American English

talk

I. talk¹ S1 W1 /tɔːk $ tɒːk/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: ↑talk, talks, ↑talker; verb: ↑talk; adjective: ↑talkative]
[Date: 1200-1300; Origin: Probably from Old English talian 'to count, consider, tell']
1. CONVERSATION [intransitive] to say things to someone as part of a conversation:
I could hear Sarah and Andy talking in the next room.
talk about
English people love to talk about the weather.
All through the afternoon, they sat and talked about their trip.
talk to
She spent a long time talking to him.
She’s very easy to talk to.
talk with
I got the truth from talking with Elena.
talk together
They were talking together in the hall.
Sue and Bob still aren’t talking (=are refusing to talk to each other).
talk in a low voice/a whisper etc
They were talking in low voices, and I couldn’t catch what they were saying.
talk of (=used especially in formal or literary contexts)
We talked of old times.
2. SERIOUS SUBJECT [intransitive] to discuss something serious or important with someone:
Joe, we need to talk.
Is there somewhere we can talk in private?
talk to
You should talk to a lawyer.
talk about
We’ve been talking about getting married.
talk with
Parents should talk with their children about drug abuse.
talk sport/politics/business etc
‘Let’s not talk politics now,’ said Hugh impatiently.
REGISTER
In written English, people usually say that they are going to discuss, deal with, or address a subject rather than talk about it:
▪ In this essay I will discuss the problem of over-population.
3. SAY WORDS [intransitive] to produce words and express thoughts, opinions, ideas etc:
She was talking so fast I could hardly understand her.
How do babies learn to talk?
Some residents were frightened to talk publicly.
talk (in) French/German etc
They started talking in Spanish.
Don’t let Dad hear you talking like that (=expressing things in a particular way).
4. A SPEECH [intransitive] to give a speech
talk on/about
Professor Davis will talk about ‘Trends in Network Computing’.
5. SECRET INFORMATION [intransitive] if someone who has secret information talks, they tell someone else about it:
Even under torture, Maskell refused to talk.
He tried to stop his ex-wife from talking on live TV.
We should stop meeting like this. People will talk.
6. talk sense/rubbish/nonsense etc especially British English spoken used to say that you think someone is saying something sensible, something stupid etc:
You do talk rubbish sometimes, Jules.
7. talk (some) sense into somebody to persuade someone to behave sensibly:
She hoped Father McCormack would be able to talk some sense into her son.
8. talk to yourself to say your thoughts out loud:
‘What did you say?’ ‘Sorry, I was just talking to myself.’
9. know what you are talking about spoken to know a lot about a particular subject:
I worked in hotels for years, so I know what I’m talking about.
10. talk the hind leg(s) off a donkey informal to talk a lot, especially about unimportant things
11. talk about lazy/cheap/hungry etc spoken used to emphasize that someone or something is very lazy, cheap, hungry etc:
Talk about lucky. That’s the second time he’s won this week!
12. talking of/about something spoken used to say more about a subject that someone has just mentioned:
Talking of Venice, have you seen the masks I bought there last year?
13. what are you talking about? spoken used when you think what someone has said is stupid or wrong:
What are you talking about? We got there in plenty of time.
14. I’m talking to you! spoken used when you are angry that the person you are talking to is not paying attention:
Rob! I’m talking to you!
15. be like talking to a brick wall spoken used to say that it is annoying to speak to someone because they do not pay attention to you
16. talk sb’s ear off American English spoken to talk too much to someone
17. talk trash American English informal to say rude or offensive things to or about someone, especially to opponents in a sports competition:
Both teams were talking trash on the court.
18. talk the talk American English informal to say the things that people expect or think are necessary in a particular situation:
She didn’t talk the talk of feminism, but her career was the most important thing in her life. ⇨ walk the walk at ↑walk¹(12)
19. I’m/we’re/you’re talking (about) something spoken used in conversation to emphasize a fact or remind someone of it:
I’m not talking about ancient history, I’m talking about last season’s performance.
20. now you’re talking spoken used to say that you think someone’s suggestion is a good idea:
‘Fancy an ice cream?’ ‘Now you’re talking.’
21. look who’s talking, you’re a fine one to talk, you can talk spoken used to tell someone they should not criticize someone else’s behaviour because their own behaviour is just as bad:
‘Peggy shouldn’t smoke so much.’ ‘Look who’s talking!’
22. we’re/you’re talking £500/three days etc spoken used to tell someone how much something will cost, how long something will take to do etc:
To do a proper job, you’re talking £750 minimum.
