Phrases & Expressions

To be suddenly put into a very difficult, dangerous or unhappy situation.

• The country was plunged into crisis when the government collapsed just weeks before the budget deadline.
• Thousands of families were plunged into crisis after the factory, the town's main employer, suddenly closed.

To have firmly decided to do something and not intend to change your mind.

• She was resolved to finish her degree, however long it took.
• The new head teacher is resolved to reduce bullying in the school during her first year.

To react quickly and helpfully to what people need, ask for or complain about.

• The app's developers have been very responsive to user feedback, fixing most reported bugs within days.
• Local governments should be more responsive to the needs of elderly residents living alone.

To be extremely rich, or to suddenly have far more money than usual.

• Since her online business took off, she has been rolling in it and has just bought a house by the sea.
• Footballers at top clubs are rolling in it, while players in the lower leagues often need second jobs.

To suffer lasting emotional damage because of a painful experience.

• Many people who were bullied at school are scarred by the experience well into adulthood.
• She was deeply scarred by her parents' divorce and found it hard to trust people as an adult.

To have far fewer workers than are needed to do the work properly.

• Patients often wait hours to see a doctor in rural hospitals that are seriously understaffed.
• Because the call centre was seriously understaffed, customers had to wait over an hour to speak to someone.

To be chosen as one of a small number of candidates from whom the final choice will be made.

• Out of two hundred applicants, only six were shortlisted for the final round of interviews.
• Her first novel was shortlisted for a major literary prize, which increased its sales enormously.

To be short of money at the moment, so that paying for things is difficult.

• With rents so high, lots of young people are strapped for cash and end up sharing flats or living with their parents.
• The club is strapped for cash, so this year's end-of-season party will be a simple picnic in the park.

To be trapped in a dull routine, especially at work, with no change or progress.

• After ten years in the same office, I felt I was stuck in a rut and decided to retrain as a teacher.
• Travelling abroad for a year can be a good way to avoid getting stuck in a rut.

To be bought by a bigger company and become just one part of it.

• Many small, successful breweries have been swallowed up by multinational drinks companies in recent years.
• The start-up was swallowed up by a tech giant just two years after it launched its first app.