force1 nounforce2 verb
forceforce1 /fɔːs $ fɔːrs/ ●●● S2 W1 noun 
WORD ORIGINforce1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French, Latin fortis ‘strong’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Barnes is a member of the St. Paul Police Force.
- Centrifugal force can be greater than the force of gravity.
- Her husband tried to get the children back by force.
- I had to use force to get the window open.
- Rebel forces are seeking to overthrow the government.
- The force of public opinion stopped the highway project.
- The force of the explosion shook buildings several blocks away.
- the Air Force
- The college must cut 10% of its teaching force for the fall semester.
- the company's sales force
- The police do not use force when arresting people unless it's absolutely necessary.
- The use of physical force by teachers tended to promote violent behaviour by pupils.
- We want to end the demonstration without force.
- But when you get some one who can really play them, they sure are a force to be reckoned with.
- Instead, there is a narrow vision of a world dominated by market forces.
- Manuel Bonett, head of the armed forces.
- Most market professionals agree that the tax-deferred funds are a major force behind the exponential growth in stock prices.
- The United States is one of dozens of nations that provide troops for the 2, 400-member Sinai force.
- They occur in areas where the Earth's crust is subjected to tensional forces, trying to pull it apart.
- What a display of grandeur and sheer force of will!
Longman Language Activatorto force someone do something by using threats or violence
· If you don't comply I'm afraid we'll have to force you.force somebody to do something · Thieves had tied him up and forced him to lie on the floor.· All the hostages were forced to hand over their passports.force somebody into (doing) something · She claimed she was forced to take part in the robbery by her husband.
to force someone to do something by using violence or threats: · I didn't want to take part in the attack but the soldiers made me.make somebody do something: · They made sales staff open the safe.be made to do something: · The couple were made to hand over all their money and jewellery.
written to force someone to do something that they do not want to do by threatening that something bad might happen to them if they do not do it: · Ray withdrew his confession, saying that he had been coerced by the police.coerce somebody into doing something: · The mine owners coerced the workers into going back to work, by threatening to close down the mines completely.· Officials coerced peasants into voting for the government candidates. coerce somebody to do something: · The company paid the workers the minimum rate of $4.86 an hour, but coerced some to give back half their pay in cash.
formal to make someone do something by using force or official power: compel somebody to do something: · All the young men in the area were compelled to work in the quarries and coal mines.· The attorney general has the right to compel witnesses to appear in court.
informal to force someone to do something by shouting at them, treating them badly, or using threats: · Don't let the salesman bully you -- it's your choice.bully somebody into doing something: · If you try and bully him into giving you the money he's sure to say no -- you should try and persuade him gently.bully somebody into something: · Ben didn't want to study law, but his father bullied him into it by threatening to cut off his allowance.
to force someone to give you money or do what you want, by threatening to tell embarrassing secrets about them: · Gina tried to blackmail him, by threatening to tell his wife about their affair.blackmail somebody into doing something: · The FBI blackmailed her into informing on the other members of the gang.
if someone uses force , they hit, shoot, or use other forms of violence against people in order to make them do something or stop them from doing something: · The regime was quite willing to use force and terror against its enemies. · The law permits every citizen to use reasonable force to defend themselves or their property.use force against: · The police have recently had to defend their policy of using force against rioters.
violence or the threat of violence, used to force someone to do something: · The police have been accused of using strongarm tactics when breaking up strikes and public demonstrations.use strongarm tactics/methods to do something: · More and more credit companies are using strongarm methods to collect debts.
if someone does something under duress , they only agree to do it because they have been threatened, not because they want to do it: · The defendants claimed that their confessions were made under duress.· Judge Mershon ruled that the agreement was signed under duress, and was therefore null and void.
when someone does something because it is a habit if you do something from habit , you do it just because it is your habit to do it, not because you have deliberately decided to do it: · Some people drink alcohol from habit, as much as from desire.· Out of habit he continued to get up at six o'clock, even after he'd retired.
if you do something from force of habit , you do it because you had often done the same thing in the past and not for any other reason: · "Why did you call her 'Miss'? She's `Mrs' now, you know." "Sorry, force of habit."by/from/through/out of force of habit: · Most women apply the same old make-up year after year through force of habit.
a compulsive activity or way of behaving is one that someone cannot stop himself or herself doing repeatedly, especially because they have a mental problem: · Her problem is compulsive over-eating.· compulsive hand-washingcompulsive liar/eater/gambler etc: · Compulsive shoppers often never even open the goods they buy.
to have an important part in something to be important in making important changes or achieving an important success: · The Church has played a leading role in the struggle for human rights.· Von Braun played a leading part in the development of space flights.
to be important in a process, event, or situation, especially by working very hard to achieve something: · The British Prime Minister figured prominently in the peace talks.· The campaign, in which many celebrities figured prominently, was a great success.· She will be remembered as someone who was always prominent in the anti-apartheid movement.
to be the most important person in changing or developing something because you have so much energy and determination: · James is the senior partner in the firm, but it is Peter who is the driving force.be the driving force behind: · Carlsson has been the driving force behind the bank's ambitious expansion plans.
to be important in making something possible, especially because of the things you do to achieve it: · Mary had been instrumental in securing my release from jail.· Women's organizations have been instrumental in promoting women's rights.
when a lot of people or things do something at the same time use this to say that a lot of people or things do something, or go or appear somewhere all at the same time: · During the dry season animals gather in large numbers around the water holes.· Young people are leaving the countryside and moving to the city in large numbers.
if people go somewhere in droves , they go in large numbers especially when this surprises you: · Nurses are leaving the profession in droves.· People came in droves to watch the fireworks display.
if people go somewhere in force or in strength a lot of them go together so that there is a large number of them in a particular place: · The police arrived in force to break up the crowd of demonstrators.· If Latino voters turn out in strength for the next election, results could be very different.
if people do something by the hundreds or by the thousands very large groups of them are doing it at the same time: · People in the drought-stricken region are dying by the hundreds.· From all over the country, people came by the thousands to pay respect to their dead leader.
if messages, events etc come thick and fast , a lot of them suddenly come or happen in a short time: · At first no one was interested in the job but now applications are coming in thick and fast.· Rumours flew thick and fast that the company was going to be sold.
to be dying or suddenly becoming ill in large numbers: · In the middle of the cholera epidemic, people were dropping like flies.· When Sam reached 70, it seemed his friends started dying like flies.
when a situation affects what happens or what you do use this to say that you think something should happen because of the situation now: · Normally I would have gone straight home, but under the circumstances I thought I should check on my mother.· Under the circumstances, I think the only thing you can do is apologize.· In the circumstances, it might be better if I gave the lecture rather than you.
use this when you think that something is not surprising if you consider the situation it happened in: · They tried to contact everyone and given the circumstances, I think they did very well.· Given the situation, the police officer's reaction is understandable.
use this when you are saying that something is necessary, impossible, difficult etc because of the present situation, which is not very good: · The way things are, we hardly ever manage to go out together except at the weekend.· The way things are at work, I'm surprised more people haven't quit.
use this when the situation now is different from the situation you expected or needed: · We were hoping to finish by 5 o'clock, but as it is, we'll be lucky to finish by 8!· Why start an argument? You're in enough trouble as it is!
use this when something happens, is true, or must be done because of the way the situation is now, although the situation may change in the future: · People talk about the British constitution, but as things stand there is no real constitution.· We may get a few more applicants, but the way things stand Mr. Davis looks like the best candidate.
especially British if something happens by force of circumstances , it happens differently from the way you expect or intend because the situation has changed: · By force of circumstances, I found myself having to share an office with my previous manager.· Force of circumstances compelled the senator to retire in 1934.
physical strength the ability to lift or carry heavy things, to do a lot of physical work etc: · Men are better at some sports because of their greater physical strength.· Regular gym sessions will improve both your health and strength.· I didn't have the strength to climb any further.· Diana pulled on the rope with all her strength.build up your strength: · Bill was doing a lot of exercise to build up his strength.
a lot of physical strength in a particular part of your body: · Mike had tremendous power in his forearms.· A dynamometer is used to measure muscle power.
physical strength, use this especially to compare strength with intelligence or skill: · You can't be good at tennis if you rely on brawn alone -- it takes skill as well.· The battle was won by brain rather than brawn.
physical strength that is needed to be able to push, pull, or lift something: · I had to use force to get the window open.physical force: · The use of physical force by teachers tended to promote violent behaviour by pupils.
the ability to work hard, run, play sports etc for a long time without getting tired: · You need stamina to be a long-distance runner.· exercises to increase your strength and stamina
the ability to continue doing something difficult until it is finished: · You have to admire her staying power. No one else has managed to stick that job for more than a year!· Ahmedi's performances were world-class in the 1500 metres but he just didn't have the staying power for longer races.
the physical and mental strength you need to be able to continue in a very difficult, unpleasant, or uncomfortable situation for a long time: · The people showed great courage, patience, and endurance during the long years of the war.endurance test: · The triathlon is the ultimate endurance test.test of somebody's endurance (=a situation that needs great endurance): · The expeditions behind enemy lines were a tremendous test of one's endurance and nerves.
violent behaviour fighting, killing, and other violent behaviour: · In some parts of the city, teachers have to deal with violence in the classroom.· complaints about sex and violence on TVviolence against: · The statistics show that male violence against women is widespread.
angry feelings or behaviour that often results in fighting: · In a prison, drugs sometimes have to be used to control aggression. aggression in: · Some people think that aggression in children may be caused by the food they eat.aggression towards/toward: · Low-ranking male chimpanzees eat with the dominant females, who show no aggresssion towards them.
deliberately cruel and violent behaviour that shows no pity for the person who is injured or killed: · Civil rights activists were appalled by the brutality of the police.mindless brutality (=used to emphasize that there is no good reason for a violent action): · The killings were an act of mindless brutality.
extreme and uncontrolled violence in which people are attacked and killed: · Thompson condemned the murder as 'an appalling attack of savagery'.· The book tells of the boys' rapid descent into savagery, and the use of torture and terror.
extreme violence in fighting or in attacking someone: · Further attacks escalated rapidly in extent and ferocity.the ferocity of something: · The knife had snapped in two from the ferocity of the attack.· The ferocity of the piranha fish has made it famous.
violent action, used in order to make someone do something: · We want to end the demonstration without force.use force: · The police do not use force when arresting people unless it's absolutely necessary.by force (=using force): · Her husband tried to get the children back by force.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYADJECTIVES/NOUN + forces
University zoologists and government vets are combining forces (=working together) to investigate the disease. Can Thompson make a credible challenge for the party leadership? NATO’s decision to deploy cruise missiles MPs forced a division on the bill. the explosive force of volcanoes high g-forces the force of gravity The general marshalled his forces for a major offensive. I look around me at the massed ranks of reporters. The United States is prepared to use military force to achieve its aims. a raid by European military forces (=the army, navy, or air force) The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature. Advertising is a potent force in showing smoking as a socially acceptable habit. Barcelona will be a force to be reckoned with this season. He returned to Greece to serve in the army. Napoleon threatened to starve the country into submission. the Navy’s surface forces
(=a country’s military organizations, including the army, navy, and air force)· Israel refused to withdraw its armed forces from the area.
