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单词 right
释义
right1 adjectiveright2 adverbright3 nounright4 interjectionright5 verb
rightright1 /raɪt/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective Entry menu
MENU FOR rightright1 true/correct2 suitable3 side4 problems5 morally6 that’s right7 right you are8 emphasis9 health10 socially11 be in the right place at the right time
Word Origin
WORD ORIGINright1
Origin:
Old English riht
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • "Your mother's a teacher, isn't she?" "Yes, that's right."
  • A color picture of her takes up the right side of the card.
  • Ben struggled to find the right words.
  • Chris tore a ligament in his right elbow.
  • Do the right thing - turn off the TV and get the kids playing outside.
  • Excuse me, but the bill isn't right - we didn't have a Caesar salad.
  • He's the drummer for that band, right?
  • I don't know the right word to describe it.
  • I only want to do the right thing.
  • I took a pay cut to come here, but I'm sure it was the right thing to do.
  • I wanted to make sure I was getting involved with the right people.
  • If you don't push the buttons in the right order, nothing will happen.
  • Is that the right time?
  • It's a good school, but it wasn't really right for Melissa.
  • It's not right to tell lies.
  • It's only right that parents should help their children.
  • No, that's not quite right. Lower the left hand corner of the painting just a little more.
  • Put the words in the right order to make a sentence.
  • Rich made a right turn into the parking lot.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • And they're right up to a point.
  • It is irrelevant to the Purchaser whether or not the Vendors know the warranties are right or wrong so long as they accept the risk.
  • No modem detected: Is your modem installed, plugged into the right port, and switched on?
  • The right training, the right arms, everything that's coming to the surface now.
  • When staff at the hospital realised their mistake they quickly brought out the right baby.
Thesaurus
THESAURUS
not wrong – used about something someone says, or about the person who says it: · the right answer· You were right about the colour.· ‘He’s about thirty, isn’t he?’ ‘That’s right.’
right. Correct sounds more formal than right: · the correct answer· He is absolutely correct.· Unfortunately, this information is not correct.
right – used about information, measurements, descriptions etc: · Make sure that your measurements are accurate.· an accurate description of the suspect
an exact number, amount, or time is completely correct, and is no more and no less than it should be: · The exact time is 9.28 a.m.· The exact weight of the baby was 3.3 kilos.
British English spoken informal exactly right – used especially about guesses or things people say: · His answer was spot-on.· You’re spot-on.
Longman Language Activatoranswers, statements, calculations etc that are correct
if something that someone says or thinks is right , it is correct or true, especially because it contains the true facts or details: · Yes, that's the right answer.· Is that the right time?· Excuse me, but the bill isn't right - we didn't have a Caesar salad.that's right spoken: · "Your mother's a teacher, isn't she?" "Yes, that's right."
something such as an answer, fact, or calculation that is correct is true, has no mistakes etc, especially because it is the only answer or result that is possible: · The first ten correct answers will win a prize.· This information is no longer correct.· The correct results are on page 482.
information, measurements, descriptions etc that are accurate are completely correct and all the details are true: · She was able to give the police an accurate description of her attacker.· It is vital that the measurements be accurate.· The authorities still do not have accurate information on the number of people killed or injured in the crash.
to be correct in what you say or think
· You're right - there's not going to be enough food for everyone.be right about · Durrell is absolutely right about the importance of software to the local economy.be right about one thing (=say this when part of someone's opinion or what they say is right, but the rest is wrong) · It's not a great album, but Samuels was right about one thing: it's going to sell in the millions.be right in saying/thinking etc · Moore is right in saying that the present tax system is unfair.
to say the correct facts or details when you are telling a story, describing an event etc: · Make sure you get people's names right when you're sending out the invitations.· "I learned," he stopped, wanting to get the words right, "I learned I was selfish."
if someone is correct in saying or thinking a particular fact, the fact is correct, especially when they are not sure if it is correct or not: · Monroe was correct in saying that unemployment has dropped in the last five years.· I believe I am correct in saying that two of the original computer languages were Cobol and Prolog.· The jury was correct in thinking that the prosecution had not presented a strong case.
to not yet know the complete answer to a question or problem, but be close to finding it because you are already partly correct: · No, that's not quite right, but you're on the right track.· Researchers are still a long way from finding a cure for the disease, but many seem confident they are on the right track.
to say something that is exactly right and that is the answer to a problem which people have been thinking about for a long time: · Garson hits the nail on the head - at the heart of the abortion debate is a religious issue.· Wyman put his finger on it when he said the truth was complicated.
British informal to be exactly right, especially by guessing correctly: · "Is the answer 42?" "You're spot on! Well done, Mary."
someone or something that is infallible is always right and never makes mistakes - use this especially to say that this is not usually true or is extremely rare: · Computer spell checkers are useful but far from infallible.· Juries are not infallible. Innocent people are convicted, and guilty people go free.
in the correct order, position etc
in the order, position etc that is correct or that someone thinks is correct: · If you don't push the buttons in the right order, nothing will happen.· Put the words in the right order to make a sentence.· She pushed the hat further back on her head. "Does this look right?"· No, that's not quite right. Lower the left hand corner of the painting just a little more.
the correct order, sequence, position etc is the exact one that is correct: · When arranged in the correct order, the letters will spell a word which you fill in on this grid.· The correct sequence of numbers must be entered to open the lock.
if something is the right way up , the top of it is facing up, the way it is intended to: · Make sure the box is the right way up before you open it.· The picture isn't hung the right way up.
British if something is the right way round, the front is facing in the correct direction: · Maria turned the medallion the right way round on its chain.· Be careful to fit the part onto the board the right way round.
in the correct way
done or said without making any mistakes or with the correct facts or details, especially when there is only one possible way, answer or result: · We are confident the tests were carried out correctly.· The drug is quite safe if taken correctly.· Egg whites are correctly whipped when they hold their peaks.
especially spoken something that is done right is done correctly and well, especially according to someone's own ideas or opinions: · Have I spelled your name right?· Most people can't do it right the first time.· The government can't seem to do anything right.
done or said in a way that is correct, because you have all the correct facts or details: · As he rightly pointed out, there is no real evidence that the president acted improperly.· Buller's actions have been rightly criticized as ineffective.rightly or wrongly (=use this to show that it is true that someone feels or thinks something, even though what they feel or think may be wrong): · Rightly or wrongly, many employees feel pushed to work longer hours.
especially British if you do something properly , you do it in the way it should be done: · He accused me of not doing my job properly.· It will take time to properly investigate the matter.· He questions whether the experiments were conducted properly.
to make something correct
· Teachers spend many hours correcting students' assignments.· It will take us some time to correct all the mistakes.· Is there any way of politely correcting someone's grammar?correct me if I'm wrong (=say this when you think what you are saying is right, but you are not sure) · Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't we met before?
a mark or note correcting something on a piece of written work: · My essay was covered in corrections in red ink.· Corrections should be pencilled into the margins.· My Spanish teacher will point out errors, but we have to make the corrections ourselves.
also put somebody straight British to tell someone the true facts when they have made a mistake, especially if you are annoyed by their mistake: · She quickly set me straight, saying that while she enjoys her job, she works mainly for the money.· Your friends are always ready to put you straight when you do something stupid.set sb straight about: · It's time to set people straight about why he was fired - he didn't act in a professional manner.
also put the record straight British to tell people the true facts about something, especially in public, because you want to make it very clear that what is believed is in fact not correct: · It's time we put the record straight. The newspapers are wrong -- this factory will not be closing down.· Paulson, wanting to set the record straight, called a press conference.
when it is right or reasonable to do something
use this to talk about what someone has done or may do, to say that you agree with it because it seems fair or reasonable: right to do something: · You were right to complain - the food was cold.· The screenwriter was right to focus on just one aspect of a long and complicated novel.the right thing to do: · I took a pay cut to come here, but I'm sure it was the right thing to do.do the right thing: · Do the right thing - turn off the TV and get the kids playing outside.
if you say that someone is justified in doing something, or that something they do is justified , you believe what they do is reasonable in that situation: · I don't think Colin's criticisms were really justified.be/feel justified in doing something: · The government feels justified in using military force to protect its own citizens.· The landlord may be justified in charging for any additional work that needs to be done.
if an action is reasonable , it is fair and sensible: · Campaigners say that there is no reasonable objection to women becoming priests.it is reasonable to do something: · It is reasonable to expect members to pay a small fee.· It is reasonable to assume watching a lot of television at an early age interferes with development.it is reasonable that: · It is reasonable that a prospective employer should want to know if someone has a criminal record.
spoken informal say this when you can understand why someone has behaved in a particular way, and you think they were right: · "Sheila's left her husband." "Well, I don't blame her!"I don't blame sb for (doing) something: · I don't blame you for losing your temper with Ann.· It may have been a joke, but you can't blame the women in the department for being angry.
a justifiable feeling, action, or reaction is acceptable because there is a good reason for it: · Can violence ever be a justifiable method of protest?· Reed said the tax increases were not only justifiable, but unavoidable.· Is football a justifiable expense when the college cannot afford enough English classes to meet students' needs?
fair, correct, or reasonable according to accepted rules, facts, or standards of behaviour: · He had a legitimate reason for being late.· The way governments treat their people is a legitimate concern for the international community.it is legitimate to do something: · It is legitimate to suggest that taxes should affect people with higher incomes more than they affect poorer people.
to have a good reason for thinking or doing something
to have a good reason to behave in a particular way, especially in a way that you would not normally behave, or in a way that other people would usually disapprove of: · She's just got her exam results; she has the right to be proud of herself.· The problems are genuine and people have the right to be concerned.have every right to be something (=have a very good reason to feel something): · After what happened last time we bought a car, I think we have every right to be wary.
if you are justly proud, angry, critical etc, you have a good reason for feeling this way or reacting in this way: · The Chinese are justly proud of their ancient culture.· The press has been justly critical of the delays in paying compensation.· Bordeaux is an area of France justly famous for its red wine.
if someone does something, feels something, or thinks something with good cause or good reason , they have a good reason for what they do or think or feel: have good cause/reason to do something: · The coach, watching his team, feels he has good reason to expect them to win.for good cause/reason: · The company has been held up as a model employer, and for good reason. They have a good training program and excellent benefits.with good cause/reason: · She is a jealous wife, and with good cause.
formal if someone says or does something rightly , they are right and have good reasons to say it or do it: · The U.S. is rightly cautious about becoming involved.· Taxpayers rightly expect the government to be careful about spending.rightly so: · Residents are outraged, and rightly so.quite rightly: · Investors have quite rightly avoided this stock.
to show that something is right to do
to explain or show that there are good reasons for doing something that seems wrong to most people: · How can you justify a 200% pay rise!· People try to justify the breakdown of their marriage by blaming their spouse.justify doing something: · I don't think anyone can justify spending so much money on weapons.
a legal or official right
when you should be able to have or do something, according to the law or according to moral ideas: · Free speech is a basic right in a democratic society.right to: · I disagree, but I respect his right to his opinion.the right to do something: · Women all over the world fought long and hard for the right to vote.have the right to something: · Everyone the right to a good basic education.the right of veto/action/self-determination/free speech etc: · The executive council has the right of veto over the management's policy.
the right to do, say, think, or write something without being controlled or stopped by anyone: freedom of: · No democracy can exist without freedom of speech and freedom of the press.freedom to do something: · This change in the law will give parents more freedom to influence their children's education.political/religious etc freedom: · The leaders of the demonstration made speeches demanding greater political freedom.
the official right to have or receive something, especially money, that you get from a government or an employer : · Many people are still not aware of the entitlements they may be able to receive.entitlement to: · The amount of money you earn does not affect your entitlement to child benefit for your children.holiday/pension etc entitlement: · Holiday entitlements for temporary workers are less than for permanent staff.
the right to have or be given something because you were its original owner, or because you have a moral right to it: claim to: · No one can dispute the Mohawks' claim to this land.· His claim to the house was finally recognized by the court.
the legal control or possession of something such as a product, a book, an idea etc: · Elliott liked the book and bought the rights, planning to make it into a miniseries.rights to: · This is the publishing company which brought the rights to Somerset Maugham's short stories.· ABC has exclusive rights to television coverage of the Olympics.
if something is yours by right , you have a moral right to have it or be given it: · He believes that he is entitled by right to inherit from his father, despite his father's will.· Developers were met by angry locals protesting that the land was theirs by right.
the political and social rights that everyone should have
the political and social freedom that everyone in a country should have: · Every individual should have basic rights.rights of: · Some motorcyclists saw the helmet law as an infringement on the rights of the individual.women's/workers'/victims' etc rights: · Laws enacted in the past ten years have gradually taken away workers' rights.· Allred is an attorney who has gained a national reputation fighting for women's rights.
the rights that every person should have, such as the right to vote or be treated equally and fairly by the law, whatever their sex, race, or religion: · She had been actively involved in the struggle for civil rights in the US in the '60s.· The President has agreed to talks with civil rights campaigners.· The civil rights movement illustrates how people can change the constitution of their country.
the basic right that all people should have, including freedom and the right to be treated fairly and without cruelty by their government: · The Court ruled that hitting children was an abuse of human rights.· A number of leading human rights activists were arrested yesterday.· The regime has a long record of human rights violations.
the rights of every person to be treated fairly and equally by the law or by society, whatever their sex, race, religion, or social position: · The battle for equal rights for women is not yet over.· The Americans were the first to make law the principle of equal rights for every individual.· Homosexual men and women are campaigning for equal rights.
the right of every person to have a chance to get a job, go to university etc, whatever their sex, race, or social position: · Only in a completely classless society can there be equal opportunities for everyone.equal opportunities legislation/programs etc: · Certain jobs were dominated by men until the equal opportunities legislation of the 1970s.
the rights of any citizen to do whatever they want as long as they respect the rights of other people, without having to ask anyone's permission, and the right to keep their personal information private: · The banning of public meetings was held to be a denial of civil liberties.· The ability of this software to gather information about individuals through the Web is worrying to civil liberties groups.
a special right belonging to one person or group
a special right or advantage given to a person or group, because of their high social position, because they are a member of a club etc: · A good education should not just be a privilege of the rich.give somebody a privilege: · Why should famous people be given special privileges?lose a privilege: · If the chores aren't done by the time the timer goes off, the kids lose privileges such as TV time.the privilege of doing something: · If prisoners behave well they are allowed the privilege of visiting their families at the weekend.
formal a special right that only a particular person or group has because of their importance or position: · In the old days, a university education was the prerogative of the rich.prerogative to do something: · The governor has the prerogative to free prisoners.
a right that you should have because you have been born into a particular family, country, class etc: · The President ended his speech by saying "Dignity and self-respect are the birthright of every American citizen."· She seemed to regard an easy, comfortable life as some kind of birthright.
to have or give someone a legal right
to be legally or officially allowed to do or have something: have the right to do something: · People should have a right to know what is on their credit history.· We have a constitutional right to defend ourselves, our family, and our property.have the right to: · Olivia felt she had a right to information about her illness.
formal to be legally allowed to have something or do something: · The public is entitled to information about how public money is spent.be entitled to do something: · You are legally entitled to take faulty goods back to the store where you bought them.· Your landlord is not entitled to charge you for the remainder of the month's rent.
to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: give sb the right to: · This government programme gives families on low incomes the right to extra financial help.give sb the right to do something: · The new regulations give dissatisfied customers the right to receive a full refund.
formal to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: entitle somebody to something: · Being a member entitles you to discounts on tickets.entitle somebody to do something: · Ethiopian Jews were entitled to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return.
to have a legal right to do something, although it may seem unfair or unreasonable: · If Mrs Cobb wanted to take the company to court for unfair dismissal, she'd be within her rights. be within your rights to do something: · If your actions have disturbed other tenants, your landlady is within her rights to give you notice to stop the actions or leave.
to approve of something or someone
· Don will only buy the motorcycle if his parents approve.approve of · I was surprised that Mom seemed to approve of Tracy's new boyfriend.· Bob doesn't approve of alcohol.· Forty percent of registered voters approved of Senator Campbell.approve of (somebody) doing something · Do you approve of doctors using human embryos for research?
spoken to approve of something -- used especially when you are talking about something other people might not agree with: · My mother made me get a part-time job when I was sixteen, and I think that's right.think it is right (for somebody) to do something: · The bank invests a lot of money in the tobacco industry: do you think it's right for them to do that?· He doesn't think it's right for someone so young to be learning about sex at school.
to approve of something such as a decision, a way of doing something, or a plan: · Mr. Senator, do you agree with the court's decision?· I have never agreed with animal experimentation.
to approve of a type of behaviour or way of doing something, especially because you think there are important principles involved: · Hilary doesn't believe in sex before marriage.believe in doing something: · We believe in letting everyone have the right to see their own medical records.
to say or show that you approve of something that most people think is wrong: · The state appears to condone police brutality.· I'm not condoning his behaviour, but I can understand why he wanted revenge on his daughter's attacker.
morally good behaviour
· The nuns here do many good things for people in the local community.it is good of somebody to do something · It was very good of you to hand the money in to the police - a lot of people would have just kept it.good deed (=a good action) · Victor devoted his life to helping others and didn't expect any reward for his good deeds.
morally correct: · You can't do that. It's not right.· I only want to do the right thing.· It's not right to tell lies.it's only right (=anything else would not be right): · It's only right that parents should help their children.
morally correct, especially according to a set of ideas about how people should behave in a particular profession: · Is it ethical to use this drug to control patients' behaviour?· There is only one ethical way to carry out this experiment.
fair, honest, or kind: · Perhaps Jack wanted to do something decent, for a change.it is decent of somebody to do something: · It's very decent of you to be so pleased for me -- I know how much you wanted to win this competition.
British /honorable American morally correct and showing that you have high moral standards, especially if you are doing something that you feel is your duty: · It would not be honourable for me, as a solicitor, to reveal my client's business to anyone.· The most honorable thing that he can do in these circumstances is to resign.
so good that no one can criticize or find any fault in the way you behave: · Throughout this ordeal her behaviour was beyond reproach.· We need a chairman whose reputation and character are above reproach.
the best and most suitable person or thing
completely suitable for a person or situation: · A dry white wine is perfect with any fish dish.perfect for: · This dress will be perfect for the summer.· perfect weather for a picnicthe perfect place/time/job etc: · That sounds like the perfect job for you.
very suitable and exactly what you want: · The house was a little too small so it was not ideal.ideal for: · It's a very relaxed hotel, ideal for families with young children.somebody's ideal man/woman/job/house etc (=one that has all the qualities you like best): · My ideal man would be someone like Mel Gibson.
spoken suitable in every way: · "Do these new curtains look OK?" "Yes, they're just right."just right for: · I'm glad they're getting married - they're just right for each other.
also be just the job British informal to be exactly what is needed: · Cold lemonade is just the thing on a hot day.be just the thing for: · A tall hedge would be just the job for that side of the garden.
specially designed for you, so that it is exactly what you need or want: · If you are an independent traveller, we can arrange a tailor-made tour.tailor-made for: · Our company can provide you with an insurance policy that is tailor-made for you.tailor-made to do something: · In the USA and Canada, a house is often tailor-made to fit the needs of the family that will live in it.
to be a good reason why something should be done
to be the fact or situation that makes it seem right or suitable to do something that would usually be wrong or unfair: · There is not enough evidence to justify such accusations.· No matter what the circumstances, street violence cannot be justified.
if you say that something that is wrong or bad makes it right for you to do something wrong or bad, you mean that it makes your action acceptable: · It's wrong to steal and nothing you can say will make it right.make it right (for somebody) to do something: · Just because you know she cheats, that doesn't make it right for you to do the same.
if a situation calls for a particular behaviour or action, it is a good reason to behave or act in that way: · I hear that you two are getting married. This calls for a celebration.· It was a tricky situation that called for a lot of diplomacy.
formal if a situation warrants a particular behaviour or action, the situation is so bad that there is a good reason to behave or act in that way: · Patients will only be given morphine if their medical condition warrants it.· The offences he has committed are not serious enough to warrant a full investigation.
to successfully deal with a problem
· They thought money would solve all their problems.· The roof used to leak but last week I fitted some new tiles and that seems to have solved the problem.· The government is to launch a new building programme in an attempt to solve the housing crisis.
to think of a way to solve a problem, especially a complicated political or social problem: · Crime is rapidly increasing in our inner cities. We must find a solution.· Civil war seems increasingly likely unless the government comes up with a solution.find/come up with a solution to: · European governments are working together to find a solution to the problem of nuclear waste.
formal to successfully deal with a problem or unpleasant situation so that it no longer exists: · Talking is the only way to resolve your differences.· It is difficult to see how this conflict can be resolved without taking the matter to court.
to deal with an unsatisfactory situation, especially by making sure that any damage that has been caused is paid for, removed, stopped etc: put something right: · There seems to be something wrong with the computer but we hope to put it right before too long.· If there is bullying in the classroom, it is the teacher who should put the problem right.put right something: · This government intends to put right everything that the last government did wrong.
to permanently solve a practical problem so that it does not happen again: · If your computer stops working, re-booting might cure the problem.· Beveridge believed that unemployment could be cured by state intervention.
to deal with an unsatisfactory situation, especially an unfair one, so that the situation no longer exists or is greatly improved: · There have been several tragic rail accidents. The government must act quickly to remedy this situation.· Equal rights for women were necessary to remedy the injustices done to them over the centuries.
to remove any problems or difficulties from a situation, especially before doing something else: sort something out: · I'm afraid I can't help you until I've sorted my own problems out.sort things out: · There's been a serious misunderstanding; I'll try to sort things out and then I'll phone you back.sort out something: · You can't possibly start decorating yet. We haven't sorted out the roof yet.get something sorted out: · I want to get everything sorted out before I leave.
British informal to successfully deal with a problem: · Don't worry about the money. I'll sort it, OK?· You should be able to sort this without my help.
to remove any small problems or difficulties before you start something, especially by discussing them, so that they do not cause problems later: iron something out: · We need to iron a few things out before we move in together.iron out something: · We decided it was best to iron out our differences at an early stage in the production.
when something has the result that you want it to have
if something that you plan to do or try to do succeeds , you get the result that you hoped for: · Both sides could make these talks succeed by seeking a real and lasting peace.· As long as the financial crisis continues, economic reform cannot possibly succeed.succeed in doing something: · None of the measures taken by the government have succeeded in reducing the spread of violent crime.
if something that you plan to do or try to do is successful you get the result that you hoped for: · If the treatment is successful, she could be back at school next month.· a small but successful program to boost the number of African-Americans getting into collegehighly successful (=very successful): · It was a highly successful campaign.the most successful: · This has been Baltimore's most successful art show ever.so successful (. . . that): · The case of Thailand illustrates why family planning programs have been so successful in many countries. prove successful (=be successful): · The scheme was started in January 2000, and has proved largely successful.
if a plan or method works , it produces the result that you want: · "I can't open this jar." "Try putting it under hot water. That sometimes works."· I think your treatment worked Arnie, my headache's gone.· The recipe works just as well if you cook the fish in a microwave.
if something goes well , such as a meeting, party, or performance, everything happens in the way you wanted and there are no problems: · Ray met my parents for the first time this weekend, and it went really well.· The audition was OK, but it could have gone better I suppose.· Most people seem to think the party went well.go well for: · Good luck with the project, and I hope everything goes well for you.
if a plan, method etc has some success , it is fairly successful: · The early warning system has had some success; for example Pacific coast residents get four hours notice of a potential earthquake.· Only in the late 1990s did efforts to reduce sectarian violence have some success.
if something comes out right or turns out right , it succeeds in the end when it had seemed as though it would fail: · People enjoy romantic fiction because it offers a reassurance that things will always come out right.· Just when it looks as though everything will turn out right, tragedy strikes and Jenny dies of a fatal illness.come out right in the end: · She's scared she'll fail her exams, but I think everything'll come out right in the end.
if something that you arrange such as a party or trip comes off , it happens successfully even though there are problems in arranging it: · We had hoped to organize a trip to the theatre tonight, but it didn't come off.· Good try Tim. Shame it didn't quite come off.
if hard work, effort, a risk etc pays off , it has a successful result at a later time: · I think if you show a bit more consideration for other road users, you'll find it pays off.· We put a lot of hard work into local initiatives, and that's really starting to pay off now.
if a plan, idea, or action bears fruit , it has the successful result that it was intended to have, especially after a long period of time: · The campaign for debt relief will not bear fruit for another two or three years. · I hope you feel your involvement has been worthwhile and has borne fruit.
a meeting, discussion etc that is fruitful is successful, useful, and produces good results: · So far, the investigation has not been very fruitful.· This was one of the most fruitful debates of the conference.· If the talks prove fruitful, the working groups will start bargaining in May.
suitable for a particular situation, job, purpose etc
something or someone that is suitable is the right type of thing or person for a purpose, job, or situation: · I still haven't found a suitable job.· You must wear something suitable - preferably black.suitable for: · The house would be suitable for a large family.· Plants of this type are suitable for use in an aquarium.eminently suitable (=very suitable): · The property is centrally located and eminently suitable for our purposes.
suitable. Right is used more in informal language than suitable: · I don't know the right word to describe it.· We've been thinking about selling the house, but I'm not sure the time is right.· We all agree that Carey is the right person for the job.right for: · It's a good school, but it wasn't really right for Melissa.
suitable for a particular purpose or situation: · You can't climb a mountain without the proper equipment.· I can't make the repairs without the proper tools or materials.· With proper training, most people can learn leadership skills.
suitable for a situation or purpose - use this especially about something that has been carefully chosen for a particular situation: · You will be given your orders at the appropriate time.· Considering what he did, I think the punishment was appropriate.appropriate for: · Each member is given a special exercise routine that is appropriate for his or her needs
especially spoken very suitable for a purpose or job - use this especially when there are several suitable people or things to choose from: · Bates would be a good person to have on the team.· Would now be a good time to discuss the plans for the conference? good for: · The big jars are good for storing rice or pasta.
something that suits a person, purpose, situation etc is suitable for them: · This is a job that would suit someone with a lot of experience abroad.· They found us a house close to the campus, which suited us very well.suit somebody's needs: · Make sure you choose a computer that suits your needs.suit somebody fine/well/perfectly: · The weather here suits me fine.
if someone or something is suited to a situation, purpose, or job they have the qualities that make them suitable for it: · Wearing a suit and tie just is not suited to a tropical climate.· Do you think his personality is suited to a career in teaching?ideally/well/perfectly suited to something: · The electric car is well suited to the needs of city drivers.
if someone is cut out for a particular job, they have personal qualities that are suitable for it and are therefore likely to succeed at it - use this especially in questions and negative sentences: · Maybe he's just not cut out for an acting career.· She knew she was cut out for more than scrubbing floors and doing laundry.
if something lends itself to being used in a particular way, it has qualities that make it easy and suitable for using in that way: · Many of his poems lend themselves to songs very easily.· The marshy land at the mouth of the Neva River hardly lent itself to habitation.
exactly suitable for a particular situation, job, purpose etc
exactly suitable: · I moved into a small apartment close to the college - it was just right.just right for: · Your new dress will be just right for the party.just the right colour/size/age etc: · We found a cashmere scarf that was just the right color.· Setting the mood for romance means candlelight and just the right music.
the ideal thing or person is the most suitable one you can possibly choose, when there are many to choose from: · The trip is difficult, even under ideal conditions.· If you could complete the report by Friday, that would be ideal.ideal for: · With its tough suspension and 4-wheel drive, the truck is ideal for driving in the desert.
to be exactly right for a particular job or purpose: · The job is made for someone like you.· In the garden stood an old apple tree with low branches, just made for climbing.
to have exactly the qualities needed to be suitable for a particular job, situation etc: · We know what kind of house we want, but we haven't yet found one that fits the bill.· I need someone who can speak both French and Spanish. Do you know anyone who fits the bill?
