American English

complain

com·plain [complain complains complained complaining]   [kəmˈpleɪn]    [kəmˈpleɪn]  verb intransitive, transitive
to say that you are annoyed, unhappy or not satisfied about sb/sth
• ~ (to sb) (about/of sth) I'm going to complain to the manager about this.
• The defendant complained of intimidation during the investigation.
• She never complains, but she's obviously exhausted.
• (informal) ‘How are you?’ ‘Oh, I can't complain (= I'm all right).’
• ~ (that)… He complained bitterly that he had been unfairly treated.
• + speech ‘It's not fair,’ she complained.
Derived: complain of something
Verb forms:
 
Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French complaindre, from medieval Latin complangere ‘bewail’, from Latin com- (expressing intensive force) + plangere ‘to lament’.  
Thesaurus:
complain verb I, T
• He complained that he had been unfairly treated.
protest • • object • |disapproving grumble • • whine • • carp • |informal, disapproving moan •
complain/protest/grumble/whine/carp/moan about sth
complain/protest/grumble/moan at sth
complain/protest/object/grumble/whine/moan that…  
Synonyms:
complain
protest • object • grumble • moan • whine
These words all mean to say that you are annoyed, unhappy or not satisfied about sb/sth.
complain • to say that you are annoyed, unhappy or not satisfied about sb/sth: ▪ I'm going to complain to the manager about this.
protest • to say or do sth to show that you disagree with or disapprove of sth, especially publicly; to give sth as a reason for protesting: ▪ Students took to the streets to ▪ protest against ▪ the decision.
object • to say that you disagree with or disapprove of sth; to give sth as a reason for objecting: ▪ If nobody objects, we'll postpone the meeting till next week. ◊ ▪ He objected that the police had arrested him without sufficient evidence.
grumble • (rather informal, disapproving) to complain about sb/sth in a bad-tempered way: ▪ They kept grumbling that they were cold.
moan • (BrE, rather informal, disapproving) to complain about sb/sth in an annoying way: ▪ What are you moaning on about now?
whine • (rather informal, disapproving) to complain in an annoying, crying voice: ▪ Stop whining! ◊ ▪ ‘I want to go home,’ whined Toby.
Whine is often used to talk about the way that young children complain.
to complain/protest/grumble/moan/whine about sth
to complain/protest/grumble/moan at sth
to complain/protest/object/grumble/moan/whine to sb
to complain/protest/object/grumble/moan/whine that…  
Example Bank:
• All the guests complained about the noise.
• He really has no right to complain.
• I'm going to complain to the authorities about this!
• It was entirely my own idea, so I can hardly complain.
• She complained at the unfairness of it all.
• She complained bitterly about the lack of help she received.
• ‘How are you?’‘Oh, I can't complain.’
• ‘It's not fair,’ she complained.

• She never complains, but she's obviously exhausted.

expect

ex·pect [expect expects expected expecting]   [ɪkˈspekt]    [ɪkˈspekt]  verb
1. transitive to think or believe that sth will happen or that sb will do sth
• ~ sth We are expecting a rise in food prices this month.
• ~ sth from sb/sth Don't expect sympathy from me!
• ~ sth of sb/sth That's not the sort of behaviour I expect of you!
• ~ to do sth You can't expect to learn a foreign language in a few months.
• I looked back, half expecting to see someone following me.
• ~ sb/sth to do sth House prices are expected to rise sharply.
• I didn't expect him to become a successful writer.
• Do you really expect me to believe you?
• ~ (that)… Many people were expecting (that) the peace talks would break down.

• it is expected that… It is expected that the report will suggest some major reforms.

2. transitive (often used in the progressive tenses) to be waiting for sb/sth to arrive, as this has been arranged
• ~ sb/sth to expect a visit/call/letter from sb
• Are you expecting visitors?
• We were expecting him yesterday.

• ~ sb to do sth We were expecting him to arrive yesterday.

3. to demand that sb will do sth because it is their duty or responsibility
• ~ sth (from sb) Her parents expected high standards from her.
• He's still getting over his illness, so don't expect too much from him.
• ~ sth (of sb) Are you clear what is expected of you?
• ~ sb to do sth They expected all their children to be high achievers.
• We are expected to work on Saturdays.

• ~ to do sth I expect to be paid promptly for the work.