· Several battles took place involving American forces.
(=soldiers fighting for the government)· Government forces reportedly shot dead 300 unarmed civilians.
(=who protect a country against people who are fighting the government)· The government claimed that the security forces had destroyed the rebels’ headquarters.
(=who are fighting against the government)· The village was attacked by rebel forces.
· He served with the military forces during the war.
· Should the European Union have its own defence force?
· Enemy forces now occupy substantial areas of the city.
· A large UN peacekeeping force is being assembled.
(=who are specially trained to fight against guerilla or terrorist groups)· Special forces were employed to support the local army.
phrases· Her husband is in the forces.
verbs (=become a soldier, sailor etc)· He was too young to join the forces when the war broke out.
· Expecting the Allies to attack again, he began to withdraw his forces eastward.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Since the act came into force, all public buildings must have disabled access.
· The government was forced to admit that the policy had never really worked.
· US combat troops were in the streets of the capital yesterday.
University zoologists and government vets are combining forces (=working together) to investigate the disease. Can Thompson make a credible challenge for the party leadership? (=group of soldiers, pilots etc trained to defend a country)· The country's defence forces are on standby in case of an attack.
NATO’s decision to deploy cruise missiles MPs forced a division on the bill. (=a military group that is your enemy)· The town is occupied by enemy forces.
(=get into a building by breaking a door, window etc)· The church was locked, but he managed to force an entry.
(=when someone gets into a building illegally by breaking a door, window etc)· There were no signs of a forced entry, but several paintings were missing.
literary (=the people or things that increase the amount of evil in the world)· The king knew he must fight the forces of evil or his homeland would perish.
(=more violence than is necessary)· The men claim that the police officers used excessive force.
· Many of his political opponents have been forced into exile.
the explosive force of volcanoes high g-forces (=a measurement showing that a wind is extremely strong)· The winds had increased to gale force.
the force of gravity (=used about a habit that is difficult to change)· I still walk by his house each day - force of habit, I suppose.
(=all the people who work in a country or for a company)· We need an educated labour force.
The general marshalled his forces for a major offensive. I look around me at the massed ranks of reporters. The United States is prepared to use military force to achieve its aims. a raid by European military forces (=the army, navy, or air force) The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.· Her son is in the police force.
Advertising is a potent force in showing smoking as a socially acceptable habit. Barcelona will be a force to be reckoned with this season. (=the people who sell a company's products)· The sales force had grown from 40 to 270.
(=the police, army etc)· Clashes with the security forces continued.
He returned to Greece to serve in the army. (=smile when you do not really feel happy or friendly)· She forced a smile, but he could see disappointment in her face.
Napoleon threatened to starve the country into submission. the Navy’s surface forces (=use violent methods)
(=very strong)· He was buffeted by the gale force winds.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· Extra funds were given to agricultural production, food subsidies, and housing for armed forces personnel.· They even had some control over their own finances and their own armed forces.· The conference also took charge of the security and armed forces.· The armed forces were efficient with good equipment.· The old Soviet armed forces should be split up between the new states, not consolidated under the flag of St Andrew.· They had both served in the armed forces, and Nathan had been disabled as a result.· Moreira claimed that the changes had not produced ill feeling or unrest within the armed forces.
· Urging restraint in the development of conventional forces, the statement said that otherwise these could exacerbate political tensions.· Meanwhile, its conventional forces are plenty good enough to banish the nuclear option to the realm of the theoretical.· That would be much more likely if Mr Gorbachev could reduce his conventional forces and weaponry in the Warsaw Pact.· Yet our conventional forces have not made an equivalent leap into the future.· Throughout the alliance the will was lacking to create conventional forces on the scale needed to balance those of the Eastern bloc.· First, he said, the treaty on conventional forces would likely be thrown overboard.· From 1957 Macmillan and his cabinet tried to rectify this by drastic cuts to conventional forces as Britain's nuclear armoury expanded.· It is true that the paper still gave considerable emphasis to conventional forces.
· The basic driving forces propelling firms abroad come from managers' desires for growth, for cost reduction and for control.· Back in daylight, Vatanen has been the driving force behind the Banbury team today.· The current history line is the driving force of the payroll and is subject to very high validation checks.· Shouldn't it be the people who have as their driving force the desire to reveal truths about human life?· But is kinship really an important driving force behind cooperation in male lions?· The driving force is ensuring satisfactory business returns.· Local companies have contributed half a million pounds, but the driving force behind the festival is Thamesdown Borough Council.· Whatever the driving force, heat conservation has many advantages.
· Brian then had to face the full force of the Sutherland-Anderson fact-finding machine on his own.· Whatever it is, it was in full force on Inauguration Day, at least on television.· It is now hoped that the full peacekeeping force will be in place by the end of the month.· Just behind was the full force of the cataract.· As soon as possible afterwards, the existing legal obligations on landlords in regard to repair and maintenance should be put into full force again.· Short of bankruptcy, business creditors can go after debtors with the full force of the law.· Hence, the investor is partially shielded from the full force of any general market decline.· Name the ethnicity, tax bracket or wardrobe, and they were there in full force.
· Unfortunately, in 1009 a particularly large force of Scandinavians appeared.· In this play, the king and his army do battle with a larger force representing ambitious elements in the church.· Five hundred policemen in riot helmets were assigned to the march, an extraordinarily large force.· A large peacekeeping force is now being assembled, ready to move at 48 hours' notice.· And it provoked larger forces that transformed the demand for affirmative action into a demographic free-for-all.· Edward now moved north-east, but heard that Philip was at Rouen with a large force.· Being tested was: Can small units, equipped with high-tech gizmos, stop or slow down a much larger enemy force?
· Within the former Soviet Union there remains a large military force.· His order organized the first military ambulance task force.· The question now was whether a military task force should set sail.· Linked to this is the upkeep of military forces and armaments for domestic reasons.· On Inauguration Day, members of the military and police forces stand shoulder-to-shoulder along Pennsylvania Avenue.
· It committed the forthcoming summit to draw up a mandate for negotiations on short-range nuclear forces.· In particular they made great progress in their attempts to put electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force together within the same theoretical framework.· The theory that predicts the existence of the W and Z particles evolved largely through attempts to understand the weak nuclear force.· It was also important to demonstrate the ability of nuclear forces to ride out a surprise attack.· The talks in Geneva about intermediate-range nuclear forces have recently resumed.
· The United Nations has installed a peacekeeping force to maintain order until the elections in May 1993.· It is now hoped that the full peacekeeping force will be in place by the end of the month.· It would be the first major peacekeeping force deployed in the Western Hemisphere.· They signed a protocol on interim measures to establish peacekeeping forces and military observers.· They called for the removal of Eyadema, political neutrality by the army, and the creation of a special peacekeeping force.· If armed peacekeeping forces are needed at all, they are needed because they can fight.· There are some who say that we should involve peacekeeping forces right away.
· This can be traced to two, radically different, political forces.· But this is Washington, a town where the display of a statue can summon robust political forces on both sides.· Law was a highly efficient, rather unimaginative, detailed administrator, given political force by a strong sense of partisan combativeness.· Also, the balance of political forces has resulted in the current policy compromise.· I now turn to the question of social collectivities and political forces.· We are aiming at a negotiated settlement acceptable to major political forces in our country.· They are fertile ground for the emergence of an explicitly right-wing political force.· By and large the Nonconformist churches supported the war, destroying themselves as a significant political force in the process.
· Evangelicalism became an especially potent force in the attack on traditional pastimes.· The alarmist tone further illustrates that even in exile, Salinas remains a potent political force here.· The feeling that Hawaii had been unlawfully possessed by the United States was still a potent force.· But religious righteousness has been a more potent force than economic despair.· The smugglers are the most potent economic forces in this area...· Alesi will be a potent force, particularly if the Michelin tyres work well in the rain.
· Death is the most powerful of these forces.· Religion, combined with practical help, can be a powerful force in stabilizing a neighborhood and turning lives around.· But I think there's a more powerful force in this universe than the Prime Mover.· Computers, and the underlying communications network that supports them, have been a powerful force for such standardization.· Employers, by contrast, can call upon powerful ideological forces in our culture to legitimise their interests.· And in the long run the friendships formed in these social situations can be a powerful force in decision making.· Instantly the air of the quiet lounge seemed to stir, to gather vibrations as if his arrival ushered in a powerful force.· A nebulous collective leadership, including the chiefs of the powerful armed forces, may still be holding the balance of power.
