much1 adverbmuch2 determiner, pronoun
muchmuch1 /mʌtʃ/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Did you enjoy the show?" "Not much."
- Do you talk to Leslie much anymore?
- Has he changed much?
- His family is much more important to him than his career.
- I haven't thought much about it.
- It was much easier doing the letter on the computer.
- Mrs. Clausen was much loved and will be sadly missed.
- She's feeling much better now.
- The test was much too difficult for most of the students.
- These shoes are much more comfortable.
- Wayne looked much older than the last time I saw him.
- You're working much too hard, and you're letting the boss take advantage of you.
- You get a much better view if you stand on a chair.
- The damage done can be much worse than from a fire - while the chances of it happening are much higher.
- We should pay more attention to those millions of elderly pensioners than to the much smaller number of millionaires.
- What sticks in the brain, and occasionally the heart, is something much less tangible.
- When the headlights flashed, it barely blinked, much less moved.
Longman Language Activatorto have problems when you are trying to do something
if you have difficulty when you are trying to do something, you cannot easily do it: have difficulty/trouble (in) doing something: · It was obvious the patient was having great difficulty breathing.have difficulty/trouble with something: · A lot of Japanese students of English have trouble with the pronunciation of "b's and "v's.
to not be able to do something easily, especially because you do not have enough ability or skill: · I found the course difficult at first, but it gradually got easier.find it difficult to do something: · She always found it difficult to keep up with the rest of the class.
if you do something with difficulty , you can do it, but only by using all your strength, all your determination etc: · She spoke with difficulty, choking back her tears.
to find it difficult to do something, especially because there are unexpected problems or because you have difficulty persuading other people: · I tried to find the house but I had such a hard time, I decided to give up.have a hard time doing something: · I'm still having a hard time getting the company to pay me.
if you can hardly or can barely do something, especially something physical, it is so difficult that you almost cannot do it: · By the end of the day she could hardly walk.· The smell was so bad that I could barely force myself to stay in the room.
if a situation or job is too much for someone , it is too difficult for them to deal with: · All the bullying and back-stabbing in the office was simply too much for him.· The job was too much for any single manager to cope with.
if something is a struggle you have to try very hard and even suffer in order to do it: · Clark lived 112 days on the artificial heart, and each day was a struggle.· She managed to get her money out of the welfare office, but only after a struggle.it is a struggle (for somebody) to do something: · It was a struggle for my mother to understand our lifestyle, but she tried very hard.it is a struggle doing something: · It was a struggle trying to feed a family of five on my salary.
if you say someone would be hard put or hard pressed to do something, you doubt that they would be able to do it because you think it is too difficult: · The two girls look so similar that you'd be hard put to tell the difference between them.· The governor will be hard pressed to find more money for schools while dealing with a $6 billion budget deficit.
also have your work cut out informal to have to work very hard if you are going to succeed in doing something: · I'll have my work cut out to get this design finished by this afternoon.· Rice hopes to break the record during tonight's game, but he'll have his work cut out for him.
informal to have to start doing something difficult such as a new job without people making it easier for you because you are new: · When I first started teaching I was really thrown in at the deep end -- I had a class of forty six-year-olds all on my own.
British spoken if you have a job doing something , it takes a lot of time or a lot of effort, and you may not be able to do it: · You'll have a job persuading him to give you any more money.· There was some kind of festival going on, and we had a job finding somewhere to park the car.
receiving a lot of attention in newspapers etc to receive a lot of attention, so that a lot of what you do is reported in newspapers, on television etc: · The President's family is constantly in the public eye.· Marks has kept himself in the public eye for years by filing bizarre lawsuits.
to receive a lot of attention in newspapers, on television etc, but often only for a short period of time: · The band is in the spotlight again because of its recent hit single.· How do her children feel about having a mother who's constantly in the limelight?
receiving a lot of attention from newspapers, television etc, and talked about by a lot of people: · The much talked about new museum is somewhat disappointing.· She is Australia's most talked about TV actress.
if someone's name is on everyone's lips they are very well known and talked about for a short time, usually as a result of a news story: · As a result of the scandal, the tall Texan millionaire's name was on everyone's lips.
often attracting a lot of attention because of your position in society or your job: · a high-profile civil rights lawyer· a high-profile position as Chief Executive
when something happens less than before: less than · This type of problem still occurs, but less than it did in the past.a lot less · Since we got the car, we walk a lot less than we used to.less and less (=when something keeps getting less as time passes) · He seemed to care less and less about the band, and eventually decided to leave.
· Stan probably won't need to travel as much in his new job.not as much as · "Do you still go swimming?" "Not as much as I used to."
a smaller amount or number a smaller amount of something. Less is used with uncountable nouns: · I earn less money now than I did then.· Surgery patients now spend much less time in the hospital.· Statistics show that nowadays people drink less beer and smoke fewer cigarettes than they used to.less than: · He always travels by bus because it costs less than travelling by train.· Clive knows even less than I do about this business.· It's a bit less than a mile from here to the station.far less/a lot less: · As a result of these improvements, the car uses far less fuel.less of: · Studies show that people who receive medication when their pain first starts need less of it than people who wait longer.less and less (=when an amount keeps getting smaller as time passes): · As the drought became worse, there was less and less food available.
a smaller number of people or things. Fewer is used with countable nouns: · Schools in the suburbs have fewer discipline problems and better student attitudes.· Spending cuts will mean fewer social workers.fewer than: · No reservations are needed for groups of fewer than 15.far fewer/a lot fewer: · There were far fewer women at the conference this year than last.fewer and fewer: · Since 1985, fewer and fewer people have been drinking decaffeinated coffee, and the trend shows no signs of halting.
less than an amount. Not as much and not so much are used with uncountable nouns.: · There's a lot of snow on the upper slopes of the mountain, but there's not so much down here.not as much/not so much as: · The Chinese don't eat as much meat as Americans do.· Jim worked hard, but didn't earn as much money as he wanted.not as much/not so much of: · I didn't eat as much of the fish as Al, but I still got sick.
fewer than a number of people or things. Not as many and not so many are used with countable nouns: · "Last year our gift shop did very well," said Amy. "But this year we haven't had as many customers coming through the door."· Law firms aren't hiring as many associates this year.· I don't own nearly as many clothes as my sister.· If I get milk and orange juice from the milkman, I don't need to make as many trips to the grocery store.
less than another number or level - use this about prices, wages, temperatures, grades, and other things that can be measured on a scale from high to low: · Foreign workers have fewer rights and get lower wages.· The program is broadcast in the morning, a time when advertising rates are much lower.lower than: · I got lower grades than the other students in my class.
if people of a particular type are in the minority in a particular group, they form less than half of the total group: · In the boardrooms of most big corporations, women are in the minority.· Quentin's supporters were clearly in a minority as the City Council heard arguments for his dismissal.
like something or someone else similar to something or someone: · The houses here are like the ones in northern France.· My mother has a car like yours.look/feel/sound/smell/taste like: · She laughed like a child and played with her hair.· This is such beautiful material - it feels like silk.· It looks a bit like a cactus.something like (=fairly similar): · This superb almost-flourless chocolate cake is something like a brownie for grownups.nothing like (=not at all similar): · Life at college was nothing like I expected.
if one thing is similar to another, or if two or more things are similar , they are like each other: · I know how you feel, because I have a similar problem.· It's bigger than Jim's room, but it's very similar.· When you look at these two carpets, you can see that the patterns are very similar.similar to: · Do you have anything similar to this material but cheaper?· The Marines also experimented with fast-attack vehicles, similar to dune buggies.
if two or more things or people are alike , they are very similar in some way: · You lawyers are all alike. You just talk a lot, tell a few lies, and send the bill.· I think my mother and I are very much alike in some ways.· As the personal computer market matured, computer makers have realized that not all PC buyers are alike.look/think/sound etc alike: · The album is boring - all of their songs sound alike.
very similar: · Soldiers are much the same throughout the world.much the same as: · Bodie looks much the same as the day the mines closed down.much the same....as/that: · The glass is still made in much the same way as it was 100 years ago.· The warranty would cover the electric car's battery pack in much the same way that gasoline engines are protected.look/feel/smell/taste much the same: · All these wines taste much the same.
to be similar in appearance or character: · Geraldine resembled her mother in every way.· Addis Ababa soon resembled an armed camp.closely resemble: · We have produced a cloth made of pineapple fibre, closely resembling cotton but stronger.bear a strong/close/striking resemblance to: · She's seventy-six, short, round and fair, and bears a strong resemblance to my own grandmother.bear some/little/no resemblance to: · The London of the new millennium bears little resemblance to the London of my youth.
similar in size, number, quality etc so that a comparison is possible: · Climatic conditions in the two countries are roughly comparable.comparable with/to: · The size of a dolphin's brain is comparable to a human's.comparable in size/importance etc: · The planet Pluto is comparable in size to our Moon.
if something is akin to something else, it is very similar to it in character - used especially in literature: · It's a language closely akin to Arabic, and most Syrians would understand it.· It was with a feeling akin to despair that I realized the car was not going to start.
similar and equally good or bad if there is little to choose between two or more people or things, they are almost equally good or bad, especially so that you would not know which one to choose: · There's very little to choose between the two apartments in terms of space, so I think we should take the cheaper one.· When you look at the two candidates, there really isn't much to choose between them.
British informal to be very similar and almost equally good or bad: · I can't really recommend any particular hotel. They're all much of a muchness.
a small amount of something such as a feeling etc · "Do you speak French?" "Just a little."a little trouble/patience/help etc · We had a little difficulty finding the place but we got there in the end.· You might need a little help getting started, but after that you should be fine.a little of · I can understand a little of the frustration he must be feeling.a little more/less · With a little more creativity they could have made the house look really nice.
also a bit especially British informal a little: · By now she was resisting him only a little bit.a little bit of: · We had a little bit of trouble reading his handwriting.· He brings a bit of experience and a lot of enthusiasm to the job.a (little) bit more/less: · I think a bit more discipline is needed with these children.
only a little: · Not much is known about her childhood.not much trouble/patience/help etc: · He doesn't have much experience of running a business.· It was clear that not much thought had been put into the plan.not very much: · We didn't have very much understanding of the problem then.
a little of something: · There is a small amount of truth to what he says.· Big improvements can be made with only a small amount of training and effort.
if there is an element of some quality such as truth, danger, or violence in something, there is a small amount of it, but enough to be noticed: · There is always an element of risk in mountain climbing.· She tried to maintain an element of mystery in her relationships.· Despite the agreement between the two countries, an element of uncertainty about the future remains.
: a taste of power/happiness/fame etc a short experience that shows you what it is like to have power, fame, happiness etc: · Alvin had had a brief taste of freedom and didn't want to live with his parents again.· She decided to become an actress after getting her first taste of fame in a local theatre production.
a small amount of money · Most people will give a little to charity if they are asked.a little money/cash · I have a little cash with me, but not enough to pay for both of us.a little extra · He earns a little extra by working on weekends.a little over/under (=a little more or less than an amount of money) · The car costs a little over $20,000.a little more/less · A private room costs a little more, but it's worth it.
there is only a small amount of money, especially when you expect or need more: · After paying rent he doesn't have much left to buy food and pay bills.not much money/cash: · Pete didn't get much money when he sold his car.not very much: · I don't think he earns very much working at the bank.
a very small amount of money, so that there is not enough to have an effect: · He spends very little on food.· Considering they work so hard they're paid very little.very little money/cash: · When Maria lost her job she had very little money in savings.
if the amount that something costs is next to nothing , it is extremely cheap: · It costs next to nothing to go to an afternoon movie.· The company's profits climbed from next to nothing to $6 million in just two years.
a nominal sum, charge, or payment is very small, because what is important is that something is paid, even if it is much less than would usually be paid: · We are allowed to use the tennis courts for a nominal fee.a nominal £1/$5 etc: · Tickets for the concert are a nominal $3 for students.
an amount of money that is negligible is so small that it has no effect or is so small that it is not worth worrying about: · The cost of maintaining the machine is negligible.· Expenses for maintaining the investment fund are negligible - just half a percentage point of profit.
