favour1 nounfavour2 verb
favourfa‧vour1 British English, favor American English /ˈfeɪvə $ -ər/ ●●● S2 W3 noun 
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Booksellers could translate the royal favour into profit for themselves.
- If the White armies could claim it, the Civil War might go in their favour.
- Medicine it was that often won them the favour of princes and enabled them to earn a living.
- The banks have done developers one favour by staying in Frankfurt rather than heading for Berlin.
- The only point in its favour is that it contains nothing that is toxic.
- The sky was a sharp blue, the air bright, and the wind in our favour.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something gives someone an advantage
· The fact that Liverpool had only ten men playing for them gave the other team an advantage.give sb an advantage over · What gives the company an advantage over its competitors is its location.
to give someone a slight advantage, for example in a competition or election: · His ten years' experience will give him the edge in tomorrow's fight.give sb the edge over: · He tried to find out as much as he could about the company, believing that it would give him the edge over the other interviewees.
if something is to your advantage, it will help you to succeed: · It will be to your advantage to start preparing for the exam now. Don't wait until the last minute.could/would/might be to somebody's advantage: · I think you should accept Steve's offer to help you with the presentation -- it could be to your advantage.
British /be in somebody's favor American if a situation or conditions are in someone's favour , they will help that person succeed: · Investors are hoping that the new regulations will operate in their favor.tip the balance in somebody's favour (=to give someone a slight advantage): · It will be a closely fought match, but Corgan's greater physical strength is likely to tip the balance in his favour.
British /favor American if a situation or conditions such as the weather favour someone, they make that person more likely to succeed than other people: · The weather favours the Australians, who are used to playing in the heat.· German negotiators denied that economic circumstances had favored their companies and given them an export advantage.
to have an advantage to have something that makes you more likely to succeed than other people: · The American team seemed to have all the advantages - better training, better facilities, and much better financial support.have an advantage over: · The winning boxer had an advantage over his opponent because he was several pounds heavier.
if someone is at an advantage , they have experience or qualities which make them more likely to succeed in doing something or more likely to do something well: · Students with a strong math background will be at an advantage next year when the statistics course starts.be at an advantage over: · Children have several advantages over adults when it comes to learning another language.distinct advantage (=definite advantage): · Mitchell's height gives him a distinct advantage over the other players.
British /the odds are stacked in somebody's favor American used to say that someone has a big advantage in a competition, election etc so that they are very likely to win: · Everyone knows that you can't win at gambling because the odds are stacked in the dealer's favour.· The odds were stacked in the Labour Party's favour, so it was a great surprise when they were not elected.
to have a big advantage over others in a particular activity, especially because you started doing it before them: have a head start on: · The British have a head start on many other countries in areas such as genetic engineering. give somebody a head start: · Sending your children to nursery school clearly gives them a head start.
to have all the qualities that are likely to make you succeed in whatever you decide to do: · She was bright and pretty and had everything going for her.· Barry had everything going for him -- charm, looks, intelligence, but still he was unemployed.
to have an advantage over others because you are young, have a lot of experience etc: · He is a strong player but his opponent will have youth on his side.· With knowledge of the company on her side, she was more likely to get the job than any of the external candidates.
to have all the advantages in a particular situation so that you can control what happens: · It seemed that he held all the cards and that there was nothing she could do but say 'yes'.
to have more power than someone, especially someone who is fighting against you or who does not agree with you, so that you are likely to defeat them: · Although the rebels control areas in the south, the government still has the upper hand. have the upper hand against: · Police finally have the upper hand against the drug dealers in the area.
to be in a position where you have an advantage over someone and are likely to win, especially in discussions to get something from them: · The government claims that as long as they have nuclear weapons, they can negotiate from a position of strength.· At the end of the war, the US was in a strong position to influence the future of Europe.
to strongly approve of something · My son wants to leave school to concentrate on his acting career and I totally approve.strongly/totally/wholeheartedly etc approve of · He strongly approves of his wife's decision not to work until the children are old enough to go to school.
also be all in favor of American spoken if you are all for something or all in favour of something , you strongly approve of it -- used especially when you do not approve of something else that is often connected with it: · The priest is all in favour of music in church, but he doesn't think rock music is appropriate.be all for (somebody) doing something: · I'm all for people going out and enjoying themselves, as long as they don't drive when they're drunk.· Don't get me wrong -- I'm all for cutting taxes if we can do it without hurting the poor.
to approve of a particular way of living or of doing things because you think it brings good results: · Alan is a firm believer in a healthy diet and regular exercise.· I've never been a great believer in private schools.
ways of asking someone to do something or to let you have something use this to ask someone politely to do something for you or to let you do something: · I'd like to ask you a couple of questions - do you mind?would/do you mind if: · Would you mind if I held the baby?· Do you mind if I just turn down the volume a little?would/do you mind doing something?: · Would you mind stopping at the Post Office on the way home?· Dinner won't be on the table for another half hour - do you mind waiting?
