American English

stand

I. stand¹ S1 W1 /stænd/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle stood /stʊd/)
[Word Family: adjective: ↑standing, ↑outstanding, ↑upstanding; noun: ↑stand, ↑standing; verb: ↑stand; adverb: ↑outstandingly]
[Language: Old English; Origin: standan]
1. BE ON FEET (also be standing up) [intransitive] to support yourself on your feet or be in an upright position:
It looks like we’ll have to stand – there are no seats left.
She stood in the doorway.
Stand still (=do not move) and listen to me.
Don’t just stand there (=stand and not do anything) – help me!
stand on tiptoe/stand on your toes (=support yourself on your toes)
If he stood on tiptoe, he could reach the shelf.
stand (somewhere) doing something
They just stood there laughing.
We stood watching the rain fall.
2. RISE (also stand up) [intransitive] to rise to an upright position:
Smiling, she stood and closed the blinds.
3. STEP [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
a) to step a short distance
stand back/aside
She stood back to let him in.
stand clear of something British English (=step away from something in order to be safe)
Stand clear of the doors, please.
b) British English to accidentally step on or in something
stand on/in
Don’t stand in that puddle!
4. IN A PARTICULAR POSITION [intransitive, transitive usually + adverb/preposition] to be upright in a particular position, or to put something or someone somewhere in an upright position:
A lamp stood on the table.
Near the railway station stood a hotel.
Some remains of the original house still stand.
stand something on/in etc something
Can you stand that pole in the corner for now?
I closed the lid and stood the case against the wall.
stand somebody (up) on something
Stand Molly up on a chair so she can see.
5. IN A STATE/CONDITION [linking verb] to be or stay in a particular state or condition:
The kitchen door stood open so she went in.
stand empty/idle (=not being used)
scores of derelict houses standing empty
I’m not too thrilled with the way things stand (=the state that the situation is in) at the moment.
The evidence, as it stands (=as it is now), cannot be conclusive.
where/how do things stand? (=used to ask what is happening in a situation)
Where do things stand in terms of the budget?
I will know within the next month or two how I stand (=what my situation is).
stand united/divided (=agree or disagree completely)
He urged the whole community to stand united and to reject terrorism.
stand prepared/ready to do something (=be prepared to do something whenever it is necessary)
We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace.
countries that have stood together (=stayed united) in times of crisis
stand in awe of somebody (=admire them, be afraid of them, or both)
6. NOT LIKE can’t stand spoken used to say that you do not like someone or something at all, or that you think that something is extremely unpleasant SYN can’t bear:
I can’t stand bad manners.
I know he can’t stand the sight of me.
can’t stand (somebody/something) doing something
Lily can’t stand working in an office.
I can’t stand people smoking around me when I’m eating.
can’t stand to do something
She can’t stand to hear them arguing.
7. ACCEPT A SITUATION [transitive usually in questions and negatives] to be able to accept or deal well with a difficult situation SYN tolerate
can/could stand something
I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Danielle.
I’ve had about as much as I can stand of your arguing!
I don’t know if I can stand the waiting any longer.
can stand somebody doing something
How can you stand Marty coming home late all the time?
She’s a strong woman who stands no nonsense from anyone.
8. BE GOOD ENOUGH [transitive] to be good or strong enough to last a long time or to experience a particular situation without being harmed, damaged etc:
Linen can stand very high temperatures.
His poetry will stand the test of time (=stay popular).
9. stand to do something to be likely to do or have something
stand to gain/lose/win/make
What do firms think they stand to gain by merging?
