B1 (متوسط)

law

law [law laws]   [lɔː]    [lɔː]  noun

SYSTEM OF RULES

1. (also the law) uncountable the whole system of rules that everyone in a country or society must obey

• If they entered the building they would be breaking the law.

• In Sweden it is against the law to hit a child.

• Defence attorneys can use any means within the law to get their client off.

• British schools are now required by law to publish their exam results.

• The reforms have recently become law.

• Do not think you are above the law (= think that you cannot be punished by the law).

• the need for better law enforcement

• (humorous) Kate's word was law in the Brown household.

2. uncountable a particular branch of the law

• company/international/tax, etc. law

see also  canon law, case law, civil law, common law, private law, statute law  

ONE RULE

3. countable a rule that deals with a particular crime, agreement, etc

• ~ (against sth) the 1996 law against the hiring of illegal immigrants

• ~ (on sth) The government has introduced some tough new laws on food hygiene.

• strict gun laws

• a federal/state law

• to pass a law (= officially make it part of the system of laws)

• (informal) There ought to be a law against it!

see also  by-law, licensing laws  

SUBJECT/PROFESSION

4. uncountable the study of the law as a subject at university, etc; the profession of being a lawyer

• Jane is studying law.

• (NAmE) He's in law school.

• (BrE) He's at law school.

• What made you go into law?

• a law firm  

POLICE

5. the law singular used to refer to the police and the legal system

• Jim is always getting into trouble with the law.

• She was well known for her brushes with the law.  

OF ORGANIZATION/ACTIVITY

6. countable one of the rules which controls an organization or activity

• the laws of the Church

• The first law of kung fu is to defend yourself.

• the laws of cricket

• the laws of war  

OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR

7. countable a rule for good behaviour or how you should behave in a particular place or situation

• moral laws

• the unspoken laws of the street  

IN BUSINESS/NATURE/SCIENCE

8. countable the fact that sth always happens in the same way in an activity or in nature

Syn:  principle

• the laws of supply and demand

• the law of gravity

9. countable a scientific rule that sb has stated to explain a natural process

• the first law of thermodynamics

see also  Murphy's Law, Parkinson's law, Sod's Law, legal, legalize, legislate 

more at the letter of the law at  letter  n., possession is nine points/tenths/parts of the law at  possession, the rule of law at  rule  n., on the wrong side of the law at  wrong  adj.

Idioms: a law unto yourself ▪ go to law ▪ law and order ▪ law of averages ▪ law of the jungle ▪ lay down the law ▪ take the law into your own hands ▪ there's no law against something 

Word Origin:

Old English lagu, from Old Norse lag ‘something laid down or fixed’, of Germanic origin and related to lay  (verb).

Culture:

the legal system

In Britain, for historical reasons, the system of law used in Scotland is different from that in England and Wales, with the law in Northern Ireland similar to that in England. When making decisions Scottish courts look for an appropriate general principle and apply it to a particular situation. English law relies on case law, a collection of previous decisions, called precedents. English courts look at precedents for the case being tried and make a similar judgement. A basic principle of law in Britain is that anyone accused is innocent until proven guilty, so it is the job of the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant (= the person accused) has broken the law as stated in the charge. If this cannot be proved the person must be acquitted (= allowed to go free, with no blame attached).

British law is divided into civil law which concerns disagreements between individuals about matters such as business contracts, and criminal law which deals with offences that involve harm to a person resulting from somebody breaking the law. In civil cases, the plaintiff (= the person who claims to have been wronged) brings an action against the defendant in the hope of winning damages (= a financial payment) or an injunction (= a court order preventing the defendant from doing something). Criminal cases are brought against criminals by the state, in England and Wales by the Director of Public Prosecutions and in Scotland through procurators fiscal.

In England and Wales most towns have a Magistrates' Court where minor cases are judged and more serious cases are passed to higher courts by three magistrates called Justices of the Peace, specially trained members of the public. The more serious cases are heard in a Crown Court by a judge and a jury. Minor civil cases, such as divorce and bankruptcy, are heard in the county courts and more serious ones in the High Court of Justice. Appeals against decisions from the Crown Court or the High Court go to the Court of Appeal and a few cases, where a question of law is in doubt, are passed to the House of Lords.

