C2 (Proficient)

pull strings

pull strings [idiom]

Using your power or influence in order to benefit someone unfairly

pull strings - پارتی بازی کردن
Example: 

I need that position in the ministry. I think I should ask my dad to pull some strings. I know he knows some people there.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

pull stringsto secretly use your influence with important people in order to get what you want or to help someone else Francis pulled strings to get him out of trouble.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

pull strings (for somebody)

pull ˈstrings (for sb) idiom

(NAmE also pull ˈwires) (informal) to use your influence in order to get an advantage for sb

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

pull strings

C2 to secretly use the influence you have over important people in order to get something or to help someone:

I may be able to pull a few strings if you need the document urgently.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

informal

to exercise personal influence, esp secretly or unofficially

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

pull the strings : to control someone or something often in a secret way
• It turned out that his brother was the person pulling the strings behind the operation.

attainable

attainable [adjective]

possible to achieve

US /əˈteɪ.nə.bəl/ 
UK /əˈteɪ.nə.bəl/ 
Example: 

This level is easily attainable by most students.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

attainable

See main entry: ↑attain

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

attainable

at·tain·able AW [attainable]   [əˈteɪnəbl]    [əˈteɪnəbl]  adjective
that you can achieve
attainable goals/objectives/targets
This standard is easily attainable by most students.
Opp:  unattainable  
Example Bank:
We believe that this level of performance is fully attainable.
• This level is easily attainable by most students.

• We need to set challenging but attainable targets.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

attainable / əˈteɪ.nə.bl̩ / adjective formal

C2 possible to achieve:

We must ensure that we do not set ourselves goals that are not attainable.

→  Opposite unattainable

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

attainable

[əte͟ɪnəb(ə)l]
 ADJ-GRADED
 Something that is attainable can be achieved.
  It is unrealistic to believe perfection is an attainable goal.
 Syn:
 achievable

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

- at·tain·able /əˈteɪnəbəl/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• Be sure that the goals you set are attainable. [=achievable]

get your act together

get your act together [idiom]
get your act together - خود را جمع و جور کردن
Example: 

You haven’t studied a single page this week and you have an exam next week. If you want to pass you really need to get your act together.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

get your act together informal to become more organized and behave in a more effective way, especially in order to achieve something :

You need to get your act together if you’re going to find the right house to buy.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

get your ˈact together

(informal) to organize yourself and your activities in a more effective way in order to achieve something He needs to get his act together if he's going to pass.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary 9th edition © Oxford University Press, 2015

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

get your act together informal

C2 to start to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way:

She's so disorganized - I wish she'd get her act together.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

get the ball rolling

get the ball rolling [idiom]

to cause something to initiate/start

Also: keep/set/start the ball rolling

get the ball rolling
Example: 

Let’s get the ball rolling and tidy up the mess, we have a few hours before the guests arrive.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

start / set / get the ball rolling 

to do something that starts an activity, or to start doing something in order to encourage other people to do the same:

I decided to set the ball rolling and got up to dance.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
© Cambridge University Press 2013

sin

sin [noun]

the offence of breaking, or the breaking of, a religious or moral law

US /sɪn/ 
UK /sɪn/ 
Example: 

to commit a sin

Oxford Essential Dictionary

sin

 noun
something that your religion says you should not do, because it is very bad:
Stealing is a sin.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

sin

I. sin1 S2 /sɪn/ BrE AmE noun
[Language: Old English; Origin: synn]
1. [uncountable and countable] an action that is against religious rules and is considered to be an offence against God
sin of
the sin of pride
She needed to confess her sins and ask for forgiveness.
He knew that he had committed a terrible sin.
the seven deadly sins (=seven bad feelings or desires, in the Christian religion)
2. a sin informal something that you think is very wrong
it is a sin (to do something)
There’s so much lovely food here, it would be a sin to waste it.
3. live in sin old-fashioned if two people live in sin, they live together in a sexual relationship without being married
4. as miserable/ugly/guilty as sin especially British English spoken very unhappy, ugly, or guilty:
I saw Margaret this morning looking as miserable as sin.
5. for my sins especially British English spoken an expression used to suggest jokingly that you have to do something as a punishment:
I work at head office now, for my sins.
sinful
cover/hide a multitude of sins at ↑multitude(4), ⇨ ↑cardinal sin, ↑mortal sin, ↑original sin

COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
commit a sin He has committed a grave sin.
confess your sins He knelt and confessed his sins to God.
forgive sins God has forgiven all my sins.
repent (of) your sins (=be sorry you committed them) I sincerely repent of my sins.
■ phrases
the seven deadly sins (=seven bad feelings or desires, in the Christian religion, for example greed or too much pride)
■ adjectives
a great sin Possibly the greatest sin you can be guilty of is not speaking out against cruelty or injustice when you see it.
a besetting sin literary (=one that you keep committing) Drunkenness was his besetting sin.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sin

 

sin [sin sins sinned sinning] noun, verb, abbreviation   [sɪn]    [sɪn] 

 

noun
1. countable an offence against God or against a religious or moral law
to commit a sin
Confess your sins to God and he will forgive you.
• The Bible says that stealing is a sin.

see also  mortal sin, original sin

2. uncountable the act of breaking a religious or moral law

• a life of sin

3. countable, usually singular (informal) an action that people strongly disapprove of
It's a sin to waste taxpayers' money like that.
see also  sinful, sinner 
more at cover/hide a multitude of sins at  multitude, live in sin at  live1  
Word Origin:
v. and n. Old English synn (noun), syngian (verb); probably related to Latin sons, sont- ‘guilty’.  
Collocations:
Religion
Being religious
believe in God/Christ/Allah/free will/predestination/heaven and hell/an afterlife/reincarnation
be/become a believer/an atheist/an agnostic/a Christian/Muslim/Hindu/Buddhist, etc.
convert to/practise/ (especially US) practice a religion/Buddhism/Catholicism/Christianity/Islam/Judaism, etc.
go to church/(NAmE) temple (= the synagogue)
go to the local church/mosque/synagogue/gurdwara
belong to a church/a religious community
join/enter the church/a convent/a monastery/a religious sect/the clergy/the priesthood
praise/worship/obey/serve/glorify God
Celebrations and ritual
attend/hold/conduct/lead a service
perform a ceremony/a rite/a ritual/a baptism/the Hajj/a mitzvah
carry out/perform a sacred/burial/funeral/fertility/purification rite
go on/make a pilgrimage
celebrate Christmas/Easter/Eid/Ramadan/Hanukkah/Passover/Diwali
observe/break the Sabbath/a fast/Ramadan
deliver/preach/hear a sermon
lead/address the congregation
say/recite a prayer/blessing
Religious texts and ideas
preach/proclaim/spread the word of God/the Gospel/the message of Islam
study/follow the dharma/the teachings of Buddha
read/study/understand/interpret scripture/the Bible/the Koran/the gospel/the Torah
be based on/derive from divine revelation
commit/consider sth heresy/sacrilege
Religious belief and experience
seek/find/gain enlightenment/wisdom
strengthen/lose your faith
keep/practise/practice/abandon the faith
save/purify/lose your soul
obey/follow/keep/break/violate a commandment/Islamic law/Jewish law
be/accept/do God's will
receive/experience divine grace
achieve/attain enlightenment/salvation/nirvana
undergo a conversion/rebirth/reincarnation
hear/answer a prayer
commit/confess/forgive a sin
do/perform penance 
Example Bank:
Even politicians are not immune from the sins of the flesh.
It's considered a sin to be disrespectful to your parents.
Our sons will pay for the sins of their fathers.
Sin against others is seen as a sin against God.
The besetting sin of 18th-century urban Britain was drunkenness.
They had confessed their sins and done their penance.
They would have to expiate their sins through suffering.
We believe in the forgiveness of sins.
We have repented for past sins. Now it's time to move on.
sin taxes on cigarettes and alcohol
the Christian doctrine of original sin
Believers are called on to turn away from sin and embrace a life of prayer.
Father, I have committed a sin.
He was pursuing an active life of sin when he felt the Lord speaking to him.
• It's a sin to waste taxpayers' money like that.