After the oil spill, thousands of fishermen stand to lose their livelihoods.
10. NOT MOVE [intransitive] to stay in a particular place without moving ⇨ standstill:
The car’s been standing in the garage for weeks.
The mixture was left to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
The train was already standing at the platform.
11. HEIGHT [linking verb] formal to be a particular height:
The trophy stands five feet high.
John stood six feet tall.
12. LEVEL/AMOUNT [linking verb] to be at a particular level or amount
stand at
His former workforce of 1,300 now stands at 220.
Illiteracy rates are still thought to stand above 50 percent.
13. RANK/POSITION [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to have a particular rank or position when compared with similar things or people SYN rank:
The president stands high in the public opinion polls.
How do their sales stand in relation to those of similar firms?
His book could stand alongside the best.
14. ELECTION [intransitive] British English to try to become elected to a council, parliament etc SYN run American English
stand for
She announced her intention to stand for parliament.
15. DECISION/OFFER [intransitive not in progressive] if a decision, offer etc stands, it continues to exist, be correct, or be ↑valid:
Despite protests, the official decision stood.
My offer of help still stands.
16. if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen used to tell someone that they should leave a job or situation if they cannot deal with its difficulties
17. somebody/something could stand something used to say very directly that it would be a good idea for someone to do something or for something to happen:
His smile exposed teeth that could stand a good scrubbing.
somebody could stand to do something
My doctor told me I could stand to lose a few pounds.
18. I stand corrected spoken formal used to admit that your opinion or something that you just said was wrong
19. where somebody stands someone’s opinion about something
where somebody stands on
We still do not know where he stands on the matter.
You must decide where you stand.
20. from where I stand spoken according to what I know or feel:
I knew from where I stood that the stocks were practically worthless.
21. know where you stand (with somebody) to know how someone feels about you, or what you are allowed to do in a particular situation:
At least we know where we stand with Steven now.
I’d like to know where I stand.
It helps to know where you stand legally.
22. stand to attention British English, stand at attention American English if soldiers stand to attention, they stand very straight and stiff to show respect
23. stand on your head/hands to support yourself on your head or hands, with your feet in the air
24. stand in line American English to wait in a line of people until it is your turn to do something SYN queue British English:
Customers stood in line for 20 minutes at the cash register.
25. stand firm/stand fast
a) to refuse to be forced to move backwards:
She stood firm, blocking the entrance.
b) to refuse to change your opinions, intentions, or behaviour:
The government continued to stand firm and no concessions were made.
stand firm/stand fast on/against
He stands firm on his convictions.
26. stand pat American English to refuse to change a decision, plan etc
stand pat on
Harry’s standing pat on his decision to fire Janice.
27. stand alone
a) to continue to do something alone, without help from anyone else:
Some of the Pacific islands are too small to stand alone as independent states.
b) to be much better than anything or anyone else:
For sheer entertainment value, Kelly stood alone.
28. stand still to not change or progress at all, even though time has passed:
No industry can stand still.
Time seems to have stood still in this lovely hotel.
29. stand a chance/hope (of doing something) to be likely to be able to do something or to succeed:
You’ll stand a better chance of getting a job with a degree.
Maybe their relationship had never really stood a chance.
30. stand in sb’s way (also stand in the way) to prevent someone from doing something:
