destination c1 & c2 unit 2 - phrases

sb

accounted for

The poor weather may have _ the small crowd (= to explain the reason for sth or the cause of sth)

account for

Computers _ 5% of the country’s electricity consumption (=to form the total of sth)

give an account of

She was asked to _ what happened that night (=to describe or explain a detailed report of)

take into account

We need to _ the impact of the new regulations (= to consider judging a situation/ consider, factor in)

take account of

The budget must _ the needs of the community (=to consider sth when you are trying to make a decision)

on account of

The game was postponed _the rain (= because of sth)

by all accounts

She is, _, a great teacher (= according to what other people say)

on my account

Don’t change your plans (=if sth is done , it is done because of that person)

associate with/ associate, with

People often _ the smell of baking _ their childhood (= to connect sb or sth in your mind with sb or sth else/ connect, relate)

hung in the balance

The outcome of the game _____until the last minute (= if the future of sth _____, it is uncertain what will happen to it)

strike a balance

It’s important to _ between spending and saving (=to give appropriate attention to 2 or more different ideas, subjects, etc./ middle ground, compromise)

upset the balance

Introducing new predators to the environment could _ of the ecosystem (= to cause a change in a situation that makes it less equal or stable/ disrupt, unbalance)

alter the balance

The new law could _ of power between the two parties (= to change the existing state of balance or equilibrium)

redress the balance

The government is trying to _ between rich and poor (=to correct or improve a situation that is unfair or not equal/ rectify, equalize)

balance between/ of

There is a delicate _ giving freedom and maintaining control (= a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions)

on balance

_, I think we should cancel the project (=when all factors are considered/ overall/ all things considered)

off balance

The sudden movement threw her _ (= in an unsteady or unstable position)

off balance

The question caught him _ (= surprised or confused by sth unexpected)

basis for

The allegations have no _ truth (=the underlying support or foundation for an idea, argument, or process)

on a daily basis

She visits her grandmother _ (= used to describe how often sth happens)

on a temporary basis

She is working _until a permanent position becomes available (= used to describe how sth is done)

on the basis of

They were chosen _ their qualifications (= the reason why sth is done or happens)

on the basis that

The decision was made _ the project was no longer viable (= used to indicate that sth is a fact or a reason/ based on, due to)

expressed her belief(s)

She _ in the importance of education (= to state or show what you believe in or what your opinions are/ state beliefs, voice beliefs)

belief in

His _ justice kept him going during difficult times (= confidence that sth is true or real)

belief that

There is a _ hard work leads to success (= an acceptance that a statement is true or real)

contrary to popular belief

_, not all birds can fly (=opposite to what is commonly believed/ against common belief, opposed to common opinion)

beyond belief

The destruction caused by the storm was _ (= too extreme, difficult, or unbelievable to be true/ unbelievable, incredible)

in the belief that

He acted _ he was doing the right thing (=with the conviction or expectation that sth is true)

widely-held/ popular/widespread belief

It’s a _ that exercise is good for your health (= a belief or opinion that is shared by many people)

firm/strong belief

She has a _ in the importance of honesty (= a belieft that is trong and not easily changed

growing belief

There is a _ that climate change is the biggest challenge of our time (= a belief that is increasing in strength or acceptance)

pick your brain

Can I _ about the best way to organize this event (= to ask sb who knows a lot about a subject for information or their opinion/ consult, seek advice)

racking my brain(s)

I’ve been _, but I can’t remember her name (= to think very hard, usually to try to remember sth or to solve a problem/ think hard, ponder)

the brains behind

She’s _our successful marketing campaign (= the person who is responsible for thinking of or organizing sth)

brainless

It was a _ to leave the keys in the car (= extremely stupid or foolish)

the brainchild of

The project was _the director (= an idea or invention which is considered to be a particular person’s creation)

brainstorm

We need to _ ideas for the next campaign (= to have a discussion or meeting with other people at work to suggest a lot of new ideas for possible development)

brainwash

The government was accused of trying to _ the public (= to force sb to accept your ideas or beliefs, for example by repeating the same thing many times)

brainwave

She had a _ and solved the problem immediately (= a sudden clever idea)

brainwaves

Scientists measured the _ of the participants during the meditation session (= an electrical signal in the brain)

brought to a conclusion

The negotiations were finally _ after several weeks of talks (= to end sth, especially by completing the last part of it)

came to/ arrived at/ reached the conclusion

After reviewing all the evidence, the jury _ that the defendant was guilty (= to make a decision about sth after careful consideration)

jump/ leap to conclusions

Let’s not _ - we need to gather more information first (= to make a decision about sth too quickly, before you have thought about all the facts/ rush to judgement, decide prematurely)

in conclusion

_, I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this event a success (= used to introduce the final remarks in a speech or piece of writing)

conclusion of

The _ the treaty was a historic moment (= the final part of sth, esp a document or agreement)

logical conclusion

Given the data, the _ is that we need to revise our strategy (= a decision or judgement based on reasoning that follows logically from the facts)

