Phrases & Expressions

Of the value of a company's shares, to fall suddenly and heavily.

• The airline's share price slumped after it warned that rising fuel costs would wipe out its profits.
• Investors panicked and share prices slumped across Asia when news of the trade dispute broke.

To get rid of workers in order to reduce costs, used about companies or industries.

• The car manufacturer plans to shed 3,000 jobs as it moves production to cheaper factories abroad.
• Traditional retailers have been shedding jobs steadily as more customers choose to shop online.

To stop feeling shy, nervous or anxious and become more relaxed.

• Drama classes help shy students shed their inhibitions and speak confidently in public.
• After a few dances, even the quietest guests began to shed their inhibitions.

A state of perfect happiness and complete enjoyment.

• After months of noisy building work next door, the silence on Sunday morning was sheer bliss.
• Lying in a hammock with a cold drink on a hot afternoon is sheer bliss.

An extremely unpleasant or boring experience (used to exaggerate).

• Sitting through a three-hour meeting with no coffee break was sheer torture.
• For a shy teenager, having to give a speech in front of the whole school is sheer torture.

Work that has been done badly and carelessly, especially building or repair work.

• Several residents complained about shoddy workmanship after cracks appeared in their new flats within a year.
• The roof started leaking again only a month later because of the builder's shoddy workmanship.

To behave in a way that suggests you do not feel sorry at all for something wrong you did.

• The judge noted that the defendant had shown no remorse for the harm he had caused to his victims.
• Even after the scandal was exposed, the company's directors showed no remorse and blamed junior staff.

To publicly support people in a struggle or difficult situation, so they know they are not alone.

• Students across the country wore green ribbons to show solidarity with the striking nurses.
• Several governments showed their solidarity with the earthquake victims by sending rescue teams within hours.

From the time when human beings first began to live in organised societies.

• Music is one of the few things that have brought people together since the dawn of civilisation.
• Arguments about the best way to educate young people have existed since the dawn of civilisation.

To praise someone or something with great enthusiasm, often again and again.

• My cousin has been singing the gym's praises ever since she lost ten kilos there.
• Reviewers have been singing the praises of the new electric car, especially its long battery range.