I always encouraged Brian. I didn’t want to stand in his way.
You can’t stand in the way of progress!
31. stand on your own (two) feet to be able to do what you need to do, earn your own money, etc without help from others:
She’s never learned to stand on her own feet.
32. it stands to reason (that) used to say that something should be completely clear to anyone who is sensible:
It stands to reason that you cannot find the right person to do a job unless you know exactly what that job is.
33. stand or fall by/on something to depend on something for success:
The case against him will stand or fall on its own merits.
34. LIQUID [intransitive] a liquid that stands does not flow or is not made to move:
standing pools of marsh water
35. stand guard (over somebody/something) to watch someone or something so that they do not do anything wrong or so that nothing bad happens to them:
Soldiers stand guard on street corners.
You must stand guard over him at all times.
36. stand bail British English to promise to pay money if someone does not return to a court of law to be judged
37. stand trial to be brought to a court of law to have your case examined and judged
stand trial for/on
Gresham will stand trial for murder.
The accused was ordered to stand trial on a number of charges.
38. stand accused (of something)
a) to be the person in a court of law who is being judged for a crime:
The former president stands accused of lying to the nation’s parliament.
b) if you stand accused of doing something bad or wrong, other people say that you have done it:
The radio station stands accused of racism.
39. stand tall
a) to stand with your back straight and your head raised:
Stand tall with your feet comfortably apart.
b) American English to be proud and feel ready to deal with anything:
We will stand tall and fight for issues of concern to our community.
40. somebody can do something standing on their head informal used to say that someone is able to do something easily:
This is basic stuff. I can do it standing on my head.
41. be stood on its head if something is stood on its head, it becomes the opposite of what it was before:
One area of the business which has been stood on its head is internal communications.
42. not stand on ceremony British English to not worry about the formal rules of polite behaviour:
Come on, Mal. Don’t stand on ceremony here at home.
43. stand somebody a drink/meal etc British English to pay for something as a gift to someone:
Come on, Jack. I’ll stand you a drink if you like.
⇨ make sb’s hair stand on end at ↑hair(8), ⇨ leave somebody/something standing at ↑leave¹(15), ⇨ not have a leg to stand on at ↑leg¹(7), ⇨ stand/serve/hold somebody in good stead at ↑stead(2), ⇨ stand your ground at ↑ground¹(7)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ stand to be on your feet in an upright position: There were no seats, so we had to stand. | When we entered, Stephen was standing by his desk.
▪ be on your feet to be standing, especially for a long time: If you have young kids, you’re on your feet all day. | I’d been on my feet since 7 o'clock and I needed to sit down. | The crowd were all on their feet clapping and calling for more.
▪ get up to stand after you have been sitting or lying down: He got up and turned off the TV. | Mum fell in her flat and was unable to get up.
▪ stand up to stand after you have been sitting, or to be in a standing position: I stood up when she came in and shook her hand. | It’s generally better to do this exercise standing up.
▪ get to your feet written to stand up, especially slowly or when it is difficult for you: My attorney got slowly to his feet, breathing heavily.
▪ rise formal to stand after you have been sitting, especially at a formal event: As the bride entered the cathedral, the congregation rose. | Audience members rose to their feet, cheering and clapping.
stand against somebody/something phrasal verb
to oppose a person, organization, plan, decision etc:
She hadn’t the strength to stand against her aunt’s demands.
There are only a hundred of them standing against an army of 42,000 troops.
