directiondi‧rec‧tion /dəˈrekʃən, daɪ-/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 
Which direction did they go in?in the direction of something The suspects were last seen heading in the direction of Miami.in somebody’s direction Tony glanced in her direction and their eyes met. The girls pointed in the opposite direction. On seeing me, Maurice changed direction and went along the wharf instead. As shots rang out, the crowd ran screaming in all directions.from the direction of something There was a loud scream from the direction of the children’s pool.in a southerly/easterly etc direction Continue in a southerly direction until you reach the road.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use which way ...? when asking where something is rather than using the noun direction: Which direction did they go in? ➔ Which way did they go? | Which direction is north? ➔ Which way is north?2directions [plural] a)instructions about how to get from one place to another: A very helpful woman gave me directions to the police station. b)instructions about what to do: Be sure you read the directions before using any piece of equipment.3way something develops [countable] the general way in which someone or something changes or develops: We are happy with the direction the club is taking.move/head/go in the right direction I believe that things are heading in the right direction in South Africa.new/different/exciting etc direction The company is hoping to extend its operations in new directions.4control [uncountable] control, management, or adviceunder somebody’s direction Under Thompson’s direction, the college has developed an international reputation.5where from or where to [countable] where something comes from or where something leadsin a direction The evidence all points in this direction.from a direction Help came from a wholly unexpected direction.6purpose [uncountable] a general purpose or aim: Her mother felt that Rachel’s life lacked direction.7film/play [uncountable] the instructions given to the actors and other people working on a film, play etc → a step in the right direction at step1(2)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbsgo in a direction· I can give you a lift if you're going in my direction.move/head in a direction· We followed the other passengers heading in the direction of passport control.look/glance in a direction· She looked in the direction that Jeremy was pointing.face (in) a direction· The men were facing the direction from which they expected the attack.change direction (=start to go in a different direction)· Suddenly the birds changed direction.adjectivesthe right/wrong direction· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?the opposite direction· The car crashed into a truck that was coming in the opposite direction.a southerly/westerly etc direction· A strong wind was blowing from an easterly direction.phrasesin each/every direction (also in all directions)· At the top of the tower there are splendid views in every direction.in both directions· The traffic in both directions on the motorway wasn't moving at all.in different directions· They said goodbye and walked off in different directions.in the general direction of something (=approximately where something is)· He pointed in the general direction of the village.in a clockwise/anticlockwise direction (=like or unlike the movement of the hands of a clock)· All movement on a roundabout is in a clockwise direction.a sense of direction (=the ability to judge which way you should be going)· Do you have a good sense of direction?the direction of movement/travel/flow etc· It was hard work rowing against the direction of flow.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2verbsgive somebody directions· Luke's given me directions to his house.follow directions· You can't get lost if you follow my directions.ask (somebody) for directions· Let's stop and ask someone for directions.get directions (=ask someone for directions)· I went into a petrol station to get directions.adjectivesclear/good· His directions were very clear and easy to follow.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Bill marched off angrily in the opposite direction.
- Did you see which direction they went?
- Frightened by the sound of footsteps, the rabbits ran off in all directions.
- I was hoping he wouldn't look in our direction and notice us sitting there.
- Officials have complained that there is a lack of direction in the mayor's office.
- The moons all move around the planet in the same direction.
- The plane was traveling in a northeasterly direction when it was hit by lightning.
- The sound of shots came from the direction of the compound, a quarter of a mile away.
- The two young men headed off in the direction of Central Park.
- This decision could determine the direction in which our lives will move.
- Tornadoes usually form when rising warm, moist air rotates, as winds from opposite directions collide.
- We're going in the right direction now - I can see the main road up ahead.
- Hencke shone the torch in the direction of the sound.
- It can not be repeated too often - don't develop a bias towards one particular attitude or direction.
- It points the way to new directions for the late 1980s and 1990s.
- Quartz is strongly bonded in all directions and has no good cleavage.
- The ride in the air transporter had been bumpy due to air missiles fired in their direction.
- Whatever the circumstances, reporting means learning new skills, taking new directions, having more room to grow.
