Phrases Dictionary
B2 phrase reference page for useful expressions, common patterns, and level-appropriate chunks of language.
Phrases Dictionary
Study common B2 phrases, fixed expressions, and useful language patterns. The entries below are kept as separate records so we can build future phrase-study tools and quizzes from them.
a bit of a…
Used to describe something as slightly problematic, surprising, or unusual.
Example
It’s a bit of a problem, but we’ll fix it.
A bomb went off.
A bomb exploded.
Example
A bomb went off near the city square.
a decline in student numbers
Fewer students enrolling over time.
Example
The university reported a decline in student numbers this year.
a dream come true
Something longed for that becomes real.
Example
Winning the award was a dream come true.
a means of communication
A tool or system for exchanging information.
Example
Language is a primary means of communication.
a means of something
A method or way of achieving something.
Example
Education is a means of improving your future.
a means of transport
A vehicle or method used to move people or goods.
Example
Bicycles are an eco-friendly means of transport.
account for something
To explain or give a reason for something.
Example
How do you account for the missing money?
accused of something
Charged with committing an offense or blamed for something.
Example
He was accused of theft.
act as something
To function in the role of something.
Example
She acted as a mediator during the negotiation.
aimed at doing something
Designed or intended to achieve a specific action.
Example
The program is aimed at reducing pollution.
aimed at somebody
Directed toward a person or group.
Example
The advertisement was aimed at teenagers.
all the way
Completely or fully.
Example
I support you all the way.
appeal to somebody
To be attractive or interesting to someone.
Example
Classical music doesn’t appeal to everyone.
apply to somebody or something
To be relevant or suitable for someone/something.
Example
The rules apply to all employees.
as a whole
Considering the entire group or system.
Example
The team, as a whole, performed exceptionally.
as far as I am concerned
From one’s own perspective.
Example
As far as I’m concerned, the plan is perfect.
as follows…
Introducing a list or explanation.
Example
The instructions are as follows: mix flour and water.
as for somebody or something
Regarding or concerning someone/something.
Example
As for the budget, we’ll discuss it tomorrow.
as long as…
Provided that or on condition that.
Example
You can borrow my car as long as you return it by midnight.
as though…
In a way that suggests something is true (often hypothetical).
Example
He spoke as though he knew everything.
associated with doing something
Linked to the act of performing an action.
Example
Long hours are associated with burnout.
associated with something
Connected or linked to something.
Example
Stress is often associated with heart disease.
at once
Immediately or simultaneously.
Example
The crowd gasped at once when the magician appeared.
at present
Currently or now.
Example
At present, we’re waiting for feedback.
at some point
At an unspecified time in the future or past.
Example
We’ll have to leave at some point tonight.
at the end of the day
Ultimately or after considering everything.
Example
At the end of the day, family is what matters most.
at this point
At the current stage in a process or discussion.
Example
At this point, we need more data to proceed.
at this stage
At the current level or step of development.
Example
At this stage, the project is still experimental.
awareness of something
Knowledge or understanding of something.
Example
Raising awareness of climate change is crucial.
back somebody or something up
To support someone/something or confirm a statement.
Example
Can you back up your claim with evidence?
be charged with doing something
To be assigned responsibility for an action.
Example
She was charged with organizing the event.
be charged with something
To be formally accused of a crime.
Example
He was charged with assault.
be derived from something
To originate or come from something.
Example
The word “television” is derived from Greek roots.
be expected to do something
To be required or obliged to perform an action.
Example
Students are expected to complete homework daily.
be known to do something
To be recognized for regularly doing something.
Example
She’s known to help strangers in need.
be made up of something
Composed or consisting of something.
Example
The committee is made up of experts in the field.
be surrounded by somebody or something
To be in the company of or physically near something/someone.
Example
She was surrounded by friends at her birthday party.
be to blame
To be responsible for a mistake or problem.
Example
No one is to blame for the accident.
be to blame for something
To hold responsibility for a negative outcome.
Example
Poor planning was to blame for the delay.
both sides
Two opposing groups or perspectives.
Example
Both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
both sides of the argument
The opposing viewpoints in a discussion.
Example
Before deciding, I want to hear both sides of the argument.
bound to be something
Inevitably having a particular quality.
Example
The test was bound to be difficult.
bound to do something
Certain to happen.
Example
If you study hard, you’re bound to pass.
bring somebody up
To raise or care for a child until adulthood.
Example
She brought up three children alone.
by now
At this time, implying something should already have happened.
