voted for) to Northern Ireland
5. IN GRAMMAR/SCIENCE ETC [countable] a statement about what is usually allowed in a particular system, such as the grammar of a language, or a science
rule of
the rules of English punctuation
6. the rule of law a situation in which the laws of a country are obeyed:
We are here to uphold the rule of law.
7. the rules of natural justice what people believe to be right and fair:
The governor failed to observe the rules of natural justice.
8. rule of thumb a rough figure or method of calculation, based on practical experience:
As a general rule of thumb, children this age should not spend more than one hour on homework.
9. make it a rule (to do something) to try to make sure that you always do something:
I make it a rule never to mix business with pleasure.
10. FOR MEASURING [countable] old-fashioned a ↑ruler
⇨ ↑golden rule, ↑ground rules, ↑home rule, ↑slide rule, ⇨ work to rule at ↑work¹(32)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ break a rule (also violate a rule formal) (=not obey it) He had clearly broken the official rules. | Any one who violates this rule will be severely punished.
▪ obey/follow a rule She wasn’t going to obey their silly rules.
▪ comply with/abide by/observe a rule formal (=obey it) All members must comply with the rules of the organization. | There is little that one country can do if another fails to abide by the rules. | We expect you to observe the general rules of conduct as set out below.
▪ stick to/go by the rules informal (=obey them) We all have to stick to the rules.
▪ make the rules I’m only an assistant manager – I don’t make the rules.
▪ the rule says ... The rule says that you must be standing inside the line.
▪ the rule stipulates that ... formal (=it says that something must be done) The rules stipulate that clubs must field the strongest team available.
▪ the rule prohibits/forbids something The rule forbids women from becoming members of the club.
▪ the rule requires (that) ... formal (=it says that people must do something) School rules required all girls to tie back their hair.
▪ the rule applies to somebody/something (=it concerns them) Everyone thinks that the rule doesn’t apply to them.
▪ play by the rules (=do what is expected and agreed) The system works well enough — as long as everyone plays by the rules.
▪ bend/stretch the rules (=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed) They bend the rules to suit themselves.
▪ relax the rules (=make them less strict) Britain relaxed its immigration rules.
▪ tighten (up) the rules (=make them stricter) The EU has tightened the rules on the quality of drinking water.
▪ enforce a rule (=make sure that it is obeyed) The planning office does not always enforce its own rules.
▪ flout a rule (=break it, without trying to hide what you are doing) The party continues to flout its own rules.
▪ be bound by rules (=have to obey them) Solicitors are bound by strict rules that regulate their professional conduct.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + rule
▪ strict They have very strict rules about gambling.
▪ simple The rules of the game are quite simple.
▪ petty (=unreasonable rules about unimportant things) There are hundreds of petty rules.
▪ a school/prison/club etc rule He had broken one of the school rules.
▪ an unwritten rule (=a rule of behaviour that everyone in a group understands) There’s an unwritten rule that you never call an actor before 10 a.m.
▪ health and safety rules You should follow any health and safety rules which apply to your workplace.
■ phrases
▪ be against the rules (=not be allowed) It was against the rules to talk in class.
▪ the rules concerning/governing/relating to something formal (=the rules about something) the rules governing food labeling
▪ a change in the rules I didn’t realise that there had been a change in the rules.
▪ a breach of the rules formal (=something that is against the rules) a serious breach of the rules
▪ rules and regulations The government keeps introducing more and more rules and regulations.
▪ rules are rules spoken (=a rule must be obeyed) Rules are rules and you have to abide by them.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ rule an instruction that says what people are allowed to do or not allowed to do, for example in a game, school, or company: the rules of baseball | He disobeyed the school rules.
▪ law an official rule that everyone in a country, city, or state must obey: It is against the law to carry a concealed weapon. | The law requires motorcyclists to wear helmets.
▪ regulation an official rule or order, which is part of a set of rules made by a government or organization: the regulations for applying for a passport | building regulations | environmental regulations on air pollution
▪ restriction an official rule that limits what people can do: new restrictions on immigration | The government is planning to impose regulations on the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country.
▪ guidelines rules or instructions about the best way to do something: the Department of Health’s guidelines for a healthy diet | guidelines for classroom teachers
▪ code a set of rules that people or organizations agree to obey but are not forced to obey: The school has a dress code for its students. | the company’s code of conduct
▪ statute formal a law that has been officially approved by a parliament, council etc, and written down: The statute banned corporal punishment.
▪ ordinance American English a law, made by a city or town, that forbids or restricts an activity: A local ordinance limited speed in the parks to ten miles an hour.