Idioms: something for your sins  ugly as sin 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

sin / sɪn / noun [ C or U ]

C2 the offence of breaking, or the breaking of, a religious or moral law:

to commit/confess a sin

He thinks a lot about sin.

[ + to infinitive ] informal I think it 's a sin (= is morally wrong) to waste food, when so many people in the world are hungry.

humorous For my sins (= as if it were a punishment) , I'm organizing the office party this year.

 

sinless / -ləs / adjective

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

sin

[sɪ̱n]
 sins, sinning, sinned
 1) N-VAR Sin or a sin is an action or type of behaviour which is believed to break the laws of God.
 → See also cardinal sin, mortal sin
  The Vatican's teaching on abortion is clear: it is a sin...
  Was it the sin of pride to have believed too much in themselves?
 2) VERB If you sin, you do something that is believed to break the laws of God.
  [V against n] The Spanish Inquisition charged him with sinning against God and man...
  You have sinned and unless you repent your ways you will surely roast in hell.
  Derived words:
  sinner [sɪ̱nə(r)] plural N-COUNT I was shown that I am a sinner, that I needed to repent of my sins.
 3) N-COUNT A sin is any action or behaviour that people disapprove of or consider morally wrong.
  ...the sin of arrogant hard-heartedness...
  The ultimate sin was not infidelity, but public mention which led to scandal.
 4) PHRASE: V inflects If you say that a man and a woman are living in sin, you mean that they are living together as a couple although they are not married. [OLD-FASHIONED]
 a multitude of sinssee multitude
  She was living in sin with her boyfriend.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1sin /ˈsɪn/ noun, pl sins
1 : an action that is considered to be wrong according to religious or moral law

[count]

• He committed the sin of stealing.
• Murder is a sin.
• I confessed my sins.

[noncount]

• We are not free from sin.
• a world of sin
- see also cardinal sin, deadly sin, mortal sin, original sin, venial sin
2 [count] : an action that is considered to be bad - usually singular
• It's a sin to waste food.
- see also besetting sin
(as) guilty/miserable/ugly as sin informal : very guilty/miserable/ugly
• Even though he was acquitted, most people think he is guilty as sin.
• That house is as ugly as sin.
for your sins chiefly Brit humorous
- used to say that you are doing something unpleasant, difficult, etc., as a form of punishment
For my sins, I was made chairman of the board.
live in sin
- see 1live

not be cut out for sth

not be cut out for sth [idiom]

not to be the right kind of person for something

Usage: 
not be cut out for sth - برای این کار درست نشده است
Example: 

I loved karate and I took some course but I wasn’t good at that. It seems I wasn’t cut for karate.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

be cut out for something ( also be cut out to be something ) [ usually in questions and negatives ] to have the qualities that you need for a particular job or activity :

In the end, I decided I wasn’t cut out for the army.

Are you sure you’re really cut out to be a teacher?

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

be ˌcut ˈout for sth | be ˌcut ˈout to be sth ( informal ) to have the qualities and abilities needed for sth

He's not cut out for teaching.

He's not cut out to be a teacher.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

not be cut out for sth

C2 to not be the right type of person for something:

I'm not cut out for an office job.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

catastrophe

catastrophe [noun]

a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction

US /kəˈtæs.trə.fi/ 
UK /kəˈtæs.trə.fi/ 
Example: 

Losing his job was a great catastrophe to him.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

catastrophe

 noun
a sudden disaster that causes great suffering or damage:
major catastrophes such as floods and earthquakes

 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

catastrophe

catastrophe /kəˈtæstrəfi/ BrE AmE noun
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Greek; Origin: katastrephein 'to turn upside down', from kata- ( ⇨ ↑cataclysm) + strephein 'to turn']
1. [uncountable and countable] a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, suffering, or death SYN disaster
environmental/nuclear/economic etc catastrophe
The Black Sea is facing ecological catastrophe as a result of pollution.
prevent/avert a catastrophe
Sudan requires food immediately to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.
2. [countable] an event which is very bad for the people involved SYN disaster
catastrophe for
If the contract is cancelled, it’ll be a catastrophe for everyone concerned.
—catastrophic /ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk◂ $ -ˈstrɑː-/ adjective:
a catastrophic fall in the price of rice
The failure of the talks could have catastrophic consequences.
—catastrophically /-kli/ adverb

