British English

late

I. late¹ S1 W1 /leɪt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative later, superlative latest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: læt]
1. AFTER EXPECTED TIME arriving, happening, or done after the time that was expected, agreed, or arranged OPP early:
Sorry I’m late – I overslept.
ten minutes/two hours etc late
You’re half an hour late.
The train was even later than usual.
We apologize for the late departure of flight AZ709.
There are penalties if loan repayments are late.
late for
Cheryl was late for school.
late with
We’ve never been late with the rent.
2. NEAR THE END [only before noun] used to refer to the part near the end of a period of time OPP early:
a late eighteenth century building
Paul’s in his late forties.
in the late 1980s
By late afternoon, she had done 10 drawings.
3. be too late to arrive or do something after the time when something could or should have been done:
He shouted a warning but it was too late.
too late to do something
Are we too late to get tickets?
It was too late to turn back.
4. AFTER USUAL TIME happening or done after the usual or normal time:
a late breakfast
The harvest was late this year because of the rain.
She looked tired – too many late nights (=nights when she went to bed after the normal time).
5. EVENING near the end of a day:
the late movie
It’s late – I’d better go home.
6. DEAD [only before noun] dead
late husband/wife
Mrs. Moore’s late husband
7. late developer/bloomer
a) a child who develops socially, emotionally, or physically at a later age than other children
b) someone who does not become successful until they are older
8. it’s (a little/bit) late in the day (to do something) used to show disapproval because someone has done something too late:
It’s a bit late in the day to start having objections.
9. late of something formal used about someone who has died fairly recently:
Billy Hicks, late of this parish
—lateness noun [uncountable]:
penalties for lateness at work
despite the lateness of the hour
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ late arriving or happening after the time that was expected or arranged: Sorry I’m late. | The bus was late. | Spring seems to be very late this year.
▪ not on time not arriving or doing something at the time that was expected or arranged: He never hands his homework in on time. | If we don’t leave on time, we’ll miss the flight.
▪ overdue not done or happening by the expected time – used especially about payments that are late or library books that should have been returned: Your rent is three weeks overdue. | I had to pay a £3 fine on some overdue library books.
▪ be behind with something British English, be behind on something American English to be late in doing something that you have to do: I can’t come out because I’m behind with my English essay.
▪ be held up to be made late for a meeting, appointment etc by something that happens, especially by bad traffic: I was held up by a traffic jam.
▪ be delayed to be prevented from arriving, leaving, or happening at the expected time – often used about public transport: The flight was delayed by bad weather.
▪ belated /bɪˈleɪtəd, bɪˈleɪtɪd/ given or done late – used especially about something that someone has forgotten or failed to do: a belated birthday card | I’m still hoping for a belated apology from him.
▪ tardy especially American English formal arriving or happening late: a habitually tardy person | a tardy decision
▪ be in arrears /əˈrɪəz $ əˈrɪrz/ formal to have not made one or more regular payments at the time when you should: One in eight mortgage payers are in arrears.
II. late² S2 W3 BrE AmE adverb (comparative later, superlative no superlative)
1. after the usual time:
The stores are open later on Thursdays.
Ellen has to work late tonight.
Can you stay late?
2. after the arranged or expected time OPP early
ten minutes/two hours etc late
The bus came ten minutes late.
3. too late after the time when something could or should have been done:
The advice came too late.
4. near to the end of a period of time or an event
late in
The wedding took place late in May.
It was not a place to walk in late at night.
5. as late as something used to express surprise that something considered old-fashioned was still happening so recently:
Capital punishment was still used in Britain as late as the 1950s.
6. of late formal recently:
Birth rates have gone down of late.
7. late in life if you do something late in life, you do it at an older age than most people do it
8. better late than never used to say that you are glad someone has done something, or to say that they should do something even though they are late
⇨ run late at ↑run¹(39)

midnight

mid‧night S3 /ˈmɪdnaɪt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑night, ↑midnight, ↑nightie; adverb: ↑overnight, ↑nightly; adjective: ↑nightly, ↑overnight]
12 o'clock at night ⇨ midday
at midnight
The train is due in at midnight.
after/before midnight
We stayed there until way after midnight.
You can’t phone her now – it’s gone midnight (=after midnight)!
By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight).
at/on the stroke of midnight (=at exactly midnight)
The treaty will come into force on the stroke of midnight tonight.
He’s gone for a midnight swim.
► Do not say ‘in the midnight’. If you mean ‘at 12 o’clock at night' say at midnight and if you mean ‘very late at night’ say in the middle of the night.

noon

noon /nuːn/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Language: Old English; Origin: non 'ninth hour from sunrise', from Latin nonus 'ninth']
12 o'clock in the daytime SYN midday
at/before/by noon
We left home at noon.
He rarely gets up before noon.
We met at 12 noon.

Hope

I. Hope, Anthony BrE AmE
(1863–1933) a British writer known especially for his adventure novel The Prisoner of Zenda
II. Hope, Bob BrE AmE
(1903–2003) a US actor and ↑comedian, born in the UK, who appeared in many humorous films such as Road to Singapore (1940) and The Paleface (1948). He was known for his special style of humour, which was based on ↑one-liners (=very short, clever jokes), and for entertaining soldiers during wartime.
 