Longman Language Activatorthe direction in which someone or something is moving, aimed etc
· The moons all move around the planet in the same direction.· Frightened by the sound of footsteps, the rabbits ran off in all directions.in somebody's direction (=towards someone) · I was hoping he wouldn't look in our direction and notice us sitting there.in the direction of something (=towards something) · The two young men headed off in the direction of Central Park.from the direction of something (=from something) · The sound of shots came from the direction of the compound, a quarter of a mile away.in the right/wrong direction · We're going in the right direction now - I can see the main road up ahead.in the opposite direction · Bill marched off angrily in the opposite direction.from opposite directions · Tornadoes usually form when rising warm, moist air rotates, as winds from opposite directions collide.in a southerly/easterly etc direction · The plane was traveling in a northeasterly direction when it was hit by lightning.
the general direction in which someone or something is moving, is aimed etc: · The bear went that way - you can see its tracks in the snow.· It is important to consider which way the house faces, as that determines how much sun it gets.the right/wrong way: · Are you sure we're going the right way? I don't remember seeing that church before.
the direction in which something such as a ship or aircraft is moving, which has been previously planned: · The captain decided to change the ship's course to avoid the storm.on/off course (=following the correct or incorrect course): · Investigators say the plane was over 800 miles off course when it crashed.
ways of asking about direction spoken use this to ask someone the general direction that something is in, that someone is travelling in etc: · Which way are you going? Maybe we can share a cab.· "Excuse me, which way is the Natural History Museum?" "That way. Keep walking and you'll see it on the left."
use this when you when you want to know exact details about which direction something is in, about which direction someone is travelling in etc: · Which direction do we take once we reach the top of the hill?
to ask someone the way to a place, especially when you have already started your journey: · He looked suspicious when we asked him how to get to the border.· Maggie stopped the first person she saw and asked them the way to the hospital.· I've got no idea where we are - we'll have to stop and ask the way.
to ask for instructions on how to get somewhere, either before you start a journey or after you have started it: · Some people stopped as they passed, asking for directions.ask for directions to: · I asked for directions to the town hall and made my way there on foot.
spoken use this to ask the way to somewhere: · Can you tell me the way to the harbor, please?· Excuse me, buddy - do you know the way to the beach?
spoken used especially when you know that someone knows the way to that place: how do I get to: · How do I get to the station from here?how do I get there/back/home etc: · I've got her address but how do I get there?
spoken used especially when you have already started going somewhere and want to know if you are going the right way: · "Is this the right way to the Science Museum?" "No, you're going in the wrong direction."
to tell someone the way to a place · He knows how to get here. I told him the way myself.tell somebody the way to something · Graham can tell you the way to Yvonne's house.tell somebody the way out/here/there etc · Excuse me, could you tell me the way out, please?
to give someone written or spoken instructions about how to get to a place: · He got into the car and began to give directions.give somebody directions/give directions to somebody: · I'm not surprised you couldn't find your way here if Peter gave you directions!
to show someone how to get to a place, especially by going there with them: · I'll send someone with you to show you the way.show sb the way to: · She asked a scruffy-looking little boy to show her the way to the police station.
formal to show someone the way to a place, especially by telling them where it is or pointing to it: direct somebody behind/towards/out etc: · A steward directed us behind the stage and towards the dressing rooms.direct somebody to something: · Go and ask the patrolman - he'll direct you to the freeway.
the ability to guess or find the right direction · When night came we lost all sense of direction and were soon completely lost.good/bad/excellent etc sense of direction · I can't believe you got us back to the hotel - you've got a really good sense of direction.
in or from the opposite direction in or from the opposite direction: · Turn around and face the other way.· I waved to her but she didn't see -- she was looking the other way.· When you're overtaking, make sure there's nothing coming the other way.
: in the opposite/other direction · The driver sped off in the opposite direction.· Gloria and Mae set off one way while Ruth and Sarah went in the other direction.from the opposite direction · While everyone was watching the action on the left of the stage, the dancers entered from the opposite direction
moving or facing in the opposite direction from each other: · There were two paths going in opposite directions.· Two trains travelling in opposite directions crashed, killing twenty passengers.
without any purpose something that is pointless has no purpose and makes you angry or sad: · a film full of pointless violence· Never give your students pointless exercises to do -- always provide interesting, meaningful tasks.be pointless to do something: · It is pointless to argue about who is more to blame.
not having any purpose or plan and therefore boring or sad: · The novel seems aimless, and the characters are stereotypes.· She changed from an aimless, pregnant teenager into a purposeful young woman.
