verb

move

I. move¹ S1 W1 /muːv/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑move, ↑movement, ↑removal, ↑remover, ↑mover; adjective: ↑movable, ↑unmoved, ↑moving; verb: ↑move, ↑remove; adverb: ↑movingly]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: mouvoir, from Latin movere]
1. CHANGE PLACE [intransitive and transitive] to change from one place or position to another, or to make something do this:
Please keep the doors closed while the train is moving.
‘Come on,’ Sue said. No one moved.
Could you move your car, please? It’s blocking the road.
move quickly/slowly/steadily etc
The plane moved slowly along the runway, then stopped.
move away/out/to/towards etc
He moved closer to her.
Becca moved down the steps and into the yard.
move about/around
I could hear someone moving around upstairs.
The bar was so crowded you could hardly move.
At Christmas, you couldn’t move for toys in this house (=there were a lot of toys).
Paul couldn’t move a muscle (=could not move at all) he was so scared.
2. NEW HOUSE/OFFICE [intransitive and transitive] if a person or company moves, or if you move them, they go to live or work in a different place:
We’ve moved seven or eight times in the last five years.
move to/into/from
When are you moving to Memphis?
They’ve moved into bigger offices in London.
move somebody to/into/from etc something
He had to move his mother into a nursing home.
The company is moving its sales center downtown.
move house/home British English (=go to live in a different house)
My parents kept moving house because of my dad’s job.
3. CHANGE OPINION ETC
a) [intransitive] to change from one opinion or way of thinking to another SYN shift:
Neither side is willing to move on the issue of territory.
move towards/away from
The two political parties have moved closer towards each other in recent months.
At this stage, children move further away from the influence of their parents, and depend more on their friends.
b) [transitive] to persuade someone to change their opinion:
She won’t be moved – it doesn’t matter what you say to her.
4. PROGRESS [intransitive] to make progress in a particular way or at a particular rate:
Things moved quickly once the contract was signed.
The negotiations seem to be moving in the right direction.
get/keep things moving
The plan should boost employment and get things moving in the economy.
5. TAKE ACTION [intransitive] to start taking action, especially in order to achieve something or deal with a problem
move on/against
The governor has yet to move on any of the recommendations in the report.
move fast/quickly/swiftly
You’ll have to move fast if you want to get a place on the course.
6. CHANGE JOB/CLASS ETC [intransitive and transitive] to change to a different job, class etc, or to make someone change to a different job, class etc SYN transfer
move somebody to/into/from something
Several students were moved from the beginners’ class into the intermediate one.
He spent five years at KLP, before moving to IMed as a manager.
7. EMOTION [transitive] to make someone feel strong emotions, especially of sadness or sympathy
be deeply/genuinely/profoundly moved
Russell was deeply moved by what he heard.
His speech moved the audience to tears. ⇨ ↑moving(1)
8. CAUSE SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING [transitive] to cause someone to do something
move somebody to do something
Seeing her there had moved him to think about the time they had together.
be/feel moved to do something
I have never before felt moved to write, but I feel I must protest.
9. TIME/ORDER [transitive] to change the time or order of something
move something to/from something
Could we move the meeting to Thursday?
10. CHANGE SUBJECT [intransitive] to start talking or writing about a different subject
move away from/off/to etc
We seem to be moving away from the main point of the discussion. ⇨ ↑move on(4)
11. get moving (also move it) spoken used to tell someone to hurry:
Come on, get moving or you’ll be late for school.
12. it’s time I was moving/we ought to get moving etc spoken used to say that you need to leave or go somewhere:
I think it’s time we were moving.
I ought to get moving – I have to be up early tomorrow.
13. GAMES [intransitive and transitive] to change the position of one of the objects used to play a game such as ↑chess
14. AT A MEETING [intransitive and transitive] formal to officially make a proposal at a meeting
move that
The chairman moves that the meeting be adjourned.
move to do something
I move to approve the minutes as read.
move an amendment British English (=suggest a change)
They want to move an amendment to the bill.
15. GO FAST [intransitive] informal to travel very fast:
This car can really move!
16. BE BOUGHT [intransitive] if things of a particular kind are moving, they are being bought, especially at a particular rate:
The highest-priced homes are still moving slowly.
17. move with the times to change the way you think and behave, as society changes:
If the resorts want to keep attracting tourists, they need to move with the times.
18. move in ... circles/society/world to spend a lot of time with a particular type of people and know them well:
She spent time in England, where she moved in high society.
⇨ move the goalposts at ↑goalpost(2), ⇨ move in for the kill at ↑kill²(2), ⇨ move heaven and earth at ↑heaven(9), ⇨ when the spirit moves you at ↑spirit¹(15)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ move to go to a different place, or change the position of your body: Sarah moved away from the window. | Every time I move I get a pain in my left shoulder.
▪ sway to move slowly from one side to the other: The branches swayed in the wind. | Donny swayed drunkenly as he walked back to his car.
▪ rock to move repeatedly from one side to another, with small gentle movements: He rocked backward and forward in his chair. | The boat rocked from side to side with the waves.
▪ wobble to move unsteadily from side to side: The bike wobbled a bit, but she soon got it under control.
▪ fidget to keep moving or playing with your fingers, hands, feet etc, because you are bored or nervous: Diana fidgeted nervously with her pencil.
▪ squirm to make very small movements from side to side with your body, especially because you feel uncomfortable: By the end of the hour, most of the children were squirming in their seats.