4. intransitive, transitive (informal, especially BrE) (not used in the progressive tenses) used when you think sth is probably true
• ‘Will you be late?’ ‘ I expect so.’
• ‘Are you going out tonight?’ ‘ I don't expect so.’
• ~ (that…) ‘Who's eaten all the cake?’ ‘Tom, I expect/I expect it was Tom.’  ‘That’ is nearly always left out.
compare  unexpected 
Idioms: expecting a baby ▪ to be expected ▪ what do you expect?
Verb forms:

 
Word Origin:
mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘defer action, wait’): from Latin exspectare ‘look out for’, from ex- ‘out’ + spectare ‘to look’ (frequentative of specere ‘see’).  
Thesaurus:
expect verb
1. T
• They're not expecting to get any money from the government.
think • • look forward to sth • • anticipate • • bargain for/on sth • • look for sth • • look ahead • • watch for sb/sth • |formal await •
expect/think/anticipate that…
It is expected/thought/anticipated that…
expect/look forward to/anticipate/look for/await results
2. T
• They expect their children to be high achievers.
demand • • ask • • insist • • hold out for sth • |formal require • • stipulate •
expect/demand/ask/require sth from sb
expect/demand/ask/insist/require/stipulate that…
expect/ask/require sb to do sth
Expect, demand or ask? Ask is not as strong as expect or demand, both of which can be more like a command.
3. T (especially BrE, spoken)
• I expect he'll be late, as usual.
suppose • • imagine • • suspect • • assume • • presume • |especially spoken take it • |especially BrE, spoken I dare say • |especially AmE, spoken guess •
expect/suppose/imagine/suspect/assume/presume/take it/dare say/guess that…
I expect/suppose/imagine/suspect/assume/presume/guess so. 
Language Bank:
expect
Discussing predictions
▪ The number of people using mobile phones to purchase goods and services is expected ▪ / likely ▪ to more than double by the end of 2015.
▪ Experts have predicted ▪ / forecast ▪ that the number of people using their mobile phones to pay for goods and services should exceed 190 million in 2015.
▪ This figure is set to ▪ reach 200 million by 2016.
By ▪ 2015, 800 million mobile phone users worldwide will ▪ be participating in social networks via their phone.
▪ Sales of mobile phones in 2009 were lower than expected ▪.
▪ The company's announcement of 1.26 billion handsets sold for the year is in line with predictions ▪.
Language Banks at fall, illustrate, increase, proportion  
Synonyms:
demand
require • expect • insist • ask
These words all mean to say that sb should do or have sth.
demand • to ask for sth very firmly; to say very firmly that sb should have or do sth: ▪ She demanded an immediate explanation.
require • [often passive] (rather formal) to make sb do or have sth, especially because it is necessary according to a law or set of rules or standards: ▪ All candidates will be required to take a short test.
expect • to demand that sb should do, have or be sth, especially because it is their duty or responsibility: ▪ I expect to be paid promptly for the work.
insist • to demand that sth happens or that sb agrees to do sth: ▪ I didn't want to go but he insisted. ◊ ▪ We ▪ insist on ▪ the highest standards at all times.
ask • to expect or demand sth: ▪ You're asking too much of him.
demand, expect or ask?
Ask is not as strong as demand or expect, both of which can be more like a command.
to demand/require/expect/ask sth of/from sb
to demand/require/expect/insist/ask that…
to require/expect/ask sb to do sth
to demand/require/expect/ask a lot/too much/a great deal
to be too much to expect/ask 
Example Bank:
• As expected, they lost the election.
• Did you honestly expect me to believe that?
• I didn't really expect them to come.
• I do not necessarily expect an easy answer to this question.
• I think my parents always expected too much of me.
• I was half expecting to see Jim at the concert.
• I would expect the factory to be working again as normal by next week.
• It would be foolish to expect this at his age.
• It would be unreasonable to expect them to do all that work for free.
• My parents fully expect us to get married.
• She confidently expects to win.
• The economy is widely expected to pick up in the first half of next year.
• The wine list is excellent, as is to be expected from such a high-class restaurant.
• They rightly expect to be obeyed.
• This kind of behaviour is to be expected from a two-year-old.
• Was she really naive enough to expect that he had changed?
• We can expect to see an improvement in the weather over the next few days.
• We expect good results from our employees.
• You are entitled to expect certain minimum standards of accommodation.
• You can hardly expect to learn a foreign language in a few months.
• You can't seriously expect me to sympathize with you.
• ‘Are you going out tonight?’ ‘I don't expect so.’
• ‘Will Bill be there?’ ‘I expect so.’
• Are you clear about what is expected of you?
• Don't expect sympathy from me!
• Don't expect too much from him.
• Double the expected number of people came to the meeting.
• Her parents expect high standards from her.
• I didn't expect him to become a successful writer.
• I expect he'll be late, as usual.
• I'm expecting an important call.
• Many people were expecting that the peace talks would break down.