THESAURUS
disaster a sudden event such as an accident, or a natural event such as a flood or storm, which causes great damage or suffering: 200 people died in the train disaster. | The earthquake was the worst natural disaster to hit India for over 50 years.
catastrophe a terrible event in which there is a lot of destruction, damage, suffering, or death over a wide area of the world: A large comet hitting the earth would be a catastrophe. | We don’t want another nuclear catastrophe like Chernobyl. | Scientists say that the oil spill is an ecological catastrophe.
tragedy a very sad event, that shocks people because it involves death: It was a tragedy that he died so young. | the AIDS tragedy in Africa
debacle an event or situation that is a complete failure and is very embarrassing: The opening ceremony turned into a debacle. | The team is hoping to do better this game, after last week’s debacle against the Chicago Bears.
 

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

catastrophe

 

ca·tas·trophe [catastrophe catastrophes]   [kəˈtæstrəfi]    [kəˈtæstrəfi]  noun
1. a sudden event that causes many people to suffer
Syn:  disaster

• Early warnings of rising water levels prevented another major catastrophe.

2. an event that causes one person or a group of people personal suffering, or that makes difficulties
The attempt to expand the business was a catastrophe for the firm.
We've had a few catastrophes with the food for the party.
Derived Words: catastrophic  catastrophically  
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘denouement’): from Latin catastropha, from Greek katastrophē ‘overturning, sudden turn’, from kata- ‘down’ + strophē ‘turning’ (from strephein ‘to turn’).  
Example Bank:
The country is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
These policies could lead the country to environmental catastrophe.
We had a few catastrophes with the food for the party.
moves to avert a national catastrophe
• It wouldn't be a catastrophe if he didn't turn up.

• The verdict of this hearing is a personal and professional catastrophe for her.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

catastrophe / kəˈtæs.trə.fi / noun [ C ]

C2 a sudden event that causes very great trouble or destruction:

They were warned of the ecological catastrophe to come.

a bad situation:

The emigration of scientists is a catastrophe for the country.

 

catastrophic / ˌkæt.əˈstrɒf.ɪk /   / ˌkæt̬.əˈstrɑː.fɪk / adjective

An unchecked increase in the use of fossil fuels could have catastrophic results for the planet.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

catastrophe

[kətæ̱strəfi]
 catastrophes
 N-COUNT
 A catastrophe is an unexpected event that causes great suffering or damage.
  From all points of view, war would be a catastrophe...
  If the world is to avoid environmental catastrophe, advanced economies must undergo a profound transition.
 Syn:
 disaster

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

catastrophe

ca·tas·tro·phe /kəˈtæstrəfi/ noun, pl -phes : a terrible disaster

[count]

• The oil spill was an environmental catastrophe.
• Experts fear a humanitarian catastrophe if food isn't delivered to the refugees soon.
• a global/nuclear/economic catastrophe

[noncount]

• an area on the brink of catastrophe
- cat·a·stroph·ic /ˌkætəˈstrɑːfɪk/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• The effect of the war on the economy was catastrophic.
• a catastrophic drought
- cat·a·stroph·i·cal·ly /ˌkætəˈstrɑːfɪkli/ adv
• The dam failed catastrophically, flooding the entire valley.

resolution

resolution [noun] (DECISION)

an official decision that is made after a group or organization have voted

US /ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃən/ 
UK /ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃən/ 
Example: 

to  approve/adopt  a resolution

Oxford Essential Dictionary

resolution

 noun
something that you decide to do or not to do:
Julie made a resolution to study harder.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

resolution

resolution W3 AC /ˌrezəˈluːʃən/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: verb: ↑resolve; noun: ↑resolution]
1. DECISION [countable] a formal decision or statement agreed on by a group of people, especially after a vote
pass/adopt/approve a resolution
The resolution was passed by a two-thirds majority.
a resolution calling for a ban on dumping nuclear waste
They have failed to comply with the resolution.
2. SOLUTION [singular, uncountable] when someone solves a problem, argument, or difficult situation
resolution of
a forum for the resolution of commercial disputes
3. PROMISE [countable] a promise to yourself to do something ⇨ resolve
resolution to do something
Carol made a resolution to work harder at school.
New Year’s resolution (=a resolution made on January 1st)
4. DETERMINATION [uncountable] strong belief and determination:
Then, with sudden resolution, she stood up.
5. CLEAR PICTURE [uncountable and countable] the power of a television, camera, ↑microscope etc to give a clear picture
high/low resolution (=how clear or unclear the picture is)

COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
pass/approve a resolution The Security Council passed a resolution condemning the country’s aggression.
adopt a resolution (=pass it) The resolution was adopted by 12 votes to none.
reject a resolution The National Assembly rejected the resolution.
propose/introduce/put forward a resolution The resolution was proposed by the chairman of the committee.
table a resolution (=officially propose it) Siddall tabled a resolution asking for the Board’s approval of the Five Year Business Plan.
vote on a resolution Are there any comments you wish to make before we vote on this resolution?
a resolution calling for something We support the EU resolution calling for a ban on the use of these fishing nets.
a resolution condemning something The UN Security Council tabled a resolution condemning the invasion.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

resolution

reso·lution AW [resolution resolutions]   [ˌrezəˈluːʃn]    [ˌrezəˈluːʃn]  noun
1. countable a formal statement of an opinion agreed on by a committee or a council, especially by means of a vote
to pass/adopt/carry a resolution

• The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution calling for a halt to hostilities.

2. uncountable, singular the act of solving or settling a problem, disagreement, etc.
Syn:  settlement

• The government is pressing for an early resolution of the dispute.

3. uncountable the quality of being resolute or determined
Syn:  resolve
• The reforms owe a great deal to the resolution of one man.

• Her resolution never faltered.

4. countable ~ (to do sth) a firm decision to do or not to do sth
She made a resolution to visit her relatives more often.

• Have you made any New Year's resolutions (= for example, to give up smoking from 1 January)?

5. uncountable, singular the power of a computer screen, printer, etc. to give a clear image, depending on the size of the dots that make up the image
high-resolution graphics  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin resolutio(n-), from resolvere ‘loosen, release’, from re- (expressing intensive force) + solvere ‘loosen’.  
Example Bank:
Hopes of a peaceful resolution to the conflict were fading.
I made a New Year resolution to give up smoking.
She showed great resolution in her dealings with management.
The General Assembly rejected the resolution on the subject of arms control.
The assembly adopted a resolution approving the plan.
The government is pressing for an early resolution of the hostage crisis.
The legislature has approved a resolution calling for the removal of such advertising.
The resolution called for the resumption of negotiations.
The resolution was carried unanimously.
a joint US-British resolution
a monitor capable of a 1 024 by 768 pixel resolution
a resolution condemning the invasion
a resolution declaring independence
methods of conflict resolution
the likelihood of achieving a satisfactory resolution to the problem
the non-violent resolution of conflict
weapons banned under Resolution 687
• Have you made any New Year's resolutions?

• She has worked in the field of conflict resolution and mediation for many years.

 

 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

resolution / ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun (DECISION)

C2 [ C ] an official decision that is made after a group or organization have voted:

to approve/adopt a resolution

[ + to infinitive ] The United Nations passed (= voted to support) a resolution to increase aid to the Third World.

C2 [ C ] a promise to yourself to do or to not do something:

[ + to infinitive ] I made a resolution to give up chocolate.

 

resolution / ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun [ U ] ( also resoluteness ) formal approving (DETERMINATION)

determination:

He showed great resolution in facing the robbers.