· One is the lack of awareness that the technological organisation is itself subject to social forces.· It seems prodigious, immense, far greater than the social forces that mold generations.· A hybrid type of society emerged, in which archaic social forces were harnessed to modern industrial techniques.· Political behaviour is not shaped exclusively by social forces.· Such killings are only the most dramatic outward manifestation of the powerful social forces that keep women trapped in dangerous situations.· However, rarely can the political, social and other forces existing in the organisation countenance such change.
· Male speaker Yes we do teach elements of the special forces.· He refused to comment on how many other special forces soldiers were involved.· Its special force of percussive tone helps to define musical entries and mark changes of tempo.· Among them is a special riot force whose numbers may be one-third of the total.· This perhaps gives a special force to the Voltairean remark about the function of language being to conceal thought.· They called for the removal of Eyadema, political neutrality by the army, and the creation of a special peacekeeping force.· Sanitation: A special task force shall be assigned to clean up all vacant lots and trashed areas throughout the deprived areas.· Before this force of 5,000 commandos could be raised, however, Churchill's enthusiasm for special forces was tempered by reality.
NOUN· All depended on the navy and sometimes on the air force to land them at least somewhere near their target beaches.· He never met the young air force crew, never even saw them, yet he has never forgotten them either.· The air force created airborne units versed in machine-gun strafing and rocket-launching operations in support of ground troops.· An air force jet buzzed the compound to encourage him to step down.· Producer Elmo Williams hired veteran pilot Jack Canary as a technical advisor and put him in charge of assembling the film's air force.· Our air force Is good, our army is mechanized.
· Armed forces: No standing defence forces.· Armed forces: defence force disbanded in 1981; approximately 300 police.· An army spokesman said that the security vetting of personnel was a normal procedure in all defence forces.· MacArthur was dedicated to the extirpation of militarism and did not favour the development of defence forces.· But obvious problems will centre on the security situation, and the reconstruction of the defence forces and the economy.· When a civil conflict eventually broke out in 1991, the national defence force was unable to provide a credible response.· After working in the prison service, he joined the defence forces before becoming an intelligence agent.
· The government forces continued with their offensive in Nyarubanga.· At that time, the government forces maintained only six military garrisons in the department.· Most of the refugees had come from the Kurgan-Tyube region, the scene of bitter fighting between pro- and anti- government forces.· Yet hardly a day goes by without more people being killed by Islamists or government forces.· Instead, they are used to secure territory captured by government forces.· The government forces concentrated their efforts on the destruction of the Mbari command post.· In September, government forces moved into Latakia, a port city where Rifaat exerts power, to confiscate a fortified compound.· They nearly captured Hargeisa, and the government forces reacted by rounding up all influential Issaqs in the town and executing them.
· Industrial workers formed the chief market as well as the labor force of the new industrial society.· In the 1970s as the baby boom generation entered the labor force, capital-labor ratios rose more slowly or even fell.· Many in the labor force will not be ready for full participation in fishnet organizations.· There is a labor force with all the necessary skills, and there are materials.· Simply put, the supply side of our economic security also requires a labor force.· The labor force participation rate of women increased more than 5 % between 1982 and 1993.· In 1995, they represented 46 percent of the labor force, up from 38 percent in 1972.· Nevertheless, some openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.
· Mr. McLeish Is the Secretary of State aware that the labour force survey was published today?· Motherhood replaced marriage as the occasion for leaving paid work and seldom marked the end of a woman's labour force membership.· Needs are always related back to capitalism's demand for the social reproduction of its labour force.· Moreover, much of the growing industrial labour force was not of urban origin.· The emphasis is on flexibility - in terms of response to the market and in terms of the labour force.· The individual and collective rights of the labour force were codified in the 1980 Workers' Statute.· The revolution of 1905 had made plain the disruptive power of the industrial labour force.· Steam-power meant a new and intense concentration of large-scale industry and of the labour force to man it.
· Added together, market forces generate an overall result which no-one can predict.· Ultimately, unless market forces are restored, high levels of unemployment and social instability in the region should be expected.· In this area, market forces are likely to decide between the various competing standards before official bodies make up their minds.· As market forces wear down the old ways, discount ventures are catching on.· As for its chief executive's remuneration, that should be a matter for market forces.· The plain fact was that a combination of market forces and gross mismanagement had thrown Salomon Brothers into deep trouble.· The euro has provided the most convincing proof so far that political will can impose itself on market forces.· He realizes the importance of voluntary exchange and market forces in producing efficient results.
· Mr Spicer also plans to look into ways of encouraging better communication between police forces and local authorities.· In recent years, the local police force has ballooned from two officers to 11.· The police force inherited by Nicholas was small, corrupt and ill-trained.· At the other extreme, they can not long do the job of a local police force.· It was much more segregated than the police force and people rarely served in their home area.· So why do their activities arouse deep suspicion among tax authorities and police forces?· Mr. Lloyd Our objective is that the number of special constables should equal about 20 percent. of the regular police force.· Mr. Lloyd Of course, but decisions on the effective use of manpower are taken by the police authority and the police force.
· They have been padlocked by owners fleeing militant kidnappings, extortions and crackdowns by the security forces.· By the end of July, 23 demonstrators had been killed and several wounded by security forces.· The figures also reveal that the security forces have lost twice as many members this year as last year.· We kept guard against the security forces and helped in the communal kitchen which was set up for the support committee.· Mr Mubarak certainly needs the loyalty of the police and security forces.· At least three other massacres by the security forces have taken place since the new government took office.· The security forces are said not to have intervened when up to 100,000 people demonstrated in Timisoara on Wednesday evening.· The government is concerned that most of the disappearances are blamed on the security forces.
· The task force can travel quickly because it does not have to carry support material with it.· The task force chair, Robert Spitzer, was then faced with a dilemma.· The administration set up its own special task force in order to find an alternative less likely to antagonise the logging industry.· In the meantime task forces are trying to collect accurate data on actual hours worked as opposed to contracted hours.· From my work on that task force, I can tell you that this is pretty usual.· They would obtain that more readily if they were involved in some sort of community task force.· Both task forces are to present interim reports Thursday.
VERB· This is just like the sweep stroke where we extend the reach to apply more force.· The same argument is supposed to apply now with equal force.· In order to achieve this acceleration he must apply a force much greater than the weight of his ann.· When they pushed at the end of the arm, they were applying force farther from the fulcrum.· The same argument applies with even greater force to the parliamentary candidates - Jones, Thorne, Davis and Gardner.· All, with the possible exception of employer conflicts, apply with equal force to dropout rates from public schools.· Once again Charles applied superior force, and many of the rebels immediately submitted.· If they used a shorter pencil, they had to apply more force because they were pushing closer to the fulcrum.
· The amended procedures came into force at the start of the new session.· Dates set for town centre traffic ban Darlington's town centre traffic ban comes into force on March 29.· A ceasefire came into force late on Feb. 17 allowing Army troops to be evacuated from Adma.· The whaling nations claim that since the hunting ban came into force in 1986 some species are now flourishing.· It aroused much local opposition but the directives came into force, technically at least, from I January this year.· Both the Poll Tax and the Business rate come into force on 1st April 1990.
· There was a pause in which Bandeira visibly deployed his forces.· Chiang was using his only respectable troops against Mao, who in turn deployed a force of up to 2 million men.
· But as the repression has increased, more women have directly joined the combat forces.· Two younger sisters have also joined the force.· The rest of the family decided to join the guerrilla forces.· Harry wanted to join the air force, but his father advised against it.· They may join forces with any one of the seven regional phone companies or a long-distance carrier.· Diplomatically changing sides, they joined with forces planning rebellion.· BAe will join forces with the Far East firm to produce passenger planes for regional travel.
· Sun's no-clone policy still remains in force.· The leaders remain haunted by the forces of dissent they ordered the army to crush.· Within the former Soviet Union there remains a large military force.· He remains prepared to use force to do that.· Elsewhere, Islamism remains an opposition force only, and, though still potent, is losing ground.· Although its founder, Karl-Ernst Jöllenbeck died in 1991, the gallery remains a vital force under the directorship of Michael Nickel.· The ban will remain in force for 50 years unless reversed by a consensus among the Treaty's voting members.· Manufacturing remains a significant force, but with an ever-decreasing share of the workforce.
· But he feels they were never appreciated as much as those who served in the forces.· I have served in the armed forces.· Reagan, who had never served in the forces himself, was a soldier's president.· Radio was to serve as a massive force for political enlightenment in our democratic society.· It has never been able to serve as a unifying force and if anything has been more of a divider.· Its role is to serve as a centripetal force against the centrifugal tendencies of the ministries.· They had both served in the armed forces, and Nathan had been disabled as a result.· As well, parcels were sent regularly to local men serving in the forces.
· The paradox of using force to overcome force is here a real contradiction.· Truman did not threaten to use force to impose his views.· The kinds of attack perpetrated by women seldom use deadly force.· According to Chung, Roh saw the president within hours and strongly recommended against using military force.· Despite Boss's success, Keith used the Quaker decision to use force as a new argument against the majority.· He was quite prepared to use force if that was necessary.· But unlike many computer-makers, Compaq makes all its sales through dealers, rather than by using its own sales force.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► come into force/bring something into force► by/through/out of force of habit► force 8/9/10 etc► the forcePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- In 1995 the Oxford and Nairobi teams joined forces.
- In addition, three Askews' reps will combine forces with Chivers' force of two, to represent Chivers to libraries.
- It's obvious: I've got to join forces with Ace.
- It was bad enough that his daughter was rebelling, but here was his own wife joining forces with her.
- Last year the Guardian joined forces with the international campaign to free poor countries from debt.
- So some foreign houses are joining forces with local brokers.
- The better option is for you to join forces with several of your fellow employees and then meet with your manager.
- Will convinces the pair not to eat them, but instead join forces in the hunt for the pirates and their captives.
- Residents showed up in force at Tuesday's planning meeting.
- Similar rules on appearance are in force at all Disney amusement parks.
- But they were not willing to see one acre of irrigated land succumb to the forces of nature, regardless of cost.
