Phrases & Expressions

To stay away from the hidden problems or mistakes that are common in an activity.

• This free guide helps first-time buyers avoid the pitfalls of purchasing a house.
• Good supervisors help PhD students avoid the common pitfalls of academic research, such as choosing too broad a topic.

Used, especially in adverts, to say that lots of things can be bought very cheaply.

• The posters outside the shopping centre promised bargains galore during the January sales.
• If you get to the car boot sale early, you'll find bargains galore.

To try very hard to achieve something when it is difficult or others are competing with you.

• Hospitals across the region are battling to cope with a sharp rise in flu cases this winter.
• Small bookshops are battling to survive against competition from online retailers.

To have people claim that you copied someone else's work and presented it as your own.

• The student was accused of plagiarism after the software found that half of her essay matched an online article.
• Even experienced journalists have been accused of plagiarism after reusing other writers' sentences without giving credit.

To be officially found not guilty of a crime in a court of law.

• After a six-week trial, the nurse was acquitted of all charges and returned to work.
• Many people were shocked when the driver was acquitted of causing the accident.

To be in a leading position in an area of activity, especially in developing new ideas.

• Companies that want to be at the forefront of artificial intelligence must invest heavily in research and talent.
• Our university has always been at the forefront of research into renewable energy.

To be officially prevented from entering a place or taking part in an activity.

• Athletes who fail a drugs test can be barred from competing for several years.
• Journalists were barred from the courtroom during the trial to protect the identity of the victims.

To be surrounded by a large crowd of people, such as journalists or fans, who all want something from you.

• On results day, the school office was besieged by anxious parents wanting to speak to the head teacher.
• The new phone was so popular that shops were besieged by customers queuing from early morning.

To be outside the range of topics that a piece of work is intended to cover.

• I'm afraid questions about funding are beyond the scope of today's meeting, but we can discuss them next week.
• The researchers admitted that questions about long-term costs were beyond the scope of their study.

To strongly disapprove of something and point out what is wrong with it.

• Many economists are deeply critical of the government's decision to cut funding for public transport.
• The report was deeply critical of the hospital's management, blaming it for long waiting times.