action verbs 3

Question 1

Arrange - V
1/ [transitive, intransitive] to plan or organize something in advance
[T] arrange something The party was arranged quickly./ We met at six, as arranged.
[I] arrange to do something Have you arranged to meet him?
arrange for something to do something We arranged for a car to collect us from the airport.
arrange for something The president arranged for a meeting in his office.
arrange with somebody (about something) I’ve arranged with the neighbours about feeding the cat while we are away.
2/ [transitive] arrange something to put something in a particular order; to make something neat or attractive:
The photos are arranged in chronological order. (of a number of events) arranged in the order in which they happened
She arranged the flowers in a vase.

Arrangement [usually plural]
1/ [countable, usually plural] a plan or preparation that you make so that something can happen
Travel and accommodation arrangements have been finalized.
arrangement for something I’ll make arrangements for you to be met at the airport.
2/ [countable, usually plural] the way things are done or organized
She’s happy with her unusual living arrangements.
new security arrangements
There are special arrangements for people working overseas.
Their domestic arrangements were considered unconventional at the time
3/ [agreement]
[countable, uncountable] an agreement that you make with somebody that you can both accept
We can come to an arrangement over the price.
arrangement between A and B an arrangement between the school and the parents
arrangement with somebody Guided tours are available by prior arrangement with the museum.
arrangement with somebody to do something They worked out an arrangement with another company to handle things.
arrangement that… They had an arrangement that the children would spend two weeks with each parent.
4/ [countable, uncountable] a group of things that are organized or placed in a particular order or position; the act of placing things in a particular order
plans of the possible seating arrangements
the art of flower arrangement

Question 2

Serve –v
1/ [MEAL] [transitive] serve somebody/something (of an amount of food) to be enough for somebody/something
This dish will serve four hungry people.
2/ [be useful] [transitive] serve something/somebody to be useful to somebody in achieving or satisfying something
Serve sth: purpose/the interests/the needs/function:These experiments serve no useful purpose./ Art serves an important function in our society./ How can we best serve the needs of future generations?
Serve sb: His linguistic ability served him well in his chosen profession.
3/ [provide something] SYN service: [transitive] to provide an area or a group of people with a product or service
serve somebody/something The centre will serve the whole community.
serve somebody/something with something The town is well served with buses and major road links.
4/ be suitable: [intransitive] serve (as something) to be suitable for a particular use, especially when nothing else is available
The sofa will serve as a bed for a night or two.
5/ [have particular result] [intransitive, transitive] to have a particular effect or result
serve as something (warning/reminder/role models) The judge said the punishment would serve as a warning to others./ The highly visible ruins serve as a reminder of the building’s history.
serve to do something The attack was unsuccessful and served only to alert the enemy.

Question 3

Concern –v
1/ [interest] concern yourself with/about something to take an interest in something
He didn’t concern himself with the details.
2/[worry] concern sb:
What concerns me is our lack of preparation for the change.
Fair use is one issue concerning most musicians.
it concerns somebody that… It concerns me that you no longer seem to care.
3/[affect/involve] concern sb:
to involve someone or something; have to do with:
This is an issue that should concern everyone.
To whom it may concern… (= used for example, at the beginning of a public notice or of a job reference about somebody’s character and ability)
4/ [be about] concern something (also be concerned with something)
The story concerns the prince’s efforts to rescue Pamina.
The book is primarily concerned with Soviet-American relations during the Cold War.
concern itself with something This chapter concerns itself with the historical background.

Concern –n /kənˈsɜːrn/
1/ [desire to protect] [uncountable] a desire to protect and help somebody/something
concern for somebody/something parents’ concern for their children
deep/genuine/real concern
2/[worry] [uncountable, countable]
concern about something/somebody Villagers expressed concern about the level of traffic.
security/safety/health concerns
to raise/voice concerns
3/ [something important] [countable] something that is important to a person, an organization, etc.
Our main concern is to ensure the safety of the children.
What are your biggest concerns as a writer?
The government’s primary concern is to reduce crime.
a big/major concern
4/ [responsibility] [countable, usually singular] (formal) something that is your responsibility or that you have a right to know about
This matter is their concern.
How much money I make is none of your concern.
How much we paid is none of your concern.

