I. VERB USES
(~s, using, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If you ~ something, you do something with it in order to do a job or to achieve a particular result or effect.
Trim off the excess pastry using a sharp knife...
He had simply ~d a little imagination...
Officials ~d loud hailers to call for calm...
The show ~s Zondo’s trial and execution as its framework.
VERB: V n, V n, V n to-inf, V n prep
2.
If you ~ a supply of something, you finish it so that none of it is left.
You ~d all the ice cubes and didn’t put the ice trays back...
They’ve never had anything spare–they’ve always ~d it all.
VERB: V n, V n
•
Use up means the same as ~ .
It isn’t them who ~ up the world’s resources...
We were breathing really fast, and using the air up quickly.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron), V n P
3.
If someone ~s drugs, they take drugs regularly, especially illegal ones.
He denied he had ~d drugs...
= take, do
VERB: V n
4.
You can say that someone ~s the toilet or bathroom as a polite way of saying that they go to the toilet.
Wash your hands after using the toilet...
He asked whether he could ~ my bathroom.
VERB: V n, V n politeness
5.
If you ~ a particular word or expression, you say or write it, beca~ it has the meaning that you want to express.
The judge liked using the word ‘wicked’ of people he had sent to jail...
VERB: V n
6.
If you ~ a particular name, you call yourself by that name, especially when it is not the name that you usually call yourself.
Now I ~ a false name if I’m meeting people for the first time...
VERB: V n
7.
If you say that someone ~s people, you disapprove of them beca~ they make others do things for them in order to benefit or gain some advantage from it, and not beca~ they care about the other people.
Be careful she’s not just using you...
Why do I have the feeling I’m being ~d again?
= exploit
VERB: V n, V n disapproval
8.
see also ~d
II. NOUN USES
(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Your ~ of something is the action or fact of your using it.
The treatment does not involve the ~ of any artificial drugs.
...research related to microcomputers and their ~ in classrooms...
We are denied ~ of the land by the ruling classes...
He would support a ~ of force if the UN deemed it necessary.
N-UNCOUNT: also a N, usu N of n
2.
If you have a ~ for something, you need it or can find something to do with it.
You will no longer have a ~ for the magazines...
They both loved the fabric, but couldn’t find a ~ for it.
N-SING: a N for n
3.
If something has a particular ~, it is intended for a particular purpose.
Infrared detectors have many ~s...
It’s an interesting scientific phenomenon, but of no practical ~ whatever...
French furniture was designed for every ~...
The report outlined possible ~s for the new weapon.
...Elderflower Water for ~ as an eye and skin lotion...
We need to recognize that certain ~s of the land upon which we live are simply wrong.
N-VAR: with supp, oft adj N, N of/for n, N as/in n
4.
If you have the ~ of something, you have the permission or ability to ~ it.
She will have the ~ of the car one night a week.
...young people who at some point in the past have lost the ~ of their limbs...
You will have full ~ of all the new leisure club facilities.
N-UNCOUNT: also the N, usu N of n
5.
A ~ of a word is a particular meaning that it has or a particular way in which it can be ~d.
There are new ~s of words coming in and old ~s dying out.
N-COUNT: with supp, oft N of n
6.
Your ~ of a particular name is the fact of your calling yourself by it.
Police have been hampered by Mr Urquhart’s ~ of bogus names.
N-UNCOUNT: N of n
7.
If something is for the ~ of a particular person or group of people, it is for that person or group to ~.
The leisure facilities are there for the ~ of guests...
He raises crops mainly for the ~ of his family.
PHRASE: PHR n
8.
If you say that being something or knowing someone has its ~s, you mean that it makes it possible for you to do what you otherwise would not be able to do. (INFORMAL)
Being a hospital Sister had its ~s.
PHRASE: V inflects
9.
If something such as a technique, building, or machine is in ~, it is ~d regularly by people. If it has gone out of ~, it is no longer ~d regularly by people.
...the methods of making Champagne which are still in ~ today...
The site has been out of ~ for many years.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR
10.
If you make ~ of something, you do something with it in order to do a job or achieve a particular result or effect. (WRITTEN)
Not all nursery schools make ~ of the opportunities open to them.
...making ~ of the same bottle time after time.
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n
11.
You ~ expressions such as it’s no ~, there’s no ~, and what’s the ~ to indicate that a particular action will not achieve anything.
It’s no ~ arguing with a drunk...
There’s no ~ you asking me any more questions...
What’s the ~ of complaining?
PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR -ing
12.
If you say it’s no ~, you mean that you have failed to do something and realize that it is ~less to continue trying beca~ it is impossible.
It’s no ~. Let’s hang up and try for a better line.
PHRASE: V inflects
13.
If something or someone is of ~, they are ~ful. If they are no ~, they are not at all ~ful.
The contents of this booklet should be of ~ to all students...
I’m sorry, I’ve been no ~ to you.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, oft PHR to n