- 1[countable] course (in/on something) a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject a French/chemistry, etc. course to take a course in art and design The college runs specialist language courses. Topic CollocationsEducationlearning
- acquire/get/lack experience/training/(an) education
- receive/provide somebody with training
- develop/design/plan a curriculum/course/program/syllabus
- give/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminar
- hold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshop
- moderate/lead/facilitate a discussion
- sign up for/take a course/classes/lessons
- go to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery school
- be in the first, second, etc. grade (at school)
- study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.
- finish/drop out of/quit school
- graduate from high school/college
- be the victim/target of bullying/teasing
- skip/cut/ (informal) ditch class/school
- cheat on an exam/a test
- get/be given a detention (for doing something)
- be expelled from/be suspended from school
- do your homework/a project on something
- work on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/a paper
- finish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies
- hand in/turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paper
- study/prepare/review/ (informal) cram for a test/an exam
- take/ (formal) sit for a test/an exam
- grade homework/a test
- do well on/ (informal) ace a test/an exam
- pass/fail/ (informal) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subject
- apply to/get into/go to/start college
- leave/graduate from college (with a degree in computer science)/law school
- study for/work towards a law degree/a degree in physics
- major/minor in biology/philosophy
- earn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a Ph.D. in economics
direction - 2[uncountable, countable, usually singular] a direction or route followed by a ship or an aircraft The plane was on/off course (= going/not going in the right direction). He radioed the pilot to change course. They set a course for the islands.
- 3[countable, usually singular] the general direction in which someone's ideas or actions are moving The president appears likely to change course on some key issues. Politicians are often obliged to steer a course between incompatible interests. action
- 4(also course of action) [countable] a way of acting in or dealing with a particular situation There are various courses open to us. What course of action would you recommend? The wisest course would be to say nothing. development
- 5[singular] course of something the way something develops or should develop an event that changed the course of history The unexpected course of events aroused considerable alarm. part of meal
- 6[countable] any of the separate parts of a meal a four-course dinner The main course was roast duck. Topic CollocationsRestaurantseating out
- eat (lunch/dinner)/dine/meet at/in a restaurant
- go (out)/take somebody (out) for lunch/dinner/a meal
- have a meal with somebody
- make/have a reservation (in/under the name of Baker)
- reserve a table for six
- ask for/request a table for two/a table by the window
- wait to be seated
- show somebody to their table
- sit in the corner/by the window/at the bar/at the counter
- hand somebody/give somebody the menu/wine list
- open/read/study/peruse the menu
- the restaurant has a three-course set menu/a children's menu/an extensive wine list
- taste/sample/try the wine
- the waiter takes your order
- order/choose/have the soup of the day/one of the specials/the house specialty
- serve/finish the appetizers/the first course/the main course/dessert/coffee
- complain about the food/the service/your meal
- enjoy your meal
- pay/ask for the check/the bill
- pay for/treat somebody to dinner/lunch/the meal
- a gratuity/a service charge is (not) included
- give somebody/leave (somebody) a tip
for golf - 7[countable] = golf course He set a new course record.
- 8[countable] an area of land or water where races are held She was overtaken on the last stretch of the course. see obstacle course, racecourse of river
- 9[countable, usually singular] the direction a river moves in The path follows the course of the river. medical treatment
- 10[countable] course (of something) a series of medical treatments, pills, etc. to prescribe a course of antibiotics When taking antibiotics it is important to finish the course. More Aboutof course
- Of course is often used to show that what you are saying is not surprising or is generally known or accepted. For this reason, and because it can be difficult to get the right intonation, you may not sound polite if you use of course or of course not when you answer a request for information or permission. It can be safer to use a different word or phrase.
- “Is this the right room for the English class?” “Yes, it is.” “Of course.”or“Of course it is.”
- “Can I borrow your dictionary?” “Certainly.” (formal ) “Sure.” (informal )
- “Do you mind if I borrow your dictionary?” “Not at all.” “Go ahead.”(informal).
- If you say of course/of course not, it may sound as though you think the answer to the question is obvious and that the person should not have asked. In the same way, of course should not be used as a reply to a statement of fact or when someone expresses an opinion:“It’s a lovely day.” “It certainly is.”/“Yes it is.” “Of course it is.” “I think you’ll enjoy that play.” “I’m sure I will.”/“Yes, it sounds really good.” “Of course.”
- 1to be in a situation that is almost certain to cause a disagreement or argument I was on a collision course with my boss over the sales figures.
- 2to be moving in a direction in which it is likely that you will crash into someone or something A giant iceberg was on a collision course with the ship.
- 1(informal course) used to emphasize that what you are saying is true or correct “Don't you like my mother?” “Of course I do!” “Will you be there?” “Course I will.”
- 2(informal course) used as a polite way of giving someone permission to do something “Can I come, too?” “Course you can.” “Can I have one of those pens?” “Of course—help yourself.”
- 3(informal) used as a polite way of agreeing with what someone has just said “I did all I could to help.” “Of course,” he murmured gently.
- 4used to show that what you are saying is not surprising or is generally known or accepted Ben, of course, was the last to arrive. Of course, there are other ways of doing this. Language Bankneverthelessconceding a point and making a counterargument
- While the movie is undoubtedly too long, it is nevertheless an intriguing work of art.
- It can be argued that the movie is too long. It is nonetheless an intriguing work of art.
- The movie is undoubtedly too long. Still, it is an intriguing work of art.
- Of course, huge chunks of the book have been sacrificed in order to make a two-hour movie, but it is nevertheless a successful piece of storytelling.
- Critics are wrong to argue that the movie's plot is too complicated. Certainly there are a couple of major twists, but audiences will have no difficulty following them.
- It is true that you cannot make a good movie without a good script, but it is equally true that a talented director can make a good script into an excellent movie.
- It remains to be seen whether these two movies herald a new era of westerns, but there is no doubt that they represent welcome additions to the genre.
education
to be just what you would expect to happen or expect someone to do in a particular situation synonym norm Starting early and working long hours is par for the course in this job.
going through a particular process The new textbook is in course of preparation.
(used with expressions for periods of time) during He's seen many changes in the course of his long life. The company faces major challenges over the course of the next few years.
when enough time has passed synonym eventually It is possible that in the course of time a cure for cancer will be found.
at the right time and not before Your request will be dealt with in due course.
as things usually happen synonym normally In the normal course of things we would not treat her disappearance as suspicious.
(as) the usual and correct thing to do We always check people's addresses as a matter of course.
(to take/find) an acceptable course of action that avoids two extreme positions
used to emphasize the fact that you are saying “no” “Are you going?” “Of course not.” “Do you mind?” “No, of course not.”
likely to achieve or do something because you have already started to do it The American economy is on course for higher inflation than Britain by the end of the year. Victory in Saturday's match will put them on course to qualify for the European championships.
to develop in the usual way and come to the usual end When her tears had run their course, she felt calmer and more in control. With minor ailments, the best thing is often to let nature take its course.
to continue doing something until it has finished or been completed, even though it is difficult Very few of the trainees have stayed the course.
Check pronunciation: course