B2 (بالای متوسط)

threaten

threat‧en S3 W2 /ˈθretn/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: verb: ↑threaten; noun: ↑threat; adverb: ↑threateningly; adjective: ↑threatening]
1. [transitive] to say that you will cause someone harm or trouble if they do not do what you want:
Postal workers are threatening a strike if they don’t receive a pay increase.
threaten to do something
He threatened to take them to court.
threaten somebody with something
Doctors are sometimes threatened with violence if they don’t do what patients want.
threaten (that)
Then he became angry and threatened that he would go to the police.
2. [transitive] to be likely to harm or destroy something:
Poaching threatens the survival of the rhino.
threaten to do something
The incident threatens to ruin his chances in the election.
be threatened with something
Large areas of the jungle are now threatened with destruction.
3. [intransitive and transitive] to be likely to happen or be in a bad situation:
Britain’s fishing industry remains threatened.
Dark clouds threatened rain.
 

deal

I. deal¹ S1 W1 /diːl/ noun
[Word Family: noun: deal, dealer, dealings; verb: deal]
[Language: Old English; Origin: dæl]
1. AGREEMENT [countable] an agreement or arrangement, especially in business or politics, that helps both sides involved:
They made a deal to sell the land to a property developer.
deal with
rumors that the company had done a deal with Microsoft to market its products
deal between
Twelve US soldiers were released after a deal between the army and the guerillas.
2. a great/good deal a large quantity of something SYN a lot
a great/good deal of
It took a great deal of time and effort.
His work has been attracting a great deal of attention.
a great/good deal more/less etc (=a lot more, less etc)
He knew a good deal more than I did.
She’s married to a man a good deal older than herself.
GRAMMAR
Use a great/good deal of only with uncountable nouns:
▪ a great deal of time/money/work
With nouns in the plural, use a lot of:
▪ a lot of people/animals/shops
3. TREATMENT [countable usually singular] treatment of a particular type that is given or received
a better/fairer etc deal
a better deal for nurses
The prime minister promised farmers a new deal (=a new and fairer system).
a rough/raw deal (=unfair treatment)
Women tend to get a raw deal from employers.
4. it’s a deal spoken used to say that you agree to do something:
OK, it’s a deal.
5. what's the deal? American English spoken used when you want to know about a problem or something strange that is happening:
So what's the deal? Why is he so mad?
6. CARDS [singular] when you give out cards to players in a card game ⇒ dealer:
It’s your deal, Alison.
7. WOOD [uncountable] British English fir or pine wood used for making things:
a deal table
8. a deal of something old-fashioned a large amount of something
⇒ big deal
• • •

▪ do a deal The two companies have recently done a major deal.
▪ make a deal informal Why don't we make a deal to stay out of each other's way?
▪ reach/strike a deal (=agree a deal after a lot of discussions) The US and North Korea reached a deal about North Korea's nuclear development program.
▪ sign a deal The singer has signed a $20 million deal with an American TV network.
▪ negotiate a deal (=agree a deal by discussing over a long period) We have negotiated a special deal with one of the world’s leading car hire companies.
▪ close/conclude a deal formal (=agree a deal formally) A deal between the two companies has now been concluded.
▪ clinch a deal (=finally agree on a deal, especially one that is good for you) The salesman was eager to clinch the deal.
▪ cut a deal informal (=agree a deal, especially when it is difficult or you have to accept some things you would rather not accept) In they end, they had to cut a deal with the Communinsts.
▪ have a deal informal (=have made or agreed on a deal) Do we have a deal?
▪ get a good deal (=buy something at a good price) He thought he had got a good deal.
▪ back out of/pull out of a deal (=decide not to make a deal after discussing one) Twenty-five jobs were lost after their partner pulled out of the deal.
▪ a deal goes through/ahead (=it happens as arranged) It’s 99% certain that the deal will go through.
▪ a deal falls through (=does not happen as arranged) The cost was simply too high, so the deal fell through.

▪ a good deal (=a good price, offer, or arrangement) You can buy two for £10, which sounds like a good deal.
▪ a business deal He lost a fortune in an unwise business deal.
▪ a pay deal (=one that involves an agreement about how much people will be paid) They are currently negotiating a new pay deal.
▪ a peace deal (=an agreement to end fighting between countries) Hopes of a peace deal are fading.
▪ a financial/political etc deal After weeks of negotiation the prospect of a political deal seemed increasingly unlikely.
▪ an arms/weapons deal (=one which involves selling weapons) A number of recent arms deals have embarrassed the government.
▪ a record deal (=one between a singer or band and a recording company) It’s hard for a band to get a record deal.
▪ a one-year/two-year etc deal (=one that will be fixed for one year, two years etc) The five-year deal is estimated to be worth $17.2 million.
▪ a shady deal (=dishonest or illegal) Some senior members of the party were involved in shady deals and bribery.

