Unit 2- Phrases, patterns and collocations

account for

To explain the reason for something, or to be a particular part of something.

(give) an account of

To give a written or spoken description of an event or situation.

take into account / take account of

To consider particular facts, circumstances, or details when making a decision.

on account of

Because of something.

by all accounts

According to what everyone says or what is generally reported.

on sb's account

For someone's sake or because of someone.

associate sth with

To make a connection in your mind between one thing and another.

(hang) in the balance

In an uncertain state; undecided or critical.

strike a balance

To find a fair or acceptable middle ground between two opposing things.

upset / alter / redress the balance

To disturb, change, or restore a state of equilibrium or fairness.

balance between / of

The state of having equal proportions or stability between elements.

on balance

After considering all the different facts or opinions.

off balance

Shaken, unsteady, or unprepared for a sudden change.

basis for

An underlying foundation, fact, or principle used as a starting point.

on a daily / temporary / etc. basis

According to a specific schedule, frequency, or temporary arrangement.

on the basis of / that

Using something as a reason, foundation, or premise for a conclusion.

express belief(s)

To state or make known an opinion, faith, or conviction.

belief in / that

Trust, faith, or acceptance that something exists, is true, or is right.

contrary to popular belief

Used to say that a widely held idea or opinion is actually false.

beyond belief

Too extreme or incredible to be believed.

in the belief that

Acting with the assumption or conviction that something is true.

popular / widely held / widespread / firm / strong / growing belief

An opinion, faith, or conviction shared by many people or held with great intensity.

pick sb's brain(s)

To ask someone who knows a lot about a subject for information or advice.

rack your brain(s)

To think very hard for a long time to try to remember or solve something.

the brains behind

The clever person who plans, organizes, or invents a complex project or scheme.

brainless

Extremely foolish or lacking intelligence.

brainchild (of)

An original idea, plan, or creation belonging to a specific person.

Brainstorm

To hold a group discussion to produce ideas or solve problems.

Brainwash

To force someone to adopt radically different beliefs by using systematic pressure.

Brainwave

A sudden, clever idea or flash of inspiration.

bring sth to a conclusion

To cause something to finish or end.

come to / arrive at / reach a conclusion

To decide something after careful thought or investigation.

jump / leap to conclusions

To form an opinion hastily without having enough facts or evidence.

in conclusion

Lastly; to sum up what has been said.

conclusion of

The end or final part of an event, process, or document.

logical conclusion

The result that naturally follows from a set of facts or reasoning.

foregone conclusion

A result that is obvious and certain to happen long before it actually does.

take into consideration

To keep a factor in mind when making a judgment or decision.

give consideration to

To think carefully about a matter.

show consideration for

To be thoughtful and attentive toward the needs or feelings of others.

under consideration

Currently being discussed, reviewed, or evaluated.

for sb's consideration

Presented to someone for them to review, think about, or judge.

out of consideration for

Done out of thoughtfulness and respect for someone's feelings or situation.

doubt that

To feel uncertain about whether something is true or will happen.

have your doubts about

To feel suspicious or skeptical about someone or something.

cast doubt on

To make something appear uncertain or cause people to question its truth.

raise doubts

To cause questions or uncertainties to be brought up.

in doubt

Not certain or questionable.

doubt as to / about

Uncertainty or lack of conviction concerning a specific matter.

beyond (any) doubt

Completely certain; with absolute proof.

(a) reasonable doubt

A fair, logical uncertainty regarding a defendant's guilt or a claim's truth.

without a doubt

Certainly; definitely.

open to doubt

Uncertain, debatable, or not yet proven.

dream of / about / that

To contemplate a possibility, or experience images and thoughts during sleep.

have a dream

To experience a dream while sleeping, or have an ambition/goal.

a dream to

An aspiration, goal, or ideal objective.

beyond your wildest dreams

Better or more successful than you could ever have imagined.

a dream come true

A hoped-for wish or ambition that has actually happened.

in your dreams

Used to say that what someone wants is highly unlikely or impossible.

like a dream

Operating, moving, or happening smoothly, perfectly, or effortlessly.

focus on

To direct your attention, effort, or concentration toward something specific.

the focus of / for

The central point of attention, interest, or activity.

in focus

Clear, sharp, and distinct (referring to an image or lens).

out of focus

Blurry or not sharp (referring to an image or lens).

focus group

A small group of people brought together to discuss opinions on a product or topic.

main / primary / major focus

The principal or most important center of attention.

have / give the (false) impression that

To create a belief or appearance that may be misleading or untrue.

do an impression (of)

To mimic or imitate someone's voice, mannerisms, or appearance for entertainment.

create / make an impression (on sb)

To leave a memorable or strong impact on someone.

under the impression that

Believing something to be true (often mistakenly).

first impressions

The initial opinions and feelings formed when meeting someone or seeing something for the first time.

make a mental note (of / about)

To consciously decide to remember something for later.

mental arithmetic

The practice of calculating numbers purely in your head without paper or a calculator.

mental illness

A wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior.

mental age

A person's mental ability expressed as the age at which an average person reaches that ability.

mental health

A person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.

make up your mind

To reach a firm decision or choice.

cross / slip your mind

To briefly occur to you, or to be accidentally forgotten.

have / bear in mind

To remember, consider, or keep something in your thoughts.

have a one-track mindTo be entirely focused on only one subject or activity.

take your mind off

To help someone stop thinking about something stressful or unpleasant.

bring to mind

To cause you to remember or think about something.

in two minds about

Undecided or torn between two alternative choices or opinions.

on your mind

Occupying your thoughts; causing you worry or concern.

state of mind

The emotional or mental condition that a person is in at a particular time.

narrow / broad / open / absent-minded

Unwilling to accept new ideas / tolerant and open to others / ready to consider new concepts / forgetful.

under the misapprehension that

Mistakenly believing that something is true.

put into perspective

To assess the true importance of something by comparing it to other things.

from another / a different / sb's perspective

Viewed from a specific point of view or angle.

from the perspective of

Considering a matter through the viewpoint or framework of a specific group or situation.

in perspective

Viewed with a balanced understanding of relative importance.

out of perspective

Given more or less importance than it truly deserves.

a sense of perspective

The ability to judge what is important and what is trivial.

have principles

To possess strong moral codes or standards of behavior.

stand by / stick to your principles

To refuse to abandon your moral beliefs or rules of conduct.

principle of sth

A fundamental truth, law, or foundational rule governing something.

principle that

A basic rule or tenet stating that a certain condition holds true.

in principle

Generally or in theory, even if not yet detailed or tested.

a matter / an issue of principle

A situation involving fundamental moral rules or core beliefs rather than practical details.

against sb's principles

Violating someone's moral code or ethical beliefs.