23. talk your way out of something informal to escape from a bad or embarrassing situation by giving explanations, excuses etc:
She’s good at talking her way out of trouble.
24. talk nineteen to the dozen British English informal, talk a blue streak American English informal to talk very quickly without stopping
25. talk in riddles to deliberately talk in a strange and confusing way:
Stop talking in riddles and explain what’s going on.
26. talk tough (on something) informal to give people your opinions very strongly:
The President is talking tough on crime.
27. talk shop if people talk shop, they talk about their work when there are people present who are not interested or involved in it – used to show disapproval:
Are you two going to talk shop all night?
28. talk dirty (to somebody) informal to talk in a sexual way to someone in order to make them feel sexually excited
29. be talking through your hat British English informal if someone is talking through their hat, they say stupid things about something that they do not understand
30. talk smack American English informal to criticize someone or something in an unpleasant way
31. talk to the hand spoken informal used to tell someone rudely that you do not want to listen to anything he or she is going to say to you. When people use this expression, they also usually turn their face away from the other person and hold the ↑palm of their hand out towards them.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ talk to use words to communicate with someone about something: I need to talk to you about your work. | She always enjoyed talking to Jim. | Can we talk?
▪ speak to talk. Speak is a little more formal than talk. You often use it when saying that someone speaks in a particular way, or that you will speak to someone in order to try to get something done. You only use speak when saying that someone speaks a language: He spoke with confidence and authority. | She was speaking quietly so she didn’t disturb anyone. | I’d like to speak to the manager. | Do you speak German?
▪ go on/drone on/ramble to talk too much or for too long about something, in a way that makes people bored: He went on about how great the team was. | I’d better stop rambling and let you get on with your work.
▪ waffle /ˈwɒfəl $ ˈwɑː-/ British English disapproving informal to talk using a lot of words but without saying anything important: I wish he would stop waffling and get to the point!
▪ prattle on disapproving informal to talk continuously about silly and unimportant things: She prattled on about her boyfriend for the entire journey. | What’s he prattling on about now?
■ to talk about everyday things
▪ have a conversation to talk to someone for a long time about everyday things: She was having a conversation with one of her friends. | When I arrived, Joe and Jane were deep in conversation (=very involved in a conversation). | I can order food in a restaurant in French, but not have a conversation.
▪ chat/have a chat informal to have a friendly informal conversation about things that are not very important: The girls were chatting outside the house. | It’s been nice having a chat with you.
▪ gossip to talk about other people’s private lives when they are not there, especially about things that you have heard, which are not completely true: What are you two gossiping about?
▪ visit with somebody American English informal to have a conversation with someone: I visited with him last week.
▪ converse formal to have a conversation with someone: We met once and conversed briefly.
■ to talk seriously
▪ discuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans: They met to discuss how the building should be designed. | She refuses to discuss the matter.
▪ talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you: Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family. | You two need to sit down and talk things over.
▪ debate to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem: The issue will be debated on Tuesday. | The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions.
talk around/round phrasal verb British English
1. talk somebody around/round to persuade someone to change their opinion about something:
Leave Betty to me. I’ll soon talk her round.
2. talk around/round something to discuss a problem without really dealing with the important parts of it:
They had spent half the night talking round the subject.
talk back phrasal verb
to answer someone in authority such as a teacher or parent in a rude or impolite way
talk somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. British English to make something seem less successful, interesting, good etc than it really is:
the pessimists who are talking down Britain
2. to help a ↑pilot land an aircraft by giving them instructions from the ground by radio
talk down to somebody phrasal verb
to talk to someone as if they are stupid, although they are not SYN patronize:
The students felt that they were talked down to as though they were children.
talk somebody into something phrasal verb
to persuade someone to do something
talk somebody into doing something
My husband talked me into going skiing.
talk something ↔ out phrasal verb informal
1. to discuss a problem thoroughly in order to solve it:
We need to spend a little time talking this out.
talk something ↔ out with
It might help if you talked it out with Dad.
2. British English if politicians talk out a proposal, they talk about it for a long time deliberately so that there will not be enough time to vote on it SYN filibuster:
The Land Protection Bill was talked out by MPs from rural areas.
talk somebody out of something phrasal verb
to persuade someone not to do something
talk somebody out of doing something
Can’t you talk them out of selling the house?
talk something ↔ over phrasal verb
to discuss a problem with someone before deciding what to do
talk something ↔ over with
Talk over any worries with your GP.
talk through something phrasal verb
1. talk something ↔ through to discuss something thoroughly so that you are sure you understand it:
Allow time to talk through any areas of difficulty.
