American English

train

train [train trains trained training] noun, verb   [treɪn]    [treɪn] 

noun

1. a railway/railroad engine pulling a number of coaches/cars or trucks, taking people and goods from one place to another
• to get on/off a train
• I like travelling by train.
• a passenger/commuter/goods/freight train
• to catch/take/get the train to London
• a train journey/driver
• You have to change trains at Reading.
• There are regular train services to Edinburgh and Glasgow.

see also  gravy train, road train, wagon train

2. a number of people or animals moving in a line

• a camel train

3. usually singular a series of events or actions that are connected

• His death set in motion a train of events that led to the outbreak of war.

4. the part of a long formal dress that spreads out on the floor behind the person wearing it 
Word Origin:
Middle English (as a noun in the sense ‘delay’): from Old French train (masculine), traine (feminine), from trahiner (verb), from Latin trahere ‘pull, draw’. Early noun senses were ‘trailing part of a robe’ and ‘retinue’; the latter gave rise to ‘line of travelling people or vehicles’, later ‘a connected series of things’. The early verb sense ‘cause a plant to grow in a desired shape’ was the basis of the sense ‘instruct’.  
Culture:
railways and railroads
The world’s first railway along which passengers travelled on trains pulled by steam locomotives was opened in 1825 between Stockton and Darlington in north-east England. By the early 1900s, when railways reached the height of their popularity, there were about 23 000 miles/37 000 kilometres of railway track. Victorian engineers such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed bridges for the railway, and architects designed elaborate station buildings such as St Pancras in London.
The railways played a vital role in Britain’s industrial development during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Later, with the invention of the internal combustion engine (= the type of engine used in cars), road transport became more popular for both goods and passengers. In 1947 regional railway companies were nationalized and became British Rail (later BR), but following the Beeching report in 1963 many lines (= routes) were closed in order to save money. In 1994 the government decided that BR should be returned to private ownership. Tracks and stations were made the responsibility of a company called Railtrack, while trains were once again operated by several companies on a regional basis. People have been encouraged to use trains and other forms of public transport to help reduce fuel consumption and pollution.
The railway network connects all the major towns in Britain, and now, via the Channel Tunnel, links Britain with France and Belgium. Railways are used for both short and long journeys, for commuting to work each day, and for transporting freight. In 2003 more than a billion journeys were made by rail in Britain and rail travel had increased by 36% in ten years. Some routes are now electrified and have high-speed trains. Others still rely on diesel-powered locomotives. Some trains are old, dirty and overcrowded. They also have a reputation for being late, and jokes are often made about the excuses given for delays. These have included ‘leaves on the line’ in autumn, and ‘the wrong kind of snow’. Tickets are quite expensive, although students and old people can get railcards which entitle them to cheaper fares.
Following several major railway accidents and the failure of the Railtrack company in 2002 the government set up Network Rail to be responsible for the railway system used by the train operating companies, private companies which run the trains. These companies provide information about trains to the public through their organization, National Rail.
Most Americans have never been on a train. This is sad because the railroads, as they are generally called in the US, were the means by which the Old West was settled. Passenger trains today mainly serve commuters around large cities. The only major long-distance railway business is done by freight trains (BrE also goods trains).
The first US rail company was the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in 1828, but its cars (BrE carriages) were pulled by horses. Steam power was used by the 1830s, and the Pullman car was invented in 1856. The Civil War led to the rapid development of railroads, and the nation was connected from east to west in 1869 when the Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific joined their tracks in Utah. The 20th century brought more powerful locomotives and huge stations, like Grand Central in New York. The greatest period of US railroads began in the middle of the 19th century and lasted about 100 years. This time has been celebrated with popular songs like I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, Freight Train Blues, John Henry, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Orange Blossom Special and Casey Jones. Trains and railroad workers were also the subjects of many films and novels.
After World War II car ownership greatly increased and people no longer used trains as a means of transport. Union Pacific, once known for its two-level ‘dome lounge cars’ from which passengers could see the scenery, stopped long-distance passenger services in 1971. Amtrak, a company controlled by the government, now runs the California Zephyr, the Texas Eagle and other trains but it is not very successful in attracting passengers.
Some Americans are train buffs and take special steam locomotive trips. Americans also collect model trains, some of which, including the heavy Lionel sets from the 1940s, are now valuable. In Britain old and young alike visit railway museums at e.g. Didcot and York. Trainspotting (= recording the names and registration numbers of locomotives) used to be a popular hobby, especially for boys, but is less common now. 
Example Bank:
• Driven to despair, he threw himself under a train.
• From Germany they travelled by train to Poland.
• From Germany we'll travel by train to Poland.
• He was leaving on the early train for Zaragoza.
• He was pushed into the path of an oncoming train.
• I can't stop now, I have a train to catch.
• I got the through train to Manchester.
• I lose my train of thought when there are distractions.
• I saved up my pocket money to buy an electric train set.
• I saved up to buy an electric train set.
• I was late and had to run for my train.
• I'm going to the station to meet her off the train.
• In summer the trains run as often as every ten minutes.
• In the train of= following behind the rich and famous came the journalists.
• It's quicker by train.
• Most trains are running late because of the accident.
• She ran alongside the departing train, waving goodbye.
• She travels on the same train as you.
• She tried to kill herself by jumping off a moving train.
• Slowly the train began to move.
• The 10.19 train has been cancelled.
• The 15.18 Amtrak train to Chicago will be arriving on track 3.
• The company plans to run trains on key intercity routes.
• The high-speed train travels at 120 mph.
• The last train leaves at 00.30.
• The next train is due at 9.45.
• The next train to arrive at Platform 2 is the 12.30 from Leeds.
• The telephone rang and she lost her train of thought.
• The train came in and I got on.
• The train came towards them.
• The train chugged slowly forward.
• The train drew into the station.
• The train entered the tunnel.
• The train headed out of Athens.
• The train jolted into motion.
• The train now standing at Platform 3 is the 16.50 to Brighton.
• The train reached Prague at half past six.
• The train terminated in Baltimore.
• Unemployment brings greater difficulties in its train.
• We didn't want to leave the platform in case the train came.
• We had to get up early to make the 6 o'clock train for Florence.
• We jumped on the train just as it was about to leave.
• What are the times of the return trains?
• You'll have to change trains at Cambridge.
• a carnival with ghost trains and dodgem cars
• a picture of the bullet train speeding past Mount Fuji
• a train hauled by a steam locomotive
• a train waiting at a signal
• an express train bound for Edinburgh
• an initial omission which set in motion a train of events leading to the crime
• the Paris to Brussels train
• the people on the train
• the roar of a passing train
• the sound of an approaching train
• the train from Birmingham to Worcester
• the train from Toronto to Calgary
• train loads of iron ore
• trains between Brindisi and Rome
• trains between Cape Town and Pretoria
Idioms: bring something in its train ▪ in somebody's train ▪ set something in train ▪ train of thought