WORD SETS
AB, nounabdomen, nounaccommodation, nounAchilles tendon, nounAdam's apple, nounadaptation, nounadenoids, nounadrenalin, nounairway, nounambidextrous, adjectiveanatomical, adjectiveankle, nounantibody, nounantigen, nounanus, nounanvil, nounaorta, nounappendix, nounarch, nounarmpit, nounarterial, adjectiveartery, nounatrium, nounbaby tooth, nounback, nounbackbone, nounbandy, adjectivebarrel-chested, adjectivebeat, verbbelly, nounbelly button, nounbicep, nounbig toe, nounbikini line, nounbile, nounbiological clock, nounbiorhythms, nounbiped, nounbladder, nounblind spot, nounblink, verbblink, nounblood count, nounblood group, nounblood pressure, nounbloodstream, nounblood type, nounblood vessel, nounBO, nounbody clock, nounbody odour, nounbone, nounbone marrow, nounbowel, nounbow legs, nounbrain, nounbrainwave, nounbreast, nounbreastbone, nounbristly, adjectivebronchial, adjectivebronchial tube, nounbrow, nounbuck teeth, nounbullnecked, adjectiveburp, verbbust, nounbuttock, nouncanine, nouncapillary, nouncardiac, adjectivecardio-, prefixcardiovascular, adjectivecarotid artery, nouncartilage, nouncentral nervous system, nouncerebellum, nouncerebral, adjectivecervical, adjectivecervix, nounchamber, nounchange of life, nouncheek, nouncheekbone, nounchest, nounchin, nouncirculation, nounclavicle, nouncleavage, nounclitoris, nounclose-set, adjectivecoccyx, nouncochlea, nouncock, nouncollarbone, nouncolon, nouncolour, nouncolour-blind, adjectiveconception, nouncone, nounconnective tissue, nouncoordination, nouncornea, nouncortex, nouncough, verbcough, nouncowlick, nouncranium, nouncrook, verbcrotch, nouncrow's feet, nouncrutch, nouncry, verbcuticle, noundandruff, noundeep-set, adjectivedefecate, verbdefence mechanism, noundental, adjectivedentine, nounderrière, noundiaphragm, noundigit, noundigital, adjectivedimple, noundisc, noundominant, adjectivedouble-jointed, adjectivedribble, verbdrool, verbduct, nounduodenum, nounear, nouneardrum, nounearhole, nounegg, nounejaculate, verbelbow, nounenamel, nounendocrine, adjectiveentrails, nounepidermis, nounepiglottis, nounerect, adjectiveerection, nounerogenous zone, nounexcrement, nounexcreta, nounexcrete, verbexcretion, nounexpectorate, verbextremity, nouneye, nouneyebrow, nouneyelash, nouneyelid, nouneyesight, nouneye tooth, nounface, nounfallopian tube, nounfart, verbfart, nounfemur, nounfibre, nounfibula, nounfigure, nounfingernail, nounfingertip, nounfist, nounfive o'clock shadow, nounflat-chested, adjectivefoetal position, nounfolic acid, nounfollicle, nounforearm, nounforefinger, nounforehead, nounforeskin, nounframe, nounfunny bone, noungall bladder, noungallstone, noungastric, adjectivegenital, adjectivegenitals, noungland, nounglottis, noungonad, noungrey matter, noungroin, nounG-spot, noungullet, noungum, nounhair, nounhairless, adjectivehairy, adjectivehammer, nounhamstring, nounhand, nounhand-eye co-ordination, nounhandlebar moustache, nounhead, nounheart, nounheel, nounhiccup, nounhiccup, verbhip, nounHomo sapiens, nounhumerus, nounhymen, nounimmune, adjectiveimmune system, nounimmunity, nouninbred, adjectiveincisor, nounindex finger, nouninherit, verbinstep, nounintestine, nounin vitro fertilization, nouniris, nounIVF, nounjaw, nounjawbone, nounjowl, nounkidney, nounknee, nounknee cap, nounknuckle, nounlap, nounlarge intestine, nounlarynx, nounlash, nounlaugh lines, nounlaughter lines, nounleft-handed, adjectivelefty, nounlens, nounlid, nounlifeblood, nounligament, nounlip, nounlittle finger, nounliver, nounlobe, nounlong-sighted, adjectivelumbar, adjectivelung, nounlymph, nounlymph node, nounmammary, adjectivemammary gland, nounmanual, adjectivemarrow, nounmasticate, verbmatrix, nounmelanin, nounmelatonin, nounmember, nounmenopause, nounmenses, nounmenstrual, adjectivemenstrual period, nounmenstruate, verbmiddle ear, nounmiddle finger, nounmidget, nounmidriff, nounmilk tooth, nounmind, nounmolar, nounmucous membrane, nounmuscle, nounnail, nounnape, nounnasal, adjectivenavel, nounnervous, adjectiveneurology, nounneuron, nounniacin, nounnipple, nounnode, nounnodule, nounnostril, nounocular, adjectiveoesophagus, nounoral, adjectiveovary, nounoverbite, nounoviduct, nounpalate, nounpalm, nounpalpitate, verbpalpitations, nounpancreas, nounpassage, nounpatella, nounpectorals, nounpelvic, adjectivepelvis, nounpenetrate, verbpepsin, nounperiod, nounperiod pain, nounperspiration, nounperspire, verbphallus, nounpharynx, nounphlegm, nounphysical, adjectivephysiognomy, nounphysiology, nounphysique, nounpigeon-toed, adjectivepit, nounpituitary, nounplacenta, nounplasma, nounplatelet, nounpore, nounpotbelly, nounpremenstrual, adjectiveprepubescent, adjectivepressure point, nounprimal, adjectiveprivate parts, nounprognathous, adjectiveprostate, nounpuberty, nounpubescent, adjectivepubic, adjectivepudendum, nounpulmonary, adjectivepulp, nounpulse, nounpupil, nounquad, nounquadruplet, nounquin, nounquintuplet, nounradius, nounreceptor, nounrecessive, adjectiverectal, adjectiverectum, nounred blood cell, nounREM sleep, nounrenal, adjectiveretina, nounRhesus factor, nounRH factor, nounrib, nounrib cage, nounright, adjectiveright-handed, adjectiveright-hander, nounrigor mortis, nounring finger, nounrod, nounRoman nose, nounround-shouldered, adjectiverun, verbsalivary gland, nounsallow, adjectivescalp, nounscaly, adjectivescapula, nounsciatic, adjectivescrotum, nounsemen, nounseminal, adjectivesense, nounsense organ, nounsensory, adjectivesextuplet, nounshank, nounshin, nounshinbone, nounshoulder, nounshoulder blade, nounside, nounsinew, nounsinus, nounskeletal, adjectiveskull, nounsleep, verbsleep, nounsmall intestine, nounsneeze, verbsneeze, nounsnub nose, nounsnub-nosed, adjectivesoft palate, nounsolar plexus, nounsole, nounsphincter, nounspinal, adjectivespinal column, nounspine, nounspit, verbspit, nounspittle, nounspleen, nounspotty, adjectivesputum, nounsternum, nounsteroid, nounstirrup, nounstomach, nounstool, nounstubble, nounsubcutaneous, adjectivesuck, verbsuckle, verbsuckling, nounsweat gland, nounsystem, nountailbone, nountan, verbtan, nountanned, adjectivetarsus, nountartar, nountaste bud, nountear, nounteardrop, nounteat, nountemple, nountendon, nountestes, nountesticle, nountestis, nountestosterone, nounthickset, adjectivethigh, nounthorax, nounthroat, nounthumb, nounthumbnail, nounthyroid, nountibia, nounticklish, adjectivetoe, nountoenail, nountongue, nountonsil, nountooth, nountorso, nountouch, nountrachea, nountriceps, nountrunk, nountympanum, nounulna, nounumbilical cord, nounurethra, nounuterus, nounuvula, nounvagina, nounvascular, adjectivevein, nounvenous, adjectiveventricle, nounvessel, nounvestibule, nounvital, adjectivevocal cords, nounvoice box, nounvulva, nounwaist, nounwall-eyed, adjectivewax, nounwhite, nounwhite blood cell, nounwindpipe, nounwisdom tooth, nounwomb, nounwrinkle, verbwrist, nounyawn, verbyawn, noun
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs
(=completely right)· You were quite right – we should never have gone with them.
· You’re absolutely right.
· My figures may not be exactly right.
informal (=completely correct, used for emphasis)· You were dead right not to trust him.
(=correct to some degree, but not completely)· That theory may still be partly right.
verbs
· For once, he got my name right.
· We warned that it would not work, and we have been proved right.
· I think I’m right in saying they once employed 2000 people.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
 An independent committee will look into alleged human rights abuses.
 Someone’s parked right across the entrance to the driveway.
 Teachers are expected to teach a range of subjects right across the curriculum.
 Are you feeling all right?
 The kids seem to be getting on all right at school.
 Tony was worried about the meeting but it went all right (=happened with no problems).
 Don’t worry, it’ll turn out all right.
 We’ll eat at eight. Does that sound all right to you?
 ‘Thanks for all your help!’ ‘That’s quite all right.’
 ‘I get eight weeks’ holiday a year.‘ ’Well, it’s all right for some.'
 Bill has been involved in the animal rights movement for years.
· Do you know the right answer to this question?
· The taxpayer has no statutory right of appeal against the demand.
· She broke her left arm in a riding accident.
· With sport, you have to find the right balance between competition and fun.
(=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.
(=going towards the left or the right)· Take the turning just after the left-hand bend in the road.
 I was standing right beside her at the time.
· Fortunately his calculations were accurate.
 The paintings were of the highest caliber.
(=feel very stupid)
· I think you’ve made the right choice.
(=the right to vote, be treated fairly etc that everyone should have)· Black people marched in defence of their civil rights.
 a civil rights leader
· The left-wing coalition was led by the former guerrilla movement.
· You have the right to complain if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re getting.
· I am sure that you came to the right conclusion.
 a constitutional right to privacy
· Put your address in the top right-hand corner of the page.
 He caught his opponent with a right cross to the chin.
· ‘It isn’t easy.’ ‘Damn right, it’s not.’
· You’re dead wrong, so let me handle this.
· She chose to study Engineering and it was definitely the right decision.
 We are defending the right to demonstrate.
· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?
 Being my wife doesn’t give you the divine right to read my mail.
 Wow! You’ve got the beach right on your doorstep!
· Have you looked in the left-hand drawer?
· She is deaf in her right ear.
(=the rights that someone has in their job)· Part-time workers don’t have the same employment rights as full-time staff.
· In many countries, women do not have equal rights with men.
· Add up what you've got on the right-hand side of the equation.
· BSkyB had exclusive rights to all the live matches.
· The president issued a statement recognizing Kosovo's right to exist.
(=make sure that what you say or believe is correct)· You should get your facts straight before making accusations.
· He has broken a bone in his right foot.
 By being absent from the trial, he forfeited the right to appeal.
 a campaigner for gay rights (=equal treatment for gay people)
· A left-hand glove was found at the scene of the crime.
 If you want to leave, go right ahead.
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion)
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion) The protesters have no God-given right to disrupt the life of the city.
· The new left-wing government restructured the economy.
 If you guess correctly, you have another turn.
· She held the book in her right hand.
· The rights of the individual must be protected.
(=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
· It wasn’t the right kind of holiday for me.
· He has worked as a civil rights lawyer for over twenty years.
 The company’s rapid success means it’s definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).
 I saw Fiona in the street yesterday and she looked straight through me.
 I went on a lot of peace marches when I was a student.
(=on the right of the page)· There were some notes written in the right-hand margin.
(=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly)· If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
 a huge hole right in the middle of the lawn
 The new road will go right through the middle of the wood.
 You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well.
 You don’t have to tell me right this minute.
· I’m just waiting for the right moment to tell her.· The moment is not quite right just yet.
 The UN is sending peace monitors to the area.
· He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
· The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
 There’s nothing I can do about this right now (=exactly now).
 To the left of the sofa is a table.
 ‘Can you lend me ten pounds?’ ‘Oh, all right, but only until tomorrow.’
· Of course, the notes must be played in the right order.
 They’ve rented a farmhouse right out in the country.
· The answers are on the right-hand page.
· Support for the right-wing parties was strongest among young working-class men.
(=used to emphasize that someone passes close to you and does not stop) Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps.
 You have to pitch your writing at the right level.
 Who knows? If you play your cards right, maybe he’ll marry you.
 A financial adviser should be able to point you in the right direction.
· Every individual should have equal political rights.
· He had been under attack from right-wing politicians for some time.
· Children feel more comfortable when parents respect their right to privacy.
 It is only right and proper that an independent inquiry should take place.
 They have proprietary rights to the data.
· See if you can prove me wrong.
 the right-hand side of the body
 the bottom right-hand corner of the page
 I never know who has right of way at this junction. British English
 The law here says that pedestrians always have the right of way.
 The path is not a public right of way.
 The industry has a duty to safeguard consumers.
 I can’t bluff – she’d see right through me.
 Take a sharp left after the church.
· He received a deep cut on the right side of his face.
· On the left-hand side list the skills and qualifications required for the job.
· The company now has the sole rights to the process.
· Wearing the right sort of clothing could save your life.
(=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
 It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance.
 Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted).
 Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)?
 a leading member of a Tory think tank
 The bullet passed straight through his skull.
 We drove right through the town centre.
 I could see right through the thin curtains.
 He slept right through the day.
 I filled the glass right to the top.
 Make a left turn at the station.
 Shareholders have a vested right to 10% per annum.
 The head teacher has the right of veto over management-board decisions.
· the students’ extreme left-wing views
(=violations of every person's right to be treated fairly and without cruelty)· There have been protests about human rights violations at the prison.
 Zeke wasn’t looking and walked straight into a tree.
 I walked right into a mob of maybe 50 young white guys.
 You walked right into that one!
· That’s not the right way to deal with the problem.
· Are you sure this is the right way?
(=the word that has the meaning you want)· He struggled to find the right word.
 He’s too young to know right from wrong.
(=bring justice to an unfair situation)
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· She knows what she's doing all right.· Her doctor whistled, and assured her she was all right,, and carried the procedure through to the horrific end.· I will do the opposite, if it's all right by you-and always be glad you came.· The Anacreonians were landing their first space-ships tomorrow, but that was all right, too.· The crew, wrapped cocoon-like in their blankets, were doing all right though.· He was there, all right.· During these brief moments I felt immeasurably better; maybe everything would be all right after all.· We were hated, all right.
· The caption alongside notes that George Davies, aged 19, is in the front row on the far right.· Jesse Helms, stalwart of the Republican far right.· There are several options for securing tickets: you can complete the coupon on the far right.· That Begin had come from the far right, but that in order to govern he has to occupy the center.· The far right objects that the tests encourage children to criticise traditional values.· For now, at least, the cause of tax simplification seems to have been captured by the far right.
· It's just right for us, of course.· I had a little sharpener to keep the points just right.· Everyone played it just right for Alice.· All are worthwhile, judiciously seasoned with salt and fresh pepper, served a la carte, and cooked just right.· Once again, it seemed that his sense of timing and understanding of politicians had been just right.· This is just right for the Ledger something to finally get this city to take you seriously over there.· With him the mix is just right.· People have trouble positioning the paper and adjusting the software so the printout appears just right.
· A greater problem arises at the stage where you have made the article to order and it's not quite right.· The soil is not quite right for the replacement trees.· Then she saw that that was not quite right, because their features were very different.· Marshall McLuhan was not quite right.· I do understand your concern for your sister, but I think that her doctor is quite right in what he says.· But each of us knows that he is not quite right.· Glyn had been quite right after all.· Something was not quite right, so without hesitation he dropped down on to the deck.
NOUN
· This is the so-called imaginary direction of time, at right angles to real time.· For rails that meet at right angles, the cut should be 45 degrees.· Hold the bag at right angles to the surface to be iced, with the nozzle a fraction away.· The cleavage planes are at right angles to one another.· In a sense it can be thought of as a direction of time that is at right angles to real time.· But the imaginary time direction is at right angles to real time.· The other main rift type is to be found orientated approximately at right angles to the strike of intercontinental collision orogens.· Two point perspective Two point perspective is based on our ready response to the right angle.
· The child will work it out on his fingers and get the right answer.· They had simply assumed that, because I had asked the question, one of those words must be the right answer.· No one has all the right answers but there is now a willingness to share information.· What mattered was that I got the right answer.· He damned them all, saying the right answer was political; full stop.· And when you found the right answer, there was no arguing about it.· Corporate strategists point out that there is no single right answer.· When a clinical situation poses a genuine moral dilemma, by definition no right answer exists.
· Reach out and slowly lift the right arm and left leg off the floor, keeping the movement controlled.· His right arm and leg were the most damaged.· Reach over to your left side, curving from your right arm.· Denver stretches out her right arm and takes a step or two.· At fifty-five or sixty degrees he had to brace his right arm against his leg in order to fight the roll.· His upper right arm was bandaged.· The right training, the right arms, everything that's coming to the surface now.· He would have given his right arm and left foot if he wanted them.
· Getting the right balance in life is important to Pearce.· The right balance of detail should help the reader quickly grasp the nature of the problem and your approach to it.· Find the right balance between enough exercise and enough rest.· As two opposite kinds of people, when they became partners, their very differences provided the right balance for success.· The problem is to know how to strike the right balance.· You must find the right balance of specificity and practicality between the two extremes.· But he always finds the right balance between darkness and light.· U S West Inc. knows all too well how difficult striking the right balance can be.
· It was a fine bright day and he felt sure he had made the right decision.· But in the end, we both made the right decision.· No, not so he had taken the right decision.· I still ask myself whether I made the right decision.· If they think the right decision will not be taken, it is their job to persuade people to vote differently.· Now, in his senior year, Jeff feels staying was definitely the right decision.· Even after counselling, though, what seemed the right decision at the time can be a source of regret later.· It was pretty obvious he made the right decision.
· Almost everyone concerned with education is looking for the right direction to go, and there is much talk of leadership.· Although that is a step in the right direction for sellers, prices are still substantially below their peaks.· I can even find potted shrimps when the wind's in the right direction.· Luck would give him a gentle shove in the right direction.· I voted for you in the last election and believed that you would lead this town in the right direction.· Your dealer should be able to point you in the right direction. ... and too hard?· This is a start in the right direction.
· And the floaters in my right eye.· Then Jack got up and punched me in the right eye so hard I lost the sight of it.· He got a bruising whack in his right eye - the one he uses to peer through his telescope at the stars.· The two photons are like the left and the right eyes of the cat.· Wu looked at me and gestured to his own right eye and giggled.· He was born with a white layer of skin over his right eye.· It has a fearful chip above the right eye but it can stand a few chips.· To look through the tube, which eye do you prefer, your left eye or your right eye?
· People said black dancers don't have the right body, the right feet.· Left tackle Derrick Deese has a sprained right foot and is probable for the game.· And Dalton's emphatic right foot volley after 65 minutes put Argyle firmly in command.· Try to lift or move your right foot. 16.· To ensure good luck, your daughter should leave home by the front door, stepping out with her right foot first.· The baby grasped her right foot in her left hand and in her excitement dropped her bottle.· If you put it on the right feet it's clearly one of the best available.· Valerie had had her right foot fused in Rochester, Minn., before she and Joe married.
· Many full-length zip bags are available in left and right hand versions enabling two to be zipped together.· He hit in rhythm, hitting with the right hand, then the left.· She extended the forefingers of her right hand in a V, and jabbed at Rodriguez's faceplate.· Ted signaled with his right hand that he was about to turn on to a street marked Myrtle.· He was squeezing the angle of the arête with his right hand, easing his weight over his right foot.· It was our duty to get this stuff into the right hands.· Sunny Jim is stark naked with a big piece of pizza in his right hand.· Is it because the right hand side is going so badly?
· London, at the easiest rates and may be ascertained of the right kinds.· Be it in a mousetrap or an atomic detector, the right kind of trip-lever can always trigger an arbitrarily large effect.· But, initially at least, it seemed to express the right kinds of sentiment.· An inside look at the criminal justice system was the right kind of project, he thought.· Referrals Offering the right kind of help where it is needed requires a comprehensive assessment scheme.· The right kind of exercise can cure back pain, headaches and chest pain.· A husband who tells his wife about his redundancy does not always meet with the right kind of sympathy or support.· Without the right kind of help foreign business can mean major headaches.
· Slowly push upwards with your right leg until it is almost straight.· After five repetitions he does the same with the right leg.· When help finally arrived he was released from the big baler his right leg was nearly severed from his body.· When the team is going the other way, he crosses his right leg.· Bend your right leg and raise your right arm.· He circled his right leg and plunged back into the water, soaking his master from head to foot.· Now the right leg is thrust out with the foot travelling in a straight line towards the opponent.· One of the dead had had his right leg blown off with his pants.
· What was beyond him to understand was why any man in his right mind would want to buy.· No one in his or her right mind likes the thought of paying more taxes.· After all who in their right mind would reject enthusiastic and cost-free labour?· Who in their right mind would save any money, under these circumstances?· Who in his right mind would come and sit next to me?· What government official in her right mind would wish to foster such distrust of the government she serves?· But she wasn't in her right mind.· He might be more in his right mind than you are.
· He found just the right person for his newly created slot of research associate.· So, for the right person, corporate finance is both a high-risk and high-reward career option.· Are you the right person for this position?· Send them to the right person at the right address for payment and include the following information: 1.· Your whole business might ride on finding the right person.· With this trick you have to be sure you have chosen the right person and moment!· Either way, the problem is to find the right person to advise you, some one who can be objective.
· Is it in the right place?· He was in the right place at the right time and hustling as he usually does.· King's Cross is not the right place for that sort of departure.· It felt like the right place to me.· At last I found the right place on an island off the north coast.· You imagine him tight and lean, without a trace of fat, bulging in all the right places.· What complicated this debate was the question of whether there were enough houses of the right kind in the right places.· More importantly, independents can be the right place for artists who want to keep a degree of creative control.
· With a small movement, rock to your right side for as many times as is comfortable.· The right side doors and roof were crumpled.· May sleep on right side for preference.· They say it helps keep people on the right side of things.· No stitching is visible from the right side.· She was lying on her right side, her hands crossed in prayer before her.· It would be important to be on the right side of the nuns too.· The Yankees are losing 9-0 in a playoff game when Jair beats out an infield hit to the right side.
· One of the sons had done the right thing and had taken the pressure off me for a while.· People are much more likely to do the right thing if they can see some personal advantage to it.· This was apparently not the right thing to say.· At Digital we feel very strongly that people will do the right thing.· Still, fortunately we did the right thing.· I know it was the right thing to do.· Had he done the right thing?
· All they need to do is walk down the stairs and it'd be the right time.· And they have, just not at the right time.· If we do not provide sufficient places, the necessary skill will not be in the right place at the right time.· Speaking of time, you have to choose the right time to apply the finishes.· In life, the right man to love hardly ever comes at the right time for loving.· It was only a matter of finding the right time and place.· It was so very much the right place at the right time.· Karl Childers came to Billy Bob Thornton just at the right time.
· Were we on the right track at all?· But the short-term remedies below may help break the sleep-cycle problem and put you on the right track.· He hoped the man was on the right track and did his best to believe that he was.· We started out on the right track.· A few people, though, were on the right track.· I knew I was on the right track when I felt that thrill of pleasure at placing object, not painting it.· The officers consequently had little idea whether they were on the right track or not.
· I think anger's a really positive energy if you use it in the right way.· He kept showing me the right way to hold it.· However, if you look at things in the right way it is all quite logical and straight forward.· The right way is refusing to let any school fail a child.· They do not have authority over me because the right way to treat their advice depends on my goals.· Firms must find the right way to deliver their message.· But do read the directions carefully to ensure you're using the correct weedkiller in the right way.· She said that getting drunk was not the right way to celebrate Christmas Eve.
· The proposals are seen as a pet project of the right wing of the Conservative Party and Conservative students' groups.· Boston cut the deficit to 3-1 when right wing Sandy Moger scored on the power play for his sixth goal.· A mad scramble followed a Dollar free throw, and Hamilton eventually grabbed the ball on the right wing.· The right wing candidate does not make himself available for interview and could not be contacted over the weekend.· Powell spoke hours after the right wing of the Republican party began to unify behind Dole.· In Sao Paulo, after one term of office, right wing parties regained the government.· Then he preens under his right wing, then on top.
· I already knew the right word for it when I was 11.· In fact, the morale of the crew was very high, if morale was the right word.· Tristan's arrival had prevented her and she would never have found the right words to accompany the gift in any case.· Well, morality is not the right word, but you know what I mean.· Even though words are my trade, I don't know the right words.· With just the right word, glance or smile, they played the game just like he did.· The right word for it is a phenomenon.· Siad Barre will celebrate - if that is the right word - 20 years in power on 21 October.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • "You did well to get that contract.'' "Not really, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.''
  • An off--duty cop happened to be in the right place at the right time to stop a robbery.
  • Being a successful news photographer is all about being in the right place at the right time.
  • He could be in the right place at the right time when top jobs come up for grabs next summer.
  • He was in the right place at the right time and hustling as he usually does.
  • If we do not provide sufficient places, the necessary skill will not be in the right place at the right time.
  • It was in the right place at the right time.
  • They just happened to be in the right place at the right time.
  • You have to be in the right place at the right time with the right partner and the right judges.
  • That's right, Jim's been a friend of mine for years.
  • Yeah, that's right - it was based on a Raymond Chandler novel.
  • Amitha: In a way that's right.
  • And as Bethan found, it may also take some time to find a treatment that's right for you.
  • But she will not get that distance until she learns to - that's right - detach.
  • Do you think that's right?
  • I don't think that's right.
  • Yes, that's right, it can be done, we can face history down.
  • Yes, that's right, the car maker.
  • A: How right you are.
  • Every day couples meet who are amazed at how right they are for each other - proof that Dateline works!
  • How right you are, very clever, very ... disputatious.
  • Yes, well, how right you are.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • That is six times the number to be offered the right of abode in the government's package.
  • The 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act changed this, and only those born in Britain were henceforth automatically given the right of abode.
  • This would have allowed the right of abode to all citizens in any part of the country.
  • But if it's all right for wives to have this status, then it's all right for cohabitees too.
  • It's all right for you.
► I’m all right Jack► it’ll be all right on the night
  • Anyway, I did all right.
  • He did all right in that Navy movie, whatever it was.
  • Wow, so you guys must do all right then, him?
  • It's all right. Mommy's here now.
  • I think it's all right.
  • I will do the opposite, if it's all right by you-and always be glad you came.
  • It's all right but he prefers Cabanaconda.
  • It's all right, my darling, Mrs Jourdelay's driving us.
  • Now, Benny, it's all right.
► it’s/that’s all right
  • The job sounds right up your alley.
  • She said, I will tell you this Bobby Kennedy is right up my alley.
  • These parents would give their right arms to get their kids into a prestigious school.
  • And the revolution in the structure of services and management meant elderly frail people found it increasingly difficult to assert their rights.
  • Athens asserted her rights over her citizens temporarily exiled, as she did over those at home and liable for service.
  • But she sought not so much to break a taboo as to assert her independence from the male yoke.
  • Mrs Armitage's heir is already asserting his rights in the matter but that is not my concern.
  • Power gives us the ability to control, to choose and to assert our independence.
  • Stickers are available throughout the county to help squeezed out pedestrians assert their rights.
  • You need to be selective and judge when it is appropriate to assert your rights.
► in the (right) ball park
  • I asked him to help, and he said yes right off the bat.
  • At least not right off the bat.
  • Bear left where the road divides.
  • The road bears to the right.
