C1 (Advanced)

be only/just a matter of time

be only/just a matter of time [idiom]

If it is (only) a matter of time until something happens, it is certain to happen but you do not know when it will happen

Example: 

It's only a matter of time before they bring out their own version of the software.

media: 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

It’s only/just a matter of timeused to say that something will definitely happen in the future It can only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

it's just a matter of time (before …)

it's just/only a matter of ˈtime (before…) idiom
used to say that sth will definitely happen, although you are not sure when

It's only a matter of time before they bring out their own version of the software.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

be (only) a matter of time

C1 If it is (only) a matter of time until something happens, it is certain to happen but you do not know when it will happen:

It's only a matter of time before he's forced to resign.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

phrase

If you say that something is just a matter of time, you mean that it is certain to happen at some time in the future.

It would be only a matter of time before he went through with it.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

used to say that one thing results from or requires another

  • Learning to ride a bicycle is a matter of practice.
  • His success was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
  • It's only a matter of time before/until we catch him.

trustworthy

trustworthy [adjective]

able to be trusted

US /ˈtrʌstˌwɝː.ði/ 
UK /ˈtrʌstˌwɜː.ði/ 
Example: 

Many people do not see politicians as trustworthy.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

trustworthy

 adjective
A trustworthy person is somebody that you can trust.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

trustworthy

trustworthy /ˈtrʌstˌwɜːði $ -ɜːr-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: adjective: ↑trusting, ↑trustworthy ≠ ↑untrustworthy, ↑trusty, ↑distrustful, ↑mistrustful; noun: ↑trust ≠ ↑distrust ≠ ↑mistrust, ↑trustee, ↑trusteeship, ↑trustworthiness; verb: ↑trust ≠ ↑distrust ≠ ↑mistrust]
able to be trusted and depended on
—trustworthiness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
■ people
trustworthy especially written if someone is trustworthy, you can trust them because they are honest: Many people do not see politicians as trustworthy.
reliable someone who is reliable can be trusted to do what they say they will do and not make any mistakes: a reliable employee | We need someone who is 100% reliable.
responsible someone who is responsible can be trusted to behave in a sensible way: Sam’s a good babysitter – he’s responsible and the kids like him. | a responsible adult
dependable someone who is dependable can be trusted to do what you need or expect: Britain is our most dependable ally.
steady someone who is steady is sensible and you can depend on them: He’s only sixteen, but he’s steady and reliable.
loyal someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: She is fiercely loyal to her family. | He is one of the party’s most loyal supporters.
faithful someone who is faithful stays loyal to a person, belief, political party etc, and continues to support them, even in difficult situations: Daniel had been a faithful friend. | a faithful member of the Communist Party
can rely/depend on somebody if you can rely or depend on someone, you can be sure that they will do what you want or need them to do: Don’t worry about a thing – you can depend on me. | Patients rely on doctors to help them make the right decisions about their health care.
■ things
reliable/dependable able to be trusted to do what you want, or to be accurate: The Boeing is a very reliable plane. | a dependable supply of oil | reliable economic forecasts | How can we be sure that his evidence is reliable?
trustworthy if something is trustworthy, you know that it is true or accurate: a trustworthy source of information | a trustworthy guide
can rely/depend on something if you can rely or depend on something, you can be sure that they will do what you want or need them to do: I need a car that I can rely on in all weathers.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

trustworthy

trust·worthy [trustworthiness trustworthy]   [ˈtrʌstwɜːði]    [ˈtrʌstwɜːrði]  adjective
that you can rely on to be good, honest, sincere, etc.
Syn:  reliable
Derived Word: trustworthiness  
Example Bank:
He proved honest and completely trustworthy.
She seemed loyal and trustworthy.
Mitchell was a solid and trustworthy man.