Derived: train something at somebody 

verb
1. transitive, intransitive to teach a person or an animal the skills for a particular job or activity; to be taught in this way
• ~ sb/sth badly trained staff
• ~ sb/sth to do sth They train dogs to sniff out drugs.
• ~ (sb) (as/in/for sth) He trained as a teacher before becoming an actor.
• All members of the team have trained in first aid.

• ~ to do/be sth Sue is training to be a doctor.

2. intransitive, transitive to prepare yourself/sb for a particular activity, especially a sport, by doing a lot of exercise; to prepare a person or an animal in this way
• ~ (for/in sth) athletes training for the Olympics
• I train in the gym for two hours a day.
• ~ sb/sth (for/in sth) She trains horses.

• He trains the Olympic team.

3. transitive to develop a natural ability or quality so that it improves
• ~ sth An expert with a trained eye will spot the difference immediately.

• ~ sth to do sth You can train your mind to think positively.

4. transitive ~ sth (around/along/up, etc.) to make a plant grow in a particular direction
• Roses had been trained around the door.
Word Origin:
Middle English (as a noun in the sense ‘delay’): from Old French train (masculine), traine (feminine), from trahiner (verb), from Latin trahere ‘pull, draw’. Early noun senses were ‘trailing part of a robe’ and ‘retinue’; the latter gave rise to ‘line of travelling people or vehicles’, later ‘a connected series of things’. The early verb sense ‘cause a plant to grow in a desired shape’ was the basis of the sense ‘instruct’.  
Example Bank:
• He's been training seriously for over a year now.
• The team is training hard for the big match.
• All members of the team have been trained in first aid.
• I was impressed by the well trained staff.

• We watched the athletes training for the Olympics.

subway

sub·way [subway subways]   [ˈsʌbweɪ]    [ˈsʌbweɪ]  noun

1. (NAmE) an underground railway/railroad system in a city
• the New York subway
• a subway station/train
• a downtown subway stop
• to ride/take the subway

• In Boston the subway is known as the ‘T’; in Washington DC it's the‘Metro’.

