Phrases & Expressions

To succeed in making a country's economy expand so that it produces more goods and services.

• Many developing nations hope to achieve economic growth without causing serious damage to their forests and rivers.
• The new finance minister promised to achieve economic growth while also reducing unemployment among young people.

A single example or case of something happening.

• The report describes several instances of cheating in online exams last year.
• This is just one instance of how social media can spread false health advice quickly.

With very little warning before something happens.

• She had to travel at short notice for a family emergency.
• They cancelled the meeting at short notice.

To have the right to receive or do something because you meet the necessary conditions.

• At our local pharmacy, patients over sixty-five are eligible for a free flu vaccine every autumn.
• New employees will not be eligible for the company pension scheme until they have worked here for a year.

To have your meal or entertainment paid for by the person who has invited you.

• Put your wallet away – you are my guest tonight, and I insist on paying.
• When our partners visited from Japan, we asked them to be our guests for dinner at the best restaurant in town.

To be better in quality than something else.

• Many readers believe that printed books are superior to e-books for deep, focused reading.
• The new model's camera is far superior to anything else on the market at this price.

To do a careful, organised study of a subject in order to discover new facts or information.

• Psychologists are carrying out research into how social media use affects teenagers' sleep patterns.
• Before introducing the new policy, the government should carry out research to find out whether it will actually work.

To pay for something by asking for the cost to be added to your credit card account.

• Would you like me to charge the room to your credit card, sir?
• Any extra services, such as room service, will be charged to your credit card when you check out.

To ask someone a set of questions officially, for example for a job or a research study.

• The researchers conducted interviews with over 300 teachers to find out why so many leave the profession.
• Two senior managers will conduct the interviews, which usually last around forty-five minutes.

To take more of a medicine than the amount you are advised to use.

• Patients should never exceed the recommended dose, even if their pain does not improve immediately.
• Parents should read the label carefully to make sure they do not exceed the recommended dose for young children.