Women were seen as more trustworthy and harder working.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

trustworthy / ˈtrʌstˌwɜː.ði /   / -ˌwɝː- / adjective

C1 able to be trusted

trustworthiness / -nəs / noun [ U ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

trustworthy

[trʌ̱stwɜː(r)ði]
 ADJ-GRADED
 A trustworthy person is reliable, responsible, and can be trusted completely.
  He is a trustworthy and level-headed leader.
  Derived words:
  trustworthiness N-UNCOUNT He wrote a reference for him, describing his reliability and trustworthiness as `above questioning'.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

trustworthy

trust·wor·thy /ˈtrʌstˌwɚði/ adj [more ~; most ~] : able to be relied on to do or provide what is needed or right : deserving of trust
trustworthy friends
• a trustworthy [=dependable] news source
- trust·wor·thi·ness noun [noncount]

modest

modest [adjective] (QUITELY SUCCESSFUL)

Not usually talking about or making obvious your own abilities and achievements

US /ˈmɑː.dɪst/ 
UK /ˈmɒd.ɪst/ 
Example: 

He's very modest about his achievements

Oxford Essential Dictionary

modest

 adjective
not talking much about good things that you have done or about things that you can do well:
You didn't tell me you could sing so well – you're very modest!

>> modestly adverb:
He spoke quietly and modestly about his success.

>> modesty noun (no plural):
She accepted the prize with her usual modesty.

 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

modest

modest /ˈmɒdəst, ˈmɒdɪst $ ˈmɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Latin; Origin: modestus]
1. NOT PROUD someone who is modest does not want to talk about their abilities or achievements OPP immodest, boastful
modest about
He was always modest about his role in the Everest expedition.
You’re too modest! You’ve been a huge help to us.
2. NOT BIG not very great, big, or expensive:
a modest increase in costs
She had saved a modest amount of money.
The new service proved a modest success.
a modest house with a small garden
his modest ambitions
3. SHY shy about showing your body or attracting sexual interest, because you are easily embarrassed OPP immodest:
She was a modest girl, always keeping covered, even in summer.
4. CLOTHES old-fashioned modest clothing covers the body in a way that does not attract sexual interest:
a modest knee-length dress
—modestly adverb:
‘I was just lucky,’ he said modestly.
modestly priced meals
• • •
THESAURUS
modest not wanting to talk about your abilities or achievements and to say that you are good at something, even when you are – used to show approval: Miller, a quiet, modest man, gave credit to Asher for the initial discovery. | She was surprisingly modest about her own achievements as a player.
self-effacing written not wanting to talk about yourself or to attract attention: Her husband was a quiet, self-effacing man who spent much of his time in his study.
unassuming not wanting to be noticed and not expecting to be treated in a special way: By now Chapman was famous, but he remained as unassuming as ever. | He then began, in typically unassuming fashion, to establish the first modern dance company.
humble believing that you are not more important, better, or cleverer than other people, and therefore not expecting to be treated in a special way: A good leader is humble enough to get advice from experts.
unpretentious not trying to seem better than other people, even if you are rich, famous, clever etc: President Eisenhower was a friendly and unpretentious man who seemed to embody American virtues. | It's his unpretentious boyish charm that ensures Jackie Chan's position as one of the giants of international cinema.
self-deprecating written behaving or talking about your own abilities or achievements in a way that makes them seem unimportant: Despite his intellect, he had an appealing self-deprecating humour. | The nice thing about him is his self-deprecating manner. His intellectual ability was never pushed at you, yet he obviously had great potential. | a self-deprecating smile

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

modest

mod·est   [ˈmɒdɪst]    [ˈmɑːdɪst]  adjective
1. not very large, expensive, important, etc
modest improvements/reforms
He charged a relatively modest fee.
• a modest little house

• The research was carried out on a modest scale.

2. (approving) not talking much about your own abilities or possessions
She's very modest about her success.
• You're too modest!

Opp:  immodest

3. (of people, especially women, or their clothes) shy about showing much of the body; not intended to attract attention, especially in a sexual way
Syn:  demure
a modest dress
Opp:  immodest
Derived Word: modestly  
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent.: from French modeste, from Latin modestus ‘keeping due measure’, related to modus ‘measure’.  
Thesaurus:
modest [modest modestly] adj. (approving)
She's very modest about her success.
humbleunassumingunpretentious
Opp: vain, Opp: boastful
a/an modest/humble/unassuming/unpretentious person/man/woman
in a/an modest/humble/unassuming way  
Example Bank:
He is looking to improve on his relatively modest achievements so far.
He is modest about his achievements.
Our requirements seem fairly modest.
She would be falsely modest not to acknowledge that she had come a very long way since those early days.
The new homes are modest in scale, but very comfortable.
Don't be so modest! You're a very talented player.
He was a quiet, modest man.
She grew up in a modest little house in the suburbs.
She's very modest about her success.
The FTSE staged a modest recovery to be 6.5 points down.
There has been a modest improvement in the situation.
They live in modest comfort.
a modest aim/achievement/ambition/goal/success
a modest contribution/expenditure/fee/gain/investment/outlay/profit/sum
a modest house/flat/villa
• a modest size/amount/quantity/scale/share/proportion