In Scotland, criminal cases are heard in District Courts by members of the public called lay justices. More serious cases go to regional sheriff courts and are heard by the sheriff and a jury. Appeals go to the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh. Civil cases begin in the sheriff court and may go on appeal to the Court of Session.

In the US, the judicial system is one of the three branches of the federal government, but the legal system operates at many levels with state, county and city courts as well as federal courts. The right to trial by jury is provided by the Constitution. Each type of court has its own jurisdiction, that is it deals with certain kinds of cases. Both civil and criminal cases are first heard in trial courts and there is a right to appeal against the court’s decision in a court of appeals. Many states have family courts where people get divorced and small claims courts which deal with small amounts of money. States also have trial courts, which hear a wider range of cases, and courts of appeal called superior courts or district courts. Most states have a supreme court where the most serious appeals are held. States have their own criminal code, but some crimes are federal offences, i.e. against federal law, and crimes may fall under federal jurisdiction if more than one state is involved.

Most courts have only one judge, but some higher courts have several. In the US Supreme Court, the nine judges are called justices. The people on either side of a case are represented by lawyers, also called attorneys-at-law. In a criminal trial the defendant is represented by a defense attorney, or if he or she is too poor to pay a lawyer, the court will appoint a public defender. The prosecution is led by an assistant district attorney or, in federal cases, by a federal attorney.

Thesaurus:

law noun

1. the law U

• Driving without insurance is against the law.

legislation • • constitution • • code • • charter •

(the) civil/criminal law/legislation/code

break the law/a code

be enshrined in law/legislation/the constitution/a charter

2. C

• They are introducing tough new laws against gun crime.

legislation • • rule • • regulation • • act • • statute • • commandment •

(a) law/legislation/rule against sth

pass (a/an) law/legislation/regulation/act/statute

break a law/rule/regulation/commandment

3. C, U

• He behaved as though moral laws did not exist.

principle • • rule • |formal tenet •

the law/principle/rule/tenet that…

a basic/fundamental law/principle/rule/tenet

a moral law/principle/rule

4. C

• the laws of supply and demand

principle • • rule • • theory • |technical theorem •

the law/principle/rule/theory/theorem that…

a basic/fundamental law/principle/rule/theory/theorem

a law/principle/rule/theory/theorem states that…

Collocations:

Criminal justice

Breaking the law

break/violate/obey/uphold the law

be investigated/arrested/tried for a crime/a robbery/fraud

be arrested/ (especially NAmE) indicted/convicted on charges of rape/fraud/(especially US) felony charges

be arrested on suspicion of arson/robbery/shoplifting

be accused of/be charged with murder/(especially NAmE) homicide/four counts of fraud

face two charges of indecent assault

admit your guilt/liability/responsibility (for sth)

deny the allegations/claims/charges

confess to a crime

grant/be refused/be released on/skip/jump bail

The legal process

stand/await/bring sb to/come to/be on trial

take sb to/come to/settle sth out of court

face/avoid/escape prosecution

seek/retain/have the right to/be denied access to legal counsel

hold/conduct/attend/adjourn a hearing/trial

sit on/influence/persuade/convince the jury

sit/stand/appear/be put/place sb in the dock

plead guilty/not guilty to a crime

be called to/enter (BrE) the witness box

take/put sb on the stand/(NAmE) the witness stand

call/subpoena/question/cross-examine a witness

give/hear the evidence against/on behalf of sb

raise/withdraw/overrule an objection

reach a unanimous/majority verdict

return/deliver/record a verdict of not guilty/unlawful killing/accidental death

convict/acquit the defendant of the crime

secure a conviction/your acquittal

lodge/file an appeal

appeal (against)/challenge/uphold/overturn a conviction/verdict

Sentencing and punishment

pass sentence on sb

carry/face/serve a seven-year/life sentence

receive/be given the death penalty

be sentenced to ten years (in prison/jail)

carry/impose/pay a fine (of $3 000)/a penalty (of 14 years imprisonment)

be imprisoned/jailed for drug possession/fraud/murder

do/serve time/ten years

be sent to/put sb in/be released from jail/prison

be/put sb/spend X years on death row

be granted/be denied/break (your) parole

more collocations at crime 

Example Bank:

• A presidential veto prevented the bill from becoming law.

