trouserstrou‧sers /ˈtraʊzəz $ -ərz/ ●●● S2 noun [plural] especially British English 
His trousers were slightly too short. I need a new pair of trousers for work.—trouser adjective [only before noun]: The tickets are in my trouser pocket. → wear the trousers at wear1(7), → catch somebody with their trousers down at catch1(6)
WORD ORIGINtrousers
Origin:
1600-1700 trouse ‘trousers’ (14-19 centuries), from Scottish Gaelic triubhasEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Carlo is wearing a large, double-breasted linen jacket and non-matching royal blue linen trousers over a slate-grey T-shirt and stone shirt.
- He won't have a woman in the shop if she's got trousers on her and he sees her.
- I may be killed for saying this but I suspect the new Focus will be all marketing and no trousers.
- I watched Claude stuff himself into his trousers.
- If you want to buy a flamboyant pair of trousers, go ahead!
- She blushed charmingly and held her trousers tip with her right hand.
- The wind struck my face, got into my sleeves, under my collar, up the legs of my trousers.
Longman Language Activatorto control people or to control what happens
to make things happen or make people behave in the way that you want, by using your authority, skill, money etc: · Miss Weston is having difficulty controlling the children in that class.· The area is now controlled by rebels.· The head of department controls the budget.· Oloco is a huge company, controlling over half the world's oil trade.
the ability or power to make things happen or make people behave in the way that you want: have control: · Heads of department can make some decisions, but the chairman has overall control within the company.control over: · They seem to have no control over their children.control of: · Who has control of the budget?
to control a situation, organization, country etc - use this especially about someone who got their power by using force or by clever planning, but not by being elected: · The President has been arrested, and the rebel forces are now in control.be in control of: · Mr Howard questioned whether the police were still in control of the situation.
spoken used to say that someone has the power to make all the decisions and tell other people what to do: · Mrs Earnshaw is in charge, and what she says, goes.
informal to control a situation so that everyone else has to do what you say, agree with you etc: · It's definitely my mother who calls the shots in my family.· It's always been our policy that the customer should call the tune.
British /be in the driver's seat American informal to have more power than anyone else in a particular organization or situation, so that you control everything: · The Conservatives say they are looking forward to the election, and are confident that they will soon be back in the driving seat.be firmly in the driving seat: · This is how the government is now made up, with the Socialists firmly in the driving seat.
if you say someone is the boss within a family or group, you mean they have the most power over the other people in it: · You'd better ask Mom -- she's the boss around here.show somebody who's boss (=show them that you are in control): · He gave the dog a slap round the head, just to show him who was boss.
informal to be the person who has most power in a relationship - use this especially to say that the woman in a relationship controls the man: · I think you should talk to Pat - she's the one who wears the trousers in that household.
if you keep people in check , you control their behaviour, especially so that they cannot behave badly; if you keep a situation, especially a bad one, in check , you stop it developing any further: · The court heard that the general was unable to keep his troops in check.· The disease is held in check by weekly injections of a power drug.
