impossible1 adjectiveimpossible2 noun
impossibleim‧pos‧si‧ble1 /ɪmˈpɒsəbəl $ ɪmˈpɑː-/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- ""The police suspect John.'' ""But that's impossible. He was with us the whole day.''
- an impossible task
- Dan's impossible to live with when he's sick.
- Her back injury has made it impossible for her to play tennis anymore.
- It's a seemingly impossible task.
- It was impossible that anyone could have survived the crash.
- Many fear that peace is now impossible.
- She's impossible! Even when I offer to help her she always find some reason to complain.
- Sometimes an abortion seems like the only way out of an impossible situation.
- The street was narrow and it was impossible for the two buses to pass.
- The twins are so alike that it's impossible to tell them apart.
- We're supposed to do all this work by tomorrow, but it's impossible.
- When people leave prison, they often find it impossible to get a job.
- You're impossible!
- Another non-solution is to sign a treaty and then forget about it in a few years or declare it impossible to achieve.
- In the eighteenth century it seemed impossible to build a barn without creating a work of art.
- It is impossible to take a complex problem and rationally unravel the mess into logical interacting pieces.
- It is mathematically impossible for any Democratic rival to overhaul Clinton in the primary process.
- It is possible to find safe harbor but nearly impossible to do so without a few blow-ups.
- It was almost impossible to get some rest.
- It was tough, tough work, but not impossible.
THESAURUS
something that is impossible cannot happen or be done: · It’s impossible to get a taxi around here.· At times, finding a job felt like an impossible task.
something that is impractical is too expensive, takes too much time, is too difficult etc and therefore it is not sensible to try to do it: · It’s a nice idea, but it’s totally impractical.· We cannot all just stop using our cars - that would be completely impractical.· an impractical suggestion
used when saying that something is completely impossible, especially because it is not allowed: · It’s out of the question for you to go alone.
informal used when saying that you think something is completely impossible: · There’s no way we can get to the airport in less than an hour.
impossible to imagine or believe: · It seemed inconceivable that there could be an end to the fighting in Northern Ireland.
impossible to imagine or believe – used especially about something that seems very shocking to people: · In those days it was unthinkable for a lady to work outside the home.
impossible to achieve: · an unattainable goal· Victory seemed unattainable.
spoken used when saying very definitely that something is impossible: · I’m afraid it can’t be done.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something cannot be done something that is impossible cannot be done: · We're supposed to do all this work by tomorrow, but it's impossible.· It's a seemingly impossible task.it is impossible (for somebody/something) to do something: · The twins are so alike that it's impossible to tell them apart.· The street was narrow and it was impossible for the two buses to pass.make it impossible: · Her back injury has made it impossible for her to play tennis anymore.find it impossible (=discover that you cannot do something): · When people leave prison, they often find it impossible to get a job.
impossible or extremely difficult to do: · We can't buy a new computer for every student - it's just not possible.it is not possible (for somebody/something) to do something: · It is not possible, in a book of this size, to cover every aspect of the subject.· She's in a meeting, so I'm afraid it's not possible for you to see her now.
especially spoken say this when you strongly believe that something is impossible: there's no way (that): · There's no way we can get to the airport in less than an hour.there's no way of knowing something: · There's no way of knowing when the volcano will erupt again.
an idea, suggestion, or action that is impractical is not really possible because it would cost far too much money, waste too much time, be much too difficult etc: · Officials stated that building a dam for irrigation purposes was hopelessly impractical.· Telling people to avoid any exposure to the sun is impractical advice.it is impractical to do something: · It would be impractical to attempt to review all the types of multimedia technology in this study.
if an idea or suggestion is out of the question , it is completely impossible or it cannot be allowed: · I'd love to come with you, but with all the work I have to do it's out of the question.· The cost would be over $5000, which is quite out of the question.it's out of the question for somebody (to do something): · I'm afraid it's out of the question for you to go alone.
especially spoken use this in order to emphasize that you think something is impossible: · You know we can't possibly pay as much as that in rent.· That was delicious but I couldn't possibly eat another thing!