• modest premises

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

modest / ˈmɒd.ɪst /   / ˈmɑː.dɪst / adjective approving (QUIETLY SUCCESSFUL)

C1 not usually talking about or making obvious your own abilities and achievements:

He's very modest about his achievements.

 

modestly / -li / adverb

C1

At just £9, the DVD is very modestly priced .

She was dressed modestly.

 

modest / ˈmɒd.ɪst /   / ˈmɑː.dɪst / adjective (NOT LARGE)

B2 not large in size or amount, or not expensive:

They live in a fairly modest house, considering their wealth.

There has been a modest improvement/recovery in housing conditions for the poor.

The party made modest gains in the elections, but nothing like the huge gains that were predicted.

Just a modest portion for me, please.

 

modestly / -li / adverb

C1

At just £9, the DVD is very modestly priced .

She was dressed modestly.
 

modest / ˈmɒd.ɪst /   / ˈmɑː.dɪst / adjective old-fashioned (CLOTHES/BEHAVIOUR)

describes something, such as a woman's clothes or behaviour, that is intended to avoid attracting sexual interest:

a modest walk/manner

 

modestly / -li / adverb

C1

At just £9, the DVD is very modestly priced .

She was dressed modestly.
 

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

modest

[mɒ̱dɪst]
 ♦♦♦
 1) ADJ-GRADED A modest house or other building is not large or expensive.
  ...the modest home of a family who lived off the land...
  A one-night stay in a modest hotel costs around ₤35.
  Syn:
  unassuming
 2) ADJ-GRADED You use modest to describe something such as an amount, rate, or improvement which is fairly small.
  Swiss unemployment rose to the still modest rate of 0.7%...
  The democratic reforms have been modest and they've occurred in only a few countries...
  You don't get rich, but you can get a modest living out of it.
  Derived words:
  modestly ADV-GRADED ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed/adv Britain's balance of payments improved modestly last month.
 3) ADJ-GRADED (approval) If you say that someone is modest, you approve of them because they do not talk much about their abilities or achievements.
  He's modest, as well as being a great player...
  Lord Carrington is modest about his achievements.
  Syn:
  unassuming
  Ant:
  arrogant
  Derived words:
  modestly ADV-GRADED ADV with v `You really must be very good at what you do.' - `I suppose I am,' Kate said modestly.
 4) ADJ-GRADED You can describe a woman as modest when she avoids doing or wearing anything that might cause men to have sexual feelings towards her. You can also describe her clothes or behaviour as modest.
  Asian women are more modest and shy, yet they tend to have an inner force...
  Respect the local etiquete. Modest clothing is often preferable to revealing shorts and tight-fitting tops.
  Derived words:
  modestly ADV-GRADED ADV with v, ADV adj/adv She sat down cautiously on the red canvas cushions, knees modestly together.

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

modest

mod·est /ˈmɑːdəst/ adj [more ~; most ~]
1 : not very large in size or amount
• Despite its modest [=somewhat small] size, the city has many things to offer tourists.
• They own a modest home near the beach.
• She enjoyed modest success with her singing career.
• He earns a modest income.
• We live on a modest budget.
• New cars are now available at relatively modest prices.
• He has only a modest amount of knowledge on the subject.
• It is a book of only modest importance.
2 approving : not too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities : not showing or feeling great or excessive pride
• She's very modest about her achievements.
• Don't be so modest. Your performance was wonderful!
• “I'm not a hero. I was just doing my job,” he said in his characteristically modest way.
• He is unusually modest for a man who is so famous and successful.
- opposite immodest
3 a of clothing : not showing too much of a person's body
• She preferred wearing more modest swimsuits.
• In some countries, women must wear very modest clothing in public.
b : shy about showing your body especially in a sexual way : preferring to wear modest clothing
• a modest young woman
- opposite immodest
- mod·est·ly adv
• Our business has been modestly successful.
• a modestly priced car
• a modestly dressed young woman
• She modestly refused to accept credit for the team's success.

