abreasta‧breast /əˈbrest/ adverb 
It’s important to keep abreast of the latest developments in computers.2walk/ride etc abreast to walk, ride etc next to each other, all facing the same waytwo/three/four etc abreast (=with two, three, four etc people or vehicles next to each other) The planes were flying four abreast.3level with someone or something or in line with them: As the car drew abreast of him, Jack suddenly recognised the driver.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Four women, walking two abreast, approached, their shoes loud on the wooden walkway.
- He had been under the impression they were still abreast of Washington.
- He strove to come abreast of his more favored contemporary; he was deeply discontented if he failed.
- Many growers may feel overwhelmed as they struggle to keep abreast of potentially helpful developments.
- My father called us frequently from Tokyo to keep us abreast of the legal work, which sounded complicated to me.
- One way to stay abreast of the legal fees is to ask for monthly billings.
- Store owners kept each other abreast of these unfortunate incidents and warned each other.
- That way you can keep clients and colleagues abreast of how and when they can reach you.
Longman Language Activatorknowing a lot about something
someone who is knowledgeable knows a lot of different facts, especially about a particular subject or activity: · Visitors should use reputable travel firms with knowledgeable guides, and avoid camping alone.knowledgeable about/in: · Gradually the band became more knowledgeable about the business dealings in the music industry.
knowing a lot about what is happening, especially about what is happening in the world: · "Le Monde' is a newspaper designed for well-informed readers.· According to one well-informed source, the two sides are very near to reaching an agreement.well-informed about: · Abdul Karim was particularly well- informed about American politics.
to know a lot about a particular subject or about various subjects, so that you are usually able to answer anything that people ask you: · The British Ambassador proved to be a mine of information on the subject of the Royal Family.
British /be up on American spoken to know a lot about something, including the most recent information: · How well up are you on men's fashion?· Don't ask me - I'm not really up on current events in that part of the world.
to always know what changes and developments are happening in a particular situation or organization: have your finger on the pulse of: · As a manager of a bookshop, I have to have my finger on the pulse of the publishing industry.
to make sure that you know all the most recent news about what is happening somewhere or about new developments in a particular subject: · When we lived abroad, we always kept abreast of what was happening at home.· It's very important for students to keep up to date with developments in their own field of study.
next to someone or something · Roy had the seat next to the window.· I parked my car next to yours.· "Have you and Chris met?" "Yes, we were sitting next to each other at dinner."· "Where's the French dictionary?" "On the bottom shelf, next to the encyclopaedia."right next to (=next to and very close to) · I couldn't believe it. There was Tom Cruise, right next to me!· The hotel was right next to the airport.
next to or very close to something: · I saw him standing by the window.· Weymouth is a pretty little town by the sea.by the side of something (=next to a river, road, path etc): · Several soldiers were sitting on the grass by the side of the road.wait by the phone: · Relatives are anxiously waiting by the phone for more news about the plane crash.
next to or very close to someone or something: · Ella came and sat down beside me.· On the table beside the bed were several medicine bottles.· They were sitting beside the pool, eating breakfast.
next to another building, room etc or living in the next house: · "Is this Maria's office?" "No, hers is next door."· Have you met the people who've just moved in next door?next door to: · Why don't we meet at that little French bistro next door to the theater?live next door to somebody: · "How do you know Marsha?" "I used to live next door to her."
standing, sitting, or placed next to someone, especially when they are doing something: · I like to have a Thesaurus at my side whenever I do any writing.· Dirk went and stood by her side, his arm around her slender waist.
next to a road or path: · Richard left his motorcycle on the side of the road and started to walk.· Tests in April showed that police cars parked at the side of motorways reduce speeds by ten miles per hour on average.
in a line close to the side of a river, coast, border etc: · We followed the path along the shore for several miles.· Walk along the canal as far as the bridge.· The Rif Mountains were visible as we sailed along the African coast.all along (=from one end to another): · Troops were stationed all along the border.
if two people are walking, sitting or lying side by side , they are next to each other: · We walked along slowly, side by side.· Sabina and Mel sat side by side in the back seat.
next to or along the side of something: · The two boats were moored alongside each other in the harbor.· I decided to take the path alongside the railway track.· The driver was just getting out of his car when a police car pulled up alongside.
if people walk two/three/four etc abreast , that number of them walk at the same speed next to each other: · The sidewalk was wide enough for us to walk three abreast.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY As the car drew abreast of him, Jack suddenly recognised the driver.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB
(=with two, three, four etc people or vehicles next to each other) The planes were flying four abreast.
The planes were flying four abreast. As the car drew abreast of him, Jack suddenly recognised the driver.· Many growers may feel overwhelmed as they struggle to keep abreast of potentially helpful developments.· The trouble was that the purchasing power of the workers did not keep abreast of what they produced.· The parents were both well-educated and kept abreast of good parenting practices.· They must incur debt if they are to keep abreast.
· One way to stay abreast of the legal fees is to ask for monthly billings.· Once in their job, industrial production managers must stay abreast of new production technologies and management practices.· In this way, hip Benetton stays abreast of the unpredictable storms of fashion.· These programs help students, estimators-in-training, and experienced estimators stay abreast of changes affecting the profession.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
1keep/stay abreast of something to make sure that you know all the most recent facts or information about a particular subject or situation: - Executives keep abreast of events in the company by e-mail.
- Dulles did more than make the customary recommendations that the policies of the colonial powers keep abreast of local political aspirations.
- In this way, hip Benetton stays abreast of the unpredictable storms of fashion.
- Many growers may feel overwhelmed as they struggle to keep abreast of potentially helpful developments.
- Once in their job, industrial production managers must stay abreast of new production technologies and management practices.
- One way to stay abreast of the legal fees is to ask for monthly billings.
- Representative staff will keep abreast of national developments by attending conferences and by visiting other schools piloting such courses.
- The trouble was that the purchasing power of the workers did not keep abreast of what they produced.
- Corbett and Ranulf, riding abreast, stopped and gazed at the chaos.
- If there are six people walking abreast there is little chance that they will create an avenue for you to go through.
It’s important to keep abreast of the latest developments in computers.2walk/ride etc abreast to walk, ride etc next to each other, all facing the same waytwo/three/four etc abreast (=with two, three, four etc people or vehicles next to each other) The planes were flying four abreast.3level with someone or something or in line with them: As the car drew abreast of him, Jack suddenly recognised the driver.