a crime or something bad that is senseless seems to have no meaning or purpose and you cannot understand why someone would do it: · It was a senseless and cruel murder.· Smashing up trains is such a senseless form of vandalism.· The suicide was described as a senseless waste of a young woman's life.
without any meaning or purpose and therefore boring, sad, or having no effect: · a meaningless campaign pledge· So many of us spend our lives doing meaningless work in huge faceless companies.· Several companies dismissed the ruling as "meaningless," saying it would have no effect on their operations.
also lack of direction if something lacks direction or has a lack of direction , it does not have a clear purpose and is not well organized: · It could have been a good film, but I felt it lacked direction.· He quit over the company's lack of direction.
towards also toward American moving, looking, or pointing in a particular direction: · If you walk along the river bank towards Skipton you come to a bridge.· She stood with her back toward the window.· Glancing towards me, he started to laugh.· He looked toward the ceiling of his tiny apartment.· The plane banked and turned toward the mountains.slide/push/throw etc something towards somebody/something: · He slid the plate of cookies toward her.
towards a place or object, but not moving, looking, or pointing directly at it: · Tyler strode off in the direction of Foxwood.· People were making a move in the direction of the dining room.in somebody's direction: · I glanced in her direction and our eyes met.in the general direction of something (=generally towards): · He waved a hand in the general direction of the bar. "Another drink?"
: set off/make/head for to start to go towards a particular place, especially in a determined way: · We set off for Boston at daybreak.· When it started to rain we headed for the trees as fast as we could.· It's getting dark -- we'd better make for home.
: London/Paris/north/east etc bound towards a particular place or direction - use this especially about planes, trains, cars etc and the direction in which a road, railway track etc is going in: · The London bound train leaves at 22.00 hours.· There have been several delays to southbound rail services.· We were travelling westbound on Interstate 90.· All inward bound flights are being cancelled due to heavy fog.
if you look, smile, wave, throw something etc at someone, you look, smile etc in their direction: · The children stared at the eerie old house.· Nick looked back and grinned at her.· I threw the ball at Joe and hit him on the back of the neck.
to change your direction when you are walking or driving to change your direction when you are walking or driving: · He saw a police car up ahead, so he turned and went down a side street.· Soon after leaving harbour, the ships turned and headed north.turn left/right: · Turn left at the next intersection.turn back: · It's getting late - I think we should turn back before it gets dark.turn off (=leave a street in order to go down another street): · Turn off Delaney Road just after the church.turn onto/into (=start going along another street after changing direction): · Turn onto Lowell Street, then go straight for three blocks.turn a corner: · I turned a corner and nearly ran into Caroline.
to turn while you are moving so that you start going in a different direction: · The horse abruptly changed direction, nearly throwing the rider off.· Changing direction on skis isn't difficult once you've learned the technique.
if a vehicle, ship, or aircraft changes course , it changes the direction in which it is travelling: · The yacht changed course and approached the island.· The plane must change course to avoid flying through the storm.
if a vehicle or moving object veers , it suddenly and unexpectedly changes direction: veer off/away/across etc: · The car suddenly veered across the road into oncoming traffic.· The boat was heading for the rocks but at the last minute veered off in another direction.
if a vehicle or moving object swerves , it suddenly changes direction, especially in order to avoid hitting something: · The driver swerved to avoid a child, and crashed into a signpost.swerve across/into/towards etc: · Dozens were injured when a passenger bus swerved into the wrong lane and slammed into another bus.
