Phrases & Expressions

To develop a view about something after thinking about it or getting information.

• Students should hear both sides of an argument before they form an opinion on a controversial issue.
• It's hard to form an opinion about a new manager until you have worked with her for a while.

Easy to talk to and pleasant, so that people feel comfortable asking for help or advice.

• The best teachers are friendly and approachable, so students are never afraid to ask questions.
• Our new manager is friendly and approachable, which has made the whole team more willing to share ideas.

To learn something that helps you understand a person, situation or subject more deeply.

• Work placements allow students to gain an insight into how real companies operate.
• By reading diaries from the period, historians can gain a valuable insight into everyday life in the 1800s.

To learn a skill by actually doing a job or activity, not just reading or hearing about it.

• Internships allow students to gain hands-on experience before they enter the job market.
• I volunteered at a local clinic to gain some hands-on experience of working with patients.

To produce electrical power, for example in a power station or with solar panels.

• More and more households generate electricity using solar panels on their roofs.
• The new offshore wind farm will generate electricity for around half a million homes.

A mistake in understanding that happened honestly, not on purpose.

• The double booking was a genuine misunderstanding, so the hotel offered us a free upgrade.
• What looked like rudeness was actually a genuine misunderstanding caused by cultural differences.

To be applauded by an audience who rise from their seats to show great admiration.

• The scientist got a standing ovation after her talk on cheap ways to clean drinking water.
• The students' end-of-year play was so impressive that the cast got a standing ovation from parents and teachers.

To go somewhere peaceful so that you can forget about work and everyday pressures.

• More and more city dwellers are renting rural cottages to get away from it all at the weekend.
• I just want to switch off my phone and get away from it all for a week.

To spend time living simply in the countryside, away from modern city life.

• Camping holidays let busy families get back to nature and spend time together without screens.
• Many people who move to the countryside say they wanted to get back to nature after years of city life.

To start organising yourself and doing something positive to achieve what you want.

• If I don't get it together soon, I'll never finish my dissertation on time.
• After failing two exams, Emre finally got it together and started studying every evening.