2. (BrE) a path that goes under a road, etc. which people can use to cross to the other side
Syn:  underpass  
British/American:
underground / subway / metro / tube
A city’s underground railway/railroad system is usually called the underground (often the Underground) in BrE and the subway in NAmE. Speakers of BrE also use subway for systems in American cities and metro for systems in other European countries. The Metro is the name for the systems in Paris and Washington, D.C. London’s system is often called the Tube. 
Example Bank:
• He ran through the pedestrian subway.
• I've never been on the subway.
• Yankee Stadium is a 40-minute subway ride from our house.

• rush hour in the subway

bus

bus [bus busses buses bussed bused bussing busing] noun, verb   [bʌs]    [bʌs] 

noun

(pl. buses, US also busses)
1. a large road vehicle that carries passengers, especially one that travels along a fixed route and stops regularly to let people get on and off
• Shall we walk or go by bus?
• A regular bus service connects the train station with the town centre.
• a bus company/driver
• a school bus
compare  coach 

see also  bus lane, bus shelter, bus station, bus stop, minibus, trolleybus

2. (computing) a set of wires that carries information from one part of a computer system to another 
Word Origin:
early 19th cent.: shortening of omnibus.  
Thesaurus:
bus noun C
• Shall we go by bus?
BrE coach • • minibus • |AmE van •
by bus/coach/minibus/van
get on/off a bus/coach/minibus
get in/out of a minibus/van
Bus or coach? In British English a bus that carries passengers over a long distance is called a coach.  
Example Bank:
• I left work a bit late and had to run for my bus.
• I missed the last bus and had to walk.
• I waited 40 minutes for a bus.
• Is this the bus for Oxford?
• It's about 15 minutes away by bus.
• Local buses run regularly to and from the campus.
• Look up the bus schedule on the Internet.
• Look up the bus times in the local timetable.
• The bus left the city, heading north.
• The bus pulled up and we got on.
• The buses stop outside the post office.
• The double-decker bus stopped to pick up some more passengers.
• There are regular buses to the beach.
• We took the bus from Reading to Bristol.
• a bus carrying 56 passengers
• a four-hour bus journey over the mountains
• a short bus journey to work
• people travelling on buses
• people who travel on buses
• the bus from Charlottesville to Union Station
• the bus into town
• Have you got a bus timetable?
• I was waiting at the bus stop.
• It's a short bus ride from here.
• Shall we walk or go by bus?
• The map shows all the local bus routes.
• There is a bus, the number 18, which stops outside the house.

• When we go on a double-decker bus the children always want to sit upstairs.

verb (-s- or -ss-)
1. ~ sb (from/to…) to transport sb by bus

• We were bussed from the airport to our hotel.

2. ~ sb (NAmE) to transport young people by bus to another area so that students of different races can be educated together

3. ~ sth (NAmE) to take the dirty plates, etc. off the tables in a restaurant, as a job
• He buses tables to help finance his tuition.

Word Origin:

early 19th cent.: shortening of omnibus.

taxi

taxi [taxi taxis] noun, verb   [ˈtæksi]    [ˈtæksi]

noun

1. (also cab, taxi·cab) a car with a driver that you pay to take you somewhere. Taxis usually have meters which show how much money you have to pay
• a taxi driver/ride
• We'd better take a taxi.
• I came home by taxi.

• to order/hail/call a taxi

2. in some places in Africa, a small bus with a driver that you pay to take you somewhere. Taxis usually have fixed routes and stop wherever passengers need to get on or off.
see also  dala-dala, matatu  
Word Origin:
early 20th cent.: abbreviation of taxi-cab or taximeter cab, from French taximètre, from taxe ‘tariff’, from the verb taxer ‘to tax’ + -mètre ‘(instrument) measuring’.  
Example Bank:
• I prefer to travel by taxi.
• I took a taxi back home.
• I'll get my secretary to call you a taxi.
• We caught a taxi to the airport.
• We had some difficulty finding a taxi.
• We hired a taxi for the day and went all over the island.
• a five-minute trip by taxi

• a water taxi heading for Venice

verb (taxi·ing, tax·ied, tax·ied) intransitive (of a plane)

to move slowly along the ground before taking off or after landing

Word Origin:

early 20th cent.: abbreviation of taxi-cab or taximeter cab, from French taximètre, from taxe ‘tariff’, from the verb taxer ‘to tax’ + -mètre ‘(instrument) measuring’

take

take [take takes took taking taken] verb, noun   [teɪk]    [teɪk] 

verb (took   [tʊk]  ;   [tʊk]  taken   [ˈteɪkən]  ;   [ˈteɪkən]  ) 

CARRY/LEAD
1. transitive to carry or move sth from one place to another
• ~ sth (with you) I forgot to take my bag with me when I got off the bus.
• ~ sth to sb/sth Take this to the bank for me, would you?
• Shall I take a gift to my host family?