slippery

slippery [adjective]

If something is slippery, it is wet or smooth so that it slides easily or causes something to slide

US /ˈslɪp.ɚ.i/ 
UK /ˈslɪp.ər.i/ 
Example: 

Snow and ice have made roads slippery.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

slippery

 adjective
so smooth or wet that you cannot move on it or hold it easily:
a slippery floor
The road was wet and slippery.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

slippery

slippery /ˈslɪpəri/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑slip, ↑slipper, ↑slippage, ↑slipperiness; verb: ↑slip; adjective: ↑slippery]
[Date: 1500-1600; Origin: slipper 'slippery' (11-19 centuries), from Old English slipor]
1. something that is slippery is difficult to hold, walk on etc because it is wet or ↑greasy:
In places, the path can be wet and slippery.
Harry’s palms were slippery with sweat.
2. informal someone who is slippery cannot be trusted:
Martin is a slippery customer (=someone you should not trust) so be careful what you say to him.
3. not having one clear meaning and able to be understood in different ways:
the slippery notion of ‘standards’
4. (be on) a/the slippery slope British English informal used to talk about a process or habit that is difficult to stop and which will develop into something extremely bad
(be on) a/the slippery slope to/towards
He is on the slippery slope to a life of crime.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

slippery

slip·pery   [ˈslɪpəri]    [ˈslɪpəri]  adjective
1. (also informal slippy) difficult to hold or to stand or move on, because it is smooth, wet or polished
slippery like a fish
In places the path can be wet and slippery.

His hand was slippery with sweat.

2. (informal) (of a person) that you cannot trust

Don't believe what he says— he's a slippery customer.

3. (informal) (of a situation, subject, problem, etc.) difficult to deal with and that you have to think about carefully
Freedom is a slippery concept (= because its meaning changes according to your point of view).
Idiom: slippery slope
See also: slippy  
Word Origin:
[slippery] late 15th cent.: from dialect slipper ‘slippery’, probably suggested by Luther's schlipfferig.  
Example Bank:
International law is notoriously slippery.
The concrete gets slippery when it's wet.
The oil made the ground slippery and treacherous to walk on.
The track was wet and slippery for the race.
Watch out— the floor's a bit slippery.

rocks that were slippery with seaweed

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

slippery / ˈslɪp. ə r.i /   / -ɚ- / adjective

C1 If something is slippery, it is wet or smooth so that it slides easily or causes something to slide:

slippery soap

a slippery floor

The road was wet and slippery.

informal disapproving Someone who is slippery cannot be trusted:

He's as slippery as an eel - you can never get a straight answer out of him.

He's a slippery customer (= person) , that Tim, I've never felt comfortable with him.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

slippery

[slɪ̱pəri]
 1) ADJ-GRADED Something that is slippery is smooth, wet, or oily and is therefore difficult to walk on or to hold.
  The tiled floor was wet and slippery...
  Motorists were warned to beware of slippery conditions.
 2) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) You can describe someone as slippery if you think that they are dishonest in a clever way and cannot be trusted.
  He is a slippery customer, and should be carefully watched.
 3) PHRASE: N inflects, usu down/on PHR, oft PHR to n If someone is on a slippery slope, they are involved in a course of action that is difficult to stop and that will eventually lead to failure or trouble.
  The company started down the slippery slope of believing that they knew better than the customer.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

slippery

slip·pery /ˈslɪpəri/ adj slip·per·i·er; -est [also more ~; most ~]
1 : difficult to stand on, move on, or hold because of being smooth, wet, icy, etc.
• The trails were muddy and slippery.
• The floor looks slippery.
• Fish are slippery to hold.
• The sign cautions: “Slippery when wet.”
2 : not easy to understand or identify in an exact way
• a slippery definition
slippery concepts/notions
3 informal : not able to be trusted : tricky
slippery politicians
- slip·per·i·ness noun [noncount]

wisely

wisely [adverb]

Showing good judgment

US /ˈwaɪz.li/ 
UK /ˈwaɪz.li/ 
Example: 

Sian had very wisely left the party before all the trouble started.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

wisely adverb:
Many people wisely stayed at home in the bad weather.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

wisely adverb:
Invest the money wisely.
He nodded wisely.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

wisely

wise·ly   [waɪzli]  ;   [waɪzli]  adverb

She nodded wisely.