- Generally, different theories are used to explain widely different phenomena, from the forces in the atom to gravity.
- In the face of all the forces of modern salesmanship, it still rules, almost undefiled, in the textbooks.
- Something walking across her grave ... or the forces in heaven laughing at her vain attempts to re-write her future?
- The classic study of the forces underlying totalitarian regimes.
- The leaders remain haunted by the forces of dissent they ordered the army to crush.
- The outcome of this transitional period is unknown, but the forces pushing and pulling at various possibilities can be discerned.
- We rely upon the support of the families to retain personnel within the forces.
- Like all Trolls they will eat anything and through force of circumstance they tend to eat a lot of rocks.
- Some sectors, moreover, lagged behind completely, by force of circumstances or on account of reluctance to abandon traditional ways.
- Ware was a strict Palladian by upbringing but a stylistic schizoid by force of circumstances.
- As the Sea King hovered in gale force winds, alarms warned of engine trouble.
- Near hurricane force winds and free-roaming sheep put paid to early attempts at planting flowers and shrubs.
- Read in studio Hurricane force winds are hampering efforts to save seals caught in the Shetland oil slick.
- The superstar's Coral Gables mansion was battered by gale force winds which left windows smashed and wrecked her garden.
- The tanker, the Braer, crashed into the rocky coast in heavy seas and gale force winds.
- The whole service has taken some five and a half hours in gale force winds and heavy seas.
- At the core of Hampden Babylon is a titanic struggle between the forces of good and evil.
- It could fight the forces of evil.
- It is an age-old heresy to see the world as a battleground between the forces of good and evil.
- It will be a struggle between your hero and whatever associates he may have and the forces of evil opposed to him.
- Now he's restating his submission to the Bara Bhai and the forces of good.
- Television is therefore seen to be taking the moral high ground, the side of the punter against the forces of evil.
- Before 1957 was out, world events were sowing the seeds of a conventional forces counter-reformation.
- It committed the forthcoming summit to draw up a mandate for negotiations on short-range nuclear forces.
- It was also important to demonstrate the ability of nuclear forces to ride out a surprise attack.
- Meanwhile, its conventional forces are plenty good enough to banish the nuclear option to the realm of the theoretical.
- Prior to Sandys the orthodox military priesthood had seen nuclear weapons as being in support of conventional forces.
- Urging restraint in the development of conventional forces, the statement said that otherwise these could exacerbate political tensions.
- Yet our conventional forces have not made an equivalent leap into the future.
- MacArthur stated that it was imperative to prevent the dispatch of an amphibious force.
- Marines will be landing from several San Diego-based ships, led by the amphibious assault ships Tarawa and Peleliu.
- Operation Downfall called for two amphibious assaults.
- Ross previously was assigned as executive officer of the amphibious assault ship Essex.
- The amphibious assault ship Peleliu will lead the ready group, which includes the Juneau and Comstock.
- Two other such joint exercises, involving marine and amphibious forces, were already scheduled to start on Aug. 3.
- Coach Tony Dungy, once an accomplished defensive coordinator, likes to apply pressure.
- How did you apply pressure to a man you could not even find?
- If you have a nose bleed, apply pressure to the nose by pinching the nostrils together for about ten minutes.
- Keep a thumb lightly on the spool and apply pressure as the lure hits the water to avoid backlash.
- The beauty of C4 is that you can apply pressure or heat and it will not detonate.
- The chance of Damien Gould helping her seemed unlikely in the extreme, unless she could apply pressure on him.
- The government is applying pressure, too.
- Try to apply pressure out towards the ends of your knees.
- A new government minister is now responsible for the armed forces.
- Measures will be taken to help modernize the country's armed forces.
- And let's not limit the language to pictures of thunder and brute strength.
- But like men, chimps do not rise entirely on brute strength.
- Even his strong-man routine seems devoid of any intelligence or style and focuses, instead, upon brute force and muscle.
- Henry Cooper used brute strength to promote after-shave.
- Teravainen belonged to the brute force school; off the tee, he was as long as anybody.
- Their only ultimate recourse is to deal with each other by brute force.
- Wado employs very light and fast techniques, preferring evasion to meeting brute force head on.
- Was brute force and intimidation all they knew?
- Motta always put him on the defensive.
- Simple as sneezing to put him on the defensive.
- The Conservative achievement in the 1980s was to put Labour on the defensive by presenting Thatcherism as a continuation of historic Conservatism.
- The Sangh has put Congress on the defensive by forcing it to dilute its secular tradition.
- These two seemed friendly enough, but their questions about Sweetheart put him on the defensive.
- This established licensing hours for the first time, and put brewers on the defensive.
- This puts people on the defensive, and they may become silent or get angry.
- You guys being a little bit aggressive at the beginning put him on the defensive.
- First, I would disagree that the Endangered Species Act is the driving force behind conservation decisions.
- For the lawyer and the judge, a driving force at all times has been the avalanche of precedents.
- Listening to the Finale in particular, I was struck by the lack of driving force there is behind it in this performance.
- The driving force of the rain precluded conversation, sealed each of us in with his own thoughts.
- The current history line is the driving force of the payroll and is subject to very high validation checks.
- This possessiveness can be a driving force behind each craftsman and his task.
- Was it feasible, was it remotely possible, that the mutation had some sort of driving force?
- Both say they now feel the effects of alcohol far sooner than when they smoked.
- He feels the effects of the night before, of a beat struck many times last night and last year.
- His body was slack, and as he grew colder and more tired, he felt the force of his will diminish.
- Kodak felt the effects of the anemic retail environment in December, the worst holiday shopping season since the 1991 recession.
- Southern California residents will feel the benefits of the new fuel, rather than see them.
- The next hour passed amiably, by which time the two of them began to feel the effects of the day.
- This force is universal, that is, every particle feels the force of gravity, according to its mass or energy.
- When they speak, I feel the force of history bearing down on me.
- All that is left is a strong, but invisible, gravitational field.
- All this occurs in magnetic fields very much above the maximum tolerated by the superconducting state.
- As the star shrank, the gravitational field at the surface would become stronger and the escape velocity would increase.
- At the upper critical field the magnetic field completely penetrated the sample and it reverted entirely to its normal state.
- In a few rare cases, lava flows on land have taken place just as the magnetic field was undergoing a reversal.
- It does raise the question of how pigeons detect the magnetic field.
- The flow of a magnetic field is taken from magnetic north pole to magnetic south pole.
- The radio waves, magnetic field and computer technology combine to produce vivid images of the body's soft tissue.
- I said as the train gathered speed.
- I waited for it to gather momentum.
- She lifted it over the fence and set off across the little meadow, gathering speed and thoroughly enjoying it.
- The big trimotor gathered speed and roared off down the harbor for more than a mile but never got close to liftoff.
- The strikes continue to gather momentum.
- Then the van rolls forward, gathers speed, and drifts on by.
- These Christians were slow to gather forces for a Reconquista.
- Voucher trouble Shopworkers' union Usdaw has threatened to boycott the government's voucher system for asylum seekers as protests gather momentum.
- But she was not to force the pace in any way.
- Perhaps I tried to force the pace.
- So, in the summer of 1959, without abandoning association, de Gaulle decided to force the pace of his policy.
- The Care in the Community initiative in 1981 attempted to force the pace.
- There was an alternative view, however, that forcing the pace was necessary if real change was to be effected.
- There will be no attempt to force the pace at the Luxembourg summit next month.
- To force the pace now was irresponsible, and could lead to a power vacuum.
- Why loot and burn when you can participate, force the pace of change?
- A large peacekeeping force is now being assembled, ready to move at 48 hours' notice.
- Because Oglala was so violent at that time, we were asked to be like a peacekeeping force.
- It would be the first major peacekeeping force deployed in the Western Hemisphere.
- The peacekeeping force has already been extended five times, and the deployment is now scheduled to end July 31.
- They called for the removal of Eyadema, political neutrality by the army, and the creation of a special peacekeeping force.
- But after four consecutive General Election defeats, is Labour a spent force?
- Jesse Jackson, who ran for president in 1984 and 1988, is a spent force.
- On the other hand, it would be a mistake to conclude that the urban-rural shift is a spent force.
- They write off Ireland as a spent force, which in my experience is a foolish thing to do.
- But my brokers were complaining that I was shoving them down their throats.
- His teeth were even and white, and Bernice wanted to ram them down his throat.
- Jess felt like ramming it down his throat.
- The agents poured pepper sauce down their nostrils, or forced water down their throats.