▪ part of the deal I got free accommodation as part of the deal.
▪ the terms of a deal (=the details or conditions in it) The hotel group refused to release the financial terms of the deal.
▪ a done deal informal (=something that has been completely agreed) The takeover has been described as a done deal.
II. deal² S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle dealt /delt/)
[Word Family: noun: deal, dealer, dealings; verb: deal]
1. [intransitive and transitive] (also deal something ↔ out) to give playing cards to each of the players in a game:
Whose turn is it to deal?
2. [intransitive] informal to buy and sell illegal drugs:
Many users end up dealing to support their habit.
3. deal a blow (to somebody/something) to cause harm to someone or something – used in news reports
deal a heavy/severe/serious etc blow
The sanctions have dealt a severe blow to the local tourism industry.
This will deal a blow to consumer confidence.
deal in phrasal verb
1. deal in something to buy and sell a particular type of product ⇒ dealer
deal in shares/securities etc
investors dealing in stocks and shares
deal in drugs/stolen goods etc
He then began dealing in heroin.
deal in antiques/second-hand books etc
2. deal in something to be interested or involved in something:
As a scientist, I do not deal in speculation.
3. deal somebody in to include someone in a game of cards
deal something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to give playing cards to each of the players in a game:
I began dealing out the cards.
2. to decide what kind of punishment someone will get
deal with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem SYN handle:
a strategy for dealing with disruptive pupils
Don’t worry, I’ll deal with this.
deal with a problem/issue/matter etc
The council has failed to deal with the problem of homelessness in the city.
deal effectively/adequately etc with something
They should deal properly and fairly with any complaint.
2. if a book, speech etc deals with a particular subject, it is about that subject:
These ideas are dealt with more fully in Chapter Four.
3. to do business with someone or have a business connection with someone:
Most travel agents do not deal directly with these companies.
4. to succeed in controlling your feelings about an emotional problem so that it does not affect your life SYN cope with:
How’s he dealing with the whole thing?
• • •

▪ deal with a problem Both countries are having to deal with the problem of violence in urban areas.
▪ deal with an issue/matter/question New laws were introduced to deal with the issue.
▪ deal with a situation For a while I had no idea how to deal with the situation.
▪ deal with a crisis The President has flown home to deal with the crisis.
▪ deal with a complaint Working in the Customer Service Department, you become an expert in dealing with complaints.
▪ deal with an enquiry Our staff will be able to deal with any enquiries.
▪ deal with an emergency All our ambulance drivers are trained to deal with emergencies.
▪ deal with a challenge I chose this job because I like having to deal with new challenges every day.

▪ deal with something effectively Most schools don't deal with the problem of bullying very effectively.
▪ deal with something successfully Most of these issues have now been successfully dealt with.
▪ deal with something adequately Our National Health Service does not deal adequately with the question of old age.
• • •

▪ deal with something to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem: We need to deal with problems like pollution and climate change. | I spend most of my day dealing with customer enquiries.
▪ handle to deal with a problem or difficult situation by making particular decisions. Used especially when talking about how well or badly someone does this: He handled the situation very well. | Most customers were happy with the way their complaints had been handled.
▪ tackle to start to deal with a problem, especially one that is complicated: We need to tackle the issue of drugs in schools. | The government is introducing new measures to tackle online crime.
▪ see to/attend to somebody/something to deal with all the practical details of something that needs to be done or organized. Attend to is more formal than see to: My son saw to all the funeral arrangements. | I have some business to attend to.
▪ take care of something to do the work or make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen. Used especially when you do this for someone else so that they do not have to worry about it: My secretary takes care of all the paperwork.
▪ process if a company or organization processes a letter, form etc, they do the things that are usually done as part of their official system, in order to deal with it: It will take a minimum of 14 days to process your passport application. | I called their office, and they said that my request was still being processed.

deal

I. deal¹ S1 W1 /diːl/ noun
[Word Family: noun: deal, dealer, dealings; verb: deal]
[Language: Old English; Origin: dæl]
1. AGREEMENT [countable] an agreement or arrangement, especially in business or politics, that helps both sides involved:
They made a deal to sell the land to a property developer.
deal with
rumors that the company had done a deal with Microsoft to market its products
deal between
Twelve US soldiers were released after a deal between the army and the guerillas.
2. a great/good deal a large quantity of something SYN a lot
a great/good deal of
It took a great deal of time and effort.
His work has been attracting a great deal of attention.
a great/good deal more/less etc (=a lot more, less etc)
He knew a good deal more than I did.
She’s married to a man a good deal older than herself.
GRAMMAR
Use a great/good deal of only with uncountable nouns:
▪ a great deal of time/money/work
With nouns in the plural, use a lot of:
▪ a lot of people/animals/shops
3. TREATMENT [countable usually singular] treatment of a particular type that is given or received
a better/fairer etc deal
a better deal for nurses
The prime minister promised farmers a new deal (=a new and fairer system).
a rough/raw deal (=unfair treatment)
Women tend to get a raw deal from employers.
4. it’s a deal spoken used to say that you agree to do something:
OK, it’s a deal.
5. what's the deal? American English spoken used when you want to know about a problem or something strange that is happening:
So what's the deal? Why is he so mad?
6. CARDS [singular] when you give out cards to players in a card game ⇒ dealer:
It’s your deal, Alison.
7. WOOD [uncountable] British English fir or pine wood used for making things:
a deal table
8. a deal of something old-fashioned a large amount of something
⇒ big deal
• • •

▪ do a deal The two companies have recently done a major deal.
▪ make a deal informal Why don't we make a deal to stay out of each other's way?
▪ reach/strike a deal (=agree a deal after a lot of discussions) The US and North Korea reached a deal about North Korea's nuclear development program.
▪ sign a deal The singer has signed a $20 million deal with an American TV network.
▪ negotiate a deal (=agree a deal by discussing over a long period) We have negotiated a special deal with one of the world’s leading car hire companies.
▪ close/conclude a deal formal (=agree a deal formally) A deal between the two companies has now been concluded.
▪ clinch a deal (=finally agree on a deal, especially one that is good for you) The salesman was eager to clinch the deal.
▪ cut a deal informal (=agree a deal, especially when it is difficult or you have to accept some things you would rather not accept) In they end, they had to cut a deal with the Communinsts.
▪ have a deal informal (=have made or agreed on a deal) Do we have a deal?
▪ get a good deal (=buy something at a good price) He thought he had got a good deal.
▪ back out of/pull out of a deal (=decide not to make a deal after discussing one) Twenty-five jobs were lost after their partner pulled out of the deal.
▪ a deal goes through/ahead (=it happens as arranged) It’s 99% certain that the deal will go through.
▪ a deal falls through (=does not happen as arranged) The cost was simply too high, so the deal fell through.

