This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Food, Lifestyle & Daily Life. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
produce a result
A small change in meal planning can produce a result within weeks.
plain food
After the operation, she could only manage plain food for several days.
bed of rice
The curry was served on a bed of rice with fresh herbs.
to and fro
The crowd moved to and fro outside the stadium before the match.
work up an appetite
The long walk helped the travellers work up an appetite.
order a takeaway
We decided to order a takeaway after the kitchen repairs ran late.
knob of butter
Melt a knob of butter in the pan before adding the onions.
create an effect
A splash of citrus can create an effect that brightens a heavy dish.
drum up support
Volunteers worked to drum up support for the neighbourhood food bank.
sweated labour
Consumers demanded proof that their coffee was not produced by sweated labour.
grab a seat
We arrived early enough to grab a seat by the window.
spark fears
A shortage of baby formula may spark fears among new parents.
prepare a balanced meal
The dietitian showed him how to prepare a balanced meal on a budget.
grab a snack
She stopped at the market to grab a snack before work.
team of experts
A team of experts developed the new national nutrition guidelines.
differ widely
Tastes differ widely, so the café offers mild and spicy options.
tasty snack
The café offers a tasty snack with every hot drink after three.
clove of garlic
Add a clove of garlic to the sauce.
food miles
The restaurant lists food miles beside each seasonal ingredient.
have a barbecue
The neighbours plan to have a barbecue if the weather stays dry.
lead a healthy lifestyle
People who lead a healthy lifestyle often plan their meals in advance.
fare rises
Recent fare rises have made commuting more expensive for many families.
second home
The family uses the cottage as a second home during school holidays.
have a snack
After the walk, the children wanted to have a snack.
leave home
Many young adults leave home without knowing how to cook basic meals.
admit defeat
After three failed attempts at the soufflé, the chef had to admit defeat.
great pleasure
It gives me great pleasure to cook for my grandchildren at weekends.
changed woman
After learning to cook for herself, she became a changed woman.
hunk of bread
He tore off a hunk of bread to mop up the sauce.
hike in prices
The recent hike in prices has made fresh fish less affordable.