light

I. light¹ S1 W1 /laɪt/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑light, ↑lighter, ↑lighting, ↑lightness; adjective: ↑light, ↑lighted, ↑unlit; verb: ↑light, ↑lighten; adverb: ↑lightly, ↑light]
[Language: Old English; Origin: leoht]
1. NATURAL/ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
a) [uncountable] the energy from the Sun, a flame, a lamp etc that allows you to see things:
We saw a flash of light.
in/by the light of something
Everything looked grey in the dim light of the oil lamp.
I read by the light of the fire.
in/into the light
The man moved forward into the light.
b) [countable] a particular type of light, with its own particular colour, level of brightness etc:
The colours look different in different lights.
2. LAMP/ELECTRIC LIGHT ETC [countable]
a) something that produces light, especially electric light, to help you to see:
Ahead of us we could see the lights of the city.
We’re having a mixture of wall lights and ceiling lights in different parts of the house.
turn/switch/put on a light
I switched on the light in the bedroom.
turn/switch/put off a light
Don’t forget to switch the lights off when you go out.
turn/switch/put out a light
Can you turn the light out downstairs?
a light is/comes/goes on
The lights in the office were still on.
The street lights were just beginning to come on.
He left a light on in the kitchen.
a light is off/out
Make sure all the lights are off when you leave.
Suddenly all the lights in the house went out.
Can you turn the light down (=make it less bright) a bit? ⇨ the bright lights at ↑bright(13)
b) something such as a lamp that you can carry to give you light:
Shine a light over here, will you?
3. TRAFFIC CONTROL [countable usually plural] one of a set of red, green, and yellow lights used for controlling traffic SYN traffic lights:
We waited for the lights to change.
Eventually the lights turned green.
The driver had failed to stop at a red light. ⇨ ↑green light, ↑red-light district
4. ON A VEHICLE [countable usually plural] one of the lights on a car, bicycle etc that help you to see at night:
He was dazzled by the lights of oncoming traffic.
You’ve left your lights on. ⇨ ↑brake light, ↑headlight, ↑parking light
5. first light literary the time when light first appears in the morning sky:
We set out at first light the next day.
6. be/stand in sb’s light to prevent someone from getting all the light they need to see or do something:
Could you move to the left a little – you’re standing in my light.
7. FOR A CIGARETTE a light a match or something else to light a cigarette:
Have you got a light, please?
8. IN SB’S EYES [singular] literary an expression in someone’s eyes that shows an emotion or intention SYN gleam:
There was a murderous light in his eyes.
9. set light to something to make something start burning:
The candle fell over and set light to the barn.
10. come to light/be brought to light if new information comes to light, it becomes known:
This evidence did not come to light until after the trial.
The mistake was only brought to light some years later.
11. throw/shed/cast light on something to provide new information that makes a difficult subject or problem easier to understand:
Melanie was able to shed some light on the situation.
These discoveries may throw new light on the origins of the universe.
12. in the light of something British English, in light of something American English if you do or decide something in the light of something else, you do it after considering that thing:
In light of this tragic event, we have canceled the 4th of July celebrations.
13. in a new/different/bad etc light if someone or something is seen or shown in a particular light, people can see that particular part of their character:
I suddenly saw my father in a new light.
This incident will put the company in a very bad light.
14. see the light
a) to suddenly understand something:
At last doctors have seen the light!
b) to begin to believe in a religion very strongly
15. see the light (of day)
a) if an object sees the light of day, it is taken from the place where it has been hidden, and becomes publicly known:
Some of these documents will probably never see the light of day.
b) if a law, decision etc sees the light of day, it comes into existence for the first time
16. light at the end of the tunnel something that gives you hope for the future after a long and difficult period:
It’s been a hard few months, but we’re finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
17. have your name in lights informal to be successful and famous in theatre or films
18. go/be out like a light informal to go to sleep very quickly because you are very tired:
