place
noun /pleɪs/
/pleɪs/
Idioms - [countable] a particular position, point or area
- in a place Keep your purse in a safe place.
- I can't be in two places at once.
- They organized several demonstrations in public places.
- I happened to be in the right place at the right time.
- place where… Is this the place where it happened?
- place for something This would be a good place for a picnic.
- There is a time and place for these questions, but not right here and now.
- place to do something If you're looking for a new service provider, this list is a good place to start.
Extra Examples- We can easily discover the time and place of the transaction.
- There will be rain in places.
- Schools should be a safe place for children to work in.
- It wasn't his fault. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- This is not the place for an argument.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + place- finish in
- get
- take
- …
- go to somebody
- [countable] a particular city, town, building, etc.
- I can't remember all the places we visited in Thailand.
- I used to live in York and I'm still fond of the place.
- The police searched the place.
- Let's get out of this place!
- place to do something We were looking for a place to eat.
- a place to live/stay
- Please write your full name and date and place of birth.
Extra Examples- What places did you visit in Thailand?
- They met at a place in the centre of town.
- We had dinner at a crowded place in Chelsea.
- trips to faraway places
- holidays in faraway places
- This is a very rewarding place to work.
- We should put the welfare of people and places above markets.
- The book lists each artist's date and place of birth.
- Soybeans are a major protein source in places like China and Japan.
- It seemed a strange place to go for a Sunday walk.
- They are spending a lot of money on making this area a better place to live and work.
- This is one of the best places in the world to study science and engineering.
- They'll need a place to stay when they come to Oxford.
- It is her job to discover the date and place of origin of all the artworks.
- The landscape helps create a strong sense of place.
- It's the kind of place we'll return to for holidays for many years.
- We are working to make our countryside a great place to visit.
- The woods gave them a place to hide.
- The ceremony varies from place to place.
- There are lots of places to eat in the city centre.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- convenient
- good
- great
- …
- mark
- lose
- name
- at a/the place
- in a/the place
- in place
- …
- all over the place
- no place
- not the place
- …
- [countable] (especially in compounds or phrases) a building or an area of land used for a particular purpose
- The town has many excellent eating places.
- I couldn't find a parking place anywhere.
- place of something (formal) churches and other places of worship
- (formal) He can usually be contacted at his place of work.
- (formal) They seem to have no fixed employment or place of residence.
Synonyms placeplacesee also resting place- site
- area
- position
- point
- location
- scene
- spot
- venue
- place a particular point, area, city, town, building, etc., especially one used for a particular purpose or where a particular thing happens:
- This would be a good place for a picnic.
- site the place where something, especially a building, is or will be located; a place where something happened or that is used for a particular purpose:
- They’ve chosen a site for the new school.
- area a part of a room, building or particular space that is used for a special purpose; a particular place on an object:
- the hotel reception area
- Move the cursor to a blank area on the screen.
- position the place where a person or thing is located; the place where somebody/something is meant to be:
- From his position at the top of the hill, he could see the harbour.
- point a particular place within an area, where something happens or is supposed to happen:
- the point at which the river divides
- location a place where something happens or exists, especially a place that is not named or not known:
- The company is moving to a new location.
- scene a place where something happens, especially something unpleasant:
- the scene of the accident
- spot a particular point or area, especially one that has a particular character or where something particular happens:
- The lake is one of the local beauty spots.
- venue the place where people meet for an organized event such as a performance or sports event.
- at a place/site/position/point/location/scene/spot/venue
- in a(n) place/area/position/location/venue
- the place/site/point/location/spot/venue where…
- the right place/site/position/location/spot/venue
- a central site/position/location/venue
- the/somebody’s/something’s exact/precise place/site/position/point/location/spot
Extra Examples- the city's ban on smoking in business places
- Here is a list of churches and other places of worship.
- The spa is a place for relaxing.
- Areas as rural as this have no polling places.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- convenient
- good
- great
- …
- mark
- lose
- name
- at a/the place
- in a/the place
- in place
- …
- all over the place
- no place
- not the place
- …
- [countable] a particular area on a surface, especially on a person’s body
- in… places He broke his arm in three places.
- in places The paint was peeling off the wall in places.
- The footbath is bumpy in places.
Extra Examples- Her blonde hair was sticking up in some places.
- Her spine was fractured in two places.
- There will be widespread rain which will be heavy in places.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- convenient
- good
- great
- …
- mark
- lose
- name
- at a/the place
- in a/the place
- in place
- …
- all over the place
- no place
- not the place
- …
- [countable] a point in a book, speech, piece of music, etc., especially one that somebody has reached at a particular time
- She had marked her place with a bookmark.
