past1 adjectivepast2 preposition, adverbpast3 noun
pastpast1 /pɑːst $ pæst/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective 
WORD ORIGINpast1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old past participle of passEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- For the past two weeks, I've been doing my boss's job while she's away on business.
- Groups have put a lot into past projects, and have always seen an excellent result.
- He's learned a lot from his past experience.
- Judging by her past performance, I'd say Rowena will do very well.
- The past few months have been very difficult for Mary.
- the past tense
- the enormous changes of the past 30 years
- The problems we face now are a result of past decisions.
- The time is past for us to continue ignoring our differences.
- We knew from past experience that the job would take at least two weeks.
- Productivity improvements over the past five years, admittedly from a very low base, have been highly impressive.
- Trafford education authority has received about £13 million in the past two years to help it reorganise and improve its schools.
Longman Language Activatorthe past
the time that existed before the present time: · My grandfather enjoys talking about the past.· There were several horse-drawn carriages, as a nostalgic reminder of the past.in the past (=during the time before now): · I decided to ask Anna, as she had always been very helpful in the past.· In the past, doctors seemed to have more time for their patients than they do today.the distant past (=a long time before the present): · The programme describes events which took place in the distant past, towards the end of the last ice-age.the recent past (=not a long time before the present): · It's hard to see events from the very recent past in their proper historical perspective.a thing of the past (=something that used to happen or exist, but does not any more): · For many people, a relaxing weekend has become a thing of the past.past mistakes: · Our goal was to learn from our past mistakes and to use the lessons on this project.·
past events, experiences etc happened before now: · He's learned a lot from his past experience.· Judging by her past performance, I'd say Rowena will do very well.· Groups have put a lot into past projects, and have always seen an excellent result.the past 10 years/2weeks etc (=the 10 years, 2 weeks etc before now): · The past few months have been very difficult for Mary.· For the past two weeks, I've been doing my boss's job while she's away on business.· the enormous changes of the past 30 years
all the things that have happened in the past all the things that have happened to someone in the past: · Greg didn't like to talk about his past, · The newspapers had been investigating the President's past, hoping to find some scandal.· The elegant buildings on the sea front give us a glimpse of Brighton's more glorious past.
all the things that have happened in the past, especially to a country, a town, or an organization: the history of something/something's history: · India has been invaded several times in its history.· a book about the history of the United Nations
all the things that a person, organization, country etc has done in the past, especially when talking about how good or bad they are: a good/bad/poor etc record: · As an employee, his record is outstanding.· The US had serious concerns over the country's poor human rights record.record of: · The department has a long record of high achievement.record on: · The industry's record on conservation is not very impressive.track record (=a record that shows how experienced or skilful a person or organization is): · HMA has a great track record of managing hospitals.
when something happened or was true in the past but not now if someone or something used to do something, they did it for a period of time in the past, or they did it regularly in the past, but they do not do it now: · "Do you smoke?" "No, but I used to."used to do something: · We used to live in Glasgow when I was young.there used to be: · Thirty years ago, there used to be a market in the town.never used to: · It never used to rain as much as this.didn't use to do something spoken: · I was surprised to see her driving - she didn't use to.used not to do something formal: · He used not to be so critical of other people's behaviour.
during a period of time in the past but not now - use this when it is not important to say exactly when this period was: · Apparently he once worked for the FBI.· It is a big city now, but at one time the population was only 50,000.· a sports car once owned by Paul McCartney
during a particular period of time in the past - use this when you are comparing that period with the present: · I was a student in the 1950s, and things were very different then.· At that time most married women stayed at home.
use this to talk about a situation that existed before the present time but does not exist now: · In the past, most children didn't go to school at all.· Women were not allowed to vote or own property in the past.
use this to talk about a long time ago in your life, or in your parents' or grandparents' lives, when things were different: · My great grandfather earned £5 a week, which was a lot of money in those days.· In the old days there was no bridge over the river, and we crossed it by boat.in the good old days (=at a time when you think that things were better than now): · In the good old days people showed more respect to the older generation.
at a time before you were born, especially hundreds of years ago: · The children all wanted to know what life was like in the olden days.
written in the past, before the present situation existed: · The local school was formerly a hospital.· Peru was formerly ruled by the Spanish.
to try to do things as they were done in the past to return to an earlier time in your life, so that you can experience something again or change something that you did then - use this to say that you wish you could do this: go back to: · I wish I could go back to my school days.· Wouldn't it be nice if we could go back to the days when life was slower than it is today.you can't go back: · It's no use having regrets. You can't go back!
to live part of your life again, so that you could do something in a different way, or experience something again: · If I could turn the clock back, I don't think I'd study law again.put/turn the clock back to: · It would be nice to put the clock back to the years when Mum and Dad were still alive.
to try to behave or live as you did at some time in the past, usually because you do not like your present situation or you are unhappy that things have changed: · It's no good living in the past. You have to get on with your life.· As people get older, they often tend to live in the past.
on one occasion in the past · She once called me a liar - I've never forgiven her.· Once, when I was a little boy, I found a gold watch on the beach.
informal on one occasion in the past: · One time we went out fishing on the lake at night.· Aileen came round to tea one time, and we did our homework together.
on a day, morning, or afternoon in the past - use this when it is not important to say exactly which day it is: · Then, one day he went away and never came back.· I was having my breakfast one morning when the telephone rang.· One day, when we had nothing else to do, we went for a swim in the river.
something that happened on one occasion happened once in the past, but is often typical of what usually happens: · He drinks far too much. On one occasion I saw him drink a whole bottle of vodka.· On one occasion I made the mistake of arriving at work late and my boss has never let me forget it.
if a particular situation existed at one stage during a period in the past, it existed, but only at that time: · It was a terrible winter. At one stage, we had to dig our way out of the house.· At one stage during the competition, it looked as though our team might win.· I went on a diet and at one stage I weighed only 71 kg.
if something happened, especially something interesting or important, at one point during an activity or period of time in the past, it happened then: · At one point in the interview Gorbachev admitted he had made serious mistakes.· "You play the piano very well," I remember Mrs Saito remarking at one point.
starting to happen after now or after a particular time also from here on (out) American use this to talk about a new arrangement that is going to start now and then continue in the future: · You'll be working with me from now on.· From here on out I'll come to every meeting, I promise.· From now on Neil is responsible for publicity and marketing.