hope

I. hope¹ S1 W1 /həʊp $ hoʊp/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: hope, hopefulness ≠ hopelessness, hopeful; verb: hope; adverb: hopefully ≠ hopelessly; adjective: hopeful ≠ hopeless]
[Language: Old English; Origin: hopian]
1. to want something to happen or be true and to believe that it is possible or likely
hope (that)
We hope that more women will decide to join the course.
I do hope everything goes well.
It was hoped that the job would be filled by a local person.
Let’s just hope someone finds her bag.
I hope to God I haven’t left the car window open.
hope to do something
Joan’s hoping to study law at Harvard.
hope for
We were hoping for good weather.
Liam decided to ignore the warning and just hope for the best (=hope that a situation will end well when there is a risk of things going wrong).
I rang my parents, hoping against hope (=hoping for something that is very unlikely to happen or be true) that they hadn’t left yet.
► Do not say that you ‘hope something would happen’. Say that you hope something will happen: I hope the weather will be nice (NOT I hope the weather would be nice).
2. I hope so spoken used to say that you hope something that has been mentioned happens or is true:
‘Do we get paid this week?’ ‘I certainly hope so!’
3. I hope not spoken used to say that you hope something that has been mentioned does not happen or is not true:
I don’t think I’m busy that day, or at least I hope not.
4. I’m hoping spoken used to say that you hope something will happen, especially because you are depending on it
I’m hoping (that)
I’m hoping the car will be fixed by Friday.
I’m hoping to do something
We were hoping to see you today.
5. I hope (that) spoken used when you want to be polite and to make sure that you are not interrupting or offending someone:
I hope I’m not interrupting you.
I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you moving?
6. I should hope so (too) (also I should hope not British English) spoken used to say that you feel very strongly that something should or should not happen:
‘They’ll get their money back.’ ‘I should hope so too, after being treated like that.’
II. hope² S2 W2 BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: hope, hopefulness ≠ hopelessness, hopeful; verb: hope; adverb: hopefully ≠ hopelessly; adjective: hopeful ≠ hopeless]
1. FEELING [uncountable and countable] a feeling of wanting something to happen or be true and believing that it is possible or likely:
When I first arrived in New York, I was full of hope for the future.
the hope that
The President has expressed the hope that relations will improve.
hopes for something
hopes for an end to the fighting
hopes of doing something
Rita has hopes of studying to be a nurse.
in the hope that
Should they hang on in the hope that the shares will go up in value?
in the hope of doing something (=because you hope that you will do something)
Shoppers flocked to the sales in the hope of finding a bargain.
2. SOMETHING YOU HOPE FOR [countable] something that you hope will happen:
She told him all her secret hopes and fears.
sb’s hope is that
My hope is that by next summer I’ll have saved enough money to go travelling.
3. CHANCE [uncountable and countable] a chance of succeeding or of something good happening
hope of
It was the rush hour, and there was no hope of getting a seat.
It was a desperate plan, with little hope of success.
hope (that)
There’s still a faint hope (=a very small chance) that the two sides will reach an agreement.
not a hope! spoken (=used to say that there is no chance of something happening)
not a hope in hell (of doing something) spoken (=not even the smallest chance of success)
They don’t have a hope in hell of winning.
some hope! (also what a hope! )British English spoken (=used humorously to say that there is no chance that something will happen)
‘Your dad might lend you the car.’ ‘Some hope!’
4. be sb’s last/only/best hope to be someone’s last, only etc chance of getting the result they want:
Please help me. You’re my last hope.
be sb’s last/only/best hope of
Joshua’s only hope of survival was a heart transplant.
5. be beyond hope if a situation is beyond hope, it is so bad that there is no chance of any improvement
be beyond hope of
Some of the houses were beyond hope of repair.
6. have high/great hopes for somebody/something to be confident that someone or something will be succesful:
The weather looked good, so we had high hopes for today.
7. I/we live in hope spoken used when saying that you keep hoping that something will happen - often used humorously when saying that it seems unlikely:
"Do you think your son will ever get a job?" "We live in hope!"
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ verbs
▪ have hope The situation looked bad, but we still had hope that things would get better soon.
▪ give/offer hope The research has given hope to thousands of sufferers of the disease.
▪ lose/give up/abandon hope (=stop hoping) After so long without any word from David, Margaret was starting to lose hope.
▪ raise sb’s hopes (also get/build somebody's hopes up) (=make someone feel that what they want is likely to happen) I don't want to raise your hopes too much. | Don’t build your hopes up, Julie. You’ll only get hurt.
▪ hold out hope (=say that you think something is likely) Negotiators did not hold out much hope of a peaceful solution.
▪ pin your hopes on something (=hope for one thing that everything else depends on) After a difficult year, the company is pinning its hopes on its new range of products.
▪ cling to the hope that (=keep hoping that something will happen, even though it seems unlikely) They clung to the hope that one day a cure would be found.
▪ dash/shatter sb’s hopes (=make what someone wants seem impossible) The ending of the talks has dashed any hopes of peace.
▪ hopes are fading (=people have much less hope of doing something) Hopes are fading that rescuers will find any more survivors.
▪ hope lies in/with something (=something gives people hope) Our real hope lies with a vaccine.
■ phrases
▪ be full of hope His voice sounded full of hope.
▪ a glimmer/ray of hope (=a little hope, or something that gives you a little hope) The new treatment gives patients a glimmer of hope.
▪ sb’s hopes and dreams (=all the things someone hopes for) We talked about all our hopes and dreams for the future.
▪ sb’s hopes and fears (=all the things someone hopes for and is afraid of) The crew members have different hopes and fears about the trip.
▪ it is our fervent hope that formal (=used when saying that you hope very much that something will or will not happen) It is our fervent hope that change is coming.
▪ hope springs eternal (=used to say that people will always hope for something) It is unlikely these diets will work, but hope springs eternal.
▪ a symbol/beacon of hope (=something that makes people have hope) Mandela was a symbol of hope for his whole country.
■ adjectives
▪ false hope We don't want to give people false hopes.
▪ a vain/forlorn hope (=hope for something that is impossible) He traveled south in the vain hope of finding work.
▪ somebody's only/one hope My only hope is that someone may have handed in the keys to the police.
 

