I. adverb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
all that matters/the only thing that matters
▪
All that matters is that you’re safe.
▪
Money was the only thing that mattered to him.
be second only to sth (= used to emphasize that something is nearly the largest, most important etc )
▪
The euro will have a circulation second only to that of the dollar.
For external use only (= written on medicines which must be put on your skin and not swallowed )
If only...would
▪
If only he would listen to me.
It is only right and proper
▪
It is only right and proper that an independent inquiry should take place.
it’s only fair (that)
▪
You pay him $10 an hour – it’s only fair that I should get the same.
it’s only fair (that) (= used to say that it is right to do something )
▪
It’s only fair that we tell him what’s happening.
just/only kidding
▪
Don’t get mad – I was only kidding.
just/only/merely etc a formality
▪
Getting a gun license here seems to be just a formality.
know perfectly well/full well/only too well
▪
He knew full well that what he was doing was dangerous.
not only ... (but) also ...
▪
Shakespeare was not only a writer but also an actor.
not only do/will/can etc
▪
Not only do the nurses want a pay increase, they want reduced hours as well.
not only...but also
▪
The system was not only complicated but also ineffective.
only a scratch (= not a serious injury )
▪
Don’t worry, it’s only a scratch .
only a very few (= not many )
▪
There are only a very few exceptions.
only being polite
▪
I know Ian said he liked her singing, but he was only being polite .
only bright spot
▪
The only bright spot of the evening was when the food arrived.
only dream about
▪
He’s got the sort of money that you and I can only dream about .
only if
▪
The missiles can be fired only if the operator types in a six-digit code.
only inches from
▪
Derek leaned closer, his face only inches from hers.
only joking
▪
Calm down, Jo, I was only joking .
only just
▪
Those pants only just fit you now.
only teasing
▪
Don’t get upset. I was only teasing .
only too glad to (= extremely willing to )
▪
I’m sure he’d be only too glad to help you.
pause only to do sth
▪
He paused only to make a few notes, and left.
sb's only worry
▪
My only worry was that she wouldn't like it.
sb's only/one hope
▪
My only hope is that someone may have handed in the keys to the police.
sb's only/sole concern
▪
Rick's only concern was having a good time at the weekend.
sb’s only regret
▪
My only regret is that my parents did not live to see this day.
standing room only (= no seats were left )
▪
There was standing room only in the courthouse.
sth is just/only the beginning (= used to emphasize that many more things will happen )
▪
Signing the contract is just the beginning of a long process.
sth is (only) to be expected (= used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant )
▪
After all this rain, some flooding is only to be expected.
the one and only
▪
the one and only Frank Sinatra
the only available sth
▪
One small tree was the only available protection from the sun.
the only means
▪
Then, horses and carts were the only means of transport available.
The only ones
▪
The only ones who will benefit are the shareholders.
the only reason
▪
The only reason he’s coming tonight is that I said you’d be here.
the only solution
▪
The only solution is to greatly reduce our use of water.
what worries me is .../the (only) thing that worries me is ...
▪
The only thing that worries me is the food. I don’t want to get food poisoning.
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ VERB
need
▪
He needed only a mob cap and frilly apron to complete the image.
▪
We need only to cite schools and colleges, hospitals, drug rehabilitation centers, libraries and the like.
▪
It would need only a charge of the cavalry, or a shot fired over their heads, to set them off.
▪
For most letters and shorter documents, you need only a few words per point when you list.
▪
Here we need only underline a few key concepts.
▪
The measure needed only a majority to pass.
▪
That means, it only needs another 8% to gain overall control.
▪
His discovery was not too alarming because we needed only a few gallons of fresh water to reach the Tokyo area.
use
▪
Most humans use only a small fraction of their total useful brainpower. 8.
▪
This is difficult if policy makers can use only one method-services produced by their own bureaucracy.
▪
They use only their fore-wings for flight.
▪
Beware of common facts. Use only vibrant and surprising information. 7.
▪
Care should be taken to ensure that such guidelines are used only in appropriate cases.
▪
Earth could probably support twenty to thirty billion people if farmland were used only to raise food for direct human consumption.
▪
Typically, end-users will use only one medium - for each there will be a common standard across their individual applications.
▪
Figure 4-2 shows the same summing procedure graphically, using only the $ 3 price to illustrate the adding-up process.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
(all/only) too true
▪
It's a cliche to say people are living in fear, but sadly it's all too true in Larne.
▪
Mr. Waldegrave I fear that on health, as on other issues, that is all too true .
▪
This may be only too true , but if so, why advertise the fact?
▪
Travelers to Prague may find the comparison with Paris starting to ring all too true when it comes to hotel prices.
(only) time will tell
▪
Only time will tell if this agreement will bring a lasting peace.
▪
BProbably, but time will tell.