British /(would/could you) do me a favor? American use this to ask someone to do something for you or help you with something. Using do me a favour alone is more informal than saying would or could you do me a favour: · Would you do me a favour and call Tom to tell him I'm on my way home?· Do me a favor - in that box over there, there's a screwdriver - can you hand it to me?· Could you do me a favour and lock everything up at five?
also I would appreciate it if ... use this in formal language or business letters to ask someone to do something for you: · I would be grateful if you could send this information to me at the address below.· I would appreciate it if you could let me know when you will be making your decision.
use this to ask someone to do something for you. Could you and would you are more polite than can you: · Could you hold these while I get my keys?· Would you get me a towel, please?· Can you babysit for us Friday night?
use this to politely get someone's attention or to interrupt what they are doing when you want to ask them something. Pardon me is slightly old-fashioned and is more formal than excuse me: · Excuse me, could I borrow your pen for a minute?· Pardon me, do you know what time it is?
to ask for help or kindness British /ask a favor American to ask someone to be kind or generous by helping you do something or by doing something for you: · Could I ask a favour? I need someone to collect the children from school tonight. Are you free?ask somebody a favour: · I need to ask you a big favor. Could you lend me $1000 till I get my tax refund?
if someone in a very bad situation turns to someone, they ask that person for help, comfort, sympathy etc: · After my wife died I didn't know who to turn to.· Eventually I turned to an organization that helps people with drug and alcohol problems.turn to somebody for something: · When things got really bad, I turned to my family for help.
also call upon formal to ask someone for help when you have a problem and especially when they have offered to help you when they can: call on/upon somebody: · If you ever have a problem, you know that you can always call on us.call on/upon somebody for something: · Members of the religious sect are very reluctant to call on outsiders for help.call on/upon somebody to do something: · Being the only person in the office who speaks German, I'm often called upon to translate.
to make a public request, for example on television or in the newspapers, for money, food, information etc, especially in order to help someone who is in a very bad situation: appeal for: · The Red Cross is appealing for donations of food and clothing following the earthquake.appeal to somebody for something: · The Murrays have appealed to the public for any information about their missing daughter.appeal to somebody to do something: · The speaker had appealed to the miners to vote for their union.
to decide to do something to make a choice that you are going to do something: · We'll support you whatever you decide.decide to do something: · She decided to tell her mother all about it that evening.decide not to do something: · If you decide not to accept our offer, let me know.decide (that): · I've decided that I really must stop smoking.decide what/how/which etc: · Martha took hours deciding which dress to wear.· Have you decided whether to apply for that job?decide against (doing) something (=decide not to do something): · For a second he thought about using his gun, but decided against it.· I was so tired that I decided against going to the party after all.you decide spoken (=used to tell someone to decide): · I don't mind which restaurant we go to. You decide.
to finally decide that you will definitely do something, after thinking about it: make up your mind what/how/which etc: · I couldn't make up my mind which college I wanted to go to.make your mind up: · You'll have to make your mind up soon, or there won't be any tickets left.make up your mind to do something: · John had made up his mind to forget the past and make a fresh start.make up your mind (that): · She's finally made up her mind that she wants to study Law.
to decide to do something because you want to, without worrying about what other people think: choose to do something: · More and more young couples today are choosing not to marry.· I told him to drive more slowly, but he chose to ignore my advice.
to decide after thinking carefully about something, especially about something that is very important: · After weeks of sleepless nights, I finally made a decision.make a decision to do something: · I think you should make the decision to marry him - he's great!make a decision about: · We don't have to make a decision about that now, let's think about it for a day or two.
to officially decide about something important after discussing and carefully considering it: · Before reaching a decision the chairman usually talks to senior managers.· Let me know as soon as you arrive at a decision.arrive at/come to/reach a decision on/about: · After two hours the committee had still not come to a decision on any of the proposals.
formal to decide that you will definitely do something and will not change your mind about it, especially because you have learned from your past experiences: resolve to do something: · I resolved to keep quiet about what I had heard, since it would only cause trouble.· After the divorce she resolved never to marry again.
British /come down in favor of American to decide finally to support one plan or action instead of another: · Following a heated debate, the House of Commons came down in favour of the treaty.· The Senate came down in favor of the appointment of Judge Thomas to the US Supreme Court.
spoken if someone takes it into their head to do something , they suddenly decide to do something that you think is stupid or strange: · He took it into his head to borrow his Dad's car without asking.· For some reason they took it into their heads to go swimming at midnight.
to help someone to make it easier for someone to do something by doing part of their work, showing them what to do, or giving them something they need: · I'm ready to help. Is there something for me to do?· Dad, I don't understand my homework. Will you help me?· The money will be used to help starving children around the world.help with: · Dan's mother has been great about helping with the kids.help do something: · Warren offered to help clean up the house after the party.help to do something: · Part of the assistant's job is to help to organize conferences and keep the director informed.help somebody do something: · Help me lift this, will you?help somebody to do something: · Her uncle said he would help her to find a job.help somebody with something: · Do you want me to help you with those bags?help somebody into/off/across/down etc (=help someone go somewhere): · "Did you enjoy the trip?" asked Jack, helping her out of the boat.