• As the law stands, you can get married at sixteen.

• As the law stands, you can get married while still too young to have a driving licence.

• By law, you are obliged to install smoke alarms in the factory.

• Congress amended the law in 1998.

• Environmental laws are strict about polluting precious water.

• In spite of the difficulties it would cause her family, the judge stuck to the letter of the law and jailed her.

• It's the job of the police to enforce the law.

• Judges interpret this law in different ways.

• Laws criminalizing same-sex relationships were ruled unconstitutional.

• Martial law was imposed to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

• No one is above the law.

• Parliament voted for the bill to become law.

• She lost her job at a Boston law office.

• She's at law school.

• The building was raided by law enforcement agents.

• The company is operating entirely within the law.

• The law applies equally to businesses large and small.

• The law forbids gambling of any kind.

• The law is clear: bribery is wrong.

• The wearing of a crash helmet is required by law.

• We believe this law is unconstitutional.

• What you did was clearly against the law.

• When police failed to arrest the suspect, local people took the law into their own hands and beat him up.

• a law limiting the hours of work to ten hours per day

• a law recognizing civil unions for same-sex couples

• a local law against keeping horses

• a room filled with law books

• individuals who are acting beyond the law

• rebels who live outside the law

• the Civil Rights Act of 1964 became the law of the land on July 2, 1964.

• the broader implications of copyright law reform

• the law concerning industrial action ballots

• the law governing school attendance

• the law relating to the sale of goods

• the laws regarding child actors

• the laws regulating firearms

• the legislators who drafted the law

• the passage of a restrictive immigration law in 1924

• Do you remember anything about Ohm's Law?

• He frequently behaved as though moral laws did not exist.

• He specializes in international law.

• He was charged under the 1996 law against hiring illegal immigrants.

• If they entered the building they would be breaking the law.

• The country has very strict gun laws.

• The reforms have recently become law.

• The usual laws of supply and demand do not seem to apply in this case.

• Their world is shaped by their parents' attitudes and the unspoken law of the street.

• Who first defined the law of gravity?

easy-going

ˌeasy-ˈgoing [easy-going]      adjective

relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying or getting angry

• I wish I had such easy-going parents!

Example Bank:

• His friends described him as an easy-going person.

• My older brother is more easy-going.

• Normally he was relaxed and had an easy-going manner.

• She can be very firm when she wants to, although mostly she is so easy-going.

• There were comments about his easy-going approach to work.

sew

sew [sew sews sewed sewing sewn]   [səʊ]    [soʊ]  verb (sewed, sewn   [səʊn]  ;   [soʊn]  or sewed)

1. intransitive, transitive to use a needle and thread to make stitches in cloth

• My mother taught me how to sew.

• to sew by hand/machine

• ~ sth to sew a seam

2. transitive to make, repair or attach sth using a needle and thread

• ~ sth She sews all her own clothes.

• ~ sth on Can you sew a button on for me?

• Surgeons were able to sew the finger back on.

Derived: sew something up

Word Origin:

Old English siwan, of Germanic origin, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin suere and Greek suein.

Example Bank:

• He sewed the patch onto the back of his jeans.

• He sewed up the tear with a needle and thread.

• I sewed on three buttons.

• The jewel was sewn into the lining of his coat.

• The squares of fabric were all sewn neatly together.

knit

knit [knit knits knitted knitting] verb, noun   [nɪt]    [nɪt]

verb (knit·ted, knit·ted) In senses 3 and 4 knit is usually used for the past tense and past participle.

1. transitive, intransitive to make clothes, etc. from wool or cotton thread using two long thin knitting needles or a machine

• ~ (sth) I knitted this cardigan myself.

• Lucy was sitting on the sofa, knitting.

• ~ sb sth She's knitting the baby a shawl.

2. transitive, intransitive ~ (sth) to use a basic stitch in knitting

• Knit one row, purl one row.

