Phrases & Expressions

To make people feel strongly committed to you and willing to support you.

• A good leader inspires loyalty by treating staff fairly and recognising their hard work.
• Companies that inspire loyalty in their employees tend to lose fewer staff and spend less on recruitment.

To get involved in matters that are not your business, in a way that annoys people.

• My parents rarely interfere in my personal life, but they always give me advice when I ask for it.
• Several governments accused the foreign power of interfering in their elections by spreading fake news online.

To become involved in a situation in order to stop it getting worse or to improve it.

• The central bank may have to intervene in the currency market to stop the national currency from falling further.
• Teachers are trained to intervene in arguments between pupils before they turn into fights.

To live in a protected way, with little experience of the difficult or unpleasant sides of the world.

• Having led a sheltered life in a small village, he was shocked by the poverty he saw when he volunteered abroad.
• She had led such a sheltered life that she had never used public transport alone until she was twenty.

To officially end restrictions on trade or other activity that were placed on a country.

• Foreign companies returned quickly once the sanctions were lifted and normal trade resumed.
• The United Nations voted to lift the sanctions once the country had met all the required conditions.

Uncertainties that remain in your mind even after a question seems to have been settled.

• Despite the official report, lingering doubts remain about the safety of the new bridge.
• She accepted the job offer, but she had lingering doubts about moving so far away from her family.

To put organised pressure on politicians or officials so that they support your cause or interests.

• Environmental groups have been lobbying the government to ban single-use plastics completely.
• Tech companies spend millions every year lobbying the government against stricter rules on data privacy.

To start the official process of challenging a decision you think is wrong, especially in a court.

• His lawyers have lodged an appeal against the sentence, arguing that the trial was unfair.
• Students who disagree with their final grade can lodge an appeal within ten working days.

To look very tired, ill and worried, especially in the face.

• After weeks of night shifts, the young doctor looked haggard and could barely keep his eyes open.
• Parents of newborn babies often look haggard because they rarely sleep more than a few hours.

A business or activity that makes a lot of money.

• Selling online courses has become a lucrative business for some experienced teachers.
• Private tutoring is a lucrative business in countries where university entrance exams are highly competitive.