debate1 noundebate2 verb
debatede‧bate1 /dɪˈbeɪt/ ●●● S2 W2 AWL noun 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- The law was passed, after a long and sometimes angry debate.
- There will be a televised debate between those in favour of military action and those who are against.
- This matter has been the subject of intense public debate in recent weeks.
- For his part, Simpson said nothing Tuesday to fuel the debate over the verdicts.
- His jibe was greeted with howls of laughter as Mr Smith savaged Mr Major during the emergency debate on the economy.
- However, the House will have further opportunities during the debate to clarify that important point.
- On some issues he gave details of steps to settle the debate.
- The first question on foreign policy came 35 minutes into the debate.
- This stark view of what really matters has touched off a spirited debate and will occupy us in Chapter 5.
- Which is fine -- we enjoy a good debate in print, sensationalist punks that we are.
THESAURUS
an occasion when you discuss something, or the process of discussing it: · After a long discussion, they decided to paint the room pale blue.· This led to a discussion of our favourite books.· There are several projects under discussion (=being discussed).
discussion of a particular subject that often continues for a long time, in which people express different opinions. Also used to mean a formal discussion of a subject, after which people vote for or against something: · There is a lot of debate about the safety of nuclear power.· The student union is holding a debate on immigration.
formal discussions between governments, organizations etc: · the Arab-Israeli peace talks· The next round of trade talks will be held in the spring.· Bilateral talks (=between two groups or countries)on refugees took place in November.
official discussions between two or more groups who are trying to agree on something: · The two sides have begun negotiations aimed at ending the dispute.· International negotiations on reducing sulphur dioxide emissions have ended without agreement.
a large formal meeting at which people from many places discuss their work or research, or important matters relating to their organization: · an international conference on nuclear physics· the Labour Party conference
a formal discussion in which people who are affected by or involved in something can give their opinions: · The government promised a full public consultation before a decision was made to build the airport.· The revised syllabus was devised after wide consultations with the teaching profession.
Longman Language Activatora meeting where people discuss something when people talk about and exchange ideas about something, especially in order to make a decision: · The committee, after much discussion, had decided to go ahead with the proposal to ban cigarette advertising.discussion about: · Most people find honest discussions about sex a little awkward.discussion with: · After a long discussion with her father, she decided not to take the job.
when people who represent governments, companies, workers' groups etc meet to discuss a problem or business arrangement and try to reach an agreement: · The trade negotiations between the US and Japan are going very well.negotiations with: · Negotiations with the Turkish government are due to begin tomorrow.
a series of discussions between political or business leaders, which may continue for several days or weeks and are intended to solve a difficult problem: · the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, known as 'SALT'hold talks: · The peace talks are being held in Geneva.talks with: · The company's managers have begun talks with union leaders.be in talks: · Russia's main diamond producer has also been in talks with the mining company.peace/trade talks: · a tough negotiator in international trade talks
a formal public discussion, for example in parliament or on television, in which two or more groups of people make speeches giving different opinions about a subject, and people vote on it afterwards: · The law was passed, after a long and sometimes angry debate.debate on/about: · There will be a televised debate between those in favour of military action and those who are against.
an organization, meeting, or television programme where people have a chance to discuss an important subject in public: forum for: · The association began as a forum for sharing ideas about management problems.forum to do something: · I want a forum to address the most serious problem facing the people of this state.
when there are several different opinions about something: it is debatable whether · It is debatable whether these alternative medical treatments actually work.a debatable point · Whether or not the government was right to arrest the protesters is an extremely debatable point.
something that is questionable seems doubtful and is likely to be wrong or untrue: · The conclusions of the survey are questionable because the research was based on a very small sample of people.it is questionable whether: · It is questionable whether the advertisements will increase sales.
something that is open to question or open to debate seems doubtful and needs to be checked or discussed: · Many people feel that the safety of the drug is now open to question.· Just why the guerrillas decided to shoot down the unarmed plane remains open to debate.it is open to question/debate whether: · It is open to debate whether the new government is any better than the old one.
something that different people have different opinions about: · I'm not sure that bringing in computers has made our job easier. It's a moot point.· Whether or not increasing taxes will result in a fairer society remains a moot point.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives
In the ensuing fighting, two students were killed. There was a furious row over the proposals. The rumor has been hotly denied. a lively debate on environmental issues She was involved in a long-running legal battle. a long-standing feud between the two families the expense of a protracted legal battle attempts to reopen the issue of the power station’s future The evidence was clear, and there was little room for doubt. the increasingly sterile debate on political reform
· There has been considerable debate about the way forward for education.
(=interesting and involving a lot of different opinions)· The conference produced some lively debate.
