(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is any instrument or simple piece of equipment that you hold in your hands and use to do a particular kind of work. For example, spades, hammers, and knives are all ~s.
I find the best ~ for the purpose is a pair of shears.
N-COUNT
see also machine ~
2.
You can refer to anything that you use for a particular purpose as a particular type of ~.
The video has become an invaluable teaching ~...
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N for -ing/n
3.
If you describe someone as a ~ of a particular person, group, or system, you mean that they are controlled and used by that person, group, or system, especially to do unpleasant or dishonest things.
He became the ~ of the security services.
= puppet
N-COUNT: usu N of n disapproval
4.
If you say that workers down ~s, you mean that they stop working suddenly in order to strike or to make a protest of some kind. (BRIT)
PHRASE: V inflects
5.
The ~s of your trade or the ~s of the trade are the skills, instruments, and other equipment that you need in order to do your job properly.
They’re here to learn the ~s of their trade from their American colleagues...
PHRASE: PHR after v, oft v-link PHR