This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Success, Failure & Effort. 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.
meet the challenges
In a progress review, the team will meet the challenges.
nasty piece of work
Within the Success, Failure & Effort topic, the recovery project turned into a nasty piece of work after the main supplier withdrew.
hinder progress
In a progress review, the team will hinder progress.
get their hands dirty
In a progress review, the team will get their hands dirty.
take up a challenge
In a progress review, the team will take up a challenge.
strenuous effort
At a progress review, the progress report featured the strenuous effort.
relish a challenge
In a progress review, the team will relish a challenge.
lull in the fighting
In a progress review, the team will lull in the fighting.
tough challenge
At a progress review, the progress report featured the tough challenge.
put their best foot forward
In a progress review, the team will put their best foot forward.
fail miserably
In a progress review, the team will fail miserably.
extremely successful
At a progress review, the progress report featured the extremely successful.
pass up an opportunity
In a progress review, the team will pass up an opportunity.
bring stability
In a progress review, the team will bring stability.
encounter a difficulty
In a progress review, the team will encounter a difficulty.
experience difficulties
In a progress review, the team will experience difficulties.
sustain a prolonged effort
In a progress review, the team will sustain a prolonged effort.
lose their livelihood
In a progress review, the team will lose their livelihood.
spectacularly successful
In a progress review, the outcome was spectacularly successful.
belittle the participant's achievements
In a progress review, the team will belittle the participant's achievements.
opportunity arises
An opportunity arises when the company opens a new office.
valiant effort
At a progress review, the progress report featured the valiant effort.
have difficulties
In a progress review, the team will have difficulties.
create instability
In a progress review, the team will create instability.
abortive attempt
At a progress review, the progress report featured the abortive attempt.
yield diminishing returns
In a progress review, the team will yield diminishing returns.
severe blow
At a progress review, the progress report featured the severe blow.
finite number
At a progress review, the progress report featured the finite number.
realise their potential
In a progress review, the team will realise their potential.
deal with the complexities
The team met weekly to deal with the complexities of the project.