- Torrents of lava would not tumble out to force fire down his throat, torch his tongue.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveforcefulforcibleforcednounforceforcefulnessadverbforcefullyforciblyverbforce
1military a)[countable usually plural] a group of people who have been trained to do military work for a government or other organizationgovernment/military/defence etc forces The riots were suppressed by government forces. He strengthened US forces in the Gulf. a plan to disarm the rebel forces (=those fighting against the government) b)the forces British English the army, navy, and air forcein the forces Both her sons are in the forces. c)nuclear/conventional forces nuclear weapons or ordinary weapons: short-range nuclear forces → air force, armed forces, ground forces, → peacekeeping force at peacekeeping, → security forces at security(1), task force(2)2military action [uncountable] military action used as a way of achieving your aims: Peace cannot be imposed by force. The UN will allow the use of force against aircraft violating the zone.3violence [uncountable] violent physical action used to get what you want: The police used force to overpower the demonstrators.by force In the end he had to be thrown out of the house by force. They kicked the door down using sheer brute force.4physical power [uncountable] the amount of physical power with which something moves or hits another thingforce of The force of the explosion blew out all the windows.with great/considerable/increasing etc force He raised his hand and struck her with terrifying force.5natural power [countable, uncountable] a natural power or event: the force of gravity powerful natural forces such as earthquakes, floods, and drought the forces of nature6organized group [countable usually singular] a group of people who have been trained and organized to do a particular job: the company’s sales force the quality of the teaching force → police force7strong influence [countable] something or someone who is powerful and has a lot of influence on the way things happenthe driving force (behind something/somebody) (=the person or thing that makes something happen) Betty Coward was the driving force behind the project.a force for change/peace/democracy etc (=someone or something that makes change, peace etc more likely to happen) Healthy competition is a force for innovation. He’s a quick and decisive player – a force to be reckoned with (=a person, team, company etc that influences what happens). The fall in prices was due to forces beyond their control. → market forces8powerful effect [uncountable] the powerful effect that something has on you: Even after 30 years, the play has lost none of its force. the force of his personality9join/combine forces (with somebody/something) to work together so that you can deal with a problem, be more powerful etcjoin forces to do something Local schools have joined forces with each other to share facilities.10in force a)if a law, rule etc is in force, it already exists: The trade embargo has been in force for a year. b)in a large group, especially in order to protest about something SYN in large numbers: Villagers turned out in force to protest about the new road.11come into force/bring something into force if a new law, rule, change etc comes or is brought into force, it starts to exist: Parking restrictions in the town centre came into force last month.12by/through/out of force of habit because you have always done a particular thing and it is difficult to change: I get up at 6 o'clock every day out of force of habit.13by/through force of circumstance(s) British English if something happens by force of circumstance, events outside your control make it happen14wind a)force 8/9/10 etc a unit for measuring the strength of the wind b)gale/hurricane force wind extremely strong wind that does a lot of damage15police the force a word meaning the police force, used especially by police officers16the forces of good/evil etc literary people or things that increase the amount of good or bad in the world: the battle against the forces of evil → labour force, tour de force, workforceCOLLOCATIONSADJECTIVES/NOUN + forcesthe armed forces (=a country’s military organizations, including the army, navy, and air force)· Israel refused to withdraw its armed forces from the area.American/British/French etc forces· Several battles took place involving American forces.government forces (=soldiers fighting for the government)· Government forces reportedly shot dead 300 unarmed civilians.security forces (=who protect a country against people who are fighting the government)· The government claimed that the security forces had destroyed the rebels’ headquarters.rebel forces (=who are fighting against the government)· The village was attacked by rebel forces.military forces· He served with the military forces during the war.a defence force· Should the European Union have its own defence force?enemy forces· Enemy forces now occupy substantial areas of the city.a peacekeeping force· A large UN peacekeeping force is being assembled.special forces (=who are specially trained to fight against guerilla or terrorist groups)· Special forces were employed to support the local army.phrasesbe in the forces· Her husband is in the forces.verbsjoin the forces (=become a soldier, sailor etc)· He was too young to join the forces when the war broke out.withdraw your forces· Expecting the Allies to attack again, he began to withdraw his forces eastward.force1 nounforce2 verb
forceforce2 ●●● S2 W1 verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
force
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | force |
| he, she, it | forces | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | forced |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have forced |
| he, she, it | has forced | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had forced |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will force |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have forced |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am forcing |
| he, she, it | is forcing | |
| you, we, they | are forcing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was forcing |
| you, we, they | were forcing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been forcing |
| he, she, it | has been forcing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been forcing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be forcing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been forcing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- All the hostages were forced to hand over their passports.
- Eddie feels that he was forced out of his job in order to make way for a younger man.
- Firefighters had to force the lock.
- Her parents are trying to force her into marrying a man she hardly knows.
- Here, girls are often forced into prostitution because they have no other means of earning money.
- I finally managed to force the package through the small letterbox.
- I had never thought of buying an insurance policy, and I wasn't going to be forced into it by some young salesman.
- If you don't comply I'm afraid we'll have to force you.
- She claimed was forced to take part in the robbery by her husband.
- She tried to force her feet into the shoes but they were too small.
- Some idiot forced Laura off the road yesterday.
- The economy has forced a lot of companies out of business.
- They had so little money that they were forced to sell the farm.
- They were halfway up the mountain, when the weather became so bad that they were forced to turn back.
- Thieves had tied him up and forced him to lie on the floor.
- Women's organizations are trying to force the government to appoint more women to senior positions.
- You don't have to come if you don't want to. Nobody's forcing you.
- And to know these, the artist cannot force his own intentions upon nature.
- If forced to resign, get a good book deal.
- In theory, the power crisis could force the state to work together more.
- It infected his spine and forced him to spend months in bed.
- Often they were forced to leap blindly into ravines five or ten feet deep.
- The Master tried both persuasion and threats but ... was compelled at length to send for a constable and resort to force.
- To round off his day of despair Button was forced to retire with an exhaust failure six laps from home.
- When the information was slow in coming, the announcers were forced to use their imaginations to fill in the details.
THESAURUS
to make someone do something they do not want to do. Used when people or situations make you do something: · They were beaten and forced to confess to crimes they had not committed.· The drought forced millions of farmers to sell their cattle.
to force someone to do something by using pressure, threats, or violence. Make somebody do something is more common than force somebody to do something in everyday English: · Her parents disapproved of Alex and they made her stop seeing him.· Two men with guns made the staff hand over the money.
(also pressurize British English) to try to force someone to do something by making them feel that they should do it: · Some employers pressure their staff into working very long hours.· She felt they were trying to pressurize her into getting married.
to force someone to give you money or do what you want by threatening to tell embarrassing secrets about them: · She tried to blackmail him with photographs of them together at the hotel.
formal to force someone to do something using official power or authority. Also used when someone has to do something because of their situation: · The town was surrounded and compelled to surrender.· I felt compelled to offer them some kind of explanation.· You are compelled by law to carry an ID card.
formal to force someone to do something by threatening them: · Local people were coerced into joining the rebel army.
formal if someone is obliged to do something, they must do it because it is the law or the rule, or because of the situation they are in: · You are not obliged to say anything which may harm your defence in court.· They were obliged to sell the land.
Longman Language Activatorto enter a place illegally or by using force · A man was arrested for trying to enter the actress's Beverly Hills home.enter through/by etc · It appears the burglars entered through a back window.
to succeed in entering a room, building, or area which is locked or difficult to enter, especially by using force or by finding an unusual way in: · How did you get in? I thought the door was locked.· Some animals hadn't gotten in the shed and made a mess.get into something: · Thieves had apparently got into the apartments by posing as electricians.
to enter a building by using force, in order to steal something: · If anyone tries to break in, the alarm will go off.break into something: · Thieves broke into the gallery and made off with paintings valued at over $2 million.
if someone, especially criminals or the police gain entry or gain access , they succeed in entering a locked building or room, especially by using force: · The police gained entry by smashing down the door.gain entry/gain access to: · Somehow the woman had gained access to his dressing room and was waiting there when he came off the stage.
to enter a building or room by using force, especially when someone is trying to stop you: · They've blocked the door. We'll have to force our way in.force your way into something: · Police eventually forced their way into the building and arrested the gunman.
the crime of entering a place illegally, especially with the intention of stealing something: · You can't just go into his apartment when he's not there - that's breaking and entering.· He was caught in the school at night and has been charged with breaking and entering.
to illegally enter or be on someone's land or in a building without permission from the owner: · Get out of the yard! Can't you see the sign? It says "No Trespassing."trespass on: · Carlson was fined $1000 for trespassing on government property.
to enter an area that is well guarded or dangerous to enter - used especially in a military context: · The barbed wire fences and security shields made the air base very difficult to penetrate.
to be forced to do something because of a bad situation: force somebody to do something · They had so little money that they were forced to sell the farm.· They were halfway up the mountain, when the weather became so bad that they were forced to turn back. force somebody into something · Here, girls are often forced into prostitution because they have no other means of earning money.
if something, especially someone else's behaviour drives someone to do something, it has such a bad effect on them that it forces them to take extreme action: drive somebody to do something: · At the trial, she claimed that years of abuse from her violent husband had driven her to kill him.drive somebody to despair/desperation etc: · Many farmers claim that they have been driven to desperation by the latest blow to the industry.drive somebody to drink (=make someone drink alcohol all the time in order to forget their situation): · This job's enough to drive anyone to drink!drive somebody into doing something: · Her mother's continual nagging drove her into running away from home.
to be forced to do something because it is the only thing you can do even though you may not want to do it: · We had to leave them there. We had no choice.· Firefighters said they had to knock down the remaining walls - they have no other option.leave somebody with no choice/option but to do something: · You leave me with no option but to resign.leave somebody with no choice/ option: · The business was failing, and in the end we had to close it down. We were left with no choice.
formal if a bad situation compels someone to do something they do not want to do, they are forced to do it because they feel there is nothing else they can do: · The high cost of materials will compel manufacturers to increase their prices.· These people are compelled by poverty to commit crime.
to be forced to accept a very unhappy situation because there is nothing else you can do: be condemned to do something: · The rich lived in luxury while thousands were condemned to live a life of poverty and despair.be condemned to something: · The island was condemned to centuries of colonial rule.· The accident condemned her to a lifetime of pain and disability.
to force someone do something by using threats or violence · If you don't comply I'm afraid we'll have to force you.force somebody to do something · Thieves had tied him up and forced him to lie on the floor.· All the hostages were forced to hand over their passports.force somebody into (doing) something · She claimed she was forced to take part in the robbery by her husband.
to force someone to do something by using violence or threats: · I didn't want to take part in the attack but the soldiers made me.make somebody do something: · They made sales staff open the safe.be made to do something: · The couple were made to hand over all their money and jewellery.
written to force someone to do something that they do not want to do by threatening that something bad might happen to them if they do not do it: · Ray withdrew his confession, saying that he had been coerced by the police.coerce somebody into doing something: · The mine owners coerced the workers into going back to work, by threatening to close down the mines completely.· Officials coerced peasants into voting for the government candidates. coerce somebody to do something: · The company paid the workers the minimum rate of $4.86 an hour, but coerced some to give back half their pay in cash.
formal to make someone do something by using force or official power: compel somebody to do something: · All the young men in the area were compelled to work in the quarries and coal mines.· The attorney general has the right to compel witnesses to appear in court.