2. talk somebody through something to help someone understand a process, method etc by explaining it to them carefully before they use it:
Trevor talked me through loading the software.
talk something ↔ up phrasal verb
to make something appear more important, interesting, successful etc than it really is:
Jones talked up the idea at the meeting.

strong

strong S1 W1 /strɒŋ $ strɒːŋ/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative stronger, superlative strongest)
[Word Family: verb: ↑strengthen; noun: ↑strength; adverb: ↑strongly; adjective: ↑strong]
[Language: Old English; Origin: strang]
1. ABLE TO LIFT HEAVY THINGS/DO HARD WORK having a lot of physical power so that you can lift heavy things, do hard physical work etc:
He was a big strong man.
Jack was tall and strong.
strong hands/arms/muscles etc
He picked her up in his big strong arms.
I’m not strong enough to fight him. ⇨ see Thesaurus box on P. 1752
2. NOT EASILY BROKEN OR DAMAGED not easily broken or damaged:
good strong shoes
The locks on the doors were solid and strong.
3. ABLE TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULTY determined and able to deal with a difficult or upsetting situation:
I’m not strong enough to take insults and hatred.
Laura had a strong character.
4. POWERFUL having a lot of power or influence:
The Fifth French Republic was established with a strong president in 1958.
a strong national army
Our party is the strongest as we come up to the election.
5. FEELINGS/OPINIONS strong emotions, opinions, beliefs etc are ones that you feel or believe a lot and are very serious about:
He had a strong sense of responsibility to his vocation of preaching.
There has been strong support for the strike.
The proposal has met with strong opposition from local people.
strong feelings/views/opinions
Many people have strong feelings about the issue.
6. AFFECT/INFLUENCE a strong desire, influence etc affects you very much:
He had a strong desire for power.
Such feelings may have a strong influence over your decisions.
The temptation is very strong.
7. RELATIONSHIP a strong relationship, friendship etc is very loyal and likely to last a long time:
He maintained strong links with the world of the deaf.
She still has a strong relationship with her mother.
I have a strong commitment to the quality of teaching.
8. ARGUMENT/REASON ETC likely to persuade other people that something is true or the correct thing to do:
There is a strong case for an energy conservation programme.
They need strong evidence to secure a conviction.
a strong argument
9. LIKELY likely to succeed or happen:
She’s a strong candidate for the party leadership.
strong possibility/chance/probability
A year ago, there was a strong possibility that he wouldn’t live.
10. HEALTHY healthy, especially after you have been ill:
I don’t think her heart is very strong.
You’ve been blessed with a strong constitution (=you are healthy and do not easily become ill).
11. be in a strong position (also gain a strong position) to be in a situation where you have power over other people or are likely to get what you want:
The company have gained a strong position in the cheese market.
12. strong wind/current/tide wind, water etc that moves with great force:
A strong wind was blowing across the lake.
13. GOOD AT SOMETHING very good at something:
His writing was strong on description.
We beat a team that was much stronger than ourselves.
be sb’s strong point/suit (=the thing that someone is especially good at)
Tact never was my strong point.
14. TASTE/SMELL having a taste or smell that you notice easily:
strong coffee
This cheese has a very strong flavour.
a strong smell of petrol
15. ALCOHOL/DRUGS ETC having a lot of a substance, such as alcohol, that gives something its effect:
extra strong beer
strong painkillers
I haven’t touched strong drink (=alcoholic drinks) for years.
16. LIGHT/COLOUR bright and easy to see:
The light was not very strong.
17. strong language speech or writing that contains a lot of swearing:
This film is not suitable for children under 12 as it contains strong language.
18. strong accent the way that someone pronounces words that shows clearly that they come from a particular area or country:
a strong German accent
19. strong nose/chin/features a nose etc that is large and noticeable, especially in an attractive way:
She has the same strong features as her mother.
20. MONEY a strong ↑currency (=the type of money used in a country) does not easily lose its value compared with other currencies
21. 600/10,000 etc strong [only after number] used to give the number of people in a crowd or organization:
the company’s 2,200 strong workforce
The crowd was 10,000 strong.
22. be going strong to continue to be active or successful, even after a long time:
He celebrated his ninetieth birthday this month, and he’s still going strong.
⇨ come on strong at ↑come on(10)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 5 & 6)
■ nouns
▪ strong views/opinions/ideas She has strong views on education.
▪ a strong feeling I have a lot of strong feelings on the issue.
▪ a strong belief We have a strong belief that everyone has the right to worship freely.