• ~ sb sth Shall I take my host family a gift?

2. transitive to go with sb from one place to another, especially to guide or lead them
• ~ sb It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
• ~ sb to sth A boy took us to our room.
• ~ sb doing sth I'm taking the kids swimming later.

• ~ sb to do sth The boys were taken to see their grandparents most weekends.

3. transitive ~ sb/sth + adv./prep. to make sb/sth go from one level, situation, etc. to another
• Her energy and talent took her to the top of her profession.
• The new loan takes the total debt to $100 000.
• I'd like to take my argument a stage further.
• He believes he has the skills to take the club forward.

• We'll take the matter forward at our next meeting (= discuss it further).  

REACH AND HOLD

4. transitive ~ sb/sth to put your hands or arms around sb/sth and hold them/it; to reach for sb/sth and hold them/it
• I passed him the rope and he took it.
• Free newspapers: please take one.
• Can you take (= hold) the baby for a moment?
• He took her hand/took her by the hand (= held her hand, for example to lead her somewhere).

• She took the child in her arms and kissed him.  

REMOVE

5. transitive ~ sth/sb + adv./prep. to remove sth/sb from a place or a person
• Will you take your books off the table?
• The sign must be taken down.
• He took some keys out of his pocket.
• My name had been taken off the list.
• She was playing with a knife, so I took it away from her.
• (informal) She was playing with a knife, so I took it off her.

• (figurative) The new sports centre will take the pressure off the old one.

6. transitive ~ sth to remove sth without permission or by mistake
• Someone has taken my scarf.
• Did the burglars take anything valuable?

• (figurative) The storms took the lives of 50 people.

7. transitive to get sth from a particular source
• ~ sth from sth The scientists are taking water samples from the river.
• The machine takes its name from its inventor.

• ~ sth out of sth Part of her article is taken straight (= copied) out of my book.  

CAPTURE

8. transitive to capture a place or person; to get control of sth
• ~ sth (from sb) The rebels succeeded in taking the town.
• The state has taken control of the company.
• ~ sb + noun The rebels took him prisoner.

• He was taken prisoner by the rebels.  

CHOOSE/BUY

9. transitive ~ sth to choose, buy or rent sth
• I'll take the grey jacket.

• We took a room at the hotel for two nights.

10. transitive ~ sth (formal) to buy a newspaper or magazine regularly

• We take the ‘Express’.  

EAT/DRINK

11. transitive ~ sth to eat, drink, etc. sth
• Do you take sugar in your coffee?
• The doctor has given me some medicine to take for my cough.

• He started taking drugs (= illegal drugs) at college.  

MATHEMATICS

12. transitive ~ A (away) from B | B ~ away A | ~ A away (not used in the progressive tenses) to reduce one number by the value of another
Syn:  subtract
• Take 5 from 12 and you're left with 7.

• (informal) 80 take away 5 is 75.  

WRITE DOWN

13. transitive ~ sth to find out and record sth; to write sth down
• The police officer took my name and address.

• Did you take notes in the class?  

PHOTOGRAPH

14. transitive ~ sth to photograph sb/sth
• to take a photograph/picture/snapshot of sb/sth

• to have your picture/photo taken  

MEASUREMENT

15. transitive ~ sth to test or measure sth
• to take sb's temperature

• I need to have my blood pressure taken.  

SEAT

16. transitive ~ sth to sit down in or use a chair, etc
• Are these seats taken?

• Come in; take a seat.  

GIVE EXAMPLE

17. transitive ~ sb/sth used to introduce sb/sth as an example

• Lots of couples have problems in the first year of marriage. Take Ann and Paul.  

ACCEPT/RECEIVE

18. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses or in the passive) ~ sth to accept or receive sth
• If they offer me the job, I'll take it.
• She was accused of taking bribes.
• Does the hotel take credit cards?
• I'll take the call in my office.
• Why should I take the blame for somebody else's mistakes?
• If you take my advice you'll have nothing more to do with him.
• Will you take $10 for the book (= will you sell it for $10)?

• The store took (= sold goods worth) $100 000 last week.

19. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ sb to accept sb as a customer, patient, etc
• The school doesn't take boys (= only has girls).

• The dentist can't take any new patients.

20. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth to experience or be affected by sth
• The school took the full force of the explosion.
• Can the ropes take the strain (= not break)?

• The team took a terrible beating.

21. transitive, no passive ~ sth (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to be able to bear sth
• She can't take criticism.
• I don't think I can take much more of this heat.