▪ a good deal (=a good price, offer, or arrangement) You can buy two for £10, which sounds like a good deal.
▪ a business deal He lost a fortune in an unwise business deal.
▪ a pay deal (=one that involves an agreement about how much people will be paid) They are currently negotiating a new pay deal.
▪ a peace deal (=an agreement to end fighting between countries) Hopes of a peace deal are fading.
▪ a financial/political etc deal After weeks of negotiation the prospect of a political deal seemed increasingly unlikely.
▪ an arms/weapons deal (=one which involves selling weapons) A number of recent arms deals have embarrassed the government.
▪ a record deal (=one between a singer or band and a recording company) It’s hard for a band to get a record deal.
▪ a one-year/two-year etc deal (=one that will be fixed for one year, two years etc) The five-year deal is estimated to be worth $17.2 million.
▪ a shady deal (=dishonest or illegal) Some senior members of the party were involved in shady deals and bribery.

▪ part of the deal I got free accommodation as part of the deal.
▪ the terms of a deal (=the details or conditions in it) The hotel group refused to release the financial terms of the deal.
▪ a done deal informal (=something that has been completely agreed) The takeover has been described as a done deal.
II. deal² S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle dealt /delt/)
[Word Family: noun: deal, dealer, dealings; verb: deal]
1. [intransitive and transitive] (also deal something ↔ out) to give playing cards to each of the players in a game:
Whose turn is it to deal?
2. [intransitive] informal to buy and sell illegal drugs:
Many users end up dealing to support their habit.
3. deal a blow (to somebody/something) to cause harm to someone or something – used in news reports
deal a heavy/severe/serious etc blow
The sanctions have dealt a severe blow to the local tourism industry.
This will deal a blow to consumer confidence.
deal in phrasal verb
1. deal in something to buy and sell a particular type of product ⇒ dealer
deal in shares/securities etc
investors dealing in stocks and shares
deal in drugs/stolen goods etc
He then began dealing in heroin.
deal in antiques/second-hand books etc
2. deal in something to be interested or involved in something:
As a scientist, I do not deal in speculation.
3. deal somebody in to include someone in a game of cards
deal something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to give playing cards to each of the players in a game:
I began dealing out the cards.
2. to decide what kind of punishment someone will get
deal with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem SYN handle:
a strategy for dealing with disruptive pupils
Don’t worry, I’ll deal with this.
deal with a problem/issue/matter etc
The council has failed to deal with the problem of homelessness in the city.
deal effectively/adequately etc with something
They should deal properly and fairly with any complaint.
2. if a book, speech etc deals with a particular subject, it is about that subject:
These ideas are dealt with more fully in Chapter Four.
3. to do business with someone or have a business connection with someone:
Most travel agents do not deal directly with these companies.
4. to succeed in controlling your feelings about an emotional problem so that it does not affect your life SYN cope with:
How’s he dealing with the whole thing?
• • •

▪ deal with a problem Both countries are having to deal with the problem of violence in urban areas.
▪ deal with an issue/matter/question New laws were introduced to deal with the issue.
▪ deal with a situation For a while I had no idea how to deal with the situation.
▪ deal with a crisis The President has flown home to deal with the crisis.
▪ deal with a complaint Working in the Customer Service Department, you become an expert in dealing with complaints.
▪ deal with an enquiry Our staff will be able to deal with any enquiries.
▪ deal with an emergency All our ambulance drivers are trained to deal with emergencies.
▪ deal with a challenge I chose this job because I like having to deal with new challenges every day.

▪ deal with something effectively Most schools don't deal with the problem of bullying very effectively.
▪ deal with something successfully Most of these issues have now been successfully dealt with.
▪ deal with something adequately Our National Health Service does not deal adequately with the question of old age.
• • •

▪ deal with something to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem: We need to deal with problems like pollution and climate change. | I spend most of my day dealing with customer enquiries.
▪ handle to deal with a problem or difficult situation by making particular decisions. Used especially when talking about how well or badly someone does this: He handled the situation very well. | Most customers were happy with the way their complaints had been handled.
▪ tackle to start to deal with a problem, especially one that is complicated: We need to tackle the issue of drugs in schools. | The government is introducing new measures to tackle online crime.
▪ see to/attend to somebody/something to deal with all the practical details of something that needs to be done or organized. Attend to is more formal than see to: My son saw to all the funeral arrangements. | I have some business to attend to.
▪ take care of something to do the work or make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen. Used especially when you do this for someone else so that they do not have to worry about it: My secretary takes care of all the paperwork.
▪ process if a company or organization processes a letter, form etc, they do the things that are usually done as part of their official system, in order to deal with it: It will take a minimum of 14 days to process your passport application. | I called their office, and they said that my request was still being processed.