▪
Only time will tell if this is a serious effort at improving both public sector accountability and overall performance.
▪
Only time will tell whether it can hold its place in this competitive field.
▪
That is the real test of leadership, and only time will tell.
▪
The expert answers by saying that the story is very important and only time will tell about the future.
▪
Whether that was worth the price of the fare, only time will tell.
▪
Whether the Order will continue to grow, only time will tell.
God (only) knows
God (only) knows
I (only) wish I knew
▪
And I wish I knew why.
▪
But being so weak seems wrong now too. I wish I knew judo.
▪
Don't ask me what I do want. I wish I knew.
▪
He was a sad person underneath. I wish I knew what he was so sad about.
▪
I do know that it was because of an argument that he left. I wish I knew more.
▪
I won't listen to you any more. I wish I knew what time it was.
▪
Men clustered and chattered lively in groups. I wished I knew how to smoke.
▪
Very grand. I wish I knew where it is now.
I'm only/just doing my job
I've only got one pair of hands
If I should die, think only this of me:/That there's some corner of a foreign field/That is forever England
Lord (only) knows
▪
Even Protestants - and the good Lord knows how mistaken they are - have something to hold on to.
▪
I do mean it! Lord knows I read plenty of nonfiction books.
▪
The Lord knows I did my best.
▪
The Lord knows why she hung them where she would see them every time she looked up.
▪
The Lord only knows what will happen in the regular season and playoffs next year.
▪
We need heroes. Lord knows, kids need them today.
▪
When I was a young houseman I - well, enjoyed a hectic love-life. Lord knows how I managed it.
▪
You realize there was a major pile-up? Lord knows how many vehicles - all of them following us, I suspect.
all too/only too
▪
Violent behavior is all too common in our society.
be equalled (only) by sth
▪
Holding's 28 wickets were equalled by Andy Roberts.
▪
Indeed, in many respects, Ireland was equalled only by Byzantium.
▪
She seemed in no hurry to have them come, for her patience was equalled by her confidence.
▪
She was a woman without vision or curiosity; her distaste for books was equalled only by her dislike of people.
▪
The pleasures of driving our GTi are equalled only by the irritations.
▪
The savagery which he showed towards his opponents was equalled only by that of the discipline that he imposed upon his supporters.
▪
This amount is equalled by naturally forming sulphur that originates mainly from volcanoes and huge clusters of marine bacteria.
be only too glad/pleased to do sth
▪
Cliff is only too pleased to prepare a celebratory meal for any special occasion.
▪
I was only too glad to help.
▪
If none is required, they will be only too pleased to tell you.
▪
She was only too glad to have even this talk bouncing against walls that had become a tomb.
▪
The governments were only too pleased to oblige.
▪
The Library would be only too pleased to explore further suggestions along similar lines. 13.4.
▪
They know the way that the wind is blowing, and would be only too pleased to be redeployed into another trade.
▪
We would be only too pleased to provide information on the Association.
be sb's last/only/best hope
▪
Advocates just seem to take it on faith that annexation is the only hope of salvation for this city.
▪
But mad or not, you are my only hope , Meg.
▪
But Thomas Sachs was now her only hope .
▪
I expected to be disappointed, though the letter was now my only hope .
▪
In the long term, Mr Heseltine said that privatisation was the only hope for the industry.
▪
Is he only hoping to make money?
▪
Robert Urquhart was her only hope , her only ally.
▪
That was the only hope I had of reaching the doctor.
beauty is only skin-deep
for information only
▪
Printed forms produced by the Law Society Records Office must be used, not the sample forms supplied for information only.
▪
The sample forms supplied for information only should not be used.
▪
This case is for information only.
for sb's eyes only
▪
A poem for her eyes only, a poem she liked.
▪
And afterwards, Jay started her own diary, for her eyes only.
▪
I got the duty doctor to give her a blood test, for my eyes only.
▪
Today I would like you to take a small piece of card which you will keep for your eyes only.
▪
Visit the Prescriptives counter for advice from the colour experts - for your eyes only!
goodness (only) knows
▪
The last bridge cost $30 million, and goodness knows how much a new one will cost.
▪
At the mercy of wild animals and insects and snakes and goodness knows what horrors!
▪
But goodness knows, Nona had had her say there.
▪
For aficionados those shortcuts are still there - it's still Control+KQX to quit - goodness knows why.
▪
I suppose that ferrets are no more unusual as pets than rats, snakes and goodness only knows what else.
▪
It seems you've survived, goodness knows how, for really it would not matter if you did not.
▪
They took furnishings, china, sofas, televisions and goodness only knows what else.
▪
Though goodness knows why they think they have to do it so early in the morning.
heaven (only) knows
▪
And heavens knows, once launched it's all too hard to turn back and look again for the missed trace.