▪ wriggle to make small movements from side to side, especially in order to get into or out of something: The dog wriggled under the fence and escaped into the street. | She managed to wriggle into the dress, but it was much too tight.
▪ twitch if part of your body twitches, it makes small movements that you cannot control: A muscle on Yang’s face twitched.
▪ stir written to make a movement – used especially when describing a situation in which no one moves, or someone wakes up: In the village a dog barked but no one stirred | The sleeping child stirred and opened her eyes.
▪ budge to move – used when you are trying hard to make something move, often without success: The piano wouldn’t budge.
■ to move to a different house, office etc
▪ move to move to a different house, office etc: They’ve moved back to Santiago. | My brother’s helping us move house.
▪ relocate to move to a different place – used about companies, organizations, and people who work for them: NATO’s main headquarters relocated to Brussels. | Klein is relocating to London to head up the investment banking team.
■ not moving
▪ still not moving – use this especially about people who are not moving, or about places where there is no wind: There was no wind and the trees were completely still. | Keep still while I tie your shoes.
▪ stationary not moving – use this about cars, trains, or objects: The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.
▪ immobile not moving or not able to move, especially because of fear or tiredness: As the disease progressed, she became increasingly immobile.
▪ motionless completely still – used especially in literature: Kemp sat motionless as the verdict was read.
▪ calm not moving because there is no wind – use this about air and water: The lake was calm.
▪ be at a standstill if traffic is at a standstill it is not moving: Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway.
move along phrasal verb
1. if a process or situation is moving along, or if you move it along, it continues and makes progress:
Construction of the bridge is moving along.
move something along
I hope we can move things along and get the negotiations going again.
2. move somebody ↔along to officially order someone to leave a public place:
A queue formed by the gates, and a policeman tried to move people along.
move around phrasal verb
to change where you live very frequently, especially so that you live in many different parts of a country:
My dad was in the army, so we moved around a lot.
move away phrasal verb
to go to live in a different area:
My best friend moved away when I was ten.
move down (something) phrasal verb
to change to a lower group, rank, or level:
Interest rates have moved down.
A drop in wages has meant that these families have moved down the economic scale.
move in phrasal verb
1. (also move into something) to start living in a new home OPP move out:
When are you moving in?
Mom and Dad had always planned to move into a smaller house when we grew up.
2. to start living with someone in the same home
move in with
Steve’s going to move in with her.
3. to start being involved in and controlling a situation that someone else controlled previously:
The big multinationals moved in and started pushing up prices.
move in on
Investors moved in on a group of car enthusiasts and took over the market.
4. to go towards a place or group of people, in order to attack them or take control of them
move in on
Police moved in on the demonstrators in the square.
move off phrasal verb especially British English
if a vehicle or group of people moves off, it starts to leave:
Always check behind the car before you move off.
move on phrasal verb
1. CHANGE JOB/CLASS to leave your present job, class, or activity and start doing another one:
I enjoyed my job, but it was time to move on.
move on to
When you finish, move on to the next exercise.
move on to higher/better things (=get a better job or social position – used humorously)
Jeremy’s leaving the company to move on to higher things.
2. CHANGE/DEVELOP
a) to develop in your life, and change your relationships, interests, activities etc:
I’ve moved on since high school, and now I don’t have much in common with some of my old friends.
move on from
She has long since moved on from the roles of her youth.
b) to change, progress, improve, or become more modern as time passes:
By the time the software was ready, the market had moved on.
3. move somebody on British English to order someone to leave a particular place – used especially about police:
The police arrived on the scene and began moving the protesters on.
4. CHANGE SUBJECT to start talking about a new subject in a discussion, book etc:
Before we move on, does anyone have any questions?
5. CONTINUE JOURNEY to leave the place where you have been staying and continue to another place:
After three days we decided it was time to move on.
move on to
The exhibition has now moved on to Edinburgh.
6. TIME if time, the year etc moves on, the time passes:
As time moves on, I’d like the children to play more challenging music.
7. time is moving on British English spoken used to say that you must leave soon or do something soon, because it is getting late:
Time’s moving on – we’d better get back to the car.
move out phrasal verb
1. to leave the house where you are living now in order to go and live somewhere else OPP move in:
He moved out, and a year later they were divorced.
move out of
They moved out of London when he was little.
2. if a group of soldiers moves out, they leave a place
3. American English spoken to leave:
Are you ready to move out?
move over phrasal verb
1. to change position so that there is more space for someone else:
Move over a little, so I can get in.
2. to start using a different system, doing a different type of work etc
move over to
Most companies have moved over to computer-aided design systems.
3. to change jobs, especially within the same organization or industry
move over from
The company’s new publisher just moved over from Villard Books.
4. move over Madonna/Walt Disney/CD-ROMs etc used when saying that something new is becoming more popular than something older – used humorously:
Move over, Armani, there’s a new designer taking the fashion scene by storm.