British /a drop in the bucket American informal an amount is a drop in the ocean or a drop in the bucket when it seems very small compared with what is really needed: · The United States pledge of $100 million to the rainforest fund is a drop in the ocean.· Third World debt is so massive that recent pledges to reduce it are just a drop in the bucket.
a small amount of food or drink · "Would you like some more coffee?" "Just a little."a little water/meat/cake etc · The next day Mark felt well enough to eat a little solid food.· Would you like a little ice cream with your pie?a little of (=a small amount of a specific food, drink etc) · I think I'll try a little of the casserole.a little more/less · If I were you I'd use a little less salt next time.
also a bit especially British informal a small amount: · "Can I serve you some soup?" "Alright, but just a little bit."a little bit of: · He only ate a little bit of dinner and then went straight to bed.· Would you like a bit of bacon with your eggs?· We still have a little bit of cheese left, if you want it.a (little) bit more/less: · Can I have a bit more red wine, please?
only a little - use this especially when you expect or need more: · "How much cake do you want?" "Not much, I'm on a diet."not much water/meat/cake etc: · There's not much wine left, but I think we can each have a glass.not much to eat/drink: · We need to do some shopping - there isn't much to eat at home.not very much: · You haven't eaten very much. Do you feel okay?
a very small amount, usually so small that there is not enough to have an effect, be useful etc: · We drink only occasionally, and even then very little.very little water/meat/cake etc: · The soup is made with lots of vegetables but very little chicken.very little of: · He ate very little of the food we had given him.
also scarcely any especially British almost none at all: · I thought you liked my lasagne, but you've eaten hardly any.hardly any water/meat/cake etc: · There's barely any sugar in these cookies at all.· Since his heart attack he's eaten scarcely any red meat.
informal a small amount of something that you drink: · "Do you take cream in your coffee?" "Yes, just a drop, please."drop of: · Would you like a drop of soda in your whisky?· He hasn't had a drop of alcohol in 20 years.
a small amount of a powder such as salt, flour etc which you can hold between your thumb and first finger: pinch of: · Add a pinch of salt and half a cup of breadcrumbs.· The stew normally tastes better with a pinch or two of dried herbs.
a very small amount of a liquid which is added to a drink or to food, usually in order to give it a stronger taste: dash of: · It's just vodka with orange juice and a dash of lime juice.· The secret of this sauce is a couple of dashes of brandy added just at the end.
a small amount of a substance · This glue's really strong - you only need to use a little.a little water/money/time etc · A little make-up would make her look so much more attractive.· The garden could do with a little rain.· Try putting a little oil on the hinge and see if it stops squeaking.a little more/less · If we all used a little less paper, we'd probably save a forest or two.a little of (=a small amount of a specific substance) · A little of the grease got on my skirt.
also a bit especially British informal a small amount of something: · You shouldn't have given me so much toothpaste - I only needed a little bit.a little bit of: · A bit of detergent should get that stain out of your collar.· Save a little bit of the paint to do the trim.
only a small amount of something - use this especially when you expect or need more: · "How much paper is there in the printer?" "Not much."not much water/money/time etc: · There's not much light in this room, is there?· It was very cold, but there wasn't much snow on the ground.not very much: · That's not very much paint if you're planning to paint the whole bedroom.not much of (=a small part of a specific substance): · You can use my shampoo but there's not much of it left.
use this especially when it is a measured amount: · Squeeze a small amount onto the palm of your hand and spread the gel evenly through your hair.a small amount of: · Stir-fry the vegetables in a small amount of oil.· Even a small amount of the drug can be detected in the test.· Small amounts of radiation were found on their clothing.in small amounts: · Fluorine is present in small amounts on Mars.
a small amount of a liquid, flowing out of something: · Because of the drought, the river has become little more than a trickle.trickle of: · There was a trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth.
a small amount of a liquid, cream, or powder which has been put onto a surface with something such as a brush or with the fingers: · Can I use some of your perfume? I just want to put a dab on my wrist.dab of: · She put a dab of ointment on the cut.· The car just needs a couple of dabs of paint here and there, and it'll be fine.
if something is low in fat, sugar, salt etc, it contains very little fat, sugar etc: low in: · The casserole is low in calories and fat.· These new industrial cleaners are much lower in ammonia and other dangerous chemicals than before.low-fat/-sugar/-cholesterol etc: · He's been on a low-cholesterol diet since his heart attack.low fat/sugar/cholesterol etc content: · Non-dairy toppings tend to have lower fat content than whipping cream.
when someone does something a lot · I'm really glad to meet you. Betty's talked a lot about you.· He really sweats a lot in hot weather like this.a whole lot/an awful lot · We didn't do an awful lot while Geraldine was here.quite a lot · He laughed quite a lot as he spoke.
use this in questions and negatives: · I haven't thought much about it.· Do you talk to Leslie much anymore?
formal a lot: · I've thought a good deal about what you said.· Her knee makes it impossible to run, but she still walks a great deal.
also a fair bit British fairly often or in fairly large amounts: · You've been travelling quite a bit lately, haven't you?· I exercise a fair amount - especially on weekends.· You have to stand around a fair bit in this job.
: heavy smoking/drinking smoking or drinking a lot, especially when this is bad for your health: · She has a bad cough, caused by heavy smoking.· The three soldiers are accused of killing the woman after a night of heavy drinking.be a heavy smoker/drinker (=smoke or drink a lot): · His first wife Joy was a heavy smoker who died of lung cancer.
a large amount of something · If you plan carefully, a trip to Europe doesn't have to cost a lot.a lot of · We spent a lot of time just lying on the beach.· The book contains a lot of useful advice about setting up your own business.a whole lot/an awful lot (=a very large amount) · To most Americans, $150,000 sounds like a whole lot of money.quite a lot (=a fairly large amount of something) · Helen looks as if she's lost quite a lot of weight recently - is she on a diet?a lot more/less · Ask Susan - she knows a lot more about computers than I do.a lot to do/see/learn etc · We've painted the kitchen and the living room, but there's a lot to do in the other rooms.
informal a large amount of something: · "How much money did you bring with you?" "Lots."lots of: · It's a big house, so we've got lots of room for company.· There was lots of blood, but I don't think anyone got killed.lots and lots: · You can't afford to stay there unless you've got lots and lots of money.lots to see/do/learn etc: · You won't be bored - there's lots to do here.lots more/less: · There's lots more beer in the cooler if you want some.
use this especially in questions and negatives. Much is also used in positive sentences in written English and in formal spoken English: · Do you know much about cars?much pleasure/hope/sense etc: · It gives us much pleasure to announce the names of the winners.· Her answer didn't make much sense to me.so much: · There was so much noise outside, I could hardly hear what she was saying.too much: · I think Perry's had a little too much wine.much to do/see/learn etc: · She never seems to have much to say.· He's very young and still has much to learn about how to deal with employees.much more/less: · We've had much less rain this year than last year.much of (=a large part of something): · Much of Bangladesh remains flooded after last week's torrential rains.
a large amount of something such as time, money, effort, or knowledge: · We already know a great deal about the planet Jupiter.a great/a good deal of: · The job requires a great deal of patience and skill.· It sounds like a simple experiment, but it required a great deal of effort.· There's a good deal of evidence to show that eating red meat can cause heart disease.a great/a good deal more/less: · Audiences have responded to his latest show with a great deal more enthusiasm.
also a fair bit British a large amount of something compared with the total amount that you have: · Don knows a fair bit about managing a company. quite a bit/a fair amount of: · I wasted a fair amount of time before I figured out what was wrong with the car.· There's been quite a bit of conflict between the new director and his staff.quite a bit/a fair amount more/less: · The tickets will cost quite a bit less money if you stay over the weekend.
also loads especially British, /masses British informal a very large amount of something: · "How much space is there in the back of your car?" "Masses."· It was a fantastic meal - there was loads to eat.tons of: · He made tons of money at some computer company.· She's a great athlete with loads of talent.· I've got tons of homework to do this weekend.tons and tons/loads and loads etc: · There's tons and tons of information on the Internet if you're willing to look for it.
British informal a large amount of something, especially work or money: · "How much money have you saved?" "Oh, stacks!"· I have piles to do when I get home tonight.piles/heaps/stacks of: · Her family is very rich - they have heaps of money.
a large amount of something such as work, debt, or information: · We had to complete a mountain of paperwork to get the loan.· The economies of Third World countries are often crippled by huge mountains of debt which they will never be able to repay.
a lot or in very large amounts, especially when this is worse than expected: heavy rain/snow/traffic/fighting/losses/taxation: · The match went ahead despite the heavy rain.· It was a fierce battle, and losses on both sides were heavy.· Traffic was really heavy this morning - it took me over an hour to get here.
informal a large amount of money: · He lost a bundle in the stock market.a bundle of: · If you end up hiring a lawyer, it could cost you a bundle of money.
very much very much: · She's changed a lot since she's been here.· "How does your arm feel?" "It still hurts a lot."· I like her a lot, but I don't think I'm in love with her.a lot better/worse/bigger/more etc: · Their new house is a lot bigger than their old one.· The tickets were a lot more expensive than we expected.a whole lot/an awful lot: · I like the people a whole lot, but the pay isn't very good.
use this especially to talk about people's feelings: · "Do you like living in Rome?" "Yes, very much."like/admire/miss etc somebody very much: · Lara liked being at college, but she missed her family very much.like/enjoy something very much: · We enjoyed the play very much - it was really well done.very much wish/hope/doubt etc formal: · I doubt very much that he'll still be here in November.
formal very much - use this especially to talk about changes, improvements, or differences: · Her work has improved a good deal over the past year.· By the next morning the swelling had already gone down a great deal.a good/great deal better/worse/bigger/more etc: · The situation was a good deal worse than we had first thought.
/a fair bit British by a fairly large degree: · She's quite a bit shorter than I remembered.· Jim has improved quite a bit since he came home from the hospital.· The estimates were a fair bit higher than what the final figure was.
especially spoken a lot - use this especially to talk about your feelings: · I really like your new haircut.· We really enjoy having a few friends over for dinner every once in a while.· What really annoys me is the way he never apologizes when he's late.
formal a lot: · We greatly regret having caused you so much trouble and inconvenience.· The recent talks have greatly improved relations between North and South Korea.· I think we have all benefited greatly from Helen's knowledge and experience.be greatly affected/amused/influenced etc: · The students were greatly amused by Professor Unwin's remark.· Critics say that the report's figures are greatly exaggerated.
use this especially when you are saying how much you love, want, or admire something or someone: · It's two years since Tony died. I miss him so much.· I wanted so much to go with him, but he wouldn't let me come.· Wordsworth returned to the lakes and hills that he loved so much.so much better/worse/more etc: · I really like the living room arranged this way so much better than the way we used to have it.
use this in questions and negatives and in comparisons and before phrases with 'too': · Has he changed much?· "Did you enjoy the show?" "Not much."much better/worse/bigger/more etc: · You get a much better view if you stand on a chair.· His family is much more important to him than his career.much too big/old/tall etc: · The test was much too difficult for most of the students.· You're working much too hard, and you're letting the boss take advantage of you.
use this to emphasize that you mean 'very much': · His English has improved tremendously.· I admire your mother enormously.· Prices can vary enormously from state to state.· Since the law was changed, the number of credit unions has grown tremendously.
use this when you are talking about a change or difference that is big enough to be important: · In New York and Los Angeles violent crime decreased significantly.· All ovens are different, and cooking times can vary significantly.significantly higher/lower/more etc: · Students who had completed the program scored significantly higher on standardized tests.
to show that someone or something is bad · His approach to the problem showed a complete lack of understanding.show how/what/why etc · This just shows how the standard of reporting has declined over the past ten years.· Maddie's remarks showed why she is disliked and feared by her fellow workers.
also not say a lot for somebody/something if a fact or achievement does not say much for someone or something, it shows very clearly that they are not as good, skilful etc as they should be: · Only a quarter of the class passed the exam, which doesn't say much for the quality of the teaching.· It doesn't say much for the media that they are criticizing something they haven't even seen yet.
if a bad situation or a bad result is a reflection on someone or something, it shows their character, abilities, or qualities are not very good, because the bad situation or result is their fault: · 'It's no reflection on you,' Fred explained kindly. 'My mum's always like that with my girlfriends.'· When children are criticized, mothers often see it as a reflection on themselves.
also not reflect well on somebody/something if an action or event reflects badly on someone, it shows that they have bad qualities, and this makes people's opinion of them become worse: · The way that the refugees have been treated reflects very badly on the government.· Both women knew that squabbling in public would reflect badly on both of them.
if a bad situation is a comment on problems or changes that affect all of society, it shows that these problems or changes exist and have a bad influence: · The increasing focus on sex and violence in most movies is a comment on the changing tastes of the movie-going public.be a sad/damning comment on: · The food queues were a sad comment on the quality of life in the new republic.· To suggest that people are only honest when it can benefit them, is a damning comment on the human character.
also be a symptom of formal if a small problem is symptomatic of a more serious or general problem, it shows that the more serious or general problem exists: · The whole episode was symptomatic of the US determination to avoid another Cuba. · Noisy classrooms are a symptom of a breakdown in authority.
to show very clearly that a system, plan etc is very bad, very wrong, or is not working in the way that it should: · The movie is neither an indictment nor an endorsement of capital punishment.be a glaring/sad/serious etc indictment of something (=be a very clear sign of something bad): · Numbers of casualties among refugees represent an appalling indictment of Western policy.· It is a serious indictment of a medical profession so arrogant that it dismisses out of hand any 'alternative' forms of therapy.
to show that something such as a system, principle, or idea is completely false, stupid, or ineffective - use this especially when you think it is wrong that something should be made to seem bad or wrong: · If that man gets released, it will make a mockery of our legal system.· Recent expenditure on defense has made a mockery of government promises to improve the lives of ordinary Russians.
not too much · Not too much pizza for me please, I'm on a diet.· I won't give you very much homework tonight, so you have time to finish your essay.not eat/drink/talk etc too much · Don't talk too much now - you need to rest.
· You can have a few chips, but not too many.· Not very many people were interested in the project.
