British English

waste

waste [verb] (USE BADLY)

to use too much of something or use something badly when there is a limited amount of it

/weɪst/

Example:

You waste a lot of water by having a bath instead of a shower.

verb (wastes, wasting, wasted)
to use too much of something or not use something in a good way:
She wastes a lot of money on sweets.
He wasted his time at university – he didn't do any work.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. waste² S2 W3 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑wastage, ↑waste, ↑wastefulness, ↑waster, ↑wastrel; adjective: ↑waste, ↑wasteful, ↑wasted, ↑wasting; verb: ↑waste; adverb: ↑wastefully]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old North French; Origin: waster, from Latin vastare; ⇨ ↑devastate]
1. NOT USE SENSIBLY to use more money, time, energy etc than is useful or sensible:
Leaving the heating on all the time wastes electricity.
waste something on somebody/something
Don’t waste your money on that junk!
2. NOT USE FULLY [usually passive] to not make full use of someone or something:
Hannah’s wasted in that clerical job.
His talents were being wasted as a lawyer.
3. be wasted on somebody if something is wasted on someone, they do not understand how good or useful it is:
Her good advice was wasted on the children.
4. waste your breath spoken to say something that has no effect:
Don’t try to reason with Paul – you’re wasting your breath.
5. waste no time (in) doing something to do something as quickly as you can because it will help you:
He wasted no time in introducing himself.
6. waste not, want not spoken used to say that if you use what you have carefully, you will still have some of it if you need it later
7. HARM SOMEBODY American English informal to kill someone, severely injure them, or defeat them
waste away phrasal verb
to gradually become thinner and weaker, usually because you are ill

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

waste

waste [waste wastes wasted wasting] verb, noun, adjective [weɪst] [weɪst]

verb

NOT USE WELL
1. to use more of sth than is necessary or useful
• ~ sth to waste time/food/energy
• ~ sth on sth Why waste money on clothes you don't need?
• We got straight down to business without wasting time on small talk.
• ~ sth (in) doing sth She wasted no time in rejecting the offer (= she rejected it immediately).

• You're wasting your time trying to explain it to him (= because he will not understand).

2. ~ sth (on sb/sth) to give, say, use, etc. sth good where it is not valued or used in the way that it should be
• Don't waste your sympathy on him— he got what he deserved.

• Her comments were not wasted on Chris (= he understood what she meant).

3. usually passive to not make good or full use of sb/sth
• ~ sb/sth It was a wasted opportunity.
• His talents are wasted in that job.

• ~ sb/sth as sth You're wasted as a sales manager— you should have been an actor.

KILL SB

4. ~ sb (informal, especially NAmE) to get rid of sb, usually by killing them

DEFEAT SB
5. ~ sb (NAmE, informal) to defeat sb very badly in a game or competition

Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old Northern French wast(e) (noun), waster (verb), based on Latin vastus ‘unoccupied, uncultivated’.
Example Bank:
• Don't waste your money on a hotel room.
• He didn't want to waste valuable time in idle gossip.
• Hurry up— there's no time to waste!
• I'm not going to waste any more time on the problem.
• In the end her efforts were not entirely wasted.
• Their father hated to waste energy.
• You're just wasting your breath. She never listens.
• Don't waste your sympathy on her— she got what she deserved.
• Her comments were not wasted on Chris.
• She wasted no time in rejecting the offer.
• The health authority wasted millions of pounds on a computer system that never worked.
• Why waste money on clothes you don't need?
• You're wasted as a sales manager— you should have been an actor.
• You're wasting your time trying to explain it to him.
Idioms: lay something waste ▪ lay waste something ▪ waste not, want not ▪ waste of space ▪ waste your breath

Derived: waste away

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

waste / weɪst / verb [ T ] (USE BADLY)

B1 to use too much of something or use something badly when there is a limited amount of it:

You waste a lot of water by having a bath instead of a shower.

Come on, let's get started - we've wasted enough time already.

Don't waste your money on me, love, keep it for yourself.

waste / weɪst / verb [ T ] US slang (KILL)

to kill someone

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

waste

[we͟ɪst]
♦♦
wastes, wasting, wasted
1) VERB If you waste something such as time, money, or energy, you use too much of it doing something that is not important or necessary, or is unlikely to succeed.
  [V n -ing] There could be many reasons and he was not going to waste time speculating on them...
  [V n on n] I resolved not to waste money on a hotel...
  [V n] The system wastes a large amount of water.
N-SING: a N of n
Waste is also a noun. It is a waste of time going to the doctor with most mild complaints... I think that is a total waste of money.
2) N-UNCOUNT Waste is the use of money or other resources on things that do not need it.
  The packets are measured to reduce waste...
  I hate waste. Two weeks was reasonable, but this is far too much.
3) N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl Waste is material which has been used and is no longer wanted, for example because the valuable or useful part of it has been taken out.
  Congress passed a law that regulates the disposal of waste...
  Up to 10 million tonnes of toxic wastes are produced every year in the UK.
  ...the process of eliminating body waste.
4) VERB If you waste an opportunity for something, you do not take advantage of it when it is available.
  [V n] Let's not waste an opportunity to see the children...
  [V-ed] It was a wasted opportunity.
5) VERB: usu passive If you say that something is wasted on someone, you mean that there is no point giving it or telling it to them as they will not appreciate, understand, or pay any attention to it.
  [be V-ed on n] All the well-meant, sincere advice is largely wasted on him.
  Syn:
  be lost on
6) ADJ: usu ADJ n Waste land is land, especially in or near a city, which is not used or looked after by anyone, and so is covered by wild plants and rubbish.
  There was a patch of waste land behind the church...
  Yarrow can be found growing wild in fields and on waste ground.
7) N-PLURAL: adj N, N of n Wastes are a large area of land, for example a desert, in which there are very few people, plants, or animals.
  ...the barren wastes of the Sahara.
8) → See also wasted
9) PHRASE: V inflects If something goes to waste, it remains unused or has to be thrown away.
  So much of his enormous effort and talent will go to waste if we are forced to drop one hour of the film...
  Mexican cookery is economical, she says. Nothing goes to waste.
  Syn:
  be wasted
10) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If something or someone lays waste an area or town or lays waste to it, they completely destroy it.
  The war has laid waste large regions of the countryside.
  ...cities laid waste by the decline of traditional industries...
  The aphid is now laying waste to the wheat and barley fields.
  Syn:
  annihilate
11) PHRASE The expression waste not, want not means that if you do not use too much of something now you will have some left later when you need it.
  ...a nation that prides itself on its `waste not, want not' thrift and its environmental conscience.
12) to waste your breath → see breath
to waste no time → see time
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - waste away

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²waste verb wastes; wast·ed; wast·ing [+ obj]
1 : to use (something valuable) in a way that is not necessary or effective : to use more of (something) than is necessary
• Don't waste water during the summer drought.
• He always wasted his money on useless gadgets.
• Turn off the lights so we don't waste electricity.
• I think he's just wasting my time.
• We can't afford to waste so much food.
2 : to use (something or someone) in a way that does not produce a valuable result or effect : to fail to use (something or someone) in an appropriate or effective way
• We can't afford to waste this opportunity.
• She's a good writer but she's wasting her talent. [=she's not using her talent to do the things that she should be doing]
- often used as (be) wasted
• My efforts were wasted.
• He was wasted in that job. [=his talents/skills were not being used in the job]
3 slang : to kill or murder (someone)
• Someone wasted him.
waste away [phrasal verb] : to become thinner and weaker because of illness or lack of food
• The disease caused her to waste away.
waste no time : to do something quickly
• We wasted no time getting our tickets. [=we hurried to get our tickets]
waste not, want not
- used to say that if you never waste things you will always have what you need;
waste your breath
- see breath

count

count [verb] (NUMBER)

to say numbers one after the other in order, or to calculate the number of people or things in a group

/kaʊnt/

Example:

Count your money carefully to make sure it's all there.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (counts, counting, counted)

1 to say numbers one after the other in the correct order:
The children are learning to count from one to ten.

2 to look at people or things to see how many there are:
I have counted the chairs – there are 32.

3 to include somebody or something when you are finding a total:
There were twenty people on the bus, not counting the driver.

4 to be important or accepted:
Every point in this game counts.
Your throw won't count if you go over the line.

count on somebody or something to feel sure that somebody or something will do what you want:
Can I count on you to help me?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

count

I. count¹ S2 W3 /kaʊnt/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑count, ↑recount, ↑counter; verb: ↑count, ↑recount; adjective: ↑countable ≠ ↑uncountable, ↑countless]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: conter, from Latin computare; ⇨ ↑compute]
1. FIND THE TOTAL [transitive] (also count up) to calculate the total number of things or people in a group:
I was amazed at the number of plants – I counted 147.
count (up) how many
Count up how many ticks are in each box.
2. SAY NUMBERS [intransitive] (also count up) to say numbers in order, one by one or in groups
count to
Sarah can count up to five now.
count by twos/fives etc
It’s quicker to count by tens (=saying 10, 20, 30 ...).
3. BE ALLOWED [intransitive and transitive] to be allowed or accepted, or to allow or accept something, according to a standard, set of ideas, or set of rules:
A linesman had his flag up so the kick did not count.
count as
Locally produced sales by American firms in Japan do not count as exports.
Today’s session is counted as training, so you will get paid.
count towards
Results from the two rounds count towards championship points.
4. INCLUDE [transitive] to include someone or something in a total:
There are more than two thousand of us, not counting the crew.
count somebody/something among something
I count Jules and Ady among my closest friends.
5. CONSIDER SOMETHING [transitive] to consider someone or something in a particular way
count somebody/something as something
I don’t count him as a friend any more.
You should count yourself lucky that you weren’t hurt.
6. IMPORTANT [intransitive not in progressive] to be important or valuable:
First impressions really do count.
count for
His promises don’t count for much.
His overseas results count for nothing.
7. I/you can count somebody/something on (the fingers of) one hand spoken used to emphasize how small the number of something is:
The number of cougar attacks on humans can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
8. don’t count your chickens (before they’re hatched) spoken used to say that you should not make plans that depend on something good happening, because it might not:
I wouldn’t count your chickens, Mr Vass. I’ve agreed to sign the contract, but that’s all.
9. count your blessings spoken used to tell someone to be grateful for the good things in their life
10. be counting (down) the minutes/hours/days to be waiting eagerly for something to happen:
I'm counting the days until I see you again.
11. count the cost to start having problems as a result of your earlier decisions or mistakes:
We’re now counting the cost of not taking out medical insurance.
12. who’s counting? used to say that you are not worried about the number of times something happens – often used humorously:
Apparently the next Star Trek film (number six, but who’s counting?) will definitely be the last.
13. and counting especially spoken used to say that an amount is continuing to increase:
At eight days and counting, this is the longest strike so far.
14. count sheep to imagine a line of sheep jumping over a fence, one at a time, and count them as a way of getting to sleep
⇨ stand up and be counted at ↑stand¹(5), ⇨ it’s the thought that counts at ↑thought²(12)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ calculate formal to find out an amount, price, or value by adding numbers together: The students calculated the cost of printing 5000 copies of their book.
▪ work out to calculate something. Work out is less formal than calculate, and is more common in everyday English: You need to work out how much you will need to borrow.
▪ figure out (also figure American English) informal to calculate an amount: We still haven't figured out how much it's all going to cost. | the method for figuring welfare payments
▪ count to find out the total number of things or people in a group by looking at each one and adding them all together: The teacher counted the children as they got on the bus.
▪ total (also total up) to add a number of things together to get a final number: Once the scores have been totaled, we will announce the winner. | Okay, now let's total up who had the most points.
▪ quantify formal to say how much something costs, how much of it there is, how serious or effective it is etc: I think it's difficult to quantify the cost at the moment, for a variety of reasons. | How do you quantify the benefits of the treatment? | a reliable method for quantifying the amount of calcium in the blood
▪ assess formal to calculate what the value or cost of something is, or decide how good, bad etc something is: The value of the paintings was assessed at $20 million. | They are still assessing the damage. | We need to have a better way of assessing students' progress.
▪ estimate to guess an amount, price, or number as exactly as you can, based on the knowledge you have: The police department estimates that the number of violent crimes will decrease by 2%.
▪ put a figure on something to say what you think the exact total amount or value of something is, especially when it is a lot: It's hard to put a figure on it, but the final cost is likely to be over £225 million. | The company has refused to put a figure on its losses.
▪ project to calculate what an amount will be in the future, using the information you have now: The company projects sales of $4 million this year.
count somebody in phrasal verb
to include someone in an activity:
When the game gets started, you can count me in.
count on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to depend on someone or something, especially in a difficult situation:
You can count on me.
With luck, you might cover your costs, but don’t count on it.
count on (somebody/something) doing something
We’re all counting on winning this contract.
They were counting on him not coming out of hospital.
count on somebody/something to do something
You can count on Dean to ruin any party.
2. to expect something:
The presence of Paula was one thing he hadn’t counted on.
count on (somebody/something) doing something
We didn’t count on so many people being on vacation.
count somebody/something out phrasal verb
1. to not include someone or something in an activity:
I’m sorry, you’ll have to count me out tonight.
2. to decide that someone or something is not important or worth considering:
I wouldn’t count him out. If anybody can make a comeback, he can.
3. count something ↔ out to put things down one by one as you count them:
The teller counted out ten $50 bills.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