He wisely decided to tell the truth.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

wisely / ˈwaɪz.li / adverb

C1 showing good judgment:

Sian had very wisely left the party before all the trouble started.

Invest your money wisely through Home Counties Savings Trust.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

wisely ADV-GRADED ADV with v The three of us stood around the machine nodding wisely.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

- wise·ly adv [more ~; most ~]
• The witness wisely refused to answer the question.
• If you invest wisely, you can make a lot of money.
• Try to choose your words more wisely.

bend over backwards

bend over backwards [idiom]

To try very hard to do something

تمام سعی و توان خود را بکار بستن - bend over backwards

تمام سعی و توان خود را بکار بستن

Example: 

My best friend, Jacob, is having financial problems, I’ll do everything I can to help him. I will truly bend over backwards for him.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

bend over backwards

(to do something)to try very hard to be helpful We bent over backwards to finish it on time.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

bend/lean over backwards

C1 to try very hard to do something:

I've been bending over backwards trying to help you, and this is all the thanks I get!

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

bend over backwards in British

or lean over backwards

informal

to make a special effort, esp in order to please

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

bend over backward or bend over backwards

to make extreme effortshad to bend over backward to get these tickets

make ends meet

make ends meet [idiom]

To earn money which is only enough to cover your expenses

make ends meet - دخل و خرج را جور کردن
Example: 

Sara gets a descent salary, bust she has to be careful about extra expenses to make both ends meet.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

make ends meet

to have only just enough money to buy the things you need When Mike lost his job, we could barely make ends meet.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

make (both) ends meet

make (both) ends ˈmeet idiom
to earn just enough money to be able to buy the things you need

Many families struggle to make ends meet.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

make ends meet

C1 ( Indian English make both ends meet ) to have just enough money to pay for the things that you need

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

to make ends meet

phrase

If you find it difficult to make ends meet, you can only just manage financially because you hardly have enough money for the things you need.

With Betty's salary they barely made ends meet.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

make ends meet : to pay for the things that you need to live when you have little money
• We had a hard time making ends meet.

naive

naive [adjective]

too willing to believe that someone is telling the truth, that people's intentions in general are good, or that life is simple and fair. People are often naive because they are young and/or have not had much experience of life

US /naɪˈiːv/ 
UK /naɪˈiːv/ 
Example: 

don't be so naive!

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

naive

naive /naɪˈiːv/ adjective
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: naïve, feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus; ⇒ native]
not having much experience of how complicated life is, so that you trust people too much and believe that good things will always happen ⇒ innocent:
a naive young girl
Jim can be so naive sometimes.
it is naive to think/suppose/assume etc
It would be naive to think that this could solve all the area’s problems straight away.
naively adverb:
I had naively imagined that he was in love with me.
naivety /naɪˈiːvəti/ (also naiveté /naɪˈiːvəteɪ/) noun [uncountable]:
dangerous political naivety

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

naive

naive (also naïve)  [naɪˈiːv]    [naɪˈiːv]  adjective
1. (disapproving) lacking experience of life, knowledge or good judgement and willing to believe that people always tell you the truth
to be politically naive
• I can't believe you were so naive as to trust him!

• a naive question

2. (approving) (of people and their behaviour) innocent and simple
Syn:  artless
• Their approach to life is refreshingly naive.

compare  sophisticated

3. (technical) (of art) in a style which is deliberately very simple, often uses bright colours and is similar to that produced by a child
Derived Words: naively  naivety
See also: naïvely  naïvety  
Word Origin:
mid 17th cent.: from French naïve, feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus ‘native, natural’.  
Thesaurus:
naive (also naïve) adj. (disapproving)
It was so naive of you to trust him!
inexperiencedinnocentimpressionable|disapproving gullible|often approving trusting
Opp: sophisticated
a naive/an innocent belief
a/an inexperienced/impressionable/gullible/trusting person
an innocent/impressionable child  
Example Bank:
He regarded the move as politically naive.
He made some particularly naive remarks.
I can't believe you were so naive as to trust him!
It would be naive of us to think that football is only a game.
 