WORD SETSanorak, nounarm, nounascot, nounBabygro, nounbalaclava, nounbandanna, nounbaseball cap, nounbasque, nounbathing cap, nounbathing costume, nounbathing suit, nounbathing trunks, nounbathrobe, nounbath towel, nounbeachwear, nounbeading, nounbeanie, nounbearskin, nounbell-bottoms, nounbelt, nounbelted, adjectiveberet, nounbespoke, adjectivebib, nounbikini, nounblack-tie, adjectiveblazer, nounblouse, nounblue jeans, nounboa, nounbobble, nounbobble hat, nounbobby socks, nounbodice, nounbody, nounbody stocking, nounbody suit, nounboiler suit, nounbolero, nounbolo tie, nounbomber jacket, nounbonnet, nounboob tube, nounboot, nounbootee, nounbootlace, nounbottom, nounboxer shorts, nounbra, nounbraid, nounbrassiere, nounbreeches, nounbritches, nounbrogue, nounBurberry, business suit, nounbustle, nouncaftan, nouncagoule, nouncamiknickers, nouncamisole, nouncap, nouncape, nouncardigan, nouncare label, nouncarpet slipper, nouncassock, nouncast-offs, nouncasual, adjectivecat suit, nounchemise, nounchinos, nounchinstrap, nouncloak, nouncloche, nounclog, nouncloth cap, nouncoat, nouncoattails, nouncocked hat, nouncony, nouncoonskin, adjectivecope, nouncorset, nouncourt shoe, nouncouture, nouncowboy hat, nouncowl, nouncowl neck, nouncrew neck, nouncrinoline, nouncuff, nounculottes, nouncummerbund, nouncut, noundeck shoe, noundeerstalker, noundelicates, nounderby, noundicky, noundinner jacket, noundog collar, noundonkey jacket, noundouble-breasted, adjectivedoublet, noundrainpipe trousers, noundrawstring, noundress, noundressing gown, noundress shirt, noundress uniform, noundrip-dry, adjectivedry-clean, verbdry cleaner's, nounduffel coat, noundungarees, nounduster, nounearmuffs, nounelbow, nounensemble, nounespadrille, nounevening dress, nounfalsies, nounfashion, nounfashion show, nounfastener, nounfeather boa, nounfeathered, adjectivefez, nounfishnet stockings, nounfitting, nounfitting room, nounflannel, nounflannelette, nounflat, adjectiveflat cap, nounfleece, nounflip-flops, nounflipper, nounfloor-length, adjectiveflounce, nounflounced, adjectivefly, nounfootwear, nounformal, nounfox, nounfray, verbfrilly, adjectivefrock, nounfrock coat, nounfull, adjectivefull dress, nounfur, nounfuzz, noungabardine, noungaiter, noungaloshes, noungarment, noungarter, noungarter belt, noungather, verbgather, noungathering, noungauntlet, noungear, noungetup, noungirdle, nounglove, noungloved, adjectivegown, noungreatcoat, nounG-string, noungumboot, noungusset, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhaberdasher, nounhaberdashery, nounhalter, nounhand-me-down, nounhanger, nounhankie, nounhard-wearing, adjectivehat, nounhatpin, nounhatter, nounheadband, nounheaddress, nounheadscarf, nounhem, nounhem, verbhemline, nounhip pocket, nounhobnailed, adjectivehomburg, nounhooded, adjectivehook and eye, nounhose, nounhosiery, nounhot pants, nounhousecoat, nouninformal, adjectiveinsole, nouninstep, nouniron, nouniron, verbironing, nounjackboot, nounjacket, nounjammies, nounjeans, nounjerkin, nounjersey, nounJockey shorts, nounjockstrap, nounjodhpurs, nounjogging suit, nounjumper, nounjumpsuit, nounkaftan, nounkerchief, nounkhakis, nounkilt, nounkimono, nounknee breeches, nounknickerbockers, nounknickers, nounlace, nounlace-up, nounlapel, nounleg, nounleggings, nounleotard, nounlinen, nounloafer, nounloincloth, nounlong, adjectivelong johns, nounlounge suit, nounlow, adjectivelow-cut, adjectiveLycra, nounmac, nounmackintosh, nounmantle, nounmasquerade, nounmatinée jacket, nounmenswear, nounmilliner, nounmillinery, nounmini, nounminiskirt, nounmink, nounmitt, nounmitten, nounmob cap, nounmoccasin, nounmoleskin, nounmonogram, nounmoon boot, nounmorning coat, nounmorning dress, nounmorning suit, nounmourning, nounmuff, nounmuffler, nounmukluks, nounmule, nounmuu-muu, nounname-tape, nounnational costume, nounnational dress, nounneck, nounneckerchief, nounnecktie, nounnegligee, nounnightcap, nounnightclothes, nounnightdress, nounnightgown, nounnightie, nounnightshirt, nounnightwear, nounnon-iron, adjectiveoff-the-peg, adjectiveoilskin, nounone-piece, adjectiveopen, adjectiveopen-necked, adjectiveouterwear, nounoutfitter, nounoutsize, adjectiveoverall, nounovercoat, nounoverdressed, adjectiveovershoe, nounoxford, nounpadded, adjectivepanama