  • After descending, bear left on to the grassy bridleway which joins the road.
  • From St Martin's church bear left past Cwmyoy Farm.
  • Go through gate then bear right across field heading for stile that can be seen on skyline.
  • His eyes bore right through me.
  • I came to the place in the road where you bear left to go down to the valley of Chimayo.
  • On reaching the saddle bear right along the ridge to the summit.
  • Stay on the main track, bearing left at the fork two miles in.
► be a bit of all right
  • He pushed all the right buttons.
  • These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
  • If you play your cards right, you might get them to reduce the price.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► coming (right) up!► come right out with something/come right out and say something
  • In both cases, prices came right back down within three months.
  • It seemed clear Corbett wanted me to work at Salomon, but he never came right out and proposed.
  • It will all come right, now that a different period of history has begun.
  • More generally, the logistical strengths that the Dole campaign had counted on began to come good.
  • Periodically, these letters come right out of the woodwork.
  • Since I was the best spinner of my type in the world, eventually it would all come right.
  • The light comes right through our curtains and makes sleeping difficult.
  • The wasp took off as if in fright, but she came right back.
  • And, as if on cue, I did.
  • And, on cue, he heard the sound of hoofbeats ` on the wind.
  • Dead on cue the runner hurries over to Eli to answer his question.
  • Right on cue, a butterfly flew up to the plants we were looking at and landed!
  • She passed a couple of groundskeepers, who turned as if on cue for a second look.
  • She should have become angry with him for his persistence, on cue, but for some reason she didn't.
  • The boys slashed, jumped, and shouted with enthusiasm and on cue.
  • The sky, as if on cue, was overcast.
  • For now, at least, the cause of tax simplification seems to have been captured by the far right.
  • He unplugged the cables, shoved all the levers over to the far left, and rewound the tape.
  • However, the fact that the far right won more votes than the far-left should make everyone pause and reflect.
  • That Begin had come from the far right, but that in order to govern he has to occupy the center.
  • The activities of the far right have been a cause for concern over here for a while now.
  • The good tee shot was played to the far right of the fairway to set up a second shot to the left.
  • The libertarian view A third view of the revolution has been developed by writers on the far Left of the political spectrum.
  • The top of the hierarchy is at the far left.
► start/get off on the wrong/right foot► left-footed/right-footed
  • After 50yds fork right on to a track which climbs up Triscombe Combe.
  • At the first fork they must go left and at the next fork right and so on until they were challenged.
  • Then with a wave she forked left and was gone.
► would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something► God is in his heaven, all’s right with the world► the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing
  • Go straight on Vista for two blocks then hang a left.
  • First, there is that bizarre enormous mythic metal fish that hangs right inside the doorway.
  • I was just in time to see the Sierra hang a left once over the railway.
  • But what happens when you want so much to be right, you end up helping the hard right?
  • Labour moderates win over four of the hard left by agreeing that the cuts shall involve as few compulsory redundancies as possible.
  • Mr Steve King, leader of the hard left, denounces his fellow-councillors as dunderheads, nincompoops and dolts.
  • The showing for the hard left was disappointing.
  • They were stars of the hard left, but we have heard little about them during the election struggle.
  • Too little, say the Tories, too much says the hard left.
  • I executed a hard right turn, but could not see any other aircraft in my vicinity.
  • More often, though, they miss, hang a hard left, and return to the dugout.
  • Sharp took an eight count after taking a hard left hook.
  • Still not enough to justify this desire to reach across the table and deliver a hard right to the gubernatorial chin.
  • Cloughie probably gets closest to it - not he himself but the No. 9 seems to have his head screwed on.
  • She seemed to have her head screwed on right, even if she was a girl.
  • He can be rude and bad-tempered sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
  • Mike's a little grouchy sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
► (straight/right) from the horse’s mouth
  • The new superintendent has the right idea about attacking illiteracy, but the wrong method.
  • Mrs Donaldson, in last month's letters page, certainly seems to have the right idea.
  • The young lads have the right idea.
  • Numeric quantities can be printed left justified by preceding them with a semi-colon.
► lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance► the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
  • Below, left to right: Davey Philips of Clan Skates.
  • Number them in sequence 1, 2, 3 etc, left to right on each line.
  • Other winners are, left to right,.
  • Run your finger along under the words as you read, so that the child learns that reading goes from left to right.
  • The basic mechanism is to build an edge from left to right.
  • The group photograph shows, from left to right:.
  • Years ago, teams could pick up the free-agent menu and read it left to right.
  • Second, we need some kind of global bodies to prevent a further slide into a politics of might is right.
  • What the child learns is that might is right.
► no one in their right mind ...
  • She said she was going out of her mind in California.
  • Carson was right on the money when he said people are tired of big-shot politicians.
  • That was a case when Jobs's vision was on the money.
► make (all) the right noises (about something)
  • Darren comes to stay with Nikki and is quick to get up the nose of everyone he meets.
  • Even reading your horoscope can get up your nose.
  • I didn't realise it would get up your nose so quickly and so far.
  • I took her to my room, so that her feathers wouldn't get up Mum's nose.
  • It had got up Rufus's nose a bit, though Adam had a perfect right to do this.
  • Pat's car was stolen, almost from under his nose.
  • He reworked everything he wrote until he had hit the right note of Gailic pedantry.
  • So are buskers in Gloucester striking the right note with their audience?
  • That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?
  • You have a perfect right to say "no" if you don't want to do it.
  • They have a perfect right to object to it.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► prescriptive right
  • Although you are in a seemingly hopeless situation, keep thinking and get your priorities right.
  • Before we talk, I suggest we get our priorities right.
  • Have we got our priorities right?
  • Some people just can't get their priorities right!
  • Larson has promised to put the city's finances right by the end of the year.
► put somebody straight/right
  • But this is not quite right.
  • Distracted vicars want action against the furry little pests, and quite right too.
  • He was even happy to agree when Louise suggested that the buttons on the jacket were not quite right.
  • If he thinks something isn't quite right he tells me.
  • It is quite right that members sensitivities should be aired.
  • Not quite right, not quite plain enough or narrow enough, but getting there.
  • Now that is very wrong, and yet, somehow, quite right.
  • They'd shared a bed in Cumberland and she had comforted Gordon because nothing was quite right.
► that’s quite all right► the religious right
  • The management reserves the right to refuse admission.
  • Gazette reserves the right to publish at our discretion a photograph of the prize winner. 6.
  • Human beings reserve the right to alter and change views.
  • The editor reserves the right to select and edit questions.
  • The Regional Council reserves the right to augment these observations in reply to the grounds of appeal.
  • These charges and interest rates are variable and the Bank reserves the right to amend them from time to time.
  • This must be returned within five days, otherwise we reserve the right to cancel the contract.
  • We reserve the right to edit letters.
  • The aisles intersect at right angles to form the shape of a cross.
► see somebody right► it serves somebody right
  • Someone had to set Dave straight on company policies and procedures.
  • For this you turn sharp right off the road from Saint-Jean to Saint-Palais, about half-way between those two towns.
  • Pass over a broken wall and turn sharp right.
  • She walked almost to the edge of the cliff, where the road made a sharp left.
  • There was a sharp left turn at the bottom into Ruskin Road.
  • Turn sharp left 80yds before a conifer windbreak.
  • Turn sharp right downhill and uphill to go through another gate.
  • Turn left along this road for three quarters of a mile until the road turns sharp right to become Marsh Road.
  • We made a rocky, wet entry, and then took a sharp right turn along a wall.
  • But those wanting to keep on the right side of the law will have to steer clear of the grape.
  • They were keeping on the right side of the powers that be.
► on the right/wrong side of 30/40 etc
  • De Niro plays a lawyer, on the right side of the law.
  • Mrs Marriot was a woman up our street who used to sell things in her front room.
  • So, if that sounds up your street, get your Peak Performance subscription in soon!
  • This sort of thing should be right up your street.
► tick all the right boxes
  • A slightly larger percentage of pairs of brooches were more abraded on the top right than the top left corner.
  • Here we want the Series in a column so check Columns in the box at the top left.
  • The completed board is shown top left.
  • The dark area in the top right is deep, clear water.
  • The file was a standard office file with a Prior, Keen, Baldwin label stuck in the top right corner.
  • The majority of single brooches examined were found to be more abraded on the top left corner than the top right.
  • The plane again runs roughly from top left to bottom right.
  • Using a tapestry needle threaded with the embroidery colour, begin at the top right of the motif.
  • A few people, though, were on the right track.
  • And other signs helped convince me that I was on the right track.
  • Dole was on the right track when he talked about tolerance, but he mysteriously dropped it once he got the nomination.
  • He hoped the man was on the right track and did his best to believe that he was.
  • I knew I was on the right track when I felt that thrill of pleasure at placing object, not painting it.
  • The officers consequently had little idea whether they were on the right track or not.
  • You are on the right track so follow your nose.
► take the words (right) out of somebody’s mouth
  • At the County Ground, the wolves were on the prowl right from the word go.
  • I knew it was a deliberate attempt from the word go to bring the band down.
  • In Damage, from Josephine Hart's novel, he gets more or less everything wrong from the word go.
  • It was a nightmare from the word go.
  • The marriage was a disaster from the word go, although I didn't realize this until it was all over.
  • They are reflexes built into the system from the word go.
  • He wanted to put the world to rights.
  • More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
  • That straightness of Time, that confining straightness, was one with the Western picture of setting the world to rights.
► two wrongs don’t make a right
Word family
WORD FAMILYadverbrightrightlyrightfullyrigheouslyrighteousnessnounrightrightnessrightsrighteousnessadjectiverightrighteousrightfulverbright
1true/correct a)a statement or piece of information that is right is correct and based on true facts SYN  correct OPP  wrong:  Yes, that’s the right answer. Is that the right time? I got most of the questions right. His ideas have now been proved right. b)[not before noun] if you are right, you have said something that is correct and based on true facts OPP  wrong:  I think you’re right. We should have set out earlier.right about You were right about the hotel being too crowded. I think the prime minister is only half right. Am I right in thinking that you two have met before?2suitable the right thing, person, method etc is the one that is most suitable or effective OPP  wrong:  I think you’ve made the right decision. I think she’s definitely the right person for the job.right for A huge development like this isn’t right for such a small village.► see thesaurus at suitable3side [only before noun] a)your right side is the side with the hand that most people write with OPP  left:  He had a knife in his right hand. a scar on the right side of her face b)on the same side of something as your right side OPP  left:  Take the next right turn. the right bank of the river4problems something that is not right is not in the state it should be in:  The engine’s not quite right. This cheese doesn’t smell right. Things haven’t been right between me and James for some time.put/set something right (=correct something) It didn’t take long to find the fault and put it right.5morally if someone is right to do something, their action is morally correct or sensible OPP  wrongright to do something Do you think I was right to report them to the police? It can’t be right to keep lying to your family.it is right that I think it’s right that the people who work hardest should earn the most. It’s only right (=completely right) that he should get his share of the money. The company wants to do the right thing and offer compensation to all the injured workers.6that’s right spoken a)used to agree with what someone says or to answer ‘yes’ to a question:  ‘I gather you work in the sales department?’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘Some people find it very difficult to work quickly.’ ‘That’s right, and they often find exams very stressful.’ b)used when you are telling someone that you are angry about what they are doing:  That’s right! Just blame me for everything, as usual!7right you are British English spoken used to say ‘yes’ to a request, order, or suggestion8emphasis [only before noun] British English spoken used to emphasize how bad someone or something is SYN  total, complete:  He sounds like a right idiot! The house was in a right mess when we got back.9health spoken if you are not feeling right, you are not feeling completely well:  I haven’t been feeling right all day. A few days in bed will soon put you right. You’ll soon be as right as rain (=completely healthy). → put somebody right/straight at put(9)10socially the right people, places, schools etc are considered to be the best or most important:  Sonia’s always careful to be seen with the right people.11be in the right place at the right time to be in the place where something useful becomes available or is being offered:  Being a news photographer is all about being in the right place at the right time.—rightness noun [uncountable]:  He was convinced of the rightness of his cause. → put something right at put(8)COLLOCATIONSadverbsquite right (=completely right)· You were quite right – we should never have gone with them.absolutely right· You’re absolutely right.exactly right· My figures may not be exactly right.dead right informal (=completely correct, used for emphasis)· You were dead right not to trust him.half/partly right (=correct to some degree, but not completely)· That theory may still be partly right.verbsget something right· For once, he got my name right.be proved right· We warned that it would not work, and we have been proved right.be right in saying/thinking etc· I think I’m right in saying they once employed 2000 people.THESAURUSright not wrong – used about something someone says, or about the person who says it: · the right answer· You were right about the colour.· ‘He’s about thirty, isn’t he?’ ‘That’s right.’correct right. Correct sounds more formal than right: · the correct answer· He is absolutely correct.· Unfortunately, this information is not correct.accurate right – used about information, measurements, descriptions etc: · Make sure that your measurements are accurate.· an accurate description of the suspectexact an exact number, amount, or time is completely correct, and is no more and no less than it should be: · The exact time is 9.28 a.m.· The exact weight of the baby was 3.3 kilos.spot-on British English spoken informal exactly right – used especially about guesses or things people say: · His answer was spot-on.· You’re spot-on.
right1 adjectiveright2 adverbright3 nounright4 interjectionright5 verb
rightright2 ●●● S1 W1 adverb Entry menu
MENU FOR rightright1 exactly2 immediately3 correctly4 well5 direction/side6 right now7 right along/through/around etc8 be right behind somebody9 I’ll be right with you/right there/right back10 be right up there (with somebody/something)11 right, left, and centre
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • Have I spelled your name right?
  • He sat down right beside her.
  • Hey, they actually spelled my name right!
  • I got a mosquito bite right on the end of my nose.
  • Just as you enter town, turn right onto Main Street.
  • Most people can't do it right the first time.
  • That hit me right in the eye!
  • The government can't seem to do anything right.
  • The plane touched down right at the water's edge.
  • The TV lights were shining right in his face.
  • They've been punished for their crimes, and quite rightly.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • Follow the track until the level bears off right.
  • He did all right in that Navy movie, whatever it was.
  • He was turning on the ball right away against veteran pitchers.
  • I knew right away it was national security.
  • She didn't come back right away because the phone rang.
  • The only thing I seem to be doing right is writing.
Thesaurus
THESAURUS
used when emphasizing that something is no more and no less than a number or amount, or is completely correct in every detail: · The bill came to exactly $1,000.· Police are still trying to find out exactly how the accident happened.
exactly – used when it is important to be sure that something is completely correct in every detail: · We need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.· Can you tell us precisely where he is?· What precisely do you mean by ‘relativity’?
especially spoken exactly – used especially when saying that things are exactly right, exactly the same, or exactly in a particular position: · The frame is just the right size for the picture.· He and his brother are just the same.· The hotel is just next to the station.· A new handbag! That’s just what I wanted.
exactly in a particular position or direction: · The ball hit me right in the eye!· There’s the house, right in front of you.· I got a mosquito bite right on the end of my nose.· He sat down right beside her.
exactly in a particular position or direction Directly is more formal than right: · Amy was sitting directly opposite me.
informal at exactly a particular time, and no earlier or later than that time: · She always leaves the office at 5.30 p.m. on the dot.
British English informal exactly – used especially in the following very informal expressions: · The train was bang on time.· The shot was bang on target.· Cockatoo Island is right bang in the middle of Sydney harbour.
Longman Language Activatoranswers, statements, calculations etc that are correct
if something that someone says or thinks is right , it is correct or true, especially because it contains the true facts or details: · Yes, that's the right answer.· Is that the right time?· Excuse me, but the bill isn't right - we didn't have a Caesar salad.that's right spoken: · "Your mother's a teacher, isn't she?" "Yes, that's right."
something such as an answer, fact, or calculation that is correct is true, has no mistakes etc, especially because it is the only answer or result that is possible: · The first ten correct answers will win a prize.· This information is no longer correct.· The correct results are on page 482.
information, measurements, descriptions etc that are accurate are completely correct and all the details are true: · She was able to give the police an accurate description of her attacker.· It is vital that the measurements be accurate.· The authorities still do not have accurate information on the number of people killed or injured in the crash.
to be correct in what you say or think
· You're right - there's not going to be enough food for everyone.be right about · Durrell is absolutely right about the importance of software to the local economy.be right about one thing (=say this when part of someone's opinion or what they say is right, but the rest is wrong) · It's not a great album, but Samuels was right about one thing: it's going to sell in the millions.be right in saying/thinking etc · Moore is right in saying that the present tax system is unfair.
to say the correct facts or details when you are telling a story, describing an event etc: · Make sure you get people's names right when you're sending out the invitations.· "I learned," he stopped, wanting to get the words right, "I learned I was selfish."
if someone is correct in saying or thinking a particular fact, the fact is correct, especially when they are not sure if it is correct or not: · Monroe was correct in saying that unemployment has dropped in the last five years.· I believe I am correct in saying that two of the original computer languages were Cobol and Prolog.· The jury was correct in thinking that the prosecution had not presented a strong case.
to not yet know the complete answer to a question or problem, but be close to finding it because you are already partly correct: · No, that's not quite right, but you're on the right track.· Researchers are still a long way from finding a cure for the disease, but many seem confident they are on the right track.
to say something that is exactly right and that is the answer to a problem which people have been thinking about for a long time: · Garson hits the nail on the head - at the heart of the abortion debate is a religious issue.· Wyman put his finger on it when he said the truth was complicated.
British informal to be exactly right, especially by guessing correctly: · "Is the answer 42?" "You're spot on! Well done, Mary."
someone or something that is infallible is always right and never makes mistakes - use this especially to say that this is not usually true or is extremely rare: · Computer spell checkers are useful but far from infallible.· Juries are not infallible. Innocent people are convicted, and guilty people go free.
in the correct order, position etc
in the order, position etc that is correct or that someone thinks is correct: · If you don't push the buttons in the right order, nothing will happen.· Put the words in the right order to make a sentence.· She pushed the hat further back on her head. "Does this look right?"· No, that's not quite right. Lower the left hand corner of the painting just a little more.
the correct order, sequence, position etc is the exact one that is correct: · When arranged in the correct order, the letters will spell a word which you fill in on this grid.· The correct sequence of numbers must be entered to open the lock.
if something is the right way up , the top of it is facing up, the way it is intended to: · Make sure the box is the right way up before you open it.· The picture isn't hung the right way up.
British if something is the right way round, the front is facing in the correct direction: · Maria turned the medallion the right way round on its chain.· Be careful to fit the part onto the board the right way round.
in the correct way
done or said without making any mistakes or with the correct facts or details, especially when there is only one possible way, answer or result: · We are confident the tests were carried out correctly.· The drug is quite safe if taken correctly.· Egg whites are correctly whipped when they hold their peaks.
especially spoken something that is done right is done correctly and well, especially according to someone's own ideas or opinions: · Have I spelled your name right?· Most people can't do it right the first time.· The government can't seem to do anything right.
done or said in a way that is correct, because you have all the correct facts or details: · As he rightly pointed out, there is no real evidence that the president acted improperly.· Buller's actions have been rightly criticized as ineffective.rightly or wrongly (=use this to show that it is true that someone feels or thinks something, even though what they feel or think may be wrong): · Rightly or wrongly, many employees feel pushed to work longer hours.
especially British if you do something properly , you do it in the way it should be done: · He accused me of not doing my job properly.· It will take time to properly investigate the matter.· He questions whether the experiments were conducted properly.
to make something correct
· Teachers spend many hours correcting students' assignments.· It will take us some time to correct all the mistakes.· Is there any way of politely correcting someone's grammar?correct me if I'm wrong (=say this when you think what you are saying is right, but you are not sure) · Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't we met before?
a mark or note correcting something on a piece of written work: · My essay was covered in corrections in red ink.· Corrections should be pencilled into the margins.· My Spanish teacher will point out errors, but we have to make the corrections ourselves.
also put somebody straight British to tell someone the true facts when they have made a mistake, especially if you are annoyed by their mistake: · She quickly set me straight, saying that while she enjoys her job, she works mainly for the money.· Your friends are always ready to put you straight when you do something stupid.set sb straight about: · It's time to set people straight about why he was fired - he didn't act in a professional manner.
also put the record straight British to tell people the true facts about something, especially in public, because you want to make it very clear that what is believed is in fact not correct: · It's time we put the record straight. The newspapers are wrong -- this factory will not be closing down.· Paulson, wanting to set the record straight, called a press conference.
when it is right or reasonable to do something
use this to talk about what someone has done or may do, to say that you agree with it because it seems fair or reasonable: right to do something: · You were right to complain - the food was cold.· The screenwriter was right to focus on just one aspect of a long and complicated novel.the right thing to do: · I took a pay cut to come here, but I'm sure it was the right thing to do.do the right thing: · Do the right thing - turn off the TV and get the kids playing outside.
if you say that someone is justified in doing something, or that something they do is justified , you believe what they do is reasonable in that situation: · I don't think Colin's criticisms were really justified.be/feel justified in doing something: · The government feels justified in using military force to protect its own citizens.· The landlord may be justified in charging for any additional work that needs to be done.
if an action is reasonable , it is fair and sensible: · Campaigners say that there is no reasonable objection to women becoming priests.it is reasonable to do something: · It is reasonable to expect members to pay a small fee.· It is reasonable to assume watching a lot of television at an early age interferes with development.it is reasonable that: · It is reasonable that a prospective employer should want to know if someone has a criminal record.
spoken informal say this when you can understand why someone has behaved in a particular way, and you think they were right: · "Sheila's left her husband." "Well, I don't blame her!"I don't blame sb for (doing) something: · I don't blame you for losing your temper with Ann.· It may have been a joke, but you can't blame the women in the department for being angry.
a justifiable feeling, action, or reaction is acceptable because there is a good reason for it: · Can violence ever be a justifiable method of protest?· Reed said the tax increases were not only justifiable, but unavoidable.· Is football a justifiable expense when the college cannot afford enough English classes to meet students' needs?
fair, correct, or reasonable according to accepted rules, facts, or standards of behaviour: · He had a legitimate reason for being late.· The way governments treat their people is a legitimate concern for the international community.it is legitimate to do something: · It is legitimate to suggest that taxes should affect people with higher incomes more than they affect poorer people.
to have a good reason for thinking or doing something
to have a good reason to behave in a particular way, especially in a way that you would not normally behave, or in a way that other people would usually disapprove of: · She's just got her exam results; she has the right to be proud of herself.· The problems are genuine and people have the right to be concerned.have every right to be something (=have a very good reason to feel something): · After what happened last time we bought a car, I think we have every right to be wary.
if you are justly proud, angry, critical etc, you have a good reason for feeling this way or reacting in this way: · The Chinese are justly proud of their ancient culture.· The press has been justly critical of the delays in paying compensation.· Bordeaux is an area of France justly famous for its red wine.
if someone does something, feels something, or thinks something with good cause or good reason , they have a good reason for what they do or think or feel: have good cause/reason to do something: · The coach, watching his team, feels he has good reason to expect them to win.for good cause/reason: · The company has been held up as a model employer, and for good reason. They have a good training program and excellent benefits.with good cause/reason: · She is a jealous wife, and with good cause.
formal if someone says or does something rightly , they are right and have good reasons to say it or do it: · The U.S. is rightly cautious about becoming involved.· Taxpayers rightly expect the government to be careful about spending.rightly so: · Residents are outraged, and rightly so.quite rightly: · Investors have quite rightly avoided this stock.
to show that something is right to do
to explain or show that there are good reasons for doing something that seems wrong to most people: · How can you justify a 200% pay rise!· People try to justify the breakdown of their marriage by blaming their spouse.justify doing something: · I don't think anyone can justify spending so much money on weapons.
a legal or official right
when you should be able to have or do something, according to the law or according to moral ideas: · Free speech is a basic right in a democratic society.right to: · I disagree, but I respect his right to his opinion.the right to do something: · Women all over the world fought long and hard for the right to vote.have the right to something: · Everyone the right to a good basic education.the right of veto/action/self-determination/free speech etc: · The executive council has the right of veto over the management's policy.
the right to do, say, think, or write something without being controlled or stopped by anyone: freedom of: · No democracy can exist without freedom of speech and freedom of the press.freedom to do something: · This change in the law will give parents more freedom to influence their children's education.political/religious etc freedom: · The leaders of the demonstration made speeches demanding greater political freedom.
the official right to have or receive something, especially money, that you get from a government or an employer : · Many people are still not aware of the entitlements they may be able to receive.entitlement to: · The amount of money you earn does not affect your entitlement to child benefit for your children.holiday/pension etc entitlement: · Holiday entitlements for temporary workers are less than for permanent staff.
the right to have or be given something because you were its original owner, or because you have a moral right to it: claim to: · No one can dispute the Mohawks' claim to this land.· His claim to the house was finally recognized by the court.
the legal control or possession of something such as a product, a book, an idea etc: · Elliott liked the book and bought the rights, planning to make it into a miniseries.rights to: · This is the publishing company which brought the rights to Somerset Maugham's short stories.· ABC has exclusive rights to television coverage of the Olympics.
if something is yours by right , you have a moral right to have it or be given it: · He believes that he is entitled by right to inherit from his father, despite his father's will.· Developers were met by angry locals protesting that the land was theirs by right.
the political and social rights that everyone should have
the political and social freedom that everyone in a country should have: · Every individual should have basic rights.rights of: · Some motorcyclists saw the helmet law as an infringement on the rights of the individual.women's/workers'/victims' etc rights: · Laws enacted in the past ten years have gradually taken away workers' rights.· Allred is an attorney who has gained a national reputation fighting for women's rights.
the rights that every person should have, such as the right to vote or be treated equally and fairly by the law, whatever their sex, race, or religion: · She had been actively involved in the struggle for civil rights in the US in the '60s.· The President has agreed to talks with civil rights campaigners.· The civil rights movement illustrates how people can change the constitution of their country.
the basic right that all people should have, including freedom and the right to be treated fairly and without cruelty by their government: · The Court ruled that hitting children was an abuse of human rights.· A number of leading human rights activists were arrested yesterday.· The regime has a long record of human rights violations.
the rights of every person to be treated fairly and equally by the law or by society, whatever their sex, race, religion, or social position: · The battle for equal rights for women is not yet over.· The Americans were the first to make law the principle of equal rights for every individual.· Homosexual men and women are campaigning for equal rights.
the right of every person to have a chance to get a job, go to university etc, whatever their sex, race, or social position: · Only in a completely classless society can there be equal opportunities for everyone.equal opportunities legislation/programs etc: · Certain jobs were dominated by men until the equal opportunities legislation of the 1970s.
the rights of any citizen to do whatever they want as long as they respect the rights of other people, without having to ask anyone's permission, and the right to keep their personal information private: · The banning of public meetings was held to be a denial of civil liberties.· The ability of this software to gather information about individuals through the Web is worrying to civil liberties groups.
a special right belonging to one person or group
a special right or advantage given to a person or group, because of their high social position, because they are a member of a club etc: · A good education should not just be a privilege of the rich.give somebody a privilege: · Why should famous people be given special privileges?lose a privilege: · If the chores aren't done by the time the timer goes off, the kids lose privileges such as TV time.the privilege of doing something: · If prisoners behave well they are allowed the privilege of visiting their families at the weekend.
formal a special right that only a particular person or group has because of their importance or position: · In the old days, a university education was the prerogative of the rich.prerogative to do something: · The governor has the prerogative to free prisoners.
a right that you should have because you have been born into a particular family, country, class etc: · The President ended his speech by saying "Dignity and self-respect are the birthright of every American citizen."· She seemed to regard an easy, comfortable life as some kind of birthright.
to have or give someone a legal right
to be legally or officially allowed to do or have something: have the right to do something: · People should have a right to know what is on their credit history.· We have a constitutional right to defend ourselves, our family, and our property.have the right to: · Olivia felt she had a right to information about her illness.
formal to be legally allowed to have something or do something: · The public is entitled to information about how public money is spent.be entitled to do something: · You are legally entitled to take faulty goods back to the store where you bought them.· Your landlord is not entitled to charge you for the remainder of the month's rent.
to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: give sb the right to: · This government programme gives families on low incomes the right to extra financial help.give sb the right to do something: · The new regulations give dissatisfied customers the right to receive a full refund.
formal to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: entitle somebody to something: · Being a member entitles you to discounts on tickets.entitle somebody to do something: · Ethiopian Jews were entitled to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return.
to have a legal right to do something, although it may seem unfair or unreasonable: · If Mrs Cobb wanted to take the company to court for unfair dismissal, she'd be within her rights. be within your rights to do something: · If your actions have disturbed other tenants, your landlady is within her rights to give you notice to stop the actions or leave.
exactly in a particular place
: right in/on/up etc use this when something is in an exact position or place: · That hit me right in the eye!· I got a mosquito bite right on the end of my nose. · There's the house, right in front of you.· He sat down right beside her.
informal use this to say that something is exactly in a place, especially when this is unpleasant in some way: · They live smack in the middle of a huge housing estate.· A garbage truck had parked smack in front of our house.smack dab American (=use this to emphasize that you are being exact): · The ball hit me smack dab in the middle of my forehead.