walk

I. walk¹ S1 W1 /wɔːk $ wɒːk/ BrE AmE verb
1. [intransitive and transitive] to move forward by putting one foot in front of the other:
‘How did you get here?’ ‘We walked.’
Doctors said he’d never walk again.
walk into/down/up etc
Carrie walked into the room and sat down in her chair.
He loved walking in the hills.
walk a mile/200 metres/a short distance etc
We must have walked ten miles today.
I walked all the way to San Rafael.
within (easy) walking distance (of something) (=near enough to be able to walk to)
There are plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel.
walking pace (=the speed that you normally walk at)
2. [transitive] to walk somewhere with someone, especially in order to make sure that they are safe or to be polite:
It’s late – I’ll walk you home.
walk somebody to something
Schools are urging parents to walk their children to school.
She walked me to the front gate.
3. [transitive] to take a dog for a walk for exercise:
Grandma’s out walking the dog.
4. [intransitive] British English informal if something has walked, it has disappeared and you think someone may have taken it:
My pen seems to have walked.
5. walk free (also walk American English) to leave a court of law without being punished or sent to prison:
Ferguson walked free after the charges were dropped.
If more evidence isn’t found, Harris will walk.
6. walk it British English spoken
a) to make a journey by walking:
If the last bus has gone, we’ll have to walk it.
b) to succeed or win something easily
7. be walking on air to be feeling extremely happy
8. walk the streets
a) to walk around the streets in a town or city:
It was not safe to walk the streets at night.
b) old-fashioned to be a ↑prostitute
9. walk the beat when a police officer walks the beat, they walk around an area of a town or city in order to make sure nobody is committing a crime
10. walk tall to be proud and confident because you know that you have not done anything wrong
11. walk somebody off their feet British Englishwalk sb’s legs off American English informal to make someone tired by making them walk too far
12. walk the walk to do the things that people expect or think are necessary in a particular situation:
People are motivated by leaders who actually walk the walk. ⇨ talk the talk at ↑talk¹(18)
13. walk the plank to be forced to walk along a board laid over the side of the ship until you fall off into the sea, used as a punishment in the past
14. walk on eggshells (also walk on eggs American English) to be very careful about how you behave with someone because they are easily upset or made angry
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ walk to move forward by putting one foot in front of the other: I missed the bus so I decided to walk. | We’ve walked about eight miles today.
▪ wander to walk without any clear purpose or direction: They wandered around the narrow streets of the old city.
▪ stride to walk with long steps in a determined, confident, or angry way: A man in a suit came striding purposefully into the hall. | She strode onto the stage and began to address the audience.
▪ pace to walk first in one direction and then in another many times, especially because you are nervous: Nick was pacing up and down, waiting for the phone to ring.
▪ march to walk quickly with firm regular steps – used especially about soldiers or someone who is angry: The troops marched past with smart uniform and good discipline. | Sheila marched into the office and demanded an apology.
▪ wade to walk through deep water: We had to wade across the river.
▪ stomp to walk putting your feet down very hard, especially because you are angry: She turned and stomped off without looking back.
■ to walk quietly
▪ tiptoe to walk quietly and carefully on your toes because you do not want to make a noise: I tiptoed out trying not to wake the baby.
▪ creep to walk quietly and slowly because you do not want anyone to see or hear you: Stella crept up the stairs, hoping not to wake her parents.
▪ sneak to walk quietly so that no-one notices you, especially because you are doing something you should not do: They sneaked off without paying. | I quickly sneaked out to have a cigarette.
▪ pad to walk quietly without wearing shoes – also used about cats and dogs walking quietly: Michelle got up and padded barefoot down to the kitchen. | The cat padded in, asking for her food.
■ to walk slowly
▪ trudge /trʌdʒ/ to walk in a slow tired way because it is difficult to continue walking, or you do not want to go somewhere: The men trudged along the road, heads bent against the wind. | I’ve spent hours trudging around the shops looking for a present.
▪ plod to walk slowly in a tired way – often used about a horse, donkey etc: The donkey was plodding slowly along under its heavy load. | I plodded on growing thirstier and hungrier.
▪ shuffle to walk very slowly and noisily without lifting your feet off the ground: The old man got up and shuffled to the door.
■ to walk with difficulty
▪ limp to walk with difficulty because one leg hurts, so that you put most of your weight on the other leg: Jake was limping because of the injury to his knee.
▪ stagger to walk or move unsteadily, almost falling over, especially because you are drunk or have been injured: They finally staggered back to the hotel at 4 o'clock in the morning. | He hit her and she staggered and fell.
▪ hobble to walk with difficulty in a slow and unsteady way because your legs or feet hurt or have been injured: My new shoes were so painful I could only hobble along. | She hobbled out to the car on crutches.
■ to walk for pleasure
▪ take a walk (also go for a walk) to walk somewhere for pleasure: We went for a walk in the park.
▪ stroll (also go for a stroll) to walk in a relaxed way, especially for pleasure: People were strolling along beside the river. | On Sunday, they went for a stroll in the park.
▪ hike (also go hiking) to walk a long way in the mountains or countryside as an activity you enjoy: We’re going hiking in Scotland this summer. | They hiked around the Lake District. | Pat likes doing active things like hiking and horse-riding.
▪ trek (also go trekking) to go for a walk lasting several days or weeks in a faraway place, carrying your clothes with you: I’ve always wanted to go trekking in Nepal. | They trekked up to Everest Base Camp.
walk away phrasal verb
1. to leave a bad or difficult situation, instead of trying to make it better
walk away from
You can’t just walk away from 15 years of marriage!
When the business started to have problems, it was very tempting to walk away.
2. to come out of an accident or very bad situation without being harmed:
Miraculously, both drivers walked away without a scratch.
walk away with something phrasal verb informal
to win something easily:
And the lucky winner will walk away with a prize of £10,000.
walk in on somebody phrasal verb
to go into a room and accidentally interrupt someone who is doing something private that they would not want you to see
walk into something phrasal verb
1. to hit an object accidentally as you are walking along
walk straight/right/bang etc into something
Zeke wasn’t looking and walked straight into a tree.
2. if you walk into an unpleasant situation, you become involved in it without intending to:
He was fairly certain now that he was walking into a trap, and wished he’d come armed.
walk straight/right into something
I walked right into a mob of maybe 50 young white guys.
3. British English if you walk into a job, you get it very easily:
You can’t expect to walk straight into a job.
4. to make yourself look stupid when you could easily have avoided it if you had been more careful
walk straight/right into something
You walked right into that one!
walk off phrasal verb
1. to leave someone by walking away from them, especially in a rude or angry way:
Don’t just walk off when I’m trying to talk to you!
2. walk something ↔ off if you walk off an illness or unpleasant feeling, you go for a walk to make it go away:
Let’s go out – maybe I can walk this headache off.
walk off dinner/a meal etc (=go for a walk so that your stomach feels less full)
3. walk off (the/your etc job) American English to stop working as a protest:
Without new contracts, mine workers will walk off their jobs Thursday.
walk off with something phrasal verb informal
1. to win something easily:
Lottery winners can walk off with a cool £18 million.
2. to steal something or take something that does not belong to you:
Thieves walked off with two million dollars’ worth of jewellery.
walk out phrasal verb
1. to leave a place suddenly, especially because you disapprove of something:
The play was awful and we walked out after half an hour.
walk out of
the issue that led to the US walking out of the trade talks this week
2. to leave your husband, wife etc suddenly and go and live somewhere else:
Her husband walked out, leaving her with three children to look after.
walk out on
Five years later she walked out on Matthew and their two boys.
3. to leave your job suddenly because you no longer want to do it:
We’re so short-staffed. I can’t just walk out.
walk out of
If you can afford to walk out of your job, why not?
4. to stop working as a protest:
Workers are threatening to walk out if an agreement is not reached.
walk out on something phrasal verb
to stop doing something you have agreed to do or that you are responsible for:
‘I never walk out on a deal,’ Dee said.
walk over somebody phrasal verb
to treat someone badly by always making them do what you want them to do:
It’s terrible – she lets her kids just walk all over her.
II. walk² S2 W2 BrE AmE noun
1. [countable] a journey that you make by walking, especially for exercise or enjoyment:
It’s a long walk. Maybe we should get the bus.
walk to/through/across etc
a walk through the castle grounds
2. [countable] a particular journey that you make by walking, especially one that goes through an interesting or attractive area:
He says he’s going on a long walk tomorrow.
Have you ever done the Three Peaks walk?
coastal/hill etc walk
There is a stunning 10-mile coastal walk from St Andrews to Crail.
3. [countable] an organized event when people walk for pleasure:
Let’s all go on the beach walk.
The local tourist office organises a number of guided walks.
4. [singular] the way someone walks SYN gait:
You can often recognize people by their walk.
5. [singular] when you walk rather than run:
Breathless, she slowed to a walk.
⇨ ↑walk of life, ⇨ sponsored walk at ↑sponsor²(5)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ go for a walk Let’s go for a walk on the beach.
▪ take/have a walk She took a walk through the town.
▪ take somebody/a dog for a walk Could you take the dog for a walk?
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + walk
▪ a long walk We went for a long walk in the woods.
▪ a short walk The house is only a short walk from local shops.
▪ a little walk I just felt like a little walk.
▪ a brisk walk A brisk walk will improve your circulation.
▪ an easy walk From here it is an easy walk to the summit.
▪ a five-mile/ten-kilometre etc walk He began the five-mile walk back to town.
▪ a five-minute/two-hour etc walk There’s a good restaurant a five-minute walk away.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'go a walk' or 'make a walk'. Say go for a walk.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ walk noun [countable] a journey that you make on foot, especially for exercise or enjoyment: I took the dog out for a long walk in the fresh air. | We went for some lovely walks. | Do you fancy going out for a walk?
▪ hike noun [countable] a long walk in the mountains or countryside: We went for a hike in the woods. | There are some good hikes nearby.
▪ stroll noun [singular] a slow, relaxed walk: Let’s take a stroll in the park. | We went for a stroll along the river.
▪ wander British English a short relaxed walk, especially to look around a place: We had a wander round the town and then went to the beach.
▪ trek noun [singular] used when talking about a long walk in the mountains, countryside etc which lasts for several days and which you do for pleasure. Also used about a long tiring walk somewhere, which you do not want to have to do : They went on a three week trek in the Atlas Mountains. | We then had a long trek back to our hotel with all our luggage.
▪ slog [singular] a long, tiring, and unpleasant walk, which continues for several hours: It was a dreary slog over bleak and windswept hills.
▪ march noun [countable] an occasion when a group of people walk somewhere together, in order to protest about something: Demonstrators are planning a march through the capital. | a peace march
 

