/ ðeə(r); NAmE ðer/ adverb , exclamation
■ adverb
1.
there is, are, was, were, etc. used to show that sth exists or happens :
There's a restaurant around the corner.
There are two people waiting outside.
Has there been an accident?
I don't want there to be any misunderstanding.
There seemed to be no doubt about it.
There comes a point where you give up.
There remains the problem of finance.
Suddenly there was a loud bang.
( informal )
There's only four days left.
( literary )
There once was a poor farmer who had four sons.
2.
in, at or to that place or position :
We went on to Paris and stayed there eleven days.
I hope we get there in time.
It's there, right in front of you!
There it is —just behind the chair.
'Have you seen my pen?' 'Yes, it's over there .'
There are a lot of people back there (= behind) waiting to get in.
I'm not going in there —it's freezing!
We're almost there (= we have almost arrived) .
Can I get there and back in a day?
I left in 1990 and I haven't been back there since.
Hello, is Bob there please? (= used when calling sb on the phone)
I took one look at the car and offered to buy it there and then / then and there (= immediately) .
3.
existing or available :
I went to see if my old school was still there.
The money's there if you need it.
4.
at that point (in a story, an argument, etc.) :
'I feel ... ' There she stopped.
I don't agree with you there.
5.
used to attract sb's attention :
Hello, there!
You there! Come back!
There you are ! I've been looking for you everywhere.
6.
used to attract sb's attention to a particular person, thing or fact :
There's the statue I was telling you about.
That woman there is the boss's wife.
There goes the last bus (= we've just missed it) .
There goes the phone (= it's ringing) .
( humorous )
There goes my career! (= my career is ruined)
So, there you have it : that's how it all started.
7.
there to do sth used to show the role of a person or thing in a situation :
The fact is, they're there to make money.
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IDIOMS
- been there, done that
- be there for sb
- by there
- have been there before
- not all there
- so there!
- there it is
- there's a good boy, girl, dog, etc.
- there's lovely, nice, etc.
- there's sth for you
- there or thereabouts
- there, there!
- there you are
- there you go again
—more at here adverb
■ exclamation
used to express satisfaction that you were right about sth or to show that sth annoys you :
There now! What did I tell you? (= you can see that I was right)
There! That didn't hurt too much, did it?
There! You've gone and woken the baby!
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English thǣr , thēr of Germanic origin; related to Dutch daar and German da , also to that and the .