Example Bank:
Opposition politicians accused him of naivety.
• She showed a certain naivety in going to the press about the matter.

• Their welcoming attitude towards strangers is often seen as naivety.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

naive

naive, naïve /naɪˈiːv/
adjective MAINLY DISAPPROVING
too willing to believe that someone is telling the truth, that people's intentions in general are good or that life is simple and fair. People are often naive because they are young and/or have not had much experience of life:
She was very naive to believe that he'd stay with her.
They make the naive assumption that because it's popular it must be good.
It was a little naive of you to think that they would listen to your suggestions.

naively, naïvely /naɪˈiːv.li/
adverb
I, perhaps naively, believed he was telling the truth.

naivety, naïveté /naɪˈiː.vɪ.ti/ US /-və.ţi/
noun [U]
trust based on lack of experience:
DISAPPROVING He demonstrated a worrying naivety about political issues.
APPROVING I think her naivety is charming - she's so unspoilt and fresh.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

naive

[naɪi͟ːv, AM nɑː-]
 also naїve
 ADJ-GRADED: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf, ADJ to-inf

 If you describe someone as naive, you think they lack experience and so expect things to be easy or people to be honest or kind.
  It's naive to think that teachers are always tolerant...
  I must have been naive to think we would get my parents' blessing.
  ...naive idealists...
  Their view was that he had been politically naive.
 Syn:
 unrealistic
  Derived words:
  naively ADV-GRADED usu ADV with v ...naively applying Western solutions to Eastern problems... I thought, naively, that this would be a nine-to five job.
  naivety [naɪi͟ːvɪti] N-UNCOUNT I was alarmed by his naivety and ignorance of international affairs.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

naive

na·ive or na·ïve /nɑˈiːv, naɪˈiːv/ adj [more ~; most ~] : having or showing a lack of experience or knowledge : innocent or simple
• a naive belief that all people are good
• a naive view of the world
• She asked a lot of naive questions.
• He's politically naive. = He's naive about the nature of politics.
• I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
• The plan seems a little naive.
• If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
• We're not naive to the fact [=we're not unaware of the fact] that there are problems with the system.
- na·ive·ly or na·ïve·ly adv
• I naively believed that we could fix the problem.
- na·ïve·té also na·ive·te or na·ive·té /nɑˌiːvˈteɪ, naɪˌiːvˈteɪ/ noun [noncount]
• political naïveté
- na·ive·ty also na·ïve·ty /nɑˈiːvəti, naɪˈiːvəti/ noun [noncount] chiefly Brit
• political naïvety

collision

collision [noun] (ACCIDENT)

an accident that happens when two vehicles hit each other with force

US /kəˈlɪʒ.ən/ 
UK /kəˈlɪʒ.ən/ 
Example: 

Two drivers were killed in a head-on (= direct)  collision  between  a car and a taxi last night.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

collision

 noun
when things or people collide same meaning crash:
The driver of the car was killed in the collision.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

collision

collision /kəˈlɪʒən/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: collisio, from collidere; ⇨ ↑collide]
1. an accident in which two or more people or vehicles hit each other while moving in different directions ⇨ collide
collision with
The school bus was involved in a collision with a truck.
Two people were killed in a head-on collision (=between two vehicles that are moving directly towards each other) on highway 218.
2. a strong disagreement between two people or groups
collision between
a collision between the two countries over fishing rights
3. be on a collision course
a) to be likely to have serious trouble because your aims are very different from someone else’s:
The two nations are on a collision course that could lead to war.
b) to be moving in a direction in which you will hit something:
an asteroid on a collision course with Earth

