This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Language, Register & Fixed Expressions. 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.
keep someone on their toes
The tutor uses timed debates to keep the learner on their toes.
take the communication task the wrong way
A reader may take the task the wrong way if the instructions are vague.
take it easy for a while
After the race, the athlete decided to take it easy for a while.
go hand in hand with
Clear pronunciation should go hand in hand with confident delivery.
totally awesome
Among friends, totally awesome is used to show strong enthusiasm.
give the learner a ring
The tutor promised to give the learner a ring after checking the timetable.
dead keen
She was dead keen to join the advanced conversation group.
dead easy
For a fluent speaker, the vocabulary quiz was dead easy.
get hitched
In the dialogue, the couple decide to get hitched after a long engagement.
completely dependent
In a language workshop, the outcome was completely dependent on careful planning.
with remarkable ease
The athlete completed the final lap with remarkable ease.
throw a sickie
He was tempted to throw a sickie rather than attend the early shift.
set off a fire alarm
Smoke from the demonstration accidentally set off a fire alarm.
convey subtle nuance
A skilled translator can convey subtle nuance without adding extra explanation.
really good
That explanation of reported speech was really good.
adjourn a meeting
The chair had to adjourn a meeting when the interpreter lost the connection.
worried sick
Her parents were worried sick when she missed the last train.
adopt a formal register
Applicants should adopt a formal register when writing to a university.
come down heavily on
The league will come down heavily on players who break the rules.
well good
In some dialects, well good means very good.
tie the knot
The couple plan to tie the knot at a small ceremony in June.
hopping mad
The client was hopping mad after receiving the wrong translation.
entirely separate
The editor kept the two versions entirely separate to avoid confusion.
to be brutally honest
To be brutally honest, the committee did not support the proposal.
glad to see the back of the learner
After the disruptive visitor left, the staff were glad to see the back of him.
provide simultaneous translation
The conference will provide simultaneous translation in four languages.
look into a crime
The detective promised to look into a crime reported in the community newsletter.
jot down an address
Please jot down an address before the phone call ends.
conduct an investigation into an arms deal
The committee will conduct an investigation into an arms deal involving public funds.
stinking rich
The expression stinking rich is informal and can sound rude in professional contexts.