II. welcome² S2 W3 BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: adjective: ↑welcome ≠ ↑unwelcome, ↑welcoming; verb: ↑welcome; noun: ↑welcome]
1. if someone is welcome in a place, other people are glad that they are there:
I had the feeling I wasn’t really welcome.
I didn’t feel welcome in the club.
Mary made us very welcome.
We try to make the new students feel welcome.
2. if something is welcome, you enjoy it because you feel that you need it:
The weekend was a welcome break from the pressures of work.
Six months in Scotland would make a welcome change from London.
A cup of tea would be very welcome.
3. if something is welcome, you are glad that it has happened:
The increase in interest rates is welcome news for investors.
This new funding will come as a welcome boost for the industry.
4. be welcome to something spoken used to say that someone can have something if they want it, because you certainly do not want it:
If you want to take the job you’re welcome to it!
5. be welcome to do something spoken used to invite someone to do something if they would like to:
You’re welcome to stay for lunch.
6. you’re welcome! spoken a polite way of replying to someone who has just thanked you for something:
‘Thanks for the coffee.’ ‘You’re welcome.’

effective

ef‧fec‧tive S2 W1 /ɪˈfektɪv/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: effect, effectiveness ≠ ineffectiveness; adjective: effective ≠ ineffective, effectual ≠ ineffectual; verb: effect; adverb: effectively ≠ ineffectively]
1. successful, and working in the way that was intended OPP ineffective:
The cheaper drugs are just as effective in treating arthritis.
the painting’s highly effective use of colour
Training is often much less effective than expected.
the most effective ways of reducing inner city congestion
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say that something works (well), rather than say that it is effective:
▪ The cheaper drugs work just as well.
2. [no comparative, not before noun] if a law, agreement, or system becomes effective, it officially starts
effective from
The cut in interest rates is effective from Monday.
3. [no comparative, only before noun] real rather than what is officially intended or generally believed:
The rebels are in effective control of the city.
—effectiveness noun [uncountable]
• • •

▪ extremely/highly effective The company launched a highly effective advertising campaign.

▪ an effective way What’s the most effective way to control crime?
▪ an effective method Exams are not the most effective method of assessing students’ abilities.
▪ an effective means Is reducing the speed limit an effective means of reducing accidents?
▪ effective action The police must take effective action to protect the public.
▪ an effective solution The most effective solution to traffic congestion is to build more roads.
▪ an effective treatment Antibiotics are still the most effective treatment for this disease.
▪ an effective system The country has a simple but effective welfare system.
• • •

▪ successful achieving what you wanted, or having the effect or result you intended: He applied for a visa three times and in the end he was successful. | The treatment was successful. | It was a highly successful campaign.
▪ effective having the effect or result that was wanted - used especially about treatments, drugs, or methods: The drug is effective against a range of diseases. | We still haven't found an effective way to solve the problem.
▪ victorious successful as a result of winning in a game, election, war etc: the captain of the victorious team | She emerged victorious in the second round of voting.
▪ promising likely to be very successful in the future, used especially about someone who is good at a job, sport, art etc: a promising young athlete | He gave up a promising career in banking.
▪ thriving very successful – used about a company, industry, or organization that is doing well at a particular time: The area has a thriving tourist industry. | The school is thriving academically.
▪ booming extremely successful – used about an economy, or when business or trade is increasing: the booming economy in China | Business is booming.