if something that you try to do is hopeless , there is no possibility of it being successful: · Police now face the hopeless task of trying to find the bombers.it is hopeless: · "Please let me go to the party'' Ali begged her mother, but she knew it was hopeless.it is hopeless to do something: · It's hopeless to try to persuade him while he's in this mood. Let's talk to him tomorrow.a hopeless cause (=something that cannot possibly succeed): · "I do not believe that working to block the movement of cocaine into the US is a hopeless cause," McCaffrey told the panel.
informal to not have any chance of doing what you want, for example because it is much too difficult, someone else will do it first etc: · Everyone in the town votes Republican. The Democrats don't stand a chance.· There's no point in me applying for the job. I wouldn't have a hope.not stand a chance of doing something: · "The driver of the train didn't stand a chance of stopping in time," a Railtrack spokesman said.not have a hope/have no hope of doing something: · The bank said that it will no longer lend to enterprises that have no hope of making a profit.
something that is impossible to do: · At first they thought that building a bridge across to the island was an impossibility.· The equal division of all roles is a practical impossibility for many parents.· I was suddenly struck by the impossibility of achieving our aims.
when something cannot happen, exist, or be true use this to say that you are sure that something cannot happen, exist, or be true: · "Did you know that I can hold my breath for three minutes?" "Impossible!"· "The police suspect John.'' "But that's impossible. He was with us the whole day.''it is impossible (that): · It was impossible that anyone could have survived the crash.
impossible use this especially when you are very surprised about something: · "Abigail won't give us the money," said Jim. "But that's not possible," replied Ben, "she told me only this morning that she would.''it is not possible that: · It's not possible that Kate was at the party too. I would have seen her.
use this to say that it is not possible for something to have happened or for someone to have done something: · They can't have gone out because all the windows are open.· What you're saying can't possibly be true. I don't believe it.· New evidence proved that the accused couldn't have been at the scene of the crime.
spoken say this when you strongly believe that something is impossible: there's no way (that): · There's no way we can possibly get the bed up those stairs.· If the computer system is working properly, there's no way that it could make a mistake.
impossible or very difficult to imagine: · When I was a boy, having a bath every day was an inconceivable luxury.· The slaughter thousands of innocent US citizens would have been inconceivable until recently.it is inconceivable that: · Many people thought it was inconceivable that the crash could have been an accident.
if something is unthinkable , it seems impossible because it is so shocking, nasty, difficult etc: · The amount of sex on television that we see today would have been unthinkable in previous decades.it is unthinkable that: · It is unthinkable that anyone would dare to enter the Control Area without permission.unthinkable for somebody to do something: · In those days it was unthinkable for a lady to work outside the home.
if something is not possible by any or by no stretch of the imagination, you cannot even imagine it being possible: · The new software program is not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination.· By no stretch of the imagination could Carl ever be called good-looking.
impossible to get impossible to achieve: · Television can create deep dissatisfaction by portraying lifestyles that are unattainable.· The new exams have been designed for weaker students who, until now, have been set unattainable targets.· For many young people in rural areas, a university education seems like an unattainable dream.
impossible to get or achieve - use this about your aims and things you want very much: · A cure for the HIV virus may not be out of reach for much longer.· Peace in the region remained the goal, but a permanent solution still seemed out of reach.
to make something impossible to make something impossible, especially something that you had already planned or decided to do: · Mark's serious physical condition ruled out our trip to Hungary that year.· Severe weather conditions ruled out any rescue operation until the following day.
formal to make it impossible for someone to do something: · Lack of evidence may preclude a trial.preclude somebody from doing something: · These regulations may preclude newspapers from publishing details of politicians' private lives.
someone who is unhelpful and causes problems someone who is difficult is not easy to live with or work with because they do not behave in a helpful, friendly way: · When Darren was a little boy, he was very difficult at times.· Campbell has the reputation of being difficult to work with.
someone who is awkward is deliberately unhelpful and unfriendly, and seems to like causing problems for people: · Do you have to be so awkward about everything?
spoken someone who is impossible makes you annoyed and impatient, for example because they are never satisfied or they keep changing their mind: · She's impossible! Even when I offer to help her she always finds some reason to complain.· Dan's impossible to live with when he's sick.
someone who is a pain is annoying and difficult to deal with: · Carla can be a pain sometimes, but she's been a good friend to me.· Little brothers are such a pain in the neck!
a child who is always behaving badly and often gets into trouble: · In my years as a teacher, I've seen plenty of problem children come and go.
very difficult to deal with, live with, work with etc: · I'm not surprised you've had problems with Diane. She's not the easiest person to work with, is she?