hat, nounpanel, nounpantaloons, nounpanties, nounpants, nounpantyhose, nounparka, nounpatch, nounpatch, verbpatent leather, nounpeak, nounpencil skirt, nounpetticoat, nounpillbox, nounpinafore, nounpinny, nounpith helmet, nounpj's, nounplimsoll, nounplus fours, nounpolo neck, nounpolo shirt, nounponcho, nounpre-shrunk, adjectivepull-on, adjectivepullover, nounputtee, nounpyjamas, nounraglan, adjectiveraincoat, nounrainproof, adjectiveready-to-wear, adjectiveregalia, nounrevealing, adjectiverobe, nounrobed, adjectiverubber boot, nounruff, nounruffle, nounrun, verbrun, nounsable, nounsaddle shoe, nounsailor suit, nounsandal, nounsari, nounsarong, nounsartorial, adjectivesash, nounsatchel, nounscarf, nounschool tie, nounscoop neck, nounseamed, adjectiveseamless, adjectiveseparates, nounshawl, nounshell suit, nounshirt, nounshirtfront, nounshirt tail, nounshoe, nounshoehorn, nounshoelace, nounshoemaker, nounshoestring, nounshoulder, nounshoulder strap, nounshowerproof, adjectivesinglet, nounskin-tight, adjectiveskirt, nounskull cap, nounslicker, nounslingback, nounslip, nounslip-ons, nounslipper, nounsmock, nounsmoking jacket, nounsmuggling, nounsnap, nounsnappy, adjectivesneaker, nounsnowshoe, nounsnug, adjectivesock, nounsole, nounsole, verbsombrero, nounsou'wester, nounsox, nounsporran, nounsport coat, nounsport jacket, nounsports coat, nounsport shirt, nounsports jacket, nounsports shirt, nounsporty, adjectivestay, nounStetson, nounstiletto, nounstocking, nounstole, nounstone-washed, adjectivestraitjacket, nounstrip, nounstud, nounsuit, nounsundress, nounsun hat, nounsurplice, nounsuspender belt, nounsweatband, nounsweater, nounsweatpants, nounsweatshirt, nounsweat suit, nounswimming costume, nounswimming trunks, nounswimsuit, nounswimwear, nountailcoat, nountank top, nountee shirt, nounten-gallon hat, nounTerylene, nounthermal, adjectivethong, nounthree-piece suit, nountights, nountoga, nountop, nountopcoat, nountopee, nountop hat, nountopi, nountopper, nountracksuit, nountrain, nountrench coat, nountrilby, nountrousers, nountrouser suit, nounT-shirt, nountube top, nountuck, verbtuck, nountunic, nounturban, nounturtleneck, nountutu, nountuxedo, nountweed, nountwinset, nountwo-piece, adjectiveunderclothes, noununderdressed, adjectiveundergarment, noununderpants, nounundershirt, noununderwear, nounundies, noununiform, noununiformed, adjectiveunion suit, nounupper, nounveil, nounvelour, nounvelvet, nounvisor, nounvoluminous, adjectivewaist, nounwaistband, nounwaistcoat, nounwaistline, nounwardrobe, nounwashing, nounwaterproof, nounwear, nounwedding dress, nounwellie, nounwellington, nounwelly, nounwet-look, adjectivewet suit, nounwimple, nounwind breaker, nounwing collar, nounwingtip, nounwool, nounwoollen, adjectivewoollens, nounwoolly, adjectivewoolly, nounworsted, nounwrap, nounwrap-around, adjectivewrinkle, nounwristband, nounY-fronts, nounyoke, nounzoot suit, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I need a new pair of trousers for work.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES two pairs of jeans a pair of black tightsCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
I need a new pair of trousers for work. two pairs of jeans a pair of black tights· The modern femmefatale in baggy trousers, sloppy T-shirts and Doc Martens.· Here and there sat groups of army officers in baggy trousers and boots, with enamel medals on their chests.· They wore baggy jackets and trousers, and heavy boots.· The tramp clown is the one that usually appears in a circus with baggy trousers and overlarge shoes.· You remember that he was wearing baggy trousers like a bear's legs?· He wore white, baggy trousers which billowed like silken sails and red, high-heeled, velvet slippers with ornately curled toes.· He had on what you'd now call a yuppie look - baggy trousers and braces.· He was carefully not displaying his cigarette holder and wore a floppy khaki drill jacket and baggy trousers of the same material.
