This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Plans, Decisions & Problem-solving. 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.
tentative suggestion
At a project-planning meeting, the planning document featured the tentative suggestion.
cover every eventuality
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will cover every eventuality.
abide by a decision
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will abide by a decision.
herd of elephants
Within the Plans, Decisions & Problem-solving topic, planners changed the road route after discovering a herd of elephants near the site.
come up with an alternative
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will come up with an alternative.
viable option
At a project-planning meeting, the planning document featured the viable option.
arrive at a conclusion
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will arrive at a conclusion.
reject out of hand
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will reject out of hand.
fired the young artist’s imagination
The science-fiction film fired the young artist’s imagination.
mitigate potential risks
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will mitigate potential risks.
be left with little alternative
After the flight cancellation, the travellers were left with little alternative but to take a bus.
adhere to ideals
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will adhere to ideals.
haven’t the foggiest idea
The student hasn’t the foggiest idea how the formula works.
declare outright hostility
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will declare outright hostility.
devise a contingency plan
The organisers devised a contingency plan for bad weather.
shoal of fish
At a project-planning meeting, the planning document featured the shoal of fish.
instigate measures
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will instigate measures.
declare outright opposition
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will declare outright opposition.
constructive criticism
At a project-planning meeting, the planning document featured the constructive criticism.
feasible alternative
At a project-planning meeting, the planning document featured the feasible alternative.
wrestle with a problem
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will wrestle with a problem.
be the only option open to the manager
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will be the only option open to the manager.
distant echo
At a project-planning meeting, the planning document featured the distant echo.
necessary groundwork
At a project-planning meeting, the planning document featured the necessary groundwork.
deeply offensive
In a project-planning meeting, the plan was deeply offensive.
unbounded enthusiasm
At a project-planning meeting, the planners were unbounded enthusiasm.
toy with an idea
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will toy with an idea.
implement a plan
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will implement a plan.
came to a conclusion
After reviewing the data, the researcher came to a conclusion.
leave the implementation plan to the manager's discretion
In a project-planning meeting, the project team will leave the implementation plan to the manager's discretion.