American English

II. mail² S3 BrE AmE verb [transitive] especially American English
1. to send a letter or package to someone SYN post British English
mail something to somebody
The weekly newsletter is mailed to women all over the country.
2. to send a document to someone using a computer SYN email
mail something to somebody
Can you mail it to me as an attachment?
mail something ↔ out phrasal verb
to send letters, packages etc to a lot of people at the same time SYN send out:
The department has just mailed out 300,000 notices.

catastrophe

ca‧tas‧tro‧phe /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.
 

comment

I. com‧ment¹ S1 W2 AC /ˈkɒment $ ˈkɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑comment, ↑commentary; verb: ↑comment]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Late Latin; Origin: commentum, from Latin, 'invention', from comminisci 'to invent']
1. [uncountable and countable] an opinion that you express about someone or something SYN remark
comment on/about
his comments about asylum seekers
He was fined for making abusive comments to the referee.
no comment (=used by people in public life when they do not want to answer questions)
2. [uncountable] criticism or discussion of something someone has said or done:
The speech received much comment in the press.
3. be a comment on something to be a sign of the bad quality of something:
The number of adults who cannot read is a sad comment on the quality of our schools.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ make a comment Everyone was making appreciative comments about the delicious food.
▪ have a comment (=want to make a comment) Do you have any comments on that, David?
▪ pass (a) comment British English (=give an opinion) He looked at my photos but he didn’t pass comment.
▪ invite comment(s) (=ask people to give an opinion) The website invites comments from people who visit it.
▪ welcome comments (=be glad to hear people’s opinions) We would welcome your comments and suggestions.
▪ receive comments It is very helpful to receive comments from the public.
■ adjectives
▪ a brief/quick comment I just want to make a very brief comment.
▪ a helpful/constructive comment (=one that helps you make progress) Pay close attention to your teacher’s constructive comments.
▪ a positive/negative comment There were some very positive comments in the report.
▪ a critical comment The school has received critical comments from inspectors.
▪ (a) fair comment (=a criticism that is reasonable) I accepted as fair comment 90% of what he said.
▪ a snide comment (=unkind and made in a secret or indirect way) She made some really snide comments about you when you weren’t here.
▪ a disparaging/derogatory comment (=criticizing someone or something in an unpleasant way) Never make disparaging comments about a colleague’s work.
▪ a scathing/damning comment (=a very critical one) There were a lot of scathing comments about the film.
▪ an appreciative comment (=showing that you think something is good or nice) Appreciative comments may improve your staff’s performance.
▪ a sarcastic comment (=in which you say the opposite of what you mean, as an unkind joke) I tried to stay calm, despite his sarcastic comments.
▪ a casual comment (=not very serious or important) I only made a casual comment about finding the work a bit boring.
▪ a passing comment (=a quick comment made without thinking about it very carefully) She got upset about a passing comment I made about her clothes.
▪ a shrewd comment (=good at judging people or situations) His newspaper article is always full of shrewd comments.
▪ a wry comment (=saying that something is bad in an amusing way) ‘Perhaps the food could be improved,’ was the wry comment of one prisoner.
▪ a bitter comment (=an angry one) Several pensioners passed some bitter comments.
▪ a public comment The jury are forbidden from making public comments.

THESAURUS
▪ comment something that you say or write in order to give your opinion: Does anyone have any comments? | Readers are invited to send in their comments and suggestions.
▪ remark something that you say: Just ignore them if they start making rude remarks. | I’m not sure what he meant by that last remark.
▪ point something that someone mentions about a subject in a discussion, argument, article etc: That’s an interesting point, Steve. | He raises (=mentions) a number of important points in his paper.
▪ observation a comment in which you say what you think or have noticed about something: Karl Marx made the observation that history repeats itself first as tragedy, second as farce.
▪ aside a comment made in a low voice, that you intend only certain people to hear: ‘Is that true?’, she whispered in an aside to Don.
▪ quip /kwɪp/ a clever and amusing comment: She knew she should reply with some light-hearted quip.
▪ dig informal a comment you make to annoy or criticize someone: I’m tired of her little digs at me.
▪ taunt /tɔːnt $ tɒːnt/ a comment intended to make someone angry or upset: The fans made racist taunts throughout the game.