THESAURUS
accident an event in which a vehicle is damaged and often someone is hurt: Her father died in a car accident. | Hugh had an accident on his way to work.
crash a serious accident in which a vehicle hits something else: Rees-Jones was the only person to survive the crash. | a car/plane/train crash | He was killed in a plane crash.
collision an accident in which two or more cars, trains etc hit each other: His car was involved in a collision with a train. | a head-on collision (=between vehicles that are driving towards each other): The actor was killed in a head-on collision while driving his new sports car.
disaster a serious accident involving a train, plane, or boat, in which a lot of people are killed or injured: It was Britain’s worst air disaster.
wreck American English an accident in which a car or train is badly damaged: Ben nearly died in a car wreck.
pile-up an accident that involves several cars or trucks: The pile-up happened in thick fog. | There was a 12-car pile-up on the motorway.
fender-bender American English informal, prang British English informal a car accident in which little damage is done: Atkinson was involved in a fender-bender in the hotel parking lot. | At 15, he borrowed his parents’ car and had a prang.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

collision

 

col·li·sion [collision collisions]   [kəˈlɪʒn]    [kəˈlɪʒn]  noun countable, uncountable ~ (with sb/sth) | ~ (between/of A and B)
1. an accident in which two vehicles or people crash into each other
a collision between two trains
Stewart was injured in a collision with another player.
a head-on collision (= between two vehicles that are moving towards each other)
a mid-air collision (= between two aircraft while they are flying)
His car was in collision with a motorbike.

• Wind and ice were blamed for the collision involving up to 12 vehicles.

2. (formal) a strong disagreement between two people or between opposing ideas, opinions, etc; the meeting of two things that are very different
a collision between two opposing points of view
In his work we see the collision of two different traditions.
Idiom: on a collision course  
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from late Latin collisio(n-), from Latin collidere ‘strike together’, from col- ‘together’ + laedere ‘to strike’.  
Example Bank:
I had a collision with a bus.
She was injured in a collision.
The car was in collision with a lorry.
The collision occurred near the hospital.
a head-on collision between two cars
• Australian food is an exciting collision of native, Asian and European cuisines.

• The problem comes from a collision between two opposing points of view.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

collision / kəˈlɪʒ. ə n / noun [ C or U ] (ACCIDENT)

an accident that happens when two vehicles hit each other with force:

There has been a collision on the southbound stretch of the motorway.

Two drivers were killed in a head-on (= direct) collision between a car and a taxi last night.

The cyclist was in collision with a bus.

 

collision / kəˈlɪʒ. ə n / noun [ C ] (DIFFERENCE)

a strong disagreement:

There was a collision of interests/opinions.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

collision

[kəlɪ̱ʒ(ə)n]
 collisions
 1) N-VAR: oft N with/between n A collision occurs when a moving object crashes into something.
  They were on their way to the Shropshire Union Canal when their van was involved in a collision with a car...
  I saw a head-on collision between two aeroplanes.
  Syn:
  crash
 2) N-COUNT: oft N of/between/with n A collision of cultures or ideas occurs when two very different cultures or people meet and conflict.
  It's the collision of disparate ideas that alters one's perspective...
  The play represents the collision of three generations.
  Syn:
  clash

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

collision

 

col·li·sion /kəˈlɪʒən/ noun, pl -sions [count] : an act of colliding: such as
a : a crash in which two or more things or people hit each other
• The car was destroyed in the collision.
• There was nothing I could do to avoid a head-on collision. [=a crash of two vehicles that are moving directly toward each other]
- often + between or with
• He was injured in a collision between a car and an SUV.
• She hurt her shoulder in a collision with another player.
b : a situation in which people or groups disagree : a clash or conflict - often + between
• He reported on the latest collision between the two leaders.

nap

nap [noun] (SLEEP)

a short sleep, especially during the day

US /næp/ 
UK /næp/ 
Example: 

Grandpa usually has/takes a nap after lunch.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

nap

 noun
a short sleep that you have during the day:
I had a nap after lunch.

 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

nap

I. nap1 /næp/ BrE AmE noun
[Sense 1: Date: 1300-1400; Origin: ⇨ ↑nap2]
[Sense 2: Date: 1400-1500; Language: Middle Dutch; Origin: noppe]

1. [countable] a short sleep, especially during the day
have/take a nap
I usually take a nap after lunch.
an afternoon nap
2. [singular] the soft surface on some cloth and leather, made by brushing the short fine threads or hairs in one direction ⇨ ↑pile1(7)

COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
have/take a nap I took a nap after lunch.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + nap
a short/little nap A short nap may make you feel better.
a quick/brief nap I like to have a brief nap in the afternoon.
an afternoon/morning nap She has her afternoon nap at about two.
a two-hour/twenty minute etc nap At age four, she was still having a two-hour nap every day.
a power nap (=a short sleep at work, that gives you more energy and concentration) Try taking a power nap before the meeting.
a catnap (=a very short sleep) I envied her ability to take catnaps at any time of the day.
■ nap + NOUN
nap time You can always tell when it's a baby's nap time because they start getting irritable.

