- 1[countable, uncountable] policy (on something) a plan of action agreed or chosen by a political party, a business, etc. the present government's policy on education The company has adopted a firm policy on shoplifting. We have tried to pursue a policy of neutrality. U.S. foreign/domestic policy They have had a significant change in policy on paternity leave. a policy document Topic CollocationsPoliticspower
- create/form/be the leader of a political party
- gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
- start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
- be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
- lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
- seize/take control of power/the government
- bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
- abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
- establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
- be forced/removed/driven from office/power
- resign/step down as party leader/president/prime minister/governor/a senator
- enter/retire from/return to political life
- spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
- engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something)
- get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
- launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
- join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
- criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
- lobby/put pressure on the government (to do something)
- come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
- call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
- formulate/implement domestic economic policy
- change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
- be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
- reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
- privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
- invest (heavily) in/spend something on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
- nationalize the banks/the oil industry
- promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
- a/the budget is approved/passed by Congress/the House/the Senate
- have a majority in/have seats in Congress/the House/the Senate
- propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution/an amendment
- introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/a resolution/an amendment/legislation/measures
- amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
- veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
- get/require/be decided by a majority vote
- ⇨ more collocations at economy, vote
Questions about grammar and vocabulary?
Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.
Join us
Join our community to access the latest language learning and assessment tips from Oxford University Press!
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
Want to learn more?
Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
- 2[countable, uncountable] (formal) a principle that you believe in that influences how you behave; a way in which you usually behave She is following her usual policy of ignoring all offers of help. (saying) Honesty is the best policy.
- 3[countable] a written statement of a contract of insurance Check the terms of the policy before you sign.
Check pronunciation: policy