· I wasn't too upset when they told me I hadn't got the job.· It was a beautiful sunny day and not too cold.· Don't hit it too hard - just nudge it over the net.
not too much - use this about eating, drinking, and other things that could be unhealthy if you did them too much: · Moderate exercise, such as walking and swimming, can help to prevent heart disease.· New studies show that moderate drinking is good for you.
if you eat or drink something in moderation , you do not eat or drink too much of it: · He only drinks wine in moderation.· Children should be taught not about "bad foods" and "good foods," but rather to eat a wide variety of foods in moderation.
to not allow yourself to become so excited, annoyed etc by an event or situation that you lose a sense of what is reasonable, sensible, or possible: · My confidence was so low it was difficult to keep things in proportion -- the smallest problem seemed like a major tragedy.· The Party's recent successes in the polls are encouraging but they need to be kept in proportion.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
Henry’s room is much bigger than mine. These shoes are much more comfortable. I’m feeling very much better, thank you. He was driving much too fast. She kept weighing herself to see how much heavier she was getting. How much longer do we have to wait? How much further is it? I was surprised to see how much better she was looking. How much better life would be if we returned to the values of the past! You know how much I care about you. I think you have to accept the pain, however much it hurts. He talks too much. We’re looking forward to your visit so much. Thank you very much! The money will buy much needed books for the school. The house was very much as I’d remembered it.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The lunchtime menu is more than adequate to satisfy the biggest appetite. Lewis was much admired for his work on medieval literature. The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. This latest problem is altogether more serious. He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. The thief got more than he bargained for, as Mr Cox tripped him up with his walking stick. We now have a much better understanding of the disease. Can we have a bit less noise, please? They’re worth quite a bit more than I thought. I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (=a lot of them). ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’ McKellen’s performance had much to commend it (=was very good). The two games have much in common. A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups (=they are very worried about it). Dr Belson had been more than content for them to deal with any difficulties. After much deliberation, first prize was awarded to Derek Murray. You’ve had more than enough time to make all the preparations. I loved him every bit as much as she did. I enjoyed it far more than I expected. That’s far too much to pay. It would take me far too long to explain. China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers. Her headaches are becoming less frequent. This concept is discussed more fully in Chapter 9. Becoming a doctor never interested him. It was too much like hard work (=it would involve too much work). We don’t hear anything of him these days. A degree is more of a hindrance than a help in British industry. Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement. I really want the car, however much it costs. a better, more humane world Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. It’s incredible how much Tom has changed since he met Sally. Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely). Social class matters a lot less than it used to. It costs much less to go by bus. My experience is very much like that described in the book. He’s growing more like his father every day. She’s a lovely girl and I like her very much. I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Would you like a little more milk in your coffee? We’ll have to wait a little longer to see what happens. His voice was little more than a whisper. In 1941, her much-loved sister was killed in an accident. Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. The good days more than make up for the bad ones. a much maligned politician I don’t think it matters much what you study. You don’t miss much, do you (=you are good at noticing things)? ‘It’s going to be fine,’ replied David, with as much confidence as he could muster. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. a much needed boost to the local economy He had nothing more to say. ‘What did you do last weekend?’ ‘Oh, nothing much.’ Canada has much to offer in terms of location and climate. Their success owes more to good luck than to careful management. Pearson’s work owed much to the research of his friend, Hugh Kingsmill. There are plenty more chairs in the next room. We shall be contributing as much as we possibly can to the campaign. Lathes make wheels, or, more precisely, they make cylindrical objects. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre. The task proved to be rather more difficult than I had expected. British English The furniture is made in much the same (=almost the same) way as it was 200 years ago. Africa’s second highest mountain We had to wait several more weeks before the results arrived. a slightly more powerful engine The band is popular and likely to become more so. Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so. a much sought-after defense lawyer What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. I just can’t take any more (=can’t deal with a bad situation any longer). Thank you very much, Brian. Thanks very much for your help. Amanda is far too young to get married. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession. They employ 90 people, twice as many as last year. It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding. There’s little sign that the much-vaunted IT investment is pulling France out of recession. I feel a lot better – thank you very much. Do you know how much it weighs? Without so much as a word of thanks, Ben turned and went back into the office (=he did not even say thank you as he should have done). Do you know how much the ring is worth? He got a call from the factory, telling of yet more problems. Inflation had risen to a yet higher level.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
Henry’s room is much bigger than mine. These shoes are much more comfortable. I’m feeling very much better, thank you. He was driving much too fast. British English It’s much the best way to do it.
It’s much the best way to do it. She kept weighing herself to see how much heavier she was getting. How much longer do we have to wait? How much further is it? I was surprised to see how much better she was looking. How much better life would be if we returned to the values of the past! You know how much I care about you. I think you have to accept the pain, however much it hurts. He talks too much. We’re looking forward to your visit so much. Thank you very much! The money will buy much needed books for the school. The house was very much as I’d remembered it. The lunchtime menu is more than adequate to satisfy the biggest appetite. Lewis was much admired for his work on medieval literature. The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. (=I agree completely) ‘We have to talk.’ ‘Absolutely,’ Meredith replied. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’
‘We have to talk.’ ‘Absolutely,’ Meredith replied. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’ This latest problem is altogether more serious.· He got up and sang 'Yellow Submarine', much to everyone’s amusement.
He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. The thief got more than he bargained for, as Mr Cox tripped him up with his walking stick.· He sometimes felt the grief was more than he could bear.
We now have a much better understanding of the disease. Can we have a bit less noise, please? They’re worth quite a bit more than I thought. (=it is too difficult to be worth doing)
I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (=a lot of them). ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’· The prisoners knew there was little chance of escape.
(=there is some other explanation)· When I saw him a third time, I realized it was more than just coincidence.
McKellen’s performance had much to commend it (=was very good). The two games have much in common. A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups (=they are very worried about it). Dr Belson had been more than content for them to deal with any difficulties.· Second hand clothes don’t cost much.
(=very badly hurt or ill and almost dead)· He was swept up onto a beach after three days at sea, more dead than alive.
After much deliberation, first prize was awarded to Derek Murray. (also to somebody’s great delight) (=used to say that something gave someone a lot of pleasure)· The princess stopped to talk to people, much to the delight of the crowd.
(also be in great demand) (=be wanted by a lot of people)· Fuel-efficient cars are now much in demand.
· Check our website for more details.
(=used to say that something had a bad effect rather than a good one)· I followed his advice but it did more harm than good.
You’ve had more than enough time to make all the preparations.· There was considerable enthusiasm for the idea of a party.
I loved him every bit as much as she did. (=the best)· George Best was one of the most exceptional footballers of all time.
(=very exceptional)· A child will only be removed from the parental home in the most exceptional of cases.
(=one that is probably true)· The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus.· The most probable explanation is that the water was contaminated.
British English Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary.
Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary. I enjoyed it far more than I expected. That’s far too much to pay. It would take me far too long to explain. China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers. Her headaches are becoming less frequent. This concept is discussed more fully in Chapter 9. Becoming a doctor never interested him. It was too much like hard work (=it would involve too much work). (=cause more problems rather than improve a situation)· If you don’t warm up properly, exercise may do more harm than good.
We don’t hear anything of him these days. A degree is more of a hindrance than a help in British industry. Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement. (=used to ask the price of something) How much are the tickets?
How much are the tickets? I really want the car, however much it costs. a better, more humane world Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. It’s incredible how much Tom has changed since he met Sally.· For more information, visit our website.
Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely). Social class matters a lot less than it used to. It costs much less to go by bus. My experience is very much like that described in the book. He’s growing more like his father every day. She’s a lovely girl and I like her very much.· At this age, boys were more likely than girls to be active in sports.
(=very likely)· She'll be late, more than likely.
I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Would you like a little more milk in your coffee? We’ll have to wait a little longer to see what happens. His voice was little more than a whisper. (=used to say that you could make your situation much worse) These youngsters know they have too much to lose by protesting against the system.
These youngsters know they have too much to lose by protesting against the system. In 1941, her much-loved sister was killed in an accident.· They were obviously very much in love.
· I hope you have more luck in the next competition.
Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. The good days more than make up for the bad ones. a much maligned politician I don’t think it matters much what you study. You don’t miss much, do you (=you are good at noticing things)? ‘It’s going to be fine,’ replied David, with as much confidence as he could muster. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. a much needed boost to the local economy (=only a few, only a little etc) Not much is known about the disease. Not many people have read the report.
Not much is known about the disease. Not many people have read the report. He had nothing more to say. ‘What did you do last weekend?’ ‘Oh, nothing much.’ (=more than once)· She stayed out all night on more than one occasion.
Canada has much to offer in terms of location and climate. Their success owes more to good luck than to careful management. Pearson’s work owed much to the research of his friend, Hugh Kingsmill. There are plenty more chairs in the next room. (=what is more important)· When did she leave, and, more to the point, why?
We shall be contributing as much as we possibly can to the campaign. (=do practice)· I’m not a very good dancer. I haven’t had enough practice.
Lathes make wheels, or, more precisely, they make cylindrical objects. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre. The task proved to be rather more difficult than I had expected. British English· We very much regret that there will be job losses.
(=look or seem rather like something)· The building resembled nothing so much as giant beehive.
The furniture is made in much the same (=almost the same) way as it was 200 years ago.· After her initial difficulties she has made a very satisfactory recovery.
Africa’s second highest mountain (=see someone more or less often) They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London.
They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London. We had to wait several more weeks before the results arrived. a slightly more powerful engine The band is popular and likely to become more so. Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so. a much sought-after defense lawyer (=used to say that you prefer something) I don’t think the parachuting weekend is for me – the art class is more my style.
I don’t think the parachuting weekend is for me – the art class is more my style. What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. I just can’t take any more (=can’t deal with a bad situation any longer). Thank you very much, Brian. Thanks very much for your help. Amanda is far too young to get married. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession. (=easily)· The work was carried out without any trouble.
They employ 90 people, twice as many as last year.· We live in a very unfair world.
It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding.· It’s highly unlikely that he’ll survive.
· Gandhi was a most unusual politician.
There’s little sign that the much-vaunted IT investment is pulling France out of recession. I feel a lot better – thank you very much.· She very much wanted to do the right thing.
Do you know how much it weighs? Without so much as a word of thanks, Ben turned and went back into the office (=he did not even say thank you as he should have done).· Conditions were much worse in rural areas.
Do you know how much the ring is worth? He got a call from the factory, telling of yet more problems. Inflation had risen to a yet higher level.· It narrowly beat much bigger rival and fellow supermarkets group J Sainsbury to the top slot, and outshone Tesco.· But changes in product-liability laws, a much bigger undertaking, remain stalled.· Robodyne Systems has already demonstrated the basic principle, albeit on a much bigger physical scale.· The way he sees it, each town is like a neighborhood in a much bigger community.· And they knew about much bigger people who had started out like this.· But most of all, she disliked them because they were both military men and their countries were much bigger than hers.· The market could grow much bigger if countries further subsidize wind power to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
· The images are fast and sharp, so it's much easier to see what's going on.· It's much easier to hide in a church hall!· Things'd be much easier if people didn't make it so complicated.· The pagan Anglo-Saxon cemeteries are much easier to date because of the larger number of artefacts found in them as grave-goods.· I find it much easier with × 8.5 than with × 7.· Some items were also tried out with Imperial units and these were often much easier than the same question with metric units.· This will make dining out much easier and of course extends the variety of protein foods beyond fish, chicken and cottage cheese!· Fortunately this is much easier than explaining the latest technical developments.
· I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but it went much better than I expected and my audience were very appreciative.· This has worked much better in reducing claims, though both states in recent years have seen costs rise.· Total abstinence from any sweeteners can cure a sweet tooth permanently - which is much better in the long term.· Henry Ford's assertion that history was bunk was itself bunk: theology seemed to me a much better candidate.· His speeches were hardened a little, but he wasn't much good at abuse or jokes or stridency or sneering.· The horses have done nothing all winter and it would do them so much good.· And I feel so much better for it.· This gives much better reliability than a truly absolute method.
· A kick is stronger than a punch and has a much greater reach.· The governing body therefore now has much greater potential to exercise control over the life and work of the school.· The percentage of imputed households nationally is about 2%, but the problem is much greater in inner-city areas.· The PCO2 in blood is much greater than the PCO2 in air.· They typically hide much greater deviations from the norm than say the figure for the average physical height of a population does.· And these decisions hold the potential for much greater harm today.
· C Gully was much harder and received perhaps only three ascents.· The much harder part, as any of you who have tried it know; is following through on promises to collaborate.· They'd have to try much harder than this.· Also, some think that because they are holding a driver they have to hit the ball much harder.· It is easy enough to assert that active transport across membranes occurs, but much harder to explain how.· What's more, they're much harder to squash.· Duck's view of the harvest feast is much harder than Leapor's.· Later, it became much harder to influence her.
· The laxative dose required to treat constipation in the young child is much higher than the suggested doses on the label.· The solute concentration in the extracellular space would therefore be much higher than that in the intracellular space.· The damage done can be much worse than from a fire - while the chances of it happening are much higher.· But other analysts said they expect a much higher independent turnout.· This is still much higher than the doses predicted by John Dunster and others at the time.· The effective rate of protection for steel, vehicles and electrical goods, however, went much higher, up to 300 percent.· Tamburlaine is not just interested in becoming a king and instead he bases his vision of power on a much higher scale.· Well, her position in society is so much higher than yours that you can't hope to marry her.