 

resolution / ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun [ S or U ] formal (SOLVING)

C2 the act of solving or ending a problem or difficulty:

a successful resolution to the crisis

 

resolution / ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun [ U ] specialized (DETAIL)

the ability of a microscope, or a television or computer screen, to show things clearly and with a lot of detail:

a high/low resolution image

 

resolution / ˌrez.əˈluː.ʃ ə n / noun [ U ] specialized (SEPARATION)

the act of separating or being separated into clearly different parts:

the resolution of oil into bitumen and tar

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

resolution

[re̱zəlu͟ːʃ(ə)n]
 
 resolutions
 1) N-COUNT: usu N supp, oft N num A resolution is a formal decision taken at a meeting by means of a vote.
  He replied that the UN had passed two major resolutions calling for a complete withdrawal.
  ...a draft resolution on the occupied territories.
 2) N-COUNT If you make a resolution, you decide to try very hard to do something.
 → See also New Year's resolution
  They made a resolution to lose all the weight gained during the Christmas period.
 3) N-UNCOUNT Resolution is determination to do something or not do something.
  `I think I'll try a hypnotist,' I said with sudden resolution.
 4) N-SING: oft N to/of n The resolution of a problem or difficulty is the final solving of it. [FORMAL]
  ...the successful resolution of a dispute involving UN inspectors in Baghdad.
  ...in order to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
 5) N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp The resolution of an image is how clear the image is. [TECHNICAL]
  Now this machine gives us such high resolution that we can see very small specks of calcium.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

resolution

res·o·lu·tion /ˌrɛzəˈluːʃən/ noun, pl -tions
1 a [noncount] : the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something
• a court for the resolution of civil disputes
• conflict resolution
b [count] : an answer or solution to something
• We found a resolution to the dispute.
2 : the ability of a device to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail

[count]

• computer screens with high resolutions

[noncount]

• The monitor has excellent resolution.
• a high-resolution copier/monitor/camera
3 [count] : a promise to yourself that you will make a serious effort to do something that you should do
• He made a resolution to lose weight. [=he resolved to lose weight]
• Her New Year's resolution [=her promise to do something differently in the new year] is to exercise regularly.
4 [noncount] : the quality of being very determined to do something : determination
• They admired his courage and resolution. [=resolve]
5 [count] : a formal statement that expresses the feelings, wishes, or decision of a group
• The assembly passed a resolution calling for the university president to step down.
6 [noncount] : the point in a story at which the main conflict is solved or ended
• the resolution of the plot

worthless

worthless [adjective] (NO MONEY)

having no value in money

US /ˈwɝːθ.ləs/ 
UK /ˈwɜːθ.ləs/ 
Example: 

He said the jewels were worthless fakes. 

Oxford Essential Dictionary

worthless

 adjective
having no value or use:
A cheque is worthless if you don't sign it.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

worthless

worthless /ˈwɜːθləs $ ˈwɜːrθ-/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: worth, worthlessness, worthy, unworthiness; adjective: worth, worthless, worthwhile, worthy ≠ unworthy]
1. something that is worthless has no value, importance, or use OPP valuable:
The house was full of worthless junk.
The information was worthless to me.
2. a worthless person has no good qualities or useful skills SYN useless:
His parents had made him feel worthless.
—worthlessness noun [uncountable]:
She struggled to overcome her feelings of worthlessness.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

worthless

worth·less [worthless worthlessness]   [ˈwɜːθləs]    [ˈwɜːrθləs]  adjective
1. having no practical or financial value
• Critics say his paintings are worthless.

Opp:  valuable

2. (of a person) having no good qualities or useful skills
a worthless individual
Constant rejections made him feel worthless.
Derived Word: worthlessness  
Example Bank:
The diseased plants are worthless to the farmer.
The opinion polls were dismissed as worthless.
These contradictions made his evidence worthless.
Constant rejections made her feel worthless.
• He's just a worthless individual.

• Shares in the company are now almost worthless.

worth

 

worth [worth worths] adjective, noun   [wɜːθ]    [wɜːrθ] 

adjective not before noun (used like a preposition, followed by a noun, pronoun or number, or by the -ing form of a verb)
1. ~ sth having a value in money, etc
Our house is worth about £100 000.
How much is this painting worth?
to be worth a bomb/packet/fortune (= a lot of money)
• It isn't worth much.

• If you answer this question correctly, it's worth five points.
2. used to recommend the action mentioned because you think it may be useful, enjoyable, etc.
~ sth The museum is certainly worth a visit.
~ doing sth This idea is well worth considering.