British informal someone who is bolshy behaves in an unhelpful, bad-tempered way and argues with the people that they are supposed to obey: · Stop being so bolshie and just get on with it, will you?
to be in a very difficult situation informal to be in a difficult situation and not know what to do: · The team's owner is in a fix - he's spent a lot to improve the stadium, but ticket sales are still declining.· Wyck's business consists of helping, for a fee, computer owners who are in a technical fix.
to be in a very difficult or dangerous situation, when there is very little you can do to get out of it: · A mobile phone lets you reach help when you're in a tight spot.· O'Neill had been in tight corners before, but never as tight as this one.put somebody in a tight spot (=give someone a difficult problem): · Losing his job put them in a tight spot financially.
to have so many problems that there is not much hope that things will get better, especially as a result of past mistakes: · The previous manager had left the restaurant's affairs in a terrible mess.get into a mess: · How did you manage to get into this mess in the first place?somebody's life is a mess (=they have a lot of problems and seem unable to deal with them): · Her boyfriend left her and she lost her job - her life is just a mess at the moment.
to be in a difficult situation because whatever you do, you are likely to offend someone or make things worse: · I was in a difficult position, as I was being asked to confront a man who had much more power than I did.put somebody in a difficult/awkward position: · Clara was angry at Harry for putting her in such an awkward position.
to be in an extremely difficult situation, because whatever you do there will certainly be serious trouble: · I'm in an impossible position -- if I criticize him he may resign, but if I don't he'll end up ruining the whole project.put somebody in an impossible position: · By bringing his objections out into the open, the Chancellor has put the Prime Minister in an impossible position.
to be in a very difficult situation and not be able to decide what is the best thing for you to do: · I was in a quandary - I didn't know whether to tell the police or not.· The government has got itself into a quandary over the new tax -- if they abandon it they will be seen as weak, if they keep it they will be very unpopular.
to have very serious problems, especially financial ones, which could have very serious results: · The company is in dire financial straits.· The team is in such dire straits they've even considered selling their three best players.
spoken say this when you have had a series of problems and you feel that these problems will never end: · It's been one thing after another since I started renting out the place to students.· It's one thing after another with that stupid photocopier! What's wrong with it now?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
We found his statement hard to credit. She’s hard to please. Everything has to be perfect. The damage caused to the tourist industry is difficult to quantify. I’m sorry. That’s quite impossible. He was rendered almost speechless by the news. The blow to his head was strong enough to render him unconscious. It will be well-nigh impossible to raise that amount of money.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· It seemed impossible that he would ever recover from the injury.
· As it became darker, it became impossible for the players to see the ball.
(=be impossible because you have tried but not succeeded)· It proved impossible for the two sides to reach an agreement.
· He found it impossible to sleep because of the noise coming from next door.
· Heavy snow made travelling impossible.
formal (=make something impossible)· The large number of prison guards rendered any escape impossible.
adverbs (also utterly impossible formal)· It is absolutely impossible to drive in these conditions.
· He thought that winning would be almost impossible.
(=almost impossible)· Getting tickets for the concert is practically impossible.
formal (=almost impossible)· Policing the entire coastline is well-nigh impossible.
(=seeming to be impossible)· He managed to win the chess game from a seemingly impossible position.
· It is physically impossible to survive for long in the desert without water.
nouns· He faced the impossible task of paying back huge debts.
(=something that is impossible to do)· She achieved the seemingly impossible feat of breaking the world record.
(=something you want, but will never happen)· For a small club, winning the cup final will always be the impossible dream.
· She was growing tired of the company’s impossible demands.
phrases· It is impossible to know if this story is true.