stand around phrasal verb
to stand somewhere and not do anything:
We stood around saying goodbye for a while.
stand by phrasal verb
1. to not do anything to help someone or prevent something from happening ⇨ bystander:
I’m not going to stand by and see her hurt.
2. stand by something to keep a promise, agreement etc, or to say that something is still true:
I stand by what I said earlier.
He stood by his convictions.
3. stand by somebody to stay loyal to someone and support them, especially in a difficult situation:
His wife stood by him during his years in prison.
4. to be ready to do something if necessary ⇨ standby:
Rescue crews were standing by in case of a breakdown.
stand by for
Stand by for our Christmas competition.
stand by to do something
Police stood by to arrest any violent fans.
stand down phrasal verb British English
1. to agree to leave your position or to stop trying to be elected, so that someone else can have a chance SYN step down American English
stand down as
He was obliged to stand down as a parliamentary candidate.
2. to leave the ↑witness box in a court of law
3. stand (somebody) down if a soldier stands down or is stood down, he stops working for the day
stand for something phrasal verb
1. if a letter or symbol stands for something, it represents a word or idea, especially as a short form:
What does ATM stand for?
2. to support a particular set of ideas, values, or principles:
It’s hard to tell what the party stands for these days.
3. not stand for something British English to not allow something to continue to happen or someone to do something:
She’s been lying about me, and I won’t stand for it.
stand in phrasal verb
to temporarily do someone else’s job or take their place ⇨ stand-in
stand in for
Would you mind standing in for me for a while?
stand out phrasal verb
1. to be very easy to see or notice:
The outlines of rooftops and chimneys stood out against the pale sky.
She always stood out in a crowd.
I am sure illnesses stand out in all childhood memories.
2. to be much better than other similar people or things ⇨ standout
stand out as
That day still stands out as the greatest day in my life.
stand out from/among/above
Three of the cars we tested stood out among the rest.
3. to rise up from a surface:
The veins stood out on his throat and temples.
stand out against something phrasal verb British English
to be strongly opposed to an idea, plan etc:
We must stand out against bigotry.
stand over somebody phrasal verb
to stand very close behind someone and watch as they work to make sure they do nothing wrong:
I can’t concentrate with him standing over me like that.
stand to phrasal verb British English
to order a soldier to move into a position so that they are ready for action, or to move into this position
stand somebody to
The men have been stood to.
stand up phrasal verb
1. to be on your feet, or to rise to your feet ⇨ stand-up:
I’ve been standing up all day.
Stand up straight and don’t slouch!
Jim stood up stiffly.
2. [always + adverb/preposition] to stay healthy or in good condition in a difficult environment or after a lot of hard use
stand up to
Most of the plants stood up well to the heat.
3. to be proved to be true, correct, useful etc when tested
stand up to/under
The memoirs stand up well to cross-checking with other records.
Without a witness, the charges will never stand up in court (=be successfully proved in a court of law).
4. stand somebody up informal to not meet someone who you have arranged to meet:
I was supposed to go to a concert with Kyle on Friday, but he stood me up.
5. stand up and be counted to make it very clear what you think about something when this is dangerous or might cause trouble for you
stand up for somebody/something phrasal verb
to support or defend a person or idea when they are being attacked:
It’s time we stood up for our rights.
Silvia is capable of standing up for herself.
stand up to somebody/something phrasal verb
to refuse to accept unfair treatment from a person or organization:
He’ll respect you more if you stand up to him.
Cliff couldn’t stand up to bullying.

