Phrases & Expressions

To carry out the actions needed to deal with a problem or achieve an aim.

• The government must take steps to reduce air pollution in large cities before it harms more children.
• Many schools are taking steps to protect their pupils from online bullying.

To act on your own and start something useful before anyone asks you to.

• Employers appreciate staff who take the initiative and suggest solutions instead of waiting for instructions.
• Nobody was organising the end-of-term party, so Leyla took the initiative and booked a restaurant.

Using or having the most modern machines, equipment and methods.

• South Korea is often described as one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world.
• Even in technologically advanced societies, many elderly people have never used the internet.

A climate that is never extremely hot or extremely cold.

• Thanks to its temperate climate, the region is ideal for growing apples and grapes.
• Countries with a temperate climate usually have four distinct seasons.

Said, often sarcastically, when one more piece of bad luck is added to your troubles.

• Oh great, the printer has run out of ink an hour before the deadline — that's all we need!
• The car broke down on the way to the airport, and then it started to rain. That's all we needed!

Said when you receive news that is exactly what you were afraid of.

• “Your flight has been cancelled, I'm afraid.” “Oh no, that's the last thing I want to hear!”
• My dentist says I need three fillings — that's the last thing I want to hear just before my holiday.

A family member seen as a disappointment or embarrassment because they behave differently from the rest.

• As the only one who never settled down, my aunt was always seen as the black sheep of the family.
• After I dropped out of law school to become a musician, I became the black sheep of the family.

Used to say that something is likely to happen or be true.

• Book early, because the chances are the cheapest seats will sell out within hours.
• The chances are that you will change careers at least once during your working life.

The negative aspect of something that is generally good or attractive.

• The downside of working from home is that you can feel isolated from your colleagues.
• Cheap flights are convenient, but the downside of flying so often is the damage it does to the environment.

Used to say that the situation ahead seems hopeless or very depressing.

• When the factory closed, the future looked black for many of the town's young people.
• Many small farmers fear that the future looks black unless the drought ends soon.