Example
The package should have arrived by now.
call for something
To require or demand something.
Example
The situation calls for immediate action.
case study
An in-depth analysis of a specific subject.
Example
The professor assigned a case study on climate change.
come across somebody or something
To encounter someone/something unexpectedly.
Example
I came across an old friend at the market.
come true
To become a reality.
Example
Her dream of traveling the world finally came true.
concerned about something
Worried or anxious about something.
Example
Parents are concerned about their children’s safety.
concerned with something
Related to or focused on something.
Example
The book is concerned with environmental ethics.
confidence in somebody or something
Trust or belief in someone/something’s abilities.
Example
I have full confidence in her leadership.
contribute to something
To help cause or provide something for a common purpose.
Example
Smoking contributes to lung disease.
control over somebody or something
Power to influence or direct someone/something.
Example
The government sought control over the region.
cope with something
To manage or deal successfully with a difficult situation.
Example
She struggles to cope with stress.
decline in something
A decrease or reduction in something.
Example
There’s been a decline in bee populations.
dependent on somebody or something
Relying on someone/something for support.
Example
Many species are dependent on their habitats for survival.
despite the fact that…
Even though something is true.
Example
Despite the fact that it rained, the event continued.
draw attention to somebody or something
To highlight or make people notice something.
Example
The documentary drew attention to poverty in rural areas.
engage in something
To participate in or perform an activity.
Example
Children engage in imaginative play daily.
engaged in something
Actively involved in something.
Example
Scientists are engaged in groundbreaking research.
ever since(…)
Continuously from a past time until now.
Example
We’ve been friends ever since college.
exposure to something
Contact with or experience of something.
Example
Prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage skin.
far from doing something
Not likely to perform an action.
Example
He’s far from admitting his mistake.
far from something
Not at all or very distant in quality.
Example
This solution is far from perfect.
figure somebody or something out
To understand or solve something.
Example
I can’t figure out how to use this app.
find yourself doing something
To discover you are doing something unintentionally.
Example
I found myself daydreaming during the lecture.
get in
To arrive or enter a place.
Example
What time did you get in last night?
get into something
To become interested in or involved with something.
Example
She got into painting during the pandemic.
get over something/somebody
To recover from an emotion or event.
Example
It took years to get over the loss.
get rid of somebody or something
To eliminate or dispose of something/someone.
Example
We need to get rid of the expired food.
go off
To explode, sound, or leave suddenly.
Example
The fire alarm went off at midnight.
go on to do something
To proceed to perform another action.
Example
After retiring, he went on to write a book.
go through something
To endure or examine something thoroughly.
Example
I went through all my documents to find the receipt.
had better
Advising or warning someone to do something.
Example
You’d better apologize before it’s too late.
hang on
Wait or hold tightly.
Example
Hang on while I finish this call.
human being
A person.
Example
Every human being deserves respect.
human rights
Basic rights inherent to all humans.
Example
The organization fights for human rights globally.
I have to say…
Introducing a personal opinion.
Example
I have to say, this is the best meal I’ve ever had.
I would say...
Expressing a personal opinion tentatively.
Example
I would say this is the best option available.
if only…
Expressing a wish or regret.
Example
If only I had studied harder for the test!
in action
Being actively used or demonstrated.
Example
The new software works well in action.
in advance
Beforehand or earlier than a scheduled time.
Example
Book your tickets in advance to save money.
in an attempt to do something
Trying to achieve something.
Example
In an attempt to fix the problem, he rebooted the system.
in part
Partially or to some extent.
Example
The success was in part due to teamwork.
in place
Functioning properly or ready for use.
Example
The security measures are now in place.
in relation to somebody or something
Concerning or connected with someone/something.
Example
The policy changes apply in relation to employees.
in spite of something
Despite a challenge or obstacle.
Example
In spite of the rain, the picnic was fun.
in the first place
Originally or initially.
Example
Why did you start the project in the first place?
in the near future
Soon or within the next few days/weeks.
Example
The results will be announced in the near future.
in turn
As a result or reciprocally.
Example
Increased demand led to higher prices, which, in turn, reduced sales.
investment in something
Allocating resources (money, time) to gain a future benefit.
Example
The company increased investment in renewable energy.
loads of somebody or something
A large quantity of something.
Example
She has loads of books in her collection.
mental health
A person’s psychological and emotional well-being.
Example
Schools are focusing more on mental health awareness.
more or less
Approximately or to a certain extent.
Example
The project is more or less finished.
no doubt
Certainly or definitely.
