Phrases & Expressions

To stop following a tradition, routine, or organization and start doing things differently.

• The young artist wanted to break from classical traditions in her work.
• He decided to break from the ruling party and form his own group.

To escape from a place such as a prison, especially by using force.

• A lion that had broken out of its enclosure was found asleep in the zoo café.
• The film tells the true story of soldiers who broke out of a prisoner-of-war camp in 1944.

To cause something to change, often gradually over a period of time.

• Many young people believe that online campaigns can bring about change faster than traditional street protests.
• The internet has brought about huge changes in the way people work, shop and communicate.

To practise and improve a skill or knowledge that has become weaker because you have not used it.

• Many retired people join conversation clubs to brush up on languages they last studied at school.
• I'm going to spend the weekend brushing up on my grammar before the IELTS writing test.

A relationship with many difficult periods, which keeps changing between good and bad times.

• They had a bumpy relationship for years before finally deciding to get married.
• The band's singer and guitarist have had a bumpy relationship, splitting up twice before reuniting.

To take organised action over a period of time in order to achieve a political or social aim.

• Parents are campaigning for safer cycle lanes near the town's primary schools.
• She spent her whole career campaigning for equal pay for women in the film industry.

To find a book so interesting that you do not want to stop reading it.

• Once you start reading this thriller, you can't put it down, so don't open it the night before an exam!
• The biography is so well written that even readers with no interest in science can't put it down.

To officially agree that money owed does not have to be paid back.

• Several wealthy nations agreed to cancel the debt of countries hit hardest by the earthquake.
• The bank agreed to cancel the debts of farmers whose crops had been destroyed by drought.

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.

A short advertising or campaign phrase that sticks in people's minds because it is simple, clever or rhythmic.

• The campaign's catchy slogan was printed on T-shirts and quickly spread across social media.
• A catchy slogan can get people talking, but voters also want to see detailed policies.