count

count [count counts counted counting] verb, noun [kaʊnt] [kaʊnt]

verb

SAY NUMBERS
1. intransitive to say numbers in the correct order
• Billy can't count yet.
• ~ to/up to sth She can count up to 10 in Italian.

• ~ (from sth) to/up to sth to count from 1 to 10

FIND TOTAL

2. transitive, intransitive to calculate the total number of people, things, etc. in a particular group
• ~ sth (up) The diet is based on counting calories.
• Count the ‘yes’ votes and the ‘no’ votes separately.
• ~ (up) how many… She began to count up how many guests they had to invite.

• ~ from… There are 12 weeks to go, counting from today.

INCLUDE

3. transitive ~ sb/sth to include sb/sth when you calculate a total

• We have invited 50 people, not counting the children.

MATTER

4. intransitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to be important
Syn: matter
• Every point in this game counts.
• It's the thought that counts (= used about a small but kind action or gift).

• ~ for sth The fact that she had apologized counted for nothing with him.

ACCEPT OFFICIALLY

5. intransitive, transitive to be officially accepted; to accept sth officially
• Don't go over that line or your throw won't count.

• ~ sth Applications received after 1 July will not be counted.

CONSIDER

6. intransitive, transitive ~ as sb/sth | ~ sb/sth (as) sb/sth to consider sb/sth in a particular way; to be considered in a particular way
• ~ (sb/sth) as sb/sth For tax purposes that money counts/is counted as income.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + adv./prep. I count him among my closest friends.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + adj. I count myself lucky to have known him.
• ~ sb/sth/yourself + noun She counts herself one of the lucky ones.

Word Origin:
n. senses 1 to 5 and v. Middle English Old French counte counter computare ‘calculate’ com- ‘together’ putare ‘to settle (an account)’
n. sense 6 late Middle English Old French conte Latin comes comit- ‘companion, overseer, attendant’ late Latin ‘person holding a state office’ com- ‘together with’ it- ‘gone’ ire ‘go’

Thesaurus:
count verb T, I
• She counted up how many guests had been invited.
add • • calculate • • total • • tally • • work sth out • • figure sth out • |AmE figure • |BrE, informal tot sth up • |formal compute •
count/add/total/tally/tot up
count up/add up/calculate/total up/tally up/work out/figure out/figure/tot up/compute how much/how many …
count/add/calculate/tally/work out/figure out/figure/tot up/compute the number of sth
count/add up/calculate/total/tally/tot up sb's points/score
Synonyms:
trust
depend on sb/sth • rely on sb/sth • count on sb/sth • believe in sb
These words all mean to believe that sb/sth will do what you hope or expect of them or that what they tell you is correct or true.
trust • to believe that sb is good, honest, sincere, etc. and that they will do what you expect of them or do the right thing; to believe that sth is true or correct: ▪ You can trust me not to tell anyone. ◊ ▪ Don't trust what you read in the newspapers!
depend on/upon sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, to do the right thing, or to be true or correct: ▪ He was the sort of person you could depend on. ◊ ▪ Can you depend on her version of what happened?
rely on/upon sb/sth • (used especially with can/cannot/could/could not and should/should not) to trust sb/sth to do what you expect or want, or to be honest, correct or good enough: ▪ Can I rely on you to keep this secret? ◊ ▪ You can't rely on any figures you get from them.
trust, depend or rely on/upon sb/sth?
You can trust a person but not a thing or system. You can trust sb's judgement or advice, but not their support. You can depend on sb's support, but not their judgement or advice. Rely on/upon sb/sth is used especially with you can/could or you should to give advice or a promise: I don't really rely on his judgement. ◊ ▪ You can't really rely on his judgement.
count on sb/sth • (often used with can/cannot/could/could not) to be sure that sb will do what you need them to do, or that sth will happen as you want it to happen: ▪ I'm counting on you to help me. ◊ ▪ We can't count on the good weather lasting.
believe in sb • to feel that you can trust sb and/or that they will be successful: ▪ They need a leader they can believe in.
to trust/depend on/rely on/count on sb/sth to do sth
to trust/believe in sb/sth
to trust/rely on sb's advice/judgement
to depend on/rely on/count on sb's support
to completely trust/depend on/rely on/believe in sb/sth
Example Bank:
• He can now count from one to twenty.
• She carefully counted the remaining coins and put them to one side.
• We counted up our money.
• We counted up to fifty, then set off to look for our friends.
• Count the ‘yes’ votes and the ‘no’ votes separately.
• Everyone needs to stand up and be counted in order to make them see the strength of our conviction.
• For tax purposes that money counts/is counted as income.
• I count myself lucky to have known him.
Idioms: able to count somebody on one hand ▪ at the last count ▪ count sheep ▪ count the cost ▪ count your blessings ▪ don't count your chickens ▪ keep count ▪ lose count ▪ out for the count ▪ stand up and be counted ▪ who's counting? ▪ … and counting

Derived: count against somebody ▪ count down ▪ count on somebody ▪ count somebody in ▪ count somebody out ▪ count something against somebody ▪ count toward something

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

count / kaʊnt / verb (NUMBER)

B1 [ I or T ] to say numbers one after the other in order, or to calculate the number of people or things in a group:

Let's count out loud (= speak the words) from one to ten.

The teachers counted the students as they got on to the coach.

Count your money carefully to make sure it's all there.

[ + question word ] We need to count wh o's here, so we can make sure that no one's missing.

There'll be eight for dinner, counting (= including) ourselves.

We're still waiting for the votes to be counted (up).

count heads to count the number of people present somewhere:

There look to be about 50 people present - I haven't counted heads yet.

count / kaʊnt / verb [ I ] (HAVE VALUE)

B2 to have value or importance:

I've always believed that happiness counts more than money.

My opinion doesn't count for anything around here (= no one values my opinion) .

→ Synonym matter verb

count / kaʊnt / verb [ I or T ] (CONSIDER)

C2 to consider or be considered as:

I count my self fortunate to have had such a good education.

I've had three jobs in the last five years, but one of them was unpaid, so it doesn't count (= cannot be considered as a real job) .

I've always counted Lucy among my closest friends.

I didn't think his grudging remarks really counted as an apology.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

count

[ka͟ʊnt]
♦♦
counts, counting, counted
1) VERB When you count, you say all the numbers one after another up to a particular number.
  He was counting slowly under his breath...
  [V to num] Brian counted to twenty and lifted his binoculars.
2) VERB If you count all the things in a group, you add them up in order to find how many there are.
  [V n] At the last family wedding, George's wife counted the total number in the family...
  [V n] I counted the money. It was more than five hundred pounds...
  [V num] I counted 34 wild goats grazing...
  [V-ed] With more than 90 percent of the votes counted, the Liberals should win nearly a third of the seats. [Also V]
  Derived words:
  counting N-UNCOUNT usu the N of n The counting of votes is proceeding smoothly.
PHRASAL VERB
Count up means the same as count. Also V n P V P n (not pron) Couldn't we just count up our ballots and bring them to the courthouse?
3) N-COUNT: usu supp N A count is the action of counting a particular set of things, or the number that you get when you have counted them.
  The final count in last month's referendum showed 56.7 per cent in favour...
  At the last count the police in the Rimini area had 247 people in custody.
4) N-COUNT: n N You use count when referring to the level or amount of something that someone or something has.
→ See also blood count, pollen count
  A glass or two of wine will not significantly add to the calorie count...
  My husband had a very low sperm count.
5) N-SING: N of num You use count in expressions such as a count of three or a count of ten when you are measuring a length of time by counting slowly up to a certain number.
  Hold your breath for a count of five, then slowly breathe out...
  The fight ended when Mendoza landed a hard right to the chin of Palacios, who went down for a count of eight.
6) VERB If something or someone counts for something or counts, they are important or valuable.
  Surely it doesn't matter where charities get their money from: what counts is what they do with it...
  It's as if your opinions, your likes and dislikes just don't count...
  [V for amount] When I first came to college I realised that brainpower didn't count for much...
  [V for amount] Experience counts for a lot in poker.
  Syn:
  matter
7) V-ERG If something counts or is counted as a particular thing, it is regarded as being that thing, especially in particular circumstances or under particular rules.
  [V as n/-ing/adj] No one agrees on what counts as a desert...
  [be V-ed as n/-ing/adj] Any word that's not legible will be counted as wrong...
  Two of the trucks were stopped because they had tents in them, and under the commanders' definition of humanitarian aid, that didn't count...
  [be V-ed n/adj] It can be counted a success, in that it has built up substantial sales. [Also V n n/adj, V n as n/-ing/adj]
8) VERB If you count something when you are making a calculation, you include it in that calculation.
  [V n] It's under 7 percent only because statistics don't count the people who aren't qualified to be in the work force...
  [be V-ed as n] The years before their arrival in prison are not counted as part of their sentence. [Also V n as n]
  Syn:
  include
9) N-COUNT: on supp N You can use count to refer to one or more points that you are considering. For example, if someone is wrong on two counts, they are wrong in two ways.
  `You drink Scotch,' she said. `All Republicans drink Scotch.' - `Wrong on both counts. I'm a Democrat, and I drink bourbon.'
10) N-COUNT: usu N of n In law, a count is one of a number of charges brought against someone in court.
  He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder.
11) PHRASE: V inflects, oft PHR of n If you keep count of a number of things, you note or keep a record of how many have occurred. If you lose count of a number of things, you cannot remember how many have occurred.
  The authorities say they are not able to keep count of the bodies still being found as bulldozers clear the rubble...
  She'd lost count of the interviews she'd been called for.
12) PHRASE: v-link PHR If someone is out for the count, they are unconscious or very deeply asleep. [INFORMAL]
13) PHRASE If you say that someone should stand up and be counted, you mean that they should say publicly what they think, and not hide it or be ashamed of it.
  Those involved and benefiting from it must be prepared to stand up and be counted.
14) to count your blessings → see blessing
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - count against
  - count in
  - count on
  - count upon
  - count out
  - count towards
  - count up
  - count upon

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹count /ˈkaʊnt/ verb counts; count·ed; count·ing
1 a : to add (people or things) together to find the total number

[+ obj]

• Count the plates on the table.
• She made sure to count her change.
• Count how many fingers I am holding up.
• He counted seven deer in the field.
• When it comes to books, I have too many to count. [=I have a lot of books]
• She is counting calories. [=she counts the number of calories in the food she eats so that she won't eat too much]
- often + up
• She was counting up the money in the envelope.
• All the votes were counted up, and he was the winner.