informal to force someone to do something by shouting at them, treating them badly, or using threats: · Don't let the salesman bully you -- it's your choice.bully somebody into doing something: · If you try and bully him into giving you the money he's sure to say no -- you should try and persuade him gently.bully somebody into something: · Ben didn't want to study law, but his father bullied him into it by threatening to cut off his allowance.
to force someone to give you money or do what you want, by threatening to tell embarrassing secrets about them: · Gina tried to blackmail him, by threatening to tell his wife about their affair.blackmail somebody into doing something: · The FBI blackmailed her into informing on the other members of the gang.
if someone uses force , they hit, shoot, or use other forms of violence against people in order to make them do something or stop them from doing something: · The regime was quite willing to use force and terror against its enemies. · The law permits every citizen to use reasonable force to defend themselves or their property.use force against: · The police have recently had to defend their policy of using force against rioters.
violence or the threat of violence, used to force someone to do something: · The police have been accused of using strongarm tactics when breaking up strikes and public demonstrations.use strongarm tactics/methods to do something: · More and more credit companies are using strongarm methods to collect debts.
if someone does something under duress , they only agree to do it because they have been threatened, not because they want to do it: · The defendants claimed that their confessions were made under duress.· Judge Mershon ruled that the agreement was signed under duress, and was therefore null and void.
to force someone to do something · You don't have to come if you don't want to. Nobody's forcing you.force somebody to do something · Women's organizations are trying to force the government to appoint more women to senior positions.force somebody into doing something · Her parents are trying to force her into marrying a man she hardly knows.force somebody into something · I had never thought of buying an insurance policy, and I wasn't going to be forced into it by some young salesman.force somebody out of · Eddie feels that he was forced out of his job in order to make way for a younger man.
to force someone to do something that they do not want to do. Make is less formal than force: · I really didn't want to go, but she made me.make somebody do something: · I wanted to watch the film, but Dad made me do my homework.· Karen made him promise never to discuss the subject again.
to keep trying to persuade someone to do something, for example by saying that it is their duty or that it will help other people: put pressure on somebody to do something: · Our parents were putting pressure on us to get married.· Advertising puts pressure on parents to work long hours, in order to buy things that their children don't need.
also pressurise British, /pressure American to try to make someone do something by persuading them very strongly and making them feel that they should do it: · I'll get this done as soon as I can -- just don't pressure me, OK!· If she feels you're trying to pressurize her, she won't do it.pressurize/pressure somebody into doing something: · School children are often pressurized into studying very hard from an early age by their parents.· The committee pressured him into resigning.pressure somebody to do something: · Her boyfriend is pressuring her to have an abortion.
to strongly encourage someone to do something: push somebody to do something: · My parents keep pushing me to get a good job.push somebody into doing something: · Don't let them push you into a making a decision before you're ready.push somebody into something: · Are you sure you want to marry me? I don't want to push you into anything.
to force someone to do what you want them to do by repeatedly asking them to do it until they finally agree: · The salesman tried browbeating me but it didn't work.browbeat somebody into (doing) something: · The miners were browbeaten into working in a part of the mine that the company knew to be dangerous.· I really didn't want to make this speech -- I was browbeaten into it by my colleagues.
an attempt to force someone to do something, by making them feel guilty for not doing it: · She's always using emotional blackmail and playing on other people's feelings.· Any relationship that has to depend on emotional blackmail can't be a healthy one.
informal if someone is breathing down your neck about something, they keep asking you to do it in order to make you do it sooner: · I'm already really busy today, and now Paul's breathing down my neck saying he wants the Paris deal completed.have somebody breathing down your neck: · We'd better start sending out those letters soon -- I've had the sales manager breathing down my neck about it all week.
informal to be trying to make someone do something they do not want to do, especially by telling them several times to do it: · Nick knew that the coach would be on his back if he missed another training session.be on sb's back about: · Aunt Mimi was always on his back about him "wasting time playing that silly guitar".
to force someone to accept something they do not want · He thinks that just because he's the head of department he can force his opinions on everybody.· You shouldn't blame your father -- the decision was forced on him by his situation.· Elaine kept forcing drinks on him all evening, and he wondered if she was trying to seduce him.
if you impose your ideas and beliefs on other people, you try to force them to have the same ideas and beliefs as you: · Within days of being appointed office manager he had imposed his own working methods.impose something on somebody: · Teachers should try to avoid imposing their own beliefs on their students.
to force someone to accept something that causes them harm or suffering: · As time progressed, the king inflicted harsher and harsher measures on the people.· The new policy means that even higher bills will be inflicted on the taxpayer.
to get rid of a thing or piece of work that you do not want by giving it to someone else: · It's no use trying to foist your work on me.foist something off on to somebody: · He's always trying to foist the children off on to me while he goes out and enjoys himself.
to leave unwillingly to leave a place or person very unwillingly because you have to: · The view was so magnificent that it was difficult to tear ourselves away.tear/force yourself away from: · Jake watched as police officers examined the body. It was a horrible sight, but he couldn't tear himself away from it.
also find it difficult to leave to feel it is extremely difficult to leave a person or place that you like very much: · Kim couldn't bear to leave Danny, and cried all the way to the airport.· Ballesteros has always found it difficult to leave his home in Pedrena.can hardly bear to leave: · We'd had such a great vacation, we could hardly bear to leave.
to open a door, window, box etc · It's very hot in here. Do you mind if I open the window?· The drawer's locked - you need a key to open it.open something wide · He opened the door wide, and gestured for me to come in.
to turn the a key in the lock on a door, drawer, cupboard etc so that you can open it: · Unlock the door! We can't get out!· Which of these keys unlocks the safe?· "Come and see", Jo said, unlocking a huge iron gate.
to open a drawer, window, cupboard etc by using force, often with a tool: force something/it open: · The door's stuck - we'll have to force it open.force open something: · The burglars had forced open the window with an iron bar.· It looked as though the shed had been forced open.
to open a container by using force, so that it is damaged: break open something: · We managed to break open the crate with an axe.break something/it/them open: · There's no key for the suitcase - we'll have to break it open.· Gulls carry shellfish into the air, then drop them onto hard surfaces to break them open.
British /pry open American to open something by forcing one part of it away from the other part, using a tool: prise something/it/them open: · All the flats were boarded up, but we managed to prise a few boards open.prise open something: · Laura leaned forward to pry open the crate.prise the lid off (=remove the lid to open it): · I picked up the coffee tin and, using a knife, prised the lid off.
to try to open a door or window in order to see if it is locked: · I knocked, then tried the door. It was open, but the room was empty.· I went around the back to try the windows, but they were all locked.
to completely break a locked door in order to get into a room or building: break down something: · Firemen had to break the door down.break something/it down: · Open the door now or we'll break it down!
British to open a car window, especially by turning a handle: wind/roll down something: · The driver wound down his window and asked us the way to the stadium.wind/roll something down: · Mom, will you roll your window down a little please?
spoken use this to tell someone to open a door: · Open up - it's the police!
to push an object into an opening or into something soft to push a sharp object into something soft, or push something into a small space: stick something into/up/inside etc something: · They stuck pins into a map to show where the enemy's camps were.· The doctor had to stick a tube down my throat in order to examine my stomach.
to push something into a small space using a lot of strength: force something into/through/down something: · She tried to force her feet into the shoes but they were too small.· I finally managed to force the package through the small letterbox.
informal to push something quickly and carelessly into a small space: shove/stuff something into/up/down etc: · She shoved two more sweaters into her bag.· He quickly stuffed the letter down the side of the sofa.
to push something very hard or violently into something: ram something into something: · She rammed the papers into her briefcase.· Construction workers had to spend the night ramming iron girders into place to support the building.
to push something deep inside another thing, especially violently or suddenly: plunge something into something: · Plunging both hands deep into the sack she rummaged among the parcels.· Then he plunged the knife into his victim's chest.
to push something suddenly and hard into an opening or into something soft: thrust something into something: · He thrust the knife deep into the animal's chest.· Thrusting the gun back into its holster, the man grinned at the body lying on the floor.· He thrust some money into my hand and told me to drive him to the airport.
to push something with difficulty into a space that is too small: squeeze something into something: · I don't think I can squeeze any more files into this drawer.· It's no use trying to squeeze yourself into clothes that are too small for you.
to push something forcefully into a small space, so that it fits tightly and is difficult to pull out again: jam something under/into etc something: · Just hold the door open while I jam a wedge under it.· Kelly poured himself another glass of wine and jammed the cork back into the bottle.
to push people in order to move forward to push people, especially in a crowd, in order to move past them or in order to make them move: · Can you tell the people at the back of the queue to stop pushing!push your way through/into etc: · He pushed his way through the crowd.push past: · She pushed past me to the front of the line.
to push people in a rough and careless way with your hands, arms, or shoulders in order to move forward or past people: · The people moved forward towards the food, pushing and shoving to get there first.shove your way through/into etc: · Peter shoved his way through the dense crowd in search of his son.shove past: · Robert shoved past the others and made his way to the front of the room.
to move forward so fast and forcefully that you push someone as you pass them: barge into: · She just barged into me, without even apologizing.barge past: · A woman carrying a large basket barged past me to the front of the line.
to push hard in order to go somewhere when your way is blocked: force your way through: · He forced his way through the dense crowd.force your way into: · Police forced their way into the flat and arrested two men.
to push against one person or several people so that you knock them to one side, especially in order to reach a place or get something before they do: jostle for: · Passengers were jostling each other at the news kiosk for the last remaining copies of the evening paper.jostle to do something: · The children moved forward, jostling to get to the front and see the magician.
to push with your elbows in order to move past people: elbow your way through/into etc: · She elbowed her way through the crowd.elbow somebody aside/elbow somebody to one side: · Craig elbowed me aside roughly.· Elbowing me to one side, he took hold of the microphone.