foregone conclusion

It was a _ that he would win the election (= a result that is obvious to everyone even before it happens)

take into consideration

You should _his age before making a decision (= to think about sth when making a decision or judgement)

give (serious) consideration to

We need to _ how this will affect the environment (= to think carefully about sth, esp before making an important decision)

shows consideration for

He always _his colleagues (= to think about and care for other people’s feelings and needs)

under consideration

Your application is still _ (= being thought about or discussed)

for your consideration

Here is a proposal _ (= presented to sb so that they can think about it carefully)

out of consideration for

She cancelled the meeting _ her colleague’s illness (= because you are thinking about sb’s feelings or needs)

doubt that

I _ she’ll come to the party (= to not be sure about sth)

have my doubts about

I _ his ability to succeed in this job (= to be uncertain or skeptical about sth)

casts doubt on

The new evidence _ the defendant’s innocence (= to cause people to feel uncertain about sth)

raises doubts

The lack of response _ about the company’s commitment to its customers (= to cause people to start questioning or being uncertain about sth)

in doubt

The success of the project is still _ (= uncertain or unsure)

doubt as to/ about

There is some _ whether the plan will work (= uncertainty or lack of conviction about sth)

beyond any doubt

Her guilt was established _ (= with no doubt, certain or definite/ undeniably, unquestionably)

a reasonable doubt

The jury must acquit if there is _ (= the level of certainty required for a jury to legally find a criminal defendant guilty)

without a doubt

She is _ the best candidate for the job (= certainly; unquestionably; absolutely)

open to doubt

The effectiveness of the new policy is _ (= not certain, questionable)

dreamed of/ about

She _ becoming a famous singer (= to imagine or think about sth that you would like to happen)

dreams that

He _ one day he will become a famous actor (= to imagine or think about sth that you would like to happen)

had a dream

Last night, I _ about flying (= to experience a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep)

a dream to

It’s always been _ travel the world (= an aspiration or desire to achieve sth)

beyond my wildest dreams

The success of the book was _ (= more than you could ever have imagined or hoped for/ unimaginable, incredible)

a dream come true

Winning the lottery was _ (sth that has happened and is exactly what you wanted)

in your dreams

You’ll be rich someday? _ ! (= used ironically to say that sth is unlikely to happen)

like a dream

The car runs _ (= do/work very well or successfully)

focus on

We need to _ improving our customer service (= to give a lot of attention to one particular person, subject or thing/ concentrate on, pay attention to)

the focus of/ for

Education is _ this meeting (= the main or central point of attention or interest)

in focus

Make sure the subject is _ before you take the picture (= clear and easy to see; well-adjusted, esp in photography)

out of focus

The picture was _ (= not clear or sharp; blurry, esp in photography)

focus group

The company held a _ to gather feedback on the new product (= a small group of people who are asked to discuss and give their opinions on a particular subject, esp in market research)

main/primary/major focus

Our _ is on reducing costs (= the most important area of attention or interest)

gave/had the impression that

He _ he was very interested in the project (= cause sb to have a particular belief or feeling)

(-had) gave the false impression that

Her calm demeanor _ she wasn’t worried (= cause sb to believe sth that is not true)

do an (- great) impression of

He can _ the president (= to imitate sb’s voice or behavior in order to entertain people)

created/made a strong impression on

She _ everyone at the meeting (= to cause sb to notice and admire you)

under the impression that

I was _ you were coming to the party (= believing, usually mistakenly, that sth is true)

first impressions

_ are often lasting ones (= the initial thoughts or feelings sb has bout a person or situation when they first encounter them)

made a mental note (-of/about)

I _ to call her later (=to make a special effort to remember something in your mind)

mental arithmetic

He’s very good at _ (= Calculations that are done in your mind without using a calculator or paper)

mental illness

She was diagnosed with a _ (= A condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, or mood and may affect their ability to relate to others and function each day)

mental age

The child’s _ was higher than his actual age (= The level of intellectual development as measured by intelligence tests)

mental health

Taking care of your _ is just as important as physical health (= A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being)

make up your mind

I can’t decide what to eat. I wish you would just _! (= To make a decision; to decide)

slipped my mind

I meant to call you, but it completely ____ (= To forget something; to not think of something)

crossed my mind

It never _ that she might be lying (= To come into your thoughts as a possibility or idea, usually suddenly)

bear/have in mind

_ that the prices are subject to change (= To remember or consider something when making a decision)

has a one-track mind

He _ —all he talks about is football (= To think about one particular thing and nothing else)

took my mind off

Going out with friends _ the exam (= To stop thinking about sth unpleasant)

brings to mind

The smell of the ocean _ our summer holidays (= To cause you to think of sth)

in two minds about

I’m _ whether to go to the party (= To be unable to decide sth)

on your mind

You’ve been quiet all day—what’s _? (= To be thinking or worrying about something)

state of mind

His _ affected his decision-making (= The mental condition someone is in at a particular time)

narrow-minded

She’s too _ to consider other options (= Not willing to listen to or tolerate other people’s views; prejudiced)