informal to help someone do something, especially something they have to do in their home such as carrying or lifting things: · Scott is moving Saturday and I promised to lend a hand.give/lend somebody a hand: · Give me a hand and let's see if we can get this box in the car.give/lend a hand with: · Could you give me a hand with the shopping.
formal to help someone do something, especially by doing all the easier or less important things for them so that their job is easier: · Can you do the job alone, or do you want someone to assist you?assist in: · In this position, you will assist in training new employees.assist with: · Some of the guests assisted with the preparation of the food.assist somebody in/with something: · A consultant has been brought in to assist management in restructuring the company.
to help someone by doing something for them that they would normally do themselves: · If you're not feeling well, I'll do the shopping for you.· Did you have someone do your homework for you? It doesn't look like your writing.
British /favor American to do something to help someone, especially a friend or someone you know well: · Could you do me a favour and mail these letters for me?· She's always doing favours for us. The least we can do is help her out now.do somebody a big favour/favor (=help someone a lot): · They did us a big favor by letting us stay there, you know.
to help someone do something, especially because there are not enough people to do all the work: · Their son used to help out in the shop when it was busy.· Organizing the school trip will be a lot of work, so I need some volunteers to help out.help out with: · The kids are always good about helping out with the chores.help somebody out: · While I'm gone, try to help your Mom out, OK?help out somebody: · No need to thank me - I was just glad to help out a friend.
to help someone by doing something for them that they have not asked you to do, because you think they need your help and you want to help them: · She's always happy to do a stranger a good turn.· He did me a good turn when he advised me not to sell my house - it's worth twice as much now.
British /do your part American to do what you can to help in a bad or difficult situation, especially because you think you are expected to do it or that it is your duty: · I've done my bit - now it's up to you.do your bit for: · Brown feels that she's done her part for the Democratic Party.
formal to offer to help someone who is in difficulty and who will not be able to continue without your help: · It took an ambulance 27 minutes to come to the aid of the accident victims.· Many expect the central government to come to the assistance of the ailing industry.
to help a person or group: give help/assistance/support to: · The program gives assistance to unemployed mothers and their children.give somebody help/assistance/support: · My family gave me very little support when I decided to go back to college. · Any kind of help you can give would be greatly appreciated.
instead of another thing, place, time etc · We didn't have enough money to go to a movie, so we went to the park instead.· I can't manage Thursday. Can we meet on Friday instead?instead of · Can I have soup instead of salad?instead of doing something · You should talk to your teacher instead of just complaining to me about it.
if you do or choose one thing rather than another, you do or choose the first thing because it seems better: · She uses lemon rather than vinegar in her salad dressings.· Rather than driving around all day looking for somewhere to park, why don't you take a bus into town?
if one thing is used in place of another, it is used instead of it or put in the place where the other thing was: · A Walt Disney film is being shown in place of the advertised programme.· For this recipe you can always use olive oil in place of butter.in something's place: · The newspaper has stopped having a crossword puzzle and in its place they now have a weekly wordsearch competition.
British /in favor of American if you decide not to do, have, or accept one thing in favour of another, you choose the other because you think it is much better: · The original plan was abandoned in favour of a new proposal.· Communist theory and practice has been rejected in favour of American-style capitalism.
if you choose one thing in preference to another thing, you choose it instead of the other thing because you think it is better or more suitable: · In Languedoc, local wines are drunk in preference to wines from other parts of France.· Children often choose high-fat fast foods in preference to fresh, healthy ones.
something that is given in lieu of something else is given instead of that thing, especially in a work or business situation: a day/time off in lieu: · Because you worked on Sunday, you can have a day off in lieu.· Occasionally, he makes his staff work overtime and gives them time off in lieu.in lieu of: · They used to give the landlord poultry and eggs in lieu of rent.
people, places, activities etc that a lot of people like if someone or something is popular , a lot of people like them: · Lisa's one of the most popular girls in class.· Benidorm soon became a popular holiday resort.· Old-fashioned names are getting popular again.popular with: · Chatlines have proved very popular with young people.