• I find his attitude a little hard to take.

22. transitive ~ sth/sb + adv./prep. to react to sth/sb in a particular way
• He took the criticism surprisingly well.
• These threats are not to be taken lightly.
• I wish you'd take me seriously.

• She took it in the spirit in which it was intended.  

CONSIDER

23. transitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to understand or consider sth in a particular way
• ~ sth (as sth) She took what he said as a compliment.
• How am I supposed to take that remark?
• Taken overall, the project was a success.

• ~ sth to do sth What did you take his comments to mean?

24. transitive (not used in the progressive tenses) to consider sb/sth to be sb/sth, especially when you are wrong
• ~ sb/sth for sb/sth Even the experts took the painting for a genuine Van Gogh.
• Of course I didn't do it! What do you take me for (= what sort of person do you think I am)?

• ~ sb/sth to be sb/sth I took the man with him to be his father.  

HAVE FEELING/OPINION

25. transitive (not usually used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth to have a particular feeling, opinion or attitude
• My parents always took an interest in my hobbies.
• Don't take offence (= be offended) at what I said.
• I took a dislike to him.

• He takes the view that children are responsible for their own actions.  

ACTION

26. transitive ~ sth to use a particular course of action in order to deal with or achieve sth
• The government is taking action to combat drug abuse.

• We need to take a different approach to the problem.

27. transitive ~ sth used with nouns to say that sb is doing sth, performing an action, etc.
• to take a step/walk/stroll
• to take a bath/shower/wash
• to take a look/glance
• to take a bite/drink/sip
• to take a deep breath
• to take a break/rest

• (BrE) No decision will be taken on the matter until next week.  

FORM/POSITION

28. transitive ~ sth to have a particular form, position or state
• Our next class will take the form of a debate.

• The new President takes office in January.  

TIME

29. transitive, no passive, intransitive to need or require a particular amount of time
• ~ sth The journey to the airport takes about half an hour.
• ~ sth to do sth It takes about half an hour to get to the airport.
• That cut is taking a long time to heal.
• The official seemed to take hours to examine my passport.
• ~ sb sth (to do sth) It took her three hours to repair her bike.
• It'll take her time to recover from the illness.
• ~ sth for sb to do sth It'll take time (= take a long time) for her to recover from the illness.

• + adv. I need a shower— I won't take long.  

NEED

30. transitive, no passive to need or require sth in order to happen or be done
• ~ sb/sth to do sth It only takes one careless driver to cause an accident.
• It doesn't take much to make her angry.

• ~ sth (informal) He didn't take much persuading (= he was easily persuaded).

31. transitive, no passive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth (of machines, etc.) to use sth in order to work

• All new cars take unleaded petrol.  

SIZE OF SHOES/CLOTHES

32. transitive, no passive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth to wear a particular size in shoes or clothes

• What size shoes do you take?  

HOLD/CONTAIN

33. transitive, no passive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth/sb to have enough space for sth/sb; to be able to hold or contain a particular quantity
• The bus can take 60 passengers.

• The tank takes 50 litres.  

TEACH/LEAD

34. transitive ~ sb (for sth) | ~ sth to be the teacher or leader in a class or a religious service
• The head teacher usually takes us for French.

• Mr Perkins took the morning service.  

STUDY

35. transitive ~ sth to study a subject at school, college, etc
• She is planning to take a computer course.

• How many subjects are you taking this year?  

EXAM

36. transitive ~ sth to do an exam or a test

• When did you take your driving test?  

TRANSPORT/ROAD

37. transitive ~ sth to use a form of transport, a road, a path, etc. to go to a place
• to take the bus/plane/train
• to take a cab
• Take the second road on the right.

• It's more interesting to take the coast road.  

GO OVER/AROUND

38. transitive ~ sth (+ adv./prep.) to go over or around sth
• The horse took the first fence well.

• He takes bends much too fast.  

IN SPORTS

39. transitive ~ sth (of a player in a sports game) to kick or throw the ball from a fixed or agreed position

• to take a penalty/free kick/corner  

VOTE/SURVEY

40. transitive ~ sth to use a particular method to find out people's opinions

• to take a vote/poll/survey  

BE SUCCESSFUL

41. intransitive to be successful; to work

• The skin graft failed to take.  

GRAMMAR

42. transitive (not used in the progressive tenses) ~ sth (of verbs, nouns, etc.) to have or require sth when used in a sentence or other structure

• The verb ‘rely’ takes the preposition ‘on’.

Rem: Most idioms containing take are at the entries for the nouns and adjectives in the idioms, for example take the biscuit is at biscuit.

