British English

knock some sense into somebody

knock/talk some ˈsense into sb idiom

to try and persuade sb to stop behaving in a stupid way, sometimes using rough or violent methods

• Try and talk some sense into her before she makes the wrong decision. 

• Where would I be without you to knock some sense into my head? 

online

▪ I. on·line [online]   [ˌɒnˈlaɪn]    [ˌɑːnˈlaɪn]    [ˌɔːnˈlaɪn]  adjective
controlled by or connected to a computer or to the Internet
• Online shopping is both cheap and convenient.
• an online database
• online dating (= using the Internet to meet people in order to start a romantic relationship)  
Collocations:
Email and the Internet
Email
receive/get/open an email
write/send/answer/forward/delete an email
check/read/access your email
block/filter (out) junk/spam/unsolicited email
exchange email addresses
open/check your inbox
junk mail fills/floods/clogs your inbox
have/set up an email account
open/send/contain an attachment
sign up for/receive email alerts
Connecting to the Internet
use/access/log onto the Internet/the Web
go online/on the Internet
have a high-speed/dial-up/broadband/wireless (Internet) connection
access/connect to/locate the server
use/open/close/launch a/your web browser
browse/surf/search/scour the Internet/the Web
send/contain/spread/detect a (computer/email) virus
update your anti-virus software
install/use/configure a firewall
accept/enable/block/delete cookies
Using the Internet
visit/check a website/an Internet site/sb's blog
create/design/launch a website/social networking site
start/write/post/read a blog
update your blog/a website
be in/meet sb in/go into/enter an Internet chat room
download/upload music/software/a song/a podcast/a file/a copy of sth
share information/data/files
post a comment/message on a website/an online message board/a web forum/an internet chat room
stream video/audio/music/content over the Internet
join/participate in/visit/provide a (web-based/web/online/Internet/discussion) forum

generate/increase/monitor Internet traffic

sport

sport [sport sports sported sporting] noun, verb   [spɔːt]    [spɔːrt]

noun

1. uncountable (BrE) (NAmE sports plural) activity that you do for pleasure and that needs physical effort or skill, usually done in a special area and according to fixed rules
• There are excellent facilities for sport and recreation.
• I'm not interested in sport.

• the use of drugs in sport

2. countable a particular form of sport
• What's your favourite sport?
• team/water sports
• a sports club

see also  blood sport, field sports, spectator sport, winter sports

3. countable (AustralE, NZE, informal) used as a friendly way of addressing sb, especially a man
• How are you doing, sport?

• Good on you, sport!

4. uncountable (formal) enjoyment or fun
• The comments were only made in sport.

• to make sport of (= to joke about) sb/sth

5. countable (biology) a plant or an animal that is different in a noticeable way from its usual type 
Word Origin:
late Middle English (in the sense ‘pastime, entertainment’): shortening of disport.  
Culture:
sport and fitness
The British are very fond of sport, but many people prefer to watch rather than take part. Many go to watch football, cricket, etc. at the ground, but many more sit at home and watch sport on television.
Most people today take relatively little general exercise. Over the last 30 or 40 years lifestyles have changed considerably and many people now travel even the shortest distances by car or bus. Lack of exercise combined with eating too many fatty and sugary foods has meant that many people are becoming too fat. Experts are particularly concerned that children spend a lot of their free time watching television or playing computer games instead of being physically active. In recent years, however, there has been a growing interest in fitness among young adults and many belong to a sports club or gym.
In Britain most towns have an amateur football and cricket team, and people also have opportunities to play sports such as tennis and golf. Older people may play bowls. Some people go regularly to a sports centre or leisure centre where there are facilities for playing badminton and squash, and also a swimming pool. Some sports centres arrange classes in aerobics, step and keep-fit. Some people work out (= train hard) regularly at a local gym and do weight training and circuit training. A few people do judo or other martial arts. Others go running or jogging in their local area. For enthusiastic runners there are opportunities to take part in long-distance runs, such as the London marathon. Other people keep themselves fit by walking or cycling. Many people go abroad on a skiing holiday each year and there are several dry slopes and snowdomes in Britain where they can practise.
Membership of a sports club or gym can be expensive and not everyone can afford the subscription. Local sports centres are generally cheaper. Evening classes are also cheap and offer a wide variety of fitness activities ranging from yoga to jazz dancing. Some companies now provide sports facilities for their employees or contribute to the cost of joining a gym.
Sports play an important part in American life. Professional baseball and football games attract large crowds, and many people watch games on television. Although many parents complain about their children being couch potatoes (= people who spend a lot of time watching television), there are sports sessions at school for all ages. College students are usually also required to take physical education classes to complete their studies.
Many popular keep-fit activities began in the US. Charles Atlas, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others inspired people to take up bodybuilding (= strengthening and shaping the muscles). Many women joined the ‘fitness craze’ as a result of video workouts produced by stars such as Jane Fonda and Cindy Crawford which they could watch and take part in at home. New fitness books are continually being published and these create fashions for new types of exercise, such as wave aerobics, which is done in a swimming pool, and cardio kick-boxing, a form of aerobics which involves punching and kicking a punchbag. Many richer people employ their own personal trainer, either at home or at a fitness centre, to direct their exercise programme. Local YMCAs offer programmes which include aerobics, gym, running, weights, treadmills and rowing machines, as well as steam rooms and swimming. But many people just walk or jog in the local park or play informal games of baseball or football. 
Thesaurus:
sport noun
1. U (BrE) (AmE sports)
• facilities for sport and recreation
exercise • • workout • • aerobics • |BrE PE • |AmE P. E. •
do sport/exercises/a workout/aerobics/PE
2. C
• skiing, skating and other winter sports
game •
play/take part in a sport/game
team sports/games 
Example Bank:
• He does a lot of sport.
• I need to take up a sport to get fit.
• In the 1960s, the Soviet Union dominated the sport of gymnastics.
• In theory, basketball is a non-contact sport.
• She has a real passion for sport/sport.
• Sports coverage in the local newspaper is good.
• The council has allocated an extra £11 million to a new community sports club.
• We encourage the children to get involved in sport/sports.
• We played sports together when we were kids.
• a campaign to promote sport/sports among women
• a campaign to promote the sport among young people
• government funding for sports programmes/programs for girls and women
• popular field sports such as football
• sports betting on the Internet
• the construction of a new $250-million sports arena
• the inherent dangers of adventure sports such as mountaineering
• the school sports day
• the sport of boxing
• Did you do any sport at school?
• Did you play any sports in high school?
• Do you do a lot of sport?
• I'm not interested in sport.
• Which is the country's most popular spectator sport?
• skiing, skating and other winter sports
• sports shoes