British /be in favor American if someone is in favour , they are liked and approved of at the present time, although this may not last: · Suzannah and I are both in favour at work at the moment.be back in favour (=be in favour again): · It looks as if Joey, her old boyfriend, is back in favor again.be in favour with: · Her fresh approach to environmental issues makes her very much in favor with young voters.
someone who is well-liked has a lot of friends and is liked by most people: · She's a cheerful, good-natured girl, well-liked by all the people she works with.· As a politician, he may lack experience, but he's very well-liked.
if something such as a product or skill or a person is in demand , it is considered to be very valuable and a lot of people want to have it or use it: · High quality furniture will always be in demand.be in great/big demand: · Graduates in Chinese are in great demand in an exciting variety of occupations.be much/heavily in demand: · Her dramatic Latin looks caused her to be much in demand as a model.
informal if a product, activity, or performer is big in a particular place or at a particular time, they are very popular: be big in: · Oasis were big in the early 90's.· The single is already big in the clubs, and has been remixed by the band.
not popular if someone or something is unpopular , a lot of people do not like them: · The government is more unpopular now than it has been for years.· Mr Venables must be the most unpopular teacher in school.unpopular with: · The taxes proved extremely unpopular with the electorate.
British /out of favor American if a person, idea, or other thing is out of favour , people no longer approve of them or use them, although they used to be popular: · Smacking children seems to be out of favour these days.go/fall out of favour (with somebody): · The classic jigsaw puzzle never goes out of favour with kids.· Journalists and producers who fell out of favour were fired immediately.
if there is no demand for a product or service people do not want to buy it: · There's no demand for heavy immovable furniture any more.· Where there is no call for a continued food market, market buildings have proved highly adaptable.
to agree with an idea/person/political party to agree with an idea, plan, political party etc, and want it to succeed: · I have always supported the Democrats.· She wrote a newspaper article supporting the idea of a minimum wage for workers.strongly support: · Plans for a new school were strongly supported by local residents.support somebody in something: · Public opinion in America supported Gandhi in his struggle for an independent India.
British /be in favor of American to support a plan or suggestion because you think it is a good idea: · Most UN delegates are in favour of the new peace plan.be in favour of doing something: · Some teachers were in favour of retaining the existing system.be all in favour of something especially spoken (=completely agree with): · I'm all in favour of people having smaller cars.
: pro-democracy/pro-government/pro-independence etc supporting democracy, the government etc: · The pro-independence group has been attacked and suppressed.· pro-western forces· The 'pro-choice' group believes in the right to abortion.
to think that someone's aims or ideas, especially political ideas, are right and that you should support them: · Many Democrats were in sympathy with Reagan's policies on Nicaragua.· Soldiers were punished severely if they were suspected of sympathising with student agitators.
to show publicly that you support a plan or action, especially by voting for it: · The convention endorsed the peace programme.· The President's position was endorsed by a large majority of the Senate.fully endorse: · I fully endorse the measures taken to improve safety standards.
formal to publicly support a plan or way of doing something, especially one that you have suggested yourself: · They advocated state control of all public services.· Some extremists are now openly advocating violence.
if you are with someone, you agree with what they are trying to do, and you are willing to help them: · We need people now for the anti-government march. Are you with us or against us?be with somebody all the way (=support someone fully): · When you are fighting an election campaign, you need to feel that your party is with you all the way.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
The tribunal found in favour of the defendant. He asked for help from a colleague who owed him a favour. Three factors helped to tip the balance in favour of the Labour leadership. This year’s pay increase is heavily weighted in favour of the lower paid staff. The French team are the heavier crew, which should work in their favour (=help them).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
(=do something for someone)· Could you do me a favour and lend me £5?
(also ask a favour of somebody formal)· I felt nervous about asking Stephen a favour.
(=feel that you should do something for someone because they have done something for you)· I owe you a favour for all the help you’ve given me.
(=do something for someone because they have done something for you)· He helped me in the past and now he wanted me to return the favour.
adjectives· I’ve got a big favour to ask of you.
· He acted as though he’d done us a great favour by coming.
· Can you do me a small favour?
· I agreed to deliver the parcel as a special favour to Paul.
(=something you do specially for a particular person)· As a personal favour, he let us use the hall to rehearse.
· He was accused of granting political favours in return for illegal payments.
phrases (=because you want to be kind, not because you have to)· She delivered the parcel as a favour to her sister.
(=do something good for yourself)· Do yourself a favour and read as many books on the subject as possible.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· I prefer a traditional approach.
The tribunal found in favour of the defendant. He asked for help from a colleague who owed him a favour. (=help someone who helped you)· Thanks a lot. I hope I'll be able to return the favour.
Three factors helped to tip the balance in favour of the Labour leadership. This year’s pay increase is heavily weighted in favour of the lower paid staff. The French team are the heavier crew, which should work in their favour (=help them).· He's trying everything, in the face of having to ask Yeb a big favour.· A solicitor friend of his who came on one of the shoots did a big favour for one of the beaters.· Villa were worth a point, but they will receive no bigger favour than the one at Maine Road.· But you must be very busy and I came here to ask a favour, a big favour.· Look, Mattie. Big favour time.
· It was a great mark of favour.· The homework lessons he'd brought with him didn't find a great deal of favour in her eyes.
· The ones who fail vanish from royal favour as quickly as the Highland mists come and go.· The latter policy could also entail a drastic withdrawal of royal favour from those who did not fit into Edward's plans.· Booksellers could translate the royal favour into profit for themselves.· But at least the people of Limoges had been reminded that royal favour and displeasure were worthy of consideration.