WORD SETSanimation, nounanimator, nounart director, nounart house, nounarts cinema, nounbiopic, nounblue movie, nounB-movie, nouncameo, nouncameraman, nouncartoon, nouncine-, adjectivecine-camera, nouncine-film, nouncinema, nouncinematic, adjectivecinematography, nounclip, nouncontinuity, nouncut, nouncutting room, noundirection, noundouble, noundouble bill, noundouble feature, nounepilogue, nounextra, nounfantasy, nounfarce, nounfeature, nounfeature film, nounfilm star, nounfilmstrip, nounflashback, nounflick, nounfootage, nounfreeze-frame, noungaffer, nounHollywood, home movie, nounhorror movie, nounimage, nounimagery, nounlip-synch, verblocation, nounlot, nounmatinée, nounmiscast, verbmotion picture, nounmovie, nounmoviegoer, nounmovie star, nounmovie theater, nounmoving picture, nounmultiplex, nounmusical, nounnarrator, nounnewsreel, nounoff-screen, adverbopening night, nounOscar, nounout-take, nounPG, nounpremiere, nounproject, verbprojection, nounprojectionist, nounprojector, nounprop, nounrating, nounreel, nounrelease, verbremake, nounremake, verbre-release, verbrerun, nounretake, nounrole, nounscreen, nounscreen, verbscreening, nounscreenplay, nounscreen test, nounscreenwriter, nounscriptwriter, nounset, nounshort, nounshot, nounshow, verbsilent, adjectiveslow motion, nounsoundtrack, nounspaghetti western, nounsplicer, nounsplit screen, nounstand-in, nounstill, nounstudio, nounstunt man, nounstunt woman, nountalkie, nountearjerker, nounTechnicolor, nountheatre, nountheme, noun3-D, adjectivetop-grossing, adjectivetrailer, nountravelogue, nounturkey, nounwestern, nounwhodunit, nounX, nounX-certificate, adjectiveX-rated, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1verbs We drove off in an easterly direction. They started walking in the general direction of the pub. Can you give me directions to the station (=tell me how to go there)? When he was writing, he lost all sense of time. We set off in a northerly direction. She turned and walked off in the opposite direction. You can park on the other side of the street. He lives at the other end of the road. She drove off in the other direction. She pointed in the direction of the car park. Could you point me in the direction of the bathroom, please? A financial adviser should be able to point you in the right direction. Tara walked in a southerly direction. We set off in a westerly direction.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· I can give you a lift if you're going in my direction.
· We followed the other passengers heading in the direction of passport control.
· She looked in the direction that Jeremy was pointing.
· The men were facing the direction from which they expected the attack.
(=start to go in a different direction)· Suddenly the birds changed direction.
adjectives· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?
· The car crashed into a truck that was coming in the opposite direction.
· A strong wind was blowing from an easterly direction.
phrases (also in all directions)· At the top of the tower there are splendid views in every direction.
· The traffic in both directions on the motorway wasn't moving at all.
· They said goodbye and walked off in different directions.
(=approximately where something is)· He pointed in the general direction of the village.
(=like or unlike the movement of the hands of a clock)· All movement on a roundabout is in a clockwise direction.
(=the ability to judge which way you should be going)· Do you have a good sense of direction?
· It was hard work rowing against the direction of flow.
Meaning 2verbs· Luke's given me directions to his house.
· You can't get lost if you follow my directions.
· Let's stop and ask someone for directions.
(=ask someone for directions)· I went into a petrol station to get directions.
adjectives· His directions were very clear and easy to follow.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=instructions how to get from one place to another)· At the station he asked for directions to the museum.
We drove off in an easterly direction. They started walking in the general direction of the pub. Can you give me directions to the station (=tell me how to go there)? When he was writing, he lost all sense of time.· The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
We set off in a northerly direction. She turned and walked off in the opposite direction. You can park on the other side of the street. He lives at the other end of the road. She drove off in the other direction. She pointed in the direction of the car park. Could you point me in the direction of the bathroom, please? A financial adviser should be able to point you in the right direction. (=a feeling that you know what you are trying to achieve)· Becoming a mother had given her a new sense of purpose.
(=the ability to judge which way you should be going)· The place was completely dark and I lost all sense of direction.
Tara walked in a southerly direction. (=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
We set off in a westerly direction.· They could have evolved in radically different directions in the three areas.· Management and coaches and scouts all seemed to be headed in different directions.· But the political tide seemed to be flowing in a different direction.· All five charged off in different directions.· Tuppe and Cornelius followed the pointing fingers and set off in different directions.· They came to Stanford at the same time, but from entirely different directions.· In a fan experiment, other dishes are put at the same distance as the original dish, but in different directions.· There was too much information to absorb all at once; too many forces were pulling me in different directions.
· The methods are restricted to illustrating, supplementing, and contextualizing results obtained from quantitative procedures, and indicating future research directions.· Other academics, including some from abroad, will be invited to suggest future directions for research.· This is related to marketing and systems analysis literature and practice with the aim of establishing deficiencies and proposing future research directions.· The Green Paper makes clear the future direction of probation, through comments on the training of probation officers.· Confusion reigns for the future direction of the industry in the absence of clear guidelines and leadership.· Yet he remains bearish about the future direction of share prices.· But its future direction remains unknown and indeterminate.
