word-vault

{ "term": "expression", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a2", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "a word or phrase", "labels": "(informal)", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "What's the meaning of the expression ‘on cloud nine’?" }, { "text": "She uses a lot of slang expressions that I've never heard before." }, { "text": "Keep a list of useful **words and expressions**." }, { "text": "He's a pain in the butt, **if you'll pardon the expression**." }, { "text": "an old-fashioned expression" }, { "text": "Her writing is full of colourful expressions." }, { "text": "He tends to use strange expressions like ‘It's enough to make a cat laugh’." }, { "text": "I've not heard that expression before." }, { "text": "Until the mid-nineteenth century, ‘Italy’ was just a geographical expression." }, { "text": "Our spooky Hallowe'en weekend breaks give a whole new meaning to the expression ‘chilling out’!" } ], "topics": ["Language"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["common", "colloquial", "slang"], "verb + expression": ["use", "hear"], "expression + verb": ["mean something"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "things that people say, write or do in order to show their feelings, opinions and ideas", "sensetop": "expression of something", "labels": "(formal)", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "**Freedom of expression** *(= freedom to say what you think)* is a basic human right." }, { "text": "The poet's anger **finds expression in** *(= is shown in)* the last verse of the poem." }, { "text": "Only in his dreams does he **give expression to** his fears." }, { "text": "He describes drawing as a very personal form of **artistic expression**." }, { "text": "Words, as a means of expression, can be limiting." }, { "text": "the expression of emotion/feelings", "contextForm": "expression of something" }, { "text": "expressions of concern/sympathy/support" }, { "text": "We are calling for **expressions of interest** from people wanting to take part in the project." }, { "text": "laws which aim to restrict **free expression** of opinion" }, { "text": "The riots are the most serious expression of anti-government feeling yet." }, { "text": "Expressions of sympathy flooded in from all over the country." }, { "text": "Their frustration needs some form of expression." }, { "text": "The tango is the ultimate expression of love if it is danced the right way." }, { "text": "A constitution is the written expression of the people's will." }, { "text": "Harvest festival was the occasion for the collective expression of a community's religious values." }, { "text": "He wanted to write a verse drama in which the verse would seem a natural expression of modern life." }, { "text": "Her statement was a clear expression of her views on this subject." }, { "text": "His highest expression of praise was ‘Not bad!’" }, { "text": "Just because there is no direct expression of prejudice, that does not mean the prejudice does not exist." }, { "text": "She suddenly felt happy beyond expression." }, { "text": "Suddenly her deeper feelings demanded expression." }, { "text": "The new concept of form reached its fullest expression in the work of Picasso." }, { "text": "The report gave concrete expression to the fears of many immigrants." }, { "text": "an anger and frustration that finds expression in violence" }, { "text": "the highest expression of human creativity" }, { "text": "the open expression of emotion" }, { "text": "the outward expression of inner emotional feelings" }, { "text": "the verbal expression of one's feelings" }, { "text": "to allow scope for individual expression" } ], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["clear", "concrete", "material"], "verb + expression": ["achieve", "find", "reach"], "preposition": ["beyond expression"], "phrases": ["freedom of expression", "a means of expression"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "a look on a person’s face that shows their thoughts or feelings", "sensetop": "expression of something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The actors' gestures and **facial expressions** are perfect." }, { "text": "He had a pained expression on his face." }, { "text": "The blank expression in her eyes showed that she hadn't understood." }, { "text": "He looked down at the tiny child and his expression softened." }, { "text": "His expression changed from surprise to one of amusement." }, { "text": "Her expression betrayed nothing of her thoughts." }, { "text": "She wore an expression of anger.", "contextForm": "expression of something" }, { "text": "There was a worried expression on her face." }, { "text": "The expression in her eyes told me something was wrong." }, { "text": "A surprised expression appeared on her face." }, { "text": "Catching a fleeting expression on Lucy's face, she persisted with her question." }, { "text": "He cracks jokes with a deadpan expression on his face." }, { "text": "He hung around with this pathetic hangdog expression on his face." }, { "text": "He wore an expression of anxiety on his face." }, { "text": "Her expression hardened into one of strong dislike." }, { "text": "Her expression suddenly turned serious." }, { "text": "His expression grew thoughtful." }, { "text": "His expression softened when he saw her." }, { "text": "His face never changed expression." }, { "text": "His face showed no expression." }, { "text": "His grim expression told her it would be useless." }, { "text": "I looked at her, trying to read the expression on her face." }, { "text": "Rose's face took on the fierce expression of a schoolgirl talking about her most hated teacher." }, { "text": "She carefully put on her most innocent expression." }, { "text": "She had a very bewildered expression on her face." }, { "text": "She had been watching the expression that crossed his face." }, { "text": "The children's faces all wore the same rapt expression." }, { "text": "They all just looked at me with blank expressions." } ], "synonyms": "look", "topics": ["Appearance"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["neutral", "blank", "dazed"], "verb + expression": ["have", "hold", "wear"], "expression + verb": ["alter", "change", "grow…"], "preposition": ["without expression", "expression of"], "phrases": [ "the expression in somebody’s eyes", "the expression on somebody’s face" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "a strong show of feeling when you are playing music, speaking, acting, etc.", "examples": [ { "text": "Try to put a little more expression into it!" }, { "text": "She plays the violin with great expression." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "a group of signs that represent an idea or a quantity", "examples": [], "collocations": { "adjective": ["clear", "concrete", "material"], "verb + expression": ["achieve", "find", "reach"], "preposition": ["beyond expression"], "phrases": ["freedom of expression", "a means of expression"] } } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspreʃn/", "audio": "ex/expression/expression__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɪkˈspreʃn/", "audio": "ex/expression/expression__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "late Middle English: from Latin expressio(n-), from exprimere ‘press out, express’. Compare with express(verb)." }