move up phrasal verb
1. to get a better job in a company, or change to a more advanced group, higher rank, or higher level:
To move up, you’ll need the right training.
Share prices moved up this month.
move up to
The kids learn fast, and can’t wait to move up to the junior team.
He was moving up the ladder (=getting higher and higher positions), getting experience of command.
He’s moved up in the world (=got a better job or social position) in the last few years, and his new flat shows it.
2. especially British English to change position in order to make more space for other people or things or be near someone else:
There’s room for one more if everyone moves up a bit.

chicken out

chicken out phrasal verb informal (see also ↑chicken)
to decide at the last moment not to do something you said you would do, because you are afraid:
You’re not chickening out, are you?

II. bowl² BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: bowl 'ball used in bowling' (15-21 centuries), from Old French boule, from Latin bulla 'bubble']
1. [intransitive and transitive] to roll a ball along a surface when you are playing the game of bowls
2.
a) [I, T] to throw a ball at the ↑batsman (=the person who hits the ball) in ↑cricket ⇨ bat
b) [transitive] to make a batsman have to leave the field by throwing a ball so that it hits the ↑wicket behind him
3. [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to travel along very quickly and smoothly
bowl along/down
We were bowling along at about 90 miles per hour.
bowl somebody ↔ out phrasal verb
in ↑cricket, when a team is bowled out, each member of the team has had to leave the field and there is no one left to ↑bat
bowl somebody ↔ over phrasal verb
1. to accidentally hit someone and knock them down because you are running in a place that is full of people or things SYN knock over
2. to surprise, please, or excite someone very much SYN knock out:
He was bowled over by her beauty.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to throw a ball in a sport
▪ pass to throw the ball to another member of your team: He passed the ball to Wilkinson, who kicked the ball over the goalposts.
▪ pitch to throw the ball to the batter in a game of baseball: Stoddard pitched for the Chicago White Sox.
▪ bowl to throw the ball towards the person who is batting in a game of cricket: Harmison bowled superbly and took 5 wickets.