· Instead he took care to spread his special favour among several men.· And as a special favour, she believed, they were allowed to leave their top button unfastened.
VERB· And I have to ask you a favour.· I ask only one favour: please bring me a pound's worth of silver from the Swan's cash register.· He's trying everything, in the face of having to ask Yeb a big favour.· One was dearly asking some favour on behalf of a client: bail or a visitor's pass or access to official files.· The chief purpose of this letter is actually to ask you a favour.· If you are asking a favour you must be polite.· But you must be very busy and I came here to ask a favour, a big favour.
· It found little favour in the United States, where there was however considerable interest in securing some workable arrangement.· Perhaps predictably, the proposals have not found favour with Gloucestershire County Council.· Mosley resigned in May 1930, when these schemes did not find favour in government circles.· Kureishi is pleased by the comparison, as he says Seth's haughty looks find favour with women.· Porta caval shunt operations have not found favour in recent years because of the increased incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy.· Now he hopes to find the same favour in the eyes of his brother.· She would find he wanted a favour in return, too.· It is only fair to add that this kind of language finds less favour with some modern experimenters.
· And its velvety touch was perversely sensuous although, fortunately for Creed, not quite enough to gain his favour.
· He asked a policeman who owed him a favour that he wanted no-one to know about.· And he owed Duncan a favour, not once but many times over.· He had, now, friends in many places, or people who owed him a favour.· I owe him a favour, so I couldn't say no.
· Before this, the regime was not regarded with favour by many of the major donor agencies in the West.
· And now Curval was returning the favour.· A possible response to receiving a benefit is to cheat; to fail to return the favour.· Few of the boys talked to him, except to goad him, and he returned the favour.· It would seem only fair that he should return the favour later.· Now he wanted me to return the favour.
· The child must know how to win back the favour of its parents.· Medicine it was that often won them the favour of princes and enabled them to earn a living.· Ermold wrote his verse biography of Louis to win back imperial favour.· This disc is being sold in Britain, but it seems unlikely to win favour amongst large microcomputer manufacturers.· It has won favour with both young and old who voted it tops in a poll of 1,051 people.· He has won favour with a wide range of interest groups.· If the Socialists are tactful and want to win favour with the centre-right, there will be no clean-out in June.· As this view wins general favour, the elder is denounced and discredited.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► do me/us a favour!► favours► in somebody’s favour► do somebody/something no favours,PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1help [countable] something that you do for someone in order to help them or be kind to them: - Books were published in reply and arguments advanced in favour of young women.
- He wasn't in favour of command-and-control solutions.
- On the economic front Taubira-Delannon was in favour of restricting the areas where gold-washing is authorised.
- That probably explains why public opinion is broadly in favour of euthanasia, or at least certain forms of it.
- The courts decided in favour of the men.
- The finance minister, Hans Eichel, then came out in favour of the euro's potential for appreciation.
- The following Sunday I took my husband into hospital to be relieved of a bony hip in favour of a titanium one.
- Whilst I am still in favour of a mutual fund, I think the current risk banding is rubbish.
- But only Damian Kelly emerged as some one who curried favour on the terraces.
- Such is the case with, for example, foot the bill and curry favour.
- Wants to be liked and likes to hang around and curry favour with teacher.
- And its spectacular fall from grace should serve as a warning.
- As she descended the stairs, she appreciated for the first time how far she had fallen from grace.
- Daniel prefaces his interpretation with a review of Nebuchadnezzar's prideful fall from grace and Beishazzar's own lack of humility.
- He had an uncharacteristic fall from grace in his match against Connell.
- It was a spectacular fall from grace that took them all down-a major public humiliation.
- Now, as Pope fell from grace, McClellan came to the fore again.
- The competition was soon simplified with the fall from grace of William Craig.
- With the smallest fall from grace, it is quickly turned into badness.
- He had some home truths to impart and presented them without fear or favour.
- Now near retirement after a long career in product development, Mr Dulude can presumably act without fear or favour.
- In this example it is difficult to know which of these arguments would find favour with a court.
- Kureishi is pleased by the comparison, as he says Seth's haughty looks find favour with women.
- Mosley resigned in May 1930, when these schemes did not find favour in government circles.
- Of course anything as scientific as a mechanical test has not always found favour with traditional craftsmen or indeed with business men.
- Official materials and guidelines do not always find favour with parents and governors.
- Perhaps predictably, the proposals have not found favour with Gloucestershire County Council.
- Porta caval shunt operations have not found favour in recent years because of the increased incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy.
- The argument which has found favour in certain of the authorities runs as follows.
- From now on she could be grateful for small mercies and be content to take one step at a time.
- She wondered wryly whether to be thankful for small mercies, or to feel insulted.