to push in order to move forward with the rest of the crowd: press forward/round etc: · As the race started the crowd pressed forward towards the track.· The security men tried to hold back crowds of reporters pressing round the President's car.
to smile to make your mouth curve upwards, as a sign that you are happy or amused or that you want to be friendly: · She smiled and said, "Good morning.''· Kathy couldn't help smiling as the children came back into the room.· 'Stop worrying, you look very nice,' she smiled reassuringly. (=said with a smile)· My father rarely smiled.smile at: · The twins turned and smiled at each other, sharing a private joke.· He winked, and she smiled back at him.smile broadly (=smile with your mouth very wide): · She smiled broadly when her name was called.make somebody smile: · He can make people smile just by walking into a room.
to give a big happy smile: · Grinning shyly, he offered her a drink.· 'I've been a complete idiot', grinned Ian. (=said with a grin)grin broadly (=grin with your mouth very wide): · She sat back down again, grinning broadly.grin at: · She kept grinning at me as if we were old friends.grin from ear to ear informal (=to grin a lot because you are very happy): · She was holding the baby, and grinning from ear to ear.
to smile for a long time, especially because you are very pleased about or proud of something or someone: · Her parents stood there beaming as she went up to receive the prize.beam at: · After the song was over, Miss Timms beamed at the class.beam with pleasure/pride etc: · Daddy sat in the first pew, beaming with pride.· Just a short time before, they had been beaming with optimism.
if someone's face lights up , they suddenly look happy, for example because they have received some good news: · He gave her the letter and watched as her face lit up.· The moment she walked into the room, Bob's face lit up.
to suddenly start smiling: · All at once she broke into a smile as she remembered what had happened.· She broke into a grin, and started to run towards me.· "We're going to have a visitor,'' said her mother, and Anna's face broke into a smile at the thought.
to be very happy, smile a lot, and be friendly toward other people, especially because a situation is the way you want it: · I don't understand it -- he was all smiles this morning and now he won't talk to me.
to try hard to smile when you do not feel happy: · "I'm getting married,'' he said. Somehow I managed to force a smile.· Alice forced a smile, hoping it looked natural.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY She tried to keep the door shut but the man forced it open. We need to force the pace on alternative energy policies. The effect will be to increase unemployment and force down wages. Janet forced back her tears.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES University zoologists and government vets are combining forces (=working together) to investigate the disease. Can Thompson make a credible challenge for the party leadership? NATO’s decision to deploy cruise missiles MPs forced a division on the bill. the explosive force of volcanoes high g-forces the force of gravity The general marshalled his forces for a major offensive. I look around me at the massed ranks of reporters. The United States is prepared to use military force to achieve its aims. a raid by European military forces (=the army, navy, or air force) The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature. Advertising is a potent force in showing smoking as a socially acceptable habit. Barcelona will be a force to be reckoned with this season. He returned to Greece to serve in the army. Napoleon threatened to starve the country into submission. the Navy’s surface forces
She tried to keep the door shut but the man forced it open. We need to force the pace on alternative energy policies. The effect will be to increase unemployment and force down wages.· The minister was forced to resign because of the scandal.
· He became seriously ill and was compelled to retire two years later.
· Hotels are obliged by law to install smoke alarms.
Janet forced back her tears.· Since the act came into force, all public buildings must have disabled access.
· The government was forced to admit that the policy had never really worked.
· US combat troops were in the streets of the capital yesterday.
University zoologists and government vets are combining forces (=working together) to investigate the disease. Can Thompson make a credible challenge for the party leadership? (=group of soldiers, pilots etc trained to defend a country)· The country's defence forces are on standby in case of an attack.
NATO’s decision to deploy cruise missiles MPs forced a division on the bill. (=a military group that is your enemy)· The town is occupied by enemy forces.
(=get into a building by breaking a door, window etc)· The church was locked, but he managed to force an entry.
(=when someone gets into a building illegally by breaking a door, window etc)· There were no signs of a forced entry, but several paintings were missing.
literary (=the people or things that increase the amount of evil in the world)· The king knew he must fight the forces of evil or his homeland would perish.
(=more violence than is necessary)· The men claim that the police officers used excessive force.
· Many of his political opponents have been forced into exile.
the explosive force of volcanoes high g-forces (=a measurement showing that a wind is extremely strong)· The winds had increased to gale force.
the force of gravity (=used about a habit that is difficult to change)· I still walk by his house each day - force of habit, I suppose.
(=all the people who work in a country or for a company)· We need an educated labour force.
The general marshalled his forces for a major offensive. I look around me at the massed ranks of reporters. The United States is prepared to use military force to achieve its aims. a raid by European military forces (=the army, navy, or air force) The inhabitants of the island fight a constant battle against the forces of nature.· Her son is in the police force.
Advertising is a potent force in showing smoking as a socially acceptable habit. Barcelona will be a force to be reckoned with this season. (=the people who sell a company's products)· The sales force had grown from 40 to 270.
(=the police, army etc)· Clashes with the security forces continued.
He returned to Greece to serve in the army. (=smile when you do not really feel happy or friendly)· She forced a smile, but he could see disappointment in her face.
Napoleon threatened to starve the country into submission. the Navy’s surface forces (=use violent methods)
(=very strong)· He was buffeted by the gale force winds.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· At the Model school burglars ransacked the music centre after forcing open the main door.· Property was stolen from a residence entered by forcing a rear door.· The raiders smashed their way into the trailer to silence Bob's barking before forcing the shop door.· No one had forced any doors or windows, because they didn't need to, did they?· A residence was entered by forcing a front door.· He forced the door and entered the room.
· The fact that she was pregnant was forcing both their hands in a way which was nearly amusing.· His fingers pressed into the soft flesh of my arms as he tried to force apart my hands.· Push away the arms, forcing the hands out.· One is that weakness in the system forces their hand.· The great imperial Zanuck was not amused at Boyo Burton's refusal and tried to force his hand.· He then forced Ranulf's hand close to that of the corpse.· If that is so, markets have the potential power of forcing Mrs Thatcher's hand.· Baldwin's object was then to resolve the crisis with reasonable speed without appearing to force the hand of the King.
· He never tried to force the issue.· Time was getting tight on both projects, so I had to force the issue with him.· In early spring, 1861, the new Confederate government decided to force the issue.· But I was too tired now to force the issue.· Such an action will force refinancing of the issue or can even force the issuer into bankruptcy.· Many economists avoid talking about unemployment in public, adopting a rather sheepish tone when forced to confront the issue.· At a minimum, they can force the issue back on to the political agenda and make Republicans publicly address the subject again.· If you attempt to force the issue, you are told that this was another one of your dumb ideas.
· There will be no attempt to force the pace at the Luxembourg summit next month.· To that end, Wilkens says he might try a full-court press in the interest of forcing a faster pace.· He climbed the steep slope to the Incident Room, forcing his pace, and arrived just a little out of breath.· To force the pace now was irresponsible, and could lead to a power vacuum.· Why loot and burn when you can participate, force the pace of change?· There was an alternative view, however, that forcing the pace was necessary if real change was to be effected.· But she was not to force the pace in any way.· Boxer was forced to reduce pace at this point by the congestion of traffic in and out of the Barracks.
· He forced an acid smile and held up two fingers.· He forces a smile, and Beulah smiles back.· The man turned out to be Alan Stewart, the comedian, who managed to force a smile as Roy apologised.· The girls forced smiles as they had been taught, but Sandi, in revenge, also crossed her eyes.· I forced a smile and then turned and fled to my room.· I forced a smile on seeing him.
· Do not tack too much in the early stages of the beat and do not let yourself be forced the wrong way.· Some of the rock has forced its way up into other layers like an errant thumb.· Mrs Johnstone, 35, was discovered by police who forced their way into her locked pub shortly after 11am yesterday.· We forced our way on and found suitable straps to hand on to.· Burglars strike: Intruders forced their way into a house which was being renovated.· He had forced his way into her room and cut her throat with a 12 inch knife.· In the end they opened the door and forced their way in.· Even the screeching rasp of a police hover forcing its slow way upstream can scarcely cut the din.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- The governor is trying to force the legislature's hand on this issue.
- He forces a smile, and Beulah smiles back.
- I forced a smile and then turned and fled to my room.
- I forced a smile on seeing him.
- The girls forced smiles as they had been taught, but Sandi, in revenge, also crossed her eyes.
- The man turned out to be Alan Stewart, the comedian, who managed to force a smile as Roy apologised.
- Burglars strike: Intruders forced their way into a house which was being renovated.
- He'd schooled himself to ruthlessness, single-mindedly forcing his way through the jungle, hacking at anything in his path.
- He has recovered from a nightmare pelvic injury and is now forcing his way into Roker's Wembley plans.
- Jezrael could feel stupid tears forcing their way through her control.
- Smitty went first, forcing his way through the branches that closed in on the trail.
- The thieves have been forcing their way into the homes of elderly people, holding them down while searching for their savings.
- Then Huddersfield rallied, and the fiery centre-forward Islip forced his way through to beat the tiring Burnley defenders.
- He'd forced a window to get into the ground floor maisonette in the Belmont area of Hereford.
- House raid: Intruders forced a window at the front of a house in Ripon.
- The forced door especially terrified me.
- The burglars are believed to have forced a window.
- What you are asking your tenants to do is reasonable, but you may decide not to force the issue.
- And he did; he forced the issue.
- At a minimum, they can force the issue back on to the political agenda and make Republicans publicly address the subject again.
- But I was too tired now to force the issue.
- He never tried to force the issue.
- If you attempt to force the issue, you are told that this was another one of your dumb ideas.
- In early spring, 1861, the new Confederate government decided to force the issue.
- Time was getting tight on both projects, so I had to force the issue with him.
- MacArthur stated that it was imperative to prevent the dispatch of an amphibious force.
- Marines will be landing from several San Diego-based ships, led by the amphibious assault ships Tarawa and Peleliu.