[no obj]

• There are 10 days left until the end of school, counting from today.
• Keep counting until there are no more left to count.
• Don't interrupt me. I'm counting.
b [no obj] : to say numbers in order
• Can your daughter count yet?
• The teacher taught the students to count by 10s. [=to say “10, 20, 30,” etc.]
- often + to or up to
• My son can count to one hundred.
• He counted up to 10 and then stopped.
2 [+ obj] : to include (someone or something) in a total
• She counts [=numbers] several musicians among her friends. [=her friends include musicians]
• There will be 150 people at the wedding, not counting children.
3 [no obj] : to be accepted or allowed officially
• There was a penalty on the play, so the goal does not count. [=the goal is not allowed]
4 a [+ obj] : to consider or regard (someone or something) in a specified way
• I count myself lucky.
- often + as
• I don't count him as my friend anymore.
• She was counted as absent from school that day.
b [no obj] : to be considered or regarded as something
• A laptop computer counts as a piece of luggage on the plane.
• The job is so easy that it hardly counts as work. [=it can hardly be considered to be work]
5 [no obj] : to have value or importance
• Every vote counts.
• He played well in the play-offs, when it really counted. [=mattered]
- often + for
• My effort in class has to count for something!
• Her promises don't count for much. [=her promises don't have much value]
6 always followed by an adverb or preposition : to be considered in a specified way when a person or thing is being judged

[no obj]

• His experience counts in his favor. [=his experience is a good thing that is in his favor]
• His lack of experience counts against him.
• A wrong answer on the quiz will not count against [=will not hurt] your final grade.

[+ obj]

• They counted his lack of job experience against him.
• A wrong answer on the quiz will not be counted against your final grade.
and counting : with more to come
• He is 47 years old and counting.
• They have been in business for 50 years and counting.
count down [phrasal verb]
1 : to count numbers in a reverse order from higher numbers to lower ones
• He counted down from 10 to 1.
2 count down (something) also count (something) down : to pay close attention to the number of (days, miles, etc.) that remain until a particular moment or event is reached
• He is counting down the days left in the school year. [=he is eagerly looking forward to the end of the school year]
• We were counting down the miles as we approached our destination.
count heads : to count how many people are present at a place
• The coach counted heads before the bus left.
count in [phrasal verb] count (someone) in : to plan to include (someone) in an activity : to consider (someone) as one of the people who will be doing something
• “Do you want to go to the beach with us?” “Yes! Count me in!”
count off [phrasal verb]
1 : to count numbers that are spaced a certain number apart
• The students counted off by twos. [=counted 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.]
2 count off (something) or count (something) off : to list (something) out loud
• She counted off all the things she wanted to do.
count on/upon [phrasal verb]
1 count on/upon (someone)
a : to trust (someone) : to rely or depend on (someone) to do something
• He isn't someone you can count on all the time.
• I am counting on you to help me through this difficult time.
• She is counted on [=trusted] as a leader.
b : to expect (someone) to do something
• I wouldn't count on him to win the match.
2 count on/upon (something) : to expect (something) to happen
• My parents might loan me some money, but I can't count on it.
• She is counting on a big tax refund this year.
• The kids are counting on going to the movies. Don't disappoint them!
• They were not counting on getting a flat tire on the way to the restaurant.
count out [phrasal verb]
1 count (someone) out : to not include (someone) in an activity
• If you are looking for people to help you clean the house today, count me out. [=don't include me; I won't be helping you]
2 count (someone or something) out or count out (someone or something) : to decide that (someone or something) cannot win or succeed
• Don't count out our team just yet. They could still win.
count the cost : to feel the bad effects of a mistake, accident, etc.
• He was careless and now he's counting the cost. = Now he's counting the cost of his carelessness.
count toward/towards [phrasal verb] count toward/towards (something) or count (something) toward/towards (something) : to have value as a credit or payment in relation to (something)
• The credits you earned for this class count toward your degree. [=they are added to the total number of credits you have earned for your degree]
- often used as (be) counted toward/towards
• Fifty dollars will be counted towards [=credited to] your next bill.
count your blessings
- see blessing
count your chickens before they hatch
- see ¹chicken
stand up and be counted
- see ¹stand
who's counting? informal + humorous
- used to say that you do not care about how large a number is
• Tomorrow's my 80th birthday, but who's counting?

American English

British English

numbering and counting

B1 (Intermediate)

verb

butterfly

butterfly [noun] (INSECT)

a type of insect with large, often brightly coloured wings

/ˈbʌt̬.ɚ.flaɪ/

/ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ/

Example:

butterflies and moths

Oxford Essential Dictionary

butterfly

noun (plural butterflies)
an insect with big coloured wings

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

butterfly

but‧ter‧fly /ˈbʌtəflaɪ $ -ər-/ BrE AmE noun (plural butterflies) [countable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: buterfleoge, from butere ( ⇨ ↑butter¹) + fleoge 'fly'; perhaps because many types of butterfly are yellow, or because people believed that butterflies steal milk and butter]
1. a type of insect that has large wings, often with beautiful colours
2. have/get butterflies (in your stomach) informal to feel very nervous before doing something:
I always get butterflies before an exam.
3. the butterfly a way of swimming by lying on your front and moving your arms together over your head while your legs move up and down
4. someone who usually moves on quickly from one activity or person to the next:
Gwen’s a real social butterfly.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

butterfly

but·ter·fly [butterfly butterflies] [ˈbʌtəflaɪ] [ˈbʌtərflaɪ] noun
(pl. but·ter·flies)
1. countable a flying insect with a long thin body and four large, usually brightly coloured, wings
• butterflies and moths

• She's like a butterfly. She flits in and out of people's lives.

2. uncountable a swimming stroke in which you swim on your front and lift both arms forward at the same time while your legs move up and down together
• She was third in the 200m butterfly (= a swimming race).
Idiom: have butterflies
Word Origin:
Old English, from butter + the insect fly; perhaps from the cream or yellow colour of common species, or from an old belief that the insects stole butter.
Example Bank:

• The butterfly emerged from the pupa.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

butterfly / ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ / / ˈbʌt̬.ɚ- / noun [ C ] (INSECT)

butterfly

B1 a type of insect with large, often brightly coloured wings

butterfly / ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ / / ˈbʌt̬.ɚ- / noun [ C ] disapproving (PERSON)

a person who is not responsible or serious, and who is likely to change activities easily or only be interested in pleasure:

She's such a social butterfly.

butterfly / ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ / / ˈbʌt̬.ɚ- / noun [ C ] (JEWELLERY)

the small metal part put on the back of a stud (= piece of jewellery worn in the ear) that keeps it in place

butterfly / ˈbʌt.ə.flaɪ / / ˈbʌt̬.ɚ- / noun [ C ] [ S or U ] (SWIMMING)

the butterfly stroke

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

butterfly

[bʌ̱tə(r)flaɪ]
butterflies
1) N-COUNT A butterfly is an insect with large colourful wings and a thin body.
2) N-UNCOUNT: also the N Butterfly is a swimming stroke which you do lying on your front, kicking your legs and bringing your arms over your head together.
3) PHRASE If you have butterflies in your stomach or have butterflies, you are very nervous or excited about something. [INFORMAL]
An exam, or even an exciting social event may produce butterflies in the stomach.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹but·ter·fly /ˈbʌtɚˌflaɪ/ noun, pl -flies
1 [count] : a kind of insect that has a long thin body and brightly colored wings and that flies mostly during the day - see color picture
- compare moth
2 [count] often disapproving : a person who goes to many parties and other social events
• a social butterfly
3 [singular] : a way of swimming in which the swimmer's face is in the water and the arms move together in a circular motion while the legs kick up and down
• swimmers doing the butterfly also; : a race in which the swimmers do the butterfly
• They competed in the butterfly.
4 butterflies [plural] informal : a nervous feeling in your stomach
• Even experienced musicians sometimes get butterflies before a performance.
• I have butterflies in my stomach.

English translation unavailable for cold.

tough

tough [adjective] (STRONG)

strong; not easily broken or made weaker or defeated

/tʌf/

Example:

You have to be tough to be successful in politics.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

tough

adjective (tougher, toughest)

1 difficult same meaning hard:
This is a tough job.

2 strict or firm same meaning hard:
He's very tough on his children.
opposite soft

3 very strong:
You need to be tough to go climbing in winter.

4 Tough meat is difficult to cut and eat. opposite tender

5 difficult to break or tear:
a tough pair of boots

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

tough

I. tough¹ S2 W2 /tʌf/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative tougher, superlative toughest)
[Word Family: adverb: ↑toughly, ↑tough, ↑toughly; verb: ↑toughen; noun: ↑toughness; adjective: ↑tough]
[Language: Old English; Origin: toh]
1. DIFFICULT difficult to do or deal with:
It was a tough race.
She’s had a tough life.
The company admitted that it had been a tough year.
Tough decisions will have to be made.
The reporters were asking a lot of tough questions.
have a tough time (of it) (=face a lot of difficult problems)
The family has had a tough time of it these last few months.
it’s tough doing something
It’s tough being married to a cop.
be tough on somebody (=cause problems for someone or make their life difficult)
Having to stay indoors all day is tough on a kid.
It was a tough call (=a difficult decision), but we had to cancel the game because of the weather.
I find his books pretty tough going (=difficult to read).
Gage predicted the president’s proposal would be a tough sell (=something that is difficult to persuade someone about) before Congress. American English
when the going gets tough (the tough get going) informal (=used to say that when a situation becomes difficult, strong people take the necessary action to deal with it)
2. STRONG PERSON physically or emotionally strong and able to deal with difficult situations:
The men who work on the oil rigs are a tough bunch.
tough cookie/customer informal (=someone who is very determined to do what they want and not what other people want)
as tough as nails/as tough as old boots (=very tough)
He’s as tough as nails – a good man to have on the team.
3. STRONG MATERIAL not easily broken or made weaker:
tough, durable plastic
a very tough, hard-wearing cloth
4. STRICT/FIRM very strict or firm
tough on/with
My mother was very tough on my sister.
It’s time to get tough with drunk drivers.
The EU is taking a tough line with the UK over this issue.
5. VIOLENT AREA a tough part of a town has a lot of crime or violence
tough neighborhood/area/part of town etc
a tough area of Chicago
6. tough!/that’s tough! spoken used when you do not have any sympathy with someone:
‘I’m getting wet.’ ‘Tough! You should’ve brought your umbrella.’
She didn’t tell us she was coming, so if this screws up her plans that’s just tough.
7. tough luck! spoken
a) used when you do not have any sympathy for someone’s problems:
Well, that’s just their tough luck! It was their mistake.
b) British English used when you feel sympathy about something bad that has happened to someone:
You didn’t get the job? Oh, tough luck!
8. tough shit! spoken not polite used when you do not have any sympathy for someone’s problems
9. VIOLENT PERSON likely to behave violently and having no gentle qualities:
one of football’s most notorious tough guys
tough young thugs looking for trouble
10. FOOD difficult to cut or eat OPP tender:
The meat was tough and hard to chew.
the tough outer leaves of the cabbage
11. tough love a way of helping someone to change their behaviour by treating them in a kind but strict way

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

tough

tough [tough toughs] adjective, noun, verb [tʌf] [tʌf]

adjective (tough·er, tough·est)

DIFFICULT
1. having or causing problems or difficulties
• a tough childhood
• It was a tough decision to make.
• She's been having a tough time of it (= a lot of problems) lately.
• He faces the toughest test of his leadership so far.