: from tomorrow/next week etc use this to say that a new rule or arrangement will start at a particular time and will continue from then: · As of the first of July, all back seat passengers must wear seat belts.· The new timetable will come into effect from January 2003.· Starting today Miss Carey will be in charge of the Sales Department.
after a particular time or date: · I'm busy right now. Could you come back sometime after 4 o'clock?· After 1800, more and more people worked in factories.just after (=a short time after): · If they left just after twelve, they should be here soon.
used when a situation starts to exist after something happens, especially if the situation is caused by what has happened: · He found out that I had lied to him, and after that he never trusted me again.· The company started a big new advertising campaign, and business really improved after that.· I'm going to help you for the first two weeks, but after that you'll be working on your own.
use this to talk about something that starts to happen at a time in the past or future, and continues from that time: · The latest sunrise of the winter is Friday; from then on, the dark winter mornings get brighter earlier .· He went to his first football game when he was four, and from then on he was crazy about it.
formal after that - used especially in written instructions, rules, or agreements: · The plants should be watered every day for the first week and twice a week thereafter.· On retirement each employee will receive a lump sum of £10,000 and a regular annual pension thereafter.
also gone British: past 3 o'clock/midnight etc use this when someone is late for something, or when something happens at a later time than it should happen or usually happens: · When we got home it was gone midnight.· We have to get you home. It's past your bedtime.
happening over a period of time up to the present use this to say that something has been happening for a few weeks or months, and it is still happening now: · Her school work has been much better recently.· I haven't been feeling well recently.just recently: · Just recently I've been thinking about changing my job.more recently: · More recently, banks have offered customers the opportunity to change to PC or telephone banking.
in the recent past until now, especially during the weeks or days closest to now: · The company went through a bad time last year, but lately things have been improving.· I've been really busy lately, so I haven't been out much.· I don't know what's come over Angela lately -- she's so moody.
during the weeks or months closest to now: · Things have changed quite dramatically in the past few months.· I've been thinking about Kevin a lot in the last few days. I wonder how he's getting on?· In the past few years, 30,000 of these high-rise housing units have been torn down.
formal during the weeks or months closest to now - used especially in news reports: · In recent months there have been rumors of at least two attempted coups.· Illicit drug use - notably marijuana - has been increasing in recent years, especially among the young.
WORD SETSabbr., abbreviate, verbabbreviation, nounabstract noun, nounaccusative, nounactive, adjectiveadj., adjective, nounadv., adverb, nounadverbial, adjectiveaffix, nounantecedent, nounapposition, nounarticle, nounaspect, nounattributive, adjectiveaux., auxiliary, nounauxiliary verb, nouncase, nouncausal, adjectiveclause, nouncollective noun, nouncommon noun, nouncomparative, adjectivecomparison, nouncomplement, nouncomplex, adjectivecompound, nounconcord, nounconcrete noun, nounconditional, adjectiveconditional, nounconj., conjugate, verbconjugation, nounconjunction, nounconnective, nounconstruction, nouncontinuous, adjectivecontraction, nouncoordinate, adjectivecoordinating conjunction, nouncopula, nouncountable, adjectivecount noun, noundative, noundeclension, noundefinite article, noundemonstrative, adjectivedemonstrative pronoun, noundependent clause, noundeterminer, noundirect discourse, noundirect object, noundirect speech, noundisjunctive, adjectiveditransitive, adjectivedouble negative, noun-ed, suffixending, noun-est, suffix-eth, suffixfeminine, adjectivefinite, adjectiveform, nounfunction word, nounfuture, adjectivegender, noungenitive, noungerund, noungradable, adjectivegrammar, noungrammarian, noungrammatical, adjectivehistoric present, nounhomonym, nounhomophone, nounimperative, adjectiveimperative, nounimpersonal, adjectiveindefinite article, nounindependent clause, nounindicative, nounindicative, adjectiveindirect discourse, nounindirect object, nounindirect speech, nouninfinitive, nouninflect, verbinflected, adjectiveinflection, noun-ing, suffixintensifier, nouninterjection, nouninterrogative, adjectiveinterrogative, nounintransitive, adjectivelinking verb, nounmain clause, nounmasculine, adjectivemodal, nounmodal auxiliary, nounmodal verb, nounmodifier, nounmodify, verbmood, nounn., neuter, adjectivenominal, adjectivenominative, nounnon-finite, adjectivenon-restrictive, adjectivenoun, nounnumber, nounobject, nounparse, verbparticipial, adjectiveparticiple, nounparticle, nounpartitive, nounpart of speech, nounpassive, adjectivepassivize, verbpast, adjectivepast participle, nounpast perfect, nounperfect participle, nounperiphrasis, nounpersonal pronoun, nounphrasal verb, nounphrase, nounpl., plural, nounplural, adjectiveplurality, nounpossessive, adjectivepossessive, nounpredeterminer, nounpredicate, nounpredicative, adjectiveprefix, nounprefix, verbprep., preposition, nounprepositional phrase, nounpres., present participle, nounprogressive, adjectivepronominal, adjectivepronoun, nounproper noun, nounpunctuate, verbpunctuation, nounqualifier, nounquantifier, nounquestion tag, nounreflexive, adjectiveregular, adjectiverelative clause, nounrelative pronoun, nounreported speech, nounrestrictive clause, nounroot, nounrule, nounrun-on sentence, nounsecond person, nounsemicolon, nounsentence, nounsentence adverb, nounsingular, adjectivesolecism, nounsplit infinitive, nounstative, adjectivestem, nounsubject, nounsubjective, adjectivesubjunctive, nounsubordinate clause, nounsubstantive, nounsuffix, nounsuperlative, adjectivesyntactic, adjectivesyntax, nountag, nountense, nountransitive, adjectiveuncountable, adjectivev., variant, nounverb, nounverbal, adjectivevocative, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
a tradition rooted in times long past a past president of the golf clubCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him. Charlie Chaplin had a long and colorful career. On current form he’s one of the top three players in the country. It’s time to leave the past behind. You must stop living in the past (=imagining that things from the past are still happening). By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight). He is now past his prime. a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date.
a tradition rooted in times long past a past president of the golf club (=go somewhere or succeed in doing something by deceiving someone) I hope we’ll be able to bluff our way past the guard.
I hope we’ll be able to bluff our way past the guard. At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him. Charlie Chaplin had a long and colorful career. (=a long time in the past/future)· It is a fictional story set in the distant past.· In the distant future, there may be a cure for the disease.
humorous (=a long time ago)· Back in the dim and distant past when I was at school, computers didn’t exist.
(=move through a group of people by pushing past them) He elbowed his way to the bar and ordered a beer.
He elbowed his way to the bar and ordered a beer. formal· If we fail to learn from our past errors, we are doomed to repeat them.
· His only previous experience of broadcasting consisted of a job hosting a local radio station.
On current form he’s one of the top three players in the country. It’s time to leave the past behind. You must stop living in the past (=imagining that things from the past are still happening). By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight).· They had come to know and like each other in the past month.
· By the next Olympics, she will be past her peak.
He is now past his prime. British English also (a) quarter after (something) American English (=15 minutes after the hour) I’ll meet you at a quarter past ten.
I’ll meet you at a quarter past ten. a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date.· Five soldiers were killed in the past week alone.
· Over the past year everyone has worked extremely hard.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· In past centuries these led to considerable artistry in the devising of labyrinths and mazes.· Patterson's evidence plainly indicates that there has been a gradual swing away from front values in the past century or so.· Knightly warfare, if it no longer enjoyed the supremacy of past centuries, was far from dead.· Legacies Somerville has been enormously enriched over the past century by Somervillians remembering the College in their wills.· But over the past century we have made it into a rubbish dump.· In the past century the institutions and the external stimuli affecting the relation between finance and industry have been chopped and changed.· The same new acoustic effect has been discovered repeatedly throughout the past century!· This section begins by looking at the changing fate of old people during the past century as they have retired.