▪
He starts a conversation and ends up heaven knows where.
▪
If it isn't, heaven knows who will ride to the rescue of the firm.
▪
Kenyon must see it through or heaven knows what will become of the station.
▪
People live together - Peter and Miranda are Bohemian enough, heaven knows.
▪
People wave from the bank and shout our names; heaven knows who they are!
▪
What effect it will have on the result, heaven only knows.
if only
▪
If only I could be 15 again!
▪
Just call her, if only to say you're sorry.
▪
A compelling performance consequence can always be found, if only you choose to find, communicate, and manage toward it.
▪
Chemicals If used strictly according to recommendations, chemical treatments have their place, if only as a last resort for serious threats.
▪
He may have survived if only he could have found it.
▪
I am setting off next Wednesday ... Ah, if only we had clarinets too!
▪
Oh ma'am if only I had shown myself strong in the face of temptation!
▪
Oh, if only he were different!
▪
She was certain that if only they could get away, he'd go superbly over this country.
▪
Women needed men, if only to get out of the company of other women.
in name only/alone
▪
Don't be fooled by his title: he remains Health Secretary in name only.
▪
Lewis had been the ward boss in name only, because white precinct captains ran the organization, including him.
▪
Many of these local mills remain in name alone, having fallen into disuse and demolition.
▪
Others converted in name only, out of fear, while others stuck to their faith.
▪
The strong mayor system employed from 1881 to 1914 was strong in name only.
▪
Their homes are mobile in name only.
it's (only/just) a matter/question of time
▪
But they believe it's only a matter of time before the disease crosses the county boundary.
▪
If he hasn't already killed somebody, then it's only a matter of time .
▪
They think it's only a matter of time before he breaks.
it's (only/just) human nature
▪
It's human nature to put off doing things you don't like to do.
▪
But it's human nature that people-male or female-will do what they are allowed to get away with.
it's just/only/simply a question of doing sth
▪
Sometimes, it's simply a question of somewhere safe to go after school while parents are working.
it's only/just a matter of time
▪
It was only a matter of time before Lynn found out Phil's secret.
▪
You'll learn how to do it eventually -- it's only a matter of time.
▪
Your father is dying and there's nothing we can do. I'm afraid it's just a matter of time.
▪
But they believe it's only a matter of time before the disease crosses the county boundary.
▪
If he hasn't already killed somebody, then it's only a matter of time.
▪
They think it's only a matter of time before he breaks.
not only
▪
He was required to pay not only the price but also a carriage charge.
▪
Her desire for independence set her apart not only from the lives of most of her friends but from their under-standing.
▪
In reality, public companies not only compete against other: they also have to guard against the ever-present risk of takeovers.
▪
It was far too dangerous to remain where he was, not only for him but for everyone else as well.
▪
Stores were distributed in pony treks that carried not only ammunition and food but also mail and the force's own newspaper.
▪
The material world is not only the source of man's arts, but the reason for them.
▪
This has guaranteed not only resources but also access to national databases not always open to others.
one and only
▪
the architect's one and only significant achievement
▪
Buckingham Palace stresses that this is the one and only way to paint a Monarch.
▪
He was the one and only Jimmy Wheeler.
▪
It is likely to be their one and only chance.
▪
It represents the one and only fundamental urge at the heart of all human suffering!
▪
Mitleid, and he identifies it as the one and only inspiration of inherently moral action.
▪
My one and only love, keep purring in my arms.
▪
That's the one and only test.
▪
The lack of a lock on the one and only toilet was compensated for by the frosted glass panels in the door.
only half the story
▪
How could you side with them after hearing only half the story?
▪
But numbers on economic growth that look so wonderful for the emerging world tell only half the story.
▪
But that was only half the story of what was on General Kent's mind, and Harry would see that immediately.
▪
But this is only half the story.
▪
If only half the stories are true, this is some one who attracts trouble.
▪
Obviously, television has heightened awareness of the sport, but that is only half the story.
▪
Of course, what Dooley did at the water fountain was only half the story!
▪
The red notebook, of course, is only half the story, as any sensitive reader will understand.
only have eyes for sb
▪
Mark only had eyes for his wife.
only have yourself to thank (for sth)
only so many/much
▪
There's only so much you can do with hair this fine.
▪
A human being can undergo only so many changes and take in only so many experiences.
▪
I think there was only so much fun to go round, only so much and no more available.
▪
It told him it was grass, and grass could hide only so much.
▪
The greens were rougher then, and there was only so much good putting you could do on them.
▪
The truth is there is only so much preparation you can do.
▪
There's only so much you can cling to - your credibility, your belief in small cottage industries - whatever.
only succeed in doing sth
▪
However, the utterance only succeeds in having this function if certain external conditions are fulfilled.