Word Origin:
late Old English tacan ‘get (especially by force), capture’, from Old Norse taka ‘grasp, lay hold of’, of unknown ultimate origin.  
Synonyms:
cheat
fool • deceive • betray • take in • trick • con
These words all mean to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially in order to get what you want.
cheat • to make sb believe sth that is not true, in order to get money or sth else from them: ▪ She is accused of attempting to cheat the taxman. ◊ ▪ He cheated his way into the job.
Cheat also means to act in a dishonest way in order to gain an advantage, especially in a game, competition or exam: ▪ You're not allowed to look at the answers— ▪ that's cheating ▪.
fool • to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially in order to laugh at them or to get what you want: ▪ Just don't be fooled into investing any money with them.
deceive • to make sb believe sth that is not true, especially sb who trusts you, in order to get what you want: ▪ She deceived him into handing over all his savings.
betray • to hurt sb who trusts you, especially by deceiving them or not being loyal to them: ▪ She felt betrayed when she found out the truth about him.
take sb in • [often passive] to deceive sb, usually in order to get what you want: ▪ I was taken in by her story.
trick • to deceive sb, especially in a clever way, in order to get what you want.
con • (informal) to deceive sb, especially in order to get money from them or get them to do sth for you: ▪ They had been conned out of £100 000.
which word?
Many of these words involve making sb believe sth that is not true, but some of them are more disapproving than others. Deceive is probably the worst because people typically deceive friends, relations and others who know and trust them. People may feel cheated/betrayed by sb in authority who they trusted to look after their interests. If sb takes you in, they may do it by acting a part and using words and charm effectively. If sb cheats/fools/tricks/cons you, they may get sth from you and make you feel stupid. However, sb might fool you just as a joke; and to trick sb is sometimes seen as a clever thing to do, if the person being tricked is seen as a bad person who deserves it.
to cheat/fool/trick/con sb out of sth
to cheat/fool/deceive/betray/trick/con sb into doing sth
to feel cheated/fooled/deceived/betrayed/tricked/conned
to fool/deceive yourself
to cheat/trick/con your way into sth 
Synonyms:
sit
sit down • be seated • take a seat • perch
These words all mean to rest your weight on your bottom with your back upright, for example on a chair.
sit • to rest your weight on your bottom with your back upright, for example on a chair: ▪ May I sit here? ◊ ▪ Sit still, will you!
Sit is usually used with an adverb or prepositional phrase to show where or how sb sits, but sometimes another phrase or clause is used to show what sb does while they are sitting: ▪ We sat talking for hours.
sit down/ • sit yourself down • to move from a standing position to a sitting position: ▪ Please sit down. ◊ ▪ Come in and sit yourselves down.
be seated • (formal) to be sitting: ▪ She was seated at the head of the table.
Be seated is often used as a formal way of inviting sb to sit down: ▪ Please be seated.
take a seat • to sit down Take a seat is used especially as a polite way of inviting sb to sit down: ▪ Please take a seat.
perch • (rather informal) to sit on sth, especially on the edge of sth: ▪ She perched herself on the edge of the bed.
Perch is always used with an adverb or prepositional phrase to show where sb is perching.
to sit/sit down/be seated/take a seat/perch on sth
to sit/sit down/be seated/take a seat in sth 
Synonyms:
take
lead • escort • drive • show • walk • guide • usher • direct
These words all mean to go with sb from one place to another.
take • to go with sb from one place to another, for example in order to show them sth or to show them the way to a place: ▪ It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
lead • to go with or go in front of sb in order to show them the way or to make them go in the right direction: ▪ Firefighters led the survivors to safety.
escort • to go with sb in order to protect or guard them or to show them the way: ▪ The president arrived, escorted by twelve bodyguards.
drive • to take sb somewhere in a car, taxi, etc: ▪ My mother drove us to the airport.
show • to take sb to a particular place, in the right direction, or along the correct route: ▪ The attendant showed us to our seats.
walk • to go somewhere with sb on foot, especially in order to make sure that they get there safely; to take an animal, especially a dog, for a walk or make an animal walk somewhere: ▪ He always walked her home. ◊ ▪ Have you walked the dog yet today?
guide • to show sb the way to a place, often by going with them; to show sb a place that you know well: ▪ She guided us through the busy streets. ◊ ▪ We were guided around the museums.
usher • (rather formal) to politely take or show sb where they should go, especially within a building: ▪ She ushered her guests to their seats.