II. ski² BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle skied, present participle skiing, third person singular skis) [intransitive]
to move on skis for sport or in order to travel on snow or water ⇨ skiing:
I’m learning to ski.
We skied down to the village of Argentière.

choose

choose S1 W1 /tʃuːz/ BrE AmE verb (past tense chose /tʃəʊz $ tʃoʊz/, past participle chosen /ˈtʃəʊzən $ ˈtʃoʊ-/) [intransitive and transitive]
[Language: Old English; Origin: ceosan]
1. to decide which one of a number of things or people you want ⇨ choice:
It took us ages to choose a new carpet.
A panel of judges will choose the winner.
He chose his words carefully as he spoke.
I don’t mind which one we have – you choose.
choose between
For pudding we could choose between ice cream and apple tart.
choose from
You can choose from a wide range of vehicles.
choose to do something
I chose to learn German rather than French.
choose somebody/something to do something
They chose Donald to be their leader.
choose somebody/something as something
The company chose London as its base.
choose somebody/something for something
Why did you choose me for the job?
2. to decide to do something because that is what you prefer to do
choose to do something
I chose to ignore his advice.
You can, if you choose, invest in the stock market.
3. there is little/nothing to choose between something used when you think that two or more things are equally good and you cannot decide which is better:
There was little to choose between the two candidates.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ choose to decide which one of several things you want: I chose a black dress. | Which dessert should I choose?
▪ pick to choose something, especially without thinking carefully. Pick is more informal than choose: Pick any number from one to ten.
▪ select formal to choose something, especially after thinking carefully: The committee will meet to select a new chairman. | All our instructors are carefully selected.
▪ opt for/go for to choose one thing instead of another: Many car buyers opt for used vehicles. | I think I’ll go for the chocolate cake.
▪ decide on to choose something from many possible things, especially when the decision has been difficult or taken a long time: Thomas had decided on a career as a writer.
▪ single out to choose one person or thing from a group because they are better, worse, more important etc than the others: Why should he be singled out for special treatment? | One student was singled out for special attention.
▪ take your pick especially spoken to choose anything you want, especially when there are many different things available: You can take your pick from Bodrum’s many bars and restaurants.

happen

hap‧pen S1 W1 /ˈhæpən/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
[Date: 1300-1400; Origin: hap ( ⇨ ↑happy)]
1. when something happens, there is an event, especially one that is not planned SYN occur:
When did the accident happen?
It’s impossible to predict what will happen next.
something/nothing/anything happens
Something terrible has happened.
She carried on as if nothing had happened.
This was bound to happen sooner or later.
This kind of thing happens all the time.
We’ll still be friends, whatever happens.
2. something/anything/what happens to somebody/something if something happens to someone or something, they are affected by an event:
He should be here by now – something must have happened to him.
The same thing happened to me last year.
What’s happened to your coat? It’s all ripped.
3. happen to do something if you happen to do something, you do it by chance:
I happened to see James in town.
4. somebody/something happens to be something used when telling someone something in an angry way:
This happens to be my house!
5. as it happens/it just so happens used to tell someone something that is surprising, interesting, or useful:
As it happens, I know someone who might be able to help.
6. these things happen used to tell someone not to worry about a mistake they have made, an accident they have caused etc:
It’s not your fault – these things happen.
7. whatever happened to somebody/something? used to ask where a person or thing is now:
Whatever happened to Steve? I haven’t seen him for years.
⇨ accidents (will) happen at ↑accident(5)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ happen used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: When did the accident happen? | Something terrible has happened!
▪ take place to happen – used especially when talking about events that have been planned or that have already happened: The conference will take place on the 16th of June. | The competition took place on Saturday 30th June.
▪ occur formal to happen – used especially when talking about events that have not been planned: The incident occurred outside the police station at around 9 pm.
▪ there is/there are used when saying that a particular event happens: There was an earthquake about a week ago. | There are strikes almost every year.
▪ come up to happen – used about problems, questions, or opportunities: There aren’t any jobs at the moment, but we’ll let you know if something comes up. | This question often comes up when I’m talking to students.
▪ arise formal to happen unexpectedly – used about problems, arguments, or difficult situations: A dispute arose about who should receive the money. | It is best to deal with the problem as soon as it arises.
▪ crop up to happen – used about problems or difficult situations, especially ones that are less serious, and can quickly be dealt with: The banks will contact their customers if a problem crops up.
▪ strike to happen suddenly and unexpectedly – used about very bad events: The hurricane struck at around 1 am. | Disaster struck, and he lost all movement in his legs.
▪ turn out to happen in a particular way: Luckily, everything turned out well. | How did it all turn out?
happen on/upon somebody/something phrasal verb literary or old-fashioned
to find something or meet someone by chance SYN come across:
I happened on the restaurant by chance.