(=in which people put forward strong and different arguments)· The future of the nuclear industry has been a matter of intense debate.
(=in which people express strong opinions in an angry way)· There has been a fierce debate over the way the war was fought.
(=involving more people or a more general discussion)· We believe that there should be a wider debate on such an important issue.
(=in which people put forward their ideas publicly, so that everyone can form an opinion.)· He called for a public debate on race and discrimination.
(=one that involves everyone in a country)· It is time to start a national debate on the future of the health service.
(=involving members of political parties)· There was much political debate on pensions reform.
(=continuing for a long time)· the long-running debate about the future of our inner cities
(=still continuing)· This is unlikely to be the final word in this ongoing debate.
verbs· I think we should have a public debate on this issue.
(=cause a debate to start)· The episode provoked fierce debate about freedom of speech.
(=prevent people from having a debate)· How can the party stifle debate on such an important issue?
(=happens over a period of time and and involves strong feelings)· A national debate is now raging over the level of youth crime.
phrases (=be something that people discuss)· Teaching methods have long been the subject of debate.
(=be something that people have discussed)· The effectiveness of the government’s policy has been a matter of fierce debate.
(=be something that people should discuss)· The future of the police force is a matter for public debate.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· The country now faces a bitter debate over the issue.
In the ensuing fighting, two students were killed. (=the thing which people are discussing)· The strike became the focus of debate in the media.
There was a furious row over the proposals. The rumor has been hotly denied.· Abortion has become the subject of intense debate.
· They met to discuss the issue of working conditions at the factory.
a lively debate on environmental issues She was involved in a long-running legal battle. a long-standing feud between the two families (=something to be debated/negotiated etc)· How to solve the housing crisis is a matter for debate.
(=discuss whether or not something is a good idea)· They were discussing the merits of sending soldiers to the area.
the expense of a protracted legal battle· A new book criticising Hollywood has provoked fierce debate in the US.
attempts to reopen the issue of the power station’s future The evidence was clear, and there was little room for doubt. the increasingly sterile debate on political reform (=a subject people discuss and disagree about)· The reason for the increased risk of cancer is still a subject of debate.
· The issue is a topic of great debate in the record industry.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Since the early 1960s, considerable debate has taken place in educational circles about the nature of history as a discipline.· While Eckstrom and Bronson both supported Grijalva for board chairman, there was considerable debate over that position among the three Demos.· There is, however, considerable debate as to the extent of change, and the reasons for it.· This will involve a large number of managers, some further external help, and considerable debate.· It also has been the subject of considerable historical debate.· A flexible engineering system had been introduced after considerable debate about the worthwhileness of the investment.· The salient causal processes in the creation of this deferential coalfield culture are the subject of considerable debate.· There is considerable debate over the most appropriate index of deprivation in particular situations.
· Here we publish edited answers to some of the questions that are dominating the current political debate.· The fundamental issue in the current debate is whether environmental lead causes intellectual impairment or behavioural disturbances in children.· The current architectural debate has served to polarise popular opinion on modern architecture.· The current education debate also seems to be pushing for a return to traditional teaching methods.· Helfet: X100 stylist Current debate at Browns Lane has turned to the engine's power output.· The current debate in the packaging industry concerns the environmental effects of polyvinyl chloride.· In the current debate about Maastricht that policy is worthy of public and Government interest.· Full scale reform of official secrets legislation is still very much a topic of current debate.
· Agreement was only reached following a fierce debate over the question of radioactive waste.· These questions set off fierce debate among cleaning experts.· This is a matter of fierce debate.· As the deadline approached a fierce debate raged in the United States.· The point is important, because conservation has recently become the subject of fierce debate.· A fierce debate arose among those trying to respond to the unfavourable economic and social effects of occupation.· But it was a long gestation, and a fierce debate still simmers about when and where the birth actually took place.
· But in this great debate one point is being missed.· Now comes the great Medicaid debate.· So just where does Bernard stand on the great guitar solo debate?· Like David and Goliath, two combatants have stood out from the academic armies engaged in the great demographic debate.· There has been a great deal of debate about the collection and use of these.· The great debates between Webster and Calhoun over slavery or the Gettysburg Address are simply impossible today.· In both Britain and the United States there has been a great deal of debate on the question of police accountability.· The great debate continues raging across the Sunshine State today.
· There was heated debate, but by the casting vote of the chairman we got our grant.· There was heated debate regarding the performance of number of ministers.· After fifteen months of heated debate, Billingham was abandoned.· Around such alternatives have views polarised in the heated debate over what the bill means for viewers.· The establishment of these schools outside the local authority system is a matter of heated political debate.· Indeed, this is an area of heated debate and it is quite difficult to tease out what is actually going on.· But even wind power, as heated debates at various public enquiries have revealed, is not without its critics.· This set off another heated debate.
