Collocations in UseUnit 1Collocation: pair or group of words that are often used together.Compounds: units of meaning formed with two or more words.Idioms: groups of words in a fixed order that have a meaning that cannot be guessed by knowing the meaning of the individual words.Pass the buck: to pass the responsibility for a problem to another person to avoid dealing with it oneself.Breed crime: to produce crime.Pitch dark: extremely dark.Unit 2Run a bathSharp painGive a callGive a liftMake your way (home)Making demands on: to ask for with proper authority.Unit 3To soothe/alleviate/ease/lessen/ relieve painTo experience/feel/suffer painTo cause/inflict painComplain of painPain subsides: to sink to a low or lower level.Be racked with pain: suffering from severe pain.To take somebody up on an offer: to accept an offer.Unit 4The economy boomed: the economy was very strong.The company has grown/expandedThe companies mergedLaunch the product: introduce the product.Poses a problem: is a problem.Create opportunities: bring new opportunities.A pang of: a sudden sharp feeling of emotional distress.A surge of: sudden increase.Blissfully: full of extreme happiness.Burst into: to start doing something suddenly.Unit 5Bored stiff: extremely bored.Give me a ring: give me a phone call.Have a thinkAlight from the bus: get off the bus.Cyclists must dismount here: get off their bicycles.Trespassers will be prosecuted: people who go onto someones land or enter their building without a permission will be taken to court.Dispose of: throw awayReceptacle provided: container used for storing or putting objects in.Axe jobs: make staff redundant.Slash prices: cut prices drastically.Crack down: start dealing with it in a more severe way.An outbreak: a sudden, violent, or spontaneous occurrence.Submit a tender: present a document offering to do a job and stating the price.Raise capital: get money to put into a business.Go into partnership with: agree to start or run a business with someone.Start up a businessBoarding the aircraft(formal)Bore the cost of(formal): paid for.Withdrew from(formal): dropped out of.Launched into(formal): embarked upon.Unit 6HIGHLY + (un)likely, unusual, successful, competitive, profitable, effective, controversial, recommended.ABSOLUTELY, UTTERLY (combine with adj. with very extreme meanings where we cant use very) + ridiculous, stupid, impossible, wrong, alone, appalled (filled with horror and amazement), convinced, devastated, miserable.BITTERLY (Carries a feeling of deep sadness)+ disappointing/disappointed, resent, criticize, regret, complain, cry, weep. DEEPLY (collocates mainly with words associated with feelings) + ashamed, concerned, shocked, committed, moved, affected, hurt, regret, care, religious, unhappy.RIDICULOUSLY (suggests something extreme which seems unbelievable or unreasonable) + cheap, expensive, easy, low, high, long, short, small, large, early.STRONGLY ( collocates with verbs, particularly verbs that relate to having an opinion) + oppose, influence, believe, deny, recommend, support, condemn, suggest, feel, argue, object.Unit 7Make: it is about producing something.Do: it is about performing an action.Do someone a good turn: do someone a favour. Unit 8Go (is used for changes in peoples personality, appearance and physical abilities): Go mad/bald/grey/blind/deaf. Go (is used for sudden, usually negative, changes): his face went red.Go (can also be used for slower colour changes): the pages of the book had gone yellow over the years.Turn (often collocates with colours): turn gold, red.Get and become (often used with the same collocations but become is more formal): become/get angry, depressed, excited, bored, upset, impatient, violent. Become extinct, (un)popular, homeless, famous.Alternatives to get and become: to fall ill, to fall silent, to grow older, to grow louder.Unit 9Have a row: have an argument.Have a go: have a try.Take a liking to/ take a dislike to: to like/dislike.Take an interest inPay a compliment/your (last) respects/tributeUnit 10Words meaning old: ancient, antique (old and valuable), elderly(more polite than old).Words meaning with no one or nothing else or with nothing similar: single parent, lonely place/spot, travelling alone, desperately lonely, solitary figure, sole survivor, an only child, unique occasion. Synonym pairs: Close (meetings, discussions, conferences)/ Shut (your mouth) Start (used for engines and vehicles)/ Begin (preferred in more formal and abstract contexts) Big/ Large End (decide to stop)/ Finish (complete) Charge (used for batteries, electrical items)/ Load (used for cargoes, lorries, vans, ships,) Injure (collocates with words to do with people / Damage (collocates with words for things) Grow (collocates with crops, plants)/ Raise (collocates with animals, children)Unit 11Gain power/control/access (often used with abstract nouns relating to political authority)Gain a reputation/publicity/recognition/advantage (often used with abstract nouns that suggest benefit to the gainer)Win an award/a prize/a medal/a