Phrases & Expressions

To laugh suddenly and loudly, making a noise through your nose.

• When the comedian imitated the head teacher, the whole audience snorted with laughter.
• My sister snorted with laughter when she saw my terrible attempt at a birthday cake.

Prices that are going up very quickly to a much higher level than before.

• Soaring prices for food and energy have pushed many low-income families into debt this winter.
• Many young people cannot afford a home of their own, as soaring prices have put even small flats out of reach.

The social situation, relationships and surroundings in which someone lives or something happens.

• The meaning of a gesture can change completely depending on its social context.
• To understand youth crime, researchers must look at the social context in which young offenders grow up.

To seem very unlikely to be true or to happen.

• It may sound far-fetched, but some scientists believe that people could be living on Mars within fifty years.
• The witness's account of the robbery sounded rather far-fetched, so detectives began to doubt his story.

Something that repeatedly annoys or bothers people.

• Noise from late-night parties is a constant source of irritation for people living near the university.
• Slow internet connections remain a major source of irritation for students studying online.

To feel so embarrassed that you move about uncomfortably and want to escape.

• I squirmed with embarrassment when my mother showed my baby photos to my new friends.
• Some students squirm with embarrassment whenever they are asked to speak in front of the whole class.

To organise and hold a public event at which people show their strong opposition to something.

• Climate activists staged a protest outside parliament, demanding faster action on carbon emissions.
• Nurses staged a protest in front of the hospital to draw attention to staff shortages and long shifts.

A person or country that gives strong, loyal support, especially in difficult situations.

• The UK has long been a staunch ally of the United States in matters of defence.
• Throughout the campaign for a new school library, the local newspaper was a staunch ally of the parents.

To stop a person in a public place and check their clothes and bags for illegal items.

• Officers stopped and searched dozens of fans outside the stadium after reports that some were carrying flares.
• Some critics argue that the power to stop and search people without good reason damages public trust in the police.

To formally provide information or documents to an official inquiry, committee or court.

• Lawyers for the tenants have two weeks to submit evidence that the landlord ignored repeated complaints about damp.
• Several universities submitted evidence showing that the new visa rules had reduced the number of international students.