direct • (rather formal) to tell or show sb how to get somewhere or where to go: ▪ A young woman directed them to the station.
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide/usher/direct sb to/out of/into sth
to take/lead/escort/drive/show/walk/guide sb around/round
to take/lead/escort/drive/walk sb home
to take/lead/escort/guide sb to safety
to lead/show the way  
Which Word?:
last / take
Last and take are both used to talk about the length of time that something continues.
Last is used to talk about the length of time that an event continues: ▪ How long do you think this storm will last? ◊ ▪ The movie lasted over two hours. Last does not always need an expression of time: ▪ His annoyance won’t last. Last is also used to say that you have enough of something: ▪ We don’t have enough money to last until next month.
Take is used to talk about the amount of time you need in order to go somewhere or do something. It must be used with an expression of time: ▪ It takes (me) at least an hour to get home from work. ◊ ▪ How long will the flight take? ◊ ▪ The water took ages to boil.  
Example Bank:
• Harry took his rejection philosophically.
• He took what I said as a criticism.
• I wanted to be taken seriously as an artist.
• She took the news of her father's death very badly.
• They won't take kindly to being ordered about.
• 28 take away 5 is 23.
• A military junta took control of the country.
• All she had taken was her passport and driving licence.
• Can you take the baby for a moment?
• England failed to take their chances and had to settle for a draw.
• Even the experts took the painting to be a genuine Van Gogh.
• He started taking drugs at college.
• He took her hand/took her by the hand.
• He took the bend much too fast.
• He's not the fool you take him for.
• I asked them if they'd take me with them.
• I don't think I can take much more of this heat.
• I find his attitude a little hard to take.
• I mistakenly took her for the Senator's wife.
• I need a shower— I won't take long.
• I wish you'd take me seriously.
• I'll take the call in my office.
• I'll take the grey jacket.
• I'm afraid your husband has taken a turn for the worse.
• I'm taking the kids swimming later.
• If they offer me the job, I'll take it.
• If you choose deceit, then you must take the consequences of your actions.
• If you take my advice you'll have nothing more to do with him.
• It takes about half an hour to get to the airport.
• It was clear that she wasn't going to take any nonsense.
• It'll take her time to recover from the illness.
• It's too far to walk— I'll take you by car.
• My things had already been taken to my room.
• Of course I didn't do it! What do you take me for?
• Part of her article is taken straight out of my book.
• Please remember to take all your belongings with you when you leave the bus.
• She can't take criticism.
• She took her bags along with her.
• She's taken a nasty fall and has her leg in plaster.
• Should I take him a gift?
• Take 5 from 12 and you're left with 7.
• Take the initiative and fill your life with exciting experiences.
• The bank robbers took several employees hostage.
• The boy took us to our rooms.
• The dentist can't take any new patients.
• The horse took the jump safely but then stumbled.
• The school doesn't take boys.
• The store took $100 000 last week.
• They took the night train to Vienna.
• They were taken to see their grandparents most weekends.
• Think about what you need to take for the trip.
• We took a bus south to Cairo.
• We took a ferry across to the island.
• When the bus stopped for fuel, we took the opportunity to get something to eat.
• Why should I take the blame for somebody else's mistakes?
• Will you take $10 for the book?
• You fly to Brussels and take the train to Bruges.
• You should take her home soon.
• You'll have to take a taxi. There's no other way of getting there.
• take a cheque/credit card/£50 note
• take a job
• take a particular amount of money for sth
Idioms: I/you can't take somebody anywhere ▪ have what it takes ▪ on the take ▪ somebody can take it or leave it ▪ take a lot of doing ▪ take a lot out of somebody ▪ take it ▪ take it from me ▪ take it on yourself to do something ▪ take somebody as they come ▪ take something as it comes ▪ take that!
Derived: take after somebody ▪ take against somebody ▪ take away from something ▪ take it out on somebody ▪ take off ▪ take over ▪ take somebody aback ▪ take somebody apart ▪ take somebody back ▪ take somebody in ▪ take somebody off ▪ take somebody off something ▪ take somebody on ▪ take somebody out ▪ take somebody out of himself/ herself ▪ take somebody through something ▪ take somebody up on something ▪ take something apart ▪ take something away ▪ take something back ▪ take something down ▪ take something in ▪ take something off ▪ take something off something ▪ take something on ▪ take something out ▪ take something out of something ▪ take something over ▪ take something up ▪ take something up with somebody ▪ take to somebody ▪ take to something ▪ take up ▪ take up something ▪ take up with somebody ▪ take yourself off ▪ taken up with somebody ▪ taken with somebody