3. transitive, intransitive ~ (sb/sth) (together) to join people or things closely together or to be joined closely together

• a closely/tightly knit community (= one in which relationships are very close)

• Society is knit together by certain commonly held beliefs.

4. intransitive, transitive ~ (sth) (of broken bones) to grow together again to form one piece; to make broken bones grow together again

Syn:  mend

• The bone failed to knit correctly.

Word Origin:

Old English cnyttan, of West Germanic origin; related to German dialect knütten, also to knot. The original sense was ‘tie in or with a knot’, hence ‘join, unite’ (sense 3); an obsolete Middle English sense ‘knot string to make a net’ gave rise to sense 1.

Idiom: knit your brow 

noun usually plural

a piece of clothing that has been knitted

• winter knits

Word Origin:

Old English cnyttan, of West Germanic origin; related to German dialect knütten, also to knot. The original sense was ‘tie in or with a knot’, hence ‘join, unite’ (sense 3); an obsolete Middle English sense ‘knot string to make a net’ gave rise to sense 1.

verb   [ɪkˈskjuːz]  ;   [ɪkˈskjuːz]
1. to forgive sb for sth that they have done, for example not being polite or making a small mistake
• ~ sth Please excuse the mess.
• ~ sb You must excuse my father— he's not always that rude.
• ~ sb for sth/for doing sth I hope you'll excuse me for being so late.
• (BrE) You might be excused for thinking that Ben is in charge (= he is not, but it is an easy mistake to make).

• ~ sb doing sth (formal) Excuse my interrupting you.

2. ~ sth | ~ sb/yourself (for sth/for doing sth) to make your or sb else's behaviour seem less offensive by finding reasons for it
Syn:  justify

• Nothing can excuse such rudeness.

3. ~ sb/yourself (from sth) to allow sb to leave; to say in a polite way that you are leaving
• Now if you'll excuse me, I'm a very busy man.

• She excused herself and left the meeting early.

4. usually passive ~ sb (from sth/from doing sth) | ~ sb sth to allow sb to not do sth that they should normally do
• She was excused from giving evidence because of her age.
more at excuse/pardon my French at  French  n.
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French escuser (verb), from Latin excusare ‘to free from blame’, from ex- ‘out’ + causa ‘accusation, cause’.  
Thesaurus:
excuse verb T
• Please excuse the mess.
forgive • • pardon • • condone •
Opp: condemn
excuse/forgive/pardon/condone sb for sth
excuse/forgive/condone sb's behaviour
Excuse/Forgive/Pardon my ignorance. 
Example Bank:
• He tried to excuse his behaviour as ‘a bit of harmless fun’.
• I asked her to excuse me for my late arrival.
• You'll have to excuse Harriet— she's having a difficult time at work.
• I hope you'll excuse me for being so late.
• You might be excused for thinking that Victoria is in charge.

• You'll have to excuse my father— he's not always that rude.

mind

mind [mind minds minded minding] noun, verb   [maɪnd]    [maɪnd] 

noun  

ABILITY TO THINK
1. countable, uncountable the part of a person that makes them able to be aware of things, to think and to feel
• the conscious/subconscious mind
• There were all kinds of thoughts running through my mind.
• There was no doubt in his mind that he'd get the job.
• ‘Drugs’ are associated in most people's minds with drug abuse.
• She was in a disturbed state of mind.
• I could not have complete peace of mind before they returned.

see also  frame of mind, presence of mind

2. countable your ability to think and reason; your intelligence; the particular way that sb thinks
Syn:  intellect
• to have a brilliant/good/keen mind
• a creative/evil/suspicious mind
• She had a lively and enquiring mind.
• His mind is as sharp as ever.
• I've no idea how her mind works!
• He had the body of a man and the mind of a child.
• insights into the criminal mind

see also  one-track mind  

INTELLIGENT PERSON

3. countable a person who is very intelligent
Syn:  brain 
see also  mastermind

• She was one of the greatest minds of her generation.  

THOUGHTS

4. countable your thoughts, interest, etc
• Keep your mind on your work!
• Her mind is completely occupied by the new baby.
• The lecture dragged on and my mind wandered.
• Your mind's not on the job.
• He gave his mind to the arrangements for the next day.