walk out

walk out phrasal verb (see also ↑walk)
1. to leave a place suddenly, especially because you disapprove of something:
The play was awful and we walked out after half an hour.
walk out of
the issue that led to the US walking out of the trade talks this week
2. to leave your husband, wife etc suddenly and go and live somewhere else:
Her husband walked out, leaving her with three children to look after.
walk out on
Five years later she walked out on Matthew and their two boys.
3. to leave your job suddenly because you no longer want to do it:
We’re so short-staffed. I can’t just walk out.
walk out of
If you can afford to walk out of your job, why not?
4. to stop working as a protest:
Workers are threatening to walk out if an agreement is not reached.

train

I. train¹ S1 W2 /treɪn/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: 'something that is pulled along behind', from trainer; ⇨ ↑train²]

1. RAILWAY a set of several carriages that are connected to each other and pulled along a railway line by an engine
train to
the train to Munich
We went all the way to Inverness by train. ⇨ ↑boat train
2. SERIES a train of something a series of events or actions that are related:
The decision set off a train of events which led to his resignation.
3. train of thought a related series of thoughts that are developing in your mind:
The phone interrupted my train of thought.
I’ve lost my train of thought.
4. bring something in its train formal if an action or event brings something in its train, that thing happens as a result of it:
a decision that brought disaster in its train
5. set something in train British English formal to make a process start happening:
Plans to modernize have been set in train.
6. PEOPLE/ANIMALS a long line of moving people, animals, or vehicles:
a camel train
7. DRESS a part of a long dress that spreads out over the ground behind the person wearing it:
a wedding dress with a long train
8. SERVANTS a group of servants or officers following an important person, especially in the past
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ take/get a train I took the first train home.
▪ catch a train He was in a hurry to catch a train.
▪ go by/travel by train We decided to go by train.
▪ get on/board a train At Stoke, another passenger boarded the train.
▪ get off a train He got off the train at Flushing.
▪ wait for a train She sat on the railway platform for half an hour, waiting for a train.
▪ miss a train (=be too late to get on a train) I just missed the last train.
▪ trains run (=take people from one place to another at fixed times) Trains run from two main London stations, Victoria and Charing Cross, every hour.
▪ a train arrives The train arrived on time.
▪ a train leaves/departs Trains depart from Rugby at half-hourly intervals until 4.00 pm.
▪ a train pulls into/out of a station The train pulled into Euston station and I got off.
▪ a train derails/is derailed (=comes off the rails) Most of the passengers escaped injury when their train was derailed.
■ adjectives/NOUN + train
▪ a freight/goods train a freight train carrying hazardous chemicals
▪ a passenger train a passenger train bound for Geneva
▪ a commuter train (=a train that people going to work use) a crash involving two crowded commuter trains
▪ an express train/a fast train (=one that does not stop at many places) He boarded the express train to London.
▪ a slow train (also a stopping train British English) (=one that stops at a lot of places) We got on the stopping train by mistake and it took hours to get home.
▪ a steam train Railway enthusiasts have the opportunity to take a nostalgic trip on a steam train.
▪ a tube/underground train (=one that runs under London) The condition of many tube trains is a disgrace.
■ train + NOUN
▪ a train journey British English, a train trip American English They were not looking forward to the long train journey.
▪ a train fare How much is the train fare to Derby?
▪ a train driver The train driver apologized for the late departure.
▪ a train crash (also a train wreck American English) Ten people were killed in the train crash.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'go by the train' or 'travel by the train'. Say go by train or travel by train.
II. train² S1 W2 BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑trainee, ↑trainer, ↑training, ↑retraining; verb: ↑train, ↑retrain; adjective: trained ≠ ↑untrained]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: trainer 'to pull, drag', from Vulgar Latin traginare, probably from Latin trahere 'to pull']
1. TEACH SOMEBODY [intransitive and transitive] to teach someone the skills of a particular job or activity, or to be taught these skills ⇨ training
train somebody in something
All staff will be trained in customer service skills.
train to do something
She’s training to be a doctor.
train somebody to do something
Employees are trained to deal with emergency situations.
train as
Nadia trained as a singer.
a highly trained workforce
Trained staff will be available to deal with your queries.
2. TEACH AN ANIMAL [transitive] to teach an animal to do something or to behave correctly:
a well-trained puppy
train something to do something
These dogs are trained to detect drugs.
3. PREPARE FOR SPORT [intransitive and transitive] to prepare for a sports event or tell someone how to prepare for it, especially by exercising ⇨ training
train for
Brenda spends two hours a day training for the marathon.
4. AIM SOMETHING [transitive] to aim something such as a gun or camera at someone or something
train something on/at somebody/something
She trained her binoculars on the bird.
5. DEVELOP SOMETHING [transitive] to develop and improve a natural ability or quality:
You can train your mind to relax.
To the trained eye the difference between these flowers is obvious (=the difference is clear to someone who has developed skills to notice something).
6. PLANT [transitive] to make a plant grow in a particular direction by bending, cutting, or tying