II. comment² S3 W3 AC BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[Word Family: noun: ↑comment, ↑commentary; verb: ↑comment]
to express an opinion about someone or something SYN remark
comment on
People were always commenting on his size.
comment that
Smith’s lawyer commented that the decision was ‘outrageous’.
• • •
THESAURUS
■ to say something
▪ say to tell someone something, using words: ‘I really ought to go,’ she said. | Lauren said she’d probably be late.
▪ state to say something, especially in a definite or formal way – used in official contexts: The witness stated that he had never seen the woman before. | Please state your name and address.
▪ announce to publicly tell people about something: The chairman announced his resignation. | The results will be announced tomorrow. | We will announce the winners next Sunday. | They were announcing the train times over the loudspeaker system.
▪ declare to say something very firmly: ‘My personal life is none of your business,’ she declared.
▪ mention to talk about someone or something, especially without giving many details: Did Tom mention anything about what happened at school? | Your name was mentioned!
▪ express to let someone know your feelings by putting them into words: Young children often find it difficult to express their emotions.
▪ comment to say what your opinion is about someone or something: The prime minister was asked to comment on the crisis.
▪ note/remark formal to say that you have noticed that something is true – used especially in formal writing: We have already noted that most old people live alone. | Someone once remarked that the problem with computers is that they only give you answers.
▪ add to say something more, after what has already been said: He added that he thought it could be done fairly cheaply.
▪ point out to mention something that seems particularly important or relevant: Dr Graham points out that most children show some signs of abnormal behaviour. | It’s worth pointing out that few people actually die of this disease.
▪ air to talk about your opinions, worries, or the things you disagree about: air your views/grievances/differences: The programme will give listeners the chance to air their views about immigration. | Workers were able to air their grievances.
▪ voice to talk publicly about your feelings or about whether you approve or disapprove of something formal: voice concern/support/doubt/fears etc: The president has already voiced his support for the proposal. | She voiced concern for the safety of the hostages.

bring

bring S1 W1 /brɪŋ/ BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle brought /brɔːt $ brɒːt/) [transitive]
[Language: Old English; Origin: bringan]
1.
a) to take something or someone with you to the place where you are now, or to the place you are talking about ⇨ take:
Did you bring an umbrella?
It was the first time Joey had ever brought a girl home.
They brought news of further fighting along the border.
bring somebody/something to somebody/something
Is it OK if I bring some friends to the party?
bring somebody/something with you
For some reason, Jesse had brought a tape recorder with him.
b) to get something for someone and take it to them
bring somebody something
Can you bring me another beer?
Robert asked the waiter to bring him the check.
While she was in prison, friends used to bring her books.
bring somebody/something to somebody/something
He expects me to bring everything to him.
2.
a) to make a particular situation exist, or cause a particular feeling:
efforts to bring peace to the region
The strikes are expected to bring chaos.
The senator’s speech brought an angry response from Civil Rights groups.
b) to cause someone or something to reach a particular state or condition
bring something to an end/a close/a halt/a conclusion (=make something stop)
The trial was swiftly brought to an end.
It was the war that first brought him to power (=made him have power over a country).
So far the US has been unable to bring him to justice (=make him be punished for his actions).
Bring the sauce to the boil (=heat it until it boils).
The country had been brought to its knees (=caused to be in such a bad condition that it is almost impossible to continue).
3. [always + adverb/preposition] to make something move in a particular direction
bring something up/down/round etc
Bring your arm up slowly until it’s level with your shoulder.
The storm brought the old oak tree crashing down.
4. [always + adverb/preposition] if something brings people to a place, it makes them go there:
The discovery of gold brought thousands of people to the Transvaal.
what brings you here? (=used to ask why someone is in a particular place)
What brings you here on a night like this?
5. to make something available for people to use, have, enjoy etc:
The expansion of state education brought new and wider opportunities for working class children.
bring something to somebody/something
The government is launching a new initiative to bring jobs to deprived areas.
bring somebody something
It’s a good sign – let’s hope it will bring us some luck.
6. if a period of time brings a particular event or situation, the event or situation happens during that time:
The 1930s brought unemployment and economic recession.
Who knows what the future will bring?
7. bring charges/a lawsuit/a court case/a prosecution/a claim (against somebody) to begin a court case in order to try to prove that someone has done something wrong or is legally responsible for something wrong:
Survivors of the fire later brought a billion-dollar lawsuit against the company.
The police say they are planning to bring charges against him.
8. bring a smile to sb’s lips/face to make someone smile:
Her words brought a sudden smile to his lips.
9. bring tears to sb’s eyes to make someone start to cry:
The pain brought tears to his eyes.
10. bring the total/number/score etc to something used when saying what the new total etc is:
This brings the total to 46.
11. cannot/could not bring yourself to do something to feel unable to do something because it would upset you or someone else too much:
She still can’t bring herself to talk about it.
12. spoken used when saying that something is the next thing that you want to talk about
that/this/which brings me to ...
This brings me to the main point of today’s meeting.
13. if a programme is brought to you by a particular television or radio company, they broadcast it or make it
something is brought to you by somebody
This programme is brought to you by the BBC.
14. bring something to bear (on/upon something) formal to use something, for example your power, authority, or your knowledge, in a way that will have a big effect on something or someone:
The full force of the law was brought to bear on anyone who criticized the government.
15. bring home the bacon informal to earn the money that your family needs to live

