Phrases & Expressions

To get so used to something unpleasant that it no longer upsets or affects you.

• After ten years of living next to the airport, we have become inured to the noise of planes taking off at night.
• After years of working in emergency medicine, the nurse had become inured to the sight of serious injuries.

To give someone an honour, title or valuable gift, especially at an official ceremony.

• The university bestowed an honorary degree on the retired nurse for her fifty years of service.
• The title of 'Volunteer of the Year' is bestowed upon one local resident every December.

Of a vehicle, to move very fast in a way that the driver can no longer control.

• Police said the car had been travelling far above the speed limit before it careered out of control and hit a wall.
• When the brakes failed, the lorry careered out of control down the steep hill towards the town centre.

To tell lies in a court of law after promising to tell the truth.

• The witness was later charged with committing perjury when video evidence contradicted her testimony.
• The judge reminded the witness that she would be committing perjury if she gave false evidence under oath.

To have the same opinion as another person or as a particular view.

• The second doctor concurred with her colleague's diagnosis and recommended surgery as soon as possible.
• The committee concurred with the auditors' conclusion that the project had been poorly managed.

To accept or seem to approve of violent behaviour that is morally wrong.

• The head teacher made it clear that the school would never condone violence of any kind.
• Critics accused the film of condoning violence by making the gang members look glamorous.

To praise someone so weakly that it suggests you do not really think they are good.

• Describing the new museum as 'perfectly adequate', the reviewer damned it with faint praise.
• A reference letter that only says a candidate was 'always punctual' may damn them with faint praise.

To die with no valid will, so that the law decides who receives your property.

• Writing a simple will prevents the legal complications that can arise when people die intestate.
• If you die intestate, your savings may not go to the people you would have chosen.

To deliberately avoid discussing something because it is embarrassing or unpleasant.

• After the team's terrible defeat, the coach preferred to draw a veil over the whole match.
• Let's draw a veil over what happened at the office party and never mention it again.

To receive praise and admiration from many people, especially experts or critics.

• The city's new recycling scheme has earned plaudits from environmental groups across the country.
• Her first novel earned plaudits from critics, although it sold relatively few copies.