• As for avoiding you, nothing could be further from my mind (= I was not thinking of it at all).  

MEMORY

5. countable, usually singular your ability to remember things
• When I saw the exam questions my mind just went blank (= I couldn't remember anything).
• Sorry— your name has gone right out of my mind.
more at at the back of your mind at  back  _n., bend your mind/efforts to sth at  bend  _v., blow your mind at  blow  _v., sth boggles the mind at  boggle, cast your mind back at  cast  _v., change your/sb's mind at  change  _v., change of mind at  change  _n., close your mind to sth at  close¹ _v., cross your mind at  cross  _v., be etched on your heart/memory/mind at  etch, great minds think alike at  great  _adj., know your own mind at  know  _v., a meeting of minds at  meeting, have/keep an open mind (about/on sth) at  open  _adj., open your/sb's mind to sth at  open  _v., give sb a piece of your mind at  piece  _n., prey on sb's mind at  prey  _v., push sth to the back of your mind at  push  _v., (not) in your right mind at  right  _adj., have a mind/memory like a sieve at  sieve  _n., out of sight, out of mind at  sight  _n., slip your mind at  slip  _v., speak your mind at  speak, stick in your mind at  stick  _v., a turn of mind at  turn  _n., of unsound mind at  unsound  
Word Origin:
Old English gemynd ‘memory, thought’, of Germanic origin, from an Indo-European root meaning ‘revolve in the mind, think’, shared by Sanskrit manas and Latin mens ‘mind’.  
Thesaurus:
mind noun
1. C, U
• All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind.
head • • brain • • soul • • spirit • • the/your subconscious • |psychology ego •
the human mind/brain/soul/spirit
a thought enters sb's mind/head
deep in your mind/the brain/your subconscious
Mind or head? Head is slightly more informal than mind in this meaning and is used especially to talk about thoughts and ideas that get into your head or that you can't get out of your head.
2. C, usually sing.
• His mind is as sharp as ever.
intelligence • • intellect • • brain • • wits • • genius • |AmE, informal smarts •
(a) great mind/intelligence/intellect/brain/genius
have a …mind/intelligence/intellect/a …brain/…wits/genius/smarts
use your mind/intelligence/brain/wits/smarts 
Synonyms:
mad
crazy • nuts • batty • out of your mind • (not) in your right mind
These are all informal words that describe sb who has a mind that does not work normally.
mad • (informal, especially BrE) having a mind that does not work normally: ▪ I thought I'd go mad if I stayed any longer.
Mad is an informal word used to suggest that sb's behaviour is very strange, often because of extreme emotional pressure. It is offensive if used to describe sb suffering from a real mental illness; use mentally ill instead. Mad is not usually used in this meaning in North American English; use crazy instead.
crazy • (informal, especially NAmE) having a mind that does not work normally: ▪ A crazy old woman rented the upstairs room.
Like mad, crazy is offensive if used to describe sb suffering from a real mental illness.
nuts • [not before noun] (informal) mad: ▪ That noise is driving me nuts! ◊ ▪ You guys are nuts!
batty • (informal, especially BrE) slightly mad, in a harmless way: ▪ Her mum's completely batty.
out of your mind • (informal) unable to think or behave normally, especially because of extreme shock or anxiety: ▪ She was out of her mind with grief.
(not) in your right mind • (informal) (not) mentally normal: ▪ No one in their right mind ▪ would choose to work there.
to be mad/crazy/nuts/out of your mind/not in your right mind to do sth
to go mad/crazy/nuts/batty
to drive sb mad/crazy/nuts/batty/out of their mind
completely mad/crazy/nuts/batty/out of your mind 
Example Bank:
• Exhaustion clouded her mind.
• He feared he was losing his mind.
• He had closed his mind to anything new.
• He occupied his mind by playing cards against himself.
• He wanted us to focus our minds on unsolved problems.
• He's in rather a negative frame of mind.