Answer 3

a

Question 4

procure –v /prəˈkjʊr/
1/ [transitive] (formal) to obtain something, especially with difficulty
procure something (for somebody/something) She managed to procure a ticket for the concert.
They procured a copy of the report for us.
procure somebody something They procured us a copy of the report. (The word “us” refers to the people who benefited from the acquisition of the report.)
2/ [transitive, intransitive] procure (somebody) to provide somebody to have sex with another person in exchange for money
He was accused of procuring under-age girls.

Question 5

Feast verb [ I always + adv/prep ] /fist/: to eat a lot of good food and enjoy it very much:
The two of us feasted on smoked salmon.
Feast -noun [ C ]
1/a large, special meal, often for many people, to celebrate someone or something:
a wedding feast
2/A feast is also a large meal:
We had a feast of fresh seafood.

Question 6

breather noun /ˈbriːðər/ (informal)
1/a short break for rest or to relax
to take/have a breather
Tell me when you need a breather.
a five-minute breather
2/SEE ALSO heavy breather: a person who gets sexual pleasure from calling somebody on the phone and not speaking to them

Question 7

manage –v
0/[do something difficult]: [transitive, intransitive] to succeed in doing something, especially something difficult
[T] I don’t know exactly how we’ll manage it, but we will, somehow./ Can you manage another piece of cake? (= eat one)
[I] manage to do something We managed to get to the airport in time.

1/[deal with problems] [intransitive] to be able to solve your problems, deal with a difficult situation, etc.
SYNONYM cope
manage on one’own : She’s 82 and can’t manage on her own any more.
manage with/without somebody/something How do you manage without a car?
I can manage without a dishwasher.
I don’t know how she manages on her own with four kids.
2/[ money/time/information]:
2.a/ [I] to be able to live or survive without having much money, support, sleep, etc.
manage on something He has to manage on less than £100 a week.
manage with something Everyone will just have to manage with less.
He generally managed on five hours’ sleep a night.
2.b/ [transitive] manage something to use money, time, information, etc. in a sensible way
Don’t tell me how to manage my affairs.
a computer program that helps you manage data efficiently
This enables pension funds to manage risk.
2.c/ [transitive] manage something to be able to do something at a particular time
Let’s meet up again—can you manage next week sometime?

Answer 7

A

Question 8

manipulate something (formal) :to control, use or change something with skill
to manipulate the gears and levers of a machine
Computers are very efficient at manipulating information.
genetically manipulated organisms

Question 9

measure : [judge] measure something | measure how, what, etc… to judge the importance, value or effect of something
SYNONYM assess
It is difficult to measure the success of the campaign at this stage.
The company never measures success in dollars alone.
Regular tests are used to measure students’ progress.
How does a teacher measure performance in music or gym, for example?

Question 10

Mediate - v
1/ SYN arbitrate (differences/disputes/problems): [I] [T] to try to end a situation between two or more people or groups who disagree by talking to them and trying to find things that everyone can agree on
mediate something : to mediate differences/disputes/problems
mediate between A and B An independent body was brought in to mediate between staff and management.
2/negotiate [transitive] mediate something (mediate differences/disputes/problems) to succeed in finding a solution to a problem between people or groups who disagree, to arrange or agree something by formal discussion
SYNONYM negotiate (to negotiate a solution/deal/contract/treaty/settlement/We successfully negotiated the release of the hostages.)
They mediated a settlement.
The UN attempted to mediate a solution to the conflict.
3/ [transitive, usually passive] (formal or specialist) to influence something and/or make it possible for it to happen
be mediated (by something) Educational success is mediated by economic factors.

Answer 10

a

Question 11

mastermind something [T] to plan and direct a complicated project or activity
She masterminded the president’s election campaign.

