Phrases & Expressions

The situation or event that you are most afraid of happening to you.

• For many parents, losing a child in a crowded place would be their worst nightmare.
• Because I was very shy at school, being asked to give a speech without any preparation was my worst nightmare.

A very small amount of something, used mainly in negative sentences.

• The minister claims the policy is working, but there isn't a scrap of evidence to support this.
• There isn't a scrap of truth in the rumour that the company is closing down.

(informal) to be uncomfortably crowded because there are more people than the space can really hold.

• Five of us travelled in the back of the taxi, so it was a bit of a squash.
• It'll be a bit of a squash, but I think we can all fit around the kitchen table for dinner.

To have to accept that something is true because the evidence leaves no other choice.

• Given the poor results, the committee was forced to conclude that the new teaching method had failed.
• After three unsuccessful trials, the scientists were forced to conclude that the drug was not effective.

Used to say angrily that someone's behaviour is unacceptable and should not continue.

• Someone keeps taking my lunch from the office fridge every day, and frankly this is just not on.
• Our landlord has ignored the broken heating for three weeks in the middle of winter – this is just not on.

Used as a command to take a safe body position before a crash.

• Seconds before landing on the water, the captain said, "Brace for impact."
• When you hear "Brace for impact", lean forward and keep your head down.

Used to say how many times bigger or smaller an amount becomes.

• The cost of solar panels has fallen by a factor of ten over the past two decades.
• Since the new railway line opened, passenger numbers in the region have increased by a factor of four.

Added after the first author's surname in a reference to show that other people also wrote the work.

• In your reference list, give the first author's surname followed by et al. if there are many authors.
• The study by Patel et al. is cited in almost every article on the topic.

Used to say that the design of something should be based on its purpose.

• The architect believes that form follows function, so the building is very plain.
• In this kitchen, form follows function: every cupboard has a clear purpose.

To have someone's company without anyone else around, so you can talk or spend time alone.

• After the conference, I finally got my supervisor to myself and asked her about my dissertation.
• Her parents are always at home, so it's hard to get her to myself for a proper conversation.