Phrases & Expressions

Many different kinds of something.

• The university attracts students from a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures and countries.
• Cities that are home to a diverse range of communities often have lively food and music scenes.

A sudden, short period of very heavy rain.

• A heavy downpour flooded several streets in the city centre during the evening rush hour.
• We got caught in a heavy downpour on the way home and arrived soaked to the skin.

A way of eating that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, beans and wholegrain foods.

• People who eat a high-fibre diet tend to have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes.
• Since I switched to a high-fibre diet, I feel full for longer and snack much less.

A slow, relaxed walk that you take for pleasure rather than to get somewhere.

• After lunch, we went for a leisurely walk along the river before heading home.
• The tour includes a leisurely walk through the old town, with plenty of stops for photos.

An important development that brings real progress or improvement.

• The discovery of antibiotics was a major step forward in the treatment of infections.
• Free childcare for all families would be a major step forward for working parents.

A large amount or number of something, often crowded or mixed together.

• In spring, the hillside becomes a mass of wild flowers in every colour imaginable.
• The report contains a mass of data, but very little analysis of what it means.

An extremely serious or urgent situation, sometimes one in which people could die.

• For patients with serious heart conditions, getting quick access to specialist care can be a matter of life and death.
• Try not to panic about one bad mark; it's hardly a matter of life and death.

A meal that is good for you because it gives your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs.

• Free school lunches ensure that children from poorer families get at least one nutritious meal a day.
• With a bit of planning, it's perfectly possible to cook a nutritious meal in under twenty minutes.

A combination of circumstances or a plan that will almost certainly cause serious trouble.

• Cutting the number of nurses while patient numbers are rising is a recipe for disaster.
• Leaving all your revision until the night before the exam is a recipe for disaster.

A sign that something may be wrong or dangerous and needs attention.

• A sudden drop in a student's grades can be a red flag that something is wrong at home.
• Investors should treat promises of very high, guaranteed returns as a red flag.