- Excuse me, I seem to have lost my place.
- in… places The audience laughed in all the right places.
- in places The film is scary in places.
- place in something This is one of the few places in his work where he mentions his childhood.
Extra Examples- I forgot to mark my place.
- The teacher asked us to identify places in the music where there was tension.
- He knocked the book out of my hand and made me lose my place.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- convenient
- good
- great
- …
- mark
- lose
- name
- at a/the place
- in a/the place
- in place
- …
- all over the place
- no place
- not the place
- …
- [countable] the natural or correct position for something
- place (in/on something) (to do something) Is there a place on the form to put your address?
- There is a place to sign and date at the bottom of the form.
- in something's place Put it back in its place when you've finished with it.
- place for something He remembered the saying ‘A place for everything and everything in its place.’
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- convenient
- good
- great
- …
- mark
- lose
- name
- at a/the place
- in a/the place
- in place
- …
- all over the place
- no place
- not the place
- …
- [countable] a position, seat, etc., especially one that is available for or being used by a person or vehicle
- Come and sit here—I've saved you a place.
- I don't want to lose my place in the line.
- Would you like to change places with me so you can see better?
- I've set a place for you at the table.
Extra Examples- We took our places around the table.
- The boy returned to his place.
- She showed them to their places.
- I've laid four places for dinner.
- I lost my place in line.
- He took the place of honour on his hostess's right.
- He changed places with me.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + place- sit (down) in
- take
- go back to
- …
- card
- mat
- setting
- …
- the place of honour/honor
- [countable] an opportunity to take part in something, especially to study at a school or university or on a course
- She's been offered a place at Bath to study Business.
- There are very few places left on the course.
Extra ExamplesTopics Educationb1- He was awarded a place at Leeds University.
- She got a place on the French course.
- To book your place, contact the workshop leader.
- He won a place at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- college
- nursery
- school
- …
- get
- win
- award somebody
- …
- place at
- place in
- place on
- …
- [countable] the position of being a member of a sports team
- She has won a place in the Olympic team.
- He lost his place in the first team.
Extra Examples- He lost his place in the team.
- He was injured and lost his place in the side.
- They have offered her a place in the squad.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + place- get
- offer somebody
- lose
- …
- place on
- [countable, usually singular] a position among the winners of a race or competition; a position in the next stage of a competition
- She took third place.
- in… place He finished in third place.
- place in something Victory earned them a place in the final.
Extra Examples- Second place went to the Moroccan athlete.
- They tied for second place.
- The final whistle confirmed their place in the final.
- Jack received a second place finish.
- She got first place in the entrance exam.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + place- finish in
- get
- take
- …
- go to somebody
- [singular] the role or importance of somebody/something in a particular situation, usually in relation to others
- place in something He is assured of his place in history.
- They felt that they had no place in society and nowhere to go.
- It took her a while to find her place in the world.
- Anecdotes have no place in (= are not acceptable in) an academic essay.
- Accurate reporting takes second place to lurid detail.
- My father believed that people should know their place (= behave according to their social position).
- It's not your place (= your role) to give advice.
Extra Examples- a statesman who is assured a place in history
- She knows her place.
- It's not your place to correct her.
- I'm sorry—I was forgetting my place.
- Her victory secured her a place in history.
- He has been restored to his rightful place in the community.
- Dance has a central place in their culture.
- He holds a special place in her affections.
- Housing occupied a prominent place in the discussions.
- I'm fed up with always taking second place to her sports training.
- This album secures his place in the ranks of the great British songwriters.
- Sugary foods have no place in our schools.
- She struggled to find her place in society.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- central
- important
- prominent
- …
- have
- hold
- occupy
- …
- place in
- it’s not somebody’s place to
- a place in history
- [singular] (informal) a house or flat; a person’s home
- What about dinner at my place?
- I'm fed up with living with my parents, so I'm looking for a place of my own.
- I thought I’d better clean the place up.
Extra Examples- She's looking for a place to rent in the village.
- It's a nice place you've got here.
- It was a terrible place to live.
- They're trying to find a place to live.
- [countable] (usually with a negative) a suitable or safe area for somebody to be
- These streets are no place for a child to be out alone at night.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- convenient
- good
- great
- …
- mark
- lose
- name
- at a/the place
- in a/the place
- in place
- …
- all over the place
- no place
- not the place
- …
- [countable] the position of a figure after a decimal point
- Convert the decimal to a percentage by moving the decimal point two places to the right.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- central
- important
- prominent
- …
- have
- hold
- occupy
- …
- place in
- it’s not somebody’s place to
- a place in history
- Place[singular](abbreviation Pl.)used as part of a name for a short street or square
- 66 Portland Place
position/point/area
city/town/building
area on surface
in book/speech, etc.
correct position
seat
at university/school
in sports team
in race/competition
role/importance
home
safe area
mathematics
street/square
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from an alteration of Latin platea ‘open space’, from Greek plateia (hodos) ‘broad (way)’.