▪
It's always been a Dark Force, and you've only succeeded in harnessing a minuscule aspect of it.
▪
Laws against abortion only succeed in making it painful and dangerous.
▪
Revolutions only succeed in Britain if they pretend to be fondly restoring the past, not accelerating change.
▪
She tried to get out of it, but only succeeded in making herself the last to sing.
▪
Triumphant Rome tried to exterminate the Church of Mary, but only succeeded in driving it underground.
▪
We shall only succeed in dealing with the problems through a vast international cooperative effort.
sb is only human
▪
The Supreme Court's nine justices are only human - sometimes they make mistakes.
▪
Greed is only human , they say.
▪
It is only human of Mr Teicher to make himself into the hero-victim of his own narrative.
sb only has himself/herself to blame
sth is only skin deep
▪
Beauty is only skin deep, as they say, but I would have hoped for a lot more from a C64.
▪
But, as in life, beauty is only skin deep.
the (only) problem is (that) ...
▪
Do you know what the problem is?
▪
For them, the problem is one of trust.
▪
I know, the problem is money.
▪
I think that the problem is even too great for remediation.
▪
In both cases the problem is that concrete cultural processes, in particular historical locations, are reduced to abstract schemata.
▪
In other words, it is to argue that the problem is a technical problem which admits of a technical solution.
▪
It doesn't mean that the problem is solved, but there's a starting point to work from.
▪
When the problem is studied and understood, it should explain a great many doubts and questions.
the only game in town
there is only one thing for it
think only of yourself
▪
No, they think only of themselves.
▪
Why am I thinking only of myself?
you need only do sth/all you need do is ...
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪
"Is it far?" "No, it's only a mile away."
▪
Only Denny got all six answers right.
▪
Becky was only three when she started to read.
▪
He says he'll come, but only if you promise not to tease him.
▪
High impact aerobics is only for people who are extremely fit.
▪
I only did it because I thought you wanted me to.
▪
I only got here last night.
▪
I got these four chairs for only $99.
▪
I was only gone 15 minutes.
▪
Ms Walker said she only started stealing because her children were hungry.
▪
Oh, come on. I was only joking.
▪
She only married him for his money.
▪
She doesn't earn very much. She's only a cashier.
▪
She was only 17 when she got married.
▪
The bee orchid is a rare plant normally only found in Mediterranean climates.
▪
The restrooms are for customers only .
▪
These flowers grow only in Hawaii.
▪
We only have a very small garden.
▪
Women only swimming sessions are held every Thursday.
▪
You're only wearing a T-shirt. No wonder you're cold.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪
He seemed to be smiling, but he might have been only squinting against the light.
▪
In other words, only those agreeing with you are driven by moral belief or true conviction.
▪
It is a quality that comes not only from advisory, but from the organization of instruction as well.
▪
Not only on deck, but on watch.
▪
Of 112 outfits, I had only the haziest recollection of red, pink and leopard-print.
▪
The manager is master only of his actions, not the outcomes of those actions.
▪
This Jesuit was not only a profound preacher, but the founder of orphanages and improver of prison conditions.
▪
You only see what the movement needs.
II. adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ NOUN
alternative
▪
The only alternative , in her view, was to simply copy the wording verbatim and hope the Doctor could translate it.
▪
The only alternative was to seek the support of the National Socialists.
▪
Until you have time and money to build a barn, a rick-yard may be the only alternative .
▪
The only alternative , says Professor Durnin, is to try to burn up more energy by being physically active.
▪
The only alternative was a night job.
▪
The only alternative to Lloyd George's lies were Asquith's half measures.
▪
Is this your only alternative to unemployment?
child
▪
I am the only child of elderly parents and I suppose when I was young they were over-protective and old-fashioned.
▪
I was horrified especially by the daughter, who appeared to be an only child .
▪
The only child left now was the eldest girl, still locked in the bathroom upstairs.
▪
It was simple this way, to be the single parent of an only child .
▪
In all this my life was not novel, except that it had no witnesses, because I was an only child .
▪
Even an only child feels that other children have some great advantages over him, and this makes him intensely jealous.
▪
Dickie, her only child , was twelve.
▪
Their only child , Princes Shahnaz, was born in 1940., but from then on the marriage appears to have disintegrated.
difference
▪
The only difference appears to be that in the one case there is consent and in the other there is not.
▪
The only difference is a difference of degree.
▪
The only difference of opinion so far has been over boxing.
▪
The only difference was the ambience of a twentieth-century Arabian hospital.
▪
The only difference between this recording and the baseline is that there was no intervention taking place during the baseline.
▪
But the only difference between these two sentences lies in the choice of the lexical item as object.
▪
But that was not the only difference between the two men.
▪
The only difference in this definition between employment work and housework is housework's lack of pay.
hope
▪
Robert Urquhart was her only hope , her only ally.