match Win a battle/a war/ an electionEarn a salary/money (you earn money by working for it)Make profit/money (you can make money by investing etc., not just by working)Achieve success, your goals, your aimsBeat, defeat (formal) a team/an opponentTake clothesCarry a mobile phoneWearing a hatCarry a suitcaseUsing a laptopUnit 12Flare: show a bright light in the dark.Blaze: very bright fire.Metaphors: Sunny smile/Sunny face (meaning happy) Face shines/Eyes shine(light is associated with happiness) Face lights up/Eyes light up (show that they suddenly feel happy) Atmosphere lightens/Mood lightens(becomes more relaxed and cheerful than it was) Dark thoughts (gloomy or sinister ones) Dark days, times (unpleasant times to live through) Face darkness/eyes darken/expression darkens (the person is unhappy, often because they are feeling angry) Ideas flow, conversation flows (suggests that things progress easily, without efforts) A flood/floods of tears, tears streaming down someones face ( suggests the person is crying a lot) People pour/stream somewhere (suggest lots of people moving smoothly) People trickle (suggests a few people moving slowly) A stream of visitors/traffic (suggests continuous movement) Heated debate, discussion, conversation (people disagree in an angry way with each other) Fiery temper (they often get suddenly angry) Tempers flared: people became angry with each other Violence flares up, trouble flare up: problems which existed before suddenly become serious again Cheeks burn with embarrassment Blaze of glory, of publicity: there is a lot of it and it is spectacular.Unit 13Unbroken sunshine: only sunshine, no clouds in the sky.Scorching hot: extremely hot.Soaking up the sunshine: enjoying the sunshine.Pouring with rainTorrential rain: heavy rain.Freezing coldGet soaked to the skin: very wetA break in the cloudsThick cloudLooks like rain: looks as if it is going to rain.A strong wind is blowingWeather deteriorates: weather is getting worse (opposite: improves).Thick/dense fogPatches of fog/mist: small areas of fog/mist.A blanket of fog/mist: thicker and more extensive.Fog/mist comes down (opposite: lifts)Strong sun (opposite: weak)Heavy rainDriving rain: rain falling fast and heavily.Heavy/fresh/crisp (fresh and hard)/thick/driving snowHard frost (opposite: light)High/strong/light/biting (very cold) windsThe wind picks up: it gets stronger (opposite: dies down).The wind blows/whistles.Freak storm: very unusual or unexpected.Freak weather conditions hit: struck, badly affected.Gale-force winds: extremely strong winds.Rivers burst their banks: rivers flooded.Unit 14Collocations for travel: Travel arrangements Travel agent Business travel Travel brochuresCollocations for journey: Tiring journey Return journey: opposite: outward journey Overnight journey Safe journeyCollocations for trip: Business trip Day trip Boat tripCollocations connected with flying: In-flight entertainment Fasten your seatbelts To board the plane (to go in the plane) Connecting flight Domestic flight -> in the same country Window seat/ aisle seat Charter flight: flight on a plane rented for special use Scheduled flight: regular flight organized by the company which owns the plane Smooth flight. Opposite: bumpy flight.Collocations connected with accommodation: Family-run hotel Run-down hotel -> crumbling, deserted, neglected Luxury hotel Smart hotel -> chic, fashionable Budget accommodation -> very cheap To make a reservation Fully booked -> unable to accept any more reservationsUnit 15Writing about landscape: Surrounding countryside Familiar landscape Gentle landscape: a landscape with nothing extreme/threatening about it Open fields: fields uninterrupted by woods or houses Bleak landscape: lacking vegetation and exposed to the elements. Empty. Mountains: Rocky mountains, snow-covered mountains, mountains towering(: mountains rising dramatically). To follow a path To turn a corner: syn.: to round a bend To catch a glimpse of: see for a moment To catch sight of To come into view To fall into ruin: become a ruin (a decay) -> it lies in ruins (It is) well worth seeing Dramatic setting Steep slope Fast-flowing river Unspoilt countryside: countryside that has not been changed by industry or modern buildings Dense forest: thick forest Block the view Stream winds: makes a lot of bends, doesnt flow in a straight line Protect the environmentLanguage of tourism: Uninterrupted view: nothing blocks the view Panoramic view: view over a very wide area Spectacular view: very dramatic view To enjoy/admire a view Breath-taking scenery: extremely striking and beautiful views Dominate the landscape: can be seen from a long way away Beach: the beach stretches (for miles), sandy beach, secluded beach (without many people), golden sands Peaceful/tranquil countrysideUnit 16Describing towns and cities: City skyline (skyline: The outline of a group of buildings or a mountain range seen against the sky.): City skylines serve as a kind of fingerprint as no two skylines are alike. Cobbled: made of a regular