Could you do me a favour and tell Kelly I can’t make it? He hired John as a favour to his father. Paul, can I ask you a favor? I owed him a favour so I couldn’t say no. She helps me out when I have too much to do, and I return the favour when I can. Do yourself a favour and make sure you get some time to yourself.2support/approval [uncountable] support, approval, or agreement for something such as a plan, idea, or systemin favour of something Senior ministers spoke in favour of the proposal. I talked to Susie about it, and she’s all in favor (=completely approves) of going.find/gain/win favour The idea may find favor with older people.in somebody/something’s favour The vote was 60–59 in the government’s favor. In Sweden and other countries, nuclear power has lost favor.look on/view/regard something with favour formal (=support something, and want to help it succeed) Employers are more likely to look with favour on experienced candidates. All in favour (=used when asking people to vote on something by raising a hand)?vote/decide in favour of something (=vote or decide to support something) 288 members voted in favor of the ban.find/rule in favour of somebody formal (=make a legal decision that supports someone)3popular/unpopular [uncountable] when someone or something is liked or approved of by people, or not liked or approved ofbe in favour (with somebody) The island is very much in favour as a holiday destination.be out of favour (with somebody) The stock is currently out of favor with investors.find/gain/win favour Radcliffe’s books began to find favour with the reading public.come/be back in favour (=become popular again) Fountain pens have come back in favour.fall/go out of favour (=stop being approved of) Grammar-based teaching methods went out of favour in the 60s and 70s.4advantage in somebody’s favour if something is in someone’s favour, it gives them an advantage over someone else: Conditions on court are very much in Williams’ favour. The new rules should actually work in your favor. Duncan had his height and weight in his favour during the fight.the odds are (stacked) in somebody’s favour (=someone has a big advantage)5choose something instead do something in favour of something if you decide not to use one thing in favour of another, you choose the other one because you think it is better: Plans for a tunnel were rejected in favour of a bridge.6do somebody/something no favours, not do somebody/something any favours to do something that makes someone or something look worse than they are, or that does not help at all: Low interest rates don’t do savers any favours.7unfair support [uncountable] support that is given to one person or group and not to others, in a way that does not seem fair: Teachers should not show favour to any pupil.8do me/us a favour! British English spoken used when you are annoyed because someone has asked a silly question or done something to upset people: Do us a favour, Mike, and shut up! ‘Did you like it?’ ‘Do me a favour!’9gift [countable] American English a party favor10sex favours [plural] old-fashioned when you allow someone to have sex with you: She shared her sexual favors with many men. → curry favour (with somebody) at curry2, → without fear or favour at fear1(6), → be thankful/grateful for small favours at small1(13)COLLOCATIONSverbsdo somebody a favour (=do something for someone)· Could you do me a favour and lend me £5?ask somebody a favour (also ask a favour of somebody formal)· I felt nervous about asking Stephen a favour.owe somebody a favour (=feel that you should do something for someone because they have done something for you)· I owe you a favour for all the help you’ve given me.return a favour (=do something for someone because they have done something for you)· He helped me in the past and now he wanted me to return the favour.adjectivesa big favour· I’ve got a big favour to ask of you.a great favour· He acted as though he’d done us a great favour by coming.a small/little favour· Can you do me a small favour?a special favour· I agreed to deliver the parcel as a special favour to Paul.a personal favour (=something you do specially for a particular person)· As a personal favour, he let us use the hall to rehearse.a political favour· He was accused of granting political favours in return for illegal payments.phrasesas a favour to somebody (=because you want to be kind, not because you have to)· She delivered the parcel as a favour to her sister.do yourself a favour (=do something good for yourself)· Do yourself a favour and read as many books on the subject as possible.favour1 nounfavour2 verb
favourfavour2 British English, favor American English ●●○ W3 verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
favour (BrE)
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | favour (BrE) |
| he, she, it | favours (BrE) | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | favoured (BrE) |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have favoured (BrE) |
| he, she, it | has favoured (BrE) | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had favoured (BrE) |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will favour |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have favoured (BrE) |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am favouring (BrE) |
| he, she, it | is favouring (BrE) | |
| you, we, they | are favouring (BrE) | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was favouring (BrE) |
| you, we, they | were favouring (BrE) | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been favouring (BrE) |
| he, she, it | has been favouring (BrE) | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been favouring (BrE) |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be favouring (BrE) |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been favouring (BrE) |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- In the 1930s the Bauhaus school tended to favour a technological approach to art.
- Many teachers favour boys, often without even realizing it.
- The weather favours the Australians, who are used to playing in the heat.
- Both groups favour investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
- Eliminating discrimination against women is another way of saying eliminating discrimination that favours men.
- Hospitals might be privatised or turned into voluntary hospitals, as the Conservatives had favoured before 1946.
- It had not been her intention to favour him with a compliment.
- Natural selection favours those genes that manipulate the world to ensure their own propagation.
- So far from allowing that number might increase, in 1769 he even favoured a reduction of the number of the enfranchised.
