expressions used to tell someone in a polite but firm way that one wants them to do something
it would be wise to
If someone says to you that it would be wise to do something, they are advising you to do it, because it is the most sensible and reasonable action or decision in a particular situation.
would/should be obliged
If you tell someone that you would be obliged or should be obliged if they would do something, you are telling them in a polite but firm way that you want them to do it.
chance would be a fine thing
said to mean that something that you would like to happen is very unlikely
someone would love to be a fly on the wall
said to mean that someone would like to be present when a particular thing happens , and hear what is said or see what happens, although this is actually impossible because it will take place in private
would not do sth for anything/would not be sth for anything
You can say that you would not do something for anything to emphasize that you definitely would not want to do or be a particular thing.
would-be
adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You can use would-be to describe someone who wants or attempts to do a particular thing. For example, a would-be writer is someone who wants to be a writer.
...a book that provides encouragement for would-be writers.
...a would-be rock star.
Synonyms: budding, potential, so-called, professed More Synonyms of would-be
would-be in British English
adjective(prenominal)
1. usually derogatory
wanting or professing to be
a would-be politician
2.
intended to be
would-be generosity
noun
3. derogatory
a person who wants or professes to be something that he or she is not
4. Indian
the person to whom one is engaged to be married; fiancé or fiancée
would-be in American English
(ˈwʊdˌbi)
adjective
1.
wishing or pretending to be
a would-be expert
2.
intended, but failing, to be
a would-be work of art
Word origin
ME (northern) walde be
Examples of 'would-be' in a sentence
would-be
What would-be writer of nineteen would not have been?
Claire Harman ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (2005)
But surveys have found that one in four would-be adopters are turned away at their first inquiry.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is a career path frequently followed by would-be entrepreneurs.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He identifies three potential risks for would-be investors.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
For the majority of would-be writers that pain will be for no financial gain.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His mother was a nurse and his father a salesman and would-be entrepreneur.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Highlights of the series in which would-be entrepreneurs are challenged to come up with the best business ideas.
The Sun (2006)
Surveys have found that one in four would-be adopters are turned away at the pointof their first inquiry.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Would-be investors are being warned to check application cut-off times as they can vary depending on whether you apply by post or online.
The Sun (2013)
So how did the would-be thief know her victim's name?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The vast number of would-be entrepreneurs fail, and fail many times.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
If there was one thing all would-be footballers wanted to do it was play in the final at Wembley.
The Sun (2015)
Would-be investors have been told that industrial relations between mail bosses and union leaders have become'very collaborative'.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Taking advantage of the knowledge he has built up, he is offering an advice service to other would-be investors.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
would-be
British English: would-be ADJECTIVE
You can use would-be to describe someone who wants or attempts to do a particular thing.
...a book that provides encouragement for would-be writers who cannot get their novel into print.