▪ a strong sense of something There is a strong sense of community here.
▪ strong support The idea won strong support in rural areas.
▪ strong opposition There had been strong opposition to the scheme from the national park authority.
▪ a strong interest in something At 16, he developed a strong interest in archaeology.
▪ a strong commitment to something Since its establishment in 1945 the College has had a strong commitment to research.
▪ a strong desire for something/to do something People have a strong desire for personal independence.
▪ a strong influence The experience of living there had a strong influence on me.
▪ a strong impression She made a strong impression on me.
▪ a strong temptation There’s always a strong temptation to put off doing difficult tasks.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ having a strong body
▪ strong having a lot of physical strength: It took four strong men to lift the piano. | You open it – you’re stronger than I am.
▪ powerful very strong – used about someone’s body, arms, muscles etc: his big powerful shoulders | He was a tall man with a powerful physique.
▪ muscular having big muscles and looking strong: She liked men who were big and muscular. | He had a firm muscular body.
▪ well-built a well-built man is strong and tall and has a big body: Police say the man they are looking for is 36 years old, 6 feet tall, and well-built.
▪ hunky informal strong and attractive: She married hunky Hollywood star Brad Pitt. | He looks hunky, but he’s not really my type.
■ not easily broken or damaged
▪ strong not easily broken or damaged: The bags are made of strong black plastic. | We need a strong rope for this job.
▪ tough strong – used especially about something that can be used a lot without damaging it or making it weaker: a pair of tough leather boots | Kitchen floors need to be tough enough to withstand heavy use.
▪ heavy-duty [only before noun] extremely strong – used about materials, tools, machines etc that are made especially to be used a lot without being easily damaged: heavy-duty rubber gloves | a heavy-duty carpet for the hallway
▪ sturdy strong and often thick, and not likely to fall over or get broken: a fence made with sturdy wooden posts | The furniture is simple but sturdy.
▪ unbreakable extremely strong and impossible to break: Babies need to have unbreakable dishes and cups.
▪ indestructible impossible to break, damage, or destroy, and lasting forever: Gold is virtually indestructible. | The pyramids were built as indestructible tombs for the Pharaohs.
▪ hard-wearing British English, long-wearing American English used about materials and products that will remain in good condition for a long time even when they are used a lot: Ceramic tiles are easy to keep clean and hard-wearing. | a hard-wearing fabric
▪ durable especially written used about materials and products that will remain in good condition for a long time – often used on product labels: The jacket has a durable nylon lining. | Varnish is more durable than paint.
▪ robust especially written strongly made – used especially about the structure of something, for example a vehicle or machine: a mountain bike with a robust frame | The hardware for the computer must be robust and inexpensive.

close

I. close¹ S1 W1 /kləʊz $ kloʊz/ BrE AmE verb
[Word Family: noun: close, ↑closure, ↑closing; adjective: ↑closed, ↑closing; verb: ↑close]
[Word Family: adverb: ↑close, ↑closely; verb: ↑close; noun: ↑closeness; adjective: ↑close]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: clos, past participle of clore 'to close', from Latin claudere]
1. SHUT [intransitive and transitive] to shut something in order to cover an opening, or to become shut in this way SYN shut OPP open ⇨ closed:
Would you mind if I closed the window?
She closed the curtains.
Let me do the car door – it won’t close properly.
Beth closed her eyes and tried to sleep.
She heard the door close behind her.
2. MOVE PARTS TOGETHER [intransitive and transitive] to move the parts of something together so that there is no longer a space between them:
Anne closed her book and stood up.
3. SHUT FOR PERIOD OF TIME [intransitive and transitive] (also close up) if a shop or building closes, or you close it, it stops being open to the public for a period of time OPP open SYN shut British English ⇨ closed:
The shops close at six.
Harry usually closes the store completely when he goes on vacation.
4. STOP OPERATING [intransitive and transitive] (also close down) if a company, shop etc closes, or you close it, it stops operating permanently SYN shut down ⇨ closed:
We have reluctantly decided to close the factory.
The shop closed down some time last year.
5. END [intransitive and transitive] to end or to make something end, especially in a particular way
close something with/by etc
I will now close the meeting by asking you to join me in a final toast.
close with
The movie closes with an emotional reunion in Prague.
closing remarks (=something you say at the end of a speech)
In her closing remarks, the judge urged the jury to consider the facts only.
6. close an account to stop having and using a bank account or other financial account:
My husband closed all my credit card accounts without even asking me.