▪
In the long term, Mr Heseltine said that privatisation was the only hope for the industry.
▪
But mad or not, you are my only hope , Meg.
▪
But Thomas Sachs was now her only hope .
▪
I only hope Edgar dies before him.
▪
It's a great honour and I only hope and pray I won't let Monsieur down.
▪
That had been a hard time, Mrs Cruz said; there were three children and only hope to feed them on.
▪
The only hope we've got is to split up and leave the quarry in little groups, once we get back.
inch
▪
She gulped for breath, her eyes only inches from his.
▪
His face was only inches away.
▪
His hands held her slender arms in a grip that hurt, and his mouth was only inches away from her own.
▪
Three bullets suddenly hit the ground only inches ahead of Stark.
▪
Their heads were only inches apart.
▪
An old Adler typewriter crashed against the wall only inches from Cally's head.
▪
He hunkered down beside her just as a flaming beam from the ceiling crashed to the ground only inches away.
▪
It can still be seen, looking innocent enough, though rather spoilt by a barbed-wire fence only inches away.
man
▪
He feels as if he is the only man awake in the entire world.
▪
This man may be the only man left on the earth.
▪
And he had just put the phone down on the only man who could ruin it all for him.
▪
He was the only man in the class, which meant he got a lot of attention.
▪
The only man who truly understood Plato.
▪
He was the only man for hundreds of miles, without radio or vehicle.
▪
And the only man in a dress on telly was Les Dawson.
▪
The only man that glittered like gold on Saturday though, was goalie Hammond.
part
▪
Those training activities represent only part of the work in which Roy Knott and his team are involved.
▪
Again, therefore, Truman had to be satisfied with pursuing only parts of his reform programme.
▪
Did you get all monies applied for or only part payment or none at all?!
▪
Recognition of those individuals likely to make attempts is only part of the process of prevention.
▪
But this is only part of the disagreement.
▪
However, treatment is only part of the complex process of coming off.
▪
The extension to Inch Abbey has been approved completely but only part of the Ballyduggan extension has received approval.
▪
We had some complete letters but only parts of others.
people
▪
It was surely only people of diminished responsibility who found their lives being taken over in this way.
▪
Up until the early 1980s, the only people able to use personal computers were a very tiny elite.
▪
The only people to benefit from the clash were the philatelists.
▪
About the only people who can move rapidly over such terrain are the tough and wiry park service hunters.
▪
They say the only people who need fear the cameras are those doing somthing illegal.
▪
As is invariably the case in such matters, the only people to profit from the entire episode were the lawyers.
▪
Because - even though most crimes are against property not people - only people can help prevent it.
▪
They are almost the only people about.
person
▪
Besides, the only person who seemed to know what was going on was Jett.
▪
A bit frustrating being the only person who couldn't see it.
▪
A consumer is not the only person to whom information relates, but the consumer seeks more than personal information.
▪
One Monday I was the only person out of four in the bar who was not unconscious.
▪
The only person he doesn't learn from, or at least so it seems, is himself.
▪
She's about the only person that even Crumwallis is reluctant to employ.
▪
The only person who could have told them was William Dougal.
▪
I shall be the only person returning to his car without a shopping trolley.
place
▪
The only place where artists, intellectuals and the students could meet regularly were the cafes.
▪
Analogy is the only way to start, and the electron and the electromagnetic field the only place .
▪
The only place , really, you haven't to go is right - in the bushes.
▪
The only place where we could make cuts, without resetting the entire piece, was in the last paragraph.
▪
She must brave the only place likely to have the information she wanted.
▪
It was certainly the only place she thought of as home.
▪
We chose Bedford as it was almost the only place in the locality where hotel accommodation was available.
▪
I dive to the only place I can go: shoulder first through Richardson's window.
problem
▪
The only problem was that some fans broke the granny's fence and scared the cat.
▪
These are not the only problems .
▪
The only problems now were technical.
▪
There was a loss of self-esteem in the bank and a belief that Crocker was the only problem .
▪
The only problem is that the Soviet side insists there is nothing new.
▪
The only problem was how to set them loose in a manner not too blatantly contravening all the rules of civilized warfare.
▪
She says noise is not the only problem .
▪
The only problem is that you might just carry on a little too normally.
question
▪
But the Supreme Court decided that only questions of safety or public exposure to radiation are within the federal government's domain.
▪
The only question I have regarding the DeskJet Portable concerns battery life.
▪
The only question was whether earlier washing would have prevented the dermatitis.
▪
In the present appeals the only question raised is whether the occupiers are licensees or tenants of the whole.
▪
The only question is whether the Government have the will to do anything about them.
▪
With no major female roles in the year's remaining releases insiders believe the only question is who else gets nominated.