· Things were not as bad as they seemed ... In the long run, they were much worse.· Reading turned out badly, much worse than I had feared.· I noticed, on my daily visits to him, that he was getting much worse.· How it coulda been so much worse!· As for Polly, she was in a much worse position than Jack.· The Minnesota Index did much worse than the broader market.· The random scattering of seeds, and how much worse, of human souls, appalled her.· This was much worse than the assault.
· By contrast, the United States has experienced analogous problems of concentration but has a much larger black population.· These condition called for, and were capable of supporting, much larger social units than the traditional Neolithic villages.· The momentum thrust is a much larger contributor to the overall thrust than the pressure thrust.· Such a deep quake can shake a much larger area.· Something much larger than a man.· In very cold weather much larger flocks appear.· The Oscars are just indicative of a much larger problem.
· Memory and imagination were grappling at each other's throats, and these people would lose if he lay here much longer.· Now all that was left of the farm was a very thin goat which would not last much longer.· And since some senators had much longer names than others, jealousies soon arose.· The relationship with Mimi had survived its stormy months, though it was not destined to last much longer.· But he can't wait much longer.· Ladies, you don't have to wait much longer.· But in her case I was able to leave her in here much longer.· Women will wait much longer at an intersection rather than take a risk.
· This would permit a much lower marginal rate of tax. 4.· Among minority students the figures were, predictably, much lower.· The country to the north and north-east of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is much lower and for that reason more cultivated.· In general, lunar rocks differ from terrestrial rocks in that the Moon contains much lower concentrations of easily vaporized elements.· In hot and high areas where air density is much lower, performance will be different, with faster descents.· In section 4, the emotional pitch of the poem is much lower and much more level.· The second one hung much lower.· They were flying at a much lower altitude, without any fighter escort, and obviously had not noticed us.
· Guide-posts of a sort are much older than milestones.· They look much older and younger.· He was somewhat taken care of by his sister, who was much older, but only somewhat.· Whereas Mrs Hellyer saw her as much older than she was, he saw her as younger than she was.· And here the cataract, fighting its way slowly upstream, encountered the subterranean remains of a much older watercourse.· You were so much older than me, you'd been through broken relationships before and knew how to cope with them.· Parents are not alone in recognizing that some children are much younger and some are much older than others in the class.
· In those days of fewer opinion polls they seemed to play a much smaller, less intrusive part in the elections.· Directly underneath it, in hot yellow and red, a much smaller sign signals the entrance to the No-Tel Motel.· However, M33 is a much smaller and much looser system.· Pure fusion bombs might be much smaller than existing bombs.· The download file is much smaller than the Windows Media Player file.· Chained to its banister are a ten-speed bicycle and another, much smaller, with training wheels.· The inflation figure confounded economic analysts, most of whom had been predicting a much smaller reduction.· Republicans favor tax breaks for education on a much smaller scale.
· Yeb isn't faring much better.· Proponents for moving Lindbergh to Miramar contend that the 24, 000-acre Naval base contains a much better safety zone.· My own preference has always been for the rough-coated variety since these can withstand weather and rough going very much better.· Clothes are a much better idea.· This is a much better system.· However, Tejano Country began pulling in much better ratings than expected, Mr Porter said.· Community-policing arrangements have not fared much better in the United States.· I think Nelo will be a much better father than your own real father.
VERB· I don't know why, but I didn't much like the look of him.· I didn't much like them, but I realized he played with some mastery.· They smoke between classes and after lunch, much like their adult counterparts who huddle outside office buildings for smoke breaks.· Then I would much like to know what caused that explosion in the engine-room.· For at school, the young man would be surrounded by men much like him-self.· It is as if the public recognizes that society has changed over the decade but does not much like what sees.· This method is much like training to run faster.
· I understand that the Minister is talking to London Transport about advertising the campaign, but it needs much more than that.· Not much need for sleep, much less to spend any time with his family.· The players won't need much lifting for that.· But the national clearinghouses, if they are to remain national services, need much more substantial funding.· What she probably needs much more is your empathy and appreciation.· But he realised they needed much more evidence before they could arrest him for murder.· Officials in contact with bereaved relatives may have been in as much need of counseling as the families themselves.
· The quality of even our grandest scenery owes much to its intimacy of scale.· The antagonism directed towards photography from the 1860s owes much to the displacement of human handicrafts by machine methods.· The phenomenal success of his efforts owed much to his supreme mathematical skills and to his equally superb physical insights.· It has its origins in formal logic, and owes much to the writings of Aristotle and Frege.· Others are owed much more, but that's little consolation.· Each owes much to the other, but one will be the more popular.· Their present media facilities owe much to their history.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► much as► not so much ... as ...PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► as much/as many/the same again► not amount to much/anything/a great deal etc► at your best/worst/most effective etc► not be much cop► couldn’t be better/worse/more pleased etc► cut no ice/not cut much ice► the biggest/tallest/most expensive etc ... on earth► there are plenty more fish in the sea► more fool you/him etc► have nothing/not much/a lot etc going for somebody/something► no good/not much good/not any good► no more Mr Nice Guy!► more haste less speed► more something than you’ve had hot dinners► too much information!► it’s more than my job’s worth► without so much as a by your leave► that’s more like it/this is more like it► as long as you like/as much as you like etc► more than a little/not a little► somebody doesn’t have much meat on him/her► need I ask/need I say more/need I go on etc?► next biggest/most common etc► once more/once again► in large part/for the most part► more ... than the rest/the others/everything else put together► a lot/something/not much etc to be said for (doing) something► not have much to say for yourself► be more sinned against than sinning► there's more than one way to skin a cat► be not so much ... as ...► more in sorrow than in anger► have more than one string to your bow► not have much up top► (and) what’s more
1by a great amountmuch better/greater/easier etc- I doubt Clemson will even make the finals, much less win.
- Even Libertarians, who advocate much less government, are happy to accept public campaign money.
- Even today, most politicians rarely wear neckties, much less power suits.
- I will become much less easily tired ... much less easily fatigued ... much less easily discouraged ... much less easily depressed.
- In the end, the tax brought in much less revenue than originally forecast.
- Its development costs are not much less than the firm's total asset value.
- That had to ne injected daily, but her husband recalls the injections being much less frequent.
- The bill now goes to the Senate, where its fate is much less assured.
- Try dowsing without rods: it's much less cumbersome.
- First, it is apparent that illiterates will not have much success in giving written answers to a printed questionnaire.
- It is an option that is not very often used, either through choice or simply because it is not much publicised.
- Not much happens in the novel.
- Places had not changed much and the family still lived at Temple Stephen in Derbyshire.
- Purdue has not had much success in the postseason, its final eight finish in 1994 being its best in some time.
- The problem was, there was not much follow-up.
- The U.S. industry survey did not estimate how much of the drugs it classified as therapeutic were given to healthy animals.
- Today, there is a reluctance to prosecute young men who are not much older than the girl herself.
- Based on one of Aesop's fables, it was as much like a limerick as one of Shakespeare's sonnets.
- For at school, the young man would be surrounded by men much like him-self.
- The space inside looked as much like a junkyard as the space outside.
- They like their bikes to be as much like cars as possible.
- What he wanted, of course, was for me to write as much like he did as I possibly could.
- A week later, much to my surprise, I was told my order must be changed.
- And much to everyone's surprise he won it.
- And he was still sober, much to her surprise.
- But he has written a steamy thriller, much to the surprise of his conservative minions.
- Pitsligo died there in 1767, head, much to his surprise, still firmly attached to his unrepentant shoulders.
- So now he is clubbed to death instead, much to the surprise of the audience.
- Those questions were asked in front of a packed gymnasium, much to the Surprise of the state officials who attended.
- And without more ado he booked his one-way ticket.
- Left leaderless, the city surrendered to Bustamante without further ado.
- Stan then moved closer to Melanie, and a major fight erupted without further ado.
- The emptying of the house could therefore no longer be postponed and Charlotte had decided to put matters in hand without further ado.
- The selection board interviewed him and rejected his application without further ado.
- Then, without more ado, he loaded the horses into the trailer.
- Then, without more ado, he turned on his heel and left, slamming the door behind him.
- He offsets Roberts' operatic evil with a performance that commands all the more notice for its minimalism.
- His job was made all the more easier by drivers who hadn't bothered to take measures to stop people like him.
- If there is some meat left on the bones, all the better.
- It makes it all the more opportune.
- Superb defence by Karpov, all the more praiseworthy in that he was now in desperate time trouble.
- The dispute was all the more bitter because a prize was at stake.
- The inadequacy and treachery of the old leaderships of the working class have made the need all the more imperative.
- Weather experts say it was a relatively dry winter which makes the water recovery all the more remarkable.
- If it makes illegal drug use even more difficult, so much the better.
- You can use dried parsley, but if you have fresh, so much the better.
- And if I am Peter, so much the better.
- And if that can change things, so much the better Female speaker He's the little man having a kick.
- But if I can manage with fewer trips to the store, so much the better.
- If love eventually grows, so much the better.
- If they are alive so much the better, but they can be persuaded to take dead ones.
- If they can fit in with the room's general style, so much the better.
- If we can improve the team another way, so much the better.
- So a single fluorescent tube will be adequate, and if you have used floating plants, so much the better.
- But maybe total understanding of everything is a bit much to ask of a tiny human mind.
- But seeing the little fellow lying there in sauce, sauteed, was a bit much.
- But to rise from the grave was a bit much even for Nixon.
- Many kids who leave home to live alone find they have bitten off more than they can chew.
- There isn't much call for typewriters since computers got easier to use.
- Actually, a damn sight more than from that stiff gherkin Smott.
- I prefer my women a little older and a damn sight more sober.
- Perhaps not up there with Wilburforce but a damn sight more daring than anything Diana ever did!
- Tim's had more than his fair share of bad luck this year.
- A TU154 weighs a third more and consumes half as much fuel again as its Western equivalent, the Boeing 727.
- Even allowing for O'Donovan doing half as much business, this would mean 3000 tonnes of toxic waste leaving Ireland a year.
- He will not worry about the quality if he does half as much on Saturday.
- The fly therefore produces half as much sperm as normal.
- The safety mattress also produced only half as much carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
- These kids only have half as much cerebral cortex as is normal.
- They looked like equine stock, but they were half as big again as any horse that Rostov had ever encountered.
- But cars are about half as much again as in Britain.
- But Catherine, 31, and 56-year-old Fatal Attraction star Michael spent more than half as much again.
- In school we are spending nearly half as much again, in real terms per pupil, as in 1979.
- Social Progress Health spending is half as much again as it was in 1979, after taking account of inflation.
- The Government is spending over half as much again more than Labour did when they were last in power.
- The line shot out, half as much again.
- They looked like equine stock, but they were half as big again as any horse that Rostov had ever encountered.
- This is half as much again as last year.
- Bob's idea of a balanced diet left something to be desired.
- His treatment of capital and profits left much to be desired.
- On the campaign trail, his oratorical skills have left much to be desired.
- On theoretical grounds, however, it leaves much to be desired.
- The quality of research in the area of child abuse still leaves much to be desired.
- To some degree they have been hampered by courses of study and lesson plans thai leave something to be desired.
- While the woodwind and low strings were reasonably well replicated, the violins, timpani and brass left much to be desired.
- Yet, as a match, it left something to be desired.
- The average person is unlikely to pick up this type of book, much less read it.
- Equally, science would be much less advanced than it is if the only available data were intuitive estimates of quantities.
- Half a century earlier his behaviour would have seemed much more normal and aroused much less criticism.
- In the end, the tax brought in much less revenue than originally forecast.
- On the battlefield armament was still much less important than discipline and fighting spirit.
- She could not afford the bus fare to see a doctor, much less his fee.
- The grouping of other languages of the world-and even of their number-is much less clear.
- There is not much chance of finding a razor blade, much less using it in the appropriate way.
- There was to be no pause for reflection, nor - much less - for a changeover from military to civilian rule.
- As Compaq's products become more like other firms', they are starting to look overpriced.
- Cyrix says the computer actually performs more like a 200 megahertz Pentium-based machine.
- It seems more like a bad motel in Jersey City.
- Neither a club nor a knife: something more like a rowing oar, perhaps, considering our location.
- People begin to act more like themselves again.
- The seven children there had seemed more like seventeen.
- This was more like a pause in the struggle.
- While Tyrone is more like Michael Owen on a doughnut and Viagra diet.
- Arguing more like it, or rowing.
- Beatific would be more like it.
- Done off, more like it.
- I thought, hang on, this is more like it.
- Just plain sappy is more like it.
- That was more like it, I thought.-Good, I said.
- The Shirkers was more like it.
- Turned myself inside out is more like it.
- Edward's not much to look at, but he has a great personality.
- Guel made the most of her time on court.
- Chuck Levy, meanwhile, was in for 40 offensive plays and made the most of them.
- Enjoy, and make the most of, the benefits that this publicity can bring to you.
- He made the most of it, continuing to dance.
- Meanwhile, Vistec is making the most of the recession and has a Pounds 4m cash pile.
- She made the most of it.
- So what they do is make the most of each player, maximizing their talent.
- The challenge in this book is to make the most of human relationships without becoming a victim. 2.
