Phrases & Expressions

To spread the remains of a dead person's body over a place after it has been burnt.

• In some places you need official permission to scatter someone's ashes on public land or in a river.
• Many families now prefer to scatter their loved one's ashes in a meaningful place rather than hold a burial.

To do something meant to help yourself that actually damages your own position.

• The airline scored an own goal with its new baggage fees, which drove thousands of customers to its rivals.
• He scored an own goal by posting angry complaints about his employer online, and was soon fired.

To frown at someone in a way that shows you are annoyed or angry.

• The librarian scowled at the students who were chatting loudly near the computers.
• My elderly neighbour scowls at anyone who parks in front of his house, even for a minute.

To block unwanted items, such as junk emails or calls, before they get to you.

• The new email system screens out messages from unknown senders and puts them in quarantine.
• I use an app that screens out nuisance calls from companies trying to sell me things.

Extremely honest and careful to do everything in a fair and correct way.

• Accountants must be scrupulously honest, since their clients trust them with highly sensitive financial information.
• She was scrupulously honest about the weaknesses of her research, which made her conclusions more convincing.

To judge situations too simply, as if everything were either completely right or completely wrong.

• Teenagers often see things in black and white, but with experience they learn that most problems are complicated.
• Good judges should never see things in black and white; they must consider the circumstances of each case.

To try to start working in a particular profession or area.

• Students seeking a career in medicine need excellent grades in chemistry and biology.
• After ten years as an accountant, he decided to seek a career in teaching.

To ask someone to explain something more clearly because you are not sure what it means.

• Before signing the contract, she sought clarification from the landlord about who pays for repairs.
• Several business owners have sought clarification on how the new tax rules will affect them.

To try to get attention from newspapers, television and the public.

• Some politicians make shocking statements simply because they are seeking publicity.
• The young band sought publicity by performing free concerts in busy city squares.

To try or aim to do something.

• The new law seeks to protect workers who report illegal practices at their companies.
• In this essay, I will seek to show that social media has both benefits and drawbacks for teenagers.