Module 7: Usage

Collocations

Example

Take a break

休息

You’ve worked for three hours already. Would you like to take a break?

Take the bus

I will take the bus to school today.

Take a bath

I am really dirty, I must take a bath!

Take the Mickey

Stop teasing me! Stop taking the Mickey!

Collocations

Example

Miss a/your chance

It’s too late now, you’ve missed your chance.

Miss the bus

If I arrive too late I will miss the bus.

Miss the point

You’re not listening to me, I think you missed the point.

Miss you

Don’t be away for too long, I will miss you!

Collocations

Example

Get the sack

You’re not working hard enough, if you are not careful you will get the sack.

Get the job

I applied for a position as a salesgirl and guess what – I got the job!

Get a point

Oh I think I get your point, you mean you don’t believe that being thin is the same as being beautiful.

Collocations

Example

Do the shopping

We need some more milk, I better do the shopping.

Do the dishes

We have eaten, now we must do the dishes.

Do a runner

I can’t believe you stole that bag! Quick! Let’s do a runner!

Collocations

Example

Pay a visit

My Grandma is sick so I am going to pay her a visit.

Pay your respects

My grandfather died, I must go and pay my last respects.

Pay your way

I must earn more money so I can pay my way through university.

Pay the price

You have done badly, now you must pay the price.

Collocations

Example

Show your feelings

Show your feelings for your love by sending her a rose this Valentine’s Day.

Hide your feelings

Hide your feelings from your enemies or they may use them against you.

Hurt your feelings

When you said I was ugly you really hurt my feelings.

Collocations

Example

Weather a storm

I realize that it’s tough, but if we weather this storm we will grow stronger.

Go down a storm

Her book is great, I am sure it will go down a storm at my book club.

Create a storm

This poster is so controversial, it will create a storm when we put it up.

Collocations

Example

Come to a conclusion

I have come to a conclusion, we should go East from here.

Reach a conclusion

This paper is so long, it will take ages to reach a conclusion.

Draw a conclusion

The panel must draw a conclusion quickly.

Collocations

Example

Have a haircut

剪頭髮

I will have a haircut tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?

Break the law

犯法

Nobody is allowed to break the law.

Make money 賺錢

(= become rich)

(= earn money)

(= produce as profit)

His business didn’t make much money last year. (=produce as profit)

Feel free (=someone can do something if they want to)

隨意

Please feel free to interrupt me if you have a question.

Save someone a seat

留位

John will arrive a bit late. Should we save him a seat?

Go Dutch各自付帳;平攤費用

(= to agree to share the cost of something, especially a meal)

Let’s go Dutch this time. I’ll let you treat me to dinner.

Keep a secret 保守秘密

Can you promise me that you will help me keep the secret?

Hide one’s emotion

隱藏(某人)的情感

You don’t have to hide your emotion in front of me. I’m your best friend.

Hurt one’s feelings

傷害了某人，令某人難受

I’m your wife. Please don’t try to hurt my feelings.

Have a passion (for someone/ something)

對於某事情很熱衷

He must have a strong passion for her. Or he won’t do so much for her.

Overcome/ get over a difficulty 克服難關

You must overcome the difficulty. Then you learn and grow.

Endure hardship 忍耐困苦

You have to be able to endure hardship if you want to succeed.

In danger 處於危險中

He knew he was in danger when he received the threatening phone calls at home.

Take a risk 冒險

Also ‘run a risk’

It isn’t worth taking any risks.

Raise a question提問

Peter always raises questions in class.

Solve/settle a problem解決問題

How can we solve the problem?

Celebrate a holiday 慶祝節日

My family celebrates the coming Christmas with a brand new Christmas tree.

Take a vacation 放假

Will you take a vacation in December? I want to go skiing in Japan.