- Ward objectives will give her guidance in making the most of each allocation.
- He was making too much of the whole thing.
- How a pop star looks is made too much of, though, the way some people are about it.
- It is possible to make too much of all this.
- Jasper thought I made too much of her.
- Of course, I make too much of this.
- One shouldn't make too much of them, but then again, they need watching.
- She makes too much of that cat, Daisy thought, for a young woman that is.
- She tried not to make too much of the moment.
- Matt, you need some more meat on your bones!
- "I didn't know he wrote poetry." "Yes -- he also does painting. There's more to him than meets the eye."
- It looks like a simple case of burglary, but there may be more to it than meets the eye.
- People think of Bradford as a dull industrial city, but there is more to it than meets the eye.
- "Do you mind if I bring Tony?" "Nah, the more the merrier."
- Now Miller Brewing is joining the ranks of the more the merrier.
- This might appeal to investors who figure that when it comes to fund choices, the more the merrier.
- I can't really recommend any particular hotel. They're all much of a muchness.
- I do everything for him, and he's never so much as made me a cup of coffee.
- Clarisa had never so much as dusted his butt with baby powder.
- He never so much as twitched.
- Naturally he had never so much as whispered this phrase to a living soul.
- Tesla was told firmly that he must never so much as mention the subject of alternating current.
- They passed a hundred yards away and never so much as changed course to take a closer look.
- Madam Deputy Speaker: I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman.
- I'm afraid this car doesn't belong to me, more's the pity.
- Now I'm too old to fall in love, more's the pity.
- The new staff are all women, more's the pity.
- General Motors and Ford have not been dogged by raiders - more's the pity.
- No Jane Carlyle, more's the pity.
- So, more's the pity, are men like Sir Gordon Reece.
- They don't make films like his anymore - more's the pity.
- A condition to be rectified as quickly as possible if she didn't want to be labelled a freak, or worse.
- Archibol was committed to relieving himself of the distraction of Isaac as quickly as possible.
- Experts do recommend that parents also put their babies in other positions as much as possible while awake.
- Preston avoided travelling by tube as much as possible, but sometimes it was forced upon him.
- Smokers, stop as quickly as possible and do not smoke in the presence of others.
- The food is freshly cooked using produce from the kitchen garden and local produce as much as possible.
- The Super Bowl was an outgrowth of the desire to take advantage of the merger as quickly as possible.
- In 1992, Clinton had pretty much wrapped up the Democratic nomination by Super Tuesday.
- It seemed to be pretty much an open and shut case of accidental death, apart from the problem of identifying him.
- Once we would arrive at a place, Alistair seemed to leave Judy pretty much on her own.
- Otherwise you have to walk the half block, but then you can see them pretty well.
- Our point here is that at an abstract level, every organization values pretty much the same things.
- Since I was there six years ago some things have changed and others have remained pretty much the same.
- They have timed the deal pretty well, and not just from a weather outlook.
- They know me pretty well here.
- But that's all the more reason why we should go off this time with a car well filled, eh?
- If some material is lost already, that is all the more reason to stop a lapse becoming a loophole.
- That means there is all the more reason to oppose the willed destruction of old things.
- That possibility is all the more reason to end the conflict soon.
- This is all the more reason to find a more democratic way of deciding the state for the first primary.
- The hotel has little except price to recommend it.
- An alternative approach-optical fibre - has much to recommend it.
- As such, it has much to recommend it.
- But in terms of an effective solution the voting method has little to recommend it.
- In principle this format has much to recommend it, but in this case the practice has not been successful.
- It is plain that, in the long run, the gentle art of compromise has much to recommend it.
- Nevertheless, the principle of chisel ploughing has much to recommend it in the right conditions.
- Such a way of proceeding has much to recommend it, but scant progress has been made in that direction.
- This cooperative family decision-making has much to recommend it.
- Temperatures were in the mid-80s today; expect more of the same for the weekend.
- In these still pools, more of the same kind of clay is laid down.
- The abolition of the poll tax is widely welcomed until we consider what will replace it - simply more of the same.
- Their views are the old ones: more of the same will get us there.
- There was more of the same in the drawers.
- This is more of the same.
- When they died it was more of the same.
- Females say no more often than males, 63. 5 percent compared with 21. 6 percent.
- For the rest of the afternoon Vladimir said no more.
- She said no more about it, but I knew she worried when these unexplained absences occurred.
- She said no more, but her thoughts were bitter.
- She says no more than this.
- She told Clarissa to stay put and say no more until she herself came round to Clarissa's flat.
- The Secretary of State says no more money so that's that.
- And he's got guts, I 'll say that for him.
- He was a demon wonder at finding food, I 'll say that for Vern.
- I 'll say that for Lorne.
- Better than Alex O'Neal's offering, but that's not saying much.
- Actually, a damn sight more than from that stiff gherkin Smott.
- I prefer my women a little older and a damn sight more sober.
- If he listened to Anthony Scrivener, he would be a darned sight better.
- Perhaps not up there with Wilburforce but a damn sight more daring than anything Diana ever did!
- The Galapagos finch was a darn sight more valuable than Sandra Willmot.
- We were a darned sight better than them.
- So far in Rajasthan, I had not so much as nodded to another female.
- He had never had a day of sickness, not so much as a cold.
- How could we have put their bag into ours without so much as a single check?
- I, who had traveled all that long day on that train without so much as a cheese in my pocket?
- It is a matter of tone, not so much as content.
- That he had dumped her without a word, without so much as a goodbye.
- We got our six appearances, and not so much as one drop-by or mix-and-mingle extra.
- When they go straight to bed without so much as ordering a toasted sandwich or spending money at the bar.
- So much for getting up early every morning.
- I can't get it off the pan - so much for it being nonstick.
- Thank you so much for coming.
- Thank you so much for your encouragement in the past.
- That diagnosis is not so much for therapeutic reasons as for administrative and management purposes.
- The boys have been lovely and Kenneth has done so much for me.
- The method she resorted to was novel, not so much for the times but for her.
- Together with the right kind of support we could have fun together and achieve so much for ourselves and our diocese.
- We take the railways so much for granted.
- There's only so much you can do with hair this fine.
- A human being can undergo only so many changes and take in only so many experiences.
- I think there was only so much fun to go round, only so much and no more available.
- It told him it was grass, and grass could hide only so much.
- The greens were rougher then, and there was only so much good putting you could do on them.
- The truth is there is only so much preparation you can do.
- There's only so much you can cling to - your credibility, your belief in small cottage industries - whatever.
- Aaron will finally be earning some more money.
- I think we still need to practice some more.
- Would you like some more pie?
- And every so often a transvestite would swagger past, some more obvious than others.
- But ah, how I need some more engaging puzzle to occupy my mind today.
- If the rice is still not cooked, add some more water.
- It s going to take a bit of time for the factories to dole us out some more.
- Obviously, there are some more things for me to think about now.
- The home market might be worried about it, and some more people are looking toward clones than Apple product.
- We listened some more, and as the darkness closed in Stuart sat on my lap and snuggled closer.
- Yet there were other new ideas that jostled together in his brain for some more prominent recognition.
- And I sowed seeds and grew plants and trees so that that place would be still more beautiful.
- But the consumer could benefit still further.
- Clio engineers sought to improve still further on these virtues.
- His adversaries include still more cossacks, a border guard or two, a rabbi, and a pugilist.
- I had eaten four or five slices of bread without satisfying my hunger, so I reached for still another slice.
- Rape is a staple in pagan myth, and killing still more commonplace.
- The incentive to borrow was raised still further by a reduction in the costs of bankruptcy and an increase in market liquidity.
- With the passage of the Poor Law Amendment Act in 1834 the condition of labourers deteriorated still further.
- Or is the organisation more than the sum of its parts?
- "Andy failed his driving test." "I thought as much when I saw his face."
- I must confess I felt a trifle guilty about your lonely watch: nothing to report? I thought as much.
- I don't think much of that new restaurant.
- He did not think much of the lectures.
- He does not think much of the Midwest, which he calls a backward, dumb but snobbish place.
- He does not think much of the students or professors either.
- Later I gathered she did not think much of my manners.
- Most of the time at work I just answer the phone and type letters.
- Most of the time he's a really nice guy, but sometimes he can be really nasty.
- Most of the time people vote for the party that offers them financial advantages.
- Our two-year-old is happy most of the time, but he wakes up from his naps in an awful mood.
- This place is really busy most of the time.
- And it works too, most of the time.
- Dewar looked gloomy most of the time, being one of life's pessimists.
- Even after that, she continued to have headaches almost daily and felt nauseated most of the time.
- He took no shit from anybody, gambled constantly, and won most of the time.
- I don't like the way I look, most of the time, for all the reasons I've just given.
- Raskolnikov lives with his pain, but most of the time he doesn't focus on it.
- We were hungry and cold most of the time.
- Without visible failure most minds are closed most of the time.
- But often this effort of concentration was too much for me.
- But three thousand is too much for now.
- I suspected that, deep down, the various emotional themes that Hannah played out were too much for Bruno.
- It was too much for Quinn.
- The memories were too much for her.
- This was too much for me.
- It was like Hi De Hi backstage, very much so.
Henry’s room is much bigger than mine. These shoes are much more comfortable. I’m feeling very much better, thank you.much too big/old etc He was driving much too fast.much the best/most interesting etc British English It’s much the best way to do it.USAGE: Much• The adverb much is mainly used before comparative adjectives or adjectives with 'too': · He’s much older than she is.· The soup was much too salty.• It is not usually used before other adjectives, but much can be used before different, especially in negatives and questions: · It's not much different from when I was young.2a)used to ask or talk about the degree of a differencehow much older/smaller etc She kept weighing herself to see how much heavier she was getting. b)used to ask or talk about how big an additional amount of something ishow much more/longer/further How much longer do we have to wait? How much further is it? c)used to emphasize the difference you are mentioninghow much better/nicer/easier etc I was surprised to see how much better she was looking. How much better life would be if we returned to the values of the past!3used to talk about a strong feeling or something that is done oftenhow/however much You know how much I care about you. I think you have to accept the pain, however much it hurts. He talks too much. We’re looking forward to your visit so much. Thank you very much!much loved/admired/discussed etc The money will buy much needed books for the school.4not ... much a)only a little or hardly at all: ‘Did you enjoy it?’ ‘No, not much.’ She isn’t much younger than me. Tony hasn’t changed much in the last ten years. b)used to say that something does not often happen: We don’t go to the theatre much anymore. Kids don’t play outside as much as they used to. → little3(2)5much like something/much as (also much the same (as something)) used to say that something is very similar to something else: The house was very much as I’d remembered it. The taste is much like butter. Plants are classified in much the same way as animals.6much to somebody’s surprise/embarrassment etc formal used to say that someone feels very surprised, embarrassed etc when something happens: Much to my relief, the conversation turned to another topic.7much less used to say that a greater thing is even less true, likely, or possible than the thing you have just mentioned: The shelves were lined with books which neither Hugo nor Sally would ever open, much less read.8much as although: Much as I like Bob, I wouldn’t want to live with him.9not so much ... as ... used to say that one description of someone or something is less suitable or correct than another: She was not so much nervous as impatient for the journey to be over. → so much the better at better3(2)much1 adverbmuch2 determiner, pronoun
muchmuch2 ●●● S1 W1 determiner, pronoun Longman Language Activatorways of saying or asking how much something costs
if something costs £10, $100 etc, that is what you have to pay in order to buy it: · How much does a house like that cost in America?cost £10/$20/a lot etc: · Tickets for the show cost £15 or £20.cost somebody £10/$20 etc: · I stayed in a hotel in Paris which cost me $150 a night.cost a fortune informal (=cost a lot of money): · Look at Frank's new Mercedes - it must have cost a fortune.it costs £10/$20/a lot etc to do something: · The Department of Education estimates that it will cost $17 billion to build the new schools.
spoken say how much to ask what the price or cost of something is: · That's a beautiful rug -- how much did you pay for it?· By the way, how much does it cost to use the swimming pool?
if something is £100, $1000 etc, that is how much it costs - use this especially when you are asking or replying to a question about the cost of something: · "I like your new shirt - how much was it?" "It was only fifteen pounds."· I can't remember how much the flight cost. I think it was around $400.
if something is done, sold etc at a cost of a particular amount, that is how much it costs - used especially in news reports: · Surveys are being conducted in 10 European States at a cost of £50 million.
if something that you buy sets you back a particular amount of money, usually a large amount, that is how much it costs, especially when you think that it is very expensive: set somebody back £200/$400 etc: · A good quality saxophone will set you back at least £1000.set somebody back: · If she's hoping to buy a new sportscar, it's going to really set her back!
if a product is priced at a particular price that is how much the person who makes or sells it has decided it should cost: · The book, which is priced at £38, will be available in the shops from September.· I watched a demonstration of their new cordless phone, priced at $350.
to cost a particular amount of money - use this especially when you think this is more than it is worth: sell for £400/$600 etc: · Clothes with designer labels sell for ridiculous prices nowadays.· Houses in this area are selling for over $400,000.go for £100/$250 etc: · Watches like that are going for about £15 in the market.go to somebody for £100/$250 etc: · The painting finally went to a private collector for $60 million.
if something fetches a particular price, it is sold for that price or someone receives that amount of money by selling it, especially at a public sale: fetch £40/$500 etc: · It's a very old car, but I'm still hoping it'll fetch around £200.· Van Gogh's "Sunflowers' was expected to fetch more than $20 million.