responsibility

re‧spon‧si‧bil‧i‧ty S2 W1 /rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti, rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪləti $ rɪˌspɑːn-/ BrE AmE noun (plural responsibilities)
[Word Family: noun: ↑responsibility ≠ ↑irresponsibility; adverb: ↑responsibly ≠ ↑irresponsibly; adjective: ↑responsible ≠ ↑irresponsible]
1. [uncountable] a duty to be in charge of someone or something, so that you make decisions and can be blamed if something bad happens:
Kelly’s promotion means more money and more responsibility.
+for
The Minister has responsibility for the National Health Service.
with responsibility for something
a manager with responsibility for over 100 staff
it is sb’s responsibility to do something
It’s your responsibility to inform us of any changes.
2. [uncountable] blame for something bad that has happened:
The firm is denying all responsibility.
responsibility for
No one wants to take responsibility for the problem.
The surgeon accepted full responsibility for the error that led to her death..
So far no one has claimed responsibility (=said that they are responsible) for the bombings.
3. [countable] something that you must do as part of your job or duty:
My responsibilities include answering the phone and dealing with customer enquiries.
family/professional/parental etc responsibilities
a single parent struggling to balance work and family responsibilities
4. [countable] something that you ought to do because it is morally or socially right SYN duty
a responsibility to do something
We all have a responsibility to protect the environment.
Parents need to encourage a sense of responsibility in their children (=the ability to behave sensibly in a way that will not harm themselves or other people).
moral/social/legal etc responsibility
The company saw it as part of its social responsibility to provide education for its workers.
5. responsibility to somebody a duty to help someone because of your work or position in society:
A doctor’s first responsibility is to her patients.
6. do something on your own responsibility formal to do something without being told to do it or officially allowed to do it
⇨ ↑diminished responsibility
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have responsibility for (doing) something The Council has responsibility for maintaining the streetlights.
▪ take responsibility for (doing) something Who do you trust to take responsibility for our country's defence?
▪ take on responsibility (also assume responsibility formal) (=start to have responsibility for something) These days men tend to take on more responsibility at home. | The government must assume greater responsibility for the care of the elderly.
▪ shoulder responsibility (=agree to start having a difficult or unpleasant duty) The city, she said, would shoulder responsibility for caring for the children.
▪ shirk responsibility (=not accept a duty you should accept) He doesn't shirk responsibility.
▪ exercise responsibility formal (=take action because you have responsibility for something) The citizens of ancient Athens met here to exercise their responsibility to govern themselves.
▪ abdicate responsibility formal (=refuse to have responsibility for something you used to have responsibility for) The state should not allow parents to abdicate responsibility for their children.
▪ the responsibility lies with somebody (=they are responsible for it) Ultimate responsibility for admissions lies with the Course Co-ordinator.
■ adjectives
▪ personal responsibility So far, no one had taken personal responsibility for the project.
▪ overall responsibility The Department of Education has overall responsibility for schools and universities.
▪ direct responsibility (=when no other person is involved) He has direct responsibility for all the programmes on Radio 1.
▪ sole responsibility (=not shared with others) The financial director has sole responsibility for financial matters.
▪ collective responsibility (=shared equally by a group of people) Head teachers should encourage a sense of collective responsibility among teachers.
▪ primary responsibility (=most important responsibility) I have primary responsibility for the children.
▪ ultimate responsibility (=responsibility for making a final decision) The National Assembly will have ultimate responsibility for ensuring that health targets are met.
■ phrases
▪ a burden of responsibility (=a lot of responsibility, that worries you) Being the only wage earner put a great burden of responsibility on my father.
▪ a position of responsibility (=a job in which people depend on you to tell them what they should do) Before the age of 21 he had attained a position of responsibility in the factory.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ accept/take responsibility for something To his credit, he took responsibility for his actions.
▪ claim responsibility (for something) (=say that you are responsible for something bad) No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombings.
▪ deny responsibility for something The company denied responsibility for the oil spillage.
▪ bear responsibility for something (=be responsible for something bad) Developed countries must bear much of the responsibility for environmental problems.
■ adjectives
▪ full responsibility The airline accepted full responsibility for the crash.
▪ personal responsibility I take personal responsibility for what went wrong.

gossip

I. gos‧sip¹ /ˈɡɒsəp, ˈɡɒsɪp $ ˈɡɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: godsibb 'godparent, close friend', from god 'god' + sibb 'relative']
1. [uncountable] information that is passed from one person to another about other people’s behaviour and private lives, often including unkind or untrue remarks
gossip about
Here’s an interesting piece of gossip about Mrs Smith.
What’s the latest gossip?
Do you want to hear some juicy gossip?
She had no time for idle gossip.
It was common gossip how he felt about her.
You miss a lot of office gossip when you have a day off work.
On Sundays all the men gather in the square to exchange local gossip.
2. [countable usually singular] a conversation in which you exchange information with someone about other people’s lives and things that have happened:
Phil’s in there, having a gossip with Maggie.
3. [countable] someone who likes talking about other people’s private lives – used to show disapproval:
Rick’s a terrible gossip.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + gossip
▪ the latest gossip Annie usually has all the latest gossip.
▪ juicy gossip (=interesting gossip) He said that he had some especially juicy gossip to tell us.
▪ hot gossip (=interesting gossip) What’s the latest hot gossip going round at work then?
▪ idle gossip (=gossip not based on facts) She had no time for idle gossip.
▪ common gossip (=gossip that everyone knows about) Rumours about her affairs had become common gossip.
▪ office gossip He told her a few bits of office gossip which he though might interest her.
▪ village gossip BrE: She knew from village gossip how Harry had treated his first wife.
▪ malicious gossip (=unkind gossip that is likely to upset someone) Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?
■ phrases
▪ a piece of gossip I’ve got an interesting piece of gossip which might interest you.
▪ be the subject of gossip (=be talked about) His close friendship with Carol was the subject of gossip.
■ verbs
▪ exchange gossip (=talk about other people and their private lives with someone) They used to meet up and exchange gossip.
▪ hear gossip Have you heard the latest gossip about Steve?
▪ listen to gossip He was always willing to listen to gossip.
▪ spread gossip Someone’s been spreading gossip about Lucy and Ian.
▪ gossip goes around (=it is told by one person to another) It was a small village, and any gossip went around very quickly.