sit

sit S1 W1 /sɪt/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle sat /sæt/, present participle sitting)
[Language: Old English; Origin: sittan]
1. IN A CHAIR ETC
a) (also be sitting down) [intransitive] to be on a chair or seat, or on the ground, with the top half of your body upright and your weight resting on your ↑buttocks
sit on/in/by etc
I sat on the shore and looked at the sea.
She was sitting in a chair by the fire.
She’s the girl who sits next to me at school.
In the driving seat sat a man of average height.
sit at a desk/table etc (=sit facing it)
Jean sat at the table writing a letter.
sit doing something
They sat sipping their drinks.
We used to sit and listen to her for hours.
b) (also sit down) [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to get into a sitting position somewhere after you have been standing up:
He came over and sat beside her.
Sam sat opposite her and accepted a cigarette.
c) (also sit somebody down) [transitive always + adverb/preposition] to make someone sit, or help them to sit
sit somebody on/in etc something
I gently led her to the chair and sat her on it.
2. OBJECTS/BUILDINGS ETC [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to be in a particular position or condition
sit on/in etc
a little church sitting on a hillside
The parliament building sits in a large square.
He’s got a computer sitting on his desk, but he doesn’t use it.
My climbing boots were sitting unused in a cupboard.
The house has sat empty for two years.
3. DO NOTHING [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to stay in one place for a long time, especially sitting down, doing nothing useful or helpful:
I spent half the morning sitting in a traffic jam.
Well, I can’t sit here chatting all day.
Are you just going to sit there complaining?
4. COMMITTEE/PARLIAMENT ETC [intransitive] to be a member of a committee, parliament, or other official group
sit in/on
They both sat on the management committee.
He was the first journalist to sit in parliament.
5. MEETING [intransitive] to have a meeting in order to carry out official business:
The council only sits once a month.
The court will sit until all the evidence has been heard.
6. ANIMAL/BIRD [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
a) to be in, or get into, a resting position, with the tail end of the body resting on a surface:
The cat likes to sit on the wall outside the kitchen.
b) Sit! used to tell a dog to sit with the tail end of its body resting on the ground or floor
c) if a bird sits on its eggs, it covers them with its body to make the eggs ↑hatch
7. LOOK AFTER [intransitive + for] to look after a baby or child while its parents are out SYN babysit
8. sit tight spoken
a) to stay where you are and not move:
Just sit tight – I’ll be there in five minutes.
b) to stay in the same situation, and not change your mind and do anything new:
We’re advising all our investors to sit tight till the market improves.
9. be sitting pretty to be in a very good or favourable position:
We’ve paid off the mortgage, so we’re sitting pretty now.
10. sit in judgment (on/over somebody) to give your opinion about whether someone has done something wrong, especially when you have no right to do this:
How can you sit in judgment on somebody you hardly know?
11. not sit well/easily/comfortably (with somebody) if a situation, plan etc does not sit well with someone, they do not like it:
He had never before been accused of stealing, and it did not sit well with him.
12. sit on the fence to avoid saying which side of an argument you support or what your opinion is about a particular subject:
The weakness of the book is that it sits on the fence on important issues.
13. sit on your hands to delay taking action when you should do something:
Workers are losing their jobs while the government sits on its hands and does nothing.
14. EXAMS [intransitive and transitive] British English to take an examination:
Tracy’s sitting her GCSEs this year.
sit for
They were preparing children to sit for the entry examination.
15. PICTURE/PHOTO [intransitive] to sit somewhere so that you can be painted or photographed
sit for
She sat for (=was painted by) Holman Hunt and Millais.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ sit still (=without moving) Young children find it almost impossible to sit still.
▪ sit quietly (=without talking) Mac sat quietly in the back of the car.
▪ be sitting comfortably She was sitting comfortably on the sofa.
▪ sit up straight/sit upright (=with your back straight) Sit up straight at the table, Maddie.
▪ sit bolt upright (=suddenly sit up very straight, for example because you hear something) Suddenly she sat bolt upright and said, ‘What was that?’