pattern of stones Conservative area -> traditional, conventional Quaint (old buildings): attractive because of being unusual and especially old-fashioned Upmarket (shops): for people with expensive tastes Pricey: expensive in a negative sense Avenues: The avenue RUNS from to... (north, south, ). Tree-lined avenues. Overpriced Good value (/quality) Relaxed atmosphere Residential area High-rise flats: high apartment buildings Inner city: central part of the city where poorer people live and where there are often social problems. Lively bar Imposing buildingDescriptions of the negative aspects of towns and cities: Urban wasteland: a city area which is empty and in a bad condition No-go (areas): where the police and authorities are afraid to enter (Streets are) strewn with litter Run-down (building): in a very bad condition Deprived areas: not having things that are necessary for a pleasant life, e.g. enough money, good living conditions Sprawling (city): spread over a large area (slightly negative) Bumper-to-bumper (traffic): so many cars and so close that they are almost touching each other Exhaust fumes Volume of traffic Incessant roar: very loud noise which never stops Confortable suburbs: a place from which many people travel in order to work in a bigger town or city Shanty towns: very poor houses made of discarded materials (e.g. tins, cardboard, plastic, etc.)Unit 17Good company: people enjoy being with them(Selfish) streak: an element of a specified kind in someone's character. Syn.: touch, dash. Sometimes acting in a selfish way.Lose your temper: get madVivid imagination: lively, strikingFierce(ly): strong(ly), powerful -> stronger than extremelyRazor-sharp mind: the person thinks very clearly and quickly (theyre very sharp)Painfully (shy): extremely, excessivelySnap (decisions): quick, impulsive decisionsKeep your word: keep your promisesTendency: an inclination (do to something)Bear a grudge: have or hold a grudge. Resent for a long time bad times others have done to you.Keep ones temper: not get angryTo make a fool (out) of someone: trying to deceive or trick you Brutally (honest): harshly, extremely, honest in a way that may hurtTo PLAY a joke/trickTake a joke: dont mind a joke being played on themSwallow your pride: do something although it embarrassing for youThrow a tantrum: behave in a very uncontrolled mannerCome to terms with: to accept something psychologically Reveal your true character: to show your true selfHaving a SENSE of humourFeeling a sense of responsibilityTo set high standards: to have very high expectationsUnit 18Words describing peoples physical appearance: Face: round face/pointed face/oval face (shaped like an egg) Chubby (cheeks): fat in a pleasant and attractive way Droopy (mustache): long and hanging down heavily Nose: straight nose/upturned nose Slim figure Slender (waist): attractively slim Lovely complexion: the natural color and quality of a persons skin Sleek (hair): smooth and shinny Shoulder-length (hair) (Immaculately(: having no stain or blemish)) groomed: their appearance is always tidy and looked after with great care Coarse (hair): rough, and not smooth or soft Broad hips Well-built: have strong, attractive bodies Broad shoulders Going bald: becoming bald Youthful appearance Thick hair Bushy eyebrows: very thick Tiny tot: a small child Jet-black hair: completely black Went grey Fair hair: light colored hairMore collocations describing appearance: Dumpy woman: short and stout (fat) -> used more often for women than men Portly gentleman: fat round -> usually used for middle-age and older men A lanky youth: tall and thin tending to move awkwardly Dishevelled hair: very untidy -> used of peoples hair and appearance To bear a striking resemblance to: looks remarkably like To have a striking appearance: unusual appearance in a positive and attractive sense Auburn hair: reddish brown hair (only used for hair)Unit 19Nuclear family: parents and childrenExtended family: wider network including grandparents, cousins, etc.Close relative: parents, children or siblingsDistant relatives: seconds cousins (children of a cousin of your mother or father)/distant cousinsClose/immediate family: people who are your nearest blood relativesVery close family/close-knit family: the relationship is a very strong oneCollocations connected with family: Loving, respectable, dysfunctional (unhappy, not working in a healthy way).Late husband/wife: husband/wife who has passed awayEstranged husband/wife: one who lives in a different place and had a difficult relationship with their husband/wifeTrial separation to eventually get a divorceBitter/acrimonious divorce: full of anger, arguments and bad feelingChildren whose parents have divorces/separated come from a broken homeStable home: if the family is a strong and loving oneDeprived home: poor familyTo START a familyTo EXPECT a baby and then HAVE a babyThe baby is DUE (followed by a date): expected to arriveTo raise/bring up children/a familyApply for custody of give/grant custody. Custody: the legal right