turn

I. turn¹ S1 W1 /tɜːn $ tɜːrn/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑turn, ↑upturn, ↑turning; verb: ↑turn, ↑overturn; adjective: ↑upturned]
[Date: 1000-1100; Origin: Partly from Latin tornare 'to turn on a lathe', from turnus 'lathe', from Greek tornos; partly from Old French torner, tourner 'to turn', from Latin tornare]
1. YOUR BODY [intransitive and transitive] to move your body so that you are looking in a different direction ⇨ twist:
Ricky turned and walked away.
She turned her head in surprise.
turn around/round/away
Dan turned away, hiding the fear in his eyes.
turn (your head/face) to do something
He turned around to look at Kim.
‘No,’ she said, turning her head to see David’s reaction.
Brigitte glared at him, turned on her heel (=turned away suddenly because of anger), and stomped out of the room.
2. OBJECT [transitive usually + adverb/preposition] to move something so that it is pointing or aiming in a different direction
turn something around/over/upside down etc
You may turn over your exam papers now.
turn something on something/somebody
The firemen turned their hoses on the blaze.
turn something to face something/somebody
Could you turn your chairs to face this way?
turn a/the page (=move a page in a book over so that you can read the next page)
turn something down/up
He turned down the corner of the sheet to peep at the baby.
3. DIRECTION
a) [intransitive and transitive] to go in a new direction when you are walking, driving etc, or to make the vehicle you are using do this:
I watched until he turned the corner.
turn left/right
Turn left at the church.
turn into/onto/down etc
She cycled up the street and turned into Long Road.
Turning the car around, we headed home.
b) [intransitive] if a road, river etc turns, it curves and starts to go in a new direction:
Further on, the river turns east.
The road turns sharply at the top of the hill.
4. MOVE AROUND CENTRAL POINT [intransitive and transitive] to move around a central or fixed point, or to make something move in this way:
The wheels turned slowly, then picked up speed.
For some reason, the key wouldn’t turn.
turn the handle/knob/key/tap etc
She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.
5. CHANGE [linking verb, transitive] to start to have a different quality, or to make something do this
turn (something) red/blue/white etc
Rose’s hair was already turning grey.
In October the leaves turn orange and yellow.
The sun had turned the sky a glowing pink.
the weather turns cold/nasty etc (also it turns cold/nasty etc)
Then it turned cold and started to rain.
turn nasty/mean/violent etc (=suddenly become angry, violent etc)
The police are worried that the situation could turn violent.
6. ATTENTION/THOUGHTS [intransitive and transitive] to start to think about, deal with, look at etc a particular person, thing, or subject, instead of what you were thinking about etc before
turn your attention/thoughts/efforts etc to something/somebody
Many investors have turned their attention to opportunities abroad.
Phil turned his gaze towards the older man.
turn to/towards etc something
As usual, the conversation turned back to her children.
Now is the time of year when thoughts turn in the direction of summer holidays.
Next the Senator turned to education.
7. turn your back (on somebody/something)
a) to refuse to help, support, or be involved with someone or something:
How can you turn your back on your own mother?
In his twenties he turned his back on his Catholic faith.
b) to turn so that your back is pointing towards someone or something, and you are not looking at them:
Angrily, she turned her back on him.
8. AGE/TIME [transitive] to become a particular age, or to reach a particular time
somebody turns 15/20/40 etc
My son’s just turned 18.
it’s turned 2 o'clock/5/midday etc
It’s just turned three.
9. turn something inside out
a) to pull a piece of clothing, bag etc so that the inside is facing out:
Turn the sweater inside out before you wash it.
b) (also turn something upside down) to search everywhere for something, in a way that makes a place very untidy:
Thieves had turned the house upside down.
c) (also turn something upside down/turn something on its head) to completely change the way that something is done, organized, thought about etc:
New approaches to marketing turn old practices upside down.
Her opinion of him had been turned on its head.
10. have turned the corner to start to improve after going through a difficult period or experience:
The manager of the hotel chain claims that they have turned the corner.
11. MAKE/LET GO OUT [transitive] to make or let someone or something go out from where they are
turn somebody/something out/outside/into etc (something)
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board.
There are some criminals who cannot be turned loose onto the streets.
12. TIDE [intransitive] if the ↑tide turns, the sea starts to come in or go out again
13. CHANGE DEVELOPMENT [intransitive and transitive] if something such as a war, situation, game of sport etc turns, or someone turns it, something happens to change the way it is developing:
Mills turned the game by scoring twice.
The victory turned the tide of the war in North Africa.
14. turn traitor to be disloyal to a person, group, or idea that you have strongly supported before
15. turn your ankle to twist your ↑ankle in a way that injures it SYN sprain:
Wright turned his ankle in the first minutes of the game.
16. an actor turned politician/a housewife turned author etc someone who has done one job and then does something completely different ⇨ poacher turned gamekeeper at ↑poacher
17. turn sb’s head to be attractive in a romantic or sexual way:
She turned heads whenever she walked into a room.
18. turn (people’s) heads if something turns people’s heads, they are surprised by it:
It did turn some heads when he moved back to the village.
19. turn a profit American English to make a profit
20. turn a phrase to say something in a particular way:
Cohen knows how to turn a phrase in his lyrics.
21. LAND [transitive] to break up soil so that it is ready for growing crops:
a distant tractor turning the soil
22. WOOD/METAL [transitive] to shape a wooden or metal object using a special tool
23. MILK [intransitive] British English if milk turns, it becomes sour
⇨ turn a blind eye (to something) at ↑blind¹(3), ⇨ turn the other cheek at ↑cheek¹(4), ⇨ turn full circle at ↑circle¹(6), ⇨ somebody would turn in their grave at ↑grave¹(3), ⇨ not turn a hair at ↑hair(11), ⇨ turn your hand to (doing) something at ↑hand¹(26), ⇨ turn over a new leaf at ↑leaf¹(3), ⇨ turn your nose up (at something) at ↑nose¹(5), ⇨ turn your stomach at ↑stomach¹(4), ⇨ turn the tables (on somebody) at ↑table¹(5), ⇨ turn tail at ↑tail¹(9)