· His black trousers were held together by safety-pins, paperclips and needles.· Some combined a fatigue shirt with black pajama trousers rolled up to the knees.· He was not now in a tight black jacket, with silver trimmings on black trousers.· He was dressed in simple black trousers and a striped shirt.· She wore black trousers and a jeans jacket.· He was particularly smartly dressed in black trousers and waistcoat, white shirt and red bow-tie.· He was wearing black trousers and a beautiful white shirt.· I wore a black beret, black leather jacket and black corduroy trousers.
· His blue serge trousers were too heavy for this weather.· Over the back of a chair was slung a black-and-tan check jacket which would look wrong with the blue trousers.· He was wearing blue trousers and little white socks.· Carlo is wearing a large, double-breasted linen jacket and non-matching royal blue linen trousers over a slate-grey T-shirt and stone shirt.· He dressed casually in a red golfing sweater, pale blue trousers, and deceptively ordinary-looking hand-made shoes.· The old light blue trousers with white leg stripes could be worn with both the four-pocket blue blouse and the khaki version.· He was six feet two, and wore dark blue trousers with a blue and white striped shirt.· It was all a big mystery to me, we were made to wear blue ties, white shirts and blue trousers.
· He wore a black shirt and brown trousers during the two-minute hearing at South Sefton Magistrates' court.· Uniform Little Bees wear a blue shirt and brown trousers.· Do you think brown velvet trousers is going too far?
· Then Miguel himself came round the corner of the villa, dressed in a white open-necked shirt and dark fitted trousers.· He was wearing dark trousers and a blue serge shirt with a yoke across the front.· He was smartly dressed in a white shirt and dark trousers.· He looked attractive, she thought, in the dark trousers and the white short-sleeved shirt.· He was six feet two, and wore dark blue trousers with a blue and white striped shirt.· She took his belt, unbuckled it, undid the top stud and his zip, and pulled the dark trousers down.· He was wearing an open neck designer type long sleeve shirt and dark trousers.· He was a thin lad, dressed in dark short trousers and a grey pullover.
· This was in the heady days of 1978, when I first lost my leg, when very flared trousers were in.· Often she wore platform heels and flared trousers.· Then, it was granted to a special breed of psychopath with a penchant for leather jackets and flared trousers.· I found myself making cat suits with flared trousers.
· The thought stimulated her into springing out of bed, showering hastily, and dressing in her warm green trousers and top.· He was wearing a green jumper and green trousers.· Dark green jacket and trousers, and a hard hat.· Willie eyed Tom's green trousers.· He was wearing a black leather bomber-type jacket, a grey shirt with white stripes, green trousers and light tan shoes.
· Both were wearing grey flannel trousers and pale beige or fawn linen jackets.· He still wore the grey flannel trousers, white shirt and maroon pullover of his school, but his feet were bare.· He wore a black jersey and grey trousers, and his dark brown hair was slightly ruffled.· A tiny pile of dust debris was collected beside his knee, and some had stained the material of his grey trousers.· Willie's grey trousers seemed more crumpled than ever, but with the braces attached to them they at least felt comfortable.· The very unattractive grey flannel trousers, who could guess at the legs they hid?· Her hand stilled, and she raised her eyes to see grey trousers close to her shoulder.· He was dressed neatly in grey flannel trousers, jacket and blue striped shirt, his hair still glistening from the shower.