• It can be tough trying to juggle a career and a family.

STRICT/FIRM

2. demanding that particular rules be obeyed and showing a lack of sympathy for any problems or suffering that this may cause
• ~ (on sb/sth) Don't be too tough on him— he was only trying to help.
• ~ (with sb/sth) It's about time teachers started to get tough with bullies.
• The school takes a tough line on (= punishes severely) cheating.
• Local traders are calling for tougher action against vandals.

Opp: soft

STRONG

3. strong enough to deal successfully with difficult conditions or situations
• a tough breed of cattle
• He's not tough enough for a career in sales.

• She's a tough cookie/customer (= sb who knows what they want and is not easily influenced by other people).

4. (of a person) physically strong and likely to be violent
• You think you're so tough, don't you?

• He plays the tough guy in the movie.

MEAT

5. difficult to cut or chew

Opp: tender

NOT EASILY DAMAGED

6. not easily cut, broken, torn, etc
• a tough pair of shoes

• The reptile's skin is tough and scaly.

UNFORTUNATE

7. ~ (on sb) (informal) unfortunate for sb in a way that seems unfair
• It was tough on her being dropped from the team like that.
• (ironic) ‘I can't get it finished in time.’ ‘Tough! (= I don't feel sorry about it.) ’
more at a hard/tough act to follow at act _n., when the going gets tough (the tough get going) at going _n., hang tough at hang _v., a hard/tough nuta hard/tough nut (to crack) at nut _n., talk tough at talk _v.
Word Origin:
Old English tōh, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch taai and German zäh.
Example Bank:
• Has the government been tough enough on polluters?
• He may find it tough to pursue his plans.
• It's very tough on the wives when the husbands go off like that.
• It's very tough on the wives when the husbands leave.
• The government has promised to get tough on crime.
• The meat was a bit tough.
• The strong dollar has made it tough for small businesses.
• Then this guy started acting tough.
• Things were pretty tough at first.
• You have to be tough with these young thugs.
• Don't be too tough on him— he was only trying to help.
• He had a tough childhood.
• It's about time teachers started to get tough with bullies.
• It's tough out there in the real world.
• She's been having a tough time of it.
• The next couple of months will be tough, but I'm sure we'll cope.
• The school takes a tough line on cheating.
• There will be tough new controls on car emissions.
• We must take a tough stance against terrorism.
Idioms: tough as nails ▪ tough as old boots ▪ tough luck
Derived Words: toughly ▪ toughness

Derived: tough something out

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

tough / tʌf / adjective (STRONG)

B2 strong; not easily broken or made weaker or defeated:

These toys are made from tough plastic.

Children's shoes need to be tough.

You have to be tough to be successful in politics.

informal Their lawyer is a real tough customer/nut (= person) .

C2 strong and determined:

Tough new safety standards have been introduced for cars.

There have been calls for tougher controls/restrictions on what newspapers are allowed to print.

After some tough bargaining, we finally agreed on a deal.

I think it's time the police got tougher on/with (= treated more severely) people who drink and drive.

The government is continuing to take a tough line on terrorism.

toughly / ˈtʌf.li / adverb

These boots are very toughly (= strongly) made.

The newspaper published a toughly worded article about racist behaviour.

We live in a toughly competitive world.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (DIFFICULT)

B2 difficult to do or to deal with:

They've had an exceptionally tough life.

They will be a tough team to beat.

The company is going through a tough time at the moment.

We've had to make some very tough decisions .

My boss has given me a tough job/assignment .

Many homeless people are facing a tough winter .

toughly / ˈtʌf.li / adverb

These boots are very toughly (= strongly) made.

The newspaper published a toughly worded article about racist behaviour.

We live in a toughly competitive world.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (FOOD)

B2 describes food that is difficult to cut or eat:

This steak is very tough.

These apples have tough skins.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (VIOLENT)

likely to be violent or to contain violence; not kind or pleasant:

a tough neighbourhood

Many of the country's toughest criminals are held in this prison.

toughly / ˈtʌf.li / adverb

These boots are very toughly (= strongly) made.

The newspaper published a toughly worded article about racist behaviour.

We live in a toughly competitive world.

toughness / ˈtʌf.nəs /

She has a reputation for toughness (= being strong and determined) .

They can't face the toughness of the competition .

tough / tʌf / adjective (UNLUCKY)

C2 informal unlucky:

"I've been told I've got to work late today because I'm very behind on my work." "Oh, tough luck !"

It's tough on Geoff that he's going to miss the party.

informal sometimes used to show that you have no sympathy for someone's problems or difficulties:

"I haven't got any money left." "Well, ( that's just) tough - you shouldn't have spent it all on cigarettes."

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

tough

[tʌ̱f]
♦♦
tougher, toughest, toughs, toughing, toughed
1) ADJ-GRADED A tough person is strong and determined, and can tolerate difficulty or suffering.
  He built up a reputation as a tough businessman...
  She is tough and ambitious.
  Derived words:
  toughness N-UNCOUNT Mrs Potter has won a reputation for toughness and determination on her way to the top.
2) ADJ-GRADED If you describe someone as tough, you mean that they are rough and violent.
  He had shot three people dead earning himself a reputation as a tough guy.
N-COUNT
A tough is a tough person. Three burly toughs elbowed their way to the front.
3) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A tough place or area is considered to have a lot of crime and violence.
  She doesn't seem cut out for this tough neighbourhood...
  Arthur grew up in a tough city.
  Syn:
  rough
4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n A tough way of life or period of time is difficult or full of suffering.
  She had a pretty tough childhood...
  It's been a tough day...
  He was having a really tough time at work.
  Syn:
  rough
5) ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf A tough task or problem is difficult to do or solve.
  It was a very tough decision but we feel we made the right one...
  Whoever wins the election is going to have a tough job getting the economy back on its feet...
  It may be tough to raise cash...
  Change is often tough to deal with.
  Syn:
  hard
6) ADJ-GRADED Tough policies or actions are strict and firm.
  He is known for taking a tough line on security...
  He announced tough measures to limit the money supply.
  Syn:
  strict
7) ADJ-GRADED A tough substance is strong, and difficult to break, cut, or tear.
  In industry, diamond can form a tough, non-corrosive coating for tools.
  ...dark brown beans with a rather tough outer skin.
8) ADJ-GRADED Tough meat is difficult to cut and chew.
  The steak was tough and the peas were like bullets.
9) PHRASE: V inflects If someone who is trying to achieve something hangs tough, they remain determined and do not give up, even when there are difficulties or problems. [AM, INFORMAL]
  The White House is hanging tough for a good agreement to be reached.
10) a tough row to hoe → see hoe
tough luck → see luck
a tough nut → see nut
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - tough out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹tough /ˈtʌf/ adj tough·er; tough·est
1 : very difficult to do or deal with
• a tough [=hard] assignment/problem
• tough choices
• She had a tough time in college.
• It's been a tough year for our family. = This year has been tough on [=hard on] our family.
- often followed by to + verb
• It was tough to quit smoking.
• The problem was tough to solve.
2 a : physically and emotionally strong : able to do hard work, to deal with harsh conditions, etc.
• tough soldiers
• Are you tough enough for the job?
b : physically strong and violent
• tough criminals
• He's been hanging around with a bunch of tough guys.
3 a : strong and not easily broken or damaged
• tough fibers
• The rug is made of tough material.
b : difficult to cut or chew
• tough meat
4 : very strict
• a tough law/policy
• He's a tough boss/teacher, but fair.
• The candidates both vow to get tough on crime. [=to deal harshly with criminals]
5 : having a lot of crime or danger
• a tough neighborhood
6 : hard to influence or persuade
• She's a tough bargainer/negotiator.
7 informal : unfortunate in a way that seems unfair
• It's tough that he lost that job.
- often used in an ironic way to show that you do not feel sympathy for someone
• “He failed the test.” “Well, that's tough. Maybe if he'd studied a little he would have passed.”
• He failed the test? Tough! [=too bad] He should have studied more than he did.
- see also tough luck at ¹luck
(as) tough as nails
- see ¹nail
(as) tough as old boots Brit informal : very tough
• This steak is as tough as old boots.
• Don't worry about her—she's as tough as old boots.
a tough act to follow
- see follow
a tough nut (to crack)
- see nut
a tough row to hoe
- see ¹row

American English

British English

physically strong and powerful

B2 (Upper-intermediate)

adjective

last

last [verb]

to continue to exist

/læst/

/lɑːst/

Example:

He's working very efficiently at the moment, but it won't last.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

last

verb (lasts, lasting, lasted)

1 to continue for a time:
The film lasted for three hours.
How long did the game last?

2 to be enough for a certain time:
We have enough food to last us till next week.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

IV. last⁴ S1 W2 BrE AmE verb
[Language: Old English; Origin: læstan 'to last, follow']
1. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] to continue for a particular length of time
last for/until/through etc
The hot weather lasted for the whole month of June.
last an hour/ten minutes etc
Each lesson lasts an hour.
The ceasefire didn’t last long.
2. [intransitive and transitive] to continue to exist, be effective, or remain in good condition for a long time:
This good weather won’t last.
last (somebody) two days/three weeks etc
A good coat will last you ten years.
Cut flowers will last longer if you put flower food in the water.
3. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] (also last out (something) British English) to manage to remain in the same situation, even when this is difficult:
They won’t be able to last much longer without fresh supplies.
If you go into the job with that attitude, you won’t last long.
She feared she might not be able to last out the afternoon in court without fainting.
4. [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to be enough for someone for a period of time SYN do
last (somebody) for/until/to etc
The batteries should last for 20 hours playing time.
We only had $50 to last us the rest of the month.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to continue to happen
▪ continue to happen without stopping: The good weather seems likely to continue. | Unless there are serious negotiations, the fighting will continue. | Some people have lost work, and this will continue to happen until the computer system is fixed. | The review process is expected to continue for several weeks.
▪ last to continue – use this to say how long something continues for: I know my good luck won’t last forever. | It’s not certain how long the ceasefire will last. | The trial lasted for six days. | The meeting lasted until lunchtime. | The training period lasted from July 2 to August 25.
▪ go on to continue, especially for a long time: Disputes between neighbours can go on for years.
▪ carry on British English to continue, especially when there are problems: The game carried on despite the injury of two players.
▪ drag on to continue for much longer than necessary or for longer than you want: The meeting dragged on for another hour. | The talks dragged on, with no apparent hope of achieving a peaceful solution.
▪ persist formal if something bad persists, it continues to exist or happen: See your doctor if the symptoms persist. | If adverse weather conditions persist, the game will be cancelled.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

verb
1. intransitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to continue for a particular period of time
• The meeting only lasted (for) a few minutes.
• Each game lasts about an hour.

• How long does the play last?

2. intransitive, transitive to continue to exist or to function well
• This weather won't last.
• He's making a big effort now, and I hope it lasts.

• ~ sb These shoes should last you till next year.

3. intransitive, transitive to survive sth or manage to stay in the same situation, despite difficulties
• She won't last long in that job.
• ~ (out) Can you last (out) until I can get help?
• ~ (out) sth Doctors say that she probably won't last out the night (= she will probably die before the morning).

• He was injured early on and didn't last the match.