Question 12

Motivate [T]: [often passive] to be the reason why somebody does something or behaves in a particular way
motivate somebody (to do something) What motivates people to carry out such attacks?
be motivated by something He is motivated entirely by self-interest.

persuade Vs. convince
-The main meaning of persuade is to make someone agree to do something by giving them good reasons for doing it:
persuade somebody to do something :I tried to persuade her to see a doctor.
-The main meaning of convince is to make someone believe that something is true:
convince somebody/yourself Are the prime minister’s assurances enough to convince the public?/ to try/manage/fail to convince somebody/yourself
convince somebody/yourself of something You’ll need to convince them of your enthusiasm for the job.
convince somebody/yourself (that)…He convinced me he was right.

Answer 12

a

Question 13

Model sth (behavior) –v :set an example
[transitive] model something to set an example of behaviour that you want other people to copy
Managers must model behaviour that is open and vulnerable.
Teachers may need to model appropriate discussion behaviours.

Question 14

Venom (formal) /ˈvenəm/ a strong, bitter feeling; feelings of hate and a desire to hurt somebody
His voice was full of venom.
a look of pure venom

Question 15

map something [T] to discover or give information about something, especially the way it is arranged or organized
It is now possible to map the different functions of the brain.
scientific discoveries which help to map our distant past

the (dim and) distant past: a long time ago
stories from the dim and distant past
In the distant past this land was covered in forests.

Answer 15

a

Question 16

Observe sth: [transitive] SYN: obey: observe something to obey rules, laws, etc.
Will the rebels observe the ceasefire?
The crowd observed a minute’s silence (= were silent for one minute) in memory of those who had died.

Question 17

Obtain [I]: (of rules, systems, customs, etc.) to exist
SYNONYM apply
These conditions no longer obtain.

Question 18

Apply –v
1/[work hard]
[transitive] to work at something or study something very hard
apply yourself You would pass your exams if you applied yourself.
apply yourself/something to (doing) something We applied our minds to finding a solution to our problem.
2/[press hard]
[transitive] to press on something hard with your hand, foot, etc. to make something work or have an effect on something
apply something to apply the brakes (of a vehicle)
apply something to something Pressure applied to the wound will stop the bleeding.
3/be relevant: (i) (t): to affect or be relevant to sb/sth:
Apply to sb/sth: the rules applied to employees and their behavior at work
Apply sth to sb/sth: the work ‘unexciting’ could never be applied to her novels

Answer 18

A

Question 19

Officiate -verb [ I ] /əˈfɪʃ·iˌeɪt/: to be in charge of a sports event and make decisions about the rules of play, or to lead a ceremony or other public event:
Lambert was a football official for three decades and officiated in ten postseason games.
A judge officiated at the wedding.

Question 20

Operate - v
1/ [machine]
1.a/[intransitive] + adv./prep. to work in a particular way SYNONYM function
Most domestic freezers operate at below −18°C.
Solar panels can only operate in sunlight.
1.b/ [transitive] operate something to use or control a machine or make it work
What skills are needed to operate this machinery?
They use a remotely operated camera.
The doors can be manually operated in the event of fire.
2/ [business/organization/service]
2.a/ [transitive] operate something to manage a business, organization or service
The airline currently operates flights to 25 countries.
By last year, the chain was operating 388 stores in 47 states.
He started and operated a successful technology business.
The company operates public transport services across the world.
2.b/ [intransitive] + adv./prep. (of a business, organization or service) to work, especially in a particular way or from a particular place
A new late-night service is now operating.
They plan to operate from a new office in Edinburgh.
Retailers operate in a fast-paced environment.
The business operates on a cooperative basis.
3/ [system/process]
[intransitive, transitive] to be used or working; to use something or make it work
The regulation operates in favour of married couples.
He believes that sinister forces are operating.
operate something France operates a system of subsidized loans to dairy farmers.
4/ [medical]
[intransitive] to cut open somebody’s body in order to remove a part that has a disease or to repair a part that is damaged
Surgeons operated last night.
operate on somebody/something We will have to operate on his eyes.
She was operated on the next day.