· The doctor was cutting away the top part of his khaki trousers, and spoke to him reassuringly.· As in the photographs, his white shirt and khaki trousers are so well pressed that he looks like a military officer.· He was wearing a brown knitted jumper and khaki trousers.· School uniform was always worn, which for the boys meant khaki shirts and trousers.· Uniform Brownies wear a long-sleeved khaki shirt, trousers and a yellow tie.
· The old light blue trousers with white leg stripes could be worn with both the four-pocket blue blouse and the khaki version.
· They were real grown-up long trousers exactly like those worn by the boys at the big school.· As long as those trousers were still in circulation, I felt sure there was nothing to worry about.· Khaki shorts replaced by abrasive long trousers for the evening.· Mr X has long trousers whilst Boy has shorter ones.· I sat by myself on the train leaving Berwick: six years old in long trousers.· Even in long trousers and polished shoes and a brand-new bomber jacket, he looked much younger than his nine years.
· While most designers showed looser fitting wide trousers and longer jackets with padded shoulders, there was a body conscious element.
· Flaubert's housekeeper made Julio a coat out of an old pair of trousers.· The old light blue trousers with white leg stripes could be worn with both the four-pocket blue blouse and the khaki version.· We met a man wearing 17-year-old trousers, and children clad in shredded shirts.· He was wearing old plaid trousers, over-large and loose as pantaloons, and tied at the ankles with string.· He was wearing old corduroy trousers and an open-necked brown shirt.· I sat by myself on the train leaving Berwick: six years old in long trousers.
· It happened twenty years ago, when you were still in short trousers.· According to Dotty, Fairchild, while still in short trousers, had played Slightly in the Scala production of 1922.· According to Crilly, Perry was the last kid in school to wear short trousers.· He was a thin lad, dressed in dark short trousers and a grey pullover.· James in short trousers and a blazer.· Zowie Bowie, David Bowie's son, changed his name to plain old Joe as soon as he was out of short trousers.
· And his clothes were new too, a denim suit with very tight trousers and pointed boots.· They were dark-skinned and wore tight trousers.· He watched with interest a young girl in front of him in tight trousers.· For women, tight trousers and top or a leotard or swimsuit; for men, swimming trunks would be ideal.· And a number of long-haired young men, with leather jackets, tight trousers and snakeskin boots, bustled into the restaurant.· And it gave a whole new meaning to tight trousers!· The men had taken off their stiff collars, but were still uncomfortable in waistcoats and tight trousers and big boots.
· He was wearing trousers but his chest was bare.· She was wearing trousers to church!· At that time no one was wearing peg trousers.
· He was lying face downwards in the shadow of the short diving-board, fully dressed in a blazer and white linen trousers.· Frank sits on a railing, white trousers, shirt and tie, straw hat, eyes squinted against the sun.· He was wearing white flannel trousers and a white shirt with a cravat at his neck.· The white coat was worn with white trousers, without additional white stripes.· The dark-haired child was wearing a white woollen coat, white trousers and a blue peaked hat.· He was dressed casually in narrow white trousers and a white short-sleeved shirt and Ruth knew the shirt would be silk.· She put on white trousers and a long, sage-green tunic top.· He might just as well have stipulated long white trousers.
NOUN· Of course, Ramon wore corduroy trousers, filthy with paint.· With his highly polished boots and gaiters, corduroy trousers and tweed jacket, he looked the epitome of authority.· He was wearing old corduroy trousers and an open-necked brown shirt.· He would arrive with scraps of fabric dropping from his waistcoat, bits of lining from his corduroy trousers.· You can't see whether they really have gone or not because of his corduroy trousers.· He wore washed-out, balding corduroy trousers wrinkled with their own tightness.
· Centre, from left: Navy/white top £32.50, Burberry. Cotton trousers £8.99, Hennes.· Black cotton trousers, a black tunic, a black quilted coat, a balaclava that was padded.