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
▪ bring peace/war The treaty brought peace to both England and France.
▪ bring chaos A bomb scare brought chaos to the town centre yesterday.
▪ bring somebody pleasure/joy/pain/grief etc The decision brought him great relief.
■ phrases
▪ bring something to an end/halt (=especially something bad) It is our resonsibility to discuss how this conflict can be brought to an end.
▪ bring something to a close (=especially a meeting) At last the meeting was brought to a close.
▪ bring something to a conclusion (=used especially in law) Juvenile cases need to be brought to a conclusion quickly.
▪ bring somebody to power (=make someone have power over a country) The revolution brought to power a communist government.
▪ bring somebody to justice (=catch and punish someone for their actions) The authorities swore that the killers would be brought to justice.
▪ bring somebody into contact with somebody/something The people of the island were suddenly brought into contact with the outside world.
▪ bring something/somebody to their knees (=make it almost impossible for somebody/something to continue) A severe drought brought the country to its knees.

THESAURUS
▪ bring to take something or someone to the place where you are now, or the place where you are going: Have you brought your ticket with you? | He asked his father if he could bring a friend to stay.
▪ take to move something to another place, or help someone go to another place: I took a book with me to read on the train. | He was taken to hospital by ambulance.
▪ get (also fetch especially British English) to go to another place and come back with something or someone: I went upstairs to get my jacket. | Joseph told me to fetch the doctor, so I ran to the village.
bring something ↔ about phrasal verb
to make something happen SYN cause:
How can we bring about a change in attitudes?
A huge amount of environmental damage has been brought about by the destruction of the rain forests.
bring somebody/something ↔ along phrasal verb
to take someone or something with you when you go somewhere:
You’re welcome to bring along a friend.
I’ve brought some pictures along to show you.
bring somebody/something around/round phrasal verb
1. bring the conversation around/round to something to deliberately and gradually introduce a new subject into a conversation:
I’ll try to bring the conversation around to the subject of money.
2. to make someone become conscious again:
I slapped his face a couple of times to try to bring him round.
3. to manage to persuade someone to do something or to agree with you:
She won’t listen to me. Let’s see if Sue can bring her round.
bring somebody/something around/round to
I’m sure I can bring him around to our point of view.
4. to bring someone or something to someone’s house:
I’ll bring the books around tomorrow.
bring back phrasal verb
1. bring something ↔ back to start to use something again that was used in the past SYN reintroduce:
The city council has decided to bring back the old electric trams.
Bringing back the death penalty has done absolutely nothing to reduce crime.
2. bring something ↔ back to make you remember something:
The trip brought back a lot of happy memories.
Seeing those pictures on TV brought it all back to me.
3. bring something ↔ back to take something or someone with you when you come back from somewhere
bring something back for somebody
Don’t forget to bring something back for the kids.
bring somebody back something
If you’re going to the store, could you bring me back a six-pack?
4. bring somebody ↔ back to return someone to their previous job or position of authority SYN reinstate:
Following their latest defeat, soccer fans are urging the club to bring back the former manager.
5. bring somebody back to something if something that is said brings you back to a particular subject, it is connected with that subject, so you will start talking about it again:
This brings us back to the question of funding.
bring somebody/something ↔ down phrasal verb
1. to reduce something to a lower level:
The government hopes these measures will help to bring down inflation.
2. to fly a plane down to the ground SYN land:
The pilot managed to bring the plane down safely.
3. to make a plane, bird, or animal fall to the ground by shooting at it:
A bomber had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire.
4. to force a government or ruler to stop ruling a country:
a crisis that could bring down the government
5. to make someone fall over:
He was brought down by the goalkeeper and awarded a penalty.
bring something ↔ down on/upon somebody phrasal verb
to make something bad happen to someone, especially to yourself or to people connected with you:
His recklessness brought down disaster on the whole family.
bring something ↔ forth phrasal verb literary
to produce something or make it appear:
a tragic love affair that brought forth only pain
bring something ↔ forward phrasal verb
1. to change an arrangement so that something happens sooner
bring something ↔ forward to
The meeting’s been brought forward to Thursday.
2. bring forward legislation/plans/policies etc to officially introduce plans etc for people to discuss:
The government has brought forward new proposals to tackle the problem of increasing crime.
3. to record the result of a calculation so that it can be used in a further calculation:
The balance brought forward is £21,765.
