Phrases & Expressions

A strong feeling of wanting to do or have something.

• Many volunteers are driven by a desire to help people less fortunate than themselves.
• Her desire to see the world led her to take a gap year before university.

Many different kinds of something.

• The university attracts students from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and countries.
• Cities that are home to a diverse range of communities often have lively food and music scenes.

A sudden, short period of very heavy rain.

• A heavy downpour flooded several streets in the city centre during the evening rush hour.
• We got caught in a heavy downpour on the way home and arrived soaked to the skin.

A way of eating that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, beans and wholegrain foods.

• People who eat a high-fibre diet tend to have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
• Since I switched to a high-fibre diet, I feel full for longer and snack much less.

A slow, relaxed walk that you take for pleasure rather than to get somewhere.

• After lunch, we went for a leisurely walk along the river before heading home.
• The tour includes a leisurely walk through the old town, with plenty of stops for photos.

An important development that brings real progress or improvement.

• The discovery of antibiotics was a major step forward in the treatment of infections.
• Free childcare for all families would be a major step forward for working parents.

A meal that is good for you because it gives your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs.

• Free school lunches ensure that children from poorer families get at least one nutritious meal a day.
• With a bit of planning, it's perfectly possible to cook a nutritious meal in under twenty minutes.

An awareness that a situation is serious and needs to be dealt with quickly.

• The report calls for a sense of urgency in tackling the shortage of nurses, which is getting worse every year.
• The new manager brought a sense of urgency to the team, and projects started finishing on time.

A fairly large part or percentage of a total amount or group.

• A significant proportion of the population still lives in rural areas.
• Food waste accounts for a significant proportion of household rubbish in most European countries.

An awkward problem that needs careful handling.

• Being asked by your boss to keep a secret from your colleagues puts you in a sticky situation.
• Forgetting a client's name halfway through a meeting can leave you in a sticky situation.