Phrases & Expressions

To take part in an activity in a casual way, without serious commitment or for very long.

• Before choosing a career in graphic design, she dabbled in journalism and marketing for a few years.
• Many people dabble in investing online without really understanding the risks involved.

To work out that something is true by reasoning logically from the evidence available.

• Geologists deduced the age of the rock layers from the fossils found inside them.
• It is difficult to deduce much from such a small sample of participants.

Serious disagreements within a group or society about a particular issue.

• The debate revealed deep divisions over whether nuclear power should be part of the country's energy plan.
• The plan to ban cars from the city centre has exposed deep divisions over how the town should develop.

Strong emotional pain caused by something that someone has said or done.

• Her father's harsh comments left her with a sense of deep hurt that lasted for years.
• Many refugees speak of the deep hurt of being separated from their families and their homeland.

A state of being so poor that you cannot afford even the most basic necessities.

• Charities warn that rising food prices could push many more families into deep poverty.
• Children growing up in deep poverty often miss school because they have to work or care for siblings.

To reduce the anger or nervousness in a situation so that a conflict does not develop.

• Speaking calmly and respectfully is the best way to defuse the tension when a customer becomes angry.
• Diplomats are working hard to defuse the tension between the two neighbouring countries.

To come or develop from a particular source.

• Many English words derive from Latin, often entering the language through French.
• Much of the public opposition to the new law derives from fears about rising prices.

To officially make a nation's money worth less when exchanged for foreign money, often to help exports.

• The central bank decided to devalue the currency in order to make the country's exports cheaper abroad.
• When a government devalues its currency, imported goods such as fuel and medicine become more expensive.

To start suffering from an illness that gradually damages memory and the ability to think.

• Doctors ran several memory tests to find out whether the patient had begun to develop dementia.
• When my grandfather developed dementia, he slowly stopped recognising some members of the family.

To be different from what is usual, expected or typical.

• Researchers should explain any results that deviate from the norm rather than simply ignoring them.
• Children who deviate from the norm in the way they dress or behave are sometimes targeted by bullies.