· The Thatcher government's policy, effected in the Broadcasting Act of 1990, provoked intense debate.· His approach has incited even more intense debate among Democrats.· These have been the subject of intense debate, with religious preferences sometimes intruding.· How much money Simpson has is a matter of intense speculation and debate.· Yellowstone was threatened in 1883-4 by a plan to allow mining, but the park was saved after an intense debate.· The implications of this change have been the subject of intense debate since 1978.· After weeks of intense inter-party debate, clauses relating to privatization had been omitted.
· First, there must be a continuing and lively debate on ethical matters to ensure that ethical guidance is kept up-to-date.· As others may have different theories a genuine desire to prove a point of view leads to some lively debate.· The sections that follow represent an attempt to examine briefly some of the liveliest areas of debate.· The conference produced some lively debate and occasionally some widely differing viewpoints.· Needless to say, there is a continuous and lively debate about whose model is the best.
· But a national debate on architecture at this level is as banal as it is unhelpful.· Whether or not the proposal is enacted, it may well set off a national debate.· What began as a squabble has polarised into a national debate.· The first state to publicly debate the issue of competition in public education, Minnesota triggered the national debate about choice.· But if this national facility is needed, there should be a national debate about its location.· Republicans, battered as they are in the public opinion polls, succeeded in dramatically transforming the terms of the national debate.· At this point the debate over the civil rights bill merged into a wider national debate concerning the legitimacy of reverse discrimination.· The abandonment of separate education, peculiarly enough, has occurred without any visible national debate.
· Driving the process was the ongoing debate over what might be the very best face Lisa could put forth.· An ongoing debate among those who ponder fashion has been whether dresses, suits and blouses can be considered art.· Those on the other side of this ongoing debate fare little better.· It also provides a way of showing economic research in action by sketching the ongoing debate.
· This concept is open to debate, in that at least some Ediacaran fossils can be compared with known metazoans.· A resignation would force open the debate and make Dini keep his promise to quit, the Alliance argued.· The actual number of words that are necessary is open to debate.· In other words, they both have valid points, which is often the case in an open and honest debate.· Democracy and open debate were inseparable.· I am perfectly open to that debate.· How that expectation is calculated is certainly open to debate and criticism.
· The parliamentary debate on the Report showed the Home Secretary adopting a two-pronged strategy in his response.· The parliamentary debate has been deferred.· They were subject to exhaustive parliamentary debate and, on occasion, referendum.· A parliamentary debate on the issue might be the one thing to tear the coalition apart.· An extraordinary parliamentary debate on July 22, however, endorsed the government's action.
· The fabric of political debate and mobilization is both narrower and wider.· In past election years, differences over defense spending and foreign policy have been central to the political debate.· Britain's poor economic performance has been the dominant theme of political debate and economic discourse since the 1950s.· Sarah Benton discusses the paralysis of political debate on the Gulf in Britain.· Not so in the United States, where the very definition of human existence is the bread and butter of political debate.· Moreover, the reform process itself is part of the currency of political debate.· Despite some good acting from the ensemble cast, the characters slip into the stereotypes needed to establish the political debate.
· And didn't it, in many ways, shape the whole presidential debate, raising causes that others feared to touch?· The proposed vice presidential debate would be held in Hartford, Conn., on Oct. 2.· The vice presidential debate is scheduled Oct. 2 in Hartford, Conn.· We reached an impasse over the presidential debate in October.· Dole, who is scheduled to speak last, decided to skip a presidential debate Saturday in South Carolina.· It is unclear whether Perot will be allowed to participate in the three scheduled presidential debates, as he did last time.· Funnier than the last presidential debate, but just barely.· The threat was made after Bailey helped lead a demonstration last month at Gammage Auditorium before the Republican presidential primary debate.
· The agenda for public debate about defence issues is increasingly shaped by the activities of the Pentagon's biggest arms' suppliers.· His eloquence is often out of place in public debates, where precision and clarity are preferred to brilliant imagination.· Yet apart from a few scattered Tory voices, there is no public debate.· He enters freely into public debate from his close attention to most subjects, but he is no Orator.· Doubts over Bush's health, however, provoked renewed public debate over Quayle's competence.· The rule thus dampens the vigor and limits the variety of public debate.· The initial draft received many letters of comment from both camps and was followed up with a public debate in Glasgow.· Ability to use the written and spoken word in order to enter into public debate.