- Unix Labs favours a meeting of the parties, planned for Thursday March 18.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something gives someone an advantage
· The fact that Liverpool had only ten men playing for them gave the other team an advantage.give sb an advantage over · What gives the company an advantage over its competitors is its location.
to give someone a slight advantage, for example in a competition or election: · His ten years' experience will give him the edge in tomorrow's fight.give sb the edge over: · He tried to find out as much as he could about the company, believing that it would give him the edge over the other interviewees.
if something is to your advantage, it will help you to succeed: · It will be to your advantage to start preparing for the exam now. Don't wait until the last minute.could/would/might be to somebody's advantage: · I think you should accept Steve's offer to help you with the presentation -- it could be to your advantage.
British /be in somebody's favor American if a situation or conditions are in someone's favour , they will help that person succeed: · Investors are hoping that the new regulations will operate in their favor.tip the balance in somebody's favour (=to give someone a slight advantage): · It will be a closely fought match, but Corgan's greater physical strength is likely to tip the balance in his favour.
British /favor American if a situation or conditions such as the weather favour someone, they make that person more likely to succeed than other people: · The weather favours the Australians, who are used to playing in the heat.· German negotiators denied that economic circumstances had favored their companies and given them an export advantage.
to like someone or something better than others · Which bread do you prefer, brown or white?· "Which restaurant shall we go to?" "I really don't mind. Whichever one you prefer."much prefer somebody/something (=like something much better) · She doesn't like romantic fiction -- she much prefers detective stories.· Brad Pitt? Oh no, I much prefer Russell Crowe!prefer somebody/something to somebody/ something · I'm beginning to like Japanese food. I certainly prefer rice to potatoes.I'd prefer something · Dave wants to go to New York again, but I'd prefer somewhere more exotic.
especially spoken to like one person or thing more than another one: · Which do you like better, the red tie or the green one?like better than: · I like our new teacher much better than the one we had before.· There was nothing she liked better than being in the limelight in front of the press and TV cameras.
formal to prefer something - use this especially when you are discussing which one of several things should be chosen: · We could eat Chinese, Indian, or Italian. Do you have any preference?have a preference for: · The new leader has a preference for people who come from the same area of the country as he does.have no strong/particular preference (=you don't prefer any of them more than the others): · I really have no particular preference -- you choose.express a preference (=say that you prefer one rather than others): · When I asked her about where she wanted the meeting to be held she didn't express any particular preference.
British /favor American if a person or group in a position of authority or influence favours something such as a plan, idea, or system, they think it is better than the others: · President Bush was known to favor the use of military force.· In the 1930s the Bauhaus school tended to favour a technological approach to art.
spoken informal used when you want to say that you strongly prefer one type of thing: · I can't stand English men -- they're so boring. Give me an Italian any day!· Forget all your salad and beans and organic food -- give me a thick juicy steak any day!
not treating people in a way that is reasonable or equal not treating everyone equally, or not treating people in a way that most people think is right: · The present welfare system is grossly unfair.· unfair laws· Do you think I'm being unfair?· I don't want to be unfair, but you have to admit she behaved stupidly.it's/that's not fair spoken: · Why do I always have to do the laundry? It's not fair!· That's not fair - it puts me at a disadvantage!it is unfair that/it is not fair that: · It seems very unfair that she got all the blame.it is unfair/not fair to do something: · It's not fair to have a dog if you're out at work all day.· I told him it wasn't fair to treat her any differently.unfair/not fair to/on: · This sort of arrangement is not fair on the players, and not fair on the fans.· The tax laws are very unfair to the self-employednot fair/unfair of somebody (to do something): · It's unfair of you to judge all young people in the same way.
not fair or not sensible: · It is possible for telephone companies to make profit without charging unreasonable rates.· Some news media have described the government's actions as excessive and unreasonable.· She divorced her husband on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour.· It didn't seem like an unreasonable request.it is unreasonable (for somebody) to do something: · It's unreasonable to expect people to pay for something they haven't even seen yet.· It is not unreasonable for parents to want schools to reinforce the values children are taught at home.
a punishment or criticism that is undeserved is unfair because you do not deserve it: · He's come in for a lot of criticism, most of it completely undeserved.· Unfortunately, Lamarck has developed an undeserved reputation as a loser.· an undeserved and unwarranted attack
unfairly against, or unfairly in favour of a particular group: · The system is so biased that many citizens simply do not register to vote.biased towards/biased in favour of: · Export policy has been biased towards overseas customers.· Much of the information the clinics gave people was incomplete and biased in favour of educated middle-class clients.biased against: · University acceptance policies seem to be biased against minorities.
not fair or right according to the principles or ideas of a particular society: · They didn't mind breaking the law because they believed the law was unjust.· an unjust and pointless war· The legal aid charity has helped overturn some notoriously unjust verdicts.