Idioms
all over the place
(British English also all over the shop)
(US English also all over the lot)
(informal)- everywhere
- New restaurants are appearing all over the place.
- not neat or tidy; not well organized
- Your calculations are all over the place (= completely wrong).
be going places
- (informal) to be getting more and more successful in your life or career
- a young architect who’s really going places
behave/act as if you own the place | think you own the place
- (disapproving) to behave in a very confident way that annoys other people, for example by telling them what to do
- She was acting as if she owned the place.
be in a good, bad, dark, etc. place
(also less frequent be in a good, bad, dark, etc. space)
- to be feeling happy, sad, worried, etc. about something; to be in a good, bad, unhappy, etc. state
- I'm happy now. I'm in a good place.
- Me and Ed are in a good space right now.
- The economy is in a better place than it was a year ago.
- He was in a bad place, mentally and emotionally.
- She was in a dark place after her mother's death.
be in the right place at the right time
- to be able to take advantage of opportunities when they come
- His success was down to being in the right place at the right time.
(caught/stuck) between a rock and a hard place
- in a situation where you have to choose between two things, both of which are unpleasant
change/swap places (with somebody)
- (usually used in negative sentences) to be in somebody else’s situation
- I'm perfectly happy—I wouldn't change places with anyone.
fall/slot into place
- if something complicated or difficult to understand falls or slots into place, it becomes organized or clear in your mind
- Then I found his diary and it all began to fall into place.
friends, people, etc. in high places
- friends, people, etc. in positions of power and influence
- He has friends in high places.
give place to somebody/something
- (formal) to be replaced by somebody/something synonym give way to
- Houses and factories gave place to open fields as the train gathered speed.
have/hold a place in somebody's heart
- to be very dear to somebody
- He'll always have a place in my heart.
somebody’s heart is in the right place
- used to say that somebody’s intentions are kind and sincere even though they sometimes do the wrong thing
if I was/were in your place
- used to introduce a piece of advice you are giving to somebody
- If I were in your place, I'd resign immediately.
in the first place
- used at the end of a sentence to talk about why something was done or whether it should have been done or not
- I still don't understand why you chose that name in the first place.
- I should never have taken that job in the first place.
in the first, second, etc. place
- used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce the different points you are making in an argument
- Well, in the first place he has all the right qualifications.
in my, your, etc. place
- in my, your, etc. situation
- I wouldn't like to be in your place.
in place
- (also into place)in the correct position; ready for something
- Carefully lay each slab in place.
- The receiver had already clicked into place.
Extra Examples- She tapped the lid into place.
- It was held in place with tape.
- working or ready to work
- All the arrangements are now in place for their visit.
- How long has the import ban been in place?
- (North American English) (also on the spot British and North American English)in one exact place, without moving in any direction
- Running in place is good exercise.
in place of somebody/something | in somebody’s/something’s place
- instead of somebody/something
- You can use milk in place of cream in this recipe.
- He was unable to come to the ceremony, but he sent his son to accept the award in his place.
lightning never strikes (in the same place) twice
- (saying) an unusual or unpleasant event is not likely to happen in the same place or to the same people twice
not have a hair out of place
- (of a person) to look extremely clean and neat
out of place
- not in the correct place
- Some of these files seem to be out of place.
- not suitable for a particular situation
- Her remarks were out of place.
- I felt completely out of place among all these successful people.
a place in the sun
- a position in which you are comfortable or have an advantage over other people
pride of place
- the position in which something is most easily seen, that is given to the most important thing in a particular group
- The photo was given pride of place on the mantelpiece.
put somebody in their place
- to make somebody feel stupid or embarrassed for showing too much confidence
- At first she tried to take charge of the meeting but I soon put her in her place.
put yourself in somebody else’s/somebody’s place
- to imagine that you are in somebody else’s situation
- Of course I was upset—just put yourself in my place.
take place
- to happen, especially after previously being arranged or planned
- The film festival takes place in October.
- We may never discover what took place that night.
take somebody’s/something’s place | take the place of somebody/something
- to replace somebody/something
- She couldn't attend the meeting so her assistant took her place.
- Computers have taken the place of typewriters in most offices.
take your place
- to go to the physical position that is necessary for an activity
- Take your places for dinner.
- to take or accept the status in society that is correct or that you deserve