I went straight to bed and went out like a light.
19. a leading light in/of something informal someone who is important in a particular organization:
She’s one of the leading lights of the local dramatic society.
20. the light of sb’s life the person that someone loves more than anyone else:
Her son was the light of her life.
21. WINDOW [countable] a window in a roof or wall that allows light into a room
⇨ hide your light under a bushel at ↑bushel, ⇨ be all sweetness and light at ↑sweetness(3), ⇨ in the cold light of day at ↑cold¹(9)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + light
▪ bright/strong The light was so bright he had to shut his eyes.
▪ blinding/dazzling (=extremely bright) The white buildings reflected a blinding light.
▪ dim (=not bright) Gradually her eyes became accustomed to the dim light.
▪ good (=bright enough) Stand over here where the light is good.
▪ poor/bad (=not bright enough) The light was too poor for me to read.
▪ soft/warm (=light that seems slightly yellow or orange) the soft light of the candles
▪ cold/harsh (=light that seems slightly blue) the cold light of the moon
▪ the morning/dawn light The flowers glowed brightly in the morning light.
▪ natural light (=light produced by the sun) The only natural light came from two high windows.
▪ artificial light (=light produced by lamps) The office was windowless, lit only by artificial light.
■ verbs
▪ light shines The light from the streetlamp shone through the curtains.
▪ light comes from somewhere The only light came from the fire.
▪ light streams/floods in (=a large amount of light comes in) Light streamed in through the window.
▪ light falls on/across etc something The light fell on her book.
▪ light illuminates something formal (=makes it bright or able to be seen) The light from the screen illuminated the people gathered round it.
▪ the light is fading (=it is getting darker as the sun is going down)
▪ produce light (also emit light technical) the light produced by the sun
▪ cast light (=send light onto something) the gold circle of light cast by the lamp
▪ reflect light Snow reflects a lot of light.
▪ something is bathed in light literary (=something has a lot of light shining on it) The fields and woods were bathed in golden light.
■ phrases
▪ a beam/ray/shaft of light (=a thin line of light) There was a shaft of light from the doorway.
▪ a flash of light (=a bright light that appears suddenly for a very short time) A flash of light caught his attention.
▪ a pool/circle of light (=an area of light) They stood in the pool of light cast by the streetlamp.
• • •
THESAURUS (for Meaning 2)
▪ light something that produces light, especially electric light, to help you to see: She switched the kitchen light on. | The lights in the house were all off.
▪ lamp an object that produces light by using electricity, oil, or gas - often used in names of lights: a bedside lamp | a street lamp | a desk lamp | a table lamp | an old oil lamp | a paraffin lamp
▪ lantern a lamp that you can carry, consisting of a metal container with glass sides that surrounds a flame or light: The miners used lanterns which were lit by candles.
▪ torch British English, flashlight American English a small electric lamp that you carry in your hand: We shone our torches around the cavern.
▪ candle a stick of wax with a string through the middle, which you burn to give light: The restaurant was lit by candles.
▪ bulb the glass part of an electric light, that the light shines from: a 100 watt bulb | an energy-saving light bulb
■ on a car
▪ headlight (also headlamp) one of the two large lights at the front of a vehicle: It was getting dark so she switched the headlights on.
▪ sidelight British English, parking light American English one of the two small lights next to the main lights, at the front and back of a car
▪ tail light one of the two red lights at the back of a vehicle
▪ indicator British English, turn signal American English one of the lights on a car that flash to show which way the car is turning

caring

car‧ing /ˈkeərɪŋ $ ˈker-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑care, ↑carer; adjective: ↑careful ≠ ↑careless, ↑caring ≠ UNCARING; verb: ↑care; adverb: ↑carefully ≠ ↑carelessly]
1. thinking about what other people need or want and trying to help them ⇨ care:
a warm and caring man
a caring attitude
The school aims to provide a caring environment.
2. [only before noun] involving the job of looking after other people:
Many of the caring professions are badly paid.
More men are taking on a caring role.

clock in/on phrasal verb especially British English
to record on a special card the time you arrive at or begin work SYN punch in American English:
I clock on at 8:30.