· The Opposition refused to answer that in the recent debate, and they have refused to answer it again today.· Both the current reforms and other possible changes which have been suggested in recent debates of the health service will be examined.· Electoral changes and their relationship to the political parties have been the subject of much recent analysis and debate.· This was demonstrated clearly in the recent debates in Parliament.· A recent ageism debate brought out some serious points.· Though essentially traditionalist, the work shows a critical spirit and a lively interest in recent discoveries and debates.· One area of recent debate concerns radon gas and its links to lung cancer.· All these examples are speculative, but all have surfaced in the recent debate on higher education.
VERB· The second part, Chapters 5-8, conducts the three debates catalogued in Figure 1.2.
· It doesn't contribute to any debate.· This is far more intense a challenge than contributing to debates about strategy and design.· To contribute to this debate, Coopers & Lybrand formed a working party to survey and examine interim reporting.· Given the still exiguous literature of colour in art we can not expect to contribute to a running debate.· I understand that other hon. Members wish to contribute to the debate before it concludes.· We look forward to contributing to this debate.· We believe that social anthropologists can contribute more to the debates, in both empirical and theoretical terms.
· Instead, they say industry should engage in the debate to promote the life-saving benefits from testing treatments on animals.· Very few environmentalists would choose to engage in a debate about the extent to which they had either succeeded or sold out.
· He made parliament come alive with unscripted reports of the heated debates during the Suez debacle.· The continuing, and heated, judicial debate on racial preference indicates that the ultimate outcome of this controversy remains in doubt.· The capital gains tax controversy coincides with another heated national debate affecting white people.· Even the slightest interface aspect could trigger a heated debate, with adherents of opposing solutions arguing with near-Jesuitical intensity.· The issue was the subject of heated debate in a weekly morning caucus session.· Reginald Tufts, whose fighting ability was frequently the topic of heated debate, hit me until I cried.· Since 1980, a balanced-budget amendment has been the focus of heated debate in congressional committees and on the floor.· No presidential policy is so controversial that it provokes heated debate.
· The Future Development of Auditing deserves to provoke a fundamental debate.· A proposed resolution to oppose voucher plans and charter schools provoked a spirited debate on the convention floor.· The fall of the Berlin Wall provokes a debate between the Professore and a Priest.· No presidential policy is so controversial that it provokes heated debate.· Doubts over Bush's health, however, provoked renewed public debate over Quayle's competence.· This highly readable account deserves a wide audience and should provoke serious debate.· The move provoked a prolonged debate about the pricing of audits.· The Thatcher government's policy, effected in the Broadcasting Act of 1990, provoked intense debate.
· The cautious effort to reopen the debate was sparked by a controversial report from the United Nations Population Division this year.
· This idea sparked off a debate that still continues.· The arrival of the census form routinely sparks a bad-tempered debate about intrusiveness and unreasonable authority.· It also sparked debate over the treatment of animals in science.· The report sparked the first nationwide debate over whether low-calorie dieting was now outmoded.· The controversies surrounding severe mental handicap which began in the early 1980s sparked off a national debate which continues today.· The painting sparked a debate that finally led to Gross appearing in court last March.· Attrition rates, for tanks and aircraft increased greatly, sparking off a debate about the implication of the new technologies.· Putnam's article sparked enormous debate and soul-searching.
· There have been a total of four nationally televised vice presidential debates since the format premiered in 1976 when Sen.· Dole passed on participating in a televised debate last Friday in Dallas.· It therefore should be stated quite firmly that televised presidential debates are extremely valuable.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- As a practical matter, the wisdom of tax-cutting is open to debate.
- In Alcove 1, everything was open to debate.
- It is open to debate whether the office should be performed by a police officer or by a prosecutorial figure.
- Jospin's conclusions may be open to debate, but the way he has formulated them is laudable.
- The actual number of words that are necessary is open to debate.
- This concept is open to debate, in that at least some Ediacaran fossils can be compared with known metazoans.
- Whether a further wave of takeovers in the brewing industry would benefit consumers is open to debate.
- Whether civil liberties or freedom of expression really languished in this period is open to debate.
- After a short heated argument, the inspector agreed to pay the costs in cash from his local station funds.
- After fifteen months of heated debate, Billingham was abandoned.
- It got off to a hairy start with several heated discussions about what a wild boar is.
- No presidential policy is so controversial that it provokes heated debate.
- Since 1980, a balanced-budget amendment has been the focus of heated debate in congressional committees and on the floor.
- There was heated argument at the meeting, with strongly differing views advanced.
- There was a heated argument between the two men which at length it fell to Branson to settle.
- Witnesses have already given descriptions of the pair who were seen having what appeared to be a heated argument.