(=difficult, and perhaps impossible)· Obtaining funding for the film will be difficult, if not impossible.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We found his statement hard to credit. (=about something that cannot happen)· Having a number one record had seemed an impossible dream.
(=used to say that something cannot be made to seem more important etc than it already is)· It is difficult to exaggerate the strength of people’s feelings on this matter.
· How much this affected their children was impossible to judge.
(=making success seem extremely unlikely)· They face impossible odds simply trying to get an education.· They face overwhelming odds in their struggle to preserve the park.
She’s hard to please. Everything has to be perfect. (=a very difficult situation)· She was furious with Guy for putting her in such an impossible position.
The damage caused to the tourist industry is difficult to quantify. I’m sorry. That’s quite impossible. He was rendered almost speechless by the news. The blow to his head was strong enough to render him unconscious.· The urge to give him a hug was almost impossible to resist.
· We are attempting to do something that is seemingly impossible.
(=very difficult)· I was in an impossible situation.
· She may argue that the task is impossible.
It will be well-nigh impossible to raise that amount of money.· Initially scheduled for Basingstoke on February 9, the trial was postponed when heavy snowfalls made travel absolutely impossible for many athletes.· Either he was insane and already suffering from hallucinations, or something absolutely impossible was happening.· Lee was on a downslope, and it seemed absolutely impossible for him to finish close.
· The discovery put the daughter in an almost impossible position.· Johnny Cooper thought it almost impossible that three men carrying only sixty small bombs between them had created such havoc and destruction.· When he sat down it was almost impossible to continue even a proforma debate.· If he had any lingering memories, which was almost impossible to credit, they would not match what he now encountered.· Apart from being almost impossible to cut, second hand shop windows are usually of inferior quality.· Like many doctors still, scientists find it almost impossible to take on the notion of psychic energy.· The public's trust that he truly represents them will be almost impossible to muster.· Mathematicians of the finest calibre were essential for what then seemed the almost impossible task of breaking a code with astronomical permutations.
· Finding new staff is nearly impossible.· Wuhan was in an uproar when they arrived, its streets nearly impossible because of the mobs.· It was nearly impossible to get them to accept a surrender.· The accumulation of obligations made it nearly impossible for the children to pry loose from the entanglement.· Except in tourist hotels and restaurants, it is nearly impossible to pay with anything over a $ 5 note.· It is possible to find safe harbor but nearly impossible to do so without a few blow-ups.· It is difficult to accept such a change simply on intellectual grounds and nearly impossible to accept its implications.· There are long, loose episodes here that are nearly impossible to follow and probably should have been cut.
· If the system makes too early a commitment on segmentation, recovery will be well nigh impossible. 4.2.2.3.· And everybody knew it was mighty nigh impossible to quit them.· But knowing is not doing, and many people find it well nigh impossible to kick the habit.· Undermanning can make the task nigh impossible on some estates; on the others the approach is far too casual.· The lieutenant was right: it would be nigh impossible to make everyone account for their movements.· I just found it really hard, y'know. Nigh impossible.
· They were just physically impossible to move in and out of the studios.· The illogical, unlikely and physically impossible are treated as natural phenomena.· His hypothesis, while unlikely, is neither logically nor physically impossible.· But he realized that this was physically impossible.· By the power of his imagination he was trying to do something that was physically impossible.
· It was hot in the thin corridor, and the hanging husks made going forwards practically impossible.· And it would be practically impossible to require a teacher to watch each student at all times.· The ground was frozen, and digging foundations was practically impossible in such drastic weather conditions.· These are a large number of possibilities and they would be practically impossible to distinguish by breeding experiments.· This would lead to a mixing of chemicals and cause explosions that together with flooding would make evacuation practically impossible.· Amongst black school leavers, finding a job is practically impossible.· This reversal would have been practically impossible under Gats.