Example
She’s no doubt the best candidate for the job.
no matter how…
Regardless of the degree or manner.
Example
No matter how hard I try, I can’t fix this.
no matter what…
Regardless of any obstacles or conditions.
Example
No matter what happens, stay calm.
no matter…
Regardless of the circumstances.
Example
No matter the cost, we’ll complete the project.
nothing but
Only or merely.
Example
The room was filled with nothing but silence.
on board
Participating in or agreeing to a plan.
Example
The entire team is on board with the new strategy.
on both sides
Existing or occurring equally in two places or groups.
Example
The conflict has caused casualties on both sides.
on the basis of something
Based on or using something as a foundation.
Example
Decisions were made on the basis of evidence.
on the one hand
Introducing one side of an argument.
Example
On the one hand, the plan saves money; on the other, it risks safety.
once again
One more time or repeatedly.
Example
The system crashed once again.
one another
Each other (used among more than two people).
Example
The students helped one another during the exam.
opposed to something
Against something or disagreeing with it.
Example
Many are opposed to the new tax law.
or so
Approximately (used after numbers).
Example
We waited for an hour or so.
other than
Except for or apart from.
Example
Other than a few scratches, the car is fine.
potential for something
The possibility of something developing.
Example
The area has potential for tourism.
pretty much
Almost entirely or nearly.
Example
I’m pretty much done with the assignment.
prior to
Before a specific time or event.
Example
Prior to the meeting, please review the report.
prove to be something
To turn out to have a particular quality.
Example
The task proved to be easier than expected.
put something forward
To suggest or propose something.
Example
She put forward a new idea for the campaign.
put something together
To assemble or organize something.
Example
We need to put the presentation together by tomorrow.
quality of life
The standard of comfort and happiness in someone’s life.
Example
The town offers a high quality of life.
ranging from
Including items between two extremes.
Example
Prices range from $10 to $100.
regarded as something
Considered or viewed as something.
Example
He’s regarded as a genius in his field.
relevant to somebody or something
Connected or applicable to someone/something.
Example
The article is relevant to current events.
rely on somebody or something
To depend on someone/something for support.
Example
We rely on technology for communication.
role model
A person whose behavior inspires others.
Example
Teachers should be positive role models.
set out
To begin a journey or present information.
Example
We set out at dawn to avoid traffic.
She went off to get a drink.
She left to do something.
Example
She went off to get a drink during the break.
short of something
Lacking something.
Example
We’re short of time, so hurry up!
so as to do something
In order to achieve something.
Example
She left early so as to catch the train.
something like…
Approximately or resembling.
Example
The package weighs something like 10 pounds.
sort somebody or something/yourself out
To resolve a problem or organize oneself.
Example
Take a break and sort yourself out.
stick to something
To continue with something without changing.
Example
Stick to the facts during the debate.
subject to something
Likely to be affected by something.
Example
Prices are subject to change.
sum something up
To summarize or explain concisely.
Example
Can you sum up the article in one sentence?
sum up
To summarize or conclude briefly.
Example
To sum up, the plan needs more funding.
take advantage of somebody or something
To use someone/something selfishly.
Example
Don’t let anyone take advantage of you.
take over
To assume control of something.
Example
A new company will take over the project.
take over from somebody
To replace someone in a role.
Example
She took over from the retiring CEO.
take something into account
To consider something when making a decision.
Example
The judge took the defendant’s age into account.
that is
Used to clarify or rephrase something.
Example
The deadline is Monday—that is, the 15th.
The alarm went off.
The alarm activated.
Example
The smoke alarm went off when I burnt the toast.
The lights went off.
The lights turned off suddenly.
Example
The lights went off during the storm.
The train got in late.
The train arrived behind schedule.
Example
The train got in late due to delays on the tracks.
the vast majority of something
Nearly all of something.
Example
The vast majority of voters supported the bill.
turn into something
To change into a different form or state.
Example
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
up to somebody
Decided by someone or within their responsibility.
Example
Whether to go is up to you.
when it comes to doing something
Regarding the act of doing something.
Example
She’s confident when it comes to public speaking.
when it comes to something
Regarding or concerning a specific topic.
Example
When it comes to cooking, I prefer Italian cuisine.
whether or not…
Regardless of the possibility.
Example
I’ll attend the event whether or not it rains.
would rather…
Prefer to do something instead of another action.
Example
I’d rather stay home than go to the party.
You’ll get over it.
A response to dismiss someone’s emotional struggle.
Example
Stop worrying; you’ll get over it.