· This criminal neglect has been particularly indefensible over the past couple of decades.· I have seen this problem many times in the past couple of years when the summers have been very hot.· In the past couple of decades, Britain has managed to slither from one high technology debacle to another.· He'd had them on and off for the past couple of weeks.· I can't believe how far I have come in the past couple of years.· Certainly the petrochemicals industry as a whole has done very well in the past couple of years, and we with it.· Encouragingly the past couple of months have seen an upturn in measured revenues.· In the past couple of years, however, it has come bouncing back.
· Unemployment has risen in virtually every western country in the past decade.· On the other hand, the pace of counterurbanization has slowed considerably in the past decade.· Psychoanalytic theory has probably been the single most important theoretical influence on the discipline of Art History over the past decade.· Over the past decade, practitioners in neighbourhood or community-based teams have been developing closer relationships with the people they serve.· Mature enough, in any case, to be recreating works from past decades for those who might have missed them.· Hon. Members have referred to the increasing centralisation of government that has taken place, especially in the past decade.· In the past decade, the number of jobs in Scotch Whisky companies has fallen by 40% from 26,000 to 15.· Employee trusts Employee trusts have increased in popularity over the past decade or so as a method of providing incentives for employees.
· What research has shown is that these tendencies to behave in certain ways are deeply embedded in past experiences.· It's also to do with using your own past experiences to show empathy and understanding when others need it.· We often ignore intuition, when it's possible that intuitive responses are our past experiences lodged in our unconscious minds.· But Tess, in answer to your question, whatever you do, don't tell your future husband anything about your past experience.· First, we sense the information and then we digest it through past experiences, attitudes, values and beliefs.· The counsellor must also recognize that in returning to past experiences, there will be regrets and disappointments as well as joys and successes.· They do not deny - indeed they insist - that what an animal does is influenced by past experiences as well as present ones.· We delve deeply into the psyche for memories of past experience and sensation to judge any work of art.
· To this day a few of the fields around the village tell of its past history.· Geschichte as Kähler used it refers to past history as such.· Or strategies might be conditional upon the past history of the game.· Eight patients had a past history of recurrent peptic ulcers or gastritis.· Each creature has its own karma, its own personal mind patterns, derived from its own past history of previous lives.· Through a major media campaign it is seeking to obtain funds by raising public awareness of the museum's past history.· But all that was past history.· Just for the sake of the past history.
· But there was no sign of Mr Hyde himself, although the police and the newspapers discovered a lot about his past life.· I have a feeling that there is now more of my past life than my future.· And I am aware of my past life.· What do elderly people remember from their past lives?· In reminiscence, you build up from past life to the present.· He's casting around trying to find a way of presenting himself that's different from his past life.· Surely Russell Bryant must have some sign on him of his past life, then?· Health matters will usually come first, and then talk either of family news or of their past lives.
· The poll also shows the Tories have cut Labour's lead from nine to six points over the past month.· The score belies the ferocious chessboard duel that we have witnessed over the past month and a half.· The committee express their thanks for the work he has done in a voluntary capacity over the past months.· The Sheldon family have spent the past month wondering why.· The girls walked in the Rose Gardens and caught up on the past months, discussed the future.· The past month has seen more violence and death than any of the student groups had anticipated.· I fell into deceit quite easily, having got used to it over the past months.
· For when he checked through the inventory of pain that his body had become over the past weeks David found nothing.· From there I went to the county records office in Chichester and that's where I've spent the past week.· Its gon na be mighty difficult to find out info from past weeks.· In the past week or so householders throughout the country have been opening their April water bills and gaping.· When Airdrie went to Easter Road this past week, there were seven bookings and two Hibs players were ordered off.· The organisation he had so painstakingly built up had successfully weathered several crises over the past week.· To judge by the events of the past week, Michael Heseltine has now enrolled in the Nixon school.
· Sadly, though, we have in the past year been through the painful process of shedding a large number of jobs.· Read in studio A group which has been juggling with fire for the past year is staging its first play.· The updated catalogue includes new and revised modules developed over the past year.· Research over the past years has begun to answer lots of questions, but much still remains to be sorted out.· I haven't been an easy man to live with for the past year.· In the past year the first phase of the analysis of bus passenger casualties highlighted in the 1991 Plan has been undertaken.· But the past year waiting for the auction has been very difficult.· But only 11-12 percent had prepared a formal marketing strategy or employed a marketing consultant in the past year.
· Over past years, locals had experienced increasing crime rates and a growing fear of crime.· Research over the past years has begun to answer lots of questions, but much still remains to be sorted out.· The House has not had a good record in the past years.· I notice that the steepest price rises in past years have been in pubs tied to the national brewers.· In past years events of the meeting have been covered by the media.· Tammuz again considered that some wit in past years had programmed the machine with something other than Aristotelian logic.· The Revenue has also indicated that past years will not be re-examined solely as a result of the decision.· The employers then presented a petition of right seeking repayment of the sums paid in the past years.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► bludgeon your way through/to/past etc somebody/something► have a checkered history/career/past etc► be beyond/past description► I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something)► rake over the past/old coals► be beyond/past retrieval
1previous [only before noun] done, used, or experienced before now: - The biggest blast from the past was '60s model, Peggy Moffat, whose famous haircut is back in style.
- And, a blast from the past.
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- I am sure in the dim and distant past it had been filched from the wall.
- After fighting his way through all this, he would have to face an angry and almost certainly stark-naked Quigley.
- Bar girls were screaming, and trying to fight their way past us.
- Being fit and healthy is especially important if you have to fight your way out of trouble or run for home.
- Dana fights his way through the protocol surrounding the medicine chest, has a recipe drawn up, and delivers his balm.
- I think also that three other Hearthwares shall come, in case we need to fight our way out of some tight spot.
- Meanwhile, the master had sprung from his position backstage and was fighting his way toward me.
- We will swim through seas of blood, fight our way through lakes of fire, if we are ordered.
- At half past one the men got up and checked their equipment, gathering several sticks as well.
- At half past three he wanted to die, or to kill somebody.
- At half past two this morning my wife died.
- It was half past three in the morning.
- She arrived at the Herald building at half past three, and walked past the uniformed commissionaire to the lift.
- The return journey was supposed to start at half past three but there would always be a few people missing.
- They'd all been given leaflets about it at half past three.
- But that's history now the children are back in the classroom.
- Johnny Morris is a past master at both.
- That sort of thing wasn't her style at all, but Susan was a past master at it.
- His lawyer believes Manson is beyond redemption.
- Charlotte got back into London rather late that night, and rather tired, but hooked beyond redemption upon Aurae Phiala.
- Systems may be evil but people are never beyond redemption.
- The Pistols were already banned from most established London venues; punk rock's reputation for violence was now beyond redemption.
- The whole business was regrettable but not beyond redemption.
- Life-long employment with a single company is a thing of the past.