· Governors are responsible for the ethos and general direction of the school.· When I threw a half-hearted punch in his general direction, he knocked me down.· As the general direction of O'Neill's policies became clear, conservative Protestants began to organize against him.· Keoni began to head north-west, in the general direction of Hsu Fu.· Her hair was taken back just on one side, and she smiled in the general direction of the entire human race.· We sit down and talk about what has to be done, the general direction we want to go in.· Then one of the men shouted something, waving his arms in the general direction of the forest.· We will fire him a great distance, in the general direction of a wall in which two slots are cut.
· It points the way to new directions for the late 1980s and 1990s.· Efficient decision-making systems give terrific power to the efforts of already capable people considering new directions.· Whatever enforced their absence for the last couple of years, it wasn't an extensive search for a new musical direction.· Whatever the circumstances, reporting means learning new skills, taking new directions, having more room to grow.· And then found her thoughts, which desperately needed a new direction, turning slowly towards the mill-school.· The banks of the river move; water flows in new directions.· But they're worth doing: the program has suggested whole new directions for medical research.· But new directions and designs help only when the people who must change behaviors engage in understanding and shaping them.
· Caught in a green translucent wave were two tiny sea-horses facing in opposite directions, one frolicking, the other melancholy.· Coming in the opposite direction ahead are three cars, then four.· This happened to me on the Seven Mile Straight at recently, a lorry coming in the opposite direction in spite of road signs.· During the first two rounds, the wind had been in the opposite direction.· Yet paradoxically, the reaction expected from a reader is in the opposite direction.· The evidence points in exactly the opposite direction.· However, when the current in the read cycle reverses, this will re-magnetize the core in the opposite direction.· You head in the opposite direction and you come down into a ravine.
· But it is also because their own specialist interests have led them in other directions.· Definite and energetic steps must be taken in other directions to restore the balance of our national economic life ....· The financial strain upon the Danzigers came from other directions too.· Much of the time she could only be ridden towards her dinner bucket; any other direction except backwards produced complete refusal.· For the mass of the population, indeed, the shift of interest arguably went in the other direction.· Drivers coming from the other direction raised a hand to thank me for allowing them to pass.· He groped his way back to the last junction and limped in the other direction.· By the shore the driftwood was still travelling upriver, but in midstream it was gathering way headlong in the other direction.
· Is it taking you in the right direction?· But environmentalists call it a step in the right direction.· Could you have shifted it as an individual in the right direction?· There would be no time like now to get things going in the right direction again.· He began to run in what he thought was the right direction, but he didn't recognise any of the buildings.· A: Read your letter ... like your style ... can point you in the right direction.· Implementing Cadbury will therefore be an experimental step in the right direction.· The illuminated sail was reversible, so that it always sailed in the right direction to ensure authenticity.
· But the politicians are looking for it in the wrong direction.· How can so much movement in the wrong direction be accomplished in one year?· He urged him to go to the local hotel, only twelve miles in the wrong direction.· But I am heavier and headed in the wrong direction.· Then she saw him look around quickly, but in all the wrong directions.· He could hear the old man rummaging in there, completely unaware that things were now somehow turned in the wrong direction.· It is no use just heating things up; that would again only speed up the reaction in the wrong direction.· They began to see small craft but, like the Amenca, apparently going in the wrong direction.
NOUN· Yes, for reasons of stage direction.· In this family, stories were the tangible stage directions in her otherwise silent and subliminal Medlow script.· The uncertainty of this utterance is indicated strongly in Stoppard's stage directions.· Wes was rattling off the stage directions as fast as he could.· The effect is not unlike that of the script of a play with stage directions.· A stage direction suggests devils appear and Faustus goes off with Mephostophilis.
VERB· Films rather than books were the medium to aim for-fair comment, of course, that helped me change direction.· Several are in turnaround situations, having changed direction under new leadership.· Consequently, they may change the direction of their attitudinal expressions.· But when he was denied tenure, Moore changed direction and started practicing psychotherapy.· As instructed, she gave Fen two or three minutes' warning and felt the boat change direction and nudge the bank.· As the light slows down, it also changes direction a little.· Guha surely had it right when he likened Littlewoods to a giant tanker that takes ages to change direction.· It was a dark night with just a glimmer of stars and a light and fickle wind which frequently changed direction.