7. IN MONEY MARKETS [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to be worth a particular amount of money at the end of a day’s ↑trading (=the buying and selling of shares) on the ↑stock exchange
close at
The dollar closed at 64p against the pound.close up/down
Their shares closed 27p up (=worth 27p more).
8. close a deal/sale/contract etc to successfully agree a business deal, sale etc
9. OFFER FINISHES [intransitive] to finish on a particular date SYN end:
Our special offer closes on June 3.
10. MAKE DISTANCE/DIFFERENCE SMALLER [intransitive and transitive] to make the distance or difference between two things smaller:
an attempt to close the gap between the rich and poor
close on
The other car was closing on us fast.
11. MAKE SOMETHING UNAVAILABLE [intransitive and transitive] to make taking part in an activity or using an opportunity no longer possible ⇨ closed:
Bidding for the painting will close on Friday.
The country has now closed its borders to all foreign nationals (=will not let foreigners in).
The legislation aims to close a lot of legal loopholes.
12. be closed if a subject is closed, you are no longer willing to discuss it:
It was a regrettable incident but I now consider the matter closed.
13. close your doors (to somebody) to stop operating permanently:
In 1977 the Skyfame Aircraft Museum closed its doors to the public for the last time.
14. close your mind to/against something to refuse to think about something:
She wanted to close her mind to the outside world.
15. HOLD SOMETHING [intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive] if someone’s hands, arms etc close around something, or are closed around something, they hold it firmly
close (something) around/round/over etc something
Her left hand closed over his arm.
She closed her hand tightly around her bag.
16. WOUND [intransitive and transitive] (also close up) if a wound closes, or if someone closes it, the edges grow together again or are sewn together:
The surgeon closed the incision neatly.
17. close ranks
a) if people close ranks, they join together to protect each other, especially because their group, organization etc is being criticized
b) if soldiers close ranks, they stand closer together
18. close the book on something to stop working on something, especially a police operation, because it is not making any progress:
Detectives had closed the book on the Hornsey Murders case three years previously.
⇨ ↑closing date, ↑closing time, ⇨ close/shut the door on something at ↑door(9), ⇨ close your eyes to something at ↑eye¹(16)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ close to stop being open, or to make something stop being open. You use close and shut especially about your eyes, your mouth, a door, a window, or a container: Can I close the window? | Her eyes slowly closed. | He closed the door gently, so as not to wake the children.
▪ shut to close something . Shut sometimes has a feeling of doing something quickly and firmly, whereas close sounds more careful: He shut the door with a loud bang. | Shut your eyes and go to sleep.
▪ slam to close a door or lid quickly and noisily, especially because you are angry: She left the room, slamming the door behind her.
▪ draw the curtains to close curtains by pulling them across a window: The curtains were still drawn at ten o'clock in the morning.
▪ put the lid on something to close a container by putting a lid onto it: Did you put the lid on the cookie jar?
▪ seal to close something so that no air or water can get in or out: In this experiment, the chamber must be completely sealed.
close down phrasal verb
1. close something ↔ down if a company, shop etc closes down or is closed down, it stops operating permanently:
Paramount closed down its London office in 1968.
2. British English to stop broadcasting radio or television programmes at the end of the day:
BBC 2 closes down at 12:45 tonight.
close in phrasal verb
1. to move closer to someone or something, especially in order to attack them:
The snake closed in for the kill.
close in on/around/upon etc
enemy soldiers closing in on them from all sides
2. if the night, bad weather etc closes in, it becomes darker or gets worse:
The sun had set and dusk was closing in.
3. if the days close in, they become shorter because it is autumn
close something ↔ off phrasal verb
to separate a road, room etc from the area around it so that people cannot go there or use it:
The roads into the docks were closed off by iron gates.
close on somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to get nearer to someone or something that is moving in front or ahead of you:
The patrol car was rapidly closing on us.
2. American English to successfully arrange a ↑loan, especially in order to buy a house
close something ↔ out phrasal verb American English
1. to finish in a particular way:
The bond market closed out the week on a strong note.
2. if a store closes out a type of goods, they sell all of them cheaply:
We’re closing out this line of swimwear.
close up phrasal verb
1. close something ↔ up if a shop or building closes up or is closed up, it stops being open to the public for a period of time:
The resorts are all closed up for the season.
2. close up shop to stop doing something for a period of time or permanently:
When it rains, there is no alternative but to close up shop.
3. if a group of people close up, they move closer together
4. close something ↔ up if a wound closes up or if someone closes it up, the edges grow together again or are sewn together:
The scar is closing up nicely – it’ll soon be time to take the stitches out.