· But why had nobody ever told her that it was quite impossible to keep clean whenever there were any children about?· Very unlikely, though perhaps not quite impossible.· Citrus shrubs are wonderfully fragrant evergreens, but quite impossible outdoors without protection.· And the Presbyterians are quite impossible.· It was purchased because the sound of the river made reaching him by any other means quite impossible.· Though it was still quite impossible to judge the scale of the picture, the camera was obviously seeing for miles.· Indeed it would have been quite impossible for it to have adopted any other attitude.· It would have been quite impossible to finish the book but for the computer program I had been given.
· However, the new minister on arrival soon found that he was faced with a seemingly impossible task.· Thick white branches arch as far out as the tree is tall, sometimes at seemingly impossible angles.· As far as motion video, in particular, is concerned, the constraints of available technology force multimedia into a seemingly impossible situation.· Sexually menacing and effeminately feral, he prowled cat-like across the stage, perching on amps and lights in seemingly impossible positions.· This is steering that manages the seemingly impossible: to be bad just about everywhere.· The measure of his heart is how he deals with adversity and the way he overcomes a seemingly impossible situation.· Not only a master, but a natural comedian, because he found humour in seemingly impossible situations.· The men can freelance, depend on their height to make seemingly impossible moves.
· In reality, it was virtually impossible for the supporters of democracy to rally.· It was virtually impossible to live in the United States in the late 1960s without being exposed to the growing antiwar movement.· Just when it is vital to get policy on sterling right, the task has become virtually impossible.· In the hectic days of I 96 I, such exploratory care and effort were virtually impossible.· The position of the piece of gravel would have made it virtually impossible for the fish to dislodge it.· In fact, without some anxiety it would be virtually impossible to be productive.· Yet it is virtually impossible to think of a way in which they could be tested against one another.· Such appeals were virtually impossible before an order in April 1996 by now-Chief of Naval Operations Adm.
NOUN· How long can you hang on to an impossible dream?· Territory for peace is not an impossible dream.· Opponents to the listing see it as an expensive attempt at an impossible dream and a misuse of the Endangered Species Act.· It sounds like an impossible dream.· Was no one around to warn her this was an impossible dream?· Even six months ago, that seemed an impossible dream, but now, who knows?· Unity now seems an impossible dream.
· The discovery put the daughter in an almost impossible position.· Sexually menacing and effeminately feral, he prowled cat-like across the stage, perching on amps and lights in seemingly impossible positions.· She felt illogically furious with Guy for putting her in such an impossible position.· He imagined her screwed into some impossible position in her last spasm, her face looking grey and ugly on the pillow.· It would put them in an impossible position if a legally-binding Living Will demanded what they considered unethical or bad medical practice.· The council says it's in an impossible position.· We find ourselves in an impossible position.
· He was almost unbelieving of his impossible situation but on principle he didn't allow himself to feel jealous.· The measure of his heart is how he deals with adversity and the way he overcomes a seemingly impossible situation.· Clearly, it would put the practitioner in an impossible situation.· As far as motion video, in particular, is concerned, the constraints of available technology force multimedia into a seemingly impossible situation.· The point is of course that the puzzle itself is false in setting up an impossible situation.· Not only a master, but a natural comedian, because he found humour in seemingly impossible situations.
· But was that really her fault - or was I presenting her with an impossible task?· The market permits people to make decisions and to act without going through the impossible task of collecting all the relevant information.· This would not be an impossible task, given the state of information technology.· An impossible task, the priests told him.· It is of course an impossible task to examine the record of Marxism in such a short space as I have available.· Under the block-grant funding system, this was an almost impossible task.· With an empire of such a size, it was a difficult but not impossible task she had set herself.· Dropping a combined 76 tons in a city the size of Philadelphia is hardly an impossible task.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Colin was fulsome in his praise of the role of finance directors in delivering a near impossible set of financial reforms.
- Comets therefore tend to explode into vapor with near perfect efficiency and devastating power on impact.
- Conclusions: The velvet cloth is a near perfect black, but more expensive and less readily available than the other materials.
- In the latter case the specimen is of near perfect geometry for a torsion test.
- In the main, larval control would have to be near perfect in its efficiency and to allow very few adults to survive.
- So everything seemed okay: the barn was secure, the food supply was better than good and the terrain near perfect.
- That doesn't stop Hedley from dreaming of owning a video store, even though it seems near impossible.