British informal: bang in/on/up etc use this when something is in an exact point or position, especially if it falls there: · He landed bang in the middle of the roof, and it collapsed.· The eraser hit him bang on the top of his head.right/slap bang: · The arrow hit the target right bang in the middle.· They've put an ornamental fountain slap bang in the middle of the roundabout.
when you do something immediately
if you know something at a glance , you only need to look quickly in order to know immediately what is happening, how someone feels etc: can see/tell (something) at a glance: · I could see at a glance that the situation was serious.· An expert can tell at a glance whether it's a real diamond or a fake.
if you do something on the spot , you do it immediately, without taking time to think about the situation, without waiting for official permission etc: · I was so angry I almost resigned on the spot.· The police can fine motorists on the spot for driving offences.· Look, I can't give you a decision on the spot. I'll have to talk to my boss first.
if you do something or decide something there and then or then and there , you do it immediately and without stopping to think or delaying your decision until a later time: · When Kate knew John was seeing someone else, she should have left him then and there.· This time I'd gone too far, and I quit drinking there and then.
informal if you answer a question or provide information off the top of your head , you do it immediately, using information you already know, and without thinking about it or trying to find out more about it: · "How old is Chris?" "I don't know off the top of my head."· There are some good restaurants around here, but I can't tell you their names off the top of my head.
American informal if you do or say something right off or right off the bat , you do it or say it immediately, without taking time to think about it: · I couldn't think of a reply right off.· We let them know right off the bat that we weren't going with them.
now, at this time
at this moment or at this time: · If we leave now we'll be there before dark.· It's not raining now, but they said it might rain later.· He used to coach high school basketball but now he's a realtor.from now on (=starting from now): · Students are to be in their seats by 8:00 from now on.· From now on, the U.S. government will rely on a new method to measure economic growth.
if something is already happening or already true, it began to happen or be true before now: · He's only three and he's already reading.· "Should I tell Kay?" "She already knows."· The show has already started.· Don't buy any more toys for the kids -- they've got plenty already.· Was the apartment empty when you moved in or was it already furnished?
now - use this when you are describing what the situation is at this time: · The firm currently employs 113 people.· Currently, the most a senior nurse can earn is £16,000.· Ms. Kelly is currently assisting another customer. May I help you?
now - use this especially to say that something is happening now but you do not expect it to continue for a long time: · I'm working in a restaurant at the moment.· Miss Hellman is away from her desk at the moment - can I have her call you back?· The official currency is the crown, presently about 30 to the dollar.
formal if something is true at present or at the present time , it is true now but you do not expect it to be permanent: · The money available for public libraries will be less in future than at present.· We do not envisage any changes in the tax structure at the present time.
spoken at this moment or at this time: · I need a new car but right now I can't afford one.· She's in Amsterdam right now but she should be in Paris by tomorrow night.
British spoken at this exact moment - use this especially to say that you cannot do something immediately: · Sorry, I'm busy just now - can I call you later?
American at this particular time: · I have no further questions at this time, your honor.· "Do you have any health insurance?" "Not at this time."at this time of day/night/year etc: · What are you doing out at this time of night?· Gas prices always go up at this time of year.
happening or arriving at the arranged time
· The trains don't always arrive on time.· The company will lose money if the work isn't completed on time.· Did Philip pay up on time?on time for · I hate not being on time for class.
exactly on time: · Gary turned up right on time, holding a big bouquet of flowers.· Ah, Mrs Shields, you're right on time!
British informal exactly on time: · The baby arrived on the 16th -- bang on time!· He looked at his watch. He was dead on time.
if you do something punctually or promptly , you do it at the time that you arranged to do it: · Linda always pays her rent promptly on the 1st of the month.· Loretta arrived punctually at her office the next day at ten o'clock.
if you do something on cue , you do it exactly at the moment when other people expect you to do it: · Jim told one of his terrible jokes and everyone laughed on cue.as if on cue: · "Ashley should be here soon", said Jo, and as if on cue, there was a knock at the door.right/bang on cue: · We were looking out over the sea when, right on cue, the dolphins appeared.
: at 6.30/ten o'clock/ seven etc on the dot at 6.30, ten o'clock etc exactly: · He gets annoyed if his lunch isn't ready at one o'clock on the dot.· I expect you to arrive at 7:30 on the dot.
what you say to tell someone to wait
· Wait, I have a better idea.· Wait! We haven't talked to Vicky yet.wait a minute/moment/second etc · Wait a minute. I forgot to turn off the lights.· Wait a second, don't rush off!
say this when you want someone to wait a short time: · Just a minute, I'm almost ready.· Just a second, let me just check I've got my keys with me.
also hang on especially British use this to tell someone to wait for a short time: · Hold on - I haven't finished yet.hold on a minute/moment/second etc: · Hang on a minute while I find her phone number.
use this to tell someone to be patient because they will find out about something later: · "So what's this surprise you've got for me then?" "Wait and see."· I'm not going to tell you who else I've invited - you'll just have to wait and see.
say this when you are advising someone to wait before deciding something, in order to see how the situation develops: · Let's load up the program and see how things go.· See how things go for another week, and if you're no better we'll change the treatment.
American use this to tell someone to stop, because you want to talk to them or go with them: · Wait up, you guys! I can't walk that fast.
say this when you want someone to know that you will be able to see them or talk to them very soon: · I'm sorry for the delay, sir - I'll be right with you.· Hang your coat up and make yourself at home - I'll be right there.
formal use this to ask someone to wait patiently while you explain something or while you finish what you are doing: · If you'll just bear with me, I'll explain.· Bear with me for just a couple of minutes while I find my notes.
say this to someone who is hurrying too much, when you want them to slow down: · Hold your horses - I haven't even said I'll do the job yet!
spoken say this to someone who wants you to hurry, to tell them that you are not going to: · "When are we going to open the presents?" "All in good time."
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
 I left my bags right here.
 It’s on right after the six o'clock news.
 I’ll phone him right away (=immediately).
 I could tell right off that something was wrong.
American English (=immediately, without having to think carefully) Kay answered right off the bat.
 Everything’s going right for him at the moment.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
 An independent committee will look into alleged human rights abuses.
 Someone’s parked right across the entrance to the driveway.
 Teachers are expected to teach a range of subjects right across the curriculum.
 Are you feeling all right?
 The kids seem to be getting on all right at school.
 Tony was worried about the meeting but it went all right (=happened with no problems).
 Don’t worry, it’ll turn out all right.
 We’ll eat at eight. Does that sound all right to you?
 ‘Thanks for all your help!’ ‘That’s quite all right.’
 ‘I get eight weeks’ holiday a year.‘ ’Well, it’s all right for some.'
 Bill has been involved in the animal rights movement for years.
· Do you know the right answer to this question?
· The taxpayer has no statutory right of appeal against the demand.
· She broke her left arm in a riding accident.
· With sport, you have to find the right balance between competition and fun.
(=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.
(=going towards the left or the right)· Take the turning just after the left-hand bend in the road.
 I was standing right beside her at the time.
· Fortunately his calculations were accurate.
 The paintings were of the highest caliber.
(=feel very stupid)
· I think you’ve made the right choice.
(=the right to vote, be treated fairly etc that everyone should have)· Black people marched in defence of their civil rights.
 a civil rights leader
· The left-wing coalition was led by the former guerrilla movement.
· You have the right to complain if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re getting.
· I am sure that you came to the right conclusion.
 a constitutional right to privacy
· Put your address in the top right-hand corner of the page.
 He caught his opponent with a right cross to the chin.
· ‘It isn’t easy.’ ‘Damn right, it’s not.’
· You’re dead wrong, so let me handle this.
· She chose to study Engineering and it was definitely the right decision.
 We are defending the right to demonstrate.
· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?
 Being my wife doesn’t give you the divine right to read my mail.
 Wow! You’ve got the beach right on your doorstep!
· Have you looked in the left-hand drawer?
· She is deaf in her right ear.
(=the rights that someone has in their job)· Part-time workers don’t have the same employment rights as full-time staff.
· In many countries, women do not have equal rights with men.
· Add up what you've got on the right-hand side of the equation.
· BSkyB had exclusive rights to all the live matches.
· The president issued a statement recognizing Kosovo's right to exist.
(=make sure that what you say or believe is correct)· You should get your facts straight before making accusations.
· He has broken a bone in his right foot.
 By being absent from the trial, he forfeited the right to appeal.
 a campaigner for gay rights (=equal treatment for gay people)
· A left-hand glove was found at the scene of the crime.
 If you want to leave, go right ahead.
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion)
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion) The protesters have no God-given right to disrupt the life of the city.
· The new left-wing government restructured the economy.
 If you guess correctly, you have another turn.
· She held the book in her right hand.
· The rights of the individual must be protected.
(=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
· It wasn’t the right kind of holiday for me.
· He has worked as a civil rights lawyer for over twenty years.
 The company’s rapid success means it’s definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).
 I saw Fiona in the street yesterday and she looked straight through me.
 I went on a lot of peace marches when I was a student.
(=on the right of the page)· There were some notes written in the right-hand margin.
(=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly)· If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
 a huge hole right in the middle of the lawn
 The new road will go right through the middle of the wood.
 You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well.
 You don’t have to tell me right this minute.
· I’m just waiting for the right moment to tell her.· The moment is not quite right just yet.
 The UN is sending peace monitors to the area.
· He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
· The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
 There’s nothing I can do about this right now (=exactly now).
 To the left of the sofa is a table.
 ‘Can you lend me ten pounds?’ ‘Oh, all right, but only until tomorrow.’
· Of course, the notes must be played in the right order.
 They’ve rented a farmhouse right out in the country.
· The answers are on the right-hand page.
· Support for the right-wing parties was strongest among young working-class men.
(=used to emphasize that someone passes close to you and does not stop) Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps.
 You have to pitch your writing at the right level.
 Who knows? If you play your cards right, maybe he’ll marry you.
 A financial adviser should be able to point you in the right direction.
· Every individual should have equal political rights.
· He had been under attack from right-wing politicians for some time.
· Children feel more comfortable when parents respect their right to privacy.
 It is only right and proper that an independent inquiry should take place.
 They have proprietary rights to the data.
· See if you can prove me wrong.
 the right-hand side of the body
 the bottom right-hand corner of the page
 I never know who has right of way at this junction. British English
 The law here says that pedestrians always have the right of way.
 The path is not a public right of way.
 The industry has a duty to safeguard consumers.
 I can’t bluff – she’d see right through me.
 Take a sharp left after the church.
· He received a deep cut on the right side of his face.
· On the left-hand side list the skills and qualifications required for the job.
· The company now has the sole rights to the process.
· Wearing the right sort of clothing could save your life.
(=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
 It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance.
 Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted).
 Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)?
 a leading member of a Tory think tank
 The bullet passed straight through his skull.
 We drove right through the town centre.
 I could see right through the thin curtains.
 He slept right through the day.
 I filled the glass right to the top.
 Make a left turn at the station.
 Shareholders have a vested right to 10% per annum.
 The head teacher has the right of veto over management-board decisions.
· the students’ extreme left-wing views
(=violations of every person's right to be treated fairly and without cruelty)· There have been protests about human rights violations at the prison.
 Zeke wasn’t looking and walked straight into a tree.
 I walked right into a mob of maybe 50 young white guys.
 You walked right into that one!
· That’s not the right way to deal with the problem.
· Are you sure this is the right way?
(=the word that has the meaning you want)· He struggled to find the right word.
 He’s too young to know right from wrong.
(=bring justice to an unfair situation)
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB
· Where the path divides, keep right on the lower path.· These guys were digging their own graves, and women all over the country were watching while they kept right on shoveling.· When one of them is coming toward you, they keep right on going.· On all crucial passages of a rock ridge, the rope should be kept right.· A terrible wicked idea, it made me shiver to think it but I kept right on thinking.· Enter farmyard, turn right and keep right, to pass through gate and on to road.· They kept right on eating, their fear overcome by hunger.
· Regarding tonight I'd be very suprised if Merson plays right up front.· The Seminoles are the team probably no one wants to play right now.· Sadly I haven't got time to play right now, I've got to split for an urgent dinner date.· The Sox want Canseco, the designated hitter in 1995, to play right.· Cooperation pays, but so does betrayal, if played right.· You play right into his hands.· She danced up a storm at an Alexandria, Va., club where the Desperadoes played right after the election.
· Is the hon. Lady saying that, if a Labour Government were elected, they would immediately put right that ratio?· And that was something I was going to put right.· In every chapter, on almost every page, a popular misconception about science is patiently exposed and put right.· There are two general principles involved in putting right the unsatisfactory situation we have gradually disentangled and thus clarified.· So obvious a structural fault must be easy to diagnose and put right.· No, there was nothing wrong with their uniforms that couldn't be put right, as far as Vi was concerned.· There was nothing that a few lessons would not put right.· But that could be put right, now, with the traditional builders sand.
· Now we had a continual length of wire running right over the summit of the hill.· Permafrost line runs right through middle, I think.· A verandah ran right round the house.· The result was that it seemed to be on the point of running right over the horses, which were standing still.· This first fence would run right over the top of the hill, and needed a straining post at either end.· Thee has worked so hard, why must thee run right out and find more work?· As he drew nearer, Jessamy felt a distinct tremor run right through her nervous system.· Irene ran in the house and called her sister who ran right over.
· In fact, they start right now.· You never saw such stiff arms, and you could see the one-man rule starting right there and then.· No wonder people sometimes start right off with an official complaint or even a writ.· That may have started right after the final horn.· The comeback would start, and it would start right now.· When the devotional speaker said amen, Lois was amazed when Charleen started right in.· Do you want this arrangement to start right now?· The parade started right on time.
· Turn right at top of ridge by waymarkers.· Hughes kept moving at a deliberate pace, turning right and left to give his benediction.· Turn right and go through the village of Drayton.· He walked briskly to the corner and turned right.· Kragan turned right outside the hotel entrance and walked towards the Rue de Rivoli.· Then turn right on the 7-mile access road and follow the Saddleback sign.· Follow it for around two miles on the loch shore then turn right to gain a ridge.· Turn right and proceed seven miles to the lodge.
· When the door clicked he walked right through to the back, past two secretaries who did not even look up.· You walked right into the living room, and it was spooky.· I walk right up to the end of the platform.· He none the less walked right in and took charge, with no apparent hesitation, reluctance, shyness or lack of confidence.· She walked right up to the front of the altar and stood still beside Mike.· Walk right at it and threaten to embrace it embrace it if you must.· The man walked right up to within a yard or so of the phonebox and then stood and stared.· Miguel walked right up to the bar, right up to where Spadgie was standing.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • Although San Marcos may have been the first city in the county to issue such bonds, San Diego was right behind.
  • And lorry drivers are right behind them, adding their names to a petition.
  • Babe Connelly was now the boss, and Daley and a few other ambitious young men were right behind him.
  • He says that the police were right behind them - he begged his brother to stop.
  • Male speaker I am certain the people of the estates affected by joyriders will be right behind this action.
  • The feet of Stewpid are right behind me now, pounding louder than my heart beats.
  • The New Jersey Nets were right behind with a 22 percent rise to $ 41. 62.
  • The police were right behind, and a cop tackled him, smashing his face into the sidewalk.
► I’ll be right with you/right there/right back
  • He was right up there on Herron Avenue.
  • Northampton are right up there in second place.
  • Number of sunny days is right up there for me, too.
  • On the trauma scale, this was right up there with an automobile wreck.
► right, left, and centre
  • Conquering your weight problem is probably the most important thing in your life right now.
  • He's up there right now.
  • I wonder what the rest of the 300, 000 Bay Area telecommuters are doing right now.
  • It seemed at turns to be happening right now and ages ago.
  • King is king of the fiction paperback bestseller list right now.
  • Yet right now it is possible to raise the debt limit with a simple majority vote in both houses.
  • Don't pull the thread right through at this stage.
  • He came right through the War, just to be killed on that damned motorbike.
  • He got so mad he threw the Bible out the bedroom window right through the glass.
  • He had slept right through the night.
  • His grey eyes stared back at me intensely, as if right through me.
  • I love to hear this, but then you see guys slide right through the draft.
  • Route 1 runs right through it.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • That is six times the number to be offered the right of abode in the government's package.
  • The 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act changed this, and only those born in Britain were henceforth automatically given the right of abode.
  • This would have allowed the right of abode to all citizens in any part of the country.
  • But if it's all right for wives to have this status, then it's all right for cohabitees too.
  • It's all right for you.
► I’m all right Jack► it’ll be all right on the night
  • Anyway, I did all right.
  • He did all right in that Navy movie, whatever it was.
  • Wow, so you guys must do all right then, him?
  • It's all right. Mommy's here now.
  • I think it's all right.
  • I will do the opposite, if it's all right by you-and always be glad you came.
  • It's all right but he prefers Cabanaconda.
  • It's all right, my darling, Mrs Jourdelay's driving us.
  • Now, Benny, it's all right.
► it’s/that’s all right
  • The job sounds right up your alley.
  • She said, I will tell you this Bobby Kennedy is right up my alley.
  • These parents would give their right arms to get their kids into a prestigious school.
  • And the revolution in the structure of services and management meant elderly frail people found it increasingly difficult to assert their rights.
  • Athens asserted her rights over her citizens temporarily exiled, as she did over those at home and liable for service.
  • But she sought not so much to break a taboo as to assert her independence from the male yoke.
  • Mrs Armitage's heir is already asserting his rights in the matter but that is not my concern.
  • Power gives us the ability to control, to choose and to assert our independence.
  • Stickers are available throughout the county to help squeezed out pedestrians assert their rights.
  • You need to be selective and judge when it is appropriate to assert your rights.
► in the (right) ball park
  • I asked him to help, and he said yes right off the bat.
  • At least not right off the bat.
  • Bear left where the road divides.
  • The road bears to the right.
  • After descending, bear left on to the grassy bridleway which joins the road.
  • From St Martin's church bear left past Cwmyoy Farm.
  • Go through gate then bear right across field heading for stile that can be seen on skyline.
  • His eyes bore right through me.
  • I came to the place in the road where you bear left to go down to the valley of Chimayo.
  • On reaching the saddle bear right along the ridge to the summit.
  • Stay on the main track, bearing left at the fork two miles in.
► be a bit of all right
  • He pushed all the right buttons.
  • These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
  • If you play your cards right, you might get them to reduce the price.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► coming (right) up!► come right out with something/come right out and say something
  • In both cases, prices came right back down within three months.
  • It seemed clear Corbett wanted me to work at Salomon, but he never came right out and proposed.
  • It will all come right, now that a different period of history has begun.
  • More generally, the logistical strengths that the Dole campaign had counted on began to come good.
  • Periodically, these letters come right out of the woodwork.
  • Since I was the best spinner of my type in the world, eventually it would all come right.
  • The light comes right through our curtains and makes sleeping difficult.
  • The wasp took off as if in fright, but she came right back.
  • And, as if on cue, I did.
  • And, on cue, he heard the sound of hoofbeats ` on the wind.
  • Dead on cue the runner hurries over to Eli to answer his question.
  • Right on cue, a butterfly flew up to the plants we were looking at and landed!
  • She passed a couple of groundskeepers, who turned as if on cue for a second look.
  • She should have become angry with him for his persistence, on cue, but for some reason she didn't.
  • The boys slashed, jumped, and shouted with enthusiasm and on cue.
  • The sky, as if on cue, was overcast.
  • For now, at least, the cause of tax simplification seems to have been captured by the far right.
  • He unplugged the cables, shoved all the levers over to the far left, and rewound the tape.
  • However, the fact that the far right won more votes than the far-left should make everyone pause and reflect.
  • That Begin had come from the far right, but that in order to govern he has to occupy the center.
  • The activities of the far right have been a cause for concern over here for a while now.
  • The good tee shot was played to the far right of the fairway to set up a second shot to the left.
  • The libertarian view A third view of the revolution has been developed by writers on the far Left of the political spectrum.
  • The top of the hierarchy is at the far left.
► start/get off on the wrong/right foot► left-footed/right-footed
  • After 50yds fork right on to a track which climbs up Triscombe Combe.
  • At the first fork they must go left and at the next fork right and so on until they were challenged.
  • Then with a wave she forked left and was gone.
► would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something► God is in his heaven, all’s right with the world► the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing
  • Go straight on Vista for two blocks then hang a left.
  • First, there is that bizarre enormous mythic metal fish that hangs right inside the doorway.
  • I was just in time to see the Sierra hang a left once over the railway.
  • But what happens when you want so much to be right, you end up helping the hard right?
  • Labour moderates win over four of the hard left by agreeing that the cuts shall involve as few compulsory redundancies as possible.
  • Mr Steve King, leader of the hard left, denounces his fellow-councillors as dunderheads, nincompoops and dolts.
  • The showing for the hard left was disappointing.
  • They were stars of the hard left, but we have heard little about them during the election struggle.
  • Too little, say the Tories, too much says the hard left.
  • I executed a hard right turn, but could not see any other aircraft in my vicinity.
  • More often, though, they miss, hang a hard left, and return to the dugout.
  • Sharp took an eight count after taking a hard left hook.
  • Still not enough to justify this desire to reach across the table and deliver a hard right to the gubernatorial chin.
  • Cloughie probably gets closest to it - not he himself but the No. 9 seems to have his head screwed on.
  • She seemed to have her head screwed on right, even if she was a girl.
  • He can be rude and bad-tempered sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
  • Mike's a little grouchy sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
► (straight/right) from the horse’s mouth
  • The new superintendent has the right idea about attacking illiteracy, but the wrong method.
  • Mrs Donaldson, in last month's letters page, certainly seems to have the right idea.
  • The young lads have the right idea.
  • Numeric quantities can be printed left justified by preceding them with a semi-colon.
► lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance► the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
  • Below, left to right: Davey Philips of Clan Skates.
  • Number them in sequence 1, 2, 3 etc, left to right on each line.
  • Other winners are, left to right,.
  • Run your finger along under the words as you read, so that the child learns that reading goes from left to right.
  • The basic mechanism is to build an edge from left to right.
  • The group photograph shows, from left to right:.
  • Years ago, teams could pick up the free-agent menu and read it left to right.
  • Second, we need some kind of global bodies to prevent a further slide into a politics of might is right.
  • What the child learns is that might is right.
► no one in their right mind ...
  • She said she was going out of her mind in California.
  • Carson was right on the money when he said people are tired of big-shot politicians.
  • That was a case when Jobs's vision was on the money.
► make (all) the right noises (about something)
  • Darren comes to stay with Nikki and is quick to get up the nose of everyone he meets.
  • Even reading your horoscope can get up your nose.
  • I didn't realise it would get up your nose so quickly and so far.
  • I took her to my room, so that her feathers wouldn't get up Mum's nose.
  • It had got up Rufus's nose a bit, though Adam had a perfect right to do this.
  • Pat's car was stolen, almost from under his nose.
  • He reworked everything he wrote until he had hit the right note of Gailic pedantry.
  • So are buskers in Gloucester striking the right note with their audience?
  • That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?
  • You have a perfect right to say "no" if you don't want to do it.
  • They have a perfect right to object to it.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► prescriptive right
  • Although you are in a seemingly hopeless situation, keep thinking and get your priorities right.
  • Before we talk, I suggest we get our priorities right.
  • Have we got our priorities right?
  • Some people just can't get their priorities right!
  • Larson has promised to put the city's finances right by the end of the year.
► put somebody straight/right
  • But this is not quite right.
  • Distracted vicars want action against the furry little pests, and quite right too.
  • He was even happy to agree when Louise suggested that the buttons on the jacket were not quite right.
  • If he thinks something isn't quite right he tells me.
  • It is quite right that members sensitivities should be aired.
  • Not quite right, not quite plain enough or narrow enough, but getting there.
  • Now that is very wrong, and yet, somehow, quite right.
  • They'd shared a bed in Cumberland and she had comforted Gordon because nothing was quite right.
► that’s quite all right► the religious right
  • The management reserves the right to refuse admission.
  • Gazette reserves the right to publish at our discretion a photograph of the prize winner. 6.
  • Human beings reserve the right to alter and change views.
  • The editor reserves the right to select and edit questions.
  • The Regional Council reserves the right to augment these observations in reply to the grounds of appeal.
  • These charges and interest rates are variable and the Bank reserves the right to amend them from time to time.
  • This must be returned within five days, otherwise we reserve the right to cancel the contract.
  • We reserve the right to edit letters.
  • The aisles intersect at right angles to form the shape of a cross.
► see somebody right► it serves somebody right
  • Someone had to set Dave straight on company policies and procedures.
  • For this you turn sharp right off the road from Saint-Jean to Saint-Palais, about half-way between those two towns.
  • Pass over a broken wall and turn sharp right.
  • She walked almost to the edge of the cliff, where the road made a sharp left.
  • There was a sharp left turn at the bottom into Ruskin Road.
  • Turn sharp left 80yds before a conifer windbreak.
  • Turn sharp right downhill and uphill to go through another gate.
  • Turn left along this road for three quarters of a mile until the road turns sharp right to become Marsh Road.
  • We made a rocky, wet entry, and then took a sharp right turn along a wall.
  • But those wanting to keep on the right side of the law will have to steer clear of the grape.
  • They were keeping on the right side of the powers that be.
► on the right/wrong side of 30/40 etc
  • De Niro plays a lawyer, on the right side of the law.
  • Mrs Marriot was a woman up our street who used to sell things in her front room.
  • So, if that sounds up your street, get your Peak Performance subscription in soon!
  • This sort of thing should be right up your street.
► tick all the right boxes
  • A slightly larger percentage of pairs of brooches were more abraded on the top right than the top left corner.
  • Here we want the Series in a column so check Columns in the box at the top left.
  • The completed board is shown top left.
  • The dark area in the top right is deep, clear water.
  • The file was a standard office file with a Prior, Keen, Baldwin label stuck in the top right corner.
  • The majority of single brooches examined were found to be more abraded on the top left corner than the top right.
  • The plane again runs roughly from top left to bottom right.
  • Using a tapestry needle threaded with the embroidery colour, begin at the top right of the motif.
  • A few people, though, were on the right track.
  • And other signs helped convince me that I was on the right track.
  • Dole was on the right track when he talked about tolerance, but he mysteriously dropped it once he got the nomination.
  • He hoped the man was on the right track and did his best to believe that he was.