Question 21

Organize –v
1/[transitive] organize yourself/somebody to plan your/somebody’s work and activities in an efficient way
I’m sure you don’t need me to organize you.
2/[transitive, intransitive] organize (somebody/yourself) (into something) to form a group of people with a shared aim, especially a union or political party
the right of workers to organize themselves into unions
Campaigns brought women together to organize.

Question 22

Orient –v
1/ [usually passive] orient somebody/something (to/towards somebody/something) to direct somebody/something towards something; to make or adapt somebody/something for a particular purpose
Our students are oriented towards science subjects.
policies oriented to the needs of working mothers
We run a commercially oriented operation.
Neither of them is politically oriented (= interested in politics).
2/ orient yourself to find your position in relation to everything that is around or near you
The mountaineers found it hard to orient themselves in the fog.
3/orient yourself to make yourself familiar with a new situation
It took him some time to orient himself in his new school.

Question 23

Overcome [T] [usually passive] overcome somebody to affect somebody very strongly
SYNONYM overwhelm
Her parents were overcome with grief at the funeral.
Overcome by curiosity, the boy looked through the window.
The dead woman had been overcome by smoke.

Question 24

oversee somebody/something to watch somebody/something and make sure that a job or an activity is done correctly
SYNONYM supervise
United Nations observers oversaw the elections.

Question 25

pinpoint verb /ˈpɪnpɔɪnt/
Verb Forms
1/pinpoint something (location, position, area..) to find and show the exact position of somebody/something or the exact time that something happened
He was able to pinpoint on the map the site of the medieval village.
With this you can pinpoint the precise location of the sound.
2/ pinpoint something (cause, reason,..): to discover or describe the exact facts about something:
Emergency workers at the site are still unable to pinpoint the cause of the explosion.

Answer 25

a

Question 26

Perceive /pərˈsiːv/
1/to notice or become aware of something
perceive something I perceived a change in his behaviour.
perceive that… She perceived that all was not well.
perceive somebody/something to be/have something The patient was perceived to have difficulty in breathing.
2/ to understand or think of somebody/something in a particular way
SYNONYM see
perceive somebody/something/yourself (as something) This discovery was perceived as a major breakthrough.
I do not perceive myself as an expert.
A science degree and artistic interests are often perceived as incompatible.
perceive somebody/something to be/have something They were widely perceived to have been unlucky.

precede verb /prɪˈsiːd/ (formal)
1/ precede somebody/something to happen before something or come before something/somebody in order
the years preceding the war
His resignation was preceded by weeks of speculation.
She preceded me in the job.
in the moments which immediately preceded the earthquake
2/precede somebody + adv./prep. to go in front of somebody
She preceded him out of the room.
3/precede something with something to do or say something to introduce something else
She preceded her speech with a vote of thanks to the committee. (vote of thanks [S]:an act of formally and publicly thanking a person or organization for something they have done)

Answer 26

a

Question 27

originate verb /əˈrɪdʒɪneɪt/
1/[intransitive] (+ adv./prep.) to happen or appear for the first time in a particular place or situation
The disease is thought to have originated in the tropics.
The word originated as a marketing term.
2/ [transitive] originate something to create something new
Locke originated this theory in the 17th century.
3/ [intransitive] to start in a particular place
originate in… His flight originated in Japan.
originate from/out of… Flights originating out of Toronto should reach Edmonton without much problem.
originate at… 28 trains now originate and terminate at Tambaram.
originate from… The call had originated from Jamaica/a cell phone.

Question 28

orchestrate something [T] /ˈɔːkɪstreɪt/ to organize a complicated plan or event very carefully or secretly
SYNONYM stage-manage
a carefully orchestrated publicity campaign
The group is accused of orchestrating violence at demonstrations.