WORD FAMILYnoundebatedebaterverbdebate
1[countable, uncountable] discussion of a particular subject that often continues for a long time and in which people express different opinions: the gun-control debate in the US The new drug has become the subject of heated debate within the medical profession.debate over/about There has been widespread public debate over the introduction of genetically modified food. There was much lively debate about whether women should spend more time in the home. A fierce debate raged over which artist’s work should be chosen for the prize.debate between the ongoing debate between environmentalists and the road-building lobby over the future of our countryside Nuclear power has always been a topic that has sparked off considerable debate.2[countable, uncountable] a formal discussion of a particular problem, subject etc in which people express different opinions, and sometimes vote on themdebate on/over/about a debate on legalized gambling a televised debatehave/hold/conduct a debate It would have been better to hold the debate during the day.be under debate What topics are under debate in Congress this week?3be open to debate (also be a matter for debate) if an idea is open to debate, no one has proved yet whether it is true or false SYN debatable: Whether that would have made any difference is open to debate.COLLOCATIONSadjectivesconsiderable debate· There has been considerable debate about the way forward for education.lively debate (=interesting and involving a lot of different opinions)· The conference produced some lively debate.intense debate (=in which people put forward strong and different arguments)· The future of the nuclear industry has been a matter of intense debate.a heated/fierce debate (=in which people express strong opinions in an angry way)· There has been a fierce debate over the way the war was fought.a wider debate (=involving more people or a more general discussion)· We believe that there should be a wider debate on such an important issue.a public debate (=in which people put forward their ideas publicly, so that everyone can form an opinion.)· He called for a public debate on race and discrimination.national debate (=one that involves everyone in a country)· It is time to start a national debate on the future of the health service.political debate (=involving members of political parties)· There was much political debate on pensions reform.long-running debate (=continuing for a long time)· the long-running debate about the future of our inner citiesongoing debate (=still continuing)· This is unlikely to be the final word in this ongoing debate.verbshave a debate· I think we should have a public debate on this issue.provoke/spark/trigger debate (=cause a debate to start)· The episode provoked fierce debate about freedom of speech.stifle debate (=prevent people from having a debate)· How can the party stifle debate on such an important issue?debate rages (=happens over a period of time and and involves strong feelings)· A national debate is now raging over the level of youth crime.phrasesbe the subject of debate (=be something that people discuss)· Teaching methods have long been the subject of debate.be a matter of debate (=be something that people have discussed)· The effectiveness of the government’s policy has been a matter of fierce debate.be a matter for debate (=be something that people should discuss)· The future of the police force is a matter for public debate.debate1 noundebate2 verb
debatedebate2 ●●○ AWL verb [intransitive, transitive] WORD ORIGINdebate2
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French debatre, from batre ‘to hit’VERB TABLE
debate
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | debate |
| he, she, it | debates | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | debated |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have debated |
| he, she, it | has debated | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had debated |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will debate |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have debated |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am debating |
| he, she, it | is debating | |
| you, we, they | are debating | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was debating |
| you, we, they | were debating | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been debating |
| he, she, it | has been debating | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been debating |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be debating |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been debating |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Few areas of nutrition are more hotly debated than whether or not people should take vitamin supplements.
- The government clearly refuses to give us an opportunity to debate any longer.
- The matter will be debated by the General Assembly.
- The new law was debated in Parliament on 14 February.
- They had already debated where to go on vacation, Yosemite or Lake Tahoe.
- We debated whether to fly or go by train, finally deciding on the train.
- We were debating the best way to reach the river, when a passing ranger kindly pointed it out.
- But later the deputies set the stage for possible compromise by agreeing to debate a referendum after all.
- He was mournfully re-enacting the conversation between two officials, as they debated the merits of revoking a pass-interference penalty.
- The Bundesbank central council will meet Thursday to debate interest-rate and monetary policy.
- They were no longer debating the rights of man at a Club for Equality and Reform.
- We have spent three days debating the council tax.
- Whilst the consequences of these changes may be hotly debated, their marketing impact on business enterprises has been immense.
THESAURUSto talk seriously
to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans: · They met to discuss how the building should be designed.· She refuses to discuss the matter.
to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you: · Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family.· You two need to sit down and talk things over.
to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem: · The issue will be debated on Tuesday.· The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions.
Longman Language Activatorto talk about something with someone to talk about and exchange ideas about something in order to come to an agreement, understand it better, or to make plans: · The two families got together to discuss the wedding arrangements.· The report will be discussed at next week's meeting.discuss something with somebody: · Don't make any plans yet - I want to discuss this with Jamie first.discuss what/how/where etc: · We need to discuss what kind of food we want at the party.
