(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ in a play, film, or book is part of it in which a series of events happen in the same place.
I found the ~ in which Percy proposed to Olive tremendously poignant.
...the opening ~ of ‘A Christmas Carol’.
N-COUNT
2.
You refer to a place as a ~ when you are describing its appearance and indicating what impression it makes on you.
It’s a ~ of complete devastation...
Thick black smoke billowed over the ~...
N-COUNT: usu sing
3.
You can describe an event that you see, or that is broadcast or shown in a picture, as a ~ of a particular kind.
There were emotional ~s as the refugees enjoyed their first breath of freedom...
Television broadcasters were warned to exercise caution over depicting ~s of violence...
N-COUNT: with supp
4.
The ~ of an event is the place where it happened.
The area has been the ~ of fierce fighting for three months...
Fire and police crews rushed to the ~, but the couple were already dead...
N-COUNT: usu sing, oft N of n
5.
You can refer to an area of activity as a particular type of ~.
Sandman is a cult figure on the local music ~.
N-SING: supp N, usu the supp N
6.
Paintings and drawings of places are sometimes called ~s.
...James Lynch’s country ~s.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
7.
If you make a ~, you embarrass people by publicly showing your anger about something.
I’m sorry I made such a ~.
N-COUNT: usu sing
8.
If something is done behind the ~s, it is done secretly rather than publicly.
But behind the ~s Mr Cain will be working quietly to try to get a deal done.
PHRASE: PHR with cl, PHR n
9.
If you refer to what happens behind the ~s, you are referring to what happens during the making of a film, play, or radio or television programme.
It’s an exciting opportunity to learn what goes on behind the ~s.
PHRASE: PHR after v, PHR n
10.
If you have a change of ~, you go somewhere different after being in a particular place for a long time.
What you need is a change of ~. Why not go on a cruise?
PHRASE: usu v PHR
11.
If you set the ~ for someone, you tell them what they need to know in order to understand what is going to happen or be said next.
But first to set the ~: I was having a drink with my ex-boyfriend.
PHRASE: V inflects
12.
Something that sets the ~ for a particular event creates the conditions in which the event is likely to happen.
Gillespie’s goal set the ~ for an exciting second half.
PHRASE: V inflects
13.
When a person or thing appears on the ~, they come into being or become involved in something. When they disappear from the ~, they are no longer there or are no longer involved.
He could react rather jealously when and if another child comes on the ~...
PHRASE: usu v PHR