Phrases & Expressions

To deliberately leave someone anxious for a while, often as a punishment for something they did.

• My sister broke my laptop, so I let her stew all evening before telling her it could be repaired.
• The manager let the team stew over the weekend before announcing who would lose their bonus.

An exciting, busy and often stressful lifestyle, typically involving money, success and pleasure.

• After ten years of life in the fast lane in London, she moved to a quiet village by the sea.
• Many young bankers enjoy life in the fast lane, but the long hours eventually take a toll on their health.

To officially end restrictions on trade or other activity that were placed on a country.

• Foreign companies returned quickly once the sanctions were lifted and normal trade resumed.
• The United Nations voted to lift the sanctions once the country had met all the required conditions.

To bring great happiness and joy to someone.

• Their new granddaughter has really lit up their lives since they retired.
• Music teachers can light up a child's life by helping them discover a hidden talent.

Uncertainties that remain in your mind even after a question seems to have been settled.

• Despite the official report, lingering doubts remain about the safety of the new bridge.
• She accepted the job offer, but she had lingering doubts about moving so far away from her family.

To be separated from the practical problems of ordinary life, especially as an academic.

• As a researcher, I try not to live in an ivory tower, so I regularly talk to the farmers my work is meant to help.
• Policy makers who live in ivory towers often fail to understand the real impact of their decisions.

To live in great comfort, with plenty of money and expensive things.

• While the company's directors live in the lap of luxury, many of its factory workers can barely afford to pay their rent.
• The advert shows a couple living in the lap of luxury in a villa overlooking the sea.

To have so little money that you can only just afford the most basic things.

• Many pensioners are living on the breadline because their savings were wiped out by inflation.
• Despite working full-time, the cleaners say they live on the breadline and cannot afford new shoes for their children.

To live until you are very old.

• Eating well, staying active and keeping in touch with friends can all improve your chances of living to a ripe old age.
• My great-grandmother lived to a ripe old age and was still gardening at ninety-seven.

To put organised pressure on politicians or officials so that they support your cause or interests.

• Environmental groups have been lobbying the government to ban single-use plastics completely.
• Tech companies spend millions every year lobbying the government against stricter rules on data privacy.