bring somebody/something ↔ in phrasal verb
1. to introduce a new law:
Harsh anti-Trade Union laws were brought in in the early 1980s.
2. to ask someone to become involved in a discussion or situation:
I’d like to bring in Doctor Hall here and ask him his views.
bring somebody in to do something
The police were brought in to investigate the matter.
3. to earn a particular amount or produce a particular amount of profit:
The sale of the house only brought in about £45,000.
4. to attract customers to a shop or business:
We’ve got to bring in more business if we want the restaurant to survive.
5. bring in a verdict to say officially in a law court whether someone is guilty or not guilty of a crime SYN return a verdict:
The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty.
bring somebody/something into something phrasal verb
1. to cause someone or something to be in a particular situation:
Most of the land has now been brought into cultivation.
The work brought me into contact with a lot of very interesting people.
2. to make someone become involved in a discussion or situation:
The government is trying to bring teachers into the debate on education.
There is a danger that this could bring other countries into the war.
bring something ↔ off phrasal verb
to succeed in doing something difficult SYN pull off:
They managed to bring off the most daring jewellery robbery in history.
bring something ↔ on phrasal verb
1. to make something bad or unpleasant happen SYN cause:
Stress can bring on an asthma attack.
What’s brought this on? Have I upset you somehow?
2. to help someone to improve or make progress:
Teachers have to bring on the bright children and at the same time give extra help to those who need it.
3. to make plants or crops grow faster:
Keeping the young plants in a greenhouse will help bring them on.
4. bring it on informal used to say that you are prepared and willing to deal with something bad that is likely to happen
bring something on/upon somebody phrasal verb
to make something unpleasant happen to someone:
You have brought disaster on the whole village!
bring something on/upon yourself
I’ve got no sympathy for him – he’s brought this all on himself!
bring somebody onto something phrasal verb
if something brings you onto a particular subject, it is a good time for you to start talking about it:
This brings me onto the question of pay rises.
bring something ↔ out phrasal verb
1. to make something easier to see, taste, notice etc:
The spices really bring out the flavour of the meat.
Fatherhood seems to have brought out the caring side of him.
2. to produce something that will be sold to the public:
He’s bringing out a new album next month.
3. to take something out of a place:
Jenny opened the cupboard and brought out a couple of bottles.
4. bring out the best/worst in somebody to make someone behave in the best or worst way that they can:
Alcohol just brings out the worst in her.
5. bring somebody out of himself/herself to make someone feel more confident and able to talk to people:
Changing schools has really brought her out of herself.
bring somebody out in something phrasal verb
if something brings you out in spots, it makes them appear on your skin:
Any foods containing wheat bring him out in a rash.
bring somebody/something round
⇨ BRING AROUND
bring somebody through (something) phrasal verb
to help someone to successfully deal with a very difficult event or period of time:
Both my children have brought me through extremely difficult times since my husband died.
bring somebody ↔ together phrasal verb
1. to arrange for people to meet and do something together:
We brought together researchers from three different universities to work on the project.
2. to make people have a better relationship or feel closer to each other:
Any attack by a foreign power will inevitably bring the people of a country together.
bring somebody/something ↔ up phrasal verb
1. to mention a subject or start to talk about it SYN raise:
Why did you have to bring up the subject of money?
2. to look after and influence a child until he or she is grown up SYN raise:
He was brought up by his grandparents.
bring somebody up to do something
In my day, children were brought up to respect the law.
be brought up (as) a Catholic/Muslim etc
I was brought up a Catholic. ⇨ ↑upbringing
3. to make something appear on a computer screen:
Can you bring up the list of candidates again?
4. British English if you bring food up, it comes back up from your stomach and out of your mouth:
I had a sandwich for lunch and promptly brought it up again.
5. to charge someone with a particular crime and make them go to a court to be judged
bring somebody/something ↔ up before
He was brought up before a magistrate, charged with dangerous driving.
6. bring somebody up short/with a start to surprise someone and make them suddenly stop talking or doing something:
Her question brought me up short.

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.

II. nap² BrE AmE verb (past tense and past participle napped, present participle napping) [intransitive]
[Language: Old English; Origin: hnappian]
1. be caught napping informal to not be ready to deal with something when it happens, although you should be ready for it:
The German team were caught napping and Lampard scored the winning goal.
2. to sleep for a short time during the day

Brazilian

I. Bra‧zil‧i‧an¹ /brəˈzɪliən/ BrE AmE adjective
relating to Brazil or its people