Phrases & Expressions

A society in which people care too much about money and possessions.

• In an increasingly materialistic society, children often judge each other by the brands they wear.
• Some critics argue that advertising has created a materialistic society in which happiness is linked to shopping.

To receive an angry or unfriendly reaction from people.

• Plans to build a wind farm near the village met with hostility from local residents.
• New ideas in science often meet with hostility before they are finally accepted by other researchers.

To be accepted or liked by a particular person or group.

• The new uniform design did not meet with the students' approval, so the school asked for alternative ideas.
• Any changes to the building plans must first meet with the council's approval.

The dishonest or careless spending of government money on things it was not meant for.

• The mayor was forced to resign after an investigation found evidence of misuse of public funds.
• Strict auditing rules are designed to prevent the misuse of public funds by government departments.

To go quickly to the next topic or point, especially in a talk or meeting.

• The presenter apologised for the technical problem and moved swiftly on to her next slide.
• The interviewer could see I was nervous about the gap in my CV, so she kindly moved swiftly on.

To unfairly change the rules or conditions of something while it is already happening.

• Students complained that the university had moved the goalposts by raising entry requirements after they had applied.
• The government has been accused of moving the goalposts by changing the rules on pension payments.

To say sorry quietly and unclearly, often because you feel embarrassed.

• The student mumbled an apology for being late and quickly sat down at the back.
• Instead of explaining what had gone wrong, he just mumbled an apology and left the meeting.

Dull, routine jobs that have to be done but give little satisfaction.

• Many people hope that artificial intelligence will take over mundane tasks such as data entry.
• I spend most of my morning on mundane tasks like answering emails and filing reports.

To say something very quietly, often a complaint, so that other people cannot hear it.

• When the teacher gave us extra homework, several students muttered something under their breath.
• Stuck in traffic again, the taxi driver muttered a few angry words under his breath.

A pain that is not severe but keeps continuing and is difficult to ignore.

• She ignored the nagging ache in her knee for months before finally having it checked.
• A nagging ache in your back can make it hard to concentrate during long lectures.