· I think we need to talk.talk about · If you have a problem at school, sit down and talk about it with your parents.talk to · Gerry wants to talk to his girlfriend before he makes a decision.talk with American · If you need more money you should talk with Richard.
to talk to someone about all the details of a serious problem or difficult situation, in order to understand it better: talk something/it over: · If you're worried about your work, come and see me and we'll talk it over.talk over something: · The girls were talking over the events of the day.talk something over with somebody: · It's often useful to talk things over with a trained counsellor.
to discuss different possible choices of what to do before choosing the best one: · We were debating the best way to reach the river, when a passing ranger kindly pointed it out.debate where/what/whether etc: · We debated whether to fly or go by train, finally deciding on the train.· They had already debated where to go on vacation, Yosemite or Lake Tahoe.
informal to discuss an idea with a group of people in order to decide whether it is good or not: · These meetings are useful for kicking around preliminary ideas.· Academics have been kicking around the idea for three decades.
informal if two or more people put their heads together , they discuss something together in order to solve a problem: · We'll put our heads together after work and see if we can come up with a solution.put your heads together to do something: · 150 government leaders are putting their heads together to discuss how to curb the production of greenhouse gases.
to settle a disagreement or difficult situation by talking to the person involved, especially when you are angry with them: · We've had it out and I've told John exactly what I think.have it out with: · I've a good mind to have it out with him here and now.
to try to reach an agreement in politics or business to discuss a political problem or business arrangement in order to try to reach an agreement - use this especially about political or business leaders: · If we corner him, he won't negotiate.negotiate with: · The government says it will not negotiate with terrorists.negotiate an agreement/deal/price etc: · Colombia and Venezuela are currently negotiating a trade agreement.
a discussion in politics or business during which each group tries to gain for themselves as many advantages as possible but has to give something or do something in return: · After much bargaining, we agreed to share the profits 50-50.· Effective bargaining by their union has gained clothing workers a 9% pay rise.
to discuss the details of a problem or plan thoroughly and argue about them until an agreement is reached: thrash out something: · Her lawyers have been ruthless in thrashing out a divorce settlement.· Differences over EU policy were left to be thrashed out at a later date.thrash it out: · If that's going to cause you a problem, we'll have to thrash it out before we get started.
if two people or groups hammer out an agreement, plan etc, they reach agreement about it after discussing it and arguing about it a lot: · Canada and the US have hammered out a final form for their trade agreement.· Before an advertising strategy can be hammered out, the agency must understand the client's true needs.
to discuss a political or social problem publicly or officially, especially in a parliament or committee: · The new law was debated in Parliament on 14 February.· The government clearly refuses to give us an opportunity to debate any longer.be hotly debated (=to be discussed by a lot of people who have strong feelings): · Few areas of nutrition are more hotly debated than whether or not people should take vitamin supplements.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY His conclusions are hotly debated (=argued about strongly).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES In the ensuing fighting, two students were killed. There was a furious row over the proposals. The rumor has been hotly denied. a lively debate on environmental issues She was involved in a long-running legal battle. a long-standing feud between the two families the expense of a protracted legal battle attempts to reopen the issue of the power station’s future The evidence was clear, and there was little room for doubt. the increasingly sterile debate on political reform
His conclusions are hotly debated (=argued about strongly).· The country now faces a bitter debate over the issue.
In the ensuing fighting, two students were killed. (=the thing which people are discussing)· The strike became the focus of debate in the media.
There was a furious row over the proposals. The rumor has been hotly denied.· Abortion has become the subject of intense debate.
· They met to discuss the issue of working conditions at the factory.
a lively debate on environmental issues She was involved in a long-running legal battle. a long-standing feud between the two families (=something to be debated/negotiated etc)· How to solve the housing crisis is a matter for debate.
(=discuss whether or not something is a good idea)· They were discussing the merits of sending soldiers to the area.
the expense of a protracted legal battle· A new book criticising Hollywood has provoked fierce debate in the US.
attempts to reopen the issue of the power station’s future The evidence was clear, and there was little room for doubt. the increasingly sterile debate on political reform (=a subject people discuss and disagree about)· The reason for the increased risk of cancer is still a subject of debate.
· The issue is a topic of great debate in the record industry.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· The effects of television on childhood socialisation have been hotly debated for more than three decades.· Mackowiak says the causes, benefits and dangers of fever in humans are hotly debated among researchers.· The significance of this long-term advantage is still being hotly debated.· Fifty-two percent of California voters approved the hotly debated term-limits initiative in 1990.· Whilst the consequences of these changes may be hotly debated, their marketing impact on business enterprises has been immense.· Whether the abandoned innards, which are consumed by coyotes and ravens, harbor the disease is hotly debated.· The significance of these changes has been hotly debated; these debates will be examined later in the chapter.· A second hotly debated law set up the framework for a state Earthquake Authority.