· He followed Creed's directions, leaving the road for an unpaved track that seemed to lead towards the ocean.· Treatment followed one of three directions, depending on the condition of a particular muscle.· They followed his directions, once again admiring the great single-spouted fountain as they continued on towards the centre of the city.· Meanwhile, the emerging industrial factories needed workers who were at least literate and able to follow directions.· But, if you use cleaning products, you must follow the manufacturer's directions explicitly.· Look at the picture and follow c, the directions.· The form is simple and foolproof if you follow its wording and directions carefully.· First of all, they are unable to follow directions.
· The minister can change the board and give the board directions of a general character which have to be observed.· I gave them directions to Astor Place.· It can probably spot moving targets, and give their speed and direction.· Those without a Visa card will be given directions on how to apply for one.· My presence in the flat at Annick Water gave him a final direction for all this fuss.· Win sat in the middle of the rear scat, giving directions.· One example of their work: Bernard Flanagan was asked to give direction to the works stores.· The good manager gives direction and information about what works and takes the problems away.
· He was now heading back in the direction of New York City, by circling the perimeter of the vast estate.· Management and coaches and scouts all seemed to be headed in different directions.· While these figures are still terrible, they are at least heading in the right direction.· Otherwise they would head in the direction of the agreed place and either catch up with the flocks or inquire.· That was where Obispal was heading from one direction.· Anson guessed west, and so headed in that direction.· The very fact that we are considering aspects of animal welfare suggests that we are now heading in the right direction.· Jean and those guys, it seems like this organization is heading in the right direction.
· I looked in the same direction and saw a group of men standing and staring at us.· Other senators look to her for direction.· Almost everyone concerned with education is looking for the right direction to go, and there is much talk of leadership.· The man on the bicycle who had been looking intently in my direction remounted and pedaled away.· He seemed unable to meet the coroner's eyes, not daring even to look in his direction.· I can look in any direction by turning my wheelchair, and I choose to look back.· Tim was lying on the sand, looking in the direction the man had gone.· One of these people had looked in my direction once too often, passed by once again just a little too slowly.
· Lurching along in this enclosed space, one loses all sense of direction.· Alan Winmill says the Labour party has lost direction, but his former colleagues say they wanted him out anyway.· The trouble is that when there are so many directions, you lose sight of the direction.· I've lost my sense of direction.· I just lost all sense of direction, of purpose.· Now, with Tuvan music in fashion, she seems to have lost direction.· Here, all life is at its lowest ebb and man has lost all sense of direction.
· This reduction has forced others to move in a similar direction.· Yields on bonds move in an opposite direction from prices.· It would be wrong not to move in that direction.· It seems to me that all mankind is moving in that direction.· They can thus be moved in any direction across the microscope stage.· Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.· Canterbury was certainly not moving in the direction of Cistercian austerity in Anselm's time.· Sometimes they are able to and sometimes they are not able to, but they really move it in that direction.
· With a certain amount of ingenuity she can even use the balloon to steer herself by pointing it in various directions.· Everyone I asked seemed to point in a different direction.· If you are going somewhere then you have to know where you are going in order to point in the right direction.· It also assumes that existing people are already capable and only need pointing in the right direction.· I have time to discuss only one lexical myth: this is the signpost which points us in the direction of precision.· The circle is actually a large microwave tower with nine cones pointing in five directions.· The organisation is pointing in a direction and the momentum keeps it going in that direction.· The old woman points south in the direction of the big house.
· Even the claim that the natural order reflected the contingency of a divine will could pull in two directions.· Most of us get pulled into one direction or the other.· With money-economies firmly in place the wealthy can pull markets in whichever direction they like.· I was pulled in two directions.· There are powerful undercurrents in the 1988 Education Act which pull in this direction.· She was being pulled in opposite directions by equally powerful forces.· The picture of a dovish president pulled in opposite directions by thugs on both right and left is not entirely accurate.· There was too much information to absorb all at once; too many forces were pulling me in different directions.