4. intransitive, transitive to be enough for sb to use, especially for a particular period of time
• ~ (out) Will the coffee last out till next week?
• ~ sb (out) We've got enough food to last us (for) three days.
Verb forms:

Thesaurus:
last verb I (not used in the progressive tenses)
• Each game lasts about an hour.
take • |especially written continue • |especially spoken go on • • keep on • |especially BrE, especially spoken carry on • |disapproving drag on •
last/continue/go on/keep on/carry on/drag on for hours/a week/two years, etc.
last/continue/go on/keep on/carry on/drag on until morning/next year, etc.
last/take a few minutes/an hour/all day/years, etc.
Which Word?:
last / take
Last and take are both used to talk about the length of time that something continues.
Last is used to talk about the length of time that an event continues: ▪ How long do you think this storm will last? ◊ ▪ The movie lasted over two hours. Last does not always need an expression of time: ▪ His annoyance won’t last. Last is also used to say that you have enough of something: ▪ We don’t have enough money to last until next month.
Take is used to talk about the amount of time you need in order to go somewhere or do something. It must be used with an expression of time: ▪ It takes (me) at least an hour to get home from work. ◊ ▪ How long will the flight take? ◊ ▪ The water took ages to boil.
Example Bank:
• Even when cut, the flowers last very well.
• Happiness never lasts.
• I always thought his popularity was unlikely to last.
• Interest rates are at their lowest level for a decade. I suggest you enjoy it while it lasts.
• Make the most of this feeling while it lasts.
• Nothing lasts forever.
• She hoped they had enough firewood to last through the night.
• The celebrations lasted well into the next week.
• The effort began in November and lasted through February.
• The flight seemed to last forever.
• The good weather couldn't last.
• The kids are all very enthusiastic, but it won't last— it never does.
• The storm could last quite a long time.
• The trial is expected to last until the end of the week.
• The war lasted for three years.
• This house was built to last.
• This type of happiness rarely lasts.
• With care, the vines will last indefinitely.
• Your car will last longer if you look after it.
• a bruise that was sure to last for days
• Each game lasts (for) about an hour.
• He's making a big effort now, and I hope it lasts.
• The meeting only lasted a few minutes.

• This weather won't last.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

last / lɑːst / / læst / verb [ I , L only + noun ]

B1 to continue to exist:

The meeting lasted two hours.

The drought lasted for several months.

They say the snow will last until the end of next week.

I can't see the ceasefire lasting.

They haven't had an argument for two weeks, but it's too good to last (= they'll have an argument soon) .

I doubt their enthusiasm will last.

He's working very efficiently at the moment, but it won't last.

C1 to continue being good or suitable:

There's no point buying something that isn't going to last.

The cheaper washing machines should last about five years.

This pen should last (you) a lifetime if you look after it.

Her previous secretary only lasted a month (= left after this period) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

last

[lɑ͟ːst, læ̱st]
♦
lasts, lasting, lasted
1) DET You use last in expressions such as last Friday, last night, and last year to refer, for example, to the most recent Friday, night, or year.
  I got married last July...
  He never made it home at all last night...
  Last month a shopkeeper's nephew was shot dead...
  It is not surprising they did so badly in last year's elections.
2) ADJ: det ADJ The last event, person, thing, or period of time is the most recent one.
  Much has changed since my last visit...
  At the last count inflation was 10.9 per cent...
  I split up with my last boyfriend three years ago...
  The last few weeks have been hectic.
PRON
Last is also a pronoun. The next tide, it was announced, would be even higher than the last.
3) ADV: ADV with v If something last happened on a particular occasion, that is the most recent occasion on which it happened.
  When were you there last?...
  The house is a little more dilapidated than when I last saw it...
  Hunting on the trust's 625,000 acres was last debated two years ago.
4) ORD The last thing, person, event, or period of time is the one that happens or comes after all the others of the same kind.
  This is his last chance as prime minister.
  ...the last three pages of the chapter...
  She said it was the very last house on the road...
  They didn't come last in their league.
  Ant:
  first
PRON
Last is also a pronoun. It wasn't the first time that this particular difference had divided them and it wouldn't be the last... The trickiest bits are the last on the list.
5) ADV: ADV after v If you do something last, you do it after everyone else does, or after you do everything else.
  I testified last...
  I was always picked last for the football team at school...
  The foreground, nearest the viewer, is painted last.
6) PRON: PRON to-inf If you are the last to do or know something, everyone else does or knows it before you.
  She was the last to go to bed...
  Riccardo and I are always the last to know what's going on.
7) ADJ: det ADJ Last is used to refer to the only thing, person, or part of something that remains.
  Jed nodded, finishing off the last piece of pizza.
  ...the freeing of the last hostage.
N-SING: the N of n
Last is also a noun. He finished off the last of the wine... The last of the ten inmates gave themselves up after twenty eight hours on the roof of the prison.
8) ADJ: det ADJ You use last before numbers to refer to a position that someone has reached in a competition after other competitors have been knocked out.
  Sampras reached the last four at Wimbledon.
  ...the only woman among the authors making it through to the last six.
9) ADJ: det ADJ (emphasis) You can use last to indicate that something is extremely undesirable or unlikely.
  The last thing I wanted to do was teach...
  He would be the last person who would do such a thing.
PRON: PRON to-inf
Last is also a pronoun. I would be the last to say that science has explained everything.
10) PRON: the PRON that The last you see of someone or the last you hear of them is the final time that you see them or talk to them.
  She disappeared shouting, `To the river, to the river!' And that was the last we saw of her...
  I had a feeling it would be the last I heard of him.
  Ant:
  first
11) VERB If an event, situation, or problem lasts for a particular length of time, it continues to exist or happen for that length of time.
  [V for n] The marriage had lasted for less than two years...
  [V n] The games lasted only half the normal time...
  Enjoy it because it won't last. [Also V adv]
12) VERB If something lasts for a particular length of time, it continues to be able to be used for that time, for example because there is some of it left or because it is in good enough condition.
  [V for n] You only need a very small blob of glue, so one tube lasts for ages...
  [V n] The repaired sail lasted less than 24 hours...
  [V adv] The implication is that this battery lasts twice as long as batteries made by other battery makers...
  [V adv] If you build more plastics into cars, the car lasts longer. [Also V]
13) VERB You can use last in expressions such as last the game, last the course, and last the week, to indicate that someone manages to take part in an event or situation right to the end, especially when this is very difficult for them.
  [V n] They wouldn't have lasted the full game...
  [V n] I almost lasted the two weeks. I only had a couple of days to do.
  Syn:
  get through
PHRASAL VERB
To last out means the same as to last. V P n (not pron) It'll be a miracle if the band lasts out the tour... V P A breakfast will be served to those who last out till dawn!
14) → See also lasting
15) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something has happened at last or at long last you mean it has happened after you have been hoping for it for a long time.
  I'm so glad that we've found you at last!...
  Here, at long last, was the moment he had waited for...
  At last the train arrived in the station...
  `All right', he said at last. `You may go.'
  Syn:
  finally
16) PHRASE You use expressions such as the night before last, the election before last and the leader before last to refer to the period of time, event, or person that came immediately before the most recent one in a series.
  It was the dog he'd heard the night before last...
  In the budget before last a tax penalty on the mobile phone was introduced.
17) PHRASE: V inflects If someone breathes their last, they die. [LITERARY]
18) PHRASE: PHR n, PHR after v You can use phrases such as the last but one, the last but two, or the last but three, to refer to the thing or person that is, for example, one, two, or three before the final person or thing in a group or series.
  It's the last but one day in the athletics programme...
  The British team finished last but one.
19) PHRASE: PHR n (emphasis) You use every last to emphasize that you are talking about all the people or things in a group or all the parts of something.
  I'd spent all I had, every last penny...
  You'll never quite get rid of every last bit of grit...
  My tape recorder did not catch every last word.
20) PHRASE The expression last in, first out is used to say that the last person who started work in an organization should be the first person to leave it, if fewer people are needed.
  Workers will go on a `last in, first out' basis.
21) PHRASE: PHR with cl You can use expressions such as the last I heard and the last she heard to introduce a piece of information that is the most recent that you have on a particular subject.
  The last I heard, Joe and Irene were still happily married.
22) PHRASE: V inflects If you leave something or someone until last, you delay using, choosing, or dealing with them until you have used, chosen, or dealt with all the others.
  I have left my best wine until last...
  I picked first all the people who usually were left till last.
23) PHRASE: V inflects If you see the last of someone, you do not expect to see them or deal with them again.
  I honestly thought I'd seen the last of you.
24) PHRASE: PHR after v If you say that something goes on happening to the last, you mean that it happens throughout the whole of a book, film, or event.
  ...a highly readable political thriller with plenty of twists of plot to keep you guessing to the last.
25) PHRASE: group PHR (emphasis) If you say that someone is a particular kind of person to the last, you are emphasizing that they continue to be that kind of person.
  A gentleman to the last, he did not run, but merely attempted to stroll away...
  Armstrong was tall and handsome to the last.
26) PHRASE: PHR after v You use expressions such as to the last detail and to the last man to indicate that a plan, situation, or activity includes every single person, thing, or part involved.
  Every movement, no matter how casual and spontaneous, needs to be worked out to the last detail...
  Our troops are being used up to the last man.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹last /ˈlæst, Brit ˈlɑːst/ verb lasts; last·ed; last·ing
1 a [no obj] : to continue in time
• How long does the movie last?
• The movie lasts (for) about two hours. [=the movie is about two hours long]
• The conference starts on Monday and it lasts until Friday.
• The game lasted (for) three hours.
• Don't worry, the storm won't/can't last. [=the storm will end soon]
b [no obj] : to continue in good condition
• The car should last 10 years.
• I doubt that those boots will last (much longer).
• That bridge will last a long time.
• Our products are built to last.
c [no obj] : to continue to be available
• These oranges are on sale while they/supplies last. [=they are on sale until they have all been sold]
d : to continue to be enough for the needs of someone

[no obj]

• We have enough food to last (for) the rest of the week.

[+ obj]

• We have enough food to last us (for) the rest of the week.
• That car should last you ten years. [=you should not have to get another car for ten years]
2 [no obj]
a : to be able to continue in a particular situation or condition
• I am not sure he will last in his new job.
• Can you last a whole day without cigarettes?
b : to continue to live
• My father is very ill. He may not last much longer.
• He may not last (through) the night. [=he may die before the night has ended]
• (chiefly Brit) He may not last out the night.
last the distance
- see ¹distance

plan

plan [noun] (DECISION)

a set of decisions about how to do something in the future

/plæn/

Example:

What are your plans for this weekend?

Oxford Essential Dictionary

noun

1 something that you have decided to do and how you are going to do it:
What are your holiday plans?
They have plans to build a new school.

2 a map showing a building or a town:
a street plan of London

3 a drawing that shows how a new building, room or machine will be made:
Have you seen the plans for the new shopping centre?