noun
1. a scene or part of a film/movie that is filmed at one time without stopping the camera

• We managed to get it right in just two takes.

2. usually singular (informal) an amount of money that sb receives, especially the money that is earned by a business during a particular period of time
Syn:  takings

• How much is my share of the take?

3. ~ on sth (informal) the particular opinion or idea that sb has about sth
• What's his take on the plan?
• a new take on the Romeo and Juliet story (= a way of presenting it)
see also  double take  
Word Origin:
late Old English tacan ‘get (especially by force), capture’, from Old Norse taka ‘grasp, lay hold of’, of unknown ultimate origin.  
Example Bank:

• The auction was predicted to make $20 million, but the actual take turned out to be half that figure.

motorcycle

motor·cycle [motorcycle motorcycles]   [ˈməʊtəsaɪkl]    [ˈmoʊtərsaɪkl]  (also motor·bike especially in BrE) noun

a road vehicle with two wheels, driven by an engine, with one seat for the driver and a seat for a passenger behind the driver
• motorcycle racing
• a motorcycle accident
See also: motorbike  
Collocations:
Driving
Having a car
have/own/ (BrE) run a car
ride a motorcycle/motorbike
drive/prefer/use an automatic/a manual/(NAmE, informal) a stick shift
have/get your car serviced/fixed/repaired
buy/sell a used car/(especially BrE) a second-hand car
take/pass/fail a (BrE) driving test/(both NAmE) driver's test/road test
get/obtain/have/lose/carry a/your (BrE) driving licence/(NAmE) driver's license
Driving
put on/fasten/ (NAmE) buckle/wear/undo your seat belt/safety belt
put/turn/leave the key in the ignition
start the car/engine
(BrE) change/ (NAmE) shift/put sth into gear
press/put your foot on the brake pedal/clutch/accelerator
release the clutch/(especially BrE) the handbrake/(both NAmE) the emergency brake/the parking brake
drive/park/reverse the car
(BrE) indicate left/right
(especially NAmE) signal that you are turning left/right
take/miss (BrE) the turning/(especially NAmE) the turn
apply/hit/slam on the brake(s)
beep/honk/ (especially BrE) toot/ (BrE) sound your horn
Problems and accidents
a car skids/crashes (into sth)/collides (with sth)
swerve to avoid an oncoming car/a pedestrian
crash/lose control of the car
have/be in/be killed in/survive a car crash/a car accident/(NAmE) a car wreck/a hit-and-run
be run over/knocked down by a car/bus/truck
dent/hit (BrE) the bonnet/(NAmE) the hood
break/crack/shatter (BrE) the windscreen/(NAmE) the windshield
blow/ (especially BrE) burst/puncture (BrE) a tyre/(NAmE) a tire
get/have (BrE) a flat tyre/a flat tire/a puncture
inflate/change/fit/replace/check a tyre/tire
Traffic and driving regulations
be caught in/get stuck in/sit in a traffic jam
cause congestion/tailbacks/traffic jams/gridlock
experience/face lengthy delays
beat/avoid the traffic/the rush hour
break/observe/ (NAmE) drive the speed limit
be caught on (BrE) a speed camera
stop sb for/pull sb over for/ (BrE, informal) be done for speeding
(both informal) run/ (BrE) jump a red light/the lights
be arrested for/charged with (BrE) drink-driving/(both US) driving under the influence (DUI)/driving while intoxicated (DWI)
be banned/ (BrE) disqualified from driving 
Example Bank:
• He died after falling off his motorcycle.
• He was sitting on his motorcycle.
• He's learning to ride a motorcycle.
• She climbed onto the back of my motorcycle.
• a collection of vintage motorcycles

• a crowd of bikers all revving up their motorcycles

bicycle

bi·cycle [bicycle bicycles bicycled bicycling] noun, verb   [ˈbaɪsɪkl]    [ˈbaɪsɪkl]

noun

(also informal bike)
a road vehicle with two wheels that you ride by pushing the pedals with your feet
• He got on his bicycle and rode off.
• We went for a bicycle ride on Sunday.  
Word Origin:
mid 19th cent.: from bi-  ‘two’ + Greek kuklos ‘wheel’.  
Example Bank:
• Did you come by bicycle?
• He mounted his bicycle and rode off.
• I dismounted and began to push my bicycle up the hill.
• She came off her bicycle when it skidded on some wet leaves.
• She pedalled her bicycle up the track.
• She tried to pedal her bicycle up the track.

• We watched the boys on their bicycles.

verb intransitive (+ adv./prep.) (old-fashioned)
to go somewhere on a bicycle
compare  bike, cycle
Verb forms:
 
Word Origin:

mid 19th cent.: from bi-  ‘two’ + Greek kuklos ‘wheel’.