· Ken was in his usual attire of raincoat over flannel trousers.· He stood barefoot in his flannel trousers and pajama tops, studying their moves.· Both were wearing grey flannel trousers and pale beige or fawn linen jackets.· He was wearing white flannel trousers and a white shirt with a cravat at his neck.· He still wore the grey flannel trousers, white shirt and maroon pullover of his school, but his feet were bare.· The very unattractive grey flannel trousers, who could guess at the legs they hid?· Max in gray flannel trousers and gray brawny pullover.· He was dressed neatly in grey flannel trousers, jacket and blue striped shirt, his hair still glistening from the shower.
· I like girls in leather trousers.· I like the leather trousers look.· Nigel sported pink sunglasses, pink-striped T-shirt, leather trousers and winkle pickers.
· He undid the cord of the pyjama trousers.· She heard the rustle of him pulling down his pyjama trousers and then she smelled the warm male scent of him.· He was wearing a pair of crumpled pyjama trousers, tied at the waist with a white cord.· Willie dressed and helped Tom wash his sheets and pyjama trousers.· She was sitting up in bed, a book open on her knees, looking at him standing in his pyjama trousers.
VERB· She was dressed in trousers and a trenchcoat and had a mane of fair hair beneath a tight-fitting beret.· He was dressed in bright floppy trousers, tightened at the ankle with embroidery, and an embroidered vest laced with silver.· He was particularly smartly dressed in black trousers and waistcoat, white shirt and red bow-tie.· He was dressed in simple black trousers and a striped shirt.· He was dressed in checked golfing trousers, cowboy boots and a cowboy hat.· He was a thin lad, dressed in dark short trousers and a grey pullover.· Soon the boy was clean and tidy, and dressed in shirt, trousers and shoes.· He was dressed in grey flannel trousers and a tweed sporting jacket that came down to his knees.
· It being, of course, not the done thing to drop your trousers in public.· This entailed either groping her or standing in front of her and dropping his trousers.· She watched him unfasten his belt, and drop his trousers.
· He pulls on the uniform trousers.· He pulled his trousers back up and buttoned his fly.· Then one of the chimps, Judy, tried to pull Frank's trousers off.· Jamie was already pulling on his trousers.· Jane pulled on her trousers and tied the drawstring.· He didn't know why she was screaming - he'd pulled his trousers up long ago.· She heard the rustle of him pulling down his pyjama trousers and then she smelled the warm male scent of him.· He also said Mr Reid himself would often grope another male resident who needed help in pulling on his trousers.
· Margaret put some light trousers on him.· She put on white trousers and a long, sage-green tunic top.· Come here, put a pair of trousers on or something.· All night ticket collectors came with torches, and they were followed by police who demanded that I put on proper trousers.· The corporal and the airmen first put on some trousers and literally threw themselves down the brae to meet the girls.
· She had short dark hair, wore well-cut trousers, a green country jacket and long, mud-splashed boots.· He wore tight-fitting orange trousers and enormous tinted glasses with heavy black frames.· Both were wearing grey flannel trousers and pale beige or fawn linen jackets.· He was wearing dark trousers and a blue serge shirt with a yoke across the front.· He was wearing white flannel trousers and a white shirt with a cravat at his neck.· He still wore the grey flannel trousers, white shirt and maroon pullover of his school, but his feet were bare.· He was wearing black trousers and a beautiful white shirt.· I might wear trousers or, at the moment, a pair of loose-fitting ski-type pants.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► catch somebody with their pants/trousers down
a piece of clothing that covers the lower half of your body, with a separate part fitting over each leg SYN pants American English: - Boss Peter Wheeler conceives the cars, tests them himself and even rolls his sleeves up to help design them.
- In the second half, the Cherry and Whites rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in.
- I think you should talk to Pat - she's the one who wears the trousers in that household.
- And contrary to popular belief, we don't want to wear the trousers at home.
- In her wake came the likes of Chrissie Hynde, who found it easier just to wear the trousers.
His trousers were slightly too short. I need a new pair of trousers for work.—trouser adjective [only before noun]: The tickets are in my trouser pocket. → wear the trousers at wear1(7), → catch somebody with their trousers down at catch1(6)