UNITS 3&4 • PAT Flashcards
gain access to someone/something
collocation
1. to be able to arrive at or get inside a place
* “People could not gain access to the town because the bridge had been washed away in the floods.”
* “To gain access to the site, festival-goers have to pass through security.”
2. to be able to see or speak to a person
* “Some non-custodial parents struggle to gain access to their children after a divorce or separation.”
* “If you want to gain access to her, you’ll need to talk to her publicist first.”
3. to be able to use or obtain something
* “They have now gained access to safe drinking water.”
* “The thief gained access to her credit card.”
4. to open a computer file, a website, etc. in order to look at or change information in it
* “They were told that a firewall would stop hackers gaining access to their computer network.”
wheelchair access
noun
1. a method by which someone can enter or leave a place in a wheelchair
* “The Disability Discrimination Act requires businesses to provide ramps for wheelchair access.”
make a break
phrase
1. to stop having a close relationship with someone, especially stop living with them, or to change a course of action that you have had for a long time
* “You’ve been in your job for years - it’s time you made a break.”
* “She promised that her presidency would make a break with the past.”
* “For anyone looking to make a break from city life, this must be the perfect place.”
coffee break
uk |ˈkɒf.i ˌbreɪk| us |ˈkɑː.fi ˌbreɪk|
noun
1. a short rest from work in the morning or afternoon
change your mind
phrase
1. to form a new opinion or make a new decision about something that is different from your old one
* “If you change your mind about coming tonight, just give me a call.”
* “When I first met him I didn’t like him but I’ve changed my mind.”
* “George didn’t want to come, but we persuaded him to change his mind.”
* “I’m thinking of studying psychology, but I keep changing my mind.”
* “They had planned to go ahead with the court hearings that week, but lack of space forced them to change their minds.”
undergo
uk |ˌʌn.dəˈɡəʊ| us |ˌʌn.dɚˈɡoʊ|
verb
1. to experience something that is unpleasant or something that involves a change
* “She underwent an operation on a tumour in her left lung last year.”
* “Playing board games is undergoing a revival in popularity.”
clockwork
uk |ˈklɒk.wɜːk| us |ˈklɑːk.wɝːk|
noun
1. a system of springs and wheels that you wind (= turn) with a key or handle to make some clocks, toys, and other devices operate
* “a clockwork train/mouse”
date from something
uk |deɪt| us |deɪt|
verb
1. to have existed since a particular time
* “This map dates from the 14th century.”
date back to something
collocation
1. to have existed since a particular time
* “The house is said to date back to the seventeenth century.”
* “This method of calculation dates back to the days before computers.”
demand
uk |dɪˈmɑːnd| us |dɪˈmænd|
verb
1. to ask for something forcefully, in a way that shows that you do not expect to be refused
* “I demanded an explanation.”
* “The union is demanding a seven percent pay rise this year.”
* “[demand something from someone] He has always demanded the highest standards of behaviour from his children.”
* ”[+ speech] “And where do you think you’re going?” demanded the police officer.”
* ”[+ to infinitive] I demand to see the manager.”
* ”[+ that] She demanded that he return the books he borrowed from her.”
2. to need something such as time, effort, or a particular quality
* “This is a very difficult piece of music to play - it demands a lot of concentration.”
* “[demanded of] He seems to lack many of the qualities demanded of (= needed by) a successful politician.”
demand
uk |dɪˈmɑːnd| us |dɪˈmænd|
noun
1. a strong request [C]
* “You can’t give in to children’s demands all the time.”
* “[demand for] The government is unlikely to agree to the rebels’ demands for independence.”
* “They received a demand for payment.”
in demand
collocation
1. If someone or something is in demand, many people want or need to have or to buy them
* “Good teachers are always in demand.”
* “With salt stocks extremely low, these shipments are in great demand.”
* “Specialists find their services in high demand.”
on demand
idiom
1. at any time that someone wants or needs something
* “We tend to watch movies on demand via streaming services.”
* “It is now possible to print books on demand.”
* “The heat-controlled implant delivers insulin on demand.”
* “Information in any organization should be available on demand.”
* “Many fertility clinics offer embryo screening on demand.”
on-demand
uk |ˌɒn.dɪˈmɑːnd| us |ˌɑːn.dɪˈmænd|
adjective
1. available when a customer wants or asks for something
* “They will sell a voice recognition product as an add-on, on-demand service for their users.”
* “In the library’s warehouse, robots would manage stock and fetch books on an on-demand basis.”
2. involved in or relating to providing services when a customer wants or asks for them
* “The on-demand economy works by taking a service, such as meal delivery or taxis, and using technology to connect suppliers with consumers.”
* “HBO says that its on-demand business is not dominated by its hit shows but by the niche interests of its audience.”
3. able to be watched at any time
* “Most people in this region do not even have television, let alone on-demand movies.”
on-demand
uk |ˌɒn.dɪˈmɑːnd| us |ˌɑːn.dɪˈmænd|
noun
1. a service for watching films or TV programmes at any time
* “Cable customers pay an extra $6.95 a month for on-demand.”
energy
uk |ˈen.ə.dʒi| us |ˈen.ɚ.dʒi|
noun
1. the power and ability to be physically and mentally active [U]
* “Since I started eating more healthily I’ve got so much more energy.”
* “[have the energy] I was going to go out this evening, but I just haven’t got the energy.”
* ”[+ to infinitive] I didn’t even have the energy to get out of bed.”
* “[approving] Her writing is full of passion and energy (= enthusiasm).”
know
uk |nəʊ| us |noʊ|
verb
1. to have information in your mind [I/T, not continuous]
* "”Where did he go?” “I don’t know.””
* "”What does it cost?” “Ask Kate. She’ll know.””
* “She knows the name of every kid in the school.”
* “I don’t know anything about this.”
* ”[+ question word] We don’t know when he’s arriving.”
* “I don’t know (= understand) what all the fuss is about.”
* ”[+ (that)] I just knew (that) it was going to be a disaster.”
* “She knew (= was aware) (that) something was wrong.”
* ”[+ obj + to infinitive] Even small amounts of these substances are known to cause skin problems.”
* “[formal] The authorities know him to be (= know that he is) a cocaine dealer.”
2. used to ask someone to tell you a piece of information [T not continuous]
* “Do you know the time?”
* ”[+ question word] Do you know where the Post Office is?”
3. to be certain [I/T, not continuous]
* ”[+ (that)] I know (that) she’ll be really pleased to hear the news.”
* ”[+ question word] I don’t know whether I should tell her or not.”
* “The party is at Sarah’s house as/so far as I know (= I think but I am not certain).”
4. to be familiar with or have experience and understanding of [T not continuous]
* “I’ve known Daniel since we were at school together.”
* “She grew up in Paris so she knows it well.”
* “I’ve seen the film “Casablanca” so many times that I know a lot of it by heart (= I know it in my memory).”
* “Knowing Karen (= from my experience of her in the past), she’ll have done a good job.”
* “[formal] I have known (= experienced) great happiness in my life.”
5. If you know a subject, you are familiar with it and understand it [I/T, not continuous (also know about)]
* “Do you know about computers?”
* “She knows her subject inside out (= very well).”
6. If you know a language, you can speak and understand it [T not continuous]
* “Do you know any French?”
7. to recognize someone or something [T not continuous]
* “That’s Peter alright - I’d know him anywhere!”
* “I know a bargain when I see one.”
know all there is to know about something
idiom
1. to know a lot about a subject or activity, or be very good at it