determine

de‧ter‧mine W2 /dɪˈtɜːmən, dɪˈtɜːmɪn $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: adjective: determined, indeterminate, predetermined; noun: determination, determiner; verb: determine; adverb: determinedly]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: determiner, from Latin terminus 'edge, limit']
1. to find out the facts about something SYN establish:
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
determine how/what/who etc
The aim of the inquiry was to determine what had caused the accident.
determine that
Experts have determined that the signature was forged.
2. if something determines something else, it directly influences or decides it:
The amount of available water determines the number of houses that can be built.
The age of a wine is a determining factor as to how it tastes.
determine how/whether/what etc
How hard the swimmers work now will determine how they perform in the Olympics.
3. to officially decide something:
The date of the court case has not yet been determined.
determine how/what/who etc
The tests will help the doctors determine what treatment to use.
4. determine to do something formal to decide to do something:
We determined to leave at once.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ decide to make a choice to do something: We decided to send our son to a boarding school. | I decided to go home early.
▪ make up your mind to decide something, especially after thinking about it for a long time. Make up your mind is less formal than decide and is mainly used in spoken English: Have you made up your mind about where you’ll go on holiday?
▪ choose to do something to decide to do something – especially when this is different from what people expect or tell you to do: She chose to ignore my advice. | More young couples are choosing not to marry.
▪ make a decision to decide after thinking carefully about something, especially about something that is very important: They made a decision not to have children.
▪ resolve formal to decide that you will definitely do something, especially because you think it will be better for you, or because of your past experiences: She resolved to work hard at school.
▪ determine formal to officially decide what something shall be: Each hospital can determine its own pay rates.
▪ come down in favour of something British English, come down in favor of something American English to decide to support a particular plan, argument etc – used especially about groups of people: Eight of the ten committee members came down in favour of the changes.
▪ come to/reach a decision to officially decide about something important after discussing and carefully considering it - used especially about groups of people: After two hours of discussion, the comittee had still not come to a decision on any of the proposals.