• That's not the sort of behaviour I expect of you.

chance

chance [chance chances chanced chancing] noun, verb, adjective   [tʃɑːns]    [tʃæns] 

noun
1. countable, uncountable a possibility of sth happening, especially sth that you want
• ~ of doing sth Is there any chance of getting tickets for tonight?
• She has only a slim chance of passing the exam.
• ~ that… There's a slight chance that he'll be back in time.
• There is no chance that he will change his mind.
• ~ of sth happening What chance is there of anybody being found alive?
• ~ of sth Nowadays a premature baby has a very good chance of survival.
• The operation has a fifty-fifty chance of success.
• an outside chance (= a very small one)

• The chances are a million to one against being struck by lightning.

2. countable a suitable time or situation when you have the opportunity to do sth
• It was the chance she had been waiting for.
• Jeff deceived me once already— I won't give him a second chance.
• This is your big chance (= opportunity for success).
• ~ of sth We won't get another chance of a holiday this year.
• ~ to do sth Please give me a chance to explain.
• Tonight is your last chance to catch the play at your local theatre.

• ~ for sb to do sth There will be a chance for parents to look around the school.

3. countable an unpleasant or dangerous possibility
• When installing electrical equipment don't take any chances. A mistake could kill.

• The car might break down but that's a chance we'll have to take.