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

plan

I. plan¹ S1 W1 /plæn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑plan, ↑planner, ↑planning; verb: ↑plan; adjective: planned ≠ ↑unplanned]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: 'drawing of a building at ground level'; partly from Latin planum 'level ground', partly from French planter 'to plant']
1. INTENTION something you have decided to do:
His plan is to get a degree in economics and then work abroad for a year.
Do you have any plans for the weekend?
There’s been a change of plan – we’re not going to Ibiza after all.
the best plan British English (=the best course of action)
Your best plan would be to take a taxi.
2. METHOD/ARRANGEMENT a set of actions for achieving something in the future, especially a set of actions that has been considered carefully and in detail
plan for
The chairman outlined the company’s plans for achieving a 10% growth in sales.
plan to do something
There are plans to turn the site of the factory into a park.
3. MAP a drawing similar to a map, showing roads, towns, and buildings
plan of
a street plan of London
4. DRAWING
a) technical a drawing of a building, room, or machine as it would be seen from above, showing the shape, size, and position of the walls, windows, and doors ⇨ ↑elevation(4), ↑section¹(7), ↑ground plan(1)
b) a drawing that shows exactly how something will be arranged:
I have to organise a seating plan for the dinner.
5. plan A, Plan A your first plan, which you will use if things happen the way you expect:
We’re going to find a restaurant and buy a meal. That’s Plan A.
6. plan B, Plan B your second plan, which you can use if things do not happen the way you expect:
It’s time to put Plan B into action.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have plans I have no plans to retire yet.
▪ change your plans We had to change our plans at the last minute.
▪ abandon/give up your plans The city authorities have abandoned their plans to host the Super Bowl.
▪ cancel your plans The weather got worse, and we had to cancel our plans to have the party outdoors.
▪ shelve a plan (=cancel your plan, although you may do it later) The plan had to be shelved because of lack of money.
■ phrases
▪ a change of plan The day before my flight, my boss phoned and said there’d been a change of plan.
■ adjectives
▪ sb’s immediate plans (=what they are going to do next) So what are your immediate plans after graduation?
▪ the best plan British English (=the best thing to do) I think the best plan is to take the train.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ have a plan Don’t worry – I have a plan.
▪ make plans (=prepare for something) Mary has been busy making plans for her wedding.
▪ come up with a plan (=think of a plan) The chairman must come up with a plan to get the club back on its feet.
▪ devise/formulate/draw up a plan (=make a detailed plan, especially after considering something carefully) He devised a daring plan to steal two million dollars. | The company has already drawn up plans to develop the site.
▪ carry out a plan (=do what has been planned) The bombers were arrested by the security forces before they could carry out their plans.
▪ keep to/stick to a plan We’re sticking to our original plan.
▪ abandon/scrap a plan (=decide not to continue with it) The plan was scrapped because it was too expensive.
▪ announce/unveil a plan (=officially tell people about it) The government unveiled its plans for a shake-up of the health system.
▪ approve a plan The plan was approved at a board meeting on 24 December.
▪ reject a plan The plan was rejected on the grounds that it would cost too much money.
▪ outline a plan (=describe it in a general way) They listened as he outlined his plan.
▪ implement a plan formal (=to do what has been agreed as part of an official plan) To implement its plans, the company has entered into a partnership with another software developer.
▪ shelve a plan (=not continue with it, although you might continue with it later) The plans will be shelved until an alternative access to the site can be found.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + plan
▪ ambitious The plan was very ambitious, but it worked.
▪ detailed The generals drew up detailed plans for the invasion.
▪ cunning/clever/ingenious They devised a cunning plan to get back their money. | The gang devised a cunning plan to rob the bank.
▪ a five-year/ten-year etc plan Unesco has a 25-year plan to provide basic education to all.
▪ a grand plan (=a plan that involves doing a lot of things in order to achieve something big) Marrying the countess was all part of his grand plan.
▪ a master plan (=a detailed plan for dealing with a complicated situation) The governors came up with a master plan for saving the school.
▪ a business plan We’ve developed a business plan to take over the company.
▪ a peace plan Both sides have agreed to implement the UN peace plan.
▪ a rescue plan (=a plan for saving a company, economy etc) Which rescue plan offers the company the best prospects of survival?
▪ an action plan My accountant developed a detailed action plan with specific targets.
■ phrases
▪ go according to plan (=happen in the way that was arranged) If everything goes according to plan, we’ll finish in January.
▪ a plan of action Ministers are discussing a plan of action to deal with the crisis.
▪ a plan of attack (=a plan to attack or achieve something) At this stage, you go back to the office and work on a plan of attack.
▪ a plan of campaign British English (=a plan to achieve something) What we need now is a plan of campaign.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'do a plan'. Say make a plan.
• • •
THESAURUS (for Meaning 2)
▪ plan a set of actions for achieving something in the future, especially a set of actions that has been considered carefully and in detail: Leaders outlined a plan to end the fighting.
▪ plot/conspiracy a secret plan to do something bad or illegal, made by a group of people: There was a plot to assassinate the President. | a terrorist conspiracy
▪ scheme British English an official plan that is intended to help people: The government has introduced a new scheme to help young people find work.
▪ strategy a carefully designed plan which is intended to achieve a particular purpose over a long period of time: the company’s business strategy | The government’s economic strategy has been criticized by many experts. | We need to develop effective strategies for combating the sale of counterfeit goods.
▪ initiative a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular aim: a peace initiative | a major new initiative to tackle street crime
▪ policy a plan that members of a government, political party, company etc agree on, that states how they intend to deal with a particular subject or problem: the government’s immigration policy | It’s company policy to allow people to work from home.
▪ programme British English, program American English a series of activities that a government or organization organizes, which aims to achieve something important and will continue for a long time: a five-year programme which will create 2000 new jobs | federal programs for low-income housing

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

plan

plan [plan plans planned planning] noun, verb [plæn] [plæn]

noun

INTENTION
1. something that you intend to do or achieve
• ~ (for sth) Do you have any plans for the summer?
• ~ (to do sth) There are no plans to build new offices.
• Your best plan (= the best thing to do) would be to go by car.
• There's been a change of plan.

• We can't change our plans now.

ARRANGEMENT

2. a set of things to do in order to achieve sth, especially one that has been considered in detail in advance
• ~ (for sth) Both sides agreed to a detailed plan for keeping the peace.
• ~ (to do sth) The government has announced plans to create one million new training places.
• a development/business/peace, etc. plan
• a five-point plan
• a three-year plan
• We need to make plans for the future.
• a plan of action/campaign
• Let's hope everything will go according to plan.

see also master plan

MAP

3. a detailed map of a building, town, etc
• a plan of the museum

• a street plan of the city

DRAWING

4. usually plural ~ (for/of sth) (technical) a detailed drawing of a machine, building, etc. that shows its size, shape and measurements
• The architect is drawing up plans for the new offices.
• Plans for our extension have been submitted for approval.

compare elevation (⁴), ground plan

5. a diagram that shows how sth will be arranged
• a seating plan (= showing where each person will sit, for example at a dinner)

• a floor plan (= showing how furniture is arranged)

MONEY

6. (especially in compounds) a way of investing money for the future
• a savings plan
more at (it) sounds like a plan to me at sound _v.
Word Origin:
late 17th cent.: from French, from earlier plant ‘ground plan, plane surface’, influenced in sense by Italian pianta ‘plan of building’. Compare with plant.
Thesaurus:
plan noun
1. C
• The plan is to build new offices.
intention • • idea • • aim • • objective • • goal • • target • • purpose • • object • • end • |formal law intent •
the plan/intention/idea/aim/objective/goal/target/object is to do sth
sb's original plan/intention/idea/aim/objective/goal/target/purpose
have a/an plan/intention/idea/aim/objective/goal/target/purpose/object/end
Plan or intention? Your plans are what you have decided or arranged to do, often, but not always, in the longer term; your intentions are what you want to do, especially in the near future.
2. C
• The government has announced plans to create 50 000 new jobs.
policy • • proposal • • initiative • • strategy • • platform • • manifesto • |especially BrE scheme • |BrE programme • |AmE program •
a/an plan/policy/proposal/initiative/strategy/platform/manifesto/scheme/programme for sth
a/an plan/policy/proposal/initiative/strategy/scheme/programme to do sth
propose a plan/policy/strategy/scheme
have/adopt a plan/policy/proposal/strategy/scheme
3. C
• a street plan of the city
map •
on a plan/map
look at/consult a plan/map
a plan/map shows sth
4. C
• A spy stole the plans for the new aircraft.
design • • blueprint • • draft •
a plan/design/blueprint/draft of sth
a plan/design/blueprint for sth
draw up/produce a plan/design/draft
Synonyms:
purpose
aim • intention • plan • point • idea
These are all words for talking about what sb/sth intends to do or achieve.
purpose • what sth is supposed to achieve; what sb is trying to achieve: ▪ Our campaign's main purpose is to raise money.
aim • what sb is trying to achieve; what sth is supposed to achieve: ▪ She went to London with the aim of finding a job. ◊ ▪ Our main aim is to increase sales in Europe.
purpose or aim?
Your purpose for doing something is your reason for doing it; your aim is what you want to achieve. Aim can suggest that you are only trying to achieve sth; purpose gives a stronger sense of achievement being certain. Aim can be sb's aim or the aim of sth. Purpose is more usually the purpose of sth: you can talk about sb's purpose but that is more formal.
intention • what you intend to do: ▪ I have no intention of going to the wedding. ◊ ▪ She's full of ▪ good intentions ▪ but they rarely work out.
plan • what you intend to do or achieve: ▪ There are no plans to build new offices.
intention or plan?
Your intentions are what you want to do, especially in the near future; your plans are what you have decided or arranged to do, often, but not always, in the longer term.
point • (rather informal) the purpose or aim of sth: ▪ What's the point ▪ of all this violence? ◊ ▪ The point of the lesson is to compare the two countries.
idea • (rather informal) the purpose of sth; sb's aim: ▪ The whole idea of going was so that we could meet her new boyfriend. ◊ ▪ What's the idea ▪ behind this?
point or idea?
Point is a more negative word than idea. If you say What's the point…? you are suggesting that there is no point; if you say What's the idea…? you are genuinely asking a question. Point, but not idea, is used to talk about things you feel annoyed or unhappy about: There's no idea in… ◊ I don't see the idea of….
with the purpose/aim/intention/idea of doing sth
sb's intention/plan to do sth
to have a(n) purpose/aim/intention/plan/point
to achieve/fulfil a(n) purpose/aim
Example Bank:
• A new plan for reducing traffic accidents was unveiled.
• A spokeswoman confirmed there was no definite plan to stage a concert in the park.
• Do you have any contingency plans if the scheme doesn't work?
• Do you have any contingency plans if there is a delay?
• Even the best-laid plans can go wrong.
• I like to make plans well in advance.
• If Plan A fails, go to Plan B.
• Let's stick to our original plan
• Local residents have vowed to fight plans to build a new road.
• Plans are afoot to stage a new opera.
• Plans to build a dam have been shelved following protests.
• Senators signed a letter opposing the plan.
• Site plans were filed with the city this week.
• The airline intends to file a reorganization plan within three months.
• The best plan is for me to meet you at the airport.
• The government has ambitious plans for prison reform.
• The government launched a five-year plan aimed at diversifying the economy.
• The moves contravene the peace plan agreed by both sides.
• The plan calls for investments totalling $100 million.
• The plan calls for massive investment in the region.
• The plan contains four main elements.
• The plan shows the exact location of the house.
• The president will now press ahead with his plans for reform.
• The strike ruined my travel plans.
• To change anything in this organization, we'll need a plan of action.
• We need to develop a sound business plan.
• What are your immediate plans?
• What is their game plan for winning the election?
• a six-week low-fat eating plan
• a three-point action plan to improve hygiene at work
• plans for the future
• Do you have a plan of the museum?
• Enemy spies stole the plans for the new aircraft.
• He had no master plan in place before he started the project.
• He produced a plan of the house.
• How are your wedding plans coming along?
• It's a good idea to always have a plan B if your original plan falls through.
• Let's hope everything goes according to plan.
• Senior officials put forward a three-year plan.
• She drew some plans and elevations of the church's structure.
• The architect is drawing up plans for the new office.
• The corporation is pressing ahead with plans to build a new power station.
• The floor plan is very simple.
• The government has announced plans to create 50 000 new training places.
• The main markets were clearly marked on the plan.
• The peace plan was agreed at an international summit meeting.
• The plan shows where all the electrical points will go.
• The plan will be put into action within the next three months.
• The plans were made some time ago, but work on the building has not yet started.
• There's been a change of plan.
• They are working on an economic development plan.
• We asked for street plan of the city.
• We can't change our plans now.
• Who was responsible for the seating plan?
• You will need a clear and realistic business plan.
• Your best plan would be to go by car.
• a plan of action/campaign
• an action plan
Idiom: make a plan

Derived: plan something out

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

plan / plæn / noun (DECISION)

A2 [ C ] a set of decisions about how to do something in the future:

a company's business plan

a negotiated peace plan

a five-year plan

holiday plans

What are your plans for this weekend?