- Unfortunately, strong winds curtailed the sport on a near perfect river level carrying about four inches extra, but fining off.
- As a waterproof it was next to useless.
- But counting the dead is next to impossible.
- But he quickly learned that at his age it was next to impossible to find a professional job in San Francisco.
- Buying such a processor for less than $ 400 is next to impossible.
- Further, genuine educational change in these settings is next to impossible given the logistical difficulty of just getting the staff together.
- In the early months, this restraint was next to impossible for them to achieve.
- Also, it isn't physically possible to sit and listen to a rap album all the way through.
- But he realized that this was physically impossible.
- By the power of his imagination he was trying to do something that was physically impossible.
- His hypothesis, while unlikely, is neither logically nor physically impossible.
- The illogical, unlikely and physically impossible are treated as natural phenomena.
- They were just physically impossible to move in and out of the studios.
WORD FAMILYnounpossibility ≠ impossibilitythe impossiblepossibleadjectivepossible ≠ impossibleadverbpossibly ≠ impossibly
1something that is impossible cannot happen or be done OPP possible: ‘I want to speak to Mr Franks.’ ‘I’m afraid that’s impossible.’ It’s impossible to be accurate about these things. The noise made sleep impossible. Members with young children often found it impossible to attend evening meetings. It is difficult to find work these days, but for blind people it is virtually impossible. He was faced with a seemingly impossible task. It was physically impossible to get the fridge through the door. Six months ago, peace seemed an impossible dream. Such mental attitudes are difficult, if not impossible, to change.2a situation that is impossible is one that you cannot deal with: We were in an impossible situation. Whatever we decided to do would upset someone. Helen’s refusal to cooperate put me in an impossible position. His attitude is making life impossible for the rest of the team. He was facing impossible odds.3behaving in a very unreasonable and annoying way: Oh, you’re just impossible!—impossibly adverb: Some sales managers think selling abroad is impossibly difficult.—impossibility /ɪmˌpɒsəˈbɪləti $ -ˌpɑː-/ noun [countable, uncountable]: One hundred percent airline security is a practical impossibility.GRAMMARImpossible is not used with ‘very’. You say: · It was an absolutely impossible task. ✗Don’t say: It was a very impossible task.Grammar guide ‒ ADJECTIVESCOLLOCATIONSverbsseem impossible· It seemed impossible that he would ever recover from the injury.become impossible· As it became darker, it became impossible for the players to see the ball.prove impossible (=be impossible because you have tried but not succeeded)· It proved impossible for the two sides to reach an agreement.find something impossible· He found it impossible to sleep because of the noise coming from next door.make something impossible· Heavy snow made travelling impossible.render something impossible formal (=make something impossible)· The large number of prison guards rendered any escape impossible.adverbsabsolutely impossible (also utterly impossible formal)· It is absolutely impossible to drive in these conditions.almost/nearly impossible· He thought that winning would be almost impossible.virtually/practically impossible (=almost impossible)· Getting tickets for the concert is practically impossible.well-nigh impossible formal (=almost impossible)· Policing the entire coastline is well-nigh impossible.seemingly impossible (=seeming to be impossible)· He managed to win the chess game from a seemingly impossible position.physically impossible· It is physically impossible to survive for long in the desert without water.nounsan impossible job/task· He faced the impossible task of paying back huge debts.an impossible feat (=something that is impossible to do)· She achieved the seemingly impossible feat of breaking the world record.an impossible dream (=something you want, but will never happen)· For a small club, winning the cup final will always be the impossible dream.impossible demands· She was growing tired of the company’s impossible demands.phrasesit is impossible to do something· It is impossible to know if this story is true.difficult, if not impossible (=difficult, and perhaps impossible)· Obtaining funding for the film will be difficult, if not impossible.THESAURUSimpossible something that is impossible cannot happen or be done: · It’s impossible to get a taxi around here.· At times, finding a job felt like an impossible task.impractical something that is impractical is too expensive, takes too much time, is too difficult etc and therefore it is not sensible to try to do it: · It’s a nice idea, but it’s totally impractical.· We cannot all just stop using our cars - that would be completely impractical.· an impractical suggestionout of the question used when saying that something is completely impossible, especially because it is not allowed: · It’s out of the question for you to go alone.there’s no way informal used when saying that you think something is completely impossible: · There’s no way we can get to the airport in less than an hour.inconceivable impossible to imagine or believe: · It seemed inconceivable that there could be an end to the fighting in Northern Ireland.unthinkable impossible to imagine or believe – used especially about something that seems very shocking to people: · In those days it was unthinkable for a lady to work outside the home.unattainable impossible to achieve: · an unattainable goal· Victory seemed unattainable.it can’t be done spoken used when saying very definitely that something is impossible: · I’m afraid it can’t be done.impossible1 adjectiveimpossible2 noun
