(1) optimism about/for the future
(2) We may now look forward with optimism .
(3) a mood of cautious optimism

(1) The point at which the solid and the liquid are in equilibrium is called the freezing point.
(2) Any disturbance to the body's state of equilibrium can produce stress.
(3) We have achieved an equilibrium in the economy.

(1) The gala evening was attended by royalty and politicians.
(2) We were treated like royalty.
(3) All royalties from the album will go to charity.

(1) The company cannot accept liability for any damage caused by natural disasters.
(2) Since his injury, Jones has become more of a liability than an asset to the team.
(3) The company is reported to have liabilities of nearly $90 000.

(1) vowel sounds
(2) Each language has a different vowel system.
(3) The vowel in words like 'my' and 'thigh' is not very difficult.

(1) a political/financial crisis
(2) the government's latest economic crisis
(3) The business is still in crisis but it has survived the worst of the recession.

(1) the tensile strength of rope
(2) tensile cable
(3) Certain materials can be manufactured with a high tensile strength.

(1) a petition against experiments on animals
(2) The workers are getting up (= starting) a petition for tighter safety standards.
(3) Local residents have successfully petitioned against the siting of a prison in their area.

(1) to apply for/take out/pay off a mortgage
(2) mortgage rates (= of interest)
(3) a mortgage on the house

(1) the battle of Waterloo
(2) to be killed in battle
(3) a gun battle

(1) He puffed (away) on his pipe.
(2) I sat puffing my cigar.
(3) Chimneys were puffing out clouds of smoke.

(1) (North Amercian English)You need to get your priorities straight .
(2) a high/low priority
(3) Education is a top priority .

(1) The lion will often stalk its prey for hours.
(2) birds of prey (= birds that kill for food)
(3) Elderly people are easy prey for dishonest salesmen.

(1) His albums are available on tape and CD.
(2) a blank tape (= a tape that has nothing recorded on it)
(3) I lent her my Bob Marley tapes.

(1) steam/diesel/electric locomotives
(2) Steam locomotives pumped out clouds of white smoke.
(3) Railway locomotive traction supporting the professional gear manufacturers.

(1) a press baron
(2) drug barons
(3) ...their stepfather, baron Michael Distemple.

(1) He often runs errands for his grandmother.
(2) Her boss sent her on an errand into town.
(3) She was forever running errands for her housebound grandmother...

(1) ceramic ware
(2) a collection of local ware
(3) basketware

(1) the wrath of God
(2) He incurred the wrath of the authorities in speaking out against government injustices.
(3) The heat of your wrath has gone over me; I am broken by your cruel punishments.

(1) He would doubtless disapprove of what Kelly was doing.
(2) He will doubtless try and persuade his colleagues to change their minds...
(3) doubtless he was justified in some of his criticism of the media...

(1) cooking/kitchen utensils
(2) ...utensils such as bowls, steamers and frying pans...
(3) The best carving utensil is a long, sharp, flexible knife.

(1) He barged past me to get to the bar.
(2) They barged their way through the crowds.
(3) I hope you don't mind me barging in like this.

(1) There are two versions of the game, a long one and a short one.
(2) the latest version of the software package
(3) the de luxe/luxury version

(1) a stern face/expression/look
(2) a stern warning
(3) Her voice was stern.

(1) aerial attacks/bombardment/photography
(2) an aerial view of Palm Island
(3) The banyan tree has aerial roots.

(1) to squeeze a tube of toothpaste
(2) to squeeze the trigger of a gun (= to fire it)
(3) He squeezed her hand and smiled at her.

(1) an overloaded truck
(2) He's overloaded with responsibilities.
(3) Don't overload the students with information.

(1) to supervise building work
(2) She supervised the children playing near the pool.
(3) [不可数名词, 可数名词]Very young children should not be left to play without supervision.

(1) trading in foreign currencies
(2) a single European currency
(3) You'll need some cash in local currency but you can also use your credit card.

(1) We interviewed each individual member of the community.
(2) The minister refused to comment on individual cases.
(3) respect for individual freedom

(1) She married at 17 and gave birth to her first child shortly thereafter.
(2) Inflation will fall and thereafter so will interest rates...
(3) It was the only time she had ever discouraged him from dangerous activities and she regretted it thereafter.

(1) Her comments had torpedoed the deal.
(2) More than a thousand people died when the Lusitania was torpedoed.
(3) These attacks are seen as an effort to torpedo the talks.

(1) It's a long grind to the top of that particular profession.
(2) the daily grind of family life
(3) She grinds out romantic novels at the rate of five a year.

(1) She's a sensible sort of person.
(2) I think that's a very sensible idea.
(3) Say something sensible.

(1) She didn't enlighten him about her background.
(2) It was a very enlightening interview.
(3) A few dedicated doctors have fought for years to enlighten the profession...

(1) a mid-morning snack
(2) I only have time for a snack at lunchtime.
(3) Do you serve bar snacks?

(1) a well-ventilated room
(2) The bathroom is ventilated by means of an extractor fan.
(3) [不可数名词]a ventilation shaft

(1) His paintings capture the essence of France.
(2) In essence (= when you consider the most important points) , your situation isn't so different from mine.
(3) (British English) coffee/vanilla/almond essence

(1) His face burned with shame.
(2) She hung her head in shame.
(3) He could not live with the shame of other people knowing the truth.

(1) Competition winners will be notified by post.
(2) The police must be notified of the date of the demonstration.
(3) The date of the demonstration must be notified to the police.