British spoken use this to ask what the total cost of something is, especially a job someone has already done for you or something you have already received: · "The mechanic's just about finished working on your car, sir." "Thanks, and what's the damage?"·
very much very much: · She's changed a lot since she's been here.· "How does your arm feel?" "It still hurts a lot."· I like her a lot, but I don't think I'm in love with her.a lot better/worse/bigger/more etc: · Their new house is a lot bigger than their old one.· The tickets were a lot more expensive than we expected.a whole lot/an awful lot: · I like the people a whole lot, but the pay isn't very good.
use this especially to talk about people's feelings: · "Do you like living in Rome?" "Yes, very much."like/admire/miss etc somebody very much: · Lara liked being at college, but she missed her family very much.like/enjoy something very much: · We enjoyed the play very much - it was really well done.very much wish/hope/doubt etc formal: · I doubt very much that he'll still be here in November.
formal very much - use this especially to talk about changes, improvements, or differences: · Her work has improved a good deal over the past year.· By the next morning the swelling had already gone down a great deal.a good/great deal better/worse/bigger/more etc: · The situation was a good deal worse than we had first thought.
/a fair bit British by a fairly large degree: · She's quite a bit shorter than I remembered.· Jim has improved quite a bit since he came home from the hospital.· The estimates were a fair bit higher than what the final figure was.
especially spoken a lot - use this especially to talk about your feelings: · I really like your new haircut.· We really enjoy having a few friends over for dinner every once in a while.· What really annoys me is the way he never apologizes when he's late.
formal a lot: · We greatly regret having caused you so much trouble and inconvenience.· The recent talks have greatly improved relations between North and South Korea.· I think we have all benefited greatly from Helen's knowledge and experience.be greatly affected/amused/influenced etc: · The students were greatly amused by Professor Unwin's remark.· Critics say that the report's figures are greatly exaggerated.
use this especially when you are saying how much you love, want, or admire something or someone: · It's two years since Tony died. I miss him so much.· I wanted so much to go with him, but he wouldn't let me come.· Wordsworth returned to the lakes and hills that he loved so much.so much better/worse/more etc: · I really like the living room arranged this way so much better than the way we used to have it.
use this in questions and negatives and in comparisons and before phrases with 'too': · Has he changed much?· "Did you enjoy the show?" "Not much."much better/worse/bigger/more etc: · You get a much better view if you stand on a chair.· His family is much more important to him than his career.much too big/old/tall etc: · The test was much too difficult for most of the students.· You're working much too hard, and you're letting the boss take advantage of you.
use this to emphasize that you mean 'very much': · His English has improved tremendously.· I admire your mother enormously.· Prices can vary enormously from state to state.· Since the law was changed, the number of credit unions has grown tremendously.
use this when you are talking about a change or difference that is big enough to be important: · In New York and Los Angeles violent crime decreased significantly.· All ovens are different, and cooking times can vary significantly.significantly higher/lower/more etc: · Students who had completed the program scored significantly higher on standardized tests.
too much or too many use this about amounts or costs: · Jim drinks too much.· That kid talks too much.· You spend too much time worrying about things.far/way too much: · I'm sure my parents paid way too much for the land.· The surveys took up far too much time, and they were difficult to understand.too much for: · There was too much baggage for one person to carry.
use this about number of people or things: · I've brought some more chairs - I hope I didn't bring too many.· She can't come - she says she has too many things to do.far/way too many: · Far too many postgraduate students never finish their projects once begun.too many for: · There were too many bags for one person to carry.
formal too much of something: · an excess of alcohol· An excess of fertilizer is harmful to trees and other garden plants.
a situation in which there is too much of a product available at a particular time, which often results in the price of the product being cut: glut of: · A glut of bonds on the market pushed prices down.· When there is a glut of milk more products like yoghurt are made.
if you say that something is too much of a good thing , you mean that it would be good in small amounts but you have too much of it: · Many Koreans believe that the rush of foreign products may be too much of a good thing.· Getting six boxes of chocolates for my birthday was really too much of a good thing.
use this about an amount, cost, or level which is much too high, especially when you think it is wrong or unfair that it is so high: · The campaign is trying to stop the excessive use of chemicals in farming.· $10 for two cups of coffee seems excessive.· As usual, the opposition claims the government is guilty of excessive spending.
formal much more than is reasonable, especially when this is unfair to other people or means that other things are not given enough attention: · Scientists have been criticized for devoting an inordinate amount of time to research on animals.· a man of inordinate ambition
a situation in which something is done so much that it is no longer interesting or effective: · Of course, it's a serious disaster, but some of these sensational newspaper reports are just overkill.· Many felt that the money spent amounted to overkill, and that a cheaper, less glossy advertising campaign would have been just as effective.
not good-looking not nice to look at - use this as a less direct way of saying someone is unattractive: · He's a nice guy, but not very good-looking.
not nice to look at and not sexually attractive in a physical way: · Like many teenage girls, she was worried that she was unattractive.· He wasn't a particularly attractive man, but there was something about him that women liked.find somebody unattractive (=think that someone is unattractive): · She was crazy about Carl, and couldn't understand why we found him unattractive.
someone who is plain , especially a woman, is not ugly but is not at all good-looking: · Catherine, who had been rather plain as a child, was now an attractive young woman.· Miles was the plain one in an otherwise good-looking family.
American someone who is homely is not at all good-looking: · The waitress was a homely girl from Kansas.· Brad was a serious boy, very ordinary-looking but not downright homely.
if you say that someone is not much to look at , you mean that they are not good-looking, especially when other things about them are attractive: · Edward's not much to look at, but he has a great personality.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY There was too much work for one person. It would cost far too much to have the thing repaired. It was such a small thing to have caused so much trouble. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Oh, not much, really.’ There’s nothing much we can do to help. I don’t think much of that idea (=I do not think it is good). The car may not be much to look at (=it does not look good) but it’s very reliable. It’s the best book he’s written, but that’s not saying much (=none of his books is very good).COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The lunchtime menu is more than adequate to satisfy the biggest appetite. Lewis was much admired for his work on medieval literature. The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. This latest problem is altogether more serious. He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. The thief got more than he bargained for, as Mr Cox tripped him up with his walking stick. We now have a much better understanding of the disease. Can we have a bit less noise, please? They’re worth quite a bit more than I thought. I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (=a lot of them). ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’ McKellen’s performance had much to commend it (=was very good). The two games have much in common. A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups (=they are very worried about it). Dr Belson had been more than content for them to deal with any difficulties. After much deliberation, first prize was awarded to Derek Murray. You’ve had more than enough time to make all the preparations. I loved him every bit as much as she did. I enjoyed it far more than I expected. That’s far too much to pay. It would take me far too long to explain. China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers. Her headaches are becoming less frequent. This concept is discussed more fully in Chapter 9. Becoming a doctor never interested him. It was too much like hard work (=it would involve too much work). We don’t hear anything of him these days. A degree is more of a hindrance than a help in British industry. Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement. I really want the car, however much it costs. a better, more humane world Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. It’s incredible how much Tom has changed since he met Sally. Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely). Social class matters a lot less than it used to. It costs much less to go by bus. My experience is very much like that described in the book. He’s growing more like his father every day. She’s a lovely girl and I like her very much. I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Would you like a little more milk in your coffee? We’ll have to wait a little longer to see what happens. His voice was little more than a whisper. In 1941, her much-loved sister was killed in an accident. Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. The good days more than make up for the bad ones. a much maligned politician I don’t think it matters much what you study. You don’t miss much, do you (=you are good at noticing things)? ‘It’s going to be fine,’ replied David, with as much confidence as he could muster. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. a much needed boost to the local economy He had nothing more to say. ‘What did you do last weekend?’ ‘Oh, nothing much.’ Canada has much to offer in terms of location and climate. Their success owes more to good luck than to careful management. Pearson’s work owed much to the research of his friend, Hugh Kingsmill. There are plenty more chairs in the next room. We shall be contributing as much as we possibly can to the campaign. Lathes make wheels, or, more precisely, they make cylindrical objects. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre. The task proved to be rather more difficult than I had expected. British English The furniture is made in much the same (=almost the same) way as it was 200 years ago. Africa’s second highest mountain We had to wait several more weeks before the results arrived. a slightly more powerful engine The band is popular and likely to become more so. Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so. a much sought-after defense lawyer What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. I just can’t take any more (=can’t deal with a bad situation any longer). Thank you very much, Brian. Thanks very much for your help. Amanda is far too young to get married. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession. They employ 90 people, twice as many as last year. It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding. There’s little sign that the much-vaunted IT investment is pulling France out of recession. I feel a lot better – thank you very much. Do you know how much it weighs? Without so much as a word of thanks, Ben turned and went back into the office (=he did not even say thank you as he should have done). Do you know how much the ring is worth? He got a call from the factory, telling of yet more problems. Inflation had risen to a yet higher level.
There was too much work for one person. It would cost far too much to have the thing repaired. It was such a small thing to have caused so much trouble. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Oh, not much, really.’ There’s nothing much we can do to help. I don’t think much of that idea (=I do not think it is good). The car may not be much to look at (=it does not look good) but it’s very reliable. It’s the best book he’s written, but that’s not saying much (=none of his books is very good). The lunchtime menu is more than adequate to satisfy the biggest appetite. Lewis was much admired for his work on medieval literature. The amount of crime is about half as much again (=the same in addition to half that amount) as it was in 1973. (=I agree completely) ‘We have to talk.’ ‘Absolutely,’ Meredith replied. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’
‘We have to talk.’ ‘Absolutely,’ Meredith replied. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’ This latest problem is altogether more serious.· He got up and sang 'Yellow Submarine', much to everyone’s amusement.
He seemed most anxious to speak to me alone. The thief got more than he bargained for, as Mr Cox tripped him up with his walking stick.· He sometimes felt the grief was more than he could bear.
We now have a much better understanding of the disease. Can we have a bit less noise, please? They’re worth quite a bit more than I thought. (=it is too difficult to be worth doing)
I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (=a lot of them). ‘Not smoking has made a real difference.’ ‘It most certainly has.’· The prisoners knew there was little chance of escape.
(=there is some other explanation)· When I saw him a third time, I realized it was more than just coincidence.
McKellen’s performance had much to commend it (=was very good). The two games have much in common. A new power station is being built much to the consternation of environmental groups (=they are very worried about it). Dr Belson had been more than content for them to deal with any difficulties.· Second hand clothes don’t cost much.
(=very badly hurt or ill and almost dead)· He was swept up onto a beach after three days at sea, more dead than alive.
After much deliberation, first prize was awarded to Derek Murray. (also to somebody’s great delight) (=used to say that something gave someone a lot of pleasure)· The princess stopped to talk to people, much to the delight of the crowd.
(also be in great demand) (=be wanted by a lot of people)· Fuel-efficient cars are now much in demand.
· Check our website for more details.
(=used to say that something had a bad effect rather than a good one)· I followed his advice but it did more harm than good.
You’ve had more than enough time to make all the preparations.· There was considerable enthusiasm for the idea of a party.
I loved him every bit as much as she did. (=the best)· George Best was one of the most exceptional footballers of all time.
(=very exceptional)· A child will only be removed from the parental home in the most exceptional of cases.
(=one that is probably true)· The most likely explanation is that John missed the bus.· The most probable explanation is that the water was contaminated.
British English Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary.
Chris’s behaviour that morning was quite extraordinary. I enjoyed it far more than I expected. That’s far too much to pay. It would take me far too long to explain. China’s most-favored-nation trading status with the US We’ve been more fortunate than a lot of farmers. Her headaches are becoming less frequent. This concept is discussed more fully in Chapter 9. Becoming a doctor never interested him. It was too much like hard work (=it would involve too much work). (=cause more problems rather than improve a situation)· If you don’t warm up properly, exercise may do more harm than good.
We don’t hear anything of him these days. A degree is more of a hindrance than a help in British industry. Negotiators aren’t holding out much hope of a peaceful settlement. (=used to ask the price of something) How much are the tickets?
How much are the tickets? I really want the car, however much it costs. a better, more humane world Most importantly, you must keep a record of everything you do. It’s incredible how much Tom has changed since he met Sally.· For more information, visit our website.
Thank you for your help. You’ve been most kind (=said when thanking someone very politely). Social class matters a lot less than it used to. It costs much less to go by bus. My experience is very much like that described in the book. He’s growing more like his father every day. She’s a lovely girl and I like her very much.· At this age, boys were more likely than girls to be active in sports.
(=very likely)· She'll be late, more than likely.
I’d very likely have done the same thing in your situation. Would you like a little more milk in your coffee? We’ll have to wait a little longer to see what happens. His voice was little more than a whisper. (=used to say that you could make your situation much worse) These youngsters know they have too much to lose by protesting against the system.
These youngsters know they have too much to lose by protesting against the system. In 1941, her much-loved sister was killed in an accident.· They were obviously very much in love.
· I hope you have more luck in the next competition.
