(1) She despised gossip in any form.
(2) He despised himself for being so cowardly.
(3) I can never, ever forgive him. I despise him...

(1) He made it plain that we should leave.
(2) She made her annoyance plain.
(3) The facts were plain to see .

(1) uncover the pan and let the soup simmer.
(2) Police have uncovered a plot to kidnap the President's son.
(3) Auditors said they had uncovered evidence of fraud...

(1) She treated her daughter like a slave.
(2) We are slaves of the motor car.
(3) Sue's a slave to fashion.

(1) soap and water
(2) a bar/piece of soap
(3) soap bubbles

(1) ‘Where are John and Liz? ’ ‘they went for a walk. ’
(2) they (= the things you are carrying) go on the bottom shelf.
(3) If anyone arrives late they'll have to wait outside.

(1) Can I have a drink ?
(2) soft drinks (= cold drinks without alcohol)
(3) a drink of water

(1) a generous benefactor
(2) to be generous with your time
(3) to be generous in giving help

(1) factors influencing the determination of future policy
(2) Both methods rely on the accurate determination of the pressure of the gas.
(3) fierce/grim/dogged determination

(1) You're not telling me he offered to lend you the money out of the goodness of his heart?
(2) goodness me, no!
(3) (formal)At least have the goodness (= good manners) to look at me when I'm talking to you.

(1) Everyone in the class seemed eager to learn.
(2) They're eager to please (= wanting to be helpful) .
(3) the band's eagerly awaited new CD

(1) the local chapter of the Rotary club
(2) I can't give chapter and verse, but that's the rough outline of our legal position.
(3) I've just finished chapter 3.

(1) to give sb an injection
(2) He was treated with penicillin injections.
(3) An anaesthetic was administered by injection .

(1) major/minor surgery
(2) to undergo heart surgery
(3) He will require surgery on his left knee.

(1) a portable TV
(2) (figurative)a portable loan/pension (= that can be moved if you change banks, jobs, etc.)
(3) portable software

(1) She said her farewells and left.
(2) a farewell party/drink, etc.
(3) farewell Laos, a Buddha country with smiles, I do come back again!

(1) Steam condenses into water when it cools.
(2) The steam was condensed rapidly by injecting cold water into the cylinder.
(3) condense the soup by boiling it for several minutes.

(1) a camel coat
(2) And Rebekah lifted andshe saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
(3) The camel also goes under the name of " the ship of the desert "

(1) I made it especially for you.
(2) I wasn't feeling especially happy that day.
(3) ‘Do you like his novels? ’ ‘Not especially. ’

(1) hate mail (= letters containing cruel comments)
(2) a hate campaign (= cruel comments made about sb over a period of time in order to damage their reputation)
(3) a look of hate

(1) Stop making that terrible racket!
(2) a protection/extortion/drugs, etc. racket
(3) He makes such a racket I'm afraid he disturbs the neighbours...

(1) a rainy day
(2) the rainy season
(3) the rainiest place in Britain

(1) to write a cheque
(2) to make a cheque out to sb
(3) to pay by cheque

(1) The plane was spinning out of control.
(2) a spinning ice skater
(3) My head is spinning (= I feel as if my head is going around and I can't balance) .

(1) on this/that occasion
(2) I've met him on several occasions.
(3) I can remember very few occasions when he had to cancel because of ill health.

(1) I have no objection to him coming to stay.
(2) I'd like to come too, if you have no objection .
(3) The main objection to the plan was that it would cost too much.

(1) Buckingham palace
(2) the royal/presidential palace
(3) The palace last night refused to comment on the reports.

(1) lovely countryside/eyes/flowers
(2) She looked particularly lovely that night.
(3) He has a lovely voice.

(1) the fur trade
(2) a fur farm (= where animals are bred and killed for their fur)
(3) The animal is hunted for its fur.

(1) He's the image of his father.
(2) Slowly, an image began to appear on the screen.
(3) poetic images of the countryside

(1) The Italian way is to round off a meal with an ice-cream.
(2) It has 25 calories less than ordinary ice cream.
(3) After pigging herself on ice cream she went upstairs.

(1) Remember to specify your size when ordering clothes.
(2) The contract clearly specifies who can operate the machinery.
(3) The regulations specify that calculators may not be used in the examination.

(1) imaginary fears
(2) The equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the earth.
(3) ...creating an imaginary world.

(1) particles of dust
(2) dust particles
(3) There was not a particle of evidence (= no evidence at all) to support the case.

(1) The tests are designed to detect the disease early.
(2) an instrument that can detect small amounts of radiation
(3) Do I detect a note of criticism?

(1) to insert/turn the key in the lock
(2) the car keys
(3) a bunch of keys

(1) Jo was absent from the house all the next day.
(2) My son Colin has just returned from Amsterdam.
(3) ...a group of men travelling home from a darts match.

(1) We are very sad to hear that you are leaving.
(2) I was sad that she had to go.
(3) She looked sad and tired.

(1) Local resident groups have united in opposition to the plan.
(2) We will unite in fighting crime.
(3) Will they unite behind the new leader?

(1) This building is government property.
(2) Be careful not to damage other people's property.
(3) The price of property has risen enormously.