  • I knew I was on the right track when I felt that thrill of pleasure at placing object, not painting it.
  • The officers consequently had little idea whether they were on the right track or not.
  • You are on the right track so follow your nose.
► take the words (right) out of somebody’s mouth
  • At the County Ground, the wolves were on the prowl right from the word go.
  • I knew it was a deliberate attempt from the word go to bring the band down.
  • In Damage, from Josephine Hart's novel, he gets more or less everything wrong from the word go.
  • It was a nightmare from the word go.
  • The marriage was a disaster from the word go, although I didn't realize this until it was all over.
  • They are reflexes built into the system from the word go.
  • He wanted to put the world to rights.
  • More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
  • That straightness of Time, that confining straightness, was one with the Western picture of setting the world to rights.
► two wrongs don’t make a right
Word family
WORD FAMILYadverbrightrightlyrightfullyrigheouslyrighteousnessnounrightrightnessrightsrighteousnessadjectiverightrighteousrightfulverbright
1exactly exactly in a particular position or placeright in/in front of/by etc something She was standing right in the middle of the room. There’s the house, right in front of you.right here/there I left my bags right here.► see thesaurus at exactly2immediately immediately and without any delay SYN  straight:  It’s on right after the six o'clock news. I’ll phone him right away (=immediately). I could tell right off that something was wrong.right off the bat American English (=immediately, without having to think carefully) Kay answered right off the bat.3correctly correctly:  We guessed right; they’d gone. ‘I thought you’d be cross.’ ‘You thought right!’4well informal in a way that is good or satisfactory:  Everything’s going right for him at the moment. It’ll work out right in the end.5direction/side towards the direction or side that is on the right OPP  left:  Turn right at the crossroads.6right now now, or immediately:  Do you need me right now? We need to deal with this problem right now.7right along/through/around etc all the way along, through etc:  Go right to the end of the road. We don’t have to go right into town. I slept soundly right through the night.8be right behind somebody spoken to completely support someone in their ideas or in what they are trying to achieve:  We’re all right behind you.9I’ll be right with you/right there/right back spoken used to ask someone to wait because you are coming or returning very soon:  ‘Lunch is ready!’ ‘I’ll be right there.’ Don’t go away; I’ll be right back.10be right up there (with somebody/something) informal to be as good or as important as the very best:  He’s definitely right up there with all the world-class footballers.11right, left, and centre British English, right and left American English everywhere or in every way:  The company’s losing money right, left and centre.
right1 adjectiveright2 adverbright3 nounright4 interjectionright5 verb
rightright3 ●●● S1 W1 noun Entry menu
MENU FOR rightright1 allowed2 have a right to be angry/concerned/suspicious etc3 have no right to do something4 side5 politics6 correct behaviour7 books/tv etc8 be in the right9 by rights10 in your own right11 put something to rights12 the rights and wrongs of something
Word Origin
WORD ORIGINright4
Origin:
Old English riht, from riht (adjective); ➔ RIGHT1
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • Everyone the right to a good basic education.
  • Free speech is a basic right in a democratic society.
  • I disagree, but I respect his right to his opinion.
  • I urged her time and again to do what's right.
  • Leonard counters with a right to the jaw.
  • She always tried to teach her children the difference between right and wrong.
  • The executive council has the right of veto over the management's policy.
  • Women all over the world fought long and hard for the right to vote.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • Discrimination remedies too require re-thinking and the challenge of enacting disability employment rights provides a timely opportunity to do so.
  • Now they are trying to end our verbal and tactile rights.
  • Segregationist violence, arson, and murders of civil rights workers for trying to exercise constitutional rights continued unabated.
  • This was an important right, because business agents assigned the jobs.
  • Undecided voters split 49 percent in favor of abortion rights, 41 percent opposed.
Thesaurus
Longman Language Activatoranswers, statements, calculations etc that are correct
if something that someone says or thinks is right , it is correct or true, especially because it contains the true facts or details: · Yes, that's the right answer.· Is that the right time?· Excuse me, but the bill isn't right - we didn't have a Caesar salad.that's right spoken: · "Your mother's a teacher, isn't she?" "Yes, that's right."
something such as an answer, fact, or calculation that is correct is true, has no mistakes etc, especially because it is the only answer or result that is possible: · The first ten correct answers will win a prize.· This information is no longer correct.· The correct results are on page 482.
information, measurements, descriptions etc that are accurate are completely correct and all the details are true: · She was able to give the police an accurate description of her attacker.· It is vital that the measurements be accurate.· The authorities still do not have accurate information on the number of people killed or injured in the crash.
to be correct in what you say or think
· You're right - there's not going to be enough food for everyone.be right about · Durrell is absolutely right about the importance of software to the local economy.be right about one thing (=say this when part of someone's opinion or what they say is right, but the rest is wrong) · It's not a great album, but Samuels was right about one thing: it's going to sell in the millions.be right in saying/thinking etc · Moore is right in saying that the present tax system is unfair.
to say the correct facts or details when you are telling a story, describing an event etc: · Make sure you get people's names right when you're sending out the invitations.· "I learned," he stopped, wanting to get the words right, "I learned I was selfish."
if someone is correct in saying or thinking a particular fact, the fact is correct, especially when they are not sure if it is correct or not: · Monroe was correct in saying that unemployment has dropped in the last five years.· I believe I am correct in saying that two of the original computer languages were Cobol and Prolog.· The jury was correct in thinking that the prosecution had not presented a strong case.
to not yet know the complete answer to a question or problem, but be close to finding it because you are already partly correct: · No, that's not quite right, but you're on the right track.· Researchers are still a long way from finding a cure for the disease, but many seem confident they are on the right track.
to say something that is exactly right and that is the answer to a problem which people have been thinking about for a long time: · Garson hits the nail on the head - at the heart of the abortion debate is a religious issue.· Wyman put his finger on it when he said the truth was complicated.
British informal to be exactly right, especially by guessing correctly: · "Is the answer 42?" "You're spot on! Well done, Mary."
someone or something that is infallible is always right and never makes mistakes - use this especially to say that this is not usually true or is extremely rare: · Computer spell checkers are useful but far from infallible.· Juries are not infallible. Innocent people are convicted, and guilty people go free.
in the correct order, position etc
in the order, position etc that is correct or that someone thinks is correct: · If you don't push the buttons in the right order, nothing will happen.· Put the words in the right order to make a sentence.· She pushed the hat further back on her head. "Does this look right?"· No, that's not quite right. Lower the left hand corner of the painting just a little more.
the correct order, sequence, position etc is the exact one that is correct: · When arranged in the correct order, the letters will spell a word which you fill in on this grid.· The correct sequence of numbers must be entered to open the lock.
if something is the right way up , the top of it is facing up, the way it is intended to: · Make sure the box is the right way up before you open it.· The picture isn't hung the right way up.
British if something is the right way round, the front is facing in the correct direction: · Maria turned the medallion the right way round on its chain.· Be careful to fit the part onto the board the right way round.
in the correct way
done or said without making any mistakes or with the correct facts or details, especially when there is only one possible way, answer or result: · We are confident the tests were carried out correctly.· The drug is quite safe if taken correctly.· Egg whites are correctly whipped when they hold their peaks.
especially spoken something that is done right is done correctly and well, especially according to someone's own ideas or opinions: · Have I spelled your name right?· Most people can't do it right the first time.· The government can't seem to do anything right.
done or said in a way that is correct, because you have all the correct facts or details: · As he rightly pointed out, there is no real evidence that the president acted improperly.· Buller's actions have been rightly criticized as ineffective.rightly or wrongly (=use this to show that it is true that someone feels or thinks something, even though what they feel or think may be wrong): · Rightly or wrongly, many employees feel pushed to work longer hours.
especially British if you do something properly , you do it in the way it should be done: · He accused me of not doing my job properly.· It will take time to properly investigate the matter.· He questions whether the experiments were conducted properly.
to make something correct
· Teachers spend many hours correcting students' assignments.· It will take us some time to correct all the mistakes.· Is there any way of politely correcting someone's grammar?correct me if I'm wrong (=say this when you think what you are saying is right, but you are not sure) · Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't we met before?
a mark or note correcting something on a piece of written work: · My essay was covered in corrections in red ink.· Corrections should be pencilled into the margins.· My Spanish teacher will point out errors, but we have to make the corrections ourselves.
also put somebody straight British to tell someone the true facts when they have made a mistake, especially if you are annoyed by their mistake: · She quickly set me straight, saying that while she enjoys her job, she works mainly for the money.· Your friends are always ready to put you straight when you do something stupid.set sb straight about: · It's time to set people straight about why he was fired - he didn't act in a professional manner.
also put the record straight British to tell people the true facts about something, especially in public, because you want to make it very clear that what is believed is in fact not correct: · It's time we put the record straight. The newspapers are wrong -- this factory will not be closing down.· Paulson, wanting to set the record straight, called a press conference.
when it is right or reasonable to do something
use this to talk about what someone has done or may do, to say that you agree with it because it seems fair or reasonable: right to do something: · You were right to complain - the food was cold.· The screenwriter was right to focus on just one aspect of a long and complicated novel.the right thing to do: · I took a pay cut to come here, but I'm sure it was the right thing to do.do the right thing: · Do the right thing - turn off the TV and get the kids playing outside.
if you say that someone is justified in doing something, or that something they do is justified , you believe what they do is reasonable in that situation: · I don't think Colin's criticisms were really justified.be/feel justified in doing something: · The government feels justified in using military force to protect its own citizens.· The landlord may be justified in charging for any additional work that needs to be done.
if an action is reasonable , it is fair and sensible: · Campaigners say that there is no reasonable objection to women becoming priests.it is reasonable to do something: · It is reasonable to expect members to pay a small fee.· It is reasonable to assume watching a lot of television at an early age interferes with development.it is reasonable that: · It is reasonable that a prospective employer should want to know if someone has a criminal record.
spoken informal say this when you can understand why someone has behaved in a particular way, and you think they were right: · "Sheila's left her husband." "Well, I don't blame her!"I don't blame sb for (doing) something: · I don't blame you for losing your temper with Ann.· It may have been a joke, but you can't blame the women in the department for being angry.
a justifiable feeling, action, or reaction is acceptable because there is a good reason for it: · Can violence ever be a justifiable method of protest?· Reed said the tax increases were not only justifiable, but unavoidable.· Is football a justifiable expense when the college cannot afford enough English classes to meet students' needs?
fair, correct, or reasonable according to accepted rules, facts, or standards of behaviour: · He had a legitimate reason for being late.· The way governments treat their people is a legitimate concern for the international community.it is legitimate to do something: · It is legitimate to suggest that taxes should affect people with higher incomes more than they affect poorer people.
to have a good reason for thinking or doing something
to have a good reason to behave in a particular way, especially in a way that you would not normally behave, or in a way that other people would usually disapprove of: · She's just got her exam results; she has the right to be proud of herself.· The problems are genuine and people have the right to be concerned.have every right to be something (=have a very good reason to feel something): · After what happened last time we bought a car, I think we have every right to be wary.
if you are justly proud, angry, critical etc, you have a good reason for feeling this way or reacting in this way: · The Chinese are justly proud of their ancient culture.· The press has been justly critical of the delays in paying compensation.· Bordeaux is an area of France justly famous for its red wine.
if someone does something, feels something, or thinks something with good cause or good reason , they have a good reason for what they do or think or feel: have good cause/reason to do something: · The coach, watching his team, feels he has good reason to expect them to win.for good cause/reason: · The company has been held up as a model employer, and for good reason. They have a good training program and excellent benefits.with good cause/reason: · She is a jealous wife, and with good cause.
formal if someone says or does something rightly , they are right and have good reasons to say it or do it: · The U.S. is rightly cautious about becoming involved.· Taxpayers rightly expect the government to be careful about spending.rightly so: · Residents are outraged, and rightly so.quite rightly: · Investors have quite rightly avoided this stock.
to show that something is right to do
to explain or show that there are good reasons for doing something that seems wrong to most people: · How can you justify a 200% pay rise!· People try to justify the breakdown of their marriage by blaming their spouse.justify doing something: · I don't think anyone can justify spending so much money on weapons.
a legal or official right
when you should be able to have or do something, according to the law or according to moral ideas: · Free speech is a basic right in a democratic society.right to: · I disagree, but I respect his right to his opinion.the right to do something: · Women all over the world fought long and hard for the right to vote.have the right to something: · Everyone the right to a good basic education.the right of veto/action/self-determination/free speech etc: · The executive council has the right of veto over the management's policy.
the right to do, say, think, or write something without being controlled or stopped by anyone: freedom of: · No democracy can exist without freedom of speech and freedom of the press.freedom to do something: · This change in the law will give parents more freedom to influence their children's education.political/religious etc freedom: · The leaders of the demonstration made speeches demanding greater political freedom.
the official right to have or receive something, especially money, that you get from a government or an employer : · Many people are still not aware of the entitlements they may be able to receive.entitlement to: · The amount of money you earn does not affect your entitlement to child benefit for your children.holiday/pension etc entitlement: · Holiday entitlements for temporary workers are less than for permanent staff.
the right to have or be given something because you were its original owner, or because you have a moral right to it: claim to: · No one can dispute the Mohawks' claim to this land.· His claim to the house was finally recognized by the court.
the legal control or possession of something such as a product, a book, an idea etc: · Elliott liked the book and bought the rights, planning to make it into a miniseries.rights to: · This is the publishing company which brought the rights to Somerset Maugham's short stories.· ABC has exclusive rights to television coverage of the Olympics.
if something is yours by right , you have a moral right to have it or be given it: · He believes that he is entitled by right to inherit from his father, despite his father's will.· Developers were met by angry locals protesting that the land was theirs by right.
the political and social rights that everyone should have
the political and social freedom that everyone in a country should have: · Every individual should have basic rights.rights of: · Some motorcyclists saw the helmet law as an infringement on the rights of the individual.women's/workers'/victims' etc rights: · Laws enacted in the past ten years have gradually taken away workers' rights.· Allred is an attorney who has gained a national reputation fighting for women's rights.
the rights that every person should have, such as the right to vote or be treated equally and fairly by the law, whatever their sex, race, or religion: · She had been actively involved in the struggle for civil rights in the US in the '60s.· The President has agreed to talks with civil rights campaigners.· The civil rights movement illustrates how people can change the constitution of their country.
the basic right that all people should have, including freedom and the right to be treated fairly and without cruelty by their government: · The Court ruled that hitting children was an abuse of human rights.· A number of leading human rights activists were arrested yesterday.· The regime has a long record of human rights violations.
the rights of every person to be treated fairly and equally by the law or by society, whatever their sex, race, religion, or social position: · The battle for equal rights for women is not yet over.· The Americans were the first to make law the principle of equal rights for every individual.· Homosexual men and women are campaigning for equal rights.
the right of every person to have a chance to get a job, go to university etc, whatever their sex, race, or social position: · Only in a completely classless society can there be equal opportunities for everyone.equal opportunities legislation/programs etc: · Certain jobs were dominated by men until the equal opportunities legislation of the 1970s.
the rights of any citizen to do whatever they want as long as they respect the rights of other people, without having to ask anyone's permission, and the right to keep their personal information private: · The banning of public meetings was held to be a denial of civil liberties.· The ability of this software to gather information about individuals through the Web is worrying to civil liberties groups.
a special right belonging to one person or group
a special right or advantage given to a person or group, because of their high social position, because they are a member of a club etc: · A good education should not just be a privilege of the rich.give somebody a privilege: · Why should famous people be given special privileges?lose a privilege: · If the chores aren't done by the time the timer goes off, the kids lose privileges such as TV time.the privilege of doing something: · If prisoners behave well they are allowed the privilege of visiting their families at the weekend.
formal a special right that only a particular person or group has because of their importance or position: · In the old days, a university education was the prerogative of the rich.prerogative to do something: · The governor has the prerogative to free prisoners.
a right that you should have because you have been born into a particular family, country, class etc: · The President ended his speech by saying "Dignity and self-respect are the birthright of every American citizen."· She seemed to regard an easy, comfortable life as some kind of birthright.
to have or give someone a legal right
to be legally or officially allowed to do or have something: have the right to do something: · People should have a right to know what is on their credit history.· We have a constitutional right to defend ourselves, our family, and our property.have the right to: · Olivia felt she had a right to information about her illness.
formal to be legally allowed to have something or do something: · The public is entitled to information about how public money is spent.be entitled to do something: · You are legally entitled to take faulty goods back to the store where you bought them.· Your landlord is not entitled to charge you for the remainder of the month's rent.
to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: give sb the right to: · This government programme gives families on low incomes the right to extra financial help.give sb the right to do something: · The new regulations give dissatisfied customers the right to receive a full refund.
formal to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: entitle somebody to something: · Being a member entitles you to discounts on tickets.entitle somebody to do something: · Ethiopian Jews were entitled to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return.
to have a legal right to do something, although it may seem unfair or unreasonable: · If Mrs Cobb wanted to take the company to court for unfair dismissal, she'd be within her rights. be within your rights to do something: · If your actions have disturbed other tenants, your landlady is within her rights to give you notice to stop the actions or leave.
standards of good and bad behaviour
the basic ideas that a person or a society has about what is morally good and right: · He only knew the morals, customs and beliefs of his mountain village.· the influence of rock music on the minds and morals of young people· Harry doesn't seem to have any morals at all.
the idea or understanding that some things are morally good and some or morally bad: · They're only children, but they do know the difference between right and wrong.· Do we naturally have a sense of right and wrong, or are we taught it?
ideas about what is right and what is wrong, or the degree to which something is morally acceptable: · Victorian commentators were very concerned about public morality generally.· I think we should question the morality of turning away refugees.· Anyone who carried out such an attack obviously has no morality whatsoever.
a system of rules about what is morally right or wrong, especially rules followed by a religious group or people in a particular profession: · What are the differences between Muslim and Christian ethics?· medical ethicscode of ethics (=system of ethics): · As a therapist he has to follow a very strict code of ethics.
personal rules of behaviour, based on an idea of what is morally good and right: · He was a good man who kept up the very highest standards throughout his life.· There has been a serious decline in moral standards among the young people of today.
the ideas that a person or group has about what things are good, right, and important in life: · As a child he had admired his father's values and lifestyle.· a black identity based on black culture and black values· She rejected the traditional values of her society.
different types of political opinions and parties
supporting the political aims of groups that strongly support conservative ideas and the capitalist economic system: · He is known for his extreme right-wing views.· a right-wing conservative MP
supporting the political aims of groups such as Socialists and Communists: · A lot of colleagues were put off by her left-wing opinions.· a left-wing politician
also the Left political parties such as the Socialists and Communists: · The new law has been severely criticized by politicians on the left.
also the Right political parties which strongly support conservative ideas and the capitalist economic system: · Politicians on the right have welcomed these new proposals.
British /the center American a middle position in politics which does not support extreme ideas: · The party seems to be becoming less radical, and drifting more towards the centre.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
· People have a right to know the truth.
formal (=stop them doing something they have a right to do)· Imprisoning the men without trial violated their rights.
formal (=do what you have a right to do)· The insurance company decided not to exercise its right of appeal.
(=not allow them to do something they have the right to do)· Women were denied the right to vote.
(=ask for it firmly)· We demand the same rights that other European workers enjoy.
(=take action to stop a right being taken away)· We should defend our right to demonstrate.
(=defend their rights)· I will uphold the rights of the people of this country.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + right
(=the rights that everyone should have)· This company always operates with respect for human rights.
(=the rights that every person in a society should have)· As a young man, he was deeply involved in the struggle for civil rights.· the civil rights movement
· Women demanded equal rights.
· The law recognises a man’s fundamental right to defend his home and his property.
· Banks have the legal right to recover their money.
· Teachers have a constitutional right to join a union.
· Slaves had no political rights.
· New laws have been passed to protect women’s rights.
· The company’s actions are a violation of workers’ rights.
· a gay rights campaigner
· Animal rights campaigners say the dogs are being bred in terrible conditions.
phrases
(=the right to ask for an official decision to be changed)· In these circumstances, there is no right of appeal.
(=the right to be free from public attention)· The judge decided that the media’s actions violated the couple’s right to privacy.
(=the right to enter a place, use something, or see someone)· You have rights of access to data held about you.
(also the right to reply) (=the right to say or write something in answer to a criticism)· People should have the right of reply when a magazine has published letters criticizing them.
· Everyone has the right to freedom of expression.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
 An independent committee will look into alleged human rights abuses.
 Someone’s parked right across the entrance to the driveway.
 Teachers are expected to teach a range of subjects right across the curriculum.
 Are you feeling all right?
 The kids seem to be getting on all right at school.
 Tony was worried about the meeting but it went all right (=happened with no problems).
 Don’t worry, it’ll turn out all right.
 We’ll eat at eight. Does that sound all right to you?
 ‘Thanks for all your help!’ ‘That’s quite all right.’
 ‘I get eight weeks’ holiday a year.‘ ’Well, it’s all right for some.'
 Bill has been involved in the animal rights movement for years.
· Do you know the right answer to this question?
· The taxpayer has no statutory right of appeal against the demand.
· She broke her left arm in a riding accident.
· With sport, you have to find the right balance between competition and fun.
(=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.
(=going towards the left or the right)· Take the turning just after the left-hand bend in the road.
 I was standing right beside her at the time.
· Fortunately his calculations were accurate.
 The paintings were of the highest caliber.
(=feel very stupid)
· I think you’ve made the right choice.
(=the right to vote, be treated fairly etc that everyone should have)· Black people marched in defence of their civil rights.
 a civil rights leader
· The left-wing coalition was led by the former guerrilla movement.
· You have the right to complain if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re getting.
· I am sure that you came to the right conclusion.
 a constitutional right to privacy
· Put your address in the top right-hand corner of the page.
 He caught his opponent with a right cross to the chin.
· ‘It isn’t easy.’ ‘Damn right, it’s not.’
· You’re dead wrong, so let me handle this.
· She chose to study Engineering and it was definitely the right decision.
 We are defending the right to demonstrate.
· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?
 Being my wife doesn’t give you the divine right to read my mail.
 Wow! You’ve got the beach right on your doorstep!
· Have you looked in the left-hand drawer?
· She is deaf in her right ear.
(=the rights that someone has in their job)· Part-time workers don’t have the same employment rights as full-time staff.
· In many countries, women do not have equal rights with men.
· Add up what you've got on the right-hand side of the equation.
· BSkyB had exclusive rights to all the live matches.
· The president issued a statement recognizing Kosovo's right to exist.
(=make sure that what you say or believe is correct)· You should get your facts straight before making accusations.
· He has broken a bone in his right foot.
 By being absent from the trial, he forfeited the right to appeal.
 a campaigner for gay rights (=equal treatment for gay people)
· A left-hand glove was found at the scene of the crime.
 If you want to leave, go right ahead.
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion)
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion) The protesters have no God-given right to disrupt the life of the city.
· The new left-wing government restructured the economy.
 If you guess correctly, you have another turn.
· She held the book in her right hand.
· The rights of the individual must be protected.
(=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
· It wasn’t the right kind of holiday for me.
· He has worked as a civil rights lawyer for over twenty years.
 The company’s rapid success means it’s definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).
 I saw Fiona in the street yesterday and she looked straight through me.
 I went on a lot of peace marches when I was a student.
(=on the right of the page)· There were some notes written in the right-hand margin.
(=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly)· If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
 a huge hole right in the middle of the lawn
 The new road will go right through the middle of the wood.
 You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well.
 You don’t have to tell me right this minute.
· I’m just waiting for the right moment to tell her.· The moment is not quite right just yet.
 The UN is sending peace monitors to the area.
· He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
· The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
 There’s nothing I can do about this right now (=exactly now).
 To the left of the sofa is a table.
 ‘Can you lend me ten pounds?’ ‘Oh, all right, but only until tomorrow.’
· Of course, the notes must be played in the right order.
 They’ve rented a farmhouse right out in the country.
· The answers are on the right-hand page.
· Support for the right-wing parties was strongest among young working-class men.
(=used to emphasize that someone passes close to you and does not stop) Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps.
 You have to pitch your writing at the right level.
 Who knows? If you play your cards right, maybe he’ll marry you.
 A financial adviser should be able to point you in the right direction.
· Every individual should have equal political rights.
· He had been under attack from right-wing politicians for some time.
· Children feel more comfortable when parents respect their right to privacy.
 It is only right and proper that an independent inquiry should take place.
 They have proprietary rights to the data.
· See if you can prove me wrong.
 the right-hand side of the body
 the bottom right-hand corner of the page
 I never know who has right of way at this junction. British English
 The law here says that pedestrians always have the right of way.
 The path is not a public right of way.
 The industry has a duty to safeguard consumers.
 I can’t bluff – she’d see right through me.
 Take a sharp left after the church.
· He received a deep cut on the right side of his face.
· On the left-hand side list the skills and qualifications required for the job.
· The company now has the sole rights to the process.
· Wearing the right sort of clothing could save your life.
(=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
 It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance.
 Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted).
 Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)?
 a leading member of a Tory think tank
 The bullet passed straight through his skull.
 We drove right through the town centre.
 I could see right through the thin curtains.
 He slept right through the day.
 I filled the glass right to the top.
 Make a left turn at the station.
 Shareholders have a vested right to 10% per annum.
 The head teacher has the right of veto over management-board decisions.
· the students’ extreme left-wing views
(=violations of every person's right to be treated fairly and without cruelty)· There have been protests about human rights violations at the prison.
 Zeke wasn’t looking and walked straight into a tree.
 I walked right into a mob of maybe 50 young white guys.
 You walked right into that one!
· That’s not the right way to deal with the problem.
· Are you sure this is the right way?
(=the word that has the meaning you want)· He struggled to find the right word.
 He’s too young to know right from wrong.
(=bring justice to an unfair situation)
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· I appeal to the Secretary of State not to deny the people of Ireland the basic and fundamental right of full democracy.· One was the simple protection of individual rights against an encroaching state, the basic defence of rights in the liberal tradition.· Granted, gay couples are denied the basic rights that heterosexual married couples enjoy.· This basic right can not be abrogated by the decision of the parents, the doctor or the State.· Thus, for basic civic rights like not being enslaved or imprisoned without trial, people should need only to be people.
· The Parachute regiment shot dead 13 unarmed Catholics on an illegal civil rights demonstration in Londonderry on January 30, 1972.· It was' 68, and we were both, you know, radical, and civil rights, and feminism.· All were later to be intensely involved in the civil rights movement.· No sooner had voters approved Prop. 209 than civil rights lawyers filed appeals challenging its constitutionality.· The president's half brother and one of his sons sued the government for trampling on their civil rights!· Enormous change had occurred since the beginning of the civil rights movement.· He said he was a member of the Congress of Racial Equality, a predominantly black civil rights group.· Many of the poor, however, did not benefit from the civil rights movement before it ended.
· Important policy changes will invariably carry revenue and expenditure implications and Congress jealously guards its constitutional rights in such matters.· Numerous violations of constitutional rights went unpunished during the thirties.· There is no constitutional right to bear arms.· Indignant, some rejected both questions as long as they were denied their constitutional rights.· Strengthen the constitutional rights of individuals within Northern Ireland.· The ruling declared that dying people have a constitutional right to end their suffering.· Further constitutional rights were restored on Dec. 19, but the guarantee against arrests without a judicial order was not reinstated.· The principal claimed that this violated his constitutional rights.
· Does everybody have equal voting rights, or does it work by consensus?· Both husband and wife had equal rights to divorce in Roman society.· But their equal rights were not to justice.· Guarantee equal rights for gay men and lesbians through changes to criminal law, anti-discrimination legislation and police practices.· It would also give females equal rights of inheritance with males, replacing the frequent favoritism toward the eldest son.· Questions about equal access to services and equal rights to treatment also raise important issues about the value of particular interventions.· Respondents backed equal rights for gays and lesbians, but they were about evenly split on the morality of homosexual relationships.