Over 80,000 people attended, making it the biggest sporting event in the area. The good days more than make up for the bad ones. a much maligned politician I don’t think it matters much what you study. You don’t miss much, do you (=you are good at noticing things)? ‘It’s going to be fine,’ replied David, with as much confidence as he could muster. At the time, accepting his offer had seemed the most natural thing in the world. a much needed boost to the local economy (=only a few, only a little etc) Not much is known about the disease. Not many people have read the report.
Not much is known about the disease. Not many people have read the report. He had nothing more to say. ‘What did you do last weekend?’ ‘Oh, nothing much.’ (=more than once)· She stayed out all night on more than one occasion.
Canada has much to offer in terms of location and climate. Their success owes more to good luck than to careful management. Pearson’s work owed much to the research of his friend, Hugh Kingsmill. There are plenty more chairs in the next room. (=what is more important)· When did she leave, and, more to the point, why?
We shall be contributing as much as we possibly can to the campaign. (=do practice)· I’m not a very good dancer. I haven’t had enough practice.
Lathes make wheels, or, more precisely, they make cylindrical objects. The building will be replaced, most probably by a modern sports centre. The task proved to be rather more difficult than I had expected. British English· We very much regret that there will be job losses.
(=look or seem rather like something)· The building resembled nothing so much as giant beehive.
The furniture is made in much the same (=almost the same) way as it was 200 years ago.· After her initial difficulties she has made a very satisfactory recovery.
Africa’s second highest mountain (=see someone more or less often) They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London.
They’ve seen more of each other since Dan moved to London. We had to wait several more weeks before the results arrived. a slightly more powerful engine The band is popular and likely to become more so. Jerry is very honest, perhaps too much so. a much sought-after defense lawyer (=used to say that you prefer something) I don’t think the parachuting weekend is for me – the art class is more my style.
I don’t think the parachuting weekend is for me – the art class is more my style. What surprised me most was that she didn’t seem to care. I just can’t take any more (=can’t deal with a bad situation any longer). Thank you very much, Brian. Thanks very much for your help. Amanda is far too young to get married. A battered old guitar was his most treasured possession. (=easily)· The work was carried out without any trouble.
They employ 90 people, twice as many as last year.· We live in a very unfair world.
It’s most unfortunate (=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding.· It’s highly unlikely that he’ll survive.
· Gandhi was a most unusual politician.
There’s little sign that the much-vaunted IT investment is pulling France out of recession. I feel a lot better – thank you very much.· She very much wanted to do the right thing.
Do you know how much it weighs? Without so much as a word of thanks, Ben turned and went back into the office (=he did not even say thank you as he should have done).· Conditions were much worse in rural areas.
Do you know how much the ring is worth? He got a call from the factory, telling of yet more problems. Inflation had risen to a yet higher level.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► there is not much in it► it was as much as somebody could do to do something► be a bit much/be too much► as muchPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► as much/as many/the same again► not amount to much/anything/a great deal etc► at your best/worst/most effective etc► not be much cop► couldn’t be better/worse/more pleased etc► cut no ice/not cut much ice► the biggest/tallest/most expensive etc ... on earth► there are plenty more fish in the sea► more fool you/him etc► have nothing/not much/a lot etc going for somebody/something► no good/not much good/not any good► no more Mr Nice Guy!► more haste less speed► more something than you’ve had hot dinners► too much information!► it’s more than my job’s worth► without so much as a by your leave► that’s more like it/this is more like it► as long as you like/as much as you like etc► more than a little/not a little► somebody doesn’t have much meat on him/her► need I ask/need I say more/need I go on etc?► next biggest/most common etc► once more/once again► in large part/for the most part► more ... than the rest/the others/everything else put together► a lot/something/not much etc to be said for (doing) something► not have much to say for yourself► be more sinned against than sinning► there's more than one way to skin a cat► be not so much ... as ...► more in sorrow than in anger► have more than one string to your bow► not have much up top► (and) what’s more
1a large amount of something: - Despite the forecast, it wasn't much of a storm.
- I'm not much of a dancer.
- A small blemish on the tape of a song or movie may not be much of a problem.
- All the bullying and back-stabbing in the office was simply too much for him.
- Climbing the stairs is too much for Maisie who is in her 90s.
- The job was too much for any single manager to cope with.
- But often this effort of concentration was too much for me.
- But three thousand is too much for now.
- I suspected that, deep down, the various emotional themes that Hannah played out were too much for Bruno.
- It was too much for Quinn.
- The memories were too much for her.
- This was too much for me.
- Working conditions may not be up to much, and as a casual employee you can be fired at short notice.
- Archaeological analyses say as much about the interpreters as about the extinct cultures.
- Even the defense attorneys who went up against him said as much.
- He felt convinced that Aeneas was the son-in-law Faunus had predicted, and he said as much to the envoys.
- He said as much to Katherine on their second evening together.
- He said as much when he finally let things loose.
- Kennedy said as much in the summer of 1961, when he met Khrushchev in Vienna.
- The women stood in silence, glad of each other's presence and without the need to say as much.
- They will do and say as much as they dare, to get the client's money.
- I never received so much as a reply.
- The car survived the accident without so much as a dent.
- He had never had a day of sickness, not so much as a cold.
- How could we have put their bag into ours without so much as a single check?
- I, who had traveled all that long day on that train without so much as a cheese in my pocket?
- It is a matter of tone, not so much as content.
- So far in Rajasthan, I had not so much as nodded to another female.
- That he had dumped her without a word, without so much as a goodbye.
- We got our six appearances, and not so much as one drop-by or mix-and-mingle extra.
- When they go straight to bed without so much as ordering a toasted sandwich or spending money at the bar.
- So much for 3.75% Profit Share figures and so much for staff motivation.
- Thank you so much for coming.
- Thank you so much for your encouragement in the past.
- That diagnosis is not so much for therapeutic reasons as for administrative and management purposes.
- The boys have been lovely and Kenneth has done so much for me.
- The method she resorted to was novel, not so much for the times but for her.
- Together with the right kind of support we could have fun together and achieve so much for ourselves and our diocese.
- We take the railways so much for granted.
- I'll say this much for him, he was consistent until the end.
- But Catherine, 31, and 56-year-old Fatal Attraction star Michael spent more than half as much again.
- But they want to raise at least as much again for work on related disorders.
- In school we are spending nearly half as much again, in real terms per pupil, as in 1979.
- Social Progress Health spending is half as much again as it was in 1979, after taking account of inflation.
- That could be nearly as much again.
- The Government is spending over half as much again more than Labour did when they were last in power.
- The line shot out, half as much again.
- This is half as much again as last year.
- By the way, how much does it cost to use the swimming pool?
- Do you realize how much trouble you caused?
- How much did your jeans cost?
- How much money do I owe you?
- How much nitrogen is there in the air?
- I'll get you some paint if you tell me how much you need.
- That's a beautiful rug -- how much did you pay for it?
- You received $50,000. How much of that money is still in your bank account?
- An on-screen gauge shows how much ink is left in each cartridge.
- Cast off a calculation determining how much space copy will take up when typeset.
- Everything gets registered by Mr Sorley so he knows how much work we've done and how much to bill the clients.
- I wondered how much this contributed to his aggression generally.
- Some things must be done before others, and this limits how much faster a multiprocessor computer can chug along.
- The High Court has also addressed the question of how much information such statements should contain.
- The problem is: how much of this picture can we trust?
- With a direct debit the person receiving payment tells your branch how much is due and when.
- The company has made much of its environmental advances.
- Feminists in particular make much of the social disadvantage under which women suffer.
- He makes much of contacts with social scientists in allied fields.
- In those interviews, Margaret Thatcher has made much of science and technology.
- Is he wise to say, and make much of it, that people come up and tell him so?
- Mrs Thatcher has made much of Britain's scientific brilliance and innovative poverty.
- Prevention education has been unable to halt this behavior, or even to make much of a dent in it.
- She knows the team is too young and too raw to make much of a showing this season.
- So far they are not making much of a fist of it.
- Analysts say Athens accounted for as much as 10 per cent of investment by emerging market funds.
- It plans to slash as much as 10 percent of its payroll.
- Led by Microsoft, the Nasdaq Composite Index rose as much as 10. 63 to 1017. 87.
- The biggest of beetles, the hercules, reaches the same sort of size and weighs as much as 100 grams.
- The bonus portion alone has amounted to as much as 100 percent or more of base earnings.
- The difference between these two - the full spread - can be as much as 10 or 11 percent.
- The Nasdaq Composite Index fell for a third day, dropping as much as 10. 53 to 988. 29.
- These segments remain attached while they mature, eventually forming a chain that may be as much as 10 metres long.
- And without more ado he booked his one-way ticket.
- Left leaderless, the city surrendered to Bustamante without further ado.
- Stan then moved closer to Melanie, and a major fight erupted without further ado.
- The emptying of the house could therefore no longer be postponed and Charlotte had decided to put matters in hand without further ado.
- The selection board interviewed him and rejected his application without further ado.
- Then, without more ado, he loaded the horses into the trailer.
- Then, without more ado, he turned on his heel and left, slamming the door behind him.
- He offsets Roberts' operatic evil with a performance that commands all the more notice for its minimalism.
- His job was made all the more easier by drivers who hadn't bothered to take measures to stop people like him.
- If there is some meat left on the bones, all the better.
- It makes it all the more opportune.
- Superb defence by Karpov, all the more praiseworthy in that he was now in desperate time trouble.
- The dispute was all the more bitter because a prize was at stake.
- The inadequacy and treachery of the old leaderships of the working class have made the need all the more imperative.
- Weather experts say it was a relatively dry winter which makes the water recovery all the more remarkable.
- If it makes illegal drug use even more difficult, so much the better.
- You can use dried parsley, but if you have fresh, so much the better.
- And if I am Peter, so much the better.
- And if that can change things, so much the better Female speaker He's the little man having a kick.
- But if I can manage with fewer trips to the store, so much the better.
- If love eventually grows, so much the better.
- If they are alive so much the better, but they can be persuaded to take dead ones.
- If they can fit in with the room's general style, so much the better.
- If we can improve the team another way, so much the better.
- So a single fluorescent tube will be adequate, and if you have used floating plants, so much the better.
- But maybe total understanding of everything is a bit much to ask of a tiny human mind.
- But seeing the little fellow lying there in sauce, sauteed, was a bit much.
- But to rise from the grave was a bit much even for Nixon.
- Many kids who leave home to live alone find they have bitten off more than they can chew.
- There isn't much call for typewriters since computers got easier to use.
- Actually, a damn sight more than from that stiff gherkin Smott.
- I prefer my women a little older and a damn sight more sober.
- Perhaps not up there with Wilburforce but a damn sight more daring than anything Diana ever did!
- Tim's had more than his fair share of bad luck this year.
- A TU154 weighs a third more and consumes half as much fuel again as its Western equivalent, the Boeing 727.
- Even allowing for O'Donovan doing half as much business, this would mean 3000 tonnes of toxic waste leaving Ireland a year.
- He will not worry about the quality if he does half as much on Saturday.
- The fly therefore produces half as much sperm as normal.
- The safety mattress also produced only half as much carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
- These kids only have half as much cerebral cortex as is normal.
- They looked like equine stock, but they were half as big again as any horse that Rostov had ever encountered.
- But cars are about half as much again as in Britain.
- But Catherine, 31, and 56-year-old Fatal Attraction star Michael spent more than half as much again.
- In school we are spending nearly half as much again, in real terms per pupil, as in 1979.
- Social Progress Health spending is half as much again as it was in 1979, after taking account of inflation.
- The Government is spending over half as much again more than Labour did when they were last in power.
- The line shot out, half as much again.
- They looked like equine stock, but they were half as big again as any horse that Rostov had ever encountered.
- This is half as much again as last year.
- Bob's idea of a balanced diet left something to be desired.
- His treatment of capital and profits left much to be desired.
- On the campaign trail, his oratorical skills have left much to be desired.
- On theoretical grounds, however, it leaves much to be desired.
- The quality of research in the area of child abuse still leaves much to be desired.
- To some degree they have been hampered by courses of study and lesson plans thai leave something to be desired.
- While the woodwind and low strings were reasonably well replicated, the violins, timpani and brass left much to be desired.
- Yet, as a match, it left something to be desired.
- The average person is unlikely to pick up this type of book, much less read it.
- Equally, science would be much less advanced than it is if the only available data were intuitive estimates of quantities.
- Half a century earlier his behaviour would have seemed much more normal and aroused much less criticism.
- In the end, the tax brought in much less revenue than originally forecast.
- On the battlefield armament was still much less important than discipline and fighting spirit.
- She could not afford the bus fare to see a doctor, much less his fee.
- The grouping of other languages of the world-and even of their number-is much less clear.
- There is not much chance of finding a razor blade, much less using it in the appropriate way.
- There was to be no pause for reflection, nor - much less - for a changeover from military to civilian rule.
- As Compaq's products become more like other firms', they are starting to look overpriced.
- Cyrix says the computer actually performs more like a 200 megahertz Pentium-based machine.
- It seems more like a bad motel in Jersey City.
- Neither a club nor a knife: something more like a rowing oar, perhaps, considering our location.