Idiom: a sport 

politics

pol·it·ics [politics]   [ˈpɒlətɪks]    [ˈpɑːlətɪks]  noun
1. uncountable + singular or plural verb the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society
• party politics
• local politics
• He's thinking of going into politics (= trying to become a Member of Parliament, Congress, etc.)

• a major figure in British politics

2. uncountable + singular or plural verb (disapproving) matters concerned with getting or using power within a particular group or organization
• I don't want to get involved in office politics.
• the internal politics of the legal profession

• sexual politics (= concerning relationships of power between the sexes)

3. plural a person's political views or beliefs

• His politics are extreme.

4. uncountable =  political science

• a degree in Politics

5. singular a system of political beliefs; a state of political affairs
• A politics of the future has to engage with new ideas.  
Collocations:
Politics
Power
create/form/be the leader of a political party
gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
seize/take control of the government/power
bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
be forced/removed/driven from office/power
resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
enter/retire from/return to political life
Political debate
spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over sth)
get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
lobby/put pressure on the government (to do sth)
come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
Policy
call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
formulate/implement domestic economic policy
change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
invest (heavily) in/spend sth on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
nationalize the banks/the oil industry
promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
a/the budget is approved/ (especially NAmE) passed by parliament/congress
Making laws
have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
get/require/be decided by a majority vote
more collocations at economy, voting  
Example Bank:
• As a churchman, he was accused of interfering in politics.
• Consensus politics places a high value on existing political institutions.
• He abandoned politics and went into business.
• He argued that it was not practical politics to abolish private schools.
• He used dirty politics to trash his opponent's record.
• His manners were as mild as his politics were extreme.
• I don't understand the politics of it all.
• I have always followed politics closely.
• In their world politics dominates everything.
• Let's not talk politics now.
• My personal politics are pretty simple.
• She was active in local politics for many years.
• The Democrats are simply engaging in partisan politics.
• The legislation has been driven by populist politics.
• They took the view that Casper was playing power politics with their jobs at stake.
• They went into politics in the hope of changing society.
• multiculturalism and the rise of identity politics
• reforms that are intended to reshape Italian politics
• the country's internal politics
• the issues which have dominated Irish politics
• the politics surrounding reproduction and fertility