bus

I. bus¹ S1 W2 /bʌs/ BrE AmE noun (plural buses or busses especially American English) [countable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Origin: omnibus]

1. a large vehicle that people pay to travel on
on a bus
There were a lot of people on the bus.
by bus
The best way to get there is by bus.
I took a bus to San Francisco.
Buses run at 15 and 30 minutes past the hour.
2. a ↑circuit that connects the main parts of a computer so that signals can be sent from one part of the computer to another
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ go/travel by bus I usually go to work by bus.
▪ go on the bus/use the bus (=travel by bus) It's easier to go on the bus than to drive.
▪ get/take/catch a bus Can we get a bus from here to Reading?
▪ ride a bus American English It was the first time Craig had ridden a bus downtown by himself.
▪ get on/off a bus Several more passengers got on the bus.
▪ wait for a bus We were waiting for the bus for half an hour.
▪ miss the bus (=be too late to get on a bus) He woke up late and missed the bus.
▪ a bus goes/leaves The last bus went ten minutes ago.
▪ a bus comes/arrives I waited and waited but the bus didn't come.
▪ buses run (=go at regular times) The buses run less frequently on a Sunday.
■ bus + NOUN
▪ a bus ride/journey/trip It's a 20-minute bus ride into town.
▪ a bus stop (=a place where a bus stops for passengers) She got off at the next bus stop.
▪ a bus shelter (=a small covered area where you wait for a bus) Some kids had vandalized the bus shelter.
▪ a bus service (=a service that provides regular buses) It's a small village but there is a good bus service.
▪ a bus route We live very near a main bus route.
▪ a bus fare (=the money you pay for a bus journey) Can you lend me 50p for my bus fare?
▪ a bus ticket She lost her bus ticket.
▪ a bus pass (=a card that allows you to make several bus journeys) Most of the students have a termly bus pass.
▪ a bus station (=a place where buses start and finish their journeys) Dad met me at the bus station.
▪ a bus lane (=a part of the road where only buses are allowed to drive) You can be fined for driving in a bus lane.
▪ a bus driver She asked the bus driver where to get off for the Botanical Gardens.
▪ a bus timetable The bus timetable changes on January 31st.
▪ a bus queue British English (=a line of people waiting for a bus) We were chatting while we stood in the bus queue.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + bus
▪ a school bus Hurry up or you'll miss the school bus!
▪ a shuttle bus (=one that makes regular short journeys between two places) There's a shuttle bus between the hotel and the beach.
▪ a double-decker bus (=one with two levels for passengers) London used to be famous for its double-decker buses.
▪ an open-topped bus (=one without a roof, used for showing tourists a town etc) We took a tour on an open-topped bus.
▪ a regular bus (=one that goes at regular times) Regular buses run to the airport.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ bus a large vehicle that people pay to travel on: There were a lot of people on the bus.
▪ coach British English a bus with comfortable seats used for long journeys: Taking the coach is cheaper than the train.
▪ minibus a small bus with seats for six to twelve people: The school uses a minibus to take teams to matches.
▪ double-decker a bus with two levels: the red double-deckers in London
▪ articulated bus (also bendy bus British English) a very long bus that has a joint in the middle that allows it to go around corners: Articulated buses have been used in Europe for many years.
▪ tram British English, streetcar American English, trolley/trolley car American English a vehicle for passengers, which travels along metal tracks in the street, and usually gets power from electric lines over the vehicle: We waited at the stop for the tram. | San Diego has a well-used trolley system.
▪ tram American English a vehicle with many different parts for people to sit in, and which usually has open sides. A tram runs on wheels and is used to take tourists from place to place within a particular area: The tram takes visitors around the backlot of Universal Studios, where many famous movies were once made.
II. bus² BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle bused or bussed, present participle busing or bussing)
[Sense 1: Date: 1900-2000; Origin: ⇨ ↑bus¹]
[Sense 2: Date: 1900-2000; Origin: busboy]
1. [transitive usually passive] to take a person or a group of people somewhere in a bus
bus somebody to/in/into something
Casey was bussed to the school.
2. [transitive] American English to take away dirty dishes from the tables in a restaurant:
Shelley had a job bussing tables.