British /favor American to treat one person in a group better than others, when you should treat all of them the same: · Many teachers favour boys, often without even realizing it.favour somebody over somebody: · The Federal Republic denied that its policies favored any race over another.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The tribunal found in favour of the defendant. He asked for help from a colleague who owed him a favour. Three factors helped to tip the balance in favour of the Labour leadership. This year’s pay increase is heavily weighted in favour of the lower paid staff. The French team are the heavier crew, which should work in their favour (=help them).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· I prefer a traditional approach.
The tribunal found in favour of the defendant. He asked for help from a colleague who owed him a favour. (=help someone who helped you)· Thanks a lot. I hope I'll be able to return the favour.
Three factors helped to tip the balance in favour of the Labour leadership. This year’s pay increase is heavily weighted in favour of the lower paid staff. The French team are the heavier crew, which should work in their favour (=help them).· This is the approach particularly favoured by Mumford, although it is not always appropriate.· The hazel coppices are particularly favoured by the large Sussex Nightingale population.· The latter was particularly favoured as a strategy for dealing with children with special needs.· Early indications are that Britain's system X, which Telecom is gradually introducing is not particularly favoured.· Those of Venice were particularly favoured in this way.
· Sub-regional specialties were strongly favoured by professional care staff if not by members or managers within the authorities.· Ben Gurion had strongly favoured Abdallah's support of partition in 1937.· They strongly favour the verbal media, namely, telephone calls and meetings.· Liberal opinion strongly favoured its reversal.· Any adaptation in a male which enables him to copulate with more females will be strongly favoured by natural selection.· It strongly favours reform of the electoral system.· Brown's reforms strongly favour low-income groups.
NOUN· The coastal towns are expanding in their hinterlands rather than along the waterfront, and disused industrial areas are favoured for development.· Here selection has favoured display developments that make the birds look not fearsome but disabled.· MacArthur was dedicated to the extirpation of militarism and did not favour the development of defence forces.· It is understood the rugby club favours the development which could net £5m.
· Women in the labour movement also tended to favour the idea of a family wage.· Recent evidence favours the idea that inflammatory bowel disease may be caused by mesenteric vasculitis.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1prefer to prefer someone or something to other things or people, especially when there are several to choose from: - But only Damian Kelly emerged as some one who curried favour on the terraces.
- Such is the case with, for example, foot the bill and curry favour.
- Wants to be liked and likes to hang around and curry favour with teacher.
- And its spectacular fall from grace should serve as a warning.
- As she descended the stairs, she appreciated for the first time how far she had fallen from grace.
- Daniel prefaces his interpretation with a review of Nebuchadnezzar's prideful fall from grace and Beishazzar's own lack of humility.
- He had an uncharacteristic fall from grace in his match against Connell.
- It was a spectacular fall from grace that took them all down-a major public humiliation.
- Now, as Pope fell from grace, McClellan came to the fore again.
- The competition was soon simplified with the fall from grace of William Craig.
- With the smallest fall from grace, it is quickly turned into badness.
- He had some home truths to impart and presented them without fear or favour.
- Now near retirement after a long career in product development, Mr Dulude can presumably act without fear or favour.
- In this example it is difficult to know which of these arguments would find favour with a court.
- Kureishi is pleased by the comparison, as he says Seth's haughty looks find favour with women.
- Mosley resigned in May 1930, when these schemes did not find favour in government circles.
- Of course anything as scientific as a mechanical test has not always found favour with traditional craftsmen or indeed with business men.
- Official materials and guidelines do not always find favour with parents and governors.
- Perhaps predictably, the proposals have not found favour with Gloucestershire County Council.
- Porta caval shunt operations have not found favour in recent years because of the increased incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy.
- The argument which has found favour in certain of the authorities runs as follows.
- From now on she could be grateful for small mercies and be content to take one step at a time.
- She wondered wryly whether to be thankful for small mercies, or to feel insulted.
Both countries seem to favour the agreement. loose clothing of the type favoured in Arab countriesfavour somebody/something over somebody/something Florida voters favored Bush over Gore by a very small margin.2give an advantage to treat someone much better than someone else, in a way that is not fair: a tax cut that favours rich peoplefavour somebody over somebody a judicial system that favours men over women3help to provide suitable conditions for something to happen: The current economy does not favour the development of small businesses.4be favoured to do something to be expected to win or be the one that is successful: Silva is favoured to win a medal in the marathon.5look like old-fashioned to look like one of your parents or grandparentsfavour somebody with something phrasal verb formal to give someone something such as a look or reply: McIntosh favoured her with a smile.- middle
- middle age
- middle-aged
- Middle Ages
- Middle America
- middlebrow
- middle C
- middle-class
- middle class
- middle-distance
- middle distance
- middle ear
- Middle East
- Middle Eastern
- Middle England
- Middle English
- middle finger
- middle ground
- middleman
- middle management
- middle manager
- Middlemarch
- middle name
- middle-of-the-road
- middle-ranking