5. to become narrower or to shut:
The flowers close up at night.
Occasionally the channel widened then closed up tight again.
6. to refuse to talk to someone about something:
The moment I said I was a police officer, everyone would close up like a clam.
close with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to agree a business deal with someone:
It was such a good offer that I closed with him on the spot.
2. literary to move towards someone in order to fight with them

night

night S1 W1 /naɪt/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Word Family: noun: ↑night, ↑midnight, ↑nightie; adverb: ↑overnight, ↑nightly; adjective: ↑nightly, ↑overnight]
[Language: Old English; Origin: niht]
1. WHEN IT IS DARK the dark part of each 24-hour period when the sun cannot be seen and when most people sleep OPP day:
It was a cold moonlit night.
I didn’t sleep too well last night.
at night
At night the temperature drops below zero.
in/during the night
He woke up twice during the night.
by night
Many animals hunt by night.
(on) Friday night/that night etc
There was a storm on Friday night.
GRAMMAR
Use at night when talking about what generally or regularly happens then:
▪ The noise of the traffic keeps me awake at night.
Use in the night when talking about an event that happens at some time during the night:
▪ There had been heavy rain in the night.
Use by night to say what a person or animal does at night:
▪ We travelled by night.
When you are mentioning a time before midnight, use at night:
▪ ten o'clock at night
When you are mentioning a time after midnight, use in the morning:
▪ four in the morning
2. EVENING the time during the evening until you go to bed:
We had a really good meal last night.
They stay in and watch television every night.
She recognised him from the night before (=the previous evening).
My parents are coming for dinner tomorrow night.
Friday/Saturday etc night
There’s a party at Ben’s place on Saturday night.
We were on our way back from a night out (=an evening when you go to a party, restaurant, theatre etc) at the theatre.
Anna doesn’t like him walking home late at night.
quiz night/student night etc (=an evening when a particular event happens, especially at a bar, club etc)
3. nights if you do something nights, you do it regularly or often at night:
I work nights, so I’m usually asleep during the day.
4. night! spoken used to say goodbye to someone when it is late in the evening or when they are going to bed SYN good night:
Night! See you tomorrow!
5. night night! spoken used to say goodbye to someone, especially a child, when they are going to bed
6. night and day/day and night all the time:
The store is guarded day and night.
We had to work night and day to get it finished.
7. night or day/day or night at any time:
You can call me any time, night or day.
8. night after night every night for a long period:
He’s out drinking night after night.
9. first night/opening night the first performance of a play or show ⇨ premiere:
We saw ‘Riverdance’ on its opening night.
10. spend the night with somebody/spend the night together to sleep with someone and have sex with them:
And you thought we spent the night together?
11. a good night’s sleep a night when you sleep well:
You’ll feel better after a good night’s sleep.
12. (have a) late/early night to go to bed later or earlier than usual:
I think I’ll have an early night. ⇨ ↑late-night
13. last thing at night at the end of the day, just before you go to bed:
You should water plants either first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
⇨ ↑nightly
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + night
▪ last night It rained last night.
▪ tomorrow night I should be back by tomorrow night.
▪ Friday/Saturday etc night I haven't seen him since Thursday night.
▪ an early night (=when you go to bed early) I'm really tired - I need an early night.
▪ a late night (=when you go to bed late) We had a late night last night.
▪ a long night (=a night when you do not sleep or you work hard) Everyone was tired and grumpy. It had been a long night.
▪ a sleepless night She had spent a sleepless night wondering what to do.
■ verbs
▪ spend a night somewhere (=sleep somewhere) We spent two nights at the Grand Hotel.
▪ stay the night (=sleep at someone's house) You're welcome to stay the night if you like.
▪ have a bad night (=not sleep well, especially when you are ill) I had a bad night last night.
▪ night falls written (=it starts to become dark) It grew colder as night fell.
▪ the night wears on (=continues) The pain gradually got better as the night wore on.
■ night + NOUN
▪ the night sky We looked up at the stars in the night sky.
▪ the night air The night air was scented with pine wood.
▪ a night train/bus/flight I took the night train to Fort William.
■ phrases
▪ all night He looked as if he'd been up all night.
▪ all night long (=used to emphasize that something continues for the whole night) The noise continued all night long!
▪ late at night We often get to bed very late at night.
▪ at this time of night (=used when something happens very late at night, and you are surprised) Why are you calling me at this time of night?
▪ late/far into the night (=until very late at night) Staff worked late into the night to make necessary repairs.