[ + to infinitive ] My plan is to hire a car when I arrive in America and travel about.

[ C ] a type of arrangement for financial investment:

a pension/savings plan

go according to plan to happen in the way you intend:

Events of this type rarely go according to plan.

Word partners for plan noun

have / make a plan • announce / outline / unveil a plan • approve / back / oppose / reject a plan • go ahead / press ahead with a plan • abandon / drop / shelve a plan • an ambitious / controversial / detailed / strategic plan • a plan of action • a plan for sth

plan / plæn / noun (DRAWING)

B2 [ C ] a drawing of a building, town, area, vehicle, machine, etc. which only shows its shape from above, its size, and the position of important details:

a street plan (= a type of map of a town showing the roads)

a seating plan (= a drawing which shows where each person will sit)

plans [ plural ] B2 drawings from which something is made or built:

The architect showed us the house plans that she had drawn up .

I'll send a set of plans for the new machine.

Word partners for plan noun

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

plan

[plæ̱n]
♦
plans, planning, planned
1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, also according to N A plan is a method of achieving something that you have worked out in detail beforehand.
  The three leaders had worked out a peace plan...
  The project is part of a United Nations plan for refugees.
  ...a detailed plan of action for restructuring the group...
  He maintains that everything is going according to plan.
  Syn:
  strategy
2) VERB If you plan what you are going to do, you decide in detail what you are going to do, and you intend to do it.
  [V wh] If you plan what you're going to eat, you reduce your chances of overeating...
  [V to-inf] He planned to leave Baghdad on Monday...
  [V for n] It would be difficult for schools to plan for the future...
  [V n] I had been planning a trip to the West Coast...
  [V-ed] A planned demonstration in the capital later today has been called off by its organisers.
3) N-PLURAL: usu with supp, oft N for n/-ing, N to-inf If you have plans, you are intending to do a particular thing.
  `I'm sorry,' she said. `I have plans for tonight.'...
  The Bonn government is making plans to evacuate more than two hundred of its citizens from the troubled area.
  Syn:
  arrangements
4) VERB When you plan something that you are going to make, build, or create, you decide what the main parts of it will be and do a drawing of how it should be made.
  [V n] It is no use trying to plan an 18-hole golf course on a 120-acre site if you have to ruin the environment to do it.
  Syn:
  design, think out
5) N-COUNT: oft N of/for n A plan of something that is going to be built or made is a detailed diagram or drawing of it.
  ...when you have drawn a plan of the garden.
6) → See also planning
  Phrasal Verbs:
  - plan on
  - plan out

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

¹plan /ˈplæn/ noun, pl plans
1 : a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something

[count]

• the President's economic plan
• the army's plan of attack
• We need to agree on a plan of action.
- often + for
• The partners created a business plan for their new store.
• The city has a ten-year plan for fixing the city's roads.

[noncount]

• Not everything at the show went according to plan. [=the way it was supposed to]
- see also game plan, master plan
2 : something that a person intends to do

[count]

• Our plan was to have the guests park on the street, not the lawn.
- often plural
• We would love to have dinner at your house Friday night, but we already have plans. [=we are already planning/expecting to do something else]
• They didn't want to change their vacation plans.
• We made plans to go out this Friday.

[noncount]

• When we met them at the restaurant, they said there had been a change of/in plan.
3 [count] : a detailed agreement for telephone service, medical care, insurance, etc.
• a health/medical plan [=an insurance program that pays for medical care]
• He changed his long-distance/calling plan.
• a tuition payment plan
• Her employer offers a great dental plan. [=insurance for dental care]
• a retirement plan
- see also installment plan, pension plan
4 [count] : a drawing that shows the parts or details of something (such as a building, town, machine, etc.)
• a street plan of Washington, D.C.
• a seating plan [=a drawing that shows the places where particular people will sit at a gathering]
- often plural
• The builder brought over the plans for their new house.
• The architect drew up plans for the office tower.
- see also floor plan

American English

British English

plans and arrangements

A2 (Elementary)

noun

upset

upset [verb] (CHANGE)

to change the usual or expected state or order of something, especially in a way that stops it from happening or working

/ʌpˈset/

Example:

Any mechanical problems would upset our plans of driving across the desert.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

verb (upsets, upsetting, upset, has upset)

1 to make somebody feel unhappy or worried:
You upset Tom when you said he was fat.

2 to make something go wrong:
The bad weather upset our plans for the weekend.

3 to knock something so that it turns over and things fall out:
I upset a glass of wine all over the table.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

II. up‧set² S2 /ʌpˈset/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle upset, present participle upsetting) [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: ↑upset, ↑upsetting; verb: ↑upset; noun: ↑upset]
[Date: 1700-1800; Origin: Probably from upset 'to set up, raise' (15-17 centuries)]
1. MAKE SOMEBODY UNHAPPY to make someone feel unhappy or worried:
Don’t do anything that would upset him.
2. CHANGE SOMETHING to change a plan or situation in a way that causes problems:
The chemicals upset the balance of the environment.
3. MAKE SOMETHING FALL to push something over without intending to:
He upset a bowl of soup.
4. DEFEAT to defeat an opponent who is considered to be much better than you:
Jones upset the 40th-ranked American, Cunningham.
5. upset the apple cart informal to completely spoil someone’s plans
6. upset your stomach to affect your stomach and make you feel sick:
The soup was revolting and upset my stomach.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

upset

upset [upset upsets upsetting] verb, adjective, noun

verb [ʌpˈset] ; [ʌpˈset] (up·set·ting, upset, upset)
1. to make sb/yourself feel unhappy, anxious or annoyed
Syn: distress
• ~ sb/yourself This decision is likely to upset a lot of people.
• Try not to let him upset you.
• Don't upset yourself about it— let's just forget it ever happened.
• it upsets sb that… It upset him that nobody had bothered to tell him about it.

• it upsets sb to do sth It upsets me to think of her all alone in that big house.

2. ~ sth to make a plan, situation, etc. go wrong

• He arrived an hour late and upset all our arrangements.

3. ~ sb's stomach to make sb feel sick after they have eaten or drunk sth

4. ~ sth to make sth fall over by hitting it by accident
• She stood up suddenly, upsetting a glass of wine.

Example Bank:
• I'm sorry— I didn't mean to upset you.
• Keep the volume down— we don't want to upset the neighbours!
• She was sensitive and easily upset.
• Don't upset yourself about it.
• The disagreement further upset relations between the two countries.
• Their plans were upset even more by days of torrential rain.

Idiom: upset the apple cart

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

upset / ʌpˈset / verb [ T ] ( present tense upsetting , past tense and past participle upset ) (WORRY)

B2 to make someone worried, unhappy, or angry:

It still upsets him when he thinks about the accident.

Don't upset your self by thinking about what might have been.

upset / ʌpˈset / verb [ T ] ( present tense upsetting , past tense and past participle upset ) (CHANGE)

to change the usual or expected state or order of something, especially in a way that stops it from happening or working:

Any mechanical problems would upset our plans of driving across the desert.

upset / ʌpˈset / verb [ T ] ( present tense upsetting , past tense and past participle upset ) (KNOCK)

to push or knock something out of its usual position, usually by accident, especially causing it to fall:

Our dog upset the picnic table, spilling food everywhere.

upset / ʌpˈset / verb [ T ] ( present tense upsetting , past tense and past participle upset ) (MAKE SICK)

to make someone feel slightly sick:

He can't eat grapes - they upset him/his stomach.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

upset

♦♦♦
upsets, upsetting, upset
(Pronounced [ʌ̱pse̱t] when it is a verb or an adjective. Pronounced [ʌ̱pset] when it is a noun.)
1) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ by/about n If you are upset, you are unhappy or disappointed because something unpleasant has happened to you.
  After she died I felt very, very upset...
  Marta looked upset...
  She sounded upset when I said you couldn't give her an appointment...
  They are terribly upset by the break-up of their parents' marriage.
  Syn:
  distressed
N-COUNT
Upset is also a noun. ...stress and other emotional upsets.
2) VERB If something upsets you, it makes you feel worried or unhappy.
  [V n] The whole incident had upset me and my fiancee terribly...
  [V n] She warned me not to say anything to upset him...
  [V pron-refl] Don't upset yourself, Ida.
  Syn:
  distress
  Derived words:
  upsetting ADJ-GRADED usu v-link ADJ Childhood illness can be upsetting for children and parents alike... I will never see him again and that is a terribly upsetting thought.
3) VERB If events upset something such as a procedure or a state of affairs, they cause it to go wrong.
  [V n] Political problems could upset agreements between Moscow and Kabul...
  [V n] House prices are easily upset by factors which have nothing to do with property.
  Syn:
  disruption
N-COUNT
Upset is also a noun. Markets are very sensitive to any upsets in the Japanese economic machine.
4) VERB If you upset an object, you accidentally knock or push it over so that it scatters over a large area.
  [V n] Don't upset the piles of sheets under the box.
  [V n] ...bumping into him, and almost upsetting the ginger ale.
5) N-COUNT: supp N A stomach upset is a slight illness in your stomach caused by an infection or by something that you have eaten.
  Paul was unwell last night with a stomach upset...
  It wasn't anything serious. A mild stomach upset, that's all.
ADJ: ADJ n
Upset is also an adjective. Larry is suffering from an upset stomach.
6) to upset the applecart → see applecart

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

²up·set /ˌʌpˈsɛt/ verb -sets; -set; -set·ting [+ obj]
1 : to make (someone) unhappy, worried, etc.
• That remark you made really upset me.
• Don't upset yourself over it.
• It upsets him that he can do nothing to help.
• A lot of people were upset by the court's decision.
• It upsets me to think I might never see him again.
2 : to cause an unpleasant feeling in (your stomach)
• Spicy food upsets my stomach.
3 : to cause (something) to be unable to continue in the expected way
• His sudden arrival upset [=disrupted] our plans.
4 : to defeat (someone who was expected to defeat you)
• The heavyweight challenger upset the reigning champion in the third round.
• She was upset in the primary.
5 : to cause (something) to fall
• He accidentally bumped the table and upset a lamp.
upset the apple cart informal : to do something that changes or spoils a plan, situation, system, etc.
• Let's not upset the apple cart by introducing new rules.
- upsetting adj [more ~; most ~]
• It was a very upsetting situation.

American English

British English

upsetting and destabilizing

verb

spend

spend [verb] (TIME)

to use time doing something or being somewhere

/spend/

Example:

I think we need to spend more time together.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

spend

verb (spends, spending, spent /, has spent)

1 to pay money for something:
Louise spends a lot of money on clothes.