• It's worth making an appointment before you go.
3. ~ sth/doing sth important, good or enjoyable enough to make sb feel satisfied, especially when difficulty or effort is involved
Was it worth the effort?
The new house really wasn't worth all the expense involved.
The job involves a lot of hard work but it's worth it.
The trip was expensive but it was worth every penny.

see also  worthwhile

4. ~ sth (of a person) having money and possessions of a particular value
He's worth £10 million.
more at a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush at  bird, more than your job's worth (to do sth) at  job  
Word Origin:
Old English w(e)orth (adjective and noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch waard and German wert.  
Synonyms:
price
cost value expense worth
These words all refer to the amount of money that you have to pay for sth.
pricethe amount of money that you have to pay for an item or service: house prices How much are these? They don't have a price on them. I can't afford it at that price .
costthe amount of money that you need in order to buy, make or do sth: A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80 000.
valuehow much sth is worth in money or other goods for which it can be exchanged: The winner will receive a prize to the value of £1 000.
Especially in British English, value can also mean how much sth is worth compared with its price: This restaurant is excellent value (= is worth the money it costs) .
price, cost or value?
The price is what sb asks you to pay for an item or service: to ask/charge a high price ◊ to ask/charge a high cost/value. Obtaining or achieving sth may have a cost; the value of sth is how much other people would be willing to pay for it: house prices the cost of moving house The house now has a market value of one million pounds.
expensethe money that you spend on sth; sth that makes you spend money: The garden was transformed at great expense . Running a car is a big expense.
worththe financial value of sb/sth: He has a personal net worth of $10 million.
Worth is more often used to mean the practical or moral value of sth.
the high price/cost/value
the real/true price/cost/value/worth
to put/set a price/value on sth
to increase/reduce the price/cost/value/expense
to raise/double/lower the price/cost/value
to cut the price/cost 
Example Bank:
It's so unimportant it's hardly worth mentioning.
Most of the candidates were not considered worth interviewing.
This book is well worth reading.
This order is potentially worth millions of pounds to the company.
It isn't worth much.
Our house is worth about $300 000.
• to be worth a bomb/packet/fortune

Idioms: for all it is worth  for what it's worth  not worth the candle  not worth the paper it's written on  worth its salt  worth its weight in gold  worth somebody's while 

noun uncountable
1. ten dollars', £40, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that has the value mentioned
• The winner will receive ten pounds' worth of books.

• a dollar's worth of change

2. a week's, month's, etc. ~ of sth an amount of sth that lasts a week, etc.

3. the financial, practical or moral value of sb/sth
Their contribution was of great worth.
The activities help children to develop a sense of their own worth.
A good interview enables candidates to prove their worth (= show how good they are).
a personal net worth of $10 million
see put in your two cents' worth at  cent  n., get your money's worth at  money  
Word Origin:
Old English w(e)orth (adjective and noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch waard and German wert.  
Example Bank:
Asking for advice from people affirms their personal worth.
Can you give me some estimate of its worth?
Cutting out the debts will increase your net worth.
He never contributed anything of worth to the conversation.
I only found out its real worth when I tried to buy another one.
She has no sense of her own worth.
She knows her own worth.
Some experts doubt the economic worth of the project.
Study has an intrinsic worth, as well as helping you achieve your goals.
The emergency lighting has proved its worth this year.
The insurance company agreed to pay the car's current market worth.
They are looking for a new sales manager of proven worth.
They don't appreciate her at her real worth.
This necklace isn't worth anything in money terms, but its worth to me is incalculable.
A good job interview should help candidates prove their worth.
• He has a personal net worth of $10 million.

• The children here quickly gain a sense of their own worth.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

worth

worth (IMPORTANCE) /wɜːθ/ US /wɝːθ/
noun [U]
the importance or usefulness of something or someone:
He felt as though he had no worth.
She has proved her worth on numerous occasions.
The study proved that women were paid less than men holding jobs of comparable worth.

worth /wɜːθ/ US /wɝːθ/
adjective
1 be worth sth to be important or interesting enough to receive a particular action:
I think this matter is worth our attention.
When you're in Reykjavik, the National Museum is worth a visit.

