Phrases & Expressions

A pain that is not severe but keeps continuing and is difficult to ignore.

• She ignored the nagging ache in her knee for months before finally having it checked.
• A nagging ache in your back can make it hard to concentrate during long lectures.

To formally tell someone that you are sorry that a person close to them has died.

• The head teacher offered her condolences to the family on behalf of the whole school.
• I would like to offer my condolences on the death of your father; he was a wonderful teacher.

Because the police believe that someone may be guilty of a particular crime.

• Three men were arrested on suspicion of smuggling stolen artworks out of the country.
• A bank employee has been questioned on suspicion of stealing money from customers' accounts.

To make it illegal to use something by passing a law.

• Many countries have outlawed the use of single-use plastic bags in supermarkets.
• Campaigners want the government to outlaw the use of certain pesticides that harm bees.

To cover some of the same subjects, ideas or areas as something else.

• Your essay topic overlaps with a classmate's, so you should discuss it with your tutor.
• Much of the new course overlaps with material that students already covered in their first year.

To bring down a government or leader through a coup, uprising or armed revolt.

• Many feared that the protests would turn into an armed attempt to overthrow the government.
• The rebels' main aim was to overthrow the government and hold free elections.

To officially reverse a court's ruling, so that the original result no longer stands.

• The appeal court overturned the verdict after new DNA evidence proved the man was innocent.
• It is rare for judges to overturn a verdict reached by a jury.

To officially approve new laws, as a parliament or government does.

• Several countries have passed legislation that requires large companies to report their carbon emissions.
• The government promised to pass legislation protecting workers in the gig economy before the next election.

To praise someone publicly and show respect for them, especially after their death or retirement.

• Hundreds of former students attended the ceremony to pay tribute to a teacher who had worked at the school for forty years.
• The health minister paid tribute to the nurses and doctors who had kept hospitals running during the pandemic.

Opposing an unfair government, law or decision through protest, without using any violence.

• The protesters remained committed to peaceful resistance, even when police used tear gas against them.
• Months of peaceful resistance, including sit-ins and silent marches, finally persuaded the council to save the old library.