▪ in the middle of the night She woke up suddenly in the middle of the night.
▪ in/at the dead of night literary (=in the middle of the night when it is quiet) He drove through the countryside in the dead of night.
▪ day and night/night and day (=all the time) The phones rang day and night.
▪ morning, noon, and night (=all the time) She nagged at him morning, noon, and night.

download

I. down‧load¹ /ˌdaʊnˈləʊd $ ˈdaʊnloʊd/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
to move information or programs from a computer network to a small computer:
games that can be downloaded free from the Internet

hot

I. hot¹ S1 W2 /hɒt $ hɑːt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative hotter, superlative hottest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: hat]
1. HIGH TEMPERATURE
a) something that is hot has a high temperature – used about weather, places, food, drink, or objects OPP cold:
a hot day in July
It’s so hot in here. Can I open the window?
Be careful, the water’s very hot.
The bar serves hot and cold food.
people who live in hot countries (=where the weather is usually hot)
scorching/baking/roasting hot (also boiling/broiling hot )American English (=used about weather that is very hot)
a scorching hot week in August
stifling/sweltering/unbearably hot (=used about weather that is very hot and uncomfortable)
The office gets unbearably hot in summer.
boiling/scalding/steaming hot (=used about liquid that is extremely hot)
The coffee was scalding hot.
piping hot (=used about food that is nice and hot)
Serve the soup piping hot.
red hot (=used to describe an object or surface that is very hot)
The handle was red hot.
white hot (=used to describe metal that is extremely hot)
He held the metal in the flame until it became white hot.
b) if you feel hot, your body feels hot in a way that is uncomfortable:
I was hot and tired after the journey.
The wine made her feel hot.
c) if clothes are hot, they make you feel too hot in a way that is uncomfortable:
This sweater’s too hot to wear inside.
2. SPICY food that tastes hot has a burning taste because it contains strong spices OPP mild:
a hot curry
3. VERY POPULAR/FASHIONABLE informal something or someone that is hot is very popular or fashionable, and everyone wants to use them, see them, buy them etc:
one of the hottest young directors in Hollywood
Michael Owen is already one of soccer’s hottest properties (=actors or sports players who are very popular).
The movie is going to be this summer’s hot ticket (=an event that is very popular or fashionable, and that everyone wants to go and see).
be the hottest thing since (sliced bread) (=used about someone or something that is very good and popular, so that everyone wants them)
4. GOOD informal very good, especially in a way that is exciting:
a hot young guitar player
a hot piece of software
His new film is hot stuff (=very good).
be hot at doing something
She’s pretty hot at swimming, too.
not so hot/not very hot informal (=not very good)
Some of the tracks on the record are great, but others are not so hot.
be hot shit American English informal not polite (=used about someone or something that people think is very good)
5. SEXY
a) informal someone who is hot is very attractive sexually:
The girls all think he’s hot stuff.
b) informal a film, book, photograph etc that is hot is sexually exciting:
his hot and steamy first novel
c) a hot date informal a meeting with someone who you feel very attracted to sexually:
She has a hot date with Michel.
d) be hot on/for somebody informal to be sexually attracted to someone
6. DIFFICULT/DANGEROUS [not before noun] informal difficult or dangerous to deal with:
If things get too hot (=a situation becomes too difficult or dangerous to deal with), I can always leave.
Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat).
The climate was too hot politically to make such radical changes.
7. a hot issue/topic etc a subject that a lot of people are discussing, especially one that causes a lot of disagreement:
The affair was a hot topic of conversation.
one of the hottest issues facing medical science
8. in the hot seat in an important position and responsible for making difficult decisions
9. in hot water if someone is in hot water, they are in trouble because they have done something wrong:
The finance minister found himself in hot water over his business interests.
land/get yourself in hot water
She got herself in hot water with the authorities.
10. ANGRY
a) get hot under the collar spoken to become angry – used especially when people get angry in an unreasonable way about something that is not important:
I don’t understand why people are getting so hot under the collar about it.
b) have a hot temper someone who has a hot temper becomes angry very easily ⇨ ↑hot-tempered
11. hot and bothered informal upset and confused because you have too much to think about or because you are in a hurry:
People were struggling with bags and cases, looking hot and bothered.
12. have/hold something in your hot little hand informal used to emphasize that you have something:
You’ll have the report in your hot little hands by Monday.
13. RECENT/EXCITING NEWS hot news is about very recent events and therefore interesting or exciting:
Do you want to hear about all the latest hot gossip?