▪ sit cross-legged (=with your legs bent and crossed over in front of you) She sat cross-legged on the grass.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ sit to be resting your weight on your bottom somewhere, or to move into this position: He was sitting in front of the fire. | She sat on the bed and kicked off her shoes. | Who is the man sitting next to Karen?
▪ sit down to sit on a chair, bed, floor etc after you have been standing: I sat down on the sofa. | Come in and sit down.
▪ be seated formal to be sitting in a particular chair or place: John was seated on my left. | There was a man seated behind the desk.
▪ take a seat to sit – used especially when asking someone to sit down: Please take a seat – she will be with you in a minute. | Would the audience please take their seats – the show will begin in five minutes.
▪ sink into something to sit in a comfortable chair and let yourself fall back into it: We switched on the TV and sank into our armchairs.
▪ lounge to sit in a very comfortable relaxed way: They lounged around all day by the pool.
▪ perch to sit on the edge of something: He perched on the arm of the sofa. | My sister was perched (=was sitting) on a high stool.
▪ be slumped to be sitting while leaning against something, especially because you are injured, drunk, or asleep: They found him slumped against the steering wheel.
▪ squat to sit with your knees bent under you, your bottom just off the ground, balancing on your feet: A little boy was squatting at the edge of the pool.
sit around (also sit about British English) phrasal verb
to spend a lot of time sitting and doing nothing very useful:
We sat around for a bit, chatting.
sit back phrasal verb
1. to get into a comfortable position, for example in a chair, and relax:
Sit back and relax – I’ll open a bottle of wine.
2. to relax and make no effort to get involved in something or influence what happens:
Don’t just sit back and wait for new business to come to you.
sit by phrasal verb
to allow something wrong or illegal to happen without doing anything about it:
I’m not going to sit by and watch a man go to prison for something I’ve done.
sit down phrasal verb
1. to be in a sitting position or get into a sitting position:
It was good to be sitting down eating dinner with my family.
Sit down, Amy – you look tired.
sit yourself down
Sit yourself down and have a drink.
2. sit somebody down to make someone sit down or help them to sit down
sit somebody down in/on
I helped her into the room and sat her down in an armchair.
3. sit down and do something to try to solve a problem or deal with something that needs to be done, by giving it all your attention:
The three of us need to sit down and have a talk.
Sit down and work out just what you spend.
sit in phrasal verb
to be present at a meeting but not take an active part in it
sit in on
Would you like to sit in on some of my interviews?
sit in for somebody phrasal verb
to do a job, go to a meeting etc instead of the person who usually does it:
This is Alan James sitting in for Suzy Williams on the mid-morning show.
sit on something phrasal verb informal
to delay dealing with something:
I sent my application about six weeks ago and they’ve just been sitting on it.
sit something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to stay where you are and do nothing until something finishes, especially something boring or unpleasant:
She had two weeks to sit it out while she waited to hear if she had got the job.
She was prepared to sit out the years of Jack’s jail sentence.
2. to not take part in something, especially a game or dance, when you usually take part:
Johnson sat out the game with a shoulder injury.
sit through something phrasal verb
to attend a meeting, performance etc, and stay until the end, even if it is very long and boring:
I wasn’t the least bit interested in all the speeches I had to sit through.
sit up phrasal verb
1. to be in a sitting position or get into a sitting position after you have been lying down:
He was sitting up in bed, reading his book.
She sat up and reached for her glass.
2. sit somebody up to help someone to sit after they have been lying down
sit somebody up in/on etc
I’ll sit you up on the pillows and you’ll be nice and comfortable.
3. to sit in a chair with your back straight:
Just sit up straight and stop slouching.
4. to stay up very late:
Sometimes we just sit up and watch videos all night.
5. sit up (and take notice) to suddenly start paying attention to someone, because they have done something surprising or impressive:
If Maria succeeded, then everyone would sit up and take notice.
 

