Phrases & Expressions

To have strong, long-established origins in a particular tradition, place or period.

• Respect for older people is deeply rooted in Turkish culture and family life.
• The town's love of music is deeply rooted in its long history.

To be clearly different or separate from something that may seem similar.

• Weather is distinct from climate: the first describes daily conditions, while the second refers to long-term patterns.
• The dialect spoken in the mountain villages is distinct from the one used in the capital, so visitors often struggle to follow it.

To be officially chosen by a court as the adult a child will live with and be raised by.

• After the divorce, the mother was granted custody of both children, while the father could visit at weekends.
• Grandparents can sometimes be granted custody of a child if neither parent is able to look after them.

To be publicly praised as an outstanding work of art or as the best work of its creator.

• When it first came out, the film was hailed as a masterpiece, yet today it is rarely watched.
• The architect's new library has been hailed as a masterpiece of modern design.

To be killed by people in such large numbers that the species disappears completely.

• Several species of whale were nearly hunted to extinction before commercial whaling was banned in the 1980s.
• Without stronger protection, rhinos could be hunted to extinction within a few decades.

To wear clothes that are perfectly clean, neat and smart.

• The candidates who arrived for the interview were all immaculately dressed in dark suits.
• Even when she works from home, my aunt is immaculately dressed and wears full make-up.

To feel happy and ready to celebrate because something good has happened.

• Nobody was in a celebratory mood after the company announced that a hundred jobs would be cut.
• The fans were in a celebratory mood long before the match had actually finished.

To feel and show deep sadness because someone has recently died.

• The whole nation was in mourning after the earthquake killed hundreds of people.
• Flags were lowered across the country while it was in mourning for the former president.

To not agree with or match other facts, statements or results.

• The witness's latest statement is inconsistent with what she told the police last year.
• These findings are inconsistent with earlier research, so further studies will be needed.

To look or seem so similar to something that people cannot tell the two apart.

• Some images created by artificial intelligence are now almost indistinguishable from real photographs.
• At first glance, good-quality artificial grass is indistinguishable from a natural lawn.