Phrases & Expressions

Very large crowds of tourists, seen as unpleasant or annoying.

• Several historic cities have introduced entry fees to control the hordes of tourists who arrive every summer.
• We avoided the main square because of the hordes of tourists taking photos.

The sending of goods to a customer as soon as an order has been placed.

• All items in stock are available for immediate dispatch and normally arrive within two working days.
• The shop promises immediate dispatch, but my order did not leave the warehouse for a week.

To bring formal charges against a president or other high-ranking official, which can lead to removal from office.

• Parliament voted to impeach the president after evidence emerged that he had accepted bribes.
• Opposition MPs tried to impeach the president over the corruption scandal, but they did not have enough votes.

Service that is perfect in every way, with no faults at all.

• The hotel is not cheap, but guests always praise its impeccable service and spotless rooms.
• Luxury brands rely on impeccable service to justify the high prices they charge.

To officially stop all trade in something, such as weapons or oil, with a particular country.

• Several governments imposed an embargo on arms sales to the region after the fighting began.
• The UN imposed an oil embargo on the country, which severely damaged its economy within months.

With an imaginative meaning that compares one thing to another, rather than the basic one.

• When politicians talk about 'building bridges', they are using the words in a metaphorical sense, not discussing construction.
• The novel describes a long journey, but the journey should also be understood in a metaphorical sense, as the hero grows up.

Regularly used by most people at the present time.

• Words such as 'selfie' and 'podcast' are now in common usage, although nobody had heard of them thirty years ago.
• Several expressions that were in common usage in the 1950s now sound old-fashioned or even offensive to young people.

To end up owing money, usually by borrowing it or by spending more than you can afford.

• Students in some countries incur huge debts in order to pay for their university education.
• The airline incurred massive debts during the pandemic and was eventually forced to close.

Eagerness and excitement that quickly spreads to the people around you.

• Our chemistry teacher's infectious enthusiasm made even the most difficult topics seem exciting.
• The volunteers' infectious enthusiasm persuaded many local residents to join the beach clean-up campaign.

To form an opinion indirectly, based on evidence rather than on what is directly stated.

• Readers can infer from the author's tone that she disapproves of the new policy.
• What can we infer from the fact that most participants dropped out of the study after a week?