• the role politics played in daily life

technology

tech·nol·ogy AW [technology technologies]   [tekˈnɒlədʒi]    [tekˈnɑːlədʒi]  noun (pl. tech·nol·ogies)
1. uncountable, countable scientific knowledge used in practical ways in industry, for example in designing new machines
• science and technology
• recent advances in medical technology
• to make use of the most modern technologies

see also  high technology, information technology

2. uncountable machinery or equipment designed using technology
• The company has invested in the latest technology.
Derived Words: technological ▪ technologically  
Word Origin:
early 17th cent.: from Greek tekhnologia ‘systematic treatment’, from tekhnē ‘art, craft’ + -logia (see -logy).  
Example Bank:
• Telecommunications technology is developing fast.
• The company is investing heavily in new technologies.
• The technology already exists to do this.
• This technology enables computers to read handwriting.
• We need to exploit existing technologies more fully.
• We now have the technologies to transplant limbs.
• a car based on alternative technology
• a car engine based on technology developed for aeroplanes
• exploiting existing technologies more fully
• small businesses that are involved with emerging technologies

• the technology for the extraction of iron ore

language

lan·guage [language languages]   [ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ]    [ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ]  noun

 
OF A COUNTRY
1. countable the system of communication in speech and writing that is used by people of a particular country or area
• the Japanese language
• It takes a long time to learn to speak a language well.
• Italian is my first language.
• All the children must learn a foreign language.
• She has a good command of the Spanish language.
• a qualification in language teaching
• They fell in love in spite of the language barrier (= the difficulty of communicating when people speak different languages).
• Why study Latin? It's a dead language (= no longer spoken by anyone).
• Is English an official language in your country?

see also  modern language  

COMMUNICATION

2. uncountable the use by humans of a system of sounds and words to communicate
• theories about the origins of language

• a study of language acquisition in two-year-olds  

STYLE OF SPEAKING/WRITING

3. uncountable a particular style of speaking or writing
• bad/foul/strong language (= words that people may consider offensive)
• literary/poetic language
• the language of the legal profession
• Give your instructions in everyday language.

see also  bad language  

MOVEMENTS/SYMBOLS/SOUND

4. countable, uncountable a way of expressing ideas and feelings using movements, symbols and sound
• the language of mime
• the language of dolphins/bees

see also  body language, sign language  

COMPUTING

5. countable, uncountable a system of symbols and rules that is used to operate a computer
• a programming language
Idioms: mind your language ▪ talk the same language  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French langage, based on Latin lingua ‘tongue’.  
Thesaurus:
language noun
1. C, U
• Italian is my first language.
dialect • |formal idiom • |literary old-fashioned tongue •
speak in a/an language/dialect/idiom/tongue
sb's native language/dialect/tongue
speak/understand/use/learn/study a language/dialect
2. U
• The document was written in very formal language.
wording • • terms • • vocabulary • • terminology • • usage •
in… language/terms/vocabulary/terminology/usage
formal/informal/everyday language/terms/vocabulary/usage
use … language/wording/terms/vocabulary/terminology 
Synonyms:
language
vocabulary • terms • wording • terminology
These are all terms for the words and expressions people use when they speak or write, or for a particular style of speaking or writing.
language • a particular style of speaking or writing: ▪ Give your instructions in everyday language. ◊ ▪ the language of the legal profession
vocabulary • all the words that a person knows or uses, or all the words in a particular language; the words that people use when they are talking about a particular subject: ▪ to have a wide/limited vocabulary ◊ ▪ The word has become part of advertising vocabulary.
terms • a way of expressing yourself or of saying sth: ▪ I'll try to explain in simple terms.
wording • [usually sing.] the words that are used in a piece of writing or speech, especially when they have been carefully chosen: ▪ It was the standard form of wording for a consent letter.
terminology • (rather formal) the set of technical words or expressions used in a particular subject; words used with particular meanings: ▪ medical terminology ◊ ▪ Scientists are constantly developing new terminologies.
Literary/poetic terminology is used for talking about literature or poetry. Literary/poetic language is used for writing in a literary or poetic style.
formal/informal/everyday language/vocabulary/terms
business/scientific/technical/specialized language/vocabulary/terminology
A word enters the language/the vocabulary. 
Example Bank:
• Computers will never be able to understand natural language.
• Her command of language is very advanced for a six-year-old.
• His letter was couched in very formal language.
• His strength is that he addresses his readers in plain language.
• How many foreign languages does she speak?
• I got by with broken Chinese and sign language.
• Latin is a dead language.
• Most local cinemas show films in the original language, with German subtitles.
• Not all deaf people use sign language.
• Portuguese is the national language of Brazil.
• She could speak some Chinese, but never studied the written language.
• She grew up in Mexico, so her first language is Spanish.
• She reserved her harshest language for those she believed had betrayed her.
• Some minority languages are dying out.
• The referee told the players to mind their language.
• The writer's use of language reflects the personality of each character.
• You could tell from his body language that he was very embarrassed.
• idiomatic expressions that enrich the language
• manuscripts written in an unknown language
• new methods of language learning
• people using foul language
• the teaching of English as a second language
• Have you got a qualification in language teaching?
• He has a good command of the Spanish language.
• Italian is my first language.
• She's got a degree in modern languages.
• The following programme contains strong language.
• They fell in love in spite of the language barrier.
• They were shouting and using bad/foul language.

• Why study Latin? It's a dead language.

partner

part·ner AW [partner partners partnered partnering] noun, verb   [ˈpɑːtnə(r)]    [ˈpɑːrtnər] 

noun
1. the person that you are married to or having a sexual relationship with
• Come to the New Year disco and bring your partner!

• a marriage partner

2. one of the people who owns a business and shares the profits, etc
• a partner in a law firm

• a junior/senior partner

3. a person that you are doing an activity with, such as dancing or playing a game
• a dancing/tennis, etc. partner

see also  sparring partner

4. a country or an organization that has an agreement with another country
• a trading partner
see also  sleeping partner  
Word Origin:
Middle English: alteration of parcener ‘partner, joint heir’, from Anglo-Norman French parcener, based on Latin partitio(n-) ‘partition’. The change in the first syllable was due to association with part.  
Thesaurus:
partner noun
1. C
• Come to the New Year disco and bring your partner.
girlfriend • • boyfriend • • wife • • husband • • man • • fiancé/fiancée • |especially AmE date • |formal law spouse • |becoming old-fashioned sweetheart •
sb's new partner/girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband/man
have a partner/girlfriend/boyfriend/wife/husband/man/fiance/fiancee/spouse
find a partner/girlfriend/boyfriend/man
Which word? A partner is usually sb you live with but are not married to and suggests a more long-term relationship. Young people often prefer to use the words girlfriend/boyfriend. Partner can also refer to a husband or wife, especially if you do not know, or it is not important, if a couple is married or not. Partner is also used when you do not know or are not interested in what sex sb's partner is.
2. C
• He is a senior partner in a law firm.
• Choose a partner for the next activity.
colleague • • collaborator • • co-worker • • teammate • • contact • • ally • • associate • |especially BrE workmate •
a business partner/colleague/contact/ally
a junior/senior partner/colleague/associate
a close partner/colleague/collaborator/contact/ally/associate 
Collocations:
Marriage and divorce
Romance
fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly) in love (with sb)
be/believe in/fall in love at first sight
be/find true love/the love of your life
suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love
have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for sb/sth
meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have/go on a (blind) date
be going out with/ (especially NAmE) dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman
move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner
Weddings
get/be engaged/married/divorced
arrange/plan a wedding
have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage
have/enter into an arranged marriage
call off/cancel/postpone your wedding
invite sb to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception
conduct/perform a wedding ceremony
exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows
congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple
be/go on honeymoon (with your wife/husband)
celebrate your first (wedding) anniversary
Separation and divorce
be unfaithful to/ (informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have an affair (with sb)
break off/end an engagement/a relationship
break up with/split up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend
separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife
annul/dissolve a marriage
apply for/ask for/go through/get a divorce
get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children
pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband) 
Example Bank:
• AOL remains the company's only online retail partner.
• All change partners for the next dance!
• Britain's partner in the aeronautic project
• France's principal trading partners
• He has recently been made a junior partner in the family business.
• He is a general partner in a consulting firm.
• He penned the script with his long-time writing partner.
• He was made a full partner in his father's firm.
• I need a doubles partner for the table tennis tournament.
• Local government workers have been refused pensions for their unmarried partners.
• Most of those questioned said they wanted a steady partner for emotional support.
• People who have had multiple partners are more at risk from sexually transmitted diseases.
• She and her husband became limited partners in the team's ownership.
• She was the dominant partner in the relationship.
• The government is technically a silent partner with almost no control over contractor spending.
• The old political sparring partners are now firm friends.
• The organization offers health benefits to the domestic partners of employees.
• The teacher asked the students to choose a partner for the next activity.
• They wanted to be seen as equal partners in the creative relationship.
• We are working with partner companies on wireless technologies.
• reasons for divorce such as having an abusive partner
• the choice of marriage partner
• Come to the New Year disco and bring your partner.
• My regular dancing partner has broken her ankle.

• This is my partner, Mark.

Mexican

Mex·ican 7 [Mexican Mexicans] adjective, noun   [ˈmeksɪkən]    [ˈmeksɪkən]

adjective

from or connected with Mexico

Spanish

Span·ish 7 [Spanish] adjective, noun   [ˈspænɪʃ]    [ˈspænɪʃ]

adjective

from or connected with Spain

2. (NAmE) =  brainwave

▪ II. brain·storm [brainstorm brainstorms brainstormed brainstorming]   [ˈbreɪnstɔːm]  ;   [ˈbreɪnstɔːrm]  verb transitive, intransitive

• ~ (sth) Brainstorm as many ideas as possible.