Collocations Flashcards
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.