· The minute I unleashed him, he suddenly wasn't so brave, whimpering and running in the other direction.· The Yankees were cutting and slashing, and the cannoneers were running in every direction.· He ran in every direction and more important: faster than the turks.· Money always seems to run in one direction and that is the stock market now.· If he ran in that direction, would he be able to dodge?· Sometimes the mind can run in so many directions at once.· Remember that the teeth run in an upward direction and the last tooth sits a couple of inches below the eye.· Others are wound up with mothering tasks that have them running in all directions at noon.
· I signalled to turn back in the direction of the motorway, then I changed my mind.· The damaged left eye seemed to turn in another direction, to be preoccupied separately with different matters.· We turn in the opposite direction to meet the path.· The tower was turned and facing another direction.· She turned in that direction even though it meant leaving the path.· Examples of rock piles that turned water in new directions are numerous.· Instinctively he had turned in the opposite direction from the Eldorado block.· He could hear the old man rummaging in there, completely unaware that things were now somehow turned in the wrong direction.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- You'd better read the directions before you put the bicycle together.
- But, if you use cleaning products, you must follow the manufacturer's directions explicitly.
- He made his way quickly to Mrs Brooks' house, following the postman's directions.
- If you're using sterilising solution, follow the manufacturer's directions.
- One involves focus groups, where a representative customer is selected and asked to perform a task by following the enclosed directions.
- Process through a pasta machine following the manufacturer's directions.
WORD FAMILYnoundirectiondirectnessdirectorverbdirectredirectadjectivedirect ≠ indirectadverbdirectly ≠ indirectly
1towards [countable] the way something or someone moves, faces, or is aimed: Which direction did they go in?in the direction of something The suspects were last seen heading in the direction of Miami.in somebody’s direction Tony glanced in her direction and their eyes met. The girls pointed in the opposite direction. On seeing me, Maurice changed direction and went along the wharf instead. As shots rang out, the crowd ran screaming in all directions.from the direction of something There was a loud scream from the direction of the children’s pool.in a southerly/easterly etc direction Continue in a southerly direction until you reach the road.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually use which way ...? when asking where something is rather than using the noun direction: Which direction did they go in? ➔ Which way did they go? | Which direction is north? ➔ Which way is north?2directions [plural] a)instructions about how to get from one place to another: A very helpful woman gave me directions to the police station. b)instructions about what to do: Be sure you read the directions before using any piece of equipment.3way something develops [countable] the general way in which someone or something changes or develops: We are happy with the direction the club is taking.move/head/go in the right direction I believe that things are heading in the right direction in South Africa.new/different/exciting etc direction The company is hoping to extend its operations in new directions.4control [uncountable] control, management, or adviceunder somebody’s direction Under Thompson’s direction, the college has developed an international reputation.5where from or where to [countable] where something comes from or where something leadsin a direction The evidence all points in this direction.from a direction Help came from a wholly unexpected direction.6purpose [uncountable] a general purpose or aim: Her mother felt that Rachel’s life lacked direction.7film/play [uncountable] the instructions given to the actors and other people working on a film, play etc → a step in the right direction at step1(2)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1verbsgo in a direction· I can give you a lift if you're going in my direction.move/head in a direction· We followed the other passengers heading in the direction of passport control.look/glance in a direction· She looked in the direction that Jeremy was pointing.face (in) a direction· The men were facing the direction from which they expected the attack.change direction (=start to go in a different direction)· Suddenly the birds changed direction.adjectivesthe right/wrong direction· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?the opposite direction· The car crashed into a truck that was coming in the opposite direction.a southerly/westerly etc direction· A strong wind was blowing from an easterly direction.phrasesin each/every direction (also in all directions)· At the top of the tower there are splendid views in every direction.in both directions· The traffic in both directions on the motorway wasn't moving at all.in different directions· They said goodbye and walked off in different directions.in the general direction of something (=approximately where something is)· He pointed in the general direction of the village.in a clockwise/anticlockwise direction (=like or unlike the movement of the hands of a clock)· All movement on a roundabout is in a clockwise direction.a sense of direction (=the ability to judge which way you should be going)· Do you have a good sense of direction?the direction of movement/travel/flow etc· It was hard work rowing against the direction of flow.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2verbsgive somebody directions· Luke's given me directions to his house.follow directions· You can't get lost if you follow my directions.ask (somebody) for directions· Let's stop and ask someone for directions.get directions (=ask someone for directions)· I went into a petrol station to get directions.adjectivesclear/good· His directions were very clear and easy to follow.