• • •
THESAURUS (for Meaning 4)
▪ turn to move around a central or fixed point: The wheels of the train began to turn.
▪ go around (also go round British English) to turn around a central point. Go around is a little more informal than turn and is very common in everyday English: When the fan goes around, the warm air is pushed back downwards.
▪ revolve/rotate to turn around and around a central point. Rotate and revolve are more formal than turn and sound more technical: The Earth rotates on its axis once every twenty-four hours. | The stage revolves at various points during the performance.
▪ spin to turn around many times very quickly: The ice skater began to spin faster and faster.
▪ whirl /wɜːl $ wɜːrl/ to spin around extremely quickly, often in a powerful or uncontrolled way: The blades of the helicopter whirled overhead.
▪ twirl (around) to spin around quickly, especially as part of a dance or performance: The couples were twirling around on the dance floor.
▪ swirl (around) to move around quickly in a circular movement, especially when the movement goes outwards or upwards from the center: Her white skirt swirled around her legs as she danced. | The leaves began to swirl around.
▪ spiral to move in a continuous curve that gets nearer to or further from its central point as it goes around: The smoke spiralled toward the ceiling.
turn (somebody) against somebody/something phrasal verb
to stop liking or supporting someone or something, or to make someone do this:
Many people had turned against the war.
Dave felt she was deliberately turning the kids against him.
turn around (also turn round British English) phrasal verb
1. if a business, department etc that is not successful turns around, or if someone turns it around, it starts to be successful:
The company turned around from losses of £1.4 million last year to profits of £26,800.
turn something ↔ around
At Rockwell International he had turned around a badly performing division. ⇨ ↑turnaround
2. if a situation, game etc turns around, or if someone turns it around, it changes and starts to develop in the way you want:
After I met him, my whole life turned around.
turn something ↔ around
Fender’s batting could turn matches around in half an hour.
3. turn around and say/do etc something spoken to say or do something that is unexpected or that seems unfair or unreasonable:
You can’t just turn around and say that it was all my fault.
4. turn something ↔ around to consider an idea, question etc in a different way, or change the words of something so that it has a different meaning:
Let’s turn the whole idea around and look at it from another angle.
5. turn something ↔ around to complete the process of making a product or providing a service:
We can turn around 500 units by next week.
6. every time somebody turns around spoken very often or all the time:
Every time I turn around he seems to be checking up on me.
turn away phrasal verb
1. turn somebody ↔ away to refuse to let someone enter a place or join an organization, for example because it is full:
The show was so popular police had to turn people away.
Thousands of applicants are turned away each year.
2. turn somebody ↔ away to refuse to give someone sympathy, help, or support:
Anyone who comes to us will not be turned away.
The insurance company has promised not to turn away its existing customers.
3. turn (somebody) away from somebody/something to stop supporting someone, or stop using or being interested in something, or to make someone do this:
Consumers are turning away from credit cards.
events that turned Henry away from his family
turn back phrasal verb
1. to go back in the direction you came from, or to make someone or something do this:
It’s getting late – maybe we should turn back.
turn somebody/something ↔ back
The UN convoy was turned back at the border.
2. to return to doing something in the way it was done before
turn back to
The people are turning back to natural resources to survive.
We’ve promised to help, and there’s no turning back (=you cannot change this)!
⇨ turn back the clock at ↑clock¹(3)
turn somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to turn the switch on a machine such as an ↑oven, radio etc so that it produces less heat, sound etc OPP turn up:
Can you turn the TV down? I’m trying to work.
2. to refuse an offer, request, or invitation:
They offered her the job but she turned it down.
I’m not going to turn down an invitation to go to New York!
Josie’s already turned him down (=refused his offer of marriage).
turn in phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ in to give something to a person in authority, especially an illegal weapon or something lost or stolen:
The rebels were told to turn in their weapons and ammunition.
turn something ↔ in to
My wallet was turned in to the police two days later.
2. turn something ↔ in American English to give back something you have borrowed or rented SYN return:
When do the library books have to be turned in?
3. turn in something to produce a particular profit, result etc:
Bimec turned in net profits of £2.4 million.
Last night the team turned in another dazzling performance.
4. turn somebody ↔ in to tell the police who or where a criminal is:
Margrove’s wife finally turned him in.
5. to go to bed:
I think I’ll turn in early tonight.
6. turn something ↔ in American English to give a piece of work you have done to a teacher, your employer etc SYN hand in British English:
Have you all turned in your homework assignments?
turn (somebody/something) into something phrasal verb
1. to become something different, or to make someone or something do this:
The sofa turns into a bed.
A few weeks later, winter had turned into spring.
Hollywood discovered her and turned her into a star.
2. to change by magic from one thing into another, or to make something do this:
In a flash, the prince turned into a frog.
The witch had turned them all into stone.
3. days turned into weeks/months turned into years etc used to say that time passed slowly while you waited for something to happen:
Weeks turned into months, and still there was no letter.
turn off phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ off to make a machine or piece of electrical equipment such as a television, engine, light etc stop operating by pushing a button, turning a key etc SYN switch off OPP turn on:
Don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave.
2. turn something ↔ off to stop the supply of water, gas etc from flowing by turning a handle OPP turn on:
They’ve turned the gas off for a couple of hours.
3. turn off (something) to leave the road you are travelling on and start travelling on another road
turn off (something) at/near etc