2 to pass time:
I spent the summer in Italy.
He spent a lot of time sleeping.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

spend

spend S1 W1 /spend/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle spent /spent/)
[Date: 1100-1200; Origin: Partly from Latin expendere ( ⇨ ↑expend) and partly, later, from Old French despendre, from Latin dispendere 'to weigh out']
1. MONEY [intransitive and transitive] to use your money to pay for goods or services:
I can’t afford to spend any more money this week.
spend £5/$10 etc
I only want to spend about $20.
spend something on something
More money should be spent on education.
spend something on somebody
Mum never spends any money on herself.
The repairs cost a lot, but it’s money well spent (=a sensible way of spending money).
2. TIME [transitive] to use time doing a particular thing or pass time in a particular place
spend time etc with somebody
I want to spend more time with my family.
spend time etc in/at something
We’ll have to spend the night in a hotel.
His childhood was spent in Brazil.
spend time etc doing something
Stacey spends all her free time painting.
3.
a) spend the night with somebody to stay for the night and have sex with someone
b) spend the night (at something) if someone spends the night at someone’s house, they sleep at that person’s house for a night:
She spent the night at a friend’s house.
4. FORCE/EFFORT [transitive] to use effort or energy to do something:
I love to cook, but I don’t feel like spending the energy every evening.
5. spend a penny British English spoken old-fashioned to ↑urinate – used when you want to avoid saying this directly
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ spend to use money to buy things: I bought two skirts and a T-shirt and I only spent $50. | How much do you spend a week on food?
▪ go through something (also get through something British English) to spend all of an amount of money over a period of time – used especially when saying that someone spends a lot of money: I got through all my money in less than a month, and had to get my parents to send me more.
▪ go to great expense to spend a lot of money in order to do something, because you think it is important or special: The party was wonderful – they had obviously gone to great expense. | There’s no need to go to great expense.
▪ squander /ˈskwɒndə $ ˈskwɑːndər/ to waste money on unnecessary things, instead of saving it or using it carefully: His son had squandered the family fortune on gambling and women.
▪ splash out British English informal to spend a lot of money on something you really want or will enjoy: Let’s splash out on a bottle of champagne. | People often splash out for Christmas and then regret it later.
▪ blow informal to spend a lot of money on something, especially on something that you do not really need: Her husband blew all their savings on a new sports car.
▪ economize to spend less money: We’re trying to economize by eating at home instead of going out for meals.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

spend

spend [spend spends spent spending] verb, noun [spend] [spend]

verb (spent, spent [spent] ; [spent] )
1. transitive, intransitive to give money to pay for goods, services, etc
• ~ sth I've spent all my money already.
• ~ sth on sth/on doing sth She spent £100 on a new dress.
• ~ (sth doing sth) The company has spent thousands of pounds updating their computer systems.

• I just can't seem to stop spending.

2. transitive to use time for a particular purpose; to pass time
• ~ sth + adv./prep. We spent the weekend in Paris.
• How do you spend your spare time?
• Her childhood was spent in Italy.
• ~ sth on sth How long did you spend on your homework?
• ~ sth doing sth I spend too much time watching television.
• I've spent years trying to learn Japanese.

• ~ sth in doing sth Most of her life was spent in caring for others.

3. transitive, often passive to use energy, effort, etc, especially until it has all been used
• ~ sth on sth She spends too much effort on things that don't matter.
• ~ itself The storm had finally spent itself.
see also spent

Word Origin:
Old English spendan, from Latin expendere ‘pay out’; partly also a shortening of obsolete dispend, from Latin dispendere ‘pay out’.
Thesaurus:
spend verb
1. T, I
• She spent £100 on a new dress.
pay • • give • • invest •
spend/invest on sth
spend/pay/give/invest money/£1 000
spendpay/give/invest a lot
2. T
• I spend too much time watching TV.
pass • • occupy • • fill • • devote sth to sth • • while sth away • |sometimes disapproving take up sth •
spend/pass/occupy/fill/devote/while away/take up (the) time
spend/pass/occupy/fill/devote/while away/take up an hour/a couple of hours
Example Bank:
• The company spent a lot on advertising.
• Try to be objective if you want to spend your money wisely.
• Try to spend your money wisely.
• the amount of money spent per student
• He had grown used to spending freely, without worrying about the consequences.
• I've spent all my money already.
• I've spent years trying to learn Japanese.

Idioms: spend a penny ▪ spend the night with somebody

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

spend / spend / verb [ I or T ] ( spent , spent ) (MONEY)

A2 to give money as a payment for something:

How much did you spend?

I don't know how I managed to spend so much in the pub last night.

We spent a fortune when we were in New York.

She spends a lot of money on clothes.

We've just spent £1.9 million on improving our computer network.

We went on a spending spree (= we bought a lot of things) on Saturday.

spend / spend / verb [ T ] ( spent , spent ) (TIME)

A2 to use time doing something or being somewhere:

I think we need to spend more time together.

I spent a lot of time clean ing that room.

I've spent years build ing up my collection.

I spent an hour at the station wait ing for the train.

How long do you spend on your homework?

My sister always spends ages in the bathroom.

We spent the weekend in London.

You can spend the night here if you like.

spend / spend / verb [ T ] ( spent , spent ) (FORCE)

to use energy, effort, force, etc., especially until there is no more left:

For the past month he's been spending all his energy trying to find a job.

They continued firing until all their ammunition was spent (= there was none of it left) .

The hurricane will probably have spent most of its force (= most of its force will have gone) by the time it reaches the northern parts of the country.

Her anger soon spent itself (= stopped) .

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

spend

[spe̱nd]
♦
spends, spending, spent
1) VERB When you spend money, you pay money for things that you want.
  [V n] By the end of the holiday I had spent all my lire...
  [V n -ing] Businessmen spend enormous amounts advertising their products...
  [V amount/n on n] Juventus have spent ₤23m on new players...
  [V-ed] The survey may cost at least ₤100 but is money well spent.
  Derived words:
  spending N-UNCOUNT Has your spending on food increased?... Government spending is expected to fall.
2) VERB If you spend time or energy doing something, you use your time or effort doing it.
  [V n -ing] Engineers spend much time and energy developing brilliant solutions...
  [V n -ing] This energy could be much better spent taking some positive action.
3) VERB If you spend a period of time in a place, you stay there for a period of time.
  [V n adv/prep] We spent the night in a hotel.
4) spend a penny → see penny

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

spend

spend /ˈspɛnd/ verb spends; spent /ˈspɛnt/; spend·ing
1 : to use (money) to pay for something

[+ obj]

• I spent $30 on his birthday gift.
• They spend a lot on clothes and cars.
• I want to buy a new car, but I don't have much money to spend.
• This computer wasn't cheap, but it was money well spent. [=it was worth its price]

[no obj]

• Her willingness to spend freely made her popular among her friends.
• He spends lavishly on vacations.
2 [+ obj] : to allow (time) to pass in a particular place or while doing a particular activity
• I spent my summer at the beach.
• She spent eight months living in New York City.
• Relaxing with friends is a great way to spend a weekend.
• Our cat spends most of his time sleeping.
• Too much of my time is spent arguing with customers.
3 [+ obj] : to use (energy or effort) to do something
• She spends far too much energy worrying about her daughter.
• I wish he spent as much (of his) effort/energy on studying as he does on video games.
• Our energy/effort(s) would be better spent (in) solving the problem rather than just complaining about it.
spend the night
✦If you sleep at a place for a night, you spend the night there.
• After the party she was too drunk to drive so she spent the night.
• They spent the night at her brother's. If you spend the night with someone, or if you and someone else spend the night together, you stay with someone overnight and have sex with that person.
• We spent the night together.
• I spent the night with her/him.

American English

British English

spending time and time passing

A2 (Elementary)

verb

chunk

chunk [noun]

a part of something, especially a large part

/tʃʌŋk/

Example:

Three hours is quite a chunk out of my working day.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

chunk

noun
a large piece of something:
a chunk of cheese

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

chunk

chunk /tʃʌŋk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1600-1700; Origin: ⇨ ↑chuck²]
1. a large thick piece of something that does not have an even shape:
ice chunks
chunk of
a chunk of bread
2. a large part or amount of something:
The rent takes a large chunk out of my monthly salary.
chunk of
A huge chunk of the audience got up and left before the end of the show.
3. a chunk of change American English informal a large amount of money:
Lurie risked a pretty big chunk of change on the race.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ piece an amount of something that has been cut or separated from the main part: Could I have another piece of cake? | a piece of broken glass | Emma cut the pie into eight pieces.
▪ bit a piece. Bit is more informal than piece and is often used about smaller pieces: The notes were written on bits of paper. | He threw a bit of wood onto the fire.
▪ lump a small piece of something solid or firm that does not have a regular shape: two lumps of sugar | a lump of coal | a lump of clay
▪ scrap a small piece of paper, cloth etc that is no longer needed: I wrote the phone number on a scrap of paper. | The dog was eating scraps of food off the floor.
▪ strip a long narrow piece of cloth, paper etc: a strip of cloth | The leather had been cut into strips.
▪ sheet a thin flat piece of something such as paper, glass, or metal: a blank sheet of paper | a sheet of aluminium
▪ slice a thin flat piece of bread, cake, meat etc cut from a larger piece: a slice of pizza | Cut the tomatoes into thin slices.
▪ chunk a piece of something solid that does not have a regular shape – used especially about food, rock, or metal: The fruit was cut into large chunks. | a chunk of bread
▪ hunk a large piece with rough edges, which has been cut or has broken off a bigger piece of food, rock etc: a big hunk of cheese | hunks of concrete
▪ block a piece of something solid, which has straight sides: concrete blocks | a block of cheese | a block of ice
▪ slab a thick flat piece of stone, or of cake, meat etc: The floor had been made from stone slabs. | a slab of beef
▪ cube a piece that has six square sides – used especially about food: a cube of sugar | ice cubes
▪ wedge a piece that has a thick end and a pointed end, and is shaped like a ↑triangle – used especially about food and metal: a wedge of cheese
▪ bar a block of soap, chocolate, candy, or metal, which has straight sides: a chocolate bar | a bar of soap | gold bars worth more than £26 million
▪ rasher British English a slice of bacon: I usually have two rashers of bacon for breakfast.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

chunk

chunk [chunk chunks chunked chunking] [tʃʌŋk] [tʃʌŋk] noun
1. a thick solid piece that has been cut or broken off sth

• a chunk of cheese/masonry

2. (informal) a fairly large amount of sth

• I've already written a fair chunk of the article.

3. (linguistics) a phrase or group of words which can be learnt as a unit by sb who is learning a language. Examples of chunks are ‘Can I have the bill, please?’ and ‘Pleased to meet you’.
see blow chunks at blow _v.
Word Origin:
late 17th cent.: apparently an alteration of the noun chuck senses 1 and 3.
Example Bank:
• He cut the food up into bite-size chunks.
• I bought the cheese in one big chunk.
• The listening texts consist of short, bite-sized chunks which are accessible to beginners.
• The texts consist of short, bite-sized chunks.
• This one project has taken a substantial chunk of our budget.
• a huge chunk of meat/rock/text
• a tin of pineapple chunks

• Chunks of masonry lay in the grass around the ruined building.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

chunk / tʃʌŋk / noun [ C ]

a roughly cut piece:

a chunk of cheese/meat

pineapple/tuna chunks

See picture amounts of food

informal a part of something, especially a large part:

a chunk of text

a substantial chunk of our profits

Three hours is quite a chunk out of my working day.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

chunk

[tʃʌ̱ŋk]
chunks
1) N-COUNT: oft N of n Chunks of something are thick solid pieces of it.
  They had to be careful of floating chunks of ice.
  ...a chunk of meat...
  Cut the melon into chunks.
  Syn:
  lump
2) N-COUNT: usu N of n A chunk of something is a large amount or large part of it. [INFORMAL]
  The company owns a chunk of farmland near Gatwick Airport.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

chunk

chunk /ˈʧʌŋk/ noun, pl chunks [count]
1 : a thick piece of something
• She cut the fruit into large chunks.
• chunks of meat/ice/wood/pineapple
2 somewhat informal : a large amount or part of something
• She spends a good chunk of her day on the phone.
• He devoted a large chunk of time to the project.
• (US) He spent a big/hefty chunk of change [=a lot of money] on that car.

American English

British English

masses and large amounts of things

noun

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