▪
The only questions that seem to have excited the commentators are: is the recession over?
▪
The only question was what, if anything, should replace it.
reason
▪
But the presence of a lot of barbel is not the only reason why large numbers can be caught at a sitting.
▪
That is the only reason I agreed to write this message to you.
▪
But company head Frank Williams know that's not the only reason for the team's outstanding performances.
▪
Failure to do this is the only reason for a reversal of the spin from one direction to another.
▪
He was paid well enough for his availability, but that wasn't the only reason why he was so obsessively conscientious.
▪
The only reason you want custody of Kirsty is so you can get your hands on her inheritance.
▪
The only reason must be the absence of a family.
son
▪
Woolgar was a wealthy Sussex businessman whose only son was the priest at St Joseph's in Banfield.
▪
Born into a Quaker family, Frith's childhood combined firm morality with the indulgence given to an only son .
▪
Services to giving his only son more grief than any mortal should have to bear.
▪
Elsewhere an only son and brother is setting out into the great world to win a name and place.
▪
They did not often do so, and the women had no recorded daughters, only sons .
▪
Unbelievably, he had actually christened his only son Arfur.
▪
One young man, very handsome and resembling Georgina, sat among them amiably, the only son .
▪
So Simon was now an only son , an eldest son, and he stood to inherit in Somerset as well.
thing
▪
I was merciless with myself, but the only thing I envied Dennis was his money.
▪
The only thing new about the package was this very burst.
▪
Hewlett-Packard says the only thing that makes Unix questionable at all is that there is more than one version.
▪
The only thing that's missing is a severed horse's head.
▪
The only thing I had going against me was: I was black.
▪
The only thing they have in common is that they are all very much above any strength normally realized in ordinary experiments.
▪
It was the only thing I cared about.
▪
The only thing that occurs to me is a mine, a marine mine.
time
▪
That is the only time when you can rest on your laurels.
▪
It was the only time in her life that she had noticed her maternal grandmother at a disadvantage, on the defensive.
▪
The Dale, perhaps for the only time in its short life, was full.
▪
This was the one and only time her smile was missing.
▪
Whether she would live to regret her choice, only time would tell.
▪
It was the only time Oxford's fans let themselves down, but order was soon restored.
▪
The D.M.U. appeared in grey and yellow livery for the only time prior to a full repaint during the winter.
▪
Nothing conclusive has been found and it seems only time will tell if the trouble re-emerges.
way
▪
But government intervention is not the only way to cope with the problem of socially inefficient resource allocation due to externalities.
▪
The only way to write well for an instrument and exploit its full potentials is to know it intimately well.
▪
The scroll they have with them allows entrance to that Tower, and is the only way out of this room.
▪
He knew this was the only way .
▪
Nor is this the only way that methanol can be used.
▪
I believe that, under existing provisions, that is the only way to handle the matter.
▪
Even though the custom of parental arrangement seems so strange, so disaster prone, to them it is the only way .
▪
It's not the only way of checking for C230.
woman
▪
The only woman included within the Cabinet was Akiko Santo, a television presenter and member of the Takeshita faction.
▪
The only woman ever elected governor of Texas was Miriam Ferguson in 1924.
▪
Portia however is not the only woman to have these traits, however.
▪
This example conveniently makes the point that it is not only women who are vulnerable to the attentions of these rebellious spirits.
▪
Upstairs the red-haired man was in bed with the only woman in the group.
▪
After all, she was the only woman to have cried properly for him.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
(only) time will tell
▪
Only time will tell if this agreement will bring a lasting peace.
▪
BProbably, but time will tell.
▪
Only time will tell if this is a serious effort at improving both public sector accountability and overall performance.
▪
Only time will tell whether it can hold its place in this competitive field.
▪
That is the real test of leadership, and only time will tell.
▪
The expert answers by saying that the story is very important and only time will tell about the future.
▪
Whether that was worth the price of the fare, only time will tell.
▪
Whether the Order will continue to grow, only time will tell.
God (only) knows
God (only) knows
I (only) wish I knew
▪
And I wish I knew why.
▪
But being so weak seems wrong now too. I wish I knew judo.
▪
Don't ask me what I do want. I wish I knew.
▪
He was a sad person underneath. I wish I knew what he was so sad about.
▪
I do know that it was because of an argument that he left. I wish I knew more.
▪
I won't listen to you any more. I wish I knew what time it was.
▪
Men clustered and chattered lively in groups. I wished I knew how to smoke.
▪
Very grand. I wish I knew where it is now.
I'm only/just doing my job
I've only got one pair of hands
If I should die, think only this of me:/That there's some corner of a foreign field/That is forever England
Lord (only) knows
▪
Even Protestants - and the good Lord knows how mistaken they are - have something to hold on to.
