Actions, Experiences, & Decisions: English Vocabulary List

Explore 41 English words about actions, experiences, & decisions with pronunciation, definitions and example sentences.

41 words Collocations Other Verbs English Vocabulary
to [arrive] at an agreement /ɐɹˈaɪv æt ɐn ɐɡɹˈiːmənt/ phrase

to reach a mutual understanding or consensus in a negotiation or discussion

"We arrived at an agreement."

"After hours of negotiation, the two parties finally arrived at a mutually beneficial agreement."

to [broach] the subject /bɹˈoʊtʃ ðə sˈʌbdʒɛkt/ phrase

to bring up or introduce a topic or issue for discussion or consideration

"He broached the subject."

"She hesitated for a moment before deciding to broach the subject of their overdue rent payment."

to [deliver] a speech /dɪlˈɪvɚɹ ɐ spˈiːtʃ/ phrase

to present a formal, spoken presentation or address to an audience on a specific topic or subject

"She delivered a speech."

"The valedictorian was chosen to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony."

to [sit] an exam /sˈɪt ɐn ɛɡzˈæm/ phrase

to take or participate in an examination or test

"I will sit an exam."

"Students are expected to sit their final exams in the main hall next week."

to [draw] a conclusion /dɹˈɔː ɐ kənklˈuːʒən/ phrase

to form an opinion or decision based on the available information, facts, or evidence

"Let's draw a conclusion."

"Based on the evidence presented, the detective was able to draw a logical conclusion about the suspect."

to [join] forces /dʒˈɔɪn fˈoːɹsᵻz/ phrase

to cooperate with others to achieve a common goal

"They joined forces."

"The two rival companies decided to join forces to compete more effectively in the market."

to [reach] an agreement /ɹˈiːtʃ ɐn ɐɡɹˈiːmənt/ phrase

to come to a mutual decision or understanding after negotiations or discussions, typically involving two or more parties

"They reached an agreement."

"After hours of negotiation, the two companies finally managed to reach an agreement on the terms of the merger."

to [broker] an agreement /bɹˈoʊkɚɹ ɐn ɐɡɹˈiːmənt/ phrase

to help negotiate and facilitate a deal or compromise between parties with differing interests or positions

"The mediator brokered an agreement."

"The experienced diplomat was tasked to broker an agreement between the warring nations to achieve peace."

to [cover] costs /kˈʌvɚ kˈɔsts/ phrase

to pay for expenses or expenditures related to a particular item, service, or endeavor

"The grant will cover our costs."

"The insurance money was enough to cover the costs of repairing the damage to our car."

to [cut] costs /kˈʌt kˈɔsts/ phrase

to reduce expenses or spending

"We must cut costs now."

"The struggling business decided to cut costs by renegotiating supplier contracts and reducing operational overhead."

to [pass] a law /pˈæs ɐ lˈɔː/ phrase

to officially establish a new rule or regulation within the legal system

"The parliament passed a law."

"The government is expected to pass a new law aimed at protecting endangered species."

to [play] a part /plˈeɪ ðə pˈɑːɹt/ phrase

to contribute and be involved in a specific activity, situation, or event

"She played a part."

"Education plays a very important part in shaping a person's future and career."

to [pursue] a career /pɚsˈuː ɐ kɚɹˈɪɹ/ phrase

to engage in an occupation as a way of earning money

"She wants to pursue a career in music."

"After graduating from law school she decided to pursue a career as a human rights lawyer."

to [initiate] an inquiry /ɪnˈɪʃɪˌeɪt ɐn ˈɪnkwɚɹi/ phrase

to start an official investigation or formal examination into a particular matter or issue

"They will initiate an inquiry."

"The university decided to initiate an inquiry into the alleged academic misconduct by several students."

to [conduct] an inquiry /kˈɑːndʌkt ɐn ˈɪnkwɚɹi/ phrase

to carry out a systematic and organized investigation or examination

"The police conducted an inquiry."

"The committee will conduct an inquiry into the cause of the terrible plane crash."

to [cut] (through|) red tape /kˈʌt θɹuː ɔːɹ ɹˈɛd tˈeɪp/ phrase

to simplify a procedure and enhance efficiency by eliminating unnecessary rules or steps

"We need to cut through red tape to get the permit."

"The new policy helped small businesses cut through red tape and get their licenses faster."

to [enter] into an agreement /ˈɛntɚɹ ˌɪntʊ ɐn ɐɡɹˈiːmənt/ phrase

to formally and mutually agree to specific terms, conditions, or commitments in a contract or arrangement with another party

"They entered into an agreement with a foreign company."

"The two companies entered into an agreement to share their technology and resources for the new project."

to [pull] a muscle /pˈʊl ɐ mˈʌsəl/ phrase

to strain or injure a muscle by overexertion or sudden movement

"I pulled a muscle while exercising."

"The athlete pulled a muscle in his leg while running and had to stop the race immediately."

to [push] (back|) the frontiers /pˈʊʃ bˈæk ɔːɹ ðə fɹʌntˈɪɹz/ phrase

to expand the boundaries or limits of knowledge, discovery, or understanding, typically in science, technology, or exploration

"Science pushes the frontiers daily."

"Researchers continue to push back the frontiers of medicine by developing innovative treatments for rare diseases."

to [strike] a balance /stɹˈaɪk ɐ bˈæləns/ phrase

to achieve a state of harmony by managing different aspects or priorities effectively

"You must strike a balance."

"It is not always easy to strike a balance between work and family life in modern society."

to [reap] the (benefits|rewards) /ɹˈiːp ðə bˈɛnɪfˌɪts ɔːɹ ɹɪwˈɔːɹdz/ phrase

to enjoy the positive outcomes or advantages resulting from one's efforts or actions

"They reap the benefits now."