x

sit down

sit down phrasal verb (see also ↑sit)
1. to be in a sitting position or get into a sitting position:
It was good to be sitting down eating dinner with my family.
Sit down, Amy – you look tired.
sit yourself down
Sit yourself down and have a drink.
2. sit somebody down to make someone sit down or help them to sit down
sit somebody down in/on
I helped her into the room and sat her down in an armchair.
3. sit down and do something to try to solve a problem or deal with something that needs to be done, by giving it all your attention:
The three of us need to sit down and have a talk.
Sit down and work out just what you spend.

pretend

I. pre‧tend¹ S2 W3 /prɪˈtend/ BrE AmE verb
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: praetendere 'to stretch out in front, make an excuse', from tendere 'to stretch']
1. [intransitive and transitive] to behave as if something is true when in fact you know it is not, in order to deceive people or for fun
pretend (that)
We can’t go on pretending that everything is OK.
Let’s pretend we’re on the moon.
pretend to do something
She pretended not to notice.
He’s not asleep – he’s just pretending.
To pretend ignorance of the situation would be irresponsible.
I can’t marry her and to pretend otherwise would be wrong.
2. [transitive usually in negatives] to claim that something is true, when it is not
pretend (that)
I can’t pretend I understand these technical terms (=I admit I do not understand them).
pretend to do/be something
The book doesn’t pretend to be for beginners.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ pretend /prɪˈtend/ to deliberately behave as though something is true when it is not, either for fun or to deceive someone: Mark closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. | She shouted but he pretended that he hadn’t heard her.
▪ act to behave in a particular way – often used when saying that someone is pretending that something is true, when it is not: Paul acted as if nothing was wrong. | She always acts like she’s pleased to see me, but I’m sure she’s not. | He enjoyed acting the fool (=pretending to be stupid) and couldn’t care less about his studies. | The boy acted all innocent and said that he knew nothing about the money. | I tried to act the good housewife when I got married.
▪ make out something informal to pretend that something is true, in order to avoid doing something or to deceive someone: I didn’t want to go, so I made out I was busy. | She always makes out that she doesn’t have any money.
▪ be putting it on informal to be pretending to be ill, hurt etc, especially in order to avoid doing something, or to make other people feel sympathy for you: She’s not really upset, she’s just putting it on.
▪ feign interest/surprise/ignorance/illness etc formal to pretend that you are interested, surprised etc: ‘Oh really!’ he said, trying to feign interest. | Sometimes it’s best just to feign ignorance (=pretend that you do not know).
▪ keep up appearances to pretend that your life is happy and successful, especially when you have suffered some kind of trouble or loss: Although we were poor, our family always tried to keep up appearances. | She did her best to keep up appearances after her husband left her.
■ to pretend to be someone or something
▪ impersonate to copy the way that a famous person speaks and behaves, in order to entertain people, or to pretend to have an official job, in order to trick people: He’s brilliant at impersonating the President. | It’s illegal to impersonate a police officer.
▪ pose as somebody to pretend to be someone else, especially someone in an official position, so that it is easier for you to do something bad or illegal: He posed as a doctor to gain access to the hospital. | There have been cases of thieves posing as telephone engineers.
▪ masquerade as somebody/something disapproving to pretend to be someone or something else – used especially when saying that someone or something is not who they claim to be: Their advertisements are always full of people in white coats masquerading as scientists. | It’s not real news – it’s government propaganda masquerading as news.

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.
 

park

I. park¹ S1 W2 /pɑːk $ pɑːrk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: parc, from Medieval Latin parricus]
1. a large open area with grass and trees, especially in a town, where people can walk, play games etc:
Let’s go for a walk in the park.
a park bench
a flat overlooking Hyde Park
2. a large area of land in the country which has been kept in its natural state to protect the plants and animals there
national/state/county park
the Lake District National Park
3. British English a large enclosed area of land, with grass and trees, around a big house in the countryside
4. the park British English informal the field where a game of football or ↑rugby is played SYN the pitch:
He was easily the best player on the park.
5. American English informal the field where a game of baseball is played
⇨ ↑amusement park, ↑ball park(1), ↑car park, ↑national park, ↑safari park, ↑science park, ↑theme park, ↑trailer park
• • •
THESAURUS
■ places where people do sport
▪ field (also pitch British English) a large area of ground, usually covered with grass, where team sports are played: A few kids were playing on the football field. | a hockey field
▪ stadium a large sports field with seats all around it for people to watch team sports or track and field competitions: The atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium was amazing. | a football stadium
▪ ground British English a sports field and the seats and buildings around it, belonging to a particular football, rugby, or cricket team: I met my friends inside the ground.
▪ ballpark/park American English a stadium where baseball is played: Busch Stadium is one of the newest ballparks in Major League.
▪ court an area with lines painted on the ground, for tennis, badminton, basketball, or volleyball: The hotel has four tennis courts and a volleyball court.
▪ diamond the area in a baseball field that is within the shape formed by the four bases. The diamond can also be the whole field: The pitcher stands in the middle of the diamond. | There’s a playground, a picnic area, and a baseball diamond.
▪ track a circular path with lines on it, for running on: In the relay, each runner runs once around the track.
▪ gym a room with machines which you can use to do exercises: He spends an hour in the gym every day.
▪ pool/swimming pool a place where you can swim: He jumped into the deep end of the pool. | I’ll meet you outside the swimming pool.
▪ sports centre British English, sports center American English a building where you can play many types of indoor sports: Why not do exercise classes at your local sports centre?
▪ health club a small sports centre, where you pay to be a member: How much does it cost to join a health club?

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.