impossibleimpossible2 noun EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Somehow without meaning to, she found that she had done the impossible for her: she had memorized that poem.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I just want to be able to buy healthy food at a reasonable price. Is that asking the impossible?COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We found his statement hard to credit. She’s hard to please. Everything has to be perfect. The damage caused to the tourist industry is difficult to quantify. I’m sorry. That’s quite impossible. He was rendered almost speechless by the news. The blow to his head was strong enough to render him unconscious. It will be well-nigh impossible to raise that amount of money.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB
I just want to be able to buy healthy food at a reasonable price. Is that asking the impossible? We found his statement hard to credit. (=about something that cannot happen)· Having a number one record had seemed an impossible dream.
(=used to say that something cannot be made to seem more important etc than it already is)· It is difficult to exaggerate the strength of people’s feelings on this matter.
· How much this affected their children was impossible to judge.
(=making success seem extremely unlikely)· They face impossible odds simply trying to get an education.· They face overwhelming odds in their struggle to preserve the park.
She’s hard to please. Everything has to be perfect. (=a very difficult situation)· She was furious with Guy for putting her in such an impossible position.
The damage caused to the tourist industry is difficult to quantify. I’m sorry. That’s quite impossible. He was rendered almost speechless by the news. The blow to his head was strong enough to render him unconscious.· The urge to give him a hug was almost impossible to resist.
· We are attempting to do something that is seemingly impossible.
(=very difficult)· I was in an impossible situation.
· She may argue that the task is impossible.
It will be well-nigh impossible to raise that amount of money.· Apparently, Clare was able to watch midnight mass from her death-bed, though many walls should have made this impossible.· Ellen persisted in trying to perform as directed, but her body decided to make the messages impossible to ignore.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
the impossible something that cannot be doneattempt/do/ask etc the impossible- Colin was fulsome in his praise of the role of finance directors in delivering a near impossible set of financial reforms.
- Comets therefore tend to explode into vapor with near perfect efficiency and devastating power on impact.
- Conclusions: The velvet cloth is a near perfect black, but more expensive and less readily available than the other materials.
- In the latter case the specimen is of near perfect geometry for a torsion test.
- In the main, larval control would have to be near perfect in its efficiency and to allow very few adults to survive.
- So everything seemed okay: the barn was secure, the food supply was better than good and the terrain near perfect.
- That doesn't stop Hedley from dreaming of owning a video store, even though it seems near impossible.
- Unfortunately, strong winds curtailed the sport on a near perfect river level carrying about four inches extra, but fining off.
- As a waterproof it was next to useless.
- But counting the dead is next to impossible.
- But he quickly learned that at his age it was next to impossible to find a professional job in San Francisco.
- Buying such a processor for less than $ 400 is next to impossible.
- Further, genuine educational change in these settings is next to impossible given the logistical difficulty of just getting the staff together.
- In the early months, this restraint was next to impossible for them to achieve.
- Also, it isn't physically possible to sit and listen to a rap album all the way through.
- But he realized that this was physically impossible.
- By the power of his imagination he was trying to do something that was physically impossible.
- His hypothesis, while unlikely, is neither logically nor physically impossible.
- The illogical, unlikely and physically impossible are treated as natural phenomena.
- They were just physically impossible to move in and out of the studios.
I just want to be able to buy healthy food at a reasonable price. Is that asking the impossible?