· And doctors and governments alike are debating how to curb the excesses of drug promotion.· Officials were still debating how to pay for the program.· Changes in the occupational structure Sociologists from Marx and Weber onwards have debated how best to define social classes.
· While the evidence for the validity of the hypothesis is much debated, the evidence against it is almost non-existent.· That claim has been challenged and much debated, but it seems to hold up.· Probability is a very difficult notion, much debated by philosophers.· What this was was much debated, particularly by the metropolitan bishops of Arles and Vienne.
· Several of the professors were internationally known figures who lectured to large audiences and engaged in public debates over controversial issues.· A communications and technology policy initiative to engage the civil rights community in debates over emerging communications and technology policy.
· But the existence of a causal relationship is still debated.· Officials were still debating how to pay for the program.· The mechanism of action is still debated.· The need for gastroscopic follow up of pernicious anaemia patients is therefore still debated.· The role of endoscopic stenting for postoperative biliary strictures is still debated.· Stalin's man-made famine killed millions; just how many millions is still debated.· So much so, in fact, that they're still debating as they pull into a restaurant in the town.
NOUN· I readily acknowledge the need for time to debate the Bill in Committee.· The Senate will debate the bill Monday and vote Tuesday on whether to override the filibuster.· As we debate the Bill, the period of public consultation is only half way through.· This year, the state Legislature spent months debating a bill that would have banned the teaching of evolution as fact.· I am sure that they need the time to debate the Bill just as much as anyone else.· The Louisiana legislature was debating a bill to outlaw virtually all abortions.· I was trying to calculate the exact number of hours which the motion allows the Committee to spend debating the Bill.· The issue of political asylum is, of course, being debated in relation to a Bill which is currently going through the House.
· I was trying to calculate the exact number of hours which the motion allows the Committee to spend debating the Bill.
· If the United states Navy had operated Sheffield, Congress would have openly debated the affair and heads would have rolled.· The Congress debated a transitional structure for an interim government before the adoption of a new Constitution.
· The House debates a Bill on Second Reading and it is passed by chance rather than as a benefit of the arguments.· The House began debating the measure Thursday, moving it ahead of several spending bills.· Less than four years ago, the House debated the Second Reading of the poll tax bill.
· At the very least, it would mean that the real issues are debated rather than the trivial detail of statistics and history.· We were the platform where these issues were debated.· No real political issues ever debated in the mass media?· Hyde said he voted as he did so the issue could be debated in the House.· The whole issue is to be debated as a conference in Luxembourg in September 1992.· None the less, the issue is being debated.· Indeed, many of my hon. Friends find it frustrating that regional issues are seldom debated in the House.· It is the third Cabinet meeting this week at which this issue has been debated.
· I hope that we will debate those matters again.· None of them showed any interest, however, in debating the matter with her or with us.· Will he find time to debate the matter?· When the House finally has a chance to debate the matter the Minister of State takes 40 minutes over his speech.· I hope that there will be plenty of opportunity to debate those matters next week.· I will bear her very much in mind when we debate the matter next week.
· The House began debating the measure Thursday, moving it ahead of several spending bills.
· It is not our intention here to debate the merits of these models, or their relation to the General Theory.· He was mournfully re-enacting the conversation between two officials, as they debated the merits of revoking a pass-interference penalty.· Without debating the relative merits of this policy, the facts exist.· A lot of otherwise productive time is being wasted debating the merits of each game.· This is a crucial element when debating the merits of improvements in the National Health Service or education.· Within weeks after our arrival the managers of each department had begun to debate our relative merits.
· To consider and, if thought fit, to pass Special Resolutions and to debate motions.
· Therefore, the House would have the opportunity of debating any proposed changes to the scheme.· A decision we do not, as employees, usually have an opportunity to debate or contribute to.· I see no opportunity to debate it in Government time.· I hope that there will be plenty of opportunity to debate those matters next week.· I promise the House a full opportunity to debate the report from the Committee.· It can be shown that individuals and groups welcome the opportunity to contribute to debate and to participate in policy making.· I am sure that all hon. Members representing Northern Ireland constituencies will welcome the opportunity to debate the orders.· What they did was to provide an opportunity to debate these issues, at the same time giving support to teachers.
· It is a matter which Parliament has yet to debate.· It is men who sit in parliament, debating the laws which control a woman's destiny.· Such an Order had to be laid before Parliament and was there debated on 6 December 1977.· Yes: Parliament would debate inclusion of the Social Chapter later.