· The symbolic resources are such things as exclusive rights to access parts of the database, operating system locks, and so on.· Woods supported Motown with ample airplay and was rewarded with the exclusive rights to promote the Revue when it reached Philadelphia.· What they want is business, not as an exclusive right but as a first option.· Amtrak does, although Conrail has an exclusive right to operate any freight trains on the corridor.· The assertion of exclusive rights will, however, be actionable in tort.· But the spin-off will hold exclusive rights to the vaccine and related scientific data.· Directors were given the exclusive right to manage the day-to-day business of the company.· Each still has exclusive rights to provide a basic, local telephone service.
· At the extreme right of the picture the top of the Citicorp Building has been spun through 180 degrees.· My platoon was the lead platoon on the extreme right.· That day he led a mild extreme to the right of Praying Mantis with his usual mixture of accuracy and irresistible momentum.· He was awarded a law degree at the Sorbonne, where he flirted with the extreme right.· The large mill owner's house is on the extreme right.· Here we formed the extreme right of the line of battle...· In Britain, however, there has been only a modest and localised recent recovery by the extreme right.· We women can not be lured back as long as the extreme right is in control.
· Some are moral: the overcoming of inequality, and a woman's fundamental right to partake in club affairs.· But there are certain fundamental rights which this right of regulation can not infringe.· Its view was that the president's decision to sack the government contravened a section of the constitution upholding fundamental political rights.· These fundamental rights are variously described and vindicated by a variety of philosophical arguments to which we can not do justice here.· The right to determine what shall be done with one's own body is a fundamental right in our society.· In addition, most other states have constitutional instruments establishing fundamental rights.· In May, 1982, a similar case also challenged parents' fundamental rights.· So I am sceptical when it is said that ordinary people are not interested in fundamental rights.
· Clinton and Al Gore have become ardent defenders of a balanced budget and gay rights.· The bill is scheduled to be reconsidered next week, and that spawned a gay rights protest Wednesday at the Capitol.· William Weld, a Republican, formed the state commission, and the next year signed a gay rights law.· But avoiding gay rights does not guarantee immunity from such questions.· On the other hand, by downplaying her own commitment to gay rights, she seemed to be validating the political closet.· Most fundamentalist churches disapprove of homosexuals, and many leaders of the religious right have aggressively campaigned against gay rights.· I want a public that understands gay rights are part of an international movement.
· In a nation like the United States this should have been considered a fundamental interference with individual rights.· My country has adopted individual rights in principle, but as far as it goes, it means men, not women.· There is also an emerging globalisation of ethical and judicial standards, which should render social and individual rights more secure.· In this scenario, Western notions of individual rights prevail, but the world economy is largely depressed and sluggish.· The granting of individual landownership rights improved incentives, and facilities for credit and investment improved.· Footnote 4 has served as a cornerstone of contemporary constitutional law in the field of individual rights.· Their analysis traces the political origins and impact of social movement activity in terms of the protection of individual rights of citizenship.· Individual invasion of individual rights is not the subject-matter of the Amendment.
· And I see that by the left or the right, by compact or by conquest, come they will.· I have selected ten routes to represent the varied character and development of the crag divided left to right.· Run your finger along under the words as you read, so that the child learns that reading goes from left to right.· He built power by playing off left against right, searching for compromises.· So I just walked some more, my head down, shoulders hunched, feet going left right left right left right.· I heard they was dishing out council mortgages left right and centre up there.
· This paper is devoted primarily to harmonization of legal rights and duties arising under international transactions.· Often, patients find out-and now have a legal right to know-how they are classified.· Animals are not human, therefore it seems inappropriate for them to have legal rights.· Some women report a new sense of freedom when they obtain knowledge about their legal rights.· But it does not take legal rights seriously.· The registry is largely symbolic and confers none of the legal rights and obligations of marriage.· A will also be justified in reaching an accommodation with B rather than exercising his strict legal rights under the contract.· In New Testament times women were largely uneducated, and had no legal rights and no place in public life.
· The first force is the inclination of the masses to convert into reality the political rights conceded to them on paper.· Its view was that the president's decision to sack the government contravened a section of the constitution upholding fundamental political rights.· For the political right, Bolick said, the term just ended was a letdown when compared with last year.· Instead Bobbio wishes to extend democratic control to a number of areas within society with strengthened civil, political and social rights.· The Covenant is designed to guarantee civil and political rights to persons within each country that ratifies it.· Civil rights, as opposed to political rights, may be as much as can be hoped for.· It does not reject morality, or even moral and political rights.
· The majority of single brooches examined were found to be more abraded on the top left corner than the top right.· Top left, top right, travel to the bottom right...· A slightly larger percentage of pairs of brooches were more abraded on the top right than the top left corner.· The dark area in the top right is deep, clear water.· Using a tapestry needle threaded with the embroidery colour, begin at the top right of the motif.· A resounding yes for Julie Christie, top right, and Gabriella Sabatini, left.· The press in the bottom left of the picture has been finished and the one in the top right has not.· Bravais lattices. Top right: Right handed and left handed quartz crystals.
· Many seven-day members disapproved of members in other categories, such as social having full voting rights.· Equality of voting rights certainly does not result in equality of power or the disappearance of hierarchy in government.· On regional education committees the teaching unions have had their voting rights removed.· Similarly, an amendment carried in November 1917 did much to nullify the reduction of plural voting rights for town dwellers.· This will normally be granted where the offer will not result in 30 percent or more of the voting rights being acquired.· This requirement may be waived if over 50 percent of the target's voting rights are held by one shareholder.· In the rest of Britain, men and women were given equal voting rights in 1928.· There are no restrictions on attendance, except for voting rights at the general meeting.
NOUN
· Feminists threw their weight behind Mrs Killea's campaign, and hundreds of students attended a rally in support of abortion rights.· On the issue of abortion rights, Texans split evenly with 46 percent favoring abortion rights and 46 percent opposing abortion.· We are in favor of abortion rights and reproductive freedom in greater numbers than men.· But abortion rights activists say the procedure is sometimes the safest option available.· A Republican abortion rights group calls it a virtual gag order.· Many voters believed abortion rights were threatened.· Support for abortion rights, for example, continues to decline after peaking at 65 percent in 1990.
· The philosophy of animal rights calls for an end to the capture and training of wild animals, for purposes of entertainment.· For more than a quarter-century, Newkirk has dedicated herself to the battle for animal rights.· Separate animal rights organisations now work together in co-ordinated campaigns to persuade teenagers that animals should not be used in research.· The package has been hampered by the threat of protests by animal rights groups.· Bomb squad detectives were called when initial reports suggested animal rights campaigners were responsible.· Not so the philosophy of animal rights.· There are animals rights issues, as exemplified by the SCID-mice.· She spoke frequently in the Debating Society in favour of progressive causes such as abortion, animal rights, state education and nuclear disarmament.
· Human rights groups object to the proposed 50 percent reduction in the number of refugees who could be admitted to the country.· But foreign witnesses and rights groups say it is a clearly orchestrated operation.· A Republican abortion rights group calls it a virtual gag order.· Human rights groups are calling for a postmortem to ascertain the cause of his death.
· That was two years before it became a big civil rights issue.· The authorization of any change in share capital - rights issues, placements, scrip issues and repurchases. 7.· The banks are believed to be pressing for yet another rights issue of new shares at the company.· A previous rights issue in 1991 raised some £25 million and helped the company buy up development land at bargain prices.· How might the Black-Scholes option pricing model be used to value rights issues? 10.· There are animals rights issues, as exemplified by the SCID-mice.
· So the civil rights movement began to splinter, and young blacks in particular followed more militant leaders.· Johnson became committed to discrediting the civil rights movement and asked Hoover to provide the ammunition.· All were later to be intensely involved in the civil rights movement.· Up until the civil rights movement of the 1960s, they tended to marry only those from their own class and milieu.· It provides a useful point of departure for a historian of the present-day civil rights movement in the Soviet Union.· We all felt as though we had missed the civil rights movement.· And on the Catholic side, older nationalist members were opposed by a younger generation raised in the civil rights movement.· At this time, the civil rights movement was blooming, and the city felt racial tension.
· The action stems from a letter Apple sent Quorum lawyers on March 17 accusing it of infringing its intellectual property rights.· Here are some of the main arguments for and against the private property rights bill.· In addition to inadequate protection of intellectual property rights these included a range of import tariffs, import licensing and customs practices.· The United States sees intellectual property rights as sacred, said Thomas Klitgaard, an attorney specializing in international law.· Divorce may result in the loss of certain property rights.· They reaffirm the importance of recognizing intellectual property rights.· Contrast this with a Marxist view of property rights.· Government is important because it can and should establish and enforce rules of conduct and protect property rights.
· Romo says civil rights violations by the Border Patrol are rampant in Tucson.
VERB
· Stickers are available throughout the county to help squeezed out pedestrians assert their rights.· Lileikis has tried unsuccessfully to assert a Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than answer allegations in the suit.· Mrs Armitage's heir is already asserting his rights in the matter but that is not my concern.· After he had gone his two sons asserted their right to the throne, and each tried to be made king.· He is entitled to assert his supposed right on reasonably equal terms.· It was an awkward way for Congress to assert its Constitutional right and duty to declare war.· The conventional view, then as now, was that Lanfranc had carried all before him in asserting the rights of Canterbury.· No arguments assert my right: The sun is behind me.
· But it will defend equally vigorously the rights of women who choose to look after their children full-time.· However, the liberal California court defended the right of teachers to petition for redress of grievances.· Each of us is called to defend the rights of all.· They were defending the right of the pamphleteer to publish ideas that were unpopular in society or inconvenient for the state.· One threatened to call out the National Guard to defend Atlanta's water rights.
· We do not seek to deny people their rights and benefits.· Indignant, some rejected both questions as long as they were denied their constitutional rights.· Mr. Beloff denies both of those rights.· Granted, gay couples are denied the basic rights that heterosexual married couples enjoy.· The Government would be powerless, having denied itself the right of access to the ordinary courts in such an eventuality.· They deny their own law, denying my right, and the precedent is there to stead them in the next encroachment.· The hostile reception of Alford's views led him to reflect that he was being denied the parliamentary right of free speech.
· One form of assent is the very act of claiming or exercising the right.· On its face this seems to require the seller to exercise all three rights together.· Descended from the Carolingian counts and vicomtes, they possessed and exercised very ancient rights of jurisdiction over their lordships.· Do not be deterred from exercising your right of appeal by the belief that the outcome will be a foregone conclusion.· Thus, on exercising his right of resale, the seller re-sells as owner.· He may not exercise his rights or he may shirk his duties, but he can not forgo them.· But just because adults have the right to choose, it does not follow that they have in fact exercised that right.· Who are exercising their democratic rights?
· For instance, a background of turquoise card would not give the right feel to this picture at all.· It must be remembered that the Nineteenth Amendment was adopted in 1920 to give women a constitutional right to vote.· This, it is said, gives him a right to be part of the government.· They try to give the children their rights, and protect the child.· Leasehold reform to give new rights to owners of flats.· The trend today, however, is for states to give teachers a limited right to strike.· So in workouts, too, creditors may be willing to give up their seniority rights.· If some one other than the buyer was injured by the goods, the Sale of Goods Act gives him no rights.
· It remains the duty of governments to protect the rights of their citizens but this is evidently not enough.· The attorney general responded that an indictment under federal law could be invoked only when a federally protected right was violated.· We will abolish tax relief for private health insurance, whilst protecting the rights of existing policy-holders.· He also asked Parliament for 5, 000, to put teeth into their promise of protecting his rights.· New laws have been enacted to protect women's rights.· Government is important because it can and should establish and enforce rules of conduct and protect property rights.· This makes it all the more important that the lease should protect the landlord's right to future income from other operators.· The Supreme Court should have recognized a constitutionally protected personal right to physician-assisted suicide of terminally ill individuals.
· They said it also violates privacy rights by outlawing some expression within private e-mail correspondence between individuals.· Federal officials began to violate the civil rights laws in addition to refusing to enforce them.· Some one who knowingly touches another without his consent violates this personal right as surely as if he had taken his property.· The state supreme court advised the governor that the law violated the First Amendment rights of teachers.· He said the management's action violated the constitutional rights of the media in broadcasting news.· They accused the law enforcement authorities of violating their civil rights by, among other things, fabricating evidence.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • We must stand up and fight for our rights.
  • At school he dared answer back to the Headmaster - politely - when he felt he was in the right.
  • He was in the right place at the right time and hustling as he usually does.
  • I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
  • It was a strange action by some one totally convinced he was in the right.
  • On the platform she was not at all sure that she was in the right place.
  • Tell General Bragg I will see that these colors are in the right place.
  • The idea was that I should be in the right state of mind for the concert I was about to conduct.
  • You have to be in the right place at the right time with the right partner and the right judges.
  • He's worked the land all his life, so by rights it's his.
  • But, by rights, the smaller one shouldn't exist.
  • He ought by rights to have died of shame at 30, or of drink at 50.
  • He was a man whom, by rights, she ought not even to like.
  • It was by rights his, he said.
  • It winds down into winter, and yet by rights it should be barely midsummer.
  • Of course by rights this should fall to Edward, but for reasons best known to himself it seems he's said nothing.
  • So banks hang on to business that they should by rights lose, but find it hard to win new good-quality business.
  • Kahlo was the wife of painter Diego Rivera and an artist in her own right.
  • After two years of challenging the power of governments, the movement has become a power in its own right.
  • Both feature Hewlett's JetDirect interface for connection to local networks, which Hewlett-Packard will also market in its own right.
  • Cold stores: Treat like small rooms in their own right using floor wall and ceiling techniques as appropriate.
  • It is necessary to remind ourselves that involvement in the project constituted a significant staff-development exercise in its own right.
  • Loyalty in the emerging business organization, which will be personal and communal, will be satisfying in its own right.
  • MacKenzie is a powerful man in his own right.
  • Not a word about how people should have related to me, as a person in my own right.
  • Their lyrics stand up as poems, good light verse in their own right.
  • He wanted to put the world to rights.
  • If you mean to put everything to rights between yourself and Benedict, you must make an effort on your own account.
  • This month, however, is my chance to put all that to rights.
  • This usually put Dad to rights but must have been pretty potent stuff as it ceased to be available after the war.
  • My sisters and I got a long lecture on the rights and wrongs of wearing makeup.
  • I do not wish to enter into the rights and wrongs of meat consumption versus vegetarianism or alcohol consumption versus abstention.
  • Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of that dispute, we all know the importance of representatives.
  • Not the rights and wrongs of conscientious objection.
  • She would not even bother to argue the rights and wrongs of what had occurred since it would be futile.
  • She would worry about the rights and wrongs of the situation in the morning.
  • We can generalise from the rights and wrongs of his account of seeing to the use of the other senses as well.
► have a right to be angry/concerned/suspicious etc
  • You have no right to tell me what I can and can't do!
  • But we have no right to force collection of child support for the kids.
  • But you have no right to come in here meddling with my things.
  • Finally, the relatives of patients have no right to make decisions on the patient's behalf.
  • I have no right to be saying anything that goes against Church teaching.
  • I have no right to intrude on their lives.
  • The states have no rights to any money.
  • You have no right to be here.
  • But he wanted to keep all the associated management rights and liabilities to himself.
  • For the first time since he had entered the office Fakliru felt the moment was right for a move.
  • In any case the inclusion of conditions tightens the interconnection between rights and obligations.
  • Primacy must be given to the human rights of the individual boy or girl.
  • So it was cool that he was the one to set the situation right.
  • Some tab-labs don't get the formula right, either by mistake or as an experiment.
  • The Congress is divided over the indigenous rights bills.
  • When the Senate is right we declare a national holiday.
  • Notice that as you type the number, the characters shift to the left, instead of the the right as normal.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • That is six times the number to be offered the right of abode in the government's package.
  • The 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act changed this, and only those born in Britain were henceforth automatically given the right of abode.
  • This would have allowed the right of abode to all citizens in any part of the country.
  • But if it's all right for wives to have this status, then it's all right for cohabitees too.
  • It's all right for you.
► I’m all right Jack► it’ll be all right on the night
  • Anyway, I did all right.
  • He did all right in that Navy movie, whatever it was.
  • Wow, so you guys must do all right then, him?
  • It's all right. Mommy's here now.
  • I think it's all right.
  • I will do the opposite, if it's all right by you-and always be glad you came.
  • It's all right but he prefers Cabanaconda.
  • It's all right, my darling, Mrs Jourdelay's driving us.
  • Now, Benny, it's all right.
► it’s/that’s all right
  • The job sounds right up your alley.
  • She said, I will tell you this Bobby Kennedy is right up my alley.
  • These parents would give their right arms to get their kids into a prestigious school.
  • And the revolution in the structure of services and management meant elderly frail people found it increasingly difficult to assert their rights.
  • Athens asserted her rights over her citizens temporarily exiled, as she did over those at home and liable for service.
  • But she sought not so much to break a taboo as to assert her independence from the male yoke.
  • Mrs Armitage's heir is already asserting his rights in the matter but that is not my concern.
  • Power gives us the ability to control, to choose and to assert our independence.
  • Stickers are available throughout the county to help squeezed out pedestrians assert their rights.
  • You need to be selective and judge when it is appropriate to assert your rights.
► in the (right) ball park
  • I asked him to help, and he said yes right off the bat.
  • At least not right off the bat.
  • Bear left where the road divides.
  • The road bears to the right.
  • After descending, bear left on to the grassy bridleway which joins the road.
  • From St Martin's church bear left past Cwmyoy Farm.
  • Go through gate then bear right across field heading for stile that can be seen on skyline.
  • His eyes bore right through me.
  • I came to the place in the road where you bear left to go down to the valley of Chimayo.
  • On reaching the saddle bear right along the ridge to the summit.
  • Stay on the main track, bearing left at the fork two miles in.
► be a bit of all right
  • He pushed all the right buttons.
  • These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
  • If you play your cards right, you might get them to reduce the price.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► coming (right) up!► come right out with something/come right out and say something
  • In both cases, prices came right back down within three months.
  • It seemed clear Corbett wanted me to work at Salomon, but he never came right out and proposed.
  • It will all come right, now that a different period of history has begun.
  • More generally, the logistical strengths that the Dole campaign had counted on began to come good.
  • Periodically, these letters come right out of the woodwork.
  • Since I was the best spinner of my type in the world, eventually it would all come right.
  • The light comes right through our curtains and makes sleeping difficult.
  • The wasp took off as if in fright, but she came right back.
  • And, as if on cue, I did.
  • And, on cue, he heard the sound of hoofbeats ` on the wind.
  • Dead on cue the runner hurries over to Eli to answer his question.
  • Right on cue, a butterfly flew up to the plants we were looking at and landed!
  • She passed a couple of groundskeepers, who turned as if on cue for a second look.
  • She should have become angry with him for his persistence, on cue, but for some reason she didn't.
  • The boys slashed, jumped, and shouted with enthusiasm and on cue.
  • The sky, as if on cue, was overcast.
  • For now, at least, the cause of tax simplification seems to have been captured by the far right.
  • He unplugged the cables, shoved all the levers over to the far left, and rewound the tape.
  • However, the fact that the far right won more votes than the far-left should make everyone pause and reflect.
  • That Begin had come from the far right, but that in order to govern he has to occupy the center.
  • The activities of the far right have been a cause for concern over here for a while now.
  • The good tee shot was played to the far right of the fairway to set up a second shot to the left.
  • The libertarian view A third view of the revolution has been developed by writers on the far Left of the political spectrum.
  • The top of the hierarchy is at the far left.
► start/get off on the wrong/right foot► left-footed/right-footed
  • After 50yds fork right on to a track which climbs up Triscombe Combe.
  • At the first fork they must go left and at the next fork right and so on until they were challenged.
  • Then with a wave she forked left and was gone.
► would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something► God is in his heaven, all’s right with the world► the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing
  • Go straight on Vista for two blocks then hang a left.
  • First, there is that bizarre enormous mythic metal fish that hangs right inside the doorway.
  • I was just in time to see the Sierra hang a left once over the railway.
  • But what happens when you want so much to be right, you end up helping the hard right?
  • Labour moderates win over four of the hard left by agreeing that the cuts shall involve as few compulsory redundancies as possible.
  • Mr Steve King, leader of the hard left, denounces his fellow-councillors as dunderheads, nincompoops and dolts.
  • The showing for the hard left was disappointing.
  • They were stars of the hard left, but we have heard little about them during the election struggle.
  • Too little, say the Tories, too much says the hard left.
  • I executed a hard right turn, but could not see any other aircraft in my vicinity.
  • More often, though, they miss, hang a hard left, and return to the dugout.
  • Sharp took an eight count after taking a hard left hook.
  • Still not enough to justify this desire to reach across the table and deliver a hard right to the gubernatorial chin.
  • Cloughie probably gets closest to it - not he himself but the No. 9 seems to have his head screwed on.
  • She seemed to have her head screwed on right, even if she was a girl.
  • He can be rude and bad-tempered sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
  • Mike's a little grouchy sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
► (straight/right) from the horse’s mouth
  • The new superintendent has the right idea about attacking illiteracy, but the wrong method.
  • Mrs Donaldson, in last month's letters page, certainly seems to have the right idea.
  • The young lads have the right idea.
  • Numeric quantities can be printed left justified by preceding them with a semi-colon.
► lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance► the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
  • Below, left to right: Davey Philips of Clan Skates.
  • Number them in sequence 1, 2, 3 etc, left to right on each line.
  • Other winners are, left to right,.
  • Run your finger along under the words as you read, so that the child learns that reading goes from left to right.
  • The basic mechanism is to build an edge from left to right.
  • The group photograph shows, from left to right:.
  • Years ago, teams could pick up the free-agent menu and read it left to right.
  • Second, we need some kind of global bodies to prevent a further slide into a politics of might is right.
  • What the child learns is that might is right.
► no one in their right mind ...
  • She said she was going out of her mind in California.
  • Carson was right on the money when he said people are tired of big-shot politicians.
  • That was a case when Jobs's vision was on the money.
► make (all) the right noises (about something)
  • Darren comes to stay with Nikki and is quick to get up the nose of everyone he meets.
  • Even reading your horoscope can get up your nose.
  • I didn't realise it would get up your nose so quickly and so far.
  • I took her to my room, so that her feathers wouldn't get up Mum's nose.
  • It had got up Rufus's nose a bit, though Adam had a perfect right to do this.
  • Pat's car was stolen, almost from under his nose.
  • He reworked everything he wrote until he had hit the right note of Gailic pedantry.
  • So are buskers in Gloucester striking the right note with their audience?
  • That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?
  • You have a perfect right to say "no" if you don't want to do it.
  • They have a perfect right to object to it.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► prescriptive right
  • Although you are in a seemingly hopeless situation, keep thinking and get your priorities right.
  • Before we talk, I suggest we get our priorities right.
  • Have we got our priorities right?
  • Some people just can't get their priorities right!
  • Larson has promised to put the city's finances right by the end of the year.
► put somebody straight/right
  • But this is not quite right.
  • Distracted vicars want action against the furry little pests, and quite right too.
  • He was even happy to agree when Louise suggested that the buttons on the jacket were not quite right.
  • If he thinks something isn't quite right he tells me.
  • It is quite right that members sensitivities should be aired.
  • Not quite right, not quite plain enough or narrow enough, but getting there.
  • Now that is very wrong, and yet, somehow, quite right.
  • They'd shared a bed in Cumberland and she had comforted Gordon because nothing was quite right.
► that’s quite all right► the religious right
  • The management reserves the right to refuse admission.
  • Gazette reserves the right to publish at our discretion a photograph of the prize winner. 6.
  • Human beings reserve the right to alter and change views.
  • The editor reserves the right to select and edit questions.
  • The Regional Council reserves the right to augment these observations in reply to the grounds of appeal.
  • These charges and interest rates are variable and the Bank reserves the right to amend them from time to time.
  • This must be returned within five days, otherwise we reserve the right to cancel the contract.
  • We reserve the right to edit letters.
  • The aisles intersect at right angles to form the shape of a cross.
► see somebody right► it serves somebody right
  • Someone had to set Dave straight on company policies and procedures.
  • For this you turn sharp right off the road from Saint-Jean to Saint-Palais, about half-way between those two towns.
  • Pass over a broken wall and turn sharp right.
  • She walked almost to the edge of the cliff, where the road made a sharp left.
  • There was a sharp left turn at the bottom into Ruskin Road.
  • Turn sharp left 80yds before a conifer windbreak.
  • Turn sharp right downhill and uphill to go through another gate.
  • Turn left along this road for three quarters of a mile until the road turns sharp right to become Marsh Road.
  • We made a rocky, wet entry, and then took a sharp right turn along a wall.
  • But those wanting to keep on the right side of the law will have to steer clear of the grape.
  • They were keeping on the right side of the powers that be.
► on the right/wrong side of 30/40 etc
  • De Niro plays a lawyer, on the right side of the law.
  • Mrs Marriot was a woman up our street who used to sell things in her front room.
  • So, if that sounds up your street, get your Peak Performance subscription in soon!
  • This sort of thing should be right up your street.
► tick all the right boxes
  • A slightly larger percentage of pairs of brooches were more abraded on the top right than the top left corner.
  • Here we want the Series in a column so check Columns in the box at the top left.
  • The completed board is shown top left.
  • The dark area in the top right is deep, clear water.
  • The file was a standard office file with a Prior, Keen, Baldwin label stuck in the top right corner.
  • The majority of single brooches examined were found to be more abraded on the top left corner than the top right.
  • The plane again runs roughly from top left to bottom right.
  • Using a tapestry needle threaded with the embroidery colour, begin at the top right of the motif.
  • A few people, though, were on the right track.
  • And other signs helped convince me that I was on the right track.
  • Dole was on the right track when he talked about tolerance, but he mysteriously dropped it once he got the nomination.
  • He hoped the man was on the right track and did his best to believe that he was.
  • I knew I was on the right track when I felt that thrill of pleasure at placing object, not painting it.
  • The officers consequently had little idea whether they were on the right track or not.
  • You are on the right track so follow your nose.
► take the words (right) out of somebody’s mouth
  • At the County Ground, the wolves were on the prowl right from the word go.
  • I knew it was a deliberate attempt from the word go to bring the band down.
  • In Damage, from Josephine Hart's novel, he gets more or less everything wrong from the word go.
  • It was a nightmare from the word go.
  • The marriage was a disaster from the word go, although I didn't realize this until it was all over.
  • They are reflexes built into the system from the word go.
  • He wanted to put the world to rights.
  • More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
  • That straightness of Time, that confining straightness, was one with the Western picture of setting the world to rights.