- Operation Downfall called for two amphibious assaults.
- Ross previously was assigned as executive officer of the amphibious assault ship Essex.
- The amphibious assault ship Peleliu will lead the ready group, which includes the Juneau and Comstock.
- Two other such joint exercises, involving marine and amphibious forces, were already scheduled to start on Aug. 3.
- Coach Tony Dungy, once an accomplished defensive coordinator, likes to apply pressure.
- How did you apply pressure to a man you could not even find?
- If you have a nose bleed, apply pressure to the nose by pinching the nostrils together for about ten minutes.
- Keep a thumb lightly on the spool and apply pressure as the lure hits the water to avoid backlash.
- The beauty of C4 is that you can apply pressure or heat and it will not detonate.
- The chance of Damien Gould helping her seemed unlikely in the extreme, unless she could apply pressure on him.
- The government is applying pressure, too.
- Try to apply pressure out towards the ends of your knees.
- A new government minister is now responsible for the armed forces.
- Measures will be taken to help modernize the country's armed forces.
- And let's not limit the language to pictures of thunder and brute strength.
- But like men, chimps do not rise entirely on brute strength.
- Even his strong-man routine seems devoid of any intelligence or style and focuses, instead, upon brute force and muscle.
- Henry Cooper used brute strength to promote after-shave.
- Teravainen belonged to the brute force school; off the tee, he was as long as anybody.
- Their only ultimate recourse is to deal with each other by brute force.
- Wado employs very light and fast techniques, preferring evasion to meeting brute force head on.
- Was brute force and intimidation all they knew?
- Motta always put him on the defensive.
- Simple as sneezing to put him on the defensive.
- The Conservative achievement in the 1980s was to put Labour on the defensive by presenting Thatcherism as a continuation of historic Conservatism.
- The Sangh has put Congress on the defensive by forcing it to dilute its secular tradition.
- These two seemed friendly enough, but their questions about Sweetheart put him on the defensive.
- This established licensing hours for the first time, and put brewers on the defensive.
- This puts people on the defensive, and they may become silent or get angry.
- You guys being a little bit aggressive at the beginning put him on the defensive.
- First, I would disagree that the Endangered Species Act is the driving force behind conservation decisions.
- For the lawyer and the judge, a driving force at all times has been the avalanche of precedents.
- Listening to the Finale in particular, I was struck by the lack of driving force there is behind it in this performance.
- The driving force of the rain precluded conversation, sealed each of us in with his own thoughts.
- The current history line is the driving force of the payroll and is subject to very high validation checks.
- This possessiveness can be a driving force behind each craftsman and his task.
- Was it feasible, was it remotely possible, that the mutation had some sort of driving force?
- Both say they now feel the effects of alcohol far sooner than when they smoked.
- He feels the effects of the night before, of a beat struck many times last night and last year.
- His body was slack, and as he grew colder and more tired, he felt the force of his will diminish.
- Kodak felt the effects of the anemic retail environment in December, the worst holiday shopping season since the 1991 recession.
- Southern California residents will feel the benefits of the new fuel, rather than see them.
- The next hour passed amiably, by which time the two of them began to feel the effects of the day.
- This force is universal, that is, every particle feels the force of gravity, according to its mass or energy.
- When they speak, I feel the force of history bearing down on me.
- All that is left is a strong, but invisible, gravitational field.
- All this occurs in magnetic fields very much above the maximum tolerated by the superconducting state.
- As the star shrank, the gravitational field at the surface would become stronger and the escape velocity would increase.
- At the upper critical field the magnetic field completely penetrated the sample and it reverted entirely to its normal state.
- In a few rare cases, lava flows on land have taken place just as the magnetic field was undergoing a reversal.
- It does raise the question of how pigeons detect the magnetic field.
- The flow of a magnetic field is taken from magnetic north pole to magnetic south pole.
- The radio waves, magnetic field and computer technology combine to produce vivid images of the body's soft tissue.
- I said as the train gathered speed.
- I waited for it to gather momentum.
- She lifted it over the fence and set off across the little meadow, gathering speed and thoroughly enjoying it.
- The big trimotor gathered speed and roared off down the harbor for more than a mile but never got close to liftoff.
- The strikes continue to gather momentum.
- Then the van rolls forward, gathers speed, and drifts on by.
- These Christians were slow to gather forces for a Reconquista.
- Voucher trouble Shopworkers' union Usdaw has threatened to boycott the government's voucher system for asylum seekers as protests gather momentum.
- But she was not to force the pace in any way.
- Perhaps I tried to force the pace.
- So, in the summer of 1959, without abandoning association, de Gaulle decided to force the pace of his policy.
- The Care in the Community initiative in 1981 attempted to force the pace.
- There was an alternative view, however, that forcing the pace was necessary if real change was to be effected.
- There will be no attempt to force the pace at the Luxembourg summit next month.
- To force the pace now was irresponsible, and could lead to a power vacuum.
- Why loot and burn when you can participate, force the pace of change?
- A large peacekeeping force is now being assembled, ready to move at 48 hours' notice.
- Because Oglala was so violent at that time, we were asked to be like a peacekeeping force.
- It would be the first major peacekeeping force deployed in the Western Hemisphere.
- The peacekeeping force has already been extended five times, and the deployment is now scheduled to end July 31.
- They called for the removal of Eyadema, political neutrality by the army, and the creation of a special peacekeeping force.
- But after four consecutive General Election defeats, is Labour a spent force?
- Jesse Jackson, who ran for president in 1984 and 1988, is a spent force.
- On the other hand, it would be a mistake to conclude that the urban-rural shift is a spent force.
- They write off Ireland as a spent force, which in my experience is a foolish thing to do.
- But my brokers were complaining that I was shoving them down their throats.
- His teeth were even and white, and Bernice wanted to ram them down his throat.
- Jess felt like ramming it down his throat.
- The agents poured pepper sauce down their nostrils, or forced water down their throats.
- Torrents of lava would not tumble out to force fire down his throat, torch his tongue.
WORD FAMILYadjectiveforcefulforcibleforcednounforceforcefulnessadverbforcefullyforciblyverbforce
1make somebody do something to make someone do something they do not want to doforce somebody to do something Government troops have forced the rebels to surrender. Due to the high cost of borrowing, many companies have been forced to close.force yourself to do something I had to force myself to get up this morning.force somebody/something into (doing) something women who are forced into arranged marriages Bad health forced him into taking early retirement.2make somebody/something move [always + adverb/preposition] to make someone or something move in a particular direction or into a different position, especially through or using great strength SYN push: Strong winds forced the ship off course. Firemen tried to enter the building, but were forced back by the flames. She tried to keep the door shut but the man forced it open.3force your way through/into etc something (also force your way in/out/past etc) to push very hard in order to get somewhere: The doctor forced his way through the crowd. Demonstrators forced their way past.4make something happen to make something happen or change, especially more quickly than planned or expected: the unfortunate events that forced his resignation We need to force the pace on alternative energy policies.force prices/interest rates etc down/up The effect will be to increase unemployment and force down wages.5 force a door/lock/window to open a door etc using physical strength, often causing damage: I forced the lock on the cupboard to see what was inside.6force the issue to do something that makes it necessary for someone to make decisions or take action, instead of waiting to see what happens: Polly decided to force the issue by demanding an explanation.7force somebody’s hand to make someone do something unwillingly or earlier than they had intended: They’re reluctant to sell the house yet but the right offer could force their hand.8force a smile/laugh etc to make yourself smile, laugh etc even though you feel upset or annoyedGRAMMAR: Comparisonforce• You force someone to do something: · The robbers forced him to hand over the money.• Force is often used in the passive: · The minister was forced to resign because of the scandal.make• You make someone do something: · The robbers made him hand over the money. ✗Don’t say: make someone to do somethingcompel• You compel someone to do something: · The court can compel witnesses to give evidence.• Compel is very often used in the passive: · He became seriously ill and was compelled to retire two years later.oblige• You say that someone is obliged to do something. Oblige is almost always used in the passive: · Hotels are obliged by law to install smoke alarms.THESAURUSforce to make someone do something they do not want to do. Used when people or situations make you do something: · They were beaten and forced to confess to crimes they had not committed.· The drought forced millions of farmers to sell their cattle.make to force someone to do something by using pressure, threats, or violence. Make somebody do something is more common than force somebody to do something in everyday English: · Her parents disapproved of Alex and they made her stop seeing him.· Two men with guns made the staff hand over the money.pressure (also pressurize British English) to try to force someone to do something by making them feel that they should do it: · Some employers pressure their staff into working very long hours.· She felt they were trying to pressurize her into getting married.blackmail to force someone to give you money or do what you want by threatening to tell embarrassing secrets about them: · She tried to blackmail him with photographs of them together at the hotel.compel formal to force someone to do something using official power or authority. Also used when someone has to do something because of their situation: · The town was surrounded and compelled to surrender.· I felt compelled to offer them some kind of explanation.· You are compelled by law to carry an ID card.coerce /kəʊˈɜːs $ ˈkoʊɜːrs/ formal to force someone to do something by threatening them: · Local people were coerced into joining the rebel army.be obliged to do something formal if someone is obliged to do something, they must do it because it is the law or the rule, or because of the situation they are in: · You are not obliged to say anything which may harm your defence in court.· They were obliged to sell the land.force something ↔ back phrasal verb to stop yourself from showing that you are upset or frightened, especially with difficulty: Janet forced back her tears.force something ↔ down phrasal verb1to make yourself eat or drink something, although you do not want it: I forced down a piece of stale bread.2to make a plane land by threatening to attack it: The hijacked plane was forced down by military jets.force something on/upon somebody phrasal verb to make someone do or accept something even though they do not want to: It’s no good trying to force a diet on someone. people who try to force their own views on youforce something ↔ out of somebody phrasal verb to make someone tell you something by asking them many times, threatening them etc: I wasn’t going to tell Matt but he forced it out of me.