Phrases & Expressions

Causing a certain amount of public disagreement or argument.

• The decision to raise tuition fees was not without controversy, and students protested for several weeks.
• The use of artificial intelligence to mark school exams has not been without controversy.

Using a false reason in order to hide your real purpose for doing something.

• The scammer got into the elderly man's flat on the pretext of checking the gas meter.
• Some governments restrict internet access on the pretext of protecting national security.

Used to show that you are reporting the general meaning of what someone said, not their exact words.

• The manager told us the company was 'facing difficult times', or words to that effect.
• According to our guide, the castle was 'the most haunted building in Scotland', or words to that effect.

Used humorously to show that a criticism does not apply to the people you are talking to.

• Most people in this industry, present company excepted, have no idea how to use social media properly.
• Teenagers today spend far too much time on their phones, present company excepted.

Used by a pilot to report that the whole aircraft has left the runway.

• Once the whole aircraft was on the taxiway, the pilot reported "Runway vacated."
• The controller asked the crew to report runway vacated before the next landing.

Approximately; used before a number to show that it is not exact.

• The new hospital will create somewhere in the region of 500 jobs for local people.
• The festival attracted somewhere in the region of 20,000 visitors over three days.

Used to say that something will probably happen or is probably true.

• If you leave all your revision until the last week, the odds are you will struggle in the exam.
• With so many people applying, the odds are that the course will be full by March.

Used to say that something is unlikely to happen or succeed.

• Even though the odds are against success, the scientists are determined to keep searching for a cure.
• We have no experience and very little money, so the odds are against us, but we are going to try anyway.

A very large number of times, often more than seems reasonable.

• I've told you umpteen times to save your work before you close the laptop!
• My laptop has crashed umpteen times this month, so I'm finally buying a new one.

Used to ask what is worrying or annoying someone who seems upset.

• Tom has hardly said a word all day. What's eating him, do you think?
• You've been in a bad mood since lunch. What's eating you?