- Otherwise, Tucsonans should merely leave the bees alone, and the scared news stories will probably be things of the past.
- Each receives some kind of government stipend, and Harry talks his way into a computer job while Kate does laundry.
- Forbes' rivals have accused him of buying his way into the race.
- Now nationalised and backed by government money, the firm may buy its way into video technology and markets.
- The adventurers could fight, but it would be safer to try and talk their way past.
- The family - without plane tickets and passports - had to talk their way past airport officials on their homeward journey.
- They bought their way into the landed aristocracy.
- You should be able to buy your way into any Mystery you choose with that.
Judging by her past performance, Jane should do very well. From past experience she knew that it was no use arguing with him. Study some past exam papers to get an idea of the questions.2recent [only before noun] used to refer to a period up until now: the events of the past year During the past two weeks, 12 people have died of the disease. She has been feeling tired for the past few days.3finished finished or having come to an end: Winter is past and spring has come at last. writers from past centuries a tradition rooted in times long past4former [only before noun] having held a particular position in the past or achieved a particular honour in the pastpast president/member/winner etc a past president of the golf club a celebration for past and present employees of the newspaper Bruce Jenner, a past Olympic champion5grammar [only before noun] relating to the past tensepast1 adjectivepast2 preposition, adverbpast3 noun
pastpast2 ●●● S1 W2 preposition, adverb EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Come on Annie, it's past your bedtime.
- It's half past two.
- It's quarter past four.
- It's ten past nine.
- My house is four blocks past the main intersection.
- You drive past the stadium on your way to work, don't you?
Longman Language Activatorthe past
the time that existed before the present time: · My grandfather enjoys talking about the past.· There were several horse-drawn carriages, as a nostalgic reminder of the past.in the past (=during the time before now): · I decided to ask Anna, as she had always been very helpful in the past.· In the past, doctors seemed to have more time for their patients than they do today.the distant past (=a long time before the present): · The programme describes events which took place in the distant past, towards the end of the last ice-age.the recent past (=not a long time before the present): · It's hard to see events from the very recent past in their proper historical perspective.a thing of the past (=something that used to happen or exist, but does not any more): · For many people, a relaxing weekend has become a thing of the past.past mistakes: · Our goal was to learn from our past mistakes and to use the lessons on this project.·
past events, experiences etc happened before now: · He's learned a lot from his past experience.· Judging by her past performance, I'd say Rowena will do very well.· Groups have put a lot into past projects, and have always seen an excellent result.the past 10 years/2weeks etc (=the 10 years, 2 weeks etc before now): · The past few months have been very difficult for Mary.· For the past two weeks, I've been doing my boss's job while she's away on business.· the enormous changes of the past 30 years
all the things that have happened in the past all the things that have happened to someone in the past: · Greg didn't like to talk about his past, · The newspapers had been investigating the President's past, hoping to find some scandal.· The elegant buildings on the sea front give us a glimpse of Brighton's more glorious past.
all the things that have happened in the past, especially to a country, a town, or an organization: the history of something/something's history: · India has been invaded several times in its history.· a book about the history of the United Nations
all the things that a person, organization, country etc has done in the past, especially when talking about how good or bad they are: a good/bad/poor etc record: · As an employee, his record is outstanding.· The US had serious concerns over the country's poor human rights record.record of: · The department has a long record of high achievement.record on: · The industry's record on conservation is not very impressive.track record (=a record that shows how experienced or skilful a person or organization is): · HMA has a great track record of managing hospitals.
when something happened or was true in the past but not now if someone or something used to do something, they did it for a period of time in the past, or they did it regularly in the past, but they do not do it now: · "Do you smoke?" "No, but I used to."used to do something: · We used to live in Glasgow when I was young.there used to be: · Thirty years ago, there used to be a market in the town.never used to: · It never used to rain as much as this.didn't use to do something spoken: · I was surprised to see her driving - she didn't use to.used not to do something formal: · He used not to be so critical of other people's behaviour.
during a period of time in the past but not now - use this when it is not important to say exactly when this period was: · Apparently he once worked for the FBI.· It is a big city now, but at one time the population was only 50,000.· a sports car once owned by Paul McCartney
during a particular period of time in the past - use this when you are comparing that period with the present: · I was a student in the 1950s, and things were very different then.· At that time most married women stayed at home.
use this to talk about a situation that existed before the present time but does not exist now: · In the past, most children didn't go to school at all.· Women were not allowed to vote or own property in the past.
use this to talk about a long time ago in your life, or in your parents' or grandparents' lives, when things were different: · My great grandfather earned £5 a week, which was a lot of money in those days.· In the old days there was no bridge over the river, and we crossed it by boat.in the good old days (=at a time when you think that things were better than now): · In the good old days people showed more respect to the older generation.
at a time before you were born, especially hundreds of years ago: · The children all wanted to know what life was like in the olden days.
written in the past, before the present situation existed: · The local school was formerly a hospital.· Peru was formerly ruled by the Spanish.
to try to do things as they were done in the past to return to an earlier time in your life, so that you can experience something again or change something that you did then - use this to say that you wish you could do this: go back to: · I wish I could go back to my school days.· Wouldn't it be nice if we could go back to the days when life was slower than it is today.you can't go back: · It's no use having regrets. You can't go back!
to live part of your life again, so that you could do something in a different way, or experience something again: · If I could turn the clock back, I don't think I'd study law again.put/turn the clock back to: · It would be nice to put the clock back to the years when Mum and Dad were still alive.
to try to behave or live as you did at some time in the past, usually because you do not like your present situation or you are unhappy that things have changed: · It's no good living in the past. You have to get on with your life.· As people get older, they often tend to live in the past.
on one occasion in the past · She once called me a liar - I've never forgiven her.· Once, when I was a little boy, I found a gold watch on the beach.
informal on one occasion in the past: · One time we went out fishing on the lake at night.· Aileen came round to tea one time, and we did our homework together.
on a day, morning, or afternoon in the past - use this when it is not important to say exactly which day it is: · Then, one day he went away and never came back.· I was having my breakfast one morning when the telephone rang.· One day, when we had nothing else to do, we went for a swim in the river.
something that happened on one occasion happened once in the past, but is often typical of what usually happens: · He drinks far too much. On one occasion I saw him drink a whole bottle of vodka.· On one occasion I made the mistake of arriving at work late and my boss has never let me forget it.
if a particular situation existed at one stage during a period in the past, it existed, but only at that time: · It was a terrible winter. At one stage, we had to dig our way out of the house.· At one stage during the competition, it looked as though our team might win.· I went on a diet and at one stage I weighed only 71 kg.
if something happened, especially something interesting or important, at one point during an activity or period of time in the past, it happened then: · At one point in the interview Gorbachev admitted he had made serious mistakes.· "You play the piano very well," I remember Mrs Saito remarking at one point.
starting to happen after now or after a particular time also from here on (out) American use this to talk about a new arrangement that is going to start now and then continue in the future: · You'll be working with me from now on.· From here on out I'll come to every meeting, I promise.· From now on Neil is responsible for publicity and marketing.
