Collocations
Seize the opportunity: To take or grab a chance.
Example: "Seize the opportunity to apply for the job when it becomes available."
Reign supreme: To be the most powerful or authoritative.
Example: "Innovative tech companies tend to reign supreme in the market."
Sneer at: To smile or speak in a scornfully mocking way.
Example: "He would often sneer at the suggestions made by others."
Haunted by: To be troubled persistently by memories.
Example: "She was haunted by the mistakes of her past."
Be in the spotlight: To be the center of public attention.
Example: "She was in the spotlight after winning the prestigious award."
A flood of: A large number or amount of something arriving at once.
Example: "After the storm, there was a flood of complaints to the city council."
Exclusive economic zone: An area of the sea in which a state has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources.
Example: "The country’s exclusive economic zone allows it fishing rights up to 200 nautical miles offshore."
Withdrawal from register: The act of removing from an official list.
Example: "The company announced its withdrawal from the register after closing down."
Ill-suited to: Not well matched or appropriate for a situation.
Example: "The quiet library was ill-suited to the noisy debate occurring adjacent."
Be a staple of: A primary or basic item of consumption.
Example: "Rice is a staple of many cultures' diets."
At first glance: On initial observation before thorough examination.
Example: "At first glance, the solution seemed simple, but it had underlying complexities."
Rogue: A dishonest or unprincipled person.
Example: "The rogue trader caused the company significant financial damage."
On the verge of: About to happen; very close to.
Example: "The team was on the verge of a breakthrough in their experiments."
Sheer cost: The total expense or price of a project or item.
Example: "The sheer cost of the project was beyond the initial budget."
Entitled to: Having a right to something.
Example: "Employees are entitled to certain benefits after a year of service."
On top of: In addition to.
Example: "On top of his studies, he works part-time at a cafe."
Moratorium on: A temporary prohibition or suspension.
Example: "They announced a moratorium on new applications due to budget constraints."
Dash one’s hopes: To ruin someone’s aspirations.
Example: "The cancellation of the event dashed her hopes of attending."
Struck down: To invalidate a ruling or decision.
Example: "The legislation was struck down by the court."
Grave decision: A serious choice with significant consequences.
Example: "Choosing a career is a grave decision that requires careful thought."
Scurry around: To move hurriedly or quickly.
Example: "The squirrels scurried around the garden gathering nuts."
Quota: A fixed share of something.
Example: "The school has a quota for new admissions each year."
Bow to: To yield to someone’s demands.
Example: "In negotiations, you may need to bow to the other party’s demands."
End up content with: To feel satisfied with the final outcome.
Example: "After many discussions, he ended up content with the compromise."
Set aside time for: To reserve a period for an activity.
Example: "It is necessary to set aside time for study each day."
Take the lead: To be in charge or assume responsibility.
Example: "After the resignation, she decided to take the lead on the project."
Establish boundaries: To create limits in relationships or behavior.
Example: "It's important to establish boundaries in professional relationships."
Direct attack: An open and frank criticism of someone or something.
Example: "He faced a direct attack on his policies during the debate."
The bottom line: The main point or essence of an issue.
Example: "The bottom line is that we need to increase revenues to survive."
Shove around: To treat someone disrespectfully or with force.
Example: "She stood up for herself and refused to be shoved around."
Forced to struggle: Compelled to face difficulties.
Example: "The company was forced to struggle against increasing competition."
The roots of: The origins or causes of something.
Example: "To solve the issue, we must understand the roots of the problem."
Quiet things down: To reduce noise or chaos.
Example: "He tried to quiet things down after the argument broke out."
Ease the tension: To alleviate stress or pressure.
Example: "The meeting was held to ease the tension among team members."
Pitch in: To contribute or help out.
Example: "Everyone was asked to pitch in for the community cleanup."
Rally one's spirit: To encourage someone to feel more positive or enthusiastic.
Example: "A kind word can help rally one's spirit when feeling down."
Flock to: To gather in large numbers.
Example: "People tend to flock to the concert every summer."
Breathe life into: To revitalize or refresh.
Example: "The new manager managed to breathe life into the struggling department."
Attributable to: Capable of being explained by.
Example: "The error was largely attributable to a system glitch."
Got someone hooked: To fully capture an interest or attention.
Example: "The thrilling plot got him hooked from the first chapter."
Be introduced to: To meet for the first time.
Example: "Visitors will be introduced to various artists during the exhibition."
Be exposed to: To be made aware of.
Example: "Students should be exposed to diverse perspectives in their education."
Grow an appreciation: To develop respect for something over time.
Example: "With experience, he grew an appreciation for fine arts."
In one sitting: Completing something at once without breaks.
Example: "She read the entire novel in one sitting without putting it down."