2 be worth having/doing sth to be important or useful to have or do:
There's nothing worth reading in this newspaper.
If you are a young, inexperienced driver, it is worth having comprehensive insurance.
It's worth remembering that prices go up on February 1st.

worthless /ˈwɜːθ.ləs/ US /ˈwɝːθ-/
adjective
unimportant or useless:
She was criticised so much by her employers that she began to feel worthless.

worthlessness /ˈwɜːθ.lə.snəs/ US /ˈwɝːθ-/
noun [U]
People who have been abused as children often experience feelings/a sense of worthlessness.

worth (MONEY) /wɜːθ/ US /wɝːθ/
noun [U]
1 the amount of money which something can be sold for; value:
The estimated worth of the plastics and petrochemical industry is about $640 billion.

2 £20/$100, etc. worth of sth the amount of something that you could buy for £20/$100, etc:
$4 million worth of souvenirs and gift items have been produced for the event.

worth /wɜːθ/ US /wɝːθ/
adjective
1 having a particular value, especially in money:
Our house is worth about £200 000.
Heroin worth about $5 million was seized.

2 INFORMAL possessing a particular amount of money:
She must be worth at least half a million.

worthless /ˈwɜːθ.ləs/ US /ˈwɝːθ-/
adjective
having no value in money:
The company's shares are now virtually worthless shares.
He said the jewels were worthless fakes.

worthlessness /ˈwɜːθ.lə.snəs/ US /ˈwɝːθ-/
noun [U]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

worthless

[wɜ͟ː(r)θləs]
 1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is worthless is of no real value or use.
  The guarantee could be worthless if the firm goes out of business...
  Training is worthless unless there is proof that it works.
  ...a worthless piece of old junk.
  Syn:
  useless
 2) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ Someone who is described as worthless is considered to have no good qualities or skills.
  You feel you really are completely worthless and unlovable.
  Derived words:
  worthlessness N-UNCOUNT ...feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

worthless

worth·less /ˈwɚɵləs/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 a : having no financial value
worthless coins/stocks
b : having no use, importance, or effect
• This land is worthless [=useless] for agriculture.
• The boots may be nice, but they're worthless if they don't fit you.
• a worthless guarantee
• an uninformed, worthless opinion
2 : having no good qualities
• a worthless coward
• She's depressed and believes that she's worthless.
- worth·less·ness noun [noncount]
• feelings of worthlessness
• the worthlessness of his argument

trait

trait [noun] )

a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behaviour

US /treɪt/ 
UK /treɪt/ 

ويژگى‌، خصلت‌

Example: 

personality traits

ویژگی های شخصیتی

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

trait

trait /treɪ, treɪt $ treɪt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: 'act of pulling, trait', from Latin tractus; ⇨ ↑tract]
formal a particular quality in someone’s character
personality/character traits
a mental illness associated with particular personality traits
genetic/inherited traits

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

trait

 

 

trait [trait traits]   [treɪt]    [treɪt]  noun
a particular quality in your personality
personality traits
Awareness of class is a typically British trait.  
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: from French, from Latin tractus ‘drawing, draught’, from trahere ‘draw, pull’. An early sense was ‘stroke of the pen or pencil in a picture’, giving rise to the sense ‘a particular feature of mind or character’ (mid 18th cent.).  
Example Bank:
She shares several character traits with her father.
We do not know which behavioural traits are inherited and which acquired.
a collection of traits associated with schizophrenia
• the composer's stylistic traits

• personality/character traits

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

trait / treɪt / noun [ C ]

C2 a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behaviour:

His sense of humour is one of his better traits.

Arrogance is a very unattractive personality/character trait.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

trait

[tre͟ɪt, tre͟ɪ]
 traits
 N-COUNT: with supp
 A trait is a particular characteristic, quality, or tendency that someone or something has.
  The study found that some alcoholics had clear personality traits showing up early in childhood...
  Creativity is a human trait.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

trait

 

trait /ˈtreɪt, Brit ˈtreɪ/ noun, pl traits [count] formal : a quality that makes one person or thing different from another
• Humility is an admirable trait. [=quality]
• This dog breed has a number of desirable traits.
• feminine/masculine traits
• inherited and acquired traits

 

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