• Her mind began to wander.
• Her mind was still reeling from the shock.
• Here are some important points to keep in mind…
• His comments did nothing to ease my mind.
• His mind raced, trying to think of a way out of the situation.
• Honestly, all you ever talk about is sex— you have a one-track mind!
• I couldn't get my mind around the concept.
• I have a lot on my mind at the moment.
• I need a clear mind if I want to continue with my work.
• I'll keep what you say in mind.
• I'll never understand how his mind works.
• I'm sorry I forgot your birthday— it completely slipped my mind.
• I'm sure someone can help you, but no one immediately springs to mind.
• It was something she had never imagined, not even in the deepest recesses of her mind.
• It's been preying on my mind ever since it happened.
• Just free your mind and write whatever comes.
• Kate desperately searched her mind for some excuse.
• My mind turned to more practical matters.
• Our subconscious mind tries to protect us.
• Serious doubts began to flood my mind.
• She was poisoning his mind and turning him against his family.
• She was the only person who understood his mind.
• Tell me what you want— I can't read your mind!
• The problem was always at the back of my mind.
• The thought never crossed my mind!
• Their own problems of course remained uppermost in their minds.
• There was absolutely no doubt in my mind that he was guilty.
• Try meditating to clear your mind of negative thoughts.
• Try to keep an open mind until you've heard all the facts.
• Try to keep safety in the forefront of your mind at all times.
• What kind of party do you have in mind?
• Who in their right mind would want to marry a murderer?
• You can do whatever you set your mind to.
• You have to train your mind to think positively.
• You've been in my mind a lot lately.
• a collection of photographs that will blow your mind
• a problem that has defeated the world's finest minds
• a subject which was on the nation's collective mind
• impressionable young minds that are easily influenced
• influencing impressionable young minds
• refreshed in mind and body
• terrible images that will be imprinted on our minds for ever
• the complex nature of the human mind
• ‘Drugs’ are associated in most people's minds with drug abuse.
• Did you know you have a nasty suspicious mind?
• He had probably the finest mind of the whole group.
• He has the body of a man but the mind of a child.
• I wish I had that type of creative mind.
• I've no idea how her mind works.
• She has a brilliant mind.
• She has lively and enquiring mind.
• She was in a disturbed state of mind.
• Their evidence might give us some insight into the criminal mind.
• There was no doubt in his mind that he'd get the job.
• When I saw the exam questions my mind just went blank.
• When you go to sleep it is only the conscious mind that shuts down.
• You don't have to do anything about it now… just bear it in mind.
Idioms: I don't mind admitting/telling you … ▪ I don't mind if I do ▪ I wouldn't mind something sth ▪ all in the mind ▪ bear in mind that … ▪ bear somebody in mind ▪ bored/frightened/pissed/stoned out of your mind ▪ call somebody to mind ▪ come to mind ▪ do you mind? ▪ have a good mind to do something ▪ have a mind of your own ▪ have half a mind to do something ▪ have it in mind to do something ▪ have somebody in mind ▪ if you don't mind ▪ if you don't mind me saying so … ▪ if you wouldn't mind ▪ in two minds about about doing something ▪ lose your mind ▪ make up your mind ▪ make your mind up ▪ mind over matter ▪ mind the shop ▪ mind you ▪ mind your Ps and Qs ▪ mind your own business ▪ my mind ▪ never mind ▪ never mind something ▪ never you mind ▪ of one same mind ▪ on your mind ▪ out of your mind ▪ out of your mind with worry ▪ put somebody in mind of somebody ▪ put somebody's mind at ease ▪ put something out of your mind ▪ put your mind to something ▪ set your mind on something ▪ take your mind off something ▪ your mind's eye