taxi

I. tax‧i¹ S3 /ˈtæksi/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1900-2000; Origin: taxicab]

a car and driver that you pay to take you somewhere SYN cab:
They sent me home in a taxi.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ take/get a taxi We took a taxi to the hotel.
▪ go/come/arrive by taxi I went back home by taxi.
▪ hail a taxi (=wave or call to a taxi to stop for you to get in) I rushed outside and hailed a taxi.
▪ phone for/call a taxi (=telephone for a taxi to come) Can you phone for a taxi and I'll get our coats.
▪ call somebody a taxi (=telephone for a taxi to come for someone else) Call me a taxi, would you?
▪ get into/out of a taxi He got into a taxi outside the station.
■ taxi + NOUN
▪ a taxi ride The centre of town is a five minute taxi ride away.
▪ a taxi fare She couldn't afford the £18 taxi fare.
▪ a taxi driver He paid the taxi driver and got out.
▪ a taxi service We operate a taxi service to and from the airport.
▪ a taxi rank British English, a taxi stand American English (=a place where taxis wait for customers) There's a taxi rank just outside the hotel.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say 'get on a taxi'. Say get in a taxi.
II. taxi² BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle taxied, present participle taxiing, third person singular taxis or taxies) [intransitive]
if a plane taxis, it moves along the ground before taking off or after landing:
The plane taxied to a halt.