I think we should have turned off at the last exit.
turn off the road/motorway etc
Mark turned off the highway and into Provincetown. ⇨ ↑turn-off
4. turn somebody ↔ off to make someone decide they do not like something:
Any prospective buyer will be turned off by the sight of rotting wood. ⇨ ↑turn-off
5. turn somebody ↔ off to make someone feel that they are not attracted to you in a sexual way OPP turn on:
Men who stink of beer really turn me off. ⇨ ↑turn-off
turn on phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ on to make a machine or piece of electrical equipment such as a television, engine, light etc start operating by pushing a button, turning a key etc SYN switch on OPP turn off:
Jake turned on his computer and checked his mail.
2. turn something ↔ on to make the supply of water, gas etc start flowing from something by turning a handle OPP turn off:
He turned on the gas and lit the stove.
‘I’m thirsty,’ she said, turning on the tap.
3. turn on somebody alsoturn upon somebody to suddenly attack someone, using physical violence or unpleasant words:
Peter turned on Rae and screamed, ‘Get out of my sight!’
4. turn on something alsoturn upon something if a situation, event, argument etc turns on a particular thing or idea, it depends on that thing:
As usual, everything turned on how much money was available.
5. turn somebody on to make someone feel sexually excited:
The way he looked at her really turned her on. ⇨ ↑turn-on
6. turn somebody on to interest someone, or to make someone become interested in something:
Science fiction just doesn’t turn me on.
turn somebody on to
It was Walter who turned me on to vegetarian food.
7. turn on the charm alsoturn it on to suddenly start to be very nice, amusing, and interesting, especially in a way that is not sincere:
Simon was good at turning on the charm at parties.
turn out phrasal verb
1. to happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that you did not expect
turn out well/badly/fine etc
It was a difficult time, but eventually things turned out all right.
To my surprise, it turned out that I was wrong.
As it turned out (=used to say what happened in the end), he passed the exam quite easily.
turn out to be something
That guy turned out to be Maria’s second cousin.
2. turn the light out to stop the flow of electricity to a light by pressing a switch, pulling a string etc:
Don’t forget to turn out the lights when you go!
3. if a lot of people turn out for an event, they go to watch it or take part in it
turn out for
About 70% of the population turned out for the election.
turn out to do something
Thousands turned out to watch yesterday’s match against Ireland. ⇨ ↑turnout
4. turn somebody ↔ out to force someone to leave a place permanently, especially their home:
If you can’t pay the rent, they turn you out.
5. turn something ↔ out to produce or make something:
The factory turns out 300 units a day.
6. well/beautifully/badly etc turned out dressed in good, beautiful etc clothes:
elegantly turned-out young ladies
7. turn something ↔ out
a) to empty something completely by taking out the contents:
The policeman made him turn out his pockets.
b) British English to take out everything in a room, drawer etc and clean the room etc thoroughly:
Lea decided to turn out the attic.
turn over phrasal verb
1. turn something over to somebody to give someone the right to own something, or to make someone responsible for dealing with something:
He’ll turn the shop over to his son when he retires.
turn the matter/problem/responsibility etc over to somebody
I’m turning the project over to you.
2. turn something over to something to use land, a building etc for a different purpose:
There is a new plan to turn the land over to wind farming.
3. turn somebody over to somebody to take a criminal to the police or another official organization:
Suspected terrorists are immediately turned over to the law.
4. turn over something if a business turns over a particular amount of money, it earns that amount in a particular period of time:
Within ten years the theme park was turning over £20 million. ⇨ ↑turnover
5. if an engine turns over, or if someone turns it over, it starts to work:
The engine turned over twice and then stopped.
6. British English to turn a page in a book or a sheet of paper to the opposite side:
Turn over and look at the next page.
7. British English to change to another ↑channel on a television:
Can we turn over? There’s a film I want to see.
8. turn something over British English to search a place thoroughly or steal things from it, making it very untidy:
Burglars had been in and turned the whole house over.
⇨ turn over a new leaf at ↑leaf¹(3), ⇨ turn something over in your mind at ↑mind¹(17)
turn round phrasal verb British English
⇨ ↑turn around
turn to somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to try to get help, advice, or sympathy from someone:
I don’t know who to turn to.
The Namibian government turned to South Africa for help.
2. to start to do or use something new, especially as a way of solving a problem:
Many people here are turning to solar power.
turn to drink/crime/drugs etc
addicts who turn to crime to finance their habit
3. turn (something) to something to become a different quality, attitude, form of a substance etc, or to make something do this:
Our laughter turned to horror as we realized that Jody was really hurt.
When water turns to steam, it expands.
A sudden storm turned the earth to mud.
4. to look at a particular page in a book:
Turn to page 655 for more information.
turn up phrasal verb
1. turn something ↔ up to turn a switch on a machine such as an ↑oven, radio etc so that it produces more heat, sound etc OPP turn down:
Turn the oven up to 220.
Turn up the radio!
2. to be found, especially by chance, after having been lost or searched for:
Eventually my watch turned up in a coat pocket.
3. to arrive at a place, especially in a way that is unexpected:
You can’t just turn up and expect a meal.
turn up late/early/on time etc
Steve turned up late, as usual.
4. if an opportunity or situation turns up, it happens, especially when you are not expecting it:
Don’t worry, I’m sure a job will turn up soon.
5. turn something ↔ up to find something by searching for it thoroughly:
The police investigation hasn’t turned up any new evidence.
6. turn something ↔ up British English to shorten a skirt, trousers etc by folding up the bottom and sewing it
⇨ turn up trumps at ↑trump¹(4)
turn upon somebody/something phrasal verb formal
1. to suddenly attack someone, using physical violence or unpleasant words SYN turn on
2. if a situation, event, argument etc turns upon a particular thing or idea, it depends on that thing SYN turn on:
The court case turned upon a technicality of company law.