- People begin to act more like themselves again.
- The seven children there had seemed more like seventeen.
- This was more like a pause in the struggle.
- While Tyrone is more like Michael Owen on a doughnut and Viagra diet.
- Arguing more like it, or rowing.
- Beatific would be more like it.
- Done off, more like it.
- I thought, hang on, this is more like it.
- Just plain sappy is more like it.
- That was more like it, I thought.-Good, I said.
- The Shirkers was more like it.
- Turned myself inside out is more like it.
- Edward's not much to look at, but he has a great personality.
- Guel made the most of her time on court.
- Chuck Levy, meanwhile, was in for 40 offensive plays and made the most of them.
- Enjoy, and make the most of, the benefits that this publicity can bring to you.
- He made the most of it, continuing to dance.
- Meanwhile, Vistec is making the most of the recession and has a Pounds 4m cash pile.
- She made the most of it.
- So what they do is make the most of each player, maximizing their talent.
- The challenge in this book is to make the most of human relationships without becoming a victim. 2.
- Ward objectives will give her guidance in making the most of each allocation.
- He was making too much of the whole thing.
- How a pop star looks is made too much of, though, the way some people are about it.
- It is possible to make too much of all this.
- Jasper thought I made too much of her.
- Of course, I make too much of this.
- One shouldn't make too much of them, but then again, they need watching.
- She makes too much of that cat, Daisy thought, for a young woman that is.
- She tried not to make too much of the moment.
- Matt, you need some more meat on your bones!
- "I didn't know he wrote poetry." "Yes -- he also does painting. There's more to him than meets the eye."
- It looks like a simple case of burglary, but there may be more to it than meets the eye.
- People think of Bradford as a dull industrial city, but there is more to it than meets the eye.
- "Do you mind if I bring Tony?" "Nah, the more the merrier."
- Now Miller Brewing is joining the ranks of the more the merrier.
- This might appeal to investors who figure that when it comes to fund choices, the more the merrier.
- I can't really recommend any particular hotel. They're all much of a muchness.
- I do everything for him, and he's never so much as made me a cup of coffee.
- Clarisa had never so much as dusted his butt with baby powder.
- He never so much as twitched.
- Naturally he had never so much as whispered this phrase to a living soul.
- Tesla was told firmly that he must never so much as mention the subject of alternating current.
- They passed a hundred yards away and never so much as changed course to take a closer look.
- Madam Deputy Speaker: I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman.
- I'm afraid this car doesn't belong to me, more's the pity.
- Now I'm too old to fall in love, more's the pity.
- The new staff are all women, more's the pity.
- General Motors and Ford have not been dogged by raiders - more's the pity.
- No Jane Carlyle, more's the pity.
- So, more's the pity, are men like Sir Gordon Reece.
- They don't make films like his anymore - more's the pity.
- A condition to be rectified as quickly as possible if she didn't want to be labelled a freak, or worse.
- Archibol was committed to relieving himself of the distraction of Isaac as quickly as possible.
- Experts do recommend that parents also put their babies in other positions as much as possible while awake.
- Preston avoided travelling by tube as much as possible, but sometimes it was forced upon him.
- Smokers, stop as quickly as possible and do not smoke in the presence of others.
- The food is freshly cooked using produce from the kitchen garden and local produce as much as possible.
- The Super Bowl was an outgrowth of the desire to take advantage of the merger as quickly as possible.
- In 1992, Clinton had pretty much wrapped up the Democratic nomination by Super Tuesday.
- It seemed to be pretty much an open and shut case of accidental death, apart from the problem of identifying him.
- Once we would arrive at a place, Alistair seemed to leave Judy pretty much on her own.
- Otherwise you have to walk the half block, but then you can see them pretty well.
- Our point here is that at an abstract level, every organization values pretty much the same things.
- Since I was there six years ago some things have changed and others have remained pretty much the same.
- They have timed the deal pretty well, and not just from a weather outlook.
- They know me pretty well here.
- But that's all the more reason why we should go off this time with a car well filled, eh?
- If some material is lost already, that is all the more reason to stop a lapse becoming a loophole.
- That means there is all the more reason to oppose the willed destruction of old things.
- That possibility is all the more reason to end the conflict soon.
- This is all the more reason to find a more democratic way of deciding the state for the first primary.
- The hotel has little except price to recommend it.
- An alternative approach-optical fibre - has much to recommend it.
- As such, it has much to recommend it.
- But in terms of an effective solution the voting method has little to recommend it.
- In principle this format has much to recommend it, but in this case the practice has not been successful.
- It is plain that, in the long run, the gentle art of compromise has much to recommend it.
- Nevertheless, the principle of chisel ploughing has much to recommend it in the right conditions.
- Such a way of proceeding has much to recommend it, but scant progress has been made in that direction.
- This cooperative family decision-making has much to recommend it.
- Temperatures were in the mid-80s today; expect more of the same for the weekend.
- In these still pools, more of the same kind of clay is laid down.
- The abolition of the poll tax is widely welcomed until we consider what will replace it - simply more of the same.
- Their views are the old ones: more of the same will get us there.
- There was more of the same in the drawers.
- This is more of the same.
- When they died it was more of the same.
- Females say no more often than males, 63. 5 percent compared with 21. 6 percent.
- For the rest of the afternoon Vladimir said no more.
- She said no more about it, but I knew she worried when these unexplained absences occurred.
- She said no more, but her thoughts were bitter.
- She says no more than this.
- She told Clarissa to stay put and say no more until she herself came round to Clarissa's flat.
- The Secretary of State says no more money so that's that.
- And he's got guts, I 'll say that for him.
- He was a demon wonder at finding food, I 'll say that for Vern.
- I 'll say that for Lorne.
- Better than Alex O'Neal's offering, but that's not saying much.
- Actually, a damn sight more than from that stiff gherkin Smott.
- I prefer my women a little older and a damn sight more sober.
- If he listened to Anthony Scrivener, he would be a darned sight better.
- Perhaps not up there with Wilburforce but a damn sight more daring than anything Diana ever did!
- The Galapagos finch was a darn sight more valuable than Sandra Willmot.
- We were a darned sight better than them.
- So far in Rajasthan, I had not so much as nodded to another female.
- He had never had a day of sickness, not so much as a cold.
- How could we have put their bag into ours without so much as a single check?
- I, who had traveled all that long day on that train without so much as a cheese in my pocket?
- It is a matter of tone, not so much as content.
- That he had dumped her without a word, without so much as a goodbye.
- We got our six appearances, and not so much as one drop-by or mix-and-mingle extra.
- When they go straight to bed without so much as ordering a toasted sandwich or spending money at the bar.
- So much for getting up early every morning.
- I can't get it off the pan - so much for it being nonstick.
- Thank you so much for coming.
- Thank you so much for your encouragement in the past.
- That diagnosis is not so much for therapeutic reasons as for administrative and management purposes.
- The boys have been lovely and Kenneth has done so much for me.
- The method she resorted to was novel, not so much for the times but for her.
- Together with the right kind of support we could have fun together and achieve so much for ourselves and our diocese.
- We take the railways so much for granted.
- There's only so much you can do with hair this fine.
- A human being can undergo only so many changes and take in only so many experiences.
- I think there was only so much fun to go round, only so much and no more available.
- It told him it was grass, and grass could hide only so much.
- The greens were rougher then, and there was only so much good putting you could do on them.
- The truth is there is only so much preparation you can do.
- There's only so much you can cling to - your credibility, your belief in small cottage industries - whatever.
- Aaron will finally be earning some more money.
- I think we still need to practice some more.
- Would you like some more pie?
- And every so often a transvestite would swagger past, some more obvious than others.
- But ah, how I need some more engaging puzzle to occupy my mind today.
- If the rice is still not cooked, add some more water.
- It s going to take a bit of time for the factories to dole us out some more.
- Obviously, there are some more things for me to think about now.
- The home market might be worried about it, and some more people are looking toward clones than Apple product.
- We listened some more, and as the darkness closed in Stuart sat on my lap and snuggled closer.
- Yet there were other new ideas that jostled together in his brain for some more prominent recognition.
- And I sowed seeds and grew plants and trees so that that place would be still more beautiful.
- But the consumer could benefit still further.
- Clio engineers sought to improve still further on these virtues.
- His adversaries include still more cossacks, a border guard or two, a rabbi, and a pugilist.
- I had eaten four or five slices of bread without satisfying my hunger, so I reached for still another slice.
- Rape is a staple in pagan myth, and killing still more commonplace.
- The incentive to borrow was raised still further by a reduction in the costs of bankruptcy and an increase in market liquidity.
- With the passage of the Poor Law Amendment Act in 1834 the condition of labourers deteriorated still further.
- Or is the organisation more than the sum of its parts?
- "Andy failed his driving test." "I thought as much when I saw his face."
- I must confess I felt a trifle guilty about your lonely watch: nothing to report? I thought as much.
- I don't think much of that new restaurant.
- He did not think much of the lectures.
- He does not think much of the Midwest, which he calls a backward, dumb but snobbish place.
- He does not think much of the students or professors either.
- Later I gathered she did not think much of my manners.
- Most of the time at work I just answer the phone and type letters.
- Most of the time he's a really nice guy, but sometimes he can be really nasty.
- Most of the time people vote for the party that offers them financial advantages.
- Our two-year-old is happy most of the time, but he wakes up from his naps in an awful mood.
- This place is really busy most of the time.
- And it works too, most of the time.
- Dewar looked gloomy most of the time, being one of life's pessimists.
- Even after that, she continued to have headaches almost daily and felt nauseated most of the time.
- He took no shit from anybody, gambled constantly, and won most of the time.
- I don't like the way I look, most of the time, for all the reasons I've just given.
- Raskolnikov lives with his pain, but most of the time he doesn't focus on it.
- We were hungry and cold most of the time.
- Without visible failure most minds are closed most of the time.
- But often this effort of concentration was too much for me.
- But three thousand is too much for now.
- I suspected that, deep down, the various emotional themes that Hannah played out were too much for Bruno.
- It was too much for Quinn.
- The memories were too much for her.
- This was too much for me.
- It was like Hi De Hi backstage, very much so.
I don’t have much money with me. Was there much traffic? He didn’t say much about his trip. Do you get much chance to travel in your job? After much consideration we have finally arrived at a decision.much of Much of the city was destroyed in the attack.(far/rather/a little) too much There was too much work for one person. It would cost far too much to have the thing repaired. It was such a small thing to have caused so much trouble.2how much used to ask or talk about the amount or cost of something: How much is that dress? How much flour should I use in the sauce? I know how much hard work goes into looking after a baby.3as much an amount that is equal and not lessas much (...) as I hope you have as much fun as I did. Just do as much as you can.4as much as 10/100 etc used to emphasize how surprisingly large an amount is: Some machines cost as much as £20,000.5used in negative expressions to say that something is not important, interesting, good etcnot/nothing much ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Oh, not much, really.’ There’s nothing much we can do to help. I don’t think much of that idea (=I do not think it is good). The car may not be much to look at (=it does not look good) but it’s very reliable. It’s the best book he’s written, but that’s not saying much (=none of his books is very good).6not be much of a something to not be a good example of something or not be very good at something: I’m not much of a dancer, I’m afraid. It wasn’t really much of a storm.7be too much for somebody to be too difficult for someone to do or bear: The effort of climbing the stairs had been too much for the old man. The shock had been too much for her – she never recovered.8not be up to much British English spoken to be fairly bad: The restaurant’s very grand but the food isn’t up to much.9there is not much in it informal used to say that there is little difference between two things or amounts: ‘Isn’t the woollen carpet more expensive?’ ‘A little, perhaps, but there’s not much in it.’10think/say etc as much to think or say the thing that has just been mentioned: Carson strongly disapproved of the plan and said as much at the meeting. ‘Max was lying all the time.’ ‘ I thought as much.’11it was as much as somebody could do to do something used to say that someone only succeeded in doing something with great difficulty: He looked so stupid, it was as much as I could do to stop myself from laughing.12not/without so much as something used when you are surprised or annoyed that someone did not do something: They left without so much as saying goodbye. He’d received not so much as a thank you from Tiffany.13so much for something used to say that a particular action, idea, statement etc was not useful or did not produce the result that was hoped for: He’s late again. So much for good intentions.14I’ll say this/that much for somebody/something used when saying one good thing about someone or something when they are being criticized a lot: Well, he does admit it when he’s wrong, I’ll say that much for him.15as much again an additional amount that is equal: The car only cost me £1,500 but it cost as much again to get it insured.16be a bit much/be too much British English spoken used to say that someone’s behaviour is unacceptable or impolite: It’s a bit much expecting you to pay for it all.17make much of somebody/something formal to treat a person or thing as though you think they are very important or special: The press made much of the discovery. They’ve always made much of their nephews and nieces.GRAMMAR• Much is mainly used in questions and negative sentences, or after too or so: · Was there much snow?· There’s not much time left.· You’ve used too much soap.• Much sounds very formal in positive statements. It is usually better to say a lot of: · There was a lot of food left. ✗Don’t say: There was much food left.• You use much before uncountable nouns: · I don’t have much money.• You use many before plural nouns: · There are too many advertisements on TV. ✗Don’t say: There are too much advertisements on TV.