take

I. take¹ S1 W1 /teɪk/ BrE AmE verb (past tense took /tʊk/, past participle taken) /ˈteɪkən/
[Word Family: noun: ↑takings, ↑undertaking, ↑take, ↑taker; verb: ↑take, ↑overtake, ↑undertake]
[Date: 1000-1100; Language: Old Norse; Origin: taka]
1. MOVE [transitive] to move or go with someone or something from one place to another OPP bring
take somebody/something to/into etc something
Barney took us to the airport.
Would you mind taking Susie home?
When he refused to give his name, he was taken into custody.
My job has taken me all over the world.
take somebody/something with you
His wife went to Australia, taking the children with her.
take somebody something
I have to take Steve the money tonight.
take somebody to do something
He took me to meet his parents.
2. ACTION [transitive] used with a noun instead of using a verb to describe an action. For example, if you take a walk, you walk somewhere:
Would you like to take a look?
Mike’s just taking a shower.
Sara took a deep breath.
I waved, but he didn’t take any notice (=pretended not to notice). British English
Please take a seat (=sit down).
take a picture/photograph/photo
Would you mind taking a photo of us together?
3. REMOVE [transitive] to remove something from a place
take something off/from etc something
Take your feet off the seats.
Someone’s taken a pen from my desk.
Police say money and jewellery were taken in the raid. ⇨ TAKE AWAY
4. TIME/MONEY/EFFORT ETC [intransitive and transitive] if something takes a particular amount of time, money, effort etc, that amount of time etc is needed for it to happen or succeed:
How long is this going to take?
Organizing a successful street party takes a lot of energy.
take (somebody) something (to do something)
Repairs take time to carry out.
It took a few minutes for his eyes to adjust to the dark.
take (somebody) ages/forever informal:
It took me ages to find a present for Dad.
take some doing British English informal (=need a lot of time or effort)
Catching up four goals will take some doing.
take courage/guts
It takes courage to admit you are wrong.
have what it takes informal (=to have the qualities that are needed for success)
Neil’s got what it takes to be a great footballer.
5. ACCEPT [transitive] to accept or choose something that is offered, suggested, or given to you:
Will you take the job?
Do you take American Express?
If you take my advice, you’ll see a doctor.
Our helpline takes 3.5 million calls (=telephone calls) a year.
Some doctors are unwilling to take new patients without a referral.
Liz found his criticisms hard to take.
I just can’t take any more (=can’t deal with a bad situation any longer).
Staff have agreed to take a 2% pay cut.
take a hammering/beating (=be forced to accept defeat or a bad situation)
Small businesses took a hammering in the last recession.
I take your point/point taken (=used to say that you accept someone’s opinion)
take sb’s word for it/take it from somebody (=accept that what someone says is true)
That’s the truth – take it from me.
take the credit/blame/responsibility
He’s the kind of man who makes things happen but lets others take the credit.
take it as read/given (=↑assume that something is correct or certain, because you are sure that this is the case)
It isn’t official yet, but you can take it as read that you’ve got the contract.
6. HOLD SOMETHING [transitive] to get hold of something in your hands:
Let me take your coat.
Can you take this package while I get my wallet?
take somebody/something in/by something
I just wanted to take him in my arms.
7. TRAVEL [transitive] to use a particular form of transport or a particular road in order to go somewhere:
Let’s take a cab.
I took the first plane out.
Take the M6 to Junction 19.
8. STUDY [transitive] to study a particular subject in school or college for an examination:
Are you taking French next year?
9. TEST [transitive] to do an examination or test SYN sit British English:
Applicants are asked to take a written test.
10. SUITABLE [transitive not in progressive or passive] to be the correct or suitable size, type etc for a particular person or thing:
a car that takes low sulphur fuel
What size shoe do you take?
The elevator takes a maximum of 32 people.
11. COLLECT [transitive] to collect or gather something for a particular purpose:
Investigators will take samples of the wreckage to identify the cause.
take something from something
The police took a statement from both witnesses.
12. CONSIDER [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to react to someone or something or consider them in a particular way
take somebody/something seriously/badly/personally etc
I was joking, but he took me seriously.
Ben took the news very badly.
She does not take kindly to criticism (=reacts badly to criticism).
take something as something
I’ll take that remark as a compliment.
take something as evidence/proof (of something)
The presence of dust clouds has been taken as evidence of recent star formation.
take somebody/something to be something
I took her to be his daughter.
take somebody/something for something
Of course I won’t tell anyone! What do you take me for? (=what sort of person do you think I am?)
I take it (=I ↑assume) you’ve heard that Rick’s resigned.
13. FEELINGS [transitive usually + adverb] to have or experience a particular feeling
take delight/pleasure/pride etc in (doing) something
You should take pride in your work.
At first, he took no interest in the baby.
take pity on somebody
She stood feeling lost until an elderly man took pity on her.
take offence (=feel offended)
Don’t take offence. Roger says things like that to everybody.
take comfort from/in (doing) something
Investors can take comfort from the fact that the World Bank is underwriting the shares.
14. CONTROL [transitive] to get possession or control of something:
Enemy forces have taken the airport.
Both boys were taken prisoner.
take control/charge/power
The communists took power in 1948.
Youngsters need to take control of their own lives.
take the lead (=in a race, competition etc)
15. MEDICINE/DRUGS [transitive] to swallow, breathe in, ↑inject etc a drug or medicine:
The doctor will ask whether you are taking any medication.
Take two tablets before bedtime.
take drugs (=take illegal drugs)
Most teenagers start taking drugs through boredom.
She took an overdose after a row with her boyfriend.
16. do you take sugar/milk? spoken British English used to ask someone whether they like to have sugar or milk in a drink such as tea or coffee
17. LEVEL [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make someone or something go to a higher level or position
take something to/into something
The latest raise takes his salary into six figures.
Even if you have the talent to take you to the top, there’s no guarantee you’ll get there.
If you want to take it further, you should consult an attorney.
18. MEASURE [transitive] to measure the amount, level, rate etc of something:
Take the patient’s pulse first.
19. NUMBERS [transitive] to make a number smaller by a particular amount SYN subtract
take something away/take something (away) from something
‘Take four from nine and what do you get?’ ‘Five.’
Ten take away nine equals one.
20. MONEY [transitive] British English if a shop, business etc takes a particular amount of money, it receives that amount of money from its customers SYN take in American English:
The stall took £25 on Saturday.
21. somebody can take it or leave it
a) to neither like nor dislike something:
To some people, smoking is addictive. Others can take it or leave it.
b) used to say that you do not care whether someone accepts your offer or not
22. take somebody/something (for example) used to give an example of something you have just been talking about:
People love British cars. Take the Mini. In Japan, it still sells more than all the other British cars put together.
23. TEACH [transitive] British English to teach a particular group of students in a school or college
take somebody for something
Who takes you for English?
24. WRITE [transitive] to write down information:
Let me take your email address.
Sue offered to take notes.
25. take somebody out of themselves British English to make someone forget their problems and feel more confident:
Alf said joining the club would take me out of myself.
26. take a lot out of you/take it out of you to make you very tired:
Looking after a baby really takes it out of you.
27. take it upon/on yourself to do something formal to decide to do something without getting someone’s permission or approval first:
Reg took it upon himself to hand the press a list of names.
28. take something to bits/pieces British English to separate something into its different parts:
how to take an engine to bits
29. be taken with/by something to be attracted by a particular idea, plan, or person:
I’m quite taken by the idea of Christmas in Berlin.
30. be taken ill/sick formal to suddenly become ill
31. SEX [transitive] literary if a man takes someone, he has sex with them
32. take a bend/fence/corner etc to try to get over or around something in a particular way:
He took the bend at over 60 and lost control.
33. HAVE AN EFFECT [intransitive] if a treatment, ↑dye, drug etc takes, it begins to work successfully
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ take to move or go with someone or something from one place to another: Don’t forget to take your keys. | Shall I take you home? | I took Alice a cup of tea.
▪ bring to take someone or something to the place where you are now: We’ve brought someone to see you! | Will you bring your photos with you when you come?
▪ transport to take large quantities of goods from one place to another in a plane, train, ship etc: The plane is used for transporting military equipment. | The coal was transported by rail.
▪ deliver to take goods, letters, newspapers etc to someone’s home or office: Unfortunately, the package was delivered to the wrong address.
▪ fly to take someone or something somewhere by plane: The bread is specially flown in from Paris.
▪ ship to take goods from one place to another – this can be by ship, truck, plane, or train: Half the whisky is shipped to Japan and the US.
▪ carry to take people or goods somewhere – used especially when saying how many people or things, or what kind: The new plane can carry up to 600 passengers. | The ship was carrying a full cargo of oil.
▪ lead to take someone to a place by going in front of them: He led Julia through the house to his study. | Roland led the way back to the car in silence.
▪ guide to take someone to a place and show them the way: Emily guided him through a side gate into a large garden.
▪ escort to take someone to a place and protect or guard them: The prisoner was escorted into the room by two police officers. | The singer was escorted by her assistant and her bodyguard.