► two wrongs don’t make a right
Word family
WORD FAMILYadverbrightrightlyrightfullyrigheouslyrighteousnessnounrightrightnessrightsrighteousnessadjectiverightrighteousrightfulverbright
1allowed [countable] something that you are morally, legally, or officially allowed to do or haveright of The new charter establishes the rights and duties of citizens.right to Everyone should have the right to freedom of expression.right to do something You have the right to consult a lawyer.by right The money is yours by right.within your rights (=legally or morally allowed) You would be within your rights to sue the company for negligence. → civil rights, human right2have a right to be angry/concerned/suspicious etc to have a good reason for being angry, concerned etc:  I think you have a right to feel very disappointed. You had every right to be angry with them.3have no right to do something used to say that someone’s action is completely unreasonable or unfair:  You had no right to take money from my purse! He has no right to speak to me like that!4side the right/somebody’s right the side of your body that has the hand that most people write with, or this side of anything else OPP  lefton/to the right (of something) Our car is just to the right of that white van. Take the first turning on the right.on/to somebody’s right The school is on your right as you come into the village.5politics the right/the Right political parties or groups that support the ideas and beliefs of capitalism. They usually want low taxes and to encourage private business rather than businesses owned by the state OPP  left → right-wing:  The campaign is being supported by the Right. The Conservative Party seems to be moving even further to the right.extreme/far right politicians on the extreme right6correct behaviour [uncountable] behaviour that is morally good and correct:  Some kids don’t seem to know the difference between right and wrong. The protesters believe that they have right on their side.7books/tv etc rights [plural] if someone has the rights to a book, film, television programme etc, they are allowed to sell it or show it → copyrightright to The studio bought the rights to his new book. The company paid £2 million for film rights to the book. the television rights to the Olympic Games8be in the right to have the best reasons, arguments etc in a disagreement with someone else:  Both sides are convinced that they are in the right.9by rights spoken used to describe what should happen if things are done fairly or correctly:  By rights, the house should be mine now.10in your own right used to say that you have something or achieve something on your own, without depending on other people:  She’s a very wealthy woman in her own right.11put something to rights to make a place or situation return to normal again:  It took ages to put the room to rights again.12the rights and wrongs of something the subject of what or who is right or wrong in a situation:  I don’t want to spend ages discussing the rights and wrongs of all this.13[countable] a hit made with your right hand OPP  leftCOLLOCATIONSverbshave a right· People have a right to know the truth.violate somebody’s rights formal (=stop them doing something they have a right to do)· Imprisoning the men without trial violated their rights.exercise a right formal (=do what you have a right to do)· The insurance company decided not to exercise its right of appeal.deny somebody a right (=not allow them to do something they have the right to do)· Women were denied the right to vote.demand a right (=ask for it firmly)· We demand the same rights that other European workers enjoy.defend a right (=take action to stop a right being taken away)· We should defend our right to demonstrate.uphold somebody’s rights (=defend their rights)· I will uphold the rights of the people of this country.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + righthuman rights (=the rights that everyone should have)· This company always operates with respect for human rights.civil rights (=the rights that every person in a society should have)· As a young man, he was deeply involved in the struggle for civil rights.· the civil rights movementequal rights· Women demanded equal rights.a fundamental/basic right· The law recognises a man’s fundamental right to defend his home and his property.a legal right· Banks have the legal right to recover their money.a constitutional right· Teachers have a constitutional right to join a union.political rights· Slaves had no political rights.women’s rights· New laws have been passed to protect women’s rights.workers’ rights· The company’s actions are a violation of workers’ rights.gay/lesbian rights· a gay rights campaigneranimal rights· Animal rights campaigners say the dogs are being bred in terrible conditions.phrasesa right of appeal (=the right to ask for an official decision to be changed)· In these circumstances, there is no right of appeal.the right to privacy (=the right to be free from public attention)· The judge decided that the media’s actions violated the couple’s right to privacy.a right of access (=the right to enter a place, use something, or see someone)· You have rights of access to data held about you.a right of reply (also the right to reply) (=the right to say or write something in answer to a criticism)· People should have the right of reply when a magazine has published letters criticizing them.the right to freedom of expression· Everyone has the right to freedom of expression.
right1 adjectiveright2 adverbright3 nounright4 interjectionright5 verb
rightright4 ●●● S2 interjection Thesaurus
Longman Language Activatoranswers, statements, calculations etc that are correct
if something that someone says or thinks is right , it is correct or true, especially because it contains the true facts or details: · Yes, that's the right answer.· Is that the right time?· Excuse me, but the bill isn't right - we didn't have a Caesar salad.that's right spoken: · "Your mother's a teacher, isn't she?" "Yes, that's right."
something such as an answer, fact, or calculation that is correct is true, has no mistakes etc, especially because it is the only answer or result that is possible: · The first ten correct answers will win a prize.· This information is no longer correct.· The correct results are on page 482.
information, measurements, descriptions etc that are accurate are completely correct and all the details are true: · She was able to give the police an accurate description of her attacker.· It is vital that the measurements be accurate.· The authorities still do not have accurate information on the number of people killed or injured in the crash.
to be correct in what you say or think
· You're right - there's not going to be enough food for everyone.be right about · Durrell is absolutely right about the importance of software to the local economy.be right about one thing (=say this when part of someone's opinion or what they say is right, but the rest is wrong) · It's not a great album, but Samuels was right about one thing: it's going to sell in the millions.be right in saying/thinking etc · Moore is right in saying that the present tax system is unfair.
to say the correct facts or details when you are telling a story, describing an event etc: · Make sure you get people's names right when you're sending out the invitations.· "I learned," he stopped, wanting to get the words right, "I learned I was selfish."
if someone is correct in saying or thinking a particular fact, the fact is correct, especially when they are not sure if it is correct or not: · Monroe was correct in saying that unemployment has dropped in the last five years.· I believe I am correct in saying that two of the original computer languages were Cobol and Prolog.· The jury was correct in thinking that the prosecution had not presented a strong case.
to not yet know the complete answer to a question or problem, but be close to finding it because you are already partly correct: · No, that's not quite right, but you're on the right track.· Researchers are still a long way from finding a cure for the disease, but many seem confident they are on the right track.
to say something that is exactly right and that is the answer to a problem which people have been thinking about for a long time: · Garson hits the nail on the head - at the heart of the abortion debate is a religious issue.· Wyman put his finger on it when he said the truth was complicated.
British informal to be exactly right, especially by guessing correctly: · "Is the answer 42?" "You're spot on! Well done, Mary."
someone or something that is infallible is always right and never makes mistakes - use this especially to say that this is not usually true or is extremely rare: · Computer spell checkers are useful but far from infallible.· Juries are not infallible. Innocent people are convicted, and guilty people go free.
in the correct order, position etc
in the order, position etc that is correct or that someone thinks is correct: · If you don't push the buttons in the right order, nothing will happen.· Put the words in the right order to make a sentence.· She pushed the hat further back on her head. "Does this look right?"· No, that's not quite right. Lower the left hand corner of the painting just a little more.
the correct order, sequence, position etc is the exact one that is correct: · When arranged in the correct order, the letters will spell a word which you fill in on this grid.· The correct sequence of numbers must be entered to open the lock.
if something is the right way up , the top of it is facing up, the way it is intended to: · Make sure the box is the right way up before you open it.· The picture isn't hung the right way up.
British if something is the right way round, the front is facing in the correct direction: · Maria turned the medallion the right way round on its chain.· Be careful to fit the part onto the board the right way round.
in the correct way
done or said without making any mistakes or with the correct facts or details, especially when there is only one possible way, answer or result: · We are confident the tests were carried out correctly.· The drug is quite safe if taken correctly.· Egg whites are correctly whipped when they hold their peaks.
especially spoken something that is done right is done correctly and well, especially according to someone's own ideas or opinions: · Have I spelled your name right?· Most people can't do it right the first time.· The government can't seem to do anything right.
done or said in a way that is correct, because you have all the correct facts or details: · As he rightly pointed out, there is no real evidence that the president acted improperly.· Buller's actions have been rightly criticized as ineffective.rightly or wrongly (=use this to show that it is true that someone feels or thinks something, even though what they feel or think may be wrong): · Rightly or wrongly, many employees feel pushed to work longer hours.
especially British if you do something properly , you do it in the way it should be done: · He accused me of not doing my job properly.· It will take time to properly investigate the matter.· He questions whether the experiments were conducted properly.
to make something correct
· Teachers spend many hours correcting students' assignments.· It will take us some time to correct all the mistakes.· Is there any way of politely correcting someone's grammar?correct me if I'm wrong (=say this when you think what you are saying is right, but you are not sure) · Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't we met before?
a mark or note correcting something on a piece of written work: · My essay was covered in corrections in red ink.· Corrections should be pencilled into the margins.· My Spanish teacher will point out errors, but we have to make the corrections ourselves.
also put somebody straight British to tell someone the true facts when they have made a mistake, especially if you are annoyed by their mistake: · She quickly set me straight, saying that while she enjoys her job, she works mainly for the money.· Your friends are always ready to put you straight when you do something stupid.set sb straight about: · It's time to set people straight about why he was fired - he didn't act in a professional manner.
also put the record straight British to tell people the true facts about something, especially in public, because you want to make it very clear that what is believed is in fact not correct: · It's time we put the record straight. The newspapers are wrong -- this factory will not be closing down.· Paulson, wanting to set the record straight, called a press conference.
when it is right or reasonable to do something
use this to talk about what someone has done or may do, to say that you agree with it because it seems fair or reasonable: right to do something: · You were right to complain - the food was cold.· The screenwriter was right to focus on just one aspect of a long and complicated novel.the right thing to do: · I took a pay cut to come here, but I'm sure it was the right thing to do.do the right thing: · Do the right thing - turn off the TV and get the kids playing outside.
if you say that someone is justified in doing something, or that something they do is justified , you believe what they do is reasonable in that situation: · I don't think Colin's criticisms were really justified.be/feel justified in doing something: · The government feels justified in using military force to protect its own citizens.· The landlord may be justified in charging for any additional work that needs to be done.
if an action is reasonable , it is fair and sensible: · Campaigners say that there is no reasonable objection to women becoming priests.it is reasonable to do something: · It is reasonable to expect members to pay a small fee.· It is reasonable to assume watching a lot of television at an early age interferes with development.it is reasonable that: · It is reasonable that a prospective employer should want to know if someone has a criminal record.
spoken informal say this when you can understand why someone has behaved in a particular way, and you think they were right: · "Sheila's left her husband." "Well, I don't blame her!"I don't blame sb for (doing) something: · I don't blame you for losing your temper with Ann.· It may have been a joke, but you can't blame the women in the department for being angry.
a justifiable feeling, action, or reaction is acceptable because there is a good reason for it: · Can violence ever be a justifiable method of protest?· Reed said the tax increases were not only justifiable, but unavoidable.· Is football a justifiable expense when the college cannot afford enough English classes to meet students' needs?
fair, correct, or reasonable according to accepted rules, facts, or standards of behaviour: · He had a legitimate reason for being late.· The way governments treat their people is a legitimate concern for the international community.it is legitimate to do something: · It is legitimate to suggest that taxes should affect people with higher incomes more than they affect poorer people.
to have a good reason for thinking or doing something
to have a good reason to behave in a particular way, especially in a way that you would not normally behave, or in a way that other people would usually disapprove of: · She's just got her exam results; she has the right to be proud of herself.· The problems are genuine and people have the right to be concerned.have every right to be something (=have a very good reason to feel something): · After what happened last time we bought a car, I think we have every right to be wary.
if you are justly proud, angry, critical etc, you have a good reason for feeling this way or reacting in this way: · The Chinese are justly proud of their ancient culture.· The press has been justly critical of the delays in paying compensation.· Bordeaux is an area of France justly famous for its red wine.
if someone does something, feels something, or thinks something with good cause or good reason , they have a good reason for what they do or think or feel: have good cause/reason to do something: · The coach, watching his team, feels he has good reason to expect them to win.for good cause/reason: · The company has been held up as a model employer, and for good reason. They have a good training program and excellent benefits.with good cause/reason: · She is a jealous wife, and with good cause.
formal if someone says or does something rightly , they are right and have good reasons to say it or do it: · The U.S. is rightly cautious about becoming involved.· Taxpayers rightly expect the government to be careful about spending.rightly so: · Residents are outraged, and rightly so.quite rightly: · Investors have quite rightly avoided this stock.
to show that something is right to do
to explain or show that there are good reasons for doing something that seems wrong to most people: · How can you justify a 200% pay rise!· People try to justify the breakdown of their marriage by blaming their spouse.justify doing something: · I don't think anyone can justify spending so much money on weapons.
a legal or official right
when you should be able to have or do something, according to the law or according to moral ideas: · Free speech is a basic right in a democratic society.right to: · I disagree, but I respect his right to his opinion.the right to do something: · Women all over the world fought long and hard for the right to vote.have the right to something: · Everyone the right to a good basic education.the right of veto/action/self-determination/free speech etc: · The executive council has the right of veto over the management's policy.
the right to do, say, think, or write something without being controlled or stopped by anyone: freedom of: · No democracy can exist without freedom of speech and freedom of the press.freedom to do something: · This change in the law will give parents more freedom to influence their children's education.political/religious etc freedom: · The leaders of the demonstration made speeches demanding greater political freedom.
the official right to have or receive something, especially money, that you get from a government or an employer : · Many people are still not aware of the entitlements they may be able to receive.entitlement to: · The amount of money you earn does not affect your entitlement to child benefit for your children.holiday/pension etc entitlement: · Holiday entitlements for temporary workers are less than for permanent staff.
the right to have or be given something because you were its original owner, or because you have a moral right to it: claim to: · No one can dispute the Mohawks' claim to this land.· His claim to the house was finally recognized by the court.
the legal control or possession of something such as a product, a book, an idea etc: · Elliott liked the book and bought the rights, planning to make it into a miniseries.rights to: · This is the publishing company which brought the rights to Somerset Maugham's short stories.· ABC has exclusive rights to television coverage of the Olympics.
if something is yours by right , you have a moral right to have it or be given it: · He believes that he is entitled by right to inherit from his father, despite his father's will.· Developers were met by angry locals protesting that the land was theirs by right.
the political and social rights that everyone should have
the political and social freedom that everyone in a country should have: · Every individual should have basic rights.rights of: · Some motorcyclists saw the helmet law as an infringement on the rights of the individual.women's/workers'/victims' etc rights: · Laws enacted in the past ten years have gradually taken away workers' rights.· Allred is an attorney who has gained a national reputation fighting for women's rights.
the rights that every person should have, such as the right to vote or be treated equally and fairly by the law, whatever their sex, race, or religion: · She had been actively involved in the struggle for civil rights in the US in the '60s.· The President has agreed to talks with civil rights campaigners.· The civil rights movement illustrates how people can change the constitution of their country.
the basic right that all people should have, including freedom and the right to be treated fairly and without cruelty by their government: · The Court ruled that hitting children was an abuse of human rights.· A number of leading human rights activists were arrested yesterday.· The regime has a long record of human rights violations.
the rights of every person to be treated fairly and equally by the law or by society, whatever their sex, race, religion, or social position: · The battle for equal rights for women is not yet over.· The Americans were the first to make law the principle of equal rights for every individual.· Homosexual men and women are campaigning for equal rights.
the right of every person to have a chance to get a job, go to university etc, whatever their sex, race, or social position: · Only in a completely classless society can there be equal opportunities for everyone.equal opportunities legislation/programs etc: · Certain jobs were dominated by men until the equal opportunities legislation of the 1970s.
the rights of any citizen to do whatever they want as long as they respect the rights of other people, without having to ask anyone's permission, and the right to keep their personal information private: · The banning of public meetings was held to be a denial of civil liberties.· The ability of this software to gather information about individuals through the Web is worrying to civil liberties groups.
a special right belonging to one person or group
a special right or advantage given to a person or group, because of their high social position, because they are a member of a club etc: · A good education should not just be a privilege of the rich.give somebody a privilege: · Why should famous people be given special privileges?lose a privilege: · If the chores aren't done by the time the timer goes off, the kids lose privileges such as TV time.the privilege of doing something: · If prisoners behave well they are allowed the privilege of visiting their families at the weekend.
formal a special right that only a particular person or group has because of their importance or position: · In the old days, a university education was the prerogative of the rich.prerogative to do something: · The governor has the prerogative to free prisoners.
a right that you should have because you have been born into a particular family, country, class etc: · The President ended his speech by saying "Dignity and self-respect are the birthright of every American citizen."· She seemed to regard an easy, comfortable life as some kind of birthright.
to have or give someone a legal right
to be legally or officially allowed to do or have something: have the right to do something: · People should have a right to know what is on their credit history.· We have a constitutional right to defend ourselves, our family, and our property.have the right to: · Olivia felt she had a right to information about her illness.
formal to be legally allowed to have something or do something: · The public is entitled to information about how public money is spent.be entitled to do something: · You are legally entitled to take faulty goods back to the store where you bought them.· Your landlord is not entitled to charge you for the remainder of the month's rent.
to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: give sb the right to: · This government programme gives families on low incomes the right to extra financial help.give sb the right to do something: · The new regulations give dissatisfied customers the right to receive a full refund.
formal to legally or officially allow someone to do or have something: entitle somebody to something: · Being a member entitles you to discounts on tickets.entitle somebody to do something: · Ethiopian Jews were entitled to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return.
to have a legal right to do something, although it may seem unfair or unreasonable: · If Mrs Cobb wanted to take the company to court for unfair dismissal, she'd be within her rights. be within your rights to do something: · If your actions have disturbed other tenants, your landlady is within her rights to give you notice to stop the actions or leave.
what you say to someone when you do not believe them
spoken informal say this when you are very surprised by what someone has just said and cannot believe that it is true: · They got married! You're kidding!· "When he sat down, the chair just collapsed." "You're joking."
/come on spoken informal say this when you cannot believe what someone has said, and you think they do not really believe it themselves: · "He kind of reminds me of myself at that age." "Oh come off it. When you were that age all you wanted to do was have fun."· Oh come on Keith - do you really expect me to believe that?
spoken informal say this when you do not believe something that someone has said, and you think they are deliberately telling you something that is not true: · "I really wanted to come, but I overslept." "Yeah, right. Then why didn't you set your alarm?"
spoken say this when you think someone is telling you something that they know is not true: · "I was going to pay the money back as soon as I saw you." "Yeah. Likely story!"
British spoken say this when it is very clear that someone is not telling you the truth or that they are trying to trick you: · Oh, pull the other one, John. You can't seriously expect me to believe that!
American spoken say this when you think that something is very surprising or that someone is not telling you the truth or is trying to trick you: · "I got the car for just $350 dollars." "Get out of here!"
spoken say this when you think someone is lying to you and you want to show them that you are not stupid enough to believe it: · You can't expect me to trust you after all the other promises you've broken, you know. I wasn't born yesterday.
when someone asks or tells you to do something
spoken · "Will you type this letter for me, please." "Yes, but I'll have to finish this first."· "Clean the pans and scrub the floor, I want this place spotless." "Yes, sir," he replied.
spoken say this when you agree to do something but you are not completely happy about it: · "Could you pick me up at about 12 o'clock?" "Okay, if you're sure it won't be any later than that."· "Go and wake Ted up, will you?" "OK, but he isn't going to be too pleased."
spoken say this especially when you do not really want to do what someone is asking or telling you to do: · "Dad, can you help me with this maths homework?'' "Alright, but shouldn't you really do it by yourself?''all right then: · "I'd really like to see you some time this week.'' "Oh, all right then, how about a quick drink after work?''
spoken especially British say this especially when you want to show that you have understood what someone wants you to do and you are going to do it: · "We seem to have run out of eggs, too." "Right, how many do you want?"· "I'll need ten copies of this letter.'' "Right, I'll do it straight away.''
spoken informal especially American say this when you are happy to do something which someone asks or tells you to do: · "Will you be able to help with Jimmy's birthday party?'' "Sure, I love kids.''· "Just go out to the garage, will you, and get my tools.'' "Sure, I'll be right back.''
spoken say this when you are very happy to do something that someone has asked you to do: · "Can you have the car ready for me by 5 o'clock?" "No problem, sir."· "Could you get me down that box on the top shelf?" "Sure, no problem at all."
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
 An independent committee will look into alleged human rights abuses.
 Someone’s parked right across the entrance to the driveway.
 Teachers are expected to teach a range of subjects right across the curriculum.
 Are you feeling all right?
 The kids seem to be getting on all right at school.
 Tony was worried about the meeting but it went all right (=happened with no problems).
 Don’t worry, it’ll turn out all right.
 We’ll eat at eight. Does that sound all right to you?
 ‘Thanks for all your help!’ ‘That’s quite all right.’
 ‘I get eight weeks’ holiday a year.‘ ’Well, it’s all right for some.'
 Bill has been involved in the animal rights movement for years.
· Do you know the right answer to this question?
· The taxpayer has no statutory right of appeal against the demand.
· She broke her left arm in a riding accident.
· With sport, you have to find the right balance between competition and fun.
(=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.
(=going towards the left or the right)· Take the turning just after the left-hand bend in the road.
 I was standing right beside her at the time.
· Fortunately his calculations were accurate.
 The paintings were of the highest caliber.
(=feel very stupid)
· I think you’ve made the right choice.
(=the right to vote, be treated fairly etc that everyone should have)· Black people marched in defence of their civil rights.
 a civil rights leader
· The left-wing coalition was led by the former guerrilla movement.
· You have the right to complain if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re getting.
· I am sure that you came to the right conclusion.
 a constitutional right to privacy
· Put your address in the top right-hand corner of the page.
 He caught his opponent with a right cross to the chin.
· ‘It isn’t easy.’ ‘Damn right, it’s not.’
· You’re dead wrong, so let me handle this.
· She chose to study Engineering and it was definitely the right decision.
 We are defending the right to demonstrate.
· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?
 Being my wife doesn’t give you the divine right to read my mail.
 Wow! You’ve got the beach right on your doorstep!
· Have you looked in the left-hand drawer?
· She is deaf in her right ear.
(=the rights that someone has in their job)· Part-time workers don’t have the same employment rights as full-time staff.
· In many countries, women do not have equal rights with men.
· Add up what you've got on the right-hand side of the equation.
· BSkyB had exclusive rights to all the live matches.
· The president issued a statement recognizing Kosovo's right to exist.
(=make sure that what you say or believe is correct)· You should get your facts straight before making accusations.
· He has broken a bone in his right foot.
 By being absent from the trial, he forfeited the right to appeal.
 a campaigner for gay rights (=equal treatment for gay people)
· A left-hand glove was found at the scene of the crime.
 If you want to leave, go right ahead.
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion)
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion) The protesters have no God-given right to disrupt the life of the city.
· The new left-wing government restructured the economy.
 If you guess correctly, you have another turn.
· She held the book in her right hand.
· The rights of the individual must be protected.
(=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
· It wasn’t the right kind of holiday for me.
· He has worked as a civil rights lawyer for over twenty years.
 The company’s rapid success means it’s definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).
 I saw Fiona in the street yesterday and she looked straight through me.
 I went on a lot of peace marches when I was a student.
(=on the right of the page)· There were some notes written in the right-hand margin.
(=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly)· If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
 a huge hole right in the middle of the lawn
 The new road will go right through the middle of the wood.
 You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well.
 You don’t have to tell me right this minute.
· I’m just waiting for the right moment to tell her.· The moment is not quite right just yet.
 The UN is sending peace monitors to the area.
· He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
· The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
 There’s nothing I can do about this right now (=exactly now).
 To the left of the sofa is a table.
 ‘Can you lend me ten pounds?’ ‘Oh, all right, but only until tomorrow.’
· Of course, the notes must be played in the right order.
 They’ve rented a farmhouse right out in the country.
· The answers are on the right-hand page.
· Support for the right-wing parties was strongest among young working-class men.
(=used to emphasize that someone passes close to you and does not stop) Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps.
 You have to pitch your writing at the right level.
 Who knows? If you play your cards right, maybe he’ll marry you.
 A financial adviser should be able to point you in the right direction.
· Every individual should have equal political rights.
· He had been under attack from right-wing politicians for some time.
· Children feel more comfortable when parents respect their right to privacy.
 It is only right and proper that an independent inquiry should take place.
 They have proprietary rights to the data.
· See if you can prove me wrong.
 the right-hand side of the body
 the bottom right-hand corner of the page
 I never know who has right of way at this junction. British English
 The law here says that pedestrians always have the right of way.
 The path is not a public right of way.
 The industry has a duty to safeguard consumers.
 I can’t bluff – she’d see right through me.
 Take a sharp left after the church.
· He received a deep cut on the right side of his face.
· On the left-hand side list the skills and qualifications required for the job.
· The company now has the sole rights to the process.
· Wearing the right sort of clothing could save your life.
(=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
 It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance.
 Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted).
 Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)?
 a leading member of a Tory think tank
 The bullet passed straight through his skull.
 We drove right through the town centre.
 I could see right through the thin curtains.
 He slept right through the day.
 I filled the glass right to the top.
 Make a left turn at the station.
 Shareholders have a vested right to 10% per annum.
 The head teacher has the right of veto over management-board decisions.
· the students’ extreme left-wing views
(=violations of every person's right to be treated fairly and without cruelty)· There have been protests about human rights violations at the prison.
 Zeke wasn’t looking and walked straight into a tree.
 I walked right into a mob of maybe 50 young white guys.
 You walked right into that one!
· That’s not the right way to deal with the problem.
· Are you sure this is the right way?
(=the word that has the meaning you want)· He struggled to find the right word.
 He’s too young to know right from wrong.
(=bring justice to an unfair situation)
Phrases
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • That is six times the number to be offered the right of abode in the government's package.
  • The 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act changed this, and only those born in Britain were henceforth automatically given the right of abode.
  • This would have allowed the right of abode to all citizens in any part of the country.
  • But if it's all right for wives to have this status, then it's all right for cohabitees too.
  • It's all right for you.
► I’m all right Jack► it’ll be all right on the night
  • Anyway, I did all right.
  • He did all right in that Navy movie, whatever it was.
  • Wow, so you guys must do all right then, him?
  • It's all right. Mommy's here now.
  • I think it's all right.
  • I will do the opposite, if it's all right by you-and always be glad you came.
  • It's all right but he prefers Cabanaconda.
  • It's all right, my darling, Mrs Jourdelay's driving us.
  • Now, Benny, it's all right.
► it’s/that’s all right
  • The job sounds right up your alley.
  • She said, I will tell you this Bobby Kennedy is right up my alley.
  • These parents would give their right arms to get their kids into a prestigious school.
  • And the revolution in the structure of services and management meant elderly frail people found it increasingly difficult to assert their rights.
  • Athens asserted her rights over her citizens temporarily exiled, as she did over those at home and liable for service.
  • But she sought not so much to break a taboo as to assert her independence from the male yoke.
  • Mrs Armitage's heir is already asserting his rights in the matter but that is not my concern.
  • Power gives us the ability to control, to choose and to assert our independence.
  • Stickers are available throughout the county to help squeezed out pedestrians assert their rights.
  • You need to be selective and judge when it is appropriate to assert your rights.
► in the (right) ball park
  • I asked him to help, and he said yes right off the bat.
  • At least not right off the bat.
  • Bear left where the road divides.
  • The road bears to the right.
  • After descending, bear left on to the grassy bridleway which joins the road.
  • From St Martin's church bear left past Cwmyoy Farm.
  • Go through gate then bear right across field heading for stile that can be seen on skyline.
  • His eyes bore right through me.
  • I came to the place in the road where you bear left to go down to the valley of Chimayo.
  • On reaching the saddle bear right along the ridge to the summit.
  • Stay on the main track, bearing left at the fork two miles in.
► be a bit of all right
  • He pushed all the right buttons.
  • These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
  • If you play your cards right, you might get them to reduce the price.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► coming (right) up!► come right out with something/come right out and say something
  • In both cases, prices came right back down within three months.
  • It seemed clear Corbett wanted me to work at Salomon, but he never came right out and proposed.
  • It will all come right, now that a different period of history has begun.
  • More generally, the logistical strengths that the Dole campaign had counted on began to come good.
  • Periodically, these letters come right out of the woodwork.
  • Since I was the best spinner of my type in the world, eventually it would all come right.
  • The light comes right through our curtains and makes sleeping difficult.
  • The wasp took off as if in fright, but she came right back.
  • And, as if on cue, I did.
  • And, on cue, he heard the sound of hoofbeats ` on the wind.
  • Dead on cue the runner hurries over to Eli to answer his question.
