Phrases & Expressions

To encourage forms of tourism that protect the natural environment and benefit local people.

• Costa Rica has successfully promoted ecotourism as a way of protecting its rainforests while creating jobs.
• Governments can promote ecotourism by offering tax breaks to hotels that meet strict environmental standards.

Discussions aimed at reaching an agreement that go on for much longer than expected.

• After protracted negotiations, the union and the management finally agreed on a new pay deal.
• The trade agreement was signed only after protracted negotiations lasting more than three years.

To cause a strong feeling or response in people, often anger or surprise.

• The minister's comments about unemployed young people provoked an angry reaction on social media.
• Good advertising aims to provoke a reaction, whether it is laughter, surprise or simple curiosity.

To cut off some branches of a tree or bush so that it grows better.

• You should prune the roses back in early spring.
• We pruned back the apple tree because its branches were touching the roof.

To carry out a chosen course of action consistently, especially as a government or organisation.

• For the past decade, the government has pursued a policy of lowering taxes to attract foreign companies.
• If countries continue to pursue policies that ignore climate change, future generations will pay the price.

Parents who put too much pressure on their children to succeed, especially at school or in sport.

• Some teachers complain that pushy parents demand higher marks for their children instead of encouraging them to work harder.
• Pushy parents who sign their children up for endless extra classes may be doing more harm than good.

To set an upper limit on an amount, number or price.

• The government has put a ceiling on rent increases to protect tenants in big cities.
• The school has put a ceiling on class sizes, so no group will have more than twenty-five pupils.

To start living permanently in a place and become part of the local community.

• Young professionals find it hard to put down roots in big cities where rents rise every year.
• Many refugees want nothing more than a safe place where they can put down roots and raise their children.

To feel so sure that something will happen that you would be willing to bet on it.

• If you ask me, the new café will close within a year – I'd put good money on it.
• Most analysts would put good money on interest rates staying the same this month.

To be so much better than something else that it seems unimportant by comparison.

• The new phone's camera puts its rivals in the shade, especially for night-time photography.
• The city's new science museum puts the older museums in the shade with its interactive displays and virtual reality rooms.