: from tomorrow/next week etc use this to say that a new rule or arrangement will start at a particular time and will continue from then: · As of the first of July, all back seat passengers must wear seat belts.· The new timetable will come into effect from January 2003.· Starting today Miss Carey will be in charge of the Sales Department.
after a particular time or date: · I'm busy right now. Could you come back sometime after 4 o'clock?· After 1800, more and more people worked in factories.just after (=a short time after): · If they left just after twelve, they should be here soon.
used when a situation starts to exist after something happens, especially if the situation is caused by what has happened: · He found out that I had lied to him, and after that he never trusted me again.· The company started a big new advertising campaign, and business really improved after that.· I'm going to help you for the first two weeks, but after that you'll be working on your own.
use this to talk about something that starts to happen at a time in the past or future, and continues from that time: · The latest sunrise of the winter is Friday; from then on, the dark winter mornings get brighter earlier .· He went to his first football game when he was four, and from then on he was crazy about it.
formal after that - used especially in written instructions, rules, or agreements: · The plants should be watered every day for the first week and twice a week thereafter.· On retirement each employee will receive a lump sum of £10,000 and a regular annual pension thereafter.
also gone British: past 3 o'clock/midnight etc use this when someone is late for something, or when something happens at a later time than it should happen or usually happens: · When we got home it was gone midnight.· We have to get you home. It's past your bedtime.
to be likely to do something surprising or bad use this when you think that someone is fairly likely to do something bad or surprising, because of what you know about their character: · She promised to come, but she's quite capable of forgetting.· Don't believe it! He's quite capable of lying!
informal use this to say that you think a particular person is fairly likely to do the bad or stupid thing that you are mentioning: · "She wouldn't have read my e-mail, would she?" "Well, I wouldn't put it past her.''I wouldn't put it past sb to do something: · I wouldn't put it past Kevin to have borrowed the car without asking.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Come on Annie, it’s long past your bedtime. There are parking spaces over there, just past (=a little further than) the garage. a pot of yoghurt well past its sell-by dateCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him. Charlie Chaplin had a long and colorful career. On current form he’s one of the top three players in the country. It’s time to leave the past behind. You must stop living in the past (=imagining that things from the past are still happening). By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight). He is now past his prime. a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date.
Come on Annie, it’s long past your bedtime. There are parking spaces over there, just past (=a little further than) the garage. (=used to emphasize that someone passes close to you and does not stop) Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps.
Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps. a pot of yoghurt well past its sell-by date (=go somewhere or succeed in doing something by deceiving someone) I hope we’ll be able to bluff our way past the guard.
I hope we’ll be able to bluff our way past the guard. At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him. Charlie Chaplin had a long and colorful career. (=a long time in the past/future)· It is a fictional story set in the distant past.· In the distant future, there may be a cure for the disease.
humorous (=a long time ago)· Back in the dim and distant past when I was at school, computers didn’t exist.
(=move through a group of people by pushing past them) He elbowed his way to the bar and ordered a beer.
He elbowed his way to the bar and ordered a beer. formal· If we fail to learn from our past errors, we are doomed to repeat them.
· His only previous experience of broadcasting consisted of a job hosting a local radio station.
On current form he’s one of the top three players in the country. It’s time to leave the past behind. You must stop living in the past (=imagining that things from the past are still happening). By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight).· They had come to know and like each other in the past month.
· By the next Olympics, she will be past her peak.
He is now past his prime. British English also (a) quarter after (something) American English (=15 minutes after the hour) I’ll meet you at a quarter past ten.
I’ll meet you at a quarter past ten. a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date.· Five soldiers were killed in the past week alone.
· Over the past year everyone has worked extremely hard.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► bludgeon your way through/to/past etc somebody/something► have a checkered history/career/past etc► be beyond/past description► I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something)► rake over the past/old coals► be beyond/past retrieval
1later than a particular time: - Their rent is three months past due.
- To truly justify the praise he survives on, Hartley is past due a crack at the mainstream.
- I wouldn't put it past Colin to lie to his wife.
- A stream meandered past it and cascaded into the depths of the forested cliffside.
- If he's not young, he's past it.
- In the past it always has.
- In the past it was much used for teapots, milk jugs and other forms of tableware.
- Neither side is willing to concede that in the past it might have been wrong and its opponents right.
- The first option was rejected, as in the past it has isolated the small group from the department.
- The tribe streamed past it through the gathering dusk, ignoring its presence completely.
- Tooling down Farm Road 442, you could easily zoom right past it.
- The biggest blast from the past was '60s model, Peggy Moffat, whose famous haircut is back in style.
- And, a blast from the past.
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- I am sure in the dim and distant past it had been filched from the wall.
- After fighting his way through all this, he would have to face an angry and almost certainly stark-naked Quigley.
- Bar girls were screaming, and trying to fight their way past us.
- Being fit and healthy is especially important if you have to fight your way out of trouble or run for home.
- Dana fights his way through the protocol surrounding the medicine chest, has a recipe drawn up, and delivers his balm.
- I think also that three other Hearthwares shall come, in case we need to fight our way out of some tight spot.
- Meanwhile, the master had sprung from his position backstage and was fighting his way toward me.
- We will swim through seas of blood, fight our way through lakes of fire, if we are ordered.
- At half past one the men got up and checked their equipment, gathering several sticks as well.
- At half past three he wanted to die, or to kill somebody.
- At half past two this morning my wife died.
- It was half past three in the morning.
- She arrived at the Herald building at half past three, and walked past the uniformed commissionaire to the lift.
- The return journey was supposed to start at half past three but there would always be a few people missing.
- They'd all been given leaflets about it at half past three.
- But that's history now the children are back in the classroom.
- Johnny Morris is a past master at both.
- That sort of thing wasn't her style at all, but Susan was a past master at it.
- His lawyer believes Manson is beyond redemption.
- Charlotte got back into London rather late that night, and rather tired, but hooked beyond redemption upon Aurae Phiala.
- Systems may be evil but people are never beyond redemption.
- The Pistols were already banned from most established London venues; punk rock's reputation for violence was now beyond redemption.
- The whole business was regrettable but not beyond redemption.
- Life-long employment with a single company is a thing of the past.
- Otherwise, Tucsonans should merely leave the bees alone, and the scared news stories will probably be things of the past.
- Each receives some kind of government stipend, and Harry talks his way into a computer job while Kate does laundry.
- Forbes' rivals have accused him of buying his way into the race.
- Now nationalised and backed by government money, the firm may buy its way into video technology and markets.
- The adventurers could fight, but it would be safer to try and talk their way past.
- The family - without plane tickets and passports - had to talk their way past airport officials on their homeward journey.
- They bought their way into the landed aristocracy.
- You should be able to buy your way into any Mystery you choose with that.