lift

I. lift¹ S2 W2 /lɪft/ BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old Norse; Origin: lypta]

1. MOVE SOMETHING UPWARDS (also lift up) [transitive] to move something or someone upwards into the air:
Sophie lifted the phone before the second ring.
He lifted the lid on the pot of soup.
The lumber was lifted by crane and dropped into the truck.
lift somebody/something onto/into/out of etc something
They lifted Andrew onto the bed.
lift somebody from something
The driver was lifted from the wreck.
2. PART OF THE BODY (also lift up) [intransitive and transitive] to move part of your body up to a higher position SYN raise
lift your hand/arm/leg etc
She lifted her hand to knock on the door once again.
Pam lifted her shoulders in a little shrug.
lift your head/eyes (=move your head or eyes up so that you can look at something)
She lifted her head to gaze at him.
He heard a scream and the hairs on the back of his neck began to lift.
3. CONTROLS/LAWS [transitive] to remove a rule or a law that says that something is not allowed
lift a restriction/an embargo/sanctions etc
The government plans to lift its ban on cigar imports.
4. BY PLANE [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to take people or things to or from a place by aircraft:
More troops are being lifted into the area as the fighting spreads.
5. not lift a finger (to do something) informal to do nothing to help:
He never lifted a finger to help me with the kids.
6. lift sb’s spirits to make someone feel more cheerful and hopeful
7. CLOUDS/MIST [intransitive] if cloud or mist lifts, it disappears
8. SAD FEELINGS [intransitive] if feelings of sadness lift, they disappear:
Jan’s depression seemed to be lifting at last.
9. USE SB’S IDEAS/WORDS [transitive] to take words, ideas etc from someone else’s work and use them in your work, without stating where they came from and as if they were your own words etc
lift something from somebody/something
The words were lifted from an article in a medical journal.
10. STEAL [transitive] informal to steal something
lift something from somebody/something
They had lifted dozens of CDs from the store.
11. VOICE (also lift up) [transitive] literary if you lift your voice, you speak, shout, or sing more loudly SYN raise
12. INCREASE [transitive] to make prices, profit etc increase:
The U.S. may use tax cuts to lift the economy.
13. VEGETABLES [transitive] to dig up vegetables that grow under the ground:
She was lifting potatoes.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ lift (up) to move something or someone upwards to a higher position, especially something heavy, either by using your hands or a machine: You shouldn’t lift anything heavy if you have a bad back. | She lifted the lid from a huge pot and took a sniff. | They lifted me onto a stretcher and took me to the ambulance. | He lifted the girl up onto his knee. | They used a crane to lift the carriages back onto the rails. | The massive bull lifted him bodily into the air and shook him repeatedly.
▪ raise to lift something to a higher position for a short time before lowering it again. Raise is more formal than lift: The bridge can be raised to allow ships to pass under it. | ‘Cheers, everyone!’ said Larry, raising his glass.
▪ pick up to lift something up from the ground, from a table etc, especially something small or light: She picked up her bag and left the room. | Tom picked the papers up off the floor. | Why don’t you just pick up the phone and call him? | Maurin picked up the gun and put it in his pocket. | The lioness picked her cub up by its neck. | There are papers all over the floor – could you pick them up and put them away? | The little girl’s mother laughed and bent down to pick her up. | The vacuum cleaner won’t pick this stuff up.
▪ scoop up to lift someone or something quickly from the ground, from a table etc, using your hand or arm: She bent down and scooped up the little dog.
▪ hoist to lift up something which is heavy and difficult to carry: Joe picked up the sack and hoisted it onto the truck. | The crowd hoisted him onto their shoulders and carried him triumphantly down the main street.
▪ elevate technical to lift something to a higher position and keep it there: The doctor advised me to rest and elevate my ankle.
▪ put your hand up to lift your arm into the air, for example because you want to speak in a class or when voting: Put your hand up if you know the answer.
lift off phrasal verb
if an aircraft or spacecraft lifts off, it leaves the ground and rises into the air

surround

I. sur‧round¹ W2 /səˈraʊnd/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[Word Family: noun: surroundings, surround; verb: surround; adjective: surrounding]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Old French; Origin: suronder 'to overflow, flood', from Late Latin superundare, from Latin unda 'wave']
1. [usually passive] to be all around someone or something on every side
be surrounded by something
The field was surrounded by trees.
He glared at the people who surrounded the tent.
2. be surrounded by somebody/something to have a lot of a particular type of people or things near you:
He’s always been surrounded by people who adore him.
3. if police or soldiers surround a place, they arrange themselves in positions all the way around it:
Armed police surrounded a house in the High Street.
4. to be closely related to a situation or event:
Some of the issues surrounding alcohol abuse are very complex.
Silence and secrecy surround the murder.
5. surround yourself with somebody/something to choose to have certain people or things near you all the time:
The designer surrounded himself with exquisite objects.