Derived: mind out 

effort

ef·fort [effort efforts]   [ˈefət]    [ˈefərt]  noun
1. uncountable, countable the physical or mental energy that you need to do sth; sth that takes a lot of energy
• You should put more effort into your work.
• A lot of effort has gone into making this event a success.
• The company has invested a great deal of time and effort in setting up new training schemes.
• It's a long climb to the top, but well worth the effort.
• Getting up this morning was quite an effort (= it was difficult).

• (BrE) With (an) effort (= with difficulty) she managed to stop herself laughing.

2. countable an attempt to do sth especially when it is difficult to do
• a determined/real/special effort
• to make an effort
• I didn't really feel like going out, but I am glad I made the effort.
• ~ (to do sth) The company has laid off 150 workers in an effort to save money.
• The local clubs are making every effort to interest more young people.
• We need to make a concerted effort to finish on time.
• I spent hours cleaning the house, but there isn't much to show for all my efforts.
• With an effort of will he resisted the temptation.

• The project was a joint/group effort.

3. countable (usually after a noun) a particular activity that a group of people organize in order to achieve sth
• the Russian space effort

• the United Nations' peacekeeping effort

4. countable the result of an attempt to do sth
• I'm afraid this essay is a poor effort.
see bend your mind/efforts to sth at  bend  v.  
Word Origin:
late 15th cent.: from French, from Old French esforcier, based on Latin ex- ‘out’ + fortis ‘strong’.  
Thesaurus:
effort noun
1. U, C
• The long climb to the top is well worth the effort.
hard work • • struggle • • energy/energies • • exertion/exertions • |BrE, formal endeavour • |AmE, formal endeavor •
(a) great effort/struggle/exertion/endeavour
need effort/hard work/your energies/exertion
put effort/hard work/your energies into sth
Effort or exertion? Effort is used about the work people do to achieve sth; exertion refers to the energy used to carry out an activity
• A lot of effort has gone into achieving this result.
• She was sweating from the exertion of housework.
2. C
• I'll make a special effort to finish on time.
attempt • • try • |BrE go • |informal shot • • stab •
an effort/attempt to do sth
a first/last/good effort/attempt/try/go/shot/stab
make a/an effort/attempt/stab
Effort or attempt? Effort emphasizes the work that sb puts into doing sth; attempt emphasizes the event or action involved in trying to do sth:
• a great/enormous/strenuous effort
 ¤ a great/enormous/strenuous attempt:
• a coup/suicide attempt
 ¤ a coup/suicide effort  
Example Bank:
• All the team members have put in a great deal of effort.
• Critics said the plan would undermine efforts to address the current crisis.
• Despite our best efforts, we didn't manage to win the game.
• Diplomatic efforts to end the crisis failed.
• Districts have not made a good-faith effort to implement public school choice.
• Governments are pooling their efforts to stem international terrorism.
• He failed in his efforts to give up smoking.
• He spearheaded efforts to raise money for the school.
• Her efforts earned her a Nobel Prize.
• Her efforts were rewarded when she won an Oscar.
• I can see you have made a big effort to clean up.
• I have to make a conscious effort to be polite so early in the morning.
• I make sporadic efforts to sort out my files.
• It takes constant effort to become fluent in a language.
• It took a whole day of hard effort to knock down the wall.
• No effort has been spared to make this hotel a welcoming, comfortable place.
• Second prize was a fair reward for his efforts.
• Senior leaders are investing time and effort in studying the issue.
• She made a feeble effort to smile, then started crying again.
• Students, teachers and families got together in a team effort to decorate the school.
• The Democratic get-out-the-vote effort placed heavy emphasis on the youth vote.
• The UN General Secretary flew in in a last-ditch effort to save the talks.
• The club has changed the rules in an effort to make them fairer.
• The gallery owner applauded the efforts of firefighters to save the exhibits.
• The museum relies on the voluntary efforts of enthusiasts.
• The police channelled their efforts into searching around the river.
• The police have renewed their efforts to find the murderer.
• The police tried to channel their efforts into searching the forest.
• The report outlines the efforts undertaken by the industry.
• The walk is difficult but well worth the effort.
• The wound resisted all my efforts to stop it bleeding.
• They launched an AIDS education effort.
• This can be done quickly and with very little effort.
• Through their efforts, enough money was raised to buy the equipment.
• We all appreciate your efforts.
• We are making every effort to obtain the release of the hostages.
• We tried to ensure that efforts were not duplicated.
• We're targeting our efforts at making our website appealing to younger people.
• a grass-roots effort by workers to transform their country
• an outfit which enables you to look good with minimal effort
• educational efforts targeted at children from ethnic minorities
• pioneering efforts to restructure the industry
• the amount of effort required
• the continuing effort to find the missing girls
• their frantic efforts to put out the fire
• Getting up this morning was quite an effort.
• I didn't really feel like going out, but I'm glad I made the effort.
• I spent hours cleaning the house but there isn't much to show for all my efforts.
• I'll make a special effort to finish on time this week.
• It's a long climb to the top, but well worth the effort.
• They met once more in an attempt/effort to find a solution.