4. uncountable the way that some things happen without any cause that you can see or understand
• I met her by chance (= without planning to) at the airport.
• Chess is not a game of chance.
• It was pure chance that we were both there.
• We'll plan everything very carefully and leave nothing to chance.
more at not have/stand a cat in hell's chance at  cat, not have a dog's chance at  dog  _n., have an even chance at  even  _adj., with an eye for/to the main chance at  eye  _n., fat chance at  fat  _adj., a fighting chance at  fight  _v., not have a snowball's chance in hell at  snowball  _n., a sporting chance at  sporting  
Word Origin:
Middle English: from Old French cheance, from cheoir ‘fall, befall’, based on Latin cadere.  
Thesaurus:
chance noun
1. C, U
• Is there any chance of getting tickets now?
possibility • • prospect • • odds • • likelihood • • probability •
a chance/a possibility/the prospect/the odds/the likelihood/a probability of/that…
little/no chance/possibility/prospect/likelihood
the chances/odds/likelihood/probability is/are that…
increase/reduce the chance/possibility/odds/probability/likelihood
2. C
• This is your big chance.
opportunity • • start • • possibilities • |informal break • |especially spoken moment • |especially business window •
a chance/the opportunity to do sth
have a/an chance/opportunity/break/moment/window
get/give sb a/an chance/opportunity/break/moment/start
take advantage of a chance/an opportunity/the possibilities/a window
Chance or opportunity? Opportunity tends to be more formal. In some cases only one of the words can be used:
• I won't give him a second chance.
 ¤ I won't give him a second opportunity.:
• job/equal opportunities
 ¤ job/equal chances
3. C
• The manager took a chance on a young, inexperienced player.
gamble • • risk •
take a chance/gamble/risk on sth
take a chance/risk with sth
a big chance/gamble/risk
Chance, gamble or risk? Risk is used especially when there is danger to life or sb's safety; gamble is used about less serious danger, or when you risk money. When you decide to give/not to give sb the opportunity to do sth, you take a chance/take no chances.
4. U, sing.
• We met by chance at the airport.
coincidence • • accident • • luck •
by chance/coincidence/accident/luck
pure/sheer chance/coincidence/accident/luck
a/an happy/unfortunate/strange chance/coincidence/accident 
Synonyms:
luck
chance • coincidence • accident • fate • destiny
These are all words for things that happen or the force that causes them to happen.
luck • the force that causes good or bad things to happen to people: ▪ This ring has always brought me good luck.
chance • the way that some things happen without any cause that you can see or understand: ▪ The results could simply be due to chance.
coincidence • the fact of two things happening at the same time by chance, in a surprising way: ▪ They met through a series of strange coincidences.
accident • something that happens unexpectedly and is not planned in advance: ▪ Their early arrival was just an accident.
fate • the power that is believed to control everything that happens and that cannot be stopped or changed: ▪ Fate decreed that she would never reach America.
destiny • the power that is believed to control events: ▪ I believe there's some force guiding us— call it God, destiny or fate.
fate or destiny?
Fate can be kind, but this is an unexpected gift; just as often, fate is cruel and makes people feel helpless. Destiny is more likely to give people a sense of power: people who have a strong sense of destiny usually believe that they are meant to be great or do great things.
by …luck/chance/coincidence/accident
It's no coincidence/accident that…
pure/sheer luck/chance/coincidence/accident
to believe in luck/coincidences/fate/destiny 
Example Bank:
• After a poor start, they are now in with a chance of winning the league.
• Are you by any chance Mr Ludd?
• As long as there is an outside chance, we will go for it.
• By a happy chance he bumped into an old friend on the plane.
• Chess is not a game of chance.
• Fat chance of him helping you!
• Given the chance, I'd retire tomorrow.
• He blew four of his seven save chances.
• He deserves the chance to give his side of the story.
• He didn't want to risk the chance of being discovered.
• He doesn't stand a chance of winning against such an experienced player.
• He had wasted a golden chance to make history.
• He had zero chance of survival.
• He realized that this might be his only chance to save himself.
• How do you rate our chances of finding her?
• I don't fancy our chances of getting there on time.
• I finally had the chance to meet my hero.
• I got most answers right through sheer chance.
• I rang the company just on the off chance that they might have a vacancy.
• I would welcome the chance to give my opinion.
• I wouldn't pass up the chance of working for them.
• If she let this chance slip, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
• It was a mistake which eliminated any chance of an Australian victory.
• Katie was his last real chance at happiness.
• Leaving nothing to chance, he delivered the letter himself.
• No child should be denied the chance of growing up in a family.
• She has every chance of passing the exam if she works hard.
• She played left-handed to give her opponent a fair chance.
• She spotted her chance of making a quick profit.
• Take every chance that comes your way.
• The doctors gave him little chance of surviving the night.
• The dog always runs off when it gets half a chance.
• The guide book didn't mention the hotel, but we decided to take a chance.
• The manager took a chance on the young goalkeeper.
• The missing climber's chances of survival are slim.
• The new college is intended to improve the life chances of children in the inner city.
• The police came upon the hideout purely by chance.
• The police were taking no chances with the protesters.
• The results could simply be due to chance.
• The teacher gave her one last chance to prove she could behave.
• The team created several clear chances but failed to score.
• There are no second chances in this business.
• There is a very real chance that the film will win an award.
• There is always an element of chance in buying a used car.
• There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that I'll wear that thing!
• There was only a million-to-one chance of it happening.
• There's a fair chance that nobody will come to the talk.
• They blew their chance to go second in the league.
• They have a 90 per cent chance of success.
• This is the ideal chance for him to show his ability.
• This is your big chance— grab it with both hands.
• Travis had left the door open— she seized her chance and was through it like a shot.
• What are his survival chances?
• When the chance came to go to Paris, she jumped at it.
• the variety with the best chance for success
• As chance would have it, John was going to London too.
• Jeff deceived me once already— I won't give him a second chance.
• Nowdays a premature baby has a very good chance of survival.
• The car might break down but that's a chance we'll have to take.
• There's a slight chance that she'll be back in time.
• We met by chance at the airport.
• We won't get another chance at a vacation this year.
• We'll plan everything very carefully and leave nothing to chance.
• When installing electrical equipment don't take any chances.
• You'll have the opportunity/chance to ask questions at the end.
Idioms: as chance would have it ▪ by any chance ▪ chance would be a fine thing ▪ chance your arm ▪ chances are … ▪ give somebody half a chance ▪ in with a chance ▪ no chance ▪ on the off chance ▪ stand a chance ▪ take a chance ▪ take your chances

Derived: chance on somebody 

cheers

cheers [cheers]   [tʃɪəz]    [tʃɪrz]  exclamation

1. a word that people say to each other as they lift up their glasses to drink

2. (BrE, informal) thank you

• ‘Have another biscuit.’ ‘Cheers.’

3. (BrE, informal) goodbye

• Cheers then. See you later.

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!
inexperienced • • innocent • • impressionable • |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.

in the ˈair

felt by a number of people to exist or to be happening There's romance in the air.

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

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

eat somebody aˈlive (informal)
1 to criticize or punish somebody severely because you are extremely angry with them: He’ll eat you alive if he ever finds out.

2 to defeat somebody completely in an argument, a competition, etc: The defence lawyers are going to eat you alive tomorrow.

3 [usually passive] (of insects, etc.) to bite somebody many times: I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes.

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