· Personal insults and accusations swamped efforts to debate policies.· But the courtroom is not the arena for debating issues of educational policy.· Neither the new regional conferences nor the revived Labour League of Youth were allowed to debate national policy.· Today the conference will debate the policy review reports Physical and Social Environment, including housing and transport.
· Just possibly, the politicians might begin debating that as they campaign for November's mayoral election.
· Under their pressure Congress raised the limit to 115,000, and is debating a proposal to issue 200,000 H1B visas next year.· I welcome the possibility of debating the proposals of the Opposition parties.
· This looks even more unconstitutional - but while the lawyers debate that question, the government could be holding the monetary line.· We have recently debated environmental questions generally.· These were the most hotly debated questions.· But the Second International did debate two questions which Marx and Engels left unresolved.· Thankfully, we can debate these questions in a time of peace, when the consequences of making a mistake are minimal.· There will be time to debate these questions later.· Participants debated sensitive questions about biology, race and science.
· Mr. Cryer Will the Lord President explain the priorities that he adopts in providing time for debating the reports?· I promise the House a full opportunity to debate the report from the Committee.
· This is the first time that we have debated the subject in the House, which is a pity.· As we have seen, this second chance to debate the subject of dissension within the community was also rejected.
· Thus they spent much of their time debating the validity of various evaluation procedures as potential responses.· A lot of otherwise productive time is being wasted debating the merits of each game.· I readily acknowledge the need for time to debate the Bill in Committee.· Will he find time to debate the matter?· It is a waste of time to debate issues which are already settled.· I am sure that they need the time to debate the Bill just as much as anyone else.· Mr. Cryer Will the Lord President explain the priorities that he adopts in providing time for debating the reports?· The practical results will be felt by hundreds of millions who do not spend their time debating the theory of globalisation.
· That is why we shall introduce the Asylum Bill, which will be debated next week.· Similar legislation is pending in the House, which plans to begin floor debate the week of March 18.· What I have just related will look rather familiar to those who examine the Bill that we will debate next week.· He will return to Florida for more debate prep later this week.· The House will be invited to debate the outcome next week.· I hope that there will be plenty of opportunity to debate those matters next week.· I will bear her very much in mind when we debate the matter next week.
VERB· Similar legislation is pending in the House, which plans to begin floor debate the week of March 18.· Just possibly, the politicians might begin debating that as they campaign for November's mayoral election.· In response, regulators began to debate whether derivatives should be banned or reined in.· The Senate began debating its version of the immigration bill on Monday.· The House began debating the measure Thursday, moving it ahead of several spending bills.· Within weeks after our arrival the managers of each department had begun to debate our relative merits.
· They can continue to debate them all night, and even until the following morning, if they so desire.· Aviation historians continue to debate what happened to her.· Surely that question will continue to be debated for as long as there are children in schools and teachers there to teach them.· Her exact literary status continues to be debated in academia.· Legislators, medical ethicists and public health experts continue to debate limiting the use of such reproductive technologies.
· This theory is, however, open to debate.
· We have spent three days debating the council tax.· This year, the state Legislature spent months debating a bill that would have banned the teaching of evolution as fact.· I was trying to calculate the exact number of hours which the motion allows the Committee to spend debating the Bill.· The practical results will be felt by hundreds of millions who do not spend their time debating the theory of globalisation.· Question: What do you get if you travel half way around the world and spend seven 19-hour days debating Amnesty's future?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- After a short heated argument, the inspector agreed to pay the costs in cash from his local station funds.
- After fifteen months of heated debate, Billingham was abandoned.
- It got off to a hairy start with several heated discussions about what a wild boar is.
- No presidential policy is so controversial that it provokes heated debate.
- Since 1980, a balanced-budget amendment has been the focus of heated debate in congressional committees and on the floor.
- There was heated argument at the meeting, with strongly differing views advanced.
- There was a heated argument between the two men which at length it fell to Branson to settle.
- Witnesses have already given descriptions of the pair who were seen having what appeared to be a heated argument.
WORD FAMILYnoundebatedebaterverbdebate
1to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or find a solution: The issue will be debated on Tuesday.debate whether/what/how etc Meanwhile, philosophers debate whether it’s right to clone an individual.debate (something) with somebody an invitation to debate with William on the future of democracy His conclusions are hotly debated (=argued about strongly).► see thesaurus at talk2to consider something carefully before making a decisiondebate with yourself I debated with myself whether I should tell anyone.debate who/what/how etc I’m still debating what to do.debate doing something For a moment Mary debated telling Rick the truth.