• a great/enormous/strenuous effort

chin

chin [chin chins]   [tʃɪn]    [tʃɪn]  noun

the part of the face below the mouth and above the neck

• A strap fastens under the chin to keep the helmet in place.

see also  double chin 

more at chuck sb under the chin at  chuck  v.

Idioms: chin up ▪ take something on the chin 

Word Origin:

Old English cin, cinn, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kin, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin gena ‘cheek’ and Greek genus ‘jaw’.

Collocations:

Physical appearance

A person may be described as having:

Eyes

(bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes

deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes

small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/(informal) shifty eyes

piercing/penetrating/steely eyes

bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes

bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows

long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes

Face

a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose

a straight/a hooked/a Roman/(formal) an aquiline nose

full/thick/thin/pouty lips

dry/chapped/cracked lips

flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks

soft/chubby/sunken cheeks

white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth

a large/high/broad/wide/sloping forehead

a strong/weak/pointed/double chin

a long/full/bushy/wispy/goatee beard

a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil moustache/ (especially US) mustache

Hair and skin

pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin

dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin

a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion

deep/fine/little/facial wrinkles

blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/(BrE) ginger/grey hair

straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair

thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair

dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair

long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair

a bald/balding/shaved head

a receding hairline

a bald patch/spot

a side/centre/(US) center (BrE) parting/ (NAmE) part

Body

a long/short/thick/slender/(disapproving) scrawny neck

broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders

a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest

a flat/swollen/bulging stomach

a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist

big/wide/narrow/slim hips

a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back

thin/slender/muscular arms

big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands

long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers

long/muscular/hairy/shapely/(both informal, often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs

muscular/chubby/(informal, disapproving) flabby thighs

big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet

a good/a slim/a slender/an hourglass figure

be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build

Example Bank:

• He cupped her chin with his hand.

• He had bits of food on his chin.

• He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his.

• He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

• Her chin was resting on his shoulder.

• His chin quivered and a tear ran down his cheek.

• His chin rose in a proud gesture.

• Maria jutted her chin defiantly.

• She caught him with a hard blow on the chin.

• She sat resting her chin on her hands.

• She sat with her elbows on the table, resting her chin on her cupped hands.

• She tilted her chin at him defiantly.

• Slowly lower the bar to around chin level.

• The juice dribbled down his chin.

rug

rug [rug rugs]   [rʌɡ]    [rʌɡ]  noun

1. a piece of thick material like a small carpet that is used for covering or decorating part of a floor

• a hearth rug (= in front of a fireplace )

• an oriental rug

• a sheepskin rug
 

2. (BrE) a piece of thick warm material, like a blanket, that is used for wrapping around your legs to keep warm

• a travelling rug

• a tartan rug

3. (informal, especially NAmE) =  toupee

see pull the rug (out) from under sb's feet at  pull  v., sweep sth under the rug at  sweep  v.

Word Origin:

mid 16th cent. (denoting a type of coarse woollen cloth): probably of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian dialect rugga ‘coverlet’, Swedish rugg ‘ruffled hair’; related to rag  ‘piece of cloth’. The sense ‘small carpet’ dates from the early 19th cent.

Example Bank:

• A Persian rug covered the polished floor.

• There were several brightly coloured rugs scattered around.

balcony

bal·cony [balcony balconies]   [ˈbælkəni]    [ˈbælkəni]  noun (pl. bal·conies)

1. a platform that is built on the upstairs outside wall of a building, with a wall or rail around it. You can get out onto a balcony from an upstairs room.
 

2. an area of seats upstairs in a theatre

see also  circle, first balcony 

Word Origin:

early 17th cent.: from Italian balcone, probably ultimately of Germanic origin.

Example Bank:

• We had drinks on the hotel balcony.