Phrases & Expressions

Good or valuable enough to be taken seriously rather than dismissed.

• In the current economy, a ten per cent pay rise is not to be sniffed at.
• Second place in a national competition is not to be sniffed at, so don't be disappointed.

An obvious attempt to show off how rich you are, which others may find vulgar.

• Some celebrities have been criticised for their ostentatious displays of wealth on social media while many of their fans struggle to pay their bills.
• Many young couples now regard expensive weddings as an unnecessary and ostentatious display of wealth.

To deliberately obstruct a police or court case, for example by lying or destroying evidence.

• The driver was jailed for perverting the course of justice after persuading a friend to take the blame.
• Deleting the emails after the investigation began could be seen as an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

To suggest that two things are connected, as a starting point for discussion or research.

• The author posits a link between childhood poverty and poor health in later life, but offers little evidence.
• The report posits a link between low wages and high staff turnover in the care sector.

To criticise something strongly and show that you think it is foolish or worthless.

• Several scientists poured scorn on the claim that the supplement could cure memory loss.
• Critics poured scorn on the minister's plan, calling it unrealistic and badly thought out.

To make a serious situation happen suddenly or sooner than expected.

• The sudden collapse of several banks precipitated a crisis that spread rapidly across the global economy.
• Analysts fear that a sharp rise in food prices could precipitate a crisis in some of the region's poorest countries.

To begin a speech or piece of writing with a particular remark, question or story.

• The speaker prefaced her talk with a short video about plastic waste in the ocean.
• Before announcing the job cuts, the director prefaced the news with a warm thank-you to all staff.

A person who always predicts that things will go badly in the future.

• Economic prophets of doom predicted a deep recession, but the economy actually grew last year.
• My uncle is a real prophet of doom and gloom; he's convinced robots will take everyone's jobs.

To limit someone's or something's freedom so much that they cannot act or develop.

• Too many rigid rules can put teachers in a straitjacket and stop them from being creative.
• Business leaders warned that the new regulations would put small firms in a straitjacket.

To make someone formally promise to tell the truth, especially in a court of law.

• A journalist who is put on oath may be asked to reveal her sources, which raises difficult ethical questions.
• The inquiry has the power to put officials on oath and demand that they hand over documents.