▪ usher to politely lead someone somewhere and show them where to go, especially because it is your job to do this: We were ushered into the lift by a man in uniform.
be taken aback phrasal verb
to be very surprised about something:
Emma was somewhat taken aback by his directness.
take after somebody phrasal verb [not in progressive]
to look or behave like an older relative:
Jenni really takes after her mother.
take somebody/something apart phrasal verb
1. to separate something into all its different parts OPP put together:
Tom was always taking things apart in the garage.
2. to search a place very thoroughly:
The police took the house apart looking for clues.
3. to beat someone very easily in a game, sport, fight etc
4. to show that someone is wrong or something is not true:
Tariq takes several gay myths apart in his book.
take against somebody/something phrasal verb British English
to begin to dislike someone or something, especially without a good reason:
Voters took against the relationship between the government and the unions in the 1970s.
take somebody/something ↔ away phrasal verb
1. to remove someone or something, or make something disappear:
She whisked the tray off the table and took it away.
He was taken away to begin a prison sentence.
This should take some of the pain away.
2. to take away British English if you buy food to take away, you buy cooked food from a restaurant and take it outside to eat it somewhere else ⇨ takeaway:
Fish and chips to take away, please.
3. take your breath away to be very beautiful, exciting, or surprising
take away from something phrasal verb
to spoil the good effect or success that something has:
The disagreement between the two men should not take away from their accomplishments.
take somebody/something ↔ back phrasal verb
1. take something ↔ back to admit that you were wrong to say something:
You’d better take back that remark!
2. take something ↔ back to take something you have bought back to a shop because it is not suitable:
If the shirt doesn’t fit, take it back.
3. to make you remember a time in the past:
Having the grandchildren around takes me back to the days when my own children were small.
take something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to move something that is fixed in a high position to a lower position:
She made us take down all the posters.
2. to write down information:
Can I just take some details down?
3. to pull a piece of clothing such as trousers part of the way down your legs
take somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb
1. be taken in to be completely deceived by someone who lies to you:
Don’t be taken in by products claiming to help you lose weight in a week.
2. take somebody ↔ in to let someone stay in your house because they have nowhere else to stay:
Brett’s always taking in stray animals.
3. take something ↔ in to understand and remember new facts and information SYN absorb:
He watches the older kids, just taking it all in.
His eyes quickly took in the elegance of her dress.
4. take something ↔ in American English to collect or earn a particular amount of money SYN take British English
5. to visit a place while you are in the area:
They continued a few miles further to take in Hinton House.
6. American English old-fashioned if you take in a show, play etc, you go to see it
7. take somebody ↔ in British English old-fashioned if the police take someone in, they take them to a police station to ask them questions about a crime:
All five teenagers were arrested and taken in for questioning.
8. take something ↔ in to make a piece of clothing fit you by making it narrower OPP let out
take off phrasal verb
1. REMOVE take something ↔ off to remove a piece of clothing OPP put on:
He sat on the bed to take his boots off.
Charlie was taking off his shirt when the phone rang.
2. AIRCRAFT if an aircraft takes off, it rises into the air from the ground SYN lift off ⇨ takeoff:
I felt quite excited as the plane took off from Heathrow.
3. SUCCESS to suddenly start being successful:
Mimi became jealous when Jack’s career started taking off.
4. HOLIDAY take something off (something) to have a holiday from work on a particular day, or for a particular length of time
take time off (work/school)
I rang my boss and arranged to take some time off.
take a day/the afternoon etc off
Dad took the day off to come with me.
5. COPY SOMEBODY take somebody ↔ off British English informal to copy the way someone speaks or behaves, in order to entertain people
take somebody/something ↔ on phrasal verb
1. take somebody ↔ on to start to employ someone ⇨ hire:
We’re taking on 50 new staff this year.
2. take something ↔ on to agree to do some work or be responsible for something:
Don’t take on too much work – the extra cash isn’t worth it.
3. take something ↔ on to begin to have a particular quality or appearance:
Her face took on a fierce expression.
His life had taken on a new dimension.
4. take somebody ↔ on to compete against someone or start a fight with someone, especially someone bigger or better than you:
Nigeria will take on Argentina in the first round of the World Cup on Saturday.
He was prepared to take on anyone who laid a finger on us.
5. take something ↔ on if a plane or ship takes on people or things, they come onto it:
We stopped to take on fuel.
take somebody/something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. take somebody ↔ out to take someone as your guest to a restaurant, cinema, club etc
take somebody ↔ out for
We’re taking my folks out for a meal next week.
2. take something ↔ out to make a financial or legal arrangement with a bank, company, law court etc
take out a policy/injunction/loan etc
Before taking a loan out, calculate your monthly outgoings.
3. take something ↔ out to get money from your bank account SYN withdraw:
How much would you like to take out?
4. take something ↔ out to borrow books from a library:
You can take out six books at a time.
5. take somebody/something ↔ out informal to kill someone or destroy something:
The building was taken out by a bomb.
take something out on somebody phrasal verb
to treat someone badly when you are angry or upset, even though it is not their fault:
Don’t take it out on me just because you’ve had a bad day.
take your anger/frustration etc out on somebody
Irritated with herself, she took her annoyance out on Bridget.
take over phrasal verb
to take control of something ⇨ takeover
take something ↔ over
His only reason for investing in the company was to take it over.
Ruth moved into our apartment and promptly took over.
take to somebody/something phrasal verb [not in passive]
1. to start to like someone or something:
Sandra took to it straight away.
Charles was an odd character whom Kelly had never really taken to.
2. to start doing something regularly
take to doing something
Dee’s taken to getting up at 6 and going jogging.
3. take to your bed to get into your bed and stay there:
He was so depressed, he took to his bed for a week.
take something up phrasal verb
1. take something ↔ up to become interested in a new activity and to spend time doing it:
Roger took painting up for a while, but soon lost interest.
2. to start a new job or have a new responsibility:
Peter will take up the management of the finance department.
take up a post/a position/duties etc
The headteacher takes her duties up in August.
3. take something ↔ up if you take up a suggestion, problem, complaint etc, you start to do something about it:
Now the papers have taken up the story.
take something ↔ up with
The hospital manager has promised to take the matter up with the member of staff involved.
I am still very angry and will be taking it up with the authorities.
4. to fill a particular amount of time or space
be taken up with something
The little time I had outside of school was taken up with work.
take up space/room
old books that were taking up space in the office
5. take something ↔ up to accept a suggestion, offer, or idea:
Rob took up the invitation to visit.
take up the challenge/gauntlet
Rick took up the challenge and cycled the 250 mile route alone.
6. to move to the exact place where you should be, so that you are ready to do something:
The runners are taking up their positions on the starting line.
7. take something ↔ up to make a piece of clothing shorter OPP let down
8. take something ↔ up to continue a story or activity that you or someone else had begun, after a short break:
I’ll take up the story where you left off.
take somebody up on something phrasal verb
to accept an invitation or suggestion
take somebody up on an offer/a promise/a suggestion etc
I’ll take you up on that offer of a drink, if it still stands.
take up with somebody/something phrasal verb
old-fashioned to become friendly with someone, especially someone who may influence you badly
II. take² BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑takings, ↑undertaking, ↑take, ↑taker; verb: ↑take, ↑overtake, ↑undertake]
1. [countable] an occasion when a film scene, song, action etc is recorded:
We had to do six takes for this particular scene.
2. sb’s take (on something) someone’s opinion about a situation or idea:
What’s your take on this issue?
3. be on the take informal to be willing to do something wrong in return for money:
Is it true that some of the generals are on the take?
4. [usually singular] American English informal the amount of money earned by a shop or business in a particular period of time
• • •
THESAURUS
■ what you say when giving examples
▪ for example used when giving an example: Prices have risen sharply. The price of gasoline, for example, has risen by over 50%. | Nepal has many attractions for visitors. For example, you can go trekking in the Himalayas, or see tigers in Chitwan National Park.
▪ for instance used when giving an example. For instance is slightly less formal than for example and is used more in spoken English: There were many unanswered questions. For instance, where was the money going to come from? | Some people are really good languages. Take Katie, for instance.
▪ eg/e.g. written used when giving an example or a list of examples. Don’t use eg in formal writing – use the full phrase for example: Make sure you eat foods that contain protein, e.g. meat, fish, eggs, milk, or cheese.
▪ such as especially written used when giving one or two typical examples when there are many others: It is difficult to get even basic foods such as bread and sugar.
▪ take spoken used when giving a particular example as a way of proving that what you are saying is correct: Take John – he has a good job but he didn’t go to university. | It is possible to recover from some types of cancer. Take skin cancer, for example.
▪ be a case in point used when emphasizing that someone or something is a good or typical example of what you have just mentioned: Some birds have returned to Britain after once being extinct here. The return of the osprey is a case in point.