THESAURUS
sleep the natural state of resting your mind and body, when your eyes are closed and you do not notice anything happening around you: I hardly got any sleep at all last night. | He woke suddenly from a deep sleep.
slumber/slumbers literary sleep: She fell into an uneasy slumber. | He awoke from his slumbers.
shut-eye informal especially humorous sleep: I really need to get some shut-eye.
doze a period in which you sleep lightly, especially when you are not in your bed: Edward was so tired he fell into a doze on the settee.
snooze informal a short period when you sleep lightly, especially when you are not in your bed: He decided to have a snooze on the sofa while he was waiting for the others to get ready.
nap a short sleep, especially during the day: He’s taking a nap. | Helen put the baby down for a nap after lunch.
forty winks informal a short sleep, especially during the day: I’m just going to have forty winks. | I felt a lot better after I had had forty winks.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nap

nap [nap naps napped napping] noun, verb   [næp]    [næp]

noun
1. countable a short sleep, especially during the day
Syn:  snooze
to take/have a nap
compare  siesta 

see also  catnap, power nap

2. singular the short fine threads on the surface of some types of cloth, usually lying in the same direction

3. countable (BrE) advice given by an expert on which horse is most likely to win a race 
Word Origin:
n. sense 1 and v. Old English hnappian Germanic
n. sense 2 late Middle English noppe Middle Dutch Middle Low German noppe ‘nap’ noppen ‘trim the nap from’
n. sense 3 early 19th cent. napoleon
 
Synonyms:
sleep
doze nap snooze
These words all mean to rest with your eyes closed and your mind and body not active.
sleepto rest with your eyes shut and your mind and body not active: Did you sleep well? I couldn't sleep last night.
It is more usual to say that sb is asleep than that they are sleeping; but if you use an adverb to say how they are sleeping, use sleeping: ‘What's Ashley doing?’ ‘Sh! She's asleep.’ The baby was sleeping peacefully. ◊ The baby was asleep peacefully.
dozeto sleep lightly, waking up easily, often when you are not in bed: He was dozing in front of the TV.
napto sleep for a short time, especially during the day.
snooze(informal) to sleep lightly for a short time, especially during the day and usually not in bed: My brother was snoozing on the sofa.
to sleep/doze lightly/fitfully
to doze/snooze gently  
Example Bank:
• I had a short nap after lunch.

• to have/take a nap

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

nap / næp / noun [ C ] (SLEEP)

C1 a short sleep, especially during the day:

Grandpa usually has/takes a nap after lunch.

 

nap / næp / noun [ S ] (CLOTH)

the surface of a piece of cloth such as velvet, consisting of short threads that have been brushed in one direction

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

nap

[næ_p]
 naps, napping, napped
 1) N-COUNT If you have a nap, you have a short sleep, usually during the day.
  Use your lunch hour to have a nap in your chair...
  I might take a little nap.
  Syn:
  snooze
 2) VERB If you nap, you sleep for a short period of time, usually during the day.
  An elderly person may nap during the day and then sleep only five hours a night.
  Syn:
  doze
 3) N-SING The nap of a carpet or of a cloth such as velvet is the top layer of short threads, which usually lie smoothly in one direction.
 4) PHRASE: V inflects If someone is caught napping, something happens when they are not prepared for it, although they should have been. [INFORMAL]
  The security services were clearly caught napping.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

1nap /ˈnæp/ noun, pl naps [count] : a short period of sleep especially during the day
• She awoke from her nap rested and refreshed.
• You look like you could use a nap.
• He put the baby down for a nap.
• Grandma takes a nap every afternoon.

- compare 3nap

nap

3nap noun, pl naps [count] : a soft layer of threads on the surface of a piece of cloth, a carpet, etc.

- compare 1nap

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