14. be hot off the press if news or a newspaper is hot off the press, it has just recently been printed
15. CHASING SOMEBODY/SOMETHING CLOSELY
a) in hot pursuit following someone quickly and closely because you want to catch them:
The car sped away, with the police in hot pursuit.
b) hot on sb’s trail/tail close to and likely to catch someone you have been chasing:
The other car was hot on his tail.
c) hot on sb’s heels following very close behind someone:
Mrs Bass’s dog was already hot on his heels.
16. come/follow hot on the heels of something to happen or be done very soon after something else:
The news came hot on the heels of another plane crash.
17. hot on the trail of something very close to finding something:
journalists hot on the trail of a news story
18. blow/go hot and cold to keep changing your mind about whether you like or want to do something:
She keeps blowing hot and cold about the wedding.
19. go hot and cold to experience a strange feeling in which your body temperature suddenly changes, because you are very frightened, worried, or shocked
20. I don’t feel too hot/so hot/very hot spoken informal I feel slightly ill:
I’m not feeling too hot today.
21. be hot on something informal
a) to know a lot about something:
He’s pretty hot on aircraft.
b) British English to be very strict about something SYN tight:
The company is very hot on security.
22. be hot for something informal to be ready for something and want it very much:
Europe is hot for a product like this.
He was hot for revenge.
23. be hot to trot informal
a) to be ready to do something or be involved with something
b) to feel sexually excited and want to have sex with someone
24. hot competition if the competition between people or companies is hot, they are all trying very hard to win or succeed:
Competition for the best jobs is getting hotter all the time.
25. hot favourite the person, team, horse etc that people think is most likely to win
26. hot tip a good piece of advice about the likely result of a race, business deal etc:
a hot tip on the stock market
27. STOLEN GOODS informal goods that are hot have been stolen
28. MUSIC informal music that is hot has a strong exciting ↑rhythm
29. more something than you’ve had hot dinners British English spoken humorous used to say that someone has had a lot of experience of something and has done it many times:
She’s delivered more babies than you’ve had hot dinners.
30. hot money money that is frequently moved from one country to another in order to make a profit
⇨ ↑hotly, ↑hots
• • •
THESAURUS
■ person
▪ hot used especially when you feel uncomfortable: I feel really hot. | The travellers were hot, tired, and thirsty.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that feels comfortable: Are you warm enough? | We had to keep moving in order to keep warm.
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: You must be boiling in that sweater! | ‘I’m going for a swim,' said Gary. ’I’m boiling.' | I felt boiling hot and tried to open one of the windows.
▪ feverish feeling very hot because you are ill: His head ached and he felt feverish. | Hannah was slightly feverish, so we decided to call the doctor.
■ weather
▪ hot used especially when you feel uncomfortable: a hot day | It’s too hot to do any work.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that seems pleasant: a warm summer’s evening | It’s supposed to be a bit warmer tomorrow.
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: The weather was boiling hot. | a boiling hot day | It was absolutely boiling this lunchtime.
▪ baking (hot) British English very hot and dry: a baking hot afternoon | The weather was baking hot and conditions at the camp became unbearable. | It’s baking out there in the garden – I need a drink.
▪ scorching (hot) very hot: It was another scorching hot July day. | When we got there, the weather was scorching. | Arizona is scorching hot every day.
▪ humid/muggy hot and damp: This week sees a return to more humid conditions. | Hong Kong gets very humid at this time of year. | In June the weather was often muggy in the evenings. | It was a warm muggy afternoon, and it looked like it would rain.
■ room
▪ hot used especially when you feel uncomfortable: The office was uncomfortably hot. | The meeting was in a tiny hot room with no air conditioning.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that seems pleasant: It’s nice and warm by the fire. | They were all sitting in the warm kitchen, sipping mugs of cocoa.
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: It’s boiling in here. Can I open the window? | a boiling hot New York recording studio
▪ like an oven much too hot in a way that is uncomfortable – used about rooms and buildings: The inside of the shed was like an oven.
■ food/liquid/something you touch
▪ hot: a hot drink | hot meals | Eat your food while it’s hot.
▪ warm a little hot, especially in a way that seems pleasant: The bread was still warm from the oven. | the warm waters of the Caribbean
▪ boiling (hot) spoken very hot: The water’s boiling hot. | Boiling-hot steam shoots out from underground. | The mud in the pools is boiling.
▪ lukewarm /ˌluːkˈwɔːm◂ $ -ˈwɔːrm◂/ slightly warm, but not hot enough – used about liquids: a cup of lukewarm coffee | The bath water was lukewarm.