  • Right on cue, a butterfly flew up to the plants we were looking at and landed!
  • She passed a couple of groundskeepers, who turned as if on cue for a second look.
  • She should have become angry with him for his persistence, on cue, but for some reason she didn't.
  • The boys slashed, jumped, and shouted with enthusiasm and on cue.
  • The sky, as if on cue, was overcast.
  • For now, at least, the cause of tax simplification seems to have been captured by the far right.
  • He unplugged the cables, shoved all the levers over to the far left, and rewound the tape.
  • However, the fact that the far right won more votes than the far-left should make everyone pause and reflect.
  • That Begin had come from the far right, but that in order to govern he has to occupy the center.
  • The activities of the far right have been a cause for concern over here for a while now.
  • The good tee shot was played to the far right of the fairway to set up a second shot to the left.
  • The libertarian view A third view of the revolution has been developed by writers on the far Left of the political spectrum.
  • The top of the hierarchy is at the far left.
► start/get off on the wrong/right foot► left-footed/right-footed
  • After 50yds fork right on to a track which climbs up Triscombe Combe.
  • At the first fork they must go left and at the next fork right and so on until they were challenged.
  • Then with a wave she forked left and was gone.
► would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something► God is in his heaven, all’s right with the world► the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing
  • Go straight on Vista for two blocks then hang a left.
  • First, there is that bizarre enormous mythic metal fish that hangs right inside the doorway.
  • I was just in time to see the Sierra hang a left once over the railway.
  • But what happens when you want so much to be right, you end up helping the hard right?
  • Labour moderates win over four of the hard left by agreeing that the cuts shall involve as few compulsory redundancies as possible.
  • Mr Steve King, leader of the hard left, denounces his fellow-councillors as dunderheads, nincompoops and dolts.
  • The showing for the hard left was disappointing.
  • They were stars of the hard left, but we have heard little about them during the election struggle.
  • Too little, say the Tories, too much says the hard left.
  • I executed a hard right turn, but could not see any other aircraft in my vicinity.
  • More often, though, they miss, hang a hard left, and return to the dugout.
  • Sharp took an eight count after taking a hard left hook.
  • Still not enough to justify this desire to reach across the table and deliver a hard right to the gubernatorial chin.
  • Cloughie probably gets closest to it - not he himself but the No. 9 seems to have his head screwed on.
  • She seemed to have her head screwed on right, even if she was a girl.
  • He can be rude and bad-tempered sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
  • Mike's a little grouchy sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
► (straight/right) from the horse’s mouth
  • The new superintendent has the right idea about attacking illiteracy, but the wrong method.
  • Mrs Donaldson, in last month's letters page, certainly seems to have the right idea.
  • The young lads have the right idea.
  • Numeric quantities can be printed left justified by preceding them with a semi-colon.
► lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance► the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
  • Below, left to right: Davey Philips of Clan Skates.
  • Number them in sequence 1, 2, 3 etc, left to right on each line.
  • Other winners are, left to right,.
  • Run your finger along under the words as you read, so that the child learns that reading goes from left to right.
  • The basic mechanism is to build an edge from left to right.
  • The group photograph shows, from left to right:.
  • Years ago, teams could pick up the free-agent menu and read it left to right.
  • Second, we need some kind of global bodies to prevent a further slide into a politics of might is right.
  • What the child learns is that might is right.
► no one in their right mind ...
  • She said she was going out of her mind in California.
  • Carson was right on the money when he said people are tired of big-shot politicians.
  • That was a case when Jobs's vision was on the money.
► make (all) the right noises (about something)
  • Darren comes to stay with Nikki and is quick to get up the nose of everyone he meets.
  • Even reading your horoscope can get up your nose.
  • I didn't realise it would get up your nose so quickly and so far.
  • I took her to my room, so that her feathers wouldn't get up Mum's nose.
  • It had got up Rufus's nose a bit, though Adam had a perfect right to do this.
  • Pat's car was stolen, almost from under his nose.
  • He reworked everything he wrote until he had hit the right note of Gailic pedantry.
  • So are buskers in Gloucester striking the right note with their audience?
  • That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?
  • You have a perfect right to say "no" if you don't want to do it.
  • They have a perfect right to object to it.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► prescriptive right
  • Although you are in a seemingly hopeless situation, keep thinking and get your priorities right.
  • Before we talk, I suggest we get our priorities right.
  • Have we got our priorities right?
  • Some people just can't get their priorities right!
  • Larson has promised to put the city's finances right by the end of the year.
► put somebody straight/right
  • But this is not quite right.
  • Distracted vicars want action against the furry little pests, and quite right too.
  • He was even happy to agree when Louise suggested that the buttons on the jacket were not quite right.
  • If he thinks something isn't quite right he tells me.
  • It is quite right that members sensitivities should be aired.
  • Not quite right, not quite plain enough or narrow enough, but getting there.
  • Now that is very wrong, and yet, somehow, quite right.
  • They'd shared a bed in Cumberland and she had comforted Gordon because nothing was quite right.
► that’s quite all right► the religious right
  • The management reserves the right to refuse admission.
  • Gazette reserves the right to publish at our discretion a photograph of the prize winner. 6.
  • Human beings reserve the right to alter and change views.
  • The editor reserves the right to select and edit questions.
  • The Regional Council reserves the right to augment these observations in reply to the grounds of appeal.
  • These charges and interest rates are variable and the Bank reserves the right to amend them from time to time.
  • This must be returned within five days, otherwise we reserve the right to cancel the contract.
  • We reserve the right to edit letters.
  • The aisles intersect at right angles to form the shape of a cross.
► see somebody right► it serves somebody right
  • Someone had to set Dave straight on company policies and procedures.
  • For this you turn sharp right off the road from Saint-Jean to Saint-Palais, about half-way between those two towns.
  • Pass over a broken wall and turn sharp right.
  • She walked almost to the edge of the cliff, where the road made a sharp left.
  • There was a sharp left turn at the bottom into Ruskin Road.
  • Turn sharp left 80yds before a conifer windbreak.
  • Turn sharp right downhill and uphill to go through another gate.
  • Turn left along this road for three quarters of a mile until the road turns sharp right to become Marsh Road.
  • We made a rocky, wet entry, and then took a sharp right turn along a wall.
  • But those wanting to keep on the right side of the law will have to steer clear of the grape.
  • They were keeping on the right side of the powers that be.
► on the right/wrong side of 30/40 etc
  • De Niro plays a lawyer, on the right side of the law.
  • Mrs Marriot was a woman up our street who used to sell things in her front room.
  • So, if that sounds up your street, get your Peak Performance subscription in soon!
  • This sort of thing should be right up your street.
► tick all the right boxes
  • A slightly larger percentage of pairs of brooches were more abraded on the top right than the top left corner.
  • Here we want the Series in a column so check Columns in the box at the top left.
  • The completed board is shown top left.
  • The dark area in the top right is deep, clear water.
  • The file was a standard office file with a Prior, Keen, Baldwin label stuck in the top right corner.
  • The majority of single brooches examined were found to be more abraded on the top left corner than the top right.
  • The plane again runs roughly from top left to bottom right.
  • Using a tapestry needle threaded with the embroidery colour, begin at the top right of the motif.
  • A few people, though, were on the right track.
  • And other signs helped convince me that I was on the right track.
  • Dole was on the right track when he talked about tolerance, but he mysteriously dropped it once he got the nomination.
  • He hoped the man was on the right track and did his best to believe that he was.
  • I knew I was on the right track when I felt that thrill of pleasure at placing object, not painting it.
  • The officers consequently had little idea whether they were on the right track or not.
  • You are on the right track so follow your nose.
► take the words (right) out of somebody’s mouth
  • At the County Ground, the wolves were on the prowl right from the word go.
  • I knew it was a deliberate attempt from the word go to bring the band down.
  • In Damage, from Josephine Hart's novel, he gets more or less everything wrong from the word go.
  • It was a nightmare from the word go.
  • The marriage was a disaster from the word go, although I didn't realize this until it was all over.
  • They are reflexes built into the system from the word go.
  • He wanted to put the world to rights.
  • More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
  • That straightness of Time, that confining straightness, was one with the Western picture of setting the world to rights.
► two wrongs don’t make a right
1used to show that you have understood or agree with what someone has just said:  ‘You need to be there by ten o’clock.‘ ’Right.'2British English used to get someone’s attention before starting to say or do something:  Right, open your books on page 16. Right, is everyone listening? Right, I think we’re ready to go.3used to check if what you have said is correct:  So we’re meeting in the pub, right?4used to check that the person you are speaking to is listening and understands what you are saying:  So I handed him the camera, right, and asked him to take our photograph.
right1 adjectiveright2 adverbright3 nounright4 interjectionright5 verb
rightright5 verb [transitive] Verb Table
VERB TABLE
right
Simple Form
PresentI, you, we, theyright
he, she, itrights
PastI, you, he, she, it, we, theyrighted
Present perfectI, you, we, theyhave righted
he, she, ithas righted
Past perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theyhad righted
FutureI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill right
Future perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill have righted
Continuous Form
PresentIam righting
he, she, itis righting
you, we, theyare righting
PastI, he, she, itwas righting
you, we, theywere righting
Present perfectI, you, we, theyhave been righting
he, she, ithas been righting
Past perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theyhad been righting
FutureI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill be righting
Future perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill have been righting
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • A tow truck was called to attempt to right the trailer.
  • Keating promised to right the country's troubled economy.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • After righting the canoe and dumping out the water on shore, I paddled the boat to pick up Mangelsdorf.
  • He righted his spectacles which had been knocked askew and straightened his cloak.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
 An independent committee will look into alleged human rights abuses.
 Someone’s parked right across the entrance to the driveway.
 Teachers are expected to teach a range of subjects right across the curriculum.
 Are you feeling all right?
 The kids seem to be getting on all right at school.
 Tony was worried about the meeting but it went all right (=happened with no problems).
 Don’t worry, it’ll turn out all right.
 We’ll eat at eight. Does that sound all right to you?
 ‘Thanks for all your help!’ ‘That’s quite all right.’
 ‘I get eight weeks’ holiday a year.‘ ’Well, it’s all right for some.'
 Bill has been involved in the animal rights movement for years.
· Do you know the right answer to this question?
· The taxpayer has no statutory right of appeal against the demand.
· She broke her left arm in a riding accident.
· With sport, you have to find the right balance between competition and fun.
(=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.
(=going towards the left or the right)· Take the turning just after the left-hand bend in the road.
 I was standing right beside her at the time.
· Fortunately his calculations were accurate.
 The paintings were of the highest caliber.
(=feel very stupid)
· I think you’ve made the right choice.
(=the right to vote, be treated fairly etc that everyone should have)· Black people marched in defence of their civil rights.
 a civil rights leader
· The left-wing coalition was led by the former guerrilla movement.
· You have the right to complain if you’re not satisfied with the service you’re getting.
· I am sure that you came to the right conclusion.
 a constitutional right to privacy
· Put your address in the top right-hand corner of the page.
 He caught his opponent with a right cross to the chin.
· ‘It isn’t easy.’ ‘Damn right, it’s not.’
· You’re dead wrong, so let me handle this.
· She chose to study Engineering and it was definitely the right decision.
 We are defending the right to demonstrate.
· Are you sure this is the right direction for Shipton?
 Being my wife doesn’t give you the divine right to read my mail.
 Wow! You’ve got the beach right on your doorstep!
· Have you looked in the left-hand drawer?
· She is deaf in her right ear.
(=the rights that someone has in their job)· Part-time workers don’t have the same employment rights as full-time staff.
· In many countries, women do not have equal rights with men.
· Add up what you've got on the right-hand side of the equation.
· BSkyB had exclusive rights to all the live matches.
· The president issued a statement recognizing Kosovo's right to exist.
(=make sure that what you say or believe is correct)· You should get your facts straight before making accusations.
· He has broken a bone in his right foot.
 By being absent from the trial, he forfeited the right to appeal.
 a campaigner for gay rights (=equal treatment for gay people)
· A left-hand glove was found at the scene of the crime.
 If you want to leave, go right ahead.
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion)
(=the right to do something without asking anyone else’s opinion) The protesters have no God-given right to disrupt the life of the city.
· The new left-wing government restructured the economy.
 If you guess correctly, you have another turn.
· She held the book in her right hand.
· The rights of the individual must be protected.
(=stay to the left or right of a path or road as you move)
· It wasn’t the right kind of holiday for me.
· He has worked as a civil rights lawyer for over twenty years.
 The company’s rapid success means it’s definitely on the right lines (=doing something the right way).
 I saw Fiona in the street yesterday and she looked straight through me.
 I went on a lot of peace marches when I was a student.
(=on the right of the page)· There were some notes written in the right-hand margin.
(=used to say that you are almost certain you have remembered something correctly)· If my memory serves me correctly, Johnson was also there.
 a huge hole right in the middle of the lawn
 The new road will go right through the middle of the wood.
 You have to be in the right frame of mind to play well.
 You don’t have to tell me right this minute.
· I’m just waiting for the right moment to tell her.· The moment is not quite right just yet.
 The UN is sending peace monitors to the area.
· He hoped he had made the right move in telling his father.
· The decision seemed to be a move in the right direction.
 There’s nothing I can do about this right now (=exactly now).
 To the left of the sofa is a table.
 ‘Can you lend me ten pounds?’ ‘Oh, all right, but only until tomorrow.’
· Of course, the notes must be played in the right order.
 They’ve rented a farmhouse right out in the country.
· The answers are on the right-hand page.
· Support for the right-wing parties was strongest among young working-class men.
(=used to emphasize that someone passes close to you and does not stop) Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps.
 You have to pitch your writing at the right level.
 Who knows? If you play your cards right, maybe he’ll marry you.
 A financial adviser should be able to point you in the right direction.
· Every individual should have equal political rights.
· He had been under attack from right-wing politicians for some time.
· Children feel more comfortable when parents respect their right to privacy.
 It is only right and proper that an independent inquiry should take place.
 They have proprietary rights to the data.
· See if you can prove me wrong.
 the right-hand side of the body
 the bottom right-hand corner of the page
 I never know who has right of way at this junction. British English
 The law here says that pedestrians always have the right of way.
 The path is not a public right of way.
 The industry has a duty to safeguard consumers.
 I can’t bluff – she’d see right through me.
 Take a sharp left after the church.
· He received a deep cut on the right side of his face.
· On the left-hand side list the skills and qualifications required for the job.
· The company now has the sole rights to the process.
· Wearing the right sort of clothing could save your life.
(=an action that helps to improve things)· Environmentalists said the law was a step in the right direction.
 It isn’t always easy to strike the right balance.
 Moderate Republicanism appeared to strike exactly the right note with the voters (=be what the people wanted).
 Does he have the right stuff (=qualities that make you able to deal with difficulties)?
 a leading member of a Tory think tank
 The bullet passed straight through his skull.
 We drove right through the town centre.
 I could see right through the thin curtains.
 He slept right through the day.
 I filled the glass right to the top.
 Make a left turn at the station.
 Shareholders have a vested right to 10% per annum.
 The head teacher has the right of veto over management-board decisions.
· the students’ extreme left-wing views
(=violations of every person's right to be treated fairly and without cruelty)· There have been protests about human rights violations at the prison.
 Zeke wasn’t looking and walked straight into a tree.
 I walked right into a mob of maybe 50 young white guys.
 You walked right into that one!
· That’s not the right way to deal with the problem.
· Are you sure this is the right way?
(=the word that has the meaning you want)· He struggled to find the right word.
 He’s too young to know right from wrong.
(=bring justice to an unfair situation)
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
· A lot of abortion rights supporters also breathed a premature sigh of relief.
· Eyes shifted from left to right and people shuffled a little in their places.· Stand with feet firmly on the ground, twist body from left to right.
· A strange, mystical story of love, faith, and the righting of an old wrong.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • Its business is not to right wrongs, but to make money.
  • Most problems arise from neglect and, since repairs involve skilled labour, righting a wrong can be expensive.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • That is six times the number to be offered the right of abode in the government's package.
  • The 1962 Commonwealth Immigrants Act changed this, and only those born in Britain were henceforth automatically given the right of abode.
  • This would have allowed the right of abode to all citizens in any part of the country.
  • But if it's all right for wives to have this status, then it's all right for cohabitees too.
  • It's all right for you.
► I’m all right Jack► it’ll be all right on the night
  • Anyway, I did all right.
  • He did all right in that Navy movie, whatever it was.
  • Wow, so you guys must do all right then, him?
  • It's all right. Mommy's here now.
  • I think it's all right.
  • I will do the opposite, if it's all right by you-and always be glad you came.
  • It's all right but he prefers Cabanaconda.
  • It's all right, my darling, Mrs Jourdelay's driving us.
  • Now, Benny, it's all right.
► it’s/that’s all right
  • The job sounds right up your alley.
  • She said, I will tell you this Bobby Kennedy is right up my alley.
  • These parents would give their right arms to get their kids into a prestigious school.
  • And the revolution in the structure of services and management meant elderly frail people found it increasingly difficult to assert their rights.
  • Athens asserted her rights over her citizens temporarily exiled, as she did over those at home and liable for service.
  • But she sought not so much to break a taboo as to assert her independence from the male yoke.
  • Mrs Armitage's heir is already asserting his rights in the matter but that is not my concern.
  • Power gives us the ability to control, to choose and to assert our independence.
  • Stickers are available throughout the county to help squeezed out pedestrians assert their rights.
  • You need to be selective and judge when it is appropriate to assert your rights.
► in the (right) ball park
  • I asked him to help, and he said yes right off the bat.
  • At least not right off the bat.
  • Bear left where the road divides.
  • The road bears to the right.
  • After descending, bear left on to the grassy bridleway which joins the road.
  • From St Martin's church bear left past Cwmyoy Farm.
  • Go through gate then bear right across field heading for stile that can be seen on skyline.
  • His eyes bore right through me.
  • I came to the place in the road where you bear left to go down to the valley of Chimayo.
  • On reaching the saddle bear right along the ridge to the summit.
  • Stay on the main track, bearing left at the fork two miles in.
► be a bit of all right
  • He pushed all the right buttons.
  • These are words which are all designed to press the right buttons among women voters.
  • If you play your cards right, you might get them to reduce the price.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► coming (right) up!► come right out with something/come right out and say something
  • In both cases, prices came right back down within three months.
  • It seemed clear Corbett wanted me to work at Salomon, but he never came right out and proposed.
  • It will all come right, now that a different period of history has begun.
  • More generally, the logistical strengths that the Dole campaign had counted on began to come good.
  • Periodically, these letters come right out of the woodwork.
  • Since I was the best spinner of my type in the world, eventually it would all come right.
  • The light comes right through our curtains and makes sleeping difficult.
  • The wasp took off as if in fright, but she came right back.
  • And, as if on cue, I did.
  • And, on cue, he heard the sound of hoofbeats ` on the wind.
  • Dead on cue the runner hurries over to Eli to answer his question.
  • Right on cue, a butterfly flew up to the plants we were looking at and landed!
  • She passed a couple of groundskeepers, who turned as if on cue for a second look.
  • She should have become angry with him for his persistence, on cue, but for some reason she didn't.
  • The boys slashed, jumped, and shouted with enthusiasm and on cue.
  • The sky, as if on cue, was overcast.
  • For now, at least, the cause of tax simplification seems to have been captured by the far right.
  • He unplugged the cables, shoved all the levers over to the far left, and rewound the tape.
  • However, the fact that the far right won more votes than the far-left should make everyone pause and reflect.
  • That Begin had come from the far right, but that in order to govern he has to occupy the center.
  • The activities of the far right have been a cause for concern over here for a while now.
  • The good tee shot was played to the far right of the fairway to set up a second shot to the left.
  • The libertarian view A third view of the revolution has been developed by writers on the far Left of the political spectrum.
  • The top of the hierarchy is at the far left.
► start/get off on the wrong/right foot► left-footed/right-footed
  • After 50yds fork right on to a track which climbs up Triscombe Combe.
  • At the first fork they must go left and at the next fork right and so on until they were challenged.
  • Then with a wave she forked left and was gone.
► would give anything/a lot/your right arm etc for something► God is in his heaven, all’s right with the world► the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing
  • Go straight on Vista for two blocks then hang a left.
  • First, there is that bizarre enormous mythic metal fish that hangs right inside the doorway.
  • I was just in time to see the Sierra hang a left once over the railway.
  • But what happens when you want so much to be right, you end up helping the hard right?
  • Labour moderates win over four of the hard left by agreeing that the cuts shall involve as few compulsory redundancies as possible.
  • Mr Steve King, leader of the hard left, denounces his fellow-councillors as dunderheads, nincompoops and dolts.
  • The showing for the hard left was disappointing.
  • They were stars of the hard left, but we have heard little about them during the election struggle.
  • Too little, say the Tories, too much says the hard left.
  • I executed a hard right turn, but could not see any other aircraft in my vicinity.
  • More often, though, they miss, hang a hard left, and return to the dugout.
  • Sharp took an eight count after taking a hard left hook.
  • Still not enough to justify this desire to reach across the table and deliver a hard right to the gubernatorial chin.
  • Cloughie probably gets closest to it - not he himself but the No. 9 seems to have his head screwed on.
  • She seemed to have her head screwed on right, even if she was a girl.
  • He can be rude and bad-tempered sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
  • Mike's a little grouchy sometimes, but his heart's in the right place.
► (straight/right) from the horse’s mouth
  • The new superintendent has the right idea about attacking illiteracy, but the wrong method.
  • Mrs Donaldson, in last month's letters page, certainly seems to have the right idea.
  • The young lads have the right idea.
  • Numeric quantities can be printed left justified by preceding them with a semi-colon.
► lead somebody a merry old dance/a right old dance► the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing
  • Below, left to right: Davey Philips of Clan Skates.
  • Number them in sequence 1, 2, 3 etc, left to right on each line.
  • Other winners are, left to right,.
  • Run your finger along under the words as you read, so that the child learns that reading goes from left to right.
  • The basic mechanism is to build an edge from left to right.
  • The group photograph shows, from left to right:.
  • Years ago, teams could pick up the free-agent menu and read it left to right.
  • Second, we need some kind of global bodies to prevent a further slide into a politics of might is right.
  • What the child learns is that might is right.
► no one in their right mind ...
  • She said she was going out of her mind in California.
  • Carson was right on the money when he said people are tired of big-shot politicians.
  • That was a case when Jobs's vision was on the money.
► make (all) the right noises (about something)
  • Darren comes to stay with Nikki and is quick to get up the nose of everyone he meets.
  • Even reading your horoscope can get up your nose.
  • I didn't realise it would get up your nose so quickly and so far.
  • I took her to my room, so that her feathers wouldn't get up Mum's nose.
  • It had got up Rufus's nose a bit, though Adam had a perfect right to do this.
  • Pat's car was stolen, almost from under his nose.
  • He reworked everything he wrote until he had hit the right note of Gailic pedantry.
  • So are buskers in Gloucester striking the right note with their audience?
  • That would have the merit of simplicity, but would it strike the right note socially?
  • You have a perfect right to say "no" if you don't want to do it.
  • They have a perfect right to object to it.
  • Oh, no - she knew how to play her cards right.
  • The domino effect can work for us as well as against us if we play our cards right.
  • This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.
► prescriptive right
  • Although you are in a seemingly hopeless situation, keep thinking and get your priorities right.
  • Before we talk, I suggest we get our priorities right.
  • Have we got our priorities right?
  • Some people just can't get their priorities right!
  • Larson has promised to put the city's finances right by the end of the year.
► put somebody straight/right
  • But this is not quite right.
  • Distracted vicars want action against the furry little pests, and quite right too.
  • He was even happy to agree when Louise suggested that the buttons on the jacket were not quite right.
  • If he thinks something isn't quite right he tells me.
  • It is quite right that members sensitivities should be aired.
  • Not quite right, not quite plain enough or narrow enough, but getting there.
  • Now that is very wrong, and yet, somehow, quite right.
  • They'd shared a bed in Cumberland and she had comforted Gordon because nothing was quite right.
► that’s quite all right► the religious right
  • The management reserves the right to refuse admission.
  • Gazette reserves the right to publish at our discretion a photograph of the prize winner. 6.
  • Human beings reserve the right to alter and change views.
  • The editor reserves the right to select and edit questions.
  • The Regional Council reserves the right to augment these observations in reply to the grounds of appeal.
  • These charges and interest rates are variable and the Bank reserves the right to amend them from time to time.
  • This must be returned within five days, otherwise we reserve the right to cancel the contract.
  • We reserve the right to edit letters.
  • The aisles intersect at right angles to form the shape of a cross.
► see somebody right► it serves somebody right
  • Someone had to set Dave straight on company policies and procedures.
  • For this you turn sharp right off the road from Saint-Jean to Saint-Palais, about half-way between those two towns.
  • Pass over a broken wall and turn sharp right.
  • She walked almost to the edge of the cliff, where the road made a sharp left.
  • There was a sharp left turn at the bottom into Ruskin Road.
  • Turn sharp left 80yds before a conifer windbreak.
  • Turn sharp right downhill and uphill to go through another gate.
  • Turn left along this road for three quarters of a mile until the road turns sharp right to become Marsh Road.
  • We made a rocky, wet entry, and then took a sharp right turn along a wall.
  • But those wanting to keep on the right side of the law will have to steer clear of the grape.
  • They were keeping on the right side of the powers that be.
► on the right/wrong side of 30/40 etc
  • De Niro plays a lawyer, on the right side of the law.
  • Mrs Marriot was a woman up our street who used to sell things in her front room.
  • So, if that sounds up your street, get your Peak Performance subscription in soon!
  • This sort of thing should be right up your street.
► tick all the right boxes
  • A slightly larger percentage of pairs of brooches were more abraded on the top right than the top left corner.
  • Here we want the Series in a column so check Columns in the box at the top left.
  • The completed board is shown top left.
  • The dark area in the top right is deep, clear water.
  • The file was a standard office file with a Prior, Keen, Baldwin label stuck in the top right corner.
  • The majority of single brooches examined were found to be more abraded on the top left corner than the top right.
  • The plane again runs roughly from top left to bottom right.
  • Using a tapestry needle threaded with the embroidery colour, begin at the top right of the motif.
  • A few people, though, were on the right track.
  • And other signs helped convince me that I was on the right track.
  • Dole was on the right track when he talked about tolerance, but he mysteriously dropped it once he got the nomination.
  • He hoped the man was on the right track and did his best to believe that he was.
  • I knew I was on the right track when I felt that thrill of pleasure at placing object, not painting it.
  • The officers consequently had little idea whether they were on the right track or not.
  • You are on the right track so follow your nose.
► take the words (right) out of somebody’s mouth
  • At the County Ground, the wolves were on the prowl right from the word go.
  • I knew it was a deliberate attempt from the word go to bring the band down.
  • In Damage, from Josephine Hart's novel, he gets more or less everything wrong from the word go.
  • It was a nightmare from the word go.
  • The marriage was a disaster from the word go, although I didn't realize this until it was all over.
  • They are reflexes built into the system from the word go.
  • He wanted to put the world to rights.
  • More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
  • That straightness of Time, that confining straightness, was one with the Western picture of setting the world to rights.
► two wrongs don’t make a right
Word family
WORD FAMILYadverbrightrightlyrightfullyrigheouslyrighteousnessnounrightrightnessrightsrighteousnessadjectiverightrighteousrightfulverbright
1right a wrong to do something to prevent a bad situation from continuing:  He seems to think he can right all the wrongs of the world.2to put something back into the state or situation that it should be in:  We must try to right the balance between taxation and government spending.3to put something, especially a boat, back into its correct upright position:  I finally managed to right the canoe. She righted herself and picked up her bag.
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更新时间：2025/3/10 0:08:25