▪
I do mean it! Lord knows I read plenty of nonfiction books.
▪
The Lord knows I did my best.
▪
The Lord knows why she hung them where she would see them every time she looked up.
▪
The Lord only knows what will happen in the regular season and playoffs next year.
▪
We need heroes. Lord knows, kids need them today.
▪
When I was a young houseman I - well, enjoyed a hectic love-life. Lord knows how I managed it.
▪
You realize there was a major pile-up? Lord knows how many vehicles - all of them following us, I suspect.
all too/only too
▪
Violent behavior is all too common in our society.
be equalled (only) by sth
▪
Holding's 28 wickets were equalled by Andy Roberts.
▪
Indeed, in many respects, Ireland was equalled only by Byzantium.
▪
She seemed in no hurry to have them come, for her patience was equalled by her confidence.
▪
She was a woman without vision or curiosity; her distaste for books was equalled only by her dislike of people.
▪
The pleasures of driving our GTi are equalled only by the irritations.
▪
The savagery which he showed towards his opponents was equalled only by that of the discipline that he imposed upon his supporters.
▪
This amount is equalled by naturally forming sulphur that originates mainly from volcanoes and huge clusters of marine bacteria.
be only too glad/pleased to do sth
▪
Cliff is only too pleased to prepare a celebratory meal for any special occasion.
▪
I was only too glad to help.
▪
If none is required, they will be only too pleased to tell you.
▪
She was only too glad to have even this talk bouncing against walls that had become a tomb.
▪
The governments were only too pleased to oblige.
▪
The Library would be only too pleased to explore further suggestions along similar lines. 13.4.
▪
They know the way that the wind is blowing, and would be only too pleased to be redeployed into another trade.
▪
We would be only too pleased to provide information on the Association.
be sb's last/only/best hope
▪
Advocates just seem to take it on faith that annexation is the only hope of salvation for this city.
▪
But mad or not, you are my only hope , Meg.
▪
But Thomas Sachs was now her only hope .
▪
I expected to be disappointed, though the letter was now my only hope .
▪
In the long term, Mr Heseltine said that privatisation was the only hope for the industry.
▪
Is he only hoping to make money?
▪
Robert Urquhart was her only hope , her only ally.
▪
That was the only hope I had of reaching the doctor.
beauty is only skin-deep
for information only
▪
Printed forms produced by the Law Society Records Office must be used, not the sample forms supplied for information only.
▪
The sample forms supplied for information only should not be used.
▪
This case is for information only.
for sb's eyes only
▪
A poem for her eyes only, a poem she liked.
▪
And afterwards, Jay started her own diary, for her eyes only.
▪
I got the duty doctor to give her a blood test, for my eyes only.
▪
Today I would like you to take a small piece of card which you will keep for your eyes only.
▪
Visit the Prescriptives counter for advice from the colour experts - for your eyes only!
goodness (only) knows
▪
The last bridge cost $30 million, and goodness knows how much a new one will cost.
▪
At the mercy of wild animals and insects and snakes and goodness knows what horrors!
▪
But goodness knows, Nona had had her say there.
▪
For aficionados those shortcuts are still there - it's still Control+KQX to quit - goodness knows why.
▪
I suppose that ferrets are no more unusual as pets than rats, snakes and goodness only knows what else.
▪
It seems you've survived, goodness knows how, for really it would not matter if you did not.
▪
They took furnishings, china, sofas, televisions and goodness only knows what else.
▪
Though goodness knows why they think they have to do it so early in the morning.
heaven (only) knows
▪
And heavens knows, once launched it's all too hard to turn back and look again for the missed trace.
▪
He starts a conversation and ends up heaven knows where.
▪
If it isn't, heaven knows who will ride to the rescue of the firm.
▪
Kenyon must see it through or heaven knows what will become of the station.
▪
People live together - Peter and Miranda are Bohemian enough, heaven knows.
▪
People wave from the bank and shout our names; heaven knows who they are!
▪
What effect it will have on the result, heaven only knows.
if only
▪
If only I could be 15 again!
▪
Just call her, if only to say you're sorry.
▪
A compelling performance consequence can always be found, if only you choose to find, communicate, and manage toward it.
▪
Chemicals If used strictly according to recommendations, chemical treatments have their place, if only as a last resort for serious threats.
▪
He may have survived if only he could have found it.
▪
I am setting off next Wednesday ... Ah, if only we had clarinets too!
▪
Oh ma'am if only I had shown myself strong in the face of temptation!
▪
Oh, if only he were different!
▪
She was certain that if only they could get away, he'd go superbly over this country.
▪
Women needed men, if only to get out of the company of other women.
in name only/alone
▪
Don't be fooled by his title: he remains Health Secretary in name only.
▪
Lewis had been the ward boss in name only, because white precinct captains ran the organization, including him.