It’s ten past nine. I should be finished by half past (=30 minutes after the hour). It was past midnight when the party ended. Come on Annie, it’s long past your bedtime.2further than a particular place: The hospital’s just up this road, about a mile past the school. There are parking spaces over there, just past (=a little further than) the garage.3up to and beyond a person or place, without stopping: She waved as she drove past. Will you be going past my house on your way home?straight/right past (=used to emphasize that someone passes close to you and does not stop) Monica hurried straight past me and down the steps.4if a period of time goes past, it passes: Weeks went past without any news. The hours seemed to fly past.5beyond or no longer at a particular point or stage: The roses were already past their best. Reid never really got past the stage of copying other artists. a pot of yoghurt well past its sell-by date an Italian singer who was then past her prime (=no longer strong and active) I’m past caring about my appearance (=I do not care about it anymore).6I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something) spoken used to say that you would not be surprised if someone did something bad or unusual because it is typical of them to do that type of thing: I wouldn’t put it past Colin to cheat.7past it British English spoken too old to be able to do what you used to do, or too old to be useful: People seem to think that just because I’m retired, I’m past it.8be past due American English something that is past due has not been paid or done by the time it should have beenpast1 adjectivepast2 preposition, adverbpast3 noun
pastpast3 ●●● S1 W2 noun EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- She'd like to forget her past and start over.
- There were certain facts about his past that could hurt his chances of being elected.
- But not if policy makers insist on fighting the battles of the past.
- Candidates can not revise their own historic record with the same impunity before a population that has power to retrieve the past.
- In the past, women with these symptoms rarely sought treatment, and women with severe cases were hospitalized.
- That has always stood me in good stead in the past.
- This approach is no more valid today than it has been in the past.
- We have encoded and used versions of them from the past we study.
THESAURUS
at a time before now, especially a long time ago: · In the past, most children didn’t go to school at all.· We had a big argument, but it’s all in the past now.
a long time ago in your life, or in your parents’ or grandparents’ lives, when things were different: · £5 was a lot of money in those days.· In the old days, only very rich people had cars.
used for saying that something was true in the past, but is not now: · At one time there were six schools in the village.· I would have agreed with you at one time.
informal used when you are talking about a time in the past, especially one that you remember as being very good: · I loved Blondie back in the day.· Back in the day, everyone would meet at the boys’ club.
Longman Language Activatorthe past the time that existed before the present time: · My grandfather enjoys talking about the past.· There were several horse-drawn carriages, as a nostalgic reminder of the past.in the past (=during the time before now): · I decided to ask Anna, as she had always been very helpful in the past.· In the past, doctors seemed to have more time for their patients than they do today.the distant past (=a long time before the present): · The programme describes events which took place in the distant past, towards the end of the last ice-age.the recent past (=not a long time before the present): · It's hard to see events from the very recent past in their proper historical perspective.a thing of the past (=something that used to happen or exist, but does not any more): · For many people, a relaxing weekend has become a thing of the past.past mistakes: · Our goal was to learn from our past mistakes and to use the lessons on this project.·
past events, experiences etc happened before now: · He's learned a lot from his past experience.· Judging by her past performance, I'd say Rowena will do very well.· Groups have put a lot into past projects, and have always seen an excellent result.the past 10 years/2weeks etc (=the 10 years, 2 weeks etc before now): · The past few months have been very difficult for Mary.· For the past two weeks, I've been doing my boss's job while she's away on business.· the enormous changes of the past 30 years
all the things that have happened in the past all the things that have happened to someone in the past: · Greg didn't like to talk about his past, · The newspapers had been investigating the President's past, hoping to find some scandal.· The elegant buildings on the sea front give us a glimpse of Brighton's more glorious past.
all the things that have happened in the past, especially to a country, a town, or an organization: the history of something/something's history: · India has been invaded several times in its history.· a book about the history of the United Nations
all the things that a person, organization, country etc has done in the past, especially when talking about how good or bad they are: a good/bad/poor etc record: · As an employee, his record is outstanding.· The US had serious concerns over the country's poor human rights record.record of: · The department has a long record of high achievement.record on: · The industry's record on conservation is not very impressive.track record (=a record that shows how experienced or skilful a person or organization is): · HMA has a great track record of managing hospitals.
when something happened or was true in the past but not now if someone or something used to do something, they did it for a period of time in the past, or they did it regularly in the past, but they do not do it now: · "Do you smoke?" "No, but I used to."used to do something: · We used to live in Glasgow when I was young.there used to be: · Thirty years ago, there used to be a market in the town.never used to: · It never used to rain as much as this.didn't use to do something spoken: · I was surprised to see her driving - she didn't use to.used not to do something formal: · He used not to be so critical of other people's behaviour.
during a period of time in the past but not now - use this when it is not important to say exactly when this period was: · Apparently he once worked for the FBI.· It is a big city now, but at one time the population was only 50,000.· a sports car once owned by Paul McCartney
during a particular period of time in the past - use this when you are comparing that period with the present: · I was a student in the 1950s, and things were very different then.· At that time most married women stayed at home.
use this to talk about a situation that existed before the present time but does not exist now: · In the past, most children didn't go to school at all.· Women were not allowed to vote or own property in the past.
use this to talk about a long time ago in your life, or in your parents' or grandparents' lives, when things were different: · My great grandfather earned £5 a week, which was a lot of money in those days.· In the old days there was no bridge over the river, and we crossed it by boat.in the good old days (=at a time when you think that things were better than now): · In the good old days people showed more respect to the older generation.
at a time before you were born, especially hundreds of years ago: · The children all wanted to know what life was like in the olden days.
written in the past, before the present situation existed: · The local school was formerly a hospital.· Peru was formerly ruled by the Spanish.
to try to do things as they were done in the past to return to an earlier time in your life, so that you can experience something again or change something that you did then - use this to say that you wish you could do this: go back to: · I wish I could go back to my school days.· Wouldn't it be nice if we could go back to the days when life was slower than it is today.you can't go back: · It's no use having regrets. You can't go back!
to live part of your life again, so that you could do something in a different way, or experience something again: · If I could turn the clock back, I don't think I'd study law again.put/turn the clock back to: · It would be nice to put the clock back to the years when Mum and Dad were still alive.
to try to behave or live as you did at some time in the past, usually because you do not like your present situation or you are unhappy that things have changed: · It's no good living in the past. You have to get on with your life.· As people get older, they often tend to live in the past.
on one occasion in the past · She once called me a liar - I've never forgiven her.· Once, when I was a little boy, I found a gold watch on the beach.
informal on one occasion in the past: · One time we went out fishing on the lake at night.· Aileen came round to tea one time, and we did our homework together.
on a day, morning, or afternoon in the past - use this when it is not important to say exactly which day it is: · Then, one day he went away and never came back.· I was having my breakfast one morning when the telephone rang.· One day, when we had nothing else to do, we went for a swim in the river.
something that happened on one occasion happened once in the past, but is often typical of what usually happens: · He drinks far too much. On one occasion I saw him drink a whole bottle of vodka.· On one occasion I made the mistake of arriving at work late and my boss has never let me forget it.
if a particular situation existed at one stage during a period in the past, it existed, but only at that time: · It was a terrible winter. At one stage, we had to dig our way out of the house.· At one stage during the competition, it looked as though our team might win.· I went on a diet and at one stage I weighed only 71 kg.
if something happened, especially something interesting or important, at one point during an activity or period of time in the past, it happened then: · At one point in the interview Gorbachev admitted he had made serious mistakes.· "You play the piano very well," I remember Mrs Saito remarking at one point.
starting to happen after now or after a particular time also from here on (out) American use this to talk about a new arrangement that is going to start now and then continue in the future: · You'll be working with me from now on.· From here on out I'll come to every meeting, I promise.· From now on Neil is responsible for publicity and marketing.
