Collocations Flashcards
(42 cards)
How do you express “doing a task” with more emphasis on the effort involved?
- To tackle a task
- To handle a task
- To take on a task
- To work through a task
What’s another way to describe someone putting in a lot of effort?
To exert oneself
To exert effort in/for something
also to push oneself, to strive
How would you describe handling many details or getting into complex matters?
- To be in the weeds
- To dive into the details
- bogged down in details
Related: meticulous, fastidious
What’s a phrase to use for handling something with extreme care to avoid issues?
To walk on eggshells
How can you say “winning by a large margin” or “defeating someone soundly”?
To trounce someone by something.
Other verbs include to crush, to outmatch, to overwhelm, or to wipe out an opponent.
What’s a way to describe joining a popular trend or activity that everyone else is doing?
To jump/get on the bandwagon;
related phrases include to follow the crowd, to go with the trend, or to hop on the bandwagon.
How would you express “building up a large number of wins or achievements”?
To rack up
If a sportsman, sportswoman, or team racks up wins, they win a lot of matches or races.
What expression describes someone who is really eager and impatient to start something?
Champing at the bit.
similar expressions include itching to start or raring to go.
How do you say “returning to the beginning after making progress”?
To be back to square one;
similar phrases include to start over, to return to the drawing board, or to go back to basics.
What’s another way to describe sweating when working out or putting in physical effort?
To break (into) a sweat.
Other related phrases include to start sweating, to work up a sweat, or to exert oneself.
How can you describe making progress inconsistently, with pauses and starts?
In fits and starts
What’s a phrase to describe keeping up with the latest news or developments?
To stay/keep abreast (of something).
Related expressions include to stay updated, to follow closely, or to remain informed.
What expression can you use for comforting someone or going easy on them?
To cut someone some slack;
Similar phrases include to give someone a break, to be lenient with someone, or to show understanding.
How would you describe temporarily ignoring something to focus on something else more important?
To put on the back burner
Related expressions include to deprioritize, to set aside, or to delay until later.
What phrase describes looking back and understanding things more clearly afterward?
Hindsight.
Other ways to express this idea include to have hindsight or to reflect on the past.
What’s a phrase to express deep sorrow or sadness?
To cry one’s heart out.
Similar phrases include to weep bitterly, to let one’s emotions out, or to grieve deeply.
What’s a way to describe not being easily affected by stress or pressure?
To withstand something/someone (e.g., to withstand pressure, to withstand criticism).
Related verbs include to endure, to hold up against something, or to resist.
How can you describe focusing on minor details and missing the bigger picture?
To get hung up about something.
Related phrases include to obsess over details or to fixate on small issues.
What’s a way to say “relying on past experience or knowledge”?
To draw on something (e.g., to draw on one’s experience).
Related phrases include to call upon past experience, to utilize knowledge, or to fall back on experience.
How would you describe an old problem reappearing unexpectedly?
To come back to haunt someone; similar phrases include to resurface or to have consequences later.
What phrase expresses seeing the positive side of a challenging situation?
The silver lining.
Related expressions include the bright side or a hidden blessing.
What’s a way to say something is very common or not unique?
A dime a dozen.
Other phrases include commonplace, very frequent, or widely available.
What’s a way to describe thinking deeply about something or examining a problem closely?
To pore over something.
Other expressions include to scrutinize, to analyze carefully, or to reflect deeply on something.
How do you say something is gradually decreasing in amount or intensity?
To tail off.
similar phrases include to fade out, to dwindle, or to subside.