▪
Many of these local mills remain in name alone, having fallen into disuse and demolition.
▪
Others converted in name only, out of fear, while others stuck to their faith.
▪
The strong mayor system employed from 1881 to 1914 was strong in name only.
▪
Their homes are mobile in name only.
it's (only/just) a matter/question of time
▪
But they believe it's only a matter of time before the disease crosses the county boundary.
▪
If he hasn't already killed somebody, then it's only a matter of time .
▪
They think it's only a matter of time before he breaks.
it's (only/just) human nature
▪
It's human nature to put off doing things you don't like to do.
▪
But it's human nature that people-male or female-will do what they are allowed to get away with.
it's just/only/simply a question of doing sth
▪
Sometimes, it's simply a question of somewhere safe to go after school while parents are working.
it's only/just a matter of time
▪
It was only a matter of time before Lynn found out Phil's secret.
▪
You'll learn how to do it eventually -- it's only a matter of time.
▪
Your father is dying and there's nothing we can do. I'm afraid it's just a matter of time.
▪
But they believe it's only a matter of time before the disease crosses the county boundary.
▪
If he hasn't already killed somebody, then it's only a matter of time.
▪
They think it's only a matter of time before he breaks.
not only
▪
He was required to pay not only the price but also a carriage charge.
▪
Her desire for independence set her apart not only from the lives of most of her friends but from their under-standing.
▪
In reality, public companies not only compete against other: they also have to guard against the ever-present risk of takeovers.
▪
It was far too dangerous to remain where he was, not only for him but for everyone else as well.
▪
Stores were distributed in pony treks that carried not only ammunition and food but also mail and the force's own newspaper.
▪
The material world is not only the source of man's arts, but the reason for them.
▪
This has guaranteed not only resources but also access to national databases not always open to others.
only half the story
▪
How could you side with them after hearing only half the story?
▪
But numbers on economic growth that look so wonderful for the emerging world tell only half the story.
▪
But that was only half the story of what was on General Kent's mind, and Harry would see that immediately.
▪
But this is only half the story.
▪
If only half the stories are true, this is some one who attracts trouble.
▪
Obviously, television has heightened awareness of the sport, but that is only half the story.
▪
Of course, what Dooley did at the water fountain was only half the story!
▪
The red notebook, of course, is only half the story, as any sensitive reader will understand.
only have eyes for sb
▪
Mark only had eyes for his wife.
only have yourself to thank (for sth)
only so many/much
▪
There's only so much you can do with hair this fine.
▪
A human being can undergo only so many changes and take in only so many experiences.
▪
I think there was only so much fun to go round, only so much and no more available.
▪
It told him it was grass, and grass could hide only so much.
▪
The greens were rougher then, and there was only so much good putting you could do on them.
▪
The truth is there is only so much preparation you can do.
▪
There's only so much you can cling to - your credibility, your belief in small cottage industries - whatever.
only succeed in doing sth
▪
However, the utterance only succeeds in having this function if certain external conditions are fulfilled.
▪
It's always been a Dark Force, and you've only succeeded in harnessing a minuscule aspect of it.
▪
Laws against abortion only succeed in making it painful and dangerous.
▪
Revolutions only succeed in Britain if they pretend to be fondly restoring the past, not accelerating change.
▪
She tried to get out of it, but only succeeded in making herself the last to sing.
▪
Triumphant Rome tried to exterminate the Church of Mary, but only succeeded in driving it underground.
▪
We shall only succeed in dealing with the problems through a vast international cooperative effort.
sb only has himself/herself to blame
sth is only skin deep
▪
Beauty is only skin deep, as they say, but I would have hoped for a lot more from a C64.
▪
But, as in life, beauty is only skin deep.
the (only) problem is (that) ...
▪
Do you know what the problem is?
▪
For them, the problem is one of trust.
▪
I know, the problem is money.
▪
I think that the problem is even too great for remediation.
▪
In both cases the problem is that concrete cultural processes, in particular historical locations, are reduced to abstract schemata.
▪
In other words, it is to argue that the problem is a technical problem which admits of a technical solution.
▪
It doesn't mean that the problem is solved, but there's a starting point to work from.
▪
When the problem is studied and understood, it should explain a great many doubts and questions.
the only game in town
there is only one thing for it
think only of yourself
▪
No, they think only of themselves.
▪
Why am I thinking only of myself?
you need only do sth/all you need do is ...
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪
But it was not the only one.
▪
Cloned mutated genes were fully sequenced to ensure that the only changes were those required.
▪
Even so, my right hand is clenched into a fist, the only outward sign that I am afraid.
▪
The only clue had come in the late morning.
▪
The only surprise was that the game finished with all 22 participants present.
III. conjunction
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪
I'd offer to help, only I'm kind of busy right now.