: from tomorrow/next week etc use this to say that a new rule or arrangement will start at a particular time and will continue from then: · As of the first of July, all back seat passengers must wear seat belts.· The new timetable will come into effect from January 2003.· Starting today Miss Carey will be in charge of the Sales Department.
after a particular time or date: · I'm busy right now. Could you come back sometime after 4 o'clock?· After 1800, more and more people worked in factories.just after (=a short time after): · If they left just after twelve, they should be here soon.
used when a situation starts to exist after something happens, especially if the situation is caused by what has happened: · He found out that I had lied to him, and after that he never trusted me again.· The company started a big new advertising campaign, and business really improved after that.· I'm going to help you for the first two weeks, but after that you'll be working on your own.
use this to talk about something that starts to happen at a time in the past or future, and continues from that time: · The latest sunrise of the winter is Friday; from then on, the dark winter mornings get brighter earlier .· He went to his first football game when he was four, and from then on he was crazy about it.
formal after that - used especially in written instructions, rules, or agreements: · The plants should be watered every day for the first week and twice a week thereafter.· On retirement each employee will receive a lump sum of £10,000 and a regular annual pension thereafter.
also gone British: past 3 o'clock/midnight etc use this when someone is late for something, or when something happens at a later time than it should happen or usually happens: · When we got home it was gone midnight.· We have to get you home. It's past your bedtime.
when something bad has finished if a problem or bad experience is over , it has ended: · There had been a fight in the bar, but when the police got there it was all over.· His captors finally released him, and his long ordeal was over.· In 1963, the White House wrongly predicted that the military action in Vietnam would be over by 1965.
if something unpleasant or something you have been worrying about is over and done with , it has finished and no longer affects you: · What happened many years ago is over and done with as far as I'm concerned.· They belonged to a part of her life that was over and done with.
if an unpleasant experience is behind you, it is finished so that it does not affect your life or feelings any more: · Because of the measures we have taken, the worst is now behind us.put something behind you (=deal with an unpleasant experience, so that it no longer affects you): · Counselling helped her put the experience behind her.
spoken use this to say that an unpleasant experience has ended and can be forgotten: · Your troubles are all in the past now.
use this to say that you are not willing to discuss a subject any more, especially because it is unpleasant or upsetting: · As far as I am concerned, the matter is closed.· Until we can talk about this in a civil manner, I consider the discussion closed.
people · Mr Griffiths is a real old-fashioned teacher who still believes that learning lessons by heart is the best method.· My Dad was very old-fashioned and didn't approve of me going to nightclubs with my friends.
to think and behave as if life is still like it was when you were young, especially because you do not like the modern world: · You've got to get over it, honey - you've got to stop living in the past.· Critics say Buchanan is living in the past, and remind him that the 1950s was a time when women were shackled to the kitchen, and African-Americans held back by discrimination.
a person or organization who is behind the times , is old-fashioned because they have not changed while the world around them has changed: · People in these parts tend to be way behind the times when it comes to issues such as women's rights.· Once the giants of British retailing, they are now seen as being behind the times.
having a very strong, old-fashioned attitude to moral behaviour: · My aunt's very straitlaced - she'd be shocked if you mentioned sex.· They lost touch with Hermine after she married a very straightlaced Lutheran minister, and disappeared from the social scene.
informal someone who you think is old-fashioned and boring because they disapprove of new ideas and are unwilling to change their attitudes: · Don't be such a fuddy duddy!· The election broadcast made the President look like a fuddy duddy with ridiculously old-fashioned ideas.
informal someone, usually an old person, who you disapprove of because they prefer old-fashioned ideas and ways of doing things to modern ones: · The old fogies all sit together and talk about the old days.· This country is being run by a bunch of old fogies -- we need some fresh blood, people with initiative.
a group of people with old-fashioned opinions, who have been in an organization or society for a long time and oppose anyone who wants to change things: · Inevitably, the revolution is affecting the old guard much more than the rest of us.· The party's old guard have their own candidate for leader.
a person who believes that the old ways of doing things are the best, and who does not like modern methods or ideas: · I'm something of a traditionalist myself, I'd much rather use pen and paper than a word-processor.· There are still many traditionalists in the church who strongly oppose the idea of women priests.
to not do something in the usual or traditional way to stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past: · The Church has finally broken with tradition and allowed women into the ministry.· I think it's time to break with the past and rewrite the constitution.
when you stop doing things the way they have always been done in the past: · In a significant break with tradition, the Queen will not attend this year's ceremony.· Political leaders are calling for a break with the past and a new spirit of cooperation.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him. Charlie Chaplin had a long and colorful career. On current form he’s one of the top three players in the country. It’s time to leave the past behind. You must stop living in the past (=imagining that things from the past are still happening). By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight). He is now past his prime. a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date.
· The optimistic economic climate of the recent past has gone.
· Rivers of molten lava clearly flowed here in the distant past.
(=the very recent past)· In order to understand the present, we must look at the immediate past.
verbs· Forget the past and focus on the future.
(=think only about the past)· You’ve got to stop living in the past.
phrases (=not exist anymore, or stop existing)· We hope that smoking will become a thing of the past.
(=when something is done in a completely different way to how it was done in the past)· These policies are a break with the past.
(=a very long time ago)· I think she sang Ireland's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest sometime in the dim and distant past.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=go somewhere or succeed in doing something by deceiving someone) I hope we’ll be able to bluff our way past the guard.
I hope we’ll be able to bluff our way past the guard. At the end of the movie his murky past catches up with him. Charlie Chaplin had a long and colorful career. (=a long time in the past/future)· It is a fictional story set in the distant past.· In the distant future, there may be a cure for the disease.
humorous (=a long time ago)· Back in the dim and distant past when I was at school, computers didn’t exist.
(=move through a group of people by pushing past them) He elbowed his way to the bar and ordered a beer.
He elbowed his way to the bar and ordered a beer. formal· If we fail to learn from our past errors, we are doomed to repeat them.
· His only previous experience of broadcasting consisted of a job hosting a local radio station.
On current form he’s one of the top three players in the country. It’s time to leave the past behind. You must stop living in the past (=imagining that things from the past are still happening). By the time he arrived, it was well past midnight (=after midnight).· They had come to know and like each other in the past month.
· By the next Olympics, she will be past her peak.
He is now past his prime. British English also (a) quarter after (something) American English (=15 minutes after the hour) I’ll meet you at a quarter past ten.
I’ll meet you at a quarter past ten. a yoghurt two days past its sell-by date This type of games console is starting to look well past its sell-by date.· Five soldiers were killed in the past week alone.