"After years of hard work and dedication, she is finally reaping the benefits of her efforts with a well-deserved promotion."

to [find] a compromise /fˈaɪnd ɐ kˈɑːmpɹəmˌaɪz/ phrase

to reach an agreement by both parties giving in a little during a disagreement or negotiation

"We must find a compromise that works for everyone."

"The arguing couple finally found a compromise about where to spend their holiday vacation."

to [reach] a compromise /ɹˈiːtʃ ɐ kˈɑːmpɹəmˌaɪz/ phrase

to come to an agreement by both parties giving in a little during a disagreement or negotiation

"We reached a compromise finally."

"After a long and heated debate, both parties agreed to reach a compromise that addressed their main concerns."

to [earn] a living /ˈɜːn ɐ lˈɪvɪŋ/ phrase

to make a sufficient income to support one's basic needs and maintain a comfortable or satisfactory standard of living

"She earns a living as a freelance writer."

"The hardworking father works two jobs to earn a living for his large family."

to [save] {sb} a seat /sˈeɪv ˌɛsbˈiː ɐ sˈiːt/ phrase

to reserve or hold a place for someone in a specific location to ensure that they have a place to sit

"Can you save me a seat at the table?"

"Could you please save me a seat at the cinema while I go to buy some popcorn?"

to [cross] {one's} mind /kɹˈɔs wˈʌnz mˈaɪnd/ phrase

to come into one's thoughts or mind momentarily

"It never crossed my mind before."

"A strange thought crossed my mind while I was walking home alone last night."

to [serve] a purpose /sˈɜːv ɐ pˈɜːpəs/ phrase

to fulfill a specific function or role, often in a way that is useful or meaningful

"This tool serves a specific purpose."

"This old tool still serves a purpose even though it is rusty and looks very old."

to [see] to it /sˈiː tʊ ɪt/ phrase

to check or make sure that something is done or is taken care of

"See to it that the door is locked."

"Please see to it that the children finish their homework before they watch any television."

to [mind|watch] {one's} manners /mˈaɪnd wˈɑːtʃ wˈʌnz mˈænɚz/ phrase

to make sure to behave appropriately and politely

"The child was told to mind his manners."

"The strict grandmother told the rude child to mind his manners at the dinner table."

to [raise] concern /ɹˈeɪz kənsˈɜːn/ phrase

to express or bring attention to worries, doubts, or objections regarding a specific issue, situation, or decision

"This raises concern among people."

"The sudden rise in pollution levels has raised concern among environmental scientists and local residents alike."

to [beat] the heat /bˈiːt ðə hˈiːt/ phrase

to manage to stay cool during the period of hot weather

"We need to beat the heat."

"During the sweltering summer days, many people seek refuge in air-conditioned buildings to beat the heat."

live up to /lɪv ʌp tuː/ verb

to fulfill expectations or standards set by oneself or others

"He cannot live up to his father's expectations."

"The movie did not live up to the high expectations created by its impressive trailer and advertising campaign."

to [open] fire /ˈoʊpən fˈaɪɚ/ phrase

to start shooting a weapon, such as a gun in a rapid and continuous manner, often with the intent to harm or kill

"The soldiers opened fire."

"The soldiers received the order to open fire on the enemy who were advancing towards their position."

to [wreak] havoc /ɹˈiːk hˈævək/ phrase

to cause severe destruction, chaos, or disorder

"The storm wreaked havoc on the coast."

"The storm wreaked havoc on the small town destroying many homes and businesses in its path."

to [turn] upside down /tˈɜːn ˈʌpsaɪd dˈaʊn/ phrase

to reverse the position of something, making what was on top now at the bottom and vice versa

"He turned the box upside down."

"The toddler accidentally turned the toy box upside down, scattering its contents everywhere."

to [draw] on (a|the) (cigarette|cigar|pipe) /dɹˈɔː ˌɑːn ɐ ɔːɹ ðə sˌɪɡɚɹˈɛt ɔːɹ sɪɡˈɑːɹ ɔːɹ pˈaɪp/ phrase

to inhale smoke from a cigarette or another object that produces smoke

"He drew on his cigarette slowly."

"She drew on her cigarette nervously while waiting for the test results."

to [roll] around in {one's} (mind|head) /ɹˈoʊl ɐɹˈaʊnd ɪn wˈʌnz mˈaɪnd ɔːɹ hˈɛd/ phrase

to be thought about by someone without much coherence

"The question rolled around in my head all night."

"The mysterious message rolled around in my head all day and I could not stop thinking about it."

to [arrive] at {sth} /ɐɹˈaɪv æt ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/ phrase

to reach a decision, understanding, or conclusion after consideration or discussion

"We finally arrived at a decision."

"After hours of discussion, the committee arrived at a decision that satisfied everyone involved."

to [reach] a conclusion /ɹˈiːtʃ ɐ kənklˈuːʒən/ phrase

to come to a decision or judgment after considering evidence, arguments, or facts

"They reached a conclusion quickly."

"After reviewing all the evidence and listening to witness testimonies, the jury finally reached a conclusion about the case."

to [suffer] defeat /sˈʌfɚ dɪfˈiːt/ phrase

to experience a loss or failure in a competitive or confrontational situation

"The team suffered a painful defeat."

"The team suffered a painful defeat in the final match but they promised to train harder."

to [see|think] fit /sˈiː ɔːɹ θˈɪŋk fˈɪt/ phrase

to consider something appropriate or suitable according to one's own judgment

"You can spend the money as you see fit."

"You may spend your money as you see fit because it belongs to you and nobody else."

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