Question 29

Offer - v
- [transitive] offer something (to somebody/something) to show that you are ready to resist or attack somebody/something
Universities offered little resistance to these changes.
He never lost his temper or offered violence to anyone.
-Phrase: have something to offer: to have something available that somebody wants
Oxford has a lot to offer visitors in the way of entertainment.
a young man with a great deal to offer (= who is intelligent, has many skills, etc.)

Question 30

navigate [transitive] navigate something to find the right way to deal with a difficult or complicated situation
-[T] [choppy waters/the complex] We next had to navigate a complex network of committees./to navigate the choppy waters of recession and thrive (complex –n: a disproportionate concern or anxiety about something.: “there’s no point having a complex about losing your hair”)
-navigate (sth) through sth :
[T] She has successfully faced the task of navigating the company through its most difficult period in 25 years.
[I] The market has come and gone and management has been very successful in navigating through.

Question 31

Hatred –n: /ˈheɪtrɪd/: a very strong feeling of dislike for somebody/something
He looked at me with intense hatred.
There was fear and hatred in his voice.
racial hatred (= hatred for people from a different race)/ The debate simply revived old hatreds.
hatred for somebody/something She felt nothing but hatred for her attacker.
hatred of somebody/something a profound hatred of war
hatred towards somebody feelings of hatred towards the bombers

Question 32

Penalty:
-N: penalty (of something) a disadvantage suffered as a result of something
One of the penalties of fame is loss of privacy.
-phrase: pay the/a penalty/price (for something/for doing something): to suffer because of bad luck, a mistake or something you have done
He looked terrible this morning. I think he’s paying the penalty for all those late nights.
They’re now paying the price for past mistakes.

Question 33

exempt verb /ɪɡˈzempt/ (formal): to give somebody official permission not to do something or not to pay something they would normally have to do or pay; to cause somebody to get this official permission
exempt somebody/something (from doing something) Charities were exempted from paying the tax.
exempt somebody/something from something His bad eyesight exempted him from military service.

Question 34

levy verb /ˈlevi/ [T]
levy something (on somebody/something) to use official authority to demand and collect a payment, tax, etc.
a tax levied by the government on excess company profits
A $30 million fine was levied against the company.
It was a local tax levied by the council on the occupiers of land and buildings.
Oxford Collocations DictionaryLevy is used with these nouns as the object:
* charge
* excise
* fine
* …

Question 35

clear something up
-(remove doubt) clear something up (confusion/doubt/mystery/misconception…): B2: to give or find an explanation for something, or to deal with a problem or argument:
They never cleared up the mystery of the missing money.
After 20 years the case has finally been cleared up.
- (GET BETTER): clear up: (of an illness or bad weather) to go away, changing into a better condition:
If my cold doesn’t clear up, it will ruin my vacation.
Let’s hope the weather clears up.

Question 36

to that/this end –idiom- formal: as a way of dealing with or doing something
We want to save the building. To this end, we have hired someone to assess its current state.
and another thing – idiom: used to introduce one more in a series of arguments or complaints: And another thing, why didn’t you tell me you were going out?
and all that -phrase informal: and everything related to the subject mentioned: I hate those girls - they’re so fake, and mean, and all that.
With all that being said,..: With all that being said, I think you have to be very proactive of making your own voice heard, so to speak.
in a manner of speaking (= in some sense; so to speak.; if you will): “he’s not here, so in a manner of speaking I’m in charge”/ I ought not to tell you but I will, since you’re in the family, so to speak.

Question 37

say it all – idiom : to completely express (a meaning, emotion, etc.) without using words
His face said it all.

onwards and upwards - idiom: toward a better condition or higher level
Technology has been steadily moving onwards and upwards.

not be/seem oneself : phrase (also mainly UK not feel herself): not to be, seem, or feel as happy or healthy as usual:
Is Michelle all right? She doesn’t seem quite herself at the moment.
She hasn’t been herself since her dog died.

par excellence adjective /ˌpɑːr ˌeksəˈlɑːns/ (from French): (only used after the noun it describes): better than all the others of the same kind; a very good example of something
She turned out to be an organizer par excellence.