· Over the past year everyone has worked extremely hard.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· What of that other world, the world of the distant past that now lies beneath our feet?· We move from the distant past, to the past, to the present, to an even earlier past.· Nurses are no longer expected to sublimate their feelings behind starchy officiousness as has been the case in the not so distant past.· How often did El Ninos occur in the distant past?· Time and again a permissive present is contrasted with the not too distant past.· The recent and the more or less distant past thus combine in the amalgam of the present.· When he did speak, it was mostly of the very distant past, remembering his brothers as boys.· Marks and Kersey had had contact in the distant past.
· Her normally lucid style had slipped and she had forgotten huge chunks of the recent past.· These remarks, which apply even to the recent past, are worth remembering at the outset.· Much of the interest in the recent past in job enrichment programmes has sprung from this and other work by Herzberg.· That does not mean formal, just not as casual as in the recent past.· They had seen the recent administrative past and it had worked.· Let us begin with a balance-sheet of these opportunities, from both the distant and the more recent past.· Salmonella poisoning has received considerable publicity in the recent past.· Both Dennis and Gustave had at various times in the recent past been passionately enamored with me, or so I suspected.
VERB· Erroneous police conclusions are often caused by considerable obstacles to the discovery of what happened in the past.· Whatever happened in the past is the past.· You feel guilty in the here and now about things that happened in the past which you can not correct.· No doubt a Conservative Member will cite the 1930s, just as has happened in the past.· All our interpretations about what happened in the past must ultimately rest upon this evidence surviving from the past.· Before she reached it, she wanted everything that had happened in the past finally to be put behind her.· It is an unstructured corpus of independent observations which rarely go beyond what seems to have happened in the past.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► bludgeon your way through/to/past etc somebody/something► have a checkered history/career/past etc► be beyond/past description► I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something)► rake over the past/old coals► be beyond/past retrieval
1the past a)the time that existed before the presentin the past- Barker had tried in the past to commit suicide.
- For many people, a relaxing weekend has become a thing of the past.
- I decided to ask Anna, as she had always been very helpful in the past.
- In the past, doctors seemed to have more time for their patients than they do today.
- It's hard to see events from the very recent past in their proper historical perspective.
- My grandfather enjoys talking about the past.
- Our goal was to learn from our past mistakes and to use the lessons on this project.
- The programme describes events which took place in the distant past, towards the end of the last ice-age.
- There were several horse-drawn carriages, as a nostalgic reminder of the past.
- We can study the events of the past.
- That's all in the past.
- To you that is all in the past, some one else's past, long ago.
- The biggest blast from the past was '60s model, Peggy Moffat, whose famous haircut is back in style.
- And, a blast from the past.
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- After a point, you break with the past.
- Although people complained about the volume, the rhythmic concept represented his biggest break with the past.
- Can the break with the past be more vividly described?
- However, the changes were not a complete break with the past.
- She has broken with the past.
- Thinking they were breaking with the past, the early Christians re-enacted it.
- Would there be a total break with the past?
- Yet the plan represents an important break with the past.
- I am sure in the dim and distant past it had been filched from the wall.
- After fighting his way through all this, he would have to face an angry and almost certainly stark-naked Quigley.
- Bar girls were screaming, and trying to fight their way past us.
- Being fit and healthy is especially important if you have to fight your way out of trouble or run for home.
- Dana fights his way through the protocol surrounding the medicine chest, has a recipe drawn up, and delivers his balm.
- I think also that three other Hearthwares shall come, in case we need to fight our way out of some tight spot.
- Meanwhile, the master had sprung from his position backstage and was fighting his way toward me.
- We will swim through seas of blood, fight our way through lakes of fire, if we are ordered.
- At half past one the men got up and checked their equipment, gathering several sticks as well.
- At half past three he wanted to die, or to kill somebody.
- At half past two this morning my wife died.
- It was half past three in the morning.
- She arrived at the Herald building at half past three, and walked past the uniformed commissionaire to the lift.
- The return journey was supposed to start at half past three but there would always be a few people missing.
- They'd all been given leaflets about it at half past three.
- But that's history now the children are back in the classroom.
- Johnny Morris is a past master at both.
- That sort of thing wasn't her style at all, but Susan was a past master at it.
- His lawyer believes Manson is beyond redemption.
- Charlotte got back into London rather late that night, and rather tired, but hooked beyond redemption upon Aurae Phiala.
- Systems may be evil but people are never beyond redemption.
- The Pistols were already banned from most established London venues; punk rock's reputation for violence was now beyond redemption.
- The whole business was regrettable but not beyond redemption.
- Life-long employment with a single company is a thing of the past.
- Otherwise, Tucsonans should merely leave the bees alone, and the scared news stories will probably be things of the past.
- Each receives some kind of government stipend, and Harry talks his way into a computer job while Kate does laundry.
- Forbes' rivals have accused him of buying his way into the race.
- Now nationalised and backed by government money, the firm may buy its way into video technology and markets.
- The adventurers could fight, but it would be safer to try and talk their way past.
- The family - without plane tickets and passports - had to talk their way past airport officials on their homeward journey.
- They bought their way into the landed aristocracy.
- You should be able to buy your way into any Mystery you choose with that.
The lake was smaller in the past. Good manners have become a thing of the past (=something that does not exist anymore). It’s time she stopped living in the past (=thinking only about the past) and began to think about her future.the recent/immediate/distant past She allowed her mind to drift towards the recent past. I did a law degree some time in the dim and distant past (=a long time ago). b)the past tense2all in the past spoken used to say that an unpleasant experience has ended and can be forgotten: You mustn’t think about it. It’s all in the past now.3[singular] the past life or existence of someone or something: At some time in its past the church was rebuilt. The woman who ran the bar had a very shady past (=events in her past which might be considered bad).COLLOCATIONSadjectivesthe recent past· The optimistic economic climate of the recent past has gone.the distant/remote past· Rivers of molten lava clearly flowed here in the distant past.the immediate past (=the very recent past)· In order to understand the present, we must look at the immediate past.verbsforget the past· Forget the past and focus on the future.be living in the past (=think only about the past)· You’ve got to stop living in the past.phrasesbe/become a thing of the past (=not exist anymore, or stop existing)· We hope that smoking will become a thing of the past.a break with the past (=when something is done in a completely different way to how it was done in the past)· These policies are a break with the past.in the dim and distant past (=a very long time ago)· I think she sang Ireland's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest sometime in the dim and distant past.THESAURUSin the past at a time before now, especially a long time ago: · In the past, most children didn’t go to school at all.· We had a big argument, but it’s all in the past now.in those days/in the old days a long time ago in your life, or in your parents’ or grandparents’ lives, when things were different: · £5 was a lot of money in those days.· In the old days, only very rich people had cars.at one time used for saying that something was true in the past, but is not now: · At one time there were six schools in the village.· I would have agreed with you at one time.back in the day informal used when you are talking about a time in the past, especially one that you remember as being very good: · I loved Blondie back in the day.· Back in the day, everyone would meet at the boys’ club.