or duty to care for a child after its parents have separated or passed awayTo provide for your family: to earn enough money to support your familySet up a home: to start an independent life in ones own flat or houseUnit 20To make friendsTo strike up a friendship: to start a friendshipTo form/develop a friendshipCement/spoil a friendship A friendship grows: gets strongerClose/special friendsMutual friends: friends you share with someone elseA casual acquaintance: someone you know a littleHave a good relationSHIP with someoneTo keep in contact/touch >< to lose contact/touchTo fall madly in loveMy love was returnedTo be desperately in loveTo make a commitmentTo love unconditionally (love that is total and does not change regardless of what you or the object of your love doesHaving an affair: have a sexual relationship with someone outside marriageUnit 21Blissfully happy: very extremely Lasting happinessThe happy couple: standard way of referring to a newly married coupleHappy occasion (when referring to marriage) >< sad occasion (e.g. farewell party)Desperately sadDeeply depressedTo feel a great sadnessBitterly disappointed: deeply disappointed: huge disappointmentTo let someone down badlyShowing ones feelingsFeeling increasingly anxiousTo be worried sickMounting (growing) angerWidespread condemnation: a lot of people in many different places have condemned (expressed complete disapproval of) itIt aroused feelings of (resentment)To be seething with anger -> suddenly become very angryEmotional (collocations): Highly emotional (e.g. experience), emotional response, emotional involvement, emotional impact, emotional wreck ( in a bad emotional state)To finish with someone: to break up with themUnit 22Short-let (accommodation): can be rented for short periods of timeStudio flats: small flats designed for one personTo move into a flat/houseSuitable accommodationNewly-built apartment Fully-fitted kitchen: kitchen that is already equipped with modern cooker, washing machine, cupboards, etc.Dream homeFour-storey house: four floor houseSpacious living roomTo have a view ofCosy study: office in homeLight, airy bedroomsOverlooks (the garden)Basement flatGranny flatTo add an extension/build an extension: build an extra room two onto an existing house(Completely) refurbished: renovate and redecorate (something, especially a building).To do up (an old house): repair, repaint and decorate (a house)Dilapidated (building): in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.Draughty (hall): cold and uncomfortable because of currents of cool air.Chilly (corridor)Cramped (room): uncomfortably small or restricted.A place of my ownAffordable housingTo TAKE OUT a mortgageHousewarming partyCollocations with home: To LEAVE home to move out To FEEL homesick To welcome someone home Make yourself at home To feel at home A second homeUnit 23Junk food: pre-prepared or packaged food that has low nutritional value.Nourishing meals: meals which make you healthy and strongThe fresh produce: foods produced from farming e.g. dairy produce, agricultural produceReady meals: meals already prepared or which need to be heated quickly before eatingFood additives: substances added to food to improve its taste or appearance to preserve itProcessed foods: foods which are changed or treated as part of an industrial operationGM foods: genetically modified foodsPerishable food: food which goes bad quickly (e.g. fish, cheese)Meal: light meal, substantial (large) meal, slap-up meal (unusually large and good), gourmet meal (high-quality)Home-cooked foodTo HAVE a quick snackTo be DYING of hungerA refreshing drinkA square meal: a substantial, satisfying, and balanced meal.To have a healthy appetiteA hearty breakfast: filling, generousA soft drink: e.g. cokeTo spoil ones appetiteThe set menu: a limited menu offered for a set number of courses, at a fixed price.To be reasonably pricedUnit 24A new book/film comes outTo review a book/film -> book reviewers, film critics -> book/film reviewsTo give a good/bad review(the film is) based on a true storyBook/film CAPTURES an atmosphere/ a book/film deals with (a topic)Opening/closing scenes of a filmOpening/closing chapters of a bookBeginning and end of a book/film (NOT start/finish)Central charactersHappy endingTo recommend a book/film -> highly recommendedTo go on the stage: to become an actorThe big screen: the cinemaSpecial effects: powerful visual effects, often created using technologyThe male lead: main male partFemale leadTo PLAY the role of aA cameo role: small but special partTo GIVE a performanceTo be nominated for an OscarBox-office hit: extremely successful with audiencesFull houses: cinemas/theatres with no empty seatsCast a film: select the actors for a filmStar in a filmShoot a filmMake a filmAbout books: To be engrossed/absorbed in a book Compulsive reading: so interesting that you cant